All's Fair in Love and War

Chapter Twenty Five

Kieuseru

:---:

If you knew all that I knew, my poor Jerusalem, you'd see the truth, but you close your eyes. But you close your eyes. While you live, your troubles are many, my poor Jerusalem. To conquer death, you only have to die. You only have to die.'

:---:

His hands made their way down her taut lean back, fingers taking in all the sensations. The warm skin on his fingers never seemed more appealing. Everything seemed so exaggerated, but in a good way.

She leaned down and kissed him, shifting again, inbetween their heavy breaths. They turned over and he dragged kisses lazily down her chest, lips feeling soft flesh. He brought his head up to her neck and chewed ever so lightly. She pushed her cheek closer to his and kissed it. They pulled apart and she pressed her lips to his once more, locking together again for a moment.

She pressed her face close to his. Both lay still for a while, and only their thick breathing could be heard. She looked into his violet eyes. I love you, Kie. she said, softly.

He smiled and wove his hand up her back, taking a soft strand of hair and twirling it between his fingers. She looked up at him, her eyes begging him to speak the words she lived for. I love you too. he said. The corners of her mouth lifted up and she snuggled closer to him, sighing in relief.

I was afraid at first, to tell you that. she said, and nuzzled his chest with her cheek.

And why would that be? he asked softly, pulling another strand between his fingers.

I didn't know what you'd say. she said.

You don't know enough. he chided. She grinned and laughed softly. Rolling over, she stretched her tired limbs.

What time is it? she asked and yawned.

Two forty six, why? he asked.

she squealed. I have to pick up my kid! I can't believe I'm gonna be late. she mentally slapped herself for not remebering before. How could she get so wrapped up in business' while her little baby is probably sitting and waiting for her somewhere in some loading dock? God damnit. she cursed, pulling a pair of blue jeans on. She slid on her bra and threw on a t-shirt. I gotta go. she said, smiling weakly. First day, you know? she said and clicked open the lock on the door. He sat up and the sheets slid down his chest.

It's okay. he said and grinned in return. I understand. See you later. He waved from his position on the matress. She smiled warmly and walked out of the door.

:---:

What about that guy? he asked, pointing to a spectral looking figure.

A Shade. she said. People who have committed horrible crimes in life. He put two and to together. That meant they were dead. Ick. See through floating dead guys.'

So they are basically ghosts, right? he asked.

That's the name you would be familiar with. she said and rubbed her eye. She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms to warm them from the slight chill of the night. A slight wind ran by and tussled her dark black hair.

Um, and that Kieuseru guy, he is a shade too right? he asked shyly, noticing the resemblance of loss of color. This man was completely black and white as well. He did that flickering thing too, just like the strange purple eyed man. And like Keiuseru, his eyes were the only thing that had color. They were a dark chestnut brown.

she said.

What did he do? he asked. He figured that if anyone would know, it would be Kagome.

Hm, I don't really know. she said and shrugged. Okay, maybe she doesn't know everything. You should ask him. she said and pointed to the monolithic angel statue in the center of the park. Inu Yasha turned and looked at the statue. Nothing.

Shippou called. I have to go! he said, clutching at his groin. She chuckled.

Go where, Honey? she taunted melodically.

he squeaked. He did his version of the restroom dance and bit his lip. Inu Yasha supressed laughter at the, though still the same, but much wigglier Shippou.

I'm gonna take him to the bathroom. Wait for me? she said.

Got nothing else to do. he said, looking up at her and half-grinning. She smiled and waved, taking the bouncy Shippou's hand and walking away. He stood up and stretched his legs out. Sitting for so long can make you sore. He arched his back backwards, opposite of how a cat stretches, and placed his hands on his small waist as he stretched.

He walked over to the concrete angel in the middle of the park and looked around. Kagome pointed in this direction when she told him to ask the purple eyed man about why he was a shadowy-ghosty thing, whatever the hell they were. Can't see anything. Damn.' He saw little kids frolicking and adults watching them- or not watching them, but no Kieuseru.

He sighed, ready to return to the bench and wait for Kagome when something caught his ear. Music? Another soft note hit his ears, and he strained to hear it over the din. He flicked his ear in the direction it was coming from and strained to hear. That sounds weirdly familiar.' he decided. He knew that song, but how? Was that some kind of spooky incantation? It sounded so familiar, he thought to link it to wherever it was he heard it from before.

Nothing. Why is it I can never remember these things?' he wondered silently. This happened before, at Kagome's. Of course! That was where it came from! Kagome was singing that song as well, the one he remebered from somewhere else. Why would they both know the same song? He never heard it on the radio before. Coincidence? Probably. He had to admit, that song was pretty amazing. Every time he heard it, he felt calm and safe. It had this weird effect on him, but he liked it. It made him feel like he felt with Kagome. Safe and happy.

Now that that was out of the way, only one thing to clarify. Who was singing the song? He swore, if it was the angel statue ... He had had enough drama for the night.

He walked to the front of the statue and looked up at the statue's face. To his relief, the angel statue wasn't singing. Thank god, that would have just been too weird.' He had kind of expected it to be the statue. For some reason, after finding out that every person he had seen tonight wasn't even human, nothing seemed impossible. He shrugged his shoulders and grunted, he still didn't know who the hell was singing. And when anyone is as tired and worn out as Inu Yasha was, they wouldn't really care less.

He continued to stare at the angel's face. There was something weird about it. Its eyes were different from the rest of its face, like there as something liquid about them. They rippled. He squinted and traced the ripple away from its face. There was something on the angel's wing.

Kieuseru. The man seemingly flickered into existance, like he had done at the show. Inu Yasha, though thoroughly frightened out of his skin, half-smiled despite it. Hi there. he said and flicked his wrist. The man removed his head from it's resting position on the statue's upturned face. He grinned unhappily and waved at Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha leapt up and landed gracefully on the angel's other wing, wavering slightly as he regained his balance. He sat down and looked at the stranger.

Nice jump. Dog demon? he said, obviously already familiarized with the ears on his head.

Thank you, and half. he said. The man nodded. He looked over at Inu Yasha and stared at him. The stare was intense and awkward, and the easily flustered Inu Yasha turned away and grinned in a dopey way at the man, hoping to lighten the mood. The dead don't get embarrased, nor do they blush. Neither did this man.

You remind me of someone I knew. he said, suddenly as he continued to study Inu Yasha's face and hair. Then his ears and golden eyes.

he asked, curiously.

he said. You look like her. What's your name? Kieuseru's voice was slow and drawn out. He lacked enthusiasm and was border line monotone. His voice was, for the most part, devoid of emotion, but not empty and drained. There was still something human about the way he spoke, like a little person that was whispering something far away. But aside for the small bit of human softness that occasionally flickered past Inu Yasha's ear, his voice was, for the most part, rather hollow.

Inu Yasha. he said and bowed his head politely.

For the first time, the man's eyes glazed over with a strange expression. It was like confusion and happiness and bitterness all mushed together. The man's stunning violet eyes widened. Inu Yasha, so it's you. he said, as if they were friends, and this was just a coincidental run-in. No wonder. Nice to meet you. the small tinge of human emotion in the mans voice rose the slightest. It now held a small pleasant ring. The man smiled.

You have a weird smile. Inu Yasha said. You smile with your face, but not your eyes. he said, examining the man's deep purple eyes. The turbulent violet eyes narrowed as the man raised an eyebrow.

Nobody's ever said that before. he said. Why would you notice that? The steady rhythm of the man's dull voice sharpened at a few notes and he seemed truly interested

Hm, your eyes do have a certain pull. The purple stands out from the grey. he said. The man looked down at one of his hands, turning his wrist and examining the ground below through it with a sad laugh.

Ah, one of the down sides to being ... me. he said and laughed bitterly once more.

Being you? he asked curiously.

Being what I am. he said, assuming the boy knew. He was at the man's carnival after all. He should be familiar with shades.

Oh, you mean a um ... a ghost? the boy asked shyly, looking out from under his bangs and flashing a tiny nervous smile.

The man's stone face flinched and he nodded. he verified.

Why are you ... um ... what you are. My friend tells me that a shade is a punishment. he said, shyly, a sheepish blush decorating his face. Y-you seem so nice ... I thought that someone being punished like um, like you are would have to be really awful too. He looked down at his fingers which he continually attempted to tie in knots.

You want to know? He raised his eyebrows. You have some guts kid. Nobody's ever asked me that. he said. Well, I suppose, if you want to know. He paused. I think that you should know. Who knows, information like this might come in handy. I fell in love with a woman. he said and his eyes glazed with that thoughtful look.

That's bad? he asked. Then the world's just full of sinners isn't it?

No, love isn't bad. Love itself is harmless. It's what people do because of it that's bad. Inu Yasha, I hurt someone. I hurt someone so bad that they broke. They'll never be the same again. I shouldn't have gotten involved ... I knew what consequences my actions would bring but ... I just didn't think that ... the man trailed off. The monotone of his voice had all but faded as he got to the final that' and a raw kind of emotion was very obvious in his tone. His voice was full of sorrow. Inu Yasha assumed this must be close to what the man's voce in life must have been like. He had a very nice voice. It was deep and smooth. In a way, listening to him now, it almost sounded like someone was crying. And maybe, had he been a bit happier, his voice would be like someone singing.

Well, if you fell in love with her, then how are you guilty of that? he asked.

Some things can't be explained, little boy. he said. I did what I did. I loved someone with all my heart and paid the price. Maybe I was stupid for picking somone like her, I don't know. But do I have any regret for doing so? No. Never. She's the most important thing to me, Inu Yasha. Maybe if you ever have the chance to, you'll tell her that.What ... what's her name? he asked softly.

Though I don't think I'm as severely punished as her. he said, sadly. Whether or not he didn't hear Inu Yasha or if he was ignoring the child wasn't clear. I wish I would have been punished instead of her, it wasn't her fault. He treated her horribly. I would have married her but- he sighed. His eyes flashed with a certain sadness, one that Inu Yasha had not seen before. The man looked so heartbroken.

OI! Inu Yasha! Kagome called. He turned his head to her and smiled. What are you doing up there? she asked.

Oh, I was just- he turned to his side to find that Kieuseru had pulled his disappearing act again. Um, he was here just a second ago. he said, and hopped down from the angel's wing.

That's a weird statue. said Shippou, who then yawned and patted his mouth.

Hm, I suppose it is a pretty strange thing to have in a childrens area. said Kagome. But I like it. Just look at the detail in the wings! she said and ran her fingers across a part of the wing. It's a beautiful statue.

What a pretty angel. said Inu Yasha thoughtfully. Um, wanna go home now? he asked, eyeing his sleepy companions. They nodded. Good, I'm tired.I'll call my mom. She's probably on her way here anyways. said Kagome, pulling out a cell phone.

Shippou tottered over to Inu Yasha and fell against his leg. He carefully scooped up the half asleep boy and cradled him in his arms like a baby.

Author's Notes

I am blushing.

That was so zesty! Are you not intimidated by my sex scenes? That scene will make a lot more sense later on in the plot, but if you are a good reader, it might make sense now. Ya never know. By the way, I imagine the guitar part of I hate Everything About You' playing while I read that part. I lub that guitar part.

Kieuseru may seem kind of stupid and pointless but he's actually a really important character. He's an OC (Oh my god, my first OC.) and you know what that means? HE'S MINE, BITCHES. I kind of like him and his coolness. He's a pretty neat character. I might be tempted to draw a fanart of him. Omigod, his eyes are purple. How fuckin cool, huh? Why are they purple? Why the hell should I know? Its cause I say so and I like violet eyes. Mmm, pretty.

Try to guess who the two people were! (At least one of em should be rather obvious.)

Loves ya'll! Reviews please and thank you!