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From:Zeff1885cs.com Add to Address Book
Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 21:28:00 EDT
Subject: Complete
To:Winrod321yahoo.com
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Back again. Let's do this...
Inuyasha
Fate's Course & Forbidden Love
Chapter Twelve
Oblivious Nostalgia
The well hidden shrine of the legendary priestess...
Midoriko-- the loathed menace of demons and wicked children, alike...
Rani, a taijiya commander, elucidated a brief history of the great heroine...
And she also gave details on the lesser known facts of her life and the creation of the Shikon...
Shikon... the very name of their objective has been revealed...
What is it?
"That's it." Said Kagome. "The Shikon sounds extremely important. That must be what Yoriko-san was talking about." She stared at an image of herself in a small pond of water. Her reflection portrayed a mask of determination in which she shortly realized, was her own. "I still have to wonder what it is though."
"You really shouldn't worry about too much, right now." Inuyasha assured, giving her a confident smile. "We're going to find out once we get there."
Hikari came out of the small shrine and approached the village girl and the hanyou. The mysterious female samurai displayed a just as mysterious smile on her face. "You are such interesting people." She spoke in a soft tone, almost as though she's whispering. "I certainly hope that it wouldn't be a burden to accompany you all on your escapade. Besides, I am a native of Edo-- born and raised there, as a swordswoman."
Inuyasha really had to admire the woman's honesty. Plus, she an aspiring warrior, and, as a matter of fact, she almost reminds him of himself. Only she was a woman and not in any way demon. "Keh. Sure. Why not? You're welcome to tag along. I'm pretty interested in the style in which you employ your sword. I may learn a little something from you."
"Arigato." She merited with a bow. "I'm sure you shall not be disappointed." She about-faced and walked off to exit the underground shrine along the flight of stairs. Midoriko's sepulcher was a simple yet astounding sight. A small temple resting upon a flat marble surface, as if the surface was a gigantic lily pad on a rivulet of clean water. Actually, in it's own right, it was definitely a elusive treasure hidden from the rest of civilization just waiting to be discovered.
"I'm done looking around inside the temple." Said Chi as she appeared behind Kagome from the shrine. "I guess I'm going to call it a night." She yawned sleepily and stretched her limbs. "Kagome, remind me to stop by the market to buy a new kimono before we leave tomorrow."
Kagome quirked a brow and gave her a mischievous smirk. "Hey! It's about time that you've decided to buy something else to replace the one that you're currently wearing." She jibed, and to that the younger girl scowled at her.
"You and your giddy little jokes." Chi retorted with an annoyed roll of her eyes. "Anyway, just remind me to do so first thing before we head out so you can cease the jokes. Okay? Is that a little too hard for you, Kagome?"
Kagome made a mock honest smile. "Nope. I'll will let you know."
Chi narrowed her eyes at her. "Right..." She shrugged before proceeding up the flight of stairs. "Good night."
"What an unusual friendship you guys have." Inuyasha commented.
"Well, aren't they all?" She responded with an inquiry.
"Beats me..."
Kikyou was the next person who exited from the shrine. She quietly made her way passed Kagome and Inuyasha. "Good night, you two." She acknowledged. "Be sure to have a good night rest before having to resume on our journey tomorrow."
"Of course." Kagome nodded as a response. "Kikyou... about my spiritual powers... do you think that you can help me develop them further?"
Kikyou eyed the younger girl oddly for her sudden request. She knew Kagome had great power hidden dormant deep within her for some time now. "Kagome, are you sure?" Kikyou queried, as if in a suspicious tone.
"Why would you want to do that for?" Inuyasha asked Kagome in slight apprehension.
"On that night when we confronted Naraku..." Kagome started, clearly serious now. " When Kikyou and I managed to thwart him off, I realized that I wanted to expand my spiritual powers. In a way, if it weren't for me, we would of been killed."
"Damn. You're right." Inuyasha accepted after a brief thought. "I was a human that night."
"Right. Kikyou-sempai, the power was indeed sudden and incredible but at the same time, I know that it is something that is not to be abused."
Kikyou sighed at the part when Kagome referred to her as a sempai. "It's apparent that you are certain about it. All right, I shall assist you in your self discovery some times later." Kikyou agreed.
"Really?" Kagome chirped like a anxious little girl. "Arigato!"
"But..."
"Eh?"
"Kagome... you are aware that the powers within you can either make or even break you, correct?" Kikyou queried to the younger woman, seriously. Kagome seemed a little confuse at her question. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
"No... I guess I don't..."
"Kagome, right now you are on the brink of awakening your true self." She elucidated. " While you may desire so to use your ki to benefit for that which is good... it can also be quite disadvantageous."
"Kikyou... what do you mean?" Kagome demanded uncertainly.
"Your miko ki, being at the state as it is in now, any demon may be able to sense it. Thus, a insidious demon can and will use your ki against you." Kikyou lectured. "It may even be possible for a miko in training to become a dark miko. There were even a few cases of some willingly becoming one."
Kagome was now clearly astounded by the unknown revelation. "Dark miko? Kikyou, isn't that even possible? So you're saying that some demons may pursue me because of my growing power?"
The older woman replied solemnly. "Yes. Thanks to your level of growing spiritual powers, you may already be sought after as we speak. I advise you to take serious precaution, Kagome. A dark miko, sometimes rare, is the result of her spiritual powers becoming influenced by evil-- thus her spirit and heart becomes black."
Kagome chanced a brief glance at Inuyasha in wonder. He was, after all, a half demon. Could it be what Kikyou meant by evil influence? Bah, she nodded in defiance. Inuyasha, overall is pretty much fond of humanity... although he at times can be arrogant, audacious, and often at times, bellicose. Inuyasha... he's just a friend to her... that's all. Even though he admit to Kagome that he finds her attractive, he had yet to display any signs of courtship to her.
Kagome smirked at an evil though. Yet...
"Kagome..." Kikyou's voice interrupted.
"Y-yes?"
She faced Kikyou, and to Kagome's surprise, a thin smile of encouragement and reassurance was featured on her face. "Do not be afraid." She said. "As alarming this may sounds, I will see to it that you will not become a dark miko... I swear it." She clenches her tiny hand into a fist. She gave Inuyasha a odd look afterwards before she proceeded.
Inuyasha displayed a mock bored expression on his face as Kikyou ascended the stairs. "Boom... boom... boom... boom... boom..." He mocked in accordance to Kikyou's footsteps upon the flight. Kagome shortly caught on and gaped at him, suddenly finding herself suppressing laughter.
Kikyou halted immediately in her stride. She whipped her head around to stare at the half demon with wide and appalled eyes. Her mouth was slightly open and there was a tremendous blush on her face. Kagome made a gesticulation of apology while Inuyasha accosted Kikyou a malicious sneer. Deeply offended, the sultry priestess inhaled a breath of air, trying her best to keep her cool. A moment later, she formed a tiny, sardonic smile.
"Idiot..." She uttered as she rolled her eyes in a bored way and dismissed her presence.
"Keh. Amazons are so sensitive." Inu commented after a yawn.
Kagome nudged him at his ribs after pressing back her hysterics. "You know that was not nice, Inuyasha." She admonished in chuckles. "You know she's going to get you back for that one."
"Hell, I don't give a damn."
"You two are like children." Kagome guffawed. "You too act as almost though you two are related to each other."
At that moment, Kikyou's rebuttal can be heard from the top of the flight of stairs. "Urine drinker!!"
"What did you just say!?" Inuyasha reprimanded with an angry fist, clearly offended by the pun on canines. "You crazy wench! Maybe you are a dark miko!!"
"Well. if you can't take the heat then stay out the kitchen." Kikyou's soft voice said again.
"You better be glad that you're out of sight, miko." Inu challenged. "Otherwise, there will be serious repercussions if you're back down here." He began growling like a dog.
"Hmph..."
"Bitch..."
"Takes one to know one."
Inuyasha was about to retort once more at Kikyou but Kagome halted him and nodded her head in disapproval towards their childish behavior. "That's enough for tonight, don't you think?"
"Keh."
Sangou was next to appear with Miroku trailing behind. "Kagome-chan, Inuyasha, I am quite anxious to embark along with you on your quest tomorrow." There was a hint of gaiety in her tone of voice. "It's a good opportunity to get out of my hometown and see other places."
"I see what you mean." Kagome replied, feeling vaguely familiar with Sangou's situation. "And I'll see to it that Inuyasha won't leave you in case you just so happen to oversleep."
"Don't believe that." The half demon stated bluntly. "You just better raise the fuck up when it's time to leave."
Sangou seethed. "How bout it if I raise my foot up in your ass?"
"Keh."
"Lady Sangou," Miroku began. "I am just as delighted as you are to the fact that you are joining us." His eyes wondered off to a specific area on her body.
"Try it and see what happens..." Sangou warned.
"My apologies."
"That's better." Her bitter face disappeared before regarding Kagome once more. " Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow Kagome-chan. Goodnight."
"Sangou." Miroku called.
"What is it?"
"May I have the honor of sleeping in the same futon as you?"
BONK!
"My sincere apologies again, Lady Sangou." Miroku regretted, a large fresh bruise on the top of his head.
"Inuyasha..."
"C'mon..." The hanyou grumbled, sounding sleep depraved. "Just... give me... a few more minutes..."
"Inuyasha..."
"Go back to sleep, Kagome..." He replied groggily.
"Inuyasha, wake up now." Kagome said in a strange, monotone voice. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him awake. The hanyou snapped awake irritably and then he noticed something quite different about Kagome. She appears to be a few years older and she no longer had on her midnight blue yukata-- she was wearing the robes of a priestess-- a white blouse and a pair of blue hakama. Though her appearance has changed, he definitely wasn't complaining-- a slightly mature look, larger chest, wider hips and such and such. Then he noticed the obvious difference: her eyes. While they were still wide, her eyes were slightly scarlet and the adorable puerile glint in them was missing.
"Kagome...?" He queried uncertainly.
"Yes?"
"Your voice... your eyes..." He rolled over only to discover he was laying down on damp grounds near a vaguely familiar pond of water. He had probably seen this scenery before. "Kagome... where are we?"
Kagome seemed lost for a moment, as a fog began to shroud the forest. "I do not know." She replied as she looks off towards the scenery. "Could it be? That we're back in Shizuoka?"
That's right, he experienced this scene in a previous dream before. If he remember correctly it became a horrible nightmare. Only this time, Kagome was with him. "Kagome, where are the others? I don't see them anywhere."
"I have yet to find them." She replied in that strange tone again. "But... I have finally managed to discover my true self-persona." She clutches the fabric of her hakama. "I've discovered that I am truly in love with you. You and only you... Inuyasha."
Inu blanched. Did she just said what he think that she had just said? "Kagome... what are you talking about?"
Her empty voice became seductive. "Inuyasha... do you love me?" She rested her body on his lap and wraps her arms around his shoulders in an embrace and laid her head against his chest. "Do you love me...?"
"I don't have the answers to that yet." He replied as he accepted her sudden pain. "I've told you that already."
"I have nothing else left that is dear to me, Inuyasha. I only require your love." She uttered before slowly raising her head and allowing her lips to meet with his in a heated kiss. Caught by complete surprise, he couldn't do anything but to comply to Kagome's emotions. "So you're saying... that you don't love me... Inuyasha? If I wasn't a priestess, would you still have feelings for me?"
He couldn't dishearten her. He can't. "Kagome... I love you... no matter what person you eventually become." His embrace around her tightened. "No matter what... I can't bring myself to hate you."
"Inuyasha. You do know that this kind of love is forbidden, correct?" Kagome examined. "It's hard. I simply cannot resist you. Because of my feelings towards you... I... I may be severely scorned by my sisters back at home. If we were to have children... what hardships should they have to go through?" She beseeched as a mist of tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Kagome, we'll just have to cross that bridge once we get there." Inuyasha reassured confidently. "Right now, all that is important is the fact is that I do love you... with all my heart..."
Kagome closed her eyes with a sigh. "Thank you... Inuyasha..." Then, a sudden, unknown power immediately emitted from her and Inuyasha felt a horrible pang thrust through his chest.
"Kagome!?" He demanded, clearly shocked by the sudden pain and the smell of his blood. "What are you doing!? He notices that Kagome seemed to take on an even more trance-like appearance. "What's the fucking meaning of this!?"
Kagome ceased her spiritual ki from inflicting pain on the hanyou further. "Inuyasha..." She began in an innocent tone. "If I am to love you... then that means that my heart is black with malice."
Her statement sounded ridiculous. Really, it did. "Kagome!? Are you saying that you are a... a... dark miko?" The evident fear escalating in his voice.
An evil smirk made it's way on the eighteen year old girl's features. "Meaning... That I must hate you."
"This is ludicrous!!" He exclaimed in defense. "Are you saying that you are not a black priestess and yet you have to hate me in order to avoid becoming one!? Kagome how could you!!? Damn it all! I can save you!"
"Inuyasha... DIE!!" She rose off his lap and abruptly cupped her small hands to center her ki and aimed it at him. A brilliant shriek of pink energy channeled it's way and knock Inuyasha hard, thus reeling him a good distance away from her.
"Why...?" Inuyasha beseeched in hot pain. "I can save you from yourself, Kagome. I though you loved me."
Kagome nodded at him sadly. "I have no other choice, Inuyasha." She retorted. "In order to save my soul from becoming dark with malice, then that means that I must hate you with every fiber of my being." She slowly advances towards him.
"Kagome you're wrong!!! The only way your heart will grow evil is through hatred!" He yelled. "C'mon! You know that this is true!" Kagome reaches him and grabbed him by his throat.
Kagome was uncertain. "But... you're demon. A filthy, unholy creature..." Her voice then took on an angry and more menacing tone. "I must hate you!! How can I love you!? I must save my soul from the terrors of the black miko! I MUST!!" Her grip on his neck tightened.
"You fool..." Inuyasha laughed sardonically. "You're only helping yourself become a evil priestess! Don't you understand? You kill me and--"
"SHUT UP INUYASHA!!!" Kagome shouted with wide eyes and angry tears in them. She slowly raises him off the ground. "I must stop your existence in order to save my soul!!"
That's it. It was official. Kagome was undeniable intent on killing him. So he didn't have a choice but to defend himself. "I'm sorry... my beautiful Kagome..." He flexed his claws and swung furiously at her. Kagome yelped and released him immediately as she leaped away from him. The slash wasn't fatal, but it still inflicted her. There was now a great rip from the collar of her hakui diagonally downwards to the center of her right leg. Kagome stood before him in utter fear-- a delicious red line of blood across her body from her half exposed chest, abdomen and down to her right thigh. The slash wasn't at all that deep but it was enough to frighten her. That's definitely going to leave a nice scab. He relented on his strength and it could have been worse. He could be ruthless if he wanted to by tearing her if he employed a bit more strength.
"Inuyasha..." She murmured in a sad voice. "You'll even use your talons to tear through the flesh of the one you love? The only woman whom truly accepted your inheritance!?" Her body began trembling with sadness.
"Kagome... I--"
Kagome backed away from him in fear. "NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!" She yelled before running off deeper into the forest. Inuyasha quickly followed in hot pursuit for the despondent girl and eventually and mysteriously, he lost sight of her.
'She can't be that fast.' He thought. 'No way. It's not possible. She's just a human girl.' He resorted to another tactic: following the scent of her fear and blood. After moments of searching for her scent he also noticed another one.
The scent of death...
And Naraku...
"Damn! Not him!"
He followed all three of the scent, only to stumble unto yet another vaguely familiar scene. It was a town... hidden inside a huge elusive valley. He can see the many houses and temples among the area but it seems all the natives were dead. As a matter of fact, it was a women's only parish. The hanyou's heart fell in condolence, feeling for the unfortunate women. Could this have all been the work of Kagome? By turning this place into a ghost town? No! He shook his head in defiance. This was the work of Naraku!
"Inuyasha..." A voice called.
The hanyou discreetly faced for the source of the dying voice. "Who's there?"
A moribund brunette slowly and painfully rounded the corner of a house, followed by a younger girl with a patch over her right eye whom was supporting the older. Inuyasha immediately recognizes the brunette. "Chi!"
Chizaki smiled sardonically, despite her fading state. "Yeah, I'm happy to see you too." She replied. "Yet, I can't say the same for everyone else."
"Chi this is no time for jokes." Inuyasha admonished. "You're dying for crying out loud!"
"It isn't so bad..." She uttered, her legs diminishing in strength. "Kaede here tried... tried her best to help me..."
"Chi!" Kaede exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "You shouldn't say things like that!"
"I know... but it's true..." The brunette replied solemnly.
"Chi... where's Kikyou, Sangou and the others?" Inuyasha beseeched. At the sound of her blood relative's name, Kaede began to cry. "I'm sorry, kid."
"They're gone..." Chizaki nodded as she began to cry as well.
"And it's all because of you!!" Kaede accused hotly. "If Kagome wouldn't have fallen in love with you, this would have never happened!" That made his heart fell. He knew that the little girl's accusation wasn't true but still... it made him felt guilty.
"Kagome only followed her heart, Kaede-chan." Chi rebutted softly. "Besides, it wasn't at all Inuyasha's fault." Inuyasha was honestly caught by surprise by the brunette's words. Knowing this fact, Chi gazed at him with a reassuring smile. "Inu, you must try your best to save her. There's still time."
"How? I don't know how to do so." He responded dubiously. "Kagome's grown too far in the dark depths of her heart. Maybe... maybe I am the cause of all of this... I could of save your entire home..."
"You see!?" Kaede pointed. "Even he admitted it!"
"You really believe what you are saying?" Chi queried with a little worry than before. She slumped once more but Kaede still remained strong as she continues to support her. "Thanks..."
"I think so." He replied to her answer. "But, dark heart or not, I must find her as soon as possible." He declared.
"No need to worry, my friend." Said the ever threatening monster called Naraku. Inuyasha began growling at the menace as Chi and Kaede cringed behind him. "Ah. So Inuyasha, we meet again." Naraku was indeed a spine-tingling creature. Even in the macabre scene of death surrounding the whole women's village, Naraku's presence is far more unnerving. "I take it that you are looking for the girl?" He assumed.
The hanyou glowered at the monster that loomed over a huge broken pillar of what once appeared to be a temple. An important one at that. "Bastard." He snarled. "You know damn well that I'm looking for Kagome."
"Kagome." Naraku wondered. "So that's her name. Such a lovely name for a just as lovely woman. It's too bad that her persona was an exact opposite to her pretty countenance." He made a big evil grin, giving them a hint.
"What? Stop playing! I know that you are behind all of this, and the evil in Kagome's heart!" Inuyasha spat back. He pulls out the Tetsusaiga out of it's sheath. "I will not ask you again, Naraku. Where is she?"
Naraku sighed. "If you say so." With a snap of his fingers, Kagome abruptly appeared out of nowhere and into his arms. Inuyasha gaped at this, the said girl appears unconscious... or maybe worse. "You should thank me. I've managed to avenge the lives of this town."
He couldn't believe his ears. This son of a bitch killed her? "You're lying!" Inu yelled. "Kagome would dare do a thing like this! And plus... you..."
"Well let me contradict you my friend." Naraku stated. "What's that big wound on you all about eh? I certainly didn't have anything to do with that."
"Don't play with me." The half dog demon warned.
"Your friend here..." Naraku began as he scrutinizes the girl's face. "I believed she attacked you on her own accord. Wasn't she a miko?"
"You play way too much..." He growled again.
"Don't he?" Chi followed.
"So that explains it." Naraku cackled. "She became a dark miko all because of you..." He pointed at Inuyasha, which made him cringed a little.
Because of you...
Because of you...
Because of you...
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!" Inuyasha cursed viciously as he violently arose from his futon. His breathing was labored and cold sweat was plastered all over his brow, neck and shoulders. He soon discovered that it was a nightmare and he was no longer in that mysterious village he had encountered by incubus. He was back in one of the many bedrooms of the dojo/temple of the demon slayers village. "Damn..." He muttered. "It was all a dream."
He dismissed himself from his futon and gazed around the barely lit room, the moonlight supporting beams of light. His friends were deep asleep: Miroku at one corner snoring loudly, Kikyou sleeping roughly by constantly rolling over in her futon, Chi laying right on her back with her limbs stretched out like a star while her blanket was missing, and Kagome...
'Kagome... isn't that horrid dream I just experienced your fate?' He wondered with little fear evident in his voice. Kikyou's words about the nature of dark priestesses not only unnerved Kagome, but him as well. He can recall several dreams he had about Kagome before he actually met her. It was as though fate was beckoning him to help her... almost like he was to take care of her. The meeting with her was definitely not of coincidence. It was fate. Inuyasha wasn't a big believer in fate even though his mother constantly advised him not to take it for granted time after time in his youth. But upon meeting Kagome... well, let's just say that he's a little more aware of it than he was back in the days.
He glances over at Kagome's sleeping form, all curled up in fetal position upon her futon. Inuyasha slowly bounded his way towards her and kneeled before her in heavy concern. She too, was in deep sleep, unperturbed with an infant-like countenance. He gently lays his hand on the soft curve of her face, whether he knew or not, he liked Kagome far more than being just a "friend." That was even evident on the day he 'actually' met her, still he doubt that it was an infatuation. The girl twitched her head a little all of a sudden which prompted Inu to remove his hand from her face.
She moved a bit to make herself more comfortable but to the hanyou's surprise, her blanket was no longer exposing her lower body and her lavender yukata was inclined at a nice angle by the splits. The sway in her fabric gave a fine display of her soft broad upper thighs down to her healthy calves and her small feet. Not only that, Kagome began talking in her sleep.
"Inuyasha..."
'What the...?'
"I like you... really, I do." She uttered.
Inuyasha blushed as a response. He was pretty sure it was him she was talking about.
"Do you... like me back, Inuyasha?"
'Eh?' He thought. 'It was one of those dreams.' Interesting... The girl fidgeted a bit more in her sleep until a sleepy smile formed on her face. Yup. It's one of those dreams alright. In a way, this was a good opportunity to hear what she really thought of him, and apparently, it was definitely more than just a mutual friendship.
The girl giggled in gaiety. "Come... Come here... I won't bite." She cooed. "Don't be afraid of little ole me. Just come and see what I want, Inuyasha..."
'Damn. It's like that?' He couldn't help but smile at her comical reverie.
"C'mon." She urged. "You're so mean... always having you nose in the clouds. You have it so high, when it rains you'll probably drown." Inuyasha frowned at that. Well she was obliviously speaking her mind about him. Got to enjoy the crust of the pie too, you know. The next thing he knew, Kagome was... was actually puckering up her lips, anticipating a kiss. "Hey... let me go on ahead and school you... hehehehe..." A massive blush came across Kagome's face. "Yeah. Just like that."
Inuyasha gaped at her before deciding to leave her to her bliss. 'I heard enough.' He said as he starts to feel hot. 'Maybe I should go outside and clear my head.'
The dead of night was very quiet and tranquil. The moon and the stars shined brightly upon the vast skies of dark. However, far away, Inuyasha can sense the storm clouds that were plenty miles away and it will probably loom over the demon slayer's village by tomorrow afternoon. The scenery was definitely a calm before a storm. Maybe it's all the same with Kagome?
"Damn it. Every since that wench ran her mouth about dark priestesses and that weird dream I can't get the bullshit out of my mind." He said in a worried tone particularly to no one. He bounded a corner on the outside of the temple and saw Hikari dead to the world on the foyers. She sat with her legs cross and her sword in her lap as though she was the edifice's sentry. For a woman, she may be a formidable fighter but sleep was a battle no one can really win against. The hanyou had to laugh at her light girlish breathing and the way her head sways from time to time as if she was drunk. Everyone was asleep but him.
Well... everyone except him and... "Is that you, Inuyasha-san?" Queried a timid feminine voice.
Inuyasha knew it before the girl recognized him. It was Jun, the geisha that practically saved Miroku and the others from a maniacal old man. "Keh. It's me." He replied. "Don't be alarmed." As she drew closer to him, he also noticed her scent was more... unusual than before.
Jun smiled that innocent smile. She seems so innocent, she'll make Kagome look like a devil. "I'm having trouble sleeping, as you can see." She approached and sat near him on the foyer, opposite Hikari. She noticed that the hanyou was chuckling about something. "What is it that you find funny Inuyasha-san?"
He simply replied by tilting his head towards Hikari. At this point, she was still wobbling in her sleep and a large bubble was fizzing from her nose. The geisha started to laugh but she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth to suppress laughter. "She's trying..." Inu commented.
"Oh... I see." Jun replied, still chuckling.
"So? What's going on?" He asked the young woman as he tried his damned best to ignore her alluring scent. 'Shit. You better make this quick too, kid.' He thought. "This autumn air is an ideal sleeping climax-- err, I mean climate."
Jun didn't caught that "climax" part. Lucky him. "Yes, you're right. This is nice nocturnal weather. However I am burdened with many thoughts on my mind tonight." She explained. "That explains why I couldn't catch any decent sleep."
"I don't know about that. This demon slayers temple has some of the most comfortable futons I've ever slept on." Inuyasha said. "But, I am in the same boat with you about that burden on the mind scenario."
"Yeah. The demon slayers really know how to live elegantly. It's a wonderful lifestyle and yet, at the same time, it's rough-- as I heard." She stated. "These guys always have to jump on the front line as soon as a demon decides to rampage."
"It's their job."
"My older sister is a demon slayer. She says it is time consuming at times but you definitely get to travel a lot. Big sister has been to Okinawa, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Mongolia, and Korea. Right now, she's spending a few days in Edo along with other members of this dojo."
He realized that she mentioned Edo. "They're in Edo eh?" He wondered. "Sangou's pops is over there. There must be an awful lot of strange things going on there."
Jun nodded. "Apparently so." She replied. "My sister wrote me the other day. She wrote to me that there are more monsters than usual wondering around there. It's almost like as if they are searching for something."
'She must mean the Shikon.' He thought. 'This trip is getting rougher by the moment and-- huh? Her scent's become louder and... hey? Is that blood I'm smelling?'
Jun's happy countenance faded slightly and it was replaced by a more nervous and docile one. "Inuyasha-san? Isn't that the city where you and your friends are heading to?"
'Eh? What the? Is this girl trying to look me in the eyes?' He noticed. "Um, yeah. It's kind of import. So that's why we need to go there." He scratched his ear in a goofy manner.
"So you're leaving in the afternoon?" She inquired as she drew closer to him.
"Uh huh..."
"Whatever it is, Inuyasha-san, do your best. Never relent on the feelings of your heart." She paused as a blush spread across her face. "Inuyasha-san... all-- all my life, my friends Rika and Yumi told me that I should never be timid and... I should be more open with my feelings."
'Oh shit...' "Really? You have some good friends."
"My friends are right." She said with determination in her voice. "I should toughen up. You see Inuyasha-san, what I mean is-- there is this person... that I am deeply attractive to, but... but... he's... how can I put this-- different."
The smell flared once more and he probably knew why. "So what's holding you back? One should strive to be different." He mentally frowned. 'Aw man, that sounds like something Miroku would say. This girl's probably going through a lot.' He can sense sadness, euphoria, anger, fear, and some other emotions all at the same time. What's up with Jun?
"Maybe you're right, Inu-san. The problem is, I lack a great deal of confidence and maybe I need a few pointers on how I show tell this man how I feel about him." Jun admitted before giving him a hopeful look. "Can you be of help?"
"Huh? Umm... how about pretending that the man you amour for is before you." Inuyasha suggested. "That's right... pretend I'm that guy you have the hots for. I'll be a sort of a training persona for you." He pointed to himself in hopes of helping her. However, Jun became several shades of red in the face along with her upper body and she cupped her face with her very red hands as she seemed to be embarrassed about something. The geisha found herself giggling like a child.
"Oh my..." She whipped her head away from his sight all of a sudden. Her blood boiling, according to Inuyasha.
"Well?" Inu insisted. "Don't be afraid, kid. This is making it all easier. So you won't be afraid to tell him how you feel about him."
"It's harder than you think." Jun chirped timidly while her back was still turned to him.
Inuyasha became impatient. "Oh well. I guess that you don't want to let this guy know how you feel about him. While you're beating around the bush and bullshitting, some other broad will pop up and take him from your grasp." He snapped his fingers to emphasized his point. "Like that."
"It's hard..." Jun stammered. "It's hard being a woman..."
'You can say that again.' He thought. 'You have to bleed every month and-- ugh! What am I thinking!?'
"Very hard to be a woman in love..."
"Don't say that." Inuyasha scolded. "You better be glad that you aren't born as an insect and you hardly have time to fall in love because you're only living for a few weeks."
"Arigato."
Alright. He had to let the cat out the bag. "Listen girl, are you chicken!?" Jun whipped her head back at him in surprise. "C'mon! Toughen up!! Kid it's a rough world we live in. You gotta grow some backbone! Now practice before I go back inside."
Jun realized that he really wasn't being rude, he was encouraging her. She understood his words of motivation, and so feeling inspired, she said: "The person that I am talking about, Inuyasha-san... is you..." Was her docile reply.
Surprised, Inuyasha yelped like a dog, literally. "Excuse me? Run that by me again..."
"I have a heavy crush on you, Inuyasha-san." The geisha replied sincerely.
'Damn. That explains that smell.' He though with a blush. "That's nice." Was all he could say.
"But... what's the use?" Jun said sadly. "There's already a woman in your life."
"Huh!?"
"Inuyasha... you are in love with the one named Kagome are you?" She queried. "It's evident how she always seems to defend you."
Now this kid really knows how to read the writings on the wall! "Umm...no, Jun. It's not like that at all." He stammered. "She's just a really close friend of mine... nothing more." That sounds vaguely familiar... something a man would say to an attractive woman about a relationship.
The geisha eyed him dubiously and curiously, her eyes glimmering seductively in the moonlight. She found the revelation surprising even... amusing, but she didn't dare to even smirk about it. For all she know, he could be lying. "So, you mean you and Kagome are not in any sort of rapport? That's relatively hard to believe Inuyasha-san."
"Well believe it." He retorted slightly ruder than before. "I'm a... I'm a half demon. How can anyone lo-- never mind." He nodded in self pity.
"Inuyasha-san?" Jun started as she immediately caught his attention. "Is this what this is all about? You being a hanyou?" Her delicate brows furrowed a bit in concern. "Inuyasha-san, anyone who judges you by your legacy are hypocrites. You are not a monster."
"I know... but I was alone most of my life." He admitted. "My mother was the only person that truly loved me but she died when I was a child. The people that I am journeying with now are the only friends I know as of now."
"I see. Do you have any family still in existence?"
"No. Even though I barely know I thing about him, my father is dead. My older brother..." He frowned. "That guy is an asshole."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"I apologize for making you recall on a painful matter." Jun replied. "It is not my right to know nor ask you about it. However, it is good to know that you have very few friends that do care for you Inuyasha-san. That's tells you that you are not truly a monster at all." She stated earnestly as she yawned afterwards.
"Keh. Thanks for your concern." He replied but he couldn't help but blush. "Maybe that's all the friends that I need."
"It's because they understand your heart, Inuyasha-san. That's what it is all about." She stood up and yawned. "Well, I guess I'll call it a night. Good night, Inuyasha-san."
"Sleep well, Jun."
"I will certainly miss you, Inuyasha-san..." She suddenly lean towards him and kissed him on his cheeks. Surprised once more, he yelped and this time he woke up Hikari. Jun giggled tenderly before bounding back inside the temple.
Now that was unexpected. He vigorously rubbed the lips stick print from his face. "Huh? Wha... did I missed anything..." Came Hikari's droopy voice.
"Umm... nope. Nothing happened." Inuyasha said.
"Oh. Oh well, I'm off to the Land of Nod once more."
Meanwhile, in a path not to far from where the gang currently resides...
"Where is that-- that cat!?" Tsubaki growled in frustration, followed by a very annoyed Kagura and a amused Yura. "He's close. I can sense him..."
"What cha going to do once you found him?" Kagura asked the miko. "You're planning on ending up in a far away tree again?"
"Well, that was awfully funny." Yura admitted. "Girl, you were going off like a samurai. I never knew that you can be so foul mouthed."
"I'll show you just how foul I can get." Tsubaki retorted with a promise. "Once I find that heathen, I'll curse him so bad that he'll..." She stammered for a clarification. "He'll definitely not going to like it not one bit, and I'll promise that it will be plenty painful."
"Tsubaki..." Kagura sighed as she slapped her forehead in pity.
"So. I'll take it that you have something that you wanted to share with me." Said Iga as he suddenly appeared behind Kagura. His face is hidden once again and he seems just as mysterious as ever. "I've always admire one who never hesitates to speak their minds."
"Don't scare me like that." Kagura demanded as she clenched her chest.
"Hi there." Yura greeted. "Our buddy was looking for you."
"Yes, and a piece of my mind is what you're definitely going to get." Tsubaki warned as she rolled up her sleeves, preparing her malice. She approached the ninja and grab the fabric of his garb. "You actually thought that I going to let you slide from what you done the last time we met, didn't you?" A youkai serpent coiled around her other arm.
Iga's "faceless" expression eyed her apathetically. " I did. So what? No harm done, right?"
Tsubaki's grip on his shirt tightened. "Baka! You messed up my hair, see..." Her long jet black hair became ghastly white, her familiar appearance. This time her hair was evident with green from the trees she had probably flew through on her trip and there were some insects in it. "This stuff is not easy to get out your hair you know."
Yura acted as a volunteer. "Well, maybe I can help you with that."
"No. I wanted to show him the damage that he has done to me." Tsubaki snapped.
"That's the least of your worries." He said dryly. "I have news. You 'friend' should head this way tomorrow afternoon. I just thought that I should inform you."
"My friend?" Tsubaki wondered. "Who?"
"Kikyou..." He replied mysteriously before he disappeared right before her eyes.
"Hey!" The miko bellowed. "Get back here! And Kikyou is not my friend! Never was, and never will be!" She swung at air, thinking that he may be still tangible but failed. So she ran forward to give chase and then realized she fell in a deep hole, obviously a trap set by Iga. "Doh..."
Kagura and Yura peered down the deep hole. "Damn. He got you again, girl." Remarked Kagura. "You're wasting your time with him."
"That drop looks pretty painful." Yura followed.
"Please. Just get me out of here. I think I landed on my snake and it definitely didn't like the fact that it broke my fall." She rubbed her hip. "Ouch..."
END OF CHAPTER TWELVE
NEXT CHAPTER
Oblivious Nostalgia Part II
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