InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Stronger Heart ❯ Tatters and Shreds ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Kagome returned in two days’ time. Shippo and Miroku met her at the well to help her with the backpacks. After throwing both overstuffed bags over the wall of the well Kagome pulled herself up.
“Kagome, yay, you’re finally back. They’ve all been so mean to me lately.” squeaked Shippo.
“Oh poor baby” exhaled Kagome while resting on the edge of the well.
“Hello Kagome, it is very good to see you again.” Miroku shouldered one of the backpacks, “Come on Shippo, get to work you lazy whiner!”
“Whaaaaaaaa!!! I’m not lazy, I’m just little. See, see what I mean Kagome?” Shippo sobbed.
Kagome ignored him and followed Miroku though the trees to the village. Huffing and puffing she caught up to him.
“So any word of Inu Yasha? Has he come back yet?”
“Well he hasn’t returned, but there have been rumors of a wild rampaging demon with white hair acting strangely. People say that he comes to a village, almost attacks a human and instead ends up killing a cow or a sheep and then runs of howling and whimpering.”
Kagome groaned.
“That must be him. He’s probably fighting the urge to kill the whole entire village.”
“Well there have been no rumors of humans being killed so he must be doing a very good job at controlling himself.”
“I bet he hasn’t stopped the whole entire three days. He must be just running around trying to avoid humans.”
By this time they reached the outskirts of the village. They saw Kaede’s house with Sango and Kirara sitting out next to it, enjoying the sunshine.
“Sango!” waved Kagome.
The young woman jumped up and trotted over to Miroku and Kagome with Kirara at her heels.
“Here, let me take that, Kagome!” Sango took the pack off of Kagome’s shoulders and raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Wow, what do you have in here?”
Miroku smirked, “Is it a bit heavy for you Sango?”
“No” she gritted her teeth and hoisted the back pack onto her back.
Kagome giggled.
“Well at least things are still normal with you guys.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” whined Miroku.
“Oh nothing in particular.”
Together they walked to Kaede’s house and Kagome entered its dim coolness. Kaede sat cross-legged in front of the fire, poking it with a stick.
“Ah Kagome, you have returned. How are your mother and grandfather and brother? Are they all well?”
“Yes, thank you for asking.” Kagome sat across from Kaede and waved smoke away from her eyes. She sat quietly waiting for Kaede to speak first.
“Your thoughts are with Inu Yasha, am I right?”
“Yeah, I’m worried for him. He must be very tired. Do you have any idea when he might show up?”
Myoga appeared on Kagome’s shoulder as if out of nowhere.
“Hey Myoga” Kagome exclaimed with mild surprise.“I doubt that Lady Kaede knows much about Inu Yasha’s nature, but I do and I can tell you with assurance that Inu Yasha will be back if not tomorrow than the day after.”
“But will he be back to normal?” fear tainted Kagome’s voice.
“Yes, he will be. This demon power that possessed him is only powerful to work for short period of time depending on the power of the demon who awakened it. Had the dragon demon that lord Inu Yasha battle been any more powerful, Inu Yasha’s fait may had been sealed. He was lucky. In addition, we have managed to get Tetsuseiga mended. Its power should be calling to him now.”
“So now we just wait?” Kaede asked.
“Yes”
Kagome got up from the floor and went to help Sango prepare dinner for them. The sun was already setting. Soon the friends were sitting in Kaede’s hut enjoying ramen and other tasty dehydrated foods from the 20th century. When the remains of dinner were thrown out and everything cleaned up, they settled for the night. Miroku put spells up for protecting the hut from evil demons and spirits and Kaede prayed to the gods for Inu Yasha’s safe return and the safety of all the inhabitants of the village. Kagome laid down on a mat in the corner of the room that was closest to the door. Sometimes she liked to wake up and go out for some fresh air. The sound of peaceful sleep filled the hut.
Kagome awoke and saw that it was still very dark. She could not understand what had awakened her until she heard the sound again. It was a thump on the door and a scratch. Quickly she tried to imagine what kind of monster would be knocking on the door of their refuge. Suddenly she was hit by a thought.
It’s Inu Yasha. and she rushed to open the door. He was lying right in front of it. His silver white hair was matted with dirt and twigs and something that looked like dried blood. The sleeves of his jacket were nothing but frayed rags and the white shirt underneath was brown and dusty. Kagome also thought that she saw blood dripping from under the left ribs. Kneeling over him she gently moved some loose hair away from his face. It looked worn and pained. His eyes were closed.
He is still alive and I should be at least thankful for that. Kagome tried to pull him into the house. Won’t be able to do that by myself.
“Sango, Miroku, wake up. Inu Yasha has come back. Hurry I think he was injured.”
Everyone was awakened and busily started to rearrange the room so that it would be easier to care for Inu Yasha. Miroku, Sango and Kagome brought him in and carefully placed him on a mat near the wall farthest away from the door. Kaede shooed everyone out except Kagome.
“Go on, out, we have much work to do and right now he needs peace and quite. Go to the next hut and tell them to make room for you. Tell them I sent you.”
Meekly Sango, Miroku and Shippo left. Kagome had taken out all of her medications and first aid kits and was slowly removing the bloodied cloth from Inu Yasha’s body. Kaede was preparing a tub of warm water with soap to bathe and disinfect all of Inu Yasha’s cuts and wounds.
Inu Yasha stirred under Kagome’s touch. He opened his eyes and groaned.
“K-Kagome? I-Is that you?” his whisper was barely audible.
“Yes, it is. You mustn’t talk now. Just close your eyes and rest. Everything is fine.” Kagome assured him. Inu Yasha closed his eyes. Looking at the remains of his clothing Kagome was trying to decide what could be salvaged. It seemed like the jacket had to go. It was beyond repair. The white shirt she could take home and bleach. It was not torn at all.
Kaede began cleansing Inu Yasha’s body. He jerked awake when he felt the warm cloth on his stomach.
“Be still Inu Yasha. I must wash your wounds to prevent infection.”
“I may be only half demon, but these are still nothing but tiny scratches.” Inu Yasha replied defiantly. He tried to get up, but Kagome’s firm hand held him down. He was surprised that this happened. It seemed he was weaker than he expected to be. Realizing this he decided that it was better to not fight and just accept the administrations. After Kaede finished, Kagome rubbed him with healing ointment and bandaged up all of his wounds. She worked silently and quickly. Though Inu Yasha tried to not show it, he still flinched anytime her fingers touched a tender spot. Finally every cut, scrape and bruise was covered in bandaging, and Kagome left him to recuperate.
“Try to get some sleep. I’ll have some food ready soon.” Kagome patted his hand and stood up. Inu Yasha tried to rise again.
“Don’t. You must rest.” she commanded.
“But, I’m…” he protested.
“I know, I know, you’re half-demon and blah blah blah. I don’t care.”
“Kagome!” Inu Yasha growled at her.
“I don’t want to hear it.” With resolve Kagome walked out of the room.
I swear, one of these days. I wish I could ’sit’ him, but that would hurt him. UGH, what a stubborn ass. I don’t know, but I will do something…something. But I’m so glad he’s back. I don’t know what I would have done if he…oh god I can’t even think of…well, no, no he would not die, but, what if he didn’t change back. I told him that I loved him. Everyone must have heard me. How embarrassing! Kagome stood still at this thought and shook her head. She was on her way to the neighboring hut in which Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara spent the night and the morning.