InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Twisted Moon ❯ Pride and Prejudice ( Chapter 2 )

Hello everyone,

This is chapter 2 of Twisted Moon. I hope it's okay and just drop a review or an email if anyone has any advice or comments.

This story is looking interesting right now soooo I hope the ideas keep flowing. I'm going to be editing No Such Thing as Fate so this story is just something I'm doing on the side when I'm bored. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the title of this chapter, I do own the snotty little witch though.

Chapter 2: Pride and Prejudice

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Kikyou was nearby everyone just seemed to know. Miroku liked to stare and fidget before trying his luck at being a distraction, much to Sango's dismay. Shippou would cut nervous glances at Kagome to see her reaction. Sango, being the only one who really couldn't sense Kikyou, would take her cues from the males around her, waiting for an outburst of some kind that needed to be quelled. Inuyasha would stare at her expectantly waiting for Kagome to send him off to be with his beloved.

Everyone knew that he couldn't be stopped, not really. It was just courtesy at this point and an attempt to not be smashed into a hole by a simple command on Kagome's part. Still that never stopped Inuyasha. When he didn't receive the go ahead to leave, he ate dirt, then later that night he snuck away. It had become so repetitive that at one point Kagome had just said screw it and told him to leave. That wasn't the case this time around.

Kagome was expertly ignoring them all while she read in a vain attempt to catch up on schoolwork.

There were awkward coughs and shifting. Inuyasha had even grunted at her once waiting for her to give permission. Time passed and Inuyasha wiggled like an impatient child. He was stuck on the ground near Kagome and if he moved to get higher in a tree he was afraid it might set off something dangerous and usually painful to only him.

Kagome continued to ignore them and everyone eventually went about their business doing camp chores or entertaining themselves to pass the time.

It was almost an hour later when Kagome suddenly slammed her book closed, startling everyone in earshot. She took a deep cleansing breath as if proud of the progress in her studies.

“Kikyou is here,” She announced.

“Yeah,” Inuyasha shifted nervously.

If he had expected a dismissal it never came. Kagome dug in her bag, “I'm going to take a bath.”

“Now wait a damn minute-“

“What Inuyasha, are you going to tell me I can't,” Kagome asked tiredly.

Inuyasha blushed, “Well no, but-“

“Inuyasha, just cut it out.” Kagome eyed him irritably, “If you're going to go to Kikyou at least be useful and ask her for some information on Naraku.”

Inuyasha did a dashing impression of a gapping koi and everyone stared, not quite sure they had heard her correctly. Kagome shook her head and looked to Miroku, “How long till we reach the next village?”

He blinked, “Well we should be there sometime tomorrow afternoon.”

Sango leaned in closer and gently lifted Kirara into her lap. “So soon? The way we were rushing I thought we had another day or so.”

“It's pretty obvious now why we were rushing,” Shippou glanced at Inuyasha who was still stunned by Kagome's comment.

Kagome arranged her bathing supplies in a neat line on the ground, “Do we have money?”

There was silence and everyone looked to Miroku who usually kept the group funds.

Miroku pulled out a small pouch and opened it cautiously as if he expected something to jump out and eat him. He poured the money into his hand and everyone leaned in closer to see what remained of their meager funds. Two copper pieces stared right back at the group.

“Hmm,” A piece of dirt crumbled away from one of the coins and lay innocently in Miroku's palm.

“Curious, I could swear we had a bit more.”

Shippou glanced up at Miroku, “You mean to tell me someone swindled you out of money?”

Miroku shot the kit a dirty look but said nothing a long moment.

“Well,” He announced suddenly, returning the money to it's pouch, “we have enough to double it and afford a room.”

“Double it how?” Inuyasha asked suspiciously, drawn from his dazed state.

“Gambling,” The women in the camp grumbled.

Miroku nodded as if this were the law of the world.

“How about we don't, all we need is someone of our group addicted to gambling.”

Sango looked torn and Shippou raised a hand timidly, “Then how are we going to get a place to stay?”

Nobody answered, they all knew and it involved Miroku sweet-talking someone and lots of lying.

“Hope we get a job in the next village” Sango finally answered.

“Oh.” Shippou blinked. “We can stay out in the forest if we can't find money so it's not that bad.” The kit shrugged oblivious to the strange looks he got.

There was nothing that could make Sango want to stay in the forest when they had a perfectly safe village to stay in and a roof over their heads no matter how rotted. They had been wandering in the wilderness too long and Miroku knew it, even Inuyasha kept his mouth shut for this conversation. He suspected both women would rather stuff their morals and rules someplace where the sun don't shine rather than go another night itching from bug bites and waking with morning dew in their hair. They had both woken at times smelling a little too earthy for anyone's liking and no one had said a peep for fear of being floored by the temperamental Tajiya or being told off by the sharp tongued little miko. That didn't stop Miroku often enough…

“Houshi-sama is there a reason you are staring at me like that.”

Miroku blinked slowly. Inuyasha snickered and Miroku had the sudden urge to rather crudely remind Inuyasha of the undead woman he was supposed to be running off to entertain. He withheld.

“Huh?”

“Is there something wrong?” Sango asked tightly. “You've been staring for about 15 minutes.”

Miroku blinked rapidly at this point. He hadn't been aware his thoughts had taken 15 minutes to sort through.

“I was thinking of the lovely maidens in the village ahead.”

Inuyasha's jaw dropped and Miroku knew he'd said the wrong thing.

Sango looked ready to rip his head from his shoulders and Kagome only shook her head.

“I was dazed by your beauty lady Sango, thinking of how those women cannot hope to compare.”

Sango seemed to relax at the eccentric comment, it was familiar, expected of Miroku, and had probably just saved his life.

She wrinkled her nose and brushed a grungy lock of hair from her face. “Whatever you say Houshi-sama.”

“I am very serious Lady Sango. I was so entranced I nearly said something that would have offended.”

Sango rolled her eyes, “There's nothing you can really say that offends me anymore, it just pisses me off”

“I think your mistaken Lady Sango, you see, I wanted to ask you-“

He shifted into a familiar position and took Sango's hand in his own. His expression was serious and Kagome grinned in amusement. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and decided to watch the show.

Sango turned red in anger but Miroku asked anyway.

“Will you bear me a child?”

Sango suddenly looked demonic and she took a deep breath of air prepared to haul off on Miroku but then she paused. Miroku looked horribly confused, having expected to feel some kind of pain at this point. As the moments passed and a glaze look fell over Sango's eyes, Miroku began to twitch in panic, fearing for his life. He released her hand and looked about ready to bolt when Sango blinked and looked at him.

“Ok”

Shocked silence fell over the group.

“What?”

Sango flushed, “I said ok, I'm tired of you asking.”

At least ten different expressions crossed his face and all was still quiet.

“I expect my children to have a father, and we must be married.”

Color began to return to Miroku's face as he realized she was serious.

“L-Lady Sango I ca- I- the windtunnel.” He sputtered. There was glee in his eyes but pain in his body language. He'd never expected anyone to actually agree, and certainly not Sango after he had harassed her since he'd known her.

Sango seemed confident but there were the tall tale twitches of shock and disbelief on her part. “My children will have a father and a mother.”

Miroku frowned, “But Naraku” he said sounding more certain and stronger.

“We'll defeat him, I believe we can all do it, I believe you can do it,” she told him more certain than she'd ever been.

It was difficult to believe they would fail, Miroku decided, when Sango believed in what they could do, when she believed in what he could do.

Miroku took deep breaths confused as to why it was so hard to breath and why his body felt numb and why he was beating back urges…all kinds of urges.

Sango crossed her arms over her chest and Kagome put a hand to her mouth to hide the shock. Miroku was trembling, looking as if he would start crying in his shock. Sango swallowed thickly, her eyes down cast and filled with tears ready to spill. Fear of denial kept them both still and silent.

And oh gods, it was Miroku's turn to speak. To tell her how he felt and tell her what every little girl dreamed of hearing one day from the man they would marry. He didn't seem to understand what she wanted. And oh gods, how could he be warned, they both wanted it so bad. It was a promise of a life after Naraku, something worth fighting for when all was said and done. Something to look forward to and a hope of a new beginning. And by the gods, no one could do this but them and pray it turned out well. They deserved the peace and the happiness, they had worked so hard and lost so much.

Miroku started as if knowledge of what he needed to done was divinely inserted into his head.

He looked at Sango and pulled her hands from her stubborn pose. He held her hand close and after probably deciding that eccentric behavior was advised against for such a woman as Sango he kept it simple and carried through.

“Will you marry me Sango?”

It was spoken so softly and with so much feeling that you could hear all of the extra's and tidbits that would have been added to express his feelings in meager words.

Sango smiled and that smile grew into a wide grin.

“Yes”

Miroku gasped as if he had expected her to refuse. He bounced to his knees, then sat back on his legs and thought a second, uncertain of how he should react.

“Stop thinking about it” Sango scolded lightly.

He launched himself forward with shameful control for a monk and pressed his lips to hers, somehow still managing to grin like a loon.

He put a hand to her cheek, fingers playing with the fine hair on the back of her neck, to reassure himself and bring her closer. Sango giggled into their kiss tears finally slipping down her face.

Miroku pulled away, decided he didn't like it, and kissed her again. Sango hummed and wrapped an arm around his neck to keep him close.

They pulled away from the kiss, both of them giggling and wiping tears from one anothers face.

Kagome didn't realize she was crying until she tasted salt on her lips. She reached up to feel the water on her cheeks. The movement caught Sango's attention.

She looked and blinked suddenly realizing she had an audience.

All the demons present were gapping openly, stunned by the change from the usual banter to romantic proposal.

Sango stood up and swayed toward Kagome on uncertain feet. Kagome stood quickly and rushed toward Sango, embracing the older girl in a hug. “You're crying Kagome-chan.”

Kagome grinned, “Because I'm so happy” She explained gently.

“Where the hell did that come from?” Inuyasha howled at the purple clad monk who's cheek and ear were now tucked into his armpit.

“First you guys are acting normal then your kissing and crap,” Inuyasha seemed horribly amused by this and was trying to hide it. In Kagome's opinion he was doing a great job because he sounded like an idiot, a friendly male idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.

That night Miroku slept near Sango without her having to punch him clear across the camp. Inuyasha, never went to Kikyou, opting to harass or tease Miroku through the night. Kagome and Sango were making wedding plans long before the new situation settled fully in everyone's mind. Kirara and Shippou slept near Kagome that night, hoping to keep her warm because Sango was certainly warm and oblivious to everything else while she lay near Miroku grinning at him late into the night.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“I learned something about myself yesterday.”

“Oh?”

Kagome smiled fondly, “I want to be brave and when this is all done I want to be happy with my friends.”

The witch glanced up at Kagome, they sat in a random clearing together, simply chatting. Kagome on top of a bolder the size of a car and her audience at the boulders base entertaining herself with piles of straw and string.

“And what brought on this change of heart?”

“Sango and Miroku are getting married” Kagome nearly squealed.

She didn't see the witch roll her eyes.

“And Sango and Miroku travel with you right?”

“Yup” Kagome chirped, “I'm so happy for them but I wish I was like those two”

There was a confused silence, “You want to get married?”

Kagome burst into giggles despite herself, “Of course not…I mean yes, eventually but that's not what I'm talking about.” She laced her fingers together and lay back on the smooth surface of the rock to look at the night sky.

“You have no idea how highly I think of Miroku and Sango for the decision they made last night. I want to be like them, brave enough to look to the future and even make plans for that uncertain future. Living here has made it hard for me to think in that way. I think it's called being jaded or something.”

“Hmm you can make the word work for this instance” The witch assured Kagome.

Kagome nodded shortly in acknowledgement, “Anyway, I just want to look to the future and not be so terrified. Naraku really complicates things but Inuyasha is also a big problem.” Kagome turned her head and stared into the forest in the direction of camp.

“I've been really selfish with Inuyasha and it's not fair to him, not to mention I'm hurting myself. I've been holding onto him afraid of my life and what was going to happen after the final battle.”

The witch paused and wondered if she should tell Kagome, yet again, that Inuyasha was using her the same way she was using him. She shook her head, she'd destroyed the girls life enough. Maybe it was best if she let it be.

“Seeing Sango and Miroku together, I realize that I was willing to do anything to give our group their happiness. I want to see Inuyasha smile and I want to watch Miroku and Sango make their lives work.”

“You have a big heart you silly child but what about yourself?”

“Me?” The delight had drained from Kagome's voice and was now blank and accepting, “I'm going to go home and be a shrine priestess. I can help my brother when he inherits the shrine and maybe I'll find someone who'll love me. Hojo-kun is pretty dense but he likes me well enough. If sweet Hojo likes me then I have hope that someone else will too.”

“How is that a life plan!” Kagome jumped and sat up slightly. Dark eyes bore into her own brown ones and Kagome felt herself gulp at the anger she saw.

“How is giving up everything you've worked for something to look forward too. How will you watch your friends make their lives work if you won't fight for what you want, if you're going to run home and just forget everything that's happened.”

“What do you want me to do!” Kagome snapped.

“I've been here three years in a time not my own. I have no skills, I can't hunt, I can't cook without it coming in a bag and telling me exactly how to make it, I can't pass knowledge on because I'm basically a self learned high school student praying I'm not misunderstanding the things I read. I have no life here and I ruined my life back home. There is nothing for me to do but work and hope somebody is kind enough to take pity on this stupid little girl.”

Silence fell over the clearing and Kagome's ragged breathing seemed as loud as fireworks. She sat up on the rock and stared at her dirty tennis shoes. “I'm going to wish Kikyou back to life with the jewel.”

There was what sounded like a choke, “Why?”

Kagome glanced down at the head of dark hair tucked against the rock she sat on, “Because I've given up on Inuyasha.”

The older woman paused mid cough and Kagome continued, “We're good friends but I don't think we can be in a relationship. We harass and fight each other too much. Kikyou is older and she might be able to straighten him out where I couldn't, she also knows how to stop an argument with him long before it could get bad.”

“And how do you know she won't kill him or herself again to get her revenge”

Kagome smiled softly, “Because she loved him, at least her soul did. She was like me in that way…when she fell in love she loved fiercely and hurt just as bad when she realized she could never show those feelings, that is until Inuyasha showed up. Had the attack from Naraku come even a day later Kikyou wouldn't have been able to shoot someone resembling her beloved.” She put a hand to her chest, “I feel bad for them sometimes.”

Kagome sighed and the witch stared at her speechless a moment. She looked away and took some straw to continue working. Kagome leaned over the rock a little trying to see exactly what she was making.

“I see…I hadn't realized you could experience that woman's feelings. Tell me, can she hate as much as she loves?”

Kagome frowned, “Her heart and soul are human even if her body no longer is.” There was a sputter and Kagome shook her head, so she'd been expected to agree with bias. That showed how much this woman thought of her.

“If I disliked her it wasn't because she held hate, it was because I was jealous. I'm not going to lie and tell you that I hated her because she was an evil creature bent on controlling the world or something.” A flushed look crossed the older woman's face, “She was human and so am I. We are different people raised differently. For someone in her situation I understand perfectly why she does some things. Then she does other things that confuse me simply because I've been protected from the life she had to suffer through as a Miko.”

Kagome scratched her head, “This just feels right. I can't say that for a lot of things I do so I'm going to go ahead. I'm going to give Kikyou back the life stolen from her and hope that she and Inuyasha work it out. If they don't work it out I hope they move on with their lives.”

“You naivety disgusts me” Kagome started in her shock, “But I somehow still like you.”

Kagome eyed the woman strangely.

“Thank you. Your opinion of me is well taken.” She assured sarcastically

There was a chuckle, “Your blunt and honest with me, I was returning the favor. Your good goody way of seeing everything annoys the hell out of me.”

Kagome blushed, “Well excuse me for being a good goody and trying to help my friends out.”

“You're excused.”

Kagome flushed angrily.

“Why is it every time I talk to you there's one or more ignorant comments you have to make to me.”

A shrug, “I just told you, it's because you annoy me. I think you'll grow out of it so I'm tolerating you.”

Kagome made a strangled sound, “Then why do you sit here and listen to me if I annoy you so much.” She huffed, sounding hurt and confused.

“Because it's…” The witch took a deep breath and seemed to be searching for a proper word, “Refreshing.”

“Refreshing?” Kagome repeated in disbelief, her bad mood completely thrown to the winds.

“Hai, I am a witch you silly little girl. Did you think I was a nice witch. I curse people. I hurt and kill people when the need strikes me, I harass the weak and the stupid, of course this is different for me.”

Kagome stared, obviously not believing a word she said.

“So you're evil?”

There was a pause and an air of confusion around the witch, “More or less.” She finally decided.

Kagome hummed in amusement and slid slowly down the rocks side, “You don't seem evil to me, mean at times but not evil”

Kagome grinned at the glare she got, “And what do you know you silly child?”

“I know you're nice. Who else would sit and talk to me like you do and set me straight, no matter how much it bothers me. You're not someone I've known a while; you're a random witch talking to a random miko.”

“I owe you a wish girl. I just get dragged into conversation when I'm with you.”

Kagome paused uncertainly at the steep drop off her rock. She sat, measured it, then gave a leap of faith. She landed crouched on the ground and grinning triumphantly. She felt playful all of a sudden and it showed.

“Oh whatever, it's not like you can grant a wish as soon as I make it. You have to work at a wish just like everyone else.” Kagome snorted.

“We'll I am a witch, I have a better chance of fulfilling any wish, at least I have a better chance of fulfilling it than some little thing like you.”

“Sure, and what do you do if I wished for riches or world domination.”

Kagome shivered when the other woman's gleeful gaze turned on her, “Is that your wish. I know this human lord and he pisses me off something fierce, I'm sure we can `encourage' him to hand over his funds to you. World domination…I've heard that one before but I will certainly have fun trying to grant the wish for you.”

Kagome waved a hand frantically, “I don't really want those things. They were just examples.”

There was a grunt of displeasure.

“Why are you so determined to grant me a wish?”

“I told you before!”

“No, I mean, you don't know me. All I did was shoot an arrow at that demon. You were doing fine on your own.”

Kagome watched as the woman held up a small straw figure that strongly resembled…

“It is a matter of honor. I must repay you for your assistance, it's as simple as that. Now if you would like to make a wish it would be greatly appreciated. I really would like to move on with my life. I do have curses to cast and snotty royals to entertain.”

“Any wish and we don't have to bother each other again?” Kagome asked cautiously eyeing the little doll with a tuft of hair sticking out from the crown of straw that made its head.

“That's all I need” The witch assured.

“Okay fine,” Kagome waved a hand in thought, “I wish to know what your name is”

There was silence a long moment.

“My name is Aneko. May I have a lock of your hair.”

Kagome stepped back fearfully and pulled her hair over her shoulder.

“Why?” She squeaked.

“Because I'm going to curse you of course.”

“I made my wish, you can't curse me for doing what you told me too!” Kagome wailed.

“You won't make a simple wish, of course I'm going to curse you!” Aneko snapped harshly waving the little doll at Kagome like a knife.

“You told me your name, you granted my wish.”

“Of course I didn't tell you my real name you stupid little twit. I'm a witch. Think of the chaos you could cause with my true name.”

“With your name?” Kagome stared at her skeptically.

Aneko glared at her, “You have absolutely no training do you?”

Kagome felt her cheeks heat in shame.

“By the gods, why me? Girl, just make a wish.”

“I made a wish when I asked for something to make the burning from my wound go away,” Kagome defended herself timidly.

“That's not a wish!” Aneko pointed out coldly. Way past the point of yelling herself hoarse.

“Why not, I really wanted it and it worked.”

“Because I say so!” The witch snapped irritably.

They sat glaring at each other before Kagome finally looked away, “I can't. It's just not the way I was raised; making a wish and waiting for someone to make it come true. Wishes backfire and I'd rather not take my chance.”

Kagome glanced over and was surprised to see the witch not scowling but smirking in amusement. “That is the smartest comment I've ever heard a human make.”

“Wha?”

“Plenty of people make wishes but they don't think about what has to happen for that wish to come to fruition. I do it often enough,” Aneko stood slowly, a graceful but small figure in deep blue robes. She cradled the curse medium she'd made like an infant.

“Perhaps it is instinct that keeps you from making foolish wishes. It's what has kept you alive.”

Kagome stared and Aneko motioned to the jewel so cleverly hidden in Kagome's shirt. “You think the jewel is trying to protect me?” The young miko whispered, awed.

“What, Heavens no, that thing is everything just short of evil and the world will be better off when it's gone or at least better contained. You were born with it, I'd like to think the gods have sense enough to put an instinctual abhorrence to thoughtless wish making in your being. At least you've thought about your wish a bit, not that I agree with it but you can't tell foolish children a thing until it's too late…”

“Thanks a lot” Kagome said dryly. She glanced at the doll Aneko had been working on, “What's that for?” She asked, dreading the answer.

Aneko shrugged and eyed her work with a touch of pride, “I'm going to cast a curse.”

Kagome nodded slowly, “You aren't going to kill anyone are you?”

“Maybe” Aneko responded shortly.

“Don't kill anyone, please” Kagome nearly whined.

“But it's interesting,” Aneko eyed her as if she were some alien entity.

Kagome pressed her lips together in defeat, “Right….I'm heading back to camp.”

Aneko chuckled at Kagome's obvious discomfort, “Have a proper wish by the next time I see you girl”

Kagome looked back prepared to comment but found Aneko had vanished.

“Great, she's a wacko,” Kagome grumbled, marching back to camp.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There were many things that Kagome had learned to accept about her life. She knew she wasn't normal, she knew she didn't like when Inuyasha yelled at her, and she knew that she had a duty to collect the jewel shards and protect them. She had just recently accepted that, while she loved Inuyasha in both a romantic sense and as a good friend, she didn't have a chance with him. That, in no way, made her feel any better when she ran into Kikyou and had to silently admit that fact to herself.

Kagome leaned against the wall of the room peeking out of the flap window held open by a stick. Outside at the entrance, Kikyou stood talking to Inuyasha while people hovered at a distance waiting to talk to the `honorable Miko'.

Kagome had never in her wildest dreams thought Kikyou would come to Inuyasha in a town.

Then again, Inuyasha had never refused to come to her when she called. It wasn't as if Kagome could stop him very long even with her control of the subjugation beads. Kikyou knew that, Kagome knew this, and Inuyasha definitely knew. Kagome guessed that the undead Miko was trying to pry information from her lover to find out why he hadn't come to her.

Briefly, the young miko wondered what they talked about when they met in the dead of the night in an isolated part of the forest. Then Kagome wondered why she would torture herself even considering that bit of information. Kagome could think of 10 different things they could talk about alone in the forest and only think of two or three things they could do without talking. Either way, there weren't good odds if she was hoping for them to just have a conversation and be done with each other.

“Thank ye Monk, thank ye.”

Miroku smiled indulgently, “It is my duty. Please think nothing of it.”

Kagome turned and glanced at the monk. After another three days of travel, the group had happened upon a village. Half a foot in the village and he'd lied to the town head about an evil spirit haunting the poor man's house. Panicked and frightened, he had begged Miroku to purify the area and Miroku had done so with a flourish just to pacify the village leader. The older man had then put them up in his over sized home and villagers had come with food to thank the `merciful monk' for his work in saving their leaders home.

Both Kagome and Sango had found it disgusting and had made their opinions clear by sending Miroku dirty stares the whole day. On the other hand, nobody had pointed Miroku out for the liar he was. It had been a long week and everyone was tired and grumpy, a chance to sleep inside with a soft bed was sorely needed. Miroku had realized this the hard way when he had groped his fiancé's behind one too many times the previous evening and had ended up with a gorgeous shiner the color of his robes that had yet to fade.

Miroku managed to convince the old village leader they didn't need anything before he calmly slid the door shut. He turned and let out a long breath of exhaustion. Kagome shook her head amused. Sango huffed and looked away. “Is there something wrong Sango”

Sango sent him a hard stare and Miroku didn't say another word to her as he took a seat closer to Kagome.

Kagome smiled at the couple then sent Miroku a lazy glance.

“You're going to have to tone this lying thing down Miroku.”

“It wasn't lying Kagome-sama, I merely exaggerated the facts.”

It seemed for a moment that Miroku forgot he was talking to a much more powerful spiritual being. Kagome shook her head as he continued to smile, refusing to acknowledge his own mistake.

Kagome turned back to the window and stared out at Inuyasha and Kikyou. Kikyou pet Inuyasha's arm before coming to his side, they both began to walk. Kagome felt and heard someone breathe near her ear. Sango finally saw what had caught the younger girl's attention. She reached out and closed the window. “Kagome-chan why don't we go take a bath together. The village head said there is a bath waiting when we are ready.” Sango chirped placing a hand on her friends shoulder.

Kagome continued to lean on the wall burning a hole into the window flap with her gaze. Sango frowned at the younger girl but before she could turn to Miroku for some help she felt Kagome's cool hand over her own.

“I'm going to find Shippou, I told him to be in before dinner and he's still out.” Kagome pet Sango's hand and stood. Sango stepped back to allow the younger woman space and she watched Kagome walk from the room.

Miroku and Sango shared a worried glance.

The halls of the village leaders house were well lit by candles and the sunlight from the fading sun. It reminded her of a shrine of some sort with its immaculately cleaned halls and its quiet peaceful atmosphere.

The entrance was rather annoying to find but she eventually made her way outside. When she stepped out onto the porch, the sky was turning a flamboyant red and orange signifying the quickly setting sun. Kagome started down the stairs and paused to look around. Villagers paused to stare at her choice of clothing but it was easy enough to ignore them. Kagome looked around hopping to spot a Kikyou and Inuyasha in the distance so she knew how to avoid them, but the two had vanished.

With a sigh, she started on her quest to find her missing kit. The boy loved to find other children to play with when they stopped and Kagome was delighted at how quickly he could make friends. It was getting him to come in for the night once he did make friends in a village that always proved difficult. Despite all this, Kagome didn't blame him and continued to encourage these friendships.

Kagome wandered up and down the streets searching for the fox child and she wondered if she should just buy him a tracking device the next time she went home. It would save her the trouble and the time. Kagome giggled at her own thoughts but continued her search, occasionally asking a villager if they had seen the boy. Finally tired with the search and disoriented by the many streets of the village she backtracked to the village leaders home to start over.

Of course, it was her luck to nearly run into Kikyou and Inuyasha on her way back. The shrine was literally 20 feet from where she stood and the only thing blocking her way was an embarrassed Inuyasha and aloof Kikyou.

Inuyasha shifted nervously looking at Kikyou as if he wanted to move away from her to avoid a vicious sitting. Kikyou tilted her head back slightly and Kagome was suddenly reminded of the haughty stare the witch had given her at one point. Much to Inuyasha's shame Kikyou sent him a look, her gaze screaming `coward!'

Inuyasha growled softly and looked away a moment to gather his thoughts. Finally, he looked up and stepped forward, the set of his shoulders, the way he carried himself and even the way he took his few steps revealing a confidence he had forced up from the depths of his being. “Is there something you want Kagome. Me and Kikyou were walking here.”

The way he spoke threatened her to say anything about the two of them being together but Kagome had no such wish to break them apart. In fact, she had planned on completely ignoring them until her chest stopped aching. He wasn't giving her that option but it had happened before, Kagome had taken it all in stride all the previous times she had caught the Miko and Inu hanyou together, sometimes doing less than savory things, and this time wouldn't be any different. There would be a lot less screaming and crying on her part when the day was done and that was fine with her.

The sobbing, screaming, and pointing accusing fingers had gotten old. This had gone on for three straight years and after having that talk with the witch, she realized she would forever be stuck in this cycle with Inuyasha if she didn't make an effort to break it. She might even have ended up a vengeful spirit like Kikyou at some point and Kagome did not intend to be like Kikyou if she could help it.

Kagome looked at the two of them tiredly. Kikyou stepped closer to Inuyasha and Inuyasha shifted nervously but didn't move away. Kagome ignored the blatant attempt to get a rise out of her. A person in a rage was a lot easier to control than a person who was calm. Kagome didn't intend to be that foaming at the mouth idiot this time around.

“Why are you just staring at us like that, is there something you want” Inuyasha sneered able to force anger into his voice.

Kagome stared at him a good moment as if taking everything in then she looked to Kikyou, “Inuyasha I need to talk to Kikyou.”

Inuyasha pressed his lips together and straitened his back. Kagome realized that Inuyasha had no intention of leaving them alone. “Inuyasha I need to talk to Kikyou alone, you know what that word means don't you?”

The sarcasm pissed Inuyasha off and he made it apparent by stomping around and flushing angrily, “Now wait a damn minute-”

“Go Inuyasha,” he blinked at Kikyou who let a smile curve on her thin lips, “My reincarnation wishes to have a word with me” He looked as if he would protest but Kikyou needn't say another thing, she only sent him a look and the hanyou took off like the wind.

Kagome pouted silently wondering why he wouldn't listen to her like that. The two guardians of the Shikon jewel, past and present, stared at one another. Eyeing the other woman warily, Kagome lifted her head and spoke to Kikyou.

“I won't beat around the bush Kikyou, I need to find Shippou and I'm sure you have some poor soul to absorb.” Kikyou stiffened at the insult but Kagome only saw her eyes narrow a fraction.

The smile remained pasted lovingly on her lips.

Kagome stepped forward and stood at arm's length from Kikyou, it was time to set the record straight before they got themselves killed. “I don't like you and you don't like me but Naraku wants to kill us both.”

Kikyou only stared, waiting for the younger girl to continue.

“We need to stop going at each other's throats for half a second and focus on stopping Naraku before we both end up dead, no offense with that one,” Kagome wave a hand and Kikyou grunted.

“And why should I listen to you girl. There are other ways to defeat the cursed hanyou and I don't necessarily need your help” The undead Miko sneered.

An amused smile curved on Kagome's lips, she liked the word `necessarily' in that context.

“But I'm sure you would appreciate the help now wouldn't you. If Naraku were such a pushover, he would be long dead. We both know that but I didn't think you had so much pride you would ignore that fact,”

Kikyou's Picasso smile faded away and she took a deep breath her face tight in anger.

Instead of confronting her incarnation and likely starting a cat fight, she stepped back prepared to turn and leave.

Closing her eyes in exhaustion Kagome sighed, “I'm done.”

Kikyou paused and glanced back curiously.

“I'm done pining Inuyasha. I've hurt myself too much and I'm so tired of it all. You can have him, I won't interfere anymore.” Kikyou turned fully to Kagome an amused smile on his lips, “given up have you girl?'

“No, I haven't given up but I can't deal with this anymore. I'm tired of suffering and I'm sure if I try, I can do better. I-I just,” Kagome took a deep breath and closed her eyes, “You know, I think I have given up.”

Kikyou stared at her a moment, eyes dancing with amusement, “If what you say is true, I don't want to see you two near each other.” Kagome stared at Kikyou, “We travel together Kikyou that's-”

“You know what I mean reincarnation.”

Kagome looked away a long moment, “Fine Kikyou. In return I don't ever want to see you two doing that lovey dovey crap infront of me. In addition, if you flare your power to call me one more time to see you two fucking in the forest I swear to god I will end you.”

Kikyou took a deep breath through her nose, “We will work together to defeat Naraku and afterward has yet to be decided. I might decide to kill you. I do want my soul back after all.”

“It's my soul dead bitch, get your own” Kagome grumbled angrily.

“It's both our souls but it was mine first. Who does it belong to now” Kikyou mused. Kagome grunted and looked away.

Kikyou gave a soft titter of a laugh and Kagome felt a chill run down her spine, “If all it took was for you to give up on Inuyasha when he would never be yours anyhow, you should have done so earlier. Having a backbone would have helped you on this journey for the jewel shards.”

Kagome gave a sniff, “Maybe.”

“Have you any news on Naraku?”

“No, he went quiet about two months ago and we haven't seen a jewel shard since. I think we're at the end of the road”

Kikyou was silent a long moment.

“If what you say is true we should expect a battle soon.”

“Will you be there for the final battle or was this truce a waste of time for both of us?”

Kikyou eyed the younger woman before stepping to the side and starting past Kagome. She paused when she and the younger Miko were standing shoulder to shoulder, “Remember what I said girl or you'll find an arrow in your heart.”

Kagome gave a bitter smile, “Like you did Inuyasha”

Kikyou's looked away her head moving with a swiftness that came with anger. She stalked past and Kagome turned to watch her go already knowing the undead Miko would be there.

“Kagome?”

Kagome turned slightly and was surprised to find Shippou standing at the entrance to an alleyway with bright wide eyes and a hand over his nose.

“Kikyou. She was here?” he squeaked.

Kagome nodded and Shippou came to her side. He looked up at her curiously, “Is everything okay. I can fox fire her if she was mean.” Kagome smiled slightly, leaned down, and picked him up. When he was comfortably cradled in her arms, she kissed the top of his bright orange hair. “I'll be okay as long as I get to hug you.” She squeezed him in her arms and kissed his pointed ear making the kit giggle.

“Oh. Guess what.”

“Hmm?”

“I can climb trees faster than my friend Ritsuo”

Kagome smiled amused, “You'll have to show me this awesome new skill when we have time.”

Shippou grinned in delight.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

That is chapter 2 of twisted moon. I just sat here and edited right quick. I don't know if I'll post again today, I might. Sorry for taking so long, started my senior year of college and it's been chaotic.