InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Indolentia ❯ Lessons ( Chapter 12 )

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

Chapter 12: LessonsThe sun was brightly kissing everything in sight. Kagome's insides were fluttering, her heart racing. Her friends all sat around her waiting for the news that they had been summoned by Kaede to hear. So far none of them knew anything other than Kagome was not wearing the Jewel, and that she looked a little nervous, but otherwise very ...happy. They were all trying to wait patiently for Kagome's news, but they were all getting fidgety. In fact the only one who looked remotely calm was Inuyasha, who, other than glaring at Shippou, was very non-chalant about the impending bit of information. This was of coarse because he had seen and heard everything that happened at the bone eaters well. Sango was staring at the ground with a sad look on her face, absently stroking Kilala who tried to purr sweetly. Shippou was crouched as near to Kaede as he could get, chewing his little claws. Miroku the monk just sat looking at Kagome with an intent but serene expression.Finally Kagome's insides slowed to a reasonable pace, and she was able to speak.“The jewel.... is gone....purified....I purified it... Midoriko she purified the well.”A single tear slid down her face, and she brushed it away without a second thought. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Inuyasha make a move to come to her, but she held him off with a look. She needed to do this on her own.“Kaede you told me to wish for the one thing that I truely wanted. At first I thought that maybe I didn’t want anything, but then I realised that I was just afraid of what my heart truely desired."Kagome looked up from the spot on the ground that she had been staring at and met the amber orbs of Inuyasha staring at her, a deep concern was glistening in them, yet encouraging her to go on."I suddenly knew exactly what I wanted, and how to ask for it. Something Selfish, yet selfless Kaede? What a riddle you gave me. I wished for the well to remain open, for me and for all of you, the people I love, then Midoriko, she granted my wish."All was silent for a few agonizing moments. Then Shippou broke the silence."Kagome does that mean that your'e going to stay here with us?"Kagome smiled at him..."It means I get to stay here, and it means that I can go back to my time whenever I want to."Shippou launched himself into Kagome's arms, and it seemed he would never let go. He was followed by Sango, who embraced them both tightly, Kilala rubbing around thier ankles. Miroku looked from Kagome to Inuyasha and then beamed. As he approached to join the group hug Inuyasha jumped in his way, but Miroku side-stepped him and joined in anyway, for once content to not grope. Inuyasha looked at them all, then got as close as he could without having physical contact. Tears were being shed by both Sango and Kagome. Shippou was squealing.... Kaede had not moved from her spot on soft grass by the fire circle. Something was differant. She could feel it. Not only was the negative aura in the forest almost if not completely gone, something else hung in the air. What exactly did the girl wish for?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~The group celebrated long into the night. The guys had built a raging fire, and now they were all sitting around it, telling old battle tales and just enjoying one another's company. Even Inuyasha was joining in, adding comments about how he hadn't wanted to stop, but It's prolly good that they did, and about what bastards all thier enimies were. They had just finished the story of Tsubaki and the two beautiful priestesses. Miroku's face had two fresh slap indentions, and Shippou was blushing. The priestesses had found him extreamly kawaii! Soon Kagome and Sango were yawning, and Shippou was sleeping peacefully on Miroku's shoulder. Kaede, who had remained to hear the vibrant talk of her young friends raised to her feet, and placed a hand on kagome's shoulder."Perhaps all of ye should retire for the night. I am afraid my old bones can take no more of this damp air. It will rain tomarrow."Kaede made her way to her cozy hut, but she didn't lie down, she sat patiently by the small cooking fire. Waiting.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Kagome nodded after Kaede and then covered her mouth to stifle a yawn."Hmmm...yeah I'm beat, I guess I will go to bed now." "Miroku if you want I can take Shippou.""Please do so... he's cramping my neck... Sango perhaps a nice massage?"The demon slayer rolled her eyes and blushed a furious red."Right behind you Kagome." Sango said as she stood brushing the grass from her kimono."What was it that I said" Miroku asked Inuyasha as he stared at the girls retreating backs."You'll never learn monk...you'll never learn."Inuyasha made a grumbling n oise and then grabbed Miroku by side of his robes and pulled him along behind him."Come on Miroku, we have to get to the hut with the girls, they need to be looked after.""It seems you were looking after Kagome quite closely this afternoon."Inuyasha stopped dead and spun to look Miroku in the eyes."What are you talking about?""I saw the two of you all huddled up in the hut....you looked...cozy. Is something going on that I should know about?""NOTHING IS GOING ON!!! MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUISNESS!!!"Miroku laughed and walked past Inuyasha and towards the hut."It is you that never learns his lesson my friend.""Feh"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finally the wind began to humm with a dark unsettling aura, and Kaede looked up to the doorway and smiled."Sister, please have a seat. Ye have heard of the jewel then?""Yes Kaede I know of the jewel, tell me what wish did the girl make?""It is as I predicted. The well passage will remain open, but alas something else has changed, did ye not feel it?""Aye sister, I felt the change as soon as I came upon the villiage. Time has been changed, the well has opened a bigger gap.""Does ye mean to tell this old women that the well will allow everyone through now?"Surely not everyone. Maybe the answer lies in the girls wish. What exactly did the girl wish for?"I wished for the well to remain open, for me and for all of you, the people I love, then Midoriko, she granted my wish."Kaede gasped and clutched her chest as a smile spred over her lips."I know now sister Kikyou who can pass through the well.""Aye, I thought as much. My time in this world is through. I have defeated Naraku, and I no longer wish to take my beloved Inuyasha to hell with me. I know now he belongs here with the girl. I will be gone in the morning, you will find my bones and ashes by my grave. If you would please replace them."A tear trickled down Kaede's old withered cheek, and slipped off her chin."Aye sister, Go with peace."Kikyou turned to leave, sparing Kaede a final glance before departing the hut. The sad priestess had felt something within herself shift as well. The jewel that had been her's to keep safe and protect, had somehow tainted her with malice and hate as well, but she had learned her lesson. It's purification had healed her many wounds. She wanted to be free, and now she could be.