A/N: Hi all here is chapter two. It was suppose to have been out tuesday but I have been busy with my six year old, she got a stomach virus so everything got put on hold. (Even Captive Soul)
I feel I must address this chapter and give a small warning for language. There are a few light cuss words in this chapter. I try not to put bad language in my PG-13 work but I don't think it could be helped considering the time and place. So be forewarned. Some bad language ahead.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters.
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Chapter two: Encounter, and Home?
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Early morning light along with a slight chill roused Liana from sleep. She opened her eyes to see the dying embers of the fire she had made the night before. Looking down, she found Maru sleeping soundly, his little nose buried within her clothes. He had rooted some during the night. With a gentle smile, she smoothed a fingertip over his soft cheek. "We must go on, little one."
Liana stood, grimacing as her muscles groaned at the motion. The inner bark of the old tree had not been kind. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the dew ridden air, holding her bundle closer while wrapping him tighter.
Damp sand cushioned her bare feet as she started down the path. The sunrise finally brought full warming light, drying the dew and brightening the multicolored leaves that wavered in the delicate morning breeze. Soon, the now-dusty path narrowed as the trees closed in on both sides. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She stopped, looking ahead. Maru squirmed but made no sound then stilled completely. Liana looked down into bright green eyes that were peering up at her, watching intently, almost as if they were trying to tell her something.
An echoing crunch grabbed her attention, making her look up.
She froze.
There, in the middle of the pathway, several paces ahead, stood a very tall dark-haired wolf youkai with his arms crossed. A feral grin lit his strikingly boyish features as he uncrossed his arms and began walking toward her.
Liana backed up a step.
His low growl grated before forming words. "Do not move, human."
She swallowed down her panic, willing herself not to run. Running always provoked hunting youkai, excited them. If she fled, he would chase her in a heartbeat.
The wolf stopped only two paces away. Bright blue eyes glanced at the bundle in her arms. "You are an inu youkai's bitch." It seemed more of a statement than a question.
Not knowing what answer to give, she remained silent.
The feral grin fell to confusion. "Do you not speak, human?"
Liana nodded. "I can speak."
He raised one clawed hand, reaching for the bundle in her arms.
Gripping her baby tighter, Liana shook her head. "Please, do not hurt him. If you spare him, I will give myself to you without a fight."
His short laugh rasped the air. "I do no bargains with humans."
Then to her worried dismay, he pushed back the tuft of fur.
For several moments, he studied her child before lowering his hand.
He backed up a step. "You are headed for the human village to the north?"
Liana nodded, knowing he could smell it if she lied.
The wolf youkai's gaze turned hard. "You and your mutt will not make it past this mountain alive. There are birds of prey hunting up ahead." He peered past her, down the path from wence she came. "You come from the south, from the Southern Lands?"
"Yes, I did."
His dark brows furrowed in solemn thought. "You are....from the Death Lands.... No youkai come back...from those lands..."
Slowly, his attention fell back to the bundle in her arms. "But this...hanyou... has..."
The wolf's features lightened some as he backed up a few more paces. "I have much respect for youkai or hanyou that survives the Death Lands."
He turned, his long black hair flipping with the movement while he pointed to a not so worn pathway branching off from the one she was on. "Follow the veiled path. It goes around their hunting grounds."
With a quick glance back, he winked. "Be wary, human."
In a blink, he was gone, a sprint of a run that rushed into a whirlwind, disappearing in the direction she had intended to go.
Liana observed the much darker trail. It seemed more like a hole carved into the underbrush than a traveler's path.
She looked down at Maru, hoping for a sign as to which direction she should take but instead found him yawning.
Shaking her head at the absurd notion, Liana took the dark pathway. If the wolf youkai had meant them harm, he would have eaten them.
Liana followed the shadowed trail for most of the day until it once again met up with the lightened dusty pathway she had been on previously.
Sighing in relief, she traveled on.
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Over the next three days Liana stuck to the powdery path. Over hills and through the underbrush she trekked, stopping at times for food and at night to light a fire and rest. Fortune smiled on her for she had found fish in small streams and an abundance of nuts, late summer berries, and mushrooms within the forest.
By the end of the forth day, her journey came to a halt near the top of a steep hillside. Sunlight warmed her shoulders and back as she peered down into a green valley. Large square fields of crops stretched along the sloping hillsides, tapering off to vast square rice flats that surrounded what appeared to be a small human village. Wisps of smoke curled up from some of the thatched roofs. Beyond the village, a somewhat foreboding expanse of thick forest reached to the horizon.
With a hopeful sigh, she began walking down the hillside.
It did not take her long until she found herself standing at the door of the first wooden hut. Biting her lower lip, Liana silently prayed this village would accept her. Maybe they would give her a small hut or place to stay for work.
Liana pulled her long brown hair to drape over her left shoulder, effectively covering her baby's face from view.
After making sure he was hidden, she rapped on the hanging mat.
Some moments later, a hand pushed the mat aside. A man emerged, one with a partially shaved forehead, black hair and cold eyes. "What is it, girl?"
Swallowing, Liana bowed low and stepped back, keeping her eyes downcast. "Greetings, May perchance I speak with the village elder?"
"That be I. My name be Kenkoe."
Liana fell to one knee, blatantly bowing lower in respect. "Oh, high village leader, I am a distant traveler and have no home. I humbly ask for a place to stay in trade for work. I know how to cook, clean, and sew garments."
The man stepped forward. "Rise, girl."
She stood while staring at the tips of his sandals.
"Look up, girl."
Liana looked up to the man who had come within a pace of her.
Dark brown eyes studied her face before falling to the bundle in her arms. "You have an infant?"
Betraying no emotion, she gave a nod.
"Is it yours?"
"Yes, I birthed my baby six days ago."
Kenkoe leaned forward, looming over her, reaching a large tanned hand out to her baby. She wanted so much to step away but remained still, quiet, and calm. Callused fingers lightly moved her hair aside.
A scowl darkened his weathered features. "A hanyou."
His glare of contempt hardened on her. "You be a youkai's wench. What makes you think we want your kind of filth here?"
Liana backed up from the man, her heart sinking as fear took root. She did not like the look in this man's eyes. Just as she was about to bow and leave, another man walked up to stand beside Kenkoe.
The younger male motioned to her with his chin. "Who be this, Kenkoe-sama?"
Kenkoe blatantly pointed at her. "This youkai's mate along with her mutt has desecrated the soil of our village with her tainted presence."
The new comer raised a dark brow. "This be a youkai's mate? This human girl?"
Shaking her head, Liana backed up another step, holding her baby tighter. "I mean you no disrespect. I only asked for a place to stay and work to earn my keep."
The village leader shook his head. "You are not welcome here, girl, not with that hanyou bastard in your arms. Do away with the filthy half-breed demon and you may stay."
Swallowing hard, Liana backed up again, warily watching the two males while bowing slightly. "Forgive my trespassing into your village. I will be leaving now."
With that, Liana turned to go but halted in her tracks. A small group of villagers had gathered up behind her.
Several of the males glared darkly while most of the females stared in disgust. Some of the villagers were bending down and picking up rocks.
Liana quickly glanced to either side. Seeing an opening to her right, she bolted down the dirt roadway that led through the village and into the shadowy forest.
Heavy footfalls along with angry shouts chased her. Something heavy hit her shoulder. Grimacing at the sharp pain, she ran on, desperately trying to shield her child from the rocks, sticks, and dirt clods that were raining all around. Finally, she ducked into the underbrush of the thick forest. Breath burned in her chest and sharp briars tore at her ankles as she darted back and forth between the thick trees, leaving the angered villagers behind.
Staying in the thickness of the underbrush, Liana kept close to the dirt pathway within the shadowy wood. She stumbled once on a root, falling to one knee. She grunted at the impact. The sprint had taken its toll on her already weary muscles. Breathing hard, she bowed her head, fully kneeling on the cool moss. Thankfully, the violent shouts faded.
When she was sure the villagers had given up their desire to stone her to death, Liana stood. Wearily, she stepped onto the dirt pathway that led deeper into the forest. Spying a large maple tree, she staggered to it then sat down on its grassy base.
While catching her breath, she looked down at Maru. He was sleeping. Liana humphed with a small smile. "My little quiet one. I do believe you could sleep through a thunder storm."
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Good place to stop. Hope all who read enjoyed.
Review responses: This was my first chap of Liana and Maru's story and I am so happy to have such a great response! Thank you so so so much for the reviews! Huggles, Ras.
Wakadori Ramen: I am thinking about 10 to 15 chaps for this little history of Sess's son. Kudos for being my first reviewer. ^_^
Hentai Jane: Thanks Laura. ^_-
Klara: wow, both places,huh. Hope you enjoyed this chap.
Galandria the vampire queen: I am trying my best but stuff just keeps happening (life) *sigh*
evil squeede: Yea, you are right as you can see in this chapter. I don't intend on him meeting his father until the present time. ^_-
Athar Luna: Yea, he will grow a little faster than a human but when he turns a teen he will slow down to a crawl, like Inuyasha.
Madame Arrow Foxfire: Well, I had to show a little of Liana's hardships to begin with. this fic will time jump.
Yume no Zencho: he will be in his mid to late twenties in the present.
And to everyone else who reviewed. Big thank yous!
Mistress Rin Rin
Candy
Tiranth
FluffyBinjin05
Wethril
Nightmares-Hell
BlackShadow1388
