Ok, here is chapter two of my story! Now, I want to extend my apologies cuz then end of Chapter 1 was rushed and I know it didn't come out as good as I had hoped it would. This one will be a little better, I hope. I'm trying my best to make a good fic. I think the story is pretty darn good, if I can say so myself, but I'm not much of a 'fluff' writer and I think the ending I have in mind will probably get me chased by a bunch of people waving pitchforks and torches. I don't want to be burned alive! *weeps* If you have no clue what I'm talking about, GOOD! You shouldn't! If you do, STOP READING MY MIND! With that said, behold chapter 2!
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it? I don't own it, I never have, I never will. Unless by some miracle my lawyer does his job, hehe!
Chapter 2:
Fairy Tales
Have I mentioned that I'm stupid? I'm not talking just a little touched in the head, one of those whoops-I-seemed-to-have-dropped-something stupid. No, I'm talking full, all out, someone-shoot-me stupid!
There is one rule, ONE CARDINAL RULE that everyone in this city knows. That rule is simple, you NEVER get involved with anyone else's problems. You never bring the wrath of others on yourself for the sake of another person because you can damn well be sure that no one will stick their neck out for you. That's the way life is here. There's no heroes anymore. Life is not a fairy tale. Life is hard and cruel, but if you can survive the life then you get to live another day. No one helps each other, it's just not worth it. Helping always gets you killed, or worse. And yet, I put myself in the line of fire for a girl I had never seen before and would probably never see again. Have I mentioned I'm stupid?
"Where...are...we...going?" she asked between each breath she took as we ran down the street. I still had her hand clutched in mine, leading her threw the crowded people on the streets. It was getting late, the sun was setting. You never want to be caught out on the streets at night. Night was when the gangs all came out to play. Night was when everyone was in their homes, snuggled under warm blankets, shivering and praying that no one will come to their place that night. Hoping you'd get to see another sunrise. That was just the way it was.
"I don't know," I called back to her, not bothering to turn around. I really had no clue. My place was out of the question, besides the fact that it was too far to get to before dark. Then we'd both be in trouble. Even Miroku's pad was too far from where we were. I was an idiot to have taken the long way.
The girl tightened her grip on my hand and sped up to run alongside me. I was surprised that she was so fast. Looking to the side, I saw she was panting hard, but taking deep breaths like a long-distance runner. Her face was flushed and her hair flung out behind her. There was the scent of dried blood clinging to her, but the blood was not only hers. She turned to look at me, a mixture of fear and gratitude on her face. I managed a half-grin before turning back to what exactly we were going to do. But then I found myself in a familiar part of the city again. We were near Kaede's bar. My heart seemed to stop from relief. If we could get there without trouble, then we'd at least be safe until tomorrow.
There it was, just across the street from us. Kaede's Place. The neon light in the window that advertised beer blinked brightly, even though it was dimly lit inside. I could smell the food from here. It was like seeing an oasis after traveling threw the Sahara Desert. I squeezed the girl's hand and she looked over at me. I nodded toward the bar and she nodded back, looking around for any signs of followers. So far, we weren't being perused.
The last few yards to the bar, my heart was in my throat. I don't even think my companion was breathing anymore. But then we were inside and we both fell to the floor, panting, hearts racing. But the time air was naturally coming back to my lungs, I looked up to see Kaede standing in front of me, handing me a glass of water. I drank it like I hadn't seen liquid in years. I opened my mouth to thank the old crone, but she wasn't even looking at me anymore.
"Oh! You poor dear!" she said, helping the girl to her feet and over to a chair at the bar counter. "You look completely worn out, are you alright?"
The girl nodded and grinned, still panting slightly. When Kaede handed her a glass of water, she sipped it politely rather the gulping it down like I did. I sat on the floor a few more seconds, then took a seat at the bar also. "Thank you very much, ma'am," she said to Kaede with a smile.
"Oh, what a polite thing you are!" Kaede beamed at her. "I'm Kaede, and I own this here establishment. What's your name, child?"
"I'm Kagome," she said with a grin, handing back the empty glass. "Kagome Higurashi." Kaede refilled my water by then and I was gulping to down, watching them out of the corner of my eye. This girl was way too polite to be local, she had to have been from the inner city, or from outside the city all together. I think she saw me watching her because then she turned to me. "I want to thank you so much for what you did back there," she said, eyes shining happily. I raised an eyebrow as if to say 'what did I do?' but I didn't say anything.
"And what did this rascal do that you're grateful to him?" Kaede asked, eyeing me suspiciously. Kagome looked at her eagerly, clasping her hands together as if recalling a great battle of heroic proportion. I felt myself blush and pulled the front of my hat down further.
"I was being attacked by six thugs in an alley down the street and he save me!" Kaede raised her eyebrows in surprise, then turned in my direction.
"You saved her Inuyasha?" she asked, looking flustered.
I shrugged my shoulders, fiddling with my empty glass. "Yeah, I mean, I couldn't just let the girl get violated in broad daylight while I was around. I mean, I'm 'completely' without morals." Kaede clicked her tongue in wonder.
"I would never have pegged a pick-pocket like you to go off rescuing girls in distress, that's all I have to say." I grumbled a few obscenities under my breath as she turned back to Kagome. "You look worn honey, do you have somewhere to stay for the night?"
I noticed that Kagome dimmed at that, her eyes looking lost and dark. But she shook it off quickly and smiled a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm afraid I don't, but I'm sure I can manage." Her hand went to her neck, as if feeling for something that was there but I couldn't see anything.
"Then you'll have to stay here!" Kaede said as if it was nothing.
"Oh no!" Kagome said, shaking her head and frowning. "I couldn't! I don't have any money to pay you with and--"
"Nonsense, you'll stay here whether you can pay or not!" I was taken aback by this. Old Woman Kaede, offering room and board to a girl off the street? To a penniless girl from the street, no less. I mean Kagome was polite, sure. She was pretty, definately. But Kaede was a cunning as she was cheap. Never had this offer been made to any of the usuals, like me and Miroku.
"Then I insist you let me earn my keep," Kagome said, getting to her feet with a cheerful smile. Kaede smiled back at her.
"I could always use a hand."
I was totally speechless at this. I openly gaped at them. This...girl just waltzed in here and charmed Kaede into free food and a place to crash. Stunned beyond words, I just sat there, empty glass still in my hand. Behind me, a few men sitting at a table called over to Kaede and she retreated out from behind the bar. "I'll be right back," she said to Kagome as she hurried over.
"What a nice woman!" Kagome said, looking over at me with a smile. I stared at her blankly. She just looked mildly back at me with a small smile, like she was used to getting stares. For all I knew, she probably was. "So, what's your name?" she asked me suddenly. I blinked, dumfounded, until I found my voice.
"Inuyasha."
She smiled at me again, tucking her hair behind her ears and bowed her head. "Thank you very much for all of your help. I don't know what I would have done had you not assisted me."
"Just for curiosity's sake," I commented, looking to where Kaede was telling off a few guys at another table. At least she wasn't possessed by the kindness fairy as I had first thought. She was just charmed by a pretty face and a polite attitude. I myself was not so easily swain. "Why were those guys after you?"
I watched for her reaction out of the corner of my eye. She didn't balk as I had thought she would, nor did she look caught off guard. She was quite, pensive, but I could tell by her eyes that she wasn't looking for a lie, just trying to form words. Over the years I had gotten used to reading a person. Her eyes were easy to read. They looked sad, and guilty. Most of all, she looked stark lost.
"They were working for a man who I ran away from." Her reply was truthful, her eyes told all. She looked away from me then, sighing aloud. Her finger idly started twisting around a strand of her hair, while the other one still held at something at her neck.
"And who might that be?" I asked, pushing for more answers. Kaede interrupted us.
"Leave the girl alone Inuyasha! Can't you see she's been threw enough for one day. Come on honey," she said to Kagome, easing her off of the chair. "Let's get you settled in for the night, shall we?" Kagome nodded, following the woman into the back of the bar and then up of flight of stairs to the apartments overhead. Kaede owned the entire building, and lived above the bar.
I watched them go, sighing aloud. I got the uneasy feeling that she was running from something I was better off not getting involved with. I waited, sitting on my stool, lounging back against the counter. I watched the last of the costumers leave a tip on the table and walk outside. Even the toughest of demons and humans knew better then to walk the streets at night alone. The sun had just set, I could see from the window. The streetlights were all on and the sidewalks were vacant. I was stuck at the bar for the night as well, unless I dare to brave the outside world, which I really didn't want to.
I heard the muffled voices of Kaede and Kagome talking upstairs. I was getting frustrated as I paced around the now empty bar, even flipping off the blinking neon sign that said 'OPEN'. After a little while, Kaede came back downstairs to clean up.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked me. I gave her a blank stare. "You expect me to put you up for the night as well?"
"Come on Kaede," I whined. "You want me to risk my life by trying to get all the way home? Come on, I did my good deed of the day, I saved the girl. I have money, let me stay."
"Alright Inuyasha, don't start whining." I hugged the old woman, knowing she was just being ornery because she didn't care whether I stayed of not.
"So where is she?"
"Taking a bath and getting into some fresh clothes. Looks like she's been threw hell and back, that one. Her entire shirt under the jacket was covered in blood." Kaede shook her head worriedly.
I was thoughtful for a few minutes. "Sounds like she got mixed up in something bad," I commented.
"Who hasn't?" came Kaede's reply. "She's young and pretty. That's not a good match in this city. Especially for a girl from out of town." I looked over at her. "I can hear it in her voice, and the way she acts. No teenaged girl in this city is that polite. She was raised outside of this hell hole." I snickered.
The door upstairs opened and Kagome came back down. Her long hair was still wet and it fell across her face to the point that she kept swiping at it. She was dressed in a baggy sweatshirt and pair of jeans. I looked over at Kaede. She only shrugged at me. "Figured she could use a change, and she's about the same size as my daughter." Kaede's daughter had moved away from the city years ago, but she kept in close contact with her mother.
Kagome came over to Kaede. "Thank you again Kaede, you really are being to kind to me. I didn't think anyone in this city was nice, and here I met two in the same day." It was meant to be a compliment; I shrugged it off. Kaede laughed at her and smiled.
"Such a sweet girl you are Kagome." I leaned against the counter as Kaede went about busting the tables and Kagome helped her. It was quiet in the bar, and I was feeling sleepy, yet I was determined to talk to Kagome again, to find out just what was up. I told myself that my curiosity was well founded, but I wasn't so sure that it was my business.
"Well, I'm off to bed youngins!" Kaede said once the bar was clean. "Don't stay up too late now, I want you out of here by morning Inuyasha." I grumbled and she laughed, heading up the stairs.
"Good Night Kaede," Kagome waved, sitting down on the stool next to mine with a sigh. She wore a smile and looked quite pleased with herself. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. Could she be pleased cuz she just pulled one over on the old hag?
She looked over at me calmly, the smile still on her face, as if she read my thoughts. I looked at her dark eyes again and I felt the same thing I did when she looked at me in that alleyway. It was like she could look straight threw me. "Go ahead and ask away," she said, taking me off guard. "I know you're dying to interrogate me." The smile faded a little and she let out a little sigh, looking at something very interesting on the ceiling.
"What are you running away from?" That was the first thing out of my mouth. I surprised myself. She didn't look at me, still too fascinated by the ceiling.
"Destiny," was her answer, hands clasped in front of her as she brought her knees up. "I'm sure by now you know I wasn't raised in the city." I didn't need to answer. "I was born here, and I lived her until I was five, that's when I was sent away to school outside of the city."
"So what are you doing back here?" I asked, confused by her words.
"My parents died." I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it, not knowing what to say. She was calm, almost dreamy. "It's been a little less then two years. Grandpa called me and my little brother, Souta, home after that."
"Are you running from them then?" I asked, but pretty sure that wasn't the answer. I could see from the look in her eyes and the way she held her body, she loved them.
"No, not them. I'm running from a person who wants something I have." She sighed then, like letting a great weight off of her shoulders. "I had to run away, or he would have killed them."
"Wha...?" I was lost now. She blinked at me and smiled a sad, lost smile.
"I come from a long line of humans with mystical powers. My family line have protected a sacred object for many generations. Grandpa, his time to protect it is over. He's grown too old. My father was to take care of it, but since he's gone.... I'm the oldest, and the strongest with power. I'm the heir, it's my duty to protect the object from all who wish to use it for ill purposes even at the cost of my own life." She sounded like she was reading it from a text book, and that was weirding me out. She really did look lost then, like she was running from destiny.
"So...someone is trying to steal this 'sacred object' from you?" She nodded her head.
"It's never supposed to leave our shrine but...they attacked our house. If I hadn't taken it an escaped, they would have killed Grandpa and Souta, then me." She sighed deeply, pushing off the counter and getting to her feet. "I was very, very selfish. My family is supposed to protect until death, but I couldn't just watch my family die." Kagome hugged herself, running hands up and down her arms, like for warmth, still not looking at me. "My family is safe now that I have the object with me, but I'm toying with many lives if I get caught."
"Sounds like you got it rough, kid," I said, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at me with steel in her eyes.
"I would appreciate that you refrain from calling me that again." I took the hint, for now.
"So don't you have anywhere to go?" I asked her. Kagome shook her head, black hair falling into her eyes.
"I can't return to the shrine. My family can sense my presence, they know I'm alright. But if I went back, it would endanger them again. I have a few friends, but I couldn't endanger them for myself."
"So you're running on empty?" She looked at me with both eyebrows raised. "You've got no where to go, no money, and no idea what to do."
"Basically," she said with a shrug, sitting down again. "But I'm sure things will get better."
"What makes you say that?" A lifetime of bitter endings and experience lead one to question the simplest of positive answers. This is a city that gave up on hope a long time ago. What's the use of something that alone can do nothing?
"Because things have a way of working out in the end," she said with that serene smile of hers. I scoffed at that, and saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Was it anger? "You know something, Inuyasha?" I was startled. It was the first time she said my name and I was startled by how it sounded.
"What?" I asked as she got to her feet and headed toward the stairs.
"I know the world isn't a fairy tale. Things are hard and often end badly. Good doesn't always triumph over evil. I'm not naive. I just have something that no one can take from me, even if they take my life."
"What's that?" I asked, curious to the point of blinking in anticipation.
"Hope that I can, even in a small way, change something for the better." Then she went upstairs, leaving me to my thoughts. And believe me, there were many of them to ponder.
Well, there you go, chapter 2 is up and pretty! Now, I want to make one thing very, very clear in this little commentary paragraph of mine... I have read a lot of Inuyasha fanfics and I am very upset with this universal prejudice against Kouga. Let me explain. Kouga is conceited, he's loud and can be obnoxious (sound like a half-dog-demon we know????) and he is a loser. But I love him! He's one of my favorite characters. And for once, in this fic, you're not going to see him as some kind of sick, perverted ass. He'll be a loser who yells a lot, but that's just his appeal. Please, don't hate me for this, but I really do worship that guy. My name even reflects my devotion to my role model *points to the 'wolf demon' part of my name* Yeah, now that that's out of the way... Please review and tell me if you like it? I know this may sound strange so far since I haven't introduced the other characters yet. Sango is gonna be in the next one and maybe Shippou if I can swing it. So please stay tuned, and review!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it? I don't own it, I never have, I never will. Unless by some miracle my lawyer does his job, hehe!
Chapter 2:
Fairy Tales
Have I mentioned that I'm stupid? I'm not talking just a little touched in the head, one of those whoops-I-seemed-to-have-dropped-something stupid. No, I'm talking full, all out, someone-shoot-me stupid!
There is one rule, ONE CARDINAL RULE that everyone in this city knows. That rule is simple, you NEVER get involved with anyone else's problems. You never bring the wrath of others on yourself for the sake of another person because you can damn well be sure that no one will stick their neck out for you. That's the way life is here. There's no heroes anymore. Life is not a fairy tale. Life is hard and cruel, but if you can survive the life then you get to live another day. No one helps each other, it's just not worth it. Helping always gets you killed, or worse. And yet, I put myself in the line of fire for a girl I had never seen before and would probably never see again. Have I mentioned I'm stupid?
"Where...are...we...going?" she asked between each breath she took as we ran down the street. I still had her hand clutched in mine, leading her threw the crowded people on the streets. It was getting late, the sun was setting. You never want to be caught out on the streets at night. Night was when the gangs all came out to play. Night was when everyone was in their homes, snuggled under warm blankets, shivering and praying that no one will come to their place that night. Hoping you'd get to see another sunrise. That was just the way it was.
"I don't know," I called back to her, not bothering to turn around. I really had no clue. My place was out of the question, besides the fact that it was too far to get to before dark. Then we'd both be in trouble. Even Miroku's pad was too far from where we were. I was an idiot to have taken the long way.
The girl tightened her grip on my hand and sped up to run alongside me. I was surprised that she was so fast. Looking to the side, I saw she was panting hard, but taking deep breaths like a long-distance runner. Her face was flushed and her hair flung out behind her. There was the scent of dried blood clinging to her, but the blood was not only hers. She turned to look at me, a mixture of fear and gratitude on her face. I managed a half-grin before turning back to what exactly we were going to do. But then I found myself in a familiar part of the city again. We were near Kaede's bar. My heart seemed to stop from relief. If we could get there without trouble, then we'd at least be safe until tomorrow.
There it was, just across the street from us. Kaede's Place. The neon light in the window that advertised beer blinked brightly, even though it was dimly lit inside. I could smell the food from here. It was like seeing an oasis after traveling threw the Sahara Desert. I squeezed the girl's hand and she looked over at me. I nodded toward the bar and she nodded back, looking around for any signs of followers. So far, we weren't being perused.
The last few yards to the bar, my heart was in my throat. I don't even think my companion was breathing anymore. But then we were inside and we both fell to the floor, panting, hearts racing. But the time air was naturally coming back to my lungs, I looked up to see Kaede standing in front of me, handing me a glass of water. I drank it like I hadn't seen liquid in years. I opened my mouth to thank the old crone, but she wasn't even looking at me anymore.
"Oh! You poor dear!" she said, helping the girl to her feet and over to a chair at the bar counter. "You look completely worn out, are you alright?"
The girl nodded and grinned, still panting slightly. When Kaede handed her a glass of water, she sipped it politely rather the gulping it down like I did. I sat on the floor a few more seconds, then took a seat at the bar also. "Thank you very much, ma'am," she said to Kaede with a smile.
"Oh, what a polite thing you are!" Kaede beamed at her. "I'm Kaede, and I own this here establishment. What's your name, child?"
"I'm Kagome," she said with a grin, handing back the empty glass. "Kagome Higurashi." Kaede refilled my water by then and I was gulping to down, watching them out of the corner of my eye. This girl was way too polite to be local, she had to have been from the inner city, or from outside the city all together. I think she saw me watching her because then she turned to me. "I want to thank you so much for what you did back there," she said, eyes shining happily. I raised an eyebrow as if to say 'what did I do?' but I didn't say anything.
"And what did this rascal do that you're grateful to him?" Kaede asked, eyeing me suspiciously. Kagome looked at her eagerly, clasping her hands together as if recalling a great battle of heroic proportion. I felt myself blush and pulled the front of my hat down further.
"I was being attacked by six thugs in an alley down the street and he save me!" Kaede raised her eyebrows in surprise, then turned in my direction.
"You saved her Inuyasha?" she asked, looking flustered.
I shrugged my shoulders, fiddling with my empty glass. "Yeah, I mean, I couldn't just let the girl get violated in broad daylight while I was around. I mean, I'm 'completely' without morals." Kaede clicked her tongue in wonder.
"I would never have pegged a pick-pocket like you to go off rescuing girls in distress, that's all I have to say." I grumbled a few obscenities under my breath as she turned back to Kagome. "You look worn honey, do you have somewhere to stay for the night?"
I noticed that Kagome dimmed at that, her eyes looking lost and dark. But she shook it off quickly and smiled a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm afraid I don't, but I'm sure I can manage." Her hand went to her neck, as if feeling for something that was there but I couldn't see anything.
"Then you'll have to stay here!" Kaede said as if it was nothing.
"Oh no!" Kagome said, shaking her head and frowning. "I couldn't! I don't have any money to pay you with and--"
"Nonsense, you'll stay here whether you can pay or not!" I was taken aback by this. Old Woman Kaede, offering room and board to a girl off the street? To a penniless girl from the street, no less. I mean Kagome was polite, sure. She was pretty, definately. But Kaede was a cunning as she was cheap. Never had this offer been made to any of the usuals, like me and Miroku.
"Then I insist you let me earn my keep," Kagome said, getting to her feet with a cheerful smile. Kaede smiled back at her.
"I could always use a hand."
I was totally speechless at this. I openly gaped at them. This...girl just waltzed in here and charmed Kaede into free food and a place to crash. Stunned beyond words, I just sat there, empty glass still in my hand. Behind me, a few men sitting at a table called over to Kaede and she retreated out from behind the bar. "I'll be right back," she said to Kagome as she hurried over.
"What a nice woman!" Kagome said, looking over at me with a smile. I stared at her blankly. She just looked mildly back at me with a small smile, like she was used to getting stares. For all I knew, she probably was. "So, what's your name?" she asked me suddenly. I blinked, dumfounded, until I found my voice.
"Inuyasha."
She smiled at me again, tucking her hair behind her ears and bowed her head. "Thank you very much for all of your help. I don't know what I would have done had you not assisted me."
"Just for curiosity's sake," I commented, looking to where Kaede was telling off a few guys at another table. At least she wasn't possessed by the kindness fairy as I had first thought. She was just charmed by a pretty face and a polite attitude. I myself was not so easily swain. "Why were those guys after you?"
I watched for her reaction out of the corner of my eye. She didn't balk as I had thought she would, nor did she look caught off guard. She was quite, pensive, but I could tell by her eyes that she wasn't looking for a lie, just trying to form words. Over the years I had gotten used to reading a person. Her eyes were easy to read. They looked sad, and guilty. Most of all, she looked stark lost.
"They were working for a man who I ran away from." Her reply was truthful, her eyes told all. She looked away from me then, sighing aloud. Her finger idly started twisting around a strand of her hair, while the other one still held at something at her neck.
"And who might that be?" I asked, pushing for more answers. Kaede interrupted us.
"Leave the girl alone Inuyasha! Can't you see she's been threw enough for one day. Come on honey," she said to Kagome, easing her off of the chair. "Let's get you settled in for the night, shall we?" Kagome nodded, following the woman into the back of the bar and then up of flight of stairs to the apartments overhead. Kaede owned the entire building, and lived above the bar.
I watched them go, sighing aloud. I got the uneasy feeling that she was running from something I was better off not getting involved with. I waited, sitting on my stool, lounging back against the counter. I watched the last of the costumers leave a tip on the table and walk outside. Even the toughest of demons and humans knew better then to walk the streets at night alone. The sun had just set, I could see from the window. The streetlights were all on and the sidewalks were vacant. I was stuck at the bar for the night as well, unless I dare to brave the outside world, which I really didn't want to.
I heard the muffled voices of Kaede and Kagome talking upstairs. I was getting frustrated as I paced around the now empty bar, even flipping off the blinking neon sign that said 'OPEN'. After a little while, Kaede came back downstairs to clean up.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked me. I gave her a blank stare. "You expect me to put you up for the night as well?"
"Come on Kaede," I whined. "You want me to risk my life by trying to get all the way home? Come on, I did my good deed of the day, I saved the girl. I have money, let me stay."
"Alright Inuyasha, don't start whining." I hugged the old woman, knowing she was just being ornery because she didn't care whether I stayed of not.
"So where is she?"
"Taking a bath and getting into some fresh clothes. Looks like she's been threw hell and back, that one. Her entire shirt under the jacket was covered in blood." Kaede shook her head worriedly.
I was thoughtful for a few minutes. "Sounds like she got mixed up in something bad," I commented.
"Who hasn't?" came Kaede's reply. "She's young and pretty. That's not a good match in this city. Especially for a girl from out of town." I looked over at her. "I can hear it in her voice, and the way she acts. No teenaged girl in this city is that polite. She was raised outside of this hell hole." I snickered.
The door upstairs opened and Kagome came back down. Her long hair was still wet and it fell across her face to the point that she kept swiping at it. She was dressed in a baggy sweatshirt and pair of jeans. I looked over at Kaede. She only shrugged at me. "Figured she could use a change, and she's about the same size as my daughter." Kaede's daughter had moved away from the city years ago, but she kept in close contact with her mother.
Kagome came over to Kaede. "Thank you again Kaede, you really are being to kind to me. I didn't think anyone in this city was nice, and here I met two in the same day." It was meant to be a compliment; I shrugged it off. Kaede laughed at her and smiled.
"Such a sweet girl you are Kagome." I leaned against the counter as Kaede went about busting the tables and Kagome helped her. It was quiet in the bar, and I was feeling sleepy, yet I was determined to talk to Kagome again, to find out just what was up. I told myself that my curiosity was well founded, but I wasn't so sure that it was my business.
"Well, I'm off to bed youngins!" Kaede said once the bar was clean. "Don't stay up too late now, I want you out of here by morning Inuyasha." I grumbled and she laughed, heading up the stairs.
"Good Night Kaede," Kagome waved, sitting down on the stool next to mine with a sigh. She wore a smile and looked quite pleased with herself. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. Could she be pleased cuz she just pulled one over on the old hag?
She looked over at me calmly, the smile still on her face, as if she read my thoughts. I looked at her dark eyes again and I felt the same thing I did when she looked at me in that alleyway. It was like she could look straight threw me. "Go ahead and ask away," she said, taking me off guard. "I know you're dying to interrogate me." The smile faded a little and she let out a little sigh, looking at something very interesting on the ceiling.
"What are you running away from?" That was the first thing out of my mouth. I surprised myself. She didn't look at me, still too fascinated by the ceiling.
"Destiny," was her answer, hands clasped in front of her as she brought her knees up. "I'm sure by now you know I wasn't raised in the city." I didn't need to answer. "I was born here, and I lived her until I was five, that's when I was sent away to school outside of the city."
"So what are you doing back here?" I asked, confused by her words.
"My parents died." I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it, not knowing what to say. She was calm, almost dreamy. "It's been a little less then two years. Grandpa called me and my little brother, Souta, home after that."
"Are you running from them then?" I asked, but pretty sure that wasn't the answer. I could see from the look in her eyes and the way she held her body, she loved them.
"No, not them. I'm running from a person who wants something I have." She sighed then, like letting a great weight off of her shoulders. "I had to run away, or he would have killed them."
"Wha...?" I was lost now. She blinked at me and smiled a sad, lost smile.
"I come from a long line of humans with mystical powers. My family line have protected a sacred object for many generations. Grandpa, his time to protect it is over. He's grown too old. My father was to take care of it, but since he's gone.... I'm the oldest, and the strongest with power. I'm the heir, it's my duty to protect the object from all who wish to use it for ill purposes even at the cost of my own life." She sounded like she was reading it from a text book, and that was weirding me out. She really did look lost then, like she was running from destiny.
"So...someone is trying to steal this 'sacred object' from you?" She nodded her head.
"It's never supposed to leave our shrine but...they attacked our house. If I hadn't taken it an escaped, they would have killed Grandpa and Souta, then me." She sighed deeply, pushing off the counter and getting to her feet. "I was very, very selfish. My family is supposed to protect until death, but I couldn't just watch my family die." Kagome hugged herself, running hands up and down her arms, like for warmth, still not looking at me. "My family is safe now that I have the object with me, but I'm toying with many lives if I get caught."
"Sounds like you got it rough, kid," I said, trying to lighten the mood. She looked at me with steel in her eyes.
"I would appreciate that you refrain from calling me that again." I took the hint, for now.
"So don't you have anywhere to go?" I asked her. Kagome shook her head, black hair falling into her eyes.
"I can't return to the shrine. My family can sense my presence, they know I'm alright. But if I went back, it would endanger them again. I have a few friends, but I couldn't endanger them for myself."
"So you're running on empty?" She looked at me with both eyebrows raised. "You've got no where to go, no money, and no idea what to do."
"Basically," she said with a shrug, sitting down again. "But I'm sure things will get better."
"What makes you say that?" A lifetime of bitter endings and experience lead one to question the simplest of positive answers. This is a city that gave up on hope a long time ago. What's the use of something that alone can do nothing?
"Because things have a way of working out in the end," she said with that serene smile of hers. I scoffed at that, and saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Was it anger? "You know something, Inuyasha?" I was startled. It was the first time she said my name and I was startled by how it sounded.
"What?" I asked as she got to her feet and headed toward the stairs.
"I know the world isn't a fairy tale. Things are hard and often end badly. Good doesn't always triumph over evil. I'm not naive. I just have something that no one can take from me, even if they take my life."
"What's that?" I asked, curious to the point of blinking in anticipation.
"Hope that I can, even in a small way, change something for the better." Then she went upstairs, leaving me to my thoughts. And believe me, there were many of them to ponder.
Well, there you go, chapter 2 is up and pretty! Now, I want to make one thing very, very clear in this little commentary paragraph of mine... I have read a lot of Inuyasha fanfics and I am very upset with this universal prejudice against Kouga. Let me explain. Kouga is conceited, he's loud and can be obnoxious (sound like a half-dog-demon we know????) and he is a loser. But I love him! He's one of my favorite characters. And for once, in this fic, you're not going to see him as some kind of sick, perverted ass. He'll be a loser who yells a lot, but that's just his appeal. Please, don't hate me for this, but I really do worship that guy. My name even reflects my devotion to my role model *points to the 'wolf demon' part of my name* Yeah, now that that's out of the way... Please review and tell me if you like it? I know this may sound strange so far since I haven't introduced the other characters yet. Sango is gonna be in the next one and maybe Shippou if I can swing it. So please stay tuned, and review!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~