InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inu Yasha, The Reincarnation of Midoriko? ❯ Chapter 4
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Desiree Dee 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Action / Mystery | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 02.24.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 592 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Action / Mystery | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 02.24.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 592 | Status: Completed
Thank you again Sakusha Saelbu.
Chapter 4
Kagome's eyes flashed open to see the face of an irritated hanyou directly over hers. The source of the noise that awoke her was Sota.
"Please tell me that you were just about to start another round of tag." He got a sick look on his face.
"Unh. Yeah, that was it." He silently cursed himself about the lost opportunity.
"That's not what I saw." Sota put on his most annoying voice.
"Kid, you remind me of a certain little fox." He stood himself up and offered his hand to help Kagome to her feet.
"Whatever, Mom sent me in to tell you that dinner is ready." Both Kagome and Inu Yasha's stomachs growled.
"No fair," she wined at Inu Yasha, "you ate as soon as you got here." Then turning to Sota. "What are we having?"
"Well, originally we were going to have miso soup, but you came home just as she was preparing things, so now we are having oden, and he is having the two and a half gallons of beef-flavored ramen she just made." Sota informed them
At the prospect of ramen Inu Yasha’s ears perked up and he ran into the kitchen. Sota just shook his head.
"Ya coming sis?" Kagome looked as though she had just been snapped from a daze.
"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute." She answered as if it were an off-hand comment. Sota left for the kitchen.
"Hey, Inu Yasha, do you mind sharing some of your ramen?" A loud growl was heard from the dining area.
"Not on your life, your mom said it was mine, and I intend to keep it that way." He lorded over his favorite dish. Mrs. Higurashi intervened.
"Boys, Don't fight like that. Inu Yasha, we use bowls and silverware at our table, and I expect you to do the same. So, put that pot back on the stove, and wait for everyone to be present and served." He understood what she meant, and simply uttered.
"Yes, ma'am." and the sounds of dishes, pots, and pans traveled from the cooking area. Kagome knew something was going on, but didn't actually comprehend it. She was lost in a thought that had dawned upon her.
“He wasn't playing,” She said as if she barely believed it. “He was up to something else, it wasn't disappointment over a ruined game of tag on his face.” She reached up towards her face with her eyes shining. “Did he just try to kiss me?”
888
A solitary figure watched as Shippou attempted to play with an uninterested Kirara. This figure had a plan, and had decided to enact it now. There was something that it wanted, and it intended to get it.
Shippou was unsuccessful in getting Kirara to play. He was about to get up when she turned towards the forest.
At first, he saw nothing, but it was obvious something was in there once Kirara transformed. It was then he noticed the menacing character approaching them. Shippou's voice became caught in his throat as his eyes filled with terror and hatred.
888
Dinner had been a somewhat eventful. Let's just say it ended up with Inu Yasha cleaning ramen off the roof and out of his hair due to Kagome forgetting to edit one of their adventures and accidentally mentioning ‘the word‘. After many apologies, and a scolding from Mrs. Higurashi, the incident was pretty much forgotten.
"Well, Inu Yasha, that was definitely different." Kagome was leaning back in a chair next to her desk while Inu Yasha sat on the bed with a towel, drying out his ears. "It looks like we're staying here tonight. Is that okay with you?"
"What?" He asked. He had the towel hanging out from his left ear.
"I asked you if you would want to stay here tonight." she shouted.
"I don't see why not, going back now would be basically pointless. Besides, I think Kaede might appreciate having a few less people invading her space." He answered. Kagome considered this for a moment.
"You're probably right. We'll put the basket on the bike in the morning, and leave after breakfast." She looked to him for approval on the plan. He leaned back on to her bed and threw the towel in her general direction.
"If that's what you want." he shut his eyes. The towel landed on her head. She glared through it at the lounging man in front of her.
"Excuse me, but what do you think you are doing?" She snatched the towel off of her head.
"I'm almost positive that I'm getting comfortable." He open one eye slightly, and a smirk grew across his face.
"Not on my bed you're not." She dropped the towel onto the floor and approached the bed.
"You have that 'couch' thing downstairs. Anyway, I'm a guest, and I deserve to be comfortable." Kagome glowered at his rude comment, but her expression changed once she got an idea.
"Oh really?" She commented. Upon reaching the top of the bed, she pulled the pillow out from underneath Inu Yasha's head, and promptly smacked him with it. "Take that."
"Hey, what was that for?" he sat up angrily. Kagome developed a smirk of her own.
"So I can do this." With that she leaned forward and kissed him on his right cheek.
He stiffened completely, and as the blush crept over his face, he fell off of the bed. Kagome just smiled, and took his place on the mattress.
He sat up touching the spot upon which she had placed the little peck. She gave him a warm look.
"Got you off the bed didn't it?"
Inu Yasha had spent the night in Kagome's room, choosing to stay in the corner after the pillow incident.
Though he spent the night there, he hadn't gotten much sleep. It was just his luck that the corner he chose allowed his view full access to a mirror. He spent the entire night staring at his cheek and wondering.
'Why did she do that?' he thought. 'If it was the bed she really wanted, she could have just sat me.' He unconsciously touched the spot for the millionth time since Kagome had fallen asleep.
The sun began to rise, as it's lady fingers pierced through the twilight he felt inspiration set in. 'She did it to torture me, well I can get her back just as easily.' His grin seemed almost evil as the golden particles drifted through the cosmos and into the bedroom. Kagome shifted under her covers.
'Perfect, she'll be waking soon. Time to get into position.' He ran up beside her bed and looked down at his raven-haired goddess. Her eyes fluttered open to see a smiling Inu Yasha.
"Good morning, honey." He spoke aloud before bending over and giving her a quick peck on her lips. He stood once more with an even bigger smile plastered across his face.
She quickly sat up and touched her finger tips to the edge of her lips. Then, with eyes huge, she looked at him.
He suddenly felt guilty, and braced himself for the command, but it never came. Instead, she jumped towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She brought her face close to his and inflicted a kiss upon him deeper than he would have expected possible. When she pulled away for breath she uttered his name.
"Inu Yasha." She said suddenly. He grinned goofily, but became confused when she kept repeating herself. "Inu Yasha.......Inu Yasha.......Inu Yasha......."
"Inu Yasha, wake up." He looked up at Kagome groggily. Then his eyes opened wide with the realization that it had all been a dream. A wonderful one, but a dream none the less. He then grew sad, 'She would never react like that, not for me anyway.'
Kagome looked on as the emotions of the waking hanyou played across his face. While his eyes had still been closed she had seen something similar to pleasure, or bliss, but when his lips stuck out and his tongue began feeling the air, she feared he was having a seizure, and attempted to rouse him.
Once she had done that a strange grin had crossed his face, but it warped into confusion, and finally sadness as he began to fully awake.
"What's wrong?" She asked him. Her large brown eyes were filled with concern. He shook the last of the sleep off of himself.
"Nothing, I was just in the middle of a dream, that's all." Kagome looked confused, but answered as if she understood.
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry for interrupting." She felt a pang of regret at hearing the tone in his voice.
"Feh," came his all-occasion response, "We need to get going any way. Let's go take care of that bike and go back home." He stood and stretched, with his arms above his head, he look rater intimidating.
The popping of joints and bones was heard as he yawned, revealing a rather nasty looking set of fangs, and even nastier morning breath. Kagome held her nose to keep from passing out.
"Could you come with me for just a minute?" He stopped extending his limbs, and she grabbed his wrist. She drug him into the bathroom.
"I don't know how your teeth stay so white, but man, when your indoors, that breath seems to be a lot worse than does outside."
"Are you saying that I stink?" Inu Yasha became offended.
"Actually, I was just talking about your breath, but now that you mention it, yes."
"And what do you plan on doing about it?" He crossed his arms indignantly.
"Well, first I want you to take this and swish it around in your mouth, but whatever you do, don't swallow it." She handed him a cup of antiseptic mouthwash. He sniffed at it warily.
"What's it do?" He wasn't going to just put something in his mouth because she said so, He wasn't a three-year old.
"Well, it gets rid of the germs in your mouth, and makes your breath fresher. Oh, by the way once you swish it in your mouth, you need to spit it out into the sink." She stepped to the side so that he could have access.
He swirled the gold colored liquid in the cup, then sucked it all into his mouth, only to immediately spit it out. All of it didn't quite make it to the sink, most of it sat on the surface of the mirror.
"WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU HAVE ME PUT FIRE IN MY MOUTH?" He screamed at her.
"It's not fire, it's antiseptic. It kills germs, and your breath smells better already." He gave her a queer expression.
"You've mentioned those germs before, I'm not sure what they are, but I'd believe that stuff would kill them." He then stuck his tongue out and began blowing on it as if it would help the stinging that was coursing through its buds.
She couldn't help but laugh at the cross-eyed young man. She shook her head and threw him a towel, and bathrobe.
"I know you already washed your hair last night, but either you or your clothes still smell. You already know how the shower works, so if you'll place your clothes outside the door I'll wash them." She pointed to the bathrobe, "You can wear that until I finish." Kagome left Inu Yasha to himself.
She came back a few minutes later to retrieve Inu Yasha's robes. She picked them up and headed to the washroom. Mrs. Higurashi was already inside doing some ironing,
"Sweetie, I hate to tell you, but I don't think that anything from the Inu Yasha's time period is machine washable. Why don't you let me take that and I'll make sure it is taken care of. I believe you have a basket that needs to be attached to your bike." She smiled kindly at her daughter and took the clothing.
"Yeah, thanks mom." She cursed herself at her lack of attention to the most obvious details.
'I'd hate to think what he'd do if I were to ruin his clothes.’ She thought They were his only possession outside of Tetsusaiga. She left for the shed to get some tools so that she could change out baskets.
Inu Yasha came out of the bathroom wearing the pink bathrobe. Kagome was sitting on the couch, having already completed her task. She covered her mouth to keep from tittering.
"What's so funny?" He huffed. She swallowed and put on a serious face.
"Nothing, nothing at all. In fact, I think that color suits you."
"Feh, are my clothes ready yet?" He was quite uncomfortable in his current garment, though he had to admit the sash made Tetsusaiga a little easier to carry.
"All done!" Mrs. Higurashi held up the neatly folded pile of red cloth. Inu Yasha grabbed them without a thank you and ran to Kagome's room to change.
"I'm positive he would have thanked you if he wasn't so desperate to get back into them." Kagome shrugged at her Mom and took a sip from a soda.
"Shouldn't you be getting your things together?" She wanted to make sure that her daughter would have everything that she might need.
"All done. The basket is on the bike, my bag is packed, breakfast is in my tummy, and I had a nice long shower before anybody woke up this morning." She turned back to the television and continued with the channel surfing she had halted when Inu Yasha had entered the room.
"Well, if you think that you are ready, I would like to leave." He had returned in full garb.
"Okay. Bye Mom, I love you." She hugged her mother and left out the door. Inu Yasha strolled in the same direction and stopped in front of the woman that had so kindly tailored his clothing. Without looking at her, he muttered his thanks, and left out behind her daughter.
Inu Yasha threw Kagome's bike and backpack out of the well, then jumped out with her clinging to his back.
"I have to agree with you Inu Yasha, the air is much better around here." She inhaled deeply and took in the scent of clean air and wild flowers.
"Glad to know that even humans can sense that much." He placed her beside the bike and picked up her sac. She righted and mounted the self-propelled vehicle. After doing so, she cocked her head at Inu Yasha.
"So, do you want to race?" She asked. He turned to meet her eyes, his own filled with question.
"What would make you think that I would want to do something like that?" He asked She looked towards the sky and began tapping her finger against her chin as though she were trying to think of a response.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe it has something to do with how playful you were yesterday. That, and I'm feeling a bit competitive, when I put the basket on I also gave the bike a quick bit of maintenance. I just want to see if it performs any better." She looked back at him when she finished. There was an intense look in her eyes, and she had left her finger in the air as if she had just reached the conclusion of the worlds hardest physics problem.
"Feh, if that's what you want to do, but I don't see you getting any faster by tinkering with that contraption." He smirked.
Secretly, he loved the fact that she was willing to play with him. Sure, playing was for kids, but that didn't mean that he never wanted to have a little fun. Besides, a race was more like a training exercise or a test.
He would get a chance to see how fast she could really go. Then again, if he used his full speed, he would never get the chance to find that out, so he thought that he would take it easy.
"We go on the count of three." Kagome said.
"Ready when you are." Inu Yasha crouched into a starting position. He adjusted the pack so that he could run with it. Kagome lined up next to him ready to start off.
"One....."she began, "Two...."
"Hey!" Inu Yasha screamed as she pedaled off.
"Three!" She yelled back once she was about a hundred yards ahead. Inu Yasha just smiled. If that was how she wanted to play it, then he wouldn't worry quite so much about holding back. He waited a few more seconds, then took off after her at full speed.
He caught up to her easily, but slowed down enough so that he stayed just ahead of her.
"Doesn't seem to have done much good." He taunted. In reality, she had gotten a bit faster than the last time he had seen her use it this way, but he wasn't too sure that it was the bike that had improved.
They raced until they reached the edge of the village. Once they had stopped, Kagome dismounted and began walking beside her bike. She was breathing a bit heavily, but no more than anyone would after a vigorous bike ride.
"I guess we'll call it a tie." She smiled towards Inu Yasha. He didn't argue with her on the decision. In truth, he had been the winner, but only by about three seconds. The two giggled and laughed as they traveled the last bit to Kaede's on foot. However, their good mood was doused when they walked into the hut.
Kagome gasped and ran up beside Kaede. Inu Yasha dropped the bag that he had been carrying. Kaede had been kneeling over a very sick looking Shippou. He had been covered by the blanket that Kagome had given to him, but anyone could clearly see that his shaking form was tucked into a fetal position as he rocked back and forth on the floor.
"White hair.....White hair......White hair......White hair." This was the only thing that Shippou was saying. He hadn't even acknowledged the presence of Kagome.
"We found him like that last night." Sango walked into the hut looking very depressed. "He and Kirara were out playing in the woods.
“When the sun had set I went looking for them. I found him like that against the well, but I still haven't found Kirara." Tears began to well in her eyes and she ran to Kagome. Kagome took her into a deep sisterly hug.
"Oh, I didn't know how much longer you were going to take to get back, but I'm glad it wasn't very long." She sobbed onto Kagome's sympathetic soldier. Kagome patted Sango's back in an attempt to comfort the poor distraught exterminator.
"It’ll be okay. I'm positive that Kirara can handle herself. She probably went after whatever it was that did this to Shippou." She looked up at Inu Yasha, he was still in shock at the entrance.
He looked to Kagome, her eyes were making a silent and pleading request, 'Please, we have to find her, and help Shippou.'
Though nothing was said, they both knew that the other felt guilty for all the fun that they had been having over the time they were gone.
Miroku was sitting up in a corner away from everyone and the ruckus that was occurring. Inu Yasha did not think that he would be any help in comforting Sango, or in aiding Kaede with Shippou. So, he decided that it might be best if he just sat out of the way with Miroku.
He placed the bag next to the door, and walked over to his ailing friend.
"So, how are you feeling Miroku?" The monk gave him a blank stare, but answered the question with one of his own.
"Do I know you?" Miroku questioned Inu Yasha sat down, then leaned against the wall in one exasperated sigh.
"Guess those girls hit you harder than we thought. Still, how are you handling everything?" He gave Miroku a concerned stare.
Miroku wasn't sure whether to be scared or relieved that this demon had taken up conversation with him, but decided that it would be wise to stay in its good graces.
"Well, from what I understand, the beautiful young lady that was here when I awoke is sad over her lost cat." Inu Yasha starred at the insensitivity of the statement. Miroku really didn't know who any of them were.
"What exactly do you remember?" Inu Yasha had changed the subject. "About yourself I mean."
"Well, I know that my name is Miroku. I have recently finished my training as a monk.
“I suffer from a family curse brought on by an ancient demon known as Naraku. It is my family's mission to hunt out and kill Naraku so that the curse will finally be broken.
“If I am unable to complete this task by a certain time, I am to find a strong woman to bear me a son so that he may carry on the family mission, and enact revenge upon Naraku." Miroku stopped for a thought.
"I had been traveling the countryside looking for Naraku, but the next thing I knew I was here with that beautiful woman hugging me. She then left saying that it was time to go find her friends, but only came back carrying the kitsune. She then left again, but I have yet to speak with her.
“You and the priestess are the only ones that I have had any conversation with. Though the one with her lasted only a few words, I had asked for some tea. I haven't left this corner since.
“I figured that I must be injured if I am in the presence of a healer, and need to stay until she tells me that it is safe to continue.
‘As for the woman, I've only heard her sobbing over this Kirara, which from what I have been hearing is her cat." Miroku finished, but was still cautious about the man next to him.
"Well, it seems it is actually worse than that." Inu Yasha decided to fill the amnesiac in on the whole situation. "First of all, you are our friend, and have been traveling with us to help collect shards of the Shikon jewel.
“The rest of us all have some sort of grudge against Naraku, and are working together in hopes that we will defeat him. You were injured while in our last quest, and you are not to let anything touch your wound for a whole week.
“The old woman is Kaede, the girl you awoke to is Sango, Kirara is Sango's partner, the woman that I walked in with is Kagome, the fox demon is Shippou, and I am Inu Yasha." Miroku's eyes grew wide with this last bit of information.
“The shikon jewel?” It hasn’t been seen for over fifty years.
“That’s not the issue at the moment. It is obvious to me that something, or someone with white hair has done something to Shippou.
“I can only think of one person at this moment that has white hair, and could scare Shippou like this. Still, why would Sesshoumaru take Kirara as well?"
"I thought that your friend said Kirara may have chased the attacker, and who is this Shessoumaru?" Inu Yasha closed his eyes and shook his head.
"No, Kirara would have brought Shippou back, her absence isn't voluntary. As far as Sesshoumaru, he's my half brother that seems to cause just as many problems as Naraku. We need to help Shippou, and it seems that if we want to do that, then we will have to go to Sesshoumaru's castle."
"I am willing to lend my services." Miroku lifted his right hand.
"Thanks, but you still need to heal, besides, Kaede and Shippou need some protection. I'm sure you could do more good here now other than out where you could injure yourself worse." He placed a hand on Miroku's shoulder. This act caused the young man to stiffen slightly with fear.
"I suppose you are right." Miroku stated nervously, then he seemed to go back into his own little world. Inu Yasha didn't blame him, that would be a lot of information for anyone to handle. He stood once again and picked up Kagome's bag. He then turned to the two dark haired women.
"Kagome, we are going to Sesshoumaru's castle to find Kirara. Sango, you are welcome to join us. Miroku is going to stay and protect Kaede and Shippou. I suggest we leave now so that we can be there by morning.
“If my guess is correct, he is already waiting for us. Probably another scheme to get the Tetsusaiga. Still, he just went too far, there is no excuse for bringing someone else into our fight. I'll just have to kill him once and for all."
Inu Yasha, Kagome, and Sango headed off towards Sesshoumaru's castle without a single word amongst them.
The group had set up camp, and were preparing to sleep when Kagome asked Inu Yasha a question.
"What do you plan to do once we get there?" He looked a little surprised. Kagome was asking if he had a plan? He never had a plan, what would make this time any different? Still, he did not want to make her worry.
"Well, I figured that you and Sango would go get Kirara, and I would kill Sesshoumaru."
Kagome was concerned over the simplicity of this plan, but then again it was more of one than he usually had.
Kagome just nodded her head and snuggled into her sleeping bag. Sango stayed silent the entire time, and appeared to already have fallen asleep. Inu Yasha began walking to the nearest tree when he heard the voice.
"Stupid, pathetic, worthless Inu Yasha!" A purple smoke encircled the camp.
"How? What is going on. Why can't I smell you Naraku?" Kagome and Sango had been roused by the noise, and were preparing for battle as quickly as they could.
"Have you not figured it out yet? I have found a new way to travel. By the way, how is the little fox? Your cat friend seems to be doing quite well in my service." With that a bright light appeared from the bushes, and Kirara materialized in front of them.
The fire-cat was in her battle form, she emitted a low threatening growl, and pounced at Inu Yasha. He braced himself for her attack, the force of the blow pushed him deep into the ground, and about ten feet backwards.
Dirt and debris flew in all directions. Inu Yasha took the defensive and threw Kirara to the ground. She recovered immediately, but Inu Yasha had already pulled his sword. He raised it above his head, ready to strike,
"Please forgive me." He uttered, but stopped he saw the look in the eyes of the snarling feline. Kirara was not under control of her own actions, or those of a jewel shard. Then it clicked, white hair.
"Kanna." He growled. "Come out you nothing little bitch." The small figure emerged from the source of the original white light. "Give her back her soul." The mirror flashed, and Naraku's image appeared.
"Well, well, you are smarter than you seem. Still, why would you deny my offspring the chance to have a pet." The light appeared again, and Naraku was standing next to his so-called daughter.
"She has a kitty, and now, I would like for her to have a puppy!" Naraku produced six jewel shards, and launched them directly into Inu Yasha's chest. He doubled over in pain. Kagome screamed. She and Sango ran up to where he lie, but Kirara jumped into their path.
"You shall finally have your wish, Inu Yasha. Sadly, you won't get to enjoy it, since you will be under my control."
"Nooo!" Kagome cried.
Inu Yasha turned his gaze to her just as they tinted with red. He then closed them in one last convulsion of pain, but when he stood up and opened them once again, red was not the color she saw.
Chapter 4
Kagome's eyes flashed open to see the face of an irritated hanyou directly over hers. The source of the noise that awoke her was Sota.
"Please tell me that you were just about to start another round of tag." He got a sick look on his face.
"Unh. Yeah, that was it." He silently cursed himself about the lost opportunity.
"That's not what I saw." Sota put on his most annoying voice.
"Kid, you remind me of a certain little fox." He stood himself up and offered his hand to help Kagome to her feet.
"Whatever, Mom sent me in to tell you that dinner is ready." Both Kagome and Inu Yasha's stomachs growled.
"No fair," she wined at Inu Yasha, "you ate as soon as you got here." Then turning to Sota. "What are we having?"
"Well, originally we were going to have miso soup, but you came home just as she was preparing things, so now we are having oden, and he is having the two and a half gallons of beef-flavored ramen she just made." Sota informed them
At the prospect of ramen Inu Yasha’s ears perked up and he ran into the kitchen. Sota just shook his head.
"Ya coming sis?" Kagome looked as though she had just been snapped from a daze.
"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute." She answered as if it were an off-hand comment. Sota left for the kitchen.
"Hey, Inu Yasha, do you mind sharing some of your ramen?" A loud growl was heard from the dining area.
"Not on your life, your mom said it was mine, and I intend to keep it that way." He lorded over his favorite dish. Mrs. Higurashi intervened.
"Boys, Don't fight like that. Inu Yasha, we use bowls and silverware at our table, and I expect you to do the same. So, put that pot back on the stove, and wait for everyone to be present and served." He understood what she meant, and simply uttered.
"Yes, ma'am." and the sounds of dishes, pots, and pans traveled from the cooking area. Kagome knew something was going on, but didn't actually comprehend it. She was lost in a thought that had dawned upon her.
“He wasn't playing,” She said as if she barely believed it. “He was up to something else, it wasn't disappointment over a ruined game of tag on his face.” She reached up towards her face with her eyes shining. “Did he just try to kiss me?”
888
A solitary figure watched as Shippou attempted to play with an uninterested Kirara. This figure had a plan, and had decided to enact it now. There was something that it wanted, and it intended to get it.
Shippou was unsuccessful in getting Kirara to play. He was about to get up when she turned towards the forest.
At first, he saw nothing, but it was obvious something was in there once Kirara transformed. It was then he noticed the menacing character approaching them. Shippou's voice became caught in his throat as his eyes filled with terror and hatred.
888
Dinner had been a somewhat eventful. Let's just say it ended up with Inu Yasha cleaning ramen off the roof and out of his hair due to Kagome forgetting to edit one of their adventures and accidentally mentioning ‘the word‘. After many apologies, and a scolding from Mrs. Higurashi, the incident was pretty much forgotten.
"Well, Inu Yasha, that was definitely different." Kagome was leaning back in a chair next to her desk while Inu Yasha sat on the bed with a towel, drying out his ears. "It looks like we're staying here tonight. Is that okay with you?"
"What?" He asked. He had the towel hanging out from his left ear.
"I asked you if you would want to stay here tonight." she shouted.
"I don't see why not, going back now would be basically pointless. Besides, I think Kaede might appreciate having a few less people invading her space." He answered. Kagome considered this for a moment.
"You're probably right. We'll put the basket on the bike in the morning, and leave after breakfast." She looked to him for approval on the plan. He leaned back on to her bed and threw the towel in her general direction.
"If that's what you want." he shut his eyes. The towel landed on her head. She glared through it at the lounging man in front of her.
"Excuse me, but what do you think you are doing?" She snatched the towel off of her head.
"I'm almost positive that I'm getting comfortable." He open one eye slightly, and a smirk grew across his face.
"Not on my bed you're not." She dropped the towel onto the floor and approached the bed.
"You have that 'couch' thing downstairs. Anyway, I'm a guest, and I deserve to be comfortable." Kagome glowered at his rude comment, but her expression changed once she got an idea.
"Oh really?" She commented. Upon reaching the top of the bed, she pulled the pillow out from underneath Inu Yasha's head, and promptly smacked him with it. "Take that."
"Hey, what was that for?" he sat up angrily. Kagome developed a smirk of her own.
"So I can do this." With that she leaned forward and kissed him on his right cheek.
He stiffened completely, and as the blush crept over his face, he fell off of the bed. Kagome just smiled, and took his place on the mattress.
He sat up touching the spot upon which she had placed the little peck. She gave him a warm look.
"Got you off the bed didn't it?"
Inu Yasha had spent the night in Kagome's room, choosing to stay in the corner after the pillow incident.
Though he spent the night there, he hadn't gotten much sleep. It was just his luck that the corner he chose allowed his view full access to a mirror. He spent the entire night staring at his cheek and wondering.
'Why did she do that?' he thought. 'If it was the bed she really wanted, she could have just sat me.' He unconsciously touched the spot for the millionth time since Kagome had fallen asleep.
The sun began to rise, as it's lady fingers pierced through the twilight he felt inspiration set in. 'She did it to torture me, well I can get her back just as easily.' His grin seemed almost evil as the golden particles drifted through the cosmos and into the bedroom. Kagome shifted under her covers.
'Perfect, she'll be waking soon. Time to get into position.' He ran up beside her bed and looked down at his raven-haired goddess. Her eyes fluttered open to see a smiling Inu Yasha.
"Good morning, honey." He spoke aloud before bending over and giving her a quick peck on her lips. He stood once more with an even bigger smile plastered across his face.
She quickly sat up and touched her finger tips to the edge of her lips. Then, with eyes huge, she looked at him.
He suddenly felt guilty, and braced himself for the command, but it never came. Instead, she jumped towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She brought her face close to his and inflicted a kiss upon him deeper than he would have expected possible. When she pulled away for breath she uttered his name.
"Inu Yasha." She said suddenly. He grinned goofily, but became confused when she kept repeating herself. "Inu Yasha.......Inu Yasha.......Inu Yasha......."
"Inu Yasha, wake up." He looked up at Kagome groggily. Then his eyes opened wide with the realization that it had all been a dream. A wonderful one, but a dream none the less. He then grew sad, 'She would never react like that, not for me anyway.'
Kagome looked on as the emotions of the waking hanyou played across his face. While his eyes had still been closed she had seen something similar to pleasure, or bliss, but when his lips stuck out and his tongue began feeling the air, she feared he was having a seizure, and attempted to rouse him.
Once she had done that a strange grin had crossed his face, but it warped into confusion, and finally sadness as he began to fully awake.
"What's wrong?" She asked him. Her large brown eyes were filled with concern. He shook the last of the sleep off of himself.
"Nothing, I was just in the middle of a dream, that's all." Kagome looked confused, but answered as if she understood.
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry for interrupting." She felt a pang of regret at hearing the tone in his voice.
"Feh," came his all-occasion response, "We need to get going any way. Let's go take care of that bike and go back home." He stood and stretched, with his arms above his head, he look rater intimidating.
The popping of joints and bones was heard as he yawned, revealing a rather nasty looking set of fangs, and even nastier morning breath. Kagome held her nose to keep from passing out.
"Could you come with me for just a minute?" He stopped extending his limbs, and she grabbed his wrist. She drug him into the bathroom.
"I don't know how your teeth stay so white, but man, when your indoors, that breath seems to be a lot worse than does outside."
"Are you saying that I stink?" Inu Yasha became offended.
"Actually, I was just talking about your breath, but now that you mention it, yes."
"And what do you plan on doing about it?" He crossed his arms indignantly.
"Well, first I want you to take this and swish it around in your mouth, but whatever you do, don't swallow it." She handed him a cup of antiseptic mouthwash. He sniffed at it warily.
"What's it do?" He wasn't going to just put something in his mouth because she said so, He wasn't a three-year old.
"Well, it gets rid of the germs in your mouth, and makes your breath fresher. Oh, by the way once you swish it in your mouth, you need to spit it out into the sink." She stepped to the side so that he could have access.
He swirled the gold colored liquid in the cup, then sucked it all into his mouth, only to immediately spit it out. All of it didn't quite make it to the sink, most of it sat on the surface of the mirror.
"WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU HAVE ME PUT FIRE IN MY MOUTH?" He screamed at her.
"It's not fire, it's antiseptic. It kills germs, and your breath smells better already." He gave her a queer expression.
"You've mentioned those germs before, I'm not sure what they are, but I'd believe that stuff would kill them." He then stuck his tongue out and began blowing on it as if it would help the stinging that was coursing through its buds.
She couldn't help but laugh at the cross-eyed young man. She shook her head and threw him a towel, and bathrobe.
"I know you already washed your hair last night, but either you or your clothes still smell. You already know how the shower works, so if you'll place your clothes outside the door I'll wash them." She pointed to the bathrobe, "You can wear that until I finish." Kagome left Inu Yasha to himself.
She came back a few minutes later to retrieve Inu Yasha's robes. She picked them up and headed to the washroom. Mrs. Higurashi was already inside doing some ironing,
"Sweetie, I hate to tell you, but I don't think that anything from the Inu Yasha's time period is machine washable. Why don't you let me take that and I'll make sure it is taken care of. I believe you have a basket that needs to be attached to your bike." She smiled kindly at her daughter and took the clothing.
"Yeah, thanks mom." She cursed herself at her lack of attention to the most obvious details.
'I'd hate to think what he'd do if I were to ruin his clothes.’ She thought They were his only possession outside of Tetsusaiga. She left for the shed to get some tools so that she could change out baskets.
Inu Yasha came out of the bathroom wearing the pink bathrobe. Kagome was sitting on the couch, having already completed her task. She covered her mouth to keep from tittering.
"What's so funny?" He huffed. She swallowed and put on a serious face.
"Nothing, nothing at all. In fact, I think that color suits you."
"Feh, are my clothes ready yet?" He was quite uncomfortable in his current garment, though he had to admit the sash made Tetsusaiga a little easier to carry.
"All done!" Mrs. Higurashi held up the neatly folded pile of red cloth. Inu Yasha grabbed them without a thank you and ran to Kagome's room to change.
"I'm positive he would have thanked you if he wasn't so desperate to get back into them." Kagome shrugged at her Mom and took a sip from a soda.
"Shouldn't you be getting your things together?" She wanted to make sure that her daughter would have everything that she might need.
"All done. The basket is on the bike, my bag is packed, breakfast is in my tummy, and I had a nice long shower before anybody woke up this morning." She turned back to the television and continued with the channel surfing she had halted when Inu Yasha had entered the room.
"Well, if you think that you are ready, I would like to leave." He had returned in full garb.
"Okay. Bye Mom, I love you." She hugged her mother and left out the door. Inu Yasha strolled in the same direction and stopped in front of the woman that had so kindly tailored his clothing. Without looking at her, he muttered his thanks, and left out behind her daughter.
Inu Yasha threw Kagome's bike and backpack out of the well, then jumped out with her clinging to his back.
"I have to agree with you Inu Yasha, the air is much better around here." She inhaled deeply and took in the scent of clean air and wild flowers.
"Glad to know that even humans can sense that much." He placed her beside the bike and picked up her sac. She righted and mounted the self-propelled vehicle. After doing so, she cocked her head at Inu Yasha.
"So, do you want to race?" She asked. He turned to meet her eyes, his own filled with question.
"What would make you think that I would want to do something like that?" He asked She looked towards the sky and began tapping her finger against her chin as though she were trying to think of a response.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe it has something to do with how playful you were yesterday. That, and I'm feeling a bit competitive, when I put the basket on I also gave the bike a quick bit of maintenance. I just want to see if it performs any better." She looked back at him when she finished. There was an intense look in her eyes, and she had left her finger in the air as if she had just reached the conclusion of the worlds hardest physics problem.
"Feh, if that's what you want to do, but I don't see you getting any faster by tinkering with that contraption." He smirked.
Secretly, he loved the fact that she was willing to play with him. Sure, playing was for kids, but that didn't mean that he never wanted to have a little fun. Besides, a race was more like a training exercise or a test.
He would get a chance to see how fast she could really go. Then again, if he used his full speed, he would never get the chance to find that out, so he thought that he would take it easy.
"We go on the count of three." Kagome said.
"Ready when you are." Inu Yasha crouched into a starting position. He adjusted the pack so that he could run with it. Kagome lined up next to him ready to start off.
"One....."she began, "Two...."
"Hey!" Inu Yasha screamed as she pedaled off.
"Three!" She yelled back once she was about a hundred yards ahead. Inu Yasha just smiled. If that was how she wanted to play it, then he wouldn't worry quite so much about holding back. He waited a few more seconds, then took off after her at full speed.
He caught up to her easily, but slowed down enough so that he stayed just ahead of her.
"Doesn't seem to have done much good." He taunted. In reality, she had gotten a bit faster than the last time he had seen her use it this way, but he wasn't too sure that it was the bike that had improved.
They raced until they reached the edge of the village. Once they had stopped, Kagome dismounted and began walking beside her bike. She was breathing a bit heavily, but no more than anyone would after a vigorous bike ride.
"I guess we'll call it a tie." She smiled towards Inu Yasha. He didn't argue with her on the decision. In truth, he had been the winner, but only by about three seconds. The two giggled and laughed as they traveled the last bit to Kaede's on foot. However, their good mood was doused when they walked into the hut.
Kagome gasped and ran up beside Kaede. Inu Yasha dropped the bag that he had been carrying. Kaede had been kneeling over a very sick looking Shippou. He had been covered by the blanket that Kagome had given to him, but anyone could clearly see that his shaking form was tucked into a fetal position as he rocked back and forth on the floor.
"White hair.....White hair......White hair......White hair." This was the only thing that Shippou was saying. He hadn't even acknowledged the presence of Kagome.
"We found him like that last night." Sango walked into the hut looking very depressed. "He and Kirara were out playing in the woods.
“When the sun had set I went looking for them. I found him like that against the well, but I still haven't found Kirara." Tears began to well in her eyes and she ran to Kagome. Kagome took her into a deep sisterly hug.
"Oh, I didn't know how much longer you were going to take to get back, but I'm glad it wasn't very long." She sobbed onto Kagome's sympathetic soldier. Kagome patted Sango's back in an attempt to comfort the poor distraught exterminator.
"It’ll be okay. I'm positive that Kirara can handle herself. She probably went after whatever it was that did this to Shippou." She looked up at Inu Yasha, he was still in shock at the entrance.
He looked to Kagome, her eyes were making a silent and pleading request, 'Please, we have to find her, and help Shippou.'
Though nothing was said, they both knew that the other felt guilty for all the fun that they had been having over the time they were gone.
Miroku was sitting up in a corner away from everyone and the ruckus that was occurring. Inu Yasha did not think that he would be any help in comforting Sango, or in aiding Kaede with Shippou. So, he decided that it might be best if he just sat out of the way with Miroku.
He placed the bag next to the door, and walked over to his ailing friend.
"So, how are you feeling Miroku?" The monk gave him a blank stare, but answered the question with one of his own.
"Do I know you?" Miroku questioned Inu Yasha sat down, then leaned against the wall in one exasperated sigh.
"Guess those girls hit you harder than we thought. Still, how are you handling everything?" He gave Miroku a concerned stare.
Miroku wasn't sure whether to be scared or relieved that this demon had taken up conversation with him, but decided that it would be wise to stay in its good graces.
"Well, from what I understand, the beautiful young lady that was here when I awoke is sad over her lost cat." Inu Yasha starred at the insensitivity of the statement. Miroku really didn't know who any of them were.
"What exactly do you remember?" Inu Yasha had changed the subject. "About yourself I mean."
"Well, I know that my name is Miroku. I have recently finished my training as a monk.
“I suffer from a family curse brought on by an ancient demon known as Naraku. It is my family's mission to hunt out and kill Naraku so that the curse will finally be broken.
“If I am unable to complete this task by a certain time, I am to find a strong woman to bear me a son so that he may carry on the family mission, and enact revenge upon Naraku." Miroku stopped for a thought.
"I had been traveling the countryside looking for Naraku, but the next thing I knew I was here with that beautiful woman hugging me. She then left saying that it was time to go find her friends, but only came back carrying the kitsune. She then left again, but I have yet to speak with her.
“You and the priestess are the only ones that I have had any conversation with. Though the one with her lasted only a few words, I had asked for some tea. I haven't left this corner since.
“I figured that I must be injured if I am in the presence of a healer, and need to stay until she tells me that it is safe to continue.
‘As for the woman, I've only heard her sobbing over this Kirara, which from what I have been hearing is her cat." Miroku finished, but was still cautious about the man next to him.
"Well, it seems it is actually worse than that." Inu Yasha decided to fill the amnesiac in on the whole situation. "First of all, you are our friend, and have been traveling with us to help collect shards of the Shikon jewel.
“The rest of us all have some sort of grudge against Naraku, and are working together in hopes that we will defeat him. You were injured while in our last quest, and you are not to let anything touch your wound for a whole week.
“The old woman is Kaede, the girl you awoke to is Sango, Kirara is Sango's partner, the woman that I walked in with is Kagome, the fox demon is Shippou, and I am Inu Yasha." Miroku's eyes grew wide with this last bit of information.
“The shikon jewel?” It hasn’t been seen for over fifty years.
“That’s not the issue at the moment. It is obvious to me that something, or someone with white hair has done something to Shippou.
“I can only think of one person at this moment that has white hair, and could scare Shippou like this. Still, why would Sesshoumaru take Kirara as well?"
"I thought that your friend said Kirara may have chased the attacker, and who is this Shessoumaru?" Inu Yasha closed his eyes and shook his head.
"No, Kirara would have brought Shippou back, her absence isn't voluntary. As far as Sesshoumaru, he's my half brother that seems to cause just as many problems as Naraku. We need to help Shippou, and it seems that if we want to do that, then we will have to go to Sesshoumaru's castle."
"I am willing to lend my services." Miroku lifted his right hand.
"Thanks, but you still need to heal, besides, Kaede and Shippou need some protection. I'm sure you could do more good here now other than out where you could injure yourself worse." He placed a hand on Miroku's shoulder. This act caused the young man to stiffen slightly with fear.
"I suppose you are right." Miroku stated nervously, then he seemed to go back into his own little world. Inu Yasha didn't blame him, that would be a lot of information for anyone to handle. He stood once again and picked up Kagome's bag. He then turned to the two dark haired women.
"Kagome, we are going to Sesshoumaru's castle to find Kirara. Sango, you are welcome to join us. Miroku is going to stay and protect Kaede and Shippou. I suggest we leave now so that we can be there by morning.
“If my guess is correct, he is already waiting for us. Probably another scheme to get the Tetsusaiga. Still, he just went too far, there is no excuse for bringing someone else into our fight. I'll just have to kill him once and for all."
Inu Yasha, Kagome, and Sango headed off towards Sesshoumaru's castle without a single word amongst them.
The group had set up camp, and were preparing to sleep when Kagome asked Inu Yasha a question.
"What do you plan to do once we get there?" He looked a little surprised. Kagome was asking if he had a plan? He never had a plan, what would make this time any different? Still, he did not want to make her worry.
"Well, I figured that you and Sango would go get Kirara, and I would kill Sesshoumaru."
Kagome was concerned over the simplicity of this plan, but then again it was more of one than he usually had.
Kagome just nodded her head and snuggled into her sleeping bag. Sango stayed silent the entire time, and appeared to already have fallen asleep. Inu Yasha began walking to the nearest tree when he heard the voice.
"Stupid, pathetic, worthless Inu Yasha!" A purple smoke encircled the camp.
"How? What is going on. Why can't I smell you Naraku?" Kagome and Sango had been roused by the noise, and were preparing for battle as quickly as they could.
"Have you not figured it out yet? I have found a new way to travel. By the way, how is the little fox? Your cat friend seems to be doing quite well in my service." With that a bright light appeared from the bushes, and Kirara materialized in front of them.
The fire-cat was in her battle form, she emitted a low threatening growl, and pounced at Inu Yasha. He braced himself for her attack, the force of the blow pushed him deep into the ground, and about ten feet backwards.
Dirt and debris flew in all directions. Inu Yasha took the defensive and threw Kirara to the ground. She recovered immediately, but Inu Yasha had already pulled his sword. He raised it above his head, ready to strike,
"Please forgive me." He uttered, but stopped he saw the look in the eyes of the snarling feline. Kirara was not under control of her own actions, or those of a jewel shard. Then it clicked, white hair.
"Kanna." He growled. "Come out you nothing little bitch." The small figure emerged from the source of the original white light. "Give her back her soul." The mirror flashed, and Naraku's image appeared.
"Well, well, you are smarter than you seem. Still, why would you deny my offspring the chance to have a pet." The light appeared again, and Naraku was standing next to his so-called daughter.
"She has a kitty, and now, I would like for her to have a puppy!" Naraku produced six jewel shards, and launched them directly into Inu Yasha's chest. He doubled over in pain. Kagome screamed. She and Sango ran up to where he lie, but Kirara jumped into their path.
"You shall finally have your wish, Inu Yasha. Sadly, you won't get to enjoy it, since you will be under my control."
"Nooo!" Kagome cried.
Inu Yasha turned his gaze to her just as they tinted with red. He then closed them in one last convulsion of pain, but when he stood up and opened them once again, red was not the color she saw.