Chapter Three
Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to the creators of Inuyasha.
Thank you so to Huggies90, FearofFallingXOX, JumbledThoughts, and Tiggs1990 for sending me your reviews last chapter! I really appreciate the time you have taken to leave such nice words of support.
So, I do have a question that I'm going to need answered...
Should I turn this into a rated M story? Other than gore and sexual innuendoes/vague trail-offs (which this story does have already in my future uploads) I don't go into detail exactly. BUT I can if enough people think that would work well for this story. Should there be more steamy chemistry throughout? Please leave me a review with your thoughts!
Without further delay, here is this insanely long chapter!
I felt like my breath was frozen in my chest as the silent stare down continues, my quivering fingers slowly reaching for the arrows at my side.
"Don't even think about it!" Inuyasha snaps viciously, his claws glinting in the moonlight. "I'd cut you down before you even had a chance!" The men started to rally around Kaede and I, surrounding Inuyasha. He doesn't seemed bothered, barely even giving them a glance as his cocky smirk remained firmly in place.
"Pay no heed to Inuyasha, child." Kaede advised from beside me calmly, and I lift a quizzical eyebrow at her.
"This so called Sacred Jewel increases the power of demons, and you don't think dog-boy here isn't motivated enough to kill us all for that?" I reply dryly.
"Hey! Who you calling dog-boy?!" Inuyasha snaps indignity, his left hand clenching into a fist. I frown, looking back towards him. His silver hair glinted against the light given off by the multiple torches that the men were holding, almost giving him a halo effect.
'This guys is anything but an angel, though.' I think disdainfully. He had seemed like the good guy at first, but clearly I had seriously misjudged him. That same sharp prang of hurt from before hit me in the chest again at that thought.
What was with me?!
"I hate having to wait, even more so because of a smart mouthed bitch!" Inuyasha spits out angrily. I glare at him in return, meeting his amber eyes head on. Something flashes in them again as our eyes meet, but as soon as it's there it's gone. He doesn't hesitate as he races across the clearing, and I turn to run out of instinct. I can hear his breathing and his quick steps behind me, mentally berating myself. Running was stupid, he was a demon!
I turn sharply, heart racing as I meet his gaze head on. Suddenly that familiar warmth seems to wrap it's way soothingly through my veins, coming to the tips of my fingers. Instinct moves me, arms lifting up and hands facing outwards together in front of me.
'Feel that energy? Use it. Think of what you wish to help you and meld your energy to make it so.' A soft voice echoes in my head, and without question I start to imagine a shield of sorts between myself and the silver-haired man as he leaps into the air above me. Just in time a purple haze appears between myself and the outside world, Inuyasha's claws scrapping off of it with a yellow flash like it was a solid barrier.
"How am I doing this?!" I shout to Kaede, panic swelling inside of me. Who was that voice in my head? Was I going crazy?!
"Hold onto that barrier, Yua. Do not lose ye's concentration!" Kaede shouts in return.
"Shoot him!" Some of the men in the clearing called out, others echoing the same idea. Arrows fly at Inuyasha, but with a swing of his arm they break against the material of his red kimono. He seamlessly cuts the two large trees on either side of the group of men, making them scatter as the trees fall with a loud crash to the ground. Gracefully Inuyasha lands on what was left of the trunk of one of the trees.
"Would do you think I am?!" He demands in annoyance, looking down at them from his position of height.
'Talk about small dick syndrome.' I think dryly at the scene.
"You think you can hurt me like I did that centipede?" Inuyasha goes on, his amber eyes glaring down at the cowering men below. One of the men even turns to Kaede, spouting out nonsense at her, his eyes wide with fear. Calmly Kaede reaches into the folds of her kimono, fishing out what looked to be a beaded necklace complete with some sort of fangs that rounded it equal distances apart.
"Somehow I knew it would come to this." She states resignedly, grabbing the necklace with both hands. I watch on in keen interest from under my barrier even as Inuyasha leaps over me once again, his claws scraping against the surface. The necklace starts to hover before her as she clasps her hands together, index finger pointed towards her chin. She closes her eyes in concentration. Suddenly the necklace begins to glow purple and break apart, the pieces shooting away like purple glowing bullets.
"Get the fuck out of there so I can grab the damn jewel!" Inuyasha shouts at me, and my gaze is redirected towards him. He looks furious as he stands outside of my barrier, before drawing his hand back. I feel my stomach drop, knowing without a doubt that he was about to unleash the same attack that had killed Mistress Centipede.
And I wasn't too sure my newfound powers could hold up to that.
All of a sudden the balls of light gathered around Inuyasha's neck, solidifying once more into the beaded necklace I had seen Kaede holding before. Inuyasha is momentarily distracted as well, looking down at the necklace as he grasps it curiously.
"What the heck are these?" He asks in disgust.
"Quickly, child!" Kaede calls to me from across the clearing. "A word of subjugation!" I lift an eyebrow hearing her, before looking back to Inuyasha.
'A word of subjugation…' I think, my mind racing as Inuyasha leaves the beads alone, instead reeling his hand back once more. My attention is inappropriately diverted to his ears, watching as they twitch, and the idea hits me at once.
"DOWN BOY!" I shout loudly, watching in shock as the beads glow purple and drag Inuyasha face first into the ground. My mouth drops open as the dust clears, Inuyasha sitting up and rubbing his head, looking equally as shocked as me.
"What the hell did you just do to me?!" Inuyasha cries out in annoyance, grabbing at the beads then and earnestly trying to shove them up and over his head. The beads would glow purple as he tried, not budging.
"Kaede has got some moves." I murmur softly to myself in wonder, the barrier around me fading. Inuyasha looks up, his eyes glinting with murderous intent as he stands.
"Fine, I guess I'll just have to kill you to get this thing off!" He shouts, launching himself across the clearing towards me.
"DOWN BOY!" I shout again, and I watch with silent glee as he goes face first into the dirt, sliding along the ground with the momentum of his charge being cut short.
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha, but even you lack the power to remove it." Kaede chimes in, coming to stand next to me.
"Well see about that!" Inuyasha challenges as he hops up on his feet, glaring at the old woman. "I'd finish you off if you didn't look half dead already!"
"The word please." Kaede speaks to me then, clearly unimpressed.
'Oh well, one more just for fun.' I think, grinning. "Down. Boy." I emphasize the words this time, watching as he flattens into the ground once more with satisfaction. This time he stays face down in the dirt, groaning.
"Well then, shall we return to the village?" Kaede asks lightly, and I turn to her and nod in agreement. I look down at my side, wincing slightly at the open gash there. It's not nearly as gruesome as I had thought it would be, but it would definitely be sore for a while. "We'll get ye bandaged up and ye can get some rest. Ye need it after everything that happened tonight." Kaede added, having seen me looking down at my side. I nod once more, turning and following Kaede back to her horse. The men help her onto it, before she reaches a hand out to me as well. I hesitate, looking towards the face of the poor animal.
Could he really take both of our weights? Not only that, but I had never ridden a horse before.
"Come, child, it's alright." Kaede encouraged, and I had to admit that sitting on the horse seemed a whole hell of a lot better than walking back to the village at this point. I grip her hand, surprised at the amount of strength her body still possessed as I pulled myself up onto the horse's haunches. With a simple click of her tongue we were off.
I couldn't help looking back towards the silver haired demon just one more time.
"There we go." Kaede finishes bandaging my side, and I smile gratefully at her. It had been a little awkward at first getting naked in front of her. She had allowed me to wear a borrowed kimono, the pants a dark purple in colour, and the top pure white. It didn't have nearly as much material as her loose priestess kimono, looking like it would fit more tightly to my body. I had been genuinely surprised being the bigger girl that I am how well the bottoms fit as I pulled them on, leaving my top off so that Kaede could look at the gash in my side. It was slightly uncomfortable to sit there topless, covering my chest with my arms as best possible until she had been able to work the bandage over my breasts and down. The most embarrassing part, however, had been when Kaede had discovered my bra.
"What is this monstrous contraption?" She asked with indignity, as she held up the purple and black lacy bra. She seemed especially horrified with it as she noticed the red welts that the underwire and band had left in it's wake.
It may have been a little too small for me.
I blushed, even as I couldn't help laughing at her reaction, reflecting that it was good that the lady would never live to see a corset.
"It's what we wear where I come from to help support our…our breasts." I explain, feeling my face flush a little at the mentioning of my fun bags. Shit, I should have called them that and waited for Kaeda's reaction.
"Well it belongs in the fire!" She said contemptuously, and before I could protest she did just that, tossing it into the flames. The material burning brightly as it caught fire and I inwardly groan, closing my eyes for a moment.
It was too small anyways.
I wince slightly at the tenderness in my side as I shift the top half of my borrowed kimono over my shoulders, closing it shut and tying it.
"Ye mentioned the Bone Eater's Well before." Kaede frowns then, watching me intently. I freeze, looking over towards the older woman with uncertainty. "That well has been dry for centuries, but it is still shrouded in myths. One such myth tells of if containing the roads to multiple worlds." She hums, then turning back towards the fire and stoking it. I feel it then, knowing without a doubt that Kaede had somehow figured it out.
"You know I'm not from here, from this era." I murmur softly then in realization, the elderly woman nodding.
"Aye. How ye were dressed was my first clue." She smirked dryly, and I can't help a forceful laugh that leaves me. "You should rest, Yua. We'll have much to discuss tomorrow, and to rebuild." Kaede advised wisely, and I couldn't help feeling an onslaught of guilt knowing that people's homes had been destroyed because of me. She stands and moves behind me then, taking a scrap of material and putting my hair up in a ponytail for me.
"I'm so sorry about the village, Kaede." I apologize sincerely, the older woman smiling warmly as she finishes with my hair.
"We are used to rebuilding, Yua. I'm sure you can find a way to contribute tomorrow." She replied, gesturing to the mat I had woken up on earlier. "Sleep, child." I nodded, my mind already hazy with fatigue. As I lay my head down Kaede exited to a room in the back, clearly her own bedroom. Looking up at the ceiling a sense of calm realization comes over me.
No, I'm not home. I'm not even in my time, but I'll adapt, just like I have had to do time and time again.
After Kaede had applied more salve to my side and redid my bandage, I had told her everything. It was almost eerie how well she took every detail I told her in stride, as if time travel was a daily occurrence. By the end, instead of being thrown in chains and cursed as a witch, I was set free for the morning. Stepping outside and taking a deep breath I first realized how fresh everything smelled here, and how clean the air felt. It was nothing like this in modern Tokyo, where the smog and pollution bore down on you constantly.
'We really fucked things up in my time.' I think to myself solemnly, looking around at the people as they bustled about what was left of their village. Most homes were left somewhat intact, the men getting to work on rebuilding as the woman handed food and water to them. The older children were helping where they could, while the younger ones tried their best to stay out of the way as they played. I frown deeply, remembering what Kaede had said this morning as she was re-bandaging me.
"I couldn't imagine having to rebuild like this." I comment, the guilt washing over me again. Kaede nods in agreement, turning to wash her hands in the bowl of clean water.
"We're going to have to get used to it now that the Shikon no Tama is back within our midst." She replied resignedly, and I frown in confusion. Seeing the look on my face she elaborates. "Other demons will be attracted to it's powers, and will come from far and wide once word has gotten out. Our village will have to not only rebuild, but fortify against these threats." She pulled her hands from the water, drying them. "And still yet there are humans, with the evilest hearts of all. Their petty ambitions will drive them here along with their armies."
I frown as I think about that while watching the children, wondering what horrors they would be subject to if the Sacred Jewel remained here. I look down at it as it hangs from the string that Kaede had given me, grabbing it between my thumb and index finger and regarding it in a new found light. This thing was dangerous to everyone, and not just because of demons either.
'Speaking of which…' I trail off, turning to look back up at the roof of Kaede's house. There he was in his red kimono, silver hair floating lightly in the wind. His amber eyes didn't even flinch as my eyes locked onto them, staring back down at me stubbornly.
"What are you doing here?" I can't help asking him, letting the jewel drop back down against my chest. I hesitate for a moment, before tucking the jewel into the folds of my kimono as well, just to be safe.
"Tch, you think hiding it there is going to stop me?" Inuyasha asks slyly, a confident smirk on his face. I feel my own face heat up, glaring at him. Kaede had explained that Inuyasha's presence wasn't a problem, not while he wore her necklace around his neck.
'Even still, after yesterday I'm less inclined to take chances.' I think to myself. "Why do you want the jewel anyway?" I ask, genuinely curious. "You seem powerful enough as it is." Inuyasha looks annoyed once again, jumping down from the rooftop and landing on the ground right next to me. I step back out of instinct, once again aware of just how intimidating his form really was.
"Inuyasha is just a half demon." Kaede's voice came from her doorway, and I looked over towards her as she emerges. "Half dog-demon, to be precise." I blink, my eyes turning back to the silver haired half demon and instantly landing on his ears.
"Woah! I guess I was right on the money deciding on 'down boy!'" I exclaim in amusement, not thinking it through. I yelp as Inuyasha suddenly goes down beside me with a groan. "Oh shit…right. I'm sorry!" I groan, his amber eyes turning up to me and looking rightly pissed off. He stands and dusts himself off, glaring at me before glaring at Kaede.
"I'm sick of hearing some dried up witch I have just met talk like she knows me!" He snaps at her in irritation.
"So ye don't remember." Kaede discerned with certainty. "I thought as much. I am younger sister to Kikyo, she who bound ye to the tree." She explains then, throwing the dirty water from the bowl she carried to the side of her home. I frown, looking back to Inuyasha, and I'm surprised by the amount of hate I see in his eyes. He didn't even look this furious when he had went up against Mistress Centipede. "I am Kaede."
"So you're the brat, huh?" He questions, his voice barbed. I frown slightly, glancing back towards Kaede.
Clearly this Kikyo woman was a sore subject for him.
"Fifty years have passed." Kaede points out. "And I have grown old."
"Well if you're this old," Inuyasha muttered, scratching at his forehead, "Kikyo must be pushing a hundred. Sure glad I don't gotta worry about being old." He adds scathingly. "At least not for a while."
"Kikyo didn't worry either. Kikyo died." Kaede replies easily, and I watch in fascination as Inuyasha stills completely, looking almost frozen. "She died of her wounds soon after Mayumi." She adds, and it was then I see the rage reappear.
"Good." He hissed viciously. "She deserved it." My mouth drops open in utter shock hearing him. Since when did anyone deserve death?! I watch in fascination as the silver-haired half breed leaps up back onto Kaede's roof, sitting cross legged with his back facing towards us.
'There is that name again. Mayumi…' I think, frowning. "Who was Mayumi?" I ask softly, turning to look towards the older woman. Kaede gives a small smile, nodding silently for me to follow her as she begins down the main road of the village towards the outskirts.
"Mayumi was one of our village's greatest defenders, next to my sister Kikyo. My sister was the original protector of the Shaken no Tama." Kaede began. "Mayumi had exceptional powers that rivaled that of Kikyo's, however, she wasn't altogether human." That peaked my interest. "She looked human in every sense of the word." Kaede turns to survey me with her good eye. "In fact ye look almost identical to her except for ye have green eyes. Mayumi had brown." She murmurs as a side note, before continuing on with the story as we walked down the road. "There was something in the air about Mayumi, in her very aura, that set her apart. We never found out just what she was before she died." Kaede gave a sad smile. "As a priestess my sister held powers as well, and was known be compassionate to those she cared for, but those were few and far in-between." She admits, sighing. "She was cold with outsiders, and had a wrath like no other against demons, except for Inuyasha." My eyes widen dramatically hearing that.
"She liked that jerk? The same guy who just had a small celebration about her death?" I ask in disbelief, pointing my thumb back to the village behind us where Inuyasha could still be seen sitting on top of Kaede's home.
"Aye, and he returned her affections." Kaede went on. "Ye might even say they were in love." We reached the riverside, and Kaede sat down smoothly, patting the grass next to her to signal for me to sit down as well. I did so without question, too interested to hear this story to walk away now anyways.
'Inuyasha, the one that tried to kill me for the sake of power, is capable of something as selfless as love?' I think dubiously. "Might?" I question out loud curiously.
"Kikyo made it apparent from the very start of their friendship, even as it changed into something more, that she was reluctant to accept his demon side." Kaede frowned deeply. "Do not misunderstand me, for I loved my sister dearly, but I could also see her faults. She was presumptuous and hard headed, stuck to her beliefs. She made it clear to Inuyasha that she would never commit to him completely while he still held onto his demon heritage."
"Wow…" I trail off softly, frowning. I was more than aware of the pressure to be something you're not for someone, and how it can manipulate you in ways you never believed you could be manipulated. There was a few moments of silence as we both stared out at the slowly running water before us, listening to the bubbling of the water and the grass as the wind brushed through it.
"Then Mayumi came into the picture." Kaede smiled softly. "She had always been there, just in the background. Mayumi was the opposite to my sister. She was open minded, caring, and trusting to a fault. She believed wholeheartedly that humans and demons could co-exist, and that Inuyasha was an example of that. Mayumi had made it clear from the first day of meeting the half-breed that she accepted his human and his demon heritage, and it was because of this that Inuyasha began to drift from my sister." I tuck my knees up against my chest, wrapping my arms around them as goosebumps fill my flesh.
'Talk about the ultimate love story.' I think in awe, inwardly allowing myself to be pulled into the romantic story.
"When Inuyasha tried to leave Kikyo she reacted in a jealous rage, condemning both he and Mayumi. She killed Mayumi with an arrow to the heart, right in front of Inuyasha." Kaede sighed, tilting her head back to look up at the sky. "In his grief-fueled rage Inuyasha attacked Kikyo and took the Shikon Jewel with the intention of becoming a full demon just to claim his revenge on her. Before he could use it, however, Kikyo bound him to the tree with her arrow, dying soon afterwards."
"I can't imagine we're talking about the same boy I just met yesterday." I frown, Kaede laughing softly as she nods, before turning her one eyed gaze back to me. "He hardly seems like the type to care about anyone but himself."
"Aye. The Inuyasha from then certainly isn't the same as the one now." Kaede agreed. "But I have a feeling the old Inuyasha is still there, lingering just below the surface."
"So how do I fit into all this? How did the Sacred Jewel end up inside my body if Kikyo was the original protector?" I ask, frowning. Guilt flashes over Kaede's face, before it's replaced with her usual serene expression.
"Before Kikyo died she asked me to burn the Sacred Jewel with her body. I burned it with Mayumi's in secret instead." Kaede admitted, my eyes widening in surprise.
"What made you do that?" I ask.
"While I loved my sister dearly, Mayumi was everything a priestess should be. Compassionate, just, and full of spirit and life." Kaede sighed. "I made the decision that the Sacred Jewel should be burned with the one who should have been protecting it all along." She looks at me seriously now. "Ye, Yua, are the reincarnation of Mayumi. Of that I am certain."
'Say what now?' I think, even leaning back as my heart starts to race. "Oh boy, you have definitely got the wrong girl." I shake my head. "I'm none of those things you said about Mayumi."
"Ye mannerisms are quite similar, actually. It's uncanny." Kaede smirks slightly, and I frown deeply.
"I'm Yua, not Mayumi. I'm my own person." I reply firmly. "Are you seriously trying to tell me that everything I am, who I am, is because of some long gone spirit of Inuyasha's dead lover?"
"Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that-"
"Well I would!" I exclaim irrationally, standing from my spot. "Name one thing that I actually share with this girl!"
"Well your looks-"
"Other than my looks! That could just be coincidence!" I cut off the old woman, but she seems to take it all in stride.
"Ye have the same power as her, the same aura when ye use them." Kaede answers calmly, and I swallow thickly.
She's right.
I had never had those power before, so I know for sure they aren't mine. They only seemed to appear when I was in danger, or when Inuyasha…
When Inuyasha commanded me to do something.
'That warmth that I feel around him, that pulsing energy…is that because of Mayumi's soul inside of me?' I think to myself, raising up my hands to look down at them in deep thought. 'It would make sense, she loved him after all. Maybe that's what I was feeling all along when I was near the Sacred Tree or the well.'
Maybe that was where the dreams had come from? The reason for the sudden initial attraction, and the deep seated need to do anything he asked of me.
This is fucked.
"Are you telling me that I'm not in control of my actions? That I never have been?" I ask softly, turning my gaze back up towards Kaede. She looks at me with sympathy.
"I couldn't tell ye, child. This is the first time I've ever seen a case of reincarnation. I would not know how to judge how much of ye is Yua, and how much is Mayumi." Kaede answered with brutal honestly, and I felt like my head was about to explode. "However, I will advise that work often helps to cure a troubled mind."
"You sound just like my Grandpa." I reply dryly, dropping my hands down to my sides.
"Wise man." Kaede smirks slightly, and moves to stand. I quickly step over to her, giving her my arm to use to steady herself as she does. She gently pats it, giving me what I could only describe as a grandmotherly look.
"See? Compassionate. Another thing." Kaede grins, and I groan softly.
"You mean I was raised with some semblance of respect and manners." I mutter in rebuke, to which Kaede simply gives a soft laugh and turns back towards the village. I frown, watching her go, my eyes instantly drawn up to where Inuyaha now rested on his side on Kaede's roof, seemingly relaxing under the sun.
'Relaxing while all the humans worked hard to rebuild their lives.' I think with annoyance, making my way back to the village now as well. 'Whoever this Mayumi girl was, she sure had poor taste in men.'
I wipe the sweat from my brow, breathing heavily as I straighten myself back up. Originally I had offered to help the men with roofing, but all of them declined out of, in my opinion, outdated acts of chivalry. So instead I took it upon myself to gather the boards that the men in the forest delivered in their horse-drawn wagons, and distribute them to the houses in need. When I had first started hauling the boards over my shoulder across town all the villagers had stopped and stared. Honestly I had found it pretty funny, but they soon lost interest and started to once again go about their own dealings. I honestly kept forgetting I was in an era where woman didn't do the same things we did in my time. Men were expected to do the heavy lifting, and a majority of the manual labor. Women were meant to watch the children, keep house, and help in the fields when necessary.
Speaking of which, a group of them were coming towards me now with friendly smiles on their faces. I pause, watching them curiously as they stopped in front of me, bowing their heads in respect. I blink in surprise, before quickly snapping myself to it and bowing my head towards them in return.
"Here, some fresh fruit and vegetables from our gardens." The eldest woman of the group steps forth, handing me a basket made from straw. Stunned, I reach out and politely take it while noticing it was filled to the brim. "We know it isn't much, but we wished to thank you in some way for helping to protect our village." I flush a little, her generosity making me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"It was nothing." I state weakly, inwardly wishing that I wasn't so awkward when it came to people giving me things. I just wasn't used to it. I was used to getting what I needed or wanted on my own.
Frankly, until moving to the Higurashi Shrine, I was used to being alone.
The women all smile, bowing their heads once more and leaving without another word. I watch them go for a moment, before looking down at the basket full of food.
'What on earth am I going to do with all this?' I think to myself, wincing slightly at how ungrateful I sounded. They had given me food right out of their own mouths after all. I swallow thickly, the uncomfortable feeling still nagging at my stomach. 'Oh well, what's done is done. I guess I might as well find somewhere to eat.' It was about time for a break. I take the road that leads me towards the river, noting a tree that would give off a lot of shade from the hot afternoon sun. As I get closer I see a flash of silver and red.
'Is that Inuyasha?' I think to myself, squinting my eyes. Realizing it was, I glanced down to my basket, looking back towards the looming tree. Company was still better than no company. As I got closer I dug out a peach.
'Something sweet to battle his sour attitude.' I think to myself in amusement. "Hey!" I call out, before throwing it up to him. He catches it in his clawed hand without even turning to glance at me, pulling it around in front of him and sniffing it. "Don't worry, I didn't poison it!" I joke lightly, and he turns towards me with his amber eyes narrowed.
"How do I know that?" He demands suspiciously.
"Because you're not worth it!" I snap back easily. He makes a scoffing sound, before jumping down from the tree towards me. He takes a bite, looking thoughtfully at the basket. "If you promise not to be a jerk, I'll share." I sing to him, lifting the basket up and rocking it back and forth in front of him. Moving towards the tree I find a good spot in the shade, sitting down and silently waiting for his decision. As I figured he would, he came to sit down by me moments later while maintaining a healthy distance as he finished his peach.
"Whatever you're up to, I ain't buying it." Inuyasha suddenly breaks the silence, suspicion heavy in his voice. I frown, looking over at him then as I pull a pear from the basket.
"Do I honestly seem like someone with ulterior motives to you?" I ask, biting into my pear. Inuyasha frowns, regarding me with a calculating stare, before huffing and reaching into the basket between us and pulling out another peach. "I mean, what do you honestly have against me?"
"Other than you withholding the Scared Jewel from me?" Inuyasha asks, his voice petty. He takes a large bite of his peach, and as I observe him more closely I'm suddenly hit with how human he looks in that moment. I can see it now more than before, the human side to his demon side.
"Well, you did try to kill me for it." I reply evenly. "Maybe now I'm just keeping it out of spite. If you had been nice to me I might have just given it to you."
"Really?" He asks, regarding me with surprise.
"No." I deadpan, taking another bite of my pear. Inuyasha makes a noise of annoyance, taking another large bite. Silence hangs over us now, the only sound was that of us chewing.
Until I bit my tongue.
"Fuck!" I whimper, tears welling in my eyes from the sharp sting where my molars had bitten into my tongue on the side. Inuyasha let out a bark of a laugh hearing me, clearly amused.
"You may look like Mayumi, but you sure don't sound like her." He comments, and I still, looking at him curiously. Kaede's story comes back to me in a rush, and I can easily interpret that look in his eyes right now.
Longing.
"Kaede told me." I blurt out then. "I mean, about Mayumi and you." I further explain, and Inuyasha stiffens almost instantly, the look of longing gone and replaced with a guarded stare.
"You shouldn't talk about things you have no idea about." He states angrily, before jumping back up to the branch he had occupied earlier. He points down at me, determination on his face. "Don't try and connect with me using her, it won't work! I won't be drawn into a false sense of security just because you might be her reincarnation!" I frown deeply, noting that he couldn't say her name this time. For a split second it I felt genuine pity for the guy. "Besides, you're not even remotely as pretty as she was." He adds spitefully as he looks away and tilts his head back with superiority, crossing his arms. "And you're fatter too."
'What did he just say?!' I growl to myself, his final comment setting me off. I stand, glaring at him as my hands clench tightly into fists. He is clearly put off that I didn't respond, having expected it, and he turns his to look down at me. A nervous look crosses his features.
He knows what's coming.
"Down boy."
With a yell he is pulled by his neck down off of the tree, landing face first on the ground. I'm so pissed that I don't feel any regret seeing his red face as he lifts his head weakly. 'Serves him right, the jerk!' I huff, standing and glancing towards the basket of food. I move to grab it, before hesitating.
"And you're fatter too."
I feel anger course through me, not at Inuyasha's negative comment, but at the fact that I actually hesitated to grab the food because of it. 'No, I won't let him get to me.' I think stubbornly, grabbing a few items from the basket and placing them by the tree trunk before gathering the basket on my arm. "In case you get hungry." I mutter, before turning sharply away.
Inuyasha's POV
I blink in surprise as I look from the fruit that Yua had left at the base of the tree, then towards the girl's back. Frowning I sit up slowly, shifting to cross my legs and my arms. Even after I had rightly pissed her off, she still left me something to eat.
"Strange girl." I mutter, reaching up momentarily to scratch an itch by my left ear, before reaching for a pear she had left behind. I bite into it thoughtfully, reflecting on everything that had happened in the past couple of days.
When I had seen Yua for the first time, I had irrationally believed that it was Mayumi come to free me. I should have known better. After all I had seen her die, held her in my arms as her deep brown eyes went dim. I had felt our connection break off, the warmth receding to the deepest part of me.
That was, until this girl came into the picture.
I had lied to her earlier. Everything about her physical appearance was just like how I had remembered Mayumi. From the reddish-brown hair that reached down to her hips, to her small nose and rounded chin. Even her body was built exactly as Mayumi's had been; curvy and sturdy, giving the illusion she wasn't fragile.
'And she wasn't.' Inuyasha thinks to himself with longing. She had been the first person he had ever met that had accepted both his human and his demon heritage, and hadn't been afraid of him if he touched her. Even Kikyo would reflexively tense if he reached out her, or when he would kiss her. As a result it had made him a nervous wreck when it came to intimacy.
That was, until he had finally seen Mayumi.
Mayumi had lived in the village for as long as he could remember. He had always known who she was, and that she was there. His infatuation with the priestess had given him tunnel vision, so he had never actually fully acknowledged her presence. Not until that day, at this very spot by the river.
I looked down at my clawed hands, squeezing them tightly into fists. I had scratched her. It had been a complete accident, I had just gotten so caught up in her that I let down my control. Kikyo was furious, and she had every right to be. I was a monster.
"Hey!" A voice calls out, and my head snaps towards the figure of a young woman. She was currently holding a jug, no doubt here to fill it with water for tomorrow morning. She was dressed in a purple and white kimono, colors that were unusual for a peasant to wear. Purple was usually reserved for royalty, and sometimes noblemen. Her reddish-brown hair wasn't up, and flowed in waves down to her hips. Other than her dress she was pretty plain, certainly not as pretty as Kikyo, but it wasn't her features that caught me off guard.
It was her smell.
It blasted over my senses, overpowering. The first scent that hit was of cherry blossoms, with an undertone of bamboo. It was the oddest mixture I had even scented, but a warmth filled me that caught my attention.
'What is that?' I wonder.
"Uh, are you okay?" The girl asks as she steps closer, snapping me from my thoughts. I blinks in surprise.
'Why is she moving closer? Doesn't she know I'm a half demon?' I almost take a step back out of instinct, but hesitate. Her heart rate was normal, she didn't smell of fear. 'Who is this girl? I know I've seen her around somewhere before…'
"Inuyasha?" The girl speaks my name, causing me to finally fully snap out of his own head.
"You know who I am?" I ask in blatant surprise, and the girl gives a nod with a serene smile.
"Of course. You're the half dog demon. We've met briefly before when I was speaking to Lady Kikyo." She explains with an easy shrug, before glancing towards the water. "Do you mind if I fill up while we talk?" She asks easily, lifting the clay jug as she does. She obviously takes my silence as a yes, turning towards the stream and setting the jug down. She grabs at the hem of her pant legs, folding them up to her knees. "So what's troubling you?" She asks as she works, standing straight and looking towards me once she has them rolled up. I frown, hesitating for just a second, before it comes spilling forth.
"I hurt someone I care about." I state with heavy regret, and the girl frowns. She isn't frowning in anger or fear though, no. The expression on her face is that of sympathy.
"You don't seem like the type of guy to hurt someone on purpose." She speaks up softly, and my ears twitch at the sound of her low, smooth voice. She reaches for her jug and starts to wade into the river.
"How would you know that?" I snap, feeling irrationally defensive. I was half demon! Half monster. Monsters hurt people.
"I've met my share of men who hurt people for sport. You're not one of them." She responds assuredly as she lowers the bottom lip of the jug into the water, allowing it to run freely in.
"Where are you from?" I ask then, concerned surprisingly bubbling forth at her answer.
"Somewhere I'll never return to." She keeps her answer vague once more, and annoyance shoots through me. She stands up straight, lifting the much heavier weight of the jug with her from the river onto the grass. Sighing, she rubbs her bare feet against the grass to dry them, before rolling her pants back down to her ankles. Standing straight once more she looks at the jug with disgust, clearly knowing how heavy it's going to be to carry. She bites her lower lip, looking towards me.
"Can you keep a secret?" She asks, and I can't help a suspicious glare.
"Depends." I snap, crossing my arms. She grins, as if somehow knowing the answer was 'yes'. Raising her hand up, her brows furrow in concentration. I watch as her hand starts to glow a deep purple, eyes widening as the jug of water does as well, slowly levitating from the ground. A pulse runs through the air, her aura causing me to shudder as the warmth I had felt before intensifies.
Was she a witch?
As the girl starts to walk away, I get the wits about me enough to ask one more important question.
"Who are you?!" I call to her back as she makes her way up the steep bank. She turns to look at me with those brown eyes filled with mischievous warmth.
"My name is Mayumi." She answers, before turning once more and heading along the outskirts of the village. I blink in surprise, the name echoing in my mind.
"Mayumi…"
Bringing myself back to the present I can feel the unwelcome emotion of grief welling up inside of my chest. Mayumi was gone, and I knew for a fact she wouldn't want me to sit here crying about it. Now that I've met her reincarnation, though, it was hard not to let the feelings overwhelm me once more. Looking towards the fruit that Yua had left me, I'm hit with another similarity between the two.
Compassion.
I huff in annoyance, biting down hard on the pear. It would appear that Yua was more like Mayumi than either of us wanted.
Except for those really pretty green eyes.
Yua's POV
I had done my best to put Inuyasha's vicious words to the back of my mind, and had thankfully succeeded well enough to convince myself to have at least a carrot. The rest of the vegetables I figured I would bring home to Kaede's to make up some form of vegetable soup, and give her the fruits to eat as well.
'Woah.' I think then, pausing with wide eyes. 'Did I just refer to Kaede's place as home?' I frown deeply then, homesickness hitting me hard in the chest as I thought about the Shrine, and about my family. 'I wonder if they know I'm missing? They have to by now?' I chew on my lower lip. 'Or they think I've run away.' That probably wouldn't be too far out of the question for them to think of me. I sigh heavily, turning back towards the river to watch the sun as it began to set, the sky painted in pretty purples, pinks, and golds. I hadn't exactly been the most open person while I lived at the Shrine, and I had made it clear both directly and indirectly that I had no intention of setting down roots.
"I was such a pain to them, and all they did was open their home to me." I think out loud with regret. What if I never got a chance to show them how much I appreciated their kindness?
I sigh heavily, returning to walking as I make my way back to Kaede's place. When I get there she has the fire stoked, her water boiling in the pot ready to add food to. Good timing.
"There ye are, child. I was starting to get a little worried." Kaede chimed from where she sat crossed legged before the fire. I wipe my bare feet as clean as I can before stepping up onto the wooden floor, holding out the basket of vegetables.
"You were right, working helped a great deal." I admit to her, Kaede nodding as she picks out some vegetables and pulls out her knife. The water in the pot was already boiling, and judging by the delicious smell wafting from inside she had already added some seasoning.
"I thought it might. Looks like ye were rewarded with more than just some peace." She adds lightly, and I feel a flush on my face as that uncomfortable feeling grips me again.
"Some women from the village gave this to me to thank me for yesterday." I explain bashfully. Kaede nods.
"Ah, yes, I imagine they are most grateful."
"Well they shouldn't be." I frown deeply then, crossing my legs to sit like Kaede, fishing out the jewel from where it sat against my chest underneath my top. "If it wasn't for me they wouldn't have had Mistress Centipede destroy their homes in the first place." I turn the jewel in between my fingers, nearly mesmerized by how it shone in the firelight.
"I'm sure with working along side them today, you've demonstrated how sorry ye are." Kaede replies evenly. "Ye have earned their respect, which is even more important than their gratitude if ye are going to live here."
I feel my entire body freeze.
'Live here?' I think frantically. 'Really, though, what other choice would I have?' I frown, watching the fire intently. 'Where else could I possible go?'
The rest of the evening went by in a blur as I ate my food and made small talk with the elderly priestess. It all seemed to catch up to me as I lay under the blanket by the fire that evening, looking out the window at the twinkling stars.
What if this is where I actually belonged?
The sound of roosters had woken me in the early morning, and with my racing thoughts I found that I couldn't fall back to sleep. Instead of just laying there feeling lazy, I decide to grab my bow and remaining arrows, strap on my arm guard, and try to resume a familiar routine. I stepped down from the raised wooden floor, sitting on the edge as I grab a pair of black shoe looking things that Kaede had been kind enough to procure for me the day before while I had been out. They were simple, made of a soft leather and looked like modern day flats. I slipped my feet in, inwardly shocked at how well they fit.
Stepping outside I can smell the early morning air, taking in a deep gulp of it. It smelled of dewy grass and wet dirt, and my body instantly relaxed at the familiarity of it. Thankfully some things didn't change.
"Where are you going?" A familiar, albeit sleepy, voice asked above me. I looked up to see tired amber eyes looking right back at me as Inuyasha hung his head over the side of the roof.
"You look tired." I point out automatically, seeing the bags under the half demon's eyes. Inuyasha scoffs irritably.
"It's because I was scaring away vultures all fucking night." He replies irritably, and I lift an eyebrow, confused. "They were here for the Sacred Jewel." He thankfully elaborates. Surprised I glance down to where I felt it resting between my breasts under my shirt.
"It's starting already?" I ask out loud, not really looking for a response. I clench the bow in my hand tighter.
"Well yeah." Inuyasha replies easily, frowning. "What did ya expect?"
'A little more time.' I admitted to myself, sighing heavily, before turning away from the silver haired man.
"Hey, where are you going?" Inuyasha demands, raising a clawed hand to stifle a yawn. Unexpectedly I feel myself melt a little at the innocence of the act.
"Practicing." I reply easily, lifting my bow for him to see. He raises an eyebrow skeptically, before rolling over onto his back and out of sight on the roof.
"Good! You need it!" He calls from above, and my irritation spikes.
'Why that flea-bitten…' I grumble angrily to myself, choosing not to respond, and instead heading far, far away from the asshole. Unconsciously my feet take me far past the rice fields, and to the edge of the forest. I look up at the looming trees, the Sacred Tree tallest of all above the canopy.
'I might as well see if I can find some of those arrows I lost.' I think to myself, glancing down to my hip at my quiver and the quickly dwindling number of arrows. "Grandpa never did get the chance to teach me how to make them." I frown deeply, before heading on into the forest. The path was easy to remember now, and before I know it I'm at the base of the Sacred Tree, the remains of Mistress Centipede now long gone-no doubt burned by the village people.
I catch something glinting out of the corner of my eye.
"Gotcha!" I exclaim in victory, seeing one of my arrows laying in plain sight. 'How lucky was that?' I think to myself, grinning. I walk over, grabbing my arrow and inspecting it for breakage. To my utter shock it looked pristine, even the fletching was undamaged. 'One down!'
"Well, well, well, well. What do we have here boys?"
I turn sharply hearing a slimy voice from behind me, frowning as I see a group of eight men. Most were dressed in armor.
"That's the girl we're looking for!" Another voice shouts with excitement, the owner of the voice a bald man in a blue kimono. My eyes widen slightly, heart racing in my chest now. I mentally berate myself for leaving the village, and not heeding Kaede's words more seriously.
"And still yet there are humans, with the evilest hearts of all. Their petty ambitions will drive them here along with their armies."
I quickly flip my bow from over my body and into my right hand, fluidly notching an arrow and pulling it back.
"Stay back!" I shout at them, my voice coming off strong. 'Thank god, because my legs are shaking!' Then men laughed, and truth be told, I kind of expected that.
After all, even with a bow, I'm one girl against eight men. The odds were definitely not in my favor!
"Put the bow down, honey." A man with black armor and what I can only explain as a goatee spoke up, his voice sending a shiver of disgust down my spine at the endearment.
"I ain't nobody's honey!" I snap, before taking my aim at that man in particular and letting my arrow fly. It misses him, falling short right in front of his feet. 'Shit! I can still work with that!' I think frantically. "Come any closer and next time I won't miss!" I lie boldly, feeling a slight bit more confident as the man in question looks at the arrow, before looking back to me now with uncertainty.
Then I feel it.
An unwelcome sensation flows through me, causing the hair on my arms and back of my neck to stand on end. It felt cold…it felt like death. It makes me freeze right there where I stand.
Then the smell overtakes me. The rotting smell of decay.
'I'm going to throw up.' I think to myself, the combination of the sensation coupled with the smell overwhelming. A shadow all of a sudden appears over me, casting me in darkness.
"Hey there, boss! Told you we would find her!" A new voice calls out, and it's with chilling realization I realize that 'Boss' is standing right behind me. I spin around and jump away all in one fluid movement, moving more gracefully than I ever have before. Looking up I can instantly tell that he was what that smell was coming from. He even looked half dead.
"You know, something hasn't been quite right with boss lately." I overhead one of the men whispering behind me.
'You think?! Just look at him! I don't even know him and I can feel something is wrong!' I think to myself, slowly backing away from his massive form as he clambers towards me.
"Give me the Jewel, right now." He demands lowly, his eyes staring blankly ahead. Having not been paying attention, a couple man grab me by my arms. I glare at them, trying to pull myself lose.
"Let me go!" I demand feeling my panic rise with every step the large man takes to me. The 'Boss' draws his sword clumsily, waving it about as if he was drunk.
'Oh hell no.'
"I SAID LET ME GO!" I shout, my panic reaching a new height. Suddenly I feel that familiar pulse of energy burst forth from my core, sending the men holding me flying feet away. I blink in surprise, bringing my hands forward for me to see.
That purple haze is back.
The boss man chuckles darkly with amusement, clearly not concerned about his men. Instead he wobbles forward, and takes a very clumsy swing at me. I duck, hearing the men to the right of me scream in panic as they scramble to get out of the way.
"Boss, boss! Where are you aiming?!" The bald man from before shouts out as he tries to grab a hold of me. "It's her! She's who you want!" I easily shake him off.
"Can't you see there is something wrong with him?!" I shout at them in disbelief, before seeing the steel of the sword glint from the corner of my eye. With reflexes I didn't know I had I ducked out of the way just in time, rolling to the side with to miss his next downward strike, and ending up in a kneeling position.
'Woah, where the hell had that come from?' I think to myself, impressed. I stand quickly, hands still glowing. Looking at them I frown, before looking towards the troll as he advanced on me. Wildly I search for my bow, stomach sinking as I see it laying yards away.
'I wonder…' I hum to myself, thinking about how I had been able to manipulate the energy into a barrier the other day. 'Just think about what I want to create, and meld my energy to my will.' I paraphrase the voice from before, glancing down at the bow in my hands.
A wave passes through me, and I suddenly feel nauseous.
'Let me show you.' A calm voice chimes, and I instantly recognize that voice from the battle with Mistress Centipede.
'It's you.' I think in amazement. The following moments I go through the weirdest experience of my life yet. I felt like I was in a haze as my right arm extends upwards and outwards, my index and middle fingers stretching out towards the sky and pressing together as the rest of my fingers and thumb remained clenched against the palm of my hand. I can feel the energy moving more freely through my body, focusing at the tips of my fingers as whoever was now in control begins to draw my right arm downwards in an arch.
'What's happening to me?!' I gasp, seeing the line of purple energy that appears in the wake of my fingers. My right hand moves and grips at the energy, shocking myself as it solidified into something physical in my touch. 'Not something, a bow!' It's so weird to watch as my left arm now rises without my consent, reaching outward past the bow parallel to the ground. I can feel the energy moving to focus at the tips of the fingers of my left hand, similar to how my right hand had been moments ago. 'An arrow!' I realize as my arm draws back, as if I was drawing back my normal bow loaded with an arrow.
'Relax, breathe, let the energy flow through you. Don't fight it.' The voice reappears, and for some odd reason I feel all the tension leave me, the female voice calming.
Realization hits me like a brick wall.
'Mayumi?!' I gasp inwardly, feeling a warmth spread through me in response. It was her. She was inside of me. 'How is this even possible?!'
'Now isn't the time to dwell on it, Yua. You can trust me. Concentrate.' Mayumi's voice replies urgently, and scarily enough, I do trust her without hesitation. Feeling some of the haziness leave, I take in a deep breath, realizing that this was all me now. I focus my aim directly at the center of the large man's chest as he advances with his sword held high. Hesitation courses through me, causing me to freeze.
Was I really about to kill someone?
'He'd kill you for the Sacred Jewel without hesitation, Yua! Shoot him!' Mayumi shouts at me from our connection.
And I let my arrow fly.
The purple aura shines brightly, light filling the clearing as it flies the short distance between myself and the eight foot troll. Satisfaction blooms inside of me as I watch it meet it's target, hitting him directly in the chest. His armor and skin below seem to disintegrate where the arrow's tip is embedded. My arms fall to my sides, feeling a strange sense of weakness wash over me, like I was drained of all energy. My legs shake, and I fall to my knees, unable to even hold myself up.
CAW!
'What on earth...' I think as I hear the sound of a crow. Seconds later my silent question is answered as a large bird erupts from a hole in the guy's chest!
'Right where his heart should be!' I realize with stunned disgust, noticing that it wasn't a normal crow either. This one had three red eyes, and was abnormally big. A crow demon?
"BOSS!" One of the men shout in disbelief. Clearly they were all too freaked out as well to bother with me. Which was good, considering I couldn't even hold up my own body weight right now.
It happens before I can even react. The crow makes a beeline for me, claws extending outwards. I feel the impact on my chest, the scrape of his claws against my skin as it grabs onto the jewel and flies upwards, ripping it right from my neck.
"NO!" I turn sharply, a familiar head of silver hair bounding into the clearing. I'm surprised by the genuine amount of relief I have seeing him, and for some reason I could tell it was purely my emotions right then. "What did you do?!" He demands, eyeing the crow as it flies away.
Did he not see the dead eight foot man just feet away? I saved my own ass, thank you very much!
Inuyasha kneels suddenly, looking at me with determination.
"Get on." He demands, and I look at him in shock.
"What?" I ask, pretty sure that I hadn't heard him right. Did he want to carry me on his back? 'I'm too heavy for that.'
"I said, get on." Inuyasha's tone changes, going much lower than before. Something in my very core warms, tingling all the way up my spine as I inexplicably find myself crawling over to him. I pull myself up onto his back, hearing him make a small grunt at my additional weight.
"Sorry." I apologize before realizing I really shouldn't have to feel the need to. The ear I had fairly well whispered into twitches, his one arm coming behind me to lock around my thigh, holding me in place as he stands.
"Shut up." He mutters in return, jumping over to where my bow was laying on the grass. He grabs it, handing it up to me before locking that arm around my other leg. I could feel his claws pressing against me through the material of my kimono, but instead of feeling apprehension, I felt an odd sense of safety.
"Let's go get him." He grunts, before I gasp as suddenly we're moving.
'Holy crap, he's fast!' I think in shock, unable to stop from leaning further down against his back to avoid the wind burning at my face. I could feel the strength there as he moves, his muscles flexing with each long jumping stride he made through the forest. His hands were firm as he held onto me.
He wasn't going to let me fall.
We break away from the forest, heading along the river. Inuyasha jumps up into the air, and starts to leap gracefully from tree to tree, getting a higher vantage point to see.
"There it is!" I exclaim, easily able to see the abnormally large crow in the distance.
"Well what are you waiting for?! Shoot it!" He calls up to me irritably, and my eyes widen in disbelief.
"Look at how far it is away! I can't hit that!" I cry back to him.
"I thought you were an expert or something?!" He retorted sharply, and I felt my ego bruise a little.
"I had only just started learning before I got here." I mutter lowly, feeling shame creep over me as his eyed me with clear disappointment over his shoulder. Landing on the ground then, he took off running at an even faster speed, starting to close the distance more between us and the bird.
"This thing eats human flesh! Just think about what it's going to be like if it swallows the jewel!" Inuyasha explains, as if this should be motivation enough to suddenly be an expert at the bow.
"Don't jinx it!" I bite back in retort, before looking up at the bird, now clearly visible.
And to my horror, down the hatch the jewel went.
"You just had to say something, didn't you?" I frown, Inuyasha looking up towards the crow as well with anger. I lean back, feeling his grip automatically tighten on me as he adjusted to the shift in weight, bringing the bow over his shoulder and notching an arrow.
"Mayuri was an excellent archer. Take it in one shot!" He exclaims, and irrationally I feel a sense of intense pressure suddenly sit on my shoulders. It wasn't pressure about getting the bird though.
It was the pressure of having to live up to someone else I'm apparently supposed to emulate.
I draw the string back, groaning a little with effort. I was still feeling weak from before, but as I witnessed the bird growing in size I found myself suddenly very motivated.
'Look at that thing!' I think in disgust as it roars overhead of us. 'It could carry off a small child!' Inuyasha jumps up into the air, and I take my shot.
Only to come up feet short of my target.
"Come on!" He shouts out in annoyance, landing back down on the ground and continuing to run. I frown in irritation at him, but a thick feeling of disappointment in myself settles in my chest.
Why hadn't I been able to make that shot?
I look from the bird towards the horizon, feeling a sick sense of foreboding settle deep in my stomach. "He's heading for the village!" I cry out, gripping onto my bow tighter with one hand, the other gripping onto the material on Inuyasha's back.
"He's probably looking for his first meal." Inuyasha replies darkly, continuing to run in the village's direction. I could already tell we wouldn't be able to close the distance in time for me to take another shot, the bird was so much faster now it had swallowed the jewel. As we get closer I watch the dark figure of the crow duck down towards a low bridge, eyes widening in horror as I watch it clasp a little boy in it's claw, dragging him off with his Mother screaming in terror.
"He's got a kid!" I point out, Inuyasha scoffing.
"I can see that!" He replies impatiently, and he moves impossibly faster. "You need to make this next shot. It's our last chance!" He calls over his shoulder as he closes the distance once more.
'It's the kid's last chance. So long as I don't shoot him by accident.' I think to myself with a frown, not entirely comfortable with this gamble. I draw back the arrow once more, breathing deeply. "Come on, don't miss." I murmur quietly to myself, before releasing my breath and firing. I watch as the arrow misses my intended mark of the crow's body, instead shooting into the leg that was currently holding the boy. I watch in horror as the crow lets the boy go, his little body dropping down into the rushing river. The relief I feel when he surfaces with a cry is only momentary, knowing the boy would drown if nobody reached him in time.
"Inuyasha! The kid!" I exclaim when I realize that the half-demon wasn't slowing down.
"So what?" He asks cruelly, and I'm once again stunned.
'Seriously, what did Mayumi see in this guy?!' I growl, before grabbing onto both of his ears and pulling hard. With a cry he skids to a halt, letting me drop back on my ass hard.
"What the hell was that for?!" He shouts angrily, glaring at me. I, however, don't waste time. As I run to the river's edge I can hear Inuyasha muttering obscenities before no doubt taking off after the crow. As quickly as I can I slip my shoes off, dropping my bow and quiver on the bank. I dive into the water, swimming as quickly as I could over to the boy who was just barely holding his head above water.
'So fucking cold!' I can't help inwardly gasping, the water feeling like thousands of knives digging into my skin.
"Hey, hey I got you!" I cry out over the rushing water to him, grabbing him around the waist. He's crying in fear, even as I pull into me securely and paddle back over to the side of the river. When I get there his Mother, along with a small group of villagers, are there to pull him out. I heave myself out and onto the bank, limbs shaking from having to fight the current so hard. Breathing heavily I look down river, watching as Inuyasha jumps over the expanse, reaching out with his claws.
"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" He shouts loud enough for me to hear, his nails easily cutting through the crow demon. It's separated into several small pieces, falling down into the river now as well. I watch as he turns towards me after landing on a large boulder on the bank, his voice carrying over the rushing water.
"GET THE JEWEL, STUPID!" He cries out angrily, glaring at me. I frown, snuffing him mostly out of spite before turning back towards the woman and her son.
"Thank you for saving me." The boy's voice wavers, obviously cold and frightened.
"Yes, thank you, thank you." The Mother bows her head, her voice cracking with emotion as she holds her son tight. I pause, watching the tender scene with envy.
"HEY!" Inuyasha screams behind me, and I groan, turning sharply towards him.
"WHAT?!" I yell back in annoyance. He looks pissed as he simply extends his right arm outwards, clawed index finger pointing downstream.
'Oh...' I think to myself, having forgotten Kaede's warnings from Mistress Centipede. 'The Sacred Jewel allows demons to pull themselves back together.' Inwardly groaning at my severe oversight, I watch the new and improved crow demon pull itself back together. Inuyasha leaps over the river, landing close to me as the villagers back away.
"Come on, he's getting away!" Inuyasha berates impatiently, clearly forgetting how useless he had found me before. I frown, nodding before climbing onto his back without hesitation. He runs by where I had dropped my bow and arrows before, grabbing them up and handing them back to me with his one hand. I frown deeply, Inuyasha gaining ground quickly. "Think you can hit it this time?!" He asks irritably.
'You bet your ass I will. There is no way I'm letting this thing have another chance at another child.' I think to myself protectively. I blink, feeling the warmth from earlier return, though weaker this time.
All the same, I knew what to do by now.
I grabbed my bow, notching an arrow. I breath in as Inuyasha leaps into the air, concentrating on the feeling of that now familiar energy, directing it towards my arrow. My eyes widen as I watch it glow purple in color, before releasing my breath and shooting. We land, Inuyasha skidding to a halt on the ground as we watch my purple glowing arrow soar.
"Holy shit, you did it." He mutters in true surprise, the arrow landing it's mark directly in the body of the crow. I wince as a blinding purple light flashes out from the demon, his cries heard only for a split second before it explodes in midair.
Then hundreds of tiny streaks of purple flash away from his body in multiple directions.
"Uh, is that supposed to happen?" I ask, turning towards Inuyasha with a frown. He looks equally confused as he turns his gaze from where the bird used to be towards me.
"Where do you think it landed?" He asked instead, clearly his mind on one thing only. I hold in a sigh, before looking towards the area that the bird demon had been hit. There was a patch of trees just below where I could best guess the jewel would have landed.
"Over there." I point towards the area, and silently we set off, the sun hanging low in the sky by the time we get there. 'Is the day really almost over?' I think to myself in amazement then, before glancing towards Inuyasha as we walked, the golden rays illuminating him.
'So handsome…too bad his personality isn't as attractive.' I think to myself with disappointment, a self pitying thought quickly following. 'Not that it would matter, he's already said I'm ugly.' I shake the thought away as quickly as it came, walking into the bushes with him.
"Are you sure it landed here?" He asks after a few moments of looking around. I frown, nodding as I try to catch a glimpse of the glowing orb. I could feel something pulling me here, something deep in my stomach that had gotten stronger the closer we had walked to this location.
"Positive." I reply, even though frankly I wasn't. I frowned as I walked around a bush, before something glinting in the fading sunlight catches my eye. My eyes widen as I see what it is.
"Oh crap." I mutter, but it's easily loud enough for Inuyasha to hear.
"What? What is it? Have you found it?!" He demands eagerly, rushing over towards me then. I swallow thickly.
I am in so much trouble.
"Please don't be mad." I beg uselessly, grabbing onto the shard that was sticking out of the dirt and hesitantly showing it to him.
Inuyasha promptly blows a gasket.
Sooooo did you guys make it to the end? I had so much I figured I needed to hit on in this chapter in particular to bring Yua's character around full circle and to set up for future events. By the way, I hope you are liking her character so far. Kagome's character has her place, and I do understand that from a creative standpoint.
But there is only so many times she can be kidnapped AND seemingly helpless. Sorry, just my opinion. I just figured Inuyasha could still be a protector, but Yua needed to stand on her own two feet a little more often. Develop into more of an equal partner.
ALSO
For those that have reviewed on my story, I was sure to take time this week to look at your own if you've published and leave my own review! I'll continue to do that for the authors out there that decide to take the time to leave me a word or two as well.
All the best until next time!
T.O.T.
