Author's Note:
Demon — Animae
[Latin root word: Anim]
Half-Demon — Demimae
Magical energy of Animae — Mana
Sesshomaru — Sirmiq
(Please bear with me on that one. I'll explain the name change later.)
Also, while there are similarities in action and occupation, Malcom is NOT Miroku. He is an OC character. Miroku (and the rest of the gang) will come much later. Pinky promise.
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"Amrita, why don't you ever have any real food in here?" Malcolm complained as he searched through his friend's mini-fridge. He gently thumbed his cornrows, trying to relieve an itch without fuzzing them up. "All you have are icky things like rats and frogs. Where's the steak?"
She rolled her reptilian brown eyes. She rested her human-like form against the kitchen cabinet, red hair billowing down her shoulders as she watched him. Those eyes gave away her species. It was always one or two traits that gave away the species of an animae, whether it deep-set eyebrows, or some claws. Sometimes it was a too-perfect look, like a porcelain doll or an ethereal glow. But there was always at least one detail that differentiated them from a human. "First of all, I'm Hindu, so I wouldn't have steak in the first place." She reminded him. "And second, it's suitable food for me."
As he stood back up, his baggy pants shifted over his partially exposed boxers. While he had beautiful, cat-like eyes, they originated from his half-Filipino heritage rather than an animae trait. He sighed, closing the small appliance. "At least some chicken? Snakes like chicken too, right?"
Golden eyes regarded him. "Malcolm, you can't ask her to shop for you just 'cause you're visiting for a few hours," Inuyasha teased. A single fang hugged his lip as he smirked. He played with a wooden ring in his hand, moving it from claw to claw. He had an unusual number of traits that outed him as an animae, and some might assume he was one to make a statement with how much he showed off. And yet, bipedal as he was, his current appearance wasn't his 'human' form like most animae.
"Shut up, Yash. She had us drive here to New Haven to help her, so I'm expecting to get paid in food, homie. I need my morale to be high before I get to work, friend."
Amrita smirked. "I'll buy you all food after all of this."
"All right! Something to look forward to!" Malcolm jumped in the air with a fist toward the sky. His two friends laughed.
"Alright, Rita. Tell me more about your De Novo problem."
Amrita headed toward the living room and motioned the guys to follow her. Stopping in front of an enormous, golden life-sized Kali statue, she pointed. "Last time I saw, it was in here."
"Yikes, he's possessing your statue?" Inuyasha asked.
She bobbled her head. "I think so." She then turned to Malcolm. "Think you can handle this one, monk?"
Malcolm rummaged through his bag of tools that had been rested by the front door. He grabbed a few slips of paper and a sharpie, shoving them in a pocket. Then, he held up some purple beads and recited a small prayer before snapping them onto his wrist. Finally, he took out a ringed object that jingled like Christmas bells. He swung it and a wooden staff extended out, like a magic trick. He twirled the staff a few times, then struck the ground with the pole-end of the staff. His friends weren't sure what all of these steps did, but it was a ritual of sorts for him.
He walked up to the statue with confident strides. He hovered his beaded hand over the front of the statue as he stared into Kali's eyes. He moved his hand slowly and carefully from part to part, analyzing it without directly touching it. But then he snapped his hand away as if something tried to grab him. He waved his staff in front of himself as if to create a barrier from something.
He turned to Amrita. "Yea, he's definitely in here."
"And? What do you think? Should I call a professional?" Her neck started loosening in worry, becoming a little more snake-like in her appearance.
"Gimme some more time to check him out," said Malcolm, going back up to the statue.
"Hey now," said Inuyasha. "Don't get too cocky. Only do what you can."
Malcolm smiled. "I'mma just talk. Nothing special."
This time, Malcolm pointed his staff at the Statue. "I'd like to know why you're still here, if you don't mind me asking." The statue vibrated and shook, Kali's face shifting into an angry grin as if she were to complete her destruction on the world. "Ah, shit. I don't think this one's just gonna talk."
Golden eyes widened. "See? I told you to take it easy!"
"It's cool, dude. Between you and me, we got this. Uh…" Malcolm backed away from the shaking statue and took out the papers he had. He hastily scribbled some shapes and quick words on them. "Ok. Amrita, you should step back since I'll be charging up."
"Rita left, dude."
"What?" Malcolm looked back and witnessed the snake nowhere to be seen. "Well, damn."
Inuyasha looked warily at the shaking statue. "Should we just leave it alone?"
"Unfortunately it's activated now. If we leave it, it might end up cursing Rita. Imma need you to back me up."
"And…how am I supposed to back you up, again?"
Malcolm readied his paper sutras. "We might need some physical strength. If it leaves the statue, and I grab it, help me if it's strong?"
"Can't I just grab it?" The monk gave him a side-eye in response. "Right. De Novo can only be touched by mages." His ears lowered in a mix of embarrassment and fear. He passed a clawed hand through his silver hair. "Fuck, why do you get me into this shit all the time?"
"Why do you let me? Quit bein' a scaredy-cat and get your ass over here."
Grumbling, the demimae walked over and stood at Malcom's side, unsure of what to do.
The mage took a deep breath. He held out one sutra sheet and said a prayer. The air started to buzz with spiritual energy. His friend developed an aura around himself as he prayed. It looked kind of like a purple light that enveloped his body, and it smelled of sandalwood.
Then, he launched the charged paper at the statue.
Electricity sparked from the contact, and there was a hiss sound. Steam emitted from the statue, black smoke billowed out as if it caught on fire. Then, the De Novo spirit shot out from the statue. It was in the form of a large brown weasel. It flew a lap around the room, and Inuyasha thought it was running away at first, until it turned around and gave the them a look of vengeance.
Inuyasha almost pissed his pants. Malcolm held another paper sutra steady.
He addressed the spirit once more, "Tell me. What unfinished business do you have here? We can help you find closure."
"You're still trying to chat with it? Ahh!" Inuyasha shrieked as the De Novo pummeled towards him. Malcolm was there in a second whirling his staff like a shield in front of him. The De Novo slammed into the barrier, about an inch from the wood of the staff like slamming into an electric fence. He let out an angry howl and did another lap around the room.
Malcolm turned to Inuyasha, "It's better to do what I can in a civil way first, even if it looks angry."
"I dunno. It doesn't seem to be calming down."
"It may not be right away, but if we keep trying—" He got cut off as he had to create another shield as the Weasel pummeled towards them. He knocked back the boys. They fell to the ground. Inuyasha stood back up quickly, just in time to witness the weasel plunging his claws into Malcolm's leg. "No!" Inuyasha shouted.
He came at the spirit, but his own claws went right through the beast as if it were passing through a cloud. "Shit!"
Malcolm threw a charged sutra at the weasel and he retreated back. And although it was angry, it took a moment to lick some blood off of his claws.
"Malcolm, you ok?" Inuyasha asked.
"I need back up while I pray," he said. "Can you handle that?"
"I'm gonna have to."
A curt nod. Then he took out some beads and started praying. This charge would be a lot stronger than the others, but it also meant it would take longer. Inuyasha felt the air in the room change with electricity. If he touched Malcolm right now, he would likely get seriously hurt. He felt the air whoosh behind him, so he turned. The weasel was attacking again.
He glanced at the kitchen door and figured it would be the best place to attempt a leap. If successful, it would allow a few seconds of reprieve with the wall as a barrier.
He took a deep breath. He positioned his mind for one thing only: make it to the kitchen. He grabbed Malcolm by the shoulders and jumped as quickly as he could. But as soon as he touched the monk, pain shot through his body like lightning. It was so bad that he couldn't even see where they were going. Couldn't even smell the room. But he'd premeditated their destination, so hopefully it'd be close enough. He promptly dropped the monk, and focused on feeling normal. Unfortunately, they were only three-quarters of the way closer to the kitchen door. Inuyasha looked at his hands. Although they were burned, he sighed in relief since claws were still there. He could make another leap if need be.
The prayer wasn't done. The sour twang of regret tainted the demi's nose, which meant Malcolm felt sorry. Inuyasha answered with a small scoff, letting his friend know there was nothing to worry about.
He felt the air change again. The weasel once again approached. The demi set his goal for the kitchen door again. He prepared to move his friend, but the prayer was just completed. With beads wrapped around his hand, Malcolm pushed towards the weasel as it approached. A shockwave of purifying energy emitted from his hands. The De Novo struggled to continue his approach, making it look like he was suspended in the air from the push of Malcolm's spiritual energy. Then, slowly, the blast started chipping away at pieces of the lost soul, fragmenting it into tiny particles. The weasel dissipated. When it was gone, Malcolm clapped his hands together in a final prayer. "Rest in peace."
He turned to Inuyasha, but jumped when he saw jet black hair. "Oh shit. Sorry, bro."
Inuyasha shook his head. "Don't be sorry. Are you ok?" he asked, eyeing Malcolm's injured leg. Before his friend could response, he went ahead in pursuit for medical supplies. He found some antibiotic ointment and gauze, then went over to the monk.
"I don't think it's too bad. The gashes aren't super deep at least."
"Ok. We'll see about that." He rolled up Malcolm's pant leg and went to work on the wound. As he worked, he said, "Hey man…by the way, you did a great job. That De Novo was definitely out of our league, but you managed with the skills you have."
"What do you mean out of our league? I purified him just fine." Inuyasha gave him a pointed look with pursed lips. Malcolm shrugged. "Alright, dude. You're right. It was way out of our league." He scratched the scalp between his braids. "But you know what? I'm happy I have such an amazing and unique friend to back me up." Inuyasha smiled at that.
Inuyasha finished treating the wound. Then the boys started shouting for their friend. "Ok, Rita! You can come out." "Rita! Where you at, girl?"
She slithered into the house from the back door. In her true form, she was a large, red snake. She looked around fearful, looking around to see that the house was safe. Then she saw Inuyasha. She rose up tall, and then assumed her human form. "You…" She tilted her head. "Did you put your concealer on?"
He shook his head. She took in his jet black hair, his dark brown eyes, and his lack of claws. "You're really human…"
He shrugged. "Happens when you get your mana zapped away by a purifying amount of spiritual energy."
She shook her head. "For you, maybe. If I got zapped, I would be gone." She ran her fingers through his in wonder, looking for the telltale ring that hid his features. The human Inuyasha kept his hands held up and let her sate her curiosity. "What happened to your mana, then? You turn back into a Demi, right?"
Inuyasha nodded. "It'll come back in time. Maybe in a day."
"Wow," she said amazed. "I can't believe all that zapping just turns you human. I would be so scared. How'd you learn you could survive spiritual energy?"
"Ugh. That's a long story. I can tell you later, though." He took out the wooden ring again and started fiddling with it. If he wore it now, there would be no change. His concealer ring hid his fangs, his claws, his dog-ears, and his golden eyes. It made him look just as he looked now — a simple, unassuming, human Japanese guy.
Malcolm clapped. "Ok guys. Great talk. It's chow time!"
Amrita snorted. "Fine." Then she noticed the gauze around his leg. "Whoa, Malc. You got injured?"
He shrugged. "Nothing a good sandwich can't cure!"
She rolled her eyes. "Ok, I get it. Let's go."
They got into Malcolm's black sedan. Malcolm lay in the back with his leg rested upon the seat. Inuyasha sat in the passenger seat next to Amrita.
The summer breeze rushed past as they drove through downtown New Haven. The group wanted to soak in all the summer air they could get before school started again. During the ride, the open windows welcomed all energy. A heartfelt source, like a guardian protecting the loved and warm, like the depths of a nurturing well. And much quicker than usual, Inuyasha's powers pulsed back into his body like a lost child finding its way home.
"Whoa." Amrita breathed, seeing this for the first time just now.
Malcolm reached over and turned her head back to the road. "Don't get too distracted, Rita! We can all still die."
She smirked. "You'd be the most at risk of dying human,"
"Yea, and I'm saving all of us injury for being self-preserving, so sue me."
"Guys, get along," said Inuyasha.
Soon, they pulled into a large gas station. Amrita went into the fast food joint to order the promised items for Malcolm. The boys planned to meet her there right after putting some gas in the car and getting some snacks for later. Inuyasha grabbed some cash from his pocket and got out of the small sedan, noting the pump number. He took a couple steps toward the building, but stopped short when he caught a familiar scent, light like jasmine rice in a warm bowl. It was comforting.
For a second, he thought it was a déjà vu. Memories of his mother flooded him for a moment. The pain and grief he thought he'd overcome years ago returned. He felt like a toddler, crouching down as the breeze whistled by his flattened ears, giving him words, sounds, lullabies, and then a sentence: "I'll be right back."
Why am I thinking about this right now?
He could hardly stand. Her scent was so close.
He almost didn't hear his friend's voice through the rush of memories. "Inuyasha? Bro, you good?" Malcolm opened the car door and scooted closer to meet his friend at his side.
Inuyasha supported himself against the pillar at the end of the concrete platform. He looked at his friend through tears, shaking his head. "I honestly don't know," he replied in a cracked voice.
Malcolm put a hand on his shoulder. "What's going on? What changed your mood like that?"
"My mom," he whispered.
"Aww, damn. You remembering her again?"
He nodded.
"It's been a while. What triggered this?"
"Her scent. She smells so close. So real." He dug his claws into his silver hair.
"Maybe there's someone nearby with a similar scent..."
"No, no, no," he shook his head. "You don't understand. You think I could forget her scent? It's so powerful, dude. I can't..." he trailed off, golden eyes suddenly going wide.
"Bro, what is it? What's wrong?"
"She's...here," he said.
"I'll be right back"… That's what she said, wasn't it? Did it mean something more tangible than it seemed?
"Whoa, hold on there, buddy." Malcolm made a stopping motion. "We just exorcised a De Novo. Ok?"
Inuyasha nodded.
"And on top of that, we've been seeing a ton of weird ass supernatural shit this whole summer."
Inuyasha nodded again.
"So are you sure you're actually not imagining things?"
Inuyasha considered this. It was true, there'd been a lot of weird things going on this season. Not only within their small group, but also in the news. And, to be fair, this wasn't the first time he'd been tricked into thinking his mother was suddenly alive, but he was much younger and naive back then. If this deception were happening again, he'd find his older brother and gut him.
"Either way, I gotta make sure." He left Malcolm and walked toward the warm, nostalgic fragrance. His heart pounded in anticipation, hoping to see her yet deep inside, a part of him wanted to run the other way.
He walked three pumps over until he saw a woman with long jet black hair and a slender frame standing next to a large blue truck. She faced away from him, so she hadn't noticed him yet. He analyzed every inch of her frame for any abnormality. Hips that were too wide, arms that were too skinny, any indication whatsoever that he was in fact, imagining things...yet nothing was out of place. He took a deep breath, dissecting the scent in his nose, trying to taste if any miniscule part was off...but it was all achingly familiar.
He could turn back. But after completely confirming now that his mother was alive and well...I mean at this point, he had to greet her, or so he felt. He took one more deep breath, this time for his own sanity, and then got her attention.
"Excuse me, miss?" She turned around and his heart exploded out of his ribcage. He thought he was ready, but when he saw her high cheekbones, her thin button nose...he remembered the Eskimo kisses when he was young. Her thin lips parted slightly, the same ones she's plant on his forehead to bode him goodnight. Her almond eyes widened, the same ones that would regard him in happiness, sadness, would give him stern looks when he scratched up the floor or broke something - again. It was her. It was definitely her.
He wasn't sure what to do next. What should he say? 'Oh hey mom. Long time no see. Yea, I'm sure it's you because, well you look and smell like you.' Right.
Malcolm, still sitting in the car three gas pumps away, whispered for him to come back. He picked up the words with his sensitive ears, knowing that no one else, or at least no other human, could hear him.
"Dude. Don't be convinced. It might be a trick." Yea. He remembered, too.
Inuyasha decided to ask a question, although the pounding of her heart, and the coppery taste of fear radiating from her already told him the answer.
"Do I…know you?"
Salt hit his nose. Her lips quivered. "I'm sorry. I don't think so."
The music of her voice met his ears and he knew this was no trick. It was the exact same voice in his memory that told him stories at bedtime. Helped him with schooling. Cheered him on. Lectured him. He almost started crying and embracing her in a tight hug, but she said he was unfamiliar. Unwillingly, it seemed.
He could tell she wanted to greet him. An explanation sat on the cusp of her lips, but fear gripped her. Anxiety tainted her with a pickled-lemon-like hue. He wasn't sure why she didn't want to admit he knew her, that they were familiar to each other, or were — still are — related.
He committed her scent to memory, breathing it in one more time to taste it deeply with his tongue and his gut so he could track it down later. Then, he relented.
"Ok. Sorry to bother you," and with all of his might, he turned and walked away.
Malcolm had gotten out of the car, standing on his good leg and was peeking from behind the gas pump, trying to get a good look at the woman. When Inuyasha got back to him, he pushed him. "Dude. What the ever-loving fuck! Do you actually think you know who she was?"
Annoyance welled up. "Trust me. I know." He started walking to the store again, hoping to avoid a lecture. Malcolm limped behind him despite the pain in his leg.
"Your brother already did some asshole shit like that on you. You gonna fall for that shit again?"
"It's not the same shit. And why the fuck are you following me, when you're injured?" Inuyasha asked as they entered the store.
Malcolm ignored the question. "How do you know? Tell me, what makes you so sure?"
Inuyasha growled in annoyance. A woman nearby chirped in surprise at the sound, and she tightened her grip on her purse while quickening her pace away from the demi. To be honest, she probably thought he was some hoodlum animae about to attack the store. For any animae showing off this many features and unable to keep their cool in public? Gotta be a gang member, obviously.
Malcolm waited for his answer with crossed arms, awkwardly balancing on his good leg.
Inuyasha sighed. "What makes this different is that last time I got duped because I wanted it to be real, despite there being clear signs that it wasn't. This time, I don't." He ran a hand through his hair. "But no matter how I go about it, she is."
Malcolm shook his head. "I'm sorry man, but that's not good enough. I need detail. I can't believe it otherwise." He started limping towards one of the aisles, but Inuyasha went and put an arm around his neck. "Let me help you."
"Thanks, man."
They walked toward an aisle and Malcolm grabbed some chips. Then they went up to the counter and Inuyasha held up the crumpled money. The cashier eyed the clawed hand, then looked at the half-animae features with caution. Golden eyes rolled. "Pump four, please."
As they walked back out, they looked toward his mom's direction, but she was already gone. "I know you don't understand. But I feel so sure about this, Malc. Like, there's no doubt in my mind. And I want to be wrong. Like, who wants to witness their dead mom come back to life? Like, how is she even here?"
Malcom jammed a finger into the demimae's chest. "That's exactly my point, Yash. How can she physically, possibly be back here when she was dead for fifteen years?"
Inuyasha flinched. "I get that. I really do. But I can't see it any other way."
"I still think you need an outside opinion on this situation." Then he finally sat back down, sighing in relief.
Inuyasha set up the pump. Then he scratched his ear and leaned against the car. "Aren't I getting one right now?"
"I mean an experienced opinion. Someone who has encountered this kind of thing before."
Inuyasha frowned. "Like who?"
"Your dad."
"Fuuuck off."
Malcolm leaned toward him. "I'm serious! Don't try to handle this alone. You have no idea what you might be getting into."
"Not my dad."
"He knows her. He's an animae. Lord of all animae. He's six hundred freakin' years old. He knows her! Hello?"
"Yes, I get it, but he's the last person I'd wanna talk to about my mom. Plus, I'm not handling this alone, so calm the fuck down."
"Oh yea? Who's experienced that's helping you, then?"
"I don't know yet, but I can contact a mage and figure things out that way," he said with furrowed brows. Malcolm narrowed his eyes at his friend.
"Dudes. Food? I thought we were eating inside." An annoyed Amrita came out to meet them, paper bags in her hands. As she was a reptile, she didn't immediately notice the change in mood until Inuyasha replied, "Sorry Amrita. Something came up and we got distracted."
The boys glanced towards the spot three pumps away, but of course the woman was gone. Amrita curiously looked toward where they were gazing. "Ok…you wanna just make this take-out instead?"
Malcolm replied, "I think that'd be best."
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The ride back to Amrita's didn't feel like summer anymore, at least not for Inuyasha. The breeze now held mystery and uncertainty. It was an intrusive, unseen force that the demimae could not control, which felt like a foreboding.
"You know, I'm curious to know how your dad feels about her," said Malcolm.
Triangle ears perked up. "Who, my mom?"
"Yea. Like, an animae that old shacking up with a twenty-something human. What was their relationship like, you think?"
He ran a clawed hand through his hair. "My guess is, he knocked her up right quick and left her. And I think she probably loved him a lot."
"Why would you say that?"
Inuyasha thought for a moment. "Well, based on the fact that my dad is still married which means he must've been when he was with my mom. And, I don't know. The way my mom told me stories about him, I guess."
"What kinds of stories did you hear?"
"Honestly? She painted him as this nice, kind, heroic figure. It kinda messed me up cuz when I finally met him in person, he turned out to be an ass."
Malcom snorted. "He's not that bad."
The demi shrugged. "Well, you know how he is. Makes me wonder why my mom only had positive things to say about him."
Amrita glanced in the rearview at the boys. "Sometimes it's the emotion behind the words, rather than the words she chose to use at the time."
"Well, I don't know the whole story, so don't take my word for it or anything."
"Maybe you'll get the chance to ask her about it," the monk offered.
Golden eyes glanced out the window in thought once more as the trees blurred by. Yea. Maybe.