Disclaimer: The same old thing. I don't own Inuyasha or any of the
characters thereof, nor will I ever be able to claim them as my own except
in my exceptionally wild imagination. Unless of course they just happen to
go up for sale one day and I have the money.... :) Such a nice thought.
*** Everything was right. He had been alone for so long, but now someone actually cared for him. And he cared for her, there was no doubt about that. She was beautiful, with her long black hair and her pale skin.
She was also very powerful; her miko powers brought to their full potential by her vigorous training. Many demons had come after the village that she served and the sacred jewel that she protected, but none of them had ever been able to overpower her. They had all died - except one.
And he was that one. Of course, he wasn't completely demon which could justify her actions. There was some human blood running through his veins. That could have been why she had spared him, in sympathy for his human part.
But that was the one part of himself that he had always despised. He hated the fact that he wasn't a full-blooded demon. It made him a target of every demon and every human. He had never belonged to either race, always being on his own. He could have really chosen either part of himself to prefer, but the demon side was much more powerful. And to him, power meant survival.
But then he had met this miko and she had given him a second chance. He had come to her village for the same reason that all the other demons had, for the sacred jewel. With it, he could become full-youkai. She had stopped him, but left him to live. So, he had come back and tried again and again; and she had let him go every time.
Finally, he had given up trying to take the jewel from her and decided to find out what was so different about this priestess. In effort to achieve this goal, he followed her everywhere, thinking that she did not know; but she did.
She had called him out of his hiding place one day, desiring to talk with him. It was then that she told him that she had spared him because he was like herself, different and alone. She said that they could help each other and be companions. She offered the jewel to him so that he could become human. In that way, he would belong to some race and she would no longer have anything to protect. They could both be normal.
The hanyou hadn't like the idea one bit in the beginning, but as he came to know this woman more and more, he warmed up to it. They were always together, and yet apart because he was not human and she was a miko. And so it was until one day they decided that if he could become human by using the jewel, then they could be together. And he wanted that more than anything.
And so he was to become human once he met with her that day. He waited for her in the forest, as planned; but when she came, something unexpected happened. She attacked him. With her sacred arrow, she bound him to a tree in the midst of the woods, leaving him there for years to come.
If he had not been bound by the miko's spell to the tree, he would have known why she had done it. She had been told that he was planning to take the jewel and leave, leaving her with nothing. Great was their love, but hers was fickle. Trusting the words of another, she betrayed the one who loved her most and bound him under a sacred spell that could only be removed by a priestess. And none would be foolish enough to do so.
Having done this, she turned to the one that had warned her of the half- demon's eminent betrayal and been betrayed herself. The man had turned out to be a demon and had taken the jewel for himself, killing her when he did so. Yes, the half-demon would never be able to hurt her, because she was foolish enough to trust another and fall into his trap, ensuring her own fate. ***
It had been three weeks since Kagome had started her internship at the lab, and everything was going smoothly so far. She would come in every day to a new stack of lab reports - which she was never able to get completely through - and type until her fingers gave out. She would then go about her now routine route of the youkai cells. That was her favorite part of the day. Even though the creatures were vicious and quite terrifying at times, she found them to be absolutely amazing.
After all the reports she had typed up for the doctor, Kagome had learned almost as much about the demons as the doctor had during his research. When she asked him questions about something, he was pleased that her questions were intelligent ones. She was really getting a good grasp of youkai knowledge.
Dr. Kumaki was just getting ready for the girl to arrive when Dr. Mochizuki walked into his office. A bit surprised at his superior's arrival, he quickly stood and bowed to him. "Good afternoon, Doctor. I wasn't expecting you today. Please, have a seat," he said, motioning towards one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"I won't be here long enough to sit down, thank you," the doctor replied, not bothering to return the polite bow. "I wish to talk to you about the young intern that has been working with you. I believe her name is Higarashi Kagome?" The other man nodded. "She seems to have some qualities that I find quite interesting. I would like for you to keep an eye on her. I believe that she may possess some miko qualities and, if so, would be an excellent candidate for some testing. Observe her while she's here and report back to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, doctor," the man said, nodding his head. A smile crept its way up Kumaki's features as Mochizuki left his office. Yes, she would be a good test subject indeed if the doctor was correct in his assumption. Sitting back down in his chair, he began to prepare for the girl's arrival once again.
Kagome had come and finished her typing a little while later and was now in the process of feeding the demons she was in charge of. Wandering up and down the corridors, she went in every room that she was allowed into and slid the plates over to the animals. Occasionally, she would catch a glimpse of Dr. Kumaki as he made his rounds through the other youkai cells.
Just after she finished, Kagome saw some researchers run over to the doctor. They were trying to get him to come with them; it seemed that they were in a rush. Walking over to them, she caught the last of their conversation, which was plenty for her to understand the situation.
"Doctor, you must come with us now. We can't loose this subject," one of them was saying between breathes. It appeared that they had run all the way from the other side of the facility.
"I must finish over here; there's only one youkai left that I must tend to."
"We can't wait that long, sir."
"I could finish for you. I promise that I won't get close to the youkai and that I'll take in lots of guards."
Everyone turned to look at her, all of them startled by her sudden appearance. This girl wanted to go into one of the dangerous demons' cells? Was she completely insane? She wasn't big enough to even try to defend herself if things got out of hand. After a moment, the doctor recovered his voice.
"Now, Higarashi-san, you know that its far to dangerous for you to go in there. The demon that is left is the most vicious. I believe that you remember that one."
Kagome swallowed as she remembered the demon, its piercing amber gaze, it fierce snarl.... "I can do it. I'm not afraid of it. You have to go take care of the other youkai anyway."
The doctor considered her proposition for a moment. It was too dangerous for the girl to go in there, but it would be a good way to see if she truly did possess miko powers. If she was in danger from the demon, then her powers would react to protect her. Then they would know for sure. The prospect was far too tempting for the doctor.
"Fine, but be extremely cautious. Do you understand? Do not go anywhere near it. Alright?" Kagome nodded, thrilled to be able to do this job. The doctor nodded and took off down the hall, following the other researchers through the facility.
Kagome turned and walked towards the farthest door. Asking the guards to accompany her in, she took a deep breath as they opened the door. Waiting for a moment, she walked inside the cell.
The demon inside had turned to see who had entered its cell and looked about ready to try to attack them. Just as it was about to attempt to launch itself towards them, it stopped. Its attention riveted on Kagome, it just stood there, seeming to be confused. Before it had time to consider what to do next, the guards were on it, tightening its chains and moving towards its muzzle.
Something went wrong, though. One of the guards slipped while pulling up the slack in the chain. Since they had to basically take the chains off of the youkai in order to tighten them, the demon now had a free hand, which it decided to use. Flinging the first guard off, it quickly freed itself of both the guards and the rest of its restraints.
The men began to pick themselves up from the floor, planning to recapture the demon. They were too slow, though, as the youkai managed to send them all flying against the wall that Kagome was now backed up to. Without more than a moment's hesitation, Kagome flew into action herself.
"All of you, get out of here!" she ordered, pointing towards the door. Four of the five guards did as they were told, limping out of the cell as quickly as they could. The last tried to drag the girl along with him; but before he could get a hold of her, the demon charged at him and flung him out the door with the rest. The door closed with a swish behind him, the automatic timer on the locks having run out. Kagome heard the locks on the door click closed. Turning to look at the demon, she was met by a piercing amber gaze that seemed to rip her apart from the inside. Slowly, ever so slowly, the youkai advanced towards her.
AN: I'm sooo sorry that this is Monday and I said I would update on Sunday! I got really far behind on my homework and had to finish it since it was all due today! I promise to do better from now on. And then, I make it up to you by leaving you with a cliffhanger. The next chapter...well, if I told you what was in the next chapter then it wouldn't be a cliffhanger now would it? ^_^ I'm going to go hide now. Don't throw anything sharp!
Issa-Chan - I'm so glad that you liked the last chapter :) Hope that you liked this one just as much! I always wonder if I'm keeping everything consistent instead of a good chapter and then a not-so-good chapter. LOL :) Sorry that I updated a bit late, but I'll update on Sunday this week! Thanks again!
cheeky - It's great to hear that you think that this is interesting! It makes me extremely happy :) They'll interact soon I promise...I just couldn't pass this up! It was a great stopping point. I update every Sunday!
Storm-Maker - Yeah, I know. Aren't they really mean? Don't worry, I'm sure that they'll get what's coming to them! :) Happy to read that you like the progression of the plot! Hope you liked this chapter, too :)
Silver Eyes Bright - Thanks! Glad that I update quick enough; I really don't want to make ya'll wait forever for the next update, but I want it to be good :) I'm glad that you're being patient with me and how long I've kept Inu and Kag apart. You know, good things come to those that wait! It'll be next chapter! :)
*** Everything was right. He had been alone for so long, but now someone actually cared for him. And he cared for her, there was no doubt about that. She was beautiful, with her long black hair and her pale skin.
She was also very powerful; her miko powers brought to their full potential by her vigorous training. Many demons had come after the village that she served and the sacred jewel that she protected, but none of them had ever been able to overpower her. They had all died - except one.
And he was that one. Of course, he wasn't completely demon which could justify her actions. There was some human blood running through his veins. That could have been why she had spared him, in sympathy for his human part.
But that was the one part of himself that he had always despised. He hated the fact that he wasn't a full-blooded demon. It made him a target of every demon and every human. He had never belonged to either race, always being on his own. He could have really chosen either part of himself to prefer, but the demon side was much more powerful. And to him, power meant survival.
But then he had met this miko and she had given him a second chance. He had come to her village for the same reason that all the other demons had, for the sacred jewel. With it, he could become full-youkai. She had stopped him, but left him to live. So, he had come back and tried again and again; and she had let him go every time.
Finally, he had given up trying to take the jewel from her and decided to find out what was so different about this priestess. In effort to achieve this goal, he followed her everywhere, thinking that she did not know; but she did.
She had called him out of his hiding place one day, desiring to talk with him. It was then that she told him that she had spared him because he was like herself, different and alone. She said that they could help each other and be companions. She offered the jewel to him so that he could become human. In that way, he would belong to some race and she would no longer have anything to protect. They could both be normal.
The hanyou hadn't like the idea one bit in the beginning, but as he came to know this woman more and more, he warmed up to it. They were always together, and yet apart because he was not human and she was a miko. And so it was until one day they decided that if he could become human by using the jewel, then they could be together. And he wanted that more than anything.
And so he was to become human once he met with her that day. He waited for her in the forest, as planned; but when she came, something unexpected happened. She attacked him. With her sacred arrow, she bound him to a tree in the midst of the woods, leaving him there for years to come.
If he had not been bound by the miko's spell to the tree, he would have known why she had done it. She had been told that he was planning to take the jewel and leave, leaving her with nothing. Great was their love, but hers was fickle. Trusting the words of another, she betrayed the one who loved her most and bound him under a sacred spell that could only be removed by a priestess. And none would be foolish enough to do so.
Having done this, she turned to the one that had warned her of the half- demon's eminent betrayal and been betrayed herself. The man had turned out to be a demon and had taken the jewel for himself, killing her when he did so. Yes, the half-demon would never be able to hurt her, because she was foolish enough to trust another and fall into his trap, ensuring her own fate. ***
It had been three weeks since Kagome had started her internship at the lab, and everything was going smoothly so far. She would come in every day to a new stack of lab reports - which she was never able to get completely through - and type until her fingers gave out. She would then go about her now routine route of the youkai cells. That was her favorite part of the day. Even though the creatures were vicious and quite terrifying at times, she found them to be absolutely amazing.
After all the reports she had typed up for the doctor, Kagome had learned almost as much about the demons as the doctor had during his research. When she asked him questions about something, he was pleased that her questions were intelligent ones. She was really getting a good grasp of youkai knowledge.
Dr. Kumaki was just getting ready for the girl to arrive when Dr. Mochizuki walked into his office. A bit surprised at his superior's arrival, he quickly stood and bowed to him. "Good afternoon, Doctor. I wasn't expecting you today. Please, have a seat," he said, motioning towards one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"I won't be here long enough to sit down, thank you," the doctor replied, not bothering to return the polite bow. "I wish to talk to you about the young intern that has been working with you. I believe her name is Higarashi Kagome?" The other man nodded. "She seems to have some qualities that I find quite interesting. I would like for you to keep an eye on her. I believe that she may possess some miko qualities and, if so, would be an excellent candidate for some testing. Observe her while she's here and report back to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, doctor," the man said, nodding his head. A smile crept its way up Kumaki's features as Mochizuki left his office. Yes, she would be a good test subject indeed if the doctor was correct in his assumption. Sitting back down in his chair, he began to prepare for the girl's arrival once again.
Kagome had come and finished her typing a little while later and was now in the process of feeding the demons she was in charge of. Wandering up and down the corridors, she went in every room that she was allowed into and slid the plates over to the animals. Occasionally, she would catch a glimpse of Dr. Kumaki as he made his rounds through the other youkai cells.
Just after she finished, Kagome saw some researchers run over to the doctor. They were trying to get him to come with them; it seemed that they were in a rush. Walking over to them, she caught the last of their conversation, which was plenty for her to understand the situation.
"Doctor, you must come with us now. We can't loose this subject," one of them was saying between breathes. It appeared that they had run all the way from the other side of the facility.
"I must finish over here; there's only one youkai left that I must tend to."
"We can't wait that long, sir."
"I could finish for you. I promise that I won't get close to the youkai and that I'll take in lots of guards."
Everyone turned to look at her, all of them startled by her sudden appearance. This girl wanted to go into one of the dangerous demons' cells? Was she completely insane? She wasn't big enough to even try to defend herself if things got out of hand. After a moment, the doctor recovered his voice.
"Now, Higarashi-san, you know that its far to dangerous for you to go in there. The demon that is left is the most vicious. I believe that you remember that one."
Kagome swallowed as she remembered the demon, its piercing amber gaze, it fierce snarl.... "I can do it. I'm not afraid of it. You have to go take care of the other youkai anyway."
The doctor considered her proposition for a moment. It was too dangerous for the girl to go in there, but it would be a good way to see if she truly did possess miko powers. If she was in danger from the demon, then her powers would react to protect her. Then they would know for sure. The prospect was far too tempting for the doctor.
"Fine, but be extremely cautious. Do you understand? Do not go anywhere near it. Alright?" Kagome nodded, thrilled to be able to do this job. The doctor nodded and took off down the hall, following the other researchers through the facility.
Kagome turned and walked towards the farthest door. Asking the guards to accompany her in, she took a deep breath as they opened the door. Waiting for a moment, she walked inside the cell.
The demon inside had turned to see who had entered its cell and looked about ready to try to attack them. Just as it was about to attempt to launch itself towards them, it stopped. Its attention riveted on Kagome, it just stood there, seeming to be confused. Before it had time to consider what to do next, the guards were on it, tightening its chains and moving towards its muzzle.
Something went wrong, though. One of the guards slipped while pulling up the slack in the chain. Since they had to basically take the chains off of the youkai in order to tighten them, the demon now had a free hand, which it decided to use. Flinging the first guard off, it quickly freed itself of both the guards and the rest of its restraints.
The men began to pick themselves up from the floor, planning to recapture the demon. They were too slow, though, as the youkai managed to send them all flying against the wall that Kagome was now backed up to. Without more than a moment's hesitation, Kagome flew into action herself.
"All of you, get out of here!" she ordered, pointing towards the door. Four of the five guards did as they were told, limping out of the cell as quickly as they could. The last tried to drag the girl along with him; but before he could get a hold of her, the demon charged at him and flung him out the door with the rest. The door closed with a swish behind him, the automatic timer on the locks having run out. Kagome heard the locks on the door click closed. Turning to look at the demon, she was met by a piercing amber gaze that seemed to rip her apart from the inside. Slowly, ever so slowly, the youkai advanced towards her.
AN: I'm sooo sorry that this is Monday and I said I would update on Sunday! I got really far behind on my homework and had to finish it since it was all due today! I promise to do better from now on. And then, I make it up to you by leaving you with a cliffhanger. The next chapter...well, if I told you what was in the next chapter then it wouldn't be a cliffhanger now would it? ^_^ I'm going to go hide now. Don't throw anything sharp!
Issa-Chan - I'm so glad that you liked the last chapter :) Hope that you liked this one just as much! I always wonder if I'm keeping everything consistent instead of a good chapter and then a not-so-good chapter. LOL :) Sorry that I updated a bit late, but I'll update on Sunday this week! Thanks again!
cheeky - It's great to hear that you think that this is interesting! It makes me extremely happy :) They'll interact soon I promise...I just couldn't pass this up! It was a great stopping point. I update every Sunday!
Storm-Maker - Yeah, I know. Aren't they really mean? Don't worry, I'm sure that they'll get what's coming to them! :) Happy to read that you like the progression of the plot! Hope you liked this chapter, too :)
Silver Eyes Bright - Thanks! Glad that I update quick enough; I really don't want to make ya'll wait forever for the next update, but I want it to be good :) I'm glad that you're being patient with me and how long I've kept Inu and Kag apart. You know, good things come to those that wait! It'll be next chapter! :)