The White Dog
by Becky Tailweaver
Chapter 6: Not Again!
Later in the morning, Inuyasha disappeared with the excuse of going out scouting for shards to retrieve. Kagome was left alone with Kaede while Shippo napped, and the others went about their own business. Not hide nor hair was seen of Ginnezu--though Kagome suspected she was out following Inuyasha around.
And Kagome herself was quickly becoming bored, so she dug through her pack to try and find something entertaining to do. Homework was out of the question--the morning was dull enough already, so there was no need to make the situation worse.
She settled on a book she had borrowed from Sota that very morning. It was entitled "Your Dog," and she was certain she could learn something about the nature of her half inu-youkai companion. Perhaps by learning more about his canine-youkai nature, she could know how to act around him without making him so angry.
But she knew she'd better not let him see the book; he'd probably think she was making fun of him.
Ginnezu was resting Inuyasha-style high in a big old tree, a rather petulant, grumbling look on her face as her claws dug furrows in the branch upon which she sat. She had lost track of her prey yet again; the hanyou she sought had far outrun her and she'd lost his scent at the river.
"The little jerk doesn't even know I'm tracking him, and he can still give me the slip!" she growled. "What does that say about your Mighty-Hunter skills, Gin-girl? I've been a pampered house-pet too long, that's what."
She snorted to herself and laid back against the trunk, her feet dangling. "I am such a dope. How could I let Otousama talk me into something like this?"
In answer, a slow smile spread across her face. You know very well why, don't you, Gin-girl? she replied to herself. This is the only way I can assure my position as Otousama's successor. The Clan Daimyos want the White Dogs in power, but Otousama and I are only Silvers.
Ginnezu sighed. Her father was far more concerned with keeping power than she was; Ginnezu merely liked the attention and adulation that came from being the Western Lord-Regent's only daughter. And being in charge was fun; she was only just beginning to learn what that kind of power meant, though she quite enjoyed its rewards.
Her father's plans had been wonderfully simple--at least part of them: Bring Inuyasha back and they would set him up as a figurehead Daimyo, letting them pull power from behind. She could even marry him if she felt like it. And hanyou didn't live as long as true youkai, so when he died of old age in a few centuries, she and possibly her father would still be going strong.
But the Council will not let Otousama and our Clan lead them forever; already the White Clan is restless. The Clans want a White Dog on the throne--so this is the only way we can give them what they want, and still keep pulling all the strings.
Ginnezu's face turned to a frown. Her father had also issued a second part to his command--an extra backup to ensure that the Silver Clan remained in control. She was to come back with Inuyasha as her puppet--or come back pregnant with his pup.
The second option was much more attractive to her father than to Ginnezu herself. As fun as it might be to play with the handsome young hanyou for a while, he was not her ideal for a permanent mate--too childish, too uncultured, and a hanyou to boot. Despite the fact that he was Seibunishi-sama's son and heir, his inferior breeding was a black mark against him. He was a means to an end--not the end itself.
But her father wanted a child of the White Dog Daimyo's line; a pup which would be as snow-white as Seibunishi himself, acknowleged by the Daimyos--but raised as a Silver and trained to be Ginpatsu's heir.
Ginnezu didn't relish the idea of motherhood this early in her life, but her father had been adamant; if she couldn't trap Inuyasha himself, they would still have another option. As Ginpatsu had stated, so what if the boy had some human in him? His pup could still serve their ends. Seibunishi-sama had been quite clear on his intentions for his successor, and the Clan Daimyos had sworn and witnessed that their leader's will would be carried out.
All of the Dog Clans had heard of Inuyasha's recent exploits; for a hanyou, he was shockingly powerful even though he was so young--thanks mostly to Seibunishi-sama's blood. And in a way, many of the Daimyos were afraid of him; while he was a White Dog, he was half human, and because of that he could turn on them--and as the offspring of the most powerful White Dog in known history, he could possibly destroy them all.
Though personally, Ginnezu highly doubted he could--or would, perhaps unless they did something to really anger him. Inuyasha was ignorant of the Dog Clans and really didn't care what went on in the Western Lands--and besides, he was just a kid.
But in a century or so, when he reaches his prime, she mused appreciatively, he'll be one hell of a youkai. Hanyou or not, he's going to be magnificent...
A dreamy smile graced her features. While she might not want to have him as her mate for good, he was attractive enough to her eyes--and making a pup with him would be an enjoyable pursuit indeed. If only she could coax the reluctant boy into it...
She was a hot-blooded young youkai, after all--far older than Inuyasha, but still very young for a inu-youkai. She had not yet passed her first century, being only ninety-seven--young enough to still be wild and reckless; old enough to be...powerful.
He's so young, she thought, not unkindly. Probably because the rumor is true--he was trapped in ageless sleep by a miko. Otousama was counting on that, too; Inuyasha hasn't yet truly reached the age of sixty--he hasn't come of age yet, according to the Clan Law. We can still claim our family's position as regents for a few more decades.
Ginnezu smiled slyly to herself, her eyes growing distant. But when Inuyasha's grown up, nobody could stand in his way--not even Okaasama. He'll be amazing...he's already cute--he's going to be gorgeous, more handsome than that stuck-up snot Sesshomaru. The ears are a nice touch...it's going to be fun to play with him...
Don't be silly, Gin-girl! she scolded herself, sitting up with a snort. You're not supposed to get attached. He's pretty, but he's only a little hanyou. She giggled smugly. I may not feel anything for him, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a cute boy.
A little boy Inuyasha might be, but when she'd hugged him, she'd found that there was definitely a man under that all-encompassing Fire-Rat clothing of his. A not-quite-grown man--but with her embrace she'd discovered a strong, lean body and steel-cord muscles beneath the robes. She was sure he would grow into himself eventually, and be quite the impressive inu-hanyou.
Sure, he's just a kid. This might be Otousama's idea, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy him. And I will enjoy him, whether I bring him back or not!
Her expression turned thoughtful, deviously contemplative. He's so shy for a child, and he doesn't like to be touched. Hm...someone must have hurt him badly, for him to dislike contact so much. Probably Sessho-no-baka, from what I've heard. That arrogant ass...
She shook her head, concentrating on her plans. But that doesn't really matter, does it? I can work around that; once I get him to trust me, he'll adore my touch--he'll beg for it. Mm...any time now...very soon, he won't be able to say no to me...
Wait a second... A sudden flash of recollection made her frown, a low rumble in her throat at the thoughts that occurred to her. The human girl that follows him--that little twit who always holds his attention...
Is she...his?
Kagome gasped and blushed, staring at the page and the words she read there. She couldn't believe what it told her--and yet there it was in black and white. Other parts of the book had been accurate to her experiences with Inuyasha, but this...!
"...A bite to the top of the nose is a dominance ritual among most canid species. It demonstrates a dominant animal's superiority over the weaker animal. With an enemy, this is a way of debasing the defeated foe. Among packs of friends, this is a way of greeting those of lesser status and reaffirming the 'barking order.' It is reciprocated by allowing the superior to perform the ritual, as a demonstration of trust, or a return bite or nose to the chin of the superior, acknowleging his dominance and expressing acceptance.
"A bite from a male to a female is also a demonstration of dominance, as well as a way of laying claim or expressing posession. A gentle bite to the nose of a female is an expression of affection as well as posession, with the female also performing the reciprocation. The male may apply his teeth to the back of her neck and withers as added expressions of affection or as a precursor to mating--"
Kagome clapped the book shut and stuffed it in her pack, her face burning. If what the book said was true, when Inuyasha had bitten her yesterday he had been...trying to dominate her?
He did it to stop me from panicking, she realized, dazed. He was ordering me to listen to him...to obey him...in dog language! But...he was so scared...ashamed of what he did...he probably didn't even know! Was it...just an instinct?
And the other part--the male-to-female part--was the most disturbing. Laying claim? Posession? Even...affection? He sure hadn't done it "gently"...or had he?
He didn't hurt me. He didn't even break the skin. He could have easily...but he didn't. Almost unconsciously, she rubbed her nose. What does it mean? Why did Inuyasha do that?
What was...his reason?
Ginnezu was scowling furiously, not liking where her thoughts were taking her. What if that human girl really was...?
"This...is not good. Otousama told me about Wolves..."
If Inuyasha's already taken a mate, even at his age...if that's the case, no wonder he jumped away so fast! If he's bonded to the human female, there's no way I can get him. No way in Hell... Dammit!
"She could screw everything up!" Ginnezu hissed, sitting up, her face suddenly anxious. I'll have to see if she really belongs to him. And if she does, I'll have to do something about her.
No need to be hasty, if she isn't his mate, she reminded herself, eyes narrowing. If she's just his little friend, then I won't concern myself with her. But if I kill her, and he is bonded to her...he'll rip me to shreds in an instant...unless...
Reaching to her throat, she touched her Amplifier Amulet. In the pouch on her belt were several small jewels of various colors and powers, which when set into the locket of the amulet would cause various effects to surround her--like the green Stealth Jewel she'd been using to mask her youkai scent and aura while she was tracking him. She could be...discreet when she needed to be.
A wicked smile spread across her face, similar to the one she'd graced Kagome with earlier.
...Unless he never, ever finds out it was me!
Kagome sat in front of Kaede's house on the little porch, her knees tucked up and her arms around them, resting her chin and thinking. The book about dogs had only served to disturb her, not alleviate her boredom. So she sat and contemplated the events of their previous adventure, trying to glean meaning from Inuyasha's strange actions.
There wasn't much she could do, anyway, with him out and the others off doing their own things. Even Shippo was absent, trooping around the woods somewhere in his fox form, enjoying the morning air. There was no one she could talk to--no one to confide in or ask.
Abruptly, as if a veil were pulled aside, she felt a tingling, dangerous, electric thrill of youki close by and stiffened. A shadow passing the porch grabbed her attention, and when she looked up...
"Ginnezu!" she gasped, feeling a shiver of fear. Oh no...where's Inuyasha?
"Hello...Kagome, was it?" Ginnezu greeted cheerfully, sitting on the edge of the porch and curling her silky, silvery tail around her. Her dark amber eyes were pleasant and bright, and not a hint of her previous malice showed. "What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?"
"Oh, uh, nothing much," Kagome replied, trying to get a handle on her racing heart. To have an unfamiliar youkai--a real, live, full-blooded demon--sitting within a meter of her was absolutely terrifying, especially given the horrid smile she'd seen. Ginnezu could shred her to ribbons before she could cry out.
Possibly the only thing keeping Ginnezu from harming her was the knowlege that Inuyasha might be nearby. But she could feel him nowhere near, and undoubtedly Ginnezu--with her sharpened awareness, beyond mere miko-senses--knew just how far away he was.
"This is a nice day, isn't it?" Ginnezu remarked politely.
"Um, yeah, it is..." Kagome swallowed. The cold youki made her shiver, but Ginnezu's face was so...innocent, and happy, smiling at her like that. Had she been wrong before? Had she simply...imagined that snarl? Those horrible eyes? That smug expression?
She searched for it, but could find no trace now.
"Where did Inuyasha go?" the inu-youkai asked sweetly, petulantly.
"I don't know, exactly," Kagome replied honestly--then added an addendum just in case. "But he'll be back soon."
"I'm sure he will." Ginnezu leaned back on her hands, a girlish smile on her face. "So, Kagome, do you like him?"
"What? I don't--how could--what do you mean, 'like him?'"
Ginnezu giggled. "Inuyasha-sama! Do you like him? You know...are you two...?" The female inu-youkai made a slightly insinuating gesture of closeness.
Kagome gaped, flushing. "No! Not at all! Why would I like an insensitive, annoying, dog-breathed, overbearing--?"
Ginnezu's face darkened a little. "Kagome, you should watch how you speak about Inuyasha-sama. That's very disrespectful."
"Gomen," Kagome said, blushing with a wince. It probably wasn't a good idea to insult Inuyasha in front of Ginnezu--after all, she regarded him as someone special.
Shouldn't you? asked an accusing voice inside her.
"Well, that's good, anyway," Ginnezu sighed.
"What is?"
"If you two aren't together, that means I can have him."
"What?" Kagome's jaw dropped yet again, in sheer mortified disbelief at the youkai girl's forwardness.
"He's absolutely amazing!" Ginnezu bubbled on. "I couldn't believe how handsome he is! I've only heard of him in stories, you know, just rumors--but to meet him in person is such an honor! And the chance he might have me..." Ginnezu's starry eyes stared off into space as she sighed deeply. "It's every she-youkai's dream to find a man like him."
"Uh..." Kagome struggled for mental purchase, a strange, sick feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. "Ginnezu, are you sure you...know what you'd be getting into...?"
"Oh, that's only for a human girl like you to worry about," Ginnezu replied absently--almost arrogantly. "We're inu-youkai, you know--naturally compatible. It's against nature for him to choose a human. I'm sorry--it must have been terribly rude of me to even ask you if you two were together! The very idea!" She tittered politely behind one hand.
Kagome had no answer, and could not reply--she couldn't even speak. Ginnezu had just passed her off and insulted her--while declaring she was after Inuyasha, even! The very nerve!
But the other girl obviously knew more about inu-youkai than Kagome did, and her words rang with a kind of twisted truth. The sick feeling in Kagome's stomach erupted into butterflies and strange not-quite-fear, and something inside her wrenched when she imagined Ginnezu cuddling at Inuyasha's side.
Yet if Ginnezu, being an inu-youkai herself, knew so much about them...would she know more than that silly book...?
Of course she would! Kagome scolded herself. Ginnezu could lay any doubts to rest--and at this point, she was probably Kagome's best hope to find answers.
"Ginnezu...can I ask you a question?"
Ginnezu glanced at her. "Certainly."
"Can you tell me...a little about...uh, your people's customs? I'm...really not asking for any reason, but...I was curious..."
Ginnezu regarded her for several seconds. "I'm sure it couldn't hurt," she replied sweetly. "Ask me."
"What does it mean when someone...bites someone else?"
Ginnezu cocked an eyebrow amusedly. "A bite? Hm...that's a little vague. Inu-youkai can do a lot of biting."
Kagome swallowed her pride, looked down at the porch wood, spoke in a rush. "How about when a boy bites a girl...right here?" She touched her nose briefly, then dared a glance at Ginnezu.
The female youkai's face was frozen in a mask that had slipped just a millimeter. "And...how did you find out about that?" she asked, her pleasant tone just this side of forced.
"Um..." Kagome hesitated; it was a rather embarrassing subject, and she'd promised Inuyasha...
"How did you know?" Ginnezu demanded, her voice growing sharper.
"Well..." Kagome swallowed hard, fighting for the right words. "Inuyasha--"
"He bit you there? Right there and nowhere else? Without any blood?" Ginnezu's words were becoming abrupt.
"Hai," Kagome said miserably, not looking up. It was probably a blessing that she did not; Ginnezu's face was terrifying in that moment.
The inu-youkai did not speak for a long time. Finally, she stood up. "It means nothing," she said flatly, her voice cold. Then she simply walked away, her footsteps rapid and regular.
Kagome was left sitting on the porch, flushed and upset and staring at her hands, more confused than ever before.
Inuyasha arrived promptly in time for lunch--since, of course, he was not in the habit of missing free meals.
He came bearing news of a completely new youkai to the south--one who was not harming humans, but instead eating every horse and ox it came across. The villagers in those areas were losing an important part of their livelihood, unable to farm efficiently without their oxen and unable to travel any distance without their horses. While Inuyasha wasn't sure if a shard was actually involved, it was suspicious enough to check out, what with the youkai appearing so suddenly and so aggressively.
Ginnezu invited herself to the meal, plopping down next to Inuyasha, giggling and babbling cheerfully at him while he merely grunted in reply to her chatter.
At least he was making attempts to be civilized in front of the "Lady," Kagome noted with a sour feeling. He was actually eating with some decorum, sitting up straight and not gulping his food. Ginnezu inched closer to him during the course of the meal, further upsetting Kagome, but was denied her final snuggle with the hanyou when he finished his food and got up.
Kagome found herself gradually losing her fear of Ginnezu, replacing it with annoyance and anger. The female inu-youkai was such a tramp! Throwing herself at Inuyasha like that--she knew what the other girl was doing. All those suggestive glances, batting her eyes, with her hips swaying as she followed him about, her sparkling smile reserved only for him. And she had admitted--practically boasted--about seeking Inuyasha for a partner.
Such behavior was utterly scandalous! And Inuyasha wasn't doing anything about it; either he was oblivious, or he was privately enjoying it.
The latter thought made Kagome absolutely fume, though she didn't know why.
"Okay--Kagome, let's go," Inuyasha finally announced, the very moment Kagome finished with her food and set down her bowl.
Ginnezu paused her amorous attempts, looking surprised and slightly miffed. She thought she'd been holding the hanyou's attention--but he'd been attuned to the human girl all along.
"I'm coming," Kagome grumbled, shambling out the door, carrying her pack. She fetched her bike from behind Kaede's hut, and when she returned, Inuyasha and Ginnezu were having a...conversation.
"Bitch, you're staying right here," Inuyasha ordered. "I'm not allowing you near a youkai battle."
"Oh, Inuyasha-sama!" Ginnezu gushed. "I'm flattered by your concern! But you needn't worry--Otousama made sure I was trained--"
"It isn't for your sake," Inuyasha spat, growling. "I don't trust you not to make my life difficult during a battle with another youkai. And I'm not going to leave you standing next to Kagome when I'm occupied in a fight. It's bad enough you bothered her today."
"But, Inuyasha-sama, darling--"
"No, Ginnezu."
Ginnezu drew back, a hurt expression on her face, her eyes brimming. "How could you not trust me? I would never lie to you!"
"What proof can you give me, youkai bitch?" Inuyasha snorted, turning to walk away. Kagome followed him, pushing her bike, her spirits uplifted.
"I swear to you!" Ginnezu cried. "I swear to you on the name and honor of my father I will not harm a single one of your humans!"
Inuyasha paused. After a moment, he glanced back at her. "Good. Then I can trust you to stay here, too."
"Inu--"
"Think of it as a test, Ginnezu," Inuyasha told her, with a mocking smile. "See you around."
Following Inuyasha away, Kagome turned and smiled pleasantly at Ginnezu, waving goodbye to her. She had meant nothing bad by it--but was chilled yet again by the horrible, menacing glare on the youkai girl's face.
Kagome turned and quickly caught up to Inuyasha, walking close at his side. I wasn't mistaken! she thought, frightened once more. There is something bad about her!
Ginnezu glared blackly at anyone who so much as glanced her way.
Most of the humans in the village scurried away and kept their distance from the Silver inu-youkai who sat on Kaede's roof. The girl's expression was positively thunderous--and with her silvery hair, she did look rather like a thundercloud.
One with a very nasty lightning strike.
How dare he just brush me off like that! she fumed, rumbling. Me, a scion of the Silver Dog Clan--the daughter of Ginpatsu-sama himself! He may be a White whelp but he's still my junior and a hanyou! I am his superior in every way that matters!
Her dark thoughts turned to Kagome, and the questions the little human girl had asked. So he bit her, did he? Clueless pup--taking ownership by instinct alone! He didn't even know what he was doing, but still he claims her as if she were a bitch in his pack! A human! Humans can't be part of a pack--he doesn't even have a pack! He's just a lonely hanyou!
She raged internally, wishing dearly for something to tear apart--but bound by a thin promise not to harm Inuyasha's human cattle. If she damaged them, he would no doubt be displeased, and that would set back her plans by a great deal.
They may not be mated, or even realize it themselves, but...it's started, she considered with a snarl. Inuyasha has already begun to claim her. From what I've seen they don't get along, but mere squabbles cannot stop what has begun. Like a wildfire, once the spark is set it will not stop until everything is consumed--and my plans go up in smoke!
Again, she snarled aloud, her claws cutting furrows in the roof shingles. I won't let her have him. I'll have to separate them somehow...
For long minutes, she lost herself in thought--deep in devious planning, careful calculations and subterfuge just as her parents had taught her. Gradually, an idea came to her; a plan to put something compelling in Inuyasha's thoughts--something that would distract him from "shards" and his pretty human girl.
The full moon is coming--and with it, the Howl-Gathering, she realized. I can take him away to that! Among other inu-youkai, he'll quickly forget about sweet little Kagome, and I'll be there with him...
A sly, lustful grin spread across her features--one that greatly alarmed passersby. And my time is coming. Soon, he won't resist me at all...
Kagome rode her bicycle in silence, her thought sturned inward. Inuyasha loped along before her, leading the way--sometimes vanishing briefly into the underbrush to check out a scent or a clue.
They didn't talk; it was just business, after all. Just another shard-hunt; another youkai to destroy and Shikon shard to claim. So simple a task and so weak a youkai that Inuyasha had not even wanted to wait for Sango and Miroku to show up.
Kagome was so deep within herself that she nearly ran over Inuyasha when he stopped--hitting the brakes with a tooth-jarring screeeech! that made the inu-hanyou wince and flatten his ears.
"Oi, Kagome--watch it!" he growled, hopping slightly to the left to avoid her front tire. "Have you forgotten how to ride that contraption of yours?"
"No," Kagome grumbled, dismounting the bike and checking on the smoking brakes. "I may have just ruined it, though."
"S'not my fault."
"No...it's not. Sorry...I wasn't paying attention."
Inuyasha shot her a look, as if surprised she wasn't blaming him for the near-collision. "That's dangerous in youkai country, y'know."
"I know, I know..." Kagome shook her head, waving the subject away. "Well, why did you stop? Did you find something?"
"This is the spot where the last cow was eaten," he replied, pointing to the pile of crumbled bones and hide in the center of the woodsy clearing. It looked as thought something large had mowed through the corpse like a weed-eater, taking all the edible flesh and leaving broken bones and torn skin.
"Ugh..." Kagome shivered. "This is probably going to be one disgusting youkai."
"What's wrong with it?" Inuyasha asked, scowling as if she'd directed the insult at him. "I catch deer all the time."
Kagome blinked wide-eyed at him, startled that he'd taken it so personally. "So you leave the deer corpses lying all over the woods chewed to pieces like this?"
"Well, no..." he admitted, glancing away. "I...bury them."
"You're at least decent about it," Kagome stated, trying not to look at the shredded bovine remains. "This youkai's probably gross and gluttonous."
Inuyasha sniffed, scanning the clearing. "It smells like something filthy...and like that damn snake." He looked slightly pensive. "I thought I killed it..."
"You mean Sango killed it. You just hacked off its tail."
"I killed it first! And it wouldn't have stayed dead if I hadn't cut off the tail!" The hanyou glared at her, then strode toward the dead cow's bones.
The clearing seemed remarkably still--there were no insects, no birds. Even the breeze was gone. Only the stench of the bones remained in Kagome's nose--probably worse for the poor inu-hanyou.
Then she got a feeling. "Inuyasha..." she whispered.
He paused, one ear tilting slightly back toward her. "Mm?"
"Something's here."
"Close?" Inuyasha asked softly, freezing where he was, fingers curling.
"I don't know."
Inuyasha suddenly twitched, ears cocked alertly as his head came up. "I sense it now--it's coming."
"Yoouuu...murdererrrr!" cried a raspy, gravelly voice from the forest. It echoed through the trees, and they could not tell where it came from. The putrid aura was everywhere.
"Who are you?" Inuyasha demanded, drawing the Tetsusaiga. "Show yourself!"
"I am the servant of my mistress, entrusted with a shard of the Jewel--and I am he who seeks revenge!" the voice shouted. "Revenge for my mistress, Karasuhebi!"
"Great...another snake," Inuyasha grumped. "Stay out of this one, Kagome."
"You don't have to tell me twice!"
Inuyasha sniffed the air and advanced toward where he thought the youkai might be hiding. "Come out, you slithering bastard!"
Wait a second... Kagome thought, eyes narrowing. Don't snakes swallow their prey whole? If they do, then why is this cow...?
Realization hit, and she gasped aloud. "Inuyasha, it's not a snake--!"
"Eh?" The inu-hanyou turned to look at her--then froze, his eyes growing wide and his jaw hanging slack.
Kagome froze as well when a puff of hot breath ruffled her hair and blouse. She began to shake, her breath coming in gasps, and when she finally turned, she nearly fainted when she found herself standing nose to nose with the ugliest...foulest...biggest rat she'd ever seen.
"Eeep!"