Kagome wanted to laugh. There the stranger was, perched on HER rock again. This time she knew for sure he was a male, since she could see his bare back.
I can't believe this. (shakes head) Some half-naked dude is invading my personal space, and not for the first time! No. This must end.
She stepped out of the forest and onto the beach sand, approaching the rock. Now that she was within clear view of this man, she was taken aback at the prominent red of blood seeping from three jagged, deep gashes running diagonally along his back. Kagome grimaced. That looked painful, and she knew a lot about wounds. For a moment, she was so distracted by the lesions, she forgot about he himself. That is, until he spoke.
If you're gonna say something, say it now because you're getting on my nerves.
Kagome almost jumped out of her skin, then recovered, feeling incensed. How dare he talk to her as if he owned this spot? She owned this spot!
Hey, asshole, you're on my rock—get off.
At the risk of sounding immature, I don't see your name on it.
If you'll move your fat ass, you will.
Kagome shoved him off of the rock and scampered onto it, pointing proudly to her full name engraved into it. The male scowled at her, realization dawning in his eyes. When she looked at him, her jaw dropped, and they had a simultaneous revelation.
(both) It's you!
(splutters indignantly) You're the klutzy bitch that sucker-punched me!
(seethes) And you're the sucker that called me a bitch! I oughta punch your fucking ass again!
Kagome balled up her fists tightly, and the man narrowed his eyes.
I've got half a mind to fuck your ugly mug up even more.
This only infuriated Kagome more, not to mention made her flush with the memory of how her face had gotten so disfigured, and with the force of a bulldozer, she shoved him onto the ground, making him bellow in pain. Kagome sneered, knowing how badly salt, rocks, and sand mixed with open wounds.
Yeah? Try it!
The man snarled angrily, jumping to his feet, and shoved her back even harder.
You're just fucking lucky I don't fight girls, or they'd never find your body!
For a moment, his words didn't register in her head, as she'd hit it on a particularly hard rock, but she snorted when she realized what he'd said.
Whatever. You look like you've beaten a few before.
She carefully stood again, trying to regain her balance, and glared at him.
Now leave. This is my beach, and I've given you the proof that I own it.
It's a fucking free country, and you don't own a damn thing. I'll stay here as long as I want to.
(growls in annoyance) Look, damn it, this is the only place I have where I can be myself. It's supposed to calm me. It's my place. So get the hell out!
What are you, deaf?! I've been coming here for three years, and if anything, it's my beach!
Three—I've never seen you here a day in my life, you fucking liar!
Oh, I'm a liar, am I?
He grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her off to the farther side of the beach, ignoring her fervent resistance.
Hey! Where the hell are you taking me, you sick bastard?! I don't know you like that!
Shut up.
He brought her to a cave, sealed off with a huge, craggy boulder. Keeping a tight hold on her, he pushed the rock out of the way with his foot and pulled her inside.
(crosses arms impatiently) So why the hell are we in a dank, hollowed-out rock?
(huffs) Shut up and you'll see!
He put his hand in the air, apparently searching for something, and Kagome heard a click. The next thing she knew, the cave was lit up, and it looked like something from Silence of the Lambs. The light came from a sole lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, connected to a cord that trailed along the cave wall and disappeared beneath the sand. A makeshift fireplace had been constructed from stone, and a bed was situated against the wall, made up of three old mattresses, two pillows, and two comforter quilts. It was then that Kagome noticed the writings on the wall: short dates followed by a name—Inuyasha. The oldest date written was November 3, 2005, and the most recent was last week Thursday, dated April 24, 2008.
(nods sarcastically) Nice, very nice...very Buffalo Bill.
(scoffs) This has been the fortress marking my possession of this beach since '05. Proof enough for you?
Before she could retort, he shoved her out and pushed the rock back in its place.
Look, dumbass, just because you crafted yourself a little playhouse on this beach doesn't mean you own it.
And just because you chiseled your name in a rock on this beach doesn't mean you own it! So I guess we're at an impasse, aren't we?!
(crosses arms resolutely) I guess so.
(sighs, exasperated, as he looks at his watch) Okay, you know what? It's almost eight, and I have to get back home before I get in trouble.
Kagome paled. Eight? Her curfew was five—she'd forgotten all about it!
Inuyasha didn't seem to notice her discomfort, so he went on.
How about this? I don't like you and you don't like me, but that doesn't mean we both can't be on the same beach at the same time. You have your side of it and I'll have my side. Agreed?
(hurried) Yeah, sure, fine, whatever—I gotta go!
She dashed off, leaving Inuyasha blinking in bewilderment.
(in drawn-out syllables) Well...well...well.
Kamikaze paced back and forth, as Kagome sat on her bed, refusing to break eye contact with him. She knew him well enough that he would beat her even harder if she were to do that during such a situation.
Violated your curfew, did you? And you just got punished last week. What do you have to say for yourself?
I apologize, honorable stepfather.
It made her guts churn to speak such egregious lies, but it made him happy and smug and she knew it. She was playing him like a harp, but he knew that.
(smirks) Kissing up, eh? I should make you beg like the dog you are for my forgiveness...as a matter of fact, get on your knees.
Kagome was no fool. She knew just what this would lead to, and as she complied, she felt a piece of her heart wither and die.
That position suits you...it's kind of a turn-on.
She wanted to retch when he licked his lips, justifying the growing bulge in his work pants.
Beg! Beg me to forgive you, and I might let you eat tonight! (smirk curves his lips) Of course, I hope you'll like what I have to offer. It's not much, but you can think of it as milk if you want.
Kagome burned with rightful hate, but she forced down what little pride she still had, and put her hands together as if she were praying. Secretly, she was.
Please, honorable stepfather, I beg your forgiveness! I'll do anything!
(perverse smile widens, showing all of Kamikaze's teeth) I was hoping you'd say that.
He unfastened his pants, and Kagome swallowed hard, willing herself not to cry. A tinny growl sounded from beneath her bed, and Kouga, the coal-black furball, leapt out, his tiny claws slashing Kamikaze's exposed manhood. He made a choked noise, his breathing labored, and fell to the floor, purple in the face. Kagome stared at Kouga as he scurried out of her room, and intrigued by her little savior, she followed after him. The wolf puppy led her into the kitchen, gesturing urgently with his snout to the refrigerator, and Kagome interpreted this as "get some food, quickly".
As she gathered various goodies in a bag, she tried to slow down her heartbeat. She couldn't believe it—the weak, half-dead puppy she'd discovered some time ago had saved her from a fate beyond humiliating.
(awed) Kouga...how did you know I was in trouble? And how did you get under my bed?
He remained silent as ever, indicating impatience, but Kagome smiled nevertheless, undeniably grateful. It was enough that he'd saved her; she didn't really need details. She closed the refrigerator and kneeled down to pick him up and embrace him.
Thanks, kid. You really saved my ass back there...I appreciate that.
Kouga whimpered, and Kagome grinned at his discomfort, letting him down. She followed him out of the house and a long way into the woods, until they reached a creek that she'd never known about.
Is this where you're living?
He nodded, leading her to a small burrow he'd scratched out, and Kagome took it to be his own little den. It was big enough for her to move around in, so she crawled inside with him. She was a little surprised at its warmth.
Wow...Kouga, you're doing excellent for yourself!
The small wolf beamed proudly.
So why did you bring me here?
Kagome watched carefully as Kouga slowly drew out kanji characters on the dirt floor. It read "HIDE". She struggled to make sense of the simple word, scratching her head in confusion.
"Hide"?
Looking mildly frustrated, Kouga drew the word "YOU" in front of "HIDE".
"You hide"? ...Me hide? You want me to hide in here?
He nodded slowly, as if to say "DUH!" Kagome grinned sheepishly, feeling dumb.
Right...of course. That's why you told me to bring the food, right?
Again did he nod, and Kagome beamed, rubbing his ear.
(proudly) You're the smartest pup in the world, Kouga. But...I didn't even know about this stream until you showed me. What makes you think he would?
It took some time, but Kouga managed to write out "HERE BEFORE", and Kagome's eyes widened.
He's been here before?!
Kouga nodded gravely. Sure enough, the sound of gunshots startled Kagome almost to death, and Kamikaze's angered voice filled the formerly calm air.
Where'd that goddamned mutt get to? I'm gonna shoot him to death!
On instinct, Kagome grabbed Kouga protectively, but he growled under his breath, gesturing with his snout to a rock in the far corner of the burrow.
Oh—right!
She put Kouga down and rolled the rock in front of the opening, immediately plunging them into pitch blackness. They waited silently, Kouga listening as hard as he could to the furious mumbles of Kamikaze, while Kagome was helpless to do anything but be quiet. Was this how she was to live the rest of her adolescent life? Hiding in a puppy's foxhole, praying her angered stepfather wouldn't find her, as he was bound to? Endangering Kouga's life in the process?
Kagome sighed as quietly as possible, feeling as low as the hole they were in. Kouga didn't deserve possible death for her. This had to end.
If only she weren't so frightened of Kamikaze...