InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Halves ❯ Different Shades of Conflict ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Halves

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I do not make money from writing this story.

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Stars were aligned - what could that mean? It was never something he truly considered, but alternatives were little, so he had to try everything. Normally, the Emperor would not want to know the future - he was sure his future would be as sour as ever, but now… now was a different matter. His son was obviously choosing a wrong path and he had to redirect him, although very subtly. But he could do that. Inu no Taishou was subtle. He was deft. But he only had to know the future better.

“Masami,” he spoke gently, never once letting his eyes fall on the naked figure at his side. He was engrossed in the drawings he had on his lap, stars were fascinating. If only he could decipher them better. The youkai that had done this drawing was surely very powerful, he had to find him or her.

“Too early,” Masami might have whispered, but he couldn't really understand.

Regardless, he needed her advice, and he would have it. “Wake up.”

“No,” was her firm response. No, she did not want to wake, because, no, he couldn't tell her what to do. He knew that, he knew all that, but now was not the time to play dominatrix.

“Listen here, I have these drawings with the stars, and I want to know what they mean. I only understand very little. Who should I go to?” Honestly, he had no clue - he hadn't heard of a Seer in nearly three hundred years, when the supposedly last one had been killed in a fair fight.

Frustrated beyond measure, his wife grunted like the bitch she was, “Why don't you go see Bokusenou?” Then she turned her back to him and showed him how much of a `respectful' wife she was when he disturbed her sleeping time.

Inu no Taishou smiled despite all the problems, “Fine, thank you.” He knew then that she smiled, too, they couldn't really stay mad at each other. Even though there was no love coating their relationship, they were always very close, they had no reason not to. He remembered a time when that hadn't been so, when he'd distanced himself from her, when only another had been allowed in his personal space. Now that `another' was long dead and he was the one left to pick up the remainders of his shattered heart. But no matter, no matter, he'd make sure his children wouldn't suffer like he had.

He got up and got dressed quickly, fully intent on visiting the old tree. Masami was right, the old tree would surely know something. If not about a living Seer, then surely about how to read a drawing about stars.

Although… there was something bothering him. Masami was always a rather secretive woman, he couldn't tell what her real feelings were. But what if… what if she loved him? What if he was hurting her with his selfishness, with his lack of love? Trust he gave her, a satisfying sexual relationship he gave her, but his love? If was for another… how could he give her that?

He shook his head to dispel such thoughts, he'd deal with it later. Now Inuyasha was of a greater importance, his situation was nothing like he'd ever encountered. The bond his son shared with his Half was remarkable, it had to be something special.

Ever so firm in his resolution, the Emperor took the path that would lead him to Bokusenou. As soon as he arrived, he looked around for some sort of trap. The old tree was pretty skillful, he sometimes liked to test the ones who sought his help.

“Ah, Inu no Taishou-sama,” the old face carved into the bark greeted. Slowly, gradually, the tree opened his eyes and a twinkle of knowledge flashed inside them. “What brings you here?”

“I trust that you already know, intelligent Bokusenou,” the Emperor flattered.

“I am not intelligent, Inu no Taishou-sama, I am merely knowledgeable. It is and has been both my forte and my curse. So is it safe to assume you are here to ask about your younger son, Inuyasha-sama?”

“Precisely. His bond with the miko is interesting, but he does not want to leave his wife. Nothing good could come out of this, as you surely know. Tell me what you know about it.”

“If you want details about their bond, ask the demon Hosenki. He is better informed in this domain than I am,” the tree said with a calm voice.

“I've already done that. Alright, if you do not know, I'll ask you something else. Are there any Seers left?”

“The last Seer has been killed in a fair fight-”

“I know that. I was just… hoping you would say that it's not true and that there is another Seer out there,” the Emperor sighed, running a hand over his face. Why were things so complicated? “I have some drawings of the stars system. I do not know how to fully interpret them, maybe you know someone…”

“There is a monk called Seikai who can read the stars. He is very noble and quite powerful with his spiritual powers, but even more so when interpreting the stars' signs. He lives far north, perhaps three days of distance.”

“Perfect. I will send after him. No. I will go to him myself.”

“Be careful. The monk does not like demons very much, his spiritual powers, as I said, are quite impressive. Though not as impressive as the young miko's,” the tree emphasized. But it was not every day that Seikai received a visit from the Emperor himself, so he'd have to swallow his hatred for demons if he knew what was best for him.

“I will. Thank you for the information, Bokusenou. I will come back soon.”

“I will be expecting you,” the old demon said then fell back into a deep slumber.

Inu no Taishou smiled. At last he had someone he could go to. This Seikai monk, he didn't sound so frightening, but perhaps he was one of those mystics that never allowed someone `impure' in their personal space. In that case, he doubted he could do anything about it.

The Emperor was very powerful, but he was not suicidal. He knew that toying with fire, spiritual powers in this case, was not something to be done. As powerful as he was, Inu no Taishou knew when not to risk doing something that would threaten his safety and thus, the people's safety.

I'll send Inuyasha far away from Kikyou and Kagome for the moment. He shouldn't be with either of them, perhaps this way he could concentrate more on who he should choose.

Frowning, he looked behind at one of the guards from his personal escort and waved at him to come closer. As soon as the man bowed, he spoke, “There is a rebellion in the south. Tell Inuyasha to go there and solve things, and not to return until he has managed to do so.”

The guard's eyes widened, but he nodded and bowed nonetheless - what the Emperor said had to be done. Smiling, Inu no Taishou continued his road back home, trusting the guard's youkai senses to take him to his son.

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Kikyou was restless. Her husband hadn't come back yet, what did that mean? Surely Inuyasha would not be defeated in battle. No, that couldn't be.

But Sango had come back, she still didn't want to talk about what had happened to her. It was fairly understandable, the woman was scarred and it would be a long time until she would be comfortable enough to remember the horrible things she had been through. Distantly, Kikyou feared for her own safety. Her miko powers could save her, but who knew what tricks Naraku had? He was clever, that one, and she feared his deftness.

Nevertheless, this was not something she should be worrying about when her husband wasn't yet home. Miroku had told her Inuyasha was after Kagura, the demon that had taken Sango away. That was clearly dangerous, wasn't it? It was like jumping in front of the bear's paws.

But Inuyasha would come home safe and unscathed. He would, he always did.

She thought that, she honestly did, until the entrance of that guard shattered her hopes entirely.

“Kikyou-Hime-sama,” the boy she recognized as Kagome's younger brother, Souta, said with a bow, “Inuyasha-sama will not be coming back for a while. He has been sent by the Emperor to stifle a mutiny in the south. But worry not, he will come home safe, the Emperor has had some measures taken to ensure that.”

With a bow, he was out, leaving the poor woman with an increasingly broken heart and the fervent desire to hold her husband, despite the weird way he had been treating her lately.

Still, she was a strong woman. She loved him, but she was a strong woman. She'd pray for his safety daily, but she'd also make plans on how to tell him what she intended. Their talk could not be postponed, she decided.

When he comes back. We'll talk when he comes back.

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It had been pointless ever since he'd lost her track. Inuyasha didn't know the circumstances of her disappearance, but Kagura was nowhere to be sensed. He'd told Kagome that much. Since there was nothing more they could do, they might as well return, everyone was surely worried by now. A whole week of sexual torture had passed, and they were both proud they'd resisted each other's charms without doing anything stupid.

Inuyasha shivered. He could clearly remember his recent almost fuck-up.

“Do you want some tea?” Her voice was soft, he liked how it seemed to glide over his skin, smoothly caressing its rough texture. Her scent was intoxicating, he honestly didn't know if he could resist her. In his opinion, they should be out there, still searching for Kagura, but Kagome was tired. She wasn't used to these kinds of conditions, she'd surely fall ill if he didn't let her rest.

“No,” he answered firmly, his eyes keeping hers in an iron clutch. He heard her loud gulp, smelled the spike in her scent, wanted to taste her. “I'm not thirsty.” This time, his voice was hoarse, torn.

“Fine then,” she whispered, taking a sip out of the cup she'd offered him. It had been a truly lucky thing that they'd discovered this abandoned hut. It was warm and it had cups they could drink out of and plates they could eat from. What more could they wish for?

Time passed so slowly.

It was a mistake when he inhaled sharply, it was a pure coincidence that her hand brushed against his as they both reached for the same piece of meat. His senses were flooded with so much detail all at once, he felt like drowning. His skin tingled, hers did, too, time seemed to have stopped all of a sudden.

Without really thinking, he leaned forward, his eyelids suddenly feeling very heavy. He didn't really understand that he was going to kiss her, he couldn't think anymore, but she could. Kagome saw his intention, she wanted it so much, but she could not allow it. She could not let her heart soar and then shatter into a million pieces. Licking her lips, she pushed away, averting her eyes completely. If she had looked, she would have seen Inuyasha's confused gaze, then his hardened expression.

He understood then, he was so stupid he wanted to kill himself. What had he been thinking?

He couldn't let something like that happen again. That time Kagome had been sensible enough not to let it happen, but what would occur the next time? If there was ever a next time…

He stopped his pursuit and shook his shoulders slightly as to silently encourage Kagome to get off his back. Which she did without the need for him to say it aloud.

“I've lost her track,” he admitted. “Her scent is gone, I think it's some sort of trick, but still, I can't find her.”

Kagome sighed, she looked away. “I knew this was going to happen. It would have been too easy,” no, it didn't matter, they would find her someday, “We should return. Come on,” she said, she smiled and he took the hand she offered, curious about what she had in mind.

Kagome dragged him after her, they both sat on the fresh grass. The wind was calm today, nature seemed content.

“When I wanted to think, I'd always lie on the grass,” she did just that and closed her eyes, smiling as she inhaled deeply, “just like this. It's so peaceful, and I can just hear the birds singing, it's so soothing. Okaa-san would sometimes hold me in her arms and sing lullabies to me, only I never fell asleep.”

Inuyasha listened to her intently, and, without him noticing, his gaze lingered on her lips. She was so pure, so innocent. Voices told him what to do, begged him to mark her, it was insane. When would he ever be left alone? Would he ever have peace?

“Souta was afraid of lying on the ground when he was little, he always thought bugs would crawl into his ear,” she giggled, those were the times. Inuyasha decided he liked this carefree Kagome, she was beautiful, breathtaking, she was all his.

In that moment, something changed inside him. It was the first time that he was around her and he could keep his calm. He understood now: in the past it had required his utter concentration for him to keep thinking logically, but now everything was so easy. It was as if he'd stared at her peaceful face for forever, it felt as if her soul was tied with his, they couldn't be parted.

She was his Half, he knew what that meant now. Kikyou would always be his first love, his first wife, his first everything, but Kagome had a tighter hold on his heart now. He pictured ever having her away from him… no, it was unimaginable.

“I could fall asleep here,” she mumbled drowsily, rubbing her closed eyes with her fist, “don't let me sleep.”

“Mm-hmm,” he murmured back, pushing the few strands of black hair out of her eyes. He didn't really understand her mumbles, she might have told him she loved him, she might have said that she needed him with her.

“It's never happened before,” she said then, letting her head fall to the side, she was asleep. Inuyasha's face lit up with a smile so warm, she was so endearing. Carefully, he traced her cheeks with his clawed hand, he'd never let her be injured. He'd love her and cherish her and be with her always, that was what he wanted.

Vaguely, his heart moaned in grief, what would happen to Kikyou? But he realized he wanted Kagome more, needed Kagome more. Kikyou would understand, she would appreciate this. He was giving her up so he wouldn't hurt her any more, because unexpectedly, the young, new miko had crawled her way into his heart, digging so deeply that he felt no one could ever pull her out. He didn't even know when that had happened. Inuyasha didn't care if it wasn't a natural love, he couldn't care. Everything was right with his world for the moment, Kagome was at his side.

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The sun was still up, it had to be noon, she reckoned. Kagome rubbed her eyes, there was still so much light. She vaguely heard birds chirping, where was she again? Oh, yes, she remembered the field and the soft grass and - oh, that tickled. Her eyes opened abruptly and she thought for a moment that Inuyasha was being too bold. Sitting up, she noticed that his hand was not on her leg, but then, what was? She yelped in surprise when she felt something crawl its way up her thigh. Panic took her and she completely missed the irony of the situation as she shot to her feet, lifting her yukata to inspect the issue.

Startled, Inuyasha was at her side in a heartbeat - was she in danger? His cheeks flushed when he saw her bare legs, she was the biggest temptation. However, he supported her when she nearly fell as she saw the black bug that seemed stuck to her skin.

“Get it off, get it off!” She was squirming in Inuyasha's hold, shaking her leg, but the bug wouldn't budge. Until Inuyasha flicked it off.

His eyes sparkled and he grinned, “See? It's gone.” He didn't really think when he rubbed her thighs reassuringly, he wasn't entirely aware of the spark in her scent - she was aroused. A distant part of his brain recognized the smell for what it was, but it refused to pass on the information, so Inuyasha enjoyed the sensations without really noticing what was going on. His hand lingered on Kagome's thigh as he buried his head into the side of her neck, she smelt delicious. He wondered what she tasted like then - would she taste salty from the sweat? It was a warm day, she'd slept a few hours.

Closing his eyes tightly to enjoy his other senses, he flicked his tongue over the sensitive skin of her neck and felt her shiver. His free arm wrapped her in a strong embrace and she surprisingly let him. It felt so right, he knew she was his as he nipped at her skin, lavishing his attention on her neck.

Never before had he felt so calm, so soothed, she could bring his entire world onto a cloud so high, she could be his salvation. Kissing the corner of her mouth gently, he let his heart choose for him, he wanted her. He chose her, he'd let Kikyou be happy with someone else, somewhere else. The idea hurt him, but he had to be with Kagome, he couldn't imagine letting her go.

I decided that after this, after the Kagura thing I'll move away from the palace. I know that the Sacred Jewel should stay there, but I cannot.

The words she'd said tortured him, brought physical pain to his chest, no, he couldn't let her go. He placed a wet kiss on her shoulder, it was so she would forget her plans. He trailed a hot, burning path up to her jaw so she'd never think of leaving him. His fingers danced on her thigh as he lowered them both to the forest floor, it was so she'd always remember she was his. She didn't object, she couldn't. Passionate shivers and meaningful whispers enveloped her in a sweet, maddening embrace and she couldn't escape, she didn't want to.

He wanted to hear her moans, his name coming from her lips. Her body was enticing, he knew that already. Surrounding noises were forgotten, they both couldn't focus on anything else than each other's erratic breathing. The Kami were especially generous today, there wasn't a drop of rain.

Kagome's hands grabbed hold of a few strands of silver hair as she pulled him into a mind-numbing kiss. As his lips worked silently over hers, the birds weren't signing anymore, butterflies weren't flapping their wings, time was as dead as everything around the two - when had it ever been different?

The hair stood straight on her nape when Inuyasha's hand traveled upwards, toying with her moist folds. He pressed on her clit slightly, but relentlessly, when had her underwear come off? She gasped into his kiss, unknowingly allowing him to push his tongue past her teeth. He played a game of hide and seek, she was the prey and he was the predator. Her tongue evaded his many times, but he'd brush hers from time to time as he'd let his claws carefully caress her moist creases. He enjoyed her moans and tightly shut eyes, she was beautiful as she surrender her entire heart to him, it was his to possess and to cherish.

He took his time to undress her and let her undress him, as well. He knew where this would lead - did she? Somehow, he didn't doubt she did and he loved her all the more for the trust she had in him. He wouldn't hurt her anymore, would never dream of letting her injured.

“I've wanted this for so long,” he whispered hotly in her ear, tracing her ear lobe with his tongue. The hand that wasn't frantically rubbing her core took one of her nipples between two fingers, making Kagome arch her back against him. He felt her goosebumps and his heart soared with the knowledge that he'd done this. Nothing made sense more than this intimacy they were going to share. He couldn't understand the mystery that was Kagome, but he could understand the love he felt for her, it was everlasting.

Perhaps Kagome felt the same, perhaps she wanted him just as much, but she didn't return the words. Instead, she caressed his sensitive ears and soon discovered they stimulated him as she felt him hardening even further against her leg. His face seemed drawn into a grimace, but she knew better. She felt it too, the desperate need for them to be one, why couldn't they hurry?

Determined to make him see her point, she moved her leg so it would brush against his length - he groaned in shaky need. His body was perfect, he was beautiful and she would have him, if only for just this one time. Daylight had never been more intimidating, but she found she could bring herself not to care. The tree they were under offered a slender shade, but the sun still caressed their sweaty bodies, offering its blessing.

Kagome's lips quivered when Inuyasha's fingers entwined with hers and he placed his hardness against her core.

His liquid amber eyes shone brightly with what could be interpreted as tears, he nuzzled her nose. “Will you let me take you?” She was surprised he asked, she'd expected him to lose his self-control, but this was sweet, this was so sweet. Tears were threatening to engulf her, but she fought hard against the damned instinct, she wouldn't think of the future.

Nodding steadfastly, her eyes went wide at the pain that accompanied his swift entrance. In the haze of the torturous pain that had her face scrunched in a grimace, she studied his expression - he seemed to be having trouble controlling himself, judging by his furrowed brows, but otherwise elated expression.

After a while, he started slowly thrusting in and out of her, until pain was replaced by something sensual, stimulating. Euphoric anticipation bloomed inside her chest as Inuyasha's thrusts became faster, more pleasurable.

For the life of her, she couldn't prevent the moans and gasps from escaping her lips like soon-to-be headless traitors, but Inuyasha didn't seem to mind. His lips assaulted her collarbone, attacking her senses from every corner possible.

On the ground, he brought their hands above their heads and shut his eyes tighter as he deliberately slowed his pounding to make it harder, deeper. The rhythm was languid, he wanted to draw their orgasms out, he wanted this to be a lifetime experience for the both. His mouth closed against hers, lips inviting hers closer. Their skin glistened with sweat as Inuyasha's tongue sought hers inside her mouth.

When things became too heated, when the afternoon sun made it only worse Kagome untangled her fingers from his grasp and broke the torrid kiss to hug his neck tightly, never intending to let go. Relieved for some reason, her Half rested his forehead on the ground next to her shoulder, letting her cling to his shoulder as he increased the power in his thrusts yet again. She didn't care he was hammering her into the ground, he plunged so deep inside her that she could see stars waking up from their ever so quiet slumber.

Kagome wanted to laugh madly, she wanted to throw her head back in utter bliss, but she feared she would crack her skull from the sheer force of his thrusts. Soon, their bodies lit up with a strange, glowing aura, but they didn't notice, they couldn't. The skies darkened only slightly, they were so dirty in comparison to the pure light the couple radiated.

His lips worked against her shoulder in a frenzy, heightening their impending climax that washed over them simultaneously, leaving them agape and wondering how such great pleasure was even possible. The forest was enveloped into a cacophony of names yelled and howled aloud and Inuyasha knew then that he would never be satisfied with anyone else, not even with his wife. The sensations experienced with Kagome were beyond possible description, it was insane.

After a while, they were both still breathing erratically to regain their calm. Neither spoke because nothing needed to be said in that moment.

Things moved around them again. Insects made their presence known, the sounds were so much more enhanced in their ears right now, but they weren't disturbing. On the contrary, they were peaceful, soothing, as if they belonged in the picture. Time was a palpable thing as minutes started ticking once again, it was still daytime. Inuyasha laid his head on Kagome's chest, placing a kiss on her breasts from time to time. Tessaiga lay near their heads, it would protect them if they needed it.

Kagome felt her eyes shine with tears at the intimacy they shared - her left hand was clasped in his bigger one and they were still joined. Yet this was a dream, a sweet dream they had to wake up from. This couldn't go on, this farce. Kagura was nowhere to be found and they couldn't keep looking for nothing. There was no reason for her to stay with him like this anymore, she knew it and it hurt. She had to give him back to Kikyou now, how cruel was this? How cruel was fate?

“It was a mistake,” Kagome whispered weakly, never believing her words any more than she believed that her heart could ever belong to another. She didn't hear an answer because there wasn't any. Inuyasha was silent, he hadn't even twitched a muscle.

But she didn't know. How could she guess that she'd destroyed every hope at happiness he had with that single statement? His heart was crushed, it curled inside his chest, desperately and fruitlessly seeking redemption. He knew he hadn't told her yet, hadn't told her his choice. What would she say? Kagome was so selfless that she would surely convince him to go back to Kikyou, wouldn't she?

Should he change his mind? Should he go back to Kikyou?

“I'm sorry we did this to Kikyou, it won't happen again,” she added, her voice shattered. He was sorry too, yet it had been so right, so… amazing. But at the end of the day, how could he leave his wife? How had he even thought about leaving Kikyou alone after all that she'd suffered? Maybe she'd start thinking it was because she couldn't have his child or something as terrible as that.

No, Kagome was right, she was the sensible one, it seemed. He could not leave Kikyou any more than he could leave Kagome. But he'd never truly had Kagome, at least not as his wife, so what did it mean, to leave her?

Then the sound of her voice and her deep sigh caught his attention. “I wish there was some way to break this bond…”

When one terminates a bond, he only destroys his share of the bond.

Hosenki's words rang loudly in his head, it meant that if they would both be willing to destroy the bond everything would be fine, wouldn't it? Hope so dreadful and wrong blossomed inside him as his eyes locked with hers, his voice suddenly resolute.

“There is.”

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A/N: Ok, don't hate me and don't hate Inuyasha, either. Things will make sense later.
I bet you're cursing me right now, hehe, and maybe I'm enjoying it too much,
but anyway... if it seemed that Inuyasha changed his mind too easily, I'm asking you to reconsider.
After all, hearing Kagome so determined and so certain that it had been a mistake was both devastating and refreshing for him.
In the haze of the moment he disregarded his love for his wife, and it was just now coming back to him.

I hope you liked this chapter, if you haven't read the previous one, please do so :)