InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ Well Now What ( Chapter 25 )

Chapter 25 Well Now What?

 

(Entropy's POV)

 

My new puppet has come a long way over the past few months. I find it amazing how easy it is to fuel her fire. She is so consumed with getting what she thinks she wants, that she has yet to slow down to even consider what my motives are in this. If I cared I would perhaps consider it sad that by the time she thinks to do so it will be far, far too late.

 

I find it quite the curious thing that she thinks all of this power will grant her wishes and that her hearts desire can be filled through these means. She is the living embodiment of the truly naïve. Her plan, if one could even call it that, seems to be to rush in and kidnap her “love” and everything from that point will be happily ever after. I wonder if she has even contemplated what she will do with him if she was even able to get that far. I suppose we will all see…

 

The aura of the Shikon Jewel has attracted many demons to her and I watch, somewhat fascinated, as she dispatches them with what has now become practiced ease. I believe it will not be long before she is ready to take on some of those she feels has wronged her. She has gotten too cocky as of late with her own abilities to stay away from them for too much longer. I wonder if she has ever fought a moment in her life without someone to watch her back. Even as I wonder a part of me knows the answer and I smile. Soon she will seek to take on part, if not all of the others that played a hand in the destruction of Naraku…alone.

 

Some of those she will challenge have centuries of battle experience and she feels these few months and the jewel will be enough to be their undoing. At this, a small chuckle escapes me and she turns in my direction.

 

“What is so funny Konran-sama?” asked Kagome.

“Nothing my child, simply thinking…”

“I think I need to go towards the Western lands soon, or perhaps I can catch them headed to Kaede's village.”

“I suppose it is time to start putting your plan into action,” I said, “I cannot wait to see their faces.” As well your own when all of this finally backfires on you. I think I need to get closer look at what is going on in the Western Lands, yes I feel I have a trip to make.

 

(Miroku's POV)

 

When I get back to my room I, for the first time in my life, truly lose my temper and I have no desire to put it in check. I scream, cry and rage, and I don't give a damn who hears me. Things are thrown, kicked and broken. I care not. I continue on in this fashion until I am as physically exhausted as I am emotionally. Sinking to the floor, I gaze about at the carnage I've wrought and the longing stirs within me to do more.

 

I can't believe this is happening. I would have never guessed in a thousand years that anything like this would come to pass. The more I think about how right Sango was about letting my feelings be known the more things I want to break. When I saw Sesshoumaru plant that kiss on him, I wanted nothing more than to rip the Daiyoukai's throat out. I know that what I feel is nobody's fault, but he is the object of my resentment none the less. A part of me wanted to pull him away from Inuyasha and scream, `How dare you touch what is mine!' But mine he is not and by the looks of it, he never will be. What really hurts is the knowledge that he could have been. By this time tears were streaming down my face in such rapid succession I could barely make out the wall I was about to punch.

 

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Sango said gently from her position in the doorway.

“Well you're not me,” I snapped angrily.

“True, I'm not. I know this feels horrible for you right now but I assure you it will get better.”

“Easy for you to say, you have no idea how bad this feels. It feels like my hearts been torn in two and danced on. You couldn't possibly…”

“I couldn't? Are you sure about that, Houshi-sama?”

 

I am glaring at her with this `how dare you question me about any of this' look, when it dawns on me. This is Sango, the same Sango who I was all but engaged to at one point in time. This is the same wonderful person who has, despite how she was feeling, stood by me through all of this and never once complained. The realization is more sobering then a slap to the face. Ashamed of myself, I look away and I can feel my shoulders slump.

 

“I am truly sorry, Sango-chan; please believe me when I say this.”

“As well you should be, my friend.”

 

When I look at her she has I completely unreadable expression on her face. I do not know what to say or do at this moment, so I return to my previous activity of self pity and tears. Some holy man I am. I feel like a disgrace to the cloth in more ways than I care to count at this moment.

 

I didn't sit there for long before I felt a slender arm encircle my shoulders. I hadn't realized she had taken a seat on the floor beside me. I, in no way feel that I deserve her reassurance.

 

“I am not worthy of your comfort.”

“I think I am the one to be the judge of that,” she replied

“I can't apologize enough for what I said earlier Sango I …I-”

“I understand, Houshi-sama, and all is forgiven. None of us are perfect and we all fall victim to our emotions at times.”

“Well this has been one hell of a fall,” I sighed.

“And it will only get worse if you keep this up. You need to tell him and get it off you chest or someone else will.”

“WHAT!! Why?”

“Your actions this evening alone has caused some major ripples in Inu-chan's life. He thinks you are upset because Lord Sesshoumaru is male and his kin, so now he feels he must choose between his friendship with you and his growing relationship with his brother.”

“WHAT!! Are you sure?”

“I am positive, that is what we were discussing right after you made your less than polite departure.”

“Do you honestly think there is even a remote possibility that he would choose me over Sesshoumaru?”

“Yes, I do, whether you believe this or not he values his friendship with you greatly. If I had any clue how long he was going to take to make his decision I would have waited and not bothered to interrupt your venting; but with Inu-chan it is hard to tell at times. He made the decision to return to the West in mere moments.”

 

I contemplated what she said for quite a while. On one hand I was pleased to hear that he valued our friendship so much; but on the other hand I felt like a poor candidate for that honor by compromising his happiness. Even though I don't like to admit this, he has seemed more genuinely happy these last few months than I've ever known him to be. That alone is enough for me to make my decision, however reluctant it may be. Sighing I stand and offer my hand to Sango in assistance so she can do the same.

 

“I will fix this Sango, you have my word; I will just need a little time.”

“I understand but don't take too long, my friend,” she said, as she leaned against the window sill.

“I am not taking this matter lightly Sango, I will be sure to…is that Lord Sesshoumaru?” I ask as I pointed out of the window behind her.

 

As she turned around to get a look I walk up beside her to see for myself.

 

“That it is and it looks like he's carrying Inuyasha,” she replied

“That appears to be Kouga standing behind him…”

“I think something's up, or else Kouga would not be with him and Inu-chan looked pretty limp in Sesshoumaru's arms.”

 

We took a quick glance at each other, before shooting out the door.

 

When we tracked them down to the healers, Kouga was standing outside the small double doors with his arms folded across his chest.

 

“What's wrong with Inuyasha? Is he ok? Why was he…” I prattled out before I was interrupted.

“Calm down, Monk I think he'll be fine.”

“Well I want to know for sure!” I shouted as I headed for the double doors.

“Don't do that Monk, I'm sure if Lord Sesshoumaru wanted company he would have invited us in by now.”

“But… well at least tell us what happened,” I sighed, defeated

 

(Kouga's POV)

 

The Monk looked and acted pretty upset when he and Sango found me outside the door of the healer's chambers. I found it hard to keep my cool in the face of his insistent babbling. I know why he is so worried, but it crawls under my skin nonetheless. The scowl on my face is not something I try to hide.

 

I swiftly fill them in on what happened with Inuyasha that ended with us here. I was just about to suggest us moving on when a low but firm whisper directed at me from Lord Sesshoumaru that demanded as much.

 

“Come on you guys we need go wait this out somewhere else.”

“Why? I want to stay here,” Miroku stated

“No, we go and we go now!” I snap through clenched fangs. I know that came out more harshly than I intended but I am suddenly so not in the mood for this right now.

“You guys do what you want I'm staying here until these doors open!” the Monk snaps back.

 

The slayer is looking back and forth between us looking startled and thoughtful. I was fully prepared to leave him there and let him deal with Sesshoumaru's wrath on his own when Sango spoke up.

 

“Why is it that we need to leave, Kouga-san?” she asks gently, it's hard to maintain anger in the face of such kindness.

“It was a command from Lord Sesshoumaru,” I replied

“Oh I see, well I think it is best that we be on our way. Come on Miroku I am sure we will find out what is wrong with Inu-chan soon enough.”

“Well he could have just said that in the first place,” Miroku replies defensively, “All of that wasn't necessary.”

“You are one to talk `Oh Holy One'.”

“That's enough guys; I think we need to do as we were instructed before…”

 

She didn't get the opportunity to finish before Lord Sesshoumaru made an appearance in their line of sight and made his displeasure known.

 

“The lot of you will cease this noisy disruption immediately,” He stated, “Am I understood?”

“Yes, my Lord. You have our sincerest apologies.” Sango was quick to answer.

“I will let you all know of his condition in due time,” he said as he turned and re-entered the healer's chambers.

“Like I said before, let's go,” I all but sneered at the Monk

 

We walked down the halls in heavy silence. And for the life of me I could not figure out what caused me to snap a few moments ago. I am not known to have the greatest temperament and restraint but that was a bit much even for me. It's like the Monk said, it was uncalled for.

 

“Hey guys, I'm sorry for losing my temper back there, I'm not sure what came over me.”

“No harm done my friend these are stressful times,” Miroku replied

 

And for whatever reason his quick acceptance of my apology made me feel even worse.

 

(Sango's POV)

 

I was glad to see that little incident in front of the healer's chambers did not create a permanent rift between the two. For a moment I was not sure what was going to happen. I was as shocked, if not more so, than Miroku at Kouga's outburst it was almost as if he had suddenly had all he could take, but of what, I do not know. I suggested that we go for a walk around the entirety of the palace grounds in order to kill some time. Kouga accepted but Miroku declined in favor of going to clear his head. When he turned to face the other direction I expected him to walk away but instead he did something that almost startled the life out of me.

 

He opened the rift in his hand and let some of the energy within swirl out. As he did so both Kouga and I looked on in wide eyed fascination. The now dark purplish-black energy swirled about in front of Miroku until it formed a six or seven foot circle. He then did the absolute last thing I expected him to do. He bowed to us and stated that he was headed to his private rooms and stepped into the energy like it was as common a thing as slicing bread. Speechless, I turned to Kouga with my mouth agape.

 

“Yeah, kinda freaky the first time you see it isn't it?” He said.

“To say the very least!” I replied

“He's been working on that particular maneuver for over two months, looks like he's got it down now.”

“For over two months you say?” I parrot back.

“Uh - Yeah,” He replied looking kind of confused at my question.

“Well this is the first I've ever heard or seen of it.”

“Um - Okay, sorry,” He replied, a bit guiltily as he lowered his head.

 

I was about to assure him that he need not feel guilty or apologize when my mind went on a whirlwind game of fill in the blanks. When it stopped I was a bit amused at my results, it is still just all speculation at this point but if I play my cards right and word my questions…well I think I can come up with confirmation. I send a side long glance to my ookami friend and I notice he looks more distressed now then he did when we found him. I am hesitant to add to his burden but I think maybe it will all work out for both of us.

 

“Hey Kouga, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, why not, but I won't promise you an answer.”

“Fair enough; I was just curious as to why you gave up on Kagome-chan. I know I asked you this once before but your answer was vague at best. Care to enlighten me now?”

 

He stops in the middle of the pathway we're on and tilts is head skyward to observe the crescent moon. The look in his eyes was so distant I feared I had crossed a line with him. He promptly raised his arms and undid the hair tie that, I soon found out, held a lot more hair than it appeared to. He stood there for quite a while admiring the sky and letting the insistent breeze toss his hair wherever it was inclined to do so.

 

“Have you ever had to fight destiny?” he asked softly, azure eyes still gazing at the evening sky.

“I am not sure what you mean, Prince Kouga.”

“Just plain old Kouga will be fine.”

“Understood.”

“I hate formalities, really I do,” he all but sighed.

 

There was a heavy lull in the conversation and I decided to take a seat on a rather large rock to the side of the path. I had the feeling I had just opened the floodgates.

“My attraction to her was genuine at first; she was so nice, helpful and all of that but the longer it carried on the more reasons I had to come up with in order to get myself to keep pursuing her. I was not aware of the magnitude of her selfishness, but I was also not completely blind to it either. I saw the `sits' for no reason, the `I'm going home if I don't get my way', the `we stay here' and the `we go now's' that just well… bothered me.”

 

He still had not even turned my way but I could hear the strain all of this was having on him coming through in his voice. I had a dozen questions to ask then, but I chose not to ask in favor of letting him continue. This sounded like the beginning of quite the epic tale.