Chapter 4

"Inuyasha?"

"Hm?"
"Um," I hesitated. It was late that night, two days after my transformation. I had been steeling myself to reveal my secret to Inuyasha, and I had finally worked up the courage. We currently sat up in a tall tree, watching the stars.

He looked at me, concern touching in his eyes. "What is it Kyla?" Since the transformation he had really warmed up to me, and now we were what you could call best friends.

"I have another gift Inuyasha, one that I haven't told you about." I stared. He was silent, though his ears pricked in curiosity. "I can talk with the dead."

His golden eyes widened. "Talk with the dead?"

I nodded. "I don't know why, I just can. That's how I got Hitokiri. I met an old samurai named Musha and he led me to it. He is also my sensei. He was the only one I could ever see." I looked at him, somewhat afraid. "I saw another on the night of my transformation though."

"Who?" he asked, obviously curious.

I bit my lip. "Her name was Izayoi." His eyes widened again, his jaw dropping open. "I saw your mother Inuyasha."

He was deathly pale and silent, ears low. "My mother," he murmured. I watched as tears filled his eyes, and then I put a hand on his shoulder. I had done this once before with Ken, and I saw a need to do it again now.

"Inuyasha?" He looked towards me and I could see that he was struggling to hold back his tears. "I need to understand. Show me." He nodded and I put one hand on his forehead while holding his hands in my other. "Close your eyes……."


Flashback

"Mother! Mother!" I was but a ghost in this memory, witnessing everything from a distance. A small child ran past me, tears streaming down his face. It was Inuyasha; the dog ears left no room for doubt. I followed him to a building where I spotted smoke rising. 'A fire.' I thought.

"Inuyasha, you must run!" It was Izayoi. She was trying to get out of the burning building, ushering Inuyasha ahead of her. Apparently Inuyasha had been playing outside, smelled the smoke and come back for his mother.

"Come on Mother!" the child replied, tugging on the woman's hand. I heard the cracking and splintering of wood and Izayoi screamed, shoving her baby from her body. I shielded my eyes, and then looked sadly at the scene. Izayoi had been trapped under the beam, and the blow had killed her instantly. One pale hand was all you could see of her.

"Mother!" Inuyasha screamed, hooking his fingers under the wood and straining with all of his might. Even as a child he was strong, but he could barely lift the beam. The smoke and flame finally became too much for his senses and he ran from the hut.

Outside things only got worse. The villagers were all carrying weapons, torches and other various items. They were happy to see Izayoi, and they were going to take out their pent out fury at the woman on her child. "That wench deserved what she got!" one of the men cried, brandishing his torch angrily. "It serves her right for bringing an abomination like you into this world!"

The villagers roared their agreement and rushed at Inuyasha who turned and ran into the forest, tears streaming freely down his small face.

End Flashback


I opened my eyes to see Inuyasha sitting before me, eyes closed and tears falling slowly down his cheeks. I gathered him into a hug, petting his ears in a soothing motion.

"It's alright," I whispered. "She wanted me to tell you that she loves you, that you need to be brave and follow your heart."

His face was buried in my shoulder, his tears soaking my outfit. I was afraid; I had never known him to cry. Kagome had told me that he had only ever cried once in the time that she had known him, and that had been when he thought she had died. He was stretched out on the branch beside me, face in my shoulder and arms hugging my waist. I let him be, gently stroking his ears. It wasn't long before his breathing evened out and he fell asleep against my shoulder.

I lay my cheek against his silver hair, smiling when his ears flicked against my skin. "Sleep well."


(Next morning)

I opened my eyes slowly, my body still unwilling to wake. Inuyasha was still sleeping peacefully, his arm draped over my waist. I smiled and shook his shoulder gently. He moved slightly, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes.

"Good morning sleepy head." I teased, watching him show off his fangs in a wide yawn.

"G' mornin'," he replied sleepily, and I could tell he was still half-asleep. He looked up at the brightening sky, blinking. "We should probably get back to the others."

I nodded, and then decided to wake him up properly. With a grin I shoved him off the branch. He grabbed my ankle with a growl, pulling me off with him. I cried out as we fell through the air, and then came to an abrupt halt. I heard an 'oomph,' then opened my eyes to see Inuyasha's wide golden eyes mere centimeters from my own. I gulped and jumped up, standing nervously to the side.

He stood as well, but I could see the faint dusting of pink across his cheekbones. "W-well come on, let's get going."

I nodded shakily, coming to walk beside him. As we walked I found myself looking at him. I just loved everything about him, from his long silver hair to his handsome face with his fine chiseled features, intelligent golden eyes, broad shoulders and cute dog ears. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was falling for Inuyasha, and I was falling hard and fast.