InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ There and Back Again ❯ Chapter ( Chapter 4 )

I know you Mediaminer readers don't review much, but come on! This is getting ridiculous! If my story isn't any good, maybe I should just quit posting in here? I'm giving you another chance, people. Tell me your opinions and suggestions, damn it! *bawls brokenheartedly*

 

Chapter 4

 

Days passed by and turned into weeks. It had now been four months since Kai had first woken in Miaka's tender care. He couldn't say that those four months had been uneventful, though. Probably the best thing he could think of was his growing understanding of the Japanese language and the circumstances surrounding it, namely a certain silver-haired inuyoukai.

 

After that first time Sesshoumaru had stumbled upon his isolated room in the guest wing, the young Heir of the Western Lands would visit almost every day. The two boys had been a little wary of each other in the beginning, but as time went by, they gave in to their natural desire for companionship. They had both been lonely for most of their lives after all, though for fairly different reasons.

 

Kai, because Dudley wouldn't let him have any friends, instead chasing them away or making them a part of his `Harry Hunting Team', Sesshoumaru, for the simple reason that as the only son and heir of the great Inutaisho he was a likely target for assassins and attempts at manipulation. He'd never been able to trust anyone, for the well-reasoned fear of getting stabbed in the back.

 

But in each other, the two lonely boys had found someone that they could spend time with and confide in without wondering whether the person in front of them was using them for their own purposes. They simply had nothing to gain that they already didn't have except for honest and pure friendship.

 

It had been difficult, what with the language barrier between them, but Sesshoumaru was a persistent teacher, and Kai a fast learner. They kept their meetings secret from Miaka and Shimoharu, since the young inuyoukai wasn't even supposed to know of the kitsune's existence. So the silver-haired demon had memorized his mother's visiting hours and used the moments Kai was alone to sneak into his room. They though they were doing a fairly good job and were pretty sure Miaka didn't suspect a thing. At the very least Sesshoumaru hadn't been confronted for his unauthorized visits yet.

 

They wanted Kai learning Japanese to be a sort of surprise. By the end of the second month of lessons, the foxling had a basic understanding for the language and could exchange simple, uncomplicated sentences with his `teacher'.

 

Kai was even beginning to catch snippets of the conversations Miaka would sometimes have with Shimoharu when they both happened to be visiting simultaneously. He hadn't been able to get much information, but he had found out that Shimoharu seemed to be the lord of whatever this place was, and that both he and his wife (who, strangely enough, was referred to as `mate') were definitely not your ordinary homo sapiens, as he'd heard them talking of `mortals' and `humans'.

 

He'd been perplexed and had later asked Sesshoumaru what that had meant. The older boy had looked at him strangely and had said that yes, of course they weren't human; they were youkai, just like him. It had taken Kai a while to figure out what `youkai' exactly meant. He had then remembered the crazy looking old man from the Higurashi shrine raving about something the tour guide had explained meant `demon'. But when he'd realized what youkai translated into…He'd honestly been surprised at his own reaction. He hadn't been frightened and petrified, doubting his own sanity, but had rather taken everything in quite calmly. Strange things like turning someone's hair blue just by wishing for it had happened to him before, so who was he to questions the existence of supposedly mythological creatures? He wasn't scared for his safety either. If the Inutaisho's had wanted to harm him, they'd have done so already. On the contrary, they had shown him nothing but hospitality and more care for his wellbeing than his `family' had ever offered.

 

What gnawed on his mind though was the question of how it was exactly that he was a youkai? Sesshoumaru had proudly told him that he and his family were dog-demons. Kai on the other hand was told was a kitsune youkai. At his questioning look, Sesshoumaru had drawn a fox on a convenient piece of paper, pointing at him, then at the surprisingly accurate picture.

 

As far as Kai knew, his parents had been human. And for a person to simply transform into a demon was impossible, that much his silver haired companion knew. But the newly-turned youkai took it all in stride. Maybe if he'd been a few years older, thus more prone to doubt the existence of the supernatural in general, he'd have shown more disbelief and amazement. But he'd simply told himself he'd either traveled to a different dimension or gone back to a time, when dragons and magicians (or youkai, whatever), ruled the world, and left it at that. He had no idea how right he was in his latter assumption. He was simply happy to know he'd probably never see the Dursleys again.

 

The shaky trust between the kitsune and inu grew with every day they spent together, with every new word Kai added to his growing vocabulary. Their conversations had turned longer and more informative. Though Sesshoumaru seemed more than happy to talk about his family and himself, Kai tried to avoid revealing too much about his own past. He didn't want or need pity. He wanted to start afresh, after all. So, he'd told his new (and first and only) friend that his parents had died and he'd been by himself since, which was pretty much the truth. The Dursleys hadn't exactly been the epitome of loving and nurturing, and he had mostly taken care of his own needs. Sesshoumaru didn't need to know how truly and utterly alone he'd been.

 

By the end of the fourth month, neither boy could honestly imagine life without the other; though it was doubtful they'd admit it out loud. Kai had finally found a person he felt he could tell anything to and not be judged for it, and Sesshoumaru had discovered a rather overprotective streak in his person. He'd taken the younger boy under his wing, of sorts, and had caught himself thinking of him as `his kitsune' on multiple occasions (what could he say, inus were possessive like that).

 

Suffice to say, thanks to Sesshoumaru's visits and rather eccentric personality, Kai was rarely bored anymore. And even though the lush green fields he could see through his open window, now sprinkled with autumn's red, gold and brown, still called to him, the previous feelings of entrapment had all but disappeared. He sometimes wondered why he wasn't allowed outside and how much longer he'd be able to enjoy Miaka's hospitality, but tried to push such thoughts to the back of his mind. He didn't want to jinx his, for a change, good luck after all.

 

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Miaka had left his room about half an hour ago (or at least he thought it had been half an hour ago, it was really hard to tell without a watch), and Kai was pacing back and forth, the only sound in the quiet of the area the soft rustle his shimmering black with silver trims sleeping yukata made. Sesshoumaru had recently explained the names for the different articles of clothing, and he now knew that he was wearing a sort of pajamas. He thought it was appropriate, considering he never really left his rooms. He had a bathroom in the form of a hot spring, and Miaka brought him food.

 

He grumbled irritably. Where was Sesshoumaru? It was time for his usual visit, and he was late! He was getting stir-crazy again…

 

Just when he was beginning to contemplate throwing all caution to the wind and going out in search of his friend himself, he heard a light scraping sound on the other side of the shoji door, and in a moment it slid open and in came a flustered looking, disheveled Sesshoumaru. His normally sleek silvery-white hair was sticking at odd angles, and his ordinarily pristine and immaculate haori and hakama looked like they'd been thrown over while their owner had been wearing a blindfold.

 

Kai just stared at him for a few moments, then promptly toppled over, holding his sides as he laughed his pointy ears off.

 

Sesshoumaru frowned at him and straightened up, trying to regain his dignity with a fierce glare (he'd started perfecting it years ago), while tugging his wrinkled haori down in an attempt to smooth it out. His rapidly pinking cheeks ruined the effect though.

 

“Seize this foolishness!” He finally snapped.

 

Kai tried his best to curb his laughter, though his unnaturally green eyes still sparkled in amusement and his lips were slightly upturned in mirth, and regarded his friend curiously.

 

“What on earth happened to you, Maru?” He asked, using his special nickname for the inuyoukai. “You look like you've been chasing a cat!”

 

Sesshoumaru's scowl darkened and he glared even more fiercely at his kitsune.

 

“I have told you not to address me with that…name!” He snarled, then, as an afterthought, added “And I do not chase cats. It is unbecoming.”

 

“Hah! I bet you like it though!”

 

The Heir of the Western Lands didn't dignify that with an answer. Instead, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and stuck his nose in the air snootily, huffing lightly.

 

That only served to send Kai into another fit of chortles.

 

Sesshoumaru regarded him fondly out of the corner of his eye. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he loved the sound of his friend's laughter, it was light and uplifting. Huh, a friend. He'd never thought he'd have one…Did wonders ever seize?

 

The older boy was brought out of his short musings when he noticed Kai had stopped laughing and was now peering at him with those brilliantly intense eyes of his.

 

“The joke on the side” The kitsune began “What is it that has you so excited that you didn't even take the time to groom yourself properly? It has to be something big…”

 

Letting the jibe to his person slide (this time), Sesshoumaru dove forward, eyes alight with his previous delight, and plopped down on the cushion next to his startled companion.

 

“I'm finally going to be trained!” He blurted out, positively bouncing in his seat.

 

Kai was quite disturbed with his friend's uncharacteristic exuberance.

 

“Okay” He began slowly “What exactly does that mean? Trained in what?”

 

“In everything!” The inuyoukai exclaimed “Sword fighting, hand to hand combat, politics, strategy…Everything I'll need to know in order to one day take my place as future Lord of the Western Lands! Father finally thinks I'm old enough to begin preparations!”

 

The older boy was positively beaming with pride at the last part.

 

Kai just smiled half-heartedly, unsure how to react to that. Sure, he was happy for his friend, but now that he'd have so much to learn, they wouldn't get to spend that much time together. He knew he was being a bit selfish, but Maru was his first and only friend. He didn't want to lose him, damnit!

 

The other demon must have noticed his rather obvious lack of reaction, because the aristocratic face scrunched up in worry, and a hand reached for the black covered shoulder.

 

“Kai, is something wrong?” He asked, concerned “Are you not happy for me?”

 

Kai seemed to snap out of a daze.

 

“O-oh no! Everything is fine! I'm very happy for you, Maru, congratulations! It's just…” He bit his bottom lip uncertainly, but at the other's encouraging look, plowed on in a rush “It's just that we won't be able to see each other very often anymore, what with you being busy with training and stuff…”

 

He trailed off, bowing his head down to stare at his clawed hands clenched tightly in his lap. He missed Sesshoumaru's suddenly pale face.

 

“I must admit that I did not think that far…” Murmured the inu shakily.

 

After a few moments of tense silence, Sesshoumaru straightened slightly and, reaching out a hand, tilted his kitsune's chin upward.

 

“It does not matter.” He stated firmly “We shall simply use this opportunity to reveal our acquaintanceship to my parents. You should not have to be holed up in here anyway.”

 

Kai took a sharp intake of air, his eyes widening.

 

“No, Maru, don't!” He cried, taking a tight hold of the hand under his chin. “I don't want you getting in trouble because of me! You're not supposed to know of my existence at all, remember?”

 

“Do not worry about me” Sesshoumaru soothed, ignoring the use of the hated nickname “It's perfect, if you take a moment to think about it. We will be able to spend more time together without having to constantly worry over being caught. Besides,” He continued voice gentle and eyes soft “I have seen how you look at the gardens and forest. You long to be out there, do you not?”

 

Kai bit his bottom lip again, a dainty fang poking out, but nodded anyway. He knew it was no use lying or hiding things from his Maru. The other seemed to understand him too well for the little time they'd known each other.

 

On an impulse, the black-haired kitsune dove forward and wrapped his arms around the taller form of his friend. At first, Sesshoumaru froze, back rigid and eyes wide with surprise, but after a moment, he returned the unexpected hug and squeezed tightly.

 

Kai couldn't believe what he'd done. He'd never have even considered doing that just a few months ago! He'd never been a touchy-feely type of person, being too used to associating touch with pain because of the Dursleys. Now, he was initiating said contact! What was wrong with him? Better yet, what was this place doing to him?

 

Mortified, the kitsune burrowed his face in his Maru's shoulder, his cheeks feeling suspiciously warm.

 

The older inu, meanwhile, was trying to fight off his own embarrassment. Trying to lighten the mood, he rubbed his cheek against the cool silk of Kai's yukata.

 

“You have got to add some color to your wardrobe, Kai. Your hair and tail are dark enough.” He murmured his throat suspiciously tight.

 

The fox in his arms chuckled, though it came out muffled, since his face was still buried in Sesshoumaru's shoulder.

 

“I happen to like dark colors, for your information. They suit my mood and character, if you must know. Maybe you should try something different yourself; you're pale enough as it is!” He teased back.

 

But it was true. Out of all the clothes Miaka had brought him, Kai had liked the ones in black and other, darker tones the best. They did suit him in his opinion. He wasn't the nicest of people, he could be quite cynical and bitter at times. White and other such light colors weren't for him, in his opinion. And it appeared that Miaka had caught on to his taste, because lately he'd received mostly darkly colored clothing, with a silver or emerald green trim as the most colorful aspect.

 

Kai realized suddenly they were still holding each other, but he couldn't bring himself to care much. It was nice in his Maru's arms, he felt protected and cared for. And besides, Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind either.

 

Their moment of contentment, however, was ruined when someone unexpectedly cleared their throat, effectively snapping the boys back to reality. Both young demons sprang away from each other, as if suddenly burned, identical pink spots staining their cheeks. They turned in the direction of the sound, their eyes comically wide with something akin to a dear-in-the-headlights look.

 

Miaka and Shomoharu, standing side by side, simply regarded the two with amused expressions on their features. There was a moment or two of deathly silence, before the Lord of the Western Lands spoke up, breaking the still atmosphere.

 

“Well, boys, do you have anything to say for yourselves?” He rumbled his voice laced with mirth.

 

The two boys in question jumped a little in surprise, sharing a brief glance.

 

“'Boys'?” Sesshoumaru found his voice first, though it came out a little squeakier than he'd have liked “Are you referring to the both of us, father?”

 

Miaka raised an incredulous eyebrow and peered at her son with her golden eyes as if he'd sprouted a third ear.

 

“Of course, my love, or did you think me and your lord father were unaware of your frequent visits?”

 

Her voice sounded light, though there was a slight undertone of a reprimand behind the softly spoken words. Sesshoumaru's flush darkened. He'd honestly thought they'd done a good job at keeping their meetings secret.

 

“Wait a minute” Kai spoke up, a slightly disturbed look on his face, effectively drawing the rather unsurprised attention of the older demons “Does that mean you've known that Maru's been coming over to visit me and teach me Japanese all along?”

 

Shimoharu snorted with suppressed laughter at hearing his son addressed in such an…endearing manner. Miaka gave the kitsune a brilliant smile, dazzling him for a moment, as she answered.

 

“We knew he came here often, and we had guessed he was teaching you, though we had no idea you were this good already!” She exclaimed as she rushed over to his side and scooped him in her arms.

 

Sesshoumaru observed wide-eyed his sputtering, blushing friend for a moment as the kitsune tried to breathe in his mother's tight embrace, and turned back to his father, trying to ignore Miaka's cooing in the background.

 

“But how did you know?” He demanded, determined to find out where they had gone wrong “I had memorized mother's visiting hours and we were always careful not to leave any visible traces of my visits.”

 

Shimoharu too tore his eyes away from the adorable picture his mate and the kage kit made, and gave his son a fond smile.

 

“You said it yourself, Sesshoumaru. You were careful not to leave any evident traces.” He teased, but at his son and heir's puzzled expression, elaborated with an amused grin “Your scent, pup. You had neglected to cover your scent. Not to mention your youki is by this time at a stage when almost every demon could sense it if they tried.”

 

Sesshoumaru ducked his head rather uncharacteristically, with a sheepish look on his face. The taiyoukai just strode over and ruffled his pup's hair with a clawed hand, chuckling gruffly. The younger dog demon scowled at his father and tried to regain some semblance of order in the silver strands.

 

“But why didn't you catch us until now?” Kai questioned, confused “I mean, if you knew all along, why now?”

 

Miaka and Shimoharu exchanged looks that said they were enjoying the game and were probably going to leave them guessing just for the heck of it. But then Kai's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he regarded the tall form of the taiyoukai accusingly.

 

“Does this have anything to do with Maru starting his official training?” He asked suspiciously.

 

Ignoring the glare Sesshoumaru shot at him for the use of the damnable nickname Kai bore his eyes into the smirking Shimoharu.

 

“It does, doesn't it?” The kitsune whispered and bit his bottom lip, as he turned a questioning look at Miaka.

 

The dog demoness smiled at him gently, and murmured softly.

 

“A typical foxling; so perceptive and cunning.”

 

“Mother, what are you saying?” Sesshoumaru frowned displeased that he'd been left in the dark “What does my training have to do with all this?”

 

The taiyoukai sat down next to his mate, arranging his mokomokosama gracefully, and spoke up, his face and tone suddenly serious.

 

“All shall be explained. We have postponed this conversation long enough as it is.” He began, his solemn expression instantly attracting the attention of all those present in the room “We have much to discuss, and a lot of it has to do with our young guest here.”

 

He turned and looked directly at Kai, who gulped, sudden dread filling his being. Was this it? Was he going to be told to pack up and hit the road? They'd put up with him for long enough, after all, four whole months. He wouldn't have been surprised if that was it. Where was he going to go? What was he going to do? He doubted he'd recognize the world outside his cozy room. Panicked luminous green eyes stared at the demon lord, wide with trepidition.

 

A warm hand rubbing soothing circles on his back brought him beck to reality. He glanced beside him and saw Miaka giving him an encouraging nod, her golden orbs silently telling him not to worry. He relaxed slightly and only then noticed that Sesshoumaru had gone stiff with suppressed emotion beside him.

 

“You can not send him away.” The older boy gritted out through clenched teeth. He wouldn't let them take his kitsune away! He wouldn't! “He stays.”

 

Shimoharu's eyes flashed red for an instant, and he growled out, no trace of amusement left.

 

“Do not forget your place, pup!” The taiyoukai snarled, reminding all present just why he was considered one of the most powerful demons in existence “You have no right to demand anything of this Shimoharu!”

 

Sesshoumaru instantly backed down, his shoulders slumping and his stance relaxing, his whole posture screaming submission. When he spoke, his voice was calm, though a slight undertone of tension was present.

 

“I am sorry father, I forgot my place. It will not happen again.”

 

Shimoharu nodded briskly as Miaka placed a calming hand on his elbow. Kai watched the whole exchange with no little amount of nervousness. Once again he was reminded that these weren't normal people he was dealing with here.

 

“Do not fret, my son.” Came Miaka's melodious voice “Kai will not be sent away in the near future. Not unless he himself wishes it.”

 

Both Sesshoumaru and Kai snapped their heads in the demoness' direction, identical expressions of hope and wonder on their faces.

 

“You mean…”Kai trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. The words felt like they were lodged in his choked up throat.

 

“Yes, young kit.” Shimoharu took over again “As I was going to say before I was interrupted” He threw a half-hearted glare at his son “I was going to offer you a permanent place in our House. You would be considered an unofficial member of the Inutaisho pack, receiving with that our clan's protection and rights, if you so choose to accept. It is your decision to make and yours alone, since I am quite certain that you have no living family.”

 

Kai had listened with rapt attention, hanging onto every word, wondering if this was all a dream and he'd wake up alone and in his cupboard again, when he finally processed Shimoharu's last few words. With a start, he spoke up.

 

“Wait, how do you know my family is dead?” He didn't consider the Dursleys real family after all “I've never even really spoken with you or Miaka.”

 

The older inuyoukai smiled grimly at that.

 

“You didn't have to. I'd guessed so the night I found you at the bottom of that old well. No parent would let their cub come to such a condition while they had breath in their lungs, it's despicable to allow a small one to come to harm. And even if they had been alive, they would have lost all rights to you the moment they had left you there by yourself.”

 

Kai nodded tightly and stared at his lap for a while. He was overwhelmed, really he was. These people were offering him a home. Him, the freak, even more so now than ever. But he wasn't really a freak here, was he? Here, with these youkai, these demons, he was among his own kind (sort of, he was a fox demon after all, but that was just details). He could have a real life here, one without fear of his Uncle Vernon's purple, angry complexion, without Aunt Petunia's sneering face, without Dudley's `Harry Hunting Team'…Why was he even thinking about this?! Where else could he go? Where else would he want to go?! He didn't even care if he was in another dimension anymore. What did he have to miss back `home'? Nothing, that's what.

 

He lifted his gaze, and was immediately swallowed in hopeful, almost pleading glowing pools of liquid gold. Sesshoumaru…

 

His decision couldn't have been easier.

 

“I'd like that.” He mumbled quietly, so quietly that those around him heard him only thanks to their demonically enhanced hearing “I'd like to stay here.”

 

Miaka smiled gently, Shimoharu grinned, looking absolutely smug, and Sesshoumaru looked as if a great burden had been lifted off his shoulders.

 

“But I'd like to know something.” The kitsune continued a little more loudly.

 

At Shimoharu's encouraging nod, he plowed on.

 

“Why wasn't I allowed to leave the room? How come it was only Miaka and you that came to visit me and bring me food? From what I gather, you're a lord or something, and this is a castle…Shouldn't you have servants for that kind of stuff?”

 

The Lord of the Western Lands grinned broadly and barked a short laugh, obviously amused at the foxling's sharp mind

 

“Very perceptive of you, young kit.” He started “Why you weren't allowed to leave your room, you ask? Well, the reason is quite simple, really. Kage kitsune are rare enough, we wouldn't want one to get lost in an unfamiliar place, now would we? Especially since he didn't know our language. That's why we let Sesshoumaru here take care of that little problem for us.”

 

He stopped when he heard a sort of choked sound coming from his right and noticed his son's wide eyes. Sesshoumaru was staring alternately at his father and his friend. Greatly amused, the Great Dog General smirked at his son.

 

“Sesshoumaru, don't tell me you didn't know your friend's status all this time!” He teased “Has your nose gone rusty?”

 

The younger inuyoukai seemed unable to snap out of his shock.

 

“Wait” Kai frowned, confused again “Kage kitsube? What dies that mean? And what do you mean `rare'?”

 

Miaka took over, her gentle voice soothing his by now frazzled nerves.

 

“Shadow foxes, my darling, are thought to be a myth among youkai. They are incredibly rare, they say; secluded creatures that are even more elusive than their cousins the regular kitsune. Every kind of youkai specializes in a certain element. Regular fox demons are quite proficient with fire and earth. They are infamous for their sometimes mischievous nature and red and golden coloring The Kage Clan, on the other hand, are one of the very few youkai capable of manipulating the more elusive of elements, namely water and wind. They are rumored to be just as mischievous as their cousins, though much more subtle. Although very rarely seen, they are distinctive because of their dark, usually black, and silver coloring. Sensuous and graceful, they are said to be creatures of incredible beauty.” She smiled at the fascinated kit in her arms “And now we can say that that is true. You really are all that, my little darkling, and so much more.”

 

Kai ducked his head, cheeks pink with embarrassment.

 

Shimoharu still looked slightly amused at his son's rather uncharacteristic show of emotion from earlier, but spoke up when his mate finished.

 

“And that also answers your second question, why we were reluctant to have anyone but us know of your existence. Kage kitsune are said to be powerful creatures, much more so than regular fox demons. A young orphaned kit like you would prove too much of a temptation for a lot of youkai I know.” He frowned darkly “They wouldn't hesitate to kidnap you, simply to use you, possibly turn you into some type of weapon.”

 

Kai paled considerably at this and Miaka nodded sadly in agreement. She was truly sorry they had kept him isolated for so long, but they had done it for his protection. The kitsune hadn't even known the language; he'd have been completely lost and vulnerable.

 

“I still do not see what that has to do with my training.” Sesshoumaru suddenly spoke up, drawing the attention to himself “You said you waited to speak with us until it was time to begin my training. Why?”

 

“Because” Shimoharu answered with a devilish smirk “You won't be training alone, my son.”

 

Kai turned wide eyes on the demon lord.

 

“You didn't think a member of the House of Inutaisho was going to be left defenseless, did you?” The taiyoukai exclaimed with a hand over his heart, feigning surprise; then his face morphed into a slightly maniacally gleeful expression “You will be taught alongside my son, Kai, by the best of the best. We will make a warrior out of you yet, just you wait.”

 

And Kai gulped, honestly not sure whether to feel honored, or run screaming for the hills.