Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ Green-Eyed Monsters ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters in this story, they all belong to Takahashi… greedy ain't she?

 

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Ten - Green eyed monsters

 

 

 

 

The swirl of colours blinded her eyes, but before Kagura could raise an arm to shield against the bright glare, the light faded and her senses were once more hit with the pungent aroma of humans.

 

With a sigh of distaste, she leapt of the well, landing lightly on her feet. Slipping her hand once more into her kimono, she grasped the charm which dangled from a fine silver chain. Another of Naraku's gifts, the rectangular pendent had a shard of the Shikon no Tama imbedded into it and was supposed to aid her in her task. Kagura felt the warm pulse from the shard, weak but insistent. Naraku was right, the last shard and its protector was in this world.

 

Lifting her dark head, she heard the hammering of heavy human feet and she leapt out of the way as three humans barged into the well house. They bickered and yelled and all but tumbled into the well. With a flash of iridescent colour the humans vanished as if they never were. Kagura glanced into its depths once more before slipping out of the door which they had left ajar.

 

She had work to do and the sooner she accomplished it, the sooner she could leave this human-infested future.

 

 

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Inuyasha didn't like it. He didn't like any of it. The minute he had laid eyes on the baka human he knew there was going to be trouble. Back straight, arms crossed over his chest, he continued to walk as if nothing in the world was bothering him. Why would he be bothered if his silly jewel detector had her head all but pressed into that baka's? Why would he be bothered by the way they spoke to each other - in low, intimate tones?

 

No. He shouldn't care at all!

 

Shippou was tyring his hardest to suppress the giggle that had been threatening to escape his lips for the past hour.

 

Kagome had all but hauled Ranma to her side as she pressed him to take her under his wing. Ranma had merely sighed and told her that it was going to be hard work. Since they were travelling, Ranma had explained that they would have to train when they had settled in for the night.

 

Inuyasha had snorted when he heard that plan and only Shippou heard his rebellious mutterings of not stopping for weak humans.

 

Akane hung back from the group, hands folded demurely and eyes hooded as she too watched Ranma and Kagome talking in low whispers.

 

Shippou's heart went out to the girl, she reminded him so much of Kagome and it was clear to the young fox demon that she was as entranced with Ranma as his adoptive mother was with the brash hanyou. It puzzled him to no end how two such ill tempered males could attract such kind-hearted women.

 

He stopped and waited till Ranma and Kagome had passed him and nimbly leapt onto Akane's shoulder.

 

At her startled expression, Shippou bit his lip anxiously, “I'm not too heavy for you, am I? Inuyasha is always telling me to get off Kagome cuz I'm getting so fat and heavy.”

 

Akane laughed, and patted his arm reassuringly, “Oh no Shippou! You're not heavy at all.”

 

Kagome's silvery laughter rang out as Ranma grinned sheepishly at her. Ahead of them, Inuyasha's back visibly stiffened and Shippou felt Akane's body tense underneath his feet. He grinned to himself.

 

“So Akane, is Ranma a good teacher? I don't want him hurting Kagome!”

 

“Ranma? A teacher? I don't know. He's a really good martial artist. The best I know. He can see a new technique and pick it up just by watching. But I don't think he's ever taught anyone.” Seeing Shippou's worried frown, Akane hurried on. “But he would never hurt Kagome. He's quite…gallant like that.”

 

Shippou could see the admiration shining in Akane's eyes and he smiled. Yes, it was all clear to him. Why was it so muddy to them?

 

Watching the dark heads pressed close together, the anger radiating in waves from the inu-hanyou and the tense set of the shoulders he was riding on, a plan began to hatch in Shippou's mind.

 

 

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Ukyou paused at the bottom of the steps. She bit her lip, images of her fiancé with other women dancing in her mind. They had reached their destination with no further mishap. She found that if she kept a firm grasp on Ryoga's arm, she could guide him successfully.

 

A dark blush had crept up Ryoga's neck and suffused his face with a red glow when the okonomiyaki chef took hold of his hand. The blush had remained on his face for a good while, even though he realised that Ukyou harboured no romantic feelings towards him, but only wanted to guide him safely to his beloved Akane. However, the feel of soft, feminine hands on his person was enough to make him blush to the roots of his hair.

 

Ryoga followed Ukyou's line of sight and gasped when he read the sign. “The shrine! The right shrine! Love must be guiding my steps!”

 

Ukyou snorted. “Sorry to burst your bubble sugar, but my name ain't `Love'.” She sighed and looked up the steps. “Ready to go up there Ryoga?”

 

She didn't get any answer however as the guy she thought she was talking to was already barrelling up the steps.

 

“Ryoga! Wait for me! You'll get lost again!”

 

Ukyou stumbled to a halt at the top of the stairs when she suddenly felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Rubbing her arms to ward off the unexpected chill, she looked around at the deserted courtyard.

 

The doors to the house snapped open and an attractive older woman stepped out, broom in hand. She smiled when she saw them, offering a bow in greeting. Before she could straighten, Ryoga had raced to her side and was already imploring her to tell him if she knew where Akane Tendou was.

 

Bemused, the lady pointed to a shed. With a bow of gratitude, Ryoga raced in the opposite direction that the lady had indicated.

 

With a shake of her head, Ukyou caught up to him and turned him towards the right direction once more. She offered a bow to the lady as well before pushing Ryoga towards the open doors of the shed.

 

Neither Ukyou nor Ryoga saw the white duck glide gracefully after them, but the lady did and she shook her head once more before continuing to sweep.

 

 

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Kagome shivered lightly as the sun began its descent. The nights were becoming colder and she made a mental note to bring a sweater next time. Quickening her step, she jogged towards Inuyasha who had been strangely quiet for the rest of the afternoon.

 

“Inuyasha? Do you think its time to make camp for the night?”

 

“Wench its not even nightfall yet! What's your hurry?” Inuyasha kept his back to her, refusing to turn and look at her.

 

“No hurry, I just thought we should look out for a good spot while there's still enough light out.” Kagome frowned. Inuyasha had been distant and moody ever since the fight with the youkai and she didn't know what caused him to be so upset.

 

“Keh! Why bother lying about it? You just want to spend more time with that baka over there!”

 

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise at the hanyou's words, spoken so harshly yet with a note of sadness. Could it be? Was Inuyasha…could he be… “What are you talking about Inuyasha?”

 

He spun around to face her. Golden eyes bored down on her and she took a step backwards. “I have ears you know!”

 

Kagome shook her head in confusion as she stepped towards him, “I know you have ears Inuyasha, why are you being so prickly?”

 

She reached up to try and rub his ears but Inuyasha jerked away from her touch. “Oi! They're not toys you know!”

 

“I know that! You still haven't answered the question! What are you so mad about?” Kagome glared up at him, refusing to be intimated by the fire in his gaze.

 

Inuyasha glared right back at her. “Keh!”

 

He turned and continued to walk, leaving Kagome to stare after him.

 

Was he…jealous?

 

“Inuyasha could be so inconsiderate.” The little voice at her shoulder made Kagome turn and look at the kitsune who had landed lightly on her.

 

“I mean you were reasonable enough. Wonder what got into him?” Shippou glared at Inuyasha's back.

 

“Is there a problem?” Akane asked quietly, coming up to Kagome.

 

“No. There's no problem.” Kagome's chin went up.

 

What right did he have to be jealous? Inuyasha had a possessive streak a mile wide and Kagome was getting fed up with it. At first the hanyou's temper flaring up to protect her from Kouga and any other male had been sweet. Slowly it became irritating and Kagome began to suspect that it had very little to do with her as a person, but more to do with Inuyasha and his stubbornness.

 

“We're stopping for the night anyway.” Kagome's chin lifted in an unmistakable sign of pique. “There's a good spot over there. Whatcha say Ranma?”

 

Looking startled to be included in the discussion, Ranma glance in the direction that Kagome was indicating. “Uh, yeah, sure. Looks a good a spot as any.”

 

Kagome beamed at him, but before she could so much as turn in that direction, she heard light feet land behind her.

 

“Keh! Shows what you stupid humans know! You couldn't have picked a worse campsite if you tried!”

 

Kagome spun around, “Oh? What's wrong with it then?”

 

Inuyasha eyed the clearing critically. “There's no way you can defend it. It's too open. You'd be a sitting duck. Water is miles away, unless you plan on using all the water in your containers and there's no shelter from the wind.”

 

Kagome crossed her arms, “Well if you know so much, why don't you pick a spot then!”

 

“Fine I will!” Inuyasha spun around and stomped away.

 

Shippou chuckled. “That was good Kagome.”

 

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Despite her frosty tone, Kagome exchanged a look with the kitsune and winked at him.

 

The group followed Inuyasha who had stopped in a clearing surrounded by trees. He refused to look at them but promptly sat down, his back against a tree trunk.

 

With a grateful groan, Kagome dropped her bag to the ground and began to set up their camp.

 

“You certainly seem to know what you're doing.” Akane remarked as she watched Kagome and Shippou.

 

Kagome shrugged, “When you're doing this day in and day out, you kinda get into a routine.”

 

“I'm gonna get fire wood Kagome!” With a grin, the kitsune bounded off into the forest. Kagome could only envy his energy.

 

Ranma dropped his bag next to Kagome, “Come on, we can start whenever you're ready.”

 

Kagome snuck a look at Inuyasha who seemed to be glowering at the tree line. “Umm, Inuyasha? Are you going to get some fish or would you rather I…”

 

Inuyasha's snort interrupted her, in a flurry of red robes, he was gone.

 

Kagome felt the breath that she didn't realise she was holding, rush out of her body. She didn't know if she could stand for Inuyasha to watch her make a fool of herself. He seemed to be upset at the thought that she had asked Ranma to train her. She couldn't' understand why. Inuyasha had always made a point to call her `weak'. She knew that he stuck around her because he thought that she needed protection. Kagome thought he would be glad to have one less reason to stick with her.

 

Then again…

 

He had been jealous.

 

With a cheery smile, Kagome turned to Ranma who was already stretching out his muscles. She got to her feet and grabbed her backpack.

 

“I'm just gonna change, I don't think sparring in my school uniform would be a good

idea ne?”

 

Ducking into the cover of foliage, Kagome was grateful that she had packed some sweats. Though she usually stuck to her uniform as much as humanly possible, she always brought these along in case anything happened to her clothes, which was often. The number of times she had brought home her uniform torn and covered in youkai blood was too numerous to even attempt to count.

 

She just couldn't figure Inuyasha out at all…

 

Frustrated that her thoughts had turned to the stubborn hanyou again, Kagome viciously yanked her brush through her hair, wincing at the sharp pain her own actions caused. She tied her hair up into a pony tail and slipped out of her skirt.

 

She was standing in her panties, searching for her workout clothes when she heard a rustle behind her. Spinning around, Kagome felt her face begin to grow hot as a pair of golden eyes peered at her.

 

Inuyasha was holding some fish in one hand as he stared at her.

 

Kagome screamed.

 

Startled, the hanyou stumbled backwards, “Kagome! I didn't…I mean…I….”

 

“Why are you still looking you…you…pervert!” Kagome struggled into her pants as she glared at him.

 

“Gah!” Realising his error, Inuyasha spun around, cheeks already aflame. “Keh! As if there was anything interesting to look at!”

 

The sudden silence made the hair on his nape stand on end. Cautiously, he turned to peek at her.

 

“Inuyasha…SIT!”

 

 

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Dazed and just a little bit more confused then usual Kodachi Kuno looked up. Instead of the oppressing darkness of the well-house, she found herself staring up at a darkening sky.

 

“Brother dear? Do you see what I see?”

 

“If you are seeing the sky above…then yes…yes I am, for once.”

 

“Agh! You two talk too, too much!” Shampoo began to climb out of the well.

 

Not to be outdone, Kodachi began to climb as well.

 

Shampoo tumbled out of the well, taking her surroundings in with a wary eye. “Oh…where Shampoo airen?”

 

Kodachi glared at her. “Something is amiss here! I don't see my Ranma darling anywhere!”

 

Shampoo snorted, “More then that wrong crazy girl!”

 

“Ah! There, over yonder! Smoke, perhaps from a chimney? Come, we shall go forth and seek out the locals.” Kuno confidently strode into the forest and towards the smoke in the distance, apparently not caring one whit about where they were.

 

“Wait for me brother dear!” Kodachi bound off after her brother, leaving Shampoo to shake her head.

 

Cautiously she got to her feet. Something about this place made her very nervous. There was also no explanation for why they were suddenly standing in a forest instead of the shrine grounds. Unwilling to be left on her own, Shampoo followed the Kuno siblings, hoping that Ranma would turn up and take her away from the madness.

 

 

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Ranma stretched his legs, eyeing the direction that Kagome had gone to. He still wasn't sure of her plan, though in essence he could only approve. The school girl led a dangerous life if she went to the Sengoku Jidai as often as she claimed and while archery was well and good, the skill was of no use if the danger was close at hand.

 

He moved on to kicks and punches, loosening his muscles. Another reason he had hesitated was because he just didn't know if he could teach. What the heck did he know about teaching?

 

A scream snapped him out of his reverie and Ranma turned in the direction of the voice when the scream was followed by a loud crash and Kagome came striding out of the forest.

 

“Uh…Kagome is…?”

 

“Let's get started.” The school girl had a look of determination on her pretty face.

 

Ranma eyed her warily, but chose not to press the issue. “Okay, we should probably start with some stretching.”

 

Indicating a spot next to him, Ranma started stretching out his arms and legs. Kagome mimicked his stance and began to follow his movements.

 

Ranma wondered if Akane was going to join them, he could almost feel the weight of her gaze pressing into the back of his skull. What was that baka girl waiting for? An invitation?

 

After the stretching, Ranma started to run her through basic movements to assess her skill. Kagome was in excellent physical shape, her legs had well defined muscles and her arms were sleek and toned. All that walking and biking around feudal Japan certainly did wonders. Watching her bend, Ranma noted that her flexibility needed work …

 

“Oi! Pervert! Keep your eyes where they belong!”

 

Startled, the pair spun around to find an irate hanyou standing with his hands tucked firmly in the sleeves of his haori and a dark scowl marring his handsome features.

 

“What the heck are you talking about baka?” Ranma snapped, he and Kagome had settled into an easy rhythm and he was irritated at the distraction.

 

“As if you don't know! What are you doing anyway?” Inuyasha strode forward and grasped Kagome's arm, hauling her to his side.

 

“Inuyasha! Would you stop it? I asked Ranma to train me and that is precisely what he is doing!” Kagome angrily shook off his grasp.

 

For a moment a look of hurt flashed into Inuyasha's golden eyes, but it disappeared before Ranma could blink and it was replaced with burning anger.

 

“Train you? Train you for what exactly?”

 

Kagome faced him squarely, her jaw already set in a firm line. “I asked Ranma to help me train to be stronger.”

 

“Keh! Why the hell do you need to be stronger?” Inuyasha glared at her.

 

Ranma studied both of them as they faced off, his gaze sliding over to Akane who sat quietly watching the two argue.

 

Kagome's voice lowered and Ranma had to hold himself very still to catch her words. “I need to be stronger because I hate being so weak. I hate cowering in a corner praying that you would come to my rescue, wondering if you'd come. I hate having to rely on everyone else to save me!”

 

The hurt look was back in Inuyasha's eyes and this time it didn't leave. “Why do you wonder?”

 

Inuyasha's voice had gotten very soft as well and Ranma could see Akane out of the corner of his eyes, inching closer while trying not to draw attention to herself. Suddenly the argument had nothing to do with him anymore and he stepped away from them.

 

Kagome seemed to be ignoring the hanyou's question as she went on. “Everyone keeps going on about me and my spiritual powers but I don't even have those! I'm not good enough. I was never and would never be as good as Kikyou. You hate me because I'm so weak.”

 

Inuyasha took a step towards her, hand reaching out to touch her, but Kagome stumbled backwards. “No! Don't lie to me Inuyasha. I know that you hate the way I slow you down, that you wouldn't put up with me at all if I couldn't sense the shards!”

 

“Kagome…that's not true. None of that is true…”

 

“I said no Inuyasha!” Tears were beginning to flow down her cheek and Inuyasha flinched as the sparkling drops fell from her cheek. “Don't lie…don't lie to me anymore…”

 

With a growl, the hanyou covered the distance and took her into his arms and with a powerful push of his legs, he bore her into the woods.

 

Akane's voice broke the awkward silence. “Well…that was…”

 

“Interesting?” Ranma asked, walking over to his fiancé and talking the seat next to her.

 

“That's a word for it.” A smile lurked in the corner of Akane's lips.

 

Ranma sighed. “Akane?”

 

“Yes Ranma?”

 

“We're not that bad are we?”

 

Akane studied his profile as he looked off into the distance, “No Ranma, we're not that bad.”

 

A rustling in the trees made the two teens tense up, but they relaxed as soon as they saw a mop of auburn hair. “I've got wood!”

 

 

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AN: Please please please review! If you guys have any suggestions, comments, please send them my way…please? I have a horrible feeling that the last scene seemed a bit forced. Well let me know what you guys thought anyway. -offers chocolate-