InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Tragedy of Inu Yasha and Kagome ❯ Act 1, Scene 4 ( Chapter 3 )

The Tragedy of Inu Yasha and Kagome

By Oshidori

A/N: Some chapters might be longer than others, but this is because I'm trying to keep things parallel to the actual play. Gomen!

It's come to my attention that this theme has been used before. Eep! Silly me to think I would be the first to experiment with this theme! 0_0;; Ah well, such is the way of the world. So before I get flamed, I honestly did not know of the one to come before me. I've briefly skimmed through the first chapter, but I don't really want to read it until I've finished mine, because I don't want to be influenced by another's writing, or for the other author to think I'm ripping off his/her ideas or approach to this theme, because I know how frustrating something like that can be. So if anything, feel free to compare the two ^^ In a fair world, maybe the other author's version will appeal to one side of the fandom, and maybe mine will appeal to the other, and we won't clash. We'll see how things go, though.

Also, please feel free to correct any terminology or spelling that might be wrong ^_^

Disclaimer: All IY characters are the creations of the great Rumiko Takahashi. The storyline and characters they represent are inspired by the even greater William Shakespeare. I am simply standing on the shoulders of artistic giants for my humble fanfic, so to speak ;)

Act 1, Scene 4

"Oi! Inu Yasha?" Shippo peered up into the tree at the once again brooding hanyou.

"Nani?"

"Well, what should we say if they ask?"

"They're not gonna ask."

Shippo frowned and looked over to their third companion, who sat in contemplation, and all the while resembled that of an enlightened Buddhist monk; which he could almost pass for, if they hadn't known the man as well as they did. It is these certain mannerisms that earned him the nickname of `houshi' among friends and villagers alike. However, this particular youth, all though at times was as wistful as a monk, was also known for indulging in less than admirable practices which he concealed with all the charm and charisma of an experienced con-man. His willpower was nearly non-existent when confronted with the opposite sex, and when the opportunity presented itself, he willingly exploited it, every chance he got. He came from a long line of lechers, and as he told it, an ancestor of his had succumbed to a youkai of sorts disguised as a beautiful maiden, who had cut the man's right hand to teach him a lesson, which resulted in a wound that refused to fully heal, and was carried down throughout all generations. He had told his comrades that such a wound was to remind the men of the shame they bore of their inherited primal trait, and until one became chaste and virtuous, would remain until a tragic death would claim him. But in spite all that, the man remained steadfast in his ways.

Shippo spoke, "Miroku, do you have any thoughts as to what we should tell them if they ask who we are?"

Miroku broke his concentration with a smile that would charm death itself into living, and easily replied,

"If they ask, then by all means we will tell them who we are, and if they don't like us and ask us to leave, then by all means we will."

Shippo, obviously uncomforted by this answer, sighed in defeat. Miroku ignored his anxious friend and turned his attention to the hanyou still in the tree.

"Why do you brood Inu Yasha? Aren't you happy that you'll be with your Kikyo tonight?"

"Keh!"

"Keh, hmm? I take it you no longer care for Kikyo-sama?" Inu Yasha simply snorted, as Miroku's face turned to one of childlike innocence before he continued his speech, "Such is the way of love, I suppose. The flavor of the month becomes yesterday's old news. She will most likely feel lonely and rejected when she finds out she is no longer being pursued. Well, I guess a selfless person such as myself should make it their duty to comfort the poor girl. Although, she is dead, which may put a bit of a damper on things, but I'm not one to be picky…" His expression was now deadpan serious. Inu Yasha jumped down from his branch, already fuming.

"Stay away from her, hentai!" Inu Yasha threatened the man with the deceptively angelic face, who in response remained as calm as ever. He looked the hanyou straight in the eye with a look of mirth that let him know that he had walked straight into a trap. This only made Inu Yasha even more furious. But nonetheless, he knew he had been caught.

"Keh!" He spat as he turned away from the duo, and crossed his arms. "It's not like she's all I think about!" Miroku and Shippo glanced at each other, knowing better. With his back still turned, Inu Yasha continued, but with a softer tone, "That's not what I'm thinking about anyway. I had a weird dream." he finished.

This had certainly piqued Miroku's interests. Yet he knew his friend well enough to know not to ask directly if he wanted answers.

"I had a dream also last night." He waited.

Inu Yasha's ears had twitched to this response, and so he turned a bit, allowing the kitsune and the charming youth a look at the hanyou's profile.

"What…was your dream about, Miroku?" he asked quietly.

Miroku's brows drew together as he attempted to promote utter sincerity in his words, "That dreams are often lies, making the dreamer a liar."

Inu Yasha painfully face-vaulted, only to pull himself up to face the sitting man at eye level, fist curled menacingly.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN??"

Miroku only sighed, giving the impression that he was once again misunderstood as he threw up his hands in defense. "I am only saying not to take your dreams so seriously; they usually end up meaning nothing."

Inu Yasha snorted and sat cross-legged and cross-armed, looking off to the side angry. A vein could be seen bulging from his head. Miroku sighed again and then continued,

"I dreamt of a wandering spirit, one of a beautiful young girl whose deception was masked by her radiance, who would charm those into loving her only to be scorned. It is never real love though, only the vilest emotions of desire and lust, made up to appear as prim and proper as a young virgin. I dreamt of her songs; of her promises that would lead men to do what in waking hours would be thought of as inconceivable, but their desire for her drove them to the point of committing such awful acts, and she would be their ruin. Her name was Mageru, and she delighted in the misfortunes of others; it made her stronger to see them succumb to their weaknesses. This fearsome mononoke showed me all that she had done, and then beckoned to me, seducing me, and I was powerless, and knew my tragic end was at hand. And as she whispered in my ear, lighting my skin on fire and making me weaker still, my lust uncontrollable and wild, she promised me an end of bitter hatred; that would keep my soul to wander aimlessly through time and space, consumed by such an emotion, bound to this earth. She will make me become my worse fear, a vengeful spirit beyond redemption. This is what I dreamt last night, Inu Yasha."

Miroku grew increasingly vexed with each word he spoke, leaving the hanyou and kit both intrigued and startled by the young man's revelations. Inu Yasha seemed more bothered of the two, and seemed unsure on how to continue.

"Oi, Miroku…wha…what the hell is that all supposed to mean?? Don't tell me a stupid dream like that scared you! It doesn't even make any sense!"

The hanyou wasn't known to be the best at comforting others. Shippo looked at him annoyed. Both the kit and Miroku sighed.

"You're right Inu Yasha, it was only a dream, and like I said, dreams are lies." He paused to close his eyes for a moment, as if to wash away all bad thought. "What was your dream about?"

Inu Yasha suddenly frowned, as he looked away, appearing to be slightly embarrassed as far as his friends could tell.

"Feh! Dreams are lies, remember?" he replied indignantly.

"That may be so, but in order to dispel the lie, we must first examine it." Miroku waited patiently for his friend to answer.

Inu Yasha sighed as his expression became darker and more serious. "It's not just a dream, but a bad feeling too. I dreamt that something bad was going to happen if I went to this ball, and there wasn't anything I could do to stop it. I saw blood all over my hands, and the scent on it was familiar and made my heart ache. And then I saw my own death, but I couldn't see who had killed me…"

As Inu Yasha's words trailed off, the three men sat quietly contemplating what was just said, uneasy at what such dreams might denote. Miroku shook his head, and attempted to comfort his comrades,

"Ah, don't worry my friend, it was only a dream, and as I said, dreams are just lies. We would be silly to let such things control our lives, or our fates. Only kami-sama truly knows what's in store for us."

The troubled hanyou tried to look relieved, unsuccessfully. Then his eyes grew bright with determination.

"Ha! Like I'd be bother by something like that! You think too little of me, bouzu!" he teased. "I live my own life!!" he still looked unconvinced by his own words.

"Good. Let's put it behind us then." Miroku proceeded to stand up, "All this chatter over nothing has wasted too much time. If we wait too long, all the lovely ladies will have already been asked to dance, and we can't have that." His eye gleamed when he considered what new prospects awaited for him at the masquerade.

"Yeah, and besides that, if we go too late they'll notice us more. We should go when all the crowds are going in." Shippo added. They all got up and began their walk.

"Let's go buy our masks at the market on the way to the Higurashi palace, shall we?" Miroku suggested, evoking a confused look on the hanyou's face."

"Masks?" questioned Inu Yasha, "what do we need masks for?"

Now it was his friends turn to look confused,

"For the masquerade of course!" Miroku exclaimed.

Shippo slitted his eyes suspiciously as he peered up towards his cousin.

"Oi, Inu Yasha, what did you think masquerade meant?"

Inu Yasha had now placed a clawed finger on his chin, as he replied looking up with a childlike disconcertion,

"…a fancy word for `party'?"

Both Shippo and Miroku promptly face-vaulted to the response.

********

A/N: Following in the spirit of Ericedwyn, I've decided to also include a glossary.

Bouzu- derogatory term for a Buddhist priest

Hanyou- half-demon

Hentai- pervert

Houshi- Buddhist priest

Kami-sama- god

Kitsune- fox

Mageru- to falsify

Nani?- what?

Youkai- demon

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! ^_^