I do not own Inuyasha (if I did I'd be rich) or the song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
This is Kagome's POV to my fic a Turning Page. Lyrics for the song will be italicized.
"A Thousand Years"
I stepped onto the path that ran the grounds of my families’ shrine broom in hand. My days had become quite uneventful compared to the life I had lived a mere 3 years ago. To me it seemed as if it had been a thousand years ago that I traveled the landscape of ancient Japan hunting down the pieces of a mystical jewel with a group of ragtag comrades. My life read like a fiction novel and no one would believe that I had traveled time with half demons, demons, monks, and warriors but that had been my lot in life. Most teens my age had nothing to worry about but school and boys, not me I had fought for my life and for the lives of those I loved. What did I have to show for it now? Nothing but battle scars both mental and physical, grades so appalling I had barely passed high school, and a lonely empty heart?
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
As I began my task of clearing the pathway of wayward cherry blossoms my mind drifted to my time in the past. I had learned so much in those days both lessons of life and love. Inuyasha my half demon had been my first real crush and the first man to teach me of heart ache. While his actions hurt I grew from them and his disregard made me realize the importance of respect and honor. I still loved him but eventually it formed into the love of a sibling more so than that of a partner. My time in the past made me brave and strong, I grew from a silly teen to a woman worthy of respect.
The most surprising events of my time in the pas was the men who taught me my worth, well not men really the demons who made me what I am. The first was a child I claimed as my own, my kit, my Shippo. When things seemed their darkest he gave me the strength to carry on. A child’s needs surpassed my thoughts of self loathing. He was my guiding light in the dark and my reason to be strong. Despite my young age I loved him like a mother and in turn he loved me unconditionally as any child loves. The second demon to shape my character was surprisingly the cold lord Sesshomaru who was Inuyasha’s elder half brother.
Necessity formed a truce between our two groups, or as he called them packs. Naraku was a plague to all and old resentments were placed aside for the greater good of all. While Inuyasha was not happy with our merger with his brothers group I stood my ground. Their petty resentments towards each other where nothing compared to the devastation and death that Naraku brought. I think back now and I believe I was prepared to forfeit my soul to be rid of that monster.
My days were truly eventful my kit and Sesshomaru’s human child Rin brightened our difficult task with their antics and love. Their innocence pushed us on when things seemed their worst they were the future and the reason to carry on and finish with our quest. In time I found myself with not only a son but I regarded Rin as my daughter as well. I also had to constantly deal with the constant bickering of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha at time they were more childish than the children themselves.
And so we carried on with hunting demons to find jewel shards moving ever closer to the inevitable final conflict. All the while a friendship began to grow between the great demon lord and myself. It started small he seemed baffled that I a human of holy powers would claim a demon child as my own. I could feel his eyes constantly on me studying my every move. I remember well the surprise in his eyes when he discovered that I was educated, we would spend most nights in deep discussion after Inuyasha had left to chase after the dead woman Kikyo who held part of my soul. We were both student and teacher I talked about science and math, showed him little things from the future. Sesshomaru in turn taught me about demons and the importance of pack. As a surrogate mother of a young demon it was important to me to learn all I could about my son’s culture.
I don’t know when it happened but friendship grew into affection and eventually for myself love. I was petrified I was so afraid to fall; my experiences with Inuyasha left me doubting myself. There was also the problem of our different backgrounds I was a human he a demon lord, so I kept my thoughts and feelings to myself. I lived for our talks. I was content with the innocent touches and glances we shared. Our peace was interrupted by the fast approaching final battle that we all knew was upon us with every jewel shard we collected. Each passing day the fear grew in my heart, I knew that no matter the final outcome things would not end in a happily ever after.
[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One evening Kikyo came to our pack with the news that Naraku had all the pieces of the jewel except for those in our possession. The end was finally upon us and each of our pack sought out the members closest to them. While the children slept I felt the urge to be alone with my thoughts. I carefully untangled myself from my sleeping charges confident that the others would protect them in my absence. I walked a short ways to the nearby hot spring and sat on a rock to gaze up at the stars contemplating the difficult task to come. I felt Sesshomaru's aura long before he appeared in front of me.
“What troubles you Miko that you would leave the safety and protection of the pack” he questioned me.
I looked up to his strong form standing in front of me and sighed. “I'm afraid that no matter what happens were in for trouble soon.”
understanding flashed in his amber eyes as he sat next to me. Absently I reached out and held his hand
“Even if we win and by some miracle I don't die I think fate wont allow me to remain in this time. What reason will I have to be here once my task is accomplished? Other than my own selfish desires ” I said looking down and our interlocked fingers.
He made a scoffing sound “ As if you would perish foolish Miko while under this ones care.” I smiled at his overconfidence and glanced back up to his face. “Sesshomaru may I ask a favour of you?”
“What is it that you seek” he stated with no hit of surprise evident on his face. I took a deep breath in preparation for my request.
“ Promise me that if something happens to me..if for some reason I can no longer stay or if I die you will look after Shippo.” I tightened my grip on his hand. “ I know it's a lot to ask but I can't trust Inuyasha to care for him properly, he can barely look after himself, with you I know he will grow up strong and honorable.”
For the briefest of moments I thought I saw softness enter his eyes and then his mask was back in place. He squeezes my hand in return “ I promise Miko rest assured I will not allow the half breed to warp the kit should you no longer be able to guide his progress.” I still don't know if it was the possibility of impending death or temporary insanity but I threw caution to the wind and claimed the demon lords lips.
The kiss was brief but it was like nothing I have ever experienced before. It was as if time had stopped and all the universe was there just for us, and then I came to my senses. I smiled shyly as I felt my face burn red in the fast approaching morning light and then ran quickly back to the safety of the camp.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I had no time to dwell on my thought and actions for as I made it back to camp the final battle was so quickly upon us, as the sun rose that day Naraku attacked with all his forces. We battled throughout the day one step forward two steps back as the sun was beginning to set I looked around the battle field to my combat weary comrades. Miroku was badly injured having lost an eye, the make shift bandage around the wound was seeping blood down his face. Sango was scarred and I could see she was losing stamina fast. Naraku had ripped the shard from her brother right before her eyes damaging further her fragile heart. Kikyo had been laid to rest in a valiant final act of protecting Inuyasha from death; my soul was once more whole but not at ease.
My barrier stood strong still around the children with Sesshomaru standing proud and strong before them. I knew the time had come for me to be brave and end this nonsense. At the moment I rallied my courage Inuyasha charged forward tired as I was of this game of cat and mouse. I let my love for those around me grow and radiate while Naraku was distracted with Inuyasha I charged forward thrusting all my holy power at the scum who had plagued the world for far too long.
Light flashed so brightly that I was blinded and then when I could see again Naraku was dead at my feet. I picked up the unfinished jewel and fused my shards with it making it whole once more. My heart ached at what I had to now do I knew deep down that fate would take me away from those I loved. As much as I wanted to stay here with my new found family, I knew sacrifices had to be made. I brought the jewel to my lips and wished for the souls within to be at peace offering my life in place of theirs, and once again was bathed in light.
For whatever reason my life was spared and the jewel was gone but as I had feared would happen I felt the tug on my soul calling me back to my own time. My body was slowly beginning to fad, and I quickly went about saying my goodbyes. I wished Miroku and Sango a long and happy life filled with children. Inuyasha I made me promise to live and love again not to dwell with mistakes of the past. I held my precious son and daughter tightly and apologized endlessly for living them once more alone.
After my children where released from my embrace Sesshomaru was suddenly standing in front of me. He took one step closer and I cupped his cheek, my voice shook as I tried to hold back the tears “I hold you to our bargain” I whispered knowing that he would not break his word. He nodded as he leaned forward to my ear “Our story is not done yet Miko, I will find you to finish what we have started.” I heard him say and then suddenly I was gone ripped away through the fabric of time. I found myself alone heartbroken, battle scared at the bottom of that cursed well. Only then did I break giving up the pretense of being brave, I gave in and cried.
[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Where was Sesshomaru it felt as if I had waited a thousand years for him to find me in my time? I had returned 3 years ago battle scared and heart weary. I picked up the broken pieces of my completed soul and finished my schooling a year ago. I waited and searched everyday waiting for him to fulfill his promise to find me. Perhaps 500 years was too long for such a powerful man to wait on the hint of the promise of things to come.
My musings were interrupted by a voice calling “Miko” I stopped my sweeping and glanced up to see a man standing a few steps away from me at the top of the shrine stairs. He was a handsome Japanese man short haired and dressed in an impressive business suit.
“may I help you” I answered politely it had been so long since someone referred to my Miko status, usually I was addressed as miss or sometimes priestess by those who believed in the power and history of the temple.
“You may indeed Miko we have a story that must be finished” the man replied with a smirk.
The broom fell from my hands and I whispered the name that held so much meaning for me while tears filled my eyes. The businessman before me gave me the barest of smiles. My hands clutched the heart that felt as thought it would break free from my chest.
“Indeed Miko it is this Sesshomaru”
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I took one step closer then one step more closing the distance between us hand raising from my heart to copy the movement from years ago I cupped his cheek. My eyes searched the face of the man before me searching for the warrior of my past. His appearance was everything of a typical yet handsome Japanese man except for those startling amber eyes. Those eyes quickly glanced around us and then I felt his aura sizzle across my skin and suddenly there he was my strong silver haired warrior markings and all right in front of me.
[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
My shoulders relaxed at the sight before me and my heart soared he had found me no matter how long it had taken he had found me. While it felt as if I had loved him for a thousand years I would have waited a thousand more to be with him. I smiled up at him through my tears and grinning answered
“took you long enough it feels like I have died everyday waiting for you.”
A pained expression crossed his face and before I knew it I was wrapped in his arms with those elegant and talented lips crushed upon my own. The emptiness in my heart and soul overfilled with joy. I was finally in the arms of the one I had the privilege of belonging to. As we broke apart I looked up at the man who was mine “I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more” I whispered to him then suddenly felt my face burn with embarrassment I hid into his chest trying to get as close to him as humanly possible afraid that he may disappear as I had once so long ago.
I felt his chest rumble as he laughed at my dramatic response. “Miko it has only been 500 years I however will forgive your error and hold you to your promise for the next thousand years and far more” He replied to me all the while raising my face up to his so he claim my lips again. Oh how I looked forward to the next thousand years.