InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Red Riding Haori ❯ Part 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Red Riding Haori

Part 4

 

Kagome couldn't believe how quickly Kouga had moved. One moment he had been standing in front of her the next he was leaning against the wall on the other side of the hut. He wore a cocky grin when he glanced over at her. It widened as his eyes raked over her before coming back to her shocked eyes and giving her a wink.

 

The blood drained from her face and she curled in on herself, trying to hide as much of her body as possible. Her eyes shifted about, looking for something to cover up with. Her gaze landed on the haori where Kouga had seemingly cast it. She started to move to it.

 

Inuyasha hadn't missed the interplay; Kagome's fear filled the small hut as Kouga's lecherous gaze focused behind him. Rage burned through his blood. “Don't you dare look at Kagome, you fucking wolf!”

 

Kouga's eyes snapped with equal ferocity. “I will look at my mate if I want to, dog shit!”

 

A growl burst from behind Inuyasha's fangs a split second before he leapt at the wolf for another attack. “She's not your mate!”

 

He was sent crashing back against the floor as Kouga's foot met his solar plexus in a powerful kick. Kagome screamed as he landed near her, instantly moving to go to his side. He caught her movement, raising a staying hand.

 

“No, stay out of this Kagome.” He pushed himself to his feet with a powerful movement, his eyes focused on Kouga who stood opposite them, crouched and ready for the next attack. “I don't want this bastard to have any excuses when I beat him to a pulp and take you back.”

 

“In your dreams, pup!” Kouga growled deep in his chest. “I think it's about time we take this outside.”

 

Almost quicker than Kagome could see, Kouga lunged forward, his hand clamping round Inuyasha's neck before turning and hauling him through the doorway.

 

A distressed cry left Kagome's throat as she struggled into the haori. She made her way to the door at a slow crawl, each move eliciting pain all over her body. She needed to see what was happening; she needed to make sure Inuyasha was alright.

 

Both bite wounds throbbed, having become further irritated by the material of the haori. She could feel blood oozing from the one on her back and felt sick at the thought. The ach between her legs occupied her mind most though. It was more of a burn sensation than a throb. He had invaded her, plunged his fingers inside of her, heedless of what she wanted or the pain he was causing her. He'd been working a third in when Inuyasha had arrived. She shuddered at the memory of the pain, prompted every time she moved.

 

She was almost to the door when the basket caught her eye. Shippo's enchanted leaves suddenly came to mind. He'd given them to her to protect her. Though she had complete confidence in Inuyasha, she reached in and grasped them anyway. She wouldn't risk being caught unprotected again.

 

Reaching the doorway, she came to a stop and leaned against the frame as she rested on her knees. One fist clasped the haori closed while the other held the leaves.

 

Inuyasha had managed to get out of Kouga's hold in the time it took for Kagome to reach the door. A long claw slice on the wolf's arm indicated how he'd managed it. Blood dripped from the wound and Kouga looked pissed that it had happened at all.

 

“Look who drew first blood, ya stupid wolf!” Inuyasha said, taunting Kouga from where he was crouched on the other side of the clearing.

 

Kouga glowered, his lips curled in a snarl as he held his injured arm close to his side. “Laugh it up now, dog breath! In the end, I'll be the one taking Kagome!”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “I'll die before I let you touch her again!” he said, cracking his joints as he set his claws, ready to go in for another attack.

 

“That's the plan,” said Kouga.

 

Using his amazing speed, he came at Inuyasha again. His fist missed the hanyou as he dodged. There was an exchange of blows, some hitting and some missing. Kouga managed to get around Inuyasha's defences and brought his claws down his back. Blood spread across his undershirt, but Inuyasha continued unfazed.

 

Finally Kouga got in a good hit, bringing his foot up unexpectedly after a distracting punch, managing to connect with the hanyou's face before he had a chance to react. Inuyasha was sent careening into a tree at the edge of the forest with enough force to cause the trunk to snap from impact.

 

Kagome's heart stilled as fear for his safety filled her, tears burning behind her eyes as he disappeared into the underbrush. “Inuyasha!”

 

Her call drew the wolf's attention, and her hand went to her mouth as she realised this. His satisfied smirk quickly changed to an angered glower when he took in her appearance.

 

She yelped and fell back when he appeared before her, glaring down at her.

 

“Remove it, now!” Kouga's fist was clenched and he looked as though he would be just as happy to rip it from her as have her do it.

 

Kagome trembled, her fist clenching around the leaves reassuringly. Though scared, she met his gaze with a steady one of hers before shaking her head. “No.”

 

With that, she threw the leaves at him. A popping noise filled the startled silence as several Shippo's appeared each casting fox fire at the wolf. Kouga fell back from the doorway with a growl, swiping at the illusions as they attacked.

 

Using the doorframe as support, Kagome pulled herself up, her legs wobbly, fatigue seeping in making them barely able to support her. She hoped they would hold long enough to get away from Kouga and before the illusions disappeared. She couldn't see Inuyasha anywhere and worried he was badly hurt, or worse, dead. She didn't know how strong he really was. After all, she'd never seen him fight before.

 

She inched out of the hut and tried to bolt pass the demon wolf while he was occupied. Unfortunately her sudden movement drew his attention and he lunged for her, even as the Shippo's continued to harass him. Catching sight of him from the corner of her eye, she panicked and tripped over her own feet, her legs giving way, causing her to scream.

 

“Kaze no Kizu!”

 

A great wind rushed by behind her, ruffling her hair and the haori as she fell. Hitting the ground none to gently, she scrambled around to see what had just happened, if the demon wolf was still coming for her. There, crouched in front of her was Inuyasha. He had his back to her, his hair still swaying from his landing, revealing the bloodied and ripped cloth from his injury as. His sword was held at the ready in a transformed state she had never seen before. The rise and fall of his shoulder showed he was breathing hard from his exertions.

 

“I said I'd have to be dead, wolf, not unconscious!”

 

Kouga stood on the other side of three giant rents in the earth, his strong legs seemingly the only thing that saved his life. His expression registered shock, his breathing ragged and gasping, revealing the effort it had taken.

 

“I'll give you this opportunity to run. You're outmatched.”

 

Kouga snarled at the declaration. “Don't get cocky, mutt. Kagome is my mate. I won't let you have her back! I love her!”

 

Both Inuyasha and Kagome were visibly stunned, the emotion clear on their identical expressions. Getting pass the initial shock at such a pronouncement, Inuyasha began to growl. Kagome gasped in a breath, her eyes darting to him. His ears twitched agitatedly before flattening against his head.

 

He leapt forward, sword at the ready. “You don't love her, you stinking wolf! You only just met her!”

 

Inuyasha slashed his sword at Kouga, managing to get a slice across his midriff before the sword was knocked from his hand by a powerful kick. Kouga clutched the wound with a snarl as he landed on the balls of his feet in front of Inuyasha.

 

“I'd rather rip you apart with my claws anyway!” said Inuyasha, and he proceeded to swing at the wolf, driving him back.

 

“What's wrong, pup?” Kouga said, taunting the hanyou while he continued to dodge his swings, “afraid the maiden Kagome may not be interested in you after experiencing my touch?”

 

A wild growl escaped the hanyou. His swings became erratic and uncontrolled. The wolf continued to dodge with increasing ease, so much so that he was grinning from ear to ear as he continued to goad Inuyasha.

 

“Did you hear her whimpering for me?” Kouga dodged again. “Did you hear her scream for me?”

 

“You bastard!” Inuyasha was beyond reason.

 

Kouga took advantage of this, picking his moment as the hanyou became increasingly distracted. Seeing an opening, Kouga swung in with his claws, intent on disembowelling him.

 

Kagome had struggled to her feet and retrieved Inuyasha's sword, thinking he may need it again. She now collapsed to her knees as she watched the fight. She couldn't hear what they were saying to each other, but she could tell that whatever Kouga was saying, he was upsetting Inuyasha enough for the hanyou to lose his concentration. She saw the opening and Kouga's intention, and dread filled her. Inuyasha did not see his own danger.

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

The sound of Kagome's voice instantly grounded Inuyasha. His rage became focused, his speed matching that of the wolf's. He realised the wolf demon's intent, and before Kouga could complete his attack, Inuyasha caught his arm and used the wolf's momentum to twist and shift him beneath him, forcing Kouga to take the brunt of the force of impact when they came down to the earth.

 

Inuyasha straddled the shocked wolf, landing several blows across his face and stomach. Blood oozed from gashes all over before Inuyasha finally pressed his hand over Kouga's neck, squeezing his windpipe.

 

“I'm gonna take a lot of pleasure in skinning you, wolf!” A sadistically pleased grin lit Inuyasha's face.

 

Kagome felt sick at the sight of so much blood. Both Inuyasha and the wolf were covered in it. The look on Inuyasha's face sent a shiver down her spine. It was not her Inuyasha, not the one she had grown used to seeing by the well every morning. This was the Inuyasha that fought to survive, who killed to keep what little he held as his. She had never seen someone kill before, nor seen someone die.

 

“Inuyasha! Stop!”

 

Inuyasha whipped his head about at Kagome's voice, his hand poised for a killing blow. His eyes settled on a pale and trembling Kagome. She'd struggled closer to them, his retrieved sword held in the hand that supported her, while her other arm stretched out to him in supplication. The haori, left unattended, fell open revealing an expanse of pale flesh. He found his eyes uncontrollably drawn there, the adrenaline and blood that pumped through him suddenly being redirected to one thought and one organ only.

 

She noticed his fixation and, instantly flustered, she pulled her arm back to clutch the haori closed. A flush spread across her face as she averted it and continued down her neck.

 

Inuyasha shook his head, trying to refocus on the task still at hand. Killing the wolf prince; his claws ached to sink into the wolf's flesh. “Why'd you stop me Kagome!”

 

Kagome still wouldn't meet his gaze. “I…” She swallowed. “I don't want you to kill him.”

 

Inuyasha's hand unconsciously tightened around the dazed wolf demons neck, causing him to choke and sputter. Kouga's taunting words came back to him and he felt jealousy take hold. “Why the fuck not!”

 

Kagome looked off into the forest, her expression sad. “I…I just…. He has responsibilities, those that count on him to help them survive. If we kill him, we may be sentencing them to death as well when they have done nothing to us.” Her body shook as a tremor went through her. “And then there is revenge. Who is to say they won't come here looking for it?”

 

Inuyasha's irritation grew. “I'll take care of them if they come. They won't be much of a problem if this is their prince.”

 

Kouga growled weakly at the insult.

 

Kagome shook her head violently, squeezing her eyes shut. “Please! You're covered in so much blood! I can smell it, I can feel it!” She wrapped her arms around herself, dropping his sword and rocking in place. “I don't want his blood on my hands….”

 

“It won't be. I take full responsibility.”

 

“No!” She finally turned back to him, her eyes filled with tears. “He'll have died because of me! For me! I don't want that, I couldn't live with that!” Her body trembled as she beseeched him to spare her assaulter's life.

 

“You want me to let the one who harmed you go without punishment?” Inuyasha said, his tone cold, his face flat as he tried to understand.

 

Kagome shook her head. “No, you've punished him. You've wounded his pride and deprived him of a rich territory. Not to mention beat him to a bloody pulp.” She tried to smile, her lips tight as they stretched. She did not like the distant look Inuyasha gave her, but she understood, he just didn't understand. “I swear, if he places even one toe on your territory again, you can kill him.”

 

Inuyasha smiled viciously and turned his gazed back to the bloodied wolf. He understood somewhat now. It wasn't that she was against the wolf's death, only that she didn't want to be the reason for it.

 

“Hear that Wolf? You're lucky Kagome has such a soft heart.”

 

He removed his hand from Kouga's throat. The wolf demon coughed as the pressure eased and it became easier to breath. Keeping his eyes on the demon, Inuyasha removed himself from him and backed up to where Kagome sat. He crouched and picked up his sword, instantly transforming it into the fang. He stood defensively before Kagome and when she sagged against his leg he realised just how exhausted she must be. Resting a reassuring hand on her head, he let her know he wasn't angry with her request.

 

“If I ever see you here again, and if I ever catch your scent even passing near Kagome, I will gut you, skin you and use your hide as a throw rug. You got that?” said Inuyasha, his voice rising in volume with each promise.

 

Kouga struggled to his feet, staggering a bit in weakness from blood loss. “Fine. I will look for another territory for my pack. I will leave willingly, but…” His gaze landed on Kagome trying to catch her eyes.

 

Inuyasha could feel Kagome pressing her face into his leg, hiding from the wolf. “Look at him, Kagome, you're not submissive to him. You have nothing to fear from him,” said Inuyasha, his tone confident but gentle.

 

Confused by what he could mean, Kagome looked up at Inuyasha, but he kept his gaze locked on Kouga. Biting her lip she turned to Kouga and met his eyes with her head held high, trying not to flinch at the icy, predator glint that lit them.

 

“If you had picked me, I would have provided well for you. Better than this rankless mutt will ever be able to. Change your mind and come with me,” Kouga said, his voice serious but earnest.

 

Kagome said nothing but continued to stare back at him, leaning further into Inuyasha's leg. Finally Kouga looked away, defeated.

 

“Farewell then.”

 

There was a great gust of wind. Dust and leaves were picked up into the air and when they cleared, he was gone.

 

Almost immediately the trembling that had shook her frame intermittently, intensified, wracking Kagome's body as tears streamed down her face. Inuyasha quickly returned his sword to its sheath and crouched down beside her, taking her chin to tilt her towards him.

 

“Kagome…”

 

She smiled tremulously. “You're hurt; I need to see to your cuts and wounds.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head, amazed she could still think of him first in her state. “They're already healing Kagome. It's you I'm more worried about.”

 

She pressed her lips together and pulled her chin from his light grip. Her gaze traveled about her grandmother's land, taking in the damage. There were downed trees, rent earth and at some point, the battle had passed through her garden. She'd have to fix it before she went home….

 

“Kagome….” Inuyasha's voice was gentle though gruff as he placed his hand on her shoulder. Her sudden flinch away from his touch had him pull back, hurt at her reaction.

 

Realising what she'd just done, Kagome turned to him, her eyes wide, pleading for forgiveness as she took in his shocked and confused face. “Inuyasha… I'm sorry… I didn't mean….” Her eyes crinkled as she fought back tears. She shook her head violently and then lunged at him, throwing herself against him and wrapping her arms around his waist, causing him to fall back onto his bottom to stay upright. “This is my fault… all my fault! If I'd taken you seriously, if I hadn't left the road like I was instructed. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.”

 

Inuyasha looked down at the girl sobbing in his arms, his brows raised at suddenly finding her there. He had instinctively wrapped his arms around her and as she spoke he consciously tightened his hold on her. She was wrong. It wasn't her fault. If it was anyone's fault it was his. He remembered Shippo's words to him, accusing him of causing all this because of his ignorance.

 

Yes, it had been his fault. If he had bothered to have even half the understanding of his heritage that Shippo had, he would have known not to give his haori to Kagome, especially if he wasn't around to protect her. He had unintentionally made her a target for powerful demons interested in his territory. He did not deserve her. His ears flattened to think of her rejection of him once she found out.

 

“Shhh, Kagome. Stop. Don't say that.” Inuyasha ran his clawed hand through her hair, his other hand rubbing the small of her back in soothing circles. “It's not your fault. None of this is your fault, you can't believe that.”

 

Kagome didn't respond. Her sobs had slowly lessened, her body relaxing as exhaustion took hold and she fell into a light sleep. That she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his arms reassured Inuyasha for the time being. She didn't hate him. Yet.

 

He remained seated on the ground for a time longer, savouring the feel of Kagome in his arms, the waft of her scent as it surrounded him. He pressed his cheek to her hair, melancholy taking hold. It was only when he noticed the lengthening of the shadows and the cooling of the air that he lifted Kagome in his arms and moved back into the hut.

 

He laid her out on her grandmother's pallet and moved to the fire pit in the centre. Lighting the fire first, he then and filled the kettle and set it to boil. While he waited, he sat beside her, his back against the wall to better and watch over her. She looked peaceful at least, which meant no dreams plagued her. He would make some rice and tea for them to share, he knew she would be hungry when she woke. Then, they would talk.

 

***

 

“You think they're alright, Obaa-san?” Shippo asked from his perch in the tree above the old woman.

 

Kaede had her eyes closed as if resting, but she was very much awake and very much aware of the fact that she was buried up to her neck in the dirt of the forest floor. It was not uncomfortable, but nor was it comfortable. The hanyou had promised he would return for her and the kit once he was rid of the demon wolf. It was growing dark and he had yet to come back. Still, she sensed an ease in the forest that had been lacking for some time.

 

“I believe all is well, young Shippo. I am sure that he is taking care that this will never happen again. That is all.” Kaede said with a gravely voice.

 

“Oh.” Shippo said, then his eyes widened, “You mean like my Okaa-san and Otou-san?”

 

Kaede would have shrugged if it were at all possible. “Perhaps. Though he may choose to keep Kagome from the life that being his mate would lead to.” Her mouth was dry and talking was becoming difficult. “Think ye can get me some water? There is a small stream just beyond those bushes.”

 

Shippo nodded and hopped down from his perch. He shortly returned with a shell filled with water and helped her drink it.

 

“My thanks, I will rest now.” Kaede proceeded to close her eyes and attempt to sleep. She couldn't help but worry that the hanyou would forget them however.

 

From where Shippo was settling back on his branch, she heard the echo of her worries. “Inuyasha better not have forgotten us.”

 

***

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