InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ Chapter Thirteen: Vigil ( Chapter 13 )

To Perish Once More: Chapter Thirteen: Vigil

-Jasmine Fields

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A/N: For those who want to know: *zhipei* actually is Chinese and means something along the lines of the kind of power someone holds over somebody else. It's kind of difficult to explain, because English holds the use of the same word for about 12 different meanings. (That, I think, is on the conservative side.)

Since I used Chinese influence in the last chapter, I'm reconsidering the overall influence for naming the time slip of the Bone-Eater's well. After some thought, I just might utilize my grasp of Russian or my super-minimum study of Chinese. If I throw in something culturally related to either group it will be only for the titles of chapters or in my description about the Bone-Eater's well - when that happens. Other than that, don't count on real history being included. Yeppers, it'll be made up.

That said, a huge shout out to akuma_river…thanks babes!

I promise, *NOBODY* will be lost when introduced to simple phrases and words I use outside of Japanese. (I think my Japanese word and phrase list includes only 20 or 30 words…I just can't hold a candle to most of you out there!)

Don't worry! I'm still up for suggestions. Worst case scenario? I'll just combine languages to formulate my own word. Let me warn you, I don't have much experience of inventing new words outside of English, so it might be entertaining.

-Jasmine Fields (a.k.a. Jazzy)

P.S. One more thing! Where are my beloved reviewers? Maybe it's my fault for not making my email address publicly available to everyone, but I know there are more out there reading…. (I have little birdies tell me everything.) I'd love to say I'm strongly independent enough to write without ya'll - and I am - but it is more fun to find out what you'uns think while I write this fic. (Even if it's the occasional one-liner, I'm up for it). Ok, that said, here's really what you want to read:

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Sango, Kagome, and Kirara returned shortly before nightfall.

Inuyasha and he had a drawn out conversation about their thoughts - hopes, fears, and naturally, the women they loved. Not realizing the time of day, they forgot that the women traveled north of the village toward an unfamiliar path near a stream.

If there had been trouble, Kirara was ordained to return, they had agreed.

Thank the gods.

This village did not suffer the similar infestation of war's wreckage common throughout the majority of his encounters.

Tonight, we might actually get some rest.

Both Kagome and Sango were in spirited moods when they made their homecoming to the village.

…back to us.

He, with his entire being, would be devastated if death made its claim on her before she survived a ripe old age.

He would give up his holy powers for her continued existence.

More than that, he would sacrifice life for life, limb for limb, eyesight for eyesight, to ensure her safety, health, and opportunities. Anything short of betraying his friends…through eternity and the afterlife, if it were his destiny, he would accomplish.

Tonight, he had first watch. As safe as the country village seemed, they agreed to stand guard in spite of the quiet.

Appearances could be deceiving… He knew all to well.

Since Sango did not seem tired…on the contrary, she seemed energized…renewed.

He wondered.

They would talk later, he determined. They so rarely did.

…uninterrupted…

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Inuyasha listened attentively while Kagome related the tale of their adventure today.

His first thoughts focused on Sango's burden lifted. It was relieving, that finally one person in this entire nightmare met the promise of some likelihood of hope. He wouldn't have to be the bad guy, in the end, concerning Kohaku.

…and neither was Sesshoumaru.

His thoughts shifted.

Miroku hadn't sensed any evil remotely near or beyond the village borders during their stay, and he him self had yet to get a whiff of danger lurking in the shadows. Although they determined the area safe, he decided to keep watch, since the trio happened upon Sesshoumaru earlier during the day without his observances.

Kagome said he used Tenseiga.

Really, he was surprised, since Sesshoumaru once pursued Kohaku in an endeavor to hunt down Naraku and investigate his conniving behavior.

Too bad about the jewel shard.

Kagura escaped with it - or rather, and more accurately - Kagome released her from the responsibility of blame with her possession of it.

This would prove a set back in the grand scale of things, but still.

At least Kagome could account for it.

Generally speaking, he would not have felt pity for the damn wind-demon, but as Kagome narrated, in detail, the circumstances and her hesitation to execute Sesshoumaru's command, he reconsidered his judgment against her.

She managed never to betray the secret of his human night to Naraku, so perhaps he ought to grant her credibility of sorts.

Thank goodness.

His instincts scolded him.

I should not trust Kagura.

Kagome rest her head on his shoulder.

He smiled.

She only allowed her self this luxury when ever she felt absolutely, positively secure. Her guard lowered and she nestled into the strength and safety he provided.

Maybe tonight I'll tell her…

Pulling her closer, he unquestionably felt complete.

…Completely nuts. He corrected.

He promised to return her to her era soon…perhaps in a week. She was bound to return, eventually, he well knew, but nevertheless, he hated the fact.

She's got to start earning those marks again…uh, and those damn tests!

Leaning his head against hers, he whispered, so as not to disturb their near-sleeping comrades.

"Why not stay here longer?"

Time wasn't exactly in their favor on this side of the well. Well, that and Kouga's shards still remained.

He stiffened.

Speak of the devil.

"Jewel shards."

…With his damn entourage.

What brings the wolf here anyway?

Why now?

His heart sank. He wouldn't get to tell her tonight.

Tomorrow? He doubted it.

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