InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Guardian Cu' ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Cu Cebhfhion 
Concerning an apology, another fish dinner and a bedtime story
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Drama / Fantasy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.19.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.9K | Visits: 156 | Status: Work In Progress
Concerning an apology, another fish dinner and a bedtime story
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Drama / Fantasy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.19.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.9K | Visits: 156 | Status: Work In Progress
The Characters and World of InuYasha belong entirely to the admirable and talented Rumiko Takahashi. I in no way lay claim to them or make any money off of them.
Cu' the Guardian, aka GinCu' is mine, so is his meadow and the plot of this story.
Chapter Twelve
A display of Lady Kagome' s temper can be quite fascinating to watch at times, Seated next to the fire Miroku spoke softly under his breath to prevent being overheard by anyone other than the two people with him. She and InuYasha have been going back and forth at each other for most of today, it is truly surprising that this didn't happen a great deal earlier.
Does she bury him in the ground like that very often? their host asked in a normal tone of voice, apparently unconcerned at who might be listening in on the conversation. Cu' studied the young woman sitting beneath a tree a short distance away from the campfire as she consoled the tearful Kitsune over the loss of his drawing pad and crayons.
Usually the hole isn't quite that deep, the monk replied with a rueful shake of his head, but I'm afraid InuYasha does tend to find himself face down in the dirt quite frequently.
And you both condone her actions? He glanced back at Miroku and Sango with a quizzical look. Under his level gaze the couple's cheeks colored slightly. Don't you two consider him your friend as well?
InuYasha's habit of rashly acting on impulse does tend to upset Kagome...that and his blunt ways and more than colorful vocabulary, Miroku replied quietly.
His excuse was mirrored by Sango's, Yes, he can be very rude, but mostly it's just some of the things he says that makes her mad.
So she punishes him for his embarrassing lapses in etiquette, not because she is afraid he will hurt her. You said he threatened her life the first time they met and that is why he was collared with the rosary in the first place ?
Yes, Miroku nodded, From what I have learned through the stories of Lady Kaede, their first meeting was a volatile one.
But InuYasha would never physically hurt Kagome now, Sango said quietly, at least not willingly.
In fact anyone laying a hand on her is likely to get whats left of it handed back to them, if InuYasha is around. The monk calmly stated, Where Kagome is concerned he is more than somewhat overly protective.
So she's no longer afraid of him and now continues to use the necklace just to keep him in line. I suppose that one forced to live most of their formative years in a rough and wild manner should be disciplined fairly roughly as well, Cu' folded his arms into his loose sleeves and continued watching Kagome and Shippou. Purely from a spectator's standpoint, what I saw earlier was a young man return with the young lady's belongings, receive a very heartfelt thanks for it, then in the next instant be violently punished simply because the child starting crying over the loss of a stack of paper. What I did not notice was the young man being given much of a chance to defend himself before being forced to create that sizable hole in the ground.
Your point is taken, friend. We were all guilty of not allowing InuYasha to at least be given a chance to account for Shippou's missing supplies, however, leaning forward Miroku stirred up the campfire with a stick, knowing InuYasha, the sketchpad and crayons probably with met a pretty grisly end.
Ah, Cu' smiled at him, But are not possessions replaceable? Surely much more so than the trust of a feral creature who has learned he will not be treated with the same fairness and compassion that others receive. I believe it was the Buddha who said, 'conquer by force and you increase anger, Conquer by love and you will reap no sorrow afterward' .
Miroku nodded, his face taking on a thoughtful look. You are most wise, Lord Cu'. Perhaps we have been remiss in our treatment of InuYasha by being too quick to punish and too slow to praise.
His gaze had also drifted over to where Kagome sat next to her partially repacked backpack. Suitably appeased with hugs and promises of a new pad and crayons, the fox boy had left her in favor of a noisy game of tag among the trees surrounding the camp with the now kitten-sized Kirara. Although seemingly occupied with rearranging the contents of her knapsack, it wasn't lost on the trio seated around the campfire that the girl was in fact eavesdropping.
It is just that InuYasha can be very stubborn at times, Sango added. If he decides to do something, it can be nearly impossible to change his mind.
Obstinance happens to be a hallmark trait of both InuYoukai and humans. You all should be glad for him that he is such a strongly tenacious creature, were he not you would never have had the pleasure of meeting him.
After refastening the buckle on the top flap of her knapsack, Kagome stood up with a sigh. Cu' watched her slowly walk off in the direction of the riverbank before turning back to look at Miroku and Sango, his silver eyes glittering softly with the reflected light of the fire. Now, why don't you both tell me what it is that she is really punishing him for?
InuYasha sat on the grassy bank next to a small inlet protruding like a calm watery finger off the main body of the rushing stream and watched the gibbous moon's early rise above the treetops. Hauntingly pale and almost passing unnoticed in it's quiet ascent, the silvery face of earth's night time guardian was overshadowed by the more spectacular light of the fiery setting sun.
In an effort to remove the annoying layer of encrusting dirt acquired during his most recent and deepest excavation of the day, the half demon had jumped into the river for a swim, fully clothed. After his impromptu bath he had paused to watch the moonrise but spite of a thorough shake down after leaving the water, his hair and clothing were still slightly damp.
From where he sat the sounds of murmuring voices reached his ears, but he wasn't bothering to try and follow the conversation. Still smarting from his most recent dance with humiliation the hanyou was in no hurry to go back and rejoin the others. While his first impulse was to take a long run through the woods, just to put some distance between himself and the pack of irritating humans fate had seen fit to saddle him with, there was still the issue of the stranger they called Cu'. InuYasha would not run off and leave them in the hands of an unknown, no matter how benign or gracious their host may seem to be, because that would mean leaving Kagome unprotected.
So he stubbornly kept to his solitary post on the edge of the river, far enough outside the camp not to be a part of it, but still close enough to return in a flash if things turned ugly. Sadly, it didn't look like he was going to be needed to protect anyone since relations between all of his friends and Cu' seemed to be quite cordial. InuYasha sighed.
The sound of hesitant footsteps picking their way toward him in the growing dark across uneven ground, made his body instantly tense in preparation to assume a defensive stance, then like a gentle announcement preceding her arrival, Kagome's scent came to him and he just as quickly relaxed. InuYasha continued to stare up at the moon as the girl sat down, her right elbow lightly bumping his left upper arm as she took a seat in the grass next to him.
There's plenty of fish and rice left.. she began in her normal cheerful tone of voice.
I'm not hungry. His tone was normal too, gruff and more than a little bit surly. Of course his rebellious stomach chose that exact moment to put it's two cents in and growled loudly enough to brand him a liar. '..fuckin great..'
Yeah, well...um, Kagome refrained from calling him on it, took a deep breath and said instead, I'm sorry for .earlier. I should have given you a chance to explain what happened first before...
You don't have to apologize to me, He kept his eyes on the dispassionate beacon in the sky, I don't deserve it.
But that's just not true, InuYasha...
Yes, it is Kagome. I tore up the brat's book, buried it and those damn crayons too. If you'd asked me what happened, I'd a just lied about it, InuYasha looked down at his hands splayed out on the ground in front of him, You were right to sit me, so don't go apologizing about it now.
No, you wouldn't have..
Wouldn't have what? Lied about it? Feh..Guess again...I already had half a dozen good stories made up... he glanced over at Kagome, eyes hidden from her by the fall of thick bangs over his forehead.
And you wouldn't have used a one of them, because that's not who you are, InuYasha, Kagome gave him one of her special smiles, You're not a liar.
Turning to face her he snorted in disgust, Wench, are you deaf? I just did lie to you, about not being hungry.
Yeah, but your stomach came clean and told the truth. To his quiet delight the special smile didn't leave her face in spite of his blustery protest.
Feh, whatever... He braced himself for the smile to turn into a far less pleasant expression, I would tear that damned book up again, if I got the chance.. even if you sat me into the next century.
But why? Kagome's look changed to one of bewilderment.
It wasn't your bare ass cheeks that he was drawing and planning on showing to everybody, the half demon growled, and if he did, then I'd have to tear the brat into tiny pieces and bury him in a deep hole...with his pad...and his damned crayons.
Oh.. That the reserved hanyou had actually been embarrassed by a few simple drawings was a revelation to Kagome, since to her Shippou's pictures were merely amusing little cartoons. I'm sorry, InuYasha. I didn't realize..
There you go Wench...apologizing again. Would you just quit already? he was still trying to sound disgruntled, but the sincere look on her face made him fail miserably. It's Ok, come on...
Kagome watched him stand up, once again amazed at how tall he actually was once he unfolded himself from his typical hunkered down, dog-like crouch. Taking his offered hand, she smiled up at him happily as he pulled her effortlessly to her feet.
Before you ask..I promise not to tear the kit up into little pieces... Still holding her hand InuYasha began leading her back over toward the campfire, picking his way carefully so that no foot catching obstacle would lie in wait for the girl behind him.
I was thinking more like you promising not to destroy Shippou's next sketch book.. Kagome said as she shadowed his footsteps. It had grown quite dark since sunset and the watery moonlight was of little help at all in navigating over the uneven ground.
I already made my one promise of the day, he smirked, shoulda spoke up quicker.
Hey, Since when are you limiting promises to one a day? She gave him a playful smack on the shoulder.
Ow... Quit that Wench, trying to cripple me? A shy half smile lit his face, he glanced down at her as they stepped into the perimeter of the campfire's soft light. Promises are special to me...I don't make any that I don't intend to keep.
The fact that InuYasha walked over to the campfire in front of Kagome, then positioned himself so that he was between her and Cu' wasn't lost on anyone present. His friends all smiled and welcomed him back, even Shippou although the kit's smile appeared to be a little forced. One look at the Kitsune's hard green eyes, let the hanyou know that, as far as the aggrieved party was concerned, he wasn't even close to being forgiven.
InuYasha ignored the tiny daggers shooting out of Shippou's eyes and focused his attention on the gray clad figure of Cu'. He found it unsettling that not only did this strange aura-less hanyou seem disturbingly familiar, but that he couldn't recall exactly where or even when he had run across him before. Not taking his eyes off Cu', the half demon accepted a bowl of rice and a still skewered fish from Kagome and began to eat.
It's impolite to stare at people, the girl whispered in his ear as she sat down next to him.
I ain't starin', he mumbled right back around a mouthful of fish, I'm just...uh looking in that direction.
Kagome rolled her eyes. We aren't even going to mention talking with your mouth full, she shot right back.
Good, InuYasha smirked at her, then turned back to his perusal of Cu', while at the same time hoping Kagome hadn't noticed the several new flakes of river trout now decorating her red neckerchief. The unmistakable sound of multiple somethings being hastily swatted off cloth reached his ears. 'Oops, she noticed..'
You're just impossible sometimes, you know that?
InuYasha kept his eyes on Cu'. He didn't want to see the face that Kagome was making at him at the moment, since it was most likely every bit as nasty as the tone of her last remark. Stuffing his mouth with as much as it would hold seemed the safest way to end the current conversation. Tossing the remains of the stripped to the backbone fish over his shoulder, the hanyou snagged another trout from it's cozy fireside seat. ' Damn this is so fuckin familiar..Why?'
Aware of both InuYasha's discomfiture at being unable to place him as well as his long established habit of talking while actively chewing, Cu' smiled to himself and directed his attention to Shippou.
You asked me for a story, I believe?
Smiling broadly, the child hopped up on Cu's knee and nodded. Kagome's read me all the ones in the book she brought with her. Besides, I kinda know them all by heart now anyway... His chirpy little voice trailed off expectantly.
And you want a new story...
Yeah, that would be great. The kit settled right down and stared up at Cu' with his wide green eyes and patiently waited.
Cu' arched an eyebrow, thought a moment, then smiled as he glanced around at the small party ringing the campfire. I know one that I doubt most of you have heard.
As with most tales of this nature, it happened a great number of years ago. There was a powerful Warlord who built his fortress between a river and a great dark forest. Of course, the forest was the home of many fierce demons, but being a man of great wealth and even greater pride he simply did not care. In time a prosperous town grew up around his stronghold, the land surrounding it was cleared for farmland, the dark woodlands were pushed back and the thoughts of demons were all but forgotten.
What happened to him? Shippou asked.
Nothing at all. He lived to be an old man, died in his sleep and passed the lands and title on to his eldest son.
That's not much of a story, if you ask me, Shippou folded his arms across his chest and prepared to pout over being cheated out of a more exciting tale.
Did I say I was through?
No, but..
Then, be quiet and listen. It is bad form for small squirts to interrupt adults.
Shippou resettled himself as Cu' continued.
The eldest son, like his father, was also a powerful lord, The land and the people upon it prospered under him and like the generation that had gone before, no one gave a second thought to any demons.
Not very much ever happened around there, did it? The fox boy commented dryly.
Are you going to hush and listen to what I have to say, Cu' gave the kit a pointed look, Or am I going to have to turn you over to InuYasha for disposal?
The green eyes widened in shock, a stifled round of snickers managed to escape a trio of surprised party members and InuYasha stopped chewing his third fish to grin darkly at the fox.
You...you w..wou..wouldn't really do..do that...would you? There was a definite quaver in the child's voice, a huge tear trembled atop a lower lid.
Oh, you're good, Cu' said wryly, but, I'm not in the mood for cheap theater. Now conserve your water.
A mumbled Told you all so, sounded suspiciously like it came from InuYasha's fish stuffed mouth.
Shippou's eyes immediately went dry, I'll be quiet..
Cu' nodded and continued. In time the Lord took a wife, who blessed him with three fine stalwart sons and a beautiful daughter. Of all his children it was the daughter who held the highest place in the Lord's heart. Cu' looked down at the Kitsune on his knee. The silent little fellow was giving him his full attention as was everyone else, except for InuYasha who appeared to be far more interested in consuming a fourth fish than listening to a fire side fairy tale.
Now the Lord's tiny daughter was exquisitely beautiful, very bright and sweet tempered, all those things that a princess should be. She was also quite curious and at times a little bit more adventurous than a proper young lady of her station was supposed to be.
It was that adventurous streak which is the real beginning of this story...
Then why didn't you just start there to begin with? This pithy observation flew out of his mouth before Shippou had a chance to think about containing it. Slapping both hands over his lips, the fox boy muttered a strangled Sorry.. through tightly laced fingers.
There was a poorly disguised chuckle as the half demon reached for another fish, Just can't keep it shut, can ya Runt.
Foot in mouth disease seems to be quite a common affliction in these parts, Cu' said quietly before starting to resume his narrative. He didn't get his mouth open.
Feh, InuYasha actually swallowed before speaking, Get on with your story, everyone's listening. Of course this comment earned him a quick jab to the ribs from the girl sitting next to him. Hey? What did you do that for?
Kagome's glower in response was enough to shut him up on the spot. Taking another large bite of fish, InuYasha decided he much preferred eating what was currently in his hand over revisiting the bountiful dirt banquet he had feasted on earlier.
Please, continue with your tale Lord Cu', Miroku's polite request was given a nod of recognition by the beleaguered storyteller.
As I was saying, it was that adventurous streak that is the real beginning of this story. One fine spring day, the women of the family decided to take their children for a picnic lunch under the flowering canopies of a large cherry orchard growing next to the Lord's manor-house. Looking like a fine porcelain doll herself the little princess was among the group of children taken outside that day on this outing. As the women sat about in their fine silk robes, sipping tea and watching the children run about in a laughing game of tag, the little princess scooped up her favorite doll and went exploring on her own. No one saw her leave.
She wandered about for a bit beneath the blossoming trees, stopping occasionally to pick up a fallen flower, but inevitably her footsteps brought her right to the edge of the dark forest bordering the northern edge of the orchard. Without a backward glance, the little girl walked straight into that foreboding place and began following a narrow game trail which naturally led her deeper and deeper into into the woods.
After a while, she entered a small glade and sat down upon a plush carpet of ground moss to rest. By now it was growing late in the afternoon, the shadows were stretching dark and long beneath the trees and she could no longer make out exactly where the narrow path she had been following entered the clearing. She began singing a lullaby to her doll, for you see, she had at last grown frightened of her surroundings and singing always made her feel better when she was lonely or scared.
The little princess was trying very hard not to cry as she wondered how she was going to find her way back home. She began to think about the stories her grandmother had told her, about the wild beasts and angry demons who made their homes in that very forest and she wondered why she had ever thought it was a good idea to come into it in the first place.
Quite suddenly, the bushes off to her right began to shake. She clutched her doll tightly to her chest and stared toward the noise, terrified of what was headed her way.
Did..did some..something jump out and..and eat her? Shippou asked breathlessly, his green eyes wide in rapt attention.
No, not at all. For a moment, the bushes shook, their leaves flying off madly in all directions, then just when she thought she couldn't be any more scared, out into the clearing ran a fuzzy white puppy.
Startled the child just stared for she was still very frightened but, giving a happy yip, the puppy did what any self respecting puppy would do when greeting a new friend, he jumped into her lap and began licking her on the chin. This of course made her laugh and before long she was cuddling and petting the squirming little fellow, all thoughts of being afraid having vanished from her mind.
After a while, her new playmate, began to tug upon the sleeve of her kimono urging her to get to up and follow him. She did, without giving the matter any thought at all. Small though he was, the white puppy made the girl feel quite safe and so she trailed along behind him back through the trees. His pale coat was easy to see even in the deepest of shadows. As they went back along the rediscovered game trail, the puppy encouraged his young companion to hurry by jumping and leaping before her feet and talking to her with cheerful puppy barks.
Before too long the princess heard the calls of her mother and aunts who were running about the orchard searching frantically for her. Calling out to them, the girl ran forward, then turned to see if her friend the puppy was following. Like a glowing white ghost, he stood under the eaves of the forest watching her intently with his bright golden eyes. As her worried mother reached her she looked away for only an instant but when she turned back, the puppy had vanished. Of course all the adults declared the missing white puppy to be only a construct of the child's over active imagination, after all what kind of puppy could be smart enough to find her in the forest and actually lead her in the direction of home.
Did she ever see him again? The Kitsune asked, hoping that this wasn't the end of the story.
Oh , indeed she did. She saw him many times after that as she was growing up. Naturally she never again mentioned his presence to anyone, partly because she felt that no one would believe her but also because she enjoyed having a secret friend.
She would see him in the orchard, or run across him in a corner of her father's gardens, but it was always when there was no one else around. As she grew up into a beautiful young woman, so did the puppy mature into a fine and handsome large white dog. He seemed to enjoy laying curled up at her feet listening to her read, or sing, or just talk to him. She of course told him everything, all of her hopes, her dreams and her desires. Over the years the willing dog's ears became a secret repository for the true wishes of the princess's heart until he knew her even better than she knew herself.
Then one day, the dog came to pay her a visit and found the girl huddled in the cherry orchard, crying bitterly. This sorely distressed him because he could never stand to see her upset and he licked the tears away from her soft cheek as an offer of comfort. In broken sobs the girl told her dear friend the reason for her distress. As she was now of a marriageable age, a suitable match befitting a young woman of her station had been arranged with the son of a high ranking nobleman living in a city far to the north. Her future husband would be coming soon to take her away with him and she would never be able to see her old friend again.
This news distressed the dog even more than her tears. For many years he had been her most trusted companion, listening to her secrets, watching her blossom and grow. The thought that a strange man would soon come to claim what was his, brought a dark and angry light to his golden eyes. No one deserved her love more than the being who had already earned it, the being who loved her not only for the beauty of her body but for the beauty of her soul as well. Doing the one thing that he had vowed never to do, in his sudden fit of jealousy the dog at last revealed himself to the young woman he had fallen in love with so long ago.
At first the girl was shocked, as the companion of her youth transformed suddenly from a great white dog, into the form of a tall man, with long silvery white hair and golden yellow eyes. Thus it was that the princess learned her companion was in truth the demon lord, who protected the forest...
The dull thud of a wooden bowl hitting the ground interrupted the storyteller. Cu' glanced up to see the wide eyed stare of the hanyou gazing back at him. InuYasha had been listening quietly to the story as it progressed, first in amusement that anyone would be interested in such a silly tale then, in growing disbelief as Cu' unfolded the latter part of the story of the princess and the white dog. Now he sat, a skewered fish forgotten in one hand, a half empty rice bowl rolling in the dust at his feet and the color slowly draining from his face with the realization of just what he and everyone else had been listening to.
I've heard this before..my mother.., InuYasha jumped to his feet, yellow eyes flashing dangerously beneath ink-black scowling brows. Just who in the fuck are you? Who told you that story?
Everyone around the campfire held their breath at InuYasha's unexpectedly violent reaction, everyone except Cu'. He had been expecting it all along. Returning the half demon's glare of anger with a gentle smile he replied quietly Why Child, for the second time in your life you have come into my camp and eaten up the last of my fish...don't tell me that you do not remember me at all.
Cu' the Guardian, aka GinCu' is mine, so is his meadow and the plot of this story.
Chapter Twelve
A display of Lady Kagome' s temper can be quite fascinating to watch at times, Seated next to the fire Miroku spoke softly under his breath to prevent being overheard by anyone other than the two people with him. She and InuYasha have been going back and forth at each other for most of today, it is truly surprising that this didn't happen a great deal earlier.
Does she bury him in the ground like that very often? their host asked in a normal tone of voice, apparently unconcerned at who might be listening in on the conversation. Cu' studied the young woman sitting beneath a tree a short distance away from the campfire as she consoled the tearful Kitsune over the loss of his drawing pad and crayons.
Usually the hole isn't quite that deep, the monk replied with a rueful shake of his head, but I'm afraid InuYasha does tend to find himself face down in the dirt quite frequently.
And you both condone her actions? He glanced back at Miroku and Sango with a quizzical look. Under his level gaze the couple's cheeks colored slightly. Don't you two consider him your friend as well?
InuYasha's habit of rashly acting on impulse does tend to upset Kagome...that and his blunt ways and more than colorful vocabulary, Miroku replied quietly.
His excuse was mirrored by Sango's, Yes, he can be very rude, but mostly it's just some of the things he says that makes her mad.
So she punishes him for his embarrassing lapses in etiquette, not because she is afraid he will hurt her. You said he threatened her life the first time they met and that is why he was collared with the rosary in the first place ?
Yes, Miroku nodded, From what I have learned through the stories of Lady Kaede, their first meeting was a volatile one.
But InuYasha would never physically hurt Kagome now, Sango said quietly, at least not willingly.
In fact anyone laying a hand on her is likely to get whats left of it handed back to them, if InuYasha is around. The monk calmly stated, Where Kagome is concerned he is more than somewhat overly protective.
So she's no longer afraid of him and now continues to use the necklace just to keep him in line. I suppose that one forced to live most of their formative years in a rough and wild manner should be disciplined fairly roughly as well, Cu' folded his arms into his loose sleeves and continued watching Kagome and Shippou. Purely from a spectator's standpoint, what I saw earlier was a young man return with the young lady's belongings, receive a very heartfelt thanks for it, then in the next instant be violently punished simply because the child starting crying over the loss of a stack of paper. What I did not notice was the young man being given much of a chance to defend himself before being forced to create that sizable hole in the ground.
Your point is taken, friend. We were all guilty of not allowing InuYasha to at least be given a chance to account for Shippou's missing supplies, however, leaning forward Miroku stirred up the campfire with a stick, knowing InuYasha, the sketchpad and crayons probably with met a pretty grisly end.
Ah, Cu' smiled at him, But are not possessions replaceable? Surely much more so than the trust of a feral creature who has learned he will not be treated with the same fairness and compassion that others receive. I believe it was the Buddha who said, 'conquer by force and you increase anger, Conquer by love and you will reap no sorrow afterward' .
Miroku nodded, his face taking on a thoughtful look. You are most wise, Lord Cu'. Perhaps we have been remiss in our treatment of InuYasha by being too quick to punish and too slow to praise.
His gaze had also drifted over to where Kagome sat next to her partially repacked backpack. Suitably appeased with hugs and promises of a new pad and crayons, the fox boy had left her in favor of a noisy game of tag among the trees surrounding the camp with the now kitten-sized Kirara. Although seemingly occupied with rearranging the contents of her knapsack, it wasn't lost on the trio seated around the campfire that the girl was in fact eavesdropping.
It is just that InuYasha can be very stubborn at times, Sango added. If he decides to do something, it can be nearly impossible to change his mind.
Obstinance happens to be a hallmark trait of both InuYoukai and humans. You all should be glad for him that he is such a strongly tenacious creature, were he not you would never have had the pleasure of meeting him.
After refastening the buckle on the top flap of her knapsack, Kagome stood up with a sigh. Cu' watched her slowly walk off in the direction of the riverbank before turning back to look at Miroku and Sango, his silver eyes glittering softly with the reflected light of the fire. Now, why don't you both tell me what it is that she is really punishing him for?
InuYasha sat on the grassy bank next to a small inlet protruding like a calm watery finger off the main body of the rushing stream and watched the gibbous moon's early rise above the treetops. Hauntingly pale and almost passing unnoticed in it's quiet ascent, the silvery face of earth's night time guardian was overshadowed by the more spectacular light of the fiery setting sun.
In an effort to remove the annoying layer of encrusting dirt acquired during his most recent and deepest excavation of the day, the half demon had jumped into the river for a swim, fully clothed. After his impromptu bath he had paused to watch the moonrise but spite of a thorough shake down after leaving the water, his hair and clothing were still slightly damp.
From where he sat the sounds of murmuring voices reached his ears, but he wasn't bothering to try and follow the conversation. Still smarting from his most recent dance with humiliation the hanyou was in no hurry to go back and rejoin the others. While his first impulse was to take a long run through the woods, just to put some distance between himself and the pack of irritating humans fate had seen fit to saddle him with, there was still the issue of the stranger they called Cu'. InuYasha would not run off and leave them in the hands of an unknown, no matter how benign or gracious their host may seem to be, because that would mean leaving Kagome unprotected.
So he stubbornly kept to his solitary post on the edge of the river, far enough outside the camp not to be a part of it, but still close enough to return in a flash if things turned ugly. Sadly, it didn't look like he was going to be needed to protect anyone since relations between all of his friends and Cu' seemed to be quite cordial. InuYasha sighed.
The sound of hesitant footsteps picking their way toward him in the growing dark across uneven ground, made his body instantly tense in preparation to assume a defensive stance, then like a gentle announcement preceding her arrival, Kagome's scent came to him and he just as quickly relaxed. InuYasha continued to stare up at the moon as the girl sat down, her right elbow lightly bumping his left upper arm as she took a seat in the grass next to him.
There's plenty of fish and rice left.. she began in her normal cheerful tone of voice.
I'm not hungry. His tone was normal too, gruff and more than a little bit surly. Of course his rebellious stomach chose that exact moment to put it's two cents in and growled loudly enough to brand him a liar. '..fuckin great..'
Yeah, well...um, Kagome refrained from calling him on it, took a deep breath and said instead, I'm sorry for .earlier. I should have given you a chance to explain what happened first before...
You don't have to apologize to me, He kept his eyes on the dispassionate beacon in the sky, I don't deserve it.
But that's just not true, InuYasha...
Yes, it is Kagome. I tore up the brat's book, buried it and those damn crayons too. If you'd asked me what happened, I'd a just lied about it, InuYasha looked down at his hands splayed out on the ground in front of him, You were right to sit me, so don't go apologizing about it now.
No, you wouldn't have..
Wouldn't have what? Lied about it? Feh..Guess again...I already had half a dozen good stories made up... he glanced over at Kagome, eyes hidden from her by the fall of thick bangs over his forehead.
And you wouldn't have used a one of them, because that's not who you are, InuYasha, Kagome gave him one of her special smiles, You're not a liar.
Turning to face her he snorted in disgust, Wench, are you deaf? I just did lie to you, about not being hungry.
Yeah, but your stomach came clean and told the truth. To his quiet delight the special smile didn't leave her face in spite of his blustery protest.
Feh, whatever... He braced himself for the smile to turn into a far less pleasant expression, I would tear that damned book up again, if I got the chance.. even if you sat me into the next century.
But why? Kagome's look changed to one of bewilderment.
It wasn't your bare ass cheeks that he was drawing and planning on showing to everybody, the half demon growled, and if he did, then I'd have to tear the brat into tiny pieces and bury him in a deep hole...with his pad...and his damned crayons.
Oh.. That the reserved hanyou had actually been embarrassed by a few simple drawings was a revelation to Kagome, since to her Shippou's pictures were merely amusing little cartoons. I'm sorry, InuYasha. I didn't realize..
There you go Wench...apologizing again. Would you just quit already? he was still trying to sound disgruntled, but the sincere look on her face made him fail miserably. It's Ok, come on...
Kagome watched him stand up, once again amazed at how tall he actually was once he unfolded himself from his typical hunkered down, dog-like crouch. Taking his offered hand, she smiled up at him happily as he pulled her effortlessly to her feet.
Before you ask..I promise not to tear the kit up into little pieces... Still holding her hand InuYasha began leading her back over toward the campfire, picking his way carefully so that no foot catching obstacle would lie in wait for the girl behind him.
I was thinking more like you promising not to destroy Shippou's next sketch book.. Kagome said as she shadowed his footsteps. It had grown quite dark since sunset and the watery moonlight was of little help at all in navigating over the uneven ground.
I already made my one promise of the day, he smirked, shoulda spoke up quicker.
Hey, Since when are you limiting promises to one a day? She gave him a playful smack on the shoulder.
Ow... Quit that Wench, trying to cripple me? A shy half smile lit his face, he glanced down at her as they stepped into the perimeter of the campfire's soft light. Promises are special to me...I don't make any that I don't intend to keep.
The fact that InuYasha walked over to the campfire in front of Kagome, then positioned himself so that he was between her and Cu' wasn't lost on anyone present. His friends all smiled and welcomed him back, even Shippou although the kit's smile appeared to be a little forced. One look at the Kitsune's hard green eyes, let the hanyou know that, as far as the aggrieved party was concerned, he wasn't even close to being forgiven.
InuYasha ignored the tiny daggers shooting out of Shippou's eyes and focused his attention on the gray clad figure of Cu'. He found it unsettling that not only did this strange aura-less hanyou seem disturbingly familiar, but that he couldn't recall exactly where or even when he had run across him before. Not taking his eyes off Cu', the half demon accepted a bowl of rice and a still skewered fish from Kagome and began to eat.
It's impolite to stare at people, the girl whispered in his ear as she sat down next to him.
I ain't starin', he mumbled right back around a mouthful of fish, I'm just...uh looking in that direction.
Kagome rolled her eyes. We aren't even going to mention talking with your mouth full, she shot right back.
Good, InuYasha smirked at her, then turned back to his perusal of Cu', while at the same time hoping Kagome hadn't noticed the several new flakes of river trout now decorating her red neckerchief. The unmistakable sound of multiple somethings being hastily swatted off cloth reached his ears. 'Oops, she noticed..'
You're just impossible sometimes, you know that?
InuYasha kept his eyes on Cu'. He didn't want to see the face that Kagome was making at him at the moment, since it was most likely every bit as nasty as the tone of her last remark. Stuffing his mouth with as much as it would hold seemed the safest way to end the current conversation. Tossing the remains of the stripped to the backbone fish over his shoulder, the hanyou snagged another trout from it's cozy fireside seat. ' Damn this is so fuckin familiar..Why?'
Aware of both InuYasha's discomfiture at being unable to place him as well as his long established habit of talking while actively chewing, Cu' smiled to himself and directed his attention to Shippou.
You asked me for a story, I believe?
Smiling broadly, the child hopped up on Cu's knee and nodded. Kagome's read me all the ones in the book she brought with her. Besides, I kinda know them all by heart now anyway... His chirpy little voice trailed off expectantly.
And you want a new story...
Yeah, that would be great. The kit settled right down and stared up at Cu' with his wide green eyes and patiently waited.
Cu' arched an eyebrow, thought a moment, then smiled as he glanced around at the small party ringing the campfire. I know one that I doubt most of you have heard.
As with most tales of this nature, it happened a great number of years ago. There was a powerful Warlord who built his fortress between a river and a great dark forest. Of course, the forest was the home of many fierce demons, but being a man of great wealth and even greater pride he simply did not care. In time a prosperous town grew up around his stronghold, the land surrounding it was cleared for farmland, the dark woodlands were pushed back and the thoughts of demons were all but forgotten.
What happened to him? Shippou asked.
Nothing at all. He lived to be an old man, died in his sleep and passed the lands and title on to his eldest son.
That's not much of a story, if you ask me, Shippou folded his arms across his chest and prepared to pout over being cheated out of a more exciting tale.
Did I say I was through?
No, but..
Then, be quiet and listen. It is bad form for small squirts to interrupt adults.
Shippou resettled himself as Cu' continued.
The eldest son, like his father, was also a powerful lord, The land and the people upon it prospered under him and like the generation that had gone before, no one gave a second thought to any demons.
Not very much ever happened around there, did it? The fox boy commented dryly.
Are you going to hush and listen to what I have to say, Cu' gave the kit a pointed look, Or am I going to have to turn you over to InuYasha for disposal?
The green eyes widened in shock, a stifled round of snickers managed to escape a trio of surprised party members and InuYasha stopped chewing his third fish to grin darkly at the fox.
You...you w..wou..wouldn't really do..do that...would you? There was a definite quaver in the child's voice, a huge tear trembled atop a lower lid.
Oh, you're good, Cu' said wryly, but, I'm not in the mood for cheap theater. Now conserve your water.
A mumbled Told you all so, sounded suspiciously like it came from InuYasha's fish stuffed mouth.
Shippou's eyes immediately went dry, I'll be quiet..
Cu' nodded and continued. In time the Lord took a wife, who blessed him with three fine stalwart sons and a beautiful daughter. Of all his children it was the daughter who held the highest place in the Lord's heart. Cu' looked down at the Kitsune on his knee. The silent little fellow was giving him his full attention as was everyone else, except for InuYasha who appeared to be far more interested in consuming a fourth fish than listening to a fire side fairy tale.
Now the Lord's tiny daughter was exquisitely beautiful, very bright and sweet tempered, all those things that a princess should be. She was also quite curious and at times a little bit more adventurous than a proper young lady of her station was supposed to be.
It was that adventurous streak which is the real beginning of this story...
Then why didn't you just start there to begin with? This pithy observation flew out of his mouth before Shippou had a chance to think about containing it. Slapping both hands over his lips, the fox boy muttered a strangled Sorry.. through tightly laced fingers.
There was a poorly disguised chuckle as the half demon reached for another fish, Just can't keep it shut, can ya Runt.
Foot in mouth disease seems to be quite a common affliction in these parts, Cu' said quietly before starting to resume his narrative. He didn't get his mouth open.
Feh, InuYasha actually swallowed before speaking, Get on with your story, everyone's listening. Of course this comment earned him a quick jab to the ribs from the girl sitting next to him. Hey? What did you do that for?
Kagome's glower in response was enough to shut him up on the spot. Taking another large bite of fish, InuYasha decided he much preferred eating what was currently in his hand over revisiting the bountiful dirt banquet he had feasted on earlier.
Please, continue with your tale Lord Cu', Miroku's polite request was given a nod of recognition by the beleaguered storyteller.
As I was saying, it was that adventurous streak that is the real beginning of this story. One fine spring day, the women of the family decided to take their children for a picnic lunch under the flowering canopies of a large cherry orchard growing next to the Lord's manor-house. Looking like a fine porcelain doll herself the little princess was among the group of children taken outside that day on this outing. As the women sat about in their fine silk robes, sipping tea and watching the children run about in a laughing game of tag, the little princess scooped up her favorite doll and went exploring on her own. No one saw her leave.
She wandered about for a bit beneath the blossoming trees, stopping occasionally to pick up a fallen flower, but inevitably her footsteps brought her right to the edge of the dark forest bordering the northern edge of the orchard. Without a backward glance, the little girl walked straight into that foreboding place and began following a narrow game trail which naturally led her deeper and deeper into into the woods.
After a while, she entered a small glade and sat down upon a plush carpet of ground moss to rest. By now it was growing late in the afternoon, the shadows were stretching dark and long beneath the trees and she could no longer make out exactly where the narrow path she had been following entered the clearing. She began singing a lullaby to her doll, for you see, she had at last grown frightened of her surroundings and singing always made her feel better when she was lonely or scared.
The little princess was trying very hard not to cry as she wondered how she was going to find her way back home. She began to think about the stories her grandmother had told her, about the wild beasts and angry demons who made their homes in that very forest and she wondered why she had ever thought it was a good idea to come into it in the first place.
Quite suddenly, the bushes off to her right began to shake. She clutched her doll tightly to her chest and stared toward the noise, terrified of what was headed her way.
Did..did some..something jump out and..and eat her? Shippou asked breathlessly, his green eyes wide in rapt attention.
No, not at all. For a moment, the bushes shook, their leaves flying off madly in all directions, then just when she thought she couldn't be any more scared, out into the clearing ran a fuzzy white puppy.
Startled the child just stared for she was still very frightened but, giving a happy yip, the puppy did what any self respecting puppy would do when greeting a new friend, he jumped into her lap and began licking her on the chin. This of course made her laugh and before long she was cuddling and petting the squirming little fellow, all thoughts of being afraid having vanished from her mind.
After a while, her new playmate, began to tug upon the sleeve of her kimono urging her to get to up and follow him. She did, without giving the matter any thought at all. Small though he was, the white puppy made the girl feel quite safe and so she trailed along behind him back through the trees. His pale coat was easy to see even in the deepest of shadows. As they went back along the rediscovered game trail, the puppy encouraged his young companion to hurry by jumping and leaping before her feet and talking to her with cheerful puppy barks.
Before too long the princess heard the calls of her mother and aunts who were running about the orchard searching frantically for her. Calling out to them, the girl ran forward, then turned to see if her friend the puppy was following. Like a glowing white ghost, he stood under the eaves of the forest watching her intently with his bright golden eyes. As her worried mother reached her she looked away for only an instant but when she turned back, the puppy had vanished. Of course all the adults declared the missing white puppy to be only a construct of the child's over active imagination, after all what kind of puppy could be smart enough to find her in the forest and actually lead her in the direction of home.
Did she ever see him again? The Kitsune asked, hoping that this wasn't the end of the story.
Oh , indeed she did. She saw him many times after that as she was growing up. Naturally she never again mentioned his presence to anyone, partly because she felt that no one would believe her but also because she enjoyed having a secret friend.
She would see him in the orchard, or run across him in a corner of her father's gardens, but it was always when there was no one else around. As she grew up into a beautiful young woman, so did the puppy mature into a fine and handsome large white dog. He seemed to enjoy laying curled up at her feet listening to her read, or sing, or just talk to him. She of course told him everything, all of her hopes, her dreams and her desires. Over the years the willing dog's ears became a secret repository for the true wishes of the princess's heart until he knew her even better than she knew herself.
Then one day, the dog came to pay her a visit and found the girl huddled in the cherry orchard, crying bitterly. This sorely distressed him because he could never stand to see her upset and he licked the tears away from her soft cheek as an offer of comfort. In broken sobs the girl told her dear friend the reason for her distress. As she was now of a marriageable age, a suitable match befitting a young woman of her station had been arranged with the son of a high ranking nobleman living in a city far to the north. Her future husband would be coming soon to take her away with him and she would never be able to see her old friend again.
This news distressed the dog even more than her tears. For many years he had been her most trusted companion, listening to her secrets, watching her blossom and grow. The thought that a strange man would soon come to claim what was his, brought a dark and angry light to his golden eyes. No one deserved her love more than the being who had already earned it, the being who loved her not only for the beauty of her body but for the beauty of her soul as well. Doing the one thing that he had vowed never to do, in his sudden fit of jealousy the dog at last revealed himself to the young woman he had fallen in love with so long ago.
At first the girl was shocked, as the companion of her youth transformed suddenly from a great white dog, into the form of a tall man, with long silvery white hair and golden yellow eyes. Thus it was that the princess learned her companion was in truth the demon lord, who protected the forest...
The dull thud of a wooden bowl hitting the ground interrupted the storyteller. Cu' glanced up to see the wide eyed stare of the hanyou gazing back at him. InuYasha had been listening quietly to the story as it progressed, first in amusement that anyone would be interested in such a silly tale then, in growing disbelief as Cu' unfolded the latter part of the story of the princess and the white dog. Now he sat, a skewered fish forgotten in one hand, a half empty rice bowl rolling in the dust at his feet and the color slowly draining from his face with the realization of just what he and everyone else had been listening to.
I've heard this before..my mother.., InuYasha jumped to his feet, yellow eyes flashing dangerously beneath ink-black scowling brows. Just who in the fuck are you? Who told you that story?
Everyone around the campfire held their breath at InuYasha's unexpectedly violent reaction, everyone except Cu'. He had been expecting it all along. Returning the half demon's glare of anger with a gentle smile he replied quietly Why Child, for the second time in your life you have come into my camp and eaten up the last of my fish...don't tell me that you do not remember me at all.