InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma of Power ❯ Start of a Journey ( Chapter 22 )

Kagome climbed out of the well and sat on the edge. She wore the traditional robes of a miko, though the sword in her obi and the bow and quiver tended to make her appear less kind than she was. She took a deep long breath before rising and closing her eyes. She stretched her senses, not just the few miles that had been her range before, now her consciousness covered the length and breadth of the land, from ocean to ocean. She pinpointed Kouga to the North and Naraku to the East. Opening her eyes she turned North. It would be best to get the jewel shards from a friend before going to face her enemy. Inuyasha watched her silently from the trees. When she turned away from the village he followed. She walked all day and as night fell, showed no sign of stopping. By dawn it became apparent that she was heading toward Kouga's mountains.

Inuyasha felt anger rise within him. She was going to that wolf. That pathetic simpering wolf. By midday she was within sight of his cave. Inuyasha had to hang far back to prevent drawing attention, but his ears managed to pick up the greetings the pack shouted to her. They treated her like a lost comrade coming home. He growled softly. She was his, no one else could lay that claim to her. Kagome smiled at the greetings, enjoying the sense of belonging this place always conjured within her. Kouga came out to greet her, a grin on his face.

“So finally decided to leave that mutt?”

“No, actually I've come for your jewel shards. Then I will go take care of Naraku, with Sesshomaru-sama's help of course.”

“Sesshomaru? Why would he help you?”

She shrugged. “Naraku is an enemy to his kingdom. He has already dealt with Kikyou and Kohaku. I know that you have laid a claim on Kagura's life, I ask that you help me destroy her master.”

“By giving you my jewel shards.” He sighed softly and removed them, handing them to her. “I suppose it was always going to come to this. What does the mutt think of it?”

“He has no say in what his brother and I do. He does not rule us.”

Kouga's eyes narrowed suddenly and she watched as his nostrils flared. Suddenly his eyes went wide and he stepped back. “Kami-sama!”

“Nani?”

“You and Sesshomaru?” Kagome flushed a bright crimson and Kouga laughed softly. “Oh dear, I think I'm way out of my league here.”

“Kouga…I know that…”

“Look Kagome, I do care about you, and my reasons for claiming you as my woman were selfish I admit, but if he makes you happy…the only real reason I fought with Inuyasha over you is because I didn't think he could protect you. Sesshomaru does not suffer from that particular short-coming.”

“So you're ok with this?”

He gripped her shoulders and pulled her into a kind hug. “Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.”

She returned the embrace, grateful for his understanding. “You are a good friend, thank you.”

“Will you stay the night?”

“Yes, I think so.”

By dawn Inuyasha was absolutely livid. He watched as she bade goodbye with hugs and kisses all around. This time, instead of heading back to the village she turned southwest. Curious as to where she thought she was going, he followed her. By sunset she had reached the beginning in a major series of hot springs. She dropped her bow and quiver and laid her sword next to them with a sigh and started to undress. She had her hands on her shirt when she paused.

“I would appreciate it if you didn't watch me bathe, Inuyasha. I let you follow me this far, but I will not tolerate this.”

He leapt down and approached her. “Have a nice visit with Kouga?”

She sighed and turned to face him. “If you had stopped skulking and stepped up there you would have heard him relinquish his claim on me.”

“Relinquish?”

“Yes, as in give up. Now go back to Kaede and let me get on with my work.”

“And just what is that?”

“Gathering the jewel shards. We entered into this arrangement because I needed you to protect me. I no longer need that. As there is no other reason, it seems, for us to remain together, I am dissolving this alliance. Go home, Inuyasha, and let me get on with my work.”

“But…”

She placed her hands on her hips. “If you have a reason for me to stay then spit it out!”

“But…I love you.”

“No, you don't. Stop lying to both of us and give me a real reason.”

“Kagome…what are you saying?”

“I'm saying that you can't possibly love me because all you see when you look at me is Kikyou. At least Kouga sees me! Kagome! Maybe I was wrong to ask him to dissolve his claim!”

“Kagome…I thought we were at least friends…I thought…”

“Friends don't lie to each other, Inuyasha. Friends don't sneak around and follow each other. Now tell me the truth! Give me a real reason!”

Inuyasha straitened, his ears flat against his head in shame. “I care for you, Kagome. I thought we were friends. I hope we can continue to be friends in the future. Will you let me help you fight Naraku?”

She smiled and he felt his insides sag in relief. This was still his Kagome. “When the time comes, I will call you. For now, I have to go visit some friends.”

“Who?”

“Subaru-sensei, and her son Sanji. I need to thank them for all they've done for me. After that I will go visit Sesshomaru.”

“Sesshomaru?”

“Yes, no matter your feelings about him, Inuyasha, I consider him a friend and a powerful ally. I know you believe he killed your mother...”

“Did he try and tell you otherwise?”

“No. It is part of my power to see the past.”

“Part of…how then…how did she die?”

“Inuyasha…that is something that I have refused to see. There is too much emotion around it, most of it Sesshomaru's. I can sense though, that a great evil was slain that day. I can sense that Sesshomaru was the one to slay that evil.”

“Are you sure?”

“I know.” A great sadness filled her eyes. “Kami-sama I know.”

“Do you really want me to go?”

“Yes. I need to do this alone.” He turned to go. “Inuyasha.”

“Hai?”

“I love him.”

She saw him wince. “I guess I sort of knew that. I…I hope you're happy.”

“I would be, if my best friend were happy for me.”

“I can't be, not yet.”