Four Souls

By: azuyama-chan

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. sobs

Chapter one: The Higurashi Estate

Summer, 22 years ago

Inuyasha sat on one of the benches that were in a clearly marked private coach. Two long cushioned seats, which could be doubled as a bed, were facing each other, walls surrounding it to hide its occupants. He liked this one; it was far at the back of the train. By choosing his seat at the back, he can go through the back entrance of the train, without having to be too near to it. Another benefit was that he was alone, for this coach could host three people, but he was the only one occupying it; he hated travelling with someone else he doesn't know. For all he knows the person he might end up with might be very annoying or irritating. He tried to get comfortable; after all, it was a long trip north.

But it didn't go well, because a few moments later, a train conductor came knocking on the door. "Sir," the train conductor said, "I regret to inform you, but there might be a delay. The engine would not start and it might take a few to have it working again." "Keh!" the hanyou replied, "As long as they don't take a long time." Nodding, the train conductor left to perform any duties he had; leaving the hanyou alone.

Two hours had passed. Inuyasha was moping around. He was bored, and the train hadn't left yet. His impatience was wearing thin and anymore longer, he would break down this door. Beyond the door was where the train exploded. His stomach grumbled, telling him that it was time for lunch. As if on cue, a knock was on the door, revealing a brown-haired badger youkai selling food. "Would you like anything, sir?" She asked for the umpteenth time of the day since it was her job.

After telling the vendor what he wanted and paid for it, Inuyasha asked, "When do you think the train is going to start to leave?"

"I have no idea, sir." She shared her thoughts. "Some say that they took a long time for the train to get fixed since the engine was a wreck. Turns out that they hadn't had this train get its monthly check-up."

"What a bunch of lazy asses." He said as the vendor left. The sounds of the train starting to move reached his ears. "Finally."

A few minutes later, another knock came to the door. These stupid people don't know the meaning of privacy. He thought as he stood from his seat and went to open conductor that he had spoken to only two hours before.

"I'm sorry, sir." The train conductor started while the hanyou grunted. Again? What is it this time? he thought, waiting for the train conductor to continue. "We might be arriving in our destination quite late." "I know that already." Inuyasha said, sporting an annoyed glare to cut off. "Sir, I mean that the train will be going slowly. We would be three hours late." Crap. Inuyasha thought.

Amber eyes darted left to right, looking for the nearest ticket stall. After finding it, he rushed in its direction, ignoring the complaining cries of the people he brushed passed. "Oi." he rudely asked the person behind the desk. "When is the next time the train to Manchester leaves?" Because of the delay, he had missed his connection to Manchester. I hope that I could make it in time. Checking the schedule the man declared, "In about thirty minutes."

"One ticket, please." Inuyasha said hurriedly. He took the ticket followed the directions the man gave him. He reached his platform as the passengers were boarding the train. The train left without any delay and maybe if there were none, he could reach Manchester on time. Thankful, maybe his luck didn't run out.

"Or not."

The scent of the summer night reached Inuyasha's enhanced nose as he walked on the dusty road. He was thankful that the dust didn't get in contact with his nose. He had decided to walk on foot towards the Higurashi estate, where he will now live in. The hanyou followed the directions which one of the men in the area gave him. He left his trunk with the stationmaster, telling him that he would send for it the next day. Silence was in the air, except for the sounds of the crickets and the occasional hooting of the owls. The moonlight lit the path for the hanyou and was his only source of light.

Why was he walking this ten kilometre distance? Well, actually Higurashi-san had organised that a man would meet up with him and together they would go to the estate on horses. But that was scheduled a few hours ago, when the sun was still up. Rather than choosing to stay in one of the inns nearby, he decided to take a walk to exercise his muscles since he wasn't used to sitting down for a long time. Even when he painted, he stood rather than sit on a stool unless the occasion calls for it.

He could have been in the estate; possibly relaxing from his trip. If it wasn't for the three-hour delay the train from London had caused, he would be settling in his new abode. There, he would have to tutor two young girls. He wasn't excited, but at least Higurashi-san not only gave Inuyasha a place to live and accommodations, but the former is willingly giving the latter a break in the artistic world. A break, that Inuyasha had been asking the world. I hope that the Higurashi sisters weren't a bunch of brats. Even if somehow, they weren't what he asked for, he had to put up with it.

The varying terrain reminded him of his previous home, before he left for London to study. He couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness as his feet step on the new and yet familiar ground. But it wasn't like he didn't miss his living quarters in London, sharing it with his good friend and self-proclaiming manager, Miroku.

In a few minutes, he reached the iron gates that surrounded the estate. It stood taller than him by a foot or so, arrowheads on top of the long stalks of iron. Reaching with his right hand to touch the tip, he drew blood from his index finger; now knowing the purpose of the sharpened gates was to prevent trespassers.

Wiping the blood away, he peered through the iron bars. He saw some trees to his left, a garden well cared for, a footpath leading towards the house, a lake, another cottage, possibly for the hired help. The neo-Elizabethan house stood in the middle of the grounds, some lights were turned on; and he was relieved that there were still some people awake to let him in. He looked for the entrance to the estate, having slight difficulty on finding it because of the dimmed moonlight.

He saw that the gate was slightly ajar, and the fading scent of a female. From what he can see, a woman came out of the house, not trying to close the gate for she knew that she would be back soon. A scream rang in the air, startling Inuyasha. He tried following the source of the sound and the scent he caught a whiff of. He moved only a few yards when the woman who screamed was rushing towards him, a youkai at her tail. The lady tripped and fell flat on her face, giving Inuyasha a clear view of the youkai who was following her. It was a lesser youkai and for that he was thankful because he will be able to destroy it in mere minutes.

Opening his palm, he let his claws and a "Sankon Tessou" out as his proceeded with his attack. The squirrel youkai was powerless so it immediately died when his attack hit it. He turned to look at the teenager scrunched up in fear, her breath came in irregular pants and her fear coated the air. He studied the young girl that was below him, apparently unaware that the youkai had been taken care of.

Her face was now returning to what Inuyasha thought was her natural colour. It was damp with sweat much like her long wavy black hair. She was shaking, her mouth slightly open, as if ready to scream. Her eyes closed shut, probably so that she couldn't see the face of the hideous youkai.

Inuyasha touched her shoulder and shook it gingerly. The girl's eyes immediately flew open, locking into a gaze with his amber pools. Inuyasha was in a trance. He could forever gaze upon those hypnotizing blue-grey eyes the girl held.

"A-Are you alright?" Inuyasha asked, breaking the silence."

"I think that I'm quite alright." She replied, shakily. Testing her strength she tries to stand, only to tumble and be caught by Inuyasha. "It must be hidden." she mumbled to herself.

"What?" Inuyasha asked as he caught her little mumble.

"Oh, nothing. Well, how rude of me. My name is Kagome Higurashi." Inuyasha raised his eyebrow. The girl was unstable a second earlier and now her mood went for a different turn.

"Inuyasha Takahashi." he replied straight-forwardly.

"Oh! You're our new tutor. Come inside, we have been waiting for you." After noticing that Inuyasha made no movement, she grabbed his right hand.

"Why were you out there at this hour?" He asked while letting Kagome drag him towards the residence. This question, raised by Inuyasha, had caught Kagome unaware.

"I had to hide something." she replied hastily. It was obvious that she was hiding something.

Inuyasha said no more.

Where is she? She thought, as she paced around the door to the house. "Sango." an old voice interrupted her thoughts. The girl named Sango turned to look at the old governess who called her. "Yes?" She politely replied.

"What is keeping you up at this hour?"

"Nothing, I just can't sleep, that's all." The governess nodded. She turned to walk away but stopped in her steps as the door opened, revealing Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Kaede-baachan." Kagome said, referring to her governess. "Takahashi-san has arrived."

"Ah, Takahashi-san, welcome." Kaede greeted. "My apologies, Higurashi-san can not meet you at this hour, for he is fast asleep. You must be hungry." "Ruriko-san." Kaede addressed one of the women, "Please prepare food for Takahashi-san."

"As for you," Kaede turned to Sango and Kagome, "Go to bed. You are expected to be up early tomorrow."

The two complied and took hasty steps up the staircase. Each of them went into their separate rooms and went to sleep. Ruriko came and told them that the food for Inuyasha was done. They followed her inside the dining room.

Author's Ramblings

Just a shoutout to my beta Leenstarz and to all the beautiful people out there reading my story!

Ja ne!

azuyama-chan

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