Hello, my loves. Welcome to another chapter of Pirate's Life for Me. I must tell you that I am sick, so if this chapter sucks, or if there are more grammatical errors than usual, then you know why.

So now for the Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter Nine: Help and Fluff

He ran down the dirt covered path, escaping from whatever was trying to capture him. His long, braided hair flew behind him as he ran. He had noticed, ever since Renkotsu had recovered from his wounds, the man had acted different. He had only figured it was from the injury he had received, but Bankotsu soon learned of the man's betrayal of him to Lord Naraku.

"Damn." He murmured out of breath.

The men he was trying to get away from were still behind him, and he was fast for a human being. He continued his pace, his halberd securely in his hand. He made a sharp right into the woods, but didn't go far enough in to lose sight of the dirt path he was following. He continued to run through the woods, swatting small twigs out of his path. He continued to run until there felt like a fire in his throat and he stopped behind a tree. He slid down the thick trunk and sat on the ground, leaning up against the tree.

Damn Renkotsu, the traitor. Ratting out his own friend and leader. Power hungry mongrel. He sighed heavily before catching his breath as he heard fast footsteps approach on the dirt road.

"Damn. We lost him. Naraku isn't going to like this."

"He couldn't have gotten too far, especially carrying that giant sword."

The footsteps took off again, continuing in the direction he was headed. He let his breath go and went back to relaxing. He sighed heavily again thinking about his situation. It looks like I'm on my own now. Looks like the Band of Seven is no more. Renkotsu will pay for this. First I need to get out of here. He thought a scowl on his face.

It was minutes, maybe hours, later when he got up again. He didn't care how long he had sat there, the more time he let the men run around looking for him, the more time it separated him from them. He turned in the direction he was originally going and sighed.

"Damn Renkotsu, having me go out on the run like this. He will pay." He ground out through his teeth, tightening his grip on his Banryū. He sighed heavily, and went off in the direction he was facing, disappearing into the woods. The sky was turning orange and pink in the sunset.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inuyasha casually sat down at the end of the long dinning table, dropping his tray and cup down onto the table top. Kagome didn't look up once at the sudden sounds coming from the hanyō. As soon as he sat down, she stood up, not even finishing her meal, and left. The crew in the room could feel the tension in the air, and the cool chill that remained after Kagome had left. Miroku looked at Inuyasha and then in the direction Kagome had went, noticing it was the kitchen, and then back to Inuyasha.

"Okay, what did you do now, Yasha?"

"I didn't do anything! Why is it always something that I did!? She's the one avoiding me!"

"Which leads me to believe you did something." Miroku said knowingly.

The crew slowly nodded their heads in agreement. Inuyasha shot them a glare and growled and they immediately shoved food in their mouths and left. Everyone had left except Miroku as he was used to the captain's antics.

"Maybe you should just apologize to her." Inuyasha choked on his food. He grabbed his cup and gulped down the contents.

"Are you crazy!? How am I supposed to apologize if one, I don't know what I did, and two, she's completely avoiding me?" Inuyasha asked, putting his elbows on the table, his fists on his temples holding his head up.

"So you admit you did something wrong."

Inuyasha gave the monk a side glare.

"Just go up to her and apologize. You don't need to say what for, but just apologize."

"You know I'm not good on apologizes."

"Well, now is as good a time to practice." Miroku said giving his captain a smile.

Inuyasha watched as the monk stood up, with his dish, and went into the kitchen, the same direction Kagome had gone. He sighed heavily and started eating again. He ate slow and took his time, not wanting to run into anyone else at the moment.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Miroku walked in to find Kagome at the sink, washing the dishes that seemed to be in a never-ending pile. He placed his dish near the ones that need to be cleaned and took up a spot on the counter, directly behind her. He watched her work, and she felt his stare upon her.

"You look anywhere else on my body and be sure you will be face down on the floor, hog tied." Kagome threatened.

"You know Kagome, you have to understand that you are the first girl…" Kagome shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Woman Inuyasha has had around… who can actually carry on a meaningful conversation."

"Is this supposed to be making me feel better?" Kagome interrupted, but Miroku paid no mind and continued.

"He isn't sure on how he should act towards you."

"Scaring me shitless isn't a great way at going about it. You think he would know by now. I only yell at him on a daily basis… until recently." Miroku couldn't help but chuckle.

"I only think he is getting you aggravated for your attention." Miroku stated a smile still on his face. Kagome stopped what she was doing, the silence having a confused air about it. Miroku took this as a sign he could continue.

"He does it because he wants your attention, in anyway he can get it. After all, you have Kouga and Bankotsu who "love" you and he has to compete for your attention. Not to mention Shippou has your undivided attention whenever he wants it…"

A silence set in one again. Kagome had finished washing all the dishes and now they were soaking in the water.

"Are you going to be ignoring Inuyasha for much longer?" Miroku asked out of the blue. Kagome sighed heavily as she gripped onto the counter's edge and leaning forward.

"I don't know, but…" Kagome had trailed off she didn't know if she should tell Miroku about the information she had received when she had been kidnapped by the Band of Seven.

"But?" She heard Miroku say from behind her.

"I found out some information when I was kidnapped."

"What kind of information?"

"I found Lord Naraku wanted to kill me. I know the Band of Seven was sent to kill me at first, but something changed." She informed him and his face contorted into one of thinking. He just remained silent and got up from the counter. He embraced her in a hug and left. Kagome stood there in a stupor at what just happened. Did he just hug me without having perverted intentions!? What is wrong with the world!? She thought and turned back around, pulling a dish out and started to dry it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naraku tapped a finger impatiently on the desk in front of him. He spent most of his days in his office now and his wife would bring him his meals. He looked at the door waiting for a few people who were supposed to come and talk to him today. Hojo was expected to come in and report what was going on, on the ship. He sent out a message to Renkotsu to tell him he had a mission for him and his comrades and he had a meeting with the leader of his Navy fleet. He was also expecting his wife shortly with his lunch and perhaps some intimate things. He smirked evilly as memories of last night came into his mind. His thoughts were interrupted when Hojo walked into his office.

"What have you got for me today, my sneaky friend?"

"Well it seems Kagome is avoiding Inuyasha. They also know you're after her. They're heading to the port of Sendai. Bankotsu is heading that way as well."

"Well it seems you have eyes everywhere. This could be interesting… maybe Bankotsu would like to earn some trust back…" he smirked and dismissed Hojo. Just as he left the leader of his fleet came in.

"Lord Naraku, you asked me here?"

"Yes, I need you to start ships heading towards Sendai. I had a tip off Inuyasha's ship is heading that way."

"Sir, yes sir." The navy man stood at attention, saluted, then left. Naraku sighed annoyed at how much work he had and how annoying it was to deal with people he really wanted to kill. He pinched his forefinger and thumb against the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes. He was interrupted in his meditation by the sound of his office door being kicked open and smashed against the wall. Renkotsu and Jakotsu walked into the office, Renkotsu remained standing as Jakotsu took a seat.

"Where's Ginkotsu?"

"Outside, you called us here?"

"I have received word that Bankotsu is heading towards Sendai and I have a plan that would turn him back to our side and forget all about the annoying wench. All I need you to do is convince him to do. Pester him, threaten him, do whatever it takes. I need him to get approved and join Inuyasha's crew. That way I have two insiders, and Bankotsu will have a better chance at capturing Kagome, and killing Inuyasha." Naraku informed and dismissed.

He didn't feel like having anyone else around for long and just wanted to get the day over with. He watched as Jakotsu and Renkotsu left to carry out the mission he just gave them. Once they're done with that, I can have them arrested for murder. He thought and sighed heavily once again. Now that all the meetings are done with and the plans have been set, it's a matter of time before…

As if on queue, Kikyo walked in with his lunch of grilled salmon.

"Here you are, my love. Grilled salmon, just the way you like it." She said, placing the tray down delicately and leaning over to kiss him chastely on the lips.

Naraku took control of the kiss and deepened it, having her melt in his presence. He had guided her around his desk and into his lap. She had a leg on each side of him, being pulled even closer by his hand on her lower back. He opened one eye to find Kanna closing the doors and leaving the couple to be alone with each other.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sango sat in the restaurant's booth, across from Souta in Sendai. They had gotten a tip off that Inuyasha's ship was heading this way and they wanted any chance they could get to meet up with their sister/friend. She kept her hands in her lap, but they kept fidgeting. She couldn't help but have a bad feeling and she didn't know why. Ever since she had gone to Lord Naraku's house she had an almost constant bad feeling. Though, it wasn't as bad when Souta arrived.

"Do you really think the tip off we got was true?"

"Most definitely, since we had to nearly beat it out of the man." Souta stated with a smirk.

"What do you think Naraku has planned? I heard he got an arrest warrant out on Kagome for treason."

"Indeed he does… though if she has one, then you should have one too, no offense."

"None taken, the only thing I have done is set a few pirates free now and then, and the same with Kagome. That can't seriously be thought of as treason."

"You are forgetting this is Lord Naraku, who is now your brother-in-law."

"He will never be considered as a brother to me." Sango scowled, her hands clenching into fists.

Their food was finally brought to them and Sango didn't make a move to eat it. Souta had started on his chicken and noticed Sango not eating.

"Don't worry about it, Sango. Kagome is and will be alright." He assured her.

Sango only nodded and started on her sushi.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inuyasha was still sitting in the dinning room, lost in thought. He hadn't noticed that no one was working at all and instead they were gathering instruments. He didn't snap out of his thoughts until the music started up and laughter could be heard. That's Kagome's laughter. He thought as he stood up and made his way to the deck. When he got there he was surprised by Miroku creating a beat with Myoga on a violin and Ginta and Hakkaku singing some drunken folklore. What he was mesmerized most by was the dancing form surrounded by a clapping crew. He noticed Kouga's eyes upon her and smiled as she danced to the song.

She was graceful, yet still had a childish air that made the dance even more captivating. She's beautiful… he thought before shaking the thought from his mind. She'd never want to be with someone like me. His thoughts went to a somber tone as he left the spectacle and went up to the upper level where the wheel of the ship was.

Kagome noticed this and stopped dancing as the song came to an end. She bowed and laughed at the claps and excused herself. She followed the captain up the stairs and waited before she approached. She waited for him to feel she was there before going on any further.

"What do you want? I thought you were avoiding me." He stated not turning around to look at her.

What he felt next shocked him. He didn't believe she had come up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his back.

"Inuyasha, I'm sorry." She said, though it was muffled.

He felt her give a small squeeze and she pulled away. She was about to leave before she felt her wrist being grabbed and her pulled into him. His arms wrapped around her with care, his head resting upon hers.

"You're not the one who should be apologizing. I am." He informed her.

Kagome's eyes widened at what he had just told her. She couldn't believe her ears, yet knew it was true. What the unsuspecting couple didn't know were two peering eyes coming from the lower part of the deck. Miroku and Shippou looked on the hugging couple. Miroku smirked knowingly and was about to walk away when he noticed Kouga about to go up to the stairs. He rushed over and blocked the wolf demon's path.

"Out of my way, I need to see Kagome."

"She is currently detained right now, but if you leave a message I'm sure I can get it to her in no time at all."

"Move aside, monk." Kouga snarled baring his teeth.

Miroku was about to retort when he heard a growl from behind him. He stepped out of the way, Shippou remained on his shoulder. He took a glance and saw Inuyasha with an arm around Kagome glaring down to the wolf demon.

"And what was so important that you needed to tell Kagome?"

"Uhm… well Uh… It was actually you. We have arrived in Sendai, the ship is docked and everything. I just thought Kagome would like an escort." Kouga stated.

"That's very sweet of you Kouga but I will be travelling the city alone." She said, informing both males of her plans and making her way out of Inuyasha's arm and toward her room to prepare to get off the ship. Inuyasha glared at the demon before him.

"Keep away from her, ya mangy wolf."

"What? It's not like she's yours." Kouga retorted and walked off to go prepare the ship to leave port. Inuyasha growled loudly. He saw Kagome come back from the under-deck and make her way down the ramp onto the dock they just landed on. He only scowled and made his way to his quarters.

Miroku and Shippou sighed and sweat dropped.

"So much for them getting along."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bankotsu quietly made his way through the streets of Sendai. He had just run into his former group of friends, or what was left of them. They wanted him back and he wanted to go back to them to. They told him what he must do in order to come back to them, and he regrets he ever told them he would do it.

FLASHBACK

He continued down the dirt path that had become wider as he went on. He figured he was getting closer to a city as he could hear people, and see the ocean. He stopped in his tracks as he heard a rustling from the woods beside him.

"Show yourself." He commanded and was surprised to find his old companions.

"How long have you been following me?"

"What no 'hi how are you?'"

"Not after what you did to me."

"We came to tell you we want you back." Jakotsu interrupted. Bankotsu raised an eyebrow.

"Really, now? I miss you too, Jakotsu."

"You can come back, but you have to do something for us." Renkotsu spoke this time.

"Oh yeah and what would that be?"

"To get Kagome to trust you enough to let you on their ship, then you will kill Inuyasha and capture Kagome and bring her to Naraku." He informed their former leader.

"I can't."

"Don't you want to be part of us, anymore?" Jakotsu pleaded. He had truly missed having Bankotsu around. Renkotsu was a terrible leader.

"Even Ginkotsu has missed you, right?" The feminine male said, looking up to the metallic beast known as Ginkotsu.

"Alright, alright, I'll do it."

END FLASHBACK

He continued down the street not paying any attention to where he was going and BAM! He ran straight into the person he was looking for.

Kagome…

"Bankotsu…" Kagome gasped, fear in her voice. She was about to run off before he stopped her.

"Wait! I don't want to hurt you. Naraku is after me too, now. I… I need your help."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alrighty guess there you have it! Chapter Nine is complete! I know it has taken me a while longer than most chapters but hey you still love me, right!? Haha. I even made it extra long for you!

So now that is over, you have to wait until Chapter Ten to see what happens. Hope you can wait.

Chapter Ten: Jealous Much?

Peace and Love
-Pnkrockninja