A/N: Okay, here is chapter five! I'm glad people are liking this story. It's a different idea, I know. I just like a fantastical or unique idea with my work. Oh, on a side note the word 'laoch' is Gaelic and it means 'great warrior'. I decided to use it for the leader of my gypsy clan because I've always loved the Gaelic language. I'm not very good at Romanian, lol. Well, on with the story, yes?
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. If I did, I would not still live at home. *sigh*
Curse of the Gypsy
Chapter 5
Like the day before, the entire clan was up with the sun. The camp was packed and moved and left no sign of having ever been there. And like the day before, Kagome's cart was in the lead. Rin and Shippou had decided to ride with Souta and Kohaku; the two boys enjoyed playing with the small children almost as much as the two loved annoying them.
Kagome was tense as she drove her cart toward the town. They were about an hour outside of their destination, but she was still dreading the negotiations she knew were to come. That was one of the hardest things about being a gypsy. No city wanted them. No town welcomed them. If they performed, they were watched and tolerated, but gypsies were never embraced into a society. Always outcasts.
"You seem upset this morning, Kagome," Sango commented when she and Kirara trotted alongside the cart. "What's the matter?"
Kagome gave her friend a wan smile. "I'm not looking forward to performing this afternoon," she said lightly.
"Nonsense," Miroku scoffed, riding up at her other side. "You're our main attraction. And you can't tell me that you dislike performing because I know that's a lie."
"I didn't say that I didn't like dancing," Kagome said with a smile. "I just said I wasn't looking forward to it today. I have a headache, that's all."
"Another one?" Sango commented. "You've been getting them a lot since last summer."
"Don't fret over me Sango," Kagome said a little more forcefully than she intended. She regretted it when Sango dropped her head in submission.
"Forgive me, Laoch," the girl replied. "I'll return to my duties."
"Sango…" But she had already turned Kirara and they were bounding off to the back of the line.
"She worries," Miroku said, watching Sango run off. "She means well."
"I know she does," Kagome sighed, rubbing her aching temples. "Everyone does. It just makes it harder for me."
Miroku gave her an understanding look and then smiled. "Why don't you switch rides with me? A good ride might help clear your head."
Kagome grinned. "That might be a good thing. I could go ahead and get everything squared away before the caravan arrives."
Miroku bowed his head. "As always, you are as wise as you are beautiful, Kagome."
The young Laoch rolled her eyes and pulled the reigns of her horse in firmly until he broke his trot. Then, she climbed off the cart and walked around to the back. Inuyasha was sitting rather comfortably, leaning casually against a pile of clothing. Kagome felt annoyed when she saw his comfort, but made it a point to deal with him later.
"Miroku will take you the rest of the way," she commented, hopping into the back beside him and digging around until she pulled out a small bundle wrapped in a deer hide. "I'll see you in a few hours."
"Sure," he muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. He watched her from the corner of his eye as she dug around. Kagome looked fatigued, and pained, but she also looked extremely disturbed by something. He could smell the frustration radiating from her and it peaked his curiosity.
Kagome jumped from the back of the cart as Miroku dismounted from his horse's broad back. He climbed into the cart's driver's bench and took up the reigns as Kagome hiked up her long skirt and swung into the saddle, material bunched up around her thighs. The deer hide bundle in her arms was stowed in the saddlebag. Her riding clothes were still packed somewhere in the wagon, but she didn't have the patience to dig them out and change right now. She just needed a ride.
"I'll see you in town," she called over her shoulder to Miroku. She messily tied her fall of hair into a knot, then dug her heels into the side of the beast before it leapt forward in a gallop. In a matter of seconds, she had disappeared around the bend in the road and was out of sight. Only a small cloud of dust signaled that she had even been there.
"Does she do that a lot?" Inuyasha asked, more rhetorical than expecting an answer.
"Truthfully?" Miroku asked, looking back at the hanyou with a half-smile. "She's been doing it a lot more in the past year or so."
"I'd ask why, except it's none of my business," the hanyou commented flippantly. The monk-in-training laughed. "What's so funny?"
"You're trying so hard not to be interested, aren't you?"
Inuyasha scowled. "Interested in what?"
"Her," was all Miroku said. His violet eyes sparkled, daring him to disagree.
"I'm not in the least interested," Inuyasha said vehemently, taking the dare.
"Good," Miroku nodded. "Because if you were, there are several men in this clan who would happily slit your throat for it."
"I take it you are one of them," the hanyou snorted.
"Oh, absolutely," he agreed, looking back to the road and steering the horse away from a rather deep-looking pothole. "But not for the reasons you'd think."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Inuyasha challenged.
"I'm good at reading people," Miroku commented. "When I was adopted into the clan, I received a little bit of empathy as my Gift. It allows me to get inside of people's heads."
"You can read my mind?!" Inuyasha asked, eyes wide. He was suddenly fearful as thoughts of Kagura and his plan flashed.
"No," Miroku said, setting his fears to rest. "I can read moods and feelings, not actual thoughts, and not all the time, only when the person is close to me. I've only a touch of the Gift."
"Does anyone in this caravan read thoughts?" Inuyasha asked, eyes flicking to the train of following carts.
"Sometimes I think Kagome can, but no one in our clan has that particular power," Miroku explained. "Everyone here does have some sort of Gift, and it's a wide range."
"Everyone has a Gift? Even the demons?"
"Yes." Miroku turned his head to study the hanyou a little better. He didn't fully trust Kagome's new stray; he seemed rather shifty. "When someone is adopted into a gypsy clan, they exchange blood with the clan's Laoch and take in some of a gypsy's power, even if they already have a gift of their own."
"Exchanging blood…sounds painful."
"Not really." Miroku held up an exposed wrist. There was a small lateral scar down the center of his skin, healed over and clean, but forever a sign of his place in the clan. "I only had to do it once. Kagome has done it with almost everyone here. Only difference is that she never gets a scar. It only stays on those who are adopted. Since she is a gypsy from birth, it always heals over. Mystically."
"Sounds kinda creepy," Inuyasha commented, his ears going back.
Miroku shrugged. "We're all a little creepy."
"What are you planning to do in the town we're going to anyway?" Inuyasha asked, tactfully changing the subject.
"You know, loot and pillage," the other boy commented causally, flicking the reigns.
Inuyasha blinked for a moment. "You're lying," he said calmly.
"Does Kagome lie?" Miroku countered. That made Inuyasha's eyes widen. They were…going to…pillage? That's when Miroku began laughing again. "I never get tired of that," he said after a moment. "Your face is worth Kagome yelling at me."
"What do you mean?"
"There is one ultimate difference between a Laoch gypsy and an adopted, like myself. I can lie."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome happily and carelessly rode down the road, not looking back even once. The wind on her face felt good and the bunching muscles of the beast beneath her gave Kagome a high of freedom as she rode harder with reckless abandon. It was when the horse beneath her began to tire that she slowed their pace and continued on leisurely to the town waiting for them at the end of the road.
Long before she saw the town, she could smell it. Wood fire and soap and meat wafted to her nostrils and Kagome became slightly nervous. Her body tensed as she watched houses come into view. Dealing with townspeople was always her least favorite job as Laoch, but what was worse than dealing with officials, was dealing with outriders.
The snapping of a twig to her left registered in her ear and Kagome slowly reached for the deer hide pouch at her saddlebag. She pulled it on to her lap, untying the strings causally, as if she didn't know there were four men, two on either side of the road, with swords bared. They would kill her in a second if they thought she was a threat, but one woman alone on horseback was hardly a threat. She would probably have been subjected to their merriment if she was any other woman. But as it was, she was not just any woman. She was Kagome Higurashi, Laoch of the Higurashi clan, and she was victim to no one.
Out of the deer hide came a long bow, carved and polished meticulously, and along with that came a long shafted arrow. She deftly notched the arrow in her bow and kept it at her side. If anyone showed aggression, Kagome knew how to take them down. As it were, she felt the presences around her intensify. The town limits were only a few yards away and the horse, oblivious to the human emotion in the air, continued for it calmly.
None of the town outriders came onto the road, and Kagome fired no shots. She simply rode forward calmly, her head high, and entered the town. Once across the border, it was forbidden for outriders--the guardian warriors of every town in the land--to attack any guests.
With the threat gone, Kagome packed her bow and arrow away again. She steered the horse in the direction of the town's leader. Once out front, Kagome dismounted and tied the lead rope of the horse's reigns to one of the waiting posts. She felt the eyes of the townspeople on her, but she proudly adjusted her vest and skirt, then entered the building with the regal walk that any queen would envy.
The town official, a small balding man with beady eyes and a suspicious air about him, looked up when the gypsy entered. He scowled to himself when he saw her coming. He admitted that, although he despised the race of gypsies, he did find the young leader of the clan that seasonally rested at their town to be striking. The grace in her rolling gait, the curve of her neck, the cool spark in her eye all gave the impression that the girl was not to be taken lightly.
"Ah, Laoch, you return to our humble town once more," he commented, getting to his feet from behind a large mahogany desk.
"Good sir," Kagome said, falling to a deep bow. "I have come to ask your permission for our clan to break our fast here so that we can restock our supplies and fix our equipment before we continue to Malay."
"My answer is as it has been every year," the town leader said respectfully. "You may stay as long as you need on the outskirts of town, but you must depart by first snow."
"We were delayed," Kagome explained softly. "So we shall only be staying until the day after tomorrow."
"So be it," the leader complied. "We look forward to your performance this evening."
Kagome flashed a small smile and bowed again. "Thank you, sir." Then she turned to leave.
"May I ask," he halted her, "what delayed you this year?"
This was a bad question and Kagome clenched her hands. Having a non-clan boy travel with them was one thing, but having him stay in a village when his allegiances were not clearly shown was another. If the town leader discovered that Inuyasha was not of the clan, he could have the hanyou killed, and Kagome for bringing him here. Still, she would not send him away while he was still injured--or at all if he desired to stay. Kagome could not lie, but she could dodge the truth.
"We were forced to stay due to an injury to one of my charges," she explained. "We could not move him until we were sure it was safe."
"Of course," the leader said, a condescending glint in his dark eyes. Kagome pretended not to notice.
"I shall go await the rest of my family," she politely said, and this time she really did leave. The leader didn't notice how loudly her heart was beating. Kagome gave nothing away when she was in her true form as Laoch. Now, she rode back out to the edge of the village and waited another thirty minutes for the rest of the caravan to come down the road.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inuyasha was amazed by the efficiency with which the gypsies worked. They seemed to move as one, all knowing their proper place, their designated job. He was properly dazzled by their ability to set up their entire camp in less than an hour, and then they began arranging some sort of performance site.
The camp was at the edge of the city, and edged at the forest. Using some of the large overhanging trees, they hung large bolts of fabric to give a curtain effect. There was also a small, sheer tent beside them where the gypsies all took turns changing from their sensible clothing, into bright and extravagant costumes.
Inuyasha was still in the cart. He had gotten up and walked around quite well before, but he was tiring quickly and since he had no job to perform, settled back in his seat for the duration of the performance. He watched Yumi bring out her harp once more, dressed in a lush maroon dress with ribbons in her hair. She sat on a small stool beside the circle that would act as their stage. It was lined with flowers and ribbons, giving it a true carnival appearance. Yumi plucked a few strings on her harp, silencing the excited murmurings of the camp.
Kagome, who had not yet changed into her costume, stood beside her mother and addressed the camp with a smile that Inuyasha thought looked more strained then usual. "We're just about ready for our first performance of the season, Higurashi clan," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "It's time you go into town and summon our patrons."
There was a loud cheer from the clan and they all began calling out chants, some in different tongues, and laughing happily as they ran through the streets of the town. The girls handed small ribbons out to the townspeople--a gypsy request to come see a performance. The town, which had been rather unwelcoming to Kagome when she appeared, was overjoyed now that there was entertainment to be had. They followed the happy gypsies as they crowed and hollered loudly.
Grandpa Higurashi had pulled out a violin-like instrument, and taken a seat beside Yumi. They provided the music for the performers, whom had no other acts to give. Inuyasha watched, feeling a bubbling happiness in his chest despite himself. The enthusiasm of the gypsy clan was contagious.
When people began to gather around the stage, the first act commenced. Sango, dressed in a black and bright pink body suit, stepped out from behind the curtains. Her hair was bound in a high ponytail, and she carried an armload of items ranging from small wooden hoops to knives, and a large bone shaped like a boomerang hung over her shoulder. Kohaku followed after her, dressed in a body suit similar to her own, only with blue instead of pink in the design.
They took opposing positions, one on either side of the circle, and began their joint act. Being talented in the arts of fighting and hunting, both Sango and Kohaku were masters of handling all kinds of weaponry. They dazzled the crowd while tossing deadly implements back and forth to each other and juggling them as if they were toys. What truly stunned the crowd was when they performed a choreographed sparring fight. Each move perfectly matched, each attack blocked just so, it was like a dance. Even Inuyasha was impressed.
"They know each other's styles by heart," Kagome whispered, sitting on the edge of the wagon beside him. He jumped a little, disgruntled by how the girl could sneak up on him. Sure, he smelled her before she showed up, but her scent was all around the cart already.
"They're pretty decent," he returned. He would never admit that he was amazed. He'd never seen humans of their age fight in such a way.
"I agree," she said with a smile. "Sango trains Kohaku in this rhythmic pace five days a week, usually during the nights when they have guard duty. Kohaku is a very quick study, but he is hesitant to fight. Sango has to nudge him quite a bit."
"Ah," Inuyasha commented, half listening. They were finishing up their act, both out of breath and tiring. "What's up next?"
"Next is Hojo, the fire-tamer. Then is the Siren Sisters. After that is Kouga, Patch, and Spike. Meanwhile, Miroku and a few of the others mingle in the crowd and do little things for the crowd." She pointed to a few of the waiting performers, and the others mixing with the crowd. The air was filled with true fair-time happiness.
"When do you go on?" Inuyasha asked, looking over to her. When she had been pointing, Kagome had leaned in closer to him, and she now realized how close she was. Heat ran to both their faces as they pulled back and looked away. Kagome coughed once, getting to her feet.
"I go on last," she said while arranging her skirt. "I should check on the others. I'll see you later Inuyasha."
"Yeah, ok," he said, watching as she walked calmly away, and knowing she wished she could run. It was tough acting cool when one's insides were always ten steps ahead.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hojo's act was pretty amazing, juggling flaming objects, spouting and killing flames to astonish onlookers. He almost managed to set himself on fire, but everyone did that occasionally.
The Siren Sisters came on, adding their vocals to stun the crowd as they performed four songs along with the music provided by Grandpa Higurashi and Yumi.
Kouga, Patch, and Spike provided a showing of acrobatics and mock-fighting. Because they were demons, they could do a lot of moves that a human could not, and it only served to amaze the crowd more.
During the acts, Miroku, Souta, and a few of the performers not on the stage, walked among the crowd to perform small tricks. Miroku was a master with the slight of hand, who also did palm-readings. Souta could do a few tricks to entertain the children and make them laugh. Kaede sat at the back of her wagon and read tea leaves for the people of the town, telling fortunes and informing the girls in the town when they would find true love.
Kagome took the opportunity to change into her costume, and help Rin and Shippou--who would be joining her during the first part of her act--into their own.
Once Kouga and his two lackeys had finished their act, the stage was cleared and the gypsies looked to the curtains, waiting for their main attraction: the dance of the Laoch. Yumi began playing a lively melody on her harp and Grandpa Higurashi soon joined her. The Siren sisters were sitting with the musicians now, and added their lovely voices into the mix, setting the stage.
First, Rin and Shippou appeared from behind the curtain, dressed in bright red and green. They sprung around, preparing the crowd. Once the music hit a certain note--a hidden signal within the song--both children scurried over to the curtain and performed a small, choreographed scene.
That was when Kagome appeared. She had changed from her normal wear into a costume, like the others. Hers was a dress pieced together in harlequin fashion from many different colored fabrics. It fit her perfectly around her torso, falling open at the waist where a long slit ran up the front, parting the bottom at mid thigh. The sleeves of her dress were long and baggy, adding a mysterious flow when she raised her arms. Her feet were bare, apart from the small gold and silver chains that hung around her ankles. Her arms were adorned with golden bangles and her neck was laden with several necklaces. The one that stuck out the most was a large gold cross, forged in a gothic design, with a large lavendar jewel in the center.
It was instantaneous, the moment Inuyasha's eyes fell upon the necklace, he felt the power in it. How was it, with so many demons in and around the camp, that no one had found it by now? It was impossible not to know that it was the Shikon Jewel…or at least, half of it. He narrowed his amber eyes as the girl finished her dance with the two children.
Rin and Shippou parted from the stage with applause because no one could resist the two adorable kids. The music and song died some, resonating at a darker, more sensual level. The lively good-natured tune was fading from the air, replaced by a slower song. Kagome took a stance in the center of the stage that looked hauntingly like a defensive fighting pose. When the Siren sisters began singing a new song, her body moved with their voices. She moved in perfect sync, body rhythmically in motion, performing intricate steps as if they had been made only for her.
All of her life, Kagome had been trained in dance. Her body was perfectly created for it. Her inner grace and her musical ear made her unrivaled by anyone in the clan, and possibly anyone outside of it either. Everyone in the clan loved when she danced, and everyone in the clan paused when she was doing so, to watch and marvel.
Kagome happily lost herself in the music and her dance, flowing freely as if she was the only one there. It always happened when she let go of all her worries and fear. Dancing was her only escape from what she knew was coming, the only things that still held the thrilling joy that came from doing something loved.
Inuyasha watched her dance, watched the faces of all the clan. They were serene and subdued, humbled by the beauty and skill of their leader. That was when he realized the truth. When he saw the love and respect on the faces of her family, Inuyasha knew the reason no one had ever tried--or at least succeeded--in stealing the jewel that hung around her neck. There was power in that girl he hadn't begun to understand yet.
But he would. And before they reached the safe haven of Malay, the jewel would be his.
A/N: Okay, the end of chapter 5. I hope to get chapter 6 out soon. Thanks to all of my faithful readers, you give me the strength to keep on writing!
Kaekoe: I'm so happy that you like my story. I love gypsies--I am of gypsy blood myself--so I thought it would be a lot of fun to write this. Thanks for the review!
Miko Sakura-sama: I'm very pleased that you like this story. I know I took a little while with the update, but school has been hard. Now that it's winding down, I hope to make my updates more regular! Thanks for the review.
MNG: Here's chapter 5 for you. 6 is on the way, never fear. I'm so happy that you like this story though. I'm really honored that my work keeps you coming to fanfiction.net!
Drake220: I'm glad you've taken a liking to this story. Yes, I always hate when people make Inuyasha into a complete idiot, or a hormonally driven sexaholic. I think he has intelligence, maybe not much maturity at times, but he's far from stupid. I actually like Kagura, which may sound strange because she's a villain and stuff, but I think she's an awesome character. And apart from the Naraku factor, I don't think she'd be that 'villainous'. Anywho, thanks for the review!
Princess Sapphire: Ah, yes, the chief will be revealed in chapter 6, along with more about the thieves. (I love thieves, hehe!) And more background regarding Kagome's curse is to be revealed as well, so stick around! Thanks for the review!
Hanyou punk chick: I'm glad you like the story! Here's and update for you. Inu + Kag, as if I'd write anything else!
Ana: I'm glad you like the story! In fact, I'm glad you've read the story! Here's the update you wanted!
Jschu25: I'm glad you like the story, and here is a little more for you to read. Thanks for the review!