InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ phases ❯ The Pull Of Destiny ( Chapter 12 )

Ch.12

The Pull Of Destiny

The cold wind whipped by, pulling back thick silver strands of hair and bringing with it the warm scent of fire and smoked meats from surrounding villages. Ochre eyes hardened as he took in the barren expanse of land, frosted by an early morning dew. The inu stared ahead, unfazed drifting further into his thoughts as he sped through naked trees, his feet touching the topmost branches for only a moment before quickly launching back into the air.

It had been three days since he had left his old friends and the small village. A part of him, a very large part, mourned the loss of the warmth he felt while staying in Edo, but he was needed elsewhere and he wouldn't let his emotions get in the way of performing his duties as general, even if it was as his bastard of a brother's second.

Another patch of forest cleared, he launched himself over a rocky overhang, eyes darting to the valley below as he glided gracefully overhead. Try as he might his racing feet and stoic stare did nothing to stave off the thoughts he hoped to ignore. He had gone to Edo in hopes of finding Kagome and fixing what he had done years before. Instead of spending that time in Edo begging for her forgiveness he had found himself standing before yet another stone marking the departure of yet another he had held dear.

He could remember the way he had felt when his mother had died leaving him an outcast, hanyou orphan and the pain caused when he learned of Kikyo's death after waking from his fifty year sleep, even the loss of Kaede after so many years away had chipped away a tiny bit more of his heart. The number was small of the ones he had cared for but the emptiness he felt with their loss was multifold.

Despite the ramblings of his logical mind and the realities of life Inuyasha could not bare the thought of losing Kagome for the rest of eternity, left with nothing but a stone to mourn over for centuries to come. He had begged for her life once, unable to stand the thought of her laying lonely in the darkness of the cold earth. He was not willing to let something as simple and ridiculous as cold hard stone to be what represented her life.

Speeding feet slowed only slightly as the air began to buzz with electricity. He smirked inwardly taking in the familiar aura watching as a brilliant flash of lightning struck the ground before him. "Long time ay, Old man." Mo-mo let out a low moan as the dust cleared, Totosai sitting calmly, arms and legs crossed. "Yes, indeed it has, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha stood eyeing the elderly man suspiciously as he jumped from his perch on Mo-mo's back. "I was just about to set out for your brother's castle when I sensed you running around nearby. Very convenient for Mo-mo here." The three eyed cow let out another low bellow before turning her attention towards the frosted grass.

"What do you want, Old man?" Inuyasha darted his eyes toward the quickly setting sun, crossing his arms in aggravation. "I want you to come with me, Inuyasha."

"Hell no Old man! I've got shit I need to do I can't just hang out with some geezer." Inuyasha moved to leave only to be stopped by totosai's hammer. "I know where it is you need to be you idiot, that is exactly why I came to you." Inuyasha grumbled before reluctantly giving in.

"Well spit it out!" Satisfied that Inuyasha wouldn't make a break for it, Totosai made his way back onto his perch once again crossing his bony arms and legs. "Sesshomaru has informed me of this little squirmish you are supposed to be taking care of and yet I find you gallivanting around Musashi like an idiot looking for something or someone rather, that is not here."

Fuzzy ears perked up at Totosai's remark. Inuyasha lunged forward grabbing onto the front of Totosai's tattered old haori, eyes glowing as he came face to face. "Don't play games with me, Old man. If you know something tell me." His growling became louder as Totosai's eyes glazed over, unclenching his fist he tossed Totosai to the side. "Forget it, I have shit to do."

"Kagome came to me...some years ago" Inuyasha paused, his back turned, shoulders hunched and eyes moving into a side long glance. "That doesn't help me now, Totosai. I need to know where she is now."

"She had me repair Tessaiga, Inuyasha...to use it. I suggest if you come with me, boy."

No words were spoken as Inuyasha silently agreed to follow Totosai to his Volcanic forge, the two racing through the wind silently. 'Kagome...what did you do?'

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The tiny cove carved into the volcano was silent with the exception of Totosai's rhythmic hammering. Inuyasha sat cross-legged against the wall of the cave, cradling his jaw and watching vigilantly as sparks flew from the heated material before the demon sword smith. "So you gonna tell me what all this about, old man?" Totosai looked up briefly, squinting his eyes and scratching his head. "Tell you about what?"

Inuyasha's face fell as he stared at the elderly demon in aggravation, wondering yet again how the old man had managed to convince him to come. "Well for starters you can tell me exactly why you had to yank another one of my teeth out." Totosai made no move to show he had heard him, but Inuyasha was sure he could hear a hushed cackle as he mentioned the missing fang.

"Oh yes, your fang." The demon forger blew a scorching stream of fire on to the blade before carrying on. "I have felt strong pulls as of yet. There is something in the air, Inuyasha. Something is going to happen...something quite horrible or perhaps a blessing, I know not. But I know for certain I can feel the pull of destiny..."

Golden eyes glinted with the light of the scorching flames as he waited out yet another blast of flames from the elderly demon. "Tessaiga has been calling, Inuyasha." Totosai watched Inuyasha's immediate reaction satisfied that he had finally got his attention. "I am sure you know now why I had been looking for you."

The quite demon uncrossed his arms raising his eyes to meet with Totosai's. "You figured I had felt it." Totosai nodded softly, turning back to the molten material in his hands. "I can't tell you where Kagome is, I asked no questions when she came to me asking me to fix up Tessaiga."

Inuyasha stood gracefully, making his way towards the mouth of the small cave, looking out towards the night sky. What totosai had said made sense when he thought of it. He growled in aggravation, was it Tessaiga that had created such a sense of urgency to find her? Why hadn't it spoke to him like it had Totosai? Had the bond between him and the sword faded with the disappearance of his human blood?

"What does any of this have to do with making a sword?" He had asked the question almost listlessly, too distracted by worry to really care as he leaned against the rim of the cave, his eyes locked on the night sky above. Totosai stopped his work laying his hammer to the side before standing and shuffling across the small room. "It should be done in a few days, Inuyasha. You should stay until then."

The ancient demon eyed the inu as he sipped water from a wooden ladle he was surprised when his only response was a low grunt before Inuyasha made his way back to his place against the wall of the cave. Totosai turned back towards his work falling to the floor and crossing his legs once again he began to hammer away at the heated metal, folding and flattening layers of metal.

"You know your father, the great Inu no Taisho, worried over your mother greatly while he was alive. He also thought a great deal about how short her mortal life would be." Inuyasha crossed his arms turning his head to the side to glare at Totosai. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"What does what have to do with anything?" Inuyasha grumbled at Totosai's response before relaxing back against the wall. "Forget it."

Totosai turned back to his work watching from the corner of his eyes as Inuyasha's face displayed clearly his concern. 'There is a point to everything, Inuyasha. Your father made sure you would have the chance he did not and I will be sure to see it through.'

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Shippou sat silently watching from a distance as Katsuo walked beside his adopted mother. The feeling in his heart lightened at the sight of Kagome's brilliant smile as she listened to Katsuo share one of his more interesting stories about the brothers. Try as he might to hold on to that tiny piece of comfort it didn't take long before the feeling of unease returned.

Shippou squeezed his fists into balls unaware as his claws dug into his palms creating tiny trails of blood to cover his fingers. It had been almost a week since the night he found Tessaiga acting strangely, a week of almost nonstop worry over something he had no knowledge or control over.

He leapt onto yet another rooftop as Katsuo and Kagome turned the corner of one of the castle rooms, watching closely as the two walked side by side exchanging discreet glances whenever the opportunity arose. He had taken to watching her constantly since that night worried that this feeling was somehow linked to her although knowing she was with Katsuo had seemed to ease that feeling if only just a bit.

He sighed as he watched the two make their towards the archery targets Kagome had set up long ago. "I need to stop this. I feel more like I'm stalking her than anything else." Shippou turned and jumped from the roof, he looked back and grit his teeth debating on whether or not leaving was a good idea. 'Katsuo is with her...He will keep her safe." With that Shippou reluctantly shot off towards the bordering forest intent on running off a bit of his paranoia.

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Kagome walked nervously beside Katsuo as they made their way into her makeshift shooting range. She had hoped to get some training in considering in just a few months the spring would bring with it the prospect of battle. Katsuo had eagerly offered to join her when she had mentioned her desire to practice explaining he could use it as well.

Pulling an arrow from the quiver attached to her waist she brought it up to the taut string eyeing the distant target. She smiled softly remembering Katsuo's eagerness. She had wondered once if the way she felt for him was only because he reminded her of her first love but she quickly realized how much she liked Katsuo for...Katsuo. He may have looked similar to Inuyasha but sweet and sometimes quiet personality differed greatly from the rough exterior Inuyasha tried so hard to uphold.

She wondered if he would have been more like Katsuo if he had not been hanyou. If he had not been forced to put up walls and become so bitter. Kagome shook the thoughts from her mind promising to allow herself to enjoy Katsuo's company. "I still don't know how much help you're going to be with archery. You know it's much different from swinging a sword."

Kagome let out an even breath before calmly letting her arrow fly towards it's intended target. Laughing when she turned to see Katsuo's dejected look. She eyed him curiously as he walked up to her pulling his own bow from his back. "An arrow, Onna?" Kagome reached into her quiver and pulled one out, handing it to the patient demon smiling as he bowed his head softly in thanks before notching the arrow just ash she did.

She watched in amazement as Katsuo let the arrow fly with a speed she could have only hoped for, gasping in surprise as it flew straight into the center of a target several hundred yards farther than hers. "Jeez you didn't have to go and shame me like that." Katsuo laughed at the pout gracing Kagome's face. "Don't worry so much, Kagome. I am a demon, remember. Besides you have excellent aim for a human."

Kagome rushed to retrieve her arrow from the target before Katsuo could see the blush slowly burning her cheeks. "Let me get them." She didn't have a chance to argue before Katsuo came rushing back with the two arrows. "Oh...thank you, Katsuo." Katsuo bowed politely before handing them both to her.

"Shippou mentioned before that you had been hoping to train during the days. He had asked if I could train with you in his place...He said he had some things he had to tend to." Kagome glared off into the direction of shippou's room. "Hm what kinda things does he need to 'tend' to?"

'That little snot!' Kagome grumbled in her mind before quickly recovering. "Well I suppose that would be fine... as long as it's ok with you, I mean." Katsuo nodded, smiling brightly. "I would like nothing more, Lady Kagome." Kagome tried unsuccessfully to hide her blush as Katsuo motioned his head towards the targets. "Should we continue, Kagome?"

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Ruri sat quietly watching her father fidget nervously around from beneath her lashes. She sighed loudly as she gracefully sat her cup down onto the lacquered tray. "Is there something you wish to say, Father?" Lord Yutto snapped his attention forward at Ruri's tiny voice. "Well yes...There is something...I suppose."

"What is it, Father?" Ruri sat patiently laying her dainty hands on her lap. "Well...I was wondering, Ruri...If Kagome-san speaks much of her feelings to you?" Ruri furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Has she ever spoke of her feelings on marriage, Ruri?" Yutto looked on intently as his young daughter smoothed out her long silk kimono."She has never spoke much of those things, father. She does seem to very much enjoy the company of the inu demon, Katsuo. They have been spending much time together and she seem very happy." Lord Yutto nodded his head. "Yes, I know."

"You may ask Hotaru or even Shippou-kun. I am sure they would know." Ruri watched as her father slowly brough his cup to his mouth, lost in thought. "Perhaps I will, Ruri." The two sat in silence, Lord Yutto lost in thought and Ruri much too aware that her father had something more on his mind. 'I see Kagome as a daughter...as one of my own. Therefore this is my responsibility. I only want your happiness, Kagome.'

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Kagome sat quietly in her room humming as she brushed the tangles from her hair. The rest of the evening had gone well. Katsuo had shown her many techniques for improving her archery and they had even found some time to practice a bit in the dojo before the settled in. Her heart lightened with happiness as she remembered how Katsuo had asked to see her tomorrow before wishing her a goodnight.

She sat still watching the flames dance about in the small pit, her mind wandering to Inuyasha yet again. 'I can never forget you, Inuyasha. Katsuo is very nice and he makes me happy...you know you will always have my heart.' Kagome turned away from the flames skillfully tossing her comb to the side before wrapping her cotton sleeping yukata around her small body.

She silently made her way out into the hallways in hopes of finding some leftovers in the kitchen. Her footsteps were silent as she softly padded down the hall into the empty kitchen. "Ugh I'm sooo hungry." She cringed as a bowl fell to the floor as she rumagged through the dried foods. "A woman like you should not be wondering around so late at night, Lady Kagome." Kagome jumped at the sound of the voice dropping her findings and spinning around to see Takeshi quietly moving forward.

"Oh Takeshi, It's you. You scared me." Takeshi made no move to say anything, moving forward silently as he found his way closer to her his eyes locked to the area just below her neck, reaching out his hand to toy gently with the material of her yukata. "Takeshi?" His brown eyes darted up to meet hers, his eyes glowing with fierceness she had never seen before.

"It's dangerous to wander about by yourself, Kagome." Her heart beat began to speed up as she struggled to move away finding herself caught between Takeshi's towering form and the wooden cabinet that stored pickled vegetables. "Especially in something so...revealing." Takeshi grabbed a handful of her robe before pulling her forward gently.

Kagome was forced to look into takeshi's face as he placed his other hand firmly around her right arm squeezing tightly. "Takeshi, please let go. You are hurting me." Takeshi immediately let his arms fall to his sides leaving Kagome to back away. "I'm so sorry, Kagome. I meant nothing by it." Kagome watched as Takeshi's normal happy demeanor returned leaving behind the fierceness that had clouded his eyes just a moment before.

Takeshi bowed politely wishing her a goodnight before making his way towards the door way. Kagome stood in silence not daring to move before he had gone watching as he stopped turning towards her and flashing a brilliant smile. "I do believe it would be in your best interest not to wander the halls half-dressed. You never know, someone may see fit to take advantage of you." With a wave of his hand he quickly left leaving Kagome to recover from the encounter.

"Take advantage of me...?"

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Totosai sat quietly before his work, continuing to hammer into the night as a tiny aura made itself known. "Myouga, you can come in." The tiny flea demon hopped in finding his place beside Totosai. "Inuyasha is not here?"

"No, it seems he still prefers the trees to my cave." Myouga laughed as he pulled his pack off his back. placing it on the ground before Totosai. "Are you sure this is hers?" Myouga crossed his arms at Totosai's question eyeing him as he picked up the tiny pack. "Of course I did. I would know her scent anywhere."

Totosai opened the small pack pulling out a tiny lock of black hair and a tattered piece of white fabric stained a tell-tale shade of burgundy. "Hmm how convenient, ay Myouga?" The flea demon Hopped to his shoulder before sitting. "Yes indeed. The monk provided it for me."

"Ah I see." Totosai pulled out the molten material and placed the hair and blood stained fabric onto the metal before folding the material once again hammering it once again into a pointed shape. Myouga watched listening to the rhythmic hammering. "Are you sure that is all?"

Totosai scoffed before he swung his hammer causing a shower of sparks. "Of course I am! I've already done this once before for Sesshomaru-sama." Myouga nodded as he moved one of his tiny arms to scratch the tip of his chin. "What is it's name?"

Totosai set his hammer down holding up the blade to inspect it. "It will be called the eien no wakasa."

"Forever young? It's fitting indeed."

eien no wakasa

A.N.

Alright I just want to say, That yes I am aware that it has been awhile since this story has started and Kagome and Inuyasha have still not met, but that's because that is the way my story is unfolding. It looks like this story will end up being rather lengthy considering this is my first story ever.

Yes! They will meet, just have patience.

Anyway I apologize for taking so long in getting this chapter posted, but things have been getting rather hectic and I've been hitting a few speed bumps in the idea compartment lol

Well I hope you guys like this chapter, things are starting to heat up a bit :)