Disclaimer: I own nada and make nada. The ownership of Inuyasha and crew all below to Rumiko and company.
Author's Rant: Here's the winning story with the most votes and I hope you'll all enjoy the tale. I know I said I'd wait until Monday but I couldn't resist giving you guys a sneak peek. The idea was inspired by another story called Indigo Spice by Butterly furs^_^. Although the plots may be a tiny bit similar the concept will be far far far different.
Warnings: MxM Yaoi. AU. Slight OOC. High levels of cruelty and suffering. THERE IS NO ANIME CHARACTER BASHING. I don't believe in such a thing so if a certain character seems a LITTLE off, remember this is set in an AU world. Thank you ^_^.
Summary: Due to the signing of a federal law, all demons and hanyous alike were to be turned in upon sight and immediately destroyed. Because of the world's misunderstanding involving demons and half-breeds, one particular teenage hanyou is forced to keep his true identity a secret, never to be known by anyone. One day after school as he's walking home, he's suddenly approached by a handsome man that seems to know more about him than he should.
Chapter 1: The Tingled Spark
During the dark times of hellish war and hate filled battles, lives of both demons and humans alike were murdered or tortured until both races were nearly wiped out. However as the future progressed further on, the advancement of human industrial technology soon won out over the magical forces of demonic energy. Eventually the balance of power had changed tremendously as humans took over, fully demanding their presence be the true dominating species that it was. From there on out because of the human's increased desires for demon bloodshed and fear of a possible rebellion, a federal law had been signed in a spare lapse of ignorance by narrow minded politicians.
All demons both full and half-blood were hereby considered far too dangerous to walk the same streets as mortals. Therefore it was passed that whoever should see or hear of a demon residing somewhere was to report the cause and said creature was to be immediately terminated on sight.
And lastly . . .
Mercy would not be shown to those who offered any form of aid toward these vicious monsters and if you were caught doing so…you would meet the same fate as the beast.
Beep. Beep.
Damn.
Beep. Beep.
What the hell was that?
Beep. Beep.
"Fuck…" A long arm peeled from under the cozy worn sheets of a mothball infested bed, where a certain dark haired teen slept. The hand stumbled and touched around searching for the snooze button to cease the annoying chime.
Was this it? The hand touched over something round and firm…
No dice. That's not it. The blaring beeping flared on and on with its tiresome shriek until its owner could release it of its morning ritual.
Beep. Beep.
"Dammit." Where the hell was that bloody button? He could've sworn he placed the little bugger next to his bed last night.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Alright, alright you win. Got'dammit!" The covers flung back over the bedridden fuzz of ebony hued locks toss and messed over, as one amethyst trained eye glared evilly at the still honking machine. With more force than necessary, Inuyasha slammed his fist against the irritating sound and upon hearing the sickening crunch, instantly regretted his rash actions.
"Great." That was the fourth clock this week. How was he going to save up any money if he kept spending what little money he did earn on paying for these cheap ass alarms?
Inuyasha signed a morning release of air and stretched his long arms listening to the nicks and snaps of his bones from sleeping on the lumpy aged bed he was sure had outlived a few lives. The sun's rays poured through the windows, beaming wide set spotlights on his dusty floor signaling the start of another challenging day.
God he hated school. No scratch that, he hated waking up early at the crack of dawn just to go to school. I mean come on, whose bright idea was it to have school so damn early anyway?
Screeches of car honks and blasting vibrations of early risers trembled his sizable worn down, one bed room apartment. Guess he wasn't the only one rising with the sun. Oh well no sense in delaying the obvious duty of school attendance right? Inuyasha yawned, kicking back the thin sheets and stood up reaching his hands up toward the ceiling for another good stretch and shook off the weariness in his body, as he slowly trended on toward the restroom.
Seeing as he did delay some of his time by busting his clock into extinction, the dark haired teen moved with a sense of urgency in the tiny fitted bathroom, as he washed his face of the crusty build up and wrinkle sheet indents on his face. His dull pointed teeth were brushed until they shun a shiny white. The hardest part of each morning, was brushing out the tangles and knots created from the tosses and turns he did from exhaustion.
He wasn't much to care on his appearance really but hell someone had to do it. No one else was gonna.
Finished with his basic hygiene's routines Inuyasha went over toward the dresser and pulled out a pair of dark blue jeans and a bright red t-shirt with the words H.O.P.E written on the back. Black shoes were matched up with the outfit and finished up with a red and blue pattered baseball cap he used for reasons he'd rather not talk about.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Right he forgot about the other alarm clock. That was letting him know he had about fifteen minutes left before the first bell rung for tardy students. He still had time for a quick bite though. Snatching up his backpack, the dark haired human hurried over to his half empty fridge and grabbed the first thing in sight.
A juicy red apple.
Not much but it'd have to do.
Kicking the door slowed with the back of his heel, Inuyasha shoved the apple in his apple all the while trying to swing his backpack over his shoulders. Time was of the essence now as he hoped to make it to school on time.
As he hurried off toward the door, he gasped quickly made a U-turn forgetting to say good bye to the one thing in the world he had left. The human boy moved toward a quiet corner of his home where in the best he could manage, was a small handmade shrine of one of the most beautiful creatures in the entire world. A beautiful woman from whom he'd inherited his appealing features from.
Both shared the same identical rounded eyes of purest heliotrope violet but hers being more towards the deeper shade of lilac. Long waves of onyx coursed over her delicate shoulders of crystal pale skin as she smiled down at the tiny bundle wrapped snug in her arms.
Inuyasha clapped his hands in a respectful stance as he greeted quietly, "Mornin' mom. Sorry I almost rushed out without saying bye first. I'm running a little behind time so I was in a hurry."
The picture's silent smile was enough to help him on each and every hard day that came along.
"Um I forgot to tell ya, don't expect me in until later tonight. Mr. Toki's got me working late again. But hey somebody's gotta put food on the table right?"
Regardless of the lack of response just her beaming image alone was fine.
"Well, I gotta head out, but don't worry. I'll be back in before it gets too late ok? See ya!"
With a final wave farewell, the young lad set off toward his school. Filled with preppy humans, stuck up teachers, weird friends and a place he'd have to be known as someone he really wasn't.
A fake.
"Kagome! Did you remember to comb your hair and brush your teeth?"
"Yes mom!"
"Did you make sure to shower and grab your personal items? You don't want to have another accident!"
Oh god, she blushed. "Yes Mother!" How embarrassing.
"Ok have a nice day at school dear!"
"Sure, sure." Grumbled the seventeen year old ebony haired girl. Why oh why did anyone invent school in the first place. I mean really school? Why even go when all you ever did was get in trouble for forgetting to do your homework assignments and gossip? She was so sick of the same everyday nonsense dealing with those retarded boys who cat called her at the beginning of each class period.
Kagome finished brushing her long hair into a high top ponytail with a pink and yellow ribbon tying the top. She snugged her hips into a pair of ripped faded jeans and slipped a pink and yellow tank top over her head; matching the entire assembles with some yellow flip flops. At this rate she was going to be late for sure. Glancing at the clock she shrieked at the hour and minute hands' evil pointers and hurried down the stairs running past her brother and grandfather with a quick wave and was out the door.
Oh man she was going to be so late.
Standing at the school's entry point was a young couple sharing a light hearted argument between each other. Well if you wanna call the girl slapping her boyfriend hard enough to render someone unconscious, light hearted.
"But my love I couldn't resist. It was so round, plump, and deliciously enticing." Miroku explained in the form of his newest reasons for why he couldn't help groping his girl's bottom.
A warm blush caressed over Sango's cheeks as Miroku's hand gingerly eased over to rub along the side of her skirt clad hip. "Oh honestly Miroku. You can be such a pervert."
"Hmm only a pervert for you my sweetness." He teased nuzzling the side of her neck.
She giggled. "You're such a flirt."
"The biggest flirt for the most beautiful girl in school." Miroku blew a raspberry on her cheek earning a soft tap on his chest and more amused giggles.
"Could you two get anymore cozy in front of the school?"
The teen couple groaned at the firm annoyance of their other friend who arrived a little early as well. Kikyo flung her heavily long raven hair over her shoulders, dressed in a skimpy short red skirt, exposing her creamy white legs and white button down blouse open enough at the neck view to give a perfect view of her natural assets.
Oh…my…God. Miroku's eyes became a flash projector of each exposed asset from the slender tone of that neck to the lovely rounded hips and stretched out legs that went on for days. Surely this woman's development was a wonderful gift from the great Buddha himself.
"Ahem," Sango coughed, elbowing her star struck boyfriend in the ribs. Miroku gave instantly retreated from his Kikyo wonderland to give Sango an apologetic smile and kiss, which she shrugged off.
"Has he made it yet?" Kikyo asked of the person she all knew of.
Sango jabbed another sharp blow to her boyfriend's ribs. "No he hasn't made it yet. He might run a little late again."
Not again. That'll be the third time this week if he made it late. There first period teacher wasn't exactly well known for his tolerance for late students.
Just then, another friend appeared ascending from the bottom of the steps, panting after a mad dash from her home. "Hey guys sorry I'm late. I forgot to set my alarm again." Said Kagome, rubbing the back of head sheepishly. The young girl cast a look over toward her older cousin taking in her scandalous attire. "Hey Kikyo, nice skirt." She teased.
Kikyo not thinking much of it struck a sexy pose. "I know. I'm hopping it'll catch a certain someone's attention." She winked.
Miroku muffled a coughed laugh. "When hell *cough, cough* freezes over *cough, cough.*
"Miroku…" Sango snickered already knowing the same thing she was thinking.
Kagome would've joined in with the cackling but she didn't find it so amusing how her cousin considered her best friend as a piece of meat to add to her never ending list of men. He was more than just someone you used for pleasure. He had a nice heart and always managed to help others even though he was down on his luck as well. Sometimes she just wished Kikyo would find some other fool to fault her lovely equipment on, instead of bothering him. Lord knows there are plenty of other flunkies willing to do her bidding.
Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong.
The foursome glanced up at the school's overhead clock, noting the time.
"We'd better hurry on inside guys. Classes start in ten minutes." Sango urged already walking inside with Miroku.
Kikyo and Kagome hesitated delayed a bit longer, both waiting for that long head of hair to come flying in their direction with a permanent scowl printed of his face. After three minutes of waiting, the two girls sighed and began to walk inside.
Damn he was running extra late. Shouldn't have stopped for that sausage biscuit at the corner but there was no way in hell an apple was going to cure his appetite. Inuyasha darted around each corner, clutching his book bag strap in one hand and shoving his mini meal in his mouth. The final bell had just rung right when he rushed inside of his first period class room, plopping in the closet seat available.
Then the bell stopped. Whew safe, he thought as he fanned his arms out the way a ref would at a baseball game.
"I see you managed to make it on the skin of your teeth once again Mr. Inuyasha." Snorted the pompous Mr. Hondo.
"Yea, yea but I'm here."
"Hm, try to get here faster next time."
"Sure, sure, sure….crusty old bat."
The undercover insult brought front a few covered laughs and wheezed chuckles from his surrounding friends.
The teacher ignored the obvious blasphemy on his part, deciding it probably best he let the boy slip. The man had to give the junior credit for showing up for school at all. Most teens his age would've taken the opportunity of living alone as a destructive advantage to living a crazed life of drugs, sex and other dangerous nonsense. But not Inuyasha. Even if he narrowly made it to school he made sure to be there. Hn, the smart mouth brat could easily set a good example for these other students. Mr. Hondo flipped off the lights and pulled out his projector ready to discuss today's lesson.
Miroku tapped the raven haired teen on his shoulder. "Hey glad you could make it. I hate being left on my own with all these women."
"Why? I thought that was any man's dream come true." Inuyasha mentioned half teasing half serious.
"Yes but not when they're all looking so gorgeous." Miroku mocked a pitied sigh. "It's all one man can take all alone. I needed some assured back up in case the loveliness was too much for me to handle."
"Yea right."
Suddenly another tap touched his shoulder, this time from a softer hand. Inuyasha bit down on his bottom lip to hold in the aggravated groan. " 'Sup Kikyo?"
"Hi," She purred quietly, not to be overheard. "What do you have planned later today? My parents are going to be out of town this weekend. Do you want to come over and hang out?"
As if. "Sorry. Gotta work."
"Again? Don't you get tired working in that shabby place?"
Don't cuss. Don't cuss. Don't cuss. "That shabby place is the only thing keeping food on my plate." And he'd rather be at that shabby place than to listen to her talk about her hair makeup, money, and past boyfriends. There was only so much of a woman's mouth a man could take.
"Can't you skip one day just to hang out? I'm sure your boss won't mind if you play hooky." Her hand seductively eased down the front of his shirt.
Did she ever give up? Inuyasha patiently removed the creeping hand and returned it to his owner. "Sorry. It's not up for debate."
Kikyo sat back, deflated from yet from another rejection from her love interest. Every chance she took at trying to seduce the handsome student, he calmly let her down at every turn. She one was of the most popular girls in school, yet her status hardly interested him. It was almost like living in some twilight zone.
Kagome giggled beside her friend giving him a 'ah ha' elbow which he returned just as eagerly. Now here was a girl he could get along with. Besides Sango, Kagome was the only other girl he allowed to be close to 'em because she showed no interests in getting past friendship. Companionship was something he adored having, especially when it didn't come with all the unwanted extra work it required to keep it.
Kikyo caught the little reciprocal action with her slanted eyes. Apparently if she wasn't interested in the younger boy, her goodie too shoes cousin was.
Hmm maybe she needed to kick up her pace a bit.
The warm afternoon's rays of light glared down on the whipping flaps of pearly silver hair. The cooling yet stingy breeze teased at the calm man's flesh as he drove down the winding road in his slick 2007 Jaguar XKR platinum Convertible, approaching what appeared to be a large indication of inhabitants.
Not much different than the last place he resided in previously but it was a good enough change for him. Times were becoming more complicated to handle these days. The last city he left had met with some unfortunate issues, thus resulting in his current state of looking for a new place to call home.
With some merciful luck, perhaps he'll be able to find some much needed peace after countless years of living in the shadows. Living the lonely life as a nomad survivor could prove tiring for anyone. All he wanted was to find a place where he could call home without all the constant hassle of being found…
Was that so much to ask?
"Finally!" Inuyasha wasted no time in packing his books in his bag and scurried out of the crowded classroom towards freedom. Any longer in that gloomy space and he'd become that depressed donkey off that kid's show. Almost there. Just a little further. Nearly homebound—
"Inuyasha wait up!"
Damn. Inuyasha came to a screeching halt near the light post which he always marked as his getaway point. If he ever could get past this light pole he knew he was Scott free of that annoying woman, coming from behind.
Kikyo quickly caught up to the foot tapping ebony head and smiled her most charming smile. "Inuyasha did you forget?"
Inuyasha lifted a dark eyebrow. "Forget what?"
Kikyo giggled as if he'd told a funny joke. "You silly fool. Remember you said you would skip work today to go out with me."
Both eyebrows rose to his hairline. Inuyasha blinked and reached up to dig one of his fingers into his ear to unclog it of whatever was preventing him to hear this chick's mouth. He pulled back his finger and frowned. Nope nothing in there. So he wasn't going crazy then. "I don't remember saying that."
"Of course you don't." Kikyo cupped the side of his face, rubbing her thumb over his rosy cheek. "Men always forget saying things. It's in their nature."
Inuyasha shrugged off the unwanted touch, taking a step back. "Maybe some men are like that but I'm not one of 'em. See ya!" He waved walking off ignoring the calls of protest for him to wait and that she was sorry.
Geez why is it woman never understood the meaning of N.O. It's like a whole new world to them when they're turned down by their crush. Of course Inuyasha knew he had some admirers at the school but he didn't have time to entertain the girly whims of these flirts. He had a goal in mind and he wasn't going to shatter his chances of getting into college by accidently knocking up some chick who wanted to have some pretty eyed babies with nice hair.
There was only one woman in the world for him and for him; she was the only one he wanted to please.
His mother. The beautiful, courageous woman who put her entire life and soul into raising him to be the good hearted man he is now. Her death hadn't been easy to handle when he was twelve but he managed to grow up on his own these past five years. She always talked about him getting his degree at some fancy college and growing up to make a difference in the world.
Sadly that difference she was speaking of would never exist. It was because of him she was no longer living today….being what he truly was.
The long walk down the sidewalk to his low paying employment was stretched out into an extra mile as thoughts of what ifs and whys kept pondering in his mind as they always would around this time. He hated being this way. Having to constantly hide his true self from all eyes, so he can happily prance around like some happy go lucky human when he was anything but.
The truth of the matter was . . . he was a hanyou or half breed for better understanding. A half breed is what humans would commonly refer to people born differently. Those born of both human and demon heritage.
Years ago, the last few hanyous and demons were wiped out save for himself. There were two others whom he'd known in another city before he came to this one. Shiori was a pretty young bat hanyou who'd been murdered in her sleep before she could gain the powers of camouflage. Another hanyou by the name of Naraku had been walking home from middle school when someone blabbed saying he was a demon disguised as a human. Later that day he was jumped by a gang of human hunters who tortured him for days until finally dumping his skinned body in a river. The last attack was enough to scare his mother into removing them from that area and into this place.
Reports have scarcely come across now of demons or hanyous being found anywhere in the world. If and when one was found of course, it'd become national news. But in the past five years, nothing's been said. Not even a faint whisper of a demon or hanyou being found within the world. Meaning he was the last of his kind.
"Keh, what am I worried about." He mumbled to himself picking up the pace. There was no point in dwelling on self-pity. Regardless of how he had to live his life he was just going to have to live it up the best he could. Even if he was the only one of his mind still alive, who gave a damn?
He had his whole life to look forward too.
Checking his watch he frowned. There was no way he was going to make it at this rate. His job was a three miles away from school and at the pace he was walking there was no way he'd make it in time. Mr. Toki didn't kid around about his employers being on time either. He was the type of guy that believed in that old phrase, you're late if you're on time and you're on time when you're early.
But he was about the first half of that little diction. Damn…well maybe he could…
Inuyasha cautiously glanced around the deserted sideway and eased his way into a thin alleyway. His mother always warned him to keep his identity secret so being careful was a huge must. Taking a deep breathe, the young human concentrated just enough to raise his inner aura to a fairly unnoticeable peek. Just enough to give him that extra boost he needed for a quick sprint.
The dark hue of his hair slowly paled to a faded granite gray. The heightened rise in energy wouldn't draw anyone's attention since it was only a tiny spark. His hair would remain darkened and his other features wouldn't come to light. The calming flow of auras radiating in his body burned with the desire to be set free but he held back the cravings for such fun. He wouldn't purposely damn himself for a moments thrill.
Peeking out from the concealed passageway, Inuyasha hooked both arms in his back straps and casually strolled down the sidewalk.
The walk became a mild jog. The mild jog transformed into a cool run. The cool run turned into a full blown sprint. The full blown sprint became an invisible bolt.
He was gone…
What the?
The 2007 Convertible came to a screeching halt right in the middle of the street (luckily no cars were around.) The silver haired man blinked trying to focus his entire congregation into finding what he hadn't felt in years. It couldn't be. He closed his green masked eyes behind his sunglasses, searching once more for that hidden spark that floated from so far away. It was very small; barely recognizable but it still buzzed.
The familiar twinge of relative energy was so rare he feared it was all in his mind. The chances of it being factual were astronomical. But . . . His eyes snapped opened. It was there. It was truly there. For years and years he'd assumed he was the remaining survivor of his kind.
A sensual curve of his lips twinkled with the spark of interest in his eyes.
It appears for once he was mistaken… In all his wildest dreams he'd never thought the gods would bless him with such an opportune chance such as this. The time of complete solitude was over...
There was another.
TBC: How's that for a sneak peek of the winning story huh? I'll begin the usual updates on Monday since my arm's starting to feel better. I hope no one was disappointed with the first chapter. Don't worry things will get interesting as it goes on. ^_^.
By the way Kagome's ONLY a friend.