Griddlebone (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ladygriddlebone) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomweekly2024-06-16 12:21 pm
ladygriddlebone) wrote in fandomweekly2024-06-16 12:21 pm
Entry tags:
[#223] Secret (InuYasha)
Theme Prompt: #223 - Sunrise
Title: Secret
Fandom: InuYasha
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 700
Summary: Sunrise after the night of the new moon is always a relief, and a struggle. (Pre-canon.)
Daylight crept through the trees, slinking like an animal with its tail between its legs. Somewhere nearby, birds made their morning calls. But Inuyasha had no need of the faint illumination or the rousing of wildlife to tell him that the long and moonless night was over at last.
He could feel the change in his own flesh, as demonic blood reasserted itself and power returned. Half demon only, his weakness on the night of the new moon was a secret he must keep at all costs, even if it meant a lonely vigil through the night. No one could know that he became fully human on such nights, with all the weaknesses that came with being mortal. No one.
Unthinking, he had already made his way out of the thick tangle of vegetation and headed toward the path that led to the village. He had spent the night alone in the forest, hidden away, so that no one would find out his secret. If he went back to the village so soon, he might be taking a big risk.
In his mind, he heard again the admonition of his long-dead mother: you must never let anyone know. There are people who will want to hurt you for what you are, and if they find out when you are weak, they will use that against you.
The people of the village barely tolerated his presence. He was not allowed within the village proper. Most of the villagers would think nothing of his periodic disappearances, if they even noticed he was gone at all. They would never notice a pattern.
But there was one who might.
Kikyou.
Priestess, guardian, she should have been an enemy. Long experience with the world of humans warned him that she could yet become an enemy, no matter how tolerant she seemed now. Kikyou was possessed of a quick mind and spiritual powers that made her keenly aware whenever he was near. Of all the humans in the village, she was the one that might figure out the meaning behind his absence each new moon. He should be cautious.
But the sense of longing lingered, an annoying and all-too-human emotion left over from his transformation last night. He did not wish to be human, not really. But some part of him would always wonder what it was like to be accepted rather than outcast for his half-breed heritage.
Outcast in her own way, Kikyou saw past the claws and fangs and knew there was a person underneath. She could have used her vast spiritual power to destroy him, or at least the parts of him that were demon, but she did not.
Had not. So far.
Instead of following the path toward the village, to where he might catch a glimpse of her, he made his way into a nearby tree. To safety, to cover, to a place where wandering villagers would not even notice him if they passed by.
But Kikyou might.
He hated the way his thoughts turned so constantly toward Kikyou, even as he could not help himself. He had lived long enough alone that he ought to be beyond such feelings, should be tougher than this. He should be tough and cold and cruel as any other demon if he wanted to survive in this world. But the part of him that was mortal still yearned for friendship and affection, just like any other human.
Especially now, at the end of a dark and terrifying and lonely night. Surely, after all that, Kikyou would—
But what would Kikyou do, if she knew?
Would she still tolerate his presence? Or, seeing at last a way to be rid of him, would she destroy him?
He couldn’t be sure, any more than he could trust the emotions of his human heart.
He couldn’t be sure.
And so, as day broke fully over the forest, Inuyasha remained where he was. He did not seek out Kikyou, no matter how the longing for her company gnawed at his heart.
Better to stay away. Better not to take the risk.
Better to stay alone.
It was the only way to know for sure his secret was safe.
Title: Secret
Fandom: InuYasha
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 700
Summary: Sunrise after the night of the new moon is always a relief, and a struggle. (Pre-canon.)
Daylight crept through the trees, slinking like an animal with its tail between its legs. Somewhere nearby, birds made their morning calls. But Inuyasha had no need of the faint illumination or the rousing of wildlife to tell him that the long and moonless night was over at last.
He could feel the change in his own flesh, as demonic blood reasserted itself and power returned. Half demon only, his weakness on the night of the new moon was a secret he must keep at all costs, even if it meant a lonely vigil through the night. No one could know that he became fully human on such nights, with all the weaknesses that came with being mortal. No one.
Unthinking, he had already made his way out of the thick tangle of vegetation and headed toward the path that led to the village. He had spent the night alone in the forest, hidden away, so that no one would find out his secret. If he went back to the village so soon, he might be taking a big risk.
In his mind, he heard again the admonition of his long-dead mother: you must never let anyone know. There are people who will want to hurt you for what you are, and if they find out when you are weak, they will use that against you.
The people of the village barely tolerated his presence. He was not allowed within the village proper. Most of the villagers would think nothing of his periodic disappearances, if they even noticed he was gone at all. They would never notice a pattern.
But there was one who might.
Kikyou.
Priestess, guardian, she should have been an enemy. Long experience with the world of humans warned him that she could yet become an enemy, no matter how tolerant she seemed now. Kikyou was possessed of a quick mind and spiritual powers that made her keenly aware whenever he was near. Of all the humans in the village, she was the one that might figure out the meaning behind his absence each new moon. He should be cautious.
But the sense of longing lingered, an annoying and all-too-human emotion left over from his transformation last night. He did not wish to be human, not really. But some part of him would always wonder what it was like to be accepted rather than outcast for his half-breed heritage.
Outcast in her own way, Kikyou saw past the claws and fangs and knew there was a person underneath. She could have used her vast spiritual power to destroy him, or at least the parts of him that were demon, but she did not.
Had not. So far.
Instead of following the path toward the village, to where he might catch a glimpse of her, he made his way into a nearby tree. To safety, to cover, to a place where wandering villagers would not even notice him if they passed by.
But Kikyou might.
He hated the way his thoughts turned so constantly toward Kikyou, even as he could not help himself. He had lived long enough alone that he ought to be beyond such feelings, should be tougher than this. He should be tough and cold and cruel as any other demon if he wanted to survive in this world. But the part of him that was mortal still yearned for friendship and affection, just like any other human.
Especially now, at the end of a dark and terrifying and lonely night. Surely, after all that, Kikyou would—
But what would Kikyou do, if she knew?
Would she still tolerate his presence? Or, seeing at last a way to be rid of him, would she destroy him?
He couldn’t be sure, any more than he could trust the emotions of his human heart.
He couldn’t be sure.
And so, as day broke fully over the forest, Inuyasha remained where he was. He did not seek out Kikyou, no matter how the longing for her company gnawed at his heart.
Better to stay away. Better not to take the risk.
Better to stay alone.
It was the only way to know for sure his secret was safe.
no subject
no subject