InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bittersweet Rhapsody ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: The very absurd thought of me owning the Inuyasha franchise is the funniest joke that I've heard all day.

To anyone who is reading this: Well, you've stuck it out! Now to the good stuff, where Kagome and Inuyasha interact and also when the mystery with Kikyo begins to unravel. From now on I promise a lot of tension, nudity, and sick jokes on Miroku's part! ^_^

"Well, of COURSE I'm coming!" Sango was exclaiming to Kagome and Miroku, giving them each an indignant look in turn. "I must make sure that my husband-" -here she clenched her teeth threateningly- "-doesn't put things where they don't belong!"

"Such an unfounded accusation, Sango-chan!" Miroku replied lightly. "That happened long long ago, back when you swore at me whenever I tried to so lovingly hit on

you-"

"Not to mention it's probably not true anyway," Kagome grumbled under her breath as she continued to watch them argue. She had seen plenty of Miroku's failed attempts to get a girl even back before Sango had come into the picture, and she severely doubted he had ever succeeded.

She shifted uncomfortably as the light breeze tried to lift up her skirt; though the sun shined with a brilliant fervor overhead, the area around seemed strangely cool. Perhaps it was just the scenery around; a village that was practically destroyed, after all, usually wasn't a pleasant, comfortable sight. Smoke still billowed around in a few places, and rubble littered the once tidy landscape. The villagers currently were desperately trying to salvage what few buildings still stood, but even those were few, as the destruction had been rampant the night before. It seemed that they weren't willing to leave, however, despite the fact that over a hundred of their loved ones had fallen at the hands of the demons...

"Oh, just shut up already!" Sango huffed, pointing to the little girl asleep in her arms. "You'll wake her up, and if you remember it took BOTH of us to get her asleep this morning!" She shifted her back further into the wide trunk of the tree that they were all sitting against, attempting to pointedly ignore Miroku.

"Aw, Sango-chan!" he whined. "You can't ignore me for long!"

"..."

"Not if I do this-"

CRACK!! Miroku winced as he rubbed his hand, Sango glaring daggers at him as she deftly thwarted a rather wishful attempt to grope her chest. "Honestly," she muttered angrily, just loud enough for him to hear. "You can do that all you want when we're alone, but when Kagome's here..." She continued off into a spiel of incoherent mumbling.

Miroku sighed ruefully. "I suppose I had best be off then, as I am grossly unappreciated here," he announced in what he probably thought was a pathetic voice. "Kaede's sending me over to the neighboring village in order to see if they suffered a similar fate. Do you need Kirara?"

Sango shook her head. "Take her. We'll be waiting at home; it seemed fine when we left last night. And get back at a decent hou-" She abruptly got cut off in mid-sentence, but that really no surprise, as Miroku had decided to take advantage of her off-guardedness and sneak a kiss. Kagome watched interestedly as she noticed that Sango made no attempt to push him away; instead she caressed his cheek with her free hand. They broke off after a few seconds, Sango leaning back against the tree again and Miroku standing up and grabbing his staff (get your minds out of the gutter!).

He ruffled the still-sleeping Kyoko's hair as he waited for Kirara to transform. "Be waiting for me then, you two. We will most definitely have much to discuss tonight when I arrive home."

Kagome watched puzzled as she watched him lope off on Kirara's back. "What does he mean by 'much to discuss' , Sango?" she asked her friend, who was still looking uncharacteristically breathless as she too stared in Miroku's direction.

"What?" She shook her head. "Oh...I'm sure it's nothing. He's always such an actor, Kagome. I'm sure that he just wants to talk about our plans so we can decide where to head for first." She smiled, rocking Kyoko gently as she gave a slight stir. "I'm looking forward to our little journey, actually, especially if it means another chance at Naraku. And it'll just be like old times-" Here she stopped abruptly, looking regretful as Kagome's face fell. "Well, not exactly like old times," she added quickly, grabbing her shoulder. "But it'll have changed for the better. Forget about him, Kagome," she added firmly. "He's not worth the space in your mind."

Kagome sighed. "I know, I know...But it's easier said than done. And especially now that I'm back here." She waved her hand around vaguely, towards the shrine and the still-smoking village.

Sango looked at her hard for a moment, but decided to let it drop. "Let's go home, then," she said matter-of-factly, standing up carefully enough so that Kyoko would not awaken. "We both need to get cleaned up, for one thing. Just look at your clothes-" -here she wrinkled her nose as her hand brushed Kagome's blood-stained sweater- "and I probably should redress my bandages." She stared disgustedly at her bandaged shoulder, where the stray arrow had hit her the night before.

"All right," Kagome said simply, getting up herself as Sango led the way back to the house. But she couldn't shake off the feeling that Miroku had actually implied more than what he had actually said...

***

Miroku, meanwhile, was riding over the treetops of the forest on Kirala, shielding his eyes as he searched for his destination. He scanned the forest canopy, specifically looking for a small clearing completely surrounded by devil thorns. That would signify that he was getting closer to where he was in all actuality going, which was the dark, murky recesses of the forest's far end, at least twenty miles from Kaede's village.

He patted Kirara's head encouragingly. "Just a bit farther, girl...and then you can have a rest. We really need to do this..." -he sighed regretfully- "...although I genuinely wish we didn't."

"Kagome, please forgive me," he voiced out loud, urging Sango's demon onward. "But despite your black feelings we still need Inuyasha!"

***

Two hours, an exhausted Kirara, and an extreme case of saddlesoreness later (though we won't get into that), Miroku finally arrived in the area known enigmatically to the villagers as the Black Forest. Rumor had it that something lurked there, something terribly strong, something that viciously mauled anyone wandering in with sharp, evil claws.

Miroku, however, knew better. Inuyasha just liked his privacy, although he himself thought that angrily threatening everyone off property that he didn't even own was a bit much. As if most people wouldn't be fearful of him on sight in the first place...

He climbed off Kirara tensely, immediately feeling the absolute stillness and aura of expectancy that seemed to overwhelm the surrounding trees. Even though he had been here several times in the past and now knew full well that there was nothing to be afraid of, he always felt a bit edgy when coming here, just a little...

"Inuyasha!" he called out boldly, almost jumping when his sandaled foot unexpectedly crunched a twig. "Inuyasha, come out! I need to speak with you!"

He glowered as he crouched down next to Kirara, praying that Inuyasha had heard his cries and that he wouldn't have to start searching the forest. This place really was creepy, if it all came down to it... It was a shame that he had no earthly idea where he actually lived; he just knew the vague area in the forest where he could be found...

"Inuyasha!" He shouted again, slamming his staff into the ground impatiently. "Are you there?!"

He felt a pang of relief when he finally heard the familiar grumpy voice ringing out towards him from somewhere to his right. "All right, all right already, monk! I could hear your bellowing a mile off!"

Miroku's breath gave a sharp intake as he gazed at the large shadow quickly coming towards him, but it stopped when it gave way to the familiar sight of Inuyasha, who looked very much the same despite since his long seclusion within the forest. He stepped out into open, his eyes fixed on Miroku darkly. "What is it now, monk?" he asked grumpily, crossing his arms over his chest. "I came over to your place a couple months ago, didn't I?"

"No, I'm afraid this is a little more important," Miroku replied quickly, trying to stand his ground. Inuyasha, despite being (although he would never admit it in a million years) a friend, was, after all, rather intimidating...

"What?!"

"We have decided to go after Naraku once more," Miroku announced steadily. "and we need your assistance. We need to collect a few Jewel Shards, and then perhaps take him head on."

The half-demon rolled his eyes disgustedly. "Even I can find a few problems with THAT stupid plan," he spat. "First of all, you know damn well that I can't even wield Tetsusaiga anymore. The stupid thing's practically useless! And besides, even if we defy all odds and actually FIND a jewel shard, how the hell are we gonna purify it? We don't have anyone qualified for that anymore, if you remember, Miroku!" A ray of sunlight hit his face, revealing the long, thin brown scar running lengthwise down his face, a scar that was fairly fresh...

Miroku closed his eyes. "Just hear me out, Inuyasha," he pleaded resignedly. "Things aren't really as bad as they seem..." When it all came down to it he was wary against mentioning Kagome at the moment; he had a sneaking suspicion that he would REALLY refuse to come if he came out and told the truth right away...

"Really?! How?!" was the sarcastic answer.

"Inuyasha, please! We HAVE to try something! Last night our village was practically burned down to the ground, and-"

Here he raised his eyebrows. "Well, why didn't you come and GET me, you idiot?!" he snarled. "It's not as if I'm useless without Tetsusaiga!"

"And exactly my point," Miroku shot back smoothly. "But you've never made it clear that you're on call whenever we need help, so the thought never occurred to me. However..." He paused for a moment.

"Just come with me, Inuyasha," he finally pleaded. "Please."

"Oh, all right," he finally gave in, waving him off. "I'm bored as hell anyway. It's actually almost better purposely trying to get killed than to hang around here any longer." He glowered at the surrounding trees.

They both climbed onto Kirara's back without another word, Miroku unable to help giving off a smug grin. Getting Inuyasha to help had been quite easy, easier than he had anticipated. Now to just keep the two from killing each other later on so they could start the journey tomorrow...

As they soared off into the sky, Miroku could not help but sneak a look at his bitter-looking friend behind him, which elicited an angry "WHAT?!" but also gave him a chance to look into his eyes. He shook his head sadly as he noted it was still there...the pain was still there. Pain that had begun to radiate from him on that day three years ago...Although it was still up in the air as to who had caused that pain, he had a feeling that he would learn soon. Perhaps too soon.

Everyone had remained on good terms ever since their disbandment after their final defeat at Naraku's hand, with Inuyasha occasionally coming to visit their house near the well and they coming to visit him in the forest, but the subject of Kagome had always been an unspoken taboo between them. However, he reflected with a sigh, it seemed that it was once again going to surface...

***

"Let's see..." Sango held a chord of dried fish up into the waning evening sunlight. "This seems to be all right." She handed it over to Kagome, who was kneeling on the grass next to her. "Put it in the bag with the others."

Kagome complied, looking around in wonder at the pile of rucksacks and bags that Sango had filled so far for the journey ahead. "Geez, Sango...I know you like to pack things, but isn't this all a little overkill?"

Her friend shook her head vigorously. "Not even close. If we're taking a cross-country trip, then we definitely need enough food for one." She haphazardly threw a blanket onto Kagome's lap. "And besides," she added matter-of-factly, giving her a pointed look, "I really don't want Miroku dragging us to some manor and telling them that-"

-here she waved her arms- "-an ominous black cloud has risen over it. That's just - that's just - wrong."

"It might be wrong, but it sure saved us that one time during that thunderstorm," Kagome replied, adding the blanket to the bag. She fell silent as she thought back to that night, vividly recalling the torrential sheets of rain and the dangerous lightning that had caused them all to give in and beg Miroku to find a place to philander his way into. Inuyasha had been shielding her from the rain with his body, his arm wrapped tightly about her shoulder-

"DADDY DADDY DADDY!!!" Kagome started as she was brought back to reality, watching as Kyoko without warning jumped up from petting Kirala, toddling up the small knoll that rose up immediately before the house.

Sango didn't bother to look up. "Looks like Miroku's back," she said softly, tying some apples into a bundle and throwing them into a rucksack. "And, by the sounds of it," -she paused to listen hard for a moment- "-he's brought a dinner guest." She rolled her eyes. "Damn it, why couldn't he have just come back alone?! That idiot, anyway..." She stood, brushing off her breezy red kimono. "Keep them outside, Kagome, while I put on some more tea." She hurried off towards the house.

Kagome craned her ears towards the knoll as well. Yes, there were two distinct voices talking behind it, intermingled with Kyoko's happy cries. One of them was for sure Miroku's, but the other... She shook her head vigorously. No way, there was no way that it could be him... Impossible. She was just imagining things...

***

"DADDY DADDY DADDY!!!" Miroku and Inuyasha, with Kirara trailing at their heels, watched as Kyoko came running over the brow of the hill, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling as she sighted the pair. However, it was not to Miroku that she leapt into the arms of first, but into those of...

"Inyazza! Inyazza!" She gurgled happily as she reached up to pinch his doggy ears, to which he flinched but bravely continued to hold her as they started up the knoll.

"Geez, Miroku," he retorted as she found her way down to his nose, "Your little brat's grown quite a bit since I saw her last, huh?"

Miroku grinned. "She still takes a liking to you, though," he commented knowledgably, noting the very faintest shadow of a smile that had momentarily flitted across the half-demon's face as he held the little girl. "You'll be a father yet, Inuyasha; it's only a matter of time until you find a filly to make babies with."

Inuyasha snorted incredulously. "Father?! Me?! Hell will freeze over ten times before that happens, monk!" He then proceeded to step over the brow over the hill...

Miroku stopped him with his arm. "Wait a minute, Inuyasha," he announced nervously. "Before we get to the house there's something you should know. You see-" he began, but was quickly cut off by the sight of his friend's jaw scraping the ground.

"Who's THAT?!" he gawked, slowly putting Kyoko down as he gazed steadily down the hill.

"I would think that would be obvious," Miroku replied steadily. "That's what I was trying to tell you, Inuyasha." He swallowed anxiously. "It's Kagome. Kagome's back with us."

"WHAT?!" came the outraged, sputtering shriek. "Miroku! I can't go down there, I can't be seen by her, I - I -" He turned to go back down the hill, but Miroku grabbed him firmly.

"You ARE going down there. You ARE going to treat her civilly. I didn't get my hopes up this morning for nothing." He gave the half-demon a stony gaze. "This is our last shot at defeating Naraku, and we are going to use it accordingly."

"Miroku, you don't understand-"

"Please, Inuyasha," he replied irritably. "I gathered enough from what I saw of her running for the well bawling her eyes out and you practically pulling up your pants as you ran after her. And you think I don't understand? Now-" he started, looking him straight in the eye. "Do you wish to defeat Naraku?"

"Yes."

"This month?"

"Yes."

"This year?"

"Yes."

"This century?!"

"YES ALREADY!" Inuyasha bellowed. "NOW GET TO THE GODDAMN POINT!!"

"Then you will be man enough to face her," was all Miroku said as he grabbed Kyoko's hand and slowly walked down the hill.

***

Kagome's heart froze as she watched them from afar, Miroku and Kyoko slowly descending the knoll with Inuyasha following them a few seconds later. Her heart sank as she stared at the latter; he was keeping his head down, but as far as she could tell he hadn't changed a bit. His long silver hair streamed out in the breeze behind his shoulders, and his tall, lithe frame was still clad in the customary red. She began to shake as he came ever closer; she couldn't believe it, she couldn't believe that she was looking at him right now...It was almost too much for her heart to bear.

"Well," Miroku started as they all approached, "I suppose I had better explain to you the true reason for my absence." He jerked his thumb over towards Inuyasha, who had a scowl pasted on his face and was conveniently attempting to avoid her eye.

Kagome's eyes hardened as she stared at him. "Inuyasha," she finally stated coldly, in a voice quite unlike her own.

"Kagome," was what she got in reply, in an equally stony voice.

Miroku looked from one to the other with a wary eye. "Now can you two behave civilly during the course of our journey?"

"Yes."

Kagome got onto her feet. "Yes, if he stays away!" she spat as she headed back towards the house, unable to handle the tension any longer. Of all the things that had to happen today, why THIS?!

Miroku and Inuyasha silently watched her depart, neither of them very surprised at her reaction. Both of them supposed that although she was angry, her unspoken response regarding journeying with Inuyasha had been a 'yes'.

Miroku almost let out a sigh of relief. In all reality he had been expecting the initial confrontation to go rather badly, perhaps badly enough for one or both of them to storm off. (Looks like we're all right...for now, anyway. Hopefully they both want to defeat Naraku enough to stand one another. And now to tell Sango about all this...) He gulped visibly at the very thought.

Inuyasha, on the other hand, was thinking something totally different. He was still watching Kagome retreat; for some reason or other his eyes were still fixed on her. (Wow, it HAS been three years, hasn't it? She's changed...) His eyes shamelessly progressed downwards, away her silky black hair, and down to her full breasts, and further down to the vague outline of her behind, the skirt covering it short enough so that he had an enticing view of her legs. And there was the way that her hips swung as she walked; he inwardly cursed himself for noticing that last bit; it had caused what seemed to have been all the blood in his body to rush to somewhere uncomfortably unfamiliar... Damn, the sight of them made him want to thrust-

He almost slapped himself for that last thought.

A/N: And that's only a whisper of what I'll have later on...