"From the deepest despair to new found hope"
by Hentai Jane
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Big surprise huh?
Author's Note: I should have posted this note with the first chapter, but I was in a hurry and forgot.
I just wanted to say to whoever was childish enough to report my last fic and have it erased that you have not won! I have been posting fics at other sites with readers who appreciate people's hard work and dedication to writing. I still like FF.net, even though I don't totally agree with their NC-17 and R ratings policies, and you have not discouraged me from posting stories here. I want to offer you a piece of advice: GROW UP!! Stay out of the R section if you can't handle sex and violence. These things are a part of life.
Now that I'm done bitching, I'd like to thank all the readers and the folks who were nice enough to leave me reviews for ch 1. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Warning: Inuyasha has a potty mouth but it's nothing too severe. I don't think this fic needs an R rating.
CHAPTER 2
Ten years later.....
"Oh shit!! Not again!" wailed a white haired man as he ran to a nearby kitchen window, throwing it open to let out the black wisps of smoke. The smoke alarms in his kitchen and dining room sounded with high pitched warnings. Inuyasha grabbed a newspaper off the kitchen table and fanned one alarm at a time, hoping they would stop that damn noise before he went deaf!
He took a moment to slide open the patio door and allow the warm breeze to naturally remove some of the smoke and the odor of his burnt dinner. "Great. Another meal ruined by chef Inuyasha." he slipped an oven mitt over his clawed hand and grabbed the hot pan. As he walked to the garbage cans in the back of his home, he glanced down at the black lump that was supposed to be a beef roast. Inuyasha shook his head in disgust at the charred meat as he mentally berated himself for not listening to his deceased mother. She had always told him that one day he would grow up and want to live on his own. Every man needed to know how to cook basic things, but being the stubborn boy he always was, Inuyasha refused. He told his mother that cooking was a woman's job and stomped out of the kitchen.
Glancing at the blue sky above, Inuyasha swore that he heard his mother's laughter. How pathetic he must look, standing in the middle of his yard with a ruined pan containing the blackened meat and his doggy ears drooping. 'Yeah,' Inuyasha sighed as he approached the garbage can, 'Mom must be getting a good laugh right about now.' He smiled as as he pictured her delicate face.
If any woman could ever have earned the right to be called a lady, it was his mother. She was tall and slender with black flowing hair and big brown eyes. She had a certain elegance with the way she moved and spoke that demanded attention. His mom was never a conceited person, which made Inuyasha admire her even more. Besides looks, she had a sharp mind and could match wits with the smartest of people. Her gentle voice and sweet disposition melted the hearts of the coldest youkai, which would explain why even Sesshomaru liked her.
After her untimely death, Inuyasha's father withdrew form everyone. He spent hours sitting in his reading room, starring at the portrait of his deceased wife.
The once lively home turned into a place of grief, and after four long years, Inuyasha couldn't take it anymore. At the age of twenty one, he decided to move out. He searched for a few months for just the right home.
But Inuyasha didn't just want a place to hang his hat, he wanted a refuge from the critical world. A place that was warm and inviting with a big yard and woods nearby for his long runs in the wild.
He finally found the perfect place on the outskirts of Tokyo. It was a ranch style light grey brick house that had 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 1 large kitchen and a dining room. There was one room designed as a library with heavy wooden shelves lining the pale blue walls and a game room a few doors down. The owners agreed to sell him the pool table when he bought the home. The living room was the center point of the house. Each hallway that led to the other sections of the house, including the kitchen, could be accessed by entering the spacious 20 x 40 room. A small unfinished basement served as a gym and laundry room. The house sat upon 10 acres of wooded land. Yes, this place was spacious, allowing his restless soul all the room he needed to move around.
Inuyasha picked up the phone next to his overstuffed sofa and dialed number. He waited, hearing phone ring four times, before a man's voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey houshi, what's goin' on?" Inuyasha smirked when he heard his friend Miroku sigh at the other end.
"Inuyasha. I should have known you'd be calling, it is almost dinner time after all."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Miroku smiled after the hanyou's response. Inuyasha had a gruff exterior but anyone who took the time to get to know him realized he was all bark and no bite. At least, he didn't bite unless you gave him a real reason to. "Let me guess, did the fire department come this time? Or is the smoky haze still lingering?"
Inuyasha blushed, pulling his ears back against his hair, "The kitchen is still a little smokey, but most of it's cleared out."
"And what, prey tell, did you burn this time?" Miroku looked over his shoulder smiling at Sango as she rolled her eyes. It didn't take much to figure out who Miroku was talking to.
*deep sigh* "I tried to cook that beef roast I asked Sango about. I did exactly what she told and the damn thing still burned."
"That's impossible Inuyasha. If you had followed her instructions, this wouldn't have happened." Inuyasha heard her ask Miroku what happened. Miroku told her about his latest attempt at cooking and Sango chuckled.
She took the phone from miroku, "Hi Inu! So, what temperature did you cook it on?"
"I cooked it 500, just like you said!" he exclaimed.
"What? I didn't say 500, I said 400!" she yelled into the phone. "Oh well, live and learn, right Inu?"
"I guess." he shrugged. "So, um, I was wondering if you have an extra seat at your table tonight?" his tone was sheepish as he hinted around for her to invite him for a homemade meal.
Sango giggled, "Of course, come on over."
"Thanks Sango, I'll be right there." Inuyasha hung up the phone, grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door. On the way to his friend's house, he stopped by the local bakery and picked-up a french silk pie for desert. Next door to the bakery was a florist who sold bouquets that would make any girl swoon. Inuyasha bought a large assortment of pink and white carnations mixed with color coordinated wild flowers. Just because he couldn't cook for himself, didn't mean he was a mooch and showed up empty handed!
He pulled into their driveway and slammed on the brakes. In the blink of an eye Inuyasha was out of his shiny black Escalade and standing at the front door.
Miroku opened the door, stepping aside and bowing as a sarcastic grin spread over his face, "My Lord, your dinner is served."
"Very funny smart ass." Inuyasha grumbled as he passed Miroku and made a bee line for the kitchen. Sango was setting tall wine glasses by each plate. Something smelled fantastic, he couldn't wait to dig in!
"Mmmm, Sango what is that heavenly smell?" Inuyasha handed her the pie and flowers.
"Aww, thank you Inuyasha. Miroku, why don't you buy me flowers any more?"
Miroku's eyes darted from Sago to the smirking hanyou as he searched his blank mind for a good excuse. "Uh, well, we're married now..."
"Don't say anything else!" Sango snapped, "If you continue, I can guarantee that you will be sleeping on the couch for at least a week." Sango set the flowers in a vase, "However, my dear husband, let me remind you that just because my good senses left me long to get married to you doesn't mean that you should stop wooing me!" With that said the disgruntled wife of Miroku turned to go back out on the porch and tend to the pork chops cooking slowly on the grill.
"You are one lucky man Miroku. She's fiery, I'll give her that much!" Inuyasha chuckled as his friend's face turned red.
"Inuyasha, what have I done to deserve such torture at the hands of my closest friend? Each time you come over, you bring her flowers or some type of gift and completely show me up!" Miroku feigned to be hurt.
"What can I say! I can't help it that I'm better with women than you are!"
"Ohhhh...now I understand. Well, if you are so knowledgeable of the fairer sex, then explain to me why you have no mate and are constantly eating at MY house?" Mroku crossed his arms, waiting patiently for an answer.
Silence filled the room as Inuyasha tried to find a good comeback or some kind of explanation to justify his bachelor status. Just as he was about to yell at Miroku, Sango's voice called out, "Dinner is ready boys!"
"Feh!" Inuyasha snorted, "We'll finish this talk later you lech!"
Miroku grinned at the back of Inuyasha's head as the hanyou dashed to the table.
Sango passed around a platter of pork chops and baked potatoes. There was also a large bowel of green salad and warm bread to go with dinner. Inuyasha's mouth watered at the site of his full plate.
Inuyasha took several bites before rinsing down the savory meat with a gulp of white wine. He cleared his throat and looked at his two best friends.
He knew Miroku since he was six years old. That was when Miroku's dad started working for his father's company and has been a faithful employee ever since. They went to school together and that's where Sango came into the picture.
Those two met in high school. Inuyasha could still hear Sago's voice echoing down the long hallways as she called him a 'Hentai!' Inuyasha tried to hide his smile as he recalled al the times she had slapped him for touching her ass or some other intimate spot!
Sango always treated Inuyasha as an equal. That shocked him the first time Miroko introduced him to his 'girl friend'. She didn't look at him like he was green ten eyed bug. Nope, not Sango. Instead she reached and grabbed his clawed hand, squeezing it a little before giving the hanyou a bright smile and saying, "Hi Inuyasha! It's nice to meet you! I've heard so many nice things about you!"
For the first time in years, Inuyahsa found someone, besides Miroku, that didn't care about his half demon heritage. The three of them were inseparable, but Inu was smart enough to give them their own space. No matter close they were the old saying of "two's company, three's a crowd" still applied during certain times.
Inuyasha was the best man at their wedding. He was ecstatic when Miroku showed him the diamond engagement ring and told him of his plans to sweep Sango off her feet. But no matter how happy he was, there was a little place deep inside his heart that wished he could be the one falling in love and getting married.
That last reflection brought him back to what he wanted to discuss with his friends. "Ya know, there's something I've been thinking about ever since I moved into my house." Inuyasha paused, taking a deep breath before he continued, "I've been thinking that my place could use a woman's touch..."
Sango smiled at Inuyahsa, beaming at the upcoming announcement. "I was considering buying a.... slave."
Sango's face fell and turned beet red at the same time. "What!!?? You can't do that! How could you want to purchase another living being who should be free like we are?"
She shot him an accusing and highly disappointed look. Inuyasha glanced between his friend's in an attempt to gauge Miroku's reaction.
"Why?" was all the houshi asked.
"I need someone to help me around the house. I can't cook and everything I clean I break, so I need a girl around to take care of things. You know I tried to hire maids and both times they robbed me! So don't act like I'm some jerk who wants to be abusive and cruel, I just need help! Inuyasha answered in defense of his good name.
"That's sounds like a bunch of crap to me Inuyasha! There is NO reason why anyone should enslave another person!" Sango glared at him.
"I have to agree with her Inuyasha." Miroku answered, "But I also understand your position. When and where did you plan on buying this slave?"
"I can't believe what I am hearing!" Sango was in a full blown rage, "How could you condone what he is about to do!?" she shouted at Miroku.
"Face it Sango, life is not always roses and happy stories. Life has a dark side to it. I'm not upset with Inuyasha because I know he is a good and honorable man who would never harm his servant. In fact, who ever worked for him would have a happy life and never want for anything." Miroku took a bite of a bread roll. He eyed his hanyou friend for a moment, "I am correct about my assumptions, right Inuyasha?"
"Feh! How horrible do you think I am? Sure I'll take good care of her! Once I find her, she'll have all the freedom a normal person has and can do whatever she wants! Hell Sango, you act like I'm gonna lock her up in the basement and throw away the key!"
"It's not fair." Her response was spoken in a low voice, filled with hurt. Both men looked at her. Inuyasha never heard that tone of voice before and it worried him. Her brown eyes looked shiny with unshed tears.
She stood up from the table, "Excuse me, I have lost my appetite."
"Sango, wait...." Inuyasha reached for her, but a hand caught his shoulder in a firm grip.
"Don't worry. I'll talk to her later. Let's give her some time to cool down or we might both have lumps on our skulls in the morning."
Inuyasha nodded and sat back down. His appetite waned as he thought about Sango. Was this the right decision? No matter how he looked at it, he was still buying someone like he would purchase a pair of socks or a car.
Miroku cleared his throat, drawing Inuyahsa's attention to him, "I heard of this one shop on the Tokyo/Kanagawa border owned by some guy named Naraku. He is a hanyou with top of the line slaves. It has been said that he has some of the most beautiful women in all Japan."
"I'm not so concerned about her being beautiful. I want a nice girl who is a good cook."
"Well, I'm sure pretty girls can cook just as well as ugly ones. What's the harm in getting a woman that's easy on the eyes Inuyasha?
"None I guess." Inuyasha wondered what to say to this Naraku person and what this slave shop would be like.
"I'll go with you, if it will make you feel more comfortable." Miroku watched as a worried look came over his friends face.
"Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks Miroku, I appreciate your help."
"No problem. It will take us several hours to reach the border. Did you want to go tomorrow?"
Inuyasha gulped, "Uh, ok. Tomorrow's fine."
Miroku nodded and stood to clear the table. Inuyasha reached for his plate but was stopped. "Don't worry about this. Go home and rest, tomorrow is your big day."
Inuyasha picked up his keys and headed for the front door, "Miroku, tell Sango I'm sorry."
"I will." Miroku responded as he watched his friend leave and climb into his SUV.
He understood why Sango was upset, but who were they to step in and tell him how to live his life? Inuyasha was unhappy. He needed to find someone to care for instead of being so focused on the misery that surrounded him.
Miroku smiled to himself as he washed the dishes. He had that familiar gut feeling, telling him that things would work out for his friend, and his instincts were never wrong.
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AN: I think six pages is enough for now. Please leave a review!