My first ever story on here! Not to mention my first fanfic not in my head. -u-; Tell me what you think!
Inuyasha r belongz to Rumiko Takahashi.
OC Akkei r belongz to ME.
"Ugh, we've been walking forever!" Kagome stretched her arms and gave a yawn. She looked at the fading light of the sky. "We should set up camp for the night, guys."
The others looked tiredly agreed. Except for Inuyasha, who just 'tched' and muttered "Lazy weaklings." The six weary travelers found a clearing by a river and started a campfire.
"I'll keep watch," said Sango. "These woods are full of bandits."
"Then maybe I should keep watch with you," Miroku said bravely, before being slapped for randomly grabbing Sango's butt. "Or, not. Heh heh."
Camp was just about ready when Kilala* suddenly hissed. "What is it Kilala?" Sango grabbed her Hiraikotsu as a strange rustling emanated from the bushes. The group cautiously wandered over. There was nothing but some trees and more bushes.
"Must have been a rabbit," Kagome halfheartedly stated. She was too tired for it to be something else.
"Kilala wouldn't hiss at a rabbit," Sango said, still concerned.
Just then, Inuyasha felt something hit his head. He looked down and saw an twig. "Hn." When he glanced back up, his friends had weird looks on their faces. "What?" They unanimously pointed up at the branch above his head. There was a snap and he looked just in time to catch a small gray bundle falling from the trees.
"W-what is it, Kagome?" Shippo asked, peering from around her leg.
"I don't know. It's not a rabbit, that's for sure."
"Not a bandit, either," Inuyasha said as the others gathered around. The small mound squirmed and the half-demon dropped it out of shock. They were all surprised when it squealed at the impact.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome stared angrily at the idiot.
"Hey, it wasn't my fault!"
The miko 'hmph'ed and picked up the mewling package. Slowly she unwrapped the piles of gray cloth. Just when she peeled back the last layer, a black, child-sized shadow leaped out, clawed Inuyasha's face, and ran off into the dark.
The silver-haired dog rubbed his face with one hand and shook his fist with the other. "Hey, get back here! I'm gonna pound you into dust you mangy little-"
"Sit, boy!"
As he peeled himself from an Inuyasha-shaped hole in the ground, the group went back to camp, pondering the strange encounter. "It was probably a cat someone didn't want," Miroku said nonchalantly.
Kagome shook her head. "It was too big to be a cat."
"A wild animal, then?" Sango suggested. "Maybe it was caught in a trap."
Again, the girl shook her head. "Not likely, with the way it was wrapped."
Inuyasha stomped over and jumped into a tree, his usual resting spot. "Well, whatever it was, it's gone now. Good riddance, too." He sat against the tree and closed his eyes. "If we're gonna get anywhere tomorrow, you weak people better get to sleep."
Begrudgingly, they agreed. With the exception of Sango, who was later relieved by Inuyasha, they drifted quickly to sleep and with it, forgot about the incident.
(-0o0-)
"Today I overcome the transient world, Without superficial dreaming or intoxication, I shall change myself for your sake..."**
Miroku awoke with a start. At first he thought he was still dreaming, but listening harder he realized he was indeed hearing someone singing. "What the...?"
He stood, stretching, and shuffled off curiously in the direction of the voice. Sango felt an emptiness and opened her eyes to see Miroku disappearing into the woods. She couldn't help but heave a deep sigh. "What is he up to now?"
Miroku didn't have to go far to find the singer. Peering around a tree, he saw a young woman washing her arms and face in the river. She was wrapped in a gray, sleeveless robe and a hood that covered her head. Miroku shifted to get a better look, stepping on a twig in the process. He froze, watching as she snapped her head up, then rose slowly and turned. Her hood covered most of her face, but from what he could tell she was good-looking.
"Who is there?" she inquired. Her voice was soft yet it carried, explaining why he could hear her sing from far away.
Sweating, the monk stepped forward. "Why, hello there. You don't need to worry, I am but a humble monk. My name is Miroku."
She smiled. "Oh. A monk you say? That is quite interesting to stumble upon you in these woods." The stranger giggled.
"Heh heh." Miroku saw his chance. "Well you are interesting yourself, what with all the robbers said to prowl here. You are a fine woman, so I must ask you-"
"MIROKU!" Seemingly out of nowhere, a large force hit the lecher's head and he quickly blacked out. What he didn't get to see was a very pissed off Sango glaring angrily above him while holding her Hiraikotsu.
"Oh my," the stranger gasped. She looked from Sango, to Miroku, and back again. "Hm. I think I understand what's going on here, and I apologize if I came between you and your loved one."
"What! No, no! It's alright, he's... You didn't... he's not my... it's not..."
The woman giggled. "Now I really understand. You don't have to explain."
"Hey Sango! Miroku! Where are you?" Inuyasha and the others emerged from the bushes. "Oh, there you are, Sango. Hey, where'd you go? We woke up and you two were gone."
Kagome looked over at the gray-clothed woman. "Who is this? A friend of yours?"
"Ah, uh, no. I was just foll- er, walking- when I saw her here."
"Oh, forgive me, for I have not properly introduced myself." She bowed. "My name is Orokashii Akkei. I was traveling through these woods when I became lost. I was wondering where the nearest town might be."
"We can help you with that. We were just on our way out ourselves." Kagome smiled. "You can come with us, if you'd like."
"I would be most grateful, thank you." Akkei bowed once more, and followed the others as they left.
Five minutes later, Shippo had a thought. "I wonder where Miroku is?"
A/N:
*I know plenty of people debate it's spelled 'Kirara', but I personally prefer 'Kilala'. Besides, the 'r's in Japanese are pronounced sort of in between r and l, so it can be spelled either way.
** lyrics from the Iroha Song, translated. Found it on YouTube, thought it would fit. I do not own it in any way. Sung by (in the vid I found) Kagamine Rin.