Nightmares
Inuyasha ran through the forest at the fast speed possible. He wanted to get away, as far from Kagome as possible. He didn’t want to explain, if Kagome saw him as a violent hanyou, no better than those youkai they killed in the past, then no matter what he says, there’s no point. She didn’t even sit me this time. He thought. It’s over… Everything is over.

At that thought he finally stopped running and started to walk. He could sense a lot youkai around him; most of them are much weaker. But they all followed him, perhaps trying to have their afternoon snack.

He ignored those pathetic youkai and sat below the biggest tree he can find, and fell asleep against his will. He had a dream…

He was running through Kaede’s village, with the complete Shikon no Tama in hand. He was happy for some reason, also angry. He had killed dozens of livestock and several humans. Currently he was running to the woods outside the village.

It’s my old nightmare.

The village was on fire, people were screaming and children were crying. The sound of it pleased him, but in some ways, bothered him. He didn’t care and continued running.

Suddenly he heard a voice, Kikyo’s voice, familiar and cold. “Die, Inuyasha!” Kikyo’s angry voice ran through the trees. Next she let out an arrow. Inuyasha turned around at her voice, only to see an arrow coming straight at him. But the arrow missed him. Kikyo, however, quickly fainted from her wound, and died a second after.

I escaped! How’s that possible?!

But before he could turned and run away with the Shikon no Tama, he heard another “twing” and a “swoosh”. He turned around again, and in front of him another arrow was coming his way. He had no time to dodge it, the arrow pinned him to the Goshinboku, his right hand let go of the jewel. He looked up in pain and saw Kikyo’s face. But Kikyo was dead. Kikyo’s body shifted for a second, his eye sight became blurry. With his last breath he focused on the body standing in front of him, holding a bow and an arrow. She was Kikyo, but she wasn’t in miko attires.

Kagome!!!

Inuyasha woke up dripping in cold sweat. He was gasping, and his heartbeat was fast enough for a heart attack. It was already nightfall. It took him about five minutes to recover. He wasn’t sure why his old nightmare changed, but he was sure that this new one is ten times scarier. He covered his face with his claw, only to notice that Kouga’s blood was still on his hands. Shit, I’ve gotta wash this off!

He can still smell the wild youkai around him. They were reluctant to attack, because they all knew that Inuyasha is stronger. But their hunger made them stay. Inuyasha ignored them and went in search of some water to wash his hands and his face.

As he was walking, a blue light caught his attention. He looked up and saw that it was one of Kikyo’s soul gatherers. And many more were coming that way. “Kikyo…”

Before Inuyasha can gather himself, Kikyo’s voice came behind him. He had not smelled it for now Kikyo is nothing but a dead body feeding on other souls. “Inuyasha,” The voice said, almost sounding sad, “I know what happened.”

Inuyasha turned around and looked into Kikyo’s dead eyes. Those eyes had no warmth, only hatred and sadness. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kikyo ignored that statement of denial. “Now that you’ve left them, we can be together. I can help you kill Naraku.” She walked toward him, “We can finally be together.”

Kikyo reached and grabbed the sleeves of his yukata, pulling herself closer to his face. Her eyes became even sadder. Inuyasha just looked at her, his expression did not change at all.

Since Inuyasha didn’t push her away, Kikyo took the chance and embraced him. She buried her head deep into Inuyasha’s chest. Inuyasha didn’t look at her, instead he kept his hands by his side and looked forward into the woods. Right now, the only person he has on his mind is Kagome. The Kagome he protected for so long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I can’t, I can’t!!!” Kagome buried her face into her hands, guilt is eating up her insides. “I can’t go and ask for forgiveness. After what I said, he’ll never talk to me again!!!”

Sango, Shippo, Miroku, and even Haruko went into Inuyasha’s defense and told Kagome what happened while she was out cold. Currently they’ve arrived in the village and are resting in Kaede’s hut. One of the village woman told them that Kaede has been out since early that afternoon to gather herbs.

“But Kagome-chan, you have to find him. Inuyasha is really hurt this time.” Sango still can’t believe she’s trying to get Kagome to apologize to the hanyou. “When he left, he had that determined expression. If you don’t go, Kagome-chan, he’ll never come back!”

Kagome is still half-groaning, half-crying. I can’t believe how mean I was to him. And all he wanted to do was to rescue me. I’m the terrible one here. “I can’t, it wouldn’t help anyway.” Kagome looks like she’s about to into a nervous breakdown.

“But Kagome-sama,” Miroku cut in, “we can’t just let him go like this. We need him just as much as he needs us.”

“I know…”

“Besides,” Miroku continued talking, “Naraku still isn’t defeated, the shards are not collected. We need him back.”

The name “Naraku” appeared again. This caught Haruko’s attention. Who is this Naraku?

“And there are many youkai out there who want Inuyasha dead,” Sango continued, “not to mention Sesshomaru, and even Kikyo.”

More names…I’ve gotta learn who these people are and just what they’re fighting for.

“I KNOW!” Kagome finally snapped. “STOP LECTURING ME!!! Don’t you think I want him back? I’ve been killing myself ever since I learned the truth.” Tears are flowing down her cheeks now. She’s frustrated, angry, and full of guilt. “I know he’s hurt, I know he’s in danger, and I want to find him more than any of you. But he won’t listen…” Kagome’s voice is lowered into a whisper, “he won’t come back because he hates me…and I don’t blame him.”

Shippo climbed onto her right shoulder and patted her head, trying to make her feel better because she always pats his head when he’s angry or sad. “Kagome, he doesn’t hate you, you know that.”

Kagome just kept on sniffling and crying. Everyone turned silent.

“I thought you were strong.” Suddenly a voice rang behind Kagome, she turned around and found it to belong to Haruko. The miko-in-training looked down at Kagome, her eyes showed disappointment. “I’ve only been with you guys for two days, but I can already see that you and that baka care for each other. But some obstacles are standing in your way. When you purified my arrow, I thought of you as the one of the most powerful miko I know. I thought you were strong and powerful. But if you’re scared to even apologize to the man…hanyou you’re in love with, then I must take back my respect for you.”

Everyone looked up at Haruko in surprise. Kagome stopped crying at that comment. They all realized that lecture from Haruko was exactly what Kagome needed.

Haruko walked toward Kagome and offered her hand. “Get up, Kagome, I’ll help you find Inuyasha.” Why am I doing this?

Kagome looked up at the girl in silence for some time. I love him, yes, I love him more than anything in the world. If he's gone, I'll never survive. Kagome smiled. I can't let him leave me. I need him too much. She took Haruko’s hand and the two walked out of the hut together. Shippo dropped to the floor. Kagome wiped her tears away and picked up her own bow and arrows. She turned around to face her friends. “I will be fine with Haruko-chan. Look for us if we’re not back when the moon rises to the highest.” She walked for two steps and turned around again. “I’ll bring him back…no matter what it takes.”

Sango yelled after them: “Wait! Take Kirara, she can help you search from the sky.”

And that command Kirara transformed into a fearsome beast and ran toward the girls.

“Arigatou, Sango-chan!”

The two miko climbed onto Kirara and flew away toward the direction of Inuyasha.

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