InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Regrets ❯ First Steps Down the Right Path ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any characters related to him. That honor and privilege belongs to the talented Rumiko Takahashi. I am, however, the master of my own Fate and the keeper of my own Destiny. We should all be so fortunate.

~Previously~

His saddened gaze rested on the person who held his life in her hand. The entity that had opened his eyes to the pain he had caused his beloved, knowing that her decision could heal him completely or end his will to continue in this existence. Inuyasha stared fully in the face of Fate, and waited for the sword stroke to fall.

Regrets

Chapter Six-First Steps Down the Right Path

Fate chuckled kindly. "If I gave you that chance, what would you do with it? Would you go to her and pour out your heart? Lay bare your soul for her to weigh and judge as we have? Or would you continue to push her from you, breaking her heart again and causing her more pain?"

"I would tell her that I am a fool; a blind, selfish, irrational fool. But first, I would talk to her and explain…explain why I have hidden my heart for so long," Inuyasha answered, tears still standing in his eyes. I would hold her to me and never let her go again. I would do everything in my power to convince her that she holds my heart, and no other will ever take her place! He looked at the entity before him and swallowed hard. He was so close to happiness, and, yet, he was further away than he had ever been. Please, he begged her, silently. He, who had never rolled over for anyone, now begged for the one thing that would make his life worth living again. "Please, I don't think I can live knowing that I could have had her back, and that I failed her…again. Please, there is so much that I need to say to her, so much hurt I need to make up for. Please…"

The Spinner looked at him coolly. She had made her decision, but her sisters had not. "Would you like to see Kagome at this moment?"

"More than anything in the world!" he said shakily, his heart leaping in his chest.

"I can show you, but remember you cannot interact with her. This is just an image of the present," she warned. Inuyasha nodded his head, impatient with her warnings and his need to see that beloved face once more. The Spinner reached out to him and Inuyasha watched as the scene before him changed from the grey nothingness they had been standing in, to the cool darkness of the shrine well-house. "My sister has not yet appeared to her," she told him. Her gaze rested on the young man before her and she answered the question she saw in his eyes. "She comes here every day, just as you do in your time."

Kagome knelt before the well, her head resting on her folded arms and stared blankly into the darkness below her. Inuyasha sat on the lip of the well next to her, unknowingly mirroring the pose that the Weaver would soon take. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. He could almost feel the silky texture beneath his hand. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to remember those stolen moments when he had watched her as she slept; those precious few times when he had brushed her hair from her face, the better to take in her sleeping countenance in the moonlight.

They remained that way for a few moments, and Inuyasha was content to remain there forever. Just being in her presence again brought back a strength he had forgotten he had. To just see her again made him feel more alive than he had in all of this long year past, and he wished with all of his heart that Fate would be kind and return her to him.

"Come," said the Spinner, breaking him from his thoughts. "My sister is here and I believe that your Kagome has noticed our presence. Or, at least, she has noticed your attention." For, indeed, Kagome had begun to stir from the apparent funk into which she seemed to have sunk. With a heavy sigh, Inuyasha stopped his hand in mid-motion and let it join his other in his lap. He turned his gaze expectantly back to the Spinner. It was then that she noticed that he seemed calmer, more relaxed, and not as likely to be completely consumed by his sorrow. How strange. Perhaps their bond is stronger than even we thought. With a touch, she returned them to the clearing before the well.

"My sister has taken your place beside Kagome. It will be a bit before her ordeal is over. I am sure that you are wondering what happens now?" she looked at him with a rueful smile. At Inuyasha's curt nod, she continued. "Now, we wait. Or, more accurately, you wait. I will return to you in two days time. By then we will have decided if you have both proven yourselves. If you have, the well will once again be open and you will be allowed to travel through it. After that," she gave a small sigh, pitying him the task he had yet to undertake. "After that, you must convince her and I fear that that may be a harder task than any you have faced thus far."

Inuyasha raised his head proudly and looked Fate straight in the eye. "I think you underestimate us both. From the beginning, Kagome and I have shared a bond. I don't know what it is or even how to explain it, but its there. And not even Naraku in all of his evil, or Kikyo when she led me astray, could ever make her lose her faith in me!" his voice rose with the force of his conviction. Fate smiled within her hood. It was good that his spirit had returned, even if only for a brief moment. "No matter how I hurt her," he said, his voice softening with wonder and realization, "she was always there for me, always accepting. She didn't see anything wrong with me being a half-breed. She accepted me when my own brother-my own flesh and blood-wouldn't - for that alone, I would feel something for her. But there is so much more to it than that. She is my strength and my hope." He turned his head slightly, unable to look at the Spinner as he said simply, "Kagome is my life…and…and I love her."

"I am glad to hear you declare your heart so freely. In two days time, tell her and you may get your heart's greatest desire," the Spinner told him gently. "Look for me here after the new moon. Tell your companions if you wish, but know this. This task is for you and you alone. They will only know the outcome and they will not be allowed to cross time to help you." Inuyasha looked thoughtful at that. Maybe it would be better to not tell them until he brought her back with him. Yes, it was better not to worry them-and he knew that Sango would be very worried if she knew what was going on. "Very well; it matters not if they know now or later."

The Spinner turned and began walking back into the forest. "Remember, Inuyasha. Two days." He nodded to show that he understood. "Until then." With that, she disappeared, leaving Inuyasha staring at the spot she had last occupied. After a few moments, he shook his head and made his way to the God Tree. Jumping up to a comfortable branch, he settled in to wait and think about what he would say when he saw his Kagome again.

~Sunset Shrine-Present Day Tokyo, Two Days Later~

Inuyasha jumped out of the Bone-Eater's well for the first time in a year. It seemed that Fate had been kind to him. They had decided that the two deserved the chance to mend their hearts and had opened the time portal once again. Inuyasha just stood for a few moments and allowed himself to take in that beloved scent that permeated the air around him. Sure, it was several hours old, but it was still Kagome. Before he became too lost in that scent, he walked up the stairs and opened the well-house door. Scenting the fresher air beyond, he could not detect anything more recent than what was in the well house. Good, she wasn't home yet. That meant he had time to talk to her mother before he saw her.

Inuyasha stepped out of the door and made his way toward the main house, his steps slow and hesitant. He was very unsure of his reception here. Kagome and her mother were close, and he was certain that the older woman knew exactly what had happened between Kagome and himself. She probably hates me. I wouldn't be surprised if she screamed at me and never allowed me to see her daughter again. Not that I can blame her. I was a jackass, and I did hurt Kagome pretty bad. If I can't convince her mom to let me see her, what hope do I have of convincing Kagome that I … Inuyasha mentally shook himself. Those kinds of thoughts wouldn't get him anything, particularly Mrs. Higurashi's help in talking to Kagome. Stop that. You will convince them both and you will have Kagome back with you. Just don't say anything stupid or harsh…In other words, don't be the rude, selfish bastard you have been all your life and you should be fine. He snorted and shook his head. Yeah, right, like I can do that!

By this time, Inuyasha had crossed the courtyard that separated the well house from the Higurashi's residence. He looked up in surprise; his inner monologue had taken all of his attention away from where he was walking. He stopped and stared for a moment at the door that concealed his Fate. Would she listen? Would he ever get the chance to atone for the misery he had caused in Kagome's life? Would Kagome hate him? Would she think that he would rather be in Hell than be with her? Would the sky please fall and knock some sense into him so that he could just get on with this?! Taking a deep breath to settle his thoughts, Inuyasha steeled his nerves and did the hardest thing he had ever had to do.

He knocked on the door.

~*~*~

Mrs. Higurashi was standing in her kitchen putting the last touches on her dinner preparations, when she heard a knock at her door. Looking up at the clock on the wall, she found that it was still a bit early to be her children, and her father-in-law was somewhere on the shrine grounds. Besides, none of them would knock. Walking to the door, she opened it to reveal a young man about her daughter's age standing on the porch. He stood with his head bowed, as though uncertain of his reception.

"I'm sorry, young man. Kagome's not home from school yet," was Mrs. Higurashi's automatic response, the one she tended to give all of the young men that stopped by to see Kagome. This time, though, she only got as far as "Kagome's not home" before she realized who the young man was. For a moment, all she could do was stare in bemused silence as she took in the red outfit, silver-white hair, and dog ears. The silence broke when she stammered, "I…Inu..yasha? Is that really you?"

Inuyasha simply nodded his head, unable to speak. Mrs. Higurashi frowned, "Why are you here?"

How dare he show up now, when Kagome was still in so much pain! Mrs. Higurashi was becoming angry. Here stood the cause of her daughter's misery-and he didn't even have the decency to look her in the eye.

"I need to see Kagome," Inuyasha said, his face still averted. "You have to let me speak to her…" He would have continued, but was stopped by a resounding *SMACK*. As his head turned in the direction of her hand, it dawned on Inuyasha that perhaps he could have phrased that better- and Kagome's mother was extremely pissed at him.

"No, young man; I don't have to let you do anything. After everything you put her through, the last thing I have to let you do is speak to my daughter!" Mrs. Higurashi was beyond angry. Outraged was probably more like it-At least until Inuyasha looked back and she saw the same sorrow that Kagome's eyes held reflected in his golden gaze. Taking a closer look, she saw the saddened expression and the dejected set of his ears. Suddenly, all of the anger she felt melted away, and she was having a lot of trouble meeting his eyes. Maybe I was wrong. Is it possible that he feels as strongly as Kagome? Could it be that he chose the only option he saw as available…and he regrets it as much as she does?

The answer was quite obviously "yes". He did feel Kagome's loss as strongly as Kagome felt his. The only questions left in Mrs. Higurashi's mind were what now and what about the other woman. She finally met Inuyasha's troubled stare and sighed. "Come in, Inuyasha. You have a few things to explain before I feel comfortable allowing you to talk to Kagome," she warned. Yes, he definitely had some explaining to do.

Inuyasha looked shocked for a moment. I thought for sure that she was going to send me away. Maybe there's hope after all. He followed Kagome's mother into the front sitting room. Neither of them spoke until they were both comfortable, Mrs. Higurashi on the sofa and Inuyasha sitting stiffly in a chair across from her. Inuyasha fidgeted, uncertain as to how, exactly, to begin this particular conversation. Nervous is an understatement. Damn it, she makes Sesshomaru look like a pansy!

Mrs.Higurashi watched Inuyasha fidget in his chair. This didn't look like it was easy for him. She knew that he had a hard time expressing himself, at least where Kagome was concerned. She had a pretty good notion that a lot of their arguments were more from stubbornness than misunderstanding. They really were perfectly matched. The silence stretched on, until the older woman could no longer take it. She cleared her throat, causing the half-demon across from her to jump.

"Well, Inuyasha, why don't you start by telling me what happened the last time you saw my daughter."

"You mean you don't know?" he asked, a little shocked. Inuyasha was sure that Kagome would have said something to her mother about that day. As the older woman shook her head, he sighed deeply, dreading the task before him. It was going to be very difficult to get Mrs. Higurashi to understand why he did some of the things he did; especially when he didn't understand himself. And, so, visibly bracing himself, he told her everything. From the half-argument in front of Kaede's hut to the chase to the well. He told her about the lonely days that followed, including his confrontation with Kikyo.

Mrs. Higurashi listened attentively, her only audible reaction a gasp when he told of Kikyo's demise. That was something that Kagome really needed to hear, and she said as much to Inuyasha.

"Yeah, I know. Fate said the same thing," he said. And then, before Kagome's mother could ask, he told her about his encounter with Fate and the re-opening of the well. She wasn't sure how to react after that and Inuyasha sat in silence, letting her absorb everything. God only knows that I wouldn't be taking this as well as she is, but I guess she's kinda gotten used to strange tales, what with Kagome and the Jewel shards and all. Hell, she has a Half-Demon sitting in her house telling the tale, for cryin' out loud! Still, it is kinda hard to believe and I lived it!

"Well, Inuyasha," Mrs. Higurashi said finally. "That's quite a story." She looked over at him and made sure to catch and hold his eyes. "I believe you. I have never known you to lie, so I believe you." She looked away from him briefly. The only way to get the answers she needed was to be blunt, so… "The next thing is what now? You obviously came here to gain my approval, so what are you going to do with it?" She smiled weakly. She had a pretty good idea, but she wanted him to ask.

Inuyasha stared at her in shock for a moment. That was a lot easier than he thought it would be. It was the next part that would be difficult. "I have to tell Kagome what happened with Kikyo. She needs to know; she deserves to know," he said softly. "I-I want her to stay with me in my time, if she's willing." He winced a little. Here's where it would not be so easy. He was positive that Kagome's mother wouldn't want her daughter to spend the rest of her life away from her, and with someone like him, at that. He was in for a shock, though.

"Okay," Mrs. Higurashi said. She drew a deep breath. She knew that this day would come eventually, and she couldn't think of any other that she would rather Kagome be with. But, still. She would be strong for her daughter and let her make her own decision. "You can speak to Kagome. Ask her to go back with you. But," catching his eye again, she told him sternly, "you have to do everything you can to make sure that she is happy. Do you understand, young man?"

For the second time that afternoon, Inuyasha sat in shock. He nodded mutely in answer to her question. At the same time thinking that this had to be where Kagome got her forgiving and caring nature. On impulse, he rose from his seat and crossed the room to stand in front of the woman who had just given him back his hope. He bowed to her, low and deep, a formal expression of respect. "Thank you, Lady. You don't know what this means to me."

Mrs. Higurashi started a bit in surprise. Then she smiled a tearful smile. Inuyasha could be a real gentleman when he wanted to. "If you can bring the smile back to Kagome's face, Inuyasha, than you have given me the best thanks a mother could ever ask for." She wiped the tears from her eyes as Inuyasha rose from his bow. "Now, Kagome and Souta are due home in a little while. Did you want to wait here and speak to her when she gets home?"

"No. Could you ask her to meet me in front of the God Tree at sundown? I need time to figure out what I'm going to say to her." Inuyasha shook him head. "I just hope that I don't screw this up."

"Tell her what is in your heart, and you'll do fine," Kagome's mother said as she reached out and embraced the young demon. "She loves you. She's just been confused and frustrated. Just tell her plainly, she'll listen," the older woman let Inuyasha go. "Now," she said, giving him a slight push toward the door, "if you don't want her to see you until later, I suggest that you go make yourself comfortable in that tree of yours. I'll send her out at sunset, ok?"

Inuyasha nodded as he walked out the door. He stepped off the porch and headed to the God Tree. Leaping up, he landed on one of the lower branches. It had just enough foliage to conceal him from the ground, but not so much that he couldn't see what was under him. Satisfied with his perch, Inuyasha settled in to wait, hoping that this night would finally ease the ache in his heart and reunite him with the other half of his soul; his Kagome.

A little clarification, because Aditu asked about it. This fic is posted on another site, www.kakkoi.com, and the review I was referring to came from there. I have since changed the tone of the chapter, and given Kagome a little more depth; she really wasn't taking it hard enough. Anyways, enough of this. Next chapter, Healing Hearts, Mending Souls. Let me know what you think..

Until we meet again,

Patch