Chapter Three
Inuyasha was the first to awaken. His eyelids fluttered open revealing his stunning spheres of sight. He stretched his stiff shoulders and looked around. The sun had not yet risen, and the nightly insects still hummed their melodious lullabies. His gaze fell to the sleeping form of Kagome. So sweet and innocent, it almost pained him to think about what life would be like without her. Inuyasha turned his head to see Miroku cuddling closely to a stump, and murmuring in his sleep. The young dog demon rolled his eyes, got to his feet, and started walking around the campsite. He stopped and stood in front of the beautiful demon slayer. She quivered in the night air, sweat dripping down her cheeks and melding with her tears. Inuyasha knelt down and put a warm palm on her cold face. The rouge tinge rushed back to her face, and her trembling quieted. The dog demon rose to his feet and kept walking around. He paused in front of Kagome. Shippo had rolled down by Kagome's feet, and was huddling in a ball for warmth. Inuyasha suppressed a hushed giggle, looking down upon the little fox brat. He scooped him up and rolled him into the sleeping bag. The young fox demon sighed with contentment, and Inuyasha continued surveying. Once he was satisfied, he turned and headed back to his post.
"So you do have a sweet side, half-breed," Hiana said weakly, turning towards him.
"I'm only a half-demon," he said with an agitated stare to the sky, "and don't call me…" but Inuyasha's retaliation wasn't fast enough, for the fire princess had already slipped back to the world of slumber, "She's asleep," he said quietly.
"Very perceptive of you," a familiar voice stated, followed by a well-known prick on the cheek, "Ah! Master Inuyasha! Tasty as ever," Myoga the flea demon said, lifting his head from his blood buffet.
Inuyasha flattened his vassal, and then looked at the squashed figure that was Myoga, "Myoga, just the flea I wanted to see," Inuyasha said, with a freakish grin.
"Why are you so…ugh…cruel?" Myoga squeaked from the location of Inuyasha's palm as he popped back to life, "What do you need of me?" Myoga asked his master.
Inuyasha snorted and bobbed his head in the direction of the still for of Hiana, "Do you know who she is?" the dog demon asked.
Myoga leapt to the ground and bounded towards Hiana. He stopped and hopped on the red garment she clung to, the fire-rat kimono of Inuyasha. He examined the huddled form and froze when his gaze fell on her exposed neck, "Her skin is so fair," he stated, closing in on his prey, "Her blood must be sweet," Myoga knelt down to bite the princess, but the instant his mouth came in contact with her flesh, he ignited in a tiny ball of flame. He desperately dashed back to Inuyasha. The young half-demon licked two fingers, and extinguished the flames, "What a peculiar reaction! Is she a demon?" the old flea youkai asked
Inuyasha huffed at the puny demon in his palm, "You tell me," he said, glancing over to Hiana. The fire princess flinched as the pain from her wounds returned. Inuyasha exhaled, and then turned to face Myoga again.
The aged demon sat down and crossed both sets of his arms, "With a power like that, she could only be one person; Hiana, the Fire Princess," Myoga said bluntly.
Inuyasha looked puzzled at his tiny servant, "Fire Princess?" he repeated.
Myoga nodded his eyes, "Precisely, Master Inuyasha," the flea demon said matter-of-factly, "Now, decades ago, there was a wealthy state in the west, ruled by a wise lord with three ravishing daughters," Myoga paused, "But, being a rich lord, his castle was constantly being attacked. One fateful day, the castle was overcome by a horde of demons. None were left alive, save for the three princesses; Mizurina, Rikuaka, and Hiana," Myoga added, taking a breath and letting Inuyasha take in all the information before continuing.
Inuyasha sat the pesky flea on his shoulder and leaned back against the tree. He put his hands behind his head and looked up to the lightening sky, "So then what, Myoga?" the young dog demon asked like a young child waiting for the climax of a bedtime story.
The flea youkai smiled at the eager young pup's enthusiasm, "Well, the princesses hid away in the secret treasure vault, and thus the demons overlooked them. When the battle had settled and moved on, the three emerged from their sanctuary. The eldest, Mizurina, was enraged at the mistreatment of her father, suggested that they hunt down the demons who slaughtered their family. The middle sister, Rikuaka, told them that it would be too dangerous for them to set out with no ways of protection. The other two agreed, but it was Hiana," Myoga said glancing over to the dormant princess, "it was she who came up with a plan for them to gain ultimate power! She grabbed all the treasure her arms could contain, and headed for the cave of Mitsurugi, the Soul Taker," Myoga paused once again.
Inuyasha blinked, "Soul…Taker?" he asked curiously.
Myoga sighed, "Mitsurugi will exchange a gift for treasure. So, the three princesses presented their treasures, and in exchange were blessed with their elemental powers. Mizurina became the water princess, Rikuaka became the earth princess, and Hiana became the fire princess," the old flea concluded/
Inuyasha sighed silently to himself, unaware of the movement in Kagome's sleeping bag, "Inu…yasha?" the young archer asked groggily to the dog demon. The young boy was a little startled by the young girl's voice, but quickly turned to her, "What time is it?" she asked.
The dog hanyou looked to the bright sky, "Almost dawn," he said sweetly.
Kagome smiled, and rose from her sleeping bag. She uncovered herself, then headed straight for her yellow back pack that lay by the remains cinders of the previous nights campfire, "Well then, I'd better get breakfast started. Would you mind getting some water?" she asked him, handing Inuyasha an empty water bottle. The dog demon grumbled, and then headed down the bank to the river.
Kirara stirred in the sleeping lap of Sango. She stretched her back and yawned quietly. The two-tail lifted her feline head to catch a glimpse of the disappearing form of Inuyasha, and decided to follow. She cocked her head to one side, and then leapt to the ground, racing after the half demon. Inuyasha reached the river, and bent down to retrieve the water. Kirara crouched low in the grass, then onto the unsuspecting head of Inuyasha.
The cocky dog demon leapt in surprise, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the water. Kirara sat happily on her perch of Inuyasha's mane, high and dry. Inuyasha looked up into the large, red, oval eyes of Kirara, "Wh…what? Kirara?!" he said sternly, taking the feline by the scruff of the neck and bringing her down to meet his eyes. The two-tail merely purred, and rubbed her face against his. Inuyasha was unimpressed, but after a few moments, he succumbed to the cat's cuteness and scratched her behind the ear. He then placed her on the bank, and stood up. Kirara mewed and ran in a circle. Inuyasha, soaked to the bone from the cool water, slowly stepped out of the river, and onto the riverbank, close to Kirara. He bent down on all fours and shook vigorously, causing thousands upon thousands of water droplets to zip through the air. Kirara, being a feline, and a fire feline at that, absolutely despised getting wet, so she made her best attempt to flee from the missile invaders. But her furry feet weren't fast enough, and she was drenched from her to toe. The dog demon looked down on the wet cat, and gave her a coy grin, "Serves you right," he said with a short laugh. Kirara merely hissed in response, then bounded towards camp. Inuyasha stood giggling to himself. He longed to throw the cat in the water, but he was wiser than that, seeing how she was a full demon, despite her size. He shrugged his shoulders and followed the feline down the path, the full water bottle clenched in his fist.
The hanyou walked briskly into the clearing, unsurprised that Miroku and the others were already awake and about. Inuyasha ambled to the fire, and handed Kagome the water bottle. The young girl was busy as a bee, hustling around the campsite to gather supplies for the morning meal. The young dog demon looked around the group, and then slowly approached Hiana. The young fire princess lay still beneath the red kimono, breathing calmly and silently. He blinked and turned over towards the demon slayer, who sat under a tree, drying off her feline companion, "Say, Inuyasha?" she asked serenely.
Inuyasha froze, fearing that this encounter revolved around the occurrences prior to the conversation concerning a certain kitty cat, "Yeah?" he asked timidly, "What is it?" he added, quickly picking out a few kitty hairs from his silver mane.
Sango continued to stroke Kirara, "You seem awfully interested in Hiana. Did you ever think that this is bothering Kagome?" she asked, her brown eyes soft with morning light, and her voice sweet and innocent.
Inuyasha stood still, and looked over to Kagome, then back to Sango, "Why would you say that?" he asked, arching a black eyebrow.
"It's just," Sango began, "She usually cooks to get her mind off of something, and from here it looks like she's cooking up a feast. I don't think I've ever seen her this busy before," she concluded, raising her head to gaze at the leaves growing above her.
Inuyasha looked down at the ground in shame, "I never really thought about it," he said solemnly, "Where'd that monk run off to?" he paused, trying to change the subject.
The female demon slayer huffed in disappointment, "He's down river taking a bath," she replied, unimpressed at Inuyasha rushed conclusion of the conversation.
"At this time of day?" he inquired, "Stupid monk," the dog hanyou added, before turning toward Kagome. She was still occupied, mixing ingredients, and preparing the rest of the meal, "Hey, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked harshly.
"Don't bother me, Inuyasha," she interjected, raising a single finger to silence him, "I'm trying to get breakfast finished. So if you want food, please don't pester me," she concluded, sounding more like a mother scolding a child, than a dear companion. Shippo zipped past him, carrying ingredients to Kagome.
Inuyasha sighed in disgust, and returned to Hiana's dormant form. She stirred slightly and looked up to see him kneeling beside her, "Good morning," she said with a yawn, and a toss of her fire-red hair.
Inuyasha cracked a small grin, "Hey," he said coolly, tossing her silvery mane in a similar fashion.
The fire princess sat up slowly, the red kimono draped across her shoulders, shrouding her womanly curves. Her amber eyes shone like jewels in the morning light, and all he could do was stare. Her skin was so fair, and her hair was like none he'd ever seen. She was so mysterious, so enchanting, and so beautiful. Hiana giggled at the dog demon's love struck eyes, but her heart fluttered just the same, as she caught the smile in his eyes.
Inuyasha blinked and snapped out of his daydream, grunting and looking up to the sky.
Down river, Miroku bathed in the cool waters. When he felt clean enough, he waded back to the water's edge, and stepped out. He quickly changed back into his dark robes, and grabbed his staff. Miroku slowly walked down the path that lead to the clearing, and walked over to the young pair. He smiled to himself, "Two-timing as always, Inuyasha," he spoke inwardly, "Um, Inuyasha? Isn't that your kimono?" the lecherous monk asked the dog demon.
Inuyasha turned to the princess, "Oh, I guess I'll take that back," Inuyasha said, grasping the red garment, and stripping it from the princess. Without even realizing it, the hanyou had removed the only barrier between the outside world, and her pale, bare skin. Her chest was naked, but the exposure was brief, for Hiana quickly engulfed herself in dark, crimson flame, providing a curtain, so she could pull on her own kimono. Within moments, the flames dispersed, and Hiana's body was covered and decent.
Inuyasha fumbled out apologies for what he'd done, and Miroku hid his obvious pleasure about the sight he had beheld. Hiana shrugged off the occurrence, and looked up to Inuyasha with a gentle smile.
The dog demon fell silent and walked toward the fire. The meal had been set up, and Kagome, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara sat waiting. Hiana followed close behind, but her feet hadn't recovered from their injuries, and she immediately collapsed on the ground. Inuyasha gasped to himself, and dashed to her aid, "Silly fool, you're still trying to move with your injuries," he said with a small smile. Hiana returned the gesture, and let him take her hand, and walk her to the fireside. She sat down beside Inuyasha, who was seated beside Kagome. To Kagome's right was Shippo, followed by Sango and Miroku. Kagome handed a bowl of porridge to every individual, along with a plate of scrambled eggs, sweet noodles, and herbs. Each member accepted them graciously, seeing how the group hadn't eaten in a number of days.
Shippo quickly slurped down his noodles, and briskly delved into the eggs. Sango kept one eyes on her plate, and one on the monk that sat beside her. Miroku sighed when he realized he was being watched, so he ate in silence. Kagome nibbled quietly, occasionally glancing over to Hiana, who was constantly staring at Inuyasha. The young girl burned with jealousy, and sought to possess the young half-demon. Kagome turned to Inuyasha, "Say, Inuyasha?" she asked, smiling widely.
The silver-haired demon turned to the girl, his mouth brimming with food, "What?" he asked, chewing loudly.
"How do you like that?" she asked, pointing a chopstick to the plate in front of Inuyasha.
The dog demon merely shrugged, and continued eating. He didn't really care how it tasted, nourishment was nourishment, and he'd used up a lot of energy in the previous battles, and needed to replenish his strength. He swallowed the last bite of his meal, and turned to the fire princess, "How come you're not eating anything?" he asked gently.
Hiana snapped out of her daze. Upon receiving her plate, she merely stared at it. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a real meal. All alone in the mountain Shiotosai, she seldom ate. She picked at it with the chopsticks, and nibbled a few bites. She turned toward Inuyasha, "I haven't eaten in so long," she paused, glancing down at her plate.
Inuyasha put down his sticks, "Then you really should eat something. You used up a lot of energy in the last battle. If you want to heal, you'll need sustenance," he added, picking up another piece of egg from the pan, and placing it on her plate. She turned to him, and smiled at the token, finishing the remainder of her meal.
When the entire group was fed, and the site was cleaned up, Miroku turned to the group, "Well then, shall we be on out way?" he said, shifting his staff on his left shoulder. Sango stood beside him, her Hiraikotsu slung over her shoulder, and Kirara standing beside her right ankle, between her owner and the lecherous monk. Kagome grabbed her bow arrows, and placed them on the back of her bike. She smiled in agreement, secretly wishing in the back her mind for Hiana to leave. Inuyasha looked at the group, and back towards Hiana.
The fire princess stood facing the group, wobbling on her weak feet, "I'll be fine. There's no need to worry," she said, reassuring him with a warm smile.
Inuyasha's eyes were dark with sorrow. He slowly approached the young girl. His arms opened, and sealed her in a warm embrace. "You be careful," he said silently. Cautiously, he leaned towards her ear, "I remember you now," he added, before stepping away, and walking back towards the group.
Hiana stood confused. What was he talking about? She waved good bye, and sat down on the grass. What was he talking about? She'd never known him before their encounter the previous evening, so how could he possibly remember her? The fire princess lifted her face to the morning sky, "Could he have been the one?" Hiana asked the sky. She looked in the direction that Inuyasha and his companions left in. Was it even possible?
Inuyasha walked slowly, keeping pace with Kagome as she walked her pink bike down the road. She noticed his sorrowful demeanor, and let out a hushed sigh, "Is something wrong, Inuyasha?" the young mortal girl asked the depressed demon.
He sighed deeply, folding his arms inside his coat, and looking down at his bare feet as he walked along the path, "No. It's nothing," he said quietly, but everyone knew that he was sad about leaving Hiana behind. Only Inuyasha knew what was truly bothering him, and it was the past that was haunting him.
As they walked further away from on another, visions and memories flooded back into Inuyasha and Hiana's minds. It was many decades ago, before he'd met Kikyo, when the two of them were quite young, memories from before the raid on Hiana's palace, before obtaining her powers. A vision of a young Hiana, running through a dark, empty street sieved into both of their thoughts.
Young Hiana gasped for air, and dashed down an alleyway, attempting to dodge her pursuers. She'd snuck out of the palace again, and this time, a band of thieves followed her. She ran along the narrow street, and suddenly tripped over a dark figure.
The figure rose, grunting in pain, and turning toward the young girl, "What the hell did you do that for?" a young voice belted out. A young boy, no older than fifteen, the same age as Hiana, stood before her. His black hair hung easily to his waist, and his dark indigo eyes caught no light, for the moon was gone this night. He wore a red kimono, and his feet were bare. Hiana looked up in awe.
She stumbled to her feet, tripping in a hole, and falling into the boy's arms. He caught her, and she lifted her head to meet his eyes, "I'm sorry, but I am being followed!" she hollered in fright. She turned her head behind her back, where the three silhouettes stood at the entrance of the alleyway.
The boy released her, and stepped forward, "Well, I guess I can handle them," he said rolling his shoulders back.
"No!" Hiana protested, grabbing the back of his kimono, "it'll be three against one," her voice quivering.
The boy merely cracked a small grin, "I know. Doesn't seem like a fair fight for them," he stepped closer to the three men, "What is your business with her?" he asked them, referring to the girl that stood behind him.
The eldest of the three, and who appeared to be the leader stepped in, "That is the Lord's treasured last-born, Hiana" he said, pointing a dirty finger in the direction of Hiana.
"Her father is the wealthy Lord of this region," the second added.
"We plan to capture her for ransom money," the third concluded.
The young black haired boy huffed, "You sick pigs," he said, cracking his knuckles, "That's not all you're after," and with that, he punched the eldest in the face. The man fell back into the arms of the other two, dazed and confused. Hiana's black-haired hero smiled and looked at them, "Who's next?" he asked them, glancing down at the man's bleeding face. The two cronies let out a deep whine, and ran back down the road, dragging their defeated comrade. The boy laughed and turned to Hiana, "See? That was easy," he said, but the princess was nowhere to be seen. He looked around the alleyway to see her cringing behind a barrel, "You can come out now, Hiana," he said loudly.
The girl stepped out from behind her sanctuary, and approached him, "Thank you for saving me," she said graciously. He merely huffed, and walked away, "Wait!" Hiana called to him, "I have nothing to give you, but at least let me know the name of my savior," she asked, her brown eyes dark, and her black hair tied back in a red band.
The boy stopped, as if to tell her. He continued to walk. Hiana ran after him, but the boy was too quick and disappeared into the night.
Inuyasha looked up at Kagome, who held a depressed on her face, "Hiana," he whispered. The half-demon's amber spheres met Kagome's eyes, "Kagome, I'm sorry," he said solemnly before turning and dashing back in the direction of the clearing.
The fire princess turned around, and walked in the opposite direction. She knew who he was, and now wasn't likely to see him ever again. She sniffed back tears, and stumbled down the path. Hiana's feet had strengthened, but every step was painful physically and emotionally. The young girl kept walking, wincing in pain, and letting her bare feet burn the ground beneath her. All of a sudden, her right foot snagged a raised root, causing her to trip. She gasped as her foot made contact, causing her immense pain, and dreading the impact with the ground. She braced herself for the pain and closed her eyes, but she did not hit the grass as she thought she would. From out of nowhere, a red blur flew through the air, catching her. Hiana looked up into the eyes of her savior, "Inuyasha…" she whispered.
The dog demon stared back at her, "Hiana," he said, gifting her with a warm hug. He pulled her away, and turned around. The fire princess climbed onto his back, and held on tight. Inuyasha pushed off the ground, and glided through the air, landing on the treetops and dashing back towards the remainder of the group. They soon were in sight, and the pair landed softly on the ground before them. Hiana leapt off, and the two strode over to Kagome, "Let's go," he said, motioning for the dark haired middle-schooler to let climb onto his back. Kagome caught the hint, and followed his lead, handing the handle bars to Hiana. Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's shoulders, and the young pair leapt off ahead, leaving Hiana with Shippo, Sango, Miroku, and Kirara.
The fire princess waved sheepishly to the group, "I'm back," she said with a small giggle.
Further more down the road, in a half-dead tree, Inuyasha sat with Kagome on a large branch. The young girl was quite unimpressed at her companion's behavior, "What do you want?" she asked venomously.
Inuyasha scooted closer, "Kagome…" he began. The girl turned towards the stuttering half-demon, "I'm sorry for the way I've been acting around Hiana," he said, solemnly lowering his eyes.
Kagome sat frozen, then straightened at the mention of the hell-wench, "What are you talking about? I don't have any problems with her, Inuyasha," she said, twirling a lock of black hair between her fingers.
The dog hanyou was not convinced, "I've known you long enough to be able to tell when something is bothering you," he added, drawing closer, and lifting his face to meet hers.
The girl caught his sentence, and then relaxed on the tree branch. Kagome knew that what he'd said was true, but she still wasn't going to tell him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and sighed deeply.
Inuyasha lifted his arm, and held her close to him. The two sat silently and watched the sun rise higher above the horizon. He truly was sorry, but his heart was being pulled in too many directions to be sure what he wanted.
Below the tree, Hiana looked up to see the pleasant pair. She sighed, and turned her eyes downward. She knew that he loved her, and there was no more room in his heart. Yet, she still longed to be near him. She smiled, and walked away back toward the group. Sango was confused when she caught a glimpse of the princess's facial expression. Hiana reassured the slayer with a nod. She knew the truth, but she would be with him.