InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ Sunset, Rain and Closure ( Chapter 28 )

Dear Readers,

 

I can't believe that's it's been more then two years since I first wrote this fic. It felt so long ago. Wow. Once again I thank all of you who have reviewed. Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much! I remember when I got my first ever review, I was so happy. I really hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I have. I'd like to say that this story isn't named Desert Rose without a reason. Just a little clue about something you all worry about. And so here it is: the last chapter of my first ever fanfic. I hope you enjoy.

 

Also, I'm terribly fond of happy endings, so hold strong until the end please!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha nor will I take credit for Romiko Takahashi's genius.

 

 

 

 

 

Desert Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Sunset, Rain and Closure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sea air was cold yet comforting. When she composed herself, Kagome stood on shaky legs and looked about for the first time. She expected the North Shore to be like what Northern Domain used to be: frigid and covered with crystal ice. Instead, a soft, chilly, clear breeze came from the ocean Kagome could see behind her. Green was the color of this island even though the temperature was a little low.

 

As Kagome breathed in to calm her saddened heart, she looked about to see a town in the distance. That was her destination: where she would perform her final task for her lost teacher and friend. Though Kagome knew that it was an inevitable promise she would have to complete, she didn't want to. The ache of thinking about Jordan's last wish had her procrastinating. So much had happened in only three short days…

 

Arriving back at the settlement, there was so much to do. Almost in a frantic way, the surviving warriors were rushed back into their homes to either rest or be given treatment for any injuries. Sarina and Suzuna, with heavy hearts, carried Jordan's body out into the forest. With their request, and Inuyasha's advice, Sesshoumaru gathered the people of the North and anyone who wished to mourn for the fallen queen to the flower field.

 

The joy of winning the war battled with the sorrow of losing Jordan for many of her people. Kagome had placed one flower on the ice that enclosed the late queen's body and didn't speak to Inuyasha for two days, instead keeping herself busy so she wouldn't feel anything.

 

Kagome repeated Jordan's wish over and over in her mind, but she kept pushing back her visit to the North Shore, where Jordan had asked she take her people. Though she was sure the letter Jordan had given her was a will, Kagome was reluctant to let that man, Giana, have it, for it would mean she would let go of Jordan forever.

 

During those two days in silent grief, Inuyasha had come by to try and console her, and though she knew he was also in pain from losing a friend, Kagome wanted to grieve alone. When she'd heard the terrible news back at the encampment, at first she'd didn't believe it. But when she saw Jordan's body, Kagome fell to her knees.

 

He must be worried. She hadn't said anything to him in days. Kagome looked down to the letter in her hands. What was Giana like? How much did Jordan trust him? Kagome felt another pang at her eyes and, sobbing, whipped a tear from her eye. This was not the time, she reminded herself; if she were to meet Giana, Kagome wanted to make sure that she appeared tranquil.

 

Gathering together her shredded courage, Kagome made her way to the small town. The closer she came to it, the more she marveled at the architecture. Every house was made of white marble as though a giant master sculpted the entire village. A small stream ran through the middle of the tiny city. The men and women walking about, stopped what they were doing when they spotted Kagome a few steps away from entering their home.

 

A moment later, guards were called, led by a tall, slim, young man with the reddest hair Kagome had ever seen. It fell over his shoulders and down his back in straight, slick strands. In contrast, his eyes were a deep and shining green.

 

“Welcome to North Shore.” His white robes fluttered as he bowed to Kagome. She returned the gesture, yet felt that she was unwelcome because of the way the two guards behind the young man clutched their swords.

 

“May I inquire what business you have here?” The youth asked.

 

Decided to get to the point before her bravery fled completely, Kagome said, “My name is Kagome. I've come on behalf of Lady Jordan of Northern Domain.”

 

“Ha! Are you serious? No host from the North wears such a garment. Who sent you, Eastern Domain?” A guard demanded.

 

“The war has ended. The people of Western and Northern Domain have killed Naraku.” She said, but the two men did not believe.

 

“As if we should believe you. We would have had an official from the North tell us-”

 

“Enough you two! Have you become so paranoid that you won't even let a single visitor into our humble village?” The youth cut across them.

 

“Vale, sir. It never hurts to be cautious.” A guard tried defending himself, but the man named Vale simply raised his hand for silence.

 

“Giana has decreed that hosts are allowed through, or did you forget. She wears the jade pendant. Besides, if what she says is true, we have no need to guards today. You are dismissed.” The two guards bowed and walked off into the village.

 

As the walked off, Vale asked Kagome in an urgent voice. “Is it really true?” Kagome nodded and retold the story of the combined efforts of Northern and Western Domain. Vale's face brightened when she finished. “This calls for a party!” He said happily.

 

“Wait.” Kagome stopped him. He looked like he wanted to bolt into the village and shout the news at the top of his lungs. “Could you please arrange a meeting with Giana? Jordan asked me to give a message to him.”

 

“I'm afraid you'd have to wait. Giana is currently in meditation.” Vale gestured into the town. “He cannot be disturbed, otherwise his healing energy would be swayed.”

 

Kagome was not surprised. According to Inuyasha, Giana was the most respected doctor in Northern Domain. Kagome felt a sting of anguish go through her when her thoughts lingered on Inuyasha. They would have to have a long talk after this endeavor.

 

Returning to the present, Kagome told Vale she would wait. “Great!” He dropped his formal tone almost immediately. “We shall tell the village the good news!”

 

Vale let Kagome through their village, giving her a grand tour. He proved to be rather talkative. He supplied most of their conversation and Kagome was surprised that this friendly and upbeat person was the caretaker for this entire village when Giana was absent. The town's volume rose into celebration after Vale gave the announcement that the war was over.

 

“We hadn't had news from Northern Domain in so long. The people were growing anxious.” He explained when Kagome made a comment about the sudden change.

 

“Well, I'm glad that your village is happy.” Kagome replied.

 

“Speaking of Northern Domain. How is Jordan? Giana will be very pleased to hear from her. How are the rest of the people from the North?” Vale almost lost his breath as the words rolled off his tongue faster then a hurricane.

 

In his excitement, Kagome almost forgot her agony. It stung to hear of Jordan and not wanting to ruin Vale's happy mood, she lied. “Jordan is doing well.” Wherever she is, Kagome thought.

 

Unwilling to lose her composure in front of him, Kagome excused herself but not before asking Vale to inform her when of when Giana came out of meditation. After hearing Vale agree, Kagome wondered into the village square and sat down next to the stream that ran through it. She watched children run around, pretending to be the victors of war and heard the thrill in the voices of the adults.

 

For a brief moment, Kagome thought back to the enthusiasm that greeted them when they returned with news of victory back home. Of course, she'd been distraught at the time but Kagome felt her spirits lift a tiny bit when she looked at the biggest positive: the fighting was over.

 

Trying to think about other things, so her eyes wouldn't turn red again, Kagome shifted thoughts. There were a lot of surprises when she'd returned from the war. Among them, was that Sango had told Miroku she was pregnant. The monk had almost jumped out of his skin and was tending to his wife as though she were paralyzed. That was of course, till Sango put her food down and told him she could take care of herself without him fretting about like a grandmother. Kagome was happy for them.

 

Besides the couple's new development, Kagome was surprised to find another Silva running around cheerfully. Learning that Ayla was still alive had brightened up the morning after she'd learned of Jordan's demise. The two girls were restored to their innocent, childish selves and ran around playing with Rin without a care in the world. Because of them, Kagome had made an exception and spoken to Inuyasha, telling him she was happy for him. But afterward, Kagome's thoughts lingered on Jordan again.

 

Kagome looked up and about the village again when she spotted Vale walking out a small house. She blinked and looked at him again. Rising from her spot, Kagome made her way to him. He turned his face toward when he saw he coming from the corner of his eye.

 

“Vale, why did you cut your hair?” She asked she stopped in front of him. He had such beautiful red hair and now it was cut an inch lost along his scalp on all sides.

 

“Who are you?” Vale narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down. Kagome was about to question him when she noticed something behind Vale that made her jaw drop.

 

“There you are!” The Vale with long hair ran up from behind the other Vale.

 

Kagome looked at the two men. Twins? She thought.

 

“I was just about to get you!” Vale with long hair said. “But it seems you beat me to it.”

 

“Your brothers?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yes, Giana is my older brother by ten years.” Vale answered. Kagome stared at Giana as though he had blue skin. Much like her surprise when she first met Jordan, Giana wasn't the middle-aged man she had envisioned. Instead, he barely looked a few years older then Vale, with the same light, green eyes.

 

“What's going one here?” Giana asked as he noticed the people of the village singing happily.

 

“I was very tempted to interrupt your meditating to tell you the news.” Vale bounced as he told Giana that the war had ended and about Kagome's purpose. Giana only grunted at the report.

 

“I see. So you have a letter for me?” Before Kagome could fumble into her robes, she noticed Giana gazed intently at her shoulder.

 

“What is it?” She asked.

 

“Have you been in a fight recently? You're right shoulder is lower then the other.” He said.

 

“It's probably from my quiver. Can I speak with you in private?” Kagome pulled the letter out.

 

“Very well. If you would excuse me Vale.”

 

Giana led Kagome beyond the village to the place Kagome had first arrived. The further they had gotten from the village, the lower Kagome's heart went. “We should be out of hearing range here.” Giana said as he turned to face her. “So what news?”

 

Kagome gave the letter to him. “Jordan asked me to give that to you.”

 

“Why couldn't she bring it herself?” Giana's brows came together and his the corners of his mouth dropped. “Is she still afraid to see me?” He asked more to himself then to Kagome.

 

“No, she's just very busy.” Kagome said quickly. Something about her ambiance made Giana give her a sharp stare.

 

“I am not a fool Kagome. Why hasn't Jordan come herself to deliver this?”

 

“She…” When Kagome didn't reply immediately, Giana leaned in a little to study her face. He drew back quickly, his face drained of its color. He turned his back to Kagome, staring at the sky. “I see.” He said after a grave pause. “Jordan…” Kagome, with her keen sense of hearing, heard the emotion behind that whisper.

 

“I'm sorry.” Kagome said.

 

“I had a feeling that this letter was heavy for a reason.” Giana said sullenly.

 

Unable to stop her curiosity she said, “Forgive me for being nosy, Giana, but just what was your relationship with Jordan?”

 

“She was my student…and my fiancé.” Giana opened the letter, his eyes skimming through its contents.

 

“So that's where she learned how to heal.” Kagome muttered.

 

“She was the only student who ever passed my course.” Kagome heard the sound of paper ripping. She waited, staring at Giana's back as he read the will. He said nothing, even as he turned to face Kagome again. After a deep inhale, he conveyed the contents of the letter to Kagome. “Jordan has left her kingdom to me. I am now the official leader to Northern Domain, as it would have been if I had married her.”

 

“You accept?” Kagome asked, whipping her eye.

 

“Yes.” Giana looked down at the paper in his hands again. “It's ironic. Even after she left me, I still became a ruler in the end.”

 

Was that the reason Jordan did not want the throne? Kagome thought, remembering that Jordan had left Northern Domain in Levion's hands. Was it because she didn't want to rule without Giana?

 

“Why did she leave?” Kagome couldn't help but ask.

 

“She apologized so many times. Because her power was so strong, her body was weak in exchange. She fought for years to hide it, but told me in tears that she would fail me as a wife. I didn't care if she couldn't have children, but I suppose that's all water under the bridge now. Please tell you're leaders I will meet with them in ten days to discuss what happens to the people.”

 

Power had taken away Ayla, Silva and Levion's sight, but it taken Jordan's ability to give life. Kagome pushed back the tears. Kagome quickly calmed herself enough to notice that Giana was turning to take his leave.

 

“Would it be too much if I asked a question?” Kagome said suddenly.

 

“What is it?” Giana asked as he turned to face her once more.

 

“You're a doctor right? How much do you know about poisons?” Kagome asked, biting her lower lip.

 

“I am credited with finding some cures. Why do you ask?”

 

“There's a slow acting poison that takes years off a person's life without pain. It flows through the bloodstream?” Kagome panted when she finished speaking.

 

Giana cupped his chin. “That's the first time I've heard of such things. And I've studied all poisons and antidotes.”

 

Kagome felt her heart slow painfully. “So there's no cure?” She asked.

 

He shook his head. “I'm afraid I cannot discover a cure for a poison that there is no precedent for. However…never mind.”

 

“What?” Kagome demanded. If there was anything, she wanted to know no matter how futile.

 

“There used to be a desert bloom that could cure any poison. But alas, it's been extinct since the wars.”

 

Kagome lowered her eyes, placing her arms around herself. Even the greatest doctor in Northern Domain couldn't find one. As if sensing her concern for another, Giana placed his hand on her shoulder. “Is there someone you care for that has touched this poison?”

 

Kagome nodded. “I'm sorry I wasn't of any help.” Giana mumbled sincerely.

 

Kagome whipped her eyes again and shook her head, looking up. “No, you've done enough. You've helped Jordan with her last wish. I think she'll be happy with her kingdom in your hands.”

 

Giana smiled. Even though it was a sad grin, his face became even more handsome. Kagome liked it far better then his serious countenance. With another word of appreciation, Kagome told Giana that her work was done. Waving goodbye to him, she closed her eyes and imagined herself going home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The affliction is still there?” Inuyasha tore his eyes away from watching his twins run around in the field with Rin. Sesshoumaru stoically watched his nieces and daughter play together in the distance. The girls were the only ones that weren't bothered with lingering thoughts of the war.

 

Despite the fact that the scars on his arm bothered him, Inuyasha found that watching his girls play was an elixir to his musings about his imminent death. Returning his gaze to the kids, he sighed. “Jordan,” Inuyasha paused when he spoke her name, “said that here was no cure. I didn't believe that killing Naraku would cure it either. The poison is still in my bloodstream.” He said. “Even as she were dying, Jordan still pleaded with me to tell her.”

 

“So you recognize her request.” It was a statement not a question, one that made Inuyasha inhale morosely.

 

“She knows. She might go home.” He said.

 

“Does that matter?”

 

“Yes. I hate feeling like I'm sending her back with something to plague her thoughts if she does leave.”

 

“I see.”

 

Inuyasha knew that there would be no comfort from his brother, no advice about what he should do, only remarks that made him wonder if Sesshoumaru even cared for his condition. Even so, he needed to confide in someone. After years of keeping things to himself, fighting on his own, he wasn't so sure he could go on relying on himself only.

 

“So we'll have a new addition to our little group.” Inuyasha almost didn't hear Sesshoumaru speak.

 

“What?”

 

“I'm talking about the monk and his wife.”

 

“Oh yeah.”

 

“Can I ask you a question?” Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha from the corner of his eye. “Were you surprised to find Ayla still alive?”

 

Inuyasha gave a humorless laugh. “I should give Silva more credit. If it weren't for her, Ayla wouldn't be here. Whatever I felt at the time doesn't matter anymore. They're here and they're safe, that's all I care for.” Was it really?

 

Inuyasha frowned. If it weren't for Kagome, he wouldn't have been able to speak to Ayla when she came to. She had given him the strength to see Silva and he never would have gotten his twins back without her. Sesshoumaru stood suddenly and turned to Inuyasha. “Can you watch Rin for me?”

 

“Going somewhere?”

 

“I've been wondering about our home now that Easter Domain has been defeated. I'd like to revisit.” Sesshoumaru eyed the sword on Inuyasha's hip.

 

“I never pegged you as the sentimental type.” Inuyasha joked.

“Aren't you interested in knowing what happened to our home?” Sesshoumaru countered.

 

Inuyasha didn't get the chance to reply as Ayla, Rin and Silva ran up to them. Silva and Ayla tugged on their father's arm and Inuyasha sighed. Reaching into his pocket, Inuyasha pulled out an apple. He'd learned to carry them with him in case Silva gave a tantrum. As he gave it to Ayla, Sesshoumaru bent down to Rin's level, telling her to be good while he was gone.

 

As though they felt him leaving, Ayla and Silva ran up to him before he could retreat back into the forest.

 

“Where are you going?” Ayla asked, tugging on his index finger.

 

“I'm just going to visit our old home.” Sesshoumaru answered.

 

“Can we come?” Ayla dropped the apple, forgetting its importance. She and Silva grabbed Sesshoumaru's arm.

 

“Please, uncle?” They said together.

 

Sesshoumaru simply raised he brows. “It's not up to me.”

 

Ayla and Silva turned their heads toward their father. Out of all the things that surprised him when they came home, the fact that his older brother got along very well with his daughters was the most shocking to him. Since Ayla shyly greeted him for the first time, the twins seemed to have grown rather attached to him.

 

“You'll have to take Rin with you too. It looks like she wants to come along.” Said girl blushed when Inuyasha was done speaking.

 

Ayla and Silva let go of their uncle for a brief moment to give their father's hand a squeeze. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

 

“I still can't believe you have such a soft spot.” Inuyasha said as the twins and Rin gathered around Sesshoumaru, bouncing up and down with anticipation.

 

“If you paid attention to anything,” Sesshoumaru began as Inuyasha unsheathed his sword, “you notice a lot of things.”

 

Unable to give his sarcastic remark in front of his two girls, Inuyasha simply stuck his tongue out at his brother before opening a passageway. As he watched the four of them enter, Inuyasha had a brief thought about the last time he used his sword and the last person that had gone through it. He let out a sigh.

 

“Bye-bye, Papa!” Ayla and Silva waved.

 

“They better come back in one piece, Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha chuckled.

 

Rolling his eyes, Sesshoumaru called back, telling Inuyasha he was impossible only moments before the portal closed. With the twins gone, Inuyasha felt the weight that had been pressing against his shoulders return. He turned his back on the flower field, embracing his time alone, now that he didn't need to watch Ayla and Silva, and thinking about everything that had happened these past three days.

 

So much in such a little time. Back at the settlement there was such a paradox of emotions. His people and the people of Northern Domain were happy and sad at the same time and so was he. However, the negatives overrode his joy at seeing his daughters healthy and happy again.

 

There was so much to think about it…so much to worry about. Now that his girls were out with their uncle, he could take off his happy face and be anxious. It seemed like there was a curse over his head. Losing his daughters, losing his heart, being empty for sixty years, regaining his heart, learning his daughters were alive and hurt, getting poisoned, and now…he didn't even want to think about it, yet he could picture it in his mind: the possible farewell.

 

As though summoned by his train of thought, the object of his current musings appeared from between the trees. Inuyasha had smelled Kagome return before he saw her. She must have transported herself back into the flower field because her face was pale and she had appeared from that direction.

 

“You're alone?” She asked as she came closer.

 

“My brother went to spend some `quality time' with the twins.” He paused. “I wanted to be myself for a little while.”

 

For some time, neither of them spoke. “So,” Inuyasha began, “Did you see him?”

 

Kagome took a moment to reply, breathing in. “Yes, and I gave him Jordan's letter.” She hoped that Giana and his brother could take care of the people of Northern domain. Though he seemed un-surprised by Jordan's death, Kagome had seen the pain in his green eyes, a pain that only a lover could feel.

 

Kagome stared at Inuyasha. He stared back. There was no cure, just as he had said earlier that day when he told her about his condition. It had been a rather unsettling thing to hear, and Kagome felt guilty for incriminating him with her words, blaming him for not trusting her enough to tell her the truth. She had been so distressed from losing Jordan and learning that he had kept the poison a secret until now had shocked her to the point that her concern for him had become fury.

 

“You were right.” Kagome looked down. Giana hadn't given her much hope either. “Doesn't it bother you? Don't you wonder what will happen to Ayla and Silva after you're gone?” Kagome asked.

 

Inuyasha smiled weakly. “I told myself that I'd do anything for them to be back and safe. I don't feel sorry for myself. Besides, they seem to be Sesshoumaru's soft spot. I'm sure he'd take care of them, but I do worry that they'd become as annoying as he is.”

 

Kagome didn't laugh. “You don't have to pretend that it doesn't bother you for my sake.”

 

Inuyasha's smile faded. “Almost nine months in this world and you can right through me.” He said.

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Kagome's shoulders slumped. “Can you take me to…take me to the border, please.”

 

She heard him breath in before waking closer and unsheathing his sword.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome stared out into the barren, hot dessert. Months ago, she was just a frightened, shocked high school student who had been pulled into this world by mistake. All she had thought about was a way to get home, but her resolve had melted and her wish had changed. How ironic that she had wished desperately for the chance to return home, and now she dreaded what she would have to do. However, Kagome thought, if she could bring herself to speak one last time, perhaps her burden would be easier to bear.

 

“Inuyasha, before you send me back, I have something I'd like to say.”

 

He didn't look at her. That was okay. It would have been harder for her if she had to see his blank eyes watching her. “I'm listening.” He breathed.

 

Kagome looked down into the sand. It was hot, just like her first day here. Would the world remain this way even after she was gone?

 

“Inuyasha, do you want me to go back?”

 

“It's not my choice to make.”

 

Kagome bit her lip. This was harder then she thought. “When I first came here, all I could think about was going home. To be honest, I didn't like this world. I hated the sun and the sand and the camels. Even when I became your host, it was to help you win the war so I could go back.”

 

Kagome took in a deep breath. “During my time here, you were always changing, even after your heart came back. I always noticed the changed in you, so much more then I felt the changes in myself. It was almost like the poison in your body, I didn't feel it happening, but I started to care more about this world, even though it isn't mine. I started to love Sango and Miroku and I started to care about the people. I began to wish to help you more, whether it was to get your heart back or to get your daughters back. If I go, I'll miss all this.”

 

“But if you stay, you'll lose your family and you're life back home.” Inuyasha said.

 

“ Are you saying you want me to go back?”

 

“Who am I to keep you from what you really want?”

 

Kagome gave him a sharp look and she knew he saw it even though he wasn't looking her in the eye. “Do you know what I really want?”

 

“No.”

 

“What do you want from me, Inuyasha? Do you want me to go home?”

 

He didn't answer. Kagome felt her something cold spread over her chest, as though a sword of ice had skewered it. Kagome kicked at the sand. “I want to know what you're thinking.” She repeated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had been so long since he'd stood on his own lands. What was left of their great castle was now in ruins, the majestic trees withered and brown from the force of the desert. The rich soil was now the sand his feet sunk into as he walked. Even though the sun was descending, the reflection from the sand kept Western Domain light. Turning his head he shouted at the three girls.

 

“Don't go too far!” He called.

 

“Okay!” His adopted daughter returned. His nieces echoed her.

 

Sesshoumaru walked closer to the rubble of the castle, running his hand along what used to be a strong brick frame that made up one of their towers. It felt strange stopping time to leave this place. He never thought he'd feel like he was abandoning it.

 

“Uncle!” Ayla ran up to him. “Look, look!” She demanded, opening her tiny hands. He bent down. “What is it?”

 

Ayla opened her hands. “I found this rock! It's so soft!” She said. “Isn't that neat! A rock in all this sand!”

 

Sesshoumaru took said rock from her. He examined it and took a small whiff. Dropping it back in Ayla's hands he asked her where she found it. “By that big tree.” Ayla pointed to where Silva and Rin ran around the trunk, playing tag.

 

“Ayla, what are you going to do with that?” He asked.

 

Her shoulders came up. “I dunno. Put it back? Maybe if I put it in the ground a bigger rock will come out!” She exclaimed and ran off to do just that. Sesshoumaru watched her reunite with her sister and Rin. They began digging into the ground.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his eyes back to the castle, picking up a blue brick, which must have been a part of the blue tower. He wondered if it were possible to rebuild. How do they change the world back to its originality? Something pulled Sesshoumaru out of his wonderings.

 

He felt the magical energy and its familiarity made him turn quickly. Ayla and Silva had planted the rock. He walked up to the three girls, where they crouched in the sand. “What are you doing?” He asked, noticing how Silva was sticking out her tongue as she put her energy into the sand.

 

“Making the rock grow.” Ayla said as she put her energy into the ground as well.

 

Sesshoumaru watched with intrigue as the two girls' power went into the sand, spinning through it and rising back out like the sand had breathed it in and exhaled. Their magic was so strong it was almost tangible. Something moved out of the corner of his vision and he looked down to see the blue and silver light that was the twins' magic. Between the azure and the platinum, a new color game forth: green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something hit Kagome's nose. Blinking, she tore her eyes away from Inuyasha and looked up. Clouds had rolled in out of nowhere as the sun had completely set in the distance. The sky was covered by dark violet puffs and from them came…

 

“Rain?” Inuyasha sniffed the air to confirm what his eyes didn't seem to believe. The air became cooler within seconds.

 

“But how?” Kagome whispered.

 

“This feels good.” Inuyasha closed his eyes and spread his arms, accepting the water that fell on him.

 

Kagome watched him till the first flash filled the air, followed by a roar from the sky. Again, Kagome clung to the best security she knew: Inuyasha. He stumbled back a little when she grabbed his waist but managed to steady himself.

 

“Still scared of thunder?” He teased her.

 

“Shut up, I hate that sound.” The sky bellowed again on cue and Kagome hid her face in on Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

Inuyasha put his arms around her as comfort. “I hope Ayla and Silva are okay.” He muttered.

 

Thunder gave another shout and Kagome hugged Inuyasha with all her might, this time succeeding in making him lose his balance and falling to the ground. The mushy sand only imprinted when they landed.

 

“The sun has gone down.” Kagome leaned up onto her elbows to look at Inuyasha's face. That was not what she had expected him to say.

 

“So?”

 

“We'll have to wait till tomorrow if you still want to go back.” He said.

 

Kagome stared at him, so astonished that she didn't even flinch when more thunder ripped through the air. “You were stalling.” She concluded.

 

“What?” Inuyasha frowned, bending his neck to meet her gaze.

 

“Or did you really not want to answer my question?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Yes you were stalling, or yes you didn't want to answer?”

 

“Both.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I wanted one more day. Or maybe I just wanted more time.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For you. I don't know how much time I have left, but I think I can be greedy just once. I want more time with you.” He said.

 

Kagome grabbed his shoulders and shook him lightly. “Why didn't you just say so?”

 

“If you want to go home, I won't stop you, so I thought, at least I can delay you another day.”

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome put her head down to hear his heart, “you can at least answer my question. All I want to know is if you want me to go.” Inuyasha closed his eyes, tightening his arms around Kagome's shoulders.

 

Kagome waiting, fearing that he won't answer.

 

`I was thinking about the weird girl I found in this spot months ago.' He spoke through their mental link. `She's got guts, I'll admit. More bravery then I had in a long time. She didn't give up on me. She helped me. She wanted me to live. She gave me back my heart, made me believe in feeling again, made me remember what it was like to live again, to want to live again. She breathed fire into a red heart that was iced from being separate for so long. She taught me that I couldn't run away from my pain forever. She helped me find the courage to speak to my daughters and told me I didn't always have to blame myself for my mistakes. She made me realize that I couldn't go on being unhappy when I failed.'

 

 

`She told me it was okay to let others know about my sorrows. I started trusting her, but I was scared to do so fully because I didn't want to have that comfort taken away. I didn't want her to suffer for me because I felt that she suffered enough. She'd done so much for me and I hadn't really given anything in return. I didn't want to repeat the things I had done. I didn't want to lose another life because I was too weak to protect it. And I worried if what I felt was real, if I was being selfish again, only protecting her so I wouldn't feel guilty. So when I found out I was poisoned, I didn't want her to know, especially if she wanted to go home. I didn't want her to worry about me and put herself in danger because she was concerned.”

 

“So when she asked me what I wanted her to do, if I wanted her to stay or go, I didn't know what to tell her. I can't stand between her world and mine. I can't make the choice for her, but I wanted to selfish again, and I wanted more time with her. So I stalled.'

 

Kagome almost forgot how to breathe and let out a puff. `Then what happened?' She asked.

 

“I don't want you to go home Kagome, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that cares about you. If you want to go back, I won't stop you, but I would love it if you stayed here with me. So my turn to ask if you want to go home.”

 

A minute stretched on and Inuyasha waited patiently for her answer. “If I stay I will miss my family and friends.”

 

He let a breath he didn't know he'd been holding but still felt as though he were suffocating.

 

“But…I'd miss you more if I left.”

 

“Kagome.”

 

`I met a real jerk out here who, for a while, was either mad or making fun of me. It didn't take me long to find out he was a real softie, and that he was hurt. I wanted to heal him, and I started to care more and more and couldn't stop myself.'

 

`So what happened?'

 

“I picked him and his world.”

 

Inuyasha pushed his upper half off the ground and pulled Kagome to a sit with him. “Are you sure?” He asked, pulling away from her and searching her eyes for doubt.

 

“I'm sure.” Kagome said without hesitation.

 

“But, I'm-”

 

“I don't care. You said you wanted more time. Well, so do I, whether if it's for ten years or a hundred. Besides, if I left, I'd be leaving my heart behind.” Kagome pointed to his sternum.

 

Inuyasha grabbed hold of that hand, intertwining his fingers with hers while he grabbed her chin and tilted her head to the side, pushing her down onto her back and kissing her at the same time.

 

Kagome felt his weight pin her down and she gave his palm a squeeze. Inuyasha grabbed hold of her other hand, and placed it on his chest as he pulled away. Kagome bit back a disappointed groan. “If you did leave,” he began breathlessly, “you would have broken a piece of me forever. I know I said I wouldn't stop you, but I also knew that part of me would never be the same.”

 

Kagome licked her lips. Even though it was still raining, she felt warm and her throat felt dry. “Which part?”

 

“The part that loves you.”

 

This time it was Kagome's turn to throw her arms around his neck and tackle him with kisses. Of course, he didn't let her have the control for long; he wrapped his arms around her waist and pushed against her tongue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They forgot everything, everyone, except for each other as the rain poured down harder then before. As their rhythm became faster and more passion flared, the thunder and lightening increased. The two storms raged on all night, yet neither of them slept. It wasn't until sunlight seeped through the tiny cracks in the clouds early in the morning that they fell into a light doze.

 

When the light crept over her eyelids, Kagome came to full wakefulness. She lifted her upper half off Inuyasha's body and stared out into the horizon. The clouds had separated and were moving about the in patches. Though they'd been too busy to notice during the night, Kagome blushed, the desert had all but transformed. Every grain shone as though the ground were a shimmering prism.

 

The breeze made her skin prickle and Kagome lowered herself back to her original position to gather warmth. “You're up?” Inuyasha lazily opened an eye.

 

Kagome rested her chin against his chest. “Morning.”

 

“How do you feel?”

 

“Tired.”

 

“That's because you were up all night.”

 

“You kept me up remember?” Kagome giggled. Inuyasha brought his arms over his head and yawned.

 

“The rain has cleared.” Kagome stated.

 

“But you're still wet.” Inuyasha smirked.

 

Kagome felt heat flare in her face. “Does that have a double meaning?”

 

Inuyasha kissed the top of her forehead. “It could.”

 

Kagome sighed, too tired to bring up a sarcastic reply. She simply rested her body against his, delighting in the feeling of the sun against her back, the soft breeze against her wet skin and Inuyasha's smooth body under her.

 

“What ever happened to your clothes?” Inuyasha said suddenly. Kagome wrinkled her nose. “You took them off, genius.”

 

“No,” Inuyasha shook his head. “I mean you're original clothes. The ones you were wearing the day we met.”

 

Kagome suddenly leaned up on her elbows, blinking. What did happen to her school uniform? She didn't remember seeing it since she had gotten her host gown. “I don't know. I think it could have been lost when Western Domain got destroyed. Why?”

 

Inuyasha chuckled. “You do realize that without your clothes, I couldn't have sent you back even if you wanted to go.”

 

Kagome couldn't help but laugh and she leaned in to kiss Inuyasha on the cheek. “So you didn't have to stall after all.”

 

They lay there, watching the clouds float by above.

 

“Hey, Inuyasha.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“What's that?”

 

“What's what?”

 

Toward the direction of the West, a tiny flower bloomed in the sand, under a halo of sunlight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be an epilogue.

 

 

And I know all you perverts out there want a lemon, but this was my first story, and I just can't do it. I rated this story X because of the violence and in all honesty, never really considered putting a lemon in when I first started seeing the story in my mind. For some reason, I want this story to remain precious and I feel like if I put a lemon in there, I won't look at it the same way.

 

I sincerely hope you enjoyed.

 

 

Jian