InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter Nine

 

 

They had reached the foot of the mountains by daybreak.

 

“I'm sorry,” Jano said mildly. “This pass isn't easy, but it's the only one. We'll have to go on foot from here.” The truth was he knew of several different ways to get into the valley where the fortress lay, but he wasn't about to show them all his secrets at once.

 

“You can put me down now, Inuyasha,” Kagome said, tapping him on the shoulder. He let her ease down, hoping she didn't notice he'd been holding her legs for other reasons than just to keep her secure. He wasn't sure, Kagome seemed to be over her anger at him, but he figured he'd better play it safe with her for a bit longer.

 

He was even mildly surprised when she'd accepted his offer to carry her this far. Jano's eyebrows had shot up in surprise when he'd knelt to let the girl swing her legs around him.

 

“What? You got something you wanna say?” he said in an irate and challenging voice.

 

“No, not at all,” Jano murmured. Sessh had made an offhand comment about his brother having a strange attachment to a human girl. It seemed as if he was correct, Kagome might be oblivious but he noticed the way that the hanyou's hands rested on her slim legs just the same.

 

Jano's eyes flicked back at the exterminator girl as she slipped gracefully off the back of the cat. Something about her nagged at him and he just couldn't quite lay a claw on it.

 

She had to be young Kohaku's sister, the one he'd spoken of. Jano would lay money on it and he'd never bet on anything unless he was damn sure of the outcome. She was quite pretty in his estimation, being something of an expert on lovely females. However, there was just a tinge of mystery about her, her scent reminded him of something, but not strong enough to really jar his memory loose.

 

It didn't matter, he'd figure out the mystery sooner or later.

 

Sango found she was actually grateful that they'd agreed to accompany Jano. She was a bit nervous about meeting a whole village of inuyoukai though and hoped they would be somewhat friendly. That went against everything she knew about dog-demons, but she was still more curious than apprehensive. She wondered what kind of reception they'd get once they'd reached the village.

 

Having a new person traveling with them had stopped the comments and questions that had been flying around her for the past few days. She still felt herself blush like fire every time Kagome asked her a question or Miroku and Inuyasha trading teasing remarks about Sesshomaru and her relationship with the demon lord.

 

Sango grunted and Kagome looked over her shoulder at her. “All right, Sango?” she asked.

 

“Just stubbed my toe,” Sango answered. I don't know that it's a relationship, she thought grumpily. Teasing from Inuyasha she could deal with, Miroku's blunt comments made her want to squirm. At least Kagome was a bit more tactful, waiting until the males had gone off a safe distance to scoot to the exterminator's side for another question.

 

“How did it happen, Sango?”

 

“I told you, I didn't plan it. It just happened!”

 

Kagome sighed, her eyes dreamy. “I always thought he looked so beautiful. So elegant it's hard to believe he's really related to Inuyasha. I'm surprised he didn't flip out when he found out about Sesshomaru. That's a lot more self control than I thought he'd have.”

 

“He did flip out,” Sango confessed. “Made all kinds of nasty comments, practically accused me of betraying you both. It was a bit scary too.”

 

Kagome snorted. “I'm not surprised. I'm just still in shock he was able to keep his big mouth shut as long as he did. Sango, weren't you scared of Sesshomaru? I mean, you know how evil he can be, you can't just forget about all the things he's done. Can you?” she asked uncertainly.

 

Sango frowned and then shook her head. “No. I can't forget that and yes, I'm still a little scared of him.”

 

“Then how, I mean why...” Kagome trailed off, looking at her friend in concern.

 

Sango felt the blood rushing to her cheeks and reached over to take Kagome's hand. “I just couldn't help myself. I'd never felt anything like that before. I wanted to hate myself for being so weak, but I couldn't hate myself for wanting him.”

 

Kagome's cheeks flushed to match her own. “When do you think you'll see him again?”

 

Her friend looked slightly embarrassed, a soft smile on her lips. “I don't know, I guess when he wants to find me, he will.”

 

“You mean when he wants to fuck you again, right?” Inuyasha had been listening in on their conversation, dropping back as Jano and Miroku took the lead and disappeared around a corner.

 

Sango glared at him. “Leave me alone, nobody asked for your opinion.”

 

“Yeah, I'm getting that idea,” he growled, moving away and catching up to Jano and Miroku.

 

Kagome fixed him with a narrow glance. “He's such a jerk.”

 

Sango pounced on her friend. “Are you ever going to tell me what really happened between you two?”

 

Kagome immediately became very interested in the texture of the ground, kicking at a piece of dirt with her toe. “Nothing happened,” she said quietly. “Not that I didn't want it to.”

 

Sango goggled at her. “Then what did he do?” Kagome turned away, her face sad. “He...brought up Kikyou, after he had been...after we had been...”

 

Sango drew in a breath and blew it out again. Kagome's face said it all. She glared ahead of them at Inuyasha's back. “Inuyasha, you're such an asshole!”

 

“Ya know,” the hanyou said, glancing over at Miroku's startled face. “I'm getting really sick of this shit.”

 

Jano cleared his throat. “Is there some kind of problem with your females? I've noticed you seem to be object of some hostility, Inuyasha.”

 

“I'm used to it,” he growled. “They're all pissed off at me, I don't even know why anymore.” The sour expression on the young hanyou's face made Jano have to restrain himself from laughing. The females had withdrawn to a discreet distance, talking in such low tones that even his sharp ears couldn't pick out the details.

 

Miroku smiled easily. “Inuyasha's lack of tact usually gets him in trouble. I hope your people are feeling tolerant.”

 

“About as tolerant as they ever are,” Jano said cheerily. Well, his rank would assure that his new friends were treated well, regardless of how certain demons felt about it. The only one who had the authority to counter his orders was Sesshomaru himself. Somehow, and he wasn't sure exactly where this instinct was coming from, he thought that Sessh wouldn't have them killed.

 

He was being completely, unabashedly devious in doing this. Having offered them his protection, it would be nothing short of dishonorable for Sesshomaru to have them slain. As his lord's personal representative, bodyguard, and sometime assassin, Sessh would find himself bound by ancient tradition to uphold Jano's promise.

 

They climbed higher into the mountains and Jano deliberately slowed his pace to make it easier on the humans. The hanyou he had no worries about, Inuyasha looked as energetic as ever. He was more concerned about the two females and he suspected that the monk might be tougher than he looked.

 

Dropping into step beside Kagome, he noticed that the girl was starting to shiver. The mountain air had a certain briskness and the wind liked to find every crevice and passage to whistle through. He wasn't surprised to see her getting chilled by it, especially not wearing that ridiculously brief garment. She hadn't complained once though, not during the long arduous run or about the steep rocky pass.

 

“Are you cold, little human?”

 

Kagome smiled faintly. “Just a little. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.”

 

Jano's eyebrow quirked and he wondered since when had humans taught their children such pride. Kagome looked startled when his thick cloak dropped over her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said sincerely, her fingers digging gratefully into the silky black fur. “You're very considerate.”

 

He smiled at that. “You're welcome. Most youkai don't notice the chill in the air, it's been a long time since humans entered this pass.”

 

She looked at him with a faint curiosity. “Have you met many humans?”

 

Actually, he had. His duties sent him far and wide throughout the western lands. He knew the location of every single human settlement within the territory and was even on speaking terms with the heads of several villages. Sesshomaru had a pointed dislike of the creatures and avoided them assiduously, but at least he had the common sense of his father and didn't find any amusement in terrorizing simple farmers and peasants.

 

Jano sighed, wishing more of his people could see it that way. Or at least that certain difficult clanlords felt some kind of responsibility for reining in high-spirited young demons that thought that humans made decent sport.

 

“I have met a few humans,” he confessed.

 

“Do you know any kitsune?” Shippou asked, popping his head out from under Jano's cloak.

 

He grinned at the tiny fox. “Here and there, enough that I've learned to be wary.”

 

Shippou giggled and then gave the inuyoukai a slightly apprehensive look. “Your people don't...eat kitsune, do they?”

 

He honestly didn't know if he should laugh or be offended. The notion was barbaric. “Eat kitsune meat? I think I'd rather starve. What made you ask such a thing?”

 

Shippou looked nervous. “I just thought I'd ask, some demons don't care you know. I almost got ate by wolf demons once and I've never forgotten it.”

 

“Oh, Shippou,” Kagome said mildly. “I'm sure they really wouldn't have eaten you, it was just a threat.”

 

“Not at all,” Jano said, a frown creasing his forehead. “Wolf demons are barbarians. If they were hungry enough, I'm sure they'd have no problem eating a little fox or a human. They have no sense of decency.”

 

Kagome gave him a sharp look. “That's not true, I have a wolf demon friend and he's very nice.”

 

Jano looked doubtful and Kagome felt she had to at least defend Kouga, even if other wolf demons weren't as friendly. “You can't just judge a whole race of youkai like that. Kouga's an honorable person and he's always treated me with great respect.”

 

He made a rude noise. “Then he's trying to get between your legs, girl. Don't misunderstand politeness or friendliness from a demon for something else. If a wolf is acting that out of character, he wants something from you.”

 

Kagome flushed and then scowled as Inuyasha's laugh rang out. “You're wasting your time, Jano. She won't see him for what he is, I've tried to tell her what that wimpy wolf's really after.”

 

Jano chuckled. “Don't be angry, I'm not trying to insult your friend. Wolf and dog youkai don't mix well, we're too closely related to ever get along. If you say your friend's intentions are honorable, then I won't contradict you. I'm sure this Kouga is a fine demon.”

 

Kagome looked much appeased and he leaned close to her. “And dog demons are very possessive, don't expect the hanyou to ever accept a wolf as his friend.”

 

He let the girl move on ahead, dropping back a few steps to let Sango catch up with him. The exterminator was by far the quietest of this strange group. He wondered if they had realized he was deliberately interviewing each of them. Most likely not.

 

“Might I ask you a question, Sango?”

 

She glanced at him, indifferent. “I suppose that depends on the question.”

 

Good point, he thought, smiling a little. At least she was sharp. “How does a demon exterminator find herself traveling with a hanyou, a monk, and a young girl?”

 

Sango frowned. “They're my friends. What other explanation do you need beside that?”

 

Jano grinned at the challenge in her tone. “I'm just curious. It seems an unusual friendship.”

 

She sighed and he saw a sad expression flicker in her eyes. “I guess you could say we were thrown together by a common enemy, the demon Naraku. One way or another, we've all lost something or suffered at his hands. We have to find a way to stop him and we've got a better chance of it if we stick together.”

 

He was impressed by the determination in her voice. “What have you lost to him?”

 

She shot him a glare. “Only my father and family, my village, everyone I grew up with or loved.”

 

Jano was silent for a moment. “I'm very sorry to hear that.”

 

“Are you really?” she asked bitterly. “I'm amazed a demon should have sympathy for a human. I didn't know it was possible.”

 

That startled him. Didn't she know that Sesshomaru had gone out of his way to save the life of her brother? “Even youkai can be moved for their own reasons. I would pity any creature that had taken such a loss. You probably don't know that inuyoukai value blood ties above all else. There is no stronger bond than that of being of the same clan. Were there no survivors of your village beside yourself, no one you can call your family?”

 

Her face softened somewhat. “I apologize, Jano. I'm a little on edge these days, not your fault at all. I have a younger brother, Kohaku. He was lost to me for a long time and then we were recently reunited.” Her expression fell and she looked away. “And then we were separated again. I don't know where he is now, but I miss him terribly.”

 

Sesshomaru, he thought. I was right and this is Kohaku's sister. Tenseiga had restored the boy's life and now that boy was bound to the youkai lord, perhaps for the rest of his life. Jano immediately felt extremely uncomfortable. It occurred to him that while it had seemed like an amusing idea to bring this hapless group back to the fortress, there was obviously more going on than he'd assumed. Sango's bitterness about her brother was evident. Perhaps he was making a grave mistake.

 

A little too late for that now, Jano decided. He was committed to this course of action and had to see it to its conclusion.

 

oOo

 

“How beautiful!” Kagome exclaimed, her eyes wide and shining. They had just emerged from the bottom of the mountain pass and the valley lay open before them. Tranquil green fields of grass and trees, wildflowers shone like jewels in the early morning sunshine. The girl was completely charmed by the natural, unspoiled beauty of the landscape.

 

“This is where your people live, Jano?”

 

He nodded, smiling at her. In the distance, he could see the morning mists still rising into the steadily warming sky. The mists concealed the fortress itself and many had wandered into this valley without noticing its existence.

 

Jano had never been sure if it was simply a natural occurrence or if the fortress remained hidden by some ancient magic. The massive structure blended against the backdrop of the mountains at the far side of the valley, tricking untrained eyes into missing its presence. He didn't know the entire history of the fortress or its lovely valley. Even Sessh didn't know, although they'd wiled away more than one long evening debating on the subject.

 

He decided to take them on the most direct road, knowing that sentries who were posted in the pass had already noted their presence. They hadn't challenged him, not that he expected it. Jano guessed that they took in his companions and decided to leave the matter to him. He was certain it was being reported to the household guard and smiled about the consternation that report might be causing. He was lucky that they hadn't been met by a patrol when they'd entered the valley.

 

The sun was rising steadily in the sky and Jano noticed the weariness on the faces of the humans. “I swear it's not far now,” he said. “If you'd like to rest, this would be a good time.”

 

He saw the gratefulness in Kagome and Sango's eyes and even Miroku looked relieved at the idea of being able to sit down. He wondered how long it had been since they'd slept and decided to lead them to the lake. The cool water would be more refreshing than just plopping down in a field.

 

Kagome stood still in awe at the sight. “I've never seen anything so lovely,” she whispered. A crystal clear lake was surrounded by a riot of color; a massive field of wildflowers sprawled across the valley and the heady fragrance was intoxicating.

 

Sango knelt and buried her face in the colorful blooms, refreshed by the sweet smell. Like Kagome, she thought she'd never seen such a beautiful place.

 

“They're just flowers,” Inuyasha grinned.

 

Miroku nudged his friend, settling down to dip his feet in the crisp lake water. “Beauty is a feast for the soul, Inuyasha. Don't tell me even you aren't moved by it.”

 

“I never said so,” the hanyou replied. His eyes were drawn to a simple black obelisk that was almost hidden by tall sunflowers. “What's that?”

 

Kagome followed him as he went to stand beside the stone. It seemed to be made of obsidian or some other shiny dark rock. Polished smooth and finely wrought, although the years had weathered the gleam of the stone to a duller finish. His finger reached out to trace the kanji that had been carved into the rock.

 

Kagome ducked under his arm to peer closer. “I don't recognize this style of writing. Maybe it's a message or the name of the lake.”

 

“Maybe it's a warning not to stop here,” he grinned, resting his arm casually over her shoulders.

 

She didn't pull away, instead leaning just as casually against him. “Maybe it's a blessing.”

 

“It's actually a grave,” Jano said softly. Inuyasha started, he hadn't heard the demon come up behind them and scowled. Bastard could move too quietly when he wanted.

 

“A grave?” Kagome asked hesitantly. Jano nodded, reached across them to touch the kanji markings. “This is her name and this is the date she died, a little less than two hundred years ago. It's the old script, not used much anymore by anyone except historians or people who want to impress others with their knowledge of the old forms.”

 

Inuyasha cocked his head to the side, fixing Jano with his golden stare. “Who was she?”

 

“Her name was Anuki,” Jano answered soberly. “She was born to the family clan Sutakasi. Their estate used to stand beside this lake. After they were massacred, the estate was leveled and the flowers planted as a memorial.”

 

“Massacred?” Kagome asked, her eyes wide. “That's awful, did you know her?”

 

He hid a smile. “No, I'm afraid Anuki died not long before I was born. I knew her youngest son, the sole survivor of the clan. It was a very tragic event, almost two hundred people died right on this very spot.”

 

“Who killed them?” Inuyasha asked. “Was it an attack by a rival demon clan?”

 

“No. It was her husband. In the grip of rage, he attacked and slaughtered his wife and six oldest children. Family and servants tried to intervene and he killed them too. He was executed for his crimes.”

 

Jano turned away. He didn't want to talk about the subject as thinking on the tragedy of Inoki and Anuki invariably brought his thoughts to Naota. That led to thoughts of Namichi and memories that were better left without revisiting. He missed them both and Namichi's death still bothered him.

 

If I'd been there, he told himself, I might have been able to save her. And it was better, considering present company, if he didn't let himself dwell on the details.

 

oOo

 

“That's your village?”

 

“It looks like a castle!”

 

“Jano, that place is huge! What kind of trick is this?”

 

He sighed. “No trick, friends. I might not have mentioned that it's a bit larger than a village. More like a small city.”

 

“Small?” Kagome burst out, looking up with certain trepidation at the tall gates. “I think you should have told us! I was expecting a little village, not a...not a...”

 

“Fortress?” Inuyasha supplied in a quiet voice. Jano looked over and met the hanyou's eyes. His expression was unreadable, a shadow in his gaze that he'd not seen before.

 

“If you don't want to go inside, I'll understand,” the youkai told him in a quiet voice.

 

Inuyasha's gaze narrowed. “I'm not afraid of anything,” he said, the challenge evident in his tone.

 

As he suspected, the hanyou knew exactly where he was. “I never said you were.”

 

With a grin of sheer anticipation, he strode forward and banged his fist on the gate. “Open up, you lazy bastards!”

 

A small door set into the larger gate slid open and an angry face appeared. “Who are you calling lazy, Jano? And where the hell have you been? You were supposed to report back three days ago.”

 

He leaned casually against the casement, returning the guard's accusing look with a condescending smile. “Made myself some new friends, Shiou. Don't be a pompous snot, open the goddamn gate.”

 

Another face crowded in next to Shiou's. “Friends? Since when do you make friends with outsiders? Hey, those are human women!”

 

“Glad your eyes work better than your brain, Haru,” Jano said pleasantly. “Lay a single claw on either of them and I will personally cut your fingers off and make you eat them.”

 

“No need to get so touchy,” Haru grumbled. Then he caught sight of the white-haired young hanyou. “Uh, Jano? Please tell me that's not who I think it is.”

 

“I don't have to tell you shit,” Jano said, his tone noticeably cooler. “But yes, that is exactly who you think it is.”

 

Shiou grunted. “Gonna be hell to pay.”

 

Jano sighed. “Just open the fucking gate already. It's not your problem.”

 

Shiou snapped the door shut, almost closing it on Jano's hand. He heard the familiar creak of well-oiled gears and the massive locks were turned back and the gate started to swing open. He put his palm up and pushed it easily, glancing back at his charges.

 

“Come on in, no need to be shy,” he said, smiling wickedly. Haru and Shiou stared openly at them as the newcomers filed in, catching a threatening glare from the hanyou. Jano kept his face impassive as the gate closed behind him.

 

Haru whistled softly. “You do love to live dangerously, Jano.”

 

“Only way I know.”