InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ JOURNEY ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: All characters pertaining to the show InuYasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. I am not making any money from this...the only thing that I am getting out of this story is the satisfaction of knowing that other people enjoy my writing. All original characters are my creation and belong to me...as does the plot and storyline.

 

 

Chapter 7

 

They camped that night on the shores of a lake near Dixon, Colorado. Kagome kept to herself. She watched the others as they smoked pot and drank around the campfire. She noticed that Sesshomaru didn't drink as much as the others. He did not smoke as much as them either. She admired that. The only time she ever smoked or drank was when she needed to calm down. She sat down against a tree and rested her head on her knees. As she drifted off to sleep, she tried to think about the good times she and Sango had experienced together despite the conditions where they were raised. But in the end, her dreams only reflected the horror of the previous night.

 

At some point during the night, Sesshomaru got up and covered her with his jacket. Even though she slept, she was cold and she gratefully accepted it. But the warmth of the black leather offered no protection from the coldness of her dreams.

 

In the early hours of the morning on August 4th, Kagome woke up to the sound of a wolf howling, calling to its mate. As she raised her head, she found Sesshomaru sitting against his bike, watching her contently. When their eyes met, he gave her a warm smile. Surprisingly, she smiled back just as an answering howl from the wolf's mate pierced the quiet night. Kagome got up and walked over to Sesshomaru, who was looking up into the morning sky.

 

“It's peaceful, isn't it?” he asked.

 

“Hai, it is. Listen, thank you for letting me use your jacket,” she said as she handed it back to him.

 

“It was nothing.”

 

“I should have said this earlier, but thank you for picking me up. I'd probably still be out there if you hadn't. But why did you stop?'

 

“I don't know. I just wanted to, I guess.”

 

Kagome got up and went over by the fire and laid down. As her shoulder hit the ground, she moaned slightly in pain. She had forgotten about it until then. Sesshomaru walked over to her and knelt down.

 

“Are you ok?” he asked her gently.

 

“I'm fine,” she said through gritted teeth.

 

“Liar,” he said as he helped her to her feet. “Come here.” He led her to the opposite side of the fire from where the others were sleeping. He sat her down, and then he sat down behind her. He began to pull her long-sleeved shirt off of her shoulder, but Kagome jumped up and looked at him.

 

“Relax and let me look at your shoulder,” he commanded. Kagome did as he told her, but reluctantly. He was dismayed at what he found. There were several large bruises as well as a nasty cut that wasn't too deep, but it was badly infected. “No wonder your shoulder hurts,” he said. “This cut's infected. How did you get this?”

 

“I fell and hit it on a rock, ok?” she said defensively.

 

“Ok,” he said sarcastically, “I didn't mean to offend you, but you know; you're not a good liar. This is too clean of a cut to have been caused by a rock.”

 

“I'm sorry,” she apologized, feeling guilty. “I'm just a little jumpy. But, you're right. I cut it on a broken beer bottle last night.”

 

“It's ok. Look, this is going to hurt, but I have to clean it before the infection spreads any farther.”

 

“Go ahead.” She grit her teeth as she saw him take a bottle of whiskey from Naraku's saddlebags. She braced herself for the pain as he opened the bottle. He offered her a drink, but she refused. But she was not ready when he poured it on her wound. She grit her teeth, but she would not cry out. She did not want to show any weakness. Tears built, unbidden, in her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks. She turned her head so that he wouldn't see her cry, but it didn't work. He saw the tears, and they glistened like diamonds on her cheeks. He knew that she was trying to hide them, so he didn't let on, but it bothered him for some reason, to see her cry.

 

Then for an unknown reason, Sesshomaru leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, his lips lingering on her salty skin. Kagome's eyes flew wide open in shock. That was not something she had expected. But what really surprised her was that she wanted him to do it again. She turned around to look at him. As he got up, he gave her a smile that made her blush, a smile that was devilishly sensual...a smile that said that he'd like to kiss more than just her shoulder. Then he went back over to his bike and laid down. Kagome laid down where she was and went back to sleep.

 

Just before dawn, Sesshomaru woke Kagome by gently shaking her shoulder. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Sesshomaru was packing his stuff onto his bike. Kagome got up and dusted herself off. Everyone was getting ready to leave. She got on the back of Miroku's bike and held onto him, wishing that she were riding behind Sesshomaru.

 

 

It didn't seem to take very long before they were in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they were going to visit Miroku's family. Again Kagome kept herself apart from everyone because she felt awkward not knowing any of the people they were visiting. While they visited with the family, Kagome walked to the park across the street. She sat down at a table and rested her head on it. She was tired, mentally and physically. She closed her eyes and tried to think about what she would do once she reached Rosebud. Everything had changed. Nothing would be the same without Sango. Kagome wished they had never left Flagstaff as she dozed off to sleep.

 

Kagome raised her head and rubbed her eyes when she heard the motorcycles rumble to life. Sesshomaru waved for her to hurry up. It was later in the day than she had thought. It was two fifty pm. they had to make tracks to reach the camping grounds before dark. They still had around three hundred miles to go. Kagome hurried over to them and climbed on behind Miroku as they headed back to the Interstate.

 

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Several hours later, they rolled into the campsite. They were inside the Black Hills National Forest. Kagome noticed that there was plenty of daylight left, so she helped them gather firewood. She discovered a beautiful creek as she was looking for firewood. It was far enough from camp that she didn't think she would have to worry about anyone walking up on her, so she vowed to return later for a bath. It was deep enough to swim in places and shallow enough to walk across in others. Kagome was on her way back to camp with an armful of firewood when Naraku stepped from behind a tree and grabbed her. He threw her to the ground and began to unzip her pants, but out of the blue, Kagome heard Kouga calling him. Naraku got up quickly, cursing under his breath and headed back to camp. Kagome got up and zipped her pants back up.

 

When Kagome walked back into camp, the guys had a nice fire going. Naraku gave Kagome a smug but dangerous look. Kagome quickly looked away, dropping her eyes to the ground where she set the firewood. Miroku noticed her reaction, and so did Sesshomaru. Kagome went over and sat down on the other side of Miroku's bike, looking out into the woods, hoping that no one would notice her. She crossed her legs and leaned back, resting her head against the bike. Then she let out a deep, troubled breath.

 

“Are you alright?” came a question from behind her. She looked up to see Inu walking around the bike. He sat down in front of her. “I asked if you are alright,” he repeated.

 

“Hai,” she replied. “I'm ok.”

 

“You sure? You look like something's bugging you.”

 

“I'm fine. It's nothing, really.”

 

“Ok. If you insist,” he said as he got up and went back to the others.

 

She sat there for a while before she got up. She called Miroku to the side and told him about the creek she had seen earlier. He nodded and gave her a shove, insisting that she would feel better after a bath.

 

 

 

Kagome walked back to the creek. She took off her boots and socks and then dipped her toes into the water. It was cool, but not too cold. The air was still warm from the day, but a cool wind was blowing from the north. The moon was starting to rise in the eastern sky. She quickly removed her clothes and jumped in. The water was about four and a half feet deep, coming to just below her shoulders. The bed of the creek was covered in a soft moss that felt wonderful between her toes. Kagome reveled in the feeling of the fresh, clean water rolling over her body.

 

Sesshomaru watched Kagome as she relaxed in the water. He wanted to join her, but he didn't think she would appreciate it. She seemed pretty naïve, and she was also scared of everything. But he couldn't blame her for that after what she had seen. He took a deep breath and returned to camp.

 

Kagome was getting back into her clothes when Naraku appeared from behind a tree. Kagome tried to run, but he pinned her to a tree, using the weight of his body to hold her there. He covered her mouth with his hand and unzipped her pants, pushing them down around her knees.

 

“Ooh,” he said, “no panties. That makes it easier for me. I like that.”

 

Kagome closed her eyes and turned her head to the side, trying to think of a way to escape. Her knife was still inside her boots and they were out of her reach. There was no option at the moment.

 

~Snick~

 

Kagome recognized the sound of a switchblade knife. Then she felt the cold steel against her belly as he began to cut her shirt open. He pressed the tip of it against her chest as if he was daring her to move. A drop of warm blood trickled down her chest as he cut her. Naraku uncovered her mouth and put his hand under her chin.

 

“You have real pretty lips, bitch.” He told her. “I'd love to see them wrapped around my cock,” he added as he unbuttoned his pants and let them fall to the ground. “I bet you're really good at sucking dick. Hell, you've probably let every bum on the reservation crawl off into your snatch, so what difference would one more make. God, I'm gonna love this.”

 

“No, I….” Kagome started to protest, but he forced his mouth on hers. When she tasted the bottle of tequila that he had polished off at camp, she almost retched. Kagome dug her fingernails into his arm. He backhanded her on the right side of her face and then Naraku pulled away from her briefly, and that was all she needed. She brought her knee up and rammed it into his groin as hard as she could. He howled in pain and fell to the ground holding his painfully exposed member. Kagome grabbed her boots and ran back to the camp, straightening her clothes as she went.

 

She held her shirt closed as she entered the firelight. She saw everyone watching her, so she purposely hid her face from them. She walked over to a tree and sat down, clutching her backpack to her. She would be in South Dakota tomorrow, so all she had to do was hold out until then, she told herself. She got up and walked out of their sight and changed into a different tube top and long sleeved shirt and then she returned.

 

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Naraku stumbled into camp a short while later, limping slightly. He glared at her viciously as he walked back to the fire and sat down with the others. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru left the camp and went off into the woods to relieve himself. Miroku offered Kagome some of the cold fried chicken that they were eating. Kagome loved fried chicken, especially cold, so she gladly accepted. Kagome walked over to the campfire and grabbed some chicken and a paper plate, and as she was walking back to Miroku's bike, Naraku pinched her on the bottom. Kagome paused for a second and then walked a few more steps.

 

Before anyone could see it coming, Kagome slipped the knife from her boot and walked up behind Naraku. She slipped her arm around his forehead, and then using her other hand, she placed the knife precariously against his throat. Everyone else sat frozen in disbelief. Kagome leaned down and put her lips to his ear.

 

“If you evertouch me again,” she hissed loudly in his ear, “I will gut you like a fucking pig.” Then she quickly and very neatly pulled her knife just below his left eye. A stream of blood trickled forth as she walked back to Miroku's bike and sat down to eat, leaving everyone gawking in open-mouthed silence. Miroku got up walked over to her. He saw the blood on her discarded shirt.

 

“What happened?” Miroku asked.

 

Kagome didn't answer him. She only continued eating as Sesshomaru waltzed back into camp.

 

“Sesshomaru,” Miroku said quietly as he motioned for him to come closer, “I think we have a problem.

 

“What's up?” Sesshomaru asked as he approached them.

 

“Ask her,” Miroku said as he pointed to Kagome.

 

Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome, who continued eating as if she was ignoring them. “What's wrong?”

 

“Nothing,” Kagome replied as she looked away.

 

Sesshomaru knelt down and put his hand under her chin. She resisted when he tried to turn her head to face him. Miroku pointed at her discarded shirt. He noticed that it had been cut open. He also noticed the blood on it. Sesshomaru applied more force and made her look at him. “Whose blood is that?”

 

“His,” she lied, but Sesshomaru saw the tiny stain on the shirt she was wearing where she bled on it when she changed. He moved her shirt open a little bit to reveal the cut on her chest. He looked back up at her. When their eyes met, Kagome saw a gleam of pride, but it was gone in a flash and was replaced by dark, seething anger.

 

 

Sesshomaru let go of her as Miroku tried to put his arm around her, but she would have none of it. Sesshomaru walked over to where Naraku was polishing off a bottle of whiskey. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru hauled Naraku to his feet. He spun him around to face him and proceeded to plant his boot directly in Naraku's groin. As Naraku doubled over in pain, Sesshomaru kicked him in the head, sending him flying backwards. Kouga jumped up and pulled Sesshomaru off of him.

 

Inu walked back into camp at about the same time and asked, “What's up?”

 

“What's up is that this piece of shit decided to have a good time with Kagome! Only he didn't bother to ask her first!”

 

“Kinda looks like she didn't agree.” Inu said as he looked at Naraku, “As quick as she is with that knife, you're lucky all she did was cut your face.”

 

“I ain't afraid of her,” Naraku spit “She ain't nothing but a thieving, murdering whore!”

 

Sesshomaru lost control. He lunged at Naraku sending them both plunging to the ground. Sesshomaru landed on top and was seriously beating Naraku like he had never been beat. Sesshomaru punched him in the face and then grabbed his hair. Sesshomaru pounded Naraku's head against the ground repeatedly, until it was starting to bleed. By the look in his eyes, it looked as if Sesshomaru might actually beat him to death, but Inu and Kouga pulled him off.

 

“Naraku,” Kouga stated flatly “You don't have any room to talk after what you have been acquitted for. But we can't have that kind of shit. She's under our protection. I think you need to leave before this goes any farther.”

 

“I don't believe this shit!” Naraku said as he stood to dust himself off. “We've been together for years! And now you're turning your back on me because of what some fucking whore says. That's bullshit!” He started packing his things onto his bike. He turned to the guys and shouted, “Well then fuck you all! I don't need friends like that. You haven't even known the bitch for three days, and you're going to take her word over mine! You guys are really fucked up!” He pointed at Kagome and said, “You haven't seen the last of me, bitch! Count on it!” Then he started his bike and got on it. He threw the remains of his whiskey into the fire and as it flared up, he pulled his bike in front of Kagome. “You weren't even worth the time it took to fuck you, you filthy little whore.” Kagome stood motionless as he roared onto the road and disappeared into the night.

 

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After he was gone, Kagome turned to find everyone looking at her. She saw Sesshomaru coming toward her, but she was afraid to talk to him. She knew why Naraku had said what he did. She knew that no one wanted a girl who had been raped; especially by some one they knew. She refused to look Sesshomaru in the eyes because she was afraid she would see rejection. She turned her head away and walked into the darkening woods, leaving Sesshomaru standing there confused. Kagome guessed that even if she told him the truth, he wouldn't believe her.

 

Sesshomaru walked over to where Miroku and Kouga were standing and grabbed a beer. They both looked at him as if they were expecting him to say something. “What?” he asked as he looked at them, trying to answer the same questions for them that he was asking himself. “I like her. She's got a lot of spirit. She's strong. Most chicks would have been crying their eyes out by now, but she stands her ground every time. Hell, she's got more `balls' than most guys I know.”

 

“Yeah, she does,” Miroku said as he stirred the fire. “You better go find her before she gets lost out there. It's getting dark fast.” Sesshomaru went out into the woods to search for her.

 

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Kagome sat on the bank of the creek and stared out into the water. `Sesshomaru will never like me now,' she thought. `He thinks that Naraku raped me. I don't blame him. I wouldn't want someone like me either. I mean, I'm not really that pretty, and I've been nothing but trouble from the day I met him. He must think I'm horrible.' That was what bothered her the most. She really wanted Sesshomaru to like her. She liked him in a way that she had never liked anyone before. Every time she thought of that kiss on her shoulder and the gentle way he had taken her hand in the café that morning, it made her feel strange inside. `But, it doesn't matter,' she told herself, `because he'll never look at me the same way again.'

 

Sesshomaru walked quietly until he came upon Kagome sitting in the moonlight. He walked up behind her and knelt down. “Are you ok?”

 

Kagome didn't reply.

 

“Kagome,” he pleaded.

 

“Nothing happened, Sesshomaru,” Kagome finally replied. “I'll be fine. I just want to be alone, that's all.”

 

“I'll be back at camp,” he said sadly as he gently kissed her on the back of the neck. Kagome's eyes grew wide in the darkness. She turned to face him, but he had already disappeared into the night. The tone of Sesshomaru's voice had confirmed what Kagome suspected. He didn't' believe her....

 

TBC...

 

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