Searching for Answers - Chapter 9

Truth Unwound

An Inuyasha FanFiction by Runcrazy

A long chapter, just to make up for all the short ones )

And I think this will be the end of this story

/rUNCRAZY\

Morning was welcomed with open arms as Inuyasha tapped his companions on the shoulder.

"Come on, let's get going," said Inuyasha, impatient at the delay.

"Unlike you Inuyasha, we actually need sleep," called Miroku, sitting up.

"Yes, we do," agreed Sango. Shippo jumped out of Kagome's sleeping-bag, which she had left behind, well rested and ready to go.

"Come on guys, we don't' have any time to loose, Kagome could be half way across the world by now," called Shippo, leaping around the camp, "Who knows what she might be doing with Kouga…" Shippo blushed at his comment – it had come out quite differently than anticipated.

"What was that Shippo?" said Inuyasha, replying to Shippo with a few hits on the head.

"Shippo's right," said Miroku, "About her being half-way across the world by now that is…"

"Whatever Miroku, let's get going okay?" said Inuyasha, getting more irritable by the second. The group quickly stomped out their fire, and gathered their belongings before heading out onto the road, in search of their friend and companion: Kagome.

/rUNCRAZY\

The group headed to Kouga's town, so they could follow his and Kagome's scent out of the area.

"It's going to be tricky you guys," said Inuyasha, jumping ahead of the rest of them.

"We can do it Inuyasha! We have to!" called Shippo with encouragement.

"That's the spirit Shippo," said Sango, hopping on Kirara, while Miroku struggled to ride Kagome's bike.

"Did you pick up her scent yet Inuyasha?" asked Miroku, his hands struggling to steer the hunk of metal he was trying to adjust to. The sooner we can get this over with, the better, thought Miroku, his bottom already going numb from the hard bicycle seat.

"Yeah, but it's useless, two days old; that means we're heading towards Kouga's place. Hopefully I'll pick up another…" said Inuyasha, trailing off.

"What is it Inuyasha?" asked Sango, pulling up next to him. Inuyasha jumped into a tree, so he could get a better look at his surroundings. The group watched him sniff the air several times, before gazing off into the distance.

"What's up with him?" whispered Shippo to Sango, who answered with a shrug.

"Kikyou…" said Inuyasha, his voice too quiet to be heard. "I was wrong," he called to the group, "We're not going towards Kouga's lair. In fact, we're going the complete opposite direction."

"What do you mean Inuyasha? You mean we haven't been following Kagome's scent?" asked Miroku, stepping off the bike.

"Oh no, we have," answered Inuyasha. Sango urged Kirara up to Inuyasha's side. "Just the wrong Kagome," he added. Sango and Inuyasha looked down on Kikyou, asleep under a giant elm tree.

"Stay here," said Inuyasha, jumping towards Kikyou. Miroku and Shippo climbed up the tree to join Sango and watch Inuyasha from a distance.

Inuyasha approached Kikyou, so many feelings rushing through him he didn't know what to think.

"Kikyou…" he whispered, standing above her. Kikyou's black hair blew around her face, complimenting her pale skin. Inuyasha bent down and pulled back a stray hair from her face, before touching her cheek. "Kikyou," he whispered again. Kikyou's hand flew to his, firmly holding his hand to her face.

"Inuyasha," she replied, pulling him towards her. Inuyasha was too lost and confused to stop himself from kissing Kikyou, something he would soon regret. Their lips locked, holding him against what he thought he believed. The two kissed, though to Sango, Miroku and Shippo they appeared to be whispering. Inuyasha melted into Kikyou's kiss, embracing her; until he smelled something familiar. His eyes darted to the side, catching a glimpse of a tornado he had come to despise. The tornado passed him without stopping, and Inuyasha exhaled; forgetting Kagome was with Kouga. Suddenly the tornado reversed and came to a stop, feet away from them. Sudden realization overtook Inuyasha and he quickly pulled away from Kikyou, jumping to his feet. Kagome was in Kouga's arms, tears flowing freely down her face and neck.

"Inuyasha," she managed to choke out, before burying her head in Kouga's chest. Kouga held her tightly, shaking his head at Inuyasha in disbelief.

"That priestess… SHE TRIED TO KILL KAGOME!" yelled Kouga, moving to place Kagome down; but Kagome held to him tightly, and shook her head.

"Leave them Kouga," she said, her voice so pained it speared Inuyasha in the heart, and he collapsed to his knees.

"Oh Kagome…" he whispered. Their eyes met, bringing more tears to Kagome. She turned away from Inuyasha, hiding her face in Kouga's chest. She's… she's so close to Kouga… he's holding her so tightly… thought Inuyasha, confused. Have her feelings changed for him? No, she's… she's crying… she's crying because she saw me kiss Kikyou, again. What have I done? Must we go through this once more?

"No way Kagome, I swore I'd kill Kikyou next time we met, and I'm not going to let it slide," answered Kouga. Kagome looked at Inuyasha and Kikyou, locking eyes with Inuyasha once more, as if she was trying to decide something important. Kagome sighed, another tear falling down her face as she raised her head to Kouga's, whispering something into his ear. Kouga's eyes brightened and his facial expression changed. "Very well," he sighed, "Next time though Kikyou… I'll kill you." The two ran off, leaving Inuyasha and Kikyou alone.

Moments after they had vanished Miroku, Sango and Shippo ran out of the forest, into the clearing.

"Did you stop her Inuyasha? Did you stop Kagome from running off with Kouga again?" asked Miroku, leaning on his staff to catch his breath. Inuyasha merely shook his head, no. Kikyou stood, and stroked Inuyasha on the head before running off into the woods.

"Well, go after her Inuyasha! She was right next to you and you let her get away? Go get her Inuyasha! We don't have forever to be chasing after her, and that bike of hers is killing me!" Miroku said, a little angry, while rubbing his bottom. Inuyasha stood and faced the direction Kagome and Kouga had left. I could catch them; I could catch Kagome and Kouga…if I left now… Thought Inuyasha, fighting against his pride to do what was right; or was it right? "Come on Inuyasha, swallow your pride and go get her! At least talk to her about it!" said Miroku, pushing Inuyasha in the direction Kagome and Kouga had gone. Inuyasha swallowed the lump in his throat, and replied,

"Alright, alright, I'll go. But don't expect me to be back for a while." Inuyasha jumped into the forest after Kagome and Kouga, racking his brain for a plan every step of the way.

/rUNCRAZY\

Two hours later Inuyasha had almost caught up to Kagome and Kouga, he saw the whirlwind of dust just meters ahead of him; it suddenly stopped, and Inuyasha jumped into a tree.

"Okay Kagome, I'll get some fish, we'll stop here for tonight. How about you start a fire?" asked Kouga, kissing her the forehead. Inuyasha stared wide-eyed at Kouga; He just kissed Kagome on the forehead! He k-kissed her… and she didn't stop him. Kagome looked up at Kouga and nodded, getting out paper and a match from her backpack. As soon as Kouga ran off into the night, Inuyasha jumped down and walked towards Kagome. He watched her from the trees, shadows flickering on her face from the now blazing fire. Tears fell freely, though she made no sound. Kagome looked tired and worn; someone could have easily mistaken her for someone 10 years older. Inuyasha stepped towards Kagome slowly, not wanting to startle her. Kagome heard a branch snap, and she looked up, expecting to see Kouga standing before her. But what Kagome saw was not Kouga, but Inuyasha. He was standing before her, light from the flames squirming across his body; silence surrounding them. When Inuyasha first appeared he saw Kagome's face brighten, the ten extra years fading away, but then realization overtook her and they returned.

"Inuyasha…" whispered Kagome, wiping the tears from her eyes. Inuyasha sat beside her and they looked into the fire, entranced by its shifting shapes and deep colors.

"Kagome…" began Inuyasha, pausing to take a deep breath, "I'm sorry Kagome." Kagome looked at him then, surprised at his openness with her. She smiled, before turning her gaze to the fire. "I don't know what I'm doing Kagome, I've… I've never felt this way before… It's, it's so hard," Inuyasha said, slowly shaking his head. "But I know it must be so much harder for you, I'm so sorry Kagome…" Kagome looked at Inuyasha again, meeting his gaze.

"I understand Inuyasha," she said, another tear threatening to fall. Inuyasha didn't argue with her, he knew what mistake he had made and that it could cost him a lot; but it was his mistake, and he had to do the best to fix it.

"Kagome…"

"Hmm?" she answered.

"Kagome, what did you say to Kouga to get him to leave?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome, her expression changed to a look he had never seen her express before, he couldn't place the exact emotion it showed, and that bothered him.

"Inuyasha… Kouga wants to marry me."

"I know."

"I told him… I told him I would marry him if he left you and Kikyou," Kagome caught her breath, holding it.

"You… you're going to marry Kouga?" said Inuyasha, trying to keep his cool, "Why… why did you do that Kagome…?" Kagome looked at Inuyasha,

"I knew if he tried to kill Kikyou, you would protect her. I didn't want you and Kouga to fight; I wanted you and Kikyou to be safe… I couldn't have you fighting Inuyasha – It scares me when you are in danger," Kagome let out a quick sob, shaking her head quickly as if trying to rid herself of tears. Kagome looked Inuyasha in the eye, the tears came quickly now, and she made no effort to hide them.

"Oh Kagome…" whispered Inuyasha.

"I… I didn't have a choice Inuyasha. But my decision scares me," Kagome whispered, "Oh Inuyasha!" Kagome flung herself at him, sobbing into his chest. "Inuyasha," she said, quietly so Inuyasha had to listen carefully, "I know you love Kikyou Inuyasha, and I know you will choose her over me. But Inuyasha, I love you so much Inuyasha. …I miss you Inuyasha!" she cried, staring up at him, nearly sitting in his lap.

"Oh Kagome…" Inuyasha knew he loved her, but he never knew to what extent. His feelings for her seemed to explode from him, feelings he never knew he had, feelings that would haunt him forever if he didn't do something about it. "Oh Kagome… I'm so sorry…" he said, a tear falling down his face. Kagome smiled as she wiped away his tear with her finger,

"D-don't cry Inuyasha. You have Kikyou…"

"Don't say that," he whispered, "I love you Kagome, more and more each day. You must know that." Kagome shook her head, as if trying to erase what he had said.

"It's too late," she replied, "I must marry Kouga, I've said I would marry him…" Inuyasha began to speak, but she hushed him with her finger, "No Inuyasha, you will not fight him… I can't bear it! You must go with Kikyou if that is what you desire, I will marry Kouga… I will marry him if it is what it takes for your happiness." Kagome stood, placing her hair behind her ear. She began to walk away, towards the direction Kouga had gone, but was stopped by Inuyasha. He wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her towards him.

"Kagome… I won't let you go again Kagome," he whispered, before leaning down to kiss her. Kagome melted into Inuyasha; he held her tightly against him, giving her no change to turn away. She found herself lost in but another kiss from another man. But this kiss she wanted to be lost in; this kiss she never wanted to end.

/rUNCRAZY\

What'cha think? I think that's going to be the end of this story…

… but maybe I'll write a sequel…

Please review!