InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Memory Of You ❯ Recollections of a Lovechild ( Chapter 2 )

Recollections of a Lovechild               & nbsp;        The shrine was in turmoil when the police had come over. Marking the scene of the crime with the yellow tape, some police officers had to control the crowd that had gathered out of curiosity, while their colleagues proceeded with the standard operation. The thief who had been apprehended was ordered to give a statement but not before a couple of whacks from his victim who had claimed her handbag.               “ I swear, I don’t know what happened, officer.”            ;   “ The boy and I wrestled inside the shack. He was really good, I tell you. I kinda slipped up and we both fell inside the well. I hastily clambered up and ran away. I didn’t do anything to him.”           &nb sp; His interrogator arched his brow for a moment before delivering any further comment.             “ Did you see the boy come out of the well?”             “ No. I was in a hurry to look back.”             The thief held himself more tightly, suppressing the chills that he had felt when he remembered that moment. Both of them looked surprised on the aura that gathered around the two of them as they plunged into the well. Then, his would be captor was suddenly enveloped with a bursting ray of light before vanishing into nothingness.             But fearing that the police might label him a liar or worse, throw him inside a loony bin, he narrated only the believable parts of the incident.             ; Sota was having a nightmare. He numbly nodded as the police officer stated his impressions.           &n bsp; “ We cannot rule it for possible homicide, Mr. Higurashi. We could not find traces of blood and even your nephew’s body or anything that might lead to a killing. It might be possible that the boy went after our crook and got lost. We will notify you and the father for any leads that may be helpful in this case.             ‘…The father…’ something in Sota’s mind clicked. Inside he was panicking, he knew in the bottom of his gut that Chiwaii must have been transported to Sengoku Jidai just like his sister did before. How to tell Hojo was another thing…He groaned inwardly on the possible repercussions of the excuses he had given to Chiwaii’s father. Sota found himself entangled in the web of lies he had created.              ‘ It is time to tell him the truth.’             The line echoed in his mind as he saw Hojo running towards him with his mother not far behind. Seeing the face of his brother in law, Sota suddenly wished that his mother would hurry up a bit before Hojo tries to kill him.    -----------           &n bsp; In his dream he saw himself as a little child.             He was standing outside the principal’s office. His teacher had called up his father. He had punched his classmate, who had been sent to the hospital due to massive bleeding.             ; It was not his fault. The boy had called him names, terrible names. That bully had insulted him, his father and his mother. His mother…he did not know what she was like but she deserved better than the treatment other people gave her.             Let her rest in peace.             He did not know what happened. All was like a blur to him. One moment he was standing in the corner, surrounded by his classmates who either pitied him or mocked him while his tormentor, stood towering above him, ready to raise his fist. Then the next thing he heard was the agonizing scream of the boy, who was by now clutching his nose, preventing the spouts of blood that had gushed from the wound he had inflicted. There were shouts, accusations and noise that had hurt his ears.             All he could do was crouch and cover his ears from the horrible sounds.             ‘Let them go away, let them go away…’             Tears sprung from his eyes as he prayed for his father to take him home.             “ Please understand sir, Chiwaii, is a good boy. He would never hurt anyone. Surely he was provoked by this classmates of his.”             “I have that in mind Mr. Akai. But the fact still remains that Sawada Ichi is under medication because of your boy. It is the duty of the board to exercise the rules and regulations of the school.”              “ I suggest you find another school, Mr.Akai.”            ;  By this time, he had heard the shuffling of the feet, his father’s pleadings and the principal’s cool calm tone. He wanted to go inside, but he found himself rooted in the spot.             “ Get up Mr. Akai. That is very undignified of you. I have known you well Hojo and I can’t bear to see you reduced to this pitiful form.”           &n bsp; “ The board wanted me to blacklist your son.” the principal’s voice was gentler now.” The parents are sending their lawyers to hound you but I have kept them off for your sake.”           &n bsp; “ Please try to control that boy of yours Hojo. He may have taken after from that good-for-nothing father of his, but I certainly hope you will be a good influence for him.”  ------------------------------     &n bsp;       Chiwaii did not speak when his father carried him, nor did he try to flinch when he kissed the tears from his face. He had retreated inside his shell.          &nbs p;  ‘Is this what Ichi meant?’             “ Chiwaii, let’s get your things in the classroom.”             ‘My father is not my father?’ He could not think of anyone else for a father other than the person who was now holding him and picking up his backpack.             ; ‘ Is this what he meant as ‘bastard’?’         ;     He could by now piece the unforgettable incident with his other memories. The time when people would say wonderful things in front of them and later spread dreadful gossips the moment when they turn their backs. He could hear them and his young mind would laugh at their crazy antics. Sometimes he asked his father about what the people said and his father’s kind face would force into a smile and tell him stories. For a while it satisfied him. Time went on and he learned what the words meant. He knew better now than to ask his father. Still it entertained him at times to remember the valiant attempts of his father to answer such questions. He recalled the time when his father tried to explain what he had heard when he had tagged along on his father’s High school Reunion. “ Father, I heard someone said that Mother was a trollop. What is a trollop?” By now his father had choked on his punch and excused himself from his other peers who were staring at them slack-jawed. “ Who said that?” They were now at the corner of the hall, away from the prying gazes of his former classmate. “ It was the woman in that yellow dress.” “Setsu---“ his father muttered under his breath.” and I even intended to go out with her… ” “ Chiwaii,” his father looked at with a furrowed expression” did I give you a lecture about Birds and the Bees yet?” “Ahh…No? Remind me when you’re 6.” “ What does the birds and bees have to do with Mother being a trollop?” He felt himself hugged tight then his father whispered to him. “ Well, Chiwaii, people sometimes say things that they don’t really mean. Do you remember the time when Uncle Sota asked his girlfriend if his Mohawk looked wonderful?” “She said it fit him perfectly.” “ Yes, and she left him the next day. So you see, they don’t often go together, what is said and what is meant.” “ So how do you know the truth?” “ It is either you yourself or the people closest to you.” “I don’t understand … “Chiwaii, your Mother was a kind and spirited lady who lived quite a long life despite her conditions. Those who said otherwise did not really mean it and knew nothing of her.” He now realized the truth and it is staring back at him with its ugly face. All those things he heard from people had come together like pieces of a puzzle. He didn’t know what or who to trust anymore. There were incidents that he wanted to curse his father being oblivious of the situation when his father would just smile or sigh and walk away. Why would he not defend their honor, or he integrity of their family? Or the memory of his mother?    It was dark when they had come home. Their house was a little room in the damp and crowded outskirts of Tokyo. His father had placed him on a sofa before preparing the small dinner and cooking it outside of their rickety balcony. “ I am not really your son, am I?” “ Hearing nonsense again, son. Come and help your father cook. We can find a new school for you to enroll.” “ How could you lie to me!!? All my life I believed that you are my father!” A painful slap sounded through the still night. “I would not be Kagome’s husband or your father if I cared what people say!!” Then the door slammed shut, leaving him stunned. He numbly reached for the sharp pain on his left cheek. His father never laid a hand against him until now. Suddenly the door opened and there was stood his father, weeping. There was no liquor on the fridge and his father asked permission to get drunk and left again but not before reminding him to turn off the gas, to eat properly and not wait for him to get home. Early daybreak, their neighbors hauled his father at their doorstep unconscious and still stinking from his previous vomit. He thanked them for helping him carry to the sofa. He tucked his father with a blanket and stared at the sleeping form of his father. It was there Chiwaii made his promise.