InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kitsune Kisses ❯ Chance Meetings ( Chapter 4 )

 

Chapter 4

Chance Meetings

 

It wasn't easy going for Aiame. The rocky ground was slippery and there were bushes everywhere. It was awkward carrying the bulky backpack. It suddenly caught on a branch making her lose her balance and she fell into one of the hot springs. As the water closed over her head, she felt a pair of strong hands grab her and pull her to the surface. Sputtering and coughing she found herself face to face with Miroku. Over his shoulder she could see his robes drying over some branches. Obviously he had come for a bath as well.

"Aiame!" he exclaimed.

" Miroku! I'm sorry," she said lowering her eyes and doing her best to look repentant. "I came to spy on you. I'm very ashamed of myself."

Miroku arched one eyebrow. "I understand,” he said. "We all have our weaknesses."

Aiame looked up at him through her eyelashes and pouted slightly. "You won't tell anyone, will you?" she asked.

"No," he assured her. "It will be our secret. Aiame, I'd like to ask you something... "

Just then they heard faint voices calling, "Aiame! Where are you? Aiame!" It was Kagome and Sango.

"I'd better be getting back,” Aiame said quickly climbing back up the bank and shaking herself. "Please forgive me." She disappeared into the trees.

 

She hurried to where the backpack hung and retrieved it. Then she took a more direct route back into the forest. She was pretty sure the women wouldn't come after her by themselves. It might take them a while to find Miroku. Perhaps luck was still on her side. She kept looking behind her to see if there was any sign of pursuit. Then suddenly it was as if she walked into a tree.

Aiame looked up to see a pair of golden eyes looking down at her. She tried to take a step back but the backpack was in the iron grip of the demon standing in front of her. He was impeccable in his white clothes and shining armour and he had a large fluffy boa over his right shoulder. Obviously he was of noble birth and not to be trifled with, but then where was the fun in that.

"My! My! Aren't you a pretty one?" she said smiling up at him.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Curious, too. I'm sorry. I don't have time to chat,” Aiame answered trying to pull the yellow pack out of his grasp but he held it secure.

"Not until you've answered my questions," he insisted calmly.

"Fine!" she said. "My name is Aiame. Anything else?"

"Are you one of Naraku's lackey's?" he asked.

"I'm no one's lackey!” she snapped. "I've never heard of this Naraku!"

"This," he said indicating the backpack. "Belongs to that human girl Inu-Yasha has tagging along behind him and your clothes are drenched in his blood."

Ah, she thought to herself this has to do with Inu-Yasha. Though what role this fellow Naraku played who knew. This demon didn't seem fond of either one of them. Was he after the shards as well?

"That's right, I've battled them and now the spoils are mine. Let me pass." she said coldly.

"You have no weapon," he stated simply. “How is it you battled Inu Yasha?”

Aiame looked at him with slanted eyes. "Mine are weapons you do not see," she said with a trace of menace in her voice. "Now let me pass or things will go badly for you."

"I think I'll take my chances," he said with an amused tone.

Aiame gave him a smile. Then suddenly she started screaming and beating on him. He raised both his eyebrows and stood there looking at her surprised. She wasn't hurting him at all. But a moment later Inu Yasha came crashing through the trees, a little unsteady on his feet. His bandages were off exposing the ugly gash on his forehead. He looked a bit dazed.

"Sesshomaru!" he snarled. "I might've known it was you!

Out of the trees came Kagome, Miroku with Shippo on his shoulder and Sango with Kirara behind him.

"Aunt Aiame!" exclaimed Shippo.

Aiame turned to them breathlessly, "Thank the stars you've come. Inu Yasha! Miroku! This is the lecherous beast who was chasing me before. Now he's not only trying to kidnap me but make off with your jewel shards as well."

Miroku and Inu-Yasha both looked outraged while Kagome and Sango looked rather doubtful.

"This is a new low even for you, Sesshomaru!" Inu-Yasha yelled drawing the Tetsusaiga. Immediately the sword transformed.

"And you brother - do you believe the lies of a common thief so easily?" Sesshomaru asked distainfully.

Aiame turned to look at him and thought, "Brother?"

"Let's see... you've got the girl and you've got the shards. Yeah, I think I believe it,” said Inu Yasha.

"Humph!' scoffed Sesshomaru. He ripped the bag from Aiame without effort. She tried to grab it as it flew through the air but missed and it landed at Inu Yasha's feet. She cried out in rage and bit down on Sesshomaru's arm instead. He growled.

"It looks like she can defend herself after all," Sango said to Kagome.

"Aiame! Get out of the way and I'll finish him off," boasted Inu Yasha.

With lightening speed Sesshomaru grabbed Aiame around the waist. "I don't think so," he said. "You have your precious shards but I have a score to settle with this one."

Before anyone else could do or say anything, Sesshomaru leapt away carrying Aiame kicking and screaming, “Help! Save me!"

 

"Dammit!" Inu Yasha yelled in frustration, slamming his sword into the ground. "The coward! Why won't he fight me?!"

"We have to go after her," Miroku said anxiously.

"Just a minute," Sango said. "Doesn't this whole thing seem a bit suspicious? Aiame and the backpack both go missing at the same time..."

"...ah...that's not exactly true..," Miroku said.

The rest of them looked at him. Inu Yasha sheathed the Tetsusaiga which had transformed back into its dormant state.

"You said the backpack was gone when you got back to the hot springs. I was talking to Aiame when we heard the two of you calling," he said.

"Talking?" Sango asked doubtfully.

"Yes," Miroku hurriedly went on. "And she definitely didn't have the backpack."

"You're sure?" Inu Yasha asked him.

Kagome rolled her eyes and Sango gave him a black look.

"Yes," Miroku assured them. "Perhaps she was returning, ran into Sesshomaru stealing the backpack and he took advantage of the situation."

"It still seems a bit odd," Kagome said. "Sesshomaru has never shown an interest in the jewel shards before or women either for that matter."

"Ah yes, but we must remember that Sesshomaru despises humans. Aiame is a demon and there is no way of telling how he would react to a female of his own kind,” Miroku reasoned.

"Do you really think Aunt Aiame is in danger?" Shippo asked worried.

"Nothing is beneath Sesshomaru!" Inu Yasha answered.

"You're scaring Shippo!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Don't worry! Everything will be OK," Sango said. "Kirara!"

The faithful cat-demon came over and transformed into its large flying form.

"It'll be faster if I go by myself!" Inu Yasha said starting to run in the direction Sesshomaru had gone.

"No!" yelled Miroku. He leapt through the air and caught hold of Inu Yasha's robes as he ran by. He managed to climb onto his back as they bounded away and hoped the others would catch up soon.