A Love That Transcends Time: Book I

~*~Okay... I know, no excuses. ^_^ But hey, I just wanted you guys to know that I'm still here, and I'm still alive. And that I have no intention of abandoning this story. It's just with rewriting the ending, it gets real hard you know? The small changes I was supposed to change here and there turned out to be major ones and it got blown out of proportion. ^_^ I just wanted you guys to understand. Plus the reviews I had for the last chappy was sooo much, that I can't reply to each and every one of those or else my fingers'll fall off ^_^ but I want those reviewers to know that I really appreciate it a lot and I love you guys all the more for giving me 25 reviews! Wow. And to the readers! Heck, I don't know what I'd do without you guys. So don't disappear on me now, okay? ^_^

Here's the next chapter for your reading pleasure, and I hope you enjoy it. More to come soon (I hope! ^_^)

THANX A LOT EVERYONE!!! LOVE YA LOTS!!! mwaah!~*~


A Love That Transcends Time
FaTaLfURy


~*~Chapter 38 — The Return~*~


~*~Inuyasha’s POV~*~

I thought I was dreaming. Hallucinating to be exact.

I blinked once. I blinked twice. And I blinked again for what seemed to me like a hundred times, but she was still there standing, looking at me.

But I was holding her dead body…

I looked down on my lap and I saw her, eyes closed and unmoving. She’s still dead…

“Kagome-chan!”

I heard Sango breathe nearby. That means I’m not the only one seeing her.

Yes, it was her. It was my Kagome. But it was her soul, her ghost haunting us already.

She turned her head to look at Sango when she called her name, and I noticed she wasn’t letting go of Fluffy’s hand anytime soon.

My gut’s telling me where this is heading.

“Kagome,”

I called out to her, and she focused her glorious blue eyes at me again. I wanted to go to her, I wanted to touch her and hold her and make sure she’s real…

But my useless brain was telling me another. I was holding the ‘real’ Kagome. The dead one.

“Inuyasha,”

I never saw her mouth open, or her lips move. But her voice carried over all of us like the haunting melody of the wind.

“Kanai, I know what you’re thinking, and I’m sorry! But I have to do this,”

I reasoned with her, to make her see things my way. To make her accept that she had to live so that I could continue to live too.

She’s my life…

“I told you I would find a way to be with you, Inuyasha. You really should have believed me,”

Then she smiled at me, and it was my undoing.

“I will not give up! Kagome, you have to come back, onegai! I won’t be going to Hell anymore, Kanai. I promise, just please… Come back to me,”

Everyone was shocked at what I said. I even shocked myself at that, but I found it to be true.

That was how desperate I was to have Kagome alive and back again.

Her smile became a thing of sadness, of melancholy and despair.

“Sudeni, Inuyasha. Mou, yamete kudasai,”

“No!”

“Please, Kagome-chan! Listen to Inuyasha,”

I heard Sango plead with Kagome too. The monk was the only one silent amongst us.

“Unhand me, miko,”

That was Fluffy. Although he doesn’t seem to be real pissed at her. In fact, if my hearing’s correct-and it often, if not a hundred percent is-that’s awe I’m hearing in his voice.

My Kagome smiled at him and let his hand go, but not without saying her piece.

“Arigato, Sesshomaru. For everything. But I will never forgive you if you bring me back to life again. This is what I want; and this is how it's supposed to be. Leave it at that. And I warn you; my will is stronger than yours. Even in death,"

“Yakosoku, miko. I will honor your wishes,”

“Sesshoumaru, iie!”

Fluffy cut me a glance, and I caught a glimpse of his sympathy for me mirrored there.

“Let it go, ototo. Let HER go,”

“No!!!”

I stood up the same moment that she walked away from us. She stopped at the edge of the clearing, her back turned towards me. I saw her focus her gaze on the woods beyond as though she waited for something… or someone.

Maybe she’s deciding whether to stay or leave.

Damn waiting.

“Kagome,”

I called out to her as I started to move forward, still not relinquishing my hold on her body. I felt an urgency, an indescribable force that drove me to hurry or I may not be able to get to her in time.

‘In time for what?’

As I mentally shook my head to clear my thoughts and focus on reaching her, she turned around. I hastened my speed even more when I looked at her face.

‘Just a little more…’

“Soon, Inuyasha. I will be waiting. Aishiteru,”

‘She’s saying goodbye…’

“Kagome!!! Matte!!!”

She held out her hand to me as I ran with all my speed to hold it.

But it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.

I heard the whistle of the arrow before I saw it.

“Hiraikotsu!”

Sango’s large boomerang sliced through the air, heading to where the arrow came from. But too late, the arrow pierced Kagome’s soul and I just stood there petrified as I saw her before my very eyes.

I didn’t even get to touch the hand she was holding out to me…

It was like seeing her die for the second time, and I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t save her.

Again.

It was no use crying out loud, and no tears fell to mark the torment I was feeling at that moment. When just a pink orb that was her soul remained, I dropped to my knees and bowed my head as I held Kagome’s dead body more tightly.

My mind grew blank and no thoughts remained in my head but for my sorrow.

“You didn’t really think I’d let her live, did you Inuyasha?”

Fury broke through the anguish I was feeling. Even I could tell how my eyes bled red at the sound of ‘her’ voice.

‘Kikyou…’


=====================================================


~Kikyou’s POV~

I could not believe it! The bitch tried to come to life once more. And just when I was being generous to them. Didn’t I allow them to say their goodbyes? I never interrupted even for a millisecond! I respected their grief and Inuyasha’s mostly. I knew it was hard for him to lose my reincarnation, but all that will fade once we are together. I’ll make him forget…

But still that stupid girl seems really determined to ruin all my grand plans! Lo and behold, here she comes in her spirit mode. Though I think I really should thank her for stopping Sesshomaru from reviving her. That is, until I heard what she’s planning and how Inuyasha’s not going to honor his promises to me anymore. II almost let my arrow fly right then and there. But still, I held back. I wanted to hear what she’s going to say first. She wanted to stay dead so she could go with Inuyasha when I take him with me, she said. And Inuyasha’s planning on reviving her.

Well, I have a surprise for them both. I have an idea that will royally wreck their plans of their ‘future’.

Inuyasha was mine first, and he will still be mine ‘till the end. I will never allow her to live. I will never allow them to be together as long as I draw breath.

With that in mind, I dispatched my arrow for the second time…

And tried to ignore the sting of tears behind my eyes.

~End POV~


Kikyou was so shaken by what she heard that she almost missed the boomerang that was coming for her in high speed. Not having enough time to set a barrier, she dodged to the side in time to avoid Sango’s attack

She slipped another arrow from her pack to her bow and built up her barrier just in time for Hiraikotsu’s return. The bone boomerang fell to the ground like a useless toy. Kikyou smiled coldly and proceeded to walk towards them.

When she was in full view, she spoke the damning words.

“You didn’t really think I’d let her live did you, Inuyasha?”

At the sight of her, everyone was ready for battle. Miroku changed his hold on his staff, the golden hoops ringing with his every move. Sesshoumaru already had Tokijin out from its’ scabbard, though his face remained impassive. Sango drew her short katana and Kirara was just back from fetching Hiraikotsu for her mistress. Seeing that elicited laughter from Kikyou’s throat.

“What’s this? Are you all going to fight me then?”

The three of them stood in front of Inuyasha, shielding him from her view with Sesshoumaru in the middle. They’re saying that if she wanted to get to Inuyasha, she’s going to have to go through them.

“You killed Kagome-chan! You monster. Yurusanai!”

Sango’s voice shook with anger. Her eyes were spitting mad and she gripped Hiraikotsu with a force that made her knuckles whiten. She was itching for Kikyou to make a wrong move.

And then she would pounce.

Kikyou shrugged at the reminder like she would shrug snowdrops in winter.

“What of it? Have you all forgotten who I am? How dare you call me a monster!”

Miroku broke his silence.

“We haven’t forgotten, Kikyou-sama. It would seem that it is you who forgets. And you ARE a monster. One of the lowest kind, in fact. Other youkai do not need souls to feed on in order to stay alive, but you do. Pathetic, really,”

Everyone was shocked to hear the monk speak in that way. And to Kikyou—a miko—no less. But no one could refute what he said. Not Inuyasha, and most especially not Kikyou herself.

The barb hit its’ mark.

‘But it won’t be that way for long. And you’ll pay for that. Dearly,’

Kikyou promised them in her mind.

“What, no clever comebacks, miko? I’m disappointed,”

Kikyou smiled tightly.

“I have no time for this. Inuyasha?”

Sesshoumaru moved forward. Miroku and Sango followed suit.

“You won’t be dragging my brother to Hell today, miko. Not now, not ever. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

“Stay out of this. This is between Inuyasha and me,”

“This Sesshoumaru does what he wants. And I will definitely not take orders from anyone, especially from the likes of you. I have my brother’s answer: and the answer is NO. Leave now before I send you back to Hell myself,”

“I changed my mind. I’m not going to drag him to Hell anymore,”

That gave her everyone’s undivided attention. Inuyasha had yet to react.

“Do you mean to say that you’re going… alone?”

Kikyou shrugged once more.

“Not really. I too have decided not to go. I choose to… linger,”

They felt like they were walking in circles by what they were hearing. This wasn’t what they expected at all. Still, the fact remains that she killed Kagome. She has something up in her sleeves.

“Matte. I have no doubt that you speak the truth, miko. And for sparing my brother, I would thank you. However, we all know that you have a cunning mind. I like to think that I have a shrewd one. So enlighten me on this. If you had every intention of freeing Inuyasha from your… shall we say, agreement? Yes. If you wanted that right from the start, why did you kill your reincarnation? What reason could you have to take a life?”

“More exactly, what are you getting to now, Kikyou-sama? What do you think to gain from all this?”

Sango growled.

“Could we just rip her to shreds so wouldn’t even have to think about this? I’d rather think about how we’re going to get Kagome-chan back than waste my time on her,”

Kikyou stepped to the side to look at Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru blocked her once more.

“Enough of this. This is between Inuyasha and me, and it does not concern anyone else. He wasn’t coerced to make his promises; he gave them of his own free will. ‘Your life is mine just as my life is yours’. Isn’t that how it goes, Inuyasha? I hold you to that promise. I will not take you to Hell, nor will I go there alone. I choose to live… with you,”

Like a bomb thrown out of nowhere, her words had the power to reassure and destroy at the same time.

And Inuyasha still had yet to react.

“Nani!?”

“How do you suppose you’ll do that? Live as man and wife? But Inuyasha is already mated!”

“Was,”

“Oh right. Thanks to you, you callous bitch! Let me go, houshi! I’ll tear her to shreds! I’ll—“

Sesshoumaru raised his hand up for silence. Miroku clamped a hand on Sango’s mouth and seized her as she continually sputtered and struggled against him.

“Control yourself, taijiya. Do not let your emotions rule your actions. The time will come for what you want,”

Sesshoumaru reminded Sango quietly. After seeing her calm down, he turned his attention back to Kikyou.

“This Sesshoumaru will hear what you have to say. I would know all of your intentions,”

‘Arrogant bastard!’

Kikyou gritted her teeth in anger.

“What I have to say does not concern you, youkai. I already told you that a hundred times. This is between your brother and me. Do not interfere,”

Sesshoumaru didn’t even blink at the venom in her voice.

“As you have no means of talking to my brother alone, miko, you have no choice in the matter. Either state your plans now or we do this the hard way,”

His tone alone would have brought formidable humans and youkais alike to run for cover. But Kikyou was tougher than that.

“Very well. We’ll do it your way this time. Inuyasha? Listen well and good. I know that my reincarnation has already purified the jewel. And I also know that she left it to you. In light of all that has transpired because of the jewel, I believe that the wish should be mine. However, I will not take the jewel from you. Since both of our lives has been ruined because of it, I want you to wish on it for our benefit,”

Silence stretched out. Kikyou waited for Inuyasha to answer or do something, but he remained immobile with his head bent.

“In exchange for a lifetime in Hell with me, you’ll wish on the Shikon no Tama for me to be alive. My soul to be brought whole again in my own flesh and blood. We shall live the life we should have had, Inuyasha. You and I. For eternity,”

Even as she spoke, the pink orb that was Kagome’s soul glided towards her as if sensing its’ missing part. Yet it did not enter Kikyou’s body, nor did Kikyou do it herself. She wanted it to be Inuyasha who did it.

In response, Sesshoumaru suddenly blasted a wave of his youki towards her barrier, making it waver. Kikyou automatically fortified it to withstand another attack while slipping an arrow to her bow at the same time. She laughed without humor.

“Is this the hard way you were talking about, youkai? Attacking me?”

Sesshoumaru stared at her without blinking, waiting for her move. It wasn’t slow in coming.

“Fools. Each and everyone of you. You want to fight me? Well before you do, here’s a little prediction for you: you’ll die. All of you. You underestimate me if you think that you can take me down easily. Your pathetic excuses you call your weapons are no match for me. And you, you despicable houshi dared to call me that! When in truth you’re the pathetic one because you’re useless. Without your kazaana, you have no means of fighting me. Ofudas won’t work, every trick you have up on your sleeve won’t do anything to me. I’m not your regular ‘youkai’, remember?”

Her scathing gaze finally lit upon the demon lord.

“And you! I saved your life! And you repay me in this way. You dared to shame me and kill me. I would have you pay for that. And if you’re going to send me to Hell, I will see to it that I’ll have you with me. When I’m done purifying you, you’ll wish you’ve never crossed paths with me!”

Sesshoumaru simply raised an eyebrow at her dire threats.

“Well miko, you’re certainly welcome to try,”

“Enough talk! I’ve been waiting for this since your arrow pierced my sister. You’re dead. Hiraikotsu!”

Sango’s bone boomerang whistled through the air, followed closely by Miroku who was riding on Kirara’s back. He jumped to slam his staff on top of Kikyou’s barrier and threw some ofudas on it. He deftly twisted away while chanting incantations under his breath to neutralize the barrier.

It didn’t work. The large boomerang fell to the ground as it had before.

Kikyou smiled coldly at them.

“My turn,”

Letting her arrow fly in a whirlwind of her hama no reiryoku, she set her sights on Sesshoumaru. But before it could connect with its’ target, Inuyasha was already in front of his brother, shielding them both with Tetsusaiga. When the arrow connected with the sword, it crackled to life before transforming to its’ normal state.

“Move, hanyou,”

Inuyasha obeyed. But instead of walking away, he walked towards Kikyou.

“Inuyasha! Are you insane!? You’re still going with her after everything!? Baka!!!”

Inuyasha kept walking, his head still downcast.

Sesshoumaru glanced around for Kagome’s body, finding it placed underneath Goshinboku’s roots.

“Take care of the miko’s body,”

He ordered to both Sango and Miroku before confronting Inuyasha. In a bid to make his brother stop, he released a wave of Kenatsu that followed Inuyasha’s wake. Inuyasha merely stabbed Tetsusaiga on the ground and continued on his way.

“Damn it, Inuyasha,”

Sesshoumaru muttered under his breath as he followed his brother.

“Stop, hanyou,”

Inuyasha stopped, but before Sesshoumaru could say another word, he already held his hand out.

“Damare,”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened in reaction as he felt Inuyasha’s change even before he saw Inuyasha’s eyes.

Inuyasha was staring at him with blood red eyes.

He relented.

Inuyasha went back to walking towards Kikyou, keeping his head bent all the time. When he reached her barrier, she lowered it and welcomed him with a benign smile on her face.

“I knew you would come back to me. You belong to me, Inuyasha. Always will and always have. You know that, don’t you?”

Instead of replying, Inuyasha just wrapped his arms around her, surprising Kikyou. She stilled in the space of a heartbeat before letting her eyes close to savor his embrace. She was almost reaching her hands about him before she finally noticed that something’s wrong.

“Inuyasha?”

Without letting her go, Inuyasha lifted his head to meet her eyes. What she saw there scared her profoundly. She was scared all the more when Inuyasha suddenly moved one hand from her waist to her throat.

He was strangling her.

“Scared, Kikyou?”

She could see dark spots dancing in the fringes of her mind. Her panic almost overwhelmed her, but she fought it down. She had to clear her mind…

Suddenly, right at the moment when Kikyou felt her lungs couldn’t take it any longer, she was spared.

Incandescent light began to shimmer all around them, starting from the jewel in Inuyasha’s hands to shoot from the skies overhead. After the blinding display, there was a stillness in the area. A peacefulness that wasn’t there before.

And there, in place between where Inuyasha was holding Kikyou off the ground stood the miko Midoriko in all her glory.

“I have returned,”

~*~This is getting better and better. Midoriko's here as a special participation... or maybe not. I've got plans for our elusive miko. ^_^ So what did you guys think? Leave me a note okay! I promise to reply this time around. hehehe. Take care everyone! Ja ne! ^_^~*~