InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snow White and the Seven 'Dwarfs'...Sort of ❯ Snake in the Grass ( Chapter 56 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Penthesileia 
I looked back up at the sky. “I made a wish.”
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.30.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 317 | Status: Completed
I looked back up at the sky. “I made a wish.”
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.30.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 317 | Status: Completed
Midoriko-Sama- Woah! Your smart. But that's all I'm saying.
Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha, I do not own Snow White and I am making no money off this fic.
Kagome and Kaede
I sheathed my sword and got an arrow ready so I could kill Kikyo on sight. I was so tired of watching my people fight among each other, killing one another for who got to sit on a block of wood and metal.
I was going to take Kikyo out quickly, simply, and cleanly. The bards could write a different version of the battle later.
“This way Kagome, don’t lose me.” Kaede yelled over her shoulder as we ran.
This is insane, how could Kikyo have gotten away so quickly? She was there in the front line minute and the next, gone. I wouldn’t put it past the bitch to pull a vanishing act.
“Kagome!”
I whirled around to see Inuyasha slicing his way through the mobs to me, Sesshomaru at his back.
“Stay with me!” he barked, grabbing my arm.
I glared and yanked it back, “We need to find Kikyo. Can you find them?”
“Feh, what the hell am I, a bloodhound?”
Sesshomaru ignored his younger brother. “Her scent is...different then before. I have not been able to track her down.”
“Then perhaps we should keep moving my lords? We have more important things to do then stand and chat with a battling waging around us.” Kaede pointed out dryly.
A woman’s laughter drifted over to us above the sounds of battle. My muscles tensed up and my hair stood on end.
“Kikyo.” My teeth gritted together and Kaede nodded.
Without a word, we followed the sound of the laughter. There was a loud pop, and all the soldiers in front of us were blown out of the way, the laughter growing louder then their cries. I almost dropped my arrow when a purple/black shield roared over us, enclosing us in a large dome before disappearing.
Inuyasha growled, showing his teeth. “I don’t fucking like this.”
“You aren’t supposed to baby.” Kikyo purred, still unseen. “I love the way you snarl and look around warily, it’s so cute.”
“Kikyo! Come out and fight. Don’t hide back in the shadows.” Kaede hissed.
The air stilled, and the perfect day finally got a little less perfect.
“You.”
I blinked and Kikyo was in front of me, Naraku at my side while she glared at Kaede, her black hair whipping around her green face. “How. Dare. You. Live?” she bit out, purple and black energy swirling around her angrily.
I glanced over at Inuyasha who looked as confused as I felt. What the hell was going on now?
“Leave Kaede out of this Kikyo!” I yelled, “This is between you and me. It has nothing to do with her.”
“You little fool. It has everything to do with her.” Kikyo screamed.
Kaede held up a hand for my silence, looking amazingly calm despite the crazy green
miko shouting at her. “Hello Kikyo. I hoped we would meet again.”
“I was supposed to meet you in hell. Why do you live?” Kikyo’s hands clenched over and over on her sword, more furious then I had ever seen her before.
“You did not do the spell correctly.” Kaede said simply, not seeming to care when Kikyo’s aura grew darker.
“You bitch.” Kikyo spat out. “You’re still a little brat.”
Kaede smiled serenely. “Did you expect anything different, sister?”
My heart stopped beating for a moment before it went into overdrive. Sister? Sister?!?
“I should have just slit your throat when you were born. I knew you were going to be trouble right from the start.”
“A shame then you decided to show off and try to kill me with an elaborate spell that was far above your skill level.”
“Wait a fucking minute! Kaede’s like ancient! How the hell are you two related?” Inuyasha broke in.
“We shared the same parents-“ Kaede’s smile turned mocking, “But not the same blood.”
Kikyo went tense as my brain started cramping. This didn’t make any sense. How could they be sisters?
Kikyo drew her sword, her power nearly black as it circled the blade. “You want to fight, sister dear? We’ll fight. Anything the baby wants.” she growled.
...I really hope she doesn’t mean baby as the youngest member of the family.
“Watch my back Naraku.” she barked before advancing on Kaede.
“I want you three to stay back.” Kaede told us, steel ringing in her voice as her own power rushed up to cover her.
My mouth fell open. She didn’t even have a sword! “But Kaede-“
“Stay back Kagome.”
Inuyasha’s hand gripped my shoulder, “Let her be Kag.”
Kaede calmly held her hands together in a traditional prayer pose and quietly chanted, not looking concerned at all when Kikyo’s easy walk turned into a sprint, her sword’s tip pointed directly at her heart.
Kikyo roared like a beast, the inside of her mouth bright pink against her green skin. She thrust her sword at Kaede, laughing in glee.
Only to scream in frustration when her sword got stuck in Kaede’s power and refused to move an inch.
She let go of the sword, leaving it sticking out of Kaede’s aura awkwardly.
“It’s not very fair for only one person to have a sword Kikyo.” Kaede scolded lightly.
Kikyo snarled, “Then come out and-“
I winced; surprised to see how strong Kaede’s right hook was as Kikyo fell to the ground, her lip bloodied.
Kikyo looked up as she wiped her hand across her mouth, “That was the last hit you get brat.” she warned before her leg shot out and slammed into Kaede’s hip.
Kaede crumbled down as Kikyo sprung up and backhanded her, sending her sliding across the grass.
I jerked towards her, held back by Inuyasha. “Let me go!”
Inuyasha gripped tighter, “Not until it’s really dangerous. Kaede knows what she’s doing...I think.” he grumbled at the end.
Kikyo walked over to where Kaede was lying on the ground, preening the entire way. She teasingly rested her foot on Kaede’s neck. “There’s no way you could survive if I crush
your throat right?” Kikyo mused mostly to herself, weighting the pros and cons in her head.
Suddenly, Kaede reared up and smashed both her fists into Kikyo’s gut.
Kikyo bent over and chocked, gasping for breath as she clutched her stomach,
“Fucking...bitch...brat.” she wheezed out between pants.
Kaede scrambled to her feet, breathing deeply as well. “Just surrender Kikyo. I loved you once, I can convince Kagome to be merciful.” she said, in a way I wasn’t completely sure if she was lying or not.
Kikyo went still, her eyes wide as if she were fearful. “Never will I surrender to another person again, or plead for mercy. You of all people should understand that.” she told her
coldly just as Naraku’s knife stabbed deeply into Kaede’s shoulder.
Kikyo smiled in satisfaction as the color leeched out of Kaede’s face and she fell to her knees, the knife sliding out with a wet pop.
“Kaede!” I screamed in anguish, pulling at the bonds Inuyasha’s hands had become.
I turned to face them, knowing I probably looked like a wild woman. “Distract them!” I
ordered, barely noticing their nod before I forced Inuyasha’s hold off and flew to Kaede’s side.
I vaguely registered the low curses and clanging the swords caused, more concerned with propping Kaede up and trying to stanch the blood flow.
“Come on Kaede, you are not leaving. Not like this.” I told her fiercely, clamping my hands hard over the gaping wound.
Kaede looked up at me, her eyes growing dim. “Kagome...”
I shook my head, “No. You are not telling me any last wishes you have, it’s not your damn time yet!”
Gently I lowered her back on the ground and called my power up, closing my eyes at the pleasure of having it dance across my skin.
“Kagome...no.” Kaede would have whispered to me if I hadn’t been ignoring her.
I relaxed my hold on her wounds, her blood flowing steadily down my hands in small rivers. I closed my eyes, trusting Sesshomaru and Inuyasha to protect us.
Warmth spread up and down my hands and I felt my hair hover slightly around me as I focused on drawing up as much power as I could. Once I felt like I was about to burst, I carefully began to pour it into Kaede, knowing without looking my power was knitting her skin and muscle back together at a slow rate.
Her blood flow began to slow down to a trickle and her heart beat sped up. My own heart pounded, she was going to be alright!
...until my power stopped dead.
I carefully tapped my power on whatever barrier was keeping me from the rest of Kaede, confused beyond reason. Was it to much to hope this could be simple?
I gritted my teeth and braced myself. There was no way I was losing to Kaede to whatever the hell this was.
I forced my power to ram the wall, trying to break it down. I jerked, feeling as if I had run into a wall myself. But I kept at it, hoping it would weaken before Kaede would.
Over and over I pounded, with little results.
I tasted salt on my lips as I opened my eyes, looking down at Kaede. She was turning grey again.
Either I got this freaking barrier to come down or she would die.
My eyes drifted shut again as I went down deep inside myself, ignoring everything else around me. There had to be power I had over looked, some tiny kernel I could use. Just another burst, and maybe I could break through.
My brows furrowed. There was something right....there. Over in my side. I almost recoiled from it when I touched it lightly, the amount of power coming off it nearly burning me. How could I have missed it earlier?
Resolutely, I gripped it firmly, screaming at the power suddenly filling me. Quickly I began to spill it back into Kaede as fast as I could, trying to get rid of the terrible pressure. With one hard thrust my power broke completely into Kaede, healing her as a huge pain exploded in my side.
I gasped, my eyes shooting open and craning down to see the huge red spot quickly staining my clothing. I fell over, landing heavily on my side and finally noticing Inuyasha and Sesshomaru as red and white blurs while they battled Kikyo and Naraku, buying me time.
I blinked again, noticing they weren’t the only things blurry. Strange...Kaede seemed to be shrinking. Her wrinkles began to smooth themselves out, her hair turned into a silky brown and she lost half her body fat.
I shifted slightly as something round irritated my arm but was to tired to do more then roll it out into my palm. Lethargic settled over me, making my limbs feel as heavy as metal. Would it look weak if I fell asleep right here, right on this soft grass under this bright blue sky?
My head pounded until I realized the pounding was coming from somewhere else. I opened my eyes, wishing I had the strength to rub them.
Oda frantically pounded on the shield, sending ripples of black and purple over the dome.
“Princess Kagome! Rin has been injured! We need a healer NOW! Or she’ll die!”
I closed my eyes in agony, my fingers closing over whatever the hell I held in my hand. “Oh please, someone, Kami, mother. Help us. Help us all survive this battle.” I whispered desperately, hot liquid trailing down my face.
I hissed when the object in my hand turned burning hot, dropping it quickly. I froze, a feeling that had been nagging at me finally coming back to haunt me.
“I know your mother is proud to, wherever she is. You know, I’ve always felt her when I’m around you.”
That aching pain in my side whenever the jewel was discussed...
Kikyo’s almost obsessive belief that I was the key to the jewel...
“...You know, I’ve always felt her when I’m around you...”
I opened my eyes, both afraid and hopeful of what I would see.
A swirling, bloody purple jewel lay inches from my burnt fingers, bright light radiating
from it as it began to hover in the air.
No wonder my father had felt my mother’s presence. She had been with me all this time.
“NOOO!” Kikyo screamed, forgetting her fight with Inuyasha. “That was supposed to be
my wish you fucking bitch! After all this time, all this work, all this sacrifice, that jewel was supposed to be MINE! Give it to me!” she yelled, running after the jewel and trying to catch it.
I watched in satisfaction as it rose above her greedy fingers, the light becoming almost blinding.
I blinked, and the jewel exploded in a shower of glitter, Kikyo’s wails louder then any other sound on the field.
I watched in amazement as the glitter dissolved into mist and started to blend together until the ghostly shape of a woman emerged. Her pale-dark hair whirled around her while she stayed perfectly still in the air, staring at me.
More of her face started to form, leaving beautiful features etched in the mist, until the
only part missing was a chuck on her forehead. Almost lovingly, the mist reached up to paint a triangle like shape on her forehead.
My heart dropped.
Mother.
The spirit of Midoriko smiled tenderly at me as she floated up into the air, a royal purple light surrounding her. Her arms opened wide while her eyes drifted shut and she
whispered words the living couldn’t hear.
Her eyes shot open and the dome shattered as she disappeared, leaving behind streaks of purple and gold that flew over the battle field in all directions.
I moaned in bliss when a bit of gold and purple light settled over the wound in my side, healing it instantly.
“Kagome! Are you ok?” Inuyasha asked, kneeling by my side. “What the hell just happened?”
I looked back up at the sky. “I made a wish.”
Meanwhile...
Bankotsu threw himself over Rin at the explosion in the sky, though any further damage to Rin wouldn’t matter. At this point, she maybe only had a few minutes to live.
His fingers dug violently into the ground. Damn it, if only he had been a better warrior, Rin would be fine and making gooey eyes at whatever direction she thought Lord Sesshomaru was in.
“Yo, Bankotsu!” Jakotsu tugged urgently at his clothing. “Look!”
Bankotsu looked up, ready to slap Jakotsu aside until he got a good look at the sky. “What is that?” He breathed, staring at the whirling rays of gold and purple.
He nearly dropped down on top of Rin again when he noticed a ray heading straight for
Rin, held back only by Renkotsu and Jakotsu grabbing him and holding on for dear life.
“Just look at it!” Renkotsu snapped, managing to get Bankotsu in a headlock.
Bankotsu studied it, noting how the ray was approaching them slowly, almost in a gentle way if that could be possible.
Bankotsu forced himself to stay back as the swirls of gold and purple fluttered over Rin, sinking deep into her wounds.
His mouth dropped open when Rin’s skin began to heal and her color returned, casting aside the deathly gray pallor she wore before.
She blinked up at them, “...did I really die again?” she asked uncertainly.
Her men grabbed her up in her arms, holding her tight despite the mud and blood covering them.
“No Rin. You never left at all.” Bankotsu told her, breathing hard.
And over here...
Mini Kouga enjoyed the feel of his head nestled against Ayame’s breasts as her hair fell over them. He didn’t know what was making her so frantic, but he hoped it wouldn’t go away to soon.
“Oh my.” Ayame whispered, her grip on him relaxing slightly.
Kouga looked up to glare at whatever else was grabbing her attention, only to freeze with his face in half a scowl.
That purple and gold light was kind of pretty…not as pretty as Ayame of course, but nice to look at all the same. “What is that?” he asked, studying it.
“I...I don’t know.” she told him honestly, watching as a strand of gold and purple came curling over to them. Ayame held Kouga to her as the light settled itself over his ruined legs like a blanket, the damaged skin gratefully drinking it in.
Kouga’s skin ripened and turned pink as healthy flesh stretched out and covered his legs before their eyes.
Ayame reached out and smoothed a shaky hand down Kouga’s leg, nearly laughing when she touched silky, hairless flesh. “Kouga, your legs...their healed!”
Kouga looked down, “Cool. Can we have sex now like you promised?
Ayame grabbed his head and held him for a hard kiss. “Whatever you want. But let’s not have it up here with a corpse for company.” she said, indicating Tesso’s dead body laying a few feet away.
Kouga brightened, “Ok!” he said cheerfully. “But I get to use the honey first!”
Back With Kagome...
Another hand touched my other shoulder and I looked up to see Suikotsu, “Thank you.” he said simply, before carefully rolling Kaede up in his arms and walking off with her.
Oda stumbled, still expecting the dome to be there, “Princess! Rin needs a healer!”
I shook my head, my fingers lingering on my side. “Not anymore she doesn’t.”
“Now you will be the one who needs to see a doctor.” Kikyo said coldly, getting up from where she had been kicking the ground. “I have been waiting my entire life for that jewel, and yet in one moment of stupidity, you break it. You won’t get away with that.”
I suddenly became aware of the battle around us, as soldiers stopped in shock as gold and purple light surrounded the injured on my side.
Oda grabbed an injured enemy solider by the throat and held his sword at his stomach. “Swear loyalty to Princess Kagome if you want to live.” he hissed.
The soldier gulped. “I swear loyalty to Princess Kagome!” he said quickly, gasping in amazement as the gold and purple light suddenly wrapped itself around him, healing his wounds.
I struggled to get up, not bothering to fight the grin on my face as injured soldiers of Kikyo’s immediately started to promise fealty to me. “You and what army Kikyo?” I asked flippantly.
Kikyo looked around, her skin turning into a light green as more and more of her soldiers called out my name.
“Kikyo!” Naraku yelled from where he was still fighting with Sesshomaru. “RUN!”
She curled her lip at me. “Trust me bitch. This is far from over.” she warned, as these strange white worms descended from the sky out of nowhere and wrapped themselves around her, lifting her away.
I cursed and tried to run after her, only to fall to my knees as dizziness hit me hard.
Inuyasha bent his knees, “Don’t worry Kag, I’ll get her.” he promised before jumping off.
Naraku laughed while black spots danced in front of my eyes. “You fools! You will never kill Kikyo. Never!”
“You should never say never Naraku.” someone told him, and I looked up enough to see a fully healed Rin wink at me, Seven standing tall at her back.
I smiled against the dirt of the ground as Rin and Seven joined the fight. And since my friends were here, I know it wouldn’t be weak to let myself fall asleep in front of them.
The Slayers
The slayers happily fought, glad to finally kick some ass after the long months of being six inches tall. They groaned when Kagome’s friends chained up Naraku, forcing all the remaining enemy’s to bow to them before they were chained and lead off to jail as well.
The battle was over, Kagome had won, and the remaining soldiers were able to stop
fighting and go home.
All expect for one.
Sango’s father’s throat got tight as he spotted his son, his eyes blank as he continued to attack other warriors despite the end of the battle. He nodded to two other slayers to fetch him, and watching closely the slayers crept up on Kohaku and easily knocked him out.
Their leader studied the horizon, guessing if they left for home now they would have plenty of time to rebuild and clean the village for Sango and Miroku’s arrival, and celebrate the death of Naraku which would free his son. He would just have to keep him heavily sedated until then.
He nodded, pleased himself and his intelligence. Wasn’t it nice when their problems could be easily solved like that?
He waved to his daughter, indicating he had her brother before setting off with the other slayers, happy to be going home.
Later
I moved my head slightly under the cloth covering my forehead, annoyed by its lack of coolness.
Some blessed hand removed it for me, and replaced it with a fresh one. I sighed in bliss, trying to snuggle back into the covers.
Someone gently shook my shoulder. “Come Kagome, it’s time to wake up.” a sweet voice told me.
I grudgingly opened my eyes, still tired. My sleepiness abruptly ended at the sight of a strange young woman sitting at the end of my bed, a eye patch covering one eye.
I looked at her more closely. There was something familiar about her though...
Someone burst into laughing, “Oh man, if you could see your face now Kag! You look so confused.” Kagura chuckled.
I turned my head over to see the whole group of dwarf’s huddled at one wall, looking insanely happy. “Hey.” I rasped, my voice hoarse.
“Here Kagome.” the woman told me, propping up my head and holding a bowl of water with the other. “Drink.”
I sipped the liquid, and nearly chocked when it finally hit me.
“Kaede?” I guessed.
She nodded. “Aye.”
My mouth dropped, “But your not old!” I sputtered.
She grinned, her one eye twinkling. “Aye.” she agreed. “I haven’t truly been old for a long time Kagome.”
“And that stuff about you being Kikyo’s sister and...oh my Kami, Kikyo! Where is she?” I demanded.
A floorboard creaked, and I looked up to see Inuyasha step into the room, armor thrown over his shoulders.
He gently laid the breast armor at my feet, “This is all that’s left of Kikyo.” he told me quietly.
“When I stabbed her, she became dust.”
I laughed out loud, knowing why the others were so happy. “She’s really dead this time? Really, truly dead?”
Inuyasha nodded. “She is.”
I reached up and hugged him hard, “Thank you so much.” I whispered in his ear, before embarrassed, he shrugged me off.
I looked back at Kaede, completely amazed. This morning she had been an old, tired woman, and now? Now she had a long fall of glorious brown hair that shone brightly even in the dim light. Her skin was smooth, with not one hint of a wrinkle and gravity had not even begun to affect her yet. Just what the hell happened to the old grandmother who took care of me while father was still alive?
“Kaede, I don’t understand.”
Kaede settled back, getting comfortable as she prepared to tell us her story. “I am not very different from you Kagome, in that I was also born into a royal family. Twenty eight years ago, I was born as a royal princess of the South, with Kikyo as my sister. For the first eight years of my life however, were spent without her. When my mother was pregnant with me, Kikyo was kidnaped from the palace. The kidnappers never issued a ransom so we assumed she had been killed. But then she came back, all on her own. My parents accepted her immediately, happy to have their oldest daughter back. But she was never able to completely convince me.” Keade paused, giving us a moment to process this information.
“At around sixteen, I finally discovered the truth. This Kikyo was not the real Kikyo at all. She was an abused little village girl who had met the real Kikyo and killed her for her identity. I was young and foolish though, and I confronted Kikyo about it.” Kaede shook her head, still disgusted at how stupid she had been. “I should have known someone who would kill a princess wouldn’t think twice about trying to kill her sister.”
“I can hardly believe this.” Sango muttered.
“Luckily for me, Kikyo wanted to do something elaborate. She attempted to do a age-stealing spell.”
“A age stealing spell?” Hiten repeated.
“A spell that saps years of life from another person for themselves.” Kaede explained.
“She did it incorrectly. She didn’t gain any years of my life and she didn’t kill me. She did turn me into a old woman however.”
Kaede freshened my cloth absently, her mind clearly in another time. “Kikyo left what she thought was a cold corpse and I was forced to escape for my life. I was able to join Kagome’s household shortly after her mother died.”
“How did Kikyo not recognize you when you worked at the palace?” I asked.
Kaede shrugged, “In those days, Kikyo was concerned with putting on a carefree, empty headed appearance so she had Naraku do her spying. There was no way for Naraku to know who I was. All he ever knew was that Kagome favored me. And after King Nobunaga’s death, she ordered my superior to fire me in a effort to get rid of Kagome’s allies without ever needing to see me. It was almost pathetically easy to stay free of Kikyo. Today was actually the first time she had seen me since the night she cursed me.”
“That’s amazing.” Ayame said in admiration.
“So why are you young now?” Kouga asked.
“When Kagome healed me, she broke through the spell keeping me old.” Kaede stretched out her hands, sighting in pleasure as she rotated her wrists. “And now for the first time in nearly twelve years I can move without pain.” she laid a soft hand on my cheek,
“Thank you Kagome.” she told me, blinking hard.
I reached up and held her hand to me, “I only wish you had told me sooner. ...you aren’t related to Naraku to are you?” I asked, suddenly worried.
Kaede laughed, “No, only to Kikyo. I wouldn’t worry about Naraku by the way, he’s being heavily guarded in the palace jail awaiting your execution order.”
I looked around the room. “Are we still at the dwarf house?” I asked, wanting to change
the subject now that Kaede had cleared so many things up.
Kaede nodded. “All the servants wanted to get the palace ready for your arrival. Their racing around trying to get things ready as soon as possible for your coronation.”
I sucked in a breath as the word landed heavily on me. Coronation. Oh Kami, I had won. I had won. Kikyo was dead, Naraku in jail, and I was finally going to become the queen I
was born to be.
I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the flood of tears. Queen. That sounded so good after all we’d been through together.
Ayame smiled and rested her head against Kouga’s shoulder. “I can finally go home.” she said dreamily, the northern mountains in her eyes.
Miroku reached over and snagged Sango’s hand. “We can all go home.”
“After the coronation.” Rin said firmly. “It’ll be the celebration of the century, no way am I missing it.”
I smiled back, feeling happier then I ever had before in my life.
I glanced over to where Inuyasha stood slightly apart from the group, strangely quiet.
There was one thing that could make me happier. But since I doubt I’ll get it, it’s better to rip the bandage off now.
I slowly got up, smiling at Kaede when she steadied me. “Inuyasha. Can we talk now?” I asked.
The dwarf’s got quiet, huge smiles on their faces.
Inuyasha paused before he nodded and held an arm out, helping me walk.
I got a warm feeling in my chest. It was so nice when Inuyasha acted like this.
Inuyasha led me to the kitchen, carefully balancing me against one of the counters and
his body.
He held my hands against his chest. “Kagome.” he started to say before pausing. “I want to talk about last night.”
My heart sped up at the feeling of his hands covering mine. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. It just...it fell out.” I said, distracted by the gold of his eyes.
Inuyasha shook his head, “I don’t want your apologies Kagome.”
I cocked my head to the side, “Then what do you want?” I asked, hardly daring to hope.
He held his breath. “I want you to say it again. And this time, I want to respond.”
I forgot to breathe. I swallowed, deciding it was worth it to take a chance and risk my heart being crushed all over again. “I love you Inuyasha.”
He paused. “I love you to Kagome.” he whispered down at me, beginning to lean down, licking his lips before stopping and frowning. “Are you ok Kagome? You look pale.”
I shook my head, “I’m fine. Really.” I said desperately. Inuyasha would kiss me if we had to do it in front of my entire army damn it! I don’t care anymore if the entire world watches us; I wanted to feel Inuyasha’s lips on mine!
“You’re probably hungry. Here, have a bite.” Inuyasha reached into his jacket and pulled out a shiny red apple.
I took it from him and set it firmly on the table. “Thanks, but not now.” I told him firmly, weaving my hands in his hair at the back of his head. Inuyasha loved me! If I had my way, Inuyasha was about to be my breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert. What kind of apple could beat that?
He frowned, and opened his mouth to say something before the kitchen door slammed opened.
“Kagome!” Shippo wailed as he ran in. “Don’t do it! Please! You’ll get cooties.”
I forced myself not to glare at Shippo. “Shippo.” I tried to say as calmly as I could. “I think you need to play with Soten. Don’t you think she’s lonely?”
Shippo looked back at me solemnly. “She’d understand.”
The door swung back open, and I scowled at the fast glimpse of the dwarfs hiding behind it while Hiten came through. “There you are Shippo!” he said with exaggerated cheerfulness. “Come on buddy, Soten missed you.” He told him firmly as he tucked him under his arm.
Shippo pounded his tiny fists on Hiten’s back as he tried to wiggle free. “No! Let me go!
I have to save Kagome!” he cried as Hiten carried him back through the door.
I waited a moment to see if Shippo would come racing back in before turning back to Inuyasha.
“Can we get back to where we were now?” I asked, drawing his head down.
Inuyasha chuckled as my eyes drifted closed, waiting. I felt like every nerve was supersensitive to the feel of his body against mine, the sound of the dwarf’s shifting outside the door, the smell of Inuyasha. My fingers dug into his hair. My lips were almost in pain being without his on me.
Gently, Inuyasha brushed his lips with mine, just going back and forth lightly until my lips hummed. I started to tremble as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me more firmly. So slowly I could have screamed from it if my mouth had been free, Inuyasha’s tongue reached out to softly graze over the seam of my lips. He ran his tongue over and over again on nerves I hadn’t even known were a part of my bottom lip as he slowly drove me crazy from how good it felt.
Finally, when I couldn’t take anymore I opened my mouth to invite him, eager to know more about the ‘French kissing’ Kagura and Sango raved about.
Inuyasha’s tongue retreated quickly before coming back and forcing something soft and sour into my mouth.
I broke away, gasping, and tried to spit it out before Inuyasha grabbed my wrists and clamped his hand over my mouth, not allowing me to get rid of it.
I struggled, so confused. What was Inuyasha doing?
I wanted to gag over the taste of whatever was in my mouth, the sweet and bitter flavor making me sick.
But not nearly as sick as the way Inuyasha’s eyes suddenly looked. They were completely blank. Cold golden circles.
My eyes looked over to the counter, to see one perfect bite mark taken out of the apple as it slowly made it’s way down my throat, my vision blackening.
I looked back at Inuyasha, growing tired. I wanted to scream why at him, but his hand was still holding my mouth cruelly shut.
I felt my heart beat slow and the world tilted wildly. I tried to fight, but I was still being pulled slowly and steadily to the dark hole in my mind. I managed to work one of my hands free and clawed at his face, trying to get rid of those blank eyes. He easily avoided my nails after the first few swipes left three red marks and caused my ring to loosen.
Tears fell from my eyes as my struggles grew weak, and I could see less and less until all that was left was those cold gold circles staring at me. Waiting for my death.
The fight completely left me, my hand fell from his face and my ring slipped off my finger to land on the floor with a quiet crash...
...and then there was nothing.
AN:...well at least I saved Rin!
Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha, I do not own Snow White and I am making no money off this fic.
Kagome and Kaede
I sheathed my sword and got an arrow ready so I could kill Kikyo on sight. I was so tired of watching my people fight among each other, killing one another for who got to sit on a block of wood and metal.
I was going to take Kikyo out quickly, simply, and cleanly. The bards could write a different version of the battle later.
“This way Kagome, don’t lose me.” Kaede yelled over her shoulder as we ran.
This is insane, how could Kikyo have gotten away so quickly? She was there in the front line minute and the next, gone. I wouldn’t put it past the bitch to pull a vanishing act.
“Kagome!”
I whirled around to see Inuyasha slicing his way through the mobs to me, Sesshomaru at his back.
“Stay with me!” he barked, grabbing my arm.
I glared and yanked it back, “We need to find Kikyo. Can you find them?”
“Feh, what the hell am I, a bloodhound?”
Sesshomaru ignored his younger brother. “Her scent is...different then before. I have not been able to track her down.”
“Then perhaps we should keep moving my lords? We have more important things to do then stand and chat with a battling waging around us.” Kaede pointed out dryly.
A woman’s laughter drifted over to us above the sounds of battle. My muscles tensed up and my hair stood on end.
“Kikyo.” My teeth gritted together and Kaede nodded.
Without a word, we followed the sound of the laughter. There was a loud pop, and all the soldiers in front of us were blown out of the way, the laughter growing louder then their cries. I almost dropped my arrow when a purple/black shield roared over us, enclosing us in a large dome before disappearing.
Inuyasha growled, showing his teeth. “I don’t fucking like this.”
“You aren’t supposed to baby.” Kikyo purred, still unseen. “I love the way you snarl and look around warily, it’s so cute.”
“Kikyo! Come out and fight. Don’t hide back in the shadows.” Kaede hissed.
The air stilled, and the perfect day finally got a little less perfect.
“You.”
I blinked and Kikyo was in front of me, Naraku at my side while she glared at Kaede, her black hair whipping around her green face. “How. Dare. You. Live?” she bit out, purple and black energy swirling around her angrily.
I glanced over at Inuyasha who looked as confused as I felt. What the hell was going on now?
“Leave Kaede out of this Kikyo!” I yelled, “This is between you and me. It has nothing to do with her.”
“You little fool. It has everything to do with her.” Kikyo screamed.
Kaede held up a hand for my silence, looking amazingly calm despite the crazy green
miko shouting at her. “Hello Kikyo. I hoped we would meet again.”
“I was supposed to meet you in hell. Why do you live?” Kikyo’s hands clenched over and over on her sword, more furious then I had ever seen her before.
“You did not do the spell correctly.” Kaede said simply, not seeming to care when Kikyo’s aura grew darker.
“You bitch.” Kikyo spat out. “You’re still a little brat.”
Kaede smiled serenely. “Did you expect anything different, sister?”
My heart stopped beating for a moment before it went into overdrive. Sister? Sister?!?
“I should have just slit your throat when you were born. I knew you were going to be trouble right from the start.”
“A shame then you decided to show off and try to kill me with an elaborate spell that was far above your skill level.”
“Wait a fucking minute! Kaede’s like ancient! How the hell are you two related?” Inuyasha broke in.
“We shared the same parents-“ Kaede’s smile turned mocking, “But not the same blood.”
Kikyo went tense as my brain started cramping. This didn’t make any sense. How could they be sisters?
Kikyo drew her sword, her power nearly black as it circled the blade. “You want to fight, sister dear? We’ll fight. Anything the baby wants.” she growled.
...I really hope she doesn’t mean baby as the youngest member of the family.
“Watch my back Naraku.” she barked before advancing on Kaede.
“I want you three to stay back.” Kaede told us, steel ringing in her voice as her own power rushed up to cover her.
My mouth fell open. She didn’t even have a sword! “But Kaede-“
“Stay back Kagome.”
Inuyasha’s hand gripped my shoulder, “Let her be Kag.”
Kaede calmly held her hands together in a traditional prayer pose and quietly chanted, not looking concerned at all when Kikyo’s easy walk turned into a sprint, her sword’s tip pointed directly at her heart.
Kikyo roared like a beast, the inside of her mouth bright pink against her green skin. She thrust her sword at Kaede, laughing in glee.
Only to scream in frustration when her sword got stuck in Kaede’s power and refused to move an inch.
She let go of the sword, leaving it sticking out of Kaede’s aura awkwardly.
“It’s not very fair for only one person to have a sword Kikyo.” Kaede scolded lightly.
Kikyo snarled, “Then come out and-“
I winced; surprised to see how strong Kaede’s right hook was as Kikyo fell to the ground, her lip bloodied.
Kikyo looked up as she wiped her hand across her mouth, “That was the last hit you get brat.” she warned before her leg shot out and slammed into Kaede’s hip.
Kaede crumbled down as Kikyo sprung up and backhanded her, sending her sliding across the grass.
I jerked towards her, held back by Inuyasha. “Let me go!”
Inuyasha gripped tighter, “Not until it’s really dangerous. Kaede knows what she’s doing...I think.” he grumbled at the end.
Kikyo walked over to where Kaede was lying on the ground, preening the entire way. She teasingly rested her foot on Kaede’s neck. “There’s no way you could survive if I crush
your throat right?” Kikyo mused mostly to herself, weighting the pros and cons in her head.
Suddenly, Kaede reared up and smashed both her fists into Kikyo’s gut.
Kikyo bent over and chocked, gasping for breath as she clutched her stomach,
“Fucking...bitch...brat.” she wheezed out between pants.
Kaede scrambled to her feet, breathing deeply as well. “Just surrender Kikyo. I loved you once, I can convince Kagome to be merciful.” she said, in a way I wasn’t completely sure if she was lying or not.
Kikyo went still, her eyes wide as if she were fearful. “Never will I surrender to another person again, or plead for mercy. You of all people should understand that.” she told her
coldly just as Naraku’s knife stabbed deeply into Kaede’s shoulder.
Kikyo smiled in satisfaction as the color leeched out of Kaede’s face and she fell to her knees, the knife sliding out with a wet pop.
“Kaede!” I screamed in anguish, pulling at the bonds Inuyasha’s hands had become.
I turned to face them, knowing I probably looked like a wild woman. “Distract them!” I
ordered, barely noticing their nod before I forced Inuyasha’s hold off and flew to Kaede’s side.
I vaguely registered the low curses and clanging the swords caused, more concerned with propping Kaede up and trying to stanch the blood flow.
“Come on Kaede, you are not leaving. Not like this.” I told her fiercely, clamping my hands hard over the gaping wound.
Kaede looked up at me, her eyes growing dim. “Kagome...”
I shook my head, “No. You are not telling me any last wishes you have, it’s not your damn time yet!”
Gently I lowered her back on the ground and called my power up, closing my eyes at the pleasure of having it dance across my skin.
“Kagome...no.” Kaede would have whispered to me if I hadn’t been ignoring her.
I relaxed my hold on her wounds, her blood flowing steadily down my hands in small rivers. I closed my eyes, trusting Sesshomaru and Inuyasha to protect us.
Warmth spread up and down my hands and I felt my hair hover slightly around me as I focused on drawing up as much power as I could. Once I felt like I was about to burst, I carefully began to pour it into Kaede, knowing without looking my power was knitting her skin and muscle back together at a slow rate.
Her blood flow began to slow down to a trickle and her heart beat sped up. My own heart pounded, she was going to be alright!
...until my power stopped dead.
I carefully tapped my power on whatever barrier was keeping me from the rest of Kaede, confused beyond reason. Was it to much to hope this could be simple?
I gritted my teeth and braced myself. There was no way I was losing to Kaede to whatever the hell this was.
I forced my power to ram the wall, trying to break it down. I jerked, feeling as if I had run into a wall myself. But I kept at it, hoping it would weaken before Kaede would.
Over and over I pounded, with little results.
I tasted salt on my lips as I opened my eyes, looking down at Kaede. She was turning grey again.
Either I got this freaking barrier to come down or she would die.
My eyes drifted shut again as I went down deep inside myself, ignoring everything else around me. There had to be power I had over looked, some tiny kernel I could use. Just another burst, and maybe I could break through.
My brows furrowed. There was something right....there. Over in my side. I almost recoiled from it when I touched it lightly, the amount of power coming off it nearly burning me. How could I have missed it earlier?
Resolutely, I gripped it firmly, screaming at the power suddenly filling me. Quickly I began to spill it back into Kaede as fast as I could, trying to get rid of the terrible pressure. With one hard thrust my power broke completely into Kaede, healing her as a huge pain exploded in my side.
I gasped, my eyes shooting open and craning down to see the huge red spot quickly staining my clothing. I fell over, landing heavily on my side and finally noticing Inuyasha and Sesshomaru as red and white blurs while they battled Kikyo and Naraku, buying me time.
I blinked again, noticing they weren’t the only things blurry. Strange...Kaede seemed to be shrinking. Her wrinkles began to smooth themselves out, her hair turned into a silky brown and she lost half her body fat.
I shifted slightly as something round irritated my arm but was to tired to do more then roll it out into my palm. Lethargic settled over me, making my limbs feel as heavy as metal. Would it look weak if I fell asleep right here, right on this soft grass under this bright blue sky?
My head pounded until I realized the pounding was coming from somewhere else. I opened my eyes, wishing I had the strength to rub them.
Oda frantically pounded on the shield, sending ripples of black and purple over the dome.
“Princess Kagome! Rin has been injured! We need a healer NOW! Or she’ll die!”
I closed my eyes in agony, my fingers closing over whatever the hell I held in my hand. “Oh please, someone, Kami, mother. Help us. Help us all survive this battle.” I whispered desperately, hot liquid trailing down my face.
I hissed when the object in my hand turned burning hot, dropping it quickly. I froze, a feeling that had been nagging at me finally coming back to haunt me.
“I know your mother is proud to, wherever she is. You know, I’ve always felt her when I’m around you.”
That aching pain in my side whenever the jewel was discussed...
Kikyo’s almost obsessive belief that I was the key to the jewel...
“...You know, I’ve always felt her when I’m around you...”
I opened my eyes, both afraid and hopeful of what I would see.
A swirling, bloody purple jewel lay inches from my burnt fingers, bright light radiating
from it as it began to hover in the air.
No wonder my father had felt my mother’s presence. She had been with me all this time.
“NOOO!” Kikyo screamed, forgetting her fight with Inuyasha. “That was supposed to be
my wish you fucking bitch! After all this time, all this work, all this sacrifice, that jewel was supposed to be MINE! Give it to me!” she yelled, running after the jewel and trying to catch it.
I watched in satisfaction as it rose above her greedy fingers, the light becoming almost blinding.
I blinked, and the jewel exploded in a shower of glitter, Kikyo’s wails louder then any other sound on the field.
I watched in amazement as the glitter dissolved into mist and started to blend together until the ghostly shape of a woman emerged. Her pale-dark hair whirled around her while she stayed perfectly still in the air, staring at me.
More of her face started to form, leaving beautiful features etched in the mist, until the
only part missing was a chuck on her forehead. Almost lovingly, the mist reached up to paint a triangle like shape on her forehead.
My heart dropped.
Mother.
The spirit of Midoriko smiled tenderly at me as she floated up into the air, a royal purple light surrounding her. Her arms opened wide while her eyes drifted shut and she
whispered words the living couldn’t hear.
Her eyes shot open and the dome shattered as she disappeared, leaving behind streaks of purple and gold that flew over the battle field in all directions.
I moaned in bliss when a bit of gold and purple light settled over the wound in my side, healing it instantly.
“Kagome! Are you ok?” Inuyasha asked, kneeling by my side. “What the hell just happened?”
I looked back up at the sky. “I made a wish.”
Meanwhile...
Bankotsu threw himself over Rin at the explosion in the sky, though any further damage to Rin wouldn’t matter. At this point, she maybe only had a few minutes to live.
His fingers dug violently into the ground. Damn it, if only he had been a better warrior, Rin would be fine and making gooey eyes at whatever direction she thought Lord Sesshomaru was in.
“Yo, Bankotsu!” Jakotsu tugged urgently at his clothing. “Look!”
Bankotsu looked up, ready to slap Jakotsu aside until he got a good look at the sky. “What is that?” He breathed, staring at the whirling rays of gold and purple.
He nearly dropped down on top of Rin again when he noticed a ray heading straight for
Rin, held back only by Renkotsu and Jakotsu grabbing him and holding on for dear life.
“Just look at it!” Renkotsu snapped, managing to get Bankotsu in a headlock.
Bankotsu studied it, noting how the ray was approaching them slowly, almost in a gentle way if that could be possible.
Bankotsu forced himself to stay back as the swirls of gold and purple fluttered over Rin, sinking deep into her wounds.
His mouth dropped open when Rin’s skin began to heal and her color returned, casting aside the deathly gray pallor she wore before.
She blinked up at them, “...did I really die again?” she asked uncertainly.
Her men grabbed her up in her arms, holding her tight despite the mud and blood covering them.
“No Rin. You never left at all.” Bankotsu told her, breathing hard.
And over here...
Mini Kouga enjoyed the feel of his head nestled against Ayame’s breasts as her hair fell over them. He didn’t know what was making her so frantic, but he hoped it wouldn’t go away to soon.
“Oh my.” Ayame whispered, her grip on him relaxing slightly.
Kouga looked up to glare at whatever else was grabbing her attention, only to freeze with his face in half a scowl.
That purple and gold light was kind of pretty…not as pretty as Ayame of course, but nice to look at all the same. “What is that?” he asked, studying it.
“I...I don’t know.” she told him honestly, watching as a strand of gold and purple came curling over to them. Ayame held Kouga to her as the light settled itself over his ruined legs like a blanket, the damaged skin gratefully drinking it in.
Kouga’s skin ripened and turned pink as healthy flesh stretched out and covered his legs before their eyes.
Ayame reached out and smoothed a shaky hand down Kouga’s leg, nearly laughing when she touched silky, hairless flesh. “Kouga, your legs...their healed!”
Kouga looked down, “Cool. Can we have sex now like you promised?
Ayame grabbed his head and held him for a hard kiss. “Whatever you want. But let’s not have it up here with a corpse for company.” she said, indicating Tesso’s dead body laying a few feet away.
Kouga brightened, “Ok!” he said cheerfully. “But I get to use the honey first!”
Back With Kagome...
Another hand touched my other shoulder and I looked up to see Suikotsu, “Thank you.” he said simply, before carefully rolling Kaede up in his arms and walking off with her.
Oda stumbled, still expecting the dome to be there, “Princess! Rin needs a healer!”
I shook my head, my fingers lingering on my side. “Not anymore she doesn’t.”
“Now you will be the one who needs to see a doctor.” Kikyo said coldly, getting up from where she had been kicking the ground. “I have been waiting my entire life for that jewel, and yet in one moment of stupidity, you break it. You won’t get away with that.”
I suddenly became aware of the battle around us, as soldiers stopped in shock as gold and purple light surrounded the injured on my side.
Oda grabbed an injured enemy solider by the throat and held his sword at his stomach. “Swear loyalty to Princess Kagome if you want to live.” he hissed.
The soldier gulped. “I swear loyalty to Princess Kagome!” he said quickly, gasping in amazement as the gold and purple light suddenly wrapped itself around him, healing his wounds.
I struggled to get up, not bothering to fight the grin on my face as injured soldiers of Kikyo’s immediately started to promise fealty to me. “You and what army Kikyo?” I asked flippantly.
Kikyo looked around, her skin turning into a light green as more and more of her soldiers called out my name.
“Kikyo!” Naraku yelled from where he was still fighting with Sesshomaru. “RUN!”
She curled her lip at me. “Trust me bitch. This is far from over.” she warned, as these strange white worms descended from the sky out of nowhere and wrapped themselves around her, lifting her away.
I cursed and tried to run after her, only to fall to my knees as dizziness hit me hard.
Inuyasha bent his knees, “Don’t worry Kag, I’ll get her.” he promised before jumping off.
Naraku laughed while black spots danced in front of my eyes. “You fools! You will never kill Kikyo. Never!”
“You should never say never Naraku.” someone told him, and I looked up enough to see a fully healed Rin wink at me, Seven standing tall at her back.
I smiled against the dirt of the ground as Rin and Seven joined the fight. And since my friends were here, I know it wouldn’t be weak to let myself fall asleep in front of them.
The Slayers
The slayers happily fought, glad to finally kick some ass after the long months of being six inches tall. They groaned when Kagome’s friends chained up Naraku, forcing all the remaining enemy’s to bow to them before they were chained and lead off to jail as well.
The battle was over, Kagome had won, and the remaining soldiers were able to stop
fighting and go home.
All expect for one.
Sango’s father’s throat got tight as he spotted his son, his eyes blank as he continued to attack other warriors despite the end of the battle. He nodded to two other slayers to fetch him, and watching closely the slayers crept up on Kohaku and easily knocked him out.
Their leader studied the horizon, guessing if they left for home now they would have plenty of time to rebuild and clean the village for Sango and Miroku’s arrival, and celebrate the death of Naraku which would free his son. He would just have to keep him heavily sedated until then.
He nodded, pleased himself and his intelligence. Wasn’t it nice when their problems could be easily solved like that?
He waved to his daughter, indicating he had her brother before setting off with the other slayers, happy to be going home.
Later
I moved my head slightly under the cloth covering my forehead, annoyed by its lack of coolness.
Some blessed hand removed it for me, and replaced it with a fresh one. I sighed in bliss, trying to snuggle back into the covers.
Someone gently shook my shoulder. “Come Kagome, it’s time to wake up.” a sweet voice told me.
I grudgingly opened my eyes, still tired. My sleepiness abruptly ended at the sight of a strange young woman sitting at the end of my bed, a eye patch covering one eye.
I looked at her more closely. There was something familiar about her though...
Someone burst into laughing, “Oh man, if you could see your face now Kag! You look so confused.” Kagura chuckled.
I turned my head over to see the whole group of dwarf’s huddled at one wall, looking insanely happy. “Hey.” I rasped, my voice hoarse.
“Here Kagome.” the woman told me, propping up my head and holding a bowl of water with the other. “Drink.”
I sipped the liquid, and nearly chocked when it finally hit me.
“Kaede?” I guessed.
She nodded. “Aye.”
My mouth dropped, “But your not old!” I sputtered.
She grinned, her one eye twinkling. “Aye.” she agreed. “I haven’t truly been old for a long time Kagome.”
“And that stuff about you being Kikyo’s sister and...oh my Kami, Kikyo! Where is she?” I demanded.
A floorboard creaked, and I looked up to see Inuyasha step into the room, armor thrown over his shoulders.
He gently laid the breast armor at my feet, “This is all that’s left of Kikyo.” he told me quietly.
“When I stabbed her, she became dust.”
I laughed out loud, knowing why the others were so happy. “She’s really dead this time? Really, truly dead?”
Inuyasha nodded. “She is.”
I reached up and hugged him hard, “Thank you so much.” I whispered in his ear, before embarrassed, he shrugged me off.
I looked back at Kaede, completely amazed. This morning she had been an old, tired woman, and now? Now she had a long fall of glorious brown hair that shone brightly even in the dim light. Her skin was smooth, with not one hint of a wrinkle and gravity had not even begun to affect her yet. Just what the hell happened to the old grandmother who took care of me while father was still alive?
“Kaede, I don’t understand.”
Kaede settled back, getting comfortable as she prepared to tell us her story. “I am not very different from you Kagome, in that I was also born into a royal family. Twenty eight years ago, I was born as a royal princess of the South, with Kikyo as my sister. For the first eight years of my life however, were spent without her. When my mother was pregnant with me, Kikyo was kidnaped from the palace. The kidnappers never issued a ransom so we assumed she had been killed. But then she came back, all on her own. My parents accepted her immediately, happy to have their oldest daughter back. But she was never able to completely convince me.” Keade paused, giving us a moment to process this information.
“At around sixteen, I finally discovered the truth. This Kikyo was not the real Kikyo at all. She was an abused little village girl who had met the real Kikyo and killed her for her identity. I was young and foolish though, and I confronted Kikyo about it.” Kaede shook her head, still disgusted at how stupid she had been. “I should have known someone who would kill a princess wouldn’t think twice about trying to kill her sister.”
“I can hardly believe this.” Sango muttered.
“Luckily for me, Kikyo wanted to do something elaborate. She attempted to do a age-stealing spell.”
“A age stealing spell?” Hiten repeated.
“A spell that saps years of life from another person for themselves.” Kaede explained.
“She did it incorrectly. She didn’t gain any years of my life and she didn’t kill me. She did turn me into a old woman however.”
Kaede freshened my cloth absently, her mind clearly in another time. “Kikyo left what she thought was a cold corpse and I was forced to escape for my life. I was able to join Kagome’s household shortly after her mother died.”
“How did Kikyo not recognize you when you worked at the palace?” I asked.
Kaede shrugged, “In those days, Kikyo was concerned with putting on a carefree, empty headed appearance so she had Naraku do her spying. There was no way for Naraku to know who I was. All he ever knew was that Kagome favored me. And after King Nobunaga’s death, she ordered my superior to fire me in a effort to get rid of Kagome’s allies without ever needing to see me. It was almost pathetically easy to stay free of Kikyo. Today was actually the first time she had seen me since the night she cursed me.”
“That’s amazing.” Ayame said in admiration.
“So why are you young now?” Kouga asked.
“When Kagome healed me, she broke through the spell keeping me old.” Kaede stretched out her hands, sighting in pleasure as she rotated her wrists. “And now for the first time in nearly twelve years I can move without pain.” she laid a soft hand on my cheek,
“Thank you Kagome.” she told me, blinking hard.
I reached up and held her hand to me, “I only wish you had told me sooner. ...you aren’t related to Naraku to are you?” I asked, suddenly worried.
Kaede laughed, “No, only to Kikyo. I wouldn’t worry about Naraku by the way, he’s being heavily guarded in the palace jail awaiting your execution order.”
I looked around the room. “Are we still at the dwarf house?” I asked, wanting to change
the subject now that Kaede had cleared so many things up.
Kaede nodded. “All the servants wanted to get the palace ready for your arrival. Their racing around trying to get things ready as soon as possible for your coronation.”
I sucked in a breath as the word landed heavily on me. Coronation. Oh Kami, I had won. I had won. Kikyo was dead, Naraku in jail, and I was finally going to become the queen I
was born to be.
I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the flood of tears. Queen. That sounded so good after all we’d been through together.
Ayame smiled and rested her head against Kouga’s shoulder. “I can finally go home.” she said dreamily, the northern mountains in her eyes.
Miroku reached over and snagged Sango’s hand. “We can all go home.”
“After the coronation.” Rin said firmly. “It’ll be the celebration of the century, no way am I missing it.”
I smiled back, feeling happier then I ever had before in my life.
I glanced over to where Inuyasha stood slightly apart from the group, strangely quiet.
There was one thing that could make me happier. But since I doubt I’ll get it, it’s better to rip the bandage off now.
I slowly got up, smiling at Kaede when she steadied me. “Inuyasha. Can we talk now?” I asked.
The dwarf’s got quiet, huge smiles on their faces.
Inuyasha paused before he nodded and held an arm out, helping me walk.
I got a warm feeling in my chest. It was so nice when Inuyasha acted like this.
Inuyasha led me to the kitchen, carefully balancing me against one of the counters and
his body.
He held my hands against his chest. “Kagome.” he started to say before pausing. “I want to talk about last night.”
My heart sped up at the feeling of his hands covering mine. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. It just...it fell out.” I said, distracted by the gold of his eyes.
Inuyasha shook his head, “I don’t want your apologies Kagome.”
I cocked my head to the side, “Then what do you want?” I asked, hardly daring to hope.
He held his breath. “I want you to say it again. And this time, I want to respond.”
I forgot to breathe. I swallowed, deciding it was worth it to take a chance and risk my heart being crushed all over again. “I love you Inuyasha.”
He paused. “I love you to Kagome.” he whispered down at me, beginning to lean down, licking his lips before stopping and frowning. “Are you ok Kagome? You look pale.”
I shook my head, “I’m fine. Really.” I said desperately. Inuyasha would kiss me if we had to do it in front of my entire army damn it! I don’t care anymore if the entire world watches us; I wanted to feel Inuyasha’s lips on mine!
“You’re probably hungry. Here, have a bite.” Inuyasha reached into his jacket and pulled out a shiny red apple.
I took it from him and set it firmly on the table. “Thanks, but not now.” I told him firmly, weaving my hands in his hair at the back of his head. Inuyasha loved me! If I had my way, Inuyasha was about to be my breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert. What kind of apple could beat that?
He frowned, and opened his mouth to say something before the kitchen door slammed opened.
“Kagome!” Shippo wailed as he ran in. “Don’t do it! Please! You’ll get cooties.”
I forced myself not to glare at Shippo. “Shippo.” I tried to say as calmly as I could. “I think you need to play with Soten. Don’t you think she’s lonely?”
Shippo looked back at me solemnly. “She’d understand.”
The door swung back open, and I scowled at the fast glimpse of the dwarfs hiding behind it while Hiten came through. “There you are Shippo!” he said with exaggerated cheerfulness. “Come on buddy, Soten missed you.” He told him firmly as he tucked him under his arm.
Shippo pounded his tiny fists on Hiten’s back as he tried to wiggle free. “No! Let me go!
I have to save Kagome!” he cried as Hiten carried him back through the door.
I waited a moment to see if Shippo would come racing back in before turning back to Inuyasha.
“Can we get back to where we were now?” I asked, drawing his head down.
Inuyasha chuckled as my eyes drifted closed, waiting. I felt like every nerve was supersensitive to the feel of his body against mine, the sound of the dwarf’s shifting outside the door, the smell of Inuyasha. My fingers dug into his hair. My lips were almost in pain being without his on me.
Gently, Inuyasha brushed his lips with mine, just going back and forth lightly until my lips hummed. I started to tremble as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me more firmly. So slowly I could have screamed from it if my mouth had been free, Inuyasha’s tongue reached out to softly graze over the seam of my lips. He ran his tongue over and over again on nerves I hadn’t even known were a part of my bottom lip as he slowly drove me crazy from how good it felt.
Finally, when I couldn’t take anymore I opened my mouth to invite him, eager to know more about the ‘French kissing’ Kagura and Sango raved about.
Inuyasha’s tongue retreated quickly before coming back and forcing something soft and sour into my mouth.
I broke away, gasping, and tried to spit it out before Inuyasha grabbed my wrists and clamped his hand over my mouth, not allowing me to get rid of it.
I struggled, so confused. What was Inuyasha doing?
I wanted to gag over the taste of whatever was in my mouth, the sweet and bitter flavor making me sick.
But not nearly as sick as the way Inuyasha’s eyes suddenly looked. They were completely blank. Cold golden circles.
My eyes looked over to the counter, to see one perfect bite mark taken out of the apple as it slowly made it’s way down my throat, my vision blackening.
I looked back at Inuyasha, growing tired. I wanted to scream why at him, but his hand was still holding my mouth cruelly shut.
I felt my heart beat slow and the world tilted wildly. I tried to fight, but I was still being pulled slowly and steadily to the dark hole in my mind. I managed to work one of my hands free and clawed at his face, trying to get rid of those blank eyes. He easily avoided my nails after the first few swipes left three red marks and caused my ring to loosen.
Tears fell from my eyes as my struggles grew weak, and I could see less and less until all that was left was those cold gold circles staring at me. Waiting for my death.
The fight completely left me, my hand fell from his face and my ring slipped off my finger to land on the floor with a quiet crash...
...and then there was nothing.
AN:...well at least I saved Rin!