InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Heart & The Only One Who Can Save Him ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The cool spring breeze with the addition of the setting sun made the temperature ideal for travel. The previous days had become very warm as the climate adjusted to the coming of spring and the departure of the winter season.
Two travelers made their way through the dense forest they had been journeying through for the past three days, the setting sun to their backs as they ran with great speed toward the east. They had not stopped unless the need arise that they had to do so, such as hunt for game or prepare camp for the night.
A few times at the start of their journey, they had needed to stop and ask some of the local demons as to where they might find the Lord of the Western Land’s castle. The demons had told them the requested information with heeds of warning not to challenge the great Tai Youkai lord or not to get on his bad side. They thanked them for their help and then quickly left, some times stopping to gather a few provisions that they may need as they traveled west. As the two retreating forms left ear shot and headed on many people started to talk about the duo.
“Did you see that?” Inquired the demon the travelers had requested information from, her voice gentle, full of awe and surprise. Her light blue eyes reflecting the light from the sun above giving them the appearance of light shimmering off the surface of a clear lake, as her gaze followed the retreating forms. Her ebony hair, streaked with a deep blue color swayed slightly in the cool spring breeze.
“Yes, odd isn’t it?” Her companion said, her light blond hair seeming to glow as the sun shined on her as it too swayed in with the breeze. Her deep gold eyes also watching the departure of the strangers.
“I’ve never seen a sight like that.” the first said.
“Neither have I, it’s common for you to see a pack of wolves following one of there own but he had none, only that strange looking demon with him.” her companion retorted.
Okay, so they’re not an average sight for the demons or humans alike in Feudal Japan. The two continued to run east as the sun sank below the horizon, not too long however they slowed and soon stopped all together in order to set up camp for the night.
The travelers made their way toward a near by stream as they began to transform. One, a wolf, his coat a sliver color accentuated by the dull grey coloring which covered the fur on his feet and good portion of his tail, right down to the tip. His deep azure eyes glowing as his form began to change, now instead of a wolf, a young man around eight-teen (in human years) stood in his place. Garbed in a set of traveling cloths, a pair of loose pants and tunic a pure white with a inch of silver lining at the neck, sleeves and bottom of his pants, his feet bare. His hair silver, cut too short to be tied up so it was slightly spiked at the top of his head. His eyes remained the same deep azure as he looked to his right to meet the gaze of his companion.
The second traveler had begun to transform as soon as he saw the dim light signaling that his companion had begun his transformation. The form he was in was a strange one, no doubt the reason the local demons though him odd, normally his hind didn’t leave the safety and confines of the eastern valleys, they preferred not to get involved in the fighting of the surrounding lands. He was about the same size as his companion, his body shape was much similar too. However, his fur was a dark chestnut color. At the middle of his slender legs down to his feet was a stunning shade of crimson mixed with a bright orange, as was his tail giving it the illusion of a roaring fire, however unlike his companion, his was bushy, like that of a fox. A line of fur around his neck the same color, as the mixture went from his neck all the way to his muzzle. Unlike traveler beside him, his ears being short-that of a wolves’- his were a sum what tall and pointed shape. He looked much like a wolf with a bushy tail, ring of fur around his neck and long pointed ears. As the dim light from his own transformation dissipated a much different looking form stood in it’s place. He was maybe an inch or two shorter than the young man beside him as well as a year younger in age, his shoulder length fire orange hair with deep brown tips tied in a low pony-tail. He too wore a set of traveling cloths, the same style pants and tunic, however in stead of a pure white with silver lining, his was a deep red decorated with a mix of bright red and orange color lining. He turned his head, tilting up slightly as his florescent red eyes met those of a deep azure.
“Lets set camp at the river up ahead.” the one to the right said as they turned a corner as the clear stream came into view.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” agreed the second.
They found a nice patch of grass not too far away from the waters edge, a mere two feet away. The thick trees a few feet away would provide a source of shelter, should a spring shower happen to start or the need to escape a battle. They made themselves comfortable so as to get some much needed rest, they would depart early the next morning. Luckily the river had a sort of system of stepping stones running the width of it to serve as a bridge across.
“I’m going to go hunt us some grub.” the demon with silver hair said as he went to enter the darkening woods, the only light was provided by the stars above and the moon which was nearing it’s ½ moon phase, it would be about another two weeks till it was full again. He stood up, and took a few steps before stopping, turning toward his companion and asking, “Do you smell some thing?” He dare not get his hopes up, his mind had been playing tricks on him lately. He didn’t know if it was because of the many years apart they had been or if it was just because mating season was steadily approaching, which he had never partake in. Here he was, a demon at the age of sixty-five with an eight-teen appearance had never mated. After his love had disappeared he vowed to never mate unless he was able to find her again. (AWEEEEE how adorable!)
“Smells like, the pines up north after a winter rain.” The other said as he lounged by the river’s edge, his back against a rock as his florescent gaze lifted from the clear water up to his friend, “Why do you ask?’
His question was never answered by the demon standing a few paces from him as he turned from his place by the trees and walked almost to the spot his friend currently lounged at. His eyes grew wide with disbelief as a single name came from his lips, nearly inaudible to his companion if not for his demon hearing, “Artemis….”

Artemis made her way toward a small stream she had passed on her travels as she followed InuYasha and his group. She had over heard InuYasha mentioning something about going back to Kaede’s for a bit to rest.
Three days had past, three days since she rescued Kagome, thoughts of that day ran ramped around in her mind, as well as memories she thought long forgotten. For a few days a feeling she hadn’t experienced since her first weeks alone at her northern home had over come most of her thoughts. It was like a feeling of loss or as if something was missing. Memories flashed through her mind as she walked through the dense woods to the stream, she knew that there was a place she would be able to cross up ahead so she decided to make camp there. As she neared the water’s edge, a particular memory flashed before her eyes and the promise she had broken.
.:.:.Flash Back.:.:.
A younger Artemis, still the same age in appearance yet in the demon community her age of forty was that of a young teen, ran through a field full of the bright colors of spring. Her den was not too far away from the breath-taking field with its bright arrays of colorful flowers which were scattered in many bunches around the edge of a small brook. She had finished her training, returning from her months away from her home that morning and was now awaiting the announcement of the one who was to replace her grandfather as leader of the tribe. It had come down to just her and her close cousin Ayame, whom she loved dearly. They had given each other their word that whom ever should win or lose nothing would change between them. Back then, they had no idea what life would put them through and the harsh trials of training could never have prepared them for everything fate had in store for them.
She slowed to a jog as she neared the brook and looked around the tranquil field, seeing no sign of her pursuer she called, “You can’t catch me Koji, you should know that!”
“Wanna bet?” her pursuer had whispered into her ear, then the next thing Artemis knew two strong arms had wrapped themselves around her small waist and pulled her down to the ground. The two rolled until the water’s edge came with in inches from their bodies.
“You know what?” Artemis inquired as the specks of white in her dark brown eyes shown like stars, her lips curled into a bright smile as she looked up at the person who had caught her.
“What?” The young man looming above her responded.
“You don’t play fair Koji.” Artemis stated, a mock pout covering her face as she crossed her arms, encountering a bit of difficulty seeing as how she was some what pined to the ground with little space for movement.
The young man above her named Koji just took one look at her puppy-dog pout and started to laugh, after a few seconds his little fit of laughter turned into hysterics as he rolled off her so as not to squish the girl under him.
Artemis looked over to the side as Koji rolled on grass, clutching his sides as his fit of laughter began to pass after a minute or two.
“And what might I ask is so funny?” Artemis asked, her tone laced with annoyance.
“You!” Koji said as he took one look at her and began to laugh again.
Artemis got on all fours and covered the short distance to the incapacitated Koji and using her hands pined his arms above his head and using her knees, pined his legs as well. Her body over lapped his, their bodies a mere two inches from the point of touching.
“I don’t see anything funny here.” Artemis said, her voice getting that all to cocky tone it obtained when she thought she had the upper hand.
“You have no sense of humor, you know that Artemis.” Koji stated, looking into her penetrating dark eyes.
“I do too have a sense of humor,” Artemis said, her face in an expression of mock hurt but her eyes giving her away, they gleamed with happiness at being able to spend time with the man she hadn’t seen in months. “What’s the difference between a man riding a horse and the dog running be side him?”
“I don’t know, what?” Koji said, he too enjoying their little game.
“The man wears trousers and the dog, pants.” Artemis said, “You get it?”
Koji looked at her, amusement in his eyes. Then he quickly grabbed hold of Artemis’ arms which where now slightly lose to where he could now get his hands free and encircled her wrists and then freeing his legs used them to flip positions. Koji looked down into Artemis’ face, nothing but love in his eyes.
“I need to ask you something.” he said gently.
“What is it?” Artemis asked, first surprised at the sudden change of positions but then settled and matched Koji’s expression.
“Do you love me?” He asked honestly, nervous at asking but had failed to come up with a better way to phrase his question so he just came out and said it.
Artemis look up into his handsome features, the love she had for him showing in her gleaming eyes. “Yes, more than you could possible know,” What she said was true, she had loved him since before she had to leave and complete her training. It seems that not only Ayame had something to look forward to upon her return. Artemis had been debating weither or not to tell Koji of her feelings before she left. She came to the decision not to tell him, she didn’t know how long it would take her to complete her training, or even if she’d make it back and couldn’t stand to be the reason that tied her love down.
“Will you be my mate?” Koji asked, just as nervous.
Artemis closed the little gap between them as she reached up, gently placing her lips over his then pressed harder, showing him all that she felt for him. He returning the kiss with all the love in the world he had for the young woman he felt was the center of his universe.
They parted when they needed air as Koji surprised her as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Promise that we’ll be together forever?”
“Promise.” Artemis said, as Koji raised his head up to look upon the face of the woman of his dreams, dark brown eyes meeting those of a stunning azure.
.:.:.End Flash Back.:.:.
‘That was the best day of my life.’ Artemis thought as the stream came into her line of vision. It wasn’t long after that day in the field that her den was attacked and her life took a nasty turn. With one last look into the face of her love, she left the den to venture on her own. She knew he couldn’t come with her, he had been appointed a few days ago as a new pack guard and was sworn to stay with his pack.
Her thoughts were broken as she recognized a familiar sent in the air. Lifting her head, she sniffed the air a few times. The sent was like evergreens from the artic but accompanied by the smell of fresh grass with a musky air to it. She had only know one person to have that distinct sent. Taking off at full speed she fallowed it to the water’s edge then stopped dead in her tracks.
A soft whisper was uttered as she gazed across the water, a look of amazement in her eyes, “Koji.”
The two just seemed to be in a staring match as neither of them moved an inch nor blinked. Then Artemis took one step forward, knowing exactly who it was and carefully made her way across the width of the river using the stepping stones.
The young demon just looked at the form making it’s way towards him, still to shocked for his mind to fully recognize who it was exactly. ‘It can’t be her, she disappeared long ago, it can’t be her.’ he thought, then something hit him in the side with such force that he fell to the ground with a thud as two slender arms snaked their way around him.
“Oh I missed you so much!” Artemis exclaimed as she tightened her grip on the young man.
Bringing himself to his senses the young man looked at the girl whom had begun to nuzzle his neck. “Artemis?” He asked, disbelief in his voice as a thought rang through his head, ‘I’m going to wake up again in the forest with my body wrapped around a fallen log and have said something I shouldn’t in my sleep earning me a weeks worth of embarrassing comments.’
“mmmhhmmmm.” Artemis responded as she looked up into the eyes she hadn’t had the pleasure of looking into for so long. It seemed to click in his mind that she was back for his azure eyes then took on a gleam of happiness as he flipped positions and was once again on top of the current situation.
“Do you like being on top of every thing or something Koji?” Artemis said in her all too cocky tone, but deep down she was just as happy to have her love back as he was.
“Maybe I do.” came the soft whisper of a reply as he lowered his head to hers, claiming her lips in a siring kiss. He longed to have to back with him once again, and now that she was he was never letting her go.
“Ahem.” came a voice from behind them followed by a few fake coughs which brought them out of their moment. “Aren’t you going to introduce me Koji?”
Koji moved off Artemis and sat so she was between him and his companion. Sitting off to the side he looked over into the gaze of his companion giving him a look that clearly said you-had-to-go-and-wreck-a-perfect-moment-didn‘t-you, then to Artemis as he helped her get into a sitting position as he then turned his attention back to the impatient demon before him.
“Artemis this is Kane.” Koji said, introducing her to the demon next to her, “He’s been traveling with me for the past week or so now. Kane this is Artemis.”
“How do you do.” Kane said as he made a sarcastic bow and lifted an invisible hat as he did so.
“Stop fooling around Kane.” Koji said looking at his friend who was trying to be funny.
“Well sorry.” Kane said, settling down and giving his attention to the young woman in his company, “Well I hear you’re the young wolf demon who went off on your own. How’d that work for ya?” He asked the last bit with a sarcastic tone, in his opinion it was a stupid move.
“Now well actually.” Artemis responded honestly. She then turned her gaze to Koji, her eyes full of sadness, regret and guilt as she said, “I’m so sorry I broke my promise.”
Koji looked at her with kind gentle eyes, then pulled her into a tight embrace, “It’s okay, I can under stand why you left. I forgive you.”
They pulled away a few moments later. Artemis looked over to Koji’s companion, he said his name was Kane. She looked him up and down but what puzzled her was what kind of demon he was. ‘He has the sharp eyes and body stature that marked him as a wolf demon but those ears, they’re not pointed like Koji and mine are…he’s either a hanyou or some mixed breed.’ Artemis thought as she looked at the strange demon next to her.
“What?” Kane asked, noticing the unwavering stare Artemis was giving him.
“What are you?” Artemis asked bluntly, ‘His sent is like grass in he spring time but it has that wolf demon muskiness to it.’ she thought.
“I’m ½ fox demon or ‘kitsune’, and ½ wolf demon.” Kane said, waving his hand as if it was the most normal thing a demon could be.
“You’re a mixed breed.” Artemis said, this made perfect sense now.
“We like to call them “Wox.” Kane said, then leaned over closer to Artemis and whispered, “He gets really sensitive, one time I saw him cry cuz some one was picking on him.”
Kane looked over at Koji and gave him the deadliest glare he could manage, “No I did not.”
The two went on for a while about what they had been doing and then asked Artemis so many questions that her head felt like it would explode.
“So, where were you two heading.” Artemis said, she had been schooled in the origin of the wox and was curious as to why he left his home in the safety of the valley and as to why Koji came so far from his den in the north.
“We needed to see the Lord of the West about an upcoming war.” Koji said, a look of seriousness overcoming his usually calm features.
“Why?” Artemis inquired, “War with who?”
“The ultimate evil.” Kane answered, “The worst demon you could ever imagine.”
“He had plagued this world for too long, now he’s gathered almost all of the Shikon no Tama, or so we’ve heard and is about to rage war on all of the lands.” Koji said, explaining the situation they were facing, “We went to make sure that we had the support of the Western army, we feel that the war will soon begin and we want to be ready.”
“Shouldn’t that be a job for the lords though?” Artemis asked curiously.
A blank look crossed Koji and Kane’s faces, Koji had forgotten that Artemis had been out of touch from most of the world as he said, “I’m the new Lord of the North as for Kane, he’s the Lord of the Eastern lands.”
Artemis looked at them with a look of utter shock, then to cover up her brief moment of stupidity she asked, “Well who is this ultimate evil demon we’re going up against?”
“His name is Naraku.” Koji said the name as if it was a horrible taste and just couldn’t stand it in his mouth.
Artemis froze, shock, horror and utter panic running through her eyes as she finally understood the full extent of what would happen should she succeed in her mission. One thought now ran through the panicked mind of the young artic maiden, ‘If I succeed, I’ll be responsible for the destruction of the world.’ then unknown to her she uttered the one word, the fate of the world should Naraku’s evil prevail, “Armageddon.”

InuYasha had insisted that the group stop early to set up camp. For the past three days they had been traveling almost nonstop and even for InuYasha’s demon abilities, he was starting to feel the effects of being sleep deprived. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara and himself had taken turns as guard for the past few nights as InuYasha took care of Kagome. After finding her, cold, wet and tired, they took her to a nice safe spot near the river and made a fire to warm and dry her, yet it was too late. She had come down with a high fever a day after they found her and had been asleep ever since.
InuYasha found a nice open field and showed the group the way and then proceeded to set up camp. Setting Kagome gently down, reaching into her pack for her sleeping bag, laying it out and then gently lying her inside, he made her as comfortable as he could before placing a cool damp rag on her forehead and then quickly departed to hunt for their meal.
Sango had gathered some good firewood with Miroku while Shippo stayed behind with Kirara to protect Kagome.
“Do you think she’ll be okay Miroku?” Sango asked, fear for her dear friends health taking a toll on her.
“I think so.” Miroku reassured her, “Her fever’s almost broke, maybe it even has by now.”
“InuYasha sure has been taking good care of her though.” Sango commented.
“I think our hanyou friend finally realized how much he needed Kagome.” Miroku said thoughtfully, “He finally realized that he loves her, I’ve told him time and time again that he should just tell her how he feels but being as stubborn as he is all I ever get is a ‘Feh’ and his back turned to me.”
Sango giggled, “You know I keep telling Kagome the same thing, but she says that she doesn’t want to complicate things for him.”
“How would she do that?” Miroku questioned then one thing came to mind as deep violet meet dark brown in an all knowing gaze.
“Kikyou.” they said in unison.
“That whole conversation confuses me to be honest.” Sango admitted as they turned and made their way back to camp.
“Well it puzzles me as well but that isn’t any of our business.” Miroku stated, “And, I believe when the time comes he’ll make the right choice.”
With the end of that statement they stepped out of the forest and into the clearing, making their way toward the center and their make-shift camp. InuYasha sat next to Kagome checking her temperature as six medium sized rabbits sat by the fire pit he’d just made, sticks through their now furless bodies awaited the flames of the fire to cook and roast the meat.
“How is she?” Sango asked, looking over toward her sick friend.
“Her fever’s broken.” InuYasha said. What little time Kagome had been awake he’d forced her to take his home-made medicine, hey if it worked why not put it to good use.
“I think that medicine helped a lot InuYasha.” Miroku commented.
“Yeah me too.” InuYasha turned to look at the fire, the aroma of cooking meat hitting his sensitive nose.
After about ten minutes InuYasha got up and headed for the forest’s edge and disappeared.
Not long after the sound of a soft moan could be heard as the sleeping maiden awoke and looked around with a questioning expression as to where the missing member of their group was.
“Where’s InuYasha?” Kagome questioned, rising from her sleeping bag and heading toward the fire where she sat down and was greeted by the wonderful smell of cooked meat.
“We don’t know.” Sango answered, “He headed off that away a bit ago but we figured that he’d come back when he smelled the food.” Sango pointed at the direction InuYasha had disappeared.
Taking two of the now cooked rabbits she said, “I’m going to go and find him.”
With that she got up and in one hand held the two rabbits, in the other her bow as well as her quiver of arrows over her right shoulder; just in case.

InuYasha had walked a short distance when he made his way toward another clearing, smaller than the one they had camped out at and the grass here was well above his waist. Finding a good spot he sat down, completely hidden by the tall grass as he was left to his thoughts.
‘Kagome could have died,’ he began, ‘and I would have never told her how I really felt.’
This troubled InuYasha, as you can imagine and his thoughts soon drifted on and became much darker as images of Kagome’s lifeless, bloody body made their way to his mind. His thoughts were broken, much to his relief, by a soft and gentle hand on his shoulder and the rich aroma of cooked meat.
“You okay?” Kagome asked, noticing his troubled expression,
“I should be asking you that.” InuYasha said, trying to change the subject.
“I’m fine now.” Kagome said, “Now don’t change the subject, are you okay?”
“No, no I’m not Kagome.” InuYasha replied honestly, surprising himself, he was opening up to Kagome, he was going to tell her how he felt.
“What’s the matter?” Kagome asked gently, her tone full of concern as she sat down next to him and placed her hand on his knee, squeezing it to reassure him that she was there for him.
He turned his head to look her strait in the eyes, burning gold gazed into brown and for the first time Kagome saw fear, complete fear in those usually blazing gold eyes of his.
“What’s wrong InuYasha.” She asked, now a little frightened herself.
“I thought I had lost you back there you know.” InuYasha said, “When we feel, the only thing I could think was that if I die, at least I know you were protected Kagome. When I awoke and found I’d survived and you no where to be seen, I panicked.”
His gaze fell from her face down to the ground as he continued, “Then when we found you on the river bank, I was sure you had drown but was so overjoyed when you were okay. Then you came down with that fever and us being so far from the well I had no idea if you were going to make it.”
“I’m all right now.” Kagome said gently, a small gasp escaped her as she saw InuYasha rise his head to meet her gaze again, his eyes holding all the love he had for her.
“I don’t know what I’d do with out you Kagome.” InuYasha said, defeat in his voice, “I’d be lost with out you, I couldn’t survive.”
The troubled look returned to InuYasha’s face as the lifeless images of Kagome returned to his mind once again. Yet as well once again Kagome broke those thoughts with her gentle touch. She was his angel from the darkness, the missing half to his soul.
Kagome setting down their meal, gently moved so she was sitting in his lap, her head resting on his shoulder as she wrapped her long arms around the man she loved, the man who had time and time again saved her life.
InuYasha returned her embrace and they sat like that for a few moments before a quite whisper escaped his lips, “Kagome…”
Rising her head to look into InuYasha’s eyes, she gasped as she noticed her face a mere inch away from his as he lowered his head the rest of the way kissing her deeply then lifting slightly to whisper, “I love you.” Then returning to claim her lips once again.
After a few moments when the two were forced to part for lack of oxygen Kagome was able to say what her heart had been telling her for years now, panting she said, “I love you too InuYasha.”
They sat like that for a while, watching the stars above and a few shot past their line of vision. Making their wishes they soon returned their gaze to the heavens, their meals forgotten.
It was getting late into the night when Kagome let out a yawn and began to snuggle closer to InuYasha, enjoying his warmth. InuYasha gently said, “Kagome can you lean forward for a minute.”
Kagome sleepily nodded and groggily said, “Yeah, sure.”
Quickly pulling off his outer haori, “he said okay you can lean back now.” He wrapped them both in the extra article of clothing and watched as another yawn escaped from Kagome’s lips and he bent down and kissed her forehead as she fell into a peaceful sleep. InuYasha soon followed, his soul lighter and a bit carefree. She had excepted him, the love of a half-breed, she truly was his angel.
Sleep soon came to claim him as he whispered his good night to her, resting his head on top of hers and falling into a peaceful sleep as well.
“Good night, my love.”
:.:.Ending Author’s Note.There ya go guys! Fluff fluff fluff! Hope you all liked it!I wanna quickly thank my lil bro for the idea of Kane being a wox…i think that this will work out nicely toward the end of the story….and to my dad for giving me the joke Artemis told Koji