InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Past, Hidden Self ❯ Love Unbound ( Chapter 26 )

I do not own any of the InuYasha characters mentioned in this fanfic. I do however own my OCs (Kane-Sakura, Setsuna, Trowa, Ren-Tao) and my friends own their OCs. Steph owns Mika and Nakura, Nicky owns Michi and Ori, and Danielle owns Yuki and Myrako.

 

It's me again, Kane-Sakura. I hope all of you are enjoying reading this fanfic as much as I am writing it. School's almost out for the summer and then we'll see where things go from there. I hope our Internet at home works okay enough for me to update often because I'm currently doing it at school.

 

Chapter 26: Love Unbound

 

Upon their arrival in Kaeda's village, Setsuna was given better care by the old miko. Kane impatiently waited outside her hut and paced while Mika, Michi and Yuki watched her go from side to side.

 

“You know, walking back and forth like that won't make it go any faster.” Michi commented.

 

“I know, but I'm nervous...”

 

Mika stood and grabbed Kane by the shoulders, stopping her pacing. “Settle down; don't make me subdue you.”

 

Kane shrugged her off and ignored her comment. She growled and yelled, “STAY!!” Kane, of course, collapsed onto the ground, into a crater.

 

“She warned you.” Yuki said plainly.

 

“Fine, I'll settle down.” Kane sat up as soon as the spell had worn off and leaned against the hut. “But don't expect me to stop being nervous.”

 

“We're nervous too you know!” Yuki and Michi said in unison. When Mika, who sat in between them, didn't say anything, they hit her with their elbows. “Ow! Yeah, me too.” She said.

 

Kaeda finally came out of her hut after what seemed an eternity. Kane anxiously stood, ready to rush in and see him. But she stopped the hanyou before she opened the flap. “Leave him be, he needs his rest and should not be disturbed.”

 

“Is it really that bad? How is he?” Kane inquired.

 

“I've stitched the wound and bandaged it. He is very lucky to be alive.”

 

Kane bowed her head in thanks. “How long until he can get up?”

 

“Give him a week or so. It all depends on how fast his demon side heals him.”

 

A woman from the village approached Kaeda. “Miko-sama, my son has fallen ill.”

 

“I'll be right over.” Kaeda looked to each girl, and her gaze stopped on Kane. “He is to have no visitors today. Do not worry, he'll be fine.”

 

They bowed in respect and walked away to find something else to occupy their time. “Anybody up for some training?” Michi asked. Their responses were three hits to her head. “Never mind.”

 

A shadowy figure crept up to the hut Setsuna rested in and entered the flaps. Once inside, he sat by the Neko demon and waited for him to wake. After ten minutes of waiting, his patience wore thin and he shouted, “Wake up, cat-boy.”

 

The injured cat slowly opened his eyes to the sound of another voice. “What do you want?”

 

***

 

Kaeda came back and found Kane approaching the hut. “Kane, can I talk to ye?”

 

She stopped like a deer in the headlights, then shrugged. “About what?”

 

“When you told me how Setsuna sustained that injury, it intrigued me on how ye got the dagger out.”

 

“It was kind of strange. I was singing a song to him and in the middle of it, the curse was lifted and the sword disappeared.”

 

Kaeda looked puzzled. “For some reason, ye have the abilities of a priestess and yet ye are half-demon. Do ye remember your mother's family?”

 

***

 

InuYasha stood next to Setsuna. “I heard about what you did to Kane.”

 

Setsuna flinched. “You did?”

 

“Haven't you caused her enough pain and suffering already?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“What I mean is first you could care less about her, and then you make her fall in love with you, followed up with trying to rape her. When she came looking for you to apologize about Kami knows what, you had gone off and almost died.”

 

Setsuna sighed, feeling the weight of guilt lay heavy on his chest. “What should I do?”

 

“Leave.”

 

***

 

“My mother's lineage? No I don't even remember what my real mother looked like.” Kane stated.

 

“Then ye wouldn't remember her name either?”

 

Kane shook her head. “What does all of this have to do with me?”

 

Kaeda thought through things, then said, “Perhaps Trowa knows since his family knew yours.”

 

Kane flinched on the mentioning of that name. “You expect me to ask him about my family?! No way in hell!”

 

“He may be our only clue as to why you have priestess powers.”

 

Kane turned to face her.

 

***

 

“I should just go?” Setsuna asked.

 

“Leave while everyone sleeps. They want you to rest, but you want to go, right?” InuYasha inquired.

 

Setsuna hesitated, then nodded. “If it'll stop Kane's suffering, then I will leave.”

 

***

 

“As soon as Setsuna's better, you and your friends should head out to find him. You don't want your past to be forgotten, do you?”

 

Kane shook her head. “No, I don't want to let my past remain a mystery either. We'll do it.”

 

***

 

InuYasha peered out the window and saw that Kane and Kaeda were in deep conversation some ten feet from the hut. “Remember, you're leaving tonight and never coming back.” InuYasha left the hut as swiftly as he had come in. It was like he had never even been there in the first place.

 

`I feel guilty for just leaving, but Kane deserves better than me.' Setsuna thought as he lay back down to sleep again.

 

***

 

That same night, Kane sat under a waning full moon in her brother's favorite tree. He slept on the branch above her while she stared at the hut. `I wonder if he's okay in there.' She thought, hugging Teretsu closer.

 

Suddenly, Setsuna stepped out of the hut, holding onto a walking stick and fully dressed. He looked towards the tree and seemed to focus his vision on Kane. After a few seconds, he turned and walked into the forest. `Where's he going?' Kane wondered. Her curiosity got the better of her and she jumped down to follow.

 

Pursuing him and not walking by his side to assist him was very difficult for Kane. She could hear his panting from overexerting his beat up body and he stumbled over branches and roots of the trees. Kane wanted to help him so much, to hold his now delicate body up so he wouldn't stagger. But she kept her distance; she needed to see where he was going.

 

After a few hours of traveling, Setsuna didn't have the strength to go on. He breathed heavily and rapidly as he leaned against a tree for support. Too exhausted to even keep himself upright, he collapsed into a heap next to the tree. She almost rushed forward to see if he was okay, but she stopped when she heard him quietly talking to himself.

 

“Oh Kane, please forgive me for leaving you.” He silently said, thinking nobody was listening. “I'm sorry I hurt you; I must be the biggest bastard in the world.”

 

`He's beating himself up over this. I thought I told him that I forgave him.' Kane thought, sitting down by the tree as he rested.

 

Setsuna continued, “I can't believe I have to leave for you to have happiness. But...”

 

Setsuna's outspoken thoughts were interrupted by an angry and hungry tiger demon. She pounced out of the brush and stood before him, poised to fight. “Finally, a weak demi-demon for me and my children to devour.”

 

Kane's eyes widened as she stood on two legs and spoke. `He's going to be killed!'

 

The Neko stared up at the demon without fear. “Then take me, my reason for living has been left behind and I can not bear to live any longer!”

 

“Leave him alone!” Kane shouted as she rushed out of her hiding place. “If you mess with Setsuna, you mess with me!”

 

`Kane...” He looked on as she unsheathed her sword and prepared for battle. `You came for me?'

 

“Out of my way bitch!” The tigress yelled. “He's my prey!”

 

As the tiger pounced, Kane held up her sword and called out “Kireinagare!” The diamonds that spouted from her attack engulfed the tigress and stopped her confrontation. After sheathing her sword, she turned to Setsuna, to his surprise, with tears in her eyes. “You baka! Where the hell do you think you're going with injuries like that?!”

 

“I have to leave.” He said softly. “I hurt you and...”

 

“You don't have to leave!” Kane cried out, collapsing next to him and holding her head in her hands as she cried.

 

“Your brother said...”

 

She looked at him dead in the eye. “I don't know what he told you, and I don't care! I don't want you to leave me, I wouldn't be able to bear it!” Setsuna sat up to look her in the eye, but she dove into his waist and hugged him with all her might. “After what happened, I don't think I could stand to lose you, not when I love you!”

 

He looked down at her as he stroked her hair. `She loves me? I...I...' He tilted her chin up and looked into her amber eyes that glittered with newly shed tears. “Kane-Sakura, I love you too.”

 

Setsuna sat her up and embraced her tightly. “I really do Kane, I love you.” He whispered into her dog-ears as she cried harder from joy, laughing a little and feeling better.

 

Kane hooked her arms under his and wrapped them around his broad back. “Please don't let go.” She said. “I just want to stay this way a little longer.”

 

Setsuna did, and held her as she calmed and evened out her breathing. “Kane, I...I never want to lose you again. We belong together, and these past couple of days have proven just that.” He brought her out of his embrace to look into his eyes. “I want nothing more than to wake every morning and see your beautiful face. I want you in my bed, to be my mate until the end of time.”

 

“Are you...are you proposing?” Kane asked, stunned beyond belief.

 

“In a way, yes.” His cheeks reddened. “I can't imagine life without you now. You're important to me and my love will go undying until the day I die. So, will you marry me?”

 

Fresh tears fell from her eyes and the blue moon light made them sparkle like diamonds. Instead of answering with her voice, she answered with her heart and pressed her lips to his for a hard and passionate kiss. He leaned back and laid his goddess parallel with his body as they kissed to the heavens and back. But Kane pulled away. “No, not now. You're injured.”

 

“To hell with how I feel. I love...”

 

“No, we have to wait. Your health is very important.” Kane helped him stand. “Come on, I need to get you back to the village.”

 

He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “My strength has increased ten-fold Kane.” She looked over at him as he placed a sweet and gentle kiss on her cheek. “Somehow, when I'm with you, I feel invincible.”

 

“My love holds you up, Setsuna.” Kane snuggled into his arm as she walked beside him. “And I always will.”

 

***

 

The following morning, the entire group was staring at the newly engaged couple as they ate in silence and in each other's arms. Kane sat on Setsuna's lap and leaned against his chest, feeding him with her chopsticks as she ate as well. Setsuna, being playful, nipped at her ears in between delicious bites, antagonizing her brother.

 

“Hey, does anyone know why those two are acting so different?” Mika leaned over into Michi's ear and whispered.

 

Michi shook her head and continued to drink her herbal tea. Mika then decided to try Yuki, who sat to her right. “Yuki, is there something...?”

 

“How should I know? I was sleeping last night like everyone else was.” Yuki said plainly.

 

Mika reached her boiling point and stood up with a start. “Okay you two, what the hell is going on?! Why the hell are you being so damn affectionate?!” She yelled.

 

“I'd like to know the same.” InuYasha demanded, pulling his little sister up from Setsuna's embrace.

 

“InuYasha, stop it!” Kane stated, pulling her arm from her brother's grasp. “Can't you see that we're in love?”

 

“In...love?” He looked down at Setsuna, who stared back with equal intensity.

 

“InuYasha, I don't know what you told him yesterday, or how you even go in here, but it was unacceptable.” Kane scolded. “I forgave him after Mika explained everything to me. And I'll love him until the end of time, nothing can separate us.”

 

“I can think of one thing that could.” He muttered under his breath.

 

“Sit...”

 

BOOSH!!

 

“There will be no killing InuYasha! We're engaged to be married and there's nothing you can say that will change our minds!” Kane huffed as she sat down beside her koiishi.

 

Silence resonated throughout the hut, until the girls squealed in delight. Kagome rushed over along with Yuki and Michi to congratulate her and start discussing wedding plans. Meanwhile, the guys, Ori and Nakura, applauded Setsuna with a couple slaps on the back and a few nods of the head from Nakura.

 

“There's so much planning that needs to be done. Not to mention a priest for the ceremony.” Kagome sat next to Kane, holding her hand as she talked.

 

“Oh Kane, this is so exciting!” Michi exclaimed.

 

“Good work Hideik.” Ori stated as he slapped Setsuna on the back.

 

“About damn time too.” Nakura uttered.

 

Setsuna winced. “Thanks guys.” Then he looked at Kane as she blushed and smiled as the girls went gaga over all the little details for the wedding. “Excuse me ladies, but I need a word with my betrothed.”

 

He pulled her from the crowd of women and out of the hut. “Something on your mind Setsuna?”

 

“They keep talking about a `ceremony' for our marriage. Are they gonna watch?” His cheeks stained pink as he spoke.

 

“Well of course they will. Why can't they?” Kane inquired, leaning in towards his face.

 

He staggered back, his hand up in disgust by his chest. “They're gonna watch us have SEX?! I know things are dif...” Kane covered his mouth with her hand, her face reddening like his.

 

“No, that's to consummate the marriage baka! And don't say it so loud!” She exclaimed in a whisper, pushing him into the forest.

 

“Then what's this ceremony thing they keep talking about? According to the demon laws, in order for us to be a married couple all we need to do is mate.” He stated as though it was the right thing to say.

 

Kane laughed and touched his face with her hands. “No silly. We exchange vows during a special service s we can mate. We wear special clothes and there's someone that performs it for us to make it legitimate.”

 

“You're half-demon, right?” He inquired.

 

“You didn't know that?”

 

“I do, but my way is the way demons get married.”

 

Kane thought it over. “I don't know. You know my brother, he wouldn't approve of this...”

 

“Then we do both.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Setsuna leaned against a tree trunk. “We mate before the ceremony and make sure nobody finds out, and then we follow through with the ceremony afterwards. Then we get the best of both worlds.”

 

“He has a sensitive nose. He'd figure it out for sure.” Kane protested, even though she didn't want to.

 

“Easy, we mask it with hot springs water.” He blushed. “I had this friend who did it in a hot springs and their scents were...”

 

“Really? Nobody could tell?”

 

“Nobody in the entire village could. Even those with super trained noses knew no difference.”

 

Kane squealed and ran into his arms. “It's perfect! The entire group will never know and we can officially be mates!”

 

“When do you want to do it?”

 

She thought it over, and then she frowned. “Setsuna, maybe we should wait until after we find Trowa...”

 

“Trowa?” He growled. “What does that bastard have anything to do with this?”

 

“Kaeda told me that he may know something about my family and why I was able to lift that curse from your body.” Kane felt tears sting in the back of her eyes. “I don't wanna see him anymore than you do, and if...if...”

 

“I understand. We'll find him and your past. Then we'll mate.” He nuzzled his nose into her neck.

 

“Don't be so brash and barbaric. And be patient.” Kane said, holding his head with her hand in his hair. “It'll all be worth it.”

 

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