InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ Watchng Over You ( Chapter 13 )

Dog Skin

 

Chapter Thirteen: Watching Over You

 

Miroku found Sango in the stables sitting on a bench in front of a stall, oiling tack. He stood silently in the doorway watching her for a moment. She wore her exterminator outfit, suggesting she'd been training earlier. A look of concentration covered her brow as she worked the oils in. Kirara lay curled at her feet taking a nap, while the head of a black horse hung over its stall watching her, nibbling at her shoulder with his lips now and then.

 

With a sigh at having to disturb such a serene sight, Miroku moved in, sliding the door closed till only a crack was left to let in light and fresh air. They would need privacy for this discussion.

 

“Sango?” he said, walking toward her.

 

The girl looked up at the sound of his voice, her look of concentration turning into a bright smile as her gaze settled on him. She shifted over on the bench, making room for him.

 

“Hey, I didn't expect to see you until tonight.”

 

Miroku grimaced. “Believe me, I wish I were here purely to see you. Unfortunately I'm under orders.”

 

Sango was confused by this statement, a brow rising in question. “Okay….”

 

Rubbing the back of his neck Miroku wonder, not for the first time, how to go about this. He knew Sango would not want to discuss Inu-kegawa if she thought it might hurt her. In the end he decided the direct route would be the most appreciated. Sango was a direct kind of girl.

 

“Look… Inuyasha-sama is getting frustrated. He is extremely concerned for Inu-kegawa's safety and would appreciate any insight you can give to him about the girl.”

 

It took a moment for the swiftly said explanation to sink in. When it did, she didn't look too pleased with this information.

 

“No, you look,” she said, “we both promised we wouldn't say anything. You know we can't betray her trust! If she were to ever find out… I don't think she could handle it….”

 

Miroku's brows rose. “So, you think her condition is delicate?”

 

Sango gasped. “I didn't say that!”

 

“But you implied it.” He raised a hand as if to hold back her words when her mouth opened. “Don't worry! I feel the same. Something happened to her in the past to make her need to hide herself like this.”

 

There was silence as Miroku pretended to ponder the possible reasons for the girl's strange behaviour, silently watching Sango who was currently worrying her lip between her teeth.

 

“She could be a spy,” he said, throwing the easiest explanation out into the open to see how she reacted.

 

Sango's expression was the definition of appalled. “Of course she isn't! How could you even think such at thing?”

 

Miroku threw up his hands in defence. “Alright, okay. She isn't a spy.”

 

Sango fell back into silence, her hands continuing to work the oil into the leather. She knew something; he just needed to get her talking. Perhaps if he told her some of what he knew? How much should he tell her though? He could see she wanted to discuss her, that she was worried about Inu-kegawa, just as he and Inuyasha were. There were likely things Inu-kegawa had not told her about her recent behaviour. That would be all too telling, beg questions.

 

“You know, Inuyasha has seen her without the cream, as has half the castle.”

 

Sango gaped at him. “That's impossible! She's obsessive about covering up!” Then she instantly calmed. She thought he was bluffing. “Besides, why would she continue covering up if everyone knew what she looked like?”

 

Miroku smirked. “Because no one knew it was her… well, except for me.”

 

Sango's gaze was sceptical. She still didn't seem to believe him. “When did she allegedly reveal herself then?”

 

Miroku rubbed the back of his neck, a little put off by her lack of trust. “At the recent feasts. She hid herself amongst the dancers in the first. I only noticed her because of her kimono. It was amazing craftsmanship. I remembered her because she looks like someone else. Inuyasha saw her and recognised the resemblance as well. The second time I can't be sure of, but I have a feeling she went too the celebration last night.”

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“Well, I heard Kouga and Inuyasha almost came to blows in front of Sesshoumaru-sama and that there was an exceptionally beautiful maiko there in an exquisite silver kimono.”

 

Sango shook her head and stood, the tack falling to the bench before her arms wrapped about her. “No, this makes no sense. She's poor, you found her in a forest!”

 

Miroku stood and approached Sango, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I know it makes no sense, that's why I need you to tell me what you know about her so we can make sense of it. Inuyasha doesn't know I know what Inu-kegawa really looks like, that I know she and the mystery girl are one and the same.”

 

“And if he were to find out you knew, you'd be a dead man,” she murmured.

 

She was close, he could see it. He just needed to give her one more little push and she'd spill to him.

 

“There's something else, Sango.”

 

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her eyes narrowed as they met his. “What?”

 

“She's been leaving clues for him. She drops jewellery she wears when dressed up into the soups she prepares for him the same evening. She wants him to know, but for some reason can't bring herself to tell him.”

 

Her eyes drifted closed, her head bowing as a resigned sigh slipped past her lips. “She did say something this morning while we bathed. It didn't really seem like much, but maybe…. She said she was an oddity, that she knew people stared at her and that she didn't care. It isn't about being noticed, I don't think because she then muttered something about not being safe anywhere and not needing to hide soon anyway.” Sango paused, thinking back to how the girl had looked so forlorn. “She's frightened Miroku, of what I don't know, but… I want to protect her.”

 

He nodded. “As do I, but we need to know what she's running from if we're going to help her.”

 

There was a silence. Miroku could tell Sango was really upset now and pulled her into his arms, a hand running soothing circle over her back. The urge to drift down further was there, but he fought it. Now was not the time.

 

“Miroku, who does she look like?”

 

He briefly wondered if he should tell her, then decided it was best she know.

 

“Kikyou.”

 

He didn't need to say more. Everyone knew who Kikyou was, though few remembered what she looked like. Miroku was one of the few who knew her appearance, though he wasn't even alive when she was in Inuyasha's life.

 

It had been a few years ago. Inuyasha had gotten drunk for one reason or another and had been in a rare sharing mood. He'd pulled a mirror from one the chests in his room explaining that it was a `gift' from Naraku when he had won Kikyou's hand. He had held it before him and whispered the incantation, proceeding to tell Miroku all about his love and loss.

 

That had been the first and last time they had ever spoken of the woman, and Miroku had a feeling it had been a healing experience for the hanyou prince to speak of her. He even hoped it had allowed him to let her go.

 

Sango stared up at Miroku, barely breathing in her shock. “Could - could she be her daughter?”

 

Miroku started at the idea. “I am unsure. Information from Naraku's territory has been unreliable for sometime.”

 

“If she were, it would explain why Naraku sent his people here looking for something.”

 

“Yes, it would answer many questions, but I fear it would raise many more as well.” Miroku said, brushing his lips across her temple. “I must go now, my love, Inuyasha-sama will be expecting my report at the lunch break.”

 

“You can't tell him what we've discovered!” Sango said, horrified. “Inu-kegawa obviously wants him to figure it out on his own.”

 

Miroku smiled reassuringly. “And he will figure it out on his own. I'm only going to give him a few more clues to help him along the way. He is already suspicious or her identity, it won't take much, I assure you.”

 

With a quick squeeze of her rounded cheek, earning him a squeak from the love of his life, Miroku hurried from the stable and headed for the palace in search of his lord.

 

***

 

“I am not surprised my brother would be so rash, but I must admit, I had not foreseen such a bold move with the girl. You continue to do well, houshi,” Sesshoumaru said as he sat sipping his lunch tea. He had arrived to find the monk patiently sitting outside his rooms.

 

“Thank you Sesshoumaru-sama. What would you have me tell Inuyasha-sama?”

 

“Tell him what the taijiya told you. He gave you an order and I expect you to follow it.”

 

Miroku frowned, confused. “You want him to know about her? Why not just tell him yourself then?”

 

A small smile pulled at the tai-youkai's lips, sending a shiver down Miroku's spine. Buddha he hopped that was one of his rare amused smiles.

 

“You misunderstand my intentions, houshi. I have no wish to hinder Inuyasha in any way. Only to see how he handles the present circumstances.”

 

“And what are the present circumstances?” Miroku said, his head tilting in curiosity.

 

Sesshoumaru looked to the window, watching as a breeze took leaves from the trees on the mountainside.

 

“They are dangerous, but possibly rewarding, if what my source says is true.”

 

Miroku wasn't sure how he felt about that.

 

***

 

Inuyasha was about to return to the talks when a breathless houshi careened around a corner. He stopped before him, hands on knees as he breathed heavily. Inuyasha raised a brow.

 

“What's up, bouzu?”

 

“I - talked… with Sango,” Miroku said, his breath wheezing from him in gasps.

 

“Oh ho!” The hanyou prince's face visibly brightened. “And what did she have to say?”

 

After Miroku was able to catch his breath, he told Inuyasha of his conversation with Sango. He remained true to his promise to Inu-kegawa, however, and only revealed the conversation the girls had that morning, hoping it would help Inuyasha without giving it away.

 

Inuyasha was quiet for a time once he'd finished his explanation. He seemed thoughtful until he made a move to leave again only to stop at the sliding doors.

 

“You will be in my chambers when I return tonight. I have something I wish for you to do for me while Inu-kegawa serves my evening soup and tea.”

 

Miroku nodded his understanding. He'd have to tell Sango he'd be late again.

 

***

 

The afternoon had been a busy one for Kagome. The shifted atmosphere of the kitchen had not gone unnoticed by the watchful eye of Kaede. She had seen it fit to keep Kagome running errands, gathering herbs and vegetables and even lending her out to the healer to gather medicinal plants from a special field just outside the castle walls.

 

That had been a tense time for Kagome. She had seen the wolves watching her from the near by forest. The darkening clouds overhead only added to her trepidation. Her only relief was the knowledge that Kouga had to be in the meetings with the other lords and so could not possibly come to make another unwanted advance, or worse, keep his promise and carry her away from the one place she had any hope of safety.

 

It was here that Miroku found her, the jingling of the rings in his staff heralding his approach. She ignored him as he sat by her, trying to remain diligent in her task. She had heard of some of the plants before, but had never known what their purposes might be for. She stared at the one in her hand, wondering what it could be used for.

 

“That one is made into a paste and put on sores like the one you had. It fights infection and speeds healing,” Miroku said.

 

Kagome looked up at him, surprised. “You know about the healing arts?”

 

“A little bit, yes. The basics were part of my initial training.” He shrugged. “Kaede-san knows more about this stuff than me though.”

 

Kagome was puzzled. “Kaede-san? Why would she know about healing?”

 

Miroku placed his staff across his lap and picked a long grass with his now free hands. “She was once a miko, until she married that is. It was back when the shrine was held by a Shinto Priest; Kaede-san was his only child. When she married, she took over, but when her husband died leaving her with no children, she moved into the castle.

 

Kagome was startled by this revelation. She would never have pegged the old woman as a past miko. She seemed so gruff.

 

“What happened to her husband?”

 

Miroku positioned the blade of grass between his thumbs, lying palms flat together. “He went on a trip to the outer territory to visit villages and check on other shrines. It's not really known how, but he was possessed by a demon. On his return, he attacked Kaede-san and injured her. She was able to exorcise the malevolent spirit from him, but he was left weak and feverish. He died some days after.”

 

Kagome placed the last plant into the basket, her brows furrowed in concern. It was so sad. It was no wonder that Kaede seemed so strict and at times bitter. She had lost the man she loved in a most unfair manner.

 

A sudden high pitched and slightly rude sound made Kagome jump and instantly forget her sad thoughts. She glanced at Miroku with round, shocked eyes. He smiled sheepishly and showed her the grass.

 

“I used to do it when I was little. I wanted to see if I still could.”

 

Kagome laughed and pulled a piece of grass, trying to do the same. After a few failed attempts, and growing tired of Miroku's laughter at the faces she made, she gave up and stood. Miroku followed suit and walked slightly behind her as she moved to the next patch of plants.

 

They sat in companionable silence, Kagome digging into the earth to extract the roots while Miroku surreptitiously watched her. This was as good a time as any to test her, he decided and expanded his aura, tapping hers in an most innocent and unobtrusive manner. She stiffened noticeably, though she continued to work. He pulled back. He had all the information he needed.

 

“So I hear you have become Inuyasha's personal servant. Is this true?” Miroku said, a sly grin on his lips.

 

She only gave him the slightest glance, a self-conscious cast to her eyes. “Yes, but it's not what you think.”

 

He chuckled. “I would never think such a thing of Inuyasha-sama. He is an honourable man and would never dream of dishonouring a woman. Though I suppose extreme situations beg extreme remedies, ne?”

 

“You believe it was the wrong move?”

 

Miroku could tell her question had moral implications to it. “Where Kouga is concerned, this was the only move. He is one minded. If you do not wish to be his mate, then you must appear to be involved with another to drive him off. Inuyasha-sama did what he had to, do not worry on that.”

 

She nodded. “I know. I trust Inuyasha-sama.”

 

Miroku smiled as he saw she meant her words. Shortly after that the clouds opened up and a light shower began to fall. It didn't take much persuasion for Miroku to get her to return to the castle as the winds were also beginning to pick up. The storm had only just begun.

 

***

 

Kagome tapped at the door she knelt by, balancing her tray in one hand. It was the end of the day, and other than this morning and the dark looks from the other servants for the rest of the day, it had been fairly uneventful. Now she just had to get through the evening with Inuyasha. Then she would soon be lying in her bed where her aching body so longed to be.

 

“Enter.”

 

She slid the door back, instantly surprised at Miroku's presence as well. She had thought he was seeing Sango tonight. Pushing that aside she bowed to the two men and began to set the tray down, intent on leaving to find her bed. If Miroku was present, Inuyasha was unlikely to ask for her to remain.

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes as she reached to close the shoji once again. “Inu-kegawa, I did not dismiss you. Get your ass in here.” He said, waving her in with a clawed hand.

 

Her shoulders slumped, her gaze focused on the floor boards before her. “I am sorry, Inuyasha-sama, but I am tired and wish only for my bed.”

 

“If you want to rest, you can lie on the futon,” he said, nodding toward the bed that had already been set up for the night, “I do not want you returning to your own bed this night. It would seem unusual for you to return so soon.”

 

When she looked as though she were about to object, Miroku jumped in. “He is right, Inu-kegawa. Kouga may be lurking about to see if you truly have been taken by Inuyasha-sama. All he needs is one sniff of you to confirm or disprove the claim.”

 

Inuyasha glanced at Miroku with a scowl, but seemed to agree as he nodded.

 

She could see their points, but still she just wanted her own bed! Sighing she rose and entered, sliding the door closed behind her, ignoring Inuyasha's pleased smirk. She placed the tray before them and poured their drinks. Inuyasha immediately went for his soup, gulping it back and exclaiming over the meat slices he found in it.

 

Deciding to take his offer, Kagome moved to the futon and lay down on it. If she was staying the night once again, she might as well get comfortable. The two men spoke quietly, their voices a gentle hum in the background that soon had her dozing lightly. The light pattering of rain against the walls and ceiling drowned it out even more. She would have fallen asleep completely if not for the sudden change in their topic.

 

“So, are you going to attend the feast in honour of Naraku-sama's arrival?” Miroku asked.

 

Kagome was instantly alert, chills running down her spine as the statement echoed in her mind.

 

There was silence for a moment. “Yeah, I'll go, though the bastard doesn't deserve my recognition. I still can't believe Sesshoumaru invited him to these talks.”

 

“Well, he is a powerful and strong ally I suppose. And since he controls lands directly on your border, it only makes sense he would be included.”

 

“Keh. I'm not an idiot,” Inuyasha said, clearly annoyed.

 

Miroku chuckled. “I never said you were. We're just having a discussion here.”

 

Neither spoke for some time. Kagome wondered if that meant they were done. She wanted to know more. She needed to know more. When was the feast? When would her father be arriving for it? There was also the unmistakable desire to flee. Find Kagura and flee. But even as she thought this, she knew it would be useless. He would find her no matter where she went. And besides, she'd miss Inuyasha too much.

 

Finally there was a sigh and she realised Inuyasha must have been sulking. It amused her to think of him doing so and she wished she was facing the pair so she could watch them.

 

“Will there be entertainment like at the last two?” he asked.

 

“Hmm, I believe it was said Naraku-sama would be bringing the entertainment. He wished to contribute to the talks in some way.”

 

“Can't imagine what that bastard would consider entertainment,” he said, his voice a grumble.

 

There was a shift of material and then the padding of feet. “Well, whatever it might be, I will be sure to be there this time. Perhaps the mystery girl will show herself once again? As for tonight, I must go and meet with my love. I am already late as it is.”

 

Inuyasha only responded with a grunt before the door slid open and then closed again. Silence descended on the room. When movement could be heard, Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin. Material rustled and the sound of the closet door opening had Kagome straining her ears to follow the hanyou princes movements. Again there was more rustling and then the soft padding of feet approaching her.

 

She could almost feel him standing behind her, a presence looming over her with gravity.

 

“I know you're awake, wench. Move over,” Inuyasha said.

 

She didn't bother trying to fake sleep at that. Her neck craned as she looked up and behind with wide eyes. He had stripped down to a sleeping yukata and stood watching her with an intent golden gaze.

 

“Excuse me?” she said, unsure she'd heard him correctly.

 

He smirked down at her. “You heard me wench. Move over. I'll be sleeping with you tonight.”

 

The blood draining from her face, Kagome could only gap up at him. He'd what?

 

Inuyasha growled impatiently. “Hurry up bitch, I'm tired.”

 

“But, but… you said you wouldn't touch me!” She could feel panic building, her mind throwing images of Inuyasha forcing himself on her that no amount of logic could fight off.

 

He rolled his eyes. “And I'm still not gonna. But the bouzu brought up a good point before you got here. If the wolf is gonna buy this arrangement, my scent needs to be more thoroughly mixed with yours. Now. Move - over!”

 

Breathe hitching she stared up into his eyes, searching for the truth of his words. He held her gaze, his softening slightly the longer she stared. She trusted him, she reminded herself.

 

Still uncomfortable with the arrangement, Kagome moved over and slipped under the covers. He soon joined her, his body pressing against her back, an arm coming around her front to hold her to him. She couldn't help being tense, the intimacy and unfamiliarity of the situation causing her mind to go numb.

 

“Relax, Inu-kegawa, I'm not going to do anything,” Inuyasha said, his voice a murmur as sleep was already beginning to take hold of him. He nuzzled into the back of her head. “You said you trust me, remember?”

 

“Yes, I do. It's just…” She laughed nervously, “I've never lain with a man before.”

 

“Keh, you better not have,” he said with a smirk, his arm tightening around her reflexively. “Now shut-up. I need to get some sleep.”

 

Kagome sighed and forced her muscles to relax. She should get some sleep as well. She had to get up early if she was going to go to the springs again. She didn't relish the thought of sleeping in the slayer cream once again. She had so been looking forward to sleeping in her own bed where she was safe to take off the cream. But no, that would have to wait until tomorrow night now… unless of course Inuyasha expected her to stay in his chambers again.

 

“Inuyasha-sama?” she said, her voice a soft whisper before she bit her lip. She didn't feel like dealing with an grumpy and annoyed Inuyasha.

 

His hand tensed fitfully as he roused himself some, before briefly running over the fur of her stomach. “What?”

 

“Tomorrow night… can I sleep in my own room then?” She held her breath as she waited for the response.

 

He growled lowly and pulled her tighter to him, one leg sliding over top of her own, causing her heart to thump and stomach to flip.

 

“Yeah, whatever. Just shut-up now, will you?”

 

She wasn't sure if he'd really heard her question, but she wasn't about to ask him again. As far as she was concerned, she had her answer.

 

***

A/N: Okay folks, there you have it! This is the rough version, however, there may be errors galore in it though I've done my best. I am on my way back to Canada now via Tokyo, then Osaka. My internet connection will be intermittent and unreliant. Sorry this took so long but, well, lack of inspiration I fear is the culprit. I will continue writing when I get the chance, but no posts for a while after this, at least another month.