InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Jewel of Four Souls ❯ The Curse Only Continues ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 16 “The Curse Only Continues”

 

As soon as InuYasha's feet touched solid ground, he leapt half-gracefully from the well and made a mad dash for the door of the Higurashi household. Raising his hand to knock, InuYasha quickly stopped himself, cursing under his breath.

 

“What am I doing?” He said idiotically. It became apparent that he shouldn't just suddenly show up and start blabbering-on like a moron. No, he needed time to sort out what he wanted to say. What he needed to say. Kagome really deserved a lot of explaining. Especially for how he had acted in the past few years of their travels. But he had his reasons. Besides, Kagome probably hated him. Despised his very existence. Memories of their departure over a month ago began to flash before his eyes. Her venomous words that stung deep in his heart.

 

`Damn it… I really did push her too far.' He shook his head in disgust as he stood on the doorstep to the home. Without much more hesitation, InuYasha fled and took refuge in the branches of the Sacred Tree. Reclining back, he became lost in his thoughts as memories of the past three years began to form. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. He couldn't believe how much he had messed things up. Holding the jewel close to his face, he opened his eyes and stared into the pink and black swirling energies inside the cursed object. He held the very thing he once desired, as it rested in his hands once again. The very thing he wanted to use to become a full-fledged demon. It was now a wish that faded with the passage of time.

 

He feared his demon blood. He was terrified to the bone. Especially after the past month when he nearly gave his heart completely to the demon blood that flowed through his veins. He had nearly lost all control over his actions. His heart and his mind were clouded by the darkness that was distilled into him. He knew no friend or no true foe. Everyone was virtually his enemy. Everyone hated him. He even hated himself. And he knew controlling his demonic nature was becoming almost impossible. Only Kagome, fearless when facing the uncaring murderous demon inside him, seemed able to hold his heart and keep him in check. He feared that someday even she couldn't control his demonic form. And he deeply feared that he himself would end up killing the one he loved.

 

“Kagome.”

 

“…So did you enjoy tonight?” Came a male voice in the distance as it drew closer.

 

“Yes I did. Thank you Hojo.” A female voice accompanied as it too came closer.

 

“That sounded like Kagome.” InuYasha said quietly to himself as she shifted quietly to see her coming up the path.

 

“I'm glad.” Hojo rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I mean it's been great seeing you around a lot more and in good health. And I've really had great times with you on our dates.”

 

Kagome nodded, “I really appreciate you being here for me Hojo.”

 

“I always will be Kagome.” He said taking her hands into his and giving one of his trademark smiles. Kagome felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach as he leaned in and gave a gentle kiss on her cheek. High above them, InuYasha tried to restrain his growl as he watched the scene unfold before him.

 

`No…she…she can't! No Kagome…' His mind began to panic, realizing he may be just too late. That Kagome had truly left the Feudal Era forever and forgotten everyone. He ran his hand through his silvery hair nervously. If only he could take on this Hojo guy. But he knew that would do absolutely nothing in getting on Kagome's good side.

 

“Hmm, I wonder where I should take you next?” Hojo began with a sly grin.

 

Kagome gave a short half-smile, “You always have surprised me Hojo.”

 

“So see you in a couple of days?” He asked the young woman.

 

Kagome nodded, “See you in a couple of days.”

 

Hojo lightly kissed Kagome's cheek again before calmly waiving goodbye. As he walked, he kept his gaze locked on Kagome's before she became too small to see. Excitedly, he smiled and almost leapt into the air from being one of the luckiest guys in the world. Kagome was indeed a special woman. He could feel that. Although he didn't quite know or realize how special.

 

Yet, he was still unsure of his feelings for the beautiful woman whom he was dating. He liked, maybe even loved her enough to be concerned about her health and safety. He even would do almost anything it took to see her smile and see to her happiness. However, he didn't know if she was truly the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They seemed to be compatible in a lot of things as he found out on their various dates. Traditional and non-traditional as they always were. Each date was different, which really impressed Kagome. Hojo certainly was surprising to say the least as well. Each time they went out, he had a different gift for her. Big or small, it was rather flattering. And Kagome really didn't know if she deserved such kind treatment. Or if she even wanted all the attention Hojo was giving to just her. She too wondered if he was really the one for her.

 

Naturally Kagome's friends thought so. They still wonder whatever did happen to Kagome's former boyfriend but of course they never bring him up while Kagome was nearby. Especially after their friendship seemed to almost fall apart after their supposed breakup. Though in reality they (Kag and Inu) were never really together.

 

After Hojo vanished from view, Kagome sighed and stared up at the tree. InuYasha froze hoping she wouldn't see him. He just couldn't face her. Not now. Not anytime soon. She ignored the odd senses she was feeling when the sparkling glint came into view. Kagome squinted hard trying to confirm she was seeing what she thought she was.

 

“It can't be…”

 

InuYasha glared at the jewel in his hands and cursed under his breath, `Damn, I forgot! She can see the jewel!' He wanted to toss it away, but knew that wouldn't aid in anything. Perhaps he can trick her into thinking that the jewel had been there for over five hundred years? He nervously waited as Kagome continued to stare right at him, yet not know he was even there.

 

“I really must be going crazy…” she muttered to herself before making her way inside, holding her left temple as though a headache was coming on.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, InuYasha sunk back down on the branch and glared angrily at the jewel. Yep, it was cursed alright. He was nearly exposed thanks to Kagome's power to see the object. He was just thankful her senses didn't kick in very well. Which of course worried him. Stuck in the tree for the time being, InuYasha wondered how he could possibly approach the situation of his return and his feelings. And how he would deal with Kagome's wrath and now Hojo.

 

Everything seemed hopeless. And he had to admit that fighting demons was much easier than this. But he knew it had to be done. His heart and soul couldn't rest till he at least got Kagome to forgive him. If she didn't, then he'd return to the Feudal Era… and leave something to prove how much he cared. Even if he wasn't around to see her reaction to it. Though he didn't even know what he'd leave to prove himself in her eyes.

 

After an hour of mulling around in the Sacred Tree, InuYasha began to slowly drift back into the dark depths of his heart. The demons known as second thoughts began plaguing his thoughts. He didn't feel worthy of Kagome's forgiveness…or even love. She was too pure. Especially for a half-breed like him. That word would forever sting every time it crossed his mind. But he forgave her. He could forgive her for just about anything. A gentle breeze blew across his face through the branches.

 

`I can't love you the way she does InuYasha…'

 

`Kikyo…'

 

`This is what brought her to this era and brought you two together.'

 

InuYasha gently held the little pink orb in his hand as he stared into it rather blankly.

 

`This is what brought her to this era and brought you two together.'

 

`The Sacred Jewel… Does Kagome belong in the Feudal Era? …with me?'

 

`I opened your heart InuYasha. I showed you that you could be loved and accepted.'

 

`Can I really be loved? Do I even deserve it?'

 

`Kagome is the one who truly loves you for who you are.'

 

`...To be honest, I like you just the way you are…'

 

`She accepts you for who you are. She loves you as a hanyou InuYasha.'

 

`…I love you. I love you as a hanyou InuYasha…'

 

`She loves me for who I am.'

 

`Take this, and speak from your heart.'

 

`Speak form my heart.'

 

`Don't regret the past, InuYasha… live for the future.'

 

`Can I truly just forget everything that happened?'

 

`Don't regret the past, InuYasha… live for the future.'

 

InuYasha sighed. He knew what must be done. He had to stop living in the past. And stop regretting his past mistakes. Kikyo wanted him to move forward. She didn't want him to forget everything. She wanted him to take his mistakes and learn from them. She wanted him to be happy. Her spirit seemed no longer vengeful or determined to drag his very soul to Hell. With Naraku gone, life can finally return to simplicity and normality. Not just for those whom had been greatly affected by Naraku's presence in the world, but for everyone. The only thing left to do was to get rid of the jewel once and for all. And Kikyo will see to it that the jewel remained in hell for all eternity. For now, it'll remain in his possession. As his link, his bond, to the miko from the modern era. It was what brought them together. He just hoped it had the power to make it true once again.

 

 

 

“Why does the lord insist on being alone?” Said a rather annoyed Jaken as he sat off at a distance with Rin and Ah-Un. Fidgeting in much boredom and anxiety.

 

“I don't know Master Jaken.” Rin stated, idly swaying her legs while she sat on Ah-Un's back.

 

Glancing outwards, Sesshomaru stood nearby yet was far enough to be alone, at the edge of a small cliff with a seemingly short drop. He just stood there staring up into the sky emotionless as ever.

 

`Father, why did you entrust me with this Tenseiga? Were you trying to teach me something? Or did you perhaps fear me?'

 

Sesshomaru diverted his eyes to the hilt of the Tenseiga as it remained motionless. `And why give InuYasha such a powerful sword, the Tetsusaiga? The sword I could have used to gain ultimate power. …To Defeat anyone with…'

 

Placing his gaze back upon the sky, Sesshomaru continued his pondering to the night sky. The dilemma over who possessed each remaining swords left by their father was now at the forefront of Sesshomaru's mind. He just couldn't figure out why his father gave him such a useless thing. For quite some time, Sesshomaru even believed that by the way InuYasha was acting; the Tenseiga would benefit him more. Saving lives of mortals and what not. He also didn't understand why InuYasha even cared for the mortals. Much less showed such powerful and unfamiliar emotions towards one in particular.

 

`That young miko… Father, you befriended a mortal woman that bore that half-demon. Is it that you felt InuYasha, with his human blood, would too follow as you did? Would he too befriend a mortal woman, that miko not of this time?'

 

All logic in his mind was pointing as though that was the case. Sesshomaru now saw that indeed InuYasha held that young woman in high regards. He defended her more than anyone or anything else. He protected her as though her life was more valuable than his own.

 

`Do you have someone to protect?'

 

`Father…'

 

Slowly pieces were beginning to fall into alignment. But stubborn as he is, Sesshomaru still felt that the hanyou was unfit to wield such a weapon. Yet, hadn't he proved his worth? Hadn't he proved he was capable of wielding the Tetsusaiga well enough to protect not only his life but also that of his friends? InuYasha's only major slip up came into mind. When he failed in his desires to protect the young woman.

 

`Yet he still found a way to save her. What is it that makes him act so?'

 

Answers weren't coming as quick as he'd hope. The reasons behind his father and half-brother's actions weren't fully clear. What true purpose did their father have when leaving behind the two swords to whom he did? And why have both seemingly lowered their selves to gaining the affections of such weak creatures? Sesshomaru looked to Rin and wondered why the humans were special in the eyes of his father and brother. And why the girl found him, a demon, so interesting. Perhaps it was time to face facts and seek out the answers himself…

 

 

 

Day by day passed as InuYasha remained up in the tree. Only coming down long enough to find food, mostly stealing what he could from nearby, and stretch his weary legs. He kept silent watch as Kagome came and went as the hours passed for each of those days. He just couldn't do it. He couldn't face Kagome after what had transpired. Every time he gathered enough courage to leap down and spill everything, Hojo was with her. Either that or it was her friends. And once it was even her mother. Dashing all his hopes of ever reaching through to the girl and asking for forgiveness at his stupidity.

 

However, being in the tree for the past several days has gave him enough time to really think about things. Something that wasn't his strong point in the first place was thinking. Since he usually acted before logically examining the situation. Still, he had time to really develop an explanation of his actions. A truthful explanation that even surprised him. It's funny how one acts and not realize what they are doing. Or they have a reason, but get so lost in that reason that things tend to go overboard. InuYasha was no exception to that.

 

He had to admit that he could only blame himself for the way he acted. But yet, knew it was the only way. At least, it seemed like the only way. Shaking his head, he calmly sat and waited, wondering when he could gather the courage to say `to Hell with it' and confront her. As the evening hours approached, he could catch Kagome's scent coming closer. She was still quite a ways off, but she was coming home. He smiled to himself upon sensing no other people accompanying her. Usually he'd pick up the certain perfumes of the girls, or even something from Hojo long before Kagome's scent would become noticeable. And what he liked all the more was Kagome's scent was fully natural, mostly due to the low amount of added fragrances. He truly could get lost in her natural scent.

 

Snapping himself out of it, he held his head in slight agony.

 

“It's gonna be a long night…” He said quietly to himself.