InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Boom Box ❯ In the End ( Chapter 10 )

Kagome's Boombox

Part 10

Kagome made certain that she went far enough away from the hut that even Inu Yasha would have some difficulty being awakened by it. Just in case anything tried to attack, she had also dragged her bow and some arrows along. She found a small, secluded clearing and settled herself against the base of a tree there. Her hand went into her CD bag and pulled out the burned disc she intended to listen to.

Unbeknownst to Kagome, she was not alone. Thinking that she had made a run for the well, Inu Yasha followed her and lay low in the grass, watching her. Even if her nose wasn't half as sensitive as his, he kept himself downwind out of habit, wondering why she would leave if it wasn't to go back to her world. Still standing, Kagome bent over and popped the disc into the boombox, then leaned against tree, staring absently at the sky.

It starts with one…

Kagome slumped herself to the ground as though her legs had suddenly given out on her.

One thing, I don't know why

It doesn't even matter how hard you try

Keep that in mind I designed this rhyme to explain in due time

The song picked up the pace, as well as its volume. Inu Yasha's first impression was that it was going to be the instrumental 'classical' music he had heard on more than one occasion at Kagome's house, but the sudden shift with the introduction of lyrics made his ears flatten uncomfortable against his head.

Though it was obvious that the boombox was doing the singing, Inu Yasha couldn't help but notice that from time to time, Kagome's lips would move as though she were mouthing the words herself. Kagome's gaze remained fixed on the stars above; she was completely oblivious to the fact that Inu Yasha was spying on her.

All I know…

Kagome's attention turned from the sky to the ground in front of her. She closed her eyes, as though concentrating, connecting the lyrics to her own thoughts.

Time is a valuable thing

Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings

Watch it count down to the end of the day

The clock ticks life away

"Valuable, huh?" Kagome muttered to herself. "Doesn't make a damn difference to me; I'm always hopping back and forth!" Her little soliloquy didn't fall on deaf ears. In fact the two that were present besides her own perked up, and strained to hear more over the loud music.

It's so unreal

"What the hell is she talking about?" Inu Yasha grumbled mentally. "We've been finding a lot shards and the way I see it, she likes being here compared to the other world, no matter how much she bitches about wanting to go back!"

Didn't look out below

Watch the time go right out the window

Trying to hold on, didn't even know

A fake smirk cracked on Kagome's face as she stared at the ground before her. Everything about this song seemed to remind her of Inu Yasha and the feudal period…falling down the well, pulling the arrow from his chest… and...

I wasted it all just to watch you go

I kept everything inside

And even though I tried It all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I …

"Kikyou…" the name escaped from her lips in a sad, frustrated hiss through clenched teeth.

It always came to that dead miko in the end. From Kagome's perspective, she just couldn't make heads or tails out of the situation; even though the truth had been blatantly laid out in front of her, Kikyou remained intent on dragging Inu Yasha to hell with her. Kagome had tried to be nothing but kind to the hanyou since she had freed him, although he did irritate her with his stubbornness and she retaliated with the subduing spell. She would never wish any harm beyond the common 'osuwari' to come to him; hell, she didn't even like having to use the magic word when things could be settled peacefully.

Tried so hard and got so far

But in the end, it doesn't even matter

I had to fall to lose it all

But in the end it doesn't even matter

Her fist slammed hard against the ground, and the smell of fresh blood caught in Inu Yasha's sensitive nose. First, she had uttered Kikyou's name, and now she looked like she was ready to cry. He knew she had cut herself and that Kagome not only looked like she was going to cry, she actually was. The salty scent of tears came almost simultaneously with the blood smell.

"So that's what this is about…" the hanyou quietly moved his sleeve to his nose. The very idea of Kagome crying unnerved him, but he dared not move to comfort her; that would only earn him a couple of 'osuwari's' for spying on her in the manner Miroku was well known for.

One thing, I don't know why

It doesn't even matter how hard you try

Keep that in mind i designed this rhyme

To remind myself how I tried so hard

Kagome covered her face as her body wracked with sobbing. She didn't even realize that she had cut her hand when she'd slammed it down a moment ago, nor did she care.

In spite of the way you were mocking me

Acting like I was part of your property

Remembering all the times you fought with me

I'm surprised it got so far

The song continued, and certainly didn't seem to be improving the situation at all. Was this what she listened to when she went back to her world, Inu Yasha could only wonder. Did she enjoy listening to this racket that made her feel worse? He was sorely tempted to just take a swipe at the boombox just to put the misery to an end, but again, he did not want to incur Kagome's wrath, especially with the way her miko aura was starting to flare…

"What the hell…!?" Inu Yasha cringed. If Kagome suddenly went venting her rage and flung her powers in the wrong direction, they'd be strong enough to evaporate him, body AND soul! As is, he could feel the tips of his ears burning just from being in such close proximity to her.

Things aren't the way they were before

You wouldn't even recognize me anymore

Not that you knew me back then

But it all comes back to me in the end

I kept everything inside

And even though I tried It all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I…

Kagome's aura flickered heatedly. Inu Yasha was getting really terrified now. At this point, it was painful just being near Kagome; he could feel trendils of her energy unconsciously trying to purify him. He had had to deal with such discomfort when she used her powers in battle, but this was a lot different. In the middle of a fight, Kagome's emotions were usually in check, save for the one time that had nearly obliterated Naraku. With her emotions surging this viciously, even a spark could be dangerous.

Tried so hard and got so far

But in the end, it doesn't even matter

I had to fall to lose it all

But in the end it doesn't even matter

She slammed her fist into the ground again, this time unloading some of her miko power into the soil. The energy trickled like water through pavement cracks and spread to the area around her. It took everything Inu Yasha had not to scream; though weakened by its filtration in the soil, what did get to him was agonizingly painful. The hanyou thanked the gods that the music was loud, for despite all his efforts to keep quiet, a choked squeak had escaped him.

I put my trust in you

Pushed as far as I can go

For all this

There's only one thing you should know

Only after having vented that frustration did Kagome notice the cuts on her hand. She could've done worse, she mused to herself, a lot worse. One of her tears fell into the open wound, and she winced momentarily at the stinging sensation.

Her mind returned to the lyrics, there's only one thing you should know..., and whispered, replying to them.

"I love you,… Inu Yasha…" she choked back more sobbing.

I put my trust in you

Pushed as far as I can go

For all this

There's only one thing you should know

"That jolt must have damaged my hearing…" Inu Yasha paled. "because I'm certain she did NOT just say that!"

I tried so hard and got so far

But in the end, it doesn't even matter

I had to fall to lose it all

But in the end it doesn't even matter

Kagome tended to her wound briefly as the song came to a close. There were bandages in her pack back at the hut, but none on her at the moment.

"Oh well…" she shrugged. "No biggie. If Inu Yasha asks, I'll just say I scratched it going in the bushes during the night. Sometimes I really worry about what that nose of his can pick up…"

Inu Yasha remained perfectly still in his hiding place. Would she listen to more music? Or was this all just for that one song? And if she did decide to return home, he prayed mentally that she would not trample over and discover him in the process.

"Speaking of going in the bushes…" Kagome got up and moved out of sight.

Inu Yasha spied the boombox and got a completely crazy idea--crazy in his mind anyway. Quiet as a mouse, he leapt up from his hiding place, snatched up the boombox, and dashed away, hoping that Kagome wouldn't notice until she returned from her 'bathroom break.'

Moments later, Kagome returned and was startled to find her boombox gone. But, who could've taken it? A flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and as she watched, Inu Yasha leapt out of sight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WAAAAAAAY overdue, I know. DON'T HURT ME! *dodges incoming projectiles of all shapes and sizes*

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