Hiya. I'm back, and there's another time jump in the story. Hehe. Sorry
about all these random jumps; I have no better way to tie them in other
than a couple of chapters. I promise this is the next-to-last one. Hehe?
Yes, well, here are some review responses!
KougasMyMan-Cool, Kouga's your man! He IS pretty sexy, if you look at him in the right light. That gruffness can be a turn-on. Anyway...thank you for your appreciation! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
K.C. Whitestar-Well, thanks very much! I'm glad you think it's well done!
Now, here're some much needed legalities. I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA. THIS IS A DISCLAIMER. IF YOU STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS, LEARN IT. IT WILL HELP YOU ON YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION. ACTUALLY, I DON'T KNOW THAT. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM PUTTING THAT ON A JOB APPLICATION AS WELL.
Now...here's the fifth chapter of The Child Within! If you can tell me why I called it this BY THE END OF THE STORY (you can now if you're really desperate), you will win a metaphorical cookie. Not to mention my pride and surprise. Whoohoo.
The Child Within-Chapter Five
A long time had passed since the formation of the EHDC club, and Saru had grown big. He was now the equivalent of a 15-year-old, well on his way to being an adult. His biological growth had slowed down to a normal rate, and he looked more like his father than ever. His black hair had grown long, almost to the small of his back. His eyes had remained blue, although they now had small flecks of dull red. He also wore a deep, navy robe without any shoes. His mannerisms were purely his mothers, though. He walked around with an air of confidence and he smiled a lot. Apparently he was also a shameless flirt, as Inuyasha was learning.
"WOULD YOU HOLD STILL!" Inuyasha yelled, swiping his claws where Saru had just been. They were scrimmaging, and sadly enough Inuyasha was losing.
"Only long enough to collect dust, Inuyasha. Your swings are so slow I can't help but duck," he said, smiling and dodging around another thrust.
"Damn little whelp." He kicked out with a clawed foot and missed by a mile. "YOU ARE SUCH A LITTLE WHELP; YOU WON'T EVEN TAKE YOUR BEATING LIKE A DEMON!"
Saru smiled flirtatiously. "Why thank you, my love." He parried a fist then leaped back a few feet to laugh at a blustering Inuyasha.
"WHAT? I AM NOT YOUR LOVE! YOU ARE A SHAMELESS BASTARD!" He swung madly, not hitting any flesh at all.
Saru winked as he sweep-kicked Inuyasha at his ankles, knocking him down on his back. "Shameless?" He feigned hurt. "You cut me to the quick, my dear adversary." He side-stepped away from a claw meant for his foot. "And to think I was going to let you have a blow for free."
"I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMN CHARITY!" Inuyasha's eyes blazed as he swung his fists madly. He finally made contact, punching Saru in the jaw. A purple/red mark instantly came up as Saru went flying onto his back.
He jerked up into a sitting position, eyes flashing red. Growling gutturally, he stood stiffly and eyed Inuyasha. He cracked his fingers on one fist, prepping them.
"Saru?" Inuyasha had never seen Saru like this. It was as if he had gone feral; he was bristling and baring his fangs.
He blinked, blue eyes returning. "What," he asked, shrugging, "can't a guy take a blow and keep going?" He smiled and winked at Inuyasha, leaping into the air and landing in the branches of a pine.
Inuyasha looked a little confused and alarmed, which confused Saru. "Inuyasha? What's wrong with you?" He jumped down and studied his fellow club member. "Can't take a pummeling?"
Blinking, Inuyasha smiled hesitantly. "I can, but I just don't feel like fighting anymore." He walked out of the woods (they were on the fringe) and into the village square, Saru following soon after.
"All right. We can just sit and talk, I guess." They leaped up into a tree and perched on a huge branch, dangling their legs. "So...how've you and mom been getting along?" Inuyasha and Kagome had decided to stay together a few months after Sango and Miroku got married (when Saru was about 1), so Inuyasha was both a father-figure and a friend to Saru.
Inuyasha looked at him cock-eyed. Saru paused, thought about what he had said and grabbed his head, groaning. "Eww, I didn't mean like THAT! I meant how've you been?"
"Same as always, I suppose." He scratched his head. "Have you been having any luck with the ladies?" They shared a grin.
"Do you think that I would? I mean, the human women hate me cause I'm half- demon, and the demon women hate me because I'm half-human! I just have my own category!" He laughed hollowly, smiling not quite reaching his eyes.
Inuyasha looked at him. "I had the same problem as well. Then I met Ki- Kagome and my relationships turned around. I mean, I was pinned to the God Tree when she found me."
Saru looked at him and smiled slightly. Then his brow furrowed. "Why WERE you pinned to the God Tree, anyway?"
Inuyasha hesitated. "Um, I, uh, was, ahem, ergh." He trailed off and looked down to the ground. He just felt it would be for Saru's benefit not to mention Saru's father or his trickery. Why he included Kikyo in this category, he did not know.
Saru looked at him insistently. "Club rules, Inuyasha: you gotta tell any secret another club member wants to know as long as the latter member swears he won't tell." He paused. "I swear I won't tell."
Inuyasha looked peeved. "Look, it's not a secret, I just don't want to talk about it right now, so let it go."
"But what about club rules?"
"Let it go."
"You can't hide it from me forever." Saru drew up to his full (sitting) height, inflating his chest.
"LET IT GO." Inuyasha glared at the younger demon, suggesting with his frosty eyes that he should do as he says.
Saru blinked a few times then decided he was pushing too far. "Sorry 'bout that. I guess I shouldn't bother you after a sensitive subject." He smiled slightly. "But you can't blame be, you know? I'm just curious."
"Believe me, I know firsthand." Inuyasha stood on the bough. "Let's get down. I can hear the gang coming back from exorcising the neighboring village."
Saru stood as well. "Hey, I appreciate how you stayed behind with me rather than slay demons. Since Mom won't let me fight...."
With good reason, thought Inuyasha. Ever since that experience with Naraku, I can see why she'd want to keep you here. We still aren't too sure what that light was, but we've assumed that it's your "miko" powers, if you can possibly have any. "Do you ever remember obscure thing from your childhood?" he asked suddenly.
Saru wrinkled his face, thinking. "Hmm, well, can't say anything obscure. The first thing I can remember is Aunt Sango and Uncle Miroku's wedding. I got the best tasting cake." He smiled, relishing the memory. "It had great white frosting and-"
"Okay, okay, I don't want to hear the whole thing." Inuyasha hopped out of the tree, Saru following close behind.
Kagome looked up to the dull thuds coming from the high tree limbs. "Well, hello you two. Been having fun?" she said.
"Where're Miroku and Sango?" asked Inuyasha, crossing his arms.
Kagome looked at Saru, then back at Inuyasha. She raised her eyebrows meaningfully. "Oh," he said simply. He peered out onto a hill a distance away from the main village; sure enough, he could see them lying together on the very top. Nothing dirty was going on, but with the lecher at hand...it was only a matter of time.
Kagome reached forward and grabbed Inuyasha's hands. She began to swing them, making the dog demon smile. "What're you doing?"
She smiled as well. "Oh, just swinging your arms in and out, in and out, in and-"
She hunched over as Inuyasha launched a sudden tickle attack. Yelping and squirming, she danced and tried to get away, but the youkai overwhelmed her. She laughed and jogged around the village, Inuyasha following like a pup. They had gone young again, Saru decided. He shook his head. Just like pups.
Sighing, he sat down in the dirt. He could see his aunt and uncle off in the distance, and his mom and Inuyasha racing around. Great, he thought, everyone's paired off but me. I'm just born to be a loner. His spirit dropped at the thought. Even SHIPPO is having more luck with women; he eloped with some walrus demon when I was 8 months. Running his fingers through his hair, he stood up and traipsed to the fringe of the forest. Stupid hormones that make me feel the way I do, I guess. I never really noticed the pairings before.
He leaped up into the tree. Resting his back against its strong trunk, he stretched out his legs along the branch and looked at the scene below from his high vantage. Well, this is how it's always been, he thought. Just me. Whenever Inuyasha can't spare the time, it's just me and my sorry half demon butt. I have so many questions, but nobody wants to answer them. Who was my dad? How did Inuyasha get pinned to the God Tree? What's wrong inside of me?
He studied his dirty claws. Something is stirring...I can feel it. It's like something's trying to escape, but it's stuck. It's driving me nuts! He growled deep in his throat and clutched his head, catching his talons in his mane. And no one will tell me! WHY WILL NO ONE TELL ME? Sweat was beginning to bead on his face. It's not like I'm some kid who couldn't handle it; I have to know! I don't know anything anymore; not inside or out! He was growing frustrated the more he thought.
"Saru?" He could barely hear his mother's voice, his thoughts were so loud. He jerked back and looked down at his mother.
"What?" he asked, feeling himself tremor slightly.
"I'm going to go take a bath, okay?" She was clutching a baby pink towel, probably from her time. Funnily enough, the subject of Saru ever coming to her time had never been discussed. All Inuyasha had told him was that her family was "usually horribly busy" and "probably couldn't be bothered". He didn't believe him for a moment.
"That's fine, Mom. I'll go take one in a little while." He forced his best attempt at a smile. "Is Inuyasha coming with you?"
"I'm coming with you, whelp." Inuyasha walked up next to his mate, peering up at the fellow half demon. "We're taking one on the hill and she's taking one in the basin." The river had two sections: one was on the hill and the river casually flowed down into a shallow basin before moving on.
Saru smiled. Now maybe he could ask Inuyasha some questions he needed answers to without getting brushed off. "Sure." He leaped off the tree bough, landing gracefully. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saru always felt much better when he was clothed just in a towel. He always seemed to have a great weight lifted off, and then he would plunge into the shallow river that was so cold it stole his breath briefly. Once it reached the basin it had absorbed enough sunlight to be at least lukewarm.
"What are you, a fish?" Inuyasha eyed the younger demon funnily. Saru rolled his eyes and resubmerged. When he popped up, he splashed Inuyasha, laughing. "Oh, that's it, you're going down."
He yanked off Saru's towel, and Saru didn't seem to really care. Saru reciprocated and tore off Inuyasha's towel. The inu-youkai yelped and sank to chest level, glaring at the young troublemaker. "Give me back my towel and I'll give you back yours," said Saru.
They looked at each other, then at the towels. Simultaneously they put the towels back on. "Or we can switch," said Inuyasha.
"Yes we can," Saru said, trailing off. "Yes we can." He sat down on the bottom and gazed up at the light clouds drifting.
"You in a pensive mood?" Inuyasha looked at him curiously.
"A little, I guess." Saru looked at Inuyasha steadily. "Do you know who my dad was?"
"What brought this on?" Inuyasha sat down as well, getting settled into his fatherly mode.
"No one will tell me, and I figure I need to know."
"I see. Well, your father wasn't exactly a model member of any community save a demon one. He tricked me, Miroku and Sango into hurting people, and we were really mad. Still are, actually."
Saru raised an eyebrow in question. "Then why would Mom want to have me? If my dad hurt you guys, then why would she ever want to be with him? And where is he now?"
"Well, I'm not sure about either one. She had her way and said she wanted you, and if I knew where your father was I'd throttle him." His fists bunched and his chest muscles rippled as his eyes darkened.
Saru decided to leave that subject alone. I suppose they didn't like my dad, he thought. That would explain why they look at me with some fear and doubt. He looked at his hand, flipping it over again and again. I won't become my father, if that's what they're worried about.
Inuyasha felt a little remorse. He had just told a young teen about his murderer of a father, and a dark mood was settling in. Deciding to lighten it, Inuyasha said, "Hey, I have an idea. Let's play EHDC truth-or dare."
Saru slowly returned to the world. His eyes lost their vacant look and he smiled slyly as he realized what Inuyasha had said. "Only if I get to ask you first."
Inuyasha eyed the younger demon and decided to let him have his way. "Fine. I pick dare, since I'm not trusting you with any truth questions."
Saru glared, then rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine, then I dare you..." He grinned slowly and fiendishly, like he knew the greatest secret in the world and was tempting someone with it. He locked his eyes into Inuyasha's. "I dare you to go spy on Mom."
Inuyasha froze, face reddening. "That is not only sick, it's perverted. And it's your mother, and if you even think of something like that involving your mother is disturbing. That is just perverted, to see Kagome in just a towel." He paused, thinking. "I'll do it."
Saru laughed, eyes twinkling. "What? I thought you thought it was perverted...oh, I see. You WANNA look at Mom." Saru wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. He began to giggle like a schoolgirl, teasing Inuyasha slightly.
Inuyasha socked him slightly, just enough to tell him to stop acting loopy. "C'mon, I'll go through with it and you can wait here."
"Oh no, I wouldn't know if you actually did it. I'm coming with you."
"You WANT TO LOOK AT YOUR MOTHER?" Inuyasha blinked, and then began to grin devilishly and laugh heartily.
"Shut up, she'll hear you!" Saru whispered although he didn't need to. "I just want to make sure you follow through."
Inuyasha sighed and stood, angling himself so that he faced downhill. "You are going to get the worst anything I can think of AND a throttling once I do this. You will not get away with this." He stalked down the river's path, walking hesitantly yet expectantly, like a child going into a haunted house he'd heard about from his friends.
Chuckling, Saru followed stealthily as well. They were silent as they descended since they didn't want Kagome to hear them coming. They slid army- style so Kagome wouldn't see them as the river got shallower and then dropped off the cliff.
They could see her, a small, pale dot wrapped in a pink line. "There," whispered Inuyasha. "I did my dare. Now we can go back."
But Saru wasn't listening. His whole being was focused on the person in the basin below him. He could see her clearly as though he were looking through a zoomed-in camera lens, her raven hair playing over her sprightly frame, the pink towel clutching her chest and barely hiding the treasure beneath. She was so beautiful, and he could feel her aura radiating off her. He instantly decided this siren, this muse, was not his mother.
A mumbling began. It started slowly, but increased in speed. It was deep, commanding, precise and compelling. Saru could not help but listen to it. The voice began to spew words, growing so loud that he feared he might sink into the ground. "I want her," it told him. "She is my one." It kept saying that as brief glimpses of another woman flashed in his eyes and she was more beautiful than the woman below. She had her onyx hair pulled back in a low horsetail, wrapped in a cream tie. Two strands hung below her ears and gathered into the horsetail, like huge, beautiful earrings. Her eyes were a deep brown like molasses with a light as distant as the stars in the night sky. She had a commanding air about her, but her eyes told him she was sad and lonely. He felt an overwhelming desire to give her the company she so obviously longed for.
The flashes grew more rapid, fusing with the woman below. He felt himself groan lowly in his happiness. He wanted the women so horribly it was consuming him. He couldn't remember a time when he had not known their beauty and power and he longed for more of it. The voice came back to him, cajoling him and lending him back his reason. "You must allow me near her. Descend to my fallen seraph and give me bliss once more."
Saru felt his legs rise up and his spine straighten. He almost leaped off the shallow cliff for his will to be with the woman, but a force pulled his unwilling body back down. It shoved him into the sickening water coursing under him. "What are you DOING?" a rough voice hissed. It felt like that voice would split his eardrums, it was so horrible to hear. "She'll see you," it continued, keeping its gritty tone. It tugged him backward, away from his only bliss.
I WANT TO SEE HER! His mind screamed as he snarled at the groveling creature pulling him away. His eyes flashed blood. He bared his teeth and growled for all he knew. What right had this insignificant beast to tear him away from perfection?
"SARU!" the creature screamed, growing fuzzy ears on the top of his head as well as growing in size. He was becoming red. The haze suddenly lifted off of Saru and he felt cold on the inside. He was staring at Inuyasha, who had set him down on his back and was holding him down by pinning his shoulder. The older demon looked worried and confused. "What the hell were you doing?" He released Saru, although he still watched him warily.
Saru blinked. Something in the back of his mind came jumping forward, causing him to cringe in realization. "I-I don't know..." Saru said, looking distraught. "There was a voice telling me to go to-" Shocked, he continued, "my mom! Oh my Lord, that was my MOM!" He placed his hands on his face and looked bewildered. Tears were coming, but he refused to let them pass.
"Yes, Saru it was. You almost got us caught, not to mention leaped off a cliff (however small) and acting funny. What was wrong with you?" He eyed Saru like he was a snake thinking about biting.
"That's just it! I don't know! There was the voice telling me to go to my mom, and flashes of a woman who looked just like her, and-"
Inuyasha stiffened, eyes darkening. "She looked just like Kagome? Was her hair pulled back?"
"Yeah, it was. She had two little bang things that tied in as well and these weird, sorrowful brown eyes. She was commanding, but so defenseless that you wanted to keep her company."
Inuyasha balled his fists and his upper lip curled. His entire frame was shaking. And he was looking straight at Saru. "You swear you saw this?"
"Yes." Saru met his glare uncertainly from Inuyasha's sudden, unexplained rage.
Inuyasha's eyes flared and he launched his fists into the air, cursing a streak that would make a sailor bat his eyes in disbelief. He punched a nearby tree (much to the tree's dismay) until his arm shook from so much use.
"Inuyasha, is that you?" Kagome asked from below. Her voice echoed from below. "I can hear you all the way down here."
He continued, ignoring everything and everyone. When he finally stopped, his eyes were furious and lined with tears. "I hate the little bastard," he said. "I hate that damn little bastard, he makes everything so damn hard, and I swear I'll kill him." He looked at Saru sorrowfully. "I'm sorry you had to be affected, kid." He shook his head, and with an apologetic look he jumped down the small cliff. Saru could hear his mismatched parents talking. Presumably about him. He gazed at his familiar claws, now seeing their innocent exterior hiding something worming through him. What was happening to him? He was beginning to worry a lot more, now that he had felt this desire toward his own mother. Something was fighting him, and he believed that something was beginning to win.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, that's that. I had a whole lot of imagery about Kikyo and Kagome, I think. More than I put into the rest of the story at any rate.
KougasMyMan-Cool, Kouga's your man! He IS pretty sexy, if you look at him in the right light. That gruffness can be a turn-on. Anyway...thank you for your appreciation! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
K.C. Whitestar-Well, thanks very much! I'm glad you think it's well done!
Now, here're some much needed legalities. I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA. THIS IS A DISCLAIMER. IF YOU STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS, LEARN IT. IT WILL HELP YOU ON YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION. ACTUALLY, I DON'T KNOW THAT. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM PUTTING THAT ON A JOB APPLICATION AS WELL.
Now...here's the fifth chapter of The Child Within! If you can tell me why I called it this BY THE END OF THE STORY (you can now if you're really desperate), you will win a metaphorical cookie. Not to mention my pride and surprise. Whoohoo.
The Child Within-Chapter Five
A long time had passed since the formation of the EHDC club, and Saru had grown big. He was now the equivalent of a 15-year-old, well on his way to being an adult. His biological growth had slowed down to a normal rate, and he looked more like his father than ever. His black hair had grown long, almost to the small of his back. His eyes had remained blue, although they now had small flecks of dull red. He also wore a deep, navy robe without any shoes. His mannerisms were purely his mothers, though. He walked around with an air of confidence and he smiled a lot. Apparently he was also a shameless flirt, as Inuyasha was learning.
"WOULD YOU HOLD STILL!" Inuyasha yelled, swiping his claws where Saru had just been. They were scrimmaging, and sadly enough Inuyasha was losing.
"Only long enough to collect dust, Inuyasha. Your swings are so slow I can't help but duck," he said, smiling and dodging around another thrust.
"Damn little whelp." He kicked out with a clawed foot and missed by a mile. "YOU ARE SUCH A LITTLE WHELP; YOU WON'T EVEN TAKE YOUR BEATING LIKE A DEMON!"
Saru smiled flirtatiously. "Why thank you, my love." He parried a fist then leaped back a few feet to laugh at a blustering Inuyasha.
"WHAT? I AM NOT YOUR LOVE! YOU ARE A SHAMELESS BASTARD!" He swung madly, not hitting any flesh at all.
Saru winked as he sweep-kicked Inuyasha at his ankles, knocking him down on his back. "Shameless?" He feigned hurt. "You cut me to the quick, my dear adversary." He side-stepped away from a claw meant for his foot. "And to think I was going to let you have a blow for free."
"I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMN CHARITY!" Inuyasha's eyes blazed as he swung his fists madly. He finally made contact, punching Saru in the jaw. A purple/red mark instantly came up as Saru went flying onto his back.
He jerked up into a sitting position, eyes flashing red. Growling gutturally, he stood stiffly and eyed Inuyasha. He cracked his fingers on one fist, prepping them.
"Saru?" Inuyasha had never seen Saru like this. It was as if he had gone feral; he was bristling and baring his fangs.
He blinked, blue eyes returning. "What," he asked, shrugging, "can't a guy take a blow and keep going?" He smiled and winked at Inuyasha, leaping into the air and landing in the branches of a pine.
Inuyasha looked a little confused and alarmed, which confused Saru. "Inuyasha? What's wrong with you?" He jumped down and studied his fellow club member. "Can't take a pummeling?"
Blinking, Inuyasha smiled hesitantly. "I can, but I just don't feel like fighting anymore." He walked out of the woods (they were on the fringe) and into the village square, Saru following soon after.
"All right. We can just sit and talk, I guess." They leaped up into a tree and perched on a huge branch, dangling their legs. "So...how've you and mom been getting along?" Inuyasha and Kagome had decided to stay together a few months after Sango and Miroku got married (when Saru was about 1), so Inuyasha was both a father-figure and a friend to Saru.
Inuyasha looked at him cock-eyed. Saru paused, thought about what he had said and grabbed his head, groaning. "Eww, I didn't mean like THAT! I meant how've you been?"
"Same as always, I suppose." He scratched his head. "Have you been having any luck with the ladies?" They shared a grin.
"Do you think that I would? I mean, the human women hate me cause I'm half- demon, and the demon women hate me because I'm half-human! I just have my own category!" He laughed hollowly, smiling not quite reaching his eyes.
Inuyasha looked at him. "I had the same problem as well. Then I met Ki- Kagome and my relationships turned around. I mean, I was pinned to the God Tree when she found me."
Saru looked at him and smiled slightly. Then his brow furrowed. "Why WERE you pinned to the God Tree, anyway?"
Inuyasha hesitated. "Um, I, uh, was, ahem, ergh." He trailed off and looked down to the ground. He just felt it would be for Saru's benefit not to mention Saru's father or his trickery. Why he included Kikyo in this category, he did not know.
Saru looked at him insistently. "Club rules, Inuyasha: you gotta tell any secret another club member wants to know as long as the latter member swears he won't tell." He paused. "I swear I won't tell."
Inuyasha looked peeved. "Look, it's not a secret, I just don't want to talk about it right now, so let it go."
"But what about club rules?"
"Let it go."
"You can't hide it from me forever." Saru drew up to his full (sitting) height, inflating his chest.
"LET IT GO." Inuyasha glared at the younger demon, suggesting with his frosty eyes that he should do as he says.
Saru blinked a few times then decided he was pushing too far. "Sorry 'bout that. I guess I shouldn't bother you after a sensitive subject." He smiled slightly. "But you can't blame be, you know? I'm just curious."
"Believe me, I know firsthand." Inuyasha stood on the bough. "Let's get down. I can hear the gang coming back from exorcising the neighboring village."
Saru stood as well. "Hey, I appreciate how you stayed behind with me rather than slay demons. Since Mom won't let me fight...."
With good reason, thought Inuyasha. Ever since that experience with Naraku, I can see why she'd want to keep you here. We still aren't too sure what that light was, but we've assumed that it's your "miko" powers, if you can possibly have any. "Do you ever remember obscure thing from your childhood?" he asked suddenly.
Saru wrinkled his face, thinking. "Hmm, well, can't say anything obscure. The first thing I can remember is Aunt Sango and Uncle Miroku's wedding. I got the best tasting cake." He smiled, relishing the memory. "It had great white frosting and-"
"Okay, okay, I don't want to hear the whole thing." Inuyasha hopped out of the tree, Saru following close behind.
Kagome looked up to the dull thuds coming from the high tree limbs. "Well, hello you two. Been having fun?" she said.
"Where're Miroku and Sango?" asked Inuyasha, crossing his arms.
Kagome looked at Saru, then back at Inuyasha. She raised her eyebrows meaningfully. "Oh," he said simply. He peered out onto a hill a distance away from the main village; sure enough, he could see them lying together on the very top. Nothing dirty was going on, but with the lecher at hand...it was only a matter of time.
Kagome reached forward and grabbed Inuyasha's hands. She began to swing them, making the dog demon smile. "What're you doing?"
She smiled as well. "Oh, just swinging your arms in and out, in and out, in and-"
She hunched over as Inuyasha launched a sudden tickle attack. Yelping and squirming, she danced and tried to get away, but the youkai overwhelmed her. She laughed and jogged around the village, Inuyasha following like a pup. They had gone young again, Saru decided. He shook his head. Just like pups.
Sighing, he sat down in the dirt. He could see his aunt and uncle off in the distance, and his mom and Inuyasha racing around. Great, he thought, everyone's paired off but me. I'm just born to be a loner. His spirit dropped at the thought. Even SHIPPO is having more luck with women; he eloped with some walrus demon when I was 8 months. Running his fingers through his hair, he stood up and traipsed to the fringe of the forest. Stupid hormones that make me feel the way I do, I guess. I never really noticed the pairings before.
He leaped up into the tree. Resting his back against its strong trunk, he stretched out his legs along the branch and looked at the scene below from his high vantage. Well, this is how it's always been, he thought. Just me. Whenever Inuyasha can't spare the time, it's just me and my sorry half demon butt. I have so many questions, but nobody wants to answer them. Who was my dad? How did Inuyasha get pinned to the God Tree? What's wrong inside of me?
He studied his dirty claws. Something is stirring...I can feel it. It's like something's trying to escape, but it's stuck. It's driving me nuts! He growled deep in his throat and clutched his head, catching his talons in his mane. And no one will tell me! WHY WILL NO ONE TELL ME? Sweat was beginning to bead on his face. It's not like I'm some kid who couldn't handle it; I have to know! I don't know anything anymore; not inside or out! He was growing frustrated the more he thought.
"Saru?" He could barely hear his mother's voice, his thoughts were so loud. He jerked back and looked down at his mother.
"What?" he asked, feeling himself tremor slightly.
"I'm going to go take a bath, okay?" She was clutching a baby pink towel, probably from her time. Funnily enough, the subject of Saru ever coming to her time had never been discussed. All Inuyasha had told him was that her family was "usually horribly busy" and "probably couldn't be bothered". He didn't believe him for a moment.
"That's fine, Mom. I'll go take one in a little while." He forced his best attempt at a smile. "Is Inuyasha coming with you?"
"I'm coming with you, whelp." Inuyasha walked up next to his mate, peering up at the fellow half demon. "We're taking one on the hill and she's taking one in the basin." The river had two sections: one was on the hill and the river casually flowed down into a shallow basin before moving on.
Saru smiled. Now maybe he could ask Inuyasha some questions he needed answers to without getting brushed off. "Sure." He leaped off the tree bough, landing gracefully. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Saru always felt much better when he was clothed just in a towel. He always seemed to have a great weight lifted off, and then he would plunge into the shallow river that was so cold it stole his breath briefly. Once it reached the basin it had absorbed enough sunlight to be at least lukewarm.
"What are you, a fish?" Inuyasha eyed the younger demon funnily. Saru rolled his eyes and resubmerged. When he popped up, he splashed Inuyasha, laughing. "Oh, that's it, you're going down."
He yanked off Saru's towel, and Saru didn't seem to really care. Saru reciprocated and tore off Inuyasha's towel. The inu-youkai yelped and sank to chest level, glaring at the young troublemaker. "Give me back my towel and I'll give you back yours," said Saru.
They looked at each other, then at the towels. Simultaneously they put the towels back on. "Or we can switch," said Inuyasha.
"Yes we can," Saru said, trailing off. "Yes we can." He sat down on the bottom and gazed up at the light clouds drifting.
"You in a pensive mood?" Inuyasha looked at him curiously.
"A little, I guess." Saru looked at Inuyasha steadily. "Do you know who my dad was?"
"What brought this on?" Inuyasha sat down as well, getting settled into his fatherly mode.
"No one will tell me, and I figure I need to know."
"I see. Well, your father wasn't exactly a model member of any community save a demon one. He tricked me, Miroku and Sango into hurting people, and we were really mad. Still are, actually."
Saru raised an eyebrow in question. "Then why would Mom want to have me? If my dad hurt you guys, then why would she ever want to be with him? And where is he now?"
"Well, I'm not sure about either one. She had her way and said she wanted you, and if I knew where your father was I'd throttle him." His fists bunched and his chest muscles rippled as his eyes darkened.
Saru decided to leave that subject alone. I suppose they didn't like my dad, he thought. That would explain why they look at me with some fear and doubt. He looked at his hand, flipping it over again and again. I won't become my father, if that's what they're worried about.
Inuyasha felt a little remorse. He had just told a young teen about his murderer of a father, and a dark mood was settling in. Deciding to lighten it, Inuyasha said, "Hey, I have an idea. Let's play EHDC truth-or dare."
Saru slowly returned to the world. His eyes lost their vacant look and he smiled slyly as he realized what Inuyasha had said. "Only if I get to ask you first."
Inuyasha eyed the younger demon and decided to let him have his way. "Fine. I pick dare, since I'm not trusting you with any truth questions."
Saru glared, then rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine, then I dare you..." He grinned slowly and fiendishly, like he knew the greatest secret in the world and was tempting someone with it. He locked his eyes into Inuyasha's. "I dare you to go spy on Mom."
Inuyasha froze, face reddening. "That is not only sick, it's perverted. And it's your mother, and if you even think of something like that involving your mother is disturbing. That is just perverted, to see Kagome in just a towel." He paused, thinking. "I'll do it."
Saru laughed, eyes twinkling. "What? I thought you thought it was perverted...oh, I see. You WANNA look at Mom." Saru wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. He began to giggle like a schoolgirl, teasing Inuyasha slightly.
Inuyasha socked him slightly, just enough to tell him to stop acting loopy. "C'mon, I'll go through with it and you can wait here."
"Oh no, I wouldn't know if you actually did it. I'm coming with you."
"You WANT TO LOOK AT YOUR MOTHER?" Inuyasha blinked, and then began to grin devilishly and laugh heartily.
"Shut up, she'll hear you!" Saru whispered although he didn't need to. "I just want to make sure you follow through."
Inuyasha sighed and stood, angling himself so that he faced downhill. "You are going to get the worst anything I can think of AND a throttling once I do this. You will not get away with this." He stalked down the river's path, walking hesitantly yet expectantly, like a child going into a haunted house he'd heard about from his friends.
Chuckling, Saru followed stealthily as well. They were silent as they descended since they didn't want Kagome to hear them coming. They slid army- style so Kagome wouldn't see them as the river got shallower and then dropped off the cliff.
They could see her, a small, pale dot wrapped in a pink line. "There," whispered Inuyasha. "I did my dare. Now we can go back."
But Saru wasn't listening. His whole being was focused on the person in the basin below him. He could see her clearly as though he were looking through a zoomed-in camera lens, her raven hair playing over her sprightly frame, the pink towel clutching her chest and barely hiding the treasure beneath. She was so beautiful, and he could feel her aura radiating off her. He instantly decided this siren, this muse, was not his mother.
A mumbling began. It started slowly, but increased in speed. It was deep, commanding, precise and compelling. Saru could not help but listen to it. The voice began to spew words, growing so loud that he feared he might sink into the ground. "I want her," it told him. "She is my one." It kept saying that as brief glimpses of another woman flashed in his eyes and she was more beautiful than the woman below. She had her onyx hair pulled back in a low horsetail, wrapped in a cream tie. Two strands hung below her ears and gathered into the horsetail, like huge, beautiful earrings. Her eyes were a deep brown like molasses with a light as distant as the stars in the night sky. She had a commanding air about her, but her eyes told him she was sad and lonely. He felt an overwhelming desire to give her the company she so obviously longed for.
The flashes grew more rapid, fusing with the woman below. He felt himself groan lowly in his happiness. He wanted the women so horribly it was consuming him. He couldn't remember a time when he had not known their beauty and power and he longed for more of it. The voice came back to him, cajoling him and lending him back his reason. "You must allow me near her. Descend to my fallen seraph and give me bliss once more."
Saru felt his legs rise up and his spine straighten. He almost leaped off the shallow cliff for his will to be with the woman, but a force pulled his unwilling body back down. It shoved him into the sickening water coursing under him. "What are you DOING?" a rough voice hissed. It felt like that voice would split his eardrums, it was so horrible to hear. "She'll see you," it continued, keeping its gritty tone. It tugged him backward, away from his only bliss.
I WANT TO SEE HER! His mind screamed as he snarled at the groveling creature pulling him away. His eyes flashed blood. He bared his teeth and growled for all he knew. What right had this insignificant beast to tear him away from perfection?
"SARU!" the creature screamed, growing fuzzy ears on the top of his head as well as growing in size. He was becoming red. The haze suddenly lifted off of Saru and he felt cold on the inside. He was staring at Inuyasha, who had set him down on his back and was holding him down by pinning his shoulder. The older demon looked worried and confused. "What the hell were you doing?" He released Saru, although he still watched him warily.
Saru blinked. Something in the back of his mind came jumping forward, causing him to cringe in realization. "I-I don't know..." Saru said, looking distraught. "There was a voice telling me to go to-" Shocked, he continued, "my mom! Oh my Lord, that was my MOM!" He placed his hands on his face and looked bewildered. Tears were coming, but he refused to let them pass.
"Yes, Saru it was. You almost got us caught, not to mention leaped off a cliff (however small) and acting funny. What was wrong with you?" He eyed Saru like he was a snake thinking about biting.
"That's just it! I don't know! There was the voice telling me to go to my mom, and flashes of a woman who looked just like her, and-"
Inuyasha stiffened, eyes darkening. "She looked just like Kagome? Was her hair pulled back?"
"Yeah, it was. She had two little bang things that tied in as well and these weird, sorrowful brown eyes. She was commanding, but so defenseless that you wanted to keep her company."
Inuyasha balled his fists and his upper lip curled. His entire frame was shaking. And he was looking straight at Saru. "You swear you saw this?"
"Yes." Saru met his glare uncertainly from Inuyasha's sudden, unexplained rage.
Inuyasha's eyes flared and he launched his fists into the air, cursing a streak that would make a sailor bat his eyes in disbelief. He punched a nearby tree (much to the tree's dismay) until his arm shook from so much use.
"Inuyasha, is that you?" Kagome asked from below. Her voice echoed from below. "I can hear you all the way down here."
He continued, ignoring everything and everyone. When he finally stopped, his eyes were furious and lined with tears. "I hate the little bastard," he said. "I hate that damn little bastard, he makes everything so damn hard, and I swear I'll kill him." He looked at Saru sorrowfully. "I'm sorry you had to be affected, kid." He shook his head, and with an apologetic look he jumped down the small cliff. Saru could hear his mismatched parents talking. Presumably about him. He gazed at his familiar claws, now seeing their innocent exterior hiding something worming through him. What was happening to him? He was beginning to worry a lot more, now that he had felt this desire toward his own mother. Something was fighting him, and he believed that something was beginning to win.
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Well, that's that. I had a whole lot of imagery about Kikyo and Kagome, I think. More than I put into the rest of the story at any rate.