InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Truth's Tears ❯ Present and Past ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer~ All rights for Inu Yasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The legend of the Dragon King belongs to the people of Japan, and we hold no rights to it. This fiction is only for entertainment purposes. And if any part of this fan fiction resembles another it is purely coincidental.

Chapter Sixteen~Present and Past

AShippo leaned back against his chair, his eyes reflective he had just answered the biggest question of Taro=s life and the boy, well, man was deathly quiet.

ATaro, things don=t get much better from here on.@ His words were spoken softly and his emerald eyes dimmed.

Taro sat and stared into his hands. The monk, Miroku was his father. He really should have been able to figure it out on his own. All the signs were there, his looks, his love of life and women and his profession. A small smile touched his lips, he was a veterinarian and loved all animals except one. He had never really understood why he didn=t like dogs, everything else was fine, just dogs. It now made sense, perfect sense.@

~*~

Rain pelted down on Kagome, caressing her sorrowful features. Four more days, she only had four more days. Tears of anger and hurt flowed from her eyes, the news Ryu had given hours ago still fresh in her mind. After the battle, after they had collected the jewel, she was going home. The words had struck her hard in her chest. It was the news she was afraid of hearing because she had always known that would be the case.

She wasn=t needed anymore.

It was all a mistake her falling into the well all those years ago.

Everything was her fault.

Previously silent sobs escaped from her throat as she sank deeper into her depression. She had loved and buried Inu Yasha, she would never get the chance to do the same for Miroku. After one week she would never, NEVER see him again. Her heart hurt, it wasn=t fair, it just wasn=t fair!

~*~

AThe jewel is in The wind youkai=s control. She is merely a four days walk away from were we are right now. But,@ Ryu=s voice wavered slightly, Abut, that isn=t the reason I have asked to speak with you so early in the morning.@ His golden gaze turned and settled on Kagome, ATomorrow we will leave, and in four days the battle for the jewel will be over. In four days Kagome, you will go home.@

His softly spoken words slammed into Kagome like a ton of bricks. Her eyes widened in shock and her heart stopped. No, he was wrong. She couldn=t go home, not now, not after.

ANo.@

Tears she could feel prickling behind her eyes refused to fall. She had done enough crying in the last couple of days to last her a lifetime.

AI won=t go home.@ She spoke harshly her eyes flashing in the early light.

Ryu smiled sadly, his eyes sympathetic, AI am sorry my young Miko, but its not your decision. You bringing the jewel here was a fluke, an accident if you will. It was never meant to happen. When the jewel was completed you were supposed to have returned to your time, but since it had been stolen you remained to continue your search. By the Gods will you will return to your time by the end of those four days, irregardless of the outcome. Your stay is over, my dear Miko.@

Ryu=s smile vanished and his eyes grew cold, AOut of the kindness of my heart, I will give you three more additional nights to do as you please and say your goodbyes. I am not heartless young Miko, I am simply forewarning you of what will come to pass.@ The conversation was over the moment Ryu stood and excited the room, leaving Kagome to think over his words.

The other witnesses were just as stunned. This week would be the last full week they would spend with Kagome.

Shippo=s young eyes brimmed with tears as he crept forward, AKagome? You=ll find a way to stay right? You won=t leave me, will you?@

Kagome fought to hold back the tears of her own, her heart was breaking with the sound of Shippo=s muted whimpers. Her arms opened to the child she had named her own, rocking him while she spoke soothingly to him, AI won=t go, Shippo. Not without a fight. They can=t make me leave, any of you.@ She embraced the small youkai child tenderly and brushed away his tears, her face lifting and peering over to Miroku.

AI wont leave you.@ Her eyes bore into his own and though she said the words to ease the child=s fears, she said them to ease the young man=s as well. >I love you too much.=

They ate in silence, Miroku was the first to leave, flashing her a small smile on his way out. Kagome fought to control the pain in her heart, >NO! She=s been through too much to leave now. She would not go!=

~*~

Soft footsteps and a gentle jingling blended with the placid environment. Dark robes brushed and rippled and moved along with the monks movements, fluttering lightly as a tender breeze attempted to ease the troubled man=s soul.

She was leaving.

She was leaving in a week, nay, she was leaving in four nights from this day.

A gloved hand fisted tightly, the beads still worn digging painfully into the tender flesh. He had known her for three years, watched her grow and learn and face so many dangerous situations that most women would have cowered from. She was the light of the rag-tagged group, everyone=s hope even up till the end, till the last battle with Naraku. It was in her arms that the man she loved had died, with her hands that his final resting place had been dug.

And yet, through this all, she was being forced to leave. After three years, after so many experiences she was being cast out, told that her journey had been a mistake.

No. He wouldn=t allow it, his heart couldn=t allow it.

Soft violet eyes darkened and his soft footsteps stopped, no he would not allow her to leave. He would find a way to keep her with him, she belonged with him!

The monk=s mind was determined as his footsteps renewed, even if he couldn=t prevent her from leaving, he had every intention of at least enjoying the remaining week he had with her.

~*~

It was mid afternoon when they returned to the road, everyone=s mood somber and lost in his or her own thoughts.

Shippo clung tightly to Kagome, his small hands fisted in her shirt. He had lost so much already and just the thought that Kagome would be lost to him was far too much for him the currently handle. His bright green eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears, he didn=t want to loose his adoptive mother, but even he knew that their was little he could do to stop the horrible event from happening. He sniffled once, twice and nearly lost it when his mother=s arms tightened reassuringly around him. She wanted him to be strong, strong like he had been before Inu Yasha had died, strong like she was. But he couldn=t do it, maybe it would have easier for him if she had simply just disappeared like his parents. But just knowing that in a week, seven days from now, she was going to be gone-for good, his little heart couldn=t take it and before long his hushed sniffles turned to all out sobs and he clutched her shirt even tighter as his anguish flowed freely from his breaking heart.

The kits woeful sobs pinched Kagome=s heart. Her little one was in pain, and it took nearly all her strength not to cast a glare toward the God that strode before them, peaceful expression set on his young face.

Damn him!

Didn=t he suffer with the knowledge that he was the cause of a child=s tears? That he was the cause of the rift that seemed to have formed between her and Miroku. Couldn=t he see how his presence was far from welcome?

Golden yellow eyes snapped back at her, narrowed and glowing dangerously. Kagome stumbled in shock under the powerful gaze tossed at her.

AI have done what I could, my young Miko. And I am quite aware of the fact that a child and man are hurting due to the words I have shared. But would have rather not known, and been unable to voice the very words that haunt your thoughts now?@

His voice was crisp and harsh, her face lowered in submission, he was right. She was, in a way, thankful that he had told them and she had been unfair to have even allowed those thoughts to come to surface.

AI=m sorry, Lord Ryu, forgive me. My heart and mind are hurting.@

Ryu=s expression softened, his feet once more moving as he stepped toward her. A pale hand lifted her trembling chin and caressed her cheek, AI understand, believe me when I say that. But do not cast your anger on me, I am merely only a messenger.@ Kagome gazed into his eyes and for the first time actually saw the ancient God. The age and wisdom flashed in his yellow eyes before they returned to his usual cheery yellow.

Reaching within his vest, Ryu pulled out a delicate white blossom, ADo you know what this is, my Miko?@

Kagome frowned and shook her head.

He smiled softly again, AThis is a flower, just a simple blossom. Plucked from its home and the family it grew up with, lifted from all it knew and placed into the world all alone and lost. But this flower is special because you see within its petals holds a very special power.@ Carefully Ryu reached out and grasp her hand, opening it as he laid the flower within her palm. AThis is you, my young Miko. A delicate blossom, removed from your home and cast to the winds. This is my gift to you, remember it well for you will need this later in your life.@ Ryu shared one last smile with her before he turned back to the road and continued walking.

Kagome watched, a frown creasing her forehead as she re-played his cryptic words in her mind. What was he talking about? Did he mean for her to keep his words close or this flower? She huffed slightly in annoyance, what was it with Gods and their cryptic sentences anyway. She was so preoccupied with those very thoughts that she didn=t notice Miroku=s approach.

AKagome?@ The husky timbre of his voice brought her quickly out of her musings.

She turned and faced him, frown still in place and held out the flower to him. AMiroku, do you know anything about this flower?@

Miroku frowned slightly as he took the flower from her hand. Delicately he turned the white blossom around and shifted through the records of healing plants within his mind.

ANo, Kagome, I do not know anything about this. Is this what Lord Ryu gave you?@

Kagome nodded and retrieved the flower from his hand. The small amount of contact they shared shooting shocks of heat throughout her system causing her to shiver slightly. Their evening activities flashing before her eyes and she unconsciously licked her lips, she had to ask if he meant the words he had spoken not yet 24 hours before.

AMiroku,@ The mixture of her questioning tone and the erotic flicker of her tongue against her lips rose the hairs on the back of his neck in anticipation. Would she never learn NOT to do that around him.

AHmm.@

Bashful brown eyes gazed into his smoldering violet, ADid you mean what you said?@

Miroku=s face softened, and he tenderly pulled her into a loving embrace, AI meant every word I spoke last night.@ Gently he placed a tender kiss to her crown and a mischievous smile quirked his lips.

Kagome sighed, heavily leaning into his embrace all the while careful not to disturb the slumbering kit in her arms. He loved her, and she knew now that she did in fact care for him in return. She may not love him like she had/still loved Inu Yasha, but in her own way, she did love the lecherous monk.

~*~

It was four nights later that Kagome sat next to the pit fire in her room, her eyes staring blankly into the flames. The last night she would spend in Miroku=s arms, the last night she would share with him crying out to the heavens her passion and her tears. Tonight was it. This was the last night she would spend with Shippo, with Miroku, with any of her friends from this era. Tomorrow she would head out alone with Ryu and confront Kagura and Kanna. Tomorrow she would be forced to return to her time, to only have her memories to keep her safe.

Kagome fought back the burning bite of her sorrow. It would do her no good to grieve over something she couldn=t change. She had tried to find a way to prolong her stay, but there was nothing she or Miroku could do.

Miroku. Her heart ached again at the thought of leaving him behind. Her only comfort was that he had promised to move on after her. A croaked laugh burst from her throat, in a strange way it as if she was going to die tomorrow. In a way it was true, her soul would no longer be tied to this time, she would go back to her own and there Miroku will have been dead for nearly 500 years.

Anguish washed over her as the realization finally hit her. She would never see any of her friends again. After tomorrow they would be long good and nothing more than a memory of the past.

Slowly she curled her legs to her chin and crossed her arms around her knees, her thoughts lost to the flames of the small fire burning before her.

~*~

Miroku swore as a particularly thorny bush snagged on his robe. He had left after their evening meal, the solemn silence grating on his tattered nerves.

She was leaving, for good, tomorrow morning. Miroku stopped walking and ran his hand through his hair. This was it? He was supposed to just let her go, standing back in the shadows and watch as she went back to her home?

Fuck that!

There was no way in hell he was going to just stand there and wave her off. He was not going to ignore the fact that she was in a sense walking away from him, leaving him to go on without her.

No way in hell!

Miroku cursed the Gods softly as anger ran through his system. Ryu was indeed heartless: he had warned them of something they couldn=t change, no matter how hard they wished differently. She would be gone tomorrow before the sun set, her duty to this time complete, and taking with her his beating heart. And yet he was suppose to stand back and let all this happen. Ryu had told him earlier that he was not to follow, that he was to keep the kit with him and head back without her.

Whirling suddenly and causing a rather nasty clang from the rings on his staff, Miroku stalked back to the inn. It would take more than one yellow haired god to keep him from the woman he loved during her last moments in this time. Yes, he would be there when she disappeared, and there was nothing that multi-personality God could do about it.

~*~

Rain had begun to fall and Kagome still sat before her small fire lost in her thoughts when Miroku returned. His clothes clinging heavily to his slim form and his hair mussed by the winds. The leather band keeping it in place was long ago tore from its place in a fit of his anger. Tonight he returned to her as a regular man, not the monk, not as anything else but who he really was. A man fighting a losing battle with fate.

Slowly her eyes rose from the fire, and watched as he slide the door shut, a small river of water trailing behind him as he took a few steps toward her. Carefully Kagome rose to her feet and padded softly across the floor to him. Her small hands lifting and tenderly removing the layers of sodden clothing from his shivering body.

She could feel the hard stare of his violet eyes watching her every move as she undressed him. And Kagome smiled gently. They both knew what she was doing, she was playing a role she would never have the chance to hold. She was ignoring her logic and simply doing what her heart desired, she would never marry the man before her, she would never spend another day in his arms, she would never be his wife. But for tonight, she was willing to imagine herself as such.

Miroku was silent while Kagome stripped him and carefully smoothed his clothes before the fire to dry. Her presence was a balm to his nerves and her touch eased his very soul. How was he suppose to let her go now? She was his friend, his lover, his life.

She finished undressing him in silence, and her arms wrapped around his waist her cheek pressed against his cool back. She loved this man and it was time he knew it.

AI love you.@ It was amazing how three simply words could bring such relief and pain at the same time.

Miroku felt his heart swell and break at the same time, AWhy?@

AI wanted you to know, just in case.@

Miroku was happy for the shadows that hid his face, that hid the tears that threatened to fall. With a heavy sigh he lifted his gloved hand and stared at the pale blue beads. He had kept them as a reminder of what could have happened, as a reminder to continue to enjoy every day like it was his last. And yet now, he didn=t want to see them anymore. The memories they brought back were not of Naraku but of Kagome. Of everything that he could have had but was denied because of their separate fates.

Kagome jumped away at Miroku=s sudden movement. Her eyes widening as the frail necklace snapped and the small beads flew in all directions. Miroku had just torn the glove from his hand and now stared onto the palm he had not seen since he was a child. Her eyes were wide as he bent down and lifted a single bead from the floor and turned to her. The bead presented to her between his fingers.

AKagome,@ his eyes softened and the pain from his heart was revealed in those violet depths.

Miroku wanted more than anything to ask her to marry him. And yet, he knew better it would bring more heart ache to them in the end when she left. A small smile touched his lips and his voice loving, AWill you bare me a child?@

Kagome wanted to cry but instead she laughed. She understood perfectly what he was trying to say, she wanted to say it too. All her love, all of her pain flickered in her eyes and her laughter died down a gentle smile on her lips.

Slowly she moved a step closer, expression softened and she lifted her left hand to cup his cheek, AI, Lord Monk, would be honored to bare you a child.@

Miroku opened his arms and Kagome was there, her lips pressed against his, urging him to take her, to make her his. Never in his life, had Miroku felt such passion for any other woman, never such love. No one had thrilled him as much as the young woman in his arms now.

Pulling away from her kiss, Miroku gazed upon Kagome=s upturned, passion blushed face. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her small form and lifted her, his breath rushing past his lips as her legs wrapped around his waist. With practiced movements, Miroku slammed her body against the thin paper wall and began to grind against her. Her breath rushed from her lungs and her lips pulled away from his to cry out hoarsely into the night. Miroku was creating a flurry of sensations to run rampant throughout her system and she wanted more.

Miroku was more than willing to concede to her unspoken demand and his now gloveless hand promptly cupped her through the tight jeans she wore. Tonight was not the night for soft caresses, tonight he would burn his memory into every cell of her body. Miroku knew only that he wanted her, he wanted her like he had never had her before, wanted her with such a swift, savage passion he had never shown her before. His mouth was hot on hers, his hands on her skin, her arms coming around his neck and she returned his brutal kisses with a heady passion of her own. If tonight was to be their last, he would make for damn sure she remembered it the rest of her life.

Pulling away from her silken lips, Miroku whispered, his deep, sultry voice sending waves of anticipation to course through her veins. AYou, my dear, are far too overdressed for this sport.@

They collapsed to the floor, their eagerness over weighing the need for some kink. She strained against him, it was as if she could not have her fill of touching him. She had barely removed her pants when Miroku pounced upon her once more. His fingers sliding straight to their target, causing her to nearly scream as pleasure pulsed from her belly and rippled through the rest of her body. He was unrelenting in his quest to bring her the pinnacle of desire, his fingers sweeping over her center in quick motions. His eyes glazed with lust while he watched Kagome=s erotic display beneath him. She was a fire in his arms; she was a temptress. The more brutal Miroku=s kisses became, the more she strained to be near him; the rougher his touch, the more fevered her response. She was close, he could feel the tightening of the muscles in her belly as she fought to hold it back, to savor the final moments before they washed over her in a tide of stars.

AMiroku, stop..@ her voice was a sensual mixture of husk and gentle mews, AI don=t want, not without you.@

He understood as he released her from the torture of his hands before settling between her velvet thighs. This was his home, the valley between her thighs, the hidden oasis that now belonged to him. Kagome reached down and took hold of him, Miroku=s breath caught as with hot insistent hands, she directed his passion where she needed it the most. Swiftly he entered her, grinning as she cried out and cam, her muscles tensing around him, coaxing his flesh deeper.

One eyebrow quirked and Miroku rested on his elbows, watching as she came down: feeling the spontaneous quakes her body continued to suffer from.

ANot without me, eh?@

She giggled, a soft tired giggle and her eyes opened to look at him with a half lidded gaze, Aoops?@

His deep chuckle blended with her gentle laughter and his hips pressed against hers slowly building her up once more. His hands moved to cup her tender breasts, caressing them as she moved against him. Neither dared to close their eyes as they watched the passion and the love swell within their expressions.

Her hands slide across his shoulders while his slipped lower and gripped her hips. The sensation of his hands pressing lightly down her sides, the slightly abrasive touch of his calloused fingers caused ripples of heat to spread through her.

Miroku followed her movements in a turbulent abundance of excitement. So fiercely, so absolutely, forgetting swiftly that this was their last moments together, that he climaxed so quickly and so violently that he, for a moment, thought he had hurt her. Yet she clung to him tightly and moaned with pleasure and did not let him go until he grew hard within her once more and brought her to the peak she so desired.

Only when she had fallen back against the cool floor with a soft and sensual sigh did he wish that he still had the strength to take her again. To show once more all of his passion and deepest love that he had ever felt. With a tender gaze he watched her face, her pink mouth curved in the most charmingly naughty of satisfied smiles.

Slowly with languid motions, they untangled themselves from each other and crept to the small futon opposite the fire. Here they laid, lulled to a semi-conscious state with their soft breathing and the warmth given by the fire. She snuggled deeper into the warmth of his body and breathed deeply, her tired voice bringing him back for a moment as her last words were murmured before sleep took her.

AYou smell like my birthday present.@

~*~

Shippo paused briefly to catch his breath and collect his thoughts but before he could continue the phone rang.

Startled, Taro glanced first at the wall clock and frowned. It was nearly 3:00 in the morning? Who in the world would call so early! Then his heart froze and all the blood rushed from his face, in a lightening fast movement Taro was up out of his chair and shakily answering the phone.

AMr. Higurashi?@

Taro sighed heavily, it wasn=t the doctors calling to inform him of his mother=s death. AYa?@

A pause, AI=m terribly sorry for calling at this hour, this is Mr. Outo from the florist shop you stated you wanted to know what I found out as soon as I could.@

Taro nodded and replied, AYes, what did you find out about the flower I dropped by?@

A longer pause, ASir, it would be better off if you came by my shop right now. The information I have gathered is rather, detailed.@

Taro repressed the urge to groan, AAlright I=ll be there in 30 minutes. Bye.@

Taro waited till his heart stopped its frantic beating within his breast before he turned and gave Shippo a helpless expression.

ADo you remember the flower you just told me about?@

Shippo nodded.

AEarlier today, well yesterday I guess, I found it in mom=s old diary. I was curious and dropped by the local florist/herbist on my way home from the hospital. Well, that was the owner on the phone, he said he had some >detailed= information he needed to share with me.@

Auburn eyebrows furrowed, AI see. Do you want me to come along?@

Taro shook his head slightly as he shrugged on his jacket, ANo, that=s okay. Go ahead and make yourself at home here, I don=t think I=ll be gone for very long.@

Shippo nodded and chuckled lightly as Taro headed for the door, grumbling softly to himself.

ADon=t worry, I won=t go anywhere. And you still have the rest of the story to hear.@

With a smile, quick nod of his head and a wave, Taro left the small shine home and headed toward Mr. Outo=s shop his mind buzzing with curiosity as too what the man had found out.

Shippo stared at the table, his thoughts flashed back to the story he had just been sharing with Taro. The boy had yet to learn about the ending, about the tragic ending of Kagome=s time in the past.

Standing he prepared himself for bed just as the phone rang once more.

Lifting the phone from its cradle he answered lightly, AHello, Higurashi residence.@ Expecting Taro=s young voice to greet him from other end he was startled when he heard the cool, stoic tones of Kagome=s doctor.

ASesshomaru?@

TBC...

~*~

A/N~

Inca: *facefaults* wha...what is this!?

Mystic: *grins* a cliffe!

Inca: *sputters* but, but...why?

Mystic: *chirps happily* cause there=s only one chapter left and its better to let the reviewers respond with fierce demands on our hide than to finish. It keeps the excitement and the mystery prolonged, giving the readers something to look forward too! *sparkles*

Inca: *sweatdrops* Your demented.

Mystic: *wags finger* No, I=m smart.

Inca: *groans and turns to readers* Its her fault, HERS not mine...keep that in mind when you come after us. And yes you heard that right, only one chapter to go. You all know the routine, leave your Pepsi donation in the little box.

~*~

Reviewer Responds~

Paranoid~ *giggles from both authors* Yes pointy objects and Inca DO NOT get along together...I remember this time when she was THIS tall and she...*is quickly gagged by Inca* Well, yes anyway...*blushes* you love us. YOU REALLY LOVE US! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Yes we=re dirty, obsessive, pathetic hentai=s, but you LOVE US!

SlyWolf9~ PEPSI! Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi! YAY!

HMPrune1~ Whee! Yes, well, *coughs* they don=t get much time, but they do get SOME time together. Thank you for your review, we love hearing from those who read our stories.

*authors* wink, wink, nudge, nudge....