Trick or Treat

The invigorating October breeze carried the aroma of spiced pumpkin, apple cider, and chocolate. All the shops had black and orange crepe paper with artificial bats and cobwebs in their windowpanes. The TV channels were swamped with Halloween specials plus quite a few Scooby-Doo films. Currently, "Scary Godmother Spectacular" was playing on Inuyasha's TV.

The quartet of friends was fascinated by the adorable animation. Kaede was babysitting them today while their parents were at work. Kagome and Sango's younger brothers were currently taking a snooze in Izayoi's bedroom. The fragrance of pumpkin pie drifted from the kitchen into the living room. Thanks to Inuyasha's sense of smell, the scent was far more potent. Not that he minded. He enjoyed the smell of baked goods.

The children giggled as Scary Godmother started tongue-lashing Harry the Werewolf for gorging on all the party food. Plus, suckering her for twelve pizzas. The goofy wolfman pleaded he do anything.

"What do you think it'd be like to meet actual monsters?" Kagome wondered aloud, which made Inuyasha's invisible dog ears twitch.

The childish comment filled him with anguish. Knowing he remained the only half-demon left in the world. Demons were extinct in the 21st century. Now the demons were thought to be nonexistent.

No rational person in this era would ever consider demons had once dwelled amidst humans. The growing prince frequently questioned what would come about if people discovered the actuality of his bloodline. Would the government turn him into some sick experiment? Or throw him into a cage as if he was a dumb animal?

Despite these three were his best friends, he still dreaded what might transpire if they discovered he was only half-human! Notwithstanding those doubts, he didn't fear this Halloween. This Halloween, he'd walk among everyone in his true form. No one would ever suspect the truth. In that way, he was grateful for Halloween. The others said they're dressing as their ancestors from the Feudal Era. A monk, a demon slayer, and a priestess. It'd unquestionably make for a fascinating evening.

"So, Inuyasha, what are you going to be for Halloween?" Miroku questioned his friend while shoving Cheetos into his wide-open trap.

The young prince gave him a tight-lipped look before answering, "I ain't going to spoil the surprise! I'm so eager to go trick-or-treating! This block party sounds exhilarating, too!"

"You bet it's going to be the best! My mother is baking loads of desserts for the block party!" Sango declared proudly, thinking about all the cookies she'd already baked last night.

"That sounds more fun then what my grandpa going to do. He's going to peddle his 'magic' charms, yet we all know they're flops. Grandpa doesn't possess the gift to be an actual priest," Kagome admitted, bittersweet.

"Well, it's the thought that counts, isn't it? I mean, its not like demons exist these days. Consequently, there no need for a genuine priest or priestess powers like in the past." Inuyasha sought to comfort his crush.

The others gazed at him, confounded. Sango spoke, "Inuyasha, you do realize evil spirits are imaginary beings? They only exist in fables." For reasons none of the children could explain, their friend looked highly offended by what Sango said. They have never seen him look so fierce or wild. He snarled, "You wouldn't say that if you met a REAL demon!" as he stormed off to his bedroom, slamming the door.

"Okay, what the heck was that about?" Miroku asked in uncertainty.

"Not sure. I don't get what I said to offend him so much. What do you think, Kagome?" Sango looked at her girlfriend for answers.

"I'm not sure, Sango. However, you must have hit a nerve. I'm going out on a limb here, but I imagine it has to do with his father."

"What? That makes no sense! What did I say to insult his father?"

Kagome shrugged, not sure how she knew. Except she somehow knew that was the explanation. Kagome hadn't yet informed anyone about her 'peculiar' capabilities. One being able to know things without knowing how she knew. "I'm going to go check on him. I'll be right back," as she sped to Inuyasha's bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she knocked, "Inuyasha, can I come in?"

There were a few minutes of silence before the door wrenched open to reveal a quite low-spirited Inuyasha. He didn't seem happy. "Do you want to say more rude things to me?" he asked crossly.

"Inuyasha, I don't know why what Sango said flustered you so much. Except none of us desired to hurt your feelings. Please tell me why it agitated you so much?"

He seemed to ponder it for a minute, then answered, "My father? According to my mom, he knew loads regarding the demons of the Feudal Era. One of the only things I've concerning my father is the stories he told my mother. If felt like Sango disrespect my dad's memory by saying my dad's stories are a load of dung."

"I figured this had something to do with your dad. You know Sango didn't intentionally insult your late father. None of us realized how precious those stories are to you."

He sighed, shaking his head, "I might have overreacted. How do you miss someone you never met? Yet, I can't help..."

"I miss my father too, Inuyasha. You never get completely over losing a loved one. Whether you knew them well or not, come, let's get back to the others."

When they returned to the living room, Sango apologized for her thoughtless words. Admitting she didn't know what she said to fluster him. Inuyasha revealed the same explanation he'd given Kagome. After that, the kids retreated to the kitchen for some pumpkin pie. Which was a little slice of heaven.

Finally, it was Halloween night! The most satisfying part in Inuyasha's opinion regarding the night itself was the full moon. He hadn't ever got to be himself either for Halloween due to the weather. Or the fact he lost his capabilities on the night of the new moon.

Thank god for small miracles. The moon was full tonight! He came running out of his room as himself. He'd even managed to turn the charm of the sword Tessaiga into the genuine thing. He felt complete with the sword secured to his waist. Finally, for the first time feeling like he was his father's son. Tonight was going to be perfect!

His mother noticed the sword looking apprehensively at it. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"You know that the sword your father had forged to protect me, correct?"

"Yes! Somehow he changed it into a charm before he died! I've always known that the charm was the actual sword!"

"I know, and it only transformed into a genuine sword under specific circumstances. I only want to warn you that you can't draw the sword tonight. We don't want to start a panic or get in trouble with the authorities."

He looked a bit disgruntled. He'd longed to see his sword in all its glory though he nodded in understanding. "Well, at least it looks cool on my belt," he conceded.

Izayoi smiled, nodding in agreement. "You ready for tonight, my little prince?" as she squeezed him tightly.

Flashing his pearly white fangs, "Yep! Even if its one night, a half-demon is free to walk among humans again!" he exclaimed passionately.

Giggling gleefully, they rushed to join the others downstairs. They'd do some trick-or-treating in their neck of the woods first. Later they'd head over to the city block party for some spooky fun.

The youngsters couldn't stop praising each other regarding their extraordinary costumes. Before wondering how much confectionery they're going to end up getting. Even though their mothers previously agreed. There would be strict rules with how much consumption of candy they had.

As the children trick-or-treated, the mothers merrily gossiped about the norms. Their families, work, some book club matters. Min cheerfully reported that her husband ultimately got rid of his smut magazines. Hopefully, this would correct the unhealthy behavior Miroku has been displaying since finding that trash.

Eventually, they approached the block party. The street was littered with games, food, and jack-o-lanterns. For a second, the mothers wished they had brought leashes because their kids were bolting left and right. Tons of children from the various neighborhoods had gathered for the block party. A section of the street had been blocked off for dancing. Plenty of parents were dancing, which embarrassed their children.

Inuyasha's sensitive nose picked up a vaguely familiar scent. He couldn't place it, but the scent alone got him riled up. Dropping to the ground, he tried to get a better whiff. However, all he ended up doing was tripping a young boy while a little girl yelped when her skirt flew up for a second. She then hit the half-demon on the head with her candy bag.

"OW! What was that for?!" he growled at the auburn-haired girl.

"Bad dog! Bad dog!" as she wailed on him. He tried to defend himself, but she kept up the attack.

"Inuyasha! Hey! Stop that!" demanded Kagome to the little girl who halted her attack.

"You know him? He peeked up my skirt!" she blurted accusingly.

"I didn't look up your skirt! Geez!" he massaged his head.

"Well, you did trip me, you dumb dog! Just because your dress up like a dog doesn't mean you should be sniffing the ground!" the girl's friend hollered at him.

"Okay! Okay! Everyone calm down!" Sango got between the group holding tightly to her toy boomerang. She used it to separate everyone. "Okay, let's start over. Hi, I'm Sango. These are my friends, Miroku, Kagome, and Inuyasha. And you are?"

"I'm Koga, and this is my friend Ayame."

"Wait a minute! Now I remember where I smelled you before!" snapped Inuyasha fiercely.

"You what?" said the little boy offensively

"You were with that long-haired jerk bullying us at the playground back in April!" spat Inuyasha.

This time Kagome stepped in-between everyone. "Alright, let's not start an unnecessary fight. What's in the past is in the past. Let's start over tonight and get off on the right foot. Okay?"

"Okay," everyone agreed. Consequently, the children moved to a nearby table to have some jack-o-lantern cookies and get to know each other. Things got a little better while they snacked. Nevertheless, a rivalry seemed to be growing between Koga and Inuyasha.

Ayame asked if anyone wanted to go check out the haunted house where her mother was. Ayame's mother turned out to be a local journalist. An American named Loana Wilds. Apparently, she'd fallen in love with Ayame's father while investigating stories overseas. Naturally, they'd married and settled here in Tokyo, which explained Ayame's coloring.

Both Inuyasha and Koga declared at the same time they'd protect everyone while in the haunted house. The girls rolled their eyes, and Miroku looked exasperated. Marching down the street, they came to the haunted house. The haunted house was more like a few tents crammed together. A fog machine, along with a strobe light, added a flimsy spooky effect.

Still, the two dunderheads took the lead to 'protect' the girls. A stunning redhead enchantress invited them into the haunted house. Saying she hoped it wasn't too scary. The haunted house had the standard attractions within it. A cardboard labyrinth, spookier music, chilling props, and 'monsters' popping out of nowhere to scare them.

Unfortunately, Inuyasha didn't comprehend these 'monsters' weren't genuine. Thus they're not in any peril. Yet, his first instinct when someone jumped out at them was to unsheathe his blade then point it at the monster.

That took everyone aback the size of the sword. Though everyone figured it was just an awesome prop. Luckily the young prince didn't know how to wield to sword correctly. Consequently, he didn't unintentionally use its demonic powers. Still, he didn't sheath the sword again until they made it out. The others begged to know where he got such a cool sword. Or how it seemed to as if by magic grew.

He wanted to tell them the truth. However, he didn't want to get in trouble with his mother if she found out he broke his promise. Therefore he just fabricated his mom got it at an online Halloween store. As the night winded down, everyone seemed to become friends. Looking forward to hanging out in the future. As for Inuyasha, he relished he got to be himself for one night.

Laughter and Play

Never let go of the child within. Be playful. Laugh often. Do things that don't make much sense to anyone else. Pick up rocks and seashells for no other reason than curiosity.

Pull-on your rubber boots and dance in the rain. Love easily. Hold hands with others. And don't ever take yourself so seriously that you forget how to be lighthearted in this big ol' crazy world.