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Ripples in Time	By : Waterunleashed Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 7625 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 3: Farewell my Friends

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the Characters from the Merry Gentry series. Nor do I make any money from this story. My only profit is the satisfaction of getting this story out of my head and onto paper.

Thank you for your kind reviews evilpinatag, Forgotten Echoes, and TANick_1 I hope to update regularly. Right now the story is very persistent and I'm trying to write and post it as fast as I can before school can take precedence. So I'm really bad with typos, please forgive me.

TANick_1 I'll tell you now that yes this is a story where she isn't human but I hope you stick around and see if you still like it. I really don't like those stories either but this idea just won't leave me alone and only seems sated when I write it down.
I'm curious if any of you have read the Merry Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton.

Sango and Miroku had come back to the village long before the sunlight woke me. Inuyasha had already told them about my 'stupid' encounter with Sesshomaru and they had voiced many of the questions that I had asked myself when I had been treating him. I was grateful that they didn't berate me about going after him. Sango made sure to remind me that an injured demon was very dangerous and unstable.

No shit Sherlock.

Still once the questions and discussions about the enigma that is Sesshomaru had died down I told them of the true reason that I had come back to the village before going home.

'I've been so selfish by staying here. This isn't my time and I seem to be messing up the future, she is proof enough. Celeste said she came here in search of me. If I wasn't here she would never have thought to travel across two continents to come to Japan.' I looked up into the compassionate violet eyes of Miroku. 'What else have I changed? Who has died because of me?'

'Who has lived because of you?' Miroku asked. 'We all know that I would be dead by now if we did not defeat Naraku. If you had not come then Inuyasha would still be pinned to the Goshinboku.'

'I know I was meant to come back here with the Shikon and once the jewel was broken I had to fix it. But I've done that and Naraku is dead. How much have I altered time by staying here?' I shook my head and blinked back my tears, it was so damned frustrating. 'I have to go back and seal the well or else I will always wonder. Everyone around me that dies or is injured I'll wonder if it was my fault. If I hadn't been there would they be alright? I can't live like that, I'm sorry.'

'We understand Kagome,' Sango said. She moved from Mirokus' side and wrapped me in a strong hug. 'I'll miss you,' she whispered into my ear.

The tears broke through, I hugged her back. 'I'll miss you too Sango. I'll miss all of you.'

Shippo launched onto us wailing my name. Sango and I took him into our arms and we cried together.

'Don't leave me Kagome,' Shippo cried and buried himself closer to me.

'Oh Shippo leaving you is the last thing I want, I love you so much.' I held him as our tears soaked my t-shirt and Sango held us. 'I would do almost anything to see you grow up into a young man, and watch Miroku and Sango get married and have children.' I would give so much to see Inuyasha happy again. But that was the problem. 'I would love to stay and watch all of you live full and happy lives but you don't need me anymore and I can't spend my life watching you live yours.' The tears stopped falling down my face. It was time to move on, I had my own life to live and I wasn't meant to live it here.

'When will you go?' Miroku asked.

'As soon as possible,' I looked out the window the sun was shining almost overhead. 'If Kirara could take me, she would be back by night fall.'

'I'll take you to the well,' Inuyasha said.

'All of us will escort you,' Sango said.

'Thanks guys,' I looked over Sango's should at Inuyasha. Our eyes met for only a moment before he got to his feet and left the hut. I moved back from Sango and she let me go, 'We'll leave as soon as he's ready, I'm going to talk to him.'

I put Shippo on his feet and kissed his hair before standing.

'It's going to be hard for him,' Sango said.

'It's going to be hard for me too but he'll have you guys.' I said. I left the hut before they could say anything else. Inuyasha was known to run off when he couldn't handle the emotional part of his life. I wouldn't delay leaving because he ran away I hoped he knew that.

He was probably in the tree just outside the village; Inuyasha never truly seemed comfortable inside walls. No his place wall in the high limbs of one tree or another.
Sure enough as I left the village his red figure dropped down from his favorite tree. He wasn't facing me though. I stopped walking for a moment. This was it, the end of our journey together. His long white hair danced behind him in the breeze and his cute ears were lying low against his head.

'I'll miss you,' I called out to him as I made my way down to him.

He turned around and crossed his arms over his chest, 'Feh, you'll go back home and forget about us soon enough with all your classes and tests.' His eyes shimmered in the sunlight softening his harsh words.

'Oh Inuyasha you know that could never happen,' I replied with a soft smile. 'Every time I eat ramen it will remind me of your piggish ways.'

'Whatever, let's go you don't want to spend any more time here fucking up your precious future.'

'Stop it Inuyasha, just stop this is hard enough already.'

'Is it really? You get to go back to your safe little home with your family and forget all about us.' He took a step forward. 'You say it's hard for you. Bullshit! Bullshit it's hard for you.' He pushed past me but I grabbed his arm before he could run away.

'What do you want me to say?' I asked. 'Leaving all of you, knowing I'll never see any of you ever again is tearing me apart. But you guys have a good life here. I know that when I leave you'll be sad but you'll move on. Look around you Inuyasha.' I pointed to the village and the forest around it. 'You have people that love you and safe place to live.'

My hand squeezed his arm slightly. 'Inuyasha promise me something.'

'What?' he sounded so sullen.

'Try and make amends with Sesshomaru, whatever this bad blood is between the two of you try and work it out.'

He ripped his arm from my grasp and glared at me. 'What is it with Sesshomaru?'

'He's your brother.'

'No Miroku is my brother. Sesshomaru is a bastard that happens to share the same father.' He began walking back toward the village 'Let's go so we can get back before night fall.'

'You're so stubborn Inuyasha, the both of you. Can't you see? I don't want you to be alone.'

He stopped walking, his fists clenched at his sides and his ears were flat against his head. He turned toward me, 'aren't you tampering with time Kagome? Shouldn't you just leave us alone and go your merry little way?'

'Call me selfish if you want but I would like to leave here knowing that you'll be happy.' I said

He laughed, 'You think that Sesshomaru will make me happy?'

'Maybe,' I said. 'Sango and Miroku are mortal Inuyasha and Shippo will eventually find a mate, Kirara is a good companion but she can't talk with you. Sesshomaru is your brother. When everyone is dead and gone all you have left is family. All I'm asking is that you try.'

He shook his head, 'I don't know what you see in him Kagome. You find the good in everyone but I don't know if it's enough.'

I took his hands in mine, 'all I ask is that you try.'

'And when he tries to kill me can I tell him it was all your stupid idea?'

I smiled and nodded, 'if it will make you happy.'

He shook his head, 'I think you messed up time enough Kagome, let's go before you try and make me promise to marry someone.'

'Now that you mention it,' I smirked.

'Don't push it Kagome I'll live my life however I see fit.'

'I know, if you bend down a little I'll take off the rosary.' I let go of his hands but he grabbed my wrists and shook his head.

'Leave it Kagome I'll have a reminder of you for the rest of my life.' His amber eyes were so sad as he gazed down at me. 'Don't take it away. Figures you want to take it off now when you won't be around to use it.'

'Oh Inuyasha,' he let my wrists go and pulled me into a tight hug. I buried my face into his chest and inhaled the scent of the forest.

We stood there holding each other for a few minutes; until Inuyasha started growling. I leaned back enough to look up into his face, 'What's wrong?'

Inuyasha let me go and jumped away, in two leaps he was over the village wall. I heard Mirokus' voice a moment before the familiar sound of a fist smacking into a skull resounded through the clearing. I shook my head and jogged up to the entrance where Inuyasha had Shippo dangling in front of him and Miroku sprawled on the ground at his feet. Sango stood a few feet away staring up at the village wall.

'We should make it taller,' she muttered to herself.

'Let him go Inuyasha,' I said.

Inuyasha looked at me completely ignoring Shippos' struggle for freedom. His hand released Shippo who fell, screaming, on top of Miroku. Inuyasha smirked before leaping into my hut.

'Kagome he was mean,' Shippo complained and jumped into my arms.

'Well Shippo you and Miroku broke in on a very private moment.' I said and led the rest of us to my small hut so I could get my things. 'I can't protect you anymore honey you're going to have to be nice to him and show him some respect.'

'Bout damn time!' Inuyasha shouted from the hut.

'And you should be kind and more patient with Shippo,' I shouted.

Shippo snickered behind his hand, 'fat chance.' He looked up at me, his emerald eyes were deep pools of sorrow. 'Kagome I'll get strong, stronger than Inuyasha so that I can see you again. Demons live a long time you know. Just you wait I'll see you again.' He sniffled and tried to hold back the tears.

I held him close so I didn't have to lie to his face, 'I know you will Shippo.' Fate was cruel, so very cruel. Sango held the flap to the side so I could walk through and still hug Shippo close to me.

Inuyasha was sitting on my small futon, my yellow backpack sat in front of him bulging with all of its contents. He had packed for me. I narrowed my eyes at him. 'That was very nice of you.' I let my skepticism fill my voice. He didn't budge. 'What did you take?'

'Nothing that can't be destroyed,' he replied softly.

'Ramen?' I asked.

He crossed his arms but smiled, 'yeah and some pictures.'

I nodded, 'what about my bike?'

'Do you really want to heft it out of the well by yourself?' He asked.

'Not really but it can't be destroy by a campfire,' I said.

'I'll throw it into a volcano, it shouldn't survive that.' Inuyasha said. He stood up, 'Sango take Shippo, and I'll carry Kagome to the well.'

Sango stepped forward and took Shippo from my arms, he watched me with his sad green eyes. I leaned over and wiped his tear-stained cheeks dry and kissed his forehead. 'It's going to be okay.' I whispered.

He nodded a little too rapidly and held onto Sangos' arms.

'We'll follow you both on Kirara, will you say goodbye to Kaede?'Miroku asked as he came into the hut rubbing his head.

I nodded, 'of course, I wouldn't dream of leaving without saying goodbye to her. I'm sorry I won't be able to perform your marriage. I'm sure Kaede would be honored to do it.'

'It's alright Kagome we understand, I know you'll be there in spirit,' Miroku said.
I nodded and grabbed my trusty pack by Inuyashas' feet. My quiver was up against the wall, I left it there and slid the pack on my shoulders, I wouldn't need them in the future. 'Let's go.'

We filled out of the small hut, Inuyasha bent down so that I could climb onto his back. Miroku and Sango climbed onto Kirara while Sango held Shippo in her arms. I wrapped my arms around Inuyashas' neck and he held my thighs around his waist.

Our trip through the forest was quick and quiet, it only took a few hours to reach Keades' village. We didn't speak while Inuyasha carried me; we had already said what we needed to. Now we just needed to let each other go. Logically I know this is my only choice and I was ready to go home and start my life in the future. But, a Usagice of my heart will always remain here in the past among the rice paddies and the simple life of the past. Though by simple I only mean that everyone knew there place, the minds and hearts of people in the past were just as complex in the future. After all most of my life here in Japan was like a crazy soap opera, complete with love triangles, devious demonic villains and crazy plot twists.

Kirara landed next to us and transformed back to her smaller size once Miroku and Sango dismounted. Shippo jumped into my arms from Sango so that she could carry Kirara.
The village was growing, every time we came to visit there were new faces that would come and go. They had to set build a new inn to hold the pilgrims that came through to visit the shrine of the Shikon Priestess. Along with the new inn was a new market square that held some permanent stores as well as places for travelers could sell their goods and skills.

This was the beginning of Edo. Before when I found out that this small quiet village was going to turn into a booming metropolis I couldn't picture it. It was so small, their fears were so great. But now it was already twice the size it had been from three years ago.

It was one of the reasons we had moved to Sangos' village. Inuyasha didn't like being stared at and the pilgrims couldn't help but gawk at the half demon that defeated Naraku. They came to me for blessings and healing.

It became too much for us and Kaede agreed that we needed to get away, fade into myth and have the pilgrims honor statues and plaques instead of putting their demands on our shoulders.

We walked down the main road waiving to the villagers that took us in despite the dangers that followed us. The pilgrims stood in awe as we passed them and made our way to Kaedes' hut. Would they have recognized me if I came here alone rather than with everyone that fought Naraku? Of course it wasn't everyone but they didn't know that. They didn't know so much of what happened throughout the years.

We were heroes and heroes don't experience heartache, they don't hate or have actual lives. They just performed miracles and faded into the wind; or in my case into time.
Kaede was standing outside her hut; she was hunching slightly and leaning heavily on her bow. Her two apprentices stood on either side of her. Usagi was the older of the two and stood silently to Kaedes' right with a satchel tied around her waist. Her short black hair framed around her face nicely and made her gray eyes stand out. Even though she was seventeen she was short; only coming up to Kaedes' shoulders. But the tom girl knew how to use her height to her advantage and had befriended Shippo quickly since he was the only one shorter than her.

Natsumi was hovering over Kaede on her right, the young girl stayed close to her mentor reacting to every movement Kaede made as if the old woman would topple over at any moment.

I could sympathize with her, she was like Rin. Her parents were killed when they were very young and she was left to fend for herself for many years. Rin was staying in her village while we searched for Naraku and met Natsumi. The two became very good friends over the month and when we had returned from battle Rin had declared that she wasn't leaving Natsumi behind.

Miroku and I immediately knew she held spiritual powers and brought her here where Kaede was training her.

So there she stood next to her mentor, the budding teenager had grown since I last saw her. We were now the same height. Her long brown hair was tied behind her in a traditional ponytail, her light brown eyes watched everything with a nervous energy.

'Welcome children, what brings ye here in this busy month?' Kaede asked. I hugged her and it took a moment for her to return the gesture. 'Ye are leaving I take it?'

I nodded. Of course she knew Kaede was the most intuitive person I ever met. 'I wanted to say goodbye and thank you for everything Kaede.'

She stepped back, breaking the hug and looked me over. 'I'm glad to have known you Kagome your kindness gives me hope for the future.' She leaned on her bow, which was bending under her weight. She looked pale; the lines on her face were deeper than before.

'Are you alright Kaede?' I asked.

'Aye, my bones are just growing old tis all,' she smiled. 'I would join ye to the well but the walk seems to be too long for me these days.'

'Is there anything I can do?' I asked.

She shook her head, 'Nay child 'tis time for both of us. I will join my sister soon and leave this world to the next generation.'

'Keh, I didn't think you could die Kaede,' Inuyasha grumbled.

'We are not all blessed with such long lives Inuyasha, I am glad to have lived a full one.' Kaede said.

'Kaede,' my voice broke, the damned traitor, she couldn't die.

'Don't cry for me Kagome I am happy and that is all that matters. Now ye must go. Tis time.' She hugged me and then stepped back and let Usagi and Natsumi help her back into her hut. I watched the flap swing shut and turned around walking past my group of friends. I would not cry, I had to make it back to the future then I would break down. Until then I wanted to leave them happy.

Shippo hugged my neck and cried while we walked back up the path to the well.

'Kaede is leaving the village in good hands,' Miroku said.

I nodded and picked up my pace, if I didn't go soon the tears were going to win out. I really didn't want to cry. I was going home. Souta would be so happy and mom wouldn't have to worry anymore. I could help Grandpa with the shrine and start college next semester. These were all good things.

My chest felt tight as the well came into view, the worn wood looked so ordinary from far away. Even up close the there wasn't really anything remarkable about it just the memories that surrounded it.

Shippo hugged me tighter, 'I don't want you to go.' He whispered through his tears.

'I know Shippo I know but I have to.' I knelt down in front of the well and hugged him tightly before coaxing him to stand on his own. 'I love you Shippo, you've grown a lot since I met you.'

He wiped his tears away and kept his eyes wide as he stared up at me with his lower lip trembling with the effort of trying not to cry. 'I love you too Kagome.'

I kissed his forehead and stood, Sango took me into her arms immediately. She crushed me to her so tightly it was almost hard to breathe but I just returned the embrace. 'Be happy Sango and bear Miroku many children.'

She laughed a choked sound and hugged me tighter be letting me go, 'thank you so much Kagome. Because of you I was able to lay Kohaku to rest and move on. You do realize that you're leaving me to fend for myself as the only woman in the village?'

'I'm sure you'll keep them in line, all the more reason to play matchmaker for Inuyasha,' I snickered at the growl coming from behind Sango.

'You think Ayame has a sister?' Sango asked.

'Only one way to find out,' I said.

'Just stop your meddling right there Kagome.' Inuyasha yelled. 'Sango don't even think about or I'll make sure you suffer.'

Shaking my head I winked at Sango and turned to Miroku. His violet eyes no longer held the pain he had tried to hide during our travels when he worried over the ever-growing hole in his hand and although there was sadness in his eyes now we both knew it would pass.

'I will do my best to obey your request and give Sango many children.' He hugged me and for once his hands didn't try to wander. I know he wasn't magical cure of his 'curse' but for once he felt that it was uncalled for.

'Take care Miroku, I'm so glad you have a chance to have a son and watch him grow up. Try not to turn him into a lecher okay?' I stepped away before his hand could change its mind.

'What legacy should I pass onto him then?' Miroku's eyes danced with humor.

'I hope he learns you compassion,' I said and saw Miroku blush for the first time.

'You are too kind Kagome, farewell. I hope you don't mind but if we are blessed with a daughter we would like to name her after you.' Miroku said.

'Me?' I couldn't stop the tears as they fell from my eyes. 'Surely there is a more fitting name.'

'We don't think so,' Sango said, I looked up at her kind smile.

'I'm honored,' I whispered. It was too great an honor but I couldn't tell them that. I hugged them both again and turned to Inuyasha. 'Promise me you'll try.'

His amber eyes sparked with anger for a moment. 'I promise I'll [i]try[/i].'

I nodded and leapt into his arms I buried my face into his chest and held him tightly. 'Thank you Inuyasha, I'll miss you.'

'I'll miss you too. Try to stay out of trouble will ya?' He squeezed my tight against him before letting go. I had to force my arms to let him go.

'I'll be sure to steer clear of evil cars and volleyballs,' the joke felt like ash in my mouth. I didn't want to go, the well was only three steps away. Inuyasha smiled at me and gave me a little push. 'Jerk,' I whispered but I sat down on the ledge and dangled my feet into the darkness of the well.

I could hear Shippo sniffling behind me. I looked over my shoulder at all of them. Sango held Shippo as he tried to hold back his tears. Miroku stood at her side with one arm around her shoulder and his other holding his staff. Inuyasha stood on Sangos' right with his arms crossed and a somber look on his face, Kirara was perched on his shoulder now, her tails wrapped around his neck.

'I love you all,' I whispered and turned back to face the empty field that would soon hold a shrine for my family to tend. The clear sky was turning pink and orange as the sun began to set. I tried my best to memorize this moment. The tranquility of the past was so beautiful. 'Goodbye,' I whispered and slipped into the well.

The magic enveloped me in the cool blanket of time. As it gently guided me back through time I prayed for the well to close. 'My time here is done.' I stopped moving, the magic held me suspended in the midst of time. Maybe I should've waited until I got back home.

The Shikon no Tama pulsed.

I drew it out from under my shirt; it emanated a soft whitish pink glow and drifted out of my grasp, the chain broke as it continued to drift forward until it was just out of reach. It pulsed again and a wave of power coursed through me like a ripple in a lake.

I watched as it pulsed again and again. Over and over it sent out waves of power some were small while others felt as if a tidal wave were crashing over me. I stayed there suspended in time and watched each pulse knowing it the each one was a change in history that I had caused. They were coming faster now the Shikon looked as if it were beating heart.

I hadn't meant for all of this to happen. What had I changed? What the hell did I do that changed so much? My chest felt tight as the waves of power and change moved through me. I knew the world was changing but I didn't know what I had done to it. The well was going to take me to the future unchanged.

That's when the tears came. I would be an outside entity, I had changed so much but I would remain the same, untouched by the changes of time and left alone with the knowledge.

Eventually the Shikon quieted but it didn't matter I had lost count of how many pulses it sent out I wasn't sure how long I cried as it did it but eventually it stopped. I reach out to take it back. It had done what it needed. My fingers brushed the warm jewel and it flew away from my touch then sped toward me and impaled my side.

I double over in pain clutching the wound in my side. This must be what it felt like to get shot, Gods it hurt like a son of a bitch. 'Stupid jewel.'

It pulsed inside me and the pain lessened, I looked down. There was blood on my hands, The Shikon pulsed again and my stomach itched where it had impaled me but it didn't hurt. I lifted the t-shirt and looked down at the scar that had been there for three years, it looked fresh, newly healed.

The Shikon pulsed on last time before time started to move again. The air around me wavered slightly and then my feet were on solid ground and I was looking up at the wooden roof of the well house.

The ladder was missing from the well though, I sighed and took in a deep breath to yell for Souta.

Glowing red eyes peered over the lip of the well.

I stood very still at the bottom of the well and tried to force myself to breathe. My lungs seemed paralyzed, holding the air captive as I tried to decide if screaming was a good idea. Demons in Tokyo, what have I done?

TBC

Whew! That took forever, I wanted to do justice to saying goodbye the rest of the gang but it seemed like the more time I gave Kagome to say goodbye the more she tried to dig her heels into the past and refuse to go any further. Onward to the next chapter which will hopefully be posted tomorrow, we will see what the little miko has done to her future.

Reviews and critiques are very welcome. I am trying to develop my writing skills and any advice on my weaknesses and strengths would be helpful.
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Ripples in Time