InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

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

The was someone crying, muffled and irregular as it was she could still hear it. Kagome forced herself awake to figure out where the cries were coming from. It took a moment before she realized she had fallen asleep beside Sumire. The room was dark now, so she lit a lamp beside the futon.

Sumire was whimpering in her sleep and Kagome could tell that her friend was coming out of her unconscious state. Gently she shook her, encouraging her to wake up. Violet eyes slowly opened, fresh tears spilling from their lids.

“Kagome-chan?” Sumire croaked as she broke free from her cloudy haze.

“I'm here, right beside you. You are alright.” She sat beside Sumire helping the girl to a sitting position as well. Her hand rubbing comforting circles on her friends back as she watch the tears fall.

“It's horrible Kagome, they are in trouble. So much trouble!”

Kagome was confused as she tried her best to understand the words coming quickly between Sumire's cries. The girl was quickly heading into hysterics.

“I saw it Kagome, I saw everything. There was so much blood. Smoke filled the air as the buildings were burned! The screams,” Sumire turned horrified eyes to Kagome, “I can still hear the screams.”

“What are you talking about?” Kagome asked. She heard the door crack open and noticed the guard peeking inside. No doubt all of the commotion in the room had given him cause for concern. She signaled to him and he understood; quickly leaving to fetch Sesshoumaru. Kagome turned her attention back to her friend.  

“My home, someone is going to attack my home. Everyone is in danger! We have to help them!”

“Slow down Sumire, what do you mean you saw it.” Kagome poured a cup of tea, even if it was cold it would give the frantic woman something to concentrate on. “Calm down and drink this. Then tell me what exactly is going on.”

Kagome waited for Sumire to gain some composure. The youkai took deep breaths and sipped the tea. A moment later she spoke again, this time in a steadier voice.

“I had a vision. Asami-sama had warned me they would start once the ceremony had become complete. My mother had the same powers. She would see things before they happened. Sometimes years or months in advance.” Sumire took another deep breath and attempted another drink of tea but her hands began shaking and her tears flowed freely once more.

“Mine only gave me a day's warning. Tomorrow morning someone is going to attack my home and slaughter my family!” Sumire once again broke into uncontrollable sobbing. Kagome took the cup away from her before she spilled its contents. Again she rubbed her friend's back in an attempt to comfort her.

She could only imagine the problems having such powers would bring. When she had learned of Sumire's gift she had been elated, thinking perhaps it would allow her some connection to the future. Now she pitied her friend, her words making Kagome all too aware of how much this gift could resemble a curse. It would pain her greatly knowing someone was targeting her family and not being able to warn them.

“I hate it!” Sumire suddenly screamed. “What is the point of such power if I am unable to help those who are close to me!”

During her outburst Sesshoumaru entered, followed by Inuyasha. Kagome was at a loss for what to do as Sumire wailed in desperation. Her first instinct was to go to Inuyasha for help.

“Inuyasha, she's had a vision. Someone is planning to attack her island.”

“We know.” Sesshoumaru interjected, his cold stare fixed on the woman sobbing on the futon.

Kagome thought she could have heard a pin drop in the silence that followed. Sumire had quieted completely at those words. Her still frame eerie in the shadows the lamp light cast in the room. Sesshoumaru's declaration finally dawning on her.

“What do you mean?” Kagome questioned, not at all comfortable with the direction this was heading. Sesshoumaru didn't even acknowledge her, his stare still fixed on the unmoving Sumire. It was Inuyasha who stepped in to explain.

“A message was delivered to us two days ago. The scroll was leaked military documentation detailing an attack on a southern island. The same one I found Sumire on.”

Kagome didn't like this at all. Inuyasha knew about this and hadn't bothered to tell her. This was important and it concerned Sumire. Kagome should have been informed the minute he had found out. She felt cruelly cheated for some reason. She always had faith in Inuyasha and she hoped he had a good reason for keeping this from her. But sometimes it was difficult to see reason when emotions came into play. This lack of communication hurt.

“You mean you knew about it two days ago?” The words seemed to spring forth from Sumire. You could hear the anger in her tone.

“Yes.” Inuyasha responded, his eyes apologetic and troubled.

Sumire stood suddenly, her arms braced at her side, every fiber of her being shaking with frustration and anger. When she looked up those violet eyes were accusing and full of hatred. “Why didn't you do something! Why didn't you send out a messenger! Why are you letting something like this happen if you knew?”

“Sumire,” Inuyasha began in an attempt to cool things down and explain but he was quickly cut off by his sister-in-law.

“What I saw was horrible; a massacre! I had a vision only hours before it will happen. Too short of notice to even help the people I love. Yet you,” she pointed a shaking finger at Sesshoumaru. “You knew! You knew and you chose to do nothing. How could you know and let my family die!”

“Sumire-chan!” Kagome tried this time to reach the girl but her friend was too far gone to even pay attention to the miko.

“You are nothing more than a beast!” Sumire screamed, stepping her way closer to Sesshoumaru with every accursed word she flung at him. “Disgusting, murderous beast that relishes the pain of others. You arrogant... you heinous... asshole!”

Before Kagome could blink Sumire had closed the distance, her hand flying out in front of her and the crack of her hand against Sesshoumaru's jaw made a sickening sound in the room. Kagome held her breath as she watched the unbelievable scene. Sesshoumaru responding by grabbing the offending hand. Inuyasha had pushed in front of her as Sumire's aura began to grow. Sesshoumaru didn't have his mate in his grasp for very long as Sumire's aura flared, the energy pushing Sesshoumaru away from her and he was forced to relinquish his grasp on her arm.

“Don't. Touch. Me.” The words were spoken so calmly with complete coldness dripping off them. “Don't you dare touch me with your bloodied hands.”

Kagome eyes widened when Sumire's head came up again and her face was filled with complete hatred for the man in front of her. Her jaw was set with such determination that it was hard to imagine that this girl, no woman, had ever feared the Taiyoukai.

“I would rather die than have you near to me. Now get out.” Her energy pulsing again, pushing her mate farther away from her. Her gaze shifted to Inuyasha as she let out one more demand. “Both of you get out of my sight!”

Things were quickly getting out of hand so Kagome decided to step in. She pushed passed the hanyou that had placed himself protectively between the her and the angered youkai woman. She gave him a look, nodding that she would be alright. Right now it was best if he left so she could calm down Sumire.

“Just go Inuyasha, I'll handle things here.” She motioned towards the door hoping the pair would vacate the room before anything else happened. Inuyasha gave her a sad look and she knew instantly that Sumire's words had hurt him. Kagome would have to deal with him later. She was just as anxious to find out what was going on but Sumire came first in these circumstances. Once again what she wanted was going to have to wait.

Reluctantly Inuyasha turned to leave, grabbing his brother and hauling him out as well. Kagome noted the shocked look on the usually stoic man. 'Serves him right', she thought to herself. Had she been in Sumire's shoes she would have felt betrayed and spiteful as well.

The pair had barely left the room when Sumire burst into tears once more. Kagome simply pulled her back to the futon, knelt and drew her into a consoling hug. There she stayed, whispering words of reassurance until Sumire's sobs turned to whimpers.

“How did she do it Kagome?” Sumire finally spoke, her voice sounding very distant.

“Who?” Kagome was puzzled by the sudden question.

“My mother,” Sumire replied, still tightly wrapped in Kagome's arms. “How did she live with such a curse? How many visions did she see and how often was she powerless to stop it? I was told that she knew about my birth and how she wouldn't survive but until now I didn't understand just what that meant. How troubled had she been through those days?”

“Ahhh, I see.” Kagome tried to choose her words carefully. She had some insight of such matters coming from the future herself. She had long contemplated how her actions could affect the history of this country. “Sumire, your mother surely came to understand one thing about her visions. Everyone has their own fate and often it is not our place to decide how their fate plays out for them. Only that person has the ability to change their own destiny.  I wonder if she didn't come to realize that despite her seeing the future, she had no right to change it.”
“Not even if she had the power?” Sumire whimpered, snuggling in closer. Kagome thought her to be more likened to the young girl she had first met.

“Hmmm, I wonder. I think it would be hard to decide if it was your duty to intervene or your privilege to watch. To intervene could mean causing irrevocable changes in our world; to watch could mean losing something or someone close to you. I don't think this is an answer you can find from someone else. This is something you can only find in your heart Sumire. No doubt your mother had many difficult choices to make.”

“She must have hated her life.”

“It doesn't sound like it. I think she had a wonderful husband and a great friend in Asami-sama. Your mother had people who loved her and supported her. I think she likely didn't treat her gift as a curse at all. Think of it this way Sumire, your mother was able to see you. Perhaps her visions had allowed her to see you growing up, to know you even though when the time came she would part with you the moment you took your first breath. I think her visions could also have been blessings in disguise.”

For awhile Sumire didn't respond, her breath was hot on Kagome's chest. Her tears had all but ceased and it seemed to Kagome that she was seriously contemplating her words. Her gift or curse, however one chose to perceive it, could give philosophers a life time of thinking. This was something Sumire was going to have many personal battles with.

“When you put it that way Kagome-chan, I think there may be a positive side to it. I just don't know if I can handle seeing the future all the time.” Sumire sighed but finally pulled out of Kagome's arms.

Kagome smiled sadly at her, reaching out to rub Sumire's red and swollen face. “This is going to be difficult for you but rest assured knowing that I will always be here for you. To listen, when you need to talk and to guide in any way that I am able. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru are also people you can trust and turn to.”

“Trust! They hide something of great importance from me. How can I trust them? I never would have expected Inuyasha to betray me as well. Sesshoumaru is nothing more than a heartless beast!”

“Sumire,” Kagome cut off her friend for even as it was, she had faith in her hanyou. “Inuyasha would not have hurt you willingly. There must be some reason for him to side with Sesshoumaru on this. He will always be your champion when it comes to dealing with your husband. Inuyasha cares for you like his own sister. I could tell it pained him greatly to have left this room with things unresolved between the two of you. As for Sesshoumaru, give him a chance Sumire. He may seem distant and cold but even he has a heart. He became very close with a little human girl so I know he is capable of caring at some level. Time is all you two need to find some sort of balance. ”

Sumire let out a long sigh, her hands reaching up to rub at her eyes. “I'm sorry Kagome. I let my emotions get the best of me. I know this to be true as well. Inuyasha isn't like his brother. I'm not wasting any energy on Sesshoumaru though. Ahhh! This is so frustrating! Come morning the people I hold close to my heart are facing their deaths. I can only sit here and pray that my vision isn't correct.”

“I will stay here with you tonight and support you the best I can. You are fast becoming my own family too Sumire-chan and I shall treat you as such. I will be your strength in your times of need.” She grasped the youkai's hand, squeezing it tightly as she forced her point through. Sumire was indeed grasping hold of Kagome's heart, much the same way Sango had. It was as if another sister had suddenly appeared in her life.

“Thank you Kagome-chan. Tonight will indeed be difficult. I'm emotionally exhausted and can't decide if I want to be depressed or angry.” Sumire looked utterly lost.

“I understand Sumire. Let me have them bring in another futon for me. In the meantime I am going to have a quick chat with Inuyasha and find out just what has been going on. I am feeling just as cheated as you that I was left out of the loop. Hopefully this conversation will shine some light on things. I'll grab us something to eat and some hot tea as well. You rest as best you can until I come back.”

Kagome helped Sumire get tucked into bed, waiting until the girl closed her eyes before she left. Things might indeed look better after talking with Inuyasha. She hoped so anyway. Navigating the darkened hallways, she was soon standing in front of her hanyou's door.

She felt anxious as she stood there, knocking lightly on the door frame. She could only pray that this conversation went well and she didn't let her own feelings of betrayal take hold. A miko always needed to approach things with a level and unbiased head. Even when matters where personal. Objectivity went a long ways regardless of whether one was dealing with others or themselves.

The door suddenly slid open and she found herself pulled into a strong embrace. She could hear the door slide shut behind her, but her face was buried in the familiar fire rat haori she had come to love.

“Kagome,” Inuyasha's words came out husky, filled with emotion and his own anxiety. He had been troubled when he had left the girls in that room, Sumire's eyes filled with hatred and Kagome's hinting at her own anger. He was worried that Kagome wouldn't understand him and would pull away from him. They had been separated for so long he was always anxious about losing her.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome huffed, feeling like she was in a vice. Thankfully his grip on her relaxed and she was able to breath again.

Her hanyou backed away, dragging a hand through his long hair. He looked like a wreck. Kagome could tell that the whole incident tonight was wearing on him. Time was wasting, so she took the direct approach to get this over and done with.

“We need to talk Inuyasha. I want you to explain everything.”

Inuyasha sighed, he knew things would come to this and he was actually glad. Finally  he was going to have a chance to be alone with Kagome. A chance to talk and understand what had all been going on in both their lives.
“Aye,” reaching out he took her hand. He needed to be close to her, to touch her and watch her face as they talked. He led her to the futon, motioning for her to sit. When she did, he sat directly in front of her so they could face each other as they spoke. He shifted his legs, bracing one on each side of her. One arm snaked around her back, pulling her as close as would be comfortable for her. Then he grasped both of her hands in his. They were close; close enough to gauge eachother's reactions and so close they couldn't avoid each other's questions.

Kagome found her self very close to her hanyou. Inuyasha seemed to need physical contact, he was blocking her on both sides to prevent her from moving. His hands shook slightly as he held hers. He must be facing some inner turmoil to need her beside him like this. This was one of his habits after all. Normally he would whisk her away, finding a perch high in a tree and there they would sit, talking the hours away. Tonight was different though. He was making every attempt to ensure they were facing each other. She realized that this talk was likely to be very different than the ones they had while chasing after the jewel shards.

“So much has happened since we arrived here Kagome. I had to watch in horror as you and Sumire where put through that hellish ceremony. Then the next day I am recruited by my arrogant brother into his military. Sesshoumaru even went so far as to give me a haori my father had commissioned for me when I was conceived.” Inuyasha began but was quickly interrupted by Kagome.

“Sesshoumaru kept a haori your father had made for you?” Kagome never expected the cold Lord of the west to be sentimental.

“Aye, but I'll get to that later.” Inuyasha was anxious to clear the air first. “The first night I met with Sesshoumaru, I bumped into a woman in the hallway. A rather, well endowed and suspicious woman.”

When Kagome's eyes frowned in concern and she open her mouth, he quickly stopped her. “Let me finish Kagome. So when I got into Sesshoumaru's study he tossed me a report. He explained that the woman had brought it in to him and that it was a leaked document detailing an attack on a southern island. Once we got looking at it I figured out that the island was the same one I found Sumire on. Honestly Kagome, I blew. I was just as angry at him as Sumire was. Furious that he didn't take into consideration her feelings.”

Inuyasha finally relaxed when Kagome gave him a smile and reassuringly squeezed his hands. Thank the Kami that she understood. “Sesshoumaru made a few good points though Kagome. Enough that I couldn't argue against his decision. The political situation in the South isn't looking so good. He told me to consider how it would appear if he mobilized an army and crossed into the South. He's certain they would see it as a declaration of war. Besides that there was no way to reach the island in time anyway. Then there is that spy. That woman obviously had some reason for handing over that documentation to us. You can't say a normal youkai would have cared about the humans on that island. No doubt she was trying to instigate some serious dissension between the West and South.”

“Well, I feel better knowing all this. To be honest Inuyasha, I was really hurt that you hadn't told med anything.” Kagome understood just what they were up against. In her anger she had failed to consider Sesshoumaru's position.

“I know and I apologize for that but you and Sumire had been through so much in the last few days that I didn't wanted to stress you anymore. I only wanted you to recover. I should have told you about this before.” He leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. “Could you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Kagome giggled at the mischievous grin on his face and the sparkle in his eyes. When had he become such a kidder. It was a nice change from the tension that had been in the room earlier. She beamed one of her brightest smiles for him, not expecting what effect that would have on her hanyou.

Inuyasha's heart flipped when that smile lit up her face. By the Kami, this woman was beautiful. Unable to resist he wrapped his arms around her as his lips crashed down on hers. They were soft and warm; tasting like the sweetest nectar ever created. Her body was everything a woman's should be, strong and supple, warm and inviting. He was always in awe of how she felt in his arms. When she let out a sound of surprise he took the opportunity to deepen his kiss. He relished the taste of her tongue on his.

At long last he pulled away, taking note of the way her flushed faced looked with her eyes still closed and her lips swollen from the force of his own. That was the way he always wanted to see her. She had been beautiful before but now she was simply stunning. He loved the way a blush made her glow.

“Sorry,” he chuckled when she opened her eyes. “I just couldn't resist.”

Kagome was beyond flustered. Where the heck had that kiss come from? Intense wasn't even fit for a description of it. She pulled back a little from him and was relieved when he relinquished his hold on her and his hands returned to holding her own. They were supposed to be talking, not making out! She wasn't complaining though. That kiss had seemed to draw them close again, helping to ease the uncertainties that had been growing between them.

“There's something else I need to tell you about too,” Inuyasha suddenly became serious again. “That spy, she calls herself Risa. She sought me out this morning and made it all too clear that she wanted me in her bed.”

“What!” Kagome suddenly shouted, her reiki evidently flaring at her anger. Who the hell was this youkai and just what did she think she was doing!

Inuyasha chuckled again, loving the sudden jealously in his little miko. He remembered how pissed she would get in the early days of their relationship when Kikyo would glide into the picture. It had taken quite awhile for the three of them to figure out their places in each other's hearts. Kagome eventually coming to understand the connection with Kikyo was one that he couldn't give up. He had originally thought it to be love, finally realizing that although he did care deeply for the dead miko, it wasn't the same as how he felt for Kagome. He was glad that Kagome understood just what he had with Kikyo and that she had remained with the both of them as Kikyo had eventually left this world.

“No worries Kagome, I made it perfectly clear that I had no interest in her. How could I when I had such a tempting miko to keep me on my toes?” He smiled when Kagome flushed a deeper shade of red. “Seriously though, I don't like that woman one bit. You need to be careful of her as well. Sesshoumaru has eyes and ears on her but I think she isn't going to be easy to handle. No doubt she will try her best to get information out of us any way she can. She reeked of men so I think it is safe to assume she gathers most of her information with her legs spread.”

Kagome looked rather uncomfortable with that last statement so Inuyasha quickly apologized. He should have tried to put it a little more delicately.

“It's alright Inuyasha. I'm not so naïve to think women didn't use their bodies for getting what they want. It's quite common in my time as well. I just can't imagine having to do that myself. I assume Sesshoumaru is trying to bait her to find out why she is really here.” Kagome could see that things were getting more complicated by the minute. Now she had a spy to worry about as well. A spy who was trying to seduce her man. This Risa would find herself crispy fried if she tried something so stupid when Kagome was near.

“Yeah,” Inuyasha sighed thinking about the spy. “Sesshoumaru said she carried the scent of one of the son's of the Southern Lord. The one who is in charge of the military.”

“I see. So one could assume that our spy is working with the Southern Lord's son. That report was planted in an attempt to lure Sesshoumaru out. Asami-sama had mentioned how many of the current leaders were facing succession threats from their family members. This young son has ample opportunity to overthrow his father if he controls the military. Even easier if he can create a war with a neighbouring territory. But why target Sumire's island? Do you think he knows about her?”

“It is possible Kagome. How he would find out about her I don't know but one could see how someone like him would think to use Sumire's powers for his own self gain. I doubt he knows about the connection between her and Sesshoumaru. I think he just wanted to draw Sesshoumaru into a war in order to put some of his own plans into action. It would be easy to gain power if his father should die in battle. Sesshoumaru is most definitely strong enough to defeat the Southern Lord.” Inuyasha was also troubled by the possible threat to his sister-in-law.

“I understand why Sesshoumaru chose to do nothing. Battlefields are unpleasant places and I am in no hurry to spend more time than I have on them.” Kagome thought back to the fall before, when she had first arrived on the human battle grounds. Sometimes she still had nightmares of the fallen men's blood and their pitiful wails and moans. Being a miko was neither glamorous nor elegant. It was just as much about healing humans as it was protecting them from youkai. She had discovered that being a miko was hard work and was just as mentally exhausting as it was physically exhausting. The memories of what she experienced shortly after her return had haunted her for weeks after.

Inuyasha frowned at the way her face fell and her eyes lost their sparkle. Just what had she been through in the last year? “What do you mean.”

Inuyasha felt angry as she explained the war scenes she had been subjected to. The amount of blood and death she had tried to counter on the battlefields and the danger she had been in as the fighting had often raged on around her was disturbing. His listened carefully as she detailed what she had learned and how comfortable she had become with her own healing powers. Things in her life had changed dramatically from the days they had spent traveling around with Miroku and Sango.

“Kagome,” he whispered as he pulled her in a tight hug. He had noted earlier how her eyes had lost some of their youthful innocence and now he knew why. She really could have used his support during those days. Yet she had worked tirelessly on her own with no help and no protection. He was sick to his stomach thinking that he could have easily lost her before he even knew she had returned.

Kagome buried her head in his chest, taking comfort in his strong embrace. It felt great to have those stories off her chest, her conscience somewhat free from those death stares she had witnessed. Inuyasha was with her now and she had his strength to help her once again.

“Inuyasha, there is so much we have to learn about each other again. So much has changed. I can't even begin to imagine what has happened to you in twenty years. Where you traveled, who you encountered and what you accomplished. You're so much different than before. The same but more confident and more mature. It's a little unnerving when I think about just how we've both grown since those days long passed.” Kagome knew that it would take many more discussions just like these until they were back to the point they had once been. Unfortunately she was going to have to cut this conversation short. Sumire was alone and she had promised to spend the night with her friend. Reluctantly she pulled back from Inuyasha's embrace and stood.

Inuyasha was confused when Kagome pulled away. He watched as she stood and smoothed out her clothing. “What is it?”
“I promised Sumire I would spend the night with her. She is going through a great deal right now and I just don't think it is fair to let her battle it alone.”

“I see.” Inuyasha couldn't argue with her. He would have much preferred to lock Kagome up in his room. Spend the night talking about anything and everything, holding her and watching her in the darkness but once again fate had other plans for them. Tonight had been a much needed starting point but so much more was needed.

“I'm sorry Inuyasha, I really want to continue with this.” Kagome apologized as she made her way to the door.

“It's alright. I'll take what I can get.” He smiled brightly as he stood and met her at his door. Once again he reached out and pulled her into an embrace. The moments together were so rare that he had to make the most of them. “Make sure you tell Sumire about this. I want her to understand why we kept it from her.”

“I will Inuyasha. Let's make sure that we talk in the future. It would save everyone a great deal of trouble.” She smiled as he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, followed by one on her cheek and finishing with a soft, loving kiss on the lips. Though still embarrassed by his forwardness and affection she relished every moment.

“Agreed.” Inuyasha opened the door for her and waited until she stepped out. “One more thing Kagome. Be careful around that spy. I don't trust anything about her.”

“I will.” Kagome smiled back at him. That spy had better watch herself. Kagome had half the mind to purify that youkai just because. She was just about to turn when Inuyasha reached out and caught her by the arm.

“I love you.”

The words came out so suddenly that Kagome was shocked. The old Inuyasha had a hard time expressing any affection for her and now the one before her had just thrown it out. Looking at him she recognized the desperation in his eyes. Finally she was beginning to understand. Inuyasha was terrified of losing her and understandably so. She had left him alone for twenty years. Abandoned him at best and that made her heart ache. It had taken him so long to realize that someone actually loved him. To have the one person he was closest to disappear must have been traumatizing on him. Right now he was seeking reassurance.

Kagome closed the distance between them in an instant, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She could feel his breath on her neck as he buried his face. His arms slightly trembling as he once again wrapped them tightly around her. She nuzzled his face with her cheek, then whispered her own words of endearment.

“I love you too Inuyasha.”

A/N: I must be on a roll!!! With any luck these updates will continue with greater frequency! Special thanks to my regular reviewers – you know who you are. I find myself searching for your names in my reviews now and love hearing about what you think about my story! Hope to hear more from you. As always, thanks to my wonderful beta!

Converting /tmp/phpo3pkiE to /dev/stdout