Disclaimer: You all know how this goes so let's skip it ok?
And to my most awesome and totally cool reviewers! Thanks! You guys rock! I'm so sorry it took me so long to get this posted, but I really have to be in the mood to write you know or it all comes out bad and I haven't been in the mood for a while, but I am now! And just to let you know I never give up on stories, because I know there's someone out there waiting for the end! So if it ever takes me forever to update, know that I will eventually!
Mar-ArimiDemoness – Yes there was much fluff in the last chapter and I'm glad you liked it! Sorry I haven't posted fast enough, but you can read my apology up there.
Draelya - Yes Hiten in the present. A little weird isn't it? You'll find out a little more about him in this chapter! It may explain some of your questions. And Kagome's secret? Sorry, but you have to wait! You'll see in the next chapter! I promise, but please enjoy this one while you wait!
Kae-sama – Yes I'm sure we all really like the fluffy parts! I'm a sucker for that cheesy romance stuff! So of course I love writing about it, but I have to be careful, because if my dad walked in on me writing this stuff it would be just too embarrassing! I'm glad you liked that one line I didn't think it was that great, but I put it in! And yes you are my number 1! Kudos for you!
Xxrupert-grint-loverxX – Aren't they wonderful? Shawn and Inuyasha I mean. Don't get me wrong I love the Kagome/Inuyasha pairings, but I love the Shawn/Inuyasha one even more! But heck I have to! She's my character after all! But thanks for thinking they're a great couple! And thank you bunches for reviewing!
WiNdScArBaBe – Happy to know you liked the chapter that much! I'm sucker for fluff too! OH and thanks for the cookie! Hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
Silky – Sorry this took so long! I hope you really believe patience is a virtue because I know I took forever on this chapter. Really really sorry! And don't worry about Kagome's secret. It shall be revealed in the next chapter. (I can't wait! I've had this one planned out forever!)
Inuyashagirl4ever382 – I'm glad you liked the last chapter, but I'm sorry I couldn't beat my updating record! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Ear-Tweak – You really think I pulled off the greeting all right? Thanks! That was probably my first really real romantic moment writing! I'm happy to know I pulled it off ok! Thanks so much for your support!
Cousin's Return
Chapter 12: Old Friends and New Plans
Kagome slowly slid open the door of Kaede's hut, "Hello," she said.
"Kagome!" cried Shippo leaping into Kagome's arms, "Where've you been? We missed you!"
"Sorry Shippo. I've had a lot of stuff to deal with at home. But I brought you candy!" Kagome pulled a large sucker out of her backpack.
"Thanks!" cried Shippo, before snatching it and licking it vigorously.
"Good to see you!" said Sango as she gave Kagome a hug.
"Ditto," replied Kagome.
"I must say it is good to have you back," said Miroku, his voice full of fake innocence. And of course his hand managed to slip where it shouldn't and he promptly received a slap in the face, leaving him with a souvenir handprint across his cheek.
"I wish I could say the same for you," muttered Kagome, clenching her fist, her eyes closed in frustration.
"Did we miss something?" asked a voice from behind Kagome. Everyone turned to see Shawn and Inuyasha standing in the doorway, "Hi everyone."
There were more greetings and rejoicing and of course another slap in the face for Miroku. Finally everyone settled down.
"I really like what you've done with you hair," said Sango.
"Thanks," Shawn blushed a little and ran her hand through it.
Just then Kaede walked in, carrying a bowl of herds and a wet rag, "Ah Kagome, good to see ye back again. And ye too, Shawn."
"Good to see you again as well, Kaede," Shawn gave a wave and a little smile.
"Kagome I was wondering if ye could help me. One of the girls of the village is very sick and your remedies seem to work so well on wounds and the like-."
"Say no more Kaede, I'm on it," Kagome hopped up and pulled her first aid kit out of her back pack, "See you guys later!" she called over her shoulder, sliding the door closed behind her.
"Buh-bye!" Shawn called after her cousin. She turned back to her friends, "So how have you all been doing? Gotten any new jewel shards?"
"Yeah, fair few!" said Sango, enthusiastically; "We seem to be having a lot of luck lately in finding the demons with them. In fact just the other day while Kagome was gone," with that Sango launched into a tale of a fight that had taken place between the group and a giant lizard that breathed poison gases. Inuyasha interrupted every few seconds to make a comment here or an exclamation there or to tell Sango how wrong she was getting the story and that he had actually done this or Miroku had done that.
"Well it's good to know you guys haven't lost your touch!" exclaimed Shawn, half-joking.
"And how have things been with you?" Sango asked in return.
"Besides depressing?"
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't mean-,"
"No no! It's OK! I was just kidding!" cried Shawn, "But wait! I'm sorry; I haven't told you guys yet."
Everyone started shifting uncomfortably and the mood turned somber.
"If you mean about your parents, we know," mumbled Sango.
"How-,"
"Kagome told Inuyasha and Inuyasha told us." There was silence for a minute.
Then, "Oh," Shawn said.
"I'm sorry Shawn!" Inuyasha suddenly exclaimed, "I-I didn't know it would bug you! I didn't mean to – to you know, talk behind your back or anything! I-!"
"Calm down, Inuyasha. It's all right," said Shawn. She looked up at the hanyou with a small smile, "It's all right," she repeated, "I understand."
"Ugh?" Inuyasha was a little taken aback, as well as surprised with himself. He was never quick to apologize and he never stuttered like an idiot either. What was wrong with him?
"How have you been taking it?" asked Sango in a consoling tone. She knew what it was like to lose family. She knew all too well.
"I'm doing better," said Shawn quietly, "I've found… ways to… deal with my feelings. I'm not that sad about it actually. My mom wouldn't want me to be. I mean," she paused for a moment, wondering what to say next, "I mean if my mom saw me being sad all the time she'd probably roll her eyes and tell me to lighten up. That's what she was like. She didn't like being sad; she didn't like it when others were feeling depressed. Mom would want me to be happy, to enjoy life. And Dad… Dad would probably be the same, I guess. If… if it was me that died, I wouldn't want other people to be sad for me. I'd want them to smile for me and go one enjoying life to the fullest!"
The room went quiet again and completely still. Shawn grew uncomfortable in the strange silence. And could see everyone else was too.
"So besides that how has everything else been?" asked Miroku finally, "How's school been?"
"You just had to ask! If anything has been depressing it's that place!" Shawn brightened immediately. She went on for a while about how rude and arrogant Suki was and how some of the teachers were really weird. She told them about Hiten as well. The one non-depressing thing about school. Not that he went to school, but she seemed to see him there a lot. She didn't call Hiten by name. She didn't want to get the same reaction she had gotten from Kagome. It couldn't possibly be the same Hiten!
0o0o0o0o
Naraku sat on the floor in his dark room, staring off into nothing. A shadow appeared at the door, "Enter," he commanded, his voice as cold as ice. He didn't even glance at who it was. He knew.
"My lord, I have returned," said a husky voice. A man with long black hair walked into the room and kneeled before Naraku, bowing his head, "I'm sorry I could not come sooner."
"I have no patience for apologies. Don't waste your breath on such useless things, Hiten," Naraku finally looked at the man before him.
"Yes, my lord," Hiten replied, kneeling down further
"So," said Naraku, turning his gaze away again, "I assume then, that she has returned?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. We shall make our next move soon," Naraku looked back at the kneeling figure in front of him. He seized Hiten roughly by the chin and looked deep into his eyes, "Does the please you, Harashi?"
Hiten's eyes turned completely black and he began to shine with a dark blue aura, "You have no idea how much!" said Harashi's voice in an almost gleeful tone. Or at least it might have been gleeful if it hadn't been dripping with evil.
Naraku smiled, "Excellent."
Hiten's eyes blinked and once again they were his own, but the blue aura did not go away, "Master Naraku, about the girl-."
Naraku cut him off, "What about her? You know the plan!"
"Yes my lord. But I… things have been-."
He blinked again and Harashi's eyes appeared once more, "You fool! Just spit it out! Or I'll say something!"
Blink, "You all ready are saying something!" cried Hiten.
Blink, "You idiot! You know there's no way! I need her body!"
Blink, "Shut up! I know!"
"Quiet," Naraku said a little louder than usual, "Stop this quarrel! What are you talking about?"
Blink, "Why don't you just read his mind?" cackled Harashi's voice, "Because what he's trying to say is just too funny!"
Blink, "I said shut up!" cried Hiten. He shut his eyes and grabbed his head and shook it vigorously as if trying to get something out.
When his eyes opened again they were Harashi's, "Oh forget it. If he won't say anything I will."
Blink, "SHUT UP!"
Blink, " What's her name again? Shawn? Who names a child that? I would have murdered my parents if they named me that!"
"You murdered your parents anyway, Harashi," replied Naraku
"Oh yeah," Hiten's body smiled at the thought, "But back to the point, Hiten seems to have fallen in love with Shawn."
There was a pause in conversation. Then, "What did you say?"
"You heard me Naraku. And really, you shouldn't look so surprised," said Harashi, sweetly, "I mean, come on. She's my reincarnation after all. How is anyone supposed to resist? Except she has those ugly brown eyes and she cut her hair short, which looks really stupid and she fell for Inu-what's-his-face, so she obviously has bad taste-," Harashi paused, "On second thought, how could you fall for her?"
Finally Hiten blinked again.
"Hiten is this true?" asked Naraku in a cold, cold voice.
Hiten bit his lip, "Yes my lord, it is. I have fallen in love with the girl. What I wish to ask you is: If I can succeed in the mission may I take Shawn as my prize?" Hiten got down completely on his knees and bowed so his forehead touched the ground, "Please, my lord."
Naraku was a silent for a moment. Then he smiled and said, "All right."
Hiten blinked and Harashi's eyes appeared, "WHAT?" Hiten's eyes and mouth glowed dark blue and Hiten screamed in pain as light shot from his body and formed Harashi's figure in the air. Her eyes burned with anger and it contorted her features. Her ghostly hands were clenched and without a body her voice sounded eerie, "What do you mean 'all right'! I need that body Naraku! That is the whole point of this plan! For me to get my own body so I don't have to live forever in this disgusting corpse!" she pointed to Hiten, "For me to get back that last part of my spirit out of that wench! If she discovers what kind of power she has, it bodes ill for us all! "
"Harashi, get back into Hiten's body. You'll tire yourself out again trying to sustain yourself," said Naraku.
"Shut up Naraku, you don't give a damn about how tired I get and we both know it!"
"You're right, I don't. At least not right now anyway. And yes I know the whole point of the plan, thank you. I don't need any reminders.
"So how can Hiten's proposal be OK?" cried Harashi.
"Simple you fool. We simply make another body and transfer her soul into that one and you can enter her body. Hiten gets his girl, I get mine and everyone's happy. Except of course Inuyasha. Think of how much more pain it would cause him to see his lover taken by one of his enemies."
"I see your point," said Harashi thoughtfully, "I suppose this plan could work out. But I will have the original body!"
"Of course," said Naraku, with an evil smile.
Hiten, who had remained in his bowing position that whole time, finally raised his head up, "I can really have her?"
"Yes, you idiot. Were you listening at all?" Naraku's smile disappeared.
"Yes, my lord," Hiten bowed his head again.
Naraku scowled, "Harashi, re-enter his body. And Hiten, continue observing the girl. I shall inform when the time is right. Oh and make sure to find someone to make a body. Since you want it, it now becomes your responsibility."
"Yes, my lord," Hiten managed to say before the blue light that made up Harashi's form shot back into him. He screamed and writhed in pain again as Harashi's spirit returned to his body.
"I never get tired of listening to that," said Harashi's voice from inside Hiten.
Hiten growled with anger, but he knew Harashi wouldn't hear it. Her consciousness was beyond him for now. She was in a dormant state. That's how it was. She would appear for a while and then seem to fall asleep inside of him.
Hiten looked up at Naraku from his position on the ground. Naraku said, "You know your orders, now get out of my sight."
Hiten scrambled to his feet, bowed and fled the room.
Author's Note: Mu ha ha ha! Here's a little more info about Hiten and Harashi! Sorry the questions went unanswered for so long! Anymore you have can be asked in reviews. However, just cause I let you ask 'em doesn't mean I'll answer .
By the way, I'm looking for an editor of sorts. I've gotten complaints in my other story that my grammar and spelling aren't that great. So if anyone would like to be my proofreader/editor I would really appreciate it! You'll get to read all chapters before anyone else! Only thing is you'd have to read the chapters from both of my current stories, so if you don't like Ranma fanfics I suggest you don't take this job, because my other story is a Ranma one. Hope this all makes sense. So anyway, if you would like to be my editor e-mail me! Thanks everyone! Gotta roll!
DramaQueenABZ