My entry for tumblr's Inukag Week day one: protect.
Warning: A little angsty, but nothing major.
Always
Tears running down her bruised face, blouse bloodied and torn, Kagome whimpered as the blade at her neck inched a little closer and she felt a slight sting before something warm rolled down her skin and soaked into her ruined shirt. A rough, pissed off growling sound echoed off to her right and she instinctively went to turn her head, needing to see him and assure she was fine while at the same time needing to make sure he was okay, too. The hand fisted in her hair, however, prevented any such movement and it jerked roughly, eliciting a painted cry to fall from her lips. A dark laugh echoed behind her and warm, rancid breath ghosting on the back of her neck made her shudder in revulsion.
"Watch it, asshole," that same growling voice, edged with lethal intent, followed shortly after. "I'm fine, Kagome," it came again and she closed her eyes in relief. "Don't move."
Her relief was short-lived, however, because the next thing she heard was a sharp "Shut yer hole, wretch," right before several dull thuds and harsh, painted grunting filled her ears. Wicked laughter erupted from their tormenters as more tears leaked from her eyes, trying valiantly to stifle the sob that threatened to fall from her mouth.
"Inuyasha," she whimpered and received another jerk to her hair for her efforts. Kagome couldn't even recall exactly how they'd ended up in this predicament. One moment the two of them had been sitting quietly by their campfire as they waited for Miroku and Sango to return around dawn from an overnight stay at a village not far off and then the next they were surrounded, detained by two burly bandits while the rest of their party ransacked their camp, going their supplies, wolfing down their dinner, and pretty much taking over.
Of course Inuyasha had at first resisted, putting up a valiant fight before the bandit who held him back now, a beefy man who looked like had had more brawn than brain, grabbed him and succeeded in halting his fury. She had even attempted to fight back, but it hadn't lasted long at all; all she'd gained was a bruised jaw and torn shirt courtesy of a blood stained sword, revealing her while bra beneath, now dirtied by eager, unforgiving hands. That had pissed Inuyasha right off, and he'd managed to briefly escape his captor and deliver a hard blow to the bastard's jaw before once more being detained.
Why tonight of all nights, Kagome inwardly bemoaned, and then winced slightly when her hair was tugged roughly, and then abruptly released, however her arms were still cranked painfully behind her back. Quickly taking advantage of the small reprieve – it appeared her captor was distracted by one of his cohorts at the moment – Kagome slowly turned her head just enough to be able to cast a sidelong glance in Inuyasha's direction.
He was already staring at her, the concern evident in dark eyes framed by midnight hair and Kagome was easily able to read the silent question in his gaze. She managed a wan smile in response, but his frown told her he didn't buy it and knew it was solely for his benefit. He grimaced, and then mouthed the word soon at her before flicking his eyes up toward the sky.
The moonless sky.
Kagome sucked in a breath and nodded once right before her head was once more jerked around and she released a startled, pained cry. Despite the lack of demon blood flowing through him at the moment, Inuyasha still managed to emit threatening snarls and growls amidst his orders to back the hell off right now. He was ignored, of course, and was rewarded with a kick to the gut.
"Lookie, men," the leader of the bandits, a big man with a foul odor and nasty grin drawled, sauntering over to Kagome and standing before her. "The li'l weakling dun like it when we's touch his skank." As his men guffawed and Inuyasha glared death at him, the head bandit reached out and grasped Kagome's chin, tilting her face toward him. Kagome glowered up at him and debated the merits of spitting in his stupid face.
"Don't touch her," Inuyasha seethed, struggling against the hold on his arms but to no avail. Already weakened by several blows to the head and stomach, his attempts to escape were easily thwarted by his brawny captor, who laughed stupidly in amusement.
Cackling, the leader grabbed and pawed at her, deliberately goading the half-demon turned human, and Kagome was sickened to see that he was genuinely enjoying his torment. Secured the way she was with her arms behind her and a beefy arm around her waist, she had little room to squirm around to avoid it and so was forced to endure.
She still had her mouth, though.
"You're disgusting," she spat, trying to wrench her body away from the hand pawing at her breasts. To her dismay, he merely grunted and gestured with his free hand to the man holding her. The hold on her arms tightened and she bit her lip hard to stifle the cry that bubbled up her throat. Gritting her teeth against the pain, vaguely aware of Inuyasha's furious cursing to her right, she hissed, "You'll pay for this. Just wait until—"
Without warning his palm connected with her cheek and burning, stinging pain spread throughout the left side of Kagome's face as her head snapped to the side, more tears falling from wide, brown eyes.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha thundered, doubling his efforts to free himself, his voice frantic, urgent. "You sorry son of a bitch, I'll fucking kill you!" he roared, face screwed up into a truly fearsome scowl as he continued to yank and pull against the arms linked with his own, preventing his escape.
The leader snorted while the rest of them laughed off his threat and Kagome took a steadying breath, hoping for either dawn's fast approach, or Miroku and Sango's timely arrival, whichever came first. It couldn't be that far off; fingers of gray were starting to stretch across the skies from what Kagome could see of it and the night was gradually losing its chill.
From his slumped over position in the bandit's grasp, feigning exhaustion to preserve his strength, Inuyasha was noticing the same thing. Almost, he thought, straining his eyes to try and catch a glimpse of the lightening sky. Hang in there, Kagome. Any minute now the sun will be up and Miroku and Sango will—
"I'm bored," the leader suddenly announced and Inuyasha's blood ran cold when he heard the familiar sound of steel sliding against wood – a sword being unsheathed.
No, he thought, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat. Please God, no.
Unfortunately, his silent prayers went unheeded; Kagome's gasp and then pained whimper confirmed his fears and sent his heart plummeting into his stomach. Lifting his head, forgetting his earlier ploy of being too tired to fight, Inuyasha felt the color drain from his face when he was met with the sight of a terrified Kagome with a sword pointed straight at her stomach.
"No," he gasped without thinking, tugging at his arms, using every ounce of strength to get free, every iota of willpower. "No! Don't! Kagome! Kagome!" She was going to die, he couldn't move, Kagome, he had to protect her, he needed to move, dammit, Kagome, Kagome, NO!
Tears running unchecked down her face, pale as a ghost and heart in her throat, Kagome stared unblinkingly at the sharp blade poised at her stomach. Inuyasha's pleading was dull roar in her ears, her thundering heartbeat drowning out any other sound. She was aware of a male voice, probably her potential executioner's, saying something but the words meant nothing to her. Her name desperately being called – Inuyasha.
I'm going to die. The thought crossed her mind, registered, but failed to elicit the usual feelings of fear that would normally accompany such a thought. Kagome felt strangely detached, numb and cold all at the same time as she literally stared death in the face. Inuyasha… She closed her eyes and her body went limp, accepting her fate. I'm glad…it's not you.
"Watch this, boys," the head bandit boasted and shifted his grip on the hilt, his face warped into an expression of sick pleasure, eyes glinting with a twisted anticipation as he cranked his arm back, muttered "Goodnight, bitch," and thrust forward.
Three things happened at once: a loud, growling roar echoed throughout the clearing, shouts of agony and surprise rang shortly thereafter, and a loud grunt sounded right in front of her, warm breath fanning over her face as her shoulders were suddenly grasped in a tight grip.
"Kagome!
"Inuyasha! Oh my god!"
Kagome's eyes flew open and she gasped to find Inuyasha's face directly in front of hers. He was still human; his violet eyes, glazed over in pain, stared into hers and blood pooled in his mouth, falling past his lips and trailing thickly down his neck.
Shaking, eyes wide in horror and mouth moving soundlessly up and down, Kagome trailed her eyes down his body and a small cry of alarm left her lips at the blade that protruded from his stomach, covered in his blood, the tip inches away from her own belly.
"Kkkah-go," he tried but a wet cough interrupted and Kagome didn't even care when dots of blood splattered on her face.
"Inu," she moaned and darted her hands out to catch him when he listed forward, his grip on her shoulders loosening. "Nooo." Vaguely aware of Miroku and Sango somewhere behind him, Kagome shook her head in denial as Inuyasha sunk to his knees and she went down with him, her arms the only thing keeping him from falling onto the blood stained ground. Inuyasha sighed, coughed, and slumped against her while Kagome cradled him in his arms.
"Inuyasha," she cried, smoothing back his hair with a shaky hand, the tears running unchecked down her face as his dark eyes locked hazily with hers. "Please," Kagome begged, resting her forehead against his own and rocking back and forth. "Please…don't."
Inuyasha blinked once, twice, gave a tired, grateful smile, and closed his eyes.
Kagome's scream was piercing as the dawn's first rays of sunlight spread across the land.
-X-
His gut ached.
And not as in he felt nauseous, but an actual dull, throbbing ache that sent jolts of pain throughout his body when he moved. Groaning, Inuyasha put a hand on his stomach where the pain originated and discovered rough cloth; not his firerat. A quick sniff revealed medicinal herbs had been used recently, probably in the last hour or so, and he was alone wherever he was, though Kagome's scent lingered the most, telling him she was a constant presence, though where she was no he couldn't be sure.
He frowned and opened his eyes; he was staring at the ceiling of Kaede's hut. Glancing down his body, he found his hand was lying on white bandages that were wrapped round his bare torso and waist. Ah. So he was wounded. That explained the insistent throb in his gut and the bandages. What, did he get run through or something? Sure as hell felt like it.
Snorting, Inuyasha pushed himself up into a sitting position, his stiff muscles protesting the movement and he grit his teeth against the burning pain in his stomach. Now I remember, he mused as he breathed through the pain and managed to tamp it down to a manageable level. I jumped in front of the Kagome and took the sword meant for her. He closed his eyes as relief swamped him, bringing a hand up and dragging his palm down his face. Fuck.
…Well, at least I didn't die, he thought as he flexed his fingers in front of his face, noting the talons tipping each one. Looks like dawn arrived just in time. Damn, that was a close call. But…Kagome was spared. That's all that matters.
Heaving a sigh, then wincing as his sore and no doubt still regenerating stomach muscles twinged, Inuyasha was debating on whether or not it'd be worth it to get up and get some grub when suddenly the reed mat was pushed aside and there stood Kagome before the entry way, eyes wide, holding a bucket of water with a cloth hanging over the side and looking like she hadn't slept in days.
His ear flicked. "Kago—"
The bucket fell to the floor clattered loudly, cold water sloshing out and soaking the hardwood but it was the last thing on Kagome's mind as she flew across the room and threw herself at the half-demon, wrapping her arms around his neck and she couldn't even bring herself to be sorry when she jostled his wound and he grunted in pain. One hand slapped onto the floor beside him while the other landed on her back, an automatic reaction, but Kagome reveled in the touch all the same.
"You stupid, stupid boy," she sobbed and he smelt the saltiness of her tears as she clung to him, face buried in his neck. "Don't you ever do that to me again! Do you hear me?! Never again!" She shook him for emphasis and just cried, holding onto him for dear life, not even realizing that she was practically in his lap.
Ears flat against his head, Inuyasha closed his eyes and let her cry, leaning his head against her own and just inhaling her scent. He didn't say anything and he had no idea how long they stayed that way, his wench shaking and crying against him, her arms tight around his neck and her body a pleasant weight in his lap.
When at least she seemed to be finally calming down, Inuyasha sighed and pulled back slightly. "Kagome—"
"Promise me!" she demanded, rearing back and glaring tearfully up at him, mouth parted as she dragged in labored breaths. Her cheeks were flushed and wet from her tears, her eyes were red and swollen, but she still looked beautiful to him.
His lips compressed into a tight line briefly before he slowly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Kagome. I can't do that."
"Why not?!" She grabbed his forelock and tugged, but not hard; a frustrated action she was not even aware of doing.
"Because," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned forward to rest his forehead against her own. Kagome's beautiful brown eyes, glistening from her tears, stared beseechingly into his own, pleading for an explanation, anything to quell the rising fear welling up inside.
"I will always protect you."
