Obligatory Disclaimer: The "Inu Yasha" series and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Shounen Sunday, Viz, and other corporate types. I am none of those entities. I'm just a silly fan writing silly stories because it's fun. Suing me would only be a waste of time and funds, so please don't. Any original characters that show up belong to themselves. Just ask them.
Author's Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed in this work of fiction do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
I CHOOSE NOT TO WARN!
This story contains material that might be disturbing or downright triggering to some. Reader discretion advised.
One Plus One
By Misarae
Chapter Thirteen
How Do You Say..?
December 28th:
The classroom was filled with laughter and chat as holiday excitement filled the air. The last bell had rung, declaring classes were over with until after Winter Break. Sachiko waited until the vast majority of her classmates had left the room before even trying to go over and retrieve her coat, hat, and mittens. As she went over to the hook where she'd left her things, she caught something out of the corner of her eye.
"Naoki! You startled me!"
"Sorry, Sachiko, I just wanted to wait until everyone else was gone," Naoki said, unfolding himself from the corner where he'd been hiding.
"Are you okay? You look awful."
She'd noticed he'd been acting weird all day. He kept spacing out during class, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His hair was slightly tangled, when usually it hung completely straight in a way Sachiko envied. He even avoided her at lunch, something that never happened. At least, up until the day after Christmas.
"We really need to talk. Can we go somewhere?"
Sachiko thought. "The Music Club isn't meeting today, so we can go to their room."
"Okay."
The journey to the Music Club's meeting room was silent, Naoki walking ahead of Sachiko and not even looking back. A ball of dread sat heavily in Sachiko's stomach. Was Naoki having second thoughts about all this?
As soon as they reached the Club room, and Sachiko slid the door shut, she found herself nearly bowled over as Naoki hugged her so hard, she swore her ribs creaked. The ball of dread dissolved into tears, and Sachiko sniffled as she returned the embrace. She heard Naoki sniffing, as if trying to reassure himself that she was actually there.
"I miss you. I miss your Mom. I miss Grandma," Naoki said plaintatively.
"Naoki..."
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this. I'm only a little bit inu. Your family is human. It's stupid."
"It's not stupid," Sachiko said, gripping Naoki tightly. "I miss you, too. I wasn't lonely before, because I've had Mom and Granny to play with. Now that I know what it's like to have a brother, I don't want you to have to go all the time."
"My pack's always just been me and Dad," Naoki replied. "I know it's been growing, but I think spending so much time lately just cinched it. You're my sister, my pack, and I worry about you and your Mom and Grandma when we're not together."
"Is there anything we can do?"
Naoki sighed, finally releasing her. "We're just pups. It's up to the adults now."
"That sucks."
Naoki gave her a wistful half-smile. "You said it." A couple of minutes ticked by. "Can we hang out for a bit?"
"Sure, but won't your Dad worry?"
Naoki frowned. "Let him."
"Naoki!"
"He's being stupid. I know what he's going through; he knows what's happening. I've never known my Dad to be a coward, but he won't tell me anything about what he's thinking! If he even is." A tiny whimper escaped his throat.
Sachiko blinked, a few pieces of a puzzle she'd been trying to figure out suddenly falling into place, making her positive that the random sounds Naoki made had to be for a reason. He did it too often for it to be coincidence. "Naoki, did that sound mean something?"
"What sound?"
"The last sound you just made. It kinda sounded like," she imitated the whimper.
Naoki's eyes widened. "Yeah. I called my Dad a jerk in inu. I figured it was safe, since he's not here to translate."
"Can I speak inu, too?"
"Maybe a little," Naoki said uncertainly. "I can't say as many words as Dad can, though I understand all of it."
"So, what's your name in inu?"
Naoki shook his head. "It's not that simple. Inu refer to each other by their relationship or position of authority in their pack. Like I call Dad," he made a short, high-pitched whine, followed by a longer one. "If we were more formal, I'd draw out both sounds, or for more casual, two short sounds."
"So, if I wanted to call him Papa, it would be," Sachiko tried making two short whimpers.
"Pitch them a little lower."
Sachiko tried again.
"That's it, but don't do it. Not now. Since you haven't been officially recognized as family or even pack, it's really, really rude."
"So he has to address me first?"
"Yeah. You might notice sometimes he gives a yip after saying the word 'pup'."
Sachiko nodded. "I've heard him do it when he's talking to you."
"That's the generic term for a pup of the pack. Using the terms for 'son' or 'daughter' are considered very intimate. He probably won't mind you calling him 'Papa' once he's called you," Naoki gave a yip, then a short whine, slightly higher in pitch than the earlier ones.
"That's daughter?"
"Yup. Son is," he yipped, then made the short sound in 'father'.
"So, how would you refer to me in inu?"
Naoki blushed. "Sister. Technically pack sister." He made a long, high-pitched sound.
"And.. if everything works out?"
Naoki made the same sound, but he held it out half as long. "That's 'littermate'."
Sachiko imitated him. "Did I get it right?"
"Absolutely," Naoki said. "But for now, use," he made the long sound again, lower pitched.
Sachiko repeated the sound back to him.
"That's pack brother."
"This is so cool. It's like having our own secret code."
"Think you can remember more?"
Sachiko grinned. "Let's keep going!"
"Mama? Did Sachiko say anything to you about being home late?"
Mama Higurashi looked up from her dinner preparations. "No, she didn't. I thought she just snuck by me."
"So did I. She's never late!"
"Maybe Naoki invited her over to his house."
Kagome shook her head. "Inu Yasha's really territorial about their apartment. I don't think he'd just let Naoki waltz in with her."
Mama stared at her incredulously.
"It's an inu thing," Kagome said, trying to smooth things over.
"Maybe you should try calling over there, just in case."
"I don't know..."
"Kagome," Mama Higurashi said firmly, "you're pining. Call him before I track him down and drag him back here to apologize for not calling you."
Kagome blushed, momentarily hating her mother for being so painfully honest. She knew it had only been a few days since Christmas, and she had been a bit more dejected each day he didn't even try to contact her.
"This isn't the feudal era," Mama Higurashi teased. "Sometimes a woman has to take charge when a man is being an ass. You've already learned that. You just haven't had to apply it to Inu Yasha yet."
"Mama!"
"What? I know how to swear, young lady. I just try to lead by example and do so very rarely." Mama Higurashi's eyes were hard, even as her voice grew soft. "Call him, Kagome."
Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat. "Okay, Mama."
Inu Yasha spat out a curse as he heard the phone ring. He was absolutely covered in wood chips and sawdust, pouring all the emotions swirling around inside him into his work. He'd been commissioned to make the head and footboard of a Western-style bed for a European client whose daughter was getting married to a wealthy businessman. Shipping the damned things would cost a small fortune, but Inu Yasha knew full well the man had money to burn, and he always paid handsomely.
His answering machine clicked on, and he listened with half an ear, until he suddenly shouted in pain as he sliced his palm open when he heard the voice he'd been longing, no, dying to hear. He grabbed a nearby rag to wrap his hand in, trying not to drip on the floor, and leapt up to try and answer, but she was already gone. He punched the playback button on the machine with more force than strictly necessary, but thankfully it didn't break.
"Inu Yasha? It's Kagome. Sachiko hasn't come home from school yet, and I was wondering if you or Naoki had any idea where she is. Give me a call when you have a chance. Thanks! Bye."
Inu Yasha stared at the digital display on the answering machine as panic gripped him. He'd been so involved in his work, he hadn't even noticed when the time Naoki normally arrived home came and went. He hadn't realized that he took Naoki's sense of responsibility so much for granted. The pup always found his way home, so it was easy to immerse himself in work.
Now Naoki had disappeared, along with Sachiko.
If anything happened to them, he'd never forgive himself.
He snatched up the phone, rapidly dialing Kagome's number.
"Higurashi Shrine."
Inu Yasha felt his knees go slightly weak in relief as Kagome's voice flooded his ears. He swallowed, but his throat still felt raw. "Kagome, it's Inu Yasha. Naoki's not home yet, either."
"Oh no..."
"Stay there. Don't worry. I'll go check Naoki's usual hangouts and see if I can find a trail for either of them, then I'll come pick you up. Deal?"
"Okay," Kagome said, her voice wavering.
"I. Will. Find them, Kagome. Even if I have to tear this whole damned city apart." Unable to bear hearing what she would say next, Inu Yasha hung up, fighting to get himself under control. His entire body shook with suppressed emotion. Rage. Fear. Guilt. Shame.
He tore out of the building like a man possessed. He would find their children, no matter what the cost.
Author's Note: A shorter chapter this time, but it was such a great place to stop. How much do I love drama? Far too much.