InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Go Home Kagome ❯ The First Pledge ( Chapter 19 )

Chapter 19

The First Pledge

 

Kagome pulled herself out of the well and landed hard on the earth. This just doesn't get any easier does it! How on earth did I do this all the time with that stupid book bag? Maybe I should consider joining a gym back home or something…

 

She started out to Kaede's hut. She kept her back to the Sacred God Tree as Sesshomaru's false words still weighed heavy on her mind. The biggest issue was simply that deception wasn't Sesshomaru's style. He was more of an upfront: Hey you! I don't like your shoes so now die. …kind of guy. So while it was true he had never been of friend to her or Inuyasha it was unlikely he'd seek her out just to cause trouble. Unless, that wasn't Sesshomaru. But anyone who would disguise themselves as him was inanely stupid. More than likely, that was Sesshomaru and he was under the influence of what or whoever was disturbing Inuyasha's demon blood and her memory.

 

Kagome paused in mid step. I wonder what else is wrong. Did we make love under false pretenses? She shook her head. I cannot believe that.

 

She continued down the path and soon the hut was within sight. Kagome decided to visit Kaede before attempting to locate the mysterious Maxine. After all why go looking far away for answers that might be just close by?

 

Kagome pushed the door covering aside and called out. “Grandmother Kaede! It's me Kagome. I missed you.”

 

The room was dark and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust. Kaede was hunched over a pot in the fire pit. Kagome's nose wrinkled at the harsh smell of boiling lye. Uk laundry…

 

“Kagome girl? Come here! It's been much too long.”

 

Kagome bent down next to the older woman who enfolded her in a warm hug.

 

“Inu-Yasha says you are a doctor for animals. Animals aren't much different from us and I was wondering if you could look my tooth.” Without any further ado she pulled open her lips and Kagome smelled the rotten tooth before she ever got a glimpse of it.

 

“It's infected I can smell it.” She shook her head knowing that such tooth infections in her day were nothing but an uncomfortable trip to the dentist. But here the infection was very deadly. She'd seen on the discovery channel were they examined mummies who died of such things. Kagome pulled out her notepad and made notes to return tomorrow with pliers, pain meds and antibiotics. Though, who knew what kind of effect modern antibiotics would have the fifteenth century body. The powerful antibiotics might kill her faster than the tooth. Kagome was at a loss and would have to research it later.

 

Kaede smiled then winced in pain. “Is it fixable?”

 

Kagome nodded, “I think so, I'll be back tomorrow with some medicine. That tooth's gonna have to come out but we'll to be careful to treat the infection first. If I pull it without a regime of drugs then the infection will poison you.”

 

Kaede shrugged. “Sounds painful but I trust you. I'll meet you at sunset by the well. You best not come here. Kikyo will probably be back by then. She doesn't usually stay away more than three days at a time. She isn't going to be happy when she finds out about you and Inu-Yasha.”

 

Kagome frowned. “How did you know?”

 

The old woman laughed. “Easily enough, he hasn't been around here all week. I saw him yesterday and he didn't ask me where Kikyo was or if she'd come back. It didn't take much too figure it out.”

 

Kagome had a thought. “Grandmother, has Inuyasha been happy here with Kikyo?”

 

Kaede shook her head. “Kikyo still has one foot in death and the other in life. She says she wants to die but she's still here so she must not. She's refused to be a real wife to him and he's taken it hard.”

 

“But I thought she wanted them to die together?” Kagome was barely to say it aloud.

 

“She does or so she claims. But she's still here so Kikyo must like life more than she's willing to admit.”

 

Kagome raised her eyebrows in surprise. Kikyo in love with life, who knew?

 

“So,” Kaede took Kagome's hand in hers, “Tell me what you came to ask me.”

 

Kagome blushed, feeling as though Kaede said she wouldn't have come unless she needed something.

 

“Well there is something wrong. I don't know where to begin really…”

Kaede gave an encouraging nod.

 

“Okay, Inuyasha turned demon on me and tried to strangle me.” She brushed back her hair and revealed the black prints on her windpipe.

 

“Before that he told me there was a girl…before Kikyo but she died, Sesshomaru killed her.”

 

Kagome took a deep breath.

 

“I came to this side of the well a few days ago searching for answers, I was coming to see you. But I ran into Sesshomaru. I asked him about the girl and he said Inuyasha killed her. Then he pointed out Inuyasha himself and not Naraku really killed Kikyo during the last battle. He insinuated who ever loves Inuyasha doesn't have a long life…”

 

Kagome looked down at the dirt floor. “But I know Naraku struck Kikyo's death blow while he was in disguise. Yet when Sesshomaru told me that, I believed him. Grandpa had to point it out to me.”

 

“Grandmother Kaede something's wrong. Someone is messing with us and I don't know where to start looking.”

 

 

Kaede closed her eyes as she thought. “Was this Sesshomaru alone?”

 

Kagome nodded. “Yeah that stupid green Jaken wasn't with him.”

 

“Did you get a look at his hind end?”

 

Kagome's eye bugged out of her face. Check out Sesshomaru's butt? My God no! “Umm not so much…” she muttered.

 

Kaede clicked her tongue. “He could have been a kitsune in disguise. Remember Shippo's powers and how you tried to fool Koga's wolves?”

 

“Why didn't I think of that? It's so obvious now. But he was waiting for me. Someone put that guy up to it.”

 

Kaede sighed. “Kagome child, do you know what your problem is?”

 

Kagome made a face at the sound of Kaede's tone. “No Grandmother, what is my problem?”

 

Kaede lifted her head and held Kagome's gaze. “You are the perpetual victim. I don't think you mean to be but you are. If you truly love that wretched Hanyou than fight for him. Kikyo has always been a fighter and I think that is why she is still here but she's outlasted her time. You have lots of time but you make poor use of it.”

 

Kagome was offended. “That's a load of, excuse my tongue, crap! How many times have I fought beside him?”

 

Kaede shook her head. “That's not what I'm talking about. Whatever this is revolves around you. You've always sat back and let things happen. When he chose my sister over you, you begged to stay. You are a coward. Now you have what you wanted, it's fallen in your lap but you are still searching for help. You need to help yourself.”

 

She paused for a moment to breathe. “I am simply out of energy. I don't feel so good these days and every time something big happens the whole village or my hut is flattened. Leave me in peace here. This is your battle. You are strong and will win if you are willing to fight.”

 

Kagome frowned. Okay so much for the cavalry then. “But what if this is some kind of new enemy?”

 

“I've felt no new demonic auras and I believe we know all of our enemies. And if it is something new you and the others can handle it.

 

Kagome didn't know what to say. “Do you still want me to fix your tooth?”

 

Kaede answered, “Of course! And don't be late. Also bring some of those little white pills that dull pain. My joints ache something awful. Look girl. I still care about you but this is a journey you must take on your own. I cannot do everything for everyone around here.”

Kagome hung her head. “I guess not. But thanks for listening.”

 

 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Kagome sat at the kitchen table pouring over the phone book. It was useless and she knew it. But it was the only lead she had for the moment. She was thumbing through the fortune telling section looking for anything that might be western. So far she'd even found the tiny listing for the family shrine but no Maxine.

 

Gramps pulled up a chair and sat across the table from her.

 

“Did Kaede know anything helpful?”

 

Kagome sighed and marked her place in the phone book before closing it. “Not really. She seemed to think this was something I had to do on my own. But I think she's sick so who knows it maybe her illness talking.”

 

Gramps yawned. “Sometimes it's the journey that's important and not the destination.”

 

Kagome answered, “Maybe. But I haven't found one trace of this woman so I hope it's about the journey because frankly I don't see a destination. I don't know why I am bothering to look anyway. This has to be some new demonic power from the other side of the well but Kaede hasn't sensed anything new and neither did I.”

 

Gramps pointed to the clock. “Well it's late and I'm calling it a night. You should turn in too.”

 

Kagome nodded. “Yeah I can't be late to work tomorrow.”

 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

More than 565 years ago…

 

Aiko wadded into the river with her net. She loved the feeling of the tiny pebbles under feet. She watched the little fish nibble at her bare toes as she cast the net for larger fish that were making their way out to the ocean. It was easier to catch them this way before they had the whole sea to hide in. She needed to catch at least a dozen fish for her mother was having important company for dinner. She closed her eyes and decided not think on that for now.

 

Inuyasha watched her from his tree limb. When she was back on the bank he jumped out of the tree and playfully tackled her.

 

She squealed and they rolled around across the ground. Aiko pushed him away. “I knew you were there the whole time Inuyasha. You aren't as clever as you like to think.”

 

He laughed and growled low nuzzling her throat with his lips. “You are such a sweet little liar.”

 

She laughed and Inuyasha ran his hand down her bare calves. “Hey you're still wet.” He pulled off the outer coat of his red kimono and wrapped her in it. Aiko dried off while he watched, his hot gaze taking note of every curve of her hips and legs.

 

He leaned back on his haunches “So did ya bring me anything to eat?”

 

“No I thought that you should starve today.” Aiko teased and pointed to a basket.

 

Inuyasha dug through it eating greedily. Aiko watched him and decided to be honest and tell him. Her intentions were to say nothing to him but now watching her beloved boy with his clever ears she knew she couldn't just walk away.

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

He looked up from the basket. “Yeah?”

 

“Something has happened.” Her tone was serious and he was concerned enough to set the food aside.

 

“What?”

 

Aiko pushed a strand of her long dark hair behind her ear. “Mother has found someone to take me.”

 

He frowned. “Take you where?”

 

“To wed.” She looked away.

 

“Oh.”

 

“She says I should be grateful that someone is willing to take me on because our status is so low, but I don't care. I don't like him.”

 

Inuyasha stretched out and rested his head on his hand. “So then don't marry him.”

 

Aiko looked up and into his golden eyes. “I have no choice. I have to do as she says.”

 

His face was expressionless.

 

“Inuyasha, I want to be with you. Not that stinky fish monger who tries to grab me every time we pass in the street.”

 

His mouth fell open. She wanted him. That had never happened to him before.

 

“But I live here in the woods. I've no house, no place for you to live. What would we do?”

 

Aiko leaned over and put her hand over his. “I don't know but I trust you. We would find a way.”

 

“But you cannot live in your village with me; they would never accept a half breed.”

 

Aiko bit her lip. “We couldn't stay there anyway. You see my mother is behind on our rent. We have a lot of debt and the fish monger will pay our debts in exchange for me. If I don't wed him then we will be forced into the streets or I will be sold to the brothel.”

 

Inuyasha shuddered and closed his eyes. “There is no happy ending here is there.”

 

Aiko smiled “There could be. Don't you care for me?”

 

His eyes open and he bathed her in his intense gaze. “More than anything.”

 

“Then do something about it.”

 

Inuyasha thought quickly. “I will need time to find us a place that will be safe for you. How long do you have?”

 

She held up several fingers. “Three days.”

 

“Okay then met me back at the Buddha tomorrow night. I'll have something by then.”

 

Aiko put her hand on his shoulder. “Can I trust you to be there?”

 

“Yes you have my pledge. My life is yours.” He had never felt as sure of anything in his entire life as he did about her.

 

She nodded, “I pledge as well.” Aiko closed her eyes briefly then stood. “This must be made official.”

 

Inuyasha answered, “It will as soon as I find us someone who will turn their head the other way and marry us.”

 

Her hand found the ties of her simple kimono. He sat agape as she tossed her hair and dropped her robe standing naked on the secluded riverbank before him. Aiko was thin, pale and strong. She was the most majestic thing he'd ever seen. She walked graceful and barefoot to him then bent down reaching out to him with her hand.

 

Inuyasha accepted and pulled her down to him. He smiled as she closed her eyes and wound her long limbs around him. He rolled them onto his red outer robe and pulled off his linen shirt. He held her soft naked body to his bare skin and knew he'd made the right decision. He then pledged himself physically to her with his body and soul.

 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

2005…

 

Kagome spoke aloud in her sleep. “Inuyasha…”

She reached out but she was alone in her bed just as she'd been when she'd climbed into it hours before. I could have sworn he was just here and we were holding each other…

 

Kagome climbed out of bed and check the window but it was shut. She gazed outside and saw he was perched in the God Tree. The moonlight reflected off his silver hair. She returned to bed and lay down clutching a pillow to her chest feeling and alone.