InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Devil Within ❯ The Plan (Part 2) ( Chapter 4 )

The Devil Within

 

Disclamer: I own nothing

 

Chapter 4: The Plan (Part 2)

 

A lone figure crept out of the bushes and quietly approached the waterless well. Cautiously peering over the edge, what greeted him wasn't an angry dog, but something more like dirt and small remains of old, shattered bones.

 

`Where did he go?'

 

He had seen the demon jump in, but never come out. So where was he? Taking one last look around, he leapt down as well. He landed gracefully and stood to his full length. “There must be a passage of some sort…” He walked up to a wall and examined it carefully.

 

“Huh. There is nothing strange or magical about this place.” He took turns fully inspecting each wall in hopes of finding something.

 

He had checked all four and he hadn't found a single spec of magic. He did notice that the well wouldn't live up to its purpose; the walls were made of dirt and wooden poles. It's empty of any drop of water. What good is a well if it didn't even have water?

 

`I guess I'll just have to wait until he comes back.'

 

He took out a small crystal orb and peered into its depths.

 

“My lord, the well is of now use. I sense no magic from it and have found nothing unusual.”

 

From within the round object, a shadowed face could be seen. “Very well.”

 

“I shall wait for their return before I make any move.”

 

“Wait,” it said.” Befriend them first. The girl will come more willingly this way. We'll have to remain patient for now. As your mother would say it, patience is a virtue.”

 

The boy closed his eyes, picturing his mother's elegant face as he had last seen her. She was a beautiful creature that met the end of her life far too soon.

 

“Yes father. I shall do as you wish.”

 

With these final words, he placed the crystal sphere back into its pouch and hit it beneath his layers of clothing. Then he started heading towards the village. That's where he'll start. Humans were so much easier to convince than demons.

 

 

***

 

 

Kagome had finished drying her hair and was enjoying her bit of free time. Having so little time to herself, she had stopped reading books for the pleasure of it. So she looked through her miniature library, searching for something interesting to read.

 

And she did find that something.

 

There, sitting amongst her books was her old journal. It might not have been a story book or novel, or whatnot, but she hadn't used it in such a long time that she'd forgotten what it looked like.

 

The last time she had ever written in her book was about seven years ago. Searching through the last pages for her last entry, she was surprised at what she found.

 

“Oh my god!” It was the date of the accident; the day her father had died. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer for him.

 

Curiosity had picked at her with this new found object, though. She concentrated hard on trying to decode her early scribbling until the characters were easier to read. Small tidbits of information made sense, but everything else was too vague to understand or too funky to read. Eventually she stopped reading to simply skim through the pages.

 

Something big, something colorful, something other than scribbles caught her eye. She turned back several pages until she reached the page with a drawing. It was weird, but rather well done and accurate for someone so young.

 

She couldn't help but stare.

 

She had never met Inuyasha till she stumbled upon the well. So how was it possible for a drawing of him and his sword to be in her journal? The date was marked for over nine years ago.

 

She read the entry before, but found nothing of relevance. She turned the page and found herself staring at the drawing once more. Averting her eyes to the writing on the next page, she started reading.

 

 

Dear J.

I had a funny dream last night. I was tall and pretty and I look like a lady. Just like mama. That was fun. I hope I look like that when I grow up. I hope I meet the boy from my dream too. He is funny and he save me from big bad man. His big katana made the bad person disappear.

Do you want to know what he look like? I draw you a picture. I hope you like it. I think he was cute. What do you think? He has dog ears and dog teeth. But he has sharp nails. I really hope he does not hurt me with his nails.

I can't wait for tonight. Maybe I see him again. I wish I do. That is all. Mama is calling me. I have to go to school.

Ja ne.

 

 

She couldn't believe it.

 

How could she forget something like this?

 

Her curiosity had reached its peak and she found herself searching out other entries. She read one entry after another, skipping over those that didn't mention `dream' or Inuyasha anywhere.

 

By the third entry, she found out he was a half-demon and by the seventh, she read something about being someone but not. She'd have a dream every week or so, and would talk about it in her diary.

 

But if she had dreamed so often of him, then why couldn't she remember…

 

The accident.

 

It made sense. She got a heavy blow to the head giving her a minor concussion and she didn't remember much of what happened. She still doesn't. The doctors said she probably had short term memory loss, but she was only a kid. How was she supposed to know what that meant or what the effects were?

 

“Kagome!” Her mother was calling her. “Come down. Lunch is ready.”

 

“Ok! I'm coming.”

 

She grabbed her journal and left her room. She had to show this little discovery to her mother.

 

 

***

 

 

“No, no, no! NO!”

 

Coming down the stairs, Kagome heard her little brother call out in defeat.

 

“How could you beat me? I've been playing this for ages and you've just learned. How??”

 

“Keh. Serves you right for bragging about how good you are to a beginner.”

 

She had to roll her eyes at that comment. Inuyasha was the god of all gods when it came to bragging about his winnings.

 

“Does that mean you'll lose one day since you brag so much about being strong and never loosing?”

 

Kagome stopped mid-step. What would he answer to that?

 

A moment of silence passed and she found herself unable to breath. Did he seriously think he might lose one day? He was so strong and hasn't lost his battles… So why would he think this way now?

 

“Keh.”

 

She couldn't see his face, but she was positive a look of determination was there.

 

“As if I'd lose… I'd die before I lose a battle.”

 

Now that was the Inuyasha she knew: stubborn as ever, hot-headed and over-confident. His answer gave her a bit of relief and so she continued on her way.

 

“But Inuyasha-onii-chan. I don't want you to die or disappear forever. If you're losing you have to stop fighting and take cover!”

 

“Don't worry kid. I'm much more resilient that any human.”

 

“But if something bad was to happen, not only will I miss you a lot, but Kagome will be miserable.”

 

She had reached the bottom of the stairs and now stood motionless. Why was Sota saying such things?

 

“And she'll cry a lot and be very sad. I don't like it when she's sad and miserable. She's not like her usual self and her fake smiles can really be scary!”

 

Ms. H. pocked her head into the living room. “Sota, Inuyasha. Hurry up. The food will get cold.” Mama had put a stop to the little boy's rambling, but the after-shock was very much present. Looking her way, Ms. H. continued. “Kagome, there you are. Can you help me in the kitchen?”

 

She numbly nodded, not hearing her mother's question.

 

By now, Sota had run off to wash up and her mother had given her a sweet smile before turning back to the kitchen. Eventually, Kagome looked at Inuyasha. He was also looking her way, but neither said a word.

 

Not wanting to answer any questions he might come up with, she silently made her way past him and right into the kitchen, her diary long forgotten.

 

 

***

 

 

Silence was the answer and to a `yes or no' question, silence usually meant `yes'.

 

He didn't really ask any questions. Therefore she didn't really answer any either. But if she over heard the conversation, why hadn't she protested? Or denied what the kid had so bluntly said?

 

He knew she cared for him. That much was obvious seeing as how she wouldn't leave his side no matter what. In that case it would be normal for her to be sad. If that be the case, then why had her silence stir something up in the pit of his stomach?

 

He didn't have much time to think it over, though. A little boy's voice rang through the house and into his sensitive ears, calling after him to hurry up before everything was eaten.

 

He stored that trail of thought deep into his mind. For now he wanted nothing more than to spend some time with family.

 

Yes, family.

 

It's been a long while now that he refers to Kagome's family as his. He hadn't told anyone and isn't planning to either, but he accepted that fact enough to admit it to himself. He likes the idea of having a home he can go to and know that some mother-like figure cared for him.

 

Ms. H. would never replace his real mother, but she had told him If ever you need to talk to anyone about anything, know that I'm here. I'll listen and try to help as much as I can.

 

That meant a great deal to him and it's since that moment he'd been referring to this strange group of people, of humans, as his family.

 

A peaceful smile spread across his facial features, but was quickly replaced by the `I'm a though guy' grin. He wiped his hands on his hakama and went to the dining area.

 

 

***

 

 

Mid-day had come and gone, and the late afternoon sun made the weather perfect for a walk in the park. Sota just had to tag along, claiming he wanted to go to the park and Inuyasha wasn't about to stay home with Ms. H. and the old man.

 

He was wearing his usual baseball cap, yet still managed to stick out like a sore thump and quite literally too. His red outfit, white hair and blue cap attracted everyone's attention. Kagome was hoping not to run into anyone familiar again.

 

“What's this?” Inuyasha was standing by a water fountain and stared at it like it was some kind of weird creature. Sota jumped on the opportunity to help his hero out, more than willing to explain.

 

“It's a water fountain.” He received a blank look from the hanyo and so he elaborated. “You press and hold this thing and fresh water comes out of there.” To compliment his words, Sota pushed on the knob and just as said water spurt out of the little hole he pointed at. He leaned over it and started drinking some to show how it was done. Once finished slurping, he stepped aside and motioned for Inuyasha to give it a try.

 

With lots of determination, the inu-hanyo stepped forward, positioning himself like Sota had moments before. He leaned in and pushed the button.

 

Squirt

 

“Yikes!!!”

 

With a huge leap backwards, Inuyasha backed away some more and wiped his face with his sleeve. Once satisfied his face was dry, he narrowed his eyes at the girl he called friend.

 

Kagome was laughing once again at him and his embarrassing moment. Sota on the other hand looked concerned and came rushing up to him.

 

“Are you ok?” He sounded apologetic. “Gomen nasai. I should have warned you the water pressure depends on how hard you push.”

 

Inuyasha simply growled low and walked past the laughing girl. He stood before the fountain again, daring another try. This time he went about it more delicately and was successfully able to take a few sips. Sota's face broke into a full fledge smile as he cheered for his idol. Even Kagome was clapping her hands, a happy smile gracing her features.

 

“Come on,” she said. “Let's go before people start asking questions.”

 

When they got home, supper was almost done cooking. Kagome was asked to make some salad and Sota dragged Inuyasha back to the living room for a revenge match. Eventually, diner was eaten. The dishes were cleaned, the food had been put away and the two friends had retreated to Kagome's room.

 

“Whether you like it or not Inuyasha, I'm going back to the feudal era by tonight.” She was determined to get this through his head. “Actually, I'm going to leave the moment I'm done packing.”

 

`It's too soon!' Inuyasha thought. It wasn't even late evening yet. Thinking frantically, an idea spurred to mind. He opened the window and the moment Kagome let go of her bag, he pounced on it. “We'll see about that!” He clutched the bag in his arms and jumped out of the window.

 

It took a few seconds for Kagome to realize what just happened.

 

“Osuwari!”

 

He was in mid-flight towards the Goshinboku when he was pulled down to the grassy area surrounding the tree.

 

Kagome rushed down the stairway and out the door. When she got to the tree, Inuyasha was sitting cross legged near his imprints. But there was not yellow bag

 

“Where's my bag?”

 

Inuyasha merely rubbed his chin in response.

 

“Inuyasha!” She said through clenched teeth. “You're asking for it.”

 

“Keh! Go on and say it! It's not like I'll tell you or anything.”

 

Kagome let out a strong enough growl that stunned the half-demon. She tried to calm herself down, but gave up all hopes of it. She looked up to the sky, eager to find a solution.

 

She didn't exactly get a solution, but she did get an answer to her previous question.

 

Closing her eyes, she smoothly called out, “Osuwari.”

 

Although it didn't help bring her bag down from its place high up in the tree, the subduing command did give her some sort of satisfaction. Seeing as how Inuyasha was the only one who could climb up or jump into the sacred tree without harming themselves or the plant, she grabbed his ear and pulled hard enough to get his attention off the dirt on his face and have him look at her instead.

 

“Inuyasha, get my bag down this instant!”

 

Her scent had dramatically changed and not in a good way. He knew it would only make it worst, but he kehed anyway. He caught her wrist in an effort to push her away. With that done, he quickly leapt off into another tree, one of the few located near the well house.

 

Kagome threw her hands up in the old fashion `I give up' style. She decided she'd simply get another bag. She had another one of those yellow backpacks somewhere. She just had to find it first.

 

 

***

 

 

An hour had passed since she started looking for her spare bag.

 

`Where is that damn thing!?!?'

 

Her search and thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. When she opened it, her mother stood right on the other side of her bedroom door.

 

“Hojo-san is here. Are you going to come down or do I tell him you're busy?”

 

“No mama. It's ok. I might as well use a break. Could you tell him I'll be there in a minute?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Kagome quickly cleaned up whatever mess she did during her search. She fixed her hair and went down to greet her friend.

 

“Hello, Higurashi-san. I hope I'm not bothering you.”

 

Putting up a smile for good measures, she greeted him, telling him it's not a problem. “I was just rummaging around for my spare bag.”

 

“Why? What happened to the other one?”

 

“Oh, a friend of mine was over and thought it would be funny to stick it in a tree and leave me to my devices.”

 

“I see.” Hojo thought it over and without hesitation added. “If you need help bringing it down, I'd love to be of service!”

 

“Well…” Kagome took a moment to think. `It would be easier if I just got my bag back… And he's willing to help…' Finally coming to a decision, she said, “If you can reach it, I would really appreciate it.”

 

A wide smile appeared on the boy's face, happy she had accepted his offer to help. “Great! Show me where it is.”

 

Kagome promptly led him to the Goshinboku and pointed up. Hojo's eyes fallowed the imaginary line up to the yellow bag. It was tucked in firmly between a big branch and the tree's thick trunk.

 

“Wow.” He looked stunned, but also seemed to be calculating something. The boy might be dense, however he is incredibly smart. “Your friend sure knew what he was doing. I don't think you have anything long enough to reach.” Then he thought some more, inclining his head from left to right. “And even if you did, I doubt poking it would make it fall.”

 

Kagome was loosing all faith and was loosing it fast. “So how do we get it down?”

 

Hojo looked at her with questioning eyes. “How did he get it up there?”

 

That was one good question, but she couldn't just tell him `Oh, he must have jumped it'. It just wouldn't make sense no matter how she looked at it. Even the best basketball player wouldn't be able to jump that high. She couldn't tell him Inuyasha was a half-demon either. Youkais and hanyos don't exist in their time.

 

“Ah…” What was she supposed to say? “I don't know.”

 

Contemplating her answer, he then asked, “Oh. Well, do you have a ladder I could use?”

 

“Of course!” Why hadn't she thought about it before, she didn't know. Once again, she led the way and they soon found the object of their desire.

 

They hauled the heavy thing all the way back to the sacred tree and set it up as high as it went. Still the bag ended being a few branches to high. Hojo told Kagome not to worry, saying he would climb the rest up till he reached it.

 

“Please be careful.”

 

Hojo brushed her worries away with a wave of his hand. “Don't worry. I used to climb trees all the time in elementary.” And so he started scaling the ladder. “My mother used to call me the `House Monkey'. She probably meant it as an insult, but I took it as a compliment.” He smiled once more for Kagome and continued his mount.

 

 

***

 

 

Up in another tree, skillfully concealed by the excess leafs and branches, a hanyo spied upon the two humans by the Goshinboku. It was the first time he actually saw the guy, but not the first time he's smelt that scent.

 

So now he could finally put a face to the stench. Though, that didn't help ease his mind. Since his arrival, he's kept an eye on the human and now the guy was probably trying to prove himself worthy of her time by getting her bag.

 

Inuyasha kehed when the human commented on his smarts.

 

Of course he was smart. Just because he acted mostly on instincts didn't make him some brainless dumb-ass. Sure, he has done some stupid things in the past, including this little stunt with Kagome's bag. However, he's got his reasons. He was anything but stupid.

 

Ignorant: probably yes. But an idiot he was absolutely not!

 

The boy had reached the top of the ladder and was now attempting to climb the rest up. He claimed to be good and now was the time to prove his word. Although the many branches and leafs hid his self and his view, his keen eye and sharp hearing told him where the human was.

 

Sure enough, that Hobo kid reached his destination, unhooked the bag and started making his way back down. Inuyasha realized that at such a height, one missed footing would send the kid to his death. That was the human's problem, not his.

 

Then again, he knew Kagome would never forgive him if something tragic was to happen.

 

Lucky for him and the boy, Hojo made it back down without too much difficulty. Inuyasha wasn't sure if he was happy or not. She got her bag back which meant he couldn't delay their departure for much longer. On the other hand, the boy was still alive and smiling which meant he had a chance at forgiveness for his `stupidity'.

 

Looking back down at the couple, a menacing growl escaped his lips.

 

`How dare he! And how dare she let him!!'

 

Right before his eyes he witnessed another boy kiss Kagome. Who cares if it was just a peck on her cheek? No one had the right to kiss her, and especially not some weak, low-life human from her time he couldn't beat the shit out of.

 

His anger had picked as Hojo also gave her a quick hug to top it off.

 

Inuyasha's nails dug deep into the branch he was sitting on. Not being able to take the abuse of his sharp nails and the weight of its abuser, the branch only gave a cracking noise and slight shake as a two second head warning before it gave way.

 

Both hanyo and branch came crashing down.

 

 

***

 

 

Two set of eyes went in the direction of the well house as the loud noise reached their ears.

 

“What was that?” The boy asked.

 

Having a pretty good idea at what, or rather who it was, Kagome shrugged it off by saying it was most likely an old dead branch that finally fell.

 

She waved good bye at her friend and thanked him for coming over. Hojo waved back at her, a content smile on his face and disappeared down the shrine stairs.

 

Kagome sighed, relieved to get her bag back in one piece. She receded back to the house to finish packing. This time she made sure to keep her sack somehow connected to one of her limbs. This way Inuyasha couldn't just snatch the bag and run again.

 

 

***

 

 

It was approaching late evening by the time she figured she was done. She said one last goodbye to her family and made her way out to the shrine supporting the well.

 

She hadn't run into Inuyasha, nor had he tried to stop her from packing or leaving. She wondered where he was and she got her answer when she slid opened the doors leading to the dried well.

 

There was Inuyasha, sitting with his back to her on the lip of the well. Without any further comments, he rose from his position and walked up to Kagome.

 

She was utterly confused. “Inuyasha?” `What was up with him?' She was the one who should be mad at him, not the other way around. He should be the one dragging her back to the feudal time, not her actually wanting to go and him refusing. What was going on?

 

Said hanyo had his own ideas for now, though. He swiftly seized the bag from the girl and in one leap jumped straight into the well. Kagome was beyond confused and she couldn't even ask what was wrong. He had disappeared so quickly through the well it wasn't even funny.

 

Not wanting to keep the others waiting any longer, she descended the steps. Sitting on the edge of the well, she let her feet dangle in. She wasn't sure she wanted to confront Inuyasha in his present state.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, she looked down and was greeted by the pink and blue-ish light, revealing a very pissed off looking inu-hanyo. Before she even had time to react to his presence, he leaped to her level, grabbed her by her arms and dragged her back down.

 

 

***

***

 

 

A/N

 

Wow, so many people have read my story, yet none seem interested in leaving a review. Please peeps, I'd really appreciate knowing what you think of it so far. I just need a line saying if you like it or not.

Would you leave a review if I offer cookies? Apparently readers react when authors treat them to virtual cookies, or cakes, or any type of sweets… I don't know why, though… Would someone care to explain?

 

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review ^_^

 

 

Japanese Vocabulary

 

Kariginu: A wide-sleeved samurai hunting jacket. I read in a story (Fallen Souls by Cassandra) that this is the right turn to use for Inuyasha's top. If there is a problem with the definition of this Japanese word, please do inform me. I am not Japanese and only know as much as I read or hear.