InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Facets of the Living Jewel ❯ Certum est, quia impossibile ( Chapter 43 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the other characters. Ms. Takahashi does.

 

 

[Inudemon]

(Inuhuman)

`Inuyasha or others'

 

A/N: Thank you to Midoriko-sama for seconding the nomination for Best Characterization: Inuyasha in IYFG (plus Jasmine and bluetigress222). Thank you and namaste to Shaunda Bowman for seconding the nomination for Best Lemon. Finally, thank you to Isis Kahyman for thirding Best Characterization and Shawna560 for thirding Best AU. Bless you, and thanks for the vote of confidence! Thirding is open until the 5th, then voting starts…

 

 

Certum est, quia impossibile

By Licentia poetica

 

 

Kagome knew that she had lost consciousness for a moment, but her last memory was being shaken in Kouga's jaws. She could feel two shards somewhere near her, but other sensations seemed curiously muted, as if her limbs and body had lost blood and fallen asleep. The stinging ache of returning circulation made her gasp and the darkness around her frightened her. She had a horrible thought that she might have been swallowed alive by Kouga's wolf form, just like the red-hooded child in a fairy tale she had studied in her class on European literature.

 

`Get a barrier up, baka! Protect yourself until Inuyasha gets here!' She reached for her calm focus point and put a time barrier in place.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha leaped to his feet, shaking his head to clear it from the purifying effects of the barrier, and eyed it warily. He tested the scent in the air.

 

[That's Kagome's scent, but she's frightened and confused.]

 

(It could be some form of demonic possession.)

 

`It's Kagome.'

 

Her barrier prevented him from reaching her, so he unsheathed Tetsusaiga and watched in satisfaction as it followed his will, forming the red barrier-breaking blade.

 

[We cannot strike too hard, it will hurt her.Use the Mate Call.]

 

(We don't always have to beat everything down, you know.)

 

`Quiet. We've learned control, we'll use it.'

 

Kagome opened her eyes. The inside of her barrier was lit with a warm glow, but everything outside was dim. `Where am I? Why is everything so dark? What's happened?' She gave a cry of confusion and increased the barrier's strength, straining to see what was beyond the coruscations of power. The blue barrier pulsed in response, enlarging the space around her.

 

(She's strong and stubborn. That won't be an easy barrier to break, and we're running out of room.)

 

The growing barrier would soon press the brothers against the walls of the hut; it was already restricting their movements. Inuyasha spoke in Inu.

 

“Oi, Baka no Taisho. We need to calm her. Call her.”

 

Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow and growled a warning.

 

[He is theInuno Taisho. You would not take such abuse from Shippo.]

 

Inuyasha looked at his brother and rolled his eyes. “O.K., Inu no Taisho. If ya' don't want to get purified, use the Pack Call.”

 

Sesshoumaru placed his hand on Tenseiga's hilt and continued to stare balefully at Inuyasha, ignoring the sparking of the barrier as it began to clash with his youki.

 

Inuyasha shrugged and began to gently press the red Tetsusaiga into the edge of the barrier. At the same time, he began the quieter, private version of the Mate Call that he had used that morning, hoping to reach Kagome without harming her.

 

Kagome tensed as something caused her barrier to waver, but as the Mate Call stirred her senses she relaxed. `Inuyasha!'

 

Knowing that he would not Call her into a dangerous situation, she let the barrier fall. The same glow that had warmed the inside of her barrier spread through her surroundings, and she paused, confused. Kouga was nowhere to be seen, yet she felt his shards. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were standing with her in Kaede's hut. She stared wide-eyed at the two brothers, unable to comprehend how she had arrived there.

 

The Mate Call stilled, and she saw Inuyasha's eyes narrow as he looked at her. He became tense and wary, staring at her face, and he did not lower the blade of the Tetsusaiga.

 

She glanced over at Sesshoumaru. His eyebrows were raised and his stance guarded as he kept his hand on the hilt of his katana. He looked as if he was poised to strike her, his gaze moving down her body before returning quickly to her eyes.

 

“Inuyasha?” She looked down at herself to see why they were staring at her. Her clothes were in tatters on her body, but she could see no reason why they would both look at her with such caution. She looked back up at them, confusion apparent in her face.

 

“Inuyasha? What's wrong?” The plaintive appeal in her voice pulled at him.

 

He stared back at a completely healed body. The massive wounds that had dyed her clothes crimson were gone, her smooth flesh apparent through the rents in the now bloodless fabrics covering her. But that was not what made him keep the Tetsusaiga in a guard position.

 

Her eyes were not Kagome's eyes.

 

They flowed with molten gold and silver, and a third glow emanated from the center of her forehead under the fringe of her bangs.

 

Sesshoumaru growled in Inu. “Be careful, Inuyasha. You do not know that it is your mate in that body.”

 

[It is her scent, but her eyes...]

 

Inuyasha didn't hesitate. `It's her. Can't you recognize her?'

 

(Maybe…what's that under her hair?)

 

`It's her. There's an easy way to find out.'

 

Inuyasha took a step forward, calmly sheathing the Tetsusaiga. He crossed his arms and used his most sarcastic tone of voice. “Baka! What a stupid thing to do, running off with that wimpy wolf! I can't believe how fucking brainless you are sometimes!” He watched her reaction, knowing exactly how Kagome would respond. `I bet the little jigokuneko's forgotten about the Beads. If it's her, she'll say it.'

 

Kagome's eyes snapped back to their normal blue color and the glow on her forehead disappeared as her face took on an enraged expression. Without hesitation, she fisted her hands at her sides and yelled “SIT!”

 

Inuyasha snorted and glanced over at Sesshoumaru. “It's her.” He pulled Kagome into his arms, smiling at the furious expression on her face and breathing her scent in. He closed his eyes and rumbled the Mate Call to her as she fisted her hands on his chest, holding her body away from him in her anger.

 

“How can you say that to me! He grabbed me, you…you jerk! He ran off with me and hit me…and then he transformed and…that jerk bit me! And…” her irate voice was silenced as he kissed her, his relief and joy at the fact that she was alive causing him to be rougher than he had intended, to almost crush her in his arms. She whimpered, and he loosened his grip slightly. He felt the tension of anger leave her body as he pulled back slightly from the kiss, threading one hand through her hair, holding her body against him with the other, cherishing the taste, scent, and feel of her.

 

Sesshoumaru gave soft whuff to get his attention.

 

[Damn him. Maybe you shouldn't use me to listen.]

 

He gave a soft, low growl and released her mouth, placing one last feather kiss on her lips before he spoke.

 

“Baka. I knew you'd forget about the Beads. You're too used to using `em!”

 

He gazed down into her eyes with a half-smile on his face, waiting for an irritated response. She smiled, but it was tentative and she began to tremble. Her scent spiked in fear as he continued to hold her.

 

“Inuyasha?” she tremulously asked. Her eyes, wide and frightened, searched his. “How did I get into Kaede's hut? I can sense Kouga's shards in here. He…he was…what happened? I was so afraid of him. I can't…”

 

He placed a clawed finger over her mouth. “Sshhh, Kagome. You're safe now. I brought you here.” Inuyasha looked at his brother. “I don't know what happened to Kouga after I left him.” He looked back down at her, wondering how much he should say.

 

(We will have to tell her. Kaede and the Kai-wolves know.)

 

Sesshoumaru stepped forward, holding out a slightly bloodstained twist of fabric. “These belong to you, miko. Take care not to let them fall into the wrong hands again.”

 

Kagome twisted in Inuyasha's arms, holding out her hand and accepting the bundle containing the shards. “These are…” she looked up into his impassive face, and her eyes widened. “Did you kill him? It was my fault that he got so angry.”

 

His eyes flicked to Inuyasha's, then back again. “This Sesshoumaru did not kill him, yet.” He held up his hand at her indrawn breath. “Do not seek to protect his life with a promise from this Sesshoumaru. He has already been promised his death, should he survive the injuries he received from your mate.” He gave a low growl. “Anger is a useful emotion, but a Pack Leader must learn to use it properly. The wolf is a coward and dishonorable.” He looked at Kagome seriously for one moment. “You were not at fault for his loss of control, miko.”

 

He turned to Inuyasha. “This Sesshoumaru will take your Pack to the time rip and explain. Take a few moments to inform your mate of what has passed, but remember that there is danger and the rip must be destroyed. You do not have much time.”

 

He strode out of the room without a backward glance, and Inuyasha heard him command the Kai-wolves: “Come.”

 

For moment there was no response, except a muffled snort from Jinx. Afraid that his Pack would resist, Inuyasha called out “Follow!” in Inu.

 

“We will follow. Come soon, Pack Leader,” Shiro responded. Jinx grumbled a low growl of resistance, but he heard a snarl from Aoi and knew that Jinx would obey. He was relieved to hear the sounds of their paws trotting after Sesshoumaru's footsteps.

 

Kagome was trembling in his arms. “Inuyasha? There's…I need to say something.” She looked up at him, apology in her eyes. “Kouga said some things, and I never realized that I…I'm sorry.”

 

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows. “What's the matter now, wench?”

 

Kagome dropped her eyes and turned her head. “I didn't know I was showing a preference for him whenever I sat you and…took care of him…and,” she waved her hands, at a loss for words, “…all that.” .Her head drooped further to the side in her acute embarrassment. “I didn't prefer him, you know. I just didn't…I didn't know what it meant.”

 

[She is submitting. I wonder if she knows.]

 

(Nope. It's a human trait, too. She can't look me in the eye when she's embarrassed about something.)

 

`At least she realizes what she was doing now. Shit! All those times she sat me.'

 

“Keh. It doesn't matter now.” He pulled her close, stroking her hair. “Thank the gods, Kagome, you're alive. Kouga… the bastard killed you.” At her gasp, he tightened his arms. “Sesshoumaru was going to revive you with the Tenseiga, but there were no tsukai.”

 

“I was…dead? If Sesshoumaru didn't bring me back, what did?”

 

`How can I explain? I don't even understand what happened.'

 

“Something else brought you back…you were glowing gold and silver…and your eyes.” He tensed, remembering the third glow.

 

She stared at him, nonplussed. “Glowing? My eyes, Inuyasha? You're not making much sense, you know.”

 

“When you came back, your body glowed. Then after you lowered your barrier, your eyes were glowing gold and silver, and so was your forehead. Let me look.” He pushed back her bangs.

 

The Taijitu was imprinted in gold and silver in the center of her forehead.

 

He gently rubbed at the symbol with the pad of his thumb, but it was permanent, a part of her skin.

 

“What is it?”

 

“You're marked, wench. The Taijitu, in gold and silver.”

 

Kagome remembered her time anchor. “The Goshinboku!” she gasped. Inuyasha gave her an odd look. “When I was learning to place a time anchor…the Goshinboku is gold and silver!”

 

He sighed. “Well, if you're gonna have a mark I guess I'm lucky it's not like Sesshoumaru's.” He shrugged. “Maybe Miroku can explain what happened.” He kissed her forehead below the symbol, then frowned as she pulled at his hair, tugging his head downwards. “Oi, wench! What do ya' want now!”

 

“I want to see your mark.”

 

He held still, bending his head down in front of her as she gently pushed his hair to one side. She hissed in a breath.

 

“What?”

 

“It's not a half-moon anymore, Inuyasha.”

 

`Oh fuck. Not a sickle moon!'

 

“Well? What is it? Spit it out, wench!”

 

He felt her rub her thumb across it, repeating his actions. She backed away, putting her hands on his chest, letting him raise his head. She gazed up into his face with a serious but loving expression as she echoed his words back to him.

 

“You're marked, Inuyasha. The Taijitu, but yours is in black and white.”

 

They stared at each other for a long moment, but before they could say anything Kaede stepped into her house. “I am sorry, I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I could hear your voices.” She walked over to Kagome and gave the younger woman a hug. “I do not know what miracle has raised ye, child, but I see no evil in your aura. Thank the gods! Do not worry about the Taijitu now…the rip is widening again. Ye must go and help destroy it.”

 

Kagome sighed. `We never get any time alone.' She looked back at Inuyasha to see a rueful grin on his face, and knew he was thinking the same thing.

 

They walked out of the hut, followed by Kaede. The villagers were still gathered around the front, talking in quiet whispers. They bowed to Kagome, and then turned and bowed to Inuyasha. He frowned.

 

`Normally they ignore me. What's going on?'

 

(Find out from Kaede later.)

 

He knelt, and Kagome climbed onto his back. He sprang away from the hut, heading toward the rip. It was easy to see where they were going.

 

The rip was no longer contained in the barriers of magic from Midoriko and Yourei Taisei. It was a tornado of power again, and it was growing.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Translations:

Certum est, quia impossibile: Latin; It is certain, because it is impossible. (Tertullianus)

 

Jigokuneko: hell cat

Taijitu: the well known Chinese symbol which represents the principles of yin and yang joined together in a circle.

 

R&R thanks:

e-mails:

Midoriko-sama: Thank you, you said some very kind things! I do trust my work, but it was nice to hear from such an experienced reader. I truly appreciate your comments about my characterizations.

 

Inuyashaloverr: You are more than welcome! I'm surprised no one ever thanks anyone for taking the time to nominate or second (third). It means that they've read and compared…it means something very precious: TIME! I'm grateful that you gave me your time and effort.

 

FF:

Moomoogirl1, Scritor Demens, yoyo person (she let go because she trusted…and she was right!), billysgotagun, Archangel Gabrielle, The Painted Lady, snowecat (what kind of dream, I wonder? Are you sure it wasn't a nightmare?), jcnkitten (WAY too much info on the Teletubbies!), Lady Niltiak, Mrs. JediK1 (I'm sure your husband thinks I'm a looney), Photographing Poetry.

 

MM:

Selina: Now you know why she made the barrier. She thought she was eaten by the big, bad wolf!

 

Tevrah: I'll probably do a sequel with Sesshoumaru and Rin, but there are going to be several stories before the “Facets” concept is finished…not all of it will be written in this particular story (it would take too long).

 

miakakiri: Well, now you know what the symbol is…and some of your other questions were answered. I'm not gonna tell you whether or not Kanna is telling the truth. She's an odd little thing, isn't she? Oh, and I don't mind being asked to update. Too often people are left hanging and stories aren't finished (that's `cause it takes discipline (ugh) to continue writing…)

 

Leo-mae: It's a good idea to wait to have children, but don't be too scared. It's one of the best things that ever happened to me! It IS amazing how it all works out, and Sango's poor baby really does have things stacked up against it…

 

Tara222: I tried again, did you get it? Basically, it was just encouragement to bear down and do the research. There isn't any magic way to learn the translations, but it's pretty easy if you use a good search engine. A chapter can take me from 4 to 8 hours to write, depending on its length. Good luck!

 

 

 

Wow. All of a sudden I'm getting tons of reads. I hope you all are enjoying the ride! Thank you for giving me your time…I appreciate it! L.P.