Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ Hope ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: No to Inuyasha and No to Ranma - don't own either!

 

 

 

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Six - Hope

 

 

Inuyasha blinked at the pointed question the sex-changing martial artist posed. The half demon thought that it was a strange question to be asking considering Ranma's state of abnormalcy. Inuyasha thought that being half demon was bad enough but being half female? He shuddered at the thought.

 

Akane nudged Ranma, “That wasn't very nice.”

 

The red-head flipped her pigtail over her shoulder. “It's a fair question! You can't tell me that dog-eared boys are common.” Ranma eyed Inuyasha appraisingly. “So…gonna answer us?”

 

Inuyasha snorted, “What do you mean what am I? I thought it was obvious!”

 

Kagome chose that moment to return, medical supplies under one arm. She faltered when she spotted the unfamiliar girl that stood with one hand on her hip in a provocative, chest-jutting stance.

 

“Umm…Inuyasha? What's going on?” She looked around. “Where's Ranma?”

 

Miroku cleared his throat and gestured with a shaky hand towards the red-head. “What are you talking about Kagome? Ranma is right here.”

 

Kagome blinked and then laughed. “Oh that's a good one Miroku!” She shook her head, noticing for the first time the facial resemblance between Ranma and the stranger, not to mention that they wore nearly identical outfits. “Seriously now, where's Ranma?”

 

Akane cleared her throat. “I don't think we've been properly introduced before. I'm Akane Tendou; Ranma is staying with my family.”

 

Kagome took the proffered hand, thinking it a strange time to be making introductions. “Kagome Higurashi, I know Ranma is staying with you. I met him at your dojo.”

 

Akane nodded, ignoring the heated glares Ranma and Inuyasha were throwing at each other, she touched Ranma's delicate arm. “This is Ranma.” Without preamble she withdrew another flask and emptied the contents on Ranma's head.

 

Kagome blinked as the figure before her seemed to shimmer for just a moment and the person grew taller, shoulders widening and hair turning black. “Kami-sama…”

 

Miroku shook his head, still unable to believe what his eyes were telling him. Fortunately, the tingling in his palm disappeared as soon as male Ranma made an appearance.

 

Akane sighed and explained once more in a tired tone about the cursed springs and their effect.

 

Miroku shook his head again, trying to make sense of what the girl was telling them. “So… Ranma and his father fell into these springs which turn them into a girl and a panda respectively. How…? I don't believe that one goes wandering into cursed springs on the mainland just on a whim.”

 

Ranma shifted uncomfortably. “That's a long story and you still haven't explained about dog-boy here.”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged a glance. Inuyasha shrugged and Kagome sighed. As if coming to a mutual agreement they shifted so they faced Akane and Ranma as a united front. Kagome began to explain about the well and how it brought her five hundred years into the past and feudal Japan where youkai roamed the land freely and with little restraint.

 

Kagome gestured towards Inuyasha and his ears. “Inuyasha is half demon, his father fell in love with a human woman and we have him.” She finished, smiling to herself as Inuyasha snorted and tucked his hands into the sleeves of his haori.

 

Ranma and Akane were silent for the duration of the explanation, but they looked at each other. Ranma had seen many odd and magical things in his lifetime. Somehow the explanation that youkai used to rule over Japan was not a surprise.

 

Miroku stepped forward, “I'm sorry if I seem slow or dim witted, but just to clarify. This is a curse that occurred by immersing ones body into a waters cursed perhaps of the number of unfortunate deaths in the one area, an evil which permeated the very waters that took the lives of so many?”

 

Akane blinked, “I'm sorry houshi-sama, but I'm afraid that I am not too clear as why the springs carry such a powerful and terrible curse.”

 

Miroku stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It is strange. I think I have heard a legend, nay a rumour about shape-changing humans affected by water…”

 

Inuyasha growled low in his throat and suddenly slapped his own cheek. They heard a groan and a tiny voice asking for forgiveness.

 

“Inuyasha-sama, please forgive this old flea…”

 

Inuyasha glared down at his palm, “Finally decided to show yourself eh?”

 

Akane stepped tentatively forward and peered into Inuyasha's palm to find a flea bowing, asking for forgiveness. “Oh man…this is getting weirder every second.”

 

Myoga leapt up and introduced himself as Inuyasha's vassal. He bowed low to Akane who was flattered by the flea's attentiveness. “I'm sorry but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about the cursed springs, but I too have heard of such cursed individuals and of one in particular.”

 

“Ah yes!” Miroku smiled in triumph. “I remember too, a woman wasn't it? Who was cursed to transform into a mouse and broke the spell upon her through her own spiritual powers.”

 

Myoga nodded, “Indeed, an old tale of a powerful witch who now lives deep in the mountains past the Western Lands. I hear that she lives still.”

 

Ranma had begun to get steadily more and more excited as the flea and monk spoke and finally he could contain himself no longer and he practically jumped at Inuyasha's hand where Myoga stood. “She broke the curse? She found a way without going to Jusenkyo?”

 

Miroku nodded, “It is a tale, but as many things in our time and age, such things often have more then a kernel of truth.”

 

“We're going!” Ranma declared, fire dancing his dark eyes. “Right now! No time to lose!”

 

Akane glared at him, “We can't go right now baka! We should've been home ages ago and we have to let them know where we went. They will worry.”

 

Ranma's shoulders slumped.

 

Kagome felt sorry for him. Being a girl full time was hard enough as it was. What would it be like to be juggling a completely different gender on top of day to day life? “We'll be happy to help you find this curse-breaker. Right Inuyasha?”

 

“Feh, why should I care about some stupid human who didn't have enough sense to stay away from cursed springs?” Inuyasha turned up his nose.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

Inuyasha's ear tweaked. He knew that tone and braced himself for the fall. It didn't come, slowly he turned towards Kagome who was still glaring at him reproachfully.

 

“We can do this for them, Ranma after all is going to be my sensei.”

 

Akane looked up in surprise. She turned wondering eyes towards Ranma who shook his head, his shoulders slumping again, muttering about stubborn women.

 

Taking Inuyasha's silence as his assent, she thrust the medical supplies towards him, “Here, take this to Souta, he needs them. I'm going with Ranma and Akane and bring them back to the well as soon as they're ready to go.”

 

“Now hold on! I don't think that's a good idea Kagome!” Inuyasha glared at Ranma, somehow feeling that leaving his shard detector in the hands of this bumbling fool was not a good idea. “Your brother is in a strange world with strange people, he'll want you with him.”

 

Kagome was about to voice her protests when Miroku spoke, “I agree with Inuyasha, Kagome-sama. Your brother needs you right now. Perhaps Inuyasha can accompany our new found friends?”

 

“Why do we need anyone to go with us?” Ranma glared at Inuyasha. He didn't want the arrogant hanyou trailing after them everywhere.

 

The flea spoke up, “Because with the well open, hoards of minor demons and some not so minor ones will be flooding through that well and towards the intoxicating scent of unprotected humans.”

 

Miroku and Inuyasha glanced sharply at Myoga and a small terrified gasp came from Kagome.

 

“That can't be Myoga, there has to be some mistake. Youkai can't just come streaming into the twenty-first century from our well! My family…” Kagome trembled at the thought of hoards of demons coming upon her unprotected mother and grandfather.

 

Myoga sighed deeply. “I'm afraid so Kagome-sama. Until we find out precisely what happened, there is no certainty.”

 

Miroku straightened, “Don't fear Kagome-sama. I will stay and protect the well.” He held up his hand and smiled, “I can suck up any youkai that attempt to harm your family.”

 

Ranma snorted, “Even if a million demons come pouring out of the well, Akane and I will be safe. I can take care of them. We don't need you.” He glanced at Inuyasha who folded his arms and raised one eyebrow.

 

“Oh really? You've seen two youkai so far and one had you pinned underneath her and the other could've torn you apart with her attacks.” Inuyasha patiently waited for the stubborn human to acknowledge his weakness and beg for his help.

 

“Hey! I would've been able to beat that crazy snake lady if you hadn't come along!” Ranma protested heatedly.

 

Akane stepped forward, ignoring Ranma, “We would really appreciate your help Inuyasha-sama, that is if you are willing.”

 

Kagome smiled. The soft tone, the placating look and the stroke to the ego were all perfectly executed. Inuyasha was always a sucker for praise.

 

Inuyasha eyed the girl cautiously. It would've been nicer if the boy had acknowledged his supremacy, but she asked nicely enough. He snuck a glance at Kagome and saw her approving smile. Feh. If it would make his miko happy, it was a small task to look over the stupid humans for her.

 

Inuyasha nodded his assent and Akane beamed while Ranma fumed.

 

Kagome sighed in satisfaction. “Great it's all settled then. Inuyasha you go with Akane and Ranma…can you find your way back here?”

 

Inuyasha arrogantly shook his head backwards, sending his bangs out of his eyes, “Feh, I can smell my way back from anywhere.”

 

Akane smiled reassuringly, “We'll find our way back, don't worry Kagome.”

 

Kagome nodded, Akane looked sensible enough to consult a map if they did get lost. “Great. I'll get this medicine to Souta and Miroku will stay here.” At Miroku's nod, Kagome beamed. “Come with me Miroku, I'll introduce you to mother and grandfather.”

 

As Kagome dragged the monk off, Myoga leapt onto his master's shoulder. “Shall I keep an eye out for her Inuyasha-sama?”

 

Inuyasha nodded, whispering so the humans couldn't hear him, “Don't let her know I sent you.”

 

Myoga bowed low, a twinkle in his eyes, “Of course, discretion is the key.”

 

Myoga leapt off to perch himself discreetly on Kagome's person and Inuyasha turned to face his newest travel companions. He needn't have worried about being over heard as Ranma and Akane were currently fiercely arguing.

 

“I don't need help!”

 

Akane stood with her hands on her hips. “Ranma, that woman was something else. She was a demon! You can't stand up to that!”

 

“Who are you to tell me who I can or can't stand up to! Man, Akane, have you got no faith in me?” Ranma could feel his face grow hotter. Didn't she trust him to protect her? Didn't she know by now that he would do anything to keep her safe?

 

Akane felt flushed. “Ranma you're being too impulsive! It doesn't hurt to have the extra help!” She was frustrated at Ranma's arrogance and was frightened that one day his challenge-seeking behaviour would lead him into more trouble then he could handle. What would she do then?

 

Inuyasha inched closer, the sooner these two stopped bickering, the faster they can get on the road. He didn't like the idea of leaving Kagome by herself with only the cowardly Myoga looking out for her. He knew that she would soon be with Sango who was more then capable of taking down an enemy, but what if she got hurt? He would never be able to forgive himself for leaving her. He would never forgive her for urging him to be away from her.

 

“Look, if it bothers you that much, I promise not to fight your fights for you.” Inuyasha eyed Ranma again. He remembered the near demonic strength the human had shown and the eerily strong aura that poured off Ranma in waves. He was certain Ranma wouldn't need his help, this world was tame in comparison to his. There was nothing here that would prove too much a challenge for the marital artist.

 

Ranma looked surprised at the offer, but nodded his assent.

 

Inuyasha suddenly felt something on his head, something tight and constricting. He groaned, his hands going to the brim of the cap that Kagome had jammed on his head. “Oh man, Kagome! Do I have to wear this?”

 

She nodded firmly, “Yes Inuyasha, you just can't go wandering around Tokyo with your ears twitching.” She turned to Akane, “He has a habit of acting like a…well…he likes to sniff around, on the ground and at stuff…”

 

Akane laughed, the image of the overconfident hanyou crawling along the ground in search of a scent. It was quite cute really. “It's fine, I've hung around much weirder people.”

 

Inuyasha bit his lip as he looked down into Kagome's laughing brown eyes. He knew that he would not be away from her for long and that she was in more then capable hands with Sango, but the churning ball of fire in his gut simply would not go away. He wanted to say something, but he could feel the press of several eyes upon him: Miroku's condescendingly knowing glance, Myoga's shrewd gaze and Ranma's bemused smirk. With a grunt, he turned his face away from Kagome.

 

“You better hurry wench.”

 

Kagome sighed, looking down at the supplies she carried, “Be careful Inuyasha.”

 

She turned and ran towards the well, calling out her thanks to the monk who waved her off.

 

Inuyasha watched her disappear into the shed, before whispering in a tone so low that no human could hear him, “You too Kagome.”

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx

 

 

 

Kagome climbed out of the well, she took one precautionary glance around her before setting off at a run towards the village.

 

Myoga made his presence known on her person by his insistent drinking from her neck. With an annoyed huff, Kagome instinctively slapped at her neck. She looked down at her palm when she heard the moan of pain.

 

“Myoga! I'm sorry, I thought you stayed with Inuyasha.”

 

Myoga groaned again, waiting for his body to recover from the blow. He was thankful that Kagome's palm was much softer then Inuyasha's, “Forgive me Kagome, but I was curious about the well and how it came to be open. You are the one who uses it most frequently. Was there anything different about it?”

 

Kagome thought about her brief journey into the past. “It does feel different, like something's missing.”

 

Myoga nodded, “It is as I feared. Tell me Kagome, I thought I heard the human boy - Ranma? I thought he mentioned a snake-like creature.”

 

Kagome nodded, “I don't know much about it, when I came home, Ranma was there fighting a snake youkai. I don't know how she got there.”

 

“Hmm…I wonder if it has anything to do with the well.” Myoga mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

 

“I know less then you Myoga.” She stopped to catch her breath, doubling over as her breath came in harsh gasps. Kagome took a moment to compose herself before slipping into the hut.

 

Sango looked up at her entrance, her eyes instinctively looking behind Kagome. “You're back…where's Miroku…and Inuyasha?”

 

Kagome smiled and wondered how long Sango was going to keep lying to herself. Quickly she explained the situation to the demon slayer as she knelt by her brother, tilting his head up to assist him taking the medicine she had brought with her.

 

Kaede listened intently to Kagome's explanation, worry creasing her face even more. She wondered if anyone was aware of the implications of the open well.

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x

 

 

Ranma laughed out loud at Inuyasha's obvious discomfort. The hanyou had kept his hands tucked into the billowy sleeves of his haori, his eyes darting every which way at everything around them. The half demon glared at him, but Ranma ignored the cold look. Living with Akane had taught him to be less sensitive about death glares.

 

Trying to ignore Ranma's obvious enjoyment at his expense, Inuyasha turned his attention to the quiet young girl who walked beside him.

 

“I gotta ask…”

 

Akane looked up startled, her questioning gaze silently urging Inuyasha to continue with his question.

 

“What the heck are you doing with that baka?” Inuyasha jerked his head at Ranma who was walking just ahead of them.

 

Ranma felt his back stiffen at the question. Why that arrogant jerk! What the heck was he doing sticking his nose into other people's business? Ranma pretended not to hear the question, he acted as if his whole body wasn't tensing, waiting for Akane's quiet response. Inuyasha noticed.

 

“Ranma and his father live with me and my family.” She quietly answered, her eyes trained to the ground, hands clasped demurely in front of her. She gave the answer as if she had said it many times before.

 

“Yeah…somehow I think it's more then that though.” Inuyasha kept his gaze trained on the back of the young man in front of them.

 

Akane snuck a glance at the half demon. He reminded her so much of Ranma, but at the same time there seemed to be well of sadness that emanated from deep within. It was if Inuyasha could be as brash and cocky as Ranma, but his eyes told her that he had seen much, suffered much and was very capable of sitting quietly to think to himself.

 

Akane took a deep breath, “Well I guess…I guess I have to warn you. Ranma and I were engaged by our parents. It was all their idea.”

 

Though Akane tried to keep her voice light and the words flippant, Inuyasha heard the hesitancy and the same tired rote explanation. He thought there was more then a forced engagement between the two, but knowing better then to comment on that, he chose to ask another question.

 

“A pre-arranged marriage? Kagome told me that such things hardly happened any more in this…mo-tern age.”

 

Akane smiled as Inuyasha stumbled over the unfamiliar word. “Well yes, they are rare, but our fathers are very…traditional.”

 

“Like I would want to be engaged to a kawaii-kune girl like that!”

 

Akane glared at Ranma's back. “I don't recall anyone speaking to you! Don't you know better then to interrupt other people's conversations?”

 

Ranma spun around on his heel, “Well excuse me! I didn't know that you two were getting so cosy!”

 

Akane stopped walking when she was just an arm's length away from the pig-tailed martial artist. “Why the hell do you care Ranma?”

 

Ranma glared at her, “That's right, I don't care! You're an un-cute, un-sexy tomboy!”

 

Fire started to blaze in Akane's dark eyes, Inuyasha blinked, he could've sworn her hands were empty a moment ago, but now she wielded what looked like an over-sized mallet.

 

“Ranma you jerk!”

 

With the fierce cry, Akane hit Ranma hard on the head, knocking the boy down and partially into the concrete.

 

Inuyasha inched closer to the heavily-breathing Akane to observe Ranma in his hole. He whistled. The amount of damage Akane had dished out was equivalent to a couple of very angry “Sits” from Kagome.

 

The gates to the house in front of them opened and a young woman peered out. “Oh my! I thought I heard you Akane.”

 

The mallet disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and Akane stepped brightly over her groaning fiancé. “Hi Kasumi, sorry we're late. We kinda ran into some trouble.”

 

Kasumi stepped back to open the gate further, “I thought as much, I've saved food for you and Ranma.” She glanced behind Akane. “There should be enough food for your friend too.”

 

“Oh! I'm sorry, Inuyasha this is my sister Kasumi.” Akane drew Inuyasha into the gates, gesturing towards her eldest sister. “Kasumi, this is Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha inclined his head towards the girl, and Kasumi beamed in welcome. She ushered them into the house and into the kitchen, Ranma soon followed but headed straight upstairs, not bothering to greet the rest of the household.

 

A little black pot-bellied pig ran up to Akane, who greeted it with open arms. She tucked her pet firmly into her embrace, before reaching out to stir Inuyasha through the house introducing him to her family and Ranma's father Genma.

 

Kasumi offered Inuyasha some dinner, but the sight and smell of the dish told the half demon that it was the same spicy offering that Kagome's mother had made which had scalded his tongue. He refused, telling her that he was full.

 

Kasumi was not to be deterred and she offered him some tea which he took gratefully.

 

Ranma had made it back to the dining room, he had his travel bag packed. Inuyasha had to admire his speed. If it had been Kagome, they wouldn't have been ready to go for another three days.

 

“Come on Inuyasha. I'm ready to go if you are.”

 

Inuyasha obligingly got to his feet, nodding his thanks to Akane's kind sister. Akane leapt her to feet as well, completely forgetting about the little pig on her lap, which she sent flying across the room.

 

“Ranma! What the heck do you think you're doing! I'm coming too!”

 

Genma's ears pricked and he turned to face his son. “What's this? Where are you going boy?”

 

Ranma ignored his father and turned to Akane, “I'm sorry Akane, but this trip is no place for a girl.”

 

Akane flushed, “No place for a girl? So what's Kagome then?”

 

Inuyasha interrupted, “I'm sorry Akane, but Ranma's right for once. We hardly need yet another burden on this trip.”

 

Akane glared at him, feeling slightly betrayed. “I don't believe what I'm hearing! I'm not going to be a burden!”

 

Genma could not stand being ignored anymore. He leapt to his feet and grasped his son by the shoulders, shaking him, “I demand to know where you're going my son!”

 

“Shut up old man!” Ranma tried to shake off his father's grip, but Genma held firm.

 

“Tell me! Tell me!” With each word, Genma shook Ranma harder.

 

“We're going in search of the fabled curse breaker hiding in my time. To see if she would break the curse on this half-girl.” Inuyasha snorted. Everyone around him looked stunned and did not seem to register Inuyasha's remark about his origins.

 

Ranma's jaw fell open as he stared at Inuyasha, “What the heck did you tell him for?”

 

Inuyasha shrugged, but chose not to answer.

 

Genma stepped back, “You weren't going to tell me? The possibility of having our curse broken comes up and you wouldn't tell me?” Defeated, his shoulders slumped and he turned away from Ranma to go up the stairs.

 

Watching his father's retreating back, Ranma couldn't remember his father looking so…old.

 

“That's it! No more delays! We're going Inuyasha.” Ranma turned to walk out the door.

 

Inuyasha seeing Akane, wisely stepped back just in time as the girl in a fit of strength threw a heavy boulder which landed squarely on Ranma.

 

“You're not going anywhere without me!” She wheeled to face Inuyasha, her eyes blazing. “If you dare to help him, you would not believe all the new ways you can hurt.”

 

Inuyasha smirked, “Why would I help a pathetically weak human like him anyway? I don't care if you come with us or not.” Seeing Ranma attempting to wrench free of the rock, he casually sauntered over and bopped him hard enough on the head to knock him unconscious.

 

Akane smiled up at Inuyasha, before darting up the stairs.

 

“Don't take too long!” Inuyasha called after her.

 

“Oh my!” Kasumi sighed.

 

In the frenzy of Ranma and Akane's imminent departure, no one noticed Akane's pet pig walk out of the room with a thoughtful expression on his cute face.

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx

 

 

 

Whew! That's Chapter Six done! Hope you guys liked it - please, please REVIEW!