InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Path You Follow ❯ To Mourn the One He Loves ( Chapter 8 )

The Path You Follow

By: EvilNekoEatsYourSoul

Author's note: Had some extra time, or actually I just didn't feel like doing any studying, so here is the next chapter. Things are moving a bit slower then I had anticipated which is all right with me, as the story seems to be carrying on well anyways. Please read and review.

Last time: Before Kagome could speak, she was thrown back into her own body. The force of it left her feeling breathless, but she no longer felt tired as a multitude of aches stung at her skin and heat surrounded her.

Chapter 8: To Mourn the One He Loves

~*~

Kouga sprung into action upon realizing that he was the angry inu youkai's target. He lunged forward to deal a kick to Sesshoumaru but was simply batted away by a huge paw. He fell to the ground as Inuyasha jumped forward to get to the wolf before the transformed dog demon could do any more damage.

Finding a new target, Sesshoumaru rushed towards Inuyasha who dodged the attack easily. Obviously Sesshoumaru was not going all out for this battle so the hanyou left Tetsusaiga sheathed at his side. The taiyoukai's poison breath started to coat the ground, Sango, Yukiko and Miroku climbed on to Kirara and kept to the sky to avoid breathing in the foul substance.

When he caught sight of the ningens on the fire cat, he decided attacking them would be more prosperous for his cause. As expected, Inuyasha came to their aid, finally drawing Tetsusaiga and slashing at Sesshoumaru. He didn't back down and let Inuyasha strike him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Inuyasha yelled out in frustration. He knew that Sesshoumaru had impeccable control over his emotions and so was aware that his brother was not just on a rampage. There was some other reasoning behind his sudden attacks upon their group.

Seeing that they were not doing much more then defending, and not even really doing a good job of that, Sesshoumaru transformed back into his humanoid form. Instantly, he drew Toukijin and started his attack upon Inuyasha. Their swords clashed and between them sparks flew.

Suddenly, Kouga flew at them, his fist landing a sold punch against Sesshoumaru's cheek. Their eyes met briefly before the taiyoukai fell back. The wolf youkai had seen something there, but he hardly believed it. Could it be true? He had seen desperation within the elder brother's eyes.

Inuyasha noticed how his brother took his time in getting up from the blow. Something was definitely wrong, Sesshoumaru should have easily been able to block that attack from Kouga and it shouldn't have taken him that long to recover. He was purposely holding back.

There was a new onslaught of attacks as Sesshoumaru discarded Toukijin, using his claws to advance on Inuyasha. Tetsusaiga was sheathed, because Inuyasha didn't think any real harm would come to him. But he was mistaken as long claws wrapped around his throat and the hand turned green. His flesh started to sizzle and burn with the acid that was now coating his skin. He couldn't breath, and he began to panic, if it weren't for the fact that Tetsusaiga was strapped to his waist he probably would have gone into his state of demon rage and gone out of control. As if sensing this, Sesshoumaru grabbed the hilt of Inuyasha's sword, ignoring the sparks that flew and burned him as he touched it.

Then the idea struck him, `he wants us to kill him!' Inuyasha realized. But he couldn't voice a warning because his throat was being constricted and his skin melted.

"Hiraikotsu!"

The giant weapon slammed into Sesshoumaru who fell to the side, he stayed there for a moment. Lying still, hoping Inuyasha or maybe the wolf youkai would use the time to attack. They didn't and so he leapt into the air, gathering his ki beneath him. His hand grasped the arm of the taijiyaa, he ignored Yukiko's scream and the houshi's staff as it made contact with his ribs. He descended gracefully to the ground with his claws dripping poison very near to Sango's skin. With the flick of his wrist he could end her life, but he stood silently, his eyes meeting those of his younger sibling.

~*~

As the pain rushed back into her body she took a deep breath of air. The despair in her heart returned, but she ignored it. If she were to believe in that hopelessness she would die, there could be no doubts in her mind if she wanted to live.

As promised, her memory was in tact and she began to remember all the happy moments in her life. There were a lot of them. She recalled dressing up in a traditional kimono to go to a festival with her family, her entire family, including her father. Her memories with Inuyasha came to her, every time he had been jealous of Kouga, the time he had taken care of her when she got sick, even going so far as to make medicine for her and stay with her the night before her big test. Memories of Shippou were abundant as well, his face full of delight as he snacked on candy she brought from her time, how he tried so hard to act like an adult. An image of Sango was there and how she had blushed that time they were walking in the rain and she shared an umbrella with Miroku. Then there was a huge chunk of her memory that surfaced, all of them involving Sesshoumaru some of them with Rin. So many nights, she hadn't truly realized how many, she had spent just watching his peaceful face as they spoke quietly or the reprimanding look he got in his eyes when she went against his wished. How he looked exasperated whenever she and Rin wandered too far away for his taste. His kisses, there were countless memories that involved them kissing. She gathered all those memories and they served to chase away the doubt that had been festering within her.

With that accomplished, she began to concentrate on the Shikon no tama, creating an image of it in her head. Imagining that she could actually see power slipping from the pink jewel into her own body. The burning stopped, as did the stinging of her wounds.

Around her a comforting warm glow formed, or so she imagined. Another image formed in her head, this one was of herself wrapped in Sesshoumaru's arms in his eyes was that overprotective look that she had begun to hate but also loved for the simple reason that it was a part of who he was; to be overprotective of the things that he truly cared about.

In her mind he was gentle and whispered words of comfort, telling her he would always protect her and she believed him. She could do nothing less but believe every thing he said, he would never lie to her and she accepted that fact with utter trust. Everything had to be absolutely perfect and calm within her mind and body if she were to succeed. If there were the smallest amount of doubt, pain or regret then she would die, in her soul she sensed that and figured it was a message from Midoriko. So she took her time preparing herself for the moment when four words would set her free. When she felt ready, surrounded by love and glowing in happiness she whispered, "This is not real."

And it wasn't real. There was no dissolving or fading, she simply sat up and looked around. She was surrounded by trees and there was talking but she couldn't quite understand it because her mind was in a light daze, the kind that indicates that you just woke up from a long sleep.

It all happened in slow motion. Sesshoumaru was holding Sango, his hand wrapped tightly around her arm and acid dripping from his claws. Kagome was unable to comprehend what was happening and so she watched curiously as she noted Inuyasha talking to his brother.

"You wouldn't. Kagome would never allow that, she would hate you."

Distantly, she wondered what it was she would hate. Oddly enough, Kouga was there as well. In fact, he had drawn that sword that he never uses and was sprinting towards Sesshoumaru who seemed to be ignoring everyone but Inuyasha. Kagome stood, awkwardly, almost falling to the side as the blade entered the inu youkai's chest. She finally found her voice.

"Sesshoumaru!" her scream filled the air, echoing throughout the forest. All eyes turned to her, and she was about to topple over from shock and fatigue.

For the first time ever, Kagome saw her love's eyes widen in shock and she nearly grinned. He dropped Sango as Kouga removed the blade from his chest and somehow managed to catch Kagome before she fell.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the strength to support the both of them, and fell to his knees with Kagome in his arms. He felt annoyed that she had the audacity to yawn when there was now somewhat of a hole in his chest and he was bleeding all over. He scowled, noticing that her robe had opened up in the front and that her breasts were now exposed for everyone to see, he covered her as much as possible.

It was a very strange sight, and everyone sort of just gaped at the interaction between the miko and the taiyoukai. They saw him cough and there was blood upon his lips and on his hand that he had used to cover his mouth. But he was smiling. Kagome looked confused, but happy, tugging at a lock of silver hair. She whispered something that none of the on lookers could hear.

"Am I dreaming?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru shook his head, leaning forward to wrap himself around her in an almost desperate way.

"Kami. . . I hope not."

No one heard the exchange between the two, not even the hanyou or the wolf youkai present. Soon though, they stepped forward, realizing that Sesshoumaru was unconscious and slumped over Kagome who did nothing but run her hands through his hair. She spoke upon seeing the rest of her friends.

"So I'm not dreaming?"

Inuyasha moved Sesshoumaru to a lying position beside Kagome and Sango knelt by her friend.

"No, you're not dreaming." Everyone looked relieved, although it was hard to tell with Yukiko because she was blushing madly and held out a strip of red cloth. Kagome looked at it blankly.

"It's for your robe," she whispered.

Looking down at herself, Kagome blushed as well, pulling the robe tighter around her. She took the cloth gratefully and tied it around her waist to hold her clothing together.

Before anything more could be said or done, Kouga had taken Kagome's hands.

"Kagome, I don't know what's going on but I have to get back to Ayame. I just came here to tell you that I'm sorry but you can't be my woman anymore."

Inuyasha groaned, trying to keep his temper down, everyone else sweat-dropped.

"Anou. . . Kouga-kun I-,"

"Don't say anything Kagome, I'm sorry but this is the way it has to be. Now you're free to be with who ever you want."

Kagome was lost somewhere between worry for Sesshoumaru, anger at Kouga and general confusion.

He turned to leave but threw one last comment over his shoulder.

"Oi, Inu-koro you better take care of Kagome, I know you love her."

Inuyasha and Kagome's eyes met briefly before each turned away blushing. Sometimes Kouga could be really oblivious to the world.

"Baka." Kagome said, before turning to check on Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha stood beside her.

"Lucky bastard. Kouga didn't hit anything vital so he should heal in a few days."

"What happened?" Kagome whispered, she flinched a bit as her clothing rubbed against one of her cuts. They were still there, unfortunately. The hanyou turned away, his voice showing a hint of nervousness as he spoke.

"We thought you died. You stopped moving, stopped breathing and we couldn't sense a heart beat."

She waited a few seconds for him to continue, but he didn't so she prodded him.

"And? That doesn't explain how this happened." She motioned to Sesshoumaru.

"He went berserk when he thought you died," her face blanched at the revelation, "He attacked us. I-I think he wanted us to kill him because he wasn't using his full power to fight us."

Kagome sniffled, a few tears fell, her left cheek stung when the moisture met with the slice going down her cheek. One of those tears, mixed with blood fell onto Sesshoumaru's face and he began to stir.

"Why would he do that?"

Sango knelt next to her best friend, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Do you really need to ask, Kagome-chan? It's fairly obvious."

Turning into the older girl's embrace, Kagome cried into Sango's shoulder.

"But. . . should you not be happy, Kagome-san?" Yukiko asked nervously, "It means that he loves you more then life itself."

The miko's eyes were harsh as they looked upon the fidgeting girl. She was about to say a few sharp words when Miroku intervened.

"It is because Kagome-sama has such a caring heart. She does not want to see the person she loves hurt others even in grief. Even if she were to die, she would want him to continue living. He should not have gone to such extremes to mourn the one he loves."

There was nothing the sickly girl could say to that so she replied with an apologetic, "oh" and looked ashamed. She truly had not understood, she had never cared about anyone that deeply. The emotions started to rise in her and she cried out and fell to the ground, clutching her head.

No one could see her face, but it was contorted in pain and the eyes were shifting colors quickly. Instantly feeling guilty, Kagome went to the girl's side. The eyes were green when they looked up she winked.

"It's been a while," the voice was smooth and seductive. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"I don't have time for this," the miko commented, standing and turning to Inuyasha. "Can you carry him? I want to get to a river or something where we can both get cleaned up."

Yukiko, or Kumiko, if the green eyes were any indication of the change of the body's master, looked a bit miffed at being ignored.

"You're not still mad about that little incident between him and I, are you? It happened so long ago," she whined, pointing to Sesshoumaru.

Kagome turned to silence her but the girl had taken the miko's face between her hands and the green eyes were narrowed.

"Oh dear, something seems to have happened to your face, not to mention your youkai. He doesn't look himself today."

Quickly losing her patience, Kagome considered the consequences of slapping the green-eyed girl in front of her. Or maybe it was Kagome's eyes that were turning green with envy, she didn't like the way Kumiko talked about or looked at Sesshoumaru. It evoked memories of the time she had seen them together in the halls of Sesshoumaru's castle. She hadn't been listening to the girls chatter so now she was lost.

"-get that for you." Kumiko finished. Kagome frowned, trying to comprehend what had been said. But suddenly her eyes were lost in a sea of green; the deep green of a lush forest, the soothing, enticing emerald of earth. The miko felt her body relaxing, leaning forward into the other girl's touch. The skin of her hands on Kagome's cheeks seemed so soft and inviting and she had an insane urge to embrace Kumiko. `Had I ever disliked her?' Kagome questioned herself. She suddenly couldn't remember why she would ever want to be away from the girl's soothing touch. Her body felt light and warm and she closed her eyes, surrendering to the blissful sensation. It was over all too quickly, and she was left blinking in the sunlight.

"What just happened?" she wondered out loud. Everyone looked slightly awed, except for Kumiko who giggled.

"Weren't you listening to me? I said I would heal you."

"Heal me? What. . ."

"Hmph! You didn't think the only thing I did was look pretty, did you? Although I am really good at that, I do have another purpose." Yukiko's face was frowning, it didn't match her, but then again neither did the green eyes that belonged to Kumiko.

The reason for Kagome's initial dislike of her was starting to return. Was she always that conceited? The miko began to check her arms for any sign of injuries, she put her hands to her face feeling for any pain, there was nothing. Her skin was smooth as if it had never happened.

"Now for your little pet," she was saying, her hands reaching out to touch Sesshoumaru.

"No! Wait!" Kagome shouted, she blushed recalling the feelings that had gone through her when Kumiko was healing her. Would Sesshoumaru be feeling those same kinds of feelings? She wasn't sure she wanted that, or was she being selfish?

"Never mind," she mumbled, "go ahead."

Those green eyes shone in amusement and the eyebrows rose knowingly as she smirked. Suddenly Kagome wished she had a bow and a quiver of arrows at that moment. . .

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

Reviewer responses:

Aira^o^: Well, it turned out Kouga was fine. I wouldn't hurt him much, he's dense but nice. Unfortunately, he ran away before he knew what kind of relationship Kagome's involved in now. He always seems to do that, and anyways I put him together with Ayame simply because I felt they should be together. "The moon's rainbow," and all that. . . Glad I could help relieve some of your stress, I hate exams. * shudders * I have major test anxiety, absolutely hate quizzes, tests and ESPECIALLY exams. * wants to cry because lots of exams are coming up soon *

Riomi: Not too much of a disaster, right? Kouga is perfectly fine and Sesshoumaru was the only one hurt, but that was his plan anyways. But he's fine and Kagome has finally woken up although they have yet to really face each other. . . I'm looking forward to writing that part. ^_~ Thanks for all your support.

Spirit element: Everyone seems to be plagued by tests lately, ne? Anyways, I never thought about it until now but the past few chapters just helped to convey the fact that even though Sesshoumaru isn't outwardly affectionate in front of others he still cares for her very deeply. It was sad, but there is always hope. ^_^

Tessa3: Well, finally Kagome has woken up, but just a moment too late to prevent damage. But, Sesshoumaru will be fine physically. Hehe, keep working on the dark miko riddle ^_^ good luck with it.

Cecilia: ^_^ Thanks, hope you enjoyed this chapter.

PeachesDani: Hehe. . . here's the update. Glad to see you like my story.

REDWOLF: ^_^ Of course I would never let Kagome just sit there and suffer, but I didn't want her to seem too powerful so I made it so she got some help.

Fyyrrose: Anou. . . * fidgets nervously * You're scaring me!!!!!!! -_- I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry, you know you should get more sleep (Yes, I'm a hypocrite I do that kind of stuff all the time when I find a good fan fic too. . .) Well, here's your update and thanks for the review, even if I will be paranoid about taking too long to update now. . .