InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Fate of a Hanyou ❯ New Moon Rising ( Chapter 1 )

Tender Ardor here; thank you for reading my story! I hope you enjoy it as much as I! The rating for this story will definitely change come the next chapter. I'm warning you now. Also, I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of these characters. That is all.

 

The Fate of a Hanyou

New Moon Rising

 

“Sister!” The cry was of demanding vulnerability. Kagome couldn't help the tremble in her voice. She looked around her wildly, trying to balance the tug on her arm with the landing of her feet. She looked at her older sister with wide orbs, noticing her onee-san's clenched jaw and hardened gaze. “Sister Kikyou…what—”

 

“Quiet Kagome! I can't believe you followed me! If you had seen—” Kikyou cut herself off abruptly, looking over her shoulder in a startled manner.

 

Kagome's suspicion and curiosity grew to new heights. “Seen what?”

 

Kikyou shook her head, facing forward once more. “It is not of importance. Just know you shouldn't have followed me. You could have ended up dead!”

 

Kagome ignored the warning and turned her diluted gaze to the trees and the forest around her. They were almost back to the village now, and night had already cast its blanket over them. She could barely see the few outlines of trees, let alone roots and branches that caused her to trip or easily shred her skin. With her free hand Kagome wiped messy hair out of her eyes and behind her ear, all the while thinking, If I might get killed, then what were you doing out there, Kikyou?! We both have miko powers! I may not have had as much training…but I could take care of myself if I had to! She pouted without realizing the face she was making. What were you doing out there anyway?

 

“Kagome…I don't ever want you to follow me out there again, is that understood? You had no business in being there!”

 

The said young woman huffed, yanking her wrist out of her elder sister's grasp and walking at a more sedate pace. Kikyou slowed as well.

 

“Tell me what you are trying to do out there—in the middle of no where—and I will make my decision.”

 

Kikyou's face scrunched into something Kagome barely made out as scathing in the darkness. The younger girl shivered. When Kikyou was mad or provoked…

 

“I do not need to explain anything to you, onee-chan…” she whispered threateningly. Suddenly her voice softened, and Kagome felt the air lighten around them, “but I will.”

 

Kagome smiled slightly and heaved a small sigh of relief. She simply wanted to make sure her older sister wasn't getting into anything too dangerous.

 

“A…couple…came to me two weeks past. They needed a miko's powers to…forcefully suppress a demon.”

 

Kagome blinked multiple times, not understanding where this was going in the least. “What…why?” Her brows furrowed into a frown. “Did the youkai go on a killing rampage? Did the couple…” she gulped, “kill the youkai?” She asked softly.

 

Kikyou scoffed. “No, they did not. Unfortunately,” she added under her breath. “It would make things a lot easier if they had.”

 

Kagome was greatly befuddled. “What's going on?” She asked tremblingly.

 

There was a long pause in which Kagome could only hear the breathing of herself and her sister, along with their footsteps and the shuffling of leaves or snapping of twigs. Finally her older sister spoke.

 

“The couple that came to me…was unlike any couple I have ever encountered.” Before Kagome could ask any questions she continued, “The woman was human…of that I am certain. She…coupled with a…a demon though, and had his half-breed son!” Kikyou's vehemence was so palpable that her younger sibling flinched. Still Kikyou carried on, “Because the half-breed neither belongs completely with humans or demons…he has always lived in seclusion as an outcast. He didn't belong anywhere, and no one except his parents loved him.”

 

Kagome felt dread and fear begin to shiver up her spine before tumbling back down to settle in her belly. She hadn't the faintest idea of what was going on…but she knew whatever it was… she wouldn't like it.

 

Kikyou came to a stop and turned to her sister, reaching out and catching her before they had the opportunity for a collision or found themselves on the ground. When they were both fully balanced while standing upright, Kikyou let go.

 

“Kagome…how much do you know about a youkai mating ritual?”

 

Completely taken off guard, Kagome could only stutter. “W-what? I-I mean, I know it's p-probably painful…”

 

Kikyou sighed. “The Springtime is a mating season for all animals; demons included. The youkai go into a kind of frenzy, and do not come out of it until they find a mate. This, of course, only happens if the youkai is of age.”

 

“I think I understand…”

 

“Good. Now, a half-breed is not welcomed into either society, or by either race. Because of the half-breed's life of seclusion, he will never find a mate. This is why demons and humans should not have been physically built to reproduce!”

 

Kagome's mouth dropped open before she had a chance to stop it. “I think you're wrong! If humans and youkai are able to…to unite…and reproduce…then it has to be for a reason! I think we're all supposed to live together—to accept one another! This human being and youkai have to love each other so much to go against everything those around them have said and believed and scorned. To turn your back on those you love, for something no one would accept…it has to be love!”

 

Kagome heard a very unladylike snort come from her sister's direction and her heart fell. Trust Kikyou not to see it for what it is because a youkai is involved. She probably thinks he charmed the woman with some youkai power…

 

“You don't understand. It's a matter of differences between species. Youkai slaughter villages without a care, and never feel guilt or remorse. Youkai…cannot…love! They are merciless creatures that humans must be protected from at all costs!” Kikyou's voice lowered until it was nearly a whisper. “Youkai don't deserve to live…”

 

Kagome gasped, feeling as though her lungs had frozen over and she'd never be allowed air. “You're not going to help that couple, are you?” It was more of an accusation. Kagome didn't even try to hold back the anger, hurt, and disgust that showed plainly on her face as well as in her voice. She swallowed before saying, “You don't care about what happens…because it involves and demon and a half-demon. You practically said it yourself!” Kagome was shouting now.

 

Kikyou's eyes widened in horror and…fear? She quickly clamped a hand over Kagome's mouth, another twisting around the back of her sister's head to keep a strong pressure there. Kikyou's eyes darted around the impenetrable darkness, for what, Kagome did not know.

 

“Do not raise your voice! He might…he might hear you!”

 

Kagome blinked and slowly massaged her mouth when Kikyou's hands lowered. “Who?” She asked quietly. “The hanyou?”

 

Kikyou shook her head. “No…his father…” After a moment of complete silence Kikyou inhaled deeply before speaking once more. “And I have chosen to help them. I'm simply helping them in my own way.”

 

Kagome's eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What `way' is that?” She asked bitterly.

 

Kikyou wasn't paying attention. She was studying the sky with a tensed fervor. “Kagome? What night is tonight? Which moon cycle?”

 

Completely taken aback by such an odd question at a time like this, Kagome's gaze also lifted to the heavens. “Couldn't you tell? It's the night of the new moon. That's why it's so damned dark out here—” Her hand was suddenly grasped again as her older sister took off in a new direction, Kagome's lagging feet barely finding the ground.

 

“Kikyou? What is it? Where are we going?!”

 

Kikyou seemed excited for some reason. Her pace kept speeding up. “Finally,” Kikyou breathed, her voice a whisper on the wind.

 

“Kikyou!” Kagome said, more forcefully this time.

 

“I'm taking you to meet him,” she said simply. “ I'm sure his mother won't mind. She's a very kind and soft-spoken woman. I can't believe she mated with a youkai!”

 

Kagome growled. “Will you stop it with that youkai nonsense? Tell me what's going on!” She all but shouted.

 

Kikyou didn't let on that she heard her for the longest of time. “When I noticed you were following me I was unable to visit them as of yet. I didn't want you to…see. It's a horrible sight, Kagome. The half-breed's gone completely insane! It's been three weeks into mating season and he has yet to find a mate. His demon side has completely taken over his body! If his father hadn't physically stopped him…there would be very few villages left in the area. His mother came to me in tears, asking me to help them—to help him. I bound him physically with my miko powers and renew the power every night so he doesn't break free. Right now, I'm the only thing stopping him from killing needlessly.”

 

Kagome's face had gone deathly pale. “And you're taking me to him why?!” she shrieked, leaving her strong determination and bravery behind.

 

Kikyou's gait slowed, and Kagome was forced to comply. “Like I said…he's a half-breed. So on nights like this…with the full moon…he's completely human.” Kikyou gave a soft smile that went unobserved by her younger sister. “For tonight and tonight only, he will not feel pain. Tonight…I will allow him to make his choice.”

 

Kagome didn't even bother asking what that `choice' would be, because she found she slightly dreaded the answer. Instead, she followed her sister into a small clearing where a lone hut stood. It looked as if it had been built a couple of weeks prior.

 

Suddenly, a very powerful youkai aura let itself be known. Kagome slightly jumped when she heard the low masculine voice come from behind her.

 

“You have finally come. Who it is you brought with you?”

 

Both young women turned around to stare into luminous gold eyes. Kagome's breath caught in her throat at the beauty of them. The youkai that stood before her must have been old, but his face was clear of wrinkles. His silver-gray hair was pulled together in a high ponytail. His sharply pointed ears and fangs showed off his youkai heritage.

 

“Lord Inutaisho, this is my younger sister and miko-in-training, Kagome. Kagome, this is Lord Inutaisho.

 

Kagome bowed low. A clawed hand settled just below her chin before it lifted her face and their eyes met. He gazed at her for quite a while. His hand was sturdy but gentle as he seemed to assess her. She was lost in his golden stare long before he released her. When he did release her it was with a nod. He stepped back and away from them both.

 

“You are welcome here, Kagome. Please, come in.”

 

The inu youkai turned and began walking toward the hut. Kikyou followed immediately. It took Kagome a while to finally get her legs moving, but when she did she headed after the two now disappearing inside.

 

When Kagome entered the hut she was slightly surprised there was so little light. A small fire in the center of the room and a candle held by the only female occupant Kagome didn't know were the only sources for her to see by. The youkai from before, Inutaisho, walked toward the woman holding the candle and sat down beside her as Kikyou sat down across from the woman, the fire between them. Kagome hesitantly followed her sister's example and sat politely across from Inutaisho.

 

“My mate, this is Kagome, miko-in-training and younger sister to Kikyou. Kagome, allow me to introduce my mate, Izayoi.”

 

Kagome and Izayoi both bowed politely to one another.

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Kagome,” Izayoi said in a soft voice.

 

Kagome smiled and met the woman's eyes. “The pleasure is mine, Izayoi-sama.” Kagome's smile faltered a little when she noticed the dark bags under the woman's eyes, and the forlorn and anguished look in them. Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head to the side. This woman was suffering greatly. It tore at Kagome's heart to know there was nothing she could do to help this kind lady. She frowned and quickly turned her gaze away to land on the only other presence in the room. A young man sat scrunched in the darkest corner of the room, his eyes assessing everything. His face held a hardened expression, but Kagome witnessed a brief flash of pain in his eyes whenever they landed on his mother.

 

When his eyes met Kagome's she jumped briefly, and he gave a wry smirk. Pursing her lips at him she glared. Just because he was…suffering…didn't mean he could act like that! She was a guest in his home!

 

Noticing her fume, the hanyou-turned-human's smirk widened and he raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. Kagome huffed and forcefully looked away.

 

How rude! She thought to herself, barely catching the last of her sister's words and realizing she hadn't been paying attention to any of the conversation thus far.

 

“…so I ask to speak with the both of you and get your opinion on how I wish to help him. If it's possible…I would like Inuyasha to step outside for a moment.”

 

Kagome blinked, looking slowly at those around her. So his name is Inuyasha…

 

The said being snorted but stood. “Feh. Whatever. You're only talkin' about my life here! Sure, take all damn night if you want to! Just make sure you get those stupid cuffs on me before dawn…” he said gruffly as he walked toward the door. Before he exited the hut he looked over his shoulder and licked his lips, “Because I know the demon in me wants you dead!”

 

Kagome gasped, but he was gone in the matter of a moment. She turned her disbelieving gaze on her sister, but Kikyou simply shook her head. “I'm sorry, Kagome, but you should probably leave for the time being as well. I don't want you to become too…involved.”

 

Affronted and slightly hurt, Kagome rose to her feet as well. Now she was certain that she wouldn't like Kikyou's method to help them, especially since Kikyou was sending her outside as well. Kikyou didn't want Kagome's mouth to get the better of her.

 

She bowed to the couple across from her while gritting out in a low voice, “You better help them, Kikyou. You better make the correct decisions.” With that, Kagome turned on her heel and exited the hut, muscles tensed and hands clenched.

 

Out in the cover of darkness again, Kagome allowed the night to envelope her as she tried to adjust her eyes so she could see more clearly. She noticed a figure slumped against a nearby pine and headed in that direction, calling out softly to him.

 

“Inuyasha? Is that you?”

 

He didn't respond, so she kept moving forward.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

“What do you want, wench?”

 

Kagome's breath halted in her throat as her temper rose. “Excuse me?! What did you just call me?!” He was only a few feet away now, so she stopped in front of him and placed her hands firmly on her hips, glaring down at him. She liked the way she was able to tower over him after he had been so rude before.

 

Inuyasha bristled and sent a glare up at her. “I'm in no fit condition to play nice right now, wench, so shut up and leave me alone!”

 

Kagome growled and dropped to her knees before him, grabbing a fistful of an ebony lock located along the side of his face. She gave it a firm tug and glared back.

 

“Just because you're going through whatever the hell you're going through, it does not make it okay for you to be such a jerk! Got that?!”

 

“Listen girl, you have no idea—”

 

“Oh, I have a good idea! You're a hanyou. Your youkai blood is starting to take over and everyone's worried about what will happen if it takes over completely. Am I right?!”

 

Inuyasha seemed to be ready to get up in her face and yell and cuss and scream, but he suddenly let out a long-suffering half sigh, half whine and nodded his head. “Yeah. It ain't that simple, though. It ain't no business of yours, either, wench!”

 

“My name is Kagome! Ka-go-me! Get it right, dog boy!”

 

He growled and clenched his fists. “Dog boy?”

 

Kagome gave a light laugh and leaned back to sit properly before him, crossing her legs. “Well, your father's an inu youkai, right? I may be wrong…I'm only a miko-in-training after all and I still don't know the full extent of my powers…but I'm trying to tell a youkai's heritage by their auras. I can be wrong sometimes…”

 

Kagome heard Inuyasha sniff, and was surprised when he didn't come up with a scathing reply. “Yeah, he's an inu. The strongest in the Western Lands!” His prideful tone turned bitter. “Too bad he mated a human and had a half-breed for a son!”

 

“Don't say that!”

 

Surprised and completely taken aback, Inuyasha's widened gaze quickly sought out Kagome's. He gulped upon seeing her heated stare, and felt a heat of his own slowly spread from his neck to his cheeks. He looked away with a scoff, but Kagome once again grabbed a lock of his hair and forced his gaze to hers.

 

“Don't ever say that word again! It's…unclean.” She shivered, a deep sadness encumbering her form. Her hurt and angry eyes bored deeply into Inuyasha's as she said, “You're not a lowly half-breed; you're not. No hanyou is!” Slowly she released his hair, looking away. “I'm sorry, but you should never think of yourself that way! Your parents love you so much! They love each other so much! You should be proud of who you are! Of what you are!”

 

There was an intensely long silence of baited breath that slowly turned into deep, calculated breathing. Kagome waited, feeling uneasy and hoping she hadn't gone too far.

 

“How many hanyou have you come across, wench?”

 

She winced at the last word, but let it pass for now. “Um…you're the first, actually.”

 

He gave a wry bark of laughter at that. “And you're lecturing me?! Get it in your thick skull! Hanyou aren't supposed to exist! They just aren't! No one will ever accept them but their parents! You could never understand what it's like—”

 

“You're right, I couldn't because I'm not you! I don't know what it's like! So what?! You're here for a reason, Inuyasha!”

 

“Shut up. Just shut the fuck up!” Kagome shuddered at the tone of his voice. “Do you want me to tell you what it's really like for us Hanyou?! Full-blooded youkai try to kill you on a daily basis! Never would they think you were worthy as an opponent, or a mate! Humans outright fear you and try to get villages to hunt you down! You have to choose to slaughter a whole village, or travel to a new secluded place you can never call home because it'll happen all over again! Youkai come of age long after they find their life-mate usually, but because I'm hanyou my coming-of-age takes place before the youkai in me is ready! This is why there are so few hanyou! They go crazy! Their minds and bodies can't take it, and they'll rip everything around them to pieces to get the feeling to go away! I would've killed my own parents if my father hadn't broken every bone in my body to immobilize me!”

 

Kagome gasped, tears coming to her eyes. “He did what?”

 

Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked at her unrelentingly. “How were they supposed to know this spring would have been any different to me? It was a surprise to me, too! I can't control the demon in me, Kagome! I'm half-human! I'm not used to being a full youkai! My mother had to ask for a miko—your sister—to come restrain me when I'm like that! And it's hard…being force-fed by your father and tied down at all times with a spiritual barrier around you! It's fucking hard!!”

 

Kagome saw her hand reach out to touch his shoulder before the action even processed in her brain. He flinched at her touch, but didn't draw away. She had a funny feeling he wouldn't have shared all of this with her if he hadn't been completely human.

 

“By the end of the season…my own father may have to kill me.”

 

Kagome froze, heart included. “What?” She breathed.

 

“If I don't control my youkai blood, I'll go completely insane and forget everything around me. I'll kill endlessly and needlessly. If a hanyou is born, it is the youkai parent's responsibility to dispose of the creature when the season is over if he or she hasn't found a mate. To this day, I don't know a single story of a hanyou having a mate. It's only a matter of time.”

 

Kagome's hand traveled down the length of his arm before finding his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Promise me one thing, Inuyasha. Please don't give up! Not yet. You won't be completely certain until…until everything takes its course.”

 

He looked at her. Really looked at her. Then he glanced down to their hands. “I haven't given up yet…” Kagome's spirits soared at the news, but quickly plummeted with his next words. “I think my demon half has, though.”

 

They shared a moment of solemnity until the quiet was broken with a roar from inside the hut. Suddenly the flap over the door was pushed aside as Kikyou walked briskly out into the night, followed by a raging youkai and a tear-stricken woman. Kagome gasped as she took in the scene before her, and her eyes narrowed on Kikyou as she noticed her older sister walking toward them with a stride full of purpose.

 

“My son will never take up such a—it's a disgrace!” He roared. Izayoi sobbed quietly, pain etched across her face.

 

“See?” Inuyasha leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Do you see how much pain I'm causing to the only people to love and accept me?”

 

Kagome paled. He wouldn't…he wouldn't…

 

Kikyou marched right up to Inuyasha. The said being dropping Kagome's hand.

 

“You have a choice to make, hanyou. I can help you in one way, and one way only. Either you choose to willingly become a complete human, or you will feel unimaginable pain and cause suffering to those around you as you wait out the rest of the season. If you do not choose wisely, it won't be long before you're dead. What will it be, hanyou?”

 

Kagome's chest had an unbelievable force of pressure constricting it. She tried to stand and shout at her sister, but her legs would not move, and her lungs refused to function.

 

“Miko, you are treading on dangerous grounds, here…” The deep, raspy voice sounded nothing like the Inutaisho Kagome first encountered. Upon looking at him her eyes widened in fright: his fangs and claws had elongated and his eyes glowed blood red. Something was definitely amiss.

 

“My love!” Izayoi's weak and pleading shout seemed to settle a few of Inutaisho's nerves, but not many.

 

“Well?” Kikyou demanded, gaze concentrated on Inuyasha, and Inuyasha alone.

 

His words were hesitant but calculated as he looked from her, to his father, and to his mother. Finally his eyes met Kikyou's once more with a resignedly firm resolve. “Tonight is my human night. I know what it is my human half desires, but I cannot allow myself to make this decision unless my youkai half agrees as well. I'll…I'll decide tomorrow. Come back tomorrow night. I'll be ready by then. If my demon half doesn't agree to become human, then…kill me.”

 

“What?!” The word was ripped from Kagome's throat at the same time Inuyasha's mother fell into a sobbing heap on the ground, her mate's eyes lost and confused as he looked toward Izayoi and their son.

 

Inuyasha rose to his feet. “I'm sorry, but you don't know how much pain I've felt for the past three weeks. I can't last a few months, I just can't. If I can't find a mate now, then how will I ever find one? I'm just happy I'm able to be human tonight without suffering. Mother, father, let's spend the rest of the night together until the dawn comes. Please…please know I care for you both so much!”

 

Izayoi rose to her feet and enveloped Inuyasha in a shaky hug, her sobs having quieted, but her tears still flowing freely. Inutaisho watched with a pained expression, finally closing his eyes against the scene.

 

“I won't kill you, son. I refuse.”

 

Everyone was silent until Kikyou finally spoke. “I'll hire a taijiya, although my miko powers should be strong enough to…”

 

“Let's go, Kikyou.” Kagome's voice was soft, and her head hung low as she stared at her feet with a watery gaze. “Please. Let's go home. They need this time to…to spend together. Let's not intrude.”

 

Kikyou sighed and turned on her heel. “You have a priest with you, yes? Have him constrict the hanyou when his youkai blood takes over at dawn. I will be back come morning to reestablish the barrier and keep him tied down with my powers.” She glanced at Inuyasha once again. “Then I will return again during moonrise tomorrow. It is then your youkai will make its decision. Good night.”

 

Kikyou swiftly exited the clearing, leaving Kagome to hurriedly bow to the others in fear of getting lost in the forest if she didn't catch up to her sister soon. “It was nice meeting all of you. May Kami-sama be with you.” She stood and ran after her sister, shouting over her shoulder, “Don't forget what I said, Inuyasha!” And then both young women disappeared into the great expanse of trees around them.

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

I hope you all liked it. Let me know with a review. Constructive criticism is welcome!