InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Yume ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: My name is not Takahashi Rumiko, so I cannot claim ownership of Inuyasha-not legally, anyway. But I'm slightly insane (so my friends keep telling me), and my muse likes to bend the rules and pretend she owns Sesshoumaru...maybe she'll let me borrow him sometime so I can see what all that screaming is about...

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Yume

Previously:

If she had transformed Tessaiga in the dream, and it had happened in the waking world, then would the other dream events metamorphose into reality, as well? Kagome shifted and gasped when a dull, burning sensation in her shoulder and across her back made itself abruptly known through the haze of her muddled ruminations. Groaning a little with the discomfort, which was gradually fading to a low throb, she raised slender fingers to the source of pain, brushing raven locks aside to probe at her shoulder.

She heard Inuyasha and Miroku inhale sharply as the silky barrier was moved, exposing a quickly disappearing stain of...blood? Marring the smooth expanse of her shoulder, running from the outer curve and disappearing back over her shoulder blade in a graceful, macabre arc were four perfectly paralleled slashes. As she watched, horror-struck, the ragged edges of the wounds ceased seeping phantom blood, pinkened, then faded until nothing was left but silver-white scars.

Still in shock, visions of her dream and reality swirling together in a cloud of uncertainty and confusion, Kagome voiced the horrifying realization that burst upon her awareness.

"You-you killed me, Inuyasha," and with those damning words, the welcoming darkness eddying around the edges of her vision rose up and engulfed her in warm arms of blessed, blank blackness.

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Chapter 4

Kagome roused slowly, chased into wakefulness by remnants of a nightmare and low, murmured voices. Shifting under her unexpectedly light blanket (it was so light it seemed non-existent), trying to snuggle into the unexpected warmth against her side and back, she hummed in contentment and attempted to fall back into peaceful slumber. Besides, she just knew it would be a mistake to open her eyes right now, so she pretended she wasn't on that tantalizing border between dreams and reality, hoping the waking world would forget about her and just go away.

Unfortunately, her pillow seemed to have other plans, and began to bounce ever so slightly, hesitantly calling her name. Studiously ignoring the summons, Kagome resolutely determined to sink back into blissful sleep, ignoring the insistent call her rude bedding. The bouncing increased, and a hand was added to the disturbing movement, punctuating each repetition of her name with a gentle shake to her shoulder. In retaliation, she rolled onto her side to bury her face in the warm softness of the pillow.

Well, that was the plan, anyway. But it turned out her pillow, while warm, was not soft-it was, in fact, rather bony and...muscled?-and it smelled spicy. A familiar scent, but not one she associated with the floral aroma her shampoo left behind on her own bedding. Olfactory recall clicked into place.

Inuyasha.

As her sleep-fuddled mind pulled that memory forth and processed it, Kagome knew something was wrong with her bed. Inuyasha should not have been in it. Not unless they had both his the sake a little too hard. Slowly, resisting each millimeter, she lifted her eyelids to reluctantly take in her surroundings...and sighed in relief. Ahh, good. Then she frowned. Inuyasha wasn't in her bed; he was her bed.

Bolting upright, the miko gasped in surprise at her location, finding herself waking in the hanyou's lap for the second time that night. Hot, betraying color rushed to her face, staining her cheeks with the force of her acute embarrassment. Oh, God. This simply was not her day. Night. Whatever.

"Kagome...?" Inuyasha's voice, soft and uncertain, forced her to raise hesitant eyes to his face. She couldn't ignore the almost pained quality in his tone, though, and turned within his arms to meet his subdued amber gaze.

The look on his face, stricken and almost panicked, as if uncertain she would look at him at all, tore at her heart. The memory of her vision came back to her in a searing rush of pain and blood, panic and breathless awe.

That's right, she thought, Inuyasha said I transformed the Tessaiga, just like in my dream, and then my shoulder hurt...

The thought trailed off as she remembered seeing the phantom stain of blood on her skin, fading before their very eyes to ghostly pale scars in the exact location of the injury sustained during her vision. Four long, evenly matched slash marks-a dream wound incurred by a dream Inuyasha. Not real. Right?

Kagome lifted her hand to his face, gently brushing the wild silver tangle out of his eyes while bestowing a gentle smile upon him. She was trying to reassure him, wanting to erase the memory of the last words she had said to him before so unceremoniously flaking out.

"You-you killed me, Inuyasha."

The memory alone made her tremble in mingled fear and regret. How could she have said such a horrible, hurtful thing to him? It didn't soothe her conscious any to know that, in the alternate reality of her vision, it was `true'. Those words, coupled together with the nature and placement of her mystifying wound, were about the only thing she was aware of that could reduce to rubble the emotional barriers of the proud, gruff man who held her so tenderly.

"Inuyasha," she said quietly. It was more than his name; it was assurance that she was fine, as well as a plea for forgiveness of her thoughtless words, her callous reminder of the tragic circumstances of Kikyou's death.

Kagome knew nothing would erase the burden of guilt Inuyasha had claimed, and no amount of arguing about Naraku's trickery being to blame would convince him to release it. The least she could do, though, was to avoid mention of it, and here she was, practically a living billboard advertisement of the event, right down to the scar her incarnate would have carried had she lived. Kagome stroked her hand over Inuyasha's cheek softly, absently noting the contrast between his lean, tanned skin and her pale fingers. It seemed to emphasize her human fragility, and how he always used his strength to protect her. Something twisted in her chest. It was a familiar feeling, though it had occurred less frequently over time.

"Inuyasha," more of a question this time, "will you forgive me?"

His head snapped around to stare at her, golden eyes wide with surprise and suspicious shine, mouth slightly open, though no words emerged. He blinked several times, rapidly, then released a strangled, choked sound that may have been her name, and wrapped his arms around her to haul her to his hard chest. The crushing embrace forced the breath uncomfortably from her lungs, but Kagome did not complain. As she had suspected, her accusation of `murder' had rocked his emotional stability, and she was only too glad to give him what she could to help him regain that lost footing. Even if I have to suffocate for it, she thought with a touch of wry amusement, struggling a bit for breath.

After a moment-too brief for her heart, too long for her protesting ribs-Inuyasha released his harsh hold, but did not seem inclined to let her go completely. That suited Kagome fine, so she settled herself more comfortably against him-or, as comfortable as one can get while half-reclining, half-sitting within the awkward embrace of a hanyou who did not possess an ounce of fat for padding.

When she shifted for the third time in as many seconds, Inuyasha finally seemed to get the point and, huffing a little in an small, encouraging show of his normal attitude, pulled her upright to lean her side against his chest, one arm looped loosely around her back in case she should pass out again. Kagome noted, with a mixture of amusement and relief, her friend's slightly flushed face. It was a good sign that he was regaining his equilibrium if he displayed discomfort. Certain he would soon be `keh'-ing and putting her from him in a fit of embarrassed pique, the miko settled in to enjoy the rare contact while she could.

"Kagome-chan," came Sango's questioning, concerned voice. Now that the worst of Inuyasha's shock had worn off, the rest of the group felt safe to intrude again. Shippou hopped as close as he dared, uncharacteristically sensitive to the hanyou's proximity to his friend.

"Kagome? Are you okay?" he asked, little voice trembling slightly in remembered fear. The vision of blood soaking her shirt, then fading away before she collapsed into Inuyasha's arms, playing on his worst nightmare that he would lose her and be left alone again.

When the human girl reached out to bring the little kitsune to her for a reassuring hug, she felt tears sting the backs of her eyes at his trembling. Holding him close, fingers brushing through his bright hair, she made soft shushing noises of reassurance. Guilt stabbed at her anew for causing yet another of her friends undue grief. It seemed she was doing nothing tonight but reopening old wounds.

"Kagome-sama," Miroku began, purpose in his calm tone, "perhaps you could tell us what happened?"

Looking into the monk's earnest indigo gaze, she wavered. The group had enough to worry about as it was, should she really be adding to their troubles by relating some silly dream? Even if it did happen nightly. A glint of moonlight on metal caught her eye, and her gaze was drawn back to the Tessaiga, laying forgotten at her feet, still in its full fang form. She turned her face back to Inuyasha questioningly. Why hadn't he sheathed the sword? Had he been that worried about her? Kagome felt something simultaneously melt and harden in her heart: deep affection for the hanyou, and resolve that nothing would hurt her friend again, were it within her power.

"Inuyasha, why don't you put Tessaiga away, and then I'll tell you about my dream," she suggested softly, already shifting to separate herself from his warmth. They deserved to know the whole of it, and mentally prepared the best way to go about telling them.

At her movement, Inuyasha seemed to shake himself out of some reverie, an inner conversation she was afraid to know the topic of, and bent down to retrieve the fang, his long, strong fingers wrapping around the worn hilt. He lifted the blade and settled the tip against the opening of the scabbard, cutting edge up, prepared to slide it home...but nothing happened. That curious, mysterious bit of magic that allowed the massive demon blade to fit perfectly within the narrow confines of its protective shield did not activate. Grunting in surprise, Inuyasha slid completely out from underneath Kagome, standing to get more room as he flipped the blade through the ritual series of movements performed prior to sheathing a blade.

Up. Down to the side. Up. Flip blade. Tip to the sheath...

Nothing.

Inuyasha's golden gaze swung to meet Kagome's dark one, both blank with shock. This was too horrible to imagine. It had to be a mistake.

"Inuyasha," Kagome began. Her voice was reedy with apprehension and she had to lick suddenly dry lips before suggesting, "try it again."

Again he swung the great fang through the deceptively simple movements with the grace and ease of long practice. Again, the magic refused to catch the blade and it remained transformed, too large to fit into the enchanted scabbard. A light of panic began to edge into Inuyasha's eyes, spurring him to try again...and again...and yet again...

Slowly climbing to her feet, Kagome was so deeply confused by the sudden set of events-real and imagined-that had caught her up in a tangle of inexplicable circumstances, that she did not at first notice the warmth rising behind her breastbone. She had some half-formed thought of helping her friend in some way, though she did not know what she, as a mere human, could do to affect the great demon blade. It was while she was chafing at her frailties and limitations, watching helplessly as Inuyasha swung the sword with increasingly frantic movements, that her awareness finally telegraphed the pulsing sensation deep within her body to her less-than-observant brain.

It was like someone flipped a switch, and knowledge, ancient and profound, flooded her mind, feeding her instinctual instructions. Acting without thought, not even fully realizing she had moved until she was suddenly pressed to Inuyasha's side, she reached out a hand to place it over his on the hilt of the fang. Tessaiga pulsed at the contact.

Through a haze of interference from somewhere deep within her own mind, she watched, separate, yet completely within control of her own actions. Pulling on resources deep within herself, she played on the rising tide of holy power, calling to it, coaxing it forth, whipping it into a high crest, feeling it teeter on the brink...

Concentrating on the tenuous link, forged between herself and the weapon during some unknown metaphysical communion, yet facilitated by simple physical contact, Kagome pulled one final time. The power cascaded down the line, pouring into the demon blade, soothing its aura and reversing the magics which had caused it to reveal its true form.

The Tessaiga again appeared to be a rusted, broken blade.

Lifting her hand slowly away from the hilt, Kagome opened her eyes, not knowing when she had closed them to begin with. Despite her closed lids, she still retained a clear visual memory of her hand over Inuyasha's, the glowing pink-white light around the blade as it shrank in on itself...how could she have seen all of that with her eyes shut?

She felt herself wilt from the massive energy drain and raised her head wearily to look into Inuyasha's face, vaguely amused at his absolutely flabbergasted expression. The awestruck hanyou was standing before her, mouth agape, a beaten katana dangling limply at his side. He didn't even blink.

Kagome's knees finally buckled, and she felt strong arms come around her, supporting her weary form. Looking to either side, she saw Sango and Miroku had dashed to catch her before she collapsed unceremoniously into an undignified heap.

Smiling weakly at her friends in gratitude, she chuckled wryly and said, "I guess we should go see Kaede-baa-chan now, right?"

They could do nothing more than nod their agreement. Inuyasha continued to stare, gawping like a fish on land, plainly struggling to say something, anything. She could see the questions crowding his mind, struggling for supremacy of importance. It was testament to his extreme shock that he did not immediately revert to yelling in an attempt to bandage his obviously wounded ego. After all, she, a mere girl, had managed what the great hanyou mysteriously could not. Once again, she had transformed the Tessaiga.

Ah, well, she thought distantly, he'll start in on that later, I suppose.

And then her eyes closed, her head dropping down as fatigue finally claimed her and she slid once more into an enforced slumber. Her last image was of Inuyasha, leaping forward to catch her while finally sliding Tessaiga home.

Her last thought was the wild hope that she would not dream again.

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A/N: (Really long this time, so feel free to skip, but don't complain if you miss something!)

Okay, a couple of things: I'm almost positive there is someone out there who is going to read my poor description of how to properly sheathe a katana. I once saw a friend of mine do it, but that was almost a decade ago, so it's been a while. (Please don't speculate on how old that makes me...it'll only depress me!) I'm also too busy (read: `lazy') to research it, so if someone wants to tell me the proper jutsu, I'll be forever grateful!

Also, before anyone questions my characterization of Inuyasha as possessing silver hair (as opposed to white), I am going off of the anime dialogue. Yura of the Hair admires Inuyasha's `silver hair', and when Toutousai describes Sesshoumaru, he says his hair is `masshiro', or pure white.

Special thanks to all my reviewers, especially those of you who have given me support during the trauma of my first flames!(Kidoairaku, Lady Kaiba, RanmaGirl7) *sob sob* Yeah, I'm so broken up about it now. *insert sarcasm...here* Ah, the healing power of praise. So, Aki no Yume, erin and caley, your confusion about the roles the dream, the Shikon no Tama, and Naraku play will (hopefully) be answered in due course. If you're still confused, e-mail me and I'll try to explain. Oh! And about Kikyou not dying: do you keep up with a weekly or something? I'm going off of the latest tankoubon, but if you have new info...gimme, gimme, gimme!!!

Mistress Fluffy, Fallen Angel of Death, Soudesuka Shurikens, Sierra, Sunflowerseed, Youkai Yume, spirit element, and Divine Discontent: You guys all rock! Thanks for the compliments on characterization, as I strain many, many braincells to get it right-except for Naraku. That was pretty easy, which kind of scares me.

*****

TT: Well, I was going to have a little dialogue right here, but it's shrunk into a monologue instead. I'll try to keep it from becoming a soliloquy.

It appears Fluffy has made good on his threats and walked out. Yep, he's gone on strike! Something about protesting my `non-utilization of this Sesshoumaru's bloodletting skills'-whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.

TT's Muse: *pops in from alternate reality and whispers in TT's ear*

TT: *looks surprised* Well, if that's all he's pissed about, why didn't he just say he wanted to kill something? I'm working on it for Chapter 7. Sheesh! It's so hard to find good help these days!

Sess: *appears suddenly in TT's face* What did you just say, wench?

TT: Sesshoumaru! Ehehe...I thought you were on strike? What are you doing back so soon?

Sess: I heard you mention something about Chapter 7. *holds out hand demandingly* Let me see it.

TT: See it? Well...the thing is...and then...ummm...why do you want to see it?

Sess: *sighs impatiently* It specifically states in my contract that I get final approval of all my lines. So. Let me see Chapter 7.

TT: .....

Sess: You haven't written it yet, have you.

TT: Ummm....I haven't exactly been in the mood...but it's in the outline!

Sess: *grabs TT and flips her over his shoulder* Come with me. You are going to be `in the mood' if it's the last thing you do.

TT: *propping elbow on Sess's back as he walks offset to his trailer* You know, you keep doing things like this and I'm going to be `in the mood' for something else entirely. *runs fingers through Sess's hair* Maybe you can be my muse, eh?

Sess: ..... *drops TT on floor and continues walking*

TT: *grumbles* Well, what did you expect when you go all animal on me? *scrambles to feet and chases Sess* Wait for me! I have a few good `exercises' we can do to inspire my creativity! Sesshoumaru!