InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Honor's Price ❯ Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

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The wolf demon, Kouga, looked at me with a strange expression on his face. He almost appeared hurt by my callous words. Feeling for the guy, I started to apologize.

 

“Hey listen, I really did not mean what I said, at least, not like it came out. I am just very tired and not very happy to have my privacy disregarded without any say on my part.”

 

Kouga smiled at me sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, I can totally understand that. You should not be a part of my punishment this way.” He dropped his hand only to grab my wounded one in his. He frowned as he examined the graze left by a bullet. “You were really lucky that you weren't injured any worse than this.” Kouga looked at me as he said this, obviously wanting to make sure that I was not hiding any other injuries from him. I just silently shook my head; I wasn't going to tell him that I only passed out because I can't stand the sight of my own blood. Evidently satisfied with my response, Kouga dropped my hand as he said, “We should go and get it cleaned out.”

 

“Yeah, I guess so,” I said as I headed for my apartment. Kouga fell into step beside me and we were quiet as I led him the few remaining blocks to my place. As I led him inside the ramshackle building and up the rickety staircase, I could feel Kouga's questions itching to be asked. I ignored him as I finally made it to the third floor and turned down the dark hallway, making my way to my apartment more from memory than by any other method. Kouga stopped behind me and waited as I fished for my keys. I jumped slightly as he broke the strained silence.

 

“Do you live alone?” I looked at him and nodded. He gave a soft growl and grabbed my keys from me and told me to wait outside as he opened the door.

 

“What do you mean, wait outside? This is my home, not yours!” I pushed past Kouga only to have him grab my arm with a snarl.

 

“There is some one here! I want you to wait while I check it out.”

 

I looked around my small studio apartment, not seeing anything out of place. My bathroom, no larger than the small closet beside it, stood open and very obviously empty. I was quickly losing what little patience I had with this wolf demon. “I don't see anyone, so just cool it!” I glared at Kouga and began to fume. If this was any indication of the next 30 days, I would either go crazy, or I would wind up killing something or someone.

 

I flipped on the light and put my purse away. I turned towards the sink and saw Kouga poking around.

 

“You can have a seat on the couch while I clean up my scratch. Then we will have our talk and set some rules.” Kouga nodded and sat on the edge of my old, faded couch, only to jump up quickly as a small yelp sounded. A small, auburn head popped out from beneath the blankets I had left folded on the couch and gave a large yawn while rubbing sleepy eyes. Kouga stared at the small figure in shock before looking at me with a knowing grin.

 

“I told you some one was here!” I glared at him; I hated people who said `I told you so'. I was more concerned about the small fox demon on my couch.

 

“Hey Shippou, what are you doing here?” The young kit opened his eyes and leapt for my arms as he started to cry.

 

“Kagome…my papa didn't come back home again and I got scared. I ran here as fast as I could and let myself in.” I nodded as he told me his tale.

 

“Did you put the key back?” I asked him.

 

His little head nodded and he gave me a little smile. “I fixed myself a bowl of cereal and then fell asleep waiting for you.” I held him in my arms and looked for evidence of his meal, but didn't see any sign of his dishes. Shippou, realizing what I was looking for, cheerfully piped up, “I even put my bowl and spoon back, Kagome!” He looked so proud of his accomplishment, I couldn't help but to smile at him.

 

I was surprised that he had managed to wash his dishes without making a mess and said so. Shippou looked at the floor and whispered “I forgot to wash them first. I am sorry Kagome!” When he lifted his head again I could see tears forming in his emerald eyes.

 

I smiled at him and gave him a hug before tucking him into my bed. I tousled his hair after smoothing the blankets over him. “Don't worry about it, Shippou. It is the thought that counts. Go to sleep and we'll talk some more in the morning.”

 

Shippou nodded before yawning again and quickly fell asleep. Making sure that he was covered against the chill, I stood and went over to collect his dirty dishes from within the cupboard. I washed his bowl and spoon, as well as rewashing the few clean ones that had been in contact with the dirty ones and put them all away before remembering my other “houseguest”.

 

“You are welcome to sleep on the couch if you like,” I said to Kouga as I hung my damp washrag up to dry. “We'll talk in the morning, as I am exhausted.” I stifled a yawn; it had been a very long day after all. I was very glad that I wasn't working at the bookstore and that there was no school the next day. I should be able to get some sleep at least.

 

Kouga looked at me and then at the now sleeping fox kit. I knew he wanted some answers, and I decided to at least give him a quick explanation to Shippou's presence here.

 

“That is Shippou. He is one of the children I care for. His mother died about a year ago, along with his baby sister. His father drops Shippou off at my place and leaves for a few days before coming back. Shippou knows where I keep my spare key and lets himself in if I am not here.” I yawned again, noticing that Kouga was nodding his understanding.

 

I grabbed my pajamas before heading into the bathroom to change. There was no way in the world I was going to change in the room with an uninvited wolf demon standing there.

 

Kouga was waiting form me when I got out. I could tell he wanted to ask me questions, but I was too tired to talk any further.

 

“Good night, Kouga. I will talk to you in the morning. After all, we have 30 days to get to know one another.”

 

“Good night, Kagome,” he said. “Sleep well.” I sank gratefully into my bed, vaguely sensing Shippou snuggling up against me for warmth. It seemed like only seconds passed before I started to dream of golden eyes.

 

~~~~~Kouga's POV~~~~~

 

I watched silently as Kagome interacted with the young fox demon. I was impressed by the way she seemed to instinctively take on the role of the kit's mother. It didn't bother me at all to be ignored; it just gave me some time to observe this strange human woman who had been placed in my protection.

 

I was very confused by this deceptively frail woman before me. She had appeared weak when I first saw her sprawled on the ground in front of Sesshomaru, yet she displayed a rare strength of conviction when she stood before the Fang leader and dared to argue with his pronouncement that she'd be in my care. This Kagome gave off an aura of sophistication and grace that belied the horrid living conditions around her. She seemed like she would be more at home among the upper crust of society, yet here she was living amongst the so-called dregs without much concern. There were few humans that could accept us demons without fear; none of them would willingly act as surrogate family for demon children. Not even those humans within the Fangs. Yes, Kagome was definitely a strange woman.

 

Once the kit was asleep, I watched Kagome clean up the small kitchen area, noticing the fatigue that was rapidly claiming her. She turned around and almost seemed surprised to see me, but she quickly recovered and told me about Shippou. When she had explained how she knew him, I recognized the kit as the son of one of the Fang's spies within the Spiders; however, I was not aware that the Kitsune had gone back to Naraku's territory.

 

I bid Kagome a good night, and settled myself upon the old couch to wait for her to fall asleep. It did not take long before her deep breathing indicated that she had finally succumbed to her fatigue. I stood to my feet and silently began to explore her tiny apartment. Despite the slovenly appearance of the building and the hallway, Kagome's apartment was very clean and inviting.

 

There was very little furniture; her full size bed, the old faded green couch, and a wooden table with two chairs being the main pieces. A bookshelf made of cinder blocks and scrap boards stood in one corner with a small television perched in the center.

 

I went over and studied the few books that perched upon the bookshelf. Picking one up, I was surprised to note that it was a biography on Beethoven. I saw several other composers as well as several books that contained sheet music. I wondered why Kagome would have music books, but no instrument that I could see. Putting the book I held back into its spot on the shelf, I continued my examination of the small apartment.

 

I poked around the cupboards and the refrigerator, trying to get a better understanding of this human woman I was charged to protect for the next month. Finding nothing more than a partial box of cereal and a carton of milk, I was dismayed. I looked towards the bed where Kagome lay snuggled with the fox kit and noticed how thin she appeared. Why didn't I notice it earlier? Shaking my head, I took a seat at the small table and looked out the window. I noticed with some surprise that I could see Fang headquarters from the lone apartment window.

 

Idly running my fingers across the table top as I looked out at the clear night's sky, it took me a moment to realize that the table was badly scratched. Looking down, I could not see them in the faint light that came in the window, but I could definitely feel them. I allowed my finger tips to trace the unseen gouges and soon realized that they were too even, too regular. There were a lot of them, and they had obviously been carved there for a reason; but what that reason was, I had no idea. I sighed and sat back in the chair. The mystery of the table carvings would have to wait until morning light. In the mean time, I turned my thoughts towards my fiancée, Ayame, and hoped that Inuyasha had called her to let her know where I was.

 

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TBC

 

A/N: Sorry for the long wait for the update. I was struggling with a formatting decision in regards to the story. Now that it has been made, hopefully the next update won't take so long.

 

Thank-you for all of the wonderful reviews! I hope that you enjoy this chapter as well.

 

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