InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ phases ❯ To Live ( Chapter 8 )

Ch.8

To Live

Kagome looked out over the garden as she leaned against the shoji's frame. It was mid afternoon and she had yet to leave her room. Yesterday's fighting had taken more out of her than she had expected but then again she had allowed herself to become a blubbering mass of emotional distress the night before. "What is it, my friend?... that takes you so far away from here?" Kagome turned to see Hotaru gently sliding the screen shut with her foot as she gracefully held one of the Lord's lacquered trays. Kagome turned her attention back to the view outside her shoji, her eyes slowly wandering across the garden to the guest rooms Lord Yuuto had given the youkai.

"Might I trouble you to join me for tea?" Hotaru kept her eyes on her work as she slowly set out a pair of cups, slowly filling them with steaming green tea. 'I don't think you're a fool for holding onto that hope...But you should not allow the life you have now to pass you by.' Kagome sighed softly remembering Shippou's words from the night before. He was right. It was ridiculous for her to think she could forget Inuyasha but she had a life in the here and now and loved ones that she would not take for granted. "I'm sorry for my gloomy mood, Hotaru."

"Do not be sorry. You are not a statue that sheds no tears, Kagome. You should not try so hard to act like one." Hotaru smiled brightly as she motioned to the cushion across from her. Kagome couldn't help the small smile that graced her face, her friend had the rare gift of a contagious smile. "Thank you, Hotaru for bringing me tea and lending me your company." The ebony haired handmaiden nodded in response as she placed her small cup to her lips, sipping leisurely before gently placing it back onto the tray.

Kagome sat, legs tucked beneath her as she watched browning leaves being pulled from their branches by the breeze. "What were they like?" The miko was torn from her musings by the quick question. "huh?" Hotaru rolled her eyes playfully at her friend. "The youkai, what were they like?" Kagome tucked a few strands of hair back behind her hair before placing her cup near her mouth. "Interesting. I enjoyed the time I had yesterday..."

Hotaru grinned as Kagome cut herself off before she began rambling as usual. "Did you very much enjoy the second in command?" Kagome's eyes shot open as she choked on the tea she had just sipped. "What are you talking about?! You are impossible, Hotaru! I do not enjoy the company of just any man who walks by." The pouting Onna turned her face, covering the soft dusting of red that slowly appeared. "He is not just "any man" and besides he is very handsome."

Kagome looked up immediately, face growing redder by the moment. "What would you know?" Her graceful friend held a hand to her mouth as she giggled. "It was hard not to notice the two of you sitting side by side late last night...and do not even try to tell me other wise! I know it's true...otherwise you wouldn't be blushing so." Kagome looked down her eyes becoming dark once again as she fiddled with imaginary strings on her robe. "Do not be that way, Kagome. I am only joking."

Kagome nodded her head slowly. "It's just..." The young girl looked on not in pity but a sadness from the pure understanding of her situation. "You still love him." She watched as her friend lifted her head and nodded in silent agreement. The two sat on in mutual silence either one much too engrossed in their thoughts to break it. Hotaru sighed, placing her empty cup back onto the tray as she turned to see her friend transfixed on the image withing her own cup.

"I must go now, Kagome. Ruri-sama is to try on a new kimono for the winter festival." Kagome stood and opened the shoji for her friend as she carried the tray. Hotaru made her way past the frame only to stop and turn to her friend. "I understand how you feel, Kagome. I just think...You looked very happy last night when you were talking." With that her friend smiled softly and made her way down the hallway, leaving Kagome with her thoughts.

Inuyasha glared as his stomach growled in protest to his spur of the moment fasting. He had traveled for three days now with only two more to go. His anxiety leaving him little time for rest or food. 'This landscape looks familiar.' The inu youkai slowed as he realized just where he was, looking out for signs of the village he knew lied ahead. Inuyasha closed his eyes as he put his nose to the wind sorting out the different smells. 'Herbs.' Inuyasha vaulted from the tree tops as he took to the sky hoping for a better view.

"Demon!" He couldn't help the annoyed rumble as village men came running out with pitchforks and make shift spears as he landed softly in the dirt. "What business have ye here, demon?" Inuyasha scanned the area quickly noting the bare field where he knew a variety of herbs had spent the previous months growing. The men jumped back in terror as he turned his golden eyes back on them. "I have no business with you, I am only here to see an old friend." The men parted as Inuyasha made his way down the path and towards an old hut on the outskirts of the village.

"Inu...yasha?" The inu looked up and smirked there in the doorway of the hut peaked the giant horse demon jinenji. "Oi, Jinenji!"

"I'm sorry Inuyasha, but I have not seen lady Kagome since the time you accompanied her here." Inuyasha snorted as he poked a stick into the small fire. "I guessed as much." Jinenji's giant form shifted slightly as a small cat jumped onto his leg. The quiet between them left Inuyasha restless. He could feel the giants eyes on him and sense the questions the demon dare not ask. "Do you mind if I stay the night, Jinenji. I have two more days of travel ahead and this seems a good a place as any." The gentle demon murmured a soft 'yes', excusing himself to bring in more wood for the fire.

Inuyasha leaned against the wall of the hut as the flames blanketed him in a comforting warmth, reminding him of the nights he had spent traveling with Kagome. His golden eyes scanning the room seeing the ghost of a young girl moving about in the dim fire light. He allowed his body to relax in the safety of the hut as the scent of dried herbs danced through the air. Images of grey-blue eyes and a beaming smile played behind his eyelids. 'What an idiot I am...Ka-go-me.'

A young girl from the surrounding town looked on in awe as the red-headed beauty before her flashed her a polite smile before continuing on, leaving her and her friends to gossip about the handsome demon. Kagome looked over scowling at the kit's prideful smile quickly smacking the young demon with her heavy coin purse. "You better not let all that go to your head, Shippou." Shippou glared back as he held his arm. "I wont!...Geez...Whats got you all uptight all the sudden?"

The mumbling onna ignored the kit in favor of weaving through the crowd towards the small shop ahead. Today was a day she had been looking forward for some time. Today she was picking up a beautiful kimono she had commissioned months ago for the up coming winter celebration. Kagome sighed, her excitement waning only a bit as she thought of the unavoidable battles her and her comrades would have to take part in.

The thought of purchasing a new kimono in the midst of such an issue seemed so selfish. She let out a heavy sigh as she worried her lip. Shipou glanced over as his sensitive ears caught the small sound she had made. "It's not like you knew this whole thing was gonna happen." Kagome kept her eyes on the muddy trail before her. Her son's intuition no longer catching her off guard. "I know I just feel a bit...ridiculous." Shippo scoffed as he offered her his arm, helping her leap over a small pothole. "You are the furthest thing from selfish, Kagome. And besides, Akio himself said that all youkai attacks have ceased."

"Ah Lady Kagome, welcome back!" The two looked up to see the tiny smiling man waving them inside the shop. The small man wandered into the back of his shop after bowing politely to the two. "I know you will be very pleased, Lady Kagome." She smiled in amusement as she heard the little man curse as he rummaged through his cluttered work room. "Ah ha!"

Kagome poked the bored in the side catching his attention as the man stumbled out with a neatly wrapped parcel. "I am most proud of the work on this one, my lady." The man beamed with pride as he carefully unwrapped the package. Kagome couldn't help the gasp as he revealed the beautiful fabric he had chosen. She reached forward running her fingers over the silk as he pulled out the elegant Kimono.

Beautiful white silk adorned with dark grey swallows, the long sleeves fading from a light blue to a dark midnight at the ends, the bottom of the kimono mirroring the sleeves. "It's beautiful, Masaaki-san!" The man beamed at his appeased customer. "I am most happy that it is to your liking, Lady Kagome." Shippou smiled at his adopted mother's excitement as Masaaki proceeded to hand her a grey blue inner robe and a new pair of geta to go along with the outfit. "This is too much Masaaki-san!" The man only smiled brighter pushing the extra parcels into her arms.

You are one of my most favorite customers, Onna. After all you have done for us and Lord Yuuto, This is my way of saying Thank you." After many 'thank you's Kagome smiled and bowed in respect before leaving the small shop. "It really is very pretty. He does good work." Kagome smiled at Shippou's comment. "It is very beautiful. Masaaki is very talented in what he does. I have a great amount of respect for that man." Shippou couldn't help but smile as he watched Kagome clutching her packages like a child would a new toy.

The two walked on talking about the upcoming celebration as they passed multiple stalls and shops filled with everything from pottery and fabrics to futons and useful household items. A small cart adorned with many different ink paintings caught Kagome's eye. She weaved through the crowd as she made her way to the elderly man's makeshift shop, stopping when she glimpsed a head of snow-white hair. "How much for this?"

'Katsuo?" Kagome moved behind a nearby stall as she listened to the demon compliment the older man on his paintings. 'He is always so kind...so unlike other demons I've met.'Kagome quickly reprimanded herself for her thoughts as she realized the smile they were causing. She pushed herself away from the wall and made her way towards the artist's cart. "I didn't know you were such a lover of fine art, Katsuo."

Katsuo kept his gaze on the painting before him as he smiled. "It seems you have found me out. I must admit, I have a weakness for beautiful things." Kagome blushed softly as Katsuo turned towards her. "What brings you all the way out here, little Onna? It must be quite important for you to risk these muddy roads." Katsuo looked down at his muddy boots as they settled into the soft earth beneath him.

"I came to pick up the new kimono I am to wear at the winter celebration." Katsuo nodded in understanding. "I see. I have heard quite a bit about the celebration. It's hard not to...three of my men get most excited at any opportunity for free sake." Kagome smiled as Katsuo rolled his eyes.

Kagome's eyes scanned the many different paintings, beautiful mountain scenes, a pretty young lady, cherry blossoms in bloom. She stopped as she saw a small bird in a a simple bamboo cage. "It is quite beautiful...Kagome." Kagome stood stunned as Katsuo handed the artist a large sum of money and handed Kagome the painting. "I can't accept this, Katsuo." The demon only smiled as he began to walk away. "It is a gift, little can't not accept a gift."

It took a moment for her to realize what had happened, blushing softly at the soft-spoken demon's subtle flirting. Katsuo stopped and turned as Kagome hurried to join him. Kagome looked down at the painting she held on top of her packages, lost in her thoughts as the two walked on in a comfortable silence. 'Why do I have to feel this way? I can't even accept a gift without feeling...like I'm...cheating?'

"It seems your friend is busy." Kagome lifted her head only to find Shippou flirting with a young girl. Kagome glared at the kit annoyedly as he remained oblivious to her presence. "It looks like it." Katsuo smiled at her small pout. "Would you mind if...if I accompanied you?" She forgot how annoyed she had been as she saw Katsuo's shy smile. "Of course, Katsuo. I would like that."

Kagome brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear as they walked down the muddy road. Memories of a long-lost friend hoped to pull her into a melancholy state as that feeling of betrayal bubbled back up within her. Kagome gasped in surprise as she felt herself pulled into the demons arms. "You almost went for a swim, little Onna." She looked over and indeed the demon had saved her from a very embarrassing and comfortable fall into a large muddy pothole. "Thank you."

Katsuo smiled brightly as he lifted and carried her over the muddy hole letting her down gently when they landed on the opposite side. "We wouldn't want to ruin that new kimono would we now." Her smile grew as they walked on, finding it so easy to communicate with the demon. Listening as his laughter rumbled through his chest as he spoke of the antics of yuudai and the brother's.

'I can't forget you...but I want to live my life.'

Shippou looked down the road to see his mother and the inu walking side by side, smiling as his sensitive ears picked up her laughter. 'Be happy my okaasan.'

Jinenji watched as Inuyasha took off into the sky, armor shining in the sunlight his moko-moko trailing behind him. When he could no longer see the inu, Jinenji made his way to his empty hut. 'What have you done?...Lady Kagome, I hope you are safe.'

A.N.

Ok so I just want to clear up, that yes Jinenji's mother is dead, that is why I did not mention her. After all it has been like ten years. I want to thank all of you for the reviews on chapter seven, I really love the feedback. It lets me know I'm doing something right. :3

A special thanks to PandoraNC, your reviews are really encouraging! :)