InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ She Says ( Chapter 9 )

Dog Skin

 

Chapter Nine: She Says

 

Kagura drifted upward, away from the castle that held the girl she was now searching for.

 

She had risen early, thankful for Hiten's drunken snores. He was sound asleep, meaning he would not bother her or ask uncomfortable questions. She'd dressed and gathered what she knew she would need before leaving. Hiten would know where she was; they'd agreed that she would search the mountains till the end of the week, then she would return and they would trade places. This decision had of course been made before Kagura had been aware of the princess's presence in the castle. If she had known, it would be Hiten leaving now and she making plans with the girl to get her away from here before Naraku arrived.

 

Seeing as it had been too late for plans to be changed, she had instead done the next best thing. Hunted Kagome down and warned her not to do anything foolish in her absence.

 

The poor girl had still been fast asleep when Kagura had found her, curled into a tight ball, a bandaged hand lying beside her. The demon witch had frowned at that before entering the small enclosure, crouching down and grabbing the hand to study it with narrowed eyes. The contact had been enough to jolt the girl awake, her eyes fluttering open till they focused and she sat up with a start.

 

“Kagura?”

 

“What happened to you?” Kagura had asked, eyebrows rising as she continued to inspect it.

 

Kagome had blushed. “Er, I cut myself last night….”

 

Kagura had sighed, releasing the hand. “Be more careful, Kagome-sama. You were almost found last night, and I will not be here for the next three days to protect you. Don't do anything stupid.”

 

Kagome had frowned, worry apparent in her eyes. “Where are you going?”

 

“To look for you. Just keep your head down. I will be back by Saturday morning at the latest.” She had stood then, ready to depart. The sounds of movement in the kitchen indicated they would not be safe for much longer.

 

“Wait!” Kagome had grabbed onto her robes hem, gazing up at her with fear filled eyes. “Is he… is he coming? Is he still….” She'd been unable to finish and had instead buried her face in the material.

 

Kagura had wished she could've given a different answer, but she could not lie to the girl. “Yes, he will come. And yes, he still desires you for wife.”

 

She had shuddered and Kagura's heart had gone to her, her knees bending as her hand slid across her shiny hair.

 

“Do not worry. I will not let him touch you. I swear it.”

 

Kagura felt a chill at the memory. She had meant the words she had spoken. She would not let Naraku near the princess if she could help it at all, even if she were alone in her endeavour. The girl did not deserve such a fate.

 

She would have put the thoughts from her mind then if she had not felt the gentlest of caresses against her youki. Ordering her feather into another spiral, she gazed out over the castle, searching for the one who had brushed her.

 

She saw him, standing on a balcony, his fur wrap and hair rippling in the wind as his golden eyes followed her movements. He gave a slight nod before turning and disappearing into the castle. A chill slid up her spine, the hairs rising on her neck. Perhaps she would not be alone in her endeavour after all.

 

***

 

Kagome had kept her head down all day, just as Kagura had requested. She'd stayed in the kitchens as much as possible, only leaving when ordered to by Kaede. It was only when evening came that she remembered her promise to Miroku. She needed to go to him to have her bandage changed.

 

Luckily she'd completed her duties only moments earlier and did not have to make Inuyasha's snack till later that night. This gave her some free time to do as she pleased. Approaching Kaede, Kagome bowed respectfully.

 

“Kaede-san, may I have some time to myself? I'll be sure to return in time to prepare Inuyasha-sama's miso,” Kagome said, her tone respectful.

 

“Of course child. You've worked diligently today. You deserve a break.”

 

Kagome thanked the old woman before hurrying from the kitchen. She kept Kagura's words in mind and took the back corridors until she was out in the courtyard. Not bothering to slow, she hurried out of the castle grounds and found the road that had taken her to the shrine. The sun had only just begun its descent, colouring the sky behind the mountains in dazzling oranges.

 

Panting, she arrived at the top of the stairs and glanced around curiously, trying to catch her breath. It didn't take long for her to spot Miroku in his purple and black robes sitting out in front of the shrine house, his legs crossed and eyes closed in apparent meditation.

 

Grinning she made her way over to him, in no rush to interrupt. She watched him silently, tempted to join in. She had neglected exercising what abilities she had harnessed during her desperate search for a cure, and knew that if she ever planned to go home again, she should begin practicing once more. She worried at how it would seem though. She was odd enough as it was. For a forest girl to know of meditation and have such strong abilities would not go unnoticed.

 

“You can sit, Inu-kegawa.”

 

Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin. She hadn't thought he'd been aware she was there. He still had his eyes closed and hadn't moved a muscle. Still, he had spoken, she was sure of that, so she did as asked, making sure she kept a suitable distance. She didn't trust those wandering hands of his, and doubted she ever would.

 

They sat in silence for a few moments, Kagome taking in the autumn evening, watching the sun set behind the mountains, her legs dangling over the siding. Miroku remained cross-legged and completely tuned inward.

 

“Inu-kegawa?” Sango stood at the top of the shrine stairs, her voice cutting through the quiet and grabbing the seated pair's attention instantly. She was looking at them curiously, her weapon strangely absent, though her kitten trailed behind her.

 

Kagome smiled in welcome even as the monk jumped up from where he had been sitting, a delighted smile on his face.

 

“Sango! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?” he asked, striding up to her.

 

Sango smiled uncomfortably as Miroku came to a stop in front of her, his gaze intently hopeful.

 

“Hello, Miroku-sama. I saw Inu-kegawa head this way and thought I'd see if she wanted to go to the hot spring with me,” Sango said, her tone somewhat apologetic.

 

Miroku's face fell and he turned away with a sigh. “I suppose it's too much to ask for my love to be interested in spending time with me, isn't it?”

 

Kagome giggled at his forlorn look and Sango's red face. Miroku glanced at her with a half-hearted glare before heading back to where she sat. His demeanour seemed to lighten as he progressed, whatever thoughts he was having seemingly agreeing with him immensely. She soon learned why.

 

“However, if you are to take a bath, then you will be in need of a guard to be sure none take advantage of you in a time of vulnerability.”

 

Sango didn't hesitate for a moment to hit him in the back of the head. “You forget, Miroku-sama, that I am never vulnerable.”

 

Miroku chuckled forcefully. “Of course, Sango my love, how could I forget?” Rubbing the back of his head, Miroku turned to Kagome. “I'll be back in a moment, Inu-kegawa, I need to get you new bandages and the ointment.” He disappeared into the house.

 

Confused by the monk's comment, Sango moved closer to Kagome, eyes raking her form. The white bandaging caught her attention almost immediately. With a gasp, Sango sat down beside her, her eyes riveted to the bandaging.

 

“What happened?” she asked, lifting Kagome's hand to inspect it.

 

Kirara leapt up onto Kagome's lap, gazing at the injury for a moment before giving a keening mewl and curling into a ball in her lap. She unconsciously began to pet the little youkai with her free hand.

 

Kagome smiled timidly. “I had an accident in the kitchens. It's alright, really.”

 

“The silly girl decided to bring Inuyasha-sama his snack instead of taking care of herself,” Miroku said as he breezed back out with ointment and bandaging in hand. “Since she exhibited little to no common sense, I decided I would just have to be in charge of it.”

 

Sango moved aside to allow room for Miroku to take the spot beside Kagome.

 

“Is that true, Inu-kegawa?” she asked, her brows arching down into a deeper frown, “I was under the impression you were more sensible than that.”

 

The girl wore a chagrined expression as she quietly let the monk take her hand and remove the original wrapping. “Kaede-san told me to go right away. I didn't think I had a choice.”

 

“You always have a choice, Inu-kegawa, especially where your health is concerned,” Miroku said as he inspected the cut. A curt nod showed his satisfaction with its progress before he began dabbing on the ointment.

 

Relieved that they couldn't see the chagrined blush now staining her cheeks, Kagome gave a little nod. They were treating her like a child and she couldn't help but feel a little disgruntled by it. Maybe if she just stayed quiet they would leave her alone.

 

“So do you want to come to the hot springs?” Sango asked, smiling warmly.

 

Tempted, Kagome glanced at the mountain where the sun had just disappeared behind the peak, casting the land into night. Her brows rose, not realising the time had passed so quickly.

 

“I'd love to, Sango, but I've got to get back to the kitchens soon and prepare Inuyasha-sama's miso.” Sango looked disappointed, making Kagome even sorrier that she could not join the girl. “How about tomorrow then, after breakfast? I'm pretty sure I can get away then and join you for a while.”

 

This seemed to brighten the girl's demeanour considerably and she offered to walk Kagome back to the kitchen entrance.

 

***

 

Inuyasha had been sitting out on his balcony sulking. He had just come from a meeting with his brother and the other lords. The talks were going well, but nothing could be solidified until all participants were present. That meant Naraku. His jaw clenched at the thought of him. Kami he hated that bastard.

 

Movement below caught his eye and he shifted his gaze down into the courtyard to see a furry blur race across and out the main gate. His eyes narrowed. Where did Inu-kegawa think she was going? The sun was already setting; it would be dangerous for her to be out alone at this time of night. It wasn't until he noticed another showing interest in her passage that without another thought he leapt from the balcony.

 

That damn wolf just didn't know when to give up.

 

He landed almost right in front of Kouga, hoping to startle him and only partially disappointed when he was unable to.

 

“Hey ya stinking wolf, what are you sniffing at?”

 

“None of your fucking business, dog shit,” Kouga said, his tone bland, his gaze distant.

 

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, holding onto his temper, but just barely. “If it has anything to do with the girl, then it is my business, you asshole.”

 

Kouga finally glanced over at him, a snarl curling his lip before he bit it back and turned away. “Look, I didn't mean to do that to her, I wasn't in my right mind-”

 

“You're trying to tell me it was the sake that made you do it?” Inuyasha said, interrupting with an incredulous lift of his eyebrow.

 

Kouga was silent, biting his lip viciously as he clenched his fists. Inuyasha smirked. He'd hit a nerve.

 

“No,” Kouga finally responded, “I was drawn to her before that. The sake only allowed me to slip up on the hold of control I had on myself.” Kouga's eyes slid closed, his head tilting back as he scented the air delicately. “It was her scent at first, something about it that called me. Perhaps her innocence, I'm not sure, but then, in the garden… Kami she's beautiful.”

 

Inuyasha frowned. Inu-kegawa? Beautiful? How could the wolf tell? She was covered in either dirt or slayer cream at all times.

 

The bemusement on the hanyou's face was apparent, spurring the wolf to chuckle in amusement.

 

“Don't tell me you haven't seen it, dog breath. She may be covered in dirt, and may wear that fur all the time, but she has amazing lines.” Kouga smirked, “And curves.”

 

With a growl, Inuyasha swung out at the wolf.

 

Kouga leapt back with a bark of laughter. “Next time you see that servant girl, Inuyasha, I recommend you take a better look at her, and a long one, `cause when I leave here, she'll be coming with me.”

 

Inuyasha growled viciously, but before he could engage the wolf in combat, he took off, heading into the castle where Sesshoumaru's rules clearly stated no fighting. Aggravated, Inuyasha leapt back up onto his balcony, turning to sit cross-legged and watch the end of the sun's decent.

 

***

 

“Enter.”

 

Inuyasha sat in his room, reclined against a wall facing the shoji entrance. He had been waiting for his snack since he'd seen Inu-kegawa return in the company of Sango. The two girls had been talking and laughing, and Inuyasha had been able to relax his guard. The wolf wouldn't try anything with Sango there. She'd as soon as exterminate him than let him mess with the servant girl.

 

Kouga's taunt still nagged at the back of Inuyasha's head.

 

The shoji slid back, revealing the kneeling servant girl. He watched her as she slid the tray in and then bowed before moving to close the screen once more.

 

“Wait.”

 

Inu-kegawa looked up with a start, her eyes wide in surprise. He studied her closely for a moment, looking at the line of her jaw, the height of her cheekbones and the delicate pout of her lips. Though the texture and colour of her skin were covered, he could see what the wolf had meant by her lines being beautiful. He also couldn't deny that there was something familiar about those lines, something that nagged at him like the undertone to her scent had.

 

“Join me for a while. I usually eat with Miroku, but he has other duties tonight,” he said, his voice gruff, unable to hide his annoyance. The monk had been far too busy lately, either doing his duties or off with Sango.

 

She hesitated only a moment, worrying her lip between her teeth before standing and stepping inside. She knelt once more, closing the shoji behind her before bringing the tray up to him. She sat across from him and poured his ocha, ignoring the second cup always brought for the monk.

 

All through this Inuyasha watched her shrewdly, noting every move and breath. She kept her eyes downcast, her movements conservative as she went about her task, but graceful, speaking a poetry of the body that any court lady would be proud to exhibit. Confusion could not be hidden from the hanyou lord's face. At the stiffening of her body he knew it had not escaped her. Another trick of the highborn; appear as though you are not looking, when you really are.

 

Her hands were shaking as she lifted the cup to him, her eyes riveted to her lap. He could smell a shift in her scent that denoted a rise in adrenalin. Whether she was afraid or excited he could not tell; her body signals were being tightly controlled and admiration filtered into his perusal of her.

 

He took the cup from her hands, taking a sip of the warm liquid.

 

“Inuyasha-sama, is there anything else you wish of me?” she asked quietly, her discomfort revealed in those words.

 

A smirk twitched at his lips, but he controlled it, schooling his face into a neutral expression.

 

“Pour yourself a cup,” he said, nodding to the tray, “I don't like drinking alone and since you're here, you might as well have some.”

 

She looked up at him then, her confusion apparent now as her brows puckered in a frown. He had the strangest urge to smooth that frown with his fingers, but ignored it as she hesitantly reached for the cup only to stop. His brows rose as her gaze met his.

 

“Are you sure? It's not really proper, I mean, I'm a servant-”

 

“Are you?” The words left his lips unbidden and he wished he could retract them instantly. He just couldn't believe she was singing that song again.

 

She had stilled completely, her eyes widening fractionally before she forced a smile onto her face. Her eyes soon crinkled, making him unsure if it was a real smile or fake. She said nothing as she lifted the pot and poured herself a cup. Inuyasha sat silently, bemused by this sudden change. Still smiling, she lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip, a sigh passing through her lips as her lashes fluttered closed. Her scent instantly relaxed, going back to the calming waft he associated with her.

 

“Have you had ocha before?” he asked, curious at her reactions. She seemed to enjoy it. Would she have been able to get it in the forest? He doubted it.

 

She made a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat before taking another sip.

 

Inuyasha smirked. The bitch was evading answering him. He took a sip from his cup, his eyes trained on her over the rim. She paid him no mind though, intent on enjoying her tea. An annoyed growl rumbled in his chest. He didn't like her ignoring him.

 

Finishing his own he traded the cup for the miso soup bowl, removing the cover and lifting it to his lips. He vaguely wondered if he would find another object from the mystery girl. He kind of hoped he would. Picking up some chopsticks, he poked at the soup, lifting tofu and seaweed out of the way. When they hit something soft, his brows rose in surprise. He grasped and lifted the chopsticks, confused at the soft lump of white… whatever it was, that he had found in his soup.

 

“It's mochi.”

 

He looked up at the girl who was grinning at his discomfort, a brow cocked in question. “You put mochi in my miso?”

 

She shrugged. “Kaede said you'd never tried it. I thought you'd like something different.”

 

He eyed the white blob suspiciously before lifting it and taking a bite. It was soft and gooey, a bit sticky too. It had no taste though except for the miso that stuck to it. He lowered it back into the bowl and took a sip of the broth.

 

She was watching him expectantly when he looked back up.

 

“What?” he said with a self-conscious growl.

 

“Well? Do you like it?” she asked, barely able to hide her smile.

 

Grudgingly he admitted it wasn't that bad. He was amazed by the bright smile that admission brought to the girl's face. She beamed at him, the cup in her hand the only thing keeping her from clapping her hands together in pleasure.

 

“I knew you'd like it! I can bring you something different each night, if you like?”

 

Inuyasha didn't know how to respond to this eagerness to please him. He rarely encountered it with his peers, let alone the servants.

 

He decided on a non-committal answer. “Keh.”

 

Her smile broadened.

 

He blinked at this unexpected reaction. Her eyes sparkled and he found he liked seeing her that way. What had he said to cause that? He hadn't seen her do it much since they'd met, but with the ease at which it came to her face, he got the feeling she did it a lot.

 

“Good! I'll talk to Kaede then and see what there is to try!”

 

With a huff, Inuyasha finished off his miso and the mochi blob. He motioned for his cup to be refilled and once again his gaze was riveted by her uncharacteristic gracefulness. He could almost imagine that she was a highborn lady, his lady, sitting in companionable silence with him as they passed the evening into night. There was a stirring in his youki as it unconsciously expanded, brushing up against her. He was surprised enough at his own instinctual reaction to the thought. The trembling of her hands at the contact only added to it. She had felt it?

 

She wasn't smiling anymore, though she didn't seem upset either, just confused. Inuyasha shifted forward, a small scowl covering his face.

 

“Who are you?”

 

Her eyes met his, at first pleading before becoming resigned. His scowl deepened.

 

“I am but a poor girl,” she said with a sigh, her gaze sliding from his to her lap where her fingers knotted together, “who has lost both mother and father.”

 

***

 

Kagome sat in the warmth of the hot spring the next morning, her face buried in her hands as she relived the night before for Sango's benefit. Inuyasha had not been amused by her reply to his question, and had quite audibly ordered her out of his chamber. Of course she was still expected to bring him his snack. Kaede had informed her of as much when she'd asked about the incident upon Kagome's return to the kitchen.

 

“It was awful Sango, and things were going so well till then. I can't seem to do anything but make him mad!” Kagome moaned, feeling wretched.

 

Trying to make her smile compassionate, Sango moved a little closer to the younger girl. “Don't worry; Inuyasha is like a big puppy. He'll have forgotten all about it by now.” She grimaced. “But please, don't tell him I called him a puppy.”

 

Kagome sighed deeply, letting her hands drop into the water as she looked up at Sango with a pout. “I still don't understand why he had to yell at me like that. Calling me a bitch and muttering about knowing when to be obedient. I thought he preferred me acting as equal with him as possible.”

 

Sango's brows rose. “He called you a bitch?”

 

“Yeah. Has he always had such a dirty mouth?”

 

Sango's lip twitched upwards. “Well, yeah, he can have a pretty dirty mouth, but I hear he's calmed down considerably since coming to the castle. He's pretty good at controlling himself around women now. I've only had to hit him once or twice.”

 

“Then why'd he call me… that?” Kagome asked, leaning back against a smooth boulder behind her, trying to get her overworked muscles to relax. She'd pushed herself past the limit to get her chores done in time to meet Sango, and now she was paying the price.

 

Sango could only shrug as she leaned back and relaxed her own muscles. The two sat in silence for a time, listening to the calls of birds and the rustle of drying autumn leaves still clinging to the branches. It was when the birds disappeared that the tension returned to Sango's profile. Kagome glanced at her, eyes wide in curiosity as Sango surreptitiously looked about them, keeping her gaze neutral as she did so.

 

When she hoisted a large rock into the air, Kagome could only be impressed by the strength and subsequent accuracy of her aim. There was a thump and then a yell that had her heart racing as she realised what Sango already had. Someone was there, watching them.

 

“For the love of the Buddha, Sango, you may have broken my foot this time!” Miroku yelled, hopping out from behind a tree.

 

Kagome screamed and splashed down into the water, hiding her face with her hands. Had he seen her? Did he know? Did he recognise her?

 

“Houshi! I thought I told you there would be no need for bodyguards!” Sango all but growled.

 

Miroku leaned against a tree, a slight frown on his normally placid face as he rubbed his injured foot. “The woods are a dangerous place for ladies such as you. Even this close to the castle, you could still be in danger. You may be able to defend yourself, Sango, but you can not protect Inu-kegawa at the same time.”

 

Kagome sunk further into the water. The houshi had yet to look at her, but she wasn't fool enough to believe he hadn't seen anything. He was a lecher first and foremost, of this she was certain. Sango didn't look too impressed with Miroku's speech at the moment. Her glare was darkening further as he came to a stop, his attention completely focused on his foot for a moment as he checked it over.

 

Placing a comforting hand on Kagome's submerged shoulder; Sango gave a squeeze before making her move. Realising her intent, Kagome tried to grab the older girl's hand and pull her back, but she was too slow.

 

Sango burst from the water, moving directly for the startled monk, his widening eyes riveted to the extent of naked flesh presented to him, his jaw slack. Her hand closed tightly around his neck, pushing him up and back against the tree before pressing her body to him to hold him still.

 

“You will not say a word of what you've seen to anyone, right, Miroku-sama?” she asked, her voice deadly quiet.

 

To his credit, Miroku was able to keep his neutral expression as his hand came up to caress the bare flesh of Sango's bottom.

 

“Hentai!”

 

Kagome cringed at the sound of a fist meeting Miroku's face, turning her gaze aside.

 

When she looked back, Miroku lay prone on his back, one hand now holding his reddened cheek, his expression truly pained. Sango had grabbed her inner kimono and pulled it on, finishing tying the sash as she made her way back over to him. She stood glaring down at him with her hands on her hips.

 

“Well, houshi?”

 

Miroku groaned, glancing over at Kagome who ducked further down, her nose dipping under the water. “I will not breathe a word to a soul from this point on, Sango my love, by Buddha I swear.”

 

***

 

“You have gained the girl's confidence, houshi-sama?”

 

Miroku gazed out the window, a ghost of a smile curling his lips. “I have promised Sango-san not to breathe a word, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

The tai-youkai nodded. “Excellent. Continue as we discussed.”

 

“As you wish.”

 

***

O-O Sorry.

It's been a month, I apologise, but life is life, and inspiration is inspiration. I've been bombarded with a lot of the one and the lack of the other. It seems to be evening out now. I think it has something to do with the warmer weather. Anyway, enjoy, let me know if there are any mistakes or inconsistencies.