InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Enemy Mine ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha. Those are the property of one Rumiko Takahashi. I thank her whole-heartedly for giving us such an amazing manga/anime to read/watch.

Author's Note. While this chapter maintains a strong PG-13 to R rating (mostly due to use of language), future chapters will contain adult material that warrant an NC-17 rating.

Enemy Mine - Chapter 3

By Urd-chan

Kagura watched as Kouga stormed from the den. She forced herself to maintain a calm façade, but in truth she had never been this afraid in her short life. Despite Kouga's promise that she would be safe, she knew she was in the middle of a people who hated her. She was used to Naraku's indifference - he couldn't have cared one way or another if she was dead or alive. Kouga's tribe was anything but indifferent regarding her fate. She wondered if there was a single member there that didn't wish her dead. Kouga was helping her because of his promise to Kagome. Without that promise, would she still be breathing even now?

The wind user glanced at the door of the cave. She could hear Kouga trying to get comfortable against the hard wall outside. He grumbled, cursing at Ginta and Hakkaku for their tardiness. If she could hear every breath the wolf youkai made, then he could obviously hear everything she was doing. She turned away from the door and closed her eyes tightly, doing her best to keep her breathing calm and regular. It was difficult. Kagura found herself shaking in a way she didn't understand. Her breathe tried to catch in her throat as the reality of her situation sunk in.

She was free. After all this time, she was finally free. But, was she really any better off than she had been with Naraku? At least she knew where she stood with Naraku. And, she never questioned her own reactions to his presence. Kouga was having an effect on her that confused and disturbed her. She found herself remembering how he had looked while he slept on her feather. Why was she reacting this way to him? After all, they were enemies, weren't they?

One thing was certain. She would have to get out of his village as soon as possible. The longer she stayed there the more at risk she would be. And, the realization hit her. The longer she stayed, the harder it would be to leave.

Kagura glanced down at her battered kimono. Damn it, she thought as she stripped off the remains of her outer kimono. The red and white stripes that remained were so stained with blood, dirt, and ash that the design was barely visible. She pulled off her blue secondary kimono and dropped it on the floor next to the first. It hadn't fared any better than the other. Both kimonos were beyond repair. She would have to find something new to wear.

Kagura walked slowly to the stream that ran through the back of the cave. Right now she wanted nothing more than to wash away all the residue of Naraku and their battle. His scent still clung to her body and clothes, and the sooner she was rid of it the better.

She let her short, green under kimono drop to the floor by the stream and stepped into the water. It was shallow, so she slowly lowered herself until her knees were on the slippery rock of the stream bed. She carefully sat back on her heels and began to splash herself with the cool water. Dirt and ash flowed away in the stream, but Naraku's scent was still with her. She found herself rubbing herself harder and harder, determined to rid herself of even the faintest trace of her connection to him. Kagura undid the tie that held her hair in its usual ponytail and leaned forward, letting the water wet her hair. She ran her fingers through the silky strands, doing her best to release the dirt and unwanted scent from them. After a few moments, she swung her head back, letting her wet hair whip past her face until it fell into place around her shoulders. She sat back again and relaxed, letting the stream rush around her hips and legs.

Kouga growled softly in response to several of the villagers who let him know by their angry looks that they were not happy with their leader.

Damn it, he thought as he stood up and looked in the direction Ginta and Hakkaku would be returning from. There was still no sign of his two underlings, and he was getting tired of dealing with the angry comments and looks from his people. He was the leader of the tribe, after all. Wasn't his word enough for them?

Of course, if anything happened to Kagura while she was under his care, he would never be able to face Kagome. He began to wonder if he would ever see the human woman again. He could picture her in Inuyasha's arms as the feather he rode on rose skyward. Funny, he thought, that there was no remorse at the thought. He had been in love with her, hadn't he?

The wolf youkai shook his head and turned to the entrance of his den. The sound of splashing water from a few minutes before had stopped, and he could hear Kagura sigh softly. As much as he dreaded being trapped in his den with her, the option of staying outside and fielding angry glances from his people was even less attractive at the moment. He pushed through the door and stopped.

"What the fuck?" Kouga stopped dead in his tracks, stunned by the sight of a very naked Kagura sitting in the middle of the stream that ran through his den. Her hair hung wet and loose around her face and shoulders, while droplets of water on her bare body shimmered in the flickering torchlight of the den.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" the wind user demanded as she stood and slowly walked to the edge of the stream. She picked up her discarded under kimono, wrinkling up her nose at the smell and dirt on it as she dropped it back to the floor. She stood in front of him, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was completely naked.

"Put your fucking clothes back on!" Kouga demanded. He quickly turned his back to her and tried to calm himself. It wasn't as though he had never seen a naked female before, after all. Why was the sight of her causing his heart to race now?

"What?" Kagura looked down at her bare form, confused at Kouga's reaction. So what if she didn't have her kimono on? She had only taken up wearing it at Naraku's command, after all. He had told her it was necessary for her to blend in with the humans.

"Damn it, bitch. I told you to put your clothes back on!" Kouga's voice was shaking with anger.

"I'm not putting these filthy things back on. I'll have to get a new kimono," Kagura said as she picked up her green under kimono and tossed it onto the pile with her other clothes.

"You are not going to be running around naked in my den, Kagura," Kouga hissed as he forced himself to keep his gaze away from her.

"Ko…Kouga?" Ginta's voice came hesitantly from the doorway of the den. "Is everything all right?" His mouth dropped open in surprise when he saw Kagura standing naked just a few feet from Kouga.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Kouga shouted.

"I was told you wanted to see me as soon as I got back," the underling mumbled as he looked at his feet. It was obvious that he had walked in on something he shouldn't have and was sure that his leader would be furious with him. "I'll wait outside. I can see that you're busy."

"Don't you dare leave, you half-wit!" Kouga bellowed. "I don't know what took you so long to get back, but I have a job for you, and you had sure as hell better do it quickly!"

Kouga moved toward the entrance of the den, grabbing Ginta's arm and pulling him with him. Once the two men were outside, he hissed in Ginta's ear. "Just wait here."

The wolf youkai returned to his den, still doing his best to keep his eyes averted from Kagura's form. "I'll have one of my men bring you some clothing."

"If you think I'm going to wear any of those damned animal skins you wear, you're crazy." Kagura was beginning to enjoy the response she was getting from Kouga. Was it really going to be this easy to put him off guard? She would have to remember to use this to her advantage in the future.

"What's wrong with…?" Kouga growled at the wind user and stormed from the den.

Ginta looked at his leader nervously. "Hey, Kouga, I didn't do anything wrong. Don't take this out on me."

Kouga glared at his sergeant, hoping his meaning came across without the use of words. If the rest of the tribe found out about what had just happened, he was going to have a hard time explaining it away.

"You are going to go to one of the human villages and find a kimono for Kagura," he demanded. "Oh, and send that other idiot here. I have a special job for him."

Ginta nodded and ran off to find Hakkaku. He then raced to the nearest human village in search of a kimono.

Hakkaku walked slowly to Kouga's den. He had been apprised of his leader's mood and didn't relish the idea of having to report to him before his superior calmed down.

"Kouga, Ginta said you wanted to see me?"

Kouga grabbed his underling by the front of his armor. "I have a very special job for you. I'm getting out of here. I want you to keep an eye on Kagura."

Ginta's eyes opened in shock. "Ko…Kouga? You want me to go in there?"

Kouga growled. "I can see that fucking Ginta told you everything." He pulled Hakkaku closer and hissed softly into his ear. "Kagura's kimono was ruined in the battle. I already sent Ginta to get a new one for her. You will stay here and make sure nobody bothers her." He turned to leave and paused, looking over his shoulder. "Oh, and be sure she stays the hell in the den. The last thing we need is her running around the village like that."

Hakkaku nodded mutely and glanced nervously at the entrance to Kouga's den. The was nothing in the world that would make him go into that den as long as Kagura was in there.

Kouga turned and added one last command. "Oh, and when Ginta gets back, one of you is going to have to give the kimono to Kagura."

Hakkaku stared at Kouga's retreating figure. Their leader expected them to walk in on Kagura? What if she was still naked?

The wolf youkai placed himself a few feel from the den door and sat on the ground. He envied Ginta's duty of going for a kimono. At least his friend was far away from the situation.

Kouga walked quickly to a point just outside the village. He would have run to his favorite hideaway, but knew that his legs weren't up to that just yet. He could feel needles of pain shoot through them as he walked and realized he would have to wait for the healing to be complete before he could see just how much of his speed he still had. He found himself missing the Shikon shards that had become such a part of him.

The valley spread below him, giving him a view in every direction. He hadn't visited this spot since before he had the shards. It had been his favorite place to meditate - a place where he could think without the distractions of the village. Yet, now he found himself unable to find the usual calm he felt when he came here. So much had happened in such a short time that his mind was in complete turmoil.

The leader of the wolf youkai slowly lowered himself to the ground, sitting in a crossed-legged position while he tried to sort out his thoughts. One thing certain. He would have to devote all his time and energy to rebuilding his tribe and its territory. Their enemies from before the time of Naraku were sure to surface again soon, and his people would have to be ready.

Kouga could picture the members of the tribe. Their numbers had dwindled due to the casualties of battle and he was now faced with a tribe that had more females than males, and many of the males that remained were either too young or two old to be of much good in battle. Something would have to be done to keep their territories safe, and he dreaded the thought of recruiting from among the females for warriors.

He sat motionless for a while, letting the breeze blow past him as he tried to gather his thoughts. Try as he might to avoid it, Kagura's image kept invading his thoughts. How was he going to be able to concentrate on his duties as leader of his tribe if he was forced to spend all his time babysitting the wind user?

He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, trying desperately to find the calm that he had always found at this place in the past.

Ginta raced to the nearest human village and quickly acquired a kimono. The humans in the village were surprised at his appearance there and seemed frightened of the youkai in their midst. The head human seemed relieved when Ginta finally made it clear that he only wanted a kimono. Several young women of the village ran to their homes and returned with kimonos. The wolf youkai looked confused.

"I only need one, " he explained. One of the young women stepped forward and handed him a sky blue kimono that was decorated with a design that vaguely resembled feathers.

"I hope this is suitable," the woman said nervously as she stepped back from Ginta.

The wolf youkai nodded and turned to leave, running as quickly as he could back to his village and his duty. He was determined to make Hakkaku deliver the kimono to Kagura. After all, he had arranged to get the thing. The last thing he wanted to do was have to deliver it to the wind user.

Hakkaku was pacing back and forth in front of Kouga's den when Ginta returned.

"It's about time, idiot," he rasped at his friend and partner.

"I got back as fast as I could, moron," Ginta rasped back.

"Well, take it in to Kagura," Hakkaku demanded.

"Like hell. You take it in to her. I had to get the damned thing. Now it's your turn."

Kouga's two underlings were still in a heated argument over who would deliver the kimono to Kagura when their leader returned.

"What the hell is going on?"

Ginta and Hakkaku stopped arguing and snapped to attention. The kimono hung loosely over Ginta's arm.

"I told you to get that kimono to Kagura," Kouga growled as he looked back and forth between his two underlings.

"I got the kimono like you ordered, Kouga," Ginta started. "I was just telling Hakkaku to take it into Kagura…"

"It was your job to get the kimono, so you should be the one who takes it in to her," Hakkaku hissed.

Both youkai looked on nervously as Kouga approached them.

"I should have known better than to trust either of you idiots with even the simplest job." The leader of the wolf youkai tribe snatched the kimono from Hakkaku's arm and stalked to the entrance of his den. Only when he was ready to go inside did he hesitate.

"What are you two waiting for? Go and bring me some food. You look like a couple of fools standing around here."

"Yes, Kouga," the two said in unison as they quickly turned to go in search of food for their leader.

Kouga paused at the door. He wasn't ready to walk in on Kagura in the nude again.

"I have a kimono for you, Kagura."

"It's about time, " the wind user said from somewhere inside the den.

"I'm not coming in until you cover yourself," the wolf youkai hissed, glancing over his shoulder to be sure nobody was nearby.

Kagura chuckled softly. "I'm covered. You don't have to be so nervous."

Kouga walked slowly into his den. His eyes adjusted quickly to the dim torch light and he could see Kagura standing where she was when he left, covered only with an oversized feather. The wind user had a sly grin on her face.

"Well, you told me to cover myself," she drawled.

Kouga stammered, "Here's your damned kimono. Just put it on." He tossed it in her direction and turned to storm out of the den. He could hear Kagura's soft laugh behind him.

Kagura watched Kouga leave the den. She had no idea why he was reacting to her the way he was, or why those reactions were making her feel the way they did. There was something about watching the wolf youkai squirm in her presence that was enjoyable.

The wind user dispelled the feather and reached down to pick up the kimono. It felt soft and silky in her hands as she shook it out and slid it over her shoulders. She quickly slipped her arms through the sleeves and wrapped it around her. Included with the kimono was a large sash, which she slid around her waist and tied in a large bow. She adjusted the sash to position the bow to the back, but it felt uncomfortable. Kagura was used to a more simple sash on her kimonos. It'll have to do for now, she thought as she called out to Kouga to let him know she was dressed.

Kouga walked back into the den, worried that Kagura wasn't telling the truth. He half expected to see her standing behind her feather, laughing at him. Instead, he walked in on her dressed in a thin, silk kimono that clung to every curve of her body. Without an under kimono, every detail of her body was evident under the thin fabric. Her hair still hung loose around her face, although it had dried since her make-shift bath. The soft blue hue of the kimono was a stark contrast to the blazing red of her eyes and the ebony sheen of her hair. Kouga found himself staring wordlessly at the change in the woman standing in front of him.

"Well, it looks like you've been hanging around those two idiots too long," Kagura said in a slurred voice. "You're turning into one of them."

Kouga snarled. "I think it would be best if you at least kept your old under kimono on," he started.

Kagura glanced at the pile of her discarded clothing. "I'm sure the hell not going to wear that rag." She walked slowly to the pile of ruined kimonos and prodded it with her foot. "I suggest you burn them. They smell like that fucking Naraku anyway."

Kouga realized that Naraku's scent still hung on the air in his den. He scooped up the kimonos and headed to the door to the outside. "Ginta, Hakkaku!" he bellowed.

His two subordinates came quickly at his call, asking him what he wanted.

"You are to burn all but the green one. That one you will wash - and wash it a few times. The last thing I want to deal with is her complaining about it not being clean enough." Or deal with Naraku's smell on the damned thing, he thought to himself. He dismissed the two youkai but quickly called them back.

"I thought I told you to bring me some food."

"Right away, Kouga," Ginta said from behind the pile of kimonos he carried. He and Hakkaku quickly retreated, each going a separate way.

Kouga snorted and returned to his den. He was starting to think that neither of his sergeants was up to the task of watching over Kagura. Chances of one or both of them doing something really stupid seemed high, but he really didn't have anyone else he could remotely trust with the job.

"Is something wrong?"

Kouga looked at Kagura, noticing the sly grin on her face.

"Nothing that would interest you. I was just thinking about which of those two idiots I should throw to the crow youkai first."

Kagura chuckled. "Why not just get rid of both at the same time? It would save time."

The wolf youkai found himself surprised at Kagura's remark. She seemed so different here in his den - not at all like the cold, ruthless adversary he had faced in battle. He watched her from the corner of his eye as he moved to the table and lowered himself to the floor, leaning one elbow on the low table.

"Just how long are you going to hold me prisoner here?"

Kagura's question caught Kouga off guard. "Prisoner? You aren't a prisoner. I promised Kagome to help you. I'm just keeping my promise to a friend."

"So, I'm free to leave your den?"

Kouga glared at her. "You know that isn't a good idea."

"So, I'm not free to leave your den?"

Kouga growled. "You're not a prisoner. It's just not safe for you out there."

"Then, perhaps I should just leave. I seem to be causing trouble, and if I can't even come and go as I wish…"

Kagura started walking to the door.

"Damn it, Kagura! Just stay here. I promised Kagome…"

"Your promise to that human girl means nothing to me. Your tribe hates me. There is really no reason to stay."

Kouga grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away from the den door. "Look, you brought me back here when I was injured. I owe you. And, I owe Kagome. You're going to stay here until I tell you."

Kagura wrenched her wrist from his grasp. "Don't you ever touch me like that again, damn it!" Her hands were balled into tight fists and her voice shook with repressed emotion.

"Kouga?" Ginta's voice broke through the building tension.

"It's about time," Kouga snarled as he went to the door and retrieved the food brought by his underling. He moved to place some on the table for Kagura and carried the rest back to the door.

"Eat and sleep. It's late and we're not going to resolve anything tonight."

Kagura watched him leave, aware of a curious pounding in her chest. She clutched a hand over the folds of fabric in her kimono and realized it was the beating of her heart. So, that's what a heart sounds like, she thought to herself as she helped herself to some food. Something about Kouga's actions had angered her, but had also raised a feeling inside her that was foreign to her. She was glad that the wolf youkai had left the den, since she had some serious thinking to do.

The wind user quickly finished her food and glanced at Kouga's bed. Even inside the den, she could feel the passing of time and knew that it was late. She knew she needed rest and the soft furs lining his bed were appealing. Surely it wouldn't hurt to get some sleep. She found herself drawn to Kouga's bed and curled up among the furs. Exhaustion caught up with her and she found herself unable to keep her eyes open.

His scent, she thought to herself as she took a deep breath just before falling asleep in Kouga's bed.

Kouga ate his food without really tasting it. He was still confused about the events of the day and wanted only to get some sleep, but he could hear Kagura moving around his den and knew that he wouldn't be able to use his own bed that night. He resigned himself to sleep where he was, huddled against the hard stone wall just outside his den. At least here he would be able to protect Kagura from his tribe. And protect them from her, he thought as he remembered just how hot tempered the wind user was. He found himself unable to shake the image of her from his mind, remembering how she looked in the torchlight, the thin, silk kimono accenting her lithe body.

Damn it, Kouga, he silently yelled at himself. The last thing he needed was to let Kagura have this effect on him. He tried to picture Kagome and several of the young, available females from his tribe, but found the last image in his head as he fell asleep was of Kagura as she bathed.

Author's note:

While I realize the pairing of Kouga and Kagura isn't canon, it's one I love and the idea of this story has been in my mind for over a year. Unfortunately, events in the manga, starting with chapter 370, and most specifically with chapter 374, have changed the possibilities of this story. Despite events in the manga, I will continue writing this story as planned. Chapter 374 has hit me hard, emotionally, and I will do my best to honor Kagura in my representation of her in this story. Urd-chan

"I am the wind. The free wind." Kagura (from chapter 374)