InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hunt for the Sword of Legend ❯ Pursuit ( Chapter 14 )

Thank you all for being so patient with this chapter coming so much later than the others. For those of you who don't know, I was nominated by my good friend jflorea for best action/adventure in the IYFG. However, they decided to DQ me for word usage issues. In light of this, I have decided to take the time needed to correct my last chapters and it has taken some of my writing time away. I'm still trying to do this with the help of my new beta. She is a blessing and I am hard-pressed to express my gratitude to her. Say hello Kathy.

 

 

Kathy: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kelly for letting me work with her. I love her story, and look forward to each new chapter. She has the dubious pleasure of trying to read my writing.

 

malitiadixie: Thanks Kathy-kin! I don't know how you don't run out of red ink trying to correct all my mistakes. You're a life saver! Now, on with the show.

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

 

 

Chapter 14:

 

 

Pursuit

 

 

Kagome woke up to the sound of cheerful birds twittering and tweeting outside of her balcony. She felt as if her mood had somehow influenced the flora and fauna around her. She hadn't felt this happy in years. Kagome felt as if she could leap one hundred feet in the air, or run as fast as the wind. Today was the day her life would change.

 

 

There were some things that were still uncertain, things like, where would she live after all this? She knew that Inuyasha wouldn't want to move to Tokyo. The only option was for her to move to The States. It really wasn't a bad option. She really did like it here. In a year she could probably have another practice up and running, provided she passed the bar exam in whatever state she was in. The only flaw in that plan was that she would leave Miroku behind. Maybe he could be convinced to move as well. He seemed to like it here as much as she did. The fresh air and green surroundings did them both wonders.

 

 

There were many more questions running rampant in her head but she decided that now was not the time to dwell on such things. There would be plenty of time later. Right now, Kagome needed to concentrate on what exactly she was going to say to Inuyasha.

 

 

`Um, I like you, too'. No, that really didn't convey at all that she felt. Kagome really loved Inuyasha. She had fallen in love with him the moment she saw his face. It really didn't matter how it happened, she decided. However, Kagome had no desire to lay it all on the line at once. One of two things could happen.

 

 

The first of those two things was wonderful. Inuyasha could tell her he loved her, as well. That would be beyond great, but the other thing that could happen kept her from doing so. Inuyasha could tell her that his feeling for her weren't that strong. He could decide that she was taking things too fast and not want to be with her anymore. It was a frightening thought. So, what was she to tell him?

 

 

Then it hit her. She could admit that she knew of his past, and then tell him hers. It would let him know that she felt very strongly for him, loved him, without actually saying the words. Yes, it was a beautiful plan.

 

 

With everything whirling in her brain, exact word patterns and scripted phrases, Kagome got dressed and went to find breakfast. She would tell him that night as soon as they stopped to rest.

 

 

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Inuyasha packed his bags with a glum air about him. He was stalling. What was worse was that he was well aware that he was stalling. It was very frustrating. He didn't want to leave Kagome or any of the others behind. He wanted her to stay as close to him as possible. Hell, if he could strap the woman on his back he would.

 

 

With everything finally packed, Inuyasha picked up his bags and set them outside his door. There was nothing left to do but tell Sango and Kagome what he had decided, and leave. There was a terrible ache in his gut at the thought of Kagome not being at his side but he trudged toward the sounds of chatter and breakfast being consumed, nonetheless. It had to be done, and it had to be done soon.

 

 

Walking into the kitchen, Inuyasha noticed that Sesshoumaru and Rin had decided to join the others for breakfast. He said nothing as he made his way to the table and pulled up a chair next to his sister-in-law. Maybe by being next to a person he loved, he could find some semblance of support for the speech he needed to make.

 

 

“Good morning, Inuyasha.”

 

 

Inuyasha looked up to Kagome who was holding a fork full of eggs. `God, she's beautiful.'

 

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

 

Inuyasha started filling his plate and responded without looking at her. Leaving her behind was going to be harder than he thought.

 

 

“Uh yeah, I guess I did.”

 

 

“Do you want to leave right after breakfast?” Sango asked.

 

 

Miroku cleared his throat and Inuyasha dropped his utensil to the plate in front of him. “I kind of wanted to talk to you about that.”

 

 

“Oh, are we not leaving today?”

 

 

“I'm leaving, yes. I was going to leave alone, though.”

 

 

“What?” screeched Sango. “What do you mean, you're leaving alone?!”

 

 

“I mean that I want the rest of you to stay here if it's alright with Rin and Sesshoumaru.” For some reason, he didn't look at Kagome. If he did, Inuyasha might waver and he couldn't afford to do that. `She must be safe. This is the only way,' he thought, reassuring himself.

 

 

“That's alright with us, Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru and I have plenty of space and I would love to have a little more girl time.” Rin sensed the inner turmoil in Inuyasha and placed a comforting hand on his under the table. She gave a small squeeze, and nodded her head.

 

 

`Good, old Rin. My brother is so lucky. She always seems to know what to do.' Inuyasha was becoming uncomfortable and it was Rin's gesture that calmed him enough, so that he was less likely to run from the room.

 

 

“Well, it's not alright with me. I want to go.” Sango was livid. Why would he want to leave them behind?

 

 

“You can't, Sango. Kagome and Miroku are both safer here, and I need you to stay so Sesshoumaru can have an extra set of eyes.” Inuyasha had yet to look in Kagome's direction. It was getting harder and harder to just sit there and look at his plate. He even tried to eat to keep his eyes from wandering, but the food was rubbery and tasteless in his mouth.

 

 

“Inuyasha, is this another one of your ploys to keep me from being hurt. I'm not a damn doll. I won't break!”

 

 

“No it's not, Sango. I'm asking you to do me a favor by staying here and keeping an eye on Kagome. It's not safe for her to stay with me anymore, and I would feel better if you stayed here. Please,” he added for extra emphasis.

 

 

Sango huffed but finally agreed. Inuyasha glanced up at her to let her know how much he appreciated it, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glance of what he had been avoiding.

 

 

Kagome wasn't eating anymore. Her plate was still very full, so it couldn't be that she was finished. She also had her head hung so low that her chin touched her chest. Inuyasha couldn't even see if her eyes were open or not. A terrible feeling came over him in that moment. He felt a knot tighten in his chest. He needed to see her face, but what would he find there? One thing was for sure, something was wrong with her. Inuyasha could feel it in his very bones.

 

 

“Ka-Kagome?” His voice shook with nervousness.

 

 

She said nothing. Kagome stood up, all the while keeping her face shielded, and left the kitchen. What was wrong with her?

 

 

Inuyasha moved to stand up but as he was midway between the sitting and standing, a hand caught him and pulled him down to his seat. Inuyasha looked at the hand, then arm, all the way up to a pair of eyes staring hard at him. Miroku shook his head and stood up.

 

 

“I'll go. I'm sure it's nothing.” With that, the rest of them ate in silence. Inuyasha was uneasy and hardly touched a bite. After choking down a cup of coffee, Inuyasha excused himself and left to get his bags. As he walked farther down the halls, the tightness in his chest increased with every step. Something in his gut told him he was making a wrong choice. But how could that be? This would keep everyone safe. He could move faster and, if the situation called for it, flee quicker. What could possibly be wrong?

 

 

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Kagome ran as fast as her legs could carry her. The walls around her blurred with unshed tears. `I won't cry, I won't cry, I won't cry,' she chanted to herself. Finally, a door to the outside came within view and Kagome slammed into it at full speed. She buckled a bit, but with her goal just in reach, she found her bearings and pulled the door open.

 

 

The cool morning air hit her skin. The moisture in her eyes suddenly rolled down her cheeks. A tree was in her view and without hesitation, Kagome grabbed the lowest branch and hoisted herself up into its hidden embrace.

 

 

Kagome wasn't very sure how long she sat there crying and feeling all those old emotions she had fought so hard to rid herself of, come back. He was leaving her. Had she done something wrong? Kagome knew in the forefront of her mind that it was silly and childish to have such thoughts. She knew he was just trying to keep her and the others safe. If she knew that Inuyasha had great, logical reasons, why did it hurt so much? Why did it feel as if she was being left behind? Why couldn't she stop feeling as if she would never see him again?

 

 

“Kagome.” A booming voice came from beneath her.

 

 

At first, it was very startling to hear Sesshoumaru's voice instead of Miroku, Rin or Sango. She had barely spoken to him. He was the last person she expected to hear. Kagome struggled hard to stop the tears and, after a minute, she won the battle.

 

 

“Yes?” Her voice trembled but she held it steady enough to be heard.

 

 

“May I join you?” As unusual of a request as that was, Kagome couldn't say no. Sesshoumaru had an air of authority about him that said, `If you want to live, you will say “yes”.' So, she scooted over on the branch and offered him a hand to help him up.

 

 

Ignoring the help, Sesshoumaru grabbed a branch and flung himself up beside Kagome with agility. It amazed Kagome how easily he could move in a three piece suit, but she didn't concentrate on that for very long. The thought that seemed to whirl around her brain was to question why he was here in the first place.

 

 

Sesshoumaru stayed quiet for a few minutes but Kagome didn't say anything, either. He seemed to be trying to get his words in order, so she let him have his silence.

 

 

At last, she could take no more, and spoke. “How did you know where to find me?”

 

 

Without turning in her direction, he answered. “Inuyasha used to hide in this tree as did I. It is a good place to hide and find some peace.”

 

 

“Why are you here? I mean, you can go anywhere you want because it's your home. I'm just wondering why you're wasting your time with me when you probably have better things to do.” He continued to stare off into the distance.

 

 

“There is a car waiting for you in the garage. It has all your belongings, a map, a cell phone and GPS navigation with a beacon telling you exactly where Inuyasha is. He only left a half-hour ago. If you leave now, you could catch up with him.”

 

 

Sesshoumaru jumped from the tree and landed perfectly on his feet. Kagome sat in the tree and watched his retreating back for a few moments before it finally struck her what he meant. She had a way to follow Inuyasha whether he wanted her to or not. Could she really do that? Could she jump from the tree and run to him? What would he do if she did? Would he be angry and turn her away?

 

 

There were so many questions but Kagome could only register one. Would she be able to live with herself if she let him go?

 

 

No.

 

 

Kagome jumped from the sheltering tree, and landed with much less grace than Sesshoumaru had displayed. She ran as fast as she could around the house and to the gigantic garage. The door was already open, and as she rounded the corner and went inside, she could see someone leaning on a car just inside. It was Rin and she had a smile on her face and a set of keys in her hand.

 

 

“I wanted to show you how the GPS worked and wish you good luck.”

 

 

Kagome rushed to Rin and scooped the smaller woman into a big hug. “Thank you,” said Kagome through small hiccups of happiness. It felt as if she would never stop crying.

 

 

“I'm just glad you decided to take Sesshoumaru up on his offer,” she replied. Rin leaned back and took Kagome's face in her hands.

 

 

“Go to him. He needs you more than you know. I've never seen him as happy as he is with you by his side.” Rin pulled a shocked Kagome into a short hug, and gave her the keys.

 

 

After a few minutes of explanation, Kagome cranked the car and started to pull from the garage. But then, she stopped and turned worried eyes to Rin.

 

 

“What about Miroku and Sango? Won't they wonder where I am?”

 

 

Rin smiled and leaned into the window. “Don't worry. I'll explain it to them.”

 

 

Kagome smiled back and after another `thank you', she was off to find the man of her dreams and never let him go.

 

 

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Inuyasha was already on the interstate. The heaviness in his gut grew stronger and stronger until he was sure it would kill him. If he wasn't positive that he was doing the right thing, he would have already turned around and snatched Kagome from wherever she was. He hadn't even gotten to say goodbye. The more he thought about it, the more he was glad he didn't get the chance. It was already hard. If he had to look at her, into those eyes that melted your soul, he wouldn't have left without her. Actually, he would have scooped her up, and taken her to his home in the mountains. He would have locked her in a room, and never let her leave.

 

 

Inuyasha turned on the music to try and clear his mind. It worked a little, but the tightness still had a hold of him, and his instincts were screaming at him to turn back. In a moment of weakness, Inuyasha looked into the rear-view mirror. There wasn't much back there; just a few cars and the shrinking buildings of Charlotte. Still, he pulled his eyes back to the road and tried not to feel like he was watching something else fade away into the distance. He turned the music up until he was sure he would pop a speaker, and tried to will himself to go forward.

 

 

Hours later, Inuyasha found that his stomach was starting to throw a fit. He was just before the border of South Carolina and Georgia. He was making good time, and decided that a quick stop for some sustenance would be okay. He pulled off the interstate and found a fast-food place quickly. Pulling into the drive-through, Inuyasha noticed a black car pull in behind him. It was a very beautiful car. The windows were tinted to an illegal amount, but who was he to say anything. He was driving a car that was well past its legal limits for tint, as well. It was Sesshoumaru's car and all of his half-brother's cars were like that.

 

 

Inuyasha ordered, paid, and grabbed his food within minutes. He pulled back on the interstate and noticed that the same car from the drive-through was still behind him. Whoever it was, they must be traveling, as well. Inuyasha felt a little shiver slide up his spine when he realized that he had seen the same car before he even left North Carolina. He was being followed.

 

 

Inuyasha quickly pulled back off the interstate, making the cars around him slam on the breaks. His suspicion was confirmed. The black car was still on his tail.

 

 

Inuyasha tried to outmaneuver the car by weaving in-between the buildings of whatever town he had turned into, but it seemed that it didn't matter what he did. Every time he thought he had gotten away, the black car was right behind him in only a few minutes. It was like the guy could see through walls. Inuyasha managed to pull into an abandoned parking lot as his last resort. If he had to, he would confront the guy.

 

 

As he had assumed it would, the black car turned into the lot, but the driver seemed hesitant to pull the car in any further. Inuyasha pulled the gun he always carried out of the console, and put it in the holster between his leather jacket and white tee-shirt. He stepped out of his car and slammed his door. When he had gotten within ten feet of the black car, it started to back up and tried to pull out of the parking lot. Inuyasha was faster. This guy was an amateur.

 

 

Inuyasha ran up to the side of the car and flung the door open. At the sight of Kagome looking at him with frightened eyes, Inuyasha backed away and let himself fall to his knees. He thought about the few seconds that had ticked away earlier when he had thought about just shooting at the tires of the car and leaving the driver to fend for themself. He closed his eyes to the onslaught of images that flashed in front of his eyes. He could have injured or even…He couldn't even allow himself to think about it.

 

 

As the surprise wore off, Inuyasha became angry. He opened his eyes, and got to his feet. If Kagome had a car, it wasn't because she had stolen it. This was one of Sesshoumaru's cars, and for Kagome to have it meant that his loathed half-brother had given it to her.

 

 

“Kagome, get out of the car,” he ground out. He had meant for it to come out a lot less tense than that, but, under the circumstances, he felt he was doing well. He hadn't shot anything yet and wasn't cursing anyone. It was only a matter of time, though.

 

 

Kagome was slightly scared. She wasn't afraid that Inuyasha would hurt her, she was afraid that he would cast her aside for her foolishness. Halfway between leaving, and catching up with Inuyasha, she decided that she had made a mistake. The only thing that kept her from turning around all together was the thought that she might never see Inuyasha again. She was very sure that that would happen either way, now.

 

 

Kagome had never seen Inuyasha so mad. She did as she was told and stepped out of the car. She had yet to speak, but decided that it was better to hold her tongue until he directed a question or statement at her that needed a response.

 

 

The first thing Inuyasha did was disable the link between his car and the one in Kagome's possession. The cell phone Sesshoumaru had given Kagome was setting in the seat. He picked it up and scrolled through the contacts list. There was his personal cell phone, Sesshoumaru's cell and home phone and Rin's cell. He chose Sesshoumaru's cell and waited.

 

 

“Sesshoumaru Tanaka.”

 

 

“You piece of shit, bastard. If anything would have happened to her, I would have gutted you, and left your bowels to the birds. How dare you allow her to do something so risky?” Inuyasha's voice dripped venom and he let all his anger and hatred coat his words.

 

 

“She is safe, yes?”

 

 

“No fucking thanks to you. How could you? I would have never let Rin do such a thing.” The only way to get Sesshoumaru to understand anything was to relate the situation to Rin.

 

 

“I have had everything under control since the moment she left. I have had a personal guard of mine following her. I doubt she even noticed. I doubt you even noticed. If anything would have happened, another of my people would have seen it from a live feed camera inside the car. You and the one following her would have been alerted, immediately.”

 

 

Well, it seemed like Sesshoumaru had everything under control, other than the fact that Kagome was now in a situation that he didn't want her in. It didn't matter that his brother had never let Kagome be in any real danger. He was still livid that his brother had pulled such a stunt.

 

 

“Call someone to come get your car. I hope someone has taken everything off it by the time you get it. I'll drive Kagome back tomorrow morning. If you let her leave there again, I'll kill you. I don't care if you have the whole military escorting her next time. If she leaves, you die.”

 

 

Inuyasha hung up the phone. He sighed and rubbed his clenched eyes with the pads of his fingers. Kagome was fine so it would do nothing to help anyone for him to dwell on `what ifs'. Inuyasha finally looked up at Kagome after he was sure he had softened the expression on his face. She was standing with her back to him, looking at the sky.

 

 

“Come on Kagome, let's go get a hotel room. I'll take you back tomorrow.”

 

 

“No,” she whispered.

 

 

“What do you mean, `no'?” Was she crazy? Did she want to stand out here all night, and get beaten to death by hobos trying to pull the wheels off Sesshoumaru's car?

 

 

“I mean no, Inuyasha.” Kagome spun around. She wasn't going to let him take her back. She placed her hands on her hips and waited with a determined glare. It was about time she was stubborn, and put her foot down.

 

 

“Kagome, get in the car.” Inuyasha spoke softly but the growl in his words made the request sound like an order. This was not going well.

 

 

“Oh, I'll get in the car. I'll even go to the hotel with you, but you are not taking me back tomorrow. I'm staying with you.”

 

 

“The hell you are! I left you there because this is dangerous. I'm taking you back and that's final.” Inuyasha looked in the car and saw that a few bags were in it. He grabbed them from the back seat and started toward his car. Kagome followed him, and grabbed the bags from his hands.

 

 

“If you take me back, I'll just follow you again. I don't need Sesshoumaru's help. If I have to scale the walls of that damn place, I will. You can't stop me. It's illegal to hold a person against their will.”

 

 

Inuyasha tried to tower over her and stare her down, but no matter how fearsome he made himself, Kagome didn't back down.

 

 

“Get in the car and we'll talk about this at the hotel.”

 

 

“Do you promise?” Kagome looked as if she wasn't going to take no for an answer, but maybe if they could both calm down, he could get her to see reason.

 

 

“Yes, I promise. Now will you get in the damn car? I'm tried and cranky, and so are you.”

 

 

Kagome handed him her bags, and got into the car. Never once did her determined glare falter.

 

 

Inuyasha popped the trunk and placed the bags inside. Once inside his car, he let his eyes close for a moment before glancing at Kagome. She had her arms crossed over her chest and looked straight ahead.

 

 

`How the hell am I supposed to convince someone as stubborn as me to see reason?'

 

 

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Sesshoumaru walked into his home and put his briefcase on the floor. He took off his suit jacket and hung it up in the closet next to the door. The next things to go were his shoes. It was raining outside and if he had tromped mud through the house, Rin would have strung him up by his ears.

 

 

Once he was adequately ready to walk through the house, Sesshoumaru picked up his briefcase and made his way to his study. He would spend a few hours there until his beautiful wife called him for dinner. It was mundane and routine but it worked for them. They were happy together, and that's all that mattered. `Well,' he thought. `That and really great sex.'

 

 

As Sesshoumaru sat down at his desk, he wondered if Kagome would really be back in his home the next day. Inuyasha had made it very clear that he would return her, but somehow, Sesshoumaru doubted that Kagome would go without a fight. Maybe he would call in the morning and see what had happened between the two of them. If Sesshoumaru's hunch was right, he could get some gloating in on his brother.

 

 

An hour and a half later, Sesshoumaru heard a soft knock on his door.

 

 

“Enter.”

 

 

Rin let herself in and walked over to him. She sat in front of him on the desk and demanded his attention all the while keeping a small smile on her lips.

 

 

“I told her cousin what happened.”

 

 

“And…,” he questioned.

 

 

“And…he wasn't particularly happy.”

 

 

“That is none of my concern. I am trying to get my brother out of a slump and at the same time, make that cousin of his shake off her fears. I can't promise everyone's happiness.”

 

 

Rin smile brightened. “I think I said something of the sort. He really just needed to be reassured that Inuyasha would keep her safe.”

 

 

“So, is that all you came to tell me?” Sesshoumaru stood and threw an intimidating gaze at his wife. As usual, Rin flushed and licked her lips.

 

 

“I also came to tell you that I set up a lovely dinner outside for Sango and Miroku. I think they have feelings for each other. I gave them a gentle nudge. Since they're dinning together, I set up something for us in our bedroom. And after dinner,” Rin stood up and walked toward the door, “I have a special dessert for you.”

 

 

Sesshoumaru smirked, and followed his wife to their bedroom.

 

 

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Thanks for all the continued support. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was very fun to write another argument between Kagome and Inuyasha. Tell me what you think.

 

 

Reviews:

 

MM.org-

 

InuGoddess715: I hoped you like the fallout. There's more to come in the next chapter. Passion is a word that could go with all emotions. My favorites are anger and lust. Oops, did I just hint?

 

jflorea: Hi again Jimmy. I talk to you everyday so I don't really know what to say. Oh, look at that. I'm a poet and I didn't know it. lol. They will talk a little more in the next chapter. Maybe they'll get somewhere this time. I don't know. I haven't really decided how far they will get, but I'm excited! I haven't let dad touch the power tools again. My honey's been doing everything and I'll get to paint soon. Yay!!! I'll talk to ya soon.

 

FF.net-

 

LoVe23: You're very welcome and I'm glad you liked it. Tell me if you like this one.