Yippee! Updated! *breathes out heavily*
Once again, sorry for the long wait...this is what I get for working on two fan fictions at once ^-^'..naa, it's fine.
Oh, I realised too late that at some point last chapter, I accidently called Inuyasha a youkai instead of a hanyou...I know it's not a big deal, but if anyone noticed that, my bad ^^'
NOTE: I know I've introduced a lot of OCs in this fic...more than intended...but I want to say that the new ones in this chapter will only be appearing in this chapter...they might get mentioned later, but for not at least I have no intention of bringing them back in afterwards.
Also, thank you so much everyone who answered my question about Inuyasha's human eye colour. However, I got so many different answers, I wasn't sure who to pick, so if human inuyasha makes another appearance in this, I'll stick to my original thought of grey...but again, thank you everyone! its so appreciated :)...and thankyou to everyone who has read, reviewed and added this story to favourites or story alerts, your all wonderful! ^^
I think the computer might have mucked up a bit when editing this...so...if theres any mistakes, really sorry...I think it'll be ok, but just incase...lol...I did try ^^'
Anyway, please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters. However, the characters Arata, Eiji, Maki and Taki belong to me, so no pinchy please! ^-^
Chapter 6: The Trust Within My Open Palm
The cool, fresh breeze was incredibly refreshing, and the sunlight warmed his skin, despite blinding him for a few seconds.
"I'll be at the exit quick enough? Sheesh...how fast does time move for them?"
Despite being all too aware of his own incredibly low level of patience, Inuyasha had almost started to believe he wasn't going to get out of that cave.
He'd followed the trail down the mountain, wondering if it was purposely left so dark and crampt to make it less inviting to any strangers who stumbled across it at the other end...Takehiko had said they didn't get many visitors.
Still...was his unfamilar face the only reason almost everyone else had been so harsh on him?
He eventually found the exit he'd been told about...after walking straight into it that is. After finding the rock blocking his way, he'd pushed it aside, and just as he'd been told, he found himself in an underground cave. It was still pretty dark, but he could make out most things around him, so there had to be light coming from somewhere.
Remembering the rest of the instructions, he'd slowly made his way out, though not without almost stumbling into the water numerous times.
"So what now?" He asked himself out loud.
Indeed what now? He'd been quite intent on getting away from the mountain inu tribe, but once more, he was left without a plan or destination in mind.
He looked down as his stomach gave a small rumble, just a small one, but its sugguestion wasn't a bad idea...
"Well, it's a good place to start, I'm not that hungry, but I suppose it's still something to do." he muttered.
As he lifted the black bundle over his shoulder, it was tempting to just get some of the food from that, but he thought better about it, knowing he should save it, and headed off to find something else.
Inuyasha knawed away at his apple, very pleased to find it tasted as clean and fresh as the air in the feild he sat in.
He'd managed to find an apple tree without too much trouble, ad felt very satisfied with the fruit. He also felt much more relaxed and calm now, almost happy in a way, minus the concern and uncertainty about his next move.
He'd considered going back to Kagome and the others, especially because he wanted to apologise for what had happened, but despite the longing, he'd had to deny the thought. Even if the supplies Takehiko had given him worked, it was best he figured out how to deal with his beta blood before he went near his friends again. Takehiko had warned him not to stress himself out, and despite actually wanting to see her for the first time in awhile, getting near Kagome right now might still be too much for him.
"I'll learn to control myself first, then, maybe..." He mumbled, digging his claws a little into the apple.
Taking one last bite, he threw it away over his shoulder, and stood once more. After a good stretch, he grabbed his stuff and headed off again.
He travelled at a steady pace for a few hours, along the way desciding that maybe he should find somewhere private that he could train for awhile. He knew it was only a matter of time until his beta blood caused his energy levels to skyrocket again, so maybe finding a deserted area that he could release that energy would be a good idea.
He took a break near a small stream to have a drink and a quick rest. He'd been being uncharacteristically cautious all day not to stress his body, and it seemed his efforts…as wearing on his fragile patience as they had been…were paying off. The break was needed, but other than that, he felt perfectly fine.
"aaahh…" He sighed as he stood, wiping his mouth after the refreshing drink, "Well, its gonna be annoying, but once I figure out how to handle all this, I'll be able to see the others again. It might take longer than I like, but I bet it'll be no pro…"
His voice cut off sharply, his eyes widening, as the breeze blew absently around him, bringing with it a scent that couldn't be more unwelcomed.
He turned swiftly, looking to the trees behind him. Indeed, there within the shadows, staring right back at him…
…was Sesshomaru.
It was clear that the youkai hadn't been following him or anything…this encounter was purely coincidence, but that didn't make the hanyou feel any better about it.
He could feel the fear rising up in his chest again, but not wanting his older brother to see, he glared away, gritting his teeth, before leaping over the stream, and dashing off. Sure his body seemed alright for now, but he wasn't about to wait for that to change.
"That dirty hanyou! Why does he constantly have to show up like that!" Jaken questioned loudly.
"Jaken sama, he was just passing through like we are." Rin answered.
"Don't defend him! Whose side are you on!" The imp yelled back.
"It matters not." Sesshomaru said bluntly, in a way like to stop the conversation, obviously having no patience for it.
He turned, and began walking away again, not a second thought to the hanyou.
However, this time it was him that the breeze blew gently around, and he stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening, just as much as Inuyasha's had…
…but the emotion within them was very different to the hanyou's.
He turned sharply, both rin and Jaken flinching back as they saw the furious glare within their master's eyes, a low growl excaping the youkai.
Inuyasha came to a stop when he thought he was far away enough. He glared over his shoulder, before walking through the forest.
"Typical. Give me a few days without having to see that kisama's face and it'll be a miracle."
A part of him wanted badly to go back and pay back the youkai for what he'd done, but he tried…with great effort…to ignore that desire.
He paused as a soft sweetness in the air caught his attention, and he glanced to the bushes along the path. They were generously sprinkled with beautiful looking berries.
He picked a handful and tossed them in his mouth.
"Hey not bad. They may be small, but I bet they'd make a good snack later."
He began plucking berries off the bushes and storing them in his kimono sleeve, though quite a few handfuls found his mouth instead.
The sweet scent filled the air, and the taste was rather calming.
It was a perfect distraction.
Halfway through storing one handful in his kimono, and shoving another in his mouth, Inuyasha's ears flickered, and he turned swiftly, only for an incredible mass of pressure to clamp around his throat. He felt himself being pushed back through the bushes, until he was winded as his back collided with a tree.
Though stunned, he already knew who it was, and opened an eye to glared back at the golden orbs giving him a deadly look.
"What do you want!" He snapped at the silver haired youkai.
Seriously…what DID he want? Inuyasha felt fine, it couldn't be his scent again could it?
His brother's claws dug into his skin.
"The name." Sesshomaru growled.
"What name!"
The youkai gave a quiet, deep growl, and Inuyasha cursed silently as his body flinched in response.
"The name of the one who touched you!"
Inuyasha gasped as he was thrown to the ground.
"What are you on about!" He yelled as he sat up.
But the answer came to him the moment he finished his sentence, and he quickly smelt his own skin.
'Takehiko…my clothes may have been cleaned, but his scent is still on me…'
"So what? I thought you didn't care if someone else touched me!"
"Do not be fooled into thinking this is out of concern for you Ototo. I meant what I said, but there was perhaps one exception which I thought I wouldn't have to concern myself about. Now are you going to tell me his name!"
'HIS name?'
Inuyasha saw the face of the mountain inu leader in his mind. The gentle and compassionate eyes, and the warm, inviting smile. Though the memory made him nervous, the anger in his chest was directed at Sesshomaru.
"Why should I!" He retorted.
"Are you actually defending him...Inuyasha?"
"Listen to you! You already sound like you know who it is, so why are you asking!"
Sesshomaru gave another quick growl, and though his legs wobbled a bit, Inuyasha quickly lept back as the youkai advanced.
'This isn't good. Takehiko said not to put stress on my body.'
"Of course I know that fool Takehiko, but it would seem you don't." Sesshomaru answered, not relenting in moving closer.
"How could I not know who he is!" Inuyasha yelled back.
He remembered the gentle carresses of the youkai, and his body shivered unintentionally, his gaze lowering to the ground.
Unfortunately, his nervous reaction to the memory was visible to his brother, who only seemed angered by what he must have been able to tell was going through the hanyou's mind.
Inuyasha barely avoided a punch coming at his face. It skimmed past, and he prepared to strike back, but somehow he'd forgotten his brother had two arms again, and yelped in pain as he felt claws clench around his hair, scratching one of his ears as the youkai threw him to the ground.
Inuyasha waited for the pressure to relent, but when it didn't, he opened his eyes to find Sesshomaru pinning him.
"I heard that Takehiko had taken over his father's pack. If he was able to touch you, then I guess that must be true."
"Why! Because his father was alpha before him, so no other males got their way!" Inuyasha bit back.
The hand now pinning him by the shoulder clenched, making him grit his teeth in pain when claws peirced his skin.
"It's because the mountain inu tribe was the rival of father's pack." Sesshomaru explained coldly, "Takehiko's father, Masanori, constantly tried to do in father, but ironically enough, it was at father's hands that he lost his own life. I'm sure Takehiko never forgave him for that."
Inuyasha seised his struggling against his brother's grip, and just stared up at him, his suprised expression making the youkai smirk.
"Did he feed you some story about trying to help you feel better?"
A quick flicker in Inuyasha's eyes that he wasn't quick enough to catch gave his answer, and Sesshomaru's smirk was short lived.
"His actions were nothing more than an insult to father's name."
"Your lieing!" Inuyasha blurted out before he could stop himself.
"What's wrong ototo? Feeling defensive?" His brother mocked.
Inuyasha glared away. He didn't want to think that the youkai could be right, but it would explain something...
'Hey, can you tell me where I am?'
'No where that you're welcome hanyou!'
'You don't belong here, you don't belong eating amongst us, and you absolutely do NOT belong at our master's side!'
The harsh words rang through his mind.
'A rival pack? Is that why most of them hated me? Because they knew who my father was?'
He glanced up at a russling sound, and bit back a gasp as he saw Sesshomaru had let his kimono slide down his shoulders, revealing his chest.
'No.'
All at once he began struggling frantically, and managed to squirm free. He darted away quickly from his brother, but perhaps not quick enough, as the youkai was instantly on his feet, and pounced straight at the hanyou before he could get out of range. The force against his back sent Inuyasha skidding along the dirt path, leaving a shallow trail where the earth was pushed up.
"Get off Teme!" He growled loudly, trying to throw his brother off.
Sesshomaru pressed down ontop of him, digging his claws into his shoulders again, before pulling the Hanyou's kimono down to the middle of his back, not caring for the stinging scratches he'd left in the process.
Now on the brink of full out panicing, Inuyasha tried to push back up against his brother, but the youkai was suprisingly a lot heavier than he looked. If this situation hadn't been quite so serious, he'd love to tell him he was fat, though it probably would have been pointless anyway, since it was so blatantly clear the weight came from shere muscle volume.
Sesshomaru practically crushed his chest against the Hanyou's back, before he began rubbing against him.
"STOP IT!"
The youkai ignored the demand of his brother, instead letting out a rumbling growl, forcing silence over the smaller male, though Inuyasha didn't give up on fighting back. The older male leant down close to him, and breathed hot air on his neck, causing him to shiver feircely, before he was yanked around onto his back, and his brother pressed down onto his chest instead, continuing to rub against him.
Inuyasha bared his teeth and snapped at Sesshomaru's face. In response, the taller male also bared his fangs, and bit viscously into Inuyasha's shoulder at the base of his neck.
It hurt even worse than last time, and just like last time, Inuyasha found himself barely able to move, his own struggling only serving to tire him faster.
'No...please..don't let this happen again!'
He felt long claws...somehow even sharper than his...slide into his hair once more, giving the illusion of a soft caress, before they gripped the silver locks painfully harsh, and slammed his head back into the solid earth, which took no pity on him, and sent a shock of pain worse than a sit command through his skull.
Some how through the pain, he managed to notice the pressure leave his body, and his arms found freedom. Wasting no time, they automatically moved to clutch the back of his head, but one eye opened to focus agrily above.
"Despise me all you want Ototo, the fact remains that you are still my beta if I so choose." Sesshomaru stated as he stood and pulled his kimono back on.
"You mean your BLOOD beta!" Inuyasha yelled back sitting up.
He wasn't sure exactly why he was bringing up that topic right now, but perhaps he was just tired of secrets. First the whole alpha/beta thing, then blood betas, and now he'd just learnt that Takehiko was meant to be an enemy?
"Oh, so you've learnt of that?" Sesshomaru answered in a completely detached, uninterested tone.
"Yeah. Forget to mention that in your last explanation by chance!"
Sesshomaru just turned away from him.
"I would have thought it obvious that our blood relation...repulsive as it is...would make any and all effects stronger. Even so, do not forget Inuyasha..."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"...I hate you more than you ever can in return."
Inuyasha almost felt like he'd been winded again, but managed to avoid showing any outwardly signs of it.
"Don't count on it." He growled low, his hair falling over his eyes as he brother walked away.
It took a minute to cool down just enough to get himself to his feet, his head staying lowered as he fumbled to pull his kimono back on with shaky hands.
He had to calm down and focus. Sesshomaru had stopped a lot sooner than last time, but his body was growing warm. He needed to handle this now before it got to a point where he couldn't ignore it.
Grabbing his black bundle, he headed in the opposite direction to his brother.
Well it had taken until evening, but he couldn't have been luckier.
The sky was getting dark as Inuyasha reached a high ledge not far from the top of the mountain he'd been climbing.
He'd smelt something from the base, and having an idea what it was, he'd made his way up...far too slowly for his liking, but he'd had no choice. What little effort he'd expended getting up the steep mountain side had caused his skin now to start itching faintly.
None the less, he looked upon what he'd been hoping to find.
A hot spring.
Glancing around, he dropped his stuff against a rock and stripped down. He carefully stepped in, the warm water sending a shiver over his body, but this time it was welcomed.
He felt his body quickly relaxing as he submerged himself up to the base of his neck, and rested back against the rocky side.
Now this was bliss. Any effects he felt from his blood were slowly drifting away, though he didn't dare even consider that this might have still worked if the effects had been any stronger.
He cupped his hands under the water, and splashed the soothing liquid over his face.
Maybe this would be a good place to stay.
If the hot spring was effective in calming his body, then surely it would be a good idea to remain close by, at least until he'd gotten a grip on this whole fuss?
"Taki don't you dare!"
The words barely registered before Inuyasha was swallowed by a wave of hot water, as someone or something crashed in to the spring.
"Damn it Taki! If you keep this up, then sooner or later we're going to run out of water in the spring!" Yelled a young male youkai as he stepped out from behind a tree a short distance from the spring.
The one in the water shook his long hair, making the steamy air shimmer and sparkle with tiny droplets.
"It's a spring. How do you expect me to make it run out of water?"
"If there was a way, you'd be the one to find it!"
The two youkai were practically identical, save for the colour of their hair and eyes. The one on land had red hair and grey eyes, the one in the water had white hair and dark green eyes.
"Calm down you two. Remember we agreed to try and get along this time?" Came a third, more amused voice.
A taller male with a slim, athletic build walked into view, his hair short and black.
"Besides, don't you rascals see you've disturbed the neighbours?" He continued as his dark hazel eyes opened to focus on the spring.
The other two looked around, somehow having completely missed the rather stunned hanyou sitting across from them.
"Intruder! Maki!"
"I'm coming Taki!"
Ignoring his own words from before, the red head jumped in as well, splashing the hanyou again.
"Would you cut it out already!" He yelled, grasping his voice from it's stunned state.
"What're you doing in our hot spring intruder!" The one called Taki yelled.
"Boys..."
"Come on Eiji, it pretty much is ours." Maki whined.
"Just because hardly anyone else ever comes here does not make this our land." The taller male replied as he slipped down into the water between the twins, who just pouted in response, and huddled close to him on either side.
"Sorry for ruining the peace." Eiji spoke as he looked up to Inuyasha, "I'm afraid the kids get a little excited when we come here."
The twins stuck their tongues out at him for the 'kid' comment. Despite the size difference (in both height and maturity), it was clear they weren't that much younger than him.
Inuyasha just frowned, not really sure what to say, atleast until he finally took note of their tails. Eiji's was long, slender and black with a white tip, whilst the twins were shorter and very puffy.
They reminded him very much of someone...
"You guys are kitsune youkai?" He finally asked, shippo's face flashing through his mind.
"You got it. My name's Eiji, and these are my younger brothers, Taki and Maki...I'm sure I don't need to point out that they're twins."
As he looked at the siblings, Inuyasha was reminded of Takehiko's so called daughters, and began comparing the similarities and differences, until Eiji called over his shoulder...
"Hey! Arata! Are you coming?"
The other three occupants of the spring glanced up, watching as an even taller, well built male walked into view. His hair was long and thick, and shone the colour of the midnight sky, whilst his soft eyes were only a slight shade lighter.
His face was kind, and it was clear he must have been the calmest, most mature of the little group.
But that wasn't what caught Inuyasha's attention.
There...faintly...within the male's scent...
"What's wrong with you?" Taki asked as the hanyou ducked down in the water until it was just under his nose, his eyes still locked on Arata.
He cursed himself for only now properly registering that they were all naked, though he still wished that was the only thing making him uncomfortable.
The gentle gaint tilted his head at the hanyou's peculiar action, before he closed his eyes and took a quiet, deep breath.
A soft smile appeared as he opened his eyes again.
"I see..." He whispered, his voice as gentle as his face.
He truly reminded Inuyasha of a certain other youkai far too much for his liking.
"You have nothing to fear. I won't touch you, young beta." The male said with a soft, friendly chuckle.
"BETA!" The twins yelled out in suprise.
"Arata, is he really a beta?" Eiji asked, his smile gone, replaced by a genuine look of suprise.
"Yes, but I don't think he's too fond of my scent." The other male answered again with a chuckle as he sat on the edge of the spring.
The next thing, Taki and Maki had lept from their brother's side, and instead clamped themselves to Inuyasha's arms.
"Beta brothers! Beta brothers!" They cheered loudly, their whole attitude towards Inuyasha apparently having changed in an instant.
"Forgive them." Eiji chuckled, "We know all about Alphas and Betas, but we hardly see any others."
He smiled fondly as his brothers tried to cuddle Inuyasha, who wasn't doing too well at pushing them off.
"In fact, I don't think they've seen another beta besides each other..."
Inuyasha stopped his actions for a moment, and looked down to the boys on either side of him.
"They're both betas...?" He whispered, his previous emotions forgotten.
"Yep, and as you've already found out, Arata here is an alpha." Eiji continued, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb, "But seriously, don't worry. He's a great big softy who wouldn't hurt a fly even if it was buzzing around his ears. Besides...he's already taken."
The athletic male looked over his shoulder with a smirk at Arata, though his eyes showed something else...affection.
"So...does that mean...you're...?" Inuyasha began.
"Me? I'm neither an alpha nor a beta. I'm just a normal, boring Kitsune." Eiji answered knowingly.
"You're anything but boring." Arata gently argued, placing a hand on Eiji's shoulder.
"What did I say? He's softer than mushy rice." Eiji laughed, "I can smell that you've got inu blood. Your alphas just have to submit to the lead alpha right?"
"Yeah...so I've been told..." Inuyasha muttered, glancing away, feeling a sting of anger since he still felt like he knew so little about what he was, and that secrets had been kept from him all this time.
"Well, kitsune are more solitary. Though we know plenty of other fox demons, we don't see them alot...especially now..." Eiji glanced down, his smile fading, "...kitsune who become alphas are pushed out of their family group."
He looked over at Arata again, who gave an encouraging smile.
"We were already together some time before we found out he was an alpha. We were still some time away from being ready to leave our family groups, like all Kitsune do, but his father wouldn't have him there because he saw him as a rival male now. I didn't want to say goodbye to Arata...but it was around the same time I'd found out my brothers were betas, and when they were old enough to leave the family, I feared they'd be a prime target for any wandering alphas."
Arata slipped into the water next to him.
"But in the end, you didn't have to leave any of us." He said softly with a warm smile, which Eiji returned.
"True. I descided that since I wasn't that far from being of age anyway, I'd leave with Arata...well, I did when my brothers said they'd come along for the ride."
" yep! We wanted to stay with Eiji Niisan!" Taki spoke up happily.
"And he and Arata take care of us if we ever need it!" Maki added.
"By...take care of...you mean...?" Inuyasha mumbled hesitantly.
"They mean what you're thinking..." Eiji chuckled, "Arata is my partner, but I love my brothers to, and this way I can know they're safe. Some of the kitsune alphas can be rather brutal at times..." He said proudly.
Inuyasha just stared at him for a moment, actually slightly amazed by his calmness.
"And...it really doesn't bother you that...you're...related?" He whispered, looking down, since he actually felt like he was insulting them just by asking.
"Hm? Why would we?" The dark haired male asked.
Inuyasha looked away.
"No reason...just asking."
He continued to have the light conversations with the four kitsune, relaxing around them enough to even not mind the twins still clinging to his arms. It worked to his advantage, since he forgot about his body's previous situation, and it was able to sort itself out in peace. By the time he eventually pulled himself out of the spring, he felt great.
"Inuyasha?"
He glanced around swiftly, having almost forgotten he'd revealed his name during the conversations. He felt a jolt in his stomach as it was Arata who approached him, and he hastily pulled his pants back on...a bit too obviously.
"Please don't panic young hanyou. I was being truthful when I said I wouldn't touch you." Arata spoke noticing his nervousness.
"I...I know...I believe you." Inuyasha answered, turning away as he pulled his kimono back on.
That was true. He really didn't feel threatened by Arata at all.
"It's just..." he sighed, desciding to be honest, "It's just you remind me of someone...of a different alpha I know."
Arata wore a curiously suprised look for a moment, before his voice dropped.
"And...did this other alpha...do something to harm you?" His question cautious, as if he didn't want to intrude.
"No!" Inuyasha answered, turning around.
He gave an apologetic look as he realised his yell had startled the youkai.
"No...he didn't. In fact, he was very kind to me..." He explained, turning away again, "...When I went in heat, he was gentle about it. He wouldn't take me because he knew I didn't want it, instead he only went as far as needed, and when I was better, he even apologised for going as far as he did, even though he only did it to help me." He sighed again, "I didn't really show him the gratitude I should of...his whole pack hated my presence, but he defended me the whole time, and he was never an ass like..."
His voice trailed off as anger burned in his chest.
"Inuyasha...there is another alpha...who did hurt you?" Arata quietly ventured after a moment of silence.
The hanyou's hair fell over his eyes again.
"yeah...my brother." He whispered.
The alpha youkai didn't answer for sometime, and Inuyasha knew he was obviously coming to understand the hanyou's question about them being related earlier.
"I'm sorry to hear that. No beta should be mistreated by an alpha...especially a blood beta. I take it he is yours if he is your brother?"
"Yeah. We're the only ones left with the blood of our father's pack. He's an alpha and I'm a beta. But he doesn't even want to be my alpha, he just wants to control me. Too bad for him that's not going to happen!" Inuyasha answered, strength returning to his voice near the end of the sentence.
Thinking for a moment, he then asked;
"Hey Arata? Would you guys mind if I hang around this place for awhile? I need to get control of my beta blood, and the hot water really helped."
He glanced over his shoulder. The youkai seemed a little suprised, but just smiled in return.
"Of course. As Eiji said, this place isn't ours, we just come here often, so feel free to use the spring as much as you'd like. However we actually live on a different mountain a short distance from this one. There's not a lot of food around here, hence why no one else lives on this mountain. If we do see anyone else, they're usually just passing by."
Inuyasha found he was beginning to relax around the alpha. Though he was kind and gentle like Takehiko, he seemed a lot more...casual. He was mature, but not formal and lacked the overly polite speech. He prefered that, but was still glad that he felt no strong pull towards the youkai, only something that was no stronger than a child tugging at his sleeve.
"That's fine, I can find my own food if there's some around the valley and other mountains." He said looking around.
"There's plenty, but just be cautious of the other kitsune youkai wandering around, they can get pretty defensive of their territories."
A russling bush grabbed their attention. Even Maki and Taki...who had been wrestling in the water...stopped as they heard the noise.
Inuyasha grabbed the hilt of testaiga, until the so called danger stumbled out from the bush, and Inuyasha couldn't tell if he was more shocked or confused.
"Haru?" He said, blinking as the little girl rubbed an eye in a sleepy way.
The child looked exhausted as she glanced up to him, before her eyes widdened, and a bright smile grew on her face.
"Inu!" She chirped loudly, slightly startling the hanyou.
She raised her little hands to her ears, and gently tugged on them, as if trying to point them out.
"Inu...inu...inu..." She chanted playfully, bouncing a little on the spot.
"What an adorable child." Arata chuckled, "I think she likes that you have the same type of ears as her. Do you know her?"
"Uhh...kinda...we met briefly." Inuyasha answered, "Haru why are you out here...?" He glanced around and sniffed the air, "Are your sisters here to?"
At those words, the little girl stopped moving, and her smile faded. Inuyasha watched the way she didn't look at him, and how she fiddled with her kimono.
"Haru you're not actually out here on your own are you?" He asked a bit shocked.
demon blood or not, she was still a child...
"...Inu..." She mumbled, almost like she was asking if she was in trouble.
"Please don't tell me you actually followed me out all this way Haru! How did you even get past the passage way? There's no way you could've moved those boulders on your own! Besides, I'm sure I heard your sister say you weren't meant to be outside the castle!" Inuyasha scolded loudly.
He stopped as Haru's fluffy ears drooped sadly, and her eyes filled with tears she was clearly trying not to let fall. He felt his initial anger disappearing, and that only made him feel frustrated as he scratched his head awequardly.
"Man..." He muttered, "Look, forget it. I'll take you home in the morning, alright?" He said a bit calmer.
The little girl's face brightened a bit.
"But after that, you don't follow me out again, ok? Your family is probably worried about you." He said calming down, but with a bit of firmness.
The child nodded in a guilty way, before hugging the hanyou's leg tightly.
"She seems very fond of you. Are you certain you don't know her better?" Arata joked.
"Yeah I'm sure. I don't even know what she likes about me!" Inuyasha moaned in annoyance.
"Hey who's the little peach top?" Taki asked as he and his twin came over, stumbling as they tried to pull their hakama on.
They looked to Haru, who glanced up shyly, before sticking her tongue out a little. The twins blinked, before doing it in return. Haru just giggled, and the twins copied.
"Hey Inuyasha, how many fish you want?" Eiji suddenly called.
The hanyou looked around in suprise as the black haired kitsune held up a large string of fish, whilst a pile more laid at his feet.
"I thought you said there was no food here?" he muttered as the twins ran over to pick their choice.
"There's not, but we usually spend the night when we're here, so we have to bring our own." Arata answered, and stepped foward, "You and Haru will join us won't you?"
Inuyasha wasn't sure he wanted to answer, but a small growl caught his attention, and he looked to Haru, the little girl holding her stomach with a faint blush upon her cheeks.
"I...I guess..." He said unsurely.
"Please do help yourselves, theres more than enough, and the smell might entice other demons up here if we leave any."
The hanyou watched as Arata peacefully made his way back to the trio of brothers. Though he was still a little wary of being near an alpha...or pretty much anyone right now...they had proven themselves trust worthy so far...which he found a little odd for kitsune, though he certainly wasn't ungrateful for it.
He joined them soon enough, Haru skipping along behind him. It didn't take long for him to join in the feasting, losing count of just how many fish he ate. Maki and Taki began play wrestling when they were finished, and he actually joined in. It was the first time he could remember play fighting with anyone. Most young youkai played like this all the time as children to develop their fighting...but he'd had no one to do this with. He found himself having so much fun that he was laughing, and didn't even mind when the twins got the better of him.
"Alright boys, time for a drink, and then bed!" Arata eventually called out from where he sat by the fire.
"Aww, do we have to?" Taki whined, though he was grinning at the same time.
"Don't make me come over there." Eiji called as Haru climbed over his shoulder.
He to sounded like he was joking. It was almost like they were making fun of the way a parent would be firm on a rebellious child. Still full of adrenaline from the fun, Inuyasha suddenly threw Taki over his shoulder, and picked Maki up under his arm, making both boys cry out and squirm, whilst Eiji and Arata just laughed as the hanyou delivered the twins to the camp fire.
"You're gonna pay for that later!" Taki laughed with a smirk as he was dropped.
"Oh will he ever!" Maki joined in, sharing the smirk as he sat up.
Arata handed out little cups, before bringing out a bottle of sake.
"Care for some Inuyasha?"
"I don't know...I don't really like the stuff. I can't believe you even have any here." He answered unsurely, "Are they even old enough?" He added as the youkai poured some for the twins.
"Hey! We're not human you know." Taki protested.
"Yeah, we're a lot older than you might think!" Maki agreed.
"We like to have an occasional drink, but we've got plain water to if you'd prefer?" Eiji spoke up after downing his first drink.
"Eiji, where are you're manners?" Arata scolded.
"Sorry...everyone was talking..." The male shrugged.
"Ah, what the heck. Maybe just one." Inuyasha sighed calmly, in too much of a good mood to say no.
When everyone had a full cup...under-aged Haru having one of water...they raised them with a loud 'KANPAI!' and downed their drinks. Inuyasha screwed his face up a bit at the strong taste, but still it didn't ruin his mood, and he even descided to go for a second cup.
Nothing interviened to wake him up this time, it just happened naturally, much to his liking.
Inuyasha stirred, and rubbed his eye a bit. He looked around the camp, his vision still blurry.
The ashes smouldered gently in reminisense of the glorious fire last night. There was Sango and Miroku huddled together against a tree, whilst Kirarai and Shippo were curled up ontop of one another by the fire, and feeling movement on his legs, he looked down. A light, tired smile crossed his face, as he saw Kagome sleeping at the back of his legs.
'Odd...she's never slept like that before...' He thought absently.
But reality was never far behind the end of dreams.
Shaking his head feircely, he looked again. The vision of the dark haired girl was gone, replaced by a pink haired child curled up in her place.
"Haru?" He whispered.
He took another look around. What he thought was shippo and Kirara was the twins sleeping in an awequard, slightly painful looking two youkai pile, whilst the cosy couple against the tree was Eiji and Arata, not the demon slayer or monk he'd mistaken them for.
Inuyaha felt his heart sink, his gaze following it. He couldn't deny that he missed his friends, even if he was the one avoiding them.
He had to try and get hold of his beta blood. The sooner he did that, the sooner he could go back to them.
A quick wiff of a scent put him on alert, and his hand flew to his blade next to him, before the trees on the other side of the spring came crashing down, sending birds and the dawn's tranquility packing. The youkai couple woke and jumped to their feet, whilst the twins tried to hurry and untangle themselves.
"Finally! You desceitful Kitsune!" Roared a massive ogre as it stormed into the area, it's footsteps shaking the earth, and waking little Haru. Inuyasha expected her to scream, but instead she looked like she was still too tired to understand, and probably thought she was still dreaming.
"Maki, have we done anything to piss off an ogre lately?" Taki questioned, rubbing his head where it had got elbowed in the effort just to get up.
"Beats me." Maki answered with a loud yawn.
"You little rats will pay for cheating me!" Growled the ogre, and raised his massive fist, before bringing it down towards them.
Inuyasha grabbed Haru and jumped out of the way. He dropped her on the ground and pulled testaiga from it's sheith.
"What's this guy talking about?" He yelled to the others.
"Who knows? We certainly haven't cheated any ogres lately." Eiji answered with a calm smirk as he cracked his neck.
Inuyasha blinked in confusion as he watched the youkai leap at the massive figure, and sprung from it's knee, to it's arm, to it's shoulder, and finally the top of it's head. He sniffed the air again, and began to understand what was going on.
"Inu?" Haru mumbled as the hanyou put his sword away, as if she was now aware of the situation.
The orge roared in anger as it swiped at Eiji, but the kitsune just jumped, and landed on his hand. The ogre raised his other hand, ready to try and catch him again.
"Don't worry Haru, they've got this under control." Inuyasha responded to the little girl's whimper's.
He could see what the ogre had obviously missed. Hanging seemingly precariously from the back of the ragged material around his waist was Maki and Taki...how they'd gotten up there Inuyasha didn't even know... and upon the material was what looked like a whole bunch of peices of charmed paper.
"All done!" Maki called from where he was hanging.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Taki yelled out from where he was balancing on the rim of the material.
Taki jumped away, and Maki kicked off, back flipping through the air. Eiji smirked and also jumped away from the ogre, just before the paper burst into flames, each small flame combining to make a huge one.
"AAHHH!" The ogre bellowed, and ran around, causing a minor earthquake as he desperately tried to put out the flames.
"What a way to start the morning." Eiji laughed, a sly smirk on his face, "Nice job boys. Arata! Take it away!"
Hearing the call, the ogre stopped, and looked over his shoulder, just in time to recieve a kick to the face. He may have been huge, but Arata was clearly even stronger than he appeared, as the beast tumbled to the ground.
"Such a lack of manners. Shouldn't you have at least introduced yourself before trying to crush us?" Arata spoke calmly as he held a fan infront of his face.
Knowing Kitsune, Inuyasha knew that fan couldn't be just any plain old fan, but more to his concern was the calm sarcasm in Arata's voice. It was certainly a different image from last night, and even more unnerving was the sly glint within his usually innocent eyes.
"Enough you trickster kitsune!" The monster roared again, about to get up and charge.
"Who's the desceiver?" Arata answered simply, standing where he was.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he turned the fan around in his hand, and in an instant, it was no longer a fan, but a mirror. As the ogre ran at him, it's reflection showed in the mirror, which after a few seconds, flashed gold.
"Got you." Arata whispered with a hint of darkness in his tone.
He turned and threw the mirror, which flew straight at a rock, and smashed upon the jagged surface.
Cracks began to appear on the ogre's body, before it smashed just like the mirror, and all that was left...stumbling over infront of the kitsune...was a far smaller demon.
"Tanuki..." Arata spoke as he looked down to the very nervous racoon dog, "That mirror captured the image of your illusion, and when it was destroyed, so was your illusion."
The tanuki backed away quickly.
"Oh don't worry. It only works on you're magic, I wouldn't be able to shatter your real body even if I wanted to." Arata chuckled.
Inuyasha had to admit he was rather impressed by that show of kitsune magic.
"Y-you! You smug kitsune! You robbed me of my fish and sake yesterday!" The tanuki tried to be brave, jumping to his feet and pointing accusingly.
"Robbed?" Arata said raising an eyebrow, "I was under the impression we won those items in a game that you joined of your own free will."
"Had I known you would cheat, I never would have!" The tanuki cried stomping about, "Now return my items!"
"A bit late for that pal." Taki answered stretching, before releasing a loud burp.
"Did you guys really steal from him?" Inuyasha suddenly spoke up, starting to lose track of things, but wanting to keep up.
"I guess that depends on how you see it Inuyasha." Eiji answered.
He turned to face the hanyou.
"We're kitsune Inuyasha, tricking others and causing mischief is what we do. We may have been in disguise at the time, but as a tanuki, he really should have recognised four kitsune when he saw them. Sure we cheated, but thats because we knew he would to."
Once pleasantly satisfied, Inuyasha's stomach now just felt heavy with guilt.
"In any case, I believe we should be heading home now, I'd hate to invite any more unwelcomed company to such a nice place." Arata spoke finally, turning away.
"Shale I send off our little visitor Arata?" Eiji spoke, stepping up.
"But of course Eiji. Do give him a nice fare well." The taller male replied, stopping to look over his shoulder with a smile that Inuyasha could now recognise to be fake.
A large, sadistic grin grew on Eiji's face, and he cracked his knuckles. Inuyasha gritted his teeth, and was about to step in, when the Tanuki raced off in fear, and Eiji didn't follow.
"Tanuki just never learn." Taki groaned as he stretched, before he and Maki walked off to collect their stuff.
"So Inuyasha? After you drop little Haru home, what're you planning? We could meet you here again in a few days if you'd like?" Eiji said as he calmly walked back towards the group.
"Can Inuyasha come to our place?" The twins asked in unison.
"Don't see why not." Eiji chuckled, and looked around. "What do you say Inuyasha?"
The hanyou didn't respond. He simply walked to where he'd left his bundle, and picked it up, before taking Haru's hand, and pulling her along.
"Beta brother? What's wrong?" Maki asked, looking like a worried child at the hanyou's retreating back.
"Inuyasha." Arata spoke calmly, finally making the silver haired boy stop, "Despite whatever you saw right now, you don't have to worry about being descieved by us. We enjoy you're company, and have been truthful the entire time with you."
"Am I suppost to be able to believe that!" Inuyasha growled, glaring over his shoulder at them, "After all...you're kitsune right!"
He grabbed the back of Haru's kimono and pulled her up close to him, before he ran off, heading back down the mountain.
"Inuyasha!" He heard the twins cry after him, their voice's honestly sounding upset, but he was too angry at the moment to believe it.
'Kuso...kuso...why am I reacting like this?'
"Inuyasha wait!"
Glaring up, he skidded to a stop as Arata stood before him. Inuyasha hadn't been running all that fast, so he wasn't too suprised that the youkai had got in front of him.
"Inuyasha...I AM being honest. We have done nothing to decieve you, yes we are kitsune but that doesn't mean we trick every stranger we come across."
The calm expression was gone. Instead, the alpha looked nothing but serious.
"Yeah, well last night I never would have guessed you were even capable of acting like you did just now." Inuyasha retorted, "How can I believe you about anything when you forgot to mention just how you came across those fish yesterday? I thought it weird that you happened to have sake on you, but I should have questioned it more."
Arata sighed heavily, and suddenly walked towards him. Inuyasha growled and took a step back, but did nothing as the tall youkai stood in front of him.
"Inuyasha...I promise...you can trust us." He whispered, as he raised a hand, and gently carressed the hanyou's cheek.
Inuyasha fell still, pressing his face just a little into the palm.
"Really?" He whispered, "...because you just broke your last promise..."
Before the youkai had time to react, Inuyasha kicked him hard in the gut, making him stumble back.
"You promised you wouldn't touch me!" The hanyou yelled, baring his teeth threateningly.
He could see in the Youkai's eyes what he already knew...that the touch hadn't been meant like that...but he didn't give a damn right now.
"I was...I was wrong..." He muttered, suddenly finding it hard to speak so strongly.
Holding tight to Haru, he raced away.
"...You're not like him! You're nothing like him!"
His harsh words rang through the area a bit, and though they'd only been out of anger, he didn't care for any look a like now.
Even if he knew he'd regret it, he wanted to see the real thing.
'Takehiko...'
The kind face flashed through his mind, and though it made him cringe and shiver, he found that despite the uproar from his pride, he wanted to see the youkai leader again.
'No...I can't. I'm only going to take Haru home...I'm not going for any other reason, and that's the way it has to remain!'
As he made it to the base of the mountain, he really wished his own thoughts could sound more convinsing.
Inuyasha eventually stopped at a stream, probably just a different part of the same one he'd stopped at yesterday. Both he and Haru had a long drink, before he sat down and began unwrapping his bundle.
Both he and the little girl had been silent since leaving the mountain, and he was now feeling guilty. The child had probably gotten scared from his fight with the kitsune before, her high spirit not present right now.
"Haru...listen..." He spoke quietly, his voice feeling heavy, "I'm sorry we left the way we did. I know you liked them, I did to...I just..."
He looked up to her, feeling disappointed when she hadn't looked up. Sighing heavily, he began to mix together one of the little piles of herbs he'd been given. When it was finished, he scooped up a bit of the now pale green cream, and rubbed it all around his neck. He'd exerted too much energy in his furious rush, and now his skin was burning and itching just to the point that it was hard to ignore. Thankfully, after a few moments, the cream came through, and began to relieve the irritation. He got more scoops, and began spreading it over the most irritated areas...his wrists, his shoulders, his face, a spot on his left side, and...glancing quickly to Haru...he turned away to put some in the gaps between his thighs and stomach.
Finally feeling somewhat better, he leant back on his hands, letting his head hang back. The breeze was nice on his face, and though his body was still affected, his anger had died down.
He merely opened his eye to greet a noise next to him. Haru had finally moved, and was looking over the small traces of cream left, and trying to put some on a graze on her elbow. He sat up again, looking more concerned.
"I don't think that will help a graze Haru..." He spoke, before an idea quickly came, "But I know what will. Wait here."
He jumped up and disappeared into the forest by the stream. Five minutes later, he returned with a few different herbs, and made a new mixture.
"My mother had to make this mixture a lot when I was little cause I kept falling out of trees and stuff. I did it so much that she eventually descided to show me how to make it myself." He explained gently with a fond smile at the memories.
He carefully took the girl's arm, and rubbed the mix onto the graze, her large, bright eyes following his actions. He then tore off a peice of the black material, and tied it around the graze.
"There. Don't worry now, you've got demon blood so that'll heal soon enough. This'll just take away the sting until that happens, ok?" He said encouragingly.
He sighed as some of the guilt drifted away when the little girl finally smiled back at him. They shared the food that was in the bundle, and Inuyasha slipped the herbs meant for tea into his sleeve. Without the extra baggage, he let Haru climb on his back, before taking off again.
By the end of the day, they'd made it back to the cave where the secret entrance was.
"Sorry we couldn't get here faster Haru, I...had to take it slow." He said as he walked into the dark tunnel.
He carefully made his way over the fussy pathway across the small river, until he came to a large rock he recognised as the cover to the passage.
"Alright. Here we are then." He said and put Haru down.
The little girl looked up at him uncertainly, and though it took a moment of him waiting for her to do something, he then mentally slapped himself. Youkai or not, there was no way a child could move that boulder.
"Oh...uhh...right."
He grabbed the boulder, and with a grunt, pushed it aside to reveal the passage.
'Come to think of it, there's another boulder at the other end. Just how did Haru get through the passage anyway? There's no way she could have moved the boulders, and no one would have helped her unless they were going with her.'
He looked down to the little girl, who was staring into the dark tunnel, looking scared.
'Look at her...it's like she's never even seen this passage before. Wait...that must be it, there must be another way to the castle. It makes sense, since it wouldn't be practical for this narrow path to be the only way out for such a large pack. Whatever the other way was must have been easier to get through.'
"Ok listen carefully Haru." He said stepping to entrance, "I'm going to take you up to the entrance on the other side, where we met yesterday, remember? I'll drop you off there, and then you just have to walk back to the castle, understand?"
He was trying to make it sound calm and relaxing, but the girl still looked scared.
"What's wrong? Don't worry, It's a little dark, but theres nothing to be scared of."
He gently guided her inside, before pulling the boulder back into place, instantly feeling the child clamp to his leg as the light vanished. Shaking his head with a chuckle, he picked her up and began walking, using his free hand to guide himself along the wall.
Haru huddled close to him the whole time, though he felt her become more relaxed along the way. Perhaps he was going a bit slower because it was up hill, or because he was being careful with Haru, he wasn't sure...but it seemed a bit longer that the last time he went through here. None the less, his hand eventually met a rough surface infront of them.
"Ok, give me a sec Haru." He said putting her down.
He did his best not to sigh when she grabbed his leg again, and descided not to risk possibly upseting the child by telling her she was making it difficult to open the entrance. With a bit more effort than before, he was still able to.
He winced as the strong, evening sun glowed a heavenly gold against a backdrop like ruby red silk. Touching Haru's head lightly, he led the way out, grateful as he felt the ground even out under his feet. He looked around, spotting the castle sitting upon the hill just a short distance up the pathway. The white walls gleamed in the light, appearing almost as bright, whilst the dark roofs alternatively blended into the appearing shadows, almost vanishing from view.
"Well there it is Haru, go on and hurry up, I'm sure you're sisters will be relieved to see you."
He looked down to the little girl, but she just stood there, clinging to his leg, staring at the castle. Her look wasn't really scared, but certainly nervous.
"Oh I get it. You're scared you're gonna get in trouble huh? Sorry, but I can't help you with that. You're the one who left without permission after all." He chuckled, know it wasn't really nice to tease, but hoped it would make sure the girl didn't run off again.
"Inu..." The girl suddenly mumbled, and rested her head against his leg.
Inuyasha was suprised to hear sadness in her voice, and felt his heart throb against his will.
"Hey, we had a deal remember? I'd bring you back, but you can't follow me out again, right?" He tried to say without being too firm, "Look, how about I stand here and watch you until you get to the gates, ok? Don't worry, you'll be safe."
The child looked up to him, and for once, he allowed an affectionate smile as he crouched to her level.
"Hey...you're a good kid, and between you and me, I think it's pretty sweet you followed your own descision. But there's alot of danger out there...alot of stuff you're not ready to deal with, and I don't want you to get hurt. That's why you have to stay here, ok?"
His words were kind, and they finally seemed to get through to the little girl. She still looked down sadly, but gave a small nod. Rubbing her hair affectionately, he stood back up, and watched as she began walking away.
Her steps were short and slow, and Inuyasha knew he was probably in for a long wait, but when she looked back around to him, he just gave her a nod, encouraging her to keep going. After a short pause, the girl turned, and began walking again, when the chink of metal and the pounding of feet stopped her once more.
"What the hell is this!" Inuyasha demanded as he was surrounded by inu youkai guards, spears raised and pointed at his face.
He watched as recognition began to appear on the faces of the guards, who shared his angry glare.
"I thought that scent was digustingly familiar." came an unpleased voice, as Kunio stepped out from behind the others.
"oh great..." Inuyasha grumbled, not bothering to be silent about it.
He was absolutely not in the mood for seeing THAT face.
"Didn't think you'd be dumb enough to come back here hanyou." The youkai muttered sourly.
"Back off. I'm only here to return what you lost!" Inuyasha growled back, indicating to Haru.
He smirked as some of the guards winced. Haru's little stunt must have caused more trouble than he thought.
"Well great, job well done!" Kunio retorted sarcastically, baring his fangs, "We'll take it from here, so you can leave!"
"Gladly!" Inuyasha yelled back, turning back towards the cave.
The guards only stepped back far enough to let him through, their spears still almost close enough to scrape his skin.
"NO!"
The sharp squeal hurt all their ears and stunned them momentarily, as Haru raced back, and jumped straight onto Inuyasha, clinging to his kimono.
"H-Haru?"
"Haru what are you doing? Your sisters have already eaten me alive over this. Now get off the hanyou! You're coming home right this second!" Kunio scolded impatiently.
If he hadn't been completey stunned, Inuyasha would have laughed when Haru just gave the youkai an angry look and stuck her tongue out at him, making a rude sound. It may have been bad, but it just made her look even cuter.
"You little..." Kunio hissed through his teeth, his fists shaking at his sides.
"Come on Haru, you have to go home now." Inuyasha finally spoke up, knowing the child's safety was more important than his little conflict with the guard leader.
The child looked up to him, almost like she was shocked that he wasn't taking her side on it.
"Don't look at me like that. You already know you can't come with me, this is your home."
The look that she then gave him wasn't really angry, but more just pure stubborness.
"Inu! Inu!" She argued, kicking about a bit in nothing short of a tantrum.
"What the! When did she start speaking?" One of the guards yelled in what sounded like honest shock.
"Whatta ya mean? She's been speaking since yesterday..." Inuyasha said blinking.
'Then again...all she said was "inu" the whole time...'
With everyone successfully distracted...even just for a few seconds, Haru took her chance and crawled inside Inuyasha's Kimono. The hanyou gasped and stumbled, trying to pull her out, but only succeeded in falling over. The inu guards could only watch a bit dumbfounded.
The hanyou sat there, grumbling as Haru finally stopped moving, and just popped her head back out, looking all too pleased with herself.
"It's hardly funny Haru!" He shouted louder than he meant to.
"It's not funny AT ALL!"
The whole group looked up swiftly towards the castle. Standing at the gates with her arms crossed and looking extremely agitated was Fuyu.
Inuyasha heard a tiny 'eep!' from Haru, and felt the girl duck down in fear.
"Inuyasha! Come up here! I'd like a word with my imoto." The silver haired girl spoke calm but loud.
However, there was a frightening growl within her voice that made the whole group go rigid to avoid shivering.
"Forgive me Haru, but you did get yourself into this." He whispered, touching her head gently before he stood up, feeling the poor girl shiver in fear.
"Hold it hanyou...!" Kunio began.
"You wanna explain why to Fuyu if I don't get my butt up there?" Inuyasha cut him off quickly.
The youkai flinched back, and Inuyasha bit his tongue not to grin at the way Fuyu's temper obviously made him nervous.
"Fine." The youkai grunted.
The guards suddenly stood around Inuyasha, and began walking.
"But your just going up there...dropping off Haru...and getting out of here...got it!" He growled low.
"Fine by me!" Inuyasha whispered back harshly, "Trust me, I don't intend to go behond that gate!"
The frosty little group made their way up the path, no one speaking until they reached the gate. Kunio's little group stepped aside as Fuyu calmly walked up to Inuyasha.
"Nice to see you again Inuyasha." She said blankly, her words clearly only words, "Where is Haru?"
Inuyasha sighed heavily, and turned around. He pointed over his shoulder to his back, where a large mass under his kimono made it seem like he had a hunchback.
"I see, typical of her." Fuyu sighed, "In that case, I beg your pardon Inuyasha..."
"What for?" Inuyasha barely managed to ask, before he felt hands on his shoulders.
Fuyu grabbed his kimono, and yanked it down his back, until Haru fell out with a yelp to the ground. In that instant, Inuyasha gasped as the memory of Sesshomaru pulling his kimono down with the same uncaring force yesterday came rushing back to him.
"What the hell are you doing!" He yelled at her furiously, jumping away and trying to pull his kimono back up.
"It was the quickest way with the least amount of fuss." Fuyu answered almost boredly as she picked up her little sister in one hand, the child's expression showing she knew she was in big trouble now.
"Why didn't you just ask me!" He yelled, holding the kimono over one arm, "Ahh! I don't give a damn! Job done! Be good Haru!" He finished, and turned back towards the exit, the guards again shifting only as much as they had to for him to get past.
"Inuyasha?"
His feet implanted themelves to the ground, as if vines had sprung from the earth and wrapped around his legs. His whole body stiffened, only allowing enough movement for him to slowly look around, and as his shocked golden eyes met suprised silver ones, he almost wished...almost...that he had stayed with the tricky Kitsune youkai at the spring.
*phew!*...these chapters getting longer or something? XD
yeah...again, I think the site might have glitched when I tried editing...so if the spelling and grammar are even worse than usual...sorry about that...
hm...was Inuyasha a bit ooc? be honest...I can't tell...
thanks for reading!
Reviews are loved! *puppy eyes*