InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Wolf's Mercenary ❯ You Are So Brave ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3

"Hmm what's that?" The woman looked up. She was tending to the crops outside of the village. "A baby's cry?" She dropped her basket and ran towards the sound of the cry. She came to the edge of the field. There in between the roots of an old tree was a baby crying.

"By the gods." She ran and knelt down beside it. She picked up the baby girl who continued to wail. "Who left you here?" She looked around. There were no foot prints of any sort lying about. No traces that someone put her here. A gift, this is what this girl was. It was a gift to her. Oh, she had been praying to the gods for a child for so long. She had just lost her 4th one at birth only a few days ago.

She got to her feet and began to ran through the fields. She ran into the village and into her small hut. "Shiro!" She yelled. Her husband nearly hit head on the piece of wood above him. Her husband was a carpenter.

"Yami, for the gods sake, what's all the ruckus?" he questioned.

Yami held out the baby girl she cradled in her arms. "Shiro, look! Look what the gods have blessed us with! A child! A child, Yami, they have given us a child next to the old tree at the edge of the field."

Shiro looked at the child. Her hair was a sandy brown and her eyes were large and a deep blue. "She doesn't look like any child I've ever seen."

"Of course not," Yami replied. "She's a gift from the gods. Of course she'd be more beautiful than any other child. Look at, Shiro she's beautiful!"

Shiro look from the baby girl and back to his wife. He's never seen his beloved Yami so happy in her life. She had gone through four miscarriages already. There was no way on this earth that he was going to deny this child from her. He gave her a smile. "Yes, she is beautiful," he replied. "Just like her mother. What shall her name be?"

"Her name will be . . ."

Valdrianth.

". . . Valdrianth."

"Valdrianth?" Shiro questioned. "How do you pronounce that?"

"Like it sounds," Yami smiled.

"Well, Val," Shiro said. "Welcome home."

* * * *

Valdrianth sat on the tree branch with her knees to her chest and her arms around her legs. She always seemed to remember the story her parents told her of how the gods gave her to them. It was odd though, deep down in her heart she already knew about that day. She never remembered anything before that day. Oh, but did she remember that one!

She watched in the tree from the edge of the village. Her head poked up as she saw a young man leave his hut with a vase in his hands as he came close the stream that was under her tree. He was nearly in his late 30's now. His hair was jet black. His facial features were soft yet strong, just like his father's. His eyes were a tender brown just like his mother's.

Oh, yes, I remember you.

* * * *

Valdrianth was eight years old now. She tended the fields regularly with her Okaasan. She loved working with Okaasan, though some times she's go off and pick wild flowers all on her own though while her mother worked. Today though her mother's tummy was too big for her to come work in the fields. So, Val went out by herself to pick wild flowers.

She skipped through the fields picking up various purple flowers. She loved purple and so did her mother. She would love these when Val brought them to her later. She bent over to pick up a flower when she noticed several pair of eyes looking at her through the trees.

"Eh?" she gasped standing up. She stared back at the glowing pairs of eyes. They were all yellow and the all looked hungry. They were wolves. No, they were wolves possessed by wolf demons. Immortal wolves. She stood still. She remembered in a dream she had that you should never run away from something immortal. It'll only attract their attention. She was pretty sure that these wolves and wolf demons were immortal. Then again didn't she already attract their attention?

She swallowed hard and clenched to the bouquet of flowers in her hands. She decided the only way she would run is if they ran or leaped after her. Not if they walked after her. If they only walked at her, then she would walk away from them.

Suddenly a small whirlwind buzzed into her direction. The figure in the whirlwind stopped face to face with her. He was looking around her age. His skin was tanned. He wore furry clothing. His hair was black and he kept it pinned in a tail. His eyes were a turquoise color and they stared right at. His ears looked slightly pointed. "Say why ain't you runnin'?" he questioned.

Valdrianth blinked a few times at the boy. "Hey, who are you?"

"My name is Koga of the wolf demon tribe," he replied proudly. "And I asked you a question first. Don't make me repeat myself."

Val had to keep herself from laughing. This is what wolf demons looked like? She thought they'd be huge and hairy! He was no bigger than she was. His cocky attitude made him even funnier. She bent down and picked up another flower. "I was told never run from anything immortal. It'll only attract their attention and they'd end up chasing you for sure."

Koga's eyebrow twitched. How'd she know something like that? "Did your daddy or mommy tell you that?"

"No," she replied. "A lady in my dreams did." She stood up to her height. "Hmm, I think I have enough flowers for Kaasan now."

"Why are picking flowers?"

"Kaasan likes purple flowers," Valdrianth replied. "I'm giving them to her for a get well present."

"What is sick with?"

"She's has a huge stomach!" Val replied.

"You idiot!" Koga laughed. "She's not sick, she's having a pu...uhg...baby."

"I know that," she replied nodding. "But Kaasan always gets sick when she's about to have a baby, and usually the baby never lives. I hope this one does though. I really want to be a big sister."

"So, why are you alive if none of your mother's babies live?" he questioned.

"Because the gods gave me to Kaasan as a gift," she replied. "She found me by the old tree one day."

A gift from the gods? I highly don't believe that. Then again she has a really weird smell.

"What's your name?" Koga asked.

"My name?" She looked at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because, you're the first human that hasn't run away yet," he replied. "That's pretty cool. Besides, your smell is interesting."

"Well, my name is Valdrianth."

"Heh? Valdo-what-a?"

"Val-dri-anth," she pronounced. "It's okay, a lot of the villagers can't pronounce it either. So they just call me Val."

"Val," he sounded out. "Works for me. I'm hungry. I'm gonna go see if I can't go pick on a fox or something. Ja ne, Val."

"Ja ne, Koga-kun," she replied as she watched he and his wolves go back into the forest.

Val's heart skipped a beat. She just had an encounter with one of those "ferocious" wolf demons and lived. By the gods, no one in the village was going to believe it! She held onto her flowers as she ran with excitement back to the village. When she got there she noticed a large crowd around her home. Oh! Okaasan must've had her baby! Oh she prayed that it lived!

She pushed her way into hut. "Kaasan!" she called out with excitement. Her eyes saddened at a motionless mother on her floor. "Kaasan?"

"Val!" Shiro called. She went to her and knelt in front of her. "Val..."

"Otousan, why isn't Kaasan awake? Where's the baby?"

Shiro's head lowered. "Val, you have a brother now. His name is Tetsuo."

"Okaasan?"

"She's sleeping...." he replied with lies in his voice.

Val lowered her head. She knew better. Her mother was dead. She held onto the flowers in her hands and held them close to her heart. "I'm going to but these flowers when we put Kaasan to bed then," she replied.

"Val." Shiro looked at her with admiring and mournful eyes. "You're so brave."

* * * *

Valdrianth kept the salty tears from forming in her eyes. She knew that if she would cry she wouldn't stop. The cries would turn into wails and she would blow her cover. She looked as the man, Tetsuo gathered the water from the stream. Yes, that was quite a day, that it was.

It was the day she first met Koga-sama. It was the day her baby brother was born and it was the day that beloved mother passed away.

I had to grow up so much, she thought. I had to learn how to take care of you and everything else around the house that mother used to do. I was your sister and your mother. Until those last few days....

* * * *

Valdrianth was at the stream at the edge of the village. She was washing up herself after a long days work. It's been five years sense her mother passed away. Val was going to be 14 years of age soon. She already took care of the chores that an adult woman took care of seen her mother passed away. This included raising Tetsuo. Today though her father decided he's watch the boy for her and give her the day off. She was defiantly grateful for this. She needed a day off.

"Why do you humans always take baths?"

Valdrainth looked up from pinning up her hair. "Where you watching?" She glared at the wolf demon sitting across on a rock. He had two of his wolves at his side.

"Feh, yea right," Koga replied. "I got here after you were dressed. So, why do always bathe?"

"Because I don't want to end up smelling like a wet dog all the time," she replied. "Like someone I know." She glared at him again.

"Hey! Don't compare me to those mutts!" he spat. "I'm a wolf demon."

"Oh, don't worry, you've made that point clear to me several times before," she replied. "How can I not notice it."

"Well, at least you know." He folded his arms across his chest. "Hey, where's that little pup that's always at your heels. Every time I see you you're with him."

"Tetsuo's with Otousan today," Val replied picking, up her things. "So today I just my regular chores with out him."

"You humans have too many chores," Koga pointed out.

"I'm well aware of that."

"And who's that other guy that follows you around?"

"Hmm, who are you talking about?" She blinked a few times.

"That guy that looks like he's about 4 years older than you," he pointed out. "And always bothering you and leering at you when your working."

"Oh that's Sakuya," Val replied. "He works for Otousan. Why?"

"Because I don't like the way he leers at you," he replied. "He looked hungrier than my wolves when they're starving when ever he leers at you."

"Maybe it's because he and Otousan talked about wedding us once I turned 14," she replied.

"Heh?! You father wants you to marry him?!" he demanded. "But he's ugly!"

"Are you jealous?"

Koga's face became flushed. "No! I just don't think you should get married to an ugly person and have ugly kids!"

Valdrianth kept herself from laughing. She had to admit she'd rather not marry Sakuya. He was 18 years old. From what she's heard he's already been around with quite a few older girls in the village. Otousan liked him though. He was a good worked and he told Val that once Sakuya would finally settle down he'd be able to take good care of her.

Hmp, maybe it was because Otousan just wanted Val out of the house quickly. He had taken on a new wife, Ayumi. She was a year older than Sakuya. Val didn't like her. She was nothing compared to Okaasan. Even mother was prettier than she was. She tried to act all motherly and all towards Tetsuo too. Being the naive child that Tetsuo was he fell into it. It made Valdrianth jealous. That woman had not right to make Tetsuo to call her "Okaasan."

"Val!" Tetsuo's voice echoed. "Val!" He was looking for her and she knew he was running this way. She glanced over to see that Koga and his wolves already took refuge to where they couldn't be seen. She knew though that they weren't far.

Tetsuo finally came into view and ran up to her. "Tetsuo? What are doing all the way here?"

"Guess wat Tousan tol me?" he giddly questioned as he tugged at her clothing.

"And what did he tell you?"

"I am gonna be a big brudda!" he exclaimed with joy. "And you gonna be a even bigga sissa!"

Valdrianth tried hard to keep her smile, but she wanted to frown. She kept a smile for his sake. "Well isn't that nice." It's just what she needed.

"C'mon, Tousan said he wanied to talk to ya!" Tetsuo tugged at her hand. "Let's go!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," she replied, gathering her things. She gave a respective looked towards the forest where she knew her wolven friends were watching. Then she walked with her brother into the village.

"So, Ayumi-san is pregnant?" Valdrianth asked her father as he measured some wood.

He nodded. "That she is." He gave a sigh. "Val, I know these past few years have been rough on you. It'll be 14 years next week when your mother found you. You've become a woman. In many way you have. You staying here with Ayumi would have you being a lesser woman than she would be in this household. I don't want that for you." He turned his eyes and looked at her. By the gods she had become beautiful His daughter was more a woman than his wife was. "That's why I have made a final decision, and next week on your 14th birthday you and Sakuya will be married."

"Married uh?" She looked away.

"You'll be your own woman in your own household," he replied. "It would be best for you."

"If you say so."

"Val." He stopped what he was doing and went to her holding her shoulders. He looked into her eyes. "I want the best for you. You were your mother's joy. You were our gift from the gods. Val, you are so brave." He gave his daughter a hug.

Valdrianth felt the salty tears form in her eyes but held them back. She didn't like crying. Oh if only he knew what a coward she really was.

That night Valdrianth twisted and turned from nightmares in her sleep. She kept hearing some kind of ticking her dreams. It came from the round device she show. This device had numbers and hands on it. The moved and ticked. It was almost like it was counting time. The twelve for midnight was only minutes away from been touched by the hands. Behind this clock was the full moon, which she knew was out that night.

The device ticked and tocked repeativly until finally all the hands were directly on the twelve. Pain shot through the blood in her veins. Her eyes snapped open, she sat up quickly and gave off a piercing scream while holding her head.

"Umm?" Tetsuo woke up rubbing his eyes. "Val? Val!" He got to his feet and saw his sister and holding her head, screaming in pure agony. "Val are you okay?!"

Suddenly her screaming stopped. Her body seemed to tremble. He peeked looked over at him from underneath her bangs. Her eyes glowed a fearsome dark blue. Tetsuo felt a heartless chill pass through his veins. He swallowed hard and ran out the room to his father's and Ayumi's room.

"Otousan!" he wailed with tears in his eyes. "Something is wrong with Val! She sick!"Shiro got up instantly. His wife barely flinching and taking her time to get herself up.

Valdrianth was breathing hard trying to catch her breath. Her body felt twisted. She was on her hands and knees looking down. Her hands in front of her face. Her ...hands?

She sat up on her knees and stared at her hands in awe. These weren't her hands! The had huge coming form them. She then noticed the stripes on her arms. She looked at her arms up and down. She then saw her legs! Her legs! They were thick and brown! She stood up in disbelief quickly. "Eh?" She felt her entire body tremble. She looked down at her feet. They were huge and talon like. She felt something. She turned her head and noticed a huge thick brown tail extended from her backside. "By gods what has happened to me?!"

Raptor.

"Raptor?"

Suddenly she felt their presences. She turned and saw her father and brother standing in the door way. Looks of terror and disbelief on their faces. "Otousan....Tetsuo..."

Then Ayumi walked into view. She let out a piercing scream when she saw Valdrianth. "She's a youkai!!"

"Eh?" Val gasped. No..."It's...me...Val..." She backed up in put shock. Before she knew it she had tripped over her tail and went through the rice paper doors. She fell on cold dirt. Already she heard the voice of Ayumi screaming, "Youkai!" as she ran towards the temple to get the monks.

Those screams instantly drew the people out. They came with their primitive weapons such as pitch forks and torches. What a surprise they got when this youkai was Valdrianth.

"It's her!" a villager yelled. "It's Valdrianth!"

Val looked up from the ground at the crowd of people gathering her way. She slowly made it up to her feet. She turned around. Shiro was holding back Tetsuo who was reaching out to her and calling out her name. "Tetsuo...."

"I knew the little bitch was no gift from the gods!" a villager yelled.

"Eh?!" That caught her attention back to the villagers.

"She was just a curse from the demons! Sent to kill us all at the right time!"

"Kill her before she learns to use her demonic powers!"

Valdrianth took a few steps back then she made a break and began to run away to the village exit. There the monks waited for her. "Wait there demoness." Val stopped and took a few steps back. Then someone grabbed her braid. One of the village's samurai! He swung his sword for her head. She jerked forward and the blade only sliced off her braid.

She fell to her knees. "Stop it!" she cried. "Leave me alone!" Then there was a suddenly surge of energy flowing through her veins and exploded from her body. Sending the villagers flying and the ones standing too close burned to their bones.

Val opened her eyes again and stood up. She looked at what she did. She took a few steps back in awe. She just killed some of those people. "I...I'm...sorry....I....." Suddenly arrows were being shot at her from afar. "Eh?!" She managed to dodge them and she took off with a new speed toward the fields and into the forest. She tripped over the roots from the old tree. She fell onto dirt, the exact same dirt 14 years ago her dear Okaasan found her. There she stayed and wept.

"Val?" She didn't recognized the voice at first. She spun around on her fours and hissed at him. "Val...."

Her senses came to and she realized it was Koga. She quickly turned back around. She balled herself up and held herself. "No!" She wailed. The salty tears were pouring from her face. "Don't look at me!"

Koga stood in awe. His heart ached seeing his old friend in such agony. She was really a youkai. She was a dormant youkai and her blood awoken on this night. The villagers saw and banished her. The same people she grew up with and loved cast her out as if nothing they had known about her meant anything to them. She was just another demon to them now. A youkai... no wander her smell was so different. She had no where to go.

Koga knelt down behind her and gave her embrace. "C'mon, Val," he said. "You can come stay with me.

* * * *

Valdrianth stood up on her branch. She wiped her eyes from the forming tears. She watched as Tetsuo finished his water gather and headed back into the village.

"Koga-sama...I owe you so much."

She jumped down from the tree and began to head back to her cave. "Eh?"

Koga looked at her. His eyes soft for his friend. "You're very brave, Valdrianth."

"Hmp," she replied. She lowered her head with a weak smile. She looked back up at him. "No, I'm not."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Few! What a chapter! Nearly twice as long as the other two! I'd like to thank my first three reviewers! I hope ya'll and everyone else are enjoying this story. Sorry for the lack of Inu-boy and Kagome! This was sorta a history chapter for Val so ya'll could learn more about her! I promise they'll be in the next chapter though!