InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Hunter ❯ Ramen ( Chapter 9 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 9

Harry now spent the majority of his time in Inu Yasha's presence. He'd start off every morning with a run before grabbing some breakfast and taking a roll under his bed. Harry often came home just in time for dinner. The Dursleys, true to their word (and nature), didn't bat an eye at his frequent disappearances.

Inu Yasha had taught Harry how to fight in ways he never dreamed of. The wizarding world frowned on most styles of muggle fighting—which made learning all the more enjoyable for Harry.

“If you want to fight a demon, you have to become one,” Inu Yasha had said one evening after showing Harry how to properly snap someone's neck. It was swift, efficient and merciless, just like most techniques Inu Yasha taught him. Little by little, Harry found the most obscure things changing about him. He was able to jump higher, move faster, hit harder. He could land from falls exceeding twenty feet and his reflexes improved to the point where he could draw blood and manipulate it before a demon could lift a claw. His senses were improving as well, specifically his hearing and smell. Everyday Harry felt more powerful and began to carry himself with a grace he never knew he possessed.

Harry learned more than just hunting skills from Inu Yasha. He learned to cope with the death of his godfather. Inu Yasha had the most profound way of looking at every life's experience. He taught Harry to take the bad and the good and enjoy every moment he is alive, and as time passed on Harry found another adult to take on a parental role in his life. Inu Yasha could never replace Sirius, but he sure as hell was helping with the pain.

Harry also learned why Inu Yasha was so well-rounded and lighthearted about all matters. Many of their talks involved stories of Inu Yasha's adventures throughout his long life. He spent over a year hunting down pieces of a powerful jewel and pursuing an evil, manipulative demon. Afterwards he hopped on a European ship and lived as a pirate for the next few years, traveling the world and picking up cultures. Inu Yasha spent many centuries meeting new people, practicing different traditions, and fighting in wars except for the few times he settled down. That was when Harry learned about his 27 kids with six different wives. Instead of mating (Inu Yasha took much pleasure in explaining the basics of that to Harry) he chose the more temporary human custom of marriage. At the moment he was divorced with two girls, Alaina who was 14 and Bridget who was 6.

Inu Yasha had set up another portal at the seventh gate that led to his house, just incase Harry was kicked out or something of the like and needed a place to stay. Harry remembered one time when Inu Yasha invited him to his home for lunch.

:: Flashback ::

“Why the hell do you live in America?” Harry asked as they walked through the front door. Harry was a bit surprised by how normal his house looked. It was just a three-story house with a two-car garage in a friendly looking neighborhood. Harry had figured that someone of Inu Yasha's class and power would be living large. When Harry voiced this to Inu Yasha he responded that it was too much of a bitch to keep a big house clean.

“Um,” Inu Yasha said in a dopey voice, “Because I'm American...?”

Harry scrunched up his face, “you look like your Chinese or something though.”

“I was born in Japan actually,” Inu Yasha replied while raising an amused eyebrow, “-and I fought in the revolutionary war so I'd say that makes me pretty American.”

Harry made an `O' shape with his mouth.

“Ya want some lunch?” Inu Yasha asked, opening a cupboard. Harry sat down at the mahogany table.

“Sure.”

Three minutes later, Harry was handed a steaming styrofoam cup. He sniffed it delicately; a warm, salty aroma filled his senses. Inu Yasha was already half way finished with his. Harry lifted a spoonful of noodles into his mouth—he was hooked for life.

“Oh mm fughin gah,” he garbled as he chewed on the noodles.

“mmhmm,” Inu Yasha agreed.

“Hey padre, who's that?” a voice from the kitchen door asked. Harry turned in his seat, his checked puffing with ramen. A girl, most likely the 14 year old daughter, rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen to make herself some ramen. She was a bit on the petite side with attractive, delicate features. Her long blond hair fell to her mid back and had the same amber eyes Inu Yasha had except with rounded pupils.

Inu Yasha swallowed the last of his ramen, “He's an asshole. Stay away from him.”

Harry made an angry face at him, which wasn't all that intimidating with a mouth full of noodles.

She rolled her eyes and held out a hand to Harry, “hey, I'm Alaina—the esteemed daughter of this ass.”

Harry swallowed and laughed and took her hand, “I'm Harry”

“Oooh,” she cooed looking at her father, “a British boy.”

“Hmm, you're staying with your mother this weekend, so you better be packed by tonight,” Inu Yasha said carelessly as Alaina sat down.

“Daaaad,” she whined, “do I have to?”

“Yeees,” Inu Yasha responded in the same whiny attitude.

“But she's such a bitch,” Alaina said exasperated.

“Hence the divorce.”

“Well what the hell possessed you to marry her in the first place?”

“Hey,” Inu Yasha pointed a finger at her, “I'll disown your ass...don't think I won't.”

She gave him the finger. Inu Yasha stuck out his tongue. Then came the crossed eyes and it was a full out `face off'. Harry watched in sheer amazement as the two of them made the most bizarre faces and gestures at each other. He couldn't imagine Mr. Weasley ever using such language when talking to his kids or allowing them to speak to him that way.

:: End Flashback ::

Harry sighed and wondered if his dad would have been as cool as Inu Yasha. Shrugging on a tight, black t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans, he bounded down the steps and into the kitchen where is aunt was already serving breakfast. Vernon shook the paper strait and tried his hardest to ignore Harry's presence while Dudley eyed him wearily. Harry sat down at the table and tried to look as innocent as possible. After he finished his meal and cleared his plate his aunt called out his name.

“Harry—” Petunia started. Harry jumped at being addressed by his first name in the house. Then he realized it probably had a great deal to do with the Order's threats, “I was hoping you could run to the store to pick up some groceries for me.”

“Umm, sure,” Harry replied, taking the list and money from her. The demons could wait an hour or so.

Harry slipped on his shoes and left the house. He could tell there was an order member following him and judging by the heavy, even foot steps his guess would be Kingsly. Harry rolled his eyes and continued to ignore him as well as the numerous stares and whispers heard from every piece of property he passed.

The shopping trip was fairly quick and at the last minute Harry slipped in a pack of ramen noodles. A man needs his ramen. His aunt wouldn't notice a little extra money missing. As he was ringing up the purchases, he noticed the cashier giving him funny looks.

“Um, are you Harry Potter?” She asked slowly as she handed him his bags. She looked vaguely familiar to Harry. She was of medium height and had sandy blonde hair in a ponytail and dark blue eyes.

“Yup,” he said, fully intent on ignoring her and turning to leave.

“I'm Rachel Ackerman,” she said hurriedly, “We went to primary school together, remember?”

Harry got a fleeting glimpse of a snooty, blonde haired, blue eyed girl laughing at him after Dudley poured a bottle of glue on his head.

“Yeah,” he said shortly and turned to leave again.

“Wait,” she cried, causing him to turn and look at her impatiently, “um, what have you been up to? I mean, do you hang out anywhere or anything? I haven't seen you around.”

“I've been busy,” he replied coolly, “is there a point to this conversation because I have other things to do and you have customers to attend to.”

Rachel blushed deeply and shuffled her feet a bit, “Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime.”

“With the `criminal boy'?” Harry asked sarcastically.

“Are you really a criminal?” she asked.

“Do I look like a criminal?” he responded, and then inwardly winced. Of course he did after all those piercing and the dark clothes, “I got to go. Bye.”

“Oh, er, see you later!” she called hopefully at his back. Harry just lifted a hand and waved it without turning around. Harry stepped out side and let out a breath of air he didn't know he had been holding in. Girls were not hid area of expertise. Even one's that were bitches to him since he was little. Although she was rather good looking...

Harry stopped suddenly. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and a foul stink was carried in the undercurrent of the wind. There was a demon nearby.