Desperado

Disclaimer – I don’t own Inuyasha or any of the characters related


Desperado – 2 – Fortune Be Mine


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Inuyasha sat alone next to the well. Even thought he had relieved himself, he still had a yearning for Kagome. A yearning so deep, it carved deep gashes in his heart. He thought of all those times he’d watched Kagome cry over him, either because he had been hurt, or he had hurt her. Mostly, because he had hurt her by going to Kikyo. He stepped out of the well hut and looked up into now darkening sky. He never meant to hurt Kagome like that. How does one get over their first love? Kikyo was the first person to look see him, to see him as more than just a half demon, more than just someone stuck in the middle of two worlds. She cared for him, she loved him. She wanted him to change…Kagome…she…she said she would stand by him no matter what, no matter what he did, no matter what he decided. What he decided…what was his decision? His heart betrayed his mind. He knew what was right, he knew what his heart was telling him, but he couldn’t give into it, regardless of what he wanted to do. He shut his eyes, remembering his days with Kikyo. He recalled each one individually. What they did, what they spoke about. He remembered the day she told him he could use the Shikon no Tama to become human, to live a mortal life with her. He was so ready for it…than he was stuck to a tree for 50 years only to be released by his first loves reincarnation. Is that why he felt these things for Kagome, because her soul used to be that of Kikyo’s?

He growled at the thought. No, they were two different, two completely different people. The Kikyo he remembered was pure, and fought the evils that come with protecting the jewel. But now, she was the wondering dead. She collected souls of dead girls to remain on this earth. His Kikyo never would do that. Kagome on the other hand, was more demanding and less submissive as Kikyo. Even though she too has miko powers, Kagome has never had formal training on how to use them. Her archery skills came with many months of practicing, her bravery continued to grow to the point where she would stand in front of a demon and not run away even if it were attacking her. She even dared to kiss him when his demon blood threatened to take away his humanity. He could have killed her without a moments hesitation, he knew it…he actually wanted to. He had wanted to kill her for looking like Kikyo, for thinking she could take the place of his beloved. But he knew that’s not what Kagome intended. He knew he was wrong. He knew he truly loved her.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome’s voice came from her bedroom, snapping him out of his day dream.

“What do you want now?” He growled.

“I thought you had left…And don’t be giving me attitude! Come here, I need to talk to you.” Her head disappeared from the window. He sighed, took two leaps and flew through her opened window. He squatted on her bed.

“So, what did you want Kagome?” His usual tone surfaced. He was trying to mask the need to throw her on her bed and make love to her.

“I need you to go to the store for me.”

“What?! Are you crazy?! I don’t know dick all about your era, how the hell do you expect me to go to the store?” He blinked for a moment, then whispered. “What’s a store?”

Kagome rolled her eyes. “Inuyasha, you’ve gone shopping with me before, don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten what a store is.”

Inuyasha grimaced. He knew. He remembered. He remembered smells. He even remembered the piles of instant ramen he loved so much. His eyes sparkled at the thought.

“Yes Inuyasha, you can get some ramen. Here.” She hand him a slip of paper. “It’s a list of everything we need to take back to the feudal era.”

He looked at the paper. First aid kit, ramen, chips, tea, candies. “What are pads, Kagome?” He looked at her.

She blushed. “Uh..don’t worry about those Inuyasha, I’ll…get my mom to pick those up for me.” She dug into her purse. He noticed her foot was wrapped.

“How bad did you hurt yourself?” There was concern in his voice.

“Not too badly. Grandpa says I should stay off of I for a few days. I’ve got some crutches I can use while I’m home to get around. But not tonight, I’m tired. That’s why you’re going to the store.” She smiled and pulled out some money. “This should be enough.” She stopped before handing it to him. “Oh, I just remembered.” She hobbled over to her closet and pulled something out, handing it to him.

“What is it?”

“Mom decided to go out and buy you some modern day clothes. That way we go out for supplies, you don’t stand out like a stick in the mud. Well, go get dressed.” She tried showing him out the door.

“Alright, I’m going...” The door shut behind him. He didn’t know exactly where he was going though. He saw the bathroom and walked in. Slowly, he placed his sword on the ground, and slipped out of his haori. He slipped the jeans on first. The feeling was new to him. He felt…confined. He wasn’t used to having pants that clung to his butt the way these did. Next, he put the white t-shirt on. It too, was new for him. It was lighter than his usual shirt. He noticed the red hat he wore one of the first times he came to this era was on the floor with his clothes. He reached down and picked it up, putting it on. It hid his ears well. He walked back to Kagome’s room and opened the door.

“There. Happy?”

Kagome’s heart leaped in the air. He looked so…normal, and mysterious. The jeans accented those hips she longed to hold against her in a rhythmic motion. The t-short highlighted his firm muscular body. There nothing left to the imagination now. She almost wished his was completely naked. The things she would do…

“Kagome!” Inuyasha glared. “Hello! Kagome, what are you staring at?”

“You.” She said simply. She handed him the money. “There’s enough here…Don’t go crazy on the ramen, alright? Don’t be too later.” She pushed him out the door and he blinked. Why was she trying to get rid of him so badly? He hadn’t done anything wrong, surely, at least not that he could think of right at the moment. Then again, she could be trying to get right of him so she can…

He shook his head violently. No, no, he wasn’t going to think like that. If he did, he would go back to her and take her, even if she didn’t want that. He couldn’t do that to her. His feet gently padded the stairs, his mind still stirring with thoughts of Kagome.

Her mother saw Inuyasha and smiled at his spaced expression. She had heard of the little run in Souta and her father had had with Inuyasha and Kagome this afternoon. As much as she was shocked, she thought it was sort of…mature for Kagome to finally be serious about something. However, her mother was also angry. She thought she had taught Kagome better than that. But what could her poor old mother do? Kagome was young and had raging hormones and Inuyasha was a half demon…only God knows how demons hormones raged. It was nice to see him wearing some modern clothes as well. Actually, it was just nice to see that Kagome was able to get him into those things without an argument. Her mother often heard the stories of how Inuyasha never listened to reason and was always a jerk.

“Good evening Inuyasha.” She smiled. Inuyasha’s ears perked under the hat and he looked at the woman Kagome called mother.

“Oh, uh…hi ma.” He blushed at her smile. He saw a mischievous look in it. He knew that she was aware of what Inuyasha and Kagome were doing earlier.

“Going out to the city?”

“Yeah, Kagome wants me to get somethings…for our trip back…uh..”

“Well, you can’t go without shoes. Now, I know you’re not used to wearing them…” she took out a pair of white running shoes. “But in our era, you can’t walk into store barefoot.” She smiled again, giving them to Inuyasha. He tried to put them on, but didn’t like the feeling of them.

“Thanks…but, how am I supposed to run in these?”

“Oh you won’t need to.” By now, Inuyasha was irritated by her smile. “Be back soon, and don’t get into any trouble. Ta ta!”

Inuyasha didn’t know what to think. The shoes felt so weird on his feet. He felt like he was stuck in thick, goopy mud that clung on tightly to his foot. He would be glad to get out of the modern garb and get back to his usually clothes…And bare feet.

The sights and sounds of the city aggravated Inuyasha. It was dirty, and filthy and far too noisy. He wasn’t sure if the sun was still setting, or if the orange glow in the sky came from the fireless lights. His nose lead him to the store he and Kagome always went to. Once her got in, he looked around for items he recognized. He felt uneasy about being in the present day without Kagome. He was out of place. Big time. This must be how Kagome feels when she’s in the feudal era. Inuyasha decided. The items were pretty easy to find. It was when it came to the money that Inuyasha had a problem. In the feudal era, Miroku usually took care of money issues, and here Kagome did.

“Not from around these parts, are ya sonny?” The old man behind the till asked him.

“Yeah, you could say that.” Inuyasha set down the money. “I’m not used to this currency.”

“That’s fine my boy, I got it for ya.” The old man punched everything into the till, counted the money and gave Inuyasha the change. “Here ya go. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He smiled and watched Inuyasha leave the store. “Strange young man.”

Inuyasha carted the bags back to Kagome’s. The sky was completely dark now, but the streets were lit up. Passing an alley he hadn’t noticed on the way to the store, Inuyasha’s nose picked up a strong smell of in scents. They called to him. He followed his nose to the point of origin. He saw what looked to be a hut in the deserted alley. He saw light protruding from the cracks in the wood. He stopped. Something told him this wasn’t right. He saw sutras with incantations warding off demons along its walls. He was ready to leave with an old scruffy voice called him from within the hut.

“Come young one. Come and have you’re fortune read to you. Come.”

It was against his best instincts, but his curiosity took the better of him. Hey, the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat…well, I’m no cat, I’m a half demon, a half dog demon. He tried to reason with himself as to why he would dare enter the walls of the hut. It was too late to turn back now, he was inside and staring at a very old woman. Something about her reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t put his finger on whom.

“Ah, young one. You decided you wanted to know you’re fortune? Sit…sit…this is something you will be glad you know.” Her smile was toothless, and Inuyasha’s nose was now overwhelmed with the in scents. They were intoxicating. His mind danced as he sat down in front of her.

“Get on with it ya old hag.” He snorted. He didn’t like feeling dizzy.

“Patience young hanyou, patience.” Her smiled disturbed him. How did she know he was a half demon. His mouth opened. “Say not a word and listen to your fortune.” The woman laid out cards. They were strange. He had never seen cards like this before. She laid down four cards, placing them like a compass. One facing north, east, south and west. Then she placed one face down in the center. She read the cards, and looked at him.

“Young hanyou, what seems to be bothering you?” She pointed north. “You face many great perils each day you walk this earth, and yet, they do not scare you. You fight to keep you’re mind occupied…You are troubled by…” Her gaze became more intense. “Love.”

“Feh.” Inuyasha folded his arms. How did she know?

She continued. “A great love affair you once had, and you now have. But you cannot love the love of your life.” She pointed east and west. “Diamonds are rare, beautiful gems. The hardest mineral known to mankind. They are hard to destroy, but even harder to not desire…” Her voice lowered as she spoke. “Hearts, pure, life giving. Without a heart, the body would cease to exist. They are fragile, easily broken. You’re heart has not mended well, and you continue to break the heart of a woman.”

Kagome, or Kikyo? Who is she talking about?! Inuyasha wanted to ask her, but he kept silently. She wasn’t done yet. She pointed south.

“You’re a courageous half demon, young one, but your courage comes from hate, anger, and bitterness. You run blindly into fights because you seek revenge. You do not fight because it is what your heart tells you, you fight because that is all you know how to do.” She started him in the eye, her gaze piercing his soul. “You will fight a battle soon…no amount of hate or revenge will help you win this fight. Follow you’re heart. Fight for love. You cannot win this fight with a sword.”

What kind of a fight can’t be won with sword? Every fight Inuyasha has been in he has won thanks to Tesseiga. And what did she know about why he wanted to fight? It was the only thing he knew how do.

Her finger moved to the middle card. He froze. There were two women on the card. Both, looked strangely familiar to him. “Ah, so the young hanyou has his heart set on two women. A rare beautiful diamond, and a fragile, pure heart, but who is whom?” She held out her deck of cards. “Pick on Inuyasha. Only one.”

His name…how did she know his name? She didn’t tell him. It wasn’t printed on his hat, or shirt. Who was she? Shakily, he picked a card. He didn’t understand its meaning. She grabbed him from him.

“Young Inuyasha…” Her gaze lifted from his soul, softly smiling. “The Queen of Diamonds will beat you. You have no chance of winning your battle with her. The Queen of Hearts is, and will be, you’re best bet.”


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Okay, so that concludes the second chapter. Please note that I know nothing about Tarot cards…I simply just made it up. So, sorry if that bugs anyone, or confuses anyone. I’ll have the next chapter up soon, with a bit of a surprise. Thanks.