InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Nature of Sacrifice ❯ A Child's Questions ( Chapter 5 )

AN: I'm sorry it's been a while on the posting. I really haven't felt well lately and it's effecting my muse. I'll do my best to be more regular about it, but don't be surprised if there is more time between posts.

 

Much respect goes to bettychan who actually knows one of my favorite Shakespeare plays better than I do! (I've forgotten a lot, sadly) Act 5, Scene 1 of Macbeth where Lady Macbeth goes out of her freakin mind. I did that scene in high school, and to this day, if I look over the text a few times, I can still bring that character back. *Giggles.* That reminds me, I need to visit my drama teacher one of these days..

 

But yes, the actual quote is: "Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?" I couldn't help but put that in when I had Kagome's prom dress actually be the over done nightgown from the play itself. (And yes, my high school did it, and yes, that was what Lady Macbeth wore. The pure white was to contradict that the blood would never be washed from her. If you haven't read the play, please do, it's very well done.)

 

Thanks again to all those who review my little story. You have no idea how excited I get to get home from work and finish what chapter I have next just because I know there are people who enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. And just for some fun information, I was always told 'write what you know' so when I started this piece, I knew what to do. The restaurant they work at is indeed the same one that I work at. A lot of the things that happen there, have happened where I work. And what happens in the beginning of the story has happened, Sunday mornings are the busiest of any time of the week. And yes, I am one of the graveyard waitresses, and proud of it!

 

So, without further ado, please enjoy the next installment!

 

 

DISCLAMER: I DO NOT, NOR HAVE I EVER, OWNED INUYASHA. I'm simply borrowing the characters and putting them through hell. ^.^

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

***

The Nature of Sacrifice

 

By Evie Lovejoy

 

Chapter Five:

A Child's Questions

 

***

 

"I'M BOOOOOOOOOOOOORED!" The energetic kitsune whined, basically throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of Sunday morning rush, in the kitchen no less. Luckily, Inuyasha was on the floor, because had he been in the kitchen, Shippo would have been crying for different reasons.

 

Kagura was too busy with her orders to do much else but growl. "Go find something to do, kit!" She managed, pushing a few more plates up on the counter. "DING!" There was a reason they had moved Kagura back into the kitchen. She didn't play well with others, especially children.. This could get ugly.

 

Yuki, Shippo's over-worked mother and owner of the little restaurant, had been called by called by her mate and told her other kit, Kazumi, had twisted her ankle in soccer and rushed over... Seeming to forget that the baby sitter, or rather kit sitter, was sick that day. In this situation, it was basically a miracle if the young fox youkai would make it out of the morning alive.

 

But the kitsune wouldn't shut up, and even Sango was beginning to lose her patience as she grabbed her food. Looking up to the ceiling for a moment, she whispered. "God, if you've ever existed, I'll marry that damned Houshi if you just get that kid to shut up..." After a few minutes, Sango returned to hear giggling. Maroon eyes wide, she ducked back into the kitchen for a moment, and there, like an angel from heaven, was Kagome. She was wearing a simple brown suede skirt, a similar lace up suede bodice with long cotton sleeves covering the top part of her. "Kagome, remind me to worship you when I can breathe!"

 

Kagome had been called by a growling wind youkai, waking her from a sound slumber on her first of two days off. Knowing the woman's temper, she threw on some clothing and ridden her bike over as soon as she could. It was just in time too, Kagura looked fit to make a fox-tailed cap. She had simply swept into the back door and picked up the kit, twirling him about. So happy to see his favorite woman other than his mother, he had instantly started laughing and chanting her name.

 

"DING!" Kagura grumbled, shoving another order up, Miroku already behind the front counter. He grabbed for his orders with a secretive grin. He had heard Sango's admission, and would make sure to tease her about it later. They had only been dating a few months after years of repressed feelings, groping and concussions, but that would be too easy to bug her about.

 

Ruffling the kit's hair, she smiled at the young boy. He was doted upon in this life, and spoiled, but still the same loving little boy she knew. "Shippo! I hear you've been looking for a playmate?"

 

He nodded enthusiastically and she spun him about, resting his light weight onto her hip to carry him, the boy hugging her for dear life. "Kagome! I haven't seen you in forever! I missed you SOOOO MUCH!!!"

 

Chuckling, she padded through the kitchen in slippered feet, grabbing a game of chess from the game wall on her way out to the front tables. And just like that, the kitsune was placated with Kagome to watch him and a game to play

 

Inuyasha had been almost jogging by when Kagome breezed through the room, giving him a small smile and a wave. It was too busy to do much else, but instantly he felt as if he had an extra five hours sleep. Pushing the pleasant thought of one of their own pups on her hip instead of the kitsune away, he padded back to the waiter's area behind the front counter, waiting on his next order as he put a new one in. "Order in!"

 

A heavy sigh of relief came from Kagura, followed by a groan as she noticed the new ticket, speaking to the offending hanyou. "Thank god for Kagome, I swear, that boy owes his life to her a million times over." She paused and shouted out again, pushing more plates forward. "DING!"

 

Grabbing the next order, Inuyasha couldn't help but smile wistfully, yet his words were gruff as ever. "You know, you don't have to scream 'ding' in my face if I'm right here, ya blow hard!" He had leaned into the window when he said that, only to have a pissed off wind youkai push out more plates, screaming louder into his sensitive ears. "DING!" She grinned as he cursed, taking the rest of his table's order and shaking his head to try to get his bandana-covered ears to stop ringing.

 

Kagome.. She was truely a remarkable woman, much older in spirit than she looked. And Inuyasha hated that she had such wisdom for her age. He hated that he didn't know about her father, hated that he hadn't gone over that day to find out why she couldn't go out for her own birthday, hated he that he couldn't protect her, and hated that she hadn't told him. But in the end, things happened the way that they happened. He understood her reluctance, hell, she had been catatonic for nearly a year because of what she had gone through! No wonder she was much quieter now than she had been ten years ago. But there was something else too..

 

For the last two weeks, they spent what time they could together. With her working graveyards, and him working mid-shifts, it was hard for them to meet in the middle. But he noticed, with Sango's handiwork, they both had graveyards the next week.

 

Flashback

 

Inuyasha had been filling ketchups as Sango hunkered over the waitress' table, lots of paper beneath her. It was a good twenty minutes before he heard her call through the empty restaurant. "Inu? Come here for a second." Her tone was sickly sweet and she wore a shit-eating grin, which meant only one thing: She was up to something.

 

Raising a dark brow, he put the bottle down and padded to the table, grabbing a chair and flipping it backwards, his hands resting on the back of it, his legs straddled it. Leaning his head on his hands, he looked over at her sceming expression. "What do you want?" He asked grumpily, studying her carefully for hints to her intent.

 

Sango simply smiled triumphantly. "Well, Kanna's been wanting a vacation for some time now, and I had a person in mind for her time off. I know you've been itching to be back in the kitchen again."

 

He snorted, not thinking that Kanna was the graveyard cook, "Hell yes, I hate this waiting tables shit. I have to act like I'm happy to see these bad-tempered old people, and smile when they tip less than ten percent of the bill. It's sickening."

 

She grinned brightly, "I thought as much. Fine, for the next month, you have the graveyard shift with Kagome."

 

He blinked, tilting his head to the side, eyeing her carefully. "You're up to something, aren't you, wench?"

 

Feigning an innocent expression, she simply wrote in red ink next to his name '10-6' for a few days. "Why Inuyasha, I don't know why you'd think such a thing! I'm simply trying to get you what you want: a kitchen shift. It just happens to be the shift Kagome works. It's just amazing what coincidences can occur.."

 

He snorted, though a small smile played on his lips, getting up and heading back to the server's area, muttering, "Sneaky wench.."

 

End Flashback

 

Soon, they'd be spending more time than ever together. In the stolen hours they had, they usually watched a movie, Inuyasha holding her gently as they both wore a smile. They hadn't talked much, and if they did it was usually teasing each other over something silly or something of the sort. Any time he tried to ask her if anything was bothering her, she simply slapped a smile to her lips and said nothing. But her eyes spoke otherwise. He'd tell him eventually.. he knew she would. She just needed time. It was just difficult because he never had been a patient hanyou...

 

He glanced out the large front windows to see Kagome's gentle face smiling brightly as Shippo fretted over the chess board in front of him. She was great with children..

 

*.*.*

 

Shippo chewed his lip rather worriedly as he gazed over the chess board. Whenever Kagome babysat him, or was killing time with him, she always pulled out the chess board and they would play. She insisted he needed to learn how to play, and now he really enjoyed it. Sure, Kagome always kicked his butt, but after a while, he realised she set him up for most of the moves so he could take a piece from her, then act like he was really getting her. She never let him win, but made the game last longer, giving him more chances to learn.

 

Kagome smiled as she watched his little angelic face. He was really an innocent in this time, more so than anyone, she thought. With the gift of his parents through his young life, he had blossomed, though becoming rather a brat. Only Kagome was able to soothe the boy, and Yuki often called her to come over so she wouldn't tear her hair out. She was always too happy to oblige, glad to know the little boy was happy and well taken care of. He finally made another move, and she pursed her lips, looking as if he had put her in a jam. She could have easily won the game in one move, but she took another move, setting him up for a check. He wouldn't win, but he'd learn better if he was put in the situation of being in the offensive.

 

And so it was like that, the servers and cook busting their asses in the kitchen, while Kagome watched the young boy as it slowly began to slow down. Hours ticked by and five chess matches were won and lost (Kagome won them all, but she could tell Shippo was getting better.), and soon it was two, and Miroku flew out the door like a bat out of hell. "Jesus it's about time!" Kagome laughed at Miroku's words, being right by that door as he muttered to himself. Waving good bye, he jogged to his jeep, speeding off. Knowing him, he'd shower and be back to pick Sango up, with a red rose in his teeth, saying something about 'the chariot awaits, my love!' Yes, never a dull moment...

 

An hour later, he was back, with a deep crimson rose in his mouth, dethorned, bowing to the exausted waitress, professing his undying love... and groping her backside. He earned a thump on the head and kiss to his cheek before those two left the parking lot, Inuyasha left as the only server on the floor. Though pretty much dead, he still had to get through all of his sidework so he could leave without the next waitress coming after him with a hatchet and a big grudge.

 

It was quiet outside, this game rather subdued. It seemed like the young boy had something on his mind, and it was effecting the game. Pursing her lips, she asked quietly, her voice gentle. "Is something wrong Shippo? You seem rather off." The kitsune winced and Kagome couldn't help but straighten in her chair. There was something wrong. "Shippo.. you know you can talk to me about anything, no matter what. You know I don't judge you. Please, maybe I can help?"

 

The boy was quiet for a long moment, looking rather deep in thought. Finally he whispered, just loud enough to hear her. "Kagome.. do you have.. dreams?"

 

Those four words hit her like a bullet to the heart, as if someone had reached and squeezed her throat as tightly as they could. He couldn't mean.. No, Midoriko had to be wrong that time.. But suddenly, it all made sense.

 

Flashback

 

The beautiful creature in battle attire asked with a crystalline voice, "Miko, are you certain you want this? There are concequences that I see that might destroy you."

 

Kagome, hugging her waist tightly, shook her head, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Midioriko-sama, they deserve this chance for happiness! Even if at the expense of myself.."

 

Midoriko frowned softly, her voice rather emotionless when she spoke next. "I warn you then, Kagome, the dire concequences of your actions. You will not be able to keep them from remembering as you say you will. I tell you, that your destruction will be upon you if you do not stop these events from happening. It will begin with a child's questions.."

 

End Flashback

 

'A child's questions... it's begun...' Kagome thought morosely, and knew she had a choice here. If she told him not to worry about dreams, told him they were just images to keep your mind busy at night, soon the situation would only get worse. And soon, the next one would remember.. And it would be disasterous. She would have to tell them, there was no choice now. But maybe.. just maybe, if she helped Shippo, the others would never know. It was worth a shot, if the next event occured, she would have to tell them all, it was as simple as that.

 

Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes, willing herself to not jump to conclusions. Maybe he was just having some bad dreams, and needed to talk to someone about them? It was possible. Smiling, she nodded a bit, moving another piece. "Of course, we all have dreams. It's our subconscious' way of speaking to us. Sometimes it's nonsense meant to entertain. And other times, we are trying to teach ourselves something, get a point across that our conscious mind can't grasp. What kind of dreams are affecting you, Shippo?

 

The boy nodded as she spoke, fiddling with his fingers rather nervously. At her question, he looked up, his eyes showing his confusion, and even fear. "Well.. it's like a long story. Remember The Wizard Of Oz?" When she nodded, he went on, his eyes watching his hands as he talked. "I feel like Dorothy when I wake up and come here. Mama and papa aren't in them.." He looked up, pursing his lips. "But you are. And so is Inuyasha, and Miroku and Sango... Everyone at the restaurant!" Kagome blanched as he went on, but didn't interupt him as he went on. "But you're all so different.. Yet, the same.. It's weird! They aren't all bad dreams, some of them are rather nice. But it's.. it's like a whole other life, where I think of Inuyasha as a papa and you as a mama.. And there's this bad youkai.."

 

"Naraku."

 

"Yeah, Naraku.." His eyes opened wide, blinking in confusion. "You.. how did you know that?!"

 

Kagome sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. Now things had to be done. With his questions, he unknowingly started a chain of events that Kagome had to finish.. while she could. "I have dreams too, Shippo."

 

He sat up in his seat, wanting to jump over the table and tug at her hair, beg for more answers than that. "You do!? So I'm not going crazy?!"

 

She nodded, a hazy look in her eye, as if she was seeing something else, and not the boy in front of her.

 

"Kagome-baa-chan! Did you bring me more pocky?"

 

The image and soundbite dulled and her eyes became clear again. It was too fresh to her.. But Shippo.. he had to know. "No, you aren't going crazy."

 

"Then I... I..." He frowned, looking up at her with imploring eyes. "..I died..?"

 

Another image filtered through her brain, his torn body in her arms, rocking him as she begged him to open his eyes, Kirara growling as she protected the two in battle.. The memory of his scratchy voice.. "Mama...? I protected you like I promised.. I just.. I want to sleep now..." And he was gone..

 

Shaking her head to dispell it, she nodded. "It was.. another life, Shippo. You were reincarnated, as was I, and the others." A million images swarmed through her head. She hadn't wanted this to happen.. He was supposed to be innocent of this! They all were!

 

Shippo was quiet for a long time, and Kagome's heart sank. Would he hate her? He had been so brave and loving.. He deserved another chance at just being a little boy! He deserved not to be worrying about gaining revenge for his father's death! He deserved to be ignorant of the dangers of this world a little longer! Why? Why did the jewel ordain for them to remember? Finally, his voice cut through her pained thoughts, bringing her shocked blue eyes to strike his emerald green.

 

"I'm glad." He smiled a little, looking up at her. "I thought.. I thought I was going crazy at first. Mama told me that they were just silly dreams.. But, I'm glad that we're all still together." He hopped off the chair and into her lap, his arms snaking around her waist. He buried his face into her stomach, mumbling. "I missed you, Kagome-baa-chan."

 

Closing her watery eyes, a few tears escaped down her cheeks, her arms squeezing him in a tight embrace. "I missed you too, Shippo-chan.. I missed you very much."

 

 

***

 

AN: Happy things! See? It was a while, but I give you some happy fluff! It won't last forever, but it's something! Now...

 

*Goes all announcer-like.* On the next installment of The Nature Of Sacrifice!

Now that Shippo remembers the past, will the others?

 

Kagome has let Inuyasha back into her life, but can they really be together with a secret holding them apart?

 

What was the wish that Kagome made on the jewel? What does it mean? Will Midoriko's vision of disaster be fullfilled?!

 

Will the evil author let everyone be happy, or will she just torture her characters and readers forever?

 

For that manner, will she ever get some sleep!?

 

Find out next time! ^.~

 

~Evie