InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Even Evil Has Reincarnates ❯ Alive & Kicking ( Chapter 24 )

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

DISCLAIMER-

Unfortunately, the characters herein pertain to Rumiko Takahasi…but couldn't I just wish? Eh.

Except for a select few... and the plot! Those are MINE! ALL MINE!!!!!!

(Clears throat)

This story is rated M for Maturity.

Note: Only those words that are not frequently used in fanfics will I put a translation to. I mean, come on… we know what a BAKA is…right? If not, Google it…I did =)

Also, any and all comments are accepted. Be it negative or positive. Constructive criticism only helps and positive feedback inspires.

To those that have commented, thank you.

Hey all! I actually had some time tonight so figured, “Eh, what the hell.” AND I'm doing this with a crippled hand! Yeah…

Also, I would appreciate some feedback. How am I doing kiddies?!

Short but, eh, it's a lot more than what I've done in the past couple of months.

And let us continue…

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Chapter 24: Alive & Kicking

The tension was so thick in the house for the past couple of weeks; it could be cut with a chainsaw. Norio and Maimi stayed out of each other's paths and everyone yet had to find out the story behind those two. InuYasha had regressed to his cranky, youthful self and would mumble at random times `Keh' and about his `days of privacy and peace' were over. After the fight with Kenachi, everyone had set up camp at his place and there were no moments of silence in the Takahashi household. Too many personalities intermixing add the stress of not gaining any clues on Zenaku's location… well… they were pretty much over one another. Kagome was over it and determined to do what she did best.

Meddle.

If that didn't work, she would bash all their heads together until they kiss and made up.

Kagome stormed through the house, aura flaring, ignoring the concerned looks, ignoring the calls of her name. She was looking for her target and nothing would hold her back. Stomping into the `Surveillance' room, she locked onto said target, marching right up to him and yanking him out by his ear into the hallway with the rest of the household as audience.

She released Norio's ear, which he rubbed while glaring at her but remained patient, “Have I done something Higurashi-sensei?”

She was so infuriated, her breathing was ragged. InuYasha attempted approaching her but she held out a finger for him, telling him through body language to stay put.

Taking that finger, she jabbed Norio in the chest, her glare not faltering, “Listen here Norio. I don't know what your fucking problem is but, you need to solve it…NOW.”

Norio's eyebrows furrowed, “I don't under—“

Kagome pushed him backwards, his back hitting the wall, “I made myself crystal clear. We are a team… a family. If you have a problem with one of us you better solve it. We won't get shit done with your sadistic ass mood.”

His impatience growing clear on his face, he spoke through gritted teeth, “With all due respect, that, is none of your business.”

Feeling exasperated and the fight leaving her she spoke softly, “Norio… we need to surpass this, give her a chance to explain what -“

At that, Norio exploded, arms open and yelling at Kagome, “EXPLAIN WHAT?! How she pretended to be dead?!”

He turned to the rest of the group where a numb looking Maimi stood. “How she pretended to love me? How she pretended she wanted to be with me?! She's a traitorous bitch! She's a fucking -”

He never finished his statement because Kagome slapped him clearly across the face. He held a hand up to his face and looked at Kagome wide-eyed, “That, Norio, is a woman and my family and you will show respect!”

Norio was about to raise his hand back at Kagome but stopped it mid-air and wide-eyed at what he was about to do. InuYasha rushed in front of Kagome and snarled and growled at the obviously wrecked human man. His eyes were rimming red, “You ever touch so much as a hair on her fucking head and I will shred you into fucking pieces, I promise you.”

“Enough.”

The quiet statement has everyone stand to attention as though it had been screamed. Maimi's eyes remained on the floor. Raising tear-filled eyes, she met Norio's blank stare. “I did love you. I did want to marry you but, I would not allow Zenaku to get to you through me. So… I faked my death. I never told you what I was because I was afraid of losing you…due to the fact you lost your parents because of youkai.”

Standing a little straighter, reminding everyone much of her father, she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat, “I know there is a much more important mission, which I would like to be part of and plan to be but, under the circumstances, it is best that I do not remain here. I will go to my parents until I am summoned. Excuse me.”

As soon as she had left the room, Norio dropped to his knees and covered his face. The stress of the situation was too much. Subconsciously, he did not want to lose her for a second time.

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he lifted inflicted eyes to InuYasha who had calmed and had and understanding look in his eyes, “Listen kid… we all make mistakes to protect the ones we love. I know I may be biased when it comes to my niece but, her heart is very pure… much like Rin and Kagome. I'm not saying forget it all and forgive anything but, you both need… closure…that much is clear. Let her speak and listen. Then, say your piece.”

“He's right you know.” Everyone turned shocked eyes to Sesshomaru. “My baka brother has a point. I remember when my little girl was full of life once upon a time and one day, she started walking around like she was lost and hasn't been the same since. I can't say I enjoy the idea of a human man…” He spat the word for emphasis, “Being the reason of putting light behind her eyes but… what kind of father would I be to not permit her happiness? This Sesshomaru is not saying to forgive her… I would not expect that of my mate but… I would expect her to listen to my reasoning if her heart ever did belong to me.”

Norio stood on his feet and gave a small bow, “I have no words to express how much -“

He was interrupted by a slap across the back. Whipping his head to glare, he found Chika smiling at him coyly, “Stop that polite crap. We know you better now. Go sweet talk Maimi… not us baka.” He gave her a small smile, “Indeed.”

Making his way to Maimi. Miroku was scratching the back of his head, “Ironic that she would fall for the human Sesshomaru… kind of…weird and -”

He was slapped by several different hands across the head. He rubbed at it, wincing. “What?!”

They all said in unison, “Baka.”

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Shippo and Ai walked side by side out to the gardens in companionable silence. Sighing, Shippo mumbled, “I'm so tired of everyone always fighting with one another. How can that be love?”

Ai tilted her head slightly, towards Shippo, offering him a small smile, “I disagree. They say there's a thin line between love and hate. As much as they fight, they would drop any pettiness at a drop of a dime to protect one another, no question. That Ship is the purest love of all.”

“Keh.”

Ai giggles, “Really! Look at InuYasha-sama and Kagome-sama! They are constantly at one another's throats but, their love is so deep it survived the biggest test of time… and tests, period! They love each other but,” She shrugged, “Arguing is second nature. That's how they fell in love and that's how it's meant to be. If InuYasha wanted someone completely submissive, he would have definitely not chosen Kagome as she was before and definitely not now.”

Shippo stopped in his tracks, blinking a couple of times before going into a fit of laughter. “You're right! Absolutely right. My adoptive mother was never easy to deal with; she always did have a temper. I guess that's why I'm thankful that you are much more even tempered -“

Noticing his slip up, Shippo full on blushed, causing Ai to smile. Shyly reaching out for his hand, blushing herself, she smiled, “Ying and yang.”

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Slowly making his way to the room where Maimi was staying in, Norio contemplated how to approach her. Obviously, their reunion had been an utter disaster and everyone deserved to be heard… right?

He thought back to when InuYasha and the Feudal Group re-entered her lives. How she had first tried to push them away and at the end of the day, they had very valid reasons for remaining apart from her.

Maybe, just maybe, he was being hopeful that would be the case with Maimi.

She was the love of his life. He had not once stopped loving her and didn't think he could but, he had pride and maybe, that would be his downfall.

When he finally arrived at her room, her door was open and she had her back to him. She was swiftly going to and from the closet gathering and packing her things. He was about to knock on the doorframe but, obviously knowing he was there, she stopped her packing, back still facing him, “I said I was leaving Norio. If you've come to insult me and call me any other names in the book, save it, I'm leaving. Please, let's not fight anymore.”

Taking a deep breath, gathering courage, he asked a one word question, “Why?” He did not need to elaborate on it.

Whipping her head around, she searched his face, his mood. She wanted to cry but, refused. The string of tension finally snapped, “Why?! To protect you! My family has been at war with Zenaku for a long time! Trying to protect Aunt Kagome since she was born! Until the day she came through that well for the last time! My family left but Shippo and I stayed behind to keep an eye out on her and guess what! Zenaku tracked me!” Silently she added, “And you.” Renewing her tirade, she stepped up to him, “I ran. Yes, I ran away from you to protect you! Yes! I lied about being half-demon since you, the love of my life's fucking family was murdered by youkai! I wanted to be with you and I was afraid that you would never accept who and what I was!”

Lowering her head, tears fell freely from her eyes, “Dammit Norio, I loved you too much to risk you even if it meant losing you. I thought you would move on, I thought -“

Norio grasped her chin, making her look at him, “You thought wrong. Do you know how many nights I spent tormented without you by my side? What I turned into thinking Zenaku had ripped you out of my life?”

“How did you find out about Zenaku?” She whispered.

His gaze did not waver, “You left your journals and I needed answers.”

Another sob mixed with a laugh ripped from her chest, “So I left to protect you and you chased the exact thing I was trying to keep you away from.” It wasn't a question.

“Hai. I wanted revenge for taking the most precious thing in my life away from me.”

Pulling back from him, she smiled despairingly at him while wiping at her tears, “Talk about messing up your own life royally.”

Norio observed her completely for the first time, taking in her half demon features, her ears were much like her uncles, only black but her eyes very much like her fathers, fierce amber. He had never seen something so beautiful.

Taking steps towards her, he grabbed her face with both hands, “Everything in life can be resolved except for death.” And with that said, he closed the distance between them, kissing her to make up for lost time.

Backing them towards the bed, Maimi placed both hands on his chest to stop him and he looked at her confused. “I'm sorry. I got carried away. I -“

Maimi smiled fully at him and shook her head, releasing a small laugh. Leaning forward she whispered, “I just got you back and I refuse to have my full demon father utilize his whips on you to make a point that his daughter will not `engage in mating rituals' while he's around.”

And as if to make a statement, a loud growl could be heard from down the hall and an even louder “Indeed!”

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+Next Chapter+

+TBD+

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