Art In Death
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and the plot of this story was inspired by this story I once read.
Chapter Four: Merry Meet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ferry was heading east for the Island Of Four Souls. Inuyasha stood at the starboard rail as he had once before as a ten-year-old boy. It wasn't the same ferry and he was no longer a boy, but he wanted to re- create the moment as close as possible.
It was cool with the breeze of the water; the scent of it was mysterious as it has been years before.
The sight was close enough, comparing to how he, his parents, and older brother had crowded together at the starboard rail of another ferry, eager for their first glimpse of Four Souls and the start of their summer vacation years before.
There was little difference to how the island looked, he remembered how his mother had laughed, how excited as his father was, and how a faint smile can be seen on the lips of his brother Sesshomaru's usual emotionless face.
Now, he was the only one left. Turning his attention back to the island, he could see a glimpse of white, where Shikon stood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Inuyasha drove off the ferry, he remembered how he had traveled the same road before. The only difference was that he was now a successful architect, and a man with a purpose. He was returning to Shikon.
Would the children of Mrs. Higurashi remember him?
He would soon find out.
The sun dimmed as cloud rolled over it, rain will soon come. Inuyasha remember how it was like before, when the rain falls for three endless days. How he and Sesshomaru had been at each other's throat like young wolves by the second. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inuyasha drove along the muddy road as he headed for Shikon. Slowly, he entered the lush and exotic forest of the island.
The shadows were thick and the air was misty. Determined to test himself, Inuyasha turned off the engine and listened to nothing but his heartbeat and the voices of the wind.
He let out a long breath and turned the ignition key but only got a small rumble in return. Annoyed, he pumped the gas, only to get the same result.
"Great," he muttered. "Just great."
Sitting back, he tapped his finger endlessly on the wheel. The thing to do was of course getting out and takes a look under the hood. He knew what he would see, an engine, wires, tubes, and belts. He knows nothing more about fixing a car than he knows about a brain surgery. To be broken down in the middle of a deserted road in a forest was exactly what he deserved for letting himself being talked into buying a second-hand car from a friend.
Reluctantly, he climbed out and popped the hood. As he suspected, there was an engine and as he reached out to touch it, he felt the first drop of rain hit his back.
"Just what I needed." Inuyasha scowled as he kept on staring at the engine.
He should have known that something was up when his friend had cheerfully tossed in a box of tools along with the car. Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to beat the car up until it is willing to start. It would be unlikely to succeed, but at least it would be satisfying.
He stepped back, ready to give the car the first kick, but stopped as a ghostly figure stepped out of the forest shadows and watched him.
Mrs. Higurashi.
The name swam through his mind and his hand clutched in defense. She stood in the rain, her raven hair damp and tangled, those big brown eyes quiet and sad. His knees threatened to give away as he braced himself onto the door.
Then she moved, pushed back her wet hair and started toward him. He saw then that it was no ghost, but a woman. It was not Mrs. Higurashi, but he was sure that it was her daughter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Car trouble?" Kagome questioned while trying to keep her voice light. The way he was staring at her made her wish that he had stayed in the trees and let him deal with it himself.
"Yes." It pleased him that his voice was normal. "It won't start."
"Well, that is a problem." He looked familiar. A good face, strong and male framed by his long silver hair. Interesting eyes as well, golden and very direct. "Did you find the trouble?"
"I found the engine," he said and smiled. "Just where I suspected it would be."
"And now?"
"I have been deciding to how long I should look at it and pretend I know what I'm looking at before I get back in and out of the rain."
"You don't know how to fix your car?" Kagome asked in surprise.
"No, I don't know how." He started to yank down the hood but she raised a hand to hold it open.
"I'll take a look."
"What are you? A mechanic?"
"No, but I at least know the basics." Elbowing him aside, she checked the battery connections first. "These look all right, but if you are going to spend any time on Four Souls, then you better keep an eye on them for corrosion."
"I'll be here for about six month." He leaned in with her. "What am I supposed to keep my eye on?"
"These," Kagome pointed. "Moisture can rust engines around here. Can you move over a bit, you're crowding me."
"Sorry." He shifted his position. Obviously she didn't remember him, so he decided to pretend that he didn't remember her either. "You live on the island?"
"Depends on how you look at it." To keep her camera from bumping against the car, Kagome moved the camera to her back.
Inuyasha stared at it, it was a high-end Nikon. Compact and quiet, it was often a professional's choice. His father had one, he had one himself.
"Been out taking pictures?"
"Not in the rain." Kagome answered absently. "Your fan belt is going to be need to be replace, but that's not your problem now." She straightened up and turned to Inuyasha. "Get in and try it so I can hear what it sound like."
"You're the boss."
She cocked her head as the engine groaned; Kagome leaned back under the hood. "The carburetor." She muttered to herself.
"What!"
"The carburetor," she repeated and opened the little metal door with her thumb. "Try again."
This time, the engine roared to life. With a satisfied nod, she shut the hood and walked around to the driver's side window. "It was stuck, that's all. You're going to want to have it looked at. When was the last time you had a tune up?"
"I just bought this from a friend few weeks ago."
"That's always a mistake, never buy a car from a friend. That's my advice. Well, it should get you to where you want to go now."
Kagome started to step back, but he reached through the window and grabbed her hand. Inuyasha noticed just how narrow it is, and how elegant it is.
"Let me give you a lift. It's pouring out here. It's the least I can do."
"That's not necessary, I can..."
"I could break down again. Who's going to help me if you're not there?" Inuyasha shot her a smile, charming and easy.
It was foolish to refuse, and it is even more foolish to feel trapped just because he had her hand.
"All right...I guess." Kagome gave her hand a little tug and was relieved that he hand released it. She walked around the car and climbed into the passenger seat.
"So where to?" Asked Inuyasha.
"Shikon, just up this road and turn right at the first fork. It isn't far, then again nothing is on Four Souls."
"That's good, I'm heading to Shikon myself."
"Oh, are you staying at the main house?"
"No, I'm just getting the keys for the cottage that I have rented for six month."
"For six month? Well, that is a long vacation." Kagome turned to look at the scenery. "I brought work with me. I just want some peace and quiet that's all."
"Okay, so you're the man who's renting the Little Soul Cottage by the river."
"How do you know?" Inuyasha questioned.
"Everybody knows everything on Four Souls. It just happened to that I was assigned to stack linens for someone that is staying for six month."
"So you are my mechanic and housekeeper. If I want a couple of steaks, chill a bottle of wine, and invite you to dinner, who should I call?"
Kagome turned her head and gave him a cool look. "You'd have better luck with my twin sister, her name is Kikyo."
"Why?"
"Let's just say that I'm more selective than Kikyo."
"Ouch." Inuyasha rubbed a hand over his heart. "Direct hit."
"Just saving us both some time. There's Shikon..." She muttered.
Inuyasha stared at the house and was stunned by its femininity and elegance.
"Wow, the texture is perfect. Adding on to its original design and style, it suits this place perfectly." Inuyasha said to himself, but stopped when he noticed that Kagome was staring at him. For the first time, her eyes contain curiosity.
"I'm an architect," he explained.
"Well, this house was built by my great-great-grandfather. It has been passed down my family ever since." Kagome offered.
"Incredible," with his hands in his back pocket, Inuyasha turned to face Kagome. "A hell of a place to live."
"Well..." Her voice was dry, and somewhat in between there was a bit of bitterness. "We'll register in the front hall." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the front hall, Kagome went through the files and finally find the one containing the Little Soul Cottage.
"Hah," she announced, sliding the paper free.
There it was, the receipt of the deposit and the contract that was signed by both Sota and Inuyasha. Kagome opened another drawer and took out the keys that hang with the cottage's name and another file.
"Here you go. You'll find the usual information in this folder. The ferry schedule. Tide information, how to rent fishing and boating gears if you need it. There is also a pamphlet that describes the island...why are you staring at me like that?" Kagome demanded.
"Because you have gorgeous eyes. It's hard not to look at them."
Kagome shoved the folder into his hands. "You would be better off reading what's in here."
"All right." Said Inuyasha. "Are you usually this nervous or do I bring it out in you?"
"I'm not nervous, I'm impatient. Not all of us are on vacation you know. Do you have any question, questions that relate to the cottage or island?" Kagome replied.
"We'll see."
"Directions to your cottage are in the folder, now you can be on your way." Kagome declared.
The more she talked, the more he enjoyed hearing her voice. And those eyes, oh, those lovely brown eyes.
"Do you like picnics?" Inuyasha asked.
"What?"
"It is a simple question. Do you like picnics?" Inuyasha repeated.
Kagome signed, "You're wasting your time Mr. Inuyasha, I'm not interested."
"Well, at least tell me your name."
"It's Kagome, Kagome Higurashi." She answered tiredly. "Hope you enjoy your stay on Four Souls."
"I will, it's already proven to be better than I expected." Inuyasha smiled.
"Then your expectations must be really low." Kagome turned to look out the window. "The rain had stopped now, you'll have no trouble finding the cottage."
"No," he remembered the way perfectly. "But I'm sure that I'll see you again Kagome."
For a number of reasons, he will have to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another chapter.
I need some reviews.
I need some ideas.
I need some of everything!
Help!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and the plot of this story was inspired by this story I once read.
Chapter Four: Merry Meet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ferry was heading east for the Island Of Four Souls. Inuyasha stood at the starboard rail as he had once before as a ten-year-old boy. It wasn't the same ferry and he was no longer a boy, but he wanted to re- create the moment as close as possible.
It was cool with the breeze of the water; the scent of it was mysterious as it has been years before.
The sight was close enough, comparing to how he, his parents, and older brother had crowded together at the starboard rail of another ferry, eager for their first glimpse of Four Souls and the start of their summer vacation years before.
There was little difference to how the island looked, he remembered how his mother had laughed, how excited as his father was, and how a faint smile can be seen on the lips of his brother Sesshomaru's usual emotionless face.
Now, he was the only one left. Turning his attention back to the island, he could see a glimpse of white, where Shikon stood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Inuyasha drove off the ferry, he remembered how he had traveled the same road before. The only difference was that he was now a successful architect, and a man with a purpose. He was returning to Shikon.
Would the children of Mrs. Higurashi remember him?
He would soon find out.
The sun dimmed as cloud rolled over it, rain will soon come. Inuyasha remember how it was like before, when the rain falls for three endless days. How he and Sesshomaru had been at each other's throat like young wolves by the second. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inuyasha drove along the muddy road as he headed for Shikon. Slowly, he entered the lush and exotic forest of the island.
The shadows were thick and the air was misty. Determined to test himself, Inuyasha turned off the engine and listened to nothing but his heartbeat and the voices of the wind.
He let out a long breath and turned the ignition key but only got a small rumble in return. Annoyed, he pumped the gas, only to get the same result.
"Great," he muttered. "Just great."
Sitting back, he tapped his finger endlessly on the wheel. The thing to do was of course getting out and takes a look under the hood. He knew what he would see, an engine, wires, tubes, and belts. He knows nothing more about fixing a car than he knows about a brain surgery. To be broken down in the middle of a deserted road in a forest was exactly what he deserved for letting himself being talked into buying a second-hand car from a friend.
Reluctantly, he climbed out and popped the hood. As he suspected, there was an engine and as he reached out to touch it, he felt the first drop of rain hit his back.
"Just what I needed." Inuyasha scowled as he kept on staring at the engine.
He should have known that something was up when his friend had cheerfully tossed in a box of tools along with the car. Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to beat the car up until it is willing to start. It would be unlikely to succeed, but at least it would be satisfying.
He stepped back, ready to give the car the first kick, but stopped as a ghostly figure stepped out of the forest shadows and watched him.
Mrs. Higurashi.
The name swam through his mind and his hand clutched in defense. She stood in the rain, her raven hair damp and tangled, those big brown eyes quiet and sad. His knees threatened to give away as he braced himself onto the door.
Then she moved, pushed back her wet hair and started toward him. He saw then that it was no ghost, but a woman. It was not Mrs. Higurashi, but he was sure that it was her daughter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Car trouble?" Kagome questioned while trying to keep her voice light. The way he was staring at her made her wish that he had stayed in the trees and let him deal with it himself.
"Yes." It pleased him that his voice was normal. "It won't start."
"Well, that is a problem." He looked familiar. A good face, strong and male framed by his long silver hair. Interesting eyes as well, golden and very direct. "Did you find the trouble?"
"I found the engine," he said and smiled. "Just where I suspected it would be."
"And now?"
"I have been deciding to how long I should look at it and pretend I know what I'm looking at before I get back in and out of the rain."
"You don't know how to fix your car?" Kagome asked in surprise.
"No, I don't know how." He started to yank down the hood but she raised a hand to hold it open.
"I'll take a look."
"What are you? A mechanic?"
"No, but I at least know the basics." Elbowing him aside, she checked the battery connections first. "These look all right, but if you are going to spend any time on Four Souls, then you better keep an eye on them for corrosion."
"I'll be here for about six month." He leaned in with her. "What am I supposed to keep my eye on?"
"These," Kagome pointed. "Moisture can rust engines around here. Can you move over a bit, you're crowding me."
"Sorry." He shifted his position. Obviously she didn't remember him, so he decided to pretend that he didn't remember her either. "You live on the island?"
"Depends on how you look at it." To keep her camera from bumping against the car, Kagome moved the camera to her back.
Inuyasha stared at it, it was a high-end Nikon. Compact and quiet, it was often a professional's choice. His father had one, he had one himself.
"Been out taking pictures?"
"Not in the rain." Kagome answered absently. "Your fan belt is going to be need to be replace, but that's not your problem now." She straightened up and turned to Inuyasha. "Get in and try it so I can hear what it sound like."
"You're the boss."
She cocked her head as the engine groaned; Kagome leaned back under the hood. "The carburetor." She muttered to herself.
"What!"
"The carburetor," she repeated and opened the little metal door with her thumb. "Try again."
This time, the engine roared to life. With a satisfied nod, she shut the hood and walked around to the driver's side window. "It was stuck, that's all. You're going to want to have it looked at. When was the last time you had a tune up?"
"I just bought this from a friend few weeks ago."
"That's always a mistake, never buy a car from a friend. That's my advice. Well, it should get you to where you want to go now."
Kagome started to step back, but he reached through the window and grabbed her hand. Inuyasha noticed just how narrow it is, and how elegant it is.
"Let me give you a lift. It's pouring out here. It's the least I can do."
"That's not necessary, I can..."
"I could break down again. Who's going to help me if you're not there?" Inuyasha shot her a smile, charming and easy.
It was foolish to refuse, and it is even more foolish to feel trapped just because he had her hand.
"All right...I guess." Kagome gave her hand a little tug and was relieved that he hand released it. She walked around the car and climbed into the passenger seat.
"So where to?" Asked Inuyasha.
"Shikon, just up this road and turn right at the first fork. It isn't far, then again nothing is on Four Souls."
"That's good, I'm heading to Shikon myself."
"Oh, are you staying at the main house?"
"No, I'm just getting the keys for the cottage that I have rented for six month."
"For six month? Well, that is a long vacation." Kagome turned to look at the scenery. "I brought work with me. I just want some peace and quiet that's all."
"Okay, so you're the man who's renting the Little Soul Cottage by the river."
"How do you know?" Inuyasha questioned.
"Everybody knows everything on Four Souls. It just happened to that I was assigned to stack linens for someone that is staying for six month."
"So you are my mechanic and housekeeper. If I want a couple of steaks, chill a bottle of wine, and invite you to dinner, who should I call?"
Kagome turned her head and gave him a cool look. "You'd have better luck with my twin sister, her name is Kikyo."
"Why?"
"Let's just say that I'm more selective than Kikyo."
"Ouch." Inuyasha rubbed a hand over his heart. "Direct hit."
"Just saving us both some time. There's Shikon..." She muttered.
Inuyasha stared at the house and was stunned by its femininity and elegance.
"Wow, the texture is perfect. Adding on to its original design and style, it suits this place perfectly." Inuyasha said to himself, but stopped when he noticed that Kagome was staring at him. For the first time, her eyes contain curiosity.
"I'm an architect," he explained.
"Well, this house was built by my great-great-grandfather. It has been passed down my family ever since." Kagome offered.
"Incredible," with his hands in his back pocket, Inuyasha turned to face Kagome. "A hell of a place to live."
"Well..." Her voice was dry, and somewhat in between there was a bit of bitterness. "We'll register in the front hall." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the front hall, Kagome went through the files and finally find the one containing the Little Soul Cottage.
"Hah," she announced, sliding the paper free.
There it was, the receipt of the deposit and the contract that was signed by both Sota and Inuyasha. Kagome opened another drawer and took out the keys that hang with the cottage's name and another file.
"Here you go. You'll find the usual information in this folder. The ferry schedule. Tide information, how to rent fishing and boating gears if you need it. There is also a pamphlet that describes the island...why are you staring at me like that?" Kagome demanded.
"Because you have gorgeous eyes. It's hard not to look at them."
Kagome shoved the folder into his hands. "You would be better off reading what's in here."
"All right." Said Inuyasha. "Are you usually this nervous or do I bring it out in you?"
"I'm not nervous, I'm impatient. Not all of us are on vacation you know. Do you have any question, questions that relate to the cottage or island?" Kagome replied.
"We'll see."
"Directions to your cottage are in the folder, now you can be on your way." Kagome declared.
The more she talked, the more he enjoyed hearing her voice. And those eyes, oh, those lovely brown eyes.
"Do you like picnics?" Inuyasha asked.
"What?"
"It is a simple question. Do you like picnics?" Inuyasha repeated.
Kagome signed, "You're wasting your time Mr. Inuyasha, I'm not interested."
"Well, at least tell me your name."
"It's Kagome, Kagome Higurashi." She answered tiredly. "Hope you enjoy your stay on Four Souls."
"I will, it's already proven to be better than I expected." Inuyasha smiled.
"Then your expectations must be really low." Kagome turned to look out the window. "The rain had stopped now, you'll have no trouble finding the cottage."
"No," he remembered the way perfectly. "But I'm sure that I'll see you again Kagome."
For a number of reasons, he will have to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another chapter.
I need some reviews.
I need some ideas.
I need some of everything!
Help!