InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Until Tomorrow ( Chapter 5 )

Fragments Of Memory

Story © Akiko (Krystal)

Sesshoumaru x Kagome

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

 

Chapter 5 - Until Tomorrow

 

Sesshoumaru watched as the two walked along, then turned his amber gaze towards the shining moon, ignoring strands of his hair that fluttered down into his face, obscuring his vision once in a while.

 

“Jakken, follow after them. Make sure nothing serious happens to either of them.”

 

The toad jumped and then blinked, nodding. “Ye-Yes my lord.” He turned, about to start running when he was paused for a moment by his lord's voice once more.

 

“Don't be seen by the villagers. It'll be a bother.”

 

The toad just nodded, running off, carrying his staff of skulls with him, and holding it a bit protectively as he ran. He cast one more glance over his shoulder to his lord, then closed his eyes upon meeting with the ground.

 

“I have to stop doing that..” he grumbled. Normally Rin would've stepped on him by now to follow after Sesshoumaru. He pushed himself up, spitting out dirt and then continued towards the village after the two females.

 

His lord was acting strange and he didn't like it. It all started happening since his lord had saved that blasted hanyou's woman and taken her with him and bandaged her up. He grumbled under his breath. This was getting out of hand. He knew Inuyasha was going to do nothing but cause more trouble for them if the woman stayed with them, but every time he tried to voice his opinion on the matter, his lord just gave him one of those looks that shot out warnings of pain if he questioned or defied him.

 

When he finally got the village he made sure to stay out of sight. His bugged eyes fell on the two females, talking with another one, that looked to be older, even having a child that could match Rin's age. He grumbled some more. He slipped out of his hiding spot and followed after them, carefully so as not to be spotted, and hid himself beside the hut, listening to everything that was being said.

 

That girl is good at fabricating stories. She doesn't even know how she received any of those wounds and yet she's going on about it like she hadn't lost her memory. I suppose I should give her some credit. Not much, but some.

 

He stayed there as they talked and ate food, making sure he was well hidden from sight in case any of the villagers were out wandering around. He didn't want to be caught. He could be found and killed if he was, not to mention if he wasn't killed, he would've disobeyed his lord, Sesshoumaru, and he knew that would upset the demon prince. Something he always tried to stay clear of.

 

Closing his eyes he let out a soft grumble of words. This is degrading… why did I have to follow after them? It's not like the girl can't take care of herself.

 

He finally perked up when he heard Kagome's voice, scrambling to stand up. He poked his head around, watching the woman bow to the villager, thanking her for her hospitality. He noticed right away Rin was on Kagome's back, legs over each hip, and Kagome having her hands placed under the child's knees, slightly tilted forward to keep the child upon her back.

 

What has that wench done to Rin!? Oh no, if something bad happened to her Lord Sesshoumaru will kill me for sure!

 

[[[]]]

 

His amber gaze remained locked upon the full moon, ignoring strands of his hair that continued to blow into his face. He allowed himself to be lost in thought, though always keeping his guard up. No demon would dare attack him, if they wanted to live, but there were those who were not rather intelligent.

 

Thoughts drifted towards the woman he had saved. His intentions had not been to save her, but to get rid of the wolf demon, Kouga. Wolves should not wander from their packs. He had been close to finishing the wolf off, but then the woman. She had somehow managed to catch his attention.

 

She had been crying, he could see and smell the tears that were still plastered on her cheek. Her clothes were bloodied, but amber eyes saw the shambles of her clothes, how they were rumpled up. The ribbon she had around the collar of her outfit that got tied off was loose. Seeing her in such disarray had only seemed to enrage him more.

 

Despite he knew Inuyasha would come for her soon he decided to take her with him, tend to her wounds. She had a strong spirit, and despite her foolishness at times, she was brave.

 

His amber eyes fell closed as a soft sigh escaped him. He would never admit it aloud, but he respected the woman for her spirit and courage. He respected her the most for her loyalty though. She had been willing to die for Inuyasha more than once.

 

Then his thoughts drifted towards what use the woman could be to him. Shikon no tama. She was able to sense the shards of that cursed gem. It gave him a way to get close to Naraku and quick of need be. Kagura had come to him more than once in asking for his help, but he refused to gain help from her. She was a demon created from Naraku and carried his scent; she had a mixture of her own scent in there, but it reeked of Naraku.

 

He will pay, dearly. No one shall make a fool of I, Sesshoumaru, and live. His life going on this long has been skill on his part, but it will run thin, he will slip, and that's when he will be taken down.

 

[[[]]]

 

“Thank you so much,” Kagome bowed, her hair slipping forward. She blinked as the woman placed a strand of ribbon in her hand gently.

 

“To tie your hair back, so it will not get in your way as you protect yourselves. Take care and please be careful. If you ever happen by us again come and visit.”

 

Kagome smiled gently. “I'll make sure to do so, and thank you once more. You've helped us out a lot.” Her gaze shifted up to the sky, her bronze gaze catching the full moon that radiated light upon the earth. She then shifted Rin a bit and turned, nodding to the lady again and then started back towards where she knew Sesshoumaru would be waiting.

 

Once in the safety of the trees, she paused, closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “Come out Jakken. I know you've been following us, so we might as well walk back together.” She opened her eyes, gazing at the toad as he emerged from the bushes.

 

“How did you-?”

 

“I can sense demons, Jakken,” she responded before he could finish, shifting Rin once more and then continued to walk back to Sesshoumaru. “Come on, Rin needs a more comfortable place to sleep than on my back,” she sighed. She didn't bother to look back to see if the toad was follow, she could sense his presence close by her own, and that was enough to tell her of such a thing.

 

I'll question Sesshoumaru; he should know about the memories I am forgetting… I hope he does anyways.

 

She paused as they reached the clearing, her gaze catching Sesshoumaru and forcing her breathing to catch in her throat once more as her cheek burned brightly. He was beautiful standing there, his lashed sprawled upon his cheeks and his hair flowing with the wind as it caught the rays of the moonlight, giving it a glow. The rays of the moonlight truly made him look majestic.

 

His gaze snapped open as he glanced to his side. His normal cold emotion was placed within the amber eyes of his. His gaze soon caught Kagome's bronze colored eyes, forcing him to lower his hand from the hilt of his Tokijin. He was upset. The girl had managed to slip up on him without his knowledge.

 

“Sorry it took us so long,” Kagome spoke up in a soft tone. She then looked around. “Is there a place I can lay Rin down?”

 

He merely gazed over to the two-headed dragon that followed with him as well. At least the dragon was useful to him.

 

Kagome followed his gaze, understanding once the heads belong to the dragon perked into the air, the tail curling up a moment before slowly opening up. Carefully she walked over and maneuvered Rin around some so the child was placed in her arms, then placed her against Aun.

 

The dragon curled its tail around the child, pulling her close, then laid its heads down, curling around the child as well. It was meant to keep her comfortable and warm as well. As the eyes fell closed, Kagome stood up, able to see Rin would be safe with the dragon. She glanced back to Sesshoumaru, the blush creeping to her cheeks once more.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she inquired, walking towards the lord, pausing steps away from him. She then froze once his gaze was upon her, her breathing hitching once more. He was beautiful. She finally spoke once more when she got her breathing to work once more. “Can you… explain to me what happened? Before I lost my memory?”

 

He watched her curiously, and then closed his eyes. “Get some rest.”

 

“But!”

 

“Rest. You're body is wore from the events of the day. You continue going at this rate and you're body will give out on you, despite the strength of your will to stay attentive. You're questions I cannot answer, for I do not know the whole situation myself. It is none of my business.”

 

She blinked, and then sighed gently, nodding. “I understand,” she whispered. Her gaze softened a bit, still locked on the demon lord. “What… what is my relationship with you?”

 

“Whatever you make it to be.”

 

She watched him, and then took a few more steps to him, closing the distance. Her left hand reached out, placing it to his left cheek. She brushed it over his skin softly, over the markings upon his cheek before pushing herself to her tiptoes, her lips placing a simple kiss upon his right cheek, her right hand placed on his crossed arms to help her keep balance. “Thank you, for saving me.”

 

He stilled completely for a moment, not use to such contact from anyone, more less a human. The shock that showed itself in his eyes was erased a mere millisecond after it had flickered to life. “Why thank me? For all you know I was the one who caused those wound to you.”

 

Kagome just smiled softly. “I find that hard to believe. Even if I had lost my memory, I don't think I would feel as safe as I do with you if you had been the one who attacked me. Plus, if you had attacked me,” she paused, looking up to the sky. “I'm sure I would be dead and not standing right here.”

 

He stood there, just watching her. She was a riddle to him, and it infuriated him to no end that he could not figure it out. The ways she acts, how she can assume such drastic things with a smile on her face and a fragile look in her eyes. He was softening, and it annoyed him.

 

He shot an arm out quickly, catching the girl before she hit the ground, and easily pulling her body to his own. She seemed as light as a feather to him. He had noticed her balance shifting, trying to find equilibrium so she could remain standing, but had failed.

 

Her face burned red when he grabbed her. She shot her eyes up to him for a moment before they betrayed her, falling closed. Her eyelids had been so heavy that she couldn't keep them open any longer. “I warned you.” It was all she heard before she went unconscious in sleep, her body forcing the much-needed rest upon her.

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head, gazing up at the sky once more. The girl was kept close to his own body. At this moment he had no desire to move to place her upon the ground, and he wasn't just going to drop her, so instead he kept her close. He even, unconsciously, pulled her own body closer to his as she shivered, trying to keep her warm. He didn't seem to mind her extra body heat either. Her whole presence actually seemed to allow him to relax. It was confusing.

 

“Ridiculous.”

 

[[[]]]

 

“Kikyou… I'm.. I'm trying. It's hard. I love you both!” Inuyasha confessed, closing his eyes tightly.

 

“Then why not choose between us now, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha opened his eyes back up, watching the dead miko in his arms. His ears twitched slightly at her questioned before he looked to the side. “I can't… I can't stand the idea of choosing one of you and then questioning the possibilities that the other relationship might've held, Kikyou. It wouldn't be fair to either of you…”

 

“Take me, Inuyasha. Choose me instead of her. You know she doesn't belong in our time, and once the jewel is finished, who is to say she will not just go back to her own time one day and then not be able to make it back through? The only reason she is here, Inuyasha, is because of that cursed jewel. Choose me and save yourself the heartache of losing someone close to you again,” she pleaded with him.

 

Her eyes actually seemed full of emotions of love, sadness, pain, longing, and then the one he always knew too well, loneliness. He couldn't deny that Kikyou might be right. That Kagome may never be able to come back to his time once the jewel was finished. There was no guarantee of it. The jewel is what kept her connected to his time, and what connected him to her time.

 

His mind was always pledged with the future of what could happen if he chose Kagome and not Kikyou. Kagome was strong in spirit; nothing would stop her once her mind was set to something. There was always that air of happiness around her, that he could relax and enjoy himself with her around. It was something that he had grown use to without knowing it was happening. He had thought before about how it had always seemed so natural having Kagome with him, at his side.

 

But Kikyou was the first woman he had ever loved, that he had slowly started to trust; she was the one who had allowed him to trust. She understood him in a way no one else could.

 

He brushed a hand over Kikyou's cheek, his fingers entangling themselves in a few strands of the miko's long black hair.

 

He had wondered, if Naraku had never shown up, had never pitied them against each other, if their relationship would have made it. If they would slowly be able to trust allow the other to trust the outside world and to kill the loneliness the both had always had in their hearts. Would they have been able to fill those voids? Or was it their fate to be doomed to pain?

 

“It's… all too much for me, Kikyou,” he finally whispered after a long silence. “I think and think about it all, but I never come to an answer that makes sense to me. It just confuses me even more. I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to hurt Kagome. I want to protect you both, so damn much I want to protect the both of you.” His fingers slid free of Kikyou's hair, brushing over her cheek once more.

 

“I don't know how to choose, Kikyou,” he confessed, his eyes falling closed. “I don't know how to choose where my choice will make you and Kagome equally happy.”

 

Her gaze watched him, softening even more until it seemed as though she was actually the miko she use to be over fifty years ago. “Inuyasha…” she whispered, brushing a hand over his cheek, her face leaning into the hanyou's hand finally, and her eyes closings. Her body completely relaxed as she released a soft breath of air.

 

Amber eyes watched her, shock easily present in them before they displayed only the pain he was in, ears twitching before falling limp a little, emphasizing his emotions.

 

“Please, don't leave me alone anymore,” she whispered, her eyes still closed. “Let us help each other, like we were doing long ago. Let us be at each other's sides like it used to be. I miss having someone to speak with who understands me.” Her eyes slowly opened up, looking into the amber gaze upon her. “A fresh start for the both of us, we both need it.”

 

Inuyasha just watched her, ears flattening out a bit as confusion presented itself to him. This was his second chance with Kikyou, but would he end up regretting it if he took it? Would they truly make each other happy, and would they be able to trust each other this time around?

 

“Kikyou… I…”

 

[[[]]]

 

“This is quite the situation we seem to have here. Kagome has lost her memory and is siding with Sesshoumaru this time around whilst Inuyasha can not do anything to change her mind.”

 

Miroku nodded, his gaze shifting back to Sango and watching her sleep.

 

“Aye, she'll be all right, monk.”

 

He merely nodded, returning his full attention to the old priestess. “Inuyasha followed Kikyou when she left the area. He was rather distraught over Kagome-sama's memory loss. She seemed to have followed us from the battlefield where Kagura and Kohaku were.”

 

“Naraku is a clever fellow. He used Kouga to attack Kagome. I suppose his purpose was to kill young Kagome, but Sesshoumaru spoiled that plan. I wonder what the devious man is plotting now.”

 

Kaede sighed, closing her eyes as she slowly kneeled, sitting beside the fire. “We can worry more tomorrow after we have rested. Get some sleep, monk; you'll be able to think more clearly after a night's rest. Sango should be up by the morning as well.”

 

He sighed, nodding and standing up. He paused before he took a step anywhere. “Where is Shippou?”

 

“Asleep already. He worried himself to tiredness.”

 

“I suppose we'll have to explain to him in the morning then.” A sigh. “Nothing more can be done until the morning.”

 

“Aye, so get some rest.”

 

Miroku put on a small smile, not forced, thus looking a bit sad. “Thank you, Kaede-sama, you've helped us out greatly.”

 

The old priestess just nodded, working with wood on the fire. “Think nothing of it.”

 

With that said, Miroku slipped out of the hut and looked around. He had hoped Inuyasha would be back by now so they could speak about plans for tomorrow. How they were to continue on, and how they were going to try and get close to Kagome once more. As his eyes shifted around the village, the roofs, and then the trees, he noticed the hanyou had yet to return.

 

He just went to his normal spot and got comfortable, falling into a light sleep, his staff placed upon the ground next to him. His body was worn as he was mentally.

 

[[[]]]

 

A curse rang through the mountains as a foot slammed into the rocks, leaving a hole and causing the formation to crack slightly. He couldn't believe what he had done, to do that to her, of all people, to her. He hung his head in shame, closing his eyes as his foot rested back upon the ground. Fists clenched tightly as he bit back a growl.

 

Being disgusted with himself was an understatement. He didn't even know if she was dead or alive. He wanted to go and see for himself, but he didn't have courage to face her, not right now.

 

All he remembered was leaving the mountains and then getting confronted by Kagura, Naraku's wench. He remembered throwing himself in a rage she stood there, insulting him, making jokes of his dead companions. Then the next thing he knew he was heading towards the bone eater's well, forcing her to try and be his, and then attacking her. How had that wind bitch gotten the better of him? What did she pull that made him do such a thing?

 

Naraku. That bastard had screwed him again. First that bastard had the audacity to kill his companions, and then to try and use him to kill Inuyasha. Now he had made him attack Kagome to try and kill her. It was unacceptable.

 

“I'll kill you, you bastard! Naraku you're as good as dead, you son of a bitch!” the wolf shouted out to the skies. He was pissed, humiliated and he couldn't stand it. He paused, resting against the side of a steep cliff. There was nothing he would be able to do about it tonight, he knew that much. He had to get back to the pack, he had to eat, and then he had to get some sleep. The tracking of Naraku had to wait, at least until he knew where to start… and once he knew how Kagome was.

 

“Please don't let her be dead…”

 

His gaze shifted to his claws. He could still smell the blood there, he could smell her blood all over him, or so his mind was telling him anyways. He was so deep in guilt; her cries of pain and her begging him to stop still rang clearly in his head. He had tried to wash the blood off, but to him, the smell was still there. His eyes could still see the blood and the vivid images of her bleeding and in pain running through his mind.

 

He knew she would forgive him since she never blamed him to start with. His head and heart knew that.

 

“I'm… I'm so sorry…I couldn't… didn't noticed the… the tainted shard.”

 

She had been blaming herself the whole time. She felt it was her fault. He shook his head, running his hand though his hair as he gave out a frustrated sigh. He'd have to see her tomorrow, tell her it wasn't her fault and she had nothing to be sorry about. It had been his fault for being so weak.

 

“Not until tomorrow…”

 

He pushed himself away from the rock formation, continuing his way back to the cave. His body was demanding rest, as was his mind and emotions. He had never felt so exhausted in his whole life. He was sure he would just pass out when he got back home to his bed, but he didn't care. It's what he wanted.

 

[[[]]]

 

A dark laugh emitted from a room in the castle, causing ruby eyes to glance down the hall. Involuntarily shivers ran throughout her body; a frown placed itself upon those luscious lips as her crimson gaze narrowed. She snapped fans closed, placing her hands down to her side.

 

She cast her eyes towards her elder sister, who was always dressed in white. The dull eyes looked back at her, no emotion being shown. She huffed, then looked back down the hall as more laughs emitted from the room.

 

Now what has that bastard planned out?