InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon Inside ❯ Biases at Home ( Chapter 4 )

The Demon Inside

 

AN: OMG… sorry I took so long to update, but school was heck, and since now it is summer now I have all the inspiration to write (I hope) the rest of this fic. Enjoy my faithful readers!!

 

 

Chapter 4: Biases at Home

 

 

Before, barging in to the village, it was only proper, to speak with the village leader who in this case was also the Shrine priest—or so Miroku said. And as soon as Inu Yasha found Miroku he would go. Inu Yasha wasn't really a man of democracy.

 

“AHH!”

SMACK!!

 

There he was.

 

Miroku was already inside the shrine and on the hallway floor. A young maiden was standing frozen, a morbid expression on her face. Someone else had heard the smack too and came at the same time as Inu Yasha. He was a young man, likely the same age as the maiden in the corner. He was dressed as a shrine priest, likely in training.

 

“Sakura!” he ran to the girl. He turned to Miroku.

 

“Have you no shame!” he snarled. “You stay clear away from Sakura!”

 

He had this fire in his eyes that Inu Yasha recognized. He felt he could sympathize with the boy. If Miroku laid hands on Kagome, he would have killed him on the spot.

 

“.. And you!” he turned to Inu Yasha. “Are you his accomplice?”

 

“Boy—“

 

“My name is Souta!”

 

… the boy had a lot of nerve interrupting a Demon Lord.

 

“I am the Demon Lord, who has come to save this… town” Inu Yasha proclaimed.

 

“So you're the Demon who has my sister?” Souta's nostrils began to flare. “If you're treating my sister the same way this so-called monk treated Sakura then I'll—“

 

`So that's her brother…' Inu Yasha realized.

 

“Wait a minute here…” Miroku interrupted. “I am as much human as I am Monk you know, Souta. Therefore I am entitled to have a weakness. In this case it would be beauty.” Souta's nostrils flared again holding Sakura protectively. “I wouldn't have made a move on her had I known she was promised.” Souta's expression suddenly changed to embarrassment. “You should really put a band on her,” Miroku suggested. Both Souta and Sakura then began to blush furiously at Miroku's words.

 

Dusting himself off Miroku got up and walked out, patting Inu Yasha on the back.

 

“Let us take our leave, Inu Yasha.”

 

Inu Yasha shook his head, “whatever...”

 

The village elder was just down the hall, in the room at the farthest end.

 

“Why does the village elder always have to be in the room farthest back?” asked Inu yasha annoyed with the distance. There was business to be done.

 

“It's symbolism,” Miroku stated. “The long hallway signifies the path of life, where the village elder is, the temple, signifies eternity, which is the goal of all Taoists.”

 

“You humans and your religion,” Inu Yasha scoffed.

 

“You demons and your arrogance…” said a voice from behind.

 

Lo! And behold! The village elder.

 

Inu Yasha was about to snap when he realized that this was the man who gave him Kagome.

 

“It took you long enough to arrive… but I'm not one to beat around the bush—“

 

“Neither am I” Inu Yasha interrupted earning a smug look from the elder.

 

“I am Higurashi Kojii-sama, the village elder. I believe you have already received your prize.” Kojii spat. He hated having to objectify his own flesh and blood to satisfy demon greed. But he had sensed no ill-will in the intentions of this one—even if he was a demon.

 

“I have.” Inu Yasha replied. “And in return I have sent my men.” Actually, it was his father's men nothing here was actually his but his father was more than willing to comply when he knew this was for the sake of a woman. His father probably couldn't wait to have him married off.

 

“What are your plans?” Kojii asked.

 

“Lots…” Inu Yasha dumbly replied. He didn't exactly organize anything. But that's what Miroku was for.

 

“If I may interject,” Miroku added. “Here is what we planned for your city,” handing Kojii a scroll he continued, “I can assure you that everything is for the betterment of your society.”

 

Kojii glanced at the parchment and then at the pair. “A demon that travels with a monk?” He questioned, noting Miroku's prayer beads. “Strange…” muttered Koji as he read over the terms and conditions of the contract—which was a pretty good deal. Inu Yasha's men were going to build a palisade around the city and help rebuild the official buildings. They would need housing which was not a problem since there was much cleared area behind the shrine. Without a second thought, Kojii signed the contract.

 

“Business here is done.” He sighed. Glancing at Miroku, he dismissed him. Inu Yasha began to leave too when Kojii stopped him.

 

“I have more to ask you.” He stated, almost pleading.

 

Inu Yasha arched an eyebrow “What?”

 

“How… How is Kagome?” Kojii asked.

 

Inu Yasha took a deep breath in. Kagome. She was their common ground, the one whom they both cared very much for. But Kojii was the one who was deprived of her—and her brother too.

 

“Is she sad? Have you… de..def,” it was almost too hard to say. It was his greatest fear that Inu Yasha would defile his granddaughter before she was ready.

 

“You know Kojii, just because I am a demon, it doesn't mean I don't have values.” Inu yasha stated. It seemed that Koji was just as biased about demons, as InuYasha was about humans.

 

`I guess this is how the cycle of hate works,' thought Inu Yasha.

 

“Our rituals for mating aren't as formal as yours.” Inu Yasha continued. “We demons kind of… smell it on our mates… when they're ready… if they're not ready, then they won't produce heirs. If they don't produce heirs, then what is the point of mating?”

 

Inu Yasha's words struck a nerve within Kojii. He was taken aback by the words of the demon. The virtue in his message was overwhelming. And for a long time since Kagome left, Kojii felt consoled. He was consoled in the fact that her suitor was a respectful demon as much of an oxymoron that seemed to Kojii, it was true. This one would not defile Kagome and did not want Kagome as a sacrifice to fulfill his own primal desires. A relieved smile crossed his face.

 

Inu Yasha didn't smile back, but understood the gesture and walked his way to the door.

 

“Kojii,” he looked back. “I'm sure Kagome misses you too.” and then walked out of the shrine.

 

“Lord Inu Yasha,” called a convoy. “Shall we proceed with the construction?”

 

“DUH!” Said Inuyasha bluntly. The convoy bowed and was ready to take his leave when Inu Yasha grabbed his collar. “First, you go get my horse,” Inu yasha ordered. Bowing again, the convoy darted towards the stables.

 

Inu Yasha was beginning to miss Kagome too.

 

 

 

AN: whew… that was a dooosie… the long awaited chapter 4!!! Done!!!!!

And now… review!!! REVIEW!!! REVIEW!!!