Third Time's A Charm- Chapter 8
Darkness swept across the village and lit torches sprung up everywhere like tiny suns, casting smoky orange glows to break the black. The sound of steady music, heavy drums and chiming bells, pulsed in the air, sending vibrations so strong you could feel them through the ground. The center of the village was a huge courtyard that was now littered with tables decorated by silvered platters of food. Paper lanterns were strung up everywhere, hung with gold tassels.
The courtyard itself was packed tightly and at the head of it all on a platform sat Akari, one leg tucked under her, lips tipped into the slightest of smiles. Inuyasha stood in the back of the crowd and glowered. It was her fault. He'd been reminiscing all day because of her. The last thing he wanted or needed was to be surrounded by laughing dancing people. Then why was he here at all?
He studied Akari again. Her mouth may have been turned up but her eyes were distant a solemn, as if she were looking out from behind a mask. Her back was straight as an arrow, tense and unrelaxed. It was a stance Inuyasha knew well since it was one he took very often. The deception of ease.
The smell of food around him was dizzying and he was hungry. Starving in fact but he remembered Ayako's warning not to eat and so stayed away from it. Beyond being dizzy he felt light headed and hazy. A combination of sleep and food deprivation no doubt. The pounding music wasn't helping much either and he had resolved to go, when Akari's gaze suddenly slid in his direction and the false smile disappeared replaced with that wicked grin she loved to give him. And then she stood.
"If I may have your attention." The music cut of abruptly as if the musician had been suddenly killed. A rumble started to rise and it took Inuyasha a moment to realize it was a cheer of Akari's name. "Thank. Tonight we are here to celebrate. First I would like to introduce Inuyasha. He is only a visitor and will leave soon but we shall make him welcome as long as he stays."
Inuyasha jumped in surprise as eyes turned his way followed by a few tittering giggles from numerous females and nods and toasts of greeting from the men. Inuyasha shifted, unused to the total accepting attention and was saved when Akari began speaking again.
"And more importantly I'd like to give congratulations to Keisuke and Yaeko." Cheers went up as she gestured towards the couple behind her, Yaeko clinging to her husbands arm, a shy but happy smile on her face, cheeks heated with a pretty blush. Akari turned and picked up a pair of wreaths made of flowers so deep yellow they almost looked gold, settling one on Yaeko's head and the other on Keisuke's.
"May your lives be filled with love and happiness. And may you be part of those who help revolutionize the world." Cheers again as Akari dropped a kiss on each of Yaeko's cheeks then did the same to Keisuke before stepping back.
Music struck up again and Keisuke took Yaeko's hand leading her out into the dancing crowd carefully. Inuyasha watched with a bitter kind of wonder then winced slightly as the drums began to pound once more. Things seemed to move slower then normal, almost liquidly. He felt the brush of fingers on his arm and jumped turning his head to see Akari standing next to him.
She flashed a smile. "What were you thinking Inuyasha?"
A scathing retort started to come but he paused, bit it back and instead replied. "Nothing." Quietly
She smiled. "An un-judgmental observer then? Good. That's usually what's best." Her eyes were fixed on the dancing newlyweds. Inuyasha shook his head slightly. Her words sounded a bit jumbled and distant for some reason. Perhaps he was getting too little sleep. "Are you alright?"
"This damn music is loud."
She studied him a moment then caught his hand. "Come on." Leading him away from the festivities into the streets of the village again. The music faded into a dull roar in the distance. "Inuyasha. What do you wish to do with your life?"
"What kind of question is that?" He asked doing his best to stay upright when he's body felt so unbalanced and lopsided. What was wrong? "How am I supposed to know?"
"Is difficult isn't it. Knowing what one is suppose to do. And how to get there when you've finally decided."
She released his hand and Inuyasha realized they were inside a hut just slightly larger then Ayako's. Blankets and fur rugs were strewn across the floor and the interior was lit by three soft glowing lanterns so the most of the room was in shadow, a luminous glow only outlining Akari's left side making her look as if she were shining.
"Inuyasha." She murmured quietly and reached out a hand and slipped it around his neck, moving closer gently apply pressure to pull his head down to hers, lips parting and brushing his own. More of the fog rolled over Inuyasha's mind and things blurred. His eyesight had gone hazy and distorted so he closed it. Akari lingered against his mouth then pulled away slowly. Images floated behind Inuyasha's closed eyelids and he spoke the name that came to mind.
"Kagome."
"Kagome!" The name was echoed back to him with a mixture of surprise and the beginning of anger.
Inuyasha opened his eyes and could see Akari's narrowed eyes settled on him even through the blur everything was in. She lifted a hand and Inuyasha knew she was going to hit him. He tried to move but wobbled and fell, thumping against the floor. There was silence and then Akari's face swam into view, this time concerned.
"Inuyasha. Have you had anything to eat since you took the antidote?"
"Of course not. Ayako told me not to. I'm not stupid."
Akari let out an irritated exhale. "Ayako! You were supposed to eat. On an empty stomach that antidote affects you like a drug. You needed food in your stomach to soak up the excess." She sighed. "It's to late now."
Next thing Inuyasha knew there was the sound of shifting and then hands lifted his head and he felt the swell of soft legs beneath his cheek as Akari settled his head in her lap. Memories rose up again like dreams. Damn it. Why could the medicine put him in a stupor so that he couldn't see or move but it couldn't drive away the memories? He clenched his jaw against the wash of pain reminiscing always brought him. Then he felt the soft touch of fingers against his head as Akari moved her hand to stroke his brow as if she could read his mind and was trying to soothe away then sadness. And oddly enough she was.
"Just rest." She said softly. "You'll feel better in the morning. Damn Ayako." Muttering this last part to herself.
Inuyasha was silent as he let his thoughts drift back over the events of that day, curiosity snagging on one point. "Hey. Akari."
"Yes." There was a quiet happiness in her voice though he couldn't pick out why.
"You said you hoped Keisuke and Yaeko would be part of those who help revolutionize the world. What does that mean?"
She tilted her head slightly and her hair brushed against is cheek and neck like a caress. "One day, half breeds will be accepted. The will no longer be hated and shunned. One-day people will learn to see beyond their hate and own selfishness and welcome them. This village is a start. Marriage between Yaeko who is human and Keisuke who is half demon is a start. And their children will all be tiny signs of hope. Signs of a better future. That is my dream. My revolution."
"Why?" But sleep pulled at him, coaxingly and gently and before he slipped into slumber he only heard her murmur,
"Revolutionize the world, Inuyasha"