Did I mention that I love reviews
::Inu Yasha: This stupid woman still saying that she doesn't own me we know that she doesn't
:Echoe: I said that
:Inu Yasha: yeah that you love review why don't you just get on your knees and beg.
:Echoe: Glares : I'm the author :positions hands over the key board: I could make you beg
:Inu Yasha: I'll be quite ::mumbles: In your dreams
:Echoe: I heard that u.u
Echoe Shayne
Your who?
~*~*~ toll village~*~*~*
There was an intake of breath as she said the name.
"Higurashi?" The sound came from the man behind her more of a hiss then an actual word, Seeing Sango's eyes widen she pivoted on the balls of her feet to turn.
Sango's eyes widening her attention snapped away from the girl in front of her at the hissing sound coming from the man behind her. She knew what was going to happen but it was too late now. Yasha was in motion before she could even move there was a rush of air and the girl that had been standing between the two of them was no longer there.
Kagome would have screamed if she had the sense, no more like she would have screamed if she had the time. Her head hit the wall to the right of the door as she suddenly found herself pressed against the rough wood her breath left her lungs as her back hit. Yasha, or the cloaked man as she thought of him was in front of her. Struggling to draw in a breath she looked up at him. The sun was shining into the window at his back which only served the make the shadow the hood cast around his face deeper. She was at the disadvantage in every way. Finally managing to draw in a normal breath she thought about screaming but who would come to save her? Definitely not, the soldiers who had just left. Besides who knew she might even be dead before they arrived to even see what the screaming was about, that was is they even bothered to come and see what the screaming was about. His grip was firm on her shoulder but not painful. Thinking back to his up raised hand when he had silenced her a few minutes ago coupled with the strength he had displayed, She knew that if he chose he could make his grip very painful.
"Higurashi," he hissed again. Some of his senses coming back to him. He had acted out of instinct. Part of him was in denial he did not want to admit that the girl was a Higurashi. The darker part of him wished that she was so he could rip her to shreds right where she stood. 'that's not like you' She had seamed so nice, she had been willing to rush into the other room and turn herself in to save Sango. Now it appeared the only reason she had been so ready to do so was because she was one of them.
Kagome did not understand Yasha's reaction. There had to be someone kind of mistake somewhere. Even as she thought it she knew it was a vain hope just grasping at straws. Still she was taken back at the way he had said her name. Low and venomous like it hurt him to say it. "That's my name you don't have to say it like it's a bad word."
Yasha frowned as he gazed at the outline of the girls face. She was doing a good job at keeping her head tilted away from the direct light. His breath was coming in quick pants as he fought for control. He had to regain it control was important when he lost control people got hurt, mistakes could be made. He had to make sure "Captain Higurashi." He bit the name out waiting to see what her reply would be maybe he had jumped to conclusions. Her name was a bad word it was the foulest name that anyone could have.
She knew how she answered this question was important. It appeared to her though she was in a tough spot whether she lied or told the truth. Something told her if she tried to lie both the people in the room would know it immediately "He was my father."
Father. This wench was the Higurashi's daughter? Gritting his teeth together he pressed on her shoulder hearing her wince a little under the pressure. "So you are a spy you little wench. You know what we do to spies"
Kagome frowned she had never really handled pressure good her first reaction was to try and lighten the mood. 'hopefully you give them a hug and send them on their way. But since I'm not a spy we don't have to worry about what you do to spies right?' thankfully that wasn't what tumbled out of her mouth."I am not a spy and even if I was, why would I want to spy on you?" Why was he so paranoid about spies? Who was this man anyway?
"we totcher them for information then they spend the rest of their life in a little cell. Sometimes depending on how they answered that might not be very long."
"It's a good thing that I'm not a spy then because I would hate it if you had to do that to me. You had seamed like such nice people. Well up until a minute ago that is."
He could almost laugh. Key word there was almost. She was a good actress he would give her that. The false honesty in her voice angered him, still there was doubt in the back of his mind that kept his hand stayed. It was more then doubts it was all his instincts were telling him that it wasn't false honesty. Against his better judgment he believed her.
"I don't know why, but I believe you. You're completely clueless. So why did you run away? Your mommy wouldn't let you have a new pair of shoes?"
"It's none of your business why I ran away." The words rolled of her tongue before she could stop them. Cringing inwardly she waited to see how Yasha would respond.
"I'll make it my business. Now you're going to tell me or things are going to get very uncomfortable for you."
Kagome knew very well that he could. She knew that right now she was completely at his mercy. Still she didn't like the thought of being pushed around. She had spent her entire life being pushed around, told what to do. "I don't take idle threats."
"You better believe. If their coming from me. When I make threats their anything but idle. Now speak."
Taking several deep breath she fought to calm her self. If all she did was stand there and argue she didn't think Yashas patience would stretch much further.
"It doesn't matter why I left… but I can't go back there. I brought dishonor on my families name. Once people find out that I defied the rules I will be punished. You can't make me go back there.' She knew the easiest way for them to deal with her was to hand her back over to any of the guards that were combing the city for her. From there she could be punished accordingly. 'Please don't make me go back there."
'Please don't make me go back there' the words stuck with him for some reason stoking his temper. He wanted to find fault with her. He want her to lie to him, he wanted her to give him an excuse to hate. "And why not, won't you miss your dolls?" Yasha asked him impatience showing in the hottieness of his question.
From the tone of his question she knew what he was trying to do and she wasn't about to take the bait. Whatever problem he seamed to have it wasn't with her personally but rather with her father. "Why do you hate Captain Higurashi so much?"
In response his hands tightened on her shoulders again turning her face to the side she bit at her bottom lip. "You are never to mention that name in my presence again! Do you understand me?"
"Yes." The answer had came without thought as if on reflex
Sango stepped toward the two cloaked figures. Something had to be done as things could get out of hand quickly if they weren't careful. Her job for the moment was to try and calm the down. Turning her attention to Yasha she spoke "You needn't be so rude. Either way it did sound like she is in some trouble."
"Yeah and that's her problem to deal with not mine." He bit the words out but to tell the truth once had decided that he believed her he knew he was going to at least help her to get out of the city. If he didn't she was as good as caught.
So she was just going to keep hitting a dead end there turning her attention to the woman she decided to try a different approach "Who exactly is looking for you?" Sango asked knowing that she would get more of a response out of the woman if only because if she didn't answer then Yasha would prod her till she did.
"A man named Kouga." She could tell them that much without giving away her secret.
"You mean that Captain Kouga is looking for you? This just keeps getting better and better." 'Does someone up there hate me?' he thought. If one good thing came out of this he at least had something Kouga wanted and from the looks of things he wanted her bad. Too bad he had too much honor to use her to his advantage. Kouga was not someone to be trifled with, he played hard and for keeps. If the captain had a search going for this girl after one day, then Yasha had to admit that his earlier notions about her just getting a slap on the wrist and then sent home, was out the window. If he knew Kouga, and he did, he knew Kouga would do something drastic to instill obedience, girl or not. Her punishment would be severe.
Briefly he entertained the idea of turning her over to the man. He could never do that maybe if it had been someone else, anyone but Kouga. Then again if she had been anyone other than the Higurashis daughter he wouldn't have even thought of handing her back over. 'the Higurashi's daughter is not the Higurashi' if he could just keep reminding himself that then everything would be alright. Cursing under his breath, he let her go taking a step back.
"I'll help you get to the next city. You should be able to hide there. Once we're there you're no longer my problem. You got that?"
Taken back by his words Kagome tried to figure out what was up with him? He had gone from being boiling mad to willing to help her out. Had she missed something? Maybe that wasn't what he was saying at all and her brain was just filling things in because she couldn't handle the truth. "You will?"
"I said that I would. Didn't I?' once again he took in her outfit. The cloak she was wearing was made of fine wool, the black was crisp and un faded, which meant that if someone knew what they were looking for she would be easy to pick out in a crowd. "Sango see if you have anything else for her to wear. I doubt that anything that she has on is inconspicuous."
How was she not inconspicuous. He was wearing a cloak she was wearing one too although the cut of hers was slightly more polished then his. In that she realized was where she stood out. If she wanted to be inconspicuous as he had put it then she had to fit in. "What about you? What are you going to wear?"
"This." Inu Yasha said motioning to what he had on. "No matter what, I won't fit in. Besides they're not looking for a man. Pausing, he took a second to take in her cloaked figure before continuing. "Before we go, I will see your face." Being Hirugashi's daughter she must be as ugly as sin and she's afraid to show her face, he thought waiting to see what she would do.
That was fair enough. She could do that biting her lip she reached up her fingers closing round the material.
He didn't know what he had expected, but he definitely hadn't expected this. Her small hand pulled back the hood and sent waves of raven hair cascading down around her face. Her skin was pale and creamy looking. Taking in her features individually there was nothing spectacular about them but together she was something that he could only describe as angelic. 'the word really isn't fair' Right then he was thankful that he had worked so long to keep his emotions under control or he might have blurted out something dumb. Like maybe tell her that she was beautiful. Her looks put him guard, he knew woman like her. Woman who used their beauty as a weapon to get an advantage. He for one was not about to fall so easily.
Waiting to see what she would do she did nothing but stand there her head still bowed slightly biting her bottom lip. She looked uncertain and unconfident with her self which didn't fully fit her image, though it didn't ring false to him. Her soulful chestnut colored eyes were looking at them, asking no, not asking more like pleading for acceptance.
_________-
A little weary of her soon to be traveling partner and very confused, Kagome followed Sango into the back room. Sitting on the bed she watched as Sango pulled clothes out of the small closet . Kagome had always been a curious little girl. She always wanted to know what was going on, but growing up in her home the information that had reached her had been limited and calculated. She had been encouraged to think a certain way to act a certain way.
At the moment which most interested her was Yasha's reaction to her fathers name. "Why does Yasha hate my father so much?" Her eyes trained on the girl across the room. She watched her stop moving and stare at the dress that she had in her hands.
Sango froze. "He has his reasons. It's not my place to tell you."
"I don't see why you."
It was then that a curious thought struck her. Before she could quench the words they had tumbled out of her mouth.
"Kagome what do you really know about your father?"
"Not much I'm afraid he died when I was still young, and what I hear about him is limited to that of those that hold him in high opinion." That was partly why she wanted to know more about Yasha's reaction. People always tried to keep her in the dark. People always tried to fill her with stories about how her father had been a great man, but that didn't quite fit the image that she had of him from her childhood.
Sango turned toward the girl. She was no longer looking in her direction but rather at her hands that were folded in her lap. In that moment she saw something. Kagome had lived her life like a bird in a cage. "If Yasha ever wants you to know then he will tell you himself… But then again he might not either way." she paused what could she tell her.
Seeing the woman's discomfort she quickly spoke. "That's alright I understand that you can't tell me."
Sango smiled at the girls willingness to drop the subject. No doubt it had been because she had sensed her own uncomfortableness about the subject. The idea warmed her heart and she suddenly wished she could spend more time with this young lady. If only to see who she would become now that she was free of her cage "Maybe next time I see you."
Kagomes heart beat sped up at the comment 'next time' "How do you know you'll see me again?"
"I don't. It's just a feeling that I have."
________-
When the two girls stepped back into the room, Yasha eyes saw that Kagome was now wearing a plain dark blue dress. Her fine cloak had been replaced by an older, faded black one so it wouldn't stand out. Her hair had been pulled back into a thick braid. Turning his attention back to Sango he nodded.
"Good job. It will do."
"When do we leave?" Kagome asked looking at a still cloaked figure in front of her. She had showed him what she looked like, but it was obvious that he was not about to do her the same favor.
"Now."
"Now?" She looked out the window seeing the sun streaming in.
Following her gaze Yasha explained himself to her quickly. There wasn't time to stand here and argue "They will think that you'll wait for the cover of dark to try and leave the city. So at night the potroal around the city will be more heavy. Right now their focus is probably on the city itself so we must be leaving."
"Yes only a fool would try to sneak around in the daylight."
"You're right. We're not going to be sneaking, were going to just walk right out."
"You're crazy." She was going to trust her life to a mad man.
"I may be, but I'm still alive. Last night you proved to me that you can't take care of yourself. So you're going to do what I say."
She hated to admit it but he was right. If he hadn't been there, what would have happened? They hadn't known who she was then. She had just been a person that had been breaking curfew. She dared not think what could have happened to her.
"You're right. I will do as you say. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."
"You'd be dead or." he paused looking at her, "much worse."
Sensing that the tension was about to raise again Sango jumped in. "Take care of yourself." It was a natural interruption as it was something she had said to Yasha countless times. Pausing, she looked over to the girl. She was uncomfortable her eyes kept darting back and forth between the two of them. This wasn't a bad person she could tell. Either that or her perception had been knocked way out of whack. She could feel her warm hands that had grabbed hers less then an hour ago. . "I truly am sorry that I put you in danger Sango san." The words rang in her ears. No, she had been right. This was not a bad person. "Kagome, take care of yourself," Sango said as she walked up taking the girls hands just as Kagome had done.
Acceptance. Looking up, Kagome smiled at the other girl
"Thank you Sango san."
Yasha watched curiously at the exchange between the two girls. It appeared to him that Sango had already accepted her as there had been something different in the way she had been treating her since they had walked out of the back room. "Hurry, we haven't got all day." Yasha said as he turned to the door.
___________-
The streets were crowed with people. Struggling to keep up with Yasha she bumped into yet another person. Mumbling and apology she tried to avoid the people that were weaving about her on all sides. In frustration she noticed her partner had no problem navigating his way through the crush of people
"she can't even walk through a crowd' in his peripheral vision he could see her bump into yet another person. If she kept this up she was going to draw more attention to them then he wanted. "Can't you even keep up?"
Nodding Kagome bit her bottom lip stealing her resolve to do a better job at keeping up. If there hadn't been so many people she would have had and easier time but as it is the crowd moved about her threatening to carry her away much like a strong current in a river. Focusing on Yasha's back she stumbled as two little kids ran past her chasing each other in the moment. Her eyes following them for the briefest moment she reached up pulling her hood back into place as it had slipped back a little when she had stumbled before turning back to her situation at hand.
Yasha had dodged the kids that were running recklessly through the crowd though pausing he saw Kagome had no such luck as one of them practically ran into her, as she stumbled to move out of there way her hood had slip back. He watched her eyes follow them. He had expected her to be frustrated or maybe even angry, she had almost been knocked over by the careless children but when she turned she had the slightest smile on her face her eyes briefly following the children till they disappeared back into the mass of people. Knowing she was soon turn her attention back to following him he continued on his way trying to figure out why she had reacted that way.
Kagome panicked a little as she looked up and Yasha was not immediately visible quickening her pace she saw him ahead of her as two people parted going in opposite directions. Her attention focused strait ahead she didn't notice someone to her right and bumped into them.
"I guess you can't," he said as he paused to wait for her as her voice reached his ears with another mumbled apology. This action surprised him. Every now and them he would hear her muttering a sorry and glance back to see her head inclined to someone. Most people in this kind of crowed didn't care if you bumped into them. Unless it was a pretty bad knock it was assumed that you just went about your way. Not her she was full of sorrys and excuse me's. It wasn't what he expected he had thought she could be cross and irritated with the people, but it appeared the only thing she was irritated with was herself as she struggled to keep up.
" what am I a baby sitter?" he muttered while waiting for the fifth time for her catch up with him again, though even to himself he had to admit he had just said it to break away from his own thoughts. She appeared to be having trouble bumping into another person. Reaching out, he took her hand in his pulling her along behind him. She was going to learn to keep up.
Kagome was startled as Yasha's warm hand closed around hers. He pulled her forward till she was no more then a pace behind him. His hand was callused and rough against hers. But he did not show his impatience by force as his grip was firm but not painful. Yasha moved through the crowd with grace and speed and to her surprise so did she. 'why hadn't he just done this earlier?' if he had then they would have been able to save some time. 'because you're a Higurashi' The sound of a mans voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Hey you stop right there."
She didn't think that they were talking to her yet the phrase was enough to make her blood run cold. Her hand pulling at Yasha's she fought the urge to look back.
Yasha slowed waiting for the girl that was just behind him to catch up. When she did he spoke in a low voice "Don't look back. You never look back,"
Nodding she turned slightly to look up at the man who was walking beside her. His words had done the trick in quenching her desire to turn and look for the origin of the voice.
Yasha had already taken in the fact that there were several groups of soldiers patrolling the square stopping people. Not wanting Kagome "If they're not talking to you then it's none of your business. We only stop if they address us directly"
As if on que they heard and other man demanding to know a girls name "Hey you there girl what's your name."
With out even thinking about it Kagome moved closer to Yasha.
"Damn," Yasha said picking up the pace a little. What the hell had the girl done any way? Whatever she had done sure had Kouga in an uproar. People weren't just out casually looking for her. They were combing the entire city for her.
It was alright. They were in a crowd. She felt a little safer here than she would have if they were out in the open. That was why panic started to set in as the crowd thinned and they headed away from the busy streets.
"Where are we going? Why aren't we back there?"
"We want to leave town as soon as possible not linger here in the square where they're going to be looking at every girl that they see."
It made sense when she thought about it. The soldiers had been back there. What about here? If someone stopped them here, then they would be dead.
Yasha could feel the girls unease. "You can trust me. I will get you there safe. You have my word," Yasha said, his voice picking up a reassuring tone.
The tone of his voice served to sooth her nerves if only a little. It reminded her of the night before when he had been carrying her though the city. His voice was calm and sure, strong. Still doubt clung to her like a wet blanket. It was her doubt that escaped her lips if only in hopes, Yasha would quell them with more reassuring words."That really makes me feel safe."
"It should. It's not something to be taken lightly. If you knew me then you would know that."
'but I don't know you' her mind screamed. You did save me, then again, you pinned me against a wall this morning hissing my name at me and telling me never to use it again in your presence. Did a person really run so hot and cold? Yet she had to trust him. There was no other choice. If he wanted to hand her over then he could have done it. All he would have had to do was to yell over to one of the soldiers that had been in the street. Yes, she could trust him. If only to get her to the next city, she could trust him.
They were almost out of the city. She had never been outside this city. The truth was she had never been in it that much either. Usually she saw things from behind the window pane.
Someone was following them. Looking down at the girl next to him he knew she had no clue. Cursing his bad luck he waited for the man following them to him to make his move. If it had just been a few more minutes they could have made it to the main road.
"Hey, you. Stop there," a loud voice yelled from behind them.
Yasha frowned. There was only one, that much he knew. If he had to, he could take him out. If it came to that then he would. Kagome's hand was trembling in his. She better not do something stupid. I have half the mind to just hand her over. He didn't have time to be frustrated. Right now there were more important things to worry about.
Why was he stopping? They should be running. Maybe she had been wrong. Maybe he had changed his mind. There was pressure on her hand as he squeezed it tighter for a brief second. Looking up at him she could see that his attention was focused on the soldier who had come up behind them. Panic had frozen her in place, his hand squeezed hers again briefly. This time she returned the gesture her hand wrapped around his like it was the only thing keeping her sane.
"Turn around and remove your hood. Don't make me ask twice."
Not that he had any intention to he would play his hand and see where it got him. Turning Yasha pulled Kagome closer to him. Her brain had obviously checked out for the moment.
"Remove your hood." That got though he haze of thoughts quickly removing her own hood she turned her attention to Yasha. He was going to take off his hood she had been dying to see who that rich voice belonged to. What would her savior and tormentor look like? His hand reached up pulling the heavy material back. Long hair, white hair fell down his back. His hair caught the light gleaming silver in places. His eyes flashed toward her for a second before returning back to the ground. Gold, honeyed and warm, dangerous they were all those things at once. His jaw line was firm and stubborn his mouth set in a strait line conveying no emotion.
She was staring at him he could practically feel her eyes roving over his face. Well take it in wench stare at the monster why don't you. She had grown up under the Youkai rule and people had worse appearances than him. Still he moved his ears waiting to see if she would say anything. The last thing he needed right now was for her to say something stupid in front of this man. She better have some sense.
A slight movement captured her attention 'ears he has ears' her eyes taking in the furry little triangles that sat nestled in his hair. She wondered briefly what they would feel like to touch as her palms suddenly itched with anticipation.
"Who is this girl? Why is she with you? What's her name?" the man yelled staring at the two people before him.
'Name of… Kagome. Kagome, what the hell. It's a song for crying out loud. He had heard it a few times when he had been younger how exactly did it go? Quickly her ran through the lyrics trying to find a name. Birds? No, not birds. Cage? No. When does the bird come out? In the morning at dawn. That was it.
"Kongyou," he said turning to look at Kagome for a second.
"Kongyou," the man said to himself as if not believing him." Well what is she doing with you?"
"I'm taking her to Ember for my friend."
"Why couldn't your friend accompany her himself?"
There it was the guard had given him and opening by assuming that his friend was a man "SHE wanted a man to take her so she would be sure that she got there safe." He said putting extra emphasis on the word she.
"Oh... What's her name?"
"Sango."
The soldier looked at the two for a few more seconds. It sounded like he was telling the truth. Turning his attention to the girl he focused on her face. She had black hair and brown eyes that fit the description of the girl that their Captain was looking for but then again almost every other girl in the city fit that description. He had said that she was beautiful and the girl standing here certainly was that. But Kouga had said that most likely she would he traveling alone. His eyes traveling down to the girls body he was disappointed as her cloak served to shield her body from his view. She was also holding onto the mans hand. This girl wasn't alone she ran with mutts.
Yasha didn't like the way the soldier was eyeing Kagome. His eyes roved her body in a greedy way. Pulling her a little closer to him he wanted there to be no doubt in the soldiers mind that if her tried something with her it would come to blows.
The action didn't go un noticed by the guard. Scoffing in disgust he met eyes with the man. "Get the hell out of my sight. If I had the time I would beat you for wasting it."
Yasha looked down again smiling slightly when he saw Kagome do the same thing, as they turned to go about their way.
"Kongyou what was that all about?" Kagome asked her eyes going once more to the man next to her. He hadn't pulled up his hood and she took in his profile including the ears at the top of his head that moved about like her was listening everything around him the thought made her smile.
She was looking at him again. He didn't like it didn't she know that he was not an object to be stared at? "You really are stupid, aren't you? Do you want me to give them your real name."
He was mad about something she could tell from the tone of voice and the way that he had bit out the question. Running over everything she had done in the last few minutes she could think of nothing she had done to offend him. So she carried on ignoring his irritation "Well no, that's not what I meant. What I meant is where did you get the name?"
"From that stupid song, the Kagome song. You're lucky you didn't end up being called bird or cage. Both of them went through my head."
"In the morning?" she asked puzzled wondering how he had managed to get that name out of the song.
"At dawn. You know when does the bird gets let out? Never mind. I'm through trying to explain things to you."
They had not managed to avoid the soldiers but they were still ok. Yasha had kept his promise. He had kept her safe. "We could have both been caught you know?"
It was true they could have both been caught. "Yes that's always a possibility. If we had ran then they would have known who you where and we'd still be running."
"I guess that's true I'm glade it didn't come to that. Are we really going to Ember?"
"Yeah."
"How long will it take to get there?"
"It would have taken me five days, but with you slowing me down, I'm guessing eight maybe more."
"Well I'm sorry that I'm slowing you down," she said her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You should be," Yasha said while still staring straight ahead. It was going to be a long trip.
Please Review
The name Kongyou is kind of explained in the story it's from the Kagome song. Or at least the version of it that Inu Yasha knows. It means in the morning (at dawn). That's it for now.