Twisted Accusations

Chapter Fifteen


Kagome groaned willing the sun to go back down and give her a few more hours of sleep. Yelling could be heard coming from the next room, she recognized the voice of Sano and Yahiko. A small smile grazed her lips listening to the two bicker. It made her heart ache to see Souta one more time. She had to admit she missed her little brother, Yahiko reminded her of him. They both had a smart ass attitude and a big mouth. After admitting that there was a chance her life was still in danger Kenshin insisted that she stay the night instead of heading into town in the dark. She knew he was trying to be polite but it meant staying around Aoshi for a night.

Sano pulled her into the dwelling, pushing a bowl in her hands. It seemed she was staying for dinner, which had turned out to be pleasant enough. Kenshin informed her that Aoshi had come to visit the day before beating her there. Sano hadn't known the man was going to show either. Instead of talking about herself she listened to the others. The atmosphere was a pleasant one with a tension barely beneath the surface. Kagome knew it was due to her and Aoshi. The man was very quiet during dinner and the talk afterwards.

It wasn't her fault the man couldn't stand her for some unknown reason. He didn't remember her from before so there had to be another reason. She had a feeling that it was his self-conscious telling him not to like her. That deep in the back of his mind he did remember her, his instincts were screaming at him to feel the dislike. It was a shame because he was really a nice piece of eye candy.

She finally rolled over to greet the morning and start another day. She wanted to take a walk this morning before it got too late. A loud yawn escaped her echoing through the room. Quickly picking up her bedding and folding it neatly in the corner, she made her way outside. Her eyes caught the sight of Yahiko running around a building with Sano fast on his heels. No one else was outside which meant no one would question where she was going.

Without waiting for any interference she began her walk away from the dojo and towards the well. She wouldn't chance trying it right now, it would mean going home without letting Shippou know. The cool morning breeze did wonders for her peace of mind. It was nice to get out in the open, no annoying men to irk her. Times like this she couldn't help but miss her old friends that were forever lost to her now. All those days roaming the fuedal era, risking their lives to destroy a great evil. The thought made her smile inside, oh how she missed them. Fate had brought Shippou back to her though, for that she was thankful.

Birds flew over head, soaring across the sky. How long would it take her to straighten this mess out and go home. The more she thought about it she was going to try and take Shippou with her when she returned home. She'd hate herself if she left him alone again and she couldn't stay here. There was nothing to do now but wait.

Half an hour later she stopped in her tracks, looking at the area. She was most definitely in the woods but where was the well? Had her sense of direction led her wrong again? If she happened upon a couple this time she was turning around and walking away fast. Instead of getting further lost she turned around and headed back the way she came.

Or so she thought as she continued to stroll in the woods. She was sure that they were getting thicker by the minute. Where the hell was she? Did some of Sano's luck rub off on her? Guessing that she had to have been gone for atleast two hours now, more than likely heading away from town and the dojo the whole time. No weapons on her either, she was screwed. "Good going Kagome!"

Her heart sank, she was lost. Another few minutes passed, she saw a small clearing and stepped out of the trees. Her eyes widened realizing what she was looking at. There was several shabby markers but there was no doubt in her mind what they were, grave markers. There was also a different feeling to the air surrounding her. Her senses could pick up change in the small place. This was a resting place for a few people but who? Who would bury their family or friends out in the middle of nowhere? The sight made a deep sadness creep into her heart.

Needing to rest her feet for a few minutes she lowered herself to the ground. The urge to pray for the souls buried near she closed her eyes and prayed silently to herself. She knew she wasn't a holy person like most houshi or miko's but she had the compassion for the dead. She could only imagine what would make this place so sad, it's very presence crying out to her soul. Souls that were wanting to be heard, needing to be soothed.

A small gasp was heard as an image passed through her mind. She was seeing Aoshi as if it were her own memory, vivid as if she'd lived it herself. He was in a large house surrounded by several strange looking men. Her heart told her it was the men buried in the ground. It was playing out in slow motion behind her lids. A man was standing in the doorway behind a large gatlin gun. She watched in horror as they all fell, giving their life for Aoshi. Every last one of them knew exactly what they were doing as they died. Feelings swept through her as she watched them die leaving only Aoshi's anguished face for her to see.

Voices began to echo in her mind, all speaking at once. What surprised her none of them were bitter only sad. They all had accepted death when they'd thrown themselves in harm's way to save the one man. Worry was the strongest feeling and she knew who it was for; Aoshi. They couldn't rest because they were worried about him. She wasn't sure why she was being gifted with this knowledge, she couldn't help the man. He couldn't stand her, much less confide in her about anything.

Maybe it was just her miko abilities acting up being so close to the graves. Whatever the reason there was nothing she could do for them or Aoshi. She barely knew the man and it would stay that way for her own safety. Her head snapped around hearing a twig snap behind her. "Who's there?" She came eye to eye with the one man she didn't want to see now. Now she knew exactly who'd buried these men and that she was somewhere she didn't belong.

"What are you doing here?" Aoshi kept his voice calm as possible. What was she doing here and why now? He'd been relieved to hear that she'd left awhile ago. He'd left Kyoto to get away from her, so he decided to pay Kenshin a visit. He'd been surprised to see her walk in the door last night, proving that he couldn't escape her. He was being a coward running away from his feelings once more. Coming here had been a way to get away and visit everyone.

No matter what he did, he found himself thinking about her. He'd come close to going to visit her a few times only to have Misoa interrupt his thoughts and make him return to reality. She wasn't meant for him, she was beyond his reach. Still he couldn't deny the fact that he was attracted to her in alot of ways. Having Misoa making advances towards him didn't help matters. It was only a matter of time before he'd have to set her straight and end up hurting the girl's feelings.

There was no possible way for them to be together, not when he wanted another woman. That woman was now staring at him with a sad look in her eyes. Why was she looking at him like that? "Why are you looking at me like that? To remind me of the fact that you are rude? Leave now please, you don't belong here."

"It's so sad. They loved you, you know." Kagome saw his mask finally leave, showing actual emotion the first time she'd seen him. It proved to her that in someways he was still torn up over their deaths. Did he blame himself? Was it them that was slowly eating away at him? "Sorry, I saw it. They gave their lives for you without hesitation. I can feel it, the love and respect they held for you. I can't possibly imagine why though." A small chuckle escaped her mouth, unable to be contained. "You're actually a big jerk and you are really mean but they must have saw something in you."

"What would you know of it?" He wasn't sure if he liked to hear her talk about them. She said she'd seen it, was it because of what she was? There was no other way for her to have known. There was a wistful look in her eyes as she gazed at him and then to the graves. The slight smile wasn't forced lighting up her face a bit.

"Well let's see, you left me alone in the middle of nowhere. You are always being an ass towards me when I've done nothing to you. You seem to go out of your way to get on my nerves. So in my book that makes you a jerk." She knew that wasn't what he'd been asking about but the smallest tilt of his mouth was enough for her. Coming here must be a way for him to deal with their deaths. Which meant deep down in that bottomless icy heart was a soft spot. He had to be capable of caring and loving others.

She stood up, dusting off her pants. "You wouldn't happen to know the way back to town would you? I think I'm lost." He nodded turning his eyes back to the graves. "I'll give you a few minutes alone. But don't you dare think about leaving without me. So help me if you do, I'll make sure you regret it." A finger was pointed at him to get her point across.

Next Chapter: Kagome and Aoshi get thrown together by Kenshin and Kagome cools off..... Review if you wanna see more...