Disclaimer: Tweedly dee, tweedly doo, Inu Yasha's not mine, so boo to you.
AN: Here it is...the hot springs chapter! *swats away the hentais with a ten foot pole* There will be a lot of Inu's past revealed in this chapter, too. Anyway, enjoy ^_*.
Onii-Chan - Brother.
Onee-San - Sister.
Haori - Inu Yasha's clothing. ( I did it again! )
~~~~~~ - Flashback.
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Five~A Hanyou's Past
"Ahh, the hot water feels absolutely wonderful!" Kagome remarked as she submerged into the refreshing pool. She pulled out her soap and began to work up a good lather and clean herself off. Being clean made her feel like a civilized human being again.
"Don't take too long, or you'll shrivel up like Kaede-Baba," Inu Yasha remarked from a slightly smaller pool of the hot spring that was adjacent to the one Kagome was in. All that was between the two was a wide boulder, however, not very tall, so the two had their backs turned to each other. In case of any danger, Inu Yasha had his Tetsusaiga on the 'rock of division,' as Kagome declared it. Trickling water came into the steamy springs by a tiny rock overhang, adding a tranquil appeal to the area. Warm steam rose up from the water, causing small beads of condensation to form on their exposed skin.
"I don't need your stupid comments. And, if you dare try anything, I swear I'll sit you until you're buried ten feet in the ground!"
"Keh, who'd WANT to try anything with a wench like you?" was his reply as he began to carefully wash his long silvery hair. He suddenly gasped in pain as he felt the foamy soap bubbles trickle down his chest where a deep cut still remained from Yura's attack. Kagome, however, thought something was wrong, so she turned around to see the back of his head, noticing he was looking down at something.
"Are you all right?"
He quickly turned around to stare Kagome directly in her eyes. Her dark, ebony hair came over her shoulders, almost like a protective veil. If it wasn't for that and the boulder covering her youthful chest, he might have lost his composure...
'Keh! I shouldn't even think such thoughts!' he reprimanded himself in his mind.
"Ah! Look at that wound! It's even worse than I thought. You should let me patch it up...I saw some herbs nearby that are good for healing flesh wounds," Kagome stated, worry written all over her face. She was actually quite appealing when she wasn't angry, Inu Yasha noted as he observed her. Strange how she could switch between so many emotions all the time.
"I already told you, I don't need any treatment! My body is not like a frail human's body. By tomorrow, there won't even be so much as a scar left on me."
Kagome got a good look at Inu Yasha, at least his upper body, and was quite impressed. Aside from the ugly cut that marred his chest, he was fairly good looking. His long, sleek silver hair trailed all the way down his well toned back and over his broad shoulders. His arms were strong and muscled, but not so much that it was unappealing. And the water dripping down his smooth skin...
'Whoa Kagome! Don't even go there!' she thought to herself as a blush creeped up onto her cheeks. Not wanting him to notice her embarrassment, she turned back around and tried to continue the conversation.
"A-Anyway, you still should let me patch up that wound when we get back to the village. I'm sure that even you are susceptible to infections."
Inu Yasha then disappeared under the smooth surface of the water to rinse the soap out of his hair.
Kagome wondered why he always seemed to shun her attention. All she wanted to do was help him, yet he kept trying to distance himself, whether it was with cruel remarks, or the usual 'keh.' He hadn't even called her by her name yet! Perhaps he was afraid of getting close to others, because he was afraid of getting hurt. Who knew what kind of life he's lived thus far, being a hanyou in a world which loathes their very existence. Child of a human, yet also child of a demon.
'Inu Yasha...I know we just met, but how can we accomplish anything if we don't get along?' Kagome thought as she too submerged into the hot water to rinse herself. When she came back up, she just knew that she had to question him, and hopefully obtain some answers. 'I might as well get to know him better...Maybe it'll even help me understand why he always acts like such a selfish jerk.' She turned around to make sure he came back up, and seeing he was there, couldn't help but giggle at how his ears drooped when they were wet.
"What's so damn funny?" he asked, while once again turning to face the strange girl.
"Ah...nothing! I was just wondering..." she began.
'Oh great...here comes another lecture...'
"Inu Yasha, can you tell me more about yourself? I don't mean to sound nosy or anything, but, well, I just want to get to know you better..." she paused, wondering if she angered him at all, then continued, "What was your life like when you were a child? I imagine that you weren't treated very kindly...being a hany~"
"Listen, I don't need to be constantly reminded of what I am. I know you probably can't stand the sight of me, so let's just end this conversation."
"That's not true! I have nothing against you because of what you are. I just want to know more about you, ...and why you always try so hard to distance yourself from me."
"Keh. You really sicken me! Pretending that you actually care. I can't stand people like you. You're so very naive. The world isn't as kindly as you think it is," Inu Yasha said in an angry tone that sent shivers down Kagome's spine. His deep, golden eyes showed her sorrow, anger, fear, and above all, annoyance. "If you really need to know, I had a horrible life up until fifty years ago when I found Kaede-Baba's village.If you think you can change my attitude, forget it. I don't want to get close to anybody, especially a nosy, annoying bitch like you!"
"G...Gomen nasai, Inu Yasha. I didn't mean to upset you...but, despite what you may think about me, let me make one thing perfectly clear to you: I am NOT a bitch!" Kagome shouted at him, causing him to cover his ears. She was saddened by his words, but above all she was enraged. How could he just assume she was like that?! Feeling she was going nowhere fast, Kagome decided on another tactic to get him to lighten up. "I tell you what, if you tell me about yourself, I'll take the rosary off. How's that?"
"Keh! I can tell by the look on your face that you're lying!"
Kagome had it. He went too far this time.
"Osuwari!!!"
*Splash*
*Gurgle*
*Choke*
When a bedraggled hanyou popped back up out of the water, Kagome knew she finally had him where she wanted him.
"Now, if you don't want me to drown you with osu...the word, then I suggest you start talking."
"Fine! But I WILL get my revenge for that time!" Inu Yasha coughed, sputtering up water.
Kagome merely gave him an innocent smile.
"When I was born, I had lived in a grand estate owned by my father. He was the great Inu Taishou, Lord of the Western Territories. I heard from my mother that he was at least three hundred years old before she met him. Heh, he looked pretty young to me, but what did I know?"
"No way! Inu Taishou was your father??? I had no idea!" Kagome exclaimed. She had always heard stories about the great Inu youkai lord, but to be seeing his very own son..."A-Anyway...please continue."
"My mother was a mere human, but I guess my father loved her, otherwise I wouldn't be here, now would I?" Kagome nodded, intent on hearing more of his life story. "Her name was Yukiko, but when I was only five years of age, my father was killed in a battle with Ryutaishou, a powerful dragon that threatened to take my father's territory. My older half-brother, Sesshoumaru then inherited the Western Territories, and, being a full blooded youkai, he despised my mother and I. On his orders, we were thrown out of the estate to fend for ourselves in the wilderness. Shortly after, my mother became ill from her grief. I was so young that even if I wanted to, I could do nothing for her. I guess you could say I was a burden to her. I remember the day she died...that's when I was truly all alone for the first time..."
~~~~~~
Cold, white blankets of snow covered everything in sight, the ground, the trees, everything. Inu Yasha was huddled close to his mother, trying to stay warm from the frigid temperatures. They had been staying inside a small, damp cave, hiding from any youkai that would find them to be a tasty meal. It seemed like everything was going wrong, yet his mother tried to comfort him when he felt the doubt in his own heart.
"Mommy, why did Onii-Chan tell us to leave? Doesn't he know that it's cold outside? Why is he so mean to us?!" little Inu Yasha sniffled as he buried his face in his mother's warm kimono. Yukiko hugged him tightly, tears forming in her own eyes. Next to her was the only thing she had left of her beloved Inu Taishou, Tetsusaiga, which she had managed to keep, unbeknownst to Sesshoumaru. If they survived, Inu Yasha would inherit the sword, as her husband had wished.
"My dear Inu Yasha, your Onii-Chan...he dislikes us simply because we are not youkai like him. I am a human, and you are a hanyou. If your father was still alive this wouldn't have happened..."
The crying child lifted his head to look at his mother's sad face. "What's a hanyou?"
Another few tear drops slid down her cheeks as she tried to answer his question.
"A hanyou is neither a human or a youkai, but a mix of both..."
"So then why don't both humans and youkai like me? Everyone is mean to me!" he cried.
"That may be so, but I'll always love you, no matter what you are. You will always be my precious child, Inu Yasha. Remember that," she whispered as she kissed his forehead gently.
Later that evening, the two were soundly asleep, and unaware of the danger nearby.
Stalking closer to the familiar scent, the youkai lurked, intent on spilling fresh blood this night. Nothing could be more satisfying than the horrified screams of a human...and the pleasures that could be taken from them.
Inu Yasha woke up, startled to feel sharp claws wrenching him away from his mother. The next thing he heard was screaming. He saw his mother thrashing beneath a hideous youkai covered in scars. He jumped on it's back and dug his little claws into the creature's flesh, gaining a loud roar in return.
"You little runt! How dare you!"
Suddenly, the youkai slammed a fist into Inu Yasha's abdomen, then threw the battered hanyou up against the cold stone wall of the cave. Inu Yasha slumped to the ground, unconscious and bloody.
**********
Slowly opening his eyes, Inu Yasha winced in pain. He glanced around, trying to piece together what had happened. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the sword his mother said was his inheritance. He reached for the heavy blade, feeling a little more secure having it by his side, even if it was taller than he was.
"Mother!" he shouted as he looked around the interior of the cave. She was gone.
Then, as he slowly walked near the entrance of the cave, he stepped in a cold, wet liquid. Looking down, he was horrified to see what it was, and looking out at the red snow that followed it, he knew. Blood.
Carefully, he stepped out of the cave, noticing a trail of blood in the snow. His feet stung from the freezing matter as he followed the path of blood. After walking for a couple of yards, he came upon a large bush. Underneath it was the body of his mother, her body was barely recognizable. He felt his stomach twist into knots, and he had to force himself to look away.
Tears poured from his eyes as he turned and ran. He had no place to go, yet he ran faster, trying to escape the horrible images that plagued him. Slipping on an unseen ice-patch, Inu Yasha tumbled onto the cold, wet ground.
"M-Mother...." he whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut tight.
From that moment on he was alone. Neither humans nor youkai would accept him, and he had to grow tough to survive. He learned how to focus his demonic energy to make Tetsusaiga transform into the glorious fang that was once his father's. He closed his heart to everyone, forgetting how it felt to love and be loved, yet never forgetting his mother's kind words to him that fateful night.
After traveling for many months, he learned that the world was truly a cruel place, however, when he invaded this one village for food, he discovered otherwise.
"I've come to take these. If you have a problem with that, take it up with my Tetsusaiga," A now seventeen-year-old Inu Yasha growled as he stuffed the food into his red haori top. The girl stood, frozen with fear, but even more so....fascination.
"Ano...you can have the food, I don't mind, demo..."
Inu Yasha's ears twitched. Was this girl insane, or just afraid? No one ever said he could HAVE their food before.
"Are those ears for real? I wanna touch them!"
Inu Yasha leapt back from the girl who appeared to be five. Who did she think she was talking to?
"Keh! Listen, human, I have no intentions to let you touch my ears! Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving."
"Wait! Please don't go! You're a hanyou, right? I always heard stories about them, but I've never actually seen one before. What kind of hanyou are you? A Neko or an Inu? Do you live near here?"
Scratching his furry right ear, Inu Yasha walked up to the curious child. He bent down to look her in her left eye, seeing that the other had a patch over it.
"What do you want with me, child?" he asked.
"Well...I wouldn't mind having a friend," she beamed cheerfully. She reminded him of the way he was when he was very small, always looking for a friend. This girl must've been very lonely if she was asking him to befriend her in such an awkward situation. "Please! I promise I'll give you all the food you want, and we can play together! Ever since my Onee-San died, I've been all by myself. None of the other children wanna play with me because I only have one good eye...They call me a Cyclops!"
Inu Yasha suddenly recalled the many names he was called as a young child. At that moment, something inside of him opened up, and he felt an emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time. Pity. Pity for this mere slip of a human child before him.
"Girl, what is your name?"
"Kaede, but you can call me K-Chan," she said, smiling again.
"Ano...would it be all right if I stay here? I'm a bit weary from my travels...and ...I've been without a home for so long now, I forgot what it's like to be in one place for more than a few nights," he explained, feeling that perhaps he could stay with this child, and maybe even have a friend.
"Hai!" Kaede exclaimed as she began to leap up and down in joy.
Fifty years had passed since that day, and Kaede was an old woman, while Inu Yasha, of course, remained as youthful as ever. It seemed like a pleasant dream. Being in a place where he was accepted, whether it was by only one human, or many others. He got by there, and helped Kaede in many ways. When she first became a miko, he watched in amusement the first time she strung a bow and arrow, and nearly killed her instructor.
Later on, a little kitsune was discovered in the village, bloody and worse for wear. Inu Yasha found him, and brought him to Kaede to be healed. When the child grew better, it was discovered that his name was Shippo, and his parents had been hunted by youkai taijiya.
~~~~~~
"And basically, that's everything up until now. I really have nothing more to say."
"Inu Yasha...you and Kaede were friends for fifty years? By the way you talk to her, I would've never guessed. And the story of your childhood..." Kagome wiped away a tear she felt forming in her right eye before he would notice. "I thought you said you wouldn't get close to anybody, but it seems that's not entirely true if you stayed with Kaede all these years. You're not so bad after all," she smiled, then, realizing how long they had been in the hot spring, she prepared to get out before her shin soaked up any more water.
The evening was finally setting in, and orange-golden rays of sunlight seemed to color the earth in a beautiful hazy glow.
"I'm getting out now, so don't you dare look!" Kagome stated as she waded to the edge of the spring to grab her drying cloth. As she got out, she quickly wrapped it around herself and grabbed the clean kimono. Then she proceeded to go behind a large tree to dry herself and change. When she was descent, she came out and gathered up her stuff.
"Are you done yet? I'll become a super prune if I stay in any longer," said Inu Yasha as he kept his head turned in the opposite direction.
"Go ahead. I can go back on my own since I know the way now."
As Kagome turned around and started walking, Inu Yasha got out and put the cloth around his waist. Somehow, he felt relieved to tell someone all of that. He kept his past buried for so long. The only other person who ever heard of his childhood was Kaede, but with Kagome it seemed different. That girl had the most sincere look in her eyes.
'I can trust her,' he thought as he squeezed the excess water out of his hair.
To Be Continued...
AN: Awwww! I get choked up when I picture the hardships little Inu went through *sniff* Anyway, I really like how this chapter came out, and I hope you do too. R+R!
AN: Here it is...the hot springs chapter! *swats away the hentais with a ten foot pole* There will be a lot of Inu's past revealed in this chapter, too. Anyway, enjoy ^_*.
Onii-Chan - Brother.
Onee-San - Sister.
Haori - Inu Yasha's clothing. ( I did it again! )
~~~~~~ - Flashback.
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Five~A Hanyou's Past
"Ahh, the hot water feels absolutely wonderful!" Kagome remarked as she submerged into the refreshing pool. She pulled out her soap and began to work up a good lather and clean herself off. Being clean made her feel like a civilized human being again.
"Don't take too long, or you'll shrivel up like Kaede-Baba," Inu Yasha remarked from a slightly smaller pool of the hot spring that was adjacent to the one Kagome was in. All that was between the two was a wide boulder, however, not very tall, so the two had their backs turned to each other. In case of any danger, Inu Yasha had his Tetsusaiga on the 'rock of division,' as Kagome declared it. Trickling water came into the steamy springs by a tiny rock overhang, adding a tranquil appeal to the area. Warm steam rose up from the water, causing small beads of condensation to form on their exposed skin.
"I don't need your stupid comments. And, if you dare try anything, I swear I'll sit you until you're buried ten feet in the ground!"
"Keh, who'd WANT to try anything with a wench like you?" was his reply as he began to carefully wash his long silvery hair. He suddenly gasped in pain as he felt the foamy soap bubbles trickle down his chest where a deep cut still remained from Yura's attack. Kagome, however, thought something was wrong, so she turned around to see the back of his head, noticing he was looking down at something.
"Are you all right?"
He quickly turned around to stare Kagome directly in her eyes. Her dark, ebony hair came over her shoulders, almost like a protective veil. If it wasn't for that and the boulder covering her youthful chest, he might have lost his composure...
'Keh! I shouldn't even think such thoughts!' he reprimanded himself in his mind.
"Ah! Look at that wound! It's even worse than I thought. You should let me patch it up...I saw some herbs nearby that are good for healing flesh wounds," Kagome stated, worry written all over her face. She was actually quite appealing when she wasn't angry, Inu Yasha noted as he observed her. Strange how she could switch between so many emotions all the time.
"I already told you, I don't need any treatment! My body is not like a frail human's body. By tomorrow, there won't even be so much as a scar left on me."
Kagome got a good look at Inu Yasha, at least his upper body, and was quite impressed. Aside from the ugly cut that marred his chest, he was fairly good looking. His long, sleek silver hair trailed all the way down his well toned back and over his broad shoulders. His arms were strong and muscled, but not so much that it was unappealing. And the water dripping down his smooth skin...
'Whoa Kagome! Don't even go there!' she thought to herself as a blush creeped up onto her cheeks. Not wanting him to notice her embarrassment, she turned back around and tried to continue the conversation.
"A-Anyway, you still should let me patch up that wound when we get back to the village. I'm sure that even you are susceptible to infections."
Inu Yasha then disappeared under the smooth surface of the water to rinse the soap out of his hair.
Kagome wondered why he always seemed to shun her attention. All she wanted to do was help him, yet he kept trying to distance himself, whether it was with cruel remarks, or the usual 'keh.' He hadn't even called her by her name yet! Perhaps he was afraid of getting close to others, because he was afraid of getting hurt. Who knew what kind of life he's lived thus far, being a hanyou in a world which loathes their very existence. Child of a human, yet also child of a demon.
'Inu Yasha...I know we just met, but how can we accomplish anything if we don't get along?' Kagome thought as she too submerged into the hot water to rinse herself. When she came back up, she just knew that she had to question him, and hopefully obtain some answers. 'I might as well get to know him better...Maybe it'll even help me understand why he always acts like such a selfish jerk.' She turned around to make sure he came back up, and seeing he was there, couldn't help but giggle at how his ears drooped when they were wet.
"What's so damn funny?" he asked, while once again turning to face the strange girl.
"Ah...nothing! I was just wondering..." she began.
'Oh great...here comes another lecture...'
"Inu Yasha, can you tell me more about yourself? I don't mean to sound nosy or anything, but, well, I just want to get to know you better..." she paused, wondering if she angered him at all, then continued, "What was your life like when you were a child? I imagine that you weren't treated very kindly...being a hany~"
"Listen, I don't need to be constantly reminded of what I am. I know you probably can't stand the sight of me, so let's just end this conversation."
"That's not true! I have nothing against you because of what you are. I just want to know more about you, ...and why you always try so hard to distance yourself from me."
"Keh. You really sicken me! Pretending that you actually care. I can't stand people like you. You're so very naive. The world isn't as kindly as you think it is," Inu Yasha said in an angry tone that sent shivers down Kagome's spine. His deep, golden eyes showed her sorrow, anger, fear, and above all, annoyance. "If you really need to know, I had a horrible life up until fifty years ago when I found Kaede-Baba's village.If you think you can change my attitude, forget it. I don't want to get close to anybody, especially a nosy, annoying bitch like you!"
"G...Gomen nasai, Inu Yasha. I didn't mean to upset you...but, despite what you may think about me, let me make one thing perfectly clear to you: I am NOT a bitch!" Kagome shouted at him, causing him to cover his ears. She was saddened by his words, but above all she was enraged. How could he just assume she was like that?! Feeling she was going nowhere fast, Kagome decided on another tactic to get him to lighten up. "I tell you what, if you tell me about yourself, I'll take the rosary off. How's that?"
"Keh! I can tell by the look on your face that you're lying!"
Kagome had it. He went too far this time.
"Osuwari!!!"
*Splash*
*Gurgle*
*Choke*
When a bedraggled hanyou popped back up out of the water, Kagome knew she finally had him where she wanted him.
"Now, if you don't want me to drown you with osu...the word, then I suggest you start talking."
"Fine! But I WILL get my revenge for that time!" Inu Yasha coughed, sputtering up water.
Kagome merely gave him an innocent smile.
"When I was born, I had lived in a grand estate owned by my father. He was the great Inu Taishou, Lord of the Western Territories. I heard from my mother that he was at least three hundred years old before she met him. Heh, he looked pretty young to me, but what did I know?"
"No way! Inu Taishou was your father??? I had no idea!" Kagome exclaimed. She had always heard stories about the great Inu youkai lord, but to be seeing his very own son..."A-Anyway...please continue."
"My mother was a mere human, but I guess my father loved her, otherwise I wouldn't be here, now would I?" Kagome nodded, intent on hearing more of his life story. "Her name was Yukiko, but when I was only five years of age, my father was killed in a battle with Ryutaishou, a powerful dragon that threatened to take my father's territory. My older half-brother, Sesshoumaru then inherited the Western Territories, and, being a full blooded youkai, he despised my mother and I. On his orders, we were thrown out of the estate to fend for ourselves in the wilderness. Shortly after, my mother became ill from her grief. I was so young that even if I wanted to, I could do nothing for her. I guess you could say I was a burden to her. I remember the day she died...that's when I was truly all alone for the first time..."
~~~~~~
Cold, white blankets of snow covered everything in sight, the ground, the trees, everything. Inu Yasha was huddled close to his mother, trying to stay warm from the frigid temperatures. They had been staying inside a small, damp cave, hiding from any youkai that would find them to be a tasty meal. It seemed like everything was going wrong, yet his mother tried to comfort him when he felt the doubt in his own heart.
"Mommy, why did Onii-Chan tell us to leave? Doesn't he know that it's cold outside? Why is he so mean to us?!" little Inu Yasha sniffled as he buried his face in his mother's warm kimono. Yukiko hugged him tightly, tears forming in her own eyes. Next to her was the only thing she had left of her beloved Inu Taishou, Tetsusaiga, which she had managed to keep, unbeknownst to Sesshoumaru. If they survived, Inu Yasha would inherit the sword, as her husband had wished.
"My dear Inu Yasha, your Onii-Chan...he dislikes us simply because we are not youkai like him. I am a human, and you are a hanyou. If your father was still alive this wouldn't have happened..."
The crying child lifted his head to look at his mother's sad face. "What's a hanyou?"
Another few tear drops slid down her cheeks as she tried to answer his question.
"A hanyou is neither a human or a youkai, but a mix of both..."
"So then why don't both humans and youkai like me? Everyone is mean to me!" he cried.
"That may be so, but I'll always love you, no matter what you are. You will always be my precious child, Inu Yasha. Remember that," she whispered as she kissed his forehead gently.
Later that evening, the two were soundly asleep, and unaware of the danger nearby.
Stalking closer to the familiar scent, the youkai lurked, intent on spilling fresh blood this night. Nothing could be more satisfying than the horrified screams of a human...and the pleasures that could be taken from them.
Inu Yasha woke up, startled to feel sharp claws wrenching him away from his mother. The next thing he heard was screaming. He saw his mother thrashing beneath a hideous youkai covered in scars. He jumped on it's back and dug his little claws into the creature's flesh, gaining a loud roar in return.
"You little runt! How dare you!"
Suddenly, the youkai slammed a fist into Inu Yasha's abdomen, then threw the battered hanyou up against the cold stone wall of the cave. Inu Yasha slumped to the ground, unconscious and bloody.
**********
Slowly opening his eyes, Inu Yasha winced in pain. He glanced around, trying to piece together what had happened. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the sword his mother said was his inheritance. He reached for the heavy blade, feeling a little more secure having it by his side, even if it was taller than he was.
"Mother!" he shouted as he looked around the interior of the cave. She was gone.
Then, as he slowly walked near the entrance of the cave, he stepped in a cold, wet liquid. Looking down, he was horrified to see what it was, and looking out at the red snow that followed it, he knew. Blood.
Carefully, he stepped out of the cave, noticing a trail of blood in the snow. His feet stung from the freezing matter as he followed the path of blood. After walking for a couple of yards, he came upon a large bush. Underneath it was the body of his mother, her body was barely recognizable. He felt his stomach twist into knots, and he had to force himself to look away.
Tears poured from his eyes as he turned and ran. He had no place to go, yet he ran faster, trying to escape the horrible images that plagued him. Slipping on an unseen ice-patch, Inu Yasha tumbled onto the cold, wet ground.
"M-Mother...." he whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut tight.
From that moment on he was alone. Neither humans nor youkai would accept him, and he had to grow tough to survive. He learned how to focus his demonic energy to make Tetsusaiga transform into the glorious fang that was once his father's. He closed his heart to everyone, forgetting how it felt to love and be loved, yet never forgetting his mother's kind words to him that fateful night.
After traveling for many months, he learned that the world was truly a cruel place, however, when he invaded this one village for food, he discovered otherwise.
"I've come to take these. If you have a problem with that, take it up with my Tetsusaiga," A now seventeen-year-old Inu Yasha growled as he stuffed the food into his red haori top. The girl stood, frozen with fear, but even more so....fascination.
"Ano...you can have the food, I don't mind, demo..."
Inu Yasha's ears twitched. Was this girl insane, or just afraid? No one ever said he could HAVE their food before.
"Are those ears for real? I wanna touch them!"
Inu Yasha leapt back from the girl who appeared to be five. Who did she think she was talking to?
"Keh! Listen, human, I have no intentions to let you touch my ears! Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving."
"Wait! Please don't go! You're a hanyou, right? I always heard stories about them, but I've never actually seen one before. What kind of hanyou are you? A Neko or an Inu? Do you live near here?"
Scratching his furry right ear, Inu Yasha walked up to the curious child. He bent down to look her in her left eye, seeing that the other had a patch over it.
"What do you want with me, child?" he asked.
"Well...I wouldn't mind having a friend," she beamed cheerfully. She reminded him of the way he was when he was very small, always looking for a friend. This girl must've been very lonely if she was asking him to befriend her in such an awkward situation. "Please! I promise I'll give you all the food you want, and we can play together! Ever since my Onee-San died, I've been all by myself. None of the other children wanna play with me because I only have one good eye...They call me a Cyclops!"
Inu Yasha suddenly recalled the many names he was called as a young child. At that moment, something inside of him opened up, and he felt an emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time. Pity. Pity for this mere slip of a human child before him.
"Girl, what is your name?"
"Kaede, but you can call me K-Chan," she said, smiling again.
"Ano...would it be all right if I stay here? I'm a bit weary from my travels...and ...I've been without a home for so long now, I forgot what it's like to be in one place for more than a few nights," he explained, feeling that perhaps he could stay with this child, and maybe even have a friend.
"Hai!" Kaede exclaimed as she began to leap up and down in joy.
Fifty years had passed since that day, and Kaede was an old woman, while Inu Yasha, of course, remained as youthful as ever. It seemed like a pleasant dream. Being in a place where he was accepted, whether it was by only one human, or many others. He got by there, and helped Kaede in many ways. When she first became a miko, he watched in amusement the first time she strung a bow and arrow, and nearly killed her instructor.
Later on, a little kitsune was discovered in the village, bloody and worse for wear. Inu Yasha found him, and brought him to Kaede to be healed. When the child grew better, it was discovered that his name was Shippo, and his parents had been hunted by youkai taijiya.
~~~~~~
"And basically, that's everything up until now. I really have nothing more to say."
"Inu Yasha...you and Kaede were friends for fifty years? By the way you talk to her, I would've never guessed. And the story of your childhood..." Kagome wiped away a tear she felt forming in her right eye before he would notice. "I thought you said you wouldn't get close to anybody, but it seems that's not entirely true if you stayed with Kaede all these years. You're not so bad after all," she smiled, then, realizing how long they had been in the hot spring, she prepared to get out before her shin soaked up any more water.
The evening was finally setting in, and orange-golden rays of sunlight seemed to color the earth in a beautiful hazy glow.
"I'm getting out now, so don't you dare look!" Kagome stated as she waded to the edge of the spring to grab her drying cloth. As she got out, she quickly wrapped it around herself and grabbed the clean kimono. Then she proceeded to go behind a large tree to dry herself and change. When she was descent, she came out and gathered up her stuff.
"Are you done yet? I'll become a super prune if I stay in any longer," said Inu Yasha as he kept his head turned in the opposite direction.
"Go ahead. I can go back on my own since I know the way now."
As Kagome turned around and started walking, Inu Yasha got out and put the cloth around his waist. Somehow, he felt relieved to tell someone all of that. He kept his past buried for so long. The only other person who ever heard of his childhood was Kaede, but with Kagome it seemed different. That girl had the most sincere look in her eyes.
'I can trust her,' he thought as he squeezed the excess water out of his hair.
To Be Continued...
AN: Awwww! I get choked up when I picture the hardships little Inu went through *sniff* Anyway, I really like how this chapter came out, and I hope you do too. R+R!