InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love Ain't Forgotten Easily ❯ Storm ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

With the night came a storm, and Kagome started wishing she hadn't picked a room so far away from everyone else. But she had wanted solitude, so she had gone to the west wing while the rest of the family went east.

She wasn't usually afraid of storms, but in this house everything—as she had proved earlier—echoed. So the thunder was twice as loud and long, and the giant windows in her room showed her almost every bolt.

This…is…way…too…scary. But I will not go to the other end of the house! Sota will never let me live it down.

So she hid under the covers instead.

She had been there for about ten minutes and was considering surfacing for air when a voice said, “Feh. Stupid wench is afraid of a little storm, is she?”

“Am I going insane?” she asked from under the blanket.

“No, you're already there.”

“That explains why I'm having conversations with a `ghost' who calls me wench.”

It scoffed. “Like your mind could ever come up with someone like me. I'm real, wench. So just get over it.”

“Why are you in my room?” She still hadn't surfaced, but was now sitting up.

“You can get the best view of the storms from here.”

“Why would you want to watch them?”

“Why not? Lightning hasn't hit this house in over three hundred years, and the bolts make for a nice light show.”

Gradually the lump in the blanket made its way to the edge, and Kagome's head popped out. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” The red ghost was in the window, but she could only tell by the single leg hanging off the huge sill. Tentatively, she stood and walked over.

What greeted her eyes had to be the strangest thing she had ever seen.

Her `ghost' was a male, about nineteen by the looks of him, with long, silver hair and…doggy ears?! Well, he did say he was a youkai… He was wearing red hakama and a white shirt, but there was a red haori slung over an arm. He was also transparent.

His face was turned away from her, but that changed quickly.

“Ah, so the wench is up,” he said, revealing a pair of fangs and…

Those eyes…creepy…yet really pretty. She stared into the amber for what seemed an eternity, yet was only seconds.

He raised an eyebrow. “See something interesting, wench?”

Ooh! Why does he keep calling me wench? “What's with the `wench' thing, huh? I have a name, you know.”

“Actually, no, I don't know your name.” He turned away.

“Kagome Higurashi.”

“Okay, wench.” It was obvious he was enjoying himself. “So, are you going to watch the storm or not?”

“Not if you're the company,” she snapped, and walked back to her bed.

“Chicken.” He clucked at her.

“I am not a chicken!” She flung a pillow in his direction, simply to see it pass right through him. Only then did it really hit her that she had an actual ghost sitting on her windowsill. She walked back over.

“Didn't hurt, wench.”

“I thought as much.” She climbed up next to him, surprised at the size of her sill. “This must be a bay window or something…”

“What?” He glanced over at her.

“Just talking to myself.”

He snorted. “You really are insane, aren't you?”

“Shut up, dog-boy!”

“Dog-boy?” He shook his head. “I've heard better.”

“Stupid?”

“Worn out, that one.”

“Rude?”

“Popular.”

“How about…arrogant, selfish, rude, stupid dog-boy?”

“Better, but you still aren't hurting me, wench.”

“It's Kagome. Ka. Go. Me.”

“Wench.” He turned to look back outside, leaving her to fume.

Reluctantly, seeing he wouldn't talk to her for a while at least, she too looked out. He was right…it is beautiful.

Once she was entranced in the storm, he finally turned to study her features.

If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was Kikyo, he thought. But Kikyo died—no. Kikyo committed suicide. I don't think this girl is capable of such an act. This wench might look like Kikyo's twin, but I think their personalities are at opposite ends.

He heard something, and one translucent ear flipped back to listen. It's the brat.

However, Shippo seemed hesitant because of Kagome's presence. The boy had never revealed himself to any of the house's previous occupants, much in the style of his parents. He was unsure of how to act around actual people.

The ghost turned to look over his shoulder, and saw the timid kitsune child standing at the foot of Kagome's bed. I wonder… He glanced over at Kagome. The kid's terrified of storms, right? As much as I think it's a weakness, he is only a small child. I know having me around keeps him calmer, but he's a living, breathing thing—

There was a loud thunderclap that caused Kagome to jump, and Shippo scurried under the bed. Sighing, the ghost jumped off the windowsill and strode over to it. He knelt down and peered underneath, catching Kagome's attention.

“What are you doing, dog-boy?” she asked, coming over to join him.

“Stand back a little,” he warned, holding up a hand. “I need you to do me a favor.”

“What kind of favor?” She looked suspicious.

“I'll tell you in a second.” With that, Inu-Yasha disappeared under the bed.

What is he doing? she wondered when there came a muffled squeaking. He squeaks?

Seconds later, something popped out from under the edge of the blanket. The inu-ghost was in front of it, however, so she didn't get a good look at first.

“I need you to watch this kid for me,” he explained, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. It was then she noticed he had clawed hands. “He's a kitsune, so it might be a little strange, but he's lived here since his parents died. I've watched him, but he needs something tangible, you know?”

“You want me…to watch…a kitsune child?”

“He won't do any tricks at first, and he might even be a little unfriendly, but it won't last very long.” The ghost glanced over his shoulder. “Okay, kid.”

He turned back to Kagome. “Can you handle this, wench?”

“Yeah!” She glared at him. “I'm not incompetent like you.”

“Hey, I've taken care of him for fifty years!”

“Fifty years? I thought you said he was a child!”

“He is! But he's youkai, so he doesn't age very fast!”

“Will you two stop bickering?” an indignant little voice cried, ending the argument.

“Shippo, meet your new friend.” The youkai-ghost stepped away to reveal the small child, who was currently frowning at him.

“How cute!” The next second, Shippo was being crushed to death in Kagome's grip.

“Eek…Inu…help!” Shippo choked.

“Eh, Kagome? Shippo's not like me; he does need to breathe, you know.”

Startled, she turned to look at him. “You used my name.”

“What's your point? You're squishing the kid.”

Kagome turned to gaze down at the little face full of uncertainty. “Sorry about that.”

Shippo had just opened his mouth to reply when there was another loud crash. He buried his head in Kagome's shirt.

“I think you'll get along just fine.” The ghost turned to disappear into the wall.

“Hey, dog!” Shippo turned for a second, causing the spirit to stop half-in, half-out of the wall. “Could you stay?”

“Why?” He looked confused. “You've got Kagome.”

“But if you're here I'll feel that much safer.”

He looked startled. “All right.” He settled back down on the sill while Kagome went back to her bed and laid down. Shippo curled up next to her as she pulled the blanket over them.

He was asleep within moments.

Inu-Yasha stayed for only a little while longer before going to leave.

“Hey.” Kagome's voice stopped him an inch from the wall.

“What?” he asked curtly, turning slightly.

“I never asked your name. What is it?”

“…Inu-Yasha Noshiro.” He departed through the wall.

***

A/n: Gruff, nice, gruff-I need to straighten out his character, eh?