Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ A Greater Compliment ( Chapter 13 )

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Thirteen - A Greater Compliment

 

 

 

He knew that she was there, watching him with wide eyes. Her fear was a bitter taste on his tongue. Tearing his attention from the weak human in front of him, his eyes sought hers and found unshed tears making the cerulean depths of her eyes sparkle.

 

He was going to finish this now. Focusing on the rival male, he leapt into the trees. Seeing the panicked look on the human's face, Inuyasha smirked as he stalked him from high above, leaping from branch to branch; silent like the wind. When the human turned his head, searching, Inuyasha grabbed the opportunity.

 

 

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Kagome stopped breathing. In the palpable silence she heard Akane's anguished cry and felt Shippou's panicked shivering behind her.

 

Without pausing to think, Kagome ran forward, hands reaching out. Blindly trusting she ran in between Inuyasha and Ranma. She caught Inuyasha's wrist, wrapping her fingers tightly around him. Meeting his reddened gaze, Kagome bit her lip, tightening her hold on him.

 

A loud buzzing had filled her ears as she stared up at Inuyasha, she could barely hear Shippou's frantic cries and Ranma's angered expletives.

 

When the red began to seep out of his eyes, Kagome released the breath that she was holding. Slowly sound began to seep into her consciousness again.

 

“…what the hell? You could've been hurt Kagome! You should never butt into a man-to-man fight!”

 

“…Kagome! Kagome!”

 

“…shut-up! Just shut-up Ranma!”

 

Inuyasha's ragged breathing seemed to be louder then all the other voices as she continued to hold his gaze. Suddenly twisting his wrist free he shoved her backwards.

 

Stumbling, Kagome caught hold of Inuyasha's haori, pulling him against her. Instinctively, Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her slim waist.

 

Shippou was still wailing and Akane was yelling at Ranma who was yelling back. The cacophony of voices seemed to dim as Kagome looked up at Inuyasha's face, her fingers brushing across the faint slashes of purple that was quickly disappearing from his handsome visage.

 

“Stupid.”

 

Kagome shifted her gaze to look into Inuyasha's eyes. He refused to return the look.

 

“So stupid.” The words were whisper-quiet and Kagome leaned into him, straining to hear.

 

Inuyasha let out another breath, his hands tightening around her waist before shoving her backwards again. “So fucking stupid! What the hell Kagome?”

 

Slowly Kagome blinked, her voice seemed to have deserted her.

 

Inuyasha kept his gaze lowered, but his voice steadily rose to a deafening shout. “I could've…I might've…how could you do something so fucking stupid?”

 

Kagome took a deep breath; she could feel her hands begin to shake as Inuyasha ranted at her, his hands balled into fists.

 

“Did you even think? I could've…”

 

“You would never hurt me.”

 

Kagome spoke quietly, but Inuyasha stopped yelling. Finally, he looked at her.

 

She stood in the middle of the clearing, the cool breeze lifting her tresses off her shoulders and ruffling her clothes. She met his gaze and what Inuyasha saw stunned him. Absolute, blind trust. She believed every word she had said.

 

“You don't know that.” Inuyasha took a step towards her, fingers twitching at his side.

 

“Yes I do. I trust you Inuyasha.” Kagome closed the distance between them, but hesitated to touch him.

 

They looked at each other, lost in thought. Inuyasha reached for her.

 

Kagome bit her lip and was about to take his hand when she felt something small barrel into her side. Gasping, she looked down to find Shippou attached to her waist. He was wailing even louder then before.

 

With a snarl, Inuyasha snatched the kit, holding him aloft. “Stay out of this runt.”

 

“You're so mean Inuyasha! How could you attack Ranma like that? What'd he ever do to you huh?” Shippou kicked his little legs, fruitlessly trying to free himself.

 

“Oi! If you didn't notice it wasn't as if the human wasn't fighting back!” Inuyasha glared down at Shippou, shaking him.

 

Watching Inuyasha shake Shippou, Kagome drew in another deep breath. Her gaze shifted to Ranma and Akane who were still yelling at each other. Their argument had descended into calling each other names. Ranma didn't look too worse for wear, but Kagome could see the corners of his eyes crinkling and heard his breath whistling between his teeth as he fought through the pain that he was surely feeling.

 

Shaking her head, Kagome turned her attention back to Inuyasha and Shippou. The hanyou had taken the kitsune by his bushy tail and had turned him upside down as Shippou wailed.

 

“Inuyasha! Stop that!” Appalled, Kagome grabbed Shippou from the hanyou and was rewarded by a snarl.

 

The stinging smell of something burning suddenly assaulted Kagome's nose. “Wha…”

 

Three pairs of panicked male eyes swivelled to the campfire crackling, merrily burning their dinner.

 

“The fish!”

 

 

 

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Keeping the sleeve of her kimono pressed tightly over her nose and mouth to keep the fumes out, Kagura descended towards the ground. Her gaze flicked over the wall that surrounded the property. Adroitly, she leapt over it, landing on soft grass. She assessed her surroundings. It was a large abode and it was dark; the stillness broken only by a fish jumping from the depths of the pond.

 

Clutching the charm, Kagura squeezed and felt the answering pulse, stronger and more insistent then before. She felt as if something had hooked itself around her navel and was tugging her forward. Obediently turning her feet in the direction of the magical pull, Kagura paused to eye the darkened window.

 

Leaping onto the roof, Kagura leaned forward, fingers reaching out. She halted when she felt something smooth and cool. Blinking, she spread her fingers out and touched the barrier that prevented her from reaching into the room. Odd, she did not feel any magic, pushing her away. Concentrating, she pushed experimentally at the barrier and found that it would not yield.

 

Growling at the delay, Kagura bunched her hand into a fist and punched straight through the barrier.

 

Tinkling glass fell all over the floor as the girl in the room bolted upright, jolted from a sound sleep.

 

Eyeing the scratches that were already healing on her hand, Kagura slipped through the opening, her sandals crunching the glass to powder beneath her feet.

 

The girl was struggling out of the blankets, her long brown hair falling across one exposed shoulder.

 

Without hesitation, Kagura leapt towards the girl, her hand closing tightly over the girl's mouth to prevent the scream that was already gathering at the back of her throat.

 

“Now, now, none of that. I'm afraid all the noise in this world is already too much for me to bear, I won't have you screaming your stupid little head off.”

 

Dark brown eyes widened in panic as the girl began to struggle against Kagura, who sneered down at her. Grabbing the small vial from the folds of her kimono, the wind sorceress, flipped the cork off.

 

“I doubt this will taste pleasant and I really don't see the point of all of this, but if I don't bring you back, Naraku won't be very happy with me.” Pinching close the girl's nostrils, Kagura forced the ominous liquid down her throat.

 

As the girl slumped, Kagura's eyes swept over the small room, her hand already closing around the charm. She felt its pulse and was surprised to see an answering flash from the girl's throat. Reaching down, she drew out a thin silver chain where a cross-shaped pendant dangled. Seeing the flash of the shard, Kagura tore the chain off the girl's neck. Tucking the pedant into the folds of her obi, Kagura, hauled the girl up, grunting at the weight.

 

Hearing the sounds of footsteps running down the hall, Kagura sneered and leapt out of the window.

 

Flicking her feather out, she callously dumped the girl on it, ignoring a man's anguished cry.

 

 

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Stirring from a deep sleep, Sango blinked slowly. The room was still dark and as her vision cleared, she could make out the forms of the sleeping girls. The familiar sight of Kagome in her sleeping bag was conspicuously missing as well as Inuyasha leaning against the far wall, his katana leaning against one shoulder.

 

Things were certainly quiet without the hanyou and the miko.

 

A shriek dragged her from contemplative semi-wakefulness to full awareness.

 

Kodachi had woken and was protectively clutching something to her chest. Sango groaned, perhaps she spoke too soon. Struggling to a sitting position, Sango rubbed the sleep blearily from her eyes.

 

Kodachi's screeching had also woken Ukyou and Kaede, the kindly elder already muttering about the broken peace.

 

Shampoo was kneeling over Kodachi, her fingers grasping the edge of whatever it was that Kodachi was protecting. The Chinese Amazon was now yelling just as loudly.

 

A rustling of the mat was the only warning Sango got before her view was obstructed by a slim back.

 

Miroku knelt in front of her, clutching his staff tightly in one hand; his dark blue eyes scanning the room as he stood guard over her.

 

“Umm, Miroku? I really don't think I need help against two teenaged girls.” Sango smiled despite the rude awakening as she watched the tension ease from the monk's shoulders.

 

Ukyou groaned, “Someone separate those two! It's too early for this.”

 

Miroku cleared his throat, turning and giving Sango a sheepish smile before rising to his feet. “I'm going to get started on the fire, Kaede-baba will want her breakfast.”

 

Kaede called out her thanks as Miroku shuffled out of the hut. She too rose from her bed, sighing over the two squabbling girls.

 

Ukyou moved to a sitting position, glaring at Shampoo and Kodachi who still hadn't finished arguing. “What in Kami-sama's name are you two doing anyway?”

 

“Crazy gymnast girl has picture of Shampoo airen!” Shampoo threw her weight backwards in her attempt to wrench the offending bit of paper from Kodachi.

 

“You get your hands off of it you stupid Chinese witch!” Kodachi tugged just as hard.

 

“A picture of Ranma honey?” The mention of the pig-tailed boy had Ukyou frowning and moving from her warm blankets.

 

“What is it about Ranma anyway?” Sango queried as she folded her futon away.

 

“Yes, I believe I will like to hear this tale myself.” Miroku stepped into the hut, his arms laden with chopped firewood.

 

Ukyou sighed and explained of her engagement to Ranma. “So as you can see I am the only real fiancée since our fathers made the arrangement when we were children.”

 

Shampoo snorted, “That old arrangement nothing! Ranma belong to Shampoo now. He beat Shampoo in combat.”

 

“Who care about some outlandish Amazonian law?” Kodachi spat as she finally wrestled the picture from Shampoo's grasp. “Ranma darling is my fiancé and no measly shop keeper or Chinese hussy will steal him from me!”

 

Miroku straightened from the fire that he had started, “Pardon me, but I thought that it was the lovely Akane that Ranma was pledged to?”

 

“It's complicated.” Ukyou piled her futon with Sango's.

 

“Obviously!” Sango exclaimed, exchanging a look with a puzzled Miroku.

 

Kodachi began wailing about her picture of Ranma while Shampoo glared and continued with her attempts to wrestle it from her.

 

Kaede chuckled as Miroku settled to sit next to her, “I do believe that this journey was well timed.”

 

“Kaede-baba, perhaps I can accompany you?” The hopeful look on Miroku's face would've been comical to Sango if he wasn't proposing leaving her with the unruly lot.

 

Spotting the outraged expression on Sango's face, Kaede shook her head, “That is very kind of you Miroku, but I believe you are needed here.”

 

Miroku sighed heavily but nodded.

 

As she moved, clearing the futons, Sango could feel the weight of Miroku's gaze on her. It was beginning to be a sensation that she was becoming very familiar with in the past two months. At turns it made her uncomfortable and giddy, sometimes both at the same time. She hardly knew what to do with the monk's lascivious attentions, but his sincere almost reverent contemplation of her was something that was beyond her experience.

 

The youkai exterminator was jolted out of her reverie when Ukyou yelped. Turning she found Ukyou holding the square piece of parchment aloft. She was sitting on Shampoo's back and had one foot on Kodachi's chest as she stared.

 

“What the hell…”

 

“Ugh! Get off Shampoo, Spatula Girl! You heavier then Akane!” Shampoo struggled underneath Ukyou who merely glared at her.

 

“Give that back you uncouth girl! It is mine! My precious memento!”

 

“When did this happen? Kami-sama that jerk! What the hell does he want with you anyway? I'm the cute fiancée!” Ukyou waved the parchment furiously at Kodachi. Her movements were so forceful that the bit of parchment flew from her hands.

 

Kodachi screamed as it fluttered towards the fire.

 

Sango deftly caught it and held it up to examine what it was that got the three girls so worked up.

 

It was an image, faithfully rendered, of Kodachi and Ranma. Sango turned it, feeling the strange paper. It was a foh-toh, if she remembered correctly. Kagome had brought some of her family once to show them and had even taken one of Inuyasha and herself and placed it in a gold heart shaped pendant.

 

In the image, Kodachi was lying on her back staring soulfully into Ranma's eyes. Ranma was bracing himself above her, but his expression was not that of a young man with his lover. He looked mortified and frightened.

 

Sango looked up to find all three girls bickering, she felt warmth ruffle the hair on her nape and startled she jumped away. Turning, she looked up to find Miroku peering over her shoulder at the image.

 

“I must say, young Saotome is certainly skilled when it comes to beautiful young women.”

 

Hearing the admiration in his tone and his description of the gymnast, Sango wasn't entirely sure what to be more annoyed about.

 

“I've got to find out what his secret is…” Miroku murmured, his gaze shifting thoughtfully to the three girls who looked ready to start brawling in the middle of Kaede's small hut.

 

A growl issued from Sango's throat that would've made Inuyasha proud as the youkai slayer lifted her weapon and smashed it down on the unsuspecting monk.

 

 

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When did breathing get this hard to do? Ranma was sure that mere moments before, the act of pulling air into his lungs didn't hurt as much as it did now. While the majority of the hanyou's attacks had been deftly avoided, Inuyasha had still managed to land a few solid punches.

 

Since the hanyou was standing there without a care in the world, talking to Kagome, there was no way Ranma was going to let on that he was hurt.

 

Akane was standing in front of him, her face flushed as she yelled at him. She was calling him a good-for-nothing stupid jerk again. Really the girl had no originality.

 

“Geez Akane, get off my back would ya?” Ranma tried to turn away from her, but Akane reached out and held onto his arm.

 

As if her soft touch was a catalyst, pain started to shoot up from his leg. Glancing down, he saw that his left pant leg was torn. There didn't seem to be a lot of blood. Sneaking a glance at Akane's red face, he knew better then to draw attention to the wound. It was nothing that he couldn't take care of later anyway. If he said anything now, Akane would just yell herself hoarse. On second thought, that might not be a bad thing after all.

 

“Damn it Ranma, how could you be so dumb? Couldn't you tell that Inuyasha was just upset over Kagome?” Holding onto his sleeve, Akane tugged hard, drawing his attention to her.

 

She was blaming him? She was blaming him! Before he could stop himself, the question that had been circling around his mind came hurtling out of his mouth. “Why do you always take other people's side Akane?”

 

He instantly saw the hurt in her eyes and wondered if it was really impossible to turn back time…maybe he could find another well?

 

“How could you say that?” Her gaze lowered, dark lashes sweeping across pale cheeks. “If you thought someone was hurting me, you'd get mad too Ranma.”

 

The softly spoken words took him by surprise, the statement ringing softly in his ears. Would he get mad? “What?” He could feel his eyelid begin to twitch. “As if! Knowing you, it'd be the other person I'd be worried about!”

 

Akane's hand abruptly dropped from his sleeve, her chin jerking up as she glared at him, “What did you say?”

 

Definitely twitching, when did that habit start anyway? “You heard me, as if I'd worry over a flat-chested tomboy like you!”

 

Hurt flashed through those maddeningly expressive eyes, but was quickly subsumed under burning fury. “Ranma no baka!”

 

If someone could tell him where in the world she hid those mallets of hers, Ranma would kiss their feet and proceed to decimate her supply. Scrambling madly backwards from the descending weapon, he heaved a sigh of relief when its descent suddenly stopped.

 

Akane turned towards Kagome and Inuyasha. The school girl had turned away from the hanyou and Akane followed her gaze.

 

Curious to see what had stopped Akane's assault, Ranma was peering around her when the smell hit him right between the eyes. Living with Akane and her cooking had made him very familiar with the scent of his dinner burning.

 

Galvanised into action, Ranma leapt to his feet and dove for the fish that he had roasting over the fire. He snatched three and looked up in time to see Inuyasha retrieve the rest.

 

Their eyes locked over the fire.

 

Inuyasha's insults were still ringing in his ears. At the same time seeing the half demon's abilities turned against him was not something he had enjoyed. He had been confident, even arrogant when the fight started, but the last few moments of their fight before the hanyou leapt into the trees had taught Ranma something vitally important.

 

Hanyou - not human. Inuyasha was faster and stronger then anything Ranma had ever come up against. It was awe-inspiring. It was a challenge.

 

If there was one thing Ranma Saotome lived and breathed for it was challenges. Opportunities to push himself harder, strive for more and come out on top.

 

Shifting his weight slightly to one side in order to give him better leverage to spring up into a defensive stance, the sound of a twig snapping drew his attention away. Ranma's eyes slid to the side and caught sight of Akane's face.

 

She was worried. Yes her face was flushed with anger after yelling so much at him, but her eyes told a different story.

 

Ranma sighed. He hated making her worry.

 

Across the campfire Inuyasha had also shifted his attention away and was instead looking thoughtfully at the girl standing behind him, her eyes veiled by a soft curtain of black hair.

 

Without realising it, the two combatants had reached a truce.

 

For now.

 

 

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Miroku stood watching Kaede's form disappear into the distance. There goes one very fortunate woman. He sighed as the shrill voice of Kodachi Kuno reached his ears again. Did that girl ever keep quiet?

 

Breakfast had turned out to be a hectic affair. It occurred to Miroku more then once that he would be very grateful if the only things he had to deal with in the morning were Inuyasha and Shippou arguing. They eventually stopped, not necessarily of their own accord, they had Kagome-sama to thank for that, but stop they did do.

 

It was a concept that was alien to this strange group of youngsters from the future.

 

Ukyou was the first to comment that she wanted to stretch her legs and Miroku had cautioned her to stay within the village and not speak to the villagers of her origins. The girl had nodded and had happily sauntered away.

 

In her absence, the two other young women had gone back to arguing over who Ranma `belonged' to. They were still arguing.

 

The two bickering girls prompted a question that had been plaguing Miroku since the early morning altercation. Turning to survey Shampoo and Kodachi briefly, Miroku directed his steps in the direction Ukyou had gone in.

 

He didn't have to go far before he spotted the young woman. Strangely enough she had set up what looked like a stall in the middle of the village square. Miroku was almost positive that she had carried no such things with her. Where on earth did they come from?

 

Moving closer to her, he soon smelled a rich and intoxicating smell reach him and despite having just broken his morning fast it made his stomach grumble.

 

Ukyou looked up, a bright smile lighting up her features. “Hungry again houshi-sama?”

 

Miroku flushed slightly, but moved closer to her. She had set up what looked like a cooking station and the source of the wonderful aroma was circular disks sizzling softly on the flat surface.

 

Miroku had moved to touch the strange smooth surface, but Ukyou's hand flashed out. “I wouldn't touch that sugar. It's very hot.”

 

“Hot?” Blinking, Miroku moved his hand over the surface and was surprised to feel heat emanating from it. “Oh, you're cooking with this…table?”

 

Bright laughter bubbled from Ukyou as she shook her head, “I guess you could call it that. It's okonomiyaki. You should try one.”

 

Gingerly, Miroku accepted the offering and bit down on the proffered food. The tastes danced on his tongue, the tangy bite of the sauce and the satisfying crunch was enough to make his mouth water.

 

“What did you call these again?” He asked as he wiped his mouth.

 

“Okonomiyaki. It should be the best in all of Japan, I've worked hard for the last ten years to be the best around.” Ukyou pronounced proudly, her utensils flashing in the early morning light.

 

Miroku laughed, “Since this is a delicacy that I have never encountered in all of my travels, I believe that makes you the best now!”

 

Ukyou paused for a moment before bursting into laughter again. “I guess you're right.”

 

Seeing her good mood, Miroku leaned forward, “I pray you forgive me for my forwardness, but may I ask why you pursue Ranma the way you do?”

 

Ukyou blinked, “He's my fiancé. It's my duty to be at his side.”

 

Pursing his lips, he studied the young woman's face, “Oh? I did not think that a strong and independent lady such as yourself would submit to such considerations.”

 

Ukyou flushed, her eyes focused on her cooking. For a moment, the silence on her part made Miroku certain that she wasn't going to answer him. He wasn't going to press her further and made a move to step away when her soft answer stopped him.

 

“He's my best friend. Friends stick by each other, don't they?”

 

Studying her uncertain expression, Miroku wondered if Ranma meant more to this girl then just as a friend and how badly she was going to get hurt. With her hair drawn back from her face and the wavering of her gaze, she suddenly looked very young.

 

Miroku sighed, “Yes Ukyou-san that is what friends do.”

 

Ukyou was distracted from answering, when some of the village children inched forward, undoubtedly drawn by the wonderful aromas of her wares. Smiling brightly, she beckoned to them and began offering them the okonomiyaki she already had warming by the side of her grill.

 

“If you give them all away, you won't make much of a profit Ukyou-san.”

 

She shrugged, “Its not like I can take their money and deposit it into a bank back home anyway.”

 

Chuckling, Miroku turned from the girl. He saw Sango standing by the hut. Their gazes locked before she walked away.

 

 

 

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AN: The title of this chapter comes from a quote from George Macdonald which goes: “To trust is a greater compliment then to be loved.” I thought it was appropriate, sorry if it was a bit vague.

 

So…cliff hanger = reviews…hmm…(ducks the flying vegetables thrown by readers) that wasn't a cliffy at all -points to end of chapter- So will I still get reviews? Can anyone guess who Kagura has on her feather?

 

I did want to thank everyone who did review, each one prompted me to write more right after I read them, so thanks!

 

Quick note on okonomiyaki: developed from a snack known as issen youshoku (one penny Western food) it was popularized before the war as an inexpensive snack for children. After the war, meat and cabbage were added giving birth to the oh-so tasty Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki mmmmm.