Me Before We by Aiko-san

Me Before We

Me Before We

By: Aiko-san

Rating: T

Summary: Bloody, broken, and without his past memories, a young man falls victim to a battle near the Higurashi home. Finding him in such a state instantly creates a sense of responsibility in Kagome, as she then takes him under her wing as he finds himself. Though, she quickly realizes that there is more to it than that… a lot more.

A/N: These 10 prompts were created for January 2016 DDN. Thank you MissKatt and Sesshomarusama33 for hosting!

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Prompt 1: Trapped

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You wouldn’t know it. Not if you didn’t see what lie beyond this quaint little village. The land had been thrown into years of war, which ultimately branded all that touched beyond the horizon. There had been drought, food shortages, and famine. My parents prayed daily for their good fortune. As my parents are farmers, and our village had been lucky in the years past as many Daimyos had been viciously fighting against one another for land, and for reasons unknown left the Daimyo of the west to himself. Even though I knew what to expect leaving my village, I could help the yearning for something new and exciting. I felt trapped. Funny how at just the right moment, fate sometimes listens and offers you something unexpected.

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Prompt 2: Fear

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“Damn him,” Kagome whispered under her breath, brushing through the unruly fields.

“Sota!” she called through cupped hands. There was a sudden dip in the land near the streams edge. Her feet lost their grip, instantly causing her body to flip forward in a tumbling motion down the hill. The muck and mush from the stream soaked her kimono, clinging to her slender form. The material looked damned near ruined.

“Why me?” She whimpered, standing up and extending her arms. The mere feeling of the soggy material was enough to make her skin crawl. Taking a few steps upon the grassy shore, she glanced over her shoulder. Puddles of blood came to view. Her blue eyes widened and fear gripped her instantly. Following the trail, Kagome sucked in a slow shaky breath.

“Sota?” She whispered, feeling her heart pulsing in her chest.

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Prompt 3: Anxiety

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The blood was fresh. Her wet hair gripped her cheeks as she rushed in the direction of the bloody streams.

“Sota!” Kagome sobbed, flailing her arms as she ran through the murky waters of the stream. For a moment her eyes lifted to the horizon to see distant smoke rising up into the atmosphere.

Blinking rapidly, she met the end of the stream. Her breath came in harsh bursts, calling for her brother and looking in all directions. A form was off in the distance her heart stopped.

Running full speed in its direction she came to a halt. Her fingers spread wide, heart pounding as anxiety filled her to the brim. Her eyes fell upon the tranquil face of a young man. His black hair floated across his face. His attire was shredded. The spiked armor across his chest was the only thing intact. Who was he? Where was Sota?

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Prompt 4: Pry

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Kagome lifted her chin high in the air, breathing hard through her nostrils. Her toe dipped out, nudging him on the leg.

“Excuse me,” She whispered, glancing around her, “Sir?”

 In the distance screams could be heard, along with clashing metal. It was in the same direction as the hovering smoke. Swallowing hard, she kneeled down, making herself as small as possible. Her hands went for the sheath at his waist, but it was empty. Her brows knitted. Upon his chest, a bloody wound was apparent. Kagome’s breath hitched. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably, seeing that the bright red pigment was caked to her own hands.

“Please don’t die,” She whispered to the stranger. Shuttering and allowing a cry escape her lips; she ripped open what was left of his attire and closed her eyes tightly, not wishing to pry. The wound wasn’t as deep as she had imagined. She had to get help, and fast. He was far too pale and unresponsive.

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Prompt 5: Break

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“What where you doing that far away anyway, Kagome?” Her mother asked, glancing through the soft illumination created by the soft glow of the candle light.

“I was looking for Sota,” Kagome’s blue eyes were now downcast.

“That is how you found him?”

“Yes,” She muttered, glancing up at the man’s newly cleaned face. Her father had freshly dressed him not long before.

Silence filled the air. Her father was talking with a group of men from the village about what had happened.

“Did you know?” Kagome asked, narrowing her eyes. A purple hue upon the inside of his wrist caught her eye.

“Did I know what?” Her mother asked, wringing out a cool rag and placing it on the man’s forehead.

“Did you know there was conflict?”

Her mother didn’t say anything, telling her all she needed to know. Her hand carefully extended, taking his hand. She didn’t want to break him down any further. On the inside of his wrist was a curious symbol; a purple crescent moon.

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Prompt 6: Run

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It had been an entire two days since Kagome had found him. Her mother told her to prepare for the worst. He had yet to show even an ounce of life. It was as if he was a living corpse. His face was pale and clammy, like the rest of him, and he was still running a fever. The wound had been stitched and cauterized as he lay asleep, thank goodness for him. The smell of burning flesh still filled her nostrils.

What had he been doing all the way out in the middle of nowhere? Where was he from? He was obviously running from something, or someone.

Kagome slowly walked up toward his lifeless form. Her fingers gripped the footboard.

“Tsuki,” She muttered to herself.

As she spoke, his eyes fluttered open. Golden specked brown eyes looked upon her surprised face. ‘Tsuki’s’ lips twitched, and a croak sounded.

His cracked lips opened, “Tenshi”, was all he said.

The breath left her lungs. Her hands gripped the headboard. Why was she crying?

“Momma, Papa, he opened his eyes.” Kagome rushed from the room.

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Prompt 7: Freedom

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Kagome couldn’t fathom what he was feeling at this moment. To have experienced the feeling of a somewhat eternal darkness would have been a terrifying fate. No, there was nothing better than the freedom she had at the moment, compared to him, who was currently bed ridden.

“What is your name?” Kagome asked, placing a cool rag on his forehead. She turned, gripping the warmed bowl of broth, swooping in the tarnished spoon and began to blow on the steaming liquid. Her blue eyes shifted, glancing up to meet his questioning stare.

“I don’t know,” He whispered.

Her eyes widened slightly. That alone shook her to the core. Blinking back tears forming in her eyes, she forced a smile, “No matter, open up,” she muttered, placing the spoon to his waiting mouth. She felt immense pity for him.

His body was that of a hardened warrior. This was no life. A man of war degraded to the weakness of a newborn babe.

“What is yours, Tenshi?” He offered a soft grin.

Hesitating slightly, Kagome offered him a soft smile, “Kagome.”

“Don’t leave, Kagome,” He reached out a hand, gripping her wrist.

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Prompt 8: Wake-up

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They kept it hush, hush, but Kagome’s parents knew something about this mysterious survivor. Extra care had been placed upon him. Her parents were fearful. Upon him waking-up, her parents quickly began looking into the current battle that had caused the destruction to an entire village. The man responsible for this tragedy was the newest heir in the north, a headstrong, power hungry lord by the name of Naraku.

She heard her parents fighting…

This isn’t a man’s fight!

Trust me, I understand.

This was a message…

Kagome was confused. What did this mean? A cool breeze floated up and across the valley. The tall wild grass tickled her face. She smiled brightly, glancing in Tsuki’s direction. His eyes were closed. His palms were extended. It was as if he was willing the wind to do his bidding. A swirl of wind collected at his feet, drifting up though his black locks. Under the lustrous amounts of knee length hair, a lock of pure silver lay hidden. His golden speckled eyes opened. He turned his chin, holding out a hand, beckoning her to his side.

What is this feeling? Somehow, I can’t help but feel safe…

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Prompt 9: Unfamiliar

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He had been with the Higurashi for 3 months, recuperating from his injuries. Tsuki had been troubled many months. Most nights he would sit outside, staring up at the night sky. His once sweet and innocent nature began to slowly change. Were these glimpses to his true self?

“What is wrong?” Kagome whispered in the shadows.

“This feeling,” He whispered, “It is familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. I feel, I smell, I even see sometimes,” he shook his head, running a hand through his loose tendrils.

“What do you see?” She asked, moving slowly to his side, sitting down beside him.

“I don’t want to say,” Tsuki muttered, holding his head in his palms. She could see the muscles in his forearms tense. He was thinking about these memories.

“Just because it was in a dream, doesn’t make it true.” Kagome smiled, leaning in a curious hand and playing with a strand of hair.

Tsuki looked up through misty eyes, reaching out to grip her kimono. He pulled her in for an embrace, pressing his face tightly to her breasts.

“Don’t leave,” He muttered, soundly defeated. Kagome’s brows knitted and her heart clenched.

“Kagome, I have killed people,” He whispered.

Her lips opened to speak, but she hesitated.

He nuzzled her, “I like the way you smell.”

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Prompt 10: Recall

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It was only a matter of time before his time with my family was over. He was someone of importance; of course I had yet to figure that out until the evidence was standing at our door.

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“My lord Daimyo,” Her father kneeled, along with the rest of the Higurashi family to show our respects.

“Stand,” The silver haired youkai spoke, opening a clawed hand. His perfect lips twitched as if to grin. The group of warriors who had arrived were all youkai. She had only heard stories about those who ruled the lands with an iron fist, but never imagined this.

Kagome dared to look up. Tsuki was dressed as royalty. His hair positioned in the traditional topknot.

“Sesshomaru, we will be leaving. Say your good-byes,” The youkai Inutaisho, signaled to his men to deliver a trunk full of gold to her family for their troubles.

“I…,” Sesshomaru blinked, biting his lower lip as he approached the taller man who claimed to be the young man’s father.

The Daimyo’s golden eyes shifted, raising his thick black brow.

“I will not leave without her. I cannot,” Sesshomaru’s eyes shifted in her direction.

Inutaisho grinned, glancing over his shoulder at his men who all responded with boisterous chuckling amongst themselves at the preposterous idea of taking a human girl with them.

“She is a human, Sesshomaru.”

“So am I,” He added persistently.

“Not for long, and once we retrieve your memories and unlock your youkai, you will be horrified with yourself.” His father turned and began to walk toward his war horses, “Trust me, boy.”

“I will not leave without her. If you do not accept, I will stay.” His chest puffed.

Kagome’s fingers gripped the earth beneath her palms.

What was he doing?

“Tsuki…”                                                                                                            

Sesshomaru gestured for her to stay silent.

Inutaisho raised a brow, stalking back toward the group of humans on their knees. Hovering over the girl, he wiggled his fingers. Kagome scrambled to stand, swallowing hard. Her heart was beating like a drum in her rib cage.

“Fine, suit yourself,” He muttered, looking into her blue eyes, “But nothing good ever comes from loving a human, Sesshomaru.” Inutaisho leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Once he recalls his memories, you won’t like what you see, girl.”

“It is done then,” Sesshomaru smiled triumphantly.

Lips parted, Kagome’s brows knitted as she looked upon the face of the young man she thought she knew. Was there more to him? Silly thought, since it was clear now that his memories had been stolen, along with the rest of him, leaving him in this state.

Kagome, I have killed people…

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Fin…

This is a story idea I am currently working on. I am on chapter one of this. I have to mess with it more before I go into it. Let me know if you like it!

 

INUYASHA © Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2000
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