InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Forest Embrace ❯ The Rock ( Chapter 5 )

Late in the afternoon on a clear day, Kikyou sat on her horse, riding beside her father, Kaede grasping his waist. They traveled up to their favorite lookout, just a ways into the forest that surrounded them, a lone high rock, gazing down at into the valley. She smiled, her hateful bonnet crunched up and stuffed into a saddlebag, her long black hair streaming behind her in a long black streak. How she loved to ride. The snow covered the land in a blanket of white, the sunset sending streaks of red and purple and orange to dance across the sky, reflecting in the icy lake below them.

 

“What will we do about the boy father?” She asked when they were safely at the top of their rock. She hated riding sidesaddle, but her plain green dress prevented her from riding normally. The ride to and from the rock was time consuming enough; they could only stay at the lookout for a few moments, saying what they feared to say in the town.

 

“As far as anyone in the town will know he is our native guest. The dog you brought died.” Her father didn't face her, just stared out into the valley, his eyes clouded over, his voice commanding, but gentle. A preacher's voice.

 

“But what if he changes back?” Kaede asked. She had gotten the smallest fraction of information from them, having a history or broken secrets.

 

“He will not. He stays here until he wants to return to the forest and his pack. But he will not change in the village. He is more intelligent than that.”

 

“Father…what if they capture him in the forest? We will have no ties. Can the dog not simply have run back to the wilds? That way he can be returned to us if he is captured…”

 

“I suppose you two have a point. The last thing we want is to continuously deprive the hunters of their kill. He will hence forth be under your care Kikyou. See he stays out of trouble.” With that he turned away from the lookout. Racing back with a laugh.

 

“Hey! You can't just dump it all on me!” The only reply was Kaede's laughter. Spurring her horse onward she chased after them with a laugh. One thought kept circling in her mind as she raced back to their home. The boy was her responsibility. The boy was hers, the boy was hers. Hers.

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Inuyasha heard those soft words again. His lids opened. Forgetting for the moment where he was. Two figures stood near, talking in low voices. Inuyasha pulled against the pillows, trying to sit up. He almost smiled a moment, remembering the two, then the sad, hurtful look returned to his gaze.

 

“Father Oryon?” He asked, remembering the title the man addressed himself by. He truly had a fatherly image, his presence as comforting as the quilts that draped over his half bare body.

 

The minister sat on the side of the cot, holding a small book to his chest. “I have to go child. It is the Sabbath day.” At Inuyasha's puzzled expression he chuckled. “I will tell you of it later. But until then, my daughter will stay with you.” Kikyou brought warm slices of bread and some cheese. “Try to eat.” With that the minister got up, and left the room in a movement so swift it was as though he disappeared.

 

The bread was taken obediently, broken into small pieces, than washed don with cider. Kikyou sat silently watching him, crumbling up small pieces of bread and popping it into her mouth. Her curiosity was engulfing her, and she would have to leave his presence soon to avoid blurting out her questions.

 

“Rest.” She said once they were finished. She paused at the door, whispering a soft goodnight, so soft that he didn't think he was supposed to hear it, but he did. A feeling spread through him, clutching at his stomach like some invisible hand. Shaking his head he stared at the darkness of the room, Kikyou having taken the candle away. The embers from the fire still glowed softly in the corner, sending their warmth about the room. He lay back, staring at the glow, struggling to think. His mind felt hazy and worn. His eyes closed once again.