InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Foundations of Neo Genesis ❯ chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Okay, I know this one was a long time in coming. I’m really sorry. This muse is as fickle as they come and tends to not cooperate. There were no new questions to answer, so I’ll just jump right in.

Inuyasha weighed the chouse in his hand. It was lighter than he was used to, and not as straight. But the point was sharp enough to draw blood from his finger and he was confident it would hold up under stress. All he needed was a test.

Pushing the grass curtain out of the way, he stepped out into the cold light of morning. The mist hung in the air and few people were up yet. A grin touched his lips as he spotted Kouga pacing at the edge of the overhang. He was thinner now – they all were – ribs starting to show from lack of substantial food, and like others he had picked up nervous habits. His was to pace, almost endlessly, like a caged animal.

Inuyasha smiled in amusement as an idea snaked its way into his brain. Lifting the chouse and taking aim, Inuyasha took several quick steps forward and let the weapon fly. It kind of wobbled in the air as it flew, making a sickly arc towards its target. Kouga turned in his pacing just in time to watch the chouse sail only a foot from his head. He swore violently as Inuyasha howled with laughter.

“Son of a bitch!” Kouga screamed and lunged at Inuyasha. With a snort the half-demon nimbly dodged and Kouga’s fist met only air. Inuyasha responded with a knee to the gut and an elbow to the back of the wolf demon’s skull, sending him crashing to the ground.

“What is going on?” Sango asked with an annoyed yawn as she stepped out of her shelter. She looked at Kouga picking himself up off the ground with Inuyasha standing over him and frowned. Kouga groaned as he pushed himself to his knees and ran a hand over the back of his skull.

“Fucking bastard...” he hissed.

“Serves you right, dick,” Inuyasha huffed. Ignoring Sango’s glare he retrieved his chouse.

Sango’s jaw dropped. “Is that what I think it is?”

Inuyasha grinned wolfishly. “What’s the matter, Lieutenant? Bad memories?”

“What are you planning to do with that?” Sango’s hand subconsciously moved to her hip, feeling for her missing weapon.

Inuyasha snorted. “That’s right, Lieutenant. I spent three days of my life making a chouse when I could have just slit your throat in your sleep on any given night.” By now he had attracted a crowd as the group began to rouse from the commotion. “I have three more of these and I’m going hunting, who’s with me?”

&&&

The grass sea spread out before them, waving in the gentle breeze. The morning mist was just beginning to fade, giving way to ghostly islands of flesh and bone as the creatures took their breakfast. The animals crowded close together as they grazed, always looking up and listening for something hidden in the mist.

Inuyasha laid his ears back against his skull as he peered over the top of the grass. His followers were small this time. Shippou had not even hesitated. Aodh had looked dubious but agreed in the end. Krishna had followed with a great deal of reluctance. No one else would come. He found it frustrating, but no amount of yelling had done him any good.

With a sharp motion of his hand, he motioned for the others to follow as he crept on hands and knees towards a group of Fringe Gazelle. The delicate creatures pranced nervously, so close now the demons could hear the grass rustle as they moved. One let out a bleat like a tone-deaf goat.

The wind picked up, and Inuyasha tried to crouch lower, hoping it would not shift and give them away. At his cue they sprang. The creatures bleated in surprise as the grass parted and the small group leapt at the closest member of the herd. Shippou made an awkward grab for the neck, managing to just hang on as the gazelle thrashed and screamed. Aodh added his weight to the shoulders, trying to keep the bucking to a minimum, but mostly succeeding in being tossed about like a doll.

Inuyasha and Krishna jabbed their chouses into the creature’s sides. They did not go very deep, but enough to draw blood – which was splashed through the air as the creature fought for its freedom. Shippou was reduced to wrapping his arms and legs around the deer-like creature’s long neck, weighing it down, but not keeping it very still. Aodh had been thrown off completely. The constant movement made Krishna and Inuyasha’s task all the harder.

It took another fifteen minutes before the gazelle finally collapsed from a mixture of exhaustion and blood loss. Inuyasha delivered the final, merciful, blow, driving the chouse into the gazelle’s skull through the eye socket.

With their quarry dead, the four collapsed, panting for breath. They were covered in blood, mostly the gazelle’s, but some of their own, as well as numerous bruises. Still, they smiled at each other. They had made their first kill.

The grass rustled and a soft cry sent chills down their collective spines. Four heads turned to see the giant birds advancing on them. The ten brown monsters made no secret of their approach or their intent. They hissed, a low, raspy sound, as they walked closer, heads lowered and forelimbs poised.

The four scrambled to their feet. Inuyasha raised his chouse, pointing it at the nearest of the birds. The others followed suit.

“This looks bad...” Aodh said softly.
“Shippou,” Inuyasha said in an even voice. “Pick up the deer, and everyone back away slowly.”

“Right.” Shippou nodded, passing his chouse to Krishna before lifting the dead animal onto his shoulder. He grunted under the weight. Slowly they began to back away from the birds, who, in turn, advanced faster.

“This isn’t working,” Krishna growled.

“Running sounds like a good idea,” Aodh added.

“I’ve never run from anything in my life,” Inuyasha hissed. “I’ll be damned if I start now.” Shippou opened his mouth to reply, but his foot caught on a tangle of grass and he went down. A bird screamed and the group surged forward. The birds were fast, and closed the short distance in the blink of an eye. Shippou’s eyes widened as he kicked the carcass off and tried to escape.

The first bird grabbed the gazelle, ripping off a leg with a sharp twist. Shippou scrambled backwards as another bird grabbed the meat from the first. Both birds growled as they tugged at the meat. The second bird stepped, pulling hard, and landed on Shippou’s leg. Sharp claws sliced into the soft flesh of his inner thigh and he bit his tongue to keep from crying out.

Strong arms wrapped around his chest and dragged him back into some grass, concealing him from the birds’ view. Shippou ground his teeth together as he looked up at Inuyasha, Krishna, and Aodh.

“Can you walk?” Aodh asked carefully.

“Yeah...” The fox demon hissed, starting to push himself to his feet.

“The hell you can.” Inuyasha shoved him back down. “You’ll bleed to death if you do.”

Shippou sat up enough to see his leg and cringed. Blood was seeping out and pooling on the ground below him. “Shit!”

Inuyasha pulled his shirt off over his head, took hold of the collar, and pulled. With a loud rip the shirt tore down the middle. Holding one piece between his teeth, he tied the other tightly around Shippou’s thigh above the gashes. The second he used to cover the wounds. When he was finished he turned and offered Shippou his back. “Get on.”
“I can walk...” Shippou replied.

“I wasn’t giving you a choice, runt.”

&&&
Kagome looked up as Aodh skidded into camp. Sweat rolled down his face and he looked pale under his fresh sunburn. His head swiveled on his neck as if searching for someone – panic rising in his eyes. His eyes landed on her and he rushed over, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders.

“Where’s the nurse?” His voice higher than usual in his flustered state, he gave her a small shake to drive home the point.

“Kirara? She went to the river...” Kagome did not even finish before he bolted in the indicated direction.

“What was that about?” Sango asked, slightly taken aback.

“I believe you will find your answer there, dear ladies,” Miroku answered. They turned to see Inuyasha trudging out of the woods, shirtless, Shippou hung limply across his back. The younger demon’s face was pale and his eyes unfocused. His right leg was glistening with blood that was slowly dripping from the back of Inuyasha’s hand where it was hooked under his leg. Krishna trailed behind them looking ready to catch Shippou if he pitched over backwards.

For a moment all Kagome could do was stare in horror, but was jostled from her thoughts when Sango brushed past and hit her shoulder. She quickly followed.

“What have you done?!” the Lieutenant hissed as Inuyasha crouched down. Krishna took hold of Shippou around the chest and they carefully lay the young demon on the ground.

“One of the birds slashed him,” Krishna growled. “He’d be dead if Inuyasha hadn’t pulled him out.” Sango huffed, but blushed as she looked away. Inuyasha said nothing as he walked away. Kagome turned back to Shippou, kneeling down at his side to look at the damage. She untied what appeared to be half a shirt covered in blood and tossed it aside; grimacing when it laded with a wet splat.

The wound underneath was a single deep gash that cut through the inside of his thigh, flanked by a much shallower cut on either side. Kirara dropped down next to Kagome a moment later. Her hair was wet and she looked both harassed and worried. Edging Kagome aside she leaned over the wound and gently prodded it. Shippou groaned and tried to pull away.

“We have to stop the bleeding. Sango, hold his leg still,” Kirara instructed. Sango nodded and took hold of Shippou’s knee, turning his leg out slightly to give the nurse better access. Krishna put his hands on Shippou’s shoulder to keep him still. Kirara bit her lip as she dug into her supplies.

“Move,” Inuyasha said flatly, then shouldered his way in before anyone could oblige him. In one hand he held a stick and in the other was his dagger, which glowed slightly red. Shifting his hold on the stick he grabbed Shippou’s jaw and forced the younger demon to look at him. “Ready?”

Shippou blinked hard at him, trying to focus, then nodded slightly. Inuyasha placed the stick between the younger demon’s teeth He put his forearm across Shippou’s chest, putting weight on him and blocking his view of his leg.

“What are you doing?” Kirara asked harshly. “I have to stop the bleeding.” Inuyasha ignored her and pressed the flat of the blade against the deepest wound. Shippou bit down on the stick, screamed, and arched his back all at once. Inuyasha kept his weight on the younger demon’s chest, holding him as still as possible. The sickly sweet smell of burning meat filled the air as Shippou’s flesh hissed.

Inuyasha pulled the dagger away and Shippou relaxed, breathing hard. Sweat dripped from his brow as he turned and spit the stick out. “Crap...fuck...shit, that hurt.”

“I can’t believe you did that...” Kirara whispered, leaning over to inspect the end result. “You completely cauterized it. How...?”

“Keh,” Inuyasha huffed, pushing himself to his feet. “Get some rest, runt.” Shippou only grunted.

Kagome watched as Inuyasha walked away. He had a smear of blood on his lower back and hand. His pants were clinging to his leg where the gore soaked them. It had dripped down so far that the hem was slowly dripping the red liquid onto his foot, causing him to leave red footprints in his wake.

On impulse she got up and hurried after him. “Are you hurt?” Kagome asked as she caught his arm and attention. He frowned at her and she indicated his leg.

“No, that’s the runt’s blood. I’m fine.” He shook off her hand.

“Oh... What happened out there?” she asked, doing her best to keep pace with him as he walked.

“The bird slashed Shippou. Don’t you pay attention, woman?”

“Humph,” Kagome snorted. “I was hoping for a better description than that. I have been studying biology and animal behavior for several years. If I knew more I could provide some insight that might prevent– What are you doing?!” She yelped and covered her eyes as Inuyasha unfastened his pants and began sliding them off.

“I’m going to take a bath,” Inuyasha replied, sounding very amused. She heard the sound of his pants hitting the ground with a wet thump. “Are you going to join me or not?” Kagome felt her face grow hot and bolted back towards camp, the sound of Inuyasha’s laughter in her ears.

&&&

Kagome groaned as she was pulled unpleasantly from her dreams. Something jabbed her in the side and she rolled away, swatting it away as she muttered unintelligibly. This time something grabbed her arm gently and rolled her back over.

“Wake up, damn it!” someone hissed. Her eyes snapped open to see Inuyasha’s frowning face hovering over her. She yelped and he clamped his hand over her mouth. “Shut up. You want to wake the whole camp?” She glared at him and tried to bit the palm of his hand. Inuyasha raised an unimpressed eyebrow, but removed his hand anyway.

“What is wrong with you?” She glanced between the grass mats of her shelter, “It’s not even light out yet.”

“No shit. We need to get an early start,” He rolled to his feet and opened the grass mat door, looking back at her expectantly.

“Excuse me, but I’m not going wandering around in the dark,” Kagome huffed and curled back up to go to sleep. “Furthermore, why do you see the need to bother me?” He growled and she heard the mat swish back into place.

“Because, princess,” his breath warmed her cheek as he spoke in a low whisper. “I’m not going to go hungry one more night. But I’m all outta ideas. I need that big brain of yours to tell me how to catch one of those damn things.”

“What things?” she asked without thinking.

“At this point, I don’t give a flying fuck.”

Rolling over with a sigh, Kagome looked at him with half-lidded eyes. She briefly wondered where he had found another shirt, but did not feel like dwelling on it. “And what, pray tell, makes you think I know anything that can help you?”

He leaned down until their noses nearly touched. “Yeah, well you better hope you figure something out with that big ass brain of yours. I ain’t been keeping you fed for shits and giggles.”

“Are you threatening me?” She straightened her shoulders.

“I don’t threaten women. What the hell would you do about it if I was anyway?”

“You’re a jerk.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He took her elbow and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go.” Kagome stumbled after him as he pulled her out of her shelter. The camp was quiet except for the soft sounds of the forest drifting in the air. His bare feet padded lightly over the stone floor, but her shoes thumped loudly in the morning calm. Her foot caught on a loose stone and she stumbled as the rock clattered across the ground. “Idiot.”
“I’m human,” Kagome hissed back. “Sorry I don’t have the advantage of good night vision.”

He grunted, then promptly scooped her up. Kagome barely managed to swallow her surprised yelp. Cradling her in his arms, Inuyasha made his way silently through camp and into the forest beyond. Kagome swallowed hard, her mind racing.

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” he huffed irritably.

“I-I never implied that you would.”

“You’re shaking,” he replied, setting her on her feet again. Taking a few steps ahead he knelt in the dirt. “Get on. It will be easier to carry you on my back.”

Kagome hesitated, looking between his back and the camp. “How do I know you aren’t going to take me off into the woods and rape me?”

Inuyasha rolled slowly to his feet and looked over his shoulder at her. His golden eyes glittered in the pale light. Kagome took a step back at the annoyed expression on his face. She watched in horrified fascination as his hand slipped under the back of his shirt and withdrew, dagger in hand. The edge seemed to glow, and her eyes followed its graceful flashing as he flipped it in the air and caught the blade. She jumped when he thrust it at her, hilt first.

“Take it,” he ordered. Kagome did without question. The knife felt odd in her hand. It was large, clearly not made for someone with small, delicate hands. The hilt was worn, tangle of cloth wrapped over tangle of cloth. The blade had been thinned through too many sharpenings. The weapon looked brutal and deadly. Dried blood encrusted around the grip confirmed it. “Now you’re armed and I’m not. Now if I try anything you can cut off my balls and wear them as earrings. Your buddy, Sango, would be so proud.”

“That is a truly beautiful thought,” she replied dryly. Snorting, he crouched back down. Kagome slipped the knife into the back of her pants, as she had seen him do many times before, only to find it hard to arrange. By the time she had it in a comfortable position, Inuyasha was laughing at her. Huffing, she let him lift her onto his back.

She was startled by how effortlessly he seemed to carry her. His bare feet trod over the soft earth with minimal sound; even the plants they passed seemed to bend out of his way. Even wading across the river seemed oddly muted. He did not speak as he walked, and any attempt at conversation on her part was quickly and harshly snuffed out.

Surrendering to his surly attitude, she rested her head on his shoulder. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heart below her ear. The gentle up and down motion of his gate rocked her and the darkness of morning wrapped around her like a blanket.

“You know, for someone who is worried about being raped, you’re awfully trusting. I could do all sorts of crap to you in your sleep,” Inuyasha grunted. Kagome startled awake. Inuyasha peered over his shoulder at her, an eyebrow raised. Kagome blinked and blushed. “Well, princess, I ain’t holding your ass all day. Get off.”

Kagome slid to the ground and looked around. They had traveled to where the plains met the forest and the sun was just peeking over the horizon, chasing away the sparkling navy with streaks of hot pink and orange. The world held everything in its usual misty morning embrace, giving the world a surreal glow. Dark silhouettes moved lazily through the mist.

“If you stay down there, something is going to eat you,” Inuyasha huffed. Looking up she realized he had climbed one of the trees and made himself comfortable on a large branch.

“Oh, right,” Kagome replied, shaking herself from her daze.

Inuyasha watched silently as Kagome wrapped her arms around the tree trunk and tried to shimmy up. After several unsuccessful attempts, she tried climbing the few feet she could manage and reaching for a low branch.

“You are going to hurt yourself.”

“Then why don’t you help– ow!” Kagome yelped as she tumbled off the trunk and landed hard. Sitting up, she clutched her fist to her chest as a few drops of blood pearled up between her fingers.

“Gods dammit, woman,” Inuyasha huffed, dropping gracefully from the tree. He knelt next to her and pulled her hand open. Blood was smeared across her palm and fingers, but there was not that much. Carefully wiping as much away as he could with the back of his hand, he found a small object embedded in her palm. With a quick yank, he pulled it out. He started to toss it, but Kagome snatched it with her free hand.

“Don’t just throw it away, it could be important.”

“Whatever,” he grunted, ripping a strip of cloth from his shirt and wrapping her hand. “Now get on my back and hold on tight.” Nodding, she did as she was told. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she clung to him as Inuyasha pulled them into the tree with some effort.

“Thanks,” Kagome replied as he settled her on a thick branch.

“Whatever. Just use your brain to get my information.”

They fell silent as they watched the plains that stretched out before them. The animals moved quietly, their shadowy forms becoming more substantial as the fog began to burn away. For a long time, nothing happened, and Kagome found herself leaning against the tree trunk with her eyes half lidded.

The scream that rent the air was so sudden she startled and would have tumbled out of the branches had Inuyasha not caught her arm.
“What was that?” she asked as she regained her balance. Inuyasha pointed. Two of the birds raced across the plains, screaming. The other animals scattered, their frightened cries piercing the morning air. The two birds split up, flanking a small group of the horse-like creatures and chasing them away from the main group.

“Look at that...” Kagome breathed, carefully standing on the branch for a better view. “It’s like the Terraraptors are herding them... but where to...?”

Another scream rent the air as half a dozen more birds appeared, charging straight at the fleeing prey. The creatures tried to scatter but were easily outnumbered. The horses let out a final panicked cry, before the birds silenced them with claws and beak.

“Did you see that?” Kagome asked, practically bouncing on the branch. “Did you see the way they worked together? Dividing the zorse and herding them, then surrounding them! Amazing! The intelligence! For something like that they would need communication, planning, and organizational skills! There is no telling how smart these creatures are!”

Inuyasha said nothing as Kagome rattled on in excitement, his eyes trained on the birds as they gorged on their meal.

&&&

“I don’t know if this is such a good idea,” Aonghus said as he trailed behind the group. Each carried a crudely made chouse as they walked through the forest. The afternoon heat was baking its way through the trees, turning the world into a hothouse. There was not even a breeze to keep them cool. Sweat was beading on every brow and soaking into every shirt.

“Then go back,” Inuyasha huffed.

“Negative thoughts can only be harmful,” Krishna added.

“Besides,” Aodh added cheerfully, “Miroku blessed us before we left. So Liron guards our steps.”

“You really are into that stuff, aren’t you?” Chanda snorted in distaste. With thick auburn hair and piercing teal eyes, the human woman cut an imposing figure. She was tall and lean, with a scar that ran from her right temple and across both lips before dropping off the left side of her jaw.

“I just do not see how I can be useful,” Charon cut in. “I am just a simple engineer.”

“I also fail to see why you want me along,” Branwen said, dark curls bouncing around violet eyes. The raven demon glanced sideways at the woman by her side. “Did he give you any answers, Savannah?” The lioness demon shook her golden hair.

“Shut the fuck up, all of you,” Inuyasha growled, “before you attract something with teeth.” The group fell silent, save for the dead leaves and sticks crunching underfoot.

When they reached the tree line, Inuyasha pulled up short. Aodh and Krishna stopped at his shoulders while the rest hung back. He scanned the plains before him with a careful gaze. The herds where widespread, trying to stay cool in the afternoon heat as they grazed. He did not see any of terraraptors.

Making a motion with his hand he moved into the tall grass, leaving the others to follow. Walking forward, Inuyasha probed the ground with the blunt end of his stick, watching the sharpened end bob above the grass. Finally he found a spot where the earth was soft and the grass high, and stopped. Everyone stopped behind him, all looking perplexed.

“Aodh, Charon, Branwen, Savannah. Bury your chouses so they are pointing away from the forest. Make sure they are low enough that the grass hides them. The rest of you, we will flush the animals this way. Krishna and Aonghus, you go left. Chanda, you’re with me.”

They split up. Inuyasha led Chanda through the tall grass, keeping low as they went. The soft earth squished underfoot, and the grass rustled as they moved through it. A few of the nearby animals raised their heads, but did not perceive them as a threat and returned to grazing. When they had circled around behind a small cluster of Zorse, Inuyasha raised his head and looked for the other group.

“If this works, you’re getting laid tonight,” Chanda whispered in his ear.

Inuyasha glanced back at her with a small smile. “Don’t bite off more then you can chew, little girl.”

“I only bite if you ask nice.”

“Promises, promises.” He turned back to see Krishna give him a small wave, announcing they were in position. “There’s the signal. Let’s go.” They crept back the way they had come, angling themselves to align with the buried chouses.

Inuyasha let his breathing become shallow as he moved through the shadows of the tall grass. He felt his muscles twitching and could hear his blood rushing in his ears. As the silhouette of one of the zorses came into his line of sight, he tensed. The creature’s ear twitched towards him, but it showed no other sign it was alert to his presence.

His own ear twisted to catch the sounds of the others settling into position, and waiting for his signal. He watched, eyes trained on the creature in front of him. His fingers tightened around his chouse. The zorse lifted its head.

Inuyasha lunged, striking out with his chouse. The animal let out a screech as it jumped sideways to avoid the attack, landing directly in front of Chanda. Her chouse grazed its side before it lunged away again. Krishna and Aonghus appeared in its path and the zorse changed direction again, this time towards the forest and the trap.

Inuyasha quickly discovered that trying to run through the tall grass was harder than the other creatures made it look. The sharp blades cut into his skin, making it red and irritated, and the soft soggy soil underfoot made sprinting almost impossible.

The zorse screamed and stopped so suddenly it flipped forward. Aodh, Branwen, Charon, and Savannah scattered. For a moment they all stood in silence as the panicked creature thrashed and kicked wildly, all the while making an awful wheezing cry.

Growling, Inuyasha pulled out his dagger. In a quick movement he sliced the creature’s throat open. It gave a final weak thrash and gasping noise before it was still and silent. Inuyasha wiped the blade on his pants as he turned to the group.

With no other way to move their kill, they would have to carry it back to camp. It took several minutes to arrange themselves in such a way they could move the much larger animal, even then the process was awkward and slow.

They had barely made it halfway back to the cover of the trees when another scream rent that air. All heads turned to see the terraraptors stalking towards them. The birds held themselves rigid as they moved, making no attempt to hide in the tall grass. Occasionally one would hiss or scream.

“Shit, now what?” Charon hissed. Several heads swiveled between Inuyasha and the birds.

He frowned at them in disgust, then glanced over his shoulder at the approaching birds. “The hell I’m fighting those things.” He dropped the carcass and raised his chouse in defense as he began to back away. The terraraptors advanced more quickly and the rest of the group quickly joined him. “Run for the trees and climb as high as you can,” Inuyasha hissed through clenched teeth. “Now!”

They turned and bolted. Adrenaline rushed in his veins and blood pounded in his ears as Inuyasha cleared the grass and grabbed for the lowest branch of the nearest tree. Behind him he could hear the grass shaking wildly as bodies rushed through it and the heavy breathing of the people around him. The branch bit deep into his hand where a small twig had been broken off, but he did not care. After pulling himself up he turned and reached for Aodh’s hand.

As he pulled the tiger demon up, he caught sight of the terraraptors and froze. The birds had not given chase. Instead they gathered around the zorse carcass, chattering as they ripped off chunks of flesh and gulped it down. One picked up a forgotten chouse, turned it curiously in its three-fingered hands, and bit it; then dropped it in disinterest and returned to the zorse.

“Son of a bitch!” Inuyasha yelled. The terraraptors raised their heads only momentarily to look at him.
“I think we have just been had...” Krishna said from his perch in another tree.

“Smart bastards,” Chanda growled from the ground.

They could do nothing but watch as the terraraptors consumed their hard-earned kill. When the birds finally ate their fill, the group waded back through the grass to where the zorse lay. The creature had been reduced to a skeleton, with nothing more than scraps of flesh clinging to the bones.

“Fuck,” Inuyasha breathed as he picked up a discarded chouse.

“Now what?” Aonghus asked exasperated.

“We need to rethink our exit strategy,” Krishna said.

Charon rubbed the back of his neck and looked up at the sky. “Well, we better go back to camp to do it. If we don’t start walking it will be dark before we get back and I don’t fancy trying to find my way back then.” Everyone muttered in agreement, retrieving all the chouses they could find.

The trek back was made in silence. Inuyasha studied the chouse he had picked up. Blood coated the end. Tilting it up he watched with disinterest as a sluggish drop rolled down to his hand, joining the blood already drying on his skin. He growled in frustration and his stomach returned in kind. Cursing under his breath, he began searching the canopy for fruit.

As they all took time at the river to wash the blood from their bodies and clothes before returning to camp they were greeted by Kouga. The wolf demon looked them up and down and snorted. “Still following the puppy? Serves you right.”

“I ain’t in the mood for your shit, jackass. So get the fuck out of my way,” Inuyasha groused, shoving the other demon aside he stormed into his shelter. Kouga growled at his back.

&&&


“He seems crankier than usual...” Kagome whispered to Kirara as she helped redress the wound on Shippou’s leg.

“Can’t say that I blame him,” Savannah replied as she joined them. “We actually had the meat in our hands, physically carrying it back, when those damn birds took it away!”

“Everyone’s okay, right?” the nurse asked as she tied off the bandage. “Is that too tight?”

“It’s fine,” Shippou assured her as he sat up and stretched his leg. “What happened?”

“It was really simple actually.” Savannah sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “We just set up a barrier and chased the zorse into it so it stabbed itself. We just need a faster way to move the thing after we kill it. If we only had a hover board or something.”

Kagome cleared her throat. “I’m sure there is a simpler solution. No need to reinvent the wheel...” She blushed, realizing what she had said. “Er, well, maybe there is.” The others laughed. Trying to cover her embarrassment, she stood up and walked towards her shelter. “I’ll just go check my records. Maybe there is a suggestion in there.”

Sighing, Kagome escaped into her shelter. Kneeling next to her bag she dug out her comp before leaning against the stone wall. She flipped the switch and listened to the soothing hum as the comp booted up. This was her element. Sango may have been able to handle all these people, but not her. She was much more at home alone with a comp.

As the hologram popped up, she let her hands slide into the picture, feeling the welcoming tingle of electrons and ions dancing against her skin. She liked data, information; it was simple, honest, pure. It did not lie or deliberately dispense misinformation. That made it safe.

With a welcoming smile, she touched an icon, and felt the picture shift around her hands. It formed a book, its cover decorated with more icons that presented her with the subject choices. With the deft movement of experienced hands, she tapped the history icon. The picture changed again, this time into a keyboard and a floating cursor. She typed in “wheel,” feeling the odd pressure the “keys” exerted.

Pulling her hands free, she watched as the hologram once again formed a book and quickly flipped through its pages. At vaguely the center of the book it stopped and propped itself up. Pulling the comp closer she began to read. In short order she began to whisk through the information, storing what she needed in the comp’s memory and her own, while rejecting anything that did not seem relevant.

As she sorted through the data, a strange sound began to pick at the edge of her concentration. Frowning, she looked up from the comp. The grass mats of her shelter fluttered in a gentle breeze, the now-dry grass scraping softly as they moved, but did not account for the sound she was hearing. Tilting her head, she listened more closely.

Suddenly her cheeks reddened and she looked to her right. “Oh for the love of Liron! Not everyone wants to hear that!” Grabbing her comp she bolted from the shelter. Still blushing, she dodged anyone who would ask questions and retreated to the bank of the river.
Setting her comp aside she splashed her face with water, trying to cool her blush. Sitting up on her knees, she closed her eyes and tried to rein in her breathing.

“Are you all right? You certainly bolted through camp awfully fast.”

Kagome yelped and jumped away from the voice right next to her ear. Clutching her chest she looked up at the man standing over her. He was silhouetted against the early afternoon sun and she had to shade her eyes to see him properly.

“You shouldn’t come out in the woods all by yourself.” The man smiled as he leaned down. “Don’t you know? This is where the big bad wolf lives.”

The movement brought his face into the light and Kagome sighed in relief. “Kouga, you scared me!”

He leaned a little closer, still smiling; so close she could feel his breath on her skin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

“I really should have been paying more attention,” Kagome replied, standing up and putting some distance between them. “It was stupid to come out here by myself. I better head back.” She picked up her comp and turned back toward camp. Kouga grabbed her hand and pulled her back to face him.

“What’s your hurry? You’re not alone out here anymore. I’ll keep you safe.”

Kagome took another step back and tried to retrieve her hand, but his grip remained firm. “No, thank you. I’d really prefer to go back. People might get the wrong idea if we are alone together too long.”

“And what idea might that be?” he asked, stepping closer and placing his free hand on her cheek.

Kagome blushed and jerked away, clasping her comp to her chest. “I’m sorry. You really are very nice, and thank you for worrying about my safety, but I don’t feel that way about you. I’m very very sorry.” She turned sharply on her heel, heading toward camp when he grabbed her arm and spun her around. Kagome cringed to see his gentle smile had been replaced by a frown.

“You spent hours alone with that mongrel, but I’m not good enough for you?!”

“What? No! It wasn’t like that! He just had some questions, that’s all. Really!”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “In that case, I have a few ‘questions’ of my own.” His grip tightened and he pulled her towards him. Kagome yelped and slapped him. For a long moment neither moved. Kagome’s hand hung in the air, her eyes fixed on it as if it were possessed.

Kouga’s free hand rose slowly to touch his wounded cheek. Blue eyes flashed in anger and a low growl rumbled out of his chest. In a single swing, he backhanded her, Kagome screamed in surprise and pain as she hit the ground hard.

&&&

Inuyasha stretched enjoying the scratchiness of the dry grass mat and the coolness of the stone against his bare skin. His eyes closed, he followed Chanda’s movements by sound as she collected herself. When she scratched her nails down his chest he opened an eye and reached for her.

Chuckling she stepped out of his reach. “Sorry, big boy, you only get one ride. You want another, you’ll have to earn it.” With a flip of her hair and a wave, she exited the shelter and he flopped back down. In the thick heat of the afternoon, it felt good to just let his spent body relax against the cool ground.

He was just dozing off when a scream pierced the air. With a curse, he bolted upright. Grabbing his pants and forcing them on, he rushed out of the shelter. The camp was alive as people looked anxiously towards the river where the scream had come from.

Sango was already on the path, and he almost knocked her over pushing past her. As the path opened he readied himself for anything. He found Kagome pinned on her stomach, her arms twisted painfully behind her, while Kouga sat on her back. He held her wrists with one hand while fighting with his pants with the other. Inuyasha growled and lunged. Kouga looked up just in time to receive a kick to the head that sent him tumbling across the grass. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome’s arm, pulling her to her feet, and pushed her in the general direction of Sango.

Kouga rolled to his feet and bared his fangs. “Fuck off, mongrel. This ain’t any of your business.”

“Yeah, but I like pissing you off.”

Kouga lunged. Inuyasha caught him and rolled onto his back, using his feet to launch the wolf demon over his head. Kouga landed on his back with a dull “oomph.” Inuyasha rolled easily to his feet as Kouga jumped up. The wolf lunged again. Inuyasha responded with a sidestep and slammed his fist into Kouga’s gut.

Kouga staggered back, growling. “You little dick. Do you have any idea who I am? I’m a Lord of the Coterie.” Off to the side, Sango made a disgusted noise low in her throat. Kouga ignored her. “They trusted me to bring order to this fucking place. And I won’t have some fucking street scrounger getting in my way.”

Inuyasha snorted. “No wonder you’re such a pantywaste. You ‘lords’ always hide behind your thugs. Gods forbid you get blood under your nails.”

Kouga roared and dove at Inuyasha, and the two went tumbling across the ground. It became a melee as they punched, bit, scratched, and kicked each other. They finally stopped and Inuyasha found himself pinned under the other demon with hands wrapped around his throat. Snarling, he grabbed the ponytail hanging over Kouga’s shoulder and pulled. The other man resisted, but it was enough for Inuyasha to get one leg free and put his knees against the wolf demon’s chest. Using the leverage he was able to force Kouga away, but his claw-like nails left bloody furrows in their wake.
Kouga rolled away and Inuyasha got to his feet. Kouga pushed himself to his hands and knees, but Inuyahsa kicked him in the ribs before he could fully rise. Kouga rolled again and Inuyasha followed, kicking him every time he attempted to get up. When he stopped trying, Inuyasha pulled his dagger from his waistband.

“Stop it!” Kagome cried, grabbing Inuyasha’s arm and trying to pull him away from the injured man.

Inuyasha bared his fangs at her. “Move.”

“You’re killing him!”

“So what?” He tried to push past her but she clung to his arm.

“I don’t want anyone to die for my sake. Please, leave him alone. He can’t hurt me anymore.”

“This isn’t about you, you stupid girl!” Pushing Kagome away he turned back to Kouga, only to find the momentary distraction had allowed Kouga to gather reinforcements. The two men who had always followed Kouga around were now standing over him, ready to fight. Snarling, Inuyasha took up a fighting stance.

A movement in his peripheral vision caused Inuyasha to turn his head. He was surprised to see Aodh taking up a place beside him. On the other side, Chanda was pulling Kagome away.

“That is enough,” Miroku said inserting himself between the two groups. His staff was gripped tightly in both hands, ready to defend himself if need be.

“Move it, priest,” Inuyasha hissed.

“No,” Miroku replied firmly. “You’ve already won. There is no need for more bloodshed.”

“Better listen to the priest, mongrel.” Kouga coughed as he slowly pushed himself up. “Come to heel like a good little lapdog and I won’t–” He was cut off by Miroku bopping him on the head with his staff. “You son of a bitch!” He lunged, but yelped in pain and crumpled, grabbing his ribs. Miroku frowned down at him.

“Keh,” Inuyasha huffed. “You’re pathetic.” He tucked his dagger away and turned back toward camp. The crowd that had gathered quickly parted for him.

“Fucking coward!” Kouga yelled as he staggered to his feet. Inuyasha ignored him.

Miroku glared at the wolf demon. “If you cannot learn to live in harmony with us, you are welcome to leave.”

“You are more than welcome,” Sango hissed as she came to stand next to Miroku. “Because I’d sooner help that jackass slit your throat than let you stay here.” She turned sharply on her heels and stormed away, Miroku following in her wake.

“I won’t stay with you lame ass bastards, even if you begged me!”

Shippou looked up as Inuyasha reentered camp. The fox demon’s eyes widened as he took in the damage. The cuts around his throat were sending trickles of blood down his chest; he bore a busted lip, a bloody nose, a slight limp, and a number of smaller cuts and rising bruises.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at him.

“Damn. Wonder what the other guy looks like.” Shippou said as he carefully put weight on his injured leg.

Inuyasha snorted as he moved to his shelter. “Smart fox.”

“Damn straight.”

With a tired sigh, Inuyasha leaned against the wall of his shelter. Picking up his discarded shirt he pressed it against his wounded neck. His ears twitched, picking up the subdued sounds of people returning, most speaking in quiet voices about the fight. He only half-listened as he waited for his bleeding to stop.

When the grass mat of his shelter lifted, he snapped to attention with a growl. Kagome flinched and muttered a “sorry.”

“Keh. What do you want?”

“I...” She took a cautious step closer. “I just wanted to say thank you. Whatever your reasons, I know you didn’t have to help me, and I am grateful.”

“Whatever,” he huffed. Kagome bit her lip and looked away, letting an uncomfortable silence stretch between them. “What?” Inuyasha finally growled.

“Can I help you with that?” she asked, gesturing to the shirt pressed to his throat. “At least let me make sure he didn’t nick anything vital.” Rolling his eyes he lowered the shirt. The bleeding had mostly stopped, but the fabric of the shirt had created an awful mess. Blood was smeared from the underside of his chin to his chest, with a few trails crawling their way over his abdominal muscles.

Kagome dropped to her knees, letting the mat go at the same time. She sighed when the light level dropped. Standing back up, she moved the mat so a triangle of light came into the shelter. Dropping back to her knees, she reached out and took his chin in her hand and lifted it slightly. With her other hand she carefully examined the cuts.

“Tell me if I hurt you.”

Inuyasha chuckled. “You couldn’t hurt me if you tried, little girl.”

She finished her examination of his neck and leaned back. “I’ll get something to clean and wrap those so they don’t get infected, but they don’t look too deep.” He watched her get up and leave only to return a few minutes later with a canteen, some cloths, and a bowl of brown paste. Inuyasha made a face.

“Yeah, I know it isn’t much to look at,” Kagome replied as she wet a cloth and began wiping away the blood from his skin. “But according to the analysis on my comp, it has great antibacterial properties.” Inuyasha grunted again and Kagome sighed.

Inuyasha watched her as she gently cleaned the wounds and carefully spread her goop over each, before wrapping a clean dry cloth around his neck. He could feel her hands trembling every time they brushed against him, and though she kept a brave face she never met his eyes. He frowned and, as she reached to tie off the cloth, caught her finger softly between bared fangs. She froze; eyes wide, her throat moving to swallow and her mouth working soundlessly.

He licked the digit soothingly before letting go. “Don’t be stupid. I sleep three feet away from you. If I was going to hurt you, I would have done it already.”

Kagome blushed as she retrieved her hand and quickly busied herself with the tie. Finishing that, she suddenly found the goop very interesting and poked at it for several minutes before she spoke again. When she did, her voice was a bit high and rushed while she continued to study her lap. “Kouga is leaving the group and taking about a dozen people with him.”

“Bah. Why should I care what that bastard does?”

She shrugged and played with the goop some more. Finally, she looked into his eyes before looking away again. “Can I ask you something?” When Inuyasha grunted non-conversationally, she pressed on. “Were you really going to kill Kouga?”

Inuyasha tilted his head at the question and raised an eyebrow. Kagome blushed again and began to mutter an apology. “I wasn’t going to kill him,” he interjected. Kagome smiled brightly before he went on. “But, it ain’t my fault if he bleeds to death after I finish with him.”

Her smile fell and she leaned away a little. “I can never decide when you are serious...”
“Trust your gut.”

She swallowed. “I’d better go...” He chuckled as she gathered her supplies and quickly ducked out.