InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fairytales Do Come True ❯ Truthful Tale ( Chapter 3 )

I apologize for the cliffy. I have some other stuff to tell you, but I'll wait till the end of the chappie.

 

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Jessie Angel, my new-found beta, idea-bouncer-offer, and good friend.

 

Disclaimer: I have not, do not, and will not own Inuyasha and Co. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

“Well, that's just great.” Kagome spat.

 

“Wait, I thought you two were getting along nicely?” Kikyo said, confused.

 

“We were…until someone told him he had to protect me. He translated that as `follow me wherever I go and never give me a moment of peace.' The worst thing is he won't tell me who it is!”

 

“Such a cruel and unusual punishment. Is there any particular reason why you would want to discover the identity of this mysterious benefactor?”

 

“Yeah; so I can tell them to butt out of my life!”

 

“Kagome, Kagome. That's such a rude thing to tell me, especially since I'm the one who…..convinced…..Inuyasha to watch over you.”

 

“You? Convinced him?”

 

“Well, technically, all I did was tell him the truth. His conscience took care of the rest.”

 

“But why did you do it?”

 

“I'll tell you what I told him. Were you aware that I wasn't killed in an accident?”

 

“Yes. Mama said it was a hit-and-run, and Inuyasha said you were killed on purpose.”

 

“Well, the man who killed me did it for the Shikon Jewel. He might try to kill you too.”

 

“Well, I appreciate your concern, but I don't want Inuyasha following me everywhere I go. I'd go insane.”

 

“That's understandable. Ok, I'll tell him to lay off a bit….on one condition.”

 

“What's the condition?”

 

“Don't go anywhere alone.”

 

“Well, that's not too hard.”

 

“I'm serious. Don't go anywhere without at least one or two people with you, preferably people who know how to defend themselves.”

 

“Fine. I think Sango and Miroku won't mind being my escorts for awhile. So, what's this other important piece of news that you must impart to me?”

 

Kikyo smiled mischievously. “I think you'll like this one.” Another spirit materialized by the dead girl. “This is Great-Great-Great Aunt Kaede.”

 

“It is nice to meet ye, child,” the old woman said. “I have a gift for ye to help with thy dog-eared friend, Inuyasha.”

 

“Really?” Kagome asked, excited.

 

Kaede held out a necklace. Between every five small, round, blue beads there was a white wooden fang-shaped bead. “This talisman, once placed around his neck, will subdue Inuyasha at thy command. All ye must do is speak a single word.”

 

“What word should I say?”

 

“It must be one that speaks to his soul. Once uttered the first time, the word will be the only one ye alone can use. Also, ye must be careful. The word will subdue thou's friend whether ye wish it or not. Uttered carelessly, it can have disastrous results.”

 

“Question. Do I have to put this on him myself?”

 

Kaede smiled kindly. “No, child. Kikyo and I will do it for ye.” With that last sentence, the two spirits disappeared once more.

 

Kagome sat down at her desk, prepared to do her homework and feeling elated. She had wanted to take sword lessons all her life, and here they were, handed to her on a silver platter. Never mind that she had to take them with Inuyasha; she could `subdue' him (whatever that meant) if he got too weird. Her life had taken a short dive, but it was steadily climbing upward.

 

Inuyasha's life, however, was not improving nearly as much. His least favorite dead miko was paying him yet another visit.

 

“When will you just leave me alone?” he growled at Kikyo.

 

“Hmm……I'm thinking…………that's a really hard question. I think you're stuck with me for a long while. Probably until the Shikon Jewel is safe from whoever killed me.”

 

Why does she have to do this, he wondered to himself. I'm still hurting from her officially breaking up with me. It only makes it harder for me when she keeps coming around.

 

“Great,” he said out loud. “But if you're not gonna leave me alone; can you at least have a reason for when you visit?”

 

“My dear Inuyasha, I have never visited you without a reason.”

 

“Oh? Well what about right now?”

 

“My dear Inu-chan, I do have a reason, but I cannot tell you if you keep arguing with me.”

 

His face turned beet-red. She always called him Inu-chan whenever they were alone. Shaking off his embarrassment, he growled once more, “Will you tell me if I promise to be quiet?”

 

“I'll hold you to it,” she said. “I want you to give sword lessons to Kagome.”

 

Once more, Kikyo shocked the hanyou. Whatever he expected, it wasn't this. Thankfully, he managed to recover himself quickly; so quickly in fact that Kikyo never noticed his surprise.

 

“Why does that wench need sword lessons?” he snapped.

 

“First of all, I thought I told you not to call her wench. Second of all, I don't know if you've noticed, but the only weapon she can use is a bow, and that doesn't do much for her in the way of protection if the fighting gets too close.”

 

“I see.” Inuyasha thought for a moment, then sighed. “Fine. I'll do it.”

 

Kikyo examined his face closely, and found she like what she saw there. “Okay, great. By the way, here's a little present for you.” She snapped her fingers and a necklace appeared out of nowhere. It floated through the air and came to rest around Inuyasha's neck. He stared at it for a moment, then looked back up.

 

“What exactly is it?” he asked.

 

“Just a little something to help Kagome out, since she doesn't want you to be so overbearing,” Kikyo said cheerily. “Sadly I have to leave now. You have a visitor.” The doorbell rang just as she finished speaking. Inuyasha walked over to the door and opened it. He was somewhat surprised to see his older brother standing in the doorway, holding a briefcase.

 

“Hey Flu-I mean, Sesshomaru. To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?” the hanyou asked.

 

“I have some interesting new developments in the Kikyo case. I believe that you should be informed,” the youkai said in that gushy, overemotional way he had.

 

“Well, come on in. It's not like I'm going anywhere.” The two brothers walked into Inuyasha's living room. Once there, Sesshomaru placed his briefcase on the small coffee table, opened it, and removed some of the contents.

 

“I did some investigation into the girl's family history. Apparently, she was the reincarnation of her great-great-grandmother, who shares her name.”

 

“No, she wasn't,” Inuyasha interrupted. He then proceeded to tell Sesshomaru about all the events that had occurred since Kikyo's death, including the revelation of Kagome's true identity and his charge to watch over the younger miko. The older youkai listened patiently.

 

“This complicates things to some degree,” Sesshomaru said at the end of his brother's tale. “I was not aware that Kikyo was not her ancestor's reincarnation. However, it also makes things somewhat easier. The Shikon no Tama is in the hands of its proper owner and protector. I was afraid it no longer had one. It also helps that you are in charge of protecting…what is her name? Kagome Higurashi?”

 

“Yeah, that's the wench's name,” Inuyasha muttered.

 

“The wench?” Sesshomaru said, raising an eyebrow. “If I didn't know any better, I would say that you are harboring feelings for this Kagome Higurashi. Are you over Kikyo so quickly?”

 

“No!” Inuyasha said forcefully. Then, more gently, “I'm not sure how I feel. The first thing Kikyo told me after she came back was that she was breaking up with me. Now, she keeps pushing me and Kagome together. What am I supposed to do?”

 

Sesshomaru chuckled, and Inuyasha stared. His brother never laughs!

 

“It was very much like that for me,” the older youkai told his younger hanyou brother. “Jaken kept pushing myself and Kagura together. It wasn't until I just went with the flow that I realized we were perfect for each other, especially since she doesn't mind Rin. How many other female demons would accept an eighteen-year-old human girl that I adopted years ago? Kagura is actually the one who suggested that Rin be my secretary when she was old enough.”

 

“I think that was to make sure you don't run off with your secretary,” Inuyasha muttered. “Fine; I'll go with the flow and see where it takes me. But, what else do you have to tell me? I don't think you came just to discuss Kikyo's family history and my love-life.”

 

“Once again, your perceptiveness astounds me,” Sesshomaru said dryly. “Like I said when I came in, I'm here to bring you up to speed on the Kikyo case.”

 

Inuyasha folded his arms. “So, talk.”

 

“I have discovered the identity of the man responsible. His name is Naraku Onigumo, and he is a hanyou such as yourself. He seeks the Shikon no Tama to help him become a full demon. However, this is not the first time he has made such an attempt. He tried many years ago, when the Jewel was in the hands of the first Kikyo. Thankfully, he was thwarted by our father's brother.”

 

“Dad's brother? I didn't know he had a brother.”

 

“Yes. It seems that he loved Kikyo, but she did not love him back. Still, he gave up his life to protect her and the Jewel. Naraku was defeated, but not killed, and has been in hiding ever since. It seems to me that he has now come back. I do not know what he will do now that I have discovered his identity.”

 

“Maybe he'll go into hiding and I won't have to worry about him,” Inuyasha muttered.

 

“More then likely, he won't. Naraku cannot afford to wait too much longer. I give it ten years before he strikes again. Until then, we must protect Kagome Higurashi. Inuyasha, you will give this young miko sword lessons and you will like it.”

 

“Fine.”

 

Sesshomaru checked his wristwatch. “I must leave now,” he said. Before Inuyasha could stop him, he walked right out the door.

 

“You'll give her sword lessons and you'll enjoy it,” Inuyasha mimicked. Oh yes, he would enjoy it, and that was what worried him. Kagome intrigued him. She didn't tolerate his insults; no, she threw them right back. She was the only girl that would argue with him; Kikyo would just…..no, he couldn't start comparing the two girls, especially since Kagome would win every time.

 

 

Ok, yes the chapter was shorter this time. I'm going to start doing shorter chapters because hopefully shorter chapters mean quicker updates. Also, as shown by the dedication, I have found a beta, Jessie Angel. She can be found on both fanfiction.net and mediaminer.org. Thanks to Kitsune Lizzie, who also offered her services. And thanks to all of you readers, and a special thank you to all of you reviewers. I send imaginary cookies to all!

 

As always, please review!