InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Good Enough to Eat... ❯ Melon ( Chapter 2 )

Before we get into this, I just want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to review. I don't think I've ever had so many reviews in two days!

 

Enjoy the read, you lovely people!

 

……………

 

Melon

 

During the hottest parts of summer in feudal Japan, it was one of two things: irritatingly dry, or disturbingly humid. It was one of those dry days, where no amount of water seemed to satisfy. Even the parched earth showed proof of its thirst via the cracks that marred its surface.

 

The weary group of travelers trudged along slowly, and for once the hanyou leading them made no complaints about their human weaknesses. The sun was merciless, the heat of its rays forcing them to stop often to take shelter beneath the trees. After near three hours of trekking, the shard hunters came to the unanimous decision that it was time to rest again.

 

Kagome settled herself at the base of a large, welcoming maple, its broad canopy offering enough shade for all. She withdrew a bottle of water from her pack, offering one to each of her companions before reclining against the massive trunk and having a nice, long drink. Once the contents of the bottle were drained, she threw the empty container back into her bag, planning on refilling it again when they reached a suitable water source.

 

Inuyasha, she noticed, didn't seem all that antsy to get going again, so she was free to rest for another few minutes and regain her wind.

 

Kagome rubbed sore, cracking hands together, gazing despairingly at her ragged palms. The hot, dry weather had done a number on them, and it seemed damn near impossible to keep them moisturized.

 

Seeing that they were about to depart yet again, the young priestess rummaged through her things until she came upon the tall, white bottle she'd been searching for. Unscrewing the lid, she squirted some honeydew lotion into her cupped hand and returned the item to her pack. Rubbing it soothingly into her skin, Kagome zipped her bag and rose. She dusted off her bottom a couple of times before leaving the shade and venturing out into the sunlight again, turning to stare up the path in the direction they were heading.

 

There was a large village just a few short hours away, and the idea of bunking in the comfort of an inn for the night had the bright-eyed girl in a determined mood. Heat or no heat, she was eager reach their destination.

 

Shippou regained his usual perch atop her shoulder, the other members of their band joining her on the road. They were preparing to depart again when Inuyasha growled and dropped into a low crouch, hand hovering anxiously at the hilt of Tetsusaiga.

 

“Inuyasha?” Sango asked dourly, hand tightening on the strap of Hiraikotsui.

 

He ignored her, teeth bared as he hissed acridly, “Bastard.”

 

Kagome felt the immense weight of his aura before she saw him, the cool prickle of it against her skin making her want to groan in frustration. They really didn't need any silly, pointless confrontations today… especially considering the weather.

 

`He'd better not run his mouth this time. I'm too overheated to deal with this shit today,' she muttered to herself, watching as the figure of the demon appeared farther up the path.

 

The sun was sucking the moisture straight from the ground, rippling waves of evaporation blurring the white visage of the approaching youkai. When he was finally close enough for Kagome to make out his cool, bored expression, she could see the slight displeasure tilting his features. Pale lips were thinned minutely, golden eyes taking on a steely glint. Hopefully his reluctance to see them would mean that no words would be spoken, and they could all just carry on their own separate ways.

 

`Doubtful,' though Kagome. `Leave it up to Inuyasha to add fuel to the fire.'

 

She regarded the daiyoukai as he neared. He looked as pristine as ever, tall and silent and not a single hair out of place. Despite the sweltering heat he seemed comfortable enough, no sweat dappling his regal brow. The young miko wondered to herself for a moment if he panted to keep cool, but quickly dismissed the thought before she had a chance to laugh. She doubted his royal highness would enjoy being giggled at.

 

Behind him, about ten paces or so, his retainer, human ward, and dragon mount followed.

 

“Whaddya want, Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha demanded. He'd never gotten along with his arrogant, full-demon sibling, but after the odd encounter between him and Kagome the other morning… he was in no mood to be civil with the ass. The fact that the icy daiyoukai had acted so out of sorts around his miko friend made Inuyasha edgy… well, edgier than usual.

 

The demon Lord ignored his half-brother's question, not even sparing the boy a look as he passed him by.

 

Angry at being dismissed, the hanyou pulled his sword from its sheath and spat, “I'm talkin' to you, asshole! Tryin' to stir up trouble?”

 

At that Sesshomaru did pause, scoffing as he replied lazily, “Foolish brat. This one has far more important things to do than dally with the likes of you.”

 

Red-faced and spluttering, Inuyasha made to retaliate with what was sure to be a string of undignified cussing.

 

Wanting to avoid the impeding argument, Kagome quickly stepped forth. “That's enough, Inuyasha.”

 

He gawked at her comically, betrayal written all over his face. “You're on his side?!”

 

She rolled her eyes. “I'm not on anyone's side, idiot, but this is silly. It's ridiculously hot outside, and we all just want to get to the village and settle in for the night! You're going to delay us if you engage in a pointless fight with your brother!”

 

By this time Kagome was all business; the warning look she was shooting the belligerent hanyou swiftly deflating him. Inuyasha cringed. Sesshomaru's glare was cold and unnerving… but no one had a death glare that could top Kagome's.

 

Swallowing his pride, he bit back a growl and nodded curtly, giving a sharp nod and sliding Tetsusaiga back into its scabbard. Not wanting to stick around any longer, he twirled and began stomping off down the path, eager to put some distance between he and his brother… He was sure the bastard was smirking at that very moment.

 

Sighing in relief, the young miko turned to gaze thankfully at the tall, pale youkai. “Thank you for being patient with him.” She gave a tiny bow and moved to walk past him, starting when one big, clawed hand shot out and ensnared her elbow.

 

The daiyoukai lifted her slender arm and pulled her closer, bending until his aristocratic nose was brushing the tender skin of her wrist.

 

Kagome gawked openly as he began trailing said nose up and into her palm, the hot waft of his breath tickling her. She bit her lip to stifle the laughter, utterly confused by what was happening. This was the second time he'd behaved so strangely, the first being when he'd scented her toothpaste. So then… did he smell her hand cream?

 

Sesshomaru ceased his perusal of her and righted himself, gazing down at her with an expectant, questioning look.

 

Kagome realized that he was waiting for. “It's melon.”

 

The look turned flat for a moment. “I am well aware of what it smells like, priestess. I wish to know why.”

 

She blushed. `Of course he knows what it smells like, you moron,' she snapped to herself.

 

“It's lotion… it keeps my skin from getting dry.”

 

He looked thoughtful for a moment, and she was shocked when she felt his thumb trace gently across her flesh, as though testing its softness. He quirked a brow.

 

“What the hell's goin' on back there?!”

 

Inuyasha's gruff shout snapped the miko's attention away from the Lord before her, startled blue orbs blinking as she stared up the road at her hanyou companion. He closely resembled a tomato, and Kagome guessed that despite the distance that separated them, his keen eyes had picked up on what had just occurred.

 

Sesshomaru, obviously not wanting to stick around and listen to his brother prattle, released her arm and stepped back. He turned without another word and continued on his way, leaving a shocked group of people in his wake. His followers went along after him, the only one to utter any words of parting being the small, boisterous girl he'd taken into his care.

 

Kagome looked at Sango, who looked at Miroku, who looked at Shippou… They frowned.

 

“Was it just me, or was that really weird?” inquired Shippou lowly.

 

Miroku nodded his head, violet eyes shimmering with intrigue. “I don't believe I've ever seen the stoic daiyoukai act in such a way before. It was almost… intimate?”

 

Kagome knew she had probably turned an alarming shade of purple at that point, her heart still racing from her newest encounter with Sesshomaru. “Intimate?!” she hissed. “Are you insane? He was probably contemplating slicing off my head for offending him with the smell of my hand cream!”

 

A mischievous smile curved the houshi's lips. “I doubt that very much. You smell delightful, Lady Kagome. Our good Lord Sesshomaru was probably just taking his time in appreciating your alluring aroma. After all… every man enjoys soft, sweet-smelling things, especially when said things are beautiful and lushly curved. I doubt he is an exception.”

 

Sango smacked him soundly upside the head, scolding him, “Don't you get all perverted on us, Miroku! Kagome already feels shaken up about this; she doesn't need to listen to that lecherous tongue of yours!”

 

“Kagome does smell really good, though,” Shippou chimed in, shrugging his little shoulders innocently.

 

The young priestess, for her part, was still completely perplexed. What in the world was going on? As if she wasn't frazzled enough by the heat, now she had nosy dog-demons sniffing around her? She slapped a hand to her forehead, praying that this whole ordeal would just blow over and no one would ever bring it up again.

 

……………

 

I don't think Kagome is going to be that lucky.

 

That's all for now, my darlings. Hope you enjoyed this installment as much as you did the last one! Oh… and if you feel like it… you could leave me a little something.

 

Ugh… yet again I'm ridiculously tired. There are probably a few typos or something in here. Feel free to point them out and scold me for being negligent in my editing. I really need to stop doing this while I'm exhausted…