InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Saving the World: One Hanyou at a Time ❯ Waking Dreams ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: hedgehogmadhatter
Buffy:“Inuyasha, please unhand me.”

He smirked proud to have busted her, “Don’t see why I should.”

“If you don’t I am gonna rip off your arm and beat you with it.”

He shrugged and dropped her arm, “Fair enough.”

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Drama / Action / Comedy | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 01.16.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.5K | Visits: 293 | Status: Completed

Chapter Three
Waking Dreams
 
Buffy never did get any real sleep but the rest did help. Miroku kept trying to casually find any reason to talk to her but Sango intercepted him every time.
 
Buffy wondered why the group hadn't moved on, were they waiting on her?
 
Inuyasha still wanted her blood. He'd been by two more times to make sure she knew he was still pissed. But his leadership seemed to be kept in check by the others. He thought he was running a totalitarian regime but when all was said and done it was more of a democracy.
 
After her so called nap, Buffy joined Sango and Kagome in the hut. Their voices came to an abrupt halt on sight of her and Buffy knew she'd been the topic of conversation. She pretended not to notice. “So what's going on? Where are the guys?”
 
Sango answered, “Out hunting for dinner or a mansion that needs exorcising; whichever they happen upon first.”
 
There were some things Buffy could live with out knowing about and she decided that this was one of them. `Exorcising what? A ramen noodle?'
Kagome pushed her hair back from her face. “Buffy, we've decided to ask you to join us.”
Sango added. “For now we seem to have similar goals are and there's strength in numbers.”
Buffy looked from girl to girl knowing the men hadn't had any part of this invitation. But they were right.
“Okay” She allowed, “I'm in.”
Both girls grinned and Kagome was obviously relieved. Then they stood and Buffy realized Kagome was carrying a pile of…terry towels?
“We're going to the hot springs for a dip.” She said in a conspiratial whisper. “While the guys are away we can relax.”
Sango nodded. “There won't be any spying.”

Buffy nodded but seriously doubted anyone could shed even a sock with out the letch monk or jealous Inu-yokai knowing.
_-_-_-_
`My, my…how times have changed.' Buffy couldn't believe she was naked in a hot spring with two girls she just met.
It was wonderful but she couldn't imagine doing it back home. `Poor Willow almost didn't survive changing in high school gym and she's the one that would appreciate this the most.'
Sango and Kagome washed each others hair and moved around freely. Buffy quickly washed her hair, wrapped it in a bun on top of her head and was careful to stay submerged to her neck.
The hot spring seemed to be the Feudal Japanese version of the beauty parlor and both girls giggled and discussed the guys. Well now was as good a time of any to get the dreaded topic over with. She couldn't expect to fight The First if her new companions weren't wise to it's modus operandi.
Buffy waited until the mood softened and jumped right in. “There's something you both should know.”
Kagome and Sango stopped talking.
“The First can take many forms.”
Sango nodded. “Yes, you told us.”
“I'm it's favorite disguise. Everyone must know that if I won't let you touch me then it's the First, not me. Hold your ground and it will try to scare you then leave.”
Kagome's eyes widened. Sango sighed and asked “How is the possible? That would mean that you are…dead.”
Buffy smiled hoping to lighten the burden on her soul. “I WAS dead. I came back.”
Sango snapped, “You aren't like Kohaku, my little brother. He is a zombie.”
“No not a zombie. Perhaps like this Kikyo.”
Kagome gasped, “But she sustains herself on the souls of the dead. I watched you eat the ramen noodles.”
Buffy winced. `No one told me that! She lives off the souls of the dead!'
`Okay that is fourteen kinds of creepy! Maybe Kagome will get that secret wish and I'lldispatch this dark priestess before I leave.'
Buffy was quick to say, “No! Not like that.”
Suddenly Buffy was cold. The spring was hot but she had goose bumps on her arms. “I died…saving our world. I was finished and everything was complete. My friends…they felt my life was cut short and did a spell and brought me back.”
Kagome was breathless. “You wanted to stay…gone?”
Buffy glanced away than nodded. “I'd given everything that was in me to give. Then I was safe, warm and loved. When I came back I was ripped away from all of that and dropped into a world that was harsh, hard and loud. I wasn't sure I wanted to stay.”
Kagome pondered this. “Is that how Kikyo feels?”
“How would I know?” cracked Buffy. Then she explained in a softer tone, “I'm alive and would like too stay that way but it took time for me to get this far.”
Buffy sighed then asked, “I don't know what this Kikyo is but I'd like to find out.”
Kagome's heart sped up at this announcement. Could she let Buffy kill Kikyo? And if she did, what about Inuyasha? She slid deeper into the springs and tried to think of something else.
She was grateful when Buffy interrupted her dark train of thought. “Kagome, how can a priestess love a yokai?”
Kagome said matter of factly, “Oh, Inuyasha is half human.”
“Ah, that explains this morning then.” Buffy seemed satisfied with this answer.
She thought of Angel and his transformation into Angelus. While he didn't wield a strangely phallic sword his sadist sense of humor more than made up for it. This reminded her of her recent treatment of Spike and the pain she'd inflicted on him. `All badness, I gotta think about something else!'
The girls began discussing a kitsune child they'd left behind. Buffy tuned them out as she climbed out of the spring and dried off. It was a pity to put on the same clothes she'd worn earlier but it couldn't be helped. Once dressed she rolled up her pant legs and dangled her feet it the warm water.
That's when she heard footsteps coming from the woods. Buffy wasn't surprised but Kagome and Sango were lightly splashing each other oblivious to the intrusion.
`Stupid girls. They are so clueless. It's as if they want the guys to get an eyeful! That is the monk and the dog, right?'
She squinted in the light of the setting sun and saw for a brief moment the top of the monk's head. `There you are…I wonder if you are alone? Let's find out.'
She casually plucked a rock from the side of the spring and quickly lobbed it into the brush. A loud yelp emanated from the bushes. `A direct hit!'
Miroku fell over and rolled out of the bush. Sango spotted him, turned bright red then grabbed her giant boomerang Hiraikotsu and lobbed it at his head. She was nude from the waist down but Miroku didn't seem to appreciate the view as he squealed like a small girl and ran for cover.
Kagome was infuriated. Buffy saw her looking around for the hanyou. Before Buffy was able to tell her Miroku had come alone, Kagome's mouth flew open.
“Osuwari! Osuwari!”
Buffy heard a distant shout that was quickly muffled as Inuyasha was no doubt hurled to the ground. She grimaced. `That's just great. Now Dog boy is going to be in a
lovely mood for dinner.'
_-_-_-_
 
Buffy wasn't surprised to learn that dinner consisted of more Roman noodles and mystery meat. The meat turned out to be a rabbit Miroku and Inuyasha caught, and then Sango roasted over a small fire on a spit.
When she was in kindergarten Buffy received a pet rabbit for Easter. She named it Bugs and they were inseparable for the better part of five years. Her stomach turned at the thought of sampling the meat but she worried she'd somehow further offend Inuyasha if she refused.
She didn't have to worry because Inuyasha ignored her completely. Once Kagome told him Buffy was staying he ceased talking to everyone but Miroku, of course the unearned Osuwari beating was no doubt an additional factor.
Buffy really didn't feel his silence was a tragedy but if he was her key to understanding The First she'd have to find a way to amend the situation.
During the meal Kagome explained how she lived in the modern era but traveled back and forth via a well. Buffy didn't think it was the ideal time to mention she'd arrived here via the Tetsusaiga.
Afterwards the women bedded down on thin mats inside of the lean-to and the men slept outside. Buffy smiled when she saw Sango's matt was strategically placed between her own mat and the door. Sleep did not come easily and Buffy was the last to give into to its embrace.
_-_-_-_
Inuyasha sat on his tree limb overlooking the lean-to. His ears picked up on the sound of the Miroku's snores. `Feh, stupid new girl.'
Because of her, he was out here alone with the annoying monk. Why didn't Kagome trust his judgment? He'd fought this Buffy girl and deemed her to be a threat, but no. Kagome takes her in as her new best friend. At dinner she didn't even notice he'd stopped talking to her.
He saw the Buffy bitch slip out of the shanty and go into the woods. `What?'
His lips twisted into a vulpine smile. `I knew it. She's trouble.'
But why should he follow her? If she was leaving them, then all the better for him. But if she was up to something and he caught her…
He could stop her, beat her and show Kagome she was wrong. Now that sounded like a good idea.
He jumped from his limb and landed soundless on the ground. He slowly trailed Buffy from a distance. Something was odd… the wind didn't carry her scent. But no matter he knew what he'd seen.
Inuyasha arrived in the clearing after Buffy. He found it deserted. `Where ever she is, it ain't here.'
He was about to leave when he saw her enter the clearing from the same path he did. `She knew I was following and circled around!'
He jumped into the nearest tree and observed from a branch.
She was heading right to him. `How does she know I'm here? And where is her scent? She isn't human…what the hell are ya bitch?'
`I can't believe I left this thing alone with Kagome. Hell they even bathed together!'
Buffy stopped under his tree limb and looked up at him. It was the night after the new moon and a small sliver of moon shone upon her naked skin.
Inuyasha nearly lost his grip on his branch. She was utterly naked…and her hair, it was shorter. `Kagome gave her a haircut?'
She looked directly at him. Still there was no scent but he could hear her heart beating and see the blood pumping in the vein protruding from the slim column of her bare white throat.
She turned her head and pursed her lips at him. His eyes fixed on her breasts as they moved with her.
“Here kitty, kitty.” She called in a chilly saccharine tone.
“Oh but you aren't a kitty are you?” Her eyes widened with an innocence she didn't possess. “You're a puppy. I've always wanted a puppy of my very own.”
She ran her hands over her breasts and smiled at him. “She'll never let you have her you know. Dirty half breed filth.”
Inuyasha was filled with a warm gradual lust that soon plummeted to chilly disgust.
He growled hoping to back her off. Her laughter ricocheted off the trees around her. Fury filled his chest and he leapt to the ground to face her.
He landed on his toes but she was gone. He spun around looking for her.
There was nothing.
Not even a single footprint. His hand clutched the scabbard of the Tetsusaiga but he was alone.
_-_-_-_
Buffy stood on a cliff overlooking a vast dark chasm. Ant sized figures milled far below her feet. She looked over the crowd and saw it was a plague of infinite numbers. They were ancient vampires whose only enemy was the sun and God himself.
`Legion, they are legion.'
They spotted her simultaneously then flew at her with unimagined speed. She glanced over her shoulder and saw she stood alone in front of the gates to the world of daylight. Before her eyes the sun turned red and her world went dark.
_-_-_-_
Buffy's eyes snapped open. `The dream but it was different. Now the world turns red. That is not a cheerful development.'
She knew it was pointless to try to go back to sleep. She rose from her mat and crept outside.
She stood watching the pale sliver of moon and rubbed her arms. It wasn't cold night but the dream always sapped the warmth from her body. She heard a noise behind her and hoped it was merely the malcontent Inu-demon.
A clawed hand found her shoulder and she jumped back prepared to defend herself. But indeed it was only Inuyasha. For some strange reason Buffy was glad to see him.
`Legion…'
_-_-_-_
Inuyasha was perplexed. Buffy was fully clothed, still had long hair and was…upset. `Who cares how she did it, she still did it!'
He narrowed his eyes at her and spat, “So how'd you do it?”
She asked tiredly. “Do what?”
He gave a dark laugh. “You just paid me a little visit. Cept you were a little underdressed.”
She pulled a loose strand of hair away from her face. “What are you talking about?”
`She seems honestly confused…' Inuyasha wrapped his hand around her upper arm. “Ya just pranced around me in the fucking nude and insulted me. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Buffy's jaw dropped. She was mortified but realized this was inevitable. `God, if this is the show it gave Inuyasha what is it doing with or to Spike!?'
“Inuyasha, please unhand me.”
He smirked proud to have busted her, “Don't see why I should.”
“If you don't I am gonna rip off your arm and beat you with it.”
He shrugged and dropped her arm, “Fair enough.”
“Thanks. Now how long ago did you see me?” she asked emphasizing the word `me' with finger quotes.
Inuyasha mocked her quotes with his claw tip fingers. “I saw `you', a very naked `you', just minutes ago.”
“It wasn't me.”
“Oh really, cause I think it was and saw enough of you to know.”
Buffy shoved her hand under his nose. “Don't be stupid Inuyasha. Did it smell like me?”
He answered without thought. “No.”
“Then you already know it wasn't me.”
He cocked a black eyebrow still not sure he believed her, ”But you do know what it was?”
 
She sighed. “Yes, that was The First.”
Inuyasha fell cross legged to the ground with all the grace of an Olympic gymnast and Buffy sat next to him. “But it looked just like you.”
“Yeah that's part of it's power. It can take the form of anyone who has passed over.”
“Passed over? You mean died.” His golden eyes watched her waiting for an answer.
“Yes.” She blinked and didn't meet his gaze.
Inuyasha was blunt. “So that means you're dead.”
She winced. Other people have normal skeletons in theirclosets. But not Buffy, no I have a whole graveyard and then some.
Buffy protested, “I was brought back.”
“But you have a clean smell. I smell death on you but you aren't drenched in it like Kikyo.”
“It was a spell.”
He countered, “So was she.”
Buffy was too bone tired to play twenty questions but she felt the beginnings of a connection with Inuyasha. She knew her time here was short and decided to make the most of it.
“How was she brought back?”

Inuyasha frowned but told her. ”A witch mixed her ashes with ground bone and graveyard dirt. She fashioned a clay figure and called Kikyo's soul into it.”
“Oh”, Then she added, “I was brought back to my body. No ashes or dirt.”
Pain flashed in his eyes, “Kikyo's missing part of her soul.”
Buffy frowned knowing pain was something the First exploited and fed from, “Inuyasha do you still have…feelings for her?”
His head snapped around. “Who told you that?”
“It didn't take a genius. But I wanted to warn you it may approach you as Kikyo.”
He sighed, “I know.”
“It isn't solid but it likes to taunt and manipulate.”
Something tugged at the edge of Inuyasha's mind. “Ya know if it wasn't incorporeal then I would have thought Naraku was behind this.”
Buffy was intrigued. Now we're talking. “Why?”
“He can change his appearance and he lives to deceive.” `Fucking bastard.'
Buffy was contemplating this when Inuyasha cracked a grin.
She demanded, “What is it Inu-boy?”
He ran his hand through his long silver hair. “It just occurred to me. Miroku is gonna be so pissed he missed this.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Forget about that already! And tell me about Naraku.”