Chapter 35
Truth was, the closer they neared a human settlement the more uneasy he became. Up till now their trip had been… enjoyable. He didn't realize how much being around humans took out of him. Reigning in his differences and being hyper aware of his actions and words all the time was tiring.
Traveling with Kagome was simply just being with Kagome.
As the roads got busier, he decided to stick to the edges where the shadows could help him blend into the periphery more. Inuyasha knew this village was bigger than the one they left, a hub for commerce. From experience, this could mean the people were more used to foreigners, people who are other, but it could easily swing the other way.
If Kagome had a hard time with how the villagers back on treated him on several occasions, he'd really hate for her to witness firsthand just how harsh complete strangers can be to people like him.
He didn't want her to see that. See just how cruel he was treated. He didn't want any situation to highlight to Kagome all the ways he was not human and to be despised.
It's not that he thought she would just do a complete 180 and change her mind about him. But he just didn't want to chance it, even if the possibility was slim.
She seemed to value him and his abilities. And Inuyasha wanted to keep it that way. So, when they entered the village, he tried to hang back even further from her (but still within range of his senses), to make it seem less obvious he was traveling with her. He'd hoped that would shield her from the brunt of dirty looks and blatant ostracization.
True to fashion, Kagome kiboshed his plan pretty damn quickly by sticking her nose into other people's business. Better yet, it was going to the defence of another hanyou, successfully compounding the initial thing he was trying to avoid.
Now she was clearly extra singled out, in the company of two hanyou.
Like what the fuck.
Jinenji seemed alright though, a bit timid but harmless enough to them. It'd probably serve him better if he was less kind though. Humans trampled over the weak.
The evening wasn't terrible either and Inuyasha was secretly glad they had a roof to sleep under for a change.
One of his ears twitched, catching the faint rustling.
From the sounds of it, there were quite a few humans making their way up the hill and across the field.
His brain whirled, trying to cobble together a half decent plan. He was in unfamiliar territory, which made it harder to defend. Kagome he could sling across his back and run for it in a pinch; these were just humans after all. But the other hanyou and his mother… Inuyasha couldn't let them be collateral.
He wasn't sure if their arrival was the catalyst to this impending confrontation, but it would seem that although not exactly welcome, the nearby villagers tolerated the proximity of the herbalists and their farm up till now.
Apparently, he spent way longer than he thought coming up with a tactic because Jinenji had subsequently sensed something wrong and so did the two humans, stirring from their spots around the banked hearth.
Kagome rose in front of him, quietly untangling herself from the blankets. She turned, catching his eye with her worried greys, brow pulled low in worry.
She didn't say a word, just grasped his arm above the elbow. Instinctively, he reached over with his other hand, securely gripping her forearm in reassurance, reciprocating her gesture.
It sure looked like he might be kicking some ass tonight.
A violent rap against the door reverberated loudly through the small hut. Kagome jolted beside him in surprise, but her gaze was surprisingly hard, glaring at the entrance.
Inuyasha tightened his jaw and let go of Kagome's arm, getting up with the intention to answer the door.
Sure, Jinenji was probably physically stronger than him, but of the four in the hut, he was probably overall most suitable to take a hit unfazed. Imagine his surprise when the older woman stood up, wobbling a little on her healing ankle and sent him a meaningful look.
Balls of steel that one.
"This is my house." She huffed. "So those bastards will have to deal with me."
"Ma..." Jinenji whimpered from beside her.
She made her way to the door resolutely and flung open the door, catching someone in the face it sounded like. "What the hell do you people want?"
"Hah! So, she is hiding the half-breed."
"Was there any doubt, Dai?"
"Youkai loving bitch!"
Came a barrage of jeers from the group of mostly men crowding outside the door. Coldness swept up his back, totally disproportionate from the actual threat posed by the bunch of wimpy humans. Something about the situation, about a bunch of people bullying a somewhat injured human woman and her hanyou son—even if he was fully grown. It just hit too close to home.
He felt his heart leap to his throat when Kagome somehow darted around him and barged forward in front of the older woman, narrowly missing the strike aimed at her.
"Hey! Don't you start hitting people! No one even explained why you're breaking in here in the middle of the night!"
Jinenji groaned in the corner, rocking back and forth as if he wanted to go to them but paralyzed by his own fear.
Finally jolting to his goddamn senses, Inuyasha strode forward bodily pushing both women behind him and shielding them with one arm.
"What the hell do you assholes want?"
At the menace in his growl, the men shrunk back.
Fuckers. Oh, so obnoxious bullying the weak but cowards at the first sign of coming up against some force.
"Y-you shut up, hanyou!" The man leading the group spat. "We saw you and the little girl harass a perfectly decent customer at Jinenji's stall."
"Yeah!" Another chimed in from the back. "And you were obviously so worked up in a mood that you two hanyou went and trashed Eiji-san's store too."
"Yeh... I knew having one half-breed here will attract more of your kind."
He felt Kagome pushing his arm determinedly, trying to come to his defence. Again.
"Hey!" She shouted over his shoulder. "Which one of you actually saw us near that store? We don't even know where it is. We came straight here from the market!"
"Don't waste your breath, Kagome." He turned. "Reason is wasted on these idiots."
"Actually," Jinenji's ma spoke up. "She's right. Who has evidence that my boy and this one here did what you are accusing them of?"
There was a lot of grumbling, but no one dared to retort.
"Right. Hirata is a village of order. So, tell me what your reason for trespassing on my land in the middle of the night is instead of taking this matter to the chief in the morning?"
"Hag, you dare tell us wha—"
Inuyasha raised a fist casually, which effectively shut them up.
"Y-you better show up at sunrise! Don't think we'll let this go without compensation." The man growled and spat at the doorstep.
With a few more glares and grumbles, the group eventually did turn back, taking their torches and farming implements meant as makeshift weapons with them.
Still not letting his guard down completely, Inuyasha sent one more look at the far end of the field before closing the door once again behind them.
They didn't talk much, opting to salvage what sleep they could. Though it was obvious that everyone's rest was much more fitful after that interruption.
Inuyasha watched Kagome toss and turn under her blanket, curled up in front him. Finally, after a god-awful time, he decided that fuck it. His instincts were still riled up, and he was too irritated to care about so-called decorum. Shuffling over to hover protectively close to her helped him too.
Kagome seemed to settle soon after thankfully, with her back pressed a little awkwardly against his leg.
Somehow, that made him rest easier. Didn't mean he felt safe to sleep though
The morning came cool and overcast.
The walk back to the village was subdued. Even Kagome seemed quiet compared to her usual. Jinenji had his mom bundled up in his arms, not wanting her to put unnecessary strain on her healing limb.
Though Inuyasha was prepared for the worst, in actuality it wasn't so bad. When they entered into the more densely populated parts, some folks looked up but hardly paid them much mind, focusing on their early morning tasks instead. A few women even called a quick greeting to Ma.
It would seem that maybe it was just a select few in this large village that held a grudge.
The chief's house was near the village square. From the noise, it was clear the crowd from yesterday had already arrived before them. Their clamoring with their false claims echoing down the street.
"—bet five bronze coins that the two half-breeds won't show— "
"—'m with ya there."
Inuyasha felt his temper bubble, and although it was not the best strategic choice, he stomped his way into the courtyard proper to announce their entrance.
"You assholes talking behind our backs already, eh?"
Watching the men jerk in surprise and hastily turn around was hilarious.
An older man sitting on the porch rubbing his forehead in exasperation just a few moments earlier merely looked up and met his gaze.
Probably the chief then. Props to his composure.
"Ah, you must be our visitors." He smiled faintly. "I hope you've found Hirata to be a pleasant place to visit."
"Chief, you ain't got to be nice to their lot!"
"And good morning to you Seiko-san and Jinenji." The chief continued as if he heard nothing. "Now that you've arrived, can you please explain to me what occurred yesterday at Jinenji's market stall?"
"Hi, good morning!" Kagome bobbed a little bow. "We came to buy some herbs from Jinenji on behalf of our village's priestess. But when I got closer, I saw a customer harassing Jinenji, so I just… told him off. Then we just went back to Jinenji's to check on his ma. That's all!"
"Keh. That's not all." Inuyasha scoffed. "You forgot the part where these assholes showed up in the middle of the night at their place with torches and pitchforks."
The chief's expressions changed, turning towards to the men.
"Gentlemen, Hirata is a village of order. And you have witnessed the prosperity we've enjoyed under this management method. Have I not made myself clear we do not handle disputes in private like this?"
"Uh, chief..."
"—were just wanting answers."
"Wasn't gunna do anything to 'em—"
"Seiko-san, was anyone or thing harmed?" The chief turned to Ma.
"No. Just some lost sleep is all."
The chief frowned at the men. "I want no repeat of this behaviour, do I make myself clear?" At their collective grumbling assent, he continued. "Now, about what happened at Eiji's store, did someone witness the event first-han—"
"Chief, chief!" A breathless shout from someone tearing through the front gate interrupted the conversation.
"Breathe first, then speak, boy."
"My aniki caught Osamu stealing from the storeroom! Probably thought everyone would be here and not there, I guess."
"That doesn't prove the hanyou are innocent!" Someone shouted angrily.
The newcomer looked a little taken back but at the short nod from the chief, continued his report.
"Well, whoever ransacked the store yesterday smashed a bottle of dye. And well… Osamu's hands are still black."
Jinenji, who'd been silent and hunkered behind them trying to make his presence scarce, finally looked up.
"Ah…, well that certainly sounds like more evidence than what's up against my boy and his new friends." Ma exclaimed evenly, hands folded in front of her as she glanced at the chief.
"Indeed." The old man sighed.
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Aniki - older brother
A/N: Hi friends! IWFA won 2nd Place for 'Best AU/AR' 2023 Q1 of the Inuyasha Fandom Awards, run by FeudalConnection! Thank you so much for your continued love and support :)
You will notice me (very) slowly replying to comments, sorry for being so delayed!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. However, this plot, the exact sequence of words and any original characters described therein, I reserve all rights to.