InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Chapter 39 ( Chapter 39 )

DISCLAIMER:: I do not own InuYasha and company, they are the brain children of Rumiko Takahashi. I do, however, own an overactive imagination . . .

 

 

 

Finding Kagome

 

 

 

Chapter 39

 

 

 

 

 

 

“At the very least, you could show a little bit of compassion!” Kagome's plea fell on deaf ears, as the hanyou stormed ahead of her into the house. Dropping her pack in the middle of the living room floor, he yanked off his helmet and tossed it onto the couch then stood with folded arms glowering at her.

 

Exasperated and confused, Kagome's shoulders slumped as she took in the visage of his obvious disapproval. Sure, she had known he was temperamental, it was laced all through the family stories. She had known how brash he was capable of being, and that it was part of his character to hide his true feelings behind either anger or bravado. What she didn't understand was why he was reacting so strongly to the encounter they had just had with the news reporter. Was he embarrassed to be seen with her in public?

 

“You're mad because that guy was recording us . . .” she ventured, stabbing for some kind of answer, all the while feeling a sense of foreboding. “He said he wouldn't show it!”

 

“That's not the point, Kagome.” He looked away from her. “It's their job to show it . . . You can damn well count on 'em doin' just that. You're stupid if you think they won't do their fuckin' job.”

 

“I'm stupid?” Her hands pulled into fists. “He shook his head!! That was as good as a promise!! He may be youkai, but he understands the meaning of a promise, I'm sure of it!”

 

“Who's youkai?” Selene asked, overhearing Kagome's rebuttal as she entered the room. “You counting on demon promises?? About what?”

 

InuYasha focused his glower on Selene, raising a brow.

 

“A reporter approached us as we were leaving the pier, and. . .” Kagome glanced back at InuYasha, “I screwed up, I guess.”

 

“You guess??” He glared down at her then announced to Selene, “Stupid bitch healed the reporter right in front of the camera. And she guesses that she screwed up!”

 

“Oh,” Selene took a moment to think about the ramifications. “So . . . this is bad . . . why?”

 

InuYasha stared at Selene for a moment, eyes narrowed, then sighed as though he was put out to have to explain something so obvious.

 

“I gotta stay out of the news . . . I'm supposed to stay 'low profile', and she goes and does some stupid shit like this,” he waved his arm in Kagome's general direction then stubbornly refolded them.

 

“It's obvious you haven't been doing a very good job of staying 'low profile'!!” Kagome countered, “She knew exactly who you are!! Mister 'I've only been here a week'!!” Leaning toward him with her hands still fisted, she couldn't help but jab a little harder. “At least I did something productive!! You didn't have to break her microphone! We could have just left, you know!”

 

“You broke her microphone??” Selene asked, aghast. “Surely you didn't have to do that.”

 

“The bitch wouldn't stop askin' questions!! I told her 'no interview', exactly the way the Jackass told me to say it . . . twice!! She didn't stop!!” His back was up now, and Kagome watched the irate hanyou with the brand of detached interest that feeds the subconscious during conflict . . . so this was the real reason he was so upset. His focus on her actions was an attempt to deflect from his own.

 

“You baka!!” She pounced, “You called me stupid!!” Then leaning toward him with a flushed face, “You're embarrassed because you lost your temper and you're blaming the whole thing on me!!”

 

“The Hell!!” He leaned toward her, face reddening. “You need to fuckin' control your impulses, bitch!! That damn cat had the camera on you the whole time!!”

 

“And he didn't when you broke the microphone?? You KNOW better, InuYasha!! He got the whole thing, and now you're busted!! Admit it!!” Her eyes glittered with anger. “I hope they do show it . . . Teach you a lesson, you arrogant . . . mean . . . self obsessed . . . ARRGH!!” She stomped her foot, then cast a sidelong glance at her shocked friend, who's head had been swinging back and forth between them akin to watching a tennis match.

 

“You don't mean that, Kagome. You're just upset.” Selene's confusion at Kagome's outburst was evident. Reaching toward her friend, she thought better of it and pulled back.

 

“You bet your ass I'm upset! He has the audacity to blame me, like I invited them or something! He just doesn't want anyone to know that he's seeing me . . . a simple . . . stupid elementary school teacher!!” She reached down for her pack, tears brimming. “I'm done with this, I have better things to do,” she waved her free hand, head down and left the room.

 

She didn't see the look of abject horror on InuYasha's face at her proclamation.

 

“You should call your brother, InuYasha. He's been trying to reach you,” Selene suggested grimly. “Maybe he can smooth things over with the station before they press charges against you.”

 

“Charges?” InuYasha's expression morphed into angry disbelief. “She asked for it!”

 

“Those field mikes are expensive, and destruction of property is a valid charge in this kind of situation . . .” Overhearing the exchange, Kagome pushed through her door wondering if he really was that dense. And he called ME stupid!

 

She slammed the door behind her and tossed the pack onto her bed. How could such a wonderful afternoon turn bad so quickly? She curled up into a little ball and stopped fighting the tears. She couldn't believe he had called her stupid. Maybe she was stupid. Maybe she was stupid to think that he really did love her.

 

'You know he wants you,' came the self talk. 'That kiss at the wharf said it all. . .'

 

“I don't know that,” she muttered, shaking her head. “ He may want me, but . . . He doesn't want to be seen with me . . .” She had seen the look on his face while they were at the mall when she introduced him to her college friend, Laurel. He didn't like it that she had called him her 'boyfriend'. Maybe she had misunderstood. Maybe he wasn't here to be with her after all. Or maybe all he was looking for was a plaything . . .

 

Maybe she really was stupid.

 

Maybe she had been stupid all along . . . to not listen to what Mikey had been trying to tell her from the start. She hadn't shown InuYasha the Sacred Jewel yet, and for that she felt pitifully little relief as she clutched at it through her sweater.

 

But, as warm and alive as it felt, it offered her no comfort. It was nothing in comparison to the warmth she had felt in his arms. Her heart lodged into her throat as she realized that what she felt for him quite probably was not reciprocated.

 

“Kagome,” InuYasha pushed the door open.

 

“Momma's right,” she muttered into her hand as she hid her tear stained face. “I must be delusional . . . delusional and stupid!”

 

“Kagome . . .” she could feel his warmth as he moved closer.

 

“Go AWAY!!” She shouted through her hands, refusing to look at him.

 

“You got it wrong . . . look at me, damnit,” he persisted, reaching for her arm.

 

“No!” she cried, twisting herself away from his touch. “You're right, I was stupid to think you could ever really love me. I'm an embarrassment to you.”

 

“Don't ever say that!” He hissed next to her ear. The tone of his voice caused her to cringe. She had never heard him use that tone before.

 

Suddenly thoughts of just how dangerous he could be fluttered through her mind. Every bit as dangerous as Kouga. And she hadn't backed down to Kouga. She sure as hell wasn't going to back down to InuYasha.

 

“Just GO!! GET OUT!!” She screamed. “Leave me alone . . .”

 

Before she realized what was happening, he had jerked her arms away from her face and flipped her onto her back, to pin her hands over her head. Straddling her hips, he locked her legs against the bed with his shins, using his weight to hold her as she squirmed and squealed. For a fraction of a second she was overwhelmed with a sense of deja vu at the sight of the hanyou dominating her as he was. She dismissed it with a violent shake of her head.

 

“Let me GO!!” She demanded, bucking under him frantically. InuYasha easily held her in place, his lips thinned in a grim set while his eyes narrowed on her.

 

Glaring at his determined expression with defiance, she suddenly stopped her struggle against his hold. “Admit it, InuYasha . . . you are embarrassed to be seen with me!”

 

“Where in the Seven HELLS did you get THAT crazy idea??” He demanded.

 

“Get off her!!” Came a low, masculine growl from the doorway. Kagome twisted her head to find Michael watching them, face contorted with rage. “Haven't you done enough damage? Leave her alone!!”

 

“This isn't your fight, Monk . . .” InuYasha dismissed him and focused on her renewed struggle underneath him.

 

“The Hell it isn't!!” Michael dug into his pocket and pulled out a long, narrow, intricately woven paper Ofuda. Kagome watched with horrified fascination as he flashed toward InuYasha, and looped it around his throat then yanked.

 

“OW!! SHIT!!” InuYasha grabbed at his neck, falling off Kagome and rolling from the bed to his knees on the floor with a thump, hissing each time his hands touched the offending article. “Son of a bitch!!”

 

Kagome sat up and observed the floundering hanyou with mounting apprehension. Mikey had, for all effect, leashed him and it was really hurting him. She had to fight her instinctive impulse to reach out to him. It was burning him, she noted the angry red welts forming around his neck.

 

“Let him go, Mikey,” her tone was edged with fear. Something that appeared so simple had brought the legendary hero down and regardless of their squabble, she was absolutely certain she didn't like this turn of events.

 

“The Hell I will!!” Michael yanked lightly on the chain, pulling a string of foreign expletives out of the weakened hanyou. “I refuse to allow him to treat you like that, Kagome.”

 

“You don't have any say in how I treat my mate, bouzu!” InuYasha hissed again at the pain. “This is between me and her, asshole!!”

 

His words stung her, possibly as much as the Ofuda was stinging him. He couldn't fight it. It had made him weak as a kitten and she couldn't stand to see him like that. And he had called her his mate. The contradictions in her mind swirled into massive vortex of confused emotion, making coherent thought a struggle for her at best.

 

“How can you say that? Call me that?? I'm not your . . . mate!” Kagome moved to the edge of the bed, her emotions oscillating wildly. “The Great InuYasha would never be mated to someone as stupid as me!!”

 

“Kami, Kagome . . .” it was a plea, and it tore at her heart. “Haven't you heard anything I've told you?? FUCK!! Miroku, you bastard!!”

 

Kagome, finally succumbing to her intrinsic need to protect him, jumped from the bed and slammed her body full force against Michael, throwing him roughly against the dresser and causing him to drop the chain.

 

“Kagome!!” Michael gasped, shocked at her violent assault against him.

 

“I said LET HIM THE FUCK GO!!” She screamed. “You're HURTING HIM!” Enraged, she slapped him on the cheek then reached down and pulled the narrow chain away from InuYasha's neck. Angrily she yanked at the thing but failing to pull it apart she threw it in Michael's face. “NEVER AGAIN, DAMNIT!!”

 

“What the Hell is going on in here??” Came a frantic demand from Selene, as she took in the bizarre tableau from the doorway.

 

“You sure as Hell defend me like you're my mate . . . a regular inuyoukai bitch.” InuYasha gingerly touched the blistering welts on his neck. “Sure you don't have some demon blood?”

 

Kagome knelt beside him and examined the injury. “Just hold still . . .” and she gently brought glowing fingertips to his neck.

 

“Inudono was manhandling her, damnit!! I got him off her and this is the thanks I get!!” Michael rubbed at his reddening cheek, then wound the paper chain up as he glared at InuYasha. “At least now I know how to kick your sorry ass.”

 

“Don't you even think about it, Mikey,” Kagome ground out, as she pulled away to examine the now unblemished neck of her hanyou.

 

“Right out of a goddamn textbook,” Michael retorted. “The abused partner always defends the abuser, Kagome.”

 

“Now, wait just one minute! What did he do??” Selene demanded, hands on her hips.

 

“He had her pinned to the bed!!” Michael pointed at the bed as though it were offensive to him. “She told him to go, and he held her down! I wasn't about to wait around for him to belt her one!”

 

“Belt her?” Unfamiliar with the term, InuYasha's brow furrowed.

 

“He was trying to get me to listen to him!” Kagome protested. “He wasn't going to hit me . . .” she studied his confused expression, “were you?”

 

“Hit . . . you?” A look of horror settled on his features. “I would die for you, Kagome. Why would I ever hit you?”

 

Kagome found herself lost once again in those golden eyes, which warmed measurably under her scrutiny. InuYasha reached around her and pulled her close.

 

“Looks to me like it's 'Legendary Hanyou 1, Meddling Psychologist 0' . . .” Selene folded her arms. “Of course there's that penalty for the phone call incident this morning . . . and that disaster in my kitchen.” She held out her hand, “c'mon Michael, lets go see if your experiment can be salvaged, or if we need to call F.E.M.A.”

 

“I hate it when you keep score like that,” Michael grumbled and headed out the door ignoring her outstretched hand . “This isn't a damn game.” He cast one last scowling glance past her at the couple now cuddling on the floor.

 

“Then stop acting like it is,” Selene responded blandly as she followed him out the door. “Let me see that thing in your pocket . . .”

 

“Selene Rodriguez!! Now is HARDLY the time for that! Get your hand out of there!!” Came his exasperated response from down the hall.

 

Kagome tucked her head under InuYasha's chin, and giggled when she heard the flat of Sally's hand meet with the back of Mikey's head.

 

InuYasha sighed, and tightened his hold on her. “Does it take him tryin' to kill me to get you to listen to me?” He asked.

 

“Kill you?” She stiffened, then pulled back to capture his eyes. “Kami . . . that wouldn't have killed you . . . would it?”

 

“He's getting stronger. And smarter. That little trick . . .” he rubbed at his neck reflexively, “I have to fight him, Kagome. He won't stop until I prove that I can beat him.”

 

“I don't understand,” she moved to get up from his lap and he pulled her back.

 

“You're mine, damnit. I told you, I am never letting you go.” He wrapped his arms around her possessively. “You've got it wrong, Koi. I could never be embarrassed by you, you're . . . everything.”

 

“But . . .” Kagome fingered the rosary, unable to meet his eyes, “You didn't like it when I told Laurel that you are my boyfriend. I could see it, so don't lie to me.”

 

She felt him tense slightly, then take in a deep breath.

 

“You're right . . . I didn't like it . . .” He tipped her chin up with a crooked finger, locking her eyes with his. “Because you are so much more to me than that. It sounded . . . too simple . . . too casual.”

 

Kagome felt her heart swell. Could he really love her so much?

 

“Well, I can't call you my mate. That would be premature, don't you think?” She cursed her logic as she watched his countenance fall. “My friends wouldn't understand that term, anyway . . .”

 

“Then let's get married,” his simple solution solicited a gasp from her. “It's the human thing to do, right? Then there won't be any more damn questions. Even your friends'll know that you're mine.”

 

“InuYasha . . .” She stammered, “I . . . we . . . but . . .”

 

“No buts, Koi.” He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her attempted protest. “First I need to kick that baka's ass . . . then we'll go do just that.” He had decided. Kagome was at a loss for words. Her mind whirled again, something that seemed to be happening entirely too much lately. Was he really proposing to her, in his own strange way? Surely he couldn't be serious. She suddenly realized her mouth was working but nothing was coming out.

 

“It's not that simple!!” She finally squeaked, causing him flatten his ears protectively against his skull. “There's the blood test, and the marriage license, and you have to find someone to perform the ceremony . . .”

 

“Blood test??” He frowned. “Ceremony . . . Ok, ceremonies are good . . . but a license? You've gotta get the government's permission to take a mate??”

 

“Yeah, you do,” she confirmed with a sigh, resting her head on his shoulder.

 

“But, Kagome . . .” he twisted his head to look down at her. “You would do it? To be with me?”

 

She tensed as she realized that this was, after all, InuYasha she was talking to. Subtlety was not going to work, apparently. But she just couldn't bring herself to use the 'N' word. She didn't know exactly how she felt about the idea, sometime in the future. The last thing she wanted to do was drive him away by rejecting him outright now. She would just have to convince him that it was too soon.

 

“Your name would be in the paper, you know . . . more news . . .” she added evasively. “And it probably wouldn't be very 'low profile' considering who your brother is.”

 

InuYasha grabbed her shoulders and held her a moment, his gaze intense.

 

“Telling the world that you're my mate?? My wife??” He asked excitedly.

 

“Neither of us even has a home right now!! Don't you think this is rushing things?? I mean, not a half an hour ago you were calling me a stupid bitch, and now you want to get married??” She pushed away from him, and rose to get her pack. She could feel his eyes on her back as she emptied the contents of her bag onto the bed. The idea of marriage after only two days of knowing him was unsettling. Granted, she had never felt like this before. She had never felt so . . . at home with anyone.

 

“Ok, so you aren't ready.” He stated flatly, folding his arms. “That doesn't mean it isn't going to happen, Kagome. I can wait . . .” He watched her remove her purchases, and start to hang them in her closet.

 

“I wouldn't want to rush something that important, it takes planning.” She turned to him, “You haven't even met my mother yet! And who would officiate?? I've got my hands full enough with the Cultural Fair right now . . . ” And then, would he still want to do this if she were to tell him about the Shikon no Tama? She wasn't so sure he would . . . she wanted to tell him, yet she feared it at the same time. She needed her mother's counsel now more than ever before in her life, but even that was being denied her thanks to Mikey.

 

“That's my Kagome, always so practical,” his tone wasn't very complementary as he rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the interior of the open closet. “Speaking of practical, that bar . . . it's wood right?”

 

Kagome frowned, her thoughts interrupted by the inquiry. Eying the closet pole she had just hung her new clothes on, she responded hesitantly, “I guess so, why?”

 

“How much you think it weighs?” He moved closer, his eyes shining with intent.

 

“I have no idea . . . what are you thinking??” He was beginning to worry her again.

 

He reached and lifted the pole from it's mounts, then tilted it to let the hangers slide down to the floor, their clatter muffled by Kagome's most recent purchases.

 

“HEY!!” She shrieked, “Those are my clothes!!”

 

“And this,” he hefted the dowel easily and turned it, examining it seriously, “is the answer to my problem . . . A little heavy,” he frowned bouncing it, then tilted his head in consideration, “but it'll do .” He nodded once, apparently satisfied.

 

He looked at her expectantly, “I'll need one more.”

 

 

 

~ooO0Ooo~

 

 

 

“Don't worry, Mother . . . He'll be back soon.”

 

Miranda turned from her silent contemplation of the sunset. Ginta, who had always seemed to be somewhere off in the background, had joined her on the small deck where Kouga had so hastily departed her company several minutes before.

 

“He left so suddenly . . . I hardly got a good-bye out of him,” she whispered, her head lowered.

 

“That's my fault, I told him where he could find M'noche,” the youkai offered as explanation. “He needs to deal with him right now, before he moves again . . . it can't wait.”

 

“Who's M'noche?” Her brow furrowed. She couldn't recall having heard Kouga speak of this person before.

 

“He leads a tribe from the South. We've been in alliance with them for a few years.” Ginta looked off to the distance. “I've never cared for them, they value nothing.”

 

“Then why an alliance with them?” She inquired, leaning back against the rail.

 

Ginta's light gray eyes settled on her, his expression unreadable.

 

“Means to an end I guess,” he muttered. “Ayame seemed to think their tactics would come in handy.” He looked away again, his eyes hardened. “Brutal lot. I hope Kouga ends it.”

 

“Brutal? Isn't that what we are trying to avoid? Unnecessary brutality and bloodshed?” She turned away, trying to hide the fear that was wrapping itself around her insides.

 

“Yes, Mother . . . now.” She turned to find his eyes on her again, sparkling with warmth this time. “It's your influence on him . . . it will push Kouga to do what's right. Ending the alliance with those . . . animals.”

 

“Isn't my mate taking a risk meeting with . . . those animals . . . alone?” Her emphasis on his term for them was not lost on Ginta.

 

“Mother . . . Your mate is a formidable warrior. Granted those assholes can be vicious, but only with the weak.” He spoke slowly and stepped closer to her for emphasis, “They can't hold a candle to Kouga, and they know it. He'd wipe the floor with them.” At the intensity of her examination of his eyes, he bowed slightly, lowering them in deference. “They're nothing but a pack of cowards, and have no honor.”

 

Silence fell between them as she chewed on this new information. If they had no honor, then they surely would fight dirty. And Kouga was alone. As powerful as he was, he was still alone.

 

“You should be with him, backing him up . . . not wasting time here with me . . .” she muttered irritably.

 

“I serve him best where I am, Mother. There is no more honored duty than protecting you, the First Mother . . . and the Heir Apparent,” he replied, his tone gentle. “It's as close to a sacred trust as you'll find among our people.”

 

Miranda turned to him, her eyes narrowed in contemplation. His expression was open and honest, there was no hint of deception to be found. Nor was there concern for the safety of his leader. He truly believed what he had said about Kouga's prowess. The fact that he kept calling her mother grated at her psyche. What the heck was that about . . .

 

“First Mother?” She reached out brushed his cheek with the back of her fingers, encouraging him to meet her eyes. “Explain.”

 

“You are the mate of our leader, and carrying the heir. That makes you First Mother . . . Didn't Kouga explain it to you?” Ginta's response held a hint of irritation.

 

“No,” she answered flatly, blinking as she absorbed the response, she turned away. “I guess it slipped his mind.” Once again she found herself envisioning Kouga as Peter Pan, but this time followed by a host of lost boys, all looking to her to mend their clothes and prepare their food. The thought was not a pleasant one.

 

She heard a sigh escape her guardian, laced with a hint of exasperation. Apparently he didn't always see eye to eye with her mate's way of handling matters. But, he deferred to him, regardless. Just as he appeared to be deferring to her, now. A long silence passed between them, as she watched the surf and struggled against her worry.

 

“He'll be home soon. Hopefully he will have closed this bloody chapter and we can move on to better days,” Ginta offered hopefully, breaking the silence. She suspected he could scent her worry just like Kouga could.

 

“Then they will just . . . what? Leave? Peaceably?” Her doubt was obvious. “Why don't I believe that?”

 

“If they're smart, they will. If not, there'll be a fight. You've got to understand, they are no more than thugs. I was against the alliance from the start,” he reached to touch her arm, and she flinched away. “Ayame was the initiator, she didn't have the same respect for ningen as Kouga. Probably because of her jealousy of Kagome nee-san.”

 

“Kagome? Why was she was jealous of Kagome?” Miranda knew that Kouga's feelings for the girl ran deep. Perhaps she wasn't the only one of his women to sense that.

 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an approaching car down the street. It wasn't a commonly traveled road, as it dead ended not far past her house. Looking up she recognized the vehicle as belonging to the surfer. She wasn't prepared to deal with him, but with Kouga being absent, she would have no choice.

 

“Perfect . . .” Ginta muttered, a hint of a grin on his face. Reaching to the table for her lighter. “I'll light the torches, it's getting dark for human eyes . . . Kagome was our adopted pack sister, a human girl. She aided our tribe on more than one occasion, along with her friends. Kouga . . .” he stopped, watching Hojo approach from the road, “Kouga announced his intent to take her as his mate, and actively tried to win her, and that pissed Ayame off. She hated humans because of it, I think.”

 

“You sound like you really liked Kagome, Ginta.” She peered at him, as he shuffled his feet with discomfort.

 

“We all loved her, Mother. She was our pack sister, even though she never did come back to live with us. . .” he trailed off for a moment. “She was kind and considerate, a really sweet person. I cried when I heard that she'd died,” he whispered, looking down briefly then fixed her pointedly with his nearly translucent gaze, “Ningen lives are too short.”

 

Stricken with his intensity, Miranda was at a loss for words. This youkai seemed to hold all life with the deepest of respect. Human too. She felt a sense of regret that she had not made effort to get to know him better before now.

 

“Good, a witness!” Ginta's expression brightened as he moved to greet Hojo.

 

“Witness? For what?” Miranda turned toward the approaching young man, trying to put on a smile for her unexpected guest, and not completely succeeding.

 

“Miranda,” Hojo's eyes were warm, implying affection, which was unexpected. He took her hand and held it gently.

 

“Kouga isn't here, Hojo. He had some business to attend to,” she glanced at Ginta.

 

“That's Ok. I kind of wanted to talk to you, anyway. I've been working on the website, and I need some feedback . . .” he glanced at Ginta's expectant expression warily. “What's up?”

 

“You're my witness. I wanna be the first,” the youkai stated simply.

 

“What are you talking about? First of what?” Miranda lowered herself to the bench, and patted beside her for Hojo to join. At least he too was human, and for that she felt a sense of kinship.

 

“When Kouga presents you to the Tribe, all the males of age will be expected to pledge their fealty to you.” He grinned and winked. Lowering down before her on his knees, his pale gray eyes met her emerald with an intensity and conviction she had never seen on that face before.

 

“Ginta, please . . . get up . . .” she pleaded, leaning toward him, then whispering, “You're making me nervous.”

 

“No,” he refused. “I want this.”

 

“If it's that important to him, you should let him,” Hojo whispered into her ear. “It can't hurt anything, right?”

 

“I supposes not, it just seems . . . unnecessary.” She sighed, then motioned for the youkai to continue.

 

Ginta nodded once, then pulled his weapons, a katana and what appeared to be a long hunting knife. Crossing them in the air, he then laid them at her feet. Placing one fisted arm across his chest, he spoke.

 

“I, Ginta of the Ookami, pledge my sword, my blood, and my life to you, Miranda, First Mother of our Tribe,” he then dropped his forehead to the deck in total and complete submission..

 

Miranda's jaw went slack. There was definitely more to this creature than she had given him credit for.

 

“Damn,” Hojo whispered, impressed.

 

Miranda could feel Hojo's gaze on her as she considered an appropriate response, since it was apparent that Ginta was ever so patiently waiting for one.

 

All she could think of was how Arthurian the whole scenario seemed, enhanced by the flickering torchlight. Like they were children playing at the Kings Court, and she was expected to knight him. That he felt there was a need to do this at all nagged at the back of her mind. Dangerous times were ahead, no doubt.

 

“I have no sword to pledge . . .” muttered Hojo, a hint of disappointment in his tone, which elicited a surprised glance from Miranda and a loud shushing from Ginta, who patiently held his prone position.

 

“Just do your job, witness . . .” he growled. “You'll get your chance later.”

 

Miranda wanted to laugh. It all seemed so silly, and now Hojo wanted to play too. Attempting to school her expression, she reached down and touched Ginta's shoulder lightly.

 

“I accept your pledge, Ginta of the Ookami. . . in the name of my unborn child.” There, that should do it. Humor the youkai. Since her child would be half youkai it did make a certain amount of sense. Though to her, the whole thing just seemed a little to surreal to take seriously.

 

“And for you too, Mother . . . please . . .” she heard a pleading tone to his request, far from the growl that he had just given Hojo. This was very important to him. This was no game for the youkai.

 

“Alright.” She rephrased her response, her expression slowly morphing from amusement to reflect the serious intent of the offering being made to her. “I accept your pledge, Ginta, for myself and for my unborn child. May the days of your service to us both be long.”

 

She watched as he let out a relieved breath, and seemed to relax. Apparently her response had been acceptable that time. Lifting his head, the youkai had the brightest, dimpled smile on his face. It was really quite endearing. Her heart warmed as she returned his smile, both sets of eyes twinkling in the flickering light of the tiki torches.

 

“Thank you,” he lowered his head deferentially, then retrieved his weapons, sheathing them, and stood.

 

“I'm not Ookami, and I have no sword . . .” Hojo looked thoughtful. “But Kouga has promised me a place by his side.”

 

Ginta examined the young man for several moments. “I can remedy that,” he looked at Miranda for approval.

 

“Oh, no you don't . . .” she waved him off. “That's something Kouga should decide.”

 

“Oh, he's decided - he's just been too preoccupied to follow through. I think I know Kouga's mind . . . and he wants this one bonded.” He nodded toward Hojo.

 

Miranda studied the youkai's open expression. It was obvious to her that he had no hidden motives, he really believed this is what her mate would want. Far be it for her to stand in the way of progress. It had been her idea to bring in human followers, and Hojo was the catalyst. It just made good sense that he be brought into the tribe.

 

“Then, so be it.” Miranda shrugged, sitting back. How this would be accomplished was piquing her curiosity, considering how she had been brought in. At least the guy would have some warning.

 

Ginta motioned for Hojo to join him on the deck, each on their knees facing one another. Pulling his hunting knife, he slowly slit the inside of his forearm and handed Hojo the blade, watching him expectantly.

 

Miranda smiled, now understanding what was happening.

 

Hojo held the knife in his hand, frozen as he gaped at the dripping wound on the youkai's arm, a shadow of horror crossing his features.

 

“Do it, boy,” Ginta hissed menacingly, “Or I'll do it for you.”

 

Hojo glanced at Miranda, who smiled at him reassuringly. “It's ok, Hojo . . . He's bringing you into the brotherhood.” She nodded, “Trust me . . . Do it for Kouga.”

 

His lips set in a thin, grimly determined line, Hojo brought up the blade and dug it into the softly yielding flesh of his inner forearm with a low gasp. Ginta quickly grabbed his arm in a warrior's grip, and producing a wide leather cord from his belt, he looped it around their arms, binding them together.

 

“I accept you as my brother, Hojo . . .” he tightened his grip and shook it slightly which drew Hojo's eyes away from their concerned examination of their arms. Locking him in his gaze he proclaimed, “You are now of my blood, my pack, and my tribe. Nothing can break this bond . . . short of death.” Hojo swallowed noticeably, and Ginta nodded once.

 

Miranda could not hide her awe at the simple ceremony. Hojo was now one of them, just as assuredly as she was. A blood brother to her sworn protector. An unbreakable blood oath.

 

Ginta unwound the cord that held their arms. “You're gonna notice some changes,” he grinned at the anxious young man. “Trust me, it's all good . . . don't look so worried!” He slapped him amiably on the shoulder as he rose to his feet. Hojo looked at his wound and tried to pull a smile, and found it wasn't as difficult to do as he'd thought when he glanced up to meet Miranda's smiling eyes .

 

“We should wrap that,” she suggested, rising to go into the house.

 

“Miranda, I need for you to look at the website . . .” Hojo's request was cut off by a low growl from Ginta, who had produced his short blade and waved it in his face.

 

“You'll address her properly, whelp!” He ordered, grabbing him up by his arm.

 

“Ginta!!” Miranda gasped. “You treat your blood brother like that??”

 

“Damn straight! How else do I teach him proper respect?? Now, address her properly . . . or lose your tongue!” Ginta glowered at him, his grasp tightening.

 

Miranda shuddered noticeably. Youkai values were going to be a challenge to adjust to.

 

“M-mother,” Hojo swallowed hard, eyes crossed slightly as he focused on the youkai blade that was right under his nose.“May I request your assistance with the website? Um . . . ma'am?”

 

“Better,” Ginta announced, releasing his hold. “You're a smart one,” he replaced the knife and patted Hojo heavily on his back with a smile, eyes twinkling. “You'll do fine, I think. You learn quick.”

 

 

 

~ooO0Ooo~