InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ The Wisdom of a Kitsune ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter 14

 

(Miroku's POV)

 

I know eavesdropping should be above my nature, me being a monk and all, but I couldn't help myself, once I heard the beginning of their conversation I was compelled to find out how it ended. Inuyasha's last declaration caused an uncomfortable silence to fall between the two of them; I have to admit I was shocked by his statement as well. I knew their relationship was rocky, but I had no idea either one of them were harboring the things that have come to light over the past week. Life was truly full of surprises.

 

He tried to sooth the emotional wound his comment had left on the girl but to no avail, nothing but a complete and utter retraction was going to pacify her and when he refused, she just grew more indifferent.

 

She put an end to their conversation by saying she was going home and he could come get her when he came to his senses. He merely lowered his eyes and shook his head.

 

“Come on Kagome; let's go see Kaede before you leave.”

“Like, I would leave without saying goodbye.”

 

When they strode off in the direction of Kaede's hut I heard a rustling in the bushes, and out popped Shippou. I guess I wasn't the only extra set of ears in their conversation.

 

“You can come out Miroku; I'd say he knew we were both here anyway.”

“And he didn't call us out, how strange.” I said as I stepped out of my forested hiding spot.

“I just think he no longer cares, now that she is no longer a potential mate.”

“What are you talking about Shippou?”

“There are a lot of things us Youkai will put up with when pursuing a mate, but Kagome has crossed several lines this week that pretty much ensured that she will be cast out of the slot of potential mate.”

“Please explain Shippou, I'm all ears.” I asked as I took a seat beside the Kitsune on the forest floor, I was genuinely intrigued, I was also forced to notice how much he had grown in many ways inside and out since we all came together as a group.

 

“Gladly, I think it's something as his best friend you need to know anyway. Well first and foremost despite our usual appearance all youkai are basically animals, our instincts, base behavior and general laws and rules flow along the same lines like most common animals. Whether it has actually been declared or not, we are a pack and Inuyasha is our leader.”

“True I can see that, we look to him direction as well as protection when danger comes about.”

“Right, and for the most part we all follow his lead without question, except for Kagome, she constantly challenges his authority and humiliated him in front of us and whoever else was around by not only challenging him but with that SIT necklace as well.”

“Oh I see.”

“Then she openly and rather crudely rejected him and his demon heritage in front of all of you and to make matters worse she managed to invoke his kin's wrath on top of it all.”

“I wouldn't think he would give much thought to Sesshomaru's opinion.”

“It's not quite that simple, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are from a Tai Youkai bloodline, the last of their kind from what I can tell and for her to so openly and adamantly disapprove of the blood flowing through his veins was like spitting in the face of their father and calling their entire ancestry garbage.”

“Ouch, I never quite looked at it that way, but I suppose you're right.”

“It's really sad, because once I thought about all of it I realized she has been lying to him, to all of us, for a very long time.”

“Yeah that had me upset with her when all this started; to tell you the truth I'm still upset.”

“I just wish she hadn't given me a false dream to work for.”

 

It was then that it dawned on me, the actual magnitude of this situation for Shippou, he looked at Inuyasha and Kagome as parent figures. He was constantly talking about what he thought his life was going to be like once Naraku was no more; to him this must be like losing his family all over again. I finally lose my religion and inwardly curse the Miko for doing this to him, despite how much he's grown he is still a child, and a child's spirit is crushed so easily.

 

I have no idea what to say to him at the moment so I extend my arms offering a hug which he gladly accepted. When he starts to cry I say nothing and just let him, and when I sense he is done, I have finally found something worth saying to him.

 

“I am sure Inuyasha would gladly take you with him when he leaves.”

“I don't think I could go.”

“Why not?”

“I don't know what kind of feel you get from the Demon Lord but Sesshomaru's presence almost makes me wet my pants, he scares the crap out of me!”

 

I couldn't help but laugh at his sentiments, I think it was more the way he put it, than what he said that amused me so. I ruffled the fur on his head and told him to follow me and get some lunch.

 

 

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

The trip to Kaede's was painfully silent and when we arrived it didn't lift much, she was still making it a point only to speak to me when she had to and I was making it a point to stay out of her conversation with Kaede. I only had one thing to ask of the old priestess and as soon as they eased their chatter I aimed to get it over and done with. Kaede asked Kagome to fetch her some herb from her storage bin, when she left I used that opportunity to speak to Kaede.

 

“Might I ask of you a favor Lady Kaede?”

“Ask as ye will my child.”

“Can you take this damned necklace off of me now?”

“I wondered when you were going to get around to asking that.” she said with a broad smile as she walked over to me, placed her hands on the necklace and mumbled a few words I couldn't understand. She slowly began to remove the necklace only to have it resist her and fall back down around my neck.

 

“Odd,” she said as she rubbed her wrinkled chin, “it appears to be calling out to Kagome, it must have formed a bond with her as well, maybe it's something to do with the fact she now possess the Shikon jewel is why I can no longer solely break the spell.”

 

A look of worry must have come over my face because she tried to comfort me first with her eyes and then with words, but her scent betrayed her I knew she was worried as well.

Just as she was attempting to remove the necklace for a second time, Kagome walked into the room.

 

“What are you doing Kaede-sama?”

“Come here child I think I will need ye to help me remove this burden from our Hanyou friend.”

 

Kagome stood there for a while motionless and almost impossible to read before she uttered one word “No.”

 

“No what, my child?” Kaede asked hopefully even though I got the feeling she knew full well what Kagome meant by saying no.

“When he comes to his sense, maybe but right now, no.”

“Surely you can't mean that child.”

 

I watched kind of helplessly as the two of them spoke back and forth, Kaede was trying very hard to talk sense into Kagome without upsetting her, thus far it wasn't working.

Their debate continued and soon Kagome's voice rose to a shrill cry that brought the others to the old priestesses hut to see what was wrong. Just as they reached the door Kouga, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou heard Kagome shout, “That's it, no means no, and I'm leaving!” as she dashed out of the door.

 

“Stop her!!” shouted Kaede

 

Kouga moved to block her path only to find himself on the receiving end of couple of purifying force bolts, which sent the demon sailing quite a few yards away with a yelp of pain. Sango ran to check on their ookami friend after she sent a hateful glare at Kagome.

Angry with her actions Miroku grabbed the Miko by the arm and whirled her around.

“What is wrong with you Kagome? You might have seriously hurt him; you know how that purification power affects demons.”

“Well he will learn to stay out of my way then won't he, and it will be in your best interest to let go of me. I was headed home and that what I intend to do.”

“You're not going to even wait and see if Kouga is hurt or not, by your own hands none the less?” Miroku said stepping back and pointing an accusing finger at her.

“I don't have to explain my actions to anyone, least of all you!”

 

Without so much as a sneer in admonition, a ball of energy pulled away from her body and in one swift sweep of her hand she directed it at Miroku. But instead of repelling him back it came in contact with a purple barrier that surrounded the Houshi. Everyone, including a now slightly singed wolf demon that had made his way back to the group with Sango's help, was looking on in awe and fear as Miroku and Kagome continued to engage in what could only be described as a mystical battle of wills and power.

 

“When did they learn to do all of this?” I asked of Kaede

“I do not know Inuyasha and I dare say that until this moment they did not know themselves.”

“Well how do we stop it?”

“That is something only they can do; I fear that the energy that is being thrown around would cause severe harm to you, Kouga or Shippou.”

 

Miroku was entirely on the defensive in this battle and he was trying to reason with the Miko, but it did not take long for him to tire of this and decide to strike back, three golden globes of light began to swarm around the Monk and stayed like that until, suddenly and without warning they left the barrier surrounding him and struck Kagome from three different directions all at once. This seemed to bring her out of her anger and back to her senses. When she stopped attacking he lowered his shield and they both stood there staring at each other as the reality of what just took place settled on them.