InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inuyasha AD 4023 ❯ Explanations, Exploitations and Subjugation ( Chapter 5 )

Ok… new chapter…a few Japanese words. For those who don't know.

 

Tabi: Japanese socks with split toe.

Uwazouri: Classic Japanese wooden indoor sandals.

 

Anyway… I'm finally feeling like our three characters (so far) are beginning to acquire some depth. Slowing down the action is good for a change… anyway, speaking of action the next chapter will include some- so stick around for more! Enjoy! Oh and as always- reviews plz! I needz them to create more oh' them wordzy thingz lol!

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Inuyasha; Takahashi-sama does.

 

Chapter Five: Explanations, Exploitations and Subjugation

 

The shouting died down when Kaede flashed her card key in front of the scanner and entered her small apartment. Apparently her charges had woken up without her and were not too thrilled with their current living arrangements. Fools! They just recovered from nigh fatal injuries and the first thing they do is scream at each other? I hope they learn to work together or the cosmos have truly made an error… I'd best talk to them about it- The door slid into the side of the wall and closed behind her with a painful creek. It really did need to be replaced sometime soon. Kaede just didn't much care what impression her home gave. She more proffered the dings and screeches and groans it could make. It gave it character, and Kaede considered herself to be a so-called `character', so it worked out pretty well.

 

Puttering over to the counter she fetched an old style china teacup and fixed her ancient teakettle on the high output ether burner. Ether was the fossil fuel of the 36th century AD. It powered nearly everything from stovetop burners to hypergates to AR-MTs. Of course the amount of power needed for Kaede's stovetop was infinitesimal compared to what was required by a hypergate. Nonetheless a central generator distributed power throughout New Edo and her water was boiling in well under ten seconds.

 

Kaede lips twitched. “Sometimes I wish it was like old times.” She grumbled to herself. “When it was said it took several minutes to boil water for tea. It be good to practice mine patience and rest mine mind on occasion.” Kaede nodded her head to herself, as if justifying her claim, as she carefully poured the scalding water into her cup and deposited a single teabag into the steaming brew.

 

The cup seemed to look at her in sympathy, blemished and chipped as it was- it was like an old friend. The green-yellow liquid reflected her wrinkles back at her as if mocking; reminding her that she was no longer who she once was. Age it seemed had finally caught up with her. Kaede hadn't remembered being old or feeling old until just recently. Perhaps in the last year or so. The encounter with the miko and the hanyou was what made her fully realize her condition. Never had she felt so powerless to the forces at work that were so mercilessly testing others. She could do little more than watch as they struggled between life and death. It was disheartening, with all her years one would think she could offer advice at the beginning of such a journey, but to Kaede little more than offering shelter and a guiding hand seemed possible. What could she, a miko with one foot already halfway into the grave offer them?

 

She sipped at the hot tea and felt it warm her bones. Kaede vividly recalled how she had once sipped at this very same tea with her sister, Kikyou. Then her thoughts were those of a child, full of wonder and hopes and dreams of a world greater than her own. Now they were that of an old woman, blemished and broken as the cup she held in her wrinkled hands. Her one good eye studied the wall that had been hastily repaired by the government architects. It looked better than most of the other walls, really. The paint was fresh and the material not yet damaged by stains or age. It irritated her really, besides being an eyesore and ruining her perfectly ratty sanctuary, it was a constant reminder of her failure. She had managed to slow the youkai and spare her own life, true. However in her youth such a low caliber enemy would have been disintegrated. More hurtful perhaps, was that her sister had once wielded more power in a single finger than she had in her entire body, even in Kaede's prime. More shocking was the power that manifested itself in her reincarnation, which displayed power to challenge a taiyoukai. Although she was unable to control it, should she learn that control, the girl, Kagome, would be well nigh undefeatable.

 

Kaede dimly noted that the cup was empty and she should probably go and talk to the duo before they awoke again. Besides, she needed to discuss certain things with the girl before Inuyasha awoke. Kaede idly fingered a pouch on the side of her uniform, confirming the presence of the youkai level tranquilizers. They had been difficult to acquire to say the least. She couldn't simply ask for them as it would immediately put her under suspicion, and stealing from the Special Forces was no small task. Still, she had succeeded. She wasn't a captain for nothing; she could be colonel. Kaede remembered when she had turned down the offer for higher ranking. Although she had the ability, she had preferred to stay at the front. Her place was in the fray, and would always be she supposed. Still, she doubted she had more than another five years before she no longer would have the reflexes for active duty; pity.

 

Depositing the cup in the auto-sanitizer, she walked at a measured pace into her bedroom and over to her walk in wardrobe. HQ had done a thorough search of her apartment during repairs, she knew. It would be unwise to overlook any possibility of her smuggling any illegal documents or contraband, let alone two individuals (one a bounty-head) who were wanted by the government. Yet they would be hard pressed to discover this particular secret. Albeit not using it for well over a year, Kaede found the concealed button just inside, on the upper lip of the wardrobe, with no trouble. A loud click was heard, and suddenly a panel flipped over to reveal a personnel ID station. A finger print scanner glowed a dull green as it confirmed her as a positive ID as the retinal scanner withdrew and blinked green twice, indicating the affirmative. Vocal ID was next and Kaede said her name cold and clear. An automated voice repeated her name back followed by a `approved' as the steel beneath her suddenly revealed its true purpose. There was a dull thrum indicating the existence of power, an old cable lift system firing up.

 

“Basement level four please.” Kaede stated.

 

“Affirmative. Basement level four.” The voice stated back.

 

The familiar sensation of space moving around her made her feel slightly disoriented. Old battery operated lifts, such as this one, were notoriously unreliable and uncomfortable compared to the gravlifts of the modern era, still it did its job despite its ancient technology. The entire wardrobe, cloths and all descended down the shaft until a short series of clangs could be heard and the doors parted to reveal her destination. The lights turned on automatically because of proximity sensors to reveal an old laboratory. Or, at least it was, until Kaede made it a junk storage area. She had managed to clear out a smaller room (the only one accessible besides this one) for Kagome and Inuyasha. The two had been unconscious at the time, but she figured they would appreciate the temperature regulated and clean atmosphere. True, it was bland and made of only stainless steel (as most older technology was), but it was still a large accommodation. Once they moved in some cots and basic comforts it would make a fine refuge. Assuming they would be using it. Kaede was sure that they would be doing a great deal of traveling, but it would be nice to have a `home base' so to speak.

 

As the circular portal-style doors closed behind her she reached for the light switch. Another outdated technology; heat sensors were much more reliable. The old fluorescent lights flickered for a moment before finally staying lit. It had been nearly impossible to find replacements, as they were considered antiques. As it was Kaede didn't switch them out until they ceased to function entirely, though at least they lasted five to ten years before they died, thank kami. She shuffled over to the set of examination tables she had dragged in from storage as discreetly as she could. Albeit the fact that they were both still recovering from their `shared injury' as Kaede liked to call it, hanyou still had greatly heightened senses, let alone an inu-hanyou descendent of a taiyoukai. His ears twitched for a moment, and Kaede was sure she was caught. Then some sort of grumbling about a `bitch miko and her scent' was heard before said hanyou rolled over back onto his front.

 

Kaede carefully took the tranquilizer out of its pouch and without further ado plunged it into Inuyasha's backside. He shook for a second and tried to respond, but the medicine was so potent he was instantly too far-gone to speak. He seemed to struggle for a brief moment before going limp and passing back out. Work finished, she casually went over to her other charge before delivering a perhaps too vigorous shake to the girl.

 

“Kagome, child. Ye must awake, I must speak with ye before thine companion overcomes the effects of his sedative.”

 

The girl stirred, slowly at first, her bleary eyes coming into focus as she grasped the words Kaede was speaking with her.

 

“Water. Please.” Her voice was raspy; the shouting obviously took its toll.

 

“Aye.” Kaede handed her a canteen she had so smartly brought with her. The girl drank greedily and let out a satisfied gasp before taking some of the liquid and rubbing her face.

 

“Thanks.” She looked about her surroundings with curiosity. “So Kaede, have we been captured? Is this a lab where we are being held for testing? Its quite old.” Her voice echoed off of the large walls as if attesting to her claim.

 

Kaede indicated for her to scoot over so she could sit. “Nay, child. This be a hidden room beneath mine own dwelling. Apparently it was part of Old Tokyo before it was destroyed. Somehow mine apartment was built over it. This is one of the two rooms that is still in good enough repair for use.” She continued at length.

 

“Oh.” Kagome said, feeling somewhat stupid. “I thought we were trapped down here. I was so worried… I mean…. uh never mind.”

 

Oh dear, this could get complicated. If they develop feelings for each other… “It is natural for ye to feel concern for another, Kagome.” Kaede suggested.

 

Kagome blushed and then grimaced. “Who said I gave a shit about him?” She flicked her wrist, indicating Inuyasha. “I was concerned that… that… umm… that I would never see my family again!” It was totally true; she had just been too focused on the hanyou to notice.

 

“Aye, that is understandable. In time perhaps we will find a way… but for now…” Kaede coughed to hide anything she might reveal on the matter. “For now, I suspect ye may have some question for me, yes?”

 

“Yeah…” she began slowly. “Ummm… first how did we get here and why am I not dead? Inuyasha said he healed me… but…” Kagome trailed off.

 

“Inuyasha performed a healing rite by giving ye some of his own blood. I convinced the commander to allow me to observe both thy conditions in the ICU at headquarters.” Kaede moved to light herself a cigarette when she recalled that it would set off the sprinkler system, so instead just sucked on one slowly. “They had another doctor in the room administering to ye, but I managed to slip ye both a pill meant to fool life scanners that are used in the field and on starships. They deposit a small amount of metal into thine bloodstream which obscures readings on pulse and vitals.” She explained. “Then it was a simple matter of switching ye out with two other dead bodies when ye were put into the morgue. The two I switched ye with were scheduled for incineration, so it was easy enough to pull them out at the last minute and switch ye with them.”

 

Kagome blanched. “Ummm… you threw us in the furnace?”

 

Kaede chuckled lightly. “Nay, nay, child. I switched the function of the pods so ye would be sent to the garage depository for the main building. Then it was a simple matter of finding some transportation and bringing ye here before they took it out.” Her good eye twitched with amusement. “I had half a mind to let them take ye out and be rid of you. In fact, they almost did. The coroner and medical examiners took far too long.”

 

“How did you fool them into thinking those bodies were ours?” Kagome asked, genuinely intrigued. “Was it a holo-chip?”

 

“Nay. I used a bit of kitsune magic I learned for an infiltration mission in my youth, when I had just made captain.” Kaede answered wistfully. “The young man I was partnered with was actually well over two hundred years old; quite a looker. He taught me a few tricks to conceal mineself for a brief period of time. Since mikos have a relatively versatile spiritual power, it can be used to perform basic youkai arts that are at least neutral in effect. In other words, ones that do not harm others with negative energy.” She explained with clarity, making sure Kagome followed. “So I extended the spells influence and changed the basic physical attributes along with the details of thy faces to trick the examiners after their primary observations were completed. I admit, it was a stretch maintaining it for over two hours.” Kaede seemed to sag a bit more at her last statement, as if remembering how draining it was.

 

Kagome looked surprised. “You went through all that trouble for us?”

 

“The cosmos have something in store for the two of ye, I am sure of it.” Kaede said, as she eyed her critically. “Now before ye ask more questions I must instruct ye in the beads of subjugation.”

 

“Subjugation? Ummm… who am I going to be subjugating?” Kagome questioned. Kaede motioned to the inu-hanyou who was currently drooling on his table and mumbling things incoherently having to do with `bitches' and `not at all alike'. “Ohhhh… ok! That sounds very promising.” She cheered.

 

Kaede shook her head. “Child, do not abuse this power. It will keep Inuyasha in check, and prevent him from taking the jewel from ye, but it should not be used carelessly. Ye must work with him to protect that which was reborn in thine own body.”

 

“Well… what do they do?” Kagome wondered aloud.

 

“The beads will create a small gravitational field around themselves, amplifying their weight to become several hundred pounds.”

 

“In other words: he'll eat dirt.”

 

“Aye.”

 

Kagome looked disturbingly pleased. “So how do they work?”

 

“Ye must utter a word that is, for thineself, associated with obedience and subservience.” Kaede offered.

 

A groan could be heard and suddenly a very hostile hanyou was on his feet. “Keh! Stupid bag doped me. What's this about obedience?” He spat. “That aint in my nature bag. Oi Kagome! What's this hag been rambling on about? Whatever it is it aint gonna work. Feh!” Kaede was secretly baffled at how ineffective the sedative had been. Then again, he was the son of a taiyoukai.

 

“So ye are awake Inuyasha.” It was a statement.

 

“No shit, hag.” He grumped.

 

“Kagome continue with thine efforts, if you will.” Kaede smirked inwardly. “I believe it would do him some good.”

 

Said hanyou crossed his arms and leaned back against his table arrogantly. “Like hell it will bag.” He said looking quite nonchalant.

 

Kagome gave him a withering look. “Heel!” Nothing happened.

 

“Keh? What am I a dog or something?” He cried.

 

Inuyasha knew he had just set himself up.

 

Kagome just smirked. “What else would you be dog-boy? With those cute little ears? Hmmm…” She paused. “Hey hag why didn't it work?” She grimaced, realizing she was already picking up some of the hanyou's habits.

 

“Ye need to use a stronger word.” The `hag' seemed satisfied with her answer.

 

Inuyasha sniffed and then turned on his heel, heading for the door. “Keh, whatever bag! I'm outta here!” He yelled, a little too loudly; then to himself. “The jewel is around here somewhere I know it….”

 

“Inuyasha stay!” Kagome's failure only seemed to make his gait a bit more pompous.

 

“Inuyasha come!” Still nothing. Perhaps something a bit more derogatory?

 

“Inuyasha….. SIT!” Ok- that one definitely worked.

 

Boom.

 

Hell yeah! Bastard- that'll teach you.

 

“What the… WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT BITCH?” A pained voice answered from a mild dent in the floor, well maybe not so pained as pissed.

 

Kagome could only laugh at the comical scene before her. Inuyasha was lying face down into solid steel, limbs twisted at awkward angles with a decidedly furious look on his face. His hair was matted down from the impact somehow, and his ears were flattened like a puppy that had just been reprimanded for doing his business inside.

 

“Oh this is going to be too much fun.” She heard herself say.

 

Kagome had found her new favorite word.

 

***************************************

 

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he watched the miko whore waddle around without the slightest measure of grace in her new outfit. She was clad in the ancient robes of a miko, the same ones Kikyou had so favored. The white and red get-up covered most of her body, including his mark, which irked him. The long flowing material barely revealed her ankles, which were adorned with bleach-white tabi and uwazouri. The sleeves of the top piece were so long and oversized that her hands were completely hidden. It was a pretty funny sight to behold. The girl was trying to fetch water from the river (they had taken a trip beyond the forest today- a mission of some sort for Kaede) for the bag. She nearly toppled over several times and continuously complained about the inconvenience of such attire to the hag. The hag, in turn, had reprimanded her, reminding her that this was part of her duty as a miko. She was to wear the traditional garb and protect the jewel with her life and keep it pure.

 

The only part of her wardrobe that didn't fit in was the Caster gun at her hip. Inuyasha had been surprised, to say the least, when she had explained how she had acquired it. Casters were already few and far between in his era. That they existed five hundred years in the future was quite impressive, even if they didn't work. They sure as hell worked in his era though. She had proven that. But Kagome only had a single shell left, so they would have to acquire some for her protection of course. Not like Inuyasha gave a crap about some stupid old relic when he had his claws… well maybe he did… Besides, he doubted she was capable of handling a bowcaster and had told her as much. He was rewarded with his fourth sit of the day that day, the day after Kaede had awoken them and explained their tasks. Of course Inuyasha had protested, that he, the son of a lord would not do such a thing. The reminder of Kagome's ability to create his own personal craters in tandem with the information that his brother had a bounty on his head had made him reconsider, if begrudgingly.

 

Today was day three of their time together after their recovery period. Inuyasha had to admit that it wasn't quite as bad as he feared. The wench could be ok when she wasn't being a bitch, or getting pissed off at every little thing he said. Which wasn't often. Still, they had to learn to get along he knew, or they wouldn't survive even the most pathetic of attempts to steal the jewel. He had tried several times himself, but his aching body had eventually taught him that it simply wasn't possible, not with those damn beads anyway, and he resigned himself to getting a rise out of Kagome when he could whilst trying not to get sat. It was a fun game. Surprisingly, Kagome hadn't really abused her power over him. Sure, she handed out punishment pretty easily, but not without cause. At least she didn't order him around and threaten him with it, she was actually a pretty giving person, he noted.

 

Feh! That wench? A giving person? As if! All she gives you is pain and a whole new vocabulary of curses to work on… Ok, so maybe she wasn't so great. Not that he wanted her to be. Sure, his youkai half had gotten the better of him and marked her, but that didn't mean the hanyou that he was as a whole agreed. In fact, he most decidedly didn't.

 

“Hey wench! You trying to make more laundry for yourself? Or have you taken up swimming as a sport?” He jabbed.

 

Said wench had managed to nearly fall into the river entirely before stumbling backwards into the dirt of the bank, ruining the white sheen of her clothes. “Shut it dog-boy! You try moving in this stuff!” Her face was flushed with embarrassment.

 

A good sign for him, it usually meant if he didn't press her he wouldn't be reminded of why he gave a shit if he pissed her off. “Feh whatever, wench. Just don't expect me to clean it for you.” Inuyasha turned his face away with a sharp movement as he continued his musings.

 

The worst thing about her was really how much she looked like Kikyou. The backstabbing bitch! If she were still alive I'd kill her myself! Of course he knew Kagome wasn't Kikyou. Not in the slightest- he could tell by her scent. Inuyasha took in a deep whiff just to clarify for the hundredth time. Oh yeah! Definitely not Kikyou… hey wait a minute! Don't go getting any funny ideas idiot or you'll be eating boulders for lunch! She smells good. So what? It's not like that's the only thing that matters! There are other things that are far more important! Like… like… oh gods her scent is so…. Ah shit- who am I kiddin'?

 

Despite his attempt to discredit her scent, to an inu-youkai and or hanyou, a person's scent was just about the most important thing. It could tell you how strong they were, what kind of person they were; kind, hateful, deceiving… willing to give out free treats… all kinds of things. It also was a good indicator of their physical desirability and if they would bear strong pups. For her part, Kagome did smell quite good: a mixture of lavender, fresh spring water, and something of a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Inuyasha had never smelled anything quite like it before. It certainly was one of the most attractive scents he ever remember being graced with, if not the most. Still he was a little more than reluctant to give a shit about how she smelled.

 

They had a job to do; a bitch of a job it was. There was no time to think of such stupid human emotion junk, he knew. Still it was difficult not to think on it… if there was anything else to think about it wouldn't be so hard. Unfortunately life as a guardian was pretty dull so far; he was dying for a chance to sharpen his claws and let off some steam. Anyway, as far as the wench is concerned it's just too damned irritating… Kikyou's face is always there. Damn those clothes… I oughta tell her as much!

 

“Hey Kagome!” He called with his best smirk. “Take of your clothes.”

 

“Inuyasha…..” She beckoned in a voice that was way too sweet.

 

He knew that tone all to well. Ohhhhh shiiiiit…. Yeah- take off your clothes! Fucking brilliant you idiot! Oh man I am so doomed… He tried to back away- Kagome had other ideas.

 

“SIT, Baka dog-boy, SIT! Bastard pervert! SIT! I told you to never to touch me again and now you go saying that? SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!” Kagome fumed at his blatant lechery.

 

Well that hadn't gone at all like he had envisioned. Just what had he envisioned anyway? “Ughhh… I think that's a record-” he managed offhandedly, trying to shrug off the immense pain of so many consecutive sits. “I just meant those clothes don't suit you! They…. they aren't your style, wench…” He was being careful about his words. Any mention of Kikyou usually didn't bode well for him either.

 

Kagome calmed down a little. Then her expression darkened. “Your talking about Kikyou aren't you Inuyasha?”

 

“Now Kagome, do not try to begin discrepancies with Inuyasha. No good will come of it.” Kaede interjected calm as ever, as she wrung out a piece of clothing. “Try to understand that ye do bear great a resemblance to mine deceased sister. She is thine own previous incarnation, after all.”

 

“Me? Start a fight? Ha! That'll be the day- this baka-” Kagome complained.

 

Inuyasha did his best to look innocent: and failed miserably. “What?!”

 

Kagome sighed, clearly torn between sitting the shit out of Inuyasha and apologizing. “Look its just hard to constantly be measured against someone I never even knew. I don't even know how Inuyasha knew her.”

 

“Ah well perhaps-” Kaede began to offer.

 

Inuyasha cut her off. “Not on your life, bag. Maybe some other time, like when I'm dead.”

 

“In other words never, Inuyasha. Remember? I die, you die? You die, I die?” Her words were meaningless. They both knew firsthand the truth of that statement.

 

“Feh.” Inuyasha offered.

 

“Keh.” Kagome mocked.

 

Silence….

 

“Whatever, wench. I'm gonna go get some air. Try not to drown yourself.” Before she could respond he was gone through the tree line.

 

After a few minutes of tortured silence Kagome managed to overcome her pride and ask for help. “Kami-sama, Kaede! He is just impossible.” Kagome whined, more to herself.

 

Kaede only shrugged. “Give him time child. He still is haunted by my sister whenever he sees you, but believe me, he knows ye are in fact very much a different person.”

 

“How?”

 

“Mine sister was a cold woman, I will admit. True, she did kind deeds and gave respect to others, but she could not see beyond the duties that were given to her. Inuyasha was a means to an end; an end to her duty and the beginning of a normal life.”

 

Kagome looked very confused. “And Inuyasha could do that how?” She questioned.

 

Kaede gave her a solemn smile. “Inuyasha and Kikyou found companionship in each other because they were both bound by the lives they were forced to live. Inuyasha as a hanyou was and is not accepted by either the human or youkai worlds. The other races of the universe look down on hanyou as well, because they are seen as abominations: crossbreeds of two races that are troublesome for their different reasons. Kikyou was bound to her duty to the jewel, always to protect and purify it, never to marry or live a normal life…” Kaede trailed off.

 

“So….” Kagome began awkwardly. “Inuyasha was somehow going to marry Kikyou?”

 

“Nay.” Kaede offered. “It was not that simple. Ye see child, ye are a rarity in this universe. Perhaps it is the time you come from, but not having a prejudice against hanyou and youkai is bizarre in the extreme in this time. Ye see Inuyasha as just Inuyasha, but others see him as a disgrace. Words such as half-breed and filthy hanyou often follow him, and thine disposition I'm sure is most refreshing. Ye are likely the first person to show him even basic kindness and respect since he was cast out of his family… but that is a story I know little about and is for another time- ye should ask him.”

 

Kaede took out a cigarette she had somehow stored in her traditional robes identical to Kagome's (Kagome was amazed at how Kaede seemed to pull just about anything out of anywhere at anytime!). She lit it without the aid of a lighter, flaring a small amount of purification power at its tip. Although Kaede seriously lacked power at her age, control was something she had in spades. She never wasted any more energy than needed, and so made up for her low spiritual chakra capacity.

 

“Kikyou was no different.” She continued. “She wanted Inuyasha to become human using the Shikon no Tama, the same one that decorates your neck.” She noted. “ In the beginning Inuyasha continued to try and steal the jewel, seeking to become a full youkai and rid himself of what he considered his inferior human half. He believed that by having great power and belonging to a single world he could claim a better life. Kikyou managed to convince him that a life alone, despite his power, could never be happy. She was right of course.” She paused, as if reflecting on it herself. “She was not right to want Inuyasha to change. That in and of itself would have corrupted the jewel. That is why ye, child, would be a better match for him.” Kaede suddenly stopped herself, realizing she had said a little too much. “However, Inuyasha had eventually agreed, believing he could find happiness in a brief life as a human. I think he was wrong.” She stated blandly. “In all the time I had been in contact with that cursed jewel only bad things had happened to those I knew who sought its powers, for good or for evil. The Shikon no Tama is a twisted thing. I doubt that if Inuyasha had made the wish it would have turned out well, let alone completely purified the jewel. They say if a wish is truly love in its purest form that the Shikon no Tama will disappear. That was not true love child.” Kaede eyed her sadly. “ It was twisted with the self-loathing they each had for themselves, because of that, the scant love between Kikyou and Inuyasha could never have been pure. They Shikon no Tama would have taken that knowledge and exploited the weaknesses in the wish, found places where it could be misinterpreted.” She sighed. “Inuyasha is likely something akin to sixty years of age, and the jewel probably would have taken that into consideration when changing him. But that's besides the point,” A dark look stole across her face. “it was never meant to be.”

 

“What happened to them Kaede?” Kagome was riveted at the tragic past of Inuyasha. Maybe, just maybe if she knew more about him they could get along better.

 

Kaede took a long drag and watched the smoke blow away in the wind. “It is not for me to say, child. I have said too much already.” She turned to her, clearly wishing to change the topic. “Now girl, strip and purify thineself in the river. I will fetch some fresh clothes from our little camp.”

 

They had been staying out in the wilderness because of Kaede's current assignment- to monitor the forest in case anyone came wondering at Inuyasha's fate.

 

“Yeah, ok.” Kagome said, resigning herself to bathing in the cold stream. It wasn't too bad, after all, who else could claim to have bathed in a stream in the middle of New Tokyo… or New Edo… whatever.

 

Without further ado she jumped into her birthday suit and then into the river. It was cold, as she suspected, but not as cold as she had feared. She didn't need to wash her hair or anything, just a quick rinse before anyone saw her. Particularly a certain inu-hanyou she now had mixed feelings about. A decidedly large change since when she first saw him pinned to the Goshinboku less than a week ago. How simple things had been then.

 

Speaking of which, said hanyou's eyes were currently glued to the view before him. He didn't really want to exploit her like this… but…. Gods… oh my… dear kami! Ok… so maaaaaybe she is really good looking. She certainly aint Kikyou! That's for sure. Holy crap- you would never guess she actually bound her breasts to look smaller. Keh! Not a small `B' but a healthy `C'…. where the hell did I learn that? Ah yeah, Kikyou… keh! I didn't see half as much of her as with this bitch- and I've only known her a few days. He shifted his position a little farther forward over the ridge to get a better look. Maybe this wont be so bad. After all I have marked her… of course reapplying it could be tricky. WHAT THE FUCK AM IT THINKING?! HER?! Damnit Inuyasha you baka! NEVER EVER HER! And you'll get sat into the ground for sure… ok back away slowly… Suddenly a few rocks slipped down the ridge, his preoccupation with the breathtaking sight being his downfall.

 

“Oh… shit…” He heard himself whisper under his breath.

 

Kagome shifted uncomfortably. She thought she was being watched. Suddenly her attention was caught by the sound of a few rocks tumbling down the side of a ridge. If that hentai is peeping one me…. I'll! I'LL! Hmmm… maybe I should let him… WHAT THE FUCK?! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM! Uh uh NO WAY! Baka, baka, baka, baka! Sit his ass!

 

Kagome took a deep breath. “INUYASHA SIT!” A satisfying thud and an even more satisfying distressed moan were heard echoing across the small ravine. “Hentai! Peeping on me!” Kagome made no move to cover herself. Maybe that voice in her head really did have a point. Twenty year old virgin?

 

Inuyasha dusted himself off and averted his eyes. “Feh as if! I just heard someone floundering around and came back to make sure no one was harassing you.” He tried.

 

Kagome almost believed him- well for a maybe half a second. “Actually there was that one guy…” She suggested.

 

“WHAT?! I didn't see anyone else!” He bellowed in alarm, eyes flicking in all directions.

 

He realized his error too late and gulped audibly. Inuyasha… fucked isn't even the word man. Just tell her to get it over with. He slumped his shoulders and resigned himself to the beating that was about to ensue.

 

“Inuyasha….” Kagome seethed dangerously.

 

“I know, I know.” He groaned. “Look I'm sorry, just go ahead and sit me to America. That way I wont have to see you anytime soon.” He braced himself for impact. He was surprised when he didn't have one. “Kagome?” He questioned.

 

She seemed thrown off somehow. “What did you say?” She wanted an answer. Now.

 

Inuyasha didn't know what to tell her. “Uh… I wont have to see you anytime soon?” She shook her head in the negative. “Ummm… Sit me to America?” Again she shook her head. A thought popped into his head. “Sorry? That I'm sorry?”

 

“Yes, Inuyasha. Somehow I'm surprised that your capable of taking responsibility… but at least you redeemed yourself the dozen S-I-T-S's I was about to throw at you for both peeping and lying.” She gave him an.. well.. an interesting look. “Still you owe me…” She suggested.

 

“Owe you what? If you I'm gonna let you see me naked then you got some serious problems! Feh- and I'm a hentai?” He saw a lascivious grin creep onto her face. Okay, so maybe baiting her like that wasn't a good idea. Too much Kikyou still lingered on her face for him; pity. “It was an accident wench! Feh, and that `sorry' just slipped. I don't know what I was thinking must have been the impact or something. Keh!” He refused to let this end well. She was just the wench, after all.

 

Kagome's face burned. “Why did you have to go and screw yourself Inuyasha? You know your gonna get sat now right?” Idiot… just when I thought I gave half a credit…

 

Inuyasha just looked smug. “Whatever, wench. Sit me into the ground, I don't care.”

 

“No, I'm not. You're going to feel guilty. Even you are capable of guilt right? When you've decided you give a shit then come back and apologize. We aren't gonna be able to protect the jewel if I'm always throwing your back out of commission.” She gave him one last haughty look and stalked out in pursuit of those clothes Kaede had promised her.

 

Inuyasha gave her one last look and left without so much as a feh, heading somewhere where he could bitch and moan to himself about `wenches' and how `fucking confusing' they were.