I almost forgot this.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Inuyasha. Who ever does is very lucky indeed.
Yukiko wiped her brow and sighed as she leaned against one of the many trees in the forest. It wasn't that she had exhausted herself from the past two days of almost nonstop walking, only taking a break to eat or drink from a creek. It was just so freaking hot, it was surprising that half the forest hadn't already caught ablaze.
She had crossed the border of the Western Lands maybe a weeks ago, and boarded at the only hotel that stood in the first village she happened upon. Staying there for a few days restocking supplies and buying new clothes, Yukiko quickly left before people could get suspicious of her.
It wasn't like they had any reason of suspecting her of something, she just didn't like the ways villagers would sometimes welcome their new guests. There was always the traditional torch and pitchfork method, but recently it seemed that people were getting just a little more clever and violent in their greetings.
Sighing, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she stared up into the vast blue sky. There wasn't one cloud in sight and it seemed to make the heat even worse. "Freaking heat. All I ask for is a little shade," she pleaded to herself, throwing her head back in frustration with a desperate moan.
Answering her simple plea, a small shadow blocked the sun from her face. She wearily opened her eyes at the sound of a soft meow, deep azure orbs meeting bright emerald green slits. Smiling gently at the small cat now laying on her head, she closed her eyes again. "I don't know if the heat from you is any better than the sun, but at least I won't go blind," she sighed heavily.
Yukiko reached up and pulled down the small neko demon into her arms, a light purr escaping the cat's throat as the human girl absent-mindedly began stroking his fur. He jumped out of her arms and nudged her leg, mewing sharply to ease her forward.
The young woman laughed and nodded in silent agreement. "I suppose you're right, Kyo. It would be best if we reached the next village before we have a heat stroke or something, though I highly doubt a little sun could do us any more harm," Yukiko joked, throwing her bag over her shoulder.
It was true, her complexion was already lightly tanned from years of traveling. This wasn't the first time she had experienced temperatures like this, but it never seemed to get any better or herself any more used to it. From walking through the blazing heat of summer across endless plains to hiking over freezing, snow-covered mountains in winter; she had experienced just about it all.
Times like these she wondered if it better or worse for the small demon neko and his thick fur. Though he seemed to be immune to the blistering sun, she greatly envied him and his dark crimson coat during the harsh winters. Said cat was now walking next to her, keeping up with her surprisingly long strides.
Yukiko would have shrieked with joy at the sight past the trees, but composed herself to a simple relieved sigh. Just past the tree line and downhill from where she stood was a rather large village, prosperous as ever during the busy trading season.
Quickly, she picked Kyo up and placed him in her bag, only allowing his head to stick out. The last thing she needed was people staring her down for having a three-tailed neko demon tagging along her being. Before he used to squirm in protest, but eventually the cat found he enjoyed having the free ride. Most of the time he simply fell asleep and was out like a light by the time they reached a hotel.
Quickening her pace, Yukiko followed the wide path into the village. No one paid her any mind among the crowded streets. It wasn't much of a surprise in one of the Western Lands greatest trading posts, but nonetheless the young woman still had to be careful.
There were many in places like these that would cause trouble and try to kill her without a second thought. Like that would happen in a million years, Yukiko joked with herself. Still though, her hand absently felt over the katana hidden under her cloak. She had it tucked away from sight, but at a moment's notice she could draw the short sword from its sheath hung in her obi just as if a reflex.
Despite her almost innocent looks, Yukiko was a trained fighter and swordsman. Aside from the sword, she had taken the liberty, as she always did, to stow away a few daggers on her person. Within the hems of her traveling kimono, she had a dagger in each sleeve and opposite side in her obi from her katana. If given a bow and arrow, her marksmanship wasn't anything to poke fun at. She smiled despite herself. Just try and mess with this doll.
To anyone who did look at her, she seemed nothing special by the looks of her clothing. She wore a simple purplish-gray kimono that ended at her ankles, but for easy maneuverability there were identical slits running up each side ending a few inches below her hips. It's sleeves ended at her wrists seeming almost too short, and were hemmed in a darker purple, the same color as her obi. Thrown over it was a durable black cloak and she wore simple traveling boots. Nothing looking too great about her.
Though if someone bothered to look closer, they would see the young woman's slightly toned muscles that did nothing to conflict with her curved figure. Yukiko filled her kimono in just right, and that was what bothered her. Aside from her form, her peculiar eyes would also catch some attention. Their deep blue hue would greatly stand out from most other humans brown and even black eyes.
She ran a hand threw her hair with a sigh. At least that was natural; straight and dark chocolaty brown. Though instead keeping it long like most other women in Japan, Yukiko's hair was cut a few inches off her shoulders. It framed her face and cheeks nicely if she took into consideration what other people said. Personally, she just didn't want to deal with it while traveling and kept it short, but did have heavy bangs hanging on the sides of her forehead.
Yukiko stopped in front of a decent looking hotel. She still had plenty of money from the last humble lord she had ran across, so she could easily afford a room and meal. That was the good thing about being a woman. Complete and total control of the opposite sex.
Almost as if having heard her thoughts, though she wouldn't put it past the little mischievous neko, Kyo meowed protesting. She just shrugged and walked into the large hut. It didn't look as good on the inside as it did the out, but considering how tired she was…
"One room please." Yukiko placed a few gold pieces on the desk in front of the owner and he smiled happily at the sight of her money. Though she was willing to bet he was just as joyous over something, or someone, else…
"Oh, of coarse! Would you like a suite or maybe even my room…" he trailed off and Yukiko scoffed in disgust. "A regular room would be just fine, and you can keep the extra if I'm not disturbed," the woman said as calmly as she could, surprisingly keeping her revulsion to herself.
The man's expression turned sullen, but Yukiko could see the mixture of disappointment and lust in his eyes. Getting her room number, she quickly turned away and left the hotel. She would come back to sleep later, after her stomach settled.
Kyo popped his head out of the bag and hissed fiercely at the hotel owner as they went out the door. Yukiko petted his head fondly and he meowed happily. "If he tries anything tonight, I give you full permission to rip his throat out," she whispered to the small neko and he gave another joyful meow.
The young woman and her neko demon companion made there way through the streets. Yukiko wasn't planning on doing anything in particular, but when a tailor's shop came into sight, she couldn't resist the urge to go in.
Despite the fact that she was a fighter and a traveler didn't mean that she couldn't subdue to her more feminine needs. New clothes were considered among those much desired requirements. Hers were fading and getting too small, and the last thing she needed was for her kimono to fit even tighter on her.
An old woman was sitting in the corner, sewing together pieces of clothe that looked fairly high material. She glanced up at Yukiko and gave a soft smile, putting away what she was doing. "Is there something I can help you with?" she asked, standing to face the younger girl.
At closer inspection, the woman was elderly at best. She looked almost ancient; wrinkled, almost grayish skin and dull eyes behind glasses. Her hair was gray, making her skin seem even more unhealthy. Despite her age though, she smiled warmly at the young woman in front of her.
"Please, I was wondering if you would be kind enough to make me a kimono. I need a new one for traveling, and this one, as you can see, is about to fall apart at its seams," Yukiko asked kindly, motioning for her ragged kimono. The old woman nodded and stepped over to a table piled with cloth.
"It would be my pleasure, dear. My name is Tatsuya, but you can call me Obaa-san if you wish. It would make this old woman much happier. Now tell me, what king of kimono would you like?" She showed Yukiko all of the fabrics and colors that she had, but the young girl merely shook her head.
Yukiko smiled and gave the old woman a small bag of coins. "It doesn't matter to me. As long as I can travel in them, I am perfectly happy." Tatsuya gave a wiry smile, but Yukiko thought she seem a hint of mischief and pleasure in the woman's eyes. "I was hoping it could be done as soon as possible, and I'll even pay extra so I can maybe head out tomorrow…"
Tatsuya chuckled, an almost deep, raspy cough in her chest. "Oh, dear, no trouble at all. It will be done and you can keep your money, I'm happy to do it for such a well-mannered young woman." Yukiko gave her a quizzical look when she was handed her coin bag back. "It will be finished tomorrow, fear not."
With that, the old woman went into a back room. When she never came back, Yukiko just shrugged and exited the clothes shop. Either she's pricked herself too many times and is suffering from extreme blood loss, or she is just plain insane, the young woman mused with herself as she put her money back in her bag.
Yukiko heard a soft growl and she placed her hand on her stomach. Kyo popped his head back out of the bag and rubbed his nose on her arm. "It wouldn't hurt to go and get a bite to eat now would it, Kyo?" she asked low enough for him to hear, laughing to the cat when his own stomach rumbled.
The neko demon mewed and ducked back into the bag. She was going to ask what was wrong, but a flash of brown fur caught her attention. Of coarse, a dog with his nose high in the air walking on the other side of the street. It was probably sniffing out pour innocent cats to chase up trees or into dumpsters.
It trotted over to Yukiko, and began nosing her bag. She swatted it away and Kyo hissed with his claws flexed. Not very surprisingly, the dog turned tail and ran off down the street. The young woman took the liberty of lifting her bag in her arms, carrying it rather than heaving it over her shoulder. Better not chance that dumb mutt getting a hold of her little neko demon.
Kyo began purring happily, though she couldn't tell if it was from pride of running the dog off or being carrying around today. She shook her head with a sigh. Indolent cat, meddlesome dog…
x
Yukiko fell back on her futon with a satisfying thump. She sighed heavily, massaging her temples to relieve some of the strain on her head. Headaches could be some of the most annoying things in the world, especially if you couldn't get away from them. Hers always seemed like they wanted to kill her and sometimes she wish they would.
A small laugh escaped her lips as Kyo jumped on her stomach. The fact that she was ticklish didn't seem to help that the demon cat was kneading the sheets on her side with his paws. She picked him up and pulled him closer to her like a stuffed animal. Instead of writhing away, he curled up into a call on her chest, his head tugged up under her chin.
The young woman didn't blame the neko demon for being so tired, but he didn't have to walk around all day. Yukiko had waited until night had fallen, and instead of going through the front of the hotel where she would have for sure ran into the owner again, she snuck in through the window.
Kyo yawned, which seemed to be contagious as she yawned, too. It seemed that the past week had been much more tiring than the last two years. Of coarse the fact that she was back in her homeland didn't seem to help that much either.
Yukiko rolled over on her side, gently sliding Kyo down next to her. She absent-mindedly began petting him again, behind his ear, under his chin, just to hear him purr. It seemed to soothe her, and she needed all of the calming she could get to ease her headache.
It was rolling close to midnight, and moonlight was pouring in through the still open window. With a dagger under her pillow, she wasn't very afraid of something or someone coming in. If anything was stupid enough to sneak in, she felt no pity for its blood.
Of coarse, that wasn't to say she was a cold-blooded killer. Yukiko preferred simple, peaceful solutions and taking to self-defense as the most simple of answers if her person or space was violated.
The small neko laying next to her squirmed and pried out of her grip, walking to the open window. She followed his movements with her eyes until he jumped out of the opening and down to the street outside. "Probably hungry," Yukiko muttered to herself rolling in the opposite direction. Kyo preferred to hunt his meals at night anyways.
Without anyone else in the bed with her, the girl almost felt vulnerable. She preferred sleeping with someone else beside her, instead she just pulled her blankets around her tighter. Having live with a family of neko demons most of her life, Yukiko had grown accustomed to the warmth and presence of another.
She sighed, but it quickly turned to a yawn as Yukiko slowly drifted off to sleep; cold and alone…
x
Yukiko raced through the streets, praying she wasn't too late. The stench of death hung in the air thicker than the fog, and it made her want to gag. Blood mixed with decaying flesh, along with her own sweat and lightheadedness.
Dead bodies laid thrown everywhere, and their loved ones tried to carry them off for burial. There was no crying for the dead, there were no tears shed. Only blank eyes stared up to the sky, eyes that would never see again.
No one gave her a second glance, the young human among demons. Blood splattered her silken, white kimono and specks were dried on her skin. Her long hair whipped in the wind as she leapt over a pool of blood, freshly spilled. Steam rolled off of it in the cool evening air.
None of this should be happening, not again. There should be no more bloodshed, she couldn't make herself believe in the possibility. Maybe they had escaped the slaughter, or had been able to fend off the demon slayers. It shouldn't have even come to this, nothing should result in death.
She thought she had tripped once, but felt no pain as blood trickled down her knee. Her hands tightened into fists, already covered in blood. A mixture of her own and those she had fought off.
Some hope came to her as she ran to the mansion, the large structure still looking peaceful. There was still the chance they had been overlooked, maybe they had gotten away.
Yukiko ran up the steps and burst into the house. No one was there, but there wasn't any sign of struggle. The young girl checked each room, dread slowly consuming her again as she passed through each one and there was no sign of life. She went outside, to the pond or the forest or the gardens…
Horror struck her features as she gazed into the garden. The sight was gruesome and Yukiko didn't want to believe it, but she couldn't tear her gaze from the lifeless bodies on the stoned pathway. Blood tinted the grass and plants red, and contrasted greatly to the white skin of the dead. If it wasn't death, it could be beautiful.
Everything started growing hazy and she turned. Yukiko twisted away forcefully and fled. She fled at the sight of it, away from the blood, away from death, away from her family…
x
Yukiko shot up out of bed, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She closed her eyes painfully and held her head down low. Her shoulders shook forcefully, almost as if sobbing, but no tears escaped her eyes. Fists tightened their grip on blankets, the upset girl trying her best to calm herself down. She slid her legs up to her chest and she rested her head tiredly on her knees.
Kyo brushed up against her hand and rubbed his face against hers, attempting to soothe her. He must have returned sometime earlier, she told herself. Tears threatened to escape, but Yukiko refused to let them. She hadn't cried in years and she wasn't going to let old memories get her going.
"Why now, is it because I'm back here?" she asked softly, letting Kyo nip at her nose. These dreams had been haunting her ever since she stepped foot in the Western Lands. Returning to her home had to be the only reason these feelings were resurfacing.
She had tried to run away from them before, but when that didn't work she resorted to ignoring them. She assumed that because she had returned, it gave reason to remember.
Yukiko wouldn't be able to get back to sleep that night, so she resorted to entertaining herself. She took her katana from its sheath and went through her motions in her room. The small neko demon sat lazily on the bed, his three tails twitching back and forth watching as she worked with her blade.
It had been a while since she was in a good fight. Yukiko wasn't the kind of person to pick a fight with every person she came across, but she would occasionally be greeted in the forests by a few bandits every now and then. Cutting them to pieces helped relieve stress and keep her mostly sane.
Of coarse, she wouldn't even think to kill them unless they tried pulling cheap tricks or physically insulted her. She wasn't one for violence, but Yukiko did believe in helping those incapable of taking care of themselves.
Sighing, she sheathed her sword and went to the window. It was closed, courtesy of Kyo coming back after his hunting. She slid the window open and a cool, gentle breeze greeted her. Her hair swayed slightly and her bangs brushed lightly on her forehead. A strand stroked her cheek and she pushed it away.
Her eyes caught a shadow below her window. It was brief, but Yukiko knew that something was there. She gripped her katana and a few daggers, sliding her window further open as far as she could.
Kyo began getting restless on the bed behind her, small hisses escaping his throat and his fur standing on its ends. Yukiko shushed him and climbed out the window. She dropped to the ground below and looked around, hanging her katana in her obi.
It was dark out despite the quarter moon in the sky, and the young woman could barely make out her hand in front of her face. Another rustling to her right caught her attention, and she shot her hand out. Her fingers gripped around cloth and she pulled it down to the ground.
Before the thing realized it, Yukiko had a sword to its throat, a knee on its stomach, and both hands weighed on the ground. It cried out, an inhumanly wail that hung in the night air.
The moon came out from behind dark clouds, and she could see what she had pinned down on the ground was a weasel demon. "I plead of you, release me! I did nothing of any harm. I'll leave this village if you let me go," it begged, struggling under her weight.
"Not a very strong demon, are you?" Yukiko hissed, almost cat-like. She lowered herself to where her lips were just a few inches above its ear. "If I catch you anywhere near this or another village again, I won't hesitate to run you threw."
She picked the demon up by the neck and flung it across the ground. "Get," she ordered. The weasel demon scurried away from her, quickly leaving her range of sight. Yukiko sighed and crept back into her room.
Kyo was waiting impatiently waiting on the bed, watching her intently. "Don't worry, I'm fine, Kyo. It was a mere weasel snooping around." Seeming satisfied with her explanation, the cat yawned and walked in a circle before curling up under the covers.
Yukiko shook her head and set her katana down next to her bed. She climbed under the blankets next to Kyo and laid her arm across him, almost protectively. He began purr lovingly and the young woman smiled contently as she slowly went to sleep.
x
This is my first story on FanFiction ever, but I am personally pleased with the results. I am open to any kind of criticism; comments, likes, flames...it doesn't really matter to me. Though just because I say I don't mind, please refrain from harsh flames just to be mean.