Chapter 13
"I can't believe she sent me back as a merchant, of all things.", Inuyasha said out loud to himself.
Looking around his cart, he found a mirror. Gazing at his reflection, he was shocked at what he saw. Gone was the silver hair, dog ears and golden eyes. In their place, he had black hair pulled into a top knot, brown eyes and an aged face. His outfit was typical feudal era clothes. A pair of brown hakama pants and a brown yakata. He was a human male.
"Ooooohhh.", he groaned, as he touched the wrinkles on his face. He already hated being old and he had only been old for a few minutes.
He took in his surroundings again. It was a peaceful time, yet busy. He recognized it as the spring before all this had happened. Before the dragons had made their appearance. He sniffed the air. Good. She had left him with his demon senses intact. He smelled that his family ... er ... Kagome and Inuyasha, weren't at the marketplace. Not yet.
A couple of people came up and started looking over his cart. Great. What was he supposed to do.
"Excuse me,", said a woman, "What do you have in the way of colored wool?"
"Wool?", he asked, confused. 'Damn, Kagome and the girls did the sewing. What was wool like?', he thought to himself, "Uh, here you go, lady.", he said, trying to sound as helpful as possible.
"That's cotton."
"Oh, sorry. My mistake. Here you go."
"That's tweed. You sell fabrics and you don't know what wool fabric is? How dumb can you be?"
"Well, excuse me for making a mistake, you old hag."
"WELL! Of all the nerve! You'll never sell anything with that attitude!", she huffed and walked away, along with other customers who had been standing around.
'Fine with me.', he thought, as he waited for Kagome to show up with Kaori. Then he saw someone else.
'That's right,', he thought, 'We saw Jiro had the marketplace that one weekend. He was upset that he had nothing to give to Kaori for a gift because he was broke.'
Trying to remember he was old, he called out,
"Hey, son, come here.", he called to Jiro.
"Who me?", Jiro questioned back.
"Yea, you, son."
"I have no money gramps.", Jiro said, as Inuyasha cringed at the word gramps.
"Don't need any, sonny. I bet you're looking for a gift for you're girlfriend, am I right?"
"How did you know?"
"I am a good guesser! Now, what does your girlfriend like ... ummm, I guess, jewelry, right?"
"All girls like jewelry. Even full demon girls."
"She's not a full demon, sonny?"
"Nope, she's a half-dog demon. Prettiest thing you've ever seen."
"I know she ... I mean ... I bet she is. I have something here for you," Inuyasha said, pulling out the emerald earrings, "I bet she'd love these."
"Oh man, would she ever. But, gramps, man, I have no cash."
"Never mind that. I was, cough cough, young myself once. I know she'll love these and I know she'll love you even more. Take'em. On the house."
"You mean it gramps?"
"Yea Yea. Go ahead. Get outta here before I change my mind."
"Sure thing. Thanks Gramps!", Jiro said, as he turned to leave.
"Sure, Jiro, whatever.", Inuyasha said, with a wave of his hand.
Jiro stared at the old man, 'Did I just hear wrong or did he call me by name?', he thought, and then dismissed the thought.
Later that day, Inuyasha saw Kagome and Inuyasha walking around. 'Good. We're finally here.', he thought to himself. Calling over to Kagome, he said,
"Hey pretty little lady, come check out my cart."
"Don't talk to my wife like that old man, or I'll rearrange your face.", said a jealous Inuyasha as Kagome started purring over fabrics.
"Inuyasha, leave the old guy alone.", she said, as merchant Inuyasha cringed again.
"Little lady, I have something you'll absolutely love.", Inuyasha said, ignoring Inuyasha's comment.
"Ooo, what is it?", Kagome cooed. She loved shopping, like all women.
"A beautiful pair of earrings. Here ya go.", he said, handing her the ruby studded earrings.
"Oh, how lovely. For me?", she asked.
"Yes, for you."
"How much?"
"No charge for a lovely lady like yourself."
"Listen old man, I told you before ..."
"Inuyasha!"
"Don't be so damn jealous over a little flattery, my boy. I'm happily married myself, you baka."
"Old man ... !"
"Inuyasha, don't make me say it!"
'Oh shit!", he thought, 'I can still feel the subjugation necklace against my skin. DON'T SAY IT!' , his brain screamed.
"Fuck it old man. You're not worth it.", Inuyasha complained, as he turned away.
Kagome thanked the old man profusely.
"Don't worry about it, my dear. It's a gift."
As they walked away, Inuyasha began packing up the cart. He had to find Arie of the dragon clan of the south. And then get in touch with Tetsu. Suddenly, he was back in the battle and he was slicing off Sesshoumaru's head. He prepared to go and slaughter Kagome and Kaori.
But somebody read his mind. Somebody called out to him.
"STOP!"