InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Disaster ❯ Chapter 3: Comfort ( Chapter 3 )

Disaster
Chapter 3: Comfort

By Selenity Jade

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, because quite frankly, I'm not that good. And I'll tell you a secret. All my DBZ fans hate me. My SM fans hate me. And my few Trigun fans hate me. Oh, and wait, my Original fans hate me too! So I highly doubt I own anything (except my originals, which I'm so OBVIOUSLY not getting paid for either). Because if I did, I would have finished more stories and wouldn't be getting yelled at. (Yes, people that does mean I know! (sigh) I'm trying alright? Just let me work on this idea for a bit then pour in the emails on which fic you want me to update! I'll do a quick edit and repost of every chapter before the update (so I know what I'm writing about again), and then update, just for you people! Okay?)

 

Note: I am so glad that some other author besides me noticed that Inuyasha's ears look like kitty ears! (giggles)

 

And also, I may follow the anime in some instances until I can safely break off at some point into a completely different story as Kouga's presence will affect the story, just not yet. Keep in mind I will not repeat the lines of the anime or the manga and go over everything we've all seen. I'm doing it roughly by memory (for the very reason of trying not to make it a copy of the anime with only a few words from Kouga added) but with enough of my own writing style so that I don't feel like a complete plagiarist, alright? It just feels rather... wrong to me to do it any other way.

 

And yes, I keep forgetting Shippou, I'm sorry, he's just not on my mind often because I can't write kids very well. And when I do forget him and put him in, it sounds so... forced. So I'm trying, and I'm aware of this flaw. I'll often edit things different in previous chapters, so it does good to tell me I missed something. I love constructive criticism!

 

Last Chapter: The group fights a bit more and heads off toward Kaede's!

 

X

 

Kouga was silent as they waited for the youkai slaying woman to bring water back from the river. His attention was turned inward as he pictured the fight with Kagura repetitively in his mind, trying - in vain - to find where he went wrong. He didn't bother to speak to any of the oddly formed pack, as he really had nothing he wanted to say to any of them. Except perhaps to Kagome, but not when she was hanging around that dog.

 

He suddenly lifted his head and scented the air as the stink reached them on the gentle southern breeze. "Humans," Kouga stated in disgust. "Male, six or seven. And horse."

 

Kagome glanced back at him. "I wonder if they'll pass by," she mused, glancing at Inuyasha.

 

He snorted as he stood up and shook his hair back into place. It fell down to nearly his knees, and Kouga irrelevantly wondered why the idiot didn't just tie it back. It had to be a hindrance in a fight like that, though he hadn't noticed the hanyou having any problems with it. "I'll check on Sango," the dog stated, leaping over Kagome and trotting off in the direction of the woman.

 

As it had nothing to do with him - or Kagome - he didn't even bother to wonder about the men or the other woman of their group until he heard that demon exterminator's voice cry out in surprise.

 

When Kagome, the stupid fox child, and the pervert shot up from their resting places and run towards the cry, he had to follow. He stood up with a stretch, irritated already. Couldn't they go a whole afternoon without something happening? The stupid human woman didn't concern him, but he wasn't about to let Kagome go off alone without his protection.

 

He made an irritable snort before he took off after the nosy group. If he didn't have such a confounding reason for staying with the stupid group, he'd have simply taken Kagome and gone already. They were the most annoying idiots he had ever had the displeasure of associating with. Between the dog's threats and growls - and having to curb the instinct to beat the shit out of the hanyou to take over the pack as alpha male - the stupid prattling of the pervert with the woman who slew demons, and his own rage and grief over what had been done to his family, he found himself eager almost to fight.

Unfortunately for Kouga, when he arrived after the rest of the group, the stupid hanyou had already scared off the pathetic humans and another irritating mortal - though she looked rather tasty, but eating her was out of the question with Kagome right there - was there bowing and simpering about being saved. He reluctantly admitted he found it humorous when the little girl threw herself at the pervert who called himself a holy man and the demon-fighting woman growled. It was her own fault. If she simply would let the damned monk claim her, she could have killed the girl for touching him. Why couldn't humans just get it out of the way? They obviously wanted to mate, and yet - outside of the damned monk's groping - they didn't even touch.

 

It was baffling. Mortals were weak and pathetic, but worst of all, they were so utterly witless that it made him wonder how humans had started to outnumber, out-produce, and out-kill youkai. They were too dense to see what was right in front of their noses!

 

He tuned out the stupid mortal's pathetic whining as she explained why those idiotic men were after her, and instead walked a wide circle around the group. He was careful to scent the wind as he moved, making no sound, as he had been taught by the pack leader - his father - so many years ago. If that stupid hanyou didn't take his responsibility for guarding Kagome seriously, he would have to.

 

When he didn't smell or sense anything dangerous near the group, he noiselessly walked up behind Kagome just as she and the harpy-woman screeched in shocked horror at the walking hormonal monk. He cocked his head as the dark-haired man stuttered and made some weak excuse - "I ask all pretty women that question!" - and silently wondered what he'd missed.

 

"You asked her to bear your child before she could bear children?" the half-breed demanded in disgust.

 

Snorting, Kouga turned his attention away from the conversation as it didn't pertain to him or Kagome, and he didn't really understand the level of shock the others were exhibiting. He did however take advantage of the disgusting hanyou's distraction to stand close behind Kagome, his nose twitching slightly as her unique scent invaded him gently. Maybe it had something to do with the girl being able to sense the jewel shards - or, he disgustingly admitted, that she was a priestess - but she smelled sweet, and it was quieting to him. Except when her scent flared with anger, she always made him feel calm. Maybe it was because she was still so... innocent.

 

He was jarred out of his thoughts as the scent wafted away from him, and he glanced up and followed the group as they headed away from the brook, that stupid human girl in tow. He was beginning to wonder if taking up with this stupid do-gooder pack was going to do him any good in finding Naraku, but he didn't voice it yet. It had only been a week after all.

 

Besides, he could spend more time with Kagome this way.

 

After a short distance - and after picking up their packs and gear from their resting spot - they found a small abandoned hut positioned nicely in a middle of an abandoned area of the wetland. This was the second hut he'd seen like this. Why did they always seem to appear so conveniently?

 

"Miroku, she can't come with us," the dog demon said gruffly as they watched the little fox child lead the young human woman into the hut.

 

"I know," the pervert replied softly.

 

"Houshi-sama, she'll just get hurt if she comes with us. She can't fight and she'll just be in the way."

 

"I know!" the monk stated again more forcefully. "We'll just take her to the next village. I'm sure someone will take her in."

 

"And if not?"

 

"Then we'll take her to the next village after that, and the next one, until someone does take her in."

 

Kouga saw Kagome rest a gentle hand on the pervert's shoulder. "You really do care about her, don't you?"

 

"I just feel responsible, that's all," the man uttered quietly. "It's hard for people with the constant fear of war hanging over them, and with so much loss, it's the least I can do for someone as lovely as she."

 

The wolf demon rolled his eyes at the implication. Does he not give up?

 

The demon hunter snorted and stood up with a hand on her hip. "You two boys can go catch us dinner. Kagome and I will stay with Koharu and explain this to her." The fierce woman then lifted her gigantic weapon and carefully maneuvered into the small hut.

 

"Kouga-kun, are you coming in?"

 

The hanyou growled immediately, but Kouga pointedly ignored the sound. To do anything else would invite a fight, and he wasn't really in the mood. That he wasn't in the mood to fight with his rival for Kagome's affection really sent home the fact that he was perhaps too damned depressed.

 

"Kouga-kun?"

 

He gave her a cocky smirk - or rather, he hoped it came out as a cocky smirk and not some feeble-looking pathetically weak smile - and shook his head. "Walls are confining," was all he said as he leapt with amazing speed onto the top of the tiny hut.

 

He could feel Kagome's eyes on his back as he crouched there before turning to look at her. "Do you want dinner?"

 

He shrugged. "I'll catch something later."

 

"That's my spot, shithead!" the hanyou suddenly sputtered out.

 

The wolf snorted in response before settling on top of the roof as if it were actually comfortable, though it wasn't. He was really beginning to miss his cave, with the fur-lined nests, his pack's scent, and their warmth as he slept.

He was having the worst damned case of insomnia.

 

He took no notice as the men of the pack left to kill something and the women entered the hut. He didn't even notice Kagome throwing him a worried glance. He was so tired.

 

He scented the air carefully, making out each of the individual scents he knew - Kagome's, the dog's, the three humans below and the stupid fox child's, and knew without even opening his eyes, that they were safe for now. He let his mind wander as he carefully let his ears acclimatize themselves to the 'normal' sounds near them, and finally shut his eyes. He'd be alert the moment anyone approached, or a foreign sound or scent reached him.

 

He hoped he had hidden his thoughts from the strange pack enough that they wouldn't realize just how tired and pained he really was. He was beginning to feel out of place, like a rabbit in a den full of wolves. He was terrified being this alone - not of physical danger, he wasn't that weak - but he was a wolf, and wolves thrived only around others of their kind. He hadn't been rouge. He'd been the leader, the protector, the provider.

 

Now he was nothing more than a lone wolf amidst a group of weak humans, a fox child, and one hanyou. He was the outsider now, the one forced to submit to another's rule.

 

How it rankled!

 

And instead of catching a few minutes of sleep while he could, he was fuming and uncomfortable, unable to drift off for even a second! He was cold without his pack's bodies pressed against his, nervous without the scent of home filling his nose, and grieved without the common sounds of playful pups, frisky mates, and scolding elders.

 

"Kouga-kun?"

 

He sighed silently and sat up to glance down at the slight girl that stood on the ground below his spot on the roof. He didn't even bother with a smile; he was too damned depressed by his thoughts to even attempt it. "Kagome," he breathed softly.

 

"Can I come up? I've got a meat roll for you..."

 

He hesitated then leaned over the edge of the roof, holding his hand down towards her. She smiled softly - and sadly, it was always sad when she turned that smile towards him anymore - and took his large hand with her tiny, delicate looking one. He carefully lifted her from the ground with the strength in that arm, wrapping the other around her waist as he pulled her towards him. He stood up to give her some room to set her feet down on the roof. He released her with only a slight hesitation and stepped back out of reach. He watched her for a moment before gracelessly sitting back down on the roof, his back leaning against chimney.

 

He eyed her as she walked towards him and plopped down beside him in that careless way she sometimes had. She held the food product in her hand to him, and he took it after a few heartbeats of silence.

 

He took a hesitant bite, but when it didn't disgust him, he quickly devoured it. When he finished, he glanced at the girl beside him out of the corner of his eye. She was watching him in very obvious concern, but he didn't want to be the one to speak first. What would he say, anyway? Hi, thanks for letting me join this odd-ball pack, I'm miserable, please kill me now?

 

She smelled sweet, as usual, with a definite thread of exhaustion. Walking must of tired her out. She had started out the trip on the hanyou's back, but after only an hour, the dog suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and dropped the girl on her ass and didn't let her ride again the entire week. Kouga had gotten in a huge fight with the dog demon after that display. It was just odd, dropping her for no reason and without explanation. So for the rest of the time, Kagome had walked with the monk - who had been kicked off the demon cat by the irate demon slayer.

 

"Are you alright?" the young girl finally asked him.

 

He grunted, turning his face from her. The girl was just too innocent and cared about everyone. No wonder she could purify jewel shards by one quick touch. She was one of the very rare people who were so pure hearted it made others cringe. She had such a sweet disposition as well as a fiery temper - when it was aroused - and gods above, he loved that about her. Loved it so much, he hadn't really pursued her yet because he had wanted her to stay the way she was. She even smelled pure.

 

He heard her clothes rustle just before he felt her hand on his shoulder and he tensed. "Kouga-kun, please talk to me."

 

"Nothing to talk about," he finally said reluctantly when he finally admitted to himself she wouldn't just drop it. "My pack is dead, and it fucking sucks."

 

"I know it hurts, but talking sometimes helps."

 

"No, it won't. It won't bring them back."

 

"Of course not, but it still helps when you share your feelings about it with someone."

 

He snorted in disbelief.

 

The girl fell silent for a good half an hour before she started spoke again. "When my father died a few years ago, I thought my world had ended. I would lock myself in my room, refusing to speak to my mom, my brother, or my grandfather for days. I stopped eating and sleeping. I simply stayed in bed and stared up at the ceiling, trying not to think or feel. It was just too painful. They kept trying to get me to talk to them, get me to eat, or something...

 

"It wasn't until my mother finally ordered me to go downstairs and eat or she'd force me that I snapped. I screamed something cruel and hateful at her, and then I started to cry. I cried so hard that it came out silently, and all my mother did was wrap her arms around me, and let me cling to her and cry.

 

"After that, I felt better, and was able to eat and sleep a bit. It didn't make the pain or grief go away, but I did feel better, if only a tiny bit."

 

Kouga glanced at her out of the corner of his eye carefully. "I'm not human, Kagome."

 

She sighed. "I know that, Kouga-kun. I don't expect you to cry or anything, if that's not what you do, but... I know you're hurting. I can see it in your eyes every time you look at me."

 

After a long pause, he ventured, "You lost your father?"

 

She nodded. "Two years ago this month."

 

Silence again.

 

"I know it's not the same as losing your entire family, but... the grief is similar right?" He could almost smell her smile as he carefully avoided looking at her. "We have all lost someone, Kouga-kun. Miroku-sama's father was sucked into the hole in his own hand as the he watched. And Sango's entire village - including her father - was killed by her own little brother who was under Naraku's control, and still is to this day. Shippou-chan lost both his parents to a pair of demons who wanted the jewel shards. We all know what you're going through, though I haven't lost anyone in this world yet. Even Inuyasha understands, or he would have picked on you more."

 

"Who'd the mutt lose to Naraku?"

 

Kagome hesitated. "It's Inuyasha's secret to tell really. He'd get angry if I said anything to you. Let's just say, he's lost everyone he's ever loved, so he really does understand." He felt her fidget. "I'm here if you want to talk. I'm a good listener, even. I just want to help, Kouga-kun. It hurts me to see you so depressed."

 

He sighed, tensing his muscles in his back for slowly releasing them. He glanced at Kagome almost hesitantly, letting his fiery blue eyes stare into her crystal blue ones. He wavered for a long moment before he ventured a question with a voice gruff with pain, uncertainty, and nervousness. "Would... you let me...?" he asked, almost too softly for human hearing as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her between his bent legs as he buried his face in her neck.

 

"K-kouga-kun..." She was tense and unyielding in his arms, smelling of nervousness and a bit of fear.

 

He ran his other hand through her soft brown hair soothingly before wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling more firmly against his chest. He let himself breath in her soft and innocent scent, only slightly irritated by the faint whiff of dog she had on her. But the familiar floral scent that came from her silky tresses overpowered that disgusting odor enough that in the end, it didn't matter.

 

He had both arms wrapped around her soft, slender frame and held her against him almost desperately with shaky arms. He forced himself to take deep, even breaths, and knew by the girl's shudder his breath was tickling her neck. He was almost disappointed when her scent changed only slightly in response. But that was only part of his mind that noticed this. His thoughts were too involved with what had happened to his pack to really put much effort into seducing the girl he had sworn to marry - to mate - one day. He let the subtle scent of her neck and hair coax him into relaxing against the chimney. He felt his muscles respond as he continued to simply breath her in and hold her warmth against him.

 

Without effort, Kouga fell asleep for the first time in a week with his face pressed against the concerned girl's neck, almost clinging to her as if nothing else would grant him this small reprieve from his loss.

 

X

 

Next Chapter: Inuyasha and Miroku come upon the sleeping Kouga and the worried Kagome.

 

X

 

AN: Hey don't shoot me, okay? Honestly, I like Kouga, but I also love Inuyasha. This will almost definitely turn out Inu/Kag, not Kag/Kouga. Okay? Of course, maybe halfway through the fic I'll love my Kouga version and change it, but I don't know. We'll see.

 

Lovies!