InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love me to the End? ❯ Feathers ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 3! Here it is. Action has finally arrived.
CHAPTER 3 :) Feathers
"Kagome’s back!" Came a cry of joy from an exited Shippo. He was staring down into the Well moping around when Kagome appeared as if by magic, followed by InuYasha. Sango and Miroku waited patiently as their two companions climbed from the Well, one lugging a huge yellow book bag and two bulging sacks. Shippo gleefully hopped onto Kagome’s shoulder, giving her a welcoming hug. “We missed you Kagome!” He cried giving InuYasha a dirty look while he stayed in the protection of the Miko. InuYasha only growled and threw his load to the ground.
“Well you’re certainly back early... we thought you weren’t coming for another day or so.” Sango said slyly. She too glanced at InuYasha, eyeing him thoughtfully. “Yeah...uh...I finished up with everything and had nothing better to do. Plus InuYasha wouldn’t stop pestering me to ‘hurry it up’ so I gave in. Here Shippo, this belongs to you I believe...” Kagome handed the little Kitsune a sucker and laughed when he pounced on it. “Thanks!”
“I think I should lighten the load a bit before anything...” Kagome went to work digging through the mess she had brought. She passed out snacks to everyone, including InuYasha even though he had eaten a big breakfast before leaving. No one saw him slip silently way from the group. “This time I remembered to get Kirara something as well.” Kirara perked up and bounded over to Kagome’s side when she heard her name called. “Thank mom Kirara, she bought the wrong type of fish this morning so I asked her to cut it up for you instead of throwing it out.” A meow answered her as Kirara settled down to munch contently on her prize.
It wasn’t surprising that, after a few minutes, the bulging bags were reduced in size. Kagome collected the empty soda cans and chip and candy wrappers and tossed them into the Well. The Bone Eater’s Well would consume the litter as it did with Demon carcass, though how or why no one knew. It was then that Miroku noticed InuYasha’s absences. “Where’s InuYasha?” “What? Don’t tell me he took off again.” Kagome complained as she neatly packed everything up again. “Probably got sick of waiting.” Shippo said unconcerned with the Half-Demon.
“Hmm. The suns pretty high up already. I doubt we’ll be leaving till morning. I think the Monk and I will head back to the village, we’ll take your stuff if you want to search for InuYasha.” Sango offered. Miroku happened to be behind her when she said this... Oh he’s not...-Slap-...he did...when will you ever learn...poor Sango. “Shippo, I think Sango needs a protector...” Kagome said for Shippo’s ears alone. “What do you think I’ve been doing while you’ve been gone.” Shippo sighed shaking his head. “He’s been at it the whole time.”
Sango angrily threw the heaviest bag at Miroku and carried the other two herself as they headed back to the village. Shippo sat comfortably on Miroku’s shoulder to keep the letch from trying anything more even though it was unlikely anyway, as his hands were quite full at the moment. Kagome watched her friends go before searching out InuYasha. She had a pretty good idea as to where he was and walked over to the Sacred Tree. The red of his kimono confirmed her suspicions as the Tree came into view. “I thought I’d find you here.”
“It took you long enough. Can we go now?” InuYasha growled from his perch. “Sango thinks we should wait till morning.” “What else is new? What ever.” He slid from his branch, landing next to Kagome. He had been brainstorming over the gift issue while chomping on potato chips, not that he was really hungry, but for some reason his nerves were still wired. “Did you tell them about the family reunion thing yet?” “No, it slipped my mind. Come on, the others are probably at the village already. They may get...suspicious...if we’re gone for too long.”
Kagome wondered how InuYasha would treat her after kissing her like he did back home. She was already picking up signs of the old InuYasha, the one that hid from everyone, even her, the one she knew. Using the word ‘suspicious’ was a way of confirming her fears. InuYasha growled and put up a defense. “What ‘suspicions’?” “Never mind...” It hurt. It must have been my imagination...those things that happened at home. He never kissed me, or held me...he only tried to bribe me back to collect the Shards...and got his way by playing with my heart...and I thought... She wanted to cry and yell at him but forced those emotions down with a swallow.
Instead she balled up her fists and followed InuYasha having no other options. She felt sick inside and hated the constricting feeling around her heart. ‘Help.’ Kagome stopped dead in her tracks. “What?” She growled. InuYasha turned around to see her scowling at him. “What’s your problem?” “My problem? You were the one who cried ‘help’. Why should I help you?” She was ready to ‘Sit’ him. Playing more games with me are you? “Kagome what the hell are you talking about? I haven’t said a thing.”
Kagome was beginning to bristle when she suddenly gasped and grabbed at her side in pain, falling to her knees. What’s going on...my side...it burns! “Kagome! What’s wrong?” InuYasha dropped down beside her confused and concerned as she winced in obvious pain. So...now...you care? Oh...man this hurts, it’s... like I’ve been bitten by an enormous...Demon... Kagome lifted the side of her shirt expecting to find the score of pain. There’s nothing there! But it hurts! The pain vanished as sudden as it had come and she sighed with relief when it did.
‘Help.’ There it is again. That wasn’t InuYasha’s voice either... “Kagome what the hell is going on?” InuYasha demanded in complete confusion. Kagome looked up to see a slightly pale InuYasha. Maybe he does care...but not as much as he should...Kikyo...she still holds him captive...I have no place in his heart... “Kagome are you listening to me! What’s going on?” “I...I don’t know. My side. It felt like I had been bitten by something. It burned all of a sudden and then the pain just vanished. I thought I heard voices, like someone crying for help.”
“Voices?” “Yeah...only it sounded like the voice was inside my head.” Maybe that’s why he didn’t here it. “Hold on a second, I think I smell something, blood.” “Blood?” Kagome’s stomach churned. She always felt sick when InuYasha said that word because it usually meant a slaughter. “Stay here...” InuYasha slowly unsheathed Tetsusaiga, following the bit of blood that clung to the air. I smell feathers too, it must be a Winged-Demon of some sort. His eyes caught a small trail of blood on the ground that led into a small bush. So it’s hiding here is it? He raised his sword ready to strike as he pulled back branches only to find a normal feathered animal hiding in it.
The bird was wounded on the left side, its wing and feathers soaked in blood. “It’s alright Kagome, there’s nothing here. Just a dead bird.” He called, a slight disappointedly. A good fight would be an excellent way to get rid of this stress. Kagome joined him, peering down at the animal hiding in the bushes. “It’s not dead. See? It’s still breathing.” She pointed to it, seeing the large wound on its side. How odd. That wound is on the left side, just like the pain was on my left side. “I think it’s a hawk from the size and markings.”
“Leave it. It’ll die and feed some other pathetic animal. Let’s go.” “No. It’s coming with us.” Without waiting for a complaint, Kagome reached up and dug into InuYasha’s pocket searching for the handkerchief she knew would be in there. She found it, spying the blush on InuYasha’s face. Folding it in half, Kagome tied the cloth over the bird’s eyes as it struggled to free itself. She wrapped the bird up in her arms, not caring that her shirt was now stained with blood. “Ok, let’s hurry back...”
Shift...
“I think I’ll call her... Kimi.” Kagome murmured sadly. It had been three days and the wounded bird’s health was rapidly falling down hill. She knew the bird was going to die, but she had become very fond of it. “How do you know it’s a ‘She’?” InuYasha asked. He had been dozing in the corner of Kaede’s hut ready to die of boredom himself. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo had traveled ahead to a neighboring village the night before, leaving InuYasha and Kagome with Kaede at the moment. As usual, InuYasha was grumbling at the fact that Kagome was taking forever and he constantly threatened to leave her behind.
“I don’t. But the name just came to me so I’ll call it a ‘she’ if I want to. Kimi.” “Feh. You shouldn’t name ‘em. You get...attached...” Kagome gave him a puzzled look but all he did was roll his eyes. She ignored his comment and glued her eyes on Kimi who was resting in a box with some old blankets set up in one corner of the hut. The puncture wounds that raked the entire left side of Kimi had been treated and the broken wing was wrapped snuggly in place.
InuYasha silently watched Kagome, wishing that the stupid bird would heal and make her happy. He hated to see Kagome depressed like this. She had been acting funny since she brought the bird back and it concerned him. But instead of giving her comfort like he longed to do, he kept making the same mistake, making harsh comments and dragging her down. He thought of how he could pull her away from the bird. From the awful stench that only his nose could pick up, he could tell it wasn’t long before death overcame the small animal. It wouldn’t last another night.
With nothing else coming to mind, he decided a walk would be best. Kagome felt a strong hand wrap around one of her wrists and was pulled to her feet. “What are you doing InuYasha?” “We are going for a walk. You don’t need to be cooped up all day.” “But Kimi...” She tugged against his hold as he dragged her outside. “It’ll be fine. The worst would be it dieing, which it’ll do soon enough.” He winced as the words flowed freely from his mouth. Another verbal stab that had not meant to be said. “Whatever you jerk.” Kagome’s voice wavered. She pulled free from his grasp and sped past him in a fast walk, wanting to be anywhere but in his presences. InuYasha let her go. If he followed, he’d only get ‘Sat’. Better to let her calm down on her own.
Kagome I’m so sorry... I didn’t mean it... his mind screamed. “Might as well stay and keep an eye over that animal...” He sighed to himself. For Kagome, at least. A small squeak of some sort caught his attention as he went back to his favorite corner. He turned towards the bird that suddenly began to struggle in its box not knowing he was watching it die. It thrashed about weakly and then stopped, obviously out of breath. With a one final shudder, the body relaxed peacefully, it’s eyes glazed over, empty. The scent of death began to flood the room chasing InuYasha out into the cool air outside.
Great. Now she’s going to blame me for killing the thing. At least she didn’t see it die... At that moment Kagome came running back pale and gasping for air. She rushed inside without acknowledging InuYasha and paused over the dead bird. “Kagome?” InuYasha could see her trembling and a flood of concern filled him. “It happened again...I felt pain on my side and this time the pain spread to my arm and neck. Then I had a hard time breathing, it felt like someone was choking me...InuYasha what’s going on?” Kagome was visibly shaken.
She reached out hesitantly and touched the stiff body in front of her. “I think it had something to do with Kimi...” Her words were cut off when InuYasha swallowed his pride and embraced her. She instinctively tried to pull away, but InuYasha only held on tighter. Her resistance melted for the moment as she buried her face in his kimono wanting to be comforted and held like before. She was scared. It all reminded her of when the Dark Priestess had cursed her. An image of InuYasha almost being shot by her arrow flashed through her mind. The pain that had ripped through her body earlier brought back those awful memories she wished to be rid of.
As if he had been reading her mind, InuYasha soothed her with words meant for her ears only. “This all seems familiar doesn’t it? Reminds me of the Dark Priestess. If that’s what happening now, you’re safe with me...don’t worry.” Kagome wanted to believe him. Footsteps outside shattered any other thoughts or words that might have been spoken as Kaede walked inside finding the two of them together.
“Oh, should I leave ye two alone?” She asked in a surprised voice. “No, stay. Something odd is going on and we need some answers... We think it has to do with that bird.” InuYasha let Kagome slip free of his embrace, the both of them blushing and trying to hide it. “The bird? Hmm. It looks dead...” Kaede knelt down to inspect the corpse. “When I found it, there was a pain in my side, like I had been bitten by something, but nothing was there... and when the bird died, I think...I think I felt it’s pain when that happened too. It doesn’t make sense.”
Kaede thought about what Kagome said. “I wouldn’t worry Kagome,” She said coming to a conclusion. “You are a very sensitive Priestess, having the rare ability to sense the Shikon No Tama. It wouldn’t come to my surprise if you were sensitive enough to feel another’s pain, even in a small animal as the bird...” “But that’s never happened before.” “Aye child, you’re still fresh. You have much to learn yet I would suppose...Kikyo didn’t become the Priestess she was all in a single day. You have to exercise your skills and powers. Nothing to fuss over.” Kaede wrapped Kimi in the blanket she had died on and placed the body back in the box, covering it with the lid.
Kagome took comfort in Kaede’s wisdom. “Thank you Kaede...I was a little afraid that the incident with the Dark Priestess might be happening again.” “Feh. If that wench was still alive and hunting for revenge, I would have smelled her miles away.” InuYasha bragged with confidence. He had settled back into his corner of the hut.
Kagome took a breath feeling a lot better. She thought a nap would be the best thing to do for the time being and scooped up her blanket. Kaede nodded and left with the box in her arms. InuYasha was pretending to nap himself as Kagome joined him on the floor. She glanced at him, feeling odd inside. It was hard to understand him. One minute he was a jerk and the next, someone to lean on. She couldn’t take much more of his mood swings. Either he loves me or likes to play around... InuYasha’s ear twitched. Kagome bit back a giggle. You have to admit though, he’s cute...
Shift...
“There.” Kagome wiped the dirt from her hands. It was still dark outside with the morning sun still sleeping with everyone else. She stood and admired her hard work the best she could. Digging graves was just another thing in the Feudal Era that she still had to get used to. Everywhere they traveled, people were killed by Demons or Monsters of all kinds. Kimi was no different in Kagome’s eyes. She had snuck out early intent on giving the bird a proper resting place. The Sacred Tree seemed like the perfect place. “Better get back before InuYasha has a cow...”
Grabbing her bow and arrows from beside her, Kagome sighed and headed back to the village unaware of a pair of beady eyes watching her every move. Her stalker crept stealthily behind her as she crunched over branches and picked her way through the forest. It became over confident with itself as it leapt into the tree canopy above, causing leaves to rustle.
Kagome instantly froze. “Who’s there?” No one answered. She guessed it was nothing and continued on with caution only to hear more unnatural sounds above her. “Hello? Inu...Yasha? Is that you?” Kagome looked up into the dim canopy not able to see a thing. The stalker, on the other hand, wasn’t smart enough to know its prey hadn’t spotted him even though Kagome was staring in his direction.
With lightning speed, the preying Demon lunged from its hiding place, landing only inches from Kagome who screamed in surprise. Instincts took over as Kagome fled from her attacker, not knowing who or what it was. She could only guess that it was after the Jewel Shards. “Just my luck to run into a Demon. Of all the places.” She ran blindly, low branches snagging her hair and slapping her face, the Demon crashing behind her in hot pursuit.
“Oh no! A dead end!” Kagome slid to a halt and swung around, shooting an arrow to ward off the Demon. She edged back, eyeing both the Demon and the cliff that hung right behind her. I must have taken a wrong turn...I’ve never been in these parts of the forest before... The Demon rose to its hind legs and gave an agitated bellow, rewarded with an arrow that flew past just millimeters from its head.
This Demon is not after the shards... it’s after me, I’m supposed to be breakfast! Where’s InuYasha when you need him! She shot a third arrow as the Demon approached her cautiously, its anger boiling over. Kagome took a fourth arrow, aiming for its heart. This may be my only chance... She concentrated, her Priestess powers building up around her and filtering into the arrow she held until it glowed a brilliant blue. Hit the mark! She shot her last arrow, letting out a startled gasp as the Sacred Arrow’s power suddenly vanished into thin air. She could feel the energy being sucked away by some unknown source. The end result was a regular arrow lodged harmlessly in the Demon’s chest instead of it being shredded by purifying powers the arrow had possessed only seconds before.
“What happened? That should have worked!” The Demon looked at its wound for a moment more curious than anything. It gleefully sensed Kagome’s growing fear, knowing she had nothing to defend herself with. With a roar, it leapt into the air to strike Kagome down as she screamed and fell to the ground trying to shield herself from the blow. What she didn’t expect was to hear the Demon suddenly screech in pain and she looked up from her crouch to see it flying backwards, landing hard on the ground. A flash of purple light had surrounded her some how, repelling the Demon.
What on earth? The barrier that protected her all but vanished into a small form that lay right in front of her feet. The form glowed an eerie purple, and reminded her of how the Shikon Jewel glowed when purified. The large amount of energy that flowed from the mass of purple felt oddly familiar, like her own energy, but stronger in a way. She stepped back when the form began to move, molding into a shape, one that began to ring bells in her swimming mind. A bird? The mass before her began to glow brighter and suddenly, brown feathers with black stripes replaced the glowing mess to produce a bird, a hawk.
“No way! It couldn’t be.” Kagome stared in awe as the bird tested its wings. It noticed her and cocked its head curiously. “This is too weird...maybe I’m having a nightmare...” The bird fluffed out its shining feathers and took to the air to land high up in a nearby tree. The unconscious Demon that Kagome had temporarily ignored, stirred. “Not again...”
The Demon rose and shook its head as if to clear it. Spotting Kagome, it growled, a new simmering anger echoing in its voice. “You’ll pay for that!” “You...you can talk?” The Demon didn’t answer. It charged strait at Kagome intending to ram her off the cliff, its hunger forgotten. “Kagome, Get down!” InuYasha appeared out of nowhere with his sword drawn and aimed at her attacker. “Wind Scar!” The power of Tetsusaiga consumed the Demon as it lunged at Kagome, shrieking in pain. One minute, the Demon was there, the next minute, ashes replaced the beast.
Kagome crawled from the ground where she had ducked out of the way. “You Idiot! Kagome you could have been killed! I can’t believe you! You’re not supposed to be out in the woods alone! You should know THAT by now!” InuYasha yelled at her. Kagome was blown back from his furious temper. “Don’t scream at me, I have ears!” She yelled back in defense, but her voice seemed very weak. He’s never yelled at me like this... he must have really been worried.
“I only wanted to bury Kimi before we left. You wouldn’t let me do that if I had waited till morning anyway. I took my bow with me...” “Feh, some good that did you. Damn it all! You’re just lucky I found you in time...or else...” “Sit!” InuYasha fell with a thud into the ground. “Ka-gome!” “Sorry ok? Now drop it and leave me alone.” Kagome said crossly. She swatted the dirt and grass from her skirt and shirt, glancing around for the bow she had dropped while ducking out of the way.
“Oh no...this is the fifth time!” She found the bow, or what remained of it. “The Demon must have stepped on it.” Kagome bent to pick up the broken bow now snapped in three places. “Kaede’s not going to be happy with me.” With a sigh she turned back to InuYasha who sat on the ground with his hands thrown in his sleeves, a pout written on his face. “What?” He only growled at her.
Chittering in the trees broke up the tension. A medium sized bird burst from its perch to land on the ground between the two arguers. ‘You fight too much. Too noisy.’ Kagome blinked. Did I just here that right? Did that bird just speak to me? ‘Of course I did. Who else would it be?’ I...I didn’t say that aloud... so how... ‘Kimi! You called me Kimi. You helped me, heard my cry from the bushes.’ Kagome gasped as the voice rang through her cluttered mind. “InuYasha... Tell me you heard what that bird just said...” “Heard what? The only thing I hear is you complaining.”
So InuYasha can’t hear it? ‘He could if he tried. Why does he growl all the time? Why?’ The bird fluffed up, ruffling its tail. “He growls when he can’t get his way.” Wait a second! I’m talking to a bird! I must be crazy! InuYasha stared at Kagome and the bird with a puzzled look. “Who are you talking to Kagome?” “The, uh, bird I think...” ‘Call me Kimi. I like that name. Can I stay with Kagome? Can I?’ “Uh...the bir-I mean Kimi wants to come with us...”
InuYasha eyed Kagome confused and a little freaked out. “Mind telling me why I feel lost in this...odd conversation?” He glanced at the bird suspiciously waiting for a reply. “That bird is talking to me! I just said that! She said to call her Kimi and she wants to stay with me... don’t ask me because I’m lost too. It’s like a tickling voice inside my head. It’s hard to explain.” “Feh. If the bird can talk, why can’t I hear it?” “InuYasha you’re hopeless! I’m not repeating myself.”
“Humph. I don’t care if that thing comes or not. Just keep it out of my hair and let’s go.” He growled, standing up and glaring at the ball of feathers on the ground. “I take that as a yes...” Kagome whispered to Kimi. I still can’t believe that this bird is talking to me... ‘Now I can help Kagome?’ “Help me?” ‘Kagome is the High Priestess. Needs help. Kimi show. Kimi help.’ “I’m only a Miko. Nothing special. Sure my aim needs some work but I doubt you could help me in that department.”
Kimi only chirped happily and launched into the air after InuYasha who had already started back to the village. Kagome sighed trying to take it all in. This has been one heck of a morning. Mom will never believe this.
Shift...
‘Wake up!’ ...what? Five more minutes mom... Kimi gave an irritated hiss and picked at Kagome’s sleeve. ‘Wake up! I want to show you something.’ “Alright already, I’m up, I’m up.” Kagome yawned and stretched, slowly pulling the blanket off her with the help of a bird who tugged at a corner. ‘Hurry up.’ Kimi walked across the floor of the shack to the door, poking her head outside.
She puffed up her feathers, giving her a fat appearance. Kagome rubbed the sleep from her eyes trying to wake up. “What do you want Kimi?” Kimi turned and bobbed her head. ‘What to show you something.’ “Oh?” ‘Hurry and follow.’ Kagome sighed and obeyed, following Kimi who hopped a couple feet outside and launched into the air.
For the past two weeks Kagome had spent hours getting to know her new companion. To her astonishment, she found out that Kimi was only a spirit. The soul of the bird had refused to leave the body after death and used Kagome’s Priestess powers to create a replicate. That explained why the energy inside the arrow had vanished when she shot it at the Demon. Kimi’s souls had absorbed it; at least that’s what Kaede had told her.
Kimi shared a strange connection with Kagome. The bird could sense Kagome’s emotions and would perch comfortably on her shoulder for hours, trying to understand them. Oddly enough, Kimi’s body held the warmth of a living Being, unlike the deceased Priestess Kikyo. Her sharp looking talons never sliced Kagome’s skin no matter how hard she gripped it. Sango and the others thought it strange but welcomed the bird anyway.
“What was it you wanted to show me?” Kagome walked briskly after the flying bird who circled overhead. ‘You’ll see. Hard to explain. Must show instead.’ Kimi landed by a near-by stream and settled under a tree on the ground. ‘Come.’ Kagome joined her, resting her back against the tree’s trunk. She held out her hand when Kimi lifted a foot wanting to be picked up.
‘Watch my talons.’ Kagome gave a puzzled look as Kimi balanced on her arm. To her amazement, the bird’s left talons began to glow an eerie purple. “Wow, what’s that for?” A sudden gasp slipped from her mouth as everything around her vanished, darkness swallowing her up. “What’s happening!” Kagome screamed into the nothingness.
Dim evening light slowly began to chase away the darkness as a bunch of trees faded in out of nowhere. In front of her, Kagome saw two people, one sitting in a tree, the other trying to coax him down. Huh? That’s me...and InuYasha. Kagome watched InuYasha slide from his branch. It was obvious that she (her former-self that stood by InuYasha) was arguing with him. He turned and walked away with former-Kagome hesitating for a second before following him.
Why does that look familiar... Former-Kagome stopped in her tracks, saying something. Kagome could only see lips move, no voices could be heard. InuYasha turned and spoke back to her. Suddenly, Kagome saw herself crumble to the ground, grabbing at her side in pain. That’s it! That’s when I first felt Kimi’s presents, it was through her pain.
The scene before her flashed into another area. This time she was looking inside a hut. The former-Kagome rushed in shaken and pale with InuYasha right behind her. She saw herself pointing to a box on the floor and talking but no words came out. InuYasha suddenly reached out and embraced her tightly, the girl pulling away with weak resistance before giving in to the comfort.
Kagome’s throat tightened at the sight before her. Her heart began to throb, a numbness settling over her. She blinked and the image before her vanished. The trickling stream and the morning sun came out of hiding as she glanced around. She was back in reality. The weight on her arm shifted as Kimi cocked her head. ‘See?’ “I’m a little confused...” Her voice was uneven. ‘Why are you distressed? Did I do something wrong?’ Kimi asked in concern. “No...don’t mind me.” ‘...what I showed you was a glimpse of the past. I didn’t mean to bring back painful memories... please forgive Kimi?’
Kagome nodded and took a deep breath. “It wasn’t a bad memory.” Kimi thought it best to drop the subject and continued to explain what had happened. ‘When I landed on your shoulder for the first time, everything that had happened, like past events, I got a glimpse of them. But some things I could not open up because you have them locked up tightly. What you saw was one thing I picked up from you. You were scared when I died. Why? You have the reason locked away. You were afraid of something. What?’
Kagome still couldn’t understand what Kimi was trying to say. The bird sighed, trying to think of an easier way around the point. ‘Trust. You need to trust. When I died, you didn’t trust InuYasha when he tried to help you did you? You may say you trust him with your life...but when you hurt, you just don’t trust. But you must learn how to trust if you are to become the High Priestess.’ “High Priestess?”
‘When Wind and Earth and Fire cry,
Ice and Thunder fill the sky,
Vine and Water join as one,
To end the cycle that has begun...’
Kagome felt a shudder spread through her body as Kimi chanted the odd verse. “Where did you get that from? It sounded sweet, yet weird...” ‘You’ll learn when you’re ready on your own. It’s something that only you can solve...like making a puzzle and fitting the pieces together. The one thing I can say to help you is to trust. Trust your allies. Listen to what your heart says, not what your mind thinks. If you accomplish that, mighty doors will open before you as you travel the path of destiny. Always remember that.’
Kagome nodded, her head a little fuzzy. “I guess I won’t understand until it’s in front of me.” “Understand what?” Sango’s voice rang cheerfully in the morning air. “Oh, Sango. Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you up when we slipped off.” “No, I was awake already, but didn’t feel like getting up.” “Hmm, I would love to have slept in but somebody had to wake me up. I wonder when the boys will be back. They left while it was still dark to hunt from what Kimi says.” Kagome glanced down at the bird on her arm as Sango bent down to pet Kimi in greeting.
“They should be here soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ran into a Demon or two. There seems to be many roaming around these parts.” Sango sighed and joined her friend on the ground. “Yeah. I noticed that too. I need to find a good bow. Kaede couldn’t find a spare for me to borrow. The villagers need weapons you know...” Kagome yawned. I must still not be awake yet. “Oh, now that I’m thinking about it, I’m going home soon for a family reunion. Mom wants me to go cause my birthday’s on the same date. I think it’ll last for four days from what my cousin said...everyone will be there.”
Sango smiled. “I remember my last family reunion...I was fourteen I think. We were celebrating the arrival of our newest Demon Slayer. There was a big feast and music and dancing...huge bonfires at every corner...I stayed up late that night trying to win a bet I had made with a friend. I forgot what her name was. Those were the best of times...” Her expression was a sad one. “Go and have the time of your life Kagome. For me.” She must be thinking of her brother...
Kimi, feeling left out, hopped to the ground and began picking at the grass from boredom. She slowly made her way to the stream and sprang into the air to disappear in the tree canopy. “Sango...do you think...I should ask InuYasha to come?” Sango’s depression vanished, another smile on her face. “I wouldn’t ask him...” “No?” “...just drag him over. Or ‘Sit’ him a couple times and then ask him.” She laughed as she imagined the Half-Demon in a 20-foot hole. It would take a million ‘Sits’ to get him to go whether he wanted to or not.
Kagome rolled her eyes and laughed as well. “I asked him once but he never really gave me an answer. He was mad and stormed off when I told him about it.” Sango gave Kagome a hug to cheer her up. “Just ask him again. If you want, I’ll knock that boy on the head with my Hiraikotsu before you go. Maybe knock some sense into him.” She managed to pull a smile off Kagome’s face. “Thanks Sango.” The two girls got up and headed back to the shack to wait on InuYasha and Miroku. Kirara and Shippo were still sound asleep so Kagome pulled out a pack of cards. “Wanna play a game?”
Shift...
InuYasha and Miroku slipped out into the cool, dark morning air. Unable to sleep, InuYasha had woke Miroku with the excuse that he could smell wild boar close by. Fresh meat, other than fish, was hard to come by as they traveled so roasted boar would be a welcoming change. “Hurry up Monk. They’ll be gone by the time we get there at this rate!”
“Why does my brain tell me you’re hiding something?” Miroku asked as they walked in the direction of breakfast, if there was anything there at all. “What are you saying Miroku?” InuYasha had his defensive wall up as usual. “This has something to do with Kagome doesn’t it?” InuYasha kept quite. That’s what I thought... “InuYasha just spit it out. You wake me to talk about something so out with it.” InuYasha stopped in his tracks, staring at the ground. The dark cover of early morning cloaked his red face as he tried to summon up the courage to talk.
“W-what do you...get...f-f-for a girl on her birthday?” He slowly dragged the words out in embarrassment. “Ah, now we’re getting some where. Kagome’s birthday you say. Hmm, that’s a big thing in her world isn’t it?” InuYasha grunted in response. Miroku took a breath, deep in thought.
“From my understanding, the ladies always like jewelry and flowers. But Kagome isn’t from this world, it could be different with her. She doesn’t seem to care much for costly items...” “You’re not helping Miroku!” “Don’t bite InuYasha, it’s messing up my concentration. Let’s see here... Is there anything that Kagome might want that you know about?” “No. She only complains about getting a new bow because that damn Demon broke the last one.” Wait a minute! A bow, I can get her a new bow…
The noisy sound of grunting grabbed the attention of InuYasha and Miroku. “Told you there was boar out here. Better kill one before they get away.” InuYasha cracked his knuckles and dashed into the bushes. Seconds later, the squealing of a terrified boar rang through the air as branches thrashed about from an obvious struggle. “There.” InuYasha appeared with his prize slung over his shoulder. “Lets get back. And Miroku...if one word about this gets out to anyone, I’ll kill you myself!” Miroku pretended to look shocked. “What makes you think I would say anything?” He must have thought of something to get Kagome... I wonder what? He should just tell her how he feels. That would make things much easier for the both of them.
“Are you just going to stand there? Come on Monk.” Miroku sighed and shook his head as he followed after InuYasha. “InuYasha hold on a minute, I think I feel the presence of a Demon...” Miroku stopped and turned around. Yes. That’s defiantly a Demon. “You feel it too?” InuYasha joined Miroku as the Demon’s scent filtered through the air. He dropped his burden, his hand ready to draw Tetsusaiga. “About time for some action.” He growled. Miroku groaned in complaint. All I wanted was a little sleep!
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E nd of ch 3. Keep reading and send reviews! I feel a little iffy about this chapter and I want to know how well it went! let me know!