InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ Ashes of the Past ( Chapter 5 )

Time After Time

 

By RosieBird

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, just borrowing from Rumiko Takahashi and Viz. I'll return them, washed and pressed, when I'm done. I want to apologize for not updating sooner. Work's been really busy and I've recently suffered a broken heart, so I haven't had any desire to write. But I'm back now. So, onto the story!

 

Chapter 5 - Ashes of the Past

 

“I don't understand.” Kagome said. She felt her head spinning and her legs wobbled under the weight of her. Inuyasha seemed to sense her distress and he led her over to a chair. Her friends watched her anxiously. Miss Michiko, Kaede, went to get her a glass of water. Anihiko, now revealed to be Shippo, sat anxiously by Kagome's knee. Kagome gratefully accepted the water and drank slowly. Once she'd finished, she set the glass down.

 

“I can't believe you're all here.” she cried. “I thought I'd lost you forever. How can you be here?”

 

“It's simple, Kagome.” Miroku smiled gently at her and put his arm around Seiko. Seiko smiled warmly and laid her head on his shoulder.

 

“We were all reborn.” Shippo jumped in. “And, for whatever reason, we all met up with each other one day.”

 

“It's Inuyasha we must thank.” Kaede said. “He was not technically reincarnated. He used the Sacred Jewel to wish himself to this time and was reborn. He kept all his memories and a great deal of his demon powers.”

 

“For some reason, we all met one day at an orientation for Gakugei.” Sango said. “It was as if we were pulled to Inuyasha. Once we all saw each other and Inuyasha, we just seemed to know.”

 

“We still do have gaps in our memories.” Miroku said. “But the emotions that we shared went very deep. For example, I don't know how, but I remembered my love for Sango.”

 

Sango blushed and then her eyes went wide in a familiar expression as Miroku's ever wandering hand came to rest on her butt. She pulled her hand back to deliver a slap to his cheek. Kagome couldn't help but smile at the familiar behavior. Shippo rolled his eyes and muttered “Idiot.”

 

“I'm so glad to see you all here.” Kagome said. “But why have you been waiting for me.”

 

“I would have thought that was obvious.” Inuyasha snorted. “You're our friend. But you also have the Jewel. Do you have it with you?”

 

Kagome reached into her blouse and pulled the marble sized jewel out.

 

“Keep it safe.” Kaede said. “There are still those who seek it.”

 

“But Inuyasha, you said it was useless to demons now.” Kagome said.

 

“But not to humans.” Inuyasha said. “And, as you must have learned by now, humans have certain abilities of their own. You're all an example of that fact.”

 

“But who else would know that I have it?” Kagome asked.

 

“Shiho.” Kaede said. “From what Inuyasha has told us, Shiho has tapped into the spiritual powers of the Priestess Midoriko, as well as those of my sister, Kikyo.”

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha out of the corner of her eye. His arms were crossed and he looked deep in thought.

 

“Because of this,” Kaede continued. “Shiho knows of the Jewel's continued existence. She knows that it is useless to demons, but humans can still use it with evil intents in their hearts. But, right now, she doesn't know where it may be found.”

 

“Inuyasha is fairly certain that Shiho will attempt to retrieve the Jewel.” Miroku said. “And that she will use Kikyo and Onigumo to do this. They are puppets now, nothing more, but Shiho has given them both new forms and souls.”

 

“So, it isn't over.” Shippo said. “Our battle still goes on and we have to do everything we can to make sure that they don't recover the Jewel.”

 

“Look who sounds like a big man.” Inuyasha snickered.

 

“Hey, this is important.” Shippo snapped. “You should be worried about Kagome and her safety.”

 

“Who says I'm not.” Inuyasha snapped back. “Kagome can take care of herself. Besides, we beat Onigumo once before. We can do it again.”

 

“But can you bring yourself to destroy Kikyo?” Kaede asked.

 

Inuyasha didn't answer and Kagome lowered her gaze. She knew that Inuyasha, despite his feelings toward her, still did care for the woman who'd first held his heart. After all, you never really forget your first love.

 

“I'll decide what to do when the time comes.” Inuyasha growled. But he didn't meet Kagome's eyes.

 

“I'm ready to help you.” Kagome said and stood up.

 

“We can't ask you to do that.” Sango said. “It will be very dangerous. Even more because we lack our complete former skills.”

 

“It doesn't matter.” Kagome said in a determined voice. “The Jewel is mine to protect and I have to do what I can to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.”

 

Her friends regarded her statement and all nodded.

 

“We were pretty sure there'd be no point in arguing with you.” Miroku said. He stood up and gathered his things. Sango followed suit.

 

“We'll meet tomorrow afternoon as usual, Inuyasha.” Sango said. “Perhaps we'll have more for you by then.”

 

“More for you?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha shook his head to signify that they would talk later. Kaede gathered her things and Shippo followed her out the door.

 

“Kaede is my ride home,” he explained. “And Kagome, I have a father again.”

 

Kagome smiled warmly at him and waved at the little boy as he hurried out the door.

 

“Come on, Kagome.” Inuyasha said. “I'll walk you home.”

 

“Actually, Inuyasha, I'd rather not go home just yet.” Kagome said. “I want to talk to you more about all this.”

 

“Okay.” Inuyasha nodded. “There's a little coffee shop up the street. We can stop there and talk. It's usually pretty empty this time of day.”

 

***

 

Kagome walked through the front door and down the steps. She felt Inuyasha's hand on her back and felt her heart skip in her ribcage.

 

“TEKESHI!!!” Kagome stopped and heaved a great sigh as she felt Inuyasha stiffen beside her.

 

“I thought I told you to leave Kagome alone.” Hojo was as red as a beet and Kagome could hear his teeth grinding against each other.

 

“Okay, listen, pretty boy.” Inuyasha snapped. “I'll make this clear for you. I do what I want and no one tells me what to do, especially some smart ass kid like you.”

 

“Inu-I mean Chiko, stop it.” Kagome said sharply. “Hojo, I've told you that I can see you because I don't feel the way you do about me.”

 

“Why not?” Hojo said. “You and I have so much in common and I've always been there for you.”

 

“Kouga!” Inuyasha snapped. Hojo seemed to freeze on the spot. Kagome watched as a new light seemed to glow in his eyes. Hojo blinked and smirked at Inuyasha.

 

“Well, well, if it ain't the mutt.” Kouga's voice coming from Hojo's lips was almost too much for Kagome. Despite the arrogant attitude, it felt good to hear the voice of another friend. She smiled slightly. Kouga caught the expression and smiled back.

 

“It's good to see you again, Kagome.” Kouga said. “I'm glad you're okay.”

 

“Okay, so you're awake.” Inuyasha scowled. “Now, how about taking off and letting Kagome alone.”

 

Kouga ignored Inuyasha and grasped Kagome's hands in his.

 

“Fate has brought us together again, Kagome.” Kouga said in a soft voice. “You and I were meant to be together and I won't give up on you.”

 

Kagome lowered her eyes and removed her hands from Kouga's.

 

“It's good to see you again too, Kouga. But I'm afraid that you're mistaken about my feelings. I don't feel the way you feel about me.”

 

“You don't still have feelings for this mutt-face, do you?” Kouga asked in surprise. Inuyasha growled but Kagome held up a hand.

 

“That really isn't any of your business.” Kagome said.

 

“Kagome!” All eyes turned to see Emi running to catch up. She froze on the spot and looked at Hojo, as if seeing him for the first time. Hojo looked back at her and his eyes widened in recognition.

 

“See you later, Kagome.” Hojo's gentle voice spoke again and he turned to leave. Emi watched in wonder before coming up to Kagome. She looked at her with a puzzled expression.

 

“Is Hojo okay?” she asked. “He seemed upset about something.”

 

“No, I just told him that I couldn't return his feelings.” Kagome said.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.” Kagome suddenly stopped at looked closer at Emi. Her eyes were filled with an unusual brightness. She looked at Inuyasha, who seemed to smile.

 

“I'm going to catch up with Hojo.” Emi said. “I hope he won't mind the company home.” And, without waiting for a response, she took off.

 

“Talking about fate bringing people together again.” Inuyasha said. Kagome looked at him curiously.

 

“Not Ayame?” she asked.

 

“Yup, seems so.” Inuyasha said. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and the two walked off to the coffee shop.

 

***

 

“So, ask your questions.” Inuyasha said. Kagome sipped her tea quietly for a moment.

 

“Okay, so what is everyone trying to learn more about that they have to report to you?” Kagome asked.

 

“Like they told you, they don't have all their memories yet.” Inuyasha said. “They remember a few things. Sango remembers how to throw the Hiraikotsu and Miroku remembers some of his sutras. Shippo doesn't have any demon powers anymore, so he's trying to learn how to fence. But he's still got a lot of talent with magic tricks.”

 

“So, each day, they try and remember something.”

 

“That, and they also listen for anything unusual in the news.” Inuyasha said. “Like strange disappearances or odd events, like a few days ago, someone robbed a jewelry store. But they didn't take anything. It was like they were searching for something.”

 

“The Sacred Jewel.” Kagome said softly.

 

“That's probably a good guess.” Inuyasha said. “Since Kikyo gave back the part of the soul you have, she lost any sort of knowledge she would have about you having the Jewel. Same with Onigumo. Neither of them knew that you took the Jewel with you.”

 

“But they might be figuring it out?” Kagome asked.

 

“If they've started looking in this time, then yes, it's only a matter of time before they catch up with us.”

 

Kagome suddenly felt the need to get away. She bolted out of her seat and took off at a run. Inuyasha left cash on the table and took off after her. He found her in the park by the fountain. He sat down beside her.

 

“I hate this thing.” Kagome spat out bitterly. “It's caused nothing but problems. Demons wanted it, now humans will be wanting it.”

 

“Humans and demons alike all want power, Kagome.” Inuyasha said. “That's not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone wants to feel strong, to feel like they can support themselves and those they care about. But it becomes a problem when you begin to care only about getting more and more power for the sake of having it.”

 

“Like Naraku.” Kagome said. She hadn't spoken the evil demon's name in over 3 months. Inuyasha nodded.

 

“Even me.” he said. “I wanted more power at one point for myself. I wanted to be strong to prove to the world that I was worth something. But, I've learned that I only need to prove to myself that I'm worth something.”

 

“But you used the Jewel to wish for yourself.” Kagome said. “You wished for us to be together.”

 

“Didn't you want me to be with you?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then, it wasn't a selfish wish. I wished something that we both wanted. And now, I won't ever let you out of my sight.”

 

“What a macho thing to say.” Kagome said but giggled all the same. Inuyasha pulled her to him in an intimate hug and stroked her hair.

 

“Kagome, Shippo's right. We've got a very powerful enemy to deal with. Are you sure you want that?”

 

Kagome looked up at him. She leaned up and kissed him. Inuyasha closed his eyes and returned the kiss.

 

“I said this once before. I want to be with you. Just let me do that and I'll be happy.”

 

“You can do more than that.” Inuyasha said. “And I wouldn't want anything else.”

 

The sun set behind the buildings of the city as Inuyasha and Kagome strolled through the park. Kagome still found herself marveling at the change in Inuyasha. Perhaps it was the centuries that had passed, or the fact that he'd had parents who'd been with him. Maybe it was even the fact that he was more accepted in the world he lived in now, but Kagome enjoyed the change. Looking up at the night sky, she noticed that the moon had gone dark.

 

“What are you thinking about?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Tonight is the new moon.” Kagome said. “Tonight, you'd have lost all your powers and been human.”

 

“Not a problem anymore.” Inuyasha said. “No need to fear any attacks.”

 

“INUYASHA!”

 

Kagome felt her heart freeze in her ribcage. Turning around, Inuyasha and Kagome saw a dark figure standing behind them. The curved physique was clearly that of a woman's. But what had caused Kagome to feel as though time had stopped was the familiarity of the voice.

 

“Who's there?” Inuyasha shouted. The figured stepped forward into the light of a street lamp. Kagome's eyes widened at the sight of the pale, perfect features of a face that Kagome knew only too well. Only 3 months ago, she'd seen those cold empty eyes lock with Inuyasha's and the long mane of black hair being blown by the demonic cyclone of the winds of hell.

 

“Kikyo.” Kagome gasped.

 

“I am Mika.” Kikyo said in a dead voice. She raised a black .38 Caliber and pointed the nose toward the couple. “Tonight, the new moon attacks!”

 

To Be Continued…

 

Hooray for cliffhangers! Yeah, okay, so I think I'm pretty much done with all the fillers. The action should start picking up from now on. Let me know what you think. Next chapter will come as soon as I get some reviews….so, here's the deal, next chapter will be up as soon as I get to over 50 reviews. So, let me know what you think!

 

Stay cool minna! From her on in, this will be fun! ^_~