Well I did promise to post faster, and I'm already starting on the next chapter. Chapters may come out faster over the summer. I own nothing not Inuyasha, Tiger's curse, and not any of the songs mentioned. I'll also try to start another crossover during the summer hints can be found in this story; Kagome's going to be the star of course.

Chapter 3

A second fateful encounter

Our eyes locked and time seemed to stand still. I could feel the strange aura coming from the tiger. It's bright blue eyes seemed to stare into my soul. This tiger can't be normal. I quickly pulled myself together. I will not show weakness before a possible threat. However the tiger seemed to lose interest and turned away and lay down on a pile of hay.

The worst part was I couldn't tell what it was. The aura I felt was unlike anything I had encountered human or demon. I was completely stumped; I gently reached out to test it. It's not reacting at all; does it not feel me probing?

I was quickly called out of my thoughts as Davis-san showed me how to prepare and feed the tiger. "Davis-san is this tiger male or female?" I asked curious for once.

A deep rumble almost indignant came from within the cage. "What are you growling at me for?" I responded knowing it could probably understand me.

Davis-san laughed "you've offended him; he can be very sensitive you know. I'll give you an exclusive show just wait a minute." Davis-san grabbed a whip and went into the cage.

I could easily see why people were captivated by this tiger. Even though his aura unnerved me, I could appreciate the beauty and grace of a predator. As the routine continued I slowly relaxed. There were several times when Dhiren could have taken advantage of Davis-san, but he did not. Rather he seemed to move out of Davis-san's way before instructed. I even saw Davis-san step on his tail, Dhiren merely growled lightly and moved his tail out of the way. The tiger was unsettling, but he seemed to be relatively harmless.

By the time Davis-san was done he was sweating and exhausted. I didn't know why but I felt a sort of kinship to this tiger. Maybe it was because we were both things that didn't exactly qualify as normal, or it was something else altogether.

"Davis-san does Dhiren like music? I practice a lot on my flute, would it be okay for me to come in here sometimes?

"It should be okay." He considered. "But be sure to keep away from the cage okay? I'd hate to lose such a good assistant." He joked.

I smiled warmly. Although I had only been at Maurizio circus for a short time, there were already several people I was fond of. As for this tiger, he seems far too lonely a feeling I know all too well. I knew I really shouldn't but I felt compelled to help him. Really I'm acting just like I did back then.

After the show was done later that day I grabbed my flute and headed to Dhiren's cage. He eyed me warily as I approached him. "Don't make that face. I thought you could use some company. Do you like music? I'm pretty good. You wouldn't mind if I called you Ren would you?" Gods above I was rambling. How long has it been since I've rambled? Ren's only response was to watch me closely. But then he nodded as if to give me permission to continue. Well, that's probably the best I'm going to get. I began to play a slow and light song called "Sakura" by Shakuhachi-sama.

Half-way though the song Davis-san walked in. "Wow, you're' pretty good Kagome. If you play like that Mr. Maurizio might give you a solo during the first acrobatic movement." I could tell he was joking but the compliment was serious and it made me smile.

"I'm a little old to want to run off and join the circus, although I will consider it."

Davis-san began to laugh loudly. "And here I though you didn't have a sense of humor, guess you proved me wrong."

Changing subjects I gestured to Ren and asked "Doesn't he get lonely? Couldn't you find him a companion or something?"

"Not for this one. We tried several times breeding and introducing him to other tigers but he just won't have it. He stops eating whenever we try."

"Hnmm" As I though he is alone. I tried once again to brush my own aura against his, but once again it didn't seem like Ren could even feel it. If he did feel it and was pretending then his own aura would have tensed slightly. I resolved to call Shippou later and ask him about other beings. Nothing about Ren was adding up, including my reactions.

Later that night I returned to Ren's cage bringing Beowulf with me. It was one of the many books Sesshoumaru expected me to read. I settled down on a pile of hay and spoke to Ren "I hope you like this it's called Beowulf, it's a story about a warrior fighting a monster terrorizing a village. My guardian demands that I read it. I hope you don't mind an Old Norse epic." I spent a good hour reading to Ren before promising to return again to continue reading.

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From then on I spent all my available time with Ren. If I wasn't working or talking to Matt-san or Cathleen-san I could be found with Ren. He seemed to enjoy my company and would often watch me while I played or read to him. I gradually began to be able to tell his moods through his aura. I could even tell that Ren wasn't as lonely as before. Even as busy as I was though I managed to get in phone calls to my family and one to Shippou.

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"Really? That is odd." Shippou responded. "He could be a sacred beast though."

"Sacred beast?" I questioned.

"Yeah, they serve as guardians for lesser gods or spirits. Lately many have been captured for their unusual properties."

"Poor Ren, no wonder he always is so sad and lonely"

"If he wanted to free himself he could Kagome, just keep him company for now. I'm sure that he's very happy, and if he's not I'll come and give him a piece of my mind. You make a lot of people happy, you know that don't you? Kagome?"

"Thank you Shippou. I probably needed to hear that." I could feel his infections smile from across the line. Thank you Shippou-chan, I love you.

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After about a week of working at circus Maurizio something very strange happened during the show. Matt-san and I were tending the stands as usual when Ren came out. Something's wrong Ren's aura is far too agitated. Ren began to pace about the ring, even several whip cracks from Davis-san wouldn't bring him to attention.

Ren suddenly looked up at me through the crowd. My powers automatically reached out to try to comfort him. I could feel the weight of his gaze as he seemed to calm down. We stared at each other until Matt-san spoke breaking the connection.

"That's really strange. I've never seen Dhiren act like that before."

"I wonder what was wrong. Ren seemed so agitated." I sighed

"The two of you have become that close? Well either way I hope it doesn't happen again the act could have been ruined." Matt-san seemed genuinely concerned.

After I finished work I found Ren pacing in his cage. "What's wrong with you today? I've' never seen you so restless." Ren gave a small growl in reply and sat down on the usual pile of hay closest to me. "Oh well I brought my flute today, hopefully you can relax a little."

I played long past the normal time I usually stayed. Pulling out many different types of songs from different composers. I didn't stop until I was certain that Ren was in a much better mood. I set down my flute and walked over to the cage. I gently placed my hand on Ren's extended paw and began to pet it. From my peripheral vision I saw movement, and quickly tried to pull back my hand. Too late. Ren had already begun to lick my entire arm, coating it in tiger saliva.

"Really Ren? I didn't want a tiger to lick me tonight." I knew he wouldn't have hurt me, but I still didn't want my hand drenched. After being pretty much bathed in demon blood before I liked to stay clean. Re-adjusting my position I began to rub his ears and head. Ren was soon purring under my touch. With one final pat I whispered "You should be free."