InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snowy Love ❯ Icy Stares and Icy Lairs ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 6
Inuyasha felt very drowsy, he could barely open his eyes that morning. He looked outside, to discover it was hailing and it was sunrise now. Everyone else was still sleeping. He looked at his left at Kagome, sleeping peacefully, with Shippo in her arms. Inuyasha couldn't help smiling lovingly at her and didn't care. Every time nowadays that he looked at her, he felt all warm and fuzzy inside. He scooted up closer, almost squishing Shippo between himself and Kagome.
He gently caressed her face with gentle fingers. His nose was lightly pressed against Kagome's. "Good morning, Kagome," he whispered. The eyelids covering Kagome's eyes in a deep sleep, slowly opened and she giggled happily upon finding Inuyasha nose to nose with her.
"What are you doing this time, my little half demon?" She inquired laughing.
"I wanted to greet you first, before anyone," he murmured, hoarsely.
"I bet you did," she laughed. Inuyasha then started kissing Kagome gently. Kagome laughed a bit between kisses and finally wrapped her arms around his neck. She ended the kiss suddenly. "It's a bit early dontcha think?" She said, smiling, letting Inuyasha go and moving her arms back to her sides.
"Yeah...sorry..." Inuyasha replied, bashfully, pulling away a bit,
"Oh come here you big lug!'' Kagome laughed, pulling Inuyasha toward her and again wrapping her arms around him. But she only lye her head on his chest, smiling warmly and shutting her eyes. "I love you, Inuyasha." Inuyasha chuckled.
"You always say that, I know Kagome and I love you too," Inuyasha returned.
"I only like to say it because it sounds so much better aloud...besides, if i say it, then you do, too," she said. She yawned.
"Maybe you should go to sleep--" But Inuyasha looked down and saw she already was. He carefully took her arm's off of him and rolled her onto her back. He moved back to where he was before, and snuggled into his blankets, thinking about Kagome. It was then as he lie awake, dreamily, he heard a strange voice, echoing outside in the hail. It was far, but he could hear it, singing,
"In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame,
If it's the night sky,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to,
I shall find you,
Somewhere where the eagles fly as they say,
somewhere somehow fly on,
Somewhere where thee angles pass away,
Somewhere somehow go on,
Even it it's not right,
Even if it takes a fight,
Together we shall be.
In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame,
If it's the river,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to,
I shall search for you,
Somewhere where the profit has no name,
Somewhere somehow forever on,
Somewhere where the dark ones go whence e they came,
Somewhere somehow go home,
Even if you art not in sight,
Even if it takes all night,
Together we shall be."
Inuyasha couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something very familiar about that song. Something ancient trying to be remembered. He hoped he could hear it again, but it was sung no more. Where had he heard it? It was trying to remind him of something he had forgotten. What was it? Kagome mumbled something in her sleep, which almost scared Inuyasha out of his wits since he had been so deep in thought and he looked over at her. He nearly forgot the song entirely when he did and smiled peacefully at her. Then a mysterious wind blew outside and looked out the window and he began wondering about it again.
Why was it so familiar, yet he couldn't remember? And why did it seem so important? Though Inuyasha was deep in thought about this he soon drifted off to sleep.
Soon it was somewhat into the morning and everyone was awake. "Aw!" Sango cried in disgust. "I need a bath!" Kagome approached her and sniffed, she quickly plugged her nose.
"Ooh...you're right...me and Inuyasha discovered a hot spring not too far from here..." Kagome informed her.
"Oh, really?" Miroku said.
"No we didn't go in naked together Miroku!" Inuyasha exclaimed angrily.
"I wasn't going to say that," he said, blankly.
"Wha--" Inuyasha swaid, looking very puzzled. "Why didn't he tease me...there's something off about him..." he said to Kagome.
"Don't worry about it, Inuyasha..." Kagome told him walking up to him.
"I'm going to go then..." Sango informed them, eyeing Miroku sensually before she left. "Can you show me where it is, Kagome?"
"Sure!" she replied, cheerfully, approaching her. The two left.
"Did I just see Sango--"
"No you did not," Miroku cut Inuyasha off, sipping some tea.
"Yeah I did! Sango gave you...the look..." Inuyasha argued.
"What look?" Miroku said, pretending not to know.
"The, 'I want you, come here bad boy', look."
"I'm sure if she even did make such a look, she was simply teasing me," Miroku replied, eyes closed as he drank more tea.
"You're acting completely weird Miroku!" Inuyasha shouted. "I don't know why, but Sango was flirting with you and you're just ignoring her! You're insane!"
"I am not, I'm perfectly sane thank you very much," Miroku said, approaching a window to look outside. Sango then walked in.
"I need a towel first..." she said.
Miroku was staring out the window when the snowman Shippo had made popped up from no where. "Huh?" he said. It then waved at him. "Maybe I am insane..." he muttered to himself. It was then Kagome walked in.
"No..." Sango said in wonder. "I see it too..." She walked up to the window. "What brings you here, Mr. Snowman?" Sango inquired flirtatiously. She then looked at Miroku, in hopes he would become jealous.
"Hmph," he said, looking away.
"Did I miss something?" Kagome asked Inuyasha.
"You and me both," he replied.
"There seems to be a peculiar vibe between the two, doesn't there?" Kaede said, smirking at Inuyasha and Kagome.
"You know somethin' don't ya?" Inuyasha replied, suspiciously. Both he and Kagome not even bothering to look at Kaede. "Don't you?" he repeated, turning around to see her, but she was gone. "Where are you?!" he shouted.
"Making breakfast!" was her happy far off reply. Inuyasha grunted and started walking toward the source of her voice when Kagome took hold of the back of his clothes.
"Let's go somewhere," she whispered, smiling. Inuyasha smiled back.
"Alright..." he replied. The two then quietly left.
"Where are they going?" Sango asked, no one in particular.
"Who knows," Miroku replied, as he left. Sango watched after him hopelessly, but an expression of determination came to her face. "I won't give up," she said to herself.
Inuyasha and Kagome had been walking together through the snow from the cabin. It was no longer hailing. Kagome suddenly stopped. "Wait, I have to go get something," she said, and she walked back into the cabin. Inuyasha was deep in thought about the wonderful things he and Kagome would do together, the wonderful kisses they'd share. He was so deep within his thoughts he didn't realize he was walking.
He walked quite far away, trudging through the snow. It was then he reached the sealed well where Kagome gathered water from. It was so well sealed, cold didn't get into it and the water didn't freeze.
But Inuyasha wasn't thinking of this, he hadn't even realized he was at the wall until he looked up. "Oh great...where have i walked to this time?" Inuyasha grumbled sarcastically. He then turned. "I better go back, I don't want Kagome to worry..." But he heard footsteps far behind him and quickly spun around. Who was it? He sighed in a relieved manner when he saw it was Kagome in the distance. But what was she wearing? It was rather strange. And what was she doing?
Her hair was done differently and she had a somewhat different look to her...but it had to be her...soon Kagome walked away and Inuyasha started to follow her, when she was out of sight. But it was then he heard Kagome's voice from behind him "Oh there you are, Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, scoldingly, Inuyasha turned. But he then laughed, she hadn't been serious in her scolding, she loved to toy with him, he laughed, but his face became suddenly solemn as a realization. It was impossible. How could she get over there so fast and get her hair back as it normally was and change into one of Kaede's coats... so quickly?
"I thought I saw you over there," Inuyasha told her pointing to where he had thought he had seen Kagome. Kagome slowly approached him, shaking her head,
"No...I wasn't over there, I was looking for you, sure, but I came from the cabin," she looked slightly worried. But then she smiled. "I guess what they say is true about thinking you see the person you really want to see...." she laughed. Inuyasha smiled in a relieved way. But then something bothered him a bit. Why would he see Kagome like that? Why would he see her dressed so differently and her hair done up differently in a way he had never seen her in reality, or even his mind's eye?
Kagome gave Inuyasha a small kiss to ease his worrying, noticing the expression on his face. She sighed happily. "No one has ever made me as happy as you,' she told him smiling.
"I know...I've never been happier..." Inuyasha replied, softly. He then returned with a long full kiss.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, after the kiss had ended and she had opened her eyes.
"Yeah, Kagome?"
"I hope nothing ever sets us apart...I know I never will." She then hugged him tightly.
"Nothing ever will...I don't know what I'd do without you..." Kagome smiled more broadly and laughed joyously as she looked up at him. "For the longest time I didn't know I felt anything for you, but then the entire time I sort of knew I was supposed to be with you, I did know, I just didn't want to admit it to myself."
"Really?" Kagome asked, her eyes sparkling as Inuyasha liked them to. He nodded.
"I just...my heart always felt so uncertain...I felt lost, but then...when you said those words to me about love I realized that the entire time I loved you...I just wouldn't admit it...I didn't realize...now I know that I've never cared for anyone as much as you..." Kagome turned her head to it's side and lye on Inuyasha's chest and smelled him. He smelt like something she couldn't quite put her finger on, but was very familiar. It was exactly very pleasant or unpleasant to most people, but to Kagome it was the most wonderful smell in the world.
"No one ever realizes until far later, but I always knew...you're not bad at all...Inuyasha. Even if you don't like to hear it..."
"I know," he replied, hold Kagome tighter, and smiling slightly.
"You're a rather good person, Inuyasha," Kagome told him.
"I don't know if I'd go that far," Inuyasha laughed. Kagome laughed too. Her hair was covered in the light snow that was falling. She wrapped her arms around Inuyasha neck and twirled some of his hair in her fingers. "I'm actually rather much a bad boy, you'll see." Kagome finally managed to stop laughing.
"And when will I see that?" She giggled, not quite catching the subtle sensual ring that now lined his voice.
"At some point, I suppose...maybe one candle light night when we're sitting around with nothing to do..." Kagome laughed in surprise.
"Inuyasha!" she cried, with a solding swat to his shoulder, "And I suppose that would be your dream night?" She asked, smirking. Inuyasha was thoughtful for a second.
"Yeah, I guess," he replied smiling dreamily as if he could only imagine. Kagome shook her head, laughing still.
"You should know by now, that I'm not that kind of girl," she said, her smile seemingly carved on her face and unable to leave. She shook her finger at him as if to insure herself he was as innocent as a child.
"Yeah...but how about a kiss for effort?" Inuyasha suggested, smirking.
"I suppose...' Kagome replied, in an annoyed manner, but didn't mind at all, of course.

"Why were you home so early last night?" Byanou's mother asked her as she caused a couple of her own penguin ice sculptures to come to life.
"Well...Shippo had to go to dinner..." she replied, quietly.
"Shippo...is that his name, now?" her mother murmured.
"Yes...he's a very good friend...I really like him..."
"That is fortunate...but were you unhappy he had to leave so soon?" her mother inquired, with an obviously fake nonchalance to her tone.
"I didn't mind all that much," she lied quickly, knowing better than to disregard the question as casual prying.
"Now don't lie to me, Byanou. I'm sure you were crushed...what a shameless boy. All men are like that. Keeping woman guessing and waiting and thinking they will stay around...that is except your father."
"No, do not harm his friends, he did nothing wrong, I'm going to visit him and I don't want him to fear you, Mother...please don't!" Byanou begged. her mother looked at her angrily.
"I shant not, I suppose. But it makes me vexed that you must come home distressed, dear daughter! If that Chippy..."
"Shippo," Byanou corrected, interrupting her mother.
"Yes," she replied, eying her crossly. "if he does something of the sort again I shall--"
"Yes, Mother!" she cut in, skipping out of the ice cavern to see Shippo.
"At least she is happy..." her mother sighed with the hint of a growl in her voice as she watched Byanou skip off.

"Shippo! Hi!" Byanou said, as she skipped up to him.
"Hi, I was hoping I'd see you!" he responded cheerfully. "My snowman seems to have walked off."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Byanou replied sadly.
"Oh no, I'm not sad. It was really funny when the others saw it! Miroku thought he had gone crazy!" The two laughed together for some time.
"Well I'm glad I didn't cause you sadness," the ice demon said.
"It would have been alright, I mean..." Shippo then blushed. "...I would have definitely fogaven...I mean forgiven you..." Byanou laughed at him.
"You're silly..." she smiled at him. "But I really like you." Shippo gulped, face turning very crimson.
"Y-you do?"
"Sure." Byanou giggled again. "Why do you think I kissed you, silly?"
"I-I thought it was a friendly kiss..." he replied nervously.
"No..." Byanou laughed walking closer to Shippo, then stopping. "I like you more than that." she took a few more steps closer than stopped, her hands folded behind her back, looking at him with a very kind smile. She looked slightly bashful. Shippo felt himself heating up, feeling extremely nervous. "Don't you?"
"Well..." he blushed horribly. "Yes..."
"Then why are you acting so strangely?" the ice demon asked, going closer to Shippo.
"Because..." Shippo finally managed to look at her. "...because I've never really...really..." Byanou was very close to Shippo now. "What was I saying again?" He asked as if he hardly cared and he looked deep within those endless icy chasm eyes.
"What you had never really done."
"Well...I've never really been liked by a girl before..." he said, again looking at the ground again.
"There's a first time for everything..." Byanou responded, leaning in and touching Shippo lips with her own. Shippo felt faint like he wasn't really around, he felt very, very pleasant.
'Now I know why grownup people always kiss...it feels so nice...' Shippo thought.

"Why don't you go find something for us to eat, Inuyasha?" Kaede suggested.
"Fine, whatever,' he replied, grumpily. And he began walking toward the cabin door leading to the outside.
"I'll go too!'" Kagome cried excitedly, following.
"No you don't," Kaede said, calmly, grabbing her shirt from behind. Kagoem stopped in surprise. "You need to help clean. Besides, you would slow Inuyasha down." She then winked.
'How could she know?' Kagome thought, loooking very bewildered and slightly alarmed.
"Whatever Kaede," Inuyasha growled as he walked out under the twilight sky. He walked for sometime, not one living being in sight until he caught sight of Shippo who was sitting on the very well Kagome and he had been standing nearby earlier, a girl next to him, ice demon by the looks of her. "He-hey! Shippo gotta girlfriend, already!" He said, smirking, enjoying the kitsune's instant horrifed reaction.
"Huh?" Shippo said, turning around. "What do you mean, girlfriend?! We're just friends, right, Byanou?"
"Of course I'm you're girlfriend,silly!" she laughed. Shippo elbowed her and whispered something Inuyasha couldn't quite hear to Byanou. "Why don't you want him to know?"
"Because he'll be teasing me constantly!" he hissed in her ear.
"C'mon lover boy, I need your help," Inuyasha told him, smirking.
"See! it's beginning already!" Shippo groaned, looking up to the sky as if to demand the gods why he had to endure such horrible treatment.
"Come on, I need you to help me hunt something...you know, for food, not a girl..." Inuyasha then broke into a fit of laughter.
"Cut it out!" Shippo shouted as he hopped off of the well and walked toward Inuyasha.
"I guess you're going to have to go home...Byanou, was it? Interesting name," Inuyasha said to Byanou.
"No, I see no reason I can't come with you. I can be rather vicious, if need be!" she argued cheerfully.
"Uh..." Shippo murmured. 'That's kinda scary.' He thought.
Byanou walked ahead of them. "Follow me boys, I know the land." Inuyasha kicked Shippo playfully.
"Congratulations Shippo, you got a vicious girl, you two are going to have some fun," he mumbled, to him, grinning.
"What?" Shippo asked, his eyes widening.
"You''ll understand when you're older," Inuyasha assured him, eyes wandering back onto the young ice demon, as they walked behind her.
"No, I understand, I just don't want to..." Shippo replied, quietly.
They walked for sometime, as Byanou assured them the place where they would find a plentiful hunt was far off deeper into the hills. Everything was silent, until Inuyasha heard a familiar voice far off into the distance. It was the song he had heard early in the morning that day,
"In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame,
If it's the night sky,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to...."
"What is it Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, he and Byanou turning around to see him. He had stopped and was looking out to the east with a mezmerized look on his face.
"Uh...nothing..." Inuyasha assured him, distractedly. And he forced himself to turn and continue on the path. 'They must not hear it...I have better hearing than they do...that must be why..." he thought as he walked away from the voice singing. But it only continued,
"... shall find you,
Somewhere where the eagles fly as they say,
somewhere somehow fly on,
Somewhere where thee angles pass away..."
Inuyasha had stopped again and was looking in the same direction. "What is it, friend?" Byanou inquired, in a slightly aggravatedly tone. "You're slowing us down..."
"Go ahead without me...I've gotta check somethin' out..." he told them again distracted. Byanou looked at Shippo, who only shrugged and the two soon continued onward. Inuyasha watched them for a moment, the song continued.
"...Even if it's not right
Even if it takes a fight,
Together we shall be..."
Where was it coming from? And why was it so familiar... As if Inuyasha were being hypnotized by song he trudged long after the source.
"...In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame..."
He was getting closer, the song was becoming easier to hear, he wondered if this stranger could give him answers about...something...he didn't quite know...he just needed to find...who it was...
"...If it's the river,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to, I shall search for you,
Somewhere where the profit has no name,
Somewhere somehow forever on,
Somewhere where the dark ones go whence they came."
But the song suddenly came to a stop. Inuyasha strained, but he could no longer hear it. he had begun to pick up the scent of someone, but now it had vanished. Inuyasha stood still. Why had the song stopped short? What had happened? Inuyasha was deep in thought for a long time. Suddenly he heard the voices of Shippo and Byanou from behind him.
"See how fast we got something Inuyasha?" Shippo cheered, approaching,
"We were worried, friend. What is troubling you?" Byanou inquired.
"Nothing, Byanou...I just...we'd better get back..." he said, staring out into space. "Do you want to eat with us, you're welcome to."
"No, I can't survive in room temperature, but I'll gladly meet your friends outside," Byanou replied, smiling.
"Alright..." Inuyasha then looked at her suspiciously. "Wait, how did you knew there were other--"
"I told her we were with some friends," Shippo cut in.
"Oh..." Inuyasha returned, but he didn't seem to be paying much attention ,he gazed out in the direction of the mysterious song...
"So...shall we go?" She asked, first looking at Inuyasha then smiling at Shippo. To Shippo's embarrassemnt she held out her arm for him to take.
"Uh..." he blushed slightly. "...certainly..." he said as he took Byanou's arm. Byanou giggled. A grimace formed on Inuyasha's face.
"Very suave, Shippo," he whispered, to him.
"Shut up!" he hissed.
"What?" Byanou asked, blankely, entirely missing the short conversation of whispers that had occured between both Inuyasha and Shippo.
"Oh nothing, Byanou..." Shippo assured her, smiling broadly.
"You guys are very cute together," Inuyasha told them, grimace growing wider. Shippo wanted to disappear, his face turning all the more red.
"Why, thank you, friend," Byanou chimed as they approached the cabin. She seemed to have absolutely no clue of the torture Inuyasha was putting Shippo under. Kagome and the others soon rushed out of the cabin, some looking angry, Kagome simple seemed consumed with worry.
"You guys sure took a long time--oh--who is this?!" Kagome inquired, looking at Byanou with a bright smile on her face.
"Shippo girlfriend," Inuyasha answered before either Byanou or Shippo could speak.
"Shippo has a girlfriend?" Sango said, somewhat surprised.
"Wow, Shippo!" Miroku chimed loudly, smirking with an apparent intent to begin on his usual run of sexual jokes.
"I'm Byanou," she returned, performing a curtsey.
"Yeah, and this is Kagome..." Shippo said, pointing to Kagome.
"Hey," Kagome greeted her.
"...and this is Kaede..."
"Hello, ye."
"...this is Miroku...:"
"Hi."
"...and this is Sango."
"Nice to meet you."
"Why it's very nice to meet you all. Friend," she said turning to Inuyasha. "how long have you been here?"
"Hmm...well..."
"A few days," Kaede answered, interrupting Inuyasha, earning her a hanyou style glare.
"That is some time..." she smiled. "You seem very wise Kaede!" Kaede smiled, but Inuyasha's already frowning face on contorted further in anger.
"Wait, why are you calling her Kaede when you keep calling me friend!?"
"Well, whatever do you mean, Friend?" Byanou inquired, puzzledly, as if he has just asked her something in jibberish.
"That! That's exactly what I'm talking about!" Inuyasha roared. Kagome put her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Eep!" he said, blushing, "Not here!" he hissed.
"He doesn't mean any harm," she assured her cheerfully. She frowned at Inuyasha. "Right Inuyasha?" She growled at him.
"No...I'm sorry, Byanou," he said begrudgingly.
"Thank you," Kagome whispered happily in Inuyasha's ear.
"Well...I must be going, I can't be indoors...so long!" Byanou chimed.
"So, you can't stay then?" Miroku asked. "What a pity, Shippo would most definitely have enjoyed your company. Especially if you stayed over night." Shippo was blushing very deeply now, he had been dreading the first sexual comment ever since he saw the monk's smug, lecherously plagued face.
"Well, good night, Byanou, and thank you for helping with dinner," Kaede said, with slight cheer. "Come on, let's get inside, everyone," Kaede said heading for the door way. Miroku, Shippo, and Sango followed. Before Shippo entered he turned and waved Byanou good-bye. She waved back. Inuyasha and Kagome had yet to go inside the cabin and simply were standing, looking at one and other. Kagome squeezed Inuyasha's hand lovingly and looked into his eyes. They're hands parted as they began to head inside.
"So, Kagome is your lover, friend?" Byanou said, smiling at Inuyasha. The two blushed as they slowly turned. Neither had realized she was still there.
"No we're--" Kagome cut Inuyasha off by motioning that it was alright.
"Just don't tell anyone," she whispered, bending over to her level. She then winked as she stood up.
"Can you cut it out with the friend thing?" He hissed at Byanou with a slight frown.
"Inuyasha," Kagome scolded, give him that "let's not go there again'' look.
"You two are very cute together!" Byanou shouted at the top of her lungs and Inuyasha and Kagome blushed horribly. But before Inuyasha could attack her, she disappeared into the cold air.
"And she seemed so nice..." Kagome murmured with a sigh, as if she was highly disapointed in her own daughter.
"It probably had something to do with me embarrassing Shippo..." Inuyasha replied with a shrug. Kagome frowned at him and the two walked inside. They reached the room everyone was eating in.
"What were you two doing?" Miroku inquired, a big smirk on his face. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Don't even go there," Inuyasha snapped, sitting on a pillow.
"A guy gets curious...you know when two people of the opposite gender leave for some time with no valid excuse..." Miroku said, dishing himself some sushi.
"As if that was a long enough time to do anything," Kagome pointed out, crossly. "Besides, me and Inuyasha wouldn't do ANYTHING like that for two reasons: 1: that would be TOTALLY gross, 2: we're not named Miroku." Miroku scowled a bit.
"But don't you remember Kagome?" Inuyasha inquired, faking a surprised manner. "Miroku has completely gone weird and has ceased to act remotely like himself."
"And what makes you say that?" Miroku inquired, nonchalantly, setting the plate of sushi down.
"Oh isn't it obvious?" Sango asked. "You really haven't been yourself these days...."
"Sango--" But suddenly Miroku stopped. He had a strange expression on his face and had completely frozen up. Everyone waited expectantly for him to finish what he was saying. He was beginning to sweat and fidget strangely. The culprit of course had been Sango, who had decided to sit next to him and Miroku, not wanting seem suspicious, didn't move. She had now stared massaging Miroku's leg which was something Miroku wouldn't have had minded under any circumstance in the past.. But...well...you know what happened.
"What were you going to say Miroku?" Sango asked, innocently. He glared at her and lip mouthed "stop".
"I was just g-going to tell you..." Miroku was trying to avoid eye contact with Sango and laughed nervously at the others who were staring quite puzzledly at him. Finally, he looked at Sango again, who looked very deeply into his eyes. No one seemed to notice. No one knew what Sango was doing. They only knew Miroku was acting very odd. Miroku tried to shift over to the left away from Sango, but she grabbed his leg firmly and no matter how much he struggled he couldn't move.
"Are you alright?" Sango asked him, in a false worried tone.
"Yeah, Miroku, you're sure actin' funny...the weirdest yet..." Inuyasha agreed.
"I...I'm fine..." Miroku told Inuyasha as casually as he could. Sango finally took her hand off Miroku's leg and sighed so loudly with relief everyone, but Sango stared for a while with very weirded out expressions.
"Okay..." Shippo said slowly.
"I uh...was worried about something I may have forgotten...but i realized it was in my room--heh!" He then smiled. No one spoke for a few seconds. "Could I trade seats with you, Inuyasha?"
"Why?" Inuyasha asked, a confused note in his voice.
"Because my pillow's uncomfortable..." Miroku lied.
"So you're going to stick me with the annoying seat?" Inuyasha asked, with apparent annoyance.
"Please?" Miroku begged.
"Sorry," Inuyasha returned cooly.
"Then I'll go without it,"Miroku grumbled, hopping over to the head of the table where no pillow lay.
"I'd rather ye not sit there, ye are blocking my light, simply sit in ye previous spot without the pillow," Kaede told him, sipping some tea, eyeing him with a quick, oddly furtive expression. Miroku looked very defeated.
"But--" Kaede looked at him with a very dangerous look.
"Could ye please?" She asked angrily.
"Alright," he returned, nervously. He stood up, moved his pillow, and sat in the spot he was at before. Next to Sango. Where he did NOT want to be. Dinner continued quite normally...for sometime., Miroku was relieved Sango wasn't attempting anything like she had earlier.
"...So that's all, alright? She's not my girlfriend!" Shippo shouted.
"You mean you haven't even kissed yet?" Kagome asked, boredly.
"Well..." Shippo said in reply, blushing.
"So you have then," Inuyasha stated, then stuffing his face with about a dozen sushi.
"It's none of your business!" Shippo exclaimed his face entirely red, unable to look at any of them.
"Well, Shippo you might as well--" But again Miroku stopped in the middle of what he was saying. Again, Sango being the reason. Now her hand had found it's way inside his robe and was massaging his muscles. How she had managed to infultrate his thick layers of clothes, he hadn't the faintest idea. Miroku was wincing, seeming to be struggling with something and was sweating anxiously. He began laughing nervously and took in a deep breath. "Never mind..." he breathed, beginning to breath heavily. The others stared at him a moment, before continuing.
"Anyway..." Inuyasha said, slowly. "I think it's rather funny..." But Miroku wasn't listening to Inuyasha's teasing of Shippo, he was preoccupied with trying to remove Sango's hand from inside his robe without the others noticing. Only, nothing was having the slightest affect. Suddenly the others turned to him and he abruptly discontinued his struggle.
"What do you think, Miroku?" Kagome inquired. He hadn't the slightest clue as to what they had been talking about and was perfectly silent for a few moments.
"Uh...what did you say?" Miroku asked slowly. Inuyasha sighed aggravatedly.
"We were asking if you thought Shippo and his girlfriend kissed," Inuyasha informed him irritably. Miroku paused for a moment.
"Probably...I guess..." Miroku replied, sweating, Sango was beginning to slide her hand farther down on his body. Would she stop? She wasn't dumb enough to over do it in front of everyone...was she? It appeared so, her hand was creeping down past his waist, he couoldn't say anything to cover up his sudden lack of breathing and flushed face--if onyl he could get some air into his lungs--
"Can you guys cut it out?!" Shippo shouted, face completely red. Sango's hand was creeping lower...
"Stop it!" Miroku shouted, standing up, causing a bowl to go flying at and stick over Inuyasha's face. Miroku was simply thankful everyone was staring at Inuyasha instead of him. Expecting him to burst with anger. Soy sauce was oozing down from his face to his robe, Pop! The bowl suddenly unstuck it's self and fell from Inuyasha's face and landed upside down on the table. Inuyasha's face was almost entirely back. He was shaking with rage.
"You..." he said, trying to sustain his anger. "...STUPID!!!!!" he roared at Miroku, standing up and making a fist.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, taking hold of his arm. "I'm sure it was only an accident!" Inuyasha was mumbling something. "C'mon...sit down..." Everyone looked from Kagome to Inuyasha and again, surprisingly, Inuyasha sat, he was grumbling angrily, but he sat.
"Why are you defending Shippo, anyway?" he growled as he moodily stuffed a few more sushi rolls in his mouth.
"I...uh...felt like the kid was being ganged up on..." Miroku returned nervously. Again the attention turned away from him and Miroku frowned at Sango, "Cut it out!" he hissed.
"Cut what out?" Sango whispered, a guiltless look on her face causing Miroku more aggravation.
"This weird stuff you're doing!" he hissed back.
"I'm not doing any weird stuff," Sango returned calmly, sipping some tea.
"Just keep you're hands to yourself," Miroku said, closing his robe prudently. Sango seemed upset as she took another drink of tea and didn't reply.
"Aww...we're out of sushi!" Inuyasha whined. Kagome smiled at him.
"There's more in the kitchen," she told him sweetly.
"Eh?" Shippo murmured in a puzzled tone, staring at the two. 'Weird...now Kagome's acting extra sugary toward Inuyasha...'
"I'll get it!" Sango cut in, hurriedly and quickly got up. She was out and back in a flash with a plate of fresh sushi. Suddenly she tripped and fell right on Miroku's lap. The remaining looked on with an interested eye wondering what would happen next. At first, nothing, as if time was frozen, then...
"Oops!" Sango cried, blushing with an obvious flustered air. She then clutched onto Miroku's shoulders, using them to bring herself up, engulfing Miroku's face in a certain upper area. Extrodinarily enough, the other seemed to notice she was pulling herself up quite slowly... But Miroku remained stiff as a board through the whole of this and Sango was soon standing up straight and dusting herself off angrily. He composedly picked up his cup of tea and was about to sip it when Sango kicked him in the back very harshly, causing him to spill most of the contents.
"Hmph!" She said angrily. She then walked by and sat down on her pillow.
"How...?" Kagome began.
"...bizarre." Inuyasha finished.
"What?" Sango snapped bitterly, with an outward appearence of someone who has lost very sorely at a game.
"Well..." Shippo began.
"What?!" Sango exclaimed.
"If any of you chumps have something to say, go ahead and say it!!" Miroku bellowed. None of the four spoke in reply. And both Miroku and Sango sipped out of their tea cups hostily. All of them ate in silence for sometime. Inuyasha was about to sip his tea when he heard,
"In the blood red star..."
He froze.
"Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame..."
He slowly turned his head to where the song was coming from. "Inuyasha?" Kagome asked in a concerned voice. "What's--"
"If it's the night sky,
That shall lead me somewhere..."
Inuyasha didn't hear Kagome. "...wrong?" she finished. Inuyasha stood up.
Somewhere where the eagles fly as they say,
"Inuyasha--"
"I'm going to go get us food for breakfast," Inuyasha interrupted Kagome, staring in the direction the song was coming from.
"Somewhere where thee angles pass away,
Somewhere somehow go on..."
"But--"
"I'll be fine Kagome," Inuyasha cut in, starting for the door. She watched him helplessly, feeling a familiar pain in her gut. 'What is this pain?' she thought, 'I feel as if this isn't strange...as if he's done this before...and hurt before...what's wrong?'
"Even it it's not right,
Even if it takes a fight,
Together we shall be..."
Inuyasha was now outside. He was going to find it this time. He was going to find out who was singing it and why the song was nagging at his mind so much.
"...In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit..."
He was running, running to find it's source. Faster now. His determination growing.
"...Magical flame,
If it's the river,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to,
I shall search for you,
Somewhere where the profit has no name..."
He had now began bounding, hopping, taking him several feet in one leap. Now he was picking up the scent of the person singing it. It was a very strange scent. the song was familiar...but the scent...he had never smelt it before...maybe this person only knew a song he had almost forgotten? But it seemed far more vital than that...
"...Somewhere somehow forever on,
Somewhere where the dark ones go whence e they came,
Somewhere somehow go home..."
The song was going to end! Ee need to find this mysterious person! He need answers! Somehow he just needed to know! It wasn't long before he was getting very close...but still...it was unlikely he'd make it in time. But he was so near to the source of the crytic, yet familiar song!
"...Even if you art not in sight,
Even if it takes all night,
Together we shall be...."
The song had ended...he had failed once again... Inuyasha ran a bit more...he still had the scent, though. But it was quickly escaping him. It was then he saw her. Kagome? But how? Again, in the strange clothing...her hair...different. She was humming the tune of the song and was still quite a ways off, but he could see her. What was going on here? Was he going insane?
He approached what he wasn't sure was real and suddenly stepped on a branch. What looked like Kagome gasped, and turned pointing an arrow at him. But she quickly stopped.
"Inuyasha..." she said in an awe and relieved tone. "I have found you at last.' So it was Kagome! But...her voice...no it couldn't be....she couldn't be Kagome if she had sung the song! Kagome had been with him two of the times he had heard it in the distance!
"You're not Kagome," he responded, sharply. Was this a demon?
"Of course I'm not, is this a joke?" she asked, slight anger in her tone.
"...what?" She frowned at him.
"What are you trying to do?" she inquired, confused expression on her face.
"Who are you?" Inuyasha asked, suspiciously, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword, readying himself to pull it. He didn't like this, not one bit.
'What do you mean who am I? Don't tell me you've forgotten me?" she asked with a slight amused smile. That smile...though it was so unlike anything he'd seen on kagome's face, so much darker, at the sight of it he found this woman to be far more familiar...
"Who are you? And how do you know me?" She stared at him for a few moments, very perplexed.
"Are you Inuyasha?" she asked.
"Yes,' Inuyasha replied, but he began wondering if he shouldn't have said so. There was something...wrong about this...
"You must be, I knew it right when I saw you. No one could stand the way you do...you're posture...the way you breathe...it could not be anyone else...my question is...why are you pretending not to know who I am?" the mysterious girl asked sternly, her voice continuing to lack emotion.
"I'm not pretending...I don't know who you are," Inuyasha replied, the fierce expression still on his face. The girl was shaking her head and looking at Inuyasha bewilderedly.
"It's this land..." she said, looking around the place. "It has bewitched you...why are you here?"
"The song you were singing...it..." Inuyasha trailed off and didn't speak for a moment. "...I can't explain it...it was so familiar...it seemed so important...but I don't know where I heard it or why it feels so meaningful..." the girl studied him for a second.
"How can you not remember the song--our song?" Inuyasha's eyes widened. "How can you not remember me--us...I wonder what sort of magic has enchanted you..."
"Who are you?" Inuyasha asked. There was a short silence. The girl had a face of slight upset, she brought her hand to her heart.
"It was our song..." and she began singing it,
"In the blood red star,"
The girl stopped singing the song for a moment. Seeing hers sing it was doing things to Inuyasha. Memories were starting to come to him. "The stars...something about them..." he whispered. She then continued,
"...Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame."
If it's the night sky,
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to,
I shall find you,
' She stopped again, "The stars...someone...and I...used the stars to..." Inuyasha's brightened face suddenly became muddled with confusion again. Who...what...stars? He had gone insane!! What the hell was he taking about anyway?
"Somewhere where the eagles fly as they say,
somewhere somehow fly on"
"Our favorite spot...someone...and...me....the eagles..." Though he was babbling, he felt--somehow--it all felt connected...
Somewhere where thee angles pass away,
Somewhere somehow go on,"
Inuyasha seemed very confused and couldn't figure the last line out...he was thoughtful for sometime. "What the person used to tell me...about...life and death...I can almost remember..." He felt near to the answer, it was on the very edge of his mind, locked up inside the dusted box of his memory he had decided to shelve away...he was on his tip toes trying to reach that box...
"Even it it's not right,
Even if it takes a fight,
Together we shall be."
"We...were in love...but...it was hard I remember..." Who though? Who? This woman and he? When? How?
"In the blood red star,
Ahead lye thee oceans far,
Fire and spirit,
Magical flame,
If it's the river..."
"The river! We met at he river...she and I..."
That shall lead me somewhere,
To you I shall come to,
I shall search for you,
Somewhere where the profit has no name,
Somewhere somehow forever��ÿ on,
Somewhere where the dark ones go whence e they came,
Somewhere somehow go home,
Even if you art not in sight,
Even if it takes all night,
Together we shall be."
There was a silence. "Do you remember now?" the woman asked. Inuyasha shook his head. "I am Kikyo." It was then all the memories everything he had forgotten it had all came rushing back. It had been shortly after speaking about Kagome about Kikyo and him, how he and Kagome could also be in danger by Naraku, that he had forgotten everything about her. Everything that had happened between him and her.
"Kikyo...wow...I don't know how I forgot..." Inuyasha said in an awed tone. But he suddenly frowned. The smirk that was on Kikyo's face vanished. "What are you doing here?" he asked fiercely.
"What do you mean, Inuyasha? I came looking for you..." Inuyasha looked away from Kikyo, a frown still on his face.
"It's too late...I love Kagome...we're both in love...I've chosen her." This definitely came as a real shock to Kikyo but soon the surprised expression on her face was replaced with a look of anger.
"And are you certain she returns the love you feel for her?" she inquired, jealousy and anger in her tone that mingled with mocking.
"Yes, we're together now,' Inuyasha retuned soldier-like.
"With...Kagome? Don't you remember what we once had, Inuyasha?" Kikyo inquired ,glaring at him.
"I'm sorry, but Kagome makes me happy and I could never break her heart by going with anyone else...not even you Kikyo," Inuyasha replied. Kikyo's eyes filled with rage now, remained fixed at him, their iciness drilling into his bones, but she was always calm and her response was as well.
"Inuyasha...I wonder if you love this adolescent...perhaps you believe you do...but perhaps you don't actually feel true love for her..."
"I love her Kikyo get over it," Inuyasha cut in angrily. Kikyo strolled over closer to him.
"I wonder why you are being so defensive, Inuyasha. Why are you becoming so angry?" Kikyo inquired, slight amusement again in her voice.
"That doesn't matter, Kikyo, all that matters is that I'm going to leave now and go back to Kagome. We're happy. I'm sorry it had to be this way for you, but I wish you luck and happiness." Kikyo looked at him for a moment.
"And all you're feelings for me that you had are just gone now?" Kikyo inquired.
"Yes," Inuyasha answered, bitingly.
"Then... you don't love me...come closer..." Inuyasha didn't move.
"No," he hissed.
"You wont'? All you have to do is come closer, can't you handle that, Inuyasha?" Kikyo asked, tauntingly.
"I'm not going to."
"What are you afraid of?" Kikyo inquired. "Are you afraid that you shall hurt Kagome? Why are you so fearful you shall hurt her, when all it is that you are doing is coming closer? Maybe because you know that you could hurt her, that you might still have feelings for me, whether you want them or not." Inuyasha glaring at Kikyo did not desist.
"I love Kagome."
"I am not so convinced. If you do, why can't you move closer without risking you shall harm Kagome...by letting yourself e embraced by arms...by letting my feel your warmth again, Inuyasha?" Inuyasha walked somewhat closer to Kikyo.
"I'm not afraid. I know that I love Kagome and no longer you, Kikyo." Kikyo stepped up so that she her face was less than an inch away from Inuyasha's.
"Then why is your heart pounding?" she whispered Inuyasha began breathing more heavily and becoming slightly nervous, but he then growled.
"Because...I know you could be up to your magic tricks."
"You know as well as I do that I cannot make anyone fall in love with me, Inuyasha," Kikyo responded. "You love me! Admit it!" she shouted. Inuyasha was silent for a moment.
"Good bye Kikyo," Inuyasha said, in a slightly soft but very firm and angered voice. He felt somewhat sorry for her, yet he was also vexed. He then turned and began walking away.
"You once said you loved me, you once said you could never love another soul!" Kikyo cried, tears in her eyes. Inuyasha stopped. "What happened, Inuyasha? That promise that was made between our hearts...it''s stronger than anything. Stronger than your infatuation with Kagome!" Inuyasha was still, unable to move. Inuyasha was fighting the thoughts in his head that were saying Kikyo was right. Kikyo had hit him where it mattered. The thoughts collided with what he had decided was the deep passionate love he felt for Kagome. The doubt Kikyo had no pressed upon him was trying to outweigh his commitment to Kagome. But he suddenly sighed with relief. The fight had ended. One did defeat the other.
"I love..." Inuyasha took a deep breath. "...Kagome." Kikyo was silent. Inuyasha then left. He left without looking back. He never knew what Kikyo's reaction to those words was.
It was difficult thinking about what had happened. He didn't even want to consider his love for Kagome wasn't true. It was. It had to be. He loved Kagome...he just knew he did. But what if he was wrong? And what if Kikyo was right? Inuyasha continued walking. It was a long way plenty of time to think. To doubt. To fear. Oh he wished ever so much it wasn't such a long way!
No. It couldn't be. He loved Kagome...Kikyo just didn't matter anymore. Nothing did. Only Kagome. They we he felt around her...it was unmistakable. But still. With these thoughts, there was a suspicion in the back of his mind, that maybe he didn't love her.
He tried to push what had just happened from his mind. He wouldn't think about it. It was stupid. He loved Kagome. He just knew he did. Finally, after some time, Inuyasha finally reached the cabin. He paused at the door. Would things be different between them now? 'Why would they?' he thought. 'I love her and she loves me.' Inuyasha slid the door open and came in to find a very worried Kagome.
"Oh Inuyasha! I was so worried!" She cried. "i thought something had happened to you!" Inuyasha smiled. Kagome truly cared for him. She walked up to him. "You idiot! Why did you take so long!" She shouted angrily. But this only caused Inuyasha's smile to become wider.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried, taking Kagome into his arms. Everyone around gasped. And they were frozen with shock when he kissed Kagome very passionately.
When it was done Inuyasha said, "I don't care what they think, Kagome. I love you--" he kissed her quickly, "so--" he kissed her again, "much." and finished with a kiss. Everyone (excepting Kaede) turned to Kagome to see her reaction, entirely unaware the two had been together and assuming this was Inuyasha's confession.
"Oh, Inuyasha! I could just kiss you!" She exclaimed, happily. "And I will," she giggled. She then kissed him gently and the remaining company gasped, leaving only Kaede not thoroughly surprised. Of course she was slightly, it was odd how they had decided to do such a thing in front of everyone.
"I can't believe it," Shippo gasped in awe. Sango and Miroku were unable to speak.
"So you two have decided to go public with your relationship,' Kaede remarked, smirking.
"Huh?" Inuyasha said, looking at her. Kagome was now hugging Inuyasha happily.
"You mean--they've been TOGETHER?!" Shippo exclaimed. Kaede nodded.
"And you KNEW?!" Miroku shouted. Kaede nodded.
"And you didn't TELL US?!" Sango bellowed. Kaede shrugged.
"It seemed a private affair," she replied, simply. All three: Shippo, Sango, and Miroku were now glaring at her. "Well, Sango and Miroku, would you like me to tell Inuyasha and Kagome what's been occuring between you?"
"I KNEW it!" Inuyasha shouted. "I KNEW there was something going on!" both Miroku and Sango looked very on edge.
"How about I wash the dishes," Miroku said nervous, staring to walk off.
"And I'll assist you," Sango added with anxiety. Miroku stopping i nhis tracks and turned to face her, causing he to stop, as well.
"No you won't," he said quickly and firmly.
"Why not?" Sango inquired, smirking.
"No reason, fine," Miroku sighed with defeat and an amount of anger. With that the two walked off.
"So..." Inuyasha said, smirking. He slowly walked up to Kaede who was busying herself with picking up clothes. "What HAS been going on with them?"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," Kaede told him in response, standing up straight, "but I'm not at liberty to give you that information." And with that she walked off.
"D**n!" Inuyasha hissed, snapping his fingers.

"You better not try anything, Sango," Miroku warned her, dropping a few dishes in a barrel of very soapy water and scrubbing them with a rag.
"What makes you think I'll do that?" Sango asked smiling as Miroku looked up. He shook his head and turned his focus again on the dishes. Sango then walked up to Miroku from his left and grabbed his shoulders and turned him to her. She didn't let his shoulders go. "You can't escape...one day eventually you'll just let me, why not now?" Sango said in almost a whisper.
"Alright..." Miroku returned distractedly, leaning in to kiss Sango, but he suddenly stopped in realization. He quickly backed away from her. "No, no! I can't... It's in my nature just to say yes to woman when they're interested in me, but I'm going to have to get over that."
"Is he insane?" Inuyasha asked spying from the doorway, squatting low.
"Shh!" Kagome hissed at him, right next to him. "Oh move! I can't see!"
Sango again looked highly disappointed. Miroku again turned to the barrel and continued his work.
"Fine," Sango said, in a false upset tone. "Then I'll just leave." Miroku sighed.
"You don't have to do that..." Miroku told her in a fed-up tone. His head hung slightly lower when he heard her walk away. He turned around. "Sango..." he said quietly. He then returned to face the barrel, but it was then Sango popped up, as if from nowhere and wrapped her arms around Miroku's neck. She began walking slowly and Miroku was forced to walk backwards with her. He felt helpless, paralized, unable to do anything except let her lead him to --inevitably--the wall behind him.
"Look Miroku..." Sango then pinned him to the wall, he knew it had been coming, and it almost felt like dejavou.
"This is hot," Inuyasha said, popping some potato chips in his mouth.
"Give me those!' Kagome snarled, snatching the bag from him. She growled at him, then began eating them herself. Inuyasha looked pitifully on as she ate.
"...I want you..." Sango continued. Miroku was breathing very heavily.
"Sango..." Miroku began, but Sango put her index finger on his mouth.
"I want to..." Sango trailed off and was again leaning toward Miroku, she was going to kiss him (obviously) and Miroku wasn't stopping her, on the contrary, he was leaning toward her too and soon they kissed and Inuyasha nearly cheered, but Kagome was already glaring at him and he quickly decided against it.
But it wasn't very long when Miroku pulled away. "You don't know how hard this is," he told her. "But I'm going to try my best to do the right thing. I will do the right thing." He looked deep into Sango's eyes and he then left. Sango watched after him longingly and simply turned and slid against the wall, gently landing in a sitting position on the floor and sighed. She looked as if she was going to start crying, but she didn't.
"That little--"
"I know,' Kagome cut in. "I don't know why he's refusing Sango..."
"He left the dishes!" Inuyasha hissed indignitly. Kagome scowled at him.
Soon Sango and Miroku met the others out in the main room and of course pretended nothing at all had happened. It was sometime, but finally they all decided to go to bed. It was then Miroku realized Sango had been missing for some time. "Hey...where is Sango?" Miroku inquired.
"She said she wanted to get to sleep early," Kaede answered him with a shrug. Miroku was very quiet and seemed somewhat depressed at this new information.
"I can see why," Inuyasha said without thinking. Kagome frowned at him, but Miroku didn't appear to have heard as he walked passed them.
"Well...I'm off to bed then...good night," he then walked off to his separate room which he had had ever since he had felt "sick" that one night. He was walking rather slowly and it took several minutes for him to reach his room. Warily he slid the door open and sat down on his futon.He sat for a moment, his hands pulling at his hair, as if he was trying to tear through his scalp, trying to feel outward pain in order to rid of the pain inside. Yet it was scarecely any time after his agonizing pondering of what to do about the situation, he had lye down and pulled the covers over himself and closed his eyes. A slight hush filled the room, trying to overcome the sounds of the wind whistling out of doors and the crickets whcih seemed in another world then him in his joyless prison, when he suddenly felt a weight on his body.
He opened his eyes to hind himself looking straight into two other dark ones. He'd recognize them anywhere. It was Sango. "I should have known you'd try something," Miroku said with a little tired laugh. Sango didn't reply, all she did was press her lips firmly on to his and begin a sweaty and rushed pursuit seemingly to suck all the air from him and mouth and tongue him to death. Unfortunately this was all too much for Miroku to resist and before he could even think straight he was kissing back. Sango had soon folded down Miroku's clothes so that the top half of him was bare and again Miroku's hormones were in the driver's seat and he took hold of Sango and turned her underneath him.
But it was then Miroku came to his senses. He ended the kiss then. He then stood up. Sango sat, looking up at him with dazed and pleading eyes.. "Sango...please stop this...I'm trying to dow hat's right," he said, putting his arms in his sleeves and pulling his robe all the way onto him. Sango stood up. It was then Miroku realized, causing his stomach to lurch and his hormones to race, Sango was wearing a yukata. A simply tie up kimono that was very easy to take off and more revealing.
"So am I...I need you to realize we can work...and if this is the way I have to do it then..." Sango trailed off. She was slowly walking toward him. Miroku was shaking his head.
"Not again..." he whispered. she was getting closer... "Fine, Sango, you do whatever you want, I won't hurt you no matter what...I'm going to refuse you." It was only a matter of moments when Sango had him against the familiar wall and was putting most of her weight on him. She was leaning in to kiss him now and Miroku put his hands out to hold her back. But he was quickly becoming helpless to the spell Sango seemed to set on him with her clear brown eyes and the strength he had been using to hold her back had diminished.
Again Sango succeeded in kissing Miroku for a few moments, but he managed to turn his head away. "I told you. I'm not going to let you..." he said sternly. Sango stepped back.
"And what if I take off the yukata? What will you do then, Miroku?" Sango asked, clutching the knot in her belt. Her eyes were filled with that true strong, fiery, energy that seemed to eminate far more than it normally did from the demon exterminator. He remembered he had always loved that little fireball spirit those eyes showed off so galiantly, now he feared it would be his undoing. The undoing of his robes, that is. Miroku looked away, shutting his eyes. He heard Sango's clothes fall to the floor. He heard her quietly approaching him, his heart was racing.
"I didn't take advantage of you, Sango, I'd like to think you'd give me the same courtesy,'' Miroku said quickly, still looking away, wincing, waiting for it to come. He wouldn't be able to refuse her this time.
But to his surprise nothing happened for several moments and he slowly opened his eyes and found Sango's back to him. She already had put her yukata back on and was tying the belt of it. She faced him with sad eyes Miroku was relieved she wasn't going to do anything, but he felt like dying seeing that look. (Not to mention he was a tiny bit disappointed he didn't get to see Sango nude)
"You're right..." Sango said, hopelessly. "I guess I can't take advantage of you...."
"Sango..." Miroku began, but Sango held up a hand for silence.
"But why won't you let me? Why can't we be together?" Before Miroku could answer he was distracted. He felt a malevolent evil presence. It was far off, but it was very, very dark.
"Sango," he whispered, which took Sango by apparent surprise. "I sense an evil presence," Miroku informed her solemnly. "A very ominous one. it's far off...but I sense it...we'd b better go check it out." Sango nodded in a soldier-like manner. The two quietly crept through the cabin and outside. They walked for some time and Miroku heard Sango shivering, "Oh no, Sango, why did you come out here in only a yukata?"
"I'm s-s-sorry...w-we h-h-had t-to g-go..." Sango shivered. Miroku walked up to her.
"You're going to get sick..." he said, worriedly.
"I-I-I'll be fine..." Sango assured him, still shivering.
"Here," Miroku said, taking off his robe, only his undergarments remaining. he held it out to Sango.
"N-no...then you'll be..."
"I'll be fine," Miroku cut in. Sango didn't budge. Miroku sighed aggravatedly and put it on her himself. "It's okay...you should be warm."
"But--" Sango started.
"Let's just go..." Miroku interrupted her, now feeling a very horrible cold. They trudged along for sometime, both barefoot, through the snow, but fortunately Miroku had reason to believe they had found it. "I think it's in that cave...are you alright?" he asked, though Sango had made no indication she wasn't.
"Yes...I'm more worried about you..." Miroku was finding it hard to take his gaze of of her.
"No...I'm fine..." The two then carefully entered the cave. "Now if this being is really horrible, you're going to need to get out of here, I can handle it with my wind tunnel, you won't need to use hyraicotsu," Miroku told her.
"But Miroku...I can't just leave you," Sango argued. "I won't let you fight whatever it is alone." She said firmly, looking deep within his eyes. Miroku looked away from Sango and glance down deep into the cave.
"Let's go." The cave was all ice and it continued getting darker. The two walked on for a very long period of time until Miroku was sure he felt the presence stingily. "It think it is near..."
"I can't see anything, Miroku!" Sango exclaimed through the dark.
"Do you have my hand?" Miroku asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"We'll get through. Staff, show me the way." there was a short silence.
"Where is it pointing?" Sango whispered.
"I...can't see it, it's too dark," Miroku replied slowly.
"Great," Sango said, sarcastically.
"Well...I can probably feel it," Miroku said, and he felt farther down the staff with his hands. "This way!"
"Which way?" Sango asked.
"Just follow me!' Miroku replied in an aggravated tone. Sango gripped onto Miroku's hand tighter as they walked and suddenly--"Ow!"
"What's wrong?!" Sango exclaimed with alarm.
"I ran into a wall," Miroku replied. "Very funny, staff! Now show me the right way!" The staff then turned around all the way and hit Sango in the process.
"Ow!" She shouted.
"Cut it out with the wise cracks already! Where's the right way?!" Miroku demanded. The stick then turned again. And Miroku felt up the stick and went in the corresponding direction, walking straight into Sango. He froze.
"Oh hi, Miroku," Sango said in a seductive tone.
"Oh, c'mon! I thought we went through this!" Miroku groaned.
"Yeah, but it's so romantic in here...." Sango argued, clinging on to him.
"You mean in a freezing cold cave where an evil presence lurks somewhere in the pitch black?" Miroku said, unable to understand Sango's reasoning.
"Yes..." Sango replied, tracing her finger in the creases of Miroku's chest. "it's pitch black...and I need warmth."
"What do you mean YOU need warmth? I'm the one in under garments!" Miroku shouted,
"Oh yeah..." Sango responded ina sentilating tone, moving even closer. "...you are, aren't you?"
"Oh great...." Miroku said sarcastically. "This all your fault!" He shouted at his staff. "You led me the wrong way again, didn't you?" He felt the staff shake back in forth informing him no. "So this is the right way?" it bobbed up and down in response. "Come on, we go this way, Sango," he said, taking her off of him, taking her hand, and leading her in the direction the staff pointed at. They walked for a short amount of time when---"Ow!" Miroku rubbed his head in pain. "Staff..." he said, angrily. The staff tapped against the ground and a door formed in the wall and lifted upwards letting in a great amount of light. Both Miroku and Sango gasped. They walked through the door way to find themselves in a place that was covered in a dome of clear ice that created it's own light.
Both Miroku and Sango stared open-mouthed up at it. Suddenly, Miroku frowned, "The dark presence is here," he informed Sango.
"I don't see anything..." Sango replied blankly. It was then they both heard footsteps. From behind a nearly transparent curtain they both clearly saw a very beautuful but strange being. She walked closer to them, Miroku put up his staff defensively.
"So..." she began. "...you are Shippo friends..." Miroku and Sango looked somewhat surprised and taken aback by this statement.
"How do you know Ship--" Sango began. but she then gasped. "You...you are the same sort of creature Byanou was..."
"I am her mother." Both Miroku and Sango looked very surprised by this new information. "I was angered by Shippo actions, but iIwas going to go along with my daughter's wishes and not harm any of his friends..but now that you have trespassed into my home I am forced to."
"How interesting that such a kind hearted girl's mother would be so evil," Miroku returned fiercely. Byanou's mother appeared quite angered and alarmed by this statement.
"Silence!" She cried in a great upset and with the wave of her hand ice walls began growing all around them and quickly, before either could escape, they grew to the ceiling. Miroku ran to the wall closest to Byanou's mother and pounded on it to no avail.
"Let us out!" Miroku demanded. But he merely heard and evil laugh as a response. He sighed and looked discouraged. Sango then threw her at the ice it merely richocheted off the walls and finally returned to her.
"Nothing's coming," Sango said, blankly. "Why is nothing dangerous coming to kill us in here?"
"Well..." Miroku began. "Eventually we should starve to death..." he finished grimly.
"By that time we'll find a way out," Sango returned in a determined manner. Miroku only replied with a worried glance and she walked closer to him. "Maybe if we make hot passionate love we can melt the ice..."
"I doubt that would work," Miroku returned, crossing his arms and looking at her with an 'don't even try it' expression.
"If we did multiple times if could work..." Sango offered.
"Who are you, me?" Miroku inquired in a slightly puzzled tone. Sango smiled at him in a fed up way.
"Well, do you have any better ideas?" Sango asked.
"I don't know...but we have plenty of time...wait...does it feel like it's gotten colder to you?" he asked. Sango held her self and rubbed her arms, trying to warm them,
"Yeah..." She then exhaled. "I can see my breath even more now..." Miroku was beginning to shiver and soon Sango was too and his staff began to get frosted.
"Wh-wh-what ar-are we g-g-going t-to do?" Miroku asked, shivering badly. "If th-th-this keeps up w-we'll fr-fr-freeze to death..."
"Th-there's gotta b-be a way out," Sango replied looking around. She suddenly looked at Miroku with concerned eyes. "Mir-Miroku...p-please just let yourself love me b-before..."
"I c-c-can't if we s-s-somehow d-do get out of here...c-cmon, we d-don't have tt-t-time for this..."
"We're n-n-not g-going to make it, M-Miroku...just trust yourself...y-you won't r-ruin it...y-you w-w-won't hurt m-me...l-look how long you've avoided me...y-you can c-control yourself b-because..."
"S-Sango... if another w-w-woman..."
"Like one w-would," Sango laughed, "Y-you always wind up getting s-slapped..." Miroku laughed too "N-none w-would ever b-be s-s-stupid enough...":
"Then why do you love me?" Miroku inquired.
"N-n-no one can ch-choose the one they love..."
"Y-you sh-shouldn't have fallen for me..."
"It's t-too late for that now..." Sango returned firmly. "I w-want t-to know you can tr-trust yourself, t-to know y-you know you won't s screw up before I d-die..." She finsihed her expression softening.
"B-but we'll g-get out of th-this..." He assured her with a warm and desperate look.
"M-m-maybe...j-just--look, Miroku, y-y-you're not going t-to hurt me,' Sango told him, putting her hand on his arm.
"W-we d-d-don't-t kn-now that..." he returned, backing away from her.
"I c-can't live without you, I'll do anyth-th-thing Miroku...just-just d-don't say goodbye..."
"Sango I c-can't..."
"Y-you w-w-won't h-hurt m-me, I kn-kn-know it- in my heart-. L-look in y-yours, wh-what d-does it-t t-tell you?" It was steadily getting far colder and both Sango and Miroku were feeling the life in them slowly go away. It was so cold... Miroku said nothing for a few moments as both of them began shivering very badly. Sango saw Miroku's lips were very blue and his hair had ice in it and his lashes. He took in a shuddering breath. There was a horrible silence, where the icy air around them was suffocating them, squeezing out ever last drop of life it could, like icecle spears pieces them to hard from every direction they could never hoep to move or breathe. Somehow Miroku found the strength, he felt something he could never explain or control light up and assure him, like an angel born of the stars breathing fiery life into his heart and lungs. He then did what took Sango by surprise, he kissed her. He was cold and shivering, Sango embraced him, he was shaking badly. But the frost on his lips was melting quickly and where their bodies touched was very warm.
Suddenly all around them, by a stroke of peer luck because of the disturbance and reaction of the ice created from the warm water far before by Byanou's mother, hot gysers spurted up. Breaking through the ice ground, they came. They began crashing through the ceiling and huge chunks of the ice came crashing to the freezing ground, some that were again lifted as they fell by some of those saviors from deep beneathing coming up like a suddenly livened being, breaking free of its prison. Finally, the two noticed. They had been so enwrapped in one and other that they didn't realize what had been happening until the ice and cave began collapsing. When they pulled away there were only a very short amount of precious moments before the geysers discontinued, but it was all they needed.
"Kilala!" Sango called at the top of her lungs and it was then Kirara, who was in her monstrous form now, came flying in through the ceiling. Both she Miroku leapt onto Kirara's back. Miroku wrapped his arms around Sango's waste and held on tightly as they shot off toward the ceiling.
"No!" Screeched Byanou's mother. The huge gash and the other openings in the ceiling were slowly beginning to repair by her magic, but Miroku and Sango and Kirara all had escaped before they could fully close.
"Yes!" Miroku hissed happily. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," he then cheered, "Yeah!! take that you ice witch!" He laughed as they flew off, uncharactaristically livened by the sudden warmth returning to his flesh and lungs. He was looking back the ice cave, face filled with triumph, when Sango kissed him passionately. Kirara rolled her eyes with a slight groan at this, what was poor Sango getting herself into NOW? Miroku quickly pinned Sango down onto Kirara's back.
"Miroku," Sango said, looking deep within his eyes. "It's funny how I've never wanted anyone...I've never had desires or lust for anyone...but I wanted to do things to you..." A very broad grin was the response Miroku returned this statement with, he tried to tone it down.
"Well...weirdly enough, tou're the only woman that I've ever not wanted to do...I just wanted to be happy with you. Sex doesn't really matter to me anymore...." Miroku returned.
"And yet you've pinned me down now," Sango said, a sort of perplexed look on her face. She looked all around her, obscerving her surroundings, trying to hide a smile forming on her lips.
"Yeah...well...it didn't really matter. You know..."
"You weren't yourself," Sango cut in simply.
"Yeah, exactly," Miroku replied, nodding eccentrically.
"And now, you're back..." Sango returned slowly, smirking.
"Yeah!" he cried in a agreement. "And hotter than ever!" he cheered. Sango laughed shaking her head at his silliness.
"Well, unfortunately now that you're back, I have to guide Kirara," she returned, sitting up and pushing Miroku away gently.
"But--but I thought you wanted to do things to me!" Miroku whined. Sango turned and lightly grasped Kirara's fur as reins.
"I do, but now is an inconvenient time," Sango replied, her eyes on the journey ahead of her, a smile on her face.
"No, you're just evil," Miroku returned grumpily, crossing his arms.
"Let me explain...you see," Sango told him, pausing, "you know how the old Miroku came back?" Sango inquired.
"Yeah..." Miroku answered slowly, wondering where this was going.
"Well..." Sango hesitated for a moment, "...the old Sango came back." Miroku looked at her with an upset face.
"What? Aww man!" he cried in whiny tone. Sango laughed. They was quite for a few moments as they flew under the night sky, under the glowing stars and full moon. "Well..." Miroku began after thinking for a while. "How come you were willing to do it when I first told you I loved you?" Miroku inquired. "I mean...if you changed when I was resisting you...it really doesn't make sense..."
"I don't know, but right now I feel like keeping you waiting," Sango replied happily, about to explode with laughter. Miroku pouted.
"Aw..." he whined, clearly disappointed. "I didn't even get to see you naked before...I hate you Sango," he said in a huffed tone.
"Oh no you don't, you're just saying that."
"I do mean it and I won't love you until you do what you wanted to me..." Miroku said, sounding like small child.
"Oh, I'm not falling for THAT, Miroku," Sango replied, looking slightly fed-up.
"Why couldn't you be born stupid?" Miroku asked no one in particular.
"Because then I wouldn't be me," she answered cheerfully.
"Now I'll never know what you were going to do to me," Miroku sighed sadly. Sango giggled.
"Oh you will eventually," she said in a comforting tone. She looked behind her to see a very disappointed Miroku. "Oh, I guess you can know now," she said in a defeated tone.
"Really?' He said brightening in a childlike manner.
"Mmm hmm," she replied, nodding, "First, I would take off you're robe..."
"Telling me is simply torture!" Miroku shouted, slightly angrily,, crossing his arms and looking away.
"Then I'd--"
"Stop there...you're making it worse!" Miroku whined pitifully.
"But I was just getting to the best part..." Sango said downheartedly.
"The best part already? That would be a quick trip," Miroku said in a surprised manner,
"Well," Sango giggled. "I guess not the best...the best would be when I took my tongue and--"
"Stop it, it's too painful," Miroku said, looking away and putting his hand out signally to stop and putting his face in his other hand in a distressed manner.