Chapter 3: Dear Friend
Well, hey guys! I got an inbox asking why I chose Ayame as being Kagome's close friend so I thought I'd answer. So, Ayame was kinda showed as being beneath her in the show when it came to Kouga, so in this, she's beneath her in the sense that Kagome is the princess and Ayame is not. Although, in the show, Ayame is upset about it and in here she shows no signs of jealousy (I didn't think it would fit), I still was able to connect how Kagome felt about it. Kagome likes Kouga and appreciates him but she doesn't love him like that, just like Kagome likes and appreciates what she has as the princess, but doesn't entirely love it (considering she has issues with being locked up and all that). There was no other character I could see as putting "below" Kagome in any sense other than Ayame even though she isn't that relevant in the anime/manga. (Sango was always like an equal and her modern friends weren't in any sense "below Kagome"; they were pretty happy with their lives.)
So yeah, anyways, enjoy this chapter! I'm sure as hell gonna have fun writing it!
He furiously paddled at amazing speed until a huge ship met our view. Of course, what caught our attention more was another ship heading in the opposite direction which was on fire. It wasn't too hard to guess whose ship that was.
"My men..." I mumbled, wondering if I had made the right decision to come with Inuyasha.
Noting my horror as we made our way towards his ship, Inuyasha scoffed, "As I said, we only kill who gets in our way. Your men came after us."
"YOU TOOK AYAME!" I shouted, "OF COURSE THEY WOULD GO AFTER YOU!"
"She's Kouga's woman." He stated, "Of course we would go get her. Like I said, she'll be turning full demon soon."
This man is crazy. More than crazy. He's stupid.
I turned my head away towards the ships, not wanting to talk to him. He obviously saw no wrong in what he was doing. And I didn't want to deal with that.
He continued to paddle, not even breaking a sweat as his arms moved in swift circle movements again and again. His eyes stayed focused, but the rest of his body seemed relaxed. What caught my attention, though, was that I had yet to fully realize that two dog ears were now resting on his head. It never occurred to me that I was no longer sitting with a human man, but with a half-demon at this point.
"We're here." He smirked.
Immediately, roaring could be heard from the top deck. It was almost like a zoo was aboard the ship, and, not too long after we arrived, two ropes were set down, and Inuyasha tied both of them to each side of the little boat. We were raised up to the top and welcomed by a group of savage looking men.
"Who's the bitch, Captain?" One asked, "She for us?" This one, much like Bankotsu, had a long dark hair that was braided. He had pointy ears and huge, red eyes that stared at me with intensity. He arched his eyebrows as he roamed my appearance.
"Shut the fuck up, Hiten." Inuyasha growled, "She's not for anyone. And her name is Kagome."
"As in the princess?" He grinned, "We could get a lot of gold from that. I'll tie her up under the deck."
"You'll do no such thing!" I shouted, putting my hands on my hip, "I'm not a damsel in distress. Inuyasha brought me here because I said I wanted to come!"
The pirate's grin turned into the scowl and he stiffened up, walking over to me and getting in my face, "That's Captain Inuyasha, human Kagome."
My knees weakened as I prepared myself for the death I would receive after yelling at this pirate, but to my surprise, Inuyasha shoved his shoulder and pointed to the far side of the ship.
"Get to work, Hiten." He warned, "I'll deal with the girl."
In that moment, I never wanted to leave Inuyasha's side. He felt much like a guardian. Maybe it was the fact that I was surrounded by armed strangers who looked like they wanted to eat me, but if I could, I would shrink myself down and rest in his pocket for the rest of my time here.
Another men jumped and appeared right in front of us, obviously a demon. His focus was not on me though, so I let out a small sigh of relief.
"Hey, Captain, where's Bank?" He asked.
"Getting the scroll." The captain answered, "He'll be back."
"Then what's with the princess on board." His eyes averted to me for a split second, before crawling back up to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha shook his head, "She's here for you, actually. Ya took something from the castle that she's not too happy about."
"...My girl?" He questioned, scratching his head.
This must be that Kouga guy he was talking about.
"Yes." I answered for Inuyasha, "And I want to see her." It was more of a demand rather than a request. I had to see Ayame. She's probably miserable.
"Huh?" He looked, surprised that I had the nerve to speak with him, "You came all this way to see my mate?"
Inuyasha shrugged, "Take her to your woman, Kouga."
"She's in my room. I'll bring her." He said. Kouga didn't seem mean like Hiten. In fact, he seemed relaxed and chilled.
"Keh, alright." Inuyasha leaned in close to Kouga, "No one touches her, got that?" The rawness of his words chilled the wolf in front of him, but he grinned and nodded, "Got it, Captain."
Kouga walked me through the crowd of confused and stunned pirates who knew any better than to actually approach me. He didn't seem concerned, though.
"So, Kagome, is it." He asked, "I'm Kouga, leader of a pack up in western woods, but pirate on these seas."
I nodded, "Princess of Midoriko's Kingdom."
He laughed, "I knew that. Why is it that you came all this way to see my woman?"
His woman. His woman. His woman. She does not being to anyone!
"She's her own woman." I muttered.
Kouga stopped to look at me with wide eyes, "She is my intended. So she is mine."
"She does not belong to you!" I wouldn't let a man belittle Ayame like that. You kidnap her and made her your own? No.
"Listen, human girl, she is mine." He growled, "My intended. My woman."
That's it. Before I could do anything to stop myself, I watched my hand raise up above my head and glide through the air until it landed against the demon's right cheek with as much force as I could conjure up. I gasped right thereafter, taking a step back.
"Shit..." Another demon ran up to us with an angry look on his face, "Kouga, are you okay?"
"Well, of course I'm okay!" Kouga retorted, angrily, "It was only a slap from some human."
The demon looked over at me, "How dare you lay your hands on him!"
"Ginta, shut your mouth." Kouga ordered, "This girl is interesting. I like her."
Ginta looked shocked and a little disappointed that Kouga hadn't appreciated how he tried to handle things. He backed away slowly with a distressed expression.
Now, Kouga turned to me, smirking, "For you, I won't call her my woman. Shall we go?"
I, very hesitantly, nodded and continued walking with him past the discouraged Ginta. This will all be worth it when I see Ayame...hopefully she is okay.
I could relax my body more when we came upon an empty hallway and I had no need to worry about any other pirates, who throughout our walk, made me unbelievably uncomfortable. Kouga wasn't too bad to be around, either. Though our last conversation was awkward, he didn't try to bother me for the rest of the time, which I was thankful for.
"Here we are, Kagome." He opened a door where I could see my Ayame resting on a small bed.
"Ayame!" I ran to her and shook her body for her to wake and see me.
Her eyes slowly opened, but widened when she realized it was me, "Princess!" She sat up almost immediately and put both hands on my shoulders, "Oh Princess! I am so happy to see you! But what are you doing here on a ship?"
"I came to see you!" I smiled, "I was worried!"
She blushed at my words, "Oh I am honored to have your highness worry about me and come all this way! I am safe! It's all okay!"
Kouga chuckled from the doorway, "I got some stuff I gotta handle so I'll be back in a bit."
Ayame giggled, "Okay Kouga! Thank you for sending Princess Kagome to see me!" He nodded and closed the door behind him.
"How shall we escape, Ayame." I whispered, leaning in close to her, happy that he was gone.
"Huh?" She tilted her head to the side in her confusion, "Escape? Has no one told you? I am to marry Kouga!" Her face lit up when she said that name. Now, I was left with the confusion.
"Y-You want to be here?" I stood up, "But why?"
"Kouga promised that we will be married and, after an important mission is completed, we will go back to our packs and live happily!" She bounced on the bed like a little child, "And...they said in 10 days, I will be a wolf demon just like him!"
Again, I was at a loss, "They kidnapped you Ayame. Took you away from everyone..."
"Princess, I couldn't stay anyways. After I turn to a demon, the barrier would have destroyed me." She shrugged, "And I like Kouga! He comes here and tells me stories every night!"
"So, that's it...you're not...coming back with me?" I looked down. What have I gotten myself into?
"No, I am so sorry Princess. I can't." Ayame sighed, sensing my displeasure, "But Princess, you shouldn't have come. This crew is on an important mission! They might not let you go for now... You should be in the castle!"
"I left to come get you...I-I found the Captain in a cave on the rocky shores." I explained, "We were running from the guards and we had to get on a small boat to get away from them...He asked me if I wanted to come or stay but I wanted to find you."
It had just hit me that I was on this boat and I wasn't getting dropped off home anytime soon. And Inuyasha warned me, too. All for what? To find that Ayame is perfectly happy being kidnapped by some demon and I came all this way for nothing!? This can't happen...
"Oh...Princess..." She put a hand on my shoulder, "I am so sorry that I worried you." I didn't want to hear it though. I walked towards the door and left her there to bathe in her happiness.
"Dammit..." I sighed, "Why did I come? Now, I'm the one who is all alone."
I walked back up towards the deck to confront the only person I knew might help...although something told me he wouldn't...
"Excuse me, someone!" I begged around the crowd of pirates, hoping one would ask me what's wrong, but many ignored me at first, just turning their backs.
"Hm?" One finally turned to me, "Oh dear, Princess...Are you lost on our ship?" He had a very flamboyant attitude.
"Yeah. Do you know where Inuyasha is?" I fiddled with my fingers a bit while asking, scared I might get yelled at because I'm a human girl or something worse.
"Oh, that man is in the Captain's Quarters, of course." He grinned, "I am Jakotsu by the way. Sorry if my hair is a mess, but it looks like yours is, too." He laughed, "Oh my, why don't you come to my room and freshen up a bit. I'll take you to Captain after."
Freshen up? I studied Jakotsu's face a bit more, noting the thick purple lines shooting down from each eye, but I also saw his smile, which seemed, although a bit creepy and sadistic, sincere.
"T-Thank you." I bowed and the excited man lead me to his room, which, of course, was in the same hallway as Ayame.
"See, because Inuyasha likes my fighting style, I've proved worthy of having my own room." He bragged, pulling out a brush and sitting me in front of his mirror, "My other brothers, other than Bankotsu, sleep in the pirate's den with a bunch of other pirates. I'm special."
He proceeded to brush out the tangles in my hair, "I like having two girls aboard the ship. None of these tough guys let me play dress-up like this."
"You've spoken to Ayame?" I asked.
"Of course." He grinned, "I did her hair and makeup, too."
"Do you think Inuyasha will let me go, soon?" I flinched a little as he pulled my hair.
Jakotsu stopped for a second, then continued fiddling with my hair, "Don't know. I would think not. He's in a rush lately. All of us are. Turning back would slow us down...I think you'd look better with your hair down."
I sighed. I really want to get home. I'm not use to this. I want to see my mother and the town's people.
"Now, makeup." He did my makeup, putting on blush and eye-shadow and red lipstick, "Dear, you're cute. Not as cute as the captain with his adorable ears, but cute."
I smiled, grateful that, for a moment while Jakotsu did my makeup, I felt normal. He was pretty accepting of me, which was something I would have to learn to love if I was staying here.
"Thank you, Jakotsu." I stood and bowed.
"No, thank you. Don't get to play with all this makeup with only men around." He winked at me, "Now, let's go see Captain."
He led me through another hallway that, at its end, had a big door that was titled "Captain".
"You just knock and he'll open." Jakotsu ran back up to the deck. I suppose he had other work to do.
"Well, here goes nothing." I took a deep breath and reach my fist to the door, and, ever so gently, knocked.
"Who the hell-" Inuyasha opened the door a bit, obviously aggravated, "Keh, see Jakotsu got to you. What do you want, now?"
"I-" I stopped myself, knowing that if I asked, I was probably gonna get in earful and possibly get thrown off into the sea. (Although I did doubt Inuyasha would do that.)
Noting my dilemma with words, he groaned, "Come in, then." He opened his door all the way, rolling his eyes.
"Did ya see Ayame?" He asked, walking back to his messy desk.
"Y-Yeah..." I sighed, "She's pretty intent on staying with Kouga..."
Inuyasha looked over at me and laughed, "Did ya think she would wanna escape? I told you, stupid girl, that she was gonna marry Kouga."
I was left with nothing to do but let my head fall forward, "What are you going to do with me, then?"
"Keh, nothing. Do what you want on this ship. Just don't ruin anything or get in my way." He warned.
"I take it you're not going to take me back?" I hoped he would think about it and take pity on me.
"No." Was his response, "I gave you a choice and you chose this. Not my problem if you get a little homesick." He contemplated the paper on his desk, now ignoring me.
I sat quiet, sobbing to myself, but not actually letting tears come down. I sniffled a bit, thinking about how long it would be before I would be set free. And who do I have to blame? Me. I chose to come rescue someone who is perfectly fine. And now I have to sit here with this half-demon and hope that they dock in some town, soon.
"Are you gonna shut up anytime soon?" He leaned his head back in aggravation.
"You shut it!" Again, I mentally scolded myself for shouting at him, "I don't know what to do..."
He shook his head, "Not my problem, wench. Don't blame me for all your personal issues! You're not the only one with an agenda."
He was right. It was not my place to put this on him. He was obviously distressed about whatever mission they were on, and he hasn't really done anything to hurt me (other than raid my castle, of course). But, in the end, he was not the evil man I thought him to be. He gave me the choice and I'm here because I didn't want to jump off his boat. I'm lucky he gave me the choice to begin with. And he's giving me all the freedom on this ship.
Not too long after, I found myself thinking about what my mother told me about him. He was banished by his own brother because of something he couldn't even control, so of course it wasn't hard to figure out that he would grow up to live a life like this. He has no family or anything.
"I'll be going now." I sighed, guessing that all I had to do now was get used to this ship.
"Keh, have fun." Inuyasha sat by his deck and looked up at the ceiling, almost hopeless. I wondered what it was that was making him so sad looking, but I didn't bother to ask. We were all sad right now.
I found my way back up to the deck, contemplating whether or not I should go to Ayame's room and stay there. But I was upset with her. She's totally happy with marrying a man she just met because he says they were meant to be? And now she's giddy while I've got nothing on this ship.
"Hey. Princess!" I glanced over, not too sure what to expect, but when I didn't see anything, I assumed it was probably some joke or something.
"Princess! Over here!" The voice rang in my ear again, but I saw nothing. Although, merely a second later, I felt something on my neck, so I whacked it, assuming it was some bug.
...And, of course with my luck, I was correct.
"Owww." A flea lay flat in my hand, only taking a couple seconds to return to its normal size.
"Y-You're a bug?" I asked, hoping the sea hadn't gotten to me.
He put his hands on his hips, "Not a bug, if I may correct you. I'm Myoga, the flea. Protector of this ship!"
"You?" I questioned, "There's no way."
"Excuse me, I am a very capable demon just like all others aboard!" He fumed, "But that's not why I called your name!"
"Hm. Why did you, then?" I lifted him up to my face, still a little at awe at the little demon.
"Because it appears that you'll be staying with us as a guest." He explained, "And I'd like to welcome you on. If I am correct, you are the second woman ever aboard this ship under these circumstances!"
"The other being Ayame." I assumed.
"No, you seem, Ayame is here because of Kouga. You're here because the Captain brought you out of the kindness of his heart." He corrected.
"So, there's another woman on board?" Maybe I could stay with her, if she's okay with it.
"No. I'm afraid Lady Kikyou died a couple years ago in battle." Myoga sighed, "She was a nice woman. She acted more as the mother Inuyasha never really got to know. You look a bit like her, except younger of course. Much more childlike."
Died? Does that mean that I'm in a lot of danger just being on this ship? I thought because it was full of demons, I would be guarded by their strength.
The flea seemed to take notice of my worry and shook his head at me, "Oh, don't worry about yourself, Princess. Lady Kikyou ran off to fight on her own, being a powerful priestess. She died in her own battle against some demon. Captain Inuyasha didn't take too well to the news though. She, being older than him in human years, had treated him like a son, so he had grown fond to the idea of having someone like that to take care of him."
"That's so sad..." My head drooped. This guy had it rough.
"Yes, but on the bright side, welcome aboard." He hopped on my hand with joy, "It'll be dinner time in a few. I'll let you in early so you won't have to eat next to these pigs."
I could tell Myoga was a lot more like a gentleman than what his appearance suggests. He hopped off my hand and continued to jump forward, leading me to their eating area which was actually quite big, with three long tables that could probably sit close to as much as the dining room in the castle could. (Well, probably a little less.)
"I'll tell the cook to send you out some food." Myoga smiled, "There's some fruit on the table, so help yourself."
I took an apple, but didn't eat it. Rather, I played around with it, bouncing it off my fingers to distract me. Right after I was left in this big room all by myself, I felt empty and alone. Despite the flea's gentleness, nothing could replace what I had. I didn't want to be here. I felt like a stranger, and worse, I missed my kingdom, my home.
Myoga hopped back in, returning with a man who set down a plate of I don't know right in front of me.
"It's soup." Myoga confirmed, "Looks terrible but doesn't taste as bad. A lot of fish in it."
I smiled politely, but in actuality, I prefered maybe some steak with a side of jasmine rice.
"Thank you." I nodded to him. My hand reached and held the spoon in its grip, then dipped it into the soup. Hesitantly I raised the spoon to my mouth and swallowed it. Truth be told, it wasn't that bad.
I finished my soup in a couple of minutes, due to my empty and demanding stomach. When I was done, the cook came back and took it.
"Save some for the Captain." Myoga warned.
The cook shrugged, "It'll be a waste. We're lucky if he eats more than a piece of bread a day."
The flea sighed, "Kagome, I'll be off now. I'd leave in a bit before the room is crowded with hungry pirates." Then, he hopped off.
"Does Inuyasha not eat?" I asked myself, letting my eyes wander to the many bowls of fruit on the table, "Maybe it's his stress...He probably thinks he's too busy to come and eat."
A lightbulb lit up above my head and I grabbed an apple, a pear and an orange and ran out of the room.
"Maybe he just needs some nutrients!" I giggled to myself, feeling hopeful. A part of me just wanted to stay busy, though.
When I made it to his door, it was half open, almost like someone had just left. I took the opportunity to peek through and the captain was sitting at his desk, scowling at whatever he was looking at.
"Inuyasha." I called, walking in.
He saw me and groaned, "What do ya want now, wench."
I tossed him an apple, and (due to great demon reflexes) he lifted his hand and caught it.
"What the hell is this for?" He asked, glaring at me.
"I overheard you haven't been going down to eat dinner, so I brought you some fruit." I exclaimed happily.
"Keh, I don't need you getting me stuff." He crossed his arms and turned his head, like a child.
"Oh come on." I retorted, "I'm just trying to be nice so just eat the food."
"Whatever." He growled. He was sounding more and more like a five year old to me than a captain of a ship.
"Don't you know how to say thank you?" I challenged, hoping maybe I could get some sort of recognition out of him. I didn't have to get him anything. It'd be nice if he acknowledged what I did.
"Keh, thanks then." He mumbled, "But that doesn't mean ya gotta go worrying about me. I'm not some weak human, ya know!"
"Yeah, yeah." I smirked, "Just eat the fruit. It's good for you."
With that, I left the other two fruits on his deck and stepped out, leaving him to his work.
Just thought I'd include that little scene since there's one similar where Kagome throws fruit at him while he's sitting in a tree before they really developed a relationship. It's cute (in my opinion). I also threw in Kikyou before anyone catches feelings because when Kagome first hears about Kikyou, she hasn't begun to like him. I like sticking to some aspects of the original :)
But I hope you guys liked it! It's a bit longer than my other chapters, so I hope it doesn't seem rushed. And for those asking for Shippo, Sango and Miroku, don't worry, they're coming. (I wouldn't leave them out, but remember, they weren't there in the beginning.)
Don't forget to revieww! I'm really excited to write this.