InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Deep Waters ❯ Ch.16 ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 16

 

Kagome woke to a jostle, causing her to fall and squish poor Shippo. “Shippo!” She exclaimed as she rolled off of him. “Are you okay?”

 

“Yeah, I'm fine Kagome. What's the matter?” He asked when he saw her attention was no longer on him. Instead she stared unabashed ahead; catching on he too gazed forward, gasping at the sight. It was beautiful; they were riding right beside the ocean, the sun rising as they trotted down the path making the water sparkle like a polished gem. The cart teetered and bumped, but the lurching wagon could not divert her attention, it was only on the glistening water, untouched by human life. There wasn't a ship in sight, odd because of how close they were to a harbor. Kagome sighed; it really was a beautiful sight.

 

Miroku and Sango were still fast asleep along with the old man driving the rickety cart. She gathered up the young child in her arms, contently resting her chin of his forehead. “Shippo, we're so close to getting there. I-I'm afraid of what he might do to me…” She trailed off, not wanting to distress the boy with her worries.

 

She smiled as she felt him shuffle around in her arms and give her a tight squeeze. “I wish I could make all the pain go away.” He stated. She couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks; such words should never come from the mouth of an infant.

 

“Shippo, don't worry, everything will be okay, I just gotta learn to suck it up.” She murmured with a ghostlike smile. “Besides, you'll be fine, I arranged that Sango and Miroku will look after you, so we will see each other on occasion.” She hadn't exactly asked them, but she was fairly positive they would agree. She traced his chubby cheeks with the back of her fingers. “I'm-it'll be alright.”

 

“I love you Kagome.” He yawned curling up in her lap.

 

“And I love you Shippo.” She replied, wrapping her arms around him. Soon he fell asleep; all alone she stared at the water with an unexplainable longing. The waves lapped onto the shore with a serene `whoosh' and the early birds crowed into the sky as they flew against the turf.

 

It was hours before Sango rose, but Kagome was unable to draw her gaze away from the surf. She hadn't even been aware that Sango was awake until she had tapped Kagome on the shoulder, asking her why she was crying.

 

“I don't know,” She gave a rueful smirk. She shook her head and wiped her tears away even though dried trails still remained on her cheeks. “We're still a good day or so away from Shizuoka.” She affirmed. “Uh Sango, I have a huge favor to ask you.” The ex-pirate nodded her head. “Shippo, my fiancé won't accept him, I have no doubt in that, and I promised him a home. I've tried so hard to find him a suitable one but there are none, and would you please take him in for me, just for a while then I swear I'll find him a new home!” She rambled.

 

She would have continued but Sango grabbed her firmly on the shoulder. “We'll take care of him as long as you want Kagome. Please, just try and take care of yourself.” She gave a pitying smile.

 

“I promise.”

 

 

They had arrived at Shizuoka late in the night, deciding that they would not wait until the next eve to attack, they stormed onto the shores. The city was bright with flames that night as they plundered wildly. Every single pirate had taken more than his fair share of loot and a decent number had women to bed that eve. Except one. Inuyasha was not with his crew, giving them leave to do whatever they wished. He was glad that the stupid navy had left the port, it was an admirable place for the trade, except he didn't really trade he more of pilfered. If there were naval officers left they either ran into the hills, seeking safety, went to alert the naval commander, Naraku, or were foolishly fighting like they had some hope. Which they didn't.

 

Nope, instead he was at a burial ground a twenty-minute walk away from the village currently being thieved. He sat at the foot of a grave, staring solemnly at the shrine. It had been fifty years since he last saw her face, well unless you counted Kagome who's face mirrored hers. Mold and decay had rotted her body, destroying what was left of the radiant woman. He still found himself returning to her grave whenever he was grim, even when she had betrayed him. Left him! Like Kagome. They had both run into another man's arms, or that is what he had heard.

 

 

Darkness was her cloak as she raced down the street, heavily panting. The only noise was her boot falls as she ran to the inn. There he would be, waiting to take her away from the hell she was living in. He had promised her freedom, if she would go to him, escape with him. Onigumo had promised her life if she would only marry him. She could survive no longer with the despicable half-breed; she had to escape.

 

She swung open the door, breathing labored, searching the inn's tavern for the man. She sighed in relief when she saw his beady brown eyes staring at her, undressing her. She didn't care; anything would be better than Inuyasha. How dare he suggest that they wed!? She was a noble woman and he was a pirate! A pirate and a hanyou! Yes, he was fun to toy around with, she could sleep with him constantly then claim to be raped. But then he thought she would want to stay with him! Ha! She planned to escape the second he let her out of his sights. Exactly what she had done, and now she was drinking ale with a man named Onigumo. He told her he was a noble man in Nansei, sailing here to see the world. She soaked up every word.

 

“Onigumo-sama I shall come with you back to Naha and marry you.”

 

 

That is what he was told happened by the bar tender who he threatened to find this information. He went to Naha the next day, swearing to kill the bitch who had left him so foolishly. He arrived at Naha to find that there was no lord Onigumo, but a local bandit who had just returned from Shizuoka. He smirked as he set off to find the man named Onigumo. He arrived at their hide out hours later, his pace always swifter than the eye could see. Inuyasha entered the cave, glowing at what he would do not only to the wench Kikyou, but to Onigumo as well. He found Onigumo easily enough, the man laughed as he was punched through the stomach. “What fools you both are!” Onigumo giggled. “I took Kikyou as far as the harbor before I raped and killed her, I wouldn't be surprised if they were burying her right now!” He chuckled as his head was cleanly sliced off. It landed with a `plop' feet away, a goofy grin plastered onto his lean face for eternity.

 

 

It was true, when he returned to Shizuoka she was buried at the hill where he sat. He mockingly told her grave that she was not the only one to break his heart and not the only one to die because she did so. The sun rose making the water sparkle like a polished gem. Deciding it was time for them to leave Shizuoka and make way to another part of Japan, he hadn't chosen yet.

 

He pushed himself off the muddy ground, his bones creaking as he did so. The breeze whispered in his ear making him jump. He could have sworn that it had said `Not all fates end up the same.' He shook his head, his sanity was quickly slipping, winds did not talk, the wind could give premonitions, but speak, definitely no.

 

Hastily he returned to his crew, reminding them to finish up and get back on the ship in half an hour of they would be left to be hung by the navy that was sure to be aware of their presence and advancing on them right then. Not that it mattered, they could easily destroy them, but it was just so fun to pretend that there was a challenge besides his brother.

 

 

They journeyed down the road for hours, stopping twice for bathroom breaks, other than that they ate, drank and slept on the wagon. Toutousai, who had traveled the trail countless times informed them that they were only about four hours away thanks to his demon ox that went more than twice as fast as the average animal. Kagome hadn't noticed it before, but they were all but soaring through the air, the trees were blurs of green.

 

Suddenly the came to a halt, throwing the four companions in the back forwards with a jerk. “What's happening?” Cried Shippo.

 

“Up ahead's a boy who looks like he needs to be somewhere in a hurry. I figured we could offer him some water.” Toutousai said.

 

“That's very admirable of you.” Sango smiled.

 

None of them spoke until the boy was right in front of them. “Hello,” Kagome said brightly.

 

“Hi!” He panted and was about to run past them until Miroku shouted.

 

“Where are you going in such a rush?”

 

“That information is confidential.” He was behind the cart now.

 

“Fine then! Don't stop for water! How rude!” Sango snapped. That stopped the man in his tracks. His face was all red and it was obvious he had been running for a while now.

 

“Alright, I'll tell you if you share some water with me.” The boy was persuaded easily, but he still seemed wary of the bunch. “My name is Houjou.” The boy was young, only nineteen at the most. Sandy brown locks framed his face and innocent chocolate eyes.

 

“Nice to meet you, Houjou.” Kagome beamed.

 

The boy blushed deeply, obviously before he hadn't paid attention to the beauty in the back of the rickshaw. “You too miss!” He gave a goofy grin, before gladly accepting the pouch of water he was handed from Kagome.

 

“I'm Kagome, this is Shippo, Sango, Miroku and Toutousai. We're heading to Shizuoka to see my fiancé.” She explained.

 

“No! I wouldn't do that!” He warned. “It's been attacked by a group of pirates!” They all gasped, but not out of fear but of hope. Perhaps Naraku had been killed in the raids, and she would be free. “That's why I'm going to Hamamatsu, I have to inform Captain Naraku of this!” He was shaking with fear; it was obvious that the boy had volunteered to get away from the doomed city.

 

“Wait! So Captain Naraku is no longer in Shizuoka?” Kagome demanded, frightening the poor Houjou out of his wits.

 

“No, he's in Hamamatsu like I just explained.” He said eyeing her. “Crud!” He boomed. “That was classified information! I hope you good folks do not take advantage of my foolishness.” He begged with a bowed head.

 

“Don't worry Houjou-kun.” He blushed at the name. “You see, Naraku-sama is my betrothed. That is why we were going to Shizuoka, but we do not wish to meet the dreadful pirates along the way.” She said gravely, shaking her head. She felt a pang of guilt stereotyping all pirates to be fiends, Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha had shown her they loved and had compassion like all human beings. Well at least Inuyasha had shown her that while she was aboard, from Sango and Miroku's stories she was willing to doubt that he was so kind.

 

“If that is the case, I will take you all to Hamamatsu.” He offered.

 

“Thank you Houjou-kun!” Kagome grinned.

 

“Yes, thank you.” Miroku and Sango repeated.

 

“No problem.”

 

“Toutousai, did you hear that? Pirates have invaded Shizuoka! I suggest you return to your home.” Kagome told him.

 

“Ah, perhaps I will, do you need a ride back?” He asked, clearly not having paid attention to the conversation.

 

“No, that is not necessary, we shall go to Hamamatsu.” Miroku piped in.

 

“Is everyone in agreement?” Asked Sango. They all nodded their heads in agreement.

 

“Well then, I wish you luck on your journey.” Toutousai waved and before they could blink was riding off in the other direction. Together the comrades walked towards Hamamatsu, some dreading and some excited about meeting the fearsome captain of the navy, Naraku Morikawa.

 

A/N: I apologize for the lack of updates, everything's been so hectic lately, but now I promise to try and update frequently. As always,

Kagome_LinkinPark