InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift of Hope ❯ The Name ( Chapter 1 )

A woman no older than 47 stood before the pet shop window, her long pale blonde hair braid hanging down her firm and straight back. She pulled her dark brown full length jacket tighter about her form with her black gloved fingers. A small smile played on her lips as she looked at the animals playing in the slightly frosted window. She nodded her head sharply, her pale hazel eyes glimmering with determination.

`He's been alone in that house long enough,' she thought as she steered herself within the building. A quick bargain with the owner left her a bit miffed but happy. A bright orange bag under one arm and a gray pet carrier in her hand as she marched herself down the street. She laughed as the carrier moved with the little body within it that was curious and probably cold due to the crisp winter air of the large city.

"Hang on little one, you'll be warm soon enough," she cooed to the creature within and it seem to pacify it as she heard a faint rumbling from within. "Yes little one, warm and safe with a master who needs you dearly." She paused to think about the man her son had grown to be. "He'd lived alone with me after his father left, and now he's been on his own for the past five years. Hardly even speaking to me, his own mother. But if I know him he hasn't dated in years, not since that tramp hurt him, and just stays cooped up in his office." She sighed as she stood at a light waiting for it to change so she could walk across the street.

Her old bones aren't what they used to be she thought as the cold seeped into her body through the leather jacket and sweater underneath it. "I worry about him so much, but there isn't much I can do from the sidelines where he wants me to be. A mother can't do that, and I don't think he knows that." She grinned almost evilly, her red lips curling in her plans. Knowing her son would be highly upset if he found out how directly she was meddling with his life.

"Well, little one, here is my home. What will be your home away from home once I give you to my son." She whispered and set down the carrier on the porch so she could find her keys to the mahogany door of the simply double floor white country house, that had brown trimming. Her mother and father left her this place and she loved it very much. She grew up here and it was the only thing left of them that was in one piece. She snorted unladylike when she thought of her divorce; the bastard had tried to not only take her son, but this house and all her possessions that she cherished.

A small squeak of sound brought her from her musing as she opened the door and picked the carrier up from the snow powdered porch. The old door swung silently open, let the warm air of the house drift out to her. She closed the door and kept walking till she stood in the kitchen and set the container on the counter.

She smiled again at another squeak of sound and opened the cage to pull out a small black bundle of fur. It purred as she stroked from its head to tail several times. Then squeaked in protest when she tried to put the small creature down making the woman laugh.

"Oh did I ever pick right, you'll drive him nuts but he needs it. But you need a name. I can't very well call you little one all the time, can I?" the creature seemed to understand her, for her licked its paws as if to say `no way.' Again she laughed and dropped on a stool near by to hold it near her chest to hold on more securely.

"How about Shiori?" it moved from her petting hand to stare at her, so she shook her head. "No that won't work, how about a Japanese name?" it liked the idea as it purring became louder. "Sakura?" it yawned, "Yuki?" that made the little one stare at her with its crystal blue eyes. "Hmmm," she mussed and moved to the living room to look at her collection of books, hoping that maybe inspiration would strike her. `Nothing,' she thought as she paced and let her mind drift to what the shop keeper said about this particular animal.

"She's real shy, but I reckon that'd be why ever'one wants er. Really seems ta like you though miss, she plays well with others and loves kids. Seen one come in all depressed about his dead gold fish and she cheered him right up. He even told me he normally hates cats." The man and his slur drove her mad as she had bargained for a lower price, but he said he'd keep the price and throw in a few toys and a bag of food. When she asked him why no one had bought her, all he could do was shrug.

"Don' know why, when ever som'body talk about it, she'd jump back in there and hid behind the momma. You're the first person she hasn't done that to, and I'm tired of trying to sell a stubborn animal."

Something clicked in her mind and she dove for the end table near her old ever green couch to grab a leather book. It was a book of Japanese lore from days where demons walked. She flipped through the pages until she reached a picture of a woman in red and white robes. Her blacker than black hair was held back from her painted face and body, but her blue eyes were vibrantly contrasting to her pale skin and dark hair.

"The guardian miko, friend to all, even the most feared of demons. Lover and mother to a lord of strength and wisdom beyond years. The maiden of the sunrise, Kagome; miko of the Shikon no tama." She read a loud and turned to the black fluff ball, to see it staring at her, blue eyes darker than she remembered. "How about it girl? Kagome a good name?" instead of turning from her, the small thing let out not a meek sound, but a sweet bell chime of a meow. She laughed and lifted the kitten above her head.

"Kagome it is then!" she laughed and twirled with the kitten close to her chest. "My son will love you. Just don't let his distant façade make you give up ok?" Another meow was her answer as she moved to the phone to call him to come for dinner that night.

"Mother, you know I'm a busy man. This company doesn't run itself." His deep timber rolled through the ear piece.

"Can't you spare one measly night for your dear old mother? Besides I have a surprise for you."

"Its not another date is it?" she knew he was glaring at the phone by his tone.

"You will not take that tone with me young man, or must I remind you who raised you." Her icy tone had Kagome curled up tight against her chest. She moved the phone between her shoulder and ear to hold on to it while she comforted the kitten and lecture her son. Finally he cave and she grinned broadly despite the fact that he couldn't see her. "Be here at seven, I'll even make your favorite. I love you sweetie."

"I will be there," he said in his normal voice, most would hang up at this point. But she knew her son. "Love ya," he whispered just loud enough for her to hear. Her eyes lit in happiness at his words as she finally hung up and looked at little Kagome.

"Well Kagome, we've got a lot of work to do. Let's get to it." With that she turned to the task of making his favorite dinner. Funny enough a Japanese dish called oden.

Well, there chapter one yet another idea that I have. Hopefully I can satisfy a few of you with a twist I have yet to see here or anywhere. Please remember that I don't own the characters or the rights to Inuyasha as I wish I did. And please, if you don't having anything encouraging to say, don't.

Remember to check in on the fic that I'm working on with Barbara-marie, or as many of us know her, Babs. Not to mention a few other well known authoress'. I hope we have the next chapter out soon on both this and that soon.

When Two Paths Entwine

Check it out, but remember to read the first part, or it won't make sense to you.