InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Little Fall of Rain ❯ Drink With Me To Days Gone By ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm merely borrowing her lovely characters cause I love 'em.

A Little Fall of Rain

by Chione

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< i>"Don't you fret, Monsieur Marius
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
You're here, that's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain,
Will make the flowers grow. . ."

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"As if I were such a terrible person..."

"For Inuyasha's sake, Kikyou even abandoned her life.
I can't compete with that at all."

"It's not a question of making a choice, is it. There was a person right in front of me who I could save, and was told that I was the only person who could save you, of course I would save you."

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Inuyasha was trapped in the tangled mass of limbs and tentacles that made up Naraku's body. Kikyou and I were the only ones close enough, her on one side and me on the other as the arrow fired back at him. I don't know which of us shot it, but Kanna's mirror had done the trick and sent it back, right to our hanyou. I felt a brief moment of déja vu as I glanced to see Kikyou's move. She turned her head, just enough to look him in the eye.

At the same moment, I lurched forward. Maybe Kikyou could stand by and let him die, because isn't that what she'd wanted all along? To be with him? But I couldn't. Not yet, and not like this. I had never planned on stepping in their way, I swore I would let Inuyasha be with her! But not like this! I couldn't just let them be together, even in death, if his soul would never rest. And I knew it wouldn't, just like I knew Inuyasha would always chose her over me. That was okay, as long as he's happy, I don't care who he choses.

I won't let him spend the rest of eternity knowing he never succeeded in avenging Kikyou's death.

Even if I had to die to do it, I would.

So as the arrow pierced the thin cotton of my blouse, and then my skin and all the pain I'd ever felt came rushing back in a single breath, I had only one regret.

That I'd never told him the truth. I knew he was well aware of my feelings, but I'd never even said them to him. Instead, all I could do was gaze up at him with the knowledge that, at last, I had proved my love for him to be as strong as Kikyou's.

I heard him call my name, distantly. And I realized, this was it. This time I would die, and no potion, no magic, no herbs could bring me back. I was dying and I'd done it for him. In my mind, I could see my mother and Souta, and Grandpa crying when I didn't come back. They'd never know the way I died, nor would my friends Yuka, Eri, Ayumi, and even Hojou. No one would ever know but my friends, my family, in this time. They would assume I succumbed to a disease, a totally laughable one that no teenager could ever have, but they'd believe it, and mourn because I would never come back.

And my poor little Shippou-chan. He'd be an orphan again, though I knew beyond doubt he would be cared for by Sango and Miroku, and perhaps their own children too.

He breathed my name again, softly and if I could see a little better, I'm certain his eyes would be bright with unshed tears, and concern. He gave my shoulder a tiny shake, not enough to jar my injury but enough that I could feel it vibrate throughout my body, a silent plea not to let go. I didn't want to leave him, I never meant to. I would never voluntarily take away another person he cared for, but I could no longer feel the heat of my wound, the pain in my battered feet, nor the warmth of his hands on my shoulders.

Naraku chuckled in the background of my senses, and dimly I was aware of the complete Shikon clutched in his fist. Even dying, it's glow was bright in my eyes, it's presence formidable in my mind. It looked so pure, and warm, and for the first time I could see what drew so many to it's power. I gazed at it, surrounded by Naraku's miasma and all of his evil youki, and still it was beautiful, and calming. At least, in the end, I had completed my task here. And I could die, knowing that I hadn't let Inuyasha down.

The Shikon no Tama was whole again, and I had every confidence in Inuyasha's ability to defeat Naraku. The jewel will be purified, if not by my hands than by Kikyou's, and Inuyasha will get his wish. Either human or demon, it didn't matter. It was his choice, and I'd given it to him to make.

I could just barely see his golden eyes, not detailed but still there, in the darkness sweeping my vision. Was he crying? I couldn't tell. He gripped me tightly in his arms, against the rough fur of his haori, calling out my name in desperation. I wanted to reach up to him, tell him I love him, and not to be sad. My mirror image--with slightly straighter hair, I suppose and yes, a more mature, beautiful face, I suppose too--peered at me over his shoulder, and beside her, the faces of my friends. My dear, cherished friends. Sango-chan. Miroku-sama. Shippou-chan. Kouga-kun. Even Rin-chan knelt beside me, her tiny hand grasping my own.

I didn't want to leave them. Least of all him.

Not to be ungrateful, I was surprised at Naraku for simply watching us. Not interfering, or taunting, or attacking while we were weak. He just watched, and laughed at Inuyasha's pleas, Shippou's cries, and the wailing of Kouga's pack.

A sharp intake of breath from Inuyasha alerted me that something was off. I didn't understand until the sharp edge of the Tenseiga--for what other sword could stab through the flesh, but leave behind no cut?--bear down upon me. It's edges sought out the soul collectors, and I heard their cries. The bright light of it's healing power cleansed me.

But I knew something was wrong. Blood continued to soak my school uniform with it's too short skirt, and my senses were ever diminishing to a dull ache, a throb that lessened with each passing moment. My breath was more raspy, even to my ears, and it hurt, it hurt so badly, to breathe just the smallest bit.

It hadn't worked. For whatever reason beyond my control, the Tenseiga wasn't able to save me. I was still dying.

Why? Was it something I'd done, that I couldn't be brought back? Was there some reason I couldn't be healed?

My thoughts blurred. I could no longer hold onto consecutive thoughts, ones that followed one another and made sense. They were scattered images and memories, of all sixteen years of my life, which seemed so very long as they were passing, and now were only that: memories. My entire life in just sixteen years. I knew it. And I did not regret it at all. I made my decision when I jumped between Inuyasha and that arrow. The choice was made, and I can't turn back from that. Even as I began to miss what I would never see again, never get to do or see, I couldn't imagine having made the other choice.

So I smiled, weakly I have no doubt, and it took every bit of strength, effort and sheer willpower I had left or had ever had, to do it. But as my friends around me shed their tears, and tried impossibly hard to return my smile, I could only stare in awe at the wonderful people I'd come to know. I prayed that wherever I ended up, I would always be allowed to watch over them.

Inuyasha. He held me close, even though I could feel how soaked his haori had become. Drenched in my blood. He tried to pull the arrow out, anything to save me, but it was too late. You don't get run through with an arrow and live.

Especially if that arrow hits your lung.

I could vaguely feel it. A peculiar sensation I knew was drowning, but it was not like drowning while you swim. It was from the inside. It didn't burn my throat. It just felt almost--sticky, the breath in my lungs. Yes. Sticky.

I was drowning to death in my own blood.

Why did it have to drag on? I should've been dead so many moments ago, and yet I clung on to this miserable, desperate phenomenon. It seemed like hours since I chose.

The time was growing near. I sensed it, ironically very similar to the sense of a Shikon fragment. And soon, I could feel the hands of the spirit world pulling on my hands and hair and legs, bringing me only closer to themselves. In one last attempt to say goodbye, to soothe him, I dredged my hand up from where it had fallen. It was all I could do to flick a finger, much less lift the whole hand to his face but I pushed every drop of persistence and strength and love and everything I had into the muscles in my arm. Just one little brush of his flesh and mine. It really wasn't so very far, why couldn't I just touch him?

My fingertips, scarcely the tips of my fingernails, grazed his cheek. His smooth, tanned cheek that I'd miss so much. There was so much I'd miss. So much to miss. So much I wanted still.

I wanted to see Sango and Miroku's marriage.

I wanted to see their children.

I wanted to be there for Shippou's first love, first kiss, first everything as he grows.

I wanted to see Kouga and Ayame together, happy. For him to move on from me.

I wanted Sesshomaru to admit he cares for Rin-chan, to see her and help her grow. She'll be needing the advice of a woman soon.

I wanted my mother to see my children, her grandchildren, with their fuzzy, white ears she so loves.

I wanted to tease Souta at his wedding rehearsal, with embarrassing stories of his bed wetting or anything else I could think of at the last minute.

I wanted to be a mother, one day. Maybe even mother to Inuyasha's pups. That's what he would call them, I suppose.

I wanted him to love me, but I understand.

I wanted to tell him, at the very least.

I wanted him to be happy. And really, that's all I ask.

I want-

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"But you will live 'Ponine, Dear God above
If I could close your wounds with words of love. . .

Just hold me now, and let it be
Shelter me, Comfort me. . .

You would live a hundred years
If I could show you how
I won't desert you now. . .

The rain can't hurt me now
This rain, wash away what's passed
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
I'll sleep in your embrace, at last. . ."

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I've decided that I am going to write more of this and the second chapter should be out soon. I just revised this real quick, and added the lyrics from "A Little Fall of Rain," from the musical Les Misérables.

And remember this is from Kagome's POV, so things are the way I feel she sees them, not necessarily how they really are.

The quotes at the beginning are from the manga translations, various chapters in various volumes. I felt that they portray the very core of Kagome's character, and perhaps what sets her apart from Kikyou. And FYI, I don't hate Kikyou. I will never bash her. Ever.

Oh and whaddya think: I've got an idea for another Inuyasha story. I haven't written it yet, I'm working on it right now, but here's the basic concept:

What would happen if Kagome's worst fears came true? It's called 'Reincarnation.'

That's all I'm sayin' cause I don't want anyone to steal the idea or anything until I get to write it.

Tell me if you think you'd be interested in reading it!

Review, please?