InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Next Generation ❯ The Escape ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

 

The Escape

 

As much as Koichi itched to be off on his own, he had enough sense this time to wait for the right moment. On a cool night, a few days after his talk with Rin, Sesshomaru ordered everyone to meet in the throne room. When Koichi got there, his father was already seated, and Jakken and Rin were with him. Internally he was excited to see that all three were dressed for traveling, and worked hard to keep his face impassive so his father would not get suspicious.

 

“Rin, Jakken and I will be traveling for the next few days,” Sesshomaru said, “You are to wait for our return.”

 

“Yes, my Lord,” Koichi replied evenly.

 

He stepped back deferentially as they got up to leave. But before he had walked past, Seshomaru turned to look him squarely in the eye.

 

“I expect your complete obedience.”

 

Koichi gulped and looked away.

 

“Yes, my Lord.” He said, and averted his eyes to the floor as Sesshomaru left the room.

 

He did not look up again until Rin gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as she passed him. After the front door had closed behind them, he watched them from a window, until the darkness of the night and the distance between them obscured them even from his enhanced hanyou sight. His father's last words made him feel uneasy; did he know what Koichi was planning? Last he knew his father was not a mind reader.

 

`No, I am just being nervous,' he thought, `because this time, I know I will succeed in escaping.'

 

Back in his room he changed his clothes and took out a sack in which he had been slowly adding those things he might need. Slinging it over his shoulder, he left, being sure to head in the opposite direction from the others. He knew the borders of his father's territory, but not what lay beyond, so it did not matter to him which way he went. Any direction was just as good, as long as he was leaving. As he breathed in the scent of the night air, it smelled fresh and new to him, filled with the promise of freedom. The stars sparkled and the moon shone brighter to him, as if giving him a special send-off on the first night of his new life. When he crossed the border, he had to fight the urge to run.

 

But life with his father had taught Koichi to be cautious, and as he walked into this new territory, he took his time to take in his surroundings. The forest and meadows began to thin out, and he came upon the fields surrounding a village. It was the first human village he had ever set eyes on. Would the people there be able to help him? Could they tell him where to find the slayers village?

 

Steeling his resolve, Koichi took a deep breath and walked down through the fields to the village. The huts of the villagers were dark, and he could hear their snores and deep breathing as they slept. But at the end of the street, a larger building still was lit.

 

`I guess I have no choice but to go in there,' Koichi thought.

 

Slowly Koichi mounted the steps, and slid open the door. Inside the Inn, several men were gathered around tables, drinking sake. They all turned and looked up at the young man standing in the doorway, and scowls and looks of consternation crossed their faces. It made Koichi hesitate, and he went no further.

 

“Excuse me,” Koichi said. “Can anyone tell me where I may find the village of the demon slayers?”

 

“Get out of here,” said one of the men menacingly, and rose from where he was seated.

 

“We don't link your kind around here,” said another, also rising. “Dirty hanyou.”

 

Startled and surprised at their reactions, Koichi noticed all the men who were standing had swords in their obis. How was he to know they were each a Ronin Samurai?

 

“Sorry to have disturbed you,” Koichi mumbled and backed out the door.

 

Although trained to fight by his father, Koichi was also told by Rin not to fight unless attacked. Truly, he had never fought anyone, except his father in practice. This was not the way he had hoped to begin his search, and he really wanted to avoid any conflict. Disappointed, he decided to camp for the night in the forest.

 

`Now what do I do?' Koichi thought as he bedded down under a tree. `Will everyone treat me this way? If so, then how will I ever find the village of the demon slayers and my mother?'

 

Koichi fell into an uneasy sleep.

 

Back in the village, the men at the Inn continued to drink and talk angrily amongst themselves. The more they drank, the more heated their talk became, and the more bravado they showed.

 

“How dare that hanyou show his face in a human village!” One of them said.

 

“That boy needs to be taught a lesson!” Another grumbled.

 

“Did anyone see which way he went?” A third said darkly.

 

“We better make sure he is gone,” said another one, and got up from where he was sitting.

 

“Let's go!”

 

The five Ronin stalked out of the Inn. One of them bent to the ground, to scout out fresh tracks. Having made a decision as to the likely direction the hanyou had taken, they left the village, goading each other on and building up their battle rage. In their riled up state, they did not doubt their ability to inflict harm on the clueless hanyou boy. They were seasoned warriors, after all.

 

Restless dreams plagued Koichi, and he twitched in his sleep. He saw his father confronting him angrily, and Rin looking at him with tears in her eyes. A shadowy figure seemed to be leaning over him, whispering to him soothingly.

 

`Mother?' Koichi thought in his dream. `Is that you?'

 

Rough hands grabbed Koichi, and he came awake as he was lifted off his feet and thrown against a tree. He had no time to defend himself, only tried to block the blows from his face. They kicked him and beat him with their fists and pommels of their swords. Koichi managed to lash out with his claws and land some blows, but he was overwhelmed. Suddenly the pommel of a sword slammed into his head, and Koichi passed out.

 

The men turned from their victim at the sound of a heavy tread. A huge shadow blocked out the stars. They had come down off the high of their bloodlust, and suddenly became afraid. A young, clueless hanyou boy was an easy mark, but whatever was coming towards them was something completely different.

 

“Come on, our work is done!” One of them exclaimed. “Let's get out of here!”

 

They fled the way they had come, hoping to find more sake at the Inn and people to tell their tale of victory too.

The huge figure stooped over the unconscious Koichi where he lay slumped against the tree. The large, blue, lidless eyes did not blink, but regarded the hanyou thoughtfully. Something about him stirred up old memories.

 

`He looks familiar,' thought the being. `When I look at him I am reminded of someone else, someone who traveled with one such as him…..Kagome.'

 

Gently he picked up the hanyou and his belongings, and carried them away.