Ten days

by Kradvity

Chapter 2: Hunger of blood

Okay, here is the second chapter. It took a week to finish this... Sorry, but I've been busy. With everything, like writing. And I've been sining Hakuna Matata for few days and I just can't stop. I can't write and sing at the same time so...

I hope you like this chapter. It was going too be too short and I had to think of some filling so it might be a little boring. Maybe.

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Kagome remained oddly silent when we were heading to Kaede's village. She sat on Kirara's back when the enormous two-tailed cat ran among the trees. I had sworn I would never ride that thing. Why should I do that if I my legs worked just as well or even better?

Kagome hardly smiled. She just stared at the quickly changing view. It was strange and it made me feel that I too should be worried. About the curse, I mean. If there was a curse in me I didn't notice it. Miroku can see his curse, so mine can't be worse than that. My thoughts were on Shikon shards, so I forgot Kagome's unhappiness.

The demon had escaped which meant we didn't get the shard. It's a pity because it had been a big one. I slapped myself mentally. Now my "mental slaps" were like the one Sango gave me. Before that it had been Kagome's "hit-stupid-Inu-Yasha-on-the-back-of-his-head"-slap. It is strange how women affect my life so strongly. Okay, maybe 'strongly' is a little mild way to put it. I was stuck in a tree for fifty years because of a woman...

A little voice in my head was saying it wasn't Kikyo's fault, it was Naraku who attacked you. But in that case it would have been my own fault since I trusted Kikyo and got shot. Or is it that I just don't want to blame myself from so stupid mistake as trust? I could ask Kagome...

Nah, she would say it was my own fault. I tried not to look at Kagome's direction until we reached Kaede's village.

The villains were looking at us suspiciously at the gate. No wonder. I'm the same as diseases for them. They exist but no one wants to deal with them. But this time we weren't as interesting as usually. The people had other things to do. There were fancy decorations all over the cottages and women were sewing colourful clothes without a slightest interest in us. Only children had time to sneer at me when we walked to Kaede's cottage.

" What is going on out there? " Sango asked Kaede as we were dining on the floor. A child was screaming happily outside. I was hungry but I didn't ask for another cup of rise. Demons are never hungry. You never meet a demon eating anything because it's hungry. It kills for pleasure and maybe eats them but not for hunger of food. I'd say more like hunger of blood.

Kaede didn't answer right away. She never answers right after the question. I can't attack her and make her answer so I just have to wait. I'm not very keen on being subdued. She treats me like I was a... dog...

" There is a party tonight ", she said after finishing her meal.

" Is there gonna be food? " Shippo asked. Rice was flying around the house as he spoke. I backed a little bit and glanced him angrily.

" That's wonderful! What are you celebrating? " Kagome asked. Good thing she asked that. I was curious too. At least someone wasn't interested in food.

" Me ", Kaede said smiling at her rice. I scowled.

" Why would they celebrate you? " I asked. Sango and Kagome both gave me a warning look. I think it was a pertinent question. I would celebrate Kaede only if she decided to leave to a long journey.

Kaede had helped the villains with several things and she had vanquished one demon some time ago. And of course it was her birthday. Kagome was thrilled. She loves all kinds of parties. I wasn't excited, really. This meant we would have to wait so that we'd never catch that damn demon. I would sit in Kaede's cottage and scowl. Sounded like great fun.

I was full of that stupid party-thing.

" We can't just sit here and celebrate! We have a demon to catch! "

Kagome looked at me. This was the first time she did that after the accident with the demon. She didn't look happy at all. Her enthusiasm had disappeared suddenly. My stomach turned upside down again. What did I say? Did I offend her somehow?

" I almost forgot... ", she said and turned to Kaede looking worried. I blinked.

" Kaede, Inu-Yasha got cursed by a demon earlier today. "

Kaede's gaze turned to me. I stood there like an idiot. Oh yeah, that curse. I had forgot about it myself.

" The demon was like a giant snake with the limbs of an insect. You should have seen that, it won Inu-Yasha. ", Shippo told aloud. I was going to wring Shippo's tail into a nice knot but the expression on Kaede's face stopped me.

" A giant snake with the limbs of an insect? " she repeated. The silence was so thick I thought I could swim in it. I don't know if I was scared. I'd call it a great feeling of annoy. It was somehow comical to watch the terrified faces around me. The children were screaming and laughing. I think I heard some words like 'dragon' and 'huge'.

" Are you going to tell us or not, old hag? " I inquired. Kaede stood up.

" You met Kertainty. "

I didn't say anything to me. Or to Kagome, Sango and Shippo. The holy Miroku seemed to be the only one who had made sense of Kaede's words.

" Kertainty. I didn't know it still exists ", he said quietly dramatically bowing his head. I was starting to lose my nerve but Miroku never gave me a chance to show it.

" It spreads curses and each curse is different. Your curse... it mentioned ten days. I just can't remember... "

I got enough of that shit. I was cursed and they had no idea what kind of curse it was. I took a grip on Miroku's clothes and prepared to shake him very violently. Not that I was going to hurt him or anything. It just makes me feel like I was near to accomplish something. I do that a lot often.

" You better remember! "

" I remember it ", Sango said quickly after seeing how I was about to tear Miroku's head off. I hope I looked like I was going to do that. It usually works with humans. Sango didn't obviously take me as a terrifying half- demon. How was I supposed to be with those people if I wasn't terrifying?

Sango cleared her throat and spoke.

" In ten days you will get what you have always wanted. In ten days you will face the thing you fear the most. And in ten days you will have to learn the truth your mother did not have time to teach to you, and you will remain the same and have more time to think. "

Gosh. Sango has a hell of a memory. I could always say I was half-dead so I couldn't have possibly remembered that.

" Good. That helps a lot ", I said dryly and sat down crossing my legs and arms. Kagome too crossed her arms.

" You should thank Sango from remembering that. You might be in a real trouble without her ", she said. Her hair was extremely messy after the ride on Kirara's back. It had been in shape some time ago but now she didn't have any hope left with that bush.

" What do you care am I in trouble or not? " I spat out.

" I'm going to help you now on. I promised you. "

" Idiot! You'd just get killed! " Anger that was now impossible for Kagome to hide was clearly shown on her face. In a few seconds she would start yelling. I prepared myself. My ears are much more sensitive than hers so it starts to hurt if she shouts too loudly. That really sucks. I get a damn awful headache. And that makes me mad.

" So you reward people from helping you by calling them idiots! " Kagome asked. Her voice rose at every word. I didn't even try to stay calm. I could but it's a different thing do I want to.

" What do you know about how I reward people?! "

" You're right, I don't! Because you never do that! "

" Shut up! I didn't mean you're an idiot! "

I took some time for me to realise what I had just said. Kagome was looking at me strangely. I felt my face burning hot. I thought it was best if I disappeared for a while. That was my fastest disappearing.

I walked out of village and climbed to a tree and sat there hiding behind the leaves. I always choose a place from where I can't get seen but so that I can see everything. I could have watched the villains doing their part for the party but I wasn't concentrating on that. I was thinking too deeply. That's a bad habit. You need all your senses to survive and I wasn't using all of them. When I sit in a tree I think no-one can see me.

Kagome was playing with some children. Why was she always yelling at me? She's always in trouble and I have to save her and what do I get? A headache. Next time I let Kagome handle everything herself. Next time...

And I couldn't keep that promise either.

* * * * *

The party started at nightfall. When the darkness came the lamps were lit up and people put on their best costumes. It was a little too colourful. All the demons could see the lights and hear the music. People were 'having fun'. That's one of those things I don't get about humans. What's supposed to be fun in stupid lights and that kind of racket? Is it fun to eat too much and vomit the next day? Why do you even have to eat if you're not hungry?

Celebrating was the last thing I wanted to do so I was sitting under the bridge near the village throwing rocks to the water or examining Tetsusaiga. Tetsusaiga reminded me of the demon we were after and the demon reminded me of the curse. Kaede had told me what kind of curse it was.

I had to learn to love. What the hell is that supposed to mean? To love what?

" That is exactly what you have to learn " was her answer. Right. That old hag doesn't probably know it herself. Do they expect me to learn to do something if I don't know what I should learn? I have to figure it all by myself. I'm not going to ask anyone to help me. No way. That's embarrassing. They'd think I can't survive on my own.

Learn to love... If it meant I would have to fell in love... Maybe if I tried I could fall in love. But do I want to? If I don't... That is the worst part. Or not maybe the worst. I'd turn into a full demon. A demon with full powers. Like my half-brother Sesshou-maru. That's what I have always wanted. I wouldn't need Shikon Jewel. I could get out of this circle of killing and uncertainty. I could leave Kagome and the others forever and to be something. I would be equal with someone.

Ten days. It meant I had nine full days left. And in the stroke of the midnight of the tenth day I will turn into a demon. Didn't sound bad, did it? As a full demon I would be stronger.

" Inu-Yasha? Are you all right? "

I jumped up when I hear Kagome call me. I forgot where I was and hit my head to the bottom of the wooden bridge giving out a loud 'ouch'. I was already in bad mood and Kagome couldn't possibly make me feel any better. Like anyone could.

" Are you going to join us at all? "

Kagome didn't have her silly uniform. She was wearing a blue kimono and her hair was done in two buns. She looked... ugh, different. I mean normally she looks like she couldn't find any other clothes and didn't have time to do anything to her hair when she woke up. Sango at least had some style...

" You think I want to join you? " I muttered not sitting back down. It made me feel safer when I was standing. Kagome was clearly a little lost. She was drawing something to the sand with her slipper. Then when I was about to speak she raised her deep brown eyes to me.

" Come on! Just for a little while? " she said showing with her fingers what was 'a little while'. It was about four inches. I gave up. But I muttered all the way to Kaede's cottage so that Kagome would be sure I didn't really want to come.

Some people were looking at me in a very suspicious way. I returned the favour and sat next to Miroku. Shippo was eating like a pig. His tiny hands were full of food and half of it was on his clothes. Miroku was eating a carrot.

" That cute girl over there. What do you think? " he said like he didn't talk about anything else than women. I didn't bother to look in the direction he was pointing at. There was a interesting looking pie on the table. The way I stared at it was enough prove to make someone think it was interesting. I knew Miroku was glancing at me.

" What about that girl near the dragon? " he suggested. This time I looked. I don't know why. I saw a red, dragon shaped decoration. I don't know what it was made of but it was pretty well made. Who used time to build something that would be taken off the very next day? Long sticks were holding it. It didn't actually have any legs.

And near the dragon was Kagome in her blue kimono. My face was hot again. I was hoping no-one would notice it in the light of the fire. Miroku did notice. And so did Kagome. I wasn't quick enough to turn my face away. I heard steps when she came to the table.

" Do you want to dance? " Kagome asked.

" Do you think I want to look like an idiot? " was my answer. She wasn't in the mood to give up.

" We can go somewhere else ", she said. She wasn't talking so loudly anymore. I hardly heard her from the noise. What should I answer? I hate all kind of dancing. I heard myself say 'fine'. Miroku poked me in the ribs with his elbow and took another carrot.

I followed Kagome. She lead me away from the village and celebrating people. It wasn't cold yet but I was shivering. When we were near the forest she stopped. The forest was dark but I forgot to be awared like usually. I could still hear the music and see the lights from the village.

I was trying hard to not to look at Kagome but I didn't seem to be able to find a good thing to focus my eyes on.

" You don't know any dances, do you? " Kagome asked. I had to look at her. I couldn't help it. The messy Kagome I knew was somewhere far away.

" Ugh, no. "

" I could teach you to dance waltz! " she said happily. I must have looked terrified. I looked terrified every time she brought up something from the world she knew. Especially when those things had ridiculous names.

" Wa-waltz? "

" Yeah, it's easy! Come here and I'll show you! "

Without waiting for me to answer she took my hands placing the first one to her waist and holding the second in her hand. She put her free hand on my shoulder. I blinked. I decided to keep my mouth shut this time. Or then I just had nothing to say.

Kagome was uncomfortably close to me. Somehow I couldn't concentrate when she tried to teach me to dance. It must have been the air. Maybe I had eaten something bad. Then I remembered I hadn't eaten anything for a while. If it was the rice Kagome too would have problems to concentrate, right?

Kagome looked happy though I didn't seem to learn the dancing steps. I had enough hard time trying not to stamp on her feet. My gaze was glued to our feet for long time. Finally Kagome stopped. Something turned inside me. Again. Did she look worried?

" Do you hear that? "

I felt like an idiot. Nowadays I feel like an idiot very often when I'm with Kagome. Then I heard it. Screams and... roaring? Now I even smelled it. I turned my gaze to the village and saw it. A demon. The same one we were after. Kertainty. It was already dangerously near the village.

" Kagome, let's go! " I shouted. She climbed to my back and I dashed towards the village. I was angry. To myself. Why hadn't I heard or smelled anything? I never lost my concentration the way I just did. Like I had been somewhere far away. I kicked myself mentally. Slapping wasn't enough good punishment.

Good thing we weren't far away. Miroku and Sango were taking people to a safe place. My work would be to deal with the demon as always. People were running around me and Kagome. They were in panic and Miroku and Sango couldn't calm them. No wonder. But why do they have to scream and run senselessly? This would go smoothly if everything was in control. People just can't be controlled. They don't understand their own good. Running and screaming only makes them tired which means they're easier to catch...

" Kagome. Go with Miroku and Sango! " I said as I drew Tetsusaiga. No answer. I turned. Kagome was staring back at me holding her bow. Not again...

" What are you doing now?! " I asked probably looking insane. Kagome was stubborn as always. She was still wearing her kimono.

" You can't tell me what to do! I'm gonna help you, you want it or not! " she answered. I was gritting my teeth. The demon had reached the first cottages. It stroke down a wooden cottage with only one swing of it's huge, sickle-shaped limb. It was really fast. How was I going to win that thing? I had already lost once.

" Do I have to carry you there?! " I asked turning back to Kagome who hadn't moved from her spot. I know she was scared. She was biting her lower lip and held her bow like it was going to vanish. Why wasn't she running away? Except if she was paralysed of fear...

The demon attacked us. I jumped just in time to get out of it's way. I landed on my feet. The demon was right in front of me. The night must have been the darkest I had ever seen. The lights weren't shining anymore. I couldn't see Kagome anywhere. It was quiet. The villains were gone. Where were Miroku and Sango when I needed them?

" Kagome! "

She didn't answer. I was starting to get nervous. The demon turned to me. It had something between it's teeth. And that something was wearing Kagome's blue kimono.

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N/A: You know, it's damn hard to write this from Inu-Yasha's point of view. You can't believe how much time I spend with his lines ^-^¿ Well, I can't change it now. I don't actually know how Inu-Yasha thinks so my Inu might be very different from yours.