Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.

Fraught Memories

Inuyasha did not stop running until he hit the top of Goshinboku. Stopping, he stared at the shell in his hand—the one old Kaede had just given 'back'—and cursed her for a meddling fool.

He didn't want to remember! Since his awakening, the awareness that the Shikon no Tama was just out of his grasp had made it easy to ignore the past. The present was all that mattered: trying to figure out to get the jewel, trying to figure out that wench, and everything that had been happening since she had shattered the jewel —it had been easy to not think about what had occurred weeks before.

But, now this. As if a gate had been opened, the memories were foremost, clear, and sharp. Kikyo, inviting him to talk. Kikyo, asking for his help. Kikyo smiling at him, talking with him. Liking, yearning. Gifting her with his mama's shell. New thoughts, new feelings, and her kiss… He could feel it, taste it…

And she betrayed him! She had shot at him! And missed, but clearly a ploy, she'd wanted a reason to kill him, and when he'd taken the Shikon no Tama, she'd been waiting, he could remember the feeling of the arrow slamming through his heart, the necklace slipping from his fingers—she'd killed him!

The shell shattered in his clenched first, but Inuyasha didn't notice, as he dropped down from the tree, to run again, trying to forget...

Author's Note: This sequel was written for the prompt 'Shell,' for the Inuyasha FanFiction Contest community on LiveJournal. It was originally published on January 29, 2013. (11/3/2013)