Shattered Illusions

Shattered Illusions
Sesshoumaru Kagome


Don’t you know if your soul will fade at all
The one you sold to fool the world
You lost your self-esteem along the way
Good god you’re coming up with reasons
Good god you’re dragging it out
And good god it’s the changing of the seasons
I feel so raped
so follow me down
- Seether Fake It

“Come on you guys!” Inuyasha yelled at the three friends chatting a few yards behind him on the road to Edo Village. “If you three don’t get a move on we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to get Kagome home. Although why she needs to go home I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like this is all that important.”
“Inuyasha I told you I have to take a test. I have several tests I need to catch up on along with homework and projects and the Kami’s only know what else.” Kagome said exasperated. She really didn’t know why he was in such a big hurry anyway. They were more than a day away from Edo anyways. Shouldn’t they just take it easy? They had been fighting a lot lately. And not only demons.
“Just hurry up. I want to find a nice camping area tonight. Even you can appreciate that. Now come on!” Inuyasha was really getting fed up with this. They had to get to the area he had picked out already.
Giggling the three friends ran and caught up with Inuyasha still talking loudly. The sunny blue sky going unnoticed by all as they walked and talked. Birds flew away from nests as they came nearer, they startled deer, rabbits, even the occasional squirrel. They looked like a group of friends doing no more than enjoying an afternoon outside. That is if you took a certain Hanyou out of the picture.
Growling Inuyasha was about to tell them to knock it off when he realized they were at the campsite. Stopping in the middle of the clearing Inuyasha waited for the others to notice him.
“What’s wrong Inuyasha? You seem troubled.” Sango said kindly.
“Feh! Me troubled? No way! This is where we camp tonight. From here Edo is just a half a day. Then Kagome can go and take her stupid tests. Then come back so we can find more Jewel shards.” Inuyasha said nonchalantly.
The campsite had a stream of fresh water running down the right side, they could see the steam from the hot spring a little farther from there. The left was flat ground perfect for a fire and sleeping spots. The whole of it was covered with foliage from the trees like a dome. It was the perfect spot for camping.
“Kagome get a fire going. Miroku, Sango get water. Shippo, Kirara go gather firewood. The best wood is found near the spring. I will go hunting.” Inuyasha gave out the orders as though he were a general addressing his troops.
The three ningens stood straight and performed the salute Kagome had shown them and answered, “Aye, Aye, Captain!” Right before they started to laugh so hard they all almost cried.
“What is so very funny?”
“Inuyasha! That was great you looked like you were in the military! Giving your troops a final run down of duties. I’m sorry but it was too funny!” Kagome gasped out.
“What ever you morons. Just do it. I’ll be back soon.” Growling Inuyasha stormed off into the forest. The three friends held their sides tightly while laughing so hard they were crying.
Sniffling a little Kagome looked at the others and said, “I hope Shippo and Kirara will get back soon they took off so quickly. Well I guess I should find Inuyasha and apologize to him. He has been touchy lately and we probably shouldn’t have laughed at him.”
“Okay Kagome. Well get everything ready here. Tell him we’re sorry as well.” Sango said as she giggled again.
Kagome nodded and took off after Inuyasha. ‘I wonder why he wanted to camp so early. It isn’t like we don’t have enough daylight to continue for another hour.’
Kagome walked about a mile before she saw the red Haori Inuyasha wore. It wasn’t a normal Haori either, this one was made from the fur of the Fire Rat. Kagome walked up next to the robe and peered around it thinking of seeing Inuyasha by himself. Kagome let out a soft gasp as she saw Kikyo undress Inuyasha. Inuyasha was nuzzling her neck affectionately on the right side. Once Kikyo had Inuyasha undressed she started on her own clothing. Before long they were both naked and entangled in each other’s limbs.
As their lips met Kagome turned abruptly and started running back to camp. Her face flaring red Kagome let tears run freely down her cheeks. ‘How could he do this? So this is why he wanted to stop so early. He had a rendezvous with Kikyo near camp. Oh Inuyasha.’ Kagome could feel something inside start to crack. Stopping near camp Kagome wondered if she could really face her two best friends. She had just been joking around with them earlier when Miroku had asked if she and Inuyasha were… shaking her head Kagome wiped her tears away and straightened her spine. She was made of stronger stuff than that. And no boy was going to bring her down. So Kagome pasted on one of those bright smiles that even your worst enemy could see through and strode into camp.
“Hey Kagome, how did it-? Oh no, what happened Kagome?” Sango asked concern showing on her face. Miroku looked up from the fire he had started. His eyes narrowed on Kagome then he glanced at a point somewhere behind her.
“Nothing happened Sango. I couldn’t find him so I came back. Nothing more. I do believe I would like to speak with you two before Inuyasha gets back though. Do you think we can right now?”
“Sure Kagome, what’s up?”
Kagome sat down near the fire and gathered her thoughts. She knew what she planned on saying she just didn’t know how the others would take it.
Taking a deep breath Kagome started. “The time will come soon when I can not travel with Inuyasha anymore. I want to know what you two will do when I leave the group. I would like to keep Shippo with me; Inuyasha is too brutal on him. I also want you two to come with us with Kirara. If you wish to.”
“Of course Kagome. We will go with you when that time comes. But how will we know when it is here?” Miroku asked answering for both him and Sango.
“I will request something out of the ordinary. I will request that Sango stay with you and Inuyasha, while I take Shippo with me to bathe. Then we will meet up soon after I leave; after Inuyasha is in a deep sleep. That way we can get away without him knowing.” Kagome said softly. “Is it agreed then?”
Both of her friends nodded at that time Shippo and Kirara came into the clearing both with a large load of firewood. A short time later and Inuyasha came into the clearing with a dead boar over his shoulder already skinned and dressed for cooking.
“Kagome can I speak with you over here?” Inuyasha growled low in his throat.
Kagome nodded slowly before standing and walking slowly over to Inuyasha. ‘He probably knows I saw them together. He probably smelled me when he went to get re-dressed.’ Kagome said to herself nervously.
“Yes Inuyasha?”
“What did you see?”
“I don’t know what you mean Inuyasha. Please explain.”
“When you followed me. I smelled your scent on my haori. What did you see?”
“I didn’t see anything but you and Kikyo. I know why you wanted to camp here and why you wanted to stop early. You knew Kikyo would be near here. You set it up that way. I saw her undress you then herself while you made yourself nice and cozy with her right shoulder. I saw you two entwine your limbs then lock lips. I couldn’t stand it anymore just a few seconds worth of seeing you like that with a clay pot made me sick. I turned and ran. So I really did see nothing. Don’t worry Inuyasha. Miroku and Sango don’t know.”
“It wasn’t like that.” Inuyasha hissed in a low voice. “You must have been seeing things you baka. Why did I get stuck with a Shard detector that was stupid? You really are hopeless. I just hope you learned your lesson about following me. Next time I’ll make you join us. Kikyo would love that. I don’t know if I would or not-” Inuyasha got no farther.
“Sit boy! Sitsitsitsit!” Kagome screamed at the hanyou. Then she turned and ran into Sango stammering about going to the hot springs.
The next morning everyone was silent, the laughter from yesterday was but a forgotten dream. Kagome stayed near Sango leaving Miroku to deal with a still pissed off hanyou. Shippo and Kirara were afraid that their group was going to pair off and fight. Kagome rode Kirara with Sango and Shippo while Miroku rode on Inuyasha’s back. The spot Kagome normally rode.
The sun shone brightly but even the vibrant colors of their surroundings seemed dull to them. They didn’t see the wild roses with their shockingly bright pinks and reds. They didn’t see the beautiful blue butterflies floating along in the wind. The blue bird’s song and wondrous flight went unseen. Each person was locked inside their own thoughts. Some were bitter and angry; others confused, and scared. They all wore thoughtful expressions as they made their way toward Edo Village.
Finally at noon the silence was broken.
“Look Kagome! A butterfly just landed on your shoulder. You should make a wish!” Shippo cried out hoping to make her laugh. He really missed all the laughter of the day before.
“Oh. Okay Shippo, I’ll make a wish for you then.” Kagome said in a low whisper. A small smile, barely noticeable, touched her lips at her kit’s effort.
Shippo smiled brightly back. “Oh, no. You can’t do that! It has to be for you. Or are you afraid you scaredy cat!”
“You finally nailed it Shippo, Kagome is scared. Scared and alone. How does it feel Kagome? Not having someone of your own? I mean even Sango has someone! Hell, even Shippo does! Where is your some one? I don’t see him here.”
“Inuyasha! How dare you say that to her! You are nothing more than a bully! Kagome don’t listen to him; you aren’t alone.” Sango said angrily towards Inuyasha. ‘He really doesn’t understand does he? She is hurting because of him. She won’t wish for herself because she is afraid it won’t come true.’ Sango thought to herself worried about how Kagome would react to the hanyou’s statement.
“No, Sango. He’s right I am alone. You have Miroku. I have no one. Sango do you think we could just go straight through to Edo tonight? I really don’t want to stop tonight. Can we just take Kirara and leave him behind? Please.” Kagome said in a low voice. Sango could hear the tears in her voice. Understanding she didn’t want to give Inuyasha yet another thing to throw into her face Sango nodded.
Leaning forward Sango told Kirara to go higher and head straight for Edo. Sitting back again she looked over her shoulder to see her friends head bowed and tears freely falling across the curve of her cheek.
‘How DARE he!? Doesn’t he see the pain he is putting her through? If I get any reason to hurt him next time I see him I will!’ Sango thought her heart going out to her friend. She understood better than anyone else could. For a while after Naraku had used Kohaku she hadn’t had anyone in her life either. She didn’t give Kagome sympathy that wasn’t what she needed. She needed a friend to stand tall and show empathy with her. She really did know what it was like. But to have the one you love treat you like that, she had no idea how to deal with that.

“Inuyasha, stop right now.” Miroku said firmly. The hanyou’s behavior towards Kagome was inexcusable. He had fully earned what was coming to him.
“Why? We are almost there. I ain’t stopping.” Inuyasha said stubbornly. He just couldn’t get what Miroku was saying.
Miroku brought his staff down right between Inuyasha’s ears and yelled, “Stop! I want to stop for a minute and then we will continue!”
Inuyasha, eyes watering from pain, stopped and set the monk on his feet. “Ow! What was that for huh? Why’d you go and hit me?”
“Your behavior towards Kagome is inexcusable Inuyasha! Why do you treat her like that?” Miroku asked angrily. Now he understood completely why Kagome wanted to go separate ways. Leaving Inuyasha behind would greatly benefit them all.
“I ain’t acting any differently than I always have! And anyways why is it your business!? You aren’t her father!” Inuyasha yelled at the monk.
“I am not her father that is true; but I am her friend. And we all thought you were too!” Miroku glared at Inuyasha.
“Whatever. Let’s go I want to get to Edo soon.” Inuyasha said stubbornly.
Smiling mischievously the monk started walking slowly down the path. “Alright Inuyasha let’s go.”
“Where are you going?” Inuyasha asked confused about why the monk had started walking.
“To Edo. Aren’t you coming?” Miroku asked innocently.
“It’s faster if you ride on my back!”
“Ah, yes but that is the problem isn’t it Inuyasha. I will not ride on your back. I refuse to be carried by a bastard.” Miroku said quietly. He knew that with his hearing Inuyasha would hear what he had said. There was no more need of yelling. Inuyasha just didn’t get it.
“What did you call me monk!?” Inuyasha yelled at the retreating houshi. Irritated by the lack of respect and admiration he was getting all of a sudden.
“I believe you heard me. Now let’s go; the day is wasting. I thought you wanted to get to Edo. Walking is the only way we will be getting there so get a move on!” The monk called back happily. Really, being mean and insensitive to Inuyasha was fun. He was beginning to understand why Sesshoumaru did it all the time.
Landing beside the Bone-Eater’s Well Kirara laid down to let her passengers off. Sliding off of Kirara’s back Kagome walked slowly to the rim of the well; still holding Shippo tightly. Kagome turned around as Sango approached. Nodding her head to her friend Kagome handed Shippo over quietly.
“Sango?” She whispered not wanting to break the silence that had descended. It was too peaceful.
“I will do my best to prevent him going after you. Miroku will help as well. We will look after Shippo for you too. Go Kagome before he catches up.” Sango told her hurting friend quietly.
“I knew you would understand. With every thing you have been through. I just knew. Tell him not to come after me. I will put a barrier on the other side in case he does go. He won’t be able to get out of the well. He’ll be forced to come back.” Kagome told her. She wanted to express her gratitude to her friend. But nothing came so she just nodded, fresh tears in her eyes. She closed the distance between them and gave the older girl she loved as a sister a tight hug. Turning away she walked back to the well. With a long look over her shoulder, she wanted to remember Sango and her kit just as they were. A soft wind playing with their hair. Spring blooms floating on the wind making way for summer. And Kirara lying nearby; asleep in the soft green grass reverted to her kitten form. Looking away and down the well Kagome lifted herself over the edge and dropped. A blinding blue light appeared for a second and then she was gone.
“Take care Kagome. I know you will be back but something like this takes a long time to deal with.” Sango whispered to her friend even though she couldn’t hear.
“Mmmmm. Sango? Where are we? Where’s Kagome? Did she leave already? Sango are you listening?” The sleepy fox child asked. He looked around for the young woman who had become a mother figure to him.
“Yes Shippo she left already. We are at the Bone-Eater’s Well. Let’s go into Edo and visit Lady Kaede, shall we?” Sango said a touch of sadness creeping into her voice as she scooped up the tired Fire Neko.
Shippo watched over her shoulder as the well grew farther and farther away until it was obscured from sight by a low hill. Turning around to look forward the little kit was lost in thought as they entered Edo village.
‘Oh Kagome-sama. Please come back. I don’t want to be left behind. Why couldn’t you take me too? I hope your okay back there.’
Walking along the dusty dirt roads of Edo Sango felt like crying. For her friend, for Shippo, even crying for herself. Something inside Kagome had almost snapped. It wouldn’t need much more pressure. She had a feeling that if it snapped her friend and sister would never be the same. No, that wasn’t true; she might change for a while but eventually she would be back. Maybe not as she was now, so light-hearted. But close to it, and Sango would wait patiently, understandingly, until that time came. Shippo might not understand though. Miroku would never understand, he would try to bring her out of it by being perverted. She should explain to them what might happen to the Kagome they knew.

“Come on monk! Just jump on my back and we’ll be there soon!” Inuyasha said temptingly to the monk.
However, Miroku refused to be beaten in this. No matter how slow he had to walk he would give Kagome time to go home.
“No, Inuyasha. I have told you no several times already I will walk and you must walk as well unless you want to deal with Sango. And no demon is his right mind would want that. But wait, you haven’t been in your right mind since Kikyo came back.” Miroku watched the hanyou noting the flush that the demon tried to hide. He smiled, “And I know which mind you have been thinking with. The one in your hakamas. Don’t try to deny it Inuyasha I can see your blush.”
“Whatever you perv!” Inuyasha huffed out indignantly. He stomped a few yards ahead of the monk but went no further. Truthfully he was afraid of what Sango might do to him if he left the monk alone. He already had it coming from her for treating Kagome like he had.
‘I know she’s pissed, but if I apologize then she’ll forgive me and come back. I just need to go get her is all. She’ll come back she always does.’ He thought confidently.
“Inuyasha we are here. Now I will ride your back into the village. But we go straight to Lady Kaede’s home.” Miroku said quietly. He knew Kagome was gone. He didn’t sense her anywhere in the quiet little village below.
“Finally! Let’s go. And do we have to go see that old hag?” Inuyasha said in a whiny voice.
“Stop complaining and yes we do have to go see Lady Kaede. It is respectful.” Miroku said mischievously. Sango was there and by now had surely told Kaede what had transpired.
“Fine!” Inuyasha growled. Then took off running with the houshi on his back. The only thought in his mind was going after Kagome and bringing her back. Today.

“He did that, said that to Kagome? I can’t believe ye. Why would he say such things?” Kaede asked shocked.
“He did Kaede. So we must keep him here. Kagome doesn’t want him to follow her. He has changed a lot Kaede. It started after Kikyo came back and has gotten worse.” Sango told her urgently. “It’s like he isn’t the same Inuyasha.”
“Well ye did well to tell me of this. I will help ye to keep him here.” Kaede said quietly. “Hush now he approaches.”
A few seconds later Inuyasha burst into the hut with a disheveled Miroku still on his back. “What are you looking at me like that for you old hag?” he asked.
“Inuyasha a moment please I must speak with ye. The monk and Slayer stay as well.” Kaede leveled a glare at the demon.
“Sorry got to run. I’m going to go after Kagome and bring her back.” Inuyasha said roughly to the group.
“I have a message for you from Kagome Inuyasha. If you stay and speak with Kaede I will tell you after.” Sango told the demon coldly. She couldn’t even bear to look at him.
“Fine. What do you want to say old hag?”
“Firstly Inuyasha ye are to address me as Priestess. Understood?”
“Can’t I just stick with Kaede?”
“No ye may not.”
“Fine Priestess.”
“Secondly ye have betrayed your friendship with this village. After today your group may come here but ye may not.” Kaede said angrily.
Miroku could see that the old priestess was getting into her stride. And nothing the hanyou said would matter she would talk over him even if she had to yell.
“What do you mean betrayed-” Inuyasha began.
“Thirdly if any other priest or priestess with purification powers witness you defiling another priest or priestess with same powers you are to be purified. Kikyo does not count as she is DEAD.” Kaede spoke softly but her voice carried and seemed to echo in her small house.
“What is all of this about? Speak up Kaede! I want to know what this is all about. If it is about that girl from the future-” “KAGOME!” “then you can forget it. I will not treat that stupid reincarnation with respect. She hasn’t earned it! Who wins all the battles? Who is the one always in the thick of things? Can’t answer? ME! I want you to show some more respect to me. I earned it not her. She does nothing but slow me down.” Inuyasha stopped. He had become angry, had said things that hung in the air. The silence was so profound inside the hut you could hear a pin drop in the neighboring country. The tension so thick it made it difficult to breath.
“Is that how ye really feel Inuyasha? Is that how ye see things?” Kaede broke the silence but the tension got thicker. You could almost see it in the air. Everyone turned their eyes to Inuyasha; waiting, watching.
“Yes it is.” Inuyasha stated bluntly.
“Then let me tell ye something. Kagome has earned more respect than ye could ever attain, even if ye had a full-blooded demon’s life span. What earns you respect is when ye show it. I see no respect coming your way in a long time. Ye are a child. Kagome shows how grown up she is by being brave yet showing kindness. She knows that in this world she has a duty to perform, and she strives to do that duty as best she can. While ye play with your whore. A plaything easily broken and killed. Like this clay pot. Once ye knock it over it breaks. Just one swing with a well aimed weapon would kill Kikyo. Kagome is a living being that ye have injured!” Kaede said angrily her voice becoming louder with every word until she practically shouted the last.
“Go Inuyasha. Go away from here I care not where ye go just never let me see ye again in my village. Or you might find a few arrows in your chest.” Kaede had said her piece she turned away from Inuyasha.
“Inuyasha the message from Kagome is this. She says, ‘tell Inuyasha not to come after me.’ The message is passed you may leave.” Sango said in a quiet voice.
Inuyasha got up, his ears flat against his head. His head ringing from all the yelling. He turned to go and looked back at the others over his shoulder. Not one of the five were looking at him. They all had turned away. Just as Kikyo had said they would. He turned away and walked out into the sunshine. The dusty road deserted. He turned toward the well. He would go after her. She thought she could order him around like that! Well she had another thing coming.


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A/N:
Okay everyone! This is only the first draft I think I may need to revise a little. Let me know what you think! I already have most of chapter 2 done! I hope every one had a nice Halloween! Wish I could have gone to some seriously scary Haunted Houses, unfortunately, I live in a town full of really little kids. So nothing creepy happened here. I will try to update this story as much as I can. I am also working on a few others. You know how brain blasts are. They only carry you so far. I hope I did well on the characters. They are probably a little out of character. I will work on that as I edit. Take care R&R please!
Gurl <3