InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Speechless ❯ Hunting ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, deaf or otherwise. Hee, hee!

 

A/N: I'm so sorry that I haven't kept up with my updating schedule. I guess that didn't work out. (scratches head sheepishly) Um, all I can say is that it's midterms right now…I have one tomorrow morning, in fact. Also, my parents came to visit, which was a nightmare. But, life goes on and I still have a story that's been neglected, so without further ado, the next chapter!

 

 

 

Chapter Four

Hunting

 

 

 

Kagome awoke to the sunlight pouring over her, in a place she didn't recognize. But, it sure smelled nice…clean, fresh…masculine. Her eyes popped completely open, and she looked around the room. That's right, she was in Sesshoumaru's home…hiding away from a madman.

 

Naraku…

 

She didn't even know the hanyou, and yet he was still after her life because she was a witness to his crimes. How long would it take for him to find her? How long would she have to be stuck in this place not knowing if her family was safe or if she would make it through unharmed? How long of living with total strangers, no matter how much they wanted her safe? She buried her head in her hands, and let the tears come.

 

No sooner had she started when the door flew open and Sesshoumaru stood in the doorway, one hand up with claws bared. He looked ready for battle. She was so shocked, she stopped crying and just stared. She felt a little jolt of electricity flow through her when he locked eyes with her, and gave herself a little shake.

 

Sesshoumaru quickly realized that there was no danger. He had smelled her tears and her distress from the floor of Inuyasha's room, and was up in a flash to defend her, but all he found was her sitting in the middle of his bed, hands in her lap and her lower lip trembling dangerously. It sparked something in him to see her like that, so vulnerable and scared, and without thinking, he walked over to her and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

 

She watched him through lowered lashes as he tenderly touched her face, and felt her heartbeat speed up. What was wrong with her? She had known him for a grand total of one day, but he was making her feel things…she had never really felt before. As if he realized what he was doing, he abruptly pulled back, almost making her sigh in disappointment. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

 

He leaned against the wall outside of his door, and lowered his head. What the hell had just happened? He could hear it when her heartbeat sped up, and he felt his beating in time with hers. He hadn't felt that way since…since ever. He wasn't too sure if he liked it either.

 

He growled softly to himself and rubbed his eyes. He didn't get any sleep last night, which wasn't a problem. The problem was every sound he heard, every scent that was unfamiliar to him set his youki stirring, and it always turned out to be nothing important. He hated this part of the game. The waiting around, wondering when the enemy was going to strike. It was irritating to him, and he wanted nothing more than to just leave now and hunt Naraku down.

 

His door opened and Kagome poked her head out the frame, jumping a little when she saw Sesshoumaru standing right there.

 

“Do you want something to eat?” he asked, and she nodded. She followed him into the kitchen.

 

“You don't have to make it, I can,” she signed, and he nodded. After showing her what there was, he left to grab some clothes from his room and take a shower, trying to ignore the woman pattering in the kitchen. He quickly washed himself and tied his long tresses into a low ponytail before exiting the bathroom, only to run into Inuyasha. The hanyou had a sleepy, dazed look on his face as he sniffed the air repeatedly. Lazily, he signed, “Who cooked ramen?”

 

Sesshoumaru too, sniffed the air and let a wry smile cross his face. “Kagome must have decided she didn't have very many options for breakfast.”

 

“It's fine with me.” Obviously, Inuyasha was quite happy about the breakfast arrangement, and it was amusing to see the hanyou practically be led by his nose to the kitchen, where Kagome greeted him with a smile. She handed him a big bowl of ramen, which he snatched up greedily and began inhaling. It seemed that any problems Inuyasha might have had with Kagome staying at his house were vanishing with every bite he took. Sesshoumaru sat down as well, exchanging insults with Inuyasha occasionally, and enjoying the peace.

 

Soon, however, he placed down his chopsticks waved for attention. “Kagome is going to stay here today while I go to work,” he signed quickly, wanting to get this over with. “Inuyasha, you will stay here and keep an eye on things, and on her.”

 

As expected, there was a moment of stillness before all hell broke loose, figuratively speaking. Kagome, surprisingly was the first to argue. She slammed her hands on the table, causing Inuyasha to jump at the vibrations it caused, and Sesshoumaru looked at her coolly.

 

“I do not need a baby-sitter,” she furiously signed, her face prettily flushed with anger and her eyes a stormy blue. Sesshoumaru ignored the heat in his gut at the sight. What the hell was wrong with him?

 

Inuyasha chose that moment to break in. “And how am I supposed to stay here and protect her?” he signed, giving a derisive look. “I can't even hear!”

 

Sesshoumaru wanted to close his eyes at Inuyasha's insecurities. You would think after more than a century of being deaf, he would get over his inability to hear. Sesshoumaru looked at him with a bored face. He pointed in an exaggerated fashion to his nose, signaling to Inuyasha that even if he couldn't hear, he still had his sense of smell. Inuyasha sat back with a pout, the message loud and clear.

 

Kagome began to sign again, but Sesshoumaru didn't want her to continue arguing so he turned his back on her. He was startled when he felt a balled up rag hit the back of his head, causing him to whirl around. Inuyasha stared with wide-eyes at Kagome, who was glaring at Sesshoumaru.

 

“Do not turn your back on me,” Kagome signed furiously. “I can't talk to you.” Sesshoumaru was about to give back a biting retort, but noticed how behind the anger in her eyes, there were tears forming. She didn't like being ignored and unable to communicate, and anything he would have said died off at that look in her eyes. Inuyasha had averted his gaze after that, never comfortable with tears, and Sesshoumaru let out a sigh.

 

Couldn't she see that he just wanted her safe? “Kagome,” he said gently, more gently than she had ever heard him talk before, and she blinked, her tears forgotten. “I need you to stay here for me. If you come with me, there is more chance that Naraku will find you. Do you understand?”

 

She wanted to argue with him some more, and even lifted her hands to do so, but they plopped down uselessly after a moment. What was the point? She let out a sigh and nodded, and he gave a small smile that had her heart jumping. Inuyasha looked back now, sensing that the situation was safe. It was going to be an interesting day…

 

 

 

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An hour later, Sesshoumaru stood in his captain's office, quickly summarizing his report of yesterday's events.

 

“You've been quite busy, haven't you, Sesshoumaru?” his captain said with a wry grin. Sesshoumaru didn't reply. “I have her family out of the city by now, and Naraku won't want to go that far to get to her if he knows she's still in the city. I have a few safe houses set up close to here if you wanted to have your apartment free again.”

 

Sesshoumaru was taken slightly aback at his reluctance to accept his offer. Kagome's face early this morning, and then at breakfast, with tears in her eyes filled his mind's vision. The thought of leaving her alone…unprotected without him. But, she wouldn't be unprotected, his reason argued. The safe houses are close to the station with officers surrounding it at all times. She'll be safe there.

 

His chief seemed to sense his hesitation and offered, “You can check out the area and see if they are safe from Naraku's influence. You would be able to know more than any other officer.”

 

Sesshoumaru considered the proposal. Its true that as a demon, he had a distinct advantage over his fellow officers, and he would be able to tell if Naraku's sight had reached the houses. Besides, it would help take out some of his frustration if he happened to meet any of Naraku's men along the way.

 

He gave a succinct nod and left the room. He was glad his car was still in front of Kagome's apartment. He would be noticed too easily, and he wouldn't be able to use stealth if he had a car. He only had one to try and fit in with the humans of this time.

 

He would be able to hide his scent and travel faster without it. Grinning darkly, he shot to the rooftop and began flying across the streets, faster than the eye could see. It was hunting time…

 

 

 

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After Sesshoumaru left, Inuyasha and Kagome were left, staring awkwardly at each other. The ramen was gone, giving them nothing to do with their hands, and they both felt uncomfortable around each other. Finally, Kagome could stand the silence no more. The ticking of the wall clock was beginning to drive her nuts.

 

“Do you want to watch a movie?” she signed tentatively. He shook his head no. “What about a board game?” Another shake. She sighed. “What about a card game?” Before he could shake his head no, she broke in, “I need to do something, or I'm going to go crazy!”

 

He stared at her with those intense eyes of his, and finally let out a little sigh of his own. He gestured for her to go get the cards, saying that they were in the hall closet, and blinked when a big grin broke over her face. She hurried to grab a deck and brought them to the living room table, where Inuyasha had taken a seat.

 

“What do you want to play?” he signed, for once taking the initiative to speak to her. Kagome pursed her lips in thought.

 

“I've always liked the game “speed”. My friend taught it to me once. Do you know how to play?”

 

He shook his head no, and she took a few minutes to teach him the rules of the game. She dealt the cards and tried to hide a smirk. Usually when people play “speed” for the first time, they lose, and it would be nice to win against the hanyou.

 

When all the cards were dealt and everything was ready, she lifted up her hand and counted to three, signaling the beginning of the game. Soon, her mouth was gaping open in shock.

 

Never take on someone who has super-human speed in a game of…well, “speed”. Inuyasha's hands were moving faster than her eye could see, and the game was done less than ten seconds later. He had a smug smile on his face at her jaw slacked expression.

 

“Another game?” he signed, a fang poking out of his lip, and she shook her head no. They settled down to play another, calmer, card game, and time began to pass pleasantly. There was only one distraction for Kagome throughout the time she spent with Inuyasha.

 

Those damn ears….

 

They were just so…inviting. Unexpected. Cute.

 

It was amusing to see them twitch whenever he felt the vibrations of her hand tapping her fingers on the table. He couldn't hear, but he could sense it. She frowned.

 

“Were you born deaf?” she signed, knowing her question was blunt, but she wanted to know. She watched as he stiffened in surprise and a flash of emotion cross his face before he looked back down at his cards. His head moved in a jerky fashion as he motioned the negative to her question.

 

“Were you sick when you were younger?” she pressed, curiosity burning at her. Again, another no. He's certainly not one for words, she thought wryly.

 

He could still feel her eyes on him, and he resisted the urge to squirm. He was always uncomfortable when it came to his ears…but the questioning look in Kagome's eyes let him know that she really wanted to find out what happened.

 

Nonchalantly he shrugged, and began to sign, putting his cards down for the moment. Kagome laid hers down too and paid rapt attention to his hands.

 

“Well, I guess the first thing you should know is that demons live a long time, much longer than that of a human. I am actually over five hundred years old, and I'm sure even Sesshoumaru has lost count of his own age.” He ignored the shocked look on her face and pressed onward, averting his eyes. “In the past, humans weren't as accepting as they are now of demons, and far hanyou, it was even worse. I didn't belong to either race, and neither race wanted me. However, my mother was a human, and I grew up in her village until she died….” His hands faltered a little, but he still didn't look at her as he continued his story.

 

“Sesshoumaru and I were not around each other at this time, and I had no one to take care of me. No one was there when the villagers decided to make a human out of me.”

 

Kagome's hands had gone to her mouth in disbelief as she noticed the way Inuyasha's jaw tensed. She suddenly didn't want to know the rest…

 

“Even though I was strong, I was only a child, and they had a lot of men. I wasn't able to get away…” he trailed off and seemed to look almost helpless for a moment. Then his face hardened at his memories and he jerked a finger to the innocent looking appendages atop his head. His face returned back to that of uncaring before he signed almost casually, “They tried to cut them off. They succeeded. Because demon's regenerate when it comes to certain body parts, my ears grew back a few months later, but the humans did too much damage. That's how I became deaf.”

 

His head snapped up as he smelled the salty acidic scent of tears, and found Kagome looking at him with wide, doe-like eyes. “That must have been horrible,” she signed, more tears leaking out the side of her eyes.

 

His own eyes widened at the sight. She's…she's CRYING for me? His brain couldn't really get around that thought until another thought screamed its way into his mind. A crying female…right across from him…oh, shit. He practically jumped up and held his arms out as if saying, “It's okay, stop crying.”

 

The look was so priceless, she immediately stopped crying and began giggling. He seemed to relax and sat down again with a tentative smile. To just get off the topic completely, he waved his arms to continue their game, and they did, but she didn't forget about it. Not remotely. After all, who could forget the look on his face when he told her what those horrible villagers did to him? The helplessness, the mask he tried to cover it up with, the fear of the memories, and the loathing he had for himself still today. It was enough to make her want to cry again, but it would make him uncomfortable, so she refrained.

 

They played in easy companionship for about five minutes before Inuyasha stiffened up, his nose sniffing wildly in the air. He remembered what Sesshoumaru said about intruders, and from what he could smell, although muted, was someone who did not live near him. Kagome jerked her head up when she heard the doorknob rattle. She tried to get Inuyasha's attention, but he was focused on the smell. He met her concerned eyes and held a hand out. She grasped it and he stood, pulling her up and walking her across the room, being silent when they passed the door. “Stay in Sesshoumaru's room until I come and get you,” he signed and waited for her nod. However, before they could even make it to the room, the door flew open, causing her to gasp and whirl around. It seemed like a whirlwind had blown into the room, knocking Inuyasha down, and left Kagome standing open-mouthed at a handsome man before her.

 

She panicked and tried to run away when he grabbed her hands and held on, but he had a firm grasp on her. Inuyasha moaned and sat up from the floor, grabbing his head, and glaring at the intruder. He began signing rapidly, using too many insults that Kagome couldn't keep up. She was shocked when the man holding her hands laughed, and ignoring Inuyasha, turned to her.

 

“Can you hear?” he asked of her, and she blinked in surprise, nodding before she could think. “Good,” he said. “Then allow me to introduce myself to the woman with the most beautiful scent I've ever had the pleasure to smell while stepping off of an elevator.”

 

Kagome looked in confusion at Inuyasha, who still sat there with a scowl, and then turned back to the rascal who still had a grip on her hands.

 

“My name,” he said. “is-”

 

“Kouga,” a deep voice interrupted from the door, and Kagome whirled around to stare at Sesshoumaru, a cold expression on his face. “Would you mind taking your hands off of her?”

 

 

 

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Bwuhahahahaha, a cliffie. I know, I'm totally evil to not update in forever and then leave you hanging like this, but I just couldn't help it. I try not to give cliffhangers to my readers too much, but this just seemed like a perfect place to stop, and I have class tomorrow morning. Ugh. So, anyway, reviewer responses…

 

Sasha: If it weren't for your check-up's, I probably still would be working on this chapter, so thank you very much.

 

Jess16: Thank you for your compliments on the sign name. I decided that I'm not really going to specify one for Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha, just because I would be too afraid of screwing them up. Man, I want a name sign…but I want to be given one, you know. By one of my deaf friends. I'm still waiting patiently. I speak a little bit of sign language. I am currently in my second year at college level, but I'm still a beginner. I just love signing though, and it's such a beautiful language. Thank you for your review!

 

Monkeygirl: I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you liked this chapter…

 

Megan Consoer: There are your more chapters…

 

Ruth: Hm, I don't know if I'm going to do a sequel to “Sesshoumaru, a Human?” I wouldn't know where to start. Maybe a one-shot, or something…I'll think about it, okay?

 

Wood: Why thank you. I believe I came across your review in “For Richer or Poorer” too, correct? I enjoy your compliments very much, and I really hope this chapter met up with your expectations.

 

Blue Rhapsody3: Thank you!

 

Artemisgirl: I hope that Inuyasha/Kagome interaction pleased you, as well as the Sesshoumaru/Kagome interaction. I hope you liked this chapter and I thank you for your wonderful comments.

 

Moonwave: Ha, I WISH I had a fanclub. How cool would that be?

 

Queen Yumekoshi: ha, why thank you.

 

Jinxx: Thank you very much for your review!

 

Mandybean: You're damn right Sess is sexy! I like Inu/Kag pairings too, but I just can't seem to help myself, and I always end up writing Kagome with Sesshoumaru…it's like an addiction. Thanks for your review!

 

Naraku'sgirl2: You know, I could have sworn I've talked to you on YIM before. Your screenname is so familiar. Feel free to contact me any time over it. My handle is: TheAuthoressMujitsu.

 

1kenshinlover: I'm glad you are getting into the story. I remember that I just replied to your review on “FROP”, so its' weird to reply again…I'm strange like that….

 

Kags21: Naraku will be coming soon, I believe. I just want to develop Sess/Kag relationship a bit more.

 

kAjIkItSuNe15: thanks!

 

AurynMajere: thanks so much!

 

Mikazuki Tsuki: Thank you, I pride myself on being original!

 

Kougafan4eva: Thank you, I feel so honored about being on your list! I guess that whole keeping to my schedule thing didn't quite work out….

 

Sailor-Saturn-415: Thank you very much. I'm so glad everyone is into the whole sign language thing!

 

Happyface4ever: hah, I so totally wrote more…

 

Cindygirl: It's really hard to keep Inuyasha in character when he is signing, because sarcasm isn't really used in sign, and he is a very sarcastic person. I just try to imagine it in my head and write it out. Thank you for commenting on that!

 

LilNezumi Lil Inu: Thanks!

 

Kill-All-Flamers: yes, it is a great way to talk to your friends when the teacher isn't looking. Of course, I don't do that…at all. (looks around) And I also don't insult people in it when I know they can't understand me…at all. (looks around again)

 

Mirage and Mirokiki: well, I feel bad now. You said I cheer you up when I update…guess you haven't been happy for a while now, huh? For that, I deeply apologize.

 

Kagome21: I'll have to keep you guessing…

 

Rawhead and Bloody Bones: I feel so stupid asking this but…what is cosplay? And, no, I don't do it…I don't even know what it is! Do you? Cosplay, I mean.

 

Your Crimson Death: Thank you so much for the review!

 

Supersticiousmonkey89: oh, a bedroom scene….hm, I don't know. I think HE should sneak into HIS room where SHE is…

 

Ashley: Thank you!

 

Inuyasha's Mate: OMFG, I absolutely ADORE your reviews. For one thing, they are long, and I LOVE that. I feel so horrible about not keeping up with my schedule. I don't know, as soon as I made a schedule for myself, I didn't want to write anymore. It's kind of like, you're going to clean your room, and then your mom tells you to clean your room, and then you don't want to clean it anymore. Does that make sense? Since I told myself I needed to get the chapter done at a certain time, I didn't. It seems like I don't want to listen to anyone, even myself…and thank you very much about promoting me in your reviews…they make me feel special. Later!

 

RubyRoseoftheBlackBlood: Thanks so much, I hope you liked this chapter!

 

Darcie: thank you for your enthusiastic review!

 

Meletina: I'm glad you like it!

 

Samantha: I hope you liked this chapter!

 

LynGreenTea: (sigh) oh well, you gave me four words that time. Does writing a laugh (hee hee) count as words?

 

Laina: I'm sorry I made you wait so long for an update! I hope it was worth it!

 

Pseudomonas: Thank you so much for your positive feedback. Most people just write “I like it”, but you went above and beyond, and you have my gratitude. I like being told what I'm doing right. I'm very glad you like this story, and I hope you continue reading this.

 

Renee: trust me, I have an inferiority complex too. More of like a lack of confidence in myself, which is why reviews like yours make me happy!

 

Me: I'm glad you liked it!

 

Okay, kiddies, that's it for tonight. Again, I sincerely apologize from the depths of my heart for breaking my schedule. I don't think I should ever give myself a schedule again. One bit of important information: A Single Spark is no longer accepting submissions of chapters until 2006, so this story, of course, will not be updated on there. This story is, however, a part of FF.net and MM.org and you can find it there. I'm so bummed, because I know I'm going to disappoint a lot of reviewers on that site, and I apologize. Until next time and hugs and kisses to you all!

 

Mujitsu