Any Way The Wind Blows

Any Way the Wind Blows


Ch 4: Demon Within
InuYasha woke with his face pressed up against a hard wood floor. Slowly he pulled himself up, trying to figure out how he got on the floor. Suddenly the lights blazed to life and InuYasha threw his hands up over his eyes and fell back down to the floor, groaning. “Aw quit being such a crybaby, sleepyhead.” InuYasha blinked in the direction of the voice, trying to register what his eyes were telling him. He shook his long white hair out of his eyes. “One insult at a time this early, Kags…” Kagome laughed in the doorway. “It’s almost noon. Now get yourself up and come and eat breakfast.” InuYasha snapped awake. “Breakfast? Sweet!” he nearly sprinted out the door drooling at the smell of bacon. Kagome sighed and walked after him. InuYasha stopped at the top of the stairs, nearly loosing his balance and falling down them. He turned to Kagome with a somber look on his face. “Kags… I… I’m sorry about last night. I know that bruise wasn’t from a door. I’ve gotten enough of them to know that that bruise came from a fight… but I o understand if you don’t want to tell me.” Kagome looked away. “Please InuYasha, just forget about it. I don’t want you to get involved. Just forget you ever saw anything.” InuYasha gaped at her in disbelief. “Kagome… I… I can’t just ignore to fact that someone hurt you. You’re my friend. Can you really blame me for worrying?” he saw the look of disbelief in her eyes. “You’re to important to me to not worry.” Kagome looked to the floor. InuYasha closed the space between them, wrapping his arms around her. Kagome made no effort to return the gesture. Her eyes seemed glazed over. It seemed like it took her great effort when she pushed him away slowly. She looked into his eyes. “InuYasha…” she whispered. “What… are we?” InuYasha smiled gently. “Whatever we want to be, Kagome.” Kagome felt the space between them closing. How she longed to kiss him. She longed to gaze into his amber eyes for as long as she could. She wanted his warm embrace. She knew she wanted him, but she knew that if she continued he would become involved. She knew that if Naraku found out that he would hunt down and hurt InuYasha. She couldn’t do that to him. She felt InuYasha’s lips tenderly brush hers. She followed as he moved away, not wanting to end the moment. He moved in more forcefully this time, and she kissed him back just as hard. She was getting lost in her fantasy as it was becoming real. Before she was completely overcome, she snapped to her senses and puled sharply away. “No… I can’t…” Kagome looked into his eyes and could almost feel the hurt in them. “I’m sorry Kagome… I lost control… I had no right to do that.” He said, looking away. He was about to retreat back down the stairs when Kagome put a hand on his shoulder. “I kissed you back InuYasha. It’s better for both of us if we stay as just friends. As much as I want to… I can’t. I can’t risk you getting hurt.” Kagome looked into his eyes and kissed him one last time. “This is just how it has to be. Now this little incident never happened as far as Roku and Sango are concerned.” InuYasha nodded more than obviously confused. “Kagome…?” Kagome shook her head and started down the stairs. “It’s better that you don’t understand.” InuYasha stood at the top of the stairs in stunned silence, trying to make sense of what Kagome had said.
InuYasha and Miroku were in the studio later that day. Sango and Kagome had gone out for a girls’ day. InuYasha sat on his amp strumming random chords lightly. He had been off in his own little world all day and it was beginning to make Miroku wonder. “InuYasha?” InuYasha snapped back to reality and looked at Miroku. “Huh?” Miroku raised an eyebrow in concern. “Are you okay Inu?” InuYasha sighed. “Yeah… I guess so.” Miroku just stared at him. “Eesh, okay okay… I guess I’m just a little depressed over Kagome.” Miroku shook his head a little. “Kagome’s been through a lot. It hasn’t been easy for her since her mom died. After she was gone it was just Kagome and her stepfather. She never talks about it, but I get the feeling that they don’t get along at all.” InuYasha’s face froze as he understood. His demon ears slowly became visible and he flexed his claws. A deep growl rose from his throat. “That BASTARD!” he growled. Miroku took a step backward. “What the FUCK?” he shouted. InuYasha nearly threw his guitar to the side and stormed out of the room, leaving a shocked and terrified Miroku standing there in awe. Miroku was unable to move for a good while, just staring in stunned silence at the door. ‘What the fuck just happened to InuYasha? Were those dog ears? Was he just growling?’ He thought, silently trying to grasp what he had just seen. He looked down to find InuYasha’s Custom Beast lying on the floor. He picked it up with dismay, as half of the neck broke off when he picked it up. He examined the body to find it cracked nearly in half and spiderwebbed with nearly a dozen smaller cracks. One of it’s spikes lay on the floor a few feet away. Miroku shook his head. “I’ve never seen Yash loose it like that…” he said to the now useless guitar. He gathered the guitar’s remains and attempted to piece it back together inside the case before carrying it out.
Sango sighed as Kagome ran about inside Hot Topic, checking out various cloths. “Funny, I’d never picture you as the Goth type.” She said, watching Kagome staring intently at two t-shirts. “I’m not a Goth. There are others who wear black stuff who aren’t Goths. I’m punk. There’s a difference. I don’t think I’m a witch or a vampire.” Sango looked uneasily at the guy behind the counter. He had a spiked mohawk that had to be at least three feet tall. He was staring at her like she was dressed in a costume. “I suppose… but still. Can you hurry it up, I kind of feel out of place here…” Kagome looked at Sango, taking in her attire. She wore a pink T-shirt with an almost sickeningly cute kitten on it. She had light blue capris and white and pink tennis shoes. Her long brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail. Kagome frowned. “Yeah… you are a bit out of place…” she said, pulling a Black Label Society shirt from a rack and grabbing a pair of Converses off of another. She thrust them at Sango. “Here try these on.” Kagome smiled innocently. Sango nearly choked on her slushy. “Na- Nani?” Kagome looked at her expectantly. Sango took a step back. “No way… I’m not wearing that stuff…” Kagome pouted. “Aw, c’mon. You’d make a great-“ Sango was gone. Kagome turned to the guy at the counter and they both burst out laughing. “Never thought I’d see you being friends with a prep, Kags.” He said, ringing up her sizable amount of clothes. “Neither did i. Turns out, she’s my best friend’s girlfriend. And the sister of the guy I happen to be after. Funny how things turn out, see you next time Mike.” She said, paying and waving goodbye. Sango stood outside fuming. “I hate you…” she said coldly. Kagome giggled and hugged her. “Aw quit being such a baby. You can’t take a little joke? Besides, it’s only a matter of time before I break you of being a preppie.” Sango sighed. “Yeah, you wish. I don’t think I own a single black piece of clothing.” Kagome picked up her slushy from the bench outside. “Jeez… how do you live?” she joked as they headed back out to the car.
A few hours later, Miroku cautiously approached InuYasha’s room with a guitar case in one hand. The door was open, and a loud thumping could be heard every few seconds. “InuYasha?” he asked cautiously. “Yeah, get your ass in here.” Miroku poked his head through the door, to see InuYasha pounding at his punching bag. “Um… InuYasha…” he stopped punching the large sandbag. His head was hung, and his clawed hands hung at his sides. He slowly turned to reveal his fangs and dog ears. “I can explain…” Miroku nodded. “Yeah… I would hope so… InuYasha…. Just what the hell are you?” InuYasha’s gaze fell to the guitar case. “Oh Shit… tell me I didn’t break it.” Miroku sighed and handed him the case. InuYasha shook his head. “Damn… I don’t even want to look.” Miroku walked over to him. “No… you don’t… but you do want to explain this.” He flicked one of InuYasha’s dog ears. InuYasha sighed. “My kind has been in hiding since the feudal era. You’re family has had a few monks in it hasn’t it? Well, they would protect people against my kind over five hundred years ago.” Miroku nodded. “But what is your kind? Just what are you?” InuYasha flexed his clawed fingers. “I’m a demon. Well, half demon actually. My father, InuTaisho was one of the greatest demon lords since the feudal era. Unfortunately, there was a time where demons were hunted down to near extinction. Those few families that were left were forced to take on human forms and hide among them to survive. Now, the spell that hides my ears and claws is the only thing that gives me a semi-normal life.” Miroku nodded. “But why didn’t you tell me?” InuYasha looked at the floor. “I was afraid that you’d get scared and stay away. Just like everyone else who sees me like this does.” Miroku put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Yash, I would never abandon you. You’re the closest thing I have to family. Hell I care about you more that drunkard of an uncle who is supposed to take care of me.” InuYasha looked at Miroku. “Thanks Roku. You and Sango seem to be the only two who aren’t bothered by what I am…” Miroku smiled. “Hay, Yash… do you have a cool, scary demon form like the ones from the feudal era did?” InuYasha sighed. “No. Like I said, I’m only half demon. Our bloodline has been somewhat… thinned over the ages. That’s why Sesshomaru hates me so much. Hanyou’s have always been considered a disgrace to both worlds. Demon’s hate us because our blood is tainted… no offense to you humans… and humans hate us because they fear us. Fortunately, I look mostly human. I’m able to use a spell to cover up the obvious things. It only waivers when I get mad.” Miroku sat down on the couch. “Which brings up something else… What got you so mad? Was it because of Kagome and her stepfather?” InuYasha nodded. Miroku leaned foreword. “Did something happen? Is Kagome okay?” InuYasha looked out the window. “To tell you the truth, I’m really not sure. Last night I saw a bruise on Kagome’s face. She said she ran into a door, but I can tell she’s lying. After hearing what you said… Is Kagome’s stepfather one to be abusive?” he said crossing his arms and moving to the edge of the window. He watched Sango’s car pull up to the house. “I wouldn’t put it past Naraku… he’s worse than Sesshomaru.” InuYasha grimaced. “Alright. Miroku, not a word of this to Kagome. She doesn’t want me to know. And… I don’t want her to know… I don’t want her to be scared away…” Miroku nodded in understanding. “Well, you’d best hide them again.” InuYasha picked up a sword that was leaning against the corner of his room. He slowly drew the sword. The sword seemed to pulse, then grow significantly. Miroku watched in awe. “Hay! That’s the one on your Guitar, isn’t it?” InuYasha closed his eyes and waved the massive sword in a circle, leaving a circle of energy in the air. He slashed the circle in half, and his ears, claws, and fangs instantly vanished. He sheathed the weapon just moments before the girls came in, chattering and throwing themselves on the couch. “Cool…” Miroku said, drawing it out. InuYasha gave him a stern look. “Hay Kags, you know that Yash has a sword?” InuYasha sighed in relief that Miroku had covered gracefully. Kagome turned to look at InuYasha who was spinning the weapon around him absentmindedly. Kagome backed down the couch, away from him. “Umm… you probably shouldn’t be spinning that thing in the house…” InuYasha chuckled. “What’s the matter, Kags?” he dove and was behind her with the blade up against her neck before anyone could even see it coming. “You don’t trust me?” he said, grinning. Kagome sat perfectly still and calm. To everyone’s surprise, she smiled back. “Oh, I trust you Inu-kun. But the real question is do you trust me?” before InuYasha could respond, Kagome had ducked away and kicked the blade out of his hand. As he watched, the sword fell gracefully into Kagome’s hand. She grinned and straddled his waist, drawing a perverted comment from Miroku. She rested the tip of the weapon on InuYasha’s neck and applied just little enough pressure to keep it from breaking skin. “So Inu-kun. Do you trust me?” she said seductively, earning another comment from Miroku. InuYasha grinned and chuckled. “Kagome, Kagome, Kagome… you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. But I think we’d end up breaking stuff in here. Lets call it a tie and continue this later on the Dojo.” The sword fell to the ground. “You Guys have a Dojo here to? I WANT THIS HOUSE!” she screamed, pouting. InuYasha lifted himself off of the floor. “Well, if you want, you can run away to here any time you like.” Kagome frowned. “I may take you up on that someday… Lets go play something, I need my daily dose of music and Sango played country the whole ride back from the mall. Sango smirked. “Payback for that whole business in Hot Topic.”
Back down in the studio, InuYasha had dug out his twelve-string electric/acoustic. “What happened to the beast?” Kagome asked, remembering the sword painted on it. InuYasha plugged the twelve string into his amp. “Well, since I’m playing rhythm, I might as well use a twelve. Better sounding, after all.” Kagome shrugged and went about setting up her SG. Sango and Miroku were busy arguing about what to play. InuYasha stepped in and said calmly. “Now wait a sec… what do we always end up doing when you two can’t agree?” Sango and Miroku sighed. “American Idiot…” they both said in unison. InuYasha cheered and began playing.

Don’t wanna be an American Idiot.
Don’t want a nation under the new media.
Hay can you hear the sounds of hysteria?
The subliminal mind: Fuck America!

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
The television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones meant to follow.
For that’s enough to argue.

Well, maybe I’m the faggot America.
I’m not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
The television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones meant to follow.
For that’s enough to argue.

Don’t wanna be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It’s going out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
The television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones meant to follow.
For that’s enough to argue.