Inuyasha does not belong to me, yet this story does. ^_^ I hope that you all are enjoying this one, it is rather fun to play with and I’m pulling it off! Mou, what writer’s block, though.

Summer’s End

Chapter Four

By: Lazuli

lazulidreamer@yahoo.com

               Kagome turned over in bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily. “Ugh… at least the night is finally over.” She muttered. When was the last time that she had fallen asleep on her human night, felt safe enough to not be half awake, alert for danger? Since Inuyasha…her Inuyasha, her mate had taken her in his arms.

               “Kagome?” As if her thoughts conjured him, the Inuyasha she knew now poked his head in the door, smiling brightly at her. “Good morning.” He was dressed for the day. “Breakfast is downstairs if you want anything. I have to head out for the day, but you can do what you want.”

               Staring at him in confusion she brushed the hair out of her eyes, sensitive noses catching the smell of fresh baked bread, miso soup and rice. “What?” She asked intelligently. He was acting so strange this morning.

               “You have the place to yourself.” He bit his lip. “I’m sure that you want to be by yourself, think about things without a constant reminder of all these strange future people.” His grin was back, and he tweaked her ears.

               She frowned. “You can’t go out by yourself. You might get hurt. Like those stupid boys at the school you went to.” She sat up, brushing off her outfit. “I’ll come with you.”

               Inuyasha shook his head, but looked surprised. “I need to do some shopping. It’s a surprise.” His eyes were filled with suppressed emotion, and she tilted her head.

               “You’re not worried that I’ll tell someone, are you?” She asked, confused. “Or are you embarrassed to have me out in public with you?”  Her voice was slightly bitter and she winced at the ungrateful tone she had. Some habits die hard…its not so unusual for a human to not want to be with a hanyou.

Inuyasha shook his head vigorously. “No, not that at all! I would love to have you come out with me sometime—we really should do that—but this is a gift for you. I can’t have you knowing what it is before I give it to you.” He looked a little nervous.

                Eyes widening in surprise, she stepped up to him. “Why do you want to do a thing like that for?” She questioned. “I don’t need anything from you—or from anybody.” She said quickly. She didn’t want it to seem like she was singling him out, although in a way she was.

               “Kagome…” Inuyasha wrinkled his nose at her. “You’re getting a gift. Don’t worry about it, okay?” He grinned at her. “Now, c’mon let’s eat before I leave.”

               “I still say you’re trying to get rid of me.” She muttered under her breath, but followed him down the stairs anyways.

**

               Inuyasha waited impatiently for the saleswoman to finish with the other customer, tapping his foot. He had been here first, but she treated him like he was invisible. Did she think he was some dumb kid, wanting to play around? He was serious about getting something for Kagome. This place might not be the best though. Sighing softly he walked out of the store, hands in pockets as he contemplated his next move.

               Walking around the city, his eyes searched for something that Kagome would like. He wasn’t sure of her likes and dislikes. It was only recently that she starting warming up, and he didn’t want to make a fatal mistake by buying the wrong thing. She didn’t seem like the type to want flowers… and that didn’t convey the meaning of friendship—perfume would make her sick. His eyes spotted a small corner shop, and he hurried over to it, hoping that it wouldn’t be a tourist shop. Bells jingling as he pushed open the door, his eyes widened at the items crammed into the small space.

               “May I help you?” An older woman stepped into view when she saw Inuyasha, then her face tightened slightly. “I don’t want any horseplay in here. If you are going to created a nuisance then I want you to leave now.”

               Inuyasha’s mouth tightened. “Do you treat all your customers so rudely?” He muttered. He ignored her and looked at the small charms hanging from a display rack. They look old and beautifully fashioned. There was a circular pendant hanging, a crescent moon engraved into it. He blinked and picked it up carefully. There was a kanji inscribed on it that he couldn’t decipher.

               He held it up to the woman. “What does this say?” He inquired politely. The piece of jewelry throbbed in his arms, and he was reluctant to let her handle it. She squinted at it. “That’s an old letter…hmm, let me think.” Her manner had become more relaxed, and she smiled at Inuyasha.

               “It means a phrase… see this is actually several kanji combined…”Soul rest safely.” She smiled and handed it back to him. “Do you want this?” She asked. He nodded and she went over to the register.

               “That’s a real antique. It’s about four hundred years old…maybe more.” She smiled at him. “That will be 7000 yen.” Inuyasha winced inwardly but paid her the money, pocketing the precious necklace and thanking her.

               “I sure hope she likes this…” Inuyasha muttered, noticing the ‘no returns or refunds’ sign above the door.

**

               Kagome’s ears twitched when she heard Inuyasha coming up, and she bounded down the stairs. “Where have you been? I thought something happened to you.” Her eyes were concerned, but since he looked perfectly healthy and a little amused at her concern, she backed off.

               Grinning he tweaked her nose and handed her a small package. “I don’t know what you’ll think of it… but I thought it reminded me of you, and well…” Inuyasha blushed.

               Kagome held the necklace in her hands carefully, then peered closer at it. She felt her heart stop, and she stared at Inuyasha then down at the necklace in her hands again. “My gods…” Her eyes closed in pain, and she shook her head. “It can’t be…”

               Inuyasha was starting to look a little worried. “Kagome…did I do something wrong?” He asked softly. “If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back…” Or keep it in my room. Gah…maybe she should have come along.

               “How did you know?” She lifted her tear filled eyes up to him. “How did you find it, how did you know…HOW?” She shouted.

               Blinking in surprise he backed away from her. “I’m sorry…what are you… Kagome?” His eyes were confused and he touched her shoulder gently.

               “This pendant…where did you get it?” She asked, her voice shaking as she stared down at the innocent piece of jewelry.

               “At an antique shop. The woman said it was…” Inuyasha’s face paled. “Oh, don’t tell me… that’s impossible!” He exclaimed.
               She bit her lip. “This was what Inuyasha gave to me before it was lost.” Her voice trembled. “Oh gods…” The tears overflowed and ran down her face. Her hands clenched around the pendant and Inuyasha had to rescue it before it was crushed.

               “Don’t think of it that way.” He said softly. “Please…it was a simple gift.” His eyes were sad. “I seem to be doing the wrong things.” Turning away, he handed her back the pendant. “I’m taking a nap, I’ll come down later, Kagome.”

               Kagome stared at him, hurt slightly at his cold attitude, but she realized that she hurt him. Nodding, she went back to the living room, holding the pendant carefully this time.

**

Flashback

               Inuyasha smiled at the girl before him, his whole stance nervous. “I know you don’t like jewelry…that it gets in the way of fighting and everything..” He started, voice trailing off. “But I thought you might like this.”

               She took the small pendant carefully, eyes confused. “What’s it say?” She asked, pointing at the letters. Her father had taught her basic letters when she was younger, but died before her lessons could expand into anything advanced.

               “Soul rest safely.” He smiled tentatively. “It is a good luck charm in a way.” He bit his lip nervously. “And that you have somewhere to come if you ever need it.”

He laid a quick, daring kiss on her cheek before darting away.

End Flashback

               Inuyasha rubbed his eyes, trying to clear them. “What was that all about?” He muttered. “I’m starting to think weird things now…”

               Shaking his head, he stared out the window, seeing Kagome perched up in the branches of the Goshinboku.  “Kagome? What are you doing up there?”

               “Thinking.” She said shortly, and turned away from him. He saw that she was wearing the pendant, and he sighed softly.

               “I’m sorry.” He called out. “You know I didn’t mean anything…I didn’t know.”

               She turned back to him, her expression considering. “Are you certain it didn’t react to you in any way?” She asked, fingering the stone.

               Inuyasha blinked in surprise. “Now that you mention it…” He related the his story to Kagome who nodded her head as if she expected it, but didn’t say anything past that.

               “Kagome…” Inuyasha paused, trying to find a way to say what he was thinking. “I’m not him. I may look like him or act like him in some ways…but I can’t be him.” He gazed at her sadly. “I’m more sorry than you know that I am not him, because it hurts you everyday to look at me, to see me.”

               Kagome stared open mouthed at him, her eyes narrowing in anger. “You self centered, uncaring moronic male.” She snorted. “You think so highly of yourself that you think that I saw you as him?” She jumped in his window easily, shoving out at him.

               Inuyasha glared back at her. “I was trying to spare your feelings.” He muttered. “I don’t understand what’s going on, why all this weird stuff keeps on happening, but I want to make sure you know I’m me, not someone from the past.”

               “I know that.” She hissed. “Inuyasha was never so cold or unfeeling.” A sob caught in her throat as the pain caught her again. “I want to be with him, not you!” She shoved him again, not even bothering to turn around when she heard a distinct ‘crack.’ She leapt easily out the window, running as far and as fast as she could from the shrine.

**

               Inuyasha stared dazedly at the dog eared girl, blinking in surprise at the rough shove she gave him. “What did I do to you?” He asked indignantly.

               Her amber eyes narrowed at him. “Move, human. You’re in my way. I don’t want to be with you.” She pushed out at him again, and this time he had the sense to move before she could hurt him.

               Her glare was angry as she stared back at him. “Remember to stay out of my way.” She leapt into the trees, gracefully darting away.

**

               Inuyasha blinked the real world coming back to him as he looked up at the familiar face of his grandfather. “What…?” He questioned. His right arm was throbbing, and Hiro looked concerned.

               “I found you unconscious in your room. Your arm was badly broken.” He said quietly. “Do you remember what happened?”

               Inuyasha nodded. “I made Kagome a little angry…” He sighed. “And I’m a klutz. I didn’t move away quick enough and tripped…I hit my arm on the desk.”

               Hiro winced. “Have you seen Kagome?” He asked. “She was not at the shrine.”

               Sighing, Inuyasha looked a little sad. “She ran off after she shoved me…I hurt her quite a lot, I think. I assumed too much.”

               “What did you say to her?” Hiro demanded. Inuyasha blushed and related the night’s events. When he was finished, his grandfather shook his head. “You say too much, too soon.” He muttered.

               Inuyasha glared. “And what’s that supposed to mean? I didn’t want her more hurt.” He pouted.

               Hiro again shook his head. “There are things that you do not know. Once you know them, then you can talk to her in that manner. Understand the full situation first.”

               Inuyasha nodded his head sleepily. The pain killers that the hospital had given him were wearing on him again, and his eyes started to drift shut.

               “Pleasant dreams.” He heard his grandfather’s voice before completely falling asleep.

**

               Kagome sat on the rooftop of the hospital, the breeze blowing her silvery hair back. She could hear Inuyasha and Hiro-san talking, and her shoulders drooped as the conversation penetrated her. Especially Inuyasha’s words. He was just trying to help her…it wasn’t fair to him that she was treating him like her old Inuyasha. But too many things… so many things… A tear trickled down her face, and she swung herself into his room easily. She needed to talk to him.

               He was currently asleep in bed, black hair spread across the pillow, his arm in a cast and held above him. She winced as she saw her handiwork.

               She sat by his beside, legs curled underneath her as she examined his sleeping face. He looked so relaxed. A hand delicately reached out to trace his features as she had before, and he sighed under her touch, face leaning into it. She drew back in surprise, then leaned forward again.

               “You are a different person, but the same. As much as *you* don’t want to admit it, I swear there has to be something your family is keeping from you.”

               Inuyasha muttered something incomprehensible even to her sensitive ears and she sighed. “I’ll find out…” She pulled her hand away and left by way of the window again, waiting for when Inuyasha would be home again. They would talk there.

**

Inuyasha looked up at Hiro with watery, pain-filled eyes. Hiro patted the sweat off his face with a damp washcloth. “You’re a tough young man.” He said quietly. Inuyasha managed a weak grin.

               “With a girl like Kagome, you have to be tough.” He coughed weakly, and shook his head. “Listen…I have …well, it’s a type of promise…”

               Hiro looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “I already said I would take care of Kagome if she ever comes here.” He began, but stopped when Inuyasha shook his head weakly.

               “No…its not that. I know you.. will…” His words were labored as he tried to breath without hurting his lungs too badly. “It’s a promise I’m making…” His eyes cleared for a moment as he spoke.

               "I'm going to come back for her... she won't understand... hell, I won't understand... but I promise..." He grinned weakly. “It’d probably freak me and her out, but I love her too much to let her go. She said our souls were joined…”

               He suddenly lost the brief strength he gained for his speech, and his eyes closed weakly again. “Explain it to me…” He whispered.

Hiro nodded and left the boy to sleep out the remainder of his life, pain free.

**