A/N: I would have liked to post this chapter tomorrow on the actual Hachigatsu Bon, but as time and Net access go, better be safe than miss the holiday all together, huh? Back to fishing puns…
A Lure
Rin had said that humans weren't nocturnal, so Kichiruka's bemusement for this "advanced lesson" increased tenfold when his coach scheduled their meeting for after dark.
Just as well. Tensai quits pestering after a certain hour anyway. But Kichiruka hadn't expected such a sight when he arrived at the usual spot.
The whole length of the brook was set aglow with tiny boat lanterns bobbing downstream, the water shimmered with the sheer number of miniature crafts set adrift. All together they simulated the bathing glow of a sunset, very nearly turning the night back into day.
I guess this is what she wanted to show me.
Climbing out and quickly drying himself, Kichiruka searched for Rin. People parted when they saw him coming.
Those who held torches drew them closer and someone complained about forgetting his spade. Kichiruka could feel their glares on his back. One woman jerked her child away when he passed. Maybe demons aren't supposed to be at human occasions like this. But then he spotted Rin and her friends. When he was at their side it was much easier to ignore everyone else.
"What are these for?" he asked, pointing at the pair of lantern boats Rin solemnly set into the water.
"It's part of the Obon ceremony," Miroku supplied from where he stood over the girl and water demon, leaning lazily against his staff. "We place these lanterns into a river or stream to guide the souls of the departed back."
Kichiruka turned at the soft crunch of grass as someone settled beside him. "Is there anyone for whom you'd like to set a lantern for?"
"Thank you for your consideration, Lady Kagome…I'm not sure if…" He paused. "I'll take one please." She patted his shoulder. Although the two weren't related there was something startlingly similar between this miko and Rin, like a common kindness in their twin expressions. Something in their eyes?
"We have to take care on nights like these, though," Miroku warned, reeling in everyone's attention again.
Kichiruka nearly tipped his boat over. "Why's that?"
"The heavy gathering of human souls at this time piques the attention of many yokai in the area. Not all of them of such kind demeanor as yourself, good Kichiruka."
"So, soul-eaters, then," the water demon gathered.
"You could say that," Sango agreed, bouncing her youngest son on her lap while the rest of her children crowded close. "But many will draw even third-rate demons along for the ride just to feed on the quick as well as the dead."
"Then how have you all managed in previous years?" Kichiruka glanced from left to right, fingers gripping the grooves in his staff just in case.
"We usually do a clean sweep," Inuyasha explained, gesturing among Miroku, Kagome, and himself. "Kagome and I take care of the west and south, while Miroku double checks the north and east."
At these directions the monk's head jerked up. "I thought you were covering east this time?"
"Say what?" A silver ear twitched. "Whaddya mean I'm covering east? That's always your post, Miroku."
"I told you I would be cutting it short that day. Don't you ever listen?" the monk huffed. "And I have a wife and children to worry about."
"Yeah, and you screwing up doesn't protect no one!" At the half-demon's outburst several people nearby turned around, their eyes wide and wild.
"Inuyasha, calm down," Kagome soothed in a hushed voice in an attempt to keep from attracting further attention. "I'm sure we're well protected enough to—"
Sango stood up, a hand on her swollen belly. "The fifth one's coming out in I don't know how many more days and you" – her fingers hooked into her husband's collar – "didn't do your part?"
"First of all, I had to get back home. Remember when you were asking for an extra…"
"Don't make this about me!" the taijiya growled.
"All right, but these things happen and so far so good, right?" Miroku inhaled deeply before plowing ahead. "Now then, besides making ourselves weak with excessive worry, what are the chances of being attacked by any –"
"Yokai!" someone cried out.
"Yes?" Kichiruka looked around.
"Not you, vapor brain!" Rin clunked him on one side of his head. "Them!"
He whirled at the sight of a writhing mass of demons screeching toward their little ceremony. The swarm formed a cloud dense enough to block out the clear night sky and lurid eyes took the place of stars. Fangs oozed acid and coils lashed in anticipation. …To feed on the quick and the dead.
Kichiruka shuddered and pulled his conch staff up to his chest. He could try just once more, couldn't he?
"Don't forget, no matter how many spells you learn or guises you perfect, you are still common yokai!" Tensai's words rang clear in the water demon's mind. "You can only do so much."
Kichiruka looked back at his friends. For them, "only so much" wasn't an option. For people who had taken him in without question, it simply didn't equate.
Master Tensai said no matter-making spells that use my water content. Fine. He looked between the frightened humans behind him and the advancing demons ahead. But what about something else's?
"Excuse me, Inuyasha," Kichiruka said, stepping in front of the blustering hanyo.
"Whaddya think you're doin'?"
Since "a test" sounded a little too precarious, the demon opted for, "Protecting my friends. Please stand back."
"Like hell!"
But Kichiruka wasn't listening anymore. Turning away from the torchlight, his eyes glinted their reflective off-green. Then, Kichiruka's voice dropped low and he clicked and gurgled in what Inuyasha would later describe as "a weird-assed, underwater chant." The punctuating whistle at the end forced the dog-demon hybrid to back off.
What the hell kinda demon is he?
Single-handedly, Kichiruka spun the conch staff, its hollow opening making a deep whirling sound with each revolution. From his place beside the water demon, Inuyasha stiffened; the ominous noise reminded him of the dark winds that once occupied Miroku's palm. Wrenching his transfixed gaze away, the hanyo noticed a swirling mist coming from the attacking demons. And it's being sucked right into that seashell!
At his side, Inuyasha heard Kagome drew in a sharp breath; the priestess was rattled by the stark shift in yoki and clung to her spouse's sleeve. As a half-demon, Inuyasha's aura emanated in timely spurts, pulsing like a heartbeat. There were gaps in between each beat, but it was steady – save for one night of the month, of course. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, constantly radiated power, its strength varied only upon his choosing. It had taken Kagome a while to notice, but Sesshomaru would often spread his yoki through an area, blanketing it so finely no one notice the presence until he flared it and the great demon's influence seemed everywhere at once. Kagome harbored a theory that maybe this was also a tool Sesshomaru used to his advantage when it came to abilities such as speed. If he – or at least his presence – was already there, then it's a breeze for him to coast closer.
But Kichiruka, as plain a demon as they came, was so simple and unassuming that Kagome's nerves shook when his yoki surged like a tidal wave. Crashing toward the mass of airborne yokai, it felt like he just barely reined the torrent in before it spilled over. No, it's not entirely his aura. It's the collected strength drained from the other demons. But she didn't see any transfer of the coiling essence that constituted demonic energy. So where's he taking it from? Then Kagome noticed the fine exchange of mist between Kichiruka and the yokai. That's…water!
The demons in the sky looked as if they had aged millennia in a matter of seconds. Withered and crusted, they appeared entirely dehydrated. From the staff? Their water content sucked dry, the parched yokai corpses fell out of the air and crumpled to the ground. Disintegrating on impact, they were dead before they even got in range of the opposite bank.
"Missed a few there." Raising his arms overhead, Inuyasha didn't get the chance to complete his swing as a barrage of icicles erupted from the conch staff. Not one was wasted as each found its lethal mark.
"Wow, that puts your diamond spears to shame," Shippo commented before the half-demon's fist found its usual spot over his head.
As the last body descended Kichiruka crouched for a moment to catch his breath. Rin knelt down beside him. "Something wrong?"
"Just a tad winded." He smiled. Good, no damage to himself this time. So there, Tensai. "Everyone all right?"
A town's worth of vacant stares gazed across the brook to the wasted demons, but no one found the strength to utter a peep. When the villagers' attention did shift it was to settle on Kichiruka with a mixture of awe and the fear that had been previously masked by earlier contempt. Kichiruka didn't feel too much better with this result.
Then a man with his young son pushed through the throng up to Kichiruka, a broad smile standing out on his face. "My name is Rikichi and my son and I would like to thank you," he announced, true gratitude shining in his eyes. Kichiruka hesitated. "Come, friend, aren't you hungry?" Without waiting for an answer, Rikichi turned back to the crowd. "We've got a couple hours until the festival comes in, so let's get our hero a dinner!"
Kichiruka broke into a grin. Now they were in business.
Mumbles whispered around as the crowd began to disperse and a few glances were tossed over shoulders. But this time, Kichiruka got a few smiles in return. It was enough for him as Rin and her friends clustered around him.
Golden eyes focused on the water demon for a minute. "Y'know, you could've just left it to us, show-off."
"Say, Inuyasha, ever wonder how much water is in your body?" Shippo piped.
Ears flattening against his head, the hanyo grumbled. "Keh. I was tryin' t' tell the guy to take it easy."
Conch staff in hand, Kichiruka laughed.
oOo
"So," Kichiruka said, finally surfacing from the bowl that held his third serving. "What happens now?"
"The Obon Festival," Rin giggled excitedly and the sea demon felt an answering pull bubble in his chest. She rocked back and forth on the bench outside of Kagome's house like a horse chomping at the bit. "This is the one time a year when a special magic dusts the village."
"What happens?"
"Around midnight, so in a little while, a parade comes." Rin's sentences came out in spurts just barely able to match pace with her excitement. "They're like a traveling group of musicians and performers. We put 'em up for a couple of nights and in turn they give us show. They discovered us last year and I'm thrilled that they're back again. Even though they're pros, anyone can join in the parade." Suddenly, she went rigid. "Listen! Hear those chimes?"
Pointed ears fluttered, and marked either side of a broad grin. With wide eyes, Kichiruka stood spellbound by the enchanting approach of lanterns and fanfare. It started out soft, just the jingle of chimes far down the village's central dirt road. Gradually the music became more layered, first adding the steady tempo of drums quickly followed by punctuating cymbals, then plucking strings. A flute's airy keen rang out and the parade was as palpable as it was audible. Bright garments and streamers glowed in the alternating pools of light cast by the roadside's torches. Shadows played off the dancers, lending heightened dynamics to their movements. It was easy for Kichiruka to pick out the professional performers from the plain participants, but it made little difference. He fancied himself being physically drawn toward the parade. Then realized that Rin tugged on his sleeve.
"Here's you lesson," she laughed. "Come dance with me."
The water demon hesitated; his clumsy sea legs wobbled, threatening to wash away months of practice and abandon him now. "Come," Rin encouraged. She swayed from side to side, the pastels of her yukata blending together like a fishing lure, drifting just within reach. Kichiruka hesitated. Dare he leave a chance like this floating?
He bit.
Starting with a plain old step, Kichiruka cautiously slid forward. Rin smiled and beckoned him to continue, but she spared a hurried glance for the parade as the tail snaked closer. All right, we're joining now. Boldly leaping forward, demon turned his tumble into a twirl. Rin laughed, delighted at the improvisation. Swiping a bright yellow ribbon from an unwitting performer's belt, Kichiruka swirled the strip through the air, moving in time with its tandem. Reaching over, he spun Rin around, then smoothly pranced a backward pattern. It's …easy.
"Hey, you're pretty good," Rin praised, a little breathless and not entirely from exertion.
Kichiruka chuckled, sweeping up and around. "You never mentioned my lesson was laughing with my feet."
.
A/N: This second portion of Hooked was drafted on Live Journal's IY Themes community and won second place for last month's "holiday" prompt. Prompts are biweekly and anyone can enter. Check them out! Happy Hachigatsu Obon!