InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Hearts and Crushed Dreams ❯ Loving Words ( Chapter 10 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

~Chapter Ten~
.:Loving Words:.
 
Inuyasha was determined to see Kagome again.
I can't live without her.
I love Kagome.
I don't care where we are but I need her…
His legs couldn't move any faster. He could feel blisters forming on the balls of his feet. He wouldn't rest until he was with Kagome once again.
He was fast approaching Mt. Hakurei, the pure aura of the mountain was making him sick already. The barrier had been brought down since Naraku no longer controlled Saint Hakusheen. He figured he could reach the base overnight if he kept going. He resolved that he would make camp at the base and climb up to the temple the next night. Inuyasha continued forward until he could see the mountain looming over the trees.
Just a little further...
Ten minutes later he reached the base, completely exhausted. He found shelter in a small cave covered with crystallite. He decided he would be safer in there than outside, so he sat down and leaned against the cool wall. Within moments he was asleep, dreaming of the day he would be with Kagome again.
 
The following night Inuyasha was ready to take on Mt. Hakurei. He emerged from the cave and looked to his left. A small path led upwards, towards the center of the mountain. He assumed that was where the temple would be, so he made his way up the winding path. After what seemed like days, Inuyasha was still looking at the same scenery; a thick fog covered the whole mountain and he could only see about two feet in front of his face. Inuyasha sniffed the air but couldn't detect any ominous scents; there was only mist and darkness.
The stars glittered overhead, bright and shining, as if mocking him and the dark path he followed. Inuyasha snorted and looked back at the bleak path ahead. Finally, he arrived at a small clearing. Through the mist he thought he could make out a small shrine.
The temple!
Inuyasha ran forwards as fast as his legs would carry him. Before, it had seemed a small shrine, but now that it was right in front of him, it was huge. The door was engraved with sacred sutras and large beams supported the building on all sides. The ceiling was high with spider webs clinging to the corners of the room. The inside of the temple appeared dark. Inuyasha wondered if the monk had already passed on, leaving only an empty building, when he heard a shuffling noise inside.
“Hey, is anyone in there?” he called, “I'm looking for an elderly monk said to possess great spiritual power.”
The shuffling continued for a couple minutes and then the rusty hinges of the door groaned as it was pushed open. A small man in white robes came forward. His eyes were icy blue and glossy with age. He was covered in wrinkles from head to toe and could have only been about four feet tall. Inuyasha stared at the man before him.
“Are you…”
“Yes. My name is Saint Mirosheen; Saint Hakusheen was my great grandfather. What business do you have here?” he said, with surprising confidence. He didn't even flinch when Inuyasha leaned down closer to the man's face. They were nearly nose to nose as Inuyasha studied the old saint.
“I came to ask for your help,” he said, locking eyes with the man who called himself Saint Mirosheen.
“Well then, let us step inside the temple and you can tell me all about your troubles. However, please heed an old man's request and wipe your feet on the mat. They are filthy,” he said, looking down at Inuyasha's feet darkened with dirt, and then turned and was covered by the darkness inside the temple.
Inuyasha followed behind.
What a strange old geezer…
Is this really the man I have been looking for?
Inuyasha stepped into a cool room. The floor was made of marble and stone; it was so cold that when Inuyasha placed his feet on it, shivers ran up his spine. He wondered how the old man could survive without any heat. This whole time he hadn't seen one trace of fire. Mirosheen sat down on the floor. He gestured for Inuyasha to do the same. Inuyasha wasn't sure if he should trust this man, but Kagome was more important than anything and he would swallow his pride for once and trust the Saint.
He sat down across from Mirosheen and related his whole story to him. Inuyasha went into detail of his love for Kikyo, Naraku's tricks and Kagome's caring. After he had finished, the monk said, “So, you wish for me to leave my temple and come open this time slip even though I know I will die if I go? Now I have a question for you. How can I be sure that you truly love this woman and I am not wasting my time?”
Inuyasha sat in silence for a few seconds, contemplating his answer, “Because Kagome… Kagome is…” he trailed off.
“I-I love her. I love the way she yells at me when all I want to eat is ramen. I love the way she looks so peaceful when she sleeps; the way she is always gentle and kind. I love the way she furrows her brow when she gets confused or disgusted and the way she always insists on looking at my wounds even though we both know they have already healed. I love the way her hair falls over her face, and I love the way her eyes sparkle when she is happy.
“She's everything to me. Without her, I never would have been able to learn to be trusting and rely on others. She has saved me from losing myself countless times and she is always by my side.
“I can't live without her and I know she can't live fully without me. She might not admit it, but she has times when she breaks down and can't handle all the emotional stress of living. I could never imagine anyone but me there to comfort her.
“Mirosheen, this is the best answer I can give. I need you to help me get to her. If you don't believe me I'll just leave now and you'll never have to see me again,” Inuyasha finished his tirade, and then stared down at the floor. He had dragged out too many painful memories to keep looking him in the eye.
The monk was silent; Inuyasha stood and turned to leave.
“I will help you,” Mirosheen said behind him, after a pensive moment.
Inuyasha turned around and saw that the monk was standing; he turned towards, yet another, hallway.
“Come, come. There is much preparation needed to make this journey,” he said, and left.
Inuyasha stared after the old saint. He couldn't believe it; he was going to get Kagome back.
Kagome...