InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ Just a Girl ( Chapter 8 )

Dog Skin

Chapter Eight: Just a Girl

 

The tray was set and ready to be taken up. All she needed to do was pick it up; it wasn't that hard. Just pick it up and go up the stairs to Inuyasha's room, leave it for him and go. There was nothing more strenuous to it than that.

 

But she continued to stand there staring at the tray, unable to budge an inch. She couldn't go up there; she couldn't face him. Not after he'd seen her, looked at her the way she was now sure he had. She'd been thinking about it the whole time Kaede taught her just how Inuyasha liked his ocha and miso. Every time she forced herself to relive that moment she felt a strange flutter and flip of her insides, a sweet pain that struck from her chest and spread down, leaving her gasping for breath. She didn't understand what it could be, but she knew it scared her… and that she liked it.

 

She wanted him to know that it was her, that the beautiful girl who'd caught his attention and the strange kitchen servant were the same person. But it was too risky. She thought maybe she could trust him, but she wasn't sure. She didn't really know him. Besides, she'd taken enough risks for one day, hadn't she?

 

Biting her lip, Kagome gripped the edges of the tray, readying to lift it. She'd just take it up and leave, nothing had changed. He wouldn't know it had been she.

 

The pain at that thought was almost unbearable. What was going on? She was so confused. Was she interested in him… that way? If things had been normal with her father, he likely would have considered marrying her off to Inuyasha, if not Sesshoumaru. Of the two she was sure she'd prefer Inuyasha, but did that mean she actually wanted him of her own choice? Did she want him to want her?

 

“Inu-kegawa?” Kaede had left her side to see to the cleaning of the rest of the kitchen, expecting the snack to be taken to Inuyasha's room. She was surprised to find it still there and the strange servant girl staring at it sullenly.

 

“Kaede-san… may I… ask you a question?” She didn't know what possessed her, but now that the words had left her mouth she realised there was no turning back.

 

Kaede shrugged. “Ye may ask me anything, child.”

 

She bit her lip and then glanced over her shoulder with a thoughtful frown. “If you want someone to know something, but can't tell them, how do you go about letting them know?”

 

Kaede blinked at the odd question, suddenly curious what this could be about. “Ye give them clues then, child. Things that will lead them to the conclusion ye are wishing for. But why such a question from ye?” She smiled in amusement. “Are you interested in someone?”

 

Kagome blushed lightly before turning away from the old woman. “Oh no; no reason, Kaede-san. I was just wondering.” She fidgeted. “Um, I'm a little tired and I'm not sure Inuyasha-sama would want to see dirty old me carrying his food to him. Would it be all right if….”

 

“Of course child, I will take him his food. I need more hands in the kitchen anyway.” Kaede said, shuffling forward to take the tray when there was a crash from the other end of the kitchen. Kaede swore softly and turned to go see what the damage was. “Give me a moment. Watch Inuyasha-sama's food while I see what happened.”

 

Kagome sighed and continued to stare at the food, wondering how big a mess she'd have to clean up. Her mind wandered to Kaede's words and she considered what she could mean and how she would go about leaving clues. Her fingers absently ran across the furs over her chest, where she felt the hard outline of the pin she'd hid there. Her eyes widened with realisation. Checking quickly to see if anyone was watching, she bit her lip and pulled out the jewelled pin she'd worn in her hair that night.

 

She considered the food before her, the clear ocha and the misty miso. She did not want it noticed right away, otherwise Kaede may find it and take it out. Seeing the miso as her best bet, she took another surreptitious glance about her before slipping the pin in to slide to the bottom, where it was hidden by tofu.

 

She felt panic hit her as soon as it disappeared. What had she just done? Was she an idiot or something? Her fingers itched to dive in and pull it out, but she held back at the sound of Kaede shuffling back over, muttering curses as she came.

 

“Inu-kegawa, could you help with the clean-up? Koharu's gone and broken a dozen bowls, and the floor in covered in porcelain.”

 

Kagome sighed, already having expected the order. With one last worried glance at the tray, she hurried away to help the others.

 

***

 

Inuyasha lay sprawled on his side, one leg cocked with his knee in the air while his hand supported his head. Miroku sat cross-legged not far from him, glancing at his friend from time to time, waiting patiently for him to speak and explain why he had dragged him away from the feast.

 

While he had waited long enough for the monk to get his fill, he hadn't stayed any longer then he had to before making his exit and taking Miroku with him. He had made his appearance, as Sesshoumaru had requested, and couldn't be made to stay any longer than necessary. He had more important things to do, like finding that girl with Kikyou's face.

 

“Oi, bouzu?” he said, not turning to look at the monk. “You know every girl in this castle, not to mention the town, right?”

 

Miroku's chest puffed with mild pride even as a knowing smile slid onto his lips. He liked to think he would never forget a beautiful… er… face. “Well, I suppose you could say that. Did you see something that interested you tonight, Inuyasha-sama? Shall I have her found and brought to your bed for some fun?” He could not hide the amusement he got from the lowering of the hanyou's ears at his words.

 

Inuyasha flipped over with a snarl, the claws of one hand digging into the tatami mat. “You know I don't take random wenches to bed, you hentai!”

 

Miroku smirked, but said nothing.

 

Realising the monk was just baiting him. Inuyasha huffed and turned back around, his chin resting in his palm. “It's about the dance tonight. There was a girl there who reminded me of someone I once knew….”

 

“Oh?” asked Miroku with mild interest.

 

“Yeah, I was wondering if you saw her. She was kinda hard to miss,” he mumbled.

 

There was silence. Inuyasha was almost sure he could hear Miroku thinking back, flipping through the faces of the girls in the dance. When he spoke, his tone was serious and thoughtful. “You mean the pretty one in the dazzling kimono? The one that sort of looks like Kikyou?”

 

Inuyasha stiffened for a moment before once again turning to this companion, sitting up straight with barely restrained enthusiasm. “I knew I wasn't imagining it! Do you know her?”

 

“No,” said Miroku, his gaze level as it met Inuyasha's.

 

The hanyou prince growled in annoyance, about ready to punch a hole through the tatami mat when the monk continued.

 

Miroku hastened to calm his friend. “But Inu-kegawa may know her. She should be acquainted with all of the maidens of the castle by now, should she not?”

 

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Why hadn't he thought to ask one of the servants about her?

 

Because, simply put, it was below him to ask a servant for help. Inuyasha growled at the thought, disturbed that it sounded much like something his brother would say. He was spending way to much time around the Tai-youkai.

 

But Miroku was right; he could ask Inu-kegawa about the girl. She was more approachable than any of the other servants; she did not cower or try to placate him. She did not act like a servant. Perhaps she would know the mystery girl's identity. Now he had only to wait for the wench to arrive with his night snack.

 

When there was a tap at the screen, Inuyasha's invitation of entrance was almost too eager. The screen pulled back smoothly to reveal not the dark and mysterious forest girl, but the withered apparition of Kaede kneeling before them. The two men sat stricken for a moment, unprepared for the withered crone's appearance.

 

Inuyasha snapped into action as she placed the tray into the room and began to close the screen once more. “Oi! Where's Inu-kegawa?”

 

Kaede paused in her motion, her one good eye glancing up at the lord curiously. “She was needed in the kitchens, Inuyasha-sama. One of the kitchen girls broke some bowls.”

 

“It was Koharu, wasn't it?” Miroku murmured. “I'll have to go comfort the poor girl. She's so sensitive.” He began to stand.

 

“You go and I'll tell Sango.” Inuyasha warned, his eyes never leaving the crone. Miroku sat back down.

 

“Feh,” Inuyasha pulled the tray to himself, lifting the miso to drain it in one go. “Just make sure she's the one to bring it next time. It is her job after all.”

 

Kaede only nodded and began to close the door. A bark of indignation stopped her as Inuyasha pulled back from the bowl he'd been draining, staring into it in surprise. Something had jabbed him!

 

His brows rose at what he saw. A jewelled hair pin was the last thing he had expected to find. He held it between his fingers, staring at it intently. He recognised it, but from where?

 

Miroku had moved forward at his cry and leaned over his shoulder now, staring at the pin with wide eyes. “Wasn't that the pin the mystery girl was wearing?”

 

With a growl, Inuyasha glanced up at the shocked crone. “Who made this soup, Kaede-baba?”

 

The old woman frowned. “Only Inu-kegawa and myself, Inuyasha-sama.”

 

“Were you there at all times, watching?” he demanded.

 

She shook her head. “I had to check on the other servants, but left Inu-kegawa to watch it.”

 

Inuyasha seemed pleased with this response. A determined glint entered his eyes. “Send the wench up, Kaede. I need to talk with her.”

 

Kaede bowed, though she could not hide her confusion. She closed the screen and could be heard moving away outside.

 

The two men examined the pin, deep in their own thoughts.

 

***

 

Kagome lifted the last piece of porcelain from the floor, careful as she moved it to the tray filled with the broken fragments. The shout of her name, however, startled her enough so that she was careless, cutting the back of her hand along the corner of another piece as she jerked back in reaction. She winced and clapped her other hand over the wound as she looked up to see Kaede approaching her.

 

“Inu-kegawa! I thought I told ye to watch Inuyasha-sama's food while I was away!” Kaede's voice was uncharacteristically severe, making Kagome wonder in dread if Inuyasha had choked on the pin.

 

“I never left the food, I swear, Kaede-san! Why? What's happened?” Kagome asked, moving her hands behind her back as she stood to face the approaching old woman.

 

Kaede watched her closely. “Inuyasha-sama wishes to see ye at once! Ye are to go to his quarters without delay.” With that, the old woman turned on her heel and began issuing orders to the remaining servants who had watched the drama with undisguised amusement.

 

Kagome took a shaky breath, aware she was dismissed and that she was expected to go immediately. The cut would have to wait to be tended to till after then.

 

With hesitant steps, Kagome made her way out of the kitchen and toward Inuyasha's chambers. She'd never been to them before, but she was no fool. She knew where the lords lived; how could she not after all the time she'd spent rushing around the castle at Kaede's bidding? How could she not when she herself had once lived in a noble's wing? The location was pretty obvious anyway.

 

She had only to stop once and ask a servant which chamber belonged to Inuyasha, and by then she had already gotten pretty close. With a breath of courage she knelt down by the screen and tapped on it, waiting to be called in. When all she heard was a disgruntled sounding grunt, she took that as invitation and began to open it. She was prepared for questions, but not for the abrupt bluntness that greeted her.

 

“Where did this come from?” Inuyasha asked in a snarl, the hair pin thrust into her face.

 

Kagome leaned back, startled, her mind screaming for her to run at the sudden antagonism. She almost did just that but for Inuyasha taking hold of her none too gently and hauling her in. A surprised yelp escaped her as she landed on her side, her free hand out to support her. The screen closed behind her with a slam.

 

She bit her lip, holding back the words of reprimand that rose in the back of her throat. She was not used to being handled that way, but ever since she had met Inuyasha, that had been the way of it. She deserved it really, especially after what she had done to him last night. The indignity of being slapped by a servant after saving her should be too much for any man's pride.

 

“Well?” Inuyasha said with a growl, his impatience at her silence plain.

 

Kagome pushed herself up, wincing as he squeezed her hand in warning. He was very agitated, and in his haste to get her inside he had grabbed her injured hand. He did not seem to notice her discomfort though. Not that she deserved his notice.

 

The clearing of a throat had her head whipping to the side to find Miroku leaning up against a wall, a serene smile on his lips, though his eyes were narrowed with concern.

 

“I believe she is stunned, Inuyasha,” he said in a calming tone. He'd obviously dealt with Inuyasha's moods for a very long time. “Who wouldn't be after such man handling. Perhaps you should give her a moment to recover?”

 

“Feh.” Inuyasha released her with a flick of his wrist, looking off to the side.

 

Instinctively Kagome cradled her hand to herself, looking down at the cut that had reopened with the rough handling. Fresh blood mixed with the slayer cream. It made it look black, like the miasma that had seeped from her father. An unconscious shudder ran through her at the memory and she doubled over, pushing back the need to vomit, to cleanse herself. How could he affect her still when she was free of him?

 

She jolted up at a touch on her shoulder. Inuyasha leaned over her, his nose twitching, his eyes narrowed and his face wearing a concerned frown. Movement caught her attention and she saw that Miroku had stood, taking a few hesitant steps toward her, concern etched in every pore. Kagome curled in on herself a little more, holding her hand to herself as she tried to gain control.

 

“Did I do that?” Inuyasha asked in a quiet voice. She could hear fear in it, and she glanced up at him in horror. He was staring at his hand now, blood and black cream smeared across it.

 

“No!” She shook her head vehemently with wide eyes, surprised that the cream had come off. But then, she had only put it back on an hour ago and worn gloves most of the time after that. It had likely not been able to dry. “It was an accident; I was cleaning up, and was startled. I cut myself on a jagged piece of a pot.”

 

“Why didn't you clean it and bandage it?” Miroku asked, stepping closer.

 

Kagome tried to smile. “I didn't have time. I had to get here as soon as possible.”

 

Dumbfounded, Inuyasha stared at her for a moment before erupting. “You idiot!”

 

Kagome cringed at the loud noise, but continued to smile. “Don't worry, it's just a scratch. I'll take care of it when I go back to my room.” She shifted, sitting up straight, ignoring the frowns on both men's faces. “Now, what was it you wanted?”

 

Inuyasha didn't seem to want to set it aside though. “It's not just a scratch if it gets infected!” With a disgusted growl, he ordered Miroku to retrieve some warm water and bandages. Kagome protested, but the monk was just as eager as the hanyou and was gone in an instant.

 

Kagome's shoulders slumped in defeat. She really didn't understand this man. “Why do you bother? I can take care of myself. You shouldn't be wasting your time worrying about me.”

 

There was silence at her answer; he stared at her with an indiscernible frown before reaching out and taking her hand in his. He inspected her cut closely, clearly thinking before speaking again. She shivered; her own experience with the hanyou told her he didn't do that very often.

 

“Do you enjoy being a servant, Inu-kegawa? Cause you seem to with the way you talk, distancing yourself from me all the time.” He was quiet again for a moment, turning her hand over to look at her palm. A clawed finger traced along her skin to the pads of her fingers. “Still… you don't really act like one, you know.”

 

Kagome stiffened, a blush heating her further in the already stifling furs. What was he doing? She could barely concentrate on his words as the light touch now sent cold shivers up her spine. Her breath caught as his golden eyes gazed up at her from under dark lashes in narrowed study. She swallowed and took a shaking breath, focusing her mind.

 

“Well… I am new at it, you know,” she said, alluding to the fact that he believed her to have lived in the forest all this time.

 

He would have responded; she saw the intent in his eyes and in the amused curve of his mouth as he leaned closer and tugged her toward him. Unfortunately Miroku chose that moment to return with the requested items. Not even a moment passed before Inuyasha became intent on his new task, leaving her wondering what it was he could have planed to say… or do. Instead, he took a dampened cloth from the monk and turning her hand back over, dabbed at the cut, causing her to flinch and cringe with the pain of it.

 

“You really don't have to do this, you-” She hissed in a breath at a particularly painful pass of the cloth. “Ow, you jerk, watch it!”

 

The hanyou prince glanced up at her darkly as Miroku chuckled. He continued to clean while the monk set up the gauze and ointment for her. Kagome became increasingly agitated that a lord was taking care of a servant's injury. It didn't help that more and more of the black cream was being removed from her skin with each pass of the cloth. She was pretty sure the cut was as clean as it would get, making her wonder why he still worked at it.

 

Without realising it, she began to tug at her hand, trying to get Inuyasha to release it. Though it was just the white of her hand showing, it still made her fear any possible recognition or that it could invite the demand for her to remove all of it. His intent stare didn't help her paranoia any either.

 

Miroku seemed to sense her sudden anxiety, and he glanced up to see the intent look on his friend's face as he completely missed the insistent tugging by the girl to free her hand. With a sigh Miroku leaned forward, plucking the soiled cloth from the now startled hanyou.

 

“Oi, what're you doing?” Inuyasha demanded, his grip still firm on Kagome's hand.

 

“I believe you have gotten her as clean as you can, Inuyasha. It's time to bandage her up. Hand her over.”

 

Inuyasha glowered at the monk, but allowed Kagome her hand back so that the monk could bandage her. Miroku made quick work of spreading the ointment and wrapping her up, hurried along under the watchful eye of Inuyasha. Kagome got the feeling he still did not trust the monk near her after her first encounter with him.

 

“I recommend against putting the black cream Sango-san gave you on or near this cut till it's fully healed, Inu-kegawa.” Miroku said, his warning bringing Kagome's full attention on him. “I don't want you risking infection. Visit me every evening, and I will change the bandage.”

 

Kagome bit her lip but knew she had no choice. Besides, the bandages would act as cover in the place of cream. Her mind stilled at this and she became calm. She was still safe.

 

A fatigue took hold of her then and she realised how late it was becoming. Seeing as she had to be up at dawn to begin her chores, Kagome was suddenly hopeful that the two men wouldn't be keeping her for much longer. Taking a deep breath, Kagome pushed up onto her knees and bowed low to them both.

 

“Thank you for taking care of me. You really didn't have to, but thank you all the same, Inuyasha-sama, Miroku-sama.”

 

She was suddenly jerked back to sit up right, Inuyasha having taken hold of the fur at her nape to do so. He wore an amused glower while Miroku beside him seemed amused by her behaviour as well.

 

“No need for that, Inu-kegawa. It really doesn't suit you,” Inuyasha said.

 

Kagome blushed, thankful for the cream which hid most of it.

 

When the jewelled pin was shoved into her face once again, she couldn't help the sigh that escaped her. How could she have forgotten?

 

“Now, since you're all healed up, do you mind telling me how this got into my miso?” Inuyasha asked, his tone now impatient.

 

Kagome tried to keep her expression blank, letting confusion cover it slowly. For someone who had never needed or wished to deceive anyone, she was becoming alarmingly good at it.

 

“I'm not sure what you mean, Inuyasha-sama.” Her tone held just the right amount of confusion.

 

“You made my snack; you watched it while Kaede-baba was away. I know you did because I ordered that you be the one to make it from now on and Kaede-baba told me as much. Now explain this!” Inuyasha near shouted the last, his own ears flattening at the volume.

 

Kagome didn't need to fake her reaction. She flinched back, forcing herself to keep from bowing to appease him as she'd seen servants do when confronted by her own father's anger. She was not really afraid, but the intensity and desperation were almost strong enough to make her crack. Instead, she held her ground and continued her role of ignorant maiden.

 

“The girl who wore it, Inu-kegawa, who was she?” he now demanded.

 

She denied any knowledge of the girl's identity or any knowledge of how the hair pin could have ended up in his soup. Even as he continued to question her, she did not change her answer. Finally Inuyasha gave up, resting his face in his hand in defeat. It was this motion that had Kagome's heart softening in seconds, and if not for Inuyasha's dismissal, she may have given in.

 

“Go, it's late. If you're not going to tell me anything, then I won't keep you.” He dragged his hand down, across his face, his expression sober and forlorn.

 

Clasping her hands together, Kagome gazed at the floor, trying to hide her watering eyes. “I wish I could tell you, Inuyasha-sama. You have no idea how much.” She meant those words.

 

Inuyasha grunted before turning away, physically dismissing her. A smile and a nod was all Miroku gave to reassure her when she turned to him for encouragement. With a slight sigh, Kagome gave her respectful good night and moved from the room, closing the screen behind her.

 

The two men sat in silence for a moment, Miroku being the first to break it.

 

“Well, that was interesting,” he said, shifting back against a wall, crossing his legs in a relaxed pose.

 

Inuyasha nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed in apparent thought. His eyes were locked on his calloused palm, an unusual quality for a highborn. His mind wandered back to his perusal of Inu-kegawa's hand.

 

“Miroku?” His voice was curious, suspicious.

 

“Hmmm?” Miroku answered, lifting a cup of cooled ocha to his lips.

 

“Her hands… they look as though they've never known a day of hard labour.” Inuyasha looked up at his friend with an angry glower. “Wouldn't a girl living on her own in the woods have to do all her work herself?”

 

Miroku sipped from the cup, contemplating his answer. “Yes, I believe you're right. Hmmm, how strange….”

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Some help the monk was. His gaze drifted from Miroku to the door Inu-kegawa had disappeared through. “Who is she, Miroku?” His voice was quiet, his curiosity building and his annoyance with it. He did not like mysteries.

 

“That, Inuyasha, is indeed the question of the hour,” Miroku murmured, his own voice belying his interest.

 

***

 

“You called for me Sesshoumaru-sama?”

 

The great Western Lord sat in his chambers, still dressed in his regalia from the evening's feast. Paper was laid beside him on a low table, an ink brush in his one hand. His cool gaze studied the man before him. The monk had proved most helpful, confirming his initial suspicions concerning the new servant girl. He had come to him last night, just as any man who owed his lord for his home would.

 

Sesshoumaru nodded, placing the brush down as he turned all of his attention on the monk. “I was happy to see our quarry was so easily manipulated. Your tongue is a smooth one, monk.”

 

Miroku bowed his head in acceptance of his lord's compliment. “It would also seem that the girl has taken it into her own hands to divulge her identity to your brother, though whether he will figure it out is questionable.”

 

A tilt to the head was the only indication of surprise at this news.

 

“My lord, why is it that you do not wish Inuyasha-sama to know who the girl is?” Miroku asked, careful to hide the full extent of his curiosity.

 

The lord shifted, lifting his brush to make a stroke before putting it back down. “He does not need to know who she is just yet, and it should not be I or any other who tells him. If he wants to, he can figure it out himself.”

 

The monk hesitated for a moment, wondering if he dared ask his next question. “May I ask who this girl is?” Miroku finally said, his voice and posture now heavy with curiosity.

 

Sesshoumaru looked away. “You may ask, but I will not give you an answer. The game is still in motion, after all.”

 

***

A/N: O-O There you all go, another chapter done! Please read and review! I love reviews!