Chapter Twelve

Stranger in the Autumn Mist

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 Just hold me, simply control me, because your arms, they keep away the lonely, When I look into your eyes, it's then I realize, that all I need is you in my life. All I need is you in my life.'

Never Felt This Way Alicia Keyes

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That day he had walked Kagome home, hand in hand, until she reached a street where she said she could walk by herself from. He asked her again and again, if she was sure that she wanted to go on without him, and she assured him that it was okay. He quickly hugged her goodbye and waved her off, watching her walk through the thin layer of autumn rain that greyed the land around them, and created a mist which settled around their feet. He smiled in quiet contentment at the girl that jogged towards her house.

He had begun to turn around to walk back towards his house when he heard a small splash and the scramble of feet. He turned around quickly, cringing at the whiplash of his wet hair against his cheek and back. Wiping the wet hair that clung to his cheek away from his face, he dashed over towards the sound, immediately guessing that it was Kagome. He turned the corner and was surprised to see a full grown woman looking in discontent at her wet muddy skirt and scattered groceries.

Oh dear... she uttered looking anxiously at her wet skirt and ruined grocery items while shaking her head. What shall I do know? she asked herself, only so loud that Inu Yasha could only hear it with his extra powerful senses. He stepped forward.

Would you like me to help you carry them home? he asked politely. She turned to him and her scowl instantly melted into a warm gentle smile. He noted that it reminded him of Kagome's. Not exactly like hers, but enough to remind him of her. He stepped towards her and held out his hand Im Inu Yasha. he said with a friendly smile.

She took his hand in hers and shook it heartily. Nice to meet you. And thank you for the groceries. Should I help you gather them? she asked.

No its okay, I'll get them myself. he said and gathered the scattered items and placed them inside the bags. After he had finished and had the bags in his hand he approached her again. So where do you live? he asked.

Oh I dont live very far from here, only a block or two. she said directing him in the way of her house and started walking. He followed behind her.

So what were you doing out in the rain anyways? he asked.

Me? Oh, well, you see, I live very close to a local market and I decided to just walk there instead of taking a bicycle like I usually do. While I was there it started to rain so I took my time and waited for the rain to clear up before I started home . Now, the rain actually cleared up mostly while I was walking home, but it started up again just recently so I decided, not wanting to get horribly wet, to run the rest of the way. She gave a smile. Unfortunately on my part I didnt take into consideration how wet and slippery the streets had become. So here I am, covered in mud, with two bags of ruined groceries, sopping wet clothing, and a sad story to tell.

Inu Yasha couldnt help but crack a small laugh at this. Im so sorry. he said, resisting the urge to burst out laughing, out of politeness.

Well Im just lucky such a nice boy like you came this way and helped me. she smiled kindly at the inu hanyou. So what are you doing here now? she asked. Its a little late to be walking home from school. she said.

Oh, well I was actually walking someone else home. he replied.

Oh. who? she questioned.

Just this girl in my school. he grinned.

Tell me about this girl. she said, noting his smile.

Um, she is new to my school, just got here this year, and she has long black hair, the color of a ravens wing, and these really pretty-blue grey eyes. She is a little shorter than me and she has this wonderful warm smile. Gods, she has a beautiful smile, and a lovey voice as well.... He rambled on and on and the woman couldnt help but giggle at his obvious infatuation with this girl.

Do you like this girl? she asked.

His face turned bright red and he stared blankly at the woman walking aside him. Wh-....why do you ask?Oh, never mind. she looked ahead of her. My house is just up there! Here, we shall run to it! she started jogging up the street.

Um, you probably shouldnt do- He was cut off short by the sound of a splash. The woman had managed to land straight in a puddle once again and scrambled to her feet looking in frustration at her sopping wet clothing.

Oh dear, Ive gone and done it again. she said in an annoyed tone. Ive just gone and ruined my skirt.... She rung out the dripping edges of her skirt and whined complaints to herself as she did so. Inu Yasha ran up to her and asked if she was okay, She replied with I'm fine, dear.'

Well at least we've reached my house. she said.

Where? I dont see a house here. he looked around and saw no type of house anywhere near.

It is right there. she said and pointed to a large shrine.

You live ... there? he asked in utter shock. He had never imagined such a lady to live in some place such as a shrine.

Yes. I was born and raised on that shine. Its the family trade. It was passed on from my grandfather to my father to me. And when she is old enough, my daughter will own and manage it as well. she said

He examined the shrine. It looked quite old but was also very beautiful. The old style of Japanese roofwork was done and the roof and carefully placed brass shingle glittered with the light fall of rain. Ivy grew up certain walls and that added a certain quality of prestige to the place. From the shingles that shaded the walls of the shrine various ornaments embellished the appearence of the shrine and numerous small crystal windchimes shook in the light wind and created a certain sound which Inu yasha found quite calming and refreshing. It sounded almost mystic which added a certain haunted quality to the building.

But what caught his eyes the most was, in the front, it had a large iron gate. And at the top, where the two gate halves met, there was a small hole in which, inside the iron circle, a moon was carved from silver and where the two tips of the the crescent moon met a golden star was placed. Around it seemed to eminate an irridescent display of color which he stared at in bewilderment for a while until the woman aside him directed him to follow her.

He looked down and the woman was already halfway up the stairs which lead to the shrine doors. He went in quick pursuit of her and caught up at the top of the stairs. She walked through the large doors which led to the shrines inside. When he stepped in he examined the surroundings. His jaw almost dropped when he got inside. This shrine was huge! And all of it was gorgeous! The woodwork on the walls, the floors, the intricately designed shoji wallscreens which had been painted with floral designs. All of it was wonderful.

Well come this way. The woman directed him to follow. She led him through a few different rooms and up a stairway. At the top of the stairway she turned into a place that looked like a kitchen. You may put the bags there. she said, pointing to a counter. He placed the bags on the counter and sifted through the contents, placing them on the countertop.

Would you like some tea? she asked him, already pouring water into a kettle. That walk must have exhausted you. I just have to at least give you some tea, in return for helping me with my groceries.

Um, sure, I'll have some tea. he said, setting his backpack down against a wall.

Very well then, it will be done in a few minutes. You look rather wet. she said examining his dripping wet clothing, tattered from age and overuse. I'll get you some new ones. He tried to protest but she was already off looking for new clothing. A few minutes later she emerged with a red haori top in her arms. Try this on. I think it's just your size. She directed him to a bathroom and he went inside.

A minute later he emerged from the bathroom, dressed in the haori. You look so handsome in it! she squealed. He walked over to a near by mirror and examined himself. He couldnt help but adimt, she was right. The fragrant red colour brought out his features and matched well with his skintone. It was perhaps, as if this outfit were made for him.

Its lovely isnt it? she said, straightening it out upon his shoulders and pulling a few loose threads here and there. It was my grandfathers. He got it when he was about your age as well, it was his favourite outfit. He wore it every chance he got. He handed it down to my father, but since my father only had me, and I had a daughter, it has been sitting in my closet ever since my father died.Oh. I like it. Its comfortable. he said, breathing in the lovely fabric, which felt so good against his skin.

Really? Then you may keep it. she said. I have no use for it now, and seeing the state of your old clothes, I think you are in dire need of a wardrobe change. She pulled a loose string from his shirt.

Wow, thank you. he said, shocked.

Wait right here will you, I'd like to get my daughter to have tea with us, I think you'll like her. She smiled and ran off and turned a corner.

Inu Yasha waited patiently until he noticed the tea kettle on the stove whistling. He ran over to it and turned it off, taking the kettle of the stove with the help of an oven mitt. Spotting the tea cups, he went to work at pouring the tea. He soon heard the sound of people walking down the hall, two of them. Turning around to face his company he was shocked at what he saw. There, standing beside the woman, was Kagome.

Inu Yasha?! They said almost simultaneously.

Oh, you know eachother? her mother said. How funny! She giggled cheerfully.

I never would have guessed... said Inu Yasha thoughtfully.

Now the tea is ready so I think we should sit down and enjoy it together. In fact Inu Yasha, would you like to join us for dinner? Im sure we would enjoy that. she said happily.

he blurted out almost too fast. He could never refuse food, when offered to him. Now, one in his situation might have said no, seeing as his father is quite picky about meals. However, weekends are his special exception. He knew that on the weekends, his father was almost never home. He would go out Friday night and not come back til Sunday, drunk, stoned, and too sick from hangovers to even think of doing anything till Monday afternoon. He couldnt even remember how long this cycle had been going on.

- - - - - - - - - - -

A small half breed boy sat at his doorstep, waiting for his father to come home. Daddy? Where are you daddy?' he thought, almost wanting to scream.

Inu Yasha! Come in, dinners getting cold! came a voice from inside. He yelled back to his mother.

Im not hungry! He still sat waiting on the doorstep, growing more and more anxious as the moments lingered on his shoulders like bricks. His father had been missing for a while now. Around three days. And Inu Yasha, he was worried that he would never see him again. You had promised me you would stay home this weekend, daddy. You said you would come to my school play. I had the leading role. You said you would come!' he screamed in his thoughts, angry, though at the same time very sad and disappointed.

He stood up and screamed as loud as he possibly could, venting his anger on the wind, and not to mention, the neighbors ears. He clenched his fists and stomped multiple times on the ground with his tight shut eyelids clamped against eachother to help keep back tears. You said you would come... a tear slid down his cheek. YOU PROMISED!! He burst into a small fit of sobs, continuously trying to wipe the constant flow of tears away from his cheeks.

Finally, he heard the sound of a car coming down his driveway and he picked up his drooping head and saw his father in the front seat of their car. he yelled, overjoyed, and angry at the same time.. He waited by the car door and watched it swing open.

His father looked horrible.

His dull eyes were sagging and bloodshot. Thick grey bags hung under his dead orbs. His mouth hung half way open, and even at the distance he was, Inu Yasha could smell vomit. His stance was despicable, and he staggered to and fro as he attempted to regain his balance. And as soon as he did, he keeled over and began to vomit everywhere on their front yard. he asked, so quietly that he could hardly hear himself.

his father moaned, staggering over towards the door. He shot his son one dead glance before heading back in the direction he was going, shoving Inu Yasha out of the way, and onto the ground. He landed with a thud and clenched his eyes in the pain he felt from landing on a previous bruise. he squeeked. But his father could not hear him.

A few seconds later his ears were filled with the horrible, yet all too familiar sound of his parents fighting. His mother screamed angrily at the man who walked into her house and every word could be heard by the small rejected child laying on the ground.

AND WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!? GOING OFF LIKE THAT! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD STOP! WHAT IN THE HELLS DID YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING BY GOING OFF AND STUFFING YOURSELF FULL OF ALL THAT SHIT!? YOU'D BETTER- He could hear the distinct sound of hand against face, the sound of a slap. And then a thud. And then the bitter weeping of his mother. And he sat, curled in a fetal ball, with his head between his knees and his arms around himself, trying to protect himself from the awful evil noises coming from his house.

And his heart was full of malignance for the man who had turned him down.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Those memories, though so far away, were ones that Inu Yasha would never let himself forget. The reason he remembers those so clearly among the rest of his his nightmarish memories? Because that marks the point where he gave up, the point where he stopped caring. When he didn't care whether his father died the next day. When he became detatched.

That marked the day when he stopped being his son.

However, now was not a time to be caught up in such miserable thoughts. Inu Yasha smiled brightly. Not only was he getting a free meal, one which he did not have to steal or get from a garbage can, but he was dining with Kagome. He was in a large wonderful house. He was miles away from his father. And he was safe.

This was an exceptionally good day.

Author Notes

Just to tell you, you guys have read fifty pages of this story so far.

NEW STORY! I am gonna upload a new story this weekend and its really good and it took me forever to write. Its a one shot, full of angst, and lots of flashbacks. All that good stuff. Its relly good! So please read it! Oh, and my fourth poem on my poetry section. My daddy liked it so much he's getting it published. Please read them!

Aww, hes so happy in this chapter! Im so happy to lay off the abuse for a while, but now Im having these sadistic urges that I must....AUGH! MUST KIILLL!!! Ahem, anyways. Heres your long ass chapter, this thing took me a whole freakin DAY to write! Goddamnit, its so long! It weighs in, all in all, at a giant 2750 words! I mean, god DAMN! Thats huge! It took me forever to write too. This story is getting so big.

I am happy to be talking more about Inu's childhood, it really helps in understanding how he thinks, and why he does things. Not to mention there are special secrets that I have in store regarding his childhood. But you can see how he was treted as a kid and that helps you understand the story more. In this chapter you can see Inu Yashas growing detatchment for his father, and the way he did, at one time, actually care for the man. GASP And you also see a bit of the souring relationship of his parents. I love flashbacks. Yumm.


Review Responses

The Female Inu Yasha- OMG! I loved your review! No one has ever told me that they want to be as good as me. ::huggles:: I feel like a super author now. I started out sucky so you can only get better. At first my stuff was all shitty pointless fluff. ::sigh:: Thanks anyway!

Tangled Wires of Doom- Thanks so much for your review! And yea, the strange happiness of his school life and the utter misery of his home life does have the desired effect. It kinda knocks the wind outta ya huh?

Silver Dog Demon- Everyone wants Kagome to walk in on Inu getting beat. Man, I dont get it. But, I'll tell you now, she does eventually meet Inu's daddy once, not for a LONG time though.

Darren Lee- Oh my god! Your review made the happiest person alive! I can't belive it made a guy CRY, um, almost. And all that about feeling what Inu felt, and relating to the character, and re reading the happy chapters when you had a bad day, that was just so awesome. And that this actually inspired you to fanfiction. God, that was the best thing anybody's ever told me. Thank you so much. ::sniffles:: Like seriously, its reviews like that that make me write as much as I do, in hopes of reaching someone like that. Freaking awesome. Thanks so much. BTW have you written any fics of your own?

Maboroshi Kaji- Yeah, Kagome has her secrets. You learn them later. And she doent have a brother in this fic. Next chap is all about her and her family. But not about her past! Nya! :P And, as she mentioned in chap 11, Inu is her only friend at the moment. At the moment

Next chap: The Moonflower. (Minor fluff.)