Conundrum by Luna C.

Strange Signs

A/N: I used elements from the legend for this prompt since it's too early for any type of romance. I hope y'all enjoy! :)

Valentine’s Day Countdown Challenge

Prompt: Night of Sevens

Word Count: 575

-Strange Signs-

Inuyasha sighed, his ear drooping when the thoughts of what transpired weeks ago hypnotized his mind with guilt. He shouldn’t have left her by herself, alone defending the rear end of the group, vulnerable. Continuously, the members of his pack reminded him that it wasn’t his fault; no one had a clue of the recent scheme of Naraku. It affected everybody, but he felt he was solely responsible for the disappearance of Kagome. He honestly thought Kagome followed them out when Naraku released his miasma, but when he counted everyone there, she wasn’t with the group, causing them to grieve in their own way.

He can’t accept that Kagome could possibly be dead, even though all evidence pointed towards that fact. The cherished, but hideous yellow bag that carried their supplies laid disintegrated while the black sole of a modernized shoe was what remained of Kagome. He could sense she was somewhere out there, still alive and fighting a distance away, after all, they have been traveling together for almost a year now. Kagome was a difficult person to kill, her vitality shining in the best or worst possible moments.

He hasn’t even traveled to the future to inform her mother of the misgivings, too guilt-ridden and ashamed that the wellbeing of the only person that ever truly accepted him was in question. Was he an awful person to avoid a situation like that? To know that someone trusted him with the constitution of a beloved daughter, despite the imminent dangers they face each day, had the knowledge that when in danger, someone was there to always protect her, to always guard her until her trips to the future came each week. His ears drooped some more at that thought, a tiny wince emitting through his cracked lips.

Was he that terrible to avert from the group, sleeping near the Goshinboku or the oxen herd, to avoid the discouraged expressions of his companions? He couldn’t cope with this feeling of loss—even with the death of his mother—his method of enduring a significant blow to his emotional walls was escaping from the scene, to elude the comforts of others to center himself. It was a coward’s move, but his stability crumbled immediately.

How long has it been since they last searched the countryside for Kagome? Seven days? It was despicable that they lost faith so early, but the hope of finding her lessened with each futile attempt. This angered Shippou, and it caused the little kit to venture outside the protection of the village to look for her. Many times he returned, bawling out heavy tears and murmurs while his tail was clutched in Inuyasha’s loose grasp. His behavior disheartened the group even further.  

Three magpies approached his perch, singing a tune. The vibrant, embellished feathers on the wild creatures as they danced around one another would have been less irritating if the situation wasn’t this intense or grave.

He growled towards them, not feeling the animated chatters of the colorful birds. They continued relentlessly, hopping forward, moving steadily closer to the depressed half-demon.

“Damn birds.” His shoulders sagged, and taking that gesture as an invitation, the small woodland creatures fluttered forward, settling down on his bent knees. They were communicative, twittering to each other and made perplexing indications towards him.

The behavior of the birds reminded him strangely of Kagome.

And with a determined gaze onward, it reestablished his hope of finding her.       

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