The sun was shining brightly through the canopy; Maya groaned and turned over in her bundle
Ello, muffins! I want to eat you! RAWR! laughs I'm kidding...well, sort of. Anywho's, I've really done a lot of revising with this story, and a lot of character's that are ADORED by you and other Inuyasha fans probably won't show up. Like, Sesshoumaru won't be present in this story. GASP I know…and I've put A LOT of imagery and crap like that in here too; I'm experimenting with it. I hope it turns out okay…Oh, and of course, I've added my own character. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!
STORY TIME
Chapter One: Memories
The sun was shining brightly through the canopy; Maya groaned and turned over in her bundle. She opened her eyes cautiously, slowly letting them adjust to the newborn morning. It was white all around; it had snowed in the clearing, and everything was sparkling like crystal. She gazed around in wonder, completely caught in awe. A small laugh escaped from her blue lips, and she lept up in childish excitement. She clambered around, stomping on the supple piles, and diving into the cotton-like ice.
She played for what seemed like hours, until she'd been soaked through. A chilly blast of fresh winter wind pricked at her skin, and she shivered. She smiled a ginger smile, and hugged herself.
The sounds of morning paraded around her, in what sounded like an opera; the birds sang in their sweet, soprano and the warming snow fell with a drumming time. The water bubbled hurriedly as it slid down the uneven stream bed, and then collected in the perfectly round pool. The steam rose like smoke over the lukewarm beauty, reflecting morning time rainbows over the diamond clear water.
Maya slid out of her soppy clothes, and laid them, with unnecessary care, over a bare branch. Her frozen flesh welcomed the warm water with ecstatic thrill, and she sank into the water until it barely skimmed over the bridge of her nose. She listened to the thrumming of the hectic water, suddenly reminded of the spring time chorus of the bees. She smiled, glad of the new come winter that held away the warm season; spring was her least favorite season. She hated the sudden changes in the weather, and the flood of recently melted snow.
She began to let her mind wander unsupervised, and a memory, old as mother Gaia herself, aroused itself from the dusty archives of her psyche. It was a memory of her childhood, of her first and truest love. She lowered her eyes to the water, and let herself pick meticulously through the faded remembrance.
FLASH BACK
It was cold, and she'd cuddled up next to Miroku, her only friend and the only scholar at the monk's shrine. They were sitting outside the small building, while she watched the birds soar over head, and he sipped idly at some tea. She glanced down from her most recent interest, and began to scrutinize the young man's features: the way his jet black hair caught the sunlight, how his eyes sparkled with mysterious interest at things she couldn't think of, and how his thin lips would turn out when he smiled, revealing his gleaming white teeth. "Miru-chan," Maya asked shyly, in awe at the young monk's beauty, "Do you love me?" He turned to face her, glowing with triumph over the beautiful creature that clung to his arm. He chuckled a deep, throaty way, and sighed; his eyes met her soundlessly, and he smiled at her tentatively. "As much as I possibly can love you, Maya." He replied; his eyes honest; though, he wasn't certain if loving a demon was possible.
He cocked his head slightly and gazed at her with prying eyes; he wanted to understand what made her so special. She was beautiful in every sense of the word, what with her bittersweet brown hair, and luminous green eyes; and her kindness was like a vast sea, never ending and always flowing with dignity.
She lowered her gaze from his loving observation, and felt her cheeks warm as the blood rushed to them. "Will you love me forever?" she asked, again her voice was soft and guarded.
"I'll love you for much longer than that." He answered truthfully, nodding.
"Will you promise me that?"
"I promise, Maya."
She gazed into his eyes for a few heartbeats, and then turned away, smiling. "Good." She chirped smugly, returning to her lighthearted behavior. Miroku chuckled, suddenly confused again. "Why's that good?" he asked, reaching to scratch behind her large, downy cat ears; he smiled to himself in amusement when she mewed pleasantly. She beamed at him; and took his hand in hers. "Because that means I'll always be happy, and that I won't have to kill anyone." She responded, raising his hand to brush her cheek against it, "As long as I know you're mine…" She raised her eyes to meet his, "I'll have all the bliss in the world."
He smirked at her, and bent toward her, resting his forehead against hers. "As will I, my love." He whispered; his voice was like airy velvet, smooth and blissful. She wrapped her arms around him suddenly, and pulled his lips to hers.
END OF FLASHBACK
A sudden bolt of resentment flared through Maya, burning like liquid ice to her veins; she struck the innocent water in spite. Tears fell like heavy boulders from her eyes, blazing at them maliciously. "Why am I crying now?" she demanded from herself, angry and emotional. She received no answer, and she sighed in ease; she would have been more concerned if an answer had come. "I'm fine; he doesn't deserve me anyway." She assured herself, mentally spitting at the picture of her young aficionado, "I'd probably kill him if I saw him anyway."
"Miroku, wake up." Shippo's voice invaded his dream; he opened his eyes to the big, prying eyes of the young kitsune, "You were talking in your sleep again. Who's 'Maya?'" Miroku felt all the blood rush to his cheeks and he glanced around tensely, hoping that the others hadn't noticed; no one was even in the room, except for himself and the curious kitsune. He looked back at the child; his eyes were too wise. He sat up, straightening himself into his proud posture. "Maya was a female friend of mine when I was younger." He explained, keeping his eyes hidden. Shippo continued to stare at him; there was a powerful light of curiosity in his eyes, and it made Miroku feel naked. Then, suddenly, the kitsune's face rearranged into a smugly disgusted grimace. "How many women do you have relations too exactly?" he inquired inquisitively, crossing his arms over his tiny chest. Miroku smiled haughtily and patted the young boy's head in a demeaning manner. "You'll never know." He said in a pompous voice, standing up to stretch.
Shippo rolled his eyes, and ran his hands through his hair, trying to repair the damage caused by Miroku's attempt at nonchalant ness. "Which translates into, 'how the hell should I know? I don't keep track of the few women I actually seduce!'." He said mockingly, grinning at the grimace he'd produced from the monk. Miroku craned his neck slowly, gazing at the kitsune with a wild look. "How about we make it so you'll never make another of you?" he growled hazardously.
Shippo screamed at the top of his lungs, in sheer horror, as Miroku dove at him. He scrambled for the door, crashing through the paper screen into Inuyasha's knees. The half-demon yowled in protest and kicked him away just as Miroku came stampeding out of the hut hurdling into him. Inuyasha roared in rage, grabbing hold of the anger-blinded monk, and hurling him to the ground furiously. "Damn, monk!" he snarled, clenching his fists to his side in a small attempt of regaining control.
Kagome and Sango broke into a tumult of laughter, rolling on their backs in absolute delight. Shippo managed to rush behind them before Miroku spotted him. "What's so funny?!" Inuyasha glowered, baring his teeth at them in a visible grimace. Sango managed to stifle her laughter momentarily, and tried to shush Kagome, who'd lost herself in the bubbly mirth. "It's just…just…hah!" Sango tried to explain, breaking into another fit. Their continuous laughing managed to calm Miroku, and he'd begun laughing himself; only Inuyasha remained sulking after the noise had died down. He sat across from them, silently fuming.
After the excitement died down, they started to gather their things. It'd been a month since Kagome had last been home, so the party was going to the Bone-Eater's well, against Inuyasha's loud and angry protests. "I still don't get why you have to go." He grumbled to Kagome, who was clinging to his back as he ran along the forest line, "It's not like you need company, you've got me and the others; and we've got plenty of supplies." She rolled her eyes and coughed a sarcastic laugh. "It's not any of that, Inuyasha. I need to catch up on my school work, and I'm positive that Mom and Grandpa are missing me." She said in a firm voice, "Besides, I'm even beginning to miss Sota." He snorted at the longing in her voice. "Why do you even care?!" she asked, her tone harsh.
"I need you to locate jewel shards, duh!" he snapped.
"Well, I need a break from you!"
He huffed out angrily and stopped, dropping her off his shoulders. "Then get a head start!" he barked, taking off into the trees. Kagome pushed herself up angrily, brushing the dirt off of her skirt. "Get back here, you asshole!" she screamed after him, stomping her foot. Kirara appeared above her, with Miroku, Sango, and Shippo hugging her back. "What happened, Kagome?" Sango asked, glancing toward the direction of Inuyasha's departure. Kagome just shrugged, and stomped off toward the well; to her luck, Inuyasha had left her in familiar turf. "I'll be back in a few days," she said, swinging herself over the well's mouth, "Or never." She dropped down, leaving the other three confused and in dismay.
"What do you think they were fighting over?" Sango asked, looking at Miroku; his eyes were fogged over with thought. Shippo climbed onto the edge of the well, and peered down into the blackness. "Inuyasha doesn't like it when Kagome leaves him." He said thoughtfully, glancing back at the two adults. Sango smiled a romantic smile, and rolled her eyes. "That makes sense…stubborn demon." She murmured, climbing back onto Kirara's back, "Come, Kirara, let's go." Shippo waved after them as she and the neko-manta took flight.
Miroku hummed to himself, and moved to a quite, soft area of the clearing. "Inuyasha will be here soon; let's wait for him." He offered, sitting under the shade of an aged tree, "How long do you think he'll be?" Shippo shrugged, and sat beside him. "He'll probably show up in a few minutes." He declared; nodding toward a rustling in the tree leaves.
Maya growled viscously at the remains of her latest victim. He stared endlessly, in fear, at the sky, dismantled. She kicked a portion of his leg to the side as she started toward the village ahead. "Another scourge gone," she sighed bitterly, brushing at the blood staining her kimono, smearing it worse, "and a whole horde to go." The smell of fresh urine and fluids clung to the insides of her nose, and she pictured the innocent victim of her kill; she could see the young girl's scream, and she felt a surge of sorrow. She collapsed to her knees, and gaped at the night-shadowed ground in horror: that man had raped that girl…and she couldn't stop him. She knew what terrors that girl would live with, and she almost wanted to go and put her out of misery. Guilt bound her legs to the ground, and she slumped over, landing face down in a heap of sobs.
"Damn, damn, damn…" she cried quietly to herself, "No freaking control! Damn you, Miroku!" She struck the ground with her fist, creating a perfect crater around her hand. She lept to her feet immediately, and flew towards the village. A fire was burning in the distance, and it looked like they were serving up food; her stomach started growling with hunger, and she felt it nip at her abdomen. She slowed to a brisk walk, and approached the group carefully.
There were four of them: a half demon male, a female dressed in a pink kimono, a very young kitsune, and a monk. Maya froze in an instant, feeling her heart begin racing in her chest. Miroku…? She thought to herself, recognizing the monk with immediate happiness. She felt all of her caged emotions flood again, and couldn't help but smile. She had a powerful urge to tackle him, like she would've if they were teenagers again, but she remembered her heartbreak, and snarled a little too loud.
The half demon stood, his white hair flying with the sudden movements, and glared in her direction. "Demon!" he roared, alarming the others. Maya felt her heart shatter with fear as the woman's kimono fell, revealing the too-well known armor of demon slayers. "Damn!" she hissed, turning to the trees, but she fought against her instincts to run; and she stayed still, staring down the line she stood on, dividing her from danger and safety. She glanced toward the approaching half-demon. "I mean no danger." She said, using her sweetest voice, "I'm only looking for a good meal." The half demon snarled incoherent words at her, and unsheathed the biggest katana she'd ever seen; it stretched far beyond the length of normal weapons. She felt her stomach collapse inside her. "Yeah, I bet I know what you want for dinner." The half demon accused angrily, standing in an offensive posture.
Maya felt uneasy as the other two adults came to stand by his side; her eyes flickered nervously to the hunter, and she held out her hands, turning them palms up. "I'm not that kind of demon." She swore, her eyes returning to those of her attacker's. He scoffed, and stepped forward, raising the katana above his head with ease that sent shivers down her spine, "Yeah right; you reek of fresh blood!" He swung mightily, and Maya lept back, barely dodging the attacks. He swung again, just as she landed, and she felt the singing pain of the blade slicing through her arm. She screamed in agony, and stumbled back; her claws sprang out of their sheaths, and she snarled at her nuisance. He laughed at her, and lifted the katana again. "You might wanna give up now, Cat." He sneered, baring his fangs at her in an arrogant grin, "Maybe I'll let you live, if you leave now."
Anger pierced through Maya's composure and she rushed at him, leaping into the air as he swung the blade to defend himself, and managed to knock him back with a kick in the chest. "Don't be cocky, Dog," she growled, moving to dodge another lunge, "I don't give up that easily." There was a disturbance in the air, and she leaned back just as a huge boomerang soared past her, taking with it a lock of her hair. She gasped, and glanced at the demon hunter; her heart pounded in her chest. She moved again, leaping back, mistakenly toward the monk, who struck her in the chest with his staff. Winded, she staggered back, rasping for air. "Miro-k" she coughed, and felt her body tense just as she saw the glare of the blade. Pain jolted up and down her arm, and she screamed, opening her eyes to stare in horrified glory; her body had reacted on its own, and she'd managed to grasp the blade just before it struck.
Shock emanated throughout the clearing, ad it became to quiet. Maya took advantage of the stillness, and kicked her leg into the half-demon's stomach, sending him and his weapon back. She turned on her heel, and wheeled toward the sanctity of the trees; not daring to glance back. She could smell her own blood as it dripped behind her, leaving and obvious trail. A pang of fear echoed throughout her mind, and she flinched at the thought of pursuit. She didn't want to kill them, not even the mutt that had attacked her. She stumbled and fell to the ground; she listened fearfully for sounds of chase, holding her breath.
Miroku stared after the demon as she fled from them; there was something familiar in her graceful lopes, and he thought he heard her shout his name. Inuyasha was standing up straight, nose in the air, and smiling a cocky smile. "I hope she comes back and snaps your arm in half." Shippo muttered unreceptively, rolling his eyes at his haughtiness. Miroku chuckled at the remark, and nodded aside to him. Sango buckled her boomerang around her back, and went to Kirara's side, running her fingers through the neko-manta's fur; she let out a low growl, and coughed a quite bark of concern. "I'm fine, Kirara." Sango told her, smiling.
The victory sent a wave of security through the group as they settled down to sleep. Miroku's mind was alive with confusion and he tossed about in his blankets, trying to get comfortable. He stared at the ceiling, with the image of the haggard and terrified face of the neko. Her green eyes reminded him of a distant memory and he couldn't quite grasp onto it. He kept seeing familiar images when he closed his eyes, and he could almost hear a jingle like laugh. He turned on his side and stared at the small opening below the door shade; the grass was sweeping against the bamboo shade, creating a rattlesnake sound. Maybe if I… He pushed himself onto his feet, and walked slowly outside.
The night was decadent with the black trees running against the purple sky, swaying to and fro like unnoticed shadows dancing through the cold winter twilight. Miroku pulled his hair back against his scalp, tying it behind his ears. He looked back, watching for signs of any of his companions. When he was sure, he took off into the trees, keeping his hands tight around his weapon. The forest was unusually silent, and he could almost immediately pinpoint the sounds of rapid breaths, and hisses.
He slowed his pace, and glanced around an old, mangled tree. He saw the beautiful, pained face of the neko; she had an angry grimace on her face. She was wrapping her hand in a dark colored cloth. A flood of emotion rushed through him, from his ears to his feet, and he felt a pit sink into his stomach. He finally remembered who she reminded him of: Maya. He gasped unintentionally, and regretted it as soon as the breath escaped form his lips: he was pinned against a tree now, with black claws shallowly piercing his throat. The neko growled wildly, glaring with agonized loathing. "Come back to finish me off, monk?!" she demanded in a low, crazed voice, "I'll kill you before you even breathe again." Her grip tightened around his throat and he gasped, choking against the pressure. He lowered his eyes to her, pleading. "Ma-ya…your pro-mise!" he forced out in a rasp; he clenched his eyes shut against the pain.
He waited for his death, mentally scolding himself for his loss in self control and his stupidity of going after an injured demon; but, no liberation came for a long time. He opened his eyes, and looked his attacker in the eyes, seeing a pained disgruntled look of confusion. Her eyes glinted in the splintered moonlight, and he saw how they slowly began to light up. "Miroku…?" she whispered, hesitant of him; she slacked her grip on his throat, and she frowned, revealing some pained emotion foreign to him, "Is…is it you?" He nodded into her hands, and she dropped him; staring in complete shock and skepticism. He feared the powerful confusion in her eyes, like she was turning a hard decision in her mind.
The light he'd seen had faded, turning into murky smog over her eyes. "Y-you remember me?" she stuttered, shaking her head in small awkward motions. He nodded, stepping forward slightly. "How could I forget the love of my life?" he asked, feeling a sharp pain at her doubt; he stepped forward, holding up his arms to show submission. "B-but you left me…and in the field you…y-you hit me." She retorted, stepping back in response to his closeness; tears started streaming down her cheeks.
"I came back for you, Maya." He argued, passion milking his voice, "And I didn't know it was you back there--don't!"
She turned to run, but he caught her arm and pulled her to his chest. "Lemme go!" she pleaded, pulling feebly for her freedom. He shook his head, grasping her harder. "You'll have to kill me before I let you go again!" he growled, breathing her scent in deeply, refreshing his long guarded memory, "But you won't. You promised me you wouldn't." He was shaken at the impulsive revival of his old sentiment; his heart was racing in his chest, threatening to burst out in a bloody rage. She'd completely frozen in his arms. Not moving. Not breathing. "Maya!" he shouted, pushing her out to arms length to look her over; she stared blankly at him, with tears still treading down her cheeks, free of their long entrapment.
She faltered to the side, and stumbled back, landing against the side of the tree. Miroku watched in altered horror as she slumped to the ground, unconscious. He felt a spasm of alarm at the sight of blood trickling from her brow; it looked like a crimson bolt of lighting. He quickly scooped her up, holding her tightly against his chest, and dodged into the trees, toward the village.
"Hell no!" Inuyasha bellowed at the frantic monk; he had been woken up by the scent of demon blood in the village, and seen the horrid sight of Miroku running towards him, with a demon in his arms. He had to fight the twitch in his arm that told him to stab straight through the monk and his demon. "Inuyasha, this isn't just a demon!" Miroku pleaded, trying to get around him to Kaede; he huffed loudly when the dog stepped in between him and help, and looked him dead in the eyes, "She's my lost love! From back when I lived in the monastery." Inuyasha barked a rough laugh at the meager attempt at appeasing him. "Yeah, and I'm a rats ass." He snapped back, his voice hard with hostility.
Miroku glared at him, suddenly feeling more angry than worried. He rammed his shoulder into Inuyasha's chest, surprisingly strong and winding the half-demon. "Get out of my way!" He snarled at the gasping dog. Inuyasha stared at him in shock, caught off guard by the passion in Miroku's eyes, and watched as the monk raced toward the priestess' hut.