InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Deep In The Darkest Of Nights; The Future Unfolds ❯ As We Go On; We Remember ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

“Now students, remember your midterm exams are coming up so I suggest you study your material thoroughly.” the professor drowned on, “Are there any questions?”

“Yeah, when’s this class going to end.” Mumbled a young woman sitting in the second to last row of the class. Her raven hair fell to about an inch past her mid back, her deep brown eyes clouded with boredom as she endured her history teachers endless lectures.

As if answer to her question, the final bell sounded; signaling the end of the day and all classes for the week.

“Now don’t forget your current event paper is due Monday.” The professor shouted atop all the bustling of the class room as the students made their way out of the room.

“Ms. Higurashi may I speak to you for a moment?” the man questioned, reaching into the briefcase he kept beside his desk and pulling out a rather thick file folder.

The young woman, finally glad the day was over turned her gaze from her materials she was packing into her small backpack and turned her attention to her professor.

“Yes Mr. Gonzo?” the young woman questioned, slinging her pack over her shoulder and making her way to the front of the room, sliding her chair into the desk of her seat.

“I would like to talk to you about your last paper…” Mr. Gonzo said, turning his emerald gaze to the young woman’s before him, “I was slightly disappointed with this last paper, the one you did on World War I…you just…how can I put it?”

“I understand professor, I’ve been so busy lately. I seem to be out of it a lot. I apologize if my paper is not the quality I normally give you, and I ask that perhaps I can redo it?” the young woman questioned, looking towards her professor with sincere apology.

“That’s what it was then?” Mr. Gonzo questioned, more to himself than to the woman before him, “I thought it was that, or just you lacked interest in the subject. Your reports on Feudal Japan were magnificent and, I dare say, made me feel as if I were actually living there.”

“Well living on a shrine with it’s many myths and legends has it’s historical basis as well.” The student replied.

“Very well.” Mr. Gonzo said, standing up and motioning towards the door, “I will not allow you to redo your paper, however I expect the same quality of work you’ve done in the past to come out of your current event.”

“Understood sir.” The young woman said, grateful to her professor.

“Now get going.” Mr. Gonzo ordered, “I know you have plans for this weekend, you don’t’ need me holding you up.”

“All I have planed this weekend is this current event Mr. Gonzo.” The student replied, exiting the class as her professor closed the door behind them, “Thank you and have a good weekend sir.”

“And to you too.” the man replied, his emerald eyes taking on an amused glint.

“You have no clue how wrong you are Kagome.” he whispered to himself as he watched the young woman retreat down the hall only to be bombarded by her three friends, “I think you’ll find that your heart will be in this current event project I assigned you, and I think you’ll thank me for it later.”

With that, the man pulled his key from the classroom door and made his way out of the university, walking towards his car and getting inside; all the while feeling down right proud of himself for having the woman he’d once looked up to as a mother finally going to be happy again.

& #8220;Kagome!” came the shout of a young woman, she appeared to be around twenty four, her hair short, only reaching to about her shoulders, a yellow headband preventing it from falling into her face and covering her large brown eyes.

“Hey you guys!” Kagome replied, quickening her pace to a run as she caught up with her friends. “How have you been Eri?”

“Just fine thanks.” Came the reply of her friend, her hair the same length as the young woman who’d called her over only she did not have anything preventing her hair from falling and framing her face.

“How about you Ayumi? Yuka?” Kagome greeted, turning to each of her friends in turn.

“We’re doing all right.” Came the reply as the group of four made their way out of the university.

Walking down the large marble steps, the young woman’s friend asked, “Kagome?”

“Yeah Yuka?” The woman replied.

“Are you busy tonight?” Yuka questioned, looking into her friends eyes for any hint of a lie to her response.

“Yes actually.” Kagome said, keeping her face calm and unwavering, “I have to get my current event paper done for Mr. Gonzo.”

“Bummer.” Eri replied. She’d had the professor the first semester and them promptly dropped out, “I don’t see why stayed in that class, he’s a tough guy.”

“He’s tough I’ll give you that.” Kagome agreed, “But I’m doing well in the class and I enjoy it.”

It was true, she loved history. She didn’t know if it as because of her time through the well or not, but she loved to learn about the past. But wasn’t also true to say that if you didn’t know the past you were bound to repeat it? That had been true throughout history after all.

“I heard he was part of some military organization before he became a teacher.” Ayumi commented.

“That would explain a lot.” Yuka agreed.

“So what’s he got you doing Kagome?” Ayumi questioned, “I have him 1st period and I have to do a report on the oil spill out side of Osaka.”

“I’ve been given the one about that carrier that was attacked over the weekend.” Kagome explained.

“Oh really?’ Ayumi replied, “I think I have that article in my backpack.”

The young woman stopped, shrugged off her backpack and dug through the contents.

“Here you go.” She said, handing the slightly crumpled newspaper to her friend.

“Thanks.” Kagome replied, taking the paper and turning to her friends.

“Well I better get going, I need to make sure this is done before Monday and I have to go see my family this weekend.” Kagome said with a wave to her friends as she darted away from the university and down the streets of Tokyo.

The shrine was only a few blocks away from the university so it took her no time to get there.

Kagome made her way down the streets of the city towards her home, her head in the clouds; lost in thought.

“Nine years.” She thought to herself, “Nine years from today was the day I first fell down that stupid well. The day that changed my life forever.”

She continued to tread down the sidewalk with a heavy heart, kicking a stray pebble that happen to come in her path.

“You can imagine what going through all that I did could do to a person.” Kagome thought, a small frown forming on her face, “Battling demons, jumping down an ancient well only to travel 500 years in the past and meet the man who you knew you were meant to be with.”

For three years she had done the same routine; jump down the well, battle demons, and then come home and try and hold her life together. You can imagine how hard it was for her.

“And then he promised to come for me, and look; six years later still no sign of him.” Kagome whispered bitterly, the steps to the Higurashi shrine coming into view and she began her long journey upwards.

“I bet he went off and lived his life happily with Kikyou.” She whispered harshly to the summer wind that gently blew her pleated skirt around; she had never figured why she only wore skirts now, she supposed it was out of habit.

“Or he turned himself into a full demon and did god knows what.” Kagome continued her quiet assault on the hanyou until she stepped under the tall, ancient tree close to her house.

Turning her attention to the tree, a sudden calmness overcame her, and she knew she couldn’t think that way.

Stepping over the low fence surrounding the Tree of Ages, she gently ran a hand across the warn bark of the ancient tree, across the very same spot InuYasha had been sealed to all those many years ago.

“No, I trust him, he wouldn’t do that.” Kagome said sternly to herself, “I know he’ll come back, and I’ll wait for as long as it takes.”

“Kagome dear? Is that you?” Came the questioning voice of a woman from the door to her home.

“Yes mom.” Kagome replied, turning and leaving the tree and making her way towards her mother.

“It’s good to see you dear, how are you?” Her mother questioned, she knew what day it was and couldn’t help but feel sorry for her daughter. She had been through so much, pulled down a well at the age of 15 only to have to be put through trial after trial. And once she thought that it was over, that it was all going to be okay; six years ago upon her return from the Feudal Era, she found out that she would no longer able to pass through the well until the hanyou’s return. That was six long, painful years; and now, on her daughter’s 24th birthday, she was determined to make her happy.

“Come on inside and take a break dear.” Came her mothers soothing voice as Kagome waked inside the house she’d known since she was little, “Is there anything I can get you?”

“No I’m just going to start my paper and I’ll be down in a bit.” Kagome replied, shrugging one of the backpacks straps off her shoulder and making her way through the familiar house, climbing the stairs and heading towards her bed room.

“Hey sis, good to see you again.” the young man said from behind her as he exited a room off to the left.

“Hey Sota.” Kagome replied, greeting her younger brother.

He, much like the rest of the Higurashi family had been affected by the news of the hanyou’s decision to send the young woman back to her own world, it even more impacted them when the days turned to months, the months to years and still no sign of the man who’d become a hero among them.

The young man stood before Kagome, now the age of 17. He was about a head taller than Kagome, his ebony hair cut short, his eyes remained their deep brown they always had been, still caring and loving. It was strange to look at the two siblings when they stood side by side however, it was plainly evident that the young man carried more of their father’s traits then Kagome did.

“Well, I got to get this paper done.” Kagome said, turning and continuing her way to her room.

“Okay.” Sota replied, heading for the stairs.

“Hey Kagome?” Sota said questioningly.

“Yeah?” She said, halting her movements, her hand seemingly frozen to her door knob.

“Happy Birthday.” Sota said.

“Thanks.” Kagome replied, opening the door and shutting it behind her.

Kagome shut the door behind her, dropping her backpack off to the side she rested her back against the hard wood of the door, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor, her back pressed flat against the wooden support.

“I just don’t know what to do anymore.” Kagome sighed, “My last year in college and I’ll finally have my majors and can move on with my life.”

“But do you want to move on?” came the nagging voice of her conscience.

“I guess so.” Kagome replied.

“But that would mean you’d forget about InuYasha and all your friends. For get everything you did those three years beyond the well.” her conscience argued, “Can you really move on from some thing like that?”

“I suppose not.” the young woman said defeated as she stood up and dragged her backpack to rest beside her desk.

“First things first.” Kagome said to the empty room, “I’ve got to get this paper done.”

Sitting at her desk the young woman pulled her laptop from the bag she kept slung over her shoulder. Laying it flat on her desk, she flipped it open and switched it on. Once the screen greeted her with the welcoming blue desktop before promptly changing into her school desk top-which consisted of a picture of the school’s logo- she promptly changed the image to one of the pictures she had scanned into the computer the day she had bought it. Now, staring back at the young woman was a photo of her friends from the Feudal Era, smiles on their faces.

“See, you can’t forget them.” Came the taunting voice of her conscience once more as it tried to get the last word in.

“You’re right okay.” Kagome said, now thinking she was crazy for arguing with herself. Though she had to admit, she’d seen crazier things.

Opening her word processing program she quickly headed the paper and got it prepped for her to write.

“Now, lets see what’s so special about this carrier.” The young woman said, pulling out the newspaper and lying it flat on the desk before her, scanning the paper for the article she was assigned. Upon finding it she began to read it aloud to her self quietly.

Kagome sighed, “Yet another boring assignment. Why would he think I would connect with this?”

Thought the young woman didn’t understand why her teacher had assigned her this piece, that is until she finished the article.

At that, Kagome’s heart stopped, her blood ran cold. Scanning the page she looked for the rest of the article she quickly turned to the designated page and there staring back at her was a picture of the pilot of the F-15. Sure enough it was InuYasha. The image of the hanyou stared back at her, only now his hear was black and his eyes a deep brown, as well as the two triangular appendages she’d grown fond of were no longer atop his head. All in all he looked human.

Scanning the article, Kagome read the last paragraph of the news piece.

Kagome just stared at the paper lying before her, tears welling in her eyes. With out a second thought she snatched up the paper and flung open the door, tears coming down her face as she proceeded to go down the stairs taking them two at a time.

Upon entering the kitchen she found her mother and brother, her grandfather having been outside doing his daily chores.

“What’s the matter Kagome?” Her mother questioned, mistaking her tears of joy for those of sorrow.

“He’s back!” she shouted happily as she tossed the newspaper; the article she was reading face up onto the table in front of her brother, “He’s back.”

With that she took off for the door and hastily slid it open and made her way down the steps to the street. The base was about ten blocks away, granted it was a far distance to walk, but it was well worth it.

Ms. Higurashi stared as he daughter left the house. Turning her attention to her son she asked, “What was that all about?”

“He’s back.” Sota repeated, astonished.

“Who’s back?” Ms. Higurashi asked, confused.

“InuYasha.” Sota replied, handing her the newspaper and running outside to tell his grandfather the good news.

Ms. Higurashi just stared down at the newspaper that was now griped in her hands, overcome with shock and happiness that her daughter could once again be happy.

“This is commander of Eagle Unit One requesting permission to land.” Came the rough voice of the unit’s commander.

“Permission granted sir.” Came the response of a young man on the other end of the communication line, “Welcome home.”

“Good to be back.” Replied the commander as he followed the airstrip and proceeded to land his aircraft.

Successfully landing his aircraft, the commander opened the top, the glass and steel of the top access part of the plane lifted up, allowing him to exit. Carefully climbing down the side of the fighter plane, the commander was promptly greeted by his second in command.

“Well good to see you back in one piece.” The young man said as he greeted his commander.

“Good to be in one piece too.” Replied the superior officer, “I thought for sure that carrier was going to shoot me down, it was defiantly packing some serious firepower.”

“So it is one of his then?” The young man questioned.

“Yes, Naraku’s behind this no doubt about it.” Replied the commander.

“Mr. Takahashi, you’re needed in the command room.” came the voice of a female officer over the intercom of base.

“I just got here, what do they expect me to do?” the man replied, scowling towards the mounted speaker.

“They’re going to give you your next assignment InuYasha.” The young man replied, “Man, how stupid can you be. I would have thought with all the years we’ve been doing this you’d get the hang of this.”

“Shut up Shippo.” InuYasha replied, “I’m in control of this organization, I’m not the one to be getting assignments, I should be giving them.”

“Yes well, I think you’ll like this one.” Shippo replied, his emerald eyes glinting for the second time that day with amusement.

“What did you do?” InuYasha questioned, narrowing his eyes towards the young man.

“Absolutely nothing.” Shippo replied, motioning towards the large building in front of them, “Though I think we should get going don’t you.”

“I guess so.” InuYasha agreed, the two walking towards the building’s front doors, the men standing guard requesting the two’s security badges.

“So how is she?” InuYasha asked once they’d entered the building.

“Who?” Shippo questioned, his tone full of mock innocence.

“You know who.” The hanyou said sternly, his brown eyes clearly showing he was in no mood for games.

“She’s fine don’t worry.” Shippo assured the hanyou as the two entered an elevator and began their assent to the top floor, “Though she’s seemed distant lately. I could only guess why.”

“I really appreciate you doing this for me Shippo.” InuYasha said, turning to face the young man, “For looking after her I mean.”

“You have no need to thank me.” Replied the kitsune, “You’re the one who’s going to have to look after her now that she knows you’re back.”

InuYasha gawked at the man beside him, “How the hell does she know I’m back?”

“Four words.” Shippo smirked, “Current Event due Monday.”

InuYasha ran a clawed hand through his temporarily ebony hair, “You didn’t.”

“I did.” Shippo corrected, “Thought you’d be happy with me.”

“Well I hadn’t planed on explaining this all to her so soon.” InuYasha admitted.

“Trust me.” Shippo began as the elevator bell sounded they’d reached their destination, “If I know that girl, don’t get me wrong she’s not a slacker, but she’ll wait till after Saturday to start her report. After all today’s her birthday and she may have plans tomorrow.”

“I just hope you’re right.” InuYasha said.

“You don’t want to see her?” Shippo questioned, the two turning a corner and making their way down a long hall way to the head of department’s office.

“Of course I do.” InuYasha sighed, “I waited 500 years to see her again, but now that Naraku’s shown up, I didn’t want to get her involved.”

“Well it’s not like you can send her to the other side of the well where she’d be safe.” Shippo shot, a slight edge to his tone.

“I made a mistake.” InuYasha admitted, guilt lacing every word, “And I’m paying for it. It just goes to show no matter what you do, needless who it’s for, it’s always a bad idea. Nothing you ever do comes with out a price.”

The two entered the room and their conversation ended, though, the conversation was pretty much over then anyway.

There sitting in a chair before them, a large oak desk between the two and the head of the department, sat the lord of the west.

“Well, it’s good to see you back in one piece little brother.” Sesshomaru commented, turning his golden eyes towards his half brother.

InuYasha simply nodded, “So where am I off to this time?”

“You are to remain here for the duration of at least three weeks.” Sesshomaru replied, handing over a file folder to the hanyou, “There is your assignment.”

The hanyou nodded and abruptly left the room, Shippo behind him.

“I suppose you already know what my assignment is.” InuYasha accused.

“Of course.” Shippo replied, “I’m second in command after all.”

InuYasha sighed as they retraced their steps, heading towards their destination of the front doors once more.

The kitsune had, expectantly, grown up over the long 500 years they’d been together. They’d somehow, the cause unknown to the hanyou, developed a sort of dependent bond between each other, sort of brotherly in a sense.

“Well aren’t you going to see what your assignment is?” Shippo questioned, his tone somewhat to a parent trying to prompt a young child into opening his birthday gifts.

“Fine if you want me to so much.” InuYasha replied, flipping open the folder and scanning the contents.


Objective: find and protect target suspected for involvement and harm from enemy

Target: Higurashi, Kagome; female; age 24; current student at Tokyo University; lives with family at Higurashi Shrine.

And there, next to all the target and assignment information was a picture of the woman he’d long to be with, the one who’d he’d promised never to leave, promised to protect.

“I don’t believe it.” InuYasha gasped, turning towards the kitsune beside him as the exited the elevator and made their way through the doors and down the front path that led to a heavily guarded gate, then to the streets of Tokyo.

“Yep.” Shippo said as he motioned for the guards at the gate to step aside, “And you know what, I don’t think I know her as well as I thought.”

“What do you mean?” InuYasha questioned, the two making their way down the side walk. However, the hanyou’s question was answered as something large collided with him sending him to the ground as two arms wrapped around his neck.

The hanyou lay there motionless for a moment, trying to get his mind to register what had happened. He’d just been tackled in the middle of Tokyo, he knew that much; but by who?

The hanyou took a sniff of the figure lying on top of him, his lips covered by the ‘attackers’ soft warm ones, the sweet and familiar sent wafting into his nose.

“Kagome.” He gasped quietly, releasing the folder from his hand and wrapping his arms tightly around the young woman returning the gesture, “What in the world.”

“I read in the news paper you were a pilot and were now stationed here.” Kagome replied gently pulling away from the hanyou, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt, as well as her soft sobs as her head moved to rest on his chest, “I ran here hoping to find you, to see if it was true.”

The hanyou sat up, bringing the woman with him as he stroked her hair gently.

“It’s true.” InuYasha said softly, “I guess you found me.”

“You kept your promise.” Kagome said, her tone light and happy as her eyes lifted to show her tears of joy, “You came back.”

InuYasha nodded, “That I did.”

“See.” Shippo said, watching the two now on the ground, “There’s always a reason professors give homework, though I don’t think this is always the case.”

Hearing the man’s voice, Kaogme’s head shot up, eyes wide as she finally realized who was standing next to her.

“Shippo…”Kagome whispered, “You’re my..”

“Yep.” The kitsune replied, “And don’t think that because of this you can get out of doing that assignment. And ‘ my dog ate it’ won’t be a good enough excuse.”

The hanyou growled softly as he narrowed his eyes towards his friend, “Watch it.”

The kitsune just smiled, “What should we do now?”

“We can go to my house.” Kagome offered, still not completely over the shock of her love and friend returning.

“Sounds like a great idea.” Shippo announced, turning and making his way in the direction he knew was the way to the shrine.

Kagome stood and waited for InuYasha to pick up his folder and follow her. The two made their way down the streets and to the shrine, Shippo keeping at lease five feet ahead of them.

As the three made their way towards the shrine, up the steps and in Shippo’s case inside the house, InuYasha stopped right under the tree, grasping Kagome’s wrist and preventing her from moving.

Gently, he pulled the woman as close as he could to him, her hands now resting on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her small form, his eyes now their resilient gold, his hair it natural silver.

InuYasha leaned forward, gently brushing his lips against the young woman’s, his voice soft and full of love when he spoke, “Happy Birthday Kagome.”