InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Avoidance ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.

 

Oi, minna!  Well, I have been inspired to write the next chapter.  Now keep in mind, the first three were in Inuyasha's perspective.  This chapter, however, may jump around, but it will start in Kagome's perspective.  Least, that's what I know at this point...So, I certainly hope you enjoy what's in store.  (Clears throat) Now, on with the story.

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

'Wow...Was I just dreaming?  No, I couldn't have been.'  I thought to myself as I felt my neck.  The hold he had on me was fearless.  There were no second thoughts going through his mind as he held my life in his hand.  As I watched him walk away, I remained in that spot for another two minutes.  Just the fact that he let go caused me to cry inwardly.  The touch of his hand.  Such an aura.  Not that I generally pay attention to auras, but his was definitely flaring at that moment. 

 

Sure, I admit that I have been going pretty far into possibilities, and yes, he's grown on me, but for him to feel threatened by me.  I guess I haven't really been giving him the privacy he needs, but it's not as if I planned to end up meeting him, or learning about him, but this has just been too weird and fishy to ignore.  I mean to find out from him who he is and not searching on the internet or anything wasn't something I expected.  He claims he doesn't trust me, or want me to know him, but I have a feeling he's fighting himself. 

 

As my feet finally remembered how to move my body, I continued those thoughts as I left the airport.  The first thing I thought to do as I stepped outside was to look in all directions.  Looking for that one hat, he always wears.  Funny enough, it seemed every five guys I eyed had on the same hat.  Sigh I guess he does seem to disappear easily.  In America, he'd stand out like a black chicken.  In Japan, that's not the case.

 

As I climbed on the bus, he continued to cloud my mind.  That night was amazing.  Seeing him transform was the most magical thing I've ever see happen.  Nothing short of a miracle in my opinion.  To think, transformations that drastic could happen.  The transformation destroys science as far as evolution and possibilities of transformation.  Sure, we all know certain species of reptiles and insects can change their colors to disappear and be hidden for protection purposes, but his being one of hindrance?  As I played over the transformation in my mind, I grabbed a seat in the back of the bus and put my hand over my eyes in concentration.

 

What I saw was something I didn't pay attention to.  The look on his face.  His eyebrows were scrunched together as if he was in pain.  I didn't hear any sounds save for his beating heart, and his deep breathes as he put up with the pain.  I felt bad for him.  Seeing him go through all that, I would never wish a curse such as his on anyone.  All I could think about after that was, 'I wish there was something I could do for him.'  Knowing that he would never let me close enough, I know that wish could never come true. 

 

He continued to remain in my heart and on my mind throughout the whole month.  I did a little bit of research in regards to his story, and I came up with only folk lore-ish accounts.  The ancestral families involved only told as much as Inuyasha himself divulged, and nothing more.  Nothing concrete.  I found myself slaving over it quite a bit, spending hours and hours at the library and online.  Nothing helped.  I then planned to make a trip to that shrine.  If anything, that would be the place where I could receive the most information.

 

A couple days later, I set out to visit the shrine.  I thought about all the things I remembered seeing when I visited those few times as a kid.  I do remember the tree, the well house, and the shrine house where we made the wishes.  The caretaker's house also looked liked it housed a nice family, but I had only seen one shrine priest all those times I visited.  Next to the well house, the caretaker's house was a very modern two story.  Aside from the site arrangements, the house seemed not to belong.

 

As I climbed out of the bus, I walked down the sidewalk towards the shrine grounds.  As I passed the last couple shops, and came into the more deserted end of the sidewalk, I looked at the trees lining the sidewalk I remembered passing as a kid.  This part of Tokyo always seemed very serene and quiet.  Once the bamboo tree line ended, I saw the tall set of steps leading up to the shrine grounds.  I took a deep breath, and ascended the steps. 

 

Once I reached the top step, I stepped past the sacred archway leading into the shrine grounds.   I looked around and saw the grounds have not been kept up for a long time, and that the caretaker's house had gone into disrepair.  The only part of the grounds that remained ageless was the Goshinboku.  The ribbons had fallen to the ground long ago, but the tree withstood.  I stepped up to look upon the tree.  I then eyed the bald spot in the bark, where Inuyasha himself has pinned for 50 years.  After a few moments, my gaze then turned further upwards, and I heard a slight rustle in the branches.  I then searched the branches, looking for the source of the sound. 

 

Once I had looked enough, seeing nothing, I shrugged and stepped away from the tree and headed towards the tiny well house.  The wood had rotted slightly, and the wear on the wooden sliding doors leading into the well house hung loosely.  I scaled the few steps and slid the rickety doors aside.  All I saw was a small deck surrounding the well, which remained in the center encased in dirt.  It was silent inside. The corners covered in spider webs, showing no one had dusted in there for a long time. 

 

I suddenly got curious and decided to step in, descend the steps and leaned over the lip of the well.  In the darkness, I wasn't able to see much, save for the silhouettes of bones at the very bottom.  Suddenly, I felt something familiar.  I closed my eyes as I stood tall and tried to see if I could pick up where it was coming from.  As I stepped away from the well, the feeling lessened, indicating the feeling was coming from the well itself.  There was magic there.  An unknown kind of feeling to me, which made me nervous.

 

 

@*@

 

"What?  She came here?  What's she doing here?  She's that curious about knowing me that she'd go this far?"  I whispered to myself as I hid in the nearest tree beside the well house.  I couldn't get over her tenacity.  I guess I couldn't have gotten rid of her for long.  She did say she would be here longer than usual.  Of course, my flight would leave tomorrow, and she'd be here when I returned.  This next flight will be interesting without her there.  Not that I really would miss her, or anything.

 

I watched silently as she walked up the steps and into the well house.  That was when I felt it.  I hadn't felt that feeling in years.  That old magic.  The well was still alive apparently.  No doubt, if Kagome had the ability, she was sensing it as well.  I listened silently as she spoke quietly to herself.  I decided to observe her a bit closer.  I leapt out of the tree and fell to the ground quietly beside the well house.  I held my breathe as I snuck up to the little hole in the wood in the side to eye her.  As soon as my sight caught her form, she gasped and looked right towards me.  I flinched away at that instant.  I heard a few steps come closer.  I shifted just enough to where she couldn't see me.

 

As I ducked around the corner, I heard her breathing as she looked through the hole I had just left.  When she stepped away, I heard her footsteps head more towards the front of the well house.  When she ascended the steps inside, I leapt into the tree behind the well house and watched her silently.  She came around the side and eyed the dirt to see my footprints.  She then ran beneath me and saw the footprints end right beneath me.

 

"Shit," I thought to myself and then she looked up as she gasped.  I closed my eyes in frustration.

 

"Inuyasha?" She asked upwards at me.  I opened my eyes and responded with, "Yeah."

 

"What are you doing here?" she asked.  I leapt down and landed before her effortlessly.  She backed away nervously.

 

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I scrutinized her with a glare.  Her eyes shifted downward as she fidgeted a little.  "Well?" I asked in a gruff tone.  Her eyes shot back to mine.

 

"I was curious about what I could learn here.  After what you told me on the plane, I couldn't get the story out of my head.  I admit, I may be prying, but I can't help but feel that there's a reason why we keep finding and meeting each other.  I want to get to know you, Inuyasha." Kagome replied very innocently.  She did seem as if she had lost a lot of sleep.  She looked like she was slightly ill.  

 

I eyed her through her little explanation with a 'Yeah, right' look on my face.  "Kagome, I told you.  I refuse to tell you more than you already know.  So, please, turn around and walk back home."

 

"No." Kagome spat back at me, shocking the hell out of me.  She shifted her stance into a more comfortable position.

 

I sighed in frustration as I myself shifted into a more stand off-ish stance as I asked, "What did you just say?"

 

"You heard me.  I want to get to know you.  Why is that so wrong?" she asked as she scrutinized me, hoping to read what I'm hiding in my eyes.

 

"Because I asked you to leave, that's why.  Why can't I say no to you?  Why is my life soo freaking important to you anyways?" I asked in annoyance.

 

"I don't know.  My heart won't let you go.  My soul wonders about you.  I feel this need to know you.  Is that wrong?" Kagome explained.

 

"Yes!" I exclaimed sarcastically.

 

"Why?!" She asked.

 

"Because you're innocent, that's why!  Why would you want to look upon me in pain?  Huh?  'Cuz I guarantee, that's how you'll see me from that point on.  You won't like me, you'll pity me.  I don't want that." I replied sternly as I turned my back and began to walk away.

 

"Why would you ever think I would pity you because of your past?" Kagome shouted her question as she followed me.

 

I turned and glared at her as I replied with, "Because my past will more than likely give you nightmares. That's why!" 

 

She stopped and eyed me angrily as she answered that with, "I'm not a child, if that's what you think I am."

 

"Tsch, that has nothing to do with it.  You are kind, naive, and sweet.  Everything you should be.  If I expose you to the truth of my past, you will lose that innocence." I eyed her as I deflated while continuing with, "I don't want to be responsible for that."

 

She eyed me in shock for a moment and then replied with, "Is that all that's keeping you from dealing with your past the right way?  By sharing it with someone you can definitely trust?"  I swallowed hard after that reply.  I didn't know what to say for a few moments.

 

"Trust you?  With the harsh reality of what's really out there?  Of who I am, and why I am the way I am today?  If you want me to trust you, you have to trust me in saying my life was no picnic, and it's not for everyone to know. Definitely not for the weak hearted.  You will cry for me, you will pity me, and you will hate me in the end.  Why?  Because I changed your heart with my harsh tale."  I eyed her intensely for a few seconds and then continued with, "Take my word for it, and go home, sweetheart.  Live your life while it's still golden and pure.  Let me live my fucked-up life in silence and alone, as I should."  I then turned around, jumped up into the tree adjacent from her and continued to leap from branch to branch out of sight.
 

@*@

 

I stood there, thinking about what he had just said to me before he jumped out of sight and disappeared into the trees.  I just couldn't get through to him.  My heart hurt from his pain already, and he hadn't even divulged anything yet.  I began to shake as my eyes went teary and my breath caught in my throat.

 

If there was one thing he had done, it was to cause me to fear his story even more than I thought I would.  I thought I could be strong for him and convince him.  I was wrong.  He's stubborn to the core, and tries so hard to make his story the horror story to end all stories.  I didn't know whether I should take his word for it and trust him, or if I should continue to pry.  I wasn't lying when I told him he needed to deal with this the right way, but after what he had just said, I actually gained goose bumps.

 

The look in his eyes as he said those words scared me.  His eyes were so intense; I didn't know what to think.  Those eyes could cause a dinosaur to hide in fear.  How he could turn those eyes on me in such a way is beyond me.  He refuses to allow me entry.  He refuses comfort, help and love, all because his life took a turn for the worst in his opinion.

 

As I looked to the trees leading to his path, a breeze guided me to eye towards a peak that appeared between the swaying branches.  I squinted my eyes to focus better.  What I saw under that peak, was a window.  I began to wonder where that had come from.  I decided to follow the unseen path of the wind through the forest beyond the shrine. 

 

Once I had gotten down the steps leading from the higher shrine grounds, I saw the forest was denser that when I was a little higher up, but I didn't let that stop me.  The forest was lush and full as the trees creaked and swayed in the breeze.  I continued to look upwards ahead, hoping to see him.  Before I knew it, I was standing before a secluded mansion.  It was expansive, and covered over the general amount of land the usual Tokyo homes would cover.  The peak I had seemed to see through the trees was the crow's nest peak, ranging high up three stories.

 

The grounds were kept up, and the mansion was in beautiful condition.  I was in awe of the beautiful land and how nothing could be heard from the city.  It seemed as if I had gone back in time as I stepped further from the forest clearing.  The bonsai trees sculpted nicely, the sakura tree adjacent to the house was in full bloom, and the grounds were completely peaceful.

 

 

@*@

 

 

I sat and watched as she came out from the woods high up in he bird's nest tower.  Since I had, the windows replaced when the technology came along, I can see her, but she can't see me.  I thought about what she had said.  To deal with my past the 'right' way.  Tsch.  Is there really a right way to deal with such pain?  With such terror from my past?  I mean, I could see telling my stories to another man, but to a sweet and innocent woman?  How would I say it all to her?

 

To be honest, my heart has noticed a slight connection to her comfort wise, but I still feel the need to keep her at a distance.  Am I just fighting myself?  Sigh What have I gotten myself into?  All that time, I had fixed my eyes on the spot where...Wait...Where did she go?  I looked everywhere, stood up and eyed all around wherever I could see.  No Kagome.  "Shit!" I spat as I ran from the bird's nest and climbed down the stairwell.

 

I was just descending around the corner when my chin hit something hard, and I was thrown backwards onto my ass.  I rubbed my chin and jaw as my eyes connected with her.  I held my breath as she eyed me with curiosity etched in her eyes.  I couldn't think of anything to say.  We were both caught by each other.  She by me, and I by her.  I didn't know what to say and obviously, neither did she.

 

A moment later, her mouth moved slightly.  I sighed loudly and got up to my feet to tower over her.  Her eyes followed mine as I stood a step above her, towering over her in high and position.  She gulped loudly as her eyes averted to the wall beside her.  "I'm sorry I intruded." She said, extinguishing the silence with her sweet and innocent voice. 

 

I stepped towards her and held her chin to raise her eyes to mine.  "Well, I have nothing to hide from you now, do I?"  She swallowed again as I held her soft and small chin.  Her eyes searched mine as my thumb caressed her bottom lip.  Her breath hitched in her throat as her eyes shifted to my lips and then back to my eyes.  My breathing became a bit rushed as my eyes searched hers for a moment, and my hand dropped as I stepped past her, my shoulder lightly brushing hers.

 

'I was about to kiss her...Why?  I was inches away!  I am fighting myself...' I thought as I left the stairwell and waited for her to follow.  I stood, back to the last step, waiting for her to descend.  All I could hear was her nervous breathing.  I gathered that I must have caught her off-guard.  My eyes closed as I listened to her breathing.  Just that sound alone warmed me to the core.  Something definitely was different about this situation.  Different, but yet familiar.  I recognize these feelings, but dread them.  The last time I felt these feelings, I lost everything.

 

 

@*@

 

That was scary.  I thought for a moment there that he was going to kiss me.  Thankfully he didn't.  I don't think I'm ready for that just yet.  But, what he said..."Well, I have nothing to hide from you now, do I?" What did he mean by that?  Was this mansion what he was hiding?  Couldn't be.  Now I'm confused.  First, he threatens me, then he's kind to me, then he's curious, and then he wants to kiss me?  Where is this going?  I wonder.  It seems he's just as confused about this as I am.

 

Sure, I did intrude on someone's property, but to find him in the house I found?  I honestly didn't mean to upset him.  I turned on the step and looked around the corner.  He was standing there; his ears were angled slightly behind him.  Obviously listening for something.  I watched him for a moment.  His countenance, the way his shoulders sat proudly, his back tall as his silver hair hung loosely down his back to end just over his rump.  His hands were relaxed, showing his long fingers and wide palms.  At the tips of his fingers, I saw not nails, but bone colored claws, undoubtedly sharp and thick.

 

His ears continued to flick as my left foot stepped down.  "You need help or something?" He said aloud, his arms crossing over his chest in annoyance.

 

"No, I'm fine." I replied as I descended the rest of the way and stepped up behind him.  "Inuyasha, I didn't know this was your home.  Please forgive me.  I will leave if you're upset about me..."

 

"No.  It's okay." He interrupted me as he turned to face me, his arms still crossed and annoyance etched on his face.

 

"Is it?  It seems like you're upset at me.  You have a right to be." I replied as I hung my head a little, averting my eyes.

 

"Yes, I am, but I'm going to attack you or anything." He replied, his eyes turning down to his feet as he began to step the other direction in a bored manner.

  

I watched him as he walked off down the hall to the left, leading in the direction I had just come from.  He hadn't said a word for thirty seconds as I followed him.  Then, a few moments later, he stopped and slid open a shoji door.  When he stepped into the room ahead, I wondered what he was planning to do.  It seemed obvious something had given in as far as his resolve.

 

I continued walking forward and then stopped before the room he had entered.  It turned out to be a Dojo.  Not having any idea the immense mansion contained a Dojo caused me surprise.  I stepped in and looked around.  With a glance to my right, I saw him, standing before a rack of swords on the wall.  There were three swords in all.  Two katanas, and one, which didn't look Japanese to say the least.

 

"My father, a great Taiyoukai, carried all three of these swords.  Out of all three of them, only one was entrusted to me, one entrusted to my half brother, and the other to no one."  I watched in silence as he turned and looked upon me with a different look in his eyes.  "You might as well have a seat, for this will be long and I'm sure your feet will give out before your haunches will."

 

I couldn't take my eyes from his gaze as I walked to the matt placed on the floor a few feet behind him.  He then turned back to the swords, removed the lowest one and then turned towards me.  His eyes remained on the sword in his hands as he took a seat a couple feet away from me.

 

"This sword is where it all starts for me.  You do know that I am a half demon.  And now you know my father was a great dog demon.  That leaves the human to be my mother.  The face you saw that night a month ago came from her.  The night of my birth, there was a fight for my mother's hand.  A rival in love approached the mansion to stop my birth. My father chose to protect my mother and me.  They both died in a fire that took place at this very house.  You see, my mother's servants had this house rebuilt.  I myself added the dojo."

 

I formed an 'Oh' expression as my eyes wandered the dojo and his craftsmanship as he continued.  "After my father died, my brother left us.  I have seen him periodically.  However, he disappeared after everything was finished."

 

"After what was finished?" I asked curiously.

 

"My story." He stated simply.

 

"Um...I don't think your story ends.  You're still alive, and you obviously have things you must live through.  But the chapter you speak of in your life, that's what you're focusing on." I pointed out.

 

"Whatever.  Anyways, how this all started was I fell in love, first and foremost..."

 

"Explains why you're keeping me at a distance..." I mentioned, interrupting him.

 

"Are you going to keep interrupting me?" He asked clearly irritated at me. 

 

"No." I replied. 

 

"Good.  Well, the woman I fell for was a miko of great importance.  She held in her care a jewel, a very precious jewel.  This jewel, I'm sure you've heard of.  It's called the Shikon Jewel."

 

"I heard of this story.  It's a jewel which contained the soul of a miko from centuries ago which fought a hoard of demons all on her own, and in the process, almost became one with them. However, before that became possible, she forced out her soul. Then her soul and all of the demon's souls melded in a crystallized form. Fighting for all eternity."

 

Inuyasha sat before me with a wide-eyed expression as I told the story of the jewel he was mentioning.  "You knew that story all along?"

 

"Yes.  My family history contains a miko.  Not the highest of mikos to live, but one who knew the tales in regards to the jewel." I explained as my eyes shifted from his eyes to the sword between us.  "Tell me about this sword.  It holds a strange power, I can sense it."

 

"You can sense its power?" He asked curiously.

 

"Yes.  It's not evil, but it's powerful. It is full of an air of protection." I explained as my hand reached out and the fingers felt the hum of the sword's demonic aura.

 

"The sword's name is Tetsussaiga.  Bore from my father's fang.  This is indeed a sword of protection and great power.  He had the sword created from his own fang to be used as protection for his wife and his family.  This sword, when fully transformed, can kill a hundred enemies in one swing."

 

"Wow..." I whispered as he grabbed hold of the sheath and the hilt, drawing the blade from the sheath.  As the dull blade escaped the metal sheath, I could feel the aura increase as the blade appeared inch by inch.  Nicked and overused, the blade also had a fierce glow.  No matter what condition the blade appeared to be in, it still was the most beautiful blade she had ever seen, strangely.

 

Once the blade was fully drawn, he stood before me and the sword transformed into a massive sharp blade.  The tsuba became a tuft of white fur and the blade shined like new.  The aura was apparent even more, and he held it before me, proudly.  I have to say, when he stood before me, the massive blade resting on his shoulder, he became the most gorgeous vision I had ever laid eyes on.

 

His proud demeanor while holding that sword melted my heart and I was in awe of that vision of the past he was presenting to me.  "Tell me something..." He cocked his head to the side slightly as I tried to figure out how to word it.  "All that time, you only had one relationship, with one woman?"

 

Strangely, his cocky grin turned solemn.  "Yes.  Kikyo.  She was the only miko alive strong enough to purify the jewel and to protect it from demons."

 

"How did you meet her?" I asked innocently.

 

"I heard tale of the jewel from a centipede demon on a night of the new moon.  I then saw that same miko when she sensed my presence in a tree nearby.  She was surprised to see I was human, but told me to avoid her and not to hunt the jewel.  Well, obviously I didn't listen to her.  I was too curious." He replied as he slipped the blade back into the sheath.

 

"Then what happened?" I inquired.

 

"Well, I challenged her for it.  She beat me, in a rather embarrassing way, and I failed every time I challenged her.  What struck me as odd was she never killed me, maimed me, or threatened me as she did the other demons that pursued the jewel's power." His eyes turned from mine to his lap as he continued.  "She asked me why I pursued the jewel's power."

 

"And why did you?"

 

"To become something I'm not." He replied simply as his eyes averted back to my gaze.  I saw disappointment in his eyes at that moment.  "I wanted to become fully demon like my brother."

 

"And why would you want to become like your brother?" I asked.

 

"To avoid the transformations of course." He replied as he set the sword in his lap.

 

"So, that's all that drove you to want to ruin yourself?" I asked, rather hastily due to my emotions of seeing him as someone else.

 

"Well, at the time I didn't think that would be the case.  I thought, with using the jewel to grant a single innocent wish, it could transform me into any form I had hoped for.  But, I was wrong.  I did try to use the jewel once.  I failed.  I realized my wish was unobtainable."

 

"What happened?" I asked as I noticed his hands begin to fidget as a child would if he did something bad.  Clearly showing nervousness.

 

"Well, I ended up in a sticky situation where I had no choice but to use the shards I had of the jewel in order to save us all.  I turned fully demon.  But not the way I had hoped.  I became a monster."

 

"A monster?"

 

"Yes.  At one point, a demon broke the Tetsussaiga, causing an unseen link between me and Tetsussaiga to break.  You see, the reason the sword was handed down to me was for it to protect me from my demon side.  After that, if I felt the situation was too much for me to handle as I am now, I would be taken over by my animal side.  I would destroy, kill, maim, and perform horrors only a child could imagine in their worst nightmares." He explained all that with such reverence and shame.  I had no idea that, just as I look upon him now, he could ever harm an innocent thing alive.

 

"Wow...Was this what you meant to keep from me?  About whom you truly are?" I asked in concern.

 

"Part of it."  He replied as his gaze shifted to the side in thought.

 

"Inuyasha, I'm glad you're talking to me.  I can see how all this information has hurt you.  Please, don't hold back."  His gaze shifted to mine in question at those words.

 

"I have been, and I will only release what needs to be told." He spat.

 

"How long has it been since you've really talked to another person?" I asked. 

 

He sat up straight and his eyebrows scrunched together as he thought about it for a few moments.  "Longer than you've been alive, at least."

 

My eyes opened up wide as plates at that comment.  "Why so long?" I asked.

 

"To keep to myself.  So no one ended up mixed up with me.  I've seen so many suffer because they know me and I feel I need to spare everyone from that." Inuyasha replied.

 

"You know, if that was as long ago as I think it was, I'm sure the things that happened back in your time won't happen today.  These times are peaceful times, aren't they?" I mentioned.

 

Inuyasha shook his head as he responded with, "That Kouga, ya know the guy from the plane?" I nodded as he continued with, "He's a full wolf demon.  He went after you because you smell good to him, and because he can sense your powers.  Demons are still very real, even today.  Even in these times of 'peace' as you like to call them, the shit can hit the fan rather nicely.  I wouldn't doubt it if he came back to Japan, sought you out and went after you."

 

I gasped in fear at that information.  "How many have you seen?  What's out there?" I asked in curiosity.

 

He looked up to the ceiling as he counted out and named off every type of demon he had come across as of recent years.  Even dragons were one of the listed types of magical beings.  I sat there and took it all in as my eyes widened.  Within the past hundred years or so, believing in these being's existences became taboo.  They virtually disappeared.  Strangely enough only to humans who don't possess the sight or the means to sense them nearby.

 

"Judging on the fact that you can feel the aura of my sword, you knew something was off every now and then, didn't you?" Inuyasha asked me as he crossed his arms over his chest.

 

"Yes, but I had no idea what it was I was sensing.  You see, my family has contained monks and priestesses throughout time, but since we were not the most powerful in the trade, we could only do minor exorcisms.  We could pray for others, things of that sort.  My family knows I have the abilities, but they never taught me how to use them or what I was sensing.  Therefore, I was able to live a semi-normal life." I explained.

 

"Yeah, 'til now." My eyes shot to his to see the 'Told ya so' look in his eyes.  I shot him a questioning look.  "Me. 'Til you bumped into me, your life was 'semi-normal'.  Before me, you didn't even know demons still walked the earth, did you?"

 

"No, I didn't.  You're right, but I don't see you as someone I should stay away from."

 

"You don't?  Even after I told you, I could turn into a killer?  See these claws?" He asked as he held his hand up, fingers jutting up.  "These can slash you to mince meat in a second.  You wouldn't even feel them slashing you."

 

"And that scares me...How?" I asked. 

 

He shot me a funny look and jumped to his feet as he turned to me and said, "Are you for real?  Are you really that naive?"

 

"I am not naive!  I don't see you as a hostile person!" I spat as I stood before him.

 

"Well, I can be!  You should be afraid of my abilities!"

 

"Why?  Are you planning to give me a reason to be afraid?"  He stepped back slightly.  "Yep, you're all talk and no bite.  It takes a lot more than just minor threats to get me afraid of you!"

 

"Oh, really...I know what would really get you upset..." He spat as he began to stalk me.  His eyes bore through me as he seemed hungry for something.  I gasped as he began to growl low in his chest.  He smirked mischievously, showing a fang through his lips. 

 

Once my back hit the wall behind me, he raised an arm above me and his other arm snaked around my waist, holding me in place against him.  I tried to remain calm, but my breathing wouldn't listen.  His face inched close to mine.  In my nervousness, I couldn't move for fear of what he'd do.  As the tip of his nose touched mine, he stopped and his eyes scrutinized mine as he whispered, "I can sense your fear.  Don't lie to me.  You're afraid of what I'm going to do to you, aren't you?"  I swallowed.  He eyed me for a moment when he closed his eyes and his tongue flicked out and licked my upper lip.  I gasped as he then turned away from me.  I wiped my upper lip and eyed him questioningly as I tried to calm my heart of the fear he had me facing just a moment ago, and all for just a simple lick.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Ha, I had her.  Just stalking her with the hungry look in my eyes got her to fear me.  Yes, I proved her wrong.  Although, there's something disturbing.  I really wanted to kiss her back there.  It would have been perfect.  The taste of her was enticing.  The look on her face was priceless.  She was very unsure of what I was gonna do.

 

Sure, call me an ass if ya want.  I live for this kind of thing.  Proving people wrong.  Kagome now is the only one I have any contact with, so yeah.  She can lie all she wants, but her scent be-lies everything.  At that moment, as I closed my eyes, she braced herself.  I bet she thought I was gonna kiss her.  Well, I was until she braced herself.

 

Sigh she caught me right there, so I spared her.  I mean, damn...If she's that afraid of me, why doesn't she tell me?  Talk about sending me mixed messages.  I stood facing away from her as I tried to calm myself down enough to speak correctly.  Man, she's such a tease.  But, I bet I've been giving her mixed signals as well.  This really sucks.

 

I looked over my shoulder and saw her head was bowed slightly, her arms were wrapped around her middle, and her breathing hadn't calmed completely yet.  She was in shock over what I had just done.  I turned to her and a noise escaped my mouth.  It didn't seem that she was going to calm down.  I went to her side and asked, "You okay?"

 

"You...you jerk..." I moved back a bit at that response.  "You have no idea how badly you scared me just then." she replied, her eyes shuddering in fear.

 

"Kagome, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to sound as calming as I could.

 

Her eyes looked to mine and the fear was doubled.  She was reliving something.  I tried to read what I could in her eyes before she turned away and left my side, cowering in fear.  I stepped over, knelt beside her and said, "Kagome, I won't scare you again.  Who scared you before?  What caused this trauma?"

 

"The way you looked at me, reminded me of the way someone else looked upon me."

 

"Who?" I asked, hoping she would relent and tell me.

 

"Him." She replied as realization hit me.  It was Kouga she was referring to.  That mangy wolf.  He scared her so badly that my playing around caused her to cower in fear.  That jackass.

 

"How often has this kind of thing happened with him?" I asked.

 

"He's not just one of the passengers on the plane.  He lives near me, and I have this feeling he follows me."

 

"Where?  Just out of the country?  Or everywhere?"

 

"I'm not sure, but I think I've seen him quite often around the area, and I see him looking at me." I tensed at that information.  The jerk was following her. 

 

I stood and held out my hand.  She eyed me questioningly as I gestured for her to take my hand.  When she did, I said to her, "Follow me."  She followed me down the hall and towards the opposite direction.  I knew only one option I had in protecting her.  When we arrived at the room I was, guiding her to, I slid the door open and gestured for her to enter.

 

"Who's room is this?" She asked as she stepped in.

 

"Yours, for the time being." She turned to me in shock.  "You heard me.  Until I can take care of the wolf, you're staying here.  And you're not gonna sway me from that decision.  I will walk you back to help you pack what you need." I replied as my gaze turned out towards the grounds.

 

"What about your trip tomorrow night?"

 

I turned my gaze back to her as I replied with, "Cancelled."

 

 

@*@

 

 

Wow…This chapter really opened up many possibilities, didn't it? I certainly hope this chapter brought out some understanding and ended some confusion. Unless it created more…Sigh…I don't know. Well, I certainly hope this fic is enjoyable, and I certainly would love to hear your thoughts on this one since it's my first time writing a fic mainly in first person perspective. Well, `til next time! Ja ne!