InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daughter of the West ❯ The Hare and the Witch Pt. 1 ( Chapter 21 )

[A/N: Yes, yes, I kinda lied. I couldn't take it. I had to update. Well, hell, my motto is 'Write or Die'. (Which is also the name of a writing group I plan to join!). So, please enjoy. I promise you, this will be very good!]

Daughter of the West

Chapter 21: The Hare and the Witch

About a half an hour later, Miroku and Sango had returned. Miroku had seated himself across from Kagome and Sango, both of whom were half-asleep. Inu-Yasha, as always, was perched up on a high branch of a tree, staring out into the sky. Sesshomaru had wandered off somewhere, most likely to escape the company of his half-brother and his human friends, leaving Kimi with a now sleeping Rin in her arms. Although she didn't look it, they could all tell that under her cheery expression, she was distraught.

Kagome stood up, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She walked over to the tree were Inu-Yasha sat, and looked up at the still hanyou. "Inu-Yasha?" she asked, yawning, "Are you going to come down?" He didn't even bother to look down. Instead, he continued looking out at the stars. Kagome waited a moment, and then angrily spun on a heel. Probably thinking about Kikyo, she thought, returning to her seat.

As she did so, Miroku stood up. "Where are you going now?" asked Sango, a slight smile on her face. The young monk gave her a solemn expression, causing her smile to fade. "I'm just going for a walk," he said, a somewhat worried expression on his face. With that, he grabbed his staff and walked off. A few moments later, he was in the forest.

He walked along the now dark path, his staff gripped in one hand, an ofuda scroll in another. I know there's a demon out here…I just know it! He continued on, until he heard a branch snap behind him. He spun around, holding out his staff. "Who goes?" he demanded. A few seconds later, Usagi walked out of the bushes, wincing slightly. As she came into view, Miroku's hardened look faded into one that sough an excuse to get away.

"You're the…rabbit demon. Usagi. Aikina's friend, am I correct?" he asked. The girl nodded, wincing as she did so. "Ah, Miroku…ya won't believe what I went n' saw," she said weakly. The monk looked strangely at her. "Would you like to make some kind of confession?" he asked. The demon nodded a little. "Ya just might wanna sit down for dis," she said.

The young monk did as she had suggested, and she followed, sinking into his arms. As she did so, she began to sob. Of course, she was showing no real emotion. As she cried crocodile tears into his chest, she grinned evilly. She had the perfect scheme concocted. She looked up at him, her cheeks now stained with tears. "I donno how at say dis gently," she said.

"It's alright," he said, with a touch of sarcasm, "Just say it. I'm sure I'll be able to handle it." "Miroku…I can't lie at ya'll," she started, "I sawl dat bit-demon exterminatin' girl and yer new demon friend Sesshomaru er somthin' er other…well, they were…" Miroku heaved a sigh. "Just say it," he said. Usagi winced a little. "Okay, fine! They was…matin'!" she replied. Miroku's jaw dropped slightly. "Are you serious?" he asked. Usagi nodded. "As serious ad a funeral on da Buddha's birdday," she said, wincing again.

Miroku stood up, letting her drop to the ground in a single, fluid movement. "I think it would be best if I brought these…infidelities to Kimi's attention as well," he said. Usagi stood up, shaking her hands in his face. "No, no! I wad gonna tell her," she said, "I think it'd be best if it cam straight from da mout' of da one who sawl it." With that, she ran off. But, she was taking the long way. And Miroku didn't believe a word of it. He knew that she had a thing for him, and that she had probably seen him and Sango too. But what he didn't know was why she'd involve Sesshomaru as well. I'd better warn Kimi. Miroku ran off, taking the quickest way he could think of. In a few moments, he was back at their makeshift campsite.

"Oh, you're back Miroku," Sango said. He nodded slightly, quickly acknowledging her. She watched him, a strange look on his face, as he walked over to Kimi. "Miroku?" she asked gently as the monk drew closer. "Kimi…I need to talk to you," he said bluntly. The cat demon nodded slightly. "In…private," he said. She looked at him strangely, but gently set the young child in her arms down. She took off one of the layers of her kimono and wrapped the now shivering Rin up in it, and followed Miroku.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "It was that rabbit demon again," he replied simply. Kimi was still looking at him strangely. "She was talking like an idiot…like Sesshomaru and Sango having some kind of fling," he said blandly. Kimi gaped a little, but it soon turned to a silent laugh. "Does she think we're stupid?" she asked. Miroku sighed. "I don't know. But she's coming to tell you as we speak," he said. Kimi sighed. She turned her head slightly, looking off into oblivion. "She'll be here momentarily. I suggest you get out of here," she said. The monk nodded and quickly departed, just as the rabbit demon approached.

The blonde hare demon ran over to her, grabbing Kimi's small hands in hers. Looking down at her, she spoke. "Ah, Kimi…ya won believe what I went 'n sawl," she said, speaking just as she had to Miroku. The cat demon smirked acerbically. "Oh, that you saw Sango and my Sesshomaru in a tryst? I seriously doubt that," she said. Usagi's eyes widened.

"Tell me. I know you have a thing for Miroku…but why involve Sesshomaru, em? I'm sure I would know of some kind of grudge," she said. Usagi gave a low, menacing growl. "Miroku…I tol' him not at come at ya," she hissed angrily. Kimi smirked a little as the rabbit demon looked up at her, her eyes now glowing red. "So, you want to pick a fight, eh?" Kimi asked. Usagi glared at her, the jewel shard that was implanted in her forehead glowing brightly.

"No! I won let ya ruin m' chance!" Usagi shrieked, lunging forward with her claws at the ready. Kimi easily dodged the attack, bursting out into their campsite. Miroku, Sango, and Kagome all jumped as Usagi lunged for another attack, just as Inu-Yasha leapt from his perch. All of them readied for battle, just as Usagi reached a higher transformation. "It burns…I'll stop ya'll…and then I'll make da burnin' stop!"