InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Captain's Prize ❯ Chapter Twenty-nine ( Chapter 29 )

 

A/N: Omg! Has it almost been a year since my last update? Where does the time go? My apologies for not posting sooner. I'd lost my inspiration writing this story, but as you can see its back.

This chapter has been beta'd. Thank you O-Mega Lead! Without your help, I don't think I would have been able to post this. It was a challenge by itself.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Nine

 

Sesshoumaru stood on the starboard side, watching the large waves crashed into the bow, flooding the deck. The winds were fierce and Sesshoumaru knew that there would be a chance that he and the crew would not come out of this alive. The storm was coming at an alarming rate, and Sesshoumaru ordered the sails half-mast.

 

“Lads, make sure those sails are secured. I don't need the ship going *aback on us.”

 

What started out as a nice sunny day soon turned out to be dark and dreary from the overhead clouds. The waves swelled as the ship was tossed in the rough waters. The sailors tied themselves with long ropes to the masts for safety. However, Sesshoumaru held onto the wooden rail, fearless of the storm ahead. He turned and headed toward the helm with fierce determination. He was the strongest aboard and only he could handle the helm during a strong storm.

 

 

“I'll take over,” Sesshoumaru said sternly, unfazed by the storm.

 

Holding onto the helm tightly, Miroku asked, “Are you sure about this Sesshoumaru?”

 

Sesshoumaru snarled, “Go back to the cabin and wait out the storm. I'm sure your woman is quite worried.”

 

Miroku nodded as he began fighting through the gale forced winds and the rain on his way back to the cabin.

The wind sounded like an angry banshee, screaming, howling, and unforgiving. Lighting spanned across the darkened sky with a crackling hiss and thunder followed shortly after, sounding as if a *six pounder had just gone off. The rain soon followed, hard and swift.

 

Sesshoumaru wiped the water away from his face, as he maintained control of the ship. Below, his seamen clung to the vessel for dear life while others tried to maintain the sails. 

 

 

 

"Kagome," Inuyasha snarled as he backed his mate into a corner. "We don't have time for this! We'll be onshore soon and need to fix this situation."

 

Kagome narrowed her eyes, unyielding to her mate's demands. She'd found another bottle of rum, and wanted to wash away this day. The alcohol helped numb her, since she assumed Hojo was dead. She closed her eyes, and took another swig from the jug. "T-there is no situation," she said with a slur. "I want to be this way when I see my father and Andrew. Besides," she paused, lifting the jug to her supple lips and drinking another healthy swig. "I want to be so drunk I w-wont know what'sssh happening." She smirked and took a step forward toward Inuyasha, swaying clumsily. "And there's not a damn thing you can do about it!"

 

Inuyasha snarled. He was having a bad day, first dealing with Hojo, and now his mate! Of course, it was Koga's fault for getting her drunk in the first place. He turned a sharp eye at the other captain. "I hope you're happy!"

 

With an arrogant gleam in his eyes, Koga smirked. "She's not a cub! She's a grown woman!"

 

Inuyasha ignored him and grabbed the jug away from his mate, "Love, I think you've had enough."

 

Kagome protested, "Give that back!" She desperately tried to reach for it but her mate proved to be too quick.

 

"You've had enough!" Inuyasha repeated sternly as he grabbed her arm firmly and began to escort her to the upper balcony. “What am I to do with you, Kagome?” He was in a foul mood and Hojo was going to get the physical brunt of it. Soon, he would know what it would feel like being his whipping boy.

 

Koga stood there silent and watched. He knew Inuyasha would never physically harm his mate. However, he'd never seen Inuyasha so upset before either, and so decided to hang around just incase the situation before things got worse.

 

Kagome growled and swiftly pulled her arm away from him, "It looks like that problem will be remedied shortly," she snapped harshly. Her tone was filled with anger and resentment. "Since…." She looked up into his amber eyes. “Hojo, I presume is dead, and you won't have a choice but to send me back to my murdering bastard of a father!”

Inuyasha stopped, taken back by her sudden temper. He lunged toward her and grabbed her by the arms almost shaking her. He narrowed his eyes, and growled. "I might be a pirate, and yes I wish I had killed Hojo for dishonoring my mate. But I'd be damned if I send you back to your father. I will come up with something." He said with a curt tone.

 

Kagome's mouth was agape. “You didn't kill Hojo?!” A part of her was grateful that the incident didn't cost him his life.

 

“No Kagome, I didn't! But that doesn't mean that he will not receive the proper punishment. After I'm done with him, he will continue on his task. Broken, but alive.”

 

Kagome held her head down, she knew what Hojo said was wrong and his implications were repulsive. However, did he deserve this? She shook her head, and didn't want any further complications for her companionship. “I don't want to be a part of this brutality; I'm going back to my quarters.”

 

      

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome again roughly by her forearm. “Brutality? If I don't do this, these men on this ship will not respect me as a Captain. What do you think happened to that man, the first day on my ship? Huh? Do you think I let him walk away knowing that he'd hurt what was mine!” He snarled, but released her.

 

 

Inuyasha stormed upstairs and then turned. “Kagome? I recommend staying in your quarters until I come and get you. This is no place for a lady, and especially my mate.” He turned and glanced at the wolf. “Koga, please stay with her until Hojo's punishment is final.”

 

 

 

 

"Turn him around, strip him of his shirt, and bring me the whip!" Inuyasha ordered Shippo and then turned his head, watching Kagome and Koga retire into the cabin. She frowned, which infuriated him further. He should have known Kagome would sympathize with this bastard, even thoughhe knew that it couldn't be helped; it was in her nature. `Just like her mother.'

 

The fox looked at him and nodded before beginning to prepare Hojo for his flogging.

 

 

Hojo couldn't move, fear paralyzed him and he shook uncontrollably. He could feel his shirt literally being ripped off his body and could not help but cry out in fear. Hojo closed his eyes tightly, as he felt his arms being raised above his head. Hesitantly, he glanced up and could see Shippo secure the rope to a metal latch on the mainmast.

 

Hojo surveyed his surroundings and could see the crew circling around him. His friend Sho was there in the midst of the crowd and could see the old wolf shaking his head shamefully. Hojo reflected on the old wolf's words and he regretted not taking Sho's warning lightly. Now he would pay dearly for his actions against Captain Inuyasha's mate. Hojo lowered his head and closed his eyes, praying that he would survive this outcome, and prayed that his lashings would be quick. He could feel his heart frantically thumping in his chest, and briefly wondered if it would explode out of sheer fear.

 

 

Shippo returned, handing Inuyasha the cat o' nine tails. Inuyasha gripped the leather handle tightly. He cringed and hated this part of his job, even though he had to do it, it still didn't make it easier. He remembered being tied to a wooden post, his arms outstretched, and his back bare to the bullwhip that Onigumo had used brutally against his back, when he was a young pup. Now he glanced down at the whip in his hands, with the nine long leather tails and at each end was a small knot.

 

Inuyasha suppressed his sympathetic feelings; he glanced at the crew before him. He knew he had no choice but to follow through, and growled. “Let this boy be a lesson to all who insult my mate! That this act will not be tolerated and certainly will not be without punishment.” He said, anger filling his voice. He gripped the handle tighter as he cast out his first lash.

 

“One!”

 

Hojo cried out in pain with his first lashing as his legs began to buckle underneath him. He tried to stand and be brave, but the pain was just too intense. He could have sworn that a part of his flesh was ripped from his body.

 

“Two….”

 

Tears began to seep from Hojo's eyes, as the stinging in his back intensified. Each strike, felt like a knife went across his skin, and couldn't contain the painful screams as the whip struck his flesh.

 

“Seven….”

 

Hojo's vision began to blur and he was losing consciousness. He could feel the warmth of his blood running down his back and into his fresh wounds. He was shaking, and wished that he were dead. He couldn't think and the sound of Inuyasha's voice sounded muffled as he leaned his head in the hard wooden mast.

 

“Nine!”

 

Hojo was barely conscious and awaited for the count to continue. However, none came and he couldn't move. His arms were numb, but that was nothing compared to the way his back was feeling. His body was laced with sweat and he felt chills sweep over his body.

 

“Back to work, there is nothing more to see!” Inuyasha said with a demanding tone. He handed the blood stained whip back to Shippo and then approached Hojo and knelt down by him. “You are a brave lad, and you took your punishment well. Be grateful that I decided to use the whip, for there are far more torturous acts.”

 

“And what would that be?” Hojo asked, with a shaky voice. “This by far, is the worst pain I've ever experienced.”

 

Inuyasha chuckled softly, “Yes boy! C'mon, lets get you're wounds cared for. But before I do, I have one question to ask you?”

 

“What is that sir?”

 

“Are you sorry?”

 

“Yes sir! I swear on my life, that I'll never insult another woman again.”

 

Inuyasha stood and sliced away the ropes that kept Hojo bound. Inuyasha then did something he would never thought doing. He showed compassion toward his enemy, as he lifted the broken boy and carried him to his quarters. “Shippo! Fetch me some water and a cloth.”

 

“Aye, captain.”

 

 

 

Large waves crashed on all sides of the boat, rocking the ship violently. Sesshoumaru held the helm tightly, trying desperately not to lose control of the vessel. He could see the sails tearing; ripping from the gale forced winds, and watched the men trying to secure some of the ropes that had loosened. He barked orders left and right, but the men didn't hear over the storm, which he hoped would end soon.
 
The ship creaked, almost protesting the storm. Sesshoumaru was pleased that it lasted this long and nothing so far had been damaged. The ship tossed violently as the brutal waters soaked the crew. Luckily, no one was lost to Davy Jones's locker.

A bolt of lightning hit the main mast, causing the wood to split. It dangled dangerously by the ropes that were connected to it. However, Sesshoumaru knew that it wouldn't be long before the weight of the wood would break, and then careen onto the deck, causing more damage.  

 

 

 

It felt like an eternity before a clearing could be seen as the dark clouds began to recede. The rain turned from a downpour into drizzle, while the howling winds calmed. Sesshoumaru smiled and took a deep breath, relieved that they made it out of the storm alive. However, they weren't safe just yet. He needed to fix the mainmast and have his men sew the sails. He called one of his crew over and handed him the helm. He ran to the middle of the vessel and glanced up. The broken piece of wood dangled, and could tell the rope indeed split and was beginning to untwine.

 

With a giant leap, he landed on the opposite side of the mast, grabbing the beam and slicing the damaged rope. He thanked whatever Gods above the damage was minimal. If the broken mast fell onto the deck, they would have defiantly joined Davy Jones himself. He was surprised during strong winds that the twine didn't break apart sooner. Grabbing the broken piece of the ship and the remaining rope, he began to tie a knot around the middle and slowly climbed down the wooden beam as the broken mast dangled loosely behind him.

 

 Sesshoumaru frowned, “You!” he said to a man that walked by him. “Go get the captain and tell him that I need to see him.” Sesshoumaru didn't like this, they were dead on the water and realized that they were in the eye of the storm, as darker clouds drew nearer.

 

Inuyasha busted the door opened as he heard Koga snarl, but stopped when he realized that the boy was in his arms. “Kagome, fetch me a bottle of rum, and take the wolf with you.” He snarled as he heard his mate gasp. He laid Hojo carefully on the bed mindful of his wounds. He didn't understand why he felt compelled to help him. Maybe it was because he could relate with all that had transpired in his past. He saw Kagome and Koga leave and called out. “Kagome, make haste, I'll need your help mending his wounds.”

 

Koga reached for her arm as Kagome stood there shocked. While they opened the door, Shippo entered with a pail full of water and some cotton bandages. He placed the bucket next to Inuyasha and asked, “Captain? Is there anything else you need?”

Inuyasha shook his head, “No Shippo, that'll be all. Thank you.”

 

Koga hurriedly lifted up the heavy barrel, and pulled the *bung out of the hole, filling the jug with rum. He had an odd expression on his face.

“Koga? Are you okay?” Kagome asked her voice filled with concern.

Koga shook his head, “In all my years I knew Inuyasha, never once has he shown any compassion towards a flogging.” Koga placed the bung back into the wooden barrel and turned towards Kagome. “I mean especially after what Hojo said to you.”

Kagome held her head down, as she held the jug in her hands. She was just grateful that Hojo survived, and was proud of her mate. “C'mon, let's get back to the cabin.”

Koga nodded and followed behind.

 

Inuyasha kept dipping the rag into the bucket squeezing the access water out and replaced it on Hojo's head.

“Sir?” he asked with a hint of pain in his voice. “Why are you helping me?”

“It doesn't matter, just be grateful that I am.” Inuyasha snapped, and quickly changed the subject when Kagome and Koga entered the room. “Can you sit up? Kagome give me the rum, and then we need to sterilize the cuts. Kagome rushed over to him handing Inuyasha the jug of rum. Inuyasha gave her a loving look and then returned to helping Hojo.

Hojo drank the rum greedily. “Okay that's enough, or we won't have enough to treat your wounds.” Inuyasha demanded, as he handed the rum and the cloth to Kagome, “You'll have to pour this on his wounds, while I hold him down.” He glanced up at the wolf, “Koga, hold his feet.” He then turned his attention to the boy, “Hojo this is going to hurt like hell!”

Kagome glanced at her mate then down at the broken boy on the bed. She looked at him with forgiving eyes and apologized for the pain he was about to receive, as she poured the rum along the semi-deep gashes across his back.

 

Hojo withered around painfully as he cried out anguish laced his voice. “Please…. No more!”

Kagome could not help but feel for the boy, despite what he had said earlier. She carefully dabbed the cloth over his wounds. “It'll pass. I promise.” She said her voice calm and soothing.

Hojo was exhausted and he hurt like hell, he opened his eyes, looking at the fine creature he once admired, and didn't understand what kind of monster he had turned into. “Lady Kagome…” he said softly with a raspy voice. “I am so sorry. Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?” he asked while feeling the pressure removed off his body.

Kagome wiped the sweat off his forehead moving his dirty blond hair away from his face. “Shhh,” she said hushing him. “I forgive you. Now get some rest.” She glanced up at her mate, and was truly proud to be with this man and smiled affectionately up at his handsome visage.

 

However, the tender moment was broken when they heard: “Land Ahoy….”

 

Terminology:

Aback- (backwind): The sail filling on wrong side in the case of square-rigger may cause the ship to back up.

Bung: A round wood plug inserted in hole to cover a nail screw or bolt. Hence, the name bunghole. I cracked up when I read this and thought I share my musings with you.

 

Six-pounder: its just another word for a cannon.