InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inuyasha AD 4023 ❯ Prayer Beads, Lies and the Will to Live ( Chapter 3 )

Hi everyone. Well the third chapter is here and I believe you'll get some bang for your buck. Things finally begin to fall into place in this chapter. Though this AU does basically follow the canon plot in its own way, it will deviate this way and that, for example the first encounter with Mistress Centipede… anyway I don't want to give it away. The only thing I want to point out is that the romance between Inuyasha and Kagome will not start to become serious until around chapter twenty, so don't get your hopes up. Reviews are welcome! Enjoy!

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Inuyasha; Takahashi-sama does.

 

Chapter Three: Prayer Beads, Lies and the Will to Live

 

“Repeat it from the beginning once more please.” The heavy footsteps of the commander of Division Six Special Forces clunked in his office as his secretary reviewed the information to him for the fifth time.

 

She only looked mildly irritated; this was routine by now. “Over the last three weeks the raids from the both the Brown and White pirate guilds have increased dramatically. It is assumed that they are trying to wear us down in hopes that Shiruba-Fokkusu will strike us from the borders of southern Federation space.” She clicked her tongue as she shuffled through the papers to find what she was looking for. “This is a treaty sent by the Lord of the West, agreeing to aid us if we dispose of his problem.”

 

“Damnit Rey, what are we going to do? We tried everything. We even sent Kaede to dispatch him and she failed. She was our trump card, we can't slay him, and we can't alter his state. We have no other gambits left!” The commander stroked his handlebar mustache as he felt is blood pressure going up point by point.

 

Rey fixed her glasses with a handkerchief. Not that she needed them, she just was told that she looked stunningly attractive in the small glass rectangles, and unlike some women she knew that old traditions died quite hard when it came to being a women climbing the ranks into the Federation Intergalactic Military. “Now Stern dearest, don't go upsetting yourself. It won't solve anything. Lets just get through some more of this busywork while we can.” She patted the chair next to her, indicating for him to sit. This had been her tactic for the last three weeks as she attempted to keep Commander Stern from dying of shear frustration. “Now here is a drawl report. It appears that Captain Momoko picked up a girl in the middle of the forest early this morning. Says here the girl claims to be from five hundred years in the future.”

 

Stern let out a soft chuckle. “Well that's a relief, another psychiatrics case, we'll just do a quick interview and then send her on her merry way.” Rey was right- getting some of this busy work out of the way was a good idea.

 

The comm. buzzed and they both heard the clerks voice announcing the arrival of Kaede and said girl. Stern lazily glided his finger over to the comm. and hit the ready button. There was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Kaede walked in first, looking cold and detached as usual. That incident with her sister had forever changed her they said, but Stern wouldn't have her any other way. She was the best officer he had ever had, and he would be twice damned if she ever went soft on him.

 

“Commander Walkings, you look well today.” Kaede eyed him with a blank expression only he could read for mirth. “Tell me, have ye reviewed the report I filed?”

 

He motioned for both her and her charge to sit as he poured himself a strong glass of Goliath Special. He loved the beverage, made, as it was miles under the surface of the gargantuan water planet that marked the border into deep western space, it had a distinct tangy flavor from the mushrooms it was brewed from. “Care for a drink Captain?” He didn't have to answer as he poured her a glass and handed it to her, Kaede never turned down a free drink when offered. “Now please tell me in your own words precisely what transpired in the meadow of the Goshinboku at O'nine-hundred this morning.”

 

“Sir. I was in route to my previous objective when I spotted this girl in distress upon the ground. It was clear that she had become lost sometime during the night and had wandered into the forest.” The girl looked nervously into Kaede's eye as she gave her a look only she could see. `Don't say a word. Do as I do.' “When I came upon her she was sick with fever, hallucinating and claiming she was from the future. At first I questioned her sanity, as the report did mention. It was only until later this afternoon when her fever broke that she returned to normal. It is clear that she was merely suffering from exhaustion. Given the circumstances I suggest we wave the trespassing and let her off with a warning.” Kaede's expression remained the same blank one that it had when she began, but Stern could read her.

 

Smirking to himself he intended to hit her right where it hurt. “You're being nice to her Kaede.” His smirk broadened to a grin as Kaede looked down at the floor in shame. “If I didn't know better I would say you'd gone soft.”

 

“Ye know me better than that. It be a cold day in the seventh hell when I go soft yet.” Her look was resolute and full of zealously defended pride.

 

“Ah, but Kaede you misunderstand. I am merely concerned for your health.” Stern had a shared look with Rey. “Were it not that you normally took it upon yourself to mete out physical punishment I would not question. Did you not sleep well Kaede, or do you bring me other news?” His tone was cryptic.

 

Kaede knew exactly what he was talking about. “Nay commander no news, I fear. An attempt was made but alas I lack such power, forgive me for mine failure Commander.” Groveling nearly always puffed up Stern's ego high enough so he couldn't see the truth beyond his own bluster.

 

“That saddens me Kaede. But I can take comfort in knowing you did your very best to succeed.” He collected her empty glass and turned a hand towards the door. “Now off with you to other matters Kaede.” She was nearly out the door when he stopped her again. “One more thing Kaede, why such sympathy for the girl? Nothing particularly bad happened to her.”

 

She measured him warily. “She reminds me of mine own youth.” Without waiting for an answer she stalked out of the room, the girl in tow. A wanting silence was left hanging about the room.

 

“Well that was quite refreshing, don't you think darling?” Rey chirped her amusement.

 

Stern nearly rubbed his hands together in glee. “Yes Rey, it isn't often I can get such a rise out of Captain Momoko.” He locked the door and eyed her hungrily. “Now onto more pressing matters…”

 

Yes some things in the Federation Intergalactic Military never changed.

 

**********************************

 

As soon as they were out of headquarters and on the streets Kagome lost her cool. “What was that all about you crafty old hag? You could have had me for sure!”

 

“I helped ye for two reasons. One being ye strongly resemble mine deceased sister, and thus I am naturally fond of you.” Kaede's lips twitched in amusement at the girl's blush. “The other reason was I was too afraid of the repercussions that would befall us if thine story be true. And I believe it be so.”

 

Kagome was still in shock. She had thought she was going to get stuck in some prison cell with no way to free herself, let alone find her way home. She had heard horrible things about the corporal punishment the military had once held in such high esteem. She had never dreamed they would be a reality. “How do you know I'm not lying?” She challenged.

 

Kaede dismissed the question with a wave of the hand. “Ye be a miko, child. I also be a miko. Ye cannot hide thine insincerities from mine eyes. Therefore, the only possible conclusion is that ye be telling the truth.”

 

“Old ba-,” She cut herself off. “Kaede-sama, you are a miko?”

 

“Aye child,” she cackled, “just as these wrinkles be me as well. Mine own sister was also a miko, but one of great power that far surpasses my own even in death.”

 

Kagome looked incredulous. “How can her power exceed yours even when she is dead?”

 

“Why ye should know Kagome. After all it was ye who tried to release Inuyasha from the seal, yes?” Her eye was craftily fixed on the trail that only she knew as they wound through the city streets.

 

Kagome picked up her pace a bit, curious to know more about anything having to do with that man. “She was the one that sealed him to that tree? How awful.”

 

“Yes child it was a horrible tragedy in more ways than one.” She suddenly felt a lot older as she stared at the hopeful vibrant eyes of the girl before her, a wave of sadness and sympathy hitting her unexpectedly. “But it is not mine story to tell.”

 

“But no one else can tell me because your sister is dead and Inuyasha is sealed to the god tree.” Kagome's tone almost resembled a whine- a child indeed.

 

“Nay, half the city could tell ye. But I have already said too much.” Suddenly she stopped and a door appeared out of a grimy alley. “Come, child. Come inside and ye will tell me of how ye came to be here and we will see if we cannot find a way to get ye back from whence ye came.”

 

Kagome followed obediently into the doorway. She was surprised to see that inside was a relatively hospitable dwelling, belied by its keeper of the ally outside. It had only three rooms. A living room and kitchen space, a bathroom with only the bare minimum of necessities, and a bedroom with queen sized bed. It was dark and musky inside, though it was fairly clean. Pots and pans hung from odd places and a clean water dispenser groaned against its place next to her optimum temperature monitor that stored all of her food. Kaede shuffled over and retrieved two cups from somewhere among the automated storage devices and swiftly filled them with hot water before adding tea bags. The tea smelled delicious.

 

“Tea, child?” It was a simple offer.

 

It was a simple answer. “Yes, thank you.”

 

They sat and sipped in silence for a while, each having their own private thoughts. One brooded upon the pale face and dark hair that still haunted her dreams with regrets. The other giddily hoped that she would somehow come to know a certain man with peculiar ears. Kagome was so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost didn't taste the unique flavor of the tea. Almost. It was smooth and buttery with a very sweet and cinnamon like tang. She kept on trying to place the flavor but she just couldn't ever remember experiencing such a thing. Finally fearing that she would pound her head against her hand if she didn't figure it out, she broke the silence to ask a stupid question.

 

“Ummmm… Kaede-sama? What is this?” Her earnest tone seemed to amuse the hag.

 

“That, child, is chai tea.” It was a fact.

 

Why was it that Kagome had never heard of it before? “Kaede, I don't think we have chai in my time.” The words were a bit awkward she still was in denial about time traveling. It was just too much for her to wrap her mind around right now.

 

The elder miko snorted in a very unladylike way. “I can't imagine ye would child. Chai is unique to certain areas of Earth that have all but disappeared in the last fifty years. Of course I happened to stock up on it when I was young.” Her eye seemed to be gazing beyond the room. “It was my favorite flavor. Mine sister and I used to have it all the time during the cold nights of winter when the fusion core would sometimes fail to heat the house.” She looked wistful, if she bore an expression at all.

 

“Kaede, I hope you don't mind me asking. What was your sister's name?” Kagome bit her lip nervously, she knew she was skating on thin ice. It wasn't polite to pry on one's past.

 

Kaede did not seem disturbed by her question. “Her name was Kikyou.” The name sent shivers down Kagome's spine for a reason she couldn't explain. “She was the pride of New Edo, an untouchable beauty beyond compare with spiritual powers that were said to rival that of the great Midoriko herself.”

 

“Midoriko?” Kagome thought out loud. A sudden rumble passed through the complex and Kaede looked worried for a second, but then dismissed it.

 

“Midoriko,” Kaede confirmed. “Midoriko was a great warrior priestess said to have lived back in the year AD thirteen hundred. As legend has it, she was eventually cornered in a battle with a vile demon of immeasurable power. In a final act of desperation she gouged out her own heart and created with her dying breath a container for her own soul and the demon, where they would stay locked in battle for eternity.” She looked like she had more to say, but Kagome beat her to it.

 

“The Shikon no Tama.” She stated simply.

 

Kaede's demeanor was suddenly deadly serious. “How do ye know of that relic Kagome?”

 

She nearly stuttered at the sudden hostility. “My grandfather used to always tell me stories about it when I was little. In my time a great shrine encompasses the area between the well and the Goshinboku. My family has been the shrine's guardians since the year AD thirty six ninety two.”

 

There was a palpable tension in the air, and a few more minutes of silence passed. Kaede seemed to have taken in the information to weigh it carefully against some other unknown piece of data.

 

“How was it ye came to this time Kagome?” Kaede had lost her harsh tone.

 

She almost wanted to kick herself at the thought. “I was looking for my cat in the well house of the Bone Eater's Well. Suddenly I was pulled down by a bunch of arms into the well.” She hugged herself; the image was still fresh in her mind. “It kept on screeching that it wanted the jewel, demanding that I hand over the Shikon no Tama. I was so scared, then suddenly it was gone and I woke up on the other side.”

 

Kaede's mind raced as she tried to put together the pieces of the puzzle. Something was seriously wrong, Kagome was a miko true, but didn't have the slightest idea of how to use her powers. Her aura was far too strong to be only her own. Her sister had been burned with the jewel so it couldn't still exist. Unless… “No… it can't be…” Her voice trembled at the implications of such a thing. It cannot be a coincidence. Kagome is nigh mine sister's twin! Kikyou. Ye had told me before ye passed that ye would be reborn with the jewel inside of ye, but never did I expect I would live to see thine reincarnation. The two of ye couldn't be any more different, and yet here she stands… Another rumble shook the little condo, more violently this time. But why had the demon let her go? That part just didn't make sense. Unless it was waiting for something… perhaps the cover of darkness… many hands….

 

“Kagome get down!” The third rumble was no longer just a rumble. Suddenly a giant centipede youkai burst through the far wall of the little dwelling, its eyes red with rage. “Kagome run to the well, jump through the well and go back to thine own time, it cannot follow ye there. I will hold it off as long as I can.”

 

“The jewel! The jewel! Give me the Shikon no Tama!” The demon wailed charging forward in a blind rage to catch is quarry. Suddenly there was a burst of light as a single limb flew off, a lightly glowing bowcaster bolt the culprit. “You will die first miko!”

 

Kagome didn't stop to look back. She ran.

 

*************************************

 

Somewhere deep within the forest a force pulsed. It was weak at first, barely noticeable. A minute passed and it came back again, stronger this time; thirty seconds, another pulse. Suddenly a thrum could be heard in the air and the pulse rapidly began beating faster, stronger. The animals of the forest could feel the power and anger behind it and stayed clear, but few things in the universe were as attuned to nature as the animals of instinct that inhabited it. Suddenly a roar could be heard echoing through the forest. The rage and passion of it causing even the predators of the forest to slink back to their lairs in fear. It had been so long. A long dreamless sleep, timeless and yet an eternity and the first thing he was aware of was how stiff he felt. As if he hadn't moved in ages, but he knew though that it couldn't have been more than three or four hours since that bitch pinned him there though. The season was the same as when he had been struck and the sun was just beginning to touch the horizon. He knew he couldn't move, he knew he would have to wait for her. Whether it took a year or an hour he would wait for her. He could however loosen the tenacious grasp of some of those damn roots. After a few minutes of struggling he manage to work his arms free, though movement was still limited. His torso and legs were firmly secured. He would just have to make due. As he readjusted to his demonic senses he became acutely aware of a powerful aura approaching him at speed, or at least at a speed difficult for a human to maintain. The shear power of purity in the aura told him exactly who it was. Stilling himself in the way only a born predator could, he calmed his pulse and closed his eyes once more. It wouldn't be long now- soon she would feel his claws latched around her throat as she paid for her betrayal with blood. Kikyou…

 

*************************************

 

Kagome ran full tilt through the forest as the crashing noises and blood-curdling screams grew closer at an alarming rate. Old Kaede had held her off as long as she could, but that demon had a hundred limbs, and she only two. The crashes grew closer and closer, the screams pounded in her ears even as her blood threatened to dull out all other noises. She was at her limit. She couldn't go any further. Desperately trying to get her bearings she realized that she wasn't even halfway there yet. The clearing of the Goshinboku was still minutes away and she had only precious dozens of seconds before her time ran out. This was it. It was all over. She was going to die. She stopped and collapsed to her knees, folding her head into her lap. Why did it have to end this way? It wasn't fair! She had barely begun to live; she hadn't even been kissed yet! She bitterly regretted not kissing Inuyasha when she had the chance. Her arms wrapped down around her waist as a deafening crashing noise sounded directly behind her.

 

“GIVE ME THE JEWEL HUMAN WENCH!” The gigantic centipede towered over, eyes gleaming red. It was missing a few limbs she noted, Kaede seemed to have landed at least a couple shots before she wasted her life.

 

“You can have it. Just kill me quickly please.” She heard herself sniffle. Her brief life flashed before her eyes, her mother, Souta, grandpa, Yuka, Eri and even Hojo. The image from her dream filled her mind. She recalled it vividly for some reason. Yes, Inuyasha was shaking her, trying desperately to tell her something.

 

“It will be my pleasure girl.” The centipede launched at her and time seemed to stop. Suddenly she was there again, the images coming to life in her mind, but this time she could hear him. “Kagome! Kagome! Snap out of it Kagome! Kagome you have to live! I want you to live! Don't give up Kagome! Fight Kagome, fight! I CAN'T LET YOU DIE HERE! YOU HAVE TO LIVE!”

 

The words cut through her self-mourning like a hot knife through butter. She spun to see the demon mere feet from her, though it seemed to be moving so slowly. I have to live! “I HAVE TO LIVE!” Power flared from deep within her, igniting her will to live. She had to see everyone again. She couldn't possibly let herself die here! Wrenching herself as hard as she could away from a deathblow, she only sustained a moderate gash to her left shoulder as she rolled out of the way.

 

“Lost your nerve already human girl? I would have spared you pain, but now I will see that you suffer!” The demon snarled and lunged at her, as Kagome spun around trees and leaped over brush, desperately searching for some cover so she could form a plan. She was fighting a losing battle, but she wouldn't give up. Her hand brushed her side as she made a particularly sharp turn and her hand found something cold and metal.

 

“This weapon has been in the family for over fifty generations and is given to the first born daughter of the Higarashi name when she turns sixteen. She is to carry it with her always until the birth of her first daughter, at which time it is preserved until her sixteenth birthday. However in your case, Kagome, we held it off, seeing as you don't seem to be interested in getting married anytime soon. Your career seemed more symbolic to us and so we waited for graduation to award it to you, coincidently this falls on your twentieth birthday as well. From this day forward you shall always carry this weapon at your hip as a declaration of your family lineage as descendents of the great holy priestesses of long ago.”

 

The Caster gun.

 

It had to work! It had to! She ripped it out of the holster as fast as she could. The shell was still in the gun, she remembered checking it when she was searching for Buyo last night. Trying to slow her ragged breaths and focus, she held her ground behind a large oak tree. The youkai gave her only precious seconds before the tree suddenly split asunder in an awful crack. She didn't have time left to focus: it was do or die. She was looking into the gaping jaws of her death.

 

Kagome went dead calm.

 

When she looked back on that moment in her life she would always point out that she never remembered pulling the trigger. What she did remember was shooting off half a dozen arms, giving her the time to escape. Though, at that time, she had no idea what she was `escaping' to.

 

A wave of relief washed over her as the trees began to come closer together. She was close to the Goshinboku now, and there still hadn't been sign of the demon. As she cleared the last branches in her way she stopped mid stride to stare at him one last time. She couldn't let it end this way. She had to touch him before she returned to her time forever. She crossed the meadow at a quick walk, not wanting to waste any time. She knew her life hung in the balance. The kiss would be quick and chaste and then she would be gone, he would never even know. She threw herself against him and murmured his name, for some reason she found herself apologizing, maybe for never letting him meet her, or even know she existed. Something in the back of her mind told her that something was wrong. He was different from before, too warm, and too soft, she ignored the warning this time with a vengeance and crushed her lips to his. It was only then that she noticed. He had recoiled in shock at her action; it could mean only one thing, some how he had awakened. Uh oh…

 

His reaction was not in the least what she had expected though. Suddenly his hands circled around her throat, and a vicious growl sounded from his chest as his voice dripped hatred into the air. “Sorry you say? You're sorry?! You're sorry?!” He almost seemed to be laughing. He was mad. “Kikyou, you bitch, did you think you could just kiss me and I would forgive you for your betrayal?” His hands tightened and her breathing became strained. Her fear was intoxicating, her looming death music to his ears. He breathed in her scent gloriously as her demise neared. Lavender and sakura with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon… Something in the back of his mind told him something was amiss. Lifting her up to eye level so he could commit every detail of her death to memory he instantly realized what it was. He dropped her, horrified at what he had almost done to an innocent young woman. “You…” his voice was soft and quiet, “you're not Kikyou…”

 

The woman was coughing uncontrollably, her life had been a few dozen seconds from ending. He couldn't blame her. It was her fault anyway, stupid bitch. Coming in here, looking like Kikyou, what the hell did she expect anyway? “I… could… have told you that… you… you fucking idiot. YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!” She marched right up to him, anger and wrath boiling over as she screamed at the top of her lungs. “MY NAME IS NOT KIKYOU YOU JACKASS! ITS KAAAAGOOOMEEE. KA-GO-ME! GOT IT?!” He blanched at her show of aggression. She was a miko and could fry him at any second. An ass to the end, he was about to dare her to vaporize him when she suddenly disappeared from his sight.

 

A ragged scream pierced the air, and he saw her fly into the ground halfway across the meadow. Blood flowed freely down her side, and something round flew from her, glowing in the fading evening light. “THE JEWEL! THE JEWEL IT IS MINE AT LAST!” His heart sank when he realized exactly what that round bauble was. This was bad, he was pinned and he wouldn't be able to kill her is she fully absorbed the power of the Shikon no Tama! A blur of movement caught his attention. It was the girl; she was on her feet and loading a shell into something. A Caster gun? A familiar whine pierced the air as she fired at the transforming monster. It dropped the jewel, shrieking in pain. Quickly as she could she raced to it and then threw it as far away as her arm would let her.

 

Inuyasha couldn't control himself. “You idiot! Do you even know what you just did?! She'll just regenerate and come back to kill us both in under a minute!” He had planned to go off on a fantastic tirade, but stopped when he realized that they were now surrounded by a second foe: an entire police detachment of fifty men headed by none other than Stern Walkings himself pointed their weapons at him.

 

“FIRE!” Inuyasha could hear the fingers squeezing on the triggers. This was it! Now he really was going to die! He braced himself, puffing out his chest with pride as he sucked in a big breath; his last. A chorus of horrified yells met him instead of fatal blasters.

 

The centipede demon, now almost completely finished absorbing the jewel, was tearing into the police force. There was an old bag next to the commander, trying to bark her own orders. The demon was having the time of its life hacking away at the useless mortals that attempted to harm it. After a minute or two lost its interest in the humans. Its bloodlust required greater as its gaze turned to him. “Inuyasha I will feast on your bones and deliver the Western Lord!” Its form was almost completely turned, two or three more minutes and Inuyasha wouldn't be capable of retaliating with any hope of winning. It lunged with its jewel-enhanced speed, aiming for his throat. Inuyasha just spat.

 

He couldn't believe he was going to die from scum like this. He prepared for his death again, this time sure that nothing could prevent it. It seemed the fates were toying with him that day. A brilliant shaft of light lit the air, as the bag shot off bolt after bolt in rapid succession; apparently she had a death wish. Inuyasha could care less. She looked like she had to legs and one arm in the grave already anyways. The demon would only be sparing her pain at this point. She was knocked to the ground brutally; he doubted she could survive such a blow. Again he was surprised. When the dust settled she appeared unharmed, a weak barrier hovering about her. The youkai roared in protest as it was denied its kill. Giving up on the more difficult pray, she settled for her only other threat: the girl with the Caster gun.

 

Kagome was desperately searching through her garments. Just where was that last shell anyway?! It had to happen to her didn't it? She bit her lip in frustration as she frantically searched anywhere on her person she hadn't checked. The demon seemed to be occupied at the time, so she decided to expand her search to the ground. After she had taken a few steps she realized how uncomfortable her right boot was. Sure enough the shell had somehow found its way in there. She kicked off the other boot, not wanting be balanced awkwardly and not having the time to put them back on. She really didn't care so long as she killed the thing this time. As she loaded the peculiar looking obsidian shell into the barrel, she couldn't help but wonder why the number `zero zero' glowed in red on each side of it. She shrugged it off. She didn't have time to be thinking of such things! She closed her eyes, attempting to find her center. Damnit focus Higarashi! This is life and death! Now breath…

 

She could feel the impact of the unexpected blow cracking several ribs as she was sent skidding back across the clearing, twisting a wrist in the process. Her head came down hard on one of the roots of the Goshinboku and she bit into her cheek a little. She tried to move but her body screamed in protest. Oh no… I'm really fucked up now! At least I don't feel any internal bleeding. What she did feel was a stream of something warm rolling down, over her right ear. That wasn't good: she might have a head wound. She dismissed the idea, she hadn't blacked out so there was any serious damage. The inventory was taken in mere seconds as she struggled to stand up. She was surprised when she felt a pair of strong, yet gentle arms helping her. She teetered dangerously as she realized too late that she had likely twisted an ankle as well. Inuyasha's arms held her up though, and she collapsed against his chest. Sobbing as she heard the demon destroying what was left of the police force until only the commander and Kaede were left standing. It wouldn't be long now…

 

“Inuyasha… I'm sorry.” Her head drooped. “ We only met five minutes ago and now we're both going to die. Sad… isn't it…” Her voice trailed off, too painful for her to continue.

 

Inuyasha panicked. This wasn't right. She shouldn't die! Shit, he was going to die if she didn't do something fast. “Listen to me Kagome.” She didn't make any sign of hearing him, so he tried again, louder this time. “KAGOME! Listen to me!” She managed to lift her head up to stare up into his eyes. “Pull the arrow from my shoulder, it's your only chance!” His eyes were fierce and she moved her hand as best she could towards his plight. “Quickly, Kagome!”

 

Somehow his voice carried over to where the pitched battle where the two strongest police force members were somehow holding off a demon that was a mere minute or two away from becoming one with the jewel. “Nay Kagome don't do it,” the old priestess cackled over the fray, “ye can not possibly understand the consequences of freeing him!” Kagome's head spun, don't free him? She would rather they all die and let the demon fully transform? Either Kaede wasn't thinking straight, or she knew something Kagome didn't. Though she had only met her that morning, she had to assume it was the latter. But was it really worth her life? She had to decide quickly, the exchange had caused the youkai to shift its focus to Inuyasha and her once again. Her hand was grasping the arrow, trembling with indecision. She had to choose, her hesitation would be their demise!

 

Inuyasha seethed. “Kagome, you're going to die if you don't free me!” His tone was harsh and forced. He knew it wasn't that simple. He could smell death on her. Her wounds were grave. It was clear he was only interested in saving himself. “You have no other choice, you idiot.” He was right, she didn't have a choice, but oh how easy it would be just to let herself die here. Besides, if this guy didn't have heart enough to care whether she died or not then Kaede was right! Her eyes blazed defiantly against his, clearly accepting death, though she did not remove her hand from the arrow.

 

Kaede's voice screeched desperately across the meadow. A final plea not to give in. “Kagome, child, please I beg of ye! Ye cannot possibly know what you've unleashed until it is too late.” She was still trying to stall the demon. It was futile. The centipede knocked her down again, this time for good. Not that it mattered, Inuyasha could tell that in no more than thirty seconds the demon would be beyond his powers to fight.

 

The youkai, sensing the defeat in his aura, shrieked a hideous battle cry. “Die Inuyasha!” The youkai seemed to wait though. Inuyasha figured it out almost instantly; it wanted to wait out its last half a minute or so of vulnerability before striking.

 

But Inuyasha had not given up yet. He was not one to die so readily. “Kagome this is your last chance. Thirty more seconds and I wont be able to kill that thing! You have to make a choice. Are you going to die right here? Is this really it for you?” The timbre in his voice had changed slightly, he truly knew that she might say yes just as soon as no. “Its your life Kagome, do you want to live? Yes or no? You have twenty five seconds.”

 

Whenever Inuyasha looked back on this first meeting he would remember the first time something in him had changed because of her, the first of many changes to come.

 

When he heard it, it hit something deep within him. Somehow that one little word had made him care about somebody other than himself. He found himself horrified at the thought of her dying. He didn't know what it was, but his heart constricted painfully as he watched her trembling lips form that one little word. “…no…” she whispered. It was almost inaudible, even for his ears, but the pain it held seemed to spasm through his entire body. He couldn't let it end like this. He couldn't let them die before either of them had begun to live. He couldn't let this human girl die!

 

“Kagome! Kagome! Snap out of it Kagome!” His voice was passionate and desperate. He wouldn't let it happen. “Kagome you have to live!” Kagome just looked up at him in shock and his speech stalled for but a few seconds.

 

Kagome suddenly snapped to attention when she heard the words. Just like my dream… what's going on? There is no way he could have changed like that in a matter of seconds… She couldn't have been more wrong, and she knew her heart was a better guide than her mind over an issue like this. He could have lied through his teeth, but she knew in that moment that his words matched his feelings. Something about those words made her believe him, she could sense, no she could feel the desperate need that had suddenly sparked in him, scorching past everything else, even his own life!

 

The will for her to live!

 

In those few moments of silence, between his impassioned words, two decisions were made, both desiring the same outcome: Kagome decided that she was going to live no matter what because she wanted to live for him. At the same time, Inuyasha concluded that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he let her die.

 

His voice rose in volume until he was yelling with reckless abandon. “I want you to live! Don't give up Kagome! Fight Kagome, fight! I CAN'T LET YOU DIE HERE! YOU HAVE TO LIVE!”

 

Suddenly Inuyasha realized he was clutching her to his chest, trying to protect her without even thinking. Kagome was trembling so fiercely he thought she might be going into convulsions, but then he felt her gather up her strength, and her aura flared with incredible power. She wasn't trembling in fear- she was pushing her body beyond its limit with pure determination! Impossible… She had lost too much blood, her numerous injuries overwhelming her and making it nearly impossible to life a finger, let alone wrench out an arrow. He realized that his haori was soaked with her blood. She was using everything she had and more, just to make her body work! “I…will… I…will…. I will survive!” She was choking on her own blood as she whispered her thoughts out loud in desperation; fifteen seconds.

 

Instead of spitting the blood out she swallowed it, smiling scornfully as her body still refused to budge. “I… will…not…die…….. here……” Suddenly she went limp, her human body giving out on her, the stress was just too much to bear; ten seconds. That was it: game over.

 

Inuyasha's heart sank. Then it stopped. What… the… why am I dying? No… no fair… He was fading in and out of consciousness, his vision dimming, he seemed to wander for an eternity waiting for himself to die. He felt sad, humans were so weak, their lives so short, her poor human heart had just given out on her. So this is it…

 

Darkness.

 

Kagome knew she was going to die. Her basic medical education could tell her that. It was that last throw across the meadow that had done it. She was already bleeding badly from where she was punctured in the side- where the jewel had come out. Not to mention that the wound on her shoulder had been bleeding freely and at a steady pace for over ten minutes. When she broke her ribs she must have puncture something. At first she though she hadn't, but when she started coughing up blood she knew she had. The only reason she hadn't felt it was likely because she also had something of a minor concussion perhaps.

 

Still it just wasn't fair. She had tried so hard. Even as she was speaking her determination to Inuyasha she felt her body getting weaker, her breaths were becoming harder to perform. Suddenly she felt something pop as she exhaled, and she realized she was only going to get one more breath. Ok, so she was going to die. Big deal! But she couldn't let Inuyasha go with her after his change of heart; it would destroy him. She found it strange that while they had only known each other for perhaps ten minutes they had already been in a life and (in her case) death situation- love at first sight and knights in shining armor? Ha! That was worth a laugh. One she couldn't spare.

 

She fought through the pain, welcoming it, allowing it to keep her from slipping into unconsciousness, and shortly after, death. When she had breathed all the air she could fit in her lungs, Kagome focused her chakra like grandfather had instructed her those oh so many times. She could feel it waning as her did her life. She could feel it sputtering, as if trying to ignite but not having a catalyst. She needed to do something or it would all be for naught. The only thing she could think of was to completely give into her fatigue for a second and then poor the remainder of her life energy out in one last glorious burst.

 

She felt her heart stop. She felt herself die. She let it happen.

 

Darkness.

 

Then light, a burst of shear concentrated power of will combined with her life energy. It started a chain reaction, suddenly she felt power as she had never before flowing through her limbs: her untapped reserves that were her heritage as a miko. It was only the afterburner of a dying girl, but it was good enough for her. Concentrating everything she had she exhaled the breath and felt her heart beat one last time.

 

Just as his last thoughts left his mind Inuyasha was suddenly shocked back awake with an incredible surge of power. He realized that his heart had only missed one beat, that it had only been a split second… but Kagome had died. Then how was her aura surging with power to dwarfing even Kikyou's? Somehow he knew. She had used her last breath of life to focus and now she was about to use her last heartbeat to pull out the arrow. Its… its just not possible… how can any being have such a strong will to live? She just can't be human!

 

“I WANT TO LIVE!” The arrow tore from his chest and disintegrated in a burst of blinding light, extinguishing as quickly as it has flared, as the light in Kagome's eyes did now. “Goodbye Inuyasha… I am…so…happy…” The vines encircling him were suddenly nothing to his strength, he shrugged them of carelessly and smirked at the youkai who had just killed the girl lying at his feet. His smirk turned to a look of purge rage as he sprinted at her faster than he remembered himself being able to run.

 

“I'm gonna make you pay!” He jumped into the air with incredible speed flashing his claws down the length of her body as he yelled his signature attack. “Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!” The centipede let out a deafening wail and then burst into pieces. He moved to recover the jewel, but he felt himself weakening. That's right… my life is some how tied to hers… I have to hurry.

 

“Inuyasha get away from her ye fiend.” The bag rushed to her side as he lay next to her, feeling his pulse begin to slow.

 

She was trying to push him away, but she had expended her power and could do nothing to him now. The commander seemed satisfied just to watch him suffer. “Somehow my life is connected to her own.” He heard himself say. “She was the one who awakened me, so I guess it makes sense in an ironic sort of way. Hey bag, do me a favor and grab one of those ceremonial daggers from one of the corpses will ya?”

 

She made no motion to leave. “What do ye wish to do Inuyasha?”

 

“I might be able to save her, but I wont if I die first, hurry!” His voice was hot, but still business like. “She isn't dead yet, she can still be revived by she's fading fast. We only have a minute.”

 

Kaede studied him with a piercing glare that he swore could see everything he ever thought. He was relieved when she swiftly grabbed the nearest dagger and returned with it, he doubted he could stand anymore. She handed it to him looking suspicious, but she held her tongue.

 

Seeing no need for words, Inuyasha swiftly unsheathed the dull weapon and sliced himself across his right wrist, he had needed a clean cut and he didn't trust he claws in his current state. He winced slightly at the pain but quickly dismissed it, he was getting slower and had to hurry. When he reached for Kagome's wrist Kaede stopped him with a look of severe alarm on her face.

 

Her voice seethed with rage. “Inuyasha, surely ye do not wish to perform blood bond with her? Her life will be forever changed. I cannot allow it.”

 

Inuyasha laughed weakly. “Stupid bag… as if… no it's just a healing ritual. If I had used my fangs or claws and we were mated then it would be a blood bond… dumb bag… you should… know… these things.” He managed.

 

She stepped back again as Inuyasha held the dagger to Kagome's left wrist. It fell to the ground. “Hey…bag…I'm too weak… please… do it… she can… live…” Kaede had missed most of the exchange Inuyasha and Kagome had shared in her last minute of life, and wasn't so easily assured. If she had doubts, the look in his eyes said it all, he didn't want but needed her to live.

 

Kaede sighed and picked up the dagger, unceremoniously slashing Kagome's last wrist and then placing Inuyasha's on top of hers so the blood would flow in better. She took one of her handkerchiefs and tied their wrists together. Already she was beginning to regret her decision to allow them both to live. She was sorry for Kagome, sure, but things would only become more difficult from here. Her one good eye wearily searched the battleground for the jewel, spotting it easily and swiftly concealed it in her robe. The commander, she noticed, had already found a direct comm. link to HQ on one of the slaughtered police. What a waste of life. She was glad she always worked alone at times like these. She hoped the med evac. shuttle would be there soon, it was a long walk back to New Edo.

 

She stared down at the now unconscious inu-hanyou who had just slit his wrist to save this girl. It surprised her too, he had not done if for himself, despite the fact that he would die he did it instead for her. Something she doubted he would have done for Kikyou, besides her sister wouldn't have allowed it. Kagome was ignorant of Inuyasha's status in both the demon and human worlds, if they survived she would find out soon enough. It would probably be a couple days before she could attempt a trip back to her time, if that. She had to admit that despite being battered and bloodied Kagome did look peaceful and possibly… happy? She thought she had heard her say something like that in her final moments. Well perhaps they wouldn't be so final.

 

A trace amount of color began to return to the girl's cheeks and she suddenly looked much healthier. So kami-sama they are not destined to die here are they? It was a challenge as well as a statement. Whatever forces of the universe were at work here they were far beyond her ability to understand. For whatever reason it seemed these two had destinies that would intertwine, the way their auras blended at the edges so easily spoke to that. She recalled her previous thought that Inuyasha had needed Kagome to live. Likewise it seemed Kagome needed him just the same. Not to mention that it appeared as though that if one died the other would follow. Kaede shifted against the trunk of the Goshinboku to find a better position to sit in. She had somehow wandered there without noticing it, while she would admit she was old, she wasn't senile. It had called her. A heavy sigh, fraught with the wear and tear of a difficult life stole from her breath. After she had rested for what she was suspected was about five minutes she returned to sit by the two young enigmas. Confirming that no one was looking, she fished in her robes until she found what she sought. Getting it over quickly, she casually took the prayer beads she had brought with her and put them around Inuyasha's neck. Kagome would have to be instructed in there use, but that could clearly wait for another time. Until they were both sure of Inuyasha's true intentions the beads would be a vital tool. Kaede reprimanded herself, she loved using people, so why did she feel so uneasy now? Perhaps it was the unique, to say the least, circumstances that had been thrust upon them.

 

A reincarnated miko from five hundred years in the future that had no idea of how to wield her power, and no sense of the boundaries of the human and demon worlds. Yet she was able to create an aura stronger than her predecessor ever had out of shear emotional instinct. An inu-hanyou, a being hated by both worlds, yet descended from the greatest line of demons in all of space, sealed to a sacred tree by the miko's predecessor fifty years ago. He had lived solely for himself up until now, yet in a few brief moments meeting this girl had forever changed his heart. He had yet to discover even the tip of his heritage either, though he didn't know it. Yes these two were fated to be together, the cosmos had ruled it so. She idly pondered this, as it began to make less and less sense. Finally she threw it all to the winds, these things were best left to be taken on one step at a time. Still she could not help but wonder… Was it her? Or had the gods finally gone mad?