Okay. I am going to put this at the beginning of every chapter except the one after chapter two. I would call it chapter three, but I already have one. So the one with the notes on it is the one I won't put this on because… it's a bunch of notes! Don't assume that everything written here happens in every chapter. Because it doesn't Also, as my Algebra II teacher said last year, 'When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me." As she said 'ass', 'you', and 'me', she pointed to the words inside the word 'assume'. Assume. Cool huh? Learn something new everyday! Now, go tell your folks. Then, come back and read. Then R&R.
Arigatou- thank-you (might be spelled arigato, but it's the same thing)
Hai- yes
Hanyou- half demon or half breed ((We call my friend this. She's
half Caucasian and half Mexican. She wanted us to I swear. She calls
herself a hanyou all the time. Sad isn't it?)
Houshi- something along the lines of Buddhist monk (Miroku)
Iie- no
Kami- God or the equivalent thereof
Kawaii- cute
Kitsune- fox demon I do believe
Miko- priestess
Oi- something I made up or I heard from somewhere. I use it to get someone's attention
Osuwari- sit
Owari- something like 'Bye!' I think. I really don't know for sure.
Tensuaiga- Sesshomaru's sword
Tetsuaiga- Inuyasha's sword
Youkai- demon
Italicized words means the person is thinking to themselves in their own heads or something needs to be emphasized.
'Words
written in these' means the person is speaking to someone else in their
heads. Confusing I know, but you'll know it when you see it.
"Words written in these" means… Do I really need to explain this one?
I do not know what the future is like. I am purely guessing so no harping, okay? I am also guessing on what Kaede looked like when she was young. I've only seen her when she was young one time and that's right after Kikyou seals Inuyasha to a tree and then died. I'm sorry if I'm wrong. Just try to be nice as you yell at me, okay? Also, just because it says y'all somewhere doesn't mean they are in Texas. I am in Texas and the word y'all is something I say all the time. 'Kay?
I am very sorry if I have misspelled anything in Japanese, like names or the words above. I know 'ou' makes a long o sound. Like Shippo should probably be Shippou since Kikyou and Kouga follow that rule. But, I did Kouga like that from the very beginning and Kikyou became a sudden habit. Everyone else I saw it first as I have spelled it. If I have defined anything wrong, please tell me. It's not considered a flame if I ask for it. I promise. And if I've misspelled anything in English and you catch it let me know. I am a real big spelling and grammar freak. It's… Never mind. Also, my friend helped me write this. So anything wrong or stupid is her fault. wink wink And the cursing. That's all hers too. With that being said…
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"I don't think you quite understand Karen Bassi," Sam said quietly, unemotionally. "You play a very big part in our lives right now. You are the only person who can control Immanuel completely should he ever get out of control again. It's only happened once before, and I would like to keep it that way. You see, there is only one person who can say sit and it have any effect over Immanuel." As if to prove his point, Immanuel had walked in at that time with two drinks, one in each hand. He flinched as his elder brother said the word, but nothing happened.
"And what do I care?" Karen asked, taking a drink from Immanuel. He handed the other to Sam and them stood next to Karen like he had in the coach's office earlier that day. "I do not want him to be treated like you treat him. He's not your pet, and he's not your slave. He's your brother Sam. Brothers are supposed to love and respect each other; not try to find someone to control the other."
"I don't think you understand," Sam said slowly, like he was talking to a five year old. "Immanuel is different. I am different. Normal people don't have silver hair and golden eyes Karen. You know that. There are things about Immanuel and I that you would never think to suspect because-"
"Shut up and tell her already," Immanuel said suddenly. Karen turned to look at him, utterly afraid of the emotion she heard in his voice. She'd only known the boy for one day, but she'd learned that emotion for Immanuel meant Sam showed up. And since they were already at his house… "She doesn't understand reading between the lines. She won't unless we spell it out. And since you won't let me, you need to just shut up and tell her about it."
"Immanuel," Sam seethed, "do you remember our agreement? I do. And so should you because you live it every day Immanuel. Now stand there and keep your mouth shut."
"He shouldn't have to!" Karen yelled. Immanuel placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to get her to keep quiet. But it didn't work. "Let me be Immanuel!" she shouted as she shoved his hand away. "I told you just a few seconds ago that he's not your slave! So stop treating him like one. There's nothing so horrible that I wouldn't understand. If there's some big secret that I need to know then tell me. I can't stay here forever. My mother will be wanting me home soon-"
"Ah yes, your mother. How is Mrs. Bassi? What about Steven? And your grandfather lives with you, no?" Sam asked, a very feint smile playing on his lips. Karen was speechless. She'd never told him anything of her family, and she didn't remember telling Immanuel so he couldn't have told him either. "Do not worry about them. They think you're spending the night at… Sara's. It's so hard to remember their names. I wish they would all just wake-up and remember.".
"Remember what?" Karen asked suspiciously. She was already awake. This was no dream. None of her dreams were ever like this so it must be real.
"Tell her or I will," Immanuel said again. Karen looked up at him. He was mad, there was no denying it. It was written all over his face. She looked at Sam. He was mad too. Apparently, Immanuel didn't talk back too much. She watched the emotions play across Sam's face. It was hard, but she saw a few of them. He was shocked, and amused and very upset. She was so busy trying to watch the emotions play across Sam's face, she didn't even realize anyone had moved until she noticed she was standing in the doorway.
Well, she wasn't really standing. Immanuel had her in his arms bridal style. She wondered how he had done that so fast, and why. Then she looked at Sam again. He was standing over some pieces of wood with his fist held over it. Wait. Pieces of wood? My chair! I was just sitting there! her mind screamed at her. Instinctively, Immanuel's arms tightened around her.
"Don't touch her," Immanuel said in a low voice.
"Tell her to watch her mouth," Sam countered. He stood and regained his posture once more. "You're still protecting her. You did then, and you are now. What about-?"
"Don't even bring that up!" Immanuel spat. "I have no intention in repeating what has happened before. That's why we were given a second chance. To make things right."
What are they talking about? Karen asked herself. I just met Immanuel today. He hasn't protected me before because there's been no need to. Until- Oh my God! Sam just tried to kill me! Immanuel saved me. How did he move so fast? What is going on? What is this secret they were talking about? I am confused. What is going on! Karen began to squirm in Immanuel's arms, wanting to be set down. "Tell me what's going on someone."
"So demanding. No wonder you love humans Inuyasha," Sam said. Immanuel growled and Karen froze.
"Inu… yasha…" she whispered. "I know that name. I've… I've heard it before. I know this person. No… he's not a person. He's…" The memories came and went suddenly, causing Karen to have a headache. She looked up to Immanuel. "He's you."
"She hasn't awoken! What's going on Sam?" Immanuel asked, looking from the girl in his arms to his brother. "We fell unconscious. She's still here. She can't know everything. Karen, who is that?" he asked, pointing to Sam with a nod of his head. Karen looked at the boy across the room like she had never seen him before, but like she had known him all her life at the same time. A face came to her mind's eye suddenly, but it wasn't the same as the boy she was looking at.
"Sam… No. But I don't know… Sesshy…" she whispered. Sam growled.
"I am not 'Sesshy'," he growled. Immanuel turned and walked out of the room and away from his brother. Making his way to the front door, Immanuel tried to keep his thoughts straight. He heard his brother making his way toward them. "Immanuel stop," he ordered. Immanuel froze. "Turn around and come back here. Bring Karen." Immanuel started back toward the door out of sheer habit.
Karen had had enough. She twisted out of Immanuel's arms and dropped to the ground gracefully. "I am really sorry Immanuel. Sit." He immediately dropped to his knees and grabbed the necklace around his neck. "You were right Sam. I do control him and I plan to right now. Immanuel come with me," she commanded as Immanuel rose slowly off the ground. He walked to her, growling at the feeling that still bounced around inside him from her command. He also hated the feeling of people fighting over him, as if he were a slave. Like Karen kept saying.
They left and went to Karen's house. When she walked in, her mother had a surprised look on her face. "Karen hunny? What are you doing home? I thought you were spending the night at Sara's," she said slowly, looking from Karen to Immanuel. "Who is this Karen?"
"You remember I told you I was going to Immanuel's to talk with his brother after school today?" Karen asked. Her mother nodded her head. "Well this is Immanuel. He is new, like I said earlier. Can… can he spend the night? He can sleep in the den, or in the guest room on the first floor," she said quickly. She'd never had a guy spend the night before and she prayed her mother wouldn't ask if she should call Immanuel's brother to get permission.
"I'd prefer the outside," Immanuel said quietly. The two women in the room turned to him and stared. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd rather sleep outside. I… I was never an inside person and I prefer to be among nature. We… Our home in Chile was partially… It's hard to explain. Just… may I? I won't bother anyone, and I require nothing at this time," Immanuel said, looking to Mrs. Bassi for permission.
"We'll leave the backdoor unlocked and some blankets on the couch if you change your mind," she said just as slowly as he had. Walking into the kitchen, Mrs. Bassi watched the pair out of the corners of her eyes and went about her business. After a few minutes, she walked into the living room again with blankets in hand, then set them on the end of the couch. The backdoor was open slightly, and voices drifted through it.
"Will you tell me?" Karen asked as Immanuel looked at the trees in her backyard for one to sleep in. "About Chile? And about this big secret?" She felt Immanuel tense and decided that could wait a bit longer. "At least tell me about you. I've only met you today and I'm already saving you and trying to figure out just what is going on."
Sighing, Immanuel sat down at the base of an oak that he deemed worthy for him to sleep in. He looked up at the sky, enjoying the sunset as it played around them. Then he looked for the moon, wondering what the time of the month was. He paled when he saw no moon. "Karen, check your calendar and tell me if it a new moon," Immanuel said in a worried, fast tone.
"No need," a voice said from somewhere. "It is little brother." Karen was scared, but more angry now. He was beginning to upset her greatly. Hurting Immanuel like that, almost hitting her, and then coming to her house. "Do you really forget so easily? I would never allow you out. Especially tonight of all nights. Get home, before the moon sets."
"Now just wait one second," Karen began.
"No Karen," Immanuel said. "I cannot do this tonight. I will see you tomorrow in school. I must go home now. I…" Immanuel became silent, and Karen became worried. It was Sam's reaction that scared her the most. He was smiling, but it was a very disturbing image. "I… must… go…" Immanuel said, trying to get his feet to move. "Sam… help me…" he pleaded with his brother.
"On second thought, she did ask to know the secret Immanuel. Why don't you tell her?" he teased, jumping to the top of the oak Immanuel was sitting beneath moments ago. "I will see you two later. If you survive." Karen watched, confused, as Sam jumped onto the street and then disappeared. A hand on her shoulder caused her to look back to her new friend. When he raised his eyes to meet her gaze, she inhaled quickly.
"Go inside… lock the doors…" he whispered.
"No. I want to help you Immanuel," she said, grasping his hand with hers. She was scared for the boy. There was something happening to him. His once amber eyes were a dark red, and purple slash marks were making their way across his cheeks. The hand on her shoulder tightened its grasp as his nails grew longer and longer. His breathing came faster and faster, and his teeth grew to slightly longer fangs. The weirdest thing that happened, in Karen's book at least, was when Immanuel's ears slid to the top of his head and became pointed and furry. "Immanuel?"
"This is part of it," he whispered, releasing her shoulder and sitting beneath the oak tree again. "Sit. I will start from the beginning." Karen sat down in front of him and noticed his gaze was on his lap. His silver bangs hid his eyes from her so she couldn't see his emotions, although he rarely showed them anyways. "Over seven hundred years ago, I lived in the Feudal era of Japan as a hanyou, a half-demon half-human creature. Sam was there; he was my full demon half-brother. Even your friends were there. Kimberly was a priestess that I fell in love with. But we were tricked by the one you now call Nathan. I went for the shikon jewel; she sealed me to a tree.
"She died that day, and I was sealed for fifty years. Being part or whole demon allows longevity. Kristen was Kimberly's little sister then too," he explained, struggling with names. She wouldn't understand if he used the names he remembered. But their new names were hard for him to remember. "Seth was a fox demon that was orphaned at a young age. You took him to raise as your own. Matt was a monk…" Here he paused and laughed. "…with a hand that had a mind of its own. It seemed to like Sara's backside, who was a demon exterminator. You… You lived about five hundred years in the future from that time. And we traveled between times through the well.
"Only you and I could travel. You because of the shikon jewel, and me because of the necklace Kaede - I mean Kristen placed on me. The sit command was used then too, but it forced me headfirst into the ground. You lived with your mother, brother, and grandfather in your time. Kris… was the same as he is now. We've all maintained our personalities. He was a wolf demon, with his own pack, who was trying to get you to fall in love with him as he thought he had fallen in love with you. But someone was always in the way. Let's see… Krystal, Sara's cat was there too. She was a demon cat. And Kevin was her little brother." He looked up slightly to see Karen's reaction. She seemed to understand, if not already know.
"Things were… much different. Nara- Nathan caused many problems for us. And of course my brother. On every new moon night, I changed from half demon to full human. Now, I change from slightly modified human to a full demon, usually going on a rampage. This is the first time I can remember being sane. Talking to someone. I thank you for helping me Karen. Your mother is coming for you though. I will be fine here. Do get some sleep now," he said, pushing himself into the tree quickly.
"Karen?" Mrs. Bassi called out. Karen turned and looked to see her mother standing in the doorway, waiting for her. "Come inside please."
"Yes mama!" she called back as she stood once more. Glancing into the tree, she tried to catch a glimpse of Immanuel. "Come to my window later. Please?" she said quietly before running back to her house. "I'm going to bed mama. Good night Steven," she said to her brother, ruffling his hair as she walked to the steps. Thoughts of everything she had just been told jumped around in her mind. Reincarnation. Other lives. Demons and half-demons. Time travel? Is that even possible? But why would he make that up and how could he lie about changing when I saw him do it?
Karen walked to her room, changed into her pajamas and then went to her window. She silently unlocked it and then pushed it open slowly. Waiting for Immanuel to come, Karen sat on her bed. She never got to see him come as she suddenly leaned over in a faint and discovered the truth behind everything Immanuel had said. It's real, she told herself in her dream-like state. It's all real!