InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Realization ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 30 )

Chapter 25

"There he is!" Cried Shippo when he saw the vague image of Inuyasha come into view.

"He's alone." Miroku commented softly to himself.

"Shippo!" Sango shouted as she watched Shippo race towards Inuyasha.

Kikyo stood with her usual silence watching the situation unfold itself.

"Inuyasha?" She barely heard Shippo say. The young kitsune had reached him and was now riding on his shoulder but Inuyasha didn't appear to be acknowledging him.

"What did the wizard say?" Miroku asked when Inuyasha with Shippo on shoulder arrived.

But Inuyasha wasn't really listening to them. He's gaze rested on Kagome who still laid out in the opening.

"We weren't sure if we should move her." Sango said following his gaze.

"I know it wasn't supposed to be this way." Inuyasha said in barely a whisper. "Deep in my soul I know it." Inuyasha walked over and crouched next to Kagome. "I know that you have so much more love to share. So much more life to live, completing the jewel and defeating Naraku were supposed to just be the beginning."

Sango, unable to help herself, grabbed Miroku's hand and squeezed it tightly to keep herself from crying out. No! she shouted over and over again in her head. He's right; it wasn't supposed to be this way!

Miroku looked down at his hand and up at Sango. It made his heart cringe and nearly took his breath away to see her in so much pain. He thought he saw her in pain when it came to her brother, but Kagome was more than just Sango's best friend they were like sisters. Despite all the comfort he wanted to offer, he feared Sango's reaction if he were to put his arm around her shoulders. So instead he loped his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand back in assurance that he was there for her.

Shippo, on the other hand, still had his voice. "Why are you talking this foolishness? Now is not the time to bare your heart to her."

"She's gone." Inuyasha whispered to Shippo not looking at him.

"No!"

"Shippo, look at her." Inuyasha took Shippo off his shoulders and put him on his lap. "She's dead. For three days now. It's time for us to accept…" Shippo shot off Inuyasha's lap and turned around to face him with tears in his eyes.

"I can't believe that you are going to choose Kikyo over Kagome." Shippo said with hatred.

Unable to look at Shippo and his hateful look Inuyasha turned his attention back to Kagome. With tears blurring his vision he shook his head no.

"You are!" Shippo argued. "You were hell bent on reviving Kagome till Kikyo was brought into the situation." Shippo pointed his finger at Kikyo. "You haven't even asked her for Kagome's soul back and yet your willing …"

Shippo words froze in his throat when Inuyasha turned back to look at him, his eyes flashing red. "What do you suggest I do, Shippo? Should I murder Kikyo so that Kagome may live?"

"If you ask her maybe she will…" Shippo started then looked down at his feet when Inuyasha started laughing at him.

"Will it make you feel better?" Inuyasha asked, then stood and turned towards Kikyo. Holding out his hands and arms imploringly Inuyasha asked, "Can we have Kagome's soul back?"

When silence answered him Inuyasha closed his eyes and tilted his head back, then dropped his arms to his side.

"She has no reason to aid us." Inuyasha said breaking the silence. "And killing her will solve nothing because then they both will be dead."

Shippo's hands balled into fists at his side and he turned his head away.

"Shall we bury her?" Miroku asked with Sango's hand still held firmly by his.

"Yes but with her mother." Inuyasha said.

"You're going to take her to her time?" Sango asked sadly.

"Yes." Inuyasha answered, scooping Kagome up in his arms.

"Where we can't go?" Shippo cried.

"Her mother should see her one last time." Inuyasha said without turning to look at them.

"Keade can create a shrine for her here." And he walked away.

Sango gripped Miroku's sleeve with her free hand turning towards him slightly. "We have to go with him."

"Take Shippo and walk on ahead. I'll go get the horses." Miroku said.

"Okay." Sango whispered.

Kikyo stood and watched as Inuyasha and his friends slowly made their way back to the village. She stood and watched till she couldn't see them anymore and long after that.

"I'm sorry." She said and then started walking in the same direction.