InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ ForgetMeNot ❯ Just Fly Away ( Chapter 21 )

Forget-Me-Not

By: Youkai Yume

Yume: Wow. Chapter 21. I never really thought I'd ever reach this many chapters.

CF: Well, Yume wouldn't if only Yume made the OTHER chapters longer!

Yume: Hushies! It's my story, so let ME write it! (ahem) Thanks to everyone who stuck with me this long on the ride! (sniffles) I'm just so touched to have fans like you! (sobs)

CF: Okay, cut the sap! BTW, we apologize if any portraying of characters might offend you. But keep in mind this is only FANFICTION, meaning Yume will twist them around to her liking, and it might not follow the anime series!

Yume: Yes, so bear with me please.

Disclaimer: Who? Me? (starts laughing hysterically)

Chapter 21: Just Fly Away

The moment Naraku had released the chains, the moment he saw her sapphire eyes widen in fear and hope, Sesshomaru felt like something was tearing inside him. A life devoid of Kagome. `Save Kagome!' His mind screamed out to Inuyasha, but it was of no use. His brother had already chosen, and it was not Kagome, but Kikyo.

Eyes bled crimson, and faster than lightning, he had begun to run towards the seemingly forgotten girl. In a whirl of dust and wind, he began to glow as light engulfed his being, transforming into his inu-demon form. Without a second thought, he had jumped over the cliff after her.

He saw his brother fly past him in a blur of red and white, carrying the undead miko back over the cliff, and snarled. Sesshomaru turned his gaze back over to Kagome, who plummeted farther to the earth, her eyes locked onto Inuyasha, filled with pain and loss. He watched with torment as she closed her eyes and tears scattered to the winds as if telling him in her own silent way that she had given up. The Taiyoukai nearly winced when he felt the droplets pelt his fur.

Sesshomaru was suddenly engulfed with emotion. He felt it. Felt all her pain and agony, all of her broken dreams and hopes. He had wished never to have to see her have that look of loss in her eyes ever. And that feeling alone made him want to erase the demons that haunted her soul. All thoughts other worldly thoughts vanished from his mind, and all he could think about was, `Kagome.'

As the distance between them closed, Sesshomaru caught her by the scruff of her sailor shirt, and bound on a nearby ledge to jump back up. He heard her give a gasp of surprise, and whisper his name in a hushed voice. Being so close to her now, he could smell the tears that spilled from her orbs. He fought back the urge to growl.

Leaping over the cliff, his crimson eyes caught sight of the scene below him. Naraku and his minions were nowhere in sight, leaving only Inuyasha and Kikyo in the clearing. That was when he saw. Sesshomaru saw his brother stare up at him. . .or rather staring at Kagome, in a pleading, torn manner. His amber eyes begged for forgiveness from her.

Sesshomaru tensed when he felt Kagome shake her head, and giving out a shaky breath, her voice sounding cracked with sorrow, she whispered into the night air.

"Sorry, Inuyasha. But I can't. . .I mean nothing to you. . ." Sesshomaru never wanted to spill his brother's blood so much as he wanted it now. `I will make him pay for every drop of tears that he has caused to spill from Kagome's eyes,' he silently vowed.

Sending Inuyasha a cold glare from the corner of his eye, Sesshomaru flew off in the direction of Kaede's village, leaving him alone with the decision that he had made. And Kagome. . .she didn't even glance back once at the hanyou.

The stars twinkled above them dully, as if they melded in with the sad atmosphere, and seemed to have suddenly lost their luster. All the while, they traveled in silence. Sesshomaru was still holding Kagome by the scruff of her sailor shirt, but she didn't seem to mind.

That's what worried him. She didn't speak, didn't move; just stared blankly at the scenery before her. Her tears had ceased, but the scent of unshed sorrow still assaulted his nose. He feared that she had become numb. He himself didn't know what to say or do. Would he comfort her? Would she allow it? Or would she just push him away? He prayed that would not be so.

As they neared their destination, Sesshomaru began to descend. Landing in a field outside the village, he eased Kagome to her feet. She stood absolutely still as he bit into her chains, breaking the cold metal, and sending them pooling at her feet.

Kagome continued to stand there like a statue, until all of a sudden she snapped. Whirling around, she ran to hug Sesshomaru's dog-like face, sobbing into his silver fur. Sesshomaru stared at her with widened eyes, but his surprise soon died away, as he leaned into her embrace.

"Oh, Sesshomaru!" She cried. "He didn't want me! He never did! Inuyasha left me for dead. . ." Kagome held onto him as if her life depended on it, and at the moment, perhaps he was the only thing keeping her light from dying. Closing his eyes, he purred, trying to soothe her with the comforting sound. His tongue crept from his mouth to lick her warm hand, and Sesshomaru felt her nuzzle into his fur.

"It hurts. . .Sessho-kun. . ." Kagome whispered. The wind whirled around them, as Sesshomaru reverted back to his humanoid form. But all the while, Kagome still hung onto him like a frightened child, and when the transformation was complete, he held her tightly against his chest.

"Shhhhh," He hushed into her ebony hair, running his fingers through the silky texture. It hurt him too, seeing her like this. It hurt more than knowing she belonged to his brother, because at least then, she was happy. `But she doesn't belong to Inuyasha,' his thoughts interrupted, and he would've cheered at that realization if Kagome were not in pure misery. And now he feared---for the first time feared---that he would never see her smile again.

"Inuyasha is a fool. He knows not what he has lost," He comforted. Sesshomaru's hand went to rub soothing circles on her back, and he tensed when her hot tears began to bleed through his hoari.

"No, Sessho-kun. I'm the fool. For ever thinking he could ever love someone like me! I'm nothing but a shadow of Kikyo. . ." Sesshomaru pulled her away from his embrace just enough so that he could look at her face. But her head hung low, tears continuing to stream down her flushed cheeks.

He frowned when she refused to meet his gaze, and lifted her face that sapphire locked with gold. Tracing a thumb gently over her chin, Sesshomaru's eyes softened as he watched the sparkling droplets fall one by one from her eyes.

"No, you are Kagome. More beautiful and strong than Kikyo could ever be, and Inuyasha. . ." His voice became harsh with brutal honesty, and she could tell just by listening that he believed it with all his heart, "does not deserve you."

Sniffling the remainder of her tears, Kagome gave him one last embrace before pulling away.

"Arigato, Sessho-kun. That means the world to me," she said with her best cheery smile, thought pain was still laced in her voice. Gently withdrawing from his warmth, Kagome turned to look at the village. He moved closer to her side.

"Will you wait for him?" He asked stoically. She sighed, cheeks still flushed as a few strands of midnight locks fell over her shoulder, dancing with the wind.

"I can't face him now. And I can't stay here tonight. . .I just can't." He nodded in understanding, brushing away her wayward strands.

"Will you return to your era?" Her sad, sapphire eyes gazed at him, and she gestured for him to walk with her to the hut.

"I really don't know. Anywhere but here," She said, voice almost empty. And for a moment, it almost sounded like she had resolved with her decision. "You must think I'm pathetic, bawling like that, but. . ."

"I think no less of you. It is Inuyasha who I feel an even deeper sense of revulsion for," Without another word, they both walked down the path leading to the village. Sesshomaru followed her soundlessly behind, watching as she moved almost mechanically towards the hut.

After a while, she finally spoke.

"You know what, Sessho-kun?" She started. He focused his attention to her. "Sometimes I wish I can just fly away. . ." Sesshomaru froze, golden eyes widening. A sudden sense of déjà vu came over him. Those words. . . "like a bird. Far, far away. . ."

Yes, he had heard this before, a dream. . .blue skies, sakura tree, Kagome's fingers stroking his silver tresses. . .

~ "When I die, I want to be reincarnated into a bird, so I can just fly away," Sesshomaru continued to gaze at her, waiting patiently for her to go on. "That way, I can just escape from everything. The responsibility of the Shikon no Tama, of having to balance two lives," she paused, a look of sadness tainting her eyes, "and the pain of loving one who does not see." ~

Sesshomaru's breath was caught in his throat as he finally recalled the memory. Yes, the dream that he had been plagued with so long ago. His eyes flickered over to the miko and she paused to stare back at him, standing right outside of the hut.

"Thanks for walking me back. I'm sorry for being such a bother." She was about to enter the hut when he stopped her.

"I thought you said you weren't going to stay here."

"I'm not," Kagome responded sadly, "I need to get my stuff, and tell the others I'll be gone for a while. Thanks again, Sesshomaru." Kagome said softly before entering the hut. All he could do was stare after her, his whole being seemingly numb as he waited for her. It wasn't because he was shocked at the coincidence of the dream, but what she had said AFTER in the dream that made his chest tighten.

~ "I want to escape the sorrow, maybe fly to a place exactly like this. . .a place where I can find. . . you." ~

~ ^_^ ~

"Kagome!" Sango steadied herself on her feet but Kagome eased her back down.

"Momma!" Shippo pounced straight into her embrace, and she gave him a half-hearted hug. "I was so worried Naraku was gonna kill you!" He sobbed into her shirt. Kagome smiled sadly down at the little kit, ruffling his flaming red hair affectionately. This didn't go unnoticed by Miroku.

"Yes, I'm glad you are well, Kagome. But you don't seem to be too happy about it," He inquired. She didn't look up at them, but instead went to her yellow backpack propped up in the corner of the room.

"I noticed Inuyasha is not with you," He asked cautiously. Kagome stiffened at his name, and Shippo winced when smelled salt tainting his momma's scent. He looked questioningly up at her, but Kagome's bangs shadowed her eyes.

"Kagome?" He whimpered. Sango could sense her friend's distress, and she had a hunch of what happened, but not quite sure, she had to ask.

"Didn't he come for you?" Kagome's tears finally fell, and it took all of her effort to answer the taija.

"He came. But it wasn't for me," She said through cracked sobs. They stared at her.

"What do you mean, Kagome-chan?" Sango went closer to her, placing a comforting hand on Kagome, but she only shrugged it away. She glanced to what the miko was so occupied in doing and widened her eyes in surprise. Finishing up, Kagome hoisted her bag over her shoulder, and gave them all a tearful look.

"Where are ye going, child?" Kaede asked gently, although she was just as surprised as the others at her sudden desire for departure. She bit her lower lip, not sure how to respond to them, and decided to tell them what she told the demon lord.

"Anywhere but here," Shippo clung even tighter to her at this.

"No! I don't want you to leave Momma! Stay here!" He bawled. She pried the little kitsune's clutching fingers from her clothes, looking apologetically down at him.

"I'll come back. . ." She whispered.

"Where will you go? Home?" Miroku asked, and he raised an eyebrow when she did not answer him. Just as she was going to open her mouth to do just that, a shadowed figure stepped into the doorway. Everyone turned their heads in surprise, and Kagome gasped when she saw it to be the moonlight silhouette of the ivory demon lord.

"She is coming with me," He said impassively.

"Sesshomaru. . ." Kagome could only stare in shock and surprise, as he averted his golden gaze to lock with hers. She had thought he had already left! Instead he stood before her now, followed her into the hut and gave her a somewhat silent command to come with him. And yet at the same time, Kagome could see his golden depths almost pleading her to do so.

"Kagome, is this true?" She turned to Kaede, who was prodding her form questioningly with her one eye. She chewed her lower lip once more, unsure of what to do. Should she accept the demon lord's invitation?

"I. . .Sessho-kun?" She stepped closer to him, his gaze never left her eyes. Kagome never once blinked, and her heart almost melted when she realized he held nothing but honesty. Why he wanted her to come so badly with her she didn't understand. But she felt she couldn't resist. "Can I really?"

He said nothing to her, but instead took her yellow bag from her hands, slinging it over his shoulder.

"I will wait for you outside," Sesshomaru turned his heels and left the hut, his silver hair flowing behind him. Everyone stared after him, not knowing what to say. Kagome herself was frozen like a statue until she felt a little tug on her collar. She blinked, and stared dazedly down at Shippo.

"Momma, can I come with you?" He asked, hope laced in his innocent voice. Swallowing her surprise, she finally found her voice to answer.

"Ano. . .sure," He hugged her then, and muttered into her shirt,

"Better to be with Sesshomaru than Inuyasha. . ." Smiling half-heartedly, she turned to the others.

"I guess I'll be gone some time," She said softly. "Tell Inuyasha not to follow me, and I'll come back soon." Kagome turned to leave as well, but before leaving the room, she added, "I promise him that."

With the swish of the straw-woven door, she was gone, leaving them all speechless.

"Um. . .what just happened?" Sango finally broke the silence. Miroku ran his hand through his hair exasperatedly.

"I suppose since Inuyasha didn't come for Kagome, Sesshomaru did."

"Aye," Kaede sighed. "But then who DID Inuyasha come for?"

`Inuyasha,' Miroku thought worriedly, `I hope for Kagome's sake and yours that you did not go and do something stupid, my friend.'

~ ^_^ ~

Kagome walked soundlessly outside, deep in thought at Sesshomaru's sudden strange behavior. Hearing a soft purr, she looked up to see the giant white dog that was Sesshomaru. He was crouched down on all fours, eyes staring patiently at her.

"Wow! Is that Sesshomaru? He's GIGANTIC!" Shippo exclaimed. Kagome almost giggled when she saw Sesshomaru roll his eyes at the kitsune's observation. Holding her surrogate son closer, she approached him.

Sesshomaru lowered his head to her level, and sniffed Shippo a bit.

"He's coming with us. . ." She said. He nodded, and gestured for her to climb onto his back. Kagome took her yellow bag that was at his feet with her, and climbed rather clumsily on. He growled softly at her, as if telling her to hang on tight, before standing up and leaping to the sky.

Kagome hung onto his fur for dear life, her stomach doing a flip at the sudden change in heights. Shippo didn't seem so frightened though, as he let out a,

"Wheeeeeeeee!" in pure delight. After a while, Kagome couldn't help but relax, and started enjoying the moonlight ride. She glanced at the scene beneath her, gasping at the beauty of an emerald sea of forests stretched before her.

She absently stroked Sesshomaru's silver mane, and was brought back to her senses when she heard a purr come from him. She took her hand away instantly, only to be rewarded with a dissatisfied growl. Blinking, she returned to petting his fur, and the purring began anew.

Smiling, she started scratching---almost tickling him playfully. He bucked, and jumped higher in response, and Kagome stopped immediately to clutch even tighter to his fur.

"Don't do that!" Shippo whined. Kagome couldn't help but laugh, she knew Sesshomaru was only being playful. Now there's a thought. . .Sesshomaru, playful!

Kagome's laughter rung like a precious melody in Sesshomaru's ears, and he inwardly smiled. He was afraid he'd never get to hear it again. Something inside of him wanted to keep it going, so he did the only thing he could think of. He leaped even higher into the clouds.

She let out an excited squeal at this forgetting all about her pain for just one instant to bask in the wonderful feeling of having the wind whip through her hair. Looking up to the moon that hung above, she smiled. `This is just like my dream. . .except it's real. . .'

"Higher!" She giggled, and he complied with her wishes. As they leaped from cloud to cloud, Kagome felt like her soul was souring. It was like she was flying! And Kagome never in her entire life felt so free, and she never in her life imagined Sesshomaru to give her this feeling.

End Chapter ^_^

Yume: Alas! Another short chapter!

CF: You're so lazy, woman!

Yume: I know! (runs away ashamed, face buried in hands and sobbing)

CF: (sweatdrop) Um. . .Yume will be back next week, with more on the whole Inuyasha and Kikyo situation, and fluff galore! Review! And remember, absolutely NO FLAMES allowed! Hehe. Kap-king! ^_^

Yume: (comes back onstage) Oh, (sniffles) For anyone who was confused on the whole bird thing. . .just go back to Chapter 6: Perhaps, for a bit of refreshing of the memory. I actually did not intend for their dreams to be like a premonition, but I think it worked well.

Review Responses:

~Fanfiction.net

Blue-Saiyan-Angel, Sorrow, ChIbIMiDNiGhT-SaKaI, Queen's Own Herald Kota, Tyskyamma, isis black, Ana, pyor, Niamha, Akin Tsukana, FaLLeNGoDdEsSoFtHeMoOn, Daemonelf, Jade Apocalypse, sternocledomastoid, dreamcatcher5, Nagi2, RabidMusey, Kang Lin, Ryoko3600, Nebula Moon, Blue Demon Dragon, Yuina, Luna, Rin6, Kura Miakoda, psycolady101, The Fallen Angel of Death, Sesshomaru luv you, Cutiepie99, Damsel in distress, Fairies Hope, Kagome loves Inuyasha, Inuchick16, Sashomaru, duchesscarml, LOVEKOUGA, Alex, KawaiiLilInu-Gurl, Tina, munchkyn8576, No Tama, Demi, gotens-girl45, wolf, fire goddess5, Fluffy's Girl, icegirl172, fayrie, anonymous, heikaru, Silver-Blue-Eyes, Seungmina1991, TigerPrincess1, Nightmare Flame, Sweetcece, Crimson Tears Bloody Abyss, lady love, Ruby27, Emberkitty1424, bloodbunny, shadowmistress, ivesgoldlover, CocaCola43, wyldwolfrose, Kaela, the Tiger Demoness, SessyArrigato1, MoonlightPrincess, ash-can, Defafaeth Mechqua, FanficWriter, lil-mizu, Orchidacae, Ledophole, tessa3, Yami Yuugi Lover AKA Kiyo, Reine Keri, flare2, Saria4, Noir12, paige50, Ichigo, badgerwolf, Meiko Kazuke, Lady Kagome-Fluffy's gurl, CreSentMoOn99, Vixen Jinxie-chan, AmoebaFive, amyfushigiyugi, Ali B, DarkPyroPlanet, Inulover626, THANKS AND I'M COMING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Silver Sakura: That sounds like a great idea! Maybe I'll do that. . .or maybe I'll do a sequel. (shrugs)

DarknessGaurdian: Oh! You got me! Right on the mark! ^_^

Whysper: I must admit that I was rather miffed when I received your review. But I hold no resentment against you, and understand where you are coming from completely. And for that I deeply apologize once more if I have offended you in the way I've shaped the characters in my fic. I only ask you to please understand that this is afterall, a work of fiction, and not all the character relationships can work out like in the actual anime. My name's not Rumiko Takahashi afterall (curses) But again, I apologize. (bows) ^_^ Oh, and I know about the spelling. I just choose to spell it this way. Hope you can look past that. ^_^

AnImEfReAk81: Me? Control CF? Oh, that's rich! But I love her anyway.

Red Dragon9: Hellos, and I know how frustrating it can be sometimes when people pop up out of no where, but hey. Without it life becomes dull.

AngOfDeath2U: Um, good luck to you on that! Hehe.

Familia-Ficz: Yes, betrayal is good in some ways. And. . .(holds up a giant sign) Hentais! Over here! (grin)

Mistress Fluffy: Yes, I'm rather good at evil, mean cliffies, ne?

Katani Masaya: Um. . .gee thanks for killing Inu, but I think I still need him a little longer in my fic, kay?

Perro: hehe. (wipes foot with tissue)

Kiwi93089: Um, yeah, I'd say that Naraku mated with Kikyo. (twitch)

~Mediaminer.org

ice princess 1185, Analani, arianna, bigwhitedoglover, MKyrissaean, Kitsune Bi, tgyf, andyrose, (fireash), Kyana, Miyumi, Sundragon, lil sesshi, powerpuffbarbie, THANKS AND CF THANKS YOU FOR THE CHOCOLATES!

Gin Aibu: I'm very flattered you think so, and I'm an Inu fan too. But sometimes I just wanna strangle him and this is my way of doing it!

Striking Falcon: Well, at least you know what I give up whenever I go to read your fics! Lol. Don't worry, it was not Inu's fault he did not smell Naraku on Kikyo, cuz. Well, just wait for the next chappie. ^_^

Tsukitani: I actually never thought of my cliffy like that! But now I see! Lolz. Wow, I did a REAL cliffy! ^_^

Wackoramaco87: Calm down, I'm updating! CF sure does her work when chocolate's her fuel!

END NOTE!

Yume: I'm sorry if the chapters are short, but I've been really tired and busy.

CF: We'll try harder next time. (yeah right)

Yume: Yes, thanks for all your support! Don't forget to review, and no flames!

Ja Ne! ^_~