InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inexcusable Nature ❯ Hearts, broken & otherwise ( Chapter 21 )

Inexcusable Nature

Just A Starving Writer

Disclaimer: nope, not mine.

Author's Rant: Don't worry, it'll pick up after this chapter. Next chapter full of *cough*action*cough*

Now, I don't usually do this because I'm incredibly lazy, but I simply couldn't pass this up.
Shadow Dragon59 - SKLAR BROTHERS ROCK! That just made my day, seriously. If anyone doesn't understand what I'm talking about, look into the Sklar Brothers "Chopper 4" comedy bit. It's friggin hilarious. Thank you so much for that.

Much mucho gracias to all my readers and reviewers.
Enjoy if you can.

Part 21: Hearts, broken & otherwise

Whatever Kaede was expecting when she returned to the village, this was surely not it. Instead of the peaceful village she had left, there was now turmoil and tension, not to mention a good taste of discontent. Immediately knowing something was amiss, she sought out the cause of the disturbance.

Once more, she was shocked. Instead of a bothersome hanyou or an injured shard hunter, she found two emotionally distraught mikos, a former enemy, a curious little girl nearing adolescence, and the usual group. And no one looked particularly happy.

It took a good 2 hours to get Kagome calmed enough so that the story could be told. And then it took another 2 hours to tell said story followed by yet another 2 hours in which to soak up all the information. Finally able to deal with exactly what she had been given, the old miko turned her attention to the most important matter first.

"Ye have your heart loose?" she asked of the wind sorceress who looked both relieved and apprehensive.

"Yes."

"Well, then, let us see what we can do about it. Sister, Kagome, Monk, would you mind helping me with this matter? I believe it will require all of our skills."

That being said, those with the power gathered and discussed the matter further until they were all sure of what part they would play. And so it was that an hour later, Kagura had her heart in the right place for the first time in her life.

"How do ye feel?" the slightly exhausted older miko enquired. It really had been a long few days, and an exceptionally long morning.

"Strange…but good. Great. I cannot thank you enough." How strange it was to hear such words from the former minion. Still, it was best for one not to question such blatant honesty and joy.

"Good."

At which point the recently heartened sorceress was almost smothered by a hug from the youngest miko present.

"Kagura! Isn't it great! You finally have a heart!!"

Of course it was great, but far be it for anyone to say that to the girl. After all, this was the first pleasant emotion they'd gotten off of her all morning and both Miroku and Sango were overjoyed at the freedom from negativity. Her anger and sadness were getting rather burdensome, and they were sure to only be getting more of it in the near future.

But it was best not to think of such things and instead take it in stride. Enjoy the lightness while it was there.

*

Rin ran between the trees with all the grace of a child and all the imitated grace of a certain protector of hers. She was trailed swiftly by the fox child and firecat. They were to have a discussion and it was best suited for younger ears.

Finding a seat under the god tree, the girl turned her attention to her partners in crime.

"Whatcha thinkin' of Rin?" Shippou asked as he pulled out two lollipops. `Share the wealth,' he was wont to say, `except with Inuyasha.'

"Sesshoumaru-sama and Kagome are angry."

"Well, of course she is. He just left her right when they were getting along. And took her sword."

"Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't steal," she insisted, her loyalty remaining strictly where it was supposed to be.

"Then what? Did he just forget?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't forget."

"Then what?"

Of course, that did have the girl stumped for awhile until the answer became obvious to her devious mind. Children really are geniuses.

"Sesshoumaru-sama will come back for her!"

"I dunno…" Maybe Shippou was just too old? "He didn't look like he was coming back…"

"Of course he is! Sesshoumaru-sama likes Kagome. Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't leave what he likes."

"He sure left her."

"Sesshoumaru-sama is just confused."

"Confused? Sesshoumaru confused?" Who could blame him for his incredulity? It was a rather difficult concept to grip.

"Yes. Sesshoumaru-sama does not understand girls."

And then Shippou grasped the elusive straw of comprehension because that made total sense. But still, understanding didn't help the situation much.

"But what do we do?"

Rin helped to diminish the flower population as she pondered her plan of action. There was much to be done, after all, and the players involved weren't exactly patient.

"We must make Sesshoumaru-sama understand Kagome."

And everyone present nodded in agreement and began to work out the details. Of course, the plan was far from perfect. There was, after all, little they could do and much would depend on the circumstances. However, if there was one thing children are good for, it's pointing out the obvious. And that's just what the situation required.

*

The sword wouldn't cease its incessant shaking. It was getting rather annoying.

For a brief instant he considered returning to the miko and giving the sword back. But that would only breed trouble. First, he'd be giving her an opportunity to further prove her insolence. Second, he'd be giving her an opportunity to further prove his reluctance to leave her. And most importantly, he'd be admitting he had made a mistake.

Okay, he'd be honest to himself at least. He, the all powerful, great, and feared Lord of the Western Lands, had completely forgotten about the outrageously feminine sword on his hip.

But never, NEVER, would he let anyone know about this one time occurrence. If word got out…well, he'd be rather busy for awhile dealing with the idiots that would dare to challenge him.

He wanted to sigh. It was all too complicated. All because of that damn miko.

Yes, blaming her was rather easy and extremely liberating. Even though part of his mind, the smarter no-shit part, knew he was deluding himself, it was still nice to put the blame for this situation firmly to rest on her shoulders. Why? Simple. This Sesshoumaru does not make mistakes and therefore will not be blamed for them.

Too bad he had little practice in self-delusion. Otherwise, it might have worked for longer than a few moments before the smarter no-shit part of his mind took over. Unfortunately, he had always previously been proud of his ability to accept the truth and this was the truth: he had forgotten about the sword.

And now he was angry at himself. He had made a mistake. That in itself was unacceptable. In addition, his mistake left the miko without her best form of protection. Now the damn girl could end up dying. And now he was angry for the slight shudder he had at that thought.

Yes, he had been right in leaving the girl. She was simply having too much of an affect on him and it was time to end it before she further sunk her blunt little teeth into his life.

He decided then and there that the miko could defend herself and it simply was not worth the trouble of returning her the weapon. It was best this way. He could just learn to ignore the trembling on his side. It had to go away eventually. Hopefully the same could be said for the odd ache in his chest.

Still, just because he had reached a decision didn't mean he wasn't still frustrated. And there was his retainer so conveniently placed right in his path.

*

Sango, Kagura, Kaede, and Kikyou had been trying to calm the raging miko for hours. Now, as night approached, it became obvious that she simply was not going to take the Lord's absence easily.

And they knew why.

It had nothing to do with the missing weapon. Not at all. Sure, it was an inconvenience and gave her a good reason to be angry, but the intense emotions plaguing her had little to do with the katana. Even the non-connected sorceress could see that the poor miko was heartbroken.

Not long after the short celebration in honor of Kagura's returned heart, Kagome's insane joy finally fell apart as expected and her sobs and sudden bursts of anger were devastating. Immediately the men were banished to the other side of the village while the women holed up in Kaede's hut and began the healing process.

"That bastard!" Kagome sobbed. "Just leaves like that…and that kiss…."

Well, this was an improvement. At least she was no longer enraged over her missing weaponry.

"It was so….so…." And the tears that had slowed somewhat picked up speed, silencing whatever adjective she had intended to use.

"Kagome," began the oldest miko as she handed the distraught girl a cup of tea. "Why are ye so troubled over the demon Lord's departure? Why do ye care so much?"

No, Kaede was not stupid. It was so blatantly obvious to everyone exactly why she cared so much. Well, obvious to everyone but Kagome who really needed to come to terms with her feelings. That is how the healing process generally works: can't heal what you won't admit.

"Wh….what?"

"What do ye care for the Lord?"

"I….I….I miss him!" she sobbed with furious shame. After all, wasn't it obvious that he didn't miss her? The bastard…

"And why is that?" Sango pressed. Admittance was the first step towards anything. Half-assed admittance was barely even a movement of the foot.

"I…dunno…"

"Yes, you do," Kagura stated plainly. After these long years of living with only a silent emotionless child as her only female companion, she was ill at ease with the whole situation. "Face the truth. Don't lie to yourself. You aren't weak like that."

And that no-nonsense logic seemed to be the ticket for the weeping miko suddenly looked up, dawning comprehension written clearly on her expressive (though slightly red) face.

"Shit," Kagome cussed softly, much to the amazement of the ladies present. Apparently her vocabulary had expanded during her two years stuck in the future. "I love the bastard, don't I?"

The women merely nodded, shocked both at her language as well as the calm way she had stated the truth. After all the tears, this was the last thing they expected.

However, once they began to appreciate the more sedate emotion, Kagome switched once more.

"I love him. I love an arrogant, bossy, slightly evil, cocky, arrogant demon." The shocked awe in her voice was slightly disconcerting but it was nothing compared to what came next.

"NOOO!!"

All animals within several miles of the village went into hiding as well as any man that valued his masculinity. Feminine outrage wasn't something to be dealt with lightly.

*

An evil hanyou turned his attention to the image playing out in front of him. Judging from the weeping miko and lack of lord, he came to the conclusion that the two had a falling out of some sort.

That was just the kind of distraction he needed to allow for his plan to work. Now he could finally attack the girl and retrieve her section of the jewel without worrying about interference from the pesky lord.

Something caught his attention and he turned to look at the television-esque mirror closer. The sword, the girl's powerful new weapon, seemed to be missing. Looking around at the other shard hunters, he still could not locate it.

That was curious. Why would the miko get rid of her best defense?

An idea struck him and he commanded the mirror to show him a certain youkai lord. As the image too shape, his eyebrow went up as he smirked in victory. So that was where the weapon had gone off to…..

So the miko was weaponless and lordless? Why that was just an open invitation for trouble as far as he was concerned.

And he hated to disappoint.

*

Rin and Shippou backed away from the peephole in the wall of the hut at the despairing miko's scream.

"Kagome is scary," sagely stated the fox child once an uncomfortable silence had passed.

"Yes," responded the girl.

However, other things were in order instead of discussing the many different facets of that which was Kagome. Like more spying.

Quietly, with all the natural stealth of children, they snuck around the village to the hut that contained the still shivering men. And of course, the first thing they heard from the hanyou and monk was something they already knew.

"Kagome is scary," Inuyasha managed to say through chattering teeth.

The monk, curled protectively to avoid any possible attack to a certain piece of anatomy, nodded in agreement.

After a long stretch of time in which neither of the males were castrated by a raging miko, they finally allowed themselves to relax into slightly less defensive positions.

"So…" began a still frightened monk. "It seems Kagome is coming to terms with her feelings for your brother."

"Half-brother," Inuyasha corrected tersely. "And yeah, I'd guess that's about the reaction I'd expect. What's she feeling now?"

"Fear. Unease. A little bit of shame. But mostly she's afraid."

"Afraid? Of what?"

"Inuyasha, think about it. Kagome just realized she has fallen in love with your brother."

"Shit…"

"And she's likely afraid because she doesn't know his feelings. And it isn't helping that he just left."

"Yeah. Damn. This is complicated."

"Love is always complicated, my friend."

"Huh?"

"You and Kikyou?"

"Oh. Yeah. I guess you're right."

"Of course. It is a monk's duty to be wise in the ways of the world."

"Feh. `Ways', eh?" Inuyasha hinted but of course Miroku ignored the implications.

"Now, if only we knew if Sesshoumaru returned any of her feelings…"

With a thoughtful finger on his chin, the monk turned his attention toward his companion

"I don't know," the hanyou answered without being questioned. "He's….confused. Keeps switching emotions. But mostly just confused."

"Any regret?"

"Yeah…and anger…and something else."

"Something else?"

The hanyou shifted uncomfortably. As if he wanted to be discussing his brother's feelings for his best friend…

"Pain," he finally allowed. "He's in pain. But he doesn't understand it. I don't think he's ever experienced it before."

"No," the monk stated as a grin worked its way onto his face. "I don't expect he has."

Outside the small hut, peeking through a small hole in one of the planks, a little girl backed up and smiled victoriously. Signaling to her partner in crime and their demon cat chaperone, they all retreated back into the woods as night blanketed the land.

"Sesshoumaru-sama needs me. I have to go," Rin stated with authority. Clearly, she was destined to be a leader. Then again, she did have a great example.

"But Rin, it's late."

"Let me borrow Kirara?"

The fox was still uncertain.

"Shippou, Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't understand. I have to tell him. And then he can be happy! And Kagome can be happy with him! But I have to tell him soon."

She sounded so sure, so absolutely certain that it would work that he could only nod wordlessly as Kirara transformed and allowed the girl a seat.

"Tell them not to worry!" the girl yelled as the fire-cat took off into the sky. The last thing she heard was Shippou wishing her luck.

*

A contemplative demon lord was walking along wordlessly, trailed by a bruised retainer, when he recognized an approaching scent. Stopping in a slight clearing, he waited for the girl to become visible.

"Rin."

"Sesshoumaru-sama."

It wasn't exactly the most touching of meetings but the look of pure joy on the girl's face at being reunited with her lord more than made up for said lord's lack of response.

"You returned," the lord stated plainly, once again asking without asking. It was a skill he needed to teach others.

"Yes, my lord." And now was the delicate matter of explaining her sudden reappearance…

His lifted eyebrow on his failing façade made her all the more certain of her plan. It was so obvious he wanted to hear what she had to say. It was a game, really, and one just needed to know the rules to play and win the information they wanted.

"I had to take care of Kagome, my lord. She was terribly upset."

"Hn."

"I told her you would return."

"Hn."

"Because Sesshoumaru-sama does not run away."

And at that both brows retreated into his bangs. Did she really just insinuate what he thought she just insinuated?

"But she was still upset. I do not think she believes me, my lord."

Still he was silent. The child was terribly old for her age.

However, any further discussion was cut short by a certain white hilted katana's sudden demand that it be noticed. Though the sword had never ceased its trembling, it had softened considerably, but now it was practically jumping out of its hilt in protest.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin questioned, unable to hide the slight worry in her voice. While the girl had witnessed the sword's odd behavior before, this was obviously different. There was something in the weapon's insistence that struck a nerve.

"It is nothing, Rin."

But apparently the sword disagreed as it pulled back so sharply that the unprepared lord almost lost his footing.

There was no doubt that something was terribly wrong.

*