InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Dream's Worth ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two

~~~~~

Silence echoed around the little camp, Miroku and Sango getting their first look of the hanyou that they had heard about from their friends. Kagome regarded the recently returned woman, noting the two Wakizashi at her hip and the pack over her shoulder and looked to Inuyasha, noticing the scowl of irritation that had planted itself on his face; she turned away from him, both to face Kaida and to hide the smile that threatened to spill on her own. Nobody was breaking the silence and Kagome came to the decision that if she couldn't be friendly she could at least be polite; besides, Inuyasha was distrustful enough for the both of them. Kagome opened her mouth to give her greeting when a whistling trill emerged from the forest closely followed by another. All heads turned, Kagome squinting unsuccessfully while Inuyasha's eyes focused something she couldn't see; until a shadow separated from the foliage and resolved itself into a winged… something, which landed in the center of the clearing.

Kagome was enthralled by the sight of this new spectacle, the moon and cloudless sky providing enough light for her to take in its appearance. The creature was covered in a short sheen of gray fur, the wing feathers were of the same gray, but the underside showed a splash of white. Its four sturdy yet slender legs each ended in a five toed paw, it even appeared to have a thumb on its forequarters and all digits were topped with a talon. The serpentine tail swung back and forth in a slow rhythm, while the long, slender neck weaved and bobbed. The head reminded Kagome of the dinosaurs she had once seen in an American film, though perched on this one's head were two oval ears, which twisted and turned independently; looking to catch every noise they could. The eyes were a solid white. Is it blind, she wondered as she continued to stare, wanting so much to go over and stroke it just to discover what it felt like.

“What is it?” she breathed.

“His name is Toshi and he is my partner.” At this introduction the creature seemed to give a slight bow before rising once more into the air. At first Kagome thought it would simply return to Kaida, but instead it headed for her and hovered in front of her, seemingly without the aide of its wings for they remained fanned out but still. Everyone held their breaths, unsure of how to greet yet another strange and unwelcome newcomer.

“Hold out your arm,” Kaida instructed. Kagome did as she was told and Toshi alighted onto her arm, surprising her with how light he was. Those white eyes stared straight into hers; then, without warning, the creature was making its way swiftly up her arm, to her shoulder, winding itself beneath her hair before its head re-emerged on the other side of her face. Kagome glanced at Inuyasha and saw that he was completely rigid, looking like he would like nothing more than to rip Toshi off her and send him flying. Hesitantly, she raised her hand to its head and felt the softest fur meet her finger tips. She laughed, as its head began twisting beneath her fingers to find every itch it could possibly have, its happy crooning helping to release the tension in the little campsite. Miroku and Sango both made their greetings to Kaida, Sango silencing Miroku as he tried to give his own brand of welcome; before they began to set about the task of starting a fire. Inuyasha had moved closer to Kagome, apparently wanting a closer look at the creature who had claimed her for a perch.

Shippo, who had abandoned his own seat, slowly approached Kaida giving her pant leg a quick tug to get her attention. She gazed down at him and for a moment his courage faltered until his curiosity steadied it again. “Ano, are you really from the future, like Kagome.” He asked, keeping a hold of her pant leg as if to steady himself. She nodded and the reaction bolstered him further, “So, do you come out of the well too? Is that how you found us?” She nodded again and the kit dropped his gaze for a moment as if to mull this over before looking back up at her and asking the question he really cared about. “Could you bring me pocky, too?” Inuyasha let out an exasperated sigh as Kagome tried to muffle her laughter. Kaida looked surprised for a moment then gave a final nod before returning her attention to Kagome and Inuyasha, as Shippo returned to Sango and Miroku.

“You wanted to ask me some questions as well, I believe.”

Inuyasha opened his mouth to reply but Kagome interrupted him. “Why don't we finish with the fire and bathing and then talk over dinner,” she suggested, remembering the hot springs that were so tantalizingly close.

Inuyasha agreed after a little cajoling and Kagome quickly began digging through her things, discovering that Toshi could easily maintain his hold. She found her things and saw that Sango was also ready, but Kaida had not moved. “Would you like to join us?” she offered.

Kaida shook her head, “No, I shall stand guard while you bathe, then bathe by myself.”

“What the hell makes you think that we trust you enough for that?” Inuyasha demanded, automatically placing himself between Kagome and Kaida as if she had just issued a threat.

“They normally go by themselves, do they not and whether I go clothed or naked I shall still be far more armed then them.” She flexed her claws to emphasize her point. “Besides I wish to bathe alone.”

“Why, its not like you should be shy around other women.”

“That is private.”

Inuyasha wanted to argue further but Kagome stopped him, politely thanking Kaida for her offer to guard.

“I'll feel a lot better knowing that there won't be any onlookers,” Sango chimed in, glaring at Miroku.

~~~~~

The fire crackled cheerfully, casting its light and heat to the group circled around it. The final pieces of meat were devoured, as everyone fell into the light stupor caused by a filling meal. They had discovered a little more about their new companion and Inuyasha started to think that there may be a chance, a very small, very remote chance, that she was being straight with them. She had told them she was on a personal mission, though she wouldn't discuss the reasons, but that the main goal was to give them what aide she could. She had known about the well's capabilities long before Kagome was even born, but again she refused to disclose how she knew. Inuyasha could tell she was being truthful, but experience had taught him that the truth could be highly malleable. Even if she herself was no threat to them, the ones who gave her that information could be.

He sighed, doubting that they'd get much more from her tonight. A hand slipping into his, brought him out of his musing and he looked into the concerned face of Kagome. “Are you okay?” He nodded not really wanting to talk about it with the subject so close. He didn't have any reason to trust her and until she started being more forthcoming he wasn't going to either.

“We might as well get some sleep,” he announced, extracting his hand from Kagome's before moving to settle back against a tree. Much to everyone's surprise Kaida stood, Toshi drapped in her arms, then leaped straight up into a large tree, proceeding to settle down for the night, already in her pajamas after her bath.

“Maybe it's a hanyou thing,” Miroku commented, before ducking the stone thrown by the group's other hanyou.

“Stuff it, bouzo.” He growled, before returning his gaze to the pair in the tree. “Maybe it's a hunted thing,” he commented, so softly that only Kagome heard him.

~~~~~

Inuyasha surveyed the campsite for the thousandth time that morning. Everyone was still asleep, but he hadn't slept all night. He didn't no how much longer he could sit here. He just couldn't sleep, even in the light doze he was accustomed to. He needed to know more about this intruder if he was going to trust her, most specifically why she was given this task. He knew why everyone else was here, either specific reasons or general circumstances.

He shifted Tessaiga once again, looking up when he noticed movement in the occupied tree. The hanyou was still asleep, well as far as he could tell, but that creature that had landed on Kagome had stirred and was now gazing down at the rest of them, emitting soft clicks as its head stopped and focused on him. Inuyasha had about a second after he realized what it wanted to send it his most baleful glare, before it launched itself from the branch and headed straight for him. It landed about a foot from him then slowly started to approach.

“Don't even think about it,” he hissed, but the creature paid him no mind. When he let out a low growl, it did pause for a moment until it gave up the slow approach completely and sprang at him. He took a swipe at him to knock him away, but he seemed to slide around his arm and onto his shoulder. Inuyasha tried to remember that the others really were tired and that it was still early. It was a wasted effort.

~~~~~

Kagome had always thought she didn't demand too much from life; regular food, relative safety and an alarm clock that woke her up with music or maybe birds and one that went off when she wanted it to, not one that blew up whenever it damn well felt like it. So, when she was not awoken by any of these appealing options and at an hour she herself would never have picked, she was less then amused. Her self-appointed alarm chose to wrench her from the blissful slumber by bellowing…

“Get The Fuck Off Me!”

The whole group awoke to the sight of Inuyasha dancing around, swearing bloody murder and clawing at his shoulders. Kagome shot out of her sleeping bag, trying to get Inuyasha to calm down and at least explain what was the matter. “This Fucking Thing Is Trying To Turn Me Into A Roost!” he bellowed. Kagome flinched at his volume, causing him to curb his anger as he indicted his back. A confused look passed over her face as she circled around him, trying to see what was responsible for another rude awakening. She couldn't see what he was talking about until she reached forward and pushed aside his hair; there, clinging to his back, looking perfectly comfortable, was Toshi. Kagome let Inuyasha's hair fall back, covering her mouth to stop the laughter she knew would send Inuyasha into another fit, though sorely tempted to anyway to get him back for waking her.

Inuyasha looked back at her, seeing her struggle to keep her laughter at his expense in check. His scowl deepened before he demanded “What are you waiting for, dammit, get it off!”

“I wouldn't bother if I were you.” The voice from above chimed in.

“Why the fuck would I let this creature of yours hang off me like a dead weight,” Inuyasha snarled.

“Well…you can either give up now or waste your energy and give up later,” she replied, using that assured tone that so rankled Inuyasha's temper.

“Can't you even control your own damn pet,” he demanded.

“As I said before Toshi is my partner,” she said, a bit of a clip in her tone, “his sleeping arrangements are his own affair.” Inuyasha was a bit taken aback, he felt as if he was a pup who had just been reprimanded. Feeling a bit confused, her next words, spoken with a more patient tone that replaced the previous ire, did nothing to sort out his thoughts. “Toshi is rather insistent on being liked, or at least tolerated, by those he deems worthwhile.”

Inuyasha didn't know what to say to that, in some odd way it sounded like a compliment. Finally he settled for “Keh,” folding his arms and sitting back down on the ground. Everyone stared as Toshi re-emerged from hiding, draping himself on Inuyasha's shoulders and emiting what could only be described as a triumphant croon. At this, the rest busied themselves with their various tasks trying not to let Inuyasha see their amusement.

Inuyasha, for his part, ignored them all, most pointedly the smug ass on his shoulders, until they were ready to go. As everyone fell into the easy pace that Inuyasha decided to set for the day, he realized his hope would not come to fruition, the little hitchhiker stayed right where he was. He was considering once again if he'd be fast enough to chuck the irritation when Kagome, who walked beside him, spoke up. “I really don't think he will give up,” she spoke quietly so as not to be over heard.

He glanced at her before turning back ahead. “How'd you know what I was thinking,”

She laughed, “If you grip Tessaiga any harder you'll break its hilt.”

He looked down and saw he had a white knuckle grip on his katana and had to force himself to loosen his hold. “Keh, so why don't you think he'll just give up if I manage to chuck his ass far enough? I hope you're not basing it on what that woman said; we got no reason to trust a single word she says, remember.”

Kagome regarded the little creature, bringing her finger to her chin as she considered how to put it into words. “Well it's more what I saw this morning and what I see now. He reminds me of Buyo, when he finds that perfect spot in the sun.”

“Maybe if he's thrown enough he won't find it so comfortable.” At this Kagome saw Toshi's tail swing down and wind itself in the kotodama, laughing at the scowl Inuyasha made when he felt it too. Inuyasha ignored her as his expression turned thoughtful, glancing back at Kaida before quietly whispering. “What do you think?”

Kagome knew what he was talking about, “I don't know. I don't think she's a bad person but we've been fooled before. It's just that she seems honest in what she's telling us; how about you?”

“I know one thing for certain, she's dangerous. I'd wager she's been trained, though her being a hanyou I don't know who would've taught her.”

“Maybe things are different in the future for hanyou,” she offered. Inuyasha shot her a look of utter disbelief. Kagome was silent for a moment before another thought occurred to her. “Inuyasha, what about tomorrow night?”

A look of great unease settled on his features, “I don't know, I'd feel a little better if I at least knew when her time was, that way we'd be even. Hell, she might know about it already.”

“Well if she already knows about your night, then that's good news.” She stated, a hopeful note in her voice.

Inuyasha looked at her as if she'd gone mad, “How the hell do you figure that?”

“Okay, say everything she's told us so far is true, then that means she had to have known for nearly two years and she's never taken the chance to attack on that night. If nothing else it can prove she means no immediate harm to us.”

Inuyasha slowly nodded, “And we can check her story a little more, if she really has been following us that long there's no way she would've missed that little tidbit.”

~~~~~

`You know, I could always tell Inuyasha that you can talk' she threatened silently as she followed behind Kagome and Inuyasha.

`Now why would you want to give up such a vital information gatherer? When people think you can't talk they tend to get so chatty around you.' He informed her, a smug lilt in his tone.

`If Inuyasha knew you could talk I don't think he'd be so acceptable to the crooning lump you've turned into. You can be so shameless.'

`Yes… yes I can. And I know perfectly well what fits people have when they find out I'm a `guy' and not simply you're adorable partner.' He gave the mental impression of raising his nose, as if in indignation. `Besides, I think you're right, these two really do go well together. They, and I mean mainly Inuyasha, just need some encouragement.'

She shook her head slightly at his match making plans. `Anyway did find out anything useful? I wasn't paying attention to their conversation'

`Yes, they're going to be testing you on what you know.'

`Ah, could this have anything to do with tomorrow night,' she inquired.

`That's why I love working with you,' he quipped, though she could feel his true admiration beneath. `Though might as well tell you, poor Inu is a mess over it. I think you should offer up your own schedule to help calm their nerves a little.'

Kaida agreed, falling silent and letting her thoughts wander. She would have to tread carefully.

~~~~~

“I assume you want more answers,” Kaida said, breaking the silence that had settled over the camp. Nobody knew how to begin what could be seen as an interrogation and she was tired of this dancing around.

“You have to understand why we're so cautionus,” Kagome pleaded. She really didn't want to offend Kaida, but safety took precedent over manners.

Kaida nodded, “I'm actually a little relieved , there have been times when I would have wished for more caution from you.” She sighed thinking of some of the problems they could have avoided in the past.

“So you don't mind then?” Kagome asked, a bit surprised. It really sounded like she was looking out for their own interests.

Kaida shook her head, “Just ask and if I can, I will answer…but first I shall make sure there aren't any eavesdroppers.” She stood and closed her eyes, casting her senses to the surrounding area, the others simply watching. She opened her eyes and sat back down. It was time to begin.

“What did you just do?” Kagome asked, wondering if it really could be that easy to check an area.

“My hearing is matched by few youkai and I simply used it to see if anything unusual was within hearing distance. If I cannot hear it then it can certainly not hear our conversation.”

“Your hearing is really that good?” Shippou asked.

“Yes, my hearing was what allowed me to track you for all this time and never be caught myself.”

“Are all your senses that good.”

Kaida shook her head, “My hearing is my keenest sense, though my other senses are by no means dull. My sight is also far superior to many youkai.”

“What about following a scent trail?” Inuyasha asked.

“My sense of smell is average for a youkai, but it nothing in comparison to your own.” She noticed that he relaxed a little bit at this.

Probably worried you were going to beat him at everything, Toshi remarked.

Hush Toshi, he probably just doesn't trust me and wants to know where he would have the advantage.

“So how much do you know about us?” Kagome decided to direct the conversation to its real heart.

Kaida raised her gaze to the heavens before answering, “This is about tomorrow night, I presume.” She turned her gaze Inuyasha, noting he was once again rigid.

“What do you think happens then,” Inuyasha demanded, making no assumptions about her knowledge.

“I believe,” and here she couldn't help the slight smile, “it is your time of the month. Tomorrow night is the time when you shall be human, the night of the new moon.”

“So, you do know.” And oddly this did bring some comfort to Inuyasha, letting some of the tension leave his body.

“I'd be a pretty poor observer if I didn't, but I believe that is not all you wish to know on the subject.”

“You seem very keen with your observations,” Miroku remarked. Kaida knew what he was getting at.

“Its simply the logical thing to wonder at with his own time drawing so uncomfortably near,” she replied, taking his suspision in stride.

“So when is your night,” Kagome asked, curiosity pushing her forward. Kaida turned to her, a slight look of surprise on her face, causing everyone to wonder if she was actually going answer.

“It appears Inuyasha has given you the wrong impression regarding a hanyou's human time. I have no one night where I'm human.” Confusion passed through everyone's face before understanding replaced it, as each began to comprehend. “Exactly, for each hanyou the time is unique. I don't have a time once a month, I have a time once a year; a solid week of time to be exact, that begins with the dawn of the longest day of the year and ends on the dusk of the seventh day following.”

Inuyasha thought on the prospect of a solid week stuck in his weaker human form, and quickly decided that one night a month was much more preferable.

“However, now that we are on the subject, I would like to make a suggestion to you Inuyasha. I know that you barely trust me, but for everyone's benefit I would like you to actually get some sleep tonight.”

“Keh, why the hell do you care about whether I get enough sleep or not.”

“Because tomorrow night I know you won't sleep and you shall be a wreck the following morning if you go three solid nights with no sleep and I, personally, don't want a member of this group a wreck because they didn't get enough sleep.”

“Listen, there's no way I'm going to trust you guard us while I'm out of it. I don't care what you know!” Inuyasha's temper was beginning to show, he didn't like it when people pointed out what he saw as weaknesses.

“Inuyasha, there is nothing wrong with needing to sleep,” Kagome reasoned, knowing all too well what had set him off.

“Kagome, there's no way..”

“What if someone else guarded with me.” Kaida suggested. “What if Miroku stays up for part of the night and Sango the other part, that way everyone gets the sleep they need.”

“What about you?” Inuyasha demanded

“I slept last night and, as you know, I shall be fine staying awake one night.”

“Keh, there's still no way I'll be able to sleep anyway.” He remarked, it was true enough as far as he was concerned. He couldn't, knowing that Kaida would be the primary guard.

At this remark, Toshi rose from his still unrelinquished perch on his shoulder to give a few chirps. “Toshi is able to produce a sort of lullaby that helps with sleeplessness.” Everyone looked at the strange little creature. There seemed to be no end to the surprises this pair could produce.

“Fine,” he barked “I'll get some sleep, and Miroku will take first watch with you.” And that seemed to end discussion for the night, as everyone began the own nightly routines.

Inuyasha leaned against the base of a tree, wondering if Toshi's lullaby was actually going to be able to knock him out. He looked up when he noticed Kagome's approach, bringing along her sleeping bag, which she'd unzipped for use as a blanket.

“Wanna share,” she offered, sitting down next to him. He didn't respond as she slung the blanket over the both of them and seemed about to attempt to go to sleep sitting next to him. Inuyasha struggled with himself, he knew Kagome was going to have a hard time sleeping like that, she wasn't use to it like he was, but he didn't want to tell her to go away. He glanced at Toshi, who had yet to start producing this amazing lullaby and noticed that he was looking pointedly at Kagome before looking at his lap and finally looking at him with, what could only be descibed as expectation. Inuyasha looked down at Kagome when, in a moment of inspiration, he dragged her into his lap, taking the blanket and wrapping it around the both of them, creating a warm cocoon and hopefully solving his dilemma.

Kagome looked at him in surprise, but Inuyasha simply kept his gaze averted as a blush rose to stain his cheeks. His heart thumped painfully in his chest as he fought the urge to fidget.

Kagome was a bit surprised by Inuyasha, but she wasn't complaining, the ground was hard and her butt had started to go numb, promising her a sore morning if she had stayed there. This arrangement wrapped her in warmth, releasing all her fears and worries in its steady sweep. Kagome smiled gently at him, nuzzling herself deeper into his embrace, “I like this way better, too.” She lay her head on his chest, her mind quieting as she heard the beginning of Toshi's lullaby join the rhythm of Inuyash's heart.

Inuyasha looked down to Kagome drifting off to sleep, as Toshi began his lullaby, loving the feeling of Kagome in his arms. He realized, as the utter contentment washed over him, that maybe it wouldn't be so impossible for him to get some sleep. His head bowed down so that Kagome's soothing scent could envelope him, his perfect sleeping pill, as he soon followed Kagome into slumber.

The gentle smile that crossed Kaida's face as she observed the two did not go unnoticed by Miroku and for the first time his trust of the newcomer got a big boost. Perhaps she was indeed there for their protection.

“Well, I guess I can get some sleep as well,” Miroku commented with a yawn, shifting against a tree to get more comfortable.

“Hm, you mean you're going to let me guard on my own?” Kaida asked, surprised.

Miroku looked up, meeting her gaze squarely before giving a small smile, “I trust you'll do a fine job and that you won't tell Inuyasha.” He added with a conspiratorially wink.

“Thank you,” was all she said as he joined his companions in sleep.

~~~~~

A/N: Thanks to nancey and kaiku7194 for their reviews, much appreciated. I wanted to let you guys know that if you ever see a grammatical error in my work please let me know. I'm kinda obsessive on this point so I will be appreciative of all those who help out, I try to get most of them myself but I always seem to miss one or two. Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and Co. do not belong to me, that privilege is held by Rumiko Takehashi.