AN:Storymind: Yes.. That's right.. It's their past.. There could be more
involved.. Will there? Won't there? How much sugar have I had to day,
and why won't my lemonade melt faster?
Rosie: Whips would be interesting, if used correctly. Maybe they can borrow Sesshy's. How come I have a feeling you would fit in on the shop, between Kouga and his chains and Sesshy and his whips?
Griffin: Well said. But is Kagome satisfied?
ME: Yes, Sesshy is a bastard. You aren't supposed to like him. He is the bad guy, after all.
Vixen: I giggle when I write the word 'nipple'. I can say, but ask me two write it, let alone something being done to it, and I will go red and fall of my chair. So, no, no lemon. But maybe some limey content here and there, we can't say. Actually, I think I described one part as being a grapefruit. And need I point out that everyone's favorite miscreant monk isn't here yet. Hopefully between the sexual tension between Kagome and Inuyasha and Miroku being himself, you shall be plenty entertained.
Demon Kitty and Glass thorn: As I said; seven hours time difference makes for very interesting plot coagulation's.
Pyro: Actually, I don't really think we go into that at all. So use your imagination! ^_^
We were glad to see some new names as well as some old favorites on the review list. Our popularity must be spreading! ^_^ Glad to see we weren't the only ones who were drooling at the idea of Inuyasha being a pirate. Well, enjoy. chapter seven. Seven chapters old already. Enjoy!
Strolling the deck of the ship, Inuyasha looked more like his brother than he would have preferred. Sesshomaru was now retired to his chambers, leaving Inuyasha in charge, momentarily. Inuyasha knew the only reason why Sesshomaru hadn't killed him yet was because he was an asset to the crew: he didn't eat human meat, so there were more for others, he was one of the best fighters on board, he was smart, and he knew how to command people.
"Do you call that a knot? Simpleton! Sailor, you missed a spot!" But he was never without a kind word, for those who deserved it. "Kouga, good work on the sails. Your speed's improving." But now he just circled the deck, bored, and wondering what Kagome was doing. There wasn't much to do on his shift, other than yell at people who were late or people who had drunk so much the night before they threatened toppling overboard. He wondered if he actually should let them go over. Nope, there wouldn't be anything left to do until after dusk, when they'd circle the other side of the mainland on their way home, and pick up Miroku. He'd be glad to see Miroku again. Although Inuyasha called Kouga a friend, Miroku was, he supposed, his best friend. They were two of a kind on the ship: one a half-demon, the other a human who had become a devil.
* * *
He hid a smile as he got off his ship, walking back down to his bedroom, Miroku's words still fresh. The monk had run across the water and jumped on their ship, one hand carrying a pack of magical equipment, the other supporting a girl who was slung over his back, much as Kagome had been the night before. Except this girl looked really beaten up. Inuyasha stared at Miroku with some uncertainty. The monk only shrugged. "She's feisty. She fainted."
Letting himself into his bedroom, he spotted Kagome sleeping soundly in his bed. He quietly shut the door, and moved soundlessly toward the bed. It was dark, but Inuyasha could see perfectly well. Inuyasha hovered over her, watching he sleep. She didn't look nearly so dangerous now. He grinned and took off his shirts. The first one he balled up and used in on a pillow. The second he used as a blanket, curling up on the floor to maybe catch a little nap.
"Mmm..." Kagome murmured snuggling the blanket closer to her and opening her eyes a fraction. Her cheeks immediately blushing when she saw Inuyasha shirtless, but the sight was enough to wake her up.
"What are you doing?!" Kagome demanded to know as she sat up, the blanket falling to her lap, revealing the clothes she wore. "What time is it?" Kagome asked yawning. She had busied herself the few past hours, figuring out an escape route, gathering whatever she could as weapons and making a makeshift alter on his night table.
"Midnight," he answered. "Go back to bed, Kagome."
Kagome glared at him. "Uh huh. What about you?"
"Demons don't need sleep." Curled up on his side, he still hadn't looked over at her. "I'm just fine right here."
"Idiot." Kagome muttered and fell back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. This was just.... Wrong. The roles being reversed like this. Sitting back up, Kagome looked over the bed at him. "I know I am your prisoner, and I know I am getting better treatment then the other girls being allowed to stay here and all." Kagome said, feeling kind of bad that he had worked all these hours and now got to lie on the floor. Demon or not. Kicking the blanket off of her, and pulling his shirt down to hide some of her skin, Kagome got off of the bed and crouched down beside him, pulling the shirt he used as a pillow away from under his head with one powerful tug. "That means that you get the bed, alright? I didn't mean to kick you out of your own bed, I just fell asleep." Kagome muttered and tossed his shirt aside and was about to do the same to the one he was using as a blanket.
He grabbed her hand when he reached for his red jacket and pulled her down closer, giving her a quick kiss on her lips, just as he'd thought of during his whole shift. His yellow eyes glowed in the night as he stared her. "Kagome, take the bed," he ordered her, not knowing how long she'd be able to enjoy something so simple as a soft bed.
Kagome despite herself smiled at him, as though she read his thoughts. "Inuyasha," She began as she sat on the floor beside him looking down at him. "I.. You and I both know, this won't last right?" Kagome asked him without looking at him anymore. "You know I won't stay trapped in here for long, and you know that your crewmates won't tolerate you having me here for long. You also know I have a bow and arrows and now you know I've hidden them and will use them to get free or at least set those girls free." Kagome said, knowing that she shouldn't tell him this, but feeling that she owed it to him. "Take the bed, you can't keep making me forget I'm a prisoner."
Inuyasha sighed. At least Kagome was rational. "Why don't we both take the bed?" he suggested. "It wouldn't be right for me to take it and leave you here."
"Why not?" Kagome huffed. "You took me from my home and I am your captive." Kagome said without noticing touching her neck again. "I'm fine with sleeping on the floor, really I am. As a priestess I know how to do without." Kagome reminded him.
He turned her own argument back on her. "If you're really my prisoner, then you should do as I say," he growled, amused by their argument. Still, he couldn't help but wonder who was really the captive, between him and Kagome. Sure, he'd kidnapped her, but all she had to do was look at him in the right way, and he'd risk standing up to his brother to protect her.
Kagome growled at him and sat up on her knees. "But you forget, this little bird is going to fly the coop." Kagome teased and for the briefest moment toyed with the idea of kissing him. She didn't know why, but she did. There was just something about him, maybe it was the human in him and the blend of demon that spoke to her. Because, wasn't she with all of her powers less then human too? Shaking her head of those thoughts Kagome offered him her hand. "We'll share." She said falling back onto his old offer.
Enticed by the idea of sharing a bed with Kagome, he crawled in first, holding the sheets open for her. When she crawled inside, he pulled them around her, and left his arm draped under her smaller frame. He relaxed and closed his eyes, feeling better now that he knew that Kagome was safe and held within his arms.
Kagome snuggled close to him, burying her face in the crook between his shoulder and neck. Wrapping her arm around his waist, Kagome felt warm and safe. She couldn't deny that feel, even if it was ridiculous because she was feeling protected in the arms of a demon. "I hope it'll work out better..." Kagome whispered, and thought to herself, 'for you this time... I don't like the idea of you being hurt.' Using his arm as a pillow upon which she lay her head, her raven hair falling to the side over his arm and the pillows beneath.
He was so comfortable that he didn't even register what she'd said. Inuyasha just held her, closing his eyes as he let the sound and feel of Kagome's steady breathing lull him to sleep, instead of the normal, empty feeling of the swaying ship.
Inuyasha woke up at dawn, like he always did. For once, he didn't particularly care to go up top and see it. For one, that would disturb Kagome. His hands tightened around her, and he nuzzled her dark hair with his nose. Even though the thought was a dangerous one, he couldn't help but have it. Something about it felt right. Something about waking up with Kagome in his arms, having her scent envelop him felt just plain old right.
Reaching up, he rose his head and kissed the back of her neck gently. During the night she had rolled over, and so now her back was pressed up against his. He was a little sad that he wouldn't be able just to lay there and watch her sleep, but as his lips moved over the rest on the spot where he'd bitten her the night before, he sighed contentedly, happy to simply be with her. His hand snaked up to find hers, and he covered it, holding her hand as she slept, and he closed his eyes, relaxing in the knowledge that Kagome was safe.
Kagome stirred a bit and yawned. Then flung her eyes open. Her breath catching in her throat, Kagome looked down and... Choked again. He was... Groping her chest... And... Kagome slid her eyes to the side and noticed her was... Kissing her neck... Kagome gulped. Sure, she knew she made a bargain with him. But so early in the morning?! And without warning?
Forgetting her place, Kagome's fingers clenched the pillow beneath her and pretending to still be asleep she cuddled closer to him. Then in one swift move, she pulled the pillow from beneath her and smacked him.
"Ow!" He was up in a flash, glaring at her, his hair mussed from sleep. "What did you do that for? It was completely uncalled for!" He took the other pillow and hit her back with it, right on top of her head.
"Hey!" Kagome shouted and grabbed the pillow from under his head and returned the attack. This time aiming below his waist. "You were groping me!" Kagome shouted, trying to untangle her legs from the covers.. and his legs.
Had he been? He hadn't noticed, if he was! He stared at her, not affected at all as she attacked him with his own pillow. Inuyasha pulled the covers away, so that she wouldn't have so much trouble getting out of bed as he merely sat there and let her rant and hit him with his own pillow. "Oh," was all he could think of saying, wishing that he'd paid more attention to it.
Kagome paused in mid smack with the pillow above her head before bursting into uncalled for giggles. Dropping the pillow, Kagome sat back on her haunches and held her sides giggling. Finally calming her laughter, Kagome looked at him from under her bangs that dipped into her eyes. Seeing him in the morning light was a pleasant sight, seeing his chest lit up by the first rays of sun was a delicious way to wake up in the morning she thought to herself before tossing such thoughts away. They were uncalled for.
Noticing then that the blankets had been tossed aside, Kagome looked down at the bare feet beside her. Her eyes now shinning wickedly Kagome lowered her hand from her side and began tickling the toes. She couldn't help it and everything goes in a pillow fight!
"Stop that," he shouted, already feeling laughter bubble up in his chest. He tried to push her away, but he couldn't concentrate. He fell back on the bed, suddenly laughing with all his heart. He hadn't laughed in years, and, as if by magic, all the laughter he had been bottling up inside him for over a decade finally freed itself until there were tears in his eyes and he was practically begging for mercy.
Kagome was actually spell bound. His smile and his laughter... The sound and sight were gorgeous. Seeing him in a new light, Kagome's eyes shone. Sitting back down on the bed, over the covers Kagome began to laugh to. Because laughter drags laughter, it's addictive after all. But she didn't once take her eyes off of him, it was enchanting. "You have a lovely laugh." She whispered and gave a last tickle to the curve of his foot.
"Thank you," he giggled, the laughter still trickling out of him. He wasn't certain if he was thanking her for the compliment, or for letting him go. He was wiping his eyes when he glanced over her head and saw the door open, but Inuyasha had no fear this time. Still smiling, his tears banished, he leaned up against the wall, reclining on his bed like a dominant wolf. His ears even seemed to perk up a bit.
"Hey, Miroku," he greeted with a lazy wave. His fingers itched to reach out and stroke Kagome's hair, not just to feel it again, but almost as if to warn his friend to keep away because she was his. "Sorry if we woke you up."
On instinct alone, Kagome looked over her shoulder and with adrenaline pumping through her rolled over the bed to reach her bow and arrows. With uncanny speed and training she lifted the bow and strung it aiming an arrow directly for him. It was habit, and when on a demon ship, Kagome didn't allow her mind to form doubts she just did whatever reaction came naturally.
Miroku stopped a step into the room and raised his hands. "Woah." He said black Buddha beads draped over his hand and wrist rattling at the movement. Looking a bit shocked at the girl, or rather ogling her. Miroku tore his gaze from her to Inuyasha. "You have a girl in your bed." He stated matter- of-factly and then his perverted side rose to the surface and he slowly dropped his hands. What could a girl wearing nothing but a man's shirt -and looking damn good in it- do to him anyway? "Well, it's about TIME!" Miroku said then caught the look in her eyes.
Alright, maybe she was serious, "Uh, Inuyasha?" Miroku let out his eyes darting from his friend to the arrow. "The waking up part didn't bother me, I was up already... But you know, this is not the way to greet a friend... Remove the bow and arrow, and then we can talk about the nice greeting."
"Put down the bow, Kagome," he said, watching her do so. "Miroku, this would be Kagome. Kagome, meet Miroku. Miroku, touch her and I'll break every bone in your body. Understand? Good." He relaxed in his seat, knowing this was his territory. "And good morning, by the way."
Kagome looked over her shoulder at him and growled. Slowly lowering her bow, Kagome watched him wearily. "Another friend?" She asked.
Miroku's grin only widened. "Break every bone, huh?" Miroku asked looking her over and then at his old friend. "You know, I might just try... Broken bones and all..." Miroku said looking over her legs then throwing Inuyasha a man-to-man look. "Having fun?"
Inuyasha smirked at her. "Don't worry. Miroku's an actual companion, not like Kouga. Unfortunately, as he looks fully human, Miroku gets to do a lot of the dirty, mainland work," he explained, ignoring Miroku's comment about broken bones. "Which he doesn't mind, because it gets him laid on nine out of ten expeditions."
Looking back at Miroku, the silver-haired demon thought about what had gone on since he'd kidnapped Kagome. "Oh," he sarcastically answered, "loads of fun, excluding being slapped, name-called, shot at, shot, and kicked, often on more than one occasion. And as of this morning, tickled."
Kagome threw Inuyasha a dirty look. "You know, you can be very crude." Kagome said then tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave Miroku a once over. Alright, sure, she could see why he got laid so much. But there was just something about him... Narrowing her eyes, Kagome felt as though the air had been knocked out of her. "You're... Human?"
Miroku grinned and took up a seat, kicking his feet up on a table. "You know, going by that red mark on her neck, I'd say you have been leaving details out..." He said then, again, looked over her legs. "She's wearing your shirt too. You are being very unfriendly leaving out details!" Miroku yelled touching his heart and sniffing dramatically as though he was insulted. With his head bowed, Miroku looked up at Kagome. "Not quite human." He said, his eyes lighting up.
Kagome didn't feel comfortable under his gaze but didn't show it. Instead she met his glare. "You're wearing Buddha beads."
"Yeah. But then again, some men wear necklaces, that doesn't make them women. And I did all kinds of trading for certain un-Buddha like powers." Miroku smirked and turned his attention away from her. "You know, minus the image I walked in on, your days sound as fun as my night. Did I already mention she's feisty?" Miroku asked referring to the girl he brought onboard and touched his reddened cheek.
He nodded, half his gaze on Miroku, the other on Kagome. "You did. Is that welt she gave you from last night, or this morning? Because if it's from this morning, she's feisty, but she's quiet." He pulled off one of his blankets and walked over to Kagome, wrapping it around her body so Miroku would stop eyeing her. He hadn't even noticed that she'd been wearing his shirt. The blanket he placed around her wasn't just so that Miroku would stop eyeing Kagome, it was also that he wouldn't be tempted to. "Who is she, anyway?"
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha and smiled shyly. Well, he might be crude but he could be polite at least. The blanket was still warm... It felt nice.
'It would feel nicer if he joined you under it.'
'Shut up.' Kagome ordered the voices in her head, and paid close attention to their conversation. Was there another raid? Another woman captive?
Miroku looked uncomfortable for a moment and then scratched his chest carelessly. "The woman who agreed to bare my children!" He announced and grinned. "So was slightly drunk... But I'm gonna hold her to her word." Miroku promised then sobered up. "From last night. This morning she just tossed over and kicked me in the prime jewels. Are you babies alright?" Miroku asked looking down at his crotch.
"Sesshomaru wasn't pleased about it either."
"Why not?" Inuyasha demanded, his interest caught. "I truly doubt that he would care whether or not your balls are okay."
Kagome was sweet and she was quiet, she didn't make a big fuss about it when she elbowed Inuyasha in his own jewels. She wanted to get the details and he was bothering her.
Miroku threw him a nasty look but then grinned when he saw Kagome's blanket move and Inuyasha was sitting behind her. 'My my... Isn't he the lucky one?' Miroku thought, his dirty mind falling deeper into the gutter with every passing second. "It wasn't my balls that bothered him, but the wench. Called her my wife, he growled, I threatened not to tell him what I found out... He accepted. We're on our way home."
He suddenly smiled, despite the pain he felt below the equator. "You lucky son of a bitch!" He leapt from his bed and seized Miroku's hand, shaking it wildly and slapping him on the back. "I can't believe an asshole like you would manage to pull his head from his own derriere to be able to do something right for a change! You actually found all of the ingredients?" His words suddenly stopped as he wondered what this would mean would happen to Kagome. "When are we leaving?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Miroku noticed an odd look pass over his friend's face and worried for a moment, but shrugged it off. "Yep. Found them all. I even found one of the maps." Miroku showed off proudly and settled his hand in the waistband of his pants proudly. "Actually, we're changing course as we speak." Miroku said as quietly as Inuyasha did. As though following cue. "We've been sailing there since last night after my meeting with Sesshomaru. I'm surprised you didn't hear all of the rumbling..." Darting a look at Kagome, Miroku grinned at Inuyasha. "Then again, I'm sure you were noisy enough."
Kagome remembered Shippo's story about the bridges and Kagome's muscles bunched up. Leaving? Leaving that would mean... Her chance for escape... For those girls. Without a second thought, Kagome leapt from the bed and landed on Inuyasha piggy back style, and began slapping his back. "No! You are letting me go now! Sharks or non!"
"Contrary to popular belief, I haven't fucked her yet," he growled as Kagome suddenly jumped up him. He crossed his arms and stood there calmly, slowly tilting his head back until he can see her. "Can we talk about this later?" he asked, his tone suggesting it was a statement instead of a question. "Yours is feisty. Mine has ideals."
Kagome leapt off of him and walked around, her back to Miroku her face shoved in Inuyasha's. "Contrary to popular belief... You're not going to either. I'm getting off of this ship, today. Before I'm eaten, and those girls are coming with me." Kagome hissed and kicked him. Her knee following the path her pillow had taken earlier, she then ran to the bed and slung her quiver of arrows over her shoulder and grabbed her bow and ran for the door.
Miroku stared at the two. "You sure you didn't?" He asked suspiciously then considered things rationally. "She's not like the others, is she?" He carefully asked his friend while he stood up. Fingering his beads, Miroku looked blandly at his friend. "What's going on, Inuyasha. And I want the truth."
"She's a priestess. She's feisty. She wants to save all the girls and escape. I keep on trying to explain to her that we're nowhere near shore, and that she'll get killed if she disobeys me, but she's an idiot. She's.... Voluptuous, but she's an idiot," he sighed, going after her as she swung the door open. And this time she was armed. She wouldn't be running out of arrows any time soon. "And I'm an idiot for ever having brought her on board. See ya later, Miroku."
Having casually dismissed his friend, he leaned against the door, putting all his weight on it as he watched Kagome try and open it, her hands fumbling as she tried to turn the lock. He lowered his head, trying to catch her eye. "Trying to go somewhere?"
Miroku stared and arched his brow. "Suuuuuuure, that's all that's going on." He muttered and turned towards the wall, moving one of the wallboards. "It was nice meeting you, Kagome!" He called and then looked at his friend. 'We're gonna talk later.' He mouthed out to him before disappearing behind the secret door leading between their rooms.
Kagome stared up at Inuyasha and shook her head, trying to keep what felt like tears welling up behind her eyes at bay. "Let me go, Inuyasha. I don't care what happens, say that you left and I ran away, but don't stand in my way." She warned and stepped back, aiming an arrow at him. "I don't want to shoot. But I will."
Glancing at the hidden door, he dropped his voice, wanting to make sure Miroku couldn't hear him. His eyes stared at Kagome, burning with something new, that hadn't been there the dawn of the day when he first Kagome. "You don't want to kill me. And so help me God, for some reason I don't want to see you dead. Nor do I want to see myself dead." He acted as if he didn't care she was pointing an arrow at his bare chest. He flicked his silver bangs away from his face. "And why in the world did you think I would want to have sex with you?"
Hurt slashed her face for a moment, but she quickly regained her cold composure. "Because isn't that what you pirates do with your captives?" She asked and felt a hand squeezing her heart in her chest, mashing her lungs along with it. After the kisses from yesterday, and the bite, Kagome almost wanted to close her eyes and re-live those emotions, but apparently when he struck a deal, he stood by it and nothing else. Well, at least she knew the deal was about to be broken and wasn't meant to be taken far.
Smiling tightly, Kagome pulled on the arrow. "Move away Inuyasha..." She asked closing her eyes for a moment and then pulling her arm back, ready to let her arrow fly. "Please."
His voice was still. "If you're going to shoot, do it to kill. Do it like you mean it. You haven't charge the bow with energy, so it won't kill me." He stood like a ghost in front of her path; pale, filled with death, and motionless. He was barely even breathing, watching her as she prepared to shoot.
That broke Kagome and she lowered her bow and dropped the arrow to the floor then collapsed on her knees. "Dammit!" She screamed and banged her fist on the floor. "You heartless son of a bitch!" Kagome screamed, this time when her fist hit the floor she let out an explosion of power that knocked everything in the room and filled it with energy. "Move away Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed and held up the arrow as though it was a knife, but still hadn't collected herself off of the floor.
Staring at her, he felt a pang of humanity, hurting him more than any blow from Kagome ever could. He knelt down to her level, and tried to find words that would make everything right again, that would make her fear go away so that she would know he'd fight like Lucifer himself to keep her safe. His hair fell into his face, hiding his face from her. He couldn't find anything to say, and he knew that any death she'd give him would be quicker than the one Sesshomaru would. "Just for the record, I never would have touched you if you didn't say it was okay," he muttered. His eyes seemed to look right through her. "And I'm sorry."
Kagome turned her head away, her hair flying about hiding it from him. "It doesn't matter now..." She whispered in a hallow voice and placed shaking hands on his forearms. "Nothing matters.." She whispered, feeling a tear trickle out of the side of her eye catching on the lashes and then dropping to her cheeks. "I don't care." She said at last and used his arms to stand up.
Looking at him, Kagome understood that Sesshomaru would do it again to Inuyasha. What he did with Kikyo. Feeling empty, Kagome stared at the door and fingered her arrow. "Maybe I should just release myself..." She whispered hating how selfish that was of her, but she couldn't stop her eyes from darting at her wrist. She had to help those girls... But it was pointless.
"Call me free game." Kagome said in a rasp voice and looked at him with a stricken expression. "Make it a game, release me and say I am free game, they can hunt me. I'll take as many as I can out and release those girls. They'd have a better chance at sea."
"I shouldn't be hearing this," he mumbled, knowing that if Sesshomaru found out he knew what Kagome was planning, he'd be tried for treason. He lifted his head slightly, enough to stare her in the eye. He wiped the tear on her cheek away, his skin not even touching hers in the sincere action. Inuyasha sighed. "Do you know how to seal rooms so that it's soundproof?" he inquired, part of him not able to accept the plan unfolding in his mind.
Kagome nodded but stepped away from him. "I promise I won't make a sound though..." Kagome whispered figuring he'd be kind enough to give her a quick ending. Kagome took another step back, this was not the way she wanted to die. But all choices given, she'd rather have him breaking her neck then other's who'd eat it. Well, eat it more then he did.
He shook his head, and motioned for her to be silent. "Just do it."
Kagome closed her eyes and sat on the floor. Gathering her powers, Kagome summoned all the purifying energy she could and ignored the momentous pain throbbing at her neck from the bite wound. Finally, Kagome pressed her forefingers together and began to chant. Slowly a pink ball began to glow around her and then pushed past her, and fell into the walls of the room. "The barrier is up." She whispered after she felt the chants fall into place. "But I can't keep it up long." Kagome said, not daring to touch her neck.
He once again knelt down to her level, and nodded. "I'll be quick then. You can't save everyone, Kagome, you'll have to accept that. But there's a way to save everybody. The... My way home will be on an island, more than likely. You can get yourself free from anything to put you in, so you'll just have to be on your best behavior tell then. When we land, there'll be a brief moment between them opening the portal to when they come back and kill everybody, because they won't want witnesses. There'll only be a few guards on the ship. Shippo will be one of them, but don't hurt the kid, okay? That's when you can get the girls out, kick the demons off the ship, and push off for home. Understand?"
Kagome stared at him, no air or voice uttering in her throat. "Inuyasha..." She whispered then shook her head, feeling dizzy. "What... No, what will happen to you?" Kagome demanded to know before she dared hope.
"I'll go home," he said with a shrug. 'Or I'll die, but either way, it won't matter. I'll have lived for a good cause, and my death won't be in vain. Besides, maybe it'll make up for dragging good people like Kagome and Kikyo into this mess.' To think that as of only yesterday, if anybody told him he'd have considered forfeiting his life for a mortal woman, he'd have beaten them on the spot!
Kagome didn't believe him. But didn't want to push the point. She'd get what she wanted, wouldn't she? Looking down at her fingers, Kagome felt her head lull forward and then shook it. "Alright." She said and looked up at him. "I'll behave till then. And then, the girls and I will be on our way home and.. You will be too." Kagome said softly. "And I'll never see you again." Kagome swallowed the sudden ball in her throat. "Well, I guess we'll both get what we want right? Oh wait. I forgot, you don't want to have sex with my body." Kagome said and broke the bond of her fingers, letting the barrier fall and offering him her wrist. "Can I offer you this instead?"
He ignored her offer. It was tempting, but Sesshomaru would kill him. Instead, sitting on the balls of his feet, he stared at her. For having been raised a scholar, Inuyasha could be a very confused boy, sometimes. "Is that what our agreement really was? That you would behave and I would protect you and in return you'd give me your body?"
Inuyasha wanted to smack himself. Of course a sweet -sweet?- girl like Kagome wouldn't be willing to let him kiss her because she wanted him too! No wonder she'd been so ready to undress in front of him! She had been scared for her life. He tried to push the words 'I would if you didn't...' out of his mind, but they were etched there. Inuyasha wanted to forget that she kissed him back, when her lips had been brushing his chin, he would have done anything just to hear her say his name.
Kagome lowered her eyes and pressed her wrist forward some more. "Wasn't it?" Kagome whispered looking down at her legs. If it was then why didn't it explain the pain she was feeling in her chest? And the upset stomach? It also didn't explain the want to kiss him again, or how much she enjoyed his kisses. She shouldn't have if it was just a deal. Right? Dropping her wrist away, she lowered her head, Kagome tossed her hair away from the bite wound from yesterday and looked up at him, keeping her head tilted to give him better access. "I doubt anyone would come in this time, I mean they are all probably busy getting back to your world." Kagome said, feeling that she should give him back something in turn for his agreeing to help her save those girls.
"If I bite you, then. . . . ." He glanced down at his own arm. She'd already bitten him. But... it didn't count, right? It had been in the middle of a fight! And it's not like Kagome had swallowed his blood or anything. His eyes narrowed when he saw that the spot where she had bitten him was still slightly pink. It should have disappeared hours after she'd bitten him! It shouldn't be there. Trying to cover it up, he ran to get his jacket, and pulled it on with shaking hands. Should he tell her? No. No! He couldn't. He swallowed nervously, and glanced around. His eyes landed on a candle that had rolled off his nightstand, either sometime during the night or their early morning pillow fight. He bent down and picked it up.
Kagome stood up and looked like she felt. Slapped. Well, now her blood wasn't good enough for him either? Fine. She didn't owe a demon anything. Better a demon not suck on her blood anyway. Gods only knew what she'd picked up when she bit him. Damn trickle fell into her throat then too. Who knew what she would get from his bite. Walking over to him, Kagome pushed him away roughly and grabbed the candle from it placing it back on the night table.
"It shouldn't have been moved." She whispered and bent before it, whispering a prayer for Kikyo's soul.
Watching her pray, he understood. Somehow, he knew exactly who it was for. Guilt and rage battled for control of his heart. "Who told you about her?" he roared.
Startled, Kagome whirled around and glared at him. "I'm not an idiot you know!" Kagome screamed. "I can put two and two together! You are stupid enough not to understand how much you spoke with your brother, huh?" Kagome shouted.
"Feh," he rumbled. It didn't matter anyway. She'd never know the real story. Nobody did; not even Sesshomaru. He let her finish praying in peace, and wished he could have joined her, but he didn't have the heart for it.
Instead he pulled out some clean clothes, and some towels. He threw one set down before Kagome's bent knee. "You still wanna have a bath?"
Kagome looked up at him and smiled a cold smile to hide the hurt. "Yes and since it's not like I have anything else I am wanted or needing for, I can turn to my bathing." Kagome said picking up the towel and looked away from him to the water basin.
"Um... wouldn't you actually want some hot water for that? We do have a bathing room, after all." His next sentence was interrupted by a knock at the door. Inuyasha crossly opened it.
"Oh, and I am allowed to go to it? Not on a leash?" Kagome asked wondering why she was being such a bitch. After all, he was going to help her escape. Still, Kagome couldn't get his question out of her head, 'And why in the world did you think I would want to have sex with you?' Well, that was a nice way to tell a girl she wasn't wanted. Not that it mattered, after all.
Mid yawn, Shippo waved at Kagome with his other hand. "Captain Sesshomaru wants to see you, Lord Inuyasha. There's a meeting up top." He ambled over to Miroku's door, still yawning.
Glancing at Kagome, he didn't bother saying anything. If she wanted to forget the whole plan, then she could go right ahead! He didn't care about her anymore. Furious more at himself than at Kagome, he slammed the door as he left.
When the door slammed, Kagome jumped and glared at it. "Just. Leave me alone, what do you care right? I'm just your prisoner. Nothing else." Kagome muttered under her breath, making sure not to say his name. Because names personalized things, didn't they? They formed a connection. And she didn't want one. "And soon, I won't even be that." She added under her breath and dipped the edge of the towel into the water bowl. "We both get just what we want out of this." Kagome said smiling. "My life and those girls freedom, and you get your way home without me making your life miserable till then." Kagome nodded to herself, ignoring the fact that she was also talking to herself. "Exactly what we each wanted." Kagome then proceeded to dip her whole face in the bowl, she would clean the feel of his lips off of her mouth if it was the last thing she did.
Rosie: Whips would be interesting, if used correctly. Maybe they can borrow Sesshy's. How come I have a feeling you would fit in on the shop, between Kouga and his chains and Sesshy and his whips?
Griffin: Well said. But is Kagome satisfied?
ME: Yes, Sesshy is a bastard. You aren't supposed to like him. He is the bad guy, after all.
Vixen: I giggle when I write the word 'nipple'. I can say, but ask me two write it, let alone something being done to it, and I will go red and fall of my chair. So, no, no lemon. But maybe some limey content here and there, we can't say. Actually, I think I described one part as being a grapefruit. And need I point out that everyone's favorite miscreant monk isn't here yet. Hopefully between the sexual tension between Kagome and Inuyasha and Miroku being himself, you shall be plenty entertained.
Demon Kitty and Glass thorn: As I said; seven hours time difference makes for very interesting plot coagulation's.
Pyro: Actually, I don't really think we go into that at all. So use your imagination! ^_^
We were glad to see some new names as well as some old favorites on the review list. Our popularity must be spreading! ^_^ Glad to see we weren't the only ones who were drooling at the idea of Inuyasha being a pirate. Well, enjoy. chapter seven. Seven chapters old already. Enjoy!
Strolling the deck of the ship, Inuyasha looked more like his brother than he would have preferred. Sesshomaru was now retired to his chambers, leaving Inuyasha in charge, momentarily. Inuyasha knew the only reason why Sesshomaru hadn't killed him yet was because he was an asset to the crew: he didn't eat human meat, so there were more for others, he was one of the best fighters on board, he was smart, and he knew how to command people.
"Do you call that a knot? Simpleton! Sailor, you missed a spot!" But he was never without a kind word, for those who deserved it. "Kouga, good work on the sails. Your speed's improving." But now he just circled the deck, bored, and wondering what Kagome was doing. There wasn't much to do on his shift, other than yell at people who were late or people who had drunk so much the night before they threatened toppling overboard. He wondered if he actually should let them go over. Nope, there wouldn't be anything left to do until after dusk, when they'd circle the other side of the mainland on their way home, and pick up Miroku. He'd be glad to see Miroku again. Although Inuyasha called Kouga a friend, Miroku was, he supposed, his best friend. They were two of a kind on the ship: one a half-demon, the other a human who had become a devil.
* * *
He hid a smile as he got off his ship, walking back down to his bedroom, Miroku's words still fresh. The monk had run across the water and jumped on their ship, one hand carrying a pack of magical equipment, the other supporting a girl who was slung over his back, much as Kagome had been the night before. Except this girl looked really beaten up. Inuyasha stared at Miroku with some uncertainty. The monk only shrugged. "She's feisty. She fainted."
Letting himself into his bedroom, he spotted Kagome sleeping soundly in his bed. He quietly shut the door, and moved soundlessly toward the bed. It was dark, but Inuyasha could see perfectly well. Inuyasha hovered over her, watching he sleep. She didn't look nearly so dangerous now. He grinned and took off his shirts. The first one he balled up and used in on a pillow. The second he used as a blanket, curling up on the floor to maybe catch a little nap.
"Mmm..." Kagome murmured snuggling the blanket closer to her and opening her eyes a fraction. Her cheeks immediately blushing when she saw Inuyasha shirtless, but the sight was enough to wake her up.
"What are you doing?!" Kagome demanded to know as she sat up, the blanket falling to her lap, revealing the clothes she wore. "What time is it?" Kagome asked yawning. She had busied herself the few past hours, figuring out an escape route, gathering whatever she could as weapons and making a makeshift alter on his night table.
"Midnight," he answered. "Go back to bed, Kagome."
Kagome glared at him. "Uh huh. What about you?"
"Demons don't need sleep." Curled up on his side, he still hadn't looked over at her. "I'm just fine right here."
"Idiot." Kagome muttered and fell back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. This was just.... Wrong. The roles being reversed like this. Sitting back up, Kagome looked over the bed at him. "I know I am your prisoner, and I know I am getting better treatment then the other girls being allowed to stay here and all." Kagome said, feeling kind of bad that he had worked all these hours and now got to lie on the floor. Demon or not. Kicking the blanket off of her, and pulling his shirt down to hide some of her skin, Kagome got off of the bed and crouched down beside him, pulling the shirt he used as a pillow away from under his head with one powerful tug. "That means that you get the bed, alright? I didn't mean to kick you out of your own bed, I just fell asleep." Kagome muttered and tossed his shirt aside and was about to do the same to the one he was using as a blanket.
He grabbed her hand when he reached for his red jacket and pulled her down closer, giving her a quick kiss on her lips, just as he'd thought of during his whole shift. His yellow eyes glowed in the night as he stared her. "Kagome, take the bed," he ordered her, not knowing how long she'd be able to enjoy something so simple as a soft bed.
Kagome despite herself smiled at him, as though she read his thoughts. "Inuyasha," She began as she sat on the floor beside him looking down at him. "I.. You and I both know, this won't last right?" Kagome asked him without looking at him anymore. "You know I won't stay trapped in here for long, and you know that your crewmates won't tolerate you having me here for long. You also know I have a bow and arrows and now you know I've hidden them and will use them to get free or at least set those girls free." Kagome said, knowing that she shouldn't tell him this, but feeling that she owed it to him. "Take the bed, you can't keep making me forget I'm a prisoner."
Inuyasha sighed. At least Kagome was rational. "Why don't we both take the bed?" he suggested. "It wouldn't be right for me to take it and leave you here."
"Why not?" Kagome huffed. "You took me from my home and I am your captive." Kagome said without noticing touching her neck again. "I'm fine with sleeping on the floor, really I am. As a priestess I know how to do without." Kagome reminded him.
He turned her own argument back on her. "If you're really my prisoner, then you should do as I say," he growled, amused by their argument. Still, he couldn't help but wonder who was really the captive, between him and Kagome. Sure, he'd kidnapped her, but all she had to do was look at him in the right way, and he'd risk standing up to his brother to protect her.
Kagome growled at him and sat up on her knees. "But you forget, this little bird is going to fly the coop." Kagome teased and for the briefest moment toyed with the idea of kissing him. She didn't know why, but she did. There was just something about him, maybe it was the human in him and the blend of demon that spoke to her. Because, wasn't she with all of her powers less then human too? Shaking her head of those thoughts Kagome offered him her hand. "We'll share." She said falling back onto his old offer.
Enticed by the idea of sharing a bed with Kagome, he crawled in first, holding the sheets open for her. When she crawled inside, he pulled them around her, and left his arm draped under her smaller frame. He relaxed and closed his eyes, feeling better now that he knew that Kagome was safe and held within his arms.
Kagome snuggled close to him, burying her face in the crook between his shoulder and neck. Wrapping her arm around his waist, Kagome felt warm and safe. She couldn't deny that feel, even if it was ridiculous because she was feeling protected in the arms of a demon. "I hope it'll work out better..." Kagome whispered, and thought to herself, 'for you this time... I don't like the idea of you being hurt.' Using his arm as a pillow upon which she lay her head, her raven hair falling to the side over his arm and the pillows beneath.
He was so comfortable that he didn't even register what she'd said. Inuyasha just held her, closing his eyes as he let the sound and feel of Kagome's steady breathing lull him to sleep, instead of the normal, empty feeling of the swaying ship.
Inuyasha woke up at dawn, like he always did. For once, he didn't particularly care to go up top and see it. For one, that would disturb Kagome. His hands tightened around her, and he nuzzled her dark hair with his nose. Even though the thought was a dangerous one, he couldn't help but have it. Something about it felt right. Something about waking up with Kagome in his arms, having her scent envelop him felt just plain old right.
Reaching up, he rose his head and kissed the back of her neck gently. During the night she had rolled over, and so now her back was pressed up against his. He was a little sad that he wouldn't be able just to lay there and watch her sleep, but as his lips moved over the rest on the spot where he'd bitten her the night before, he sighed contentedly, happy to simply be with her. His hand snaked up to find hers, and he covered it, holding her hand as she slept, and he closed his eyes, relaxing in the knowledge that Kagome was safe.
Kagome stirred a bit and yawned. Then flung her eyes open. Her breath catching in her throat, Kagome looked down and... Choked again. He was... Groping her chest... And... Kagome slid her eyes to the side and noticed her was... Kissing her neck... Kagome gulped. Sure, she knew she made a bargain with him. But so early in the morning?! And without warning?
Forgetting her place, Kagome's fingers clenched the pillow beneath her and pretending to still be asleep she cuddled closer to him. Then in one swift move, she pulled the pillow from beneath her and smacked him.
"Ow!" He was up in a flash, glaring at her, his hair mussed from sleep. "What did you do that for? It was completely uncalled for!" He took the other pillow and hit her back with it, right on top of her head.
"Hey!" Kagome shouted and grabbed the pillow from under his head and returned the attack. This time aiming below his waist. "You were groping me!" Kagome shouted, trying to untangle her legs from the covers.. and his legs.
Had he been? He hadn't noticed, if he was! He stared at her, not affected at all as she attacked him with his own pillow. Inuyasha pulled the covers away, so that she wouldn't have so much trouble getting out of bed as he merely sat there and let her rant and hit him with his own pillow. "Oh," was all he could think of saying, wishing that he'd paid more attention to it.
Kagome paused in mid smack with the pillow above her head before bursting into uncalled for giggles. Dropping the pillow, Kagome sat back on her haunches and held her sides giggling. Finally calming her laughter, Kagome looked at him from under her bangs that dipped into her eyes. Seeing him in the morning light was a pleasant sight, seeing his chest lit up by the first rays of sun was a delicious way to wake up in the morning she thought to herself before tossing such thoughts away. They were uncalled for.
Noticing then that the blankets had been tossed aside, Kagome looked down at the bare feet beside her. Her eyes now shinning wickedly Kagome lowered her hand from her side and began tickling the toes. She couldn't help it and everything goes in a pillow fight!
"Stop that," he shouted, already feeling laughter bubble up in his chest. He tried to push her away, but he couldn't concentrate. He fell back on the bed, suddenly laughing with all his heart. He hadn't laughed in years, and, as if by magic, all the laughter he had been bottling up inside him for over a decade finally freed itself until there were tears in his eyes and he was practically begging for mercy.
Kagome was actually spell bound. His smile and his laughter... The sound and sight were gorgeous. Seeing him in a new light, Kagome's eyes shone. Sitting back down on the bed, over the covers Kagome began to laugh to. Because laughter drags laughter, it's addictive after all. But she didn't once take her eyes off of him, it was enchanting. "You have a lovely laugh." She whispered and gave a last tickle to the curve of his foot.
"Thank you," he giggled, the laughter still trickling out of him. He wasn't certain if he was thanking her for the compliment, or for letting him go. He was wiping his eyes when he glanced over her head and saw the door open, but Inuyasha had no fear this time. Still smiling, his tears banished, he leaned up against the wall, reclining on his bed like a dominant wolf. His ears even seemed to perk up a bit.
"Hey, Miroku," he greeted with a lazy wave. His fingers itched to reach out and stroke Kagome's hair, not just to feel it again, but almost as if to warn his friend to keep away because she was his. "Sorry if we woke you up."
On instinct alone, Kagome looked over her shoulder and with adrenaline pumping through her rolled over the bed to reach her bow and arrows. With uncanny speed and training she lifted the bow and strung it aiming an arrow directly for him. It was habit, and when on a demon ship, Kagome didn't allow her mind to form doubts she just did whatever reaction came naturally.
Miroku stopped a step into the room and raised his hands. "Woah." He said black Buddha beads draped over his hand and wrist rattling at the movement. Looking a bit shocked at the girl, or rather ogling her. Miroku tore his gaze from her to Inuyasha. "You have a girl in your bed." He stated matter- of-factly and then his perverted side rose to the surface and he slowly dropped his hands. What could a girl wearing nothing but a man's shirt -and looking damn good in it- do to him anyway? "Well, it's about TIME!" Miroku said then caught the look in her eyes.
Alright, maybe she was serious, "Uh, Inuyasha?" Miroku let out his eyes darting from his friend to the arrow. "The waking up part didn't bother me, I was up already... But you know, this is not the way to greet a friend... Remove the bow and arrow, and then we can talk about the nice greeting."
"Put down the bow, Kagome," he said, watching her do so. "Miroku, this would be Kagome. Kagome, meet Miroku. Miroku, touch her and I'll break every bone in your body. Understand? Good." He relaxed in his seat, knowing this was his territory. "And good morning, by the way."
Kagome looked over her shoulder at him and growled. Slowly lowering her bow, Kagome watched him wearily. "Another friend?" She asked.
Miroku's grin only widened. "Break every bone, huh?" Miroku asked looking her over and then at his old friend. "You know, I might just try... Broken bones and all..." Miroku said looking over her legs then throwing Inuyasha a man-to-man look. "Having fun?"
Inuyasha smirked at her. "Don't worry. Miroku's an actual companion, not like Kouga. Unfortunately, as he looks fully human, Miroku gets to do a lot of the dirty, mainland work," he explained, ignoring Miroku's comment about broken bones. "Which he doesn't mind, because it gets him laid on nine out of ten expeditions."
Looking back at Miroku, the silver-haired demon thought about what had gone on since he'd kidnapped Kagome. "Oh," he sarcastically answered, "loads of fun, excluding being slapped, name-called, shot at, shot, and kicked, often on more than one occasion. And as of this morning, tickled."
Kagome threw Inuyasha a dirty look. "You know, you can be very crude." Kagome said then tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave Miroku a once over. Alright, sure, she could see why he got laid so much. But there was just something about him... Narrowing her eyes, Kagome felt as though the air had been knocked out of her. "You're... Human?"
Miroku grinned and took up a seat, kicking his feet up on a table. "You know, going by that red mark on her neck, I'd say you have been leaving details out..." He said then, again, looked over her legs. "She's wearing your shirt too. You are being very unfriendly leaving out details!" Miroku yelled touching his heart and sniffing dramatically as though he was insulted. With his head bowed, Miroku looked up at Kagome. "Not quite human." He said, his eyes lighting up.
Kagome didn't feel comfortable under his gaze but didn't show it. Instead she met his glare. "You're wearing Buddha beads."
"Yeah. But then again, some men wear necklaces, that doesn't make them women. And I did all kinds of trading for certain un-Buddha like powers." Miroku smirked and turned his attention away from her. "You know, minus the image I walked in on, your days sound as fun as my night. Did I already mention she's feisty?" Miroku asked referring to the girl he brought onboard and touched his reddened cheek.
He nodded, half his gaze on Miroku, the other on Kagome. "You did. Is that welt she gave you from last night, or this morning? Because if it's from this morning, she's feisty, but she's quiet." He pulled off one of his blankets and walked over to Kagome, wrapping it around her body so Miroku would stop eyeing her. He hadn't even noticed that she'd been wearing his shirt. The blanket he placed around her wasn't just so that Miroku would stop eyeing Kagome, it was also that he wouldn't be tempted to. "Who is she, anyway?"
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha and smiled shyly. Well, he might be crude but he could be polite at least. The blanket was still warm... It felt nice.
'It would feel nicer if he joined you under it.'
'Shut up.' Kagome ordered the voices in her head, and paid close attention to their conversation. Was there another raid? Another woman captive?
Miroku looked uncomfortable for a moment and then scratched his chest carelessly. "The woman who agreed to bare my children!" He announced and grinned. "So was slightly drunk... But I'm gonna hold her to her word." Miroku promised then sobered up. "From last night. This morning she just tossed over and kicked me in the prime jewels. Are you babies alright?" Miroku asked looking down at his crotch.
"Sesshomaru wasn't pleased about it either."
"Why not?" Inuyasha demanded, his interest caught. "I truly doubt that he would care whether or not your balls are okay."
Kagome was sweet and she was quiet, she didn't make a big fuss about it when she elbowed Inuyasha in his own jewels. She wanted to get the details and he was bothering her.
Miroku threw him a nasty look but then grinned when he saw Kagome's blanket move and Inuyasha was sitting behind her. 'My my... Isn't he the lucky one?' Miroku thought, his dirty mind falling deeper into the gutter with every passing second. "It wasn't my balls that bothered him, but the wench. Called her my wife, he growled, I threatened not to tell him what I found out... He accepted. We're on our way home."
He suddenly smiled, despite the pain he felt below the equator. "You lucky son of a bitch!" He leapt from his bed and seized Miroku's hand, shaking it wildly and slapping him on the back. "I can't believe an asshole like you would manage to pull his head from his own derriere to be able to do something right for a change! You actually found all of the ingredients?" His words suddenly stopped as he wondered what this would mean would happen to Kagome. "When are we leaving?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Miroku noticed an odd look pass over his friend's face and worried for a moment, but shrugged it off. "Yep. Found them all. I even found one of the maps." Miroku showed off proudly and settled his hand in the waistband of his pants proudly. "Actually, we're changing course as we speak." Miroku said as quietly as Inuyasha did. As though following cue. "We've been sailing there since last night after my meeting with Sesshomaru. I'm surprised you didn't hear all of the rumbling..." Darting a look at Kagome, Miroku grinned at Inuyasha. "Then again, I'm sure you were noisy enough."
Kagome remembered Shippo's story about the bridges and Kagome's muscles bunched up. Leaving? Leaving that would mean... Her chance for escape... For those girls. Without a second thought, Kagome leapt from the bed and landed on Inuyasha piggy back style, and began slapping his back. "No! You are letting me go now! Sharks or non!"
"Contrary to popular belief, I haven't fucked her yet," he growled as Kagome suddenly jumped up him. He crossed his arms and stood there calmly, slowly tilting his head back until he can see her. "Can we talk about this later?" he asked, his tone suggesting it was a statement instead of a question. "Yours is feisty. Mine has ideals."
Kagome leapt off of him and walked around, her back to Miroku her face shoved in Inuyasha's. "Contrary to popular belief... You're not going to either. I'm getting off of this ship, today. Before I'm eaten, and those girls are coming with me." Kagome hissed and kicked him. Her knee following the path her pillow had taken earlier, she then ran to the bed and slung her quiver of arrows over her shoulder and grabbed her bow and ran for the door.
Miroku stared at the two. "You sure you didn't?" He asked suspiciously then considered things rationally. "She's not like the others, is she?" He carefully asked his friend while he stood up. Fingering his beads, Miroku looked blandly at his friend. "What's going on, Inuyasha. And I want the truth."
"She's a priestess. She's feisty. She wants to save all the girls and escape. I keep on trying to explain to her that we're nowhere near shore, and that she'll get killed if she disobeys me, but she's an idiot. She's.... Voluptuous, but she's an idiot," he sighed, going after her as she swung the door open. And this time she was armed. She wouldn't be running out of arrows any time soon. "And I'm an idiot for ever having brought her on board. See ya later, Miroku."
Having casually dismissed his friend, he leaned against the door, putting all his weight on it as he watched Kagome try and open it, her hands fumbling as she tried to turn the lock. He lowered his head, trying to catch her eye. "Trying to go somewhere?"
Miroku stared and arched his brow. "Suuuuuuure, that's all that's going on." He muttered and turned towards the wall, moving one of the wallboards. "It was nice meeting you, Kagome!" He called and then looked at his friend. 'We're gonna talk later.' He mouthed out to him before disappearing behind the secret door leading between their rooms.
Kagome stared up at Inuyasha and shook her head, trying to keep what felt like tears welling up behind her eyes at bay. "Let me go, Inuyasha. I don't care what happens, say that you left and I ran away, but don't stand in my way." She warned and stepped back, aiming an arrow at him. "I don't want to shoot. But I will."
Glancing at the hidden door, he dropped his voice, wanting to make sure Miroku couldn't hear him. His eyes stared at Kagome, burning with something new, that hadn't been there the dawn of the day when he first Kagome. "You don't want to kill me. And so help me God, for some reason I don't want to see you dead. Nor do I want to see myself dead." He acted as if he didn't care she was pointing an arrow at his bare chest. He flicked his silver bangs away from his face. "And why in the world did you think I would want to have sex with you?"
Hurt slashed her face for a moment, but she quickly regained her cold composure. "Because isn't that what you pirates do with your captives?" She asked and felt a hand squeezing her heart in her chest, mashing her lungs along with it. After the kisses from yesterday, and the bite, Kagome almost wanted to close her eyes and re-live those emotions, but apparently when he struck a deal, he stood by it and nothing else. Well, at least she knew the deal was about to be broken and wasn't meant to be taken far.
Smiling tightly, Kagome pulled on the arrow. "Move away Inuyasha..." She asked closing her eyes for a moment and then pulling her arm back, ready to let her arrow fly. "Please."
His voice was still. "If you're going to shoot, do it to kill. Do it like you mean it. You haven't charge the bow with energy, so it won't kill me." He stood like a ghost in front of her path; pale, filled with death, and motionless. He was barely even breathing, watching her as she prepared to shoot.
That broke Kagome and she lowered her bow and dropped the arrow to the floor then collapsed on her knees. "Dammit!" She screamed and banged her fist on the floor. "You heartless son of a bitch!" Kagome screamed, this time when her fist hit the floor she let out an explosion of power that knocked everything in the room and filled it with energy. "Move away Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed and held up the arrow as though it was a knife, but still hadn't collected herself off of the floor.
Staring at her, he felt a pang of humanity, hurting him more than any blow from Kagome ever could. He knelt down to her level, and tried to find words that would make everything right again, that would make her fear go away so that she would know he'd fight like Lucifer himself to keep her safe. His hair fell into his face, hiding his face from her. He couldn't find anything to say, and he knew that any death she'd give him would be quicker than the one Sesshomaru would. "Just for the record, I never would have touched you if you didn't say it was okay," he muttered. His eyes seemed to look right through her. "And I'm sorry."
Kagome turned her head away, her hair flying about hiding it from him. "It doesn't matter now..." She whispered in a hallow voice and placed shaking hands on his forearms. "Nothing matters.." She whispered, feeling a tear trickle out of the side of her eye catching on the lashes and then dropping to her cheeks. "I don't care." She said at last and used his arms to stand up.
Looking at him, Kagome understood that Sesshomaru would do it again to Inuyasha. What he did with Kikyo. Feeling empty, Kagome stared at the door and fingered her arrow. "Maybe I should just release myself..." She whispered hating how selfish that was of her, but she couldn't stop her eyes from darting at her wrist. She had to help those girls... But it was pointless.
"Call me free game." Kagome said in a rasp voice and looked at him with a stricken expression. "Make it a game, release me and say I am free game, they can hunt me. I'll take as many as I can out and release those girls. They'd have a better chance at sea."
"I shouldn't be hearing this," he mumbled, knowing that if Sesshomaru found out he knew what Kagome was planning, he'd be tried for treason. He lifted his head slightly, enough to stare her in the eye. He wiped the tear on her cheek away, his skin not even touching hers in the sincere action. Inuyasha sighed. "Do you know how to seal rooms so that it's soundproof?" he inquired, part of him not able to accept the plan unfolding in his mind.
Kagome nodded but stepped away from him. "I promise I won't make a sound though..." Kagome whispered figuring he'd be kind enough to give her a quick ending. Kagome took another step back, this was not the way she wanted to die. But all choices given, she'd rather have him breaking her neck then other's who'd eat it. Well, eat it more then he did.
He shook his head, and motioned for her to be silent. "Just do it."
Kagome closed her eyes and sat on the floor. Gathering her powers, Kagome summoned all the purifying energy she could and ignored the momentous pain throbbing at her neck from the bite wound. Finally, Kagome pressed her forefingers together and began to chant. Slowly a pink ball began to glow around her and then pushed past her, and fell into the walls of the room. "The barrier is up." She whispered after she felt the chants fall into place. "But I can't keep it up long." Kagome said, not daring to touch her neck.
He once again knelt down to her level, and nodded. "I'll be quick then. You can't save everyone, Kagome, you'll have to accept that. But there's a way to save everybody. The... My way home will be on an island, more than likely. You can get yourself free from anything to put you in, so you'll just have to be on your best behavior tell then. When we land, there'll be a brief moment between them opening the portal to when they come back and kill everybody, because they won't want witnesses. There'll only be a few guards on the ship. Shippo will be one of them, but don't hurt the kid, okay? That's when you can get the girls out, kick the demons off the ship, and push off for home. Understand?"
Kagome stared at him, no air or voice uttering in her throat. "Inuyasha..." She whispered then shook her head, feeling dizzy. "What... No, what will happen to you?" Kagome demanded to know before she dared hope.
"I'll go home," he said with a shrug. 'Or I'll die, but either way, it won't matter. I'll have lived for a good cause, and my death won't be in vain. Besides, maybe it'll make up for dragging good people like Kagome and Kikyo into this mess.' To think that as of only yesterday, if anybody told him he'd have considered forfeiting his life for a mortal woman, he'd have beaten them on the spot!
Kagome didn't believe him. But didn't want to push the point. She'd get what she wanted, wouldn't she? Looking down at her fingers, Kagome felt her head lull forward and then shook it. "Alright." She said and looked up at him. "I'll behave till then. And then, the girls and I will be on our way home and.. You will be too." Kagome said softly. "And I'll never see you again." Kagome swallowed the sudden ball in her throat. "Well, I guess we'll both get what we want right? Oh wait. I forgot, you don't want to have sex with my body." Kagome said and broke the bond of her fingers, letting the barrier fall and offering him her wrist. "Can I offer you this instead?"
He ignored her offer. It was tempting, but Sesshomaru would kill him. Instead, sitting on the balls of his feet, he stared at her. For having been raised a scholar, Inuyasha could be a very confused boy, sometimes. "Is that what our agreement really was? That you would behave and I would protect you and in return you'd give me your body?"
Inuyasha wanted to smack himself. Of course a sweet -sweet?- girl like Kagome wouldn't be willing to let him kiss her because she wanted him too! No wonder she'd been so ready to undress in front of him! She had been scared for her life. He tried to push the words 'I would if you didn't...' out of his mind, but they were etched there. Inuyasha wanted to forget that she kissed him back, when her lips had been brushing his chin, he would have done anything just to hear her say his name.
Kagome lowered her eyes and pressed her wrist forward some more. "Wasn't it?" Kagome whispered looking down at her legs. If it was then why didn't it explain the pain she was feeling in her chest? And the upset stomach? It also didn't explain the want to kiss him again, or how much she enjoyed his kisses. She shouldn't have if it was just a deal. Right? Dropping her wrist away, she lowered her head, Kagome tossed her hair away from the bite wound from yesterday and looked up at him, keeping her head tilted to give him better access. "I doubt anyone would come in this time, I mean they are all probably busy getting back to your world." Kagome said, feeling that she should give him back something in turn for his agreeing to help her save those girls.
"If I bite you, then. . . . ." He glanced down at his own arm. She'd already bitten him. But... it didn't count, right? It had been in the middle of a fight! And it's not like Kagome had swallowed his blood or anything. His eyes narrowed when he saw that the spot where she had bitten him was still slightly pink. It should have disappeared hours after she'd bitten him! It shouldn't be there. Trying to cover it up, he ran to get his jacket, and pulled it on with shaking hands. Should he tell her? No. No! He couldn't. He swallowed nervously, and glanced around. His eyes landed on a candle that had rolled off his nightstand, either sometime during the night or their early morning pillow fight. He bent down and picked it up.
Kagome stood up and looked like she felt. Slapped. Well, now her blood wasn't good enough for him either? Fine. She didn't owe a demon anything. Better a demon not suck on her blood anyway. Gods only knew what she'd picked up when she bit him. Damn trickle fell into her throat then too. Who knew what she would get from his bite. Walking over to him, Kagome pushed him away roughly and grabbed the candle from it placing it back on the night table.
"It shouldn't have been moved." She whispered and bent before it, whispering a prayer for Kikyo's soul.
Watching her pray, he understood. Somehow, he knew exactly who it was for. Guilt and rage battled for control of his heart. "Who told you about her?" he roared.
Startled, Kagome whirled around and glared at him. "I'm not an idiot you know!" Kagome screamed. "I can put two and two together! You are stupid enough not to understand how much you spoke with your brother, huh?" Kagome shouted.
"Feh," he rumbled. It didn't matter anyway. She'd never know the real story. Nobody did; not even Sesshomaru. He let her finish praying in peace, and wished he could have joined her, but he didn't have the heart for it.
Instead he pulled out some clean clothes, and some towels. He threw one set down before Kagome's bent knee. "You still wanna have a bath?"
Kagome looked up at him and smiled a cold smile to hide the hurt. "Yes and since it's not like I have anything else I am wanted or needing for, I can turn to my bathing." Kagome said picking up the towel and looked away from him to the water basin.
"Um... wouldn't you actually want some hot water for that? We do have a bathing room, after all." His next sentence was interrupted by a knock at the door. Inuyasha crossly opened it.
"Oh, and I am allowed to go to it? Not on a leash?" Kagome asked wondering why she was being such a bitch. After all, he was going to help her escape. Still, Kagome couldn't get his question out of her head, 'And why in the world did you think I would want to have sex with you?' Well, that was a nice way to tell a girl she wasn't wanted. Not that it mattered, after all.
Mid yawn, Shippo waved at Kagome with his other hand. "Captain Sesshomaru wants to see you, Lord Inuyasha. There's a meeting up top." He ambled over to Miroku's door, still yawning.
Glancing at Kagome, he didn't bother saying anything. If she wanted to forget the whole plan, then she could go right ahead! He didn't care about her anymore. Furious more at himself than at Kagome, he slammed the door as he left.
When the door slammed, Kagome jumped and glared at it. "Just. Leave me alone, what do you care right? I'm just your prisoner. Nothing else." Kagome muttered under her breath, making sure not to say his name. Because names personalized things, didn't they? They formed a connection. And she didn't want one. "And soon, I won't even be that." She added under her breath and dipped the edge of the towel into the water bowl. "We both get just what we want out of this." Kagome said smiling. "My life and those girls freedom, and you get your way home without me making your life miserable till then." Kagome nodded to herself, ignoring the fact that she was also talking to herself. "Exactly what we each wanted." Kagome then proceeded to dip her whole face in the bowl, she would clean the feel of his lips off of her mouth if it was the last thing she did.