Triple the Desire {Sequel to a Demon of a Woman}

Chapter 2

Yuki

Ume eyed me wearily as I rounded the doorway and entered the room. She glanced me up and down, narrowing her eyes playfully as she took in my attire

. It was a little number I had picked up from one of my previous visits to the modern era. Light blue skinny jeans with leather ankle height boots that had straps wrapping like ballet slippers to my calves. The outfit was complete with a lavender halter top and a beige satchel.

"Going somewhere?" She asked as she dropped her gaze back to the piano keys in front of her, pretending she didn't already know the answer-or that she wasn't interested herself. She poked at a few keys, the melody slowly coming together as she half paid attention to what she was doing.

"I thought I'd visit Taisho and see what he was up to." I answered simply taking a seat on the bench next to her. I reached over randomly adding in a key to pester her, which earned me a light swat to the hand; but she never skipped a beat as she continued on with the other hand.

Our mother was raised in a different time than the one we know, the 'modern era' is what she called it. Even though this was her home now, our Aunt Kagome had always helped her through the years maintaining her money. Since it was just her and Rhys-oh God I miss Rhys-she had quite a bit of money saved up, so Kagome updated Mom's home address as hers and helped rotate her credit card as the old one expired. This is what allowed us to take our 'family trips' when we were little. They were rare, but worth a lifetime of memories it was such an experience.

Father was always reluctant to allow it due to the quantity of human to demon ratio, but Mom always seemed to get him with "a knowledge beyond any others". We never knew what it meant, but whatever it was it meant we got a trip to the modern era.

Most often on these trips she would take us to a cinema to experience the stories she always told us. On one of these trips, Mom stopped at a music shop on the way home, unable to pass up checking out the newest guitars. We all scattered about the store, amazed by the different instruments set out. The first instrument Ume spotted was the piano, and by the time Alucard and I had made it around the entire store Ume was still sitting at that piano. At some point an attendant had noticed her interest and joined her, showing her some basic keys.

Of course Father was eying the human the instant he took a seat next to Ume. Mom went to high alert ready to pull him out of there afraid he was going to overreact; but then his attention changed from the attendant to Ume and Mother knew she wouldn't be needed this time. Ume picked up the notes she was shown with fluidity and he noticed her face light up the same way Mom's did with each key she hit.

Needless to say, our father found a way to get her that piano. It certainly wasn't easy. He disassembled it into many smaller pieces that could fit through the well, transported with the help of Ah-Un, then put it all back together once he got it home.

"You better be back before they return home." Ume warned.

"They're traveling all the way to the South, of course I'll be back before them." I responded with a roll of the eyes. Then an idea popped in my head and I started nudging her shoulder with mine, "you know if you're so worried about me being late you could come with me. I could take you to a rock concert and you could keep me in line. It's a win-win." I suggested, trying to get at her weak point. The room rang out in an A sharp as Ume paused on her last key stroke, considering my offer for a moment. "Come on" I drawled out slowly and nudged her shoulder a couple more times, trying to coax her my way.

"You know I can't." She finally responded with a soft grumble. She hung her head, trying to focus on the keys and distract herself from my offer, but her fingertips only lightly drummed the surface not even applying enough pressure to make a sound.

"Yes you can." I urged as I grasped her forearm with both hands and shook her lightly.

"No. Whether or not I was with you, you'll be late coming back. You're always late. And someone has to stay. Dad hates it when you go to the Modern era on your own-"

"-Not alone. With Taisho-who is family by the way." I interjected which earned me a not so playful glare this time.

"-plus Mom went with them this time. You know he won't be so forgiving to come home and find out we just left Tanjiro and Tashine without anyone to go hop in the well with his half brother's son." She finished, adding my reminder as one of her bad facts. Griffy laid curled up on the piano top just listening to Ume. When her music stopped, she tilted her head to the side on her little red paws and cooed for her attention when she noticed the sour look on Ume's face.

"Come on Ume, you know I don't share his opinion of him just because he's not a full-blood demon. I thought you agreed with me." I responded.

"I do!" She snapped, offended by my insinuation. Griffy instantly responded, leaning over the edge of the piano top enough to nuzzle her cheek against Ume's. "but I also know our difference in opinion won't change how upset he'll be."

Not wanting to put my foot in my mouth, I ended the argument by not pursuing it further. "Rain check on the rock concert?" I asked with a pout.

Ume took her hands off the keys and laid them in her lap. After a chuckle and head shake to herself she turned to me with a big grin I hadn't expected "Damn right." She answered then pulled me into a hug. She patted my back before pulling away, but held onto my shoulders a moment longer. "Just try not to make him worry too long." She asked.

"I told you I'd be back before them." I reminded her with another eye roll.

"And I told you you're always late." She reminded me in a joking chastising tone. She attempted to give me an intimidating look with a raised brow, but it wasn't very effective and we both just started laughing at it. "Now get out of here before I find something else to give you a hard time about." She joked. I just nodded my head with a chuckle and smile and headed out to find Taisho.

As I exited the room I heard Ume pick up the keys on the piano again and paused before leaving to listen for a moment. As she started to sing I leaned against the wall and sighed, wishing I could have convinced her to come with me.

*"If I could find the assurance

To leave you behind

I know my better half would fade

And all my doubts

Is a staircase for you

Opened out of this base

The first step is the one you believe in

The second one might be profound

I'll follow you down to the eye of the storm

Don't worry I'll keep you warm

I'll follow you down

While we're passing through space

I don't care if we fall from grace

I'll follow you down"

Taisho

Twenty-one year old half demon. Child of Kagome and Inuyasha and cousin to Yuki and her siblings.

His appearance was reminiscent of his Father's human form with his black hair cascading to the tops of his shoulders. His eyes are a mixture of both his parents-a golden center that fades into a soft hazel edge around the iris.

"Taisho!" I shouted as I neared the little village close to the well. I could sense his presence in the area, but wasn't sure which hut he was in.

My shout certainly caught someone's attention and a head of silver popped out from one of the huts in the distance. Inuyasha scanned around, curious who was shouting his son's name. He spotted me and his curious gaze turned flat, looking about as thrilled as my father would if Taisho had showed up at our door. I swear, if it weren't for Mom and Kagome those two brother's would still be occupying their days battling over their feud instead of enjoying a life.

"You just missed him." Inuyasha hollered back, his voice as cheery as he looked. His head disappeared back into the hut immediately after, resuming whatever he had been doing.

I knew my father would never let up, but I always figured Inuyasha was just trying to keep up the same appearance as him. I was determined to break him down to his soft side with each encounter.

Not done yet, I jogged over to the hut and entered after a small knock on the doorway announcing my presence. Inuyasha just watched me with a raised brow as I gave him a respectable half bow upon entering. "May I ask where he has gone to?" I asked politely.

He eyed me for a moment, trying to sense any false sincerity to my tone. "Kagome's visiting her mother. He joined her in the Modern Era." He finally answered after my innocent smile wore him down. "Which I assume is where you were planning to go." He assessed, now taking in my strange attire. Inuyasha had spent so much more time than anyone else in the Feudal Era had over in the Modern Era and that was still how he had separated the two times-'strange garments'.

"Yes I am" I confirmed with a closed eye grin. I took our encounter one step further today and gave him a peck on the cheek, causing Inuyasha to go completely stiff from the unexpected gesture "Thank you, Oji-san." I gave him another half bow as I exited and headed for the well.

"Uhh...ummm...You're welcome!" Inuyasha finally shouted across the field after stammering for a moment which made me chuckle to myself as I hopped into the well.