Author's Notes: Well, here it is, my second Inuyasha fanfiction. It's still in the rough, so you can expect some editing in the future. I'll take care of the really long and annoying author's notes at the end of this first part.
Oh, and before I forget: '*This*' means the person is thinking "This" means the person is talking (Just in case you forgot! ^_^) The little Japanese glossary will be at the bottom of the fanfiction.
Well, let's get started!
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Kagome watched Jii chan parade through the temple in a fit with tired eyes. He had been going on for about 10 minutes now, and was still gaining steam by each sentence (or expletive) shouted from his mouth.
'*This must be the twentieth time this week.*' Kagome sighed.
Kagome's attention was drawn to the door as her mother and Souta entered the temple with bewildered looks on their faces, staring at Jii chan and his…. "un-priestly like" behavior.
"Mama…." Kagome said hopelessly, gesturing to her Grandfather with her hand.
"J-Jii-chan… he's gone off again?" Souta asked, youthful eyes as wide as saucers.
"Kagome-chan, you didn't ask Jii chan if you could go through the well again, did you?" Mama asked, bemused.
Jii chan had obviously noticed their arrival, because before Kagome could even open her mouth he pounced on mama and Souta like a rabid dog.
"She wants to go through that blasted WELL again!! You would think she would have learned after getting hurt like she did, but she just has to go back!" Jii chan shouted, causing the walls of the old temple to creak and shake.
Kagome flinched, clearly agitated.
"It was only a bump on my head!" Kagome yelled to match Jii chan's outburst.
Of course, she didn't have to tell him that that bump had come from a youkai throwing her against a tree after she had shot an arrow at him to keep it from blowing up a whole town...
Jii chan turned to face Kagome once more.
"It is only a bump now, Kagome, but first that bump was a scratch. Next it will be a sprained ankle, then a broken arm, then…" Jii chan left the sentence finish itself, all the while glaring at her.
"If I don't go back, Inuyasha and the others won't be able to find the Shikon Fragments, which means other youkai will use them and people will die!!"
Jii chan paused for a moment, obviously searching for another handy excuse. Unfortunately for Kagome, there were quite a few at hand.
"And what about your 'powers'? You may be able to find some spiritual rock, but the last time you went to the well showed that those powers cannot protect you!"
"Well, at least it's better than your so-called spiritual powers!" Kagome retorted back, then bit her tongue in surprise.
There was NO way she had just said that. Kagome eys brushed over her Grandpa, his face stolid, and Souta and Mama, gaping at her in surprise. Maybe there was.
Kagome desperately searched for something to say to make up for what she had just said, but found herself at a loss. Being a priest was Grandpa's life, and she had just insulted it. Quite through with searching for something to say, she searched for somewhere to hide. Finding that search unsatisfactory as well, Kagome rushed out the door to the house, leaving her stone-faced grandfather and gawking mother and brother behind her.
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It wasn't long before mama came up to my room to console her. Mama always rushed things head on, whether it was household tasks, comforting or reprimanding her children.
She knocked on the door before opening it. Kagome was laying on her stomach, staring at the bulletin board in front of her, listlessly counting the pushpin holes. Buyo was curled up in a purring ball by Kagome's side, sleeping as usual.
"Kagome, are you going to stay up here all night?" Mama asked, sitting down at the edge of her bed.
Buyo raised his head and gave Mama an agitated look before settling back into his slumber again.
Kagome sighed.
"Only until I pull together what's left of my pride... I take that back, I don't think I'll be out for a while." Kagome said in a downcast manner, still staring at the wall.
Mama was silent. Kagome still didn't stir from her position, so she couldn't see her mother's expression. Kagome knew from much experience that she would wait until Kagome spoke what was really on her mind.
"...Jii chan still mad at me?" Kagome asked finally, tugging restlessly at the corner of her blanket.
Kagome could almost hear her mother smiling. Her mother shifted in her position to face Kagome a bit more.
"He's not mad at you Kagome. A bit upset, though. You know he's only worried about you, we all are. I think you both went a bit over the line in that argument though, and I know you both know that as well."
Kagome turned on my back and sat up, studying mama's face. The matter-of-fact expression that was always there was still displayed in her face, but her eyes held a gentle expression.
"Mama..." Kagome began apologetically.
All at once, her face took on a stern, yet concerned expression.
"Kagome... you have to promise me that you'll be careful from now on. We all know how is important it is to you-- to many people that you travel between these times, but please, we worry about you." Mama said, staring at Kagome.
Kagome nodded slightly, gulping.
"I know..." Mama spoke faintly, a faint smile appearing on her lips, "I know that no matter what we do, you'll still probably travel through that well, no matter what we say. Unfortunately, your stubborn nature is something you have received from me."
Mama pulled Kagome into her embrace, smiling. She relaxed and hugged her back, something she hadn't found the time to do in days.
"Little Kagome," she heard her mother say gently, "You are too brave for your own good."
"...I'm sorry."
"I don't think I'm the one you should be apologizing to," came the gentle reply.
Kagome found Grandpa in front of the mini-shrine surrounding the Bone-Eaters Well, sweeping the stone ground methodically with his worn broom. Slowly she made her way toward him, her eyes on her feet. Kagome supposed that if she was a dog, her tail would have been between her legs.
"Jii chan..." Kagome started, but her Grandpa cut her off.
"I'm sorry." He spoke, staring at the spot that he was sweeping over and over.
Kagome started. Wasn't she supposed to be the one to apologize?
"Uh..." she said intelligently.
Grandpa looked up at her. He looked about as shamefaced as Kagome did.
"I guess I got a little carried away, didn't I?" he said sheepishly.
"Ah..." Kagome spoke again, feeling like an idiot.
"I shouldn't have yelled like that. I know it is important that you go to the Sengoku Jidai, it's just that you worry me."
"Inuyasha protects me, though..." Kagome said, finally getting control over her speech.
Grandpa frowned.
"That, too... He seems rather pushy, doesn't he?"
Kagome tried to hide a grin that she felt coming on.
"Yeah, he can be sometimes. He's not really a social kind of person."
Grandpa's frown reached lower heights.
"... But he is a good person, even if he won't admit it," Kagome added quickly, "he always helps out people."
Grandpa looked up at her, eyes winking.
"You like him, huh?" he said playfully.
Kagome snapped her head up, falling for Grandpa's mischievous feint easily. Suddenly her face took on the appearance of a very ripe tomato.
"N-No!" Kagome spoke frantically, waving her hands in front of her; "It's nothing like that!"
Grandpa grinned.
"My Kagome, your face is quite red all of a sudden... Do you have a fever?"
"Uh…."
Kagome finally got what Jii chan was pulling and glared at him. Jii chan seemed to be having a fine time. Kagome was just about to offer a snappy retort, when she remembered why she was here in the first place.
"Jii chan," Kagome said seriously, her sheepish disposition returning once again, "I'm sorry for saying... y'know."
Grandpa's grin disappeared and his face took on a serious look as well.
Suddenly Kagome's feet became interesting again.
"I really didn't mean what I said. I was just looking for…. an excuse or something. Being a priest is your life, and you've put everything you have into it. If you can't forgive me for what I said, I understand." she said, sweating slightly.
Kagome bowed my head in apology, waiting for Grandpa's reply. She heard none. She was just about to stand up and leave when she felt a hand on my shoulder. Puzzled, Kagome looked up to meet Grandpa's gaze.
"Kagome... You needn't apologize. I know you didn't mean what you said, just as I didn't. Besides, my spiritual powers haven't exactly been something to depend on, anyway."
"Jii chan..." Kagome started, but he stopped me by holding out his hand to me. She looked down in surprise.
"What...?"
"It's a charm." Grandpa said, opening his hand to reveal a necklace of sorts resting in his palm.
It was rather small and simple. The chain was silver and was very long, she saw that if she was going to wear it she would have to wrap it around her neck at least twice. The chain lead to a small oval stone hanging from it, shining blue in the evening sun. It was pretty, but nothing to gush about. Kagome looked up at Grandpa questionably.
"The legend says that this necklace was owned the wife of a powerful Lord, the Lord gave this to his beloved, saying that it would grant her one wish. Kagome, if you are ever in trouble, wish upon this, and you will find prosperity and safety." Grandpa spoke proudly.
Already Kagome felt a wave of sarcastic remarks coming on. How was she supposed to believe that this was a 'magic' charm? Actually, wait. That was a stupid question. She had dealt with demons, poltergeists, spirits, magic stones, haunted castles, etc., etc., and she was doubting a charm? Kagome looked up at Grandpa's face and found another reason to take it. His face shone with pure pride, as it often did when he presented these odd trinkets to her. Moreover, he was giving her this because he was worried about her, with the greatest sincerity. Why not take it?
"Thank you, Jii chan," Kagome said, smiling, "I'll wear it."
To stress this point, Kagome fastened it around her neck, causing Grandpa to smile widely.
"Kagome, even with this charm, please be careful." He asked her imploringly, his hand on her shoulder.
Kagome grinned. He was finally going to let her go back to the Sengoku Jidai!
"Of course!" Kagome said happily.
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Now with that problem solved, Kagome had a whole new worry all together. Inuyasha. Somehow, she had the feeling that when she finally found him after a week of absence he would not be happy. Kagome looked around her in puzzlement.
*Strange, I don't remember all these broken trees being here the last time I came….*
After a long walk through the tangled forest, she made it to Kaede-obaa-chan's village; the villagers were busy as usual. Upon reaching Kaede's house, she moved the mat door aside slightly and peered in.
"Kaede-obaa-chan...?" Kagome called out.
"Ah, Kagome." Kaede said, her old face rising into a smile from her seat by the fire. "Welcome back." Kaede gestured to a mat beside her.
Taking up her offer, Kagome sat down. Kaede looked at her in question.
"You haven't been here in a while, Kagome. Did anything happen?"
Kagome smiled nervously, a small sweat drop forming on her head.
"Um... Not really, Jii chan just got kind of worried about me…." Kagome said, waving her hand and trying her hardest to seem flippant.
"I see." Kaede said, concentrating on the bowl of... something in front of her.
Kagome looked around her, curious.
"Where's Inuyasha and Shippou?" Kagome asked innocently.
"I suppose Shippou is around here someplace, but I'm not sure where Inuyasha is... he was a bit upset when you did not return for seven days." Kaede spoke, looking at Kagome seriously.
"Um... how angry was he, exactly?" Kagome asked uneasily. '*I was afraid that this would happen...*'
"You have seen the broken trees, I suppose?"
"Um... yeah."
"And the extra house repair the villagers have been working on?"
Kagome face-vaulted.
"He did THAT?!"
"I'm afraid so. He's probably around the forest somewhere... perhaps you should go look for him."
Kagome was already standing up, an extremely angry look on her face.
"Thanks, Kaede-obaa-chan." she said as she stalked out of the room.
Kaede only looked on with an amused look on her face. *Kids...*
Kagome stomped through the forest in a royal huff, now taking painful notice of the many snapped trees and smashed boulders along her way.
*What is up with Inuyasha, anyway?! Is he a half-youkai or a three-year old, throwing a temper-tantrum like that when I was only gone for a week!* Kagome thought angrily as she followed the path of wreckage.
"Sometimes I don't understand him… I wish I knew why Inuyasha is like he is…"
Suddenly the necklace Kagome was wearing started glowing an odd color of blue, and her surroundings distorted.
"What…?" Kagome asked in surprise and shock, looking around her frantically.
Those were Kagome's last words before she blacked out.
(Author's Note: Okay, let's get a hand count of how many people knew THAT was coming! ^_^)
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Inuyasha yawned and looked around him at his small and hidden home. Ofukuro was cooking something over the fire while his elder brother Sesshoumaru was bouncing off the walls again. Inuyasha watched with wide, glowing eyes as the hyperactive 11-year-old youkai paced around the room, jabbering incessantly.
"I wanna go outside! Please, ofukuro?" Sesshoumaru pleaded hopping up to where his mother was peacefully cooking dinner.
"Sesshoumaru, you know you can't go out tonight, not on the night of the new moon." She said gently, turning the meat over the fire.
"Aw, just 'cuz Inuyasha turns human tonight doesn't mean I'm in "mortal danger", or anything!"
Inuyasha frowned.
"Oi, it ain't my fault!" he yelled.
Sesshoumaru hopped in front of Inuyasha, who leaned back, annoyed. At times Sesshoumaru's speed could be almost disturbing.
"Whaddiya mean, 'It ain't my fault'? You're the half-youkai!" Sesshoumaru jeered.
"Shuddap! I never wanted to be half-youkai! I'm gonna be a full-youkai when I get older and I'm gonna be just as powerful as Oyaji is!"
"Oh, yeah? If Oyaji is so powerful, how come he isn't powerful enough to come here-"
"Sesshoumaru! Inuyasha!" came a sharp voice behind them. Both children winced.
"I have told you not to speak of you father in that way!" their usually gentle mother reprimanded sternly.
"I didn't do anything! It was all Se-"
Inuyasha was interrupted by Sesshoumaru's hand clamping itself on Inuyasha's mouth.
"Gomenasai, Ofukuro!" Sesshoumaru bowed, shoving Inuyasha's head down along with his. Inuyasha was clearly struggling, and angrily at that.
"Oi! Lemme go, you baka!"
Sesshoumaru let go of Inuyasha's head and grabbed him in a headlock.
"Who's the baka?!"
"YOU ARE!!"
Sesshoumaru grinned slyly. "Oh, really….?"
Sesshoumaru started to tickle Inuyasha, who started struggling frantically.
"Wak! Lemme GO!!! YAMETEE!!! SESSHOUMARU NO BAKA YA-"
Inuyasha couldn't hold it back any longer, he started laughing hysterically. Sesshoumaru still kept him in his headlock, but was still able to hold the thrashing, hysterical 6-year-old in his grasp while tickling him. Muffled shouts and curse words were heard coming from underneath Sesshoumaru's kimono sleeve.
"WHO'S THE BAKA?!" Sesshoumaru roared, laughing.
"Gaaarrgghh!!" came the muffled reply from underneath Sesshoumaru's arm.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's mother sat at the fire, smiling at the two rambunctious boys.
Suddenly Inuyasha seemed to gain the upper hand, and managed to grab the arm in which Sessoumaru was holding him. With a large grunt, he flipped Sesshoumaru over his shoulder and jumped on him.
"Whaddiya tryin' to do, kill me?!!!"
Sesshoumaru could only grunt in response as Inuyasha repeatedly started to stomp on Sesshoumaru's stomach.
"Sesshoumaru
Suddenly a slim hand was put on Inuyasha's shoulder. Inuyasha stopped and looked up, surprised. His mother was standing behind him, a faint trace of a smile on her lips, but otherwise her face was stern.
"I think that is enough roughhousing today." She said softly.
"Demo..." Inuyasha started in protest.
His mother shook her head, and Inuyasha calmed down a bit. Sesshoumaru got up and dusted himself off, grinning.
"Well runt, it seems you're getting a bit better." He spoke.
"I'm not a runt!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Okay, okay." Seshoumaru smiled, then headed for the table.
This was usually the typical scene every night in their house, except tonight seemed more… tense than others. The new moon would be coming out soon, Inuyasha knew. His mother and Sesshoumaru always acted like it wasn't a big matter, but Inuyasha felt it was. He used to dread it before, having your sight, enhanced smell and hearing taken away from you all at once can be quite scary. Of course, it wasn't like he was deaf or dumb, but Inuyasha sometimes felt that way.
Although through the years, he had finally found one advantage of having his... curse.
Humans.
They had always fascinated Inuyasha, along with their houses, large villages, and boisterous children. When he was a child he'd perch himself on a well hidden branch on a tree by a nearby village and watch the activity below him.
This was before Sesshoumaru had found out what Inuyasha was doing. Once he did, he jeered for hours, calling him a 'mortal lover', and reproaching him for not using his time for more "useful things", such as hunting and such. After that, Inuyasha had stopped his frequent visits.
At least in the day.
A few months ago on the day of a new moon, Inuyasha decided to sneak out and watch the people working in the field as he always did before. He had recently been hunting, and the field was close to where he was located.
Inuyasha watched the remaining people gather up the last of the rice and pack it up. The population of people there during the day had dwindled down to next to nothing, it was starting to get dark and the hard workers were leaving.
As the sky got darker and the last of the sun disappeared behind the flat plains, Inuyasha felt the change begin.
Being perched on a rock crevice was not the best place to be when you are transforming, as Inuyasha found out quickly. His dim eyesight as a human had caused him to trip and tumble down to the field, causing him to black out.
When he woke up later the stench of humans had filled his lungs and he immediately began to regret this trip…
End part 1
I know what you're thinking... 'What a stupid place to end the chapter!' Well, that's what I'm thinking, at least. As I have mentioned before, this is a rough draft of sorts. Originally I had planned on having the story set around Kagome's point of view, but it turns out that I'm just too damn lazy to bother with it, so I changed it around. If you see any wierd dialogue changes, like from 'she' to 'I', ignore those. I'll catch 'em soon enough and fix them. I would really appreciate some C&C, flames will be put out and thrown out the window.
Oh, and on the topic of Kagome's mother and Grandfather: I know that Japan is a much safer place than America (we all know), but it still wierded me out that Kagome's mother and Grandfather didn't seem too concerned about Kagome going through a magic well and fighting demons. Actually, maybe they do, but Rumiko's never shown it... I probably made her gaurdians like that because my parents are so paranoid about me. Either way, I came up with my own idea's on Mrs. Higurashi's personality as well as Jii-chan's. Just don't flame or sue me about it.
Yikes, before I forget: Inuyasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Shonen Sunday. I am using this without their permission (shh, don't tell!). Please don't sue me, I only have 2 bucks at the moment.
Send me some C&C at jinkochan@aol.com