InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Killer In Hindsight ❯ Daniel, Where's The Boat? ( Chapter 12 )

A Killer In Hindsight

Chapter 12: Daniel, Where's The Boat?

Disclaimer: Tell me why I'm still doing this? I do not own Inuyasha and Co. All rights reserved Rumiko Takahashi.
“Speech”
`Thought'
OOO - flashback
XXX - Change in scene or POV
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`Of course we have to do this the old fashioned way, because it would be way too easy for Inuyasha to actually own a power tool.' Miroku's sarcastic thoughts were directed at his captain and best friend with a single withering glare. When the dog-eared man didn't even flinch, he returned to his thoughts and his hammering.

The sun was high, and he deduced it was close to noon. Wiping the sweat from his brow to the back of his forearm, Miroku tiredly peeled his purple shirt from his entirely too sweaty body. The only thoughts in his mind now, `I hope I don't get a sunburn.'

Inuyasha snuck a peek down at the other's, his need for everything to be perfect, coming forth. Miroku was on the deck, hammering in the new planks. Kouga was down by the hull, attempting to patch up the holes with a blowtorch, bolts, and a few pieced of scrap metal. It didn't look very much like he was succeeding either, he'd have to go back over and fix the mangy wolf's half-ass job. The half-demon's eyes shot to Bankoutsu's position, where it looked like his hammer came down a little too hard on another one of his fingers.

Shoving at his mop of silver hair, Inuyasha groused. It was too hot to have such thick hair; he'd have to remember to tell Kagome to cut it later. His thoughts turning to the young cook, currently two floors underneath him, and the half-demon frowned in thought. She was…different. He barely even knew her and yet he wanted to be near her at all times.

His hands gripped the already damaged railing, twisting it even more. When the bright orange bar snapped under the force, Inuyasha was startled back to reality. Things with her were too fresh, too new, he couldn't think too much on it now. There was a mutual attraction, that much he knew, but anything deeper, it just wasn't there… `Yet. But there will be soon.' The captain was brought from his musings when the door below him swung open and he could see the top of Kagome's head.

“I found the sealant.” She called out. Her eyes landed on Miroku's shirtless form, then Bankoutsu, also shirtless, and looking up she found a sweaty, shirtless, half-demon staring at her. The young girl's cheeks flamed and she set the heavy cans down to fan herself.

“Thanks. You can go back inside now.” Inuyasha jogged down what was left of the stairs. Making his way over, he grabbed the cans and paintbrushes. Kagome frowned at his orders. The feminist in her broke free, if only for a moment.

“What if I don't want to go back inside?”

“Don't be rebellious Kagome. It's not safe out here.” Inuyasha's eyes glinted in the early afternoon sunlight. His chastisement, made her blush more, and the captain's eyes followed the spread of pink from the apples of her cheeks and down her neck to disappear under the hem of her tank top. Kagome turned on her heel, and bolted back inside to the safety of the galley.

Once inside, she let her racing heart take her over. Kagome collapsed to the floor in a rather embarrassed heap. Sango merely spared her a glance before returning to her book.

XXX

The sun set rose and set, once more, before Inuyasha deemed The Tetsusaiga sea-worthy again. Of course, just barely, if they encountered another storm like the one that landed them here they'd be sunk. Everyone had gathered outside in one big group to see the repairs. The work done on the hull was an eyesore, they could clearly tell the difference between the original planks and the new ones on the deck, and there was no real wheelhouse to speak of. All in all, it was a piece of junk.

The girls, Jakoutsu included, wrinkled their noses. Inuyasha and Miroku watched their response, turned to each other and shrugged. If it got them off the island, who cared what it looked like. “There are some repairs that still need to be done to the engine. I'll probably have to resort to make-shift parts, but she'll run.” The captains' eyes swung along the entire length of the boat lovingly.

“Well that's great and all, but now that the boat is fixed, what are we gonna do about the food situation?” Hojo flinched when the half-demon turned a scathing glare upon him.

“Hojo's right. I've seen the cupboards, Yash, there's enough in there to last us two more days. We could never make the trip home with what we have, especially since we don't even know where we are. All our navigation equipment is damaged, we can't get a signal on the radio, there's no telling how long we'll be stuck at sea before someone finds us, that is, if we don't sink first.” Miroku mumbled the last part more to self than the captain, but it still earned him a look similar to the one Hojo had just received.

Inuyasha turned his gaze to Kagome next. “I thought you said we would have enough to last a week.”

The younger girl had the decency to blush and look down to her shuffling feet, the sand filling her flip-flops. “Well, I never really said a week, I said a while. Plus, I never factored in the amount of extra people and we're stretching it as it is. I've been rationing the food, and quite frankly, I'm surprised it's lasted us this long.”

Everyone watched as Inuyasha's shoulders sagged and he hung his head. A clawed hand came up to rub at his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose. All these problems were giving him a major migraine. `Stay and starve to death or leave and die at the hands of some maniac. Decisions, decisions.' Sometimes it was so hard to be the captain. He sighed and put an end to his morbid thoughts.

“Fine, but we do this as a group. No one is staying behind on the boat. Ayame, you and the others will show us where we can find food and fresh water. Our filters are crap with all the salt water we've been siphoning through them. We're going to spend as little time as we can out there, we're going to need big bags and something to carry the water in.” Everyone stood around staring at him, Inuyasha's eye twitched in annoyance. “Well, what are you waiting for?! Get to it!” Having startled everyone into movement, he watched them all scurry like little mice back onto the boat. Sparing one last look at the tree line behind him, he made his way back onto The Tetsusaiga.

XXX

A cloud of black smoke escaped from the hose in a puff. The man, now covered in the sooty residue, coughed and grumbled. “Miroku, hand me the duck tape.”

“Are you sure that's going to be enough? You know, we could probably have one of the girls' patch the hole. I'm sure one of them knows how to sew.”

Inuyasha gave his first mate a weird look, he was covered in oil, grime, and now the soot from the pipe, and he did not need Miroku's paranoia right now. “Duck tape fixes everything, it makes the world go `round. Now hand me that role by your feet.”

“Fine, but if the engine blows up you can't pin the blame on me.” The purple-eyed man shoved the role of silvery tape into the out-stretched clawed hand before returning to his own work. His wrench clanked and he paused, it was righty tighty lefty loosey, right? Miroku glanced at the man a few feet from him, thinking on whether he should bother him or not. `Probably not, he looks pretty intent on his thoughts. Then again, the man used duck tape to fix a hose.' Shrugging at his own inner musings, he decided to try and figure it out himself.

`Tomorrow's the day. I'm going to have to take extra caution, make sure there are more than enough safety measures, especially now that Naraku has named his next target. I'm not going to let him take her. It just…it can't happen. I won't let him take her.' Inuyasha's thoughts were interrupted when Miroku spoke up from beside him.

“This isn't working out.” He huffed.

Inuyasha raised a brow and turned to look at him. “Are you breaking up with me?”

Miroku gave the captain a quizzical look, before realizing what he said. “Ha ha. You're hilarious. No, what's not working out is this stupid wrench, I think it's broken.”

The half-demon gave him a dry look. “It's pretty impossible to break a wrench, Miroku.”

“I know, but this it isn't working.” His exasperated sigh, signaled it was Inuyasha's turn to look at it. The captain's face split in a grin, and he tried hard not to burst into laughter.

“No shit Sherlock. It's not the right size; it's not even a wrench. The look on Miroku's face had the half-demon doubled over in gut-wrenching laughter. Miroku rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

“Well, that would explain a lot.” When Inuyasha's laughter increased to rolling on the floor `till he cried, Miroku shrugged, threw down the ratchet and left the room. If he was such a mechanical genius then he could figure it out all by himself. He, however, had one very beautiful lady, to flirt with…and grope, namely, Sango. Grinning, Miroku bolted towards the living quarters.

XXX

“Kaede!” A gangly boy ran through the small house, searching for the grandmother figure he lived with. His yelling stopped when he abruptly ran into the short woman. Her gray hair pulled back, low, in a braid. An eye patch covered her bad eye, her good one searching out the youth. His messy black hair had fallen into his eyes when he hit the ground. His freckled nose was slightly scrunched as he rose, rubbing lightly at his backside with one hand.

“What is it Souta?” Kaede lowered herself back into her aged rocking chair.

“The Coast Guard just called.” Souta's voice was worried and his eyes frantic. “You know how Kagome was supposed to call us when they docked to off-load?”Kaede nodded her head, her brow furrowed just slightly. “Well, they never docked. The Coast Guard tried to radio them, but there was no response. They said that the boat she was on just disappeared.”

“That can't be right. A boat can't just disappear out of thin air.” Her voice, rough like sandpaper, washed over him and he felt warm and safe. Her aged voice had always comforted him, even after the most horrible of nightmares and this was most certainly a nightmare.

“No, but I checked the area they were supposed to be fishing in on the internet. Apparently, there was a huge storm; there were articles that several boats had sunk in that area. What if…what if her boat sunk too? What if she's dead?” Souta's eyes searched the old woman for answers.

“Do you think she's dead?” She reached back to pull her braid over her shoulder, fingering the ends; she gazed at the boy with her one good eye.

“No. Kagome wouldn't go down without a fight. Besides, part of me, it just… knows that she's still out there. She's still alive.” He nodded once, confidently.

Kaede nodded. “Well then, I think you have your answer.” She smiled at the boy, her own worry for her adopted granddaughter hidden in the back of her mind. `Oh Kagome, please be alright.'

XXX

Ayame had two large, green, canvas bags slung across her chest. Kagome, Sango, Eri, and Ayumi were in much the same position. Shippo and Kirara carried one bag each, made of similar green canvas, but in a much smaller size. Inuyasha, at the front of the pack, carried two large five-gallon jugs. Kouga, Miroku, Hojo, Bankoutsu, and Jakoutsu, carried the same jugs.

They were all tied at the waist with an orange bungee cord. The girls and children in the middle and the boys on the ends. No one would be taken without someone knowing about it. After checking all of the knots and finding them to his satisfaction, Inuyasha nodded his head at Ayame, her signal to start giving him directions, so they could get this over as quickly as possible.

After stumbling, tripping and falling all over each other several times, they finally got the hang of walking in unison. “Is this rope really necessary?” Jakoutsu whined from his spot behind Eri and in front of Bankoutsu. “It clashes with my outfit.”

“Yes, it's necessary and I really don't give a flying fuck about your outfit.” The captain's ears flicked in agitation. Jakoutsu pouted but kept all further comments to himself, `Paranoid, much? If only he wasn't so cute when he's angry. ‘He let out a despondent sigh and stared longingly at the captain's ears.

XXX

After another twenty or so minutes of walking, Inuyasha grumbling, and Sango threatening to dismember a certain part of a certain deckhand, did they finally reach a clearing with plenty of the things they were looking for. The exotic trees were filled with exotic fruits and they could hear a spring, not too far off.

“You know Inuyasha; it is going to be particularly hard to climb the trees if we are all tied together, right?” The half-demon's eye twitched in response to Ayame's snide remark.

“I know that.” He responded haughtily. Inuyasha coiled the rope as he went along the line, undoing the knots. He paused when he reached Kagome, she stared expectantly at him, his hands shook as he undid her knot and he resumed along down the line. “We're using the buddy system. No one goes anywhere alone, or without my permission, especially you Kagome.” He turned to stare directly at her.

“Can we just get this over with?” Kouga asked, not happy about being out in the humidity for too long, it always made him cranky.

Two hours, several bruises, even more scratches, and a fall or two out of a tree later, they had finally collected enough food to last them, for at least another week or so. Next, was the fresh water spring. The birds were singing, they saw the occasional monkey, and Inuyasha's paranoia was finally getting to Kagome. After they had refused to be tied together for the short walk, the half-demon had taken to looking back every five seconds and now, every time he looked back she had to look back too, just to make sure.

It was harder getting to the spring than they had initially thought. The closer they came to the small body of water, the muddier the ground became, and the holes and dips made by animals didn't help much either. The air suddenly changed, becoming more humid, muggy, and just as the air changed they broke through the tree line.

The crew of the Tetsusaiga all stood and gawked, mouths hung open in awe and eyes wide in wonder. Ayame, Bankoutsu and the other's just grinned; this was their little slice of heaven on this hellish island. It felt good to see it again. Inuyasha snorted and crossed his arms; his sour mood went unnoticed by the rest of the crew.

The towering waterfall sounded like thunder in their ears, the mist coating them in a fine sheen of water. The falls spilled down into a small lake, blue and clear, rippling slightly with the movement of the fish. Birds circled overhead, their calls drowned out by the noise of the falls. The surface of the spring was littered with brightly colored flower blossoms; it was something straight out of a storybook.

“Wow.” Kagome's whispered exclamation didn't go unnoticed and Ayame turned her happy grin to the astonished girl.

“Beautiful isn't it? This is Kioko Falls, Bankoutsu named this place in memory of Kirara's mother.” She whispered to the younger girl, her breath tickling Kagome's ear. Bankoutsu shot them a suspicious look from his place near Jakoutsu, the wolf demoness shrugged and smiled at him.

“Can we get this over with already?” Inuyasha's harsh bark, startled them all, and Kagome had to brace herself against Ayame in order to regain her bearings. Pressing a hand over her heart she shot the captain a glare that went completely unnoticed.

Inuyasha, Kouga, Bankoutsu, Jakoutsu, Miroku and Hojo, crouched low on the bank of the spring, setting to work filling each of their containers. Shippou and Kirara took everyone's canteens to fill with new water. The girls hung back, all of them gathered at the base of one of the huge trees surrounding the area.

“Ayame have you ever tried to catch any of the fish?” The raven-haired girl looked on curiously at the ripples in the pond. The cook in her insisting they try to catch some of the brightly colored aquatic animals.

“When we first got here yes, but they're unusually quick. Even those of us with demon abilities couldn't catch the little suckers. I admit we didn't really try all that hard, the birds were easier to catch. Eventually we just gave up on the fish, and we got by on birds. They were surprisingly delicious for exotic animals. The only birds I had ever eaten were duck, turkey, and chicken. I never really liked them either, more of a beef gal myself.” The rest of Ayame's rambling went unnoticed. Blue eyes much the same color of the spring sparkled with a cunning plan.

“Hey Inuyasha,” Kagome stepped towards the captain's position on the bank where he was filling his last barrel.

“What is it now wench?” His irritation was palpable in the air around him. The raven-haired girl merely brushed it off, the half-demon's crankiness had no affect on her anymore and she continued with her questioning.

“Do you think we could try to catch some of those fish?”

“Feh, whatever. Just hurry up with it. I don't want to be out here longer than necessary.” His golden eyes followed her form as she went to collect Shippou and Kirara.

Twenty minutes later the children's satchels were brimming with the brightly colored fish. Shippou had been surprisingly quick and had taken quickly to the sport. Kagome grinned from ear to ear with pride and excitement. It had been a while since she had made fish.

XXX

Tired groans filled the area and slaps of hands upon skin were harsh against the walking groups' ears. Just after the sun had begun its decent into evening, the bugs had decided to come out with a vengeance. Sunburned and bug-bitten, they were all happy to hear the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.

Inuyasha suddenly stopped, his arm held out at his side as a signal for the others to do so as well. His nose twitched as he scented the air, Kouga and Ayame doing the same. The captain growled and bounded for the beach yelling a quick “stay here!” to the rest of them.

Kagome turned to the red-haired wolf demoness, her face was pale and she gripped the young cook's hand tightly in her own. “What's wrong? What do you smell?” Ayame turned to answer but Kirara's quiet voice piped up before she could.

“It's Naraku, he's been here.” The small girl clung tightly to Kagome's leg, her face buried in the girls’ denim shorts.

“Shhh, it's okay. Inuyasha will take care of everything.” She smoothed the tiny cat demon's hair.

“Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm not standing around waiting while dog-breath has all the fun.” Kouga ran off in the same direction Inuyasha had just shortly disappeared in to.

“Kagome, are they gonna be okay?” Shippo's large green eyes stared up at her from her other leg. `Since when did my legs become kid magnets?' She thought, her eyes going glazy for a moment before returning to reality.

“They’ll be fine.” She smiled softly at him and he grinned widely back at her.

XXX

Inuyasha's growl was deep and rough; red clouded the edges of his vision as he scanned the white sands of the beach. His boat was gone and in its place was the last person he wanted to see. Naraku stood shoulders back and chin cocked in proud grandeur.

“What the fuck did you do with my boat?” Red continued to cloud the half-demon's vision; he cracked his knuckles and bared his fangs, prepared for whatever the twisted man before him had planned.

“There's no need to cuss Inuyasha. I never did anything to your precious Tetsusaiga, the tether however, is a completely different story.” His red eyes glowed from beneath the mask and his vicious smirk cast shadows upon villainous features. “My dear boy, you should be more careful, this rope, it just snaps so easily.” It seemed to happen in slow motion, the blue braided cord, slipped soundlessly from his clenched fist, Inuyasha's eyes followed the movement, as what was left of the rope, fell to the sand.

Molten eyes narrowed in pure hatred. This being before him endangered the lives of his friends, killed two of his crew members, threatened the life of the one girl he may just have a chance with in years, and had now taken away the only chance they had to get off this goddamn island.

Just as the hanyou was about to launch himself at the sadist before him, Kouga burst through the trees behind him, his own growl rising in volume at the sight of Naraku. The wolf demon's growls stopped short and his icy blue eyes widened a fraction, just now noticing the one thing missing that shouldn't have been missing. His eyes shot back to Naraku, and Kouga crouched low in a position similar to the one Inuyasha was in.

“Sadly I have no time for your foolish games; I have business that I really must return to. It was lovely chatting with you Inuyasha; I hope we can do this again, real soon.” His voice dripped with perverse pleasure, he had them right where he wanted them, and best of all, they knew it too.

Inuyasha snorted and his ears laid back in displeasure. “You're not leaving so soon are you? We haven't even gotten to the fun part yet.” As the last word left his mouth, his clawed feet twisted in the sand, searching for leverage as he launched himself at Naraku. Just as his claws grazed the front of the baboon pelt, a purple mist surrounded the man; forced to retreat Inuyasha covered his face with his arms.

When the miasma had cleared, the captain brought his arm down, looking behind him he saw Kouga, still in tact. And looking back where Naraku was supposed to be lay a wooden doll, a fine piece of black hair wrapped around its length. “Coward,” he muttered before picking up the doll and crushing it in his hand.

A racket behind him stirred him from his musings and he whipped around to come face to face with the rag-tag group he had specifically told to stay behind. Their mouths agape and eyes wide, they had noticed right away that the Tetsusaiga was missing. Questioning eyes all turned to him and he looked down at the splinters of wood that used to be Naraku's doll.

“Inuyasha…” Kagome's voice was quiet and cautious and it soothed the demon raging inside of him. “Where is the boat?” He flinched at her question.

“Naraku's taken it.” Kouga answered for him.

“But…no…” Her brow furrowed and she approached the half-demon her feet making small divots in the sand. She lightly touched his arm, her skin cool against the heat of his own. His eyes rose to meet hers and he told her all she needed to know with just one look.
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-End Author's Note: I know, I know, there's no one in here named Daniel but it was the name of the song I was listening to when I started writing this, and well, it just kind of stuck.

Soundtrack for Chapter 12:
Drop Dead, Gorgeous: Daniel, Where’s The Boat?
Flyleaf: All Around Me
Heavy Heavy Low Low: I Forgot 2 And A Half Days.

Next Time on A Killer In Hindsight: Why did the fly, fly?