InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Half Demon Child ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, the Anime series InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I don't own any of the characters, which means I don't own InuYasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Kikyo, Naraku, Kagura and I can go on. However, the characters I made up such as Tani and Larina belong to me.

----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

 

 

The young demon slayer sat by herself down a hill watching the thin river flow in front of her just outside the village. Despite the fact that she was watching the thin river infront of her, she wasn't paying much attention to it. She didn't even notice that she startled one of the fish when she threw a small rock in the thin river. Her thoughts were else where.

 

 

Sango sighed as she looked up into the sky and watch the birds fly over her. The flock of birds made her smile weakly as a single tear fell out her eye. The flock of birds that flew over her reminded her of her old home; her comrades, her kin- the demon slayers.

 

 

The demon slayers weren't just strong warriors who slew demons; they were more than that, much more. They always worked together. They were a team. They were a family, a kin if you will. Whenever there was battle, a demon that one demon slayer can't handle, they would always work together, side by side.

 

 

Soon, another tear trickled down Sango's face. She then wiped her eyes as she remembered that dreadful day. The day her destiny was shattered along with her brother, father and their friends' fate were sealed along with it. Sango remembered that terrible day as if it had happened yesterday. It was as clear in her mind as she replayed it in her thoughts. One by one, her younger brother Kohaku, who was manipulated by Naraku, slaughtered each and everyone one of Sango and his comrades, including their father as blood was spilt everywhere. Sango was then next as he stabbed her back with his chainsai and then gained coconsciousness as he realized what he had done, his eyes filled with tears.

 

 

“Oh sister… what have I done?” Sango remembered her scared younger brother ask.

 

 

Next arrows were fired at Kohaku, ordered by the Lord of the castle who had asked for the demon slayers help to exterminate the spider demon which has supposedly harassed their castle when really it was Naraku's trap!

 

 

The last thing that Sango remembered was lying unconscious with her younger brother; Kohaku was scared out of his mind pleading as he cried, “Help me sister, I'm so afraid…”

 

 

“And then I tried to reassure him…” Sango said thinking to what she last said before the men of the castle fired arrows to her back, “'Don't worry, I'm right here with you…'” she said. “And with that the men shot me down with their arrows. After that, everything went blank and when I came too, I remembered that I hungered revenge.” She said.

 

 

Sango didn't say anything else for sometime until she clenched her fist and remembered something else, “then, t-that damn Naraku tried to manipulate me into killing InuYasha, deceiving me, allow me to believe that InuYasha was my real enemy.”

 

 

Another tear when down her face; angry tears as she wiped them away.

 

 

“My little brother, Kohaku…” She then said, “The memory of slaying father and the others probably terrorizes him whenever a certain flashback escapes his mind. Because of that Naraku erases his memories including his life as a demon slayer and me…” Sango stated as she got angrier, “with Kohaku's memory gone he's just a mindless puppet that Naraku controls. That, that… ugh… I can't believe demons like that even exist! Kohaku isn't even the only child he manipulates, he manipulates Tani as well.”

 

 

Sango simply shook her head and hugged her knees as she tried to banish the negative thoughts.

 

 

“…Sango…?” The demon slayer heard a familiar voice call.

 

 

Sango turned her head to see who had called her name. She turned to see the one and only Monk, Miroku.

 

 

Miroku looked at her with sympathy, “are you okay Sango?”

 

 

Sango lowered her eyes sadly as she turned away from Miroku and redirected her gaze towards the thin river in front of her, “nothing is the matter with Miroku,” she forced herself to smile, “I'm fine…”

 

 

Miroku realized that something was bothering her as he walked up a little closer to Sango at the same time tried to keep a little distance between each other as he sat down beside her.

 

 

“I know you're worried for your brother's sake, its okay to feel that way Sango,” Miroku began, “I understand what you're going through, it's heartbreaking.”

 

 

“I'm fine Miroku…” Sango repeated a little more aggressively, “sure I'm worried about Kohaku but, it happens…” she said.

 

 

“Rest assure Sango, we will get them back; both Kohaku and Tani. We're all in this together.” He said as he faced her.

 

 

Sango couldn't help but look back at the monk.

 

 

“If there is anything you need Sango, I'm hear for you…” He said.

 

 

Sango couldn't help but blush from the sight of his face, his eyes sparkled as she quickly looked away and smiled weakly, “thank you, Miroku, I appreciate-,”

 

 

The demon slayer at that moment felt something; more like a hand rubbing her rear-end which made her grow angry. The pervert was at it again! Without a second thought, Sango slapped Miroku across the face which caused Miroku to fall on his back.

 

 

“Miroku you perve…” Sango growled as she got up from where she sat and distanced herself from the lecher, “trust you to ruin it!”

 

 

Miroku got up from the grass and rubbed his face which had the slap mark from Sango's hands as he laughed nervously, “It took your mind off things didn't it?”

 

 

Sango clenched her fists as she gritted her teeth at the pervert, “spare me! Audacious perve!” and with that she turned her heals and walked off.

 

 

While she was walking she realized that it did keep her mind off things. Sango realized before the pervert like act that Miroku really cared about Sango's troubles which made her smile to herself, chuckling lightly as she headed back to the village.

 

 

“…I guess… I should be glad that Kohaku is alive and well…”

 

 

-----

 

 

“What do you mean by you don't remember anything?” Tani asked confused with what she heard Kohaku say while they eating on their apples that Tani had gathered earlier.

 

 

Tani and Kohaku were sitting in the fields under a large tree, enjoying their delicious apples.

 

 

“…I don't remember anything…” Kohaku simply replied.

 

 

Tani scratched her dark brown hair, still confused, “so then… your memories… are blank?” she asked.

 

 

Kohaku took a bite of his apple as did Tani, they both chewed and swallowed. Kohaku took another bite and went through the same routine with his apple before he replied. “I don't remember,” he finally said.

 

 

The half demon child who was now in her human state furrowed her eyebrows before taking another bite of her apple, “you don't remember anything… or you don't want to remember anything…” she said.

 

 

Kohaku looked at Tani with shock; she was right in a way. The only reason why he didn't remember anything was because he chose not to remember anything. He was afraid; afraid that he was going to remember something terrible.

 

 

“I guess that shouldn't be any of my business…” Tani decided, “If you don't want to talk about it, I understand.” She replied looking up at Kohaku, “its okay…”

 

 

Kohaku stared at Tani as Tani stared back at him. The young boy gulped and nodded, “I appreciate it… thank you…”

 

 

The young girl smiled in response as she suddenly began to feel so full from all the apples that she almost began to feel a little nauseous from it. She groaned as she rubbed her stomach.

 

 

She groaned, “I'm full… I can't eat another bite.” Tani said as she looked down on her half eaten apple and then at turned to look at a pile of uneaten apples, “such a shame that the apples might have to go to waste.” She then turned to Kohaku, “are you still hungry Kohaku?”

 

 

“Uh… to be honest with you, I don't think I can eat all those apples either…” Kohaku replied.

 

 

Tani looked over at the apples; there must have been at least half a dozen of those apples left. Perhaps she wasn't as hungry as she thought she was earlier as she began to regret picking so many of the apples from the apple tree.

 

 

“Do you want to bring them back to Naraku's castle?” She suggested.

 

 

“I don't think that would be such a good idea…”

 

 

“…Oh…”

 

 

“Maybe we should just leave them here…”

 

 

“You sure?” Tani said glancing at the uneaten apples.

 

 

Kohaku then got up from where he sat, “If you can't eat anymore, then we should just leave them there.”

 

 

“Okay,” Tani said as she got up.

 

 

“Hey, watch out!” Someone yelled from a distance.

 

 

Suddenly, out of no where a large yellow ball came bouncing Kohaku's and Tani's way. It continued to bounce until it knocked over the bunch of the uneaten apples that were by Tani's side.

 

 

Tani looked down at the yellow ball and the looked up ahead and saw a group of kids, about three of them running up to them. Tani grew a little nervous as her heart skipped a beat. Ever since the bullies back in her old village picked on her, she would always feel nervous or frightened of a group of kids running to her direction, afraid that they would pick on her. Feeling agitated, Tani slowly backed up and slightly hid behind Kohaku.

 

 

Kohaku seemed confused with Tani's behavior as he looked forward to the group of village kids that were running up to them.

 

 

One of the head boys stopped as he reached up to them, “we're sorry about that,” he panted, “Hana should watch where she is kicking,” he said as he turned and gave the girl that ran up behind him a hard look.

 

 

Hana panted, “What?” she asked defensively, “I said I was sorry!”

 

 

Tani hid more behind Kohaku.

 

 

“We're sorry about your apples,” another one of the boys said.

 

 

Kohaku didn't respond as Tani peered her head and stepped out from behind Kohaku, “i-it's okay… we were full anyway.”

 

 

“Do you mind passing the ball back?” The head boy said.

 

 

Tani looked down at the yellow ball which knocked down the apples and then looked at the kids as she cautiously picked up the ball and walked up to the group of kids and presented the ball to them.

 

 

The head boy smiled as he walked up and took the ball back from Tani. “Thanks,” he said.

 

 

Tani blushed slightly, “…you're welcome…”

 

 

The head boy smiled, “You're not from around these parts, are you?” He asked, “I'm Masaru,” he introduced as he turned to introduce the other two children, “and this is Ken and this is Hana, they are my friends.” He said.

 

 

The girl with the long side hair waved as did the second boy with semi long hair.

 

 

“Hi,” said Hana.

 

 

Tani waved back as she began to smile a little, realizing that these kids weren't mean at all unlike the other village kids back in her old village where she used to live with her mother. Perhaps that was because she was in her human state and the village kids infront of her had no idea that she was a half demon.

 

 

“Hey look,” Ken began, “we're really sorry about your apples…”

 

 

Tani looked back at the apples, then Kohaku and the back at the three kids, “i-its okay,” she replied sheepishly, “I mentioned earlier that we weren't very hungry anyway, we got full…”

 

 

“Um… well do you and your brother want to play with us?” Masaru invited.

 

 

Tani's heart skipped a beat, no one had ever invited her to play before, this was all so new too her, “u-um,” and the she remembered what Masaru said, “Kohaku isn't my brother… he's my friend and somewhat of my guardian,” she said as she turned to Kohaku and faced Masaru again “I should ask for his permission.” She turned back to Kohaku, “is that okay?”

 

 

“Huh?” Kohaku replied obviously not paying attention to what the kids were talking about.

 

 

“Can I play with them for a while?” Tani asked once more.

 

 

Kohaku's arched his eyebrows. His face, it seemed like a warning. It seemed as if Kohaku believe that that wasn't such a good idea.

 

 

“Please?” Tani asked.

 

 

“My job is to guard you, to make sure that nothing is supposed to happen to you,” Kohaku reminded her, “I think we should start heading back… your time period of weakness is almost ending…”

 

 

“Time period of weakness?” Ken asked, confused, “what does he mean by than…”

 

 

Tani didn't answer his question, “come on Kohaku,” she pleaded as she walked up closer to him and lowered her voice; she didn't want the other kids to know that she was only human temporarily, “I still have a full day, the sun is still up shining… just this once…”

 

 

Kohaku seemed skeptical, “Alright, but only for a little while, after, we have to go back to Master Naraku…” he said as he turned and jumped up onto a tree branch that they were under so that he could keep a close eye on her.

 

 

The half human girl smiled, “Thank you, Kohaku,” she said as she turned to the kids, “sorry about that… Kohaku is just looking out for me…”

 

 

“Is he like your guard or something?” Ken asked Tani.

 

 

Tani scratched her head before she spoke, “well… I-,”

 

 

“Of course he is, she said guardian before, didn't she?” Hana snapped.

 

 

“Hey don't give me that! I didn't hear!” Ken snapped back.

 

 

“That's enough you two!” Masaru said stepping in between them so that they wouldn't end up fight each other.

 

 

“I guess you can say he's my guard…” Tani finally replied.

 

 

The children awed.

 

 

“So then, does that make you rich then?” Ken asked, “Where do you live? Masaru stated earlier that you don't live around these parts, well do you?”

 

 

“You just keep coming up with dumber and dumber questions, don't ya Ken?” Hana snarled.

 

 

Ken ignored her.

 

 

Tani was hesitant before she answered, “I don't really know, I guess you can say I do… I suppose I live pretty far from here…”

 

 

“So you aren't from this area then?” Ken pressed.

 

 

Tani simply shook her head.

 

 

Ken and Hana awed.

 

 

“Is your father a Lord or something? I recall Kohaku stating that you should return to his master.” Hana asked.

 

 

“My father?” Tani asked, confused, “do they mean Naraku…?” she then shook her head, “no, the Lord isn't my father, he took me in though…” she replied.

 

 

“Took you in?” Ken asked.

 

 

“My father passed away years ago but my mother was murdered…” Tani replied, sadly.

 

 

Han looked at Tani sympathetically, “that makes you an orphan than…” she said.

 

 

“You're like us then…” Masaru said, “We all live at an orphanage.”

 

 

“All of our parents have died too,” Ken replied, “mine were killed during the war…”

 

 

“I was abandoned,” Hana said.

 

 

Masaru didn't talk as he clenched his fists and looked away, “mine were killed by demons…” he growled.

 

 

Tani's heart skipped a beat. The way Masaru said demons- demons. He said it as if the word itself was poison in his mouth. Tani could already tell that Masaru was too big a fan of demons since he held such a deep grudge against them. Imagine if he'd found out that Tani was a half demon…

 

 

The hanyou shook off the thought, deciding that her someone what of her new found friends would never find out that she was that of a half demon herself, other wise, they would disapprove of her and banish her from their village like the old villagers did before back in her old home. She just couldn't handle rejection anymore… for the first time in her life, children about her age, accepted her.

 

 

“I'm sorry to hear about that Masaru,” Tani said.

 

 

Masaru looked up at Tani and smiled weakly.

 

 

Tani smiled back.

 

 

“Alright, enough of this sad mood atmosphere…” Ken said as he took the ball from Masaru's hands, “Let's play!”

 

 

Ken then kicked the ball and began to chase after it. Hana followed along with Masaru and Tani as they all laughed and played.

 

 

Tani smiled to herself, “I've never felt so accepted…”

 

----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

---

 

End Chapter