InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ HeartSong ❯ The Call ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, its characters or any quotes I may use.

 

CHAPTER NINE: THE CALL

 

The last rays of the sun shone through the trees and cast long shadows. Akari sighed and winced at her sore legs and feet. She had been walking for almost two days, but it felt like it had been forever. The path Sho had set her disappeared the day before and Akari wondered if she was even still going the right direction anymore.

She stopped and leaned against a tree, “Probably not.”

Akari looked her eyes and thought about what people would say when she got back. Koto, Midori and Sakura were probably sick with worry, not to mention her grandparents. And the Higurashi's. They must have gotten back into town by now and knew she was missing.

“I wonder how dad's doing….if he's even still alive.”

Akari's eyes flew open when she heard a branch snap behind her. She didn't even bother to look back before breaking into a dead run. She heard a roar and the sound a heavy footsteps.

“Shit.”

Akari's body screamed at her as she ran, but she knew stopping would mean hurt much more.

“Someone…anyone…help me. Please!”

Akari glanced over her shoulder, and wished she hadn't. She hardly caught a glimpse of the demon before falling down a steep slop. When she finally hit the body she tried to rise but her body screamed “NO MORE!”

Her legs and arms trembled as she got to her knees, looking around for the demon. Suddenly it landed in front of her, the force of his landed made Akari fall backwards.

The demon opened its mouth to reveal rows of sharp teeth and laughed darkly, “You shouldn't have run human.”

Akari glared, “Like I would have just sat and waited for you!”

“Silence!”

The demon raised a clawed hand and Akari closed her eyes; throwing her arms over her head waiting for the blow. But it never came.

She opened her eyes and saw a man sailing gracefully through the air, right hand trailing behind him.

The demon didn't utter a word as it fell over backwards, its body sliced in half.

The man landed and turned to look at Akari; she recognized him as the same man who had saved her and Kirara before.

“Sesshomaru” she breathed.

Sesshomaru stared at her with his cold golden eyes then turned and disappeared into the forest.

Akari suppressed a shutter, “Sho was right” she whispered, “He does look like a God.”

 

As Sesshomaru walked away he began to curse himself, “Why did you save her again? She is nothing but a human!”

“How could I just let her die? Her cry…”

“Was that of a weak mortal.”

“No. She is different. I could hear her call.”

Sesshomaru looked up to the star covered sky, “Who is she?”

Akari stared after Sesshomaru several minutes before slowly shaking her head and getting to her feet.

“He did it again” she murmured. “Not only did he leave me alone, he saved my life. Again.”

She glanced over at the dead demon, shuttered and continued with her journey; very slowly.

When it finally became too dark to see Akari found a tall tree and swung herself up, wincing at her sore body.

As she drifted off to sleep her thoughts were consumed with the mysterious demon Sesshomaru.

 

Morning came and Akari was awakened by a low rumbling. Looking down from her perch in the tree she gasped softly. At the base of the tree was a large bug like demon. Akari groaned as it tried to climb the tree, “Why do the creepy things always come after me!” she snapped towards the demon.

“You are human! You will make a tasty meal!” the bug rumbled.

“Don't talk to me! Your appearance is disturbing enough.”

The bug roared in anger and began to shake the tree. Akari gasped and hugged the tree tighter, “I hate being helpless like this!”

The tree groaned and creaked, finally breaking at the bottom. Akari closed her eyes as the tree started to fall.

“Help me!”

 

A tall silver haired demon stopped suddenly, causing his traveling companion to bump into his leg.

“A thousand apologizes Lord Sesshomaru!” the little creature cried and bowed, “I did not realize you had stopped!”

Sesshomaru did not answer him, instead turned his head slightly to the left and listen. “What was that voice? That….feeling. It's calling to me. Again.”

“Stay here Jaken” Sesshomaru said in a cold voice as he flew into the sky on his cloud.

Jaken blinked before calling after him, “Ay my lord!”

 

Akari scrambled away from the tree and leaped to her feet, “I thought bugs ate plants! Why are you chasing me?!”

The bug chuckled, “You aren't very smart. I am a demon. All we eat is flesh.”

Akari shuttered, “That's gross.”

The bug demon reared back on its hind legs, “You need not worry any longer. Soon you will be dead.”

Crunch.

Akari gasped as Sesshomaru suddenly appeared and sliced the bug's head off. The body fell right in front of Akari, blood seeping out.

Akari blew out a breath and turned to Sesshomaru.

“Thanks. You saved me. Again.”

Sesshomaru slowly walked over to her and glanced down at her, “What are you?”

Akari tilted her head “What do you mean?”

“I heard your cry. Why did you call me?”

Akari raised her eyebrows in confusion, “I didn't call out.”

“Answer me”

Akari shrugged, “I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't call out. You just showed up. Just like the two times before.”

Surprise flashed through Sesshomaru's eyes but his face betrayed nothing. “You are a strange human. Where are you from?”

“Uh…a long ways from here.”

“That does not answer this Sesshomaru's question.”

“Well that's all you're gonna get!” Akari shot back and turned on her heels.

Grabbing her pack she glanced at Sesshomaru, “Thanks for your help, but I'll be going now.”

Akari waved her hand slightly before disappearing into the forest.

Sesshomaru watched her go, a slight frown on his face, “How is it, I was able to hear her cry?”

“She could've lied in saying she did not cry out,” his mind countered “Humans are foolish like that thinking they are brave.”

Sesshomaru shook his head slightly then started forward, “It was not a spoken cry. I could feel it from inside. And I heard it every time she was in danger.”

He silently followed the girl, “This girl….she intrigues me.”

 

Days past and Akari was sure she was wandering around in circles. When she was alone she wore her usual clothes, but when she came across a village she changed into what Aimi had given to her. Sho told her many would not be as accepting as they had been with her looking different and she could be in danger. As much as she hated it, she heeded his words and changed.

The last village she went to told her she was going the opposite direction of the river she was seeking and to turn back. Akari nearly punched the wall in frustration. Now she was backtracking, cursing herself for falling in the well and who ever else that came to mind.

Finally night came again and she was exhausted. Sho had warned her about sleeping in the forest, and advised her to take to sleeping in the trees. Of course he didn't say anything about tree breaking, flesh eating, bug demons, but other then that she had been safe.

Akari closed her eyes and was on the verge of sleep when a cold voice below her startled her. Flinching she fell over and tumbled out of the tree. Two strong arms caught her and the cold voice spoke again, “It is a wonder you are not dead yet. With how clumsy you are.”

Akari growled and pushed herself out of the arms, “Are you following me?”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, “And if I am?”

“Why?”

“You intrigue me.”

“Why?”

“This Sesshomaru does not need to explain himself to you.”

Akari rolled her eyes, “Whatever” she snapped and started climbing up the tree again. Once she got her pack she quickly jumped down again.

“Thanks, but I don't need a bodyguard.”

“I never said I was a bodyguard.”

“Then what do you want?”

“You-

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I `intrigue' you.”

Akari put her hands on her hips, “Well that's too bad. I have somewhere I need to get to, and fast. I don't have time for tag-alongs.”

“This Sesshomaru would not slow you down.”

Akari threw up her hands, “Okay fine. Whatever.”

Sesshomaru started to walk, “Where is your destination?”

Akari ran after him and then walked by his side, “I'm not really sure.”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and Akari sighed, “I'm not from around her. I'm not even from this time. I fell in a well and somehow ended up here.”

“A different time?”

“Yeah, like the future.”

Sesshomaru glanced down at her, “That would explain it” he murmured before looking ahead again.

“Explain what?”

“Your presence it different. That is part of what bough you to my attention.”

“Oh. Well anyways, I need to get back to that well. So I can try to go home.”

“And where is this well?”

“Uhh….” Akari frowned as she thought, “It's in a forest. And there was a large tree with a boy pinned to it. The girls I met called it the Inu-Inu-Inu-something forest.”

“InuYasha” Sesshomaru growled.

“Yeah. You know him?”

“We will not talk of him.”

Akari looked up at him then shrugged, “Sure whatever. I don't care. All I know is that is where I need to go.”

“I know where you speak of. It is a two day journey.”

Akari sighed then nodded, “Good.”

They continued in silence and Sesshomaru again found himself asking the same question.

Why was he traveling with a human?

 

They were on the second morning of traveling together when Akari turned to Sesshomaru, “You know, you never asked for my name.”

“Why should I?”

“Are you saying you don't want to know it?”

Sesshomaru glanced down at her then continued walking, “It matters not to me.”

“Fine. But I'll tell you anyways. It's Akari.”

Sesshomaru didn't response so Akari didn't say anymore.

When they stopped at a river Sesshomaru finally turned to the girl, “Akari…that is a strange name.”

Akari looked up and rolled her eyes, “And Sesshomaru isn't?”

Sesshomaru ignored her comment, “What does it mean?”

“Oy….” Akari rubbed her temples, “Okay, my full name is Amaya Hikari Young. I hate the name Amaya Hikari. So I shortened it to Akari. Amaya means “Night Rain” and Hikari is “Light” or “Shinning”. So I guess Akari means “Shinning Night Rain.”

Sesshomaru smirked and turned away.

“What?” Akari demanded, “Like your name is any better. `Destruction of the Circle of Life.' What the hell that about?”

Sesshomaru turned back to her, a frown on his face, “You insult my name?”

“No duh.”

Sesshomaru growled but Akari just walked right past him, “Don't even try to intimidate me. You may be a badass, but I don't care.”

She quickly leaped from rock to rock as she crossed the river. Sesshomaru flew across in move fluid jump and Akari frowned at him, “Show off.”

“This Sesshomaru does not-”

“DON'T CARE!”

Akari looked around then broke into a run, “I know where I am. I recognize this place. We are not far from the well!”

Sesshomaru quickly followed her into the woods. Akari finally stopped next to the old well and peered inside it.

“I do not believe this will accomplish anything.” Sesshomaru stated as he looked into the well.

“And why not?”

“I do not sense any spell, or unusually aura. This is just an old well.”

Akari huffed as she put her pack on the ground, “I have to try it.”

She placed her hands on the edge of the well then paused, “I better take this off. Last time it got caught.” she took of her bracelet and set it in the grass next to her pack.

“Here it goes.”

She took a deep breath before leaping over the side of the well.

Sesshomaru smirked when he heard a thud and a loud “OW!” come from the bottom of the well.

He looked inside, “Didn't work?”

Akari jumped to her feet “God! You've got to be kidding me!” she started to pound on the walls of the well, “Damn it!”

“I told you this would not accomplish anything.”

“Oh shut the hell up!” Akari snarled.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, “You dare tell this-”

“Yes I dare! God! Don't you ever speak in the first person?” Akari held up a hand, “No, don't answer that. I just want you to be quiet. I can't think with your yakking,”

“I do not `yak'”

“SHUT UP!!!!!!”

Akari paced the small space of the well bottom for several minutes before climbing out. She hopped over the side of the well and sat down in the grass with a sigh, “Well this sucks.”

“What will you do now?”

Akari got to her feet, “Find a way home of course.”

Sesshomaru tilted his head, “How do you plan on that?”

“I'm not sure. But you're going to help me.”

“Am I?”

“Yes. You came all this way with me. Why not help me get the rest of the way home?”

“And if I refuse?”

Akari slipped her bracelet back on and picked up her pack, “I don't think you will.”

Sesshomaru surprised himself by inclining his head, “Very well. I will accompany you.”

Akari grinned “I thought so.”

She stood next to him and looked up, “So, what'da say Sesshy? Are you ready to go?

Sesshomaru glared, “I did not give you permission to call me anything other then “Lord Sesshomaru.”

Akari rolled her eyes and laughed as she walked off, “Deal with it.”

Sesshomaru stared after her, “What a strange human. She does not show fear of me.”

His frown deepened, “Even more puzzling...how was she able to call me to her? She is just a human. Why did I feel her cry?”

“HEY SESSHY!” Akari yelled, “ARE YOU COMING OR NOT?”

Sesshomaru suddenly appeared right in front of her, “And where do you suggest we go?”

Akari shrugged, “You're the expert here. Where could we go to find information?”

“My castle. There is a large library that might give you the answers you seek.”

Akari nodded and smiled, “Then let's go.”

Sesshomaru silently turned and started walking. Akari glanced over at the well one more time before running after her new companion.

 

One soul called out to its mate.

And he answered her.

 

A/N: PLEASE REVIEW!