InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secret Soul ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

*Disclaimer* I do not own Inuyasha. The world of Inuyasha was created by Rumiko Takahashi. Neither do I own the plot/storyline of the novel I am basing my story off of. I want it to be a surprise, so I won't say it until some people start guessing. But the plot is not my own. The way I write it, and the liberties I take, are my own, as are any OC's that grace the pages. THANK YOU!

 

~Author's Note~

Chapter 7!!! he he he…

 

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Chapter 7

 

 

Inuyasha watched from the window of the upper study as Rin trained with the priestess. The child was growing, both in intelligence and strength. Though he could tell that the child would be no great priestess, he was satisfied that he had allowed for her to be taught. For a child so young, she was showing much better focus than she had before he brought her back to this…this place. He closed his eyes, wincing at the memories that tortured his mind.

 

As much as he tried, no matter what he did, what pleasures he sought, what demons he challenged, his soul refused to find peace. He was constantly reminded by the things around him, and he desperately wanted to forget. This place…Chibara…was of course, the worst place for his fragile memories. He wished he could tear it down bit by bit with his own claws, leaving only a pile of stones…but that he couldn't do. The heaviness of his soul was growing to be too much. He couldn't stay here too much longer.

 

His eyes shot open and below him, smiling up into the sun, was the strange woman he had met by chance the night before. Her face was ease and innocence, a life free from regret and transgression. His heart ached, longing for that feeling again, but he knew better. His heart had been hardened a long time ago, taking away his choice, his life, and he would spend the rest of his life fighting against his destiny.

 

By chance, her eyes rose to the window, and their gazes met. Her face showed confusion at first as her mouth opened, then a slight embarrassment…at finding him watching her or at meeting his eyes suddenly he could not tell. Still he held her gaze, unceasingly, and she held his as well. Finally, her mouth set into a firm line, and she bowed her head. Had Inuyasha's thoughts not been of an inward and serious nature at the time, he would have laughed outright. But his practiced, stoic face remained, and met hers as she raised her head to him again.

 

The moment was then broken by Rin as she called to the priestess, drawing her attention away. It's just as well, he thought to himself, his mouth smirking to the side. He had company anyway.

 

“Master Inuyasha, you wished to see me?” a voice spoke from behind. Inuyasha turned and faced her, his brow furrowing. Well, no difference there. She looked just as he remembered leaving her. He sat down in a large chair situated behind a large desk.

 

“Yes, I did. Close the door behind you.” Without a word she obeyed. She usually did. As much as he admired her for her strength, her will had all but been broken. “Is everything-”

 

“Secure?” she smiled wickedly. “Of course.” Inuyasha's look was more than simply disapproving.

 

“We have something to discuss…Tsubaki.”

 

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Kagome sat patiently beside a not so patient Rin, waiting for the master to show up. From what she had been told by Kaede, who had brought out a basket of food and a large blanket, he would be coming soon. Kagome stuffed her fists into her sleeves. She knew it was him…she had somehow known it last night, and now, especially after seeing him watching them from the window, she wanted nothing more than to go inside and not face him.

 

Why had he been watching her!? Wait, no…that was wrong. He had been watching Rin, of course. Kagome's brows furrowed as she thought. He had been watching Rin, and since I was down here, it just seemed like he was looking at me. She decided to ignore the fact that it was more than just a momentary glance, or that she was once again mesmerized by those beautiful golden eyes. Closing her eyes, Kagome sighed.

 

“Are you ok, Miss Kagome?” Rin asked softly, placing a hand on hers. Kagome opened her eyes, smiling.

 

“Of course, I'm perfectly fine.”

 

“But your face was red and-”

 

“And what?” Kagome jumped up at the voice that suddenly appeared behind her. How could she not have felt him approach!? The look on his face was so smug she could have…

 

“Sir,” she said, calming herself as she bowed her head respectfully.

 

“Inuyasha!” Rin propelled herself into his chest and he lifted her up tossing her ten feet into the air.

 

“RIN!” Kagome was in panic. How could he just… Rin's bubbly laughter echoed through the air as gravity pulled her back into the awaiting arms of her master. Inuyasha mussed her hair and she smiled at him, before placing a small kiss on his cheek.

 

“Did you bring me a present?” Rin asked expectantly.

 

“I'm not sure if I have…” he said. Kagome tried to be insulted by the fact that she was being completely ignored, but at least it gave her the chance to study him. He was wearing the same thing as before. The red haori and hakama billowed about him as he once again tossed Rin into the air. Kagome gasped, but the child was caught safely again.

 

“Please!” she said, finally gaining the attention of the other two. “I would feel better if you didn't throw her so high. It's dangerous!”

 

“No it's not!” Rin objected, her eyes growing sad at the prospect of no more fun. Inuyasha knelt down next to Rin, putting his mouth next to her ear. As much as the words were told to Rin, they were directed to Kagome…shown by the golden eyes that stared up at her with menacing mischief.

 

“I just think that your priestess is jealous that she cannot be thrown into the air too,” he smiled a toothy grin. “Perhaps she is too afraid of falling?” Kagome's face was only slightly red from embarrassment, but she closed her eyes and tried to remain calm.

 

“Really?” Rin asked in wonder. Kagome felt a small hand tug on her haori. “But Inuyasha would catch you! You don't have to be afraid!” Kagome's mouth opened to respond, but was filled with the response of Inuyasha.

 

“But you see, Rin, I all ready caught her!” Kagome looked up at him now, his face too unreadable.

 

“You did?” the child asked smiling.

 

“And she didn't even say `Thank you,'” he said, folding his arms in front of him. Kagome tried to breathe.

 

“Well…I…I didn't get the chan-”

 

“You didn't even kiss him?” Rin interrupted, incredibly serious. Kagome stood speechless, mouth agape, looking from Rin to Inuyasha, then quickly back to Rin. His face had looked much too calm for her to ask him for help. She suddenly felt as if she were being trapped.

 

“No, Rin. She didn't.” Now Kagome looked at him. His voice was so pitiful that she no longer felt embarrassed, at least not embarrassed enough to respond.

 

“Maybe I would have thanked you had you not been so rude!” she said, forgetting herself.

 

“Rude? I was rude to save your life?!” He seemed suddenly angry now.

 

“You were rude when you first showed up. It was your fault that I almost fell in the first place!”

 

“It's not my fault you're so clumsy!” He took a step toward her. “You were trying to attack Kirara!”

 

“I was warning her!”

 

“As if you could beat her!”

 

“SHE COULD!” Both `adults' looked at Rin, who stood warily to the side.

 

“What?” Inuyasha asked, becoming a little calmer.

 

“She could beat Kirara. Kagome's strong!” Rin ran over to Kagome now and hid behind her legs.

 

“Oh, so you've turned her against me now, have you?” he asked with a smirk to Kagome. Kagome didn't really know what to think. “Am I gonna have to show her who's stronger?” His claws flexed, and Kagome's aura defensively rose.

 

“Leave Kagome alone!” Rin shouted, running out from behind Kagome's legs and attaching herself to Inuyasha's.

 

“Little brat. I should listen to you now when you're trying to defend her?”

 

“She didn't do anything wrong!” Kagome was stuck. She had no idea what to do.

 

A sudden growl from the little girl's stomach broke through all tension that seemed to fill the air. “I'm hungry!” Rin exclaimed, grabbing Inuyasha's hand and seeming to have completely forgotten what had just happened. Inuyasha turned his head to the side.

 

“Yeah, yeah,” he huffed, before letting the child lead him to the blanket that had been lain out. Kagome followed behind them, in wonder at the strange event that had just taken place.

 

The lunch consisted of a roast chicken, bread with butter, and fruit. Kagome still wasn't used to the amount and quality of the food she now ate on a daily basis. This simple lunch picnic was equal to a holiday feast she would have spent with Miroku and Sango. She let the sad thoughts take over her and ate her meal in silence, letting Rin bother Inuyasha. She pulled his hair, tried to touch his ears, and asked him countless questions. Kagome drowned it out with her thoughts of her own…happier times that now were tinged with pain.

 

It was probably not a good idea, seeing as how within ten minutes of finishing her bread, Inuyasha ordered Rin back to the house with a harsh command. And since the child, let alone anyone that would have heard him, could not disobey such an order, Rin ran quickly back to the house, leaving Kagome alone with him. The demon laid back, resting on his forearms and sighed.

 

“You don't have to be that mean to her,” Kagome said.

 

“She's annoying and a brat.” He refused to look at her and lay back fully, folding his arms behind his head.

 

“She's only a child,” Kagome said softly.

 

“A child that you were hired to take care of,” he countered. “Had you been doing your job, she wouldn't have been bothering me so much!”

 

“What?” she asked. “I was `hired' as you say, to train her to become a priestess! I don't recall being asked to become her caretaker.” At this point, Inuyasha stood and moved so fast that she didn't know how he was now standing so closely in front of her, crouching inches from her face.

 

“As a priestess training one who is to become a priestess, you are therefore responsible for her care, her actions, her welfare and her behavior.” His face was serious and intense, and Kagome couldn't help but swallow as she realized what he said was actually…true. She lowered her eyes, but he didn't move. He stayed directly in front of her, so close that she felt his breath on her forehead.

 

“I will overlook it this time,” he said softly, though still firm. “You're thoughts were elsewhere, and were anything but pleasant.” She closed her eyes. As shocked as she was to find that he noticed her mood, his reference brought back afresh the memories.

 

“I'm sorry,” she said softly. He stood and backed away.

 

“Don't mention it!” he said brightly, stretching back. “Go back inside. I expect you both to have dinner with me tonight, and you're starting to smell.”

 

“What!?” Kagome stood and face him, not believing what he just said. He smirked, looking at her over his shoulder.

 

“You heard me!” Kagome clenched her fist and held her tongue, as much as she wanted to yell something. Turning toward the main house, she raised her head and walked as briskly as she could. At this moment, she could not get away from him fast enough.

 

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Inuyasha chuckled softly to himself as he watched her go back to the house, trying to maintain some sort of composure. He knew he had pissed her off…he had totally meant to. Fighting with her was just too much fun.

 

He sighed as he dug into the basket for another piece of fruit. He bit into the juicy flesh and licked at the juice that escaped his lips. The priestess was already back at the main house, entering through the side kitchen door. His brow creased and he took another bite.

 

Her anger was better than her sadness. And she did smell, he thought, licking at the fruit in his grasp. He just hadn't mentioned that it was a scent that made his heart race in a way he never thought it could again.

 

END OF CHAPTER

 

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Well, I hope you liked it! Please comment and let me know! Reviews are almost as good as chocolate! Ooooo….chocolate….an idea…..hm….shutting up now. See you next chapter!

 

~chosuki