Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha
Love is forever, never does it die. Soul mates stick together, and never say goodbye.
An Alternate Ending
By Kitty
"I'm taking Boba!" a young female of raven black hair called back to her mother as she departed the building. Silver anklets jingled merrily as she walked to her vehicle. It was shaped like a water droplet, resting lightly on the grass in front of her home. Tiny reflections from the nanochips inside the strange, globular contraption glittered in the artificial sunlight. The girl paused briefly in front of Boba, checking her pale blue outfit one last time. Pastel colors that imitated a cloudless sky adorned her sleek curves. The small skirt and broad sleeved tank hid her frame but gave full view of her fawn like legs, delicate and lively. She was barefoot, as everyone in the dome was. There was never any need to cover feet, as temperatures never dropped below 21°C and everything was kept sparkling clean.
"Keiko! Don't forget your Checklet!" an older woman cried, emerging from the house holding a nearly transparent gold colored band. Keiko turned and gratefully accepted the bracelet, slipping it onto her right hand. It glowed and pulsed for a moment before reporting: "Account confirmed. Keiko Honda, you have fifty nine point oh one UOCs."
"Thanks mom!" Keiko said before placing her hand on Boba. This contraption began to speak as well: "Identification confirmed: Keiko Honda." Keiko smiled at her mother as a long hole appeared in the side of the bubble. Climbing in, Boba spoke again: "Please select destination." Inside the translucent droplet of modern technology, the anti-gravity mechanisms whirred to life, lifting the young teenager into the center. Small screens appeared below her as the upper half of the bubble cleared away to deliver an unobstructed view of the outside.
Pressing a holographic button underneath her, Keiko said in a chipper voice, "Cyan Shopping Outlet." Boba responded immediately: "Destination confirmed. Estimated driving time: fourteen point six three minutes." As Boba began to head towards the shopping outlet, Keiko's fingers found more memorized buttons and soon music filled the air. Another button lowered the ceiling, transforming the vehicle into an open top convertible, so that the wind could lift her hair and tease her skirt.
Just behind Boba, another vehicle came to life, a smaller motorcycle-like contraption hovering above the pathway. Bearing a very different passenger, it traced the girl's route all the way to Cyan. Parking a slight distance away, a young man with sleek long hair stepped towards the crowded mall. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses and stared at the sky. 'All artificial and fake,' he thought despairingly, 'you're the only genuine thing this world has left to offer.' Lowering his gaze, the lonely figure moved forward, towards the one thing he lived his life for. The holographic sun shined overhead, digitally orchestrated birdsong filled the air.
This is the world after a globally devastating nuclear holocaust. The natural air is toxic and the view of Earth from space depicts of brown, noxious little planet, rocky terrain dusted with ash, cloudy atmosphere choked with poison. Even the moon was a battleground, its face littered with nuclear missile launchers, some fired, others still awaiting their turn to attack. In this dismal world of pollution and death, no living organism survived on the surface of the world. Instead, mankind constructed massive domed shelters of concrete and metal. Each only had one underground entrance and exit that led to the center of the city. These enormous cages held a completely different world from the outside. Life as it was known to be like in the 21th century, prospered here. The sun shone without gaseous clouds of pollutants to block its rays. Trees grew from small plots of carefully tended land. Food was cloned or artificially created, technology had advanced to produce power whose waste was thrown outside the city, thus in these little habitats, the inhabitants knew little in the way of the dirty and diseased.
Keiko ran up to a tall shapely girl browsing the windows of a hunting store. The long haired brunette turned and smiled brightly to welcome the newcomer.
"Hey Keiko, finally showed up huh?" dark eyes smiled at the shorter female.
Keiko smiled in return, "Hi Cor, where's everyone else?"
Coral looked around, "Mer said he'd be here in five and Aiya went to the bathroom."
Keiko 'ohed' then jumped, startled, for a moment before calmly turning and hollered into a surprised face, "Keep you're hands to yourself, jackass."
Coral laughed as the thoroughly chastised young man slunk off. Aiya approached the girls, witnessing what had happened and bore a crooked smile of her own. Merlin joined them a few moments later and the four friends wondered the innards of the mall, laughing and ignorant of the pair of shocked eyes following their every move.
"So, are you going to go to the dance with Ho-joon?" Coral asked, leaning forward on the small circular table the friends were seated around. The boy was shy and polite, the perfect gentleman that every girl had a secret or not so secret crush on. Keiko had been in the spotlight for a while, constantly in the male idol's company. She'd received a lot of grief from jealous would-be Ho-joon girlfriends though she'd made it fairly clear to them all that she wasn't interested in him that way. Apparently it was not clear enough.
"I… I really don't like him like that," Keiko responded, taking another sip from her latté. Aiya laughed, canine fangs protruding from her soft puckered lips. It had been a long time since the girls had discovered Aiya's secret heritage. Born into a coyote demon clan, she was among a few select demons that were allowed to venture into the human world and make relationships among the mortals. Long ago, the world became divided between immortals and humans. Though the humans didn't know it, they were constantly monitored and influenced by demon power in an attempt to maintain the balance that humans so easily tipped.
"You really should just say it to his face," Aiya said, "He's too thick brained to realize that every time to avoid him it's because you don't like him."
"I have told him that!" Keiko whined, sending Coral and Merlin into merry giggles.
"I remember, I was there!" Mer piped up, "Ho-joon just smiled and asked if Saturday would be better than Friday."
"Damn," Aiya whistled, "That dense, huh?"
"I know," Keiko said, standing up, "But the least of my problems."
Everyone in the group rolled their eyes; Keiko was Ho-joon's counter part in the school. If every girl wanted Ho-joon, every guy wanted Keiko. The problem was, Keiko wanted nobody. Much to Aiya's chagrin, seeing as her 'poor' friend hadn't gone on a date since ever. It had become something of Aiya's personal mission, to bring Keiko into the world of men. She'd gone through lists upon lists of potential suitors that may interest Keiko, from holy men to demons, gothics to jocks. There was simply nothing that would satisfy her. The self-placed mission was something of a tactic to remove Aiya's own crush's attention from the popular girl. Kentaro was another demon allowed to live in the human world. His clan was the deeply rooted wolf pack said to have been involved with the disappearance of a mystical jewel. In fact, one of his great ancestors was said to have directly combated the Evil One, possessor of the tainted jewel. Of course this was all legend and nonsensical hype. Very few still believed in the legend of the miko from another world, brought into the past to eradicate unspeakable evil.
The friends later wondered through the racks of a clothing store, allowing Coral and Merlin to slip away for some private time. Keiko wondered through an aisle, not noticing the body in front of her before she'd run her nose into its chest.
'Half-demon,' her developing spiritual sense told her. 'Harmless,' it said after a moment's inspection. Keiko looked up at the young hanyou, squeaking out an apology in the process. She couldn't see his eyes through the shades but her sense saw past his concealment and gave her a glimpse of two snowy white furred triangles atop his head.
He stared at her for a long moment, taking in her confused crystal grey eyes and stubborn chin. A critically trained eye, he ran over the lines that defined her face, the laughing lines in the corner of her eyes, the full lips that could spit out the nastiest of comebacks, earnest expression, bright cheeks, glowing skin… however…
Keiko had begun to feel nervous as the unknown man stared her down through his glasses. He said nothing, no expression in his straight lips. There was something mysterious about him, something that drew her in. Yet his silence made her nervous, frightened almost, as though something big were about to happen that she had no power to prevent. And then he spoke.
"Still too young, but soon."
Keiko could only stare at his back as his fluid gate pulled him away from her. His voice, a deep honeyed tenor sent shivers down her spine. He'd said 'too young', too young for what? She was 17 already, almost ready to move out and begin her own life. 'But soon he said,' Keiko thought, 'soon what? … creepy…' Keiko shrugged and continued her perusal of the sale's rack.
It was the last day of finals and Keiko was having trouble. Finishing what seemed like ages ago, the young girl settled down for a long wait. After this, she was finally and truly free. As a spiritually gifted member of society, she wasn't expected to move on to college, in fact, very few did. Her gift would lead her down a different path, one that brought her to the shrine she will be living in. She will act as a spiritual medium, exorcizing ghosts and blessing charms. A simple life that held an iceberg of secrets. Most of her exorcisms will be done at night, hidden. She was recruited by none other than the storybook Lord of the Western Lands. Only he was no mere storybook character. Rogue demons and stray ghosts still littered the city and it would be her job to deal with them. She already had her first assignment, and was positively bursting at the prospect of tackling it.
The soft pealing of the school bell brought Keiko back into reality as students stood and stretched before clustering amongst themselves to compare answers. Keiko herself was instantly surrounded by her close friends, sharing a few moments of chatter before becoming enveloped by a sea of young men. All except a silver haired youth in the back of the room, scratching the small pulsing charm on his wrist, annoyed about having to suppress his aura to remain undetected.
Inuyasha was stunned as very familiar faces first approached the girl. Voices from the distant passed echoed in his head as he watched the friends banter amongst themselves. The tall girl and young man were obviously an item. Their behavior was so reminiscent of the ancient days where a cursed monk and lonely female warrior found each other. He hadn't seen them in over 1500 years. Never before had their souls resurfaced in his travels. The other girl was familiar too, her scent broadcasting a demon lineage. She would be the first youkai he'd seen in many years.
The lone man returned his attention to the last female. 'Keiko, so that's her name,' he thought. As he watched, another young man approached her. 'Hmph,' he thought, 'still endlessly surrounded by suitors and hormone driven droolers.' It had been hard, very hard, watching her through the years, surrounded by potential mates, yet unable to defend his claim. 'But soon…' he thought, 'you'll be mine.'
Keiko sat below the giant tree in her new front yard, her new giant front yard. She'd been waiting for a long time and her charge was late. Lord Sesshoumaru had charged her with the responsibility of housing a homeless demon for an unknown time. Keiko didn't know who the demon was or why she must take care of it, but she was looking forward to some company. Barely settled in, she was beginning to feel the emptiness of her new vast grounds. While the house itself was small and cozy, and the shrine house was small enough for a single person to take care of, the grounds were extensive and being aware of this fact sent cold shivers of loneliness through her heart.
Inuyasha stomped angrily away from a large chamber in a darkened building. The door echoed shut behind him as a string of unconcealed curses fell from his lips. 'Damn him!' Inuyasha thought, 'I've done fine all these centuries, why does he want to meddle in my business now?'
Taking a swift leap from a balcony window, the dog hanyou retrieved the keycard to his apartment from a jacket pocket before approaching the gates. A young guard stood at attention next to a small spider demon. The spider had somehow fashioned a lab coat to fit her many arms and she was working away busily at a large computer by the gate. The guard saw him coming first and spoke up loudly, "Demon way or human world?"
"Human," Inuyasha replied gruffly, "Kento Port, eastside."
The spider nodded, humming to herself as her spindly arms found the correct places before asking the hanyou to step onto a small raised platform. Soon the machine was ready and whirred its confirmation: "Kento port route established, please step through the gate."
Inuyasha braced himself before taking the step. It hit him all at once, though he truly should be used to it by now. Nauseated, the hanyou doubled over, gritting his teeth, as invisible hands latched onto his body, pulling him through the portal. All his senses were a blur as the blinding light was replaced by a soft glow above his head, signaling that his trip was over. Pushing the glowing button, the doors in front of him slid open and he stepped out of the arrival capsule and back into humanity.
The building he found himself in was run by demons. There were only three ports that allowed travel to and from demon world. Of the three, Kento port was the only one that reliably sent and received travelers to and from their destinations. Inuyasha moved swiftly from the capsule and out into the parking lot. Finding his motorcycle once more, Inuyasha started the engine with his hand, the motorcycle recognizing its owner. The drive home was a quick one, Sesshoumaru wanted his half-brother close to the portals at all times. 'For quick and easy summoning,' he'd said. Arriving, he quickly went to his room before solemnly beginning to pack, his few belongings tucked away in only a few short moments. Inuyasha grumbled, a frown creasing his forehead. Inside, he could hear his half-brother's words echoing in his mind, 'Kagome's is a wanted soul,' Sesshoumaru had said, 'It will grant any wish of that which devours it.'
Growling, Inuyasha shook his head and hefted his now loaded bag. 'What the fuck did he mean by that?' Inuyasha screamed in his head, 'Wish my ass! All her soul ever brings is a ton of waiting, agonizing and frustration, only alleviated by a few short moments of …' Inuyasha's cheeks bore a slight tint of pink as his thoughts trailed off. Along with a heightened vocabulary, the hanyou had learned a lot from Kagome through the years. But despite everything she'd taught him, he just couldn't lose his innocent blushing embarrassment for some of the skills he'd picked up from her. Mounting his bike again, the half-demon raced off to an old shrine, one that held countless memories for the time hardened young man.
Keiko sighed in her sleep, leaning against the stout tree. What had the demon lord called it? The God's Tree? Something like that. It was perhaps among the last of any real tree species to exist on this planet. Even the brief expanse of forest behind her new shrine was fake, plastic trees built by nanotechnology imitating growth and photosynthesis. Keiko sighed again, her head gently resting against its rough bark, feeling peace as the ageless being sheltered her from the setting sunrays. The first warning came in the tingling of her senses, nothing alarming, just a problem that can be fixed later. The tingling began to buzz, closer and closer it crept, until it finally reached the top of the stairs. Keiko tiredly opened her eyes, noticing the setting sun behind her. Sitting up she turned to look at the shrine's entrance. Before her stood a tall young man, his hair ran like silver ripples down to his waist.
Keiko stood up quickly, brushing herself off and cleared her throat. The man seemed oddly familiar to her as she greeted him cheerily.
"Hello sir! Can I help you?"
The man gave no reply, his lips remaining a straight line. Instead, he simply thrust a sheet of paper out to her. Startled somewhat, Keiko turned her attention to the forms, reading it softly out loud.
"What's this? Hmm… Name: Inuyasha Higurashi, Race: half dog demon, half Japanese, Age:…" Keiko's eyes widened to the size of truck tires, "1567 years?"
Inuyasha winced, ears inside his hat laying flat against his head. He removed his sunglasses to glare at the girl before him, "Oi, wench, 'the fuck are you screeching about?"
Keiko eyed the demon before her, noting his golden eyes and pointed fangs. "Um… you're my new ward?"
Inuyasha sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, deal," he said before shoving past her and leaping into an open window of the house.
Keiko stood outside for a moment, bewildered, then finally regaining her bearings and snapping around, angered grey eyes sparkling and marched into the house the conventional way to give her new charge a piece of her mind.
"Hey! You can't just barge in here like this!" Keiko said angrily, a fist firmly anchored on each hip.
"Keh, I live here now, moron," Inuyasha shot back. God, he missed this.
Keiko's eyes darkened, "You're MY charge, so you have to listen to me."
Inuyasha smirked for the first time in half a century, "Yeah? Make me!"
"Why you…" Keiko growled low in her throat, her voice lost in a feral grumble. Inuyasha raised an amused eyebrow, 'Seems like each time she gets better at that.'
Keiko pointed to a seat at the table where a cold dinner waited dejectedly, "Sit dow-" CRASH!
The newly appointed miko stared in confusion, not sure what to make of the now prone half-demon laying on her floor. If she strained her ears, she could make out of string of words that could make a sailor blush.
'Fucking beads!' Inuyasha thought, alternating between mind and vocal trains of thought, "That was sooner than fucking last time!"
"Um…?" a voice above him brought him back to reality, "What was that? You better not have scratched my floor."
Inuyasha retorted with a growl of his own, his claws flexing menacingly, inciting the scent of fear from his new housemate. Inuyasha gruffly got up and sat down next to the cold meal and proceeded to empty the dishes. Keiko watched fascinated as the food disappeared into the man's mouth. Finally she looked at the clock and said, "When you're done, put those in the sink, I'm going to bed, you're room's the one at the end of the hallway, if you need anything, just take it, but be neat about it, good night."
Inuyasha's ears flicked under the cap he wore and he nodded. Keiko retreated up the stairs before settling on her bed, wondering what she was going to do with this new impossible housemate. Keiko sighed, whatever she'd been expecting, she certainly wasn't expecting this grouchy young – old! – man. She rubbed her temples before turned to prepare for bed. When she finally snuggled into the sheets, Koinu, her white stuffed dog in her arms, she found the face of her new ward in her mind as she drifted off into sleep
As soon as the girl disappeared up the stairs, Inuyasha stopped eating, a nostalgic expression seeping over his features. In his mind he watched Mrs. Higurashi shuffle about preparing him ramen, Souta begging him to play videogames and that old aged man waving ofudas in the air.
After he'd finished and cleaned the dishes he silently walked up the stairs, voices and sounds from long ago ringing in his mind. Passing by the room, he paused, heart aching, needing to see her. Soundlessly opening the door a crack, his eyes found the creature of his suffering and joy. The room was decorated almost identically to its last owner's preferences. A large stuffed dog stood watch over the sleeping girl and Inuyasha could almost see himself, in the corner, tetsaiga in his arms, guarding the bed. Years of experience helped him repress the urge to join his long ago claimed mate in bed. She wouldn't accept him kindly like that.
Inuyasha turned and walked down the hall, lost in thought. As he sat down in the corner of his room, preparing for sleep, he whispered under his breath, "Goodnight: Kikyou, Kagome, Kristen, Kitlali, Kiara, Kelly, Katerina, Kara, Kayla, Kaitlin, Kosi, Kagiso, Khanna, Kim, and Keiko."
"Hey Keiko!" a cheerful voice called when he finally answered the door, "Wait, who are you? This is Sunset Shrine right?"
Inuyasha's confused face mouthed the name, 'Miroku', before being shoved aside.
"Inuyasha? Who is it- oh hey! Mer! Cor! How's it going?" Keiko happily shoved her way past the half demon to greet her friends.
"Hey Keiko," Coral said, "Is that the demon you were telling us about?"
Keiko nodded, "Everyone, this is Inuyasha. Inuyasha, this is Merlin and Coral, they're my friends from high school."
"Keiko's BEST friends," Cor chirped, "Hey Keiko, we're going to watch the new werewolf movie, you know, the one with Kouga Takai in it?"
Keiko's eyes lit up, while Inuyasha glowered at the prospect of watching his old rival on screen, "Sure! I've been wanting to see it for a while! Hey, Inuyasha, lets to watch a movie."
"Do I have to?" Inuyasha whined, only to notice that he was already being dragged off to it as he spoke.
"I don't think we'll all fit," Mer said as they approached his bubble, "Keiko, you don't have Boba anymore do you?"
Keiko gave a lopsided smile, "Nope, I left it at home since there's no parking around here."
The friends looked at each other for a moment, each trying to figure out a way to get all of them to the movie theater. Inuyasha scoffed.
"Keh, we can take my bike," he said, dragging Keiko off to his motorcycle.
"Uh, wha?" Keiko uttered, before catching her footing and turning to her friends, "See you there, I guess."
Coral and Merlin waved then boarded Mer's bubble. Meanwhile, Inuyasha was arguing with Keiko over helmets.
"No, you have to wear one too," Keiko said firmly, "It's not safe!"
"Keh, I've never had an accident in my life," Inuyasha said, "In my very long life." He was hoping to gain some credit, knowing she was still struggling to comprehend the 15 century old lifetime he seemed to have. "Besides, I haven't killed you yet, getting the groceries on this thing!"
"Big deal," Keiko snorted, "We'll have to take the expressway this time. When we get to the theater, we're dropping by the mall next to it to get another helmet."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and climbed on, "Just get on, hold tight and shut up."
They raced to the theater, Inuyasha relishing the feeling of her arms around his stomach, this time, finally unfettered with bags and at speeds that require a tight grip around his hard body. 'It has been too long,' he thought, 'far too long.'
Keiko's squeals of delight were blown away as they pealed down the street. Inuyasha smirked, making a sharp turn and doing a few jumps and wheelies along the way, knowing how much she'd like it. Keiko's arms wrapped even tighter around his waist and Inuyasha knew he was going to have interesting dreams that night. Her thin shy fingers played with his shirt, eliciting memories of so many other times those same fingers memorized his abs the same way.
When they finally reached the parking lot, Inuyasha immediately caught wind of the last thing he needed to smell. Abruptly leaving Keiko to her friends, he went off to intercept the scent.
"Yo Dog turd!" Kouga said cheerfully, "Imagine finding you at my movie premiere!"
"Stuff it, I didn't have too much of a choice," Inuyasha grumbled. He noticed Kouga sniff there air and smile, sending another nasty growl up the hanyou's throat.
"Yo, dog turd," Kouga said softly, "that her?"
Inuyasha didn't have to look in the direction the wolf demon had nodded. Still growling, Inuyasha confirmed the wolf demon's guess.
"Damn, she gets prettier every time!" Inuyasha gave Kouga a light punch in the shoulder. The two demons had long ago settled their differences, but Inuyasha still couldn't get over it when Kouga was around her. 'Not then, not ever,' Kouga thought.
"Well, I'm going to watch my movie now," Kouga said lightly, "I hope you enjoy it dog turd!"
"Keh, over my dead body," Inuyasha grumbled as Kouga stifled a chuckle.
The movie was vaguely familiar. Though the characters and circumstance had changed, the main plot was the same. A lone wolf, a young girl, and a love that spanned time and conquered hate. 'Damn that wolf,' Inuyasha thought, 'taking my story and making money off of it.'
Keiko turned at the end of the movie to see how Inuyasha had enjoyed the movie. She was surprised to see the flashes of emotion in his eyes. Fleeting bits of pain, adoration, hate, yearning and much more flew through his golden irises. But what surprised her most was the direction of his gaze. He stared directly at her and his eyes drilled holes straight into her soul. His mouth moved and a soft masculine voice reached her ears.
"It's been such a long time, Kagome."
It had been a few weeks since he'd moved into the shrine. Keiko just couldn't figure him out. One minute he'd stare at her like she'd caused him immeasurable pain, and then suddenly he'd turn away, muttering nasty things which she'd combat with her own nasty vocabulary. The fight may start out slowly but flames soon danced as the two argued, nervous shrine worshippers skittering away from the miko and demon.
When they weren't fighting, the couple hardly spoke two words to each other. Keiko stayed up late on haphazard nights, going out to take care of one assignment or another so Inuyasha usually prepared food in the mornings. Though they'd settled into a harmonious routine, each knowing and completing their chores without complaint, the toe stepping seemed to continue without signs of abating.
"What do you mean there's no more ramen?" Inuyasha cried, horrified and ireful, "There was a full cupboard yesterday!"
"I'm so sick of ramen for breakfast!" Keiko shot back, "I'm getting fat!"
Inuyasha eyed her suspiciously, "You… you tossed it all?"
Keiko 'hmphed' but refused to answer. That was the last straw for Inuyasha, "Dammit Kimberly! I've fucking told you not to touch my fucking ramen!"
Keiko's eyes squinted in hurt and frustration, "I'm not fucking Kimberly, you stupid ass hanyou!" Inuyasha's eyes widened a fraction, realizing he'd accidently slipped again. It always happened in the beginning. After spending decades waiting, with only the voices of all her previous incarnates in his head, it was usually difficult to get back into the habit of using only one name.
Keiko, not finished, continued, "I'm not Kikyou or Kara or Kagiso or Kagome either! Get it right for once, my name is KEIKO! You fucking player!"
Inuyasha looked up startled, "What? Player? What the fuck?"
Keiko took a deep breath, trying to even out her emotions, "Don't try to lie: all those names? Just how many women have you slept with?"
'Only 11 of them,' Inuyasha thought, but time had taught him many lessons, and one of them was to keep his mouth shut. Instead he growled before leaping away from the shrine.
"Hey! Where're you going?" Keiko yelled after him, "I'm not finished with you yet!"
His voice echoed faintly back to her as he bellowed, "I'm getting more ramen, fucking ramen stealing wench!"
That night the first demon attacked. It was a surprise attack though extremely easy to deal with. The demon was a lesser one, the little mischief kinds that even a miko in training to take down with her eyes closed. The only frightening part was how determined it was to reach her.
"Oh no you don't, fucking fucker!" Inuyasha growled, slicing through the little rat demon's heart. It lay on the ground, fur singed from dodging so many purifying bullets. As it wheezed to its death, Keiko heard its last words, chills running down her spine.
"Soul…" it said, thickly with pain and bile, "I… must eat… that soul!"
As the last words left the rat, Inuyasha's claws put an end to the miserable creature's vocal cords. He turned to see a heart-wrenching sight. Keiko held her chest as though in pain, horror building in her lush grey eyes. "What does it want with my soul?" she kept asking, over and over. The experience, though simple enough to handle, had left marks. Inuyasha turned to the young miko, holding out a sympathetic hand. When she took it, the clawed appendage gave hers a light squeeze. Keiko looked up at Inuyasha, her open-mouthed expression of fear bleeding away into a small smile. Inuyasha grinned back, his fangs flashing as he said softly, "Let's go make some ramen!"
Keiko just rolled her eyes and allowed the demon she trusted to lead her into the house.
The young girl looked at herself critically in the mirror. Her new night uniform rang bells of familiarity in her mind. Lord Sesshoumaru's note had said that it was an ancient set of armor that was used many centuries ago in the battling of stray youkai. The dark thick fabric clung tightly to her body as she slid on the thick gloves that came with the set. It had also come with two gun slings that attached to her thighs, as well as a belt that held several rounds of ammunition. Slim plates of armor covered her abdomen and back; shin, elbow and shoulder guards, the color of deep red blood were also attached. A slim sword was slipped to her waist and Keiko held a silver mask, examining the odd contraption in curiosity.
"Keiko! It's almost time to go. Aren't you ready yet, wench?" Inuyasha hollered from below. Keiko just rolled her eyes, before gathering her wavy her in a high pony tail and racing down the stairs. Inuyasha gasped in shock when he saw her. 'Sango…' his mind said to him, watching the miko approach him. He gave out a long suffering sigh before asking, "Let me guess, Sesshy sent you a giant boomerang too?"
"LORD Sesshoumaru," Keiko said, "has a new assignment for us."
Since the last attack, the giant spider demon nearly successfully killing Keiko and sucking out her soul, Inuyasha had forced his way into her nightly missions. 'There ain't no fucking way I'm letting you go out there to get killed,' he'd said.
"Oh," Keiko's voice bringing his mind back to the present, "and Lord Sesshoumaru's note said that you should bring you're tetsaiga this time, whatever that means."
Inuyasha looked shocked, in fact, he was. Sesshoumaru had made it forbidden for demons to walk the human world while carrying demonic weapons. It was just one way to ensure that humans wouldn't find out about them. Since he'd long ago learned to control his blood, Inuyasha never needed the tetsaiga in battle anymore, not since the 1700s. Why would he need the sword now? Was Sesshoumaru suggesting that the next demon they were hunting was incredibly powerful?
'Keh, like hell,' Inuyasha thought, 'after Naraku, there's nothing I can't handle.'
They walked about many alleyways the demon was reported to have been last seen, yet there was no sign of it. Keiko was tired and ready for a midnight snack. Turning to Inuyasha, she shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
"Think we should call it a night?" No sooner had those words left her lips when something hit her from behind. The armor on her body flared as an unearthly howl echoed through the alley. Inuyasha was on her in an instant, his concerned golden eyes roving her body.
"Are you alright?" He asked in a voiced riddled with worry and anger.
"I think so," Keiko said, and then snapped her head in another direction, "I can feel it now. It's coming!"
Inuyasha turned to face the new threat. The centipede demon was shaking its head, smoke rising from the wound where it had rammed itself straight into the barrier protecting the miko. Inuyasha growled, 'so I get to meet another Mistress Centipede huh?'
Keiko had her gun out and aimed. A silent streak of white light flew from the firearm, landing squarely on the creatures head. The demon roared its fury and pain, striking at the girl. Keiko looked on wide eyed, why didn't it incinerate from her bullet?
"You think you're little tricks will save you again?" the centipede asked, "This time, even without the jewel, I will rake your little pet through this alley until his blood covers every inch. And then, my pretty, I will take your soul."
Inuyasha growled, "Fucking die!" leaping into the air, claws bared. Mistress Centipede only laughed, swatting the hanyou away like nothing.
"You're precious isn't the only soul that's gotten stronger," her fanged lips curved into a sadistic smile, "And you, my poor hanyou, haven't even grown at all!"
Inuyasha had landed in a not so welcoming trash bin, its contents spilling onto the street. Mistress Centipede grabbed the dog demon by the neck and flung him into the opposite wall. Keiko's eyes poured tears as his agonizing scream tore through the air. 'Ok,' Keiko said to herself, 'it's ok, surprise attack but we can recover.'
Keiko dodged to the right to gain a better shot. She noticed how the centipede's head and torso were covered in a hard exoskeleton. 'That must be what protects her from my shots,' she thought, setting her sights on the insect demon's joints. While a sheet of armor is protective, something strong will not bend easily, therefore, the demon's shell will only extend over surfaces that don't need to bend. Keiko aimed and shot toward the creature's left underarm.
Mistress Centipede grunted in shock as the burning sensation of purification energy ripped her left arm off. She rounded on Keiko, hate dripping from her blood red eyes.
"So," she said in a dangerously low voice, "my pretty wants to play rough?"
Keiko was backing up, trying to find another place where the steely armor ended. Inuyasha was just barely keeping his consciousness, struggling to stand and make his way to her.
"Then rough I will play!" the hellish beast announced, her voice ringing off into the night. Lashing forward with her tail, the demon struck Keiko at her side. Though the protective charms on the armor held, the sheer force of the blow sent Keiko rocketing down the alleyway. Barrier only being a protection against demonic attacks, the pavement roughly scratched her prone body, tearing away some of the uniform's fabric. Keiko cautiously stood, warily eyeing the demon before her.
Mistress Centipede howled with laughter, "Is the all powerful guardian of the Shikon no Tama at her end?" Keiko, not understanding what the demon was telling her, braced herself for the next attack, hold both her guns out in front of her, steel grey eyes narrowed, focused only on her target.
The scent of her blood tickled his nose. It helped clear his head and stand. Five decades, he'd lived and waited for her to return to him. He finally found her and he'd be damned if he let her die and wait another five to find her again. He would lose his mind first. Inuyasha set his jaw and braced his wobbly legs. He drew on a power he hadn't used in centuries. With a flash and a shing, the sword came loose from its scabbard and grew larger. Mistress Centipede, sensing the attack from behind, turned to see while Keiko sighted her chance. Aiming for the soft uncovered stretch of neck, Keiko squeezed the trigger of both her weapons just as she heard his voice crying, "Tetsaiga!"
Both assaults reached their target simultaneously and the demon screamed into the night, "NOOOO! I'll have your soul yet my pretty!" As her body disintegrated, the centipede reached for the girl, her hand falling to the ground a mere foot away before fading into dust.
"Inuyasha!" Keiko cried, rushing over to the still tottering demon. She felt his clawed hands brush away her hair, finding the cut on her head.
"Keh, it's been a long time since I've had a good knocking," he said. Taking a few good sniffs to make sure she wasn't seriously injured, he sat down to lean against the wall, "This is embarrassing, she was such an easy kill last time."
Keiko eyed him worriedly, "What do you mean by that?" Had his skull taken a hard crack?
The demon before her just smiled, looking at her face. "Keiko…" he said softly, "at least this time you held your own…"
"Come on!" Keiko said, "I haven't been out to party in forever!"
"Keh…" Inuyasha muttered, "Lame ass stupid hormone dripping sex fiends…"
Keiko giggled and climbed onto the motorcycle. Inuyasha looked at her quizzically before mounting in front of her. They'd finished their night's hunt early, just a little weakling demon that spouted some nonsensical 'I must eat your soul' business.
Earlier that week, Coral had mentioned a party at Mer's apartment and Keiko was determined to make it. She'd drilled Inuyasha through the week's chores and assignments. The worn out young man wanted nothing more than to stay home and feast on his newly restocked ramen cupboard. Sadly, it was not to be.
Inuyasha took the long route, relishing the ride before surrendering to the cacophony that came with college parties. Keiko pressed her body against him as he swerved between cars; Inuyasha's senses faced the dilemma of what to focus on: driving or the girl clinging to his back.
When they finally reached the apartment, the two young people walked into a wall of din, heat and beer. Inuyasha stopped breathing for a second, trying to allow the rest of his sense to adjust before tackling the assault on his nose. Keiko glanced at Inuyasha apologetically before getting tackling by a very drunk Coral.
"Keiko! (hiccup!) I'm so glad you could make it!" Coral leaned heavily against her as Keiko struggled with her weight, "Oh! You brought Inuya…sshhhhaa!"
Inuyasha winced at the butchery to his name but nodded and greeted the inebriated girl. Merlin stepped in to rescue the teetering Keiko, "Hey Keiko! Inuyasha! Glad you could make it!"
"Why aren't you drunk?" Inuyasha asked, finally getting used to the atmosphere.
Mer smiled at the demon, "I make it a habit not to drink at my own parties, I want to be able to keep tabs on people, plus, I want to make sure Cor here doesn't get herself into any trouble."
Inuyasha nodded, "So I noticed."
"Excuse me?" the troupe of friends turned to see the newcomer, Inuyasha stiffened at the scent of Kouga's great-grandson, "Inuyasha? My god it is you!"
Keiko turned to Inuyasha, "You know Kentaro?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "I've met him once or twice," he said noncommittally. This should have been a warning to Kentaro, but unfortunately for the wolf demon, he was already quite tipsy.
"Once or twice?" Kent exclaimed, "You practically raised me!"
Mer and Cor looked at Inuyasha quizzically, seeing a young man who couldn't be much older than 20 years. Keiko dug into her brain to find anything that could explain how Inuyasha might know Kentaro when Inuyasha himself spoke up.
"You must mean my older brother; we look a lot alike." And with that, Inuyasha fled the scene.
Some time later, with Keiko under siege by Ho-joon questioning everything she'd done since high school, Inuyasha found himself dragged into a drinking game. Beer pong, Inuyasha sneered, noticing how most of the partiers were human. Well, at least it was a way to pass the time until Keiko was ready to leave. He'd been watching her for a while, noticing how she was uncomfortable with the young human male's attentions. That Ho-joon character reminded him a lot of another young suitor always on Kagome's tail. Inuyasha shrugged, if there was one thing he was grateful for, it was her soul's gradual exclusiveness against other male attention over the years. Never did he have to worry after finding Kagome again in 2002 that her heart may be swayed by another man.
Looking back at his fully saturated opponent, Inuyasha said, "So, who's next?"
"I will!" Keiko said abruptly, cutting Ho-joon off midsentence. Keiko pushed towards the table, plucking a ping pong ball from a passed out losing party. Inuyasha eyed the slim girl in front of him.
"You sure?" he asked, "You look like a light-weight."
Keiko flashed desperate eyes at the hanyou. "I'll take the shots for her!" Ho-joon piped, eager to stay involved. Keiko sighed while Aiya dropped by to watch the game, laughing at Keiko's attempt to get away from the thick headed young man.
"It's ok, I'll take my shots," Keiko assured Ho-joon before turning her attention back to the table. Ten minutes and many points later, Inuyasha supported a collapsing Keiko to the couch, trying to find a section that wasn't beer soaked. Ho-joon had long since passed out from his own drinks and Aiya was helping Kentaro back from the bathroom. Merlin came up to Inuyasha with a damp towel.
"Thanks," Inuyasha said gruffly, wiping the building sweat from the barely conscious girl. Merlin noticed how tender the demon's touch was, how careful his hands were to ensure that the claws didn't come near the skin. Inuyasha cupped Keiko's cheek, wiping away a wayward drop of drool, his thumb rubbing gentle circles against her cheek.
"What's it been? Three months at least huh?" Mer said to the attentive hanyou. Inuyasha grunted, his thoughts focusing on the girl before him.
"Ever get the feeling you've met someone before, though you're sure you haven't" Merlin prodded. He had an odd sense about this demon, though he couldn't pinpoint it. But it was the same feeling he felt when he met Coral and Keiko for the first time. Like he was meeting old friends.
Inuyasha shook his head, "Never. But I have met many people, people whom I've met lifetimes before that come back to see me."
Merlin, unsure if he was hearing right in the loud room, leaned closer, "Um… what?"
"There was an old woman I knew, a lot time ago. She died only a few years after I met her. But Kaede was a stubborn old hag. As she lay dying she tried to tell me something but it didn't come out in time. So she met me three centuries later to finish relaying that message. It was the first time anyone's been able to retain their previous incarnate's memories."
Merlin raised an eyebrow and decided that perhaps Inuyasha was becoming affected by some drink, though he hadn't noticed the hanyou ever taking a sip. It eventually got late and Inuyasha carried Keiko back home. He rode slowly, with her in front, wanting nothing more than to pull over and lay somewhere with her in his arms. But he knew he couldn't do that, it would hurt his mark too much, to know that he was relishing in unconsented touch.
When they returned home he laid her in bed, gently brushing her hair away, almost giving into his urges when she reacted to him. Out of curiosity, he leaned close to examine her neck. After Kagome, each incarnate bore a birth mark on the base of their neck, in the back to the left side. There he saw it, four droplet-like marks resembling fangs, a bite mark, the only place that he ever looked to with a taste for blood.
Leaning in even closer, he whispered so that his hot breath would tickle the mark, "I love you, Keiko."
The girl in question sighed, an imperceptible tremor rushing through her body, as if to respond to him.