InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In the Heat of Passion ❯ Chapter 13: Deal! ( Chapter 13 )

A/N: Yay! It is the return of this story! Sorry, but I had almost given up on it! I decided once I got a writer's block with my other story just to go ahead and write another chappie on this one! So, here it is! I hope you enjoy!

 

Chapter 13

 

Everyone had settled down for bed shortly after Miroku had returned from his chat with Inuyasha. Kagome and Shippo lay close to the fire on their mats sleeping peacefully, and Miroku and Sango had settled down across the room.

 

Sango smoothed out her mat, eyeing the monk warily. She didn't like the fact that Miroku was sleeping this close to her, but she was also dying to know what had transpired between Miroku and Inuyasha. She decided she would just kill him if he randomly tried anything.

 

“So how did it go?” Sango whispered.

 

“Huh?” Miroku replied, startled by her question.

 

“You know…with Inuyasha?” Sango said.

 

“Oh,” Miroku said. “Let's just say he's not taking the whole Kouga thing too well. He hates the fact that Kouga is around her and claims that by Kagome allowing Kouga to come and see her as he wishes, that she is allowing Kouga to court her. It's some type of demon courting thing.”

 

“Really?” Sango said, surprised. “I had no idea.”

 

“Yeah,” Miroku replied tucking himself into bed. “So it looks like it's going to be battle of the two canines for a while.”

 

“Oh wow,” Sango said somewhat flatly. “This should prove interesting.”

 

Sango caught Miroku's hand sneaking up to her butt out of the corner of her eye and glared at him.

 

“Don't…even…think…about it!” she warned.

 

“But Sango darling…” Miroku pleaded.

 

“NO!” she said.

 

Miroku sighed and decided he would try his antics in the morning. Sango sighed and tucked herself into her own bed, all the while keeping a sharp eye on the monk.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

The next morning, Kagome woke up to the sun shining through the window. She yawned and stretched her arms over her head. She stared out the window. It had to be early morning. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. She looked over to find Sango and Miroku sleeping soundly, though from looking at the lump on his head, she wasn't quite sure if Miroku was knocked out or sleeping. Sango's boomerang was also lodged between the two. Kagome smiled slightly and turned to look at Shippo. He was asleep on his back with a little drool coming out the side of his mouth. But then she noticed something else. Above Shippo, near her pillow, lay a single, crimson red rose, and a sprig of jasmine. Kagome scooted over to the items and picked them up. They were beautiful. She held them to her nose at the same time breathed in deeply. She let out her breath with a smile. They were her favorite scents in the whole world…but who? Kagome finally found the answer to her question when she recognized the paw-like prints traveling away from her mat until they finally disappeared underneath the front door. Kagome placed the flowers next to her pillow and walked over to the front door. Pushing aside the shoji, she stared out into the bright morning. She put her shoes on and walked outside. She looked around. There was no one out there. The workers of the village were already up and working, but that was about it. She looked down at her feet and decided to follow the paw-like prints as far as she could. She followed them until they suddenly stopped. It was like they had totally disappeared. She looked up to find the trees starting to thicken in front of her and assumed he must be up there somewhere. She took a step forward.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome said. “If you are out there and you can hear me…thank you.”

 

With that, she turned and walked back towards Kaede's hut. In the trees above, sitting on a rather large branch, sat an ever alert hanyou. He smiled. It was a great step for Kagome to call out to Inuyasha, much less thank him for something. He sighed and leaned back against the trunk of the tree he was sitting in. If nothing else happened for the rest of the day, he would be satisfied with the knowledge of what just happened. He had spent most of the night decided what to do for her. He needed to act fast…especially with Kouga on the scene now. Inuyasha growled just thinking about it.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome returned to walk through the door of Kaede's hut with a sigh. Miroku and Sango seem to be getting up and Shippo was already leaning over the pot Kaede was now hovering over.

 

“Morning child,” Kaede greeted. “What were ye doing out there?”

 

“Oh,” Kagome said with a slight blush. “Just decided to get some fresh air. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day.”

 

“Hai,” Kaede said looking out the window. “Would ye like some breakfast?”

 

“No, thank you, Kaede,” Kagome replied as she walked over to her mat and began cleaning up her area. “I actually think I might do some target practice with my arrows…or get some studying done. Maybe I should even go back to my world for a few days...”

 

“No!” Shippo, Miroku, and Sango suddenly shouted.

 

Kagome jumped, slightly startled by their outburst. She looked up to find Miroku and Sango standing behind her.

 

“And just what, may I ask, would be wrong in my going home?” she asked. “It's not like I am accomplishing anything here. There is so much to be done on the other side.”

 

“But…but…” Sango stuttered trying to come up with something. “But…we need to continue to look for jewel shards…and what happens if one shows up while you're away. We'll never know it!”

 

Kagome sighed and brought her knees to her chin. She supposed she could get some studying done there too. She did after all bring her books with her. What would be the difference?

 

“Very well,” she replied. “But I at least get to go out into the meadow neighboring the village to study for while. That should be nice. Okay, well I guess I am off.”

 

She stood up and hoisted her backpack on her back. She grabbed her bow and arrows just in case and started walking out the door…but not before Sango insisted that Kagome take Kirara with her. Kagome agreed and finally walked out the door with Kirara at her side. She waved good-bye and scampered off to the neighboring meadow.

 

Sango and Miroku watched her disappear on the other side of the hill. Sango sighed and turned to walk back over and grab her boomerang when something caught her attention. Next to Kagome's mat, was a rose and some jasmine.

 

“Miroku,” Sango said pointing to the items.

 

“Wow,” Miroku said squatting down and examining the gifts. “I didn't know the hanyou had it in him.” Sango smiled.

 

“Well, now what?” Sango asked as Miroku stood to face her.

 

“What do you mean?” he asked.

 

“Well, Kagome is studying and Inuyasha is no where to be found,” she said. “What are we going to do?” Miroku grinned mischievously.

 

“I could think of a few things,” he said seductively as he snaked his arm around Sango's shoulders.

 

*WHAM*

 

“Can't you get your mind out of the gutter for even a minute?” she asked angrily, her hand still in a fist from its recent connection with Miroku's head.

 

“Actually,” Kaede chimed in. “We are out of food.”

 

“You mean you want us to go shopping?” Sango asked as Miroku pulled himself together.

 

“No,” Kaede said. “Shippo and I can go shopping in the market for things like vegetables and fruits, but we need meat. Why don't you and Miroku go hunt a boar or something and bring it home for dinner?” Sango and Miroku exchanged glances.

 

“Sure,” Miroku said grabbing his staff.

 

“Yeah,” Sango said as she too grabbed her boomerang. “Maybe we'll even run into Inuyasha. I haven't seen him since…that thing happened with Kagome.”

 

“Then it's settled,” Miroku said. “Shippo you go with Kaede to help her with the produce. Sango and I will go hunting. We'll meet back here.”

 

They all nodded and waved good-bye to each other as they went on their separate missions.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Meanwhile, Kagome had long settled herself down into comfortable part of the meadow. She looked around and took a deep breath. It was such a beautiful day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and beautiful spring flowers were starting to bloom all around her. She loved Spring. It was such a great time of year. She smiled as she watched mother duck trying to get her ducklings to swim properly in the nearby pond as huge goldfish encircled them as if the tiny creatures intrigued them. A few deer soon emerged from the neighboring forest, but bounded away when they caught sight of her. Kagome stare at the scenery forever…but she knew that wouldn't help her understand her algebra. She sighed and forced herself to study.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sango and Miroku entered the wooded area as they slowly began starting their “hunt”. They walked around for a while. Not saying much to each other…when Miroku suddenly heard something in the brush. Sango readied her boomerang as both of them remained still, waiting for the creature to show itself.

 

“Ready,” Miroku whispered, crouching down more. “Get set…NOW!”

 

Sango and Miroku leapt at the bush at the same time the creature emerged.

 

“AGH!” Miroku and Sango yelled as they fell flat on their butts in an effort to halt their attacks.

 

“Yo!” Inuyasha said nonchalantly.

 

“Yo?” Sango said jumping to her feet. “Inuyasha, I almost killed you!”

 

“Feh!” he said turning slightly and touting his nose up in the air. “As if that would ever happen!”

 

“What do you have there?” Miroku asked, noticing something flung over Inuyasha's shoulder as he stood and brushed himself off.

 

“Oh,” Inuyasha said turning so they could see. “I just did a little hunting.”

 

He blushed slightly. There, cast over his shoulder, was a huge boar, and a large deer. Miroku's jaw dropped. Sango just giggled at the sight. She was actually relieved she didn't have to hunt any more. Demons she could handle…but actually hunting for food was another story.

 

“Here,” Inuyasha said throwing the animals on the ground. “Take these back to Kaede's hut. Where's Kagome?”

 

“Oh,” Miroku replied. “She decided to go study in the neighboring meadow. She has Kirara with her.”

 

“What???” Inuyasha said as he turned towards the meadow and took off running.

 

Miroku and Sango looked down at the dead animals in front of them.

 

“And just how are we supposed to carry these back without his help?” she asked.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Inuyasha growled furiously as he ran through the forest towards the meadow. He hoped he could get there in time. There was a nasty scent in the air!

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome continued trying to concentrate, but it was of no use. She kept thinking of Inuyasha and about what had happened and how everything was so much prettier over here and…

 

“Hello!” someone said from behind her.

 

Kagome jumped causing her book to fling off of her lap. She looked up.

 

“Kouga,” Kagome said with a weak smile. “What brings you here?”

 

“I wanted to see my woman of course,” he replied with a bright smile.

 

“Eh…hehe,” Kagome said as her left eye twitched slightly.

 

“These are for you,” Kouga said bringing his right hand from around his back to reveal a bouquet of wildflowers.

 

Kagome looked at the flowers then looked at Kouga with a smile. She accepted them with a slight blush. Kouga blushed and scratched the side of his head.

 

“I…uh…heard that women like that sort of thing,” he said with a sheepish smile.

 

“They're beautiful, Kouga,” Kagome said smelling the flowers. “Thank you.”

 

Kouga blushed and then sat down next to her. She had like them. That pleased him. He wasn't sure if he had heard correctly. It was just a bunch of weeds to him, but apparently women like them. Kagome stared at the flowers and then stared into the sky. Kouga scooted a little closer to her.

 

“So…uh…,” he began, not really knowing what to say now that he finally had the opportunity to spend time alone with Kagome. “How have you been?”

 

“Good, I guess,” Kagome said looking back down at the flowers.

 

“Have you seen dog breath lately?” Kouga inquired.

 

The question stung Kagome a little and made her cringe. Should she tell Kouga about that awful day? No, she couldn't. She just couldn't. She decided to answer him nonetheless.

 

“Um, no, I haven't,” Kagome replied, still not making eye contact with him. Kouga gave her a skeptical look.

 

“What's going on, Kagome?” Kouga asked. “I mean really. I rarely see you two without each other and now you haven't seen each other in days. Did he do something to you? You just let me know and I'll kill the little mutt!”

 

“No, no, Kouga, that won't be necessary,” Kagome said softly. “It's…just not something I want to talk about right now.”

 

Kouga figured that the mutt must have done something pretty bad this time for Kagome not to forgive him. Kagome was the most forgiving and understanding person he had ever met. He'd never known her not to forgive Inuyasha even about Kikyou. No, this was far worse. Kouga clinched his fists. He would kill that stupid mutt for laying a hand on his Kagome. Kagome looked at Kouga out of the corner of her eye. She could tell he was getting angry about something though she wasn't quite sure what. Was it about the whole Inuyasha thing? She decided to distract him and change the subject.

 

“So,” Kagome began. “What are you doing in this neighborhood?”

 

“Well, I suppose it would be because of the jewel shards,” he replied. “Since the jewel was broken in the final battle against Naraku sending the pieces everywhere, demons have been attacking my tribesmen. They claim to have jewel shards embedded in them some where, and I vowed to hack them to pieces until I found the shards, so I followed them all the way over here. Then, I caught wind of your scent and came here to see how you were doing.”

 

“A jewel shard, you say?” Kagome asked, her eyes brightening. “Do you know where the demon went?”

 

“No,” he replied. “I lost track of him, but he is bound to come back this way. He lives near the mountains and has to return some time. When he does, I will be ready to pick up his scent again and kill him.”

 

“I'll help you,” Kagome said before she thought about what she was saying.

 

“What?” Kouga said, turning to look at her.

 

“I said I will help you,” she repeated. “You need to avenge your comrades, and I need to gather the remaining pieces of the jewel shard. But if I help you locate and kill this demon, will you let me have the jewel shard?”

 

Kouga blinked a couple of times. Even though Kagome was just trying to get her hands on another shard, Kouga, as usual, read way too much into it. He thought Kagome was offering to be with him the way she was with Inuyasha…fighting demons and gathering jewels shards together. Did this mean the mutt was truly out of the picture? Kouga really didn't care. Kagome was offering to fight along his side. That would be enough for him for the time being.

 

“Kagome, I would love your help,” Kouga said with a bright smile. “But you have to promise me that as soon as you point out the location of the jewel shard that you will back away from danger and let me take care of the demon. After that, I will hand the jewel shard over to you. What do you say?”

 

Kagome sat there for a moment, thinking about everything Kouga had just said. She had to agree that it was quite the deal. But what if Inuyasha found out? He would think that she had left him to go join Kouga for the hunt for the jewel shards. Should she really say yes? Kagome sighed. She didn't know what to say. She really needed to get those jewel shards from Kouga. She knew if she allowed him to have them and put them in his legs or arms, she'd never get them back. Kagome looked at Kouga's legs. He had a jewel shard embedded in each of his legs. `He must have found them after the battle with Naraku,' Kagome thought. `No wonder his speed has increased again.' Kagome remembered how Naraku had injured Kouga in the final battle, ripping the jewel shards out of his body to complete the jewel. If Kagome allowed Kouga to get any more jewel shards, Inuyasha would kill her!

 

“Deal!” she said, looking up at him. “I'll help you find the jewel shards, but in return I get to keep them.”

 

“Deal,” Kouga said with a nod.

 

Kirara glanced back and forth from Kagome to Kouga. Her ears twitched as she looked over into the neighboring forest behind Kagome and Kouga. The two continued to carry on their conversation, oblivious to the demon cat's distraction. Kirara took a few cautious steps towards the forest, then looked back at Kagome before scampering off to follow the sound. Kirara entered the forest and looked this way and that, sniffing the air until she finally located what had caught her attention.

 

“Meow!” the tiny cat demon said as she walked up to her friend.

 

“Shh!” Inuyasha said, putting a finger to his lips. “I don't want anyone to hear me.”

 

Kirara tilted her head to the side as she stared at Inuyasha in utter confusion. Then, something else caught the cat's attention and she scampered off again.

 

“Kirara!” Inuyasha whispered loudly, trying to stop the demon cat, but it was of no use. `Damn cat!' he thought as he turned his attention back to Kagome and Kouga. He had heard everything. His ears drooped a little. Was Kagome abandoning him? She had every right to. After he thought of the way he had made her suffer all this time, he knew he had been such an idiot. Kagome had given up everything for him. Now, he stood a chance of losing her. Inuyasha began growling as he watched Kouga scoot closer to Kagome. He couldn't take it any more. Should he give up on her? Should he quit with his attempts to win her over? She had, after all, agreed to help Kouga gather the jewel shards right? Had he heard incorrectly? Inuyasha wanted to turn and run away, but he couldn't leave her there, alone with Kouga. What was he going to do?