InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ The Army Life ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: ji-an

Inuyasha arrives at Base-point with Kagome.

�Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, it's the sole property of Romiko Takahashi, and I cannot take credit for her genius.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Mystery / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.07.2006 | Updated On: 03.19.2007 | Pages: 6 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 2.9K | Status: Work In Progress

Disclaimer, I don't own Inuyasha, it belongs to Romiko Takahashi and I'm not allowed to take credit for her genius.

Chapter 4: The Army life

“Bringing a girl into a camp full of men is a little reckless, don't you think, hanyou?” A young man with dark hair tied into a ponytail said when he got an eyeful of the girl resting peacefully on the general's back. He had a chest-plate that glimmered in the sun, furs covering his lower half up to his knees and furs on his ankles and wrists. Personally, Inuyasha couldn't understand how the wolf demon could withstand the heat with his furs.

“It's better than leaving her in a town full of men.” Was his sharp answer. “Besides, she's NOT the only girl here, Kouga”

He looked around at the men at Base-point, giving them a look that said “Hands off!” The men squirmed at the intensity of his glare. Turning his attention back to Kouga, who seemed not to notice his warning, he noticed that the young wolf was now eyeing Kagome. “Looks quite pretty for such a young bitch.” He smirked. “So, how did you find such a beauty? And why would she be with you?” Inuyasha growled.

“Stay away from her Wolf-breath. I don't trust your reputation.”

“Whatever. I know what belongs to me.”

Not liking what he meant by that last comment, Inuyasha was about to give his opinion when he felt the girl on his back shift in her sleep, unexplainably calming him down. He switched the conversation. “Before I forget, Kouga, did my brother send any word?”

The wolf demon brought his hand up to his chin as though trying to recollect any news. “Come to think of it, I think there was a messenger that came here a few days ago. Said something about your brother wanting to see you in person at home as soon as possible.”

Inuyasha snarled. First his brother wanted him to check the border and after three days of travel, he now was ordering Inuyasha to return home. Does he think of him as his errand dog or something?

“I got everything at Base-point, dog-turd. Don't forget I AM the wolf prince and Marshall of the wolf army. Go home to your brother puppy.”

Inuyasha said nothing. He was too tired, running from sunrise till noon to get the Base-point. He knew all too well of cocky Kouga's rank. It was his reputation that caused his brother, Sesshoumaru, to ask for his pack's assistance in the war. Though Kouga was an ally, Inuyasha never had much care for him and ,to his relief, Kouga felt the same way. It was not the kind of relationship between rivals. Their perception of each other could be described as utter disgust, not that one cared about what the other thought of him. For now, though, they were at a truce in the war, a very weak truce.

()()()()()()()()()()

It was hot! Unbearably hot. Opening an eye, the room came into focus. Well, one would not technically call it a room, just a big, sturdy tent that provided some shade from the sun and, of course her small bed. “Oh! Your awake!” Confused by the sudden feminine voice, she turned her head in the direction of the sound to find a young woman with long black hair tied in a high ponytail standing there next to the edge of her mattress. She wore a pink and green outfit made of linen. The top half was pink with no sleeves. It was a long shirt that stopped at her waist. She wore a green skirt that stretched to her ankles. The clothing was cut in slits from her hips to her ankles. Lastly, she wore a pair of sandals. Kagome stared at this gorgeous woman, realizing that this was the first female she had seen since she arrived in this realm.

“Hi there.”

“You must really have been tired, General Inuyasha brought you to this tent so you can rest. He then ordered me to watch you before leaving. Hi, my name is Sango. I'm one of the weapons experts here at Base-point and I'm one of Inuyasha-sama's warriors.”

Kagome blinked in confusion. Although she didn't know much about Inuyasha, (and he had made it pretty obvious that he didn't like to speak about himself) she didn't know that he was a general. This “Sango” looked friendly. Kagome couldn't help but feel that familiar twinge of friendly trust toward her.

“My name is Kagome. It's really nice to meet you. It's nice to meet a friendly face for a change.” She muttered that last part more to herself than Sango, but Sango did hear her statement.

“'Meet a friendly face?' Was Inuyasha-sama mean to you? I'll kill him!”

“No no no,” Kagome yelled when she noticed Sango was headed toward the exit, “He wasn't mean. He helped me.”

“Yes, I know. He told me.”

The day went by quickly. Kagome was enjoying her conversation with her new friend so much; she didn't notice the day slowly draining away, nor did she realize that she hadn't moved from bed she had awoken from. Twilight passed, leaving Kagome to feel the coolness of nighttime that followed, though she didn't pay much attention to the sudden change in temperature for she was really interested in her discussion with Sango. Along the course of her speech, Kagome had learned some valuable facts about the world she had come too. She learned of the four kingdoms: Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Domain.

“Your lucky Inuyasha was the one that found you. He told me that he found you at the border to the Eastern Domain. You should know that the Eastern lands are really dangerous for humans like you and me. I hear that the leader of the area is really vicious and the fact that Inuyasha's land, the Western Domain, is currently at war with them doesn't help his anger either.”

“Why are you at war with their country?” Curiosity was really one of her worst weaknesses. It had gotten her into this mess, and Kagome was hoping it would get her out.

“Don't you know? They are after our land. A year ago, they suddenly attacked the cities on the border. That was the beginning of the war. The cities near the border were cleared out. Only solders are there. Most of the women and children are in the capital part of the Western Domain right now. Inuyasha will head back there tomorrow.”

“So, he's just a general in the war?” In a way, she could imagine him living the military life. He seemed to have that fighting spirit that every warrior had.

“He's not just a general. He has a very important position and-“

“I know,” Kagome cut her off, “I can imagine how important his job is in a war.”

Sango was unsure if Kagome had understood what she meant but pushed aside that thought. “Though things are calm now, Kagome, there is no doubt that fighting will start again soon. It's actually a surprise that the enemy has stopped attacking us for some weeks. I think they are planning something. It's really dangerous for you to be here, in a military camp let alone near the battleground. I think you should return to the Western lands tomorrow with Inuyasha-sama. You'll be safest there.”

A movement out of the corner of her eye had her attention back at the girl. Kagome shifted to stand off the bed. Her legs felt weak, possibly from lying down for so long. “Where are you going?” Sango asked when she noticed that Kagome was headed toward the exit of the tent. Kagome turned to face her. “I want to go for a little walk to clear my thoughts.” Sango had risen from her seat and was now looking at Kagome with a serious expression. “I don't think that's a good idea. Inuyasha-sama told me not to let you out of my sight, let alone let you leave the tent. It's not a good idea to wander around at night, especially here.”

Anger was the primary emotion Kagome felt. “Who does he think he is, giving me orders! He's not the boss of me!”

“Please, Kagome, listen to me. I've known him for a while, he doesn't give orders without having a reason-”

“That doesn't give him the right to think he has complete control over me!” Kagome snapped, defiance in her tone.

Though Sango could see her point, she knew that leaving the tent was a bad idea, not only because it would mean facing Inuyasha's wrath but…

“Please, Kagome. I'm just concerned for your safety. Please, stay here.”

Kagome sighed. Sango had her when she sincerely asked to stay. “Alright.”

The moon had risen now. Kagome lay in bed with the clovers up to her chin; her eyes wide open and sleep was the last thing on her mind. No matter how she tried to sleep, the sensation was long gone from her. Looking over to the bed across the tent, hoping to see that Sango was still awake enough to converse, she was unhappy to see her chest swaying up and down in the even breathing motion of sleep. Groaning, she pushed the covers from her shoulders till the cool softness reached her ankles.

Tip-toeing toward the exit, she looked over her shoulder and when she saw that Sango was still resting peacefully she stepped outside. Nighttime in the desert was like being in a different place. There was no blazing heat, no hot wind that threw sand in your eyes, just a cool breeze and the soft touch of moonlight reflecting on the sand, `giving a light glow to the white tents at Base-point. Kagome almost felt as though she had been taken to yet another place.

She snuck along the shadows of the tents, trying to avoid the view of any of the guards that were on patrol in case of a surprise attack. The spaces between the structures felt like a miniature maze that gave you a dead end at every new tent that appeared, weapon rack that was stacked in your way, or pair of guards that could be heard talking in the distance. Despite all her caution not to make any sound or running into a guard, Kagome thought her new freedom was pleasant. A quiet walk in the moonlight, aside from the fact that this was a military camp awaiting a possible attack, would've been quite a romantic setting. Kagome saddened a bit remembering her friends and how they had spoken enthusiastically about her first date before all this desert stuff happened. Hanging her head toward the ground as the painful reminder of those happy times came to her. Kagome hadn't felt the presence behind her lurking in the shadows of the small alley formed by the two tents that were to her right.

`How will I get home? I'll bet Mom is worried to death now. And I'll bet Houjo's already making plans to move on, now that I'm not around. What if I never get back? I can't stay here in the mist of a war.'

A sudden heat around her torso jerked her out of her dubious thoughts. She didn't have to look down to know that a pair of arms was now securely wrapped around her belly. Eyes wide with the abrupt action, she was about to turn and snap at her captor when the sound of his voice resonated through the air and heat of his breath tickled her ear.

“Well, aren't you a little naïve. Little girl thinks she could wander around a military camp like she owns the place without getting caught.” She opened her mouth, gathering her breath to give him a smug reply. Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt his hand shift from her waist to squeeze one of her breasts through the thin layer of clothing that covered it.

Any anger felt as that moment had taken a drastic switch to fear. She struggled to get away, her feet failing to run forward like she commanded them to do because one arm held her in place and when she tried to claw at the arm to set herself free the appendage tightened around her torso till it got to the point of inflicting pain. She was now finding it difficult to breath or fight back because the arm held so severely. The hand kept harshly pinching and tweaking the tender flesh it had found. She tried to scream, but the power of speech never came; her mind was in too much turmoil and fear had completely blocked out the sound of her voice.

“You're so soft.” The voice was raspy, full of the horrid lust that drove men wild. The arm pressed her back closer to his chest making her gasp for breath in the process. Momentarily the hand let her go only to head lower till it grazed the area near her thighs. Once the man's fingers sunk into her skin, the nails pinching her, she couldn't handle the terror. Eyes widening and terror reaching it breaking point she finally found her voice.

A high-pitched, horrified scream broke through the calming silence. Instant pain followed as she panted for air. An even more agonizing pain followed as the man struck a fist into her belly. “Shut up, bitch!”

She was giving up now, all the wind was knocked out of her. All her strength was departing from lack of oxygen. Her legs went numb and she when limp in his clutches.

“Now the fun can begin.” Her clothes were tugged for a second before she felt the being behind her shift.

“Yeah, it can.”

All Kagome had seen and heard in that spit second was a fist swiftly whooshing past her face and the sound of grunting, growling and smashing. Finally she was loose. Immediately her hands collided with the sand. Barley supporting herself on all fours, she struggled to look up at her savior but the sound of her attacker had her twist her head in his direction instead. “Damn you, pup!”

Her savior said nothing, only growled. She turned her head to look up at his face. Inuyasha stood there, his silver hair and clothes glowing in the moonlight. If looks could kill, there would be a massacre: he had a dark scowl on his face, eyes glowing with rage.

“I'll deal with you later.” The last statement of her captor was heard before his presence vanished. Inuyasha's body tensed. He moved to follow. His eye caught a sudden movement, stopping him in his tracks. Her legs had lost any ounce of energy left in them, her arms shaking to support her as she attempted to keep herself from hitting the sand, her head downcast toward the ground.

He turned his attention to focus on her. He would have to find her attacker later.

()()()()()()()()()()

Kagome sat with her knees to her chest, her cheek rested on her forearm as she placed her arms forward on her knees. She hadn't moved since Inuyasha brought her into his tent and placed her on his bed. He sat across her on the same mattress with his legs crossed, contemplating her. She looked at him from the corner of her eye without turning her head in his direction. He saw her gaze and locked his eyes with her steamy blue ones.

Inuyasha didn't really know what to tell her. He could smell the salty tears and knew she was in shock. She was quiet and had been in the same state since he picked her up and brought her into his tent. `If she had listened to me…' He pushed aside those thoughts. She had been through enough in one night.

Kagome was too shocked for tears now. If Inuyasha hadn't come at that moment…she didn't want to complete that thought.

“Do you remember the sound of his voice?”

The sudden question had her break her gaze from his. She couldn't remember anything about her captor except his harsh touch. Her senses had been dulled by fear and shock. Besides, she didn't want to remember him anyway.

“No.”

“Anything?”

“No.”

Inuyasha growled. The moment her scream came through the air, he followed the sound to find her being assaulted by someone in the shadows. Unfortunately, he hadn't seen his face because of the darkness that covered him, nor had he been able to smell his scent because Kagome's scent of fear had overpowered it. The only thing he could remember, though, was the sound of the man's grunting when Inuyasha smashed his face. This was what he hated about the army life: solders who couldn't control themselves.

“If you had stayed with Sango, you would've been safe. She has a barrier around her tent that keeps males out.”

She didn't say anything. She had bereted herself in a turmoil of emotions. She felt bad enough for seeing the consequences of not following Inuyasha's advise. Suddenly she felt her wrist being jerked to the side. In the immediate moment that followed, she found herself in his grasp, her back to his chest and his bent knees straddling hers.

“Aiiie, LET GO!” She yelled making his ears lie back in response to the loud sound. She tried to wrench away from his hold but he, without hesitation, immediately enveloped her waist with his arms keeping her in place.

“Calm down,” his voice was smooth, “I'm not going to hurt you.” His hold loosened only a little, tucking her head under his chin. He knew she was hit in the stomach, he had seen it. “Does your stomach hurt?” She nodded. He growled and he felt her twitch in his hold. Who would do something like this to someone so innocent?

Eventually, she relaxed and went limp in his embrace. Hearing her steady breathing, he let her rest there. He'd have to give Sango a piece of his mind in the morning.

()()()()()()()()()

Sunrise had yet to come. They say it's always coldest before dawn and, in this case, it's always the most comfortable. Yet to open her eyes to the whooshing sound of the breeze, she snuggled closer to the warmth on her back. Whatever was behind her groaned in response. Still drawn to the strange warmth, she turned her body to wrap her arms around the warm softness. The smell, it smelt like a forest, like a pine forest. `Mm, a forest in the desert?'

Wearily, she opened her eyes. Still drowsy from sleep, she didn't want to leave the warmth and nuzzled more into it. Reality seeps in slowly, letting her realize that it wasn't a blanket that was holding her. “Epp!” She jerked away from him. Staring at a now fully awake hanyou across the bed. Has she stayed that way all night? Her face began to heat up. What if he did something…

He blinked at her for a moment. Her face was a tomato and her palms were up near her head as though she was being arrested.

Kagome saw him staring at her before he suddenly threw his head back, chuckling. Her wide-eyed expression became one bathed in annoyance.

“What's so funny!” she demanded.

“You…your face… it's priceless.” He said between laughs.

Her face grew redder in agitation. “Stop laughing!” she ordered. She grew angrier when he kept giggling.

She lunged at him, knocking him down into the mattress while she hovered over him, her hands straddling his face. She shook his shoulders. “Quit making fun of me!”

Hid laughter died down as he stared up at her with a smirk. “Well, well this is a compromising position.” Her face turned burgundy with that last remark. She yelled before letting go of him and turning to sit opposite side of him on the bed. She glared daggers in his direction.

“Can't you be a little nicer to me, especially after all I have been through!”

Chuckling, he brought himself up to rest on his elbows and smirked at her. “ I would've thought you would be thanking me right now with hugs and kisses not yelling at me for saving you.”

“I'm not yelling!”

“Ha ha, yes, you are.”

“No, I'm not!”

She huffed. “Thank you.”

He winked at her. “Your welcome. Glad to see that you're back to normal.”

She became sullen. “It could've been a lot worse. I'm sorry for yelling at you. I've just been through a lot.”

“Keh, don't worry about it.” He said as he removed himself from the bed and stretched his arms over his head.

Pushing back the cloth the covered the exit to his tent he looked outward toward the sky. The sun was rising how, bringing with it its burning gaze and heat. Returning his attention to the girl, he said. “Sunrise. My messenger should be arriving soon.”

“Messenger?” Kagome asked.

“My brother wants me back at Western Domain. Apparently he wants to tell me something important in person and he's sent some people to come and pick Sango and me up.”

Sango was going too?

“You're coming with me. There's no way I'm leaving you here with all those soldiers.”

She didn't argue. After last night, she didn't want to stay either. So when were they leaving? “Kagome-chan!” Kagome's head snapped up at the sudden call of her name. Sango burst into the room, panting for breath. “There you are!! You had me worried sick!”

“Sango, I thought I told you to keep an eye on her.” Inuyasha growled out.

“I did, Inuyasha-sama, but she snuck out while I was sleeping.”

He turned his attention toward Kagome. “You cleaver, little sneak. Not many can sneak past Sango.”

He didn't hide the fact that he was impressed. Sango was one of his most powerful warriors and she was always alert in battle.

“Inuyasha-sama.”

“Hmm?” Inuyasha turned his head back to Sango.

“Houshi-sama has arrived. He's looking for you.”

“About time. Stay here.” He said addressing Kagome before leaving the tent entirely.

Sango turned her attention to the girl. “Why didn't you listen to me?” She sounded hurt.

Kagome clasped her hands together in apology. “I'm sorry. Sango, do you know what happened last night?” She asked, hoping that the entire camp didn't know of the occurrence at night.

“All I know is that you left and I'm guessing that Inuyasha found you and brought you back here.”

“So, no one heard a scream?”

“What scream. Everything was silent last night.”

Kagome thanked her lucky stars. She would die of embarrassment if anyone knew of her experience last night.

Inuyasha re-entered the room followed by a man with dark hair tied into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck. He wore the green robes of a monk. His gaze came upon Kagome.

“So you're the desert rose. My name is Miroku. Pleased to meet you.”

Kagome blushed. “Likewise.” She said.

“So, Miroku, are we ready?” Inuyasha's voice cut through the short silence that followed Kagome's introduction to Miroku.

“Yes, Inuyasha. We leave when you are ready.”

“Sango, are you ready?”

“Yes, I'll go get my weapon.” That was her blunt answer before she left the tent shortly to return with a large boomerang on her back.

Inuyasha turned his attention to the “Desert Rose” and asked, “Ready?” She nodded.

Kagome followed Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku to some kind of contraption on the edge of Base-point. It looked like a caravan except it was floating above the ground. It was like a giant bubble imposing as a caravan without wheels. Miroku headed toward the “caravan” opening a door and gesturing everyone to get inside. Sango and Kagome climbed into the bubble and Miroku turned his attention toward Inuyasha who was saying goodbye to the soldiers that had come to watch them depart.

“I'll leave Base-point in your care. Should any attack come upon us it's your responsibility to protect this area and fight as hard as possible.” He gave his speech and turned to Kouga, who was regarding Inuyasha with and emotionless expression. Inuyasha walked in the direction of the caravan pausing as he stood next to Kouga.

Without looking at the Wolf-Prince, he said, “If I find out it was you or your men who attacked her, I swear I will sever any truce and slice you in half.”

Not giving Kouga enough time to counter threat, Inuyasha climbed the caravan and Miroku followed suit. Soon the bubble floated off in the distance, leaving Base-point.