InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Under Shooting Stars ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

InuYasha watched the sky intently. There were plenty of stars in the sky, many more than he could count, all of them sparkling and bright. But there were no shooting stars this night, which was a shame.

 

InuYasha thought that he could really use a few wishes right about now.

 

“I've never known you to be interested in the stars, InuYasha,” said a voice from the forest behind him. He didn't need to turn around; he knew who was standing there, even without the eerie floating soul collectors that sailed past him through the air.

 

“I'm not,” InuYasha said as Kikyo appeared from between the trees. He tore his eyes away from the night sky and looked at the dead miko that was a significant part of his history.

 

His history. A past he would rather not remember. Filled with the misery and pain of his childhood, but jolding memories he was unable to forget.

 

Kikyo was quiet for a moment, staring up at the stars as InuYasha had done with an unreadable expression on her face. “You seem different, InuYasha,” she said when she finally spoke. “More…peaceful, somehow.”

 

“Feh,” was the dog demon's only response. His ears pricked up at the sound of Kagome's soft laughter from the campsite nearby. “I don't need peace. Peace won't help me kill Naraku.”

 

Kikyo smiled sadly at the night sky. “Yes, but all the same…she's done a good job on you.”

 

InuYasha said nothing, but there was a certain intensity in his eyes as he glared at Kikyo that plainly said that he wanted to know what the hell she was on about.

 

“Do not get me wrong, InuYasha, my reincarnation has not made you weak. If anything, she has made you stronger. You have someone to fight for now.” Kikyo locked eyes with InuYasha. “But will she stay with you? When Naraku is dead and the jewel is complete once more…will she not go back down the well to her time, and never return?”

 

And never return? InuYasha stared at Kikyo, and a stab of uncertainty settled itself uncomfortably in his stomach. Would she stay with him? He had never thought about it before, had took it for granted that Kagome would always be there, a constant in his life and a companion by his side. But…but what about what she had said?

 

She loved him…didn't she?

 

Kikyo watched the anguished emotions flicker in InuYasha's eyes. Her expression remained inscrutable. “I will still be here, InuYasha. After all, I do not have the power of time travel.” She paused, and her gaze returned to the stars. “Just think about it, InuYasha. She does not belong in this time. But I do.”

 

InuYasha said nothing as Kikyo disappeared into the trees again. He didn't move at all for many long moments, feeling completely alone for the first time in so long and not at all happy with the thoughts going through his head.

 

~O~O~O~

 

Kagome was shaken roughly awake sometime in the dead of night. Her foggy brain was clearing to whispered cries of “Kagome!” and she vaguely registered the golden eyes of a familiar dog demon.

 

“InuYasha?” Kagome's voice was thick with sleep. “What…”

 

“Are you staying here?” His frantic voice only served to confuse Kagome even more. She struggled to sit up, only to find InuYasha's face inches from her own, mouth set in a tight line, worried eyes bright even in the shadowy darkness of night.

 

“What are you talking about, InuYasha? Of course I'm staying here…” Kagome broke off as InuYasha continued to stare into her eyes. “Are you feeling okay?”

 

“I…” InuYasha stopped and looked away. “No. Not really.”

 

Kagome stared at InuYasha's form, crouching on the ground next to her sleeping bag and looking more lost than she had ever seen him. This was so unlike the InuYasha that she knew, the one who could kill fierce demons with one sweep of his sword and who always seemed so unbreakable.

 

His voice sounded more urgent as he repeated, “Are you staying here? Kagome?”

 

The girl in question, however, was more confused than ever. “Well, where exactly am I going to go, InuYasha? I'm not likely to go wandering off into the forest alone…again.” She blushed slightly at the memory, but InuYasha didn't seem to notice, so focused was he on his dilemma.

 

“No, I mean…” The half demon gave a frustrated sigh. “Will you stay here…with me?” A blank stare was all he received. Kagome was still caught in the last clutches of sleep. If she hadn't been, she might have been able to catch on a little quicker. “After Naraku's dead and the jewel is gone?”

 

Ding! Cue the light bulb.

 

“You want to know if I'm staying here in the Feudal Era after this whole thing is over?” InuYasha gave a hesitant nod. “Do you want me to?”

 

For a long moment they just stared into each other's eyes, the nervous silence stretching between them as the stars once again shone bright above them. InuYasha took a deep breath.

 

“Yes.”