InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sweet 16 redone ❯ The Journey Begins ( Chapter 4 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: I_love_Inuyasha 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.27.2004 | Updated On: 10.10.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 502 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.27.2004 | Updated On: 10.10.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 502 | Status: Completed
"Kagome...Inuyasha, slow down!" Sango shouted. Kagome had recently discovered her new hanyou speed,and had decided to race Inuyasha. The two of them were running up ahead of Sango and Miroku, who were on Kirara. Shippo was riding on Kagome's shoulders egging her on.
"Hurry Kagome, we're catching up to him," Shippo yelled.
"You don't really think you could catch me, do you?" Inuyasha shouted as he looked back at Kagome and Shippo.
*Smack* He ran right into an inconveniently placed tree. Kagome and Shippo passed him laughing hysterically. Inuyasha slowly raised himself from the ground and ran to catch up.
"You really should watch where you're going," Kagome giggled just before she tripped on a tree root that was sticking out of the ground. Kagome screamed and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. She felt someone grab her just before she made contact with the ground. She recognized the scent of her rescuer immediately and when she got enough courage to open her eyes again she saw that Inuyasha was carrying both her and Shippo.
"We'll all be safer if I just carry you," he was grinning slightly.
"It's about time you guys slowed down," Miroku said, they had just caught up to them.
"Are you alright Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Inuyasha saved me, like always," she replied.
"Kirara seems tired, I think we should stop for the night," Sango suggested.
"There's a hot spring up ahead, we'll stop up there," Inuyasha said.
Kagome took a deep whiff of the air. She could smell sweet scent of the hot spring. She relaxed into Inuyasha's arms, she loved the feel of the wind racing by her.
* * *
"Kagome, are you alright?" Sango asked her friend. They had just slid into the relaxing, warm water. Kagome was staring off into the distance, as if she was in her own little dream world.
"Kagome," Sango repeated.
"Huh?" Kagome mumbled, coming out of her trance.
"Are you alright?" Sango questioned.
"Yeah," there was a moment's silence before Kagome continued, "A lot has happened. I guess I still haven't registered everything. Things have changed so quickly, I haven't had time to think about it. The physical change is hard enough to adjust to, but all of a sudden I've got a father. I don't even know if he is alive or not. I'm so anxious to meet him and find
out what has kept him away. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to know him, though. What if we're too late? On top of all of that, I'm dragging all of you on this journey. It's so selfish of me."
"Kagome, it isn’t selfish of you to want to know the truth. You didn't ask us to come with you, we came because we are your friends. As long as you need it, we'll be here to support you," Sango leaned over and hugged Kagome.
After a moment, Kagome pulled away, her eyes filled with tears.
"Thank you Sango. I just- I have to know, no matter what I find out," she replied. She needed to find answers for both her and her mother.
"I understand. My mother died when Kohaku was born. I was only a child then, and I can't really remember her now. If there were a chance I could see her now, I would have to take it. If there is even a small chance your father is alive, we have to try and find him. Everything will work out Kagome, don't worry," Sango reassured her.
Kagome pulled Sango into another embrace and let her tears flow freely. She cried for a million different reasons. She was glad Sango had shared with her, she had never thought to ask before about her mother. She also cried for her mother. It must have hurt her so much to lose the one she loved, and then to have to try and hide the truth from her all those years. It must have been so hard on her. She cried because she felt as though her childhood was a lie. She had grown up knowing a man who was not actually father. She cried for Inuyasha and Shippo. They had also lost their parents, and when they were so young. She was glad she was with them now. She would make sure that Shippo would not go unloved as a child the way Inuyasha had. She would also try her best to heal Inuyasha's wounded heart. He had lost so much. She would stick by him always, like he was sticking by her through her journey to uncover her past (A/N:sorry...this is all a little mushy, but I don't care its my story. :P). Kagome squeezed Sango tighter. She repeatedly thanked Sango for being so understanding.
Sango squeezed back in reassurance.
* * *
"I'm afraid we've returned with no news of the human or her hanyou daughter," a man said while kneeling before his leader.
His leader was a tall, slender man. His jet-black hair was greased back on his head. On his left arm he had a tattoo of a serpent. His piercing, black eyes resided between narrow slits. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair impatiently. "My patience is weakening. For 16 years we have been searching for Taiken's family," Hayai turned to the woman standing on his right," Will you not allow me to just use Taiken in order to gain control of the eastern lands? Toumoku would hand them over in a second if he knew his son was alive."
"No father, we will find the mortal wench and her half breed brat first. Once I eliminate them, Taiken will realize he is meant to be with me. Then he and I will rule the eastern lands together." Kasai explained.
"My lady, we've searched everywhere you could have possibly hid them, at this point, I doubt he will ever find them. Even if we do, you've imprisoned this man for 16 years. I doubt he'll find any love for you after that," the kneeling man immediately realized he was foolish for being so forward.
Kasai knew what the man said made sense, the search was pointless and Taiken held nothing but bitterness towards her. However, she was used to getting what she wanted, and she wasn't about to let that change. Whether or not the man was right didn't matter, he was irritating her. She looked up at him with a slight grin. He knew what was coming.
"No, please, show mercy," he pleaded, looking up at his leader.
Hayai just rolled his eyes and watched as his daughter took out her frustrations on his servant. The man's agonizing screams were drowned out by Kasai's laughter.
* * *
"Ramen's done," Kagome said while stirring the pot.
Once Sango and Kagome had gained their composure, they returned to find the camp set up, fire started and an impatient Inuyasha pacing back and forth. Apparently he was hungry and the girls were talking too long to return. When he realized they were back he had rushed
to Kagome and hastily shoved the ramen packets into her hands and taken a seat by the fire.
"Smells delicious Kagome," Shippo said before being shoved to the side by Inuyasha.
"Out of the way brat!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"Inuyasha, sit," Kagome said, "Here Shippo."
"Thank you," Shippo said gratefully. He took the bowl, stuck out his tongue at Inuyasha and
then hopped over him to sit by the fire. Kagome served Sango and Miroku before Inuyasha was able to stand up again. He stood in front of her glaring. Kagome smiled and handed him his bowl.
"You need to learn to be more patient," Kagome said while fixing herself a bowl and going to sit by Shippo.
With his back turned to her Inuyasha mumbled "Wench."
"I heard that," Kagome stated.
'Damn, I've gotta get used to her heightened senses,' Inuyasha thought as he sat down with his back against a tree near the fire.
"How much longer until we reach the Kuroi's castle?" Sango asked.
"Two, maybe three days," Miroku replied.
"I could make it there by tomorrow night if you humans weren't slowing me down," Inuyasha said through a mouthful of ramen.
Everyone ignored his remark and continued their conversation.
"I hope they are a hospitable group. I'd hate to get there and have us have to defend ourselves against Kagome's relatives," Sango said.
"We shouldn't have any trouble," Miroku answered, "I talked to Kaede this morning and she told me the mark on Kagome's forehead is the mark of their clan. It should prove to them who she is. The Kuroi are very respectful and would never harm one of their own."
"I hope they will accept me," Kagome said.
"I'm sure they will Kagome," Sango replied.
Shippo had finished his ramen and crawled into Kagome's lap, She absent-mindedly stroked his head and realized that he had fallen asleep.
"I'm going to head to bed you guys," she said as she picked up Shippo and headed for her sleeping back,"goodnight."
Miroku and Sango nodded. Sango headed for her sleeping bag as well, followed closely by Kirara. Inuyasha leapt onto a tree branch where he could keep an eye on Kagome. He watched her drift off to sleep, snuggled up to the kitsune pup.
A/N: Thanks to those of you that reviewed. I hope you like this chapter. I'll try and get the next one written and posted quickly. Please review and let me know if you liked this chapter, and if you read this story the first time I wrote it, let me know which one you liked better. Constructive criticism is great, just don't review and tell me it sucks, that isn't very helpful.
"Hurry Kagome, we're catching up to him," Shippo yelled.
"You don't really think you could catch me, do you?" Inuyasha shouted as he looked back at Kagome and Shippo.
*Smack* He ran right into an inconveniently placed tree. Kagome and Shippo passed him laughing hysterically. Inuyasha slowly raised himself from the ground and ran to catch up.
"You really should watch where you're going," Kagome giggled just before she tripped on a tree root that was sticking out of the ground. Kagome screamed and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. She felt someone grab her just before she made contact with the ground. She recognized the scent of her rescuer immediately and when she got enough courage to open her eyes again she saw that Inuyasha was carrying both her and Shippo.
"We'll all be safer if I just carry you," he was grinning slightly.
"It's about time you guys slowed down," Miroku said, they had just caught up to them.
"Are you alright Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Inuyasha saved me, like always," she replied.
"Kirara seems tired, I think we should stop for the night," Sango suggested.
"There's a hot spring up ahead, we'll stop up there," Inuyasha said.
Kagome took a deep whiff of the air. She could smell sweet scent of the hot spring. She relaxed into Inuyasha's arms, she loved the feel of the wind racing by her.
* * *
"Kagome, are you alright?" Sango asked her friend. They had just slid into the relaxing, warm water. Kagome was staring off into the distance, as if she was in her own little dream world.
"Kagome," Sango repeated.
"Huh?" Kagome mumbled, coming out of her trance.
"Are you alright?" Sango questioned.
"Yeah," there was a moment's silence before Kagome continued, "A lot has happened. I guess I still haven't registered everything. Things have changed so quickly, I haven't had time to think about it. The physical change is hard enough to adjust to, but all of a sudden I've got a father. I don't even know if he is alive or not. I'm so anxious to meet him and find
out what has kept him away. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to know him, though. What if we're too late? On top of all of that, I'm dragging all of you on this journey. It's so selfish of me."
"Kagome, it isn’t selfish of you to want to know the truth. You didn't ask us to come with you, we came because we are your friends. As long as you need it, we'll be here to support you," Sango leaned over and hugged Kagome.
After a moment, Kagome pulled away, her eyes filled with tears.
"Thank you Sango. I just- I have to know, no matter what I find out," she replied. She needed to find answers for both her and her mother.
"I understand. My mother died when Kohaku was born. I was only a child then, and I can't really remember her now. If there were a chance I could see her now, I would have to take it. If there is even a small chance your father is alive, we have to try and find him. Everything will work out Kagome, don't worry," Sango reassured her.
Kagome pulled Sango into another embrace and let her tears flow freely. She cried for a million different reasons. She was glad Sango had shared with her, she had never thought to ask before about her mother. She also cried for her mother. It must have hurt her so much to lose the one she loved, and then to have to try and hide the truth from her all those years. It must have been so hard on her. She cried because she felt as though her childhood was a lie. She had grown up knowing a man who was not actually father. She cried for Inuyasha and Shippo. They had also lost their parents, and when they were so young. She was glad she was with them now. She would make sure that Shippo would not go unloved as a child the way Inuyasha had. She would also try her best to heal Inuyasha's wounded heart. He had lost so much. She would stick by him always, like he was sticking by her through her journey to uncover her past (A/N:sorry...this is all a little mushy, but I don't care its my story. :P). Kagome squeezed Sango tighter. She repeatedly thanked Sango for being so understanding.
Sango squeezed back in reassurance.
* * *
"I'm afraid we've returned with no news of the human or her hanyou daughter," a man said while kneeling before his leader.
His leader was a tall, slender man. His jet-black hair was greased back on his head. On his left arm he had a tattoo of a serpent. His piercing, black eyes resided between narrow slits. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair impatiently. "My patience is weakening. For 16 years we have been searching for Taiken's family," Hayai turned to the woman standing on his right," Will you not allow me to just use Taiken in order to gain control of the eastern lands? Toumoku would hand them over in a second if he knew his son was alive."
"No father, we will find the mortal wench and her half breed brat first. Once I eliminate them, Taiken will realize he is meant to be with me. Then he and I will rule the eastern lands together." Kasai explained.
"My lady, we've searched everywhere you could have possibly hid them, at this point, I doubt he will ever find them. Even if we do, you've imprisoned this man for 16 years. I doubt he'll find any love for you after that," the kneeling man immediately realized he was foolish for being so forward.
Kasai knew what the man said made sense, the search was pointless and Taiken held nothing but bitterness towards her. However, she was used to getting what she wanted, and she wasn't about to let that change. Whether or not the man was right didn't matter, he was irritating her. She looked up at him with a slight grin. He knew what was coming.
"No, please, show mercy," he pleaded, looking up at his leader.
Hayai just rolled his eyes and watched as his daughter took out her frustrations on his servant. The man's agonizing screams were drowned out by Kasai's laughter.
* * *
"Ramen's done," Kagome said while stirring the pot.
Once Sango and Kagome had gained their composure, they returned to find the camp set up, fire started and an impatient Inuyasha pacing back and forth. Apparently he was hungry and the girls were talking too long to return. When he realized they were back he had rushed
to Kagome and hastily shoved the ramen packets into her hands and taken a seat by the fire.
"Smells delicious Kagome," Shippo said before being shoved to the side by Inuyasha.
"Out of the way brat!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"Inuyasha, sit," Kagome said, "Here Shippo."
"Thank you," Shippo said gratefully. He took the bowl, stuck out his tongue at Inuyasha and
then hopped over him to sit by the fire. Kagome served Sango and Miroku before Inuyasha was able to stand up again. He stood in front of her glaring. Kagome smiled and handed him his bowl.
"You need to learn to be more patient," Kagome said while fixing herself a bowl and going to sit by Shippo.
With his back turned to her Inuyasha mumbled "Wench."
"I heard that," Kagome stated.
'Damn, I've gotta get used to her heightened senses,' Inuyasha thought as he sat down with his back against a tree near the fire.
"How much longer until we reach the Kuroi's castle?" Sango asked.
"Two, maybe three days," Miroku replied.
"I could make it there by tomorrow night if you humans weren't slowing me down," Inuyasha said through a mouthful of ramen.
Everyone ignored his remark and continued their conversation.
"I hope they are a hospitable group. I'd hate to get there and have us have to defend ourselves against Kagome's relatives," Sango said.
"We shouldn't have any trouble," Miroku answered, "I talked to Kaede this morning and she told me the mark on Kagome's forehead is the mark of their clan. It should prove to them who she is. The Kuroi are very respectful and would never harm one of their own."
"I hope they will accept me," Kagome said.
"I'm sure they will Kagome," Sango replied.
Shippo had finished his ramen and crawled into Kagome's lap, She absent-mindedly stroked his head and realized that he had fallen asleep.
"I'm going to head to bed you guys," she said as she picked up Shippo and headed for her sleeping back,"goodnight."
Miroku and Sango nodded. Sango headed for her sleeping bag as well, followed closely by Kirara. Inuyasha leapt onto a tree branch where he could keep an eye on Kagome. He watched her drift off to sleep, snuggled up to the kitsune pup.
A/N: Thanks to those of you that reviewed. I hope you like this chapter. I'll try and get the next one written and posted quickly. Please review and let me know if you liked this chapter, and if you read this story the first time I wrote it, let me know which one you liked better. Constructive criticism is great, just don't review and tell me it sucks, that isn't very helpful.