InuYasha
Eternal Souls Saga
Act 1 – Change of Course
Chapter 1 –The Dreamer Girl and The Dreamlike Boy
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Autor's Note: I don't own InuYasha. This is and Alternative Universe fanfic that starts little after the episode 88. It is rated because it will show some mature content in the later chapters (heavy violence, depressive scenes, bad language, etc.).
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-Forget it InuYasha, I'm going home! Period! This conversation is over! - In the Feudal Era, the day started just like any regular day in the location knows as the Musashi's Domain. As the farmers worked in the rice fields, our favorite hanyou and the miko of the future argue near the Bone Eater's Well.
-Dammit Kagome! – said the hanyou –Why do you have to go back to your era when we finally found out where Naraku went to?! We need to go after him as fast as we can!
-That's exactly why I need to go now! There are a lot of things that I need to do there and I don't know when I will be able to come back when we go after Naraku.
-Doesn't matter! I'm not letting you go!
-Osuwari!
-Aaaargh!
-Osuwari! Osuwari! Osuwari! Osuwari!
When she finally stopped 'sitting' him, InuYasha lay still on the grassy ground. Before jumping into the well, Kagome turned to face him and said –I will be back in a week. Until then, InuYasha, you stay here! Don't come to my house to pick me up, otherwise I will sit you all the way to Hell! – then, she jumped into the well and traveled back to her time.
-You wench! – those were InuYasha's last words before passing out.
Meanwhile in the Modern Era...
-That InuYasha! Sometimes he can be such an asshole! – as the young miko climbed the walls of the well and walked to her house, she starts remembering all the times that they fought because those trips between the eras and signed. Sometimes she wished that her hanyou friend were a little more understanding about her situation.
-I'm home! – said Kagome, as she opened the wooden door and entered her house.
-Oh, welcome home Kagome! – greeted her mother, coming from the kitchen.
-Hey sis! You're back! – said Souta.
-Yeah – she answered.
-How long are you planning to stay this time? – asked Mrs. Higurashi.
-About a week. Where is grandpa?
-He is at the shrine doing his morning shores.
-Ok then. I'm going to school as soon that I take a shower. Mom, could you please make me something for breakfast?
-Sure honey but, why don't you skip school today?
-But mama, take a time to go to school is exactly the reason why I came back! – said the young girl, incredulity.
-I know. But, since the day that you started traveling between this and the Feudal Era, we hardly ever have seen you around. I kinda miss my daughter... – said the woman, seeming heartbroken.
-Okay, I will stay home today. Furthermore, I can use a day off.
-Good. Then go take your shower while I prepare something delicious to you eat.
-Ok. Thanks mama.
Morning passed by and Kagome enjoyed the time that she spent with her family like she never did before. Little she knew that, as the afternoon approached, so did her encounter with someone who was about to change hers and her friends' fate...
A mysterious figure goes up the stairs that lead to the Sunset Shrine. As he reaches the top, a happy smile crosses his face as he spots the Goshinboku tree. He slowly approaches the god tree and stares at it. More precisely, the figure stared to tree's scar that marked the place where InuYasha was sealed 500 years ago. Taking a deep breath, like an old man that is suddenly attacked by old memories of good times, he moves his sight to the blue afternoon's sky above him.
-Finally, it's time... – he said, in a deep, but young voice.
Kagome got out from her house in her best childlike way. She was happy that her mother made her stay at home. It was a too beautiful day to waste it being locked on a classroom at school.
She looked at the sky and started to spin around until she lost her balance and fell down to the ground. She giggled a little and started to get up. It's been a while since the last time that she spent a whole Monday afternoon fooling around, like a child who doesn't have any worries. But then, she saw something that made her mood drop all at once.
'InuYasha!' she thought to herself, discontentment printed on her face. He was there, standing in front the god tree with his arms crossed. Now she had it! This time, she was going to keep her promise and 'sit' him until she couldn't see the red of his outfit or the black of his hair anymore!
'Wait a minute! Black hair?!' it was then that she noticed that it wasn't her hanyou friend who was standing in front of the Goshinboku.
Taking a closer look, she saw that the figure was a boy of about her age. He had a long rebel black hair that reached the middle of his back, and that was tied in a ponytail at the height of his neck. He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a large red overcoat that reached his ankles which, by the way, was what made her mistake him with InuYasha.
Kagome carefully started to walk in the boy's direction. She never saw him around before and, from the way that he was dressed, he could very well be a punk wanting to do some kind of sick prank against the temple.
'But, it's odd. He isn't doing anything!' she thought 'Is just standing there, staring at the tree.'
She stepped a little closer to him but, before she could do anything to prevent it, he did something that she never expected: placing one foot at the small stone fence that surrounded the tree, the boy use it as a step, so he could jump and reach the Goshinboku's lowest twig and climb on the holy tree.
'That's enough!' thought Kagome. She could take a punk trying to do some prank, but what that boy was doing is too much! As long that she lived, she would never allow that someone disrespect the sacred tree by climbing it and resting on one of its branches like if it was just a regular tree. With that thought in mind, Kagome approached him in a very angry and decisive way.
-Hey! What do you think that you're doing?! – she shouted. The sound of her voice drawn his attention and he turned his face to look at her. What she saw in his eyes startled her so much that she almost yelped.
They were the most beautiful eyes that she ever saw! They seemed a pair of jewels which the color was a mix of the clearest violet and the deepest indigo! But, what startled her was the feeling that they showed. His eyes emitted a deep sadness and also something else, but she couldn't put her finger on it. It seemed almost like..... recognition?
-Taking a nap on this tree, what else. – his sudden answer slap her back to reality, and also made her very upset. How dare he talk so rudely with her?!
-Have you any idea of what tree is this?! – she asked. But, before he could say anything, she answered for him. –This is the Goshinboku! The holy tree of the Sunset Shrine! What you're doing right now is a great sin against this temple!
-So? – he asked, uninterested.
-So, you better get down from there before I put you six feet under the ground!
-Hmph. Yeah, right. Like a skinny little girl like you could actually do that. Why don't you go take care of your own business, bitch!
-OSUWARI! – screamed Kagome, who quickly covered her mouth and cursed herself mentally when she realized what she just said. Once again she had mistaken him with InuYasha. This time because of the 'bitch' thing.
She glanced at him. He had a confused look on his face and was about to say something when a voice came from behind Kagome.
-What's going on here?! – said the deep and old voice of the Higurashi patriarch.
-Grandpa! – said Kagome. She ran to the old priest and put herself behind him and placing him between her and the strange boy. The old man was her salvation. Not only he was saving her from dealing with a pretty embarrassing situation, but also was about to help her teach some manners to that punk.
-Grandpa, that boy is using the sacred tree as a place for taking a nap! – she said, pointing at the boy accusingly.
-Boy! – said Grandpa Higurashi in his best authority-like way –I don't know who you are, but I will not allow that you disrespect this temple with your vandal's actions. Get down from that tree right away!
The boy didn't seem to be impressed. Not that he should. It's Grandpa Higurashi that we're talking about here, after all! Instead, he had a big grin on his face. Then, to the surprise of all, he sat on his ankles and, with one single leap, came from the top of the Goshinboku to the ground, landing right in front of Kagome and her grandfather.
-Hey Higurashi-jiji! – he said in a mocking tone -You got uglier since the last time that I saw you!
The old Higurashi was speechless. He was about to scold the young boy for his behavior, but stopped himself. Then, after taking a closer look at the boy, studying him from head to toes, he finally opened his mouth to say something.
-It can't be! Shiro?! It's that you?! – asked Grandpa Higurashi. His only answer was an even bigger grin from the boy. Realizing that he was right, the Higurashi patriarch threw himself at the arms of the boy, taking him on a big and strong hug, while saying –Shiro-kun! My boy! It's been such a long time! You've grow up!
Meanwhile, Kagome, who was completely astonished with what just happened, was left ignored behind the two men.
Moments later, inside the Higurashi residence...
The whole Higurashi clan was gathered inside the living room. A reunion was called, so Grandpa Higurashi could introduce his friend to the rest of his family. Their reactions when they first saw the strange dressed boy were various. Mrs. Higurashi, as always, kept a polite smile and seemed unfazed about everything. Souta was staring at the boy, studying him closely, a curious expression painted on his face. And Kagome was avoiding look at him, showing to everybody that she was still mad about what happened a while ago.
-Well everybody, I would like to introduce you someone. – started Grandpa Higurashi. –This is...
-... Shiro Tsukayama. Nice to meet you all. – complete the boy.
-Shiro used to live nearby here before you moved in. – continued the old priest –At that time, he used to come visit the shrine almost everyday to help me with my chores.
-It was nothing. The only reason why I helped Higurashi-jiji back then was so I could have a good excuse for purposely missing the first classes. – said Shiro, in a playful tone.
-Hohoho! Oh Shiro-kun, I missed your jokes so much! It's been such a long time since the last time that I laughed like that. But, please Shiro-kun, stop calling me Higurashi-jiji. I'm not that old yet.
-Ok. But, only if you stop calling me Shiro-kun. I'm not a kid anymore.
'I am not of sure if that was a joke.' thought Kagome. She gave Shiro a quick killing glare and then resumed her task of ignoring him.
-But then, five years ago, Shiro's father sent him to study in some foreign country and I haven't heard of him ever since. – finished Grandpa Figurate. –Oh, I almost forgot! Shiro, I would like to introduce you to my family. This is my daughter, my grandson: Souta and, I believe that you already know my granddaughter: Kagome.
Everyone could see sparks flying when Kagome's and Shiro's eyes met. The atmosphere of the room suddenly became heavy as they watched two teenagers trying to kill each other with their glares.
-Yeah, we've already met. I must confess that, at first, I was a little surprised when you told me that she was your relative but, now I can see that you two look a lot alike.
-What? – asked Souta. –Do you really think that grandpa looks like a teenager schoolgirl? – that comment sent Grandpa Higurashi's ego up high, but it was quickly brought back down by Shiro's answer.
-No. It's your sister who actually looks like a middle-aged old man. – after saying that, the two boys started to laugh uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the time traveling miko was about to explode. Shiro's remarks were making her burn in pure anger. She was about to jump at his throat when Mrs. Higurashi broke the uncomfortable tension between them with her always cheerful attitude.
-So Shiro, would you like to join us for lunch?
Kagome looked at her mother with an expression of pure terror on her face. She couldn't be seriously thinking in inviting this jerk to eat at their table, could she? It seemed so. But, the boy in question had other plans.
-Unfortunately, no. – said Shiro. –Since I moved back recently, there are still some businesses that I need to attend today. At first, I was only planning in make a quick visit to Higurashi-jii-san, but I've already stayed longer than I expected. I need to go now but, if it's ok with you, I will be available tomorrow for a dinner.
-Of course! We would love have you for dinner. – said Mrs. Higurashi. –Kagome, would you please escort our guest to the temple limits?
Kagome simply nod, too lost in her thoughts to say anything. She was having troubles in swallowing everything that just happened; this whole thing was like a nightmare to her! First, this odd boy came out from the nowhere saying that he's an old friend of her grandpa and then, before she knew, he is treated as a member of the family and is invited to eat at their table.
At first, she felt sick because of the simple idea of Shiro having lunch at her house but, now that she knew that he was going to have dinner with her and the rest of her family, she was seriously considering the possibility of going back to the Sengoku Jidai just to get as far away possible from him.
They were half way down the shrine's staircase when Shiro snapped her back to reality, preventing her from giving a deeper thought on the subject.
-Hey! – said Shiro, touching the girl's shoulder, who was a few steps in front of him –Are you even listening to what am I saying?!
-What?! – snapped Kagome, angrily.
-I knew that you weren't listening!
-Why should I listen to the mumblings of a punk like you?
-Hmph. You're so uncute...
-Jerk! – hurled Kagome, turning around to face the raven haired boy.
-Bitch!
-Asshole!
After some moments exchanging insults at full lungs, they both turned their backs to each other, one visibly upset with what the other had said. They stayed like this for a few minutes, until Shiro decided to break the silence.
-I asked... – started the teenager boy. The concern on his voice was palpable -...what Higurashi-jiji has been eating lately? -
That question caught Kagome off guard and she quickly turned around to face him. He still had his back turned to her, but his head was slightly turned to the side, allowing him to stare at her with the corner of his beautiful eyes.
She quickly recomposed herself and answered him.
-The usual: meat, rice, some vegetables. Why do you ask?
-During the conversation, I noticed that he seemed to be a little shaken. – he said, as they resumed their walk - He already was very old five years ago, when I last saw him, but, even then, he never looked as tired as today. So, I thought that, maybe, it is already time for him to start taking care of his health.
Kagome stopped to think for a moment. Shiro's words made sense! Grandpa Higurashi was no young man anymore, and a properly balanced diet would make some good to him. She smiled when that realization crossed her mind.
-You care about him a lot, don't you? – she said.
-He is the closest thing that I have from a real fatherly figure...
-What happened to your father?
The expression that fell upon his face when she mentioned his father made clear to her that he didn't wanted to talk about it. After some moments of uncomfortable silence, Kagome realized that they already were at the end of the staircase.
-So. – she started, trying to sound as polite as possible –Goodbye then.
-Goodbye. – he answered. He was about to leave when something came to his mind. –Just one thing first.
-What?
-What was that 'osuwari' thing from earlier?
The memory of the incident at the god tree made her face go bright red. Before anything else could be said, she turned around and ran back to her house, leaving the raven haired boy without an answer.
Later that night, during the dinner time at the Higurashi house...
Kagome used the rest of the day to make clear to every member of her family how much she hated Shiro. Still, she couldn't help but think about his words as she watched her grandpa eat. He was filling his belly with meat, noodles and others but, still didn't even touch the actually healthy food!
He was about to fill his plate by the fourth time that night, when she slapped his chopsticks away with her own, preventing him from touching any of the unhealthy food.
-Hey! – said the angry Higurashi patriarch –Why have you done that?!
-You've been eating too much junk food lately. – she answered, her face totally impassive. And, as she filled his plate with vegetables, she continued. –It's already time for you to start taking care of your body and eating more healthy foods.
-Shiro told you to do this, didn't he? – Grandpa Higurashi's question made Kagome flinch for a moment, before delivering his plate back to him. Noticing this, he continued. –I knew it. He used to do the same thing during the time that he lived here.
-I don't get it. – said Souta. –I thought that you hated the guy, sis.
-I do hate him.
-Then, why are you willingly doing something that he told you to do?
-Because, even if I hate him, he actually have a point in this.
-Yeah. You can see that the boy knows about things. – said Mrs. Higurashi.
-You know, it is actually good that you two get along about something. – said Grandpa Higurashi in a fake innocent voice –Maybe, there are still chances of fulfilling my forlorn dream.
-What forlorn dream? – asked Souta, making everyone's attention turn to Grandpa Higurashi.
-Oh, it's nothing. – he replied. –It's just that I always dreamed in introducing Shiro and Kagome to each other and, maybe, one day, seeing them getting married.
-WHAAAATTT?! – yelled Kagome.
-Now that you mentioned. – started Mrs. Higurashi –I would like to have a boy like that as my son-in-law.
-MAMA!! – Kagome yelled again.
-Hihihi. – giggled Souta – So, now big sis has a new boyfriend! I wonder how InuYasha will react when he finds out about this.
-HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!!! – yelled the schoolgirl, for the third time that night. But, this time, a burst of laugh coming from all the other Higurashis followed her yell.
-This is not funny! – said the young time-traveler –Let me make myself perfectly clear: I HATE that guy, ok! He is rude, sarcastic, impolite and has an extremely bad taste for clothes! Did you guys get it?! I HATE HIM!!
At that same moment, on a dark alley somewhere in the city...
-AACHOOO!!
Shiro shook his head after this huge sneeze. Someone must be talking bad things about him. Probably, Kagome. A second later, he started to laugh lightly because of the thought. Some things never change. Then a clack sound quickly brought him back to reality.
-Kukukuku... Well, well. Look to what do we have here. – said a deep husky voice. Suddenly, three figures came out from the shadows: two skinny punks as taller as him, and the owner of the voice: a 6.9 foot tall giant carrying a huge chain that seemed to weigh half a ton!
-Yep, boss. – said one of the punks. –It seems that we have another preschool boy trying to prove himself to his friends. Or, maybe, he is just a newbie that doesn't know where he is.
-Then, maybe we should tell him. – said the other punk. –Hey, kid! Do you know that you have just invaded the territory of the Seven Specters, the cruelest gang of the town?
-So? – asked Shiro, defiance filling his voice.
-So?! – repeated the punk, incredulous. –So, that the Specters have rules for those who enter in their domains without permission: they either become Spectersor they die.
-Well, what is going to be, kid? – asked the giant, snapping his fingers by balling his hand into a fist –Are you going to join us, or should we use you as an example to our foes?
Shiro twitched. He HATED being called kid. Fortunately, the gangsters didn't notice it, otherwise they could see it as a sign of weakness. He quickly recovered his composure and smirked in defiance.
-I have a better idea! – said the raven haired teenager –Why don't you just move away and I let you go unharmed.
The two punk were about to say something in return, but stopped themselves when they saw the look in Shiro's eyes. It wasn't a look of anger, or of defiance. It was a look that simply said: 'displease me and die'. Unfortunately for them, their boss wasn't scared so easily.
-What?! With whom do you think that you're talking to?! – asked the giant, red of anger.
-Doesn't matter. – replied Shiro –You assholes are getting out of my way! Either by the easy way or by the hard way!
-You scumbag! You are going to regret those words!
-The hard way then...
-Enough of this! Let's get him guys! – said the giant, charging against Shiro. The punks hesitated for a moment, but quickly followed their boss in his primitive attack. All this did nothing but make the grin of the violet/indigo eyed boy grow wider.
Hours later, back at the Higurashi house...
As Kagome lay on her bed, she remembered the events that followed tonight's dinner. Right after the meal, she sat on the living room to watch TV with her family. During the whole time that she stayed there, she had to hear the teasing of Souta and her grandpa about her and Shiro being a couple.
When she finally had enough of their teasing, the raven haired girl decided to leave the room and go take a shower to fresh her mind. After the bath, she went straight to her room and locked herself inside of it.
Once there, she decided to study a little before going to bed, trying to catch up what she had lost in the past few weeks that she was with InuYasha and the others. But, even now as she tucked herself on her bed, she was still upset with her relatives because of their jokes about Shiro and her. How could they play with her like that?!
After some minutes, that line of thought made Shiro's face come to her mind and she frowned because of that. She remembered the way that he treated her, the jokes and the nasty remarks that he made about her and how he laughed after each one of them.
'Doesn't matter how handsome that boy is, he should seriously think about changing his behavior' then her eyes went wide as she realized what she just thought, making her curse herself mentally.
'No! No! NO!' she thought 'That boy is not handsome! He is a bad looking punk with an even worst attitude!' Unfortunately to Kagome, she couldn't help as the very first thing that came to her mind when she went to the dreams world was the half-violet half-indigo eyes that belonged to the raven haired boy.
To be continued...
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Final comments: Okay. Here is the first chapter of my first long-shot work. Some InuYasha's fans may notice that I've made a small play with this chapter title so it would remember the title of the first episode of the anime.
As I said before, this AU fic starts little after the episode 88 of the anime, with the difference that here Kagome doesn't get sick (at least not yet).
In the next chapter, you will know a little more about my OC, Shiro Tsukayama. He is a character with many secrets, some of them related with elements of other animes. But don't get things wrong! This will not be a crossover fic, since those elements will have little influence over the story.
Also, I must warn you guys that I still didn't decided if this fic is going to have any romance but, if it does, I must warn you to not expect many traditional pairings.
By the way, does anyone knows the name of Kagome's school and the name of the city were she lives?
Please R&R.