InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding My Heart ❯ Running Towards the Problem ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer-I can only wish that I owned em.

 

Chapter 16- Running Towards the Problem.

 

“Please don't be mad at me.” Rin said, peeking around Sesshoumaru's leg.

 

“Rin, I'm not mad at you. I just want to know where you found this?” Kagome said calmly. She had no idea how the jewel could've got in Rin's hands. All of this answered one question though; Kikyou and InuYasha had obviously not used the jewel yet. And luckily the jewel wasn't that tainted yet, it still shined pink, although she could feel that it still needed a bit of purifying.

 

“I found it in one of your pockets.” Rin answered shyly.

 

“My pocket? How could it have been in my pocket?” She asked more to herself than Rin.

 

“So, the ball is bad isn't it.” Rin said.

 

“It doesn't matter how it got here, I'm not allowing it to stay.” Sesshoumaru said and walked up to Kagome, who was still sitting on her knees.

 

Kagome closed her hand around the jewel and whipped her hand away as Sesshoumaru went to take it from her. “No, you can't just throw it away! First, I want to find out how it got in my pocket.” Kagome said, holding onto the jewel so Sesshoumaru wouldn't take it.

 

“I don't want it bringing harm to my family, or my land.” Sesshoumaru said. He held his hand out towards her, gesturing for her to put it on his palm.

 

“Sesshoumaru...please.” She pleaded, hoping he would understand why she wanted to keep it for awhile.

 

He gave her an irritated look, but submitted to her will. He would only allow her to keep it for a little while and then he wanted it out of his palace. Not only was he afraid that the jewel could bring harm to Kagome and Rin, but also that it could attract destructive demons into his lands. The last thing he wanted was to have to repair villages again.

 

“Rin, what clothing did you find this in?” Kagome asked. She was extremely confused as to how it could've got into her pocket. This wasn't like before when the jewel had been in her side, the jewel couldn't just have reincarnated into her clothing's pocket. Someone had to have put it there.

 

“It was in the cloths you were wearing the day you left Rin with Jaken.” Rin replied, using her name again as she talked.

 

`What?! How could that be?' She wondered. Quickly in her mind she remembered the happenings of that day. After flying for awhile they ran into Kikyou and InuYasha, and then Sesshoumaru nearly killed the hanyou. `Kikyou. Kikyou had just been standing there watching them fight, like she didn't care. Maybe when she was behind me, she slipped the jewel into my pocket!' Kagome thought. It was the only way she could think of the jewel getting in her pocket. “Sesshoumaru, what do you think of Kikyou?” She asked, wanting another person's opinion on her before she started accusing.

 

“Kikyou is just as bad as InuYasha in my eyes.” He replied coldly.

 

“But do you think she would do something...sneaky?” She asked.

 

“Didn't that wench and InuYasha use to sneak off together?” He replied scornfully.

 

“Well, yes.” She said. `What am I thinking? I already know what Kikyou's capable of.' She didn't like accusing people of anything when she had no proof, but she couldn't think of any other way the jewel would've got in her pocket. InuYasha and Kikyou were the ones who had the jewel anyway. “Why that! That...wench!” She yelled angrily. She never usually used bad words, but this time she was extra pissed.

 

“What?” Sesshoumaru asked, confused about her sudden outburst.

 

“I think Kikyou put the jewel in my pocket!” Kagome replied, emphasizing the word `Kikyou.'

 

“Let's talk about this elsewhere so Rin can go to bed.” Sesshoumaru said, turning to look at Rin.

 

“You're right, I'm sorry Rin, I shouldn't have said that word in front of you either.” Kagome apologized.

 

“What word?” Rin asked.

 

“Nevermind. Let's get you into bed, it's getting late.” Kagome said as she walked towards the bed.

 

Rin jumped up and crawled underneath the covers. “So, I'm not in trouble?” She asked, looking up at Kagome with big eyes.

 

“No Rin, you're not in trouble at all. It's good that you found the shiny pink ball before someone else did.” Kagome explained, hoping to make her feel better. She probably felt like she had gotten in trouble and the mess was all her fault.

 

“Someone like a Raider?”

 

“Yes, like a Raider. I'm just glad you are okay, and never got hurt.” Kagome replied, tucking her in the blankets.

 

“Sesshoumaru is always there to save me. And you know who my new hero is?” The little girl asked happily.

 

“Who's that?”

 

“You!” Rin said with a big smile on her face.

 

“Thank you, Rin.” The priestess smiled and kissed the girl on her forehead. “Goodnight Rin.” She said and walked towards the door.

 

“Night, Rin.” Sesshoumaru said and left the door a crack open behind him.

 

“Sesshoumaru, why would Kikyou put the jewel in my pocket? Wouldn't she want to use it for InuYasha?” Kagome asked more to herself than to Sesshoumaru. She walked deep in thought towards her room with Sesshoumaru right beside her. She didn't know if he was listening or not, but she continued to talk to herself.

 

Sesshoumaru was deep in thought himself, wondering why Kikyou would do that, and if it meant Kagome could get hurt. `If that walking claypot is trying to hurt Kagome, I will make sure she dies twice and never returns.' He thought, getting an image in his head of punching her lightly and then her entire body crumbling to the floor in shattered pieces of clay. Sesshoumaru smirked at the thought.

 

“Sesshoumaru, give me a moment and I'll be right back.” Kagome said politely and walked into her room.

 

Sesshoumaru stood outside the room, waiting. `What is she doing in there?' He wondered.

 

After a few moments she came back out in a laced gold nightgown, the jewel in one hand, and Buyo hanging from the other. “I'm tired.” She yawned. She stared up at Sesshoumaru, water coming to her eyes from her yawn.

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't wait to get her in bed. She looked so cute standing there with her cat, and looking up at him with big glossy eyes. Her cheeks were rosy, probably from being so tired. All the cleaning had worn her body out. `I hope she isn't too tired.' He thought. Bending down he put an arm under her legs and an arm under her back and lifted her off her feet.

 

“Wow, my very own transportation. You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet.” Kagome smiled up at him while he walked into his room. “I'm still not done talking about the jewel though. We need to figure out some things; like why Kikyou would put the jewel in my pocket.” She said and then realized they had stopped right outside Sesshoumaru's bedroom. “Sesshoumaru?”

 

“I'm so glad that the Raiders didn't take my father.” He said as he gazed at the wall near Rin's room.

 

“Your father?”

 

Sesshoumaru began to walk towards the tapestry that has his father's picture on it. “Yes, the picture of my father.” He replied, stopping in front of it to look at the mighty demon that someday he wished to be.

 

“That picture must be very special to you.” Kagome said, gazing at the tapestry with him.

 

“Besides for the palace and land I inherited, this is really the closest thing he left me to remember him by.” Sesshoumaru replied and then looked down at the beautiful woman he held in his arms.

 

Kagome looked up at him and smiled. “This is the same place we met that night.” She said, remembering the first time they kissed.

 

“Yes it is.” He said, moving down to kiss his mate.

 

“Meow.” Buyo mewed from between them both.

 

Kagome smiled and kissed his warm lips.

 

“Father would be happy.” He said as he lifted his head back up to look at the tapestry. Nodding his head like his father was actually standing there, he then turned around and entered his bedroom. He set Kagome down on the bed gently and then shut the door behind him.

 

Kagome crawled over the soft blankets and sat at the end of the bed with a bunch of plushy pillows behind her back. She watched Sesshoumaru crawl up to her and then sit beside her. His long legs stretched out almost to the end of the bed.

 

“Kagome, you know what I might have to do if Kikyou is trying to harm you.” He said, thinking of his Kagome getting hurt because of her.

 

“What makes you think she might want to harm me?” She asked. She hadn't really thought of that. She figured Kikyou had some reason for giving her the jewel, but she didn't think that the priestess would want to hurt her. What reason would she have to hurt her? She couldn't think of anytime that she had done something bad to Kikyou. Hell, she had even saved Kikyou's life not to mention...a couple of times. Kikyou had InuYasha now, so she couldn't be angry with Kagome about him.

 

“I don't know, but why else would she put the jewel in your pocket?” He added.

 

“Maybe she didn't want to use it, and innocently gave it to me so she wouldn't have to carry its burden.” Kagome said, doubting her own words. “Maybe she was scared that InuYasha was going to use it to become a full demon.”

 

“I don't think so. Kikyou has that half-breed wrapped around her ceramic finger. He'd do anything she asks, including turning into a human.”

 

Kagome knew he was right. InuYasha had even told her once that he was going to wish on the jewel to become human for Kikyou. Whatever the reason for slipping the jewel in her pocket, the miko was determined to find out.

 

“But, Sesshoumaru, why didn't I sense it when it was in my pocket?” She asked more to herself than to the inu-youkai. She hadn't sensed it at all until today when her and Rin were cleaning.

 

“Kikyou knows how to use her powers in many ways. She probably put some kind of spell on it so that you couldn't sense it.” Sesshoumaru said. He wasn't sure if that was the right answer, but he knew that some priestesses could put spells on things.

 

“Yeah, you're probably right.” She said. `I have to go to Kikyou.'

 

`Sesshoumaru probably won't agree to me going to Kikyou, so without him knowing I'll leave in the morning. He'll probably be extremely angry with me, but I have to find out, and I don't want him to stop me.' She thought and looked over at the youkai. “It's getting late and I'm tired. Why don't we forget about it for now.” She said, faking a yawn.

 

Sesshoumaru eyed her suspiciously.

 

“Even Buyo is yawning.” She said, pointing to the cat that sat in the middle of the bed. “What?” She said, noticing that Sesshoumaru was staring at her.

 

“You don't look too tired yet.” He said and leaned over to put an arm around her waist.

 

Kagome looked up into his perfectly carved face and instantly felt the same lust he had for her. His ruffled hair and golden eyes made her give in to his will right away. Leaning into his embrace she kissed his warm lips and tangled her fingers in his hair. It felt almost like he could control her. She couldn't resist his body. Even when she tried to pretend she didn't lust for him, all he had to do was taunt her once with a kiss and she would give in.

 

Sesshoumaru smiled at how innocent she acted at first and continued to kiss her even harder. After removing his robe he moved on top of Kagome and began to take off hers while kissing her lips and neck. As he worked his way towards her chest he could smell her arousal, which made his demon burn for more. Controlling himself he continued to move slower than his body wanted to so that he could bring every pleasure to both of them. “I love you.”

 

“I love you too.”

 

* * * *

Kagome turned her head to see if Sesshoumaru was sleeping, and found him sound asleep with his arms still around her. `Why does he have to make things so difficult?' She said to herself. It was still dark, which meant that there was time to get away before the sun rises. The main problem will be getting away without Sesshoumaru waking up.

 

Slowly she worked her way out of his arms and then stood on the floor. `Good, he's still asleep.' She thought and began to tip toe her way out of the room. Once she was out she looked at her sleeping mate one more time; “I love you Sesshoumaru.” She said and quietly shut the door behind her. She quickly tip toed to her room and got changed into her normal wear of some jeans and a tank top then packed another change of clothing and then of course; the jewel.

 

Quietly she walked down the stairs with her backpack and climbed out the broken gate. “Ouch.” She said when she landed and lifted her foot up to look at it. In the heel of her shoe a large jagged piece of wood was sticking in. Trying as hard as she could not to scream, she yanked the overly large splinter out and threw it at the ground. Luckily it hadn't protruded into her skin too deep. `Look at me, I just got through the gate and I already hurt myself.' She thought, angry with herself. Regaining herself she walked down into the grassy field that lay beside the castle ahead of the palace.

 

“Ah-Un. Ah-Un.” She called in almost a whisper. She knew the demon was usually grazing in this field somewhere. The demon didn't answer her call, but when she listened hard she thought she could hear something that sounded like a snore. She followed the sound until finally behind a bush she found a sleeping Ah-Un. The youkai had its tail curled around its body and covering its two heads.

 

“Ah-Un.” Kagome called a little louder this time. She couldn't tell if the youkai's eyes were open or not because it was so dark. The only thing giving off a little light was the moon that shone from the sky. “Ah-Un.” `I've never seen a demon sleep so deeply before.' She thought and then moved the youkai back and forth with her hand. Finally, the demon opened its eyes and removed its tail from its faces. “Ah-Un, come on, I need you to get up.” She said, motioning her hands in an upward movement, trying to make the demon understand.

 

Groaning, the youkai got up and sleepily stood in front of the miko.

 

“Oh come on, it's not that early. Well, maybe it is, but you don't have to exaggerate.” She talked to the youkai as she watched its two heads yawn.

 

Ah-Un staggered like it was drunk; pretending it was over tired so she wouldn't get on his back.

 

Kagome shook her head at the creature and then climbed on its back. She didn't have a saddle or bridle, but she didn't care. “Let's go Ah-Un, towards InuYasha's village.” She pointed and then held onto the demon's mane when it took off the ground. “Thank you.” She said and patted it on the neck.

 

Ah-Un nodded a `your welcome.'

 

“Sorry, Sesshoumaru.” She said, looking back at the palace that was getting smaller and smaller. “I have to find out why Kikyou would put the jewel in my pocket.” She said to herself. In her mind she was trying to convince herself that she was doing the right thing by going to look for Kikyou, but she also knew she wasn't, by leaving without Sesshoumaru. She knew he would probably be mad, but it was something she had to risk. Plus, she didn't want him getting hurt or picking another fight with InuYasha, or leaving Rin behind again so Raiders could come while they were gone. `No, I am doing the right thing.' She thought and looked back once more. The castle and the palace looked only like little houses now.

 

An hour later the sun started to rise and Ah-Un began to fly a little faster. The youkai was no where near as fast as Sesshoumaru, but it was ten times faster than if she was to walk. She figured she would arrive at the well by nightfall, and hoped that Sesshoumaru wouldn't come to find her during the day. `Knowing him, he will come looking for me though, that's why I have to hurry and find Kikyou fast when I arrive there.'

 

`Once again my life is being tugged away from other things because of this jewel. I don't want it, and I don't want to keep it. I spent a good two years putting this thing back together and traveling all over what seemed to be the world, just to find all of its shards. I'm not letting it ruin my life with Sesshoumaru. I came back here, a second time, and this time was much different. The last times I came back, I was only a shard detector to InuYasha, and our never ending journeys only ended in heartbreak for me. InuYasha only seen me as Kikyou's reincarnation, he would never have looked at me as myself. He only seen me as another form of Kikyou.'

 

`Sesshoumaru though, he never once looked at me as another woman. He saw me as Kagome. Coming back through the well this time was so different than all the other times. This time I came back and found my home. I found where I belong. I never would have thought that where I belong would be with Sesshoumaru. And this world is so much nice than the modern era. Sure, there's demons and some battles, but it's so much more peaceful. No pollution in the air, and forests everywhere.' She thought and looked down at the forest below her and Ah-Un. She smiled and inhaled the fresh morning air.

 

`Before I came here, I felt like I was losing myself. My heart was disappearing to the point that all I knew or did was my work. I didn't even go out with my friends anymore. I never once liked another guy since I left the feudal era. Besides work, the only other thing I would think about; was how my friends might be doing in the feudal era, and how much I missed that beautiful world. But, now I'm back and will always be here.' She felt so happy being able to say that to herself. She had always wanted to stay in the feudal era. The only reason she use to return home was because her mom wanted her to keep up with school, and she liked a break from all the shard hunts.

 

A few hours passed and Kagome found herself getting really thirsty. Ah-Un was beginning to slow his pace by a great amount and began to groan. “Hey Ah-Un! There's a nice fresh stream. Let's go down and get a drink to relax for a moment.” She said nicely.

 

Ah-Un agreed and swooped down towards a small stream that seemed to flow back into the forest beside it. He landed gracefully and let Kagome off before plunging his heads into the water. “Good isn't it Ah-Un.” She said as she dipped her hands into the water and brought it up to her mouth.

 

After a few handfuls of fresh water, she walked back towards a tree and sat down, leaning against it. She laughed as Ah-Un still had its two heads dipping in and out of the water, gobbling it up as if he hadn't had any water in ages. The slurping noise sounded funny. “It's weird Ah-Un, you're a fire demon, yet you still need to drink water. I wonder how that works?” She asked herself then forgot about it, seeing as it was too hard of a question for her.

 

Ah-Un finished and then walked over to lay down by Kagome.

 

Both of them sat in the warm sunlight for a short while until Kagome knew it was time to start again. She knew if Sesshoumaru was going to come looking for her, he wouldn't take any water breaks like they just did. “Well, Ah-Un it's time to get back on the air again.” She said and hopped up on his back.

 

Once Ah-Un could feel that she was settled on his back, he took to the air once more.

 

* * * *

 

“Why would she do this to me!” Sesshoumaru yelled as he walked back and forth the hallway upstairs. When he woke up he had first thought that Kagome was probably up getting a bath or something, but after looking throughout the entire palace, she was no where to be found. He knew where she went, she went to find Kikyou, but what he didn't understand was why she would leave without him. She was his mate, his beloved, if anything ever happened to her because he wasn't there, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, what's wrong?” Rin asked, running out of her room.

 

“Kagome is gone!” He hollered, not meaning to be mad at Rin.

 

“I was out on the balcony and couldn't see Ah-Un anywhere either.” She said with great concern.

 

`That's how she's getting there? At least she's not on foot. Ah-Un would take care of her as much as he can, but that youkai cannot protect her like I can. If she's flying on Ah-Un, then that means I should be able to catch up with them. God! Why did she have to do this!' He freaked and then turned to Rin. “Rin, we're leaving. Get dressed and be at the gate quickly.” He said as calmly as he could to her.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru! Ah-Un is no where in the field!” Jaken came running into the palace out of breath.

 

“I already know that Jaken!” The inu-youkai hollered from up the stairs.

 

`What got him in such a bad mood?' Jaken wondered and turned around to leave so he didn't have to endure any of his Lord's wrath.

 

“Jaken! Guard the palace while I'm gone. I don't want anyone entering it, except Mioka and her sister.” He ordered before Jaken could get through the jagged hole in the gate.

 

“Yes, my Lord.” He replied and crawled back in, staring up at Sesshoumaru, who was still standing in the hallway up the staircase. “Lord Sesshoumaru, I should also tell you that there is a small dribble of blood right outside the gate. I do not know who's it is though.” He informed.

 

Sesshoumaru jumped the length of the entire staircase and landed a few feet away from Jaken. Right away he could smell it. It was Kagome's blood. `What happened to her? Why is her blood right outside the gate?' He wondered and jumped through the hole. He looked at the small dribbles of dry blood and then saw the cause of it. Just a few feet away from the blood was a jagged piece of wood lying on the ground. He picked it up and on one end of the wood it was stained with her blood. `She must've got this stuck in her when she tried climbing out of the gate.' He told himself and then dropped the piece of wood.

 

“I'm ready!” Rin hollered from inside the palace. Sesshoumaru looked over and could see her short body waiting for him to pick her up. `Why would she keep going when she was stabbed by this?' He wondered, but then remembered how stubborn and determined she could be sometimes. Walking up to the gate, he put his arms in the massive hole and pulled Rin out without her having to touch the jagged edges of the hole.

 

“Yay! This time I get to come!” She pranced around happily.

 

There was no way Sesshoumaru was going to leave Rin alone again. Especially when Raiders think that she still has the jewel.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, where did Kagome go to?” Rin asked.

 

“I think she went to InuYasha's village.” He replied and grabbed her so he could take off.

 

“InuYasha's village?” She said as they took off into the sky.

 

Sesshoumaru didn't reply. He was too focused on fueling all his strength into flying his fastest.

 

Rin giggled as she usually did when all of a sudden a bright blue light surrounded them. She closed her eyes as the wind blew her hair back. She enjoyed the feel of the wind in her hair.

 

`She knew I would never let her go on her own. Why would she go without me?' He wondered. He hoped that he would get to her in time before she got into any trouble.

 

“Did Kagome leave because of that pink ball?” Rin asked.

 

Sesshoumaru tried to think of the right answer to tell Rin so that she would understand. “Rin, the pink ball is not just a ball. It's the Shikon no Tama. Its power is neither good nor evil. And as long as we carry it, trouble will keep coming our way.” He explained as he continued concentrating on his speed.

 

“So did Kagome take it with her?”

 

“Yes. I think she is going to InuYasha's village to find Kikyou and ask her why she put it in her pocket. She is probably also going to tell them to take it back because she doesn't want any harm coming to us.” Sesshoumaru answered. What he just said made him realize something also. His mate loved them so much that she went off by herself to get rid of what could harm them. For that he admired her, but he still hated the fact that she took off without him and was now out there with only a weak fire demon to protect her.

 

“Kagome is a great person. I always knew there was something different about her whenever we met with her and InuYasha's group. She always seemed so nice, and although the rest of the group had a hate for you, she never seemed to. She always told InuYasha not to fight you because you are his brother.” Rin said.

 

Sesshoumaru listened to her every word and realized that everything Rin said was true, and that his little girl was growing up. When she talked like that, she made a lot of sense, and sounded older and more mature. He wondered if that had something to do with Kagome. The memory of the day when he had to let Rin go because of the war was still fresh in his mind, but slowly he was beginning to think of it less, and was so glad that he was able to come back to his home and find Rin again. The only thing he feared the most was losing her again. He knew the war was coming in a matter of time and he would help Kagome all he could, to try and stop this war. “Kagome is a great person.” He replied in agreement.

 

Rin smiled, but then felt her smile fade when she thought of Kagome getting hurt. “I hope Kagome will be alright.” She said sadly.

 

“Me too.”

 

* * * *

 

“It must be a few hours before sunset.” Kagome said as she looked on into the horizon. All she could still see was more forests, fields, and small villages. “Maybe Sesshoumaru actually didn't come after me.” She thought and looked behind her to see if he was there in the air somewhere. Nothing was in the air except them and some birds that flew around the trees in the forest below them.

 

“Maybe you're just really fast Ah-Un.” She said, giving the youkai a pat on the neck.

 

Ah-Un grunted in enjoyment as she rubbed her hand against his neck.

 

She had noticed after stopping for that drink in the morning that Ah-Un flew twice as fast as he was before that. She thought that maybe Sesshoumaru just wasn't catching up because Ah-Un was flying at a much faster pace. `I guess that's the trick to make him go. If he starts slowing down any time soon I'll just stop to let him drink.' She told herself.

 

To her surprise, Ah-Un didn't slow down at all. For another couple hours he stayed at the same speed. The sun was starting to set and she hoped that they would be arriving at the village soon.

 

Within a few minutes the village she used to stay in all the time, came into view. They passed the Bone Eater's well and then the small amount of forest before the village. The village looked alive and well as the people below walked about. She could see some of them look up at her and point, and hoped that they wouldn't start shooting arrows at her because they thought she was hostile.

 

“All Right Ah-Un, see that house?” She pointed to a small hut. “I want you to land right in front of it.” She said and held on as the youkai descended.

 

When they landed in front of the hut, they found themselves surrounded by angry villagers. They held pitchforks, axes, swords, and bow and arrows, staring at both of them with judgmental eyes.

 

“It's okay. I'm not here to hurt anyone, and neither is Ah-Un.” She said, pointing to the youkai beside her.

 

Ah-Un stood still. His eyes were wide, scared of all the humans surrounding him.

 

“Why don't they recognize me?” She said to herself. “I couldn't have changed my looks that drastically.”

 

“Everyone calm down! This miko is our friend.”

 

The villagers lowered their weapons and looked over to the elderly woman standing outside the hut.

 

“Kaede!” Kagome said happily. She ran over to the miko and gave her a big hug.

 

Kaede was slightly surprised by the jolting hug, but was very glad to see Kagome again. “Tis been a good while since I've seen ye. How long has it been? Seven months? Eight months?” She asked with a smile crossing her old, chapped lips.

 

“One of those.” Kagome replied.

 

“Ye look so much older.” Kaede said, examining the young miko's face. “And who's that?” She asked, looking over at Ah-Un.

 

“Oh, that's Sesshoumaru's youkai. Or Rin's I should say.” She replied.

 

“Sesshoumaru's?” She asked, concern evident in her voice.

 

“Yes, but he doesn't know I came here. Well, he didn't know, he probably knows now and is on his way if I know him.” She said, still hyper from seeing her old friend again.

 

“It looks like we have much to talk about.” Kaede said. “Come on inside and have a drink of some tea.” She invited, opening the door. “Off with ye, go and build something or other.” She said, shooing off the villagers that stood staring at the miko and youkai.

 

Once they turned around and went back to what they were doing, Kaede walked into the hut with Kagome following behind her. They had much to discuss.

 

Yay! Chapter 16! I hope you all enjoyed it! Chapter 17 will be up soon!