InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Nowhere ❯ The Plan ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha. If I did, the series would have been about a hundred episodes shorter. Egads! It never ends!

A/N: Reviews!

Miztikal_Dragon: Thanks for another review! Sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I just finished my semester so I had exams and then I had to move back home. So… yeah I've been super-busy. I hope it was worth the wait!

Kagome14: Thanks! Yeah, as far as the shippou thing… it was really late and I was really tired. I didn't know what I was writing. I'm glad it still turned out okay. ^^

Essie: I'm glad you're still reading! Please keep reviewing!

**

Sango sat frozen, eyes wide, where she kneeled on the wooden porch outside. The slight breeze that tossed her loose hair about was the only movement she made. Her eyes did not even blink. Miroku favored her with a worried look as he waved a hand in front of her face. She looked just like a Buddhist statue.

After a few moments she finally snapped out of her oblivious state. Inu Yasha sat across from her and Miroku, looking vaguely annoyed. He had explained what Sango came to understand as a very complicated and confusing situation. She did not want to believe a word of it.

"Well?!" he demanded roughly.

Sango jerked her head up, caught off guard by his angry voice. "I-I'm sorry?" she stammered.

"Do you or do you not know what kind of demon we're dealing with?!" Inu Yasha yelled, becoming agitated with her aloof attitude.

"I… I don't know Inu Yasha… I'm sorry. I have heard of instances where black magic was used to spread evil energy through a person's body. From what you have told me, I would say that was the case with Kagome's symptoms. But…" Sango continued, trailing off.

"But what?!" Inu Yasha retorted.

"But… I've never heard of it being transferred from an infected person to another. Also, even though Kagome holds strong spiritual powers I really doubt she would be able to hold it off and still feel comfortable. If she were actively fighting the presence inside of her, she would be worn out by now. The fact that she is no longer suffering would lead me to believe that she was not even infected. However, that would not explain how she was able to spread the disease."

The three people were quiet for a long moment. Miroku was the first to speak up. "Inu Yasha, it might be best to let me inspect Kagome."

"No." Inu Yasha replied quickly. "She's really taking Kaede's death hard. I don't think she could take it if the same thing happened to one of you. Besides, I would never let the likes of you inspect Kagome."

Miroku shot his hands up in defense. "Calm down, Inu Yasha. You're being even more possessive than usual! And you know I'm a changed man." Miroku said, easing one of his hands along the wood planks on a trail to Sango's rear end.

"Hey! It's just-"

SMACK.

Inu Yasha blinked, forgetting is rich denial about his and Kagome's feelings. He looked from Miroku's pouting face as he put his hand to his red cheek and then to Sango's seething expression as she shot a death glare at Miroku.

"Changed man, huh?" Inu Yasha stated wryly.

"Inu Yasha…" Sango said suddenly, quickly reverting back to her calm demeanor. "Kagome is our friend too. We have to help you protect her. It doesn't matter what you say, we're going to do what we can."

Inu Yasha slumped slightly. "What exactly can you do?"

"What were your plans?" Sango questioned.

Inu Yasha shifted uncomfortably. "I don't really know yet. I just wanted to keep her away from people so she wouldn't have to feel bad anymore."

"That would never work for her, Inu Yasha. You know that." Sango said, meeting his eyes with hers. "She has friends and a family. You can't keep her away from them. It wouldn't help her heal and it would only break her heart."

"What do you suggest I do, then?!" Inu Yasha yelled, lashing out his frustrations and worry in angry words. "She knows what she's doing to people. When she heard about Kaede, she couldn't stop crying! She cried in her sleep! She kept saying it was her fault even when she thought I couldn't hear her! I can't stand it! I won't let her go through that again!"

Sango sat silent for a moment, taken aback by Inu Yasha's strong words. "You have to understand that keeping her away from the world will only make things worse. She's a strong girl. Everything will work out."

"How the fuck is it going to work, Sango?" Inu Yasha asked in a low voice.

Miroku glanced back in forth between the two. "May I interject something?"

"What, monk?"

Miroku sighed. "How about this? Sango and I will travel through some nearby villages and see what we can learn. I'll get in contact with all the people I know who have had extensive dealings with demons and we'll see what we can find." Miroku said, glancing at Inu Yasha to make sure he had his full attention. "I assume you and Kagome have somewhere safe to stay for the time being?"

"Yes."

"Good." Miroku said. "You stay there with Kagome. Let us agree to meet back here in a week and we'll tell you what we have found."

Inu Yasha thought for a moment. "What if it takes longer than a week?"

"We'll make sure that doesn't happen." Miroku said firmly.

"You're sure?" Inu Yasha said, letting a slightly threatening tone slip into his voice.

"Yes, Inu Yasha. Are we all agreed then?" Miroku replied calmly.

Sango nodded her agreement and stood to gather her Taiji-Ya uniform, flashing Inu Yasha an encouraging smile. "We won't let you down, Inu Yasha" she said before bolting into the house with Kirara on her heals.

Inu Yasha sat in his place for a moment looking thoughtful. He suddenly felt Miroku's hand on his shoulder.

"What do you want now, monk?"

"I really hope you don't use that tone of voice with Kagome-sama" Miroku mused from his standing position above the crouched Inu Yasha.

"Keh."

Miroku sighed heavily and started walking to grab his staff. He turned back to Inu Yasha for a moment. "You know, Kagome-sama really does need you right now."

Inu Yasha didn't answer.

"I suggest you treat her very carefully. Take her outside… Look at the stars with her… Confess your undying love…"

"WHAT?!"

Miroku inspected Inu Yasha's face and found it was a bit brighter than usual. "My, My, Inu Yasha! Did you already tell her or did you merely finally realize it yourself?"

"That's none of your business!"

"Well, if you're already past that stage I can give you a few more advanced tips about techniques for relaxing women…"

"Houshi-sama!"

Miroku froze and slowly turned to the menacing voice behind him. `Houshi-sama' meant he should shut his mouth or hiraikotsu would find its way to his skull.

Sango stomped up to Miroku angrily and her eyes almost glowed with feral determination.

Oh, perhaps it was too late.

She, however, did nothing but glare at him. "Don't you dare encourage Inu Yasha! Kagome-chan is much too young for your advice!"

"She is but a year younger than you, my dear Sango." Miroku said, slowly raising his hands.

"And exactly what point are you making?" Sango seethed through her clenched teeth.

"I am merely saying that you are almost a full woman!" Miroku exclaimed defensively as he backed against he wall. Sango was closing in on him.

"What do you mean, `almost'?" Sango replied venomously, spouting the world out as if it were vile in taste.

"Ah, Inu Yasha…"

"You're in this one on your own, monk." Inu Yasha stated as he watched his bizarre friends argue.

"You know, my beautiful Sango, time is of the essence." Miroku said nervously, hoping for some form of mercy.

"Oh, that's right." Sango said, her features turning back to normal. She stopped her pursuit of Miroku and turned toward Inu Yasha. "You better get going! I'm sure Kagome-chan is worried!"

Inu Yasha nodded and was off in a flash. Sango turned back to Miroku who instinctively cowered against the wall.

"Let's go! We have to find help for Kagome!" Sango exclaimed angrily.

"Right away, my Sango flower!" Miroku said running after her.

"Would you stop calling me those weird names?!" Sango yelled in exasperation.

"My apologies, Sango -"

Sango hit him before he could finish. He had taken to calling her strange pet names ever since they had been in her village. It was quickly getting old.

"I am only trying to find a name equal to your beauty. It is a very difficult task."

"Spare me." Sango said angrily. She was in too much of a hurry to deal with the conniving monk. She was secretly grateful, however. As long as he teased her, she would not have to think about all the new information that weighed heavy on her heart.

*

As Inu Yasha neared the cavern he had chosen for Kagome, he became sure that he had left her alone for far too long. She was going to be furious and he deserved it. What had he been thinking?

He cursed himself for his stupidity as he leaped his way to the cavern. Much to his dismay, he noticed her scent was off to his left. In half panic and anger he dashed around the corner to find her still in the Hot Springs.

He growled in irritation. He had been gone for more than an hour. What was she still doing in the hot spring? She was going to get all soggy. He was about to go yell at her for scaring him before he remembered how sensitive she was about being seen naked.

In all honesty, Inu Yasha never really considered it a big deal. He had seen her quite a few times by accident and he could not understand why she got so upset each and every time. He usually ended up with his face in the dirt. Even if it had been an honest mistake, she always took it out on him.

He gritted his teeth as he remembered the different examples and he sat down where he was sure she wouldn't spot him. He kept his back to her and twisted his ears so he could hear her when she finally decided to get dressed.

After many minutes passed he heard her leaving the water. He turned around and watched her exit the hot springs. Steam surrounded her as it lifted from the spring and swirled around her lithe body. From his spot, Inu Yasha tried to find the edges of her body. He traced the line he had memorized down her back as she tossed her hair over one shoulder. She squeezed the water out of her hair as she knelt above the spring and she turned sideways long enough for Inu Yasha to get a long look at her naked body from the front.

Her form was hazy but it was one of the few times he actually had the chance to look at her without being punished severely. He growled in irritation as she crossed her arms across her chest and pulled his haori over her waist. He watched her carefully as she tried to let her skin dry before she pulled on her clothes.

She suddenly stiffened and she looked in Inu Yasha's direction. He froze. She quickly looked away but he was positive she had made eye contact. There was no way she could not have seen him. He braced himself and waited for her to say the word. He clenched his eyes shut but the word never came.

Surprised, he lifted his head up expecting to see her marching toward him with fire in her eyes. Instead he saw her looking off to her side with her chest once again exposed. She was fidgeting with his haori that still laid about her waist.

Inu Yasha tilted his head in confusion. Had she not seen him after all? Was she trying to trick him? He crawled forward a few feet and he caught her scent. Her normal flowery scent was accompanied by the heavy and delicious scent of her arousal. She knew he was watching her. And she was doing nothing to stop it. Hell, she was encouraging.

Inu Yasha felt his breath catch in his throat. He was thrown off by the odd signals she was sending him. Was she saying it was okay if he looked at her naked? He inched forward slightly and he saw her stiffen again. She obviously didn't want him coming out into the open. He grinned to himself as he considered the game she was playing.

He situated himself between the rocks and watched her on the other side of the spring. After a few moments she stood and gathered up her clothes. She kept only her side exposed to Inu Yasha but she seemed to move more slowly than she would have otherwise.

Inu Yasha watched her body as it glistened under the soft layer of water. The steam danced around her as she ran his haori across her body to soak up the last of the moisture. From the angle she stood, Inu Yasha could only see her back and the side of her breast but every now and then she would move slightly and he got a short flash of her nipple.

Her body was perfectly sensuous. She was blushing a profound pink and her skin was pulled perfectly over her toned muscles. Her movements were experimental but she performed them as if by years of practice.

Inu Yasha was left in a trance by her flirtatious actions and he felt himself wanting her. He had known that he wanted her before. But at that moment, he wanted her. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to see her entire body before him. He wanted to see the flushed look on her face as he ran his hands across her bare skin.

He was extremely disappointed when she pulled the long hakui over her body. She picked up the hakama, haori, and tessaiga and she ran up to the cavern, leaving Inu Yasha in a state of shock and deep arousal.

He quickly joined her in the cavern but she was already dressed and kneeling to light the fire with the lighter she had obviously found. He frowned and studied her for a moment. She appeared to be ignoring him and a deep blush still decorated her features.

After the fire was lit she turned to Inu Yasha and smiled triumphantly as though she had accomplished some great feat. He gave her an odd look and she quickly turned away.

"I meant to thank you for bringing me all of this stuff. That was really sweet of you." Kagome said pouring some rice into the basin.

Inu Yasha scowled at her. He hated it when she changed the subject so quickly.

Kagome stirred the rice absently with a single chopstick and paused to give Inu Yasha a solemn look.

"So, what did you find out from Sango and Miroku?"

Inu Yasha looked away. "Sango said it sounded kinda familiar but they're gonna go look around to see what they can find on their own. We're gonna stay here and they'll meet us in a week."

"Oh," Kagome said, sounding satisfied. "Well, l'm glad. How are they doing?"

Inu Yasha sat down across from Kagome. "Good, I guess."

Kagome tapped the chopstick on the corner of the bowl and leaned back against the cool stone wall of the cavern. "Do they look happy together?"

"uh… sure."

"They have wanted to be together so long." Kagome continued. "I'm so happy that they finally have that chance. I only wish we didn't have to trouble them."

"They insisted."

"I'm sure they did. They are such good friends." Kagome said. "Ever wonder how we got so lucky?"

Inu Yasha looked up at her with a slightly confused expression.

"So…" Kagome started in a quieter voice. "how did they take it?"

"Take what?"

"Everything." Kagome stated. "Kaede's death… all of that."

Inu Yasha studied Kagome's face. Her features were tensing up, telling him that she was holding off tears. "Don't cry, Kagome."

That did it. Her tears came flowing down her face like the rains in spring.

"No, no, no! Stop crying!" Inu Yasha yelled, but she only cried harder. He moved to her side of the fire and helped her wipe off her tears.

"I… I can't… help it." Kagome forced out between her sobs. "It just hurts… all of it hurts so much."

Inu Yasha pulled her against him. "I know it does."

She continued to cry into his chest, successfully soaking his white under kimono. She wished it were all just a bad dream. A very, very, bad dream.

*8

A/N: I know it would probably take a lot more than a week for anyone to contact anyone or cross significant distances in the feudal era but I figure they have Kirara so they can travel fast. Not to mention, with the extent they travel in the series, you would think Japan was only 5 meters wide.