So the first chapter I was all like, it from everyone's point of view, then I wrote the second chapter and was all like, can't do that shit no more.
"Oh, my... Shippo!" Kagome held her hands to her mouth in surprise. Giggling excitedly she ran over to the demon and wrapped her arms around him with the most force that she could manage.
She shouldn't had been that surprised since he came every year for the festival, but it was still a good month away, normally he would come a few days before it.
She looked back with glee as she examined the man who she raised like a son. He hovered over her by a good head and grew on a care free smile with clearly show teeth sharper than Inuyasha's. Once Inuyasha had convinced her to let him get to Shippo, the boy had turned into a marvelous fighter. Though, it was for a cost. A few bumps and faded scars had crossed his face from over the years.
His hair had grown like Inuyasha's well beyond his back which, like Inuyasha's, was down and free. Was lean and fit, since he never was one to be bulky, after all, he did rely on speed and magic many times in fighting. His long arms finally held Kagome back in a hug and she smiled with joy. It always great to see him.
He had on a horrible dark blue kimono which made he orange hair and deep brown eyes radiate. It just stood out too much. It made his hair stand out too much too. Lucky for him, the people in the village didn't care if he was a demon or not so it really didn't matter.
"Down here for the festival?"
"As always."
Kagome grabbed his arm and guided him towards the village fields. It didn't matter where they went as long as she got him all to herself. No use in standing in one place getting in everyone's way.
"You're far too early." Kagome beamed up at him.
She watched her son gaze out to the rice fields watching as the workers slide across the water in their canoes. It was still too far away, but with a few demons living in the village, the villagers always thought it was a good idea to hang up talismans. They wouldn't want demons coming in and attacking them especially during summer. Even if Inuyasha could fight them off.
"Well, there has been a lot of activity in the eastern province, so I thought that I might come early." Shippo's voice rung with concern.
Kagome bit her bottom lip. Please, please, don't tell her what she thought it was.
"Isn't that where Sesshomaru has been?" She held his arm a little tighter.
"Yeah," Shippo scratched the back of his neck in uncomfortableness. He obviously didn't want to worry her, but it seemed a little too late for that. "Sesshomaru, has been busy with a few demons. Nothing he can't handle, but there has been a lot. Weird thing is that they're demons I've never seen before."
Kagome looked up with wide eyes. "Just, what did they look like." Her voice slightly quivered.
"Well... light, I guess."
"Light?"
"Yeah, they're skin kind of, well, glimmered."
Kagome dug her nails into his arm. Stiffly, she replied, "I need you to do me a favor."
Just what the hell was going on? Hikaru was a quiet person but he wasn't an anti social. All throughout the past month not once had he argued back with Haruna, shooed off Hinata's picking, or tried to talk to Komori. He must have been hiding something, but it was like he didn't even know what it was. Idiot.
Shouta relaxed. Now wasn't the time to get worked up over something so little. He had to focus on the half demon who was explaining the type of demon they were going to execute. It was a trivial demon that they would be able to take care of, but it was still important to listen. Also Haruna would yell at him later if he didn't. She was already giving him a look that plainly said I'm-going-to-murder-you-Inuyasha-style.
Which meant without mercy.
Until Kagome gave him the command.
It was an ordinary village. People, people and more people, with food. The only difference was the person they were talking to, Jinenji. A very ugly half-breed with horrible bulging eyes that looked right through his soul. Considering each of them had their dirty little secrets, except Hikaru, it was a bit unsettling. But, never in Shouta's life, did he think he would find another village who accepted demons.
"It comes out at night to attack the orphanage. Some nights it does and others it doesn't." The man paused taking in a shallow breath, trying to regain his composure. "I'm sorry; I'm just not a fighter."
Shouta wanted to scoff but would have to endure his siblings' wrath if he didn't. What type of demon didn't know how to fight?
"Why the orphanage?" Hikaru mumbled to himself. His siblings gave him concerned looks. When he noticed, he continued. "Why something so defenseless. Sesshomaru would never do something so self-demeaning."
Hikaru slouched his shoulders. The poor boy was always thinking of others like the kind and caring person he was. Unfortunately, that would be his dismay.
Shouta should have comforted him, maybe by placing a hand on his shoulder and telling him that everything was going to be okay, but that wasn't his place. He was the sneaky ease dropper who no one could trust and he wasn't about to step over his boundaries. Even if he did, or wanted to, why would Hikaru trust him now?
Komori was the one to do it, though he didn't say anything. Hikaru smiled and looked up to his older brother with a new found confidence. Shouta would never be close to his siblings like those two. Komori only smiled back as they motioned for Jinenji to continue.
"Most of the orphans have died. The villagers are worried that soon it will attack their own children."
The tears could be seen on the corners of his eyes.
Hikaru grabbed onto the demon's robe in a comforting act. "We'll kill the demon." Hikaru's voice rang with confidence. Jinenji looked up with shock, after all, how often was there a boy who had such leadership skills? The demon breathed trying to calm himself.
"Saki will guide you to your rooms." The villager gestured to a girl who had been off to the side. Her petite frame closed in and bowed to them. Finally Jinenji left to his own business.
She walked them through the house which was like any other, only it being huge and overly fancy. It was brightly lit, had polished walls and floors and far too many paintings of nobles. The servants were busy scurrying to their destinations. Overall, it was a well controlled house with an organized headmaster.
"This is where you'll be sleeping." The girl gesture to a room that was large and homey, but unnecessarily so. She gave a small smile to Komori as he turned away from her to look at the room. Shouta gave a sly grin. Even after marriage it was still going to end badly, huh?
Haruna was the first to go into the room followed by Hinata. They took a long look around examining it. Haruna crossed her arms and looked up towards the ceiling. "Don't you have a room that feels more comfortable? Whenever I'm in these big rooms I always feel like everything around me is so damn fragile."
Hinata let out a irritated sigh then turned to her sister. "It's a nice room." She practically demanded.
"It's too nice."
"How can it be too nice?"
"I already said why!"
Hikaru took a side-step behind Komori as the sisters started their argument. Saki started to adjust her kimono in nervousness. Maybe it would be best to shut the door and let them argue: If no one stopped them then they would start fighting. Wait, too late. Their yells started to echo while servants turned their heads to see the new found drama. Hikaru breathed out waiting for them to just start throwing punches.
Shouta leaned on a foot and crossed his arms also waiting for them to stop arguing. Someone should have warned the girl that it was going to happen, but to hell if Shouta was going to do. He just liked to watch people squirm from uncomfortableness.
"I'm sorry." The girl blurted out. Her kimono wrinkled from her bowing. Shouta could easily see her shoulders tense and her breathing become hallow. It was tedious for people to be scared, but it was pretty funny at the same time.
"They always fight like this. It could be over the fact that there's a gnat on the wall and they would start hitting each other." Hikaru explained from behind his blushing brother.
The girl sighed, glad it wasn't because of her.
Shouta examined his older brother. Maybe, now he could get him to squirm. It was like failure laughed in his face whenever his brother left unblemished by Shouta's repetitive behavior. Komori would always have that type of control over him that he could never triumph. Shouta would always see Komori shadow and maybe for once he could get his brother down to him. Just for once he'd like to see his brother human, again.
"Hikaru." Hikaru looked up to him. "Go take care of Yuuta."
Hikaru crunched his brows and gave his brother an odd glance; he left without cavil. With Hikaru away it would be far easier to watch his brother come from that high position he blindly placed himself in.
Shouta closed the door, muffling the yells of the two look-alike's.
"In the mean time," Shouta continued as he grabbed Komori. "This is my brother Komori."
He clearly tensed under Shouta's grip as he looked anywhere but the girl. His face slowly turned a shade of red. Finally, a damn reaction. Victory soured through Shouta veins as his heart raced. His grip tightened as it seemed that maybe, just maybe, this would go Shouta's way for once instead of it always being in Komori's favor, just like everything else did. Almost everything.
"Well." Saki scratched her head not quite sure how to respond to the odd teenagers. She glanced around looking for a way out of the confrontation. After not finding one, she asked, "What do you think of house?"
Komori didn't respond. Shouta gave his brother a light nudge which brought him out of his stupor. Komori continued to look to the ground with his blush growing more obvious. Shouta smirked which went unnoticed. Just a little more.
"Would you like to give me a tour?" Saki asked brightly.
Perfect.
Grimness crossed Komori's face as he thought franticly for a different pathway. His polite behavior would ensue that he would caught within his own web. Each door was blocked because if his own restrictions; something Shouta never understood. Now, he could watch his brother see life the way he did. Let him squirm under Shouta's reign and dominance, something he was never able to do. Someone would normally step in and pull Shouta back under the darkness, not this time.
"Sure, why not?" Komori quietly said. It would be too rude to say no to the hostess. She was giving up her room and time for them. Komori would just have lean under his own morale's.
This was apparently good enough for the girl who gasped in delight.
Still perfect.
"Not going to invite me?" Shouta asked slyly leaning in towards the girl.
It caught her off guard. "Oh. Well..." She leaned away.
Shouta cut her off. "I guess it doesn't matter. You can have fun with a married man." Shouta walked into the room waving the girl good bye.
Shouta couldn't help but let out a snicker as Haruna turned to him giving him an irritated look. The smile on his face clearly showed that he confessed to her accusation. He did do something to his brother and he wasn't about to deny it. He beat him back into the ground where he belonged. It's where everyone belonged, that's why Shouta like manipulating people.
Shouta didn't know what his brother was going to do to get out of it but Komori came in with that impassive stare that Shouta hated so much. It made his victory come crashing out of it's high pride. Shouta gritted his teeth in loathsome. Komori wasn't going to pretend that he didn't win.
Komori held himself with high posture and graceful cavalier. His victory came back. It was facade. Komori was broken in the inside from the stab. Good.
The twin watched as Komori unpacked his weapons and bedding. Hinata's troubled look floated over to Shouta.
He looked back to Komori. Maybe just one more, not for his pride or dominance, but because it was the truth. Whether or not Komori liked it.
"I think you handled that well despite being girl-shy."
Tension hovered in the room as the twins looked from each other to Komori, back to each other and finally to Shouta. His words were deep in their minds. He had to wonder, could they actually handle the truth, or were they in denial like Komori? His word
"You're not even going to listen are you?"
'You can't make anyone do anything that they don't want to do, no matter how logical it sounds.' His father's words rung through his head. Yeah, no matter what he did, Komori would turn his head and ignore him. Seeing the truth was something had to do on his own. Sure, Shouta wasn't nearly as philosophical, or as smart as Komori, but at least Shouta wasn't stuck in the past.
"One day you're going to have a girl. Then what are you going to do?"
Komori took in a deep breath as worry crossed his face. Shouta could have laughed and jabbed it at him more while dancing and squealing like a girl, but he wouldn't. Instead he was going to smile knowing that Komori, deep down inside, knew that Shouta was right.
Haruna stepped in. "He's right. You need to get over it."
Oh, shit. Even Haruna agreed with him. It made him want to dance like an idiot even more.
"You two leave him alone. You know why he's like this." Hinata's motherly voice settled in. Anyone one of them could stop him, but if Haruna joined sides with him then it was pointless.
"And I know why he'll stay like this." Haruna sat in front of him. "Shouta's right. You need to get over it."
Komori bit his lip and deplorably turned away.
"Haruna." Hinata threatened.
Komori slumped his shoulder in defeat but said nothing.
Shouta let his smile spread. Finally, a victory that would last.
Hikaru kept in rhythmic movement. The thick mane just didn't want to get rid of all it's glorious knots. Many times he had to stop and pull apart the hair. The black horse just stood there in it's high dominance. The picking didn't bother him at all.
Hikaru smiled. It was nice to find another village that accepted demons.
It was nice to be able to go to a village that accepted demons. Many villages weren't to kempt on letting a demon horse that was bigger than a man stay inside of their village. If it weren't for the two monks and three demons slayer then their horse would have been beaten dead a long time ago.
His siblings probably would have used Kirara, but Uncle Kohaku had her.
Hikaru pulled himself over Yuuta and straddled onto him. Once again, he ignored Hikaru as he picked at the top of his head. Once again, there were more knots, but if Hikaru didn't brush it then it would get worse.
Why Shouta suddenly wanted Hikaru to leave he could only guess. Oddly enough, Shouta was a bit of an animal lover, despite being a bit cruel to humans. Hikaru only shook his head in disapproval of his older brother's antic behavior. At least he showed his true personality.
Yuuta grunted and shook his head while stamping in place. It threw a surprised Hikaru off and he slammed into the ground. His back shot up with pain. Groaning, he tried to roll onto his stomach but his body just didn't want to.
When the pain abated Hikaru stood to face the horse. He was still causing a fuss and, what seemed to be, a temper tantrum. Hikaru scratched the back of his neck trying to figure out why the horse was freaking out. It was only worrying passing by villagers as Yuuta made louder noises.
Finally Hikaru grabbed the bridle, attempting to calm him down. Unexpectedly, it worked. Yuuta lowered his head and let Hikaru rub his nose.
"What's wrong with you?" Hikaru asked in concern. There wasn't any bugs in his ears were there?
Yuuta grunted and looked beyond Hikaru. Hikaru turned around and saw through the crowd of villagers his sister in her dark purple kimono with a boy. Her hands were clasped behind her back in some girly gesture that he would never be able to pull nor would he want to.
The boy she was with was smiling and leaning in a bit too closely. Hinata also leaned in a bit more with a smile on her face. She slightly lifted herself on her toes which showed the underlining of her demon slayer clothes. The boy didn't take any notice but continued with a smirk on his face and whisper something in her ear. Hinata giggled and bent over a little which showed just a bit too much of her neck.
Hikaru shivered in uncomfortableness. He never really did understand girls. Getting over his detestation of girl cooties he continued to watch them. He seriously doubted that it would go anywhere since they lived in different villages, plus, there was Haruna. Poor Hinata, couldn't get a boy even if her life depended on it. Which many times it did.
Hikaru let go of the strap and brushed his hand through Yuuta's thick hair; He whined in return. Hikaru pulled his hand away but Yuuta kept whining.
Hikaru sighed in frustration. What was wrong with him?
Yuuta snapped his head back to Hinata which smacked Hikaru in the face. He bent over in pain hold his nose waiting for the tingling to stop. He glanced at his sister through his fingers.
They were still too close together.
He stared back at Yuuta.
Yuuta was a demon horse. Maybe he saw something that he didn't see. Maybe this boy was just bad. Maybe not a bad person, but just a bad idea. Or maybe something bad would happen. Hikaru ignored the suspiciously bad omen and heaved himself back on Yuuta. If it turned into a problem then Haruna would deal with it.
As time went by, Hikaru became more anxious because Yuuta just would not shut up and stay still. Also, Hinata never left the boy. Multiple times Yuuta had smacked him in the face somehow or had completely thrown him off. Irked, Hikaru plopped in the dirt, under the shade, to think.
Firstly, people don't know other people by first impression. It's always wrong, judgmental and assumptive. Hinata had more experience with people than him so if there was something wrong then she would be able to see it for himself.
Secondly, if something bad were to happen, she would be able to deal with it. So why was Yuuta so frantic?
Well... she did look like she was chasing after men. Was she that desperate and lonely? She was a bit far past marrying age. But, she was a nice, polite and quiet girl, something like men-chasing didn't suit her.
Maybe, like now, Hinata choose the wrong boys and Haruna had to chase them off. It happened way too many times for it to be an accident each and every time. No, that couldn't be right. Something was just missing in all of it, but he just couldn't see what it was. Yuuta's temper tantrum didn't help with his thinking.
Hikaru gave up. He got up and brushed the dirt from his dark robe.
"Hinata!" He called which brought about a harsh glare from the older sister. Hikaru flinched back. What was with the distasteful expression? Her face soften as she saw who it. "Would you help me?"
Hinata turned her back to him as she said something to the boy. He looked so disappointed and annoyed it made Hikaru feel sorry that he interrupted them, but the horse wouldn't be quiet and Hinata was obvious at the center of it. The boy was shooed away before Hinata walked over to Hikaru.
She pinched Hikaru's cheek in affection. "You just have to interrupt everything, don't you?" She smiled at him.
Hikaru gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"So what do you need help with?"
"Well," Hikaru noticed that the horse remained quiet. "A moment ago he was a bit aggressive and noisy, but not anymore. Would you help me brush him?"
"Of course." Hinata said as she picked up the brush from the ground. She was a better than him. She was always a head taller than him.
Hikaru reexamined at his sister. A head taller? He used to barely be able to see over her shoulder, but now his eye level came to her neck. He looked down and noticed that his robes were higher off the ground. He smiled, proud that he had grown since who knows when.
He looked back at his sister who didn't have a problem getting out the tangles like he did.
'Must be because she's a girl.'
Hikaru frowned; His original thought came back to him. Was it Haruna's stubborn personality, or was it something else?
"Isn't it just a season for love." Haruna sarcastically said. "Maybe I'll be next to get married."
"Don't jinx yourself." Hinata replied leaning her head against Haruna's head. Her whole body was slouched as the two girls watched over the boys for their period. "You might get stuck with a guy who can actually beat the crap out of you."
"Maybe." Haruna leaned against her sister with a thoughtful look. "I think that would actually be nice."
Hinata suppressed a laugh by coughing. "You'd think I would be used to your weird thoughts but apparently not."
Haruna rolled her eyes and looked over at the horizon. The last few rays of the sun could barely be seen through the thick leaves of the trees and the hill shadows. The bite of cold was starting to settle in while the animals took notice and hid in their homes. Most of the people were hidden in their homes so the quiet was so strong that Haruna could hear the ringing in her ears. It was quiet like those boring summer days that the two girls always had.
"Why are we doing this again?"
"What?" Hinata snuggled closer. The night was coming and it would probably be wise to grab a blanket. They probably wouldn't, but it was just a thought.
"Hunting demons." Haruna wrapped her arms around her little sister.
"For the summer festival." Haruna's warmth enclosed on Hinata. Haruna used daggers and swords while Hinata used a bow and arrows. Haruna was far stronger, thus more muscular, thus more body heat. In a way Hinata always went to Haruna for comfort like she did now. Everyone else always thought it was the other way around.
"Is this what were going to do with our lives? Hunt demons and have kids and then that's it?"
"Well, what else is there to do?"
"Our parents did something more."
"That's true. But what are the chances?"
Silence took over Haruna as her face scrunched up in disgust.
"Whatever. It means nothing."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"It means nothing." Haruna spoke more harshly, so Hinata let it drop.
Haruna was high and confident. Hinata suppressed a laugh. At least, that's what everyone thought. Everyone assumed Hinata was born for the purpose of following her around to pick up the responsibility. It couldn't have been more wrong. Haruna always took the fall for Hinata because Hinata was 'supposed' to take the fall for Haruna.
Just like what happened with Hikaru those few weeks ago.
A silence fell on them as Haruna went into her own thinking and Hinata wondered what Haruna what it was. She had a glazed look over her eyes that always brought in trouble. Sure, she was bossy, aggressive and didn't like to have people tell her what to do, but she wasn't a bad person. Hinata, unlike everyone else, knew about Haruna's problems. Haruna wasn't that strong girl that who always got her way like everyone thought she was, she was just a young adult making her way in life.
Hinata snuggled closer to her sister hoping to get more heat. Yeah, they really should have gotten a blanket.
It was alright that Haruna wasn't so stereotypical, because that's what made Haruna individual. It made her the older sister that loved and grew up with. Despite all her flaws and oddities, she still cared for Haruna deeply.
"When our cousins come over, I'm to teach them how to body slam people."
Hinata covered her face with her hand in shame. Just because people misunderstood her didn't mean they were always wrong.
"Why?" She dared to ask.
"Wouldn't that be funny for two kids to go around slamming people into the ground?"
Hinata leaned away from her sister and gave her an incredulous look. Haruna stared back at her sister giving her an arrogant thought of a ten year girl in a pink kimono making a grown man eat his own dirt was pretty funny. Rude, but funny.
"I guess it would be funny."
Haruna's smirk widen as Hinata slowly snuggled back into her sister.
"Teach them Inuyasha-style." Haruna said looking back over to the horizon.
"Ah, you mean without mercy."
"Exactly!"
"Speaking of which, I wonder what he's doing."
"Probably arguing with Kagome like he always does."
"Inuyasha, why don't you ever go with them? It would help them." Kagome looked up to her husband who was laying on the roof as she filed out the herbs. Even though it was night time, no demon dared to cross her and her husband.
"I fetched them a goddamn demon horse. What more do you want me to do?"
"Actually make sure they come out alive."
"They always come out alive."
Kagome frowned. That may have been true but she wondered how Sango and Miroku must have felt. Their children always went out of their ways to help with the summer festival and sometimes came back with bruises and scars. Sure, they always came back alive, but what if one time they didn't?
"Kagome." Inuyasha groaned with concern. "They'll be fine. Haruna's there. She's tough as hell."
Kagome frowned. "She isn't as tough as everyone makes her out to be."
"You're delusional."
Kagome gave her husband a glare which he ignored. She turned her head back to her herbs with a huff. "Sit."
A crash and a yell was shortly heard afterward. Kagome smiled. She would make him fix the roof later.
"Maybe they're having sex." Haruna suggested.
Hinata hid her blush in the crook of her sister's neck. "Why do you always bring out the worst?" Her voice muffled.
"What's wrong with sex? It's about damn time they had a kid." Haruna paused as her body tensed. Hinata looked up to her wondering if she sensed a demon. Haruna was always better, but Haruna did always trained harder.
It wasn't a demon. Just Haruna's deep thoughts.
"I wonder if they can even have a child." Haruna continued. "Inuyasha's is half-demon and I've never heard of a fourth demon. The human blood could over power it and it would be a regular human." Haruna shook her head and slouched in defeat. "Kagome might even be too old to have a child. She's nearly forty. It might be too hard."
Who would have thought that Haruna could pity other people? Hinata, that's who. She wrapped her arms around her sister's neck hoping to comfort her. Haruna dropped her head on Hinata's head. Inuyasha was like a second father to Haruna; proven, Inuyasha actually let Haruna touch his ears. At least in private. Of course she would pity Inuyasha.
Hinata's heart sank into an endless pit whenever she saw Haruna dispirited. She was always lively, restless and bored; it meant something was seriously wrong.
"Maybe you can get Sesshomaru to give you a child and then you can give it to them." Hinata suggested while suppressing a laugh.
Haruna choked on her breath and went into a coughing fit. "And people think I'm insane."
"Well?"
Hikaru turn toward up to his brother sitting behind him in the wagon. He adjusted the horse he was guiding, despite it being night they'd get there faster. Hikaru pulled his blanket around him tighter to keep out the cool night's breeze.
"Well, what?" Hikaru softly asked adverting his eyes towards the sleeping twins. If Haruna woke up, they'd be too injured to go into battle.
Hikaru heard an almost silent chuckle. The siblings were used to the bumps in the road, the accessional wining of the horses and the other nightly noises of the forest, anything else and they would jolt awake. If Shouta was going to talk to him at night, then he obviously didn't want the others to know.
"What happened?"
Hikaru turned back towards the horse .He may have been the youngest, but guiding a horse wasn't exactly hard. He looked him over making sure that nothing was wrong with him, not that there was, but he really didn't want to look at his brother.
"With what?"
Hikaru heard a slight moan and maybe a few words that his brother monk shouldn't have said. Another bump in the road. Not that anyone would stir.
"Come on." Shouta quietly growled. "You know what I mean."
"No I don't."
"Fine, what happened all those weeks ago?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Hikaru truly didn't. Many things happened. Like a girl tried to kiss him and he freaked out. And even if he did have a big secret, he wasn't about to talk to Shouta about it. He wasn't a gossip, but he was too devious.
A small creak was heard behind him followed by a very quiet, irritated growl.
"You're up?" Hikaru heard Hinata softly ask. Shouta shouldn't have moved so much. It was amazing how away the slept on edge but at home that they slept like babies.
"Couldn't sleep." Shouta softly lied.
"Well, why don't you take over the horses and let Hikaru sleep?" Hinata suggested.
Shouta hesitated. "Yeah, Hikaru come back here."
Quietly and with ease, Hikaru slid away from the horses as Shouta grabbed the straps. Hinata gave him a smile and leaned her head on Haruna's shoulder. Her eyes closed but both boys knew that she was watching them. The times when Hinata stood up for Hikaru were the times that if they didn't listen to her then her wrath would come.
Hikaru smugly settled into his blanket. He fell asleep knowing that Shouta just wasn't going to have his way that night.
There were some words and a weird feeling on his side. Oh, someone was trying to wake him up. Either it was his time to watch or there was a demon. Groggily sitting up, Hikaru forced himself from his slumber.
"My time or demon?" Hikaru mumbled as he reached over to grab his staff.
"Demon."
Through the blurs in his eyes, Shouta and Komori were awake already with weapons in tact. Hikaru closed his eyes and breathed in forcing his mind to clear and to be alert. When his eyes were opened he clearly saw his sibling ready for battle.
Jumping off the ground, Hikaru readied himself for battle.
"Good let's go." Haruna commanded as she pulled over her mask. Better safe than sorry.
The five stealthily crossed over the wooden floor with only the faint sound of their clothes bristling. The doors were opened and closed without a guard on alert. Crossing the freezing dew covered grass was even easier. Not a person stirred from their running and not a person saw them. The cool night brought about a hidden blanket that gave the a disguise of invisibility.
This was their other sides. It was a part of them that no one knew of, but it was a part of them that they didn't want people to know about. It was the few times when they weren't scission. They were, after all, forced together by blood, and many times that's what held them together.
This was their unity.
Though it never lasted long.
The sensation of a demon grew stronger. It wrapped itself around the thick trees and crept along the bug invested dirt. That was alright, it just let them know where he was.
The sly coward slid from the shrubbery of the forest and held itself high. Hikaru took a step back. The demon had shimmering skin that gave a glow around his body. It wasn't an aura. He shook his head to concentrate. So what? It was still a low-life, pathetic, weak demon.
Of course it would prey on children. Hikaru tightened his grip on his staff. How dare something so pathetic frighten innocent people. Hikaru gritted his teeth. It hunted on orphans. What twisted sick bastard hurt a child without parents?
"Lets kill him." Hikaru growled. His siblings gave him surprised looks. Never had Hikaru been so aggressive.
Hikaru leered to Haruna for a command. A smirk crossed over her face as their hatred synchronized. She sent the demon a morbid and sadist smile. "Plan attack; entrapment."
Hikaru smiled. The poor demon didn't know what was going to hit him.\
"This. Is such. Bullshit." Shouta continued to grumble under his breath.
Komori came up behind him and slapped him over the head. Shouta grumbled some more while rubbing the back of his head. He sent his brother a warning glance but it would be futile to the anti-social.
Komori didn't even bother to roll his eyes. His brother would always throw a grown up hissy fit whenever he didn't get his way. Shouldn't he have been happy that they didn't have to do any work and that they were going back for more sleep? He never did think about the entire situation, only what was in front of him.
Just before they were going to attack another demon came out. The two growled, clawed and drew blood. It was a gruesome scene of intestines flying and blood splatter all over the trees. The second demon had finally won by cracking the first demons head off.
He studied them for a moment before flying his arms wide open and happily telling them to give him a hug.
It was Shippo. And none of them were about to hug him.
Shouta should have been relieved. The first impression of the demon was that it was weak, but after watching Shippo's devastating struggle to win, it was far tougher than it looked. Because of their underestimation they would have had their own heads torn off. Did Shouta ever bother to look at those things? No, of course he wouldn't.
Komori glanced behind his shoulder and watch as Shippo talked with Hikaru. Shippo brightly walked beside him as his long hair bounced to his steps. Komori couldn't help but look at the purple spots all over his kimono. What was he doing here anyway's?
Hikaru gave Shippo a disgusted look as Shippo licked the blood off of his limb fingers and razor sharp claws. Komori looked away too. It kind of was nasty.
"Shippo, what brings you down here?" Hinata asked as they slipped into the village roads. Normally it would be busy with people but it was deathly quiet and not a dust spec moved.
"Nothing much. I went to the Inuyasha's forest and found Kagome and she asked me to find you guys. She' was worried for some reason."
"Maybe it's that time of the month."
Komori desperately hoped everyone would ignore her crude comments. He almost sighed in relief when they did. It really was better to ignore her and not encourage her bashful behavior. He glanced at Hikaru. He was blatantly confused but kept his mouth shut. How odd, normally Hikaru talked backed to anything Haruna had to say.
"We'll stay here for the night and then we'll leave in the morning." Shippo stated. "But, I'm not going to be in the washiki with you. So you guys behave yourselves."
"We always behave." Shouta replied.
Komori wanted to smack him again. His sarcasm was highly unwanted and just rude to their elder. Then again, Shouta even pushed it with Inuyasha, and Shippo wasn't exactly frightening like him.
Haruna stopped.
Everyone else copied her and stood behind her. Komori stranded his neck to see what it was that she was looking at. Across the street was a group of boys, probably finishing chores that should have been done during the day. Cutting meat, mostly.
"Oh, no." Hikaru mumbled under his breath. If Komori heard it, then Shippo most certainly heard it. Like always, Komori looked to Haruna for the lead. The only reply he got was Haruna giving the group of boys a very morbid and malicious look.
Hinata whispered something into Haruna's ear and then made her way to the group of boys.
"What's going on?" Shippo inquired glancing at Haruna as he asked.
Probably Haruna doing what she always does. Hurting people.
The boys were underneath a few torches who didn't seem to happy to have Hinata closing in on them. After greeting them she made a few gestures as if talking to the boys. They all seemed to form a wall around her. She must have noticed, she was stupid. They obviously didn't want her there so what was she doing there?
Komori's heart started to speed up.
What was she doing?
Komori looked back to Haruna, hoping she would do something about it. Haruna had her arms crossed in her defiant attitude and was leaning on her leg as if she didn't have a care at all. A scowl was on her face as she watch the boys, what seemed to be, argue with Hinata over something.
"Haruna," Shippo hissed. "What's going on?"
Haruna flipped back her hair. It only meant she had full control over the situation, and she would be damned if things didn't go her way. Komori became irritated. It was times like these that if Haruna would just not be so prideful then everyone would suffer less than they had to.
"Nothing that normally doesn't come." Haruna replied in her sassy, know-it-all attitude.
Komori turned away from the control freak and turned to his solicitous sister. It didn't take much to know that it was over another boy. Over all the things those two had to worry about, it always went back to something as stupid as a boy.
Komori heard a sly snicker from Shouta. Of course he would find this to be funny, but then yet again, it was, wasn't it? Two demon slayer who had to think about human lives, leadership, survival, and many magnificent responsibilities that no one had to think about, were about to fight over a boy.
How stereotypical.
Hinata walked back looking at the ground. Her long, shining hair covered her face which must have held the look of vengeance.
"Haruna!" She harshly croaked. She looked up with tears on her face. "Another one!" This time she shouted.
Komori flinched. If the started screaming at each other then the villagers would wake up.
"You know what? Even if he didn't come up to me what are the chances of you actually seeing him again?" Haruna leaned in a bit with a smug look on her face. Why did she always do this Hinata?
"What were the chances of Mom and Dad seeing each other again? She tried to kill him! Yet, they're married now!"
"She was also almost dead and had a fucking jewel shard in her back. The chances were just about nothing. Like yours with him."
The look-alike's were breaths away from each other. One with an all-knowing smile and the other with a wrathful glare. This was not one of their fights were they were laughing in two minutes, no, this was where experience met determination. Haruna would beat everything at all cost with the knowledge and the skill to do so, while Hinata would claw her way to the top hoping to get to Haruna's level. One of them would win, and the question wasn't even who, it was how?
Shippo slammed his claws onto their shoulders and yanked them apart. He wasn't exactly a leader, but he was an older brother knowing when it was a good time to step in.
"Both of you calm down."
Haruna immediately snatch his wrist, digging her finger into him, sending him a warning glare.
Yes, he was the older brother who wanted peace, but he wasn't Haruna. He had been taken care of during battle with Naraku. While this control freak had leadership, power and strength and she was, by no means, a little girl who he once took care of. His authority was well past due and it could not overrun this barbarian.
Komori looked away, mortified at Shippo's mistake.
"Or not." Shippo said as the girl pushed him away.
"Way to take control Shippo." Shouta taunted as Shippo gave him a glare.
"If you think you can do any better, then by all means, please do."
Shouta put up his hands in defense. "I think I'll stay over here where my legs are attached to my body."
The girls continued their argument which the boys over the road had slowly moved away from. It was uncommon for women to be so loud and so defiant, it may have scared them or disgusted them. Komori wasn't sure which one, but these people weren't used to their behavior like he was. They would scare the village.
A few people had come out of their houses with the children to watch as the girls argued. A few pointed and whispered, but no one said anything to them. They were demon slayers and monks. Surely everything had to be alright.
"I'm nineteen! I need to find a husband now or never. I'll never get married if you keep chasing everyone off. Just because you're going to die alone without children doesn't mean I should too!"
A wave of silence over came the twins. Usually, it was Haruna that went too far, but this time Hinata had clawed her way to the top, and had found her soft spot. So this was the 'how'.
Haruna's face scrunched in excruciating anger, her knuckles turned white from the pressure and her stance practically screamed dead meat. Everyone tensed, even Hinata.
But...Haruna wouldn't dare... not to Hinata.
Remorse crossed Haruna face as she relaxed her body in defeat.
"You're right." She quietly said and then walked away.
They stood in shock. Did...Haruna just give up? Just like that? There wasn't any way that she could have settled down her pride so fast. It just didn't happen.
"Haruna, were are you going?" Shippo called after her.
"Home." She quietly replied as she disappeared into the forest.
They all turned to Hinata who had a incredulous looked plastered on her face. She could only stand in awe as for once Haruna had retreated and surrendered with her tail behind her legs.
"She'll be fine, won't she?" Hikaru looked up to Hinata in hope. Komori wanted to scoff, but would never do something like that. Hikaru always was such a hopeful person; full of innocence. No, she wasn't alright. Since when did Haruna ever give up?
Hinata snapped out of her daze and gave Hikaru a smile. "She'll be fine. In a few days we'll go back to the way it's always been."
Hikaru gave back a smile as if he actually believed it. Of course it wouldn't go back to the way it was. For once Haruna was afflicted by Hinata, no less. It's something she had never experienced before and she probably didn't know how to deal with it. She would lash out irrationally, and do something she would regret later.
Komori looked to Shouta wondering if he knew this. No, why would he? He knew what happened in everyone's lives, but he didn't understand nor did he ever take the time to analyze people. He didn't know how it worked.
"Let's go back the washiki and get some sleep, okay? Haruna will be fine, but you guys are a different story." Shippo spoke up. He was just trying to keep them calm and moving, something he learned from his adventures with Naraku. But, not leadership.
Komori looked to Hinata waiting for her approval. Shouta and Hikaru were also waiting for her answer. They understood where the authority was, and it most certainly wasn't with Shippo. With Haruna gone, Hinata was second in command. That's all there was to it. Shippo wasn't the one who risked his life for them nearly everyday.
"Yeah," Hinata replied softly looking to the ground. She just didn't know how to take control like Haruna. "We should probably do that." She looked back to where Haruna left. "She'll be fine."
Komori shook his head in disapproval. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
With that they walked back to the house.
Haruna slowly crept into the room. Through the darkness and shadows she could barely make out the outlining of the white blanket that Hinata slept with. Steadily she made her way without creaking the floor or making any noises. Gently, she hovered next to her sister with a dagger in hand.
Hinata laid spread across the floor with a hand over her stomach. Her beautiful hair covered the hard floor around her. She looked nice. Far better than Haruna, who must have snored, made noise, and probably slept with a scowl. She just looked pure.
Softly, Haruna clutched her sisters cheek which made Hinata's eyes snap open. For a moment she starred at her sister with bewildered eyes before she realized it was only her. Hinata slowly sat up giving her sister a confused look. Then the detestation came.
"What?" She whispered harshly. "I'm trying to sleep."
Haruna held up the dagger to show her. Hinata looked down at the metal that glistened in the dark for a moment confused. She looked up to Haruna.
"I'm sorry. I really am. You know, that I keep hurting you." Haruna slouched her shoulders and looked to the wooden floor. Maybe she would forgive her. "I thought of a way to make sure that it never happens again."
Quietly, Haruna placed the dagger on the floor before she tied her hair into a ponytail. She once again held the dagger in her hand and her hair in the other.
Haruna tensed for what was coming.
Cutting through it was hard and difficult. Her thick hair fought again the inferior object as tears went down her cheeks. She really did love her hair. It was a signature of beauty and she didn't let anyone touch it. She only trust Hinata and Mom.
Her detached locks fell to the ground around her as the lay on the cold floor. The shivering air felt nearly painful on her bear neck. She went to grab at it but found nothing. She looked down to lost dignity. They so easily blended in with the dark illuminati.
Finally she looked up to see Hinata crying as well. Hinata place a hand over her mouth a quiet sob escaped her lips. Haruna felt bad. She was supposed to be happy, but there she was trembling and crying. She felt her heart turn in her chest. What did she do wrong?!
"Haruna." Hinata muffled sobs started to come faster. She threw herself around her sister and breathed into her neck. Hesitantly, Haruna wrapped her arms around the cowering girl. "I know how much you loved your hair. Why would you do something like that?"
"This way people can't mistake us for each other. No more boys running away." Haruna laid her head on her sister back. She felt her bumpy spine rub against her ear.
Maybe this was a bad idea. Letting Hinata go was just...wrong. Wrong for her and wrong to the other boys. She tightened her grip on her sister. She already made the choice to let her go, but did it really have to be this self sacrificing?
After a few minutes, Hinata's huffs and sobs quieted down. Haruna made a move to cut off the hug. Maybe they ought to go to sleep, but Hinata refused to let her leave. They guided their way to floor. Somehow the blanket was laid over them while the treasured locks laid in the dust beneath them. All the while Hinata keeping her grip least her sister would abandon her that night. Soon they went to sleep together like they always did.
"If you keep staring I'm going to punch you."
"Komori keeps staring too."
"Komori wouldn't say anything about it."
"I wouldn't either."
"I know, but I like Komori more. He never argues with me."
"I always have a perfectly good reason to argue with you."
"Hikaru, there's no point in arguing with Haruna, just drop it." Shouta impeded.
He exasperatingly sighed and held his head in his hands. Hikaru never did learn to just accept Haruna's incoherent thoughts. At least he was arguing with Haruna, unlike being anti-social like he had been. Maybe things would turn out alright.
"I think it looks cute on you." Shippo stepped in with a smile on his face. He was sitting on the edge of the wagon with his confident, arrogant, child-like smile.
"I think I don't care what you think." Haruna replied with a huff.
Shippo came up and dragged his finger through her hair. A shiver noticeably went through Haruna as she let out a gasp. She clasped the back of her neck with her hand. It always was weird cutting hair off.
"It really does look nice." Shippo said again, but softer and with more fondness. "It reminds me when you were little and you were so innocent."
Haruna blushed from the affection as Shippo continued to stoke her hair. It seemed nice for the moment before Haruna screamed and punched him in the face which sent him flying off the wagon.
"The hell was that for?!" She screeched down at him.
"I could be asking you the same!" He yelled back as the wagon moved on ahead of him.
"Don't try to be affectionate with me, asshole!"
"Can't we just get on with it?" Hikaru groaned.
Her younger siblings groaned with exhaustion, but at least they knew Haruna was still Haruna. They would go back to the village and, apparently, everything would go back to the way it was.
Remember what I said about never updating so soon?
