This is an Inu x Sess fic. But There will be a bromance with Inu and Kouga. Kagome will appear at some point as well. There are no original characters on my part. If something seems weird then just trust me and keep going. :P
Also, as with my other fiction, I will try to control my foul language. Yet my military background, and staying true to our foul mouthed characters will be evident.
Working out of Georgetown South Carlolina wasn't what Inuyasha really wanted to be doing with his life. The port here wasn't the largest in the country. But it paid him well enough. Seeing as how he was a hanyou, one of both human and demon blood, the fact that he was employed at all was something of a miracle. He had to wear a baseball cap to cover his distinct dog ears. His employer Bill knew he was a mixed breed, but he didn't want to announce it to everyone at the docks. There were mainly demons here. Their impressive strength put to use handling the pallets.
It always seemed strange to Inuyasha how despite it being the 22nd century, there was still discrimination between the two species. Humans, being more clever of mind and resources managed to get a solid foothold in modern society. Enforcing their laws with terrible weapons, and demon- like viciousness enforced their position. Really there was no way Inuyasha could be sure, mostly he felt from his own affected life span, that having mortality hanging over your head makes a person view the world very differently.
Humans who were threatened or cornered, those who were close to death, would display a side of themselves that could put any full blooded demon to shame. Being half human Yasha knew well enough how strongly his emotions could stir inside him.
Despite his internal turmoil this wasn't the worst period of his life so far. At least he was in a warm state. He was able to work without much harassment. And even though there are no suitable homeless shelters for him to reside, there were plenty of warm, dry forestry. The truck stops had showers available. He had gotten in good with another hanyou who worked the shop named Jinenji. Inuyasha was allowed one chance to bathe a day.
That was key though, Inuyasha had to do his best to remain on friendly terms with people. Had to first overcome their prejudices, then relate to them in some way. As he did with Jinenji. It wasn't just using people though, having companions made the days easier. It was a soothing balm on his pained soul.
That is.. when he doesn't have a day as shitty as this one. Apparently immigration was going to be making its way through the port and thus the dock workers soon. He wasn't an illegal alien, but he certainly had No paperwork to enforce his own identity. His mother died around 200 years ago, left him no way to ascertain his own history. Inuyasha was barely old enough to write when she passed of old age.
Being a hanyou it has taken him several times longer to reach the fringes of adulthood. Back in his childhood, he was not required to have a card stating his identity. Through the certificate of his heritage has been long misplaced. Inuyasha had, in his mind's eye, an image of his old home. The hostile village in which he spent his first 60 years. It didn't take long for Yasha to decide that suffering at human hands was not where he wanted to stay. Roaming like a ronin, without a cause.
But back to his present issue, immigration was in search and would be sure to find him. He figured he had about a week to move on, yet again, to another safe haven... Yasha didn't feel like showering right now, having just left another full day of shipments. He should try to get shitfaced first, then wash the drunken stink off of himself. It's not like he had anything else to do right then.
Collecting his paycheck in cash, he pocketed the money, with the rest of his savings. He didn't have the ability to trust his money to a bank, not without a way to prove his own identity. Seeing how every interaction he's ever had with police figures ended in blood, it's not as though he's anxious to face them once more.
Gently he pushed the door open to his usual pub. Taking a seat at the bar, not directly in sight of the door, he tapped the smooth wood and nodded once to the bartender. Quickly he saw a full mug appear on the bar before him. Idly Yasha swished his clawed finger through the foam, easing the beverage into a calmer state. Hopefully an affect his own mind would achieve shortly.
It was only halfway through his beer that someone sat themselves next to the half breed. That someone smelled distinctly different from him. Cheerfully a voice requested "The same thing as this guy" gesturing to Yasha. As he lifted the mug to his mouth again the silverette man stole a glance sideways, trying to inconspicuously identify this new bar-mate. He sat straight in his seat, a decent suit draped on his tall form. Long dark hair was tied back neatly. From the few moments he had, Inuyasha couldn't clearly see his face. The man smelled of powerful demon blood.
Inuyasha mentally reviewed his own appearance in comparison. His long white hair, almost the same length as this stranger's deep black. Yasha hid his mixed breed dog ears under his trusty red ball cap. Matching his red zip-up hoodie, over a normal white t-shirt. He sported his same old dark jeans that have lasted him for much longer than a pair reasonably should have. Inuyasha shifted in his seat, already uncomfortable with the intrusion to his privacy. The move managed to give him a good look down. The man sported smooth leather shoes which put the hanyou's preferably bare feet to shame.
"Ya like what you see?" The dark haired, somewhat tanned man questioned, catching the hanyou's wandering eye.
"Keh, never been fond of wolves." Inuyasha had identified what breed of demon sat beside him.
"Ooooh, really now?" The wolf took a moment to enjoy his frosty beverage, "That's a shame, I have an affinity for Inu's myself." The smile thrown Inuyasha's way was nothing short of lascivious.
That was unfamiliar. Only once before did he actually have someone hit on him. And it was certainly a woman.. or.. he was certain at the time. Either way it threw him off. Inuyasha didn't like being confused. When he gets confused he gets angry. When he gets angry he gets stupid. "Well you can fuck off right now than." The Inu growled.
"Woah, I knew a few feral Inus. I might have assumed you to be one, had you not been so initially docile." The wolf verbally prodded, "Name's Kouga." He mumbled the next part around the rim of his mug, "If you care to know."
"What do ya want?" Was Inuyasha's still defensive reply.
"Mmmmm, this beer. And some good company." Kouga said happily.
"Well, I'm far from good, and far from company." Inuyasha replied moving to stand.
"Relax Inu-hanyou. There's no need to run off. Here," Kouga slapped a ten dollar bill down, "Stay for another round."
Inuyasha accepted the good will, but sat angled away from the wolf. "Who are you anyways?" he asked the still cheerful man.
"I'm Kouga from Northern Tribe Industries. Out here to work a new deal, feel out a potential client." Kouga tilted the mug towards Inuyasha in a small cheer, "Successfully."
"How fantastic for you, and so I have been chosen to suffer your company?"
"That is correct my Inu- friend!" Heartily Kouga clapped his hand on Inuyasha's back. "So is there a chance that I'll ever learn your name?"
"Inuyasha," was the simple response.
"Inu~ Yasha~ Well it's original." Pausing to taste his beer once more Kouga continued, "What's brought you to a small bar like this?"
"Solitude." The dark haired wolf laughed at this, as though it were intended as a direct jibe. Not realizing the truth behind the statement.
"And you have found something far better!" Inuyasha finally made eye contact. The demon was strikingly handsome. Kouga's grin was a prideful one and it suited him well. Blue eyes were framed by tanned features.
Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, he wasn't sure- about anything right now. His mind registered the cold beer in his hands. Mentally grasping onto something he knew as familiar, Inuyasha imbibed the drink once more.
"So an Inu can blush," Kouga mumbled to himself, yet intending his company to overhear.
"An Inu can also deliver a black eye," The red faced hanyou replied.
"Oh I am sure you can-" Kouga's words stopped in his throat when he saw the red hat atop Yasha's head move slightly. "What the?" Quickly but gently the cap was snatched away from it's perch.
Two perfectly adorable white dog ears popped out of hiding, one twitching as a sign of Yasha's embarassment.
It was only moments before the wolf's clawed fingers felt the soft appendage. Straight glee crossed Kouga's face at his discovery.
"Get offa me, asshole!" Inuyasha swiftly snatched the ball cap back with one hand, and swatted the bastard's hand away with the other.
"Those are fantastic. No! Don't hide them!" Kouga laughed now. It wasn't mocking, but instead heartfelt and happy. Even if Inuyasha was upset, instinctively he smiled. The wolf's genuine happiness infected the man. 'The fucker' he thought fondly.
It was several hours of horsing around before Inuyasha and Kouga realized that they were the only two left in the bar. Gently the bartender asked for payment. It seemed as though his two patrons were enjoying themselves greatly. He was just glad that they weren't belligerently drunk. Inuyasha hadn't been as eager to drink as the night went on, spending very little money on his bill. Kouga though, had eagerly filled his mug several times. A little jealously the hanyou noticed that the demon was able to remain sober despite it.
"Where are you staying at? I can get you there."
Hedging a little Inuyasha deflected the subject, "What about you? Which hotel are you crashing at?"
"Pffft, like I remember." The wolf fished out his electronic key card, "Hilton. I think it's the only one here."
Yasha nodded his head to get the bartender's attention, "You mind calling him a cab?" Without answering the tired man left to do as requested. Anything to get the two out so he could close.
"What about you? Where ya going?" Kouga asked again.
"I got some shit I still need to do. How long're you here for?" Inuyasha asked amiably. After getting over his shitty mood the rest of the night went by perfectly.
"I'm here for 2 more days." The wolf demon said flippantly. Ushered outside by the door guard both men stood in the night on the sidewalk. Kouga lit up a cigarette, the glow lighting up his face momentarily, his eyes downcast. Inuyasha could see well at night, probably not as well as the wolf could though.
"Well, the taxi's coming. You'll be fine on your own. See ya some other time."
"Inuyasha." The voice came across in an unusual tone. "Don't do it." Kouga seemed focused on the cancer stick in his fingers.
"Do what?" Maybe the wolf was far more drunk than he'd guessed.
"You're going to the forest, for the night." Kouga's assessment was a statement, not a question.
"Why would you-" Yasha began to deflect the conversation.
"I can smell it on you. Evey single fiber of your clothes smells of pine and forest. But your own smell is not of the woods. That means you spend lots of time there." Inuyasha's face showed how dumbfounded he was. It's not that he was ashamed to be homeless, he was a half demon, and the woods is where he naturally lives. Here he stood next to a handsome, fun, successful guy, heading back to his nice hotel. And Inuyasha was going to slink back to his favorite tree branches.
"I'm willing to bet I saw callouses on the bottom of your feet which you do not get from doing dock work. Which by the way.." It was now that Kouga made eye contact, cigarette dangling from his still moving lips, "It's impressive how proud you are of your demon blood. You boldly walk without shoes. You do not file your claws, nor hide your fangs. You don't dye your hair. Or wear sunglasses to cover your eyes. But.." Here the wolf took another analytical slow drag, "You hide your hanyou ears. Is it that you are ashamed of your human blood? Or is it the fact that you're mixed instead of full blood that bothers you?"
Everything was right. Every single thing he said was correct. Again, the confusion angered him. How did this stupid wolf know him so well? Already? Nobody understood him. "Fuck off you mangy wolf."
Perfectly timed the requested taxi pulled up before the two. Kouga's persistent smile never faltered. If anything it twitched as his observation was confirmed. Smoothly taking the stub from his mouth, he ground it out on the lightpost within' reach. He reached for the door, opened it, and stood to the side. "Get in." He nodded towards the seat.
"Keh, I don't need your pity," Defensively Inuyasha crossed his arms. Perceiving an injury to his pride that didn't exist.
"Yeah well, I'm not giving you any. You're gonna be stuck on the couch. I 'aint giving up my bed." Inuyasha was in conflict. He didn't mind the forest, but the idea of a couch with.. maybe a blanket.. was so appealing. Kouga got tired of the hesitation. Both gently and yet not so gently he pushed Yasha's shoulder in encouragement.
Well fuck it. If the wolf really wanted to trap or fight him, then he'd be disappointed. Maybe if he killed the wolf in self defense he could have the hotel room to himself all night. Despite how twisted the thoughts were, in some way it eased his last doubts. Both men slipped into the transport, the taxi driver eager to complete his job and collect his fare.