Disclaimer Part I: The characters of Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me. Aster and Dayandhi also belong to me. As unlikely as it would seem at first glance, this is a continuation story, not AU.
Inuyasha: A Fugitive Fairytale
Chapter Four
X Marks the Spot
"Oro?"
Kagome's head hit the ground with a thump as her hanyou pillow disappeared. It was perfectly innocent. The ground was cold and hard, and they had no shelter, so they slept under a tree. Inuyasha had allowed her to use his arm as a pillow. Perfectly innocent. Honest. Dreams had while sleeping didn't count. The sound of a sword being drawn made her forget all about her bumpy wake up call.
"What?"
She would have liked to have said that she jumped to her feet and quickly took her place to defend Inuyasha's back. However, the ground ha been very hard and every bone and muscle in her body screamed in protest as she slowly pulled herself to a sitting position. She peered around Inuyasha's red clad leg and saw… a girl samurai? Wait, no, he was a male, a pretty one. Kurama?
Were they back in the Feudal age?
"What do you want?" demanded the hanyou.
"This one is coming back from the market and merely wishes to inquire on the young lady's health." Nope, not Kurama. Though this guy had the same… delicate look to him. Even his choice of clothing was pink and white. With wide eyes of amethyst, he looked kind and gentle, even carrying that deadly looking sword. The only thing that brought even the slightest doubt to his aura of innocence and peace was that an X on his cheek. A cross shaped scar, maybe.
Kagome, realizing she was the young lady in question, managed to defy gravity and force her body into an upright position. She really wanted a nice comfy mattress. Maybe a nice long soak in a hot spring. Or hot tub. A masseuse would be nice too.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Yeah, she's fine. Get out of here."
"Inuyasha!"
"What? I don't trust him."
Inuyasha did not lower his sword. Though the red haired man had his own sword at his side, he did not draw it. Kagome had a feeling that the trust issue went both ways. The samurai may be smiling gently, but she could tell that his eyes were calculating something. Then she realized that Inuyasha's ears were no longer covered.
Oops.
Before she could make up an excuse for the ears, she saw the fuzzy things twitch at the very same time the odd lavender eyes of the samurai flicked to the left. Kagome watched as the small, delicate looking man suddenly seemed a lot bigger now that he went into protective mode. Looking past him she saw a beautiful young woman, probably only a year or two older than herself, trotting towards them.
"Kenshin!"
"Stay back, Kaoru-dono!"
The woman froze in place. Kagome smiled at her and gave a small wave. The woman waved back. Then she glared at the samurai.
"Kenshin, you baka!" The woman clobbered him over the head with a wooden stick, a bokken if Kagome recalled correctly, then came forward and gave a bow. "I am so sorry for Kenshin's lack of hospitality. You must be travelers."
"Yes," Kagome said, trying not to laugh at the understatement, "We are." Boy were they.
"Would you like to come inside and rest for a bit? My home is just around the bend. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Kagome hesitated. She wasn't sure how she felt about a bokken carrying woman in a kimono who could knock out a samurai with one whack.
"Perhaps a warm bath?"
"YES! Thanks!"
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Kenshin did not trust the demon. Not around his home. And most especially not around Kaoru. He was dangerous! But Kaoru, sweet, trusting Kaoru… she invited the creature into her home. He would not go against her wishes, but he would not let this Inuyasha creature harm a hair on her head! Not one hair!
And the girl.
Oh, the poor girl.
Was she in trouble? Possessed? A victim of mind control? Was she being threatened or blackmailed? Why else would such an innocent be traveling with a monster? And what happened to her kimono? Were they attacked and her clothes were stolen? Perhaps she could borrow something from Kaoru to cover up properly.
Or… or was the demon keeping her in such revealing clothing for some nefarious purpose?
"Who is the girl to you?"
The demon narrowed his eyes at him. Kenshin could feel the waves of hostility. It took all of his self control to keep from drawing his sword. Kaoru was his first priority, but if this poor girl needed protection, he would offer it.
"What's it to you?" came the rude reply. Fangs! The creature has fangs!
"This one was merely curious." He would have to be careful. He did not wish to fight unless it was a last resort.
"Be curious about something else."
"This one wonders how long you have traveled with the girl."
The creature actually snarled! Then he banged on the door of the bathhouse and yelled at the poor girl to hurry, cursing most foul. Kenshin was about to remind the demon that his language around a lady was intolerable. He was not above teaching him manners. Painfully if need be. Certainly he would not be using that sort of language while in Kaoru's home, that he would not.
"InuYASHA!" Kenshin froze at the girl's threatening tone. "If you don't give me ten more minutes of peace, I WILL make you regret it."
The creature's ears flattened back and he dropped down into a crouch. Sulking?
"Feh."
Kenshin smiled warmly and relaxed. It looked as if the girl did not need his protection after all.
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"I never thought I'd live the day to see Inuyasha doing laundry."
Kaoru smiled at the girl over her tea. Kagome was an interesting girl. She seemed more at ease and comfortable in her odd looking shirt and the impossibly short skirt than she was in a kimono. She seemed to be constantly adjusting her seat, trying to become more comfortable. But, Kaoru noticed with pride, she seemed to be fascinated with the patterns in the silk.
"It does not seem as if he ever used a wash tub before," she commented to her new friend as they watched the men from the porch. "Though it looked as if he were going to pounce on Kenshin when he offered to wash your clothes while he washed mine."
Kagome shook her head and mumbled something about jealousy over the weirdest things. Then she turned and smiled.
"So, Kenshin lives here, too?"
Blushing, Kaoru waved her hands, as if waving away accusations. "Yes, but it's not how you think!" All too often she heard the whispers of what people thought of the samurai who lived in her dojo with her. Of course she ignored them as best she could. "Kenshin and Yahiko both live here. Kenshin was a wandering swordsman and Yahiko lost his family. Together we're a family of sorts. But there is nothing improper between me and Kenshin!" Dang it.
Kagome sighed. "Nothing improper with me and Inuyasha either."
Kaoru laughed at her tone. The girl sounded just as disappointed as she felt. She decided that she had found a friend. And friends were something that Kaoru had so very few of. Megumi, the doctor, didn't count. She was more of a rival for Kenshin's affections. Yahiko was more of a brother than a friend. And Sanosuke, the fighter for hire, was more of a moocher than anything else. The closest she had to a friend was a ninja girl named Misao. But she lived so far away…
"Are you a ninja?"
Kagome looked surprised at the question. "Me? A ninja? No." She laughed merrily before asking, "Why?"
"A friend of mine is a ninja, and she is the only one I have seen who wears clothes… of a similar length as you. I thought perhaps you might be a ninja as well."
"Not a ninja, but I do fight. Sort of. I use a bow and arrow!" She looked across at the half demon who was cursing at the soap bubbles popping in his eyes. Kaoru pretended not to hear. "Inuyasha is the fighter. He and my other friends do most of the fighting. But I do my part in battle, too."
"You wish you could do more."
It wasn't a question. Kaoru could see that the girl wished she could do more. Hmmm… Maybe…
"I teach the Kamiya Kasshin-Ryū fighting style. My father was the one who developed it. After his death, I began teaching in his place. It is a style meant to protect. Would you like to learn?"
"You'd teach me to fight?"
Kaoru nodded. "Yes."
"With a sword?"
"With a bokken," she corrected the surprised girl.
"A wooden sword?"
"Yes. Don't worry," Kaoru grinned at her doubtful tone, "It is more dangerous than it looks. Yahiko is in the dojo practicing right now, but he will be leaving for town in a few minutes. I will show you a few defensive moves." She smiled as she stood up. "Of course, if you really want to become a student, it will require a lot of hard work."
As Kagome stood to join her, Kaoru noticed that her companion's attention was fully on them both, then just as quickly he was back to swearing at the laundry. A part of her wished there had been a bigger reaction from the silver haired man when Kagome came out wearing the finest kimono and obi that Kaoru owned. She had even put the girl's hair up with one of her mother's combs. No reaction! Nothing! Even Kenshin had more of a reaction that their unusual guest! And his was a simple, kind smile.
Perhaps they were truly just companions.
Friends.
How very sad. It was obvious that the poor girl was in love with him, but he takes so little notice of her. If only… if only she knew more about what it took to win a man's heart then she could help her friend. More? How about ANYTHING at all? She was still trying to figure out how to make Kenshin look at her as a woman, instead of a friend. A companion.
Poor Kagome.
Heck. Poor Kaoru.
If only she knew what to do.
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"Are you sure that we're alone?"
Dayan's eyebrows rose dramatically. Surely she wasn't asking what he thought she was asking. Was she? He cleared his throat and sat straighter in his chair. Then slumped down a bit so he wouldn't look like he was overly interested. Then sat back up so he didn't look like a slob.
"Um… alone?"
"That Kurama guy. I didn't see him leave with the perpetrators, but I didn't see him come back on board. And the sensors aren't picking anything up either."
Aster rechecked the sensors and Dayan slumped back in his seat.
"Maybe he decided to stay in Dynamo," he suggested
"Domino."
"Mm."
"Where is he? We can't just go taking people from one world and dropping them in another! Imagine the damage! Imagine all the work erasing all those memories! This is a disaster! We HAVE to find him! They are going to FIRE us Dayan! FIRE! I've never been fired from anything in my life! We need to get Kagome, then drop the stowaway back where he belongs and erase his memory." She slammed her fist into the wall. "We have to fix this!"
Dayan nodded. She did, after all, have a point. "Ok, Az. I'll look for Kurama, and you concentrate on tracking down Kagome."
"So, you are hunting Kagome."
Aster and Dayan looked up into the doorway to see a figure standing in the shadows.
"Kurama?"
The man stepped forward.
"Guess again."
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"KAGOME!"
Kagome looked up to find Inuyasha bursting through the dojo doors. Hot on his heels was the red haired samurai. Kenshin flew in front of Kaoru as Inuyasha inserted himself between the two women.
"This one requests that you lower your weapon," suggested Kenshin in a tone that was deceptively soft. Was that a flash of gold in his eyes? Wait… his eyes… they were so different from earlier. Sharp and angular. Deadly. In fact, his whole demeanor went from soft to sharp.
"She was attacking Kagome!"
"Lower your weapon."
"Inuyasha," Kagome put her hand on his sleeve, "its okay. Kaoru was just going to show me some moves. She wasn't going to hurt me." The sword didn't waver. "Inuyasha… please."
"What kind of moves?"
Kaoru shoved Kenshin irritably as she came from behind him. "Kenshin! Baka! Be nice to our guests!"
"He raised his sword against you, Kaoru-dono. This one will not allow…"
"Kenshin…" Kagome recognized that tone. It was the same way she said Inuyasha's name right before she sat him.
"Really, everything is fine. No harm no foul!" Kagome didn't want Kenshin in trouble. It was actually very sweet that he would go up against someone as obviously powerful as Inuyasha. The red head may be a samurai, but he sure was a dainty looking one.
"Feh." Inuyasha slid his sword back into his scabbard. "Why would you want to learn to sword fight anyhow? You already have a weapon."
Kagome looked down at her hand, the one not holding the bokken. She missed having her bow. With all the strange places they have gone to, and who knows where they might end up next, she felt defenseless. She closed her fist and concentrated sending her magic into her palm. So far she had only been able to create a slight image of an arrowhead, though that may have been her imagination.
"My weapon is back home. I need something to fight with." She opened her fist and the arrowhead disintegrated into pink sparkles.
"Fight?" Kenshin and Kaoru said at the same time.
"Um… yeah." She turned to Inuyasha, who seemed bored with the whole conversation. In fact, he was more interesting in checking out the wooden sword she was holding. She handed it to him and warned him to be careful. She didn't want any of Kaoru's possessions broken.
"You allow Kagome-dono to fight?"
Allow?
ALLOW?
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Well, at least Kagome got to meet Megumi when the doctor came over to patch up her poor Kenshin.
She should be angrier with the girl for blasting Kenshin through the door of her dojo. But the girl had been so contrite over the damage she did that it was too difficult to stay angry at her. Besides… it was an amazing thing to see. It was like magic! And magic was something she hadn't believed in since she was a young child.
Kaoru continued looking through the trunk in hopes that Misao left one of her outfits here. Kagome refused to wear the training gi and hamaka that she had offered her. The girl had murmured something about a person named Kikyo and eyed the clothes with a lowered head. The sadness in her eyes as she looked over at her dog eared companion had Kaoru scrambling to find something else to wear. The kimono she was currently wearing was a little dirty and a bit torn after… well… after she demonstrated just why she was 'allowed' to fight.
The girl had strength. With a little training and discipline, she might be a force to reckon with. Even for the man-slayer, the Battousai. Poor Kenshin.
Kaoru smiled as her fingers touched slightly rough blue fabric. She found an outfit of Misao's after all. The short leggings would be perfect for Kagome, since it was about the same length as the skirt she arrived in. It allowed for greater maneuverability, she supposed. Kaoru shook out the clothes to help get rid of any wrinkles.
Misao was a fighter.
Kagome was a fighter.
SHE taught swordsmanship. She was strong. She was skilled. Yes, she was more concerned about defense… but surely she should be able to fight as well. Why not?
And was it really easier to fight in clothes that revealed so much leg?
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"This is an official star cruiser," Aster snarled, "NOT an intergalactic taxi service."
Kurama smiled pleasantly from his seat at the war room table and Bakura smirked. Oh how she'd love to blast them both out into space. The trouble they were causing her! Ahhh! It made her crazy! They really were making her job more difficult than it had to be. Too bad there were laws against what she'd really like to do to them.
"Once we apprehend the fugitive, the two of you will be returned to your homes and your memories erased. If you attempt to escape or interfere, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Kurama leaned forward and smiled at her with that irritating calmness. He smelled like roses. "Then would it not be easier to simply erase Kagome's memories instead of imprison or prosecute her?"
"Er…" She looked at Dayandhi, but he just shrugged at her. "Look, our orders are to bring her in. So we're bringing her in."
"Is that so?" asked Bakura.
He was a suspicious character. Aster was certain that he should be locked up, but there were no warrants out for him. And she looked. It sure would be nice to find a way to wipe that smug smile from his face though.
She snarled at them one more time before stomping out of the room.
Why didn't they order her to simply erase the girl's memories?
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Her laugh had always been something special. He loved it. It filled his heart with warmth and joy. And as if by magic, it was a light that would chase away all the dark shadows from his life.
That moment, he growled, he would gladly throttle his miko just to shut her up.
Oh okay, he wouldn't really. He'd really like to throw insults at her. Usually she'd get mad and hop down the well until she's cooled off. It gave him time away from the havoc she created in his body. His heart would get all fluttery, his stomach sick, his skin feverish, not to mention other parts that reacted. If he didn't know better, he'd think he was allergic to Kagome!
But there was no well for her to jump down to take her safely back to her mother's home. And there was no way he was letting her out of his sight (bathhouse not included, but he guarded that door like a snarling demon) while they were in a strange country. Or time. Or was it world? Grrrrr! So confusing!
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," she said as she wiped tears from her eyes, "But I…" She burst out laughing again.
The dog demon was torn between wanting to see just what that punk Sano did to his hair to hide his ears. There was a good reason his friend's called him Chicken Head. He reached up and touched the spiky hair.
"It looks fine," Kagome tried to assure him with a grin. "And it really…" snort "… hides your ears well."
He sighed. She was getting way too much amusement out of this. Then again, it was nice to hear her laugh.
"Let's just get going."
Almost bouncing in merriment, Kagome fell into step beside him as they followed Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano, and the little brat Yahiko back from town. Bet he thinks twice before insulting Kagome again, smirked Inuyasha. Luckily it hadn't taken Kagome long to forgive him for taking a couple swipes at the kid.
"This is kinda fun," she admitted as they walked. "Though I feel a little guilty saying that. I mean, the others must be worried sick!"
"Keh. If they even remember us."
He was sorry he said it as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Kagome's smile faded and the laughter died. He wracked his brain trying to think of something to say to bring the smile back.
"Though they wouldn't recognize you in that get up anyhow."
Breathing a sigh of relief at her smile, Inuyasha adjusted his hold on the pack he was carrying. It wasn't as convenient as Kagome's old yellow backpack, but at least it was something to carry their stuff in. He was a little tired of keeping everything tucked into his own clothing. Part of him was glad of the fact that Kagome's regular clothes, that he had kept tucked into his haori, now carried his scent. Even if they were now tucked away in their new pack.
Kagome looked down at the ninja outfit that she had borrowed from Kaoru, though Inuyasha had never seen a ninja wear that short or with that color of blue, not to mention the pink obi with the very girly looking bow tied at the back. Oh well, it made her happy. The other purchase hung at her waist. Kunai, sharp iron blades, were purchased to lend authenticity to her outfit. Kenshin had been against letting Kagome carry the weapons since she was not trained, but Inuyasha felt it would be smart to give her a weapon to defend herself. The kunai could be used for throwing or stabbing or even digging or climbing! Plus they were easily concealed and easy to carry. Maybe if there was time, this Misao person could be found to give Kagome some training.
Of course, he had no intention of ever letting anyone even remotely dangerous anywhere close enough to Kagome for her to use her new weapon, but it would make HER feel better to have it. So it was worth it.
"It's comfortable though," she told him before spinning on the ball of her foot in a dancer's move. "It's very easy to move in."
Plus it wasn't a skirt and he wouldn't have to be on guard to conk out ever letch who looks in her direction every time the wind blows.
"Kagome Higurashi!"
Inuyasha cursed. Then he drew his sword and spun around.
His hands were held out in front of him. This time he didn't have a gun pointed at her. Instead, he had them held up in the universal sign for surrender. "Okay, just wait. Don't run. Trust me, things will only get worse if you run. Kagome Higurashi." He cleared his throat and continued. "You are under arrest for crimes against the universal Law of Time. You have the right to remain silent, but failing to mention any facts in your defense may be treated as evidence against you in the Court. If you wish to speak, anything you say may be given as evidence in the Court. A representative will be assigned to you once you have been processed." In a more friendly voice he added, "If you come along quietly, I think we can get those charges of assault on an officer and theft dropped."
"Kagome?"
Inuyasha looked back and noticed that Kaoru came back for them. Not far behind were Kenshin and the rest of their group. Six against one? Normally, he never liked ganging up on someone, but he'd make the exception for this guy. Maybe they could beat out of him instructions on how to use the Tripper.
"What do you want with Kagome-dono?" demanded the samurai.
"Are you trying to arrest KAGOME?" asked an astounded Kaoru.
"Ma'am, please let me do my job."
Kaoru gasped in horror. "Did you just call me a madam?"
Kenshin's eyes narrowed in fury. Inuyasha was tempted to let the little guy take first blood, but it was his fight. His and Kagome's. He motioned for Kenshin to stand down.
Just as Inuyasha was about to leap in for his first attack, the curly haired partner popped into view. The bright orange of her hair nearly blinded him. Six against two, odds were still in their favor. No, wait… four?
He cursed colorfully and loudly. It was that fox demon and that miko stealing kid. Which to kill first? Hmmm… it was a difficult decision.
"Inuyasha…"
He turned at Kagome's soft voice. She was holding the Tripper, and once more it was starting to blink wildly.
Ignoring the others, Inuyasha leapt towards Kagome as she started to fade.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Excruciating pain shot through his spine as he fell to the ground, missing Kagome as she blinked out of existence.
"KAAAGOOOMEEEEEEE!!!"
He tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond. His entire body hurt, it felt like every nerve ending was on fire. Looking up he saw a very angry looking woman holding a weapon.
"You ruined my shot!" she accused him.
That shot was meant for Kagome?
That excruciatingly painful shot was meant for Kagome?
HIS KAGOME?
"I was this close to finally captur…OOF!"
The woman was knocked to the ground by a very angry Kaoru. It was an impressive move considering she was wearing such a restrictive kimono.
"You KILLED Kagome! You killed my FRIEND!"
Kaoru was a skilled swordsmanship instructor, but she was not trained in hand to hand combat like Aster. The officer landed a blow that had Kaoru staggering. But it didn't knock her out of the fight, it only made her angrier.
It surprised him that Kenshin let the girl hit his woman. Inuyasha looked around for the red headed samurai, and was shocked to see him tied to a tree with vines, as well as Sano, Yahiko, and even the other officer. Just as Aster was about to land another blow, another vine shot out and dragged her to the ground, wrapping around her wrists and ankles like ropes. Kaoru stopped fighting. They all looked to the other red head. The one without the sword.
Kurama smiled at them all gently.
"Violence is not necessary," he admonished kindly. "Let us be on our way to locate Miss Kagome."
Kagome….
She was alone.
Unprotected.
She was… gone.
His soul cried out in anguish.
"We'll find her," Aster assured him as she began cutting at the vines with a small knife she must have had hidden on her. "We'll find her."
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Yahiko. No changes in his present or future brought about directly by contact with Kagome.
Sanosuke. No changes in his present or future brought about directly by contact with Kagome.
Kaoru. Though she remembers the girl fondly, no changes in her present or future brought about directly by contact with Kagome that would require erasing. She becomes a stronger fighter and participates in some battles alongside Kenshin.
Kenshin. No changes in his present or future brought about directly by contact with Kagome that would require erasing. Kaoru becomes more involved in fighting. Enemies see her as less of an easy target and there are fewer kidnappings.
Aster let herself smile. Their children would be stronger fighters and stronger believers in keeping peace. Seeing that both parents are powerful, yet dedicated to peace and protecting the weak, instills those same values in their children. Surely there was no reason to have to erase this future from happening. The changes weren't significant.
"Let's go before the hanyou regains control of his body," Dayan said.
Aster nodded. "Kurama, let them go. Let's get out of here." She really did feel bad for the miserable looking dog demon. She had never witnessed such sorrow before, and it hurt. Turning away from his pain she punched in coordinates to the ship to bring them back. All five of them.
Five…
Then why was she only counting four?
"Hey! Where's Bakura?"
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Disclaimer Part II: The characters of Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, not me. I do, however, own the DVDs and manga.
Author's Notes: Thanks for everyone's reviews. I know that I can't make everyone happy, but I'm trying.