InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference a Little Time Can Make ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 23 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. I am not making any money from this story.

 

Author's note: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Please continue to review and let me know what you think. The changes from canon will continue to ripple out, thought some things will remain the same.

 

Originally I wasn't planning to write this. In this story Inuyasha had no relationship with Kikyou, so why would she need to be brought back? Also, Urasue brought her back to find the jewel shards, which also don't exist in this story. But then I had an idea and decided to write this anyway. If you want to know what happens, you'll have to keep reading.

 

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Kagome continued to hover and fret over the old miko who sat next to her before the fire. After her declaration about needing their help, Inuyasha had led them to a clearing where they could talk and rest. With Kaede's horse grazing nearby, Kagome had started a fire while Inuyasha caught some fish from a nearby stream. Once she was done with the fire Kagome had turned her attention to Kaede, who had been silent since stating that she needed their help, and she began to fret over the old woman's injuries.

 

“Kaede-sama, what happened?” Kagome gestured at the bandages. “And why are you out here? You shouldn't be traveling in your condition. Those wounds look serious.” Kagome knew that she sounded a bit hysterical but Kaede was one of the few people that she trusted in this time and she worried for her safety.

 

Inuyasha returned with the fish in time to hear Kagome's questions. He too wanted the answers to those questions. But seeing how Kagome was beginning to get worked up, he reached out and gripped her shoulder as he dropped to the ground next to her. “Hush wench. She can't answer if you don't let her get a word in edgewise.” At her glare he dropped his hand from her shoulder in order to squeeze her hand. She sighed but he felt her relax and turned his attention to Kaede who had been watching there interaction with interest. “Well baba?” he asked.

 

Kaede continued to look between the two. “I see that some things have changed between the two of you” she said, glancing pointedly at their entwined hands. Kagome blushed and Inuyasha huffed but neither made any attempt to remove their hands. Kaede nodded slowly. “Do not worry. I believe it to be a good change.” She sighed before looking toward the fire. “As for my injuries, yesterday a youkai who called herself Urasue attacked the village. I was hurt in the attempt to drive her off.”

 

Both Kagome and Inuyasha tensed at her words. Kagome spoke up, fearing the worst. “What about the other villagers, are they alright?”

 

“Don't worry child. I was the most gravely injured. None were killed” Kaede assured her.

 

Inuyasha frowned. “You said attempt to drive her off. You didn't succeed?”

 

“No. We failed. She left when she had what she came for.” Kaede sighed again. “She went straight for the shrine. She stole my sister's remains, the ashes from her bones.” Kaede looked up from the fire to pin them with a serious gaze. “I must recover her remains but fear that I can not do it alone. It was surely by the grace of the Kami that I came across you. Will you help me?”

 

Kagome was touched by her plea. She also didn't like the idea of Kaede traveling alone to battle a youkai in her condition. But Inuyasha interrupted before she could agree to help the miko.

 

“Keh! Why should I care what happens to her remains? She sealed me to a tree for fifty years, I've got no reason to care if someone decided to steal her remains.” He pulled his hand away from Kagome in order to cross his arms and tuck his hands into his sleeves.

 

Kagome turned to stare at him, shocked at his attitude. “Inuyasha?!”

 

Inuyasha felt himself wilt a bit at her tone of voice. But rather than take back his words he simply shifted away from them and muttered “Keh.”

 

'Why is he acting like this?' Kagome wondered as she stared at his back. 'I know he has no love for Kikyou, that he is probably still angry for being sealed. But Kaede-sama needs our help. Why can't he see that? It's not to help Kikyou, but to help Kaede-sama who has been nothing but kind to us.' But she was interrupted by the old miko before she can voice her thoughts.

 

“You are right Inuyasha. You owe my sister nothing.” Kaede sighed and struggled to rise. “If you will excuse me, I must be going. I can not allow my sister's remains to fall into the wrong hands. She was extremely powerful in life and I fear what evil could be done if her bones fell into the hands of evil. I fear I have a long way to go to complete my task.” She stumbled and would have fallen if not for Kagome's quick actions.

 

“No Kaede-sama” Kagome said as she assisted the older woman. “You can't go alone.” Biting her lip and glancing at Inuyasha's back she made her decision. “I'm coming with you.”

 

At her words Inuyasha's ears perked up and he whirled around to glare at her. “Like hell you are!”

 

She glared right back at him. “Yes I am. I know you're angry at Kikyou for sealing you but she's dead. This isn't about her. It's about helping Kaede-sama who has been nothing but kind to us. If you don't want to help her, then fine. You can stay here. But I'm going. I'm not about to let Kaede-sama go off alone in her condition.”

 

Inuyasha stared at her in shock as her words sunk in. 'She's going to leave me?' He knew it was his fault, that she was right, the old woman shouldn't be alone with how wounded she was. And she had treated him decently. His ears flattened to his head and he conceded defeat. “Fine, we'll help the baba.” He was rewarded with a brilliant smile from Kagome.

 

“Thank you Inuyasha, Kagome-sama” Kaede said as she filed away her observations of their interaction for pondering another time. She headed for her horse. “Come, Urasue flew off in the direction of the mountain. If we hurry, we can reach it's base by nightfall.” As she struggled to climb into the saddle, she felt strong hands grab her and set her in it. “Thank you Inuyasha.”

 

“Keh, you're too slow baba” he said as an explanation before dragging Kagome onto his back. “Let's go already.” And with that they set off in search of Urasue.

 

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Kaede was right, they did manage to make it to the base of the mountain by nightfall. Inuyasha could still detect Urasue's lingering scent and confirmed that they were heading in the right direction. But looking at the dangerous climb, they decided to make camp at the mountain's base rather than attempt to climb it in the dark.

 

As Inuyasha left to hunt, Kagome helped Kaede settle and took the opportunity to change her bandages. She cringed at the wounds but noted that they were healing well.

 

Kaede let her work for a few moments before speaking. “So Kagome-sama. Things seem to have changed between you and Inuyasha. Would you satisfy an old woman's curiosity?”

 

Kagome blushed at her question and fiddled with the bandages in her hands as she thought about what to say. But Kaede-sama was another woman, perhaps she would have some advice? At least she didn't seem disgusted like those other villagers had. “Well, we have grown a bit closer as there have been no others around.” She bit her lip before continuing, still not sure how much she should confide. “I...care for him, a lot.” She blushed again.

 

Kaede merely nodded her head, understanding what was not being said. She decided to let the subject drop for the moment and allow“So tell me what has happened since you left on your quest. Have you found the answers you were looking for?”

 

Kagome was grateful for the change in subject and eagerly began to tell of their adventures. She did, however, make sure that she didn't mention anything about the new moon or Inuyasha being human for the night. It was not her secret to tell. Instead, she simply said that Inuyasha had been poisoned and it took some time for him to recover and defeat the spider-head.

 

Kaede was sad to learn that the old monk had been killed and replaced by a youkai. “He was a good man. Very knowledgeable.” She sighed. “But what about at the other places I told you about. Did you have any luck in those locations?”

 

Kagome bit her lip and glanced at Inuyasha, who had returned while she was relating their battle with the Thunder Brothers. “Well, we only made it to one other location on your list. I am sorry to tell you that Daichi-sama has also passed away.” She waited while Kaede-sama bowed her head to offer her respects for the dead man.

 

“So you had no luck there either. But why did you decide to come back rather than continue on your journey?” She accepted a piece of roasted rabbit from Inuyasha and began to eat while waiting for an answer.

 

Kagome fidgeted and picked at her own piece of rabbit while wondering what to say. But Inuyasha spoke before she had thought of an answer. “Keh! Bunch of fucking assholes is why we left” he said as he tore into his own rabbit.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome scolded.

 

“What? It's the truth” he defended himself.

 

“You don't have to be so crude about it though.”

 

“Keh.”

She sighed and turned back to Kaede who was now extremely curious about their experience. “When we arrived looking for Daichi-sama we met another priest named Nobuo. He was nice at first until he turned around and discovered that Inuyasha was part youkai. Things went downhill from there.” She reluctantly, with colorful interjections from Inuyasha, told about Inuyasha's temporary sealing, and their near death. Kaede was intrigued to learn that Kagome had been able to create a barrier and promised to help her learn to control the ability when Kagome confessed that she wasn't sure how she did it.

 

Kagome continued with the tale, telling of how the villagers confronted them but Inuyasha refused to fight, and how Hisao-sama had managed to convince them to stop. About how they turned on Nobuo and kicked him out of the village.

 

Kaede nodded thoughtfully as she considered what she had learned. She knew that there must be more to the story but was more curious about something else at the moment. “Why didn't you simply fight the villagers Inuyasha? I am sure that they would have been no match for you.” She was surprised when the hanyou blushed lightly and glanced at Kagome.

 

“I didn't want to hurt them” he muttered.

 

“I see. So what happened next. It seems that things were going well at that point but your earlier reactions tell me that something else must have happened.”

 

“You're right, something else did happen. We were invited to spend the night in Hisao-sama's home and I convinced Inuyasha to accept. But I woke up from a nightmare and somehow when Inuyasha was trying to” she blushed “comfort me, we got into another argument. We must have been loud because we unknowingly attracted the attention of one of Hisao-sama's servants who caught us in a compromising position when we were making up.” Kaede's eye widened in shock at her words and she felt her blush deepen. “They thought that Inuyasha was...” she trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

 

“Keh! They thought I was forcing myself on her, those bastards!” Inuyasha angrily tossed the remains of his rabbit into the fire. “Then, when Kagome denied it, they called her vile names and made us leave. I should have just beaten the crap out of them while I had the chance!” He huffed as he crossed his arms but calmed when he felt a slender hand reach out to grasp and squeeze his own.

 

Kagome gently smiled at him when he glanced at her before turning her attention back to Kaede. “Anyway, after we left that village we had a long discussion. We realized that things like that would only continue to happen as we traveled and asked questions. I decided that I would rather stay with Inuyasha than look for something that might not even exist.” She gave Inuyasha's hand another squeeze.

 

Kaede thanked them for sharing their adventures with her. They had left her with much to think about. They realized how late it had become and settled in for the night, realizing that the next day would bring new challenges.

 

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The next day they set out as soon as the sun had risen high enough to illuminate the trail up the mountain. As they got higher up the mountain they began to encounter what appeared to be clay statues.

 

Kagome commented on them. “I wonder who made these. Why would anyone build statues so far from any village?”

 

Kaede looked grim. “They carry the taint of dark magic. Be wary, I trust them not.”

“Keh. They reek of dirt and bones, and carry Urasue's stench. I bet she's behind them.” He swiped at one with his claws and it instantly crumbled. “Don't seem that dangerous to me.”

 

“Be on your guard, Inuyasha. Who knows what kind of foul magic is behind there creation” Kaede cautioned him.

 

They continued on their way, coming to a rickety old bridge high above a canyon. Kagome gulped as she saw how far above the ground they were. But Inuyasha didn't hesitate and immediately began to cross the bridge. After a few steps, he paused and asked “Well? Aren't you coming? You're the ones who were in such a hurry to retrieve those remains.” Kagome gathered her courage and stepped out onto the bridge, Kaede right behind her.

 

They managed to get about halfway across the bridge before Kagome froze, unable to continue. The wind was extremely fierce and it caused the bridge to sway back and forth. “I can't do it” Kagome exclaimed as she held onto the rope railing with shaking hands.

 

Inuyasha turned back to face her. “What is your problem?” he asked, annoyed. He didn't even want to be here in the first place.

 

“I'm sorry but I can't.” Another gust of wind rocked the bridge and she cried out in alarm.

 

“Keh, fine. I'll carry you.” He rolled his eyes at her fear as he started to walk back towards her. But he spotted her eyes widening in shock as they focused on something behind him and he whirled back around with his hand on the Tessaiga. He spotted several more of the clay statues standing on the bridge a few feet away. “What? Where the hell did those come from?”

 

There was a cracking sound, and then the excess clay broke away to reveal armed soldiers. He cracked his knuckles, eager for a fight when Kaede spoke up with a warning. “There are more closing in from behind us.”

 

“Keh, they stink of dirt and bones. They're no match for me.” He ran forward, slashing with his claws. “Sankon Tessou!” The soldiers broke apart, pieces of dirt and clay falling to the ground far below. “They're made of dirt, not real men at all.” Behind him Kaede fired arrows at the ones attacking from the other side while Kagome held on to the rope railing as the bridge swayed dangerously.

 

Inuyasha prepared to clear the way across, reaching for the Tessaiga when he noticed movement from above. As he shifted his focus, spotting Urasue coming at him with a wicked looking scythe, the clay soldiers took advantage of his distraction to latch onto him, dragging him down.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome cried, moving to go to his aid. But Urasue took that opportunity to slash with her weapon at the bridge right in front of him. Kagome held onto the rope, one arm out-stretched to Inuyasha, trying to reach him as he tumbled down to the ground far below. “INUYASHA!” She felt the rest of the bridge begin to give way, feeling herself fall before a hand grabbed the back of her shirt and she found herself going higher. She glanced at the one holding her and screamed. She was old and hideous looking, with a deranged look upon her face. Kagome turned her attention back to the bridge just in time to see Kaede also fall. “NOOO! Kaede-sama! Inuyasha!”

 

“KAGOME!” She heard Inuyasha call as he passed out of sight and she felt her heart sink.

 

The creature holding her, Urasue, cackled madly. “Don't worry about your friends. It is far too late for them. Their fate is sealed, as is yours! Hahaha!” She carried Kagome away, higher up the mountain to her cave.

 

Upon reaching her lair, she tied the hands of a struggling Kagome and placed her in stone tub and began to pour some type of herbal mixture into it. Kagome gagged at the stench of it. “Let me go!” she cried as she struggled to move. “Why are you doing this?” The herbs were making her dizzy.

 

“Hush now. It will all be over soon” Urasue said before turning to face a doorway. “Come here Kikyou.” She turned her attention back to a confused Kagome. “My best work yet” she boasted.

 

Kagome stared in shock at the person who emerged. Dressed in the traditional clothing of a miko, her own face stared back at her. “What?” Kagome gasped. 'Kikyou? That is what Urasue called her but how? She's been dead for fifty years.'

 

Urasue cackled again. “Yes, Kikyou, the legendary miko who guarded the Shikon no Tama, returned to the flesh. My finest work yet, or she will be once she has the one piece that is missing.” Kikyou, if that was really her, merely stood there blankly.

 

Kagome had a really bad feeling as she saw the predatory gleam in Urasue's eyes. And she feared for Inuyasha and Kaede. 'No they have to be alright. Inuyasha can't be dead. I would know if something had happened to him, wouldn't I?' She pushed those thoughts away to focus on her own predicament. “M-missing?” she asked.

 

“Yes, I was able to return Kikyou to the flesh but only the flesh, I am sad to say.” Gesturing at the silent miko she continued. “As you can see she is not all here at the moment. But not to worry. That potion you bathe in will draw the soul from your body” gesturing at Kagome and then Kikyou “and if you are truly Kikyou's reincarnation as I believe, then the soul will return to it's proper shell.” Urasue patted Kikyou's shoulder once before cackling again.

 

Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine as she stared with horror into the blank eyes of the resurrected miko. 'Inuyasha please be okay' she prayed. 'Because I don't think I will be.'

 

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Alright I know it's a bit short and I'm sorry for leaving you with a cliffhanger. But I felt it was the best place to stop or this chapter will be too long. I'm going to try to get the next chapter up by tomorrow, I promise. Also, about Kikyou's appearance. I know in the anime that she and Kagome didn't really look that much alike, to be honest I thought she resembled Sango more than she did Kagome. But if you have read the manga then you can see that they really do look a lot alike, and that is where I am taking her appearance from. I know that a lot of you are wondering about where I am going by bringing Kikyou back. You will find that out in the next chapter, as well as exactly why Urasue brought her back in the first place. Please let me know what you think.