InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Choice ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

AN: Wow, so many wonderful reviews! I'm happy you guys are enjoying it so much. This story has been an absolute joy to write. I just finished chapter 4, and am diving into chapter 5 full-force (even though my wrists are killing me).

 

 

Chapter 2 - Betrayal

 

Kagome continued to watch Mouko and Azatoi for the next month, without discovering anything further. Not needing to sleep since the first night they returned, Sesshoumaru would often spend the entire night talking to her. They spoke of the future and demon society. Sesshoumaru slowly warmed to the presence of the human spirit that kept watch over him.

 

Exactly a month from the night they had arrived, Kagome stood at the fountain, waiting to see Sesshoumaru.

 

“I will sleep tonight,” Sesshoumaru informed the spirit as he approached.

 

“I've noticed you seem to sleep on the night of the new moon,” she mentioned, looking up at the stars.

 

“It is common amongst demons. It is rumored that the blood feels the pull of the moon and when the moon disappears, the blood wanes,” He said, sitting down on a bench near the fountain.

 

“Even in my time people believe the full moon affects people's moods. Everyone has chemicals in their body called hormones. They affect our moods, how we think, how our body reacts. Even pregnant women are more likely to have a child on a full moon then any other time of the month. But it doesn't make sense to me though. The reason the moon has pull on us is gravity. But the sun, despite its greater distance, has a much stronger pull…” She shook her head and smiled. “This is probably going in one ear and out the other, right?”

 

“No, I wish to understand. It appears the sun and moon are no mysteries in your time. There must be few mysteries left,” he stated, glancing at the fountain.

 

“Not exactly, the more answers we get, the more questions we find. Like we understand what makes us ill. Tiny creatures a million times smaller then us attack the smallest components of our bodies. But even knowing that, it creates a lot of questions. How do you stop them without hurting your body? What makes people react differently to the same creature in our bodies? Why do people get worse sometimes when they get rid of one type of creature? You understand now, the more we learn, the more we question,” she turned to him and smiled.

 

“That sounds more appealing then myths and superstition. I would prefer a world in which I could understand everything around me, instead of relying on fiction made to explain it,” he looked into her eyes and smirked at her expression of wonder.

 

“Well, there's a lot we could speak of, however if we do, you'll never get to sleep. So, shall we?” she smiled gently at the youkai.

 

“Indeed,” he nodded, standing and walking towards his room. Kagome walked alongside him.

 

“If someone told me a month ago that I'd be living here with you, and staying in your room when you sleep, I'd have laughed. But if they told me that you'd be my only friend in death, I'd have had them committed to an insane asylum,” She said, looking up at the stars.

 

“I have never considered anyone a friend in my life,” Sesshoumaru stated, looking forward as he entered his castle.

 

“That doesn't surprise me. You certainly do well at keeping everyone far from your heart. But, even if no one else realizes it for the rest of time, I can honestly say it's there,” she grinned, glancing over at him.

 

He nodded almost imperceptibly. She smiled, knowing he did not wish to appear to be talking to himself in the halls. However, her heart warmed to know that she was trusted so greatly by the powerful demon before him.

 

“I suppose, that my death has been to the benefit of all. Inu-Yasha and Kikyou are finally able to have their wish to be together. Miroku and Sango will be married soon, and you've got the perfect spy and confidant. And I'm still not alone,” she said quietly, as they entered Sesshoumaru's chambers.

 

“There is one who has gained nothing by your sacrifice,” Sesshoumaru stated as he began to remove his armor.

 

“Shippou… But he still has Inu-Yasha to watch over him,” she said weakly.

 

The tai-youkai snorted. “Inu-Yasha does not know how to raise a full demon, let alone a kitsune. I almost pity the child for being left in his care,” Sesshoumaru glanced at the back of the spirit as he finished pulling his clothing off. “Even though you do no know much of demon children, you have been a good mother to him. You reminded me often of my mother when I was young…”

 

Kagome's eyes widened, and she fought the urge to turn around. “You really think so?” she asked quietly.

 

“I do not say things I do not mean, Kagome. I am not a fool like Inu-Yasha,” he said, almost angry. “I am dressed.”

 

She turned slowly, her eyes filled with pain. “He's the only child I'll ever have. It's nice to know even you thought I was good to him.”

 

“Do not grieve. He is a child whom you will be able to see again for hundreds of years. By destroying Naraku, you have insured his long life. And Inu-Yasha will honor your care of him by protecting him as long as he needs it. My mother gave me strength, even in her death, as I am sure you do for him,” Sesshoumaru said, climbing into bed.

 

“I know I'll be proud of him, as I'm sure your mother is proud of you, where ever she may be,” Kagome said quietly, her heart feeling lighter from his kind words. “Sleep well, Sesshoumaru.”

 

“Good night, Kagome,” he said, before turning onto his side and falling into a deep sleep.

 

Kagome walked over to him, and reached her hand out to brush back some of his mist colored hair. She sighed softly as her hand simply went through his hair. She shook her head, and sat down on the floor, her back to the bed. She smiled sadly as she remembered how Inu-Yasha would often sleep as she was now, watching over her. Her heart clenched painfully.

 

`Sesshoumaru is right. Even now, the pain is immense, but I can continue being me. If I had to watch them… It would be too much…' She shook her head. `I can't change this now.'

 

The door slowly being opened interrupted her gloomy thoughts. Her eyes widened instantly as she noticed the door.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” she shouted. “Someone's coming in!”

 

He made a small noise signifying that he understood.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” called the small voice of Rin.

 

“I'm going to make sure it's really her, be careful Sesshoumaru. I heard Azatoi is excellent with illusions,” Kagome said before running towards Rin's room.

 

“What is it Rin?” Sesshoumaru asked, sitting up in bed.

 

“I… I'm sorry for waking you, Sesshoumaru-sama. But…” she looked down, slightly frightened, her hands behind her back.

 

“Tell me what is wrong Rin, or leave me to rest,” he said calmly.

 

“I heard some people yelling, and one of them said they wanted to kill me,” she said, fighting back tears. “They said you would not be able to protect me.”

 

“Sesshoumaru! It's not Rin! The real Rin was hurt bad!” Kagome screamed, running into the room.

 

“I'm impressed by your illusion, Azatoi. But you shall pay for harming Rin,” Sesshoumaru growled, jumping out of bed, brandishing his whip.

 

The small girl morphed into the half-kitsune, and barely jumped out of the way. “How the hell did you know? My illusion was perfect!” she cried, diving towards the door.

 

Sesshoumaru's whip grazed her ankle and she cried in pain. “You cannot escape me. You shall pay for your betrayal.” His voice was deathly quiet, as he controlled his whip with all his channeled rage.

 

“You shall die by my mistress's hands, no matter what happens to me!” she screamed, she grabbed his Tenseiga and with all of her strength, snapped it in two. “The demons will no longer be the hunters!”

 

The room was shattered in bright light, and even Sesshoumaru had to cover his eyes.

 

“Sesshou-” Kagome's voice was suddenly cut off as the light faded from the room.

 

When Sesshoumaru looked around the room, both Azatoi and Kagome where gone.

 

He growled in rage, and smashed a nearby window. “Azatoi, you shall pay for what you have done. Hell will be pleasant compared to what I shall do to you…”

 

He closed his eyes. “Kagome, I can no longer see or hear you. Thank you for warning me. Wait here while I have my father's sword fixed. Please watch over Rin in my absence,” he said calmly.

 

Suddenly, the toad demon scrambled into the room. “Sesshoumaru-sama! I heard a terrible noise! What happened here?” he cried, worried.

 

“Azatoi has betrayed me. Let none know of this. Rin has been injured, see to her care. I must visit Totosai. Azatoi broke Tenseiga in desperation. I shall have it repaired. See to it Rin lives long enough for me to return to heal her,” Sesshoumaru stated, picking up the pieces of the sword.

 

“Y-yes my lord!” Jaken replied as his Lord jumped out through the window into the night.

 

 

It only took Sesshoumaru a day to arrive at Totosai. He clenched the two halves of his father's fang tightly.

 

“Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama, welcome. I never expected to see you!” the old sword-smith said cheerfully.

 

“I require your services Totosai. I was betrayed by a member of my court, and Tenseiga was broken,” he explained simply. He offered the two pieces of the sword to the old man.

 

“Hmmm… Did quite a number on it. But I can make it good as new, if not better! I'm surprised someone actually managed to get that close to harming you. Is there another Naraku around?” he asked, still studying the fang.

 

“That is uncertain. I was tricked by a kitsune with considerable power of her illusions. If it were not for Kagome, I would not be here right now,” he admitted quietly.

 

“That girl that killed Naraku? I heard she died, giving her dead counterpart a living body,” he said, taking a deep drink of sake.

 

“She is dead. I found her the night she made the wish. She said she did it to prevent me from killing my foolish brother. I have allowed her to remain with me. She has been serving me as a spy. When Tenseiga broke, I could no longer see or hear her,” he explained, sitting down near the old man.

 

“I see. It's a shame she's gone. She was a pretty thing, especially for a human…” he said, stretching. “Ya know… Come to think of it, there might be something I could do. When I re-forge this sword, I can make it so you can give the girl another body. All you'd have to do is sever the tie of the soul in one body, and then use the sword to heal it with her laying inside the body. However… You can only do it once with this sword. It is a sword of healing, not killing.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded. “I understand. Do so. She has earned the right to live again, if not for slaying the menace Naraku, then for saving my life.”

 

“Good good! Then all I need is a fang, boy, and you're sword will be better then ever in no time!” he said happily clenching the tongs.

 

Sesshoumaru simply pulled a fang out and handed it to the old man, who looked slightly disappointed. “You're brother is so much more amusing with that…”

 

“I'm sure,” Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and let himself drift to sleep.

 

 

A few hours later, Totosai handed the sword back to Sesshoumaru, completely repaired.

 

“Thank you for repairing the sword. I'll see to it that it does not break again,” Sesshoumaru said, putting the sword into its sheath.

 

“I believe you. I figure when you're done with whomever it was who broke it, no one's ever gonna try that again,” he laughed, taking a drink of sake.

 

“Indeed. Good day, Totosai,” Sesshoumaru nodded respectfully to the sword smith, before heading towards the door.

 

“Ya wanna know something?” Totosai asked quietly.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his head around, glancing at him.

 

“Your father would be very proud of you. You'll be an even greater tai-youkai then him,” Totosai raised his jug and took a huge swig of it.

 

Sesshoumaru wore a ghost of a smile. “You are growing senile in your old age.”

 

“You should respect your elders, boy,” he winked. “Now get outta here, and give that girl another chance. She's one hell of a woman. Even a demon would be proud to call a girl like that a mate. Hell, you could even make her a demon. That'd be a sight to see”

 

“Intriguing. I will consider that,” Sesshoumaru commented before jumping out of the cave.

 

“Good, cause I wanna tell Inu-Taisho about his grandkids when I go to join him…” the old sword smith said quietly to the empty cave.

 

 

 

Kagome sighed as she thought of Rin's worsening condition. She desperately wanted to help heal the girl. She wouldn't last another day on her own. Jaken even looked worried. Kagome was shocked to see the hints of care for the girl in his eyes.

 

“Maybe the imp isn't all bad after all,” she muttered to herself as she wandered through gardens.

 

“He has his good points,” came the deep voice of the tai-youkai.

 

“Sesshoumaru! You're back! You can hear me again!” Kagome cried happily.

 

“Indeed. What of Rin?” he demanded.

 

Kagome's face turned to worry. “She doesn't have long. She won't last the night.”

 

“Come with me, hurry,” Sesshoumaru instructed, before rushing into his home.

 

Kagome didn't hesitate, and ran after him. She lost sight of him after he entered the castle, but she took a shortcut through the walls to Rin's room.

 

She arrived in time to watch the girl regain consciousness, her wounds healed. Kagome smiled as Rin hugged Sesshoumaru. She ignored the pain in her heart, and smiled weakly at the youkai. He met her eyes briefly, and mouthed that he would meet her in the garden shortly. She nodded, and left the room.

 

 

Sesshoumaru rested against a large rock as he looked over his garden. He could sense Kagome's presence next to him. He closed his eyes and relaxed.

 

“You seem glad to be back. Is Totosai still senile?” Kagome asked, smiling brightly at the youkai next to her.

 

“Indeed. It appears he is now getting sentimental as well. However, his skills have not waned. In fact, I wish to speak with you of something he did to the Tenseiga…” Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and gazed at Kagome. She nodded for him to continue.

 

“Do you wish to live again?” he asked softly. He watched as Kagome's eyes widened slightly. She bit her lip for a moment before speaking to him.

 

“I would, but I would never take back my wish…”

 

“I did not ask that. I know you would not take it back. However, there is another way. It would cost a life, however. I would have to use Tenseiga to sever the connection between a soul and the body, sending the spirit to the afterlife. Then you could enter the body, and I would use the sword to seal your spirit into the body,” Sesshoumaru explained, his eyes never leaving Kagome's.

 

After a moment, Kagome sighed and closed her eyes. “I don't know…”

 

“You could choose any body. Human or demon. You could also choose one whom is on the verge of death, and ready to leave this world,” Sesshoumaru offered, looking away from her.

 

“You would do all of this… for me?” Kagome asked weakly.

 

“There is none other then you who have earned it. Consider it my thanks for saving my life,” he said quietly, plucking a rose from a nearby bush.

 

“I don't need you to thank me. I would have missed you too much. And it's nice to be able to say I can help protect someone I care about. Especially a demon like you,” Kagome said with a small smile.

 

“I have always despised humans, and yet, were I to die right now, it is more humans then demons who would mourn my passing,” Sesshoumaru brought the rose closer, gazing softly at it.

 

“Crazy, isn't it? I never knew demons existed, and I would loose my humanity if not for a demon who once wished for my death,” Kagome smiled ruefully.

 

“Indeed. We make quite a pair,” Sesshoumaru laughed softly, dropping the rose.

 

Kagome's eyes widened as she gazed at the laughing youkai. His eyes sparkled with life, and his shoulders shook lightly. His entire face was shining with the smile on his lips.

 

“You're incredibly gorgeous when you laugh, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome breathed. His laughter died, but there was still warmth in his eyes when he gazed at the spirit next to him.

 

“And I'm not when I don't laugh?” he asked with a smirk.

 

Kagome blushed. “Well… You're handsome all the time. But you always seem so distant and cold. When you laugh, you look like an angel, not a demon. It's breathtaking,” Kagome said quietly, looking down in an attempt to hide her blush.

 

“Then I shall remember that,” Sesshoumaru turned his head to the sky.

 

“I shall leave tomorrow at dawn to hunt down Azatoi. She shall die for her crime. Will you come with me?” Sesshoumaru asked, his voice almost cold.

 

“Of course. I'd go crazy sitting around here all the time with nothing to do, and no one to talk to,” Kagome smiled and shook her head.

 

“We will have to pass near Inu-Yasha. She was last seen near there,” Sesshoumaru said quietly.

 

“I see… It doesn't matter. I want to stay with you, Sesshoumaru. Even if I took a new body, I just... I know loving Inu-Yasha was foolish. I should have known that as soon as Kikyou was resurrected. But a human heart doesn't listen to reason. But I feel like I belong with you, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome sighed, and glanced over to the youkai gazing intently at her.

 

“You do,” he said, his eyes burning with a fierce protectiveness.

 

Kagome blushed, but moved closer to the tai-youkai. They stood there staring at the stars quietly till the sun rose.