InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ InuYasha's Strength ❯ Two Weeks Later ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

InuYasha's Strength

Chapter 17

Two Weeks Later….

InuYasha stood on the ledge of the seventeen story building that had served as headquarters of Taisho Inc, for nearly a hundred years. He watched everyone below as they walked by, looking for the slightest off set or perhaps even a wisp of a scent that would give him a lead. He looked up from his unending stare on the people below.

“Kagome.” He whispered as he watched the sun set. Suddenly, he felt a strong comforting presence come towards him. He knew this presence, for only one woman held this aura other than Kagome.

“She did this too you know.” A voice came from behind him. “She felt as though she had lost you. Again.”

“I have lost her, I can't sense her anymore.”

“Does that mean she is lost?”

“If I can't feel her it must!”

“InuYasha, have you given up on my daughter?”

InuYasha spun around and glared at Mrs. Higurashi.

“Never.” He spat.

“Then do you doubt her?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Do you trust her?”

“Of course!”

“Then do you think she will fight to live or just give up and die? Leaving you with two young children?”

InuYasha looked away. Kagome loved them as much as he did. She died so that Keitaro could live; she purified her blood so that she wouldn't take him with her. So he could raise their son.

Keitaro.

Mieko.

“Why not? “

“What?”

“Why wouldn't she leave? After all, I am the one who is at fault for all of this. Hell, I can't even trace her scent!”

“InuYasha..”

“Besides, I wouldn't want to live if she died. I would curl up and die the moment I knew she was gone!”

“And the children?”

“…” InuYasha didn't look up, he suddenly found his shadow quite interesting..

“InuYasha, the children need their parents. It is the responsibility of the both of them to be there no matter what. In this case, you need to be there. Keitaro has withdrawn completely. He won't even speak to Mai. Sango is worried InuYasha, she is worried he is trying to give up.”

“He can't.”

“He can InuYasha, his mother is one of the most important things in his life right now. With Mieko's birth, he has kind of taken second place. Then, this with Kagome...”

InuYasha looked at the woman who had turned away. He could smell her tears and hear her sobs. He looked back over the city and the walked over to the woman and held her as she cried.

“Please, InuYasha.” She pleaded “Just don't give up. Kagome wouldn't want you to and the babies need you so!”

InuYasha held her tightly as his own tears threatened to fall.

“I won't mom. I won't I promise.”

The two stood there watching the sunset, holding on to each others comforting presence.

“Come on InuYasha, Keitaro needs his daddy.”

InuYasha only nodded and followed the woman back to the doorway.

-*-*-*-*-*-

`The barrier is fading, I can't do this anymore!' Kagome thought weakly. `I want to die, but I can't. Not now. Keitaro, Mieko and InuYasha all need me!' She then let herself drift off to memories that held hope for her. Though, her thoughts were also of those who had caused her pain.

****Flashback*****

Kagome came in just as the news came on.

`Dad will be home soon. I had better get everything ready.' She thought. She quickly went about, cleaning the house and making dinner. By the time she finished, it was six o'clock.

`Dad won't be home for another hour, I have time for a shower.' She thought `I could use a soak though.'

She then ran the water to the right temp.

`I might as well enjoy this while I can.' She then proceeded to remove her clothing and the talisman. `What am I going to name this baby? What should I do about his last name?

`That's a no brainier Kags. He'd have to be a Higurashi.'

`Wait how do you know it's a he? Why are you even talking about this with me?'

`Why shouldn't you tell InuYasha? It's his child just as much as it yours.'

`I know that! But he has chosen Kikyo.'

`You know he didn't choose her. He chose you and you have the mark to prove it.'

`If he chose me, he would've told Kikyo to go to hell instead of marrying her.'

`You wouldn't have let him do that and you know it.'

Kagome sighed.

`Fine, you win.'

`So we are going to tell InuYasha?'

`No.'

`Why not?'

`Because, he is going to be the father of Kikyo's baby. He doesn't need another baby right at the same time. Besides, I will take care of him on my own. InuYasha will have his hands full with the company and married life anyway. He doesn't need an extra responsibility.'

`You are being unfair. You're not even giving him a chance.'

“AND HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?”

“Duh? I'm your conscience.”

Kagome had enough of arguing with herself. She got up and dressed, leaving the talisman behind. She lies down on the couch and let herself drift off as she watched television. She looked at her belly before she drifted off.

`I wish I could tell your daddy. I really want to, but I can't, for his sake.' She thought sadly as her eyes closed.

When they would open again, a nightmare beyond her belief would begin.

*****End of Flashback*****

`Dad was the reason InuYasha found out. Everything he did made my life what it is today.' She thought. `Naraku used him to tear us apart, but instead he brought me and InuYasha back together and this time for good.'

For the first time since she had been taken, she smiled.

`Fuck you Naraku.'

A heart wrenching scream from the next room tore her from her thoughts and she awaited Naraku's entrance; trying hard to keep the barrier around her.

-*-*-*-*-*-

InuYasha opened the door to his home for the first time since he had left to go see Myoga. He was greeted with Kagome's scent, though it was stale it still lingered.

As he walked in, Sango came from the kitchen. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Sango threw herself into InuYasha arms.

“InuYasha!” She cried.

InuYasha held her as she wept; again he felt his own tears resurface. He wanted to cry, but he could let himself do so. Not in front of his family.

“Sango.”

The woman in his arms looked up at him.

“Where is Keitaro?”

“InuYasha, he hasn't come out of your room since we brought him here to get his things. We've tried to get him to come out and eat, but he won't.”

“How long ago was this?” InuYasha asked worriedly.

“It's been almost two days!” Sango cried. “I've left food for him outside the door, but he won't come out.”

“All right. Are you two here alone?”

“No, I wouldn't leave her here alone InuYasha.”

InuYasha turned to look at his best friend. Miroku went pale.

“My God InuYasha. When was the last time you ate?”

“Don't worry about me; I need to speak with my son.” With that, he turned and headed upstairs.

Miroku looked at Sango.

“Make sure he eats Sango, Koga and I will be done with securing the house in a while.”

Sango nodded and the two went to finish their tasks.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

As InuYasha approached the bedroom door that he and Kagome had shared, her scent became stronger. He suddenly realized why Keitaro had locked himself up. He said nothing as he knocked.

No answer. He knocked again.

*click*

InuYasha proceeded to turn the handle and walked in his room. As he entered, he was swept away by the scent of his Kagome. Though stale, it lingered as if she had only been gone for a little while.

`Is this what it's like?' He asked himself as he scanned the room. `Is this what it would've been like had I not taken her as my own?'

“Keitaro?” He called. “Keitaro, answer. Now.”

The response was a small whimper from inside the closet. He walked in to the small dark area and he suddenly felt as if the walls were collapsing around him.

“Dad?” A tearful voice from beneath Kagome's clothes cried. “Dad, she'd scared.”

Though it was dark, InuYasha's eyes were keen. His son sat wrapped up in the blanket Kagome had been given on their wedding day. It was her favorite, and it was Keitaro's favorite.

“Keitaro.” He called gently as he kneeled next to his son.

“She is so scared dad!” The little boy cried. “She is afraid because she can't help her?”

“InuYasha!” a voice called from outside the door.

“In a minute!” InuYasha called then turning his attention back to the little boy. “Who can't she help, Keitaro?”

“I-.”

“Keitaro? Who is she afraid for?”

“K-Kikyo.”

Just then, Miroku came into the small closet.

“What the hell?” InuYasha said as he stood.

“InuYasha, Keade is here. She says that Kikyo is missing, and she seems to think Naraku is the cause of her disappearance.”

-*-*-*-*-*-

InuYasha wanted to be anywhere but here at that moment. He looked at Keade as she finished telling why she thought Kikyo had been taken.

“So, Naraku needed Kikyo to remove the object of power from Kagome.”

“What the fuck is this object?”

Keade sighed but continued.

“Kagome carries or, carried within her the sacred jewel of four souls. Better know to demons and humans as the Shikon no Tama.”

“What?”

The woman in front of him sighed again.

“InuYasha, what Keade is trying to say is that Kagome is the keeper of the jewel. Didn't you know this from the last attack on her life?” Miroku asked.

“I thought that-.”

“No matter, Naraku thinks that it is still bound to her soul and he is going to either use Kikyo to remove it, or kill Kikyo and use her power to break Kagome's soul. Killing her.”

“That won't happen!” A little voice came from behind them. InuYasha looked over his shoulder at the little boy who stood on the first landing of the stairs.

“Dad won't let it happen! Mom won't either!”

“No, he won't.” Sango said as tears fell down her cheeks. “Your mother doesn't have it anymore.”

“What?” InuYasha asked suddenly worried.

“Kagome has entrusted her children to take care of the jewel. Keitaro was given his at the time he was removed from her womb.”

InuYasha looked at Kikyo's younger sister as if though she had grown a second head.

“Why the fuck do you think that happened?”

“Because, Kagome said as much.”

“What?”

Sango sighed and Keade tried to continue.

“When Kagome awoke, she told Kikyo that she had to shatter the jewel. She only holds a single shard within her body. She has to continuously protect it against your blood. Thus, she gave it to her children until they are no longer innocent.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“It means until something corrupts them.”

“I won't let that happen.”

“How do you intend to stop it should you die?”

“Kagome won't let me die.”

“Ok, then take this into mind. Should anything happen to Kagome what do you think would happen?” Sango asked him with a trembling voice. “What would happen when her little boy and little girl found out?”

“Found out what?” The little boy asked now sitting near his father.

“Nothing Keitaro. Go upstairs and play.”

“Dad?”

InuYasha bit back the urge to lash out at him and calmly responded.

“What is it Keitaro?”

“I'm sorry.”

InuYasha sighed.

“For the last time Keitaro, its not your fault.”

“Yeah.”

“Keitaro? Did you eat?” Sango asked gently.

“No aunty, I'll eat tomorrow.”

“Keitaro-.”

“Its all right Sango, he will eat in the morning.” InuYasha said in a no argument tone. “Won't you Keitaro?”

“Yes dad.”

“Good, to bed.”

“Dad? Will you tuck me in?”

“Sure. I'll be up in a minute.”

He watched the little boy climb the stairs before he said anything.

“You were right Keade.”

“Eh?”

“Where ever Kagome is, Kikyo is with her. Naraku must be trying to get the jewel.”

“Question?” Miroku said as he raised his hand. “If Kagome has only a shard, then does that mean Keitaro has the whole thing?”

“Nay, it does not.” Keade said as she sipped her tea. “Keitaro has only half of the jewel, Kagome a shard.”

“Does that mean-.”

A sudden look of realization, then horror crossed the faces sitting in the room.

“Mieko.” InuYasha whispered.

“Indeed.” Keade said simply.

“What the fuck was she thinking?” InuYasha screamed.

“What do you mean by that InuYasha?”

“She gave my kids that fucking jewel! They'll be targeted for sure!”

“InuYasha!” Miroku called warningly.

“Fucking bitch, this was just to get back at me. For everything that's happened.”

“InuYasha!” Miroku called again, a bit more frantic.

“Stupid bitch, fucking endangering the lives of my pups. FUCK HER! If she thinks she's going to do something that fucking stupid then she can just DIE!”

A small gasp from the stairs caught his attention, and then he felt as if though someone ripped his heart from him as he saw the tears fall from his now human son.

`The new moon.'

“Kagome.” He whispered. Then his sight was no more, but his hearing remained as a small voice screamed frantically. He felt himself fall and land, but all he could see was her face.

“DAD!”

He made no move as she now appeared before him. Her body was beaten, broken and bloody. Her aura was sad and shamed. What tore him apart were her whispered words.

“Forgive me.”

-*-*-*-*-*-

Kagome knew he was coming and all she could think about was InuYasha, Keitaro, Mieko and their friends, Kikyo included.

She was weak, the barrier was now gone. She felt despair set in when the floorboards above her small prison began to squeak, and she knew that he was coming.

Still, she wasn't afraid for herself. No, that would give him too much pleasure.

So, she prayed.

`God, please. Take care of my husband and children, keep them safe. Don't let them grieve for me. I won't die easily. Forgive me.'

“Please InuYasha.” She whispered tearfully Forgive me.”

As the words escaped her mouth, Naraku walked in.

“So. The barrier is gone? Well then, shall we begin our fun?”

The rest of the night Kagome wished for nothing more than for InuYasha to rescue her.

He never came.