InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I'm Sorry ❯ Chapter 15

Disclaimer: I don't own, didn't create, but I sure do love it.

Author's Note: Spring Break is over, and the kids are back in school. Hopefully I'll have some more time for writing. I've been revising some of my already written chapters, but I need to get back to work on the story. Thanks for all the nice words, and I'll see you soon.

 

Chapter 15

 

Kagome opened her eyes the next morning, to see that everyone else was still apparently sleeping. Moving carefully, she slid out of her sleeping bag, gently tucking the bag back around Shippo so he could stay asleep. She quietly stirred up the banked fire and moved the pot of water over the flames, as a first step in making breakfast. As she worked, Inuyasha suddenly stood up, gave her a look that caused her heart to beat just a little faster, and silently left the hut.

 

As the water began to boil, Sango and Miroku both woke up. Sango began setting out bowls and cups for their breakfast and Miroku found the left over soup from the night before, which he handed to Kagome in silence. Kagome used the boiling water to steep a pot of tea as well as to prepare a small pot of rice and millet gruel.

 

Soon the smells of cooking food roused the others, and Sango and Kagome dished out food and passed it around. Inuyasha returned and they all sat down to eat with an odd sense of contentment. It wasn't until everyone had finished breakfast that a word was spoken.

 

Kaede broke the silence at last. “Will ye be leaving this morning, or do ye intend to stay another day?”

 

Inuyasha looked at Kagome for a moment, than glanced around at the others. “We need to take care of some things before we can leave, but I want to go before lunch.” Turning his attention directly to Miroku and Sango, he asked, “Have you heard any rumors that might be profitable, houshi? Or you, Sango?” He stood up, stretching his arms up and over his head. Walking back over to the wall, he picked up the two bags lying there, and brought them back to center of the room. Dropping them to the floor, he sat cross-legged next to them, and went on, “We picked up quite a bit of Kagome's preserved food, so we can travel fast and far, if we need to. Kaede, I'd like to leave most of it here, so we can restock quickly if necessary…”

 

Sango interrupted him, “Inuyasha, this is great! Kirara and I could come back and pick up more things, whenever we needed them, even without being able to go through the well.”

 

Kagome smiled and answered her, “Exactly. I also brought a lot more first aid supplies, for the same reason.” Turning to Kaede, she went on “I've packed some of them up so that each bag holds the most commonly used items. In addition, I've prepared some antibiotic creams and burn ointments that you might find helpful.” Pulling plastic bags out of her backpack, Kagome handed the items she intended for Kaede's use to her.

 

Kaede nodded her thanks, and placed the medicines in a chest next to her futon. She also handed Kagome a large, covered basket. “Here, child. Place the other items you wish to leave in here, for safe keeping.”

 

Kagome smiled at her and said, “Thank you,” before transferring all of the ziplock bags full of first aid supplies inside the basket. She also began packing extra food supplies from the duffle bags into it. As she did, the others were discussing some rumors that had come in during the last few days. When the basket was full, over three quarters of the food was now set aside for their later use.

 

Pushing the basket to one side, she removed one last bag, which she handed to Inuyasha. He looked at it in surprise, than remembering her earlier suggestion, he nodded and put it in his lap. Turning his attention back to the conversation, he broke in.

 

“That sounds like a good idea, Sango. If you follow up with any traders we meet, and Miroku can get some of the Buddhist monks and priests to pass information to him, maybe we can track some of the shards down, before Naraku gets his filthy hands on them.” Turning his gaze to Shippo, who was scratching Kirara's ears, while sitting next to Kagome, he said “Shippo, come over here.”

 

“Huh, what? I didn't do anything, I swear!” He said nervously, as everyone smiled or chuckled at his response.

 

“I never said you did. I just said `come over here', I have some things I want you to have.” Was Inuyasha's calm reply.

 

At the sound of Inuyasha's calm voice, so unlike his normally gruff or irritated tones, Shippo began to get worried. `What's wrong with Dog-boy, he never talks like that! It's like he's trying to be nice, or something!' He looked over at Kagome, who smiled and nodded at him, than he slowly got up and walked over to stand in front of the sitting Inuyasha. “Okay, I'm here. What is it that you wanted me to have?” he asked nervously.

 

Inuyasha smirked at him, “I'm not gonna eat you, runt. Sit down,” he pointed at the floor, “You've been getting bigger, and I think that you're ready, now.”

 

Sitting down, Shippo asked, “Ready for what?”

 

Reaching into the bag, Inuyasha replied “A couple of things. First, I want you to have this.” He handed a small box to the kit.

 

Shippo turned the plain brown box over and over in his hands. Finally, he used his claws to tear it open and unwrapped the paper from around the gift. “Oooohh…” he whispered, looking at the tiny katana shaped dagger. He unsheathed it and studied the short, but very sharp blade. After playing with it for a couple of minutes, he became aware of the indulgent gazes of the adults in the room. Blushing, he carefully tucked it into an inside pocket of his vest. Looking up at the hanyou with shining eyes, he said, “Thank you, thank you very much.”

 

“Keh,” picking up the larger box, Inuyasha held it in his hands for a moment, before saying, “Shippo, that knife is a tool, useful for lots of things, but still…just a tool. This is different,” he opened the box and removed another sheathed blade. “This is a weapon. Use it to defend yourself and others. Never use it casually.” He looked at Shippo very seriously, than presented it to him with both hands.

 

Shippo looked at the blade, than slowly took it in his own hands. Clasping the blade, a sword really for someone as small as he was, to his chest he tried to speak, “Inuyasha, I, I…” finally he couldn't hold the tears back any longer, “Waaaaa!” As he started to cry, he leapt into Inuyasha's lap and wrapped his little arms as far around the much larger hanyou as he could.

 

Startled and confused, Inuyasha looked at Kagome for help. She smiled, teary eyed, and mimed placing her arms around someone. Inuyasha gulped, and tentatively wrapped his arms around the crying child. They continued to sit that way for a few minutes until Shippo managed to get his tears under control.

 

Wiping his eyes, he said “I, I don't understand why, but…thank you.” Sniffling a little, he added, “I'll always use it to protect, never to hurt, I promise.” Turning around to face the rest of the room, he sat down on Inuyasha's lap, and held his sword tightly, hilt upwards, unconsciously mimicking the hanyou.

 

Miroku grinned and started to make a comment, but Sango shook her head, and placed her hand warningly on Hiraikotsu, so he restrained the impulse to tease Inuyasha about his new `son' and instead, said “If we start in the direction of my foster fathers temple, I can have him pass the word about what we're looking for to the other temples and wandering monks. He has contacts and friends in all of the kingdoms, and it might be easier for us to contact him, rather than him trying to find us.” He shrugged, “Although this village is our home, we travel too far, and too fast, for messages to catch up with us easily.

 

Inuyasha nodded to him, than addressed everyone, “I want to leave within the hour, so get what you need, and let's go.”

 

The pack meeting dissolved into a flurry of activity, as they each began packing or preparing for departure in whatever manner suited them best. While Kagome was packing her backpack with food and other supplies, she removed the other gifts she had purchased, and presented them to her friends in private, one at a time.

 

In less than an hour, the pack had assembled outside Kaede's hut, and with a last farewell to Kaede, Kirara transformed, Sango and Miroku climbed onto her back, Inuyasha knelt down in front of Kagome so she could ride on his back and Shippo finally decided, after much struggle, that he should ride with Sango and Miroku. After all, they were only human, and they needed a youkai to protect them.

 

Inuyasha looked at Kaede for a moment, then said, “We'll see you when we get back, baba.” Kagome just shook her head at his manners, smiled at Kaede, and said “Good bye!” as he started running towards the forest that bore his name.

 

Traveling rapidly, they finally stopped for rest and a meal after about four hours. Making a quick lunch from some bread and cheese, they also made plans to reach a fishing town on the coast by evening.

 

Sango was describing the town, “It's not small, and probably has five or six hundred people living there. Most of them make a living directly, or indirectly, from fishing. I was there once with my father, when they had a problem with some serpent youkai, it took about a week to track them all down and exterminate them, and I became friendly with the headman's daughter. They get a lot of traders through their town, and it might be a good place to hear some rumors.”

 

Kagome asked, “Do any ships from other lands stop at this town, Sango?”

 

“I don't have any idea, Kagome. I must admit that it never occurred to me to ask about foreigners,” she replied apologetically.

 

Kagome nodded. “I was curious, because it occurred to me that if someone took a shard overseas, it might be impossible to ever complete the Shikon no Tama.”

 

Inuyasha flinched, “Gods, Kagome! Don't even say that! If any of the shards go overseas…” He shook his head. “I don't even want to think about it. It's bad enough that Naraku now has so much of the Jewel, but to not be able to complete it after he's defeated?”

 

Kagome shook her head. “No, seriously, this is something I've been thinking about lately, and not just because of how hard it would make it for us to complete the Shikon no Tama. But, that it might be the only way to keep Naraku from completing the Jewel.”

 

Her words, stating out loud what they had all considered at least occasionally, shocked everyone into silence.

 

“Hey, I'm not saying he's gonna win. I think we're going to find him, and kick his butt. It's just that, sometimes I get worried,” she told them, taking another sip of her tea.

 

Miroku stared at his right hand for a moment, then closed it in a hard fist. Looking up, he said, “She's right. We will find him, and we will `kick his butt'” He smiled and added, “You always seem to have the most interesting ways of saying things, Kagome.”

 

“Well, if we're gonna find him, we need to find more shards before he does, and maybe while we're looking for the shards, we can find out what he's up to, and screw up his plans, just like we did with Kaguya.” Inuyasha said, standing up and stretching. “Let's clean this stuff up, and get moving.”

 

Covering the fire, and putting away the uneaten food took only a few moments. Dividing up as before, the pack moved on, heading for the coast and a fishing town that might have some clues to where they need to go.

 

As Inuyasha leaped from tree to tree, Kagome clung to his back and practiced using her detection ability, trying to locate any shards (not that she expected to find any that way) or youkai in the vicinity. To her surprise, she found that she could not only detect the shards that she and Miroku carried and the youkai in their party, but that she could even feel the human members of their pack. Concentrating, she realized that she could tell how far away and in what direction they were, even better than she could detect shards or youkai. `I could never do that before. I wonder if it has anything to do with our all realizing that we are a `pack' or if this is something I could have done if I had only tried. Maybe Myoga or Inuyasha know?'

 

“Inuyasha? Can I ask you something?”

 

“Huh? What is it?”

 

“Well, just now, I was trying to see if I could spot any youkai or shards nearby, just like I usually do, when I noticed that I could sense Sango and Miroku just like I can sense you and Shippo. Does this have anything to do with being a pack? I could never detect humans like that before, and I was wondering…” her voice trailed off.

 

Though she couldn't see it, she could feel Inuyasha frowning, “I don't know. It might have something to do with the pack bond. I can feel a connection to all of you, but…” pausing, he thought for a moment, “We'll ask Myoga if he knows anything about it, but seeing as how this pack of ours is so different, I bet anything he tells us will be a guess.” He snorted a quick laugh, and said, “Kagome, you said you can feel Sango and Miroku, just like you do Shippo and me, but what do you mean by that? How strong is the connection?”

 

She leaned her forehead against his shoulder, closed her eyes and concentrated again. The other members of the pack swam into her awareness, even Kaede's. Although Kaede was many kilometers away, her presence was just as strong as Sango's or Myoga's, a hundred paces away running across the sky.

 

“Interesting. Inuyasha, when I concentrate on just the pack, I can feel all of us, even Kaede. It doesn't seem to matter how close or how far away they are. I mean, I can tell which direction, and sort of how far away, but the connection seems to be equally strong, no matter the distance.” She carefully did not tell him that her awareness of him, which she had told him about on Friday, had grown even stronger, and she feared that it was because of her feeling towards him. She knew that she didn't have any right to a claim on him, and she didn't want to embarrass or pressure him.

 

“Can you sense anything more about them, Kagome?” he asked, wondering if she was learning to read minds or emotions, sort of like what Goshinki did.

 

“I don't think so. I can't tell what they are feeling or anything. I think that everyone is okay, but I don't know if it's because I know they are, from just seeing them, or if I'm feeling that everyone is okay.” She shrugged, “This is all new to me, Inuyasha. I'm not sure what it all means.”

 

Inuyasha swallowed hard. The sensations created when Kagome had shrugged against his back were, disturbing. Nice, but disturbing. “O-Okay, we'll ask Myoga when we land, alright?” He managed to say, in an almost normal voice.

 

Kagome looked at the back of his head, wondering what had caused that hitch in his voice, then she slowly smiled and lay her head back on his shoulder, a little smile appearing on her lips.

 

As the sun settled lower in the west, Kirara flew lower, approaching the treetops that Inuyasha was traveling through. Sango called out “Inuyasha, the village is just over the next hill. I think we should land, and walk in from here, alright?”

 

Inuyasha glanced over at Sango and the others and nodded. Choosing an opening in the forest, he dropped down to the ground and waited for the rest to catch up. Kagome carefully slid down off his back, and stretched the kinks out while waiting. Kirara landed and transformed into her small form as soon as everyone had dismounted.

 

Shippo scampered over and hugged Kagome around her leg. “Did you miss me? I was really good, and made sure that Sango and Miroku were safe. Plus, Myoga helped me with practicing my fox magic. I'm getting lots better, you know,” as he talked, he climbed up until he was settled on her shoulder.

 

“I know, little one. Myoga told me that you've been working very hard, and that you've been very good about listening to Miroku and Sango as well. I was very pleased to hear that,” she said as she smiled approvingly at him.

 

Inuyasha looked over at Kagome and Shippo, and felt a surge of … something, something he didn't recognize, and was almost afraid to try to identify. As he watched them, he suddenly frowned. “Shippo, where's your sword?”

 

Shippo looked over at him in surprise, then said, “Oh, Sango has it, she's making a harness so I carry it on my back.” He sighed, very dramatically, and went on “I'm still too little to carry it like you do, so she's going to show me a different way.” As he was explaining this to Inuyasha, Sango walked up, sheathed knife in her hand.

 

“Shippo, hop down, take off your vest and let's try this harness on.” She knelt down, and as Shippo stopped in front of her, she held the little sword up against his back and adjusted some straps she had made out of leather, until the sword was firmly fastened to his back, the hilt poking up behind his right shoulder. Stepping back she looked at her work critically, and nodded in satisfaction. “Put your vest back on and we'll try using it a few times.”

 

Shippo did as he was told, and carefully drew his little sword, swished it back and forth a few times, and then slowly and carefully resheathed it. Under Sango's critical eye, Shippo practiced for several minutes, drawing and sheathing his sword, over and over, until at last, she said, “That's enough for now. The most important thing for you to learn right now, is how to safely draw your sword, and how to return it to the sheath. Carrying it on your back has some advantages, but it is easier to hurt yourself this way.”

 

Shippo looked at his sword one last time, before carefully replacing it. When he had, he fingered his ear, and said, “Yeah, I can see why you want to be careful. It would be really easy to lose an ear, wouldn't it?”

 

“Yes, it would. So,” looking at Inuyasha, she asked, “Are we ready?”

 

He nodded to her, and before Kagome realized, he had slung her pack over his shoulders and was holding her bow and quiver out to her. She looked surprised, but accepted them without objecting.

 

Sango and Miroku exchanged wondering looks, but also decided not to comment. Yet. Sango picked up Kirara, and Miroku looked down at Shippo and said, “Ride with me, Shippo. Let's see if you remember your numbers from yesterday.”

 

Shippo sighed, but jumped up to the monks shoulder and began counting out loud, using his fingers, as the pack began to walk up the path that led to the coastal town.

 

Unlike many towns and villages, this town had a wall surrounding it; it was mostly constructed from packed dirt, with stone and wood used to reinforce it. It stood about ten feet high, although the shallow ditch directly in front seemed to add another two or three feet to its height.

 

“Hmmph. I've seen castles with weaker walls,” Inuyasha commented as they approached the open gates. A small group of armed men stood in the road, watching them as they approached.

 

“Indeed, I wonder why they felt the need to build such defenses around their town? Perhaps things are not as peaceful as they appear?” Miroku replied.

 

“Sango, you said that you've been here before. See what you can do to get us in without a fight, alright?” Inuyasha directed, as he eased Kagome to one side, allowing Sango to step up even with them.

 

Ignoring the shocked look from Shippo and Miroku, and the admiring one from Kagome, Inuyasha watched the top of the wall almost as carefully as he watched the armed guards.

 

When the guards called them to stop, they all did so, allowing Sango to step a pace closer.

 

“Greetings, my companions and I are seeking a place to spend the night, as well as to speak with your headman. When I was last here, I believe that Matushina-san was headman. Is that still the case?” Sango spoke clearly and firmly, not a trace of humility or subservience in her voice.

 

“Who are you…people? And why do you wish to meet the headman?” Although his tone was polite, he was obviously nervous at the presence of at least two demons in their party, although having a monk with them was comforting.

 

“My name is Sango, my father…was Kohatsu, the leader of the taijiya of Musashi. We are tracking a very dangerous youkai, and it is our hope that your headman will have some information for us.”

 

The guards exchanged nervous, but oddly relieved looks at hearing who they were, and the leader nodded rapidly. “I see, of course I'll have you taken to his house immediately.” Gesturing at his men to clear a path, he pointed to one of them and said, “Jin, guide them to the headman, quickly.”

 

“Hai!”

 

Sango thanked him and stepped back as the guard, Jin, bowed and said, “Please follow me,” as he strode off at a quick pace. Looking at Inuyasha, Sango shrugged her ignorance of why they were so pleased to see them.

 

Miroku waited until Sango was walking alongside him again, when he spoke softly to her, “I think that perhaps this peaceful village is having some difficulties with youkai. When he heard that we were tracking a dangerous youkai, he wasn't frightened or upset. He was pleased. I'm not sure I like that.”

 

“I agree. There's trouble of some kind going on here.” She subtly worked her shoulders, loosening up in case of a fight. “We'll find out soon enough.”

 

He nodded in agreement, and began studying the town and people carefully, looking for any signs of what the trouble might be.

 

Inuyasha, having no difficulty hearing what Sango and Miroku had been discussing, silently agreed. Turning slightly to face Kagome, he said, “Sango thinks they're have youkai trouble. See if you can sense anything.”

 

She looked up at him, startled by his soft words, then nodded and reached out and slid her arm through his. “Okay, guide me while I walk.” As she said this, she closed her eyes and extended her senses outward. Breathing slowly and carefully, she reached out to the edge of the town, and beyond. Finally, she felt a cluster of unfamiliar youki, as well as…! Opening her eyes, she said, “Inuyasha, I felt a shard. It was with a cluster of youkai. I'm not sure what kind they are, it felt…different, as if it's a type I've never met before.”

 

He nodded and said, “Alright. We'll talk to this headman, then tomorrow, we'll go get the shard.” He grinned happily, “Hey, maybe we'll get lucky, and that cluster of youkai is why they are so happy to see us.”

 

She just shook her head and smiled at him. As they walked down the street, she saw a relatively large house standing at the edge of the open market place. When their escort stopped and rang the bell hanging next to the door, she was certain that this was the headman's home. As the door opened and an elderly woman began talking with the guard, she noticed that the house was warded, not well, and not strongly, but someone had placed demon repelling wards on all the entrances.

 

“Inuyasha, this house is warded against youkai, be careful when you enter, it might hurt a bit.”

 

He looked at her and said, “Won't it stop me?”

 

She shook her head and said, “Not a chance. They might stop an imp or a minor demon, but nothing more.”

 

“What about Shippo? And Kirara?” he asked, concern for their well being clear in his voice.

 

Kagome simply said, “Once you cross the threshold, the wards are going to be down. I'll ask Miroku to replace them later.” She grinned mischievously at him and went on, “With a few minor modifications, of course.”

 

Before he could reply, their escort beckoned them onward. As he crossed the threshold, he felt a flash of heat, and heard a soundless `pop' as the wards collapsed around him. Turning to glance at Kagome, he saw her grin and mouth the words `I told you' at him. He just snorted and watched as Kirara and Shippo entered, obviously feeling nothing.

 

They were led to a large, plainly furnished room and offered cushions to sit on and told that refreshments would be brought immediately. The elderly woman bowed and left, while their escort stood next to the door patiently.

 

After only long enough to shed their packs and other burdens, the woman returned bearing a tray filled with a variety of cakes and pastries, right behind her was a younger woman, about Sango's age carrying a tray with a large teapot and many cups. As the trays were placed on the low table, Sango gasped and said, “Oh, it is you. Matoko-san, it's good to see you again!”

 

The two women bowed, and the elderly one left, while the younger, Matoko, ran over and hugged Sango tightly.

 

“I'm so glad to see you again, Sango-san. It has been so long. My father will be so pleased that you are here. But, forgive me, who are your companions? They do not look as if they are from your village, are they?” She asked curiously, looking at everyone. When she realized that Inuyasha was a youkai, she paled in fright. “S-Sango-san?! He…he is a…why is traveling with you?” Her voice rising as she spoke.

 

“Calm down, Matoko.” Sango grasped her friend by her shoulders. “Inuyasha is a friend. He is no danger to you or anyone here. We would like to help you, since it's obvious you need it.” Her friend looked back at Inuyasha, and back at Sango.

 

“I-I'm sorry. It's just that my husband…he was killed by a youkai last year, and I barely escaped with my life,” she explained shakily.

 

As she began to calm down, Inuyasha relaxed and sat back down with his back to the wall. Kagome went over and sat next to him, placing her bow and quiver at her side. Sango led her friend to a cushion next to the table and sat down with her to try and understand what had happened.

 

As she began to tell Sango about her husband's death, which was also the beginning of the town's problems with youkai, Shippo walked over to the table and checked out the refreshments. Spotting a couple that looked good, he reached out for them, then stopped himself. Turning, he trotted back to where Kagome was sitting and looking soulful, asked, “Kagome, may I please have some of the refreshments to eat?”

 

Kagome looked at him for a moment, then said, “Yes, Shippo, you may. But, only two, alright?”

 

He smiled at her and said happily, “Thanks, Okaa-san!” and turn back to the table, without even realizing what he had said. The same could not be said for everyone else in the room.

 

Kagome's breath caught, and she clasped her hand to her breast, as she realized, `Oh, my god! He called me `mother!' Oh, oh my…' As she sat there, Inuyasha reached over and put his arm around her shoulders as tears started to pool in her eyes. `I'm so happy!'

 

Sango and Miroku exchanged a long, silent look before Sango turned back to continue speaking with Matoko. When Shippo had chosen his two pastries, he scampered back to Kagome and climbed up in her lap, oblivious to the tears that had just started to seep from her eyes.

 

Matoko watched all of this in confusion. Finally, she asked Sango, “Did he just call her…?”

 

“Yes. Don't worry about it. I'll explain it all to you later, alright,” Sango interrupted, before she could complete her question. “Let's finish your story first, okay? I think that it will provide some of the background we need, before your father returns, true?”

 

Matoko nodded slowly, and returned to her narrative. “After you and your family cleaned out that nest of youkai, we had no real problems until just over a year ago. My husband and I were returning with a merchant caravan from Edo, and when we were only a day's travel away from home, our party was attacked by a group of serpent youkai. They were led by a large, black serpent, with only one eye. But, that eye glowed! It was bright red, and flame shot out of it. When we were attacked, we fought back as best as we could, but we were fisherman and merchants, not warriors. Dano, my husband, put me on his horse and handed our son to me. He told me to flee, and to warn everyone that the youkai had returned.” She looked at Sango with tears in her eyes, “I never saw him again. And many of our people have been slain by these creatures. That's why I reacted so badly. I apologize. I only hope that you can help us, some how. But, Sango, these youkai are much more powerful than the ones you fought five years ago, and there are far fewer of you than came last time.”

 

She looked around at the people sitting at their ease around the room, before turning back. “I fear that you will only lose your lives if you try to fight them,” she said softly, obviously very worried.

 

“Feh!” Inuyasha scoffed, contemptuously.

 

Matoko started at the sound the silver-haired youkai…no, a hanyou, made. Eyes wide, she stared at him as he whispered to the young women sitting next to him. She nodded and smiled, then closed her eyes and seemed to go into a trance. The little kitsune in her lap seemed not to notice as he started on the second pastry he had taken from the tray. While she watched the young women, her father finally arrived.

 

A tall, weather-beaten man, with only a few streaks of gray in his black hair, strode into the room. Sango and Miroku rose and nodded politely, although Inuyasha remained sitting, as Kagome still seemed to be in a trance of some sort.

 

“Father, this is Sango-san, from the Musashi taijiya, she and her companions have just arrived and…” Matoko began, only to be interrupted by her father.

 

“Of course, I remember her, and her father as well! Has he come with her, Matoko?” His voice boomed in the room, clearly he was more accustomed to speaking out of doors, on the docks or between fishing boats.

 

When Sango's face froze at the mention of her father, he sighed and said gently, “I'm sorry, I didn't know. At any rate, please introduce your friends. I see that you've been provided refreshments, and I hope Matoko has given you a description of the difficulties that we face.”

 

Sango forced herself to relax, and said “Good evening, Matushina-san, I would like to present our leader, Inuyasha,” she pointed to where Inuyasha still sat holding Kagome, whose eyes were still closed. Inuyasha nodded to him, but didn't say anything. “Higurashi Kagome, sitting next to him.” Kagome didn't react in any way to the introduction, so Sango went on, “Miroku-sama, a Buddhist monk, and Shippo-chan.”

 

Miroku bowed politely and Shippo waved and said, “Hi!”

 

As he looked at the unusual collection of people, well, people and youkai, facing him, he wondered whether they could possibly be of any help. Before he could voice his concerns, the oddly dressed young woman being held by the hanyou, opened her eyes, blinked once, then smiled cheerfully at him.

 

Turning to Inuyasha, she started to whisper, when he shook his head and said, “Tell everyone, Kagome.”

 

She looked at him in surprise, then nodded and began speaking. “The nest of youkai is about 8 or 9 ri to the northwest. There are about a dozen youkai, I think they may be serpent youkai, but…” she shrugged gracefully. “There is also one shard, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly large one.”

 

The headman's jaw dropped as he heard her calmly detail the location and number of youkai that had been terrorizing his town. And she had apparently done it while sitting in his home.

 

He finally managed to close his mouth and speak. “Are you certain Higurashi-sama?” He was uncertain of her rank, and had never heard of her family, but he didn't want to offend someone who clearly had great powers.

 

She shrugged again, but set the kitsune on her lap to one side and stood up, the hanyou standing with her. “I may be wrong about them being serpent youkai, but they do feel, well, cold somehow. They're reptilian anyways.”

 

The headman cleared his throat and asked Sango, “Will you try to rid us of this threat? And what can we offer you in return?”

 

Even though Sango had told him that Inuyasha was their leader, he was still surprised when he answered him. “We'll take care of your snake problem tomorrow; as far as payment…we don't need much, just food and shelter until we're finished, and after that…” Inuyasha paused a moment in thought, “we could use any information about unusually powerful youkai, or even humans who have become, well, magically powerful. We're especially interested in anything you hear about a demon called Naraku.”

 

As he listened to Inuyasha speak, Miroku was impressed at his concise request, although he was disappointed that he hadn't asked for any money or goods as a reward, but Inuyasha was their leader, so that was that.

 

Matushina-san was surprised at his simple requests, but said “Of course, you may stay here, with my family, until you are ready to depart. As for the other, I'll speak with all those who trade with other towns and domains, and ask that they look for the information you wish.” Turning to his daughter, he said, “Matoko, please provide them with as many rooms as they require, as well as a full meal here.”

 

Matoko bowed and said, “Of course, father. The meal is already being prepared, and I will show them to their rooms when they have dined.”

 

Matushina-san said “If there is nothing else that I can do for you tonight, I will leave you in peace.” He bowed respectfully and left the room.

 

After he had left, Matoko offered them tea, pouring and presenting the tea with a minimum of ceremony. As she finished pouring, the door slid open again, and three young women brought in trays filled with a variety of dishes. Setting them down on the side table, one of them placed platters on the table for each of them, while the other two began serving the food.

 

The five of them knelt down and began eating, while chatting about what Matoko and her father had told them, and making some preliminary plans for fighting the youkai the next day. To Kagome's amusement, Inuyasha carefully sniffed each dish before he would eat it, and he completely avoided any of the spicy dishes.

 

When the meal was nearly over, Matoko asked, “Sango-san, what will you require for sleeping? I've had baths prepared for you as well, whenever you are ready.”

 

Sango looked at Kagome and exchanged big grins at the mention of baths, then after Inuyasha nodded at her, she replied to Matoko, “We prefer to share one room, if that is possible. I believe that we are finished dining, so…” She looked at Matoko expectantly, who nodded and rose.

 

“Please follow me. I will show you to your quarters first, than the baths are immediately adjacent to them.” The young woman led them from the room, and around to the back of the large house. She stopped outside a room and slid the shoji open, and gestured for them to enter.

 

The room was almost as large as the room that they had dined in, with folded futons stacked neatly against one wall, and floor cushions arranged around a table in the center of the room. Privacy screens blocked off one end of the room from view.

 

As they looked around the room, Kagome headed for the corner farthest from the door, and placed her weapons neatly against the wall. Inuyasha followed and set her pack down right next to the weapons, then dropped down and leaned against the wall to watch everyone else.

 

Sango and Matoko were speaking over by the door, Shippo was dragging a futon across the room to where Kagome's things were waiting, and Kagome had pulled Miroku off to one side and was talking very seriously to him.

 

“Miroku, I have some bad news for you,” she said solemnly, although there was a little twinkle in her dark eyes.

 

“Yes, Lady Kagome, what seems to be the problem?” Miroku asked, just a bit warily.

 

“Well, you see, this house had some demon repelling wards on the entrances, and…” she paused, watching him carefully.

 

“Had? Does this mean that they are no longer present? Did you dispel them?” he asked.

 

“Oh no! I assure you, I had nothing to do with it. It's just that, well, they weren't very strong,” Kagome spoke very earnestly, the very picture of innocence, “and when Inuyasha walked in, they, well they collapsed.”

 

“They…collapsed. Just like that?” Miroku shook his head sadly. “Shoddy craftsmanship. Terrible, it's a crime what some people are passing off as a true blessing these days.”

 

“I agree. And I thought, since we've been offered the hospitality of the house, that you might, perhaps…replace them?” Kagome definitely had a twinkle in her eyes now, and was watching Miroku closely.

 

Miroku suddenly smiled. “In the interests of reciprocal hospitality, I would be delighted to replace their `collapsed' wards with true protection.” He flicked a glance to where Inuyasha was sitting and Shippo was struggling to lay out a futon, “With a few minor modifications, of course.”

 

Kagome's grin finally escaped, “Oh, of course.” She slapped him on the shoulder as she turned and headed back to her backpack.

 

Miroku grinned and turned to leave the room, stopping to speak to Matoko as he left.

 

“Lady Matoko, if you don't mind, I would like to reinforce the wards placed on this house. I fear that perhaps time has weakened them a bit, and I would not like to think that so beautiful a lady was at risk.” He smiled charmingly at her, as he took one of her hands in his, and gently stoked it.

 

She giggled at him, and said, “No lady am I, Lord Miroku. Do as you wish, though in truth, I always thought my father had been cheated when he paid to have demon repelling wards raised around the house.” She looked over at Inuyasha who was talking quietly to Kagome as she retrieved something from her pack. “Especially when your friends walked in, as if nothing was there.” The last was said with a trace of fear.

 

Sango shook her head, “No, there were wards, it's just that they weren't very powerful, and well, Inuyasha is…stubborn.”

 

“Stubborn? Lady Sango, how can say that to your friend, you'll give her a bad impression of Inuyasha, he is most gentle and kind. It is only…”

 

“I heard that, monk.” Inuyasha growled from the far corner of the room.

 

Miroku just laughed and bowed to the two women standing in front of him, and left the room still chuckling.

 

Kagome walked up to Sango and Matoko, a towel and a long robe folded over one arm, and a small mesh bag dangling from her hand. “Sango, would you care to join me in the bath?” Kagome asked cheerfully.

 

Sango nodded and said, “Give me a moment to fetch my things, and we'll both go, before HE finishes with the wards.” She quickly retrieved a robe and a few other items from her pack, and the three women walked into the large bathing chamber that was located just down the hallway.

 

Removing their clothes and setting them aside neatly, Sango and Kagome took turns washing each other's hair, although Matoko declined when it was offered, after a quick wash and rinse off, the three of them slid into the large wooden tub filled with steaming water.

 

“Aaahhh…this is heaven,” Kagome sighed, as she let the heat soak in.

 

“Mmm-hmm,” agreed Sango as she used her hands to swirl hot water through the tub.

 

They soaked there in silence for about ten minutes when Matoko spoke. “Do you really believe that you can defeat those horrible demons?”

 

“Hmmm?” murmured Sango, her eyes still closed. “Tomorrow? Oh sure, it'll be a fight, but I don't expect it to be a problem.”

 

“Really, but…there are only four of you, well five if you count the little boy, but…?” Matoko asked fearfully.

 

“Six, counting Kirara.” Kagome spoke up finally. “But, unless something goes horribly wrong, it really shouldn't be much trouble to defeat them.”

 

“Really?” Matoko was clearly worried, but seem to be reassured by the confidence that Sango and Kagome displayed.

 

Sango laughed softly and said, “Really. I wouldn't want to face these youkai by myself, but with my friends I have no doubt that we will prevail.”

 

“Ooooh, big words, Sango. Don't let Miroku hear you talk like that, or he might just lose all control around you.” As Kagome spoke, her eyes were very big and round, miming shock, and she started to snicker.

 

Sango narrowed her eyes and glared at her friend, which only made Kagome laugh louder. Finally, Sango couldn't hold it in longer, and she started to giggle as well.

 

Matoko looked back and forth between the two laughing women, and finally she began to relax and smile as well.

 

“So, will you be coming back here after you find those demons, Sango-san?” Matoko asked as she rose from the tub and started to dry off.

 

“Very likely, we'll want to speak with your father before we leave, and he may want us to talk with some of the other merchants and traders. I hope so, anyways.” Sango responded as she dried off as well.

 

“Oh, pooh. Now I have to get out too,” Kagome mock-whined as she stepped out of the tub.

 

“Oh no, please stay as long as you like. I can have the maids bring more hot water if you like,” Matoko offered quickly, worried that her high-ranking guest, however pleasant, might be offended.

 

Kagome laughed as she finished wrapping her hair in one of her towels, and donned the long robe she had brought with her. “No, I don't want Miroku to `accidentally' walk in on me. We have to fight tomorrow, and too many bruises might slow him down.” While speaking, she gathered up her clothes and toiletries into a bundle, and waited for Sango and Matoko to finish putting on their fresh yakutas.

 

Sango watched her and suddenly gasped. “Kagome, is that a KNIFE?!” she asked in surprise.

 

“Hmm? Oh, yes it is. Inuyasha gave it to me while we were visiting my family. I told him I would keep it with me all the time, and well, I'm trying.” Kagome explained.

 

“Inuyasha gave it to you?” she asked in amazement. “Did he say anything when he gave it to you? I mean, anything unusual?”

 

“Well, I'm not sure, he just said that he worried that he wouldn't be able to get to me in time to protect me, that's all,” she said trying to recall exactly what he had said.

 

**FLASHBACK**

 

Before she could go on, Inuyasha interrupted and said, “Kagome, there's something else. Something else that I want to give to you. Please, don't cry, okay?” Reaching behind his back, he pulled out another knife, the same size as the one he had picked out for Shippo, but shaped differently. “Here. This is for you. I think you should have a blade of your own, for when you run out of arrows, or when the fight is too close.” His face almost painfully serious, he went on, “I'll protect you, forever. You know that. But, sometimes I worry that I'll get there too late.” He held the knife flat across both of his palms, and presented it to her.

 

**FLASHBACK ENDS**

 

Continuing, she said as she frowned, trying to remember his exact words, “He said he wanted me to have a blade of my own, in case I run out of arrows or when the fight is at close range, and that he would…” She broke off, blushing as she remembered his promise to protect her `forever', which was just a little too private to share, at least with someone she had only met that day.

 

“He would, what Kagome?” Sango asked curious about her blush.

 

Kagome just shook her head, blushing even more. “Never mind,” she said, dropping her gaze to the knife in question.

 

Sango eyed her friend with lively interest, but decided to wait until they were alone together before asking any more questions.

 

The three young women walked back to the quarters assigned to Sango and Kagome, and Matoko bowed and left them there, saying that she would see them in the morning, before they departed.

 

Sango and Kagome entered, and headed to where they had placed their futons, and settled down for the night. Kagome put her toiletries back in her pack, hung the towel up to dry, and knelt down on her futon and began brushing out her damp hair. Shippo curled up in a nest of blankets next to her futon and quickly fell sound asleep.

 

Sango placed her weapons close at hand, rolled up in blankets and also fell asleep. Inuyasha watched patiently for a few minutes, then got up and put out most of the lamps, leaving only one near Kagome, and another next to the door still burning. Returning to his spot against the wall, he sat down and watched her slowly brush her hair.

 

Unlike the other times he had watched her brush her hair, this time her eyes were wide open, and she was watching him as she brushed her hair. She never spoke, but as he continued to watch her so intently, her eyes softened and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. Slowly and thoroughly, she ran the brush through her hair, holding her head to one side and then the other, as she used the brush to remove any tangles left from her bath, as well as to ensure it was completely dry. The entire time, her eyes never left his, just as his never left hers. Not a word was spoken, although much was said; questions, answers, statements and declarations; all said without a word.

 

Even when Miroku returned, they only looked at him for a moment, just long enough to watch him seek his own futon, and roll up in it for the night. Finally, her hair dry, Kagome put away her brush, removed her robe, and climbed into her sleeping bag, dressed in her long night gown. “Good night, Inuyasha,” she whispered before she closed her eyes to sleep.

 

“Good night, Kagome,” he whispered back, although it was much longer before he succumbed to sleep that night.