InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ A Summer of Envious Shadows ( Chapter 14 )

Time After Time

 

By RosieBird

 

Disclaimer: You know, I don't think they have any idea how much it hurts to say this: I DON'T OWN INUYASHA!!!

 

Chapter 14 - A Summer of Envious Shadows

 

Kagome turned to escape back down the stairs but the door swung shut by itself. Kagome turned back to face Ayame who was smiling cruelly at her.

 

“Leaving already?” Ayame sang sweetly. “Didn't your mother raise you better?”

 

“Ayame, please don't do anything foolish.” Kagome said. “Remember that you're Eri now and have a life here to think about.”

 

“Oh please!” Ayame shot back. “I've got news for you. Just because I remember entirely who I once was doesn't change how Eri ever felt.”

 

Kagome froze.

 

“That's right.” Ayame said coldly. “I've always been jealous of you, although I could never understand why. I liked you, of course, and really enjoyed all the fun. But something kept nagging at me. I've only now just realized what it was.”

 

Kagome was suddenly thrown against the wall by Ayame's power. Ayame walked toward her. Like Koga, Ayame seemed to have molded to Eri's face to draw out something from her past self.

 

“Let me go Ayame.” Kagome said, desperately trying to stay calm. “We can talk this out. I'm not chasing Koga anymore. Inuyasha and I are together. Koga knows that.”

 

“But Koga still loves you.” Ayame said and for an instant Kagome saw her eyes clear in sadness before turning green again. “He won't ever stop loving you because you led him on.”

 

“That's not true!” Kagome shouted.

 

“Are you going to try and tell me that you never enjoyed his attention?” Ayame asked. “Didn't you love how affectionate and kind he was? The feeling your heart felt when he took your hand and pledged himself to marry you one day?”

 

Kagome couldn't decide whether Ayame spoke of her or of herself.

 

“Koga forgot all about me, thanks to you!” Ayame snarled. “And because he spent the rest of his life chasing you, my tribe was wiped out by demons. Grandfather sent me away to try and find Koga, to bring him back with me. But Koga refused to give up. Eventually, all demons began to vanish as our powers waned and weakened. Even then, Koga refused to give up.”

 

Ayame came close to Kagome and slapped her hand across her cheek. Kagome felt the sharp sting of Ayame's claws on her face.

 

“HE DIED LOOKING FOR YOU!” Ayame screamed. “And I was left alone to die as all demons did, fading away like mountain mist!”

 

Kagome felt a new pressure against her body, as Ayame seemed to squeeze her against the wall. She stifled a scream of pain and felt the Shikon Jewel pulse around her neck. Suddenly, Kagome was flung forward and laid in a crumpled heap on the rooftop.

 

“So, it's true then.” Ayame said. “The Shikon Jewel does protect you. I saw you appear as Midoriko the other night. Looks like I've got another axe to grind you with.”

 

Ayame grabbed Kagome's hair and pulled her up.

 

“You know, with the Shikon Jewel, demons might have continued to flourish.” Ayame said. “But you and Inuyasha had to be selfish and waste its amazing power to satisfy your own desires.”

 

Kagome opened her eyes and met Ayame's.

 

“Inuyasha and I both knew that the Jewel was evil.” Kagome said. “It would never have been purified with such a selfish wish as that. Inuyasha wanted to be with me because he loves me.”

 

Kagome gathered her strength and pushed against Ayame. Ayame stumbled back and cringed at the sudden power Kagome emitted.

 

“And I love him.” Kagome said. “I loved him from the moment I met him. I knew that I was meant to be with him and make him happy. And he is happy. That's why the Jewel is powerless to demons. Inuyasha made sure that the wish he made would purify it.”

 

“You really think he loves you.” Ayame said. “Think of me and Koga. Koga once said he loved me. He promised to marry me. Then, as soon as you came along, Koga forgot everything about me and our tribes.”

 

“That's not true, Ayame.”

 

It was Koga. Kagome turned round to see Koga, along with Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Shippo coming through the door.

 

“I never forgot my promise.” Koga said. His eyes remained fixed on Ayame and he carefully walked toward her.

 

“Didn't you?” Ayame asked. “I know different. Shiho told me everything. I know all about the Birds of Paradise and how you thought that Kagome was the only woman worthy of you because she could see the Jewel shards.”

 

Koga looked down in shame. Inuyasha came up beside Kagome.

 

“Are you okay?” he asked, gingerly touching her cut cheek. Kagome nodded and buried her face against him.

 

“It's true I did think like that.” Koga said. “I wanted Kagome only because she could sense the Jewel shards. But, I'm ashamed to admit with her here, she would have been nothing more than a plaything. I wouldn't have had any children with her because she was human.”

 

Kagome stared in shock at Koga's confession. It hurt to think he might have really been so unfeeling toward her. Koga clutched Ayame to him and Ayame stiffened at his touch.

 

“Get away from me!” Ayame snapped. “I won't have you touching as a replacement for what you can't have!”

 

Kagome froze. How familiar that statement sounded. In that moment, she could feel a kinship with Ayame that no one else could ever feel.

 

“Ayame, please.” Kagome said. “Koga doesn't see you that way. You aren't a replacement. You are you. You can only be yourself and that's what draw Koga to you.”

 

“Ayame, I'm ashamed of my behavior and you have every right to hate me.” Koga said.

 

“I do hate you.” Ayame said flatly. Koga nodded.

 

“But I didn't forget what I promised under that lunar rainbow.” Koga said.

 

Ayame's eyes cleared and she looked into Koga's eyes.

 

“Why did you lie?” Ayame asked.

 

“I was selfish.” Koga said. “But I never did stop loving you. I always have. I just wanted to protect you. I wanted the Jewel to save our tribe. But I was selfish and the Jewel wouldn't have saved us. It would have destroyed us by my greed. But I couldn't let it go.”

 

“Ayame,” Inuyasha said, “Koga may have been stupid and wrong in his pursuit of Kagome, bordering on the pathetic.” Koga snorted and growled. “But that's the power of the Jewel. It was so tainted by Naraku, even with Kagome's care that anyone using it would have been corrupted.”

 

“And now, you and Koga have a second chance.” Sango said and Miroku felt her hand gently squeeze his. “You two can look to a new future.”

 

Ayame's eyes filled with tears that ran in rivers down her face.

 

“Oh Koga.” Ayame sniffed. “I want to believe you. But knowing how you feel, even now, I can't. But I know that Shiho will help us.”

 

“Shiho won't help anyone but herself.” Miroku said gently. She was still looking to Shiho as her and Koga's salvation. “She'll use you and throw you away. She won't give you what you dream.”

 

“That's not true!” Ayame covered her ears.

 

“Please, Ayame, don't give into her.” Koga begged. “Please, Eri. Come back!”

 

Ayame's eyes widened at the name of her present self.

 

“Eri?” Kagome said. She reached out to touch the girl but pulled back as if her hand had been burned. Ayame's eyes were again filled with a green light.

 

“Shiho has told me the truth.” Ayame sneered. “I know that you'll only abandon me again, Koga. But Shiho has shown me a power that will make sure Kagome never toys with anyone again. And then you'll be mine!”

 

Kagome clutched her hand as it burned red and felt the fire travel up her body.

”Kagome!” Inuyasha shouted. He gingerly touched her skin but Kagome screamed in pain. One by one, each of her friends tried to examine her but with each touch, Kagome was filled with more and more pain as the fire trailed its way over her body.

 

“A jealous rage hurts everyone.” Shiho had suddenly appeared beside Ayame. Ayame looked coldly at Kagome.

 

“Well done, my dear.” Shiho said. “Koga will be yours soon and he will never leave you. All you need to do is finish that girl off!”

 

Ayame raised her dagger, preparing to throw it. Inuyasha tried to pull Kagome away, but found he couldn't hold her long.

 

“INUYASHA!” Sango screamed as Ayame prepared to strike. But she stopped as Koga stepped between her and Kagome.

 

“If you kill her, kill me too!” Koga snarled. Once again, he was fully himself with no trace of Hojo left behind. Ayame seemed to have lost all traces of Eri and looked again like the wild Ayame of the Northern wolf tribe. But her wild looks were tinged with rage and jealousy and now, fear as Koga confronted her.

 

“Koga, move!” Ayame shouted. “Don't you see that if Kagome dies, you'll be free of her and you and I can be together?”

 

“I could never love anyone who'd willingly murder a friend.” Koga said. “Please, Ayame, I know this isn't you. Let got of her jealousy before Shiho destroys you!”

 

“Come girl!” Shiho shouted. “Kill her before it's too late. Kill Koga if you have to. You can easily revive him later!”

 

Ayame froze. Although Shiho said it would be easy, she couldn't bring herself to kill Koga.

 

“I can't do it!” Ayame screamed and threw the knife away.

 

“You fool!” Shiho roared and lunged at the girl. Ayame screamed and Koga clutched at her hand. It was useless and both Ayame and Shiho vanished. Kagome's body seemed to revert to normal and she sat up slowly.

 

“Kagome, are you okay?” Koga asked. Inuyasha gently picked her up in his arms.

 

“Let's get home.” Miroku said. “It seems that Ayame isn't completely lost yet. Her refusal to obey Shiho may buy us some time.”

 

“We have to go after her!” Koga roared.

 

“Where do you propose we start?” Inuyasha snapped. “My first concern is to get Kagome taken care of.”

 

“I'm okay, Inuyasha.” Kagome said. “I can walk.”

 

Inuyasha gently set her down and Kagome walked over to Koga.

 

“Thank you for saving me, Koga.” Kagome said. “I'm sorry I couldn't help Ayame.”

 

“No, it's my fault.” Koga said. “Ayame has born this anger and jealousy for 500 years.”

 

“We can save her.” Shippo said. “She's fighting Shiho even now. Maybe she isn't lost yet!”

 

Koga turned to face towards the sky where Ayame had vanished.

 

“I will save her.” Koga said firmly.

 

***

 

The semester ended without incident. Ayame came and went to school but it was impossible to approach her because she seemed to vanish almost instantly whenever Kagome or the others got close. Kagome, meanwhile, despite the concern she felt for Ayame, couldn't help but feel excited for the trip with Inuyasha to his tournaments. The friends spent the week after school let out to make plans. Miroku and Sango, as it turned out, were also taking a trip and would be spending some of the time near Inuyasha's tournament. They wanted to have at least one exciting trip before graduating next spring. They sat together one afternoon outside the shrine, talking about the summer ahead.

 

“We can come see you on Saturday of that second week.” Miroku said. “I'll be there'll even be time to hit the hot springs afterwards.”

 

“I wish I could go.” Shippo whined. “But my parents want me to spend some time with my grandparents over the break.”

 

“Will you still be in school with us Anihiko?” Kagome asked, making sure to use his given name.

 

“Yup.” Shippo smiled. “I'm doing really well in languages. But my parents keep telling me, “Anihiko, you can't let your guard down. Just because you outshine others with languages, doesn't mean you can't give all your other classes the same consideration.” Honestly, I think they want me to be some child prodigy who's in college by the time I'm 12.”

 

Kagome laughed. Inuyasha smiled at her. He hadn't heard her laugh in such a long time. Even though she wouldn't admit it, he knew Kagome worried about Shiho all time.

 

“Okay then.” Sango said. “We'll see you all in a couple weeks. I've gotta get home and finish packing.”

 

“Just one camera this time, Seiko.” Miroku sighed. He seemed to only use her given name when in public or when he wanted to get his point across.

 

“Camera?” Kagome asked.

 

“Oh, I'm so sorry, I never told you that photography is a hobby of mine.” Sango said. “And don't worry, Anil, I'm only bringing my 35 and the single lens.” Sango said patiently. “And maybe my digital one. Oh, and I need more film and batteries. Probably the stand too.”

 

Miroku rolled his eyes and groaned. “Seiko, we won't have room for anything else.”

 

But Sango was off, listing various items she'd need. Kagome laughed again.

 

“I've gotta get home too, Kagome.” Shippo said. “Dad and Mom wanted me home for dinner and then we're going a fair tomorrow.”

 

“Bye, Anihiko.” Kagome called. Inuyasha remained seated.

 

“Kagome, would you like to go to dinner?” he asked suddenly. Kagome was surprised.

 

“Sure, where did you have in mind?” she asked.

 

“My house. My mother is a great cook and I know she and Dad would love to meet you.”

 

Kagome was shocked. Inuyasha had never talked about his parents when they were in the Feudal Era. His mother had died when Inuyasha was still young and he'd never met his father. But now, with both parents alive, she knew him well enough to realize how much it meant to him to introduce them to her.

 

“I'd love to.” Kagome said. “When did you have in mind?”

 

“Well, not until after we're back from the tournament.” Inuyasha said. “Maybe the Friday after we get home?”

 

“That sounds wonderful.” Kagome said. She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. Inuyasha smiled and slipped his arm around her.

 

“You know, I've been wondering about Ayame.” Kagome said after a moment. “I feel like I can really sympathize with her. She said she didn't want to be a replacement in Koga's eyes.”

 

“Yeah, I thought you might have looked at it that way.” Inuyasha said. “I'm sure you had to have thought it plenty of times.”

 

“I did really feel at times like you didn't really see me.” Kagome said. “Do you remember when I came back from the Feudal Era, that day I tried to attack you?”

 

Inuyasha nodded.

 

“Back then, I had to leave because of something Kikyo said.” Kagome said. “She called me an outsider and that you and I belonged in different times. She said that I was never meant to be in the past.”

 

Inuyasha started.

 

“I knew the truth, but there was some doubt in me that I could ever be anything but a shadow back then.”

 

“Listen to me, Kagome.” Inuyasha said. “What Kikyo said was just the opposite. A shadow always falls away from the sun, so Kikyo may have seen herself like the sun and you as the shadow she could push away.

 

Kagome closed her eyes. Inuyasha tipped her face toward him and kissed her nose.

 

“But Kikyo was the shadow of you.” Inuyasha continued. “Everything that you are was what she could never be. She knew that you would go on and finish her duty and that she would fade away.”

 

“It's sad to think of it like that.” Kagome said thoughtfully. “I never wanted to compete with her. I would have been content if I'd never heard of the Shikon Jewel.”

 

“But without the Jewel, we never would have found each other.” Inuyasha said and smiled warmly at her. Kagome smiled back and leaned forward to kiss him softly. Inuyasha kissed her back and laced his fingers into hers. As the sun set before them, neither paid any attention to the shadows that fell behind them.

 

***

To Be Continued.

 

I'm ending this story on a sappier note because this one was really long. I also wanted to make sure everything was set up fresh for Chapter 15, which I hope to have done soon. Oh, boy do I have surprises in store for you! I know I never really mentioned it before about the grades and ages of everyone now, so I'll explain. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku are all seniors, making them all about 18 (Inuyasha's actually 17, but, like me, he's a September baby, so he'll be 18 in the fall). Kagome's a tenth grader, and turned 16 back in April. Shippo is 11. And Koga and Ayame are both 16 as well. That clear things up? Good! Can't wait to hear from you. Thanks so far for all the really nice reviews and for the couple of private messages I got. I really appreciate hearing from you and it makes my writing lots of fun knowing that people actually like what they read. Keep reviewing and I'll have the next chapter up soon!

 

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