InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Delusions ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Author’s Notes: This chapter will have a flashback and that will be denoted by the italics format.

Delusions Chapter Three Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language) Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

“I...I…” Kagome stammered, “I cradled your body in my arms” She said gesturing at Shippō . “I was soaked in your blood from the massacre. I couldn't stop him.” Kagome looked so confused, as did those around her. Inuyasha most of all. “Clearly Inuyasha did no such thing as we are all alive and well standing before you. A little worse for wear, I might add, but a decade and a half will do that to you. Well, to some of us I should say,” Miroku clarified. Inuyasha finally broke his silence. “I don't get it. You mean to tell me you left because you thought I went berserk and killed everyone or something?” He paused, “Why would I do that?” Kagome looked at him. She could feel herself breaking. All of this time she thought that she had been betrayed by the man she had fallen in love with and now it seemed as though the only betrayal was on her part. “It all seemed so real. With what had happened between us prior and...and what happened after...I don’t know what to believe anymore.” Inuyasha stared at her dubiously and crossed his arms. Sango jumped in on behalf of her friend, “Let's go back to the village and Kagome can tell us her story. There's too much to share and we must be getting back soon anyway. Young ones and all.” “Yes, we can't leave them too long or they will begin to terrorize the village,” Miroku added. She felt shaken and confused. Kagome tried to push down the guilt and shame she had begun to feel by taking interest in her friend's words. “Little ones...plural?” She asked with a small smile, “So there are more than one?” Ignoring the pleasantries, Inuyasha jumped away towards the village ahead of the group. Shippō noted his behavior and scratched at his head in a quizzical manner. “He doesn't seem to thrilled about you being back. I would have thought he would...” he trailed off. On their short walk back, Shippō began to fill Kagome in on what she had missed the past sixteen years. Kagome, still holding her shirt closed at the shoulder, was grateful for the brief distraction from her feelings. Miroku and Sango had married. Kagome congratulated them accordingly and commented that she was glad they finally acted upon their feelings for one another. Three children were the product of this union. Twin girls and a little boy; Maeko, Maemi, and Kichiro who were 14 and 13 years old. Shippō proudly told Kagome of his success at the Kitsune Demon examinations and his rank as a full fledged Kitsune. He even pointed out his second tail in which he had gained upon completion, noting that usually kitsune’s don't grow a second tail until after 100 years but he had done so after only 25. “What about Kaede?” “She passed 5 years ago,” Miroku answered for the kitsune. “She died peacefully. We can visit her grave later if you wish.” “That would be nice,” She responded as they entered the village. A small sadness for the loss of her priestess mentor washed over her. She set the feeling aside for now. Kaede’s village was almost as Kagome had remembered it; though a bit more developed over the course of the years. There were more villagers than before. People must have flocked to the safety of the village that hosted permanent residents who were renowned for their ability to thwart demons...of the evil variety. Since losing its titular member the village had become known as Inuyasha’s Village; after the infamous hanyō. Kagome was led to Sango and Miroku’s home where she marveled at the dwelling. “Miroku, did you build this yourself?!” She asked. “I helped, but Inuyasha did most of the work. He really has a knack for this type of thing. Building that is. He has helped to build quite a few of the newer homes here in the village. Anything to help keep him occupied.” Kagome wondered at why he had the need to be kept occupied. As they entered the hearth room, Inuyasha, who had been waiting and was already sitting against a wall with his eyes closed gave a monosyllabic response, “Keh.” Miroku waved him off. “He's being modest. He has really taken the initiative to help out after…” Inuyasha opened one eye, “Nothing better to do around here anyway.” Miroku looked like he had more to say but did not continue. Kagome wondered if there was something more to that than he let on, but stayed quiet. Shippō and Miroku arranged themselves around the hearth and Kagome sat across from where Inuyasha leaned against the wall. Sango went into a separate room and returned with a haori for Kagome to wear over her ruined clothing. After handing her the garment, she sat down as well next to her husband. “The children are still out, so please, Kagome, tell us what happened,” Sango inquired. Kagome wringed her hands in her lap and chewed nervously on her lip, unsure of where to start.

Kagome could feel the jewel shard. It's taint pulsed through her like a nauseous feeling that jabbed her in the pit of her stomach as they grew closer to it. Her role at this point was to locate the shard, and also Naraku who held it. The spider hanyō was good at hiding but he had emerged for some reason. The group, consisting of Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippō, and Kirara had paused for the night. Their quest on a temporary hiatus as they rested and refueled. There was no hurry to continue on. Kagome could feel the shard stay in place since they started out. The group suspected a trap so they took their time, trying to strategize on their journey to the sacred jewel shard’s location. It was completely unlike Naraku to reveal his location and expose the sacred jewel shard to his enemies and anyone who might covet the power of the Jewel. Naraku, as strong as he aimed to become, was still a coward at heart who never risked himself without a good reason. So, it seemed reasonable to assume that he was waiting for them to come to him. However, Inuyasha was adamant on finding him and dealing with him head on. Trap or not. The group was quiet on this night. Shippō had fallen asleep next to Sango, Kirara dozing beside him, and Miroku absently poked at the dying embers with a stick. Inuyasha rested with his back against a tree and Kagome rested her head against his shoulder. All members of the party enjoying the silence after a long day's trek, which was quite eventful in of itself. A local had requested that the group investigate a troublesome spirit along the west road outside of his village. Anyone who traveled down the road was unfortunate enough to meet with a horrible end...to their stroll...because their legs became entangled! Miroku called it an Ashi-magari but Inuyasha found out that it was just a trickster Tanuki...that is, only after hours of becoming entangled himself and becoming so frustrated that he had to use Tessaiga to escape. He finally sniffed out the unfortunate Tanuki and scared it off by threatening to obliterate it with his Wind Scar if he ever caught it up its tricks again. Kagome had stood up to get her bedroll from her trusty backpack. As she was putting it out Inuyasha perked up and looked above the trees. Kagome followed his gaze and saw the tail of a soul collector disappear just out of sight. Another one appeared shortly after, following its brethren. “Kikyō …” Kagome whispered. She looked over to Inuyasha whose ears swiveled forward and looked to Kagome for silent permission. With the barest of nods from her, Inuyasha got up and quietly exited in the direction of the soul collectors. Sango and Miroku looked questioningly at Kagome, “He has some business to take care of.” She hoped he would take care of it at least. He had told her his decision which was to gain closure with the undead Miko and break his promise to her. A promise he could no longer keep. Hours passed and while everyone else slept peacefully, with the exception of Kirara who was keeping watch, Kagome tossed and turned awaiting Inuyasha’s return. ‘Why is this taking so long?!’ she thought to herself. ‘Maybe I should...no...he doesn't need my help…’ Kagome settled back down to try and find sleep but she soon heard a twig snap and sat upright. She looked to the treeline and saw Inuyasha swathed in shadows. He grinned at her and gestured for her to come. Silently, she got up and stole into the woods, following the hanyō, quick to make sure that the rest of her friends still slept. Kirara, was the only member still awake, but she just watched as Kagome disappeared. Kagome did her best to keep up with Inuyasha. He seemed in a playful mood, running ahead of her a little ways and then waiting for her to catch up. She laughed at him as she almost ‘caught’ him several times. “Inuyasha, isn't this far away enough?” She called. “Just a little bit farther,” he answered. “I have a place to show you.” Kagome felt blissfully at ease with the knowledge that she finally had him all to herself. She could finally put aside the jealousy and bitterness that she always had to suppress when she thought of Inuyasha and his former miko lover. Finally they reached a glade in the forest. It was beautiful bathed in the moonlight. Inuyasha must have passed it on his way back and marked it as a spot to return to later. Inuyasha waited for Kagome in the middle of the glade. He held out his arms for Kagome and she walked towards him. But, before she could get any closer, she realized that Inuyasha was not looking at her. She looked at where his gaze lay and a couple of feet beside her, Kikyō emerged from the darkness.

Next time on Delusions…… …..Kagome looked back at Inuyasha in confusion. His arms still held out before him and Kikyō gave a sidelong glance at Kagome before she walked out and into his waiting arms where they embraced. Kagome’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Inuyasha...I don't….I don't understand. I thought…”....