InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 2

Chapter 2

They continued down the corridor, making another few turns. Sango heard a faint grumble behind her, and saw that his ears were pressed back for a second before returning to their normal position.

She took a guess as to what was bothering him. "I know it's close in here, especially if you've never been here before. But Kagome's room is just ahead, and she actually has a balcony, so it's not so closed in."

He looked at her in surprise, and for the first time since Kagome collapsed, she actually felt like smiling. "She's the same way. That's why she lives so high up in the castle, when most others don't feel like making the walk. Any balconies lower than those on her floor are considered a security risk."

He grunted. He doesn't speak much, Sango thought. She made one last turn and Kagome's room was up ahead.

"Here it is." She opened the door to Kagome's room and motioned him to her bed. She noticed that a pitcher of water was still on the stand next to it and silently thanked the gods.

Inu Yasha laid her on the bed, and felt her forehead again. It was cooler to the touch than it had been on the wall. "She's strong," he thought to himself. "I hope…I hope…"

"Shit!" He clenched his fists, looking down at Kagome.

Sango looked up at him, alarmed. "What? Did something happen? What's wrong?"

He made a visible effort to bring himself under control. "No, it's just…this won't be easy for her. And I'm sorry for that." Sango looked on in amazement.

He sounded so frustrated, and guilty.

I believe him, she thought. She walked over to his side, and placed a hand on his arm. "I don't know what's going on, and I'll respect your request for me to hear it from Kagome herself…but I'll do what I can to help."

"Umm…thanks." She got the idea that he didn't say that often.

All of a sudden, there was the sound of running in the hall. Sango spun around, eyes to the door. "What now?"

"Sango!" That sounded like Tiy, the housekeeper.

"Inu Yasha!" That voice wasn't familiar. It sounded like a young man, around her own age.

"In here, Tiy!" she called, just before the door burst open. Tiy stopped just inside, trying to catch her breath, as the young man behind her glared at the man standing over Kagome.

"What is going on? You took ten years off my life. First, you grab your chest and fall over like an old man, then you jump over the fort walls, then I hear you've kidnapped one of the girls who lives here, then…" He was cut off by a low growl.

"Don't start with me, dirty monk. It's one of those fucking days and I'm not in the mood."

Violet eyes widened before Miroku started again. "People's lives depend on our the information we have. Even you can't be this selfish."

Judging by the growl that was steadily growing in volume, and her own rising tension, Sango decided it was time to step in. Taking one last look at her friend, she strode over to the latest in what was turning out to be a long line of irritations today.

"Do you mind? I don't know what's wrong with Kagome, but I won't have her disturbed by some idiot barging into her room."

Miroku blinked down at the woman now staring him down. Immediately, his attitude shifted, and he became all concern. "Miss, I apologize for my behavior. My concern for my cousin is no excuse for my manners." He gave Sango the smile that had charmed many women before her, but she was having none of it.

"Just keep it down," she grunted, turning back to the bed after a last suspicious look at the monk.

He sighed and looked at Tiy, but the housekeeper was just as befuddled as he was. "Could someone please tell me what is going on? I really would rather not go back downstairs without answers for everyone."

Sango took a deep breath. "I'm not really sure either, but…I think we'll find out when Kagome wakes up." She glanced at Inu Yasha. "At least, that's what I gather from what he's told me."

Meanwhile, Kagome is in no hurry to wake up. She knew she was dreaming, because she could see the green fields and winding river of her childhood home, before her father had been stationed at Kieran's Pass.

She raised a hand to her chest, half expecting an arrow or crossbow bolt to be sticking from it. She had never felt such intense pain before without an obvious physical cause. Well, she couldn't expect to feel pain in a dream, now could she?

Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. She had often missed the scent of the breeze off the river. The sun was warm and bright on her skin, and she thought she would like nothing better than a wade in the river.

At that thought, a wave of impatience washed over her. She stopped, surprised. It wasn't her impatience she felt. Looking around, there was no one else visible in her dreamscape. Shrugging, she began walking towards the river again. This time she felt it again, with an almost audible snarl of disgust. In the way of dreams, she became aware that she was not alone.

The presence didn't seem threatening, so she wasn't scared when she called out, "I know you're out there…whoever you are."

There was no verbal response, although she did pick up a feeling of surprise from the other presence. Surprise tinged with…pride?

"Why are you impressed? Am I not supposed to know you're there?"

"Usually," she jumped at the voice by her ear, "most humans are so scared to be here that they don't recognize anything outside their own fear. So I'm told." The voice was low, male and …dangerous wasn't the right word, but…feral. Like its owner spent all his life in the wild. The amber eyes she saw from the fort wall flashed in her mind. Spinning around, she turned and looked up into his face.

She swallowed. "Did we die? Is that what this place is?" She felt the tears start welling up. "I wasn't ready to die. Auntie was right. Virtue is not its own reward…" She stopped at the parade of emotions across her companion's face. Panic at her tears, confusion at to how to stop them, and pure male amusement at her dismay.

"No, we're not dead… Bond formation can be difficult…and Dog Clan members form some of the strongest." He sighed. "Look…I'll try to make this as easy on you as I can…but don't expect miracles. I am not a patient man. Now wake up. I don't want anybody blaming this shit on me."

"But…" Kagome sputtered. Bond? Dog Clan? Was he typically this incoherent?

"You've spent enough time laying around, bitch. Up! Now!" The last word was punctuated by a very canine snarl.

"Kagome!" Sango spun around as Kagome shot up from her previous prone position, eyes wide.

Kagome looked around at all the people in her room, her gaze finally settling on Sango. "I'm alright…I mean, I'm not hurt." Her large eyes shifted to the white-haired man who hadn't taken his eyes off her yet. "I'm a little confused though…so since you're not a patient man, do you think you could explain it slowly?"

He raised an eyebrow at her tone, but nodded. "You may want to not want everyone to hear it…you can decide to share it later, but you may want to hear in private at first."

She looked at him steadily for a moment. "Alright."

She turned to the others. "If you don't mind…"

"Kagome, are you sure?" It was obviously a struggle for Sango not to say more. Her fists were clenched at her sides, and the battle light flashed in her eyes.

Miroku cleared his throat. "I hate to impose on you, but if you don't mind, I'd appreciate a guide to the officer in charge. I can easier find my way across a battlefield than an unfamiliar keep, but I would not wish to keep Tiy from her duties any longer."

Sango blinked in surprise. This-monk was a warrior? She thought to refuse, but knew she wouldn't forgive herself for reflecting badly on the fighters of Kieran's Pass. "O-of course." She turned to Tiy. "And if you need help finding places for all the guests, Tiy, I can help you later."

"Bless you child," the older woman smiled. "I'm sure I'll be fine. Now that everything here is settled, why don't we move on and give Kagome her space. I'm sure she's tired."

Kagome managed a slight smile, even though she was so impatient she wanted to scream at everyone to leave. "I'll be ok, Tiy. Thank you."

As they left the room, Miroku, motioned for the two women to go first. Tiy simply nodded in thanks, but Sango stared at him a moment before reddening slightly and passing him on the way to the door. All of a sudden, she stiffened, and her head snapped around and she impaled the monk with a narrowed gaze.

"That better not have been what I thought it was, monk," she growled. "Because I don't need a weapon to kill you."

Miroku never lost his pleasant smile. "I have no idea what you mean…but I apologize if I have somehow offended you." He ignored Inu Yasha's snort of disbelief.

She gave him another suspicious look before finally leaving the room. She'd spent most of her life around soldiers…she knew an ass grab when she felt one.

There was a short silence after the door closed. Kagome looked around for a minute, self-consciously avoiding Inu Yasha's eyes. When she finally got the nerve to look up at him, he was doing the same thing. He was facing the same direction she was, but had his head turned away, arms crossed on his chest.

"So," Kagome jumped, the sudden sound startling her. "What do you know about shape-shifters?"

"Umm…" she shifted. "Not much, really. You live in clans, you can change shape …although…I, umm," she paused, with a glance at the fuzzy ears on top of his head, "I've never seen one take shape like you before."

All of a sudden, like before, she could sense someone else's feelings. Tension…almost as if he were steeling himself for her rejection. "I'm half human. I can't control my shape as well as a full `shifter."

"Oh," she shrugged. "So, I guess we're getting off the real subject. What…happened to me?"

"Well…we Bonded."

"Bonded? So what does that mean?"

He sighed theatrically. "Look, men usually don't have to explain this…for the most part it's supposed to happen with another shifter, and her mom would have explained this to her already." He turned to look at her, then looked away again. "So I'm not being vague on purpose, I've just never had to talk about it before."

"OK." She swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Maybe it'll help if I ask questions then, and you can just answer."

"Actually…this would probably be even easier." His gaze suddenly became more intense and filled her vision like before. A rush of images and emotions streaked through her and she gasped. It only took a few seconds, but it left her shaken.

"You understand now?" Inu Yasha was still looking at her, but it wasn't as intense as a moment ago.

"Y-yes." Kagome swallowed. Through their bond, he had explained everything about it, in a sort of wordless communion. The sharing of thoughts and feelings, the ability to sense each other's presence…and the permanence.

"This means," she swallowed again, "we're married?"

He looked away, a slight blush on his face. "That's the closest human term. We think of it more as being mated. There's no ceremony to make it official, since any shifter can now sense we are Bonded. Our souls and minds are joined.

"But I understand this is all new to you…so I don't want you to think I'm going to force you into…anything. I don't want anything you don't want to give."

Kagome felt the blood rising to her own face. "I appreciate that. I believe it will take me some time to get used to all this."

"Yeah…me too." He straightened. "Well, like my cousin said, our mission here is pretty important. I need to speak to the commander."

"I understand."

"Rest here a little while longer…what happened to you is pretty draining. I'll see you as soon as I can." A faint grin touched his lips. "You'll know where to find me."

"Where…? Oh. Oh, I guess I will." She responded automatically, not meeting his gaze.

He paused at her chamber door. "Get some rest," he repeated.

Kagome nodded as her door closed behind me.

"I think I will go to sleep. I don't…I don't want to think right now."

Inu Yasha made his way to the stairwell, and started walking down the endless flights of stairs. This is not the time for a bonding, he knew. The upcoming battle will be the most challenging of his young life. He needed all his concentration for that, but a bonding was not to be taken lightly. If neglected, it could permanently warp both parties. And, he thought with a sigh, wasn't he too young for this? He thought he'd have years before he had to think about settling down…

He mentally shook himself. No matter. It happened, and they would deal with it. She was a strong woman, he could tell through their link. They could handle it.

On the ground floor, he grabbed a passing servant, asking where he could find the fort commander. The man took one look at the shifter's dog ears and led him to the war room personally.

As he walked in, he sighed. The look on Miroku's face did not bode well for the state of the discussion. His cousin looked ready to strangle someone, and while it didn't take long for Inu Yasha to get to that point, Miroku had a much higher tolerance level.

"Captain," Miroku said tightly. "I understand this is difficult to believe, but we did not travel 3 days without stopping for a mere rumor or supposition. You insult us by treating us like hysterics."

Captain Saito shifted his enormous bulk. He obviously had not seen any serious combat in years, and probably been awarded his post in return for some outstanding service in the past. Inu Yasha eyed the man's size again. Far, far in the past.

"I mean no insult, sir," Saito stated in a tone that suggested otherwise. "It's just that the very idea is unbelievable. Who would dare to launch an attack here? This place is impenetrable."

Miroku's fist clenched around his staff, and Inu Yasha decided it was time to step in. "Captain, my cousin speaks the truth. We have received word of a plan to attack this fort and the people behind it are counting on attitudes like yours to ensure its success."

The Captain's face began to turn red. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! Insolent boy!"

Inu Yasha's eyes narrowed. "I'm no boy, fat man. My cousin has tried the polite way. I thought you might listen to the direct way. You will be attacked, whether you believe it or not. It hurts no one to ready your warriors for such an attempt."

Saito looked as though he were about to explode. "Why you-"

"Besides, do you really want to be known as the first to unsuccessfully defend the Pass in the past hundred years?" This stopped his mounting tirade short.

Miroku had regained enough of his slipping temper to step back in. "My cousin has a point. It does no harm to ready the troops. No one will doubt your concern for the weighty responsibility entrusted to you."

This seemed to soothe the irate man's temper a bit. "Well…"

"He's right." The new voice came from the door. "As little action as these troops see, it will do them no harm to ready for a real battle." A tall, dark haired man strode into the war room.

"Commander!" Captain Saito straightened in his chair. "We didn't expect you back for another two weeks."

"I know." He looked around the room at all present. "I cut the trip short when I heard the same rumor these men did." He turned to the men in question. "You have my thanks. You are true men of honor and true sons of the Domain."

Miroku bowed. "We only do what is right." His cousin's only response was a grunt, but his eyes showed his approval.

"Captain." The bulky man struggled up from his seat. "Put the fort on alert. More orders will be forthcoming."

"Yes, Commander." He walked from around the table and left the room, followed by a shorter man in blue. The aide turned and nodded to the rest of the room before he exited.

The commander sat down one of the chairs at the table. He looked a little over two score years of age, and still in fighting condition. He had dark hair and piercing, but not unfriendly eyes. There was something about him that tugged at Inu Yasha, but he decided to figure it out later.

"Please tell me everything that you heard. Like I said, I caught wind of the report as well, but I want to make sure I have as much information as possible before I plan our defense." His face hardened. "There are too many lives depending on the stand we make here in the Pass."

He held up a hand, and a servant boy came running over. "Yes, Commander?"

"Ota, please have refreshments sent. We'll be here a while."

"Yes, Commander." Ota ran to the kitchens.

"Have your men been seen to…" He paused. "Excuse me, I never introduced myself. I am Commander Naota Higurashi, garrison commander here at Kieran's Pass."

Miroku stood and bowed. "I am Miroku, a humble servant of the gods."

Naota's eyebrow raised. "A warrior monk? Not many are called to that path."

He smiled. "The world is a dangerous place, Commander."

"I have certainly seen enough evidence of that." He turned to Inu Yasha. "And you?"

"I am Inu Yasha, son of Masaharu, of the Bright Water sept of the Dog Clan." He stated, arms folded across his chest. Naota got the feeling the stance was habitual, not confrontational.

"I welcome you both to Kieran's Pass." He inclined his head.