Title: Inu Tarzan
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and all credit for the anime should be directed to the Inuyasha corp. I also do not own Tarzan or anything related to the name, characters or storyline.
Music: The song I have selected for this chapter is: "Mark Mancina - Tarzan Tries to Surprise Kala." You are welcome to listen along if you want. It is not required to follow along with the story. When you see these marks (***) that means to begin to play the selected song. When you see these marks (xxx) this means to stop playing the music. It is important to pay attention to these markings, as there is often more than one song per chapter. I do not have credit for these recordings or channels.
Rated: M – Mature language, violence, and adult content in various chapters.
Inu Tarzan: Surprise
Professor Porter was growing anxious. He'd seen his granddaughter run off into the jungle while the men were plotting on how to get rid of Inu-Tarzan. He'd been looking for some lantern fluid in the supply tent when he overheard Mr. Hojo's plan. If Inu-Tarzan wasn't warned he'd be ambushed when he came for the last container of amo, then he'd be beaten, tied up and used as bait to lure out the rest of the silver pack from hiding. When his pack came to rescue him they'd surround them, shoot as many as they could and skin them for profit. When the boat came to pick them up in a few days they'd load Inu-Tarzan up in a cage and sell him on the black market as soon as they landed at the port.
Knowing he needed to do something to save Inu-Tarzan and his pack from such a fate, he quickly grabbed the last container of ammunition and tucked it into his jacket. Now with the bullets out of the equation the men were now out of supplies and Inu-Tarzan wouldn't need to come and get them. After grabbing the lighter fluid he'd come in to get he casually walked out of the tent like usual. To his relief the men appeared oblivious to his deception and made it to his tent with no complaint. Not wanting Mr. Hojo or any of the men to uncover his little secret, he tucked the bullets into the bottom of his trunk and got back to his duties of cleaning and organizing his tent. It had been raining off and on all day making the hair humid and damp. When Kagome came back with Shippo a couple hours later they were soaked to the bone.
He knew she'd delivered the message when he noticed that her lips were swollen and her clothes were wrinkled. Not wanting Mr. Hojo to catch onto her little rondevu with Inu-Tarzan he politely told her to go wash up for supper. He couldn't help but chuckle when he saw the heavy blush color her cheeks. He would have never pictured this life for his granddaughter. She was always the top of her class and strived to become the head of the medical world back in London. He didn't doubt that those dreams would have come true with the amount of research they'd accomplished on this mission. With Inu-Tarzan in the picture however those dreams had changed. He knew from the smile that lit within his granddaughter's eyes that it was the right choice. Sure, she'd have a harder life living in the jungle but it would be a life worth living in the end.
"Good evening Professor!" Mr. Hojo said as he came into the tent.
"Oh! G-good evening Mr. Hojo!" Professor Porter stuttered as he accidentally dropped his notebook. Feeling his heart thundering, he clutching his chest and he closed his eyes to try to calm himself.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" Mr. Hojo apologized as he picked up the notebook.
"Don't worry about it lad! My attention was lost in thought." Professor Porter chuckled nervously as he took the notebook from Mr. Hojo's hand.
He inwardly cursed when he noticed it had opened up to the page with the detailed map he'd made of their adventures. There was one area of the western jungle they'd yet to explore. He had a feeling it was where Inu-Tarzan's family resided. He just hoped Mr. Hojo didn't take notice of that detail during his brief glimpse.
"I see." Mr. Hojo smiled as he watched the old man set his notebook on his desk in the corner. Looking around the tent he noticed something missing. "Where's Ms. Porter?"
"She went to wash up for the night." Professor Porter said as he turned his attention to making dinner.
"Did she take Shippo with her?" Mr. Hojo asked as he leaned on the counter to watch the professor cook.
"Of course!" Professor Porter said as he stirred the pot of potato soup. "That little fellow sees her as his mother now. He won't leave her side until he's probably two to three years old."
"Well that won't do." Mr. Hojo frowned, making Professor Porter turn to look at him in confusion. "London is no place for an animal like that. Maybe in a zoo, but not as a pet. I'd hoped she would be rid of the thing by now."
"Good luck telling her that." Professor Porter laughed. "She's equally attached to the little fellow."
"That's what I'm afraid of." Mr. Hojo sighed. "We're already low on supplies. We can't afford to bring him with us."
"Worry not Mr. Hojo." Professor Porter said as he added a pinch of salt to the soup. "Shippo is still too young to eat what we eat. We'll be sure to make sure he is properly taken care of with kola nuts."
"You are missing the point Professor." Mr. Hojo huffed in frustration. "Ms. Porter is not bringing him with us!"
"What's not coming with us?" Kagome asked as she came through the tent flap with a little wet monkey wrapped up in a towel.
"Nothing child! Please, come eat before your supper gets cold." Professor Porter said making Mr. Hojo frown.
"Mmmm." Kagome hummed as she sniffed the steaming pot of soup. "Smells delicious."
"Of course it does! I made it." Professor Porter teased.
"Haha! You have me there." Kagome laughed as she sat down across from him. She frowned in concern when she noticed Mr. Hojo scowling in the corner. "Are you unwell Mr. Hojo? You seem upset."
"AH! No, don't worry about me." Mr. Hojo laughed nervously as he backed towards the tent's flap. "I just remembered I've got business to attend too. You enjoy your dinner. I'll catch up with you tomorrow!"
"Night then." Kagome nodded as she returned to her supper. When he was gone she looked at her grandpa in confusion. "That was weird."
"Indeed." Professor Porter frowned. Just then little Shippo popped his head out of the towel and tried to reach for the hot soup.
"No, that's hot Shippo. It will hurt if you touch it." Kagome warned as the little monkey ignored her and tried reaching for it anyways.
"Ow!" Shippo cried out when he dipped his fingers into the hot soup.
"See! I told you not to touch." Kagome fussed as she quickly wiped the hot liquid from his burnt fingers.
"He had to learn sometime my dear." Professor Porter said as he passed his granddaughter a damp cloth.
"I know, but I don't like seeing him in pain if I can prevent it." Kagome said as she rocked him back and forth as he whimpered. "There, there little one. Don't cry."
"You'll be an amazing mother one day child." Professor Porter said, making Kagome blush. "I just wish I'd be there to see it."
"Thanks grandpa." Kagome smiled up at him sadly. Hearing Shippo's cries quiet down she ran her fingers through his little tuft of golden red hair and said, "Next time when I say not to do something you'll listen right?"
"Mhm." Shippo nodded with a quivering chin.
"Good." Kagome giggled as she nuzzled her nose against his, making him smile. "Grandpa?"
"Yes, child?" Professor Porter asked as he spooned himself a bowl of soup.
"Would you mind watching over Shippo tonight?" Kagome asked as he began to drift off to sleep in her arms. "Inu-Tarzan wants to take me somewhere and doesn't want Shippo tagging along."
"That is fine but we need to speak before you go." Professor Porter said as he came to sit across from her at the table. "You warned Inu-Tarzan of Mr. Hojo's plans, correct?"
"Yes, Inu-Tarzan knows not to come to the camp tonight." Kagome sighed as she carefully picked up Shippo and tucked him under the covers on her cot. "I tried talking him out of taking the amo but his pack is determined to get their revenge for killing the animals in the jungle."
"Well, he's not the only one taking bullets. I have the last box in my trunk." Professor Porter said just as Kagome took a bite of her soup. The news caused her to choke on her soup.
"You what?!" Kagome coughed out.
"I took the bullets." Professor Porter shrugged. "Now Inu-Tarzan doesn't need to come to camp."
"Grandpa we can't help him! We'd be assisting the pack in murder!"
"No, we would not." Professor Porter argued as he motioned for her to quiet down. "The animals are preparing for war, child. They are defending their lands from an enemy invasion. No matter how you look at it we still end up as the enemy. We're stealing their food supplies and are threatening to kill their women and children. We're burning down their home and invading their territory. I see no difference in what humans do when enemy nations attack each other. We need to decide which team we are on."
"But Grandpa, the ship will arrive any day now." Kagome exclaimed as her grandpa slurped his soup. "If we can find a way to delay the men from hunting the inu's and the inu's from attacking the beach the war doesn't have to happen!"
"That is no longer an option my dear." Professor Porter sighed. "The men know Inu-Tarzan is the one taking the ammunition. Nothing we say will change their minds. They want the thrill of the hunt and the inu's pelts will bring big money at the ports. It will happen child. It's just a matter of who attacks who first. We either need to join the men in defending the beach before the inus attack or we need to help the inus avoid being slaughtered."
"All of this could have been avoided if Inu-Tarzan would have just listened to me in the first place." Kagome sighed as she tried to fight back her tears.
"I don't think it would have mattered." Professor Porter said. "I think Mr. Hojo and the men were planning to hunt down the inus with or without Inu-Tarzan's intervention. I think he was simply delaying the hunt to the last second because he knew you'd put up a fight."
"Damn right I would!" Kagome growled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I hate this! None of this would have happened if we didn't bring them with us!"
"We can't change the past my dear." Professor Porter soothed as he patted her hand from across the table. "What we can do is change the future. Mr. Hojo threatened Inu-Tarzan first. Your mate is doing what he can to protect his family. Now that we are a part of his it is our duty to stand by his side."
"You're right..." Kagome sighed as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I just really don't like the idea of them killing each other. We hired these men to protect us and now we are turning our backs on them. They have families waiting for them back home. We have sentenced them to death!"
"I know, child." Professor Porter smiled sadly as he got up from the table and grabbed the box of ammunition from the trunk. "You best take this with you."
"Thanks grandpa." Kagome sniffled as she grabbed the box and slipped on her shoes. "I hope whatever Inuyasha has planned tonight that we won't get caught in the rain again. I'm still cold from earlier."
"Just be home before the sun rises. Mr. Hojo has gotten comfortable coming into our tent on his own accord. I have a feeling when the ammunition is found missing he will come looking for you. It would be best for all of us if you were here." Professor Porter said as he peaked out the back of the tent to see if it was clear. "You best hurry child. Inu-Tarzan's probably wondering where you are."
"Good idea. Night grandpa." Kagome said as she kissed his cheek.
Not wanting to trip on a root or accidentally step on a snake she quickly lit her lantern before dashing off into the jungle. To her relief the rains had passed while she'd been eating supper with her grandpa. By the time she'd tucked Shippo in, had talked with her grandpa and dressed for the night the tropical air had warmed the cold weather's chill away. Not wanting Inu-Tarzan to get worried she quickly made her way down the path.
(*** Mark Mancina - Tarzan Tries to Surprise Kala ***)
It was spooky being out in the jungle at night. She could almost feel the eyes of the creatures of the night watching her as she ran. Her heart thundered in her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. She didn't like being surrounded in the darkness; especially knowing there were creatures close by that would kill her. She was almost to the river when something dropped down from the trees and grabbed her from behind.
"AH!" Kagome screamed before a hand covered her mouth.
"Shh!" Inu-Tarzan hissed as he tightened his hold around her waist. "No scream! Humans hear you, they come."
"Well then don't sneak up on me like that!" Kagome snapped as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Hey... it's ok." Inu-Tarzan soothed as he pulled his trembling mate around in his arms. "No means to scare you. Just want to surprise."
He felt terrible making her cry. He could feel her heart pounding in his chest and smell her fear. He hadn't meant to scare her so badly. His sudden appearance had meant to be a joke. Knowing he'd upset her broke his heart. A mate was meant to protect their partners from all harm. Him scaring her had broken that rule and it made him feel like a horrible mate.
"I don't mind surprises." Kagome hiccuped as she snuggled into his warm chest. She smiled when she felt his tender kisses on her cheek and forehead. "Just not at night. I can't sense things like you can. It's scary not knowing if something is there in the dark stocking you."
"Hm." Inu-Tarzan grunted as he kissed the top of her head and lovingly ran his fingers through her hair. "Promise, won't happen again."
"Good." Kagome sniffled as she closed her eyes and enjoyed his soft purr rolling under her ear. "I have something for you."
"You do?" Inu-Tarzan asked as he leaned back to look at her. He gasped when she showed him the cartridge of bullets. "Ka... Kagome?"
"My grandpa over heard Mr. Hojo's conversation as well. He went ahead and took it while the men were busy scheming around the fire pit."
"So you help inus?" Inu-Tarzan gapped in surprise. "You let us fight?"
"I'd prefer none of you fight but if I had to take a side it will always be yours." Kagome sighed as she handed him the bullets. "I don't like that the men will be killed leaving mates and pups back home. They didn't come on this trip to die. I feel like their deaths are resting on my shoulders."
"Hm." Inu-Tarzan hummed as he thought over what she'd said. "Humans choose to kill Kagome. Dumbo chose to threaten me and inu pack. You not make those choices. You not take life."
"I know... It's just how I feel." Kagome sighed as she enjoyed her mate's warm touch. "Can you just promise me that their deaths will be quick? That they won't suffer?"
"Will try." Inu-Tarzan nodded. "Speak to Sessho tomorrow. Now we have last bullets we will make plans."
"K." Kagome nodded uncomfortably. "So where did you want to take me?"
"Come, I show you." Inu-Tarzan smiled as he knelt down so she could climb onto his back.
[End of Chapter 32]
Authors Note:
This chapter was inspired by Tarzan surprising his adopted mother Kala. There are two instances in the Disney film (don't own rights) where he does this. He does this once as a child and another time as an adult. The first time Kala is afraid Tarzan has been taken by Sabor or is lost. The second time Tarzan sneaks up behind her about to make an elephant noise when she announces her awareness of him. I wanted to incorporate some surprise into the story. I also wanted to add in the part where Clayton and the crew are scheming to hunt and capture the gorillas in cages. Hope you enjoyed my spin.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to follow along to find out where Inu-Tarzan is taking Kagome on their date!
-TG1