InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dumb Luck ❯ Puzzling Behavior ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer - I do not own InuYasha or any of the original characters; they are the property of the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi. This story is an individual creation for personal and shared enjoyment of true InuYasha fans that I hope is up to the quality of the real series. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Translation notes - Omamori is a traditional good luck charm and the most common form they take is that of a small, flat embroidered cloth bag with a knotted loop of cord at one end. Within (or on) this charm is usually a prayer or invocation as well as a symbol and the name of the deity it embodies. These inscriptions are usually in a very ancient form of Japanese that Shinto priests use to call upon the Kami in various rituals. (I love doing research! I'm learning so much.)

Chapter Three: Puzzling Behavior

"Good night, Kagome." Her mother gave her a warm hug.

"Good night, Mama." She returned the hug and turned to climb the stairs carrying a folded blanket draped over her arm. Her steps slowed as she thought back over this strange evening…strange because of her mother and Grandfather's behavior…or rather the lack behavior. `I'm not too surprised at Mama's calm acceptance…' She paused on one step with a small frown, `…but Jichan…not one comment or exclamation?' She rolled her eyes and continued her ascent, `Just that long story about his trip to see a rock.'

At the top of the stairs Souta, upon hearing her, popped out of his room with eyes wide and not sleepy at all. She quickly grabbed his shoulder before he could open his mouth and spun him around with a push back through his doorway. "No! I told you, he's not sleeping in your room. You have school in the morning and I know you would probably stay up all night bugging him."

His face fell and he pouted, "Aww, Neesan…how mean." His shoulders slumped before he shuffled back into his room and closed his door with one last crestfallen look.

`Sheesh! That's five times! He was excited enough for all of us tonight…well,' Kagome moved over to her door with a sigh, `I can't blame him.' She wiped the smile from her face before opening her door and stepping into her lighted room. Her eyes immediately went to the black-haired boy in the all-red garments sitting on the floor under her window, his arms wrapped around his sheathed sword and hands hidden in the deep recesses of his sleeves.

InuYasha's dark eyes watched her enter and she felt a small ache in her heart at his alert posture and wary expression, `Even now, he won't let himself relax.' She closed the door and crossed over to hand him the blanket. He stared at it but made no move to take it so she set it down next to him before turning to pull back the covers and sit on the edge of her bed. She clasped her hands together and said matter-of-factly, "You don't have to stay awake InuYasha." She dropped her eyes and slid off her slippers, "There are no enemies here."

He looked uneasy and turned his head away, "Feh…as if that would make a difference." He shrugged and wouldn't look at her, "I'm not tired."

She stared at his profile in silence for a few minutes before sighing and slipping under the covers. She reached for the light on her nightstand when a thought hit her, `Just what did he and Jichan talk about yesterday?' She paused before turning it off, "Ne, InuYasha…?"

"What?" He finally looked at her.

She sighed and shook her head, "Nothing." She flicked the switch allowing darkness to flood the room and lay back, thoughts swirling around unanswered questions. `Why did you come tonight when you swore you never would? Why can't you let your guard down just this once?' She rolled onto her side facing the room. `Oh well, I don't have to know.' Her smile was hidden in the dark, "I'm glad you're here." She closed her eyes feeling content in knowing that he was safe tonight of all nights, "Good night, InuYasha."

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He was gone before she woke up the next morning, the blanket still folded and untouched. Kagome climbed out of bed and picked it up, hugging it to her chest. She sat back down on her bed and stared in disappointment at the empty spot where he had sat until her alarm clock went off. She shook herself, `Baka,' and got ready for school.

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Days went by and he didn't return. She found herself looking at the wellhouse whenever she crossed the grounds or passed a window in the house that faced it. It was the first thing she looked at in the morning before dressing for the day and the last thing before turning out the light. After a week she shook out of her preoccupation and applied herself to her self-appointed mission. She managed to do tons of make-up work for school and when her thoughts turned toward that quixotic hanyou, she found things to do, determined to keep busy.

The only glitch was when she found the broken broom with its clumsy patch lying on the floor of the storage room. Kagome stared at it with a puzzled frown until she remembered who had used it last and she smiled, an amused giggle escaping as she pictured him trying to fix it then hiding it. The giggle grew and she held her stomach as she laughed until she hurt. She wiped her eyes with a sigh, picked up the useless broom and tucked both pieces in a dark corner. She gave it one last look, smiled and closed the door behind her.

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The last day finally arrives and Kagome is standing at the top of the wellhouse stairs, her yellow pack stuffed to capacity and weighing down her shoulders, saying goodbye to her little family. Her Grandfather is sporting his new walking cast and leaning heavily on a cane with Mama and Souta on either side. She looks down at the awkward-looking plaster and feels guilt at leaving again. She frowns at him, "Are you sure I shouldn't stay a little longer?"

His wrinkled face twists with amazement, "Why? You - "

Mama rings her hands around his arm to silence him, "It's fine, Kagome. We can take it from here." She smiles trustingly, "You have others counting on you too."

Kagome smiles back and wraps her arms around both of them in a hug, "Arigato."

She steps back and her mother asks, "Do you have the bag?"

Kagome nods and her smile widens.

Jichan reaches into a pocket and holds out and ornately embroidered omamori, the blue and gold stitching brilliant in the late afternoon sunlight. "Kagome, take this. It's very old and will bring you luck."

Kagome takes it with hidden amusement, `How old? Part of that shipment you got last month?' She tucks it into her pocket and simply says, "Thank you."

Souta peers down at the well and waves wildly, "Bye Inu-Oniichan!"

InuYasha waiting down below gives an impatient snort, "Damnit woman! How much longer are you gonna take?"

Kagome heaves a long-suffering sigh and turns to descend the stairs, "Alright! I'm coming alread-Eeek!!" She misses a step and falls forward to be caught in InuYasha's arms before any damage can be done.

He sets her on her feet and steadies her before stepping back and crossing his arms with a disgusted expression, "Jeez! You get clumsier all the time!"

Her mouth drops, `…well…I was happy to see him…' and she closes it before she says something she might regret. She grits her teeth and sits on the edge of the well, "Let's go." Swinging her legs over she slips in and disappears into the darkness below. Barely hesitating, he picks up the extra bag of supplies and jumps in after her.

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"Kagomeee!!" Dashing through the doorway, the exuberant kitsune launches himself at her and she barely manages to keep from being knocked over.

"Shippo-chan!" She holds him close while he blubbers happily on her, her heart melting at his unrestrained affection. She strokes his wild hair and murmurs, "I missed you."

He leans back to look up at her, sniffles and begins unashamedly crying all over again, "Kagome!" Throwing his little arms around her neck he buries his face and clings tightly.

"Welcome back, Kagome-sama," Miroku and Sango emerge from the hut and hang back, waiting for the histrionics to end.

"Kagome-chan," Sango's smile is identical to one the Monk is wearing, her hands clasped primly in front of her. Kirara sits next to her mistress with her twin-tails wrapped around her tiny feet.

The door-flap lifts again and Kaede steps out with a pleased smile, "Kagome, glad I am that ye've returned."

Kagome looks at her circle of friends and smiles back at them.

A thud from the sack being plunked down behind her gains everyone's attention. They all turn to face InuYasha, the irritated expression on his face an obvious warning. He crosses his arms and arrogantly states, "We're heading west tomorrow." He turns his back on them and begins walking away, saying loudly, "Be ready!"

"Oi! InuYasha! You Jerk!" Shippo goes from tears to outrage in a heartbeat and yells at him from over Kagome's shoulder, "How can you be so unfeeling?! Aren't you glad that Kagome is back?"

The moody hanyou refuses to turn around and keeps walking towards the trees, "Quit your yappin' - Crybaby!"

Kagome spins with a gasp to glare at his retreating back, "InuYasha!"

He halts for a second at her voice then turns to snap irritatingly, "I'll be back in the morning!" He leaps forward to disappear into the forest.

She stares blankly at the trees for a bit before turning back to her friends, all smiles gone. "What is wrong with him?"

Sango shrugs with a helpless look and Miroku frowns in consideration. Kaede steps forward to help Kagome remove the heavy pack after Shippo jumps down with an angry look turning his childish features quite fierce. He finally gives a tiny snort and turns his back on the forest.

Kaede gives the forest a squinting glance, "InuYasha has been like that since the new moon." She looks back at the puzzled young girl, "The little he's been here, that is."

"The new moon?" She watches Sango and Kaede nod while the Monk rubs his chin with deep thought. `Did I do something?' She looks in the direction InuYasha had gone, "He hasn't been here?"

Miroku approaches to pick up the discarded sack and straightens with a sigh, "InuYasha is very impatient to find the shards, Kagome-sama." He meets her questioning glance, "I think he has been searching for clues on his own while waiting for you to come back."

She turns her head back to stare at the green barrier of trees, `I hope that's all it is…'

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