InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Captain's Prize ❯ Repercussions ( Chapter 25 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…

 

Nautical term: Take a Caulk- on deck of a ship, between planks, was a thick caulk of black tar and rope to keep water from between decks. This term came to mean to “take a nap” either because sailors who slept on deck ended up with black lines across their backs or simply because sailors laying down on deck were as horizontal as the caulk of the deck itself.

 

Chapter 25

Repercussions

 

They were a sail again. The waves crashed against the bow as they rapidity cruised towards New Guinea. The men aboard where hard at work; beneath the cruel beating of the sun's rays.

 

The heat was so immense that the crew began pouring seawater over themselves just to stay cool. Captain Inuyasha even helped the crew. He never minded hard labor, and with his vast knowledge of ships, he was a great asset to the crew.

 

The crew sang, as they continued with their daily chores. Inuyasha smirked, as he wiped the sweat from his brow before discarding his shirt onto the deck. The song the men sang, made him reminisce with his younger days…being a pirate.

 

“Captain Sesshomaru…” Inuyasha said, as he recalled the pirate he hadn't seen in years. He realized he'd been thinking out loud when some of the shipmates looked at him oddly. He just snorted indifferently and carried on with his duty. `Yes, that pirate-demon taught me everything I know today.' He called to mind the great captain, with pride and understanding. Something had been oddly familiar about him, which was always puzzling to Inuyasha. He had never seen any reaction from Sesshomaru. The great Captain had no heart, and his eyes were cold and unforgiving. The memory of the stoic golden gaze, still sent shivers down his body.

 

Inuyasha growled as he walked along the deck, only to find a piece of rotted wood. He grabbed a mallet and a long rope that dangled freely from the wooden masts; just for cases like these. The ropes, however, also controlled the sails, so he needed to be aware of which rope was which.

 

Tying the thick rope around his waist, he placed the mallet in his mouth. With a hard tug on the rope, he swung over the ship. He used his feet to anchor himself to the side of the ship despite the rocking of the waves.

 

Bracing himself with his legs, he began hitting the rotting wood with his fist. It seemed sturdy enough, yet he didn't want to risk any chance of having a weakness in the ship. He pulled himself back onto the deck with ease and set about finding the resources he would need to replace the plank. Unbeknown to Inuyasha, Koga had been watching his every move.

 

 

Inuyasha didn't waste anytime and quickly ran down the stairs. He retrieved the tools he needed as well as the new plank. As he emerged back on deck, his ears perked up as Koga approached to confront him.

 

“ Inuyasha! Just what in the hell, do you think you're doing to my ship?”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “Apparently, doing what your men have failed to do captain.”

 

“And what exactly would that be?” Koga snarled.

 

Inuyasha looked down at the supplies he was holding and gave him a curt stare, this wolf really couldn't be that dense. “Koga! Just what in the hell does it look like I'm doing?”

 

Koga took in the wooden plank and the rest of his tools. “There is no rotten wood on my ship. My men made sure of it before we left.”

 

Inuyasha rubbed his brow in complete frustration. All he wanted to do was to finish his task and return to his mate. This mangy wolf was definitely treading dangerously on his last straw.

 

“Well…I'm still waiting for your explanation.”

 

“Koga, if you look over that rail, you will see it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to fix your ship.” Inuyasha turned his back on the wolf.

 

“Now you just wait a minute, Inuyasha!” Koga demanded. He saw his friend stand still, as he walked over and observed the wood. “I'll be dammed, Inuyasha! You dog, you were right.”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “You would doubt your friend…if this where on my ship, I wou-”

 

“Now just calm down!” Koga interrupted. “ I'll handle my crew and deal a necessary punishment for the man responsible for this careless act.”

 

Inuyasha began to turn away again.

 

“Inuyasha wait! Would you like some assistance?” Koga asked. “I mean…” In all honesty he didn't know what to say. He just thought two hands might be better than one.

 

Was he serious? The all-powerful captain would dare sully his hands? “Sure wolf, just make sure you don't get to pushy. I know you're a perfectionist and everything, but trust me, I know what I'm doing.”

 

Koga chuckled, “we'll see about that.”

 

“ Watch it wolf, or I'm throwing your ass overboard.” Inuyasha growled.

 

“Oh, should I watch my back Inuyasha? Are you out for mutiny, my dear friend.”

 

“Yeah, you keep this shit attitude up and I just might just consider it,” Inuyasha chuckled.

 

Soon the two captains were both laughing as they began the maintenance to the side of the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome lay in bed trying to weather the heat of the day. She wore the skimpiest piece of clothing she could find in the chest. The fabric was light, transparent and showed all her womanly features. Her once porcelain skin was now bronze from the sun's golden rays. It was just too hot to move and the unbearable temperature was unraveling her nerves. Next to her was a bucket full of cool ocean water. She continually wiped her heated brow and the valley between her breasts with a wet rag, but this did little to help her stay cool. She found a ribbon and pulled her hair up and away from her perspiring neck. She wanted to scream with frustration because nothing was helping to cool her off, even the tiniest bit.

 

She slowly sat up, and looked towards the sea, even with the windows open, the room was still stifling. The cool breeze coming through was not nearly enough on such a scorching day.

 

Kagome looked down at her immodest attire. Her slip was now raised showing off her legs. The bottom part of her garment was tucked tightly into a sash around her waist. Going outside would be unthinkable not only because the men would probably gawk at her, but her mate would defiantly scold her. Yet, she couldn't quite bear the thought of covering herself.

 

No, woman in her right mind would dare walk outside looking so scandalous. She never could understand why women's flaunted the breasts, yet showing any leg was unthinkable. She had nice legs, and it didn't seem fair that they had to stay underneath a hot, heavy garment. Why was it men could gaze at her chest and this was perfectly acceptable, but they couldn't glimpse at her ankles? Kagome shook her head; she didn't want to think about morals this late in the afternoon. If she could only cool down a bit, she might be able to carry a single thought through to completion. Maybe things would be better once they reached New Guinea, which was scheduled for sometime tomorrow.

 

She sighed, `Tomorrow.' She would have to face her father, and hoped that Andrew was not there. “Damn!” she cursed.

 

Looking at a full-length mirror, she realized just how naked she appeared. Cursing again, she began throwing clothes out of their trunks that Inuyasha had brought aboard almost a week ago.

 

She pulled out Inuyasha's long sleeved red shirt. There were no ruffles, and the fabric was cotton. She smiled; at least it was something. She looked at his pants, and then turned towards the closet. She decided to go through Koga's pants instead. She knew if she touched her mate's pants…well, she didn't even want to think of the punishment he would bestow her. Finding a beige pair of pants, she pulled them out. “ I hope Koga doesn't mind,” she gulped.

 

Kagome held the lengthy pants up to her waist, measuring the span of the fabric. She frowned knowing they would be unbearably hot once she was on deck. She looked around desperately for a solution and smiled when she caught sight of a sword lying behind Koga's desk.

 

The pants never stood a chance. Gripping the double-edged sword, she easily ripped through the fabric, shortening the legs. Now the pants looked like a longer pair of knickers.

 

Trying on her shorter pants she smiled Koga would probably not be thrilled about his new attire. Intense heat, however called for desperate measures. She took one last look around the room before snatching up her parasol and walking out the door.

 

 

A strong breeze almost blew her white parasail out of her hands. Several strands of hair escaped her ponytail and now fluttered freely around her face and neck.

 

The men seemed unfazed by her appearance. She smiled. `Maybe Koga won't notice.' She could only hope. Observing the deck, she looked for a secluded spot away from the crewmembers. Her smile brightened even more when she spotted the bow. `Perfect.'

 

 

Kagome walked up a couple of steps were she found a perfect place to sit. The wood was a little too warm for her and caused her to shift uncomfortably. Finally finding a comfortable position, she dangled her legs over the open wood. The waves would crash into the mighty bow, misting her legs and keeping her comfortable. No longer feeling stifled from the heat, she began to dread the following day without distraction.

 

 

What would she say to her Father tomorrow? Her brow furrowed at the thought. She wanted to beat him with every fiber of her being for killing her mother. What of Andrew, and the heartbroken look she knew would be in his eyes? Would he challenge Inuyasha to a duel? What happens if things go wrong? Where would she go?

 

She closed her eyes, as a strong breeze whipped around her soothingly. Yet, it was short lived and her worries continued to plague her. `Couldn't I just stay onboard?' she thought dryly. No! She couldn't hide from her Father and she certainly could not hide from Andrew.

 

`Inuyasha,' she sighed. Where was he now, when she needed him most? He would have the answers, wouldn't he? He might at least have a few words of comfort for her. She turned her head back and watched the crew in hopes to see a glimmer of silver amongst the sun's golden rays. Luck must not be on her side today as she didn't find any sing of her beloved, so she turned back to the endless ocean.

 

 

Silent tears slowly slid down her face. She was afraid. Other than being aboard Naraku's ship, Kagome couldn't remember a time when she had been this frightened. She hadn't thought twice when she'd stood up to Naraku, so why was it so hard to stand up to her father? This was different, Naraku was not her father, and Naraku did not have her father's intense gaze.

 

Kagome began to tremble, and s could not will the tears to stop. Another horrible thought came to her, how could she have forgotten? Not only would she be facing both her father and Andrew tomorrow, she would also be leaving with them. There was no way she would dare stay onboard with her bastard of a father now. “NO!” she screamed. “No! No! No! I will not do it…I can't!” she cried harder, holding herself as she rocked back and forth in emotional agony.

 

 

Everyone with demon hearing stopped their work, as they watched Kagome crying. They looked at one other in confusion. No one wanted to risk Inuyasha's jealous rage by approaching his mate, so they begrudgingly returned to their work, everyone except one that is.

 

Shippo continued to observe her, wondering what Inuyasha had done to her now. Furthermore, where was he? Couldn't he hear her? Couldn't he smell the salt from her tears?

 

Shippo raised his head and begun sniffing the air. He vaguely caught wind of his captain. Following his nose, the trail led him to the starboard side of the ship.

 

“Hey, Shippo what are you doing standing around for? Get back to work.” Inuyasha ordered curtly, looking up at the unsuspecting fox.

 

Shippo snorted, no wonder he couldn't smell his mate, she was upwind. “Well Captain, I was looking for you.”

 

“Damn it, Shippo. Can't you see I'm busy? Just what the hell couldn't wait until I was done?”

 

“Kagome's upset,” Shippo said, softly, ignoring his rude captain.

 

Inuyasha didn't need to hear anymore before he began climbing up the ship and jumped over the railing. Her scent hit him hard. She wasn't just crying, she was down right hysterical. He looked over at Koga and gave an apologetic look for leaving him in the middle of the task.

 

“Go to her,” Koga said. He was not mad and he too was concerned. `Why is she crying?'

 

That was all the reassurance he needed. He sprinted until he came to the stairs. His ears were flat amongst his thick strands of hair as her sadness weighed down and consumed him.

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha whispered. He was afraid that he might have done something wrong. He slowly approached her, as he walked up the short wooden stairs.

 

She lifted her head, and turned to her mate's voice, she tried to smile but it was a futile effort. “Inuyasha.”

 

“I `m here, love. What's the matter?” he asked as he kneeled down beside her.

 

She threw herself against his strong bare chest, silently pouring her heart out to him. She was so overwhelmed with her self-pity that she just couldn't find the words to answer him.

 

“It's okay love, I`m here,” Inuyasha whispered, as he rocked her in his arms. He was desperately trying to sooth her. He had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him this was about running into her father. He growled loudly at the mere thought. Onigumo was his sworn enemy. `Now here that bastard is hurting his own daughter, and he doesn't even realize it.' The thought made him even angrier, but he soon softened when he heard her plea.

 

“No, Inuyasha… I can't do this!” she stuttered. “ Please don't make me. I don't want to leave with them,” she hiccupped, “ I want to stay with you, please Inuyasha.”

 

How could he refuse her? The sad look in her sapphire eyes pleading, hoping for an answer was more than he could handle.

 

Shit, he knew that the plan would bring him the revenge he had chased after for so long, but was it worth the strain it would place on her? He couldn't seem to calm her or say the right words to soothe her. In the end, Inuyasha just sat and held her. The situation was infuriating; he was the alpha, the one who was supposed to give his life to protect his mate. Yet he didn't know how he could possibly protect her from this pain, and how he could save her from the upcoming trials.

 

“Take me home Inuyasha, take me to my sister. I doubt my father has left yet, although it has been a couple weeks,” she paused. “I am sorry, Inuyasha, I just don't know how I can stay onboard a ship with my father now that I know he was the one who killed my mother.”

 

“Its okay, Kagome…”

 

“No! Inuyasha, its not okay!” she growled. “Andrew might be there as well. I can't bear to break his heart and confess my betrayal.” She declared. `I am a coward and a whore!' she berated herself as she reminded herself that she was, in fact, still engaged to Andrew while she had committed herself to Inuyasha.

 

 

Inuyasha became angry and growled when she spoke of Andrew. Yet he could not help but feel responsible. He was, after all the one who had pursued her. He was a pirate, anything that was free to him he would claim, Kagome was no different. The minute he watched her struggling on the mast and watched the fire burn angrily in her eyes, he knew that he had to have her, conquer her, and most importantly, love her.

 

Now here she was grief-stricken and trembling in his arms. “I am to blame for all of this. I knew you had a fiancée but I didn't care. I knew you didn't love him and thought, `why subject yourself to an unhappy life?'” Inuyasha stopped suddenly and sniffed the air. He turned his head seeing Koga slowly approach the two.

 

 

“There has been a change of plans.” Inuyasha's tone made it clear that this was nonnegotiable.

 

Koga nodded, he didn't understand what was going on, but he knew the fierceness in eyes of one who was protecting his mate. “Come, let's discuss this in my quarters,” he said. He looked at his crew cautiously, and then continued. “Away from prying ears.”

 

“That is fine Koga, but Shippo also comes.” Inuyasha said. Koga nodded.

 

Staring at the crowd, he noticed Hojo working. Koga disregarded him and continued towards his room. He would deal with him later. First, he needed to find out what the new course of action was going to be.

 

Neither of the captain's noticed Kagome's pants as her bare legs dangled freely over Inuyasha's arm, as he carried her bridal style. Kagome snuggled deeply into his chest. She had finally stopped crying, and closed her eyes for a well needed rest.

 

Inuyasha placed her on the bed where she curled herself up and held a pillow for comfort.

 

Koga sat rightfully at his desk, as Shippo and Inuyasha sat in front of him in two handcrafted wooden chairs. Koga looked over at Kagome, suddenly noticing her latest fashion and growled, “What the hell did she do to my pants?”

 

`Damn!' Kagome thought. Before she could apologize or explain, Inuyasha interjected.

 

“Koga, keep to the subject at hand, my mate must have had a good reason for borrowing your pants,” Inuyasha stated proudly. He was just relieved that she had not butchered his own pants. `Smart mate.'

 

“Very well. Now please explain the change of plans and the logic behind them.”

 

“I will not risk my mate. There is much at stake and I will not subject my mate to do something she feels uncomfortable doing.” Inuyasha snarled.

 

Koga regarded his words with a slight nod as he glanced over at Kagome. “How will we be able to ambush Onigumo if he is still out looking for his daughter?” He squinted his eyes in contemplation when an idea occurred to him. “We will replace Kagome with Hojo.”

 

Inuyasha smiled, “Yes, that would be wise. Then he could let Onigumo know that Kagome is alive and headed back home,” Inuyasha's grin grew. He immediately thought about the long journey he would now have with his mate. “And Hojo could also tell Andrew that Kagome is no longer available.”

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome scolded, “How dare you? I should be the one to tell him.”

 

“Fine have it your way,” he scoffed. “Write him then. Tell him that you're sorry you couldn't apologize in person and blah, blah, blah.” Inuyasha crossed his arms. He found no reason for his mate not to be civil while ending this so-called engagement. He also didn't care to discuss the conversation anymore as simply mentioning Andrew made Inuyasha mad with jealousy.

 

`Dammit!' Kagome knew that she needed to end this relationship with Andrew. Even if she moved forward, it was not fair to lead him on any further. She would write the letter. “ How could I possibly put that in a letter? ` Dear Andrew, I'm sorry but I'm now mated to my father's mortal enemy'?”

 

“She has a point.” Shippo interjected.

 

“No one asked you, fox,” Inuyasha growled. He could not very well give away his identity. `His bitch had a point.'

 

Koga coughed, “ you can always say you left Andrew for me.” He smiled, as he held a friendly yet lustful look.

 

“And you would like that too, wouldn't you, wolf?” Inuyasha snarled.

 

“How could I not?” Koga retorted. “Besides Inuyasha, it keeps your identity safe for the time being. I don't see the harm into this arrangement. General Onigumo has no idea who I am.”

 

Koga did have a point. “Very well,” he snarled as his ears flattened. “ But, if you so much as lay a hand on her, I will personally rip you to shreds. You got me, wolf?”

 

Koga nodded his head in agreement, “I promise I will not touch her,” he paused, “in an unfriendly manor that is.” Koga laughed, “ I could always tell them that I saved her from the blood thirsty pirate Inuyasha!”

 

Inuyasha smiled, and then glanced over to the bed where his mate lay on her back, eyes open. “Well, is that suitable for you, my love?”

 

Kagome turned her head, feeling a sudden weight lifted off her. Or was it? Now she was going to lie, but only about his identity so maybe that was okay. “Yes, thank you.”

 

Inuyasha smiled. “I think Onigumo is going to be shocked, come time of the party.”

 

Koga laughed, “I know he is and I can't wait to see what happens when he finds out you're really her mate. I know what I would do if I was her father.”

 

Kagome had heard enough she stood to leave. “I will be outside writing my letter.” She said glairing at her mate and Koga. “You wouldn't have an ink pen around and a piece of parchment, would you?”

 

Koga nodded, as he handed her the ink jar and his quill pen. Reaching inside one of the drawers, he pulled out some parchment. “Will this be enough…love?”

 

Kagome huffed, and then grabbed the material. She looked back at the Captain and narrowed her eyes, leaving the haunting image behind as she closed the door.

 

Inuyasha growled.

 

“What? She owes me for my pants and besides I have to practice, right?” Koga asked innocently.

 

“Yeah, well don't get used to it, wolf! She's mated to me!” Inuyasha snarled. Then looked at Shippo, “Come, you can help me finish repairing the side of the ship.”

 

Koga grinned, “And I will go speak to Hojo.”

 

 

Koga retreated out into the sun. He covered his eyes, with the side of his hand as he searched for Hojo. Finding him, he started towards the young man.

 

Hojo was working hard, harder than he had in his whole life. He loved being a sailor, and was a quick learner. He jumped when he saw the shadow of the Captain leaning over him. Hojo immediately dropped his swab and stood erect, waiting for orders.

 

Koga observed the boys work. The boy had done and excelled with the difficult and often messy job of caulking and he had also taken the swabbing of the deck more seriously that any other crew member Koga had ever had. The deck was now the cleanest Koga had ever seen it. He was further impressed that Hojo had managed to keep the smelly tar caulk off of his clothes. The lad was obviously ambitious and attentive in his chores. What Koga wouldn't give to have thirty sailors just like him? “Good work, Hojo. I see you didn't take a nap.”

Hojo looked puzzled, “ Sir? Why would you say that?”

 

Koga chuckled, “Because you don't have black lines across your back. That's a tall tell sign that you've neglected your duty in favor of catching up on your sleep. I need to speak with you in my quarters regarding an important manner.”

 

“Yes Captain Koga.” Placing the yarn mop back into the silver bucket, he followed behind the captain with his head lowered. `What could the captain possibly want?' Was he in trouble?