InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Gone With the Wind. ❯ Dog Breath and Dirty Miko's ( Chapter 12 )

Gone with the Wind

Chapter 12

 

 

 

“Um…Feet!” Keiko exclaimed, with a hopeful expression, as she ignored the lumbering taiyoukai's agitated scowl. He obviously had some sort of issue with them so freely discussing his person, but he had been the one who refused to engage in any form of entertainment, and she was not about to let him spoil her fun. Also, the young woman reasoned, if she was going to be delegated to the role of babysitter, she was going to play a game she felt was enjoyable.

 

Thoroughly pissing him off in the process… was… just a bonus.

 

A soft giggle testified to Rin's approval of the young woman's choice of body part before she continued on with the game. “Arm.” She answered back as she clarified her choice of limb by pointing to the appendage that was obviously missing on the taiyoukai.

 

Keiko's eyebrows rose into her hairline as she silently noted the girl's insightfulness. It was completely possible the scarred tissue of the demon lord's missing limb was sensitive and therefore ticklish, which made the child's choice that much more ingenious.

 

`Damn,' she huffed internally, `Rin is good at this game.'

 

“Hmmmmm,” Keiko pondered out loud, “Tummy?” She questioned as she engaged in another round of …Guess-Where-Sesshoumaru-is-Tic klish.

 

The game had started out as a casual conversation between the two females, when the older of the two suggested the only way to get a smile out of the great taiyoukai was to hold him down and squeeze it out of him. The statement was meant to be absurd, of course, but it eventually led to the two imaginative humans plotting out an effective means to carry out such a task. This inevitably led to the game they were currently engaged in.

 

As the subject of their game, Sesshoumaru seemed less then amused and quickly shot the young reincarnation a look that suggested he really didn't appreciate where this game was headed, and he'd appreciate it if she'd cease and desist immediately.

 

Keiko simply smirked in return. `It serves him right.' She internally admonished as her eyes narrowed in his direction in a similar sentiment of distaste. First he suggested she stank this morning, then he refused to take her home (something he did so often she wondered why she even bothered asking anymore), and now he was forcing her to baby-sit? There were far worse things she could have done then play a somewhat scandalous guessing game with his entourage. If she hadn't grown rather fond of the tiny girl, known as Rin, over the few days she had known her, she might have suggest a game of just-how-many-fish-can-you-stuff-down-Sesshoumaru's-pants-before-he-wake s-up instead. Such things would have been dangerous, of course, but the hilarity of the situation was oh-so-promising. She never actually caught the taiyoukai slumbering, which pretty much killed her deviant fantasy before it even sprouted legs, but she assumed he would have to sleep at some point, and if she timed things just right…then maybe...

 

Keiko rolled her eyes and huffed as the demon lord, walking a few feet to her left, continued his angry glare. He seemed to be under the impression that elongating his scowl of death would somehow add to its effectiveness. She, wanting to express her concern, or lack there-of, over the taiyoukai's emotional state while deciding to keep her actions low key with Rin so close, surreptitiously ran her arm along the left side of her body as she casually flipped off the angry dog demon.

 

She couldn't recall regretting a decision so quickly in her life.

 

Keiko winced as her wrist was suddenly, painfully clenched in a death grip. Instantly she found herself `face to face' with her own hand as the taiyoukai quickly shoved it a few inches from her nose.

 

“Explain this gesture.” Sesshoumaru demanded as he tilted his chin back and glared at the obviously startled woman over the bridge of his nose. It was the same gesture she had given him when he had cleansed her of the herb that had covered her body like an old rotting carcass. She had all ready explained the meaning of `air-quotes', and `thumbs-up', but had for some reason skipped over this one. He could tell from the trepidation in her scent and the stifled amusement of her features that it was meant to be derogatory, and it aggravated him greatly to know she was, more then likely, impugning upon his honor, and laughing at him as she did so.

 

Keiko `eeped' softly as her startled brain and muscles silently worked, with a strained effort, against the taiyoukai's iron grip to lower her middle finger. Her wide eyes shifted from the angry youkai looking down at her, to the child beside her, and back again. “I…uh…Can I explain later?” She questioned in a softer tone; nodding her head slightly in Rin's direction as she silently added `when Rin isn't here.'

 

“Now.” He growled impatiently; the head nod received but ignored.

 

She flushed a deep shade of crimson as her eyes grew wide.

 

“But…” Keiko huffed, “There are children present.” She practically whispered; her skin feeling as if it was going to burst into flames. The ironic thing about the whole situation was that she used the gesture to keep her cursing to a minimum around the young, incredibly carefree child. Maybe she wasn't the most maternal person in the world, Keiko understated, but even she couldn't bring herself to contribute to the corruption of a child as innocent as Rin. It was practically a miracle the kid had grown up even half way normal considering her….caretakers.

 

Sesshoumaru's nose suddenly flared in the young woman's direction and she froze.

 

`Don't smell bad, don't smell bad, don't smell bad.' The mantra of Keiko's mind repeated as she attempted to, through sheer force of will, pull whatever odors her body produced back in through her capillaries. She knew such things were probably impossible but that didn't mean she couldn't try.

 

“Naraku.” Sesshoumaru snarled darkly as he suddenly released her wrist from his grasp to pull toijin from his waist.

 

She was just about to correct the taiyoukai with a dim `No…. my name is Keiko,' when her eyes suddenly widened in understanding.

 

`The dark man.' Keiko's mind comprehended reluctantly as she suddenly found herself fighting the urge to vomit; recalling the times she had woken up screaming. Knowing the man who tormented her dreams was real was disturbing enough, but coming to face to face with the dark apparition known as Naraku….She simply wasn't prepared for it.

 

Keiko's trembling hands instinctually went to cover her heart as her midnight tormentor easily slipped past the extended tree line before glancing in her direction with a glint of sadistic pleasure in his eyes. The look the baboon-skin covered man sent her was full of recognition and the young reincarnation fell to her knees in horror.

 

“Keiko…” Naraku stated smoothly, catching both the taiyoukai's and the trembling female's attention, as the tone of his voice seemed to indicate he was surprised to find her here.

 

Instantly Sesshoumaru thrust his body between the kneeling woman and the dark and sinister hanyou as he brandished his sword in front of him.

 

Keiko's eyes dropped to the ground as the taiyoukai, a few feet in front of her, thankfully blotted the disturbing nightmare from view. Her blurry vision frantically scanned the earth as she seemed hopeful she'd find answers to unspoken questions hidden within the grass. `How can he know my name?' Her inner mind practically sobbed. `They were just dreams….just dreams.' She frantically insisted as tears began to well up in her eyes. She continued to kneel against the earth as her brain refused to believe the information it was receiving. This simply could not be happening.

 

“So…” Naraku cooed as he eyed the demon's protective stance with mild amusement. “You found her first?” He questioned rhetorically, a rumble of laughter dying in his throat as he remained motionless.

 

Sesshoumaru's gaze betrayed nothing as he seemed to measure the despicable creature before him with his eyes. How could the hanyou know this woman? Naraku recognizing Kagura's soul had been expected, but how could the vile demon know her by name? Had they met somewhere before? Had she been working with him this entire time? To what end?

 

“Has she been sleeping well?” Naraku questioned as the corner of his lip curled just short of a snarl. His feigned concern over the girl's well-being only served to emphasize his twisted nature.

 

The taiyoukai paused as he fought the urge to widen his eyes in the dark youkai's direction. He knew of the dreams as well? He was somehow able to torment Kagura's reincarnation through the bond he once shared with the wind witch? There was only one remedy for such an affliction

 

“Die!” Sesshoumaru ordered definitively as he lunged at the smirking villain with a glint of red clouding his vision. He had let the disgusting human-gone-youkai retreat far too often, and he refused to let another opportunity slip through his claws by listening to the little voice that insisted the deviant monster, more then likely, had a reason for exposing himself so blatantly.

 

“So impetuous.” Naraku teased as a dark tentacle shot quickly from his torso to block the taiyoukai's attack. Just as quickly as the tentacle was severed, two more shot out to take its place.

 

The great taiyoukai refused to comment as he made short work of the advancing black appendages that slowly began to surround him. Through the heat of battle, as his sword blocked blow after blow faster then any human's vision could track, the demon lord noted Keiko's distressed scent. Remaining focused with her terror polluting the air was proving difficult and he would need all his concentration to defeat Naraku.

 

“Leave.” Sesshoumaru growled over his shoulder, his body suddenly enveloped in one of the dark youkai's black, pulsating appendages, as Naraku used the brief distraction to his advantage.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” Jaken squawked at the top of his lungs.

 

“Come on Keiko-chan!” Rin grunted as she attempted to pull the terrified young woman to her feet. “We have to get somewhere safe so Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't have to worry about us while he kills Naraku.” She explained; not once questioning her lord's ability to best the evil hanyou. The only thing that ever seemed to slow Lord Sesshoumaru down was saving her or Jaken from danger; which meant removing herself from harms way was the only logical course of action. She knew better then to second guess her master's commands.

 

Keiko's eyes grew wide and her ears ceased to function as her lips grew numb from hyperventilating. She remained rooted to the spot, ignoring the child's protests, as she stared at the scene before her with one thought echoing through her mind.

 

`He's dead.'

 

Somehow reality had outdone the terrors of her unconscious mind.

 

“Keiko-chan?” Rin insisted as the woman kneeling against the ground seemed to be entranced. “Come with Rin.”

 

A light began to crack around the edges of the black cocoon that pulsated where the taiyoukai once stood and, for a moment, time froze. In a blinding explosion of light and energy an enormous white beast, with red glowing eyes, burst forth from the cocoon as it seemed to turn on that which had hatched it. Viciously the beast sank its teeth into the dark tentacle that had somehow confined it before moving on to the sinister figure that controlled the appendage with its elongated, gleaming fangs. Not even a scream echoed through the clearing as the baboon-skin covered man was violently torn in half by the giant white beast; instantly disintegrating within a cloud of swirling purple mist until nothing more then a broken figurine took his place.

 

“Another puppet.” Jaken huffed despairingly as his once hopeful expression melted into disappointment.

 

“Yay Sesshoumaru-sama!” Rin cheered as she released the still stupefied woman's arm.

 

Keiko's heart beat loudly in her chest as she eyed the beast before her with a new found sense of urgency. Her expression seemed to morph from terror, to confusion, and then back to terror again as the large white monster took a single step in her direction. She hadn't a clue what just happened, what was happening, where Sesshoumaru was, or where the monster standing before her had come from, but, as she often did in these situations, she followed her instincts.

 

“Ahhhhhhhh!” The young woman screamed as she suddenly found the strength to stand and quickly took off, at full speed, away from the skyscraper-with-teeth.

 

“Stupid Wench!” Jaken squawked indignantly as he watched the fleeing woman disappear into the forest.

 

“Where's Keiko-chan going?” Rin questioned casually as she blinked several times in the departing female's direction.

 

A sudden gust of wind caused both Rin and Jaken to stumble, fighting to keep their balance, as an enormous three legged dog demon suddenly galloped past them in the same direction.

 

“Where's Sesshoumaru-sama going?” Rin questioned as she blinked at the toad youkai.

 

“Stupid wench!” Jaken screamed again, emphasizing the word `stupid' as he silently pondered the foolishness required to actually run from a dog demon. After all, even animals knew better then to turn their back on an inu. “Lord Sesshoumaru,” the agitated toad demon squawked as he lost sight of his master, “Wait for us!”

 

Rin simply shrugged, her questions remaining unanswered, as she followed the tiny toad with a skip in her step. Jaken was really odd sometimes.

 

Keiko's heart thumped painfully against her ribs as she stumbled through the thick underbrush of the woods. As difficult as it was to make her way through the denser part of the forest, loose vines and limbs snagging on her all ready worn clothing, she hoped the monster behind her wouldn't be able to squeeze between the trees the way she could. After all, if it couldn't get to her then maybe it would just give up? A few scraps and bruises would be worth it if it somehow kept the monster at bay.

 

“What about Rin and Jaken?” Keiko gasped as she spun around to look behind her. `What if the monster killed them instead?' She questioned horrifically as her feet continued her retreat despite her minds hesitation. She'd been so caught up in getting away she never thought to save the defenseless child that stood directly beside her.

 

Keiko's heart sank as guilt began to set in. `That thing could be tearing them apart right now.' She admitted despairingly as she continued to walk backwards into the forest. “How could I have been so foolish?” The downtrodden young woman questioned as she finally turned towards the low growl that built slowly behind her; the folly of walking backwards finally registering as she came face to …foot…with the beast she had been attempting to escape.

 

“Ahhhhhh--!” Keiko shrieked brokenly, the air pushed from her lungs as a heavy paw instantly pinned her to the ground from the waist down. `This is it,' her mind pointed out frantically, `this is how I die.' Somehow the idea of dying in the past, several hundred years before she would even be born, made the young reincarnation sick to her stomach.

 

The beast's snout lowered and Keiko's arms flew to protect her face as she silently prayed that her fate would be swift; like the baboon-skin covered man's had been. Her entire length trembled as she visualized her body being snapped in half and slowly consumed by the monster that effortlessly pinned her to the ground.

 

As if reading her thoughts the beast's tongue slipped free of its mouth and slowly tasted the flesh of her arms as she continued to shield her face with them. Keiko's body shook once more, violently, before her merciful brain decided she had suffered enough for one day and shut down. As the great beast's tongue moved over her flesh for a slow and more aggressive pass she gave into what she assumed was the darkness of death.

 

When the raven-haired woman suddenly went limp, Sesshoumaru, still in his true form, came to a lick-halting conclusion.

 

Keiko….had fainted.

 

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

 

 

Inu Yasha's eyebrow twitched as he eyed the, somehow more scandalous, hand his miko companion offered from her place inside the well.

 

Three things occurred to the young half-demon as he took a moment to reflect upon how he had managed to get Kagome to agree to return with him without even so much as a `please.'

 

Not that he'd ever use the p-word of course.

 

One, Kagome was an extremely sneaky wench. Somehow she had completely removed the smell of ….what she'd been doing… before he entered her room. He knew her soaps were effective, but he should have been able to pick ….something up. How long had she been keeping this secret anyways?

 

Two, Kagome was apparently a lot more reasonable after engaging in …what she'd been doing. She'd barely put forth any argument when he insisted upon returning and had even stated she planned on returning today anyways. The creepy part was; she hadn't even asked him to apologize! He couldn't help but wonder just how many times he'd been forgiven because of …what she'd been doing.

 

Thirdly, and probably most disturbing, he couldn't even think the words used to describe… what she'd been doing when Kagome was around and constantly referred to it as…what she'd been doing…which was really starting to grate on his nerves.

 

“Inu Yasha?” Kagome huffed as she stood on the bottom of the well and shook her outstretched arm.

 

“Keh.” The hanyou blushed as he realized his little mental vacation had left Kagome on the bottom of the well practically waving at him. Tentatively he reached out and pressed his palm against hers as he slowly pulled her out, his eyes rolling back as the little voice in his head taunted him with a `you touched it.'

 

Kagome offered him a little smile as her feet finally touched the ground. The muscles in her hand relaxed to release his, but for some reason he wasn't letting go. An inquisitive eyebrow wrinkled her brow as she followed the hanyou's gaze to find him concentrating on where their hands were linked with an odd expression. This was odd, she noted, even for Inu Yasha. Not wanting to endure the awkward moment further she tucked the book she was currently reading under her chin and lightly pried his clawed fingers loose.

 

Inu Yasha's head snapped up as he finally met the young girl's questioning eyes and quickly released her hand. He was really obsessing over this too much.

 

“Keh.” He snorted with a blush as he rubbed at the back of his neck. The book tucked under Kagome's chin suddenly caught his attention and he cursed under his breath.

 

“No Kagome.” Inu Yasha stated authoritatively as he pointed at the tiny text with one clawed finger.

 

Kagome rolled her eyes as she snatched the book up in her hands before her hanyou companion could. “We've been over this Inu Yasha,” she groused, “They aren't perverted, they're romantic!”

 

“Riiiight.” He snorted loudly. “Look if you wanna take it back to your time …fine,” He grumbled at his own leniency, apparently he was more agreeable after …what she'd been doing…too, `but you're not bringing another damn book with you.”

 

“Inu Yasha…” She began to argue.

 

“It has nothing with them being perverted,” He lied, “they uh….slow us down.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes, “They do not!”

 

“Do too!”

 

“Inu Yasha,” She huffed, she really didn't want to play this card…but he left her no choice, “They don't slow me down. Are you sure you aren't just worried what you'll do if—“

 

With hanyou speed and accuracy he ripped the book free of the young girl's grasp and shoved the spine into her mouth, effectively cutting off her accusation. “Oh…so when I do it it's perverted,” he questioned rhetorically while narrowing his eyes, “but when you do it, it's what? Just what would that make you Kagome?” He growled. “Besides a hypocrite…I mean.” He added while crossing his arms over his chest.

 

“Mbbbbbmft?” Kagome questioned as the brazen nature of Inu Yasha's question momentarily confused her brain. “You…” She tried again after pulling the tome out of her mouth. “What are you talking about?”

 

“I saw you!” Inu Yasha admitted with more enthusiasm then was probably required. “You're just lucky I was the only one who did!” He scolded. “Keh…” He added as he crossed his arms over his chest again. “At least I was decent enough to give you your privacy when I realized….what you were doing.”

 

`Damn it.' The hanyou huffed internally.

 

Kagome's face was practically purple as she stood and stared at the accusing hanyou's feet. He'd seen her? OH Kami, how could she have been so careless? OH Kami, which part did he see?! She suddenly wondered if it was possible to die of mortification.

 

“I….I….I…..I…” Kagome sputtered as her brain apparently curled up and went to bed. How did one respond to I-saw-you-masturbating? She couldn't get angry…could she? He said he stopped watching once he realized what she was doing so if she got angry now he'd probably think she wanted him to watch. “I'm sorry,” she finally offered as her wits returned to her, “I …I shouldn't have called you a pervert.” She explained to clawed toes. “I was mad,” she elaborated, “It's….There's nothing wrong with it. If you're a hentai…then so am I.” She didn't look up when she finished.

 

As she apologized the heat of the moment left Inu Yasha and his cheeks tinted the slightest shade of pink. Kagome had apologized. Hadn't he fantasized about this moment since practically forever? Hadn't he longed for the day when everything was her fault and nothing was his? Why wasn't he rubbing it in her face like he always thought he would?

 

“I'm sorry too.” He answered before he could stop himself. For some reason it just felt right to apologize now, and strangely enough, it made him feel better this time, not worse. “I shouldn't have gone through your things.”

 

“Thank you Inu Yasha.” Kagome whispered breathlessly as she finally met his gaze to smile at him. She didn't even have to `oswari' him and she got an apology? Hell, she didn't even have to nag him! Maybe this was the beginning of a new understanding? Maybe now they could converse as grown ups? Kagome offered him another small smile as she began to trek in the direction of Kaeda's village.

 

“Where the hell are you going?” Inu Yasha questioned gruffly.

 

“Uh…the village?” She explained with confusion.

 

“Like hell,” He barked back in agitation, “We gotta take that book back!”

 

“Inu Yasha!” Kagome huffed as she folded her arms angrily over her chest. Hadn't they just agreed she could keep the book?

 

“Don't,” he raised his voice to make it sound girly, “Inu Yasha,” he lowered his voice again, “me wench!” He paused to gather his thoughts before continuing. “I can't have you,” he blushed, “doin stuff …when we're hunting shards.”

 

She thrust a finger in his direction and placed a hand on her hip as she seemed ready to argue with him, but then stopped and blushed instead.

 

“Waaaaiiit.” He questioned inquisitively. “Have you done stuff here…before?” His nostrils flared several times in succession as he sought the truth in her response.

 

“Uh….” Kagome faltered, “I um….uh…”

 

“You have!” Inu Yasha retorted with large bright eyes as Kagome withered under his accusation. How the hell had she hidden it from him in his own time?

 

“If you wanna keep the book you have to let me watch.” He blurted out without thinking.

 

“Eh?” She questioned as her eyebrow twitched.

 

“It's not safe for you to …do stuff when there are youkai and things that might find you. Fuck! Is my nose broken?” He pondered out loud. “No wonder that wimpy wolf won't leave you alone….he didn't….I mean….You can tell me if he peeped on you Kagome.” He blurted out in practically all one breath.

 

Kagome's opened her mouth and closed it, momentarily deciding not to comment on the whole Kouga problem as she addressed a more serious issue. “You can't watch me do….that” She pointed out sternly.

 

“Why the hell not?” Inu Yasha questioned, “You didn't mind before.”

 

Her brow furrowed again as her hanyou companion was quickly giving her a headache. “What?” She deadpanned.

 

“Feh, why the hell do you think I took your book in the first place woman?” He questioned. “Your nose was practically planted in that damn thing.”

 

“Wait.” Kagome swore she could feel her brain cells stretching as she tried to get inside the mind of her hanyou. “You want to watch me read?”

 

“Keh!” Inu Yasha stated in a very `duh' manner. “Of course, then I can make sure you're not….doin stuff.” He blushed.

 

“Oh.” She practically whispered as she turned toward the village again to hide her blush. “Okay then.” She agreed as she decided it was easier just to be agreeable. After all, she didn't need the books…they just….helped sometimes. If he wanted to watch her read she didn't mind.

 

“Wait…whad you think I meant?” He questioned as he gained on her position in a couple hastened strides.

 

“Never mind!” Kagome offered as she waved at him dismissively; her hand moving so quickly it practically created a breeze. Apparently she was more of a hentai then even she realized.