No More Decisions
Part 3, "...not all demons are bad...as not all humans are good..."
By Max-chan
Author's Notes: See? See? I said I was going to update on this soon. :) I'm sure as heck updating on this sooner then my stories *dodges anchors*. Thanx for all the comments, ya'll! *wipes away fake tear* No, I'm serious, they really motivated me to write this so soon *that and the little nagging bug in my ear*. Yeah, the scenes do have a tendency to switch abruptly, but I can't help but write that way. *sighs* Oh well, I hope you all enjoy anyway. Send all comments and criticism to silverflame_maiden@hotmail.com.
Disclaimers: Inu-Yasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Viz and whoever else that rightfully lays claim.
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A small hand could be seen as Kagome crawled out of the well with Shippo clutching tightly onto her waist. The young woman looked around curiously at her surroundings. She was obviously on a hill with a forest nearby. The sun shone down brightly and the rocks of the well reflected into her eyes. Shielding it, she managed to glance down and the image she beheld made her breath catch in her throat. Shippo, the lost, little, fox-demon waif that she managed to pick up five years ago stood on the green hill with tears in his eyes. He looked around as though taking a large, sweet gulp of air after years in a windowless prison. He's home, the girl thought almost sadly, and I know nothing about this home of his.
Trying to lighten the situation, she commented, "Wow, you've really gained some weight, haven't you? I thought you were going to get us sucked back."
Snapping out of his trance, the demon managed to stick his tongue out at her before turning to the hill again.
"Come on, Shippo," the college student said as she hefted her book bag more securely over her shoulders. "Let's get a move on. I'm sure we'll find this half-breed demon of yours soon. What was his name again?"
Shippo looked first at the fields and hills before him, then at the hand Kagome so naturally held out.
Taking the offered hand, he gave his best brave smile.
"Inuyasha," the fox-boy answered. "His name wa-...is Inuyasha."
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They traveled for a couple of hours. The sun was their light and the grass was their carpet. Kagome could see why someone would want to spend the rest of their lives in such an open space. It was definitely far more appealing then the crowded streets and gray colors of the city. Shippo walked along, his hand in the young woman's as he told her stories of his life here until the moment he got transported to her world. He chose to tactfully leave out the parts that involved her, twisting and warping it so that his companion and close friend would not suspect a thing. This was his home...and even though Kagome may not remember it...once upon a time...it had been her home too.
When dusk had settled into the night sky, Kagome and Shippo arrived at the first village they've seen in a long time. Looking up at the large sign on the archway, they both read the word 'Kyo' in large letters. Luckily, Kagome had taken lessons on reading old Japanese.
The village seemed to be in some sort of a frenzy. A large fire could be seen blazing up the night sky and smoke was everywhere. People ran to and fro, carrying large buckets of water to put the fire out before it consumed any more houses. Letting go of Shippo's hand, Kagome went into the village with the little fox-demon chasing after her. The young woman ran until she reached the front of the burning house. Truly, it was an intimidating sight. Struggling to stand tall and appear brave, Kagome reached into her backpack and pulled out some long strips of yellowish paper. Next, she pulled out a small, black box and a paintbrush with a pointed tip.
"Shippo!" the girl screamed.
"Right here, Kagome," the little fox-demon said as he appeared at her side. Silently, Kagome handed him the small black box and Shippo proceeded to quickly make the ink. While the boy beside her made the ink, Kagoem stared at the burning house in trepidation and nervousness. She had never done anything like this before. Sure, she performed this task a zillion times beside her grandfather, but could she do it now? Could she perform this when it actually mattered...when people's lives could actually be at risk?
I hope so, the young woman thought silently.
She felt something press into her hand, and looking down she saw the finished ink.
"Thank you," she mouthed to Shippo before dipping the paintbrush into the ink and writing some strange letters onto the yellow sheets of paper. When that was done, she pressed the paper to her forehead and proceeded to whispered soft, incoherent words. After a second, she pulled the papers away with a determined glint in her eyes. Kagome moved her hand quickly and threw the yellowish paper into the fire. Water! she screamed in her mind. Suddenly, to the villagers' shock, the house erupted in a large gush of water. Everyone around the once burning home was soaked wet and the house itself collapsed from the sheer pressure.
Soon, before the girl's shocked eyes, the water stopped flowing and the chaos slowed down.
"You horrible witch! What have you done to my home?" a furious voice beside her accused.
"What?" Kagome said, turning around. The villagers were all surrounding her now...some staring at her...others at the house. "What do you mean? I saved it! Would you rather people would get hurt?"
"Who would get hurt?" the man screamed, his dark eyes flashing angrily, "Nobody was inside! Oh, you horrible, terrible girl, what have you done? All my things! My home! They're all ruined because of you! You wretched, terrible creature, you!"
"Hey, it wasn't her fault! What'd you expect her to do, stay there while the fir burnt down your whole house and consumed to the other houses?" Shippo yelled to Kagome's defense. That shut the man up. If Kagome had continued to let the fire burn, it would have taken down in whole village in a matter of hours.
Seeing the sense in the little boy's words, the man contented himself with glaring at the pair before screaming once again in anger, "Where is Inuyasha? Inuyasha! You damn demon boy you! Get out here!"
Kagome and Shippo gasped, both turning around to see the crowd part to let a tiny boy walk through. The kid was barely older then four and had dark, thick black hair. His head was bent low in shame and embarrassment, but not fear. That was strange for a boy of his age.
"Yes, father?" the boy asked once he reached the shaking man.
"You demon you! Do you know what you have done to my house? I have told you for the last time that I would not take this. Damn you and your mother for leaving me with such a child!" the merchant screamed. Only Kagome noticed the slight flinch the boy gave. The other villagers were too busy glaring and screaming threats at the boy also. Apparently, the kid had made a lot of enemies in his short lifetime.
"But it was an accident!" the boy yelled as he looked up indignantly. "I tripped!"
"Yeah, that's what you always say!" someone sneered from the sidelines.
"This will be the last time you'll ruin something of mine, boy!" the merchant said as he grabbed the child's collar and shook him. Still yet the boy would not cry.
"Hey! Let him go!" Kagome yelled as she rushed over. She grabbed onto the man's arm and shook it. With an awful sneer, the man threw the boy onto the ground a few feet away. Kagome stumbled back slightly from the push and was caught by a flying Shippo.
"Look, look!" someone shouted. "The boy can fly! He's a demon! Look at his ears!" Just as quickly as the fire consumed the house, a buzz consumed the crowd as they narrowed in on Shippo and Kagome. A rock was thrown and it hit Kagome in the arm. The girl gave a yelp and stared at the ripped shirt and blood.
Before anything else could be done or said, a small force knocked it's way into the center of the crowd. The little boy named Inuyasha grabbed onto the strange girl's hand and pulled her running out of the circle of villagers and out of the village.
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Once the trio was a good distance from the village, they stopped to catch their breath.
"Hey, thanks," Kagome said to the little boy that was still clutching her hand. He didn't say anything but just looked up at her with wide eyes. The college student felt her heart catch in her throat at the sight of those dark eyes. There was something about them...something so vaguely familiar...and the way they looked at her...
Walking over to the younger kid, Shippo looked at him distrustfully and asked, "Wouldn't they be mad at you if you come back?"
Holding his chin up high, the little boy Inuyasha said defiantly, "I'm not going back."
"What? You don't expect to travel with us do you?" Shippo blurted out by mistake only to earn himself a dirty look from Kagome.
"Why aren't you going back to the village?" the female of the group asked.
The boy's eyes got misty slightly as he wiped his nose with his tiny fist.
"Everybody there hates me. They say I killed my mom when I was born so my dad named me after the demon Inuyasha. I know if I go back now, they'll hurt me again," he whispered slightly and Kagome's heart went out to him. In the next instant, the boy who had never been loved found himself in the 21-year-old's arms.
He looked up to see her smiling at him with those dark brown eyes of hers and inside his heart, he knew that he loved her.
"You can travel with us, Inu-chan. It might be a little dangerous, though, Shippo and I are trying to find a demon."
"I'm not afraid!" the boy said gallantly.
Shippo leaned over Kagome's arms and said, "You will be...you will be..."
Kagome rolled her eyes and backhanded him softly across the back of his head.
"Ow! What'chu do that for?" the 12-year old fox-demon whined.
"Don't try to scare the kid! And stop with the Star Wars impressions, will you? It's really beginning to get lame," Kagome said in exasperation which only earned her a stuck-out tongue from the other.
"Now, Inu-chan," the girl said, turning to the little, dark-haired boy in her arms. "You said something about the demon Inuyasha. What do you know about him?"
Looking suspiciously at Kagome, Inu-chan asked, "Why do you want to find him?"
"Well, it's kind of hard to explain. See, five years ago, through some fluke Shippo here got sent to my world. Now that I've finally managed to get him back to his world I need to find an old friend of his... Inuyasha," the girl explained.
Inu-chan's eyes widened considerably in a cute fashion.
"You're from another world?"
"Ugh...yeah," Kagome answered nervously. "Now, what can you tell us about Inuyasha?"
Looking seriously into Kagome's eyes, Inu-chan shook his head, making his long, black hair fly all over.
"Oh no," he said. "You mustn't try to find the demon Lord Inuyasha. He's very horrible and terrible. Years ago, he overthrew Lord Sesshomaru and took over control of these lands in the West. Nobody dares say anything to him. He has fur the color of pure snow in winter and eyes the color of golden fire. His claws are soaked with the blood of his foes and some are not sure if he is not more then just demon. I am sorry, Lady...ugh...-"
"Kagome. Just call me Kagome," the girl said as she fell down on her rear in shock. "So, if what you're saying is true, how in the world are we going to find this demon and get him to accept Shippo back again?"
Meanwhile, said fox-demon was currently sitting on the ground with his bottom lip in his mouth. Inuyasha a full demon? How can this be? How can the half-breed Inuyasha become so powerful and feared in such a short period of time? More importantly...why? Fame and power has never been important to the half-breed before so why did he seek it during Shippo's absence?
"Well..." Inu-chan said after a silent pause. "You can always try to find Lady Kikyo."
For some reason Kagome felt a dagger plunge into her heart and she gasped. That name! There was something about that name! What could it be?
Calming herself, she asked Inu-chan, "Who's lady Kikyo?"
Shippo was the one who answered.
"Kikyo was a priestess that Inuyasha loved. Because of the interference of a bad demon, they tried to kill each other. She died but came back as a living person with the help of the Shikon jewel. I don't think that psycho bitch can help us or will."
Inu-chan gave a growl before trying to attack Shippo, only to be held back by Kagome.
"Don't you dare try and slander Lady Kikyo's name! She's a kind, pure soul that helps the villagers and she would never do anything of that sort! She keeps the evil demons from destroying the villages and she heals people!" the boy exclaimed. Shippo just 'hmphed!' and turned away.
"Anyways," Kagome said, "It doesn't matter if this woman is what you say or not. Right now, she's the only one that can help us. Where is Lady Kikyo, Inu-chan?"
The black-haired boy just scratched his head slightly.
"Ugh...I'm not sure. Nobody really knows where Lady Kikyo is. She travels so much. The only one that ever knows where she goes is...Miroku."
The girl gave Inu-chan a bland look that asked who in the world Miroku was.
"Miroku's a mysterious person. Some say he used to know the demon Lord Inuyasha and Lady Kikyo. He lives in a village not too far from here and every summer he comes to trade with my village. If anyone knows where Lady Kikyo is, it'll be him."
Kagome just smiled brightly and stood up. She placed Inu-chan on the ground and held his tiny hand with one of her own. With her other hand, she grabbed Shippo's collar and off they went to find Miroku.
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//...she laughed as she stood before him on the well...her arms around some shadow-faced boy... "...silly Inuyasha..." she said... "...silly half-breed...I hate you...I don't ever want to see your weak face again..." ...and then she disappeared...down the well...and left his heart bleeding on the ground in front of him...//
The demon lord sat up with a start, perspiration and sweat soaking his shirt and falling in droplets down his face. With a growl, he stood up and ripped open a part of his mattress. The goose feathers flew all around as his golden, demon eyes stared around dangerously. Damn her! Damn her and her relentless hold on his heart and mind! Five damn years and with each passing second he grew a hairbreadth closer to insanity with thoughts of her. This was a thousand times worst- no! A million times worst then when he missed Kikyo. That had only been a soft breath of air against his chin while this was a torrent and storm against his helpless physical form.
Through the years he learned to hate her. Hate her for leaving, for wanting to leave...for never caring enough to stay. Looking out his window, the demon lord of the West sniffed the air. The full moon will come in two more days. Yes, he thought with a slight satisfaction, only two more days until he could take out his anger on those deserving of it...and even some that didn't.
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The trio sat around the fire that night. They had to camp out in the woods since the nearest village will not be reached until the next day.
"Hey, Shippo. Go get some firewood," Kagome commanded.
"What? Why can't junior over there get it?" the boy squeaked.
"He's 4-years old!"
"So?"
"You don't send a 4-year old to catch firewood in the woods at night! Now, go get the firewood or I'm going to staple those ears to the back of your knees!"
Grumbling, Shippo stood up and walked deeper into the woods. Staple my ears back, he thought in a pout, she probably doesn't even have staples! He stomped through the woods and bent down every so often to pick up sticks. Suddenly, without looking he felt something soft brush against his hand as he bent down to pick up a stick. Looking down in shock, he saw a small, soft hand. His head followed the hand and snapped up to stare at the person. The young girl gave an 'oh' sound and pulled her hand back. Shippo felt a warm blush creep up his face. The girl was so cute with large, black eyes and short black hair tied in a ponytail with a white piece of cloth at the top of her head, used in the old-fashioned way to keep the moon-beams from touching her. She must be a village girl, Shippo thought, she's probably lost or something. Though that couldn't possibly be true since she wore a herb-picking basket on her back.
"I'm sorry," the fox-demon said, approaching her. "Am I trespassing on your land?"
The girl didn't say anything but her eyes just widened and she turned around and ran away.
Shippo couldn't help but feel disappointment at seeing her go.
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"He is here somewhere, I know it!" the white-haired demon said as he looked down the woody hills.
"Lord Sesshomaru, if I may venture to ask, why are you so desperate to find this boy? Surely, it's not because of his name likeness with your brother?" the servant asked.
"Do not question me, insolent fool!" Sesshomaru's eyebrows scrunched up slightly when he saw Rin run threw the woods up the hill at a terrifying speed. Turning around he ran to her and caught her arms.
"Rin! Rin! What is the meaning of this?" he asked. The girl just looked up in his face and gulped. He knew it was not in fear. The child never feared him.
She seemed to contemplate something before replying, "N-nothing." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Something was the matter with his girl-child and the fact that she kept it from him unnerved him. Rin never kept anything from him. She trusted him whole-heartedly. Yes, something was definitely wrong.
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Shippo walked thoughtfully back to the camp, his thoughts on the girl. Who was she?
As he approached the campsite, he heard laughing and a slightly familiar voice. Dropping the sticks he broke into a run towards where Kagome and the little squirt was. There was Kagome and Inu-chan by the fire like before...only a person sat between them. A person so familiar that Shippo's joy at seeing her couldn't keep him quiet.
"Sango!" he yelled, launching himself into her arms.
"Well, hey Shippo," the girl said with a soft smile on her face. Something she rarely did ever since she got the scar across her cheek.
"So you finally decided to come back, huh?"
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Author's Notes: We're gonna play a little game, alright? It's called 'Max-chan has updated on this more faster then she has on her other fics so her readers should not kill her'. :)