InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Gods ❯ Dry Tears ( Chapter 3 )

AN: Yeah I know, I know, what lame excuse has Lin come up with now? Honestly though, this was a serious setback this time. For those of you who visit my LJ you would already know. For you those who don't, short story? My laptop crashed. Needless to say I hope you all forgive me. For those waiting on Pursuit - more on that at the end of the chapter.

 

I wanted to throw out a HUGE thank you to my editor/beta Shaid who did a fantastic job, as always, on this chapter. You always make it so much better sweetie - cookies all round!

 

Now for the revived third chapter, which I'm re-writing in broiling heat…

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own the intellectual property that is Inuyasha. I stand to make absolutely no money from this particular work; heck, all my moolah just went into this baby I'm using to write this darn thing. So please don't sue, you won't get a cent anyway. Oh, I may own a character or two of my own creation. And this plot…I think…I hope…

 

 

 

Lost Gods

Chapter Three - Dry Tears

 

 

 

 

 

 

His nose twitched, feeling the instinctive jerk of his tail, he paused on his quest, “You know, I know you're there.”

 

The grass rustled behind him and Shippou couldn't help but frown as Inuyasha's scarlet hakama came into view. Hunkering lower into the tall grass, Shippou kept his eyes trained on the rabbit in the distance.

 

When a moment passed with the hanyou remaining silent, Shippou raised his head and turned. “She sent you, didn't she?”

 

Inuyasha let his breath out with an annoyed huff. “Feh. It doesn't take a genius to see that you need help, kid.”

 

“I do not!” Shippou yelled, hands fisting as he glared at Inuyasha.

 

“Feh. There goes your big fat dinner, runt.”

 

“Wha…?!” Shippou spun around, spying the rabbit fleeing the quiet field. With a growl of frustration, his little legs bunching in preparation to leap, Shippou dashed further into the tall grass. He hadn't gotten far before he felt the wholly uncomfortable, yet disturbingly familiar sensation of his tail being grabbed.

 

An upside down vantage was not Shippou's favourite way of seeing the world and he expressed his disapproval with a well pitched growl and a barring of his little teeth.

 

“Settle down, there wasn't any chance that you were gonna catch that rabbit. anyway.” Inuyasha smirked down at Shippou.

 

“What the hell do you know?!” Shippou spat, trying in vain to lash out at his captor. Raising his eyebrow at the profanity, Inuyasha shook the kitsune until his teeth rattled. Satisfied that Shippou was too dazed to run off immediately, Inuyasha set him down.

 

Shippou shook his head in vain, trying to clear his spinning vision. Still slightly dizzy, the kitsune boy looked up only to squeak in surprise. Inuyasha was hunkered down in front of him, their noses almost touching. Scooting backwards to escape the intense scrutiny, Shippou paused as another wave of disorientation hit him

 

“I know a lot more then you think, kid.” The serious tone of the hanyou's voice made Shippou look up again, this time not flinching away from Inuyasha. “I was out on my own when I was a heck of a lot younger then you.” Straightening on his haunches, Inuyasha continued to hold Shippou's gaze. “I didn't have some kind-hearted miko from the future to take me in, either. I did it on my own. Fight, eat, live. All by myself.”

 

Shippou could've sworn that he saw the burning of painful memories in Inuyasha's eyes, but he blinked and the look was gone, replaced by the usual fierce determination. In the heavy silence that followed, neither moved.

 

With a shake of his long mane, Inuyasha was on his feet, staring down at Shippou once again. “Move it.” The words were softly spoken, but Shippou obeyed like it was bellowed. Swiftly leaping to his feet, he followed Inuyasha out of the field.

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

He was hyperventilating. Why did no one ever notice how darned tiny this well house was? Surely the well, which carried his sister back and forth between eras, needed a more impressive structure to house it? One that had higher ceilings, maybe a few windows. No, instead here they all were; him, his sister and their clueless guest. All stuck in this tiny space. Was it just him or was it really hot?

 

Souta snapped out of his reverie when Kagome shifted on the steps. It was a small movement, a mere shuffling of feet, but it was enough to mobilize Souta. With a nervous squeak, he rushed forward to haul his sister backwards, his mind working at a furious pace.

 

“Tai! Fancy seeing you here! Umm, this is my sister Kagome.” He was babbling, he could hear it. Instead of smacking his own forehead like he wanted to, Souta forced on a bright smile.

 

Taiki stood silhouetted by the sunlight streaming in through the open door, his face was unreadable as ever. “Your sister? The sick one?”

 

Souta felt Kagome flinch next to him, but before either of them could react, Taiki stepped further into the well house. “What are you two doing in here?”

 

“Cat,” Kagome replied smoothly, “Buyo always had a bad habit of sneaking in here. Must be the rats' hiding place.”

 

Souta fidgeted as Kagome and Taiki faced off. “Uh Kagome, this is Tai. Ishimaru Taiki. He and his grandfather are staying with us, remember?”

 

Souta barely heard Kagome's murmured assent, the thrumming in his ears drowned out the sound around him. As she drew level with Taiki, Souta thought that the older boy would refuse to let her pass, but after a moment's hesitation, Taiki stepped aside.

 

Releasing his breath in one relieved puff, Souta followed his sister, only to feel Taiki's hand on his arm.

 

“Tai?” Souta peered at him, wondering what the secretive boy could want to say.

 

Taiki stared after Kagome, his gaze distant and unfocused. Slowly he shook his head and released Souta's arm. “It's nothing.”

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

Sango nodded her appreciation as Miroku passed her a cup of tea. Inhaling the gentle aroma of the brewing leaves, Sango sighed as she gazed out at the peaceful village. Kirara was by her side and the monk was behaving, for once. She sighed once again in utter contentment, her eyelids sliding close in bliss.

 

The cup was halfway to her lips when she felt her forehead crinkling in a frown. The village was peaceful. The birds were chirping and the sun, in all its glory, was kissing the russet-topped hills. Miroku seemed to be lost in thought as he contemplated the sunset, his hand safely clutching his own cup.

 

“Wait a minute….” Sango stared off into the field. She could feel Miroku's gaze settling on her. “Where the heck are Shippou and Inuyasha?”

 

Miroku let out a quiet “Ah,” before returning to his tea. Taking a sip, Miroku sighed. “I'm sure they are around, my dear Sango; no need to worry.”

 

Sango eyed Miroku suspiciously, “What do you know?”

 

“Know? Why, my dear, I know nothing.” He took another sip. “When one embraces one's fundamental ignorance, one opens the way to true enlightenment.”

 

Sango pursed her lips. Enlightenment? Riiight… “You know something, houshi-sama. Now spill!”

 

“Sango, why worry about where the troublesome twosome are?” Miroku set his tea down before turning to look at her, a familiar gleam in his dark eyes. “Why not focus on the here and now. You are here, I am here and…”

 

“Oh no, no!” Swatting the creeping hand away, Sango scooted further from Miroku, picking up Kirara and setting her in between. Kirara merely mewed in surprise before settling in to act as chaperone. “You tell me what you know and you tell me now!”

 

“But, my dear Sango…”

 

The peace of the village was disrupted by a heavy thud followed by a man's agonized groan.

 

“Geez, Sango, do you have to hit that hard?” Miroku complained as he rubbed at his abused head.

 

“How else am I going to get anything through that thick skull of yours houshi-sama?” Sango inquired sweetly, resisting the urge to bat her eyelashes. That would've just been too much. “Now cough it up!”

 

Miroku sighed, letting his hand drop to his lap, “Well, I might've overheard something.”

 

“Yes?” Sango's voice lowered to an ominous hum as her eyes narrowed to slits.

 

Miroku cleared his throat nervously, helpless prey in the presence of a predator. As if the thought just struck him, Miroku held up a hand in protest, “Not that I was eavesdropping or anything!”

 

Sango couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes. “Of course not.”

 

Miroku cleared his throat before taking another sip of tea. “I happened upon our two wayward companions in the clearing and coupled with what we were all talking about before…” Miroku trailed off, his eyes sliding to the quickly darkening forest, “I do hope that Inuyasha thinks to stop soon.”

 

“You really think that Inuyasha would…” Sango followed Miroku's gaze.

 

Miroku shrugged, “I think Inuyasha has always felt some sort of responsibility for the child. He and Kagome found him after all. Inuyasha himself grew up without his parents and, honestly, our brash hanyou friend may not be as indifferent to young Shippou's plight as it may seem.”

 

“Hmm…” Sango absently stroked Kirara's fur. Feeling the contented rumblings of the neko youkai beneath her hand were soothing, she couldn't help but think that the monk was still keeping something from her. “I hope so Miroku. There's only so much we can do after all.” .

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

“Kagome! You're back! So soon?” Michiyo reached out a hand for Kagome's bag, smiling warmly at her daughter.

 

Feeling Souta's pinch, Kagome bit her lip to stop from crying out. Shooting a glare at her brother, she handed her bag to her mother. “Yeah, Mom. The hospital didn't do that many tests this time.”

 

“Tests?” Michiyo frowned but soon spotted Taiki in the doorway, “Oh! Yes, well that's good to hear. You must be tired; why don't you go on upstairs and I'll draw you a bath?”

 

“That would be great, Mom.” Grinning in relief, Kagome turned towards the stairs, but stopped as she realized that one constant in their household was no where to be seen. “Mom? Where's Grandpa?”

 

“Oh, he went out with Riku-san, they should be back by dinner time,” Michiyo smiled.

 

At the shooing wave of her mother's hand, Kagome shrugged and walked up the stairs. A million questions had begun to dance around her head as soon as she had seen the stranger at the well house. Mentally willing Souta to follow her, she deliberately slowed her steps. Souta caught up with her at her bedroom door, silently grabbing hold of his wrist, Kagome hauled him inside.

 

“What is going on?” She hissed, the words tripping over each other in her haste, “Guests? When did they arrive? Who are they? Do they know anything about…you know? How long are they staying?” The questions that had been circling around Kagome's mind rushed out in one whoosh, leaving Souta blinking at her.

 

Souta moved over to the bed; as if knowing to expect another rush of questions he held up his hand to beg for her silence. As soon as he was settled in Kagome's overly pink room, he took a deep breath. “Lots. Yes, guests. Pretty much just after you left. You already met Tai, his grandfather Ishimaru-san is a good friend of Grandpa's. No, they know nothing about you. They're staying indefinitely.”

 

Kagome blinked at Souta's precise answers. “Okay, we gotta take that from the top. What is going on?”

 

Souta shrugged, “Beats me. Pretty much what happened is this: Ishimaru-san called; there was some sort of tragedy, I think. That's what they keep calling it, anyway. Tai doesn't talk much. Whatever. So, Grandpa offered them a place to stay and well, here they are.”

 

Kagome sat down on her bed, grabbing her pillow from underneath Souta who stuck out his tongue at being dislodged. “Staying indefinitely? As in, no time frame?”

 

Souta rolled his eyes, “You sure you're in high school, Nee-chan?

 

Kagome promptly threw her pillow at him and Souta retaliated by throwing a stuffed puppy. “Oh, just shut up, twerp. This is not good.” Kagome wailed. “Not good at all! How are we supposed to hide the fact that every so often I disappear down a dried up well?”

 

“I dunno. Keep coming up with one lame disease after another?” Souta's face brightened. “I know! We'll tell them it's a break-through treatment!”

 

Kagome grimaced, “Oh ha ha. When did you become Mister Comedian?”

 

“What? I was serious!” Souta grinned at her.

 

“This is so not good.” Kagome bit her lip, arms hugging her sides as she rolled her feet underneath her.

 

Souta sighed and shook his head, “No, not good. Is it bad to wish that Grandpa wasn't so darned hospitable?”

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

The kitsune was whining. Again. Whine, whine, whine and more whining. It was all he did! Inuyasha was becoming more frustrated with every little thing that came out of Shippou's mouth. Sure, Kagome taught him to say please, thank you and all that crap, but damn it! Did she really have to teach him to complain like a human?

 

Shippou had struggled to crawl towards him and had finally collapsed in a panting bundle at his feet. “Are we done yet, Inuyasha?”

 

It was at that moment that Inuyasha realized that his eyes had begun to work just a little bit harder to compensate for the lack of light around them. Tucking his hands into his sleeves, he huffed and turned to walk towards the gathering flickers of light that was the village.

 

Shippou groaned, “You're not seriously leaving me here are you?”

 

“You got feet, haven't, you runt?” Inuyasha tossed out without turning to look at Shippou. When he didn't receive a reply, he peered over his shoulder to find the exhausted cub snoring on the forest floor. Amazed at the ease with which the kid fell asleep, Inuyasha shook his head before heading back towards Shippou. “Stupid runt. Want to get eaten, do you?”

 

Inuyasha's keen eyesight pierced through the darkness to pick up the tiny bit of drool that was starting to form in the corner of Shippou's mouth. With a disgusted grunt, he hoisted Shippou more firmly into the crook of his elbow. “You better not be stupid enough to get eaten. Kagome would kill me.”

 

Something in the back of his mind whispered that Shippou fell asleep so easily because he knew that Inuyasha was there to protect him. That something also whispered that Inuyasha would never let harm befall the child. Inuyasha told the voice to shut the fuck up.

 

Reaching the edge of the village, Inuyasha spotted a figure detach itself from the wall of Kaede's hut. Pausing, Inuyasha let the figure draw nearer before holding the still snoring Shippou out.

 

“He's alive, see? Just snoring his butt off.” Inuyasha knew his tone was defensive and he fought the urge to drop his gaze.

 

Miroku finally stepped out of the lingering shadows, “I knew you would never let anything happen to him, Inuyasha. You need not assure me.”

 

“Feh.” Inuyasha tucked Shippou back against his body. “Oi bouzo, would you tell Sango to save some dinner for the runt? He didn't get a chance to eat.”

 

Miroku eyed him, his fingers tightening and loosening over his staff, a sure-fire sign that he was scheming. “You're free to tell her yourself, Inuyasha. Won't you eat with us?”

 

Inuyasha shook his head, wary of the look in the monk's eye. “Nah, not really hungry.” He jerked a head towards the forest. “I'm just gonna go…patrol.”

 

“Ah, patrol. Of course. Shall I relieve you later?” A grin started to form on Miroku's lips.

 

“No!” Fearing that the word came out too quickly, Inuyasha cleared his throat. “No that's okay. I'll…umm…sleep in the tree tonight.”

 

“Of course, Inuyasha.” Miroku intoned. Inuyasha chose to ignore the knowing look in the monk's eyes as he thrust Shippou into Miroku's outstretched arms. He mumbled a “See ya,” before taking off at high speed.

 

Running was still the best way to clear his head and he had a lot to think about. Early that morning, before Kagome had left, Inuyasha happened to overhear a conversation between Kagome and Sango. It wasn't like he was eavesdropping or anything; he wasn't Miroku. They just happened to converse under his tree.

 

Sango and Kagome had both been very concerned about the nightmares that plagued Shippou. Kagome seemed distressed and had confessed that she didn't know what to do. Miroku had joined in the conversation soon after and had suggested that perhaps Shippou needed the guidance of another man.

 

Inuyasha wasn't sure if the humans had been aware of his presence, but he had to bite his tongue when Miroku made his comment. Shippou didn't need the guidance of another man. He needed another youkai.

 

Inuyasha's frown deepened. He still hadn't been able to bring himself to tell them that Shippou continued to dream and had never actually stopped. His distressed grumblings were just usually too low-pitched for a human to hear.

 

Inuyasha sighed and sped up. He wasn't even going to think about what else he had heard Kagome talk about with Miroku. His head hurt enough as it was. Panting slightly, he stopped and headed for Goshinboku.

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

“Took you long enough.”

 

Riku looked up, “Tai, didn't hear you standing there, son. You scared me.”

 

Taiki rolled his eyes, “Sure, I did.” Walking further into the room, Taiki closed the bedroom door. “She's back, you know.”

 

A shadow fell over Riku's face. “Yes, I know.” He sighed, “Taiki you shouldn't…”

 

“I won't say anything, old man. I'll leave that to you.” Taiki turned around, but with a hand on the knob, he looked back at his grandfather. “But you gotta get a move on. You know that, right?”

 

Riku sighed. Rubbing a hand over his face, he nodded.

 

Taiki looked like he wanted to say something more, but instead abruptly left the room.

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx

 

 

 

“One, two, three, four, five…” Ticking the number of places off on her fingers, Kagome frowned as she studied the stack of plates in front of her. “Okay, I need another one.”

 

“Don't bother.”

 

Jumping at the unfamiliar voice, Kagome froze in the act of reaching for another plate. Blushing at being caught unawares, she turned to find intense green eyes focused on her. “Excuse me?”

 

Taiki sauntered forward, his hands firmly lodged in his pants' pocket. “I said `don't bother', I just went up to see my Grandfather. He said he wasn't feeling well.”

 

“Oh! It's nothing serious, I hope.” Kagome frowned, concerned. She started to distribute the plates around the table.

 

“Nothing he caught from you.”

 

The response had been given with such an utter lack of emotion or emphasis that Kagome found herself looking up at Taiki to stare. “That's good…”

 

Taiki merely shrugged before heading for the drawer that held the chopsticks.

 

“Oh no, I'll do that, Ishimaru-kun.” Kagome set the last plate down and rushed around the table to grab at the chopsticks that Taiki held out.

 

“Oh God, don't call me that!”

 

“Call you what, Ishimaru-kun?” Kagome blinked at the vehement reply.

 

Taiki waved a hand at her. “That. It's Tai, or Taiki if you can't bear the informality.”

 

Kagome drew in a deep breath. “Okay, Taiki.”

 

“Oh, you're such good kids!” The two teenagers looked up as Michiyo entered with their dinner. “Come on then, you two. Sit, sit, I'll call the others.”

 

“Grandfather wanted to excuse himself from dinner Higurashi-san. He said he wasn't feeling well.”

 

“Thank you for telling me Taiki. I hope he's okay? I`ll go check on him.” Michiyo frowned.

 

“Don't trouble yourself, Higurashi-san. He was already falling asleep when I left him.”

 

Kagome couldn't put a finger on it, but there was something oddly familiar about Taiki. Kagome jerked when she realized she had been staring at him while he spoke to her mother. Shaking her head, she slipped into her seat. Maybe he reminded her of someone from school? Whatever it was, she just had to stop staring at him. It was bad enough he thought she was disease-ridden; he really didn't need to think she was weird too.

 

“Oh, yum! Mama made chicken katsu curry. I haven't had that in a while!” Kagome exclaimed happily as she spied the main dish on the table. She snuck a glance at Taiki and she could've sworn that she saw him crinkle his nose, but she looked again his face bore a pleased expression.

 

Kagome shook her head. Maybe you really are weird Higurashi…

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x

 

 

 

Another note to explain my weirdly obscure titles: A quote by Albert Camus, a French novelist: “A tear dries quickly when it is shed for the troubles of others.”

 

Regarding “The Pursuit of Power”: I actually had a sizeable chunk of the latest chapter done and all ready to go. However it too got lost in the big Laptop Crash. I just wanted to say that I will go back to work on it, but at this time I really can't guarantee a when on that. I wanted to apologise and hope you understand. Actually I'm going to have my laptop looked at when I come up with funds, hopefully after Christmas.

 

On that note - I hoped you're all enjoying this so far, we still have a long way to go, I'm thinking that this would be 15 or so chapters. I wanted to thank you all for patiently (or not) waiting for this story and promise to get the next chapter soon! Ja ne!