InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Wooden Nickels ❯ Justice Served ( Chapter 5 )

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

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is property of Rumiko Takahashi

His companion had taken it upon herself to draw into a lapse of silence for the past hour. Indeed, she hadn't spoken a word since they had left the bar above two hours, at least. Instead she seemed, and this was, of course, a stretch; content enough to curl away into the solitary corner farthest from his immediate presence. Pressed between the heater and the cool window the young girl sat, wrapped up completely in the thick red blanket she had been given. Her extraordinary crystal-blue eyes remained on him for the duration of time spent, as of yet, in the hotel room. Her face only shifting into momentary contempt once; when he had taken out his wooden nickels to pay for the room.

In his mind Inuyasha felt that, above all, he was doing her justice. A kindness that she would never know, but still a gallant thing none the less. The act of not being able to hate her, in spite of all the hateful words she threw, the hand she presented to his cheek, and her closed mind to any possibility aside from the notion that he was only a kidnapper in her eyes; despite the hate she readily announced, he couldn't return the words or actions.

True though it may be that this woman had it made up to utterly annoy him from the very moment they had stood face to face; he still couldn't find it in him to hate her back. Past the cruel words and understandable ignorance that formed how she presented herself in front of him, he saw something in her that he had never known. A light, a truth. An innocence that he believed no longer existed.

He wouldn't let himself think that there was a possibility that he could ever prefer her. And yet, he couldn't find himself thinking otherwise.

Any time he looked at her he felt compelled to take a longer look. She was magnetic, even in her anger. It was a task to pull his eyes away from her, to look away from something so entirely radiant if not singly the most beautiful thing he had looked upon for years. He wondered at that for a moment. Became suddenly, though, rather against his better self; curious about this poor girl.

The primary thing he knew of was that she was engaged to Kouga.

He suddenly felt angry, bitterly hostile towards her from this solitary thought. For one who showed a certain amount of light, how could she let herself be pulled by the dark walks of life--by deception and clearly fake personalities?

Her silence became suddenly insulting as well, the dark room taking over her as Kouga had been able to take possession of her better self, most possibly. He wanted her to begin to yell and express her hatred, only to see the light in her eyes.

Had she given up?

Was she about ready to listen to him?

Did she have the capabilities in her to believe what he had to say?

Off in the distance a cold voice laughed out in mirth. Of course not. He was an enemy to her. There would be no equality or chance for the other side of a story. All that she saw, all that she experienced was all that she wanted to know, obviously. Who was he to present to her possibilities? To show her that she was clearly acting the part of the childish one, against her former accusations?

From his spot, the opposite corner to her own, Inuyasha shifted wearily in his chair. She didn't move, nor take her glance way. He held her blue eyes just as strong.

"You can go on the dammed bed"

"I thank you, but I prefer my current place"

He made an irritated sound that rose from the back of his throat "You're going back to that, huh?"

"Certainly. I dropped it only to experiment. Had I sunk to your level I thought I might have stood a better chance of getting a deal from you. However, I was mistaken. You don't even treat equals in fairness"

"I told you I'd get you home" he said darkly

After a moment "Excuse me if I didn't believe you"

"And that you don't now either?"

"No. I don't need an excuse from that. I have every right to loose my faith in those words with the facts that we are currently in a hotel, still in this "underground", and absolutely nowhere near my home”

"When you say home--you're not talkin' of a place with Kouga, right?'

"Don't even play" she snapped. Her eyes finally lit up, making Inuyasha's heart beat a bit faster "You're the one who took me--of course you know where I live!"

"I already told you. I'm not taking you back to that wolf"

"Then, it's wonderful that I hadn't an ounce of trust in a single word of the many you spoke" she said coldly "I saved my self from a great deal more disappointment than, surely, I deserve"

He felt that this was a rather unpromising way to have things between them, but still couldn't find it in him to sway her further to his side. If she was even starting to look his way, that was. He could see her side just fine, though. In her mind, after all, there was only lies and truth. The knowledge of this angered him.

"What happened to that whole damned speech you gave on childish ideals? Why not open your mind and look to the possibility that it's not merely for my own good fun that I'm tellin' ya that wolf is no good"

"I beg your pardon but I find it hard to believe a person who has yet to hand me with one truth. If I should take into consideration all things presented to me why, I'd be rather taken advantage of, wouldn't I? You have done nothing to deserve my good opinion or--"

"Ah! There you go again on the same hypocritical tone! You told me you wanted to judge without prejudice!"

"When there was still a chance to judge that way!" she said with spirit "However, the chance is lost. My power to see you in the right is gone. You only want me to suffer for you amusement"

"Believe me, I am not amused"

"Well! Then, next time you perform a little "stalk and capture" keep this feeling in mind!"

"I never kidnapped anyone in my whole fuckin' life so you can count on--"

"Oh really! You can just end your false innocent pleads right there. How can you deny my abduction when your fingerprints are all over me?"

He wasn't pleased with the association she cast him in, and the fire that lit her eyes had gone back over to that point of utter hatred that he could only grant was fair. A variety of different emotions ran through him, making him hot and uneasy. He rose from his chair quickly and turned his back on her, pressing his palm to the wall and his warm forehead to his fabricated arm. For a few seconds he stood in such an aggravated attitude, willing himself to calm over these silly feeling of the just and unwelcome.

At last, he released a sigh. His head bent low against the arm that braced him against the wall; his hair falling past his shoulder to one side.

"Why don't you just sleep?"

"I've already told you, I'm not in the least bit tired"

He cast a glance back at her, weary to find dark circles under her eyes, before turning back to his wall. Weren't humans supposed to sleep? He was fairly certain that he remembered his mother sleeping every night, even while she had been at her healthiest. Yet this girl hadn't closed her eyes since she had come to from her forced unconscious state. A strange pang stung his chest as he realized how much the woman must truly hate and distrust him to refuse necessities.

"Go to sleep" he repeated between clenched teeth

"I'm not--"

"I don't give a damn if you are!" he spun, laying a set of stormy violet eyes on her "Sleeping is something humans do so--just sleep!"

"Well, Mister. If you're going to play by those games--I see two humans here. Why don't you sleep? Don't trust me enough not to run?"

"I don't trust anyone" he snapped angrily "And I don't sleep"

"Oh! How coincidental! Neither do I"

He made a growling sound, feeling pressed and increasingly uncomfortable from efforts being thrown so carelessly aside; those in which he thought were perfectly amiable. And yet, despite this unrest she looked even more---even less....he still couldn’t find the image of her revolting. It was more addicting, more annoying, seemingly empowering of him in an unstoppable way that left him reaching out for a piece of self-restraint that was unattainable.

It was perhaps this attraction towards her that fueled his anger. It was this that made him punch the wall, leaving a hole that served as an unusual window from the hallway into the scene taking place. Of a black haired man seething in his emotions, and of a blue eyed girl watching calmly from her corner.

Inuyasha didn't see the calm face, unflinching from his sudden outburst. Rather thinking that he had frightened her in the very least. However, what he did hear was:

"Now that was just rude” He pressed his palm next to the hole to brace himself again. Behind him, a soft patter of footsteps approached "At your apartment I'd stand by and let you destroy everything. But, really! Have a bit of decency. I don't care to take into account how horrible this hotel is; the fact remains it isn't yours. Kindly step away from the wall. You've done enough damage"

His response was to look up to the ceiling, as if in a silent prayer. Both eyes directed to the space above, he wasn't aware of her intention of reaching out to him until he felt a tap on his arm. Reflexively, he lashed out at the touch and was too late, therefore, in realizing what he had done.

The girl looked up at him from her spot on the floor, her big blue eyes filled with unwilling tears. Her face reddened as she picked herself back up. Did she notice the late proof of regret across his face? No. She was angry. He smelled her anger, her fear, even her hatred and sadness. It made him dizzy and weak, pressed him to take an unfortunate step back as she approached him.

A single tear fell from her eye. And he cringed, feeling suddenly like a huge bully looking upon a tiny child who had done nothing so wrong as to deserve such harsh treatments. He suddenly felt compelled to place himself in the right. To show that his actions were justified, that her tears were wrong, and her ideas false. Before she could open her dried lips he said, with a stern voice:

"Don't touch me” But immediately regretted the way his actions had been advocated. He tried again, only to feel another assault of flesh to flesh across his right cheek.

"Don't push me"

He noticed her breathing had become as deep and uneven as his own. She stood close enough that he could feel it, practically taste it. She raised one finger, holding it before his nose.

"And another thing" Again, a tear dropped from her eye "Don't you dare yell at me. I've done nothing to deserve it, you understand? I've done nothing that can even compare to what you are doing to me. I am not childish. When you say that you won't kill me, when you say that you will take me home--I want to believe it. I want to believe it so bad that it hurts--but you won't let me. I would even be ready to believe that your innocent if you showed some sign that proved this. Not going around pointing the finger at Kouga, dragging me around, being secretive, and taking me to this--this hotel. I don't want a game, Inuyasha” The sound of his name made him start "Give me the truth. I'm listening"

He looked away. How could he not? There was so much strength; an incredible, unexpected, not at all earned amount of trust in those eyes that he couldn't bear to look them straight on. Who was she? What the hell was she that she thought that by just saying she believed him he would tell all?

The idea struck him, sharp as a knife. She didn't want to be in his confidence--no. What she was ultimately after was anything she could get on him, anything that could help her get away from him! What she really wanted did not lie in things that would have made this situation easier for both of them, rather in the evidence she could find through him to secure her own desire that he might be locked away in a cell for all eternity.

He seethed from this thought, felt betrayed and disgusted. Yet he knew it had to be the truth. Since the beginning she had been running on such conjectures of his mind and it's capacity of intellect, seeing how she could squeeze away from one she treated as if he suffered from mental dysfunctions. And the thought that she had momentarily made him loose his defense cut through him faster than a set of claws.

"It's not smart to think well of those who you believe to be your kidnapper" he said at last, looking up to her with a cynical grin "Ever hear of Stockholm Syndrome?"

She half laughed, half sobbed "I hate you. I really, truly hate you"

Immediately, the overwhelming smell of blood flowed in; blood of a most familiar class. A scream followed the rush, echoing soundly against the four walls of their room. Then, as quickly as both had come, not a trace in the air revealed it's possible presence. The girl's eyes grew wide, looking around as if the scream had come from within the room.

"What was that?"

He set his teeth "Follow me. And take that blanket with you, understand?"

He pulled open the door and started out into the hall, head heavy with a different surge of frustration. A familiar source of his anger but not at all welcome. He had hoped, above all, that these situations could be avoided while the girl was around. But he knew it was all wishful thinking in the end. Hardly a spare amount of hours could pass without an incident occurring. Therefore, all he had left to hope on reasonably was a cleaner scene than usual.

Half way down to the main desk he made it, until the realization hit that there was no girl following his strides. His heart beat faster as he returned back down to the room, seeing her sitting upon the edge of the mattress. Her eyes were bigger than he had yet seen them to be, her lips parted to allow her suddenly shallow breath.

"I think it's a man" she said quietly "I heard it again--softer"

"That's just fine" he said coolly, holding out his hand "Just come on"

"What?" her eyes flashed in curious pain "You want me to go with you?"

"I'm not extending to invitation to the bed, princess"

"But. I--"

“There's no time for dawdling and you can't fuckin' stay her by yourself"

"I--"

"Do you really think torture and death is better than coming with me?!" he shouted at last, causing her to jump to her feet “Get your ass off that bed and come. You stay here? You'll have more to deal with than being a rape victim"

They met half way into the room and she took his hand, squeezing it tight from her own fears. He was more than aware that she was unconscious of this little action, but he wasn't so foolish as to believe himself unconscious to it's rather obvious effects it produced for himself.

Together the two hurried down the hall, by his lead, to the front desk where Inuyasha began the interrogation. He drew the woman behind him as he stood before the desk, pressing both hands on the cool metal counter. The man heading their temporary resting stop looked back into Inuyasha's eyes with a most noticeable fear, easy to pick out without the scent floating about him.

"Where are they?"

Despite this look of apprehension, he played out the cool card "Who?"

Inuyasha didn't have time for game faces, though. Immediately the man's back was pressed against the wall, his feet dangling inches from the ground as Inuyasha kept him pinned to the spot. As he had jumped over the desk for the sudden attack, he heard the girl scream out his name in terror but took no other action.

The man struggled, but Inuyasha held his position.

"Tell me where they are"

"There is no one here! No one aside from guests---guest like us. She is the only different one. She is--I swear it! I--"

"I don't wanna fuckin' know about her or us--I want to know where they hell you're hiding them! And so help me gods, if you don't tell me--I'm set on beating the crap outta some bastard tonight. It's either you or them. Take your pick"

One of the hands that was trying to pull Inuyasha’s unshakable hold from his neck, lifted and pointed to a staircase that was fashioned to extend down below the building. His attacker didn't glance in the direction, only gave one more look to his victim before tossing him against the nearer wall. Kagome came running up to the man in tears as soon as the owner's body hit the floor, trying to bid him to stand. Inuyasha had no time to reprimand or caution her, only enough to grab her wrist and pull her downstairs alongside him.

She didn't understand what was going on--couldn't! Therefore her tears were even more justified. The fact that she ran to the aid of that sick asshole was probably proof of her innocence as well. None the less, it did nothing but anger him more as they went further and further down into the dark winding staircase. She tried pulling free from him a number of times, but could do no more since the pace he ushered them at wasn't one a human could normally keep up at without hardship.

A door finally came before them, flanked on either side by glittering torches that tossed spare embers to the stone floor. The girl was in a fight between trying to breath and cry and didn't notice any of this, nor could she possibly be aware of the sudden smell of blood that weaved it's stench up and around the staircase. His anger grew steadily until they reached the door; he kicked it open and it fell without a fight.

In return for this attack, the six beings in the room turned to the cause. Five sat at a table, littered with bottles and cards, knife and darts. The last occupant was on the wall, red streaks running along his side from the places the knives pierced his skin. The very blades that kept him pinned to the wall were that which caused him pain, leading him to breath heavily and scream out even in the sudden silence. His chest heaved, his eyes squeezed shut, his blood ran fast against the white wall. Next to Inuyasha, the girl screamed.

He pushed her off to the side, roughly and purposefully, as she was made to fall into the shadows of the far corner. The five men stood, paying no heed to her just as he had expected.

"You assholes have ten minutes to get the fuck outta this place" he said lowly, nearly hissed

The tallest of the men smiled "Hey, hey, Inuyasha. Cool down. We were just at a bit o' fun"

"Have all the damned fun you want where you belong"

"Belong!" the man laughed bitterly "What would any of you know 'bout belonging, eh? You even know what that word means, mutt boy?"

"Fuck off asshole. One who lives below us hasn't a right to talk. You live at the same level of earth as the landfills humans have" he said hardly "It's where you belong, so get back there. You know the penalty for being where you don't belong"

"There ain't no damned penalty!" the other man scuffed "'Sides. Game o' dart ain't no fun without a board to play on"

He motioned calmly to the bleeding man against the wall who was throwing his head back and forth in torment. Inuyasha seethed, his eyes flashed red. He collided with the tall man faster than he could figure to do so, and punched the tormentor into submission. The other four came at him, only to be easily pushed back from the struggle, leaving it a rather unfair one-on-one. Just as Inuyasha knew to be the case, the tall man cried his surrender, and hid his face with his hands.

Inuyasha receded. The men stalked out in defeat muttering curses and familiar phrases that were constantly aimed to the one with violet eyes.

After the door had been shut, Inuyasha went over to pull the knives out of the being. His face not changing at the cries that were released from each blade that was drawn way from the poor male's worn flesh. From the look of things, the game had been going on for a good time now. His arm had been picked clean as well. It was possible they had received not only a game but a good drink out of the man. None the less, he would survive.

The girl had pulled herself up from the corner as soon as the others had retreated and took up a place behind him, making a softer version of sound to the man's whenever a knife was thrown back to the table. She didn't dare draw near; her fear was still sharp against his nose.

At last, the final dagger was pulled from the victim and tossed to strike against the wall behind them. The body fell to the ground and Inuyasha instinctively bent down to help him to his feet, only to be pushed aside.

"Get your damned hands off of me!" the man shouted, thrusting the help to the side "Fuck you to hell, Inuyasha Fuck you all the way to hell, you dirty bastard"

Again, the savior was pushed roughly to the side as the one he had saved from a long death limped past him to the stairwell. Kagome drew to Inuyasha's side as together they watched the ungrateful creature struggle up the stairs until the sound of his shuffling could no longer be heard.

Inuyasha smiled grimly to the girl who looked so completely shaken, that not even a word could come out from between her parted lips. Her blue eyes looked up to him, filled with so many questions and fear. And for the first time, it wasn't he who was the cause of this prominent fear.

Trying hard to ignore the wonderful rush he felt from this thought, he held out his hand to her. Without question, though with an ample amount of hesitation, she took the offering and the two left the basement of blood and blades. When they came back up to the main desk a man was being put into a body bag. Unable to take out their anger on Inuyasha, the gamers had given the entirety of their wrath upon the helpless manger who had failed to keep their place secret.