InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Hopes ❯ Chapter 22

Author Notes: Here we go another chapter. This one probably gives some input into what Hotaru is really made of.

 

Reviewer Thanks: Bibil1 (Thanks for the lovely reviews)

 

 

Now last but most definitely not the least SILENCE and Mollie, Thanks for doing such a fine job.

 

Chapter 22

 

A nudge.

 

“Ya-chan, Ya-chan!”

 

The hanyou groaned, eyelids fluttering but yet to open.

 

“Oh, come on. Get up already!”

 

The voice seemed familiar and somewhat…hazardous? But Inuyasha was still content to sleep; he was warm and sleepily happy, let the world go to hell.

 

“Oi, get up puppy. I know you're awake.”

 

“Hmmm…all right, all right. I'm up.” The inu grunted, flicking an irritated eye open to peer at the one who had, so mercilessly, disturbed his slumber. He decided it was time to knock some sense into that impatient soul. However, as his vision cleared and he struggled to get up, he wasn't able to let out more then a squeak before he was forcefully pushed back down.

 

“Oh, settle down already, squeaky puppy! Enough with your unique way of greeting me.” Hotaru rolled her eyes as she retrieved a bowl of suspiciously smelly liquid and held it in front of Inuyasha. “I am not going to eat you, you know. Moreover, you're hurt and exhausted so you wouldn't be of any use anyway. Now, be a good doggy and drink this.”

 

Shaking his head violently in denial, Inuyasha struggled weakly and cursed as he discovered the truth of the demoness' words. The movement only caused the flesh around his stomach to burn and he yelped before pulling aside his sheet to inspect the scarred flesh.

 

“That hyena did quite a number on you.” Hotaru informed, sitting herself beside the hanyou and smiling. “The poison went quite deep into your skin. However, no need to worry anymore. The Great Hotaru-sama has successfully taken care of it and now, you only need to drink this to expel any residue that may remain in your system. And don't look at me like that, puppy. It's not poison, you know.”

 

The hanyou still blinked at her disbelievingly, pulling the silken covers up to his chin as he sought ways of escape.

 

Hotaru sighed. “Look, Ya-chan, do you want me to force it down your throat?” The threatening glint in her eyes conveying that she wouldn't mind doing so if needed; and Inuyasha was only as strong as a newborn puppy and thus, completely helpless to stop her.

 

“No.” Came a small reply.

 

“Then drink it. I promise there's nothing to harm you. And don't you dare try any of your tricks struggling to lick that injury!”

 

Inuyasha snapped his head up from where he had been bending at an impossible angle - while attempting to lick the scarred wound - to study her for a moment. Surprisingly, the demoness looked completely different then she normally did, less threatening and somehow calm and wise. Even his youkai felt oddly at ease with her. Was this how she truly was, or was this just a trick? Sniffing the foul smelling liquid, he grimaced. `Yuk! But safe.'

 

“Dramatics! Dramatics!” Hotaru commented rolling her eyes.

 

Inuyasha growled but drank the potion anyway. “Yuk!”

 

“Here.” A glass was handed to him and he gratefully let the cool water wash down the filthy taste in his mouth.

 

“Thanks. Is everything…?” he began.

 

“Yes, yes. Everything is fine, Ya-chan. Your little stunt saved the kit. She is a bit shaken but other than that, she's okay. The mother sends her regards. She is grateful.”

 

“Hmmm…”

 

“Where's Father?” Inuyasha inquired. Mashiro had absolutely forbidden Inuyasha to call him anything else. The word sounded so alien at first but now, somehow, he was getting used to it.

 

“Oh, he is probably off somewhere drinking and yapping about your glory. God only knows why they made him their lord. He is nothing but a useless lout,” the she-demon said offhandedly as she moved absently around the room tinkering with things.

 

Inuyasha scowled. He was sure Hotaru had kicked Mashiro out of here. And speaking of which…

 

“Where am I?” Inuyasha asked, finally acknowledging his surroundings. This room was nothing like the other ones. More lavish and practically humongous, the room was tastefully decorated with silks of the purest quality in colours of the brightest reds and golds, furnished with a unique assortment of expensive furniture and tapestries, and artfully displaying an unusual collection of weaponry. Even the bed in which he lay was draped with golden silken covers and seemed cushier and softer than any other. For a moment, the hanyou contemplated jumping on it. After all, one should always test the strength but…

 

“Glad ya finally noticed. You're in my chamber.” Hotaru informed with a smirk, seeing the inu's eyes widen as she settled into a chair beside his bed. “And no, I did not bring you here to molest you.”

 

Inuyasha scowled. What was the meaning of all this? Why wasn't she being all clingy? Why was she being so…nice?

 

Perhaps the demoness had anticipated his thought since the smirk on her face grew wider. “Oh, I am usually nice, Ya-chan. You just don't know it.” Seeing Inuyasha's brows furrow in confusion, she chose to elaborate. “I feel a connection with you, my dear Ya-chan, which I feel with few others. You and I are very similar in our ways, as is Katashi. You were born from the union of two breeds. As am I, and Katashi as well. A fourth of the blood within his veins is cougar demon - though not many know of this fact.”

 

“You mean…”

 

“Hai. Did you think you were the only half-breed? Oh puppy, you are so naive; and close that mouth of yours lest it drop to the floor.” Inuyasha instantly clamped his mouth shut, blushing a bit at his action.

 

“Even little Kai is one. We have merely hidden ourselves well. And due to, let's call it `fortunate circumstances'; we continue to resemble the wolves. This hides our true half-breed nature and allows us to blend in. Whether half-demon or full, it doesn't really matter; both are born with equal strength, although hanyou have their weakened days. I am sure you do too.” Inuyasha stiffened and she smiled. “Your mate knows of it, of course?”

 

Inuyasha nodded. Yes, Kouga did know of it. He had seen him during their battle with Kagura, as had Ginta and Hakkaku. However, none of them had spoken of it openly. And except for close family and his mate, Inuyasha's secret was safe.

 

“So tell me, Ya-chan, how do you feel?” Hotaru asked, settling herself on a nearby cushion and looking at him expectantly.

 

“What do you mean?” Inuyasha queried, irritated by her unwavering gaze. “I feel awful, of course. That stuff tasted like raw fish pickled with dead youkai liver and leeks. Wak!”

 

“All good medicines taste awful, Ya-chan. But don't worry, they work just fine. You have to judge the source, of course.”

 

“Keh! Mother's medicines were much better than yours.”

 

“Oh? And where, do you suppose, she learned most of her skills?”

 

“But…but…” Inuyasha eyes were like saucers and Hotaru's grin grew.

 

“Her mother may have been a healer, Ya-chan, but she learned most of what she knew from me. So you see, no need to worry. But let's not sway from my question, shall we? How do you feel? And no, I am not asking about your health, I know my herbs work just fine. I am asking how you feel about letting your youki loose, letting it take control of your body and mind?”

 

“And why should I tell you that?” Inuyasha huffed, suspicious of this strange side of Hotaru he was getting to see.

 

“Oh, you would be amazed at what I can do for you. For instance, I can teach you reign in your youki.”

 

Inuyasha was stunned. Was it really possible? “Can you really do it, teach me?” his voice dropped almost to an unbelieving whisper as he bent forward, eyes wide and puppy ears flicking in disbelief.

 

Hotaru smirked, holding her arms over her chest and crossing her legs wearing a smug expression. “Of course I can. I am not a demigoddess for nothing, puppy. I have more knowledge of this world than the rest of the youkai population combined. What did you take me for, a loony old pervert with nothing but muscles?” Inuyasha's cough was her answer. “Oh, that's just a farce to keep unwanted attention at bay. Nobody seeks information from a crazy old hag with a taste for fresh meat. It's safe, it's easy, and it sure serves as a good pass-time.”

 

Inuyasha grunted. Damn, this was too much information. How can the loony bitch suddenly turn into an all-knowing demigoddess? But can he trust her? Can he tell her how it felt the first time he changed?

 

“So, now will you answer my question?” She pushed again, watching the hanyou contemplate his situation.

 

Finally, Inuyasha nodded. He began his tale with the first change, explained his consequent defeat to the uncontrolled power of his youki, and finally revealed the lost lives and his regrets. Hotaru remained patient throughout, only posing small questions and nodding in understanding.

 

“Hmmm…I understand your situation, Inuyasha, and I am glad you feel no remorse for deliberately allowing your youki to take care of the filthy hyenas this time. Believe me or not, but they deserved every bit of it. Moreover, you must know your youki wasn't completely uncontrolled this time. You had some control over the bloodlust.”

 

“How?” Inuyasha was confused. He hadn't felt any different.

 

“For instance, you recognised your friends from your foes. You didn't attack the child or any others that were present. Even when I approached, you refused to harm me. Is that not enough proof you do retain a bit of your own self during your change?”

 

Inuyasha seemed to thinking. “Yeah… maybe, but…”

 

“But nothing, puppy. What you need is a bit of practise and a bit of self-control. Then you could very well control your change and drive it in a positive direction. Such as taking your animal form, which I assume you've yet to attain? I am sure you would like it. After all, his animal form always gives Kouga an upper hand, does it not?” she added suggestively.

 

“Yeah it does. Stupid wolf.” Inuyasha huffed, inwardly a bit surprised by how easily he opened up to the demoness.

 

“So, you want to learn?”

 

“……Yes….”

 

“Oh, goody!” she squealed, for a moment reverting back to her well-known self as she jumped from her chair giving Inuyasha a big hug.

 

“But…”

 

“But what, Ya-chan?”

 

“But how will I repay you?” Inuyasha asked innocently, to which Hotaru only laughed.

 

“Hmmm…you cannot give me anything I do not already have, dear Ya-chan. Although…” one of Inuyasha's ears swivelled in curiosity, “…you could always defeat your mate in a snowball fight. I would love to see Kouga eat dirt for once. That brat is getting a bit too confident.”

 

Inuyasha blushed and smiled in affirmation.

 

“Or, you could allow me to have some fun at the expense of some of my silly fellow wolves. After all, when she has all the time in the world, what's a poor old lonely wolf to do with it?” The hanyou rolled his eyes.

 

“…and you can always agree to help keep me company a few hours a day. Tell me, can you read?”

 

The smile slipped from the inu's face, as puppy ears flattened and he hung his head in shame. Inuyasha had never learned to read. Who would teach him? Teach a common street urchin?

 

“Oh dear, I am so sorry. You do not know how to read.” Hotaru stated, pulling up his chin. Inuyasha slowly shook his head, his eyes downcast in humiliation.

 

“Oh, oh dear. That won't do, dear. You will learn to read and write from me. That'll be your repayment. Do you understand? No slacking,” she added sternly for the effect.

 

Inuyasha simply stared at her for a moment before tears of gratitude filled his eyes. How could he repay such kindness? What should he think of it?

 

“Oi… now don't go all teary on me. Lie down and rest. You'll need it, because I won't be a easy teacher. Get all the rest you can.”

 

Inuyasha nodded earnestly, settling back down. However, a question nagged him. “But where will you sleep?”

 

“Oooohh, little puppy is worried about me. I could just die right now. Do you want me to sleep with you?” Hotaru asked mischievously, to which Inuyasha growled. “I thought not. Anyway I have plenty of rooms, just rest easy, puppy.”

 

As if on cue, Inuyasha released a huge yawn, finally registering how tired he was. There was not much to do here and he felt oddly safe within her chamber. Strangely, no warning bells went off as she tucked him carefully in and kissed his cheek before leaving the room. Yawning again, Inuyasha snuggled into the warm covers and blissfully surrendered to the darkness, a small smile gracing his features as he settled in for the day.

 

TBC……

 

 

A/N: Next Week Chapter, Kouga returns…