InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Suffer The Fray ❯ The Damn Berries ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to InuYasha....Rumiko Takahashi does. Bummer.

A/N: Reviewer Acknowledgements- Knittingknots, coykoi, youkai fetish, & madosie. Thanx so effin much for reviewing! I luv u guys! Inuyasha finally makes an appearence this time, so enjoy.

Reux

The drop was horrendous. Just the thought of being elevated to such heights was enough to incur a harrowing bout of vertigo so strong it caused nausea. One wrong step and it would ultimately bring about your doom. The thickly woven grass grew right up to the edge, the blades slick and shining in the moonlight. It definitely wasn't the footing of choice for the clumsy.

Lucky for him, heights weren't an issue.

Hallucinations, it seemed, were.

A gusty gale howled along the cliff side, sending the twin locks of silver hair along his face aflutter. The strength of it would have sent a normal mortal staggering under its power. He merely continued to stare down into the valley, paying his surroundings no mind. His entire mind's attention was focused inward, replaying the bewildering episode of extreme deja vu that had sent him to seek the solace of the rocky ledge.

Flashback-

“Where do you want to camp for the night?”

He lazily cracked open a lone amber eye, peering down at his companion. “There's a meadow just up ahead, past the tree line.”

The red-headed kitsune hopped forward. “What kind of meadow?”

He sighed. “A green one.” He had a nagging suspicion that the fox youkai was baiting him into conversation.

Shippo scratched his head as he trotted down the worn path. “What kind of green?”

“What d'ya mean 'what kind'? A meadow is a meadow.” The pointlessness in the line of questioning was beginning to irritate him.

Shippo, of course, was oblivious. “You know, like a flowery one, or a grassy one.”

He stared at him like he'd sprouted three heads. “Why the hell is it so important?”

The hurt scowl on the boy's face made him want to bite back his harsh words. “I'm just tired of staring at trees all day long.” He returned to his trudge, kicking a stray rock for emphasis. “Relax, will ya? It was only a question.”

More like a parade of them, but he conceded the fact that he was being a bit overzealous with the temper. “It's a grass meadow, alright?”

It was the best apology he was going to get and the kitsune knew it. “I know you're sorry, Inuyasha.' He peeked over his shoulder with a wicked grin as if he'd planned the entire debacle from the start.

He shook his head with a “Feh,” and continued walking along the ocher dirt path. Shippo's quiet humming filled the renewed silence and he found himself watching the kitsune. No longer was he the fur ball of a pup he'd been five years ago. His red-tufted head now reached almost to his hip and the rounded rabbit-like tail had lengthened into a bushy two feet long. He still wasn't a strapping lad, but fox youkai weren't giants- hardly larger than your average, run-of-the-mill dog. It was safe to say their human forms weren't much better.

The object of his observation suddenly darted up the path like a fire had singed his tail. Inuyasha's senses hummed and he sprinted after him. “Shippo!” The thick trees of the forest blurred around him and he scented the air, searching for danger. What'd made him take off like that?

“Inuyasha! Over here!”

His ears twitched, locking onto his location like a beacon. A thick line of trees blocked his view, and he leaped forward, using his momentum to launch himself upward. The kitsune's scent plastered the air as he crested over the tree-tops, eyes falling on the scenery below him. The trees ended abruptly, giving way to a series of mildly rolling hills coated in a thick carpet of flowing grass. A harsh cliff side smiled from the eastern edge of the meadow, reminding him that they were, indeed, still high up in the mountains. Beyond it laid a vast valley exhibiting a parade of brilliant colors.

Scanning the breathtaking panorama, he spotted Shippo making what looked like a grass angel atop one of the grassy knolls. He landed silently and stalked over to glare down at him. “Don't run off like that again.”

The foxy smile vanished upon hearing the fearful undertone of his voice. His ears sagged and he hunched closer to the ground like a chastised pup. “I'm sorry. I just got excited.”

Inuyasha couldn't retain an ounce of anger when he gazed up at him so guiltily. His shoulders slumped and he sagged down to the ground tiredly. “Just be careful. I can't always protect you.”

Shippo scooted closer and twirled a fat blade of grass around his small clawed fingers. “I will, I promise.”

The silence that followed was a companionable one. Neither party attempted to fill it with idle chatter, as it would undoubtedly shatter the tranquil moment. Resting side-by-side on the grassy knoll, their view extended over the meadow and across the valley to the mountainside opposite them. Small villages were easily discerned in the treeless voids spattered along the peak. The sun hung low in the sky, a vermilion fireball painting the atmosphere a deep indigo hue. The heat of the star was heavy and comforting, wrapping them up in its burning embrace.

Most of the time he was easily able to banish her presence from his mind, but sunset was an unprotected window she always took advantage of. The warmth lulled his eyes shut and her face jumped up immediately, eyes shining with a smile. His heart gave a soft pang at the sight.

It was always Kagome, never Kikyo that plagued his dreams. It was as if by leaving she'd made him realize who he truly missed. A soft tingling spread across his back and something rested lightly on his left shoulder. The feeling was welcome, and oddly familiar.

Then it suddenly intensified around his chest like a vice and he could almost feel hands grabbing at his kimono. It felt like she was right there, wrapping her arms around him and pressing against his back with her chin propped upon his shoulder. His eyes snapped open and glanced down to see his kimono bunch as if it'd been gripped by an actual set of living fingers.

That was the last straw. He jerked to his feet and whirled around to stare at the empty air behind him. Nothing remained that any of his superior senses could detect and it unnerved him down to the very marrow residing in his bones.

-End Flashback

Inuyasha's eyes drifted away from the valley below and rested on the rocks jutting out over the drop just a few feet away. Shippo had only stared at him uneasily, quietly asking what was wrong. He'd managed to snap out of his trance long enough to tell him to construct a fire and stay within sight. The boy had only nodded and watched as he'd wandered toward the cliff.

He ran his hand over the tattered hilt of the Tetsusaiga in a comforting caress and twitched an ear listen behind him. The small fire cracked and popped, sending up very little smoke, and Shippo was mumbling to himself as he picked at his food. Something about 'the damn berries are bitter'. Inuyasha blew his breath out of his mouth. All he does is complain. Those berries were the only hint of flavor in the entire meal. The fish that went with it was dried-out leftovers from the day before and about as tasty as parchment. It seemed his taste buds would just have to suffer through this time.

Kagome would have had something to brighten his mood.

He dropped his head back and gazed up at the sky. It had felt so real, like she had been sitting right there beside him all along and he'd just been too ignorant to notice. Logically it made no sense, but how could his haori have possibly squelched together and left wrinkles?

The wind ruffled said cloth and he realized that all of this was probably a figment of his imagination. Loathe as he was to admit it to anyone but himself, it was very possible that his need for her had grown strong enough to conjure her presence when he was at his weakest.

He shook his head and snorted. This is just wonderful. Just wait until Miroku caught wind of this- if he thought it was unpleasant now, he had a whole other thing coming. The Houshi had a way of being totally relentless.

Although, this was the strongest and most realistic vision by far. Never before had he physically felt her touch. Kagome had only graced his dreams as he slept over the past five years. Why the sudden intensity?

The wind answered violently, blasting through the valley and sent the mountain shuddering in its wake. Inuyasha's grip tightened on Tetsusaiga and he wondered vaguely if Kagura had anything to do with this. He scented the wind, but found none of her usual traces.

Pity.

He felt like stabbing something.

Grimacing at his bloodthirsty frustration, Inuyasha stalked back to Shippo's fire and glanced up at the kitsune huddled in the branches of a nearby tree. “You can come down now.”

He did not have to be told twice. “Good. For a second there, I thought Kagura was going to swoop down on us.”

It pleased him to hear his instincts were improving. “Well, you can relax. She won't be coming around until he's finished his 'nap'.”

His sarcasm wasn't lost of the young fox youkai. “It's been a long time.” He moved closer to the fire and held his hands up, palm facing the flames. “I thought he'd be back by now.”

“So did I.” His golden eyes left the fire and drifted to the open ground around it. He hadn't meant to speak so forlornly, but with Naraku's prolonged slumber it was becoming harder and harder to remain idle. It allowed Kagome to drown him in guilt too often. As if I don't punish myself enough as it is.

“Do you dream of her too?”

Inuyasha looked up startled. Either Shippo had become an adept mind reader or it showed on his face. He was betting on the latter. “What?”

Shippo merely tossed another twig into the blaze. There was no amusement to be found in his expression. He nodded solemnly. “Of course you do, but not like my dreams.” His head drooped until only the red tuft of his hair was visible. “Kagome was more than a friend, she was like....” He trailed off.

He knew. “...your mother.”

The kitsune stiffened and swiped furiously at his down turned face. “Yeah.” His whisper was deathly quiet. A few tense moments passed, and he suddenly lifted his head to glare tearfully at him. His voice was more like a soft growl. “And if you had just made up you damn mind, she'd still be here!”

Inuyasha took the blow without comment. It may have been directed by embarrassment from his tears, but it was still true. Foxes may not be pack animals, but the parent-offspring bond is strong between them. Shippo had been orphaned at a very young age and survived by finding a surrogate mother in Kagome. It was natural for him to blame the hanyou for leaving him orphaned a second time. “You're right.”

Shippo blinked wide eyes at him as the hanyou strode over to the base of the tree and curled up like a dog before a fireplace. Hopping over, he knelt in front of him. With all his anger gone, he vaguely resembled a deflated ball of fluff. “She'll come back, won't she?” The fear in his eyes was tangible. “She has to come back.” He reassured himself when his companion wouldn't.

“I don't think we'll have to wait much longer. The wind is ominous these days.” He flicked his ears as if pestered by flies. “Naraku's sleep is nearly over.”

Those words frightened Shippo into a fit of shivers. He glanced at the nearby void in the grass and back at Inuyasha. He ducked closer to the ground and inched closer to him, tail tucking close to his body. “I'm sorry I yelled at you.” His posture was similar to a groveling pup to its parent.

The hanyou glanced at him with one eye. The kitsune was scared and didn't want to sleep alone. He may have grown, but he still had a child's fear. He could at least comfort the boy as no one had done for him.

Shifting a bit, he made more room in the circle of his body. “Feh.” The boy's flattened, submissive ears perked up and he scampered to nestle in the provided space. He let out a contented, whimpering yawn and promptly went to sleep.

Inuyasha sighed and allowed himself to relax. His body sagged boneless against the earth, exhausted from the day's travel. He waited a few moments, but the drag of deep, rejuvenating sleep eluded him. Cracking his dry, tired eyes open, he remained prone but scrutinized the meadow. Nothing made itself known, but the raised hairs on the back of his neck unnerved him.

Something was lurking and watching, but only lurking for now. He could try and fight it, but his body was already falling asleep. Regardless of whether his mind was awake, his body was surrendering. He couldn't defend them like this, and there was only one way to make sure whatever was out there stayed at bay.

He needed to call up his demon.

Shutting his eyes, he reached inward and called it. The dog youkai shuddered to life within him to answer. Humming power raced across his limbs and the pulsing aura had Shippo whimpering against his chest. Inuyasha gritted his teeth and snapped at it, disciplining it into control. Back off buddy, I run the show around here. He only needed his youkai to stand watch. The Tetsusaiga grumbled at his hip, but he ignored it. The dog acquiesced to his will and settled in to guard them. The hanyou's eyes blazed with red and twin pale stripes slashed across his cheeks. Though his eyes stared emptily, Inuyasha finally drifted into his dreams.

The flashing eyes that watched waited a moment longer, silently pleased with the show of control. Satisfied, they disappeared into the blackness as silent as they had come.

A/N: I'm going to try to update every Sunday, so be on the lookout! Comments from the peanut gallery are warmly welcomed. XD.