Deciding My Fate

Chapter 32: The Love that Inuyasha Holds Close

Emi's pov

Knowing that Inuyasha was very bothered by the fact that Kikyo's ashes were stolen, I knew that we were going to have to fight whoever stole them. I was not looking forward to that one bit, things were already complicated but now we have to worry about another stupid demon. "Emi, what are you thinking about?" Shippo asked, we were looking for Inuyasha at the moment. "About Kikyo... I know she meant a lot to Inuyasha.. They probably loved each other before they turned against one another." I said, crossing my arms. "You're right.." Kagome trailed off. Eventually we found Inuyasha, he was sitting underneath a tree in deep thought. "Let's go, Inuyasha." Kagome said, walking over to him. "Where?" Inuyasha purposely looked away from Kagome, which I found odd. He doesn't normally do that, even when he's angry with her. Kagome sat down beside Inuyasha, while I stood on the other side of him with Shippo in my arms. "Don't you feel sorry for Kikyo, that her grave has been violated? Forget that you were once bitter enemies. Kikyo died long ago, right?" Kagome asked, Inuyasha once again looked at Kagome for a brief moment and then looked away again. It was as if he was avoiding looking at her because she reminded him of Kikyo, Kagome glared at Inuyasha and grabbed his hair. "Hey!" She shouted, Kagome was not having it with him at the moment.

"What?"

"Since yesterday, you've been avoiding looking at me!" Kagome snapped.

Inuyasha glanced at Kagome for a moment, he paused and looked away. "It's nothing..."

"I know! It's because I look like Kikyo! That's why you don't like me, right?!" Kagome asked. Inuyasha took me by surprise when he grabbed Kagome's hand, "It's not...!" He started, I knew they were having a moment so I turned away to give them some space. When I looked back, Inuyasha was looking at Kagome with soft eyes. "It's not like that." His face moved closer to Kagome causing her to panic. "W-what?" She blushed, waved her hands frantically and shouted at him. "W-what is it?!" She then pushes Inuyasha, who fell and rolled backwards. Kagome turns to her side and clasp her hands to her chest, blushing. "Darn! What're you doing?!" Inuyasha yelled, stomping towards Kagome. "Y-you're the one!" Kagome's voice trembled. "What did I do?!" He asked, "Huh?" My ears twitched and I smelled a horse, when I followed Kagome's line of vision Kaede appeared heading towards us with a horse. "Kaede.." I sighed, knowing where this was going. "I am also a priestess. I will take back my sister's ashes with my own hands. Inuyasha, at least tell me in which direction Urasue is headed?" I shook my head at Kaede, looking to Inuyasha.

"Do you wanna die, old woman?" Inuyasha asked, I stifled a laugh at his comment since it was just like him to ask that.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome chastised. "Well, I'll have to go to find out." Kaede argued, "Lady Kaede, you mustn't! You're in no condition!" Kagome said, "She's right, Kaede. You're too injured, let us handle this." I spoke up, "It's useless to stop her! That's why I hate dealing with old people!" Inuyasha took the horse, "I'll get Kikyo's ashes back. And I'll be sure to bring home your bones, too." He walked off with the horse, "Inuyasha, thank you."

"Oi Kaede, you mind if we come along?" I asked, catching up with Kaede and Inuyasha while Kagome walked beside me. "Are ye sure?" She asked, looking at Kagome. I knew that she was thinking about how she resembled her sister, she might have worried about the repercussions of Kagome coming along.

The sun was starting to set as we traveled along a rock landscape, I had regretted not getting enough sleep the night before since this was going to be a long trip. Inuyasha leapt among the boulders, Kaede rifing on her horse and while Kagome rode her bicycle with Shippo at the back. I kept up beside Kagome, keeping my guard up in case a demon popped up. I couldn't help but think that Inuyasha wasn't really seeing Kagome as herself but rather as Kikyo, I'm not sure how much they looked alike but I can tell that was going to take a toll on Kagome. I had a feeling deep down that Kagome liked Inuyasha as more than a friend, but Inuyasha might still be into Kikyo. This is going to be a mess. We eventually found a spot to settle down around a campfire, Kaede was asleep in Kagome's sleeping bag and Shippo is sleeping on Kaede. Kagome, Inuyasha and I sat across each other, around the fire. "Kaede's asleep." Kagome spoke softly. Inuyasha closed his eyes, folded his arms and lied on a rock face. "You both better get some sleep. We'll attack tomorrow." He said, "So soon?" Kagome asked, I laid back against the bolder and got comfortable. I had let Kagome use my sleeping bag since I had some clothing like Inuyasha. Apparently, he was able to get me something similar to his outfit to make it easy for me to travel since I was usually stuck in my school uniform. "I can smell it... She's not far." He laid on his side, "Inuyasha..." Kagome started but he didn't say anything, I heard his soft breaths and figured he feel asleep.

"Kagome.. Are you okay?" I asked, "I guess.. This whole situation with Kikyo's ashes being stolen has made it difficult for Inuyasha. I think you're right." She said.

"About?"

"I think Inuyasha is still in love with Kikyo.." She trailed off.

"Oh.. He could be. How do you feel about that?"

"I.. Don't know.. Honestly, I don't know." She said, I grabbed her hand as she looked sad. "It'll be alright, Kagome. Let's get some sleep."

"Right. Goodnight."

"Night, Kagome."

~

When I woke up, Shippo was washing his sleepyface at a spring. I sat up and stretched, yawning sleepily as I heard everyone else getting ready. "We must retrieve Kikyo's ashes as soon as possible!" Kaede said, so we set out and this time I sat behind Kagome on her bike. Inuyasha stood on Kaede's horse, which I had no clue as to why he was doing that. "I have a dreadful feeling about this." Kaede said, "Well, it's too late now, isn't it?! If you didn't want the ashes stolen, why didn't you just scatter the ashes into the river? You stayed sentimental and kept hanging on to them and see what happened?" Inuyasha snapped, I sighed as he seemed way too upset. "Inuyasha, how do you feel about a grave? A grave is not simply a place to bury a body or ashes. A grave is necessary for the hearts of ones who are left behind." Kaede asked. "Hearts of those left behind?" Inuyasha questioned, "My sister was born a priestess. And she used her special powers for the good of the villagers. She kept demons away from the village and battle illness and famine countless times, encouraging the people around her. Even after her demise, the villagers have not weakened, they are resolved to live." Kaede explained. "However, man is weak. Danger and uncertainty can weaken his heart. The grave was a place of reassurance. A place where hearts could find peace." She said, Kagome kept quiet and I could tell she was thinking about Kikyo and Inuyasha's love. Kagome suddenly stopped cycling, making me wonder why she was. It seemed that she was very lost in thought and I wasn't the only one who noticed it, Inuyasha looked back at us in confusion. "Uh... Kagome.." I started, but she didn't answer. Whatever she was thinking about had her tearing up, Inuyasha squinted at Kagome becoming fed up. "What's with you, Kagome?!" He leaped onto the bicycle basket, "That look gives me the creeps!" He shouted.

"Eh?"

"Why're you looking so sorry for me?!" He snapped.

"Oh, sorry! I was thinking nonsense." Kagome laughed uneasily, I was right about what she thinking about.

"Huh? What?"

"Well..."

"What is it?!" Inuyasha snapped, Kagome started cycling fast while I sat in the basket of the bike. Inuyasha was on the back of the bike and Shippo was sitting with me, "Well... What were you thinking?! Hey!" Kagome didn't answer him and just kept cycling, making me chuckle as I knew he was going to keep asking her questions. "Oh, shut your mouth!" I shook my head, listening to the two of them. "I swear if I have to hear them argue this whole trip, I will offer myself up to be eaten by a wolf." I said sarcastically, making Shippo look at me in concern.