InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Yes, I know part of this goes against beliefs and traditions of many in Eastern cultures. But, for story's sake, we're going to pretend it's acceptable and move on with our plot. Oh, and we're going to pretend it's done in western culture fashion (man, aren't you DYING to know what I'm talking about? Teheheh).

Ktnxbai!

 

[Disclaimer: standard stuff, I deny any ownership of Inuyasha and co.]

 

Chapter 6

 

Swirls of purple and blue cascaded around Kagome as she descended into the well. A gentle smile lit her peaceful face as her hair flew around her, blowing wildly about her face. The well had never acted so lively in all of her trips to and from the different times. It knows that this is the last time; it worked, she thought to herself, a sense of calm flooding over her body. I'm glad.

 

Flashback

 

Kagome walked over to the well and stood on the ledge with her tattered yellow backpack slung over her shoulders. She held the completed Shikon no Tama in her hands. Closing her eyes, she made her wish. Her hair began to billow gently before it was flying frantically around her.

Live long, happy, healthy, safe lives and never forget. The well will be closed off and never used again. Let Kikyo receive a flesh body. Let their descendants be many. Have demons and humans live together in peace.

 

“As you wish it, priestess, it shall be done,” a voice whispered from the jewel. It began to glow a hot, burning white before the light faded and there was no jewel left in her hand.

 

Looking down, Kagome smiled when she saw that her wish had worked. A single tear cascaded down her cheek as she looked up at all of her friends. I'll miss them dearly. Without a word, she smiled and hopped back, effectively taking her last trip down the Bone Eaters Well.

 

Present Day

 

Kagome landed gently on the bottom of the well, falling into a familiar crouch. The well appeared blurry and it was at that time that Kagome realized she had been crying. She raised her hands to her face, finding damp trails of tears streaking down her cheeks, more threatening to spill from her lashes. Ordinarily she would have continued crying based on the last 5 minutes that had passed but instead she stayed crouched at the bottom of the well, letting silent tears trail down her face. Her hands caressed the ground of the well, fingertips tracing over every groove and footprint. Her hands moved from the ground to the sides of the well, brushing over the rough wood planks, noting spots that were scratched and worn from climbing to the top. Standing slowly, she sighed and began climbing out of the well using the ladder grandpa had made long ago for her. Upon reaching the top, she sat on the edge, swinging her legs over and out.

 

“So it's over, huh,” she said to herself. “I never imagined it would end, I guess.” Pushing herself off from the well, she climbed the stairs and slid open the door, greeted by sky tinged in oranges, yellows, and reds as it was sunset. It was still early summer and summer courses probably hadn't started yet. Stepping out of the well house, Kagome walked slowly toward the house. I should be happy. I get to be with my family she thought. She tried to tramp down the inner turmoil she felt riling up inside of her. Though she ached to see her friends in the feudal era again she knew that her wish would prevent that from ever happening again and there was no way that Sango, Miroku, Kikyo, or even Inuyasha would be able to live 500 more years. That means neither will Rin she thought suddenly. The corners of her mouth turned down and her bottom lip trembled at the thought of sweet, young Rin passing away some day.

 

Kagome slid the door to the house open and stepped inside. “Mama, Grandpa, Souta! I'm home!”

 

“Welcome home, Kagome,” her mother said as she came out of the kitchen. She saw the forlorn look on her daughter's face and immediately went to hug her. She stroked her hair and rubbed gentle circles on her back but Kagome did not cry. “Your task has been completed I assume.”

 

“Yeah,” she mumbled into her mother's shoulder. “The well is sealed. I'm done,” she said before breaking down into a fit of sobs. Her mother held her for as long as she needed before sending her up to go to bed. Kagome obeyed her mother, walking lifelessly up the stairs and to her room.

 

“Sis, you're back!” Souta yelled from his room. “Sis?” he asked when she didn't answer. He began to walk toward her room when she entered it and closed the door behind her. Knowing well enough to leave his sister alone when she didn't respond to him he went back to his bedroom.

 

Kagome stood in her room and looked around. All of here things were the same as they were before the first time she fell down the well. Her pink bedspread was laid neatly across her bed. Her night stand and desk were situated just as she left them a few days prior while she scrambled to collect her things before Inuyasha had a fit. Her nose began to tingle with the familiar itch before tears streamed from her eyes. Inuyasha. The last time he had been here he was in such a hurry for her to leave with him. The last time she would see him in her time. She closed her eyes, burning the memory into her mind as to never forget it. The rough feel of his fire rat haori and the click of his claws on the window latch when he would close it. His voice. The way one of his teeth would poke out of his mouth on those rare occasions he would tease her with a smirk. She noticed the empty box of pocky sitting in her garbage basket and thought of Shippo, Rin, and Miroku. She let out a sob-choked laugh as she remembered how the monk and kit used to fight over the treats she would sometimes bring them. But she didn't feel bitter about these reminders. They were little reminders that her friends were well. And they were happy. She changed into her pajamas, slipped into bed, and fell asleep thinking of her friends smiling and being happy.

 

As the next several months passed, Kagome jumped head-first into her studies to catch up with her classmates. She soared through the materials, achieving moderately good scores on her tests. She spent time with her friends Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka. She went on a date or two with Hojo but they decided to remain friends. Soon school picked back up and Kagome was caught up full-swing in her studies except this time she wasn't constantly absent due to various illnesses. Her teachers and classmates reflect on how much healthier she looked and how she didn't seem like the same “sick girl” they had known or heard of last year.

 

Kagome and Eri had become close friends and were beginning to talk about plans of going to University together as roommates next year. Kagome was happy to have a close friend and, in a way, Eri reminded her of Sango. She was strong and spoke her mind but was feminine at the same time. On a cool spring day, Eri and Kagome were walking home after school when Eri stopped walking, leaving Kagome stumbling to stop with her.

 

“What is it, Eri?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow at her usually focused friend. Eri was standing at a shop window, staring at something inside. Kagome took two steps back to stand next to Eri to see what she was looking at. For some reason, Kagome wasn't surprised what she was looking at. Eri had stopped to stare into a tattoo parlor. You've got to be kidding me. I am NOT getting a tattoo she thought, eyeing Eri's glazed look.

 

“I want to get a tattoo, Kagome,” she said in voice that said she meant business and there was no way of talking her out of it. Before Kagome could retort, Eri was entering the tattoo shop, pulling Kagome by the crook of her arm in after her.

“Eri,” she scolded, stumbling in after her friend, “my mother would kill me!”

 

“I said I want to get one, Kagome. You don't have to get one. But would you stay with me in case I freak out?” Eri asked, pleading brown eyes turning to look at Kagome.

 

“Guh, alright,” Kagome sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as Eri began flipping through books of tattoo artwork setting on tables.

 

A woman dressed in faded jeans and a maroon t-shirt with the name “Daguerreotypes” screen printed in white across the chest walked up to Eri and Kagome. “Anything I can help you girls with?” she asked.

 

Both girls looked up and immediately noticed the woman's white-blue hair streaked with hot pink and her soft lavender coloured eyes. A silver stud glinted from her left eyebrow. “I'm looking for a tattoo,” Eri piped up, having gone back to scanning the pages in the book she held.

 

“Oh good! We have the whole afternoon free today,” she said, “so we have time to get both of you done!”

 

“Eeee! No! I'm not getting a tattoo, sorry,” Kagome exclaimed, waving her hands in front of her to emphasize her point.

 

“Okay,” she said, “I'm Michiru.” Michiru leaned over the book Eri was paging through and the two began chatting animatedly over some of the art that Eri was interested in. Michiru looked oddly familiar to Kagome. I've seen someone with white hair and lavender eyes before she thought to herself but shook the thought from her mind. Kagome perused the waiting area which was covered in several awards and recognition plaques, not to mention artwork. She noted the certificate from the board of health about the shop being licensed and up to code with the requirements for a legal and sterile tattoo shop. Well thank the gods for that she thought as her eyes wandered over more and more artwork. Some artwork was cutesy, like flowery looking names, but others were grotesque scenes of sculls and blood. Before long Eri decided on a simple tattoo of a small cluster of 3 red hearts.

 

“Misaki-san will be with you shortly,” Michiru said as she walked past the girls and down the hall. “Misaki-san! Get off your lazy butt! You have a customer!” she sang out. A deep, muffled voice was heard in the backroom.

 

“Where are you going to put them?” Kagome asked, “You know your mother's going to have a fit if she sees them.”

 

Eri placed her hand on her left hip and Kagome's eyes widened. “There?! Eri, you can't be serious! The tattoo artist is a guy!” Kagome squeaked. Eri smiled devilishly and sat on an upholstered chair across from Kagome.

 

“You're still going to come in with me though, right?” Eri asked, biting on the nail of her pinky finger. Ah, Eri's nervous tick.

 

“Of course! I'm your best friend, that's what I'm here for,” Kagome smiled.

 

Michiru walked back into the front of the shop and announced that Misaki-san was ready for Eri. Eri and Kagome walked down the short hall and crossed the threshold of the back room.

 

“I was under the impression that I was doing only one tattoo,” the man said. Eri and Kagome glanced at one another before looking at the man who was bent over a cupboard, his head inside of it, digging for supplies.

 

“You are but I wanted my friend with me when I got it,” Eri explained.

 

“My shop, my rules. Your dirty friend need not be back here,” the man said bluntly.

 

Kagome bristled. The nerve of this guy! “Sorry, Eri, but it is his shop,” she ground out between clenched teeth. She turned on her heel and angrily walked back to the front of the shop, flopping down onto a chair with crossed arms. “my shop, my rules” she mocked inside her head. Of all the rude people Eri has to get a tattoo from THAT guy. When she's done I'm going to give him a piece of my mind.

 

A half hour later, Eri came out to the front of the shop with her tattoo covered and her face lit up with a smile.

 

“Did it hurt?” Kagome asked when she saw how tenderly Eri was treating her newly branded flesh.

 

“A little but it was totally worth it,” Eri said.

 

“If you'll come over here I'll explain the after care for you and we can get the bill taken care of,” Michiru said, waving Eri over to the counter. Kagome took this chance to give the guy a piece of her mind. Watching Eri and Michiru under her lashes, Kagome slunk toward the back room as quietly as she could. She could hear the man rummaging around with something. She walked over the threshold into the room and glanced around, trying to find him.

 

“I thought I asked you to not be back here, girl,” she heard him say flatly. This angered Kagome further. Her eyes followed to where the voice came and the man was, once again, reaching for something inside of a cupboard. He was a thin man, wearing dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt with a red screen-printed dragon on the back. He wore a black bandana on his head over long white hair that was braided down his back.

 

“You were referring to tattoos, I suspected. I'm not here for a tattoo,” Kagome said, “but I am here to ask how you expect people to come here, to your shop, if you treat them like you treated me.” She stared daggers at the man's back and watched as he pulled his head out of the cupboard and straightened out. His body seemed to unfold as he stood to an impressive height. Kagome's conviction faltered upon seeing the man stand up. Whoa, big guy she thought then steeled herself. Big guy or not, he's still rude.

 

“You, girl, were not a customer but a loiterer. You are not paying for any services I offer and therefore had no need to be in my back room,” the man said, brushing his hands on the thighs on his jeans. “Besides, you would have been a distraction.”

 

Kagome balled her fists and placed them on her hips and growled. “Of all the - what nerve you have! My friend wanted my support and you refused to allow me to be with her because you're selfish and greedy!” She heard the man scoff. He turned slightly and she saw him look at her through the corner of his eye.

 

“Still the fiery spirit, are you?” he blandly stated, turning fully to look at her. Kagome was faced with a man she would know anywhere. Though his hair was pulled back under the bandana and braided down his back, the facial markings of his heritage stood out boldly on his smooth, ivory skin. Golden eyes that, in the past, held death and final judgment now seemed calm and mischievous.

 

Kagome was at a loss for words, her arms falling slack which caused her fists to loosen and fall from her hips. Standing before her was Sesshomaru. He didn't look as if he had aged at all but he seemed out of place. He should be wearing his silk kimono, armor, and swords, she thought, not jeans and a t-shirt. “How.. b-but,” she began, the words falling from her mouth when his words from the past came back to her. “Demons live for a long time, Miko.”

 

“Sesshomaru,” she whispered.

 

“Kagome,” Eri called from the front of the store, “are you coming?”

 

It took a few moments for Kagome's mind to register her friend's question. “Uh, Eri, I'll catch up to you. I'm in the middle of a conversation,” she called back, her eyes still on Sesshomaru.

 

“Alright, see you tomorrow!” Eri called before the sound of the bell on the door jingled, signaling Eri's departure.

 

“What is the matter, girl? You were determined to give me a piece of your mind yet now it seems as if you are at a loss for words,” he gloated, sitting down on a rolling stool. His forearms rested on his thighs as his hands hung limply between his knees. The magenta stripes that she remembered from the past circled about his wrists and his claws seemed to be kept neatly trimmed now.

 

“Still rude I see,” Kagome muttered after snapping out of her daze.

 

Sesshomaru smirked, offering a slight harrumph, “apparently not too rude for your friend to give me her phone number,” he said, glancing up at Kagome. He watched as shock flitted across her face before it disappeared.

 

“Don't feel too special; Eri's phone number is widely known,” Kagome scoffed. She shifted her weight to her right leg and crossed her arms over her chest. She glanced around the room and remembered where she was. “Tattooing, Sesshomaru? Isn't that a bit… human for you?”

 

“It has grown to be an accepted and admired art form. It also provides an explanation for my markings so that others do not think too deeply into the reasons for them,” he explained. Kagome's eyes traced over the stripes curling around his wrists then traveled to his face where the magenta stripes slashed across his prominent cheekbones, another set over his eyelids and finally the Prussian blue crescent moon resting high on his brow. “Several of the world's best tattooists are demons. And here you thought that there were no demons in your time, Kagome. You must feel rather naïve right now,” he stealthily said. Get angry, he dared her.

 

“I don't exactly go around getting tattoos in my free time, Sesshomaru,” Kagome bit back sarcastically. She had already realized he was baiting her as he had done many times in the past. A stifled giggle was heard from behind her and Kagome whirled around to see Michiru standing in the doorway. Again, Kagome noticed that the girl seemed familiar to her but was not able to place where or when she had seen her before. Michiru walked past Kagome and went to a sink and began washing her hands. While toweling off, she spoke.

 

“You were right, it did make her mad,” she said with a smile as she looked at Kagome.

 

“What?” Kagome asked, feeling as if she was being set up for something. He didn't hurt me in the past but what's to stop him from hurting me now?

 

“He said that it would make you mad if he was rude to you and called you `dirty',” Michiru said as she tossed the crumpled towel onto the countertop. “He also said that Inuyasha would be suspicious if he smelled someone else's scent in your bedroom. Boy was he right about that! I still remember him stalking around your room, trying to figure out where the scent was coming from,” Michiru giggled.

 

Kagome frowned. This girl is crazy. I have no idea what she's talking about. Inuyasha hasn't been in my bedroom since before the last… that's it. Was it her scent he smelled in my room? Wait, what was she doing in my room!? “Who are you? Why were you in my room? How do you know Inuyasha?” she demanded, taking a step closer to Michiru.

 

“Relax, Kagome. Sesshomaru asked me to keep an eye on you to make sure you were alright before you used the well for the last time and then a few times after you came back. Inuyasha saved my life once,” Michiru explained.

 

“Why do I feel like I know you?” Kagome asked, cocking her head to the side as she looked at Michiru more closely.

 

“My father was TsukuyÅmaru, and my grandfather was-“

 

“Taigokumaru. Shiori?” Kagome asked, a look of disbelief blanketing her face. Michiru nodded and smiled, bowing politely to Kagome. “But you were just a little girl the last time I saw you!”

 

“Yes, well, even though I am a half demon, I still age at a much slower rate than humans.” Kagome glanced from Sesshomaru to Shiori. Shiori had grown into a beautiful woman. By the way that she talked to and teased Sesshomaru and vice versa she thought that maybe they had mated and were a couple.

 

“So you and Sesshomaru are together? I never thought he would settle down or take anyone less than a full demon as a mate,” Kagome asked, “no offense meant, Shiori.”

 

Shiori burst out in laughter and walked over to Kagome, laying her hands on her shoulders. “Kagome! Me and Sesshomaru? Oh, come on now.” Shiori turned so that both she and Kagome were facing Sesshomaru. “Do you really think that I would be able to mate with someone so blank and cold and formal like Sesshomaru? I may as well have mated a glacier.” Kagome looked at Sesshomaru but his eyes were on his hands.

 

“Uh…?” she answered, unsure if it was really a question or a statement.

 

Shiori laughed, “No, Kagome, I'm not with Sesshomaru. I mated someone who is much more fitting to my wants and needs,” she said and motioned to a framed photo on the back wall by the bulletin board. In the frame was a photo of Shiori being held by a man with vibrant red hair and dancing green eyes. Shippo? Shiori, seeming to sense Kagome's internal thought nodded. “We've been together for 198 years now.” Kagome's heart soared. Shippo's still alive!

 

“He would have sent Shippo but his scent is so familiar to Inuyasha that he'd have figured it out right away so he sent me instead,” Shiori explained, smiling at the picture.

 

Sesshomaru watched the exchange from his stool, enjoying the way Kagome's face registered confusion, disbelief, unease, and then joy. He met her gaze as she turned to look at him.

 

“You checked up on me?” she asked, unsure of his motives.

 

“I wanted to be sure you would live to see the day where I could prove to you that demons do, in fact, exist in your time,” he explained coolly. He stood from his stool, his eyes still on her and said dryly, “ta da.” Shiori snorted and turned to walk back out to the front of the shop.

 

Kagome gazed dumbfounded at Sesshomaru. Did.. did he just make a joke? Who IS this guy? Sesshomaru chuckled lightly at Kagome.

 

“Time changes everyone, Kagome. Even I, the great Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, have changed a bit,” he said, waving a hand over his attire. Kagome spotted a chair and sat down, looking Sesshomaru over. Had he been wearing his silk kimono, armor, and swords he would have be unmistakable. He seemed so… normal standing and leaning against the counter behind him. So much less threatening and imposing. Kagome's mind clicked back to something from earlier. Her eyes narrowed at Sesshomaru.

 

“You said I'm dirty,” she said, her tone challenging him. She watched him smirk at her, a haze of satisfaction passing through his eyes.

 

“You sure get riled up from being called `dirty',” he said to her. “Unlike my half-brother, I merely called you dirty, not `wench'. Unless, that is, you'd prefer to be called wench.”

 

His statement jarred Kagome's brain to a screeching halt. Inuyasha. Was he still alive? He watched her eyes widen at the mention of `half-brother', just like he had anticipated.

 

“Inuyasha. Is he still living?” she asked, afraid that the worst news in the world was about to be broken to her. She braced herself to hear his answer.

 

“He and his mate have long since moved to the Americas,” he said blandly, watching her reaction but was disappointed when she had none other than relief and joy.

 

“I'm happy for them,” she said, a genuine smile forming on her face. “And Miroku and Sango?”

 

“Their family grew at an alarming rate,” Sesshomaru explained as a corner of his mouth curved upward, “and their descendents now occupy much of the island of Kyushu. And, as you now know, Shippo mated with Shiori.”

 

Kagome was inwardly pleased to hear of her friends. It did not matter to her that Miroku and Sango were no longer living; what mattered was that they had had a long, happy life. From what Sesshomaru was telling her this had all been true for her friends.

 

The clock on the wall chimed gently which caught Kagome's attention. “Oh, I'm so sorry to have taken up your time, Sesshomaru-sama,” she said, standing to leave.

 

“There is no need for formalities, Kagome, and you have not taken up my time.” He pulled a small, black card out of his pocket, scratched something on the back and offered it to her. “This is my card. It has all of my contact numbers and my home address as well as the address to the shop. I would like to have tea with you when you are available.” Kagome took the card and looked at it. It was glossy black with elegant calligraphy done in silver, white, and blue. She turned it over in her hands and saw several numbers scratched onto the back. I assume that's a cell number she thought.

 

“Okay. Thank you, Sesshomaru. I will let you know when I have time,” she answered dully. She bowed politely and left the back room, walked down the short hall, waved goodbye to Shiori and crossed the threshold of the shop. In mere seconds she was out of sight of the front windows.

 

Sesshomaru walked out of the backroom and stopped to stand next to Shiori at the front counter.

 

“Do you think she'll call?” Shiori asked, clicking away at her laptop computer.

 

“We'll see,” was all Sesshomaru said. She has already taken hundreds of years of my time, occupying my mind day in and day out. I've waited this long; I can wait longer.

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Whew. That was hard to write!