InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In My Wildest Dreams ❯ A Little Surprise ( Chapter 3 )

Author's Note: This chapter doubles the length of the story. And things actually get going in this chapter! Woo!

Chapter 3: A Little Surprise

----------

It was morning.

The sun had barely risen and dew still clung to the blades of grass when Kouga first woke. He struggled to move his aching body. The pain was still there, but he was satisfied to note that it was little more than the ordinary stiffness that often comes with lying in one position all night.

He looked to the sky, a small groan escaping his throat as he realized just how early it really was.

The pain in his side sternly informed him that he wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon, so he sat up and stretched his aching limbs instead. He glanced across the campsite, over the gently glowing embers of last night's fire and to Kagome's sleeping form. She lay still and quiet, snuggling that annoying brat of a kitsune cub to her chest.

He stared. He memorized the gentle curve of her hips, and the way her long black hair cascaded down around her face and along her neck. Her lips curved upward into a barely perceivable smile.

I wonder what she dreams about?

For how long he watched, he could not be sure. But, by the time he looked up again the sun had completely risen and the birds were well into their morning calls.

"Hey wolf! Just what do you think you're leering at! I'll gladly remove those eyes of yours if you can't keep them in their place!"

"Inuyasha, you would be far more respected within our little group if you could simply learn to contain your boisterousness so early in the morning," Miroku mumbled as he struggled to his feet. "Though you may not find it necessary, we weak humans do require a certain amount of sleep per night."

"Keh, monk, it's morning! It's about time you got your lazy asses up, anyway."

The rest of the group soon followed suit, begrudgingly abandoning their beds for the duties of the day. Kagome and Sango, accompanied by Shippo, adjourned for a bath, silently congratulating themselves on their ingenious plan to do so before Miroku was conscious enough to attempt to follow.

Miroku glanced around, and deciding he had no pressing matters to attend to at the moment, attempted to steal a few more moments of sleep. Kouga excused himself to hunt for breakfast, and not to be outdone, Inuyasha determined to do the same. Everything was a competition with those two, Miroku reflected as he drifted into blissful slumber.

The girls returned not long after, finding an empty camp save one unconscious monk.

Kagome was slightly concerned, but not so much that she let it keep her from her breakfast. After she was done with that she would find out where the two males had wandered off to, but not before. Her stomach wouldn't hear of it.

She didn't have to wonder long, however, as Kouga soon strutted back into camp carrying two large and very dead rabbits. He showed them off proudly, until he noted with disappointment that the girls had already prepared their breakfast.

"Eh, I caught breakfast…?"

"Oh, Kouga-kun, that was so kind of you!" Kagome tossed aside her cup of instant ramen to greet the wolf. She was getting really sick of that crap anyway. "Mmm, rabbit!"

"I'm glad you like it, Kagome. I'll get to preparing it."

"I can't wait," Kagome exclaimed as she clapped her hands together in excitement.

It had been a while since they had a good meal, Sango considered, remembering the "fish" they had as a meal yesterday afternoon (which could more rightly be described as bait), and the ramen of last night. Real meat - it was a luxury they didn't often enjoy these days.

But, despite all this, Sango was slightly confused by the intensity of the enthusiasm Kagome was displaying.

Something is not right here.

Kouga deftly skinned and roasted the rabbits over the fire, all the while humoring Kagome with great tales of his many battles won. This was nothing unusual. He always showed off when Kagome was around. But… this time Kagome actually seemed interested. It was all very odd, Sango noted.

Perhaps she is sick… No, that couldn't be. She looks healthy - possibly even more so than usual.

Sango's train of thought was interrupted by Inuyasha, who came barreling into camp at full speed. Shippo shrieked in surprise, Sango reached for Hiraikotsu, Miroku rolled out of a deep slumber onto his feet, and Kagome…

…is hiding behind Kouga?

Obviously Sango wasn't the only one to notice this, as a deep growl was soon heard to be coming from the hanyou. Kouga was the only one who didn't seem the slightest bit disturbed

"Oi, Inukoro, what in the hell has gotten into you?!"

"Just what do you think you're doing, wolf?"

"What does it look like? I'm making breakfast for my woman and her friends," Kouga casually replied.

"I told you I was getting them breakfast, wolf," Inuyasha growled through clenched teeth. "Why don't you just mind your own fucking business and get the hell out of here!"

"Hmm…" Kouga noticed movement behind Inuyasha's back. He arched his neck slightly to peer around. It was all he could do to stifle a laugh.

"Is that," Kouga pointed to a small object in Inuyasha's hand, "the promised breakfast? I really don't think that will feed all of them."

Curiosity got the best of her, and Kagome stepped closer to see what all the fuss was about. In Inuyasha's hand, behind his back, was a cord from which dangled a small, emaciated fish. When it came to matters such as these, Kagome was at a loss. She allowed herself a small giggle, which soon erupted into an enormous fit of laughter.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," she sputtered, "I - I know you meant well." She paused to catch her breath before continuing. "I'm sure th-" another giggle escaped, "that will do very well for Shippo's breakfast."

Inuyasha maintained surprising composure. His face reddened considerably, but he didn't get angry. With all the dignity he could muster he smacked Kouga in the face with the little fish, and walked off.

The rest of breakfast passed rather uneventfully. Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen, and thus things remained rather peaceful at camp. They all conversed pleasantly for about an hour before Kagome decided she had better go find the hanyou. He was probably in a tree somewhere pouting, and she was the only one who could bring him back.

----------

"Inuyasha?"

Kagome wandered around near camp, searching for a glimpse of red amidst the green canopy of the forest. She knew he probably wouldn't have gone far this time. He certainly wouldn't want to miss the pleasure of hearing her apologize, even if he didn't choose to make his presence known to her.

"Inuyasha, I know you're around here. All I have to do is say one little word and I'll know exactly where you are, so it would be in your best interest to show yourself."

"I really don't think you want to do that, Kagome," said a voice from above, "unless you're eager to know how it feels first-hand."

"Oh, I can move," she said as she took two steps back and glanced up to see Inuyasha lounging on the branch above.

"As if I don't get enough shit from that mangy wolf - the last thing I need is to hear it from you, too."

"I know. I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have laughed like that. It was just - I'm sorry. So… are you coming down, or should I leave?"

"Keh."

"Fine then, I'm leaving." She turned started to walk back to camp.

Thud. And a distinct smell of… fish.

Kagome turned around.

Before her lay a pile of fish that could feed them for a month.

"Uh… Inuyasha?"

"Yeah?"

"What are we going to do with all that?"

"I dunno. Smack Kouga?"

Kagome giggled, then proceeded to walk back to camp.

----------

"Shit."

Inuyasha picked up the pace. He HAD to make it back to camp, and fast. Unfortunately he wasn't fast enough. By the time he got there, Kouga was already in the midst of a heated discussion with Kagura.

"What do you want," Inuyasha interrupted.

"Ah, Inuyasha! How nice to see you. Has life been treating you well?"

"You ought to know, bitch."

"Now, there's no need for name calling. This is simply a social call."

"I repeat: What do you want, BITCH?"

"I simply wanted to know how your monk friend was dealing with the sudden increase in life expectancy."

"Eh?"

"You didn't know? I suggest, Houshi, that you examine your accursed hand. You might just be surprised by what you find."

Miroku eyed the wind witch suspiciously before directing his attention to his gloved hand. He carefully removed the rosary beads, but the familiar tug of the vacuum was absent. Removing the final layer, he gasped.

"Houshi-sama?"

Rather than speaking, Miroku thrust his palm out for all to see. They flinched out of reflex, before cautiously taking a peek. His palm was flawless, as if it had never born the curse.

"So… uh… what does this mean," Sango finally managed.

"Naraku is dead," Kagura replied matter-of-factly.

"But how?"

"Hell if I know. One day he's here, the next he's not."

"And why in the hell should we believe YOU," demanded Kouga.

"I don't expect you to," she replied. "But you'll see."

"It's GOT to be a trick."

"Sure does seem like it, doesn't it? Well, anyway, I'm off to enjoy my freedom. See ya."