InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fading ❯ Secrets Revealed And Hope Reborn ( Chapter 8 )

Whew, it's hard work writing something clever at the beginning of every chapter! *wipes forehead* Actually, I was wondering if anyone knew what Shippou's dad's name is. I'm just going to look up Japanese names and pick one I like for this chapter, but if anyone knows then I'd appreciate it if you'd e-mail me at starr_struck_07@hotmail.com. Anyway, enjoy the chapter, and remember to R&R! ^_^

Chapter Eight: Secrets Revealed And Hope Reborn

"You-you're Shippou's dad?" Kagome stared at the kitsune, completely floored by his statement.

"Yeah," the tall man replied, his tail twitching nonchalantly. Then he offered a hand. "My name is Kai."

"I'm Kagome," the raven-haired girl replied as she took his hand, before remembering that he already knew that. Blushing, she snatched her fingers back, her lips curving in a frown as Kai chuckled. "What exactly do you mean by dead? I don't feel dead."

Kai regarded her with a solemn expression. "It's only your body that is deceased. I guess you would call yourself a spirit now."

"A spirit…" This didn't upset Kagome as much as it would have a week ago. Now she was used to feeling invisible, though being dead and knowing you were dead was a little unsettling. "But… how did you know my name?"

"Oh, that." Kai's green eyes twinkled. "I've been following you and your friends ever since you joined up with Shippou. When I died and my spirit was set free, I decided to look after my son in any way that I could. You might call me his 'guardian angel'."

"That's so sweet!" Kagome said, touched by this show of devotion. "So you know everything? I mean, about the jewel and all?"

"Of course," Kai replied airily. "Shippou talks to me every night, tells me all about himself and his friends. Especially the sweet, wonderful, kind, thoughtful, beautiful, brave Higurashi Kagome."

"He… he said all that about me?" The teen felt heat rising in her cheeks. She had known Shippou liked her a lot, but did he actually think she was all those things? Now I know why Mom likes it when I compliment her, Kagome thought. Having your son or daughter's approval is… nice. Even if they aren't really your child.

"Every word," the handsome kitsune said, grinning as he watched Kagome try to fight down embarrassment. Then his face sobered. "He really does think of you as another mother. It's gonna be pretty hard for him to deal with your death."

"I know…" Kagome said quietly, once again touching the half-finished Shikon no Tama at her throat. Kai watched her with interest.

"Is that…?" His voice trailed off meaningfully. Kagome nodded. Kai drew his breath in sharply. "But how? The Shikon no Tama can't die. It's not even alive to begin with!"

"It's because of the way I… I died." Kagome was proud that her voice didn't even tremble as she spoke. "I sort of… faded away. I suppose you already know about the Bone Eater's Well and my home in the future?" Kai nodded. "Well, I made a mistake in this time which affected my whole existence in the future, and therefore in the past. My body just started to disintigrate, and I had to fix the mistake before I disappeared completely. But once I figured out what was wrong with me, the one person who could help refused. So here I am, and everything I was touching at the time has faded with me."

Kai's face creased into a frown. "But that means not only are you gone from the group, but the Shikon no Tama can never be completed because it's in the spirit world with you!"

"Yeah, I know. Argh, this wasn't supposed to happen!" Kagome thought about kicking the table again, but decided not to when her tail-bone gave a painful reminder of what had happened the last time she did that. Kai gave her a sympathetic look and patted her shoulder with one clawed hand. This is wrong, Kagome thought. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm supposed to be alive and helping Inu Yasha and the others finish collecting the jewel shards. Instead, I'm… I'm DEAD.

Kami, that still felt weird to even think. Her, Kagome - dead. The dark-haired girl placed her head in her hands, sinking down into a sitting position on the floor. What was she going to do now?

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Inu Yasha looked back at the receding village, Riyo's house all but invisible. The outlines of houses and other buildings showed up black against the burnt orange sky as the sun lowered its fiery bulk below the horizon.

That bitch, Inu Yasha growled silently. If she hadn't been so stubborn Kagome would still be here. And the jewel. Of course, that's what matters the most. The jewel.

Miroku, walking sedately beside the hanyou, glanced over as his friend let out a low snarl, seemingly unaware of what he was doing. Ever since they had left Riyo on the floor of her home, Inu Yasha had reverted back to his normal self - grumpy, irritable, curt, and sarcastic. Only now that Kagome wasn't here to brighten up the gloomy mood of the little group, the half demon's attitude seemed even more pronounced.

"Inu Yasha, maybe we should go back and take Riyo with us," the monk suggested. "The least we can do for Kagome is finish the task she had set out to do."

"Houshi, that's just the point. It doesn't matter what we do, Kagome's gone for good. Now even getting Taro and Riyo back together wouldn't change that." Inu Yasha looked away again, his fangs clicking together as his jaw closed with a snap. That was the most words he'd said since they'd left the village.

"But I can't shake this feeling that Kagome isn't totally lost to us yet," Miroku argued. "It's worth a try, isn't it?"

"Even if we did try, Riyo wouldn't come. I don't exactly feel like listening to that load of shit about her mother being a dark miko and her father a dragon youkai again," Inu Yasha snapped.

Miroku almost smiled. The hanyou was wearing down if he'd already admitted that trying was being taken into consideration. Just a few more well-chosen words and the monk would have his way. "Inu Yasha, listen to me. I am monk. I know spiritual energy when I see it - when I sense it, I suppose I should say - and right now there is a strange feeling to the air around us that practically shouts of spirit activity. Might it not be possible that Kagome is not actually dead, but simply invisible?"

"Feh," came Inu Yasha's intelligent answer. But his golden eyes had taken on a thoughtful cast. Could that really work? Could Kagome still be brought back? Gruffly, he said, "You're going to bug the shit out of me until I agree, aren't you?"

"Of course," Miroku replied calmly.

Inu Yasha cursed under his breath, seemingly at himself, before turning and speeding back to the village, yelling over his shoulder, "Just wait here until I come back with Riyo. And don't expect me to save you if you get in trouble, 'cause it'll be your fault I was gone!"

Miroku merely waved before turning to a puzzled Sango. "I've persuaded him to go back for Riyo. Kagome deserves that much, at least."

"She does," Sango agreed sadly. Shippou, riding on the exterminator's shoulder like he used to on Kagome's, sniffed loudly and wiped his eyes. Miroku grimaced. He hadn't meant to make them upset again. Carefully keeping his hands above her waist, the monk placed an arm around Sango's shoulders and gave Shippou a reassuring smile.

"If we cannot remember Kagome without smiling, then we are shaming her memory. Besides, I have the feeling that hope has not completely forsaken us yet. Stranger things have happened," he said, quoting Taro. Sango offered him a watery smile in return, even going so far as to put one of her arms around his shoulders.

"For once, houshi, I agree with you," she said, glad that he wasn't taking advantage of this situation and groping her. It almost felt… nice… standing there with his arm around her. Almost, she thought hastily. I mean, this is a one-time kind of occurance, right?

Shippou, unmindful of the mixed emotions swirling around the two adults, snuggled between them. There was a kind of tingle in the air, a faint impression of energy, and it felt familiar to the small kitsune's senses. Actually, now that he thought about it, it was more like two auras enveloping his body and mind. Peace and security flooded into him, and Shippou closed his eyes.

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Kagome gazed at the still figures of Miroku, Sango, and Shippou wistfully, her hazel eyes deepening to dark chocolate pools. A small breeze tugged at her friends' clothes, but her own skirt and blouse didn't stir. She lifted one hand towards them before letting it drop back to her side with a sigh.

Kai, standing next to her, touched Kagome's arm lightly to show he understood how she was feeling. The teenager didn't move, her gaze never leaving her companions. That is, until she realized a certain half dog demon wasn't with them.

Where's Inu Yasha gone? He had been with them when we all left Riyo's house… Looking around proved futile, as Kagome soon found out. The hanyou was nowhere in sight. He'll be back soon. Hopefully.

Kagome sat down on the grassy hill not far from Miroku and the others, prepared to wait. But a sudden pulse within herself made the girl leap to her feet again, wondering what could possibly be wrong with her now. Another throb of energy, more like a tug, made her gasp and clutch her chest. It felt like her heart was being pulled forcibly through her ribcage.

What the HELL is going on? I thought I was DEAD! You don't get PAINS when your DEAD! Kagome gritted her teeth, feeling cheated if even being dead you still got aches and sores. Yet again her heart beat painfully, its speed increasing as a strange energy began building in her body. It felt like someone was dragging her in a certain direction from inside her body.

Kagome could feel hands on her shoulders, roughly shaking her back and forth, and she could hear a muffled voice shouting something, but the words were lost in the loud, irregular beating of her heart. If I don't do something, I think I'm gonna die a SECOND time! Kagome thought through a haze of pain. She took a step in the direction of the pull and the agony lessened, though barely. Another step and again the pain receded.

I guess I'm going wherever this… this weird energy thing is taking me, Kagome thought, resigned now. Squaring her shoulders against the pain, she began striding away, leaving a confused Kai behind.

Maybe her mind was clouded with this strange magic, but Kagome didn't seem to notice that she was heading back to the village where Riyo lived. All she could think about was this pull, this compulsion to go there, that had her by the heart so firmly.

Majestic and indifferent, the sun continued to set.

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Well, yet another chappy done. Sorry this one took so long to post, but I've been a little busy the past week or so. Well, what do you all think of this new twist? Will Inu Yasha manage to bring Riyo back with them? Even if he does, will that save Kagome? I have no idea, but I'm workin' on it! lol, anyways, enjoy yourselves until I figure it out!

~SilverMyste~