InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Romancing The Shikon ❯ El Lobo y El Perro ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: nothing is or ever will be mine. I'm simply merging two stories into a margarita-kaleidoscope of fun—shaken, not stirred. Please enjoy!!

 

 

A/N: apologies for the long delay…you can all drop-kick me later…I would like to note that I just discovered my roommate, the muse which inspired me for this story (Prerna!!) purrs in her sleep….Yeah. Some people snore like they're sawing timber, others squeak like chipmunks….she purrs. Who'd a thought??!!!

 

 

I would also like to note that my computer doesn't have appropriate Spanish grammar aid (such as reverse question marks and other accent marks) so please bear with me.

 

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To say she felt out of her element would have been an understatement. Kagome Higurashi hedged out of the airport terminal nervously, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells that wove a cacophony of distraction. Her stomach was already up in knots, and this certainly wasn't helping.

 

 

Children shrieked, babies wailed, and livestock vocally churned the humid air. People were sheathed in brightly colored fabrics. Some looked tattered and worn with earth, others more crisp and fresh. All were bustling about: tending animals, children, and noisy stalls festooned with food and cheap souvenirs. Kagome swallowed. Pandora herself couldn't have orchestrated it better. She was nervous, and utterly alone in a strange land….She meandered toward the buses, clutching tightly to the straps of her pack, coddling the Spanish dictionary Yuka had suggested she buy.

 

 

She approached the nearest conductor, who was busily aiding his accumulating passengers.

 

 

“E-excuse me? Sir….? Senor…….um….Por favor..” He hurriedly quirked an eye in her direction, bemused. Still, his nimble hands were never idle in their work of tying down bags and a securing parcels to the outside of the bus.

 

 

“Que`?”

 

 

“Esta' el… autobu`s a…. Cartagena, Senor?”

 

 

“Que`?” He looked as befuddled as Kagome felt.

 

 

“I'm…I'm looking for the bus to Cartagena, is this …..Va a Cartagena?” She gesticulated toward the bus, helplessly. All at once, a lazy timber, deep and smooth like chocolate, assaulted her ears. And thank the kami, it was in English!

 

“You're headed to Cartagena?” She whirled around, and was devastated by the most gorgeous blue eyes she had ever seen. Actually, now that she was taking in his general visage, he was rather gorgeous in general. Jet black hair, wild and rather untamed into a handsome pony tail framed his chiseled face with high cheek bones and….wait…did he show fangs in that positively wicked smile just now in that?

 

But if he did, they were there and gone in a beautiful, amused smile at her expense. He was wearing a professional suit that had seen better days…yet…on him, it seemed nothing short of elegant.

 

“Yes…I ….I have someone to see in…Cartagena….Do you know if this is the bus?” He flashed a dazzling grin once more, eyes intent—almost feral, as they focused on her.

 

“Yes….indeed it is.” Relief, the first slight of it she had felt in what seemed like days, began coursing through her veins in a small burst of euphoria.

 

“Oh! Thank goodness…um, thank you.” Turning her way from her handsome new acquaintance, she wriggled up onto the paint-chipped bus, loaded with people and possessions. He smiled after her, before ascending the vehicle's stairs himself. Damn, the onna smelled even more delicious in person than as a lingering aroma strewn throughout her apartment. His inner youkai growled pleasurably; he was truly going to relish this.

 

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He tapped his sausage-like fingers anxiously, nerves chewing through whatever calm he might have earlier had. Where was the stupid wench, anyhow? Her flight should have landed by now…Manten grappled with his poncho, striving to make sure it covered the majority of his still somewhat reptilian countenance.

 

Before leaving with Hiten's instructions, they had taken the precaution of casting him under an illusion spell to disguise his true nature. However, it wasn't enough to reassure him completely, nor hide the entirety of his youkai. He was still large, thick-skinned in a grayish hue, and if one looked hard enough they could see his decidedly black, slit irises.

 

Where was that stupid girl?! He clenched his fist in agitation. Kami, he had done his best to advise his older brother in kissing off this third-world toilet. But Hiten had insisted…This last one. Just this last one…he snorted derisively. Right. Still, he wished they had went ahead and nabbed the brat before that wolf youkai had barreled in to things.

 

They weren't even sure Kouga hadn't left the little shit alive after it had been found he had mailed the much coveted map to his sister. Still, at least there had been his fiancé…it was a pure stroke of luck that Rin had held to hope and stayed in the country. She had been the bait necessary to lure this `Kagome' out into the open, leaving her vulnerable to their…suggestion…now if only she would fucking show up!

 

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something lovely carrying a monstrous yellow backpack. Upon attending to it more carefully, he felt his throat constrict in what could be called joy. It was her! That stupid woman had finally—Shit. His massive palms began to sweat, and it was all he could do not to stumble after her as she boarded the wrong bus. Not only that….but he could see someone else boarding after her; someone dangerous…and none other than Kouga. Against his better judgement, he hoarsly called after her.

 

“Hey! You've got the wrong bus….!” A few pedestrians paused as he chugged after the ancient bus, but it had left the curb more quickly than he could have thought possible. Watching it, a withering feeling curling up inside his chest, he rubbed a wary hand across his sweat-lathered face. One thought reverberating within his skull: Hiten was going to kill him.

 

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Kagome awoke with a start, wondering in a daze for a moment why her cheek was pressed against the cold pane of a rather dirty window…and then it came back to her in a flood of anxiety. Peeking up from her bangs, she idly noted how the landscape had changed. How it mirrored more of a wilderness than any actual habitable…wait a minute.

 

Ice trickled through her veins, and something cold lodged itself where she thought the bottom of her stomach must be. Wait…this…this was the right bus…right? But…wasn't Cartagena supposed to…

 

Rocketing up from her crowded seat, she smiled meekly at the angry faces glaring at her for shoving past them as the bus shuddered and bounced on the rough trail being used as a road. This wasn't right…this couldn't be right. Heart thumping violently in her chest, she grappled with her monstrous yellow bag, trying to set it correctly on her back while at the same time avoid falling flat on her face. Biting her fingers desperately into the cracked, vinyl seat of the bus driver's chair, she fought to keep her purchase as she queried nervously.

 

“Ex—excuse me…?” Sharp eyes briefly latched onto her own in the reflection of the rear view mirror. Remembering herself, she hastily tried to conjure up a feasible sentence in Spanish.

 

“Lo siento…muchisimo…pero….” Thick eyebrows lowered in befuddlement.

 

“Que`?” Swallowing, she tried again, louder this time over the rattling engine.

 

“Esta' el autobu's a Cartagena?” He flashed a physical look at her this time, furrowing his brows even more as he grappled with what she was saying over the dull roar of noise around them. It cost them dearly.

 

“I just want to know—” She cut herself off with a terrified shriek. Without further warning, a deep chasm in the road—probably a pothole of some sort, sent the bus tearing off its rocky surface and into the debris of the forest below.

 

There was a great deal of chaos as nearly everyone screamed, parcels and a smattering of docile chickens flying and falling about in pandemonium. Kagome barely managed not to fall on her ass as the broken bus came to a dead standstill. Thoroughly rattled, she tumbled with the other obviously cross and dis-appreciative passengers down the steps and out the double door.

 

She could only pick out a small number of words in the streams of conversation musically flowing around her as everyone seemed to gather their things and head back toward the road up hill. Kagome tried not to notice, but quite a few of them sent her some nasty looks as they departed…receiving the blame for distracting the driver. Dizzily, wondering what on earth she was supposed to do now that the only mode of transportation provided to her had broken down, she began surmounting the steep edge of the side of the road like the others had. However, that rich, chocolatey voice stopped her in her tracks.

 

“You don't need to go that way,” she looked over at him, mildly surprised to see him lounging against the side of the bus, “they're peasants…accustomed to walking.” He strode over toward her, glancing beyond her shoulder toward where the others had just started to disappear along the curve that lay further down the ramshackle road. He returned those stormy blue eyes back to her own, speaking soothingly.

 

“There will be another bus soon.” Hope blossomed in her chest at the thought. She really could do with a ride…mostly one back to the airport so she could retrace her steps. In all honesty, Kagome hadn't the foggiest as to where Cartagena lay and time was running out.

 

“Really?” He nodded, affirmatively.

 

“Si`, senorita.”

 

She smiled gratefully at him, taking a seat on a nearby rock in preparation to wait for the supposed second bus.

 

“What a relief!” She breathed, then studied her company curiously.

 

“Where did you learn to speak like that…?” She ducked her head, a little embarrassed at the admission. “…My Spanish isn't really good.” He smiled, empathetically, turning his back to her as he studied their surroundings as he idly chose to continue the conversation.

 

“You pick up a few things over the years…” he shrugged carelessly.

 

“How long have you been here?” Kagome couldn't help but ask. Little to her knowledge, the rakish smile he gave her signified that the last of their company had departed farther down the road…far enough not to hear any screams. They were alone.

 

“About fifty years.” She balked at the number, then shook her head disbelievingly at the notion, a small grin in her eyes.

 

“No…you don't look that old…you're just teasing me…” It was then she noticed how close he had suddenly approached her. Kouga's youkai was howling inside at the scent awash with her nervousness …She was beginning to smell like prey. He gave her a feral smile, fangs fully revealed. A small gasp hiccupped past her lips, her eyes going wide like saucers as she began to put two and two together.

 

“Indeed…?”

 

“You—you're not human…” With the rueful shake of his head, his smile deepened mockingly. He began to drop illusion spell that had been constricting his youkai—allowing mortals to see whatever they chose. His pupils became black slits, and his nails lengthened into claws. Lurching up out of her seat, she backed away slowly, recognizing the young man's true wolfish nature, although she couldn't quite understand how.

 

“….There is no other bus…is there?” She murmured in a small voice.

 

“ `fraid not, love.” His next smile made her feel like Red Riding Hood, and she trembled as he continued to advance. “Now….let's see this map of yours, hn…?” All at once, his attention was ripped away from her as he apparently began to sense something. Cursing under his breath, she noticed his appearance began to waver back into that which it had been when he first accosted her.

 

“Fucking Inu-koro…” He cursed angrily. Confused at first, Kagome suddenly noticed the silhouette cresting the along the hill that hunched in the wake of the road. Throat constricting in apprehensive relief, she barely had time to choke out a scream before her would-be-attacker pulled out a gun from the inner confines of his worn coat. Bullets erupted into the air, and for a horrifying instant Kagome thought he had succeeded in bringing the mysterious stranger down. However, all was made clear as echoing shots rained down at them from above. It would seem the stranger was armed as well.

 

Panicked, Kagome dove toward under the empty shell of a bus; it wasn't much of a promise for cover, but beggers couldn't be choosers. Wedging her yellow bag in first, she scrambled after it, heart pounding. Goosebumps were skating across her skin, and she had to fight back the urge to vomit in shear dread.

 

The sounds that followed didn't air her in discovering the outcome of what was to happen next; there was another round of bullets being fired off, some muffled swearing from the man…no…creature, that had assaulted her, and then all was quiet. At least for a few moments.

 

The bus lurched under the weight of something landing on its roof, and Kagome forced herself to hold her breath as the gravel churned next. It seemed to testify that whatever had landed on the bus was now only a few feet in front of her…She shuddered, praying it wasn't her would-be captor. But then, no one could ever manage to leap onto a bus and then the ground…it just wasn't physically possible.

 

However, her fears were assuaged when the approaching footsteps had a pair of feet to go with them in her view. She blinked. They were bare, and clearly masculine. Aged khaki caressed his ankles, and she couldn't help herself from wondering who this guy was, and why…..why didn't he have any shoes on? Without warning, a feral growl escaped the man in question, and she tried to make herself as small as possible at the sound. Had she just jumped from the frying pan and into the fire?! There was a bit of a snuffling sound, as if he were scenting the air.

 

“I know you're there, wench.” She froze at the sound of his voice. It was rough, low in his irritation. But that didn't cease it from being thick and alive with a honeyed nectar one could recognize as the timbre of a fighter. Picking up on her hesitation, he crouched low, gracing her with the view of the rest of him. Kagome had to fight to keep her breath. The young man in front of her was nothing short of gorgeous.

 

Impossibly white, silvery hair reflected the sunlight…It's sheer length reminding her of a tangled waterfall. Impossibly, against the judgment of her sanity, there were two snowy furred-dog ears perched atop his head, swiveled toward her. And his eyes…those weren't human eyes, either. There were amber and cold; coppery tones surrounding slit pupils that were uncanny to that other man's. He was muscled, but not overly so; the definition of his strong physique rippling through a blood-red shirt that had seen better days. The strap of a rifle was across his chest, and his finger tips hosted a dangerous array of claws…

 

“Oi, wench,” he snapped, distracting her back into the present, “get out from under there.” Doing as he said, she scrambled out from under the bus, heaving her enormous bag with her. Snorting derisively, he sat up again, sizing her up blatantly as he crossed his arms in bad temper.

 

“What the fuck were you doing with that guy you crazy bitch?” Kagome felt her cheeks grow hot in her rising temper; at the blunt gall of the strange man in front of her.

 

“I was…waiting for….the next bus.” He stared at her, seemingly appalled.

 

“Who the hell told you there'd be one?” She looked away, unable to meet his accusing gaze. His yellow eyes flickered in the direction her attacker had apparently taken, before looking back at her.

 

“You're serious….? The ass-hole told you there'd be another bus, when you're vulnerable and out in the middle of nowhere, and you believe him?!” She glared at him, her rage nearly cracking audibly.

 

“Well excuse me! I'm not from around here, all right? What was I suppose—” he rolled his eyes, waving her off and he turned his attention from her and to the broken bus.

 

“Feh, whatever, bitch.” Her face turned bright red at the comment, pissed.

 

“Don't call me that!” he glanced at her, shrugging, before taking a fantastic leap and landing—astonishingly—atop the roof of the bus. She was so shocked for a moment that she momentarily forgot her anger.

 

“How did you….when…..” realizing this wasn't her proudest nor most coherent moment word-wise, she started again.

 

“What are you…?” he snorted, riffling through some of the abandoned baggage left astride it's metal racks and railings.

 

“What's it to you, wench?” he grunted. She glared, her anger sparking again at his rude evasiveness. “Shit…lost nearly everything….” He muttered to himself. Taking a calming breath, she tried again, taking a firmer grip on her backpack strap.

 

“that man….the one you saved me from….he wasn't human either…” he grunted noncommittally , and for a second she thought he was ignoring her. Snapping easily through some rope, he began scrabbling with a duffel bag.

 

“Ookami youkai….biggest bastard as I ever saw one.” Kagome sat down abruptly, unable to contain her surprise at the revelation.

 

“A wolf youkai…?” he glanced down at her dazed expression, “for real…? But…like those Japanese legends…? Here…?” he rolled his eyes, annoyed at her naiveté stupidity. Generally most humans didn't know of the existence of youkai. They had gone into hiding as the times changed, needing to blend into mortal society in order to scratch up a living amongst those who now outnumbered them. Still, to believe none had ever left the sacred land which had first recognized them for what they were…was ludicrous.

 

“What, you really thought they'd stay in the same place for hundreds of years? Get a grip, bitch.” She glanced at him, curiosity still warring over anger inside of her. The former won out, at least for now.

 

“You still didn't answer my question.” Leaping gracefully down from the roof, he landed along side her, throwing the duffle bag over his shoulder as he glared at her.

 

“Inu-hanyou.” He bit out, making her wince at his tone. Was he touchy about it, or what? He started trudging off, leaving her to scramble after him in his wake. She could hardly take her eyes off of those adorable, twitching dog ears.

 

“Thank you for what you did back there! I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along…” He paused, staring at her as she struggled to catch up to him.

 

“Why the hell are you following me?” She bit her lip, pleading with herself not to lose her temper to this….jerk.

 

“I—I need to get to Cartagena.” He gave her an incredulous expression, his black eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

 

“Are you crazy? That's hundreds of miles from here!” he pointed toward the horizon, in the opposite direction in which they were currently heading. “It's back that way.” He started off again, but stopped as she continued, her voice laced with something akin to optimism.

 

“So you do know where it is! Please, I need a guide…”

 

“So go find yourself one, wench.” Drat, it was a losing battle. What she wouldn't give to wrap her hands around his pompous throat.

 

“Please! I only have little time left!....I'd be willing to pay you, for your trouble.” This time he had her full attention.

 

“How much?” She congratulated herself, proud that she had piqued his interest. Now all she had to do was utilize her superior bargaining skills.

 

“….Two hundred dollars…?” he growled softly, his ear flicking agitatedly.

 

“No way.” Immediate abashment covered her features, and she tried to grab his arm unsuccessfully. Before she could blink he had move several paces back, a sour expression gracing his visage.

 

“But—but I heard you say you lost nearly everything!” She half-hazarded a guess, grasping at straws. He narrowed his eyes at her.

 

“Yeah, but not my sense of humor, bitch.” She glared back, counted to three, and then chose her words carefully.

 

“Okay…How about five hundred dollars…?” She could see him mulling it over, so she forged ahead desperately. She couldn't give up on Rin…Not before she got her second chance to get on the right track and do things right.

 

“I'll double it if you can get me as far as the Hotel Cartagena.” He smiled, flashing fangs…something that wasn't all that unsettling on him as it was on the wolf youkai.

 

“You've got yourself a deal, wench.” She raised her eyes skywards, wishing for an appeal from a higher power. Instead, it looked like rain.

 

“Please, PLEASE don't call me that….it's rude.” Shrugging, he allowed her to catch up with him, letting her pass him slightly before making his next comment.

 

“Fine…bitch.” Sighing, she stomped farther ahead.

 

“Jerk!” She yelled over her shoulder.

 

“Feh.” This was going to be a long journey…