InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Siren Sisters ❯ Akin ( Chapter 6 )

CHAPTER 6: AKIN

 

Kagome sat by the water's edge, lightly tracing circles in the water. Today wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. And it all started with those blasted floors. Well, they were gone now, replaced with fresh wood and waiting to be sealed with sap. And some courtesy due to Inuyasha and his man Miroku. Prince Inuyasha. Oh it was no doubt he was prince, he screamed of it. His fine horse, clean clothes and respected demeanor, a blind person could tell his was important. Just one more thing to add to her dislike list. Well, she really couldn't add it, he didn't really deserve it. Sure he was prince, but he acted like every other normal guy. He puffed up his chest and tried to impress the girls with his strength. Though she'd be the last to admit, he had. With his claws alone, he had slashed the last of the old floors, and helped put in the new ones. It had taken half the time it would have taken the sisters to do it. Miroku did help, but mostly he was looking for any excuse to get close to Sango. Strange really was. He seems to have taken a liking to her, much to Sango's chagrin.

 

But it had been a productive day, and after sealing the floors, they could fix up the upstairs, and put a bar in. she smiled. She liked working with her hands, made her feel useful. And she liked a man who worked, much like Inuyasha had today. She quickly shook her head. What was she thinking? Just because she had gotten a case of the flutters doesn't mean anything. Besides, he was a prince, he could have any girl he wished. She snorted and locked hands around her knees, he probably does, taking a new girl to his bed every night. But for some reason, that one thought made her a bit jealous, but she was being a fool. Why would want her? A scrawny maiden from a strange land? He probably thought her dirty and unworthy.

 

But why then had she caught him looking at her? It was quickly diverted, but she was sure he had been looking at her for a good minute. So what was that about? She sighed, and looked at her reflection. She was so confused sometimes. Being the adult in her family sometimes got to her, and she found herself running in circles. Their parents' death really had affected them in a bad way, messing with them. But she couldn't think of this now, she had a coming business to think of, and the growing of her herbs. She had been very happy to start that garden, maybe it'll take the time for searching for them. But to the pub. She'd have to go to the port tomorrow and see if McKenna was in, and order some good product. She knew for sure they needed carrots, radishes, cabbage, potatoes, all of which could be grown, except the potatoes, so she could order seeds. She'll buy meat for now, until she could get some chickens and cows of her own. She'd need horses too. But all Granda had was his old steed, aging and falling to coughing lately. She'd need new ones. She looked up. Or maybe, with some persuasion, she could—

 

“What are you doing here?” Kagome gasped and whipped around, to come eye to eye with the prince himself.

 

Inuyasha crossed his arms, and faked a scowl, though he didn't mean it. It wouldn't be really a good thing to let her know he was kind of expecting her. He was hoping another bathing session, but with his luck, it didn't happen. She eyed him wearily.

 

“I'd be asking you the same thing. Are you following me or something?”

 

She snorted and took a few steps her way, “in your dreams, why would I follow an ugly wench like you?”

 

She gritted her teeth. There he went again! She stood, and made to leave. “Fine you almighty pompous ass! If you don't care then I'll leave!”

 

“Wait.”

 

She stopped, surprised, and saw he himself was surprised at what he said. But he shook his head. “Listen, I don't mean half the things I say, they just, you know, come out. So sit down, relax. I feel we got off on the wrong foot.”

 

She gave him a weary eye, debating, but found herself a coward for wanting to leave. She sat back down where she had been, and pointedly looked away. He sighed and shook his head, and sat down next to her, laying back on his elbows.

 

“So,” he began, she obviously was restraining from strangling him, “let's start this over. Hi, my name's Inuyasha, what's yours?”

 

She relaxed a little, not wanting to admit he looked cute acting innocent. She turned and shook his hand. “And my name be Kagome, nice to meet you. You're from these parts?”

 

He nodded, and eased the tense knot in his stomach, “yep, my father is the lord of these lands, and my mother is his mate. So that makes me prince. Where you from? Not from around here with your voice.”

 

She felt the corner of her mouth tug up, “actually, I am. But me Da took us away cause his father died, and left him the family farm. I was but a tike then, no more then seven. I lived in Ireland or the past twelve years.”

 

“Ireland? Really? I've heard rumors, how the people are barbarians and have blood rituals and the likes.”

 

She barked a laugh and turned to him fully, “who ever told you that is full of horse shit. The people there are friendlier than a tamed rabbit and have a good sense of humor. My Da was from there, my Mum from here.”

 

Something in his gut twisted, “so you're a mix?”

 

“Yep,” she sighed and looked to the pond, “they were good people. Da breed horses, good horses, and Mum could heal. I and my sisters helped run the farm, and Mum taught me to heal. Da taught me horses, inside and out.”

 

Inuyasha nodded and laid all the way down, “so that would explain it, why you're so good with horses. And you can heal nonetheless. A girl of multi-talents. So where are your parents now? Still in Ireland?”

 

He noticed as Kagome sobered instantly, and avoided his worried eyes. She smiled sadly, “they're in heaven now, watching s grow up.”

 

Inuyasha sat up and looked at his shirt, “I'm sorry.”

 

“So am I. it was lung sickness that took them,” she smiled wider and sniffed, “but no worries, I'm sure they would have wanted us to move on. Da never liked the sad, and Mum dealt with death sometimes, so she never wanted us to cry. So, Vinny's taking care of the farm, and we're here to live with Granda and run the business Da left behind.”

 

“Vinny?” Inuyasha quirked a brow.

 

She grinned broadly, a sparkle to her eye, and Inuyasha strangely found himself a bit ticked off. “Fine boy he is, good of heart and bright of mind. He's been on the farm since he was boy, and he was my first crush.”

 

“Oh really?” he sat up fully and took in her smiling profile. Ticked off went to a bit pissed.

 

“Oh, but a girl's crush. He was never for me. But he stayed and watches the farm and horses, knowing it by heart like me and me sisters. What about you? Tell me about yourself.”

 

Inuyasha eased back again, that pissed feeling going away now that he had her full attention. “Well, I'm prince, and expected to be educated, charming, and sophisticated.”

 

“Which your not.”

 

“Which I'm not,” he agreed, grinning, “my mother was a vessel's daughter, and she and my father fell in love and were mated. A few months later, I was on the way.”

 

“Mated? What is that suppose to mean?” Kagome shifted, and didn't notice how their knees brushed.

 

“Well, it's a demon term. It just like marrying someone, but with out the huge ceremony. The female gets marked, and passes life force with their mate. So since my mother was human, she now lives as long as a demon because she mated my father.”

 

“So your mother's a human, and your father's a demon?”

 

“Yeah, they fell madly in love and mated. And now that I'm twenty and one summers, they want me to find my own mate now. Fat chance, not with all the scrawny wenches I've seen. They're either too fluttery and weak, or snappish and cold. No thanks.”

 

She laughed at his comment, and he instantly liked her laugh. It was full and rich, and flowed over him like water. He felt his eyes closing, and he snapped them open. “So what about you? Anyone special?”

 

She fixed her skirt, and pursed her lips. But she took out the vial and played with it. “It may sound silly, but I'm waiting for the one. I know I met him before, when we were kids. He found me out here, singing, and we ended up playing together. He gave me flowers, and we promised to meet again. It's been twelve years….anyway, anyone for you?”

 

But Inuyasha wasn't paying attention anymore. He gaped openly at her, mouth parted. Her story, it…it couldn't be…he eyed the vial, and saw purple. Purple…purple petals, from purple flowers. His heart started racing, and his mind raged. He glanced between the girl and the vial, and licked his dry lips. She smiled uncertainly, and darted her eyes.

 

“Inuyasha? Are ye still there? I haven't lost you have I?”

 

He looked up at her, and saw her in a whole new light, “you-you sing?”

 

She giggled a little, “Yeah, me and my sisters seem to have a talent. They use to call us the Siren sisters. Da once said, if any man heard us sing, they would gladly crash to death for us.”

 

He sat up completely, surprising her, and had this sort of…desperate look in his eye. “Could you sing now? For me?”

 

He had to know.

 

She eyed him nervously but nodded, “what do you prefer, Celtic or something else?”

 

“It doesn't matter, I just want to hear you sing.”

 

She nodded, “okay. Um…I know this Celtic song, Da use to sing it to us to make us laugh. Its about this maiden with curly hair.”

 

She took a deep breath, and sang.

 

Ar meisce cha dteim nios mo,
Braon leanna go doe ni bhlaisfidh me
Or chailleas mo chailin beag og
A chuireadh im phoca an t-airgead.

 

Is fada liom uaim i, uaim i
Is fada liom uaim i o d'imigh si
Is fada liom thios is thuas i,
Malai na gCuach Ni Chuilionain.

 

The air seemed to stop moving, and trees dared to rustle. Crickets had stopped in their orchestra, and it seemed little woodland creatures had stopped to listen. And Inuyasha felt his heart stop. It was beautiful, her voice strong, and carried the melody like a goddess. She started smiling while singing and stood to breathe better.

 

Bhi me la amuigh ar an gcoill
Is tharla dom soilse bradoige
A dheanfadh an marbhan beo
No reice boic oig de sheanduine.

Da mbeinnse in eipir an bhais
Agus daoine dha ra nach dtiocfainn as,
Ni dheanfainn mo thiomna go brach
Go dtiocfadh si, Mal Bhan Ni Chuilionain.

 

Is fada liom uaim i, uaim i
Is fada liom uaim i o d'imigh si
Is fada liom thios is thuas i,
Malai na gCuach Ni Chuilionain.

 

Ar meisce cha dteim nios mo,
Braon leanna go doe ni bhlaisfidh me
Or chailleas mo chailin beag og
A chuireadh im phoca an t-airgead.

(lyrics from Mal Bahn Ni Chuilionain, album: Mysts of Time)

 

Her voice rose and lowered, notes carried on words he didn't even understand. There was pause, she smiled at him, but picked it up again. And he had never heard anything like it. It was heaven was plucking strings, and they all sounded like her. His gut twisted, and he felt his heart grow. And her standing there, singing like a goddess, her black hair loosely braided, her light blue dress flowing over her, she could have been a goddess. The chorus repeated a few times in the song, and she repeated a verse another. She let out the last note, and stopped.

 

She licked her lips nervously. That look he had given her…made her wish he'd do it more often. Silly! “Um…it sounds better with drums and a chorus, but what can you do?”

 

He gulped and stood, shaking his head. He looked deep into her eyes, and she was swamped by gold. “No…it was perfect.”

 

Kagome's breath caught, and she found herself getting closer to him by some force unknown. Her chest heaved with silent pants, and her skin tingled when he brought a hand up to brush away a strand of hair. She shivered when she noticed that they were almost chest to chest, and she unconsciously grabbed the vial about her neck. Inuyasha brushed his finger over her jaw, and she felt a shock shot through her. What were these feelings? Why was she having them? He wasn't the one she remembered, so why was she reacting like this?

 

Inuyasha could hear her heart thunder in her chest, and only sent him quick glances, showing him shaky brown eyes. Her stroked her arm, and felt her shiver. He couldn't bring himself from looking at her mouth, those rosy full lips parted to let in breathe and let it out. He licked his own, and felt the ach to kiss her. He was so sure now, she was the one he had been looking for. She had been the one in the clearing, this clearing. She had been he one singing on that rock, and had played with him on that scary night. She had been the one he had given the flowers to. And e found she wasn't dead, or lost, but had been gone for twelve years, and was back now. She had been the one who stole his heart, all those years ago.

 

Kagome glanced again at him, and jumped to fond he was only inches from face. His scent came with him, and she drowned in musk and spices, making her dizzy with the heady scent. His lips…they were so close…she could kiss him…that's when reason woke her up. What was she doing?! She was about to kiss a man who was almost a stranger!

 

Frantically, she backed away from him, avoiding his gaze and flushed as the feelings returned, full force. Even as she backed, Inuyasha could smell her hesitance and her arousal. It got to him, and he found he wanted to grab her. But she just kept backing.

 

“I'm sorry, but…but I'm afraid you be making a mistake. I really have to go now.”

 

“Kagome, wait, I can explain.”

 

“Good evening to you sir,” she said, and quickly turned, rushing down the path. No thought entered her head, and she fell asleep on the plushy bed beside her sisters pushing any away.

 

Leaving Inuyasha to only stare after her, his blood heated and his heart calling. He cursed and slammed a fist into the nearest tree. Damn it! He had been so close! And she was the one too! You stupid idiot!

 

But he made a vow that night, stalking back to the palace. He made a vow, to find her, and make her his. And he would, even if it killed him. He would have Kagome, and love her like he always wanted to.

 

&------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------&

 

As promised, Kagome went down to the docks the next morning, leaving her sisters to seal the floor, and fix upstairs. That would go by easily enough, and by the time she got back, they'd be ready to start building the oak bar they had in mind.

 

But now, Kagome sat upon the old steed of her grandfathers, and watched idly the scenery go by slowly. She hummed a little tune to pass the time, and that alone brought her back to last night. She frowned. What had that been about? First they were making friendly conversation, the next he had almost kissed her! The nerve! He thought he so mighty and arrogant, that he could have any woman he wished. That man's ego was bigger than the sky. Well, he had another thing coming. She wasn't going to swoon to him or his charms. See how he liked that.

 

Kagome heard some bustle ahead, and knew she was nearing. She clucked her tongue, reining in the horse, and made him drag his hooves faster. Kagome groaned, and kicked him, and she managed to get him to trot. She entered the port town, and made a beeline for the docks. She earned many looks for her riding style, but paid no heed. She stretched her neck, and smiled brightly. The gods must be apologizing for last night.

 

She dismounted, and guided the horse to one dock, where one ship was unloading. She caught the attention of one young man, and he smiled at her boldly.

 

“Aye miss, and what would a pretty thing like you be doing here?”

 

Kagome smiled, glad to know the Irish language still existed. “I be looking for Captain McKenna, I think this is his boat.”

 

He nodded, and wiped her hands on his pants, “that it would be. Wait here! Captain!”

 

The sailor called for the man, and smiled brightly at Kagome, and she only smiled back. A few minutes went by, and then the burly man appeared, asking what the ruckus was. The hand man pointed at her, and Captain McKenna smiled when he saw her.

 

“Well if it isn't Kagome! The little healer! Many thanks for that oil you gave me, been breathing easier now. So what can I do for you?”

 

She patted the horse's neck to calm him, and shielded her eyes from the sun. “I want to be ordering some goods, do you think you can help me?”

 

“Aye, I think I can,” the captain nodded and crossed his arms, “what are they?”

 

“Seeds, carrots, cabbage and the sort, and a few sacks of potatoes, maybe ten or fifteen. Ale and whiskey, a few good bottles. And maybe a few chickens and two sides of beef. Maybe a rack of lamb?”

 

 

The captain raised his brows and scratched his chin. “That be a lot. Maybe about twenty gold pieces.”

 

He saw her face fall, and she bit her lip. His brows crossed. “What is it for?”

 

She smiled “my sisters and I are opening an Irish pub.”

 

“Oh really now? Well it's about time! Maybe when we dock here, we can get some good food!”

 

“I know, but can't afford the shipping.”

 

He winked at her, “how but this? I get you what you need, and you whip me up some more of your herbs, and I cut the cost in half. And provided me crew and I get a few free meals.”

 

“I'd give you the pub if you could even get me half of it!” Kagome laughed and ran a hand through her hair, “uh, that sounds fine. Do I need to write it down?”

 

“I'll do it,” the captain smiled and turned to leave, but she stopped him. He turned back and she became uncertain. “Yes?”

 

“Well…I was wondering if you could do one more thing, and I'll pay for everything…”