InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference a Little Time Can Make ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

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

 

Author's note: Sorry I took so long to update but I had real life issues. My laptop started acting up on me and I found out I needed to send it in to replace a part. So I had to save up the money and then the time it was in the repair shop. I was able to read on my parents computer but I couldn't work on any writing. Wasn't compatible or something. So this chapter is a little longer than usual to make up for the long wait.

 

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.

 

 

Kagome awoke to the feeling of a clawed hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle shake. She fixed Inuyasha with a bleary eyed gaze before glancing out the window. It was still dark out. “What's wrong Inuyasha?” she asked, letting out a yawn.

 

“Come on wench, it's time to get up. We have to get ready to leave.” He got up and started to move away.

 

“But the sun's not even up yet. Wake me back up in a few hours.” She snuggled back down into the futon, pulling the blanket over her head. She was startled a moment later when she found herself on the ground, the futon pulled completely out from underneath her. “Inuyasha!”

 

“Keh. If you want breakfast you better hurry. I want to be on our way by dawn.” He ignored her glare as he moved back to the fire where several fish were cooking.

 

Kagome gave him one last glare before moving over to join him and Kaede by the fire. “Why do we have to leave so early?” she asked. “It's not like we have anywhere we need to be.”

 

“No, Kagome-sama, Inuyasha is right. It is better to start out early. Not only will you be able to cover more ground but it is also a good way to avoid unpleasantness” Kaede spoke up as she thought about the reactions of some of the villagers the night before. She knew that most of the villagers had taken a liking to Kagome but that there were always a few that liked to make trouble. She shook her head before motioning for Kagome to join her. “Come, I have something for you.”

 

She went and picked up a package that was laying against the wall and handed it to Kagome. “I know that you are not comfortable in the traditional clothing of a miko, that you feel that you are not ready for the responsibility. So I had these commissioned for you.”

Kagome opened the package to find two outfits. The hakama were in the same style as Inuyasha's, but not as baggy. One was a deep forest green and the other a dark blue. Each outfit also had a kosode of a lighter shade than the hakama, and there was a gray haori for when it became cold out. Kagome turned to Kaede and said “Thank you Kaede-sama. I really appreciate it.” She took the time to change into the green outfit. As she was changing her thoughts went to the reason they were leaving and the events of the previous day. She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes but shook her head and forced herself to stop. 'No more tears. It feels like all I've done since I got here is cry. Well no more. I'm not going to let myself cry over things I can't change anymore.' When she came out from behind the screen she found that the food was done.

 

The three ate in companionable silence. Once the food was finished Kaede handed Kagome a bag. “Here, it contains your other outfit. I also included a traditional miko outfit, just in case.” She waved off Kagome's objections. “You never know, besides it doesn't hurt to have a spare set of clothing. I have also included some supplies, a blanket, flint, some food though it isn't much.”

 

Kagome swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat. “Thank you Kaede-sama. You didn't have to go to all of that trouble.”

“Bah! What trouble? I wanted to. I want you to know that you are always welcome here at any time. That includes you as well Inuyasha” she said, fixing the hanyou with a look. “The villagers will get over their fears, you'll see.” At his grunt she turned to Kagome, “I have also included some herbs and bandages. Knowing this lout, you'll need them at some point.”

 

Kagome giggled at Inuyasha's outraged “Keh!”

 

Kaede pulled out a scroll and handed it to Inuyasha. “Here. It is a list of any people and places I could think of that might be able to help you find the answers you seek.” He took it and tucked it into his haori. Kaede cleared her throat “If you could excuse us for a minute Inuyasha, there is something I would like to discuss with Kagome in private.”

 

“Keh. I'll be outside.” He grabbed Kagome's pack as well as her bow and arrows as he exited the hut.

 

Kaede turned a serious expression on Kagome. “I have something else for you as well Kagome-sama.” She removed a necklace of beads and fangs from her sleeve and held it out to Kagome who took it to examine curiously. “This is a kotadama rosary. Also known as a subjugation necklace.”

 

From his position outside of the hut Inuyasha's ears perked up. He could easily hear the conversation and he didn't like where it was going. He had heard of subjugation beads before and knew what they were used for. He had no wish to be bound by them. 'If that old woman thinks I'm gonna let her collar me she's got another thing coming.'

 

Inside the hut Kagome was turning the beads over in her hands with a frown. “What does that mean Kaede-sama?” she asked. “What are they used for?” She didn't think that she was going to like the answer.

 

Kaede began to explain. “They can be used to subdue a youkai. The beads are placed around the neck of the one you want to subdue and then a word of subjugation is spoken. The recipient will find themselves pulled to the ground and unable to move until the spell is lifted.”

 

Kagome frowned at the necklace. “That sounds kind of harsh Kaede-sama. I mean I guess I can understand if it is the only way to stop something from attacking you but it still seems kind of wrong. Why give this to me anyway?” She raised her eyes to look at Kaede.

 

Kaede met Kagome's gaze. “My sister created it when she was contemplating releasing Inuyasha from the seal. It was to be a guarantee that if she did choose to release him he would behave. I am giving this to you for Inuyasha.” At the stunned expression on Kagome's face she hastily continued “You will be traveling alone with him. There might come a time when you need that rosary to protect yourself from him. It will bind him to you so that he cannot harm you nor can he abandon you.”

 

Outside, Inuyasha seethed. 'She thinks Kagome needs to be protected from me?! It was the men of her village that attacked Kagome, not me.' He was about to storm in there and grab Kagome, planning to never return to this village when a thought occurred to him. 'What if Kagome agrees to it?' He growled as he dug his claws into the earth beside him. 'What if she thinks the necklace is necessary and refuses to travel without it?' He felt torn. He had no wish to be subjugated or subdued by anyone but he didn't want to be separated from Kagome either. 'What if the only way to keep her by my side is to wear the beads?' His chest tightened and he felt his heart lurch at the thought of her refusing to go with him. His ears drooped as he resigned himself to the beads when Kagome's response finally reached his ears.

 

“Are you crazy?!” Kagome hurled the rosary to the ground and watched as it broke apart. “I would never put something like that on Inuyasha. It would be degrading, humiliating. And I know he would never hurt me. I'm not going to use that thing to bind him to me in anyway.” She glared at Kaede.

 

“If that is your wish” Kaede replied. “I agree with you, for the most part. I don't believe that he really needs the beads either. And I don't think he would ever harm you. I had to make the offer though. I just hope that you don't come to regret your decision.” At Kagome's frown she hastily continued “I just have a bad feeling that there will be times that the beads would have been useful.”

 

“If it comes to that we'll make do. But I can't see myself subjecting anyone, especially not Inuyasha, to that” Kagome said pointing at the remains of the beads.

 

“I believe you child. Now come, I believe we have kept Inuyasha waiting long enough.” They exited and Kaede was met with a glare from the hanyou that she ignored. She faced both of them and said “I meant what I said about you being welcome here anytime.”

 

Kagome felt tears prickle in her eyes. She stepped forward and embraced a surprised Kaede. “Thank you for everything Kaede-sama. I'm going to miss you.”

 

Kaede hugged her back and said “And I you. Now go on. I believe your hanyou is getting impatient.”

 

Inuyasha moved forward and helped Kagome settle her pack and quiver with her bow and arrows, and then he pulled her onto his back. He had been stunned by Kagome's words, having expected her to agree with the old miko. He felt warm inside at her defense of him. And then Kaede had also offered him a place to stay. As he prepared to bound out of the village he turned to Kaede and quietly said “Thanks baba.” He tried not to show how affected he was by her genuine offer of a place to stay if he ever needed it. He was still angry about the beads but he could understand where she was coming from, she was a miko after all. It must be hard for someone like her to trust someone of youkai blood like him.

 

She seemed to understand as she told him “Bah! Now be off with you. You have a long journey ahead of you.” And with that they were gone.

 

 

Inuyasha carried Kagome on his back until they were far enough from the village for Inuyasha's comfort. Letting her down from his back he let her set the pace. As they walked Kagome looked around their surroundings with awe. The area was beautiful, full of nature. She had never seen anything like it, not coming from a city like Tokyo. 'I'm going to miss this if I find a way home' she thought as she looked around the untouched and unpolluted land. She suddenly became aware of the strange looks that Inuyasha had been giving her. She looked at him. “Is something wrong Inuyasha?”

 

He turned his head to side with a muttered “Keh.” He knew he had been caught staring at her. Suddenly he felt a light pressure on his arm and turned to see that Kagome had placed her hand on his arm. He felt warm inside at the slight contact and when she asked him again he couldn't refuse her. “I overheard you and the baba.” Seeing her begin to frown he hastily continued “I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I think you forgot about these” he said as he wiggled his ears.

 

Kagome felt her face flush as she realized that he had overheard her argument with Kaede. “It's alright Inuyasha. I'm not mad, I know you couldn't help it.” She gave him a brief smile.

 

Seeing that she really wasn't angry, Inuyasha decided to ask her what had been on his mind since he overheard the conversation. “Why?” he asked. “Why didn't you take the kotadama rosary from Kaede-baba?”

 

Kagome looked at him in confusion. “Why would I do something like that? Didn't you hear what I told Kaede-sama? That necklace is degrading and humiliating. I told Kaede-sama the truth. You don't deserve to be treated like that. And I don't need it to protect me from you, I know you wouldn't hurt me. I trust you.” She blushed and looked away.

 

Inuyasha grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her and make her face him. She raised startled eyes to his serious face. “Thank you” he told her quietly.

 

“For what?” she asked him, confused.

 

“For trusting me, for not seeing me as a monster. Most people would have agreed with the baba and forced me to be subdued by the beads. Hell, most people would never agree to travel with me, would insist that I stay as far away from them as possible. I don't think you realize just how special you really are.” It was his turn to blush and look away.

 

Kagome was touched that he had opened up to her. “Then most people are fools” she told him. She grabbed his hand. “Come on. Let's get moving.” And without releasing his hand she started walking. Inuyasha felt warm inside at both her words and her gesture. He made no effort to pull away as they walked until they decided to break for lunch. Things remained pleasant between them and they engaged in simple conversations, which mainly consisted of Kagome talking about her family and home though Inuyasha had related a few minor details about his own life

 

It was about midday when they finally stopped. Kagome sank to the ground, exhausted as she put her pack down and took out some food. Handing some to Inuyasha, she ate her own before leaning back against a convenient tree. She let out a groan as she tried to massage the feeling back into her feet. Her feet were throbbing and she hadn't actually walked that far today. 'Better get used to it' she thought. 'No cars, buses or subways exist in this time.' Though she blushed as she recalled riding the hanyou's back and the feelings it invoked in her. 'Got to admit, that beats modern transportation any day.' She thought about asking him to carry her but shook her head. She didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She sighed as she looked at her shoes. She really didn't want to put them back on. 'My school loafers were not made for walking these kind of distances' she thought as she stared at them.

 

“You alright wench?” Inuyasha asked as he cast a worried look at her.

 

She blushed as she realized that she was at the center of his attention. “I'm fine. I'm just not used to walking for that long or for that type of distance.” Seeing that he was ready to move on she tried to pull herself to her feet only to have her body protest. Another groan escaped her. She was startled when he knelt before her to examine her feet before he turned and pulled her onto his back. “Inuyasha?” she questioned.

 

“Why didn't you say something?” he huffed at her. “I would have carried you. You're in no condition to walk now, you could end up causing yourself permanent harm.”

 

She blushed at his accusing tone. “I didn't want to burden you. And it didn't seem right to make you carry me. I mean you're a person not an animal. I didn't want to give you the wrong idea.”

 

Her words warmed him. “Keh. I don't mind carrying you. Besides, we can travel faster this way.” And with that he began bounding away.

 

They traveled that way for the rest of the day and managed to travel quite a distance. Once it began to get dark they set up camp. Kagome set up the fire while Inuyasha hunted for dinner. Her feet were feeling much better. She had just gotten a decent sized fire going when Inuyasha returned with his catch and set it to cook over the fire. They both ate their fill and then Kagome grabbed her pack and began to lay her blanket on the ground beside the fire. She paused and looked in the bag but there was only one blanket. She glanced from the blanket to Inuyasha and bit her lip in thought.

 

He caught her look and asked “Oi, what's wrong?”

 

“There's only one blanket” she told him, glancing away shyly.

 

“Keh. Is that all? Don't worry about it.”

 

She raised her head to look at him. “But what if you get cold? And even if you don't, the ground isn't that comfortable without something to cushion it.”

 

He snorted. “Keh! I'm not a weak human, the cold won't bother me. And I never said I was going to sleep on the ground.”

 

She looked at him in confusion. “Then where were you planning to sleep?”

 

He pointed to a high branch of a nearby tree and her eyebrows lifted. He saw her look and said “What? It's safer and provides a better view of the surrounding area. Besides, I don't need as much sleep as you.” With that he leaped up into the tree.

 

She merely shook her head before continuing with her preparations. She laid down and pulled the end of the blanket over herself. “Goodnight Inuyasha” she called and heard a “Keh” in response.

 

Inuyasha glanced at the sliver of moon in the sky. 'Damn, only a few more nights before the New Moon' he thought. He looked away and glanced at the form sleeping beside the fire. Even with the blanket and the heat of the fire she still shivered with cold. He debated with himself for a few moments before sighing and leaping down. He approached her and gently covered her with his haori. Kagome let out a sigh and murmured “Inuyasha” before she rolled over and fell into a deeper sleep.

 

He felt himself blush as he continued to stare at her. Remembering how good it had felt to wake up next to her in the abandoned hut he thought about joining her. Realizing what he was thinking he blushed again and hastily returned to his perch in the tree. 'Baka' he thought. 'What am I doing? I shouldn't be thinking about how good it felt to wake up beside her or her body pressing against mine. Even if she trusts me and doesn't mind my presence she could never feel that way about a filthy hanyou.' But he couldn't shake her from his thoughts and so he got little sleep as he continued to stare at her still form.

 

The next morning Kagome was surprised to find herself covered with his haori. She blushed as she told him “Thank you Inuyasha. But you didn't have to do that. You must have been cold.”

 

“Keh. I ain't weak. The cold doesn't bother me like it does you, so don't worry about it.” He turned away with a flush as she gave him a big smile. 'How can she make me feel this way just by smiling?' he wondered.

 

They ate and then started to travel again. Kagome walked beside Inuyasha. She had decided that as much as she liked having him carry her, it wasn't fair to him. Over his protests she had decided that she would walk as far as she could. “Besides” she told him, “it's the only way I'll get used to it.” Still he kept a careful eye on her, ready to sweep her onto his back the moment he decided it was too much for her.

 

After a couple of hours of walking Inuyasha decided it was far enough and pulled her onto his back before bounding away. Kagome merely blushed. She had been getting tired but hadn't wanted to say anything but she should have known her friend could tell. “Thank you” she told him quietly and got a “Keh” in response.

 

They continued like that for the rest of the day, only stopping to eat or take care of their bodies needs. As it began to get dark they again set up camp for the night. After eating Kagome again set up her blanket by the fire. This time she wasn't surprised when Inuyasha glanced at a tree branch. However, she was surprised when he removed his haori and gave it to her. “Inuyasha?”

 

“Keh. I'll just end up covering you with it anyway” he said as he looked away.

 

She blushed as she held the haori to her body. It smelled like him. “Thank you” she said.

 

He glanced at her before leaping into his chosen tree. Kagome could barely see him, he had chosen a spot high up from the ground. With a sigh she settled down for the night, the haori wrapped around her body. She inhaled his masculine scent as she fell asleep and her dreams centered on the silver-haired hanyou.

 

Once he was sure she was asleep, Inuyasha leaped out of his tree. He settled down to sit next to her and just stared at her. Several times he caught himself as he began to reach for her. He didn't know why he couldn't stop gazing at her. It felt like he was being drawn to her and couldn't look away. As he breathed in her scent, he detected a slight difference but whatever it was only made her smell even better. He stayed there for the entire night until the sun was only minutes from rising. Then he leaped away and acted like it hadn't happened before waking her.

 

The day passed similarly to the previous day. Only this time as Inuyasha carried Kagome he could detect further changes to her scent. 'What is this smell? Why is her scent changing and why does it smell so good?' he asked himself. After they had eaten lunch Inuyasha made a new discovery. His body was reacting to that scent and he felt himself flush as realized how hard he was growing. 'I gotta find a cold stream somewhere' he thought. 'I can't let her see this, I don't want to give her the wrong idea.' He decided to stop early for the night and quickly came to a clearing by a stream. “Stay here and set up camp” he told her before rushing away to deal with his problem.

 

Kagome sighed from her spot near the stream. “Wait here, he says. Where does he think I'm going to go?” She was confused by his behavior. Things had started out well but she had noticed that as the day passed he had become tense and quieter than usual. She had tried to engage him conversation but had been rebuffed every time. 'Why doesn't he speak to me?' she wondered. 'Did I do something to make him angry? Maybe he's tired of carrying me' she thought as she cursed her weak body. 'But it was his idea.'

 

She sighed again as she shook her head to clear it. She was beginning to feel lonely. She really missed his company.

 

A sudden rustling in the bushes beside her caught her attention and she gripped her bow as she asked “Who's there?”

 

A small blur shot out and crashed into her legs, knocking her to the ground. She sat up to find a small boy with red hair and pointed ears laying at her feet. She noticed that he was bruised and had small cuts over his body. “Are you alright?” she asked.

 

At her voice he shot to his feet and backed away. That's when she noticed his tail. 'He's a youkai?' “I'm not going to hurt you. Tell me what's wrong, what were you running from? Maybe I can help.”

 

He glanced back the way he had come and tears welled up in his green eyes. “M-my Pa!” He began to cry and she stepped forward to pull him into her embrace. He was so small, he couldn't be more than five or six. “W-we were attacked. My Pa told me to run. I could hear him screaming in pain.” He bawled against her shoulder.

 

Kagome comforted him as best as she could. She was torn by what to do. His father was obviously in trouble but Inuyasha told her to stay put. She thought about calling Inuyasha to help but as she reached out with her senses she could tell that Inuyasha was out of range. She glanced at the sobbing child in her arms and felt her resolve harden. She wasn't going to let anyone suffer if there was a possibility that she could help. Grabbing her bow she told the boy “Show me where he is. Maybe I can help.”

 

He looked at her with wide green eyes. “Y-you mean it?” At her nod he jumped out of her arms and started back the way he had come. “This way, please hurry.”

 

As she hurried after him she asked “I'm Kagome, what's your name?”

 

“Shippou” he said as he continued to lead her through the trees. They moved quickly and soon reached a field. Kagome felt herself freeze at the sight before her. A youkai with a fish-like head was torturing a fox. Another youkai, this one more human looking with long black hair tied back in a braid, was lounging nearby and encouraging him. Kagome would have thought he was human if it wasn't for his fangs and red eyes, as well as the cruelty she could see reflected in them. At his side was a long weapon, a type of spear or pole-arm with a wicked looking blade. Kagome could feel the cruelty and malevolence radiating off the two and it frightened her.

 

Kagome felt Shippou latch onto her leg and snapped out of her daze. She notched an arrow and aimed it at the youkai that was hurting the fox. “Let him go” she called out.

 

The occupants of the clearing turned to look at her. The human looking one laughed at her. “And what do you think you can do to stop us?” he jeered at her before spotting Shippou. “Look Manten, it's the little brat you let escape. Hey brat” he called “you should have kept running. Do you really think this woman will be any help to you?” He laughed again.

 

The other youkai had stopped his torment of the fox and stared at her. 'A young maiden' he thought. “Can I have her Hiten, please?” he asked the other youkai hopefully.

 

Kagome felt fear and anger war within her at his words. When the other youkai looked her over and said “She's all yours, not my type” her anger only increased. But when the ugly youkai began to approach her she raised her bow and arrow. Thoughts of what he meant by 'have her' flashed through her mind.

 

“Get back” she ordered. But he only laughed.

 

“A maiden” he said. “Finally I will be able to use that hair recipe.” He smiled wide showing off his mouth full of sharp teeth.

 

Kagome couldn't help herself. “Hair recipe?” she asked.

 

He gestured to his nearly bald head. “My elder brother Hiten was graced with all of the good looks in the family as well as a full head of hair. He gets all of the women. But I know that they would like me if I had hair like his. They say that the best thing for new hair is the flesh of a lovely maiden. So I will boil you down and rub you on my head.” He lunged at her and she jumped back.

 

“That's disgusting” she said as she tried to dodge him.

 

“Hold still” he yelled at her before he was hit with a small green flame.

 

“Kitsune-B” Shippou yelled and shot another flame at him.

 

“You little brat” Manten roared before opening his mouth wide. Lightning began to build up in his mouth and he shot it towards the little Kitsune before a pain in his leg made him miss. The forgotten fox had latched onto his leg when he made to attack the kit. He kicked it away and tried again but Kagome aimed her bow again only to accidentally release the arrow when he lunged at her. The arrow hit his face so that it stuck out of what passed for his nose.

 

“AARGH” he cried out in pain. “You are going to pay for that!” He grabbed her and threw her to the ground as he towered over her.

 

Kagome yelped in pain as she hit the ground, her bow flying out of her hands to land out of reach. The air was forced out of her lungs when Manten straddled her before wrapping his hands around her neck and squeezing. She could hear the other youkai in the background laughing as her vision began to go dark. 'Inuyasha' was her last thought and she thought she could sense him getting closer before she blacked out.

 

 

Don't kill me for the cliffhanger. I promise to get the next chapter out soon as it is mostly written already. But I won't be updating as often as I previously had.