InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Show Me How It Ends ❯ When You're Evil ( Chapter 3 )

Kay here it is! Ch III

The deni pie

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Chapter III - W h e n Y o u ' r e E v i l

I'm the fear that keeps you awake
I'm the shadows on the wall
I'm the monsters they become
I'm the nightmare in your skull
I'm a dagger in your back
An extra turn on the rack
I'm the quivering of your heart
A stabbing pain, a sudden start.
And it's so easy when you're evil
This is the life, you see
The Devil tips his hat to me
I do it all because I'm evil
And I do it all for free
Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need

When You're Evil - Voltaire

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He didn't hate her. Not really anyway. But it was so much easier to hate than to feel the torrent of emotions and thoughts frolicking in his head. The silence got to him and he turned his head away from the window to see Kagome's face smothered in her pillow. There were no sounds of weeping or sniffling, just breathing. Ginta looked down on her and said nothing. He would let her sleep for a while. They would leave tomorrow. Ginta nodded accepting his decision not a little proud of himself for taking affirmative action. His gaze returned to the window. The rain was letting up. Throughout the whirlwind of confusion and sense of loss, one small part of him couldn't help thinking something the rest of him knew to be cruel. Ginta shook his head and resumed studying the rain. Perhaps tomorrow they would be able to find dry wood for the ceremony, maybe Hakkaku had already found some and saved it for the occasion.

*MMMmmmmmgggggrrrrr*

The surprised youkai placed a hand on his stomach. He hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday morning. His belly was obviously not happy with this arrangement. Ginta sighed and paid the window another mournful stare looking at the outside, no doubt crawling with little edible squirrels and bunny rabbits. He heard another growl, this one more vicious and hissing. 'Maybe I should get something to eat...' Was Ginta's last fleeting thought before feeling a malicious taloned hand snatch his hair yanking his head back. He gasped startled at the feeling of claws on another hand grip and puncture his neck. Rapid breaths, warm and harsh offended his hear before he heard a menacing voice interrupt them.

"What the fuck have you done?"

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Something was wrong. InuYasha could just feel it. Soft rain playfully tapped his sprinting body. Something was wrong. Something was wrong with Kagome. How the hell could that idiotic old woman have left her alone? 'Huh?' InuYasha paused, his toes clutching the muck covered ground with their claws to keep from slipping.

There lying pitifully in the mud next to a particularly deep puddle was a familiar looking dagger. It reflected up at him pathetically as if pleading to be plucked from the offending mud. InuYasha's brows furrowed, what was that doing out here? His eyes automatically scanned the ground, darting side to side to take in whatever would lead him to the answers. Sure enough his frown turned into a panicky scowl. Deep foot prints made small foot shaped bowls for the rain to pour into. There were mud spattered droplets in the act of pushing themselves away from the imprint suggesting the maker had been running quite fast. That is, up until the puddle had taken that person down. There was a long body sized mud skid leading up to a few more indents. Something was wrong.

InuYasha growled, taking off faster than before, becoming nothing more than a white on red blur. His imagination pitted scene against scene of all things horrific that could have lead to Kagome leaving those marks in the mud. His feet gripped the ground tighter to urge him on as the silhouette of Kaede's hut came into view. He snarled plowing through the rain and muck to get to the hut quicker. The home became bigger and bigger as he got nearer. InuYasha smirked and began to dig his feet into the ground to stop.

Unfortunately he underestimated the humor of Mother Nature. "SHIT!" A low far away rumble of thunder muffled the curse warningly. InuYasha yelped trying to gain control over his footing but the mud seemed to enjoy playing with his feet far too much to let him go. He braced himself feeling one foot slip and shoot out from underneath him, and sure enough, gravity claimed his as a friend. InuYasha thrashed furiously, thrusting his body up from the mud that clung to him so desperately. An arm drew back and wiped across his face to rid his eyes of the intrusive muck. A low threatening growl of frustration escaped his lips as he stood up to walk towards the hut, hair, face, and body covered in the thick, brown, mush.

His glare deepened seeing the entrance way completely open. InuYasha stepped through ignoring the drops of mud and water that pelted the ground blending in with the rain's orchestra outside. His fears jumped from his imagination and landed in his line of vision seeing a dark, masculine, silhouette of a figure hovering over Kagome's tussled looking body. A death promising snarl thrust itself from his lips, his fury fueling his feet to step closer and inspect what had happened. The closer he got to the form the more his impulsive rage took over any sort of reasoning ability he possessed. Finally InuYasha could no longer contain the wrath fueled frenzy dieing to burst from his body. The instant the silhouette was within reach, InuYasha's hand shot out snapping up a hand full of hair and yanking it back. He felt a twinge of satisfaction at hearing the startled yelp come from the other male. With lightening speed, InuYasha's other hand lunged for the figure's throat and closed. He wrenched the male's body closer to his in a life crushing embrace. His anger was only stroked at the sound of the breath indeed being crushed out of the supposed assailant.

"What the fuck have you done?" He hissed through his teeth.

He felt the other male struggle and claw at the hand enclosed around his throat. InuYasha tightened his grip and paused. Confusion welded itself with his anger and he brought his nose to the attacker's neck, sniffing suspiciously. 'Youkai!' InuYasha's rage grew. A low rumble worked its way through his chest, his eyes looking over Kagome's form worriedly. InuYasha tried to calm himself, the angry sounds he was emitting weren't helping him hear her any better. A debate went on, on whether to release the youkai to look Kagome over or to kill it and inspect her later. The demon in his arms decided for him.

InuYasha's head snapped backwards as the back of the youkai's head came smashing into his face. The other male's lithe form tore away from his leaping away to land in a fighting position. InuYasha jumped to his feet, his body mimicking the other's stance.

"Bastard! What the fuck have you done to her-hey? Aren't you-"

"OSUWARI!"

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Kagome's head lifted itself in a groggy haze upon hearing to thuds of something hitting the ground. It sent a brief vibration underneath her and she took her face from the pillow to see what appeared to be a familiar looking mud monster and Ginta ready to tear into each other. Kagome gasped picking herself up from the futon, sheet and all.

"Bastard! What the fuck have you done to her-"

Kagome glowered. She knew that voice.

"Hey? Aren't you-"

"OSUWARI!" She shouted before either could get the chance to spring. A violent 'thud!' reached her ears, accompanied by an expected 'Bitch!!'. "InuYasha, that's Ginta, you baka!"

"Bitch! I know that!" 'now anyways.' He added silently, still fuming at her.

The said youkai released himself from his fighting stance and took InuYasha's confession as permission to carefully move towards his previous sitting place. The spell began to wear off and he could see the hanyou's movements becoming less restrained.

Kagome adjusted the sheets around her and knelt in a more comfortable arrangement, watching the returning hanyou suspiciously.

InuYasha lifted his head to look at the moving wolf. "You're that wimpy wolf's lackey aren't you? What the hell are you doing here?"

Kagome was somewhat disgusted but not really surprised with the dog's lack of empathy. "Ahou! Osuwari!" She heard another shout of obscenities as the heavy thump met the floor again. She glared down at him. How dare he be so disrespectful towards….towards the dead. Kagome choked. It was still so hard to think about it.

Ginta felt his muscles clench at his leader being spoken of in such a way. But the miko took care of it before he got the chance to retaliate. Still, he decided to answer the hanyou's question. "I'm here to fetch Nee-san. I'm leaving for the mountains tomorrow. She must come to the burial ceremony." He chose to conveniently forget the part where he and Hakkaku were also supposed to take her into their tribe.

"Nng! The hell she is!" InuYasha did his best to look threatening while struggling to get his mouth off the floor long enough to speak. Of course he failed pitifully.

"InuYasha, I'm going." Kagome said quietly staring down at her knees. She couldn't even face Ginta and didn't want to look into the impending cursing scowl of InuYasha.

"Keh! Stupid girl! You don't know what they want with you!" He shouted back beginning to feel blood circulate to his limbs again.

Kagome jerked her head up to glare down at him. "What could they possibly want with me InuYasha! Kouga's gone and its just Ginta and his friend! Don't be dumb!" She snapped.

"I'm not the one running off with the same guys who kidnapped me!" InuYasha now had enough mobility to rise up.

"They didn't kidnap me! Kouga did!"

"Keh! Right, because they definitely would've taken it upon themselves to return you!" He retorted sarcastically.

Kagome growled, seriously toying with the idea of sitting him again and again until she felt better. "You're not the boss of me!" The minute the words were out of her mouth she felt the sheer force of its immaturity hit her, but continued anyway. "I'm going and this isn't any of your business!" Her fists clenched, balling the sheet together at her chest.

Ginta looked around uncomfortably. He knew the miko would still come, whether InuYasha 'allowed' it or not, but it didn't make the situation any less awkward with him standing there.

"Well, I'm damn well making it my business!" InuYasha spat getting in her face.

Kagome glared heatedly. If she was going to win this then she would have to hit below the belt. "If Kikyo was put to rest do you think I wouldn't let you bury her?!"

InuYasha blanched, his head backing away from hers for a moment. "This is completely different!"

"No its not! You're just grasping at straws!" She accused.

Although he didn't really understand the expression it didn't stop him from denying it. "Yes it is! I loved Kikyo! You barely know that weakling of a youkai!!" He snarled at her.

Kagome stared him down feeling a calm quiet take over the room. "I. Am. Going." She stated with a coolness that disturbed the hanyou. Her face wore an expression of assertion and resolve as she struggled to get up with the sheets wrapped around her. She gracelessly walked towards the entrance of Kaede's hut, every now and then tripping over the elongated sheet.

InuYasha's arm darted out attempting to steady her when she slipped on the make shift blanket but she only slapped it away like one would an irksome fly. He took his hand back and looked at her with a mixture of hurt and irritation. "Bitch! Where are you going now?!"

"Not that it's any of your business but I'm going home!" She shouted back now that her normal voice would have been out of earshot.

"It is my business and no you're not!" InuYasha yelled starting after her.

"Osuwari! And don't you dare follow me!"

*THUD!*

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She ignored the string of foul language that now flowed from the hut. How dare he?! Where did he get off?! Would the entire cosmos go out of line if for one day he decided to be somewhat sympathetic? Kagome thought bitterly, absentmindedly yanking up more of the sheet to keep from tripping on it, and the added factor of mud didn't aid her quest. 'Well, at least it stopped raining..' She idly thought. Yes, it had stopped raining, the lack of falling watery pellets had allowed the area to be covered in a somewhat misty aura that every now and then the moon would be able to shine through. Thankfully the humidity that usually accompanied any fog was absent tonight.

She sighed, slowing her anger fueled pace. InuYasha would know better than to go after her now, and she could probably take a more languorous walk. She supposed she should feel grateful to InuYasha for taking her mind off Kouga, if only for a few minutes. 'Kouga…'

"Nee-san?"

Kagome turned at hearing her name. A lean, masculine shape came closer to her through the fog. Gradually she could make it out to be Ginta. The uneasy feeling she recently associated with being around him came back. Her gaze flickered to the ground but awaited his approach. "Sorry, about back there." Her voice sounded nervous even to her own ears.

Ginta nodded accepting her apology. "Where are you going?"

She looked up at him, feeling a small sense of déjà vu. Well, at least he asked nicer than InuYasha. "I have to go home. To…to get something to wear for tomorrow. I don't want to go to Kouga's fune…to his burial ceremony like this."

He opened his mouth to object to her leaving but thought better of it. "Where is home?"

"Oh, it's not far. Just a little ways ahead."

Ginta said nothing and began to walk with her. They could have gotten there faster had he offered to carry her but didn't really want her that close to him right now.

The silence.was.UNNERVING! Kagome struggled for anything to say. She had always hated awkward silences and this time was no exception. 'Maybe he'd like to play 20 questions?' Not the most dult way to handle things but it was the only thing she could think of at the moment. She was about to ask him if he knew of such a game.

---flash back---

"Do you hate me?"

"…hai."

---end flash back---

Kagome fought off her question and received the silence with reluctant arms.

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THAT BITCH! How dare she sit him! He had only been looking out for her own good. InuYasha grumbled crawling up from his prone position.

"And what have you done now, InuYasha?"

The said hanyou raised his head and glared at the old woman standing in the doorway.

"Nothing!!" He shouted defensively.

Kaede shook her head. "Yes, naturally. 'Nothing' always brings you to into submission, neh?"

"Urusai!" InuYasha shot up at her.

She said nothing as she walked to the other room. "You are welcome to stay. I will retire for the night. Accept Sango or Miroku in if they come back."

"Keh!"But she was already through the door.

InuYasha struggled against the curse in the darkened room. Finally he managed to roll on to his back and ease himself of the marble sized discomfiture grading into his chest. He let out a breath of relief reaching into his hakama. Sure enough he pulled out what appeared to be a lavender looking marble. He twisted it this way and that, studying it curiously in whatever light the moon provided through the window. He would have to give it to Kagome when she came back. For now he had no idea what to do with it.

"All this work for this?"

For some reason while he lusted for just the tiniest shard, the entire shikon no tama didn't even bring him a quarter of that longing. InuYasha sighed and put it back into his hakama. He would discuss this with her tomorrow.

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"You live in a well?"

"Well, um, no, not really. Not in the well anyway." Kagome mumbled incoherently, unable to stand the way Ginta was looking at her. Like she was one of those people in her time that ran around wearing nothing but a box and screaming about the end of the world. "I'm kinda different, you see…" Ok she really didn't know how to start off. Ginta's silence quietly urged her on. She took a deep breath, worst possible case scenario: he didn't believe her and thought she was crazy. That wasn't so bad. "I'm from a different time. I live 500 years in the future and……ok here it goes…" Kagome closed her eyes from his reaction and proceeded to tell the youkai from start to finish how exactly she came about in this era.

Ginta listened quietly, seating himself on the edge of the swell. It wasn't really so far fetched a story. Actually it explained quite a bit and with all the magic out there, who said it couldn't be true. Her strange clothes, the strange objects she could sometimes be seen with, even her dialect and he could detect the slight bit of an accent he had never heard before.

"And I sorta shattered it. But it was an accident! I swear! And I've been looking for the shikon no kakera since up until now, I guess." She looked at the ground and shuffled an idle foot around from under her temporary toga. She had expected the sudden laughter or even a subtle chuckle but was surprised to hear nothing more than a calm declaration of

"Oh."

She glanced up at him with a look of astonishment. Oh. That was it. She just told him that she came from the future to save the entire world of the past and all she got was an 'oh.' Like he had pinned that exact biography on her the minute he laid eyes on her. She shook her head feeling the awkward silence return.

"So, yeah. I better go." A slender leg lifted itself and just as she found herself straddling the edge of her well a hand snaked out to grasp her arm. Her eyes flickered to his to see a torn expression on his face.

"I..I'd prefer it if you stayed here, Nee-san."

And that was all it took. InuYasha for all his ranting, raving, threatening, and shoving a tree down her welling, never stopped her from throwing herself down towards her much missed home. But just a composed statement of preference from Ginta and her longing for home suddenly seemed silly.

"Oh, ok."

"It's just, I'm supposed to watch you." He said uncomfortably. He wanted to let her go. Let her go to her own time. It would be better for them all. That crueler part that appeared earlier reared its ugly head to whisper in his ear 'Let her go, then you can destroy the well. It's so easy. You'd never be stuck with this responsibility again. Besides, Kouga would want her to be out of harm's way in her own ti-' 'Kouga….' Ginta thought. 'Kouga would want her with the tribe. That's what Kouga would want.' And that thought guided his hand to her arm to stop her. He had a responsibility. Kouga wasn't here to protect her and he couldn't protect her and ensure that she would, indeed, come back if she went to her own time. His friend was counting on him, even if he was no longer with him.

"Like a baby sitter?"

Ginta was snapped from his musing at her question.

"Hm?"

"Like a baby sitter. You said you were supposed to watch me. Are you supposed to be my baby sitter, or something like that?" Her voice held no accusations or vindications, it was just a question that she would like to be answered.

"Um, no not really like a baby sitter." He watched Kagome sling her leg around to join the other on the inside of the well. He didn't stop her. She wasn't jumping in or getting ready to, she was just perching herself on the edge opposite of him. Kouga trusted her, so he could trust her.

"I don't understand." Her nose scrunched in confusion, like she was unsuccessful at trying to solve a complicated problem.

Ginta sighed hunching his shoulder's forward in a relaxed posture and lazily swinging his leg back and forth to bump at the well. He looked up at the stars as though they would magically give him the answers. "With Kouga…..gone, traditionally you're supposed to be taken in by the closest family. And with our tribe….gone, that would be me and Hakkaku."

Kagome sat and contemplated this for a while before speaking. "What's going to happen to me?" Kagome was in debt to Kouga. Maybe Ginta was the only one who could undertand that. With Kouga's death it seemed her entire little world was tossed upside down. Pain brought relief, and pleasure brought guilt. She wasn't sure what she could do to make the gut searing regret leave her belly. Ginta hated her. She could sense it. This kind wasn't a vengeful sort of hate, more a dull acknowledgement of the feeling in the pit of his stomach. The hate derived from his inability to forgive her. And for that she was glad. She couldn't forgive herself either. And had he been able to, Kagome didn't think she could take it. She didn't deserve it.

"We'll take you into the tribe and watch over you, just as Kouga planned to do."

"But, there isn't really a tribe to be in anymore, is there?"

"Hakkaku and I are figuring that out. We're going to find another tribe and one of us will defeat their alpha male and take it as our own."

"Oh." She said simply. Was that going to be her life? It seemed very dismal and lonely. She didn't want to be taken in. She surely never wanted to join Kouga's tribe-'Just like Kouga didn't want to die…' Her conscience whispered to her. Yes, she could see Kouga's life. After Naraku, had he lived, Kagome would have told him that she saw him as just a friend. He would probably be hurt, but would eventually move on. Take a wife, have children. He may have married Ayame. 'He'll never be able to live that life.' She closed her eyes willing the tears back. She had cried enough tonight.

'Now is not the time to be selfish, Kagome…'

It seemed fate was destined to screw her over, Kagome thought humorously. "I, I need something to wear for tomorrow."

"What did you have in mind?"

"A Kimono? Black?"

Ginta nodded looking towards the forest. "Perhaps someone in the village can lend you one?"

Kagome mimicked his nod and looked inside the well longingly. "Ginta?"

"Hm?" He didn't look up.

"Can, can I saw goodbye to my family?"

He tossed this idea round in his head. He wouldn't delude her into believing that she would possibly see her family every other day. They would be moving around a lot, looking for tribes, and migrating. He didn't know when she would be able to see her family. The same problem of letting her go and her coming back arose in his mind. He was very reluctant to change his very thought out decision. He sighed, why couldn't he just say no? "You must promise to come back." Ginta looked her in the face.

Kagome realized it was one of the few times he had ever done that. Looked her in the face that is. "I promise I'll come back." She repeated confidently.

He seemed to accept her answer and crossed his legs to sit Indian style on the edge. "I'll wait here."

"Ok." She slipped downwards a little but struggled to stay up by her arms. She still couldn't look at him. "Ginta?"

His gaze flickered to her.

"Thank you." And then darkness accepted her.

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"OOMF! Ooowww…" Kagome whined rubbing her tail bone. That drop never got easier. Wait, her tail bone. Her very naked tail bone. The sheet! Kagome frantically felt around, blindly pawing at the ground praying to any God that would listen that her only covering had come with her across the time travel. She let out a breath of relief upon feeling it somewhere behind her. Thank Kami! Picking herself off the ground she tied it around her chest in a little makeshift ballroom gown. 'Okaayyy, now how do I get out without it slipping?'

Well, nothing worth achieving in life was ever easy. So why should she expect this situation to be any different. Kagome gritted her teeth and began the climb. She supposed it wasn't as hard as she had anticipated, but still. Why couldn't the well spit her out in front of her house for once?

A slender feminine hand popped out of the well and grasped the outside edge of it. She grunted and with one great heave the well gave birth to a teenage girl and named it Kagome. The said girl wiped her muddy forehead, but since her hand and arm were dirty too it only succeeded in a polite exchange of filth between body parts. Kagome rose to her feet and started towards her house.

Upon reaching the door she popped her head in and looked around. 'Jeeze Kagome, it's not like you're sneaking in after staying out past your bedtime.' She mentally scolded herself. Still, it was a relief that no one was up. Her mist colored eyes instinctually flipped to the green numbers blinking on the VCR under the TV. It was 3:35 a.m. no wonder everyone was in bed. Kagome bit her lip, it was hard to keep track of the exact time in the Songoku Gidai. Remembering the past brought Kagome back to the present and reminded her of what she came for. Suddenly flooded with nostalgia and not a small amount of sadness she began to softly creep to the one place that had always banished the nightmares from under her bed and shoved the evil monsters back in her closet.

Kagome held her breath when she reached the middle of the stairs to stop the knee jerk reaction of screaming when something furry entwined itself with her ankles. She looked down to see a purring and smiling sack of cat. She smiled back carefully bending down and picking up the obese feline with the tenderness of a proud mother.

"Buyo Buyo, fat little kitty! You're just so fat, yes you're my fatty kitty! But I love you anyway!" She cooed rubbing her face against his furry head.

Buyo himself didn't seem to know the difference between insults and words of endearment as he caressed her nose with his cheek. Then again Kagome had never spoken those them with anything but high pitched adoration, so maybe Buyo had taken the words the way they were meant.

Kagome kissed him sadly on the back of the neck, unable to reach his head that was now preoccupied with rubbing itself against the underside of her chin. She gave the cat she had, had since childhood one last careful hug before setting him down. He meowed once before darting off down the stairs. She looked longing after him, seeing him and realizing it may be the last time brought the memory of seeing him for the first time.

---flash back---

"Okaa-san!I want him!" An eager eight year old Kagome exclaimed jumping up and down and pointing down at a rather plump ball of fur resting lazily in his glass box.

"Er-Kagome, sweetie, This kitty isn't very….um, frisky?" She said looking at all the other kittens that were frolicking with each other, playing with their string toys, or wrestling with one another. "Besides, wouldn't you much rather have a nice little puppy instead?" She said trying to appease her daughter. Mrs. Higurashi had decided that it was time to give in to her daughter's pleads for a pet, she was old enough and hopefully responsible enough to have one of her own.

"Iie Okaa-san! I want that one! The fat one!" Kagome now had begun jumping up and down and pointing at the lazy kitten with excitement.

By this time the said kitten had decided to raise its head from its comfortable position tucked away in its stomach and look up at the commotion.

"Look! Look! Okaa-san he's looking at me!" She screeched pressing her face up against the glass.

Mrs. Higurashi laughed nervously. "Yes he is, dear." As was everyone else in the store, she thought looking around at the people staring at the hyperactive girl. "Well, then how about one of the other kittens, honey?" She said, noticing the kitten that her daughter was so infatuated was rather plump. That couldn't possibly be healthy. "Oh! Like this one!" She exclaimed picking up a rambunctious black kitten that had begun toying with its reflection on the glass. It mewed and batted at the finger Mrs. Higurashi presented it. "See, Kagome? This kitten is much be-"

Of course, little Kagome didn't 'see' and had already stretched herself over the glass box attempting to pluck the spotted kitten from his prison. She had it from under the armpits and the young feline's obesity fell to his bottom stretching him like a gack filled stress ball. He didn't' seem to notice once he was out of the box and Kagome was cuddling him baby style in her arms.

Mrs. Higurashi sighed disappointedly. It was a loosing battle, besides, maybe it was a good thing that her daughter was already seeing 'inner beauty' at such a young age. "Alright, Kagome, lets go pay for him." She smiled at the squeal of happiness and the rapid pitter pattering of sneakered feet racing to the pay counter. She looked longing at the black kitten placing him back in the glass box.

---end flash back---

Kagome giggled, and they thought Buyo had been fat back then.

---flash back---

"What's that?"

" 'Tou-san! Look I got a kitty!" Kagome exclaimed proudly presenting her plump burden to her father.

"Oh. Is that what that is? I thought one of your mother's coats had shrunk." He chuckled ignoring the glare of his wife and ruffled Kagome thick hair. He watched his daughter race off into the living room leaving them in the kitchen.

"So I guess all the normal animals were sold, neh?" He laughed.

"Oh now don't you start." She warned playfully poking him in the chest letting him take the bag of cat food and toys away from her.

"Well he seems friendly, he hasn't scratched Kagome has he?"

"No, for the longest time I just thought he was in a coma." She joked and sat down, her husband placing the bag on the table.

"Well she needed her own pet anyway." He said reassuringly not paying attention as said daughter trotted back into the room, blubbery kitten in one hand and gigantic salad bowl in the other.

"True, she had earned it, with her grades and helping out at hom-Kagome what are you doing?" She asked suddenly distracted by the sound of avalanching pellets.

"Buyo's hungry, Okaa-san." She replied as a matter of factly.

Mr. Higurashi stifled his laugh with his hand watching his daughter fill the salad bowl to the brim and beyond, the cat pellets cascading on to the floor. Mrs. Higurashi on the other hand rolled her eyes heavenward, her head slumping into her hand sadly. Another mess to clean up, she thought observing her daughter use all of her little girl strength to lift the gigantic spouting bag away from the bowl.

Buyo was definitely the happiest of the three. He watched in heaven struck awe as more food than he had ever seen before poured into a bowl twice his size. When the little girl took the bag away he dove for it, greedily chugging down as much as his quickly expanding belly could handle.

Kagome looked on proudly. "He's gonna be a sumo wrestler kitty, Daddy!"

This time the laughter would not be contained as a burst of it flooded from Mr. Higurashi's mouth. He stroked his daughter's silky hair and watched the plump little kitten down the cat food like he would never see it again. "I'm sure he will."

--- end flash back---

Kagome giggled at the memory. Yes Buyo was definitely a wonderful sumo wrestling cat. Heck! She had no doubt that he could probably take on some of the sumo wrestling men! With a shake of her head she reacquainted herself with the task of climbing the stairs.

Upon reaching the top she took the journey down the hall to that wonderful place. She raised her hand to knock on the door but thought better of it and just turned the knob. Her head poked inside her mother's room. Instantly the familiar smell hit her. The smell that all children remember their mother by. That special one that all mother's have that can make a child's worries and tears go away with just one whiff.

"Okaa-san?" She called creeping over to the bed. Gone!

Her mother was gone! " 'Kaa-san!" She called more urgently. Where was she?! Kagome was sure her mother was safe. Probably somewhere else in the house, maybe she had decided to sleeep in Souta's room with him tonight. Just the panic that this may be her last chance to see her crept over her heart. Kagome sighed and headed for her own room.

She clutched the sheet to her breasts forlornly walking towards her room at the other end of the hall. She would search her closet for something appropriate to wear tomorrow and then venture to Souta's room to hug and kiss him goodbye and also to see if their mom had, indeed, slept in his room tonight.

Kagome opened her door wanting to smile at the familiar creek it always made. It was funny how Kami always seemed to know exactly what someone needed right at that moment. Because there, on her very own bed sleeping not so soundly, was Mrs. Higurashi. Kagome's eyes lit up and she started for her bed kneeling next to it and gently placing her head next to her mother's for a minute or two before whispering.

"Okaa-san?"

Mrs. Higurashi groaned, her eyes spasming.

"Psst, 'Kaa-san." Kagome whispered again.

This time the desired effect was won and Mrs. Higurashi's eyes languidly opened. Her sleepy expression didn't change as her eyes began to focus from their sleep derived blur. Then when they had finally focused on the face of her daughter, her filth covered daughter, they snapped open and the young teenager was instantly crushed in a breath taking embrace. The one only mothers know how to give.

"Oh, Kagome! Daijoubu?! Where are you're clothes? What happened? What are you covered in? Kagome, your hair! Daijoubu?!" Mrs. Higurashi asked frantically scanning her daughter for injury or tear traces.

"Hai mama, Daijoubu. My clothes were kinda stolen while I was bathing in a stream." She hated lying, she really did.

"Bathing? But Kagome, you're filthy." Her mother's asked worriedly.

"Some animals, took off with them. I tried to chase after them and slipped in some mud left over from the storm."

Her mother greedily kissed each of her daughter's cheeks holding the girl's face in her hands. "Oh, Kagome, I had such a bad feeling! It wouldn't go away so I came to your room. It did make me feel a little better I suppose. But I feel so much better knowing you're home. Are you sure you're alright? What happened to your hair?" She asked her finger's getting tangled in the muck covered strands.

Kagome fought the mist that threatened to take over her eyes at the memory of what caused her hair's brutal attack. "I don't want to talk about it mama." She tried to keep her voice strong but it sounded more like a whimper.

Mrs. Higurashi's maternal instincts kicked in and ordered her not to bring up the subject again. "Gomen sweetie. I was just worried. But I'm happy you're back." She smiled kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Otou-san, I…I can't stay." Kagome didn't even try to keep her voice strong now.

"Oh, oh I know, dear. Have to look for those shards and all." Mrs. Higurashi tried her best to keep her tone upbeat but couldn't deny that she didn't enjoy her daughter's continuous absence from her life.

"No mama, the shards are all collected. The hunting's done." She whispered dejectedly. She couldn't stand breaking her mother's heart.

"Then, then I don't understand. That's what you went there for, and now that it's done why can't you stay, here?" A confused furrow worked its way into her mother's brow.

Kagome sniffled, fighting off the tears that leaked out of the corners of her eyes. "S-Something terrible happened, Okaa-san."

Mrs. Higurashi's expression became even more apprehensive and creased with concern and she easily plucked her daughter from the ground sitting her on the bed next to her. "What happened? Did someone hurt you?" She asked worriedly caressing her daughter's mud spattered cheek.

"I-Iie, someone tried to hurt me but another someone stopped me from being hurt." Kagome hated not using names, she wished her mother just magically knew who these people were. Her mother's silence quietly urged her to continue. "His name is Kouga, mama. Someone tried to hurt me and he stopped it, and ended up…..he……oh 'Kaa-san he's dead!" With that the sobs tore from her throat and she propelled herself into her mother's arms. Kagome began to pour every worry and feeling of self hatred into her cries. "Okaa-san, he's dead and it's all my fault! Do you know what his very last words were? He said he loved me?! And I couldn't even say it back! He was going to die and I couldn't just give him that! He died helping me and making sure I was safe! Why couldn't I love him, mama? Why couldn't I have been strong enough?!" The sobs tore through her quivering frame and left her breathless.

Mrs. Higurashi held her daughter tightly and stroked her head, filth and all. "Shh, sshh, it'll be alright baby. Sshh sshhh." She whispered. She softly began to sing the same song her own mother rocked her to sleep with. "Kagome Kagome, Kago no naka no tori wa, Itsu itsu deyaru? Yoake to ban ni. Tsuru to kame ga subetta, Ushiro no shoumen dare?"

Her sobs died down to mere sniffles. "I was named after that."

Her mother smiled and tightened her grip, knowing that she would have to let go very soon. "Mm hm."

Kagome sniffed her stuffy nose and broke away. "I have to go to his funeral, 'Kaa-san. I just came back to get something to wear." 'and so I say goodbye..' she added silently.

Mrs. Higurashi seemed to hear the silent addition and nodded softly, smiling a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll find you something sweetie. You don't have much black, do you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"No. Not much, but I'll look." Kagome rose from the bed to her closet and began to forage.

Her mother looked on sadly, the smile still hiding her face. Her daughter had grown up so suddenly. Her cradling arms couldn't protect her from the world anymore. She then decided to leave the sanctity of the bed as Kagome had. "I'll be back, Kagome-chan." She said before disappearing through the doorway.

Kagome poked her head of the closet and sea of strewn clothes to watch her mother leave. Her lip firmly tucked itself between her teeth. She wouldn't cry again. Taking a deep reassuring breath the young woman resumed her search for the perfect outfit. "Too short." , "Inappropriate for a funeral. Hmm, but still cute." , "doesn't fit anymore." , "I'm never wearing that again." Shirt, by skirt, by dress, could be seen flying from the closet in rejection.

"Darling, what about this?"

Again Kagome's head jutted itself out to see who had called for her. Mrs. Higurashi stood there smiling her sad little smile and holding up a wooden hanger that held a very familiar looking dress. Kagome just couldn't place where she had seen it before. It was completely black, held up by thin straps which tapered to a slender waist and flared out to end below the knees. 'Is that…?" Kagome couldn't help but think.

"Ano, Okaa-san. Isn't that the dress you wore to Otou-san's funeral?"

Her mother smiled at the dress. "Hai. It's my funeral dress. But since I don't have a funeral to go to, it's your funeral dress." She said lifting the dress, bridal style and walking over to Kagome sitting in a pond of dismissed clothing. "Do you think you have time for a bath?" She asked looking her daughter's mud caked body over.

Kagome followed her mother's gaze and smiled sheepishly. "Probably not, but I'll take a quick one anyway."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled watched the girl bound off to the bathroom.

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It wasn't a bath. The young miko thought bringing her now clean hands to touch her quickly cleansing hair. Mud ran off her body under the shower spray like a demon under exorcism. She sighed happily enjoying the feeling of warm water running over her. It was a wonderful contrast to the frigidity of the ponds, lakes, and rivers she had been forced to bath in.

She squirted some of her favorite strawberry shampoo into her hand and lathered it in her hair piling the shortened strands onto her head. Her hand snaked out routinely for the body wash right next to the shampoo and squeezed some into her favorite pink 'hello kitty' lufa. Scrubbing her body always made her feel as though she were washing her troubles away with the dirt and sweat. Kagome smiled happily rinsing away the shampoo and starting in on the conditioner.

Of course all good things must come to an end, wonderfully warm showers included. A disappointed sigh escaped her lips as the last bit of conditioner and body wash ran off and down the drain. She grudgingly reached a hand out pushing the shower knob in and turning the spray off. Instinctually she reached behind her back to grab her hair and ring it out. Upon finding nothing she remembered that it was gone. Not for the first time she mourned its loss. 'No! No I don't! It was mydecision!' She thought vehemently. Kagome confidently thrust open the shower's glass door and reached blindly for a towel. It was found in its normal spot that would always read 'Kagome' in childish chicken scrawl. Her face was wiped clear first, then her hair shook and dried of its water, before wrapping the fluffy pink 'hello kitty' towel around her body, where, before she had grown up, it had covered the entire length of her and then some, now only covered her chest and reached above her knees.

Stepping back into her room she was surprised to see her mother still sitting on her bed, the dress still in her lap but this time a few onyx hairclips in the shapes of roses and other sorts of flowers joined it. She wasn't so surprised that her mother was there, she had just gotten into normal showering routine. And normal showering routine did not involve mom waiting in her room for her.

A smile lit her mother's lips, but still it did not reach her eyes. "Okay, Kagome-chan, have a seat." She said gesturing toward her desk chair where a new vanity mirror hung in front of her desk. Seeing where her daughter's gaze rested she touched the mirror and explained, "I took it from my room, it would be easier to do your hair this way."

Kagome nodded not asking. She approached the chair her mother had pulled out for her and allowed herself to be pushed back in.

Mrs. Higurashi picked up a brush and began to comb Kagome's hair dry. The raven hair that was once long, luxurious, and untamably beautiful, now was just untamable. She frowned at reaching a rather willful knot and grabbed the lock gently before cautiously pulling the knot out so as not to hurt the hair's beloved keeper. It dried quite quickly, being that there wasn't as much of it as there used to be and the towel drying accompanied by the brushing helped. She smiled triumphantly placing her hands on her hips. "There, the knots have been taken care of. Now on to the task of,…Oh dear, Kagome, did you cut your hair yourself?" The question derived from seeing the uneven and butchered ends of the now neatly brushed locks. Mrs. Higurashi reluctantly picked up the scissors. "Well, let's straighten this out." She was happy that the ends where not so haggard that she needed to make the hair shorter, she just had to cut the longer tassels of hair that set off the fine balance.

Once she was done she affectionately pet her work. Softly caressing her manicured nails through her daughter's shining hair. It was shorter, yes, but it looked devine. To Mrs. Higurashi, Kagome would be beautiful bald. She smiled, this time it did reach her eyes, and she leaned down and kissed the top of Kagome's head. She picked up two onyx hairclips and began to arrange her newly found client's hair. She grasped one lock that fell to frame Kagome's face and pinned it against its corresponding side of Kagome's head. She did the same with a similar piece on the other side. She ran her fingers though straightening it out before turning her daughter's head to face her. She fluffed her bangs and took two longer strips from their clasps to hang down and resume framing Kagome's face.

She smiled at her accomplishment, both her daughter and her daughter's hair. She kissed Kagome between the eyebrows taking her hands and helping her up. Mrs. Higurashi stepped over to the bed picking up the dress and carrying it over to Kagome. "Go put this on, sweetie." She instructed affectionately. Kagome nodded and padded off to her bathroom once more.

Was this what her mother felt like going to her father's funeral? Kagome thought looking at herself in the mirror. She had expected the dress to be too big or at least awkwardly hang off her. But then again she hadn't seen the dress in five years so she couldn't possible expect to be as small as she had been back then. The dress fit wonderfully. The straps reached across her shoulders and down her back. The cloth that covered her breasts extended down to her tapered waist and hugged her like a long lost friend before rejecting her at the hips flaring out like fire works to her knees. Kagome looked down from the mirror to the sink and ran the water pushing down the plug so the water didn't run into the drain. She waited for it to rise before dipping her cupped hands in it and splashing it across her face. Her tongue snaked out darting over her lips picking up stray water droplets. Her slender frame hunched over the sing her hands grasping at the sides. Her eyes flickered up to the mirror. For once since the incident had happened, she didn't feel bad for cutting her hair. It wasn't really that bad, she thought studying the strands that now rested and inch above her shoulders. Besides, now no one would ever mistake her for Kikyo.

Mrs. Higurashi waited patiently for her daughter to come back into the room. She couldn't wonder if she would ever see her again. She couldn't think that something bad had happened to her, worse that what she had told her. She couldn't think that even more bad things lay ahead for her precious first born. She couldn't think it because her heart couldn't handle it. She took a deep steadying breath and looked towards the door just in time to see the knob turn and the object of her thoughts step bashfully in.

Oh, but she looked lovely. The dress complimented her hair and brought out her dazzling eyes. The little rose hair clips really set it off, she thought watching them glitter every time Kagome moved her head. "You look beautiful…..Which I really shouldn't be saying since you're going to a funeral."

Kagome laughed softly and hugged her mother.

"What're you doing up so late? Kagome? Is that you?" Came a groggy voice from the door way.

Both women looked over at the new comer to find Souta standing there lazily rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Souta, sweetie, Kagome's just come back for some things." Their mother explained.

Souta, now very much awake looked at Kagome. "Why did you come back so late? Why are you leaving again? What happened to your hair?" He asked walking closer to his sister.

Kagome smiled and rolled her eyes hugging her little brother. Why did all the torrent of questions always include one about her hair? She clutched him a little tighter before releasing him and kissing his cheek. "I'll be back when I can, ok?" She was sure not too say, soon, or I'll be back, as in she knew she'd even be coming back. I'll be back when I can was a good answer, it meant she would come back when she was able. Whether or not she'd ever be able was left up to decision.

Mrs. Higurashi picked up Souta and kissed Kagome. "C'mon, gather some clothes for your trip and we'll meet you by the well."

She nodded and quickly began gathering clothes and tossing them in her yellow back pack she had left ther before she went last time. Formally rejected clothes sailed happily into the back pack as she mumbled "I want this one." , "These have to come too." , "I can live without that." , "Where would I wear this? I don't care."

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Souta sat down with his mother near the well waiting for Kagome. He could see her casting sad and slightly hateful glances at it every now and then. He was in between wishing Kagome to hurry up so that they could get back in the warm dry house, or to go slower so she would stay longer. He settled for a nice safe "Mom, what's Kagome doing in there?" He asked in the voice all male's take when waiting for a female for whatever reason.

"She's just doing a little packing, dear." She responded patiently.

A shuffling at the entrance of the well house signaled that the object of discussion had arrived. Kagome stood there climbing down looking very awkward in her nice formal black heeled shoes, nice formal black dress, and then the big yellow camping pack clinging to her back like a gawky baby panda.

Mrs. Higurashi got up to help her down. They both walked to the well together, Souta waiting in his little 'Dragon Ball Z' pajamas for them both. Their mother looked at her daughter, the same sorrowful smile on her face. She crushed the breath from her in a wonderful goodbye hug. Kagome didn't need that breath anyway, she thought hugging back with matching ferocity. Souta stood there uncomfortably shuffling his foot looking away from the two women having a 'girl moment.'

Stepping away from her mother Kagome yanked Souta from the ground and gave him a hug very similar to the one her mother gave her. "I love you so much you little brat!" She cried affectionately.

He hugged her back though lacking the intensity of the one he was receiving. The mushy moments most females give only bring discomfiture to most males. "I-I'll see you when you get back, Kagome." He wheezed lungs collapsing as her grip became firmer for a moment before letting him go.

Kagome stepped over to the well, carefully climbing in with the aid of her mother. She took one last look at her family, and waved at them. "I love you mama, souta!" and with that, the well sucked her up again.

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Ginta was thankful that InuYasha had not decided to come to the well for Kagome. It had been probably an hour and a half since she left and he was getting anxious. What if she wasn't returning? No, she was trust worthy. What if she visited her family and found it impossible to go? No, she was a girl of obligation and honor, she wouldn't shame Kouga in such a way, would she? Questions and uncertain answers battled in his head.

He twisted into a more comfortable position leaning against the side of the well. He had long ago given up waiting for her on top of it, he was more than likely to fall asleep and fall in. He briefly wondered if he too would be transported to her era if that did happen. Maybe he could go get her himself? Ginta growled to himself, this was it, she wasn't coming back! Half of him was happy to be relieved of such obligation, the other half fretted over the situation and how to honor Kouga if his intended wasn't even going to be there for his burial ceremony! Before he got the chance to think of too many ways on either how to strangle Kagome or give thanks to the Gods for keeping her there, an overwhelming very yellow, weight was pitched into the air and had come to land on him, crushing him to the ground forcing the air from his lungs in a loud "OOMF!"

His eyes felt as though they had bugged out of their sockets as he desperately shoved the humungous pack off his body. He sat up shaking his head of the daze the pack had so graciously bestowed upon him. His attention was turned to the well where grunts of strain could be heard. Ginta peered over the rim to see nothing but pools of misty silver, now pools of fleshy peach, and then silver again. He blinked confusedly recoiling his head back to see a certain overdressed Kagome blinking back up at him.

"Hi."

He stared at her as if truly not able to grasp the concept of her coming back. Disappointment and gratitude warred within him but he reached down and helped her out anyway.

"You came back."

"Yeah, sorry I took so long. I couldn't find anything black to wear and Okaa-san insisted on doing my hair." She smiled sheepishly.

He could see her better now that they were standing on the same ground. She did look quite beautiful, even if her clothes were strange. But, of course, they were better than the mud she had been sporting before. His eyes looked her over. Her hair was much cleaner and now gleamed in the slowly fading moonlight. Her odd kimono was rather appealing. He had never seen anything like it and wondered if all girls from her time dressed this way. His attention was taken from her garb hearing her voice ring out.

"Is this ok? I'm not really sure how…wolf youkai…do burial ceremonies. We usually have to dress up in black, to mourn the passing, you know?" She asked uncertainly.

"It's fine." Ginta reassured.

Kagome yawned stretching her arms towards the sky, a crunchy pop could be heard as her back cracked. A small groan of delight formed on her lips when the discomfort , she hadn't even known she'd been suffering, vanished. "I suppose I better get to sleep then-"

"Actually, we better head out now." Ginta cut her off.

The Miko whirled around, her jaw dropping. "Nani?!" She watched him nod and proceed to prop her yellow back pack on his back.

"Hai, the sun will be coming up very soon, and it's a long walk to the mountains." He had already begun walking away by the time Kagome came to her senses.

She sighed feeling the already heavy bags under her eyes become heavier. They were going to walk?! With her in these shoes?! Kagome groaned once more, the delight now completely absent from the sound.

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Every single instance leading up to this exact moment replayed itself in Ginta's mind again and again, desperately searching for the one moment that lead to this particular situation. He guessed it was somewhere around noon that he had caught her falling asleep while walking, again. Kagome had become slow and wobbly, her blood shot eyes gradually losing their normal function. Ginta had hoped they might get there somewhere before sunset so as to help Hakkaku with anything that had not yet been prepared for the ceremony. Obviously that wasn't going to happen, not at her pace anyway.

And so that lead to his current state. Her pack on his back and her asleep in his arms, carrying them both. With the frustration climbing of not being able to reach the mountains in time he had picked her up, she didn't even seem to notice the difference between being carried and walking falling asleep faster than if he had simply knocked her unconscious. Well at least they would be getting there in time.

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"Nee-san."

'mm..g'way…'

"Nee-san."

'sleep…so yummy..'

"NEE-san!"

Kagome cracked her eyes open just in time to see the ground coming closer to her at a mind boggling speed. "OW!" She cried, her mouth now being crammed with dirt. She reared up stumbling on her shoes to glare at Ginta. "Chikusho! How dare you!" She shouted at him looking down at her now dirt and grass stained clothing. "This is my mother's dress!" Unfortunately what was intended to be a very intimidating roar came out as more of a mournful yell. Her hands immediately descended on the victimized fabric, smoothing and swiping away various blades of stray grass and dirt. She turned enough of her attention away from her task to glare up at him through her now less than perfectly kept hair.

Ginta tried his best to ignore the faint pang of guilt at hearing the kimono he had dropped in the dirt belonged to the mother she may never see again. He quickly shook it off but felt pleased that she would wear something so precious to her to Kouga burial ceremony. He looked down at his own garb almost wishing he had something better.

"Well, I…..guess we should get started, neh?"

He looked up to see Hakkaku coming towards them.

"Hai, where is everything? Is it all ready?"

Kagome paused her frantic sweeping to take in her surroundings and listen to the conversation. The sun was still firmly placed in the sky as they had come to a grass covered hill close to the mountains. Where were they going? Was it being held here? Where was everything? Kagome looked down at her dress sorrowfully, it still had a variety of dust spots buried too deep in the fabric for her to get out without a washer. She made a frustrated noise in the back of her throat and looked over to the two youkai to see Hakkaku point at a valley directly below the mountains.

"Everything is ready down there. Come on, we should start." Hakkaku waved them over to follow.

Ginta didn't look back at Kagome, had he done so he would have seen the venomous glare drilling through his back. She could get there without his help, she didn't need him to wait for her. Which he obviously wasn't going to do anyway….She thought spitefully. A growl emitted from her lips her feet picking up the pace into a light trot to catch up with the others. It was a difficult task, semi high heels, or any heeled shoe for that matter, were not made to walk on grass and dirt. Somewhat pleased at catching up so quickly she didn't stop until she surpassed Ginta.

Upon reaching the intended location the said youkai looked around at the valley that would be hosting this imperative ceremony. It was overlooked by the mountains that all wolf youkai loved so much and true to his word, Hakkaku had prepared everything. A huge mound of sticks, logs, and other wooden forms made a small teepee around a familiar wrapped form. Ginta tore his gaze away from the scene. 'I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready…' He chanted in his head. He was not ready to see his friend like this. He was not ready for it to be official. He was not ready for his leader's death. And most importantly he was not ready to be alone.

Kagome faired no better. Her gaze flickered everywhere from the grass, to the insects supposedly in the grass, to Hakkaku himself. She couldn't look at the sight. Her mind wasn't able to accept the horribly realistic vision of a mummified Kouga.

Hakkaku gazed on stonily. His position in their tiny tribe had already been mutually and unspokenly confirmed. He would be the support. The unwavering pillar to support Ginta, and possibly Kagome. He didn't like his position. It was too close to leader. And some small piece of him that dwelled in the deepest pit of his heart resented and blamed Kouga for it all. He had died and left them to fend for themselves. He had left them alone and unguided in this world. He had abandoned them….. "What's everyone waiting for?"

Ginta and Kagome turned their attention to the white haired youkai questioningly. Kagome leaned in towards Ginta, cupping a hand to her mouth to hide its movement. "I thought you said it was going to be held at nigh-"

"But night hasn't fallen yet!" Ginta cut her off, speaking to Hakkaku directly.

Kagome rolled her eyes at his lack of tact leaning back up into her previous standing position.

Hakkaku seemed unaffected by Ginta's objection. "We can't wait. We have to move on and find another tribe. He'd understand." He replied coolly.

Ginta frowned but said nothing. No, Kouga wouldn't have understood. He thought. This was their leader and den brother and Hakkaku was acting as though it were just another useless body they had an obligation to. A scowl overtook his face at his inability to do anything about this injustice. His eyebrows drew downward his arm snaking out to grab Kagome's arm leading her to the three lit torched leaning against the mountain wall.

'Ok so there's fire involved.' She thought spotting the flaming torches she ahdn't even noticed before. Some how Kagome didn't like where this was going. Her arm slumped a bit as the unsuspecting wait was dropped ungracefully into her hand. She nervously jerked her head away from the flaming tip. She contained a yelp feeling Ginta pull at her arm again to stand between him and Hakkaku next to the teepee of wood. Her eyes awkwardly flickered between the two not really sure of what to do or how to act. Hakkaku appeared to take on the position of priest and began to recite something that sounded like a sermon in a language she didn't understand. Her attention went to Ginta who she noticed was now kneeling with his head bowed. She panicked quickly dropping to her knees and mimicking his position. Soon Hakkaku joined them and continued his sermon.

This wasn't right, this wasn't right, this.Was.Not.Right. This wasn't supposed to be happening yet. All burials were held at night, it was just common knowledge of tradition. Ginta didn't like disrespecting Kouga's burial ceremony so blatantly. It felt too much like spitting on his grave. He licked his lips opening his eyes long enough to check on the woman next to him. Thankfully she was following the procedure accordingly. 'Unlike some people…' He thought glaringly at Hakkaku before closing his eyes again.

Kagome's eyes' opened as the chanting stopped. She cautiously looked around relieved to see that the other's had done the same. She was ready to close her eyes again when Hakkaku resumed speaking but it appeared to be a finishing statement and she never got the chance. She watched the two for some sort of movement to figure out what she was supposed to do. Something out of her peripheral vision caught her eye and she turned to Hakkaku in time to see him toss his torch into the teepee. A small twinge of horror alighted in her heart seeing the fire explode around the wood and envelope Kouga's wrapped figure. She swallowed and held her hand out to do the same but for some reason she couldn't will her fingers to let go. She had already caused him so much pain, how could she do it again to his body? 'He's gone, he won't feel it, he's gone, he won't feel it…' Unfortunately all her little mantra did was allow the torch to slip through her fingers long enough to soar into the wood pile, but it didn't quell the feelings of betrayal in her heart. This wasn't right. The sight of Kouga's body alight with that horrible fire did things to her stomach she couldn't even think about. She couldn't stand this. The death, the burning, the hate, the regret. This was hell. She was a fallen angel in hell. No, this wasn't hell. She would welcome the deserving punishment that would ease her self hatred. No, she was an undeserving demon in heaven.

Two down and one to go. Now it was Ginta's turn. He watched in horror as the thickening flames licked and danced seductively around his leader's body. Sweat poured down his frame and his breath quickened. He couldn't do it. He couldn't sign his den brother's death certificate. He wouldn't, he wouldn't, he wouldn't.

"Ginta."

He heard Hakkaku's voice but his brain didn't register it the flames engulfing his vision.

"Ginta." Hakkaku said for firmly.

He wasn't listening, already enraptured with the steadily growing fire. It was like watching murder, too terrified to do anything but too captivated to look away.

"Ginta!" Hakkaku snarled.

Ginta instantly clenched his eyes shut looking away as he tossed his own torch into the fire, making it burst with the added fuel it needed to grow. There, he had done it. The devil had pricked his finger and forced his signature on Kouga's death contract. Ginta's head fell into his hands and he once more fought against the hysteria that threatened to take him over.

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He stayed in his kneeling position long after Hakkaku had given his excuse and left into the mountains. He would have felt completely alone had it not been for Kagome's remaining presence. He didn't raise his head from his hands but felt his body grow somewhat colder signaling that the flames where beginning to die. He finally looked up from his hands, but he did not see Kagome. Instead he saw orange fade into a midnight blue.

The sun was just beginning to set……

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Okie dokie, part III is all done! Sorry it took so long, I've been gone for a while.

Chapter IV-

Sorry, no summary for chapter 4 ^_^; its super late and I haven't gotten the chance to work on it…..