InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Love and Protect ❯ Broken ( Chapter 2 )

 

 

Chapter II

 

Broken

 

Back at the campsite, Miroku and Sango were trying desperately to figure out what to do for their friends. It was decided to leave InuYasha alone until the morning, but what could they do for Kagome?

 

“I'm afraid the demon Naraku put inside you could come back,” said Miroku.

 

The miko broke out in fresh tears where she sat, held in Sangos arms.

 

“I think we should go back to Kaede and see what she can do to help us,” he continued, “this is beyond my ability alone to help you.”

 

Kagome nodded and buried her face in Sango's shoulder, her body shaking with sobs.

 

“Miroku, I'm going to sleep over here with Kagome tonight,” said Sango, “you understand, don't you?”

 

Miroku heaved a sigh, closing his eyes and rubbing the exhaustion from his brow.

 

“Yes you're right,” he said, “I'll get InuYasha in the morning and tell him our plans.”

 

Sango helped Kagome get dressed and slipped into her sleeping bag with her. She cradled the younger women in her arms, and Kagome drifted off into an exhausted sleep. Miroku, Sango, and InuYasha who had left the camp, did not readily fall asleep. The horror of the night and its repercussions kept sleep away for quite a while.

 

 

The next morning Miroku went to find InuYasha while Kagome and Sango made breakfast and broke camp. He left in the general direction he remembered InuYasha going the night before. Carefully he scanned the trees for any sign of the half-demon. When he couldn't locate him right away, he began calling him. He had hoped that Inu-Yasha would not have chosen to leave the vicinity. He knew he was hurt, but doubted he would just abandon them, especially with Kagome so vulnerable.

 

InuYasha saw Miroku approach. He was exhausted and emotionally drained, accept for the small flame of anger he kept burning in his heart. This ember was saved for Naraku. The thought of answering Miroku's calls and returning to camp gave him mixed feelings. He stretched out on his stomach on the tree limb, resting his chin on his folded hands, as the monk got closer. How would Kagome treat him? Was she still mad? What would he do if she were still angry? He sighed, and let the ember burn a little higher. There was no escaping, he had to face the situation regardless the outcome.

 

“Over here, Miroku.” He called as the monk came almost underneath his tree.

 

Miroku looked up into the canopy of green leaves and tangle of branches and made out the red of InuYasha's clothes, the silver of his hair and two golden eyes peering wearily down at him.

 

“How's Kagome?” InuYasha asked.

 

“She's really out of it still,” said Miroku, “we've decided to take her to Kaede. That demon may still be inside her.”

 

An involuntary shiver went through InuYasha at the thought of the return of the demon. Of all the demons he had faced and mostly vanquished, this one had to be the most disturbing. He felt awful for Kagome and wished it were he that could get rid of the thing for good.

 

“You're coming with us, aren't you?” said Miroku.

 

InuYasha sighed resignedly.

 

“I'll be right down,” he said, “you go on ahead.”

 

He waited for Miroku to leave before jumping down from the tree. Once he hit the ground, he paused. It was with a heavy heart that he came to the conclusion that he had no idea how to face Kagome. It was all too dependent on how she treated him when he got back.

 

When Inu-Yasha returned to camp, Kagome took one look at him, the hurt and anger in him still visible to her, and looked away in anguish. Her hands shook as she checked the canteens to see which needed to be filled, causing them to make a sloshing sound. Quickly she told Sango she was going to fill them at the spring they had found nearby and left.

 

Sango felt bad for InuYasha as he came over and dejectedly sat down by the fire. Wordlessly she handed him something to eat, and tried to keep the look of pity from her eyes, knowing this would only anger him. He ate in silence for a few minutes while Sango turned to her packing.

 

“You believe I would've protected her if I had found her,” said InuYasha softly.

 

“Yes, InuYasha, I do.” Said Sango, turning to face him. “But Kagome will need time to heal from this. Don't take it to heart. I know she still loves you, she'd just in a lot of pain right now.”

 

“Huh,” said InuYasha, “did she tell you this or is this just what you think?”

 

Sango sighed, feeling slightly exasperated by his question.

 

“No, she did not tell me this,” she said, and frowned at his bark of derision, “but I know what I'm saying is true. Kagome is my best friend, and her love for you runs deeper than you know.”

 

“Then why did she run away when she saw me just now?” He said crossly, folding his arms.

 

Sango pushed the hair out of her face, and blew out an explosive breath of air.

 

“She's not ready to face you yet, I would guess,” she replied. “But I believe she needs you, she is just too confused and hurt to realize it.”

 

“So what am I supposed to do?” he said, scowling.

 

“Well, if you truly love Kagome like you told her when you got her back from the demon, maybe you should go after her.” Sango said, and tried to give him an encouraging smile.

 

oOo

 

At the spring, Kagome tried filling the canteens, but her tears kept blurring her vision. The burning in her heart would not let go of her. She felt like she had been violated down to her very soul by Naraku, and InuYasha, for the first time since they had started their quest together, had not been able to save her. A small rational, part of her mind, said it was not InuYashas fault that he could not find her. Suddenly she dropped the canteens and buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

 

InuYasha stood watching Kagome, trying to decide what to do. It broke his heart to see her crying this way, and left him feeling helpless and angry. He clenched and unclenched his fists as every sob tore at his heart and soul, and finally moved towards her before he lost his nerve.

 

“Kagome,” he breathed softly, kneeling by her side.

 

Kagome wouldn't look up at him, only bent down further towards the ground as she sobbed. Suddenly she felt his arms go around her, and she shuddered. His warmth and masculine smell, reminiscent of the deep forest in summer, surrounded her. As he puled closer, she felt his breath on her neck and his long hair tickled her arms. It tugged at her heart which longed for comfort at the same time that it ached from the feeling of betrayal.

 

“I'm so sorry Kagome,” he said, his voice catching in his throat, “I promise to get that bastard Naraku. Please believe me. I really tried to save you.”

 

“I'm so broken InuYasha,” Kagome croaked, her voice hoarse from all her crying, “I don't know if anyone can save me now.”

A warm drop of water landed on Kagomes neck, and she gasped as she realized InuYasha was crying too.