InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Just a Litte Luv Story ❯ A Second Son ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: come on! Why should I even bother! Really, Inuyasha does not belong to me! Happy?

Now, on with the show:

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Chappie 1 A Second Son

        How long had it been? Eight hours? Kagome forced herself to sit upright and to stay awake. Curse her Miko blood; that was the reason she was now being taken away from her family, her friends, her home, to the house of the demon lord. They didn't even give a good reason, just that they needed a miko in the castle and that she was the only one powerful enough to satisfy the lord. Perhaps the only nice thing that came out of this was the smoldering look on Kikyou's face when they announced to everyone that Kagome was the strongest miko in the area. How Kagome savored the victory, only to find herself in a stuffy, hot, demon drawn carriage, with all the drapes down, nearly suffocating her, and being dragged up the steep, high mountain, in the middle of her summer vacation, to meet the royal family.

Something like this only happened once before, the demon lord fell ill with some magical disease, and they called on a village miko to cure him. The only hitch to the story was: where was the miko now? Some say she was killed, others say she caught the disease herself, and a few jokes had been made in the direction of love. However, that was impossible.

Demons and humans never married, it was an unwritten taboo. But it was a very nice story to believe, and funny to joke about later on. Perhaps the lord was ill again, and now needed a new miko to cure him. Or perhaps a son needed the curing. Oooh, Kagome had heard many tales about the son, he was supposed to be beautiful, strong, and very well mannered. Though he did have a reputation of being very cold to the humans in the kingdom, he did do his duty and protected them during stray demon attacks. Kagome had even caught a glimpse of this guy. She and Kikyou, damn that girl, were fending off a demon that had its sights set on the Shikon no Tama, a jewel that the two girls were pretty much forced to protect. It was very powerful and must be used with caution. Well, anyway, they were about to lose their heads, when he just appeared and disintegrated it with a mere scratch of a claw. Kagome doubted she'd ever see another guy as handsome as Sesshomaru before, although she did think he looked more like a girl than a guy, but he's still good looking none the less. Oooh, she'll make Kikyou soooo jealous! Granted it was Seshoumaru that she'd have to care for.

Kagome crossed her fingers, getting a little starry eyed, and nearly fell over when the carriage came to a jolting stop. An ugly, toad like demon waddled forward and held out his hand. ?! She has to touch THAT?! Gross, no way! Grimacing, Kagome lightly took the toad's hand and allowed him to lead her into the castle. It was dark, lit dimly by the glowing eyes of demon servants as they did their duties. Hold it! Was she being led through a servants' hallway?! Oh well, she was a human, they were demons, better not complain.

Kagome was led into a small, candle lit room. It was richly decorated but somehow, it seemed simple at the same time. In the middle sat a young, beautiful woman. One could tell she'd seen better days, there were bags under her eyes, and her cheeks were flushed with worry. Her sad brown eyes glistened with tears and they were red and puffy. As soon as Kagome walked into the room, she knew at once that this woman was a miko, and that she used to be human, but no longer is.

The lady looked up and forced a painful smile, "Ah, you must be the miko from the village at the base of the mountain. I sensed you from up here, strongly too, so you must be very powerful."

Kagome lowered her head in respect, and then look up tentatively, unsure of what she was supposed to do. She plucked nervously at her miko's robes that she'd been wearing when the demon soldiers came to bring her here. She wished she had time to change into more comfortable clothes, but then again, first impressions are everything… right? The woman smiled, "You remind me of a young lady who was forced to come here in the same way you did."

Kagome, a little startled, managed, "Really?" it was weak and pathetic, but what else could she say? Suddenly she heard a string of fierce, hacking coughs in the other room, then hoarse shouting, then the sound of expensive glass shattering. Then a young demon maid burst through the door, "You'd better get in there Mistress, he's out of control!"

The woman sighed and gave Kagome a tired, weak smile. There was a touch of pity in her eyes as she left the room, humming a soft, familiar melody. The ruckus in the other room stopped as suddenly as it started. There was a rustling of sheets, and a moment where the crickets outside managed to get their symphony heard, before the sliding door opened once again, and the woman entered, exhaustedly and sat before Kagome.

"All right, I'll tell you why you've been brought here. Years ago, perhaps a year or two before you were born; the demon lord had another son. This boy was kept a secret from the world, so that's why you don't know about him. He was brought up very roughly; he's been unaccepted in the castle and would run away for days at a time. This time, he didn't come back; we sent a search party and found him nearly dead by a stream. He hasn't said a coherent word since, and has fallen terribly sick. You have been brought here as our last and only hope to cure him. I've tried all that I can. But it wasn't enough. He may be a little hard to handle at first, but he really is a kind boy, please be patient, the miko brought here before you had her hands full too, and she pulled through very well, I know you can too."

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That was weird, Kagome thought. Now, she was being lead to her new rooms by a cute little fox demon with light brown hair. Rooms? Kagome thought. I wonder how many, and how nice they are. Knowing demons for their reputation of looking down on humans, probably not all that great. Then, when she entered her room, Kagome staggered and nearly fell over in shock. The room spacious, yet fully furnished with an extra large bed, huge cushions on the floor and lots of rug covered floor space. It was her dream room.

"Your bathroom is on your left, and your living room is on your right. I hope this is satisfactory." The little fox demon said formally.

Kagome smiled at him, so cute! "This is way ABOVE satisfactory, thank you!"

He gave her a wide smile and scampered off down the hall. Kagome heaved the door shut, then collapsed onto the bed. So much room! What was she going to do with all this room? Ugh! Kagome ran a hand through her hair, wincing at the tangles and slick sweat. Bath time! Kagome slid off the high bed and walked into the bathroom.

Ahh, a nice warm bath and- oh! What have we here...? Kagome opened the mirror to find row upon row of every scent of shampoo and conditioner and mousse and hair spray and bath soaps, facial soaps, body oils, body lotions, face lotions, herbal pastes and...you get the idea. Kagome's eyes were wide in disbelief and she sat down hard on the toilet seat, then jumped three feet into the air when her bare hiny met the cold seat. Jeeze, if there ever was such a thing as too much wealth, here it is!

Kagome quickly filled the bath tub, picked out her favorite scented shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and decided to give herself a bubble bath too! This is heaven, Kagome thought, she sure could get used to this! And not only did the water heat up to just the right temperature, but it stayed warm, with heating pads along the side of the tub. What a life! How could anyone be crazy enough to run away from this?!

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Inuyasha painfully trudged up the stone stairs. He was NOT weak! NO! He didn't need some filthy human commoner to help him get better! He'd do it all by himself. His steps slowed as they reached the young miko's door. What was she like? He wondered. His ears wriggled atop his head, listening to the quiet breathing inside. Who was she? She's supposed to be the strongest miko in the kingdom. His nose twitched as he inhaled her scent. She was nervous and frightened; it was evident, poisoning the sweetness in her scent, leaving it bitter sweet. She smelled kind, very unlike Kikyou's scent, which was laced with hate, suspicion and mistrust. He never smelled anything like this before. Her scent had sweet herbs and spring flowers weaved into her own unique aroma. The only person he knew that smelled vaguely similar to this new scent was his mother and only she was ever kind and loving to him. Unconsciously, a small bubble of hope began to form in his chest. Perhaps she would be his first real friend…

Finally, he opened the door, he wanted to see her. Shaking hands slid the light, wooden door open, revealing a small figure atop a giant bed. Jeeze, his mother really over did it, Inuyasha thought, glancing around the luxuriously decorated room. Oh well, he couldn't be mad at her, now could he? The miko's things lay sprawled in a corner of the room. A few odds and ends lay scattered at the foot of the bed, a brush, red and white miko's garb. The only things that were actually unpacked were a collection of photographs on the nightstand, reflecting the moonshine that slithered though the gap in the curtain onto the girl's face. The miko herself was sleeping restlessly, turning one way, then another, never holding one position for more that five minutes. Nightmare? Inuyasha thought, tilting his head like a dog. [^.^]

Quietly, he crept over to her bed and peered into her face. Golden orbs widened. Inuyasha was very taken aback with what he saw. She was beautiful, yes, but she looked almost identical to Kikyou. Gods, why her of all people and faces? Inuyasha cursed silently, so not to waken the slumbering girl. Kagome sighed in her sleep and turned toward Inuyasha, giving him a better view of her soft face. He studied it carefully. Amber irises traced her cheek, eyes, and nose. When he finished his examination, relief flooded through his veins. Upon a closer look, this girl was actually very different from that bitch. Her cheeks were smooth and pink, a permanent rosy blush and a sharp contrast to Kikyou's pale face. Her mouth was red and lax, unlike Kikyou's tight straight lips, which remained a thin line, even in sleep. A clawed hand hesitantly edged its way toward her face. Horrified, Inuyasha yanked it back, shocked at himself and angry that his body was reacting this way towards this girl.

Dampening the flames to his bubbling temper, he slowly reverted his attention back to the sleeping miko. He was curious to see her eyes, he suddenly wanted to look into them, to search in them for that comfort and security only his mother had ever given him. But he squashed that feeling back down into his chest; he had no use for it in this cold world. No, this girl might just be as cruel and shallow as her look alike. He refused to think that anyone, save for his mother, would ever care for him. He'd been hurt too many times for that, and he won't make the same mistakes again. But the urge to touch her, to see her eyes, was still there, a little subdued, but still tickling the back of his mind.

It was too dangerous to stay here, he had only stood over her sleeping form for a few minutes, and she was already creeping into his ragged and scarred heart. No, he can't stay here; she can't stay here. She'll have to go back as soon as possible. He can endure physical pain, but his heart was still bleeding from his last hurt, he couldn't bear to have it wounded again.

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"Papa!" Kagome stretched out her hand, only to grasp nothing but air. "Papa..." Kagome whispered, a single glittering tear sliding down her silk cheek.

Kagome opened her eyes, frowning in confusion... then she remembered. She was at the Demon lord of the Western land's castle. To heal...did that lady ever say his name? Come to think of it, the only person in this castle whose name she knew was Seshoumaru... and that cute kitsune, Shippou. She didn't even know that lady's name. Oh well, there's nothing she can do about it, so why ponder?

Kagome got up. It was still pretty dark; she had a habit of waking up early, to see the dawn. It was her favorite time of day. In the morning, everything was starting anew and fresh. Kagome quickly bathed and dressed.

She had some time to pack before she left (well, they said that she most likely will be gone for the rest of the summer), so she unpacked and dressed in her favorite light khaki's that reached halfway down her shin, they were a little figure hugging at the waist and thighs, but were loose at the bottom and had drawstring ends. Kagome pulled a tight, dark green tank top on, then a lighter jade flannel button up shirt. She hated the miko robes she'd been forced to wear when she was on duty, protecting that cursed jewel. Kikyou loved wearing that hot, stifling outfit. She thought it made her look more powerful, more formidable and more beautiful. But to Kagome, comfort, comfort, comfort! Comfort over looks.

Digging through her things again, Kagome pulled out some more pictures and set them on the small coffee table in her living room. She carefully unwrapped her little figurines that she'd received over the years. A tiny fairy perched on a thin blade of grass found a spot on a shelf next to the set of couches near the balcony in her room, the early rays of the sun glittering off the sparkles on her wings. An angel found itself hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the living room, watching over it. A small handmade clay penguin stood tall next to a small stuffed snowman, two wintery companions. Another stuffed animal, a large bean bag horse sprawled at the base of a couch.

The miko gently pulled out her favorite. It was a soft, plush animal, snowy white with twin amber gems for eyes. She tenderly placed the love-worn stuffed dog next to her bed [^.~], and then continued unpacking. Kagome cleared a bookshelf and placed her pride and joy in a decorative manner in the shelf. About a dozen globes of multiple shapes and sizes were arranged across the shelf. Dogs, mermaids, horses, mice, rabbits, and more peered out at the world through glass globes. Kagome stepped back for a farther perspective then altered a few positions until she was satisfied. For a finishing touch for the living room, Kagome hung a crystal right above the doorway to the balcony, bathing the room with a multitude of tiny rainbows. Kagome patted herself on the back and headed out the door. Pausing to check the mirror one last time, Kagome slipped out of her room.

After wondering about a little through the main hallways, Kagome noticed a hidden doorway alongside the wall. Curiously, she pushed it open and stepped inside. Ah, the servant's hallway, nifty. Not many servants were about, apparently, she was early, even for demons. Kagome spent a little while wondering around the servant corridors, before asking a young looking demon how to get to the gardens. He told her that if she wanted to visit "Inuyasha's" private gardens, all she needed to do was to go to her balcony, either the one in her bedroom, or the living room, it didn't matter, and there should be a gate at one of the sides next to the wall, and a stair way. The main gardens would take a whole fifteen minutes to walk to, and that would be "demon power walking" too. So Kagome thanked him, wandered back to her room, stepped out onto her balcony and found the gate. She unlatched it and shimmied down the vertical metal ladder and finally ended up in the gardens.

Kagome gaped at what she saw. This wasn't a garden! This was wilderness! Flowers and cherry trees, once carefully look after were growing wild! Stonewalls were crumbling, and there wasn't any pathway at all! Kagome decided to wonder around, ignoring the wise words; curiosity killed the cat. She'd spotted a very tall tree, deep in the center of the "garden" and made her way toward it. As she fought her way through the brambles, she came upon a little trail, heading toward the giant tree. Following it, she then came across a little stream and a tiny, crumbling bridge surrounded by sakura trees on both sides. Carefully making her way across, Kagome continued her trek.

Kagome loved hiking, she loved the way it was always misty in the forests in the morning. She took her time, leisurely trekking through the underbrush, barely following the hidden trail. She skipped through the sakura tree clearing and plunged into the forest again. The young miko breathed in deep, enjoying the fresh, crisp, grassy morning air. Kagome listened to the birds and frogs, enchanted by the sounds in the forest.

Finally, she reached the tree, and what a gigantic tree! It looked so solid and haunting, sitting there with the morning mist shrouding its twisting roots. Kagome slowly stepped toward the tree and laid her palm on its warm bark. It was surprisingly warm for it being so early in the morning. But oh well, Kagome thought as she checked her watch, no time to wonder about that, it's time to see what's for breakfast. Kagome turned around, determined to explore more of it later, and headed back to the house. It was 7:30, and the lady had said that dinner would be served at 8:00, so she'd better hurry. Besides, the lady had also promised to give her a tour around this wing of the castle, Kagome couldn't wait!

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Inuyasha awoke to a painful throbbing in his chest. Curse it! He turned over and grabbed a pill from its bowl at the side of his bed and swallowed hard. If he hadn't decided to visit that miko that night, he could have spared himself this pain. But his curiosity had gotten the better of him. After a few minutes, the pain subsided and he managed to crawl out of bed. He glanced at his clock, 7:45. 15 minutes till they called him to breakfast, and to meet this new girl. Inuyasha really wanted to meet her, but he also really wanted to get rid of her. She was dangerous; he knew his heart couldn't stand another rejection. But still, he wanted to see the color of her eyes.

Inuyasha shook his head; it's no use thinking about these things so early in the morning, it'll only make his sickness even worse. The half demon gazed outside, at his favorite tree in the garden. He wanted to visit it again; he needed to. Inuyasha ignored that annoying, but wise, voice inside his head, telling him that it's a bad idea, and will only make him sicker, and jumped off his balcony into his forest.

The red clothed figure raced through the forest, quickly finding the well- worn path. Or at least, well worn to a point that it's obvious to his sharp eyes and sense of smell. However, his nose somehow managed to over look another, sweet, scent lingering in the air.

His body lived for this, this feeling that he got when he was racing through the undergrowth, then leaping into the tree branches. It was freedom. And he savored it. With each leap, it felt like his heart grew wings and soared among the clouds. With each spurt of speed, his blood and body yearned for more. Faster! His heart cried to him. A blur of red shot through the thick branches of the over grown forest. Higher! His soul sang out. He gathered his muscles together and soared over tree tops, gazing around at his position in the sky. The wind combed through his hair, bringing him numerous scents to sniff, sounds to tweak his ears at in curiosity. The howling wind whizzed past his face. He took a detour at the cherry tree grove, off the path, and dashed downstream enjoying the coolness of the water as it played at the soles of his feet. Finally, his tired, sick body could no longer keep up with the pace he'd set, and he trudged to the giant tree, exhausted.

Inuyasha smiled; here was the only place where he allowed himself to smile, to show his true feelings. Not even to his own mother, because he didn't want to make her sad when he was. Which was most of the time. But right now, he smiled, at the tree. This tree grew up with him; it gave him a place to play, a place to hide, and a place to rest. Inuyasha leaped onto his favorite branch, a low branch that was completely hidden by surrounding leaves. That's when he noticed it. That scent. It was the scent of that girl. But how'd it get over here?! The dog in him growled, and he barred his fangs. Who dared to intrude onto his turf? His tree? He'd have to have a talk with that girl, Inuyasha thought, heading back, his blood beginning to boil, he'd have to set things straight with her, as long as she's living here, he'd have to...

Inuyasha collapsed; he was at the edge of his forest. All that jumping around must have done a number on him. He could feel his body writhing on the cold ground in pain, but he was far too weak, to even feel the pain itself. I really did this time, he thought, I hope mother doesn't get ... too worried...

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"Milady!!! Milady! It's Inuyasha! We've found him, he's three quarters dead!" a maid cried, bursting into the small dining room. The lady's face went deathly pale. Without saying a word, she beckoned Kagome to follow her and speedily raced through the corridor. Kagome followed at the best she could, almost getting lost every now and then, until both finally came to a door. It was plain, and solid. But Kagome could also feel that behind the door was a demon, and very weak. But something was puzzling her; this demon also had a distinctly human aura too...

"Kagome," the lady said, startling Kagome, "I am the wife of the demon lord," she let that information sink in as she slid open the doors, revealing a pale, sweating, rasping young boy, about Kagome's age, laying on a simple bed. "And this is my son, the half demon prince, Inuyasha."

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Like? No like? Pleez review!!! Oh, and I need suggestions for wut I should name inu's mom and dad. I'm no good at names, so help much needed! And other suggestions welcome. Thanx!

KittyKatz =^.^=

Ps. I will not update until I get at least ten or so reviews. Pleez? Pretty pleez?