Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ Bark and Bite ( Chapter 12 )

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Twelve - Bark and Bite

 

 

 

Akane sighed and picked up the fish from where Inuyasha had dropped it moments before yelling at Ranma and Kagome. The little kitsune had panicked when he heard that Inuyasha had taken Kagome into the woods. Akane tried to soothe the distraught child, but he was having none of it. Nose in the air, Shippou dropped his bundle of firewood and took off into the forest.

 

Ranma cursed and dashed after the child, but he soon came back, shaking his head. “Damn, he's little and fast…”

 

“You lost him?” Akane was wringing her hands, panicked at the thought that the child might be endangered.

 

Ranma had taken her hands, effectively stilling them. He led her back to the fire. “I'm sure he'll be fine Akane. He may be little, but he's still a demon.”

 

Unable to just sit still, Akane had stood up and picked up the fish. She was now holding the string up, contemplating what she could do with them.

 

“Oh no, no Akane put those down. They're dinner!” Ranma stood and snatched them out of her hands.

 

“Ranma! Give those back! I am more then capable of cooking the fish!”

 

“Uh-huh, and can I ask what did you plan to do with them?” Ranma held the string of fish just out of her reach.

 

Akane bit her lip, seeing the familiar cocky grin. “I'll put them over the fire of course!”

 

“Right away?”

 

“Yes!” Akane was getting angry; every single new person they met, Ranma just had to tell them that she was no good at cooking. How was she ever going to learn if he didn't let her practice? “Give those back!”

 

He snorted and turned away from her. Striding over to his pack, Ranma pulled out a small knife and he quickly set to work cleaning the fish. “Hey Akane, think you can fill that basin over there with some water?”

 

Akane sighed and walked over to pick up the basin he indicated, shooting him a dirty look she turned and headed to the stream.

 

Filling the basin, Akane wondered what kind of mess she had gotten herself into this time. No, that was wrong; she wasn't the one who tumbled headlong into the Sengoku Jidai. That was her fiancé. She sighed again. Ranma had been in her life for some time now. She should be used to extraordinary things happening to her, yet they still took her by surprise.

 

Akane really wouldn't want it any other way. Not that she would admit that to anyone.

 

Grunting, she heaved the basin back into her arms and headed back to the warmth of the campfire. Ranma muttered his thanks as he plopped the fish into the water to rinse them. He quickly strung the fish on wood and he soon had them grilling over the flames that were merrily crackling.

 

Akane noted with some surprise that in her absence Ranma had already placed the rice in a pot and laid out the cups.

 

Ranma looked up and saw her staring at him and a slow blush began to spread from his neck upwards. “I didn't hike all over China without learning a thing or two you know.”

 

Akane held up her hands, “I didn't say anything!”

 

It still rankled that Ranma didn't just tease her about her cooking, but he was also a very good cook. Life just wasn't fair.

 

The two teenagers looked up when Inuyasha came striding into the campsite, his hands tucked firmly in his sleeves and his face blank and emotionless. He barely glanced at them before leaping into the trees just behind them.

 

 

Exchanging a look with Ranma, they turned expectantly to the line of trees that Inuyasha had emerged from, expecting to see Kagome and Shippou. When neither appeared, Akane strode over to the base of the tree that Inuyasha had chosen, concern for Kagome prompting her to call out to the obviously angered hanyou. “Umm, Inuyasha?”

 

Silence was her only answer, not a girl to be deterred that easily, Akane screwed up her courage again. “Is Kagome alright?”

 

This time she was favoured with a snort. Akane sighed and wondered whether she should send Ranma to look for the girl. She turned and nearly collided into a hard, muscled chest.

 

“Hey! Dog-boy!” Ranma stood with his hands on his hips, glaring up at the hanyou. “You better not have hurt her!”

 

In a flurry of red and silver, Inuyasha jumped out of the tree. Akane couldn't quite bite back her yelp of surprise but Ranma firmly grasped her around the waist and heaved her out of the way.

 

Peering over Ranma's shoulder, Akane was just in time to see Inuyasha land in front of them. An unearthly wind seemed to stir the long silver strands of his hair and made his haori billow outwards. His fangs were bared in a snarl but what frightened Akane more was the tinge of red in the hanyou's eyes.

 

Ranma wasn't intimidated and he boldly stared right back.

 

“What exactly are you trying to say human?” Inuyasha spat the question out.

“You heard me.” Ranma replied calmly.

 

“I would never hurt Kagome!” Inuyasha growled, his hands fisting at his side.

 

“Yeah? Well where the hell is she?” Ranma demanded.

 

Inuyasha titled his head to one side, pointedly looking Ranma up and down. “You know I don't think a puny human like you is strong enough to teach my Kagome anything.”

 

Ranma snorted, “I really don't think that's your call is it?”

 

“Oh I think it is.” With an ominous cracking of his knuckles, Inuyasha dove for Ranma.

 

 

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Ryoga stumbled on a root, but shook his head when he felt Ukyou squeeze his hand reassuringly. They had been stumbling through dense foliage for a few minutes now. His sense of direction was pretty bad, but he could've sworn he would've remembered going through thick forest.

 

They were following the light that was just ahead and they stumbled out of the forest only to see a rustic country village. Ryoga scratched his head in confusion and looked to Ukyou for guidance but she only shook her head in bewilderment.

 

“Look, there's a house over there. We should stop and ask directions.” Ukyou pointed to a small hut that was separated from the others.

 

Ryoga nodded mutely as Ukyou let go of his hand and led the way.

 

Finding no door, Ukyou knocked cautiously on the side of the covered doorframe.

 

A handsome young man wearing purple robes and clutching a staff appeared at the doorway.

 

Ukyou bowed politely, “We apologise for bothering you, but we seem to have lost our way. We were looking for the Higurashi shrine.”

 

The young man looked surprised then sighed, “Oh no, you have not lost your way.” He moved away from the doorway to reveal the room behind him.

 

Ryoga gasped when he saw some very familiar faces. “Don't tell me we haven't left Nerima yet!”

 

“Ryoga, my boy!” Genma stood and gestured them in, “Looking for my son as well are you?”

 

Ukyou shook her head in confusion, “I don't understand…”

 

They stepped into the small hut that was now very crowded.

 

The young man who let them in sighed and looked towards a young woman that Ryoga did not recognize, “Do you suppose many more of young Saotome's friends will be joining us?”

 

The young woman pursed her lips, “Hmm indeed, we are becoming a rather large group don't you think Miroku?”

 

“Oh yes. It will certainly make travelling difficult.” The young man turned to the newest arrivals, and introduced himself, “And the vision of loveliness over there is Sango.”

 

Ryoga noticed Sango's dark blush and hurried to introduce himself and Ukyou.

 

Ukyou shook her head, glaring at Shampoo and Kodachi, who had finally settled in opposite corners of the small room. “I still don't understand what's going on.”

 

The group was startled by a loud crash. Miroku and Sango jumped up and ran out of the opening, but quickly returned. Miroku grasped a dazed looking duck in one hand. “Well it seems the gods are willing to provide for us, look what practically dropped into my arms. It's a bit on the scrawny side…”

“Mousse!” Shampoo gasped and jumped up snatching the duck who hung limply from Miroku's hand. “You no eat Mousse!”

 

She snatched up the water that Kaede was boiling for tea and dumped the contents on the poor duck.

 

With a yelp, a young man with long black hair and foggy glasses, wiggled out of Shampoo's grasp. “Hot! Hot!”

 

“Ah.” Miroku nodded in understanding. “Another Jusenkyo-cursed individual?”

 

“You know about the springs?” Ryoga asked, curiously.

 

“Well, we do know Ranma.” Sango said simply, settling back into her spot by the wall.

 

Ukyou shook her head, “Did I mention that I'm still confused?”

 

 

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The lingering scent of salt and sadness still clung to him. Inuyasha was convinced that the miko from the future must know the effect of her tears on him. They devastated him to his core.

 

He had thought that she was different. But she was like all of them. He was never good enough. He could never be good enough. Even Kagome, the one who taught him how to laugh in joy instead of malice, wanted to leave him.

 

It just wasn't right damn it! She had asked him…she had wanted to…

 

Inuyasha remembered the day that he had gone to the well. He had been prepared to do the honourable thing. He found her just sitting there, bathed in sunlight, her dark head bowed. Kagome had looked so content, as if she had found the answer to some complicated riddle. She had asked him that day if she could stay with him. She had asked. An insidious voice in his mind whispered that she had practically begged to be with him. Now all she wanted was to run off and leave him.

 

Why?

 

The question tore a ragged hole right through his gut.

 

Inuyasha didn't even know what direction he was heading until he all but fell into the clearing. He looked up, the familiar scent of grilling fish making him nauseous. Without taking heed of the two humans who sat looking stupidly at him, he leapt into the branches of the trees, hoping to avoid their undoubtedly idiotic line of questioning.

 

When the girl came, timidly calling his name, he ignored her. When she asked about Kagome, he ignored the question. But when that baka human boy accused him…

 

Inuyasha leapt out of the tree, facing the human that Kagome had favoured over him. He could feel the anger simmering under the surface again. The boy spoke derisively. How dare he? How dare he even think to…?

 

With a snarl, Inuyasha leapt at him, aiming for his jugular.

 

 

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Instinctively Ranma grabbed hold of Akane and bore her across the campsite. Setting her down on wobbly feet, he turned to face the snarling hanyou.

 

“Whoa, no need to get violent dog-breath.” Ranma leapt to one side, narrowly avoiding Inuyasha's strike.

 

“Oh I think there's a very great need to get violent.” Inuyasha flexed his claws. He eyed Ranma who had instinctively fallen into a defensive stance. “Or are you too afraid to fight me?”

 

Ranma bent his knees, his body tensing in preparation for the hanyou's next move. Warm fingers on his arm tore his attention from his opponent.

 

“Ranma don't…”

 

Angrily, he shook Akane's touch off. “I asked you before Dog-boy, where's Kagome?”

 

Akane reached for him again, “Ranma I don't think Inuyasha would hurt Kagome.”

 

Uncertain if he had heard correctly, Ranma turned to look at Akane, who was staring at Inuyasha with a soft look in her eyes. “And I don't think you're seeing him right now Akane! Look at him!”

 

The moment Ranma took his eyes off him; Inuyasha grabbed the opportunity and leapt at him again. Only the sound of material whipping in the wind warned Ranma. Deftly, he turned just in time to avoid Inuyasha's claws.

 

A fierce growl rumbled from deep within the hanyou, “Precisely, what do you mean by that?”

 

Ranma's eyes narrowed as he straightened. “Hey, I don't know you and you don't know me. You looked pretty mad back there, for all I know…”

 

“Ranma!” Akane was at it again, tugging even harder on his sleeve, “I really don't think he would hurt Kagome, stop it!”

 

“Keh.” Inuyasha snorted, “Quit hiding behind the girl and fight me!” With a powerful kick, Inuyasha launched himself into the air.

 

Cursing under his breath, Ranma shoved Akane away. Flipping his body backwards, Ranma lost sight of the hanyou for a split second. Even though Ranma moved quickly, he still felt the graze of sharp claws against his leg. Had he hesitated even a second longer, Inuyasha would have shredded through his thigh.

 

Ranma landed low on the ground. He looked up at the hanyou who stood over him, silver hair flying like a banner. “Damn it, I'm not hiding behind…”

 

Inuyasha grunted, one hand settling on the hilt of his sword, “Guess I couldn't expect much from a guy who spends half of his time as a girl.”

 

“Wha…” Ranma glared at him as he stood, “Take that back!”

 

“Make me!” Inuyasha dove for Ranma again, claws flashing in the soft moonlight.

 

With a grunt, Ranma deftly dodged Inuyasha's attack. “You're one to talk! You're not a man either! You're just a dog!”

 

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles again as he turned to face his adversary. “Better a dog then some half-girl, who has to shake his ass to win a fight!”

 

Inuyasha heard Akane's gasp, a feral grin distorting his features. Ranma let loose an angered cry and heedlessly threw himself at Inuyasha, fists flying. Inuyasha deftly ducked and weaved around Ranma's attack.

 

“Keh! Pathetic! Is that the best you can do?” Inuyasha taunted, flipping his body away from Ranma's kick.

 

“Ranma! Inuyasha! Stop it both of you!” Akane yelled, fingers gripping the hem of her shirt as she watched the two combatants.

 

A commotion behind her tore her attention away from Ranma and Inuyasha who were moving around each other with such speed they almost blurred.

 

“What in the…”

 

“Kagome!” Akane grabbed hold of the girl's hand, dragging her forward.

 

Kagome took the scene in with wide eyes. Shippou perched on her shoulder, his eyes still red and puffy from crying. “Akane, what is going on?”

 

Akane shook her head, “I'm not really sure, Ranma was worried about…” Blinking, she looked at Kagome who didn't seem to be harmed in any way and turned towards the two who were still fighting. “Ranma! You baka! Kagome's right here!”

 

It was as if they didn't hear her.

 

Shippou seemed to be following the fight better then the two girls who were clutching each other's hands. “Kagome, Inuyasha is…”

 

“I know Shippou, I know.” Kagome was staring at Inuyasha intently, watching his every move.

 

 

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“So I guess that's it.” Genma took a sip of his tea, settling back against the wall.

 

Ukyou shook her head, exchanging a look with Ryoga, who merely shrugged, “Wait, I just want to get this straight. This is the Sengoku Jidai, five hundred years into the past. The well that we all fell into is some kind of time portal.”

 

“That used to only work for Kagome and Inuyasha.” Miroku interjected.

 

Ukyou nodded to him, “Your companions, who are now with Ranma and Akane. Genma followed Ranma, Ryoga tried following Genma. Shampoo heard from Ryoga and was chased by the Kunos. Ryoga told me, I led him here and Mousse followed us.”

 

“And that is how you are all here now… in my hut.” Kaede finished dryly, taking a sip of her tea as well.

 

Sango coughed delicately, “And all of you are chasing…Ranma. Why?”

 

Miroku chuckled, “I believe that would be a much longer story, my dear.” He surveyed the motley crew. “Come, we shall all need our rest.”

 

“But when we go to airen?” Shampoo demanded, leaning forward to flash Miroku a healthy glimpse of cleavage.

 

Miroku cleared his throat nervously, “Ah, like I explained. Kaede-baba and I have a task that will be completed in three days. Tomorrow she sets out on her trip and I start my meditation.”

 

“I do not see why we should wait.” Kodachi interjected, looking rebellious at the thought of any delay.

 

“Do you fancy being eaten by youkai?” Sango asked archly.

 

Kodachi sniffed, her fingers running over the baton she held in her hand. “I can protect myself.”

 

“My darling sister, I do believe that Sango-sama only means the best for us. We shall heed their wise counsel; this is their land after all not ours.” Kuno patted Kodachi's arm patronizingly.

 

Kodachi was not the only one looking rebellious; Shampoo looked ready to launch into another soliloquy over her “airen”, but was cut off by Mousse who stood.

 

“I believe I shall camp out tonight, no offence.” He bowed to Kaede, “But it is rather crowded in here.”

 

Kuno stood as well, “Yes, it is a warm night and the accommodations should be left for the ladies.”

 

“That is an excellent idea Kuno-san.” Sango stood and moved to the chest where Kaede stored extra blankets and pallets.

 

“Please my lady, call me Tatewaki.” He bowed low over her hand when she passed him the blankets.

 

Clearing his throat loudly, Miroku took more of the blankets and moved to the opening. He looked pointedly at Genma who made a fuss about being an old man who should be given his comfort.

 

When Kaede scoffed at the suggestion that Genma was too old to be left out in the cold, he finally got to his feet and shuffled out.

 

Kuno bowed to Sango again before heading out, Miroku glared at him as he walked past. He turned to Sango who was beginning to organize the girls. “He's still awfully young dearest Sango.”

 

“What?” Sango turned to face him, a look of confusion on her face. “What are you talking about houshi-sama?”

 

All she got was an enigmatic shrug, before the monk followed the rest of the men outside.

 

“Hmm, I think that boy likes you.” Ukyou noted, “Too bad he's a monk. He's awfully cute.”

 

“What? Miroku? He doesn't like me!” Sango shook her head, Kagome called Shippou `cute'. She didn't know if Miroku came under the same category.

 

Ukyou smiled at her, “Oh? I could be wrong, I guess.”

 

Ukyou settled into her pallet, pointedly moving her weapon, which looked like a very large cooking utensil, close to her side as she eyed Kodachi and Shampoo who were still bickering.

 

Sango sighed and shook her head. Somehow she got the feeling that the next three days was going to feel like a very long time.

 

 

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Kagome held Shippou tightly in her arms. The kit couldn't seem to control the tears from coursing down his cheek. The fear of being left alone and defenceless still preyed on his mind. When he had returned to find both of his adoptive parents gone and the scent of Kagome's tears strong on the wind he had panicked.

 

Kagome cradled him to her, speaking in soft, reassuring tones.

 

Shippou lifted his head and peered up at her. “Inuyasha is very angry with me isn't he Kagome?”

 

“What? No of course not Shippou, Inuyasha wasn't angry at you.”

 

“But…he's still so angry.” The worried frown refused to leave Shippou's face. He lowered his voice to a whisper, “I can feel it.”

 

“Oh no Shippou, if Inuyasha is angry at anyone, he's angry at me.”

 

Shippou sniffled then suddenly tensed, small hands clutching at Kagome's arms. “Blood, I smell blood Kagome…”

 

Eyes widening, Kagome broke into a sprint as Shippou adroitly settled himself on her shoulder. She stumbled over a root, but caught herself before she fell, fear propelling her onwards.

 

Bursting into a clearing, the sight that greeted her made her legs skid to a sudden stop.

 

A snarling Inuyasha avoided Ranma's angered attacks. Akane quickly spotted her and grabbed hold of her hand.

 

As Akane yelled at Ranma trying to get him to see reason, Inuyasha spun around, letting Kagome see his face. The blood in her veins chilled when she saw flashing red eyes before they disappeared behind a fall of graceful silver locks.

 

Shippou frantically whispered to her and Kagome could only nod stupidly.

 

What had she done?

 

While it looked like Ranma had the advantage, Kagome knew better. Ranma was good. His speed, strength and agility was unmatched by any other human Kagome knew. Kagome could only gasp in awe when Ranma's fist moved blindingly fast, forcing Inuyasha to the defensive.

 

But he was still human.

 

And a faint tinge of purple slashed Inuyasha's cheek.

 

“But Tetsusaiga, Kagome…he still has Tetsusaiga!” Shippou stayed hunched on her shoulder, watching wide-eyed as Ranma lashed out with a kick that landed solidly on Inuyasha's stomach.

 

Shaking her head, Kagome urged Shippou off of her, which the kit obeyed reluctantly. Should she cast the spell of subjugation? One part of her was screaming that she should just get it over with and sit Inuyasha into oblivion, but another part, speaking softly yet firmly, told her that Inuyasha's pride had been trampled on. If she forced him to submit to her now, the tentative relationship she had with him might never recover.

 

Inwardly frantic, she commanded her body to be still and her voice silent.

 

Akane moaned, her hands over her eyes “Make them stop Kagome!”

 

“I…I don't…”

 

She wrenched her gaze back to Inuyasha. She saw a ghost of a smirk on his lips. With a whirl of red robes, Inuyasha spun and altered his stance. Lips curling backwards in an ugly snarl, he picked up speed.

 

He was moving too fast for human eyes to follow, Kagome closed her eyes and tentatively reached out with her aura. She felt them, two red-hot blurs, ducking and weaving inside and outside each other's spheres. Opening her eyes, she saw a flash of claws and silver hair before Ranma flew backwards, landing heavily on his side.

 

Fear twisting in her gut, Kagome looked up in the trees, trying to find him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his haori billowing in the wind as he leapt out from the trees, body spiralling downwards and claws ready to strike.

 

 

 

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