Feudal Diaries:

Shelter

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Summary- In which Inuyasha is reminded that not everyone is willing to accept him.

The rain pattered against the soil, which squelched under his toes as he walked. His clothes were soaked through and his wet hair stuck to his face. His stomach growled in time with the clap of thunder, but he didn't care.

Inuyasha walked through the forest, dragging his feet through the mud, his eyes downcast and glossed over.

What was his problem? Well...it all started earlier today, while the group was out traveling on their search for Naraku and the Sacred Jewel Shards.

Flashback

Inuyasha walked alongside Kagome, as per usual, with Shippo riding along in her bicycle basket, Sango walking along at Kagome's left with Kirara on her shoulder, and Miroku tailing behind them. They had left Kaede's Village about 4 days ago and they had been camping every night since then. It was just about sunset, so they had to find a place to stop and rest soon.

As they walked, the group suddenly heard a deep rumbling sound in the air.

"What was that?" Shippo asked. "Thunder?"

"It is pretty cloudy," Sango pointed out. "I hope we don't get rained on."

"That wasn't thunder," Inuyasha spoke. "That was my stomach. I'm starvin'."

"Come to think of it," Shippo began, "I'm getting kinda hungry, too."

"Maybe it's best if we stopped somewhere for the night and continue traveling tomorrow," Kagome replied. "Besides, I could really use a nice, hot bath."

"Well, look no further," Miroku said as he pointed his staff forward. "Do you see what I see?"

The group turned to see a large village up ahead.

"A village!" exclaimed Shippo.

"All right!" Kagome cheered.

"Good eye, Miroku!" Sango added while Kirara mewed in agreement.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Inuyasha said. "Let's just hurry up and get some eats!"

As the group entered the village, the villagers all turned upon noticing them...or rather, upon noticing Inuyasha.

"Who is that?"

"Such long, white hair...and are those dog ears?"

"And claws, too...he must be a demon...!"

"Or a half-demon..."

Inuyasha's ears twitched and he growled softly in his throat, but he chose to ignore the villagers as the group kept walking.

"Well, who have we here?"

The group looked up to see a tall man in his mid-40s, dressed in a dark blue yukata and a pair of black hakama pants with a gray obi around his waist. He had his hair tied back in a rat's tail and he had a thin, scruffy mustache, as well, and he greeted the gang with a friendly smile.

"A group of weary travelers?" he asked.

"Yes, indeed," Miroku replied. "And you must be the village headman."

"Aye, monk," answered the headman. "You all must be exhausted from your long journey. I would be honored if you would come and stay at my home. I can prepare a nice bath for all of you!"

"That'd be very nice, thank you," Sango said.

"Yes, we really appreciate that-" Kagome started.

"On one condition, though," the headman interjected...as he looked to Inuyasha. "I'm afraid that that...thing isn't allowed in my home."

Inuyasha's eyes went wide while the others gaped.

"Excuse me?" Kagome asked with a glare in her eyes. "Did you just call Inuyasha 'a thing'?!"

"Uh-oh..." Shippo muttered with a look of dread.

"Heheheh..." Miroku chuckled, nervously. "My good sir, I don't think you understand. Inuyasha is a friend of ours. I'm afraid that wherever we go, he goes as well."

"Well, I do apologize," the headman said, "but that half-demon is not allowed in my house. I just can't trust him."

"How dare you!" Sango chastised while Kirara hissed, her fur bristling up.

"Yeah, Inuyasha has a right to be here as much as we do!" Kagome added. "You can't just oust him just because he's a half-demon!"

"Forget it," Inuyasha spoke, causing the others to look at him. "I can take a hint...I know where I'm not wanted." He then turned to leave. "It's fine if you guys are warm and dry, anyway."

"But...Inuyasha-" Kagome started.

"I'll just sleep in the woods or something," Inuyasha cut her off as he walked away. "It never stopped me before."

"Inuyasha, wait!" Kagome called, but the half-demon soon leaped away, causing her to sigh while Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all watched in concern.

Flashback end

Inuyasha sighed as he leaned back against a tree, frustrated, hungry, and...a bit lonely.

It was that moment that reminded that not everybody was so willing to accept a half-demon into their village. The moment he started hearing the villagers' comments about him, his instincts told him to leave, but he thought that maybe it wouldn't bother him so much...but nary. He should've known that the headman wouldn't accept him, either.

Oh, well...at least the others were warm and dry and well-fed while he was out here, cold and wet and starving. They probably weren't even thinking about him, right now. After all, who would ever be worried about a half-demon?

"Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha gasped before he turned around to see Kagome standing on the hilltop while holding an umbrella over her head and Shippo clinging to her shoulder.

"K...Kagome?" he whispered in disbelief.

"Oh, there he is!" she exclaimed in relief before she turned around. "Miroku! Sango! I found him!"

Soon, Miroku and Sango soon appeared on the horizon, as well, along with Kirara.

"Inuyasha!" Sango called. "There you are!"

"We've been looking for you since you left the village!" Miroku said.

"...Really?" Inuyasha asked as they approached him. "But...why?"

"Why do you think?" Shippo asked. "We were worried!"

"It was awful, what the village headman said," Kagome said. "If you can't be warm and dry with us, then we'd rather be cold and wet with you."

"Indeed," Miroku agreed. "After all, friends stick together, Inuyasha."

"Come on," Sango said. "There's a cave nearby. We can take shelter there and get a fire going."

"And I'll make you as many instant noodles as you want," Kagome added.

"...K...Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed as he turned away. "Idiots! It's not like I asked you to do that!" He paused. "But...I...I kinda appreciate it, a little."

The others laughed before they all headed to the cave to get out of the rain. As they did, Kagome gently took Inuyasha's arm into her own while Miroku patted his right shoulder, and suddenly, the half-demon felt a little warmer.

This one was suggested to me by Corpses Playing Poker. Thank you!

Review, please!