Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Demons ❯ The Mysterious Slayer ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven

The Mysterious Slayer

 

The birds chirped as the first rays of dawn became present turning the sky a golden/pink. The group and the new additions slept soundly on the ground. A figure clad in red watched as Kagome returned to camp smiling happily. In the dead of night, she had sensed trouble at Kaede's village; Inuyasha had reluctantly let her go alone.

`At least she came back in once piece,' he thought as he closed his eyes only to open them again. Kagome set down an armful of packages by the tree he was currently perched in. He already knew what was in them; after all, she had given Yusuke the same type of packages the previous day. He wondered if they could even fight, they didn't seem weak, but that didn't tell him too much. He'd just have to test their power, one by one of course. He wanted to see if they were even worthy of traveling with them even on a trial basis. He didn't need a bunch of worthless youkai and a human tagging along. Kagome settled down to sleep, he watched over the camp getting in a few hours rest here and there. When the sun finally came over the mountains the normal activity started below. Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo were the first to wake.

“Inuyasha, we're going to gather some fish for breakfast. Would you like to come along?” Miroku offered.

“Feh, no thanks,” Inuyasha declined. Miroku shrugged then went off to the river with Sango, Shippo, and Kirara. Kagome and Kurama were the next to rise.

“Where did Miroku, Sango, and Shippo go?” Kagome asked.

“They went to catch breakfast,” he replied before jumping down.

“All right then, I'll get some water since our water bottles are running low.” Kagome went over and grabbed their water bottles before heading the same direction the others had gone in only moments before. Kurama prepared a spit for the fish. Inuyasha's gaze moved, Yusuke and Kuwabara were still asleep. They obviously weren't used to waking up early, they would soon. Inuyasha picked a couple of twigs off of the tree branch he was on and chucked one at each male.

“What the hell?” Yusuke groaned as he sat up.

“Inuyasha, that was rather unnecessary,” Miroku sighed. A string of fish was slung over his shoulder; Sango was carrying one identical to his. Kagome came up behind them with water bottles in her arms wondering what was going on now, Shippo was next to her carrying a couple of water bottles.

“He probably did something stupid,” he mumbled, as if hearing her thoughts. Inuyasha slowly turned his head to Shippo, who was looking very nervous. With a small squeak he found refuge on Kagome's shoulder, Inuyasha figured he could get the kit later. Shippo was safe…for now. Placing the water over by the packages Kagome suddenly remembered something.

“Oh! Inuyasha!”

“Yeah, what?”

“Kaede had heard a rumor about a shard to the north of here. Someone from Kashini Village had come and said that there were three youkai that attacked the village once a month and took any female they wished. If the villagers let them take one female they would all be spared. They think that their power is being increased by the shards of the jewel,” Kagome explained.

“Half the time this ends up as charity work,” Inuyasha grumbled.

“Well, it would be a good idea to at least check it out,” Sango said. “If the villagers think that the youkai have shards then don't you think we should?”

“Fine,” he agreed at last. Miroku had been gutting the fish as they spoke, he agreed with Sango. It was best to check out every rumor about the Shikon Shards, the more they had the better. It would mean that it was one less than Naraku; he had enough as it was. Kagome began to cook the gutted fish, her expression solemn. It seems that she and Miroku were thinking the same thing. Puu watched the scene from his perch on a boulder, Kirara sat nearby. Yusuke decided to repeat a question he had asked a few days ago, yet had not gotten a decent answer.

“What is so important about the shards?” Silence lapsed over the camp as the delightful smell of fish became stronger.

“None of your damn business,” Inuyasha huffed. Kagome looked over at Sango and Miroku catching their gazes. All three nodded in silent agreement.

“I think that they should know. It would be best if they know the importance of the jewel and why it is so urgent that we gather the shards so quickly,” Miroku spoke.

“But what if…”

“Think about it Inuyasha, before coming here I hadn't even heard of the jewel. They are from my era, even being youkai it would be highly unlikely that they would have heard of it,” Kagome interrupted.

“We can't trust them yet!” Inuyasha yelled as he jumped down from his perch.

“Must you be so difficult?” Kagome groaned both nose to nose.

“They don't even know what the hell they're getting themselves into! I don't know why they even want to help!” Kagome had no retort, she wasn't quite certain either, but if they were willing then she wouldn't deny them. Inuyasha smirked triumphantly knowing he had won that round. Then something clicked what had she told that punk a few days prior? “What did you tell him anyway?” Kagome knew who `him' was by the way Inuyasha spat it out like it was venom.

“Just that we were searching for the shards of the Shikon no Tama…”

“WHAT?” Inuyasha roared.

“He has no clue what it does yet. People from my era don't know about it!”

“So you think we should tell them?”

“Yes.”

“NO!” Inuyasha had never run across anyone who joined their pack that had no clue what the Shikon no Tama was. Meanwhile, Kurama's eyes narrowed in thought.

`The Shikon no Tama, so it is real.'

`You weren't certain?' Kurama was rather surprised.

`No, I wasn't. I am only three hundred years old, by that time there were only rumors going about. But I hadn't been concerned about it, nothing was certain when it came to that.'

`What do you know about it?'

`Only that one shard increases power tenfold and if it's whole it can grant one wish.' A loud thud reached Kurama's ears; he looked around for the source of it only to find both Kagome and Inuyasha gone. Kagome came from behind a particularly large bush looking rather steamed. Miroku was passing out the fish as Inuyasha came from behind the bush, his expression mirroring Kagome's own. Everyone ate in an uncomfortable silence; the morning had not started out well at all. Kirara and Puu sat by their respective masters not liking the thick tension between Kagome and Inuyasha. Kuwabara half expected something to burst into flames from the intense glares Kagome and Inuyasha were sending at each other. Miroku noticed that Inuyasha's fish had been long since finished. He cleared his throat successfully gaining the hanyou's attention.

“Why don't we take a walk while the others finish breakfast?” he suggested. When Inuyasha opened his mouth to object Miroku stood and walked over to him. “I would highly suggest it.”

“Fine,” Inuyasha sighed and got up to follow Miroku. At least it would give both time to calm down. It wouldn't happen if they were in the same area. Shippo bounded over to Kagome, seeing that her mind was still on what Inuyasha said, he decided to distract her.

“Hey Kagome, what's in those packages?” he questioned.

“Oh!” It would be obvious to anyone that she had forgotten all about the packages. “Thanks for reminding me Shippo,” she smiled and went over to retrieve the packages before walking back over to the others. She handed Kurama, Kuwabara, and Hiei each a rice paper wrapped parcel. In each parcel was clothing that consisted of Hakama, a Juban, and a Kimono. Hiei was a bit reluctant to open his parcel; he preferred to wear his black clothing. After Kurama's prodding he opened it to find the Hakama and Kimono black and the Juban white. After Kagome explained that it would be easier for them to simply blend in they changed into their new clothing. Inuyasha and Miroku walked back into the clearing just as everyone was preparing to leave. Sango noticed Kagome look over at a bush momentarily before starting to follow the others to the village.

“Do you think we'll need her?” she questioned.

“Most likely,” Kagome whispered. “Inuyasha!”

“What now?” he huffed.

“Kaede needs my assistance back at the village for a while. Will it be all right to go on without me?”

“Is it THAT important?”

“Yes.” Inuyasha paused a moment in thought.

“Fine,” he gave in. Kagome smiled and ran off in the opposite direction leaving Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara to wonder. “Come on! I'm not going to wait forever!” Inuyasha yelled at the four. Hiei snorted and mumbled something about loud, annoying dogs before following. Sango carried Kirara in her arms, the fire neko purred contentedly. Puu was rather content himself perched on Yusuke's shoulder. If anyone was expecting this to be a quiet trek, they were wrong.

“It's such a beautiful day,” Sango smiled.

“Yes, but not as lovely as the woman I am honored to be traveling with,” Miroku said smoothly placing his hand on the small of her back. Sango felt her cheeks heat up, although the moment was not to last when Miroku's hand started to creep south towards forbidden territory. Kirara immediately jumped down from Sango's arms sensing the danger that the monk seemed to ignore.

“Idiot Monk,” Inuyasha mumbled. Sango halted as Miroku grinned like a fool. Inuyasha sighed and shook his head coming to a halt as well with the others. Sango's hand slowly undid the strap to the Hirikotsu that strapped it to her back, raised it in the air, and sent it crashing onto the poor Monk's head with a cry of,

“HENTAI!” Sango huffed as she strapped the Hirikotsu back onto her back and stalked away, dangerous vibes wafting off of her the entire time.

“Is he going to be okay?” Kuwabara asked looking at the unconscious Miroku.

“Yeah, he'll be fine. All he ever gets is one hell of a headache when he wakes up,” Inuyasha grunted before moving to drag the unconscious monk along. Yusuke silently thanked Kami that Keiko never had anything that dangerous and that she never did anything besides slap. Well, then again those slaps did hurt. But what Sango just did to Miroku….made him feel rather lucky.

“You'd think he'd learn,” Shippo sighed.

“This happens often?” Kurama questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah.” Noon dawned on the group and still no sign of the village. Inuyasha was beginning to doubt that they were even going the right way, not that he'd ever admit it!

“Inuyasha, just admit it we're lost,” Sango said.

“We are NOT lost! We're just not there yet.”

“That means we're lost,” Shippo alleged.

“I said we are NOT lost!” Inuyasha yelled.

“Temper temper,” a female voice cooed. They looked around for the source of the voice, yet couldn't find it.

“Who's there?” Inuyasha growled.

“Just little ol' me!” A familiar female entered their line of vision. Yusuke and Kuwabara stood on guard. It couldn't be, they had seen her in their era! How could she be here as well? Same outfit, same voice, same necklace.

“Buzz off,” Inuyasha snapped and started to walk away.

“You are looking for Kashini Village right?” she questioned.

“Yes we are,” Miroku replied, much to Inuyasha's displeasure.

“Well then, you are going the wrong way,” she stated.

“Told ya we were lost,” Shippo muttered. “Owwww!”

“Temper Inuyasha, temper!” the female scolded. “I can show you the way, I'm headed there myself.”

“We don't need….” Inuyasha looked around only to find that the rest of the group was following the strange female slayer. “Hey! I was talking!” He yelled and went after them.

“This isn't making much sense,” Kuwabara said to Yusuke. They hung around at the back of the group.

“I know, Kagome had told me that only she and her family know about what the well can do.”

“This woman doesn't sense like a youkai, so she couldn't have lived that long.” Yusuke nodded his agreement.

“Don't fall behind!” the slayer chimed.

 

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You find a piece of paper laying on an oak desk, you pick it up and read:

I, Tijiya,hereby state no claim to the following anime:

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Yu Yu Hakusho © Yoshihiro Togashi

I only borrow them to amuse myself and my readers.