InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Indolentia ❯ Kikyo's Gifts and Kagome's Acceptance ( Chapter 15 )

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

Chapter 15: Kikyo's Gifts and Kagome's AcceptanceWhen they arrived back at the village Miroku, Sango, and Shippou were all inside Kaede's hut. A thin curling whisp of smoke was the only sign of life as they approached. The whole villiage was silent. Kagome didn't think much of this, after all it was pouring outside. However, an uneasy feeling began to come over her as they got closer to Kaed's and by the time they had reached the door she was practically about to vomit, something was wrong. Inuyasha took her hand and she felt him applying a slight comforting pressure, as he reached past her and opened the door.Inside her friends were all sitting cross legged on the floor around a small cooking fire. The rain had blocked the sun, and the fire was the only source of light in the room. It cast odd shadows across everything. Miroku was the first to look up at them, his eyes, which were normally full of child-like joy, were over-cast, and when he spoke, he said nothing of Inuyasha and Kagome's linked hands, which was a bigger cause for concern. Instead he looked directly at Inuyasha, sighed and cleared his throat."It really is over my friend, we have nothing left to concern ourselves with but stray demons now." "Are you alright?"Inuyasha flinched slightly, Miroku's concern seemed to hit him like a fist, but instead of responding by saying something nasty, Inuyasha just squeezed Kagome's hand a little tighter."What do you want me to say Miroku?""I just thought...we just thought...nevermind."Kagome looked from one to the other and tried to think of a plausible explanation for thier strange behavior. She found none. There was a strange silence for a few seconds, and then Sango stood, and handed Kagome a rain hat."Kaede is waiting for us by her grave, we didn't know when you guys would be back, and I think that Kaede needed her time to say her own goodbyes." "She asked that we all join her there when you both returned."Kagome almost had to comically scratch her head. Whose grave? She didn't even have time to ask, by the time her confusion had cleared, evryone had already filed past her, and Inuyasha was gently tugging her hand."Come on Kagome, I don't want to go either, but I owe the old lady that much.""Inuyasha where are we...I mean...who died?"There was no hesitation in his response. "Kikyo has gone to hell."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~There were no rites performed, because Kikyo was already dead, but Miroku had said a prayer, and Kaede had cleansed the area around the small memorial she had constructed. Inuyasha held fast to Kagome's hand the whole time. It isn't much, for a once beloved priestess. In his eyes the whole villiage should have attended, there should have been something to show that this was indeed once and for all the final resting place of the priestess who had so fiercely protected the shikon jewel. Flashes of Kikyo sprung into his head, and he couldn't clear them. He tried to think of something to push the images out. He envisioned Kagome, as he had found her this morning, soaking wet and scared, smelling of flowers and mud. A vision that an hour ago could have kept him from death, and still Kikyo shown through it. He saw her not as she had returned, but as how she had been before Naraku had killed her. In his mind she was a strong, beautiful, complicated dream that was always unobtainable. He did not shed tears, though he felt the sting of them at his throat. Beside him, Kagome shifted uncomfortably. Please let her understand. Then Kagome met his eyes, and he knew that she did.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~No one spoke much on the short walk back. Even Shippou, who had never been one to maintain a respectful silence was quiet. The rain lightened as they entered Kaede's hut, and Kagome shivered. Inuyasha made a sheeshing noise, and finally let go of her hand long enough to remove his haori and wrap it around her shoulders. Kaede was the first to sit, and motioned for the rest of the group to do the same. When they were all seated around the fire, and Inuyasha's hand once again squeezing hers Kagome let everything sink in. Kikyo is gone. What does that mean? What does that change? She didn't have time to ponder her answers, Kaede began to speak."Kikyo came to me last night, she left in my posession parting gifts for each of you."From a corner Kaede produced a satchel, and from it she extracted several packages. The first she handed to Shippou, who looked at it with wide eyes."Do not fear little one, alas she was indeed my sister once again trust that."Shippou opened the present slowly, and as the wrapping fell to the ground a calming pink light surrounded him. Kagome felt Inuyasha tense, she knew he was gripping tetseiga. Then as clear as if she had been right there with them Kikyo's voice was heard."For the young Kitsune.......Shippou I believe it is right?"Shippou nodded to no one. You could almost feel Kikyo smile."I must explain, you see I have very little in the way of possesions, I have mainly my miko power, so that, in differant forms is what I give to you all. Shippou you have seen many things that a young cub your age should never witness. I knew immediately what I wanted to leave for you. My dear child ,may you never again wake from a nightmare caused by the arduous journey that you so wrongly had to partake in. I give you peace, and the gift of beautiful dreams. "Shippou stared at his lap "I don't have nightmares...really I..."Miroku patted him on the back, and Kilala nuzzled her way under his arm. Shippou blushed, then whispered. "Thank you"Kaede handed the next package to Sango, who unwrapped it with cautious interest. A light the color of the palest blue sky shone all around her, and she smiled."I am afraid that I can not give you what you desire most. I am proof that the dead should remain so. What I choose to leave you, Fearless Demon Slayer, will not help you in battle, but in life. I give you understanding and Trust. You will need both of these things Sango to survive now. I feel that there is an important fight that you must win within yourself, and these things will guide you on your way."Sango shivered as the light left her cold, and Kagome saw a single tear roll down her cheek. Kagome knew what Sango was hoping for. Poor Kohaku.Kaede handed the next package to Miroku, who ripped it open. The light was more forceful, and glowed a spectacular green. Miroku looked sort of green himself, and Kagome wasn't sure it was from the light."For you monk, I leave you gentle true love, guidance, and the strength to see what the other's around you see, within yourself. Just as the demon slayer must fight a personal battle, so must you. These gifts will overcome your doubt."As the light left him, Miroku's features hardened and he balled his hand into a fist, the hand that had once carried the wind tunnel. Kaede was handing Inuyasha the next package. Kagome stiffened considerably, Inuyasha let go of her hand, but held her gaze as yellow light washed over him."Ah...Inuyasha... I believe that I have said most of what I need to say to you. I have no possession that I consider precious enough to leave to you, but I do want to give you something that I just realised that I had. The ability to believe in happy endings."That was it, the light had vanished from him. He closed his eyes, and Kagome wanted to scream. He once was willing to follow Kikyo into hell. What had changed, she did not know, maybe he still wanted to. Maybe he was angry with Kikyo for denying him that right. Kagome knew that she was wrong as soon as Inuyasha opened his eyes. In them she saw a deep sadness, but also a forgiving peace.Kaede looked directly at Kagome, and what was left of her nerves fried. When Kaede handed Kagome the package meant for her, her eyes were sad and her face to the ground. Kagome noticed that her package was much larger, and seemed muc h heavier than the others. When she opened it, a very faint purplish pinkish light emanated from within it. Kagome waited, but heard nothing, so she reached into the package and removed it's contents. She heard Kaede hold in a sob, and Kagome gasped herself as she pulled out Kikyo's bow, and a small quiver of arrows. The bow still shone dimly, but Kagome realised that she and Kaede were the only ones who could see the glow. This was a true miko bow. Kagome ran her fingers up and down the beautiful weapon and smiled. Inuyasha once again took her hand.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The group sat in silence until Kaede cleared her throat."Has bin a long day, what say we all get some sleep aye."They all nodded in agreement, and headed off to bed. Shippou was asleep within minutes, snuggled up with Kilala, no doubt enjoying his pleasant dreams, Sango, Miroku, and even Inuyasha, had all wandered off, leaving her alone with the slumbering Kitsune. She sighed and laid down on her bed roll. She wanted to go off, and find Inuyasha, but she didn't want to pry. Maybe he needed some time alone to take in everyhting. Deciding that of course he must, Kagome laid down and tried to sleep, wishing that Kikyo had given her good dreams too.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~