InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ Mouth Full of Cavities ( Chapter 5 )

Dog Skin

Chapter Five: Mouth Full of Cavities

 

The wind brought her feather higher as she scanned the mountain range. She was relieved to be away from the lord, Hiten, at this time. They had made good time covering the mountains the past few days, mostly because she had suggested they split up for a faster scouting of the area. She on her feather and he with those damnable fire wheels of his. He had not argued with the suggestion, his mood toward her arguably soured since their first evening together.

 

He'd made presumptions about her that had not been tolerated, his advances once in private instantly rebuffed. It had been late; they had traveled most of the day since Naraku had ordered them to search out the princesses' trail. They'd stopped for a rest before continuing, but he had not been interested in resting. He had tried to over power her, managing to pull her kimono down and expose her before she kicked him off.

 

It had been his lightning against her wind after that. Since she could move much faster than him and even control the very air around him, she had made her point quickly, sending him flying with gusts of wind. She was not his play thing. Still, the thought of it made her grumble furiously even now. The winds grew stronger and more furious around her for a moment, tipping the feather wildly.

 

With a sigh she focused her attention on the mission at hand; pretending to search for Kagome. The charade wouldn't last much longer; Hiten was getting suspicious of their mountain searches when there was no evidence of her even coming this way. There was no doubt that Naraku was not happy with their lack of success in their hunt, either. She would have to begin to look in the direction she knew Kagome had taken and head into the Western Lands. But one did not go into those lands uninvited or at the very least, with out announcing one's intentions.

 

“Kagura!” Hitens' voice called her from her internal grousing. She turned to see the lightning demon heading toward her. “That's it! I'm tired of this pointless searching. She didn't come this way! You know that and I know that!”

 

With a growl of frustration Kagura halted her feather and let him catch up with her.

 

“I know no such thing,” she answered once he had stopped before her, her gaze steady on his.

 

His lip twisted in amusement, his fists resting on his hips. “You and I have one thing in common Kagura, and that's our contempt for our dear Naraku-sama.” He shook his head, a sound of disgust passing through his lips. “It was bad enough with a human as the ruler of these lands, but now a corrupted human? A hanyou? He has no control; his demons are constantly pulling at him, making his actions erratic. And now to take his daughter as his mate….”

 

Kagura smirked though she agreed with his view. “Especially when you'd hoped to get your claws into her, ne? You ruined your chances with her when your preferences became known, you know that.”

 

Hiten growled, his eyes flashing in warning. Kagura laughed in his face.

 

“Shut up, bitch,” he said, lightning crackling in his fist, “this isn't about me. This is about Naraku. He wants us back at the castle to give a report. He'll be angry if we have nothing, so you better come up with something to tell him. I'm not ready to die for that little twit.”

 

Kagura sighed, looking down into the valley of mountains they hovered over. She had been preparing for this, even though she tried to put it off and give Kagome time to find the protection she needed, but now she had to move forward or risk her own death.

 

“Very well,” she said, “we will head back and ask Naraku to request permission from Sesshoumaru-sama for us to search his lands for her. Hopefully he will give his consent.”

 

Hiten seemed satisfied, an agreeable smirk spreading across his mouth as he nodded and turned to head back toward the castle. Kagura followed closely behind him.

 

As they sped across the mountain range she had to wonder why Hiten, who obviously disliked their king enough to proclaim it, would still follow his orders. He was a strong demon; he could remain comfortably in his own castle, away from Naraku without worry. Why was he here, with her?

 

“Hiten-sama, you do not like or respect Naraku-sama, yet you continue to serve him when you could just as easily desert him. Why?” Kagura asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

 

Hiten glanced back at her, his braid trailing out like a banner. “Just as he has a hold over you, he has one over me and many others. In your case he has control of your life, in my case; he has control of my brothers' life.”

 

Ah, Manten. She had heard of him but never seen him. He was said to be a monster of a demon with no resemblance to his handsome brother except in powers, his issuing from his mouth in powerful lightning bursts. They were an interesting duo. That two such powerful demons could fall to such a position, to be controlled by a hanyou, was depressing.

 

“I am sorry to hear it. I am sorry for all of us…”

 

***

 

“Why does he have to be here, again?” Inuyasha asked, a low growl rumbling in his chest as Kouga once again encouraged one of his drunken men to pull a serving girl into his lap for a fondle and a kiss. The girl let out an indignant cry before pushing free and hurrying from the room, the wolves laughing as she ran.

 

“I agree that their behaviour is distasteful,” Sesshoumaru said in a murmur, his eyes trained on his guests, “but if I can put up with you, you can put up with them. Besides, they are a powerful faction who controls a vast territory. It would be foolish not to include them in the talks.”

 

“Keh, Kouga just better not push me too far. If they cause any trouble, I will not put up with it.” Inuyasha crossed his arms, his hands slipping into his sleeves.

 

Sesshoumaru looked down at his brother where he sat to his left on his dais. Kouga sat only a little ways apart from them on his right, his attention continuously focused on his pack. It had been so since the initial welcome and beginning of the feast. Inuyasha glanced at his brother and saw the quirked brow and intense inspection that begged a question.

 

“What?” Inuyasha asked, the hair rising on the back of his neck as the look brought back unwanted memories from what seemed like another lifetime.

 

Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly. “Has Kouga done anything to cause you to worry he would cause trouble?”

 

Inuyasha wasn't sure what his brother was getting at. He didn't think he was being paranoid, or letting his own feelings about the wolf cloud his judgement. There was just something pulling at his conscience, reminding him that the wolf prince had to be watched. He frowned, glancing down at his sake cup which was being refilled by a serving girl. Serving girl. Servant. Girl. Right. That was it; that was what was bothering him. The scowl returned to his brow.

 

He looked back up at his brother who was still watching him expectantly. A growl rumbled in his chest again.

 

“Brother?” His voice belied his impatience, “Is there any reason this Sesshoumaru should be concerned about our guest's behaviour?”

 

“When he arrived, he was watching one of the servant girls, he even asked me about her. Kouga doesn't get interested in things outside the pack very easily.” Sesshoumaru seemed unconcerned by this, so Inuyasha decided to elaborate. “Normally it wouldn't matter if he was interested in having a bed mate, but the girl was exceptionally terrified. It was obvious she was not interested.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked away and lifted his sake to his lips, taking a sip. “Which servant girl would this be, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably. “The new one… who wears the fur mantel. The one I found in the forest.”

 

It could have been Inuyasha's imagination, but a small smile seemed to be pulling at his brothers lips at hearing this. It seemed as though he was about to say something when he suddenly looked away to his other side. Inuyasha sat confused for a few moments before looking in the same direction. It was then he realised what his brother had only a moment before. While the wolf pack continued to cavort boisterously, Kouga did not. Kouga was not there.

 

Inuyasha sat stunned, unsure how the wolf had slipped away without either of them noticing. Sesshoumaru calmly turned back to his sake and took another sip.

 

“I suggest you follow your instincts, Inuyasha, and find the wolf before he does something foolish. I will not have anything that is mine being tampered with, and you should do the same.”

 

Inuyasha nodded, standing at this dismissal. Sesshoumaru may see it only as a matter of pride to defend what he considered his property, but Inuyasha knew what it was like to be powerless in one's fate. He wouldn't stand by and let anyone else experience it.

 

***

 

Kagome grumbled as she lugged the full water bucket up from the outdoor well and over the side to place on the ground. Her arms already ached from the effort and she did not look forward to getting it back to the kitchen.

 

No one had commented on her further darkened appearance, or her sobered demeanour. She had gone about her regular duties quietly. But when Kaede ordered her to get water from the well, she had been shocked and unable to hide it. She had stood staring at the old woman in confusion until she'd turned to her with an exasperated sigh.

 

“The unexpected arrival of the wolf demons has caused quite the confused commotion. I don't have anyone else free at the moment to take care of this, and honestly, ye should be doing it anyway.” Kaede had looked away then, snapping at a kitchen hand that was perilously close to dropping all of the dishes he'd just washed. She turned back with frazzled glare. “Just bring in the water, Inu-kegawa.”

 

Kagome had taken the bucket from Kaedes' hand to do as she'd been told, ignoring the snickering and pointing of the servants who had overheard. She now leaned back against the old well; rubbing her arms through the fur and staring moodily back in the direction she would shortly have to return. She currently did not want to leave the small garden area, finding the mix of fragrances soothing and nostalgic.

 

It was mainly filled with vegetables and herbs for the kitchens along with some fruit trees that would soon need to be harvested, but there were some recognisable flowers smattered about too. The kitchen entrance itself could be found back down a winding path that led around a castle wall covered in a climbing plant she did not recognise. There was nothing like it back at home.

 

She pulled back ruthlessly on her thoughts. No. She would not think of that place as home. She did not belong there anymore, and though she was tempted daily to hunt down the lord of the castle and reveal her identity to him, she feared the cold demons subsequent action. Kagura may have said he would protect her, but Kagome just couldn't take the chance that she could be wrong. She would not risk being given back to her father.

 

Kagome glanced over her shoulder, her eyes following the path as it wound about the well and disappeared behind a wooden gate. She felt relieved that the kitchens and surrounding places were so secure and hard to get to. She had felt a tension between her shoulders since encountering the wolf demon at noon, but with them corralled in the dinning hall and she stuck in the kitchens, she was sure she had nothing to fear and had begun to relax.

 

Realising she should get back to the kitchen, Kagome gripped the handle and lifted the bucket with a very unladylike grunt. Resting the weight against her hip and gritting her teeth, she took the first few steps down the pathway, ignoring the urge to just put the bucket back down. Kami, her fingers hurt already!

 

You weakling, couldn't save your father and now you can't carry a bucket of water! You're weak, both in body and mind. She continued to berate herself for being unable to harness her abilities to free her father like her position demanded her to, and for her inability to do the simple tasks of the servant she pretended to be now.

 

She had just reached the covered wall, grumbling all the way, when she heard the creek of seldom used hinges and the crunch of footsteps as someone entered. The trace of youki that came with it had the hairs rising on the back of her neck. She glanced back, turning slightly to see who it might be. She almost dropped the bucket.

 

The wolf demon stood only a few steps inside the garden, his back resting against door frame as he intently stared back at her with those startlingly blue eyes. She gripped the bucket tighter, her lips thinning as she attempted to control her fear and anger as each struggled for control.

 

“Guests aren't supposed to come back here,” she warned through tight lips.

 

He didn't say anything, just pushed away from the wall and started towards her, his movements' fluid and predatory, his gaze never wavering. Her eyes widened at his approached, her mind screaming for her to run. He had just reached the well, when he staggered against it, looking for all the world like he believed the earth had tilted beneath his feet. It was her chance and she took it. Turning away she managed to stumble a few feet toward the kitchen entrance before there was a gust of wind as if something had passed her. Then he was there, standing in front of her.

 

She stumbled back, the bucket sloshing water and taking her back a few more steps than she'd intended. With wild eyes she watched him scent the air as if making sure of something before narrowing his eyes on her.

 

“What do you want?” Her voice was strained, shaking a little as he again stared at her blatantly.

 

A lopsided grin pulled his lips back to reveal fangs. “I'm in need of a bed warmer tonight…” He reached for her then, apparently intent on going to bed now.

 

Kagome shook her head, her eyes pleading as she avoided his hand. “Please! I have work I have to finish.” An idea occurred to her. “I can find you later if you like….”

 

Kouga didn't go for that and reached for her again. “I can smell your fear, human; you won't come on your own.”

 

Kagome stepped away from him again, her heel hitting up against the wall setting off the trembling of panic into full quakes. She swung the bucket at him without thinking, her fear driving her to do anything to protect herself.

 

“No! Don't touch me!”

 

The approaching hand reacted quickly, swiping the bucket from her hands, shattering it into splinters and sending water splashing to the ground, drops spraying the both of them as it arced between them.

 

And then she was pressed into the wall with a cry, the climbing plants crushing beneath her body and letting off a heady scent. His hands were on her, petting over her fur, across her breasts and down her thighs. His breath panted in her face and sake mixed with the scent of crushed plant life. Tears sprang to her eyes as he griped her ass, his fingers searching in a manner that reminded her of another time.

 

“Kami your fur is amazing,” he murmured against her ear, “It'll be like fucking a real bitch.” His tongue slid out against her ear, taking away some of the soot there. “But first, we get you cleaned off. I want to taste your skin and be surrounded by your intoxicating scent unobstructed.”

 

A gasped sob left her lips and she pushed at him with all her might, trying to recall those little protective spells she had come across while searching for a cure. Gathering what power she could, she made ready the spell, hoping she could find a way out of this without having to use it. She didn't want to risk outing herself so soon.

 

“I don't want this, stop it! Wouldn't you prefer someone who's willing?” she said, struggling against him, her hands braced against his chest in ready.

 

A low growl rumbled in his chest, a hand cupping her face, fingers running into the hair hidden under the hood. “Easier, maybe, but you're the one my body calls for.” His body rocked against hers, his hardened cock pressing against her abdomen as if in proof of his words.

 

She didn't want to hurt anyone, but he was leaving her few options. Tears streamed from her eyes, making tracks through the charcoal as she felt the power build, ready to be released.

 

He groaned, his thumb brushing the tears away to reveal her skin. “Kami! I knew you were beautiful too. Perhaps I'll ask Sesshoumaru-sama if I can have you….” His tongue slid over the track, hot and wet as it further cleared a path or white flesh, not seeming to care about the taste.

 

Shocked at his words and actions, Kagome lost the tenuous hold she'd had on the power, allowing it dissipate as the directions of her thoughts were interrupted. With the realisation of the loss, she panicked, turning into a hell cat as she struggled, trying to scratch at him, kick him, anything.

 

Finally her movements forced him back as he tried to fend her off. She brought her knee up, connecting with his groin with shocking precision. His immediate reaction was a howl of pain as he threw her away from him and onto the ground. She struggled back, wide eyed and dragging in ragged breaths as she kept her eyes locked on his every move. He was doubled over, clutching himself, his skin flushed red as he bit back the pain. His blue eyes flashed up at her.

 

“You fucking bitch!” he said, his lip curled in a snarl, “What kind of servant girl are you! Know your place and come to my bed willingly!”

 

He reached for her, intent on pulling her up and throwing her over his shoulder. She screamed, turning her head away and curling in on herself. Oh why had she done that! She'd only made him angrier!

 

There was a brush of wind and then nothing happened. She chanced a glance up through the crook of her arm, terrified but curious as to why he hesitated. Red filled her vision. It took a moment for her to process that she was looking at a leg. Her eyes widened as they wandered upward, taking in the silver hair that still wavered from his sudden stop in front of her, and finally to the adorable dog ears that swivelled on top of his head, one directed at her, the other toward the demon.

 

The demon wolf snarled at the sudden intrusion, having leapt back at the half demons' sudden appearance. “What the fuck's your problem, dog shit?”

 

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, sharpening his claws in warning. “I was gonna ask you the same thing, you stinking wolf.”

 

Kouga sniffed derisively. “Who I take to my bed is none of your concern, Inuyasha. Now leave and let us settle this on our own.”

 

“No can do, Kouga.” He shook his head. “The girl said no. I heard her myself.”

 

“Why do you care? Like you said, she's just a servant girl.”

 

Kagome flinched at that reminder, unable to keep the hurt she'd felt at those words from surfacing. Kami, why did it bother her? She knew she was more than what he believed, and that was all that should matter!

 

“Keh. That may be, but she's my servant girl. If she were willing, that's one thing. But since she's not, I recommend you back off, now!”

 

Kouga looked as though he would have argued some more, even taking a menacing step forward before his senses seemed to return to him. He stood up straight, eyes narrowing before they flittered to where she lay in the dirt.

 

“This isn't over, beautiful,” he said to her.

 

She cowered away, her arm covering her face, her hand grabbing dirt and smearing it across the exposed skin.

 

“Yes it is,” Inuyasha said with a growl, moving so he blocked Kouga's view of her, “Now get out of here. Sesshoumaru wants to talk with you.”

 

With a mocking bow Kouga turned and disappeared out of the garden in a whirl of wind. Inuyasha stood where he was few moments longer, an angry growl ripping from his chest as he watched where the demon wolf had disappeared only moments before. He finally turned to her when she shifted; trying to stand though her legs still shook. His gold eyes took in her struggle and he did not hesitate grasping her by the arm and hauling her up. He was not gentle, but he didn't hurt her either.

 

“You okay?” His voice was gruff, his gaze intent as he watched her.

 

She couldn't bring herself to look at him, but managed to nod. He said nothing, his fingers brushing dirt and dead leaves from her. She didn't know what to think or say. His actions and words just didn't match up and she was so confused by that. He said she was only a servant, yet he did not treat her how a servant should be treated.

 

“I'm sorry I was late,” he said in a soft voice.

 

She couldn't take that. Couldn't stand that conflicting behaviour that went against everything she understood to be the way of things. She wanted to run, but she sensed that he knew she did and that he would not let her without an explanation. So she stood where she was, staring at the ground, her hands fisted as she shook her head violently at the apology.

 

“Please, don't say that! Don't apologise! You haven't done anything wrong.”

 

He shook his head back at her, his eyes determined. “Yes I have. I made a promise, don't think I've forgotten. I said I'd protect you and I will.”

 

Kagome laughed bitterly. “Don't worry, Inuyasha-sama, I'm not holding you to that promise. I'm little more than a servant, after all.”

 

He snarled and grasped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Would you have rather I let him have his way with you?”

 

Her eyes filled at the thought and she shook her head as much as she could manage with the hold he had on her.

 

“A servant you may be, but you are my servant, is that understood?” His voice was calm, though a snarl curled his lip; his gaze intense and steady as it held hers. “I will not have another messing with what is mine.”

 

Kagome's eye's widened, her cheeks flushing red beneath the dirt as anger warmed her blood and heated her flesh. So that was it. That was the explanation for his behaviour. He was talking about her as if she were a possession, something he had complete jurisdiction over. A slave, not a servant.

 

She pulled her head from his grasp. Inuyasha frowned, not sure why she'd pulled away. He could see the light line where his claw had taken off the dirt and glanced down at his fingers, taking in the layer they were now coated in. Why did she cover herself? He glanced at her, suspicious of what she could be hiding. Suspicious of why she was hiding it. After all, what more did he know about her than that he had found her in the forest.

 

She looked as though she wanted to leave, her eyes flitting from him to the exit, flashing dangerously whenever they landed on him. He was a little taken back by the look; it held a challenge in it that had his body reacting in ways he didn't want to focus on at the moment. Kami, she was not a demon bitch needing to be dominated. Instead he directed his thoughts to her appearance.

 

“Why do you cover yourself, Inu-kegawa?” His tone was curious, maybe even a little distrustful. “You're safe here. Why do you continue to hide in those furs and under dirt? Are you that ugly?”

 

As soon as those last words left his mouth, he regretted it. Whatever had been troubling her seemed to flash directly to the surface. His head whipped to the side, not expecting her to slap him and so not bracing properly for it or even being able to stop her hand before it connected. He stood in shock for a moment before a growl ripped from him and he turned back to her with an angry glare.

 

“What the fuck was that for you goddamn bitch!”

 

She seemed not to notice him, her eyes gazing dazedly at her own hand as if she had never seen it before. She looked lost, unsure of what she'd done or why. When she finally looked at him she had such a broken look about her that his breath caught and his anger dissipated. Damn it, what had he done to hurt her!

 

He made the mistake of moving, intent on what he didn't know, but his hand was reaching for her of its own accord all the same. The look of a cornered animal in her luminous eyes was the only warning he got before she fled, disappearing down the path like a deer in flight.

 

He didn't move to follow her, just watched the darkness swallow her before she disappeared around the corner. He was drawn to follow her, wanted to find out what hurt her so much, what she ran from. But it was the question of why he wanted to know that kept him from following. Why had he felt the need to protect her from the moment he met her? He couldn't explain it all away with his own experiences, that he could sympathise with her because of them. There was something more to it….

 

He shook his head and turned to leave the garden in the other direction. She was just a servant. He stopped in his tracks, looking back at where they had stood. Her strange scent still hung in the air, the familiar undertone tugging at his conscious. She was just a servant… wasn't she?

 

***

Kami this was painful. O_O Please review and let me know it was worth it. Thanks to emtro for being there when I needed to talk it out. It's nice having someone who's awake at the same time as you. I'd also just like to say, I love Kouga, I put him in the roles I do because that is why he was made by Rumiko Takahashi, to make Inuyasha jealous and make him act in ways he normally wouldn't. *huggles Kouga-kun*