InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kitsune Kisses ❯ True Intentions ( Chapter 3 )

 

Chapter 3

True Intentions

 

Sango and Kagome walked back to where Inu Yasha was sitting up. Aiame was looking at him doubtfully holding the medicine bottle.

"He drank all of it," she said handing the bottle back to Kagome.

"Why haven't you ever given me that stuff before?" he asked.

"Inu Yasha!" exclaimed Kagome shocked.

"Hey! My head really hurts!" he said defensively.

"Yes," agreed Miroku walking up to them, sounding almost proud. "Sango's attacks are formidable. Now if I might trouble you, Lady Kagome, to come and retrieve the jewel shard. I'll clean things up so we can make camp for the night."

"OK, I'll be right there," she said putting things back into her backpack. It was then that she happened to read the label on the empty bottle in her hand.

"Oh! No!' she exclaimed.

"What's the matter?" Sango asked.

"I gave Inu Yasha the wrong medicine! I meant to give him liquid pain killer but this is really powerful stuff for allergies. How do you feel?" Kagome asked him trying to look in his eyes.

"I don't know - my head still hurts," he complained. "Maybe you should give me the other stuff." He reached for her backpack.

"No way!" she said pulling it away from him. "You've had enough!"

She hoped the medicine wouldn't hurt him. He had a strong constitution being half-demon but even Inu Yasha's body had its limits.

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku called.

"Coming!" she answered taking her backpack with her as a precaution.

 

Aiame watched attentively as Kagome picked the shard out of the corpse's neck and put it in a jar with several others. She put the jar into her backpack. There were so many! Immediately Aiame's mind was flooded with ideas. It was true she herself had no use for them but there were a lot of powerful demons that did. They would be at her beck and call.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the clearing became a hub of activity. Everyone pitched in to set up camp. When Miroku used his wind tunnel to get rid of the monster's remains, Aiame made quit a fuss over him. Too much for Sango's liking but she squashed her anger by remembering how Aiame had helped Inu-Yasha. Miroku informed Aiame of his family's curse but stopped short of asking her to bear his child at a warning look from Kagome. After the firewood had been gathered and a hot meal made they were all able to relax.

Miroku leaned back with his tea in hand, satisfied. "Lady Aiame, we really must thank you. You probably saved Inu Yasha's life," he said.

"She saved my life?" Inu Yasha asked puzzled.

Kagome looked at him with concern. He had been uncharacteristically quiet. "Don't you remember getting hit with Sango's boomerang?" she asked gently.

"Oh yeah," he touched his bandaged head. "Thanks," he added.

"Well, its not that I'm helpless," Aiame said stressing the last word as she looked at Sango. "I just find battles boring. Besides, as today proves, you're never sure how things are going to go."

"Thank you for your quick thinking," said Sango swallowing her pride. "I'm sorry that I gave you such a hard time earlier."

"It's very lucky you were with us. Thank you!" said Kagome.

"Thanks Aunt Aiame! I guess Papa was wrong about you after all," said Shippo going over and giving her a hug. Aiame looked at him surprised for a moment and then hugged him back.

"I'm truly touched by all of this gratitude," she said.

"I only wish there was something we could give you to show our appreciation," said Miroku.

Aiame laughed, "I'm afraid the only think I would appreciate right now is a bath."

"Oh!" exclaimed Shippo. "I forgot! I found some hot springs while I was collecting firewood. Just west of here - a whole bunch of them!"

"You get your wish then," said Miroku.

"Mine, too," sighed Kagome.

"I'm glad," said Aiame. "Being covered in dirt and smelling of blood is so unattractive."

Miroku looked down at his own spattered robes. Being kitsune he thought she probably did have a heightened sense of smell.

"I like how you smell," said Inu Yasha unexpectedly leaning against Kagome. He closed his eyes and sighed, "Could you scratch my ears?"

Kagome looked at the others and shrugged. She reached through his silky white hair and rubbed one of his velvety ears. "Don't go to sleep though, OK?" she said gently. "We still want to be sure you don't have a concussion."

"Ummm...” he murmured in agreement.

Miroku stood up and laughed, "I must say that bump on the head has really improved his temperament." He looked down at his own dirty robes. "I think I'll go stretch my legs," he added. He picked up his staff and headed west into the woods.

 

After Shippo helped them clean up from supper, the women got ready to head out to the hot springs. Inu Yasha lounged watching the fire.

"I wonder where Miroku could be. He's been gone a while," said Kagome looking off into the forest.

"Perhaps he went to meditate," suggested Aiame.

"More likely he's hiding down at the hot springs waiting for us to come down," said Sango.

"Miroku really isn't the most devout monk," Kagome explained to Aiame when she gave Sango a funny look.

"He spies on us every chance he gets!" Sango said hotly.

"I'm sure he'll be back soon." Kagome assured her. "Shippo, will you be able to keep an eye on Inu Yasha until we get back?"

"Keep an eye on me? What do you mean?" asked Inu Yasha.

"You know, in case you need anything," answered Kagome, mentally cursing his canine ears. "We'll get going so we're back before dark."

 

"So what will we do once Inu Yasha is fully recovered?" asked Aiame as they walked into the forest.

"We'll keep looking for jewel shards," said Kagome.

Aiame walked silently along behind Sango and Kagome as they laughed and chatted. What a mundane existence they had! Blood and battles! Feh! How boring! But then none of them seemed too bright. She'd almost laughed when they were thanking her for helping Inu Yasha! It was because of her he'd been hurt. She'd turned herself into the rock that had tripped Sango and none of them had a clue! Didn't Sango wonder where the rock had come from? Didn't anyone wonder how she'd gotten to Inu Yasha so fast? Didn't Shippo know kitsune magic when he saw it?

The whole thing had worked out perfectly! Everyone blamed Sango for the accident; even Sango herself and Aiame had come out the heroine. It served Sango right for being so rude to her. But now Aiame could see things getting very dull very fast. The monk had been amusing to begin with but even he was beginning to bore her. She sighed.

When they got to the hot springs, Kagome and Sango set their packs down and started going through them for extra clothes. As she undressed, Aiame eyed Kagome as she took the small jar of shards out and then put them back after finding what she wanted.

Sango looked around nervously. "I'd feel better if I knew that monk was back at camp," she said.

Aiame was about to step into the water when she got an idea. But it was now or never if she wanted to pull it off.

They heard Shippo's voice calling in the distance, "Kagome! Sango! Come quick!"

Immediately Sango and Kagome stood up and looked in the direction of the sound. The two of them started back towards camp. Aiame rushed over to her clothes.

"Stay here and watch our things," Kagome called back to her. "We'll be right back!'

Aiame watched them hurry away. Then she quickly dressed smiling to herself. Another trick that worked so easily! She wouldn't have much time though before they saw it for what it was. She had to make as much distance as she could in the shortest possible time. She thought about making a decoy pack to confuse them further, but Kagome could sense the shards.

Aiame picked up the backpack and headed deeper into the hot springs.