InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Just Say You Love Me ❯ Chapter 2

A/N: A little bit short, but it just wanted to be this length. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, and I will be sure to keep my favorite hawk lord entertained while his daughter is preoccupied.

 

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“Your servants do good work. I can't even tell that you were tearing a noble apart in here.”

 

Merkamou decided that he would not kill the wolf today, for his daughter's sake. She had been quite eager to see him. She would be very cross if her father killed him just after he had arrived. “I will let them know that their work is appreciated.”

 

“I'm just impressed they got all of that crap out of the cracks in the floor.” Koga set the package he had to deliver into Merkamou's hands, even as his eyes inspected the floor. “And so fast.”

 

The package was opened, and Merkamou pulled out the documents inside. `Mayu, I owe you.'

 

“Everything okay? I don't even know what I was hauling around.” Koga knew better then try to look at the papers.

 

“Everything is well, Koga-san. Please let Mayu know that I appreciate her generosity.”

 

“Generosity? I saw the mess of silk you traded her for this. Generous my ass.”

”Believe me, she was generous.” Tucking the papers back into their container, the hawk watched the wolf as he restlessly moved around. “And how long are you intending to stay, Koga-san?”

 

“Oh, probably a couple of days. As long as you don't mind, of course.”

 

“Make yourself at home.”

 

“Great. Looks like Yuriko needs a break anyways. You hear about the fire?”

 

“Hai.” Merkamou crossed his arms and examined the wolf carefully. “Why do you say that Yuriko needs a break?”

 

“It's kind of weird. Usually she's happy, energetic, you know. Carefree. Right now she's looking like she's in over her head, my lord. Moving this place is makin' her lose her mind.”

 

“The move has been very stressful for her. She has always lived here. I will admit, I have not seen as much of her as I usually do. We have both been very busy.”

 

“Yeah, I saw that.”

 

“And what kind of a break do you suggest?”

 

“Oh, not much. Maybe we'll go hunting or something. She loves to do that.”

 

“An excellent suggestion. Perhaps she will have time tomorrow.”

 

“I'm not going to give her a choice. I'll just snatch her up and take her with me. Otherwise she's never going to leave.”

 

“Do not upset her.”

 

“I'd never upset her, Merkamou-sama. I only want what's best for her, and right now that's getting out of this place for awhile.”

 

Merkamou could feel the slight shift in the conversation. “So long as you have what is best for my daughter in mind.”

 

“I've always got what's best for her in mind.”

 

“I will hold you to that.”

 

Koga gave him a toothy grin. “I'll take care of her.”

 

`You had better.' Merkamou turned away. “Perhaps you can convince her to take Ah-Un out tonight.”

 

“Good idea. I'll see what I can do.”

 

Koga darted out of the room as though his tail was on fire. Left alone, Merkamou thought over the conversation. `You had best keep her interests in mind, Koga. If you do not, you will not live long enough to regret your error.'

 

----

 

“Yo! Yuriko!”

 

`Damn it all to hell.' Yuriko glared across her notes at the wolf that had barged in. “You have made me lose count.”

 

“Forget about it. Your precious Papa wants you to go out tonight.” Koga plucked the brush out of her hand. “Up.”

 

“I am much too busy to play games tonight, Koga.”

 

“Figured you'd say that.” The wolf grabbed her notes and made a break for the door. “Let's go!”

 

“The hell!”

 

Yuriko took off after him, ignoring her father's yell to keep it down. Koga darted out the door and made a bee line for the stables. While the little hawk was fast, he was almost as fast as Sesshomaru. Few could match him for pure speed.

 

“I need those, Koga!” Frustration was making Yuriko bite her lip, trying to ignore the way her eyes started to sting. “I do not have time right now!”

 

“You're not touching these until you get out of here. Merkamou-sama wants you out on Ah-Un.”

 

“You do not understand. I have things that must be done tonight. The caravan leaves tomorrow morning!”

 

Koga caught the hitch in her voice. “Yuriko, when's the last time you slept?”

 

“That is a ridiculous question.”

 

“Damn it, you haven't been sleeping, have you? You're fucking working yourself to death!”

 

“You are exaggerating, Koga.”

 

“Does your father know?”

 

“Do not say anything to Papa.” Yuriko's voice had turned into a snarl. “He has too much on his mind to worry about me just now.”

 

The notes were dropped to the floor, forgotten. “There's no way in hell I'm going to let you do this to yourself. You've got to stop, little hawk.”

 

“I cannot. He needs me.”

 

“He's a big boy. He'll manage.”

 

“It is too much for him to manage.” A slow tear trickled down Yuriko's cheek, surprising both of them. “And I do not know why I am so upset!”

 

“You're exhausted, baka. I can't believe he didn't see this. To hell with all of this. What good are you gonna' be if you collapse, huh?”

 

“But he is already stretched so thin. Rebellion seems to be just around every bend, and we are abandoning the family's home. There are so many memories here.”

 

“You could've just said he's not over his mate yet, and the nobles are being assholes.”

 

Yuriko sank down to the floor, her head in her hands. “I am so tired, Koga-kun. I have not slept in weeks. I only want to help him, but I cannot do enough. His eyes are so haunted. Akane has told him to either put a strangle hold on the nobles or drop them completely, but he is unwilling to do either. She has also told him that he can move on, that it is not a betrayal, but I do not think he is ready yet.”

 

A warm arm was draped over Yuriko's shoulders as Koga joined her on the ground. “He may never get over her. It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened. But it's not your job to fix him. Akane's right. You're going to destroy yourself trying to help him, but it's not going to fix anything.”

 

“And what would you have me do?”

 

“Let's take Ah-Un out. We won't tell anyone where we're going. We're just gonna' say to hell with it and take off. All of this shit can wait.”

 

“I am supposed to meet . . . “

 

“Is anyone gonna' die if you miss that meeting?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“Then it'll wait.” Koga grabbed Yuriko by the wrist and hauled her to her feet. “I've never been out on your dragon, and I think tonight's the perfect shot.”

 

Yuriko gave one last protest. “Koga-kun . . . “

 

“Not listening.”

 

“I will find his tack.” Yuriko admitted her defeat gracefully, not even stomping as she went to retrieve the saddle and bridles. At the door she whistled, calling Ah-Un in from his dinner. She used her time spent petting both heads to rein her emotions back in. `I must be more tired then I thought. We are leaving in one week, and then it will be easier. Well, after we finish unpacking, and the nobles are dealt with, and we are set for winter . . . This will never end!'

 

“Oy, you gonna' do anything other then fuss over him?”

 

Yuriko shook her head, snapping back to the present. “You could make yourself useful and bring the tack over.”

 

“Do I look like the fucking groom?”

 

“Well, you do look somewhat unkempt.”

 

“You're pushing it, bird brain.”

 

“Ugh, do not call me that.” Yuriko accepted the saddle that Koga had carried over, despite his protests. “I have learned some of the names you had when Shippou traveled with Kagome. Do not force me to use them.”

 

“Fine, fine, you don't have to dig up ancient history.”

 

“It was quite easy, actually. Shippou was more then willing to volunteer the information.”

 

“Yeah, I bet. That brat spent too much time with that dog. Probably got him all messed up.”

 

“Oh, enough. The two of you must work out a truce at some point.”

 

“Never gonna' happen.”

 

“Lovely.” Yuriko finished adjusting the second bridle. “Are you ready?”

 

“Sure. Can't be that hard.”

 

Ah-Un looked at each other, and Yuriko choked back a giggle. “Of course not. Ah-Un is as gentle as a lamb.” With a smooth, practiced move she leapt into the saddle and offered a hand to Koga.

 

The wolf squeaked like a little girl when the dragon took off before he was even halfway on. Yuriko hauled him the rest of the way on, laughing until tears ran down her face.

 

“Do try to hold on, my lord.”

 

----

 

“Ow! Watch it!”

 

“Keep it down, Koga-kun.” Yuriko hissed as they creeped through the palace.

 

“This is all your fault.”

 

“For the last time, I did not push you off.” Technically, this was true. It was Ah-Un who knocked him off.

 

“Explain that to my head. I think you cracked my skull.”

 

Trying to not giggle, Yuriko tugged Koga into her room. “I will check your head, and then you will quietly return to your room. Papa does not need to know how late we were out.”

 

“Or that you're trying to murder me.”

 

Yuriko gave up the argument. She had some basic supplies in her room from patching up herself and Shippou when they got into mischief. “Would I have retrieved you if I wanted you dead? Now quite whimpering and let me take care of that.”

 

“I'm not whimpering.” Koga dropped to a cushion and glared. The glare melted away when Yuriko leaned over him, wiping the old blood off of his forehead. The cut had already closed, but he was not going to stop her from tending to him. He could see the faint tremble now, a sign of her exhaustion.

 

“Evidently your head is just as thick as they say. You are fine, Koga-kun.”

 

The wolf stared into her eyes.

 

“Koga?”

 

“Are you gonna' stay up all night working?”

 

“I do not want to fight with you, Koga-kun. I have responsibilities, and I cannot just abandon them. I appreciate you chasing me out of the palace tonight. I needed that. However, I will need to finish my work tonight.”

 

“So another night without even trying to sleep.”

 

Yuriko sighed, setting the rag aside. “Papa needs my help. It is causing more trouble then anyone could imagine to move this household.”

 

“Were you serious earlier? You'd rather be in my cave then this fucked up place?”

 

“I am so tired of all of this.” The hawk sat beside him, running a hand through hair and feathers. “I remember your cave. I remember the lack of intrigue, and how everyone spent time together. No servants, no court, no meetings with nobles that drag on forever for no reason. You made a decision, it was carried out. If someone disagreed, they said something and you either listened or shut them up. It seemed so simple.”

 

“You're sounding pretty serious.”

 

“Right now, running off to your cave with you sounds like a dream.”

 

Koga's heart jumped. “Has anyone got a claim on you?”

 

“Nani?”

 

“A claim? Has Merkamou-sama got any offers on the table for you?”

 

“Hey! That is a very personal question!”

 

“Just answer it.”

 

Yuriko let her head sag and laughed. “Never. There has never been an offer for me.”

 

“And why the hell not?”

 

She shrugged. “I am a hanyou. Unlike Mizuki, I am not needed for a treaty, and unlike Katsuro, I am not the heir.”

 

“Good.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“I'm not in the mood to go on a killing spree.”

 

“Koga-kun, you are making no sense.”

 

Koga leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. For a moment she froze, and he was certain that he had misread her. When she relaxed and kissed him back, he wanted to stand up and cheer. Slowly her hands slid up his chest until her arms were wrapped around his neck. The wolf leaned into her, taking in her unique scent. She always made him think of a fire that was just barely in control. “Well, that settles it.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Koga jumped to his feet and grabbed the startled hanyou. One hand clamped over her mouth while the other scooped her up against his chest. The window was still open, and he jumped out. A tornado formed around him as he bolted across the grounds, the still shocked hanyou held tightly against him.

 

A guard protested, but had no time to actually stop the wolf. They were over the wall and taking off across the countryside by the time the alarm had been raised.

 

Yuriko could see nothing but swirling wind, could hear nothing but the roar in her ears, and could feel nothing but Koga. It took her a precious moment to realize what was happening. `Where is he taking me? Is he . . . is he kidnapping me? What the hell?' She started to struggle, but the advantage was all Koga's. Safely away from the palace, he took his hand off of her mouth and used that to restrain her arms.

 

“What the hell are you doing, Koga? Put me down this instant!”

 

“Nope, ain't happening. You're coming back to my cave with me.”

 

“After we have finished moving I can visit. Not now!”

 

“Visit? This ain't a visit, hawk. You're my woman.”

 

Slack jawed, Yuriko stared. “Nani?”

 

“You're going to be my mate.”

 

“Mate? Who said anything about mate? My Papa is going to kill you!”

 

“He's gotta catch me first.”

 

“He knows where your cave is!”

 

“Oh yeah. I'll worry about that later.”

 

`Worry about that later?' Yuriko banged her head against his shoulder. “You do know that he is a taiyoukai, and the Southern Lord. He will destroy your den. Put me down now, before things get out of control!”

 

“No way in hell. You're the one I want, and I'll fight for you.”

 

Yuriko's heart skipped around. “Nani? You want me enough to fight Papa?”

 

“Or anyone else that tries to get in my way.”

 

“Well, that is a very sweet thing for my kidnapper to say.”

 

“I thought so.” The struggles resumed, making it difficult for Koga to keep his concentration. “Knock it off, before you get us killed!”

 

“Put me down! This is a huge mistake!”

 

“I told you, you're mine, and you're coming with me!”

 

“And do I get a say in this?”

 

“You got a say, and you said yes.”

 

“Was I there for this conversation?”

 

Koga spared a grin for her. “Well, you were there for the kissing part.”

 

“That conversation? I did not agree to this!”

 

“I'm just making your dream come true.”

 

`Oh, hell. Papa is going to kill him for being both an idiot and a hopeless romantic.'

 

----

 

“Shippou-sama.”

 

“What is it, Makoto?” Shippou looked up from his game.

 

“We just had a youkai in a tornado leave the palace. It would not stop when we challenged it.”

 

“Tornado? That's Koga. I'll check and see if he was running an errand for someone.” Shippou rose and gave a small bow to his friends. “Duty calls. I'll be back after this is sorted out.”

 

`Merkamou has probably retired for the night. I'll try Yuriko. She always knows what's going on with that wolf, and she's been up all night lately.' The kitsune moved through the palace, not particularly concerned. Koga visited often enough, and he kept weird hours.

 

Shippou could see the light of a lamp under the door. “Oy, Yuriko-chan.”

 

He waited for a response, but there was none. “Yuriko?” He slid the door open slowly, ready to duck for cover if she threw things at him. There was no challenge, or any other sign of life from the room. Shippou slipped inside, looking around.

 

The window was open, and some of her belongings were scattered. There was a rag on the ground with some blood on it, and the smell of Koga was thick in the air. The wolf had just been in here.

 

Shippou bolted down the hall to Merkamou's rooms, banging on the door. “Merkamou-sama! Merkamou-sama!”

 

“And where is the fire this time?” Merkamou slammed his door open, glaring at the kitsune.

 

“Screw the fire, Yuriko's been kidnapped!”