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Journey of the Heart	By : HauntedReality Category: InuYasha > General Views: 3798 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Journey of the Heart: Chapter 7 - Direction

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and his companions are not mine to own.

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

Kagome unwillingly stirred as the blinding morning light
invaded the tranquility of her slumber. However, when she opened her eyes she
found she was not lying on the ground as she had expected, but rather she was
on Kouga�s lap, nestled against his chest. Her hands were clutching his
muscular arm so tightly that when she released him her fingers were sore.

Her first impulse was to jump out of his cradling arms, but her
body was stiff from sleeping upright. Allowing her body to relax naturally, she
realized the wolf demon was still asleep. �His face is so peaceful.� Noticing
his hair was mused from a night of leaning against a tree, she instinctively
reached out to smooth the dark black strands.

She enjoyed the soft texture against her sensitive
fingertips. Her eyes shifted downward and drank in the flawless skin, his
strong features, and then his lips. They were the very same lips she had
pressed against her own in an explosion of emotion the day before. They were so
close. Everything had happened so quickly before she didn�t really get a good
idea of what it felt like. �He is sleeping, and as long as I do it quickly
there wouldn�t be any harm. He wouldn�t even have to know.�

She leaned in closer so that her lips hung only a breath
away from his. �What am I doing? I can�t just kiss him. Before, it was in the
heat of the moment and I wasn�t thinking clearly, but now I am actually planning
it.� She pulled back just in time to see eyelids roll back to reveal shining
blue eyes. �Good morning,� said the beaming wolf prince.

�Agh, I was just...um...� Kagome blushed deeply and wasn�t
sure what to say at being caught touching him so familiarly. �Good morning,�
she finally repeated quietly.

Kouga�s amusement transitioned into concern as he remembered
what had led to her sleeping in his arms. �Are you feeling better?�

�Better?� asked a very confused Kagome. �When was I...worse?�

Raising an eyebrow at the bewildered girl, he carefully
worded his thoughts. �You really don�t remember what happened last night?�

This caused Kagome�s already pink cheeks to redden another
shade. Her thoughts spun as she tried to think back to the previous night. She
remembered talking to Kouga when she couldn�t sleep and him praising her miko
abilities, but after that it was just a blank wall. So how did she end up in
such a compromising position?

Kagome bit her lower lip and decided she needed to ask. The
answer probably wasn�t as embarrassing as she was imagining anyway. At least,
she hoped not. �No. What happened?�

Frowning, Kouga explained about the nightmare. �I am
surprised you can�t recall anything. You were quite upset.� He covered all
facial evidence that would reveal how her memory lapse was dealing a mortal
blow to his ego. After all, it was rare for her to turn to him for comfort and
not the hanyou. Although Inuyasha had not been an option last night, Kouga had
honestly believed her actions stemmed from a change in her feelings toward him
and not just the lack of choices.

Kagome took no noticed of the dark clouds rolling through
Kouga�s normally dazzling eyes as she thought the peculiar situation over. �It is
strange I had a dream so traumatic that I rushed into the arms of the nearest
demon, but it was just a dream so it doesn�t really matter, right?� She tapped
her fingers against the nearest surface to focus her concentration as she often
did when she realized that surface was Kouga�s arm. �Eeep! I am still in his
lap!�

She tried to jump to her feet, but her coordination was
severely lacking, and she fell back against the bare, rippling chest. Kouga�s
typical whimsical reaction was absent as he reluctantly helped her to stand. Nervously,
she fidgeted with her wrinkled clothes and tangled hair while he missed her
closeness and longed to hold her again.

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

�Kaze no Kizu!� The crimson Tetsusaiga that radiated waves
of crackling energy came down against Naraku�s barrier violently. Bright,
swirling winds obscured the strike from view as Miroku, Sango, Shippo and
Kirara stood a safe distance away.

As the energies subsided and the immense cloud of dust settled
back to the earth it was clear the barrier was still fully in tact while a very
frustrated hanyou was coming apart at the seams.

�DAMNIT!!!� he shouted with fury before unleashing yet
another, �Kaze no Kizu!� Another wave of powerful force was hurled at the
impregnable force field and once again nothing happened.

�Keh! Don�t think you are getting away that easily, Naraku!
Kaze no Kizu!� screamed an almost hoarse-sounding Inuyasha at the silent, unyielding
boundary.

�How many times has he hit it now?� Sango asked as her eyes
followed the motion of her comrade�s attack for what felt like the hundredth
time that morning.

�Thirty-six by my count,� said Miroku looking a little
nonplussed as another attack shredded and scorched the very air. �Make that
thirty-seven.�

�Should we stop him?� asked Shippo who flinched as Inuyasha
made another futile run at the barrier without success.

�Be my guest.� Miroku stated passively.

Shippo caught a glance of Inuyasha�s fevered expression and
took an involuntary step backwards. �Good point. Breakfast, then?�

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

Kagome�s head slowly nodded up and down as the steady rhythm
of Kouga�s quick strides lulled her to sleep only to be suddenly jarred awake
as he came to an abrupt stop.

�Wha...?� she called out while rapidly blinking her eyes to
perk herself back up in case there was an imminent threat. �Is something
wrong?� she asked with just a hint of a yawn obscuring her girlish voice.

�This entire world is wrong. We have been traveling for
hours, and we are no closer to finding out where we are or how to get back than
we were before.� Kouga clenched his teeth as he spoke, upset that he was not a
greater aid to his woman.

�But...what else can we do?� Kagome voice wavered because
she was a little unnerved by Kouga�s doubts.

�That�s where you come in. Use your miko abilities to sense
for anything that might point us in a direction.�

Kouga spoke with so much confidence that Kagome didn�t have
the heart to meet his eyes. Finally, she replied in a very small, timid voice,
�But, Kouga, I don�t know how to use my powers like that.� He was doing such a
good job of being supportive of her, but she felt like she was only letting him
down.

Grasping her diminutive hand within his, he squeezed
reassuringly. �I know you can do this. You must believe in yourself.� He fought
the strong urge to complain about how that mutt had been making her feel weak
instead of helping her realize her true potential. He knew it would only lead
to a fight between them, and he didn�t want to be the one she fought with.

Large hazelnut eyes peeked out from beneath long, dark lashes
in admiration of the self-assured wolf demon. It was clear why he was the
leader of his tribe. Somehow just hearing Kouga�s smooth voice encouraging her
made the formerly insurmountable task seem feasible. �How do I start?�

Kouga studied her thoughtfully, �How do you normally seek
jewel shards?�

She twisted her worn shoe into the firm ground as she
realized how lacking her answer would sound. �I can see a pink light
surrounding them.�

Kouga nodded, �Okay, but what about before they are close
enough to see?�

She crinkled her sculpted eyebrows together slightly as she
tried to think about the very first signs a shard was nearby. �When they get
close my body starts to tingle.� The familiar heat of a blush rose in her
cheeks when the words escaped.

A sly grin spread over Kouga�s face at that response--not
because it helped their current situation but because he enjoyed the thought
that his very shard-enhanced presence made her body buzz.

Leaning in almost imperceptibly closer he asked, �Are you
tingling now?� His warm breath fanned against her slender neck as he spoke, and
Kagome trembled at the intimacy of the situation. Her hands still resting in
his, their bodies close, and the warm glow of his skin under the blazing sun
were all lulling her into a heady daze.

�Kouga...� She looked deeply into his sterling blue eyes as
he tilted her head closer to his.

�Kagome,� he responded as he prepared to meet her vulnerable
lips.

�KOUGA!� Kagome jolted forward, looking past the wolf
prince.

The youkai�s head immediately swiveled in the direction
Kagome was facing. He was slightly put out by her sudden movement, but he was more
concerned by whatever had stolen her attention so abruptly. �What�s wrong?�

�There is some
kind of energy in this world. I can�t be sure, but it might be a shard!� Kagome
excitedly pointed toward the ominous, spiraling mountain in the distance. �It�s
over there.�

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

Naraku drummed his fingers against the gnarled wooden arm
rest of his imposing chair. His narrowed eyes studied the alarming images being
fed to him through Kanna�s mirror. Kagome and Kouga were boldly embarking
toward the mountain in their �world.�

�It is fortunate they have located the item. However, she
was able to detect it far earlier than she should have been able to; sooner
than I would have preferred. They are still too strong at this point.�

�Kanna, tell the spider she must insure they do not reach
their goal too quickly. Their journey must not be a fast one.� Naraku firmly ordered
the small albino girl.

Kanna�s unblinking dark, hollow eyes closed as she processed
her master�s commands. In a haunting voice that should not have emanated from
such a petite body she replied, �The spider youkai remains weak and feeble. And
there have been unforeseen occurrences within her sphere of influence already. She
may be unable to manipulate events to your satisfaction.�

�See that she does,� he replied in a low voice. It was
barely above that of a whisper, and yet there was no missing the finality in
his tone.

�Yes, my Lord.�

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

�Can we just walk for a little while?� Kagome asked
hopefully as Kouga prepared to lift her into his arms for another run.

Cocking his head to the side, he responded. �It won�t be as
efficient.� Inside, he was more bothered that she seemed to be shying away from
physical contact.

�I know, but I haven�t had much of a chance to exercise while
being carried around all the time. And it is beginning to make my body feel
strange.� She stretched her arms out to increase the blood flow. She didn�t
want to make a big deal over it, but her limbs had been feeling peculiar ever
since they arrived.

Kouga�s eyes swept over her form in search of any sign that
something might be amiss. Seeing nothing on the surface, he only nodded his
agreement.

They walked in relative silence for almost an hour while
Kagome struggled with her thoughts.

�I woke up in his arms and almost attempted to kiss him and
not long ago I nearly kissed him...AGAIN! And the worst part is that I wanted
to. I enjoy all the attention he is showing me. It feels...right, somehow. But
how is that possible? I was in love with Inuyasha. LOVE! Wasn�t I? Or was I
just infatuated with him because he looked so cute and helpless pinned to that
tree when I met him?

�My life was so boring before I came to this time. I�d wake
up, fight with Souta over who was going to use the bathroom first, run to
school with Mom scolding me over how I should eat breakfast first, and then I�d
study and see my friends. The biggest adventure I ever had is when I missed the
bus and the most responsibility was taking care of Souta if Mom and Grandpa
were gone.

�And then I fell through the well, and everything changed. I
am not like other people my age anymore. They are still worried about the insignificant
aspects of life that I look at as vacations from the real world. The more time
that goes by, the less I feel like I belong in my time. This era is changing me
whether I like it or not.

�So was I really in love with Inuyasha, or was I just falling
in love with what he represented?�

Kagome looked over to the wolf demon who was carefully
keeping in step with her slower movements. �And more importantly, what am I
feeling for Kouga?�

�A fish for your thoughts.�

Kagome blinked in surprise at the unexpected phrase. �Excuse
me?�

His lips curved into an inviting smile. �It is something my
mother used to say to me when I was younger if she thought I had a lot on my
mind that needed to be voiced. My favorite food was fish, so she would offer it
like a trade. If I told her what was bothering me then she would prepare fish
for the night�s meal even though my father hated it.�

�I�ve never heard you talk about your mother before. Where
does she live?� Kagome asked with sincere interest.

Kouga�s blue eyes took on a distant expression at the
question as if he was seeing events from the past that he had locked away. �She
died a long time ago when I was still a pup.� His voice seemed to waver just
slightly as he spoke, but then flashing another smile, he continued. �I can�t
promise fish, but I will make dinner if you want to talk about what is
bothering you.�

A lump formed in Kagome�s throat as she watched Kouga
dismiss the difficult subject matter. She wanted to put her arms around him and
make all the pain of his childhood go away. But instead she decided she would
let him talk to her when he was comfortable enough to let her in and not when
she felt like she was ready to comfort.

Realizing she still hadn�t answered his question, she
finally spoke. �I was just thinking about how much I�ve changed since coming
here.�

�I bet it is less than you think.�

�Why do you say that?� She asked with honest confusion.

�Because of something a wise youkai once told me; the more
things evolve, the more they remain as they were.� Kouga took her hand to help
her cross a decomposing, fallen tree. Kagome blushed slightly at the polite
gesture.

�Your mother?� she inquired before she could stop her
ill-timed curiosity. Biting her tongue, she waited for the wolf prince�s response.

In a soft voice he answered, �No. A wolf elder, actually. He
raised me from a pup.�

Kagome did manage to halt her questions about Kouga�s father
that were threatening to be asked. She understood that there was something
unpleasant in Kouga�s past he might not be ready to talk about, and she had
already done enough damage. So instead, she asked about his original comment.
�So what does his statement mean?�

�He was trying to tell me people only see how much something
or someone has changed. They see all the little differences, but not the whole
object or person. If they stepped back they would understand that remaining
true to its spirit in the face of so many shifting details really makes
something the same because of those differences, not even in spite of them.�

Kagome knitted her brow together as she tired to follow his
comments, but still found she was lost.

�I guess I don�t explain it as well as he did.� Kouga
laughed at her contorted expression. �I�ve never really been very good at using
words. I suppose that�s why I learned to be so fast on my feet.�

�You are a lot better at expressing yourself than some
people I know.� Kagome said a little too honestly.

Kouga froze in place. �I am not Inuyasha, Kagome.� There was
a biting edge to his voice and his eyes were shadowed beneath his flyaway bangs.

�I...I know that.� Kagome felt a little off guard as though
actually bringing up his name had broken some kind of unspoken vow between
them.

�Yes, but you have been comparing us since we met. You can�t
expect to just make a pro and con list to decide whom you love. How you feel
about me doesn�t depend on him. You either care about someone or you don�t,
Kagome. It is that simple!� Kouga�s eyes flashed dangerously as his temper
flared.

�Kouga,� she muttered weakly, surprised and even a little
afraid to see the way he was acting.

Kouga clenched his hand into a tight fist. He was already
upset at himself for speaking to her so unkindly, but he was growing frustrated
and impatient at the way she remained closed off from him especially after his
recent candidness. He decided they both needed some time apart to think things
over.

�Stay here. I�ll be back.� Strong legs sped the angry wolf
demon away from the shaken girl.

Tears stung her eyes and her breathing came in quick spurts.
The sound of her emotional outpouring was just loud enough to block out the
tiny snap of a branch being stepped on and broken behind her.

-ooo-oooooo-ooo-

AUTHOR�S NOTE: Please review! Special thanks to Fairia13 for
a chapter critique! I hope you enjoy! Check out and support Amy's new book, The Heart of Time. It is an original creation of hers loosely based on fanfiction. If you like anime you are sure to like this. http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~30062.aspx

FF Reviewers: BelleDayNight
(As always you are a constant source of support for my writing), Nichole Hibiki (Love is in the air.
Even if they aren�t quite ready for it), NenaBabylocs
(I feel the same way about this pairing), SilverMoonsBlackWings
(Hehe, glad you are enjoying), nunofyorbiz
(Aww, thanks), Fairia13 (Thanks
for all your help!), Angel6582 (All
will be revealed in time), Yoko-obssessor
(Arigato), andi-chan (Hope this was
soon enough!), VangieGirl (There was
a little fluff in this chapter, but there will be more to come!), Trinity (I am flattered), wynter89 (You can read as much of my
work as you like :)), Kagome Jane
(I�m glad you like it!), SailorKagome
(Hopefully you will be back to a computer to read this chapter soon), sakurablossomskxk (You are so awesome
to review every chapter as you read!)

Sorry for the length of the next response, there was no
e-mail to respond directly.

Amber (Thanks for
your reviews. I wanted to respond a little to your comments. I�d also like to add
a disclaimer to what I am about to say by explaining that I�ve never had a
class in Japanese, and I am by no means a native speaker, so this is coming
from reading several websites and referencing a friend of mine who took three
years of Japanese. So if a native speaker has anything he or she would like to
clarify I would be most happy to learn it because I find this kind of thing
fascinating. Also, I sincerely hope this doesn�t sound condescending. Your
comment just made me want to confirm the difference, and I thought I would go
ahead and share my findings. Personally, neither translation bothers me.

Anyway, the reason I use Kirara instead of Kilala is that I
watched the anime in subtitles instead of the dubbed version. My understanding
is that the translated manga also used Kirara, but as I�ve never read the
translated manga that is neither here nor there. My point is I am more familiar
with the Japanese form of the fire cat�s name which is Kirara. In Japanese
there are not two distinct sounds for R and L, but rather a sound that lives
somewhere in between the two. When Japanese kanji is translated into western
letters R is the preferred letter to be used. However, it is difficult for
native English speakers to pronounce, so in many cases it is adjusted to a
version with L�s like in Kilala.

I am surprised you didn�t bring up the Kouga versus Koga
issue because that too is normally the difference between someone who watched
subtitled versus dubbed anime. But my explanation of Japanese vowel sounds will
have to wait.

As far as the Keh versus Feh sound debate, I could find no
evidence that the F and K sounds were in any way related. From what I could
tell the F sound in Japanese is weaker than the F sound we are familiar with so
if it was Feh we would be more likely to say Heh. But since it is a sound he
makes when upset (which is kind of a lot) a more forceful sound makes more
sense. In the subtitled version, it sounded like �Keh� to me and since this is
only an exclamation like �Arg!� spelling is more likely to be played fast and
loose because it isn�t the type of thing that appears in dictionaries. I�ve
seen it appear both ways in fan fictions, so until I have more concrete
evidence to the contrary I will continue using �Keh� for consistency�s sake if
nothing else.

Now, granted, I am writing in English, so the use of any
Japanese isn�t really consistent, however, I do enjoy the �flavor� it adds to
fan fiction. And it could easily be compared to the way much popular Japanese
music incorporates English phrases amid primarily Japanese lyrics.

Can you believe how long my response was considering how
brief your reviews were?)

AFF Reviewers: Nikolyta
(You rock, girl), ANJU (Thanks), lost child (And I would like you to
read more)

MM Reviewers: Where is the love, people?

Kouga�s Den Readers: ThunderShootingStar_#7
(Thanks for the e-mail! I fully intend to keep Kagome as a strong character.) And
everyone feel free to e-mail me reviews at wastedthoughts @ insightbb.com
(remove spaces).
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Journey of the Heart