Chemical Reaction by Angelic Memories

Tricks and Treats Part One

I am actually posting two chapters for this story, and both are based on Halloween Challenges. This first post is for the Dokuga Halloween Challenge by D.S Anno and Rikayu, I decided to go along with something cute for this one.

700 words minimum: 1 177 words used

Must contain something related to Halloween.

Warning

Please note that I am not relating to any religions in this story, I am just using the general idea of Halloween and it is not my intention to offend anyone’s culture or religion.

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

Tricks and Treats

“Don’t you just love it?” Kagome cheered through the silence of the group.

“Love what Kagome-sama,” a young girl chirped up.

“The cool crisp air, the beautiful leaves changing colours, the dew covered grass giving off its sweet scent, and the faint breeze brushing through your hair. Autumn is my favourite time of the year,” the miko exclaimed.

“Why?” Rin asked suddenly.

“Well, I suppose I like the colour of trees but mostly I like it because Halloween is coming.”

“Halloween?” Rin repeated curiously.

Kagome stopped, realizing that Halloween was not a tradition that would register in the minds of those born of the era she was travelling in.

“It sort of a fun celebration that takes place on the day spirits walk the earth. In the village that I come from everyone dresses up in costumes and go to neighbours to ask them for treats.”

“Rin doesn’t understand… why do you dress up?”

Kagome didn’t think that she would ever have to explain Halloween to anyone, but then again, she never thought she would travel through time.

“You dress up in something in order to scare away the spirits. That way they don’t come and possess you when they are wandering the earth.”

“So why do you ask for treats?”

For more than a few seconds Kagome was left to think. She wasn’t sure when candy became involved in the Halloween, she couldn’t recall why it was you asked others for candy. But Rin would want an answer so she had to come up with something.

“Because it means that someone likes you. If they give you a treat, they are protecting you, but if you get a trick instead, then the spirits might find you and play more tricks on you,” Kagome reasoned. “So give tricks to people you don’t like and give treats to people you do.”

Rin stopped suddenly and looked to each of the members of the pack. Sesshomaru lead the group, following the river along the northern border of his lands. Ever since Kagome had joined the group she had done nothing but follow Sesshomaru around, hoping against hope that he would explain why she was there exactly, or they would run into Inuyasha. For three weeks she prayed for one or the other… but it was a fruitless effort. Instead she took pride in what she was learning.

Rin had taught her about fishing with bare hands, and Sesshomaru had a vast knowledge about his lands. If there was something that caught her attention she would ask about. More often than not she found that her question was answered.

A few days ago Sesshomaru had begun testing her powers. Making her perform rather annoying task, such as keeping a barrier up and around the entire group for the day, like she was doing now. But slowly she was finding that it was easier to hold it up longer without her energy draining away. Of course she doubt that Inuyasha would be able to sense or smell her if she continued to keep the barrier up. But she much rather live through an angry rant from Inuyasha than defying an order and becoming Sesshomaru’s next victim.

“When is this Halloween?” Rin asked.

“Hm… well,” Kagome tapped her chin, trying to remember what day it was. Her small calendar was in her pack, which was still with Inuyasha and the gang, so she had no way to keep track of the days other than by memory. “I believe it is two nights from now. Hm… strange that’s the night of the full moon.”

For the next couple of days Kagome watched as Rin fretted. The child said very little to her, the quiet was something Kagome wasn’t use to. The girl was bubbly, which distracted Kagome from her usual lines of thoughts and the worry about what she would do once Sesshomaru got tired of her presence.

The morning of Halloween Kagome woke to little pulls of her hair. Confused she cracked an eye and looked up, trying to ignore the bright rays of light. A shadow bent over her head gave was outline in a surreal glow making it hard to identify the child at first.

“Rin what are you doing?” Kagome mumbled, not enjoying the fact that her sleep was interrupted so early, since Sesshomaru was nice enough to let them sleep in the day after a long night of travel… which happened more often than not.

Not the time to be comparing brothers, Kagome pointed out to herself before her mind could get the better of her.

“Kagome, this is my treat to you. I braided your favourite flowers in your hair. That way no spirit will play tricks on you today.”

At first Kagome was quiet. A few would have assumed it was because she was tired, but in reality the miko was attempting from laughing. The actions of the innocent was so cute that she couldn’t help but giggle.

“Thank you Rin. You are sweet,” Kagome whispered reaching up with to place a chaste kiss on the child’s forehead.

For some reason she couldn’t bring herself to tell the child anything more. Such as Halloween was celebrated in the evening, and she wasn’t serious about the ‘trick or treat’ thing. Instead she held her tongue and came to realize this was the reason for Rin’s uneasiness the past few days.

Sudden the form blocking the light from her sensitive eyes moved. Kagome hoisted herself unto her elbows and watched as Rin rushed over to Sesshomaru. Of course Sesshomaru was given a gift of flowers as well, though the child merely gave the decorative rainbow bouquet to the inu instead of the manner in which Kagome had received her own treat. Looking over she noted the braided chain crown on both heads of Ah and Un. Jaken appeared to have been attacked, and was still pulling petals from off his skin, the thin sheet of slime acting like glue.

Sighing, Kagome rose and pulled out a thin chain from her pocket. It was something she had found as a child and she had kept it for as long as she could remember. She never wore it though, she didn’t really know why, but some instinct told her to give it to Rin.

On the slim sliver chain perched a yellow buttercup. Each time Kagome stared at the necklace she was reminded of Rin’s bright disposition, wishing that she herself could continue on with the carefree ways of a child.

“Rin, I have something for you,” Kagome spoke up suddenly.

The young girl bounced all the way to the miko to giving her undivided attention to the woman. Kagome held out the chain, unclasping it and wrapping it around Rin’s neck before latching it securely.

“You will always be protected as long as you wear this,” the miko whispered, giving the child a hug. “Happy Halloween.”

Rin returned the gestured, her giggle expressing her happiness for feeling wanted in the world that had once abandoned her. “Happy Halloween Kagome.”

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

Ja ne

Angelic Memories

© 2009