A/N- Well here's another chapter! It's getting more and more difficult to think of minor characters to get viewpoints from. For now I wanted one that was not too big of a character. Later, maybe I'll try a more center character. But I thought that someone from Kagome's family would be interesting. I have see stories from her mother's point of view, but I don't recall any from solely her grandfather's POV.
Witness: Grandpa
This time the spell will work. Just a little ceremonial sake…
"Kagome. Return."
*Splash*
"Grandpa….There had BETTER be a good explanation for why I'm covered in sake!"
"Grandpa, Mom says if you've finished your spell to come in for breakfast." The young boy stopped as he entered the well-house and saw his older sister. "It worked? He brought you back?"
"OF COURSE 'IT' DIDN'T!"
She's upset. Why?
"Kagome, child, what has happened?"
It's that demon lad again. I have known for some time that it was un-wise to trust him! He has broken her heart more than anyone should have their heart broken. Why do none of my binding spells work on that fiend?
"Oh, grandpa…" for a minute her face flashed with longing for something, as she pulled herself out of the well, she took a step towards him, arms out stretched, as if to hug him. At the last minute she pulled back and wiped at her face furiously.
"It's nothing. Nothing. I'm okay."
She was never too old to hug me before. The first time she returned from that other time she clutched at me as if she was but a child again, and I was her strong protector, just like I was to her for so many years. I always wanted her to become more interested legends and magic, but this is a bit much. I must exercise that demons hold over her…
"Hey! I'd LOVE an explanation of this! I was already covered in sake! Why are you pouring water on me?" She wasn't looking sad anymore, something the old man and the small boy noted with small internal sighs of relief.
"You must be purified."
"Well, I have to go change. I'm not staying long. Inu-Yasha actually let me come home without a fight, but I promised him two hours, no more. So you'll have to make an excuse for me again." She stepped out of the well house, holding her wet self stiffly, and wringing out her hair. Her large bag, now looking much smaller than when she had left, was slung over her shoulder. Sota trotted behind, eager to hear of the latest adventures of his sister and his hero.
"Nee-chan…so did Inu-Yasha do something to make you mad? Is that why you came home? Or did you guys fight a big bad guy and so he was too tired? Does he get tired? Was there lots of blood? Did Inu-Yasha kill it himself?---"
It's nice to have her home, even if it only is for a short while. She's so bonded with that half-demon; I can see that she becomes less and less attached to this world, even if she says other wise. It's an act, perhaps even a subconscious one. Does she plan to be with him? A human and a demon…it doesn't seem quite right, even if he is a half-demon. They are of two different worlds, a demon and human bound by love.
Shaking himself out of such grim thoughts, the old man tidied the well house, cleaning up his supplies. He placed a sealing ward over the old well, and a dozen or more on the well house. Satisfied, the old man trudged to the house he shared with his daughter and two grandchildren. He opened the door to see the neat and complete line of shoes, the clean kitchen marred by Kagome's now empty pack, muddy and worn. He proceeded to the phone, bidding good morning to his daughter in the kitchen.
Excuse, what excuse. Arthritis? No. Rheumatism? No. Gout? No. Neuritis? It's been a while since that one but…How about leprosy? That can be curable right? It'll do nicely.
"My name is Higurashi, grandfather of Higurashi Kagome, a student their. Kagome will be missing school due to a case of…
What was it again? Oh yes…
"Leprosy. ---Yes that's what I said, Leprosy. Do you need it spelled?---No? Alright.--- Good day to you too.--- Oh, no don't worry it's the curable kind. She should be fine in a few weeks.---Yes I'll give her your condolences."
"Leprosy?!?!" A high pitched half scream, half moan sounded behind him as he hung up politely.
He only sighed. She didn't appreciate how hard it was to come up with a good excuse! He had always hated lying. It wasn't his fault it was so difficult to come up with a good excuse! A breeze, accompanied by the slam of the door opening caused both his and his granddaughter's heads to jerk up. Kagome's mother looked in, also surprised, from the dining room.
"Oi. Kagome."
"Eh? Inu-Yasha? What are you doing here? I've been gone only about a half hour!"
"Feh. I don't see what should take you so long."
"I have a life here too Inu-Yasha!"
"Feh."
"AH! My wards! What dark magic do you posses that you could over power them?"
An insolent boy. How humiliating for him to break all of my spells every time he comes. It is as if all my wards and binding spells are nothing but bits of paper to him. He has no patience, so it must be natural; he breaks my spells as easily as he breaks into my granddaughter's heart. I don't want to lose her, but look at them, even in fighting, her whole presence is lighter. She's happier, better. I suppose the boy is too. But he's a demon, how can she trust him? How can he feel? I would not have thought it possible.
"Inu-Yasha…My family! I've already given up most of my life here!" but this fight was different, had her grandfather been as familiar to witnessing their arguments he would have noticed it. Her eyes were pleading and fled from his intense gaze. "I'll come back in 2 hours, I promise! Don't you trust me?" the demon boy's face darkened and her grandpa reached into his robes carefully.
He looks so threatening, how can she be so brave. If only she had listened to me when I warned her against demons, then she would understand! How else will she ever protect herself?
"Kago—"
"Demon be gone!"
"Fuck! What the hell was that for?" the half demon sputtered through a face full of "holy" water."
"Inu-Yasha! Your language!" she looked happy for the distraction though, if exasperated with the old man's antics.
I was right. She does not want to talk to him right now.
"She does not wish for you to be here right now."
"Inu-Yasha?!"
"Eh? Oh, hello kid"
"Sota…we're a little busy here. I think Inu-Yasha was just…" of course this brought his mind back to the matter at hand.
"You don't want me here?" she frowned and looked away yet again.
"I just…" but something snapped in the golden eyes examining her, and they became hard. It was barely noticeable.
"Feh. Whatever bitch! Like I care!" he stormed out of the house.
Ah, now everything can…
"Excuse me, Mama, Grandpa, Sota…" she ran after him, calling his name
"Inu-Yasha! Wait! You don't understand! Please wait! Don't leave!"
She should be stronger against him. He's only a demon. What is there that he can offer her? And I…I don't want to lose her to him…I don't understand what she sees in him.
Naturally, Kagome's grandfather and Sota dutifully trekked up stairs into Kagome's room (leaving her mother preparing dinner with a content and confusingly knowing look on her face) to see what would happen. Her room was the best place for this. The view was perfect. And fortunately for them the window was already open, and there was little wind. Not that it would have mattered much anyway; their scent was so thick over this whole place that he could not tell the difference. Also, his nose, actually, all his senses, were at the time more focused on the girl hugging him fiercely.
She's too young…too young for that boy nonsense! Let alone having feelings for a demon boy. She's still my little granddaughter!
"I don't understand. Feh, you must try to be this confusing." He paused and the old man and his grandson froze, worried they'd been noticed. "I thought you didn't want to see me."
"Inu-Yasha. You're so stupid! You take everything the worst way!" Kagome released him. "I just kind of…wanted to be alone for a little bit. You act like I said I never wanted to see you again."
But that wouldn't make her happy would it? Never seeing him again. Having a normal life? Marrying a nice normal boy? She likes the drama, the passion of it all? Well, on the one hand at least she is interested in the myths I always loved now. If only she could enjoy them with me instead of living the horror!
A tugging on his sleeve brought his attention to his grandson, who was pointing at something and making a face of childish disgust. The little boy continued to make faces as his grandfather noticed the cause. His granddaughter had punctuated her statement of the demon's stupidity with a soft lingering kiss. He, in turn had wrapped his arms possessively around her and kissed back.
"Ew. That's so gross. They're kissing."
Why? Why does it look wrong? Why do I feel these…prejudices? Why can't I believe that he loves her, or that he'll care for her? I want to purify her again, to protect her. But for now I must hold back.
"Shush Sota, we do not want to be seen. Think of what your sister would say let alone that demon!" the little boy gulped and covered his mouth as if to keep himself from slipping up again.
"Inu-Yasha. I just need to deal with something. Why can't you understand?"
"I don't see why you wanted to leave now. After what happened…I just wanted…I…"
"You didn't want me to leave you alone right now." He blushed heavily. Sota bit his fist to keep from laughing.
Why not someone else? Anyone else. Even that nice but slow boy. Hojo was it?
"…" Kagome sighed.
"I'm sorry Inu-Yasha…I guess I was a little selfish." The boy's mouth dropped in surprise.
He has fangs! Why does my granddaughter have to love a boy with fangs?
"I just don't understand why you wanted to get away. After what happened I thought…"
"I know. I'm sorry. I just feel…This is hard Inu-Yasha. I feel guilty. I…I shouldn't have been jealous. But I was. And now…I'm afraid I just…How could I be jealous of her? All the bad things that she was when she came back, I don't want to ever imagine that that could have been me. But I was jealous and…almost bitter at some time. I wanted so bad to be happy for you if you chose her. But still I felt like…That's why I wanted to be alone. Because I knew that just like her soul, mine wouldn't be able to move on in life without you. I couldn't face you, knowing I'd been jealous. What kind of girl does that make me?"
My beautiful granddaughter. Such a beautiful soul you have, to feel guilt for something like that.
"Kagome…You know you aren't like her. Even she wasn't really like that when she was alive."
"That makes it even worse! How can I be jealous of a dead girl? Why do I deserve your love more than her? She struggled so much more, sacrificed so much!"
Her friends were right, when they called and complained that she was choosing a two timing violent jerk over nice, devoted Hojo. That girl that Kagome mentioned to no one, but could be heard murmuring when she thought no one heard, after she came home so sad. Why would that demon have someone else? He could not possibly do better than Kagome! He should have chosen her long ago!
"Well…maybe she did. I guess I felt like that too. She was the first person to really take pity on me. To care about what happened to me. But…I couldn't really keep forcing myself to love her. I didn't mean to stop. But… I love you. I can't help it. Even if she was the way she was when I first knew her I couldn't be fair to her and love her like she wanted to love me. I love you and that's all." There was a pause and Kagome drew away a little, still holding his arms tightly. She sought out his eyes and smiled at him in a way that made him smile a rare smile back, a peaceful smile.
"Inu-Yasha. You know sometimes you aren't such an idiot after all."
"Feh." But he was a shocking shade of magenta.
"Grandpa this is boring! Why can't don't they fight like they used to?" and before the old man could stop him he cried out. "Hey! Nee-chan, why don't you sit him?! You guys are just being boring!"
Inu-Yasha was in front of them in a second. He grinned threateningly at the two. "So, we were a little too boring for you? You'd like a little more entertainment?" Sota cowered from his hero.
"Inu-Yasha! Osuwari!" Nothing happened. Sota looked in confused amazement as if Inu-Yasha had resisted, then noticed that he had no beads around his neck.
"Oi, bitch! Did you forget you freed me from those idiotic beads?!"
"Oh. Damn." She muttered
"Watch your language Kagome."
She never used to swear.
"HA! HA!" The boy was laughing now, and though it was a little maniacal, there was an undercurrent of happiness that would not have been found there a few weeks, not to mention months ago. "No one to protect you now, brat!"
"Gah! Kagome!"
"Inu-Yasha…" he glanced at her and frowned, almost pouted.
"Feh. Like I would hurt the little brat. He's not even worth it." And then he was back at her side, arms crossed, with his best sulking look on.
"Breakfast!" Kagome turned her head towards her mother's voice, as did her brother and grandfather. Inu-Yasha stayed turned in the opposite direction.
"I'll be back in an hour. You better be ready. I don't care if you want more time alone. I want to finish this quest…" he almost sounded wistful. The girl felt amazed. He never talked about the end of the quest with anything but grim determination before.
It's true. What will happen when their quest is over? She is now of two worlds. Which one will she choose? He tried to kill her when he first met her. When he becomes a full demon will he do so again?
"Inu-Yasha?"
"What?"
"Would you like to stay for breakfast?" it was odd that such an innocent question could have such an effect on him.
"Look at his face Grandpa! Why is it turning so red?"
Right now he does seem very young. Like a junior high boy, instead of a demon.
"SHUT UP BRAT!"
"Inu-Yasha? Do you want to stay dear? There's plenty of food." Kagome's mother addressing him as 'dear' shut him up, as his face (to Sota's amusement) turned even redder. He nodded once and looked away, scowling in embarrassment.
"A demon at our table? The gods forbid it! I…I won't stand for it this time! Be gone, demon!"
All my life I have wanted to protect against the demons I never saw! I can't allow this one to join my family. If I seem a little cruel then…
The said demon had collected himself from the shock of someone he had allowed himself to be comfortable around had broken his trust and was now scowling. But if her grandfather could have read his emotions as well as Kagome he would have seen the hurt of rejection that had become so familiar that Inu-Yasha excelled at pushing to the depths of his soul, to the core of all his mistrust and anger, burning as brightly as the anger on his face.
"Like I want to eat with you! If you weren't Kagome's jiji-san…" the threat hung in the air. "Kagome. I'll…I'll come for you in an hour." He couldn't stop his voice from shaking when he looked at her, so completely was he disarmed around her, and abruptly turned away, walking with the slow even steps of detachment.
"No. Stop." He froze. "Grandpa! What is wrong with you? I know you always tried to exorcise him before but I never took it seriously! That was a mistake! Don't be cruel to him! This isn't the feudal ages. Do you know what he's been through? How many people like you there have been? He's good, grandpa! And he's staying." She looked at Inu-Yasha, who was blushing again and muttering under his breath. But he no longer held himself up from behind walls of arrogance and apathy. A tinge of pride flickered in his eyes and Kagome smiled at it. "Come on! I hope you're hungry!" she grabbed his arm and dragged him inside.
She…she…what does she…no, No! She just doesn't understand. She hasn't read the legends. A demon! A demon he is and a demon he'll always be. He may be only half demon but that doesn't change it. He has a demon heart! He always will!
"Grandpa? Why'd you want him to go? You know nee-chan really likes him! And he always protects her from the bad monsters. Plus he has a really neat sword! And cool ears!"
Kagome and Inu-Yasha were now inside. Through the window the elder Higurashi could see his granddaughter hand Inu-Yasha a handful of plates. He looked serious but gentle, and held the plates ridiculously softly, face still red, minding his claws. It was, truth be told, like watching a scene of some cliché holiday movie.
Why must I be the villain here? What did he ever do to earn my trust? Why will she choose him over us? Why is this whole family enchanted by him?
He watched Sota laugh at Inu-Yasha blushing inside.
"Come on Grandpa! Inu-Yasha is so cool! He's really great! Remember the time he saved Kagome from that icky mask thing that ate people? And the time…" The old man watched his grandson run in to be with the rest of the family.
It's so normal. He fits so well. Almost, almost like he isn't really a monster. The way that they all can accept him… I just…
"Grandpa?" she bit her lip. "Please don't do this." She had come to stand a few feet away from him, her back to the window, in which Inu-Yasha could be seen struggling to control his urge to hit Sota over the head in the presence of Kagome's mother.
"He may be only half demon, Kagome but he has a demon's heart. I can't help but worry."
"Hai. He is a hanyou. I used to see it like you do too. To only see him as one or the other. A cruel monster or a kind human. When I first started to love him…Oh…I don't know why…I loved that his heart seemed so 'human' sometimes, or what I considered human; everything kind about him I called human."
"But he's not human. He isn't human like you are."
I just want her to be safe.
"No. He isn't. And I wondered if he'd turn human for me, I thought then I'd be able to love his human heart always."
"Even if he turned human he'd have a demon's soul. A demon's heart."
"No. He can't have a demon's soul anymore than he could have a human one. He isn't a full demon, just like he isn't a full human." She sighed
"He had a hard life because of people who thought like you. And because of a girl who thought like me."
"That's another reason I wanted to be alone. I feel guilty for thinking that I could love him for only his human half."
When did you become so wise, my sweet child? I just want to protect you. But…you don't need me anymore, do you?
"I just want to keep you safe Kagome."
"Humans aren't really much better though, are they?"
"They are not monsters. Death and horror is all a demon knows."
"Not all demons. Inu-Yasha's father loved his mother, a human woman. Inu-Yasha protects humans too. Even his half-brother took in an orphaned girl when no human would care for her."
"But the legends!"
"I never really cared about them to begin with did I?"
That is true. Why can't I let go of my mistrust?
"You're going to leave us. You want to live in that time."
"Maybe. But I can visit. I will visit."
"Will he become human for you?"
"I think he would. But I couldn't let him."
"But—"
"At first I thought he had a human heart. I thought a human heart was what he should have; I thought it would be best for him to be human. But he doesn't have a human heart. He never could. And I don't love only the part of him that's human. Human doesn't really mean better anyway, humans can be even worse that demons. I should have believed Lady Kaede when she said that in the beginning. I want him to stay the way he is. I want Inu-Yasha to be Inu-Yasha…I love him Grandpa."
Have I been blinded by my prejudices, by my age, by what I believed was wisdom? By jealousy and anger that he was taking her away? She loves him? How can I ignore that?
"I am sorry Kagome. I don't know what is wrong with me."
"It's okay, this time, you couldn't have understood. But you have to be nicer to him."
"Feh. I don't need you to fight my battles wench." He was suddenly, in the way only he could manage suddenly, standing next to her, arms crossed, frowning indignantly.
"Inu-Yasha? How much of that did you hear?" But she didn't look too angry at being overheard.
"Well it's not my fault that you left the door open." So he had heard all of it. The old man studied Inu-Yasha carefully. At first glance he was simply stern and indignant, with odd golden eyes and a clash of red and white. But something in his face was soft when he looked at Kagome, and something in fearful self-preservation was in his closed off stance. If he had been a human, the old man would have though perhaps he had been hurt, maybe even abused. That would explain the defensiveness, the roughness about him. Still, in the back of his mind, it bothered him that the boy was a half-demon. But his eyes, never leaving his granddaughters face. He couldn't ignore what was in those eyes. He looked at her with eyes that promised so much, and wanted to promise so much more.
You were right Kagome. We all need to let go of our prejudices.
"I apologize, Inu-Yasha. I would of course be willing to eat at the same table as the one who has protected Kagome so well from bodily harm in that uncivilized time." He walked in ahead of the two. Leaving a confused half demon and a smiling granddaughter
I will try to protect you from my own demons Inu-Yasha. For her sake.
He glanced back once at them as he entered his home, pausing in their walk to the house, talking lightly in hushed voices, a few feet behind him. He pushed away the twinge of his stomach and the pinch in his heart.
"Kagome." Inu-Yasha spoke in the serious gentle way few other than Kagome could boast to have heard. "You know…I would do it. For you. And then, we could live in your world, maybe have normal lives."
"No." she touched his face in soft affection. "You would never really be happy that way."
"I would be happy being with you. It doesn't really matter what body I have."
"Then why change? You are used to this body. And I fell in love with you in this body. Besides," she added with a little teasing in her voice, "What would Sota say if you didn't have your ears and claws anymore?" she thought a little more. "I wouldn't mind though. Any form. I thought you wanted to be a demon?"
"No…" he looked confused.
"You heard what I said before. I just want Inu-Yasha to be Inu-Yasha."
He looked into the early morning sun and squinted, with one hand covering the hand that lingered on his cheek.
Ugh, boring, boring, boring. So much damn fluff! Well, anyway, review please! I love reviews! I'm kind of drawing a blank now; if there is another chapter it will be the last one and cover the final battle I think. But I can't think of a point of view or what wish Kagome should make. Please make suggestions on these two things, and I'll possibly pick one of the suggestions! Thank you
