InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Promises ❯ Remembering Memories ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. That is my Christmas wish, to own Inuyasha, even though Christmas is over... Please get it for me. Please?

Sup pplz! Okay, I'm acting weird. Actually not really. Whatever. It's feeling really weird to type right now. I don't know why. It's just uncomfortable. Oh well, just please read.

Btw, I decided to change the formatting of this story that I had in my head. Good news for you, Inuyasha and Kagome are going to figure out the `mystery' soon. Well, sort of.

Last thing, although I said Naraku died in my a/n in one of the chapters, it might not be true...

Chapter Twelve:

Kagome awoke, for the first time in a really long time. The soft blankets were clouds against her skin, with the breath of winter beating across her back. Being stuck in the woods or the hospital for so long made her want to stay even more. A warm layer of heat was draped across her shoulder. Flakes of snow (A/N: Snowflakes!) brushed the window, leaving streaks of frost. Finally, after glancing at her clock, she scurried into the bathroom and got ready for school.

Bundled in down jackets, she waited at the intersection for her friends. They slowly drew near, each blowing out a puff of icy smoke that wafted near, but soon disintegrated into the crisp blue sky. Underneath all the covers of winter coats, she wore her thin school uniform, warm from the radiator, and bringing comfort to her numb body. All that was left frozen were her fingers, sore from the bitter cold and the straps of her backpack biting at them. Seeing her waiting, Sango and Miroku raced forward to catch up, wishing they didn't have to go to school on this mild snow day.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

All the students could hardly get through the day without falling asleep. However, while the other students dreamt of their warm beds, (A/N: I do it all the time!) Kagome had her mind occupied on Karena, the messenger god. Strange, how she had met so many magical beings ever since...ever since she met Inuyasha. Could he somehow be tied to this mystery? He was definitely tied to Naraku, but what about everyone else? Karena, Aki, even Inuyasha himself. It was all so overwhelming. But she had promised Karena to find the jewel, or at least where it was, and she never broke her promises. Well, at least not anyone connected with the gods.

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered Aki and Naraku. She had been deceived. How could she have been so stupid?! It almost cost Inuyasha his life, and maybe her own. She knew she could not be responsible for Inuyasha's death, not after all he had done for her. Was Aki allied with Naraku? Was she still around? Startled, Kagome looked around warily. She could be anyone...

She quickly shook the thoughts out of her head. `Get a hold of yourself Kagome, stop being paranoid. But still, who exactly was she? What did she have to do with me? Sure I'm a miko-' Kagome still wondered at the name, `-but does it really mean anything? Aaarg! Too many questions! I need to relax! I am not responsible for anything. The only that should be on my mind is this calculus problem. Ummm......never mind. *sigh* I'll never get calculus.'

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

A dim light was all that illuminated the auditorium. The group of students huddled near the stage, only whispering. All of a sudden, their heads snapped to the entrance. Heels clicked on the tiled floor. A figure turned to face them coldly. Wrapped in just colorful kimonos, it was a wonder how she managed to stay warm.

"Good morning, class," she spoke sternly.

The class grew silent and recited, "Good morning, Ms. Kagura."

Inuyasha leaned toward Miroku, who he had, suspiciously, become friends with, and whispered, "Who's the chick in the kimono?"

As silent as possible, Miroku whispered back, "That's Ms. Kagura. Well, actually, Kagura's her first name, but no one knows what her last name is. Anyways, you better watch out for her, don't get on her bad side."

"Feh."

Of course, Inuyasha didn't like to be told to `watch out' for someone. He didn't need protection. Still, he was worried.

"The Christmas play. As you all know, Christmas is coming soon. And we always have a special winter play. What will this show be about? The spirit of Christmas of course. And what better play to represent this then `A Christmas Carol', with ghosts, spirits, and the true meaning of the holidays, of course, with little twists of our own." The last sentence brought a malicious glint to her crimson eyes.

"Auditions will be held today," she continued. "Everyone is expected to try-out, although you might not get a part and end up taking care of decorations. And, the auditions begin," she paused, looking at her watch, "now."

She practically flew up the stairs and into her director's chair, beckoning of people one by one from her call list. She had taken out the feather in her hair and was ordering people around, and handing them messy script books. Shocked by the sudden trial, many, who would've made it, stuttered impossibly. This was Kagura's way: to give them a surprise, so that they would be ready for anything when the big day came.

Kagura impatiently called out, "Kagome Higurashi and Miroku Houshi! Get on stage!"

Kagome took a deep breath and walked past the scarlet curtain. After giving a pleading look to Miroku, they began their scene, with Kagome as Christmas present and Miroku as Ebenezer Scrooge. Kagome thought she did pretty well, although she truly did not like the play. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru went on together, since they had the same last name. Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru, who was playing the ghost of Christmas past, was very good, despite his cold exterior, unlike Inuyasha, who was mildly sufficient.

At last, the time came.

"Now, I'm very surprised at how well you all did," Kagura bellowed out. "But only a few made it. *ahem* Ebenezer Scrooge will be Sesshoumaru. <As usual, no expression.> The ghost of Christmas past will be Kagome. <Kagome squealed, getting the part she wanted.> The ghost of Christmas Present will be Miroku. <Hmmm...Interesting proposition.> Hiten will be the ghost of Christmas future. <Well, duh.> Bob Crachit, or Scrooge's clerk, will be played by Inuyasha. <What?! I have to work for Sesshoumaru!> Yura will play Bob's wife. <Yes! I just love his hair!> Kouga will be Marley, Scrooge's old business partner. <I'm going to be put in chains. I wonder what that's like.> And Musuo will be Scrooge's nephew. <Ummm...I'm supposed to be in love?> The rest of you will either help Ayame with the background and special effects or with Sango with the costumes. I also have a surprising actor from the elementary school around the block. Tiny Tim will be played by a little fox demon called Shippo!"

Kagome and Inuyasha glanced at each other. Then it hit Kagome. Inuyasha was going to be Shippo's daddy! That was too much to bear! She rolled over on the ground, bursting with laughter and oblivious of the entire class staring at her, while Inuyasha glared at her.

"Kagome! Stop your ridiculous behavior at once!" Kagura was steaming, thinking Kagome was trying to make a mockery out of her class.

She stood upright, trying to hold in her giggles and held her mouth to her knees, shaking uncontrollably.

Just then, the door slammed open, carrying gusts of snow in. A lone figure stood at the door, white powder dusted over his shoulders. The small being crept closer, and CLOSER, AND CLOSER........

Kagome jumped up, ran to the small boy, and practically squeezed the life out of him.

"Shippo! Are you here for the play? I heard you're going to be Tiny Tim! Congrats! And did you know that Inuyasha's going to be your dad? It's outrageous!" (A/N: I bet you thought it was someone evil, like Naraku.)

Shippo flushed crimson, from embarrassment, iciness, and laughter.

"Ummm.....hi, Kagome."

Again, the class stared at Kagome like she was a psycho. Kagura stepped forth and gave her an accusing, yet somewhat concerned glare.

"Maybe you should go home Kagome. Perhaps all this snow has gone to your head. Either way, you're disturbing the class."

After that, Kagome calmed down, trying hard, not to let her excitement get the best of her. After all, she had been dreaming of this play for a year now, and now, she had one of the most important parts of the play!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

With her hair bundled into a thick wool hat, and a white scarf at her throat, Kagome left the school campus, to have some time alone to think. The flurries of snow blurred her sight and her mind. Sleep overcame her, until she finally collapsed on the ground, snuggling against whatever was closest. Rough, ridged material tingled beneath her fingers. `Where am I? This is so soft and comfy. What's that smell? It's like.....mint or rose tea. Mmmm...It seems so familiar. Wait a minute, this is the Goshinboku tree! I shouldn't be sleeping here, but it's so warm...why is it so warm? It's snowing; I can feel it on my face. *yawn* I...need...to...sleep.....'

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

A bright beam of light warmed Kagome's cheek. Feeling the sun, Kagome curled up and blinked groggily. She could hear birds chirping and water gurgling. Where was the water coming from? She sat up and looked around. A thin hose laid there, water still squirting out.

She yawned and said to herself, "Did I stay here the night? How did I keep so warm? And speaking of warm, how did the sun come out after the blizzard that night?"

Just then a young girl skipped right up to Kagome, but she didn't take notice of her at all. She would have tripped if Kagome didn't move out of the way. The young girl sang a little tune and picked daisies off the ground.

Suddenly, she stopped. "Hmmmmmm...." she murmured, looking to be in deep thought.

But Kagome never found out what she was thinking, because at that exact moment, she was swept off her feet as a young boy ran past her and began crying on HER god tree.

`What's wrong with him?' But she couldn't help but notice his silver hair, and how it flowed gracefully down to his waist. She stared as the two young children shared a pointless conversation over if the boy was crying, where Kagome had to side with the little girl. Strangely enough, she never saw the boy's face though.

Finally, she thought, `I really should be getting home now.' She got on her knees and tried to push herself up, but she couldn't move. `I'm stuck! What's going on?!' She looked around frantically for a sign to help answer her question. Suddenly, she saw it, literally, a sign. The giant billboard screamed at her: Vote for John Doe for the mayor of the year 1992. `1992! That was eleven years ago! I was five years old! Wait....this seems a little too familiar...This was my nightmare that I had a couple of months ago! What's going on? Are they trying to torture me again?' She had just about screamed when something caught her eye. It sparkled in the sunlight, emitting a ray on dappled light on the grass. A small, perfect round sphere.

"The Shikon No Tama..." Kagome breathed. "I remember now, I gave it to that boy, my prince..."

But along with that memory, came another one. She cringed as she remembered the car accident. `No...No! I don't want to see that boy die again! Get me out of here!'

~ * ~* ~ * ~

Kagome woke up instantly. The blizzard still raged around her, and she was no warm. Shakily, she stood up and turned around. Wind played with her hair and danced through the branches of the Goshinboku tree. But even with the frost, the tree glowed. `That tree...is very powerful...' she thought before she ran of to the orphanage.

`I have to tell Karena!'

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ meanwhile...

After getting all his stuff from the locker room, Inuyasha stomped out. Today was not a good day. He closed his eyes and slipped his hand inside his outer haori to retrieve the jewel, the Shikon no Tama. The purple power (A/N: Haha...purple power...) surged through his body from his head to the tip of his toes, cleansing and warming him all the way. He was refreshed. He gazed in wonder at the small jewel. He didn't remember how he got it, only that it was the only reason he had survived all these years. The string was tattered and old, but the jewel shone like new. As he gazed he walked out of the school, until he heard his name.

"Inuyasha!"

He turned and there, behind him, Sesshoumaru stood, looking at him with doubting eyes.

"I would like to invite you and your mother to dinner tonight, my treat. I want to catch up. We are brothers after all."

Inuyasha angrily looked at him. There was no way he would go to dinner with that jerk!

He snarled, "Don't you mean me and OUR mom? After all we are brothers, or have you just been gone so long you don't remember anything at all?"

He ran off, jumping from tree to tree, but he forgot something. Sesshoumaru was left behind gazing dejectedly at the ground. He really wanted to make it up to his brother. Even though they were supposedly sworn enemies, he still cared for him and regretted leaving. As he stared, he detected a small diamond on the ground. The chain was broken and had most likely fallen off.

"Could it be Inuyasha's?"

He quickly pocketed the jewel and returned home in his big black car.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Ooooo.....poor Kagome, having to deal with Inu's alleged death. Poor Inuyasha, losing the Shikon No Tama. Poor Sesshoumaru, having a brother like Inu who won't forgive him. Poor Kagura, having to deal with all those snotty teenagers. *sigh*

I bet you guys can guess what's going to happen. I guess you'll just have to wonder...*ppl throwing tomatoes at author* Just kidding, just kidding, gosh! Really, I promise to have the next chapter up by the end of the year. *readers forming an angry mob* Sorry! I was just kidding! Gosh! Can't you take a joke?

Okay, seriously, I'll TRY to have the chapter up by the end of the week. If that doesn't satisfy you, just review. ^ ~

*ahem*

Now, please tell me what you think

Tell me what this story are (like)

Cuz I really wanna know

And I don't wanna go far

Tell me what you like

And I won't kill you with a car

Tell me what you hate

I don't care just R/R!

(har dee har!)

Hehe, I made that poem up at the top of my head. *I suck* Hey! *it's true* don't listen to me! *yea right* Oh shut up! *haha* (voices fade into background)