Author's note-- 10/02/2007: Death on the New Moon is on hiatus until further notice. The main Muse that inspired me to write this has gone dormant with it, and is pulling me into other areas. It is at a "nice ending point" right now until I decide what to do with it, and where it's going. I thank you all who have read and reviewed it so far. If you've enjoyed this story so far, please feel free to check out my other works here or on my Live Journal. The link to that can be found within my profile.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Lady Death. Inuyasha, his story, and all related characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi and her affiliates. Lady Death is owned by her creator, Brian Pulido, and Avatar Press (tm) comics. This story, however, is an original from the Pantheon of my Muses. I am receiving no $$$ for this; it si for entertainment only. Your reviews are my payment.
DEATH ON THE NEW MOON
Chapter 1.
Her Departure
Inuyasha was fidgety. He sat by the edge of the fire, drumming his fingers on the scabbard of Tetsusaiga. He hadn't touched the meal in front of him, though it was something he relished. Ninja food. He had first eaten a sample of it offered to him by Kagome, and had looked forward to more of it on her return trips thru the Bone Eater's Well. She had been gone for two days already, and with this being the third day, she overdue in her return.
(flashback: two days ago)
"Inuyasha", she explained, "I must return to my time. It's finals at school, and if I'm ever going to have any chance of graduating, I must go."
She hated having to explain herself every time. You think he would've gotten used to it by now.
"How long will you be gone?" he asked, trying not to sound too worried.
"Not long. Two days at the most. But I will be back, you know that." Gee, what's with him? Why does he seem so worried? She turned from her packing to see that indeed, he looked worried.
"What? What is it?" she said.
"Uh… nothing…" he said nervously, eyes darting away from her gaze. He felt a flush of heat as his cheeks blushed. Damn, I'm not a very good liar.
"You know, you're not a very good liar." Kagome teasingly said. She had an unnerving way of being able to judge his moods now.
"It's just… well…" He still would not meet her gaze.
"You're stalling, Inuyasha. Just say it." Kagome was concerned about his behavior now.
"Uh…" he was fumbling for the words.
"JUST SAY IT!" She blurted aloud, clearly annoyed now. It was loud enough to draw from the others.
"All right already!" he retorted, crossing his arms and furrowing his brow.
"In three days is the New Moon. You know what happens…" He put emphasis on the word.
"Oh, is that all?" she blinked.
She sounds so unconcerned! He thought as an audible "fey" escaped his breath.
"Don't worry. I'll be back." She softened her gaze. Picking up her backpack, she laid a hand on his shoulder.
"I will be back before nightfall, on the third day. I promise." She said reassuringly.
He had turned his head away from her. If she isn't concerned, then why look at her?
The touch of her hand had caught him off guard. He turned to meet her warm brown eyes, but this time there was no flush of heat within him. So much like Kikyo he thought.
"Ok, you know I don't like to become human, even if it's only one night, let alone admitting my vulnerability." He was calm at her touch.
"I know, and you needn't worry about my return," Again, reassuringly.
"Have I not done what I've said all these years we've known each other?" She said, eyeing him.
"That's not the point…" A slight worry in his voice again.
Gods, at this rate, I won't get back in time to get ahead on my studying. She thought to herself.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but there have been a lot more demons coming after the shards lately. We haven't seen and I haven't smelled Naraku either, but I wouldn't put it passed him to be up to something. He has done this before. And being that it's close to the New Moon, I wouldn't put it passed Kagura to have told him about me during that time, either. I won't be able to protect you, let alone myself. I just don't like it when you leave at this time especially." He explained.
"But we don't know for sure whether or not Kagura actually did see you as a human…" Kagome tried to steady his fears as well as her own. But did she? Did Kagura notice? She felt a tight knot in her stomach form.
"Inuyasha," Miroku finally said, "even if Kagome is late in returning, we are here with you. Sango, Kilala, myself, even Shippo-he's become quite the little warrior! We are here to help you and protect each other."
Such was the wisdom of the monk.
"Yeah, Inuyasha," the kitsune piped up, "have a little faith in your friends!"
Shippo had jumped on Inuyasha's head, bonking his skull to prove his point.
"Get off!" Inuyasha grabbed Shippo's tail. He held him out at arm's length, ready to drop the young fox demon on his head.
"Kagome!" Shippo cried.
"Ha! Not so tough when you're by the tail, huh?" Inuyasha started jiggling Shippo like a yo-yo.
"Inuyashaaaa…" Kagome said with a sweet tone.
"Owh! OWH!" Shippo didn't like this, being a fox yo-yo.
"Hehehe! Ahhahahaha!" Inuyasha was having too much fun now.
"Don't make me say it…" Kagome warned.
At this point, Miroku had cleared himself away. It was an all-too-familiar scene, and he knew what would occur next.
"Put me down, Inuyasha!" Shippo whined.
"Not a chance!" Inuyasha teased back, jerking Shippo by the tail harder now.
"SIT BOY!" Kagome yelled, stamping her foot. The prayer beads around his neck lit up, and BAM! Face plant to the ground. At least he was holding Shippo up when it happened.
"She did warn you." Miroku told Inuyasha.
"Serves you right!" Shippo yelled as he ran behind Sango and Kilala. He stuck out his tongue and raspberried.
"Urgh…" came the muffled sound from the crumpled hanyou.
"Honestly…" Kagome sighed, heaving her backpack onto each shoulder.
"You two had better get along while I'm gone, or no treats for either of you." She threatened.
"Hey-that's not fair!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"Yeah," said Shippo. "What did I do?"
"You," she pointed a finger at Inuyasha, "don't need to treat him like a yo-yo!"
Shippo felt vindicated. He smirked.
"And you," she said, turning her gaze towards him.
"You don't need to bonk him on the head like that as to have him treat you like a yo-yo!"
She made her point, as Shippo's face grew blank.
"Now I'm leaving before I feel I have to play mother again. Geeze!" She started walking in the direction of the well, shaking her head.
"Wait Kagome, I'll walk you there." Sango said, looking over her shoulder and calling, "C'mon, Kilala!" The cat demon let out a low growl and transformed to her full form, offering the two girls a ride. Kagome and Sango climbed aboard. They waved goodbye to the group as Kilala raised upwards. Miroku waved, as did Shippo, but not Inuyasha. He merely gazed up their way while dusting himself off.
(flash forward to the third day)
"Inuyasha, are ye not hungry?" Lady Kaede asked.
"Wha?" Inuyasha snapped out of his trance of the fire.
"You have not touched you food. It is not like you to not eat, especially on the day of the New Moon." Kaede noticed this was out of character completely for him.
"I'm fine, old woman. I'm just… worried. There's something different about the air today." Inuyasha finally picked up his food and started to pick at it.
Where is she? He wondered.