Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Life's Prison: A Thief's Goal ❯ Meet the Village ( Chapter 6 )

Translations:

Wakizashi- traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches

Ya- arrow

Hami-Yumi- sacred longbow

Hamaya- purity arrows

Okinawa- fruit bat

 

 

 

 

Meet the Village

“Talking”

`Thinking'

Memories

Stressed

 

 

 

The walk back to Edo had been silent as Kagome led the way. She noticed that the bat Youkai had come to fidgeting when they would rest. He assured her that he didn't need to rest his leg since it was long since healed. Kagome still refused to hear that and thus they had taken to rest stops. The sun held its position in the sky and let them know it by sending waves of heat at the two. The two had not had lunch; Kagome claimed they would eat at the village. He seemed to believe that she would eat and he would be locked up or exterminated. Yet he did not want to give up the chance of studying this woman further.

“It's only another mile,” Kagome assured.

“You said that four miles ago,” Kuronue dryly reminded. Kagome stuck her tongue out at him and he smirked.

“Don't stick it out unless you plan to use it,” Kuronue suggestively said. Kagome stopped walking and froze on the spot. He too stopped and tensed feeling as if he pushed the Miko over the edge. What he didn't expect was laughter pouring off her in waves. She pointed at him and jumped in victory with her eyes telling him she knew something.

“I just knew it!” Kagome declared as she wiped her eyes.

“What?” Kuronue asked in true confusion.

“I knew you were a pervert!” Kagome accused in mirth.

“How would you know that?” He asked with a suggestive smirk. Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes as she continued to walk.

“You remind me of the Houshi,” Kagome answered.

“Really?” He asked.

“I'm sure you two will get along fine,” Kagome mumbled.

“Why would a Houshi associate with a Youkai?” Kuronue asked.

“Miroku had no problem with Inuyasha and Shippo,” Kagome said as she smiled.

“I'm beginning to think your village will be as strange as you,” Kuronue muttered.

“There is nothing strange about wanting serenity,” Kagome countered.

“Most people believe that serenity equals purified Youkai,” Kuronue countered back.

“My village once housed hanyous and Youkai that only wanted a place to be a peace and belong,” Kagome explained.

“You said `once'. What happened?” Kuronue asked.

“Naraku attacked and killed most of the hanyous and villagers. That is why we now strive to better our ways,” Kagome answered.

“Naraku seemed…”

“He was an evil character that we no longer talk about,” Kagome quickly said and ended.

Kuronue was about to say something when he lightly sniffed the air. He could smell humans and a Nekomata. Kagome smiled as she watched the village come into view. Kuronue looked up into the sky to see a Taijiya and Houshi riding the said Nekomata. He lightly growled and pushed Kagome behind him. Kagome raised an eyebrow in confusion before she noticed Sango and Miroku. They jumped off Kirara and she readied her Hiraikotsu. Kuronue continued to growl as Kirara picked up the challenge.

“Kagome are you okay?” Miroku called out. Kagome smiled as she pushed Kuronue behind her. He eyed the Miko like a she was crazy. He was trying to protect her and she goes and steps in front of him.

“I'm fine but could you not attack Kuronue?” Kagome asked with a sheepish grin.

“Is he the reason that you left the guards and Kirara came home without you?” Sango asked as she glared at the bat.

“He has a name. His name is Kuronue and I saved him from bleeding to death,” Kagome calmly voiced.

“You can't bring strange and stray Youkai back like pets,” Sango scolded.

`Stray. Strange,' Kuronue thought with a snort.

“He wanted to see the village,” Kagome defended.

“Is there a reason he was bleeding to death?” Sango asked with a skeptic voice.

“I shot him while he tried to steal the crest,” Kagome truthfully answered.

`I'm a dead bat,' Kuronue thought as he hid his face in his palm.

“You said a thief?” Miroku asked in disbelief.

“You know my views on killing…plus he didn't harm anyone,” Kagome assured.

“Fine he may enter as long as he behaves,” Sango granted.

“You will…take precautions with him?” Miroku asked with a spark of mischief.

“Pervert,” Kagome growled as she caught the double meaning.

“I can assure you no hostility on my part,” Kuronue assured as he looked at both of them.

“Remember youkai, one wrong move and I will be sure you end up in the bone eater's well,” Sango promised as she walked off.

“Same thing she said but in nicer words,” Miroku agreed as he to walked off.

“I think they like me,” Kuronue dryly stated. Kagome laughed and watched as Kirara transformed back to her kitten form and jumped into Kagome's arms.

“I think it went good,” Kagome commented as they began to enter the village.

Entering the village was an experience that Kuronue had never come across. He was used to being screamed at or having objects such as spears and arrows coming his way. Kagome smiled to the village merchants that she passed. One villager came up to her and offered them both freshly prepared sushi. Kagome had accepted the sushi with a blessing upon the villager. Kuronue let his gaze travel to a group of children chasing each other around while using sticks as swords.

“Kagome!” A little yelled as she ran towards her. Kagome passed the sushi to Kuronue and held upon her arms.

“Kichi, what are you doing out her?” Kagome asked with a smiled.

“I was training,” Kichi proudly answered as her eyes lit up. Kagome reached forward and pushed back a bang.

“Training for what?” Kagome asked as she smiled down on the child.

“Training to be like you!” Kichi announced with such pride.

`Never heard of a human female training,' Kuronue thought.

“I'm honored that you're training to be like me,” Kagome praised.

Kichi nodded in agreement and turned her gaze to Kuronue. Putting her thumb and index finger on her chin she studied him. Kuronue smirked and flashed a fang at the girl's ponderings. Walking over to him she circled him as she looked at his details. Kagome chuckled at this while Kuronue raised an eyebrow in question. She then reached out and gently pulled on his wing. Tensing slightly he pulled his wing closer to his back.

“Kichi! Don't touch without permission,” Kagome gently scolded.

“Can I touch his wings Kagome?” Kichi asked.

“Ask him, not me,” Kagome told her.

“May I?” Kichi asked as she gave him puppy eyes. Grunting at his own softness he nodded a yes. With a cheer she carefully pulled his wing out and ran her fingers down its leathery covering. When she finished she latched on to Kagome's leg giggling. Miroku laughed as he had seen what had happened.

“I see your influencing my daughter again,” Miroku joked. Kagome lightly blushed and Kichi looked up at her confused.

“Kichi wasn't around for that,” Kagome mockingly scolded.

“Her soul must have been,” Miroku suggested.

“What is he talking about?” Kuronue asked Kagome as he stretched his wing.

“Kagome used to have a fe-”

“That's in the past,” Kagome interrupted as her face turned serene.

“I'm sorry for bringing the past up,” Miroku sincerely said.

“It's fine, no harm was done,” Kagome assured with a sigh.

“Sango sent me to find Kichi,” Miroku said, trying to change the topic.

“Aw…do I have to come home?” Kichi groaned.

“Yes, mommy needs help cleaning the weapons,” Miroku said.

“Ya! Weapons!” Kichi cheered as she took off in a cloud of dust. Kagome gave a lopsided smile as she watched the little girl push through the crowds.

“Weapons?” Kuronue questioned.

“Yes, she loves helping with her mommy's weapons,” Miroku said with a mixture of worry and pride.

“Well I must be going back to my hut,” Kagome announced with a yawn.

“See you tomorrow then,” Miroku said before he turned around and left.

“What is his mate's job?” Kuronue asked with a hint of disbelief.

“She's the Taijiya that you met earlier,” Kagome simply said as she started walking.

Once inside the hut Kagome had Kuronue place the sushi on a table. She then went outside and gathered a few logs. Walking back inside she set them inside the fire pit and then sat on a cushion.

“Your village is peaceful,” Kuronue commented.

“We try to stay peaceful during this day and age,” Kagome sighed as she dropped her head into her hands. Kuronue then sat down and watched her as she lightly began to shake. His eyes widened and he sat there stunned not knowing what to do.

“Are you okay?” He uncertainly asked.

“Fine…I'm always fine,” Kagome whispered as she wiped her eyes and looked up with a smile.

“I'm not to sure,” Kuronue whispered to himself.

“Kagome!” A male voice chanted as he ran inside the hut.

“Shippo,” Kagome happily said as the kit slide to a stop next to her and plopped down. Embracing her he pulled away and smirked.

“Guess what?” Shippo excitedly said.

“I don't like that look…but what is it?” Kagome asked in curiosity.

“I heard there was a silver Kitsune near Kyoto,” Shippo spilled.

“So…”

“They are only the rarest ones around!” Shippo shouted in disbelief. Kuronue began to laugh and Kagome and Shippo both turned and looked at them. Shippo immediately stepped in front of Kagome and began to growl.

“Shippo it's okay,” Kagome assured. Shippo sat down again and looked away with a scowl.

“Who's this?” Shippo demanded.

“This is Kuronue,” Kagome introduced. Shippo looked at her in dry disbelief.

“You mean to tell me you invited a thief?” Shippo asked.

“Don't worry…I've dealt with it,” Kagome guaranteed in a tired sigh.

“What are you doing here?” Shippo asked.

“Your Miko saved me and I decided to come and see her village,” Kuronue calmly explained.

“Why would you have any interest in a human village?” Shippo demanded as suspicion set in.

“That is none of your concern kit,” Kuronue warned.

“That silver kit you spoke of is the one that broke through my barriers and stole the crest,” Kagome said as she tried to release the tension in the air.

“How do you know?” Kuronue asked.

“I've sensed your partner's ki,” Kagome answered.

“Amazing,” Kuronue murmured.

“What?” Kagome asked.

“That your that powerful,” Kuronue answered.

“I'm going to go check the area for Youkai before I come back to the hut,” Shippo announced.

“See you later and be safe,” Kagome warned.

“I will okaa-san,” Shippo assured with a grin before he took off.

“So that's your kit?” Kuronue asked.

“Yep, he's my little boy,” Kagome happily sighed.

“You don't smell mated,” Kuronue pointed out.

“He's adopted,” she replied.

“Not many humans or Mikos would take in an orphaned Youkai,” Kuronue commented.

“Where did you meet him?” Kuronue asked.

“How long will you be staying?” Kagome asked not wanting to answer any more questions.

“A few days…I want to see the area,” Kuronue answered.

“Aren't you going to go tell your partner your alive?” Kagome asked with a bit of concern.

“No, he can wait a few days,” Kuronue waived off.

“Whatever, I'll fix you a futon out here,” Kagome said as she stood up to retrieve the items.

Kuronue watched as she disappeared into the night. He dropped his chin into his palms as he sighed. This Miko was a mystery that Kuronue wanted answers to. He was sure Youko was worried or upset, but he didn't want to tell Youko of this creature he discovered. He wanted to figure her out and know her every move before he went. He wanted to know about why she didn't hold the same views as the other Mikos and humans. Plus, he didn't want to sure her with Youko yet. He had finally discovered something worth studying and not stealing.

`Just a few days of seeing what she is about and I'll be own my way,' Kuronue thought as she came into view. `Just a few more days.'

 

Author's Note:

Sorry for the late update but the next one might be awhile, but I'll try and get it out fast

Thanks for all the reviews and for reading!