InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Blood ❯ Female Card: Lesson 2 ( Chapter 4 )

Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long. I'll try to be better with it. This one is a wee bit overly descriptive, but I've never read a story that describes the shrine, and I had fun looking it up and so I'm making you read it! Mua hahahahaha! I bounce back and forth between Japanese and English translations of the words. Hope that doesn't confuse you too much! And action will be occurring soon…. I hope. Thanks for reading!

Honden: main hall

Haiden: gathering hall

Ema: Is a wall where visitors place their wishes on wooden plaques and pray for them to be granted.

Temizuya: purification fountain

Komainu: guardian animals of a Shinto shrine

Kaguraden: stage for traditional dances and Noh plays

Torii: Shinto pillars showing the entrance

Please review!

----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4: Female part 2

 

The Higurashi shrine was large but not formidable. When Inuyasha had taken his first bare foot step on the shrines grounds, all of his anxieties seemed to melt away. He guessed that's what Kagome had done to him in the clearing. He had never been so calm with anyone before. Normally getting smacked in the face by a sandal left him pissed off, but he didn't even swear at her. Inuyasha looked over at the slender form that was a little bit ahead of him. He would have to be cautious of that one. A stranger who could get him to feel comfortable immediately was dangerous. He grinned as his gaze lowered to her back side. Even if she was dangerous, she wasn't hard to look at. He quickly averted his gaze forward when she turned to him and smiled.

“Welcome to the Higurashi shrine!” It was a normal Shinto shrine with a very large honden that was connected to the haiden. The main hall and offering building had dark pillars and accenting frames with a dark green roof. Inuyasha could see the purification fountain on his left and an ema filled with visitor's wooden plates with their wishes written on them. He could see the Komainu beyond the temizuya and ema. The guardian animals that the Higuarshi's had chosen were dogs without the usual lion-like mane. Inuyasha liked it that their Komainu were proud, honorable dogs.

Down the steps beyond the Komainu was a single Torii painted in the same fashion as the honden and haiden. Beyond the honden and haiden building he could see a very large kaguraden. The stage was made of brilliantly dark mahogany crowned with the same green roof. Despite its beautiful polished sheen, Inuyasha knew that the floor would be scuffed from the traditional dancing and Noh theater performances that would go on in such a fantastic theater.

Inuyasha turned away from the front of the shrine and began following Kagome to the rear. As they passed behind the main hall and offering building, he could see that several of the trees around the grounds were covered in omikuji. The fortune slips were tied like deserted tears across the yard. Inuyasha turned away from the slips claiming different degrees of curses and found himself staring at the largest tree he had ever seen. There was a very short fence encircling the tree to keep visitors away. A shimenawa was also tied around the giant tree proclaiming it sacred. Inuyasha didn't know why, but the tree gave him a very uneasy feeling. He didn't necessarily feel dread, it was more like a lethargic loneliness overcame him.

Inuyasha felt the calming effects of the shrine evaporating and quickly followed Kagome to the one story home that must contain her family. It looked a little bit shabbier than the rest of the shrine, but that was to be expected. They must attend Kami first and themselves second.

Kagome slid the door to the entrance hall and called out to her family saying that she was home as she took of her zoris. She knocked on a door to the right a little ways from the entrance before heading down the hallway to the dining room. Inuyasha sniffed and smelled a young boy beyond the door. Across from the boys room was another door that radiated Kagome's sweet scent. There was only one more door down the hallway that was slightly opened to reveal the bath. It was only the tub, the toilet would be in an outhouse in the back.

Inuyasha followed Kagome into the main room that was at the end of the hallway. The main room was a living room/dining room. In the center of the room was a short table with five seats, though the left head of the table wasn't set. There were cushions at each of the places, two on one long end and one seat at all the other sides. Straight ahead there were two doors that took up most of the wall. They would open up to the backyard where there would be a small storage house and the outhouse.

To the left of the entrance was a large cabinet that had wooden drawers and doors. It was made of the same deep mahogany as the table and the rest of the shrine. There were reflecting doors on both the right and the left walls. He could smell that an elderly male lived on the left and a woman was on the right. Inuyasha could smell food coming from his direct right and looked to see an opening that led to the kitchen. The kitchen was well stocked with proper utensils and lots of food. There was a fireplace on the outer wall of the kitchen that had a cauldron brewing above it. A woman was stirring the ramen that was in the cauldron. Kagome walked into the kitchen and kissed the woman on the cheek.

“Hey mama, I'm back. I'm glad to see that you guys didn't start without me.” Kagome's mom smiled at her daughter.

“Well of course not! If we had done that, Souta and your grandfather would have eaten it all before you even got here.” Kagome's mother chuckled, “Who is this dear?” She asked as she finally noticed Inuyasha's stiff form. Kagome was suddenly glad Inuyasha had insisted on wearing his silly wig. Her mother most likely wouldn't have been as kind to a hanyou. Kagome smiled.

“This is Inuyasha. I met him out in the woods and kinda threw my shoe at him-“

“You did WHAT?!” her mother cried, “Dear Kami, I thought I had raised you better!” Kagome's eye ticked.

“I thought he was a peeping tom, so I threw my shoe at him! But he wasn't!” she added quickly seeing the anger in her mothers eyes, “Anyway, to repay my rude behavior, I invited him over for ramen.” Kagome's mother smiled.

“That's my girl,” She looked over at Inuyasha, “You're welcome to stay for ramen, Inuyasha. Just let my dear Kagome put a setting in the missing spot. Gramps can sit in Dad's spot for now and you kids can figure out where you want to sit.” Inuyasha nodded curtly then followed Kagome back to the dining room. She went to the cabinet and opened the 3rd to the lowest drawer. There she took out a bowl, glass and a pair of chopsticks along with another napkin. She set Gramps' new spot then told Inuyasha to sit down anywhere he liked. He chose to sit on the side with only one cushion that faced the two cushion side. Kagome left him and began helping her mother bring out the meal.

Inuyasha just sat Indian style with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the girls fill the bowls with ramen and lay extra rice dishes on the table. When they brought out beverages he turned behind him. He had heard one of the doors slide open and sure enough the young boy had come out of his room. The boy looked to be about 9. He had the same copper eyes as Kagome but his hair was a dark brown whereas hers was black as night. They had the same skin, but his had yet to boast any sort of hardships or work. The boy eyed Inuyasha curiously. He kept his eyes on him as he walked around the table and sat across from him. They both ignored the women shuffling around them and had a staring contest. Finally the boy tilted his head to one side in a characteristically Kagome way.

“Who're you?” he asked rudely.

“Inuyasha, who're you?” Inuyasha copied.

“Souta. What're you doing here?”

“I'm being fed. What are you doing here?”

“I live here, and I'm being fed,” he looked at Inuyasha suspiciously, “Does Gramps know you're sitting in his seat?”

“No.” Inuyasha stated.

“Where is he going to sit?”

“There.” Inuyasha pointed. Souta looked at his fathers place and blinked then looked back at Inuyasha and nodded.

“Makes sense.” Souta said.

“Yep.” Inuyasha replied. The two boys turned when Kagome and Souta's grandfather came out of his room. Gramps lifted a salt and pepper eyebrow at the boy with red clothes and black hair that sat in his spot.

“Oi, what you doin in my spot?” he interrogated. Inuyasha shrugged.

“They said I could. You sit there.” He pointed at the head of the table. Gramps glared at Inuyasha then sat in his new spot. Kagome sat next to her brother while her mother sat opposite of Gramps. Gramps said a quick thanks to the Kami's then everyone grabbed their chopsticks and began eating

“Who's he?” Gramps asked suddenly pointing at Inuyasha. Inuyasha snarled at him as he continued shoveling ramen into his face. Kagome laughed at Inuyasha's manners then turned to her grandfather.

“That's Inuyasha. I invited him over for lunch.” Kagome explained. Her grandfather's eyebrows shot up as joy filled his eyes.

“Well, it's about time, Kagome!” He exclaimed. He leaned over and slapped Inuyasha on the back making Inuyasha nearly choke on his ramen.

“Oi! What's the big idea, old man?” He yelled. Gramps just beamed at him.

“Welcome to the family, son!” He cried. Now it was Kagome's time to choke.

“Grampa! It's nothing like that!” she cried her face turning red. Inuyasha just looked disbelieving at Kagome's grandfather and then back at Kagome, his cheeks also tinged with a blush.

“I would never marry her!” He exclaimed looking somewhat disgusted. Kagome turned to him with outrage.

“What? Am I not good enough for the likes of you?!” She cried as she folded her arms over her chest.

“What are you talking about?” Inuyasha yelled throwing up his arms, “We've just met! And we have nothing in common! I wouldn't marry a priestess anyway!” Kagome harrumphed.

“And why the hell not? What's wrong with being a Miko?” Inuyasha shook his head frustratingly.

“Just think about what you just said, and what you know about me. Hmm, I wonder why I wouldn't want to marry a Miko!” Kagome put her finger to her cheek mouthing a silent `Oh' as realization dawned on her. Miko's take out demons. Kagome's family just looked between her and Inuyasha with confusion. Kagome's mother just smiled brightly and changed the subject.

“So, Inuyasha, what brings you to our city? I don't believe I've ever seen you before, and I do have a knack for remembering faces.” She said winking at him. Inuyasha shrugged.

“I'm helping some monk destroy a demon.” He said with a bit of arrogance. Souta glanced up at him with awe and Kagome's mother stared with surprise. Gramps was just nodding.

“Do you know the name of this demon? Perhaps I can help.” Inuyasha looked at him doubtfully.

“And what could you offer, old man? I bet you can barely fight a child, much less a demon!” Gramps straightened his back.

“I just happen to be a priest with powerful spells against demons!” Kagome rolled her eyes, “In fact, I can sense a demon a mile away!” he boasted. Inuyasha snorted.

“I highly doubt that.” Kagome giggled. Her grandfather just pouted.

“Just tell me its name.” he demanded. Inuyasha shrugged casually.

“Some guy named, Naraku, or something like that.” Everyone at the table, except Inuyasha, froze, surprise written on all their faces. Inuyasha noticed the silence and looked at them with their chopsticks just before their mouths and their eyes bugging out. “What?” he asked.

“Did you say…Naraku?” Kagome questioned.

“Yeah? What of it?” The family looked around nervously and finally Kagome's grandfather leaned back and cleared his throat.

“Our family has a history with that demon.” He stated simply.

“What kind of history? What do you know of him?” Inuyasha asked, finally finding something interesting to talk about. Kagome's grandfather became very serious.

“He is no ordinary demon. He can change his features at will and is extremely powerful even though most would think he was weak because of what he is.”

“And what is he?”

“He is a hanyou, Inuyasha. A mere half-demon,” Inuyasha's eyes narrowed but Gramps didn't notice, “And he didn't start off that way, either. When he was human something terrible happened to him and he decided to gather as much power as possible. In doing so he sought after some object and wished for this power. But because he wasn't clear on the wish and because the object knew of his evil, it decided to make him a hanyou instead of the demon he had truly desired to be.” Gramps leaned towards Inuyasha, “Our family used to be the keepers of that object.” He whispered. Inuyasha felt excitement fill him.

“The Mikaito.” He said. Gramps eyes widened.

“Why, yes! How did you know?” Inuyasha shrugged.

“Lucky guess?” he lied. Gramps nodded and accepted the answer.

“Since you know of the Mikaito you must know that there have been more than one at a time,” Inuyasha nodded, “What you don't know is that Naraku has used all but one of those! Think how powerful he must be now!”

“Where is the last one?” Inuyasha asked eagerly. Kagome's grandfather shook his head sadly.

“Alas, since we could not protect the other Mikaito, we were forbidden to protect the last. It is lost to this family, Inuyasha.” Inuyasha sat back dejectedly, “But fear not! We shall send help with you to defeat this evil demon!” Inuyasha looked at him doubtfully.

“And what could you give me that would help?” Gramps beamed at him.

“Why, Kagome, of course!” Inuyasha and Kagome both stared at him.

“WHAT?” they both yelled.

“There's no way I'm going with that…that baka!” she screamed.

“Well there's no way I'd take a weak human along with me! I've already got to put up with that stupid monk, I'm not going to put up with a wench too!” Kagome glared at him with her hands on her hips.

“What? I'm not good enough for you?”

“No, you're not!”

“You asshole!”

“Kagome! Don't talk to guests like that!” her mother yelled.

“What? He is!” she said exasperatedly motioning in Inuyasha's direction. Inuyasha just smiled smugly in her direction.

“Tsk, tsk, Kagome, being mean to little ol' me. You're the one who invited me!”

“Yeah, well, that's just `cause I beat you up and felt bad about it.”

“You're still not coming with.”

“Yes, I am!”

“No, you're not!”

“Yes I am!”

“NO!”

“YES!”

“NEVER!” he yelled slapping his hand on the table. Kagome sat back with a glint in her eye.

“If you don't take me with, I'll tell everyone I meet about your secret.” Inuyasha glared at her and she just looked back nonchalantly. They had a short staring contest that ended up with Inuyasha realizing she wasn't going to be intimidated. He turned away with his arms crossed.

“Blackmailer.” He growled. She smiled brightly.

“Damn straight!” she stood up from the table, “I'm going to go pack. Souta, it's your turn for dishes.” Souta aw-ed and looked to his mom for help but all she did was shrug in his direction. After Kagome left and Souta and his mom had taken the dishes away to be cleaned, Gramps turned to Inuyasha.

“You best take care of my granddaughter, Inuyasha. She may be powerful, but she is still human.” Inuyasha looked at him blandly.

“Then why'd you suggest I take her, old man?”

“Because she is a miko, idiot. You may have convinced my daughter and my grandson that you're human, but I know you're not,” Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, “Kagome trusts you and she has good instincts. They have never let her down and there is nothing I trust more. Listen to my granddaughter and take heed. She is…special.” Inuyasha laughed.

“Special how?” Gramps sneered.

“Special powerful, not special stupid. You are a baka, aren't you?” Inuyasha shrugged.

“I'm gonna go wait outside. Send her out when she's done.” Gramps nodded and watched the unusual boy leave. This better be a good idea. He thought.

Inuyasha stood facing the shrine waiting for Kagome to finally come out of her house. He wondered briefly why he was even letting her come, when her scent drifted to him. He turned around and widened his eyes in surprise at what he saw. This was definitely not the same dainty girl he had seen before.

She stood before him with her hair long and wild framing her face and her angry eyes. She no longer wore the chaste outfit of a priestess. She wore soft boots that had decent soles but would allow her to walk quietly. They reached up to just below her knee and were tied there by a black ribbon that crisscrossed all the way to the top. She had tight black pants on that reached to a fitted dark green shirt whose sleeves were cut off at the top of her shoulders and went up to her neck. It had buttons that went from the side of her neck then curved under her arm and followed all the way down along her side. She had gloves on that didn't cover her fingers and led from her knuckles all the way up to a few inches from her armpit. A green ribbon was tied to the top of the gloves keeping them secured.

She had a bow in one hand and two straps crossing the same direction across her chest. One strap led to her quiver filled with arrows and the other led to a satchel. She had two swords hooked to her left side and a dagger sheath was tied to her right leg holding a six inch blade. Needless to say she didn't look helpless. In fact, she was kinda intimidating. Her smoldering eyes smiled at him as he stared.

“Like what you see?” she asked a laugh playing at her lips. Inuyasha turned a bit pink as he turned away from her and crossed his arms muttering a `feh' in her direction.

“What's in the bag?” he asked as he walked away from the house. Kagome sighed then fell into step behind him. The shrine steps led straight into town. It would only take them a few minutes to get to Lady Myato's tent.

“I've got some food rations and water along with a blanket, cloak, soap, cleaning supplies for my blades and flint. I didn't know what supplies you had so basically I just grabbed everything I would if I were going alone. Oh, I also have some first aid, but not a lot so we might have to stop somewhere and get some more if we're really planning on attacking this Naraku guy, I hear he's really bad news. And he sounds strong.”

“Meh, he'll be a piece of cake. I'm stronger than him.” He boasted. Kagome rolled her eyes behind him.

“Have you even met the guy?” Inuyasha shook his head, “Then don't go making claims you can't back up. You may be half-demon, but so is he.” Inuyasha sniffed the air a little and smelled her fear, and anger. Usually he would just go off on her telling her she was a stupid wench and he could defeat anything, but he didn't. Instead, Inuyasha relaxed his shoulders and slowed down until they were walking side by side.

“I can smell your fear, Kagome. If you don't want to come, you don't have to.” Kagome sneered and looked at the ground.

“Of course I'm scared. I saw what happened when he got the Mikaito. It wasn't pretty.”

“You mean you saw what happened when he killed the Mikaito.” She looked at him in surprise.

“How do you know they were a who and not a what?” she asked. He smiled at her mischievously.

“Doesn't matter. But seriously, you don't have to come.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“You just want me to stay because you don't want me here,” She turned away from him and stiffened her back, “Well you can forget it. You're not getting rid of me.” Inuyasha just smiled and shrugged as he saw the monk ahead with his back facing them. Miroku was staring at some women across the street and sighing. Inuyasha shook his head.

“Hey, monk! What you staring at?” Miroku turned to face them. When he saw Kagome his eyes lit up. He walked towards them quickly and, ignoring Inuyasha, took Kagome's hand in his.

“Why, hello there! What is your name, my dear, beautiful woman?” Kagome blushed a little.

“Uh, my name is Kagome.” She said a little unsure. Miroku smiled even wider.

“Kagome?! That is a beautiful name, it almost does you justice. My name is Miroku,” he bowed his head a little, “Lady Kagome may I ask you a question?”

“Um, sure.”

“Will you bear me a child?” Inuyasha and Kagome just stared at him.

“Eh?” Kagome asked as Miroku drew her into his arms.

“I am cursed, dear Lady Kagome. If I die there will be no one to defeat Naraku for my family. I need a son. Please, my lady, will you do me this great honor?” Inuyasha looked as if he was going to murder the monk right there. He took a step forward to do just that when Kagome burst out laughing. She got out of Miroku's arms and held her stomach as her laughter rocked her.

“I'm…haha…I'm sorry…hahaha….It's just…haha… just so random! Hahaha!” She was laughing so hard tears were coming from her eyes. Inuyasha stared at Miroku angrily.

“How dare you ask that, you lech!” Miroku shrugged as he smiled down at Kagome in good humor. Kagome shook her head trying to get the laughter down she turned to Inuyasha the laughter still dancing in her eyes.

“What do you care, Inu? You actually want me to stay?” The look she gave him made him blush as he turned away.

“No! Of course not, you'll only get in the way!” She rolled her eyes at him.

“Fine then, Inuyasha.” She said and turned to Miroku, “No, I will not bear your child. Besides, you could have at least bought me dinner first!” Miroku smiled at her and nodded.

“Heh, I'll remember that for next time.” He shrugged while Inuyasha yelled `next time?!' behind them. “Until then, may I please be your escort, m'lady?” He held his arm for her to take. She giggled and did a small curtsey before taking his arm in hers.

“At least somebody in this group is a gentleman.” She laughed eyeing Inuyasha pointedly.

“Shall we?” Miroku asked.

“Of course!” Kagome replied, “Just remember to keep your hands to yourself, Miroku, if you want to keep them that is.” They walked ahead of Inuyasha who shook his head and not for the first, or even the fifth, time that day he wondered if any of this was a good idea. Probably not.

----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------

YAY! Finally got this chapter done! Whew, that took FOREVER! Sorry, I had writers block and got Kingdom Hearts 2 so I figured Sora needed me more than Inu. But I did get `er done and here she is! I hope she was alright. Tell me what you thought about this chapter! It's way longer than normal, hope that's ok!

R&R please!