literature

Inescapable Chapter 25

Deviation Actions

FaeHime's avatar
By
Published:
3.5K Views

Literature Text

Chapter 25: Decisions

Sango startled awake at the indignant screech from across the field, her head swiveling towards the well in concern; concern which was quickly followed by a swamping relief when she spotted Kagome's petite form. Jubilation bubbled through her veins as she took in her friend's irate expression, a single thought breathing against her awareness.

'She's alive...'

Her joy at her friend's return was short-lived however, and rosy orbs widened in disbelief at the new, unexpected sound following on the tail of the outraged cry that had woken her.

Listening to the buttery chuckle spilling from Sesshomaru's lips with disbelief, the taijiya scrubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands before squinting at the inuyoukai's mirthful grin once more. Certain that she was having a stress-induced delusion, Sango turned swiftly to wake her companions, hoping they'd be able to set her straight.

However, reality as she knew it was not on her side. The poor woman was instead completely knocked off kilter by the scene that awaited her in the form of Kikyo wantonly straddling InuYasha. Jaw dropping open as her eyes bugged even more, Sango felt her face heating at the rather passionate lip-lock her hanyou friend was engaged in with the normally reserved miko.

With a lurch, the young taijiya's strategic brain stuttered to a halt, incapable of processing the oddities that had greeted her this morning. Teeth creaking as she clenched them, Sango felt suspicion creep along her spine, and she closed her eyes and covered her ears, determined to shut her senses off for a moment so she could think.

'This has got to be Naraku at work! InuYasha's older brother doesn't laugh much less smile anymore than InuYasha does...does...THAT where people can see! Peeking out through her lashes, Sango quickly closed her eyes again, pretending she hadn't just witnessed her friend grabbing Kikyo's bottom like he was the lecherous houshi on a mission.

'Ugh... maybe its a dream. No, more like a nightmare! That's it! I'm caught in a nightmare! I'll wake up any second now to Miroku touching me inappropriately in places he-should-not-be-touching!'

Hands still firmly over her ears, the beleaguered slayer studied the back of her eyelids with the same determination Kagome had right before an exam, and whimpered to herself, "Somebody pinch me already."

The words had barely escaped before an all-too-familiar hand was eagerly goosing her bottom, startling an embarrassed squeal from the furiously blushing woman. The high-pitched noise finally penetrated through the passionate fog that suffused InuYasha and Kikyo's minds, and with a rather impressive display of speed, the two lovers disengaged. An abashed flush stained their cheeks as InuYasha and Kikyo realized they'd been caught behaving like... well, like the man currently fondling his favorite bit of Sango's anatomy with a gratified smile plastered on his face.

For Sango's part, irritation swiftly replaced her state of denial, and with an indignant cry, the annoyed taijiya grabbed Hiraikotsu, slamming it with deadly accuracy into the unrepentant Miroku's head.

"HENTAI!"

~

'I'm coming guys...' Kagome was running ahead of the group, eager to see the children again and let them know she was alright. If there was one thing she honestly despised, it was making others worry needlessly, especially if she was the cause. And after a week of thinking she was dead, the miko was certain Shippo and Rin needed the reassurance of seeing her.

Both children had witnessed their parents' violent deaths, and while this made them no strangers to loss, Kagome refused to allow them to suffer through that again. Over the past year, the young woman had grown to love Rin as dearly as her mischievous kit, and knew that she had become like a mother to each of them. Legs protesting as she strained to go faster, she was determined to make certain neither of them went a moment longer believing they'd lost another parent.

A slash of white in her peripheral caught Kagome's eye, and a glance confirmed that Sesshomaru was easily keeping pace with her.

When she had expressed her desire to see the children, he had graciously offered to take her to the village post-haste, and while the offer had been appealing, she had stubbornly declined, still slightly perturbed at being laughed at but mostly wanting to get there under her own power.

Still, after her short conversation with the daiyoukai by the well, Kagome could understand why he would be reluctant to allow her out of his sight. With Naraku still unaccounted for and possessed by the demon of the Shikon, who seemed intent on killing her specifically, even she could agree that she had no business begrudging the taiyoukai his self-imposed protection detail. If she were being honest with herself, his concern for her safety was touching, considering the source. But, as nice as it was that Sesshomaru, of all people, wanted to protect her, it was also a harsh reminder of others - her friends, and especially her family - who probably felt the same way.

Often, before the well had stopped allowing her through, the young woman could see the anxiety hidden deep in her mother's eyes whenever she returned home with an injury. Kagome couldn't help the regret that lanced through her when she realized how much that fear must have grown every day she didn't return at all. It had been so long since she'd been able to go home and reassure her family that she was okay, and happy and alive. She missed her mother's calm words of wisdom, her grandfather's ridiculous stories about their ancestors and her brother's faith-filled eyes as he looked at her like she was his idol. Eyes burning in response to her thoughts, the young woman realized how much she simply missed home.

'I'm so sorry Mama, Souta...' Pushing herself to go faster, Kagome didn't notice the flow of tears that were trailing behind her, wiped from her cheeks before they could leave traces of her sorrows. 'I'm sorry I can't be there.'

A voice to her left startled the young woman, and she turned to see that Sesshomaru had closed the distance between them so that they were only inches apart. She resisted the urge to adjust her gait to the right to gain some personal space, feeling mildly discomforted by the powerful youkai's proximity. Having completely missed what he'd said in her distraction, Kagome shot him a questioning look before turning her attention back to where she placed her feet.

"This Sesshomaru merely stated," the taiyoukai replied, his placid tones reaching her easily, "that even in 500 years time, the stars will still be the same as those now... even if you cannot see them, correct?"

Kagome's stride faltered at the familiar words, ones that she had used to console Sango not so long ago, when the taijiya was grieving the seeming loss of her only remaining family. The same words her mother had shared with her after her father had died.

Sliding to a halt, the panting miko tried to understand the meaning behind his question. The regal inu paused beside her, his cool composure a sharp contrast to the woman staring at him, sweat pearling against her smooth skin.

"How--"

"You once spoke about possibilities." Sesshomaru's smooth baritone forestalled her question before it could leave her lips, and with it came more memories; memories of a subdued conversation about loved ones that were out of reach. It had been a conversation preceded by thoughts similar to those she'd just been entertaining. Realization tickled along the edges of her heart as he continued, topaz eyes communicating everything his reserved speech did not.

"This one would think that stars, even those hidden from sight, hold more possibilities than an empty chair."

She could hear their original conversation once more, and couldn't help but feel ashamed at the pessimism she'd exuded that night.

They're probably ignoring the empty chair where I should be sitting. Each of them thinking about, but not voicing the possibility... that I might never come home.

Holding a hand over her chest, Kagome realized that when she had made her decision, so had her family. Despite however much they worried, they had decided to have faith in her. Somehow, she realized that it didn't matter how many months had passed- because as long as there were stars, there was hope. While the miko knew logically that her destiny was here, in the past, sometimes she couldn't help the guilt that bled through her at the thought of her family, and what they must be suffering due of her choices, but now...

Kagome felt the pain that had been searing her conscience temper, becoming bearable. Heart considerably lighter, the young woman accepted that she couldn't return that faith with doubt and regret. Not as long as she held her mother's words close to her heart; not when there were still possibilities...

"Thank you, Sesshomaru."

Kagome couldn't fathom how Sesshomaru had divined the cause for her sorrow, but she was grateful nonetheless. The melancholy that had dampened her spirit receded, replaced once more with the need to see Shippo and Rin. Shooting the patiently waiting youkai a devious grin, the ebony-haired woman cheekily dared, "Race you to the village- last one there has to hug Jaken!"

A giggle escaped her at the perturbed expression that crossed Sesshomaru's face when she issued the paltry consequence, and without a backwards glance the young woman took off once more, running with renewed vigor and determination. Kagome knew she had no chance of outrunning the silver inuyoukai, yet she couldn't keep the smile off her face when she realized he was once again running at her side, but ever-so-slightly ahead. While she seriously doubted he'd actually take the penalty even if he allowed her to win, it was amusing to note that he was taking her challenge seriously enough to keep the lead. And the miko harbored no delusions of any outcome where she won in which Sesshomaru had not allowed her to do so.

As the village came into view, she laughed recklessly in light of her imminent defeat and pushed herself harder, an entirely different goal on her mind.

'Almost there..."

She saw Ah-Un and Jaken first, standing guard on either side of the doorway. Sesshomaru, as expected, reached the hut before her and was accosted by his wailing retainer, who promptly wrapped his spindly arms around Sesshomaru's mokomoko with relish. Deciding to gloat later at the fact that Jaken had hugged him regardless of him winning, Kagome ignored the mild discomfort of her laboring lungs in favor of announcing her return.

"SHIPPO! RIN!" She couldn't get to the hut fast enough, and continued to pump her exhausted legs, anxious to see the faces she'd missed so much. "Shippo! Rin!"

At her call, two small figures exploded from the hut in a tangle of limbs, tripping over each other in their haste to erase any doubt that it was her. Wide eyes filled with watery relief as delighted cries greeted the exhausted miko.

"Kagome-sama!"

"Okaa-san!"

The children launched themselves at her, closing the distance between them in moments and the young woman dropped to her knees, heedless of the rocks cutting into her skin as Rin and Shippo tackled her.

"I'm back, sweetlings. I'm okay, everything's okay," she crooned, her voice steady as she offered them the same comfort her mother had given her on numerous occasions.

Kagome reveled in the moment, whispering endearments to both sniffling children. Tiny, grasping claws and blunt, pinching fingernails fisted in her shirt and she held their quivering bodies firmly, hands stroking their backs in soothing motions.

"You were d-dead..." Shippo whimpered, his voice holding a note of accusation. Arms tightened in response to the kit's claim. The miko wanted to tell him she hadn't wanted to leave him; that she hadn't wanted to die, but she knew that it would be pointless against his child's logic; because the fact was she had left him.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," she promised softly. The rest of the group arrived to find Kagome rocking the clinging children softly, her cheek resting on top of Shippo's auburn head as she wiped at the tears glistening against Rin's dirt-smudged cheeks.

Sesshomaru watched as Kagome continued to murmur assurances to each child, a warm smile ever present on her face as she gazed adoringly at the little ones who had been beside themselves with worry. He felt a tingle of warmth lace through his chest when her gaze turned briefly to him, eyes clearly transmitting her joy .

Rin noticed the direction of her look and turned to see her lord standing nearby. With a final squeeze of the miko's neck, Rin stood and quickly rushed to him, smiling up at him with gratitude-filled eyes. Taking no care for formalities, the tiny girl threw her arms around his leg, laughing euphorically as she continued to look adoringly into his surprised citrine gaze.

"Rin knew you'd bring her back to us, Sesshomaru-sama! Rin knew!" Kagome couldn't help chuckling at Rin's confident declaration. Sesshomaru's only response was to gently rest his hand on top of the girl's raven locks, his typically impassive gaze soft with unspoken affection.

"Keh!" InuYasha scoffed at the girl's claim but his face lacked any real censure, and Sesshomaru felt something akin to familial affection at the stubborn hanyou's next statement.

"It's not like bastard did anything but stare down a hole in the ground for a week!"

The kitsune relinquished his spot in favor of jumping onto Miroku's shoulder as he retorted snidely, "And what did you do, Inu-Baka? I remember seeing you sulking like a kicked puppy under a tree!"

The temperamental hanyou flushed with embarrassment, and he floundered momentarily before yelling at the smirking kit.

"Who're you calling a kicked puppy, ya snot-nosed runt? You're the one blubbering all over Kagome like a spoiled brat!"

"Hey I'm just a kid, what's your excuse!"

Sun-steeped eyes watched the argument unfold with restrained amusement, only turning from the pair's bantering when Rin executed a polite if clumsy bow before running back to the small group. Sesshomaru allowed himself a measure of contentment as he watched the bizarre reunion unfolding, absently noting the scent of herbs and ginger root, heralding the approach of the elder miko known as Kaede.

As the old woman appeared behind the group, InuYasha crossed his arms with a huff, his tone mullish as he said, " I'm just saying that prick didn't do anything special to bring Kagome and Kikyo back to life!"

A sharp gasp followed the young inu's brash statement, and a heavy silence fell as the group turned to see Kaede's shocked face. Kikyo stared at her sister, frozen in place next to InuYasha as a plethora of emotions flitted across her wide eyes.

"Be this true?" Kaede's voice hardly wavered, and Sesshomaru couldn't help but feel respect for the older miko. She shuffled forward, reaching a weather-wrinkled hand to grasp Kikyo's and wonderment filled the woman's age-lined face as she felt the warmth that had been absent from the clay doll that had been her sister.

"I'm sorry I left you alone, Kaede." Copper eyes overflowed with tears, and Kaede responded in kind, salty pearls glistening as they flowed without reservation. A look passed between them then, and nothing more was said when they wrapped their arms around each other. Sesshomaru's senses were buffeted by the sister's bittersweet auras, and he chanced a look at Kagome to gauge her reaction to this family moment.

To his surprise, Kagome's dazzling mahogany eyes were trained on him, a small, indecipherable smile gentling her expression. Moving carefully, Kagome extracted herself from the group to come and stand by him, her eyes returning to the tender scene when a resounding slap broke through the tension of the emotional moment.

"HENTAI!"

Sesshomaru refrained from wincing at the taijiya's shrill cry, and briefly contemplated way in which to rid the monk of his "affliction" that would not involve actually removing part of the perverted man's anatomy. His sensitive hearing did not appreciate the vocal assault Miroku's action always resulted in, and as he planned to stay with the group from here on in, the taiyoukai was determined to keep such from happening.

"So it looks like I lost our wager." Kagome's teasing voice instantly derailed his thoughts, and the fair-haired inu re-focused his attention on her. She was still watching her group, which had devolved into more arguing. Glancing from the corner of her eye, Kagome continued, "But it looks like you took my punishment for me, if Jaken's death-hold on you was anything to go by. Soooo..."

She turned then, and Sesshomaru was amused by the playful grin branded across her features as she finished, "...I guess that means we both won in some way, right?"

"Indeed."

The taiyoukai continued to stare at the raven-tressed woman beside him long after she had returned to watching her friends antics. The radiance from her happy aura spilled around him, and he decided then and there to do what he could to keep her this way. Despite his easy agreement with Kagome's innocent question, the inu couldn't help but feel that when it came to the fiery miko at his side, he hadn't actually won so much as gotten very, very lucky.
Decisions: ...in which Kagome realizes that no choice is made alone.

:iconeeeeeplz: I'm very very VERY happy with this chapter, and so I hope you all enjoy it as well! Hope everyone is wnjoying the oh so slowly blooming moments of fluff between our fav two characters!

This chapter was beta'd by Aubrey Simone on Dokuga, and I extend my sincerest appreciation to her for all of her help!

Enjoy!

Characters Belong to Rumiko Takehashi
Plot Bunnies Belong to ME X3

Note that YES this DOES turn into a SessxKag fic!!! Don't 'ship it, then don't read it!
[link] <--- Previous }-{ Next ---> [link]
Comments36
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
FenoxWings's avatar
I love it so much!! I can't wait to see what you come up with next Fae! All of your stories are amazing!