InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Path You Follow ❯ Always a Dreamer ( Chapter 3 )

"'Sing to me,' she said. `That would be valiant, to raise your voice in this dark, lonely place, and it will be useful as well. Sing to me, sing loudly-drown out my dreams, keep me from remembering whatever wants me to remember it. Sing to me, my lord prince, if it please you. It may not seem a hero's task, but I would be glad of it.'" -Lady Amaltha to Prince Lir (The Last Unicorn) ~*~I just really like some of the lines in the Last Unicorn so I'll put my favorites and some from other books every once in a while.~*~

The Path You Follow

Author's note: Well, I found some extra time so here's chapter 3. It's rather long but I just couldn't find a good place to end it. Also, we'll be going with the longer chapters with updates whenever I can manage them. Shouldn't be too bad, I'll try my best!

To my fanfiction.net readers: If you're reading on Fanfiction.net then you won't get the lemon on the site. Mainly because they erased `bliss' last time because of the adult content and it really pissed me off to lose all my reviews and having to post it all again. So now lemon chapters are posted on my home page, check my profile for that, I'll note in the chapter where the lemon would be.

Last time: The look upon the youkai's face was even more grave than usual as he studied Kagome's face as she slept. He put a hand upon her abdomen so that he could feel her rhythmic breathing. His eyes held concern as if he were afraid that the young miko in his arms might simply vanish into thin air.

Chapter 3: Always a Dreamer

~*~

"Mama! I missed you so much!" Kagome yelled as her mother wrapped her into a tight embrace. Kagome shed a few happy tears as Mrs. Higurashi put her daughter at arms length to get a good look at her. A frown marred the older woman's face as she looked into her daughter's eyes.

"Somethings wrong." She stated. Although Kagome was smiling and definitely happy to see her family, there was a sadness and confusion in the deep blue pools of her eyes. It was so powerful that it made her feel a bit depressed to just look into them. This time the tears that fell weren't those of joy.

"Oh, mama." She cried out and wrapped her arms around her mother again. It felt so right to be here in her era and in her mothers arms, she was convinced she would never grow out of her mother's hugs. Through her tears she told her mother about the young woman in Kaede's village. How she had felt completely helpless.

Mrs. Higurasha smoothed her daughter's hair as Kagome rested her head on the older woman's shoulder.

"Ah, Kagome you always try so hard to help everyone. But sometimes, no matter how wrong something seems and no matter how much we try, there just isn't anything we can do to stop it. Death is just a normal part of human life."

Sniffling a little Kagome nodded her head in understanding. What her mother had said was nothing new to her; she had known all of that. But to hear the words from someone who held more years and wisdom then her was in itself comforting.

"Now tell me Kagome, how are your friends and that man. . . Sesshoumaru?"

The young miko smiled a bit and straightened in her seat.

"Well, Inuyasha and him argue all the time and Inuyasha still picks on Shippou, but not as much as he used to. Sango and Miroku are the same as always." She said the last part with a smile.

"Remember the girl I told you about, Yukiko?" her mother nodded, "well I think she has a crush on Inuyasha. Rin's lessons are going well and as for me. . . I'm in love, but you already know that."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled.

"I'm glad that you've found somebody you love Kagome. So when can I expect a wedding and grandchildren?"

Kagome's mother laughed light-heartedly, but the young miko could only muster a half-hearted chuckle. Mrs. Higurashi noticed it and asked her if something else was wrong.

"I just realized that I don't know if youkai marry in the same way we do. Why hasn't he ever brought it up, I wonder. Does it mean he doesn't love me enough to. . ." she let her voice trail as disturbing thoughts filtered through her mind.

"Do you believe he loves you, Kagome?"

A million thoughts were going through Kagome's mind. He said he loved her. But he never showed any affection towards her when they were in the company of others. He was protective of her. But they had never spoken of a future together. He was a youkai and she was human. He would always be who he was now, the seemingly young elegant lord of the Western lands, while Kagome would grow old and eventually die.

"I know that he loves me right now, mama. But youkai don't age like we do. Will he love me as I change and get older and he stays the same? I don't know if he loves me enough to stick around for that. How do I figure something like that out?"

Mrs. Higurashi held her daughters hand affectionately and stroked it comfortingly.

"There is no way to tell for sure Kagome. . . How do I explain this?"

For a minute there was thoughtful silence and Kagome just watched her mother. The source of so much wisdom for a majority of her life, if there was ever a problem mama could always fix it.

"Love is kind of like a race," she said finally, "sometimes it's just a wild dash, a furious sprint that makes the heart pound madly and ends quickly. But it can also be slow and steady, drawing out for what seems like an eternity before coming to a long anticipated and graceful end. Only you and Sesshoumaru will be able to tell what kind of race you're running."

"I still don't know, mama. Tell me, how did you know that you were really in love with dad?"

Kagome felt an arm go around her and she once again rested her head on her mother's shoulder.

"There was a time when I thought that maybe I didn't really love your father, Kagome. We didn't have the kind of love that made my heart beat rapidly and I didn't feel like I needed to be around him all the time. So while I knew I cared about him, I wasn't sure if it was love. Not until he left on a business trip to America. He would be gone for a month, but after two days I felt lost. I wandered around feeling like a part of me was missing. Then when your father called me on the third day I felt better. He called me from the Tokyo airport actually; he said that he didn't want to be so far away from me and I knew then that I felt the same. So he came back home and ended up losing his job, but we were happy. At that time I realized love isn't about feeling like you need that person to live, that is just infatuation. Love is knowing you can live without that person but not wanting to."

Finishing her little speech, she turned to see if Kagome had understood but found her daughter had fallen asleep. She chuckled `She's still my little girl, able to sleep through anything. I wonder if she heard any of it.'

~Kagome~

A strong breeze shook the branches of the trees surrounding the small clearing. At the center was the bone-eater's well. Next to it stood a woman, her long ebony hair billowing around her. The dark, frightening eyes that were now well known stared into the depths of the well.

One slender, pale hand was held above the opening of the well. A cruel lifeless smile gracing the ivory colored lips as they parted in and the sound of chuckling wafted through the forest as the soft sound made the very forest quake in fear.

Dark light tinged with purple began to flow from her outstretched hand. It formed a thick cloud around the enchanted well. She closed her fingers around her palm and formed a tight fist. The ancient wood of the well began to melt and collapse into the portal. There was a blast of dark energy that erupted from within the well. The dark haired woman turned to leave. In the center of the clearing was only the dark charred skeleton of a tree; there was no trace of a well that connected the past and present.

~*~

Kagome bolted up in her bed as the dream came to its end. She could still see the smirk on the woman's face as she left the bone-eaters well. Perspiration made her clothes stick to her skin as she got out of bed. Scribbling a quick note, Kagome left it on the dinner table on her way out the door. Tears threatened to fall as she said a silent prayer, hoping the dream meant nothing.

She ran to the well house, hastily throwing the door open and not showing a moments hesitation as she hopped into the dry well. Relief flooded her as the familiar blue energy surrounded her, taking her back to the Sengoku Jidai. When there was steady ground beneath her feet she looked up into the star studded sky and sighed in relief. The well was still here, it was still capable of taking her back into the Sengoku jidai. She had nothing to worry about.

As she started to climb up the walls a hand grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her the rest of the way out. The young miko threw her arms around Sesshoumar and buried her face in his haori, glad that he wasn't wearing his armor at the moment.

"I was so worried, I'm sick of it. It happens every night, I can never get a break. I want to just sleep one night peacefully." she whispered.

He placed a gentle kiss atop her head as he felt her arms squeeze tighter around his torso.

"What happened?" he asked, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered.

"I had a dream. The well, it was destroyed and I thought-," her voice wavered, "I thought I might never see you again. That I'd never see any of my friends here again."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head in understanding and continued to hold her against him. It was at times like these he worried for himself as well as her. The way he felt, knowing she had come back here worried that she would never see him again, it made him treasure her even more. It wasn't even something he could explain, the deep yearning in him that demanded he keep her near him always. She did so many endearing things, showed her emotions so easily that sometimes he could barely suppress the urge to hold her tightly against him and never let her go.

He sighed as she pulled away from him. Her hands rested against his cheeks as she traced his markings, it was something she had been doing a lot lately. Distantly, he wondered why she had a sudden fascination with his markings. Noticing the remnants of tears on her cheeks, he did the same to her, framing her soft delicate face in his large claws. He used his thumbs to erase the tearstains. They stayed that way for a moment, staring into one another's eyes and happy to just be touching each other.

"Will you go back to your time, or would you like to go back home?"

She smiled at the thought that Sesshomaru had made his home her own as well.

"I left my mother a note, so I think it's okay if we go home now. I'll come back in a few weeks, right now I just want to be with you."

He nodded and picked her up bridal style before hurrying off into the forest, heading west. She snuggled into his chest and whispered "Aishiteru," before falling asleep. He wondered at the fact that she had said it so suddenly. But he returned the affection as he kissed the sleeping miko's forehead.

~*~

The sun had just begun to rise as Sango made her way to the cave near the taijiyaa village. Humming softly, she easily passed through the barrier that protected the entrance and ventured about halfway in. Just enough so she could see the giant rock formation of Midoriko's final battle. Closing her eyes, she let the peaceful aura of the area surround her. This place had always made her feel relaxed and protected, like nothing could ever harm her here.

From the cave's entrance she heard Miroku calling her.

"Sango, if we wish to reach Sesshoumaru-sama's castle before night we should leave soon."

"Hai, Houshi-sama. I'll be out in a second," she yelled back as she started to walk back towards the entrance. A breeze made her shiver as she followed him back to where Kirara was waiting with their supplies. Grabbing hiraikotsu and a sack she had brought, they both climbed onto the fire-cat.

Sparing one last glance to the graves of her family and friends, she whispered a tiny prayer as Kirara took off into the sky.

~*~

The sun was just beginning to set as Kagome and Sesshoumaru reached the castle. Sango and Miroku had arrived shortly before them and everyone was gathered in the courtyard watching the sun's slow descent.

The two children ran up to the couple and Kagome kneeled to give each of them a hug. When she stood again Shippou was perched on her shoulder and Rin was tugging at her pants leg.

"What is Kagome wearing?" asked Rin looking curiously as the strange clothing. A blush formed on Kagome's cheeks. In her rush to check on the well she had forgotten to change into her kimono. She was still wearing her pink neko pajamas.

"Did you bring me any candy?" asked Shippou, whispering conspiratorially into Kagome's ear, as if to keep it a secret between them.

"Anou. . . I was in a bit of a rush when I left so I forgot all my stuff." Said Kagome regretfully, "but I'll go back in a few weeks for another visit and then I'll bring some supplies."

Yukiko clapped her hands to get everyone attention and they all turned to her. She blushed a bit at the attention but made her announcement.

"I believe that dinner is ready, minna."

They all followed her inside and Kagome went up to her room to change into a kimono before dinner. Sesshoumaru went to the library to receive a report from Jaken.

When Kagome was finally changed and sitting down with the rest of her friends at the dining table they all began to eat.

"So, how is Kaede-baachan?"

"She was alright, although I didn't get much of a chance to talk with her. . . One of the village women had a birthing problem." She left it at that, not wishing to think about the sad event. No one questioned her, as they were able to read her unease by the way she tensed.

"So did everything go smoothly on your journey, Sango-chan?"

The taijiyaa smiled at her friend and nodded.

"Hai, it was a peaceful trip. I'm happy that I decided to go, I feel better about it as if it's really over and I can finally let them rest."

"Ah, I'm happy for you, Sango-chan."

The rest of dinner was pretty silent as everyone dwelled on their own thoughts.

When everyone left to go up to their rooms and sleep, Kagome followed Inuyasha out to the garden.

"Anou. . . Inuyasha. I wanted to ask you. . . ummm. . . Do youkai. . ."

Kagome didn't know how to phrase it, she didn't think `marriage' would be a concept the hanyou was familiar with. But how else would she say it?

"Feh, spit it out already!"

Her cheeks were flushed as she searched for the right words to continue. She stared thoughtfully at her feet as she spoke.

"Is there, maybe. . . some kind of ceremony that youkai have to. . . to join them together. You know, like when they love each other, or something. . ."

Inuyasha's cheeks were crimson as he too began studying the grassy ground beneath his feet.

"I-urrr. . . Feh! How should I know? Why don't you go ask Sesshoumaru or something!"

Kagome felt a sudden sting at her neck and immediately placed her hand over the spot that it came from. Taking her hand away she saw a familiar youkai in her palm.

"Myouga-jiichan?"

"Ah, Kagome! I was expecting that question."

The flea youkai pulled himself from where he had been smashed against Kagome's palm. She brought her hand closer to her face so she could see him, Inuyasha stood silently at her side.

"You are referring to youkai mating, ne?"

The young miko nodded her head, trying to ignore the burning in her cheeks.

"Well, when youkai join together it isn't like the ceremony ningens have. The two youkai perform a ceremony to share their youki with their mate. Their scents will mingle and become one that they both share. This is so that they can be in tune with one another and know where their mate is at all times and when their mate is in need of help. This is accomplished by the sharing of their blood."

"What about ningens, Myouga-jiichan? If I wanted to become Sesshoumaru's `mate,' I'd have to drink his blood?"

"Iie, Kagome, they don't drink the blood. In the ancient days, symbols of power would be carved into the skin of the two youkai and as they went through the act of mating their blood would mingle. No ningen has ever gone through the ceremony."

"What about my parents?" asked Inuyasha suddenly.

"They were never officially mates, Inuyasha-sama. As you might imagine, ningens cannot endure as much pain as youkai so just the act of carving the symbols would be quite painful for them. But there's also the mingling of the blood. A youkai's blood holds the secrets to their youki and scent, when mating youkai share blood it can be painful beyond imagination. In some cases, one mate's blood is weaker then the other and so there is not much pain, in a few very rare cases the blood is rejected for unknown reasons and one of the mates die. Usually though, the blood mingles and the youkai's body fights it but comes to accept it eventually. Although it can take anywhere from a day to a week and the time spent while the blood fights that of a youkai's new mate is very painful. When your otoosan and Sesshoumaru-sama's okaasan performed the ceremony, it took three days for the pain to end. During those three days they were not capable of doing anything but writhe in pain and she was a very powerful youkai so I don't know if a ningen would even survive such an act."

Kagome tapped the side of her cheek with her finger as she thought about the information she had just received.

"So if a ningen did this, they would have the youkai's blood in them. Would that extend the life of the ningen?"

"Iie, while the exchange of blood creates a strong bond between the two beings it would not lengthen the life of a ningen to that of a youkai. You shouldn't even think about it, Kagome! It would be painful enough for a normal ningen, but for a miko with immense spiritual powers like you it may be lethal for both you and Sesshoumaru-sama. Your blood may want to purify his darker youki and his animalistic youki might try to destroy you."

"I see," she whispered, "well, I'm going to bed now. Oyasumi nasai."

Myouga bounded over to Inuyasha and they both watched as she walked back into the castle.

~*~

After Jaken had left the library reporting that nothing important had happened during Sesshoumaru's brief absence. The taiyoukai just sat in his chair thinking about his relationship with Kagome.

`She was so upset after that woman in the village died. But why? Ningens die all the time.' There was a slight jolt to his heart at that thought.

"Kagome is a ningen." He whispered to himself.

`So, one day she will die and I'll be left here alone. Rin will die also and who will be left? Just Inuyasha and Kagome's kit. I don't know if I can live like that, if it's hard being just a few days without her how could I live the rest of my life alone? I don't even know how long she'll live.'

Absently, he traced the markings on his cheeks with a claw. His thoughts turned to Kagome's strange behavior as of late.

`Why does she keep touching my markings?' he wondered, `perhaps she finds them displeasing? Ningens don't have markings so perhaps they are unattractive to her.'

The door opened slowly and Kagome entered, wearing a thin silk yukata.

"Anou. . . Sesshoumaru, it's getting late. We finished dinner hours ago, everyone else is in bed already."

She walked over to him and kneeled in front of his chair, resting her head on one of hi knees.

"I couldn't sleep without you there," she admitted as he stroked her hair.

"Shall we go to bed, then?" he asked, beginning to stand. But she stopped him, standing in front of him so that there was no room for him to get up. She pulled the sash of her yukata, pulling the knot lose and letting the soft material slide across her skin and fall to the ground. She wore nothing beneath it and he was able to study every sweet curve of her body thoroughly by the dim candle light of the room.

Kagome shivered as he slid his hands lightly down her bare arms and lightly gripped her thin waist. She sat, straddling his lap with her knees hanging over the arm rests of his chair. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes as she began to place gentle butterfly kisses on his jaw and neck. His hands rested on her hips and he once again felt her lithe fingers tracing his markings, he placed a claw over her hand.

"They're a reminder," she said, resting her forehead against his broad shoulder and stroking his cheek, "that we're very different from one another."

"That doesn't matter." He whispered hoarsely.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head to the side so that his cheek was resting against her silky hair, his hands were rubbing soothingly up and down her back. She slid her hands between their two bodies and into his haori, pulling the fabric open, not bothering to undo the ties to his hakama yet. His chest now exposed, he pressed her closer to him so that he could feel her soft breasts tipped with her hardened nipples pressed against his bare skin.

Lifting her head from his shoulder, Kagome took his lips in a kiss letting her tongue stroke his fangs. His tongue brushed against hers as he took control of the kiss, tasting her thoroughly and reveling in it. Her hands started to undo the ties of his hakama to free his arousal.

Breaking away from the kiss, Kagome was panting as Sesshoumaru lifted her by the hips to lower her onto his erection. She sighed as some of the tension seemed to melt away from her. The taiyoukai groaned as her heat enveloped him, her muscles tightening around him as she rotated her lips. His throbbing length was deep within her and he let out a hiss as she continued moving on top of him, fidgeting and repositioning her legs to get more comfortable in the odd position they were in.

He lifted her again, slowly drawing himself out of her until just the tip remained in her warm folds. She shivered as he brought her back down onto his length and thrust his hips upwards, continuing the motion several more times.

"Sesshou," she panted into his ear, "I need. . . more."

She groaned as he pulled fully out of her and stood, placing her at the edge of the desk before thrusting roughly back into her. He drove into her repeatedly, his quick precise strokes making her shudder as he nipped at her neck and tweaked her nipples. He heard every whimper and moan as her lips and tongue caressed his sensitive ears. Kagome's nails dug into his back as the pressure built steadily in her womb with his every movement.

Suddenly she bolted up from where she lay to wrap her arms around his neck as he stood motionless between her thighs. They stopped their erotic movements for a second as she placed a kiss on his shoulder. Her inner muscles convulsed around him as his member throbbed deep inside of her. She bit him lightly, her blunt ningen teeth just a caress against his skin. Time seemed to slow for a second as their eyes met.

Her eyes were a dark abyss that consumed him the moment he looked into them. She was lost somewhere deep in her mind, that far away look on her face. A frown made her brows furrow and she tore her gaze away as if doing so hurt her. Her chest heaved in a sigh and as her taut nipples rubbed against his chest they were both reminded of the position they were in.

It was almost painful as he drew out of her slick passage only to submerge himself in her wonderful heat once again. They found an erratic pace that suited them both as he thrust in and out of her. She lifted her hips to meet his as her heavy breathing and groans goaded him on, his speed increasing. There was the sound of their bodies clapping together and the desk shaking beneath her, nothing existed out of their little bubble of senses. The musky scent of their lovemaking reached Sesshoumaru's nose and it sent him over the edge, his member quivering within her.

The youkai watched proudly as she closed her eyes and arched up into him powerfully with the force of her climax, her teeth biting at her bottom lip and her legs wrapping around his waist.

After he pulled out of her she lay atop the desk, still panting. Perspiration shone on both of their bodies. He lifted her off the wooden desk and covered her with her discarded yukata before fixing his own clothing and carrying her back to their room.

Kagome fell asleep almost instantly as Sesshoumaru lay her gently on the bed. She lay on her back with her yukata open so that he could see her creamy skin in the moonlight. He rested his hand on her stomach.

`The ningen woman that died. . . she was in childbed.' The thought struck him suddenly and fear crept over him.

`Is it that easy for a ningen to die? They are too vulnerable, what if Kagome was with child. Could that happen to her as well, could she die? The birth would be even more difficult then usual because it would be a hanyou.' He shivered at the thought, the realization that he could lose Kagome to something that he could not even attempt to protect her from was horrifying.

He refused to sleep that night, instead he held her against his chest and watched over her as she slept.

~*~

"She's blocking us somehow." Stated a cool feminine voice.

"Obviously, but how? She has such a weak spirit it's hard to imagine she could accomplish such a thing against the three of us."

Another voice joined the conversation.

"We underestimated her, it was the same mistake we made with the miko."

There was a snort from the other two beings.

"She's just hurting herself, everyday she uses a little more of her energy to keep us silent. But her health won't hold out for long, not with the three of us fighting against the barrier."

"But it isn't just her barrier we have to worry about, everyday we get weaker as well. The ruby, it's trying to absorb us completely; attempting to combine the three of us into one being."

"It doesn't matter, I have a feeling that soon she'll let her guard down. Something is about to happen I can almost taste it."

The voices fell silent as the night continued on.

~Kagome~

She was looking up into the branches of the Goshinbuku as screams filled the night air. The stars shone brightly in the clear sky past the trees. The dark haired woman walked slowly towards the village and the screams grew louder. Her pale skin seemed to glow although darkness seemed to pour out from the air surrounding her.

The darkness spread from her footsteps as she entered the village. Youkai were everywhere and people were running about, a child lay motionless on the ground surrounded by a puddle of crimson liquid. There was a familiar voice and the woman approached the elderly woman wearing the robes of a miko. In her weathered hands she held a bow and arrow, taking aim at the source of the dark mist covering the ground.

Her dark tresses shifted like silk against her back as she chuckled, her dark eyes bore into the miko. The arrow was let loose and flew smoothly towards the younger woman who simple raised a hand in the direction it was coming from. It seemed to disintegrate as it neared her. The only thing left was the arrowhead that fell harmlessly at her feet.

Stunned, the elderly miko did not move, letting the woman approach her. A youthful hand touched a wrinkled cheek and the eyes, full of wisdom, widened. There was a gasp and a shudder before the figure crumpled into a mess of white and red cloth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reviewer responses:

Aira: To be absolutely honest I had planned to put a lemon in the last chapter. But I really wanted to update and I couldn't write a lemon because my little cousin kept looking over my shoulder as I was typing so I just posted it without the lemon. But I did put one in this chapter to make up for it. Thanks for the review and hope you enjoyed it. ^_^

RED HAT: Oh, I'm tempted to respond to all of your guesses, but I won't. I'll keep it a surprise. Sorry, but I'm not about to give away my secrets hehe. I already have an ending in mind so all that needs to be done is all the in-between. I'd say there would probably be no divorce amongst youkai, not only do I picture them as possessive but it jus wasn't accepted by society, not until recently and in Japan it still looked down upon even now. I know what you mean about Sesshoumaru not being affectionate. It's killing me! I want to write in all kinds of fluff between Kagome and him, but then it wouldn't go with my story and he'd be way out of character so I decided against it. Thanks for your long reviews I really enjoy reading them!

Spirit element: Ah! My friends are so boring, one of them should fall every time I say osuwari! Hehe Thankfully, I don't have science although I do have English and math. Math isn't so bad, it's all my English essays that are wearing me out. ~sigh~ Oh, well I just have to make the best of it I guess, see it as good practice for writing my stories. Anyways, thanks for the review ^_^

Helen: I just couldn't resist putting in that scene with Rin and Shippou and at first it was just there for no real reason but I've thought of a way to work them more into the story in later chapters. Thanks for your input on the chapters and for the review.

tessa3: I know, I wasn't sure about the deaths in the last chapter. At first I thought I'd have Sesshoumaru revive them but decided against it because it wouldn't have such a profound effect on him and Kagome if they had lived. I'm just going to say that maybe Sesshoumaru can only revive those who weren't meant to die or died by unnatural means. There that explains why he couldn't revive the mother and child. But it's still sad, ne? Well, thanks for the review.