InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Song ❯ The Kitsune ( Chapter 8 )

Previously in chapter 7:

Everyone waited, with baited breath for Inu Yasha to react. Slowly he lifted his head as the tears he had been holding back poured down his burning cheeks. He set his jaw, nodded to Myoga in a signal of thanks, and jumped down the well.

^.^

Chapter 8:

A small Kitsune rambled through the forest. He had a long gash on his cheek which was bleeding nastily. He squeezed his eyes shut painfully as a branch brushed his wound. He clamped a small hand on it to stop it from losing anymore blood, before continuing on his way.

He looked for a sign of a village. A telltale curl of smoke climbed through the sky straight ahead. The Kitsune sighed in relief. He took his hand off his wound and braced himself on a tree trunk, trying to overcome a sudden bout of dizziness.

Taking a deep breath, he began walking towards the curl of smoke that was hanging listlessly over the trees. His head cleared and his breath became more even, though now he could feel the gash on his cheek more than ever now.

Gradually his eyelids began to droop. He stumbled on a sharp rock, which jolted him out of his daze. He grumbled as he rubbed his bare foot where the rock had tripped him. He scanned the sky for the smoke and noticed that the sun had set and it was growing darker in the forest.

Shaking his head to wake himself even more, he trudged on until he had stumbled across a well trodden road. He knew that it must lead to a village, not realizing that he was now going the wrong way; back to where he had come.

After five minutes the boy Kitsune began to feel drowsy again. He failed to hear the footsteps behind him as four unlikely travelers made their way towards Kimara.

0.0

"Hurry up!" Myoga harped at Miroku. The priest scowled down at the flea.

"You're not the one walking, so I advise you shut up now." He said, a hint of annoyance touched his tired voice. The flea mumbled something under his breath, but decided that saying it loud enough so the priest could hear might be a bad idea.

Sango sniffed happily, recalling yesterday's events. "I wonder when Inu Yasha and Kagome will be returning." She hoped it would be soon. Adventuring wasn't half as fun without the two of them bickering all the time.

But, it was quite nice to be alone (more or less) with Miroku. Sango believed that if she tried hard enough she could cure him of his perverted thoughts. She sighed, smiling a little.

Unfortunately Sango didn't notice the hand creeping towards her unprotected backside until it was too late.

THUNK. Miroku let out a small squeal, not unlike the sound of a stuck pig, before slumping to the ground. Sango twirled her boomerang and kicked Miroku to see if he was unconscious. His eyes snapped open once more.

"Ah, Sango my-" Sango rolled her eyes and smacked him over the head with a resounding clap. For the rest of the evening Miroku had a dazed expression on his face, and you can be sure he kept his hands to himself.

~.^

Inu Yasha knew that Kagome would be better soon. It seemed that all she had really needed was a trip back to her own time. Her breathing came easy now, and Inu Yasha caught her mumbling under her breath. He laughed at her latest one:

"No, no… don't give the monkeys bazookas…" He wondered where all these stupid thoughts found room in her brain. He sighed inwardly. As hard as he tried not to believe it, his life was almost dull without Kagome… Where had the reassurance that he did not need her gone?

He wished Kagome would wake up faster. It wasn't that he didn't like the Higurashi's, they were great people! It was just the longing to get back to his own time and find that document. What if his companions got into some kind of trouble? What then?

Inu Yasha snapped out of his daydream when he heard a soft moan admit from Kagome. He scanned her face for a sign that she had regained consciousness.

He let out a great sigh of relief as her eyelids fluttered open. She blinked a few times to clear her eyes. Then she went rigid with rage.

"WHO ARE YOU? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?" Inu Yasha stammered a shocked expression on his face. "Kagome, it's me, Inu Ya-"He was cut short by an alarm clock that had lodged between his ears.

Inu Yasha looked up at Kagome painfully, "Good morning sunshine?" With that his eyes rolled up and he hit the carpet with a padded thud.

^.^

Miroku, still a little dazed by the two blows Sango had generously dealt out to him, didn't spot a small Kitsune trudging wearily down the path ahead of his group. Sango, Sesshomaru (and Myoga, currently residing on Sesshomaru's shoulder) and Kikyo were walking a few paces behind Miroku, so they didn't notice him either.

Suddenly the two collided, or more correctly, Miroku tripped over the poor kid. The little thing screeched, more of shock than of pain. Miroku did a sort of contorted flip and landed sprawled awkwardly on the ground.

Moaning painfully, Miroku looked around for the large rock that he had tripped over. His eyes widened as he realized that this part of the road was perfectly flat.

His attention shifted to Kikyo and Sango crouching over something a few feet away from where Miroku lay. He peered at them curiously. They made no move to see if he was alright. Their attention seemed to be focused on the dirt.

"When you guys are done staring at the ground, I could use a little help here!" he called impatiently to the two girls. Sango lifted her head to glare at him. Her eyelids lowered and Miroku swore he could see sparks.

"You hurt the poor thing, you evil, child-abusing pervert!" Sango yelled angrily. Then she promptly went back to examining the something on the ground. Miroku craned his head to see what it was but Kikyo gave him "The Look" and shifted so his view was obscured.

Since when had he become child abusing? He had never actually abused a child… wait there was that one time when that kid was being a little ass- but that was it! Anyways, how could Sango know about that? Geesh, He didn't think he would ever understand what went on in the minds of girls, especially the girls that he traveled with!

Finally Kikyo and Sango drew away from the thing now sitting up in the middle of the road. It was a small fox demon, with a big fluffy tail and a green bow in its fire-red hair. Miroku couldn't tell if it was a girl or a boy, but he decided not to ask, just in case he earned himself another smack.

The Kitsune had a frightened expression on his face, despite Sango and Kikyo's frantic cooing. He looked a little shell shocked. Geez, girls do make the biggest fusses over such little things.

Miroku hauled himself to his feet despite the pain in his head. He surveyed the damage with a careful hand: a large bump was forming, but no blood. Thank Kami, they had had enough injuries in the last few days to last him for a while.

"so I didn't trip over a rock…" Apparently, at the time, it was the wrong thing to say. Both girls' frowns deepened dramatically, causing Miroku to wince and tense up, expecting a harsh slap. Luckily, Kikyo and Sango must have been too preoccupied by their new little friend to pay much more heed to the obviously hurting Miroku.

Kikyo leaned over and picked up the now struggling boy. She ran an expertise hand over his head, searching for wounds or cuts.

"Erg, geroffme!" He squirmed, his arms flying like a windmill, trying to wiggle free of Kikyo's grasp. She was laughing so hard now that she could barely hold him.

"I… fail… to… see… what's… so … funny!" He said between gasps. Now Sango and Myoga were laughing as well and Sesshomaru looked highly amused. Miroku shook his head, grinning a little.

Then Kikyo noticed the deep cut running from the Kitsune's cheekbone to the place parallel to where it's stubborn little nose ended. Her face distorted into an evil mask of rage. If this hadn't been a dire situation, Miroku would have pointed out that she looked quit constipated…

"You did hurt him!" She screamed, "You idiot, he's just a little kid! What did he do to you?" Miroku shifted uncomfortably, trying to explain that he had not meant to hurt the kid, he just accidentally tripped over him. All that came out was a few warbled words.

Kikyo let out a huffy little noise that sounded like phuit. Clearly Kikyo thought Miroku had purposely hurt the dumb fox demon, who was now in Sango's arms being cooed adoringly to. What a suck up.

Well at least one thing was for sure… he knew it was a boy. Like that's gonna help me now…

"Actually lady, I had this before that guy fell on me." Miroku stared at the little angel. I'm gonna pay for such good Karma… Miroku thought to himself. Never mind that, he always said, don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

"No, no honey, don't feel bad about that mean man, you don't have to make up a story to get him out of trouble!" Kikyo exclaimed, giving Miroku a meaningful look. It's all coming back to me now… he thought, my good Karma never lasts…

"No, lady!" The demon told her, "Some mean guy did this to me, but then I `scaped!" Sango and Kikyo looked at the boy questioningly. Then they exchanged confused glances.

"Where did you escape from?" Sango asked curiously. She was hoping this child could lead them to the people who had done this to him. Then they'd regret ever hurting such a cute little kid!

"It was in a big stone house." He said, remembering where he was kept while his mother was away. Sango looked even more confused than ever, but Sesshomaru butted in and asked a question of his own.

"This big stone house of yours-is it not the castle of the town of Kimara?" He asked curiously. Sango's eyes widened in sudden understanding, this child could be of great help to them!

The boy nodded his shaggy little head, a perplexed expression on his small features.

"What's your name?" Miroku blurted out, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"I'm Shippo, whatsurname?" He asked happily, now that he could understand what they were talking about. The company made formal introductions with the little Kitsune called Shippo.

"Isn't it a little late for you to be out? Who and where are your parents?" Shippo lowered his head sadly. Sango winced as she realized she had hit a spot still healing from mental wounds. To her surprise, Shippo snuffled and then lifted his head bravely to answer the painful question.

" My father was a renowned fox demon who protected our little village from other, evil demons." He took a deep breath and then continued, "One day, people in armor came… They killed him." Sango squeezed her eyes together to keep back the tears, her family had died the same way: killed by strangers who hated them… yet never knew them.

"My mother is also a fox demon," he told the group, a little happier now that he wasn't talking about his father anymore. "Her name is Maeka. She's on a business trip."

There was dead silence in the room. No one uttered a sound, they were all lost for words. Maeka? Shippo was the son of Maeka? The same Maeka that now lay dead somewhere in the forest, her carcass being devoured by hungry beasts?

After a long pause Sango forced a few, well chosen words out, "Well… I think we'd better set up camp. Shippo, you can stay with us tonight."

0.o

"I'm sooooo sorry Inu Yasha!!!" Kagome wailed out countless apologies to the embarrassed demon. It was true, she had caused the large lump now inhabiting Inu Yasha's head… but, Kami, it wasn't that bad!

"Kagome," He said taking a hold on her shoulders and looking her straight in the face, "It's not that…" He trailed off. There was a strange expression on Kagome's face. He was now very aware of the fact that his hands were planted firmly on her shoulders and his face was mere inches away from hers.

He could feel his palms becoming sweaty and his stomach did a couple uncalled-for somersaults. He took a deep breath… It's now or never… he thought to himself.

Before Inu Yasha could make a move Kagome had done it for him. Inu Yasha almost jumped as Kagome softly pressed her lips against his. He had never noticed how Kagome smelled before, but now that he was up close to her he got a whole nose full. She smelled faintly of cinnamon and maybe vanilla. It smelled nice, whatever it was.

Kagome didn't pull away when Inu Yasha kissed back and they were both enjoying themselves immensely until the door of Kagome's room creaked open.

A large tower of clothes came through the door, followed by a very cheery Mrs. Higurashi. If Kagome's mother noticed anything strange about the two blushing teenagers now sitting at opposite sides of the room, looking very guilty, she chose not to mention it.

"Inu Yasha, your back!" Inu Yasha nodded stiffly and managed an awkward wave. Mrs. H smiled secretively.

"Well I'll leave you two alone, you seemed to be enjoying yourselves!" Laughing, Mrs. H dumped Kagome's newly washed school uniform and much to her Kagome's dismay, a very lacy unmentionable on her bed before departing.

Kagome's face turned an even brighter shade of maroon, "Mom!" Inu Yasha looked at her inquisitively, "what is this?" He asked holding up the lacy thing Kagome's mom had left on her bed.

"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY FUCKING BRA!!!"

^.^

I'm a happy person, I've finally written a substantial chapter longer than 1,800 words! I'm so proud of my measly little self!

Fuki: Oh get a life.

You know I really wish you were in San Francisco with Aurora_thorn right now.

Fuki: Humph, she didn't have the courtesy to bring me along… and to top it all off, she didn't stock up on Dove bars before she left, need I add that she locked me inside????

Oh, you poor, poor thing. If you were a little nicer I might actually feel sorry for you!

Fuki: Oh shut up.

Your only being rude because you think I don't have duct tape… *evil grin*

Fuki: YOU HAVE DUCT TAPE?!?!?!?!

Hehehehe…^.^