Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
AN: Well, so far so good. Ok, so we're only one chapter in, but still. . . . . Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing. I'm glad you like it so far. Hope I can keep ya'll interested. One more thing I feel I should let you all know: this story is probably going to be slow going, 'cause at the same time I'm writing this, I'm also trying to make it to graduation. But, rest assured, I will finish this story.
Kagome & the HanyouBy: Wolfchild
Chapter 2
"Ohayou, . . . . . Naraku-sama."
He half grinned at the formal use of his name, pleased that she understood her standing, but a little disappointed that, after knowing her for so long, she still felt the need to address him as "lord".
"Come now, Kagome. We've known each other for some time. There's no need for such formality." He lightly squeezed her shoulder. He felt her stiffen the slightest bit in reaction and she stood up a little straighter, her feet firmly planted underneath her. Yet, he didn't release his grip on her shoulders.
"Hai, gomen, Naraku-sama," she apologized, her gaze holding his steadily. "I just thought it was necessary, especially in such a public place as this. I wouldn't want to give the villagers the wrong idea."
His eyes narrowed as he watched her, taking in her comments. "And what sort of ideas would you think they had, Kagome?"
Several replies popped into her head then, some of which were no where near polite enough to say to someone of Naraku's standing, let alone in public. In stead, she simply stood up straighter and held him with what she hoped was a level gaze.
He didn't blink, his cold, narrow gaze simply boring into her own, seeking out any sort of hint as to her true intentions. When he found nothing of what he was looking for, his eyes narrowed even further, giving him the appearance of slit-eyed viper, waiting for it's prey to make a wrong move. Kagome, then, for the briefest moment, saw a shadow pass over his face, a brief glint of frustration, and banked anger, at being unable to read her expression. She blinked, and in doing so, broke the staring contest between the two. Naraku took a step back, releasing Kagome finally, and his face returned to the mask of politeness it normally wore. Kagome felt warmth begin to seep back into her arms where his hands had rested moments before, but she didn't relax her posture any. Naraku's gaze swept over Kagome once before returning to her face. She shuddered as he did so, feeling a sudden chill sweep over her. She had the sudden, overwhelming urge to run, as fast as she could, away from this man. Resisting blind panic, she opted instead to politely excuse herself.
"Gomen, Naraku-sama, but I must be going. My brother is waiting for me." She bowed respectfully, and turned to go. Before she could take two steps, Naraku was at her elbow, his hand once again gripping her upper arm firmly. Kagome gasped, freezing in place at his sudden movement the way a rabbit would in the brush.
"Kagome," he said softly, smoothly, his voice almost nothing more then a passing breeze over her ear. "Why don't you accept my offer? I could take care of you. You wouldn't have to worry about things like this,' he placed his hand over top of the grain sack she still carried in her arms, 'ever again."
She stood stone still, Naraku's breath brushing against the hairs on her neck, sending chills running down her spine. Her throat was suddenly very dry, and she swallowed several times before she was able to find her voice again.
"N-Naraku-sama, you are very kind to me and it is a thoughtful offer, but I'm afraid I just . . ."
He released her and stepped back before she could finish. With an expression on his face caught somewhere between a smirk and a scowl, he stared at her for a moment before speaking again.
"Think about it some more, Kagome, before you answer me." His mouth once again shaped itself into a forced, polite smile. "After all, I would hate to think of what could happen to you or your brother in these dangerous times if I wasn't around."
Kagome stiffened again, frowning at the thinly veiled threat and glared icicles at the man before her. Completely unfazed by her look, he smirked down at her as she turned away sharply and began walking up the path that would take her out of the village and back to her small home.
"Take care, Kagome," she heard him call after her, the pleasant note to his voice setting her on edge. "And wish your brother well for me."
She continued walking, not giving even a parting glance backwards, though she felt his eyes on her back until the road turned and she disappeared behind one of the small village houses.
* * * * * * *
She walked quickly, eager to reach the house after her rather unpleasant encounter with her unwanted admirer. Her mind wandered back to the brief conversation, and she shuddered with anger at recalling his final comments. Oooooooo, she thought to herself. Just who does he think he is, threatening us like that? He really can't take a hint.
Naraku had first shown up in the village in the early part of the summer. Displaying papers with local lord's seal, he claimed he was their new emissary to the ruler, sent to replace their former one who had died during the spring floods. He had the proper papers, so no one questioned his authority, and he took up residence in a large house just outside of the village proper. For sixth months he had lived among the villagers, or rather, on the fringes of them. He avoided contact with most of the people in the village, with exception of Kagome, much to her chagrin.
It hadn't been long after his arrival that Naraku had started making his intentions toward her very clear. At first, they had seemed like normal gestures of politeness: offering to carry her items home for her, bringing her small gifts such as a flower, escorting her home from the village when it became too dark out. Such were things that her brother had often done for her as well, so she didn't think too much of it. But, after a few weeks of this, he began to make much more blatant advances. Kagome did her best not to reciprocate, but every time she turned him away, he seemed to just brush her off, and come back with more vehemence the next time. It had been a dance Kagome had been tiring of. Finally, a little over a month prior, Naraku had made the final jump, and asked for Kagome's hand in marriage. Shocked, to say the least, she had done her best to say no gently, fully expecting him to brush her off again, and simply return a week later and try again.
But, that's not what had happened. Her refusal of marriage seemed to have been the last straw, as his eyes had narrowed to near slits, his face lost the usual pleasant expression, a scowl taking over where his smile had once been. He had turned abruptly then, heading for the door, whipping back around to glare at her one last time.
"Make no mistake, Kagome. You WILL, one day, be my wife."
And then he was gone, out of the small house and away, leaving the door clacking loudly against its frame. Since then, things had changed drastically. He longer came around on a random visit, carried her things for her, and rarely even so much as spoke to her when they passed in the village. The few times that he did were not much different then what had just transpired, but only recently had he started making the threats against her and, more importantly, her brother. It chilled Kagome to the bone to think that he could make threats against them both, and there was little she could do about it. She wasn't really sure if Naraku would act on the threats or not, and it was something she would rather not take the risk of. But the only other option was to…
She cringed at the thought.
Shaking herself from the rather disturbing train of thought, she looked up ahead of her, seeing the house not more then four cart lengths away. She sighed with relief, glad to finally be home, and picked up the pace a little.
* * * * * * *
"Tadaima, Souta!" she called, pushing the door open and stepping in their home. When there was no reply, she moved over to the far wall and was setting the bag of grain down, when Souta popped his head out from around the corner of the doorway behind her. Seeing her back turned, her attention focused on placing the bag on the ground without spilling the contents, he took the opportunity to sneak up behind her a bit. When he was but a few feet, her back still to him, a wicked grin spread across his face and he opened his mouth wide.
"Okaeri nasai, onee-chan!"
His little prank brought about the desired effect. Kagome jumped about two feet in the air, her hand clutched her chest and her breath came in a quick gasp while she tried to stifle the instinctual response to scream bloody murder.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, Kagome spun around glaring, wide-eyed, at her younger sibling. "Are you TRYING to scare the life out of me?!"
Souta grinned widely at her, proud of his accomplishment.
Seeing him so pleased with himself, and honestly smiling, Kagome lost some of her initial steam. With a huff, she turned away from him, reaching down to untie the bag of grain. "What were you doing out there, anyway?"
Souta leaned against the wall next to her. "Oh, just pulling up some weeds. Seems the radishes got infested with them while I was away."
She tossed an indignant look up at him while scooping a few handfuls of grain into a small wooden bowl. "Hey, I have to do all my normal chores around here, plus what you leave behind when you go with Nijimi-san. So, excuse me if I miss one or two things."
He grinned at her again, and watched her as she stood. She moved over to the small wooden table in the corner and set the bowl down. As she set about the task of grinding up some of the seeds into a powder, he noticed for the first time how stiff her posture was. Her back was ramrod straight, her movements stiff and a bit too calculated for a task as simple as grain grinding.
She's nervous, he realized suddenly. Something must have happened in town. . . .
He pushed off the wall, and walked towards her calmly, trying to discern from her expression anything that might tell him what had happened. He found nothing, her expression blank and concentrated on the task before her. Typical Kagome, he frowned as he approached her side. He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to approach her, how to ask what he wanted to know. Then, gingerly, he reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder.
She jumped at the sudden contact, not nearly as high as she had when he startled her before, but he could feel the jerk as she moved under his hand, her back straightening even further.
"Kagome-chan," he said softly, trying to ease some of the tension in her body and the room. "Daijoubu ka? Did something happen in the village today?"
She smiled weakly to herself. How does he do that? How does he always know almost exactly what's wrong? She turned to look up at him slowly. I can never hide anything from him.
His eyes were calm, waiting for an answer, but far from demanding. For the first time, she noticed how familiar his face was. He looks so much like father, even at only twelve years old. Nijimi-san was right, he's grown so much since . . . since they left us. He had only been nine when their father passed away, and had been too young to really remember their mother. The only thing he really had to know her by was the stories that Kagome told, from what she could remember of her. Kagome herself had barely been five when she died.
But, their father, they both had clear memories of him. Of his kindness and devotion to both of them. His strength and determination to see his family survive. They treasured the memories of him that they carried.
Kagome hadn't ever really noticed before, but now, looking up into the face of her little brother, seeing the strong set of his jaw and the attentive gaze in his dark eyes, she saw all of the same strength and attributes that she always saw in her father.
"Kagome? Daijoubu ka?"
His voice broke through her haze of thoughts, his gentle shaking of her shoulder bringing her back to the conversation at hand.
"Ah, gomen, Souta. What were you saying?"
"I asked you if something had happened in the village today."
Kagome struggled to hide the cringe that the mention of today's events brought up. She hadn't planned on telling Souta. She didn't want to worry him. But, if the look on his face said anything, it was already too late for that.
Souta didn't so much see her subtle cringe as felt it. He felt the slightest hint of movement under his hand, felt her shiver slightly before clamping down on the sensation. He looked her in the eye, and could see her struggling with what to say. With trying to find the right words. His brow creased in concern. Something did happen. And, she's trying to figure out how to tell me without worrying me.
"W-well," she began, turning back to the bowl and grinding stone. "Nothing really happened. I just . . . saw Naraku-sama."
His brow creased further. "Saw?"
"Talked to. . . .actually."
Souta's look darkened suddenly. He stepped back from her, letting his hand slide from her shoulder as he leaned against the table, folding his arms across his chest.
"What did that bastard say th. . . ."
"Souta!" she snapped, whipping her head around to face him. "Be careful how you speak! If someone were to hear you say that . . . ."
He stepped away from the table, spreading his arms wide as he looked around their small house.
"Who's going to hear us here?"
She stalled for a moment. "Well, no one, really. But still! You shouldn't get into the habit. What if you were to blurt out something like that in public?"
He dropped his arms to his sides, and turned from her, walking over to the doorway. Standing near the still open door, he gazed outside at the leaf-littered grass, and the somewhat barren looking trees in the forest beyond.
"I can't help it, Kagome," he said softly, a slightly pained note to his voice. "I hate it when he threatens you like that. I hate to see how it scares you so much." He clenched his fists at his sides. "And I really hate how I can't do anything about it."
Kagome smiled sadly and stood. Approaching him from behind, she gently rested her hands on his shoulders, gazing out at the green fields over his head.
"And I wouldn't be able to stand it if anything happened to you, little brother."
Souta sighed, leaning back against his sister. The breeze passed by them, ruffling his hair and he closed his eyes against the soothing wind.
"Gomen, onee-chan. I just really hate being a kid sometimes."
She smiled softly. "I know." Her hands tightened their grasp on his shoulders. "But, please, try not to let your temper get the best of you. Even in my defense." She bent over him slightly to get a better view of his face. "Okay?"
He laughed lightly, and smiled up at her. "Okay."
She grinned and nodded her approval. Releasing him, she stepped back to take one more look at him before going back to work . . . .
. . . .and noticed, for the first time, the set of traveling clothes he wore. Thick-soled sandals, long pants that stretched to the top of his feet and were almost too big for him, and a large over shirt that stretched well past his waist, the sleeves nearly burying his small arms in their folds. Her brow crinkled in confusion. He and Nijimi-san had just arrived home the day before, and it was usually wasn't until two or three days after returning home that they left again.
"And, what are you all dressed up for?" she asked, a bemused expression on her face.
He turned toward her again, a smile breaking out, widely, across his young face. "The merchant's guild is having a meeting in the village two days west of here. Nijimi-san said I could go with him this time." He took a step towards her, cautiously, a questioning look in his eyes. "You don't mind, do you? I'd only be gone a few extra days . . . ."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Pleeeeeeeeeese?" He showed all his teeth on that one, batting his eyelashes furiously.
A giggle sneaked out, despite her best attempts to set her jaw against his overly eager antics. She waved a hand at him, signaling for him to stop, while using the other to cover up her quickly widening grin.
"Fine, fine. Go!" He ran to her, throwing his arms around her in an all too brief hug, before scrambling away into the back room of the house to begin packing his things.
"We're not leaving till later today, but I want to get everything ready!"
She smiled, shaking her head at his enthusiasm, before heading back to the table to finish grinding up the grain.
The rest of the morning and the afternoon passed without much incident, besides a brief squabble about who left the rake lying with the prongs up after Souta nearly knocked himself out when he stepped on it.
As the sun was slowing making it's way down the far edge of the sky towards the distant mountain peaks, Souta started off on his journey into the village. Kagome watched him walk down the dirt road, waving and calling for him to have a safe trip and to not cause Nijimi-san too much trouble. When he disappeared over the small rise in the path, Kagome sighed, thinking how quiet it was going to be over the next several days without Souta around.
Turning around to go back into the house, a sudden, cold wind swept by her, throwing her hair out to one side and sending a violent shiver down her spine. Without really knowing why, she looked up quickly, gazing down the path that Souta had just taken. The pre-sunset light cast a faint orange glow on the earth, the trees swaying in the wind, the grass rippling at her feet. Something indescribable tickled her suddenly in the back of her mind. Brushing her hair back out of her face, she stared down the path for a long moment.
And, then, just as suddenly as it had arrived, the feeling vanished. With a last, puzzled glance, she turned and walked inside to the quiet, empty house.
End Chapter 2
Glossary:
ohayou – good morning
-sama - a respectful term for someone who is your superior or senior
hai – yes
gomen – I'm sorry
tadaima – I'm home/I'm back
okaeri nasai – welcome home/welcome back
onee-chan – a familiar term for "sister"
-chan – a familiar term usually used in conjunction with the names of children or female friends or relatives
daijoubu ka – are you ok?/are you alright?
AN: Ah, another chapter done. I made a few changes to some of the more minor details, namely making Kagome and Souta a little older then they are in the series. They are about seventeen and twelve, respectively. And, I decided to make Naraku a little bit more . . . . . obsessive towards Kagome then he would probably normally be. I think it makes him feel all the more menacing. Hope I didn't over do it.
Now that we're mostly done with the setup, it's time for some action. Next chapter: expect the half-demon himself to make his first appearance.
And, remember, feedback is appreciated.
