InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Second Chances ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inu Yasha and company. That honor belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

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A.N. : Well here we are with another installment of this story that has become much longer than I had ever planned. I do see the end on the horizon though. Now, some things are going to become clear although not quite fixed yet. Eventually though, cuz I am a sucker for happy endings. Drop me a line if you get the chance! As always, read and enjoy.... = D

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Chapter 13

Shippo couldn't believe what he was seeing, and was rather surprised that the monk wasn't covering his eyes telling him that he was too young to watch. Every time that Kagome and Inu Yasha got close like this in the past that was what had happened. The little fox didn't know what was going on, but at least it looked like Inu Yasha wasn't mad any more. That was a good thing. Everyone had been angry much too often recently, even him. He looked back to see where the object of his irritation was at the moment, and was surprised to see him lying on the ground, looking rather dead. Shippo scampered over to the monk, and shoved his arm none to gently.

"Hey Miroku, what are you doing? Are you dead?" He poked him again, now a little more worried. Just because he was angry at the man didn't mean he didn't care. "Miroku..." Bright turquoise eyes looked into flat, dark purple ones. Something was definitely not right with the monk. He saw the monk's body sway gently and heard Sango gasp just as a pathetic whimper escaped from Miroku's lips. "Miroku, I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said. Be okay, please?"

Sango stood watching the scene under the God Tree in utter disbelief. She didn't want to believe what her eyes were showing her, even as she noted how good they looked together. Kagome's dark hair was in complete contrast to the hanyou's silvery white tresses and their personalities echoed the same type of opposition. Ying and Yang. A single tear ran down her cheek before she tore her eyes from the pretty picture that they made there under the God Tree in the setting sun.

Why this bothered her so much she didn't want to know. Inu Yasha had made no secret of the fact that he wanted Kagome back, and it was obvious that the girl still had feelings for him. It was impossible to think that she had been able to turn off those feelings without a second thought... With a sound between a groan and a growl, Sango turned to leave, only to find the monk crumpled at her feet. She blinked down at him several times, trying to remember if she had hit him or not, and then shook her head sharply. She bent down and prodded him gently, receiving only a whimper and a good look at his face. A horrified gasp wrenched itself from her lips.

The monk was in wretched shape. His face was pasty white, while the grayish circles beneath them stood out in stark relief. His lips were also pale, but there were two hectic patches of color high on his cheekbones. His breathing was coming in shallow gasps followed by those pitiful whimpers. His un-cursed hand was grasping his robes directly over his heart so tightly that the knuckles were white. Worst of all were his eyes. They had lost their sparkle and love of life, completely void of all emotions but one... loss. Her heart went out to her perverted friend, but she had no words of comfort to give him. He had seen exactly what she had. All that Sango could do now was to help him back to the village. Her attention was then caught by the little fox who sat beside the pervert's head.

"I'm sorry for what I said, please be okay."

"Shippo, we are going to take Miroku back to the village now. Think that you can help me?"

"I'll go get Inu Yasha he can...."

"No!" Sango snapped and felt the regret wash over her when tears appeared in the kitsune's bright eyes. "He is busy right now..." her voice choked on the words but she forced herself to continue, "so we have to do this on our own." Shippo nodded and helped the exterminator manhandle the monk onto Kirara's back.

Miroku had watched the scene unfold before him with horror. This was his worst nightmare occurring right in front of his wide, staring, wretchedly awake eyes. His hand crept up to clutch at his chest, looking for all the world like a man having a heart attack. Which in a way he was, since apparently someone had ripped the aforementioned organ from his chest and smashed it beneath one small, strange brown shoe.

Miroku fell onto his side, staring at the brush in front of him, but seeing nothing except his Angel in the arms of another man. I could have been with Inu Yasha at the end, and I would have been happy...Her voice echoed within his brain, forcing a whimper out of him. I loved you, but never again... Out came another one of those pitiful whimpers that he was unable to stop. He barely registered the fact that Shippo was staring into his eyes in concern, or that Sango was helping him get to his feet. He knew that they were talking, possibly speaking to him, but all he could hear was his own voice repeating the same phrase over and over again...

My fault, all my fault...

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Beneath the God Tree, two people were living out a moment that they had dreamed of for a very long time. Two years after they had met and a year and a half after she had fallen in love with him, her dream had come true. She had finally gotten her kiss. After a long moment, Kagome broke off that kiss and stared into the face of her first love. A sad smile graced her lips as she ran a gentle hand down his cheek. The kiss had been gentle and full of emotion. Inu Yasha's eyes were still closed and a small smile played upon his lips as well.

"Inu Yasha..." Kagome breathed. His ears twitched toward her, even as his warm golden eyes open to watch her closely. She felt a blush rise in her cheeks and she turned her head to get away from the intensity in that look. "Inu Yasha, I..."

"Don't say it Kagome, please."

"I have to, I'm sorry. You know as well as I do, that kiss wasn't all that it could have been." Her voice was laced with sorrow. "Its obvious that we are meant to be nothing more than friends."

"How do you know that?"

"Because... how did it feel to you? Did it feel right?"

"Kagome, I don't exactly know how it is supposed to feel. The only person who ever kissed me was dead, remember?" Kagome blushed at his honest answer.

"Well, it was missing something, a spark...." She began to play with the ends of her hair to avoid looking at him. "Passion... all I know is that it didn't feel right."

"How can it not be right? I love you." His voice was so soft that she almost missed it.

"Oh, Inu Yasha, I love you too. But sometimes love just isn't enough."

"Feh! Stupid women, always talking in riddles. What does that mean anyway?"

"Its not a riddle Inu Yasha. It means that are many kinds of love. I love you, I always have and always will. You are my friend, my companion and my protector but not my soul mate."

"Is it different with him?" There was no need to ask who he was referring to, she knew and they were beyond playing games. She nodded.

"That's why I know that this was wrong. If I had never kissed him..." Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear. "I really am sorry Inu Yasha. Now I have to go make things right with Miroku."

"I don't want to lose you." He whispered. He knew she was right. She didn't look like she was glowing, the way she had at the well when she and the monk had kissed for the first time. He knew that he had lost, for good this time. He wouldn't try to change her mind, and it was obvious that he wouldn't be able to do so anyway.

"Silly puppy. Who ever said that you were going to lose me? We are friends Inu Yasha... no, we are more than that, we are family, and I am not going anywhere."

"If he hurts you..."

"Its a part of life Inu Yasha." She shrugged but gave him a small grin. "You can't love and not be hurt, you just deal with it and move forward. Right now I have to go work this out with Miroku, and hope that he accepts my apology."

"Feh..." Kagome smiled and shook her head. Inu Yasha would never change, and for that she was glad. She began walking toward the path that would lead her to the village when she stopped and turned back to him, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Hey Inu Yasha, what did you mean about talking in riddles?"

"Sango was doing it earlier. Told me that I might be missing what is in front of my face because I kept looking over my shoulder." He scowled, still trying to figure out what she had meant. He missed the bright smile that flashed across the young girl's face.

"Oh, yeah, that's a real riddle alright." She rolled her eyes and continued on her walk. So, her plan wouldn't be that difficult to put into action after all, not if Sango was dropping hints like that. But that was for later, now she had to find a certain monk and make it up to him. Hopefully, he would let her.

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A.N. 2: Well, what did you think? Things are getting back on track, and there are only one or two chapters left. Lots of shout outs this time, so they will be short, but I did promise...didn't I?

Group #1

JadeBlueAfterGlow1, MiReI nOcHi, sesshoumaru77: Glad you liked it and I hope to see you again real soon!

Group #2:

la petite nanna, Murr, Yusuke3, ChildlikeMoonTenchi, chanin, Ricardo: As you can see, this is not an IY/Kag story (although I am a diehard fan of that pairing as you will see if you check out my other stories) and yes, I am hoping for Inu and Sango to hook up. It has been harder than you would think to do it in a realistic manner. Hopefully I am doing that, and if not.... guess I just have to try harder...no? = P

ViRgO2: I hope that I didn't make you go all anti-Kagome (put down the gun gently!) but I am glad that you are enjoying the story! I love repeat reviewers... *big hug*

Daesy: @_@ Author's Alert list, huh? I am honored! I hope that you continue to enjoy it and that it lives up to your expectations!

Mimle: *_*; Goodness, I seem to be making a lot of people hate Kagome, and that wasn't my intention. I guess as long as you are happy... and Kagome doesn't find out. I like to sleep, but a 50 year nap is a little too long, even for me!

Murr: Howdy! Another of my repeat reviewers *CLAPS LOUDLY* You are right, romance is no fun without the angst (as long as it isn't happening to you ^_~) As you can see there are no arrows, unless you count the slings and arrows of love.... *Sighs---before being smacked by her no nonsense muse*

Amanda: I hope that this update came soon enough so that you weren't too bored! Sorry to say that this isn't an IY/Kag, but my other stories are (yeah, that was a shameless plug, sorry but my muse insisted)

Hika-chan1: So, is that pizza still available? I haven't had dinner yet. Oh no.... not the dreaded puppy noises!! @_@ I hope you weren't in that corner for too long! I have never been compared to Naraku before... Ku ku ku

Tokyo Nights: Thank you so much! I loved that review... short and sweet.

Lady Sesshoumaru: Hello again! *Cheers for yet another repeat reviewer* Hope this put you out of your misery for the time being. Yeah, knowing Miroku's history, it wouldn't be difficult to think that but like Sango said, she really over-reacted. Oh well, guess we will have to wait and see how it goes right?

Kagome421230: Well, it isn't finished yet, but it is getting there. Hope this chapter will whet your appetite for the time being.

Group #3:

For all of those who read but didn't review.... I hope that you enjoyed your stay and will come back and visit real soon! This is a no pressure story... *muse smacks author in head with a wet noodle*... Well not for you guys anyway... Geez... Till we meet again...

Jewels Light = D