Readers--Quickie note today. Just telling everyone to stay on the look-out for my new fic, affectionately named Tainted Blood. I'll try to get chapter 12 out as soon as I can. Stay tuned for reviewer shout-outs at the end of the chapter!
Special thanks to my new beta reader--Whyndancer--for volunteering for the job. She's here to critique my shite! (and I mean shite--as in the way Irish people say it because...low and behold...I'm Irish) So thanks again Whyndancer! Yay! This chapter will be dedicated to you for all your assistance in the editing process.
Wow! I get a chapter dedicated to me! Fun! *Waves to Readers* Hallo, nice meet ya'. *blink* I can't think of anything else to say, so I'll shut up and let you read Jesse's awesome fic now. ^_^
Disclaimer: If I've said it once, I've said it a million times! I don't own Inuyasha...he only lives in my head and tells me to free all the dogs at night from the zoo...
Chapter 11: The Sound of War
I thought we had this talk people...something about you keeping your minds out of the gutter as I recall. Nothing happened, ok? No matter how strongly that little voice in the back of my head--which oddly enough sounds like Miroku--told me too, I just didn't have the heart to put the moves on her when she was crying her heart out on my second-favorite shirt. I do have some morals, as hard to believe as that may be. (If you recall, the first shirt got bled on from his fight with Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha always gets something on his shirts, it's like me throwing people off of bridges...)
When Kagome had calmed down enough, I took her into the kitchen and made her some coffee. We just sat there in silence for a while, until she was tired and wanted to go to sleep. I have to admit it, she did look beat. Her dark eyes weren't sparkling and she had this crestfallen look. I let her take the bed, so I slept in her nest. Well, more like I laid in her nest for hours on end. I slept a few hours...maybe. It smelled too strongly of Kagome to get comfortable. I'd drift off into dreams that I had no business drifting into...and waking up from a sex dream to see that it was just a dream is not a happy feeling. No...it just makes you feel randy and guilty.
So I lay on Kagome's nest, feeling guilty and randy for the third time, and I gave up of getting any sleep. I was too nervous anyway. War loomed on the horizon. Memories of red sunrises flashed through my head, back in the old days, before the gang wars. There had been other wars, wars that called away human and demon to fight side-by-side to defend their home, this city, from others who would try to destroy it. I remember my mother's voice, telling me about how a red sunrise signified the spilling of blood. The victory of a battle. I found myself crawling to the window, glancing to the east, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sun. The skyscrapers blocked my view.
I would have crawled back over to the nest, but the scent of Kagome was already thick in my nostrils, I felt no need to punish myself further. But I must be as big a glutton for punishment as Miroku, because I crawled on all fours over to my bed to watch her sleep.
She looked calmer in repose; serene. The worry and tension that she held on her features during her wakening hours was lifted in sleep. I pushed a few of her bangs from her face, smiling slightly while running my fingers through her hair. Very soft. I tried my best not to wake her up. I traced her cheekbone with my finger, just looking at her fair skin and such a beautiful face. It's funny...I've always thought her pretty...but now she was nothing short of breath-taking. So many feelings ran through me, so many thoughts and silent wishes. I'd never felt this way about anyone before. I never wanted to protect someone this much, never wanted to feel someone so badly. And it wasn't just a lustful feeling, because let me tell you that I'd had no shortage of those before. But this was also something deeper, something stronger. This was love. True, blind, happy-ever-after worthy love.
I looked around my little apartment and sighed. It was tiny, microscopic even, but when Kagome was here it seemed huge with her presence. She lit up a room by walking into it. I couldn't offer her half of what she was used too, but she seemed so happy in my cozy little pad. It suited her. I couldn't image what my life had been like before I found her...even though I was living that life no more then a week and a half ago. I couldn't bring myself to think of what it would be like once she was gone. There was a pain in my stomach at the very thought. But then again, we were about to go to war. Neither of us might come back. But I pushed those thoughts away too, subconsciously moving closer to Kagome. It's a little scary how much I came to care about this girl over so short a time. But I did, and I would die to make her safe.
My train of thought was disturbed by a yawn. Twitching slightly, I looked next to me and faced deep brown eyes. "'Morning Inuyasha," she said, yawning again. She flashed me a smile and looked around for a second. She noticed she was on my bed and that I, for some odd reason, was perched very close to her. Kagome either didn't care, or liked it because she didn't yell at me or anything.
"Good morning," I replied sheepishly, shrugging a shoulder and smiling. I was glad that Sango and Miroku had not yet arrived. It was nice to have just a few minutes with her when there was nothing hysterical going on around us, no wolves, no breakdowns, just us.
She stretched, rolling away from me and arching her back. My body betrayed me then and I grimaced. Being a guy is a painful thing sometimes. Lucky for me she didn't notice. Kagome sat up, gave one of my ears a tweak, then headed into the kitchen. My grimace turned into a smirk as I followed her, moving slowly of course. Being Casual. The picture of cool. Well, that was my intent, until I tripped over the nest on the ground and fell flat on my face. Oh yeah, real cool.
Kagome laughed and helped me up. I sat on the floor, brooding for a few minutes, rubbing the side of my face that I landed on. I was rescued from my oh-so-embarrassing predicament by a gentle rapping at my apartment door. (I was reading The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, don't ask) No sooner had I turned the handle, then Miroku and Sango flew in. As usual, Sango was beating on Miroku and he was loving every second of it.
Kagome greeted them and had a few minutes of 'girl time' with Sango. They just talked about what happened last night, the whole crying-destiny sucks-war is lame truth. ESH, remember? But I didn't try to listen in, so I pretty much ignored the details, unless my name was mentioned and I perked up. Meanwhile, I bugged Miroku.
"So how'd it go?" I asked.
"How'd what go?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
"You know," I winked suggestively. "First time having a girl in your apartment and all." Miroku reddened, but with anger, not embarrassment.
"YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER REVEAL THAT I'M A VIRGIN!" he yelled at me. I smirked.
"I didn't reveal it to anyone...but you just told them." I pointed at both girls. Kagome was trying hard not to laugh while Sango looked shocked and a little red. Then her face relaxed into a smug smile, like she had known it all along. I think women have some kind of sixth sense about stuff like that. Not that it'd take a brain surgeon to figure out that no woman as of yet had gone to bed with Miroku. Then the girls went back to their conversation, totally ignoring us again. "Tell me how it went," I prodded further. Miroku leapt across the table in a poor attempt to catch me off guard.
"Baka, I'll kill you!" he cried, choking my neck. I laughed hysterically.
"You're the baka! Leggo!"
"Never! You Benedict Arnold! I CRAVE VENGEANCE!"
"MIROKU! GET THE FUCK OFF!" And so I fell back in my chair and we started rolling around on the ground, exchanging blows like a pair of grade-school kids. We rolled passed Kagome and Sango, who calmly continued chatting, not even sparing us a glance. I think maybe we were doing this to get attention. As it was, it had only been him and me for quite some time. Now we both had girls in our lives. Hanging out with each other wasn't as much fun without someone to yell at us, whack us, or laugh at us.
"Die you ass!" Miroku yelled, banging my head against a wall.
"Bite me, you little bitch!" I yelled back, tripping him, and then pile-driving him into the floor.
"Okay boys, that's enough," Sango said, pulling Miroku away from me. I would have given chase, but Kagome held me by the collar of my shirt.
"I think you've given him enough brain-damage, Inuyasha," she said with a smile. I was content with that.
I sat on one side of the room, Miroku on the other. Both of us were being consoled by the girls. I watched Sango sit next to Miroku and rub a comforting hand up and down his back. His hands didn't even try to stray. I was shocked, to say the least. But maybe I shouldn't have been. It was obvious that they were infatuated with each other. Kagome sat next to me, shaking her head and sighing.
"You know, there are better ways to get attention than beating up Miroku. I mean, anyone can do that. You should exhibit a little more finesse." I smiled.
"Finesse huh? And what should I do then?" She shrugged, hand at her throat, fingering the Jewel once more. I took her hand in mine, call it a reflex. She looked at me surprised.
"I was doing it again, huh?" Kagome asked me with that half-smile I loved so much.
"Yep," was my reply. I would have kissed her then, if not for the presence of two other people in my apartment just a few feet away. I just can't win, can I?
It wouldn't have lasted anyway because there was a knock at the door. I opened it, allowing Shippou and Kirara entry into the apartment. Somehow, their arrival didn't surprise me. "Shippou," Kagome said happily as the fox jumped into her arms. "Did Kouga send a message for me?"
"Uh-huh," he said, attempting to puff himself up. This message had to be important for the little runt to take it so seriously. "Master Kouga sent me to get you. The meetings are being held today, at noon, between the gangs still loyal to the city." Kagome looked dark, and nodded her head, placing Shippou on the ground. She had shifted back into the cold facade of the Guardian. I guess that was the only part of her that I didn't like. She was out of my reach when she did that.
"I'm going to the den, I'll be back by sundown."
"Well, let's go then," I said calmly, stepping to the door.
"No Inuyasha, only I can go. The rest of the gangs won't like my presence, but they'll tolerate the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel." Her dark eyes turned to me and I had to repress a shudder at the coldness hidden in their depths.
"Well, I'm the Guardian of the Guardian then. Me and Sango and Miroku. Your body guards, if you will." Sango gave me a shy grin and Miroku tossed me a thumbs up. Guess we're talking again, even though I kicked his ass pretty good.
"Inuyasha--"
"Kagome," I said seriously, meeting her gaze again. "Wherever you go, we go. You can't ask us to stay here. So let's skip the argument and get to the den before the meetings are done, alright?" We had a stand off for a few moments, then she sighed and blinked her eyes back to normal.
"Alright then, let's go." Satisfied, and more then a little smug, I had Kagome climb on to my back while Miroku, Sango, and Shippou took Kirara.
By noon, we reached the den. The air was thick with the smell of wolves, foxes, humans, and a variety of lower level demons. There were hordes of them standing around the outside of the den. There was a group who all wore the black jackets with the red crucifix on the back, the symbol of the Death Dealers. I was surprised to see them out in the daylight since they were mostly night-roaming folk. I saw the mark of the Foxes on a bunch of smaller demons who were congregating at the far end of the street. And the final gang, the Ravens, stood in the open, adorned with long black feathers that were braided into their hair and wearing bird-masks. I felt Kagome shiver on my back and her arms tightened around my neck. I could smell her fear and her nervousness. But she was determined. She wasn't about to let herself be intimidated.
Kouga was waiting outside for us. He twitched in distaste as he saw that I was with Kagome and I let her down slowly, with a few menacing glances in his direction. Both of our hackles were raised, but we kept our peace for Kagome. She strode up to Kouga like a warrior princess in some fantasy story. Her hair was braided loosely so that strands still blew around her face. She drew herself to her full height and faced him confidently, dressed in tight-fitting black, her bow in hand, quiver on her back, and long dagger at her hip. If there was ever a guy-fantasy, Kagome was it.
"I'm surprised you got them to meet so quickly," she commented as we met Kouga, I stood a foot behind her with Sango and Miroku.
"I write a very convincing letter," Kouga said with a shrug. And suddenly, three people were at his side. One was a small, thin woman with long flame-red hair down to her knees. Her eyes were startlingly green and her face was sharp featured. Her pointed ears knifed through her loose hair as she regarded us slowly. The man standing next to her was exceptionally tall, with spiked blond hair and ice blue eyes. His face was mostly hidden by a black mask covered in small, sleek feathers. And on the far side of Kouga stood a woman about the same size as him, dressed from head to toe in long, black robes. Her hair was as ebony black as Kagome's, but much longer and plaited into several dozen braids. She wore black lipstick and black eyeliner against paper white skin. These were the leaders of the Loyal Gangs of the city.
"Is she the Guardian?" asked the red-haired woman. She smelled of fox.
"This is Kagome Higurashi, the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel," Kouga introduced formally. Kagome bowed respectfully to each leader in turn as Kouga introduced them. Nyla, the leader of the Fox Gang. Skyris, leader of the Ravens Gang. And Katia, leader of the Death Dealers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Kagome said with a bow addressed to all four gang leaders. "It's a dark day indeed that we have to meet under such circumstances." Nyla nodded sadly. Skyris's eyes reflected his dismay. Katia showed no emotion, but she nodded her head as well. "Come, we have much to discuss," Kagome said and they all turned to go into the den. Sango, Miroku and I made to follow, but Kouga stopped us.
"This is no place for you, dog-boy," he hissed under his breath.
"Back off fucking wolf, wherever Kagome goes, I go," I said back.
"You really are her fucking dog, aren't you?" he said in disgust.
"Not as much as you are," I snarled.
"Kouga," Katia of the Death Dealers said, standing beside him. She moved so quietly that not even I heard her approach. She had no scent either, which made the hair on my neck stand up. She didn't smell of demon or human, didn't smell like the living or the dead. She had no scent at all. She looked into my eyes and I couldn't breath. Her eyes were red, but not the angry red that Kagura's had been. Her eyes were a soft, glowing garnet. The color of fresh blood that held no malice or contempt. I think she was searching my soul, or reading my mind. I remember hearing something about the leader of the Death Dealers, long ago. They said that she was a creature who never ventured from her territory, even under the cover of darkness. She blended with shadows so easily even a full demon wouldn't be able to see her. And that she drank the blood of other creatures to sustain herself. A vampire among demons. An eternal goddess.
"Kouga," she repeated, releasing me from her eyes. "Let him come. What we say will concern him as well. But let the other two remain outside." With that she turned and ascended the stairs into the den to follow Nyla, Skyris and Kagome. Kouga snarled at me, but turned and stalked after her with a low growl of dismay. Sango and Miroku nodded their acceptance as I followed after him. We met in his private chambers, where no one would disturb us.
"Tell me," Skyris said after we settled. I sat a few feet away from the leaders and Kagome, satisfied to being in the room. My ESH picked up every word uttered anyway. "What is the plan that you have told us about Kouga, leader of the Wolf Pack?" His voice was deep and mellow, like a man who didn't enjoy being on this end of the city. The Ravens were an outer city gang, but they were loyal to the Cities Own, not Naraku.
"Kagome could best answer that," Kouga said, urging her.
Kagome sighed a little, fidgeting with the Jewel before speaking. "I propose that we organize a strike before Naraku has time to launch his invasion of the city."
"But that's suicide!" Nyla gasped. "I will not order my Foxes to their deaths! Naraku's forces are powerful indeed, too powerful to just idly strike an arm at them."
"Hush Nyla," Katia said, throwing her a glance. "Continue Guardian." All eyes were once more on Kagome.
"It's like this," Kagome said, grabbing a small piece of rolled up paper from Kouga. Once she had finished unfurling it, I could see that it was a hand-drawn map of the city. "The City Heart is weakest right here," she said, pointing to the juncture between the Golem's Heart of the City limits, and the borders of the Wolf Pack territory. "If we order a strike at the weakest point, then we could draw Naraku's forces to one spot."
"But what good will that do?" Skyris commented, looking at the map. "Drawing all of their army upon us would only wipe us out faster, or is that what your intentions are, Guardian? To have all the demons of the city kill each other so you no longer have to deal with us?" Kouga growled.
"Watch your tongue, bird-brain."
"Hold yours wolf," he said with disdain. "You run around here on the ground with your feeble powers. I will not subject my followers to die for the sake of a girl and a jewel. This is a matter for creatures of the landbound variety, not majestic sky-dwellers."
"Skyris," Katia said once more. Her voice held no emotion, like her face. But her red eyes were annoyed. "There will be no sky to dwell in once Naraku takes the city, and the Jewel." All eyes turned toward the leader of the Death Dealers.
"My lady," Kouga said questioningly. "What have you seen?" That's right! There were also rumors that the Death Dealer's leader was a Seer. A woman capable of predicting the future.
"I have seen our fate, if the Guardian is to fail. Naraku will take possession of the Jewel and the power it has will bring terror and destruction upon not only this city, but all the world. He has grown conceited in his lust for power, and his will is now to have the power of all powers. The Shikon Jewel," then she turned her eyes to Kagome. "And the woman who guards it." I tensed as her eyes flickered to me for all of a second, but in that second I got the distinct impression that she was sending me a message. "We must trust in her."
"Why?" asked Skyris, eyes still on Katia.
"Because she holds the fate of us all in the palm of her hand." And she did. And our fate is called the Shikon Jewel. "Now Kagome, finish your plan."
Kagome nodded. "If all the gangs focus their forces on drawing Naraku's army to this one place, then it leaves enough time for me and my team to get into the Heart of the City. Naraku will be in his tower. Once inside the borders," Kagome drew her finger across the map, marking a small route already known. "We can get to the tower and kill him. With Naraku gone, the rest of the demon gangs will have no reason to fight us. Naraku is the key. Like a domino effect."
"You wish us to sacrifice our people on a chance?" Nyla asked quietly.
"What other choice do we have? If we wait for Naraku to attack us we'll be slaughtered," Kouga said rationally. For once I agreed with him. Katia stood up and drew Kagome with her. The other followed suit.
"Then it is settled. Kagome Higurashi, Guardian of the Jewel, you have the support of the Death Dealers. We will attack the border, tomorrow, at sunset." Katia bowed her head to Kagome.
"I do not like to leave the future to chance, but if we can destroy Naraku now, then you have the support of the Foxes," Nyla said, bowing as well.
"The Ravens will lend our power to aid your cause," Skyris agreed. I don't think he was too happy, but it seemed that whatever Katia did, they did as well.
"The Wolf Pack is a given. I've got your back Kagome," Kouga said, giving her a quick hug. I rolled my eyes, what a tool. Then the leaders departed. I made to follow Kagome, just like I said, but I was stopped at the door by Katia. She silently closed the door behind Kouga so that she and I were alone inside the room. I was a little nervous.
"You have sworn to protect the Guardian," she said. It wasn't a question, though it sounded like one.
"Yes. I told her that I would protect her, no matter what. And I will." Katia nodded, a small smile on her black lips.
"You love her." Yet another question-like comment.
"Yes," I replied once more, in a whispery tone. The first time I said it out loud.
"You are not the only one," Katia said in a conversational tone now. "She has the love of a family. The love of her friends. The love of the leader of the Wolf Pack. She has the love of her greatest enemy. What makes you believe that you matter to her at all?"
I met her garnet eyes and felt something inside me being pulled to the surface. Suddenly, I found my voice. "It doesn't really matter, I guess, whether or not I matter to her. I would follow her to the ends of the earth if she decided to go there. I would protect her with my last breath, if it was to save her. My mattering to her would be too much to ask. All I ask is the permission to stay with her. It's enough for me."
Katia smiled, a large and beautiful smile. She didn't look half as frightening when she smiled. "That is why she loves you." Then she opened the door and we left together. I was confused. Too many thoughts scattered in my too small of a brain. I was tired, and I had to deal with the fact that tomorrow I would be entering the most dangerous place I had ever known. I would rather have gone to hell than the Heart of the City. But if that was where Kagome was going, that was where I had to be. Tomorrow, we both could die.
I met with Kagome, Miroku, and Sango, who were all waiting for me with a questioning look. "Katia wished a few words with me," I said nonchalantly. "I'm beat, and it's starting to get late. Can we go home now?" I whined. Kagome nodded, going to tell Kouga and the others that we were return tomorrow before the battle to take our positions. It was going to be a long night, I can sure as hell say that.
It was still light out when we got home, the air was heavy with the silence. Even with no gangs on the streets, everyone was too scared to leave their homes. I was very surprised when Kagome and I got to my apartment and Miroku and Sango weren't there.
"Where'd the hell they go?" I muttered.
"Miroku's apartment," Kagome said quietly, hopping off my back and walking inside. "Sango told me that she and Miroku will get here by morning, but they wanted a little 'alone time'. She's got it bad for him, and since this might be their last night together..." she trailed off at the obvious.
"Wow, maybe Miroku will finally lose his virginity," I commented, flopping down on my bed. Too many thoughts were in my head, way too many thoughts, most involving the girl who was sharing my company. Kagome sat down on the bed too, lifting up my head, situating herself, then resting my head on her lap. I closed my eyes, inhaling slowly and deeply. Her scent swam in my senses, making that familiar place in my chest warm and fluttery.
Kagome sighed, running her fingers through my hair casually. "I'm sorry, again," she said quietly. "Even though this is all your fault. You shouldn't come with me, but you're a jackass and you will anyway." I snorted.
"I can't leave you alone in the Heart of the City! You'll get yourself caught and/or killed in five minutes without someone watching out for you."
"Hmph," was all I got from her. I opened my eyes and saw she was looking down at me with that annoyed look on her face. I grinned up at her sheepishly, let her know that I was joking because I was resting in a dangerous position and she could do many torturous things to me at the moment. "You're such a brat."
"Takes one to know one," I countered. She rolled her eyes.
"It's getting late now," she said absently, looking at the window. The sun was setting. I sighed. But suddenly, I felt a tingling sensation running through my body. My eyes snapped open again. I only got this sensation when...no...it couldn't be. It just couldn't be! I launched myself up, startling her. "Inuyasha?" she asked. "Are you ok?"
"Oh fuck me..." I breathed, running to check the calendar that hung on my kitchen wall. Sure enough, there was today's date, circled in red pen. The small print at the bottom of the square reading 'new moon'.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?" she asked, coming up behind me now.
"It's the new moon, Kagome," I told her, already feeling the changes beginning. "My time of the month, if you will." Her eyes got big.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"I'll lose my powers tonight...I'm becoming human." I looked down at my fingers. The claws that normally tipped them with manicured greatness were gone, replaced by normal nails. I ran my tongue over the top row of my teeth and felt just teeth, human teeth. No fangs, no points. Kagome squeaked and I looked over at her. She was staring at me wide-eyed.
"You're hair...it's...black!" she stated. Then she reached up, patting my head in search of my ears. She found them, normal human ears, in the normal human position. "You're human...you really ARE human!"
"Yeah. For one night a month, the night of the new moon, I lose my demon powers and become human. I'll be normal again by morning, but for now...I'm basically defenseless." I sighed, rubbing my eyelids with my fingers. It had to be tonight, didn't it? Well, I guess it could be worse. It could've happened tomorrow, in the middle of our mission. I guess it's best to get over with now.
"You're so cute this way," Kagome said suddenly. I looked at her, blinking in confusion. Did she just call me cute?
"Pardon?" She grinned up at me, half-smile teasing me unbearably.
"I said that you look cute as a human." She ran her fingers through my now black hair, looking into my now dark eyes. I got a giddy feeling in my stomach. No one was in the apartment...now was my chance. But my chance was lost, because she took it first, catching me off guard. It wasn't a faster-then-the-eye could see movement, just a quick easing of her arms around my neck, and bringing my head down so she could cover my mouth with hers.
This was unexpected...not that I'm complaining! It was more of a smug feeling, knowing that she wanted to kiss me every bit as much as I wanted to kiss her. A mutual wish, if you will. I hooked my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me, and ran my other hand through her hair slowly, delighting in the small shiver that went down her spine.
She opened her mouth to my exploration, making a breathy sigh in the back of her throat. Heat is an understatement. That one little noise caused a fucking volcano in my chest. Damn...she tasted really good. Not too sweet, one of those tastes that you know you'll never forget. The kind of taste you know you could never get tired of, ever. Kagome was warm and soft pressed against me, and I easily maneuvered her to back up against the wall. This gave me the opportunity to leave her mouth and trail across her jaw line and down her neck, scraping my teeth against her skin as I went. She made the soft little sound again, half way between a sigh and a moan.
I made my way back up to her mouth and kissed her again, harder this time. She returned it just as fierce. After a good while of making-out against my kitchen wall, I took a step back. She was panting heavily and looking at me with slightly dazed eyes. I leaned forward just enough to put my forehead against hers. My breath just as ragged, I grinned down at her.
"That was fun," she said conversationally. That deviant, wicked half-smile, the bane of my existence, was flashing once more. I growled in the back of my throat and she laughed. A lot of things were flashing through my mind at that moment. Visions of all those thoughts and dreams that I shouldn't have been thinking or dreaming, but had anyway, danced across my inner eye. But I shook them away. Sex wasn't what I wanted from this girl, or at least not all I wanted. She was young, and beautiful, and had the leader of a very prestigious gang vying for her attentions. Not to mention that she was the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. One does not simply have casual sex with the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. Sure, it wouldn't have been casual to me...but ...fuck...why am I even thinking about this? It's not like we'd even get remotely to that stage. Half of me, the lower half really, wanted to get to that stage as soon as possible. But the other half of me, my heart and my head, they were telling me that if that stage was to be reached, it should be a time other then the day before we could die. I mean, it takes away a lot knowing that the only reason she could be with me was because we might die tomorrow. I don't want that. I'm not a whore, I'm just a dog. There is a difference.
"Come on," she said, pulling me by the arm back out into the living room. Kagome sat down casually on the bed, motioning for me to sit next to her, which I promptly did. Then, like before, she eased me down so my head was resting in her lap. Like before, she laced her fingers through my hair and sighed. I looked up at her, watching the light play on her face as she looked towards the dark window.
"Are you scared?" I asked her suddenly, not sure why. It just popped out.
She looked down at me. "No," Kagome replied after a brief pause. "Tomorrow will come whether I'm afraid or not. I'm more excited, you know? Not the kind of excited like when you get a present, more excited in a tense way. I know something is about to happen and I just wish that it could be over with." I understood. "What about you?"
"Me? I'm not scared," I retorted, trying to act brave. Truth was, I was a little afraid. All my life I lived for myself alone. After my mom died, there was no one else to care about. When Miroku came along, he became my best friend, but he took care of himself despite the repeated sexual harassment charges. But Kagome...I was afraid for her. I worried for her, wanted to protect her. I was now living for someone else and that was a little scary. But I didn't fear death. It had been a promise my whole life, a leering shadow. Death was inevitable and if death came for me tomorrow, I would fight like hell to keep living.
"Don't worry," she said with a smile. "If anything happens, I'll protect you." I blinked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I thought that was my job," I commented. She laughed and sighed.
"You know Inuyasha," she began, looking away from me again. "You told me that you don't believe in destiny." I nodded, closing my eyes to focus on the sensation of her fingers on my scalp. It sent tiny shivers through my body. "But I think some things are meant to be. There really are no coincidences." I felt her lean down a press a soft kiss to my forehead. "You and me, we were supposed to meet in that alleyway." I opened one eye to look up at her.
"So you were destined to get attacked by gangs?" I asked, not really catching her meaning.
"Maybe. Or maybe I was meant to be in that alley at that time, gangs or not. I think you were supposed to rescue me."
"Ah yes," I said with sarcastic humor. "And you were meant to come home and cook me Ramen." She laughed and then pressed another kiss to my temple.
"Maybe not the Ramen thing, but I do believe you and I were fated to meet each other."
"I was meant to rescue the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel," I mused. My destiny didn't seem so bad at all. Save the damsel in distress, go into heart-stopping battle, get home in time for Ramen. Such a nice fairy tale.
"And I was meant to fall in love with a half-demon," Kagome said softly into my ear. I held my breath. I HAD to have heard her wrong. I swear my heart was beating so loud, Naraku himself could probably hear it. She couldn't have just said that, there was no way! I went ridged. There was just no way! "I know that's probably a very stupid thing to say, especially at a time like this. But if tomorrow...if I don't make it back...I just wanted you to know." Her voice was soft and kind of squeaky, the squeak one gets when they're about to cry.
I opened my eyes, looking up at her, but her face was hidden from my view, so I sat up. Even sitting next to her, she wouldn't face me. I guess, this was her greatest secret. Divulging it to me was a vulnerability that she didn't want to face if I were to put her down. It was the same for me. But...damn...she just told me that she loved me. Kagome 'loved' me. It was a thought that never occurred to me. Never in my fuzzy, Ramen-high brain did I ever once consider the possibility that she, in all the seven hells, could feel for me what I felt for her. It was beyond reason. It was beyond definition. It was a dream. It had to be surreal.
"Nothing's going to happen to you tomorrow Kagome," I whispered, leaning forward and wrapping my arms around her. I pulled her to me, delighting in the scent of her, though it was softer now that my nose was human. "I'll be there. I'll protect you." Then I gulped and jumped off that cliff. Maybe it was a death sentence. That old 'end of innocence' thing. When you find a person that you want to be with for the rest of your life, it doesn't really matter that you'll no longer be able to act like an ass. Nothing else really matters, except that the person you love, loves you back. "I'll protect you because I love you," I said into her ear.
There was no tensing, she was already wound tight. She relaxed when I said the words, leaning against me. Soft and warm, that's Kagome. MY Kagome. I chuckled a little to myself. What a sly dog I am! Well, not really, but I can dream right? I'm in love, so what's it really matter, right? Kagome snuggled closer to me, nuzzling into my neck. I shivered a little.
"Could I..." she began, pulling back a little. Her eyes met mine and she was blushing hard. "Could I...sleep with you tonight? Just sleep...I just don't want to be alone. I guess I am scared after all." I nodded, pulling her back against me. I eased her back on to my pillow, laying next to her and pulling her against me. She curled up around my body, arms around my waist. I had one arm around her, keeping her close, as I lazily trailed the back of my other hand down the side of her face. Suddenly she grinned up at me. "In the morning you'll be a half-demon again, right?"
"Yeah. What, you don't like what you see?" I teased. Her hands came up from around my waist and rubbed the back of my ears.
"I kind of miss the furry ones. But these are cute too." She leaned forward and kissed one of my ears. I blushed furiously. Then she eased back into her previous position and nuzzled into me further. "'Night Inuyasha," she said sleepily, yawning.
"Goodnight Kagome," I replied, laying my head on top of hers and hugging her closer to me as I too, readied for sleep. The nagging thought in the back of my head just wouldn't go away, though, no matter how hard I ignored it. Something in me kept repeating that tomorrow just might be my last sunrise. But then I felt the warm breath and soft heartbeat of the girl in my arms, and I knew that if tomorrow was my last morning, there was no place that I'd rather be then right here.
Alright loyal readers, we've reached it! I know I know, very sappy. I had to make it fluffy to balance out the next couple chapters for which, I guarantee, will be non-stop action! The war is starting between the Loyal Gangs and Naraku's army. Meanwhile, our four fateful heroes are walking into a lion's den without a pocketknife to protect them! *gasp* whatever shall they do? Stay tuned to find out.
Chapter 12: The Heart of the City (Part 1)
::We could still hear the fighting in the distance, three miles around the circle of the Heart of the City. The howls of the Wolf Pack sent chills to my bones as I led the way. So far, we had no encounters, but we had to be wary. Naraku's minions could lay around any abandoned corner. Kagome walked behind me, looking alert and tense. Sango and Miroku flanked her. I twitched my ears, swiveling them to find a single sound. There was nothing, the path that was routed before us was empty of all resistance.::
::Then, just when we were nearing Naraku's tower, the stronghold of the bastard himself, a familiar scent wafted to my nose. I tensed. Had I really forgotten him? Was I really dumb enough to believe he wouldn't have been involved? I guess so because there he was, and he was blocking our path.::
A little preview to the next chapter. Three guesses as to who's standing in our hero's way! I won't spoil it for those who can't guess, but be ready for him! *insane laughter* Oh, and I want to do a few quick shout-outs!
Dragons Maiden: I hope those were happy tears, tears that you shed because something was so good or so heart wrenching...not because my stuff is so very sad. I'm updating here, only a few more to go! And the 2nd IY story that you liked is called Tainted Blood and I'll be putting it out shortly. As for my Kenshin fic, it's called Renegade and will also be out within the next week or so. I also am so happy that you liked my story enough to give up sleep for it, lol! You really spoil me with your kindness! I hope the rest of it and the new ones I'm planning are that good!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: Is it really the best? Really? Here's a review for you, enjoy!
Hedi Dracona: Again, I hope those were tears of happiness, and not tears of laughter because of my mediocre writing abilities, lol. I hope you like the fluff in this chapter!
Inuphoria: Yes, I made him kiss her and yes, they kiss in this chapter too! Why you ask? Well I don't hear him complaining! *opens closet door* How was it Inuyasha? *grumbles something inaudible because he's bound and gagged* There you have it, right from the hanyou's mouth! Fluff is not my strong point and I have a little difficulty writing it. I hope it came out ok...
Kay Kylo: I'm glad you think it gets better! I always try to out-do the chapter before. I'm so touched that you deem it good enough for your favorite's list. *gets teary eyed* You're so nice!
And this is for sweet little country girl: ACK! STOP MAKING FUN OF KOUGA! *pant pant* He's not a girl in a miniskirt...he's a guy in a miniskirt. I just think he's great! He's like Inuyasha in personality in a lot of ways, yet he's a wolf (my favorite animal along with bats). He's a conceited loser, what's not to love?
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Special thanks to my new beta reader--Whyndancer--for volunteering for the job. She's here to critique my shite! (and I mean shite--as in the way Irish people say it because...low and behold...I'm Irish) So thanks again Whyndancer! Yay! This chapter will be dedicated to you for all your assistance in the editing process.
Wow! I get a chapter dedicated to me! Fun! *Waves to Readers* Hallo, nice meet ya'. *blink* I can't think of anything else to say, so I'll shut up and let you read Jesse's awesome fic now. ^_^
Disclaimer: If I've said it once, I've said it a million times! I don't own Inuyasha...he only lives in my head and tells me to free all the dogs at night from the zoo...
Chapter 11: The Sound of War
I thought we had this talk people...something about you keeping your minds out of the gutter as I recall. Nothing happened, ok? No matter how strongly that little voice in the back of my head--which oddly enough sounds like Miroku--told me too, I just didn't have the heart to put the moves on her when she was crying her heart out on my second-favorite shirt. I do have some morals, as hard to believe as that may be. (If you recall, the first shirt got bled on from his fight with Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha always gets something on his shirts, it's like me throwing people off of bridges...)
When Kagome had calmed down enough, I took her into the kitchen and made her some coffee. We just sat there in silence for a while, until she was tired and wanted to go to sleep. I have to admit it, she did look beat. Her dark eyes weren't sparkling and she had this crestfallen look. I let her take the bed, so I slept in her nest. Well, more like I laid in her nest for hours on end. I slept a few hours...maybe. It smelled too strongly of Kagome to get comfortable. I'd drift off into dreams that I had no business drifting into...and waking up from a sex dream to see that it was just a dream is not a happy feeling. No...it just makes you feel randy and guilty.
So I lay on Kagome's nest, feeling guilty and randy for the third time, and I gave up of getting any sleep. I was too nervous anyway. War loomed on the horizon. Memories of red sunrises flashed through my head, back in the old days, before the gang wars. There had been other wars, wars that called away human and demon to fight side-by-side to defend their home, this city, from others who would try to destroy it. I remember my mother's voice, telling me about how a red sunrise signified the spilling of blood. The victory of a battle. I found myself crawling to the window, glancing to the east, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sun. The skyscrapers blocked my view.
I would have crawled back over to the nest, but the scent of Kagome was already thick in my nostrils, I felt no need to punish myself further. But I must be as big a glutton for punishment as Miroku, because I crawled on all fours over to my bed to watch her sleep.
She looked calmer in repose; serene. The worry and tension that she held on her features during her wakening hours was lifted in sleep. I pushed a few of her bangs from her face, smiling slightly while running my fingers through her hair. Very soft. I tried my best not to wake her up. I traced her cheekbone with my finger, just looking at her fair skin and such a beautiful face. It's funny...I've always thought her pretty...but now she was nothing short of breath-taking. So many feelings ran through me, so many thoughts and silent wishes. I'd never felt this way about anyone before. I never wanted to protect someone this much, never wanted to feel someone so badly. And it wasn't just a lustful feeling, because let me tell you that I'd had no shortage of those before. But this was also something deeper, something stronger. This was love. True, blind, happy-ever-after worthy love.
I looked around my little apartment and sighed. It was tiny, microscopic even, but when Kagome was here it seemed huge with her presence. She lit up a room by walking into it. I couldn't offer her half of what she was used too, but she seemed so happy in my cozy little pad. It suited her. I couldn't image what my life had been like before I found her...even though I was living that life no more then a week and a half ago. I couldn't bring myself to think of what it would be like once she was gone. There was a pain in my stomach at the very thought. But then again, we were about to go to war. Neither of us might come back. But I pushed those thoughts away too, subconsciously moving closer to Kagome. It's a little scary how much I came to care about this girl over so short a time. But I did, and I would die to make her safe.
My train of thought was disturbed by a yawn. Twitching slightly, I looked next to me and faced deep brown eyes. "'Morning Inuyasha," she said, yawning again. She flashed me a smile and looked around for a second. She noticed she was on my bed and that I, for some odd reason, was perched very close to her. Kagome either didn't care, or liked it because she didn't yell at me or anything.
"Good morning," I replied sheepishly, shrugging a shoulder and smiling. I was glad that Sango and Miroku had not yet arrived. It was nice to have just a few minutes with her when there was nothing hysterical going on around us, no wolves, no breakdowns, just us.
She stretched, rolling away from me and arching her back. My body betrayed me then and I grimaced. Being a guy is a painful thing sometimes. Lucky for me she didn't notice. Kagome sat up, gave one of my ears a tweak, then headed into the kitchen. My grimace turned into a smirk as I followed her, moving slowly of course. Being Casual. The picture of cool. Well, that was my intent, until I tripped over the nest on the ground and fell flat on my face. Oh yeah, real cool.
Kagome laughed and helped me up. I sat on the floor, brooding for a few minutes, rubbing the side of my face that I landed on. I was rescued from my oh-so-embarrassing predicament by a gentle rapping at my apartment door. (I was reading The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, don't ask) No sooner had I turned the handle, then Miroku and Sango flew in. As usual, Sango was beating on Miroku and he was loving every second of it.
Kagome greeted them and had a few minutes of 'girl time' with Sango. They just talked about what happened last night, the whole crying-destiny sucks-war is lame truth. ESH, remember? But I didn't try to listen in, so I pretty much ignored the details, unless my name was mentioned and I perked up. Meanwhile, I bugged Miroku.
"So how'd it go?" I asked.
"How'd what go?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
"You know," I winked suggestively. "First time having a girl in your apartment and all." Miroku reddened, but with anger, not embarrassment.
"YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER REVEAL THAT I'M A VIRGIN!" he yelled at me. I smirked.
"I didn't reveal it to anyone...but you just told them." I pointed at both girls. Kagome was trying hard not to laugh while Sango looked shocked and a little red. Then her face relaxed into a smug smile, like she had known it all along. I think women have some kind of sixth sense about stuff like that. Not that it'd take a brain surgeon to figure out that no woman as of yet had gone to bed with Miroku. Then the girls went back to their conversation, totally ignoring us again. "Tell me how it went," I prodded further. Miroku leapt across the table in a poor attempt to catch me off guard.
"Baka, I'll kill you!" he cried, choking my neck. I laughed hysterically.
"You're the baka! Leggo!"
"Never! You Benedict Arnold! I CRAVE VENGEANCE!"
"MIROKU! GET THE FUCK OFF!" And so I fell back in my chair and we started rolling around on the ground, exchanging blows like a pair of grade-school kids. We rolled passed Kagome and Sango, who calmly continued chatting, not even sparing us a glance. I think maybe we were doing this to get attention. As it was, it had only been him and me for quite some time. Now we both had girls in our lives. Hanging out with each other wasn't as much fun without someone to yell at us, whack us, or laugh at us.
"Die you ass!" Miroku yelled, banging my head against a wall.
"Bite me, you little bitch!" I yelled back, tripping him, and then pile-driving him into the floor.
"Okay boys, that's enough," Sango said, pulling Miroku away from me. I would have given chase, but Kagome held me by the collar of my shirt.
"I think you've given him enough brain-damage, Inuyasha," she said with a smile. I was content with that.
I sat on one side of the room, Miroku on the other. Both of us were being consoled by the girls. I watched Sango sit next to Miroku and rub a comforting hand up and down his back. His hands didn't even try to stray. I was shocked, to say the least. But maybe I shouldn't have been. It was obvious that they were infatuated with each other. Kagome sat next to me, shaking her head and sighing.
"You know, there are better ways to get attention than beating up Miroku. I mean, anyone can do that. You should exhibit a little more finesse." I smiled.
"Finesse huh? And what should I do then?" She shrugged, hand at her throat, fingering the Jewel once more. I took her hand in mine, call it a reflex. She looked at me surprised.
"I was doing it again, huh?" Kagome asked me with that half-smile I loved so much.
"Yep," was my reply. I would have kissed her then, if not for the presence of two other people in my apartment just a few feet away. I just can't win, can I?
It wouldn't have lasted anyway because there was a knock at the door. I opened it, allowing Shippou and Kirara entry into the apartment. Somehow, their arrival didn't surprise me. "Shippou," Kagome said happily as the fox jumped into her arms. "Did Kouga send a message for me?"
"Uh-huh," he said, attempting to puff himself up. This message had to be important for the little runt to take it so seriously. "Master Kouga sent me to get you. The meetings are being held today, at noon, between the gangs still loyal to the city." Kagome looked dark, and nodded her head, placing Shippou on the ground. She had shifted back into the cold facade of the Guardian. I guess that was the only part of her that I didn't like. She was out of my reach when she did that.
"I'm going to the den, I'll be back by sundown."
"Well, let's go then," I said calmly, stepping to the door.
"No Inuyasha, only I can go. The rest of the gangs won't like my presence, but they'll tolerate the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel." Her dark eyes turned to me and I had to repress a shudder at the coldness hidden in their depths.
"Well, I'm the Guardian of the Guardian then. Me and Sango and Miroku. Your body guards, if you will." Sango gave me a shy grin and Miroku tossed me a thumbs up. Guess we're talking again, even though I kicked his ass pretty good.
"Inuyasha--"
"Kagome," I said seriously, meeting her gaze again. "Wherever you go, we go. You can't ask us to stay here. So let's skip the argument and get to the den before the meetings are done, alright?" We had a stand off for a few moments, then she sighed and blinked her eyes back to normal.
"Alright then, let's go." Satisfied, and more then a little smug, I had Kagome climb on to my back while Miroku, Sango, and Shippou took Kirara.
By noon, we reached the den. The air was thick with the smell of wolves, foxes, humans, and a variety of lower level demons. There were hordes of them standing around the outside of the den. There was a group who all wore the black jackets with the red crucifix on the back, the symbol of the Death Dealers. I was surprised to see them out in the daylight since they were mostly night-roaming folk. I saw the mark of the Foxes on a bunch of smaller demons who were congregating at the far end of the street. And the final gang, the Ravens, stood in the open, adorned with long black feathers that were braided into their hair and wearing bird-masks. I felt Kagome shiver on my back and her arms tightened around my neck. I could smell her fear and her nervousness. But she was determined. She wasn't about to let herself be intimidated.
Kouga was waiting outside for us. He twitched in distaste as he saw that I was with Kagome and I let her down slowly, with a few menacing glances in his direction. Both of our hackles were raised, but we kept our peace for Kagome. She strode up to Kouga like a warrior princess in some fantasy story. Her hair was braided loosely so that strands still blew around her face. She drew herself to her full height and faced him confidently, dressed in tight-fitting black, her bow in hand, quiver on her back, and long dagger at her hip. If there was ever a guy-fantasy, Kagome was it.
"I'm surprised you got them to meet so quickly," she commented as we met Kouga, I stood a foot behind her with Sango and Miroku.
"I write a very convincing letter," Kouga said with a shrug. And suddenly, three people were at his side. One was a small, thin woman with long flame-red hair down to her knees. Her eyes were startlingly green and her face was sharp featured. Her pointed ears knifed through her loose hair as she regarded us slowly. The man standing next to her was exceptionally tall, with spiked blond hair and ice blue eyes. His face was mostly hidden by a black mask covered in small, sleek feathers. And on the far side of Kouga stood a woman about the same size as him, dressed from head to toe in long, black robes. Her hair was as ebony black as Kagome's, but much longer and plaited into several dozen braids. She wore black lipstick and black eyeliner against paper white skin. These were the leaders of the Loyal Gangs of the city.
"Is she the Guardian?" asked the red-haired woman. She smelled of fox.
"This is Kagome Higurashi, the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel," Kouga introduced formally. Kagome bowed respectfully to each leader in turn as Kouga introduced them. Nyla, the leader of the Fox Gang. Skyris, leader of the Ravens Gang. And Katia, leader of the Death Dealers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Kagome said with a bow addressed to all four gang leaders. "It's a dark day indeed that we have to meet under such circumstances." Nyla nodded sadly. Skyris's eyes reflected his dismay. Katia showed no emotion, but she nodded her head as well. "Come, we have much to discuss," Kagome said and they all turned to go into the den. Sango, Miroku and I made to follow, but Kouga stopped us.
"This is no place for you, dog-boy," he hissed under his breath.
"Back off fucking wolf, wherever Kagome goes, I go," I said back.
"You really are her fucking dog, aren't you?" he said in disgust.
"Not as much as you are," I snarled.
"Kouga," Katia of the Death Dealers said, standing beside him. She moved so quietly that not even I heard her approach. She had no scent either, which made the hair on my neck stand up. She didn't smell of demon or human, didn't smell like the living or the dead. She had no scent at all. She looked into my eyes and I couldn't breath. Her eyes were red, but not the angry red that Kagura's had been. Her eyes were a soft, glowing garnet. The color of fresh blood that held no malice or contempt. I think she was searching my soul, or reading my mind. I remember hearing something about the leader of the Death Dealers, long ago. They said that she was a creature who never ventured from her territory, even under the cover of darkness. She blended with shadows so easily even a full demon wouldn't be able to see her. And that she drank the blood of other creatures to sustain herself. A vampire among demons. An eternal goddess.
"Kouga," she repeated, releasing me from her eyes. "Let him come. What we say will concern him as well. But let the other two remain outside." With that she turned and ascended the stairs into the den to follow Nyla, Skyris and Kagome. Kouga snarled at me, but turned and stalked after her with a low growl of dismay. Sango and Miroku nodded their acceptance as I followed after him. We met in his private chambers, where no one would disturb us.
"Tell me," Skyris said after we settled. I sat a few feet away from the leaders and Kagome, satisfied to being in the room. My ESH picked up every word uttered anyway. "What is the plan that you have told us about Kouga, leader of the Wolf Pack?" His voice was deep and mellow, like a man who didn't enjoy being on this end of the city. The Ravens were an outer city gang, but they were loyal to the Cities Own, not Naraku.
"Kagome could best answer that," Kouga said, urging her.
Kagome sighed a little, fidgeting with the Jewel before speaking. "I propose that we organize a strike before Naraku has time to launch his invasion of the city."
"But that's suicide!" Nyla gasped. "I will not order my Foxes to their deaths! Naraku's forces are powerful indeed, too powerful to just idly strike an arm at them."
"Hush Nyla," Katia said, throwing her a glance. "Continue Guardian." All eyes were once more on Kagome.
"It's like this," Kagome said, grabbing a small piece of rolled up paper from Kouga. Once she had finished unfurling it, I could see that it was a hand-drawn map of the city. "The City Heart is weakest right here," she said, pointing to the juncture between the Golem's Heart of the City limits, and the borders of the Wolf Pack territory. "If we order a strike at the weakest point, then we could draw Naraku's forces to one spot."
"But what good will that do?" Skyris commented, looking at the map. "Drawing all of their army upon us would only wipe us out faster, or is that what your intentions are, Guardian? To have all the demons of the city kill each other so you no longer have to deal with us?" Kouga growled.
"Watch your tongue, bird-brain."
"Hold yours wolf," he said with disdain. "You run around here on the ground with your feeble powers. I will not subject my followers to die for the sake of a girl and a jewel. This is a matter for creatures of the landbound variety, not majestic sky-dwellers."
"Skyris," Katia said once more. Her voice held no emotion, like her face. But her red eyes were annoyed. "There will be no sky to dwell in once Naraku takes the city, and the Jewel." All eyes turned toward the leader of the Death Dealers.
"My lady," Kouga said questioningly. "What have you seen?" That's right! There were also rumors that the Death Dealer's leader was a Seer. A woman capable of predicting the future.
"I have seen our fate, if the Guardian is to fail. Naraku will take possession of the Jewel and the power it has will bring terror and destruction upon not only this city, but all the world. He has grown conceited in his lust for power, and his will is now to have the power of all powers. The Shikon Jewel," then she turned her eyes to Kagome. "And the woman who guards it." I tensed as her eyes flickered to me for all of a second, but in that second I got the distinct impression that she was sending me a message. "We must trust in her."
"Why?" asked Skyris, eyes still on Katia.
"Because she holds the fate of us all in the palm of her hand." And she did. And our fate is called the Shikon Jewel. "Now Kagome, finish your plan."
Kagome nodded. "If all the gangs focus their forces on drawing Naraku's army to this one place, then it leaves enough time for me and my team to get into the Heart of the City. Naraku will be in his tower. Once inside the borders," Kagome drew her finger across the map, marking a small route already known. "We can get to the tower and kill him. With Naraku gone, the rest of the demon gangs will have no reason to fight us. Naraku is the key. Like a domino effect."
"You wish us to sacrifice our people on a chance?" Nyla asked quietly.
"What other choice do we have? If we wait for Naraku to attack us we'll be slaughtered," Kouga said rationally. For once I agreed with him. Katia stood up and drew Kagome with her. The other followed suit.
"Then it is settled. Kagome Higurashi, Guardian of the Jewel, you have the support of the Death Dealers. We will attack the border, tomorrow, at sunset." Katia bowed her head to Kagome.
"I do not like to leave the future to chance, but if we can destroy Naraku now, then you have the support of the Foxes," Nyla said, bowing as well.
"The Ravens will lend our power to aid your cause," Skyris agreed. I don't think he was too happy, but it seemed that whatever Katia did, they did as well.
"The Wolf Pack is a given. I've got your back Kagome," Kouga said, giving her a quick hug. I rolled my eyes, what a tool. Then the leaders departed. I made to follow Kagome, just like I said, but I was stopped at the door by Katia. She silently closed the door behind Kouga so that she and I were alone inside the room. I was a little nervous.
"You have sworn to protect the Guardian," she said. It wasn't a question, though it sounded like one.
"Yes. I told her that I would protect her, no matter what. And I will." Katia nodded, a small smile on her black lips.
"You love her." Yet another question-like comment.
"Yes," I replied once more, in a whispery tone. The first time I said it out loud.
"You are not the only one," Katia said in a conversational tone now. "She has the love of a family. The love of her friends. The love of the leader of the Wolf Pack. She has the love of her greatest enemy. What makes you believe that you matter to her at all?"
I met her garnet eyes and felt something inside me being pulled to the surface. Suddenly, I found my voice. "It doesn't really matter, I guess, whether or not I matter to her. I would follow her to the ends of the earth if she decided to go there. I would protect her with my last breath, if it was to save her. My mattering to her would be too much to ask. All I ask is the permission to stay with her. It's enough for me."
Katia smiled, a large and beautiful smile. She didn't look half as frightening when she smiled. "That is why she loves you." Then she opened the door and we left together. I was confused. Too many thoughts scattered in my too small of a brain. I was tired, and I had to deal with the fact that tomorrow I would be entering the most dangerous place I had ever known. I would rather have gone to hell than the Heart of the City. But if that was where Kagome was going, that was where I had to be. Tomorrow, we both could die.
I met with Kagome, Miroku, and Sango, who were all waiting for me with a questioning look. "Katia wished a few words with me," I said nonchalantly. "I'm beat, and it's starting to get late. Can we go home now?" I whined. Kagome nodded, going to tell Kouga and the others that we were return tomorrow before the battle to take our positions. It was going to be a long night, I can sure as hell say that.
It was still light out when we got home, the air was heavy with the silence. Even with no gangs on the streets, everyone was too scared to leave their homes. I was very surprised when Kagome and I got to my apartment and Miroku and Sango weren't there.
"Where'd the hell they go?" I muttered.
"Miroku's apartment," Kagome said quietly, hopping off my back and walking inside. "Sango told me that she and Miroku will get here by morning, but they wanted a little 'alone time'. She's got it bad for him, and since this might be their last night together..." she trailed off at the obvious.
"Wow, maybe Miroku will finally lose his virginity," I commented, flopping down on my bed. Too many thoughts were in my head, way too many thoughts, most involving the girl who was sharing my company. Kagome sat down on the bed too, lifting up my head, situating herself, then resting my head on her lap. I closed my eyes, inhaling slowly and deeply. Her scent swam in my senses, making that familiar place in my chest warm and fluttery.
Kagome sighed, running her fingers through my hair casually. "I'm sorry, again," she said quietly. "Even though this is all your fault. You shouldn't come with me, but you're a jackass and you will anyway." I snorted.
"I can't leave you alone in the Heart of the City! You'll get yourself caught and/or killed in five minutes without someone watching out for you."
"Hmph," was all I got from her. I opened my eyes and saw she was looking down at me with that annoyed look on her face. I grinned up at her sheepishly, let her know that I was joking because I was resting in a dangerous position and she could do many torturous things to me at the moment. "You're such a brat."
"Takes one to know one," I countered. She rolled her eyes.
"It's getting late now," she said absently, looking at the window. The sun was setting. I sighed. But suddenly, I felt a tingling sensation running through my body. My eyes snapped open again. I only got this sensation when...no...it couldn't be. It just couldn't be! I launched myself up, startling her. "Inuyasha?" she asked. "Are you ok?"
"Oh fuck me..." I breathed, running to check the calendar that hung on my kitchen wall. Sure enough, there was today's date, circled in red pen. The small print at the bottom of the square reading 'new moon'.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?" she asked, coming up behind me now.
"It's the new moon, Kagome," I told her, already feeling the changes beginning. "My time of the month, if you will." Her eyes got big.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"I'll lose my powers tonight...I'm becoming human." I looked down at my fingers. The claws that normally tipped them with manicured greatness were gone, replaced by normal nails. I ran my tongue over the top row of my teeth and felt just teeth, human teeth. No fangs, no points. Kagome squeaked and I looked over at her. She was staring at me wide-eyed.
"You're hair...it's...black!" she stated. Then she reached up, patting my head in search of my ears. She found them, normal human ears, in the normal human position. "You're human...you really ARE human!"
"Yeah. For one night a month, the night of the new moon, I lose my demon powers and become human. I'll be normal again by morning, but for now...I'm basically defenseless." I sighed, rubbing my eyelids with my fingers. It had to be tonight, didn't it? Well, I guess it could be worse. It could've happened tomorrow, in the middle of our mission. I guess it's best to get over with now.
"You're so cute this way," Kagome said suddenly. I looked at her, blinking in confusion. Did she just call me cute?
"Pardon?" She grinned up at me, half-smile teasing me unbearably.
"I said that you look cute as a human." She ran her fingers through my now black hair, looking into my now dark eyes. I got a giddy feeling in my stomach. No one was in the apartment...now was my chance. But my chance was lost, because she took it first, catching me off guard. It wasn't a faster-then-the-eye could see movement, just a quick easing of her arms around my neck, and bringing my head down so she could cover my mouth with hers.
This was unexpected...not that I'm complaining! It was more of a smug feeling, knowing that she wanted to kiss me every bit as much as I wanted to kiss her. A mutual wish, if you will. I hooked my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me, and ran my other hand through her hair slowly, delighting in the small shiver that went down her spine.
She opened her mouth to my exploration, making a breathy sigh in the back of her throat. Heat is an understatement. That one little noise caused a fucking volcano in my chest. Damn...she tasted really good. Not too sweet, one of those tastes that you know you'll never forget. The kind of taste you know you could never get tired of, ever. Kagome was warm and soft pressed against me, and I easily maneuvered her to back up against the wall. This gave me the opportunity to leave her mouth and trail across her jaw line and down her neck, scraping my teeth against her skin as I went. She made the soft little sound again, half way between a sigh and a moan.
I made my way back up to her mouth and kissed her again, harder this time. She returned it just as fierce. After a good while of making-out against my kitchen wall, I took a step back. She was panting heavily and looking at me with slightly dazed eyes. I leaned forward just enough to put my forehead against hers. My breath just as ragged, I grinned down at her.
"That was fun," she said conversationally. That deviant, wicked half-smile, the bane of my existence, was flashing once more. I growled in the back of my throat and she laughed. A lot of things were flashing through my mind at that moment. Visions of all those thoughts and dreams that I shouldn't have been thinking or dreaming, but had anyway, danced across my inner eye. But I shook them away. Sex wasn't what I wanted from this girl, or at least not all I wanted. She was young, and beautiful, and had the leader of a very prestigious gang vying for her attentions. Not to mention that she was the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. One does not simply have casual sex with the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. Sure, it wouldn't have been casual to me...but ...fuck...why am I even thinking about this? It's not like we'd even get remotely to that stage. Half of me, the lower half really, wanted to get to that stage as soon as possible. But the other half of me, my heart and my head, they were telling me that if that stage was to be reached, it should be a time other then the day before we could die. I mean, it takes away a lot knowing that the only reason she could be with me was because we might die tomorrow. I don't want that. I'm not a whore, I'm just a dog. There is a difference.
"Come on," she said, pulling me by the arm back out into the living room. Kagome sat down casually on the bed, motioning for me to sit next to her, which I promptly did. Then, like before, she eased me down so my head was resting in her lap. Like before, she laced her fingers through my hair and sighed. I looked up at her, watching the light play on her face as she looked towards the dark window.
"Are you scared?" I asked her suddenly, not sure why. It just popped out.
She looked down at me. "No," Kagome replied after a brief pause. "Tomorrow will come whether I'm afraid or not. I'm more excited, you know? Not the kind of excited like when you get a present, more excited in a tense way. I know something is about to happen and I just wish that it could be over with." I understood. "What about you?"
"Me? I'm not scared," I retorted, trying to act brave. Truth was, I was a little afraid. All my life I lived for myself alone. After my mom died, there was no one else to care about. When Miroku came along, he became my best friend, but he took care of himself despite the repeated sexual harassment charges. But Kagome...I was afraid for her. I worried for her, wanted to protect her. I was now living for someone else and that was a little scary. But I didn't fear death. It had been a promise my whole life, a leering shadow. Death was inevitable and if death came for me tomorrow, I would fight like hell to keep living.
"Don't worry," she said with a smile. "If anything happens, I'll protect you." I blinked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I thought that was my job," I commented. She laughed and sighed.
"You know Inuyasha," she began, looking away from me again. "You told me that you don't believe in destiny." I nodded, closing my eyes to focus on the sensation of her fingers on my scalp. It sent tiny shivers through my body. "But I think some things are meant to be. There really are no coincidences." I felt her lean down a press a soft kiss to my forehead. "You and me, we were supposed to meet in that alleyway." I opened one eye to look up at her.
"So you were destined to get attacked by gangs?" I asked, not really catching her meaning.
"Maybe. Or maybe I was meant to be in that alley at that time, gangs or not. I think you were supposed to rescue me."
"Ah yes," I said with sarcastic humor. "And you were meant to come home and cook me Ramen." She laughed and then pressed another kiss to my temple.
"Maybe not the Ramen thing, but I do believe you and I were fated to meet each other."
"I was meant to rescue the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel," I mused. My destiny didn't seem so bad at all. Save the damsel in distress, go into heart-stopping battle, get home in time for Ramen. Such a nice fairy tale.
"And I was meant to fall in love with a half-demon," Kagome said softly into my ear. I held my breath. I HAD to have heard her wrong. I swear my heart was beating so loud, Naraku himself could probably hear it. She couldn't have just said that, there was no way! I went ridged. There was just no way! "I know that's probably a very stupid thing to say, especially at a time like this. But if tomorrow...if I don't make it back...I just wanted you to know." Her voice was soft and kind of squeaky, the squeak one gets when they're about to cry.
I opened my eyes, looking up at her, but her face was hidden from my view, so I sat up. Even sitting next to her, she wouldn't face me. I guess, this was her greatest secret. Divulging it to me was a vulnerability that she didn't want to face if I were to put her down. It was the same for me. But...damn...she just told me that she loved me. Kagome 'loved' me. It was a thought that never occurred to me. Never in my fuzzy, Ramen-high brain did I ever once consider the possibility that she, in all the seven hells, could feel for me what I felt for her. It was beyond reason. It was beyond definition. It was a dream. It had to be surreal.
"Nothing's going to happen to you tomorrow Kagome," I whispered, leaning forward and wrapping my arms around her. I pulled her to me, delighting in the scent of her, though it was softer now that my nose was human. "I'll be there. I'll protect you." Then I gulped and jumped off that cliff. Maybe it was a death sentence. That old 'end of innocence' thing. When you find a person that you want to be with for the rest of your life, it doesn't really matter that you'll no longer be able to act like an ass. Nothing else really matters, except that the person you love, loves you back. "I'll protect you because I love you," I said into her ear.
There was no tensing, she was already wound tight. She relaxed when I said the words, leaning against me. Soft and warm, that's Kagome. MY Kagome. I chuckled a little to myself. What a sly dog I am! Well, not really, but I can dream right? I'm in love, so what's it really matter, right? Kagome snuggled closer to me, nuzzling into my neck. I shivered a little.
"Could I..." she began, pulling back a little. Her eyes met mine and she was blushing hard. "Could I...sleep with you tonight? Just sleep...I just don't want to be alone. I guess I am scared after all." I nodded, pulling her back against me. I eased her back on to my pillow, laying next to her and pulling her against me. She curled up around my body, arms around my waist. I had one arm around her, keeping her close, as I lazily trailed the back of my other hand down the side of her face. Suddenly she grinned up at me. "In the morning you'll be a half-demon again, right?"
"Yeah. What, you don't like what you see?" I teased. Her hands came up from around my waist and rubbed the back of my ears.
"I kind of miss the furry ones. But these are cute too." She leaned forward and kissed one of my ears. I blushed furiously. Then she eased back into her previous position and nuzzled into me further. "'Night Inuyasha," she said sleepily, yawning.
"Goodnight Kagome," I replied, laying my head on top of hers and hugging her closer to me as I too, readied for sleep. The nagging thought in the back of my head just wouldn't go away, though, no matter how hard I ignored it. Something in me kept repeating that tomorrow just might be my last sunrise. But then I felt the warm breath and soft heartbeat of the girl in my arms, and I knew that if tomorrow was my last morning, there was no place that I'd rather be then right here.
Alright loyal readers, we've reached it! I know I know, very sappy. I had to make it fluffy to balance out the next couple chapters for which, I guarantee, will be non-stop action! The war is starting between the Loyal Gangs and Naraku's army. Meanwhile, our four fateful heroes are walking into a lion's den without a pocketknife to protect them! *gasp* whatever shall they do? Stay tuned to find out.
Chapter 12: The Heart of the City (Part 1)
::We could still hear the fighting in the distance, three miles around the circle of the Heart of the City. The howls of the Wolf Pack sent chills to my bones as I led the way. So far, we had no encounters, but we had to be wary. Naraku's minions could lay around any abandoned corner. Kagome walked behind me, looking alert and tense. Sango and Miroku flanked her. I twitched my ears, swiveling them to find a single sound. There was nothing, the path that was routed before us was empty of all resistance.::
::Then, just when we were nearing Naraku's tower, the stronghold of the bastard himself, a familiar scent wafted to my nose. I tensed. Had I really forgotten him? Was I really dumb enough to believe he wouldn't have been involved? I guess so because there he was, and he was blocking our path.::
A little preview to the next chapter. Three guesses as to who's standing in our hero's way! I won't spoil it for those who can't guess, but be ready for him! *insane laughter* Oh, and I want to do a few quick shout-outs!
Dragons Maiden: I hope those were happy tears, tears that you shed because something was so good or so heart wrenching...not because my stuff is so very sad. I'm updating here, only a few more to go! And the 2nd IY story that you liked is called Tainted Blood and I'll be putting it out shortly. As for my Kenshin fic, it's called Renegade and will also be out within the next week or so. I also am so happy that you liked my story enough to give up sleep for it, lol! You really spoil me with your kindness! I hope the rest of it and the new ones I'm planning are that good!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: Is it really the best? Really? Here's a review for you, enjoy!
Hedi Dracona: Again, I hope those were tears of happiness, and not tears of laughter because of my mediocre writing abilities, lol. I hope you like the fluff in this chapter!
Inuphoria: Yes, I made him kiss her and yes, they kiss in this chapter too! Why you ask? Well I don't hear him complaining! *opens closet door* How was it Inuyasha? *grumbles something inaudible because he's bound and gagged* There you have it, right from the hanyou's mouth! Fluff is not my strong point and I have a little difficulty writing it. I hope it came out ok...
Kay Kylo: I'm glad you think it gets better! I always try to out-do the chapter before. I'm so touched that you deem it good enough for your favorite's list. *gets teary eyed* You're so nice!
And this is for sweet little country girl: ACK! STOP MAKING FUN OF KOUGA! *pant pant* He's not a girl in a miniskirt...he's a guy in a miniskirt. I just think he's great! He's like Inuyasha in personality in a lot of ways, yet he's a wolf (my favorite animal along with bats). He's a conceited loser, what's not to love?
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~