InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Thick as Thieves ❯ Dog Problems ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter One: Dog Problems

The half-demon called Inuyasha sat alone. He silently purveyed the bar in Dragon's Cellar from a dim corner. It was no ordinary bar and inn, as the patrons who frequented it were, as Inuyasha liked to call them `lawfully challenged'. It was a hugely popular haunt for crooks, thieves and runaways - his type of crowd. Yet, he hated these kinds of places, the noise, bustle and drunken cries always hurt his sensitive ears and the stench of smoke; alcohol and stale sweat was utterly nauseating to his sensitive nose. “It's not like I have much of a choice” he said quietly, to no-one in particular; he had been in the middle of a `job' when the weather took a turn for the worst. He chose to seek shelter over being drenched in the stifling cold. Although it was not ideal he was grateful to be indoors as the rain thundered outside. He shivered involuntarily, his clothes were still damp from earlier but he pulled his hood over his hanyou ears and silver hair, so that all that could be seen was his softly glowing eyes.

Inuyasha was pulled from his thoughts as doors at the entrance were flung open and three sopping wet figures stumbled inside, the conversation in the pub briefly halted as the company turned to examine the newcomers, after a moment or two there seemed to be a general consensus that they posed no threat and thus everyone went back to the drinks and conversation. The first two travellers shed their dripping cloaks revealing a tall, lanky human man with sandy hair and timid green eyes and secondly a striking young women with dark hair in a high ponytail. Inuyasha noticed she was wearing some kind of old fashioned armour and had two knives at her waist as well as an unidentifiable bulky mass wrapped in cloth and strapped to her back. He couldn't help but think that the sandy haired boy looked somewhat unimpressive and insignificant next to her in his typical travellers clothes with a rusty short sword on his belt. There was a flash of red and green and what looked like a ball of fluff leaped into the arms of the final cloaked member of the mysterious party. Inuyasha growled quietly as he remembered the earlier incident. The `ball of fluff' was in fact a kitsune-youkai kit; he was so little Inuyasha had almost tripped over him. That insolent squirt had then proceeded to mouth off a couple dirty insults before scooting off, but of course not before Inuyasha had hoisted him up by his bushy tail and given him some `sage advice' as well as a couple thwacks over the head. The hanyou chuckled inwardly at the memory.

He noticed the man and women from before deep in conversation, with grim looks on their faces, whatever they were discussing seemed serious indeed. Inuyasha tried to focus his hearing but to no avail. He was still trying to make out their conversation when his nose was pleasantly assaulted with a light, delicate scent. He unconsciously leant back, closed his eyes; and let it wash over him, drowning out the stench of the bar. All sorts of pleasant things floated to mind; wildflowers, spring rain, apples…he turned to where the aroma was coming from and opened his eyes: the last member of the party had finally removed her cloak. The raven-haired human was in typical bandit attire but it was completely drenched, making the fabric cling to her figure. He swallowed and gave her the once-over before silently berating himself *women are nothing more than unnecessary distractions*. He was about to get up and leave when that fox runt from before started jumping up and down and pointing at- “oh fuck” cursed Inuyasha “he's pointing straight at me”….

~*~

Kagome shrugged off her battered cloak as she listened to little Shippou tell her how some idiot had swung him around by the tail ,after almost stepping on him, and told him that “runts don't belong in the Dragon's Cellar”.

“Don't worry Shippou, if you see that guy again you just let me know, I've been itching for some target practice” she told him, grinning mischievously. The little boy beamed at her “ I knew I could count on you Kagome, you'll turn that baka into a pin-cushion”. She started laughing but stopped abruptly when she felt someone watching her. Before she could find out who, Shippou squealed in fright and shouted, “ That's him, that's HIM!” he bounced on the spot, pointing to a cloaked figure in the darkest corner of the room.

Kagome stormed over to Inuyasha, he tensed slightly as she approached.“ What the hell is your problem?” she shouted “ Or do you always go around attacking kids, you insensitive brute”. Whatever attraction Inuyasha had felt for this girl completely vanished “ Keh! If I'd have known the silly runt had such a fearsome bodyguard I would have thought twice “, He answered sarcastically.

“E-Excuse me?” Kagome.

“Yes, you are excused ugly wench, so go away. I don't like the sight of your face” he retorted. “What?! Who are you calling ugly!” Kagome screeched, Inuyasha winced, and fought the urge to cover his ears and Shippou hid behind a chair. By now their argument had drawn the mild attention of half the room and the dark haired women from earlier was hurrying to the scene in the hopes of pacifying the situation. She grabbed Kagome mid-launch, “Kagome what are you thinking, you're drawing attention to yourself! And don't even think of getting into a brawl”.

“oh c'mon Sango, Let me at him” she whined, straining against Sango's grip. Inuyasha began to smirk arrogantly, knowing he'd won. He got up slowly, with the intention of leaving but after two steps he turned around, looked Sango straight in the eyes and said “You know you should probably keep that animal on a leash”. He began to smirk at Sango's reaction but at that moment Kagome broke free and took a swipe at him. His reflexes were lightening fast and he leaned back to easily dodge her small fist. However this only caused Inuyasha's hood to fall back and he inwardly groaned as he saw Kagome and Sango blatantly staring at him. He mentally braced himself for the degrading comments…

Kagome gawped at Inuyasha, taking in his silvery hair, and sharp jawline…before resting on the two furry triangles perched on top of his head, “You have puppy-ears!” she blurted out unintentionally. *Of all the things she could say… * Inuyasha thought sighing, “These, you ignorant trash, are NOT puppy-ears” he said in a dignified voice, pointing at both his ears. Kagome ignored the insult and blinked, she had suddenly become aware of an almost insuppressible urge to stroke them. Her face grew hot and she knew she was blushing. “ But I've never seen anybody with pup- I mean those ears” she said curiously, pointing atop his head timidly.

“ I'm not just anybody wench, I'm half dog-demon, an inu-hanyou” he explained as though talking to a small child *wait a minute? Was she blushing?*.

“I kinda of noticed' She spat back “ Its not like I'm stupid”,

“Well, actually…” he replied casually, pulling his hood over his head.

“Why you-“

“ANYWAY…” Inuyasha cut in “ I'd stay and chat, but there are things that I'd rather be doing, like nailing my hand to a wall for example, so long, and here's to hoping we never have to run into each other again”. Kagome just snorted

“Wow, there's something we actually agree on, good riddance”. Inuyasha ,however, didn't hear her due to him already being half-way to the exit. There seemed to be a break in to bad weather and he could see some of the starry night sky outside, he sniffed the air, and knew instantly that the good weather wouldn't last long. He jumped onto the inn roof, and leaped off to where ever it was that he decided to call `home' that night.

~*~

Kagome groaned under the covers the next morning as she woke to the rain clattering against the windows. Sango was already dressed and ready for the day she tiptoed over to Kagome's bed,

“ Wake up Kagome, its morning and we have things to do, places to go…and, you know what today is!” Sango said, prodding Kagome's form gently. “Urrrrgh. Don't bother Sango, I'm already awake” she drawled sleepily, but grinned under the covers as she remembered that it was her eighteenth birthday.

“Hmmmm….ohhh-kay” Sango said, unconvinced, and ripped the covers off the bed. Kagome squeaked in surprise, giving a death-stare to Sango who just burst out laughing, “Happy Birthday!”. Kagome began to smile deviously; she picked up a one of her pillows and hurled it straight at Sango. It hit her smack in the face; she stopped laughing abruptly, slowly crouched down to retrieve the offending pillow, and straightened out, her eyes, never leaving the girl on the bed. Kagome discreetly gripped the corner of a pillow behind her, the two friends stared at each other in complete silence for a few moments, thunder rumbled in the distance but neither even flinched. Then after a moment, they both simultaneously broke out into impish grins and launched themselves at each other. They were roaring with laughter and battering each other with pillows. Kirara, the neko-youkai just cracked an eye open to watch them for a second but then went back to snoozing on the rug. Suddenly the door burst open, “Saaango-saan, Kagomeeeee-saaaaan, I brought you your breakfa-” His voice caught and the sandy-haired man's green eyes took in the scene. Feathers everywhere-Sango-pillow in hand-in mid swing and…. Kagome? He dropped the tray of food and barely heard it clatter as it hit the floor. Kagome! She was wearing nothing except a baggy shirt! Barely even going down to her knees! He rapidly turned six shades of red. He tried to speak, to apologise or explain; but all that came out was pathetic gurgle.

“HOJO!!! You brainless creep! Haven't you ever heard of knocking?!?!” Sango shouted, shoving him out the door and slamming it in his face. She then leant her back against it , sliding down to sit on the floor, and sighed dramatically. Sango glanced at Kagome, she hadn't moved and inch, she caught Sango's eyes and grinned nervously. Sango couldn't hold it in any longer, she howled with laughter, “Oh my god, Kagome!” she said breathlessly, “Did, you see Hojo's face? Who thought that a bit of bare skin could have such a ridiculous effect on him!”. Kagome began to laugh good-heartedly with her friend before helping her clean up the room and getting dressed. The breakfast was beyond salvaging but it didn't matter as neither of them were hungry.

Kagome received small trinkets from all of her friends, and for the most part her birthday seemed to pass like any other day. Well, almost…for the rest of the day Hojo couldn't look at Kagome without blushing profusely. Shippou had heard the tale from Sango who gave him a flamboyant blow-by-blow account, and naturally the little kit found it absolutely hysterical. He took every opportunity to tease Hojo, who he knew to be a spineless, yet endearing. However Kagome could not get the previous nights events out of her head, especially the `almost' fight with that hanyou.

Earlier that same evening, she had left Shippou with Kirara at the inn while Hojo, Sango and herself went out to rob some rich fool's country estate. They had been in the middle of the deed when the City Guard had interrupted, not wanting to be arrested they had fled, leaving almost all the merchandise. It went from bad to worse; while they were making their way back to the inn the heavens had decided to rain on their parade, literally. She had been tired, wet and majorly pissed off so when she heard about that that guy harassing Shippou she snapped and had taken out her frustration on the stranger, “Maybe I should apologise” she said quietly to herself over dinner, “Huh? What are you talking about Kagome?” Sango asked curiously,

“Ummmm, well you know…I was pretty rude to that guy last night” she responded,

Sango huffed in frustration “ So was he! He told me I should keep you on leash, pretty hypocritical, coming from a DOG demon and all…”

“He was a hanyou actually,and, um, I know he said that stuff, but…I mean, I was rude to him first, right?”,

“Kagome! Let it go … You insulted him. He insulted you. END OF STORY!” argued Sango “ God, what do you find so fascinating about him”. Kagome flinched, and snorted, “ Don't be RIDICULOUS! Sango. He's an arrogant, block-headed and stubborn…And I can't STAND even the thought of him!”.

“Hmmmmm, good. Then we agree.” Sango said tiredly “ Besides, you'll most likely never ever even see him again”. Kagome couldn't help but sigh.

“ Nervous for tonight, huh?” said Sango mistakenly.

“ Maybe a little” said Kagome *…I just have a bad feeling about it, but I can't tell Sango that otherwise she'll insist on going with me* she thought secretly.

“Are you absolutely sure that you don't want me to come with you?” Sango asked sincerely.

“Its okay” said Kagome smiling, “its just a stupid rumour, and Hojo is probably right when he says nothing's there. Besides, you deserve to have an evening in”..

“Well, okay…its getting late so you be go get ready, don't forget to take a cloak I'm sure its pretty cold outside”. Kagome just nodded cheerfully and went to change.

~*~

Inuyasha had had a terrible morning, he and gone out in to rain for some basic pick-pocketing but had come back soaking wet, with almost nothing to show for his efforts, the meagre amount of silver coins would only go as far as tonight's dinner, which meant he would be back at it the next morning. He also had to pay his Fence a visit; he was barely scraping by and needed a proper job that would bring in a fair amount of gold. He was afraid that if it went on as it did he would starve…. Or worse- have to ask his brother for help. In all fairness, his Fence, Miroku, had been on a two-month pilgrimage and only just returned. Miroku had recommended Inuyasha visit some senile flea-demon called Myouga if he needed information on jobs while Miroku was gone but he had immediately refused. It had taken him a long time to learn to trust Miroku, so for him to go to some stranger was completely out of the question.

They had met when Inuyasha was about eleven; at the time they were both street urchins. Naraku had killed their both families and they survived by filching food, and sleeping on the streets. At first there had been a mutual dislike but slowly, they had become `business partners'. Miroku was never been suited for thieving, and wasn't nearly as tough as Inuyasha, and Inuyasha was shunned by everyone because he was a hanyou. They decided that Miroku would organize and line up `jobs' and Inuyasha would perform them. Afterward Miroku would sell the loot on the black market and they would split the profits. This arrangement worked brilliantly; people always-trusted Miroku's open face and easy smile, he was able to coax all kinds of gossip from everyone and was quick to pick up the ins and outs of the illegal market trades. Whilst Inuyasha on the other hand grew to be incredibly strong, fast and felt (practically) no remorse, whatever laws he broke. Over the years the perfect partnership had turned into an almost perfect friendship (although neither of them would admit it).

Inuyasha entered the shrine from the back entrance. He had always tried to stay out of sight during daylight hours, well at least since the so-called `reclamation' by the Lord Naraku. Five noble houses had originally governed the kingdom, and for centuries they had kept the peace between humans and demons. Until a commoner named Onigumo had risen up and slaughtered the ruling bloodlines mercilessly. Afterwards he had gone with a small army from town to town and village to village murdering those who opposed him. Inuyasha had been an infant when his father died, and is mother didn't last long after the death of her mate, he didn't remember anything about his father but he knew he had been a powerful demon. He had a handful of hazy memories from his time with his mother but her most clearly recalled her scent; it was one that he associated with warmth, comfort and love. Of course after Onigumo appointed himself `High King' and changed his name to Naraku the demons blamed the humans and the humans blamed the demons. Friend turned against friend, comrade against comrade until there was a great rift between the two species, and Hanyou; they were smack in the middle of it all.

Inuyasha sighed morosely and turned another corner in the shrine's labyrinth of passages. He hated thinking about this particular subject, especially about the death of his parents but even though he hated Naraku he had no vengeful intentions toward him. He had accepted how things were; that he would always be hated and alone (well, except for Miroku but that idiot didn't count) and decided that he would live out the rest of his life as comfortably as possible.

He was almost there- Miroku's `secret hideout', his pace quickened. He turned right and-WHAM! Miroku fell onto the ground at the impact “Dear me, Inuyasha. I had no idea you missed me THAT much” the monk chuckled, getting off the ground and dusting off his robes. “ Keh! Don't flatter yourself monk, it was an accident' Inuyasha snorted. Miroku just sighed, “And here I thought it was because of my of my rogue-ish charm and good looks”.

“I just wasn't looking were I was going” muttered Inuyasha. He then straightened out and looked at Miroku “So are we gonna stand around all day, or we gonna get to business?”. Miroku became serious,

“Of course, just step into my office”. Inuyasha snorted in amusement

“You mean the broom closet?”. Miroku chose not to reply….

~*~

Kagome flitted through the shadows, bow in hand. She stopped at her destination and stared at what would have once been grand but was now decrepit gates. She heard from an acquaintance of hers, an old flea-demon that there was a great treasure inside the castle beyond these ga- She tensed up, something was heading her way, something or somebody. She scanned the area from the shadows, she looked upward toward the roofs and caught a glint of silver that reminded her of a particularly irritating `someone'. Just in case she reached for an arrow-

“KYAAAA!” she squealed as she felt a clawed hand seize her throat. She looked up and stared into two glowing amber eyes, “Just WHAT do you think YOU are doing here?” said Inuyasha.