InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Jealous Spy ❯ Duo Stalkers ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3: Duo Stalkers

No reviews… not one… please, I'm not asking much, just type a few lousy words! Anyway, 3rd chapter's up, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Don't sue me.

*~*~*~*~*

Two days later, Kagome brushed out her hair, picked up her books, and set off down the sidewalk towards Hojo's house. It was a brilliant day, and the sun beat down relentlessly. Soon she was so hot that she was half-surprised the leaves on the hedges next to her didn't catch fire and fall, crisping, onto the concrete.

Bowing her head to prevent the sun's glare from blinding her, Kagome's mind began to wander... And set itself on Inuyasha.

She thought of his abrupt interruption as she informed him of the reason for delay; then leaving without warning, without another word of scorn, as was usually his custom on such occasions; the distracted look that had appeared on his face...

Could it have been... Jealousy?

But Kagome laughed and shook her head. That was impossible. Inuyasha was already in love with Kikyo. Kikyo had been his choice in the end, not her...

Then why had he allowed her to stay? The answer, to her, was obvious; her skills as a Jewel Shard 'Detector'. And possibly... as a friend...

"Just a friend," Kagome murmured, head still down.

Suddenly she looked up with a gasp. She'd almost walked right by a white house with light blue trim.

'This must be Hojo's house.' Kagome walked up and knocked on the door. It was opened by a kind looking little woman who would've looked exactly like Hojo if he were two feet shorter, round, and had enough hair to pull into a bun.

"Oh, are you Kagome Higurashi? You're here to help Hojo study, is that right?" she asked Kagome.

"Uh, yes I am. But I was just going to drop off his books and-"

The little woman didn't seem to be listening. She was too busy chattering and bustling Kagome up a flight of stairs and down a hall. "Oh, good! He's been waiting quite eagerly for you. It's simply awful about that cold he's gotten; every breath seems to wrack his poor thin frame! But I've been feeding him my famous hot miso soup, so he should be back on his feet in no time! I'm his mother, by the way, pardon my rudeness in not introducing myself earlier and… oh, here we are!"

She stopped in front of a particular door and knocked. "Hojo, dear, your friend Kagome is here!"

There was a pause, during which Kagome could here a wild fit of hacking from inside, followed by the weak reply, "Okay… 'coughcough!' Come on in, Kagome!"

Hojo's mother disappeared back downstairs with the merry call of, "Don't work to hard, Hojo, you hear?"

Upon entering and setting sight on Hojo, Kagome reflected that he didn't look that sick at all. He was sitting up in bed and beaming his heart out at her. Even his 'wracking coughs' were pretty feeble.

"Hi, Kagome!" he greeted her, rasping but cheerfully. "Sorry you had to take the trouble to come up here, and I really appreciate it. Do you think you could stay for a little while and help me? With this awful cold I have 'coughcough' it's kind of hard to concentrate."

Inwardly, she sighed and prepared for a long afternoon. What more could she do?

*~*~*~*~*

(Sengoku Jedai)

It was late afternoon as Inuyasha leapt down from the old dead tree and glanced furtively around.

"No one can see me by the well," he muttered as he snuck off. "Or else I'm really in for it! Or rather," he added, flexing his claws, "they are."

Hurrying towards the clearing, Inuyasha was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the tiny black pigtail peeking out from behind a nearby bush. It snickered, rustling the foliage, and popped out of sight.

*~*~*~*

"Miroku, do you really think this is a good idea? Spying on Inuyasha like this, I mean."

Shippo presented this question to the grinning Buddhist monk in a slightly irritated tone, which was perfectly

reasonable since the monk had dragged him away from a delicious, steaming bowl of rice, his hair had leaves and twigs in it, and they had just barely escaped a swarm of hungry mosquitoes minutes before. The kitsune's tail was still sore from when Miroku had grabbed it in making their escape.

"Of course it is, Shippo," Miroku replied, oblivious to all worldly cares. His eyes were fixated on the bounding red dot rapidly moving away. "We need to keep a close eye on Inuyasha. By following him and noting his behavior, we can better plan how to trick him into professing his true feelings for Kagome."

"Which he'll never do, of course," Shippo added. "I want him to say it as much as you do, Miroku, but you know that Naraku will hand over the Jewel to us and cure your Wind Tunnel before that happens."

The monk's right hand twitched reflexively, and he sighed. "Yes, you may very well be right about that, Shippo," he said in a less elated tone. "But still, we must never give up hope of this happening."

"Besides, why just me? What good can I do?" the fox child asked, looking up from scratching a bug bite. "Why not Sango, or Kirara?"

He saw the monk stiffen suddenly, and smirked. "Ah, well, um," Miroku stumbled, composure suddenly gone. "That's because as men, and loyal companions of Inuyasha, it is our duty to ensure his happiness. And having women around would merely get in the way."

"That's funny, because I would think you would leap at the chance to be alone with Sango," Shippo said, exaggerating thoughtfulness. He started to stand up. "Tell you what. Why don't I go back to get her instead and-"

"NO!" Miroku desperately slammed him face- first into the ground. "If she finds out, she'll… I-I mean… Well, you know, Shippo. More people means a less better chance of disguising our presence," he explained sagely while releasing his death grip on the kitsune's head. "And you know what Inuyasha would do if he found us out, don't you?"

Shippo sprang up, spitting out dirt and leaves. "Yes… PHTOO! I know very well what would happen," he replied sullenly.

Miroku beamed. "Okay, then, we should continue following. He's already made great progress." He stood and marched briskly away, feeling the scathing gaze of the kitsune boring at his back.

*~*~*~*

Inuyasha finally reached the well. After rushing all around the area, sniffing and searching for intruders, he sprang to the edge of the well and looked down into the black depths.

'Kagome, there must be some reason why you consider helping Hobo more important than me- than the Jewel Shards!' He thought grimly. 'And I'm going to find out what.'

*~*~*~*~*

Hehehe… Acutally, Miroku and Shippo spying was an afterthought. I added them to a) make the story more interesting and b) I was kinda running out of ideas. So, anyway, do my meager offerings please you enough so you'll review?!… Hopefully yes…