InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Naraku's Expiriment ❯ The Cheating Scale ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter 20 ~ The Cheating Scale

 

A beautiful woman stood there, with long black hair drawn into a loose ponytail. She was wearing priestess attire similar to Autumn, except her pants were red. Her sad eyes swept over the group and targeted Inuyasha. She slowly made her way over to them, with grace hidden in every step. This woman reminded Autumn of someone, but she couldn't place it…wait…Kagome? Was Kagome this woman's reincarnation? The walking corpse?

 

Autumn gently tugged on the pink sleeve of Sango's kimono and said, “Who's that?”

 

“Kikyo,” she said, frowning. “And wherever there's Kikyo, trouble soon follows.”

 

Sure enough, Kagome seemed to be fighting back an endless chorus of `SIT'. She was gazing at Inuyasha forlornly, as if hoping that he'd come to his senses and walk over to her.

 

This must be the Jerkette Inuyasha was cheating with, Autumn thought. Although I wonder if reincarnation changes the definition of cheating…

 

“Inuyasha…” Kikyo said quietly, but firmly. “I wish to speak with you.”

 

Autumn wondered if he'd give her the typical Inuyasha mough, but he only went along without comment. Like a little lapdog, she thought, not realizing the irony of that statement.

 

Kagome watched the two of them go for a few moments and then turned away quickly.

 

“Kagome! Where are you going?” Autumn cried.

 

“I…(sniff)…have to go home or mom and gramps will worry…”

 

“Are you going to be all right, lady Kagome?” Sango asked hesitantly.

 

“Uh (sniff) huh. I just need to get home…now!” Before she left, Autumn caught a glimpse of her face. Her eyes had been wide, brimming with unshed tears. By the line of Sango's mouth, Autumn guessed that Sango had seen too.

 

“He's no good for her,” Miroku said. “She should find someone who's willing to stand by her.”

 

“And I suppose you consider yourself the perfect candidate?” Sango said raising her eyebrows.

 

“If Inuyasha was a ten on a cheating scale, then you'd be off the chart,” Autumn told him.

 

Miroku and Sango exchanged glances. Neither of them knew what a cheating scale was. There was an awkward silence.

 

“Oh look!” Sango shouted suddenly. “There's Kirara with Shippo!”

 

Autumn glanced up and saw the tiger-thing that she had seen and feared the first time she met the group. “Kirara…is he friendly?”

 

“She,” Sango said, “And yes. She watches Shippo whenever we have a battle so he doesn't risk injury.”

 

Kirara swooped down with Shippo and then shrank down to the size of a kitten. Sango cradled her in her arms, scratching her ears. “Who's a good kitty? Hm?”

 

“I wish I was in Kirara's place,” Miroku whispered to Autumn.

 

Sango heard this and grabbed for her boomerang, but Miroku ducked. “I know your moves now, Sango. That's how close we are. I guess you'll just have to be fa--” He broke off as Sango landed a punch on the nose. “--Ster.”

 

She hid a smile while continuing to pet Kirara.

 

“Um…guys…I have a problem.”

 

They looked at her. “Which is?”

 

“Sesshoumaru still has my sword!” Autumn said. “I know I should've said something, but…” She looked away, “Things have been so hectic lately.”

 

“You should have said something before!” Sango said. “Well…I can't go with you. And I'd imagine that you probably wouldn't want Miroku going with you…so why don't you take Kirara and go yourself?”

 

Autumn stared at the little cat demon. “Are you sure…she wouldn't mind?” The cat demon sniffed Autumn's hand and mewed happily.

 

“You're a cat demon, she's a cat demon, what's not to like?” said Sango with a smile. “Now take her. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back.”

 

“Um, okay, if you're sure.”

 

“I'm sure.”

 

Autumn swung over Kirara's back and Kirara started to rise in the sky. Just before they disappeared, she heard Miroku say, “I wish you'd smile at me more like that.”

 

BAM!

 

She winced…that had to hurt…