InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ phases ❯ How long has it been? ( Chapter 17 )

Ch. 17

How long has it been?

It had been nearly a week since they had taken up this journey, a week since abandoning their homes and memories, leaving them to lay within the cinders of Yutto's town. Kagome had been in awe watching as men and women trudged on. Husbands consoling their wives. Mothers, their little ones as they searched for an anchor themselves. The only hope, it seemed, that kept them afloat was the promise of sanctuary Inuyasha had offered. A promise that they would survive the winter, survive and live to rebuild the homes they so deeply missed.

Her heart ached for these people, people she had known for the better part of ten long years. Her heart ached because she knew that feeling. That deep and unfulfilled longing for home when you know, you can't go back. But for as much as her heart ached, she couldn't help but be amazed at their perseverance.

She lifted her head, searching through the maze of trees, watching as men and women weaved in and out through the ancient trunks. Minoru picking up the rear of their group as he traveled patiently alongside a handful of weary travelers. She had counted and recounted and yet she found herself counting again, almost obsessively, determined to keep a close eye on the tired villagers. "You know, you don't have to do everything yourself, right?" Kagome smiled softly at the gentle voice before turning towards her companion. Katsuo sat calmly, gaze fixed forward as he waited patiently for a reply. "I know..."

Katsuo gave a gentle hum cutting her off. "But let me guess, you just want to make sure everything goes well?" Katsuo waited, Kagome's silence answer enough as she tried to hide her reddened cheeks. "You know, my friend, you can't do everything on your own. That is why Yutto-dono and Inuyasha- dono paired us off. So we wouldn't be overwhelmed."

Kagome scrunched her face in playful contempt for Katsuo's words of wisdom. "I can't help that I like getting things done." The demon scoffed in mock scorn. "That's called stubbornness, Kagome. Sometimes I swear you are most like a child." Katsuo couldn't help the small grin that formed as Kagome's laughter filled the forest watching as she quickly regained composure her hand on her chest as she feigned hurt. "Katsuo, how you hurt me so. I am an Onna Bugeisha, in fact, many men say I am the image of a proper lady."

Katsuo rolled his eyes at Kagome's almost contagious giggling. "If they truly say such things it is only becasue they have been fooled." Her jaw dropped at Katuos's jab. For Katsuo's part he was scrambling to find a way back from the comment. Maybe he had gone too far with his teasing. That thought lasted only a minute before Kagome burst into her melodic laughter. "Nice one Katsuo! I honestly didn't think you had it in you."

He wasn't sure if he should be offended by her comment but if she was laughing then so would he. Katsuo preferred her much more that way. Happy.

"I should get back to my post at the front before someone realizes I've gone missing." Kagome smiled acknowledging his farewell. "Don't work too hard, Katsuo." The demon chuckled softly before nudging his horse to trot forward leaving Kagome behind.

The girl sighed exhaustedly as she let her head hang. She really did enjoy Katsuo's company, he had become a fast friend. Despite all that had happened, all the anxiety she felt over being placed in the same group with him and having to potentially 'set things straight', everything had kind of worked itself out. Which only managed to make her feel worse.

He deserved an explanation, at the very least, after all she had lead him on. It didn't matter if she had every intention of following through with her actions. Once Inuyasha came barreling back into her life she knew where she stood. She would always love Inuyasha and she hated herself for stringing Katsuo along in a selfish attempt to make herself forget the man she thought she lost.

It didn't matter that her close friends had encouraged her, persuaded even, to pursue in the endeavor. When all was said and done she was the only one who truly knew what she felt. And she knew from the start her love for her best friend was still as strong as ever and she could only convince herself that she could be ok with a 'different' kind of love, the only kind Katsuo could offer her, friendship.

She wouldn't say anything as long as he still offered her his friendship, she valued it too much and above all she didn't want to see him hurt. 'I'm sorry, Katsuo.'

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'Not even a week.' Inuyasha mused to himself as he kept stride alongside the group of villagers. 'I'm impressed.' Five days ago these villagers had set out on this journey, leaving their homes. Leaving in favor of a chance to live out the coming winter. He had to admit he had been prepared to argue his point, there was bound to be a handful of stubborn ol' men and women, determined to tough it out as long as they could stay in the place they had called home their whole life. But he was pleasantly surprised to find that despite their stubbornness they were not eager to perish along with their town in the freezing winter winds.

'Stubborn but not stupid.' The hanyou allowed himself a grin as they rounded the trunk of an ancient maple, his mood uncharacteristically lifted at the familiar landmark. They were on day five of their trek, not even, seeing as the sun had still not traveled to its highest point and they were less than half a day away from his father's fortress. They had made good time and he was incredibly surprised by these humans tenacity.

He let his horse slow, allowing the sun to warm his face as he discreetly skimmed the crowd looking through the maze of dying trees. He was disappointed when his search came up empty, something he had been used to these past few days. After splitting into groups it was a rare occasion to see anyone outside your own and it seemed even more so when you were actively looking for them. There had been a few times though where he could catch a glimpse of his long lost friend through the trees, traveling alongside one of the villagers or one of Yutto's men, but more often than not he found her traveling alongside Katsuo, her face lit up into one of those beautiful smiles. He had to wander what had caused it and as much as he hated to admit he spent many hours trying to keep his jealousy in check. It was hard though, seeing her like that and not having the luxury to fly over and demand just what he had done to make her look so wonderful.

Things had changed greatly since the days of the mangy wolf. Now he had to keep his emotions in check. He found, more often than not, acting like an adult was hard. Inuyasha growled in irritation at his thoughts, coaxing his horse into a quick trot as he willed the images of a joyful Kagome in the arms of a loincloth clad Katsuo from his mind.

'Stupid mangy wolf...still getting to me.'

Inuyasha let out a long sigh as he rolled his shoulder. He was anxious. Anxious, surprisingly enough, to be back in his father's fortress. He wanted to be away from this sea of people. Most of all he wanted to, well just be, with Kagome. He wanted to steal her away and keep her to himself, after all it had been so long since everything fell apart and he wanted to know everything about what had happened to her while he had been hiding in his father's fortress with his tail between his legs. Most of all he wanted to make up for everything he had put her through even if he had to live a thousand more lifetimes he would start now and work every day to prove to her he had changed.

He shook himself from his thoughts as he once again took his place at the front of the crowd. They would reach the village an hour or two before midnight and the fortress about an hour later if they kept up the pace. He looked back up at the clear sky, watching the sun's slow trek across. He had a few hours left before he officially shared that they were basically on the inu no taisho's doorstep, although he was sure his men had all but done that for him. The caravan would stop a little after noon, it seemed then would be as good a time as any to let them officially know this hellish trip was as good as over.

It was about time, he had waited much too long to finish that conversation with Kagome.

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The temperature had dropped rapidly with the setting of the sun, leaving the travelers chilled to the bone as they pushed on guided by the faint glow of the moon and stars. The sound of dried winter grass crunching under their feet as they weaved through the dormant meadows. Kagome lifted her head toward the sky forgetting for a moment the soreness in her body as she gazed up at the stars. The cold air lending shape to her breath as she let out a tired sigh.

It was only a moment to let her mind go blank to enjoy for a minute the simplicity that life could offer if you could only accept, but it could not last long as she was forced to move on once again. She could only give thanks that it would soon be over. She pulled her cloak in tighter as she turned her head. Hours ago they had broke through the mountain forest, the groups merging together as they flooded the fields.

She was glad for the change of scenery, for the chance to seek him out amongst the masses. He was never hard to find now that the groups were no longer separated. Sometimes she would find him riding atop his horse, most of the time though, she found he chose to walk. He looked regal, his red fire rat decorated by inu armor. His broad shoulders covered in intimidating sode, small bits of metal shaped to look like fangs, black and white kote covering his arms and tekko to protect his capable hands. She knew from experience he needed none of it but he looked so surprisingly natural walking beside his men decorated like a lord, looking like the son of the great Inu no Taisho.

So many things had changed since then. He was now what he had always wanted to be, wasn't he? The second son of the Inu no Taisho, a true demon. Her gaze returned towards the sky as she thought of her friend. Yes things had changed.

She remembered that night they had talked and the night afterwards, the night of the new moon. It was only when they stopped to rest she could catch a rare glimpse of him. She remembered the moonless night and the shock she felt when she saw him sitting by his campfire while the others slept. His silver hair and ears sticking out like a sore thumb. There was a sadness inside her when she saw him sitting there. No moon to lend them light and no black hair to be highlighted by the light of the fire.

Even though the three sides of him were one in the same she still felt like she was mourning the loss of a friend all over again. She would never see her 'hanyou' and she would never see his human side again, but she rejoiced that she had him, her best friend, her Inuyasha. She couldn't help her soft laugh as she slowly shook her head, remembering their 'reunion'. Ok, so maybe that much hadn't changed.

She searched him out once again smiling when she spotted him through the masses leading his horse patiently, silver hair flowing in the breeze as he walked on, lost within his own mind. She knew that look well, he was brooding again. A look of mild irritation hidden just beneath his forced look of stoicism. It was almost comical how easy it was for her to see through the façade.

A collective gasp forced his gaze forward, hers following suit as villagers began to slow as they reached the top of a grassy incline. She could see the haze of light reflecting off the night sky. Inuyasha had been right, it had to be a large settlement to give off that much light in such darkness. She sighed happily as she stood taking in the sight, some passing her by while others stood with her in admiration.

"My Lord." Kagome turned at the sound of the voice and the clatter of hoof beats as a handful of riders crested the hill, bowing respectfully when they came to stop before Inuyasha. "Your Lord Brother sent us to help escort the villagers and see they are made comfortable. He requests your presence in the citadel."

Inuyasha nodded his head slightly turning to find Yutto making his way to the group as he exchanged pleasantries with the two riders. "Will you join me, Lord Yutto? I am sure my brother will want to speak with you." The old man bowed his head before speaking. "I'm afraid I must decline Inuyasha-sama. I believe it best to stay with my people for the time being, they have been through much within the past week and I am needed here, with them."

Inuyasha gave a low bow of his head before being cut off by Yutto's voice. "Lord Inuyasha, I ask you take Lady Kagome on behalf."

Inuyasha bowed again before turning towards Kagome. He wondered for a moment if she felt the same. As short as it would be they would be finishing this journey together. It had been too long since those early days, before the others joined, before Kikyo was resurrected. It had seemed like an eternity and yet, almost as if it had just happened.

He gave her a small smile as he joined her by her side, the others continuing on towards the village below. He stopped her before she could mount her horse. "Do you mind...if we walk. There's really no hurry." Kagome gave him one of those brilliant smiles as she grabbed her pack, the two starting off on towards the Inu no Taisho's fortress. He smiled at her soft giggle. "Whats so funny, wench?"

"Nothing...nothing, just...How long has it been?"

She watched as he turned his face away towards the winter sky, not at all trying to hide the small smile that formed. "Too long...Kagome."

A/N:

There is going to be another chapter following shortly since I'm getting a three day weekend! Hell yea!

Next chapter is going to be fun, at least in my opinion. A little bit of Sesshomaru, little bit of jealousy, and a healthy helping of Inu/kags fluff which is always good :)

Sode: An armored chest piece

Kote: Like an arm guard

Tekko: Hand guard