InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Under Anothers Watchful Eye ❯ Haunting Dreams ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha and Company. All rights belong to Rumiko Takahasi

Kagome sat lurched over a large wash bucket as she began to try and disolve the grass stain that her white shirt had suffered through. She sighed, practically giving in. It was most likely useless, grass stains were almost impossible to get out in her time, and there, they had washers and detergent. The dark haired women picked up the white blouse with the green sailor tie and began to scratch and rub at the spot. It was on the right of her side, but her arm would most likely cover it up. Kagome picked up a bar of soap and started to form bubbles in the water as she scrubbed her shirt clean aginst a washing board.


Kagome stopped breifly and raised her lower arm to wipe the sweat dripping from her forehead. She looked over her shoulder to see Shippo on his stomach laying on the ground, coloring. Kagome had been in the fuedal era for three years now, and her eight-teenth birthday was approching soon enough. She admired how much the young fox kit had change, yet he was still so young looking and fragile. The fox kit stuck his small tounge out of his mouth, where it meet at the corners of a fusterated smile. The young women looked at him, his outfit was filthy.


'I will have to wash Shippos cloths today before we have to leave Kaedas village.' Kagome thought inwardly. She then turned her attention back to her obstacle of dreaded green and white. The unwanted parasite lurched itself to the clean fabric, but signs of it fadeing started to show. Through this tire some thought, Kagome smiled. Her work was not completly useless after all.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


InuYasha layed on a branch, high in a tree watching as Kagome struggled to remove a small, hardly visible stain. He was far to high up to be noticed by the commen eyes of the villagers, but Kagome would find him easily enough. She always could. He could be go to a tree to sit and think, or just to watch and observe, simply trying to fill the void in the day, and Kagome would be able to spot him on a dime. 'Yes.' InuYasha said to himself. 'Kagome knows me better than I ever thought anyone could.' But he pushed those feelings down enough to leave him with an empty heart, and a questioning mind. He looked down to the spot where Kagome had hunched over a washing pan. She was gone; where could she have run off to? The silver haired man turned his head, scopeing out all the possible areas where she could have gone. He instintly found her as she hung her blouse over the clothes line. Near enough to Kagome was Shippo, who giggled loudly at his latest master peice. InuYasha turned his attention to his surroundings; the wind picked up as it carried falling leaves away. It was so majestic up here, high above from where the world could see. During his thoughts, he hadn't even noticed that Kagome had walked toward him, nor had he noticed as she called out his name, standing right in front of his tree. He turned his head to look down at her, then his brows met as he jumped down with confusion in his eyes.


"Whats wrong?"


"Huh? Nothings wrong, but Kaeda made lunch and its nearly ready if you want some." He nodded his head and Kagome smiled then turned back to walk over to Shippo and take his hand in her own, helping him up. They started walking to find Sango and Miroku to tell them of the news.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Night had come too fast, the day light passing by without even a notice. Though the days activitys seemed endless and tiresome, they did them so with a laugh and with light conversation. Prehaps it was how the day seemed to turn into night with out notice, or prehaps it was that InuYasha had missed Kaeda, or maybe even that he was growing tiresome himself, but InuYasha did not protest when Kaeda ask them to spend the night when the sun started to set. It was safe to say, all were surprized how willingly InuYasha gave in, it was not like him to not put up a fight, or atleast say the traditional "Feh".


The group, all thankful that they had a roof to stay under, and supper ready for them when they came to settle in. Miroku had kept most of the conversation in the beginning about matters that would only concern a monk and a miko. Kagome how ever was not in the least interested, she let her mind wander, and she played with Shippo some, but other than that she thought it best for the two to speak the spritual matters before attending to catagorys in which they could all share their opinions, and their interest.


Unfortunatly for them, what they all had interest in, was the demise of Naraku. He was the reason for pain, the reason for heart break, the reason for death. Yet something unsettleing about him always brought a shiver to their spine, not one of anger, but one of nerve and one of disgust. But with the subject and topic of Naraku, it always brought up one of Kikyo. Kagome was feeling very tired, and very pleased with InuYashas easy submission today, she just wasnt in the mood for Kikyo to spoil her day; she intended to avoid the topic at all costs.


Luckly for Kagome, her wishes were easily enough granted, and every one headed off to sleep to retire early. They were a day behind, and InuYasha may have been passive tonight, but tomarrow was a diffrent story. You never knew if InuYasha was going to wake up hostile, or pleasent; agressive and mean, or understanding and passive. Kagome secrectly blamed InuYashas sleeping positon as a cause for him being grumpy. It must have taken years to adjust to sleeping in such a defensive mode.


Kagome was unable to sleep; she tossed and turned, shifted and tried to count sheep. But all to no prevail. When she did close her eyes, nightmares kept haunting her thoughts. Some one was watching, she was on looking at a scene of her and her friends. All seemed fine as Kagome observed quitely. But when she tuned her head as the wind caressed her face, she noticed that she was not alone. Something in the shadows was lurking near by, and just as the face was comming to meet her own; she would awake, thankful to be rid of that dream world. Kagome wiped her fore head from the sweat pouring off her face. She turned once more on her side, until she couldnt take anymore. She stood up and stopped in front of the door way to Kaedas hut. As Kagome looked out into the darkness, she suddenly realized she had forgotten the account of the dream and every thing that had happened in it. That, amde her even more nervous. She inhailed deeply and faced the doorway bravely, and took a step outside. InuYasha had heard her toss, and turn, then finally stand up and levae. He decieded that it was best for him to follow her.


He stood up himself, wanting to know where she was off to, needing to know what ailed her. He had heard her fidget and toss through the nights dream. He could smell the fear and anxity along with sweat mix in the air comming from her. He was about to wake her from her dream just as she rose and left. Just like that, no telling him where she was off to, no thinking that some one could be out there. Night is when most demons came out to feed. A jolt of worry and panic came through InuYasha as she walked out the door way and quickly came upon her scent, following it. He saw her seated by the lake, toying with a pebble near her thigh.


Kagome noticed him walk over to her, although he had not made a sound; this had frightend him some what.


"What are you doing out here?" Kagome asked InuYasha as he looked dumbfounded.


"Me? What about you? What are you doing out here at night?" He said, trying to keep his voice to a whisper. He sat down next to her and turned his head towards her, to hear her reasoning. She instead, just looked straight out into the lake.


"I... I just couldn't sleep. I kept haveing these terrible nightmares. They seemed so... so real. Every time I started to fall back asleep, I would start dreaming from where I left off."


"Yeah, but you shouldn't come out here at night with no one to protect you. This time is dangerous."


"Yeah, I know. I just couldn't sleep. I had to do some thing."


InuYasha nodded in understanding. He too, looked out into the lake, almost getting lost in its beauty.


"It sure is beautiful out here at night. Just look at the sky, I have never seen so many stars."


"Keh. It looks no diffrent from any other night."


"Yeah, but back in my time, you can hardly ever find a night like this one." She let out a yawn, and her eyes started to close some what, but were jerked back open with in the next second. Although she couldnt remember what had occured in her dreams, she knew it was bad. InuYasha frowned.


"What kinda dreams were you haveing Kagome?"


"I...I dont know..." Was all that she could answer.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Kagome had finally gotten to sleep about an hour later after stareing out aimlessly into a lake. Her tiredness had finally caught up with her, and she was unable to stay awake, despite her trys.


InuYasha had felt uneasy ever since Kagome had told him that she was unsure of what was plagueing her. What could it be that kept her awake, kept her mind raceing? What could be so aweful to bring pain and discomfort to the dreams of some one who kind and pure? InuYasha was unsure, but he knew it had to be some thing aweful.


He had wanted so much to wrap his arms around her and to tell her that it was okay. To be able to comfort her, to try and erase the pain that haunted her tired mind. But his wishes were never granted that easily. To show affection, would show that he cared. And there would be just one problem with that- if he did show his emotions, he would want to show them all. Not just his anger for when she does something wrong, or his worry about her safety. At times his pride about her had escaped, and she would smile at him, makeing him feel that nothing was more beautiful, more precious than her smileing at him. At those times it felt like they had created their own little universe, where nothing could touch them. In InuYashas reasoning, he had already promised his life to some one, so it would be unwise to show that he cared, that he felt... that he loved, for Kagome. It would just make it that much harder to let go in the end. He already was going to leave this world in regret, and he did not want to leave it with any more than he will already have. And if that ment pushing Kagome away, and hurting her, than he would have to do so, no matter how much it kilt him inside.


InuYasha sat laying on his back, stareing up at the ceiling. How was it possible that Kagome stood by him? It seemed like each time he had hurt her, made her cry, made her feel worthless, she would come back to him, makeing it only strenghtend the love and hold she had on him. Why was it that he could never control his feelings for her? Kikyo had died because of him, not because of the jewel. No, it was because she had grown weak because she was involved with him, a half breed. Maybe, if her power had not fallen, she would have been able to see through Narakus trap. 'But that is the past' InuYasha would have to tell himself. 'I have to focus on the present: I must destroy Naraku for what he did to us, for killing Kikyo. Then, I have to go to hell with Kikyo, its only right.' He flinched at the thought. What would happen to Kagome when he left? InuYasha guessed that she would return to her own time. There were only a handfull of people here that ment some thing to her. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kaeda, and him. In all truth, InuYasha knw that out of all those people, he was the most important to her. Once he was gone, there would be no real reason to stay. Kagome would be able to go to that 'school' she loved so much, and as she got older, she would... she would mate, and have pups. Some one would build a house for her. It was as if someone had hit InuYasha in the head with reality. But what about him? InuYasha wondered 'Will I be forgotten?' The thought of some one mateing with her, building her a house, haveing pups, it all sickened him, and filled him with jealously. He wanted it to be him. But that was just impossible. Once agian, he damned the fates as he had done so many times before, for curseing him.


Was he being petty, he had wondered to himself. 'Is it fair for me be jealous of any man that trys to pursue Kagome, when I have no right to be? I have to go off with Kikyo. She died because of me. I should be happy that I even have her, she is beautiful, and smart, and powerful. But, still, I get jealous even at the thought other males and Kagome. I want Kagome to be happy, and lead a wonderful life, I just want her to do it with me... but it is impossible. I, honestly have no right to g et angry when Koga comes around, or when Kagome goes off to her era, where that hobo guy is. Is that being petty? I just wish things could be diffrent.'


InuYasha was hurled out of his thoughts when he heard Kagome whimper in her sleep. He sat up and took a closer look at her. She was in a cold sweat, and her head was tossing back and forth. It seemed almost like she was struggleing. The way she was panting made it seem like some one had cut off her oxygen supply. 'What was going on in these dreams of hers?' He thought inwardly. Poor Kagome. It seemed like things will never go her way, even in her dreaming state. If it wasnt for him, then none of this pain she suffered from would exsist. She would be a normal girl... no, a normal women. InuYasha smirked. He had often seen her sleeping, and when she was, she always looked so in peace, so tranquil. He loved that. If only those harmless, unhurtfull thoughts could carry out into the real world where she could be protected from any pain brought her way, or more so, any pain he would bring her way.


Kagomes body flinched in terror and fear. She was unable to get away, unable to run. She was stuck in this dream state until she woke up. InuYasha knew that when she awoke she would still be tired, after all, she is mentally battleing what ever her mind had thought up. He smiled. In dreams, you could have what ever you wanted. You could have fortune, a family. You could be blessed with good health and good looks. In dreams, you could have a love that you otherwise are unable to touch, because you belong to some one else. Yes, dreams can be a good thing.


It had seemed that InuYasha let his emotions run away with him, when Kikyo was not on his mind; and that was not often. Kikyo would call for him, mostly at night, and he would run faithfully to her, breaking Kagomes heart, and in so, his own. He wouldn't be able to face Kagome the next day, nor the others. They all were behind Kagome one hundred percent when it came to the matter of him and Kikyo. But soon, Kagome would forgive him, and things would carry on as they were before, but each ones heart a little heavier. But in time, when there would be no sign of Kikyo, InuYasha was able to forget her, forget his promise, forget everything. During that time, the two would bond. His words weren't as harsh, and he found, in those days, he was never so happy. But, all good things must come to an end. Either some one would mention her name, or she her self would appear. Then, InuYasha and Kagome would restart their tragic cycle into a contiunum, one, which he feared, would never end.


The fact that everyone doubted Kikyos love, prehaps even InuYasha himself, always swirled around in the back of everyones mind. Kikyo was smart, is smart, and prehaps underhanded. Unknowingly to InuYasha, motives constintly came into the thoughts of his friends. Sango had always wondered if InuYasha was blinded by love, or that he just simply couldnt bare the fact that the first person to come along his path to make him feel wanted, was secrectly useing him for her own purposes. True, she could have used them on anyone, but she chose him. Why was that? Because she needed a hanyou, a half breed, so that the wish could be made. She herself had even said that she wanted to use the jewel so that she could lead the life of an ordinary person. Can that be called underhanded? In Sangos view, yes.


Miroku often found himself thinking about why Kikyos spirtual powers had weakend during her love affair with InuYasha. If her feelings were true and pure, would they not be stronger? Kagome only seemed to increase in power when she and InuYashas realtionship became more serious, but Kikyos powers weakened. Is that because she was not in love, and makeing a selfish wish, one to her benifit alone, but also in the process, hurting a man, who just wanted to feel wanted. Miroku looked upon that as both sick and twisted. Sure he was bringing down Naraku for his own purpose, killing off one to help himself, but he was not breaking any hearts, nor makeing any selfish wish. Narku did this to him, even though he did nothing; eventually, this cursed hole in his hand will one day claim his life; Miroku hardly considered that selfish.


Shippo wondered and was unable to see what InuYasha didn't see in Kagome, what he saw in Kikyo. The young fox kit had already figured out that Kagome was the most pure, loveing women that he had ever met. Shippo, in many ways, considered Kagome the closet thing to a mother that he had, for he was an orphan. The young kitsune didn't even think that the two looked alike. Kagomes face was more kind, and seemed to glow with love and compassion, Kikyos on the other hand seemed cold. Her eyes always looked icy and some what sad at times. Kagome seemed happy, well, most of the time. Both women were equally smart, Kagome, prehaps smarter. Just because you know one herb from another, does not make you intellagent. Kagomes power was hidden in her, untouched. Kikyo had tapped into that power and it made her strong, but, Kagome was already strong, and she had that power with in her that she was yet to discover. What could it be that Kikyo had on InuYasha that bound him to her so tightly? The kitsune was always thinking the same thing: Kikyo needed him, or was it that he needed her? 'Kagome is way more important than Kikyo. Cant he see that Kagome needs him too?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Kagome awoke the next morning, bathed in sweat, once agian, forgetting all accounts of what had occured in her dreams. But she awoke, being scared. She sat up only to find her neck sore. She immeditly put a hand to the side of he neck and began to rub while turning her head around in circles to stretch the mussles. When she looked around to the side of her, she noticed that Shippo was not next to her. Her eyes gazed to where Miroku and Sango had once been laying. Both spots were empty. She swung her head around at the sound of a familar voice.


"Are you okay Kagome?" The voice belonged to InuYashas, and it was one of concern.


"Yeah, I'm fine. Its just that my neck and shoulders are pretty sore."


"Well, it would be, you were tossing and turning all night." He said, as he put one hand on each shoulder, easing the pain that had once surfaced. Kagome wondered if it was his abilty for back rubbing, or his touch alone.


"Did I keep you up?"


"No, I stayed awake thinking."


"Oh, about what?"


"Nothing really."


"It couldn't have been nothing if it kept you awake." 'What is he hideing?' Kagome wondered to herself.


"What did you dream about that kept you tossing and shifting all night? You were covered in sweat." 'Was he watching me sleep?'


"I... I dont really know. I just forget when I woke up, but I can feel that it was something terrible."


"So you were scared during your dream? I thought so, you heart was beating faster." Kagome was completly lost in his touch.


"Where is Shippo and the others?"


"They went outside to help Kaeda gather things for breakfast."


"How long ago did they leave?"


"About an hour or so. Why?"


"I was just wondering. Are we leaveing today?"


"Yes. We have to. We are a day behind."


"And im sure your going to give us all hell about it too." Kagome said with a smirk.


"Feh."


"So, has Kaeda heard any new leads to where a shard might be?"


"Yeah, she said there is a village, a while aways from here, that has claimed a demon is attacking citizens at night."


"Well, I guess we should head out after breakfast then huh?"


"Yeah."


Kagome smiled.


"Thanks for keeping me company last night."


"Well, I couldnt leave you alone out there at that time of the night."


"I would have been fine."


"Keh."


"What, you dont think that I can take care of myself?"


"Yes, You can. I just..." 'Oh no... I'm doing it agian.' InuYasha thought to himself. 'I am letting my emotions escape.'


"You... What InuYasha?"


"Nothing... Its nothing." He stood up and left the hut.


What is wrong with him? Kagome thought, hurt. Everything had been so great! He had been helping her releave the pain in her back, and he almost said that he cared, or worried, but he stopped mid-sentance. Is he afriad to let his guard down? Even in front of me? Kagome wondered what could have been on his mind to have kept him up all night long. The one she held dearest, the one she would give her life for, the one she... the one she loved. Yes, Kagome thought to herself, I do love him, dont I. I would give him my last bit of strength, my last breath in my body, if it ment that he would be okay. I want him to be happy, and I want him to... I want him to love me back. Hot tears sprung to Kagomes eyes. 'I need to go home for a day.' Kagome said inwardly. 'Yes, then I can straighten things out.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Sango, Miroku, Shippo and InuYasha, along with Kirara and Kagome, all sat in a circle with Kaeda in the center. The hut was well lit from the earlt time of the day, and everyone seemed to eat as if they had been with out food in a week. As they ate, it was done so mostly in silence. The fire that heated their food kept the small shack warm, and every one seemd content.


'InuYasha seems to be in such a good mood today too. I am going to hate to make him mad, but I have to go. Maybe he will be more understanding if we are alone. He always seems more comfortable if its just us two.'


"InuYasha?" Kagome said, breaking the silence. All eyes looked up to her. InuYasha felt like the spot light was on him, and he gulped his food down, replying in a squeaky "yes?"


"Can I talk to you outside for a minute?" Everyones eyes shifted from Kagome to InuYasha.


"Uh, sure."


The two walked out of the hut together, with Kagome in the lead.


"What is it Kagome?" InuYasha asked, fearing that something was wrong.


"InuYasha, I know... I know that this isnt the best time, but, I need to go home."


"WHAT?"


"InuYasha, I, I need to sort some stuff out." Her voice was as calm as ever.


"Stuff? What kind of stuff?"


"Emotions. I need to sort through my emotions."


InuYasha got a jolt of fear when she said that. 'Is she going through these emotions because of me?'


"InuYasha, I really just need to go home, just for one day." Her face was solem, and InuYasha gave in easily.


"FINE! One day! But if your not back here by this time tomorrow, I'm comming to get you!" Kagome shed a smile, the ran towards InuYasha, wrapping he arms around him.


"Uhh... Kagome....."


"Thank you InuYasha."


He nodded in reply then wacthed her go off to the well and leave for her era.