DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don not own Inuyasha. I just like playing with them.

Relinquished Destiny

Ch. 13

By: Lara Winner

It was the scent that captured her.

Spring was in full bloom. The air was alive with the fragrance of lavender and oleander. The blades of green grass tickled the tops of her bare feet as she closed her eyes and turned her face to the warm sunlight. Bathed in its golden rays her heart felt free, like that of a child caught in the midst of a glorious fantasy. With each deep breath her soul soared upon the simple joys of nature and it’s elaborate utopia.

Did Kikyo-sama not preach that the precarious balance of life depended on more that just wisdom and love, it also needed the surrounding world in ways beyond human comprehension. It was an overlooked truth. With the war-ravaged land slowly decaying under the ashes of death, this was such a day to attest to his teachings.

She hefted the partially filled herb basket against her hip with one hand while idly toying with the prayer beads around her neck with the other, and continued down the familiar path that led away from the village. Her private sanctuary was close. Secure in the knowledge that Kikyo-sama would not notice her absence, she tarried along without a care, stealing these few moments of simple contentment for herself. There was much to be done in the village and that was not forgotten, only ignored to enjoy the sun.

As the thick brush gave way to a small clearing, the abandoned wooden structure rising out of the ground was as much a comfort as the clear blue sky. The Bone Eaters Well. It was a morbid name and perhaps the weather-aged wood did seem out of place in the middle of the lush sea of green, but the tiny well had been the source of legend and myth for generations. Though the well had run dry years ago the rumors of strange noises in the night and the phantom demons that roamed the forest in the cover of darkness still succeeded in frightening the village children. Even in the light of day no villager dared walk this path. All except one.

In the mid-morning light or in the pitch back of midnight, it did not matter, this small piece of history was hers. It seemed her guardian spells were working quite nicely. No one would desecrate her little piece of earth. This well was a part of her, she could not explain why, only that being within it’s perimeters brought about clarity of mind that the sacred ritual meditation in the shrine could not begin to tap into. It felt as if there was power here, a connection that spanned time and space, and it left her with complete inner peace.

Setting down the basket, she assumed her usual position on the wide rim of the well, folding her legs beneath her and bringing her hands together to concentrate. Despite the reassuring buoyancy the calm serenity the beauty of the day created, the foreboding feeling that had been plaguing her of late was still very vivid in her mind and heart. The Elders called it ‘The Sight’, a gift possessed by miko’s to feel out the future, sometimes with visions and other times with simple inner urgings of varying emotions.

The persistent feeling that something was not right had been growing steadily stronger these last few weeks. It was the nameless fear that had awoken her screaming from her dreamless sleep the night before that had prompted this visit to her sacred place. Peering down into the inky depths of the well she took a deep breath, letting the wonderfully scented air calm her frayed nerves and clear her mind for the purpose at hand.

Closing her eyes, she began to softly chant. The melodic rhythm of her voice soon pulled her out of her surroundings and into the vast realm of extended consciousness where time and reason ceased to exist in favor of spiritual awareness. Suddenly, out of the dark space images formed.

Flames engulfed the shrine and their brilliance bathed the ebony sky in an orange glow. From every direction came waves of chaos and panic. Swords gleamed in the firelight as the bloodstained blades were brought down upon their next victim. The frightened screams of those trying to escape, the pitiful cries of the wounded, and the sounds of the a fierce battle raging blended into an eerie harmony of horror as death held its cryptic dance in the wake of the corpses that were disseminated over holy ground…

Kagome screamed, jerking upright in her bed as her wide, terrified eyes darted around the darkness looking for any remainders of the horrible image that played before her eyes. ‘Only a dream’ was repeated under her breath in a litany to gain her bearings once again. Cold sweat trickled down her face and her chest felt crushed under the weight of fear and confusion at what she had just dreamt.

Kicking off the sheet that was tangled about her legs, Kagome had to force herself to realize that she was in her room, in the present age and not huddled in her sleeping bag in the Sengoku Jidai. A chill went down her spine, echoing the empty feeling in her heart and she pulled the discarded sheet around her shoulder and stepped over to the window. Moonlight cast a gossamer sheen over the ledge and pooled on the floor by her feet. Raising her gaze to the world outside, Kagome found herself looking across the yard at the well house.

My dream was about the well…

Something deep inside compelled her to go there. Pulling the white cotton more securely about her, she almost questioned her sanity. Logic told there was nothing it could possibly accomplish, but none-the-less the strong urge to investigate remained. Ever since her return to the present she had hesitated to go to the well. Perhaps going would help her sort out her fears and put a new perspective on the here and now. Hope spurred her forward.

Without a backward glance she crept from her room, down the creaking stairs and out of the back door, all the while holding her breath and praying that she could successfully avoid getting caught. The fact that she had not bothered to put on shoes barely registered in her mind but the feel of the cool grass beneath her feet only kept her dream vivid in the back of her thoughts.

Kagome was certain the person in her dream was a girl. She had watched the young woman walk the very trail she herself had taken when trying to escape a certain infuriated hanyou so she could return home. But unlike simple observation, Kagome could feel the girl’s thoughts. They were crystal clear in her mind, unprovoked and genuine. She knew, without being told this girl’s emotions. The terror that had griped her was still pouring over Kagome in shattering pulses. The sadness and anger were still humming in Kagome’s blood.

When she reached the steps to the well house her pace slowed. The pounding of her heart rang sharply in her ears drowning out the song of the crickets hiding in the darkness. With a trembling hand she pushed open the wooden door, wincing as the rusty hinges gave a loud groan.

Kagome wasn’t sure what she was expecting to see in the darkness but the musty and dank scent that filled the room was like balm to an open wound. It mirrored the dream, the feeling of peace and calm that even the darkness could not vanquish. And on it’s heels there was also the anticipation, just as she used to feel when she would prepare to leave for the past, yet it also brought up a longing to return to that fairy tale life once more.

Sitting on the first step that led down the small embankment, Kagome’s eyes grew accustomed to the dark. She smiled sadly as the well and the wooden cover became visible from the moonlight spilling in through the open door. A reminiscent piece of her soul wanted to open the well’s cover and peer into the inky depths that was her precious gateway to the past not so long ago. Yet she didn’t move knowing that it would only be another rude awakening to this life, in this age. This time around it would bring as much heartache as it would comfort.

On the heels of that realization the dream came rushing back making a worried frown cross Kagome’s face. She was confused. What was the dream about? Having decided the person in her mind was female only left more questions to be answered. She had not seen the young woman’s face and yet Kagome knew instinctively when the girl closed her eyes and she even knew the many herbs that were gathered in the basket. If the person had turned around she would have been wearing a necklace made of prayer beads and Kagome knew with certainty that their purpose was to subdue miko powers dangerously uncontrolled.

How she knew such intimate information she did not know. Instead she tried to recall what was plain to see. The time had obviously been in the past for she recognized the priestess style of dress to be exactly what Kaede and Kikyo had worn. And the girl had thought of Kikyo, not with fear or in agitation, but with humbling respect and admiration. Did that mean in her dream Kikyo was still alive? If so then what had become of Inuyasha? Kaimi had said he used the jewel to become human. Was she now supposed to see the life they created for themselves?

Despite the sharp stab of pain that went right through her heart another disturbing thought came to light. The nightmarish images at the end of the dream were vivid and seemed so real that fear, unlike anything she had ever experienced before, had woken her in pure panic. What was she to make of them? Was it premonition of what could have been or was the massacre part of the past that she had created?

Upon relinquishing her life with Inuyasha and the others Kagome created a new future in the process. However that also went both ways. Onigumo did not become Naraku. Kikyo was not murdered nor was she led to believe it was by Inuyasha’s hand. Inuyasha carried out his desires to become human and the Shikon no Tama was destroyed. But fifty years had passed between then and when she had arrived in the Feudal Era. Within that time span the entire destiny of the village was changed. Now Kagome was left to wonder if it was for better or for worse.

Was the village destroyed? If so then what became of Kaede, Kikyo and Inuyasha?

Lowering her head in her hands, Kagome dragged in a deep breath against the sick feeling in her stomach. Her head was throbbing in rhythm with each beat of her heart. Frustration brought tears to her eyes. What if she had made a grave mistake? She had put all of her trust in Kaimi and she had taken a leap of faith that she would set everything right once again. But what if the outcome she created was far worse than the one that existed?

Despite her confusion, Kagome understood what Inasho’s presence in the future meant. Inuyasha had indeed become human and as a human he had died. The hot tears that filled her eyes began to spill over one at a time. A sad smile crossed her lips. She had excepted this bit of information already. Now that she was thinking of Inasho she found that it wasn’t so hard to draw in a breath. The memory of his grin form earlier that evening filled her mind and her heart swelled with affection.

But Kagome’s small smile almost faltered because in all honesty she wasn’t sure she could call the emotion love. She couldn’t deny that what she did feel was strong and when he was nice, which didn’t seem to be a usual thing, she was fascinated by his personality. It was strange how her feelings for both Inuyasha and Inasho were different and at the same time very similar. But had she really been in love with Inuyasha? He was her hero and her best friend but even adding attraction to the equation did not equal love, did it?

If it wasn’t love, her mind whispered, then how do you explain your broken heart? Inuyasha chose Kikyo and it crushed you. Inasho is choosing Yuka and it hurts just the same. You might want to deny it but you can’t because you know you love them both.

Okay, so maybe she did love them both. Her smile turned to a grimace as she tucked the frightening dream into the back thoughts for later contemplation and focused on the new problem at hand. She had made her choice and Inuyasha’s happiness had come first. This meant it was time to move forward. And since it seemed pretty obvious that she was falling hard for Inasho it was up to her to either sit back and let Yuka take center stage or put up a fight and get what she wanted this time around.

Kagome knew she could no longer live in the past but that didn’t mean she couldn’t learn from it. The entire triangle between Kikyo, Inuyasha and herself had taught her a great deal about emotions and how they could save you or destroy you. Maybe if she had tried harder and laid her emotions on line for Inuyasha to see it would have made a difference. But she hadn’t. However she would be damned before she made the same mistake twice.

Accepting the self appointed mission, Kagome’s smile returned. Laughing softly, she shook her head at the nervous feeling in her stomach. She would make Yuka understand and she would put a stop to her friend’s silly games before Inasho ended up getting hurt. And once they were in the clear, Kagome was going to try something she’d never done before.

It couldn’t be that hard to flirt….

Right?

****

The dread of confronting Yuka had plagued Kagome all weekend. Several times she had found herself picking up the phone, ready to dial Yuka’s familiar number only to put the phone back in it’s place and nibble on her bottom lip nervously. Confronting Yuka was never a pleasant thing and when boys were the topic of discussion it was suicide. Kagome had tried to psyche herself up and even went as far as to give herself a forced pep-talk in the mirror before leaving for school Monday morning. Through out the entire day she had delayed pulling Yuka aside but the "little chat" could not be helped, and as the bell sounded hailing the end of her final class, her anxiety increased to the point of near panic.

Standing just beside the main exit, Kagome watched her fellow students file out into the schoolyard scanning the tick crowd for Yuka. The mental urgings prompting her to relax were not having their desired effect. As her nervousness manifested it’s self into anger Kagome let out a frustrated sigh. If she was to be completely honest with herself she wasn’t even sure why she was bothering. Inasho was nothing more than a selfish, stupid, ignorant pig-headed, hot tempered, male!

As much as she hated to admit it, Kagome was still fuming over that morning’s events. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting after Thursday’s enjoyable evening but when Inasho began the day by snapping and growling at her for no apparent reason she had lost her temper in return. After countless jibes being thrown back and forth, each one more spiteful than the last, she found herself storming from the classroom swearing she would never talk to the baka again.

So why am I about to start world war III with one of my best friends over HIM?

She found the question tumbling across her mind for the hundredth time and the answer remained the same. If Inasho wanted to pretend he was so unapproachable that was fine, however she wasn’t buying it for one minute. Any defense Inasho could build she would find a way to knock down juts to prove she could. If he wanted to play games then so be it, but that still didn’t solve her problem with Yuka, and upon spotting the brunette Kagome muttered a curse that would make a sailor blush.

Handling pompous hanyou’s wasn’t the only thing she had learned from Inuyasha, although cussing probably wasn’t the best personality trait she should emulate. Ignoring the glances cast her way from the people standing close enough to hear her soft exclamation, Kagome called out to Yuka and steeled herself for what was to come.

Yuka nodded a greeting as Kagome fell in step beside her. Her glossy lips were pursed in a pout and her manicured nails were impatiently drumming the textbook she carried in her arms as she cast quick glances about the yard. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she sighed, "Inasho said he’d meet me by the double doors and of course he’s nowhere around, imagine that."

Swallowing hard at her annoyed tone, Kagome foundered for something to say and after a moment managed to reply, "I’m sure he’s around here somewhere."

"Hmph!" Yuka grunted. With out an elaboration forthcoming, both girls walked in silence for another moment before Yuka cast a side-glance at Kagome and mused, "If it wasn’t for Aki I wouldn’t even stay for the game. There’s better things Inasho and I could do. What on earth possessed her to play basketball this year? I do not understand her."

At the mention of Inasho, accompanied by the disturbing mental picture that flared to life in Kagome’s mind, all concentration faltered and the rest of Yuka’s prattle to fell on deaf ears. Kagome was not the least interested in what Yuka wanted, especially when fighting the urge to clobber the girl over the head with her book bag. Violence was not something Kagome encouraged but the need to vent the jealousy that was seething inside her was nearly overwhelming.

Biting her lip, counting to ten, then taking a calming breath, Kagome was finally able to unclench her jaw and begin the conversation that was long over due. Folding her arms across her chest defensively, she decided the best way to broach the subject was to be blunt. So to gain the element of surprise she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Is it really necessary to play with Inasho like you’ve done with everyone else?"

The stiffening of Yuka’s frame was almost imperceptible but Kagome caught the involuntary action and nearly gulped. While they both continued walking, neither pausing in stride, Kagome kept her eyes glued to the ground, afraid to raise them any higher. She didn’t need to see Yuka’s expression to confirm her friend’s anger; it was clear as day in her voice.

"Excuse me?"

"Yuka," Kagome admonished with the appearance of perfect calm, "You know what I’m talking about so don’t play dumb with me."

The dry, bitter chuckle that followed Kagome’s demand carried a hint of spite as Yuka wasted no time jumping right to the point. "For your information Inasho is pursuing me and what my plans are for him are none of your concern, so do us both a favor and mind your own business."

"No I won’t!" Kagome hissed back, "I don’t think what you’re doing is fair at all."

Yuka sneered, "I don’t remember asking for your opinion!" walking faster in her growing agitation.

"Well you’re going to get my opinion and a whole lot more if you don’t stop it right now! Inasho is a really neat guy and I’m not going to let you make a fool of him just because you think it’s amusing. You’re not gonna hurt him!"

Kagome’s fists were clenched tight and her face was flushed from the adrenaline rush going through her body. It felt good to finally be able to say what was on her mind and in her heart instead of holding it back and hoping it would eventually go away. However, Yuka’s smug grin told her that she wasn’t exactly making progress. Resisting the urge to growl and stamp her foot in frustration, Kagome instead grabbed hold Yuka’s arm and forced her to stop.

Looking the taller girl straight in the eye, Kagome warned, "You really should think twice about this because I’m not joking. I’m not going to let you mess with his head."

Yuka was shrewd and having known Kagome since they were children it was no surprise when she pinpointed Kagome’s true motive. "You like Inasho. It’s so obvious now that I think about it. But what about Houjou? You string him along and let him follow you around like a pathetic puppy. That’s just as bad as beating boys at their own game if you ask me."

The speculation only made Kagome angrier. "That’s not the same and you know it. I’m not leading Houjou on or anything. I haven’t even been on a date with him. What you do hurts peoples feelings. I’m not going to stand by and let it happen again."

"Really?" Yuka sighed, "And how are you going to stop me? Are you going to tell Inasho that I’m a really mean bitch and I’m only going to dump him as soon as he admits he’s crazy about me? I don’t think that’s going to work because he’s not going to believe you. And do you want to know why he’s not going to believe you?" her grin turned cruel, "…because he thinks you’re a mental case and a total looser!"

When Kagome could only stare in dumbfounded confusion Yuka giggled, "Yeah, that’s right… he doesn’t like you at all. So, I don’t know why you’re all concerned about him, I mean, it seems to me like you’re wasting your time."

"He told you that?" Kagome asked, surprised her voice didn’t waver since she felt as if she would burst into tears at any second. Even worse, she suddenly felt every sick.

"Sure did. I wasn’t going to tell you but since you decided to jump my case and everything I guess it doesn’t make a difference now, does it?" Yuka asked sweetly.

"No it doesn’t." Kagome agreed softly. "Regardless of what he thinks of me it’s still not right to use someone like that. That’s really selfish of you."

This time Yuka laughed outright. "Oh that’s rich! Now you’re gonna act like a saint and pretend that the fact that he can’t stand you doesn’t bother you. You know something, you’re jealous. That’s what this is about. It kills you that I get all the boys, and that I’m prettier and that I’m smarter than you are. You just want to make me look like the bad guy."

Kagome blinked her eyes rapidly, biting her lip to the point of drawing blood so she wouldn’t cry. Swallowing at the tennis ball that felt lodged in her throat, she winced, "I thought as a friend I was supposed to be honest with you. I guess I’m only a friend to you as long as I look the other way and let you get away with whatever you want. That’s not real friendship Yuka. One day you’re going to realize that you only get back what you put out and at the rate you’re going now, you’ll never have any real friends and you’ll never have somebody to love. You’ll always be alone ‘cuz nobody’s going to put up with your shit!"

Despite the hollow feeling in Kagome’s chest, a small part of her felt justified when Yuka’s grin faltered a fraction and for a split second she seemed unsure. It prompted her to try one last time. "Don’t do this Yuka, please."

A moment of silence passed and neither girl spoke. Instead they analyzed the situation, each weighing the effects of continuing this any further. Finally Yuka looked away, her eyes scanning everywhere but Kagome’s face. Anger was still present in her tone but it also held a note of defeat as she said, "It seems that our opinions are quite different and I really don’t want to argue about this anymore. If you think Inasho is so great then go for it. Knock yourself out. But I’m not going to back down either. If he chooses me then the game is on and if he chooses you then he’s all yours."

Kagome knew this was the best she was going to get. For Yuka to make a minimal effort was a good sign. Despite everything Yuka had said and how much it had stung, she really didn’t want to loose their friendship over a boy. Then again, she wasn’t going to let Yuka win this time either.

Holding out her hand in a semi-peace offering, Kagome felt more determined than ever to see this through to the end. It was a risky gamble and it was very possible that everything Yuka said was true and Inasho really didn’t like her, but a voice coming from deep inside was screaming that she put up a fight and give it her best shot. Nobody else knew just how the deep the connection between her and Inasho ran, not even Inasho himself. All she could do was try.

"Do we have a deal?" she asked softly.

Yuka nodded and took Kagome’s hand giving it a hard shake. "We’ve got a deal. Good luck because you’re going to need it."

Thought it wasn’t the most promising words, Kagome had the feeling that she was going to need all the luck she could get.

Tbc…  

A.N.- My Computer is officially fixed! *Does the hula* Yeah! I’m sooooo happy! Now I can catch up on all the writing I’ve missed out on. Again, I am sorry for the long wait for this chapter. And I think its crap. It did not go at all like I mentally planned it and now I’m not sure if I’ve confused everybody too much or not. If you are confused, basically Kagome had a dream and the dream is of a girl that lived in Kaede’a village, only it’s mentioned that Kikyo is alive so- epp! O_O That’s all I’m saying for now. Everything will come together in due time. I’m so EVIL… hehehehehe!

*Hugs* Thanks for taking the time to read! Luv ya guys!!