Author's Note: I'm still alive, no worries. Sorry about the wait, but time is has not been on my side lately. Still isn't, actually. Oh well. You guys did pretty good on reviews, and that made me happy. So, that didn't affect the length of this chapter. I just figured that the place where I stopped was a good one. I'll try to update sooner. The more reviews I get, the more motivated I'll be to do so. Remember, you stop reviewing; I stop writing. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Pulls the lint out of her pocket Hey! This looks a little like Inu… But I still don't own the real one.
Way Worn
Chapter 6: Wanderer
"She's gone," Dayu walked over to Sango. The former exterminator, now full time mother, sat by a fire with her baby boy, Anki, cradle in her arms. She was humming a lullaby to him as she poked the fire absently with a stick.
"I know," She replied. Looking down, she stopped the lullaby, since the child had fallen asleep. With a sigh, she brought both arms up and hugged the sleeping boy tightly to her chest. "I'm worried about her, Dayu."
The half demon sat down next to the two with a sigh. It was early morning, and the sun was still climbing slowly through the sky. Dayu's ears caught the sounds of every forest animal that stirred. Some going back to their beds after a long night of hunting, and others just beginning to wake up.
"I am too. We shouldn't be, though. Nikomi can take care of herself," He said, partly to ease her mind, but mostly trying desperately to make himself feel better. His mind itched with worry, and somewhere deep down, he wondered if he'd ever see her again.
"You care a lot for her. Don't you?" Sango asked, looking up towards the half demon.
Dayu blushed slightly. He felt the heat slowly creep up into his cheeks, causing them to flush. But with a shake, the color left. He nodded.
Sango nodded along with him. She gazed down at the face of her baby boy, and smiled. She remembered when Nikomi was small enough to be cradled in her arms. She remembered the little tuft of white hair floating like a cloud a top the little girl's head. She could still almost feel the velvety softness of new fur on tiny, pink ears that twitched with the breeze. She remembered…
Sango felt tears burn the back of her eyes, and blinked forcefully to hold them back. She remembered Sesshomaru… His cold voice, his emotionless face, his words…
"Here this, though. If I ever see her again, I shall kill her without a second thought."
Sango shuddered as her body suddenly became cold. She held little Anki closer to her chest, as if she was trying to prevent him from leaving her. A single tear made its way down her cheek, landing on the blanket that wrapped the little boy.
Dayu watched. He stayed quiet, knowing that he should leave the woman with her thoughts for a moment. No matter how painful they were.
After a moment, Sango looked up with a strengthening smile playing across her lips. She sniffed a few times, to rid her body of any traces of the tears. "Dayu?" She asked, "Could you… Look after her for me? I would really appreciate—"
"I was planning to anyway," He cut off the end of her sentence, happy to finally be asked. The hanyou stood up quickly, and smiled, "I'll make sure that she stays safe, Sango. Don't worry."
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"Oh no, you don't have to…" Nikomi crouched on the ground, smiling at the little rabbit demon in front of her. The small, white demon offered her a paw full of berries and nuts as it chattered happily.
"No, I couldn't take that. Feed it to your family. After all, anybody would have-" She was cut off as the little creature shoved the berries into her hands. Obviously it wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Alright…" the female hanyou sighed. She put the berries in her pouch, and turned back towards the rabbit demon, "But really, anyone would have saved you. I mean it would have been horrible for me to just stand and watch while a hawk ate you. Thanks for the berries, though."
The creature nodded with a smile. After a slight bow, it hopped off towards its family. Nikomi watched it, satisfied. Helping other creatures felt… good. It was nice to feel like you made a difference.
Shouldering her pack, Nikomi stood up, and glanced at her surroundings. She had been wandering for nearly a day now, and she had not found anyone who knew of the whereabouts of her father. At least, she assumed no one knew, since every time she asked a passing friendly demon, they ran off.
With a sigh, the female half demon continued her wandering.
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Dayu's nose hovered a few inches above the path. He inhaled deeply, breathing in all of the scents that mingled together as few loose dirt particles stirred. Sitting up, the hanyou laid his black ears flat against his head and sneezed, causing a cloud of dust to fly upwards in front of him. Nikomi's scent was strong on the path. She had been here only a few hours ago.
Dayu heard a rustle in the bushes a few feet away, and stood up. Quickly, he jumped through, and found a little rabbit demon. It squealed as a hawk angrily attacked it with its talons, yelling about despicable half demons spoiling its fun.
"Hey!" the male hanyou yelled, running towards the two. The hawk demon glared for a moment, but flew off.
"Are you okay?" Dayu asked the rabbit demon. It smiled and held out a handful of red berries.
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No one. Not one person had any idea. The last one she asked actually screamed and ran off. Her ears were still ringing. She had already learned not to bother asking humans. They either tried to shoot her with an arrow, or run her over with their cart. Having a limb severed from her body did not appeal to the female hanyou at all.
It had been a beautiful day, one of those days that any wanderer relishes in. It had been warm, and a gentle breeze wafting through the trees kept the air cool. The sun was going down now, and the sky began to grow dark. The air lost the sun's heat, and the breeze became slightly colder.
After walking quietly for some time, Nikomi stopped in the middle of the path. She perked up her ears, and slowed her breathing, listening as she stood completely still.
Something jumped down from the tree above her, landing on the ground soundlessly. As it turned to face her, the female hanyou laid her ears flat against her head and let out a soft yelp.
Extra Author's Note: Like I said, it seemed like a good spot to stop. Just to tell you, this is an evil cliffhanger, because the thing that jumped down is NOT Dayu… Uh Oh! Go review if you want to find out what it is!
