InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Red String ❯ Unexpected Reunions ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or it's affiliated characters, sad but tru. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Bandai. Of course I do claim my own rights to this particular story, and any original characters I happen to throw in here.

Red String

By Eden

 

Chapter 3 - Unexpected Reunions

 

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the large monkey youkai stooping across the clearing from him.  After pursuing it from one decimated town to the next for the last few days, he was more then a little sick of this creature after only just setting eyes on it.

It was a large clumsy looking beast standing on its back legs; its shoulders hunched over so that its long arms came forward and supported its weight slightly on its large fists.  Thick, course looking fur covered its body.  The color was dark, likely stained as such from the dirt and blood it reeked of.  Its eyes were half closed, giving it the distinct appearance of dim-wittedness.  Everything about it made Inuyasha wonder how on earth it had evaded them for as long as it had.

Standing beside him Sesshomaru lowered his hand that had been resting on the hilt of Toukijin.  "I trust you can handle this without my help."

Inuyasha bristled at the underlying meaning to Sesshomaru's words and responded with a loud "Keh!" before turning his attention back to the youkai across the clearing.  His face twisted into a smirk as he gripped the hilt of Tetsusaiga and used his thumb to push it up slightly from its sheath.

Unlike when he had spent all his time traveling with Miroku, Sango, Kagome and Shippo; while they searched for the Shikon Shards and before Naraku had been destroyed; Inuyasha found that he didn't have as much reason to pull out his trusty sword these days.  Many of the larger more powerful youkai had been absorbed by Naraku in his never ending quest for power, or had gone into hiding, and since his downfall any who had avoided this absorption simply kept to themselves, not causing enough trouble to warrant being hunted down.

The foolish lesser youkai were the ones who caused the majority of the problems now.  Things had settled back down into a pattern that was reminiscent of the way things had been before the emergence of the Shikon Jewel and Naraku.

Maybe that was what had led to his decision to do as Sesshomaru had asked, to give up his Fire Rat and don the clothes and armor of his father's house, and patrol the western lands with his brother.

"I'm suggesting that you do something worthwhile with your pathetic existence other then spending your time pinning after someone who is no longer here.  Haven't you spent enough of your life doing just that?"

Across the clearing, the monkey youkai had begun to finally take notice of Inuyasha. It licked its massive chops, its large tongue lolling about laggardly before smiling in a toothy, disturbing way.

When it spoke at last, its voice came out thick and uneven.  "I've never much cared for eating dogs; the hair gets caught in my teeth."  It made a good show of raising one large clumsy looking arm up from the ground to brush across its mouth before continuing.  "When food finds me though, who am I to turn it down?"

The disturbing smile came across the youkai's face once more as it straitened up and lifted up its other arm and balled both hands into fists, that were easily larger then Inuyasha, and proceeded to pound them together in a display of power.  "Come little dog, you cannot fight what fate has in store for you."

"What fate has in store for me, huh?"  Inuyasha lowered his head for a moment and closed his eyes as he contemplated the words.  "You may be right, but I'm positive that fate, no my pride won't allow me to be taken down by vermin like you."  The hand that had been holding Tetsusaiga now pulled the sword from its sheath, and Inuyasha felt its transformation.

His eyes were still closed as he heard the monkey youkai speak once more in its slow, thick voice.  "That is an impressive sword to go with your equally strong words.  I shall be sure to think of you as I use it to clean my teeth after I have eaten you."

Golden eyes snapped open and glared at the youkai from behind silver bangs.  "That's what you think."

The youkai growled in response, pounding its fists together once more before charging towards where Inuyasha stood, with his sword held out before him. 

To a casual observer, it may have seemed as though Inuyasha didn't have a chance of winning against such brute strength. But the same observer also wouldn't have seen the fleeting glint in his golden eyes as he saw the crashing reitsu and the invisible scar it formed. Knowing the timing was right; Inuyasha lifted his Tetsusaiga above his head and brought it crashing down in a strong swing, a single phrase issuing from his mouth. Golden light erupted from the blade and tore through the earth, heading directly towards the monkey youkai. There was hardly enough time for the demon to realize what was happening, let alone let out a scream of pain at the impact of the golden power. With a terrific final explosion, the incredible light died out, and Inuyasha sheathed his sword, waiting for the dust to settle. He waited long enough to see the three large deep furrows in the ground, the path of the Kaze no Kizu, as well as the large empty crater at the end of them, confirming that the youkai was no more before turning towards Sesshomaru standing a short ways off, and nodding.

 O

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The woods were fresh with the clean smell of morning dew.  It was a bright morning and Inuyasha made his daily patrol through the forest surrounding the village that was home to the miko Kaede.  The elderly woman wasn't able to take part in youkai hunting any longer, but she still did what she could whenever illness struck the village.

Inuyasha had made it his duty to take over for her inevitable shortfalls.  He needed to look after the runt anyhow.

Shippo had decided to stay in the village with Kaede even after Kagome had left and Sango and Miroku decided to do a bit of traveling around together before finding a place to settle down together.  He seemed quite happy to live with Kaede in her small hut and help her with everyday duties and chores, and she in turn seemed quite happy to have him around.

That had been the reason why Inuyasha had stayed around the village as well.  He knew that he would've been more then welcome to join Miroku and Sango, but the thought of being around the two of them now, with them married, made his stomach clench.

He was nothing but glad that they had managed to find happiness in each other, but he had no interest in catching the glances and smiles that would inevitably pass between them.

Inuyasha looked up as a gust of rather strong wind shook the leaves in the tree tops.  Funny, it hadn't seemed windy earlier.  He stopped walking for a minute and surveyed his surroundings.  He was quite a ways from the village, height up one of the tall cliffs to the north, on an outcropping that had a perfect view of the valley down below.  While he took the time to appreciate the villages' picturiqest beauty, the way it was quietly surrounded by rice paddies and a sense of tranquility in the early morning hours, Inuyasha caught a familiar scent.

Without thinking, he turned around to face the one who had come up behind him. He turned around to face the one who had come up behind him.

“Sesshomaru,” his half brother's name slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself. His voice revealing the surprise he felt at being faced with him after so long. “What are you doing here?”

It had been five years since the final fight with Naraku, and just as long since he'd seen Sesshomaru. There hadn't been any reason for the two brothers to cross paths once the menace Naraku had been defeated, especially once it became apparent that Sesshomaru's interest in Tetsusaiga was gone.

Inuyasha noticed that little seemed to have changed in terms of Sesshomaru's physical appearance. His hair, which had always been identical in color to Inuyasha's, still hung long down his back. He still word the white haori and hakema with red accents, heavy looking metal armor covering his chest and the bright yellow obi tied in a loose bow around his waist. His tow swords, Tenseiga and Toukijin were fastened to his left hip, in easy reach for whenever he found the need to use either one.

Even the cold look of disdain that Inuyasha had become accustomed to seeing on his half brothers face whenever they found themselves dealing with one another was still present. On this day, something was slightly different about it though. It seemed as though the disdain and irritation that was normally clearly directed at him, was this time directed more at the situation Sesshomaru had found him in.

“How long has it been, Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru's smooth deep voice floated effortless across the distance that separated the two brothers. “How long has it been since that human girl left without a trace? How long are you going to waste away in this forest before you finally realize that she is not coming back?”

Any surprise Inuyasha may have felt at the sudden appearance of his brother was quickly dismissed as annoyance and anger began to boil in his veins. His ears turned towards the sides of his head, slightly flattening out, his voice lowered to a growl. “Shut up bastard. You have no idea what the hell your talking about.”

“Don't I?” Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly. “Don't presume that I'm as stupid as the village of humans you spend your time guarding. I hear the things that are said about you, Inuyasha, but do you?”

Mirroring his brother's look, Inuyasha listened. He refused to interrupt, choosing rather to see if there was a point to this speech.

“Do you know that many of the youkai who used to actually fear crossing you have begun to talk about you as though you are no more then a scared pup with a sword you cannot control. You have become a laughing stock in their eyes.”

“Keh!” Inuyasha snorted and crossed his arms across his chest. “Are you telling me that you came all the way here to say that? I'm disappointed. You've never been one to mince words, Sesshoumaru.”

“Are you saying that you would ignore what I've come to say? You truly are a simple creature, hardly worth the time it took to whelp you.”

Inuyasha felt his claws dig into the palms of his hands as he fisted them in irritation. “What exactly do you suggest I do about it? Chase after every single bastard who's said or thought garbage like that, and prove them wrong? Since when did that sort of thing become your style?”

“Don't be a fool, Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru's eyes briefly surveyed the landscape before turning back to him. “I'm suggesting that you should do something worth while with your pathetic existence other than spending your time pining after someone who is no longer here. Haven't you spent enough of your life doing that already?”

“Why you -“ Inuyasha hardly had a change to warm up before he was cut off.

“The youkai blood in your veins may be tainted with human, but there is no doubt of your strength. You have proven yourself to be worthy of recognition as your father's son.”

“Keh! As if I care about that. I hardly even remember the old man.” His arms still crossed across his chest, head turned to the side with eyes closed.

Sesshomaru continued as though he hadn't heard Inuyasha speak. “I've come to offer you a chance to make something of yourself. Your answer matters to me not, but should you choose to accept, you will be expected to comply with my wishes as I am the blood heir to our fathers' lands and position.”

“And what exactly is it that you're offering to me?” Inuyasha opened one eye and turned his gaze to Sesshomaru.

“Our father used to rule and protect these lands when he was alive. He used to weed out the troublesome youkai, and generally keep a relative peace between youkai and the humans. He was well respected and very few dared question his position. Since his demise, I have taken his place. I will admit I do not possess the same boundless compassion that our father had for humans and lesser youkai. Regardless, I do ensure that no one youkai gains too much power or influence within these lands, and if the situation demands action, I am not opposed to destroying the offending youkai or human.”

Inuyasha was stunned. His crossed arms dropped to hang at his sides. It took a moment for his mind to clear before it was able to process what it was Sesshomaru was offering him. He snorted in disbelief before answering. “You've got to be kidding me. You're actually offering me the chance to travel around with you keeping youkai and humans in order?”

“I will take your response to mean you are not interested.”

“No shit, what did you think? Did you really expect me to jump on this idea?”

Sesshomaru turned away from Inuyasha, again ignoring his last statement. “I shall not offer this opportunity to you again; but should you change your mind, I'm quite sure you will be able to find me. Until that time, farewell Inuyasha.”

He was unable to do anything but watch as his brother walked out the clearing and returned to the forest.

“What the fuck was that?”

O

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Wind rushed through Inuyasha's long silver hair as he bounded from branch to branch high above the forest floor. His bare feet barely made a sound each time they touched down on another sturdy tree limb. The midsummer afternoon was hot and humid; the chirping of the cicadas was clearly heard through the trees. Inuyasha was saved for the most part from the sun's bright rays beating down on his already perspiring body by the thick tangle of leaves through which he traveled.

He was alone now, as he headed back to the woods surrounding Kaede's village, having left Sesshomaru the day before in the company of his ever faithful retainer, Jaken and the unshakably loyal human girl, Rin.

During the time Inuyasha had spent with his half brother traveling, he'd tried to find out how the human girl had come to be with him. Sesshomaru had flatly refused to comment on the matter, saying only that gossip and pointless speech was best left to females and decrepit elderly. He also pointedly added that since neither of them suffered from either affliction, there was no need to continue the conversation.

The now teenaged Rin had no qualms about speaking freely, although Inuyasha found that he rarely heard the things he was hoping to hear. In fact, it was sometimes difficult to persuade her to stop talking once she started. She would talk about the weather, ask about what sort of human or youkai they were tracking at any particular time, or simply take to singing songs she had heard in the villages they passed through.

It seemed strange to Inuyasha that Sesshomaru seemed unfazed by the girl. He hardly ever expressed a need for her to be silent, choosing instead to allow her any type of entertainment she managed to come by. It was hard to believe that his brother, the one youkai he'd always been positive despised humans in every possible way had now taken one into his permanent care. It didn't matter how much time passed, or how long he spent in the strange company, he remained bewildered by the fact.

Gradually, Inuyasha noticed that his tree top traveling was bringing him nearer to his familiar woods, and that fact was enough to break his mind away from his mental wandering. At the same time, he couldn't help but sense the tiredness from the constant days of traveling with Sesshomaru push to the surface. It had indeed been a long week, but thoughts of the secluded hot spring that wasn't far from the town, and the way the hot water would feel against his sore muscles kept him moving at a steady pace.

When well known trees and landmarks came into view at last; a lopsided smile came to Inuyasha's face. Soon he would reach the small hut he'd built for himself within the woods. He breathed deeply the warm, moist, familiar air and reflected how good it felt to be going home.

Something in that air he took in made Inuyasha pause. He went so far as to stop traveling all together. With a series of fluid movements, he had dropped himself down onto the needle and leaf covered forest floor with a soft crunch and sniffed the air more carefully.

It was a familiar smell; a scent from the not so distant past came over him. It took a moment for him to place the aroma, but once he realized what it reminded him of, memories he'd thought were locked up tightly inside of himself came flooding out like water from a crumbling dam. The smell of lightly perfumed hair, the feel of silky skin against his own, the velvety smooth sound of a feminine voice speaking in his ear, all things he had dreamed of experiencing once again. The need to know these things came rushing back to him as though it was only yesterday that they were all ripped out of his life.

Inuyasha took a deep breath in and slowly closed his eyes. He could almost feel the way her lips, Kagome's lips had come up to meet his once upon a time; sweetly pressing against his own for the briefest of moments, like a dream, before she had broken the intimate contact. He couldn't help but let himself think what this all consuming aroma could mean.

A loud joyful call sounded out across the forest, breaking through the other noises around him. At this distance it was difficult to make out if the voice belonged to a male or a female, but one thing was clear, it was a young voice. When the sound repeated itself a look of confusion came over Inuyasha's features, Shippo? He started out at a sprint in the direction of both the questionable voice and the alluring scent. He wasn't sure what he expected to see once he reached the source, but he was going to find out what it was regardless.

As he neared his final destination, he noticed that the scent and the voice had lead him to the bone eaters well. His sensitive nose began to pick up traces of Shippo's scent, confirming his earlier assumptions about the voice he'd heard call out. Inuyasha's mouth hardened into a line, as his speed increased by a fraction, all thoughts of the fleetingly familiar scent he thought he had caught earlier traveling through the trees pushed to the side for more practical matters.

What on earth was that brat doing in the forest? Hadn't he told him a thousand times to keep out, that there was nothing for him here in the trees?

When the clearing around the bone eaters well came into sight, Inuyasha slowed his pace down to a walk and was about to call out his displeasure to the kitsun when he saw something that made him stop dead in his tracks.

Two figures knelt down in the grass next to the bone eaters well. A raven head bent over Shippo's unmistakably fiery one. It was a tight embrace the two of them held each other with, the kind that's given to loved ones who haven't seen each other for a long time.

Shippo could be heard going on about how long he'd missed this dark haired stranger he was embracing, his voice thick with tearful emotion. When the stranger spoke, trying to sooth Shippo, it was clear she was female. She ran a hand across Shippo's back in a motherly way, and it became apparent that she was just as emotional as the kit.

Inuyasha watched as Shippo suddenly pushed himself away from the woman and exclaimed “You're not going to leave again, are you?”

A beautiful tinkling laugh, reminiscent of dainty bells rang through the clearing. How many times had Inuyasha heard a laugh just like that one in the past? It had usually been directed towards him because of some foolish mistake he had made, but still, there was no mistaking it.

“Oh Shippo, lets not get carried away. I've only just got here, but even if I do have to go home, it's been worth it to see you right now. You've gotten so big!” The woman raised her head in order to get a better look at the kit, and in doing so, moved just enough so that Inuyasha was able to see her face.

His breath caught in the chest.

Strait dark eyebrows, clear almond eyes and smooth pale skin were clearly visible to him from his place in the trees. Her pretty lips were set in a delicate smile as she gazed affectionately at Shippo. Everything about her was warm and kind, just the way he had always remembered her being.

“No, its not.” Shippo's voice cut across Inuyasha's thoughts suddenly, “It's not enough just seeing you! I want you to stay, Kagome!”

“Kagome.” The name crossed Inuyasha's lips naturally as it had a thousand times before. It really was her. She had come back. Somehow beyond all reason she had come back after all this time. He raised a hand to steady himself against a nearby tree while his legs threatened to give out on him.

All the memories came flooding back once more, this time trying to over run him. Somehow all the things he had decided over the years that were so important to tell her didn't seem that important anymore. All that mattered was she was alright, and that she had come back. No memory, no remembered past could be changed, but here she was, the one who he had felt for so long he'd betrayed, he'd let down because of his numerous shortcomings, come back to give him the second chance he'd never thought he deserved.

She was comforting Shippo again as his gaze remained focused on her. Her eyes were closed, her chin rested on top of Shippo's head as he curled in her kneeling lap. It was an image of how things had been so long ago, except that now Shippo looked out of place in his curled position, now being fifteen years old.

She seemed so much like the same girl who had left eight years ago, and she was, but she was also so much more. It was the small things he could pick up with her actions, the graceful way she pushed a strand of loose hair off of her forehead, or stroked Shippo's back. It was in her smile, still warm and true, but the emotion Inuyasha could see she was feeling behind the smile was somehow more then it ever had been. It was like she had more warmth and kindness then she ever had to give.

And as Inuyasha watched the touching scene, he began to wonder what it would look like if Shippo decided to suddenly pay attention to his surroundings and discovered him standing in the trees. He knew that it would undoubtedly interrupt that he and Kagome were having together, and for some reason, he felt wrong doing that. Shippo, no matter how well he'd dealt with his feelings or hidden them away, had always been sad about the fact that Kagome had gone back to her own time and there were very few things that could be done for him over the years that could make up for his sadness. This was the one thing that Inuyasha could do for the kit. Hew would make sure that his reunion with Kagome was as long as he needed it be, no matter what his own emotions were doing to him.

Suddenly reluctant, but steadfast in his decision, he thought that he would more then likely have time for a quick bath in the hot springs before he spoke with Kagome, he gave one last look towards her warm expression before standing up strait and making his move to leave. “I'll be back, Kagome.”

It was as though she heard the low spoken words. Her eyes popped open and landed on him. A surprised looked passed across her face immediately as her lips formed a single word.

“Inuyasha.”

 

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A/N: I hope that this chapter is received with approval by those who waited so patiently for it.

 

~Eden