Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunsets Over Mulberry Fields ❯ Be Found ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Sengoku Otogizoushi - InuYasha or Yuu Yuu Hakusho. InuYasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, Viz Media, ShoPro Entertainment, and Shounen; while Yuu Yuu Hakusho belongs to Togashi Yoshihiro, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Shounen. No profit or money of any kind is made from this fan-created crossover.


"Are you really going to go in looking like that?"

Kagome jumped slightly, not expecting anyone to be nearby or to say anything with such a knowing tone. She looked down at herself and couldn't really find anything out of place aside from a missing button. Turning around to face her older cousin, she said, "What do you mean?"

Shizuru rolled her eyes and blew out a puff of smoke, "I never expected you to go after Yuusuke. Kurama or Hiei maybe, but not Yuusuke."

She blushed and fiddled with the hem of her skirt, "Wh, what makes you think I went after him?"

"No matter what you do, you can't hide the after-glow."

Kagome closed her eyes, and sighed, "Do you think Mama would notice?"

Stretching out, Shizuru patted the spot next to her, "I'm sure Aunt Miyoko would. And if she doesn't, that worthless idiot I call Father will. Give it a few minutes and it'll wear off more."

Resigning herself to sticking outside a bit longer when all she wanted to do was take a long, hot bath and then sleep for the next few days, she sat down next to Shizuru. "You're not upset?"

Putting out her cigarette, Shizuru reached for her pack, "Why should I be? You're eighteen. You're an adult, you could get a damn sex-change for all I care."

She laughed and bumped her shoulder against her older cousin. If Shizuru had been anyone else, she would've been offended at what she said. "Glad to know you care so much!"

"Tch," Shizuru smirked before lighting another cigarette. She knew it was a bad idea to smoke so much, but it was her way of coping. The older sibling was supposed to go out first, after all. "So, how was he?"

"What!?" Kagome blushed a deep red as she seemed to sink in on herself in her embarrassment. She covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her blush.

"I asked how Yuusuke was in bed," she couldn't keep the smile off of her face. Teasing Kagome was always so much fun. "I always imagined him as being rather aggressive, and passionate. Now that I think about it, I can imagine the same thing about all three of them. Too bad you didn't sleep with Kurama or Hiei, I'd be more interested. And jealous, too."

Kagome moaned and covered her face more, trying to block out the words that were coming from Shizuru's mouth. If this is what she'd have to put up with for losing her virginity, then she'd rather have it back. "Though, I'm surprised at how well you were walking. Must've not been that good if you can still walk straight."

"We... Ah, we were interrupted. His communicator went off."

"Not surprised. Botan was contacted by KoEnma a little after you two pulled your disappearing act."

She looked over at Shizuru, her earlier embarrassment gone, "So... They found-..?" A quick nod of the head was her answer. "It's strange to think about how quickly this all has happened.. It's as if everything wants us to move on as soon as possible."

"News flash, kid - the world doesn't stop for anything. Not events, people, births or even deaths. Everything just keeps on spinning because in the grand scheme of things, we're insignificant."

Kagome slumped forward, "You're so pessimistic..."

"It's called being a realist," Shizuru countered. "Not everyone can be as optimistic as you."

"But... But he was Kazuma!"

The older woman nodded in agreement, "That he was. And he wouldn't want us wallowing in our grief anymore than necessary and go on with our lives. The thing is to learn how to live with the knowledge that there'll never be another like him."

"I... I don't want to learn that, I wanted him to never die! Especially not before me."

She watched as Shizuru's fingers trembled, the only sign of the immense emotion she was barely keeping down. "So long as you don't forget him, then he won't die... Besides, I think after what you just did, both you and Yuusuke are lucky he's not around."

Kagome chuckled humorlessly, knowing she spoke the truth, but not wanting to truly accept all that it meant. While she knew she would never be able to forget her little cousin, she didn't entirely know how to move forward though. It was hard; how does one move into the future without forgetting the past or letting it affect them? Then again, maybe she was supposed to let it affect her, as a way of reaffirming that she had loved him dearly.

They sat together in silent companionship. Sometimes there were things that words could have no hope of expressing, and when there were words, they diminished what they were to describe. And sometimes, silences could speak louder and were more functional than the words they separated. Ever since Kagome and Shizuru were little, they had always been able to talk without actually talking. All their words had been used up, and it was all that was left for them to do before they stepped back into the world and tried to pretend that their hearts hadn't been broken... That the worlds they had been living in hadn't been shattered, and that they were now trying to rebuild those worlds without the one who had been a little brother to them both.

Shizuru blew out another ring of smoke, causing the world they could see to be covered in a hazy film for a brief, passing moment. Kagome couldn't help but realize that was exactly how life was. Once another's life had been ripped away, those left behind were left to amble through a haze of grief and phantom pains as evanescent and real as smoke. Because the pain and the holes left in their lives and hearts would fade. It always did. And no one could say if it was by time or love because the two go hand-in-hand.

As the smoke faded, she smiled softly at seeing Yuusuke appear at the top of the stairs. A new feeling covered his aura, one oddly resembling acceptance. Shizuru looked over in the same direction she did before sighing and putting out her cigarette. "So it's done then, huh?"

Kagome nodded her head as she watched Yuusuke head into the shrine. "Yes," she glanced up at the sky, hoping that Kuwabara was watching. "Yes, or so it seems."


Reviewer Responses:

DYquem nsi: Glad to know it really didn't jar. I was worried about that, because I was also trying to make it seem very awkward between them too. That whole scene is why it took me so long to update, I kept on getting frustrated and annoyed with how it was coming out. So I'm really glad to hear it wasn't too jarring and that it was realistic (I completely agree, people do irrational things when they're in pain). Tenth time's the charm, lol! Thanks for reviewing!

squeefan: They really do, and I'm sorry you feel horrible for them. Though I'm glad to know it was a great chapter, and I hope this one was just as good. And thanks for reviewing!