InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Difference a Little Time Can Make ❯ Chapter 26 ( Chapter 26 )

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

 

Author's note: 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.

 

I am so sorry. I never meant to take so long to get this chapter out. Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing and encouraging me to update. Again I apologize. I have no real excuse other than that I have not felt like writing and have spent most of the time reading other fics instead. I can't make any promises about my update schedule other than that I will try to update at least once a week. At the moment my muse has returned so I will be working on this story as much as I can.

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They continued to stare expectantly at the old miko. Inuyasha tensed. 'This is it' he thought. 'This is where she tells us to get lost. That they blame me for the oni attack and don't want a filthy hanyou around any longer.' His ears flattened against his head at the thought.

 

Beside him Kagome noticed how tense he had become and shot him a questioning look. When she saw his ears flatten against his head she knew something was wrong. Reaching out, she gently grasped his hand and gave a gentle squeeze, reassuring him that she was still there.

 

Inuyasha's eyes shot in her direction and she smiled gently at him. He relaxed marginally as he moved fractionally closer to her before turning his full attention to Kaede. 'Keh. I don't care what she says. She can kick us out for all I care. Kagome doesn't care that I'm a hanyou. If I leave so will she.'

 

Kaede watched the interaction between the two. She had also noticed how the hanyou had tensed, as well as how he had calmed with contact from the younger woman. The miko looked at the two and took in the expectant but defiant look on his face. Suddenly everything clicked into place in her mind. “Bah! Wipe that look from your face Inuyasha. I mean you no harm. This discussion is about the oni, not you.”

 

Inuyasha's eyebrows shot up at her words. “You mean you don't blame me? You're not about to tell me to leave and never come back?” He felt Kagome squeeze his hand again in reassurance.

 

Kaede waved him off. “I've told you before. You will always be welcome here. But we must discuss what the oni said.” She gave them both a serious look. “His words imply that he was sent here specifically to attack Kagome-sama. If that is true, then the threat remains. Who knows how many more attacks may occur in the future?”

 

She was prevented from saying more as Inuyasha began growling. One hand clutched the hilt of the Tessaiga while the other pulled Kagome closer to him. “Keh! I'll tear them apart before they get anywhere near Kagome! No one will hurt her. Besides that oni was a weakling.” He gave Kagome a look meant to calm her when he saw the worry in her eyes and this time he was the one to squeeze her hand.

 

Kaede eyed him with a steady gaze. “I know you will do your best to protect Kagome-sama. But we must learn who is behind the attacks or she will remain in danger. The youkai was weak this time but the next might be stronger. We must learn more and stop the attacks at the source if we are to keep Kagome-sama safe.”

 

“Oh. You already know about the threats then” a small voice said from near the door, causing all eyes to turn to face it. “Then I guess I hurried here for no reason. And it was such a long way.” The owner of the voice sighed. “I guess I shall be on my way if my warning isn't needed. But before I go, might I have a bite to eat, Inuyasha-sama?” Myouga the flea hopped nearer to where they sat, hungrily eying Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha allowed the flea to get close then snatched him up and held him close to his face between two fingers. “Alright Myouga-jiji. Start talking and make it fast. What do you know about the one behind the attack? What are these threats? And where can I find the bastard responsible? I'll make sure he never threatens her again.” He growled the last part.

 

Myouga gulped as he took in the bloodthirsty look on his master's face. He could tell that Inuyasha meant business. Still, as his eyes took in the sight of Inuyasha's pulsing vein, the flea couldn't help himself. “Of course Inuyasha-sama, I am happy to share my knowledge with you. But I have traveled far to bring this information to you and am in need of sustenance. Can't I have small bite first?” His answer was to be squished between the fingers holding him before being dropped to the ground. “Such is the life of a flea” he said as his body re-inflated with a small pop.

 

“Inuyasha! That wasn't very nice” Kagome admonished before turning to the flea. “Please Myouga-jiisan, what do you know about the youkai that attacked and who sent it?”

 

The flea jumped up to land on Inuyasha's knee. Folding his arms he began. “I heard rumors concerning Inuyasha-sama and went to investigate. Many lower level youkai have been approached and offered rewards and power if they manage to kill the miko who destroyed the Shikon no Tama. They have a brief description of Kagome-sama, that she is dark haired and doesn't wear the typical miko clothing. Also, it is said that she can be found in this area and is protected by an inu-hanyou. Once I heard that I knew that I needed to warn you. I had hoped to get here before any of the youkai but I see that I did not succeed.”

“Keh! You were just running from the danger and either came here for me to protect you or this was just a stop before you keep traveling away from the danger.” Inuyasha huffed as he folded his arms across his chest and glared at the youkai.

 

“Inuyasha-sama, you wound me! How can you think so little of me?” The flea cried.

 

“Because I know you, you coward.”

 

“Actually Inuyasha, he's got a point.” Kagome pointed out. “He came to where he knew the youkai would be in order to warn us.”

Inuyasha waved a hand through the air. “Feh. He said it himself, he thought he would beat the youkai here. I bet he planned to tell us and then continue on his way out of the area.”

 

Looking at the sweating flea Kagome had to concede the point. “I guess so.” Ignoring the flea's grumbling she asked “What do you know about the one behind the threats, Myouga-jiisan? Has anything been mentioned about him?”

 

Myouga ceased his grumbling in order to answer her question. “I am sorry Kagome-sama. Not much is known about him. I could not find out a name and the only description I could get was that he covers himself with the pelt of a baboon, so no one knows what he looks like.” The flea shrugged. “He could be anyone. Though most of the rumors seem to state that he appears in areas that are to the northwest of here. If you were to head in that direction, it is possible that you would be able to learn more.”

 

Kaede spoke up then. “The oni did mention a baboon-man. So we know it is the same one behind the attack but how will we find him? And how did he know about the Shikon no Tama?” The old miko gazed at them with a serious and worried look in her eye. “While many youkai would have felt the returned presence of the Shikon no Tama, shortly followed by it's destruction, how would he have known that Kagome was the one responsible?”

 

They sat there and pondered that thought for a few minutes before Kagome sat up straight with a sharp gasp. “Yura!” she cried out.

 

Inuyasha gave her a confused look. “Yura? What's she got to do with anything? She's dead.”

 

Kagome shook her head. “Not her but something she said when she first showed up.”

 

Flashback

 

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yura of the Hair and I'll be taking the Shikon no Tama now, as well as your hair.” She said as she walked closer to Inuyasha, grabbing a length of his hair. “What a lovely color. The baboon man never said your hair was so gorgeous.” She muttered as she stroked it.

 

End Flashback

 

Kagome continued. “She mentioned a baboon-man as well. I don't know who he is but he's been involved since almost the beginning.” She shivered at the thought and moved closer to Inuyasha's side, relaxing a bit when she felt him give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

 

Kaede gave a grave nod of her head as she thought about it. “That is most distressing news. It means that whoever this baboon-man is, he has been watching us for awhile now. It is possible he is also responsible for the previous youkai attacks that have occurred recently.”

 

Inuyasha opened his mouth to reply but stopped as his ears began to twitch. He took several sniffs, then with a growl he stood and ran out of the hut. The others stared after him for a moment before the sounds of screaming reached them. Kaede and Kagome quickly grabbed their weapons and exited the hut. They were just in time to see Inuyasha dispatch a low level youkai.

 

“Keh! What a weakling” he grumbled before turning to the women. “I'm going to make sure there aren't any others in the area.” With that he bounded out of the village.

 

Kaede quickly conferred with the villagers and was relieved to learn that no one was hurt. She spoke to the village headman, Yoshi, and arranged for guards to be set up around the perimeter of the village. Once finished she returned to her hut to find a scowling Inuyasha sitting protectively next to Kagome. The miko gave him an inquiring look.

He grunted. “There were a couple of more in the forest. I took care of them.” But the troubled look on his face revealed that he wasn't happy about the situation with the youkai.

 

Kaede nodded gravely. “I see. I expected something like that.” She sighed and poked at the fire before fixing the hanyou with a serious look. “You know that the attacks will continue unless this baboon-man is dealt with. And while the youkai that have been attacking were weak, the next ones might be stronger. Maybe even too strong for you.”

 

“Keh! Ain't no youkai strong enough to beat me!” Inuyasha remarked in response. He shot a quick glance at Kagome before sighing and continuing. “But I agree with you. I'm gonna find this baboon-man and teach him why it's not smart to mess with me. I don't like the fact that he threatened Kagome, and I'm gonna make him pay.” 'Besides' he thought. 'I saw the looks on the villagers' faces after that last attack. They may not blame me yet but if the attacks continue they soon will. Better to leave before that happens. Don't need a repeat of the events at Hisao's village.' “I'll leave tomorrow.”

 

Kagome had been quiet up until this point but at his announcement she clutched his hand and said “You mean we'll leave tomorrow.” She gave him a look that dared him to argue with her.

 

Inuyasha gave a start as he looked at her. He hadn't really considered whether Kagome would be going or staying. He had assumed she would want to stay in the village. He was glad to hear that she wanted to go with him and was about to agree. But then he hesitated as he thought about it. On the one hand he would prefer to have her with him where he could keep an eye on her. And, he admitted to himself (though he would never admit it to anyone else), he felt more at ease when she was with him. But on the other hand he wanted her safe. Was it really a good idea to bring her closer to the guy that is trying to kill her?

 

As Kagome continued to stare at him expectantly, Kaede also watched his face and saw the indecision there. She could read the thoughts that flew through his mind by the emotions that crossed his face and decided to point out something that had not occurred to him. “Inuyasha, you should also consider that the attacks will continue for as long as Kagome remains in the village. They are aimed at her, not you.”

 

A jolt ran through Inuyasha's body at the miko's words. He hadn't even considered that! If he went to search for the baboon-man and left Kagome here, then who would protect her from any attacks?

 

Kagome saw the look that crossed his face and knew just what to say to get what she wanted. “See Inuyasha? I'll be safest if I stay with you. I know you'll protect me, and I am getting better with the bow so I'll be able to help as well.”

 

Inuyasha saw the look of trust in her eyes and finally conceded defeat. “Keh! Fine wench, you're coming with me. At least this way I'll be able to keep an eye on you. Someone's got to keep you out of trouble.” He folded his arms over his chest, tucking them into his sleeves as he turned away to hide the warm feeling he felt at the deep trust she showed him. And therefore missed the troubled look that crossed Kagome's face.

 

'Did he really not want me to go with him? He doesn't think I'm a burden, does he? He was just telling me earlier that he cares about me. Something like this couldn't make him change his mind, right?' Kagome forced those thoughts to the back of her mind as Kaede cleared her throat.

 

“If that is settled then perhaps we should discuss your plans. How do you expect to find this baboon-man?”

 

Kagome spoke up. “Well Myouga-jiisan did say we could learn more if we traveled northwest. Right Myouga-jiisan?” She turned to look for the flea but could find no sign of him.

 

“Feh. Coward fled during the youkai attack. But you're right he did say that. So now we have a direction to look. We'll travel northwest and look for anything that seems out of place. Besides, I'm sure the bastard will show himself before long anyway once he realizes we have left the village and are getting closer.”

 

“I am glad to see that you are thinking this through Inuyasha.” Kaede told him. “Since you seem to have a plan already, perhaps it is time for us to turn in. It is getting late and I'm sure that you will want to leave as soon as possible tomorrow. In the morning I will help you arrange supplies for your journey. But for now I bid you a goodnight.” With that they settled down for the night.

 

Kaede settled in her normal bed roll near the fire. As Kagome settled down into her usual spot she realized that Inuyasha was seated near the door instead of near her bed roll. She shot him a questioning look and he shifted the Tessaiga against his shoulder. She gave him a nod to show that she understood that he was standing guard for the night and laid down. But sleep was elusive that night as worries plagued her mind. Worries about this baboon-man and why he wanted her dead, worries about the youkai attacks, and worries about someone getting hurt in the next attack. But mostly her worries centered on whether Inuyasha was getting tired of always having to save her and if he considered her a burden, if he had changed his mind. When sleep finally found her it was a troubled one and not very restful.

 

Morning came much too soon for Kagome after a restless night with little sleep. When she awoke she immediately began to help Kaede with breakfast though she had little appetite. She did not notice the worried looks that Inuyasha gave her as he noticed the bags under her eyes. He was aware of how little sleep she had gotten, having heard her toss and turn more than once during the night. He decided not to say anything yet, positive that it was just the worries about the baboon-man and his threats against her.

 

Once they had eaten, Kagome set out with Kaede to collect the needed supplies while Inuyasha patrolled the nearby forest for anymore youkai. He found a few and noted that while still weak, they were stronger than the previous youkai. Perhaps it was a good thing that they would be leaving soon. Once the youkai realized that they were gone the attacks should cease. He sighed before heading back to the village.

 

Inuyasha began to head towards where he knew Kagome and Kaede would be only to pause and sniff the air. With a growl he headed towards the fields where the villagers were working. “Damn it! Another youkai! It must have skirted the edge of the forest to approach from the other side of the village.” He increased his speed and arrived just as the sentries spotted it and raised the alarm. Inuyasha leaped over the villagers and the crops heading for the snake youkai.

 

As he got close it slithered out of the way and headed toward several of the village men. Inuyasha increased his speed while yelling for the men to run and get out of the way. They obeyed and Inuyasha leaped at the snake, slashing with his claws. But it managed to evade him.

 

The youkai let out a hissing laugh. “How pathetic. You actually care about these humanssss, hanyou? That will be your downfall.” The snake youkai opened it's mouth and a cloud of miasma sprayed out, paralyzing all of the villagers.

 

Inuyasha cursed and covered his mouth and nose with the sleeve of his haori. The miasma quickly dissipated but the men remained frozen. He glared at the youkai. “You'll pay for that” he yelled as he again leaped forward to attack but the youkai dodged behind the paralyzed men, halting Inuyasha's attack. He cursed again as he realized that this one was smarter than the other youkai had been. First it avoided the forest and now it was using the villagers to protect itself. This continued for several minutes with the youkai continuing to dodge behind the village men to keep Inuyasha from attacking.

 

Finally, a frustrated Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga. Using the extra reach of the fang, he managed to pin the snake's tail to the ground. Then with a shout of “Sankon Tessou” he finished the youkai off. Once the youkai had died the effects of its miasma quickly wore off and the men were able to move again. Inuyasha reclaimed Tessaiga and snorted when he saw the wary looks on the villagers' faces. “Feh. You might want to do something with that body. Who knows, maybe it'll make good fertilizer.” With that he headed back into the village and quickly met up with Kaede and Kagome who were relieved to learn that the youkai had already been dealt with. They headed back to Kaede's hut.

 

“Keh. Just proves that it's time to go. This one wasn't much stronger than the others but it was smarter. It's time for us to go and stop the attacks at the source.” He turned to Kagome. “Are you ready?”

 

She nodded and gestured to a pack that was sitting near the door of the hut. “We had just finished gathering the supplies when word reached us of an attack in the fields.”

 

“Well there's no longer any need to worry about that youkai, and the sooner we leave the sooner the attacks will stop. So let's get going.” He turned to face Kaede. “We'll be back after I've beaten the cowardly bastard behind the attacks, baba.”

 

Kagome also turned to Kaede. “Thank you for everything Kaede-sama. I'll miss you.”

 

“And I will miss the both of you as well” Kaede replied before looking up at the sky and noticing how late it had become. “But it is now late afternoon. Perhaps it would be better if you were to hold off your departure until tomorrow morning. Start out fresh on a good night's sleep.” She had noticed how tired Kagome had been during the day. One more night couldn't hurt could it?

 

Inuyasha also glanced at the sky as he considered her words. He then glanced at Kagome and was about to agree when he felt a jolt of weakness go through him. 'Damn it! With all of the excitement I forgot that tonight was the night of the New Moon. There's no way I'm gonna stay in the village tonight. I don't need the whole village to discover my time of weakness.' He shook his head. “No, there's still plenty of light to travel by. The sooner we leave the better.”

 

Kagome looked at him curiously as she detected the urgent tone in his voice. Realization hit her and she lifted the pack onto her shoulder while quickly voicing her agreement to Kaede. “Inuyasha's right. Don't worry Kaede-sama, we'll be fine. We'll be back as soon as we can.” With that the three said their farewells, though Kaede was still confused about their desire to leave immediately. Once their goodbyes were finished Inuyasha pulled Kagome onto his back and headed out of the village.

 

Instead of immediately setting off to the northwest, Inuyasha turned and headed toward the hot springs. They reached the cave they had stayed at the previous month shortly before sunset. He set Kagome down inside the cave and said “Wait here.” Then he bounded off and quickly checked the area, ensuring that there were no youkai around. Once he had determined that the area was safe for the night he returned to the cave.

 

He scowled when he saw that Kagome had lit a fire. “Put that out” he told her, though he accepted the food she handed him. At her confused look he rolled his eyes and said “The smoke and light from the fire will give away our position to anyone that happens to stumble into the area. It'll be a beacon to any youkai that want to attack.”

 

“But you didn't mind when I lit a fire last time. And didn't you just check the area and determine that we are alone?” she pointed out though she did douse the fire.

 

“Keh. Last time we didn't have every youkai in the area hunting you. And while the area is clear now, it doesn't mean that something won't move in during the night.” He grumbled as the sun finished setting and his body changed.

 

Kagome stared as his hair bled to black, dog ears disappeared and human ones appeared, as well as the disappearance of his claws and fangs. She knew it would happen but it still astonished her each time that she saw it. Inuyasha scowled at her when he caught her staring, and she blushed and apologized.

 

Inuyasha huffed and gestured for her to go deeper into the cave. “Go get some sleep.” He sat down near to the entrance with Tessaiga propped against his shoulder though he knew it wouldn't do him much good if they were attacked. Without the fire it was nearly pitch black in the cave and all he could make out was Kagome's outline. He mentally cursed his weak human body again. “What are you doing?” he asked when he noticed that instead of following his suggestion, Kagome had settled herself across from him on the other side of the cave entrance.

 

Kagome looked up from where she was placing her bow and arrows in easy reach to squint at the boy who sat only feet away from her. She could barely see him. “I told you last time that I wasn't going to let you face this alone. If you want you can get some sleep and I'll stand guard. I have my arrows and I know that Tessaiga won't transform for you if we are attacked.” She winced, she hadn't meant to say that, at least not in such a way that made it sound like he couldn't defend himself.

 

Inuyasha scowled darkly in her direction. “Keh! You think I need to be protected by you?! Think again! I've been protecting myself on nights like this for as long as I can remember. I don't need your help.”

 

Kagome flinched at the anger in his words. 'Does he really mean that? Does he not want me around after all?' She shook her head to clear it. 'No, I know that he hates feeling weak and I implied that he needed me to protect him.' “I'm sorry Inuyasha. I didn't mean to imply that you're weak. I don't think that at all. I just thought that since you protect me all the time I could return the favor.”

 

His eyes softened as he heard the sadness in her voice as well as the words she said. “Keh. Don't worry about it, I told you I would protect you. You don't need to worry about protecting me. I still think you should get some sleep. I know you must be tired, you didn't sleep well yesterday.” It was the closest thing he could offer as an apology for yelling at her.

 

Kagome understood what he was doing and smiled at him though he couldn't see it. “No, I'm fine. I'll stay up and keep you company.”

 

Inuyasha snorted and said “Suit yourself.” He knew she was tired and fully expected her to fall asleep before long. The night passed and he was surprised when she managed to stay awake the entire time.

 

As the sky began to lighten he could feel the pulse as his youkai blood began to return. Glancing at Kagome he could see that she was still awake, though barely. Her head would start to tilt forward as her eyes drooped before she would jerk up and look around. He shook his head in amusement. Then the sun cleared the horizon and he felt the change come over him.

 

Kagome looked up as she felt the pulse. She smiled as she watched the black in his hair change to a snowy silver, his dark eyes changed back to their normal gold, and his claws and fangs returned. But her smile grew wider as she watched the human ears change and shift into dog ears on the top of his head. He turned to look at her and snorted when he saw her smile.

 

“Feh” he said before moving to the cave entrance. He listened and sniffed, thankful for the return of his stronger senses. When he didn't detect anything nearby he said “Alright bitch, it's time to go.” Not hearing a response he turned to face Kagome and snorted again. She was sitting in the same position but was nearly asleep. He went over to her and hauled her to her feet despite her protests. “Come on, it's time for us to go. Told ya, you should have gone to sleep last night.”

 

Kagome grumbled as he handed her the pack and her bow and quiver. Sighing she slung the items over her back. 'He's right, I'm the one who insisted on staying awake all night, so now I'm the one who has to deal with the consequences. Still, I don't regret it' she thought as she glanced at the hanyou who stood waiting outside of the cave. She joined him and was surprised when he gave her a soft look before he gently pulled her onto his back. She had expected him to have her walk in the mornings before it got too hot, like he had the last time they traveled.

 

“Go ahead and sleep, Kagome. I've got you” Inuyasha said once he had settled her on his back. He smiled slightly when he felt her relax against him, then he took off in the direction Myouga had indicated they might find answers, northwest.

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So let me know what you think. Again I'm sorry for the long wait. The next two chapters are mostly written out and will be posted close together because they are connected. In the next chapter we'll finally see someone I know a lot of you have been waiting for. Anyone feel like guessing who? Like I said before, I can't make any promises but I will try to update at least once a week.