Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Where I Belong	By : Royal_Kitsune Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female Views: 3097 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or ideas from Inuyasha, manga nor anime. I also do not make a profit from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 11
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- 13
~Why~
The group couldn't believe their eyes.
Shippo and Kilala had stopped in midair as they watched the winged dog fall into the lake just behind the other two demons. The only thing they could pull themselves to do was to shout their friend's name.
It wasn't until the large splash of all three demons breaking the water's surface, that they unfroze and the hysteria began.
"We have to get her out!" Kagome shouted, her cheeks soaked from the tears streaming down her face.
"Kilala." Sango said, as the fire cat brought them to the edge of the lake.
The two women jumped from the fire cat's back and watched as Kilala jumped into the lake.
Shippo and Miroku landed beside them, the monk landing on his feet as the young fox transformed back to normal.
The young fox's eyes were red from the crying he was doing, and the priestess picked him up in comfort.
The monk placed his non-cursed hand on the slayer's shoulder, offering his silent comfort. Even his level of perversion couldn't overwhelm the gravity of the situation.
They all watched as Kilala surfaced; the scruff of the Ryu-Inu in the feline's jaw. Once Kilala was close enough to the edge, Sango and Miroku went forward to help haul the body onto land.
Kagome had to turn away and cover Shippo's eyes.
Kazuko's fur was wet and clung to her body. Red streaks were running through her silver fur that reflected like fire in the rising sunlight. The spear was still firmly lodged through her chest and the end showing from out of her back.
"Let's take the spear out." Miroku said softly as he grabbed the end that was sticking out of her back and pulling.
By the time he got the spear completely out, even Sango had turned, and Kilala was brushing against the slayer's side in comfort. The monk tossed the spear back into the lake and bowed his head to pray for the fallen demoness.
"She shouldn't have done that." Kagome said as she finally was able to pull herself together enough to kneel down beside the demoness' body. She placed a hand on the soaked shoulder, somehow wishing she could do something.
"Kazuko was truly a friend." Sango said, kneeling beside the priestess. "I wish we hadn't been so suspicious for her."
"Get up Kazuko! Don't go!" The fox child shouted as he jumped and landed against the demoness' chest in-between the still and cold paws. "You can't leave." His voice weakened as sobs shook his small body.
'Shippo.' Kilala mewed, though she couldn't find any more words than that to say. Instead the fire cat let out a sad roar to the sun, and then she laid herself down next to the fox kit.
The group stayed like that for hours, watching the small child sob into the demoness' arms, and shedding their own tears.
"What's going on?" A shout was heard as a blur of red came up beside Kagome. "Hello? I said what's go…" The half demons topped as he noticed the still Ryu-Inu and noticed that everyone was crying. "What's wrong with Kazuko? Did she get hurt or something? I knew she was weak." The half demon scoffed as he used a foot to nudge the demon, a dark look passing over his face as realization began to dawn on him.
"She died protecting me." Kagome said softly, not taking her eyes off of Kazuko.
"If Kazuko hadn't done what she did, we would be looking at Kagome's dead body." Sango added, as she looked up briefly at the half demon then back to Kazuko. They all knew how much the half demon hadn't wanted the demoness around.
"What?" The half demon growled out as he finally took in the scent. Under the overwhelming scent of lake water and tears, he could smell the rising scent of death coming from the newest member of their group. "She…? Why?" It was all he could manage to say.
Since the demoness had joined the group, the half demon was constantly accusing her of being a spy or simple out to get them once their defenses were down. Not once had he been fair enough to actually try and trust her like the others were beginning to do. He now had his proof of her loyalty to the group, but it was too late to make up for it.
"Kazuko…" The half demon whispered still not willing to let his feelings show. Instead he sat next to Kagome and pulled the girl into a hug.
The priestess didn't resist, and instead collapsed against the dog eared, half demon. Her tears increased in intensity as she felt the half demon pull her in. Part of her wanted to blame Inuyasha for threatening Kazuko into protecting her, but she knew it would have ended the same even if Inuyasha hadn't. Despite knowing the group didn't fully trust her, Kazuko gave everything her best. It wasn't to prove the others that she was trustworthy; she simply did it because it seemed to be her nature.
As Shippo fell asleep, the others began to decide on what to do.
"We can't leave her here, but with her being in that form we can't carry her far." Miroku said as he stood after giving a final prayer over Kazuko's body.
"The only choice we have is to bury her here." Inuyasha said, carefully bringing up Kagome as he stood.
Sango nodded and gently removed Shippo from the paws that were growing cold. "Kagome, do you think you need to go back to your world?" The slayer asked, and then clarified as the priestess gave her a confused look, "to tell her family and friends."
"Oh," The priestess' voice was small and hollow. "Her parents died before she came here, and her friends all think she's decided to go on a world trip and then settle in a different country. I don't think I'll need to tell them, at least not yet."
"Let's head back. Kagome and Sango can stay at the village with Shippo and Kilala. Inuyasha and I will get some shovels and come back." Miroku decided, as he led the group back to the village.
The mood of the group was quiet as they walked back to the village, no one knowing what to say, though the silence felt worse than it had ever been. With the group so filled with grief, and one half demon filled with regret, they failed to notice the presence approaching the body of their fallen friend. Instead they entered the village completely unaware; the cheers of the villagers feeling unimportant.
Back at the lake, seemingly uninterested eyes looked down to the cold and soaked body. Their deep gold going over the body as if trying to spot something that was unseen. The white clad demon stood motionless with the exception of an empty sleeve that swayed with the wind.
"I do not doubt that you wish to bring her back." He said, though no one appeared to be there, and placed his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. "The Ryu-Inus were a strong breed, and loyal subjects of the west. It would be unwise to pass the change to have a Ryu-Inu under my command." As he spoke the demon began to unsheathe the sword that couldn't cut.
Dark golden eyes narrowed as small, grey minions of death became visible only to the dog demon. With an elegant flip of his wrist, the demon slashed away all of the tiny imps that were doing their deadly trade.
At first it seemed to have no effect.
Was the Sword of Heaven too late?
Had she already crossed completely over?
Suddenly the large, winged canine shot up, eyes wide and began coughing.
She coughed out all of the water that had flooded into her mouth, lungs and nose. Her breathing was hectic and uneven as she tried to grasp what was happening.
"How am I alive?" She asked, her eyes still not completely focused and trying to clear the mist of death.
"I brought you back." The demon lord said, re-sheathing the Sword of Heaven.
~Kazuko~
I'm alive.
How did it happen?
I was just gone.
I know I was.
I remember seeing my parents.
"Oh my daughter, this wasn't supposed to happen." A demoness said softly from where she sat under a beautiful cherry blossom tree.
I was about to respond, but my attention was drawn to where I was.
The sky was completely white, as if it were just one big cloud. The grass was a green so lush, that even the best landscapers would give up after seeing it. The lake I was beside had water so clear that I could have thought it was made of glass.
I could see from the lake reflection that I was back in my human-like form.
'Wait beside I'm beside the lake? Didn't I just fall into the lake?' I thought and stood, putting a hand to my chest. 'And didn't I get stabbed through the chest with a spear?' "What's going on?" I finally said, remembering the lady who had spoken to me.
"I'm so sorry, Misaki, this wasn't what was supposed to happen." The lady who spoke came from under the tree she was sitting under, and as she stepped out of the tree's shadow, I could've died. Well if I wasn't dead, I could have died.
She had my silver hair, violet eyes and the same markings on her face as I did. The only noticeable difference I could see was that she had a boa-like thing, just like Sesshomaru, instead of a tail like me. She also looked more mature and she had so much sadness and wisdom in her features.
"Um I think you have me confused with someone else. My name's Kazuko, and if you don't mind me asking, where am I?" I couldn't take my eyes from the woman's face, feeling as if I was staring into a mirror. Even as I asked, I already knew the answer, yet somehow it didn't feel real until I heard it.
"Kazuko please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mia, former princess of the Ryu-Inu clan, controller of air, and your mother." She seemed to guess that I would take this not so smoothly.
"And don't forget about me. I am Tsuyoshi, your father, and former head general of the Ryu-Inu clan, controller of lightning." The voice belonged to a male that stepped from behind the cherry blossom tree. He had dark silver hair that looked grey and was tied in a high ponytail that fell to his mid back. His steel silver eyes that had the hardened gaze of a warrior, yet held the gentleness of a parent.
'My mother and father? She's my mother and he's my father?' I thought over and over again. As the thought sunk in, I could feel my eyes becoming wet and my vision blurring. "You are my mother and father." I finally choked out.
"Yes." Hesitantly my mother opened her arms and I ran into them. I felt my father wrap his arms around me as well and I couldn't help the break down that followed.
I hadn't truly cried in years, even at my foster parents' funeral I had kept myself together for image sake, since I was never one who liked for people to feel pity for me. But this time I couldn't help it; I ran into my birth parents' arms and broke down. Every emotion I had locked away all these years came pouring out as I collapsed in her arms.
I cried for the parents who I had never known and was now standing in the arms of.
I cried for the foster parents who had raised me and were now gone.
I cried for the group of friends I had made and was leaving behind.
I cried for the responsibility I had failed to accomplish.
I cried for the life I would never have again.
I cried just because it felt good to do so after so long.
They held me for what seemed like hours, just making soft noises, the same ones I would make to comfort Shippo.
"I'm dead aren't I?" I finally asked, pulling away and looking up at my parents.
"Sadly, yes." My mother said, running a clawed hand through my hair. "This wasn't how we had planned things to go. We did not think you would die before even getting the chance to avenge your clan."
"We had thought you would be able to find allies and somehow revive the clan." My father added. "It appears we were sorely mistaken, perhaps it is destined for the Ryu-Inus to no longer exist."
I looked at their expressions, both having held so much hope. I had known what my ancestors had wanted me to do through the sleep training, but to see the helplessness on my own parent's face only reinforced the guilt I felt at not being able to accomplish their dream.
"You said Misaki earlier. Who is that?" I asked in a quiet voice, looking at the two. "Did I have a sister?"
My mother gave a laugh that reminded me of bells and shook her head. "No, Misaki is your real name, the one I gave you when you were born."
"So all this time, those memories and dreams of Misaki…? They were about my past?"I asked, almost wanting to hit myself for not figuring it out earlier. They both nodded at my conclusion.
"Then what happens now? Are we in heaven? Can demons even go to heaven?" I asked, looking between the two at the landscape.
"We are at the gateway. It is a place where the deceased can wait for loved ones or sometimes those who just can't accept that they are dead stay until they can accept it." My father said with a small smile at my questions.
"Demons can go to heaven. It is not based on what we are, but who we lived our life as. Those who lived a good life are welcomed." My mother commented, and I smiled at how cute my parents looked together.
"As I had passed before your mother, I chose to wait here for her." My father placed his arm around my mother's waist as spoke.
"And I wanted to wait and watch you avenge the clan." My mother admitted sadly. "But now that you are here. We can all pass over together. You can meet the rest of your clan, I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
I knew that it was the only logical thing to do, but something about being dead keeps you from caring about logic. All I could think about was the group and how I would miss them, even bone-headed Inuyasha. I told myself that I would see them again eventually because they were good people, but I realized that I would be waiting for them to die, which was depressing.
"Come, we can tell you about all of the clan you come from and be together as a family should." As my mother spoke, a sliding door appeared behind them.
"Through this door is the 'other side'." My father said as he slid the door open.
I sighed, accepting my fate, not that there was much else I could do. They walked through first and I watched as they disappeared then began to walk through myself. Just as I half way in, I felt as if a chain was wrapped around me and pulling me back; I looked down to see yellow spindles surrounding my body. I looked to my parents not understanding.
Had I lived my life so badly that I was not allowed into the heavens?
"It appears someone wants you back. I hope it is for a good cause." My father said his eyes narrowing as he watched me try to fight my way to them.
"Will you be here when I get back?" I asked desperately, not wanting to lose what I had just gotten.
I felt my heart breaking as my mother shook her head.
"Once you pass over, you cannot go back." She said, coming over and placing a hand on my cheek. "But when you truly pass over, we will be waiting right here for you." She said.
I didn't get a chance to respond as the yellow spindles suddenly jerked my back and towards the lake I had been sitting by. I followed the lines with my eyes and saw that they were leading into the lake. 'Oh no, I do not want to go into any more lakes!' I thought, but it was useless as they dragged me in. With one last, hard tug, I was dragged into the lake.
My body began to pulse. I felt as if I were being shocked with the things doctors used to bring people back. I could feel my body begin to shift back into my true form, and I could feel the biting cold and heaviness of the water. Finally my body began to shudder and I began coughing out all the water I had inhaled just before dying.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to get my breathing under control. It took several minutes before I calmed enough to growl out. "How am I alive?"
"I brought you back." A monotone voice said and I froze with the exception of the large shivers that ran through me.
I looked up to see Sesshomaru standing just in front of me, his eyes narrowed as if the sight of me disgusted him. I could only imagine what I looked like, a cold, wet, shivering dog in front of a regal lord such as himself.
'Thank you, Sesshomaru.' I barked, not having recovered enough strength to change back to my human form. 'Though may I ask why did you bring me back?'
I could see a flash of something pass through his eyes though it was too quick for me to identify what it was.
"The Ryu-Inu has long been the most powerful subjects of the west, their power only being surpassed by the ruling family. As the lord of the west, it would be foolish of me to let the breed die out."
'I see, well thank you. How shall I repay you?' Even as I asked, I had a feeling I already knew where this was going.
"You are to return to the west where I will decide more upon arrival." As he spoke, I thought of the group I didn't want to leave. As if reading my thoughts, he continued. "I have brought you back to life, and you owe that life to me."
'Ok Sesshomaru, I will go with you back to the west.' 'As much as I didn't want to'.
"You will refer to me by my title as Lord Sesshomaru" He said through eyes so narrowed that they looked like slits.
'Yes, Lord Sesshomaru.' I nearly snarled, but kept it to a sharp bark. 'Can I at least say good bye to my friends. They will find it strange when they come back and see my body no longer here and find your scent in the area.'
"You are to return here at midday." He said and walked off.
'Oh, what have I gotten myself into?' I thought with a growl and began hauling myself back to the village, slowly using my fire abilities to warm my skin and dry my fur.
By the time I got to the village I had just enough energy to transform back and continue limping towards the inn.
"AHH!" I heard a shrill voice yell and turned to see Shippo standing in the window of the room we had used. He was looking straight at me and disappeared into the inn as I looked back at him.
Since he had seen me I figured he would get the others, so I settled for sitting on the porch of the inn and waiting for the others to come out. No need to overwork myself.
"She's out here, I saw her with my own eyes. Just come outside and look." I could hear Shippo and the others coming out of the inn.
"Shippo we know this has been hard, but it's probably your imagination acting up." It was Sango who spoke to the kit, though her voice soft in a comforting tone. The group continued walking out straight past me, Shippo talking them to where he had seen me.
"No he's right." I said, smiling slightly as the group has walked straight out of the inn without seeing me.
Their collective gasps were loud as they turned and saw me leaning against the wall.
"Oh…my… gosh…, Kazuko, you're alive!" Kagome said rushing over to be and giving me a hug with strength I didn't even think she possessed.
"Hey, you're a bit tight there. Let's not squeeze all the life out of me just after I got it back." I said with a light chuckle and she released me.
"How? Why?" Sango said coming over. Her eyes showing the confusion and disbelieve that I'm sure everyone was feeling.
"I'll tell you guys but," I started, turning to look directly at the half-demon then continued, "you guys can't interrupt me or freak out."
When they all nodded I took a deep breath and started. "Well I'm not exactly sure how he did it, but Sess… Lord Sesshomaru brought me back. Though he did it at a price, I have to work for him now. He said the Ryu-Inus were once the most powerful subjects of the west and he's seen this as a way to force me to bring that. Now before you guys argue and say I don't have to go, I kind of do. After all he did bring me back to life; I owe him a debt too big to pay any other way."
I watched as all of their eyes grew wider and wider, and they seemed to wait for me to say more. "Oh, that's it, you can respond now."
"There is no way you're going to become a slave to that pompous ass jerk!" Inuyasha snarled, placing a hand on Tessaiga as if Sesshomaru was standing in front of him.
"Ok, two things about that. One, I'm not going to be a slave; he probably wants me in his army or something. Two, he brought me back to life I owe him. Unfortunately without him I wouldn't be able to choose because I would be dead." I said with a heavy sigh.
"But if you go with him, it would mean you wouldn't be with us anymore. You've seen how Inuyasha and him get along." Sango said, and I could only nod.
"I'm sure I'll see you guys again. I'll make sure of it. Plus, he is a full dog demon and he's been training me at nights." I said, and sighed as they gasped at it. "As much as I appreciate Kilala's training, I need training that Sesshomaru is the only one capable of giving at the moment."
"I understand." Miroku said and Sango, Kilala and Kagome reluctantly agreed.
"If he does anything I'll kill 'em for you." Inuyasha growled, and I gave him a fang filled smile. I think that had to be the nicest thing he has said to me since I got here, and it was probably the nicest thing I was going to get.
"I figured you would." I said, standing up and giving him and the rest of the group a hug. "But, I think I can handle myself."
I had to chuckle as they all gave me the same look, the 'didn't you just die' look.
"Ok, so ignore what's happened for the last few hours. Other than that I can handle myself." I joked, looking at everyone. "I'll visit when I can."
"Kazuko?" The fox kit's voice drew my attention to where he stood on the ground directly in front of me. "I… can… I mean do you think…" He had tears in his eyes as he stumbled over his words.
"If it's ok with the group, you can come with me." I said softly, knowing where he was going with this.
The young demon looked up to the others.
"As much as we want you to stay, we understand why you would want to go." Kagome said and I agreed.
Though it was sad to think about, the fact was Shippo was a full demon and I had learned about demon life spans in comparison to humans. Shippo looked only to be five or six years old, but I had learned that he was in his mid-teens. I understood that by the time he even looked like a teenager, the others would be old or even dead from old age. He needed to be with those who could match his life span and truly help him grow.
"What about Sesshomaru?" Kagome mentioned.
"I can't see why he'd have a problem. Shippo is a full demon and if he does, I'll take care of him." My words held a mischievous humor to them.
"When do you leave?" It was clear that Kagome was trying to hold herself together.
"Noon." I responded looking up at the sun that was almost directly above us. "So I guess that would be soon." My sigh was heavy as I couldn't stand to see them looking at me with the sad gazes I knew they had.
"We'll see you. We never go long without that bastard coming after Tessaiga." Inuyasha said, and I knew it was his weird 'macho' way of comforting us.
"Yea, I better get going." I said, looking to Shippo who was hugging the rest. "Come on Shippo; don't want to get him mad on the first day." I said with a light, dry laugh and began to lead him out of the village.
I couldn't turn around.
I wouldn't turn around.
The scent of tears and sadness was too much, and I knew I would break down if I were to look back. Instead I lead Shippo back to the side of the lake.
While we waited he began showing me some of the fox magic he had been working on. It was clear that he was more interested in distracting himself, than showing me his tricks and I was more than happy for the distraction.
The kit paused and I felt the strong aura coming at us just as Sesshomaru broke the tree cover. He didn't say anything, but settled for looking at Shippo, and I could just barely make out his left eyebrow raising.
"He wants to come with me. He's not even going to be fully matured before they would all die of old age, at least with me he can have someone who has a life span like his and can truly provide for him." I said, and got a slight incline of his head which I took as an 'ok'.
We watched as the demon lord turned and began to walk back from where he came. I lifted the kit and began following the silver hair demon with a sigh. 'Here we go.'
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Where I Belong