Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ First Love ❯ Chapter 3

First Love

 

Chapter Three

 

Kagome sat by the edge of the river, washing clothes with some effort. It had been a week or so since she had last seen the demon that hadn't given her his name. The night she returned home from being saved by the demon, her mother had been waiting for her, a worried look gracing her aged face. She began to panic when she saw bruises on Kagome.

 

She had ended up telling her mother that she had fallen asleep and on her way home after she had woken up, tripped over the exposed root of a tree. Her mother had believed her and with no second thought had begun to wash her cuts with an old cloth that had been soaked in water.

 

Pausing from her work, Kagome wiped the sweat that was forming on her forehead. Faintly she wondered if she would ever get to see that demon ever again.

 

A smile found its way to her lips. `I doubt it. Why would he want to come back here?' Finishing up her work, she quickly squeezed out all the water from the articles of clothing and put them in her now empty bucket before turning to walk away.

 

0000

 

It was strange that she could find herself here again, especially after sunset. She hadn't been here for a week; it didn't even cross her mind to come here.

 

But here she sat, amongst the many flowers as last time. She wordlessly glanced over to the abnormally growing flowers in front of a very familiar tree. `I can't believe its still there,' Kagome silently thought to herself. `Why hasn't it died? Or at least fallen to the ground?'

 

It was a mystery but on another note it made Kagome feel safe. Knowing that the demon under all those flowers, if there was anything left of him for that matter, had not moved and would never again do so. Kagome had to admit it was very pleasing not only for her mind, but for the eye too.

 

Who would have thought such deep red roses could bloom from a vile demon? And to add, they were probably the only roses in the forest as far as Kagome was concerned. When she was younger she used to travel all around this forest and she didn't recall ever seeing such flowers as the ones that were only a few steps away. They looked gorgeous in the moonlight.

 

Walking over to a nice spot in the forest where the moon shone though the treetops, Kagome laid down. It was a pleasant sensation, basking in the moonlight.

 

The scent of the flowers that surrounded her was refreshing and helped her to relax. Crickets faintly chirped while the lightning bugs were out and about. Her eyes watched as one flew towards her and landed on the tip of her nose. It tickled and Kagome giggled softly as it flew away.

 

Once it was gone Kagome noticed a figure that was standing too close for comfort. She blinked a few times in shock before she picked her body up from the ground to rest half on her palms while her legs still lay on the ground. Her mouth hung slightly open in disbelief that he could be standing there, right in front of her.

 

But he was…standing there…right in front of her…looking the same as he did the last time she saw him. Same outfit, hair, same everything.

 

She actually didn't know if she should feel safe or afraid for her life. Once she found her way to her feet she tried to conceal her emotions but found she couldn't. “W-What do you want?” she asked nervously.

 

One of his eyebrows rose elegantly. “I could ask you the same thing,” came his deep voice as he started to circle her.

 

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?” Her body turned so that she was always looking at him as he circled her.

 

He came to a stop and she followed. They stood there just watching each other before he spoke.

 

“You come to this forest quite a lot. Are you some sort of spy?”

 

She was taken aback at his accusation. A spy? Did she honestly look like she could be a spy?

 

“Are you kidding me?” her hands fisted at her sides as she waited for his response but his only answer was to keep staring at her. She shook her head disbelievingly. “I have never been a spy in my entire life! I'm just a mere girl who lives with her mother and brother in the village just outside of this forest!”

 

Should she have really told him that? That question didn't really matter at the moment. This…this stupid demon thought she was some sort of a spy did.

 

“If you were a spy, I would have to kill you.” The last part made Kagome gulp, fear taking over her.

 

Why were demons so mean and scary?

 

`Well at least he wont kill me…I hope.'

 

His voice brought Kagome out of her thoughts. “So why do you come here?” his tone sounded a bit bored.

 

`Why does he ask stupid questions?' Crossing her arms over her chest she said hotly, “Do you own this forest or something?”

 

He took a step towards her and Kagome's hostile demeanor immediately fell, replaced with wary. She watched as his tail twitched and before she knew it, he was face to face with her, noses almost touching.

 

“You could say that.”

 

Kagome's breath caught in her throat. What did he mean? “How is this your forest?”

 

His expression was emotionless. “You humans always ask so many questions it's a bad habit that might just get you killed.” He lifted his head away from hers and took a half step back.

 

He looked rather intimidating, standing there motionless. His eyes were a fierce golden color that Kagome couldn't help but stare at.

 

“You…you still haven't answered my question,” said Kagome softly. His expression never faltered and before Kagome knew it, she was back up against a tree, his face once again close to hers.

 

“I don't believe I have to answer to a human.” And with that, he disappeared sooner than Kagome could say anything.

 

`It was just…err. Does he think he's more superior to a human?! That jerk!' Trying to take a step forward, she was immediately pulled back. “What?” She looked down.

 

Unbeknownst to her, a vine of flowers had wrapped itself around her. “That…that...that jerk!” Growled Kagome. She was seething with anger until she caught a full glimpse of the flowers that were around her.

 

They were beautiful pink roses, fully bloomed. Who could stay mad after seeing such a pretty thing?

 

So she stood there in the moonlight looking at these stunning flowers. After a few moments, the vines loosened until she was able to get out of them.

 

Turning around, she kneeled on the ground and touched one of the tempting roses. `I don't think anyone would mind if I took a few.' Determined, Kagome began to pick some of the roses from the vine. One. Two. Thr-“Ouch!”

 

The little pest had pricked her. Bringing her finger to her lips, Kagome sucked the blood until no more came out. When she was finally satisfied she picked the third one and proceeded to stand up.

 

`I wonder what he meant,' was her last thought as she headed for home.

 

0000

 

Silently stepping into her home, as to not wake her sleeping family, Kagome walked silently over to one side of the room and picked up a clay vase that had been made years ago and put the flowers into it with some water. Taking one last glance at it, Kagome headed over to her sleeping place and laid down before drifting off.

 

00000

 

Kagome awoke early the next day but found that she was the last one up yet again. No matter how early she woke up, her mother would always be up before her.

 

When she sat up she caught an unfamiliar scent that drifted throughout the whole house. `What is that delicious smell?' Before she could get up her mother came by and sat down in front of her.

 

“Good morning Kagome! Its such a lovely day today isn't it?” said Kagome's mother cheerfully.

 

Kagome couldn't help but smile back. “Yea mom, it looks like it will be a beautiful day! By the way mom,” she paused, inhaling the smell, “what's that great smell?”

 

The smile on her mothers face widened as she stood up. “Well, Hojo stopped by the other day and gave us meat that will surely last us the whole week! He also gave us some fresh fruit if you want some,” she nodded towards a basket that Kagome never noticed.

 

As the older woman tended to the cooking meat, Kagome retrieved a red apple and bit into it. It had been a while since Kagome had something as delicious as this was. “I wonder why Hojo brought all of these,” Kagome wondered aloud.

 

Without notice her mother stood up and practically skipped to the other side of the room.

 

“Why is she so happy?” murmured Kagome, watching as her mother came back with a bundle of…whatever if was wrapped in brown cloth.

 

“Hojo also brought this,” said her mother as she opened the package with care. Her mother grasped what was in the wrapping with both hands and held up a beautiful kimono.

 

Kagome's eyes widened. It was brand new, and nothing like the old ratty kimono she had on right now. It was a deep blue with light blue flower prints that also came with a matching light blue sash. “Its…gorgeous…” Kagome let her voice trail. Her fingers found the soft fabric and she let herself fondle it.

 

“Why would he buy something like this for me?”

 

Her mother folded the kimono and placed it in her lap. “Because my dear, Hojo has invited you to go to the festival in another village tonight! He asked for my permission and he just looked so hopeful that I had to say yes!” Her mother cheerfully clapped her hands lightly together.

 

Kagome's face became downcast. “But…”

 

`I don't want to go.'

 

She heard her mother sigh and she stopped herself from saying anymore. Feeling her mother's hand on her shoulder she looked up. “Please do it for me? You never know, you may have a great time!”

 

They just stared at each other when Kagome found her mother pushing the kimono into her lap. She glanced at it before her eyes turned to the vase full of roses. For a moment she felt sad.

 

“Let's eat,” said her mother, bringing her out of her daze. Once she was handed a plate both she and her mother dug in.

 

00000

 

She was back at this place again; her favorite spot that she visited so many times in her life. Her journey here was oddly filled with anticipation and hope. For some strange reason she wanted to see him again.

 

It was late afternoon and she stood in the small clearing wearing the new kimono that was given to her. It fit nicely, surprisingly, and her mother had immediately commented on how good she looked in it. Even her little brother thought she looked nice. She had thanked him but then tried to strangle him because he teased her about being alone with Hojo.

 

`That little…' thought Kagome angrily.

 

Her anger passed though as she stood still trying to hear anything that might hint that she wasn't alone. She scanned the area with her eyes, waiting.

 

Nothing.

 

There wasn't anything and Kagome suddenly felt depressed and turned to head back. She was supposed to meet Hojo at the edge of her village.

 

Stupid.

 

It was so stupid to feel like this and Kagome had to shake her head to get her thoughts straight. The thought of being alone with Hojo made her grimace.

 

“What am I going to do?”