InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daybreak ❯ When Time is Up... ( Chapter 21 )

First of all, thank you so much to everyone who wished me luck on the exams and/or offered their help! Most of you have been there and done all that so thanks for your encouragement and advice! Passed everything. Woot.

 

Second: Thank you all for leaving such heart warming comments! And I'm sorry for those who had to urge me to continue with the story already (*ahem* sorry, Shaun!). I expected to get this out earlier, but then I got writer's block (wouldn't you know it). But it's done!!

 

Thankyous:

 

IDoInuyasha31- Awww! Thank you! Wow, two degrees! You're a veteran! ;)

Psyco_chick32- Thank you so much! And yes, perhaps your assumptions are correct… ;P

Lunabell- Thank you! Yeah, poor Inuyasha. He gets so many difficult things in his life

blackbutterfly15- I'm so sorry you had to wait so long! Thank you so much for your review! :D

Silver Dog of the Snow- I know! How cute is he?! I want one dammit! Thanks so much for reviewing! :D

feulner- Thanks so much! And thanks for reviewing!

Angel At Risk- lol! Yeah, boys are always entertaining at that age aren't they? Thank you!

Laur- I missed you too! Lol! I hope your computer's all fixed now. Thank you!

Shaun- Thank you for your email! It's great to know you're enjoying it!

 

ON WITH THE STORY!!

 

 

 

Chapter 21- When Time is Up…

 

 

“I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the syllable… `ma'.”

 

Miko-chan frowned in thought as she sifted through the scrolls in the box. “Hmmm… let's see… could it be `mado'? The window?”

 

“Aww! No fair! You got it on the first try!”

 

Miko-chan chuckled to herself and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Inuyasha looked away quickly and began fiddling with the box he was sitting on, also filled with scrolls. That was the thing with Miko-chan. She was always chuckling at him. But when Miko-chan laughed at him, he didn't mind. It was a nice laugh.

 

“Well Inuyasha, why don't you think of something more difficult next time?” said his mother as she entered the room, her arms full of parchment. The older woman gently rested the pile of scrolls beside the box Miko-chan was rummaging through as the boy huffed in a sulk.

 

“I can't think of anything! You guys know more words than me, so it's not fair!”

 

“Then, how about you go back to your kanji practice and learn more words so you can beat us in the next game,” said Izayoi, glancing at her son.

 

“Okay…” sighed Inuyasha. He slowly moved over to sit by the small table in the centre of the room and picked up his brush.

 

Pretending to look at his work, he took a quick glance around his mother's big room. Well, it was big before. It definitely didn't seem that way at the moment though. It currently resembled something like the store house he had explored one day. Boxes upon boxes were squashed up against the walls of the room and scrolls and loose pieces of parchment were scattered around on the tatami mats, organised in messy piles. It was the third day straight he and Miko-chan had come back to his mother's room to find it in such a cluttered state.

 

“Izayoi-sama,” he heard Miko-chan say, turning to his mother. “You've been searching through these boxes non-stop for the last three days. Can I ask what it is you're specifically searching for?”

 

Izayoi looked up from reading a scroll and smiled knowingly. “I suppose telling you would help the search's progress, yes?” The princess rolled up the scroll and set in on her lap. “When I was about to begin my training as a miko, I did all sorts of studies on spells and purification techniques. I since then had them stored away since I did not plan on using them. But I believe there might be something that could be of use to you. If only I could remember what it was…”

 

Inuyasha was sure Miko-chan's eyes widened and heard her bow deeply to the floor. “You've been spending all this time looking for something for me? I'm so sorry for troubling you!”

 

His mother hastily waved away her intense apology. “No, not at all. I was hoping to have found it by now so I could surprise you and thank you, but it seems it was stored away more thoroughly than I anticipated.”

 

“So you are searching for your old miko texts…” murmured the girl resuming her upright position again. “I appreciate all your hard work, but you don't need to sacrifice so much of your time and energy for my sake.”

 

“Don't be silly,” replied Izayoi. She had that kind of voice that indicated she had a warm expression on her face. “I want to do this. Besides, don't you want to find a way to save that special friend of yours?”

 

Inuyasha's head snapped up. There was that special friend again! He didn't know why, but it was so irritating whenever that special friend was brought up! He didn't know much about him, but he knew this friend was the reason Miko-chan was going to leave him one day. And he especially hated the way Miko-chan would get all red in the face.

 

He watched Miko-chan flush pink at his mother's words and she began to mumble so low he couldn't understand, even with his ears. His eyebrows knotted together. She was doing it again.

 

Miko-chan then caught his eye and looked up at him. “What's wrong?” she asked, confused.

 

“Nothing!” he said, snapping his head back to his work.

 

“I'd say he doesn't like the idea of sharing Miko-chan with anyone else. He must be a little jealous,” chuckled Izayoi slyly to the young girl.

 

“I am not!” shouted Inuyasha, his cheeks feeling hot. His mother chuckled and Miko-chan resumed looking at her scrolls, a small smile on her face. Scowling at them both, Inuyasha turn back to his brush, moping.

 

There was silence for a little while. Trying to ignore the pulsing of blood under his cheeks, the hanyou boy looked out the open shoji screen. Already the shadows of the hedges and stones of the garden were lengthening greatly, signifying the lateness of the afternoon.

 

“Izayoi-sama,” spoke Miko-chan softly, cutting through stillness of the room. “You don't need to search anymore; it's probably too late now, anyway…”

 

Inuyasha didn't look up and kept his eyes focused on his page. There was something in Miko-chan's voice that sounded so sad… And what did she mean by `too late'?

 

His mother sighed. “Hmm, I suppose… Speaking of which, it's getting a little late in the day now, isn't it? Miko-chan, can you come with me?”

 

Inuyasha felt Miko-chan glance at him while he looked up at his mother curiously. Silently, the girl rose and began to follow his mother out of the room and into the hallway.

 

“Where are you going?” pouted Inuyasha. He was still angry that they had teased him.

 

“We'll just be in the next room for a little bit. Work hard,” said Izayoi warmly as she slid the door shut on him. He heard his mother turn to Miko-chan beckoning. “In here.”

 

Straining his ears to listen, he heard the light steps of the women enter the next room. “Let's see,” he heard his mother murmur softly as she rummaged around (what sounded like) her chest of robes. “Ah, here. It seems I have left getting dressed too late in the day, Miko-chan, so I wonder if you wouldn't mind doing me a favour…”

 

Inuyasha's ears twitched and he found himself leaning over his table towards the wall, eager to hear what was said next.

 

Miko-chan's voice rose enthusiastically. “Yes, of course, it's the least I can do!”

 

“Good!” Inuyasha heard his mother whip out something in front of her to show Miko-chan. He heard the young miko catch her breath.

 

“Um… Izayoi-sama… I don't quite understand why…”

 

“Come now, Miko-chan, you said `at the very least', right?” said his mother with a smile in her voice. “So if you wouldn't mind, you go over-see the remaining preparations in my stead while I get myself ready.”

 

The hanyou child's eyebrows knotted in confusion as he heard Miko-chan back away, his mother quickly following after her. “But Your Majesty, I can go as I am! Really!”

 

“Nonsense,” chuckled Izayoi. “Don't be shy, now!”

 

Inuyasha heard a surprised squeal and the shuffling of material among other sounds of the commotion. Miko-chan's voice shrieked while his mother giggled to herself.

 

“Your Majesty! Please!”

 

“Trust me, this colour will suit you!”

 

“Izayoi-sama, please wait! I- Wah!”

 

“My, Miko-chan, you do have an alluring figure!”

 

Inuyasha quickly unfroze himself and clamped his hands over his puppy dog ears, knowing this was a conversation between women, and one he wasn't supposed to be listening to.

 

 

*****

 

 

Kagome ran her hand over her silk clad thigh in awe as she walked slowly through the gardens. She couldn't remember wearing anything so breathtaking before. When Izayoi had extracted it from the chest and asked her to wear it, Kagome was lost for words at the sight of the material.

 

It was a gorgeous silk kimono, the kind only princesses in the Feudal Era would wear. It was the soft pink of cherry blossoms with some even embroidered along the fabric. A grand red obi was tied securely around her waist with a complicated bow at the back and her under robes of red and white peeked out around her collar. She even had the sides of her hair pulled back and secured with an expensive looking clip. When Izayoi was completely done with her, Kagome had looked in the mirror and gasped at her reflection. Izayoi really did know which colours suited her and there was no way anyone could possibly miss that proud smile the princess wore as she left her.

 

Although Kagome had thanked the princess beyond words, she still couldn't help feeling uneasy by the state of her outfit. It wasn't her place to be dressed so beautifully, being a miko, a servant to Shinto. What were the others of the castle to say? Would Izayoi's kind, non-prejudiced heart make her more unpopular to those with the narrow beliefs of this era? Before Kagome had left Izayoi's quarters, she had pointed this out to the princess who merely smiled serenely and waved away her concerns.

 

“I just wanted to see you in a kimono once.”

 

Kagome came to a stop along the stone path and frowned. Izayoi was so mysterious. She had never asked any detailed questions about Kagome's past and sometimes said very vague things. And the kimono! Why did she want to see her wearing one for a change?

 

Kagome leant down and pulled the straps of her sandal tighter around her socks. Oh well, she supposed it didn't matter, it was the last thing she could do considering she would be leaving tonight.

 

A shiver of apprehension ran down her spine.

 

Tonight was to be Tsukimi, the Moon Festival and the end of her stay in the past. Tonight, she would be returning to her time, leaving behind the safety and comfort she had grown to love of Inuyasha's childhood, leaving behind her fond conversations with Izayoi and going to face her problems head on - whether she liked it or not. A week had already gone by and she still had no idea what she was going to do when she got back. She hadn't come up with a plan. She hadn't worked out any possible weaknesses to Onigumo. And she had absolutely no idea what they were going to do to do to her when she reurned. If Naraku had no more use for her he would probably just let Onigumo get what he'd always been after.

 

Kagome trembled at the thought. How had she let this valuable time just slip away? She had been so swept up in being with a young Inuyasha that before she knew it, it was already near the end of her time here. She thought back to the boy with silver hair and puppy dog ears sitting on a box full of scrolls, dangling his legs in the boredom only a child could have (ironically though, he would still have that juvenile, impatient expression when he was an adult).

 

Kagome subconsciously felt a smile grow on her face. No, even though she wished she had more time, there was no way she could label the time spent with him as `wasted'.

 

Her heart feeling lighter by the second, she quickened her pace and rounded the corner.

 

Servants, maids and even some soldiers were darting around the main plaza chattering to each other excitedly, some bringing out plates of food to lay to the side of the viewing deck where the royal family would be sitting, some setting up lanterns by the cherry blossom trees. Feeling a little excited too, Kagome confidently walked towards a woman (whom she recognised was one of Izayoi's ladies in waiting) rearranging some dishes.

 

“Um, excuse me…” began Kagome. The woman turned around and gasped, bowing deeply.

 

“I beg your pardon, Hime-sama, but the preparations are not yet complete.”

 

“Oh, um, that's okay,” said Kagome brightly, waving away her bow. She was a little surprised how polite the woman was being. “I'm not a princess, by the way. I just wanted to let you know that Izayoi-sama is still dressing for the ceremony, so she sent me to oversee some of the preparations until she is ready.”

 

The woman hesitantly looked up and took in Kagome's face. Her eyes widened. “I beg your pardon, ma'am, I thought you were one of the princesses. You are the miko, are you not?”

 

“Uh, yes I am,” smiled Kagome politely.

 

The woman bowed again. “I do apologise, Miko-sama.”

 

“No, that's okay. Uh, would you mind telling me what I have to do, until Izayoi-sama gets here?”

 

“There's really nothing for you to worry yourself with. Usually the royal just stands and watches if they like,” said the woman, looking at the many men and women moving about. “We are almost done, so if you would just like to rest over there, we may come to you if we have any troubles.”

 

Kagome bowed her thanks and moved over to stand on one of the building's porches. She took off her sandals, walked up the small amount of stairs, rested her back against the wall and sighed.

 

It really was hard to believe she would be gone soon, the exact time, she didn't know, but she knew it would be tonight. And then she would be back in the future with the grown up Inuyasha and his fiery glare. Kagome gently knocked her head on the wooden wall behind her. How exactly would she leave anyway? The pearl had disappeared when she had arrived here a week ago.

 

`Perhaps it'll suddenly materialise out of nowhere and drag me away?' she pondered, her hand on her chin. `Yeah, that sounds like the kind of inconvenient thing Housenki Senior would make.'

 

A man suddenly rounded the corner and stopped abruptly, preventing his collision with the young girl. The man bowed deeply.

 

“I'm terribly sorry, Hime-sama, I wasn't watching where I was-!” he stopped as he looked up at her. His face fell and he stood up, a stiff expression on his face. Kagome groaned internally and had to force herself not to glare daggers. It was Yuusuke, the soldier.

 

“Why are you dressed like that, Miko-sama?” he asked curtly.

 

`Right, stuff not glaring. Let the daggers fly.' Kagome narrowed her eyes. “Izayoi-sama gave it to me for the night as a gift,” she answered, dangerously polite.

 

Yuusuke grinned in contempt. “Ha, because you've been entertaining her spawn?”

 

“Yeah!” shouted Kagome, her hands on her hips. “You got a problem with that?!”

 

“Actually, I do!” shouted the soldier back. “I don't understand how a miko can be playing with a bastard half-cast like that, going against her duty!”

 

Kagome felt a vein pop on her head and unleashed her fury. “I can't believe you guys! Inuyasha is a sweet, kind and gentle boy and you better show him some respect! How dare you!! You JERK!!”

 

She heard a floorboard creak behind her and she spun around. Standing hesitantly by the corner of the building was said little boy with puppy dog ears and a red hakama, looking at them with round gold eyes.

 

“Koinu-chan!” she gasped. Oh no, he was the last person she wanted to hear this.

 

“Huh, so the half-breed arrives…” sneered Yuusuke, louder than need be.

 

Kagome snapped. “That's it! Izayoi-sama sent me as the over-seer of the preparations, so I order you to go clean out the pigs-trough with your bare hands!”

 

Yuusuke stumbled back as if hit with a mighty blow, before stepping forward again. “You think I'm going to listen to you?!”

 

Kagome folded her arms smugly. “No, but you have to listen to Izayoi-sama, which for now is me! Are you really going to deny your princess? Hmm?!”

 

Yuusuke pulled a face as he turned his back and began walking away from them. “Izayoi… She's not a princess; she's just some demon's whore.”

 

“Why you-!” yelled Kagome after him. “Yeah, you better keep walking away! Oooh! If I had my arrows-! Boy, would it feel good to sit him!!”

 

Realising, the `civil' conversation with the soldier was over, Kagome turned to the hanyou boy beside her. “Hey, Inuyasha,” she said gently. “Don't listen to a word those people say, okay? They have their own issues. That's why they try to pick on others. You really can only pity those sorts of pathetic people.”

 

“It's okay,” said Inuyasha, shuffling his feet. His ears were drooping like they did when he was sad. “Mom told me what a half-breed is. They're right. They think youkai are dirty…”

 

“Who cares what they think!” yelled Kagome, exasperated. “You're you. That's the only thing that matters! And you. Are not. Dirty!”

 

Inuyasha's ears pricked up a little and he looked up at her with the same round eyes she had come to adore. Kagome smiled encouragingly.

 

“Hey, how about we play another game?” she asked, crouching down.

 

“DEMON!! A DEMON IS APPROACHING!!”

 

Kagome whipped her head towards the direction of the scream. A man came running into the plaza pointing towards the direction he had just come from. Instantly everyone's confusion changed to fear. People began running all over the yard while the men scrambled to get to sticks and spears, anything that could be used as a weapon. She could hear the Supervisor shouting out instructions to the soldiers over the chaos.

 

“Stay here, Inuyasha,” said Kagome, sparing him a glace before hurrying down the steps towards where the soldiers were heading. As she paused to put her sandals back on she looked up at the little boy on the porch. He had his arms half raised and his eyes deep with concern as if to ask her to stop and come back. Kagome smiled at him.

 

“Don't worry; I'm not called Miko-chan for nothing!” She waved as she ran off. “Go and find your mother and keep her safe, Koinu-chan!”

 

Most of the grounds were empty now, except for some soldiers and a few retreating servants, which gave her a clean cut to the other side of the yard. Charging through the remaining people, she darted towards the group of soldiers gathering around the castle's gates, their spears at the ready.

 

“You there! What's the status?” cried out the supervisor to a soldier in the lookout tower.

 

“It's getting closer! It-! It's taken out the front line!” shouted the soldier, looking out over the twilight horizon. “There are some survivors returning!”

 

“It's too late for them! Close the gates!” instructed the supervisor. Kagome felt her mouth drop.

 

“What?! They're your men!”

 

The supervisor opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he looked over at the girl in the pink kimono. “Hime-sama!” he cried walking towards her. “There is danger coming! Please return to the castle!”

 

Kagome frowned and was just about to tell him she wasn't a princess when a giant boar youkai burst through the closing wooden doors, splintering it to pieces. The massive boar reared its head in the fading evening light and let out a horrific shriek, leading Kagome to desperately cover her ears from the painful sound. It looked positively frightening in the glowing orange light.

 

Without warning, it charged again. Men were thrown to the sides by the rabid demon's attack and soldiers patrolling the top of the castle walls were thrown off from the impact. The supervisor pulled out his sword and gestured with it to the youkai. “Attack at will! Make sure it goes no furth-!”

 

He was cut off when another soldier was flung into him, knocking him to the ground. Kagome had to duck quickly to avoid another soldier flung in her direction. Recovering from her surprise, she looked around to see men attacking the furious boar with arrows, spears and katanas, all to no avail.

 

`Its skin is too thick! If only I had a-!' Luckily, at that moment, she spied a fallen bow and arrow set near the boar. Kagome made sure the demon was distracted by the other soldiers before she dashed towards it and snatched it away. Retreating to a good distance, yanking one arrow into place, Kagome narrowed her eyes as she aimed at the enraged creature. It looked like any other low level youkai she had defeated in the future; just a little more furious. All she needed was one good shot to the head…

 

“Hit the mark,” she prayed through gritted teeth. The boar suddenly reared back as she released the arrow, just narrowly missing the mark and grazing the boar's chin instead.

 

“Oh, darn it!!” the girl cursed in frustration. “Why do they always try to move out of the way?!”

 

Kagome didn't have time to register the rather obvious thing she just said as the boar turned its head towards her and snorted furiously, its eyes screaming for blood. Even though the purification arrow hadn't killed it, it still must have hurt a lot!

 

“Oh, not good!” whimpered Kagome, fumbling for another arrow. Suddenly, with another horrible screech the boar charged towards her, its hooves making thunder as they collided with the ground. Kagome stared in terror as it approached. It was too late to get another arrow ready-!

 

“MIKO-CHAN!!”

 

A red and white blur suddenly darted in front of her, a little clawed hand raised. Kagome gasped.

 

“INUYASHA?!!”

 

“Stay away from Miko-chan!” shouted Inuyasha as he swiped at the boar's face. The boar was momentarily stunned by the hanyou child's sudden entrance into the battle before it batted the boy away in irritation. There was a big thud as the boy's head hit the ground. He remained still. Kagome's eyes widened.

 

“INUYASHA!!”

 

Realising the boar was turning its attention on her again, she furiously aimed another arrow at the monster and let her weapon fly.

 

A huge flash of light engulfed the arrow and as it shot towards its mark. Kagome, knowing it would be successful, dropped the bow and remaining arrows and ran towards the little boy lying unconscious on the ground. She completely ignored the sound of the boar meeting its end, falling with a large crash on the ground, as she scooped Inuyasha into her arms.

 

“Inuyasha!” she cried, gently resting her hands on his head, searching for any open wounds.

 

“Sh-she's done it! The youkai is dead!” cried one soldier.

 

“BANZAI!!”

 

“Is that Hime-sama? No wait, isn't that Miko-sama?!”

 

“Miko-sama took care of the youkai!”

 

“The lord was right to hire her! Incredible!!”

 

Ignoring the remaining soldier's comments, Kagome continued checking the little hanyou over, crooning his name over and over again. “Inuyasha? Are you alright?”

 

“Miko-chan…” he mumbled sluggishly.

 

Kagome breathed a deep sigh of relief and smiled at him, tears forming in her eyes. “You dummy. You're always saving me.”

 

 

*****

 

 

Kagome watched Izayoi tenderly lay a damp cloth over her son's head and pull the covers of the futon up around his chin. It had been about an hour since the youkai attack and still Inuyasha hadn't woken. Kagome looked at the sleeping boy miserably as she recalled the moment he had received that severe blow to the head. She had honestly thought her heart had stopped when she heard that sickening crack and watched his body go limp.

 

`Stop it,' she reminded herself. `You see him in the future, don't you? He's fine then! Besides, he's tougher than a human, so he just needs to rest! He'll be fine when he wakes up!'

 

It was well dark now, with only the candles and lanterns lighting the room. Outside, a deep full moon hung high in the night sky. The two women could hear the happy laughter and music float from the other side of the castle in the warm night air.

 

“Shouldn't you join in on the festivities?” said Izayoi, breaking the silence. “Father has hailed you a hero and I'm sure they'd all like to have you there as a guest of honour.”

 

Kagome looked up at the woman she'd come to respect, admire and love just like a second mother. This beautiful middle aged woman always had an air of grace about her and yet she was so kind and considerate of others. Kagome smiled sadly. “I'm not the hero. Inuyasha is. If he hadn't saved me, that low level youkai would have had me killed.”

 

Izayoi tilted her head. “Maybe so, but you did deal the finishing blow,” she said gently. Kagome didn't have an answer and continued to solemnly watch Izayoi stroke her son's head. It was so sad to think that one day this mother-son relationship would end and Inuyasha would be left frightened and alone.

 

“You really love him,” she said suddenly, surprised by how her throat seemed to close over. She was getting so emotional. Perhaps it was because she knew she was leaving soon.

 

“Indeed,” said Izayoi smiling at her son. “There is nothing like the love a mother has for their child. Would you mind getting that pot of water over there for me?”

 

“Of course!” said Kagome, getting to her feet. She wandered over to the pot by the shouji screen and picked it up.

 

Suddenly there was a bright flash of white light from the other side of the shouji screen, coming from the castle gardens. It quickly died down into a low glow, sending pulsating light into their room. Instantly, Kagome felt an incomprehensible, undeniable pull towards the light. The intensity shocked her so that she dropped the pot, water splashing over the mats.

 

“Miko-chan?” exclaimed Izayoi, worried. Kagome slowly turned around to face the princess.

 

“I-I have to go,” she whispered, her eyes wide. “I-I'm sorry, I really am! I can't-!” She was lost for words at the sensation. If only she could explain this feeling properly. It was like a calling from the future, beckoning her…

 

Izayoi looked at her sadly for a second before reaching into her inner kimono. “Here, before I forget,” she said, extracting an object and walking towards the girl, placing it in her hand. Kagome stared at the little brown glass jar with its elaborate decorations.

 

“This is-?”

 

“This is an ancient, rare powder said to be made of the ashes of a deceased goddess who met an untimely end. Use this next time you are in close proximity of your enemy. Its purification powers will push the enemy out of your friend's body and he'll be saved. All you need to do is activate its powers a bit with your own before hand.”

 

Kagome gaped at the princess. “This will-! You mean you-?”

 

Izayoi smiled apologetically. “I'm sorry, I found the scroll telling me about this powder as soon as you left, and so went looking for it instead of getting ready for the festival. I hope you don't mind.”

 

Kagome felt tears of gratitude stream down her face and threw herself at the woman, giving her the biggest hug she could muster. These past few days she had been doing nothing but playing with Inuyasha in the forest and, to think, all the while Izayoi was slaving away, trying to find something for her benefit!

 

“Thank you so much for everything!” she sobbed.

 

Izayoi chuckled and returned the hug. “I should thank you. You've done more for me than you could ever know. Now, you had better hurry.”

 

Kagome pulled away from the princess, wiping her eyes. “I- um, this kimono-!”

 

“Don't worry about it. It's my gift to you. It was lovely meeting you,” she said gently pushing Kagome outside. Kagome quickly shoved her sandals on and ran out into the garden.

 

“Oh, and Miko-chan?”

 

Kagome stopped to look back at her. Izayoi smiled warmly.

 

“Please take care of Inuyasha.”

 

She gently slid the screen shut.

 

Kagome blinked a couple of times before the sensation of the pulling returned to her, urging her to move again. Reluctantly taking one last look at the room Kagome finally turned and ran down the path, passing the familiar hedges and flowers, back to where the light was shining, to where the bridge was.

 

Kagome stopped to stare at the bridge, bathed in the seemingly holy white light. Yes, this was where she had first seen little Inuyasha, little Koinu-chan, a week ago when she had first come here. She supposed it was logic that she return from the very same place she came. Kagome fought down the bitter feeling of regret, not being able to see the little hanyou one last time before she left, as she began obeying the pull and walked towards the centre of the garden bridge. But perhaps it was better this way. How could she possibly say goodbye to him? And besides! She'll see him again in the future, right?

 

`Please take care of Inuyasha'

 

Kagome stilled as she recalled Izayoi's words. What could she have meant by them? Unless… she knew that…

 

“Wait!!” shouted a voice. Kagome heard little legs stumbling over the wooden planks. She stopped and turned, watching him run up the garden bridge towards her.

 

“Koinu-chan…” she whispered.

 

Inuyasha reached her, puffing. His bottom lip trembled as his golden eyes shined with moisture.

 

“You promised,” he sobbed. “You said we would play another game.” Tears rolled down his cheeks and he shamefully looked down, furiously wiping them away with his little red haori.

 

“Koinu-chan,” she murmured with a cracked voice. He looked so sad, vulnerable and alone!

 

Unable to stand him looking so broken hearted, she suddenly swept him into her arms. She could hear him angrily sobbing into her kimono and began to feel tears stinging in the corners of her eyes again. She hoped he knew she didn't want to leave either.

 

“Why do you have to go?” he cried. She squeezed him tighter as she struggled to find the right words. Why did this have to be so difficult?

 

“I-I'm so sorry, Inuyasha,” she began. She sighed shakily. “But I have to go. This isn't my place.”

 

“But you're the only other person apart from mom who likes me,” he hiccupped. Her heart crushing to pieces at those words, Kagome pulled him as tightly as she could into her chest, trying to give him some, any, feeling of security.

 

“Listen to me Koinu-chan,” she began as she pulled away to face him. “I have to go now, but I will see you again. I can guarantee that.”

 

She took his face in her hands and admired his beautiful, glassy, golden orbs. “I may not remember anything, but when we do meet again, we will have lots of fun and adventures together.”

 

She crushed him to her chest again as he began sobbing once more.

 

“It will be a long, long time before that though. And between now and then you will face many… difficult things, but from them you'll grow into strong, young man. I promise you, I will see you again.”

 

With all the strength she could muster, she finally pulled away and looked down at him. She smiled sadly taking in his face before she turned away and walked to the light, knowing that each step was taking her further and further away from him.

 

`Don't look back. You'll see him again. You see him again in the future. He's fine. He's strong and he's grumpy and is always going on about ramen. He's fine! He'll be fine!!'

 

“WAIT-!”

 

She spun around to see him racing towards her, arms stretched out. She felt a tear rolled down her cheek and opened her mouth to say something, but within a split second, the light engulfed her and everything was gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: WOOT!! It's finally done!

 

Okay, serious business here, folks. I can end this story within the next two or three chapters or I can keep going. I still have a few ideas I'd like to use for this story, but it's really up to you guys, since you are the audience. So let me know what you want, cuz I'm easy either way!

 

Thanks for reading! Xx GoldenDust