InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Consciousness ❯ West ( Chapter 7 )

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

West



Inuyasha became aware of his surroundings as the sun peaked over the horizon. Pulling the bundle of warmth closer to him, he realized that the fire had died down over the night. Sniffing at the inviting scent that closed around him, he nuzzled the warm soft heat that was against his chest.

A loud snore broke his serenity. Popping his eye open, he realized that Shippo was firmly planted in Kagome’s stomach. Blushing red, he quickly looked around, Sango and Kirara were still sleeping soundly. Miroku was sprawled out next to the fire, one eye open, staring at him.

“What?” he growled at him

“Nothing” Miroku said as he smirked, rolling onto his back “Do you think we ought to get the girls up and get moving?”

“In a minute” Inuyasha slid Kagome off his lap, trying not to disturb the sleeping pair, he stood up and moved toward the forest “Let me find breakfast, if you’ll get the fire going” with that Inuyasha leapt off into the surrounding forest.

Sighing, Miroku stood up and headed off to find firewood, staying close enough that he could see the camp.

Miroku brought the fire back to life as Inuyasha brought a small skinned boar back to camp. Miroku watched as Inuyasha carefully carved up the boar with his claws into large thin cuts, carefully impaling each section on a long stick.

“See if you can find that large pan without making to much noise monk” Inuyasha was quietly rooting in the bag, looking for seasoning for the meat. Finding one that did not make his eyes water, he carefully sprinkled a little onto the meat. He tossed Miroku a packet “Heat water and add that to it, it makes a gravy” he said as he placed the meat over the fire.

Miroku was at a loss, he’d never seen Inuyasha do something so considerate of the girls. If you don’t count saving their lives, he thought. He almost laughed out loud when he realized Inuyasha was also preparing to make tea.

Kagome rolled over at the smell of cooking meat, immediately ashamed that Sango had started breakfast by herself. Looking across the camp, an apology on her lips, she just stared. She was looking into Sango’s eyes as she laid on the other side of the fire. Both blinked several times, making sure that what they saw was real.

Sango was the first to react, jumping “What the hell is going on?” she asked, looking around the camp, water was boiling, meat was on sticks cooking, Miroku was struggling over a pan with some substance in it and Inuyasha was pulling apart a loaf of bread.

Miroku looked up and just sighed. ‘she’s so lovely in the morning’

Inuyasha just flushed red “Feh, if I had to wait for you damn humans to cook breakfast I would have already starved to death” he huffed

Shippo was just starting to wake up “Huh? Is Inuyasha cooking?”

Kagome just smiled and ruffled his hair. Picking up her stuff she looked over her shoulder at Inuyasha “I’ll be right back, then I’ll help you finish breakfast”

“Feh, whatever” he grunted

Sango followed after Kagome with her change of clothes in hand. Sighing, she just shook her head as she walked by the guys.

*****

“Ok, this is getting really weird Kagome” she stopped her friend and turned her “Are you going to talk to him?” she asked

“I admit, it is really strange, but, I’m afraid if I bring it up, he’ll get all defensive and nasty” Kagome sighed, deep down she was worried that there was more going on than she realized. She could never really remember Inuyasha being so considerate of everyone.

“If this keeps up, I’ll be certain he is courting you” Sango snickered “Of course, from the look of the breakfast he was fixing, that may not be so bad!”

“Sango!” Kagome blushed “He isn’t courting, I think he is just very distracted by our trip into the west”

“Sure” Sango said as they finished changing and brushing out their hair. “Come on, let’s get back to that huge breakfast!” she said, tugging Kagome back in the direction of camp

*****

Arriving back at camp, Kagome headed toward the hot water, preparing to make tea

Inuyasha stopped her with a low growl “Feh, weak human, I don’t need you to do that, we are traveling hard today, sit, rest and eat your breakfast, there won’t be any breaks for your weak self today” he gestured at a plate he had set out

Looking over at Sango, Kagome shrugged and sat down. Thinking to herself ‘see, I knew this was about traveling into the west, he only fixed a big breakfast to prevent us from complaining about being hungry’

Breakfast was quiet, only broken occasionally by Shippo teasing Inuyasha about cooking and Inuyasha returning the favor by thumping him on the head.

Kagome noticed that Sango and Miroku were sitting closer than normal at breakfast, she would have to remember to ask Sango about that.

Breakfast was finished up, Inuyasha stored some of the cooked meat in small bags and handed one to each of the travelers with a chunk of bread “We won’t be stopping until we get to the palace”

The group broke camp and loaded their supplies up, Kagome strapped on her arrows and bow as Sango strapped on Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha straightened his clothes and Miroku finished packing up his supplies and straightening his robes

Shippo started toward Kagome. “Not today runt” Inuyasha cut him off. “I’ll carry Kagome and you can ride on Kirara with Sango and Miroku

“I want to go with Kagome! Sango and Miroku are mushy! I don’t want to ride with them today” he whined

Sango and Miroku flushed deep red as Kagome and Inuyasha turned to gape at them. “Well, well, well” Kagome started, Inuyasha chuckled as Sango and Miroku started protesting, before anyone could even get a question in

“Aren’t we wasting daylight?” Miroku asked, tactfully trying to take the attention off of himself and Sango

“Yeah, we’ll find out soon enough, though” Inuyasha said as he pulled Kagome on his back “Ready?” he said looking around him at the other travelers. Kirara changed into her fire cat form as Miroku and Sango climbed on, Shippo still grumbling climbed up too.

The group set off for the west.

*****

500 years in the future

“Well” he asked as he leaned back in his chair

“They left early in the morning and by the time I left the Shrine, Kagome had not come back through the well” he said

Looking over at his nephew, he grimaced “How did the idiot appear?”

“Surprisingly agreeable” he responded “How about you? Any shifts?”

“Small ones, it can be difficult to control this level of magic, but, I am experiencing some small time shifts”

“Well, I have to count on your memories, I don’t know which ones are changing for me, it just feels different as we go” hope was shining in his eyes as his aunt breezed in

“Well? Did the idiot wait?” she demanded as she sat down across from her husband

“It appears he did”

*****

Back in the feudal era

“Well, we are closing in on the palace, I can smell Sesshomaru’s stench getting stronger” Inuyasha informed Kagome as they continued to travel on.

“How much longer?” she yawned

“Maybe a little more than an hour” he said “Are you alright?” he shifted her weight again, trying to keep them both comfortable. She had been asleep for at least an hour. He never did understand how she could still hold on in her sleep, yet, she never even slipped her grasp around his neck.

“Sango? Are you and Kirara holding up?” Kagome hollered up over her shoulder

“Yep! Just fine. How much longer?” Sango responded

“Inuyasha says maybe an hour”

“We can manage that!” she answered back

The group continued into the sinking sun. Inuyasha picked up the pace, changing his stride almost imperceptibly as they moved up into the trees.

Inuyasha was pushing to make the palace before the sun set, he didn’t want to spend another night out in his brother’s territory.

Inuyasha knew they were closing in, the terrain became rougher and the bluffs steeper, more ragged. He was covering the terrain from childhood memories. He was surprised that his memory was as good as it was, that the ground below him was mapped out in his mind as clear as the days he had traversed it in his younger years.

“Hold on Kagome” he warned, taking a huge leap upward, he sailed over a ravine, coming down hard on the rocky ledge on the other side.

“Humpf” Kagome’s gripped tightened around his neck as he pushed off again

“The terrain gets rough through here, it means we are close though” he grunted as he pushed off again, sailing over another ravine

From their position above the ground traveling pair, Sango and Shippo started pointing toward the palace, “Look Miroku, we can see the palace” Shippo squealed in delight.

“Inuyasha! We can see the palace” Sango hollered down at them

“Good!” he yelled back, fatigue from pushing so hard was starting to set in

Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha prepared for the impact after a huge jump over a larger ravine. His grip on Kagome’s legs tightened as the air was pushed from both of their lungs as they impacted hard on the rocky ground.

“Hey! Couldn’t we take it a little easier” she giggled in his ear. She shifted her weight forward on him as he leaned forward again to clear another jump

“Feh, we’re almost there, we’re not slowing down now, it’ll be dark soon” Inuyasha growled at her. He had no desire to relive the demons in his mind, being out here in his brother’s territory after dark.

Kagome was getting ready to protest, just as they broke over the top of the next bluff, she halted in mid breath, the complaint dying on her lips. She gasped, looking out over a huge plateau, filled with an imposing palace, surrounded by smaller building and huts. The ground immediately surrounding the palace was covered in wildflowers and wild grasses. The outlying grounds were covered in grasses and in the open spaces below, rice fields could be seen. Orchards filled the land to the North of the castle.

“Oh! This is beautiful” Kagome said. Kirara landed next to them, as Sango slid off her back. Inuyasha set Kagome down on her feet.

“Feh, it’s just a stupid palace” Inuyasha grumbled. He reached out and pulled Kagome behind him, growling low in his throat, he could feel his brother coming toward them. As Sesshomaru came closer, his growl turned into an out and out snarl.

Miroku, Sango and Shippo looked at him as Kagome just sighed and waited. It never stopped, the constant tension from Inuyasha when his brother was around.

“Be nice, this will go easier if you just calm down” she whispered behind him.

“Listen to her pup” Sesshomaru came to halt directly in front of Inuyasha “We are here for a single purpose”

“Bastard” Inuyasha’s snarl was escalating by the second

“Relax pup, I do not think you even realize why you are so upset” Sesshomaru smirked

“What do you mean?” Inuyasha snarled

“Nothing to concern yourself about” he said “Come” Sesshomaru swept away from them and headed up to the castle.

Shrugging, the group of weary travelers followed behind, following him into the castle.

Sesshomaru lead the way into the palace. He was anxious to get this over with. He had no desire to have the crew of travelers in his palace. He knew from experience that it was just a matter of time before an uproar was started. Either his brother and the miko or the slayer and the monk. The only saving grace was the fire cat and the little fox demon, Rin would play for hours with the two happily. He had never considered it important before, however, the sheer joy Rin showed on her face when she played with the ‘friends’ did give him a moment of pause.

“Kagura, please show them to their rooms” he dictated as they swept into the drawing room. Turning to the group, “dinner is in one hour, please clean up before dinner. The Ladies will find suitable clothes in their rooms”

“Wait just a minute. I will stay in Kagome’s room” Inuyasha growled

“Do you believe that appropriate half breed?” Sesshomaru sneered

“Bastard” Inuyasha drew his sword

“Inuyasha! Please!” Kagome pulled on his sleeve “Not now” The absolute exhaustion evident in her voice

“Inuyasha, you should pay closer attention to your miko” Sesshomaru stated coldly

Kagura intervined, “Kagome, Sango, please come this way” she turned and led the girls out of the drawing room and headed for the stairs. Shippo and Kirara were hot on their heels.

*****

“Inuyasha” his brother’s voice stopped him as he turned to follow after the girls. Miroku paused, wondering what Sesshomaru was going to say.

“What” he growled

“Your Miko is exhausted, leave her to Kagura”

“I don’t trust that bitch”

“That is irrelevant, the Miko trusts her” he stated “There will be no battles in my house”

“Keep your mouth shut and there won’t be” Inuyasha huffed

“Yes, because your mouth is so well tempered” he sneered

“Just point me to Kagome’s room” he demanded

“I can’t do that. Kagura should have the ladies ready to bath by now. You will stay here until Kagura comes down”

*****

“Kagome, Sango, there is a bathing chamber just down the hall, if you would like to set down your belongings, I will show you the way” Kagura said

“Oh Kagura! A bath sounds wonderful!” Kagome squealed, she ran into her room and dropped her bag, grabbing the kimono off the bed and heading back out. Sango moved just as fast. The trio was headed back down the hall in no time at all.

Kagura looked at the two girls, they were apparently exhausted, yet, the mention of a bath brought them both running.

Sango and Kagome gasped in a collective breath. ‘Bathing chamber’ did not begin to explain this. Wall to wall stone with a deep stone bathing pool in the center of the room. Low steps lead into the bathing pool and one wall had a blazing fire. Grates surrounded the pool, with brick chimneys around them, allowing the smoke from the fire below to escape. Dried flowers and oils lined the ledges of the bathing chamber.

“You will find soaps and oils around the bath” Kagura noted the expression on their face. She almost snickered, this was similar to her reaction when she found this bathing chamber.

The girls quickly shed their travel dirty clothes and headed into the bath.

Kagura sat down on a low stone bench near the bath

“Your travel was well?”

“Yes, we traveled quickly with little disruption” Sango answered. Kagome’s head was under water

“And, have you told Inuyasha and Kagome about your relationship with Miroku” Kagura asked quietly

Sango spluttered and blushed bright red “We decided to wait to tell them”

“Wait to tell us what Sango?” Kagome asked as she came up from rinsing her hair

“Kagome!” she gasped

“What Sango?”

“Nothing”

“Yeah, I don’t believe that!” Kagome closed in on her friend “You two are way to chummy! Now spill!”

Kagura laughed, she was always amazed at the pair. She felt like she was always watching something to intimate, to personal when they were alone. Kagura had never known a relationship like these two had.

Sango batted Kagome’s hand away and sighed. “Promise you won’t tell Miroku I told you? He doesn’t want to add to the current strain of the situation”

“I promise! Now spill it!” Kagome demanded

Sango took her time rinsing the shampoo from her hair. “Miroku has asked me to marry him”

“What!” Kagome squealed. Kagura’s ears twitched as it reverberated off the walls

“Calm down. After everything has settled, we are going to be married” Sango answered.

Quickly reaching out, she hugged her friend tightly “I am so happy for you!” Kagome’s smile widened

“Thanks Kagome” Sango smiled back.

The girls finished their bathing and Kagura lead them back to their rooms. Kagura stepped into Kagome’s room and set out to help her get into the elaborate kimono that Sesshomaru had demanded be set out. The pair might not realize it, but, here they were to be treated as was fitting their station. Inuyasha may have no interest in court politics, Sesshomaru however was very set in his ways and would not allow anyone to escape the court expectations.

Kagura sighed and started moving around Kagome hooking and tying. “Kagura, that isn’t necessary!” Kagome said softly.

“Probably not, but, I can assure you I am much quicker than you at this!” Kagura smiled at Kagome “You haven’t done this on a regular basis. Inuyasha told Sesshomaru that in your time clothes are much simpler”

Kagome was quickly dressed in her undergarments, followed by the beautiful kimono. She glanced around the room, she noticed that Inuyasha’s stuff had been brought in while they were bathing. Laid out on the bed, was a red and silver men’s kimono. Kagome started to chuckle

“Please tell me that is for Inuyasha?” Kagome questioned, her smile widening

“Yes, Sesshomaru will expect him to dress for dinner as well”

“This I have to see!” Kagome turned to study her reflection in the mirror. She almost laughed aloud. She couldn’t believe that it was her own reflection looking back at her. Kagura had swept her hair up and pulled it into a elaborate bun, with soft curls framing her face. She had left the silver stripe to hang down the right side, allowing it to gently curl at the ends. The formal kimono, was silver with red sleeves and heavy red embroidery, a large fanged silver dog was across the back, with it’s tail wrapping around the kimono down the front, almost to her toes. Flowers were embroidered in red. Kagome’s undergarments peeked out from the collar, it was red trimmed in silver. The obi was a heavy red silk, trimmed in silver and deep blue, the edges held an embroidered crescent moon in blue, it was a mimic of the crescent moon on Sesshomaru’s forehead.

“This is beautiful!” Kagome gasped

Kagura smiled and lead the way to a different drawing room, she headed back to let Sesshomaru know that the girls were done with the bath and lead the men to their rooms and the bathing room.



The disclaimer again!
I don’t own Inuyasha, it’s characters or it’s story line
That sole joy belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
I’ll let you know which characters I own as we go.