Mar 25, 2008 22:45
Week: 5
Title: I am not alone.
Author: Imanewme
Genre: Drabble
Universe: Cannon
Rating: G
Pairing: None
Warnings: None
Quote: "We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs more." - Madame Swetchime
I am alone in this world.
I need no one.
No one needs me.
These were the things that Inuyasha had told himself for years. Yet, looking down from the tree to the camp fire below, he wondered if these beliefs were really a part of him anymore.
Silently he counted off the members of his pack:
Kagome is always getting into trouble.
Shippo is a rambunctious kit who tries his last nerve.
Sango has a jealous streak.
Miroku is a hopeless pervert.
Inuyasha watched as Sango stirred in her sleep. Was she having the dreams again? He knew she cried when she thought no one was looking. Holding his breath briefly, he let it out when Kagome, also asleep, touched the slayers' arm, calming her back to her slumber. Shippo cuddled closer to Kagome's neck, and Miroku, who had been sleeping with his back to the other three, turned in his sleep to face the girls and kit. Seeing that all was well, Inuyasha slowly let out his breath and looked to the clear night sky.
He is their leader. He is their protector. He must not fail.
Inuyasha knew that was not the entire truth. He counted off the members of his pack again:
Kagome conquers her trials without losing her optimism with a fierce love and loyalty.
Shippo fights bravely in the face of danger and never shows sorrow for the family he lost so early in his life.
Sango holds on to hope that she will save her brother, Kohaku, even though the odds are clearly stacked against him.
Miroku uses his greatest weakness, his cursed hand, as his strongest weapon in the face of self-obliteration.
Although he may never say it, Inuyasha knew the truth. His beliefs were forever changed, and all because he had the love of a pack and a goal to fulfill.
I am not alone in this world.
I need my friends.
My friends need me.
And Inuyasha felt all the stronger for it. His ears twitched as the first noises of dawn drifted up into the tree. Silently dropping down to the group below, Inuyasha put another log on the waning fire. After all, spring mornings are quite cold.
*march 2008,
author: imanewme