InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ phases ❯ What's In A Name ( Chapter 9 )

Ch.9

What's In A Name

The sleepy country side slowly awoke as the first of the sun's rays reached out to warm the earth once more. The cold air blew through as it attempted a dance with the frosted grass only succeeding in freezing the skin of any who dared wander away from the warmth of their hearths. The demon payed no mind though, the bitter wind meant nothing as he leapt through a canopy of reds and yellows. The fading colors of fall bleeding together as he sped past, dancing and swirling together only to fade into the distance with every leap.

Through the sleepy silence of morning the only thing that could be heard was his steady heartbeat as his legs carried him closer and closer to home. How had he allowed so much time to pass? Were the walls around his emotions really that strong? His gold eyes glinted as the sun finally climbed its way over the hilltops, moving to embrace him in its warmth as well. 'One more sunrise...till I am home again.'

The Dai youkai snarled as the smell of blood floated through the air assaulting his keen sense of smell. 'What the hell?' The demon took to the sky searching for the source of blood spotting it almost immediately as a tiny village devoid of life came into view. Inuyasha landed softly creating a tiny cloud of dust. Scanning the obliterated village. 'Most of these dead...are men?'

Inuyashawandered further into the village as wooden structures began to crumble as the steady flames ate away slowly at the supports. 'They're soldiers...' His eyes wandered to the clear blue skies above, watching as the grey smoke billowed above him mixing with the blue. He tore his gaze away and counted the fallen soldiers before quietly tilling up the ground. Even now as a full demon he would bury the human dead with respect. He could never forget the compassion his friends had taught him...even if he wanted to.

'Kagome, wherever you are...be safe.'

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Shippou yawned, stretching his arms above his head as he made his way down the hall. Was there really any sense in calling a meeting this early in the morning? He shuffled to the side as he caught sight of delicately embroidered red silk slipping into the crowd. Weaving his way through a mass of men all trying to make their way into the same room. Lord Yuuto stood silently in the middle of the room accompanied by the introverted Akio. Shippou scanned the room finding her standing behind a group of men, half hidden by one of Akio's giant son's

Shippou grabbed the hilt of his sword out of nervous habit. There was something building in the air sending the hair on his neck to raise in anticipation. He couldn't pinpoint when the feeling had started only that the feeling steadily grew stronger with each passing day. The kit worried his lip as he kept a protective eye on his mother, could it have something to do with her, the woman who had helped fill the void his mother left behind with her passing? He prayed to the kami that it wasn't. 'I know this feeling...why is it so familiar to me?' Shippou furrowed his brow as he pushed away the unwelcome feeling. 'I'm sure it's nothing.'

Quiet whispers hushed as Katsuo smoothly made his way through the crowd to stand by The Lord. The other's taking their place among the men, watching quietly as the lord leaned to whisper in Katsuo's ear before loudly clearing his throat. "I have called this meeting in regards to a rumor that has been going around as of late, a rumor that there have been no more youkai attacks on the camps straddling the border." The air grew tense as every being in the room held their breath, every mortal being silently praying for a reprieve, hoping for some good news.

"I have not said anything and I still hesitate for fear of premature celebration, But it seems from all of our reports that sightings of any youkai have been steadily declining along with the temperature. There have been few reports of groups of men wandering near the camps, but it seems without the youkai they lack the courage to attack.." A wave of relief washed over the room as the men rejoiced. Kagome smiled softly at the feeling of lightness that took over the room, listening as men made plans for their own small celebration at the nearby inn later that night.

Her eyes scanned the room finding Shippou in a world a million miles away. 'What bothers you, Shippou?'. Her eyes wandered off as she heard the boisterous laughter of Yuudai and the brothers only to lock with a pair of bright blue eyes. Kagome smiled faintly,quickly looking away as she moved from her place beside an elaborate tapestry, towards the shoji screen. She kept her eyes lowered, wrestling with her tumultuous emotions.

She had so much conviction the other day when she declared she would live her life, but her determination faded away with the night as the sun chased away the early morning shadows. It was hard to live in the present when in her dreams she relived every memory of a moment spent with 'him'. Every time his face flashed through her mind her guilt grew stronger. Was she betraying him with every moment she spent with Katsuo, with every blush or flutter of her heart that was not caused by him?

Was her attraction to Katsuo only due to the similarities between him and the man who held her heart? Was she using him only to fill the void as a replacement...a cheap copy? She did not want to be the one responsible for creating a mirror image of the situation that had caused her so much heartache. 'Is this how Inuyasha felt...? Her gaze dropped slowly with the weight of her thoughts as she squeezed the hilt of her precious tessaiga seeking the embrace of it's comforting protective energy. 'Why do I hold on so tightly when I don't even know...if he felt for me the way I felt for him?'

"Go on now and enjoy the day it is well deserved." Shippou watched as Lord Yuuto smiled brightly dismissing the crowd. The red-headed kit made his way through the shoji and down the hall, making his way to the kitchen. It wouldn't fix everything but he knew how much Kagome loved a nice cup of tea and if he could ease only a bit of her stress he would be happy.

xxxxxxxxxx

"It's possible that the aspect of owning land lacked the incentive needed to keep the youkai fighting through the cold winter months." Katsuo watched as Akio nodded stiffly. "That does seem logical enough, My Lord. I worry though, if the humans are no longer backed by the youkai, why do they continue to be sighted near bordering camps?" The Lord cleared his throat at the question, pausing to collect his thoughts. He looked out over the courtyard, watching as men and women scurried along busily in excitement. They had been granted a few extra months of peace to live their lives. "This worries me as well, Akio. All of our reports have noted a decline of youkai activity and the attacks by either human or youkai have ended all together...but still...something does not feel right to me...What is your opinion, Katsuo?"

Katsuo held his hands behind his back as he looked out over the courtyard, his eyes glued to the hardy winter plants that took the place of the vibrant colors that had once graced the gardens. "It is hard to know for certain, but I believe it to be wise to have lookouts placed on the outskirts of town. Far enough away that if the need arises we would have time to prepare." The lord and Akio slowly nodded their heads in silent agreement. "You are very wise, Katsuo" The weary Daimyo paused as a cold wind whipped around the three. "Tell me, when should we expect Lord Inuyasha's return."

The white-haired demon turned his gaze away from the evergreens towards the two human men. "I suspect he will return shortly after your upcoming celebration." Lord Yuuto smiled softly. "I see. I do hope he finds what he is looking for. It seems even youkai Lords can carry the weight of regret." The three looked on silently as grey clouds moved in, the air growing colder. Katsuo furrowed his brows as he delved deeper into his thoughts.

'What is it you are searching for my friend?'

xxxxxxxxxx

The town's inn strained to contain its inhabitants as the night wore on. The excitement of the Daimyo's announcement and the subtle coaxing of the warm sake had coupled together creating a hazy blanket covering the prospect of battle. Tonight was a night to celebrate. To celebrate the gift the Kami had given them of a few more months of peace. To celebrate the warmth of a cozy home and the even warmer embrace of loved ones. With the melting of the snow and ice there would come the battles but for now, for now they were allowed to spend the harsh winter in the solace of their homes.

A chorus of slurred voices and drunken badgering silenced if only for a moment to let through the melodic laughter of the only female present. Katsuo watched from his quiet corner of the inn as the small woman looked on in amusement, his three fools succeeding in freeing her angelic smile. An ability he desperately hoped to posses.

He turned away as a small piece of wood propelled itself out of the small fire pit with a loud pop. He had not had a chance to speak with her since the day he had accompanied her home. He glared into the fire willing it to give him the answers he searched for. Had he misread her? Was he so poor in interpreting human emotions?

His rough hands moved, rubbing at the fatigue playing across his handsome features. 'I'm such a fool.' He couldn't help the wandering of his eyes as they made their way back to her. Her long midnight hair and her grey blue eyes sparkling with happiness. What was it that made this female...this human so special?

Her stomach ached from laughter as the brothers and Yuudai went back and forth bickering hysterically over the details of a ridiculous story. Kagome smiled brightly at Shippou's musical laughter. It always lifted her spirits to hear him laugh. She turned away slowly wiping away the happy tears that pooled in the corner of her eyes, focusing on the floorboards as her senses tingled. She turned to the side lifting her eyes slowly, blushing softly when they met with the bright blue of Katsuo's.

She smiled brightly motioning for the demon to join them. Katsuo smirked, pushing himself off the wall and made his way towards the giggling Onna. Kagome poked the demon's shoulder as he sat beside her. "Aren't you much happier over here then in that dark corner?" Katsuo nodded, smiling softly as he leaned in towards the small girl. "As a matter of fact I am, Lady Kagome. My many thanks for inviting me to join you."

Kagome sneered playfully at the demon's teasing. "So Katsuo-san, what do you think of all this new information? Will you and the others be leaving...since it seems, at least for the moment, that we are in no danger.?" Katsuo shook his head softly. "I can not answer. That is a question better saved for our general." Katsuo watched from the corner of his eye as Kagome nodded, worrying her lip softly. "Oh yes. I must admit that had completely slipped my mind."

Her only answer was a soft "Hn" as they sat in silence listening to the lively conversations swirling around them. "When do you expect him back?" The demon closed his eyes softly counting down the days in his head. "He should be reaching his destination tomorrow if I am not mistaken. I'm not sure how long he plans to stay before returning. I'm assuming a week at most before he returns...if he finds whatever he is looking for."

"What does he look for?" Katsuo watched as Kagome kept her gaze on the three demons, laughing softly at Yuudai's semi drunken ramblings. "He didn't give me an answer...all I know is that his destination lies within Musashi." Kagome bit her lip at the mention of the familiar name. "I lived in Musashi once...in a town called Edo...before I came here."

Katsuofurrowed his brow in surprise. "That is quite a long way, especially for a human." A small smile graced her features as she turned her gaze towards him. "I know. It took me many months to find myself here. I hadn't realized how long I had been traveling until I was told where I was." The white-haired demon looked back towards the fire, silently willing her to reveal just a bit more about herself. "What sort of thing would cause such a journey for a tiny human woman?'

Shippou eyed the two as he allowed a wooden beam to support his full weight. His arms crossed and sensitive ears locked onto his mother's gentle voice. That feeling...the feeling of something very wrong, something dark hiding just beyond the shadows had returned. Happily disrupting the short-lived peace. 'Kuso! I'm becoming paranoid. Time to call it a night.'

Emerald eyes wandered worriedly from the two beside him, scanning the room suspiciously finding nothing out of place but a few sleeping soldiers too full of saké to keep their eyes open any longer. Shippou glared once more before turning his attention to his adopted mother. "I think I will head back now, Okaasan. I'll start a fire for you."

"Wait just a second, let me go with you." Shippou put his hand out gently signaling her to stop. "No, stay awhile. That way your room will be warm and you can tell me how Yuudai's story ends." Shippou smiled brightly as his mother agreed and plopped back down into the warm cushion. "Oyasumi, Mom...Katsuo." The two demons locked eyes for only a moment before Shippou turned and made his way out into the cold night air.

xxxxxxxxxx

The sleepy silence of night hung over the Daimyo's meager castle like a barrier, forbidding even the ghostly howl of a strong wind. Many of the men from the surrounding area still enjoying a warm cup of saké at the inn on the far side of town leaving their homes to add to the unsettling silence. In the shadows a thin figure passed silently down a wooden path as he made his way past several darkened shoji only to stop quietly next to one of the many screens.

The peaceful spell broken by a soft click as a screen slowly pushed open granting entrance to the Onna's room. The darkness parted ways scattering to the corners of the room becoming shadows as a small spark gave life to the small fire pit at the center of the room. Shippou sighed softly as he sat back on his haunches watching as the tiny flames morphed into a healthy glow. 'Leaving has only made it worse.'

He leaned back allowing himself to plop onto the floor bringing his knees up, providing support for his weary head. The feeling steadily rising as he squeezed his eyes shut. Searching out any possible abnormality as his eyes caught site of Kagome's lonely sword, leaning against the wall close to her futon. Shippou watched in confusion as tendrils of soft blue light emanated and danced about the sword as they searched for some preordained anchor.

'Tessaiga?' Shippou crawled closing the short distance between himself and the demon sword, pulling the sword gently into his lap and watching as the tendrils seemed to reach out towards the softly lit shoji. 'Tessaiga...what are you trying to tell me?'

xxxxxxxxxxx

"Thank you for offering to walk me back, Katsuo." The demon smiled as the moonlight highlighted his snow-white hair. "No need to thank me. That kit of yours made it very clear what would happen if I didn't. Not that I wouldn't have regardless." The inu added the last bit hoping he hadn't sounded as if he wouldn't have walked with her on his own. "He didn't even say anything to you, Katsuo...unless I really did drink much more than I thought."

Katsuo let out a deep laugh at the look of confusion on her face. "No, Kagome. You are right he didn't say anything,he didn't need to his look said it all." Kagome giggled still sounding a bit worried. "Oh I see,one of those 'demon' things, right?" The two laughed as Kagome wiggled her fingers about, in her eyes mimicking the mystery of demon communication. The laughter died down as her last cup of saké, compliments of Yuudai and the brother's, began to work its magic. 'I really need to learn to say no.'

"He is really very protective of you, your kit." Kagome smiled softly at Katsuo's words. She didn't need to be told she knew very well how much the kit cared for her and she, him in return. "We have known each other for many years. He has been like a son to me since the day we first met." Her eyes glazed over wistfully as she replayed her memories of their first encounter. "Well maybe not the first day, the little snot did steal from me and he almost got me killed too!"

Katsuo walked on quietly keeping his confusion to himself as her laughter rung through the quiet town. "Where I come from...they say the strongest bonds are formed through hardship...The bond I share with Shippou is just that. We were all thrown together...such a band of misfits, but we all grew so close like a family." The small woman sniffled as tears began to run down her reddened cheeks leaving Katsuo at a loss as he tried to console the crying woman.

"Oh Katsuo! I'm so sorry, pay me no mind. I'm such a horrible rambler when I'm nervous." Kagome's eyes flew open as she squeaked in embarrassment her cheeks reddening even more. "I didn't mean to say that...any of it actually. It..it's just so sad how things can change so...so much!" Kagome threw her hands over her face in a vain attempt to cover her sadness as Katsuo stopped to gather the sobbing woman in his arms.

"It's only the sake, Kagome. You will feel better after a good long rest and I promise I wont remember anything you've said." Kagome sniffled, falling into a light sleep as she sheltered her face from the cold in his chest. "You promise?" Katsuo's laugh rumbled through his chest causing a soft gasp from the tiny bundle in his arms. "I promise, Kagome."

Katsuo watched as the exhausted woman peaked up from under her black bangs, her eyes widening in surprise as she brought a tiny hand to his face. "You came back for me?...I've missed you so much...I..Inu..." The silent demon watched as her features stilled and her breathing evened softly. 'Inu?'

In the cover of darkness a pair of eyes watched as the demon slowly carried the Onna back to her room. "My beautiful flower, you never learn do you? I guess you just want me to teach you myself. After all a woman needs to know her place, especially one as beautiful as you...Kagome."

A.N.

This is my apology for how suck-y chapter eight was, I hope you are all appeased by all the new twists :)

I want to send a special thank you to Memaviking for her awesome suggestions! Once again thank you to every single person who is reading my story and the ones who are cheering me on with their reviews! You are all awesome! :)

oyasumi-goodnight

Kuso-Dammit

Onna-Lady (Onna Bugeisha is the female equivalent to a samurai.)

Okaasaan-mother

Musashi- an area of feudal japan near southern coast

Edo-The feudal name for modern-day tokyo