InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ For The Last Time ❯ The Morning After ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Thanks to all my reviewers! Sadly, right now (while I'm typing this) I don't have internet connection so I can't look up all of your names. I do remember some though. Thank you to my returning reader Saundra. It is so nice to have you reading this story too. I'm sorry that I don't remember the rest of your names. If you keep reviewing, though, they'll stick in my mind eventually.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. If I did, I wouldn't have to worry about scholarships for college. Heck, I wouldn't have to worry about college at all!



Kagome opened her eyes slowly. She was loathe to wake up and leave the comforting realms of sleep. When her eyes were fully open, all she could see was white.

Sesshomaru had been awake for about an hour. Instead of getting up, though, he decided that the day could wait for him. During the night the storm had stopped and all had become calm once more.

Looking out the entrance to the cavern, he decided that it was close to six o'clock. At first he thought about awakening the miko sleeping beneath his tail but eventually decided against it.

When he felt her stir, though, he removed his tail and looked at her.

When Kagome felt the warmth removed from her back, she looked up.

"Sess-Sesshomaru!" she gasped. "What-"

"During the night you became scared and I allowed you to come to me," he cut in.

"Why?" Kagome asked.

"Your scent is not pleasant when you are scared," Sesshomaru explained. "I wished to remove the scent from the air so I could sleep."

"So you're saying that I stink when I get scared?" Kagome demanded. "Well excuse me for having a mortal's fear of storms!"

This intrigued Sesshomaru--not what she said, but how she said it. "A 'mortal's fear'?" he questioned.

Kagome blushed and looked down. She hadn't meant to reveal that tidbit of information! "Never mind!" she tried to brush it off but the Taiyoukai would have none of it.

"Explain yourself, miko," he commanded.

"First of all, my name is Kagome! Ka-go-me! I know you know it. You're not stupid like the hanyou!" she huffed.

Sesshomaru growled a warning growl that made Kagome "eep!" and curl against his side.

"Do not compare me to that wretched half-breed." Kagome gulped and nodded. "Now explain yourself."

Well, Kagome thought, at least he didn't call me "miko". "My father was killed in a severe storm when I was younger. He got me, my mom, and my younger brother to safety. My brother started to whine that he forgot his favorite toy. I begged my dad not to go, my mom and I both did, but he went out into the storm anyway." Kagome was trying not to cry by this time. "That was the last time we saw him--alive." Her voice cracked on the last worn and she broke down and cried. Cried for the father she lost, for the time she lost with him, for the life she lost with him. Most of all, though, she cried over Inuyasha's betrayal of her.

Kagome's story wrenched Sesshomaru's heart, although he took great pains not to show it. He, too, had lost his father to his brother's stupidity and greed. (A/N: He so totally blames Inuyasha for his father's death, even though that isn't fair, I know.)

He remembered the day his father died. He, too, had asked--more like commanded--his father not to go. Sesshomaru just hadn't seen why his father was so wrapped up over some human woman. Hime or not. They were so fragile and so temporary--he didn't see there value. That all changed, though, the day that Rin came into his life.

Since that day he no longer felt that all-consuming hatred towards humans. He didn't love them, nor did he understand them completely. His hatred was simply not as strong. To put it more clearly--his feelings towards humans could be said to be an intense dislike.

When he came out of his thoughts, he realized two things. One: Kagome had quit crying. Two: that she hadn't fully answered his question.

"Kagome, you failed to answer my question," he reminded her.

"I did? I seem to remember answering your question," Kagome said all too innocently.

"Yes, you did fail," Sesshomaru growled. "You failed to explain what you meant by 'a mortal's fear'. Now explain yourself."

"Well..." Kagome drawled out. Should I tell him? I mean, will he understand why-- Sesshomaru growled again. Alright! I better tell him! "I don't think I am human anymore," she said slowly.

"So you are a demon then?" Sesshomaru asked; although it came out more as a statement. He was curious--but careful not to let it show.

Kagome shifted were she sat. "I-I don't know," she finally admitted.

"So how is it that you believe that you are no longer human?" he asked.

Kagome took a deep breath to answer, but never got the chance. All of a sudden, a bright white light filled the cave. The next thing they knew, they were standing in a field of tall grass. Well, tall for Kagome anyway; Sesshomaru was still in his dog form. Kagome again positioned herself between his forepaws. This time, though, she leaned against his right leg for support; she was scared. "Wh-Where are we?" Kagome asked.

"Child," called a voice that sounded familiar. A figure appeared in the grass before the two.

"Mi-Midoriko-sama?" Kagome breathed.

"Yes, child, it is I," Midoriko confirmed.

"Why are you here?" Kagome asked. She had completely forgotten her earlier question.

"To inform you of the power that you were granted when you wished on the jewel," the elder miko explained.

"How did she wish on the jewel?" Sesshomaru asked. "I was told that it had broken once more." (A/N: Always neutral toned!)

"So it was," Midoriko said. "But this time, the jewel did not shatter into hundreds of pieces. I used my powers to cast an illusion on all but Kagome and you, Sesshomaru-sama. The illusion was that the jewel once more was shattered."

"Why?" Kagome queried.

"Because I no longer wished for the jewel to remain in this world. As long as it is here it will only cause strife and grief." Midoriko bowed her head at Kagome. "I have you to thank, young miko. That day when you put all the pieces back together and made your pure wish, the jewel disappeared."

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow at the elder miko but said nothing.

Midoriko smiled. "Kagome, Sesshomaru-sama wishes to know what you're wish was."

Sesshomaru visibly stiffened at this but again said nothing.

Kagome held in a laugh. "My wish was that I become stronger to protect the ones I love. But," she bowed her head in distress, "it didn't seem to work."

Midoriko let out a small laugh. "Child, have you not felt different at times over these past two years? Did you not see the strange looks that mikos of local villages gave you? Or the way men of spiritual power either avoid you or glare at you?"

Kagome tapped her chin with her pointer finger in thought. "Well, I did notice the looks but I thought it was because of my clothing," she said. "I didn't think it had anything to do with my power. I mean I did notice my aura was no longer that of a human so I figured the Jewel increased my lifespan or something, but I wasn't sure."

"You are partially right. You are indeed no longer a human," the famous miko said.

Good thing for you, eh, Sesshomaru?...Shut up. Keep your thoughts to yourself...Tisk, tisk, touchy aren't we?

"If I'm not human, then what am I?" Kagome wondered.

"Come here, child," Midoriko beckoned.

Kagome came to stand facing the elder woman who turned her around.

"What do you see, child?" Midoriko asked.

"Well, I see Sesshomaru. But I don't get where this is going!" Kagome whined.

"Look again child and tell me what you see," Midoriko commanded softly.

"I already told you, I only see Sesshomaru," the younger miko huffed.

"Once more, child, tell me what you see," Midoriko urged.

"Why?" Kagome was confused and quickly growing tired of the other woman's game.

"The third time's the charm," Midoriko said simply.

"Alright. I still only see Sessho--" Then it hit her. "I'm an Inu youkai?!" she screeched.

Sesshomaru's ears perked up at this piece of information.

"Yes, child, you are." Midoriko laughed at Kagome's reaction.

"But, why? I only thought my miko powers would grow. I didn't think it would change me into something completely different!" Kagome wailed.

"Child, it is your destiny to be such. You will need this power to defeat your enemies," Midoriko explained.

"Who are my enemies?" Kagome asked.

"The one who you once held dear and his beloved. They plot against you as we speak," Midoriko said sadly.

"Why?" Kagome's breath hitched in her throat.

"Jealousy, lust, and greed. They are not only your enemies, Kagome, but yours as well, Sesshomaru-sama. Kagome gave you the Tessaiga correct?" Sesshomaru nodded. "Then your father's wish has been completed."
"My father's wish?" Sesshomaru echoed.

"Yes, your father came to me after he died. He had seen Inuyasha and Kikyou together once more. He couldn't stand the thought of his son being with a dead woman. Inutaisho requested of me to have Kagome here give you the Tessaiga because you had found someone to protect and Inuyasha had abandoned his," Midoriko said sadly.

At the sound of his name, Kagome whimpered and ran back to Sesshomaru, clinging to his foreleg.

The great Taiyoukai looked down at her and felt a nearly unending hatred towards his brother four causing the young woman so much pain. She doesn't deserve this. She was always respectful towards me--for the most part--after our first encounter. She even took care of Rin when she was sick without telling Inuyasha.

"Sesshomaru-sama," Midoriko called, "you must look after her. She is your intended." Sesshomaru's head snapped up at this. "After her wish, her father asked me to get you two together somehow. I was not planning on Inuyasha and Kikyou being the reason why, though. I would never have hurt her. You must protect her and train in her in the use of her youkai powers. They are the exact same as yours. She even has the ability to revert to her true form, much like yours," the legendary woman explained. "Now I must go. God bless you, both of you."

Sesshomaru and Kagome blinked and they were once more in the cave. Sesshomaru looked at the position of the sun and determined that an hour had passed.

"Eh-hem," Kagome cleared her throat to get Sesshomaru's attention.

"Yes?" Sesshomaru looked back at her.

"So I-I-I'm your intended?" Kagome asked, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.

"Apparently so. Though, if you wish to know all the details I suggest you contact your father. That may be difficult--" Sesshomaru was cut off by Kagome's stomach growling. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

The young miko blushed and looked down. "I guess I'm hungry."
"Come," he told her, getting up and padding out of the cave.

"Where are we going?" Kagome asked, rising to follow the Taiyoukai.

"You are hungry, correct?" Sesshomaru called without looking back.

"Well ya," she retorted.

"Then you must eat," He said it so calmly it made Kagome stop in her tracks.

"Why would you care?" she asked rudely. "Hello...! I'm talking to you!" she said when she didn't receive an answer.

"This Sesshomaru doesn't explain himself," he growled, trying to maintain his stoic mask.

"Why?" Kagome persisted. "Why are you going to feed me? Why? I want to know! Why?"

This female is annoying me to no end!...But you know you like her!...I do not...Yes you do...What makes you so sure?...Because if you didn't, then you would have put up a fuss about her being your intended. As I recall, though, you did no such thing...Why argue with a dead miko?...Ah-ha! So you didn't argue! I wi-i-in! I wi-i-in! I win! I win! I wi-i-in!

Sesshomaru sighed internally. "Because if I am to train you, then you will need your strength." He left it at that and continued on his way.



FL: "So how did you like the story?"

Inu: grumbling "I thought it was lousy. I mean I wasn't even in it except for a few put downs and references to me being a bad guy!"

FL: yells loudly "Well nobody asked you!"

Inu: yells back "You did too!"

FL: sticks tongue out at Inu "No, I was asking Kagome and Sesshomaru. Well you guys, what do you think?"

Kags: smiling "I liked it. Except for where I stuttered so often. I didn't care for that too much."

Sessy: in a haughty tone "I would have put up more of a fuss about her being my intended."

FL: sarcastically "Oh really? I don't believe it one second. You've always had some granule of respect towards your elders and obedience is part of that granule. As for your stuttering, Kags, I won't make you do it so much next chapter but you just got so scared in this one. Do you understand?"

Inu: smiles evilly "Oh, I think it suits her perfectly. It makes her sound like the dope she is."

Kags: scowling at Inu "Is that so? Well here's something for you: SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! Let that teach you a lesson about insulting your superiors!" to FL and Sessy "Do you think that will work?"

Inu: yelling at Kags, leaping at her "Why you!"

Sessy and FL: "Nope."

FL: smiling brightly "But this will! HEEL!"

Inu: confused "What the?" being dragged out of the room "Where am I going?!"

FL: "To Kaede's village. When ever I say 'heel' you're dragged back to Kaede's village. If I say 'stay' then you can't leave a 1 mile radius of where you're at when I say it until I say 'heel'. Hey, where'd he go?"

Sessy: "He was gone before you finished your first sentence. Does that power only work for you?"

FL: smiles too sweetly "Nope, it works for you too. Now let's leave these readers be so they can review. Goodbye!"

Kags: "Hey, where's Kikyou?"

Sessy: sweats nervously "Goodbye folks!"