InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fatefully Entwined ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The scent of burning incense and the monotonic chanting did nothing to help the oppressive feel of his brother’s office. Inuyasha felt his patience slipping away, and he dug his claws into the plush leather chair to release some of the tension. The old priest was taking his time probing his concealment spell for any sign of weakness.



Finally the old man stopped his chanting and opened his beady black eyes, much to Inuyasha’s relief. Sesshomaru had sat silently behind his polished wooden desk the entire time. How he had been able to withstand the discomfort caused by the priest’s magic was beyond Inuyasha. Personally he had felt like he had been continually zapped by a taser. It was enough to make anyone go crazy.

“I have used every possible combination of spells to weaken your concealment charm, Inuyasha-sama, but it remains as strong as the day I cast it.” The old priest informed him with thinly veiled annoyance. Inuyasha had to keep himself from jumping up and giving the old man a well deserved lump on his bald head for being such a prick. “You must have been mistaken.”



“I wasn’t mistaken you old buzzard.” Inuyasha hissed through gritted teeth. The priest snorted his indignance.

“Common shrine maidens do not possess the ability to detect a concealment spell, let alone see through one. It takes decades of intense and rigorous spiritual training before one is even ready to pursue that branch of study. It requires a great deal of power and discipline!”

“Silence.” Sesshomaru commanded. “Noritaka, your services are no longer required. You are dismissed.” He said to the priest, who bowed low to the daiyokai before gathering his things and taking his leave. Inuyasha scowled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“That was a complete waste of my time. I suggest that you keep your ridiculous and unfounded concerns to yourself the next time the need strikes.” Sesshomaru growled, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.

“Tch. Noritaka has a giant stick up his ass. I know what I heard. The girl could see through my—.”

“Get out of my office, whelp, before I lose my temper and decide to show you exactly how it feels to have a stick up your ass!” Sesshomaru rumbled, standing from behind his desk. His eyes flashed a dangerous shade of red and Inuyasha knew better than to push his luck.



Inuyasha shook his head and stalked out. Spending all day stuck in a stuffy office hadn’t been his idea of a good time. At least he was relieved to know that he could go out in public without revealing his true nature. Whether or not that girl had seen through his spell there was still the matter of returning her phone. Plus, he had to admit that he wouldn’t mind having the excuse to see her again.



——————

“I can’t believe I’ve lost my phone!” Kagome whined piteously. She had spent the better part of the prior evening searching the shrine grounds for it, then the entire morning searching her mother’s house.  She was beginning to lose hope it would ever be found. “But I can’t give up! I’ve got to find it!” She told herself with as much conviction as she could muster.



“That’s the spirit Kagome! Why don’t you and I go walk the shrine again.” Mama suggested. She smiled warmly and linked her arm with Kagome’s as she led her from the house. The sun was covered with clouds and the air was thick with the smell of rain, a marked difference from the previous day’s bright sunshine and clear skies.



“Now, let’s think. Where did you go yesterday so we can narrow our search area?” Mama asked.



“I helped Sota in the shop storage, and then I walked to the store to get those things you needed for dinner.” Kagome answered. “But I’m sure I didn’t have it with me when I was working.”



“Well, no harm in having a peek anyway. I’ll check the storage room and you go down to the store.” Mama said as she made her way toward the gift shop.



“Alright. I’ll be back soon.” Kagome called as she took off at a jog down the stone path. She was careful to look under every car parked on the street as she made her way to the store. If her phone had been there at any point since the day before it certainly wasn’t there now. She sighed in frustration and hurried down the street.

Today the shop was pretty empty, but the threat of rain had probably kept most people home for the day. “Hello again,” the kindly old shopkeeper greeted her. “Back again? Did you forget something last night?”

Kagome shook her head. “Actually I’ve lost my phone and I was wondering if maybe I left it here by accident.” She explained.

“That’s too bad. I’m sorry to tell you that I haven’t seen a phone here.” The old woman shrugged her shoulders apologetically.

Kagome groaned under her breath. This had been her last hope. “Oh well, thank you anyway.” She sighed and turned to leave.

Kagome took her time on the walk back to the shrine. She made it to the bottom of the steps leading up the hill when the sky finally opened up and the rain poured down with a vengeance. She was drenched by the time she made it to Goshinboku and had to take shelter under its massive canopy, her back resting against the trunk.

“Just great.” She moaned, brushing her wet bangs away from her face. The storm continued for quite some time, but the longer Kagome sat there the more at ease she felt. Somehow she had a feeling that her phone would show up sooner or later.



————


The shrine was completely devoid of other visitors today, but that didn’t really surprise Inuyasha considering it had been pouring rain all afternoon. Nobody was tending the gift shop as he passed by, but he could see the shrine keeper’s home just on the other side of the grounds.

He checked to see if the phone was still in his pocket as he stepped up to the the front door and knocked.

“I’ll get it!” He heard someone yell from somewhere inside. The door swung open and a young teenage boy stared up at him. “Can I help you?” He asked politely.

“I ran into a girl working here yesterday, and I came to return something she dropped.” Inuyasha explained. The boy shrugged then turned around.

“Kagome, some guy is here to see you!” He called back into the house.

“I’m coming. Hold your horses.” Inuyasha heard her say as she walked down the hall. She wore a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt that exposed a small sliver of her smooth toned stomach. Her hair was damp and smelled of rain. She stopped at the door and stared at him with a look of recognition, her cheeks flushing a lovely shade of pink.

“Sota, Mama said that dinner is almost ready. You should go wash up.” She said absently, grabbing the boy by the shoulders and shoving him back down the hall.

“Whatever.” The boy shrugged, disappearing back into the house.


“Hi.” The girl, Kagome greeted as she pulled the door shut a crack behind her.

“Hi.” Inuyasha echoed.

“I’m so sorry about yesterday. I didn’t mean to offend you. I felt terrible afterward. I know yokai are particular about their secrecy.”   She blurted.

Inuyasha stood there, stunned. She knew about yokai? Inuyasha managed to clear his throat. That meant that she really could see through his concealment spell and the old geezer Noritaka had been wrong.

“Its not a big deal really. I’ve just never been outed before.” He admitted. “I actually came here because this fell out of your bag when you ran away.” He said, reaching into his pocket to retrieve her phone. Her eyes lit up when she realized what he held in his hand and smiled brightly.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for this! You’re such a life saver!” She enthused, taking the phone in her hand.

 

“You have quite a few messages on there.” he mentioned as she turned it on. “Guess your boyfriend really wanted to get a hold of you.” 

 

“Oh, well, I don’t have a boyfriend actually.” she answered softly, her cheeks brightening to a lovely shade of pink. Inuyasha’s brow quirked in interest. No boyfriend huh? That was encouraging.


“Kagome! I’ve got dinner on the table!” An older woman wearing an apron over her skirt called cheerfully as she opened the door.


“Mama, this man found my phone after I dropped it yesterday and he came to return it.” Kagome explained. The older woman smiled just as brightly as her daughter.

“How kind of you! I’ve just put dinner on the table and I insist you join us as a thank you.” Mama said, bowing respectfully.

“Mama!” Kagome hissed through her teeth. Her cheeks flushed even more brightly, and Inuyasha smiled.



“I would be happy to join you.” He admitted. He wasn’t one to turn down a free meal, and besides, this was a great opportunity to get to know this girl a bit better.

“Wonderful. Sota! Grandpa, we have a dinner guest!” Kagome’s mother announced. “Let’s make up another place at the table.” She quickly disappeared into the house, leaving Inuyasha and Kagome alone again.



“Please come in, uh… I never asked your name.” She realized.



“Inuyasha.” He answered as he stepped through the door.



“It’s nice to meet you Inuyasha. I’m Kagome. Please, come in.”