Sway From The Rain; Fall To The Storm

A/N: So, I finally got an update in last night and since it had been a week with nothing to show but a wimpy chapter, I'mma go ahead and make it up with a quick (yet no so quick, sorry D=) follow-up. I thank everyone for the fast reviews; I thought I lost some of you. =(

Okay! Before I start writing this, I got my second suggestive review, other than I'm a moose's which I have been trying to use as best as I can.

Since I am not the type of person to be overly sweet and fake, I'mma tell you exactly how I reacted.

When I logged onto AFF, I saw I had a new review, so being to review-whore that I am, I quickly checked it. At first, it praised my story, for which I thank you =), but it also said the dialogue I have been using for Inuyasha is inadequate and annoying. I got angry, (I have a temper), but she did have a valid point. I'm argumentative, but I pick and choose my fights, and she won. Inuyasha's manner of speech that I have been using is from him in the Feudal Era. He speaks somewhat like, correctly put, as Gin from 'Bleach.' (I like Bleach too =3)

Rough.

In my head, when the dialogue plays out, that is how it sounds, but, with him going through the school system, it should be more proper.

Anyway, to the compromise. I fixed his speech, however, I do still think there should be a bit of a difference in his dialogue in comparison to Kagome's or Shippou's or anyone else's (It is my story lol). I'm going to keep some 'ya's' and stuff  here and there, but for the most part, it is correct.

I apologize for getting angry over that, and I appreciate the criticism.

Thank you.

(P.S. If you want to read one of my original stories, look me up on FictionPress.com . . . My pen name is Surrealian . I should have something posted up there soon. =D I'm excited for this story. Been thinking about writing it for some time now. )

Now, without further adieu.

Here we go. =)

 

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Chapter 9~ Re-Meetings And Short Partings

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“I look like a giant lobster.”

“Well, I like my outfit.”

“Because your mother dressed you, ya pipsqueak.”

“She dressed you too!”

“Would you two shut up! Jeez!” Sango hissed, her fingers massaging circles over her temples. The hanyou and kitsune quieted.

Being stuck at Kagome's friend's apartment had made them all restless. The Tanabata festival, unknown to Inuyasha, meant a great deal to Kagome. Especially this particular year. Her disguised promise to Shippou, he discovered from a tipsy, extremely talkative bartender when they first arrived, was nothing more than an even bigger excuse to get to the festival.

And, if that meant throwing him into some gaudy, red theatre clothes then so be it.

She would go one way or another.

“They're scratchy.” Inuyasha grumbled, tugging at the collar with his clawed index finger.

“They're old.” Sango retorted. She dropped her chin into the palm of her hand; bored. Kagome was taking too long to find an outfit. She had brought two kimonos of her own, but when Sango pulled out the old stage clothes she had made her Senior year, the miko got this look in her eye that vaguely reminded the bartender of a child in a candy shop.

When the doorknob turned, not one of the party of three made any move of interest towards the sound.

“Sango, I went by Kaggie's place, but they weren't there . . .” Miroku stopped in the doorway, his eyes dragging slowly over the half-asleep kitsune, the aggravated hanyou, and lastly his not-so-secret love interest, whose eyes had slid closed and had begun to nod off. “Because they're here?” He asked, closing the door behind him. Maybe he should've waited until tomorrow afterall . . .

Inuyasha craned his head slowly towards the last member of their high school gang in acknowledgment. “Monk.”

“The one and only.” He grinned, not at all disheartened when the hanyou's gaze slid back to the door like it was a magnet. “This is one heck of a party, if you don't mind me saying so.” Miroku continued, earning a 'yup' from the brunette zombie. He frowned. Now he was disheartened.

“Aneki?” Kohaku came walking into the room, his eyes squinted as if he were looking directly into the sun, Kirara, Sango's treasured, cream-colored cat-demon that she had received from her father years ago tucked under his right arm. She mewed cheerfully at the people scattered about the room and the sixteen-year-old boy tried again to get his sibling's attention. “Aneki?”

Sango blinked. Her eyes flitted over to her younger brother. “I'm sorry. What's wrong, Kohaku?”

The teen shrugged and released the squirming demon in his arms. “Heard some voices. I think I should be asking if you're okay . . . You look, well, dead.” The shy boy laughed nervously as his sister stood up off the couch and approached him.

“Dead?” She asked, flicking his shoulder, chuckling softly as well. The woman looked over her brother, noticing the red cheeks he had had earlier had faded, and he didn't look as worn. “How are you feeling? Haven't seen much of you in the past few days. The fever seems to be gone . . .” She mumbled, mostly to herself, while holding the back of her hand to his forehead.

Kohaku batted it away. “Fine, aneki.”

“Sango?”

All heads turned towards the feminine voice at the same time like gazelles that had just spotted a lion. “Um . . .” Kagome's head was poking out from behind the bedroom door.

“Coming, Kags.” With one more short assessment of her younger sibling, Sango disappeared into the bedroom and everyone's hope of leaving shattered. Shoulders slumped in defeat, they hung their heads.

“Why won't mommy just pick something? She got our clothes ready really quick.” Shippou mumbled, mimicking Inuyasha's pose by folding his arms over his little chest and leaning back into the cushion of the couch.  Miroku raised an eyebrow.

“So, how's it been going, 'Yash?”

Inuyasha's amber orbs slid to the corners of his eye sockets, studying his old friend. "I'm sure Sango told you . . . A few days ago." He said flatly. The monk shrugged.

"I'd rather hear from you."

The following silence sliced through the room and seeped between them in a tense haze before the hanyou cut it off with his bold statement of, "I won't leave until she tells me to."

"I understand. I'll talk to her then." Miroku looked up just as his non-biological, younger sister came out of the room across from him. "Well, well." He whistled, taking her out-stretched hand as she walked over to him in a snug-fitting priestess outfit and spinning her around once. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably.

"It looks nice, Kagome." Kohaku smiled a shy smile and Sango half-heartedly slapped his shoulder.

"You're blushing." She laughed. The teen's color deepened. He was right though. The thin, cotton top was well-fitted. The fabric clung slightly to her breasts and flowed just over her curves, ending in loose sleeves with red ribbons threaded through them. The pants started at the smallest part of her waist, tied tight around her hourglass figure, hanging down to her sock and sandal covered feet, almost like a long  skirt. The hanyou shifted again and dropped his eyes, a small, nearly inaudible 'keh' muttered under his breath. Shippou took notice of Inuyasha's behavior and hopped up from the couch, scurrying on all fours over to his mother figure.

“Inuyasha seems mad.” He whispered in her ear, when she allowed him to crawl up onto her shoulder.

“I heard that, brat.”

“Now, now.” Miroku smiled cheerfully, putting his hands up.

“Shut it, monk.”

“Hey!” Sango, still standing with her brother, and looking as if she was about to lead back off to his bedroom, spoke up. “No fighting, you three should get going. Inuyasha stop growling.”

“Keh!”

“Okay!” In an attempt to make everyone pay attention to her next statement, Kagome clapped her hands together. Inuyasha's eyes met hers and a light blush spread across her cheeks. “I-I think we should go ahead and go; don't wanna miss out.” She stammered, lowering her gaze before peeking at him from under her lashes. The smug hanyou smirked. Sango and Miroku both watched curiously, whilst Kirara and Kohaku disappeared into the kitchen. Shippou tugged on the thin, red bow hanging around the miko's neck, chittering about how he wanted to see the play.

“We're going to go ahead and leave, 'kay, Sango-chan?” Kagome smiled at her best friend. “Thank you for the outfit.” Sango nodded and gave back a swift smile that was quickly broke by a yawn. Seeing that is was high time for her to give her two good friends some 'alone' time, the miko walked towards the door. Miroku retired to the couch and simultaneously Inuyasha stood up, arms still crossed, pouting, and followed her.

“Bye you guys!” The miko waved and she opened the door, let Inuyasha out, then shut it behind her.

Once the trio disappeared, Miroku breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief, throwing his arms limply onto the back off the couch. “That went well.”

“What'd he say?”

“He won't leave unless she wishes him to do so.”

“Sounds about right.” Sango sighed, hearing Kohaku unsuccessfully 'sneak' from the side of the counter and back to his bedroom. When the door clicked shut, she went over to lean on the kitchen's door frame. Miroku watched, unhooded questions begin to swim at the surface of his violet depths.

“Sango, I really think you and I should consider talking about us-”

“No, Houshi-sama.”

She turned her back after using the name for the monk she only used when exasperated with him, waving one hand in the air to dismiss the obvious, premeditated subject he was trying to bring about.“But- I didn't even- Sango!” He called after her retreating figure.

“I don't respond to word vomit, Houshi-sama!” He heard her call.

“Sango . . .” His voice was whiny, and Miroku highly doubted he heard her. He gave up. Grabbing the remote off the end table, he clicked on the TV.

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Left. And right. And left. And right. And-

“Inuyasha! Stop staring at Kagome's butt!”

“Keh!” Knowing he had been caught, the hanyou dropped his gaze, muttering a string of curses under his breath. Just what was he supposed to stare at while they were walking? It wasn't his fault she wanted to walk so they didn't get stuck in traffic. So if he wanted to make sure he didn't need to, say, carry her or anything of the sort, he needed to keep a good eye on her-

“Inuyasha!”

“What?!” The hanyou half-groaned, half-growled. He grudgingly brought his eyes up and stared angrily at the kitsune.

“Why are you looking at her butt?” Shippou screeched, pointing a finger over the slowly rising shoulders of the miko.

“To make sure it works right.” The hanyou retorted, watching, suddenly amused, as confusion spread over the young boy's face.

“Kagome, your butt isn't broken, right?”

“No, Shippou-chan, my butt” She said in a shaky, suppressed angry voice, emphasizing the 'T' at the end of the word, “Works great.”

Feeling he needed to make sure Inuyasha understood, the kitsune turned back around to face the hanyou. “Hear that. It's not broken. Kagome's butt works great!” He clarified. A group of guys, one of the many groups of people around them that had gotten steadily closer to Kagome, Shippou and Inuyasha as they came up on the entrance, busted out laughing. The miko hung her head.

The hanyou would've laughed at the comical situation too, had he not been too busy speeding up his pace and shooting warning looks at the boys who, again, moved closer. One boy even dared flip off Inuyasha when he put his hand around Kagome's waist.

“'Yash. Leave it. Besides, we went over this. I'm not yours.” She hissed, hearing Shippou begin to point out booths from out of her left ear. Inuyasha grip tightened and he leaned down to her quiet side.

“You are saying that 'cause you're mad.” He whispered, nipping the top of her ear before he straightened himself. They'd reached the front of the line. Ignoring the tingle that ran up her spine, Kagome, almost stammering when the guy at the ticket booth asked if she wanted 'two adults' tickets and one child's,' mumbled a quick 'yes' and handed him some bills.

“Enjoy.”

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They hadn't even been at the Tanabata festival for ten minutes, and Shippou was having spazz attacks. Bouncing from Kagome's to Inuyasha's shoulders, scuttling off to booths. He was having the time of his life, and he hadn't even won one game.

The goldfish game. Lost five times.

Darts and balloons. Fail.

But he was just so overly excited, that the little spat from earlier didn't matter to the miko anymore. In fact, on the inside, she was just as excited as he was, if not more. She had waited since high school for this particular festival, this particular year.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Shippou suddenly appeared at Kagome's feet and began yanking at the red fabric of her hakama, pointing to a hunched over woman in attire just like hers. “It's Kaede-baabaa!” Kagome looked in the indicated direction and sure enough, her land-lady and babysitter was leaning over the gold fish booth, expertly flipping the little fish into the tiny net with the fragile, rice-paper scoop.

Shippou darted over. Kagome and Inuyasha, who had been silent nearly the whole time, standing with his arms folded into the sleeves of his haori, followed.

Kaede barely looked up when the kitsune scampered up her back to watch her catch the fish.

“Hello there, Shippou-chan.” She said hoarsely, staring with her good eye at the frustrated man who took the scoop from her hands, saying 'enough' and handing her a baggie of at least four or five gold fish.

“Omygosh! You got all those, Kaede?!” The young boy gasped in awe, crawling to her other shoulder for a better look.

“Aye, child. I know all of the tricks to these games.”

“'Cause you been around so long?” Shippou asked innocently.

“S-Shippou-chan!” Kagome scolded, but Kaede, and surprisingly Inuyasha, laughed.

“Aye.”

“Will you teach me them?” The kitsune pleaded, looking back and forth between his two caretakers. “You and Inuyasha can go on the ferris wheel and the boat ride and Kaede and I will play games and see the show!”

“But Shippou- I thought-” Kagome began to protest, but her son's eyes nearly doubled in size and his lower lip poked out, giving him the ultimate image of irresistible cuteness.

“Okay . . .” She finally gave. Walking over to Kaede to discuss how the rest of the night would pan out, the kitsune ran past her and up to Inuyasha. He pointed a stubby finger at the silver-haired man and gave him a stern expression. “You owe me.” Inuyasha's scowl faded to a grin before he nodded.

“Sure thing.” With Inuyasha's supposed word, the child ran back to his babysitter just as Kagome smiled and nodded vigorously, signaling that everything was set.  She hugged her landlord and then went back over to the hanyou's side, who continued to grin.

“Okay . . .” She said, giving him a weird look, but gently looped his arm with hers regardless and began to walk towards the boat dock. “Kaede said that she will take him to a few games and to the show, and after she is sure he will be tired so she offered to take him home for the night so we can, um, go out? I think that's how she put it . . .” Kagome smiled.

“Well, do you not want to?” Inuyasha asked, fighting to urge to look down at her.

“What? No, no! I do! It's just- Oh!” She stopped abruptly and the hanyou almost stepped on her heel.

“What?” He asked gruffly, following her gaze to a booth where a woman about her age was giving other people -girls and older women mostly- strips of colored paper. Kagome slipped out of his grasp and he was, yet again, confused by her antics.

“Be right back.”

He stayed rooted to the stop and watched as she nearly jogged over to the wooden stand, that sexy hair of hers billowing behind her. When she got to the woman and took a red sheet of paper, the two spoke about something and then both laughed. His ears perked, but hearing the women over the crowd was next to impossible, but he damn well tried.

People began pushing past him, roughly brushing his shoulder, knocking him sideways. He was very close to punching some teenage guy in the face for hitting him, then telling him to 'watch it' when Kagome suddenly manifested beside him.

“Yo, what was that all about?”

“Making my wish for Tanabata this year.” She said, happiness bubbling over the surface. This time she took his hand.

The pair began walking again. Inuyasha guessed it was in the direction of the ferris wheel, and when she pointed up to the very top of it and exclaimed, “The view is amazing up there!” he knew he was right. “And then we can do the boats.” The chipper miko continued, slightly swinging their joined hands.

“What if it rains?” Inuyasha inquired, flattening his ears when he saw her expression go from one of sheer bubbliness to anger and determination.

“It WON'T rain.” The way she said it almost made him believe it was stone, cold fact.

“Alright . . . It won't rain.”

“Inuyasha, it can't rain.” Kagome said in a lower voice, she looked up at him and he saw the familiar blue fire in her eyes. But then she looked away and he cursed himself for not kissing her.

“Why?”

“Do you know what the legend of Tanabata is?”

“No.”

The miko sighed just as they reached the line for the giant wheel. “I'll tell it to you when we get on.” As if on the que, it began to spin and stop. Letting people off, letting them on. In no time they were climbing in the small round cubicle themselves.

“Okay.” She said, seating herself, much to his extreme dismay, across from the hanyou. “It's a legend of two lovers.”

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A/N: And I cut it off. BWAHAHAHA! Sorry. I have an appointment in the morning and I don't want to get caught up late. I know the period in between updates it getting more-spaced out. I'm trying to fix that, but no false hope to you all. =(

Okay.

Tanabata festival is a real festival in Japan. I might end up twisting the story a bit, and adding my own spin on how it goes (i.e. the dress, terms. Keep in mind this is a modern era where demon and humans interact as if it's nothing. Festivals in that sort of world, would be a little more, erm, out there, I believe. I also think there would be a lot of costumes, demons in regular form walking around.) I know I have a horrid descriptions of the surrounding area and the people going on right now, but I'm tired and just trying to give ya'll something, so . . .

The plot is starting to come in. I'm glad I finally thought of one! After chapter 8, and a bit of snooping on the internet, I saw that and everything just sorta began falling into place. I wonder if I should hit ya'll with a wah bam bam plot twist now, or towards the end.

Hm . . .

I'll update tomorrow or the next day. I'm excited for this.

~Surrealian