Chapter Four

It is Beginning

He awoke with a start to realized he had been howling, and all the other's were awoken by it. He was a shivering mess, and his teeth chattered loudly, though it was not cold. He stood quickly, looking around as though he expected something to leap at him, but they were all just... watching him. He could feel there eyes on him, prying for a reason. Always a reason. He felt like he was going mad! Agh, not again, he thought frantically and quickly snapped out of it. Licking his lips nervously, he glanced to them. "I uhh... apologize for the rude awakening." He murmered and leaned agaisnt the tree, bowing his head like he was embarassed.

Kagome just smiled at him and stood up, walking towards him. "Are you alright?" She asked with her usual concern, which surprised him. "It must've been a bad dream." She said, watching him with those innocent brown eyes.

"Yea..." He murmered, "Bad dream." He stated dismissively and looked back to the ground. His breathing was still shakey, and he forced himself to calm, and after a moment, it worked. He glanced to her, realizing how close she was standing, and absently realizing how, well... nice she looked. And her scent was like a perfume to his nose, and he seemed, comforted by it? He smiled weakly as his gaze returned to hers. Black eyes meeting dark brown. Inwardly, he found himself a fool. Was he actually finding these half brained twits friends? Or atleast some of them?

He noticed Inuyasha giving him a steely glare and he quickly cleared his throat, moving away. "Oh... uhh. Excuse me. I'll uhh... be right back." He said quickly and turned, recieving no questions, just stares. It made his shoulder blades itch, and he fought the urge to slouch as he walked. He could smell fresh water, and maybe a drink, or a good dunking of his head would clear his mind. It worked when one was intoxicated.

He found the water easily, and he knelt at the bank with a relieved sigh. Cupping his hands and throwing the cool water in his face. He glanced up warily, his gaze searching, he tested the air. No observers, good. Or atleast, if there was, he couldn't find them. With a slight shake of his head, he slipped off his billowy black shirt that was usually unlaced over his head. His chest was generously muscled, and virtually clear of chest hair. He was elven, or, half elven. A fairer breed. He hung his shirt up on a protruding branch, and began slipping his pants off as well. His legs were generally muscled, as though he had time to work out, and he hung his pants up as well.

Without anymore delay, he dove right into the water, surfacing with a grin as he swept his hair from his face. His wild hair, which Heron had enjoyed playing with when she was younger. He sighed and let his thoughts drift as he floated leisurely in the water. Why had he suddenly experienced a nightmare that hadn't haunted him for over 3 months? Then again, he doubted that would ever leave him. The fact that he killed his own blood. The fact that time still applied had completely slipped his mind, and he didn't notice that somebody was looking for him. He was happy by himself. By himself, he could be himself, with no worry.

He didn't realize that all of them had approached, and there he was, half naked, and swimming his troubles away. He heard giggling... or something like it, and snapped to, staring at the traveling company, his gaze wide eyed. He had not expected that at all. Not one bit. He managed to look like he was blushing and glanced at his clothes on shore with a light gulp. "Uhhh... I lost track of... time." He said honestly and stayed up to his waist in water, and again, he was noticing eyes on him. Women's eyes, on his chest. He glanced at Kagome, realizing it was her!

With a continueous innocent smile, he slipped out of the water and snatched for his clothes. It's not like he wasn't wearing absolutely nothing. He pulled on his pants with haste, but not in a direct hurry, and then slipped on his shirt, though the front was unlaced, so it still exposed his well muscled chest. He seemed totally unfazed about the fact he had dressed infront of them, though most had averted their eyes, he glanced to the ground, pretending he was checking for something, and his shoulderblades still itched from an observer. And he had no doubts as to who it was.

The awkward moment passed quickly, and once again they were on there way, and Nathan was still silent, though occasionally, some tried to spark conversation. Even Kagome was, especially towards him, trying to find out about him... He told her bare strips and pieces, and often lied if he had to. He noticed Inuyasha listening, so he was wary of his answers. If the other suspected something, which he was sure he did, it would not be wise to encourage more suspicion.

"So, Nathan... where is your family?" Kagome asked, observing him with her dark eyes, they seemed to pry at him to tell the truth. He licked his lips nervously before replying, but hopefully, she'd see it as regret.

"They're... They're dead." He said sadly, and he meant it. Though only his mother and his sister were dead. Both by his hand... It was all she needed to know. He wasn't about to go saying 'my father's a mad man who has custody of my niece'. He smirked and glanced at Kagome. "I can only remember my mother and my sister though. I loved them dearly" He admitted with a light grin.

Kagome watched him with a slow nod. "Will you tell me about them?"

Nathan frowned thoughtfully, and grinned. "My mother, her name was Marthona... She had blue eyes. Morning blue... Her voice was like listening to an angel sing." He grinned lightly. "She had a song she would always hum to my sister and I. She called it Dusk's Lullaby, though it wasn't exactly a song, just her own little tune." He smiled. He was telling the truth now. "She had dark hair, almost black, but not really. It was more of a dark brown colour... But she died when I was seven. Folara, my sister, was taken in, but I sort of..." He paused, thinking, "Fared on my own. Folara had emerald eyes. They were like looking into gems, and her hair was a reddish brown, and so long..." He sighed and shook his head, as though that was all he could remember of his sister. "I don't know what happened exactly, but she's dead too..." He murmered and sighed regretfully. "I do wish I could've said goodbye to them." He muttered and quickly silenced. No need to spill out his heart.

Kagome was watching him intently now, her gaze looked considering, or studying, or something now. A thoughtful look in her eyes. He watched her warily, wondering what could be going on in her mind.

The figure pounded his fist against the arm of his throne. "Damnit Nathan." He growled. "You will fail this as you have the rest!" He snarled, obviously talking to himself. "Always sentimental? Is it the girl you like?" A sudden smile split his bloodless lips. "Then we will see who you like more. The girl, or your surviving family." He growled and turned, his gaze sweeping to the chained bundle on the floor.

It wasn't exactly a bundle, but a person. With emerald eyes that glared defeat and hatred at the same time. Her fire red hair shadowed her eyes though. Her teeth were grinding quite audibly. "He will never come to save me betrayer!" She snapped, glaring at him. Though she did not want to deny her only hope, she believed it was true, that Nathan was a monster. Despite the fact her grandfather was the real monster, she hated Nathan with more passion than she loved her mother. But her mother she could barely remember. It was Nathan she remembered. He had been like... a nanny to her, but her mother she had loved, and so had he... But he killed her, and that was why she hated him.

"Shutup girl! Do not think that I will not kill you when the time comes. He has failed too many missions to get his just reward, which is you." The shadowed figure snarled and stood. Striding down the dais, his shimmering robes of deep crimson and black glided with his movements, making himself appear to glide in return. He stood infront of the girl, who was still technically a child. She was only seven for that matter. "Your life would be mine now if I could use but a simple holographic image of you. But you will die, if not my Nathan's choice, then by my hand." As though to emphasize the point, the figure's hands tightened into fists, and he no longer looked pale. The hood of his robe was hiding his face, so only the thin smirk of his lips could be seen. He almost chuckled in delight at the fear that glittered in the mere child's eyes.

"She will die Nathan!" The man cried out to nobody as he strode for the cell of one of his trusted hunters. "She will die!" He spat out again, loud enough that it echoed down the hall and ricocheted back to him. It was hard whether to tell if he meant Heron, or Kagome...