InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Our Trials We Add Another ❯ No Rest for the Weary ( Chapter 3 )

I WILL NEVER HOLD A CHAPTER HOSTAGE TO RECEIVE MORE REVIEWS!

 

The ratio of ownership between Inuyasha and I is non-existent. I do, however, own all my original characters.

 

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Snuggling her head into the pillow, Kaede had just set her weary body down to sleep after a long day of tending her garden. Right as sleep was about to take hold, she heard someone franticly calling her name. Awkwardly getting to her feet, she rushed as fast as her old body could take her outside. Hobbling outside just in time to see Shippo drop off Miroku and transform. Shippo jumped onto her shoulder and cried loudly into her neck.

 

“What ails ye child?” The old miko questioned gently. When Shippo didn't answer right away she turned to Miroku, quickly noting his haggard appearance and wounded shoulder.

 

“What has happened?” she asked more forcibly.

 

Miroku launched into a short recap of the recent event, when he began to speak about the battle Shippo cried even harder.

 

“We don't know who he was or what he was after,” Miroku continued, “Shippo was faster than Kirara in her weakened state, we came ahead to start preparing for the others.” he finished.

 

Kaede was silent for a few moments as she tought deeply. She abruptly returned from her trance and placed Shippo on the ground.

 

“Aye, Miroku, go the stream and fetch several buckets of water and set them in the hut. Shippo come with me” she said gently, walking back into her hut. Sparing only a brief glance at one another, Miroku hurried off towards the river while Shippo slipped in before the mat had fully fallen.

 

As she entered, she looked around; quickly making mental notes of what she would need done.

 

“Shippo, use ye power and make the fire hot again.” She instructed over her shoulder while gathering her herbs. Shippo only nodded began his task on the fire.

 

“I have the water Lady Kaede.” Miroku announced as he sloshed into the hut.

 

“Good, pour the water into the pot then help me clear this table.”

 

Miroku set to work immediately, pouring the water then helping Kaede with clearing the table of its contents. The two had barley finished clearing the table when a muffled thump could be heard from outside the hut. The thump was then accompanied by the near hysterical screams from Kagome for help. Miroku rushed outside to help carry the injured half-demon indoors.

 

“Quickly! Place him on the table!” Kaede barked as Miroku reentered the hut holding Inuyasha's legs. Kagome followed closely behind supporting Inuyasha's upper body, Sango stood guard outside with Kirara.

 

As Inuyasha was placed on the table, Kaede blanched at the amount of blood covering his clothing and face. Glancing up, she gasped again at the amount of blood covering Kagome as well.

 

“Help him, Kaede” Kagome whimpered as she held her hands against her chest in a pleading gesture.

 

Nodding, Kaede quickly set to work. “Help me remove his haori.”

 

After peeling the blood drenched fire-rat robe from Inuyasha's chest and then the red stained kosode he wore underneath, the wound was clearly visible. A long, diagonal gash, spanning the area between his right shoulder and right below his heart, was gushing blood. Kaede set to cleaning the wound as best she could, only pausing to grab Kagome's hands and pressing them firmly onto the wound.

 

“Ye must keep pressure on it while I make a salve.” she said as she turned to her herbs. Kagome only whimpered but did as she was told. Crying freely, she looked at his wounded and bloody body, she couldn't help but let her gaze wander to his stained face. `Even now he still looks so innocent' she thought sadly. Still keeping pressure on his wound, Kagome couldn't help but shudder at the feeling of warm blood covering her fingers. Finally, Kaede turned around and started applying the newly formed salve against the wound. As she worked her way across Inuyasha's chest the bleeding begain to decrease, finally stopping as Kaede applied a second coat. Sensing that pressure was no longer needed, Kagome took her hands away and let them fall limply to her sides. The substance with which Kaede stopped the bleeding smelled strongly of clove, `No doubt Inuyasha will complain about the smell' Kagome thought. As she walked over to pickup a rag to clean her hands, she was unable to keep her constant optimism. Wiping her hands of with the rag her mind commented darkly `If he lives….'

 

Looking up at the elder miko, she asked, “Will he be ok Kaede?”

 

“It is difficult to tell. The wound is deep and he has lost much of his blood” she responded with a sighed, dragging a withered hand over her face. “By all rights he should already be dead, but he is a stubborn dog to say the least.” she continued. At her comment Shippo had a renewed bout of crying. Kagome motioned for Shippo to come over. Bounding into her arms, Kagome gently hugged him while he continued to cry.

 

“Shh Shippo, you know Inuyasha, he will be up in no time.” Kagome cooed into the child's hair.

 

“Aye child, he is strong. He has a chance yet.” Kaede agreed. “Miroku said Kirara was wounded as well?” she questioned next.

 

“Yes, she looked pretty banged up; I'm surprised she made it all the way here with all that weight on her back.” Kagome answered.

 

“I will see if I can attend to Kirara and Miroku then.” Kaede said as she gathered her herbs and went outside, leaving the distraught Kagome and the crying Shippo alone with Inuyasha.

 

“He's going to be ok Shippo.” Kagome whispered into the kit's ear. “You'll see,”

 

“Why does he have to be so cocky? Now he went and got him self killed!” he cried, burying his face further into Kagome's shoulder. Unable to find the words that would comfort the worried child, she settled for gently patting his back. They sat this way for a short while before Miroku and Kaede reentered the hut with her backpack in tow. Sango followed closely behind holding a bandaged, but alive, Kirara. Kagome looked up as she heard a quiet mew and smiled, if only half heartedly, for the first time that night.

 

“I'm glad you're ok Kirara.”

 

“We were blessed that she fared as well as she did.” Miroku commented as he walked around to look at his fallen comrade. “If only Inuyasha had done so well.” he added quietly.

 

Placing a hand on Kagome's shoulder Sango gave her friend a gentle squeeze of encouragement. Kagome looked up and weakly smiled, the slayer could plainly see the sadness etched all over her sister's face.

 

“All that can be done is done. Only time will tell of his future.” The old miko said calmly as she lowered herself onto a nearby cushion, “The best thing ye can do now is rest. The morning will bring the answers you seek.”

 

The others nodded grimly and began to settle themselves about the hut in the hopes for sleeping. After settling down, Sango realized she should help Kagome a little bit more. Standing up, she walked to the backpack and found Kagome's sleeping bag. As Kagome saw what Sango had done she nodded her thanks and returned her gaze to Inuyasha. Settling back down, Sango and the other drifted off to sleep. Kagome and Shippo stayed in their spot, only a few inches from Inuyasha. After the other occupants' breathing became more rhythmic, Kagome laid Shippo onto her sleeping bag and quietly kneeled over Inuyasha, looking at his face and injury. Once again unable to stop her tears, she let a few flow freely before wiping them away. As she began to feel drowsy, she brushed her hands over his unresponsive ears before settling on the floor near Inuyasha's head; Shippo was still fast asleep on her sleeping bag, he had cried himself out. Leaning her head against the wood, she felt her eyes beginning to droop lower and lower. `Please don't leave me Inuyasha.' was her last thought before drifting into blissful unconsciousness.

 

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Miroku was the first to wake the following morning. Blinking sleepily, he was about to stretch when the memories of the previous night came rushing back into his mind. Looking over at Kagome and his other companions with a sad look, he could only hope the prospects of the morning were good. He failed to stifle a yawn as it bubbled up unexpectedly. Quickly glancing around, hoping he didn't wake the others, he focused his vision on the low table that held his hanyou friend, smiling slightly to himself at the sight. He got up slowly and started toward the entrance of the hut when he noticed a set of ears twitch in his direction. He made a little bit more noise and sure enough the ears twitched again. Hoping against hope, he quietly walked over to Kagome's sleeping form and shook her lightly. She awoke with a start, staring all around before she found the smiling face of Miroku.

 

“Good morning Lady Kagome”

 

“Morning, Miroku. Can you help me up? My leg fell asleep.”

 

“My my, of course I would be happy to help.” He replied, offering an arm.

 

As Kagome was about to accept his assistance she noticed his other hand making a slight cupping motion. Shying away from him she said, with eyes wide in horror, “ On second thought Ill do it my self.”

 

“I am so misunderstood” he lamented as he helped her up anyway. Once standing, Kagome turned to look at Inuyasha; had the circumstances been so grave she would have laughed. There was Shippo, snuggling up against Inuyasha's arm, sound asleep. Sighing softly, her heat jumped when she saw her friend's ears twitch.

 

“Miroku did you see that?” She asked excitedly.

 

“I did. This is a good sign.” he replied with a smile.

 

Smiling herself, Kagome gently picked up Shippo and passed him to Miroku. Then, as she leaned over Inuyasha, she questioned gently. “Inuyasha can you hear me?” She suppressed the squeal that threatened to escape when she saw her favorite ears twitch once more. She pressed on.

 

“Inuyasha, wake up.” She commanded with little success. Thinking quickly, she tried a new approach.

 

“Inuyasha, Koga is here and is going to take me away to make me his woman!” She whispered with a triumphant smile.

 

She was still startled, yet pleased, when she heard him moan softly. He stirred slightly as his head turned and his eyes opened slowly.

 

“Wench.” he ground out.

 

This time, she couldn't quash the squeal as she hugged him gently. The rest of the hut's occupants were awaken by the sudden outburst of sound, quickly they realized that their friend alive and awake.

 

“How do ye feel Inuyasha?” Kaede asked as she slowly hobbled over to him. Morning, it seemed, did not suit the old miko well.

 

“Like I was stabbed in the chest. What the hell kind of question is that, hag?” he replied ruefully. Kaede snorted and murmured something about him being a “stubborn dog” as she began her daily chores. Miroku and Sango cast smiles at one another before their attention snapped back to Kagome's yell.

 

“You can't get up yet! You're still hurt!”

 

“I'm getting up wench now MOVE” he bellowed in return

 

As he started to raise himself three sets of hands forced down the growling half-demon.

 

“What the hell? Let me go!”

 

“We spent a good deal of time saving your life Inuyasha, the least you can do is lie still!” Miroku grunted against the strength Inuyasha was able to muster. Sighing in defeat, Inuyasha obeyed, but not without a customary string of curses. Attempting to change the subject, Sango said, rather loudly, “Maybe now we can try to figure out who this new enemy is.”

 

At the mention of the attacker Inuyasha tensed up, but at least he was staying down now. Sango was surprised when she studied his face and found him to be deep in thought about the subject. His silence seemed to draw all the attention of the room to him.

 

“There was something odd about the way he fought” Inuyasha said, “He was human, but he seemed to be…I dunno…more.”

 

“What do ye mean by `more' Inuyasha?” Kaede inquired.

 

“Damn it! If I knew I woulda said, hag” he huffed back.

 

“Are you sure he was human Inuyasha?” Sango questioned gently, “He looked more like a demon to me.”

 

“Indeed, his red eyes and strange hair were very demon like.”

 

“Everything seems to be out of the ordinary with this encounter. Jewel shards appearing and disappearing, Inuyasha and Shippo's inability to smell Kirara's blood, not to mention the presence of that man.” Miroku rattled off.

 

“I was thinking about that” Sango interjected, “Slayers used cooked herbs that had a strong odor to befuddle demon senses, perhaps this mysterious person diminished both of your senses in such a way..” she ended.

 

“Aye, `tis a possibility, though I know not what cooked herb that can hide the power of the sacred jewel.” Kaede commented, rubbing her stubbly chin. “Ye must also consider that this unknown assailant might be working for Naraku.” she ended gravely, eyeing the room. This revelation caused a moment of silence.

 

 

“Keh, I know what I smelled. He IS human, herbs can cover up scent but not change it!” Inuyasha groused, “Besides, I trust my nose more than I do YOUR eyes lecher.”

 

“Yeah! I knew he smelled human! I just didn't know if I was right.” Shippo piped up.

 

“Well then, if our resident demons say he was human then he must have been.” Miroku conceded with a nod towards Inuyasha.

 

Kagome had sat there listing to the entire exchange. She looked deep in though, concentration written all over her face. She seemed to want to say something but shook her head, choosing to forget about it. Shifting her train of though, she began to think about the battle.

 

“What about that white light he shot at Kirara when we were escaping?” Kagome thought out loud.

 

“What white light?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“That's right Kagome! When he shot at us I felt kinda funny.” Shippo said as jumped onto Miroku's uninjured shoulder.

 

“What white light?” Inuyasha asked again.

 

“Is there any way you can explain how you felt Shippo?” Kagome asked.

 

“It felt like when you purify demons Kagome. Only it felt kinda angry.”

 

“How odd, I felt nothing.” Miroku commented

 

Inuyasha, fed up with being ignored, decided he wanted an answer.

 

“WHAT FUCKING WHITE LIGHT?” Inuyasha yelled.

 

The silence and disapproving glares that followed was almost deafening.

 

“You were unconscious Inuyasha. We put you onto Kirara's back and flew away. As we were flying, that….guy, pointed his weapon and a white beam of energy shot at us.”

 

Nodding slightly he calmed back down.

 

“We also don't know if he was the one that was in possession of the jewel shards and we can't assume that he was or was not. So we don't know if that was his power of the power of the jewel.” Sango stated. “And with Kaede's comment about him being in the employ of Narkau, we have to consider that he is a new detachment.”

“How could he be a spawn of that filth? He was human, I can guarantee that.” Inuyasha stated.

 

“Narkau may have absorbed some new power while he has been in hiding.” Miroku said solemnly.

 

“Maybe Naraku placed his human half into that…man?” Sango wondered out loud.

 

“Keh! “

 

“If that is true then we must be on guard at all times. Naraku may be a full demon and this new threat is just as powerful.” Miroku deduced.

 

His comments caused another round of silence, each pondering the deeper meanings of the statement uttered. Even Inuyasha still seemed deep in thought. After what felt like an eternity Miroku stood up.

 

“Enough of this. We know too little to make any real conjecture. All we know is that he is most certainly dangerous. We still must be on guard, Inuyasha is still injured and Sango is unable to repair Hiraikotsu here.” he said seriously to the group. While staring around the room at his companions thoughtful and depressed faces Miroku felt he needed to change the mood. Abruptly changing from being serious to wearing a big smile on his face, he added, “I think its time for breakfast. Who's hungry?”

 

At the mention of food the distinct sound of rumbling stomachs could be heard. Miroku's smile only broadened.

 

“My lovely Sango, will you assist me in providing food for out hungry companions?” He said holding the mat open for her. Sango, knowing the lecher for exactly what he was, hesitated before standing up and proceeding through the exit, eyeing the monk warily. Miroku followed close behind. Barley a few seconds after the two had left, the remainder of the group jumped when they heard Sango scream “HENTAI” followed by a loud slap.

 

The resulting silence in the hut was broken when Shippo said innocently,

 

“Nice contact on that one”

 

“Aye” Kaede agreed as she returned to her tasks.

 

 

 

 

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A/N

 

Thanks to those who reviewed, Lunabell randomreader504 and LadyCash. I am glad my incoherent ramblings at least make some sense to others

I am not entirely sure how good this one came out….oh well I tried.