Hey everybody! This story kind of reminds me of Twilight, but only because it has vampires. Basically, Kagome wakes up in a room that looks like a prison… mix in a family of vampires, guns, the other human, and raspberries, and here's what you get! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha :sniffles:
Chapter
1: Them
I remember the moon. It was huge, the illumination bathing the small room with pale light. I remember the sound of nothing outside, the silence pounding in my ears and flooding my body. I remember the smell of stale air wafting about; smelling like it hadn't been circulated in years. I remember footsteps slowly pounding down the stairs outside, slowly and purposefully descending. I remember the moonlight fading as a shadow was cast around the unstable bed. I remember the first time I ever saw one of them.
He was tall, taller than my papa even. His electric blue hair glistened in the moonlight so much that I had to shield my eyes from the sight. He was wearing a midnight blue cloak to hide his skin, and his face was painted with shadows. He threw his head back and gave me a warm smile, which caught me off guard, and spread his long arms. "Welcome!" he thundered in a merry voice, scaring me so much I fell flat on the ground. His voice was high for a man, like a little kid, and filled with glee.
From down there he looked like a gigantic bat, his cape forming his wings and his surprising hair flying out in the wind. "Oh, come now! This is no time for sitting. Most of the household is still sleeping, but they will wake up within half an hour. The moon is bright tonight, no?"
I was dumbfounded. When you wake up in an empty chamber with one poor excuse for a bed and no food, water, and one solitary window fifty feet up, you don't expect such a warm welcome. I blinked up at the figure and then asked in a low voice, "…Why is everyone getting up now?"
He looked down at me and flashed a grin so broad and toothy it would impress dentists worldwide. The man bent down so he was kneeling beside me and whispered, "We depend on the night. You do, too."
What? I was about to ask what the hell he was talking about but thought better about it. The man was pleasant enough now, but I didn't quite feel like testing his limits. I sat there, breathing heavily, and for some reason that made him frown. "You weren't changed?" he wondered, more to himself than me.
"U-um… I'm sorry?" I guessed, not wanting him to be angry. Who would?
"No, no. I just need a word with Miroku. I have to know more about you before revealing anything else," came the man's soft reply.
I nodded, having no idea what I was nodding about. The man stood up suddenly, making me squeak, but walked slowly to the door. "Oh," he said, turning for a split second to stare at me, "Don't let anyone in while I'm gone, understand? Inuyasha's hungry and awake. I can feel he already smelled you. Just sit put and don't talk, okay?"
I nodded again. This man hadn't given me a reason not to trust him, and quite frankly there didn't seem a whole lot of other possibilities right now. The door opened and shut with such speed I only caught the faint whoosh of the lock being placed on the outside. I felt rather comforted by that than anything else. Inuyasha, whoever that was, didn't sound like someone I wanted to meet right now.
I stood up shakily and wobbled to the bed, and I was impressed it didn't collapse on itself when I sat down. I tried thinking back to how I got here, but not much was clear. The air was pretty suffocating, after all. And it smelled like dead rats. Yuck. I closed my eyes and a flash of Papa came bursting forth. What was he doing right now? These people had obviously kidnapped me, so was he looking for me? No, that didn't seem right.
Suddenly it was clear. There was a fire in the village. I remember Papa trying to beat down the flames, and I remember getting knocked out by the heat waves. These people must have found me a rescued me! They were probably trying to find my family… but Papa was my only family, and if he… no. He was alive. I could tell.
I lay down on the bed and heard the unnerving creak of the springs, groaning under my weight. I closed my eyes, but they flew open when a knock on the door resounded throughout the mini room. I sat up, getting a protest from the bed, and stared at the door. Another knock resounded. "H-hello?" I croaked out.
The lock was lifted up and the door flew open so fast my senses had no hope of catching the movement, but I felt myself being pushed back onto the fragile mattress. Hands were fastened to my wrists, and a pressure was sitting on my body, not letting me move. I was too terrified to scream. I couldn't hear breathing or movement above me, but I knew something was there, too fast for me to focus on.
"Little lamb…"
The voice was chilled, like the room, and I would have shuddered but the intruder was too heavy to let me move a centimeter. I stared, eyes wide and questioning, as the moon's light flickered. The thing was moving in and out of the moon's light. I tried screaming.
A hand shot out to muffle it so fast I nearly chocked. "Little lambs shouldn't be so bold," it hissed, so quickly and urgently I couldn't understand it.
"So scared… such fear," it hummed, taking in my terror.
I tried squirming away from it, but it tightened its grip, cutting off the circulation to my hands and legs. "Wiggle all you want, little lamb. It's so entertaining."
Before I could try escaping again the weigh on top of me was thrown off me. I couldn't tell what was happening, but the sounds came slowly to my mind like I was watching the events from miles away and see the action then get the sound. A giant dent would appear in the wall near the window and then a crash would reach me. It was so odd, and even when the struggle brushed by me, I could feel the force put behind the attacks seconds later.
Finally, the blue haired man because visible, holding my intruder by the ear. I stared. The other man looked beaten, his eye swollen and his lip split, but nothing too bad. The blue haired man continued dangling the second man by the ear and turned to me. "I'm Mari… and this here is Inuyasha. He's not normally like this, mind you, but he hasn't fed tonight and he gets very restless around humans."
I couldn't even nod. Inuyasha was completely limp, but it didn't look like he had been knocked unconscious. Mari saw my questioning look and explained, "There's a weak spot for all of us. It takes a while to find, but when you do it's so much easier to end the fight. Thing is, Inuyasha's weak spot it rather hard to grab onto."
I gave Mari a weak smile and looked over at Inuyasha. His hair was an amazing silver color, falling to his waist in waves. His face was pale but perfect. His lips looked angelic along with his simple golden robes. He looked so peaceful and beautiful as he swung, but I remembered his harsh, cold voice only too well.
"Did he hurt you?" Mari asked, obviously worried by my expression on recalling his tone.
"No, you came just in time. It was my fault… I talked, and it let him in. I'm so sorry," I apologized, not daring to kneel on the bed. It felt like it was about to break at any second.
Mari's eyes lowered for a moment, her brilliant sapphire orbs glancing at the ground. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have left knowing Inuyasha was coming. I just thought I could get to Miroku before anything happened. I'm the one that's sorry."
I had no idea what was going on. But I smiled at Mari, and that seemed the right thing to do. She grinned back and let go of Inuyasha, growling, "You idiot. What were you planning to do? Feed? You know what would happen. You're just lucky I stopped you. Jeez, do I have to do everything around here?"
Inuyasha blinked his eyes open and shook his head with shame. "Sorry, Mari … but you're just as violent," he grumbled, running a hand through his silver mane.
I noticed that Inuyasha's eyes were deep, deep amber, and looked like molasses: thick and mysterious. He looked at me once and snorted with disgust. "Was I really about to waste her?" he snorted.
I felt like I should be offended, but Mari jumped in for me. "Hey, Mr. I Can't Control Myself For Five Minutes, she was chosen by Miroku."
I smiled. Obviously if Mari said that, it was important, though why it was is another ballpark. Inuyasha laughed and exclaimed, "Miroku? That stupid perv?"
Mari caught Inuyasha by the nose and purred, "Don't make me grab your ear."
Inuyasha stopped laughing, and glared over at me. He was the type of guy to take stuff out on others. Lovely. I glared right back and then jumped as a hand rested gently on my shoulder. "So sorry for startling you, Kagome. I have to admit I'm still shaky around humans," uttered a voice from behind me.
I turned to see a teenage boy, leaning to one side, with short black hair. He gave me a smile and asked, "Have you been introduced to Mari and Inuyasha yet?"
I nodded once, transfixed by this man's innocent purple eyes. They were so exotic. He leaned down, and I didn't notice until minutes later that his hand was gently caressing my left butt. Out of instinct, I reached out and slapped his arm away, screaming, "HENTAI!"
Silence filled the room, and I knew instantly I wasn't supposed to hit this guy. He stood up again, and burst out with laughter. "She's just like my dear Sango! Oh, we must keep her!" he thundered, reaching around my shoulders and hugging me tightly.
I felt kind of like a fruitcake. This guy, Miroku, wanted to "keep me" and Inuyasha and Mari were arguing I was to be "exchanged." Finally Miroku raised his hand and said with authority I couldn't find in his young eyes, "She stays for now. We will have a meeting to decide if this changes every week. Deal?"
Mari agreed immediately, and then gracefully grabbed onto Inuyasha's nose to make him honk out, "Wud eva you wan Moku."
Miroku smiled at Mari, who winked at me. I'm sure that was a sign for something, so I winked back. Miroku let go of me and glided to the door in the same manner Mari had. "Oh, and Kagome?" he added, "Mari's a girl, not a boy."
I opened my mouth with shock, turning back to stare at Mari. Her chest was flat… flat enough not to notice the two small bumps under her robes, and her medium length blue hair made her face look more strong and confident than feminine. I looked closely at her cheeks and eyes, and saw a girlish smile playing around her lips and her eyes crackled with laughter.
My face reddened as she continued her silent laughter. "I-I'm so sorry!" I cried, bowing low and feeling the bed give way, breaking in a shower of springs and fluff.
Inuyasha barked out a laugh, and Mari sighed. "It'll be confusing with human weight everywhere. We'll need a new chair and table and… oh, why does Miroku insist on having her stay?"
I felt my blush reside in place of anger. "Do you really want to, er, exchange me for something else? Am I a burden?"
Mari smiled down at me and shook her head. "No, we just have different ways of doing things, and if you're going to stay the way you are, we're going to have to do some adjusting."
The way I am? Huh? "Why do you always refer to Miroku as some kind of head of the house? He looked like a teenage lecher to me," I said, trying to sound as politely and respectful as possible.
Mari giggled, "He is. I was groped three times before knocking him unconscious. But he has a gift of telling what someone's thinking when he touches you. Physic, some call it. Anyway, when he was hugging you he probably heard you referring to me as a guy."
I guiltily looked down. Mari was surprisingly girlish now that I thought about it, her laugh, her smile, the way she held herself. Her strength and authority had blinded me to her sweet, soft feminine side. I felt so stupid. I looked over at Inuyasha and narrowed my eyes at him. "You're a guy, right?" I shot suspiciously.
"Let me check," he rolled his eyes.
Good. At least I'm not completely blind. I looked down at the pile of bed parts and mumbled, "Sorry about that bed. In my defense it was poorly made."
Mari let out a laugh and said, "That was the strongest bed we could find on such short notice. We'll have Nobunaga make up a new one that will hold you."
I thanked Mari, and thought how at home I felt with her. We'd never met, but we were talking like old friends. "Inuyasha, be a good boy and go show- Kagome, was it? - to Sango's. I'm sure they'd be happy for some bonding," ordered Mari lazily.
Inuyasha got up and punched Mari on the back. "You suck," he pouted, taking me by the wrist and twisting me so he was dragging me out the room.
"Be gentle! She's breakable, you jerk!" I heard Mari call, but she was fading fast along with my room.
Things were blurring as Inuyasha seemed to walk through the hallways and doors, but it looked like I was flying. "Whoa!" I cried, but my words were whisked away by the wind whistling through my ears.
I could tell Inuyasha was trying to slow down, but even his slow walk was like a thrill as pictures and doors came and went, leaving me dizzy. Finally he stopped and I rammed into him. He didn't even feel it. "Here. Sango's," he grunted, turning and disappearing before my eyes. Damn, he was fast.
I knocked on the door and I heard a click and then the door flew open. A girl with long black hair that was tied into a high pony stood rooted to the spot, gun in her hands. I yelped and stumbled back, yelling, "Hey, what's this about?"
The girl relaxed at the sight of me and turned back around, remarking, "Miroku told me you would be coming. Another human, huh? Cool. Sorry about the gun, but I thought it was Inuyasha. He's the only one around here that knocks."
I stumbled into the room and shut the door, which locked behind me. How reassuring. "What's your name?" asked the girl, flopping onto her bed and staring at me through thick eyelashes.
"K-Kagome Higurshi," I answered, looking around her room.
It was huge. Much bigger than my old room. It had curtains on the window that could easily block out sunlight, and a stand with papers and books. Her bed was impressive, with covers and sheets folded neatly around it. I took a step forward and found carpet laid out on her floor. "You're Sango, right?" I asked, taking another tentative step.
"Yup. Did you just get here or something?" Sango inquired, watching my careful steps.
"Yeah… Inuyasha kinda attacked me," I informed her, looking up for a reaction.
Sango smiled. "He did that to me too. Have a bit and everything before Mari pinched his ear so hard it bled. Look."
Sango tilted her head to show me two small scars, not bigger than needle pricks, on her neck. "Don't worry, Mari will give ya a gun soon. She loves guns as much as the next vampire. You'll be safe," explained Sango, crossing her legs and facing me.
I froze on my way to her bed, eyes wide. "Vampires?" I uttered.
Sango stared right back. "Yeah. Why did you think they were so supernaturally fast, beautiful, weird, and connected? This is a house full of vampires and you're looking at the only other human."
I knew something had been off, of course, but vampires? It's all so unreal! I decided I couldn't make it to Sango's bed and sat down on the fuzzy carpet. The second I did a blow of wind signaled Miroku's appearance, and only when Sango greeted him did I turn around. "Hello you two! Getting to know one another? That's grand. Listen, Sango. Bankotsu, Sesshormaru, and Kouga are up and roaming around, so we'll be ready in a few. Kagome, I hate to leave, but we're going out hunting. I'm sure you'll be fine alone for a couple hours, and Naraku is leagues away. Just hang for a while, okay?"
Miroku seemed pleasant, but his eyes flashed when he spoke. I could only assume that meant he was hungry, and with a pang I realize he was hungry for blood. After all, he was a vampire. I thought back to Mari and Inuyasha. They're vampires, too… was I going to be eaten? Is that what they were arguing about? I looked over at Sango and asked, "Why are you going?"
Sango's lips parted to form a gleeful smile, and she said, "I hunt, too. Soon I'll become one of them, so I have to learn what to kill when. Getting the fear and stuff out of the way so I can go straight into feeding when I turn."
I just sat there. Well, what else could I do? All this information was being dropped on me like anvils, so I thought it would be safer not to try to move under the weight of it all. Sango perked up and offered, "You can stay in my room, k?"
I nodded and slithered onto her bed. It was comfy, and didn't squeak in protest when I lay down on the soft sheets. Sango got up and picked up her gun. It was a different one, short and dull, but she held it like it was an ancient artifact. Miroku swirled around and told me, "We'll look for you're father while we're out. If we find him we'll reunite you two as quickly as possible. Please don't break anything, for it's all very expensive around here. But if you do, and I will understand if it's an accident, please don't touch it. We will fix it. Come, Sango. Bankotsu is restless."
I watched as Miroku flickered out and Sango hurried after him, clanking down the hallways. I sighed and fell onto the bed. How in the world is this possible? Vampires? They seemed odd… so fast, so perfect, but to be real? And to keep a human, let alone two, in the same house without killing them… is it possible? Could I be hallucinating?
The door swung silently open and I turned to see Mari. She gave me an encouraging smile before sitting on the bed with me, not even indenting the covers. "Miroku was worried about you. Are you doing okay? Sango said you looked pale. She knows how hard it is on the newbie, especially humans. She wanted to come herself, but I could come and go faster."
I warmed up inside. Mari was just like any normal friend, caring, nice, and helpful. Only she was a vampire. I shook the thought out of my head and looked over at the pale figure. I reached out and lightly touched her robe. It was velvet, nearly melting under my hot fingertips. Mari chuckled and directed my hand to her face. Her skin was piercingly cold, and her lips, though faintly red, were freezing. I withdrew my hand, shivering. No one living could have skin that cold.
Mari frowned and asked, "Are you scared of me?"
I knew the answer before her question was even out. "No. You're so human it doesn't bother me. But-"
"But?" she prompted.
"But Inuyasha and Miroku. Inuyasha's so violent and beautiful. I knew he couldn't be human, though vamp-. And Miroku just moved so quickly, like he didn't notice there was laws against walking that quickly. But you were careful not to surprise or hurt me," I gushed in a rush, clutching at my shirt.
Mari nodded wisely, saying, "Did you know Inuyasha attacked Sango, too?"
"Yeah, she told me."
"Think how terrified Sango must have been, waking up in this room without a clue, abandoned by her mother a day before and her brother dying in her hands. Then this unseen monster comes and pounces her, without warning. She was strong, but a rag doll to Inuyasha. I barley got to her in time. You see, Inuyasha had already started drinking. Image how hard I had to fight to get him off her, let alone find his ear and practically yank it off to calm him."
I sat, thinking. Sango didn't get a chance to talk to Mari first to calm her down, or collect her thoughts, before Inuyasha charged. And after that she's still living with him and hunting with everyone. She was accepted into the family, but would I? There was already one argument to chuck me, so what's the possibility of me staying? Mari seemed to notice this little pep talk didn't go quite like she planned. She switched tactics and chirped, "Miroku says you were really calm around Inuyasha. No fidgeting or anything. He thinks you could meet everyone once they come back."
I agreed. Of course, I wasn't nervous around him because I didn't know he could bite and kill me instantly. Ah well, might as well not tell Mari that. She was trying so hard to cheer me up. I put on a big smile and urged her to go back to everyone. "Are you sure? I could stay…"
She didn't look like she wanted to stay. Even though she didn't inch toward the door, I could see her crystal eyes flicker with hunger. "Go. I think I'm going to try to find my way around here," I invented.
As soon as I said it I thought I really would. It would be a good past time and useful to know. Mari got up, satisfied that I was okay, and called behind her, "We'll send out a search party if you don't turn up by morning!"
I laughed as she walked around a corner. That's what I felt so comforting about Mari; she never simply vanished in front of me. I felt a little better and got up to find my way around. This was going to be fine.
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Oh god, surely there can't be six floors! I think this house is playing with my mind… that, or I'm going crazy. Wait, those are the same things. Gaaaaaah!
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Have I already been here? Yes, the old, bald guy with a mustache looks fairly familiar. Kind of like the old, bald guy right next to him. Damn.
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I wonder if they could track me through this house by just my smell? Should I leave a blood trail for them? Like some messed up Hansel and Gretel story.
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How long does it take to hunt? My stomach can't take much more old geezers glaring at me through thousand year old pictures. Honestly.
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Oh, I think I heard the front door. Either I'm close or I'm delusional. Don't answer that. I walked up a hallway and came face to face with a boy with hair coca colored hair tied neatly up in a long ponytail and teeth bared. He sniffed me once and leapt into my chest like a trapeze artist. I shrieked and the next second Mari was on me, seeing what was wrong. I stood, hands raised in defense as the new guy nuzzled me. "E-erm…" I gasped.
Mari sighed heavily and pried this stranger from me, scolding, "Kouga, what is your problem? I'm not your mother; I shouldn't have to remind you about your actions. This is Kagome, and she's new. You lay one finger on her, and I promise I will smell it, and your ass will be kicked from here to France and back!"
I thought that was a little harsh. He didn't really do anything… except startle me. I was about to speak up when Inuyasha materialized by Kouga. "She's not even worth biting, huh?" he asked, nodding over at me.
Kouga shook his head and said in a voice low but calm, "She smells like blossoms. I couldn't help myself from smelling her, but I think I scared her a little."
A little? Yesh. I rolled my eyes and Mari laughed. "Where's Sango?" I inquired as Inuyasha and Kouga argued on my scent.
"She's behind us, but she knows the way back. She covers up our traces so the village people don't get suspicious," said Miroku, who had just walked up behind me.
"Have you guys looked into getting bells," I wondered, jumping at Miroku's sudden appearance.
Inuyasha gagged, Mari laughed, Kouga sniffed, and Miroku patted my shoulder. "It's almost dawn everyone, another couple hours at most. Now, where are Sesshormaru and Bankotsu? They have first watch."
I shot a questioning look over at Mari and she mouthed, "We keep guard against Naraku. Never mind, it doesn't concern you. Sango will be here soon, and she'll take you to your room."
Mari walked away, and Inuyasha scoffed at her slow movements. I glared at him. He glared right back, and it wasn't far because he has super eyes. It's impossible to look at them for more than thirty seconds without getting blinded by beauty. "Yo! Bankotsu! Meet Kagome, she smells wonderful!" called Kouga excitedly, waving me around like a present. Oh good.
I looked over but saw no one coming. Wonderful, he's going to sneak up. Sure enough, a figure solidified beside me, causing me to jump back. He blinked at me and then glanced at Kouga, saying bluntly, "Where is she?"
I put my hands on my hips and greeted, "Nice to meet you, too."
He turned slowly and faced me, squinting slightly. Finally his eyes widened and he exclaimed in the same monotone voice, "It's a human."
"Good call," I congratulated, pissed. He didn't have to be so rude!
Bankotsu turned back to Kouga and frowned. "What's she doing here?" he asked, pointing at me.
"Hey, I have a name!" I yelled from behind him.
He turned, so slowly it looked like he was in an old movie and said, "I know. Kagome."
I didn't bother answering. He was obviously used to having his way, and there was no point getting him pissed. Sango came bursting into the little reunion at this point, panting and with something red clutching to her clothes. "Um, Sango, you smell-" I started, the scent of blood foul in the air but all three boys finished my sentence.
"-Wonderful!" they cried.
Hoo boy. This is going to be fun. "Sango. Mari said you could help me find my room?"
"Sure thing, just let me wash off," suggested Sango, giving the boys death looks.
They averted their gazes, Bankotsu saying he needed to find Miroku. He muttered to me, "Nice to meet you," before walking at a snail pace away.
Sango snorted and dragged me to her room, where she washed off the blood stains. "Sorry about Ban," she sighed, scrubbing with all her might.
"Yeah, what's with his reaction?" I asked, perched on the sink.
"Oh, you know I was the only human in this household so I bullied anyone who bugged me with their superpowers. Bankotsu just appeared at the wrong time and wrong place and I kinda dislocated his kneecap. No biggie, but he doesn't go super speed around me anymore," she huffed, wringing out the clothing.
I watched Sango attacked her shirt before stating, "You really had a hard time. I would have left if it was me in your shoes."
Sango puffed and sat down, clothes wrinkled and damp, but she slide them on anyway. "I had nothing to run to. These guys are my family now, and even though it was really hard at first, they're not all bad. Get to know them, and hell, you could call them family, too."
I smiled. That didn't sound like the worst thing imaginable. I hopped off the sink and walked with Sango to her door, to ram into Miroku, about to open the door. There was an awkward detangling of limbs before he announced with an emotionless voice, "I found your father. Mari will take you home."
I stood, not seeing the boy before me. "Oh… oh good," I managed to get out.
That's good. Papa's okay. I'm going home. It's good, right? I turned to Sango, who wasn't looking at me. "You gonna be okay?"
"What do you think?" she shot back.
Miroku left quietly, leaving us alone. "Papa needs me," I defended.
"And I don't?" she demanded.
I didn't understand what she meant until it hit me. Without me here, Sango would be all alone with vampires again. Sure, she had Mari to keep her cheerful and sane, but it wasn't the same as flesh and blood contact. She hadn't shown it, but I bet Sango had been really lonely without another human, and that's why she wanted to become a vampire. To escape the feeling. She must feel so awkward around these graceful creatures all the time. I tried to apologize, but nothing came out. "I'll see you," I choked, rushing to the door, and yanking it open to see Mari strolling toward us.
She gave me a weak smile, which I didn't return. Had I really had this much of an impact on everyone? I mean, I was here for less than a day and yet we got so attached. I wasn't the only human, but I was a new one with new feelings and thoughts. But I can't discard Papa, not after they went to the trouble to find him! "How are you taking me?" I asked, more out of something to say than real interest.
"I'm going to carry you. Hold tight, it won't be like with Inuyasha," Mari warned, her tone more depressed than I'd ever heard it.
"Inuyasha… I bet he's happy I'm leaving," I thought out loud as Mari grabbed hold of my waist.
She gave me a watery look and whispered, "You have no idea."
What was that supposed to mean! But before I could ask, we were moving at the speed of light. The house disappeared from my view, and trees abruptly covered my eyesight. My eyes dried out instantly, causing me to close them to the blurred scenery. But as suddenly as the whirlwind of colors had started, they stopped. Mari put me down on solid ground, which swayed under my feet. "In that tent. Bye," she gave me a hug before, for the first time, vanishing before my eyes.
I stared at the spot for several seconds. Mari, the first and last part of my short time with the vampires, was gone. I thought she would at least walk off into the distance, but she just flew away like all the rest. The sun was slowly rising on the far mountains as I turned and trudged into the tent. Inside, Papa was cooking by the fire, humming softly to himself. I gave him a force grin and greeted, "Hey Papa!"
He turned to face me, my face reflected in his baggy eyes. He looked old… older than I had remembered him. The fire at our village had taken a lot out of him, and I ran over to hug him. "Oh, Kagome. I'm sorry, you must have been so scared!" he apologized into my hair.
I was about to agree before I thought back. Sure I was scared at times, but were the vampires really scary now? The thought of Mari or Miroku, or even Inuyasha being scary now almost brought a real smile to my face. "They were great," I heard myself saying. "They took me in and sheltered me. Then they found you and returned me."
It stung when I said it, though it was true. They had just borrowed me and now I was back home, normal girl in a normal village. "Don't be so depressed, sweetheart!" exclaimed Papa with somewhat of an exasperated laugh.
I couldn't help it. The smile wouldn't come. I stared at the floor in silence before muttering, "I'm going to bed. Night."
I'm sure I worried Papa, acting so gloomy, but I couldn't keep up the act. I wasn't happy I was back, and I was half expecting Mari to appear, telling me I could come back with Papa. But that would never happen, and I wasn't even sure the whole thing happened in the first place. It was only one night, what if I had dreamed it all? I was probably lying somewhere close by and just walked the extra feet to Papa's tent. How silly am I, believing in vampires? I forced myself to say goodnight to Papa in a happy voice and fell into an uneasy sleep where Inuyasha's golden eyes where stalking me, and Sango was lying in my path, bleeding.
"Hey Kags! Would you mind going to pick some berries for dinner?" called my papa.
I shot awake, amber eyes still following me. I shook my head to clear it and answered, "Sure."
I got up, brushed my hair with my fingers before putting it up in a loose bun and getting our collecting basket. I headed into the woods, noticing the sun setting behind the mountains. I had slept through the day and woke up with them. I doubled over to pick some blueberries and wondered farther into the bushes, collecting blueberries, strawberries, and some blackberries. But what I really wanted was raspberries, which didn't grow unless you go deep in the woods.
I stomped off, making enough noise to scare any bear, or bird for that matter, and found the patch of berries. "Gotcha," I muttered triumphantly, picking some off a nearby bush.
For the next two days I picked berries, leaves, and herbs for Papa's cooking and studying. We were falling into a rhythm, and I had all but convinced myself everyone had been a dream. It was that day when I was out searching farther than normally for a new raspberry bush when I stumbled onto… him. His long, silver hair was swinging gently against his back as he walked away from me at a stroll of a human.
I gasped, lunging myself at the figure. Surely it couldn't be Inuyasha. Surely not. When the man turned around I was met with furious dark gold eyes. This man had what looked like violent purple scars running down his cheeks, and a tattoo the shape of a moon imprinted on his forehead. He snarled, his fingernails, which were unreasonably long, attaching to my arms.
I screamed out, blood spurting between his nail and my punctured skin. His eyes narrowed and he hissed out with a voice so deadly low I had to strain my ear to hear it, "Kagome?"
I collapsed at my name. He was a vampire. I looked up into the dark eyes. They looked so much like Inuyasha's, but Inuyasha's was bathed in light and hope, while this vampire's was clouded with darkness and foreboding. He let go of me and stood up, towering over me. "I'm Sesshormaru, Inuyasha's half brother. What are you doing here?"
What was I doing here? It took me a moment to remember why I had come so far into the woods and so close to their hunting grounds. "I- er, was picking berries. For Papa," I babbled.
Sesshormaru looked satisfied but angry. "Well I suggest you do that elsewhere. If I hadn't just fed you would have been dinner."
I nodded, looking down at my feet. It was better I was with Papa; I wasn't in danger of being eaten daily. But, I couldn't lie to myself. I missed them. Sango had survived without getting drained, and Mari seemed like Ms. Self Control. I would have been better than fine, I would have been safe with them. But Papa needs me. He's getting old and can't go out to do all these chores.
I bowed to Sesshormaru, mumbling an apology. He scoffed, "Do not say sorry to me. Do you realize what you have down, idiot human?"
I stood, cocking an eyebrow. "What?" I asked.
"Inuyasha's been unbearable since you left, always throwing tantrums about the littlest things, spending all day in your room and then at night only coming out for thirty minutes to drink and then hide back in your room. He say he's just trying to catch the scent Kouga was talking about, and that made Kouga join him. You have two vampires absolutely numb over you, and Sango hasn't gone hunting with us since you've left. What kind of thing, human or not, does that to a clan? Even Bankotsu, who met you for two minutes, has been childishly quiet during hunting and hasn't spoken to anyone. You can just imagine what Miroku and Mari are doing to themselves. Poor Mari is-"
"Stop!" I cried.
I didn't want to know what pain I'd caused Mari by picking Papa over her. I stumbled back in the forest, holding my hands over my ears. "I can't take this. I can't take the fact that I hurt them!"
I turned and ran. I ran so hard I didn't even know if my feet were on the ground. It hurt with every step, the vibrations tingling my body and sending, "Hurt them, hurt them, hurt them" coursing through my veins.
I entered the house, flinging the door open to find Papa, sitting on his chair like always in front of the fire. It was so peaceful here, but this wasn't where I wanted to be anymore. This little tent wasn't my home anymore. I walked over to Papa and roused him. He blinked, looking up at me with sleepy eyes. The eyes of an old man. "What's wrong, sweetie?" he asked kindly.
I felt tears flood my eyes. He seemed to pick up that something was wrong and pulled me into a bony, weak hug. It made me cry harder. "Honey, I have good news!" he said suddenly, "I just talked to Hojo, and he's going to take over your job while you go get married!"
I stared at him, about to laugh. "U-um, what?" I clarified.
"Married! I'll let you go off for six months to find your true love, and then you'll come back here on June 14th with this lucky man and I'll have you wed that night! I'm old… old enough to worry about the family business. There's only a matter of time before I go, and then where will the village get their medicines? You need yourself a nice, strong, intelligent, young fellow to help you out around here. Until then, Hojo is willing to take half a year off his schooling to help around here."
I couldn't even speak. The words of gratitude and relief overwhelmed all senses. He was letting me go back. Of course, he wasn't going to know where I was going, but one thing was for sure: I wasn't breaking his heart by following mine.
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Okay, that's all I got for today. Phew, that
was a lot of writing!
Please read and review, and the next chapter will be up soon!