Authors Notes: I rewrote the prologue because someone told em it wasn't really good at all, and I admit they were right. In fact if anything I really didn't want to write it, but it is a vital part of the story and everything, so I didn't have much of a choice. I hope this is a little better everyone.
Disclaimer:I own nothing
Falls On Me
Prologue-And What's the Reason, Why Should I Stay?
"He's gone, really gone," Sango whispered in a hoarse voice. Kagome sagged in relief against Inu Yasha, wincing from the pain of the deep gash in her leg.
"The wind tunnel is gone," Miroku said, awestruck. Kagome looked over to see him staring at the now unblemished skin of his palm, awestruck. Kagome smiled happily at her friend.
"Where is the jewel?" Inu Yasha asked suddenly, looking around the room. Kagome moved from him and limped over to the remains of what had once been the pseudo hanyou Naraku. Absently she reflected on the battle. He had taken her shards, and somehow they had still beat him. Her hands trembled violently as she picked up the now complete jewel.
With a smile she looked down at it, and the orb began to glow softly within her hands. The light from within seemed to light up the dark, dank cave they stood within. Kagome reflected on how the pink light made the cave seem almost beautiful in primitive sort of way.
"Kohaku," Sango cried out as she ran to the still form of the boy lying on the floor, surrounded by the corpses of various youkai. Kagome felt a tear slip down her cheek as she watched Sango kneel and close the boy's wide open eyes. He was dead.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed, hope growing within her. "Could you please use Tenseiga on Kohaku, please?" Kagome asked.
"It's too late," The youkai stated apathetically. Kagome inwardly winced when Sango began to sob uncontrollably.
"Damn it! We were so close!" Sango sobbed as she held Kohaku to her tightly. Miroku walked over to her kneeling form and put his hand on her shoulder, tears falling from his own eyes as well. Their victory seemed tainted by the loss of Kohaku.
"Inu Yasha," Kikyo said from where she stood, several feet away from the hanyou. Kagome felt dread make her heart beat double time as the undead miko walked gracefully over to him. It was time for him to choose between the two of them. Selfishly Kagome hoped he would choose her, discarding any concern for Kikyo's feelings. She was dead, let her die and just get over with! These sort of thoughts were almost foreign to her, but it was different now, or so she tried to convince herself.
"Kikyo," Inu Yasha said, his eyes going soft as she placed her hand on the sleeve of his red robe.
"Inu Yasha, it's time to keep your promise," Kikyo said.
Even Sesshoumaru knew what the miko was talking about, and personally he was hoping Inu Yasha would go to Hell with the walking corpse. Then again he could barely stand the smell of her considering her body was composed of grave dirt and charred bones. Neither was a pleasant smell.
"Inu Yasha," Kagome said, struggling to stand despite the pain shooting up her leg. "Please don't go with her. Stay here with us. With me, please. I love you," Kagome told him as tears slipped from grey eyes that begged him.
At this point even Sango and Miroku had pulled themselves from their own grief to watch the scene before them unfold.
The hanyou looked confused and torn, his gaze darting between Kagome and Kikyo. At last he looked down at Kikyo and smiled sadly. Kagome felt her heart begin to break as he kissed Kikyo on the forehead gently.
"I can't go with you Kikyo," He said after several moments. "I have people here."
"So be it Inu Yasha. You will never be happy," Kikyo said as a hole opened up beneath her form. Kagome was vaguely reminded of the time that she had helped Mayu escape her fate. Only the scene before her lacked the music of the soul piper and the chains wrapping around Kikyo as she descended into what Kagome had to assume was hell.
Everyone in the room save Sesshoumaru shivered at Kikyo's parting words. There seemed to be a sense of foreboding in them, as if she knew Inu Yasha could never be happy unless he was with her.
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome cried out as she limped over to him, doing her best to ignore the pain from her wound. Fortunately when her leg gave out Inu Yasha was there to catch her, and when she looked up at him he was gazing tenderly down at her face.
"Did you mean it Kagome?" Inu Yasha asked. Kagome nodded happily. He bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
"Would you be my mate?" He asked her. Kagome felt her eyes widen. Mate? As in married? But she was only sixteen! And she would have to leave her time forever. Maybe she could still go through the well to visit her family. As she thought about it, she realized she didn't have much choice. Inu Yasha didn't exist in her time. And she loved him. How could she just leave him behind?
"Yes," She finally whispered. She thought she heard Sesshoumaru snort. Sango and Miroku smiled, Sango even cheered.
"Sesshoumaru, I want to go back to my father's home," Inu Yasha said.
"Do you forget that it is now my home Inu Yasha?" Sesshoumaru asked, his voice colder than it ever had been.
"I know you live there, but I have a right to as well. Kagome and I need somewhere to live, and I deserve to live there!" Inu Yasha growled. Sesshoumaru merely looked resigned. It was true. His father had made it the one condition of Sesshoumaru inheriting the lands long before he had died. Inu Yasha must always be welcome to stay at the castle.
"I see. Only because of father are you allowed to live there. But do not think for a moment that you deserve it," He stated coldly. Kagome shuddered.
She had to live with him?
The miko was about to state her misgivings, but when she saw the excited gleam in Inu Yasha's eyes, she couldn't.
"Kagome, what about your family in the future?" Sango asked.
"I guess, I guess I'll have to leave them behind," Kagome whispered sadly. Sango came forth and hugged her family.
"We're your family now," Inu Yasha told her. Kagome nodded and smiled as tears slid down her cheeks, tears of joy and sadness. They had lost Kohaku and Kagome knew a part of her life was over, but a new one was just beginning.
Three weeks later Kagome sat facing Inu Yasha as the priest beat the drum. Then she watched as the priest waved a large staff with paper streamers attached to banish evil spirits. She almost winced when he began to chant the plea to Kami-Sama, begging for the God to hear their request for marriage and bless them. She kept her head bowed, but tried to follow everything going on.
Everything seemed to be happening so slowly, and she wanted it to go ahead and be over with, especially since she hadn't known everything was going to be happening like this!
Suddenly Inu Yasha was being handed the first of the three bowls of sake. She watched him take two fake sips, then a third. He handed her the bowl and she repeated his actions. They were handed another bowl that was bigger, and repeated the actions, then finally, the third bowl, which was the largest. Kagome felt slightly warm after drinking so much sake so quickly, for they had to empty the bowls.
She walked with Inu Yasha as he approached the alter and recited her vows after he had. Then, with a sigh that she hadn't messed anything up, she went back to her seat, not fully turning her back so she wouldn't offend Kami-Sama, as ritual dictated.
'What I wouldn't give for a good old western wedding. They're far less complicated,' She grumped inwardly.
She relaxed after Inu Yasha placed a sakaki branch on the alter. Her part of the ceremony was over as soon as she handed Sesshoumaru a branch of the same tree.
Inu Yasha listened as Miroku made a speech, and then they said Kampai (Japanese toast).
Giggling, Kagome kissed Inu Yasha gently on the lips. They were married now in the eyes of kami-sama and the world!
Everyone ate delicacies prepared by the master cook of the castle. She almost sighed in relief. The shrine was one that belonged to Sesshoumaru, it was for his ancestors. So at least there wouldn't be a long walk to her new home in the itchy socks or uncomfortable sandals.
That night she sat outside in the garden attached to the room she now shared with Inu Yasha, tears falling from her eyes. It hurt so much. She had known losing her virginity would hurt, but Inu Yasha had made it almost unbearable. She touched her shoulder gently. It was beginning to scab over from a savage bite he had given her.
Crying silent tears, she wondered if leaving her family had been worth it.
Authors End Notes: Any better than before? It's a prologue, so it won't be long, and to Kohaku fans, I'm really sorry, please forgive me for killing him off. Please please please?
Please reveiw!