InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference a Little Time Can Make ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. I am not making any money from this story.

 

Author's note: As I said previously, the updates will likely begin to slow down a bit. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Please continue to review and let me know what you think. The changes from canon will continue to ripple out, though some things will remain the same.

 

Warning: Groping and sexual assault/attempted rape. If you don't like that type of thing then don't read.

 

 

Five days. It had been five days since she had tried to go home through the well and failed. Five days since she learned that she was trapped in the past. Five days since she had returned to the village. Five days since Inuyasha had left. She stifled a sob at that last one. Surprisingly, that was what hurt the most.

 

She sighed as she continued on her walk around the outskirts of the village. Kaede-sama had been very understanding and supportive upon learning that Kagome had not been able to return home. She had offered the theory that it was the Shikon no Tama that had allowed her to pass through the well in the first place and now that it was gone, the well was sealed. Needless to say, that information hadn't exactly cheered Kagome up. But Kaede-sama had told her that she could remain with her for as long as she needed, had even offered to take her as an apprentice. Kagome was flattered but wasn't sure if she really wanted to be a miko. Still, she didn't feel right staying with Kaede and not earning her keep, and so she had taken to helping Kaede with some of her tasks around the village. It was simple work and kept her mind busy, most of the time.

 

That was what brought her here. She had been collecting some herbs for Kaede-sama from one of the nearby meadows and was on her way back when she had decided to take the long way around. She wanted some time to herself without having to face the villagers' curious looks and whispers, and so had walked around to enter the village through the less populated side, far from where most of the villagers would be working in the fields. The reason for her need for solitude was that there had been a few times over the last few days where she had spotted a flash of red or thought that she had detected Inuyasha's presence but each time she turned the feeling was gone. She stopped and rubbed at her face. 'Baka' she thought. 'Just forget about him. He's gone and he's not going to come back.' But she found she couldn't forget him, he was always on her mind.

 

She sighed and started to walk again. But as she walked past one of the huts, a hand shot out and grabbed her, pulling her inside before she could even draw breath to scream. She found her arms pinned to her sides by a strong arm while another held a hand over her mouth. As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting inside the hut, she saw two more figures standing before her. Her heart began to pound within her chest as she recognized them as some of the men who had captured her on her first day in the past, before she met Inuyasha. Her fear increased when she recalled that these were the ones who had called her a whore and had wanted to rape her.

 

“Well, well. What do we have here?” the obvious leader of the three spoke up. “If it isn't the little whore. You may have fooled the others with your little act but we know the truth. You're no miko, just a regular whore.”

 

As they came closer, she could smell the sake on their breath and she began to struggle. But she was unable to get loose, the man holding her was too strong.

 

“Now, darling, don't struggle so much or Daisuke might be forced to hurt you.” She felt the pressure increase, cutting off her air, and she ceased struggling. “Now that's a good little whore. We're all going to have some fun now, aren't we?” They laughed, causing her terror to increase and she shivered.

 

The one holding her, Daisuke suddenly spoke. “Hey Kenji, I think she likes that idea. She's trembling with anticipation.” They laughed again.

 

The leader, Kenji, suddenly came up to her and grabbed her breasts through her kosode. “You like that don't you?” he leered before doubling over as she managed to kick him in the stomach. She bit down on Daisuke's fingers and when he moved his hand, she opened her mouth to scream. She was cut off by Kenji's hand slapping her across the face and knocking her back into Daisuke. “You're going to pay for that, you little whore!” She felt blood trickle from a cut on her lip.

 

“Daisuke, Ichiro hold her” he ordered the other two as he jammed a foul smelling rag into her mouth, causing her to gag. The other two grabbed her and lowered her to the ground while Kenji straddled her legs, preventing her from retaliating. She felt him reach for her kosode and she began to struggle again. He slapped her again, causing her to see stars. “What's the matter you little whore?! We're not good enough for you?! You'll fuck that youkai but not us?!”

 

Kagome felt herself freeze at his words. 'What? Does he mean Inuyasha?' Kenji noticed her shock and sneered at her. “That's right you little whore. We know the truth. You are nothing but the whore of a youkai. And now that he's gone and left you here, you're going to be our whore.” With that he pulled open her kosode and began to roughly grab her breasts.

 

Kagome laid there in pain and shock. Her mind and heart called out to the one she trusted above all others. 'Inuyasha!'

 

 

Inuyasha looked up from his spot in the Goshinboku. Despite his words and promises to himself, he hadn't been able to leave. He had stayed nearby, watching over the girl his heart called out for from afar. He hadn't been able to get her off of his mind, and had decided that as long as she didn't know he was there it would be alright. He had been careful to stay out of range of her senses though a few times he thought she might have picked up on his presence.

 

He sighed and shook his head. For some reason he thought he had heard her voice calling his name. 'That's ridiculous' he told himself. 'She's nowhere nearby. She's safe in the village. Besides, why would she call for me?' But he couldn't get the thought out of his mind. She had sounded so scared.

 

He stood up and started to bound for the village. 'I'm just going to check on her, make sure she's alright' he told himself, vowing to stay out of sight. But as he neared the village his bad feeling only continued to grow and he found himself leaping through the fields and the village, ignoring the panicked shouts his sudden appearance caused.

 

He paused in the center of the village, extending his senses before turning and bounding towards the other, less populated side of the village. 'Hang on Kagome, I'm coming!' he thought as he ran as fast as he could. He saw a basket of herbs on the ground outside one of the huts, and his nose picked up the scent of Kagome's blood and tears. With a snarl, he hurled himself inside the hut.

 

His rage only grew as he saw Kagome held down by two men while a third straddled her, groping her exposed chest. He launched himself forward, striking the one who would dare touch what is his and knocking him away from her. The other two hastily released Kagome and ran for the exit, the third crawling after them. Inuyasha started to follow with a growl but was stopped by Kagome's sobs.

 

“Inu-Inuyasha” she cried, reaching for him. He looked out the door once more before deciding that he could wait to teach them a lesson, Kagome was far more important. He knelt beside her and pulled her into his embrace, letting her sob out her fears against his chest. “You, you came back. You saved me again” she said through her tears.

 

His heart clenched at that. “Always” he said as he rocked her, soothing her. He felt her start to calm down and he began to release her.

 

Kagome felt him start to let go and began to worry that he was going to leave her again. She grabbed onto him, hugging him tight as she begged “Don't go! Please, don't leave me alone again.”

 

Inuyasha was shocked. “But I thought you wanted me to leave?” he said.

 

She raised tear-filled eyes to stare at him. “What?”

 

“Back at the well. You told me you didn't need me. You wanted me to leave you alone.” His ears drooped against his head as he remembered her words.

 

She stared at him in shock. “But- That's not what I meant. I thought you saw me as a burden, an obligation that you couldn't wait to get rid of. You had seemed so eager for me to leave and I didn't want you to feel like you were stuck with me.”

 

It was his turn to gape at her. “Stupid Bitch” he said shaking his head at her. “I only acted that way because I didn't want you to go. But I couldn't ask you to stay with me, you have a family, a life there and I have nothing to offer you.”

 

She felt herself bristle at the perceived insult but then the rest of his words sank in. 'He didn't want me to leave him?' “But why did you leave then?”

 

“Keh. I thought you didn't want me around. I figured that you would be safe in the village if I left. But I couldn't just leave you, so I stayed nearby, watching over you. I'm glad I did, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten here in time.” He growled and slammed his fist into the ground. “It shouldn't have happened. I should have been here. I thought you would be safe.”

 

It was now Kagome's turn to calm Inuyasha down. “It's okay Inuyasha. You got here in time. You saved me. I'm safe now that you're here.”

 

At her words he pulled her closer to him and buried his face in her hair, breathing in her calming scent. He felt himself relax. Then a commotion outside caught his attention, and he rose. Feeling her start to panic he told her “I'm not going anywhere wench. But we've got company and should probably head outside.” He helped her fix her clothing before stepping outside, Kagome held protectively against his side.

 

In the meantime, while Inuyasha had been comforting Kagome and clearing up their misunderstanding, Kenji and his friends had run to the other villagers for help.

 

“I tell you he is a beast!” Kenji exclaimed. “He attacked us for no reason. Why has he returned to the village? He probably means to kill us all and burn our homes to the ground. We must destroy him!” He was quickly riling up the other villagers.

 

Kaede came running up to the crowd of villagers, drawn by the commotion. “What is this? What is going on here?”

 

Yoshi turned to where he had been listening to Kenji and the others. “Kaede-sama, these men claim that the hanyou has returned to the village, and that he attacked them for no reason. They say that even now he is doing unthinkable things to the young miko.”

“Preposterous!” Kaede said. “Inuyasha would never harm Kagome-sama. I am sure that this is all just a misunderstanding. Let me speak with them and I will clear it all up.”

 

Kenji spoke up suddenly. “Meaning no disrespect to you Kaede-sama, but you are the one who allowed the beast into the village in the first place. How do we know that he doesn't have you under some dark spell.”

 

Kaede felt her eye widen at the implication against herself, even as she heard several others murmur agreements. “Bah, you fools. Do you doubt my abilities as a miko so much?” There was the sound of feet shuffling as none dared to look at the angry miko. “All of you come with me and we will discover the truth of this matter together.”

 

She turned and walked toward the hut that the men had indicated, followed by the village men. As they paused outside it, Inuyasha exited with Kagome clutched tightly to his side. He began to growl as he took in the sight of all of the armed villagers. Spotting Kaede he asked “Oi, baba, what's the big idea?”

 

“That is what I would like to know, Inuyasha.” She gestured to Kenji and his friends as they tried to slip into the crowd. “These men have made grave accusations against you, that you attacked them, and we are here to discover the truth.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes fell on the men she indicated and his growl grew louder as he recognized them as the men who had attacked Kagome. “Keh! So what if I attacked them? Move aside and I'll finish the job.”

 

Kaede's eye widened at his tone. 'What could have occurred to make him act this way?' she wondered. Her eye fell on Kagome, huddled against his side and she had a sinking feeling within her chest. She had also recognized Kenji and the others as part of the group that encountered Kagome that first day a week ago, and cursed herself for never finding out the complete story of that meeting. She noticed that the other villagers had raised their weapons in preparation at his words and wondered how she would be able to defuse this situation.

 

“See! I told you, he's a monster! A beast! We have to get rid of him!” Kenji yelled to the other men who began to murmur in agreement.

 

Kagome listened from her place against Inuyasha's side. She flinched at Kenji's voice but his words only angered her. “Shut up!” she cried. “Inuyasha is not a monster!” But as she spoke she moved, giving the villagers a clear look at her disheveled appearance and the bruise on her face.

 

The men began to murmur again, believing Inuyasha to be responsible. “Look at what the monster has done to the young miko” was one of the things the villagers were saying to one another. As their words reached Inuyasha he growled louder, and shifted to shield her from their view.

 

Yoshi stepped forward. “Kagome-sama, I believe you are confused, disoriented. Please step away from him before he injures you further.”

 

Kagome felt Inuyasha's grip tighten at the headman's words but she could only stand there in disbelief. “Inuyasha's not the one who hurt me. He's not the monster. They are!” She pointed at Kenji and his friends.

 

The villagers were extremely confused at this point. Many had seen the young miko around the village helping Kaede and had had a few interactions with her. They had seen her to be a kind person. So why was she protecting this youkai and insisting that he was innocent when they could see the evidence of his guilt as clear as day? And why was she throwing accusations at the men the youkai had attacked?

 

Kenji, sensing the mood of the crowd changing, spoke up quickly. “You can't listen to her! It's obvious that she's under his spell.”

 

Kaede shot him a look to silence him before she spoke up. “I believe that we are missing something. I don't believe that Inuyasha would have harmed Kagome-sama, not after what I have seen of their interactions.” She turned to Kagome and asked “Why don't you tell us what happened?”

 

Kagome clutched tighter at Inuyasha, seeking the comfort of his presence before she began to explain. She told how she had been returning from gathering herbs when she had been pulled into the hut by Kenji and the others. How they had called her a whore, and said that they were going to have some fun with her. How they had pinned her down and groped her, tearing open her clothing. And how Inuyasha had rescued her, throwing Kenji off of her. She buried her face against Inuyasha's chest as tears again began to flow as she related the events.

 

The village men lowered their weapons in confusion. Here was a miko telling them that men from their own village had attacked her and a youkai had rescued her. They didn't want to believe it but her heartbreaking sobs were too much for them to doubt her. Even more strange and telling was the way the youkai was offering her comfort. Who had ever heard of a caring youkai? How could he be so gentle with the young miko and still have done what their fellow villagers had said he did?

 

Kenji saw them lower their weapons and sensed the change in the air. He tried to salvage the situation. “Don't tell me you believe her!” He watched as the men shifted uncomfortably. “You would take the word of the whore of a youkai over that of men you've known all your lives?!” Too late he realized what he had said. The other villagers started at his words. Had he really just called the miko a youkai's whore?

 

Inuyasha growled dangerously at his words. 'Whore of a youkai! He did not just call MY BITCH that!' He remembered hearing that insult hurled against his mother and felt his blood boil with rage. He wanted to rip out the man's throat. He felt the Tessaiga pulse against his side as if agreeing with him, as if it wanted him to draw it against the man who would dare harm Kagome and call her that foul name. He started to move forward but was stopped as Kagome still clung to his side. Deciding that she was more important he remained where he was to watch the confrontation unfold.

 

At Kenji's words, Yoshi had turned to face him. “So Kagome-sama's story is true. You did refer to her as a whore and try to take advantage of her. How could you do something like that to a miko, someone of such purity?” He was livid with the men before him.

 

Ichiro and Daisuke seemed to realize the danger that they were in and threw themselves down to prostrate themselves but Kenji remained unmoved. “Why are you treating her with such respect?!” he yelled. “She is no miko! She is nothing but a Youkai's Whore! Don't you see the way she holds herself against him? And you didn't see the way she was dressed that first day! I tell you she is nothing but a whore! And she's the one responsible for bringing a youkai into the village!”

 

Inuyasha snarled. He could listen to this no more. He gently unlatched Kagome from his side before darting forward to launch a punch at Kenji, shattering his jaw. He then returned to Kagome and pulled her back against his side.

 

The villagers reeled in shock at how fast he had moved. They stared at the crumpled form on the ground and back at the hanyou hugging the miko to his side and wondered what they should do. Kaede spoke up at that moment. “I believe that we have heard enough. It is clear that Kenji and the others were the aggressors and not Inuyasha. The only matter left is to decide their punishment.” She turned to Yoshi. “Wouldn't you agree?”

 

“Yes, of course Kaede-sama. Attacking a miko is a most severe crime and must be punished. I will call a village meeting to decide their fate.” He gestured to several men. “Bring them to the center of the village and guard them.” The men hastened to obey.

 

Kaede turned to Inuyasha. “Please bring Kagome-sama to my hut. You will be safe there and she has been through enough this day. She doesn't need to face anymore.”

He merely grunted before lifting her into his arms and bounding off for the old miko's hut. Once there he entered and sat down against the wall, Kagome cradled against his chest. “Ssh. It's alright” he told her as he felt her body tremble against his. He continued to hold her long after she had calmed and fallen into an exhausted sleep.

 

He didn't know how long he sat there, holding her and breathing in her relaxing scent. He knew that a few hours had passed by the time Kaede returned.

 

She glanced at the pair before going to make tea. “How is she?” she asked.

 

“Exhausted” was his reply. She merely nodded, having expected that. “What happened at the meeting?” he asked. He wanted to know the fate of the men, make sure they couldn't come after Kagome again.

 

“Attacking a miko is one of the most severe crimes in this country. They have been executed” Kaede watched as he processed this information.

 

He merely nodded and said “Good.” He glanced at the girl in his arms before pinning the old woman with a glare. “She doesn't need to know that.”

 

Kaede simply nodded and turned back to the fire where she now had a pot of stew on. As the stew finished cooking, Kagome began to stir before bolting upright with a startled gasp.

 

“Easy wench. You're safe” Inuyasha told her as he continued to hold her.

 

She looked at him. “It wasn't a dream?” she asked him. “You came back?”

 

He pulled her against him, resting his chin on her head. “No, it wasn't a dream. And yes I came back for you” 'always' he finished in his mind.

 

He moved to place her by the fire, sitting next to her as Kaede began spooning food into bowls. Kagome accepted one of the bowls and stared at it's contents before looking up and asking “The men who attacked me?”

Kaede answered her. “Have been punished by the village. You don't have to worry that they will come after you again.” Kagome glanced between her and Inuyasha before nodding and beginning to eat. Kaede looked at the two sitting together. “I trust that the two of you have worked out your misunderstanding.” She smiled as they blushed and nodded. “Good. It was painful to watch Kagome moping around here missing you, Inuyasha.” She laughed as their blushes deepened but then let them be to eat in peace.

 

Once they had finished and set the bowls aside Kaede sighed before beginning to speak. “I must tell you that there was some anger and resentment from some of the villagers. They know that Kenji and the others were wrong but are angry that they were forced to punish them because of what they see as outsiders. They also are frightened by your presence Inuyasha, fearing that you will attack them for Kenji's actions.”

 

“Keh! What do I care how they feel?” But his glance at Kagome told Kaede that he understood how dangerous the situation could become.

 

“Yes, I know that you wouldn't harm them but they don't. I spoke with Yoshi-sama and we agreed that it would be best if you left the village for a time, Inuyasha, to allow tempers to cool.”

Inuyasha immediately bristled. “No way am I leaving Kagome alone, baba. I tried that already and look what happened.”

 

Kagome had also tensed against his side, clutching at his sleeve as if afraid he would leave. She spoke up quickly, “And I won't stay in the village without him Kaede-sama. Not after today.” She shuddered as the memories flashed through her mind but calmed as Inuyasha pulled her against his side and ran a hand through her hair.

Kaede watched them interact before responding. “I had no intention of separating you and Kagome-sama. I believe that the two of you had wanted to search for possible ways of returning Kagome-sama to her home. Now would be a perfect opportunity to begin.”

 

Inuyasha and Kagome sat there thinking about it for a few minutes before agreeing. They settled in for the night after making plans to depart the next day.

 

 

Poor Kagome. But I promise to leave off torturing her like this for awhile. Inuyasha's not going to let any men near her anytime soon for it to happen again. Though after these experiences how do you think Inuyasha and Kagome will react to Miroku when they finally meet and he pulls his usual activity? The next chapter should be up in a few days. I'm busy at work this week and one scene is giving me a lot of trouble which is the reason for the delay.