InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Darker Shade of Pale ❯ Dead Gardens ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that has to do with the wonderful works of Rumiko Takahashi nor do I own most of the chapter titles (some I do though because I made them up)!

 

Author's Note: I hope the prologue wasn't too boring. Anyways...I sincerely hope that you'll all enjoy this story as much as I will. I'm still building a plot in my head but I have to take a break...my head popping wouldn't exactly be something my mom would want to clean off from the walls...

 

This chapter I must say is a little boring, but I'm trying to build Inuyasha's character...oh well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2:

Dead Gardens

 

 

 

 

I've always wondered what it would feel like to get off an airplane and find your mother and father smiling and literally waiting with open arms for you. I would relish the feeling of my mother's warm embrace encircling me. Keh. I can't even remember the last time I was hugged. She...that bitch didn't even hug me...

 

As I stepped from the terminal and through the metal detectors, I looked around with false hope for the happy faces of mum and dad. Well...I guess the face of my older half brother Sesshoumaru will have to do.

 

I watched him as he stood there, looking important in his expensive business suit; his silver hair tied back into a low ponytail. I almost felt uncomfortable walking up to him with me in my baggy tan cargo pants, scuffed skater shoes, tight blue t-shirt, and messy shaggy hair. We sort of clashed; casual-dressy; dressy-casual. Keh.

 

As I came closer to him, he must have smelt me because his striking amber gaze jerked directly to mine. Taking his hands from his pockets, he walked towards me. The emotionless expression never left his face as we got closer. I scowled and stopped walking when he did; about 5 feet between us.

 

He was the first to speak, which I was grateful for seeing as how I didn't know what to say to someone I hadn't seen in almost 4 years.

 

“Let's go.” Was all he said, before turning away towards the escalators.

 

I rolled my eyes and jogged to get on the step behind him. “Nice to see you too…” I said, sarcasm lacing my voice. Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised. Turning his face forward again, he spoke.

 

“Don't worry about your bags. I sent Myouga to get them.” He said, slipping both hands into his pockets once again.

 

“Whatever…” I grumbled, stepping off from the rotating stairs and hurried through the crowding people after him.

 

As I followed him out of the automatic doors and out into the blinding sun, my senses immediately flared to life.

 

Stopping in my steps I leaned forward, my hands on my knees and grimaced as the splitting headache passed by. Sesshoumaru stopped and turned towards me.

 

“Your senses?” He asked calmly. I nodded and slowly stood up straight shaking my head.

 

“Keh…let's just go.” I growled, trying to adjust my eyes to the light, the smells that were violently assaulting my nose, and the loud sounds of the airport. He nodded and began walk towards his car once again with me in tow.

 

I can remember the time when I had my first sense attack. Well it was really an `attack-attack' more like…it was like getting a brain freeze when you ate ice cream too fast; except that it had to do with my senses readjusting. Anyways…the first time I'd had one was when I went to one of my father's industrial plants where they were manufacturing car parts. I had been so excited to go. It was my first time going to anything that had to do with dad's job.

 

Anyhoo…when I followed dad and Sesshoumaru into the smelly warehouse, I immediately froze up. The only thing I could hear was my raspy breathing and my heart pumping wildly; it was as if everything had gone away and I was the only one left. A searing headache had suddenly invaded my head. My head felt as if was splitting open. My vision had become blurry before I felt myself falling. I guess I had fainted because when I came to, I was laying on the couch in dad's office.

 

Sesshoumaru and dad both explained that my senses weren't used to this kind of environment so they had to readjust. I was mad at myself for being so weak about such a stupid thing.

 

But after that day, I became more aware of my surroundings and cautioned myself so I wouldn't have one again; as bad.

 

Okay…back to the present.

 

Sesshoumaru held out his car lock on his key chain and pushed a button. The two-seater BMW convertible beeped twice, its lights flashing. Opening the passenger side door, I climbed in with a flop and strapped my seatbelt on. Things were quiet between us. Sesshoumaru silently revved the engine and peeled out from the airport's parking lot without so much as a glance at me.

 

Not that I care or anything…I didn't think he wanted to talk and I sure as hell didn't want to. Being around him…I was actually uncomfortable. Shrugging it off, I slouched in my seat, leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Damn, was I jet legged. Flying for almost 14 hours straight wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

 

Sesshoumaru's cell phone began ringing making him flip it open with a sharp, “What?”. Smiling slightly, I reveled the feeling of the wind whipping my hair around. Taking a whiff of the air, I smelt it. The scent of…everything. The scent of home. Opening my eyes, I sighed when I saw the looming yet beautiful skyscrapers of Tokyo well ahead.

 

The sun shone brightly down onto the hugely structured building, making them look like they were made of silver and gold. It was almost as if the lights that lit up the night were awake and beckoning to me. Well…they were.

 

Sesshoumaru had snapped his phone shut and was slipping it back into the pocket inside of his suit's jacket, when he spoke.

 

“Mother and father are home. They can't wait to see you.” He said, glancing into his rearview mirror before zipping into the next lane. I chuckled lightly. He sounded as if he quoted exactly what mum had said to him.

 

“What could possibly be so amusing?” He asked, raising an eye brow and glancing at me.

 

Shaking my head I sighed. “Nothing. It just sounded like you were quoting exactly what ma had said.”

 

“I was.” He answered monotonously. I rolled my eyes and watched as he exited from the highway and onto a freeway into the city itself.

 

I almost felt like yelling out; it was great to be home. I took in the city. A new skyscraper was up and being used. When I left, they had been still working on building the frame of it. Now it stood grand and tall. The train rails that weaved in and out and around the city, the boisterous business men and women, the uniform adorned girls and boys of all ages heading to school, the food vendors…everything. It was home. I'd missed it all.

 

“How was California?” Sesshoumaru spoke up, stopping at a red light. I looked up and made a surprised face at him before shrugging and leaning my head back on the seats head rest.

 

“I guess it was fine…” I said.

 

“It's nice to see that you're still in one piece.” Sesshoumaru said, stepping on the gas.

 

My eyes popped open. `It's nice…?' I thought in confused astonishment.

 

I shrugged, not sure of how to continue at that point.

 

Suddenly, a smell vehemently assaulted my nose making me snap my head up.

 

“Ramen…” I mumbled, watching a Raman food vendor fly by.

 

Sesshoumaru smirked and let out a chuckle; shaking his head.

 

“I see your love for Ramen hasn't diminished; even in your absence.” He said, taking a turn down a busy street.

 

“Of course not. America had ramen too…just not like our ramen.” I said. Nothing would ever take the place of Tokyo's own ramen. It should be considered a delicacy.

 

The rest of the way home was quiet between me and Sesshoumaru. I suddenly grew nervous and uncomfortable when we turned down a familiar street. I suddenly didn't want to come home. I didn't think I'd be able to handle the fake smiles and hugs and the uber fake “Hello's!” and “We missed you's!” from mom and dad. The all too familiar mansion came into view and I knew it was waaaaay too late to turn back now.

 

When he, Sess that is, pulled into the neatly paved drive, he flashed his ID to the guard at the gate who nodded and opened the gate with a button. Slowly pulling onto the long drive, I was nearly wetting myself in dread.

 

We parked, right at the front doors. I slowly stepped out of the car and looked up the marble steps at the large oak doors. Glancing to my left and then to my right I concluded that nothing had really changed. The only thing different about the elegant estate was the flowers in the front garden When I had left, they were expertly planted with flourishing red tulips; one of mum's favorite flowers. Now, they were over crowded with yellow daffodils, another one of mum's favorite flowers; and one of my least favorites.

 

“You coming or not?” Sesshoumaru asked impatiently, standing at the top of the marble steps. I nodded and gave him a glare as I stomped up the steps. Opening the door, I was again assaulted with the scent I'd missed. Home. The scent of the Kagiyama's. I couldn't describe the smell…it was just…a homey smell mixed with a baking bread smell, and a light touch of cleaning detergents.

 

Walking into the grand entrance hall, I kicked my shoes off, like used to when I'd get home from elementary school. The scuff marks on the wall were still there, from when my shoes hit the wall.

 

Sesshoumaru walked down the hallway towards dad's study and I was surprised by the overly happy voice of my mother.

 

“Inuyasha! You're back!” She half laughed, half cried, as she hurried towards me. Wrapping her arms around his neck she sniffled before pulling back.

 

“Now let's see how much you've grown.” She smiled, stepping back from me to check me out. She suddenly frowned and I swallowed nervously.

 

“Are you eating enough?” She asked, crossing her arms.

 

“Uh…yeah. I haven't lost any weight.” I said, shrugging. She slowly came up to me and poked my stomach and then my arm.

 

“By golly! My boy's got muscles!” She exclaimed, throwing her arms around my neck. I couldn't help but sport a small smile, as I reflexively hugged her back.

 

“Inuyasha!” Came my dad's booming voice. Looking up, I saw him walking out from the his study, Sesshoumaru in tow. I let go of ma and let dad give me a tight bear hug.

 

“Damn boy! The last time I saw you, you were nothing but skin and bones. Look at these rocks, Izzy!” He exclaimed, grasping my bicep. I winced…his strength still overpowering mine by a thousand times.

 

“It's so great to have you home again.” Ma smiled. “Oh! I almost forgot!” She suddenly gasped turning and running into the kitchen when the smell of something burning wafted to everyone's noses.

 

I gave a confused look to dad who only chuckled.

 

“She's been running around all day like a chicken with no head. She's been cleaning and cooking up a storm, trying to get everything ready for tonight.” He explained.

 

“Tonight?” I asked, not knowing what he was talking about.

 

“Your welcoming home party of course.” He chuckled, clapping me on the shoulder. “Oh, Miroku came by earlier. He said to remind you that you still owe him money.”

 

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Figures. Not even a hello.” I scoffed.

 

Dad chuckled again, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “It's really great that you're back Inuyasha.”

 

I nodded and watched as he and Sesshoumaru ventured back into his study, leaving me alone once again in the brightly lit entrance hall.

 

Sighing, I looked around and noticed that nothing had changed in the house as well. I wasn't in the mood to head up to my room just yet so I slipped my shoes on and went out into the back garden.

 

Oh god…the garden. When I had left, it was decorated with tulips and smaller flowers of different varieties. Now…it was sickening. It was clashed with every kind of flower out there. The smell was almost unbearable. It was over intoxicating, making me dizzy.

 

“I hired a gardener the spring after you left. Isn't it beautiful?” Ma said, coming up behind me with a smile on her face.

 

I glanced at the endless vista of flowers and felt the bitterness and dread creep back into my veins. I saw a ghostly image of my mother on her hands and knees, digging and planting, watering, and weeding the garden. I saw an image of me sitting next to her as she gracefully cut some tulips for the house.

 

My nostrils were slightly flared and my teeth were clenched. My hands, in my pockets, curled into tight fists. Turning to ma I gave her a slightly vexed and angry look.

”No…it looks dead to me.” I said, before going into the house. I didn't care what she thinking or feeling at the time. All I really cared about was how this place suddenly didn't feel like home.

 

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Well there you go. I was a little bored…okay I was bored stupid while typing this damned chapter. You're probably thinking “This chapter wasted 8 minutes (or so) of my life…I could've been doing something more important like…like…like not reading it!” Whatever…I'm not a bitter child. Nope. Not at all. Keh. Oh god…

 

Next Chapter: Either `Hallelujah' or `Muzzle' haven't decided on which one yet…

 

Until next time…