InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Suffer The Fray ❯ Played A Fool ( Chapter 13 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to InuYasha...Rumiko Takahashi does. Bummer.

A/N: Reviewer Acknowledgements- blackr0s3, Sassa, unistar, Cynbad146, & Koolkat191. Thanks for your amazing reviews...really, I don't know what to say. You flatter me way too much..haha. Read on, enjoy, and try not to hate me....*wink wink*. You'll find out why.

Reux

"Sankon Tesso!"

Inuyasha sighed and lifted up the planks of wood he'd just cut from the felled tree. He sauntered over to where Miroku was busy digging postholes. "I still don't understand why we're doing this. That stake works just fine."

"That may be true, but you never know when you might need a corral." Miroku tossed another scoop of dirt aside. "It just might come in handy. Besides, what else are we going to do while Kagome's healing?"

He snorted. "She was fine the other day. Why the hell does she have to sleep so much?"

"Jeez, Inuyasha. She's only a ningen. Give her some time." Shippo paused his training to glance sideways at him.

That's just it. I've already given her more than enough time. He stalked over to some of the already erected posts and proceeded to slide the planks through the slots cut into them. He didn't know exactly what had happened between the morning he'd held her and now, but it was like she was purposefully keeping him away. Two days earlier, when she'd taken a fever, she'd asked him to leave like he meant no more to her than as a disposable security blanket. And to top it all off, Sango had ordered them all to leave her alone. 'So she can rest.' He sneered as he fitted two panels together. "Stuff it, will ya? Get back to your training."

"You're so disgruntled, Inuyasha. At least you got to talk to her." He leapt up off the ground and raised his arms. "Kitsune Bi!" The swirling emerald flames engulfed the scrap heap and transformed it into smoking pile of cinders. "I still haven't even had the chance to see her yet."

Inuyasha was glad he was facing away because he knew his expression would definitely rub them the wrong way. "It wasn't all you seem to think it was." Neither of them answered and he realized he'd murmured mostly to himself. His behavior the other night still galled him. I acted like a needy pup. To say he was embarrassed was an understatement of massive proportions.

"It looks like your fire is getting stronger, Shippo." The Houshi maneuvered another slotted post into the hole he'd dug.

"Inuyasha's been teaching me to fight." He beamed.

Miroku glanced at the scowling hanyou. "That's good. I'm sure it'll come in handy when we set out again."

"Ha!" Inuyasha fitted more planks. "At this rate, we won't leave here for another twenty years."

Miroku frowned. "Don't blame Kagome for this. She didn't ask to be attacked."

"Keh." He reached for another board, but there were none. "I'll be back." He stalked away from them without a backward glance. He knew it wasn't Kagome's fault, but he'd already been waiting for five agonizing years. Nothing ever goes my way.

Shippo watched him go. "What's eating him?"

Miroku sank his shovel into the soft earth to start the last post hole. "Oh, I'm sure it's something you can't do anything about."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's an adult thing."

"I'm not a little kid anymore, you know." He puffed himself up for emphasis.

He laughed. "I can see that." He leaned on the shovel. "What I meant was, Inuyasha's problem has to do with Kagome and only the two of them can fix it."

"Oh! So, it's love thing." He clapped his hands together as if that explained everything.

Miroku laughed tensely. "Ah, I guess you could say that."

"What exactly are you two discussing?"

Both males jumped and spun to face Sango. Miroku waved a hand flippantly. "Oh, um...nothing much."

She nodded patronizingly. "Mhm, and my name's Baka." She raised a single brow. "Do you want to try that again?"

He sighed and shoved the spade back into the dirt. "C'mon Sango, he's out in the woods. He can't hear us."

"Okay, but don't expect me to fix whatever he breaks on the two of you." She planted her hands wearily on her hips. "I think I've had it with sick people."

Miroku glanced at Shippo. "It's nice to be loved so deeply." He rested a hand over his chest as if wounded.

"Oh, please." Sango rolled her eyes.

Shippo started to giggle. "You guys are funny."

Sango pursed her lips sourly. "I'm glad our marriage is so hilarious."

The Houshi stabbed the shovel into the ground and went over to wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Come now, Sango. Being tied to me for life can't be that bad."

"Sometimes I don't know what I see in you."

His head drooped. "At least you're still seeing it."

All three jumped when a loud clack sounded through the meadow. "Just because you're married doesn't mean I want to see you hanging all over each other." Inuyasha stood beside a pile of freshly cut wood.

Miroku leaned away from Sango. "Inuyasha, you're back."

"Please," He raised his hands like he was yielding. "Don't let me stop you. Do continue." He smirked and snatched Miroku's shovel.

"You're just jealous because Kagome won't- Mmmmm!" Miroku snatched up the kit and covered his mouth.

Inuyasha paused in his dirt scooping, twirling the shovel until he held it like a low-guarded sword. "Kagome won't what?"

"Shippo's just babbling nonsense. Don't pay any attention to him." Miroku swallowed nervously.

"That's what I thought." He resumed shoveling. "Now get over here and help me finish!"

The four of them quickly sunk the last post and connected the remaining boards. Sango smiled at the well-made structure. "Now all you have to do is put Kagome's horse in there."

"Fuck that." Inuyasha crossed his arms. "That thing deserves a Kaze no Kizu from Tetsusaiga."

Shippo sighed. "I'll get him. At least he didn't try to kill me."

"I'm serious. That thing is more of a youkai than I am."

Sango nodded and watched Shippo walk off. "I'm sure it is."

"Fine. Don't believe me." What did it matter to him anyway? He was picking fights for no apparent reason. The only one he had a problem with was the one lying in the house. This blows.

"Uh...Miroku?" Shippo popped up beside the Houshi.

"Yes?"

"Didn't you stake him out behind the shed?"

"I'm positive."

The kitsune shrugged. "He's gone."

Inuyasha grit his teeth. "Then why don't you try tracking him like I taught you."

"Oh, right. Okay." He scampered off.

Miroku's brow furrowed with confusion. "I could've sworn that the stake wouldn't come out."

Sango shrugged. "Let's see where his trail leads."

Kagome ran her fingers along the black-ringed tails lying across her lap. "What should I do, Kirara?"

The saber-tooth cat rumbled against her back.

She nestled deeper into the nest the neko-youkai had created for her. "I used to think exams and school were the hardest things I'd ever do, but I was way wrong." She sighed wearily. "I've been having a recurring dream for years now, of the day I ran like a coward. I just didn't see it that way back then."

Kirara's tails twitched with disagreement.

"That's nice of you, but I never really understood what exactly I'd done until a friend pointed it out. Well, he was more than a friend, and he didn't realize what he'd said, but you get what I'm trying to say." She glanced at her large cat eyes. "Right?"

Kirara just blinked at her.

"Oh, who am I kidding? I have no idea what I'm talking about." She blew out a breath and wriggled her fingers in the creamy fur. "Inuyasha was really kind the other night and as much as I'd like to believe he's well and truly forgiven me, I'm not foolish enough to know that he has. He was concerned about my safety, so I guess that means he cares for me even the littlest bit still. I'd like to just say I'm sorry, but I doubt that would come anywhere close to making up for what I put him through. I gave up on him."

Kirara emitted a comforting growl and nudged her large head against the miko's shoulder.

Kagome twisted around as best she could and wrapped her arms around the cat's heavily furred neck. "You haven't given up on me, have you? You still think I can pull this off." She pulled back when her tender shoulder started to ache. She reached around to massage the knotted muscles and met Kirara's gaze. "Thanks for coming out here with me. I doubt I could protect myself like this." She glanced over at the grazing horse on the other side of shrubs. "Hopefully we'll get back before they even realize we were gone."

Placing a hand on the neko-youkai's shoulder, she pushed to her feet and straightened out the periwinkle kimono Sango had given her. The soft linen was covered in a muted floral pattern and was made all the more eye-catching by the bright yellow obi securing it at her waist. She'd refused to wear something so fine, but the youkai-taijiya had just snatched up her other clothes in response. She couldn't very well walk around naked, could she?

Kagome smirked. I know Miroku wouldn't mind. She could just picture the type of slapping Sango would give him. The miko stifled a giggle and flashed to memories of the many times Inuyasha had been 'accidentally' privy to her nude form. Despite blowing it off as utterly ridiculous- 'Why the hell would I want to look anyway?!'- Kagome knew his eyes had lingered up until the point she'd shouted 'Osuwari'. She couldn't help but grin wickedly. Somehow I doubt either of us would mind now.

Kirara yowled at her daydreaming form and Kagome suddenly felt her cheeks go red. What was she doing? She was supposed to be going back to the house so she could go Naraku-hunting, not indulging in her naughty fantasies. She grimaced at Kirara. "Sorry, you're right."

Starting for the grazing horse, she strode along beside the neko-youkai in contemplative silence. The cool breeze ruffled the trees around her, some of the leaves snapping loose from their branches and fluttering to the ground. The breeze also brought the sound of broken voices with it and Kirara was suddenly snarling next to her. Kagome judged the distance between Shunsoke and herself and knew that she couldn't get there by the time those voices found her. Turning towards the cat, she swiftly slipped onto her broad back. "They're close."

Kirara readied for a fight, crouching and growling loudly.

"I found him!"

Kagome gripped the cat tightly as she leapt over the hedges and pounced on the small creature that had popped out from them. Kirara suddenly jerked back and she was tossed off unexpectedly. Landing on her rear, she let out an 'oaf!' and rubbed her tender backside. "That hurt."

"Why the heck did you tackle me for, Kirara?!"

Kagome looked up and stared straight into the blazing green eyes of the kitsune. "Shippo?"

The eyes so full of fire were quickly doused by a rush of tears. "Kagome!" He jumped up and dashed into her wide, open arms.

"Oh, Shippo!" She could feel her own tears welling. The boy in her arms definitely wouldn't be able to perch on her shoulder anymore. "You're so big!" His small arms crushed around her. "And strong."

He didn't seem to hear her over his blubbering. "I missed you so much! I thought you'd never come back!"

"Sssh." She rubbed comforting circles on his back. "I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

He pulled back, sniffing. "That's what you said before."

She smiled tenderly and dusted off his clothes. "I know and I'm sorry. I'd take it back if I could."

"It's okay. I know it was Inuyasha's fault."

"No!"

Shippo flinched like she'd belted him. "Wh...wha?"

Kagome gripped his shoulders sternly. "Do not blame Inuyasha. It wasn't his fault."

He frowned. "But he told me what happened."

"He did what?" Kagome's mortification drained all the strength from her voice, leaving it to croak out of her throat.

Shippo sat down Indian-style in front of her. "Yeah. He told me about how you asked him to ch-" He looked up when she covered her hand over his mouth.

"Shippo, I want you to do something for me." She took back her hand. "I know I shouldn't be asking any favors of you, but this is very, very important to me."

The kit gazed worriedly at her. "What is it?"

"I want you to promise not to bring that up with Inuyasha again." She swallowed. "Ever."

"Why?"

Kagome shut her eyes with frustration. "What happened between us should've stayed between us. I'm not blaming either of you, but Inuyasha and I are the only ones that can deal with it. I know you mean well, really, but you'd be interfering." She sighed, easing the tension from her body. "And I don't want Inuyasha to take his anger at me out on you."

"I don't know..." He looked away.

"Please, Shippo." She fisted her hand into her kimono.

He glanced at her panic-stricken face. "Alright."

She swept him up into an almost brutal hug. "Thank you so much!"

Shippo squirmed until she released him. "Well, just so you know, he's coming this way."

Kagome's stomach plummeted. "Inuyasha? Coming here?"

"Yep. We finished the corral and found him," He pointed at Shunsoke. "Gone."

She leaned forward onto her hands. "Shit."

"Mhm, you're busted."

Inuyasha followed the sound of Shippo's call, Miroku and Sango tagging along behind him. "I told you it was a pain in the ass. Look how far into the woods we're going. It's ridiculous."

"It is odd."

He glanced at Miroku. "What is?"

Sango answered for him. "That he went into the woods to begin with."

The Houshi nodded with agreement. "You'd assume he would have gone farther into the open clearing."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you. I knew when it tried to kick my fucking head in that I should've killed it right there." He slashed his claws to cut through a thicket. "What the hell was she thinking?"

"She probably thought she was too much of a-" He bumped into the suddenly still hanyou. "Burden." Miroku frowned. "What is it, Inuyasha?"

"I know why it's out here." He growled lowly.

Sango stepped towards him. "Why?"

He clenched a clawed fist and stalked forward. "Kagome's scent is everywhere."

"Kagome?" Sango wrung her hands. "But she should still be in bed."

Inuyasha caught sight of the wayward equine and snorted. "When was the last time you checked on her?"

She thought about it and looked over at him apologetically. "A few hours."

He whirled away from them both and stalked after Shippo and Kagome's combined scent. Mingled amongst them was also the unmistakably feline smell of Kirara. What the hell is she doing? Having a party? The horse lifted its head as he approached, but he didn't see any of the others. Glancing instinctively to his right, his hardened eyes fell on the trio sitting under the tall oak. Seeing her kneeling there among the trees irritated his inu-youkai into a vibrating rage. His hands twitched- they wanted to punish her. He wanted to physically reprimand her for taking liberties on borrowed time. He could feel the dog inside him rumbling with agreement.

"No."

Inuyasha beat it back into submission and sucked in a deep breath, holding it in until his chest burned. The dog woofed its bitterness and he mentally snapped at it. I make the rules and I call the shots! He finally felt it settle. Don't worry, she'll get punished. Just not with my claws.

Kagome could see it in his walk, the anger making him somewhat stiff, but it didn't distract from the fluid grace of his prowl. Watching him approach, she had a sudden insight into what a deer might feel when hunted by a wolf. He was the predator and she was his prey. It made her heart rate intensify and her chest rose and fell heavily. She wondered vaguely if either Shippo or Kirara felt like this, but quickly discarded the notion.

Inuyasha wasn't staring at either one of them.

He halted maybe three feet away and gazed down his nose at her. It made her frown with distaste. That look of superiority was better fit on his brother.

The hanyou glared down at her tensely guarded face and could smell the anxiety coming off her in waves. Without looking away, he addressed the kitsune. "Go over by Miroku, Shippo."

He shook his head and crossed his arms. "No way."

"Please leave us."

He continued to stand mulishly. "Nope."

The hanyou's lip curled back to show glinting fangs as he finally turned his predatory amber gaze to him. "I asked you nicely as a friend, but now, as your sensei, I am telling you to beat it."

Kagome watched Inuyasha closely. He was on the edge of a major eruption. "Do as he says, Shippo."

The kit gaped between the two, but just gritted his teeth. "C'mon Kirara. Let's go." The super-sized cat transformed back into her pint-sized version and dashed off to follow him.

Kagome watched them go and finally slipped to her feet, arms akimbo. She brushed her bangs out of her face and met his gaze. "Inuyasha."

"What the fuck are you doing out here?"

She had barely managed to finish. Ignoring her immediate reaction to rage back, she answered somewhat conversationally. "Truthfully? I had to take a trip to the bushes, if you get my meaning."

Inuyasha hardly believed that. Bodily functions were a surefire way to fluster her and she was completely straight-faced. "Cut the crap. I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"Neither am I." Kagome swallowed back her snap. It was going to take all her strength to refrain from arguing. "Think what you want, but it's the truth. Hell, ask Kirara. She stood watch just like Sango told her."

"And what? You thought you'd just go on a leisurely ride in the woods?"

She smiled at that. "You pegged it. You always were able to do that."

Her reminicent tone had him hesitating to give her what she deserved. Dammit! He wanted to stay angry at her. He had every right to practically despise her right now. "It was an unnecessary risk."

She shrugged. "I couldn't stand lying in that bed anymore. I needed fresh air."

He stepped closer, suppressing a snarl. "Then why did you sneak off?! I would've brought you if you had asked!"

He was shouting now and she realized they had an audience standing over by Shunsoke. She wanted to answer him, but didn't really feel anyone but he should hear it. She pointed towards them. "Inuyasha..."

He cut his blazing gold eyes at them. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kirara, and even that hell-spawned horse, were watching them. They saw him staring and simultaneously averted their eyes as if the trees or grass were suddenly more interesting. He whipped back to Kagome and snatched her wrist tightly. "Fuck them! I want to know why!"

Kagome winced at how fiercely he was squeezing her wrist. Normally that kind of reaction would make him stop, but he only jerked her closer. She braced a defensive hand against his steely chest and tried to get away. "You're hurting me."

He bent his head and was pleased to see her freeze in his grip, her eyes huge and doe-like. He growled just about against her lips. "Why?"

She thought her heart was going to burst out of her chest. He was clearly threatening her- she would've kneed any other male, even Miroku, by now- but she wanted him to touch her like this. She wanted him to manhandle her. It made her feel indelibly female to be subject to his obviously male will.

It excited her.

Kagome swallowed past the thick knot in her throat and mumbled feebly. "I...was af...afraid."

Her aroused scent pelted him hard and he had to breathe through his mouth lest he wanted to do something he'd regret. It didn't stop his Inu-youkai from catching wind of it though. The dog rushed forward and had him moving to nuzzle her ear. "Afraid of what?"

The husky whisper sent her shivering. "I was afraid of this."

He smirked and felt his anger return. The dog rumbled and he nipped her tender neck sharply. "Of this?"

She yelped and jerked back, staring at his smug expression with shock. Her earlier-suppressed rage boiled to the surface and she easily shoved him away, almost burning him with her power in her state of fury. "You did that on purpose!"

He gave a fanged, feral grin. "You respond so well."

"You asshole!" Now she was the one yelling at the top of her lungs. "The reason I didn't ask you was because I was afraid we'd end up doing 'this'!" She threw up her hands and made the sarcastic, quotations gesture with her long fingers. "I knew we'd end up fighting! And guess what?" She stepped back towards him and glared up into his face.

"What?"

"I was right!"

He watched her seethe and thought she couldn't look more irresistible with her mahogany eyes flashing. He growled appreciatively, but knew it was time to do what he'd originally intended. "You know what, Kagome?"

"What, Inuyasha?!"

She watched his amusement slide away to reveal a very cold, very calculated gaze. He squared his shoulders and her fear was suddenly back with full force. "I've thought a lot of things about you."

Her eyes started to burn as his started to drift away from cruel to melancholy. It was like he was already apologizing for what he was about to say. "And?"

"I never thought that being a lying coward would be one of them." Inuyasha pivoted on his heel and leapt into the trees before he lost his nerve. He knew he'd apologize if he actually saw her crying. She has to learn her lesson, and I don't have a version of 'sit' for her. This was the only way.

Kagome's vision blurred as her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground. "Damn you, Inuyasha. Damn you." She dug her hands into the grass as she panted back her sobs. Clamping her eyes shut, she lifted her head and screamed after him. "Damn you, Inuyasha!" The shout sapped the last of her strength and those pent up sobs smashed into her painfully. Pitching forward against the silken grass blanket, she pounded her fists into the earth and finally succumbed to the weight of her tears. Her arms folded and she lay brokenly, a mild keening coming from her mouth. The noises around her faded away and she vaguely felt a comforting touch on her shoulder. She didn't know which one of them it was- Sango, most likely- but the arms dragged her up and held her tightly as she cried the most painful tears of her life.

A/N: Comments from the peanut gallery are warmly welcomed. XD.