Thin lines of love and hate

Thin lines of love and hate

By Innocent Sorrow


Disclaimer: I don't own any of Inuyasha's characters.


Thanks to all that have taken your time to write me a review, I really appreciate it. This chapter is specially dedicated to you!

Wolfluv: Thanks for the advice, I hope I'm not letting you down, I really put in action what you write me to. I still don't know how this story is going to be... usually when I write, my stories write themselves >.<

Solitare 1: Sorry for the late update, but I wanted this chapter to not go so fast,I wanted to update sooner, but inspiration takes her time to began to work ^^ thanks for reading!

Lilith: Yeah, I had this idea of playing with "an Inuyasha reincarnation" and I haven't read a story with that plot... I hope you like this chap, thanks for reviewing!

Invisabell: Kouga/Inuyasha is my favorite pairing ^///^ but I'm planing to give Kouga a hard time, because in the anime, sometimes I don't like him that much... I'm going to make him suffer ha, ha, ha, and Sesshomaru is going to help me! *___*


Now here is the story:

Chapter 2


Coming back




“-I’m really sorry…

Silence.

-Yasha…

-Is Kouga?


-What?.. No, no, is not him… it’s just… we are from different times, we belong to different moments, and all I’ve ever known is back in my time… I can’t give them up… I can’t stay here with you.

More silence.

-Sou desu… I understand Kagome.

-You do?

-Yes… If my mother was there… waiting for me… I wouldn’t give her up. I understand- Inuyasha stood up, giving his hand to Kagome- Come, the kitsune must be thinking I kidnap you or something.

-Yasha… -She said standing up with his help- Will this change what we have? Our friendship?

He started to walk, and stopped at her words, looking at the moon he sighed, and turned to look at her.

-No, unless you let it to.

And that was it. They never spoke of Inuyasha’s love confession again. Or about how his mature attitude had impressed her… that conversation… even though painful… she kept it close to her heart, one of the sweetest memories she had of him. She used to think that maybe, just maybe, if things have been different she would have liked having him in her life.

Before he had left her alone.”


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Kagome woke up, blinking slowly she started to take in her surroundings. Her room.

-Dear you’re awake- Her mother’s voice caught her attention.

-Mamma… I dreamt of Inuyasha… I dreamt he was here… at home.

She felt the sweet caresses of her mother on her head.

-Oh sweetie… I wanted to tell you, but Souta was faster than me…

Kagome sat up, and took a look at her mother, her face filled with worry and sadness, but the truth of what had happened moments ago came back to her.

-I didn’t dream him…-She said more to herself. - He IS here… Is it really him?

The question underneath the one her daughter had spoken out loud didn’t go unnoticed by Ms Higurashi.

*Is his reincarnation? *

-We don’t know yet, your grandpa has been talking to him, but so far he hasn’t been able to tell yet, Kenji has been here no more than two weeks… It’s too soon to tell.

Kagome let herself fall back on the pillow, sighing, she started to drift off again.

-I hope he is.

And she fell asleep again.


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-I think we should visit him… he may know something.

Sango sat, by the fire, stroking Kirara’s ear, deep in thought.

-Shouldn’t we wait for Kagome? - She asked, looking at Miroku and then at Kaede.

-She needs to caught up with her activities in her time, we don’t know for sure how long will it be until she comes back.-Miroku spoke, after taking a look at Shippo, making sure he was still asleep.- And we can’t allow Naraku to grow stronger.

Sango sighed, and started laying herself on her futon, since Kagome left things were… gloomy, to wake up everyday, waiting for Inuyasha to appear from nowhere, waiting to hear his voice… to be able to argue with him again, and incapable of let him go completely… she knew she wasn’t the only one still mourning, she could hear the hiding plead in Miroku’s decision, nobody wanted to be there… and at the same time they didn’t want to leave… it was Inuyasha’s forest after all, the home of their friend for one hundred years, the only place that still retained some of their most precious memories. The remembrance of a friendship now lost.

-Then we should ask Kouga to come with us, whatever Naraku is planning; his clan is in the same danger as we are- She said at last, despise the pain, they still had a job to finish, a mission to complete. They couldn’t let sadness to stop them.

Miroku nodded, but say nothing. He would take that opportunity to speak to the wolf prince. Miroku knew something had happened between the wolf and his deceased friend the last night he had been alive; he knew it by Inuyasha’s behavior then… he knew it by the unending lost look in the youkai since Inuyasha had passed away...

Why? He didn’t knew… he just had to do it, maybe at some point along the way, he had started to care for the wolf as a friend, and no longer as a nuisance, and as a friend, Miroku knew Kouga needed their help to get on his feet again, even though he would never asked for it.

* We will ask Kouga to come with us, and then I will talk to him *

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Kagome entered the room with apprehension; she knew he was there, painting. Or so her mother had said.

When she walked in, she couldn’t help gasp again in shock, it has been only twenty four hours since she saw him for the first time, and she couldn’t get used to him… his face…

-Kagome-san, I’m glad to see you’re ok now- He said vowing slightly, causing her to blush, a year ago, she would have thought that was the kind of behavior Inuyasha will never have towards her. But after his love confession, she had learned many things from the inu. And one was that he could be a gentleman.

-Arigatou- She said sitting in front of him- Gomen nasai, it was a shock for me…
She said almost in a whisper, and he gave her a sweet smile, that spoke of understanding.

-I know your mother told me everything; there’s nothing to be sorry for, you’re still grieving, and if I look like him as much as your brother said… it was to be expected.

His smile never faltered, and she felt a little at ease, the feeling of knowing him from years, filling her with warm. Looking at him, she noticed for the first time since entering the room his hair…

-You cut it- She said, reaching to run a hand through the silky hair…

*So much like Inuyasha’s *

Soft, like cotton. She never ceased of being amazed of his hair, and sometimes even jealous, of how untangled it was, how it would fall on his shoulders like a white curtain made of clouds, and the sweet aroma… like rain in the forest… She knew she would never forget that about him.

Now Kenji had cut it, not to much, but now it fell just above his shoulders, not close to the length it used to have in Inuyasha. Still it reminded her of him.

-Hai- He said between a soft melodious laughter- I thought it would be better for you.

She couldn’t help to blush; he had done that for her, to make her feel better. A gesture, that could have passed without been seen… like Inuyasha would have done.

Then with surprise, she realized she had never heard Inuyasha laughter… not like this… velvety, harmonious… an unbound echo of what his friend had never been… had never had.

Inuyasha had carried to many hurt and sadness inside of him, a life full of distrust an anger, of reject and loneliness, to be able to laugh like that… like now Kenji did.

The hope that this guy in front of her could be her friend’s reincarnation grew stronger, for Inuyasha deserved a life free of hurt and pain…

Maybe this wasn’t that bad after all. Sitting in front of him, she prepared to start to know him a little bit more. Again.

Her own Inuyasha. In her own time.

-So what are you doing?


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Kouga stepped out into the council room, standing tall and proud, in his roll of prince of the wolf clan, and heir of the north lands.

-What is it? - He asked, in a cold tone

-Naraku, my lord, our watchers have reported that he’s finally moving. - Kazutaka, one of his generals spoke.

-Where to? - He asked again, sitting in the principal chair in the room, the chair that worked as a throne.

-To the south, we’re not sure yet, but we have spies following him close.

-I see- He said, stroking his chin lightly, deep in thought- Make sure they don’t lose him, and at any change of direction I want to be informed; still, tell them to be extremely careful, and not to get too close, if he founds about them, it’s better if they have room to flee. Let me know of any change. Ginta- He called turning in the direction of his old friend- Prepare a small party, we’re going to Inuyasha’s village, in any case, we need to inform them of Naraku’s movements.

He watched as Ginta bowed in front of him, turning and then leaving.

* I am doing this because they’re allies…* He thought to himself, ignoring the pang of pain at the mention of his hanyou name… His?

-Kazutaka, make sure they will inform me of anything that comes to happen, understood? I want you to come with me tomorrow- He spoke again, ignoring his own feelings once more.

-Yes my lord, I will- The general spoke; this wolf in front of him was becoming the leader everyone had been expecting, but the change had been radical, and had cost Kouga his usual cheerfulness, Kazutaka didn’t knew what had happened, but couldn’t only imagine that had something to do with the death of the hanyou; and he felt a little sad, to not be able to help his friend through a mourning that was as clear as crystal for everyone else… except for the prince himself. Sighing he bowed and turned to leave. He could only hope that the ningens at the village would help him through.


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Arts, first year, although he had been painting since he could remember.

Orphan, he didn’t know his mother or his father; he didn’t even have a memory of them. No brothers or sisters, just him.

Eighteen years old, and he had a scholarship, due to his talent, but he didn’t like to talk about that much, saying he still needed to learn a lot, to become real good.

Born in Osaka, he was now there as a part of a students exchanging program, and he will be there for the next three months, studying the arts and its variants in Tokyo.

Why he felt so at ease talking to her or Souta? He didn’t know, maybe it was something to do with the way they were treating him, and the unusual, yet long for, feeling of having a family, a home.

Still he didn’t dare to grow accustomed, he knew it would end, and he didn’t want to be hurt once this small dream was over.

He smiled at Souta while he was talking about school and his friends. He will enjoy it… for as long as it was permitted to him.

-Wanna go to the movies, Sou-chan? – He asked the young kid in front of him.

-Hai!!!

Kenji smile broadened, and stood up, helping Souta to do the same.

-Then we should ask Kagome-san, your mother said she will be leaving in a day or two, we could go all together before she leaves.

Souta smile in return, and began running calling Kagome’s name.

-He does like you, you know?

Kenji turned around startled, and when he identified the owner of the voice he smiled.

-And I like him, Mr. Higurashi. Is like having a younger brother.- He said, looking in the direction in which Souta had gone to.

-Come with me, Kenjiro, I want to show you something.- Mr. Higurashi said, beginning to walk in the opposite direction of the house.

Kenji stood a little hesitant, the look in the eyes of the man leaving him with a feeling of uneasiness, but began to walk just behind the old man. He didn’t think it would take long, or that the man in front of him would purposefully cause him harm.

There was nothing to be afraid of.

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The travel took less that he had expected to. Ginta now run ahead, to inform lady Kaede of their arriving. It had been fast, but then again, they didn’t have much time.

Kouga started to breathe faster, the smell of the forest bringing memories to him. Sad memories. And with a flash of pain, he realized, as they got closer to the village, that Inuyasha’s scent had vanished entirely.

He couldn’t deny it anymore.

At some point, in that night he had shared with the hanyou, he had gave up his heart, prey of his own arrogance and self-esteem, he had thought he could use the hanyou, in a stupid and hollow way of denying the growing feelings towards the inu.

-We are getting there, my lord- Kazutaka spoke on his right, taking him out of his train of thought.

-Let’s go to lady Kaede’s, I want to talked to her as soon as possible- *And be able to stand in the place he once used as a shelter… I could have given you so much more Inuyasha... *

-As you wish- Said Kazutaka, but he already knew his lord was trying to take in everything around them, not for them, but for the mere fact that it once had hold Inuyasha.

Kaede’s hut came soon into view, and the sight of the taijya and the monk greeted them in silence, as Kaede made a sign for them to go in.

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-I have never been here before, it’s a beautiful place sir.- And it was indeed, the sound of the city could barely be heard from there, and to Kenji’s surprise he felt he could identified every single smell that lingered in the air.

-We are here, my boy- Was the man only response. But Kenji could see nothing special, there were some trees, a small path that, it seemed, lead to the temple; and an old well, that was probably out of use now.

-Higurashi-san, was there something you wanted to show me?- He asked leaning to get a better view inside the well, it seemed it didn’t have water, but it was to dark inside to see clearly… yet… he felt… nostalgic?

-You came at the wrong time- Said Higurashi, behind him, in a sad low voice- You don’t belong here, son.

Kenji tuned to look at the old man before him, his back to the well, and the look in his host made him rethink his choice of coming with him.

-I don’t understand what you’re talking about Higurashi-san… Is there something I missed? - He asked trying to find what was happening. Could it be that Souta’s grandparent was being… senile? In that case he had to figure out a way of getting him back into the house.

He stepped closer to Kenji, and with a sad look, put his hand on the chest of the young man.

-You will, soon. Remember: don’t give in, temptations will be too strong for you to resist them, and it might seem you can not hold on anymore, but you are strong enough, that is why it choose you. Have faith in you and the ones that surround you. - Before Kenji could say anything back, the hand on his chest pushed him with a force the old man couldn’t have.

As he felt himself falling helplessly into the well, he heard the voice of the man again.

-I am sorry my boy.

And then all went black.

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-South? What could he be looking around these lands? –Asked Sango, more than a little concerned. If what Kouga said was true, then they had very little time to warn the people around there, and they still had to figure out what was Naraku after.

-Kagome- Said Kaede from her position by the window, at the question looks she received she continued- She was the last person… alive… to hold the jewel, she’s a priestess, capable of purifying the shards…

-You think he’s trying to get the jewel back? But how? It didn’t… left anything- Said Miroku with sadness and anger in his voice. It was Naraku’s fault they had lost Inuyasha, and now he wanted to take Kagome away from them too?

-That I don’t know, he may have found a way to reconstruct it; we have to think in every possibility. For now I think the best will be to send someone to the well to warn her to not come back, until we have this figure it out. It may be too dangerous for her.

Small sound of agreement could be heard, each one deep in thought about what this new revelations could mean.

A new jewel.

And everything will start all over again, Inuyasha’s sacrifice for nothing.

-Kouga we need to warn the people around here about the upcoming danger- Spoke Sango first, still worried about the safety of the people.

-I know, Kazutaka already send two of our men to warn the closer villages, and our watchers are keeping track of Naraku, if he takes the direction of a village, they will let them know before hand. We have that covered.

-Thank you- Said the taijya, almost breathing out in relief. That was one thing less to worry about. And so she took a moment to study this new Kouga in front of her. Not the prideful and arrogant wolf, she once had known… but a much centered and analytic youkai. Not a prince anymore. She knew that by the look of complete trust in his men faces, he was closer to becoming the king, he so much presumed about.

And yet his eyes looked dim and empty.

*And you thought nobody loved you, and here we are, six months after, still crying your loss, coping with the consequences, and failing to move on, Inuyasha*

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-YOU WHAT?!!!!!!! WHAT FOR?!!!!! HAVE YOU ANY IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?!!!!!!!!!!! THERE’S A WAR OVER THERE OLD MAN, AND YOU HAVE SEND HIM TO A WORLD HE DOESN’T KNOW, INTO A WAR HE DOESN’T BELONG TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-It’s here, he doesn’t belong to, Kagome. Keeping him here won’t do any good to him, it could get him sick.

-I don’t know what you’re talking about. He is Inuyasha’s reincarnation, right? From this time, not from the feudal era, and know thanks to…

-He is not Inuyasha’s reincarnation- Her grandfather cut her abruptly, and the silence that fell over the room could be cut with a knife.

-Explain- Was the only thing she said as she began preparing for an emergency travel.

-He came back at the wrong time, maybe because of us. His blood told him to look for a safe place to stay, maybe that’s why he came back here- Said the old man- Around us he feels safe.

-I don’t understand what you’re talking about.- Said Kagome, standing up, with her bag on her shoulder- But I don’t have much time left. I have to find him before any of my friends does, and start confusing him. And If he feels safe here, then I will bring him back.

She stepped out and began walking in the direction of the well.

-He’s not Kenjiro, Kagome, and he is not Inuyasha’s reincarnation either.-She turned around to look at her grandfather, with surprise and a disbelieving look.

-Are you saying he is..?

But she didn’t need any confirmation. As fast as her legs could carry her she began running in the direction of the well.

Things were about to get very complicated.

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Shippou was walking ahead of them, head down, the poor kistune hadn’t liked the idea of Kagome not coming back for awhile, but he had understood that it was for her well being. The single idea of what Naraku could do to the miko was enough to silence any protests.

It was for the best.

Kazutaka walked just a little behind from the little fox, speaking softly with Sango, to Miroku’s disgust, but giving him enough space to speak with the wolf prince.

-It has been hard on us- He began, tentative, when he got no response he continued- I suppose it hasn’t been easy on you either.

At that, Kouga turned to look at him without any expression on his face.

-What are you trying to say, monk? - He said without slowing his pace, he didn’t want to talk about it with the monk, and he didn’t want to keep it inside anymore either.

-Something happened between you two, I know that- At the surprised look and blush in Kouga’s face, Miroku chuckled- I didn’t know WHAT had happened between you two, but now I get the picture.

-He didn’t tell you? - He asked, this time letting his guard a little bit down. And in his face, Miroku could see his own sadness mirrored- I thought he would try to have his revenge by telling everyone.

At the defeated sound of his voice, Miroku could only sigh. It seemed that time hadn’t been fair with his two friends.

-Not like him to do that. Inuyasha used to carry with everything on his own; it was a rare thing to have him share something of that weight with us.

They fell again in silence, knowing what needed to be said, but not knowing how to say it.

-So you were wrong then- Finally spoke Miroku. Kouga kept looking ahead of him, without looking at the monk, he answered.

-I was stupid to think I could rule over my heart.

There he had said it… and he felt strangely better, he felt sad still, but slightly better. At least now someone knew that he had cared, that he still cared for the inu. And that he was suffering from his absence.

-I’m sorry, Kouga- Was the only thing Miroku could say.

-Me too…

Suddenly Kouga stopped, looking frantically around him. It couldn’t be, it just wasn’t possible. But still… he sniffed the air once more…

Forest rain… at dawn.

And he began running directly to the well.

Miroku was about to ask what was happening, when Shippou’s cry made everything clear to them:

-INUYASHA!!!

And off they were.

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His head hurt, his body hurt, every limb hurt.

That was the first thing that came to his mind as he regain consciousness; he opened his eyes, just to shut them close immediately as everything began spinning around him.

Eyes close, he tried to remember where he was and how he got there.

*Mr. Higurashi* He thought with a bit of fear, he was talking with the old man… and he had pushed him into the well.

Slowly, Kenji began to rise, stopping every now and then, to avoid dizziness. Once up, he began to take in his surroundings. Everything was dark, but it didn’t seem to be any way out, besides climbing the old ladder in front of him, which seemed kind of impossible right now.

As he began to climb, every one of his muscles started to complain from the strain. And he couldn’t help to moan. Noticing a small cut across his left arm, he winced; purple points were now forming on both arms. He probably hit the ground hard, hard enough to lose consciousness.

He just hoped that whatever had gotten into Mr. Higurashi hadn’t been senile delusions, and hoped that Souta’s grandparent was ok. But now he had to get out of the well, and look for Mr. Higurashi, and make sure the old man was fine he will complain with him later.

Once he reached the surface he clasped the edge of the well, pulling himself up and out. A new wave of vertigo hit him, making him fall on the hard ground beneath him. He wanted to lay there, the nausea and a headache he hadn’t noticed before, making him whimper softly.

Trying to take deep breaths to stop from emptying his stomach, he calmed himself enough to look around him.

A for a moment every single pain he was feeling vanished.

All around him was no sign of Souta’s home… or the temple. In front of him was the opening of a large forest, to the other side he could see smoke, probably coming out of some chimney… He had no clue of were he was…

-I hit my head harder than I thought- He said to himself, closing his eyes, maybe if he could calm himself he’ll stop hallucinating. But before he could do something else, he felt a hand grasp him by the neck, and forcing him backwards, until his back was against a hard surface. A tree must likely.

He opened his eyes, just to having them locked with a pair that resembled his own. The hand tightened his grip, cutting any entry of oxygen. A strong body pressed him against the tree, and if he hadn’t had trouble breathing he might have blushed. The man in front of him leaned sniffing on his neck. A white veil, was all that Kenji could see from his position.

-How can this be possible, brother of mine?


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Text between "" are flashbacks, and text between ** are characters personal thoughts.


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