Four Souls

By: azuyama-chan

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha… I think you guys know that by now…

Kaede observed the eating artist from across the table. If you were to look at the man at first glance, you would know that he would be an ill-mannered man. Why would Higurashi-sama choose a man with such personality, to tutor his two precious daughters? Kaede asked herself. Noticing the way Inuyasha creased his brows in frustration over a piece of stubborn meat that he found difficult to cut, she added. And from the looks of it, he is purely stubborn. But she had to admit, he follows proper decorum. The old governess cleared her throat to get his attention. "Takahashi-san," she started, "Is the food favourable?"

He looked up from his plate and replied, "Yes it is. Thank you for the food." He placed his fork and knife on the plate.

"Takahashi-san, my apologies, you may not be able to meet Higurashi-sama at this hour. I'm afraid that he has long gone to bed." As he stood up, Kaede added, "Would you like to retire to your room for the night? You must have been exhausted from the long walk, all the way from the train station."

"Its alright." he reassured. "I needed the walk anyway."

Looking around she noticed something missing. "Takahashi-san, where is your trunk?"

"Oh, I left it with the station master."

"Alright, I'll send Ren-san to retrieve it."

Inuyasha looked around to study the interior of the house. The ceiling, the walls, the ornaments and the furniture were cared for. Higurashi-san's attention for detail could be clearly noticed by the use of matching tablecloth, curtains and other bits and pieces.

"Come now, Takahashi-san, I'll show you to your room." Kaede then made her way towards the door that led to the common room.

"Call me, Inuyasha." He said gruffly.

"I prefer not, Takahashi-san." Kaede heard him snorted, and she added. "I like to keep up with the formality."

"Keh! And what do I call you? Kaede-baachan?" They turned left into a hallway.

"Call me my family name, Watanabe, please."

"Keh. I'll call you Kaede-baba." Kaede shook her head.

They stopped at one of the doors; Kaede revealed a key and opened it. Inuyasha saw a fully furnished room, with a balcony that led to a footpath to the garden and a door leading into a large room, which he would use as a studio. The room had a large window to let the air in and see the view. Fit for his liking and nodded at this.

As Kaede turned to leave, he asked, "What is with Kagome-san? She seemed like she was hiding something." Inuyasha noticed Kaede's eyes widened for a moment. Then she immediately replied, "Oh, Kagome-sama has this overactive imagination." She quickly left, closing the door on her way out.

Inuyasha lied down on his bed; his thoughts were on this hectic and amusing day. He tried to figure out the people he had just met. The stern and formal Kaede-baba, who is insisting to call him Takahashi-san, whose personality was one of the things he wanted to get away from home. He thought about the individuals he saw when he arrived. All of them look too secluded in the house. His thoughts then brought him to Kagome. Her blue-grey eyes really wanted to draw him in. He shook his head trying to rid of the thoughts and go to sleep. But instead, her face kept showing on his mind. Agh! If only I had my sketchbook! He thought, wanting desperately to sketch the young girl's face. If only the trunk wasn't left behind.

Inuyasha tossed and turned. He couldn't sleep, for a certain young girl was plaguing his mind. He threw his bedcovers away and stood up. Wearing his socks and his shoes, he decided to take a moonlit stroll taking the balcony door. The estate was silent, except the singing of the crickets and his light footsteps. Not that he minded he actually loved the peacefulness of the place. After a while, Inuyasha had lost his way in the gardens, and was now moving through the spaces between the thickets, trying to find a way out. The smell of water reached his nose, as curious as he is, he followed the scent. He reached upon a beautiful lake, reflecting the pale silver colour of the moon light.

A bird's song reached his ears, coming from up ahead the lake, a corner where the thick untouched branches hid. Trying to find its source, he followed the sad song. Yet it was so peaceful, that no one could listen very well, would know that the bird's cry was of help. He parted the branches, and did not wince at the cold wind suddenly gushing into him. Instead of seeing a brown bird as he expected, he saw a figure – female – turning to see him.

"Help me." Kagome's desperate yet sweet voice called to him. "I must protect it from him."

Puzzled he asked her what she meant. "No one else must know. I have it. She doesn't have it. But he doesn't know." He opened his mouth but was cut off when she placed her finger on top of his mouth to silence him. "Please don't tell anyone." She continued in a hush voice. In amidst his confusion, he decided to nod. She turned to left, Inuyasha tried to touch her; but before he could, she disappeared into the darkness.

Inuyasha sat up. He rubbed his eyes and saw that he was in his bed and the sun had risen. It took a moment for Inuyasha to realize that it had been nothing but a dream. What a weird dream. He thought while standing up to open the door. Taking the route he took yesterday, he arrived at the dining room where he saw Kaede eating her breakfast.

Kaede saw his face almost immediately frown when he noticed that she was his only companion to eat breakfast with. "Will Higurashi-san be joining us?" he asked her as he sat down, disappointment clearly written all over his face. "It is his custom," she returned, "to take his breakfast in his study."

"The girls?"

"Kagome-sama, already left. Same with Sango-sama, who is training outside."

"Training?" Inuyasha echoed. He had learned much earlier, from his interview with Higurashi-san, about his two daughters. The nineteen year old Sango was a disciplined daughter who took her duties seriously. The almost eighteen year old Kagome was a complete opposite. Cheery and carefree was she.

"Yes, she is training with one of our most respected youkai slayers in our area. Her father does not allow, but these are one of the things her mother had insisted on; before she… passed on. Sango-sama, for this one time, went against her father's wishes." Inuyasha gave a slightly sympathetic 'oh'. He took a bite on his buttered bread, the crumbs falling on the plate below. He took his knife and fork and started on his eggs.

"Before I forget," Kaede added, bringing his attention away from his food. "Higurashi-sama requests your presence once you have finished eating; he says that he has some matters to discuss with you. I assume that any questions you have regarding this employment could be discussed with Higurashi-sama."

The silverware clanked against the plate, an indication that Inuyasha had already finished eating. Kaede, who also finished eating, led him out to the stairs and headed to Higurashi-san's study. Kaede gently knocked on the door.

"Come in." A deep voice said from beyond the door. Inuyasha had heard Higurashi-san's voice once before, during the interview. He opened the door and saw Higurashi-san writing something on his desk. Higurashi-san looked up from his work and motioned for Inuyasha to take a seat.

"Takahashi-san." He started. "I presume that you had a good night's rest."

"Yes, Higurashi-san."

"Oh, there is no need for formality. You may call me, Reizo."

"If that is so, Reizo-san, please call me Inuyasha."

Reizo gave a light chuckle. "If you insist; Well, I would like to confirm with you of our arrangements for the tutoring." Inuyasha nodded. "My main purpose is for you to tutor my daughter, Sango, art."

"What about Kagome-san, sir?" Inuyasha asked. "Should I tutor her as well?"

"Well," Inuyasha's employer furrowed his brows in thought. "You may wish to do so, if it troubles you not."

"Alright."

"That is all. I am sure that Kaede-baachan would be able to show you around the estate. And my apologies, I wished to escort you myself but unfortunately, I have some matters to attend to."

"It's alright." He left the study bumped to the subject he dreamt last night, the younger Higurashi daughter.

"Hey," she started. "Can I offer you a tour?"

"I was supposed to go with Kaede…" Seeing as her expression saddened, he quickly added, "But I'm sure she doesn't mind." Smiling, she took his offered hand as they made their way.

Author's Ramblings

Truth to be told, Kikyo was to be given the part of Kagome's older sister. And Sango would be an orphaned daughter of a respected taijiya and she would be taken in by the Higurashi's. But for reason I can't give out, Kikyo is given a much suitable role (my opinion though).