InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Wasn't In The Job Description ❯ Kirara ( Chapter 31 )

Chapter 31

 

Kirara

 

Miroku and Sango had to practically run to catch up InuYasha and Kagome. The hanyou had just entered the forest by the time they finally caught up. He was still carrying Kagome, who could not seem to decide whether to ask him to put her down or not. As it turned out, she did not have to.

 

“I think it is safe to put Kagome down now,” said Miroku, smirking.

 

Sango shot a look of exasperation at him for being so blunt. But Miroku just winked at her, making her shake her head.

 

A bit startled, InuYasha flushed and darted an intense look at Kagome in his arms before stopping and putting her down. She smiled at him gratefully, and he relaxed a little.

 

“He was only looking out for my safety,” said Kagome, coming to his defense. “Weren't you, InuYasha?”

 

“Yeah, of course,” InuYasha growled.

 

“Well, fearless leader,” said Sango. “Where are we off to now?”

 

“I need to discover more about how this kaze no kizu works,” said InuYasha. “I just don't know if I should do that here, now, or try and get home first.”

 

“I vote we go home,” said Sango wearily. “I would love to change my clothes.”

 

“Why don't you just wash them here?” said Miroku.

 

“With you around?” said Sango, giving him a dirty look. “Not on your life.”

 

“Aw, Sango,” said Miroku depreciatively. “I'm not that bad.”

 

“Yes you are,” Sango, InuYasha and Kagome said in unison.

 

The agent shrugged and gave an exaggerated sigh. His reputation was too hard to live down. Then again, they were probably right. It was just too hard to resist temptation, especially when it came to Sango. Too bad she would never take him seriously, because secretly, he really liked her. But his perverted habits always got in the way.

 

Suddenly, InuYasha stopped, putting a hand out to make the others halt and be quiet behind him. He sniffed and his ears swiveled as he tested for what threat may lie ahead. Kagome watched him solemnly, and Miroku and Sango flanked him quietly.

 

A mouse ran out of the bushes and crossed their paths and was gone.

 

“A mouse -?” said Sango.

 

“Shhh!” InuYasha hissed.

 

A moment later a small, two-tailed yellow cat with black markings dashed in front of them, saw them, and transformed in surprise. Kagome, Miroku and Sango jumped back in fright as the small cat was suddenly a huge, ferocious-looking youkai, standing and bristling at them. InuYasha growled and drew Tessaiga - and something strange happened. He could see where the youki met, like two winds colliding. Was this what Totosai had talked about?

 

“Please, don't hurt it!” said Sango. “We only frightened it, I'm sure.”

 

Glancing at Sango a moment, and stunned by what he had seen, InuYasha lowered Tessaiga. It seemed she was right, he only sensed surprise, but no animosity from the giant youkai feline.

 

The neko took a look at Sango, and transformed back down to its previous form. Tentatively, the now small youkai neko approached Sango, who squatted down and extended a hand for it to sniff. The neko took a delicate sniff of her hand, mewed, and then rubbed her head up against it, making Sango smile.

 

“Aw, she is so sweet,” said Sango as she let the neko continue to rub her hand.

 

“I think she likes you,” said Miroku.

 

“Here,” said Kagome, reaching into her backpack slung on InuYasha's shoulder. “I think I have some fish left over from last night's dinner.”

 

Kagome took a small piece of fish from its wrapper and gave it to Sango, who bent down and offered it to the neko. The small feline daintily took the proffered food from Sango's hand and quickly ate it. Then she looked up at Sango and purred happily.

 

“Her name is Kirara,” said InuYasha, regarding the small neko.

 

“How do you know that?” said Kagome, looking up at InuYasha wonderingly.

 

The hanyou shrugged and gave a small smile. “She told me.”

 

Then InuYasha re-sheathed Tessaiga and squatted down, extending a clawed hand slowly towards the neko. Taking slow, mincing steps, the neko approached InuYasha and warily sniffed his hand. Then she gave a mew of approval and went back to rub against Sango's legs.

 

“She seems to like you okay, but we can all see who she prefers,” said Miroku with a smile. “Personally, I applaud her on her good taste.”

 

Sango glanced at Miroku and blushed, while InuYasha rolled his eyes. This made Kagome smile sweetly at InuYasha and put a hand on his arm. The hanyou smirked back at Kagome, and put his hand over hers, gently removing it and giving it a quick squeeze of thanks.

 

“And we can all see who Kagome prefers,” said Miroku, grinning.

 

At Miroku's words, Kagome and InuYasha blushed. Then the hanyou looked up, his ears perked forward as if he was hearing something again. They all held their breaths as he sniffed, then his eyes narrowed and he growled in anger.

 

“Naraku is near,” said InuYasha.

 

“What shall we do?” said Kagome worriedly.

 

“Don't worry,” said InuYasha. “I will protect you, and everyone else.”

 

“You know,” said Miroku, “those portals always seem to be around whenever we have tracked down his labs. Maybe we will find one if we find him.”

 

“Yes, I agree,” said Sango, who stood up with Kirara in her arms. The little neko had jumped up of her own accord, and was nestling down, purring.

 

“It's worth a try to find him then,” said Kagome. “What do you think, InuYasha?”

 

“Fine,” the hanyou replied, and then looked at Sango, who was gently stroking the neko in her arms. “I think she has adopted you.”

 

“Oh, that's wonderful!” said Sango, and then looked up at InuYasha uneasily. “It's okay if she stays with us, isn't it?”

 

InuYasha thought back to what he had seen when he drew Tessaiga on the transformed youkai neko. Having this neko with them could have more than one benefit. And she seemed happy enough to be with them. He could sense her contentment and acceptance of them.

 

“Yes,” said InuYasha. “She stays as long as she wants to.”

 

Smiling happily, Sango gazed at the neko in her arms. Seeing Sango so happy made Miroku smile at her indulgently, and Kagome also smiled brightly, clasping her hands in front her with glee to see her friend so obviously pleased. But InuYasha just shook his head at all the silly smiles on their faces.

 

“Come on, let's go,” said InuYasha, “and Kagome, you are to get behind me at the slightest sign of danger.”

 

“What about us?” said Miroku.

 

“You can take care of yourselves,” said InuYasha, turning to go.

 

“Gee, thanks!” Miroku said, wryly.

 

Someone else was taking care of herself too. Behind them and downwind of InuYasha, Kikyo was watching and trying to listen to what they were saying. When she caught the name Naraku, her eyes narrowed and her chin firmed up. There was no way she was going to let them find Naraku without her. But she would be damned if she joined them. Following them would do - she just had to be cautious. Knowing InuYasha as she did, she had no fears of being caught. Besides, the fool obviously had feelings for her still - he would never force her away if he found her. It was easy enough to play on his feelings to her advantage, if she had to.

 

Only thing that rankled was the signs of affection she saw growing between him and that assistant of his. Kikyo gave a silent, mirthless, bark of laughter. What was that girl as compared to her? Kagome was nothing but a pale reflection. InuYasha was hers, whether he wanted her or not. And Kikyo would do anything to keep it that way, as long as InuYasha was of some use to her.