InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Deep Waters ❯ Ch.15 ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter 15

 

She jumped up, ignoring the aching protest of her body. She grabbed Shippo by the arm and bolted through the alley into the empty street, shoving her way past them. She couldn't be here, if Sango and Miroku were here, then it must mean that their pirate captain was not far behind. She heard Miroku call, “Kagome! Wait!” Along with Sango's strangled gasp.

 

Shippo was beyond confused but Kagome didn't take that into consideration as she scooped him into her arms and sprinted towards where Toutousai war supposed to meet them, that is unless he had been captured by Inuyasha and his crew. She hated the despicable thoughts that probed at her mind. “Kagome, who were those people?”

 

“Later Shippo,” she panted. Her chest heaved for air as she pleaded to God that he would be there waiting for them to make their escape from the clutches of hell. She winced as she heard two heavy sets of footfalls behind her; relieved when she heard that neither drew their swords. She refused to give up and galloped through the streets, picking up her skirts, trying not to trip. She felt the heavy weight of one of the scoundrels who were giving chase ram into her back, successfully making her topple to the stone road. She threw Shippo out from under her, knowing that if she did not he would be crushed and delay them more. “Run Shippo!” She hissed as she hit the ground.

 

“Kagome!” He squeaked as he spun until he sharply hit a wall.

 

“Run! Get Toutousai to take you! I'll be fine!” She rushed, attempting to fight off her attacker who was straddling the back of her waist.

 

“Kagome! Stop! We're on your side!” Sango huffed in her ear. “Promise you won't run, and I'll let you up.” She heard Miroku shift behind Sango impatiently.

 

“Please Kagome, if you don't believe us we'll let you go.”

 

“I can't see him again!” Kagome wailed, struggling to get free. Unfortunately, Sango was skilled in the matter and fought off her weak attacks, trying to control the girl before she harmed herself.

 

“You won't have to. For your safety and ours, we wouldn't dare bring you to the murderous fiend.” Miroku growled.

 

“Why not?” Kagome snapped. “Please, I need to leave. Toutousai is waiting for me! I have to leave here! If he finds me-“ She was cut off by her heart wrenching sobs. She glanced up and saw that Shippo was still sitting there, watching the display with interest. “Go!” She urged. He gave a sad smile and shook his head. She was being betrayed by everyone, she'd never make it back to her fiancé now, all hope was gone.

 

“Promise,” Sango asked desperately, peering into all the dark corners of the street, trying to see if someone was there or not. She seemed to give up, knowing that the scarce torches did nothing to illuminate the road at this late hour.

 

Kagome debated her options before sighing, “Promise.”

 

Sango skeptically stood before hoisting the shaking girl up too. It only took a matter of seconds before Kagome was pulled into a fierce embrace, which she buoyantly agreed to. “I missed you so much!” Sango muttered, clutching the girl. Soon Miroku joined their embrace; he too had sorely missed the new extension of the once tight group of rogues.

 

“Me too.” She sniveled. “I must go.” She said regretfully tearing away from their hug. Before she could make her get away Miroku caught her wrist with a sly wink.

 

“Not so fast lady Kagome, we're no longer in the keep of Inuyasha. He has gone somewhat mad and has released us from our crew.” He explained patiently.

 

“So he's not here?” She asked, shocked.

 

“Yeah, he is. This is where he released us.” Sango clarified. “We are tryin' to escape `cause he's gonna kill us next time he sees us.”

 

“Come with me.” Kagome invited breathlessly. “We're going to Shizuoka. My fiancé is there. I'll explain why I left on the way.” She said extending her uncaptured hand to the two. “It's a long story. This is Shippo, by the way.” She said indicating over to the small form with fiery orange hair and emerald eyes.

 

“Hey there sweetie, I'm Sango. The lecher over there-“ She pointed before giving him a sharp slap for fondling her bottom, “is named Miroku. It's a pleasure to meet you. Kagome, please give us a minute.” Sango excused herself along with Miroku. They went a couple of feet away and began to discuss the invitation in hushed voices while Kagome rocked back and forth impatiently.

 

A few seconds later the two returned with bowed heads. “Lady Kagome, we are honored to accept your proposal. That is if you don't mind.” Miroku said gratefully.

 

“Of course. Come on though, we were supposed to meet Toutousai at nine and it is probably far past. I hope he wasn't abducted by Inuyasha.” Kagome murmured gravely.

 

“I doubt it.” Sango answered. “We should get going.” Kagome gathered Shippo in her arms and the four of them paraded to the small hut on the edge of the city. Kagome found that she was a lot calmer having two powerful swordsmen at her side to protect her.

 

When they arrived at the barn they all let out a relieved sigh to see Toutousai sitting there on his oxen, waiting, or what appeared to be waiting, when they got closer they saw that he was comfortably asleep with a reasonably large snot bubble dripping from his nose. “Toutousai!” She called with an honest smile.

 

“Oh, oh Kagome, Shippo! I'm sorry I don't remember your names, although you were there right?” He asked, honestly forgetting if they had accompanied the two strange traveling companions before.

 

“Yes,” Miroku said with a smile. “Good evening Toutousai.” Sango followed his lead with a short smile of her own.

 

“Well hop on back, we're off!” He said clucking at his demon ox. Soon they were trotting down the road happily. The elderly man whispered short words to the ox before falling back asleep. The assembly was shocked at first, but after a while it seemed the ox knew exactly where it was going, because it's a demon, Kagome assumed.

 

Their trip was long and it was late in the eve, none of them blamed Shippo for following the man into a deep sleep. In truth, they were all quite thankful of that for they needed privacy to discuss the matters at hand. Kagome leaned against the side of the wooden cart, disregarding the itch of her torn and stained gowns. “Kagome, you said you were goin' to tell us why ya left.” Sango reminded.

 

“Yes, I did say that. Please forgive me. I did not mean to cause you any distress or harm, for you see if I had stayed longer that would have happened. I-I'm engaged to a powerful man. I heard from a group of sailors that he was hunting for me, quite absurd since he was the one who pushed me off that godforsaken boat.” She cursed. “You will have heard of him, and I'll understand if you hate me and never want to see me again for this secret. My fiancé is the naval commander, Naraku Morikawa. He's coming to hunt me down, he pushed me out of the ship, an-and now he's coming to retrieve me. If I had stayed, he would have found me, and you. I couldn't let that happen to you guys, I, no.” She whispered, tears prickling the edges of her eyes, though they could hear her perfectly.

 

“Na-Naraku?” Sango gasped before enveloping her into a tight hug. Miroku just sat back aghast, what were the chances of a man so cruel to end up with sweet little Kagome? “You should have told us. We would have protected you, Inuyasha would die before he let that asshole touch you.”

 

“I know, that's the problem. Sango, I won't let you guys die for me, it would have been a meaningless slaughter. I'm dealing with it.” She uttered.

 

There was silence for a while before Miroku broke the intense silence with a hushed question. “Why did he push you off that boat?”

 

Memories she did not wish to remember flooded her like a tidal wave crushing down on the beach.

 

Kagome sat at a western style table in her uncomfortable gown, unlike the kimonos she was used to. She tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for her father to get out of his meeting with the naval commander. She didn't even know why they were meeting, she'd never met this man before and her father was definitely not a man who would often do business with such a powerful man. Her slippered foot was beginning to tire, and she was getting hungry. Her cook was probably preparing a delicious meal right now, and at the rate her father was closing the business deals, they wouldn't be back for another couple of hours. They were on a boat in a small bay near Sendai, and probably wouldn't receive a dinner here, and the ride back was a good hour or two. The cook had prepared a small lunch for her while she was in the carriage and on her fathers' own boat. It had been too large for her to finish at the time, but she had shared the remains with some of the servant children who looked like they barely earned enough to live.

 

Her stomach growled loudly, her eyes darted around to make sure none of the sailors had heard such an unladylike sound. Luckily, it appeared that they had not. She let out an anxious groan, the light footfalls of her slippers hastening. Her eyes darted around the ship to see if there was anything that particularly caught her interest, finding nothing she let out another grumble and bore her eyes into the door of the famous officer. Soon the door she had previously glared at swung open to reveal her father with a gleeful face. He stood to the side as Naraku stepped onto the main deck. Looking at the man gave her shudders, she could tell he was murderous and merciless. He was cool and painfully beautiful with broad shoulders, waist length hair flowing like a curtain, piercing demonic eyes that seemed to train in on her. “Lady Kagome,” He said huskily.

 

“Lord Naraku, `tis an honor to meet you.” She replied humbly standing up to do a short curtsy.

 

“Ah, but the pleasure is all mine.” He rasped with a perverse grin. She shuddered. How could her father be so naive to what was happening; she knew he wasn't the most observant man, but he should notice the strange man leering at her with undisguised lust. “My greatest apologies, these blunder heads did not invite you out of the shade and offer you some entertainment. If you'll excuse me Lord Higurashi, I'd like to explain to Lady Kagome our arrangement.” He hissed.

 

“Why of course. Kagome, I'm expecting a hug and kiss for this terrific news!” Her father chided gently and she instantly gasped, predicting the `news' with forlorn expression.

 

Together the two walked to the quarterdeck. He dismissed the man sailing the ship and everyone else on the deck with a slight nod of his head. In a desperate attempt she sibilated, “But who will steer the ship?”

 

“Ah Kagome,” He hushed, “You have obviously no experience on a vessel such as this before, we are anchored currently.” He said innocently.

 

Her lips formed a small `o' and a bright blush accompanied it. “'Tis true, I have naught one experience on a ship.”

 

“Well you seem to be handling it quite well, you're not nauseous are you?” He asked with fake concern.

 

“I'm fine.” She grunted as one hand slipped behind her to the small of her back innocently.

 

“Well then, I'll get right to it, your father and I have arranged our marriage. You must be aware that I have lusted after you pretty little thing for quite the while.” He grinned maliciously.

 

“No, actually I have never seen you before today, my lord.”

 

“Well we'll have the rest of our lives to change that won't we.” He said, quickly descending for a kiss. She was too shocked to reply, her mouth fell open at the idea, and suddenly she was feeling very nauseous. His hand slipped lower to fondle her round bottom through the many layers of her gown.

 

“My lord!” She gasped pulling back, and before she could realized what she was doing, she slapped him hard on the cheek. The gruff sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the quarterdeck. She withdrew her hand to her mouth ashamed, she had just struck the naval commander and her future husband. A beating was sure to ensue, and she flinched at the idea. “Dear lord,” She gaped.

 

“Conniving bitch! How dare you slap me! `Tis treason!” He screamed before slapping her severely with a punishing gaze. “You shall pay for that insolent wench!” He gave her a rough shove, successfully pushing her off the vessel and into the frigid water. He mocked her as the current pulled her under the water and farther and farther away from him. He put on his gravest expression before returning to the senior Higurashi fool. “Lord Higurashi, I have tragic news!” He all but wailed, smirking at his acting abilities.

 

“What is it? Where is my daughter?” He wondered aloud.

 

“'Tis a horrible fate which she met! I told her and she began to jump for joy, hav-having not yet received her sea legs she tumbled into the ocean be-before the current pulled her away. I have no doubt that she is alive, and my lord I will not rest until I find her!” He vowed before adding in his head, `And kill her. How dare she slap me!'

 

The Higurashis were greatly grieved by the news from their only daughters betrothed. They mourned her although Naraku tried to convince them that she was alive and well in some town.

 

 

Kagome told them her story, stopping a few times when she had to stop for her wails. Neither of the two pirates thought her weak because of such, in honesty her story seemed to make theirs pale in comparison, what she had gone through and done so that her friends would survive was courageous and chivalrous. Once she was done they both gave her their sympathies, unsure how to comfort the distressed, weeping female in front of them. Once she had calmed down they both gave an oath to help her reach the monstrosity of a man she had to marry.

 

“Thank you guys, I appreciate it. I'll need friends like you, I just wouldn't tell him about your pasts. He wouldn't take to kindly to that.” She laughed softly, not wanting to wake up the sleeping kit beside her. She let out a soft yawn, deciding it was time to get to sleep, knowing that it was late into the night. “I think it is bedtime for me.” Kagome excused herself and laid down on the hard pallet, slowly drifting into sleep as a blanket of darkness covered her up, warming her from head to toe.