InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ The Path Least Traveled ( Chapter 16 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.25.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.25.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 16: The Path Least Traveled
Kagome stood silently where she'd been left by Sugimi when he'd finally come to a halt, watching as he turned to face her. He didn't say anything at first, simply looking at her, and she shivered, wondering what was going through his mind. And then she laughed to herself – it was no odds he was wanting to know why she was pulling away from him.
Finally, he spoke. “Have I done something to offend you?” It was clear in his voice that he really wanted to know.
She shook her head, taken aback. She should have realized that he would blame himself for upsetting her, but it hadn't been his fault – the problem was hers, and nothing he'd done... at least deliberately.
“No,” she said slowly. “It's... just something I need to deal with... something in my own head.” His face took on a sad cast, and she looked away, suddenly feeling unbearably guilty. How can I do this to him? She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by his voice.
“I can feel your fear, Kagome... you fear being hurt again, do you not? You fear being second to another woman – just like last time.” He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek at her shocked, uncomfortable look. “Do you think I'm not aware of what you've already been through?” He sighed, then gestured to the soft grass at their feet. “Come... join me – I will explain some things to you – they may help alleviate some of your fear.”
With his hopeful expression, Kagome's heart wrenched, and she nodded, completely unable to deny him. It's... it's already too late for me, isn't it? Even if I knew that he couldn't really love me fully... I wouldn't be able to turn him away. Oh, gods... Fear ran through her, and she wanted to cry. My heart's always been too soft – and apparently too easy, as well.
Taking a seat next to him, she waited for him to speak.
“Do you understand the difference between a mating and a marriage?” he asked, and Kagome blinked. Huh?
“Uhm...” she nodded slowly. “Yeah... marriage is most common, especially for political alliances for heirs and the like, because mating is irreversible and permanent. It's forever.”
He tipped his head in approval. “Yes. But do you understand what it meant when I told you I wanted you as a mate, rather than a wife?”
She looked confused. “Uh...”
“Sesshoumaru's mother, and Izayoi both-” he noted her flinch, “-were, at various times, my wives. I married them because neither was my mate. Satori was a political alliance, necessary for my lands to have an heir. Izayoi... Izayoi was different.” He sighed again. “I cared for her – in my own way I loved her, but she was not my other half. She needed me, needed my protection, and I gave it to her, and I don't regret that.”
He cast a golden glance her way, eyeing her pale cheeks and haunted gaze, then continued. “I remember the day you and I met fully, now. It was so strange. I remember staring at you – there was something about you that reached out and grabbed me... but I was so weary from the battle and concern for Izayoi kept me from really realizing what it was. And since I never saw you again, until waking in this time, it never occurred to me the reason for that odd sense of recognition...” he trailed off, losing himself in his memories for a moment as his gaze went far away.
“W-what do you mean?” she asked hesitantly, bravely meeting his gaze as it sharpened on her again.
He shook his head and exhaled deeply. “It should tell you something that part of me recognized something in you very quickly after waking again, though I didn't know where I'd seen you before until today. But even back then... my soul knew you, Kagome. It reached out and touched yours – because you are my other half – not Satori, and not Izayoi.” Pinning her with a look that had her heart lurching in her chest, he finished, “You complete me, little onna, and I can never be apart from you, now. Even should you turn me away, I am bound to you forever. I will never leave your side... I can't. And if you chose another... we would all three suffer the agony of the damned... because no other will ever be able to complete either of us.”
She stared at him, stunned. She'd known, vaguely, what mating entailed, but she'd never considered the true depths of what that word meant to youkai. Of course, it was kind of hard to really understand, anyway – she wasn't youkai.
But this...
What he was describing was... well, more than she'd ever have thought of. And while one part of her realized that he would not, was not, lying, another part of her... was still afraid.
Loving, and losing, just hurt so much, that she wasn't sure she'd survive if it happened again.
It was going to take time to work herself through this... if she even could.
“Sugimi...” she hesitated for a moment, that distance that he hated still evident in her eyes, “I... don't know how to take this, or what to say, or even think or feel,” she finally finished in a despondent whisper. “I'll... try. That's all I can say. But it's so hard to trust again, especially so soon. I haven't really had time to heal, and now... this. Give me time, and just understand that I'm not doing this to upset you, okay?”
He searched her eyes for a long moment, and then nodded reluctantly. It wasn't what he'd hoped for, but it was better than her first idea, which had been to turn him completely away.
It hurt, though... more than he'd ever thought it could.
-sSs-
Inuyasha stared out into the twilight, watching the dying sun set into the horizon with a deep sense of despair and depression. He was still trying to wrap his head – and heart – around Kagome's rejection.
It hurt so badly – much worse than the beating he'd taken at his father's hands, and he couldn't help but wonder... would the pain ever go away?
He was such a fool. He'd pushed his best friend away with his behavior, and looking back on it now, he had to admit - he was surprised that she'd put up with him for as long as she had. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, he could even see the penultimate moment – the moment when he had finally destroyed their bond beyond redemption.
That day, traveling back from waking his father – when he'd gotten so angry about the things said about Kikyou, and been so belligerent. He could even remember the look in her eyes as she'd said that if it had been her giving information to Naraku, he'd have killed her. But he wouldn't have... no matter what, he could never lay a hand on Kagome. The day he deliberately hurt her was the day he died... if only he'd told her that. If only he'd spoken up, and told her how he felt about things... maybe he wouldn't be sitting in this tree right now, trying to come to terms with her loss.
But it was more fool him, because it was far, far too late.
And all he felt now was lost – more lost than he'd ever felt in his life.
Sure – there was still Kikyou, somewhere out there. In fact, he could feel her lurking somewhere fairly close... but he wasn't ready to see her. He honestly didn't know if he ever would be again, because looking at her now, would only remind him of what he'd lost in Kagome.
At that thought, he laughed, bitterly.
Keh. How stupid am I? For so long, I looked at Kagome, and saw Kikyou... and now that I've pushed Kagome so far that she finally gave up on me and found someone else, all I can think is that Kikyou will do nothing but remind me of Kagome.
He sighed wearily, then, sadness thick in his scent. He was just so tired... his whole life had been one long battle, from the moment his mother had died. And even before her death, his life had been lonely and sad, shunned as he was by everyone save her. Even with Kikyou, there had never been real peace.
Until Kagome... and he'd been so unable to recognize a state of mind that he'd never had any experience of, that he'd destroyed any chance of having it in the here and now. Only now, when it was gone, could he recognize the peace and happiness she'd given him just with her presence.
He'd been almost hopeful earlier when he'd noted the sudden distance between his father and Kagome – though after a moment, he'd realized that even if she didn't end up with the older male, he himself, would still never have her. And then his shoulders had slumped, and after gathering the supplies from her time for the group, he'd made his way here, to sit in solitary splendor.
Never again would she sit with him, quietly looking at the stars, her head resting on his shoulder, or follow him to wherever he'd gone off to when upset to see if she could make him feel better. Like now. If this were even two months ago, she'd have already been standing below his branch, threatening to sit him out of it if he didn't come down and talk to her.
But not now... now he would never have to wonder when she'd appear... because she never would again, and that one, single fact broke what was left of his heart. In that moment, hot tears ran down his cheeks unheeded, and he slumped against the tree trunk, hopelessly staring at his crimson robes, unable to even make a single sound, his throat locked tight with grief.
-sSs-
Dawn found the shard hunters gathering before Kaede's hut, preparing to leave. It had been decided the night before to have the children taken to the Western Stronghold, and Sesshoumaru had escorted them there, then returned. It was fortunate he was youkai, the lack of sleep not causing him any difficulties.
For some reason, both Inuyasha, and Kagome were subdued, though for different reasons. It was easy to tell what Inuyasha's problem was – he stayed as far away from Kagome as possible, and kept to himself, barely speaking unless directly addressed.
Kagome, on the other hand, just seemed to be lost in thought, and though her thoughts seemed serious, they didn't appear to be disturbing her as badly as they had yesterday, for which the group was thankful.
Everyone's attention was drawn, however, when Sugimi touched down in front of the gathered group and moved to stand before Inuyasha. They were all thinking the same thing – what had the hanyou done now to anger his powerful father?
“Come, Inuyasha, I would speak with you before we leave.” Turning, he moved off under the trees, and the younger inu reluctantly followed – after his last beating, he wasn't up for another confrontation.
Coming to a stop once they were away from the rest of the group, he turned to face his youngest son, and as soon as the boy came close, he reached over and pressed a certain blood vessel in his neck, causing him to lose consciousness for a few moments.
As his son went limp, he leaned his body against his own, and placing his hands over the boys temples, he reached into his mind and blocked certain neural pathways... the ones that controlled his speech and behavior. From there, he limited the parts of his mind that would allow him to talk freely about his father's presence, rendering Inuyasha incapable of speaking about him at all.
It would not harm him in any way, it would just not allow his mind to order his mouth to speak of his father outside of the group he traveled with. If he tried, he would simply become tongue-tied, and be unable to spit it out.
Satisfied, the daiyoukai waited for Inuyasha to awaken, then helped him stand on his own two feet once more.
Groggy, Inuyasha put a hand to his head. “What the fuck happened?”
Sugimi shrugged lightly. “You seemed to trip, and I caught you. There was no harm done.”
“Keh. So what did you want, anyway?” he asked gruffly, moving away from his father.
Looking thoughtful, Sugimi considered his son, then said, “Your dead miko is close, and will probably try to follow us. What do you intend to do about her?”
Growling, not happy to hear that Kikyou was so near at this point, he turned away and slashed at a tree in anger. “Fuck! I don't really want to deal with her right now, if you don't mind. Was that all?” he scowled.
Folding his arms across his chest, the inu lord eyed his son, and spoke firmly. “Deal with it, Inuyasha. She will simply follow us if you don't, and I for one do not feel inclined to have a ghoul such as her behind us mirroring our every step and reporting back to the spider.”
“So what the hell do ya want me to tell her, huh? Even if I go talk to her, she's still gonna follow us!” Inuyasha yelled, getting pissed – he couldn't see what his father's angle was in this, and his request didn't make sense.
Sugimi smirked at his son, and said, “That is why you are going to tell her we are going north from here. She will not leave until later in the evening to follow, so that none of us can sense her. She thinks that will hide her presence... meanwhile, we are going south.”
Inuyasha paled at that. “You want me to lie to her? Hell... this is just great,” he said disgustedly. “Fine. I'll go find her – you guys start out and I'll catch up after I've finished leading her on,” he exclaimed sarcastically.
“Do not tarry, then, Inuyasha. If you do not catch us up in a timely manner, I will come looking for you,” he warned, and Inuyasha paled a bit at the bite he could hear in his sire's voice. He simply nodded, and sprang away into the trees, going off to do as instructed.
Eyes narrowed, he watched his son disappear into the forest heading for the dead miko for a moment, then turned on his heel and headed back to the group. He would get them on their way, warn Sesshoumaru that he was in charge for the time being, then go after Inuyasha to make sure his block had worked, and that the boy did as he was told.
-sSs-
Inuyasha came to a halt under a large oak, and gritted his teeth at the abrasive smell Kikyou carried with her. Before, that scent had filled him with guilt – if he'd been more careful when that all happened with a newly-born Naraku, Kikyou wouldn't have died when she did.
But now... now, he was starting to see things the right way up, though it seemed it was a little too late to matter, since Kagome was now out of his reach. Still... the truth of the matter was that Kikyou was the only one between them that held any real fault for the past.
After all, it was Kikyou that had been harboring Onigumo, without telling anyone. The only one who knew was Kaede, and though young, she'd tried to get her sister to tell him, but she had chosen not to. And then once Naraku had been born, and the betrayal begun, she was the one who reacted with violence towards him. He'd only gone after the jewel – she'd gone after him.
With a growl of disgust at his blind, reckless stupidity when it came to Kikyou, he stomped forward towards her, finally letting her know he was nearby. He watched almost dispassionately as she caught sight of him and moved towards him, and realized that, for the first time since he'd met her, he didn't feel an ounce of attraction to her cold clay body.
Dead, she still looked exactly the same as when she'd been warm and alive – but her beauty was cold, then and now. She didn't contain the fire that Kagome did. It was strange to realize it, but even alive, she'd been more of a porcelain doll than a warm, living woman.
Too bad I was too stupid to figure this shit out a couple months ago, or I might not have lost Kagome. And it makes it so much worse that it was to my own father. Who the hell woulda thought something like that would happen? I'd have sooner believed Sesshoumaru in love with her than that my dead father would come back to life and immediately start sniffing after her.
He scowled at her as she glided nearer, and she frowned, slowing, eyeing him suspiciously. “What is the problem, Inuyasha? Are you not glad to see me? Where have you been?”
His ire raised at her questioning – as though she had a right to know his every move! “Ain't none of your concern where I've been, Kikyou. What the hell do you want?” he demanded as he watched her twitch in shock at his attitude towards her. He'd never spoken that way to her before – ever.
She took a startled step back, and, eyes wide, she let them soften, looking at him with innocence and warmth, trying to disarm him. “I just wished to be with you for a while, Inuyasha. What has happened that you speak to me so?”
Only this time, he didn't respond as she'd hoped. “Yeah, right. You just want to sell us out to Naraku again, that's all. I bet he was pissed this last time when we disappeared and you didn't know where we were,” he scoffed. At her stunned expression, he laughed darkly.
“What, didn't think I knew? I knew the whole time, but I just refused to admit it to myself. I didn't want to admit you would do such a thing – but I'm not so blinded anymore. If you want more info to pass on to your master,” he spat sarcastically at the shell-shocked woman, “we are heading into the northern lands after the last shard. If you want to follow, I would suggest not leaving until evening, and stay a ways behind, because my asshole brother is traveling with us, and if he senses you, he'll stop and send you straight back to hell.”
Kikyou shook herself out of her shock, becoming angry at his abrasive attitude. “So, if you are so angry at me, and suspect me to be passing information to Naraku, why would you tell me all of that?”
He glared belligerently at her. “Because you're going to follow us, anyway, so what's the point of lying about it? Besides... if you tell Naraku, and he actually comes out to fight, then we can destroy him and get it all over with.” Eyes narrowing dangerously, he finished, “It's because of you and my stupidity over you that I've lost Kagome. I'm tellin' you right now – I am not going to hell with you. You can just drag that bastard with you, instead. Since you're all buddy buddy and all, you should be just fine with him in my place.”
With one last angry look at the miko he'd chased for so long, he turned on his heel and left, making sure to head North for a while, then shielding his aura, he turned and went back towards the south, determined to catch up with the rest of the group.
Unbeknownst to either Inuyasha, or Kikyou, golden eyes had watched the confrontation, and was, though slightly surprised at Inuyasha's sudden anger at the dirt miko, pleased – he'd done as told, and not mentioned him at all.
With a satisfied expression, the daiyoukai turned and followed after his son. Thoughts dwelling on Inuyasha's reaction to the woman, he frowned slightly.
It looks as though using her to take his mind of Kagome will not work. I suppose I will just have to make sure that my dominance is established in the boy's mind, and he learns that challenging me will avail him nothing.
He lost Kagome fair and square, and all on his own. Now she's mine – and I will not let any other have her...
Not even my own son.
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Kagome stood silently where she'd been left by Sugimi when he'd finally come to a halt, watching as he turned to face her. He didn't say anything at first, simply looking at her, and she shivered, wondering what was going through his mind. And then she laughed to herself – it was no odds he was wanting to know why she was pulling away from him.
Finally, he spoke. “Have I done something to offend you?” It was clear in his voice that he really wanted to know.
She shook her head, taken aback. She should have realized that he would blame himself for upsetting her, but it hadn't been his fault – the problem was hers, and nothing he'd done... at least deliberately.
“No,” she said slowly. “It's... just something I need to deal with... something in my own head.” His face took on a sad cast, and she looked away, suddenly feeling unbearably guilty. How can I do this to him? She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by his voice.
“I can feel your fear, Kagome... you fear being hurt again, do you not? You fear being second to another woman – just like last time.” He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek at her shocked, uncomfortable look. “Do you think I'm not aware of what you've already been through?” He sighed, then gestured to the soft grass at their feet. “Come... join me – I will explain some things to you – they may help alleviate some of your fear.”
With his hopeful expression, Kagome's heart wrenched, and she nodded, completely unable to deny him. It's... it's already too late for me, isn't it? Even if I knew that he couldn't really love me fully... I wouldn't be able to turn him away. Oh, gods... Fear ran through her, and she wanted to cry. My heart's always been too soft – and apparently too easy, as well.
Taking a seat next to him, she waited for him to speak.
“Do you understand the difference between a mating and a marriage?” he asked, and Kagome blinked. Huh?
“Uhm...” she nodded slowly. “Yeah... marriage is most common, especially for political alliances for heirs and the like, because mating is irreversible and permanent. It's forever.”
He tipped his head in approval. “Yes. But do you understand what it meant when I told you I wanted you as a mate, rather than a wife?”
She looked confused. “Uh...”
“Sesshoumaru's mother, and Izayoi both-” he noted her flinch, “-were, at various times, my wives. I married them because neither was my mate. Satori was a political alliance, necessary for my lands to have an heir. Izayoi... Izayoi was different.” He sighed again. “I cared for her – in my own way I loved her, but she was not my other half. She needed me, needed my protection, and I gave it to her, and I don't regret that.”
He cast a golden glance her way, eyeing her pale cheeks and haunted gaze, then continued. “I remember the day you and I met fully, now. It was so strange. I remember staring at you – there was something about you that reached out and grabbed me... but I was so weary from the battle and concern for Izayoi kept me from really realizing what it was. And since I never saw you again, until waking in this time, it never occurred to me the reason for that odd sense of recognition...” he trailed off, losing himself in his memories for a moment as his gaze went far away.
“W-what do you mean?” she asked hesitantly, bravely meeting his gaze as it sharpened on her again.
He shook his head and exhaled deeply. “It should tell you something that part of me recognized something in you very quickly after waking again, though I didn't know where I'd seen you before until today. But even back then... my soul knew you, Kagome. It reached out and touched yours – because you are my other half – not Satori, and not Izayoi.” Pinning her with a look that had her heart lurching in her chest, he finished, “You complete me, little onna, and I can never be apart from you, now. Even should you turn me away, I am bound to you forever. I will never leave your side... I can't. And if you chose another... we would all three suffer the agony of the damned... because no other will ever be able to complete either of us.”
She stared at him, stunned. She'd known, vaguely, what mating entailed, but she'd never considered the true depths of what that word meant to youkai. Of course, it was kind of hard to really understand, anyway – she wasn't youkai.
But this...
What he was describing was... well, more than she'd ever have thought of. And while one part of her realized that he would not, was not, lying, another part of her... was still afraid.
Loving, and losing, just hurt so much, that she wasn't sure she'd survive if it happened again.
It was going to take time to work herself through this... if she even could.
“Sugimi...” she hesitated for a moment, that distance that he hated still evident in her eyes, “I... don't know how to take this, or what to say, or even think or feel,” she finally finished in a despondent whisper. “I'll... try. That's all I can say. But it's so hard to trust again, especially so soon. I haven't really had time to heal, and now... this. Give me time, and just understand that I'm not doing this to upset you, okay?”
He searched her eyes for a long moment, and then nodded reluctantly. It wasn't what he'd hoped for, but it was better than her first idea, which had been to turn him completely away.
It hurt, though... more than he'd ever thought it could.
-sSs-
Inuyasha stared out into the twilight, watching the dying sun set into the horizon with a deep sense of despair and depression. He was still trying to wrap his head – and heart – around Kagome's rejection.
It hurt so badly – much worse than the beating he'd taken at his father's hands, and he couldn't help but wonder... would the pain ever go away?
He was such a fool. He'd pushed his best friend away with his behavior, and looking back on it now, he had to admit - he was surprised that she'd put up with him for as long as she had. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, he could even see the penultimate moment – the moment when he had finally destroyed their bond beyond redemption.
That day, traveling back from waking his father – when he'd gotten so angry about the things said about Kikyou, and been so belligerent. He could even remember the look in her eyes as she'd said that if it had been her giving information to Naraku, he'd have killed her. But he wouldn't have... no matter what, he could never lay a hand on Kagome. The day he deliberately hurt her was the day he died... if only he'd told her that. If only he'd spoken up, and told her how he felt about things... maybe he wouldn't be sitting in this tree right now, trying to come to terms with her loss.
But it was more fool him, because it was far, far too late.
And all he felt now was lost – more lost than he'd ever felt in his life.
Sure – there was still Kikyou, somewhere out there. In fact, he could feel her lurking somewhere fairly close... but he wasn't ready to see her. He honestly didn't know if he ever would be again, because looking at her now, would only remind him of what he'd lost in Kagome.
At that thought, he laughed, bitterly.
Keh. How stupid am I? For so long, I looked at Kagome, and saw Kikyou... and now that I've pushed Kagome so far that she finally gave up on me and found someone else, all I can think is that Kikyou will do nothing but remind me of Kagome.
He sighed wearily, then, sadness thick in his scent. He was just so tired... his whole life had been one long battle, from the moment his mother had died. And even before her death, his life had been lonely and sad, shunned as he was by everyone save her. Even with Kikyou, there had never been real peace.
Until Kagome... and he'd been so unable to recognize a state of mind that he'd never had any experience of, that he'd destroyed any chance of having it in the here and now. Only now, when it was gone, could he recognize the peace and happiness she'd given him just with her presence.
He'd been almost hopeful earlier when he'd noted the sudden distance between his father and Kagome – though after a moment, he'd realized that even if she didn't end up with the older male, he himself, would still never have her. And then his shoulders had slumped, and after gathering the supplies from her time for the group, he'd made his way here, to sit in solitary splendor.
Never again would she sit with him, quietly looking at the stars, her head resting on his shoulder, or follow him to wherever he'd gone off to when upset to see if she could make him feel better. Like now. If this were even two months ago, she'd have already been standing below his branch, threatening to sit him out of it if he didn't come down and talk to her.
But not now... now he would never have to wonder when she'd appear... because she never would again, and that one, single fact broke what was left of his heart. In that moment, hot tears ran down his cheeks unheeded, and he slumped against the tree trunk, hopelessly staring at his crimson robes, unable to even make a single sound, his throat locked tight with grief.
-sSs-
Dawn found the shard hunters gathering before Kaede's hut, preparing to leave. It had been decided the night before to have the children taken to the Western Stronghold, and Sesshoumaru had escorted them there, then returned. It was fortunate he was youkai, the lack of sleep not causing him any difficulties.
For some reason, both Inuyasha, and Kagome were subdued, though for different reasons. It was easy to tell what Inuyasha's problem was – he stayed as far away from Kagome as possible, and kept to himself, barely speaking unless directly addressed.
Kagome, on the other hand, just seemed to be lost in thought, and though her thoughts seemed serious, they didn't appear to be disturbing her as badly as they had yesterday, for which the group was thankful.
Everyone's attention was drawn, however, when Sugimi touched down in front of the gathered group and moved to stand before Inuyasha. They were all thinking the same thing – what had the hanyou done now to anger his powerful father?
“Come, Inuyasha, I would speak with you before we leave.” Turning, he moved off under the trees, and the younger inu reluctantly followed – after his last beating, he wasn't up for another confrontation.
Coming to a stop once they were away from the rest of the group, he turned to face his youngest son, and as soon as the boy came close, he reached over and pressed a certain blood vessel in his neck, causing him to lose consciousness for a few moments.
As his son went limp, he leaned his body against his own, and placing his hands over the boys temples, he reached into his mind and blocked certain neural pathways... the ones that controlled his speech and behavior. From there, he limited the parts of his mind that would allow him to talk freely about his father's presence, rendering Inuyasha incapable of speaking about him at all.
It would not harm him in any way, it would just not allow his mind to order his mouth to speak of his father outside of the group he traveled with. If he tried, he would simply become tongue-tied, and be unable to spit it out.
Satisfied, the daiyoukai waited for Inuyasha to awaken, then helped him stand on his own two feet once more.
Groggy, Inuyasha put a hand to his head. “What the fuck happened?”
Sugimi shrugged lightly. “You seemed to trip, and I caught you. There was no harm done.”
“Keh. So what did you want, anyway?” he asked gruffly, moving away from his father.
Looking thoughtful, Sugimi considered his son, then said, “Your dead miko is close, and will probably try to follow us. What do you intend to do about her?”
Growling, not happy to hear that Kikyou was so near at this point, he turned away and slashed at a tree in anger. “Fuck! I don't really want to deal with her right now, if you don't mind. Was that all?” he scowled.
Folding his arms across his chest, the inu lord eyed his son, and spoke firmly. “Deal with it, Inuyasha. She will simply follow us if you don't, and I for one do not feel inclined to have a ghoul such as her behind us mirroring our every step and reporting back to the spider.”
“So what the hell do ya want me to tell her, huh? Even if I go talk to her, she's still gonna follow us!” Inuyasha yelled, getting pissed – he couldn't see what his father's angle was in this, and his request didn't make sense.
Sugimi smirked at his son, and said, “That is why you are going to tell her we are going north from here. She will not leave until later in the evening to follow, so that none of us can sense her. She thinks that will hide her presence... meanwhile, we are going south.”
Inuyasha paled at that. “You want me to lie to her? Hell... this is just great,” he said disgustedly. “Fine. I'll go find her – you guys start out and I'll catch up after I've finished leading her on,” he exclaimed sarcastically.
“Do not tarry, then, Inuyasha. If you do not catch us up in a timely manner, I will come looking for you,” he warned, and Inuyasha paled a bit at the bite he could hear in his sire's voice. He simply nodded, and sprang away into the trees, going off to do as instructed.
Eyes narrowed, he watched his son disappear into the forest heading for the dead miko for a moment, then turned on his heel and headed back to the group. He would get them on their way, warn Sesshoumaru that he was in charge for the time being, then go after Inuyasha to make sure his block had worked, and that the boy did as he was told.
-sSs-
Inuyasha came to a halt under a large oak, and gritted his teeth at the abrasive smell Kikyou carried with her. Before, that scent had filled him with guilt – if he'd been more careful when that all happened with a newly-born Naraku, Kikyou wouldn't have died when she did.
But now... now, he was starting to see things the right way up, though it seemed it was a little too late to matter, since Kagome was now out of his reach. Still... the truth of the matter was that Kikyou was the only one between them that held any real fault for the past.
After all, it was Kikyou that had been harboring Onigumo, without telling anyone. The only one who knew was Kaede, and though young, she'd tried to get her sister to tell him, but she had chosen not to. And then once Naraku had been born, and the betrayal begun, she was the one who reacted with violence towards him. He'd only gone after the jewel – she'd gone after him.
With a growl of disgust at his blind, reckless stupidity when it came to Kikyou, he stomped forward towards her, finally letting her know he was nearby. He watched almost dispassionately as she caught sight of him and moved towards him, and realized that, for the first time since he'd met her, he didn't feel an ounce of attraction to her cold clay body.
Dead, she still looked exactly the same as when she'd been warm and alive – but her beauty was cold, then and now. She didn't contain the fire that Kagome did. It was strange to realize it, but even alive, she'd been more of a porcelain doll than a warm, living woman.
Too bad I was too stupid to figure this shit out a couple months ago, or I might not have lost Kagome. And it makes it so much worse that it was to my own father. Who the hell woulda thought something like that would happen? I'd have sooner believed Sesshoumaru in love with her than that my dead father would come back to life and immediately start sniffing after her.
He scowled at her as she glided nearer, and she frowned, slowing, eyeing him suspiciously. “What is the problem, Inuyasha? Are you not glad to see me? Where have you been?”
His ire raised at her questioning – as though she had a right to know his every move! “Ain't none of your concern where I've been, Kikyou. What the hell do you want?” he demanded as he watched her twitch in shock at his attitude towards her. He'd never spoken that way to her before – ever.
She took a startled step back, and, eyes wide, she let them soften, looking at him with innocence and warmth, trying to disarm him. “I just wished to be with you for a while, Inuyasha. What has happened that you speak to me so?”
Only this time, he didn't respond as she'd hoped. “Yeah, right. You just want to sell us out to Naraku again, that's all. I bet he was pissed this last time when we disappeared and you didn't know where we were,” he scoffed. At her stunned expression, he laughed darkly.
“What, didn't think I knew? I knew the whole time, but I just refused to admit it to myself. I didn't want to admit you would do such a thing – but I'm not so blinded anymore. If you want more info to pass on to your master,” he spat sarcastically at the shell-shocked woman, “we are heading into the northern lands after the last shard. If you want to follow, I would suggest not leaving until evening, and stay a ways behind, because my asshole brother is traveling with us, and if he senses you, he'll stop and send you straight back to hell.”
Kikyou shook herself out of her shock, becoming angry at his abrasive attitude. “So, if you are so angry at me, and suspect me to be passing information to Naraku, why would you tell me all of that?”
He glared belligerently at her. “Because you're going to follow us, anyway, so what's the point of lying about it? Besides... if you tell Naraku, and he actually comes out to fight, then we can destroy him and get it all over with.” Eyes narrowing dangerously, he finished, “It's because of you and my stupidity over you that I've lost Kagome. I'm tellin' you right now – I am not going to hell with you. You can just drag that bastard with you, instead. Since you're all buddy buddy and all, you should be just fine with him in my place.”
With one last angry look at the miko he'd chased for so long, he turned on his heel and left, making sure to head North for a while, then shielding his aura, he turned and went back towards the south, determined to catch up with the rest of the group.
Unbeknownst to either Inuyasha, or Kikyou, golden eyes had watched the confrontation, and was, though slightly surprised at Inuyasha's sudden anger at the dirt miko, pleased – he'd done as told, and not mentioned him at all.
With a satisfied expression, the daiyoukai turned and followed after his son. Thoughts dwelling on Inuyasha's reaction to the woman, he frowned slightly.
It looks as though using her to take his mind of Kagome will not work. I suppose I will just have to make sure that my dominance is established in the boy's mind, and he learns that challenging me will avail him nothing.
He lost Kagome fair and square, and all on his own. Now she's mine – and I will not let any other have her...
Not even my own son.
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