InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Till Death ❯ Ch.10 ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10

 

The vessel drifted just off the shore of Iwaki; the crew had decided to stop for supplies, and some of the men were becoming restless. So Kagome, Inuyasha and Miroku trudged through the streets trying to find a local izakaya where they could rest and buy sake. Finally finding one they sat themselves down silently, patiently waiting for the servers to come with their drinks. They were shocked to find one of their customers a woman, though they noiselessly distributed the drinks. Kagome took a long sip, ignoring the women's vicious glares as they tipped up Miroku and Inuyasha's cups. Wincing as the bitter liquid rushed down her throat, she cast daggers at the two men, unabashed at the many women fawning over them.

 

Disturbed at the repulsive sight Kagome drowned her beverage before excusing herself. She noticed grudgingly that neither of the men seemed to mind her absence as women draped their bodies around them. She sent glares at the woman who had the indecency to slip her traditional kimono off her shoulder. She pushed through the fusuma and stormed back to the shoreline, seeing the women going about their business. She detested the sexism of her world. Had she and Sango not proven that women were strong and more than bedding partners and vessels for their heirs? It seemed that even women were beginning to doubt their morality.

 

She watched with depressed eyes as women bent over backwards gathering water, their toddlers strapped to their backs or their infants running around their legs. It seemed one husband had come to see his wife dragging the tub of water up the sandy slope back to the village. The woman managed to climb half the hill before she stumbled on a jagged rock, spilling all the water. The water sunk deeper and deeper into the sand as the man stalked up to the distressed woman. “Insolent woman, you're delaying our meal with this stupidity. Fix my meal, and you can sleep outside with the demons tonight.” He spit. Seeing that all the woman would do was shake and cower at his feet he growled. “Now!” Before delivering a swift kick in her ribs. She let out a cry before tumbling down the hill, wincing as rocks dug into her slack body.

 

Kagome looked around with disgust at all the women who continued on with their business, as a woman was not being abused just mere feet away. She couldn't stand it. The woman hit the warm, sandy floor and let out a pained moan, rolling over before curling up into a ball. The merciless man kicked the cask, and it rolled down to her side. Kagome was not pleased with this display of aversion.

 

She stomped up to the man who was cackling at the woman with another man. She glowered at the men. She wished she had not decided to dress up in her crimson kimono today. It was quite the spectacular piece of clothing, it had silver stars embroidered all over, but it was nearly impossible to move in. The five layers of clothing constricted her movement so much she doubted she'd be able to draw her sword, let alone swing it, but she felt for the poor woman. “Man, who are you to push her around?” Kagome hissed.

 

“I am her husband, and I shall do as I please with my property.”

 

The comment just enraged her more. “So women are only possessions now? Well sir, I think that you should take better care of your possessions.”

 

“And you're going to do something about it?” He laughed. “Woman, you can barely walk, let alone fight, and you suggest that you could defeat two men. Are you a fool?” He bellowed with a choked snicker.

 

“Why, yes sir. I believe I can.” She knelt down, feeling for the dagger strapped to her calf.

 

“Come on then wench, I thought you were going to fight, not bow down to us.” The other man chuckled.

 

“Don't worry sir, your vile stupidity will soon be rewarded.” Finding her dagger she unsheathed the weapon. She launched herself at the second man, punching him with all of her might. The man flew back into a tree, knocking himself unconscious. The other man gasped as he saw the little female's strength, cowering.

 

“Pl-please! I'll s-s-stop! I-I won-won't do it again!” He swore in oath.

 

“That ain't good enough.” She marched up to the man that had clumsily stumbled much like his wife, and fell onto the ground. She lightly pressed the flat of her dagger against the man's neck. Not enough to draw blood, but the cool slide of it more than alerted him of its presence. “Treat her with respect.” She ground out, flipping the blade so the sharp edge cut into the fat of his neck. A thin layer of crimson blood coated her dagger, but the man was intact enough, he had learned his lesson. “Don't allow me to hear other.” She smirked and walked off, trying to find her way back to the izakaya where her two friends were posted.

 

When she slid open the traditional door she saw that her two companions had changed very little during her time away. Women still carelessly draped themselves over the two men as they drank their sake and chatted heartily. Silence dropped onto the room like a brick at her arrival, surprised that she had returned after she had departed in such a huff. “Kagome?” Inuyasha perked. “What's the matter? Ya look angry about somethin'.”

 

“When are we leaving? This place has beastly men that all deserve to die, and if we don't leave soon, they'll die by my hand.” She threatened darkly. “I'm going to but some supplies with Kaede or somebody, and when I'm done you better be done with whatever bootless errand you find yourself preformin'. Got it?” Before they could answer she had left, slamming the door harshly in her wake. Several women snorted at the unladylike custom, but continued with their duties. Miroku gave Inuyasha a meaningful glance, which he returned. They guzzled their drinks, removing the women's grabbing hands. They dug through their pockets and tossed the proper amount of yen onto the floor before hurrying after the raging piratess.

 

“Kagome!” Inuyasha yelled, jogging to catch up with her fuming form.

 

“What?” She snapped, shoving past the crowd to find the elderly lady who was purchasing the groceries for the crew. The system worked quite well actually, the seasoned woman bought supplies, no suspicions went to an aged lady, then when the moon rose just above the water and rained upon the port they attacked, gaining all of the currency they lost buying that day. They would sail off from the town, richer than what they had been before and satisfied.

 

“What's got you all pissy?” He demanded.

 

“None of your fucking business, asshole, just go back to your whores.” She snarled.

 

“Lady Kagome, please calm down, if we are to help you must at least explain in a calm tone.” Miroku reasoned.

 

“I dealt with it. As for you, you tramp, you have a bedridden woman back on the ship, yet all you can think of is what might satisfy your godforsaken penis!” She screeched.

 

“You don't know what you're talking about, so just shut up.” Miroku thundered, glowering at the flustered woman; Miroku never got angry, he was the only sensible one of them all.

 

“I'm sorry okay, just leave me alone.” She refused to comply with their requests, if they had got up, for one minute, to come see where she was they would know. But they hadn't and that's what mattered. “Just go back to your women.” She brushed past the crowds of women going about their daily business.

 

She knew she was being unreasonable, but seeing that women were abused for their gender was outrageous! Many times her authority had been questioned because of her sex, but seeing it happen to other innocent women was atrocious. She fled through the city, aware that Inuyasha and Miroku were still following her. Figuring that they would not interfere because she was so ferocious she allowed them without so much as a word.

 

Men and women gazed at her as she passed like they had never seen a fuming woman. What was wrong with this place!? She couldn't wait to leave; it seemed that this city still was very traditional in the ways of sexism. She pushed past a man, taking care to `accidentally' elbow him in the chest, daring him to follow. She took note of the red marks on what she assumed was his wife's wrists. “Bitch!” He hollered at her.

 

She ignored him and continued charging through the cluster of civilians. Grudgingly she noticed he hadn't followed her, she had wished to teach him a lesson on proper etiquette to a lady. Finally she saw the elderly woman purchasing three loafs of bread from a storekeeper. The intelligence of this woman! She would never buy too much at one shop, buying too much could raise questions, however innocent, questions were not welcome.

 

“Kaede!” She yelled, grabbing the woman's attention.

 

“Ah, Kagome dear! I thought you were going to spend the day with Inuyasha and Miroku.” She speculated.

 

“I was, but they decided to be pompous assholes, so I decided to come and see you. I hope you don't mind.”

 

“Not at all child. I suspect that you're aware that they are following you?”

 

“Of course, I am a Higurashi, my father, God rest his soul, would turn over in his grave if I didn't detect them.”

 

“Kagome you know he is very proud of you, and you're still going through with this arrangement. Takes a strong woman to go through with this, especially if you despise him half as much as you let on.” She chuckled.

 

“I believe we are going to discuss our marrying soon.” She grimaced despite herself. “Come on, we can't let two men get in the way of our supplies.”

 

“Quite right dear, if the crew starves to death it shall rest on their shoulders.” Kaede still had a strong sense of humor even though her years tripled Kagome's.

 

They strolled through the market place, Kagome's temper cooling as she chatted with Kaede. All the while the two men followed not so discreetly behind them. Neither of the men could figure out why Kagome was so mad, but decided that it would be a bad idea to go back to the izakaya. They were shocked when Kagome hadn't immediately twisted and roared at them for attempting to follow her. Perhaps her cause of grief was greater than they expected, so great that it was causing her senses to slacken. No matter, they were thankful to escape her vehemence.

 

When the women were done shopping they returned to the ship, smirking as the boys rushed through the city, trying to get aboard the ship before them as to not look like they had been following them all day. The stupidity of them made Kagome snort, did they really think that she could not sense them?

 

When they stepped on board they were informed by a chuckling Kouga that Inuyasha and Miroku had returned just seconds ago before he unremorsefully slapped a hand across him mouth. “I mean around two o'clock, yep that is when they got back.”

 

Kagome and Kaede held in a snicker of their own as they walked into the hold, groceries in hand. Kagome helped Kaede carry the baskets into the kitchen before leaving to find Miroku and Inuyasha, ready to apologize for her brash actions. First she went to where she correctly assumed that Miroku would be, the infirmary. He sat by Sango's bed, gently holding her hand, gazing at her, clearly ashamed of his actions with the women in the izakaya. Kagome looked at the sight and felt a tremor of anguish, he obviously felt something for her adopted sister, and she had questioned his intentions when it was obvious to everyone except for the two in question. “Miroku,” She called softly, but he heard her as though she had yelled.

 

“Kagome.”

 

“I'm so sorry! I know you really care for her and it was completely wrong of me to question you! I understand that you probably hate me right now, but the men in that village! Pigs! Sexist pigs! You should have seen the way they treated those women!” She fumed. “One called us property! Property Miroku!” She took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten. “I crossed a line, I was never really angry at you, and I hope you understand that, it was the god awful men in this place!”

 

“I understand, and I forgive you. Your anger is completely understandable, and I apologize for not being more understanding at the moment.” He smiled and drew her into a friendly hug. “Now go convince your husband-to-be.” He said with a sly wink.

 

“Thanks Miroku,” She gave him a short squeeze before running to his quarters. “Inuyasha?” Are you in there?” She heard a gruff growl and took it as a `come in'. She saw him lying on his pallet, shirt off with his angelic silver hair spread out like a halo. She couldn't help the blush that rose onto her cheeks.

 

“What? You here to blow up on me again?” He barked, still staring at the ceiling.

 

She counted down from ten again; this man was so aggravating! “No, I came to apologize.”

 

“Yeah, whatever.”

 

“That's all I get?” She demanded. “You are one of the lucky five I've ever apologized to and actually meant it and all I get is a `yeah, whatever'? You know what? I think you're a fucking asshole who doesn't deserve to even be on the crew of the mighty Higurashi Souta, let alone a captain! You better learn some fuckin' manners or you'll have a mutiny on your hands, and I'll be the first one to join! Screw you Inuyasha.” She stomped out of the room, leaving an unfazed hanyou in her wake.

 

“Yeah, well screw you too Kagome, screw you.” He hissed.

 

A/N: Oh my god! I am so sorry about the lack of updates on all my stories! I have been so busy that I haven't had a second to write, but now I'm back and I promise I'll try to start updating regularly again.

 

Kagome_LinkinPark