A/N: Gah. Im so ashamed…): Im sorry it took so long! Inspiration would just NOT come. My AMAZING friend Rawan got me back into it though. (: Thank you Rawaaannnn! 3 All right, here goes!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha. I do however, own; Akina, Rokuro, and Leah. Soooo back off of them! : ] Can't I own Shippo-Chan though? He is so kawaii!
Hanyou – Half Demon, half human.
~Strangers like ME? Yeah, right~
Chapter 4:
Dawn broke out over the still slumbering village, bathing the lands in rich, magnificent hues of orange and gold. A young boy, who appeared to be a Hanyou of about 7 years of age, slipped out of his home onto the silent path, glancing around scrupulously, before darting to the trees.
Up above, in Inuyasha's usual spot in the Goshinboku, sat Leah, who watched the scene with calculating eyes.
The group of shard hunters had taken rest in Kaede's for the night, as it would have been foolish to set out at night.
Leaping nimbly from her perch, Leah set off to see what the young child was behaving so suspiciously about. Slinking from tree to tree, taking to the barely noticeable shadows, she tailed him silently as he led her towards the clearing the children usually played in.
As the boy stopped, Leah quickly concealed herself behind one of the many towering oak trees surrounding the small clearing.
The child glanced around, and upon coming to the conclusion that he was alone, allowed a toothy, child-like grin to spread across his face, before immediately rushing to the toy pile and plopping down on the lush grass.
Leah was mystified. Why would he come out at dawn just to play? She wondered.
As she was pondering this, an intoxicating scent, that seemed to be an mixture of Cinnamon, Grass, and Irises, wafted toward her. A red and white blur flew by her and came to an abrupt stop to reveal Inuyasha, looking down at her, with a half puzzled, half furious expression on his features.
"What were you thinking wrench? Just leaving without tellin' me? You could've gotten killed baka!" Inuyasha growled in anger.
"Whaddya mean tell you? You're not the boss of me! I don't have to tell you anything you JERK!" Leah shouted back in frustration, all thoughts of the young boy flying from her head, as indignation took its place.
"Yeah, ya do! You and your weak self would have gotten attacked by some pathetic demon! What are you even doing here?"
"I saw a little boy coming out here all alone and I was worried okay." Leah said quietly.
They both paused and looked around, finally remembering the child, who was now standing a mere five feet away from them, looking quite frightened.
Leah stepped towards him, and with a squeak the boy skittered back. Leah paused and he looked at her warily, seemingly cautious after seeing her shout. Inuyasha glanced between them, giving a sigh, and stepping towards the boy.
He flinched, but otherwise seemed a bit more comfortable with Inuyasha.
Leah plopped down on the grass, and resting her chin in her hands, looked expectantly up at Inuyasha, who was now watching her oddly.
"Feh…" He said, but sat down anyway.
Hehe. He can't resist my charm. Aw, Yeah! Leah thought with a grin, which slid off her face to be replaced with a look of pure and utter revulsion with a hint of confusion as she wondered why she even cared what that baka thought.
Fixing the boy with a hard stare, Inuyasha began to speak, startling Leah out of her thoughts.
"What's your name kid?" Inuyasha questioned.
"Akio…" He mumbled, shuffling his feet.
"Look Akio, Why are you out here so early? Don't you wanna play with the other brats?"
"Inuyasha!"
"Kids…"
"Well…they said I'm not allowed to play with them…cause' I'm a monster…" Akio said quietly.
Leah's eyes filled with compassion for the young boy, and Inuyasha's face softened imperceptibly. Glancing quickly at Leah, he looked towards the young Akio and began to speak quietly. Is he blushing? Leah wondered, as Inuyasha's face flushed slightly.
"Just ignore then. You're part human, and part demon. That just means your special, What're they, huh? Boring humans." Inuyasha said to Akio with a slight grin.
The child's eyes shone with happiness, and he lurched forward, wrapping his arms around Inuyasha's midsection. Inuyasha's eyes widened, and he hesitantly patted Akio's back, and saying in a gruff voice,
"Ok, get lost, we, uh, have places to be."
Akio nodded, and waved to Inuyasha and Leah brightly before turning and running back through the maze of trees.
"Awww!'
"What?"
"Inuyasha's a SOFTIE!" Leah cooed
"Feh. Shaddup!" Inuyasha snarled,
"You can't hide, what's inside…" Leah sang playfully.
Inuyasha glared, causing Leah to stick her tongue out in a childlike motion.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Feh."
Inuyasha stood, and extended his hand to Leah. Reaching up to take it, Leah stiffened in shock when a tingle ran up her spine the moment his fingers touched hers. Pulling her up, Inuyasha looked down at her, his eyes full of an emotion she couldn't place.
He blinked, and the emotions vanished, as he pulled his hand away and turned, walking back in the direction of their hut. Leah watched his retreating back as an unfamiliar feeling of blossomed in her stomach.
He isn't as bad as I though… She though idly, still dazedly focused on the red and white clad Inu-Hanyou.
"C'mon Wrench! We don't have all day! Or did you WANT Naraku to get to the shards first?"
Then again…