InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Escape ❯ Roadtrip ( Chapter 19 )

Disclaimer: Need I repeat myself every chapter? I think you've gotten the picture by now. Me no own.

AN: Thanks for all of your reviews. They're the only thing that keep me going with this drawn out fic. Sorry for the long update, but my mother hates for me to monopolize this computer even thought the four other occupants of this household don't even use it that often. If only I had my laptop. ::sigh:: Anyway, here's the next chappie, though I'm not entirely happy with it. Enjoy.

Last time:

Inuyasha could only watch as she limped away and winced when she slammed the door behind him. She probably hated him, and with good reason. He had let her down all of the times that she had really needed him. Instead of being there for her like he had swore to do, he had let her down countless times. He tired to swallow the lump that had embedded itself in his throat. "I'm sorry Kagome," he croaked painfully and shamefully withdrew to his room, paying no heed to the silent tears that rolled down his cheeks.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kagome took in her environment, perplexed. "Where am I?" she murmured staring at the misty fog that surrounded her on all sides. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep after she took a very long, very hot shower. She shuddered at the thought of being covered in youkai blood and flesh. She turned her attention back to the fog. "I'm probably dreaming," she sighed.

"Oh, sweetie, this isn't a dream."

Eyes wide, Kagome watched as the fog parted for an approaching figure in its depths. Wisps of vapor clung to the pure white dress of the woman as she stepped into a clearing so that they were now faced each other. Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. This woman looked very familiar with her long black tresses that fell past her waist and her enchanting blue eyes that bore a similarity to her own. "Who are you? Are you like my fairy god mother or something?" Kagome asked hesitantly. Ok so what if she was into Disney movies.

The woman threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh, filling the silence with her melodic voice. "Why child, do you not recognize your own grandmother?"

Roadtrip

Kagome's face scrunched up in confusion. "My grandmother?" Her mother had told her that all of her grandparents were dead. She shook her head and laughed at her delirium. She had officially lost it. "I'm dreaming about my dead grandmother. This is all Inuyasha's fault. All of that stress he's putting me under is making me insane."

The woman blinked. "Dead? I'm not dead, well not yet anyway," she muttered the last part under her breath, her thoughts shifting to Naraku. That bastard, and after all that crap he put her through he was still reluctant to let her go. He probably planned on killing her once her usefulness ran out.

Kagome stared curiously at the woman before her. She couldn't be her grandmother. For one, she looked so young. Grandmothers were supposed to have wrinkles and crow's feet, and graying hair. This woman didn't look a day over forty. But then again, there was the remarkable semblance between them. The same mystifying azure orbs, the same bone structure of the face, the same prominent nose, and the same raven black tresses that curled at the tips. Kagome's heart soared, her eyes beginning to glisten with happiness. Perhaps this really was her grandmother. Maybe she wasn't alone after all.

But doubt still lingered in the back of her mind. Determined to get the answers she needed, Kagome took a bold step forward, closing the space between them. "If you are my grandmother, where have you been? Why do you look so young? Why are you just now contacting me? How are you able to enter my dreams? Why didn't you come for me after…" she swallowed the lump in her throat, "after everyone died?"

The blue eyed woman sighed, forcing all negative thoughts of her current predicament out of her mind so she could focus on the sole reason she was here. "Kagome-chan, to tell you everything would take time, and that is something that we have little of. So I will have to give you the cut and edited version of it all. My name is Midoriko and like yourself, I am a miko."

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise. So she wasn't alone. She opened her mouth to ask another question but stopped when Midoriko held up her hand.

"Wait, let me finish. I am a miko, which accounts for my slow aging, but my powers can be somewhat uncontrollable and are slightly anomalous to ordinary miko. Instead of purifying powers, I was gifted with telepathic abilities. I can see to a certain extent into the future and am able to see into the dreamscapes of others. That is what probably drew Naraku to me." Her eyes clouded over with anger and wistfulness. "Right after your father contacted and told me of your birth, I was kidnapped on my way to the hospital by the hanyou Naraku. I was forced to work for him, for if I refused he threatened to kill my family. So I reluctantly agreed…" she trailed off as the painful memories of the past began to flood her mind.

Kagome felt tears prick the back of her eyes. And all along she had though she was the one who had suffered the most. "What did he make you do?" she asked carefully, half afraid of what the answer would be.

"I foresaw Naraku's success," she responded sadly, "and I told him all of the things he should and should not do to get to the top. He wants power. He wants wealth. He wants this country. But most of all, he wants to rid the world of all humans."

Fear began to well inside her chest. "Why? Why would he want to do something like that? What have we ever done to him?"

"I have the slightest idea Kagome-chan. But with every passing day his power and desire increases. Over the years he has accumulated many powerful youkai alliances in the political and corporate world who agree with his twisted ideals."

"But why did our family have to die? You did what you were told. You helped him! Why did they have to die and leave me alone!" Kagome cried. Years of pent up anger and grief began to resurface from six feet under. All of the hurt and loneliness that she suffered after her family was murdered emerged from the depths of her soul and heart.

Upon seeing the anguish and pain reflecting on her granddaughter's face, Midoriko quickly went to Kagome's side and encompassed her in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry sweetie. I never intended for it to happen." Tears of remorse and hatred streamed down her pale face. "Six years ago, I prophesized the one thing, or rather person that would be able to bring him down; that the daughter of a great miko would have the power to bring an end to his evil and corrupted plans of domination. In turn, he ordered his assassins to search out and kill every miko in the country."

"Mom wasn't a miko," came Kagome's muffled voice from her shoulder.

Midoriko sighed. "Hitomi's powers were dormant, but there was always a great potential with my daughter. The problem was that she never had the ability or interest to awaken them."

Kagome's spirits deflated. "So its hopeless? Naraku's going to win and we're all going to die?"

"Kagome-chan." The woman lifted the girl's chin, her heart bleeding at her tear streaked and grief stricken face. "What are you talking about. You are still here. There is hope. All you have to do is believe in yourself. You have the power."

Kagome sniffled and looked up at her in bewilderment. "Me?"

A smile graced the elder woman's face. "It was always you. You were the one that I prophesized about. You are the one who will bring him to his demise. Tonight is the only time I will be able to visit you. Naraku is busy at the moment and his security team is slacking." She glanced nervously at her feet, which were beginning to disappear. "And apparently I have been found out."

Kagome's instinctively tightened her clutch around her grandmother's waist. "Don't leave me."

Midoriko's face softened. "I never left you, Kagome-chan. A part of me will always reside in your heart in and in your spirit." Her knees began to fade into nothing. Her warm sapphire eyes instantly sharpened. "Don't leave your friends and venture off on you own. Only with their help will you be able to defeat Naraku."

"How do I find him?" Kagome asked hurriedly. Time was obviously running out.

"On the outskirts of Los Angeles, I have a house. I want you to go there, but not alone. I can't tell you the exact location of Naraku, but a way will present itself three days after you have been there. You need to leave as soon as possible. That is all I can tell you."

This new information did nothing to quell the arising panic that tightened in her chest. "Wait, how do I find your house?" she asked quickly as the woman's waist disappeared.

"My essence that surrounds the house will lead you directly to it. You won't need a map." Midoriko hugged her granddaughter one last time, more tears trickling down her face. "I'm so happy that I've finally met you, Kagome-chan. It was been a constant dream of mine for some seventeen years."

Kagome laughed tearfully. "And it has always been mine to meet more of my family."

"Good luck on your quest. And remember that I'll always be with you." With a smile on her lips, the rest of her faded away into nothing.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kagome awakened the next morning with a smile, much like the one Midoriko had bestowed upon her just before she departed. Gone were the feelings of self doubt, loneliness, and ambiguity. Replacing them were clarity, determination, and a renewed sense of being. She knew what she had to do. She grinned and jumped out of bed. Nothing was going to bring her down today. Not Naraku trying to kill her, not her jealousy toward Kikyo, and not her grudge toward Inuyasha.

With harmony and peace restored in her soul, Kagome threw on some clothes, brushed and pulled back her hair into a sloppy bun, and headed to the kitchen. It felt so good knowing that she wasn't the only Higurashi alive. She felt like singing, but instead contented her self with humming as she bustled about the kitchen. So caught up was she in her happy state of mind, she didn't notice she the tired and haggard looking hanyou that sat on a stool slumped against the counter.

Inuyasha's ears immediately perked up and swiveled in the direction of Kagome. He stared remorsefully as she got a bowl out of the cabinet and poured herself some Frosted Flakes. She was going to leave and didn't even look the least bit upset over it. His ears dropped once more. Damn he was going to miss her. Why the hell did he have to go and fuck everything up? It was all his fault, and there was nothing he could do about it. He seriously doubted that she would forgive me again. Not after he betrayed her trust time and time again.

Munching on a spoonful of flakes, Kagome turned around and was startled upon seeing a disgruntled and exhausted Inuyasha, conflicting emotions flickering through his troubled golden eyes. She started to ask him what was wrong, but then realization dawned on her. She had told him that she was leaving today. A pang of guilt echoed within the chamber of her heart. Kagome tried to ignore the effects that his misery was having on her. She hated to see suffering, especially when she was the cause of it.

Steeling her resolve, Kagome took out her cell and dialed Sango's number. "Hey Sango-chan. Can you get everyone over here? I have a big announcement to make," she said barely containing the excitement and joy she felt.

Sango yawned. "Wow, I don't thing I've ever heard you this excited before. Must be something big. I'll be right over with everybody."

"Thanks." She disconnected and continued to eat her cereal. Soon. Soon she would be on the road. Soon she would be able to defeat Naraku. And soon she would be able to reunite with her grandmother and live happily ever after…or something like it. And with everyone support, there was no way they could lose to Naraku.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Everyone lapsed into silence after Kagome reiterated what transgressed the previous night in her dreams minus the part about her being the prophesized one. Some things were better left unsaid. The gravity of the situation made the air of the apartment laden with pensive thoughts and musings. Naraku, the one they had been hunting down for so long, the one who had inflicted so much havoc and spilt so much blood, was finally near their grasp. It was only a matter of time.

Kaede was the first to speak up. "Kagome, I am happy that thee has converged with thy grandmother. And with the information she has provided us, ye will be able to track and bring down Naraku. The sooner he is stopped, the better."

"Kaede-san is right," Miroku pointed out from his perch on the couch, "every minute we waste sitting here talking, he is out there growing more powerful and gathering more allies."

"So when do we leave?" Sango demanded, her brown eyes hard with suppressed ire. "I for one think that we should depart immediately since Kagome-chan said that Naraku probably knows that we will be coming after him." She tried to douse the fire that had been ignited in her soul at the mention of Naraku. He had murdered her family in cold blood for being demon exterminators. She was the last of her kind. And she would be damned if she let him get away with slaughtering other innocent lives.

"Midoriko suggest that we should leave now. 'A way will present itself three days after we've been there'," Kagome quoted her grandmother's exact words from heart. The memory of that dream permanently etched into her brain.

Inuyasha stood and flexed his claws, his amber orbs gleaming with zest and fire. "Then lets get a move on and quit wasting time sitting on our asses," he declared boldly, effectively hiding the relief he felt when Kagome said she wasn't leaving. Why the hell did the idea of her leaving suddenly make his blood turn to ice? "You all have an hour to pack and be ready before we leave."

Kagome arched a black brow. "Who died and made you commander of this operation?"

"I bestowed the honor of commander upon myself," he smirked. "since I am the only one capable of bringing us to victory."

"Just let him have it Kagome. You know how he can get," Sango intervened after sensing her friend's anger begin to rise. She leaned over to whisper in her ear. "It makes him feel important to have such a big responsibility. Don't demean him by taking away his little title."

Inuyasha's ears twitched and he scowled. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" the irritable hanyou barked crossing his arms.

"Exactly how it sounds," Kagome said rolling her eyes.

"Don't get smart with me wench!"

"I can do whatever I want to do! You're not the boss of me!"

"The hell I'm not! Now that I'm leader of this operation you have to obey me!"

"I don't have to do anything!"

"Why do I get the distinctive feeling that we will be hearing a lot more of this bickering between the two these next few weeks?" Miroku pondered aloud while observing the antics of the quarreling couple with mild amusement.

Shippou whirled around so that he was facing Kaede. "Can I go with them? Please? I can help defeat Naraku. I'm strong enough." He puffed out his little chest in attempt to back up his declaration.

Kaede smiled at the young kitsune. "Off course ye may go Shippou. Thee are of proper age now and anyone that will be able to assist in bringing Naraku to his demise will be of great help." Her smile widened when the kit squealed and launched his tiny body into the arms of Kagome, much to the displeasure of the hanyou.

Kagome laughed as the furry youkai burrowed his head in the crook of her neck. "I'm glad you're coming too Shippou."

"I also will be accompanying you on your quest Inuyasha." Everyone immediately turned in the direction of the hallway, where Kikyo now stood, brown eyes impassive as her gaze swept across the occupants of the room calculatingly.

Worry furrowed the hanyou's brow. "I don't think you should. Naraku could take you hostage again and…"He swallowed hard. "And I've already lost you once. I don't want to lose you again."

Kagome's stomach began to turn. She tore her eyes away from the couple and focused on the bundle in her arms, who was still nestled against her, basking in her sweet smell and warmth. Kagome absently stroked the kit's tail and tried to evade the jealousy that was trying to claw its way into her heart and soul. Seeing them together hurt, she couldn't deny that fact. And the fact that Inuyasha's heart probably belonged to the other miko only made her despondency escalate.

Kagome sighed. She had a vague feeling that their trip they were about to embark on would only make things worse. 'After all of this crap with Naraku is over, I can go back to having a normal life and forget about Inuyasha,' she thought, her blue eyes hardening with determination. 'I won't have to worry about Naraku killing me or Inuyasha breaking my heart along with his promises. I will finally be able to move on with my life.' She ignored incredulity that lingered in the back of her mind and within the deepest chambers of her heart.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Why the hell are you bringing a blow dryer?" Inuyasha questioned the taijiya from his perch on the roof of his Skyline as she dragged her belongings to the trunk of Miroku's dark blue Lancer Evolution.

"Not that its any of your business, but it might come in handy." She threw her stuff in the back and glared at him.

"What the hell are you going to do? Aim hot air in his face until he melts?"

"Inuyasha, what did I tell you about being an ass?" His ears swiveled in the direction of Kagome's melodic voice, his amber eyes immediately following suit. His heart skipped a beat as he drank in her appearance. With a light breeze carelessly ruffling her raven black tresses, her soulful and bright sapphire eyes full of cheerfulness, and the rays from the sun radiating her form, she looked just like a fallen angel from the heavens above. Damn she was beautiful. He could feel his heart hammering against his ribcage and pounding in his ears.

Kagome cocked her head at him inquisitively as he stared unflinchingly at her. Foreign emotions swirled in his depthless golden orbs. "Are you going to help me with my bags or just sit there like a bump on a log?"

Inuyasha blinked, snapping out his daze and instantaneously leapt off of his car onto the ground in front of Kagome. "What do I look like? Your personal bellhop?" he asked with mock sarcasm, amusement playing on his features.

She smiled up at him sweetly and dumped her stuff at his feet, unsuccessfully restraining the torrent of butterflies that had been released in her stomach upon setting sight on him. "I guess so. So hop to it."

"Wow Kagome-sama, you've really got your dog trained," Miroku observed grinning from the driver's seat of his vehicle. "Is he potty trained as well?"

Inuyasha growled as he put her stuff in the trunk. "Keep talking monk and I'll train my foot up your ass."

"Now now puppy, what did I say about that foul mouth," Kagome said reaching up and tweaking his ears playfully.

The hanyou muttered something inaudibly under his breath, but didn't say anything more on the matter and instead chose to let her continue her ministrations on his ear. Kagome grinned when a low purr emitted from his throat. He was so cute when he purred.

"Come on Kagome! Lets go!" Kagome turned her attention from the snow white ears of the hanyou to the tiny kitsune and neko youkai that were running toward them from the entrance to the apartment.

Kirara jumped into Sango's arms and Shippou bounded into the air, intent on landing in Kagome's outstretched arms, but was halted in mid air when an irritated hanyou snatched him by his tail. "Oi runt, don't you know that's its impolite to go jumping on people all the time. Learn some manners." Inuyasha tossed the kitsune to ground with his signature smirk.

Rolling her eyes, Kagome picked up crestfallen child and cradled him in her arms. "Grow up Inuyasha."

"Keh." He folded his arms and looked away, somewhat hurt that she had sided with the annoying brat instead of him.

"So are we ready to go?" Sango asked leaning on the rear end of the monk's car.

Kagome frowned and looked around. "I thought Kikyo was coming." Hope began to inch its way into her heart. Maybe she had decided to stay.

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the interior of his car where the miko was currently sitting silently in the passenger's side. "She's inside already."

"Oh. Then lets go already," Kagome said cheerfully, careful in not letting the disappointment show in her voice. Having already said their good byes to Kaede, all they had to do was decide who was going to ride where. And there was no way in hell was she going to ride in the same vehicle as Inuyasha and Kikyo. She hesitated. But then, Inuyasha would think that she didn't like him anymore. Kagome frowned. Why should she care? He was the one who was a continuous let down to her.

"Kagome, you can ride in the front with Miroku," Sango offered after seeing the predicament that had presented itself. "I don't want to be within radius of the lecher's wandering hands."

"What makes you think I want to be groped for the duration of a thirty hour drive?" Kagome inquired with an arched brow.

"Why ladies, you have no reason to fear," Miroku reassured with a mischievous glint in his violet eyes, "for I will be on my best behavior. Scout's honor."

Shippou coughed. Kagome and Sango exchanged knowing looks with one another. Yeah right.

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's arm before she could make a decision and dragged her to the back door of the Skyline. "You won't have to worry about his wandering hands since you'll be riding with me." The mere thought of the lecher putting his hands on Kagome made his insides bubble with suppressed fury. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. Nobody touched what was his.

"Wait a second." Kagome shrugged off his grasp. "Since Sango doesn't want to ride alone with Miroku, then I'll have to keep her company."

"Sango can sit in the back with Kirara then." He opened the door and glanced at her impatiently.

"But I want to converse to someone who will talk about something other than breasts and asses," Sango said guiding Kagome to Miroku's back door.

"Then talk to fucking yourself!" Inuyasha snapped dragging the poor miko and the kit back to his vehicle.

"I want to talk to someone other than myself and whose IQ is above 1.2," Sango casting a sidelong glance at the monk before lugging Kagome back towards her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Miroku asked pouting, but enjoying the tug o war nonetheless.

"Then here." Inuyasha plucked Shippou out of her arms and threw the kit at the taijiya. "Talk to the brat. Kagome is coming with me."

"But I wanna ride with Kagome," the kitsune whined.

"Inuyasha, let the girl ride with her friends if she wants to," came Kikyo's detached voice from the passenger's seat of Inuyasha's Skyline. "It should be her decision to make. Not anybody else's."

Suddenly, Kagome found herself the center of attention as everybody waited for her response.

"Make up your mind wench, we don't have all day," Inuyasha spoke, impatience lacing his every word, but it was his eyes that gave him away. Some form of pleading and earnestness was hidden in those sun kissed orbs.

Realization dawned on Kagome. He wanted her to ride with him. But then again who would want to ride with a stoic miko who hardly said a work. Not much conversation or fun there. Kagome was tempted, and almost consented to going with him, but then she remembered all of those times that he had left her hanging when she most needed him.

She made up her mind. Turning away from his tentative orbs, she answered. "I'm going with Miroku and Sango." And without a backwards glance to the hanyou she walked over to the Lancer and climbed into the front seat with Miroku.

"Are you going to be ok?" the monk asked glancing at her indifferent façade.

Kagome smiled at him in assurance. "I'll be fine." 'As soon as this is over with,' she continued sadly in her mind. 'Only then will everything be ok.'

End.

AN: Poor Inuyasha. Who would want to be stuck in a car with Kikyo? ::cringes:: That would be scary. I guess he should've kept his promises to Kagome.

Next chapter: Assault