Chapter 6: No Bad Pirates
It's been a while since I updated, but I've been so busy. However, I really liked this one so plan on updating more frequently!
Hope you guys enjoy this! I love getting reviews and PMs!
"Keh, wake up, Kagome." A voice echoed through my half-asleep body. I looked up to find Inuyasha's face close to mine, "Someone's coming..."
I listened closely before hearing two voices closing in on us.
"Hey, so do you really think Captain Inuyasha landed here? I'm a bit skeptical." One voice muttered.
"There is only one way to find out, my friend. And if we are lucky enough to find the captured princess as well, we can save her and get ourselves a nice reward." Another voice chimed in.
Inuyasha growled a bit, but remained still. He was so close to me, I felt a bit uncomfortable. But it was probably moreso to guard me from anyone who'd want to take me. He couldn't afford to lose me before we got to Limestone Cave. Still, if people are out looking for me, it means that news of my kidnapping has spread! And if they know Inuyasha is here, it also means that another ship has caught sight of the Goshinboku... It's probably nearby.
"I-Inuyasha, I went further down the road to take a peak... a soldier is coming..." Shippo jumped down from a tree and onto Inuyasha's shoulder, "A soldier and a raccoon-dog... Do you think they're strong?"
"Keh, raccoon-dogs are nothing but little tricksters... but still, a soldier who thinks he can take me on?" Inuyasha chuckled, "He must not be very smart, then." A grin crossed his face. But I wasn't too happy.
"If he's just a weak lone soldier with a trickster demon, maybe we should hide so we don't have to confront them." I suggested, "You said you don't like innocent blood."
Inuyasha rolled his amber eyes at me, "It's not no innocent blood if he's the one challenging me. Don't blame me 'cuz a soldier can't pick a fight..."
"You're mistaken, half-demon..." All three of us looked up to see a man with dark hair, a golden staff, and a purple wrap hugging his body, "For I am no ordinary soldier...I am a warrior monk. And the best in all the land."
Inuyasha stood up and cracked his knuckles, clearly prepared for a fight. I stood to. There was nothing I could really do to help, but I wasn't going to stay on the ground and just look helpless. Shippo jumped on my shoulder, with no intention of getting inbetween Inuyasha and the warrior monk.
"My name is Miroku. And I am here to prevent any dirty pirate from terrorizing any villages upon this island." He held up his golden staff, which was revealed to be nothing more than a sheath. By pulling the handle, he revealed a thin, glowing sword.
"Keh, so you've got some spiritual sword... Ya really think that's kill me?" Inuyasha pulled out his sword, which grew large as it exited from it's small sheath.
Miroku grinned, clearly confident in himself, "This sword was created to destroy demons. The sacred powers it's been given can strike through any demon. It's powers are nothing to scoff at. I will end you, Captain. And then I will save this beautiful lady from your wickedness."
They both lunged at each other, their swords clashing over and over. In raw skill, both men seemed to be equal. However, I was sure that in strength and endurance, Miroku didn't have a chance. His sword was small and the half-demon's was filled with what I was sure to be demonic energy. Even if Miroku managed to get him, I couldn't imagine it really hurting him.
Inuyasha managed to slash through his waist, but didn't go the whole way through. I was relieved to see that he could refrain from completely cutting him in half. Miroku gripped on to his wound, while the captain scoffed again, "Pathetic." The big sword was put back into the sheath as Inuyasha grinned over the injured warrior. However, Miroku, though hurt, still had his sacred weapon in hand, and stabbed in straight into Inuyasha's abdomen.
"Miroku!" The Raccoon-Dog, who was apparently hiding in the bushes the whole, emerged to check on his friend, "Miroku, will you be alright?" His appearance was literally that of a large, clothes raccoon on two legs.
"I have been through worse, Hachi" Miroku sighed, taking a look at his right palm, which was wrapped up in the purple wrap.
I glanced over at Inuyasha. A stab wound to the abdomen should not be too much for a demon to handle. However, he was frozen, gripping his injury. So, I ran over to him to make sure that he was okay.
"Inuyasha! Are you alright?!" I noticed his eyes were shut, as he was clearly in pain. But, why? Why did it hurt him so much? It was a flesh wound, as the sword barely broke skin.
"His hair!" Shippo cried out. I looked up to see black hair covering up his silver locks. His nails grew short, as well.
Miroku grinned, "Half-demon, you have been temporarily reduced to your full-human form. If you had been a full demon, my sword would have produced a much larger wound."
"Dammit..." Inuyasha choked out.
"In this state, while your demon side retreats and your human side takes over, you will be easy to kill." The warrior monk, raised his sword again at the frozen captain.
"No!" I screamed, moving in front of him in order to block him from Miroku's attack, "You can't kill him!"
Baffled, the warrior monk lowered his weapon a bit. "Are you not the kidnapped Princess Kagome of Midoriko? Why do you protect your enemy?"
"He's my friend! He saved my life... He's not evil..." I defended, looking over my shoulder at the weakened Captain Inuyasha.
"My dear princess, he is a pirate. All pirated are evil." He moved close to me, dead-set on getting his way.
But I wouldn't let him, "If you kill him, you're evil! I will have you thrown in the dungeon forever!" I don't know why I defended Inuyasha so much. It's true that I did want to go home. And this warrior monk would, no doubt, take me there. But twice this half-demon has saved my life. What kind of person would I be if I just let him die?
As I said those words, I could almost hear Inuyasha whisper my name in disbelief. Was he touched by all the kind things I was saying?
"How did you end up on his ship, then?" The warrior monk interrogated.
I looked down, "My friend was taken on board with no explanation. I thought she was kidnapped, so I asked Inuyasha to take me with him. She was happy, though. And I was stuck on the ship... But I wasn't kidnapped! He was nice to me!"
The Raccoon-Dog looked up at his friend, "What shall we do? We can't kill a princess."
"Please, leave..." Shippo begged, still perched on my shoulder.
"If you say you are stuck with this man, Princess Kagome, why don't you let me take you back to your kingdom?" Miroku suggested, "I will spare your friend's life."
Inuyasha scoffed, "Because we are on a mission. I ain't gonna let you take her."
I looked back to see human Inuyasha straighten up and look ready to continue his fight. "No more fighting, please..." I whispered, before looking back at the monk, "I am not ready to go home, warrior monk. Not yet."
The man looked down at Hachi, "Hm, it seems as though our mission was a failure." He put his sword back into his sheath, "I apologize for the disruption, however, princess, when you are done, I would like to be the one to deliver you home."
"Huh? I don't know when I'll be ready..." I admitted. I told Inuyasha I would enter Limestone Cave for him. But who knows when that will happen. And who knows where everything will lead us.
"Then, let me follow you." He put his hands on his waist and stood tall, "There is a village to the east of here. A poor village. When I heard the reward your kingdom was offering for your return, I knew that if I could find you, I could help out those people..."
"Keh, I ain't letting no warrior monk follow us around. We already got this fox brat here." Inuyasha put his sword back and shook his head.
I frowned, sympathizing with Miroku's goal, "Inuyasha, he has a good heart and is clearly skilled! Why not let him come?"
"Does it look like I care much about his good heart? He caused enough trouble for me! I don't even know when I'll get my powers back!" The captain crossed is arms and looked away from me. He's so damn stubborn! You can't blame people for assuming these things about pirates! They've been known for centuries to do nothing but kill and steal. All this man wants to do is save a village! And what happens? Captain Heartless doesn't care.
"Well, I'm not going unless he goes!" I said, crossing my arms to mimic his stance. If he's gonna be stubborn, I'm gonna be stubborn.
Miroku interrupted, "If I may interject, your demon powers should return by nightfall. This sword's powers is meant to be a force against demons. Since you are half, your demon side hid in order to avoid further damage. That's why you felt such a strong pain initially. However, once your demon side sees that the threat is gone, it will return."
"See, Inuyasha? That's not so bad!" Shippo smiled, "The wound isn't bad either. You'll be fine in no time."
"Shut up, runt!" He growled, "I don't like this guy."
"I don't care! He's coming. Or I'm not." Maybe I was a bit of a brat for wanting my way all the time, but c'mon. How can I say no?
"Fine! Stupid wench." He put his hands down in defeat. The captain wasn't happy, but if anything, having someone as skilled as this warrior guy could really be helpful to us!
Miroku advised Hachi to go back to the village and help out. Hachi agreed to inform everyone of Miroku's new mission and to do his best to watch over everything. Right before my very eyes, the Raccoon Dog put a leaf on his head before transforming into a giant gourd and flying away. But I guess I've seen too much lately to really let that one shock me.
The four of us continued walking. Miroku probed Inuyasha a bit about his motives for looking for such a strong jewel, but the captain didn't budge. Heck, I barely know a thing about him and what he wants to accomplish. As the day ended, we decided set up camp and get some rest. Shippo and I were exhausted, but Inuyasha and Miroku seemed to be just fine. Inuyasha's demon side had returned a small while ago, but while he was human, I didn't get to go on his back, so I was just walking for hours and hours.
"We're waking up bright and early. Got it?" The silver haired hanyou lectured.
I didn't want to think about waking up, I just wanted to think about sleep. "Leave me alone, I'm too tired."
"Keh, bratty wench." He muttered under his breath.
"Hey! I've been walking all day! Why do you have to be a jerk?" I retorted. Granted, I probably was a bit cranky.
"Why do you have to be an annoying, stupid girl?" He said right back.
Miroku began looking confused, "Hey, did you not tell me that you both are friends? You spoke so kindly of this man, but it seems as though you both hate each other."
He was right. I did call Inuyasha my friend. I also said he was nice. Do I really consider Inuyasha a friend?
"Keh, we're barely friends. I just saved her life a couple times and, in return, she is helping me." The captain turned his head. He can be so cruel.
"Fine! If you don't want to be my friend, then we can just make this mission quick so I never have to talk to you again." I got ready to sleep. This man is such a jerk. Why doesn't he want to be my friend? We have to spend all this time together, we might as well try to get along and like each other. But no, since he's too good for that, I'll make sure not to care!
"Kagome is really nice and kind. Inuyasha is just mean and acts like a child." Shippo said, trying to clarify the situation to Miroku, who raised an eyebrow. He shook his said before looking at the half-demon.
"Well, I hope we can all become friends, for the sake of this mission. It will only drag on if we can't get along." The warrior monk looked up at the sky, "You are all so peculiar."
Maybe he's right. Maybe it would be best if we all just became friends. Still, I can't imagine Inuyasha not being rude and a jerk all the time. He has his moments, but for the most part, it seems as though he has no interest in forming any friendly relationship with anyone besides his crew. And, even then, he clearly wasn't friends with everyone.
I thought back to that night with Renkotsu. Even on a pirate ship where everyone seems to work together a lot, there are still people who don't care for the friendships they've formed. I think that night will forever haunt me. Inuyasha was my night in shining armor. And helping him get the scroll and saving his life from Miroku should make me feel as though I'm not completely indebted to him. But I can't help but feel like I have to do this mission for him. Despite how we've both helped each other, I still can't imagine leaving him now.
I heard a light snoring and looked up to see Miroku and Shippo both fast asleep. I had already got comfortable on the ground to go to sleep, but I guess I got lose in thought.
"Why aren't you sleeping, Kagome?" Inuyasha looked over at me. Of course, Inuyasha was still awake.
I shrugged, "I guess I've just got a lot on my mind."
"You had the chance to leave. Why did you stay?" He questioned, while staring up at the stars.
I was caught off guard by his direct question, "I-I guess I just want to help you. Like you helped me."
"Keh, you're a strange girl." He mumbled before closing his eyes.
A strange girl? Inuyasha, you're quite the strange captain, yourself. But I guess I'd rather that than a bad captain. Yeah. I guess I'm still a bit lucky.
Sorry this chapter is really short. I haven't done this in a while so I'm still getting back into the groove. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I hope to hear more from you all!
The next chapter shouldn't take nearly as long! I'm totally excited to keep going, and while I like incorporating things from the original, I don't plan on making what happens to similar to the anime/manga. However, I do like keeping their personalities as close as I can. But the pirate theme will remain prevalent throughout the story.
Don't forget to review!