InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

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

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December's bareness everywhere!
William Shakespeare


Spring was in the air. All around her birds chirped happily in the warm sunshine. The sun was high in the sky and indeed had some heat in it. Maybe it was the shift in temperature that promised the end of winter because for some reason her soul felt a little lighter than normal. She watched as the village children scampered around the market booths, singing and laughing in response to the wonderful weather.

Winter had been long, darkening her mood like none other. Today was a promise of something different. A new day-- and maybe even a new beginning. None of the messages sent from Shippo
had been any different than the one on that early winter day. All traces of her hanyou had vanished.

Her dreams of him had only gained in intensity. Much to her embarrassment they no longer dwelt simply on his eyes and memories of their fight against Naraku. Heat intertwined with her memories of him, making her dreams more passionate then she would ever let on. What was worse was that she had no idea where the images came from.

Kagome had always been a good girl growing up. Never had she laid her eyes on the provocative magazines her friends had hidden away. She had been immersed in the clean and proper upbringing of what someone would have expected from growing up at a shrine. How she had come up with the images in her dreams she never would know.

Her face heated at the thought of some of them recently. With a deep breath to clear her mind she pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on her task at hand. Nodding politely at the street vendor she purchased another one of the items on her list. A few more, and she could head back to the shrine.

At long last, her baskets overflowing with household goods, she made her way towards the shrine steps. With determination she hauled her heavy cargo up the long stairway. When she was high upon the top steps she was met by the enlightened monk who never seemed to loose all of the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

“Lady Kagome, it is good to see you out on such a beautiful day,” he smiled and reached to take one of the heavy baskets from the young miko.

“You're awfully chipper this morning Miroku,” Kagome eyed him suspiciously. “You're not going to try and grab my bottom are you?”

Miroku tried his best to look appalled at the insinuation but he couldn't help but chuckle at the old dig. “Full of humour are we this morning? I am happy to see you in better spirits.”

“Must be the promise of a new spring. I do feel more rejuvenated. The weather teases of warmer days and I have grown tired of these cold ones.”

“That it does,” he smiled. “We received another message this morning while you were out.”

“Oh,” Kagome was used to these now and she expected it to be the same as its predecessors. “How is Shippo handling the new training?”

“Actually, this letter was delivered by a wolf,” Miroku watched the young woman carefully. His eyes recognizing the surprise in her blue orbs followed by the confusion. “It really didn't mean to much to me but I thought perhaps you would understand.”

Kagome nervously accepted the tightly wrapped paper. Fingers trembled as she opened the leather tie on the package. She paused before unrolling the parchment; both afraid of what she was about to read and anxious to find out what it was about. She drew a deep breath to steady herself.

The paper slid easily through her fingers as she straightened it. Scanning for a signature she confirmed what she suspected. Kouga's name was scrawled on the bottom. This was it, no turning back now. Returning to the beginning she read the words slowly and carefully. Coming to the end, her brows were furrowed in deep thought. All he had written was “A promise of the past has been realized. Listen to the wind-- for on its breath is your answer.”

“What the hell does this mean?,” she grumbled in frustration. When had Kouga become so cryptic? Scowling she dropped her basket on the wooden deck surrounding the main house. Maybe it was Ayame who had penned the note for her husband. Whoever was responsible was likely having a bit of fun at her expense.

“So it means no more to you than it did us?”

Kagome turned to the soft voice of Sango. “No. Why would Kouga send me something so bizarre?”

“Miroku and I wondered if he had a good lead but no actual location of Inuyasha. I suspect another letter will follow this one shortly.”

“Listen to the wind,” Kagome opened the parchment once more and studied the words. “That could be it. Wolves use their voices to communicate over long distances. Does that mean I wait for a wolf call? He promised me that he would find Inuyasha so the first statement is easy to understand-- I just don't understand the last part.”

“Time will tell Kagome.” Sango smiled again before gathering up the supplies Kagome had brought and following her husband inside.

Kagome was once again alone in her thoughts. If Kouga had sent such a note, then it was highly possible that he had finally caught Inuyasha's trail. She really had no choice but to wait. Either another letter would come or some significant event would unravel the mystery behind the words. Kagome had to place her faith in Kouga and she had to be certain that she would understand when the time was right.

All she had to do was wait, right? What was a few more days, weeks even, after she had spent the better part of a year without him? Her heart filled with temporary glee before her nerves got the best of her. She had survived the trials of bloody battlefields, learned to deal with the harshness of this new reality, and emerged victorious from the cold, dead winter. She could survive a little longer.

This could be it-- finally it was happening! All her hopes and dreams rested in the hands of her friend. How she had longed for this moment. This one single glimpse into her future seemed so surreal but she had to believe it was at long last becoming her reality.

What would she say to him? How would their reunion play out? So many questions remained unanswered and she had no way of knowing how long it would take to see how it would conclude. Her first emotion had been of extreme happiness now she worried about what all could go wrong.

Her fears revolved around one main issue; his rejection. The words that had been left unsaid between them hung heavily on her shoulders now. She had never told him what he had needed to hear. What really held him to her? He very well could have given up on her years ago and moved on. Someone new might be standing beside him, sharing his life in a way she had once done.

How would she handle that letter? Possibly one that told of how his life had changed; a life without her. What would her life be without Inuyasha? She was certainly trapped in the past. Not that she had tried the well. Fear had kept her from leaping over the edge. Many occasions she had returned there, tired of living in a world void of her modern conveniences. One thought had stayed her feet firmly on this side. What if a trip back through the well was a one way ticket? She couldn't try it before she had a chance to see him again.

Sighing she turned to face Goshinboku. Time indeed would be the only one to tell what the future held. She simply had to force herself to be patient and focused until the future came to be. If he was still meant to be hers than he would return to her beneath those branches some day. Just as she had found him pinned to the massive tree.

Kagome woke with a start. What had drawn her from her deep slumber? Rolling over she stared at the blackness around her. It was still late at night, the sliver of a moon barely lighting her room at all. Yawning she kicked her covers off and approached the door.. The breeze was cold against her skin when she pulled aside the thin mat.

She was startled when a large black wolf approached her, stopping just a mere few feet in front of her doorway. Inquisitive blue eyes stared back at her as it stood silently in the night. Kagome was breathless as she waited for the animal's next move. The wolf cocked his head to the side as he watched her.

“What is it big guy?” she whispered. The wolf made no move towards her, simply continuing to watch her from its stationary position.

“Do you want me to go with you?”

This time the giant wolf sat, as if patiently waiting for her to join him. Understanding dawned on her and she ran back inside to pull on a heavy kimono over her sleeping attire. Slinging her bow and arrows over one shoulder she raced outside, still pulling on her shoes as she reached the wolf.

He gave her a soft nudge with his nose as he stood and turned towards the rear of the shrine property. With a final look back at her he began to walk silently across the courtyard, and then disappeared through a back gate and into the forest beyond.

It came to Kagome as she followed the black wolf that it was one of the two who had accompanied Kouga when he had met her in the woods. The same one that curled around her in the night, offering her its warmth as she slept. Lost in her thoughts she nearly ran into it when it stopped in front of her.

The wolf turned its ears, swiveling first one and than the other, searching through the darkness for something. An eerie howl sounded in the distance, causing a shiver to run up Kagome's spine. The wolf beside her raised its head and a lonely howl tore from his throat. Intense blue eyes looked into hers a moment before he continued on his way.

Kagome had to hurry to keep up with her companion as he bounded along a narrow trail. Every once in awhile he would pause, making sure not to lose her in the dark forest. Where they were heading she had no idea. Only the odd call of a wolf on the wind would indicate the direction they would travel. For what seemed like hours she followed wordlessly behind the wolf until at long last they met another wolf in a small clearing.

Panting she braced her hands on her knees and carefully watched the friendly exchange between the animals. Clearly they were pack, as they were happily yipping and licking each other in an display of friendship and companionship.

The moon was still high above her indicating that morning was still some time off but she knew they had traveled a great distance from her village. The question remained, was she any closer to Inuyasha?

The two wolves finally turned back to her and she fully expected them to turn and start off again. She needed a little longer to catch her breath and she sunk to the ground under their scrutinizing gaze.

“Hey I'm not built for speed like you two. Why don't you sit...” she never finished her sentence for in the darkness beyond her she heard a god-awful crash.

Reaching for her bow she quickly had an arrow knocked and ready. In the distance she heard melodious laughter followed by gruff cursing. Her hands quivered as she felt the surge of two powerful youki. With the wolves at her side she picked her way cautiously through the thick foliage. Her reiki flared causing the tip of the arrow to burn a bright pink. Emerging through the other side of the trees she sucked in her breath sharply.

The light of her arrow lit up the clearing substantially and in its light she could spot a fire red tunic in a large crater in the ground. A young youkai boy, scraggly dressed and features concealed, stood at the edge of the hole holding his sides in laughter.

She could hardly believe it. There was only one person she knew that could face plant and create a hole that large in the earth. Tears began to cloud her eyes and her arrow trembled on the bow. She opened her mouth to speak but no words would come out.

“So it is true,” the young youkai giggled, “you're whipped by a little girl! And a miko no less!”

Only inaudible curses came from the crater as its captive waited for the spell to wear off. Kagome's eyes burned with the tears that continued to fall. Her throat felt sore and swollen and she knew that no matter how hard she tried, not one word would breach her lips. All she could do was stare and cry at the familiar sight of fire-rat only a few yards in front of her.

“I can't wait to see that again!” The young youkai chuckled before looking up cautiously at her. When he noticed the still brightly charged arrow in her grip he backed away. Eying her and the crumpled form of Inuyasha-- he seemed to think quickly about the situation and disappeared into the trees. One of her wolves trotted off behind him as if to keep an eye on the youth.

“You going to put that arrow away or what, wench?”

Kagome turned her watery gaze back to Inuyasha. The spell had released and he was standing, brushing the dirt off his clothes. Trying to respond she opened her mouth but only a sob emerged. Emotions overwhelmed her and she fell to her knees, her bow and arrow falling harmlessly beside her.

“Kagome?” His voice softened as he approached, but she was helpless. In her breakdown she didn't even have the strength to reach for him.

When he knelt in front of her, her blurred vision could only make out the colours of amber and red. Desperately she grabbed at anything within her reach and thankfully felt the soft rub of fire-rat bunch beneath her fingers. Strong arms wrapped around her as she buried her face in his chest. Unable to control herself she shook with the ragged sobs that broke from her throat.

She could hear the calming noises he was making, feel the deep rumble in his chest as he tried to comfort her. Nothing seemed to be able to ebb the wave of pent up emotions that had broke through her steely resolve. Inconsolable she simply cried like a small child in his arms.

Finally it was real. She could feel his warmth, breathe in his earthy scent, and hear his breaths. How many nights had she dreamed of this moment? How long had she despaired that this might never come to be?

“Kami Kagome, you still smell the way I remember.” His husky voice whispered in her ear. Her tears slowed as she felt him draw in another deep breath through her hair.

Chancing a look up at him she blushed in embarrassment when his eyes locked with hers. Like a timid child she buried her face once again in his chest. His hearty chuckle only inflamed her cheeks more. She felt his arms tighten around her and suddenly she was airborn. She felt the breeze blow past her as she was cradled in his arms. One more leap and she could tell he was settling the two of them in the strong branches of a tree.

“It's been so long.”

Again she heard his voice but she was too caught up in the moment. More so, she was far too focused on the fact that she was tucked neatly in his lap, his arms still wrapped tightly around her. She couldn't remember ever having this strange feeling with him before. She felt hot and tingly being held so intimately by him. Damn her racy dreams! They were ruining her reunion with Inuyasha.

“I was beginning to think that I was going to have to wait five hundred years before seeing you again.”

“Inuyasha?” she finally managed to break her silence.

“Hmmm?” He hummed through her hair, once again contented by the scent of her silken strands.

“I'm sorry I took so long to make it back.” She smiled when his arms tightened around her and nose buried deeper into her hair. She thought she felt his lips brush against her scalp and quickly drew back her head to look at him.

“That doesn't matter Kagome. You're back now. That's all I could ever hope for.”