Time Well Spent
A/N: This is my first InuYasha story. I hope everyone will like it. I'm sorry if any of the characters in the story seem out of character, I did my best. Secondly, I appologize now for Kaede's way of talking. I just can't figure out how to write it.. This chapter is kind of slow, but it was needed to introduce everything. Next chapter will be more exciting I promise. Oh and of course I do not own InuYasha.
Chapter 1 Kaede's Village.
Kagome sighed in pleasure as she sank lower into the hot springs. She took in a deep breath of the warm, steamy air around her. Sango was leaning on a rock not far from Kagome. The demon slayer was enjoying the warm water; it helped to take away all the pain in her muscles. Sango's peculiar friend from the future was now splashing some water onto her hair. The female demon slayer soon broke the comfortable silence.
"You know Kagome, Miroku told me that yesterday he saw soul collectors."Sango began hesitantly.
"Oh what were they doing?" Kagome asked absently. Her mind already painting an image of Kikyo, with her soul collectors swarming around her dead, clay body; feeding her the souls of young women.
"Well, collecting souls" Sango said smiling slightly.
"Oh right, how stupid of me." Kagome said her face turning red. Though, the color change was barely noticeable due to the fact that the warm air around them had turned her cheeks pink already.
"What you really meant was were they Kikyo's?" Sango asked the question for her friend.
"Yeah, I guess I did mean that." She said quietly. Kagome was now playing with her hands trying to avoid Sango's eyes.
"We can't we be certain, but one can assume they are hers."Sango said seriously.
"Meaning she must be nearby. Meaning InuYasha will go to her again." Kagome had fisted her hands at her sides.
"Kagome I'm sure InuYasha must have picked up on her scent last night and he was with us all night. So he didn't go to her..." Sango was abrutly cut off by Kagome.
"...yet." Kagome said fiercely. When Kagome looked up she saw the confused look on Sango's face. "He hasn't gone to her yet. That doesn't mean he wont." Kagome said sadly looking into the water.
"Kagome I truly believe InuYasha loves you and not Kikyo. He has shown us all time and time again how much he cares for you." Sango came over putting a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.
"You know Kikyo really isn't such a bad person." Kagome began, changing the subject to that of Kikyo instead of her and InuYasha's rocky relationship.
"She steals the souls of others to live Kagome. That isn't the actions of a good person." Sango had a firm tone to her voice.
"No, but I think before she died she was a completely different person. Kind, caring, nothing like the person we know now. Her new body and her old mind are constantly fighting each other for what's right and wrong. I can understand her need to live again. I mean she was young when Naraku murdered her." Kagome had a far off look to her now.
Sango's miko friend was so kind hearted. Even though she was Kikyo's reincarnation Sango knew Kagome wasn't very fond of the woman. It was no lie that Kikyo had tried countless times to hurt Kagome.
Whether it was to steal her jewel shards or steal InuYasha from her, Kagome always found a way to see past the evil that seemed to reside in Kikyo. Kagome could only ever see the good in people. This very attribute was what made Kagome a good friend, but also was what set her up to be hurt by others.
"I mean wouldn't you want to live again if given the chance?" Kagome asked Sango. Sango jumped having been pulled from her thoughts abruptly.
"I'm not sure...that is... my family is dead. I sometimes think I might be happier joining them" Sango said slowly. She didn't want Kagome to think that she didn't enjoy her company, but in truth Sango still grieved for her kin who had been slain at Naraku's castle.
"Enough of this gloomy talk, lets talk about Miroku." Kagome said clapping her hands together. Sango jumped a foot back from Kagome and was scanning the brush surrounding the hot spring.
"Sango?" Kagome asked.
"You just reminded me that that lecher could be watching us" Sango hissed, her eyes wide.
Kagome laughed. "That's doubtful Kaede is supposed to be keeping him busy." Sango raised an eyebrow. "Before we left for our bath I heard Kaede asking Miroku to help with some scrolls or something. No doubt Kaede is busy explaining what each one is to him" Kagome giggled at the thought.
"Well I feel a little better I suppose" Sango relaxed again.
"I think you actually enjoy it when Miroku spies on you" Kagome said after a brief silence.
"What! Kagome how dare you say such a thing! Why would I enjoy having a perverted monk watch me bathe!" Sango was flabbergasted. Her face a dark red as she stuttered to find just the right words.
"Because when he's here spying on you, you know he's not out asking some other woman to bear his children" Kagome said simply as if the answer was obvious.
"Why would I even care if he's out asking some other woman to bear his children?" Sango asked with a very unhappy look plastered on her face.
"You so obviously like him" Kagome answered as she waved a hand nonchalantly at her friend.
"Uh..do not! He's a lecher... he's... I do not like him spying on me!" Sango quickly ducked her head under the water to wet her hair. She no doubt had done this on purpose so she could think of a better response to give Kagome.
"Kagome let us not speak of this topic again and if you would please pass me the...what is it you called it again Shampoo?" Sango asked once she emerged from the water.
"Alright Sango I'll drop the subject and yes it's called Shampoo" She said heading over to the shallower end of the water, where she had left her yellow backpack. She dug inside for the shampoo and soon tossed it over to Sango.
"Kagome! Sango! Can I join you guys?" Called a male voice. Both girls stiffened until they realized who the high pitched childish voice belonged to.
"Shippo, we've explained to you no male species allowed when we're bathing" Kagome called. Sango giggled when she heard Shippo groan. He was so innocent and naïve a times.
"Aww, but Kagome my mom and me always had baths together and sometimes dad joined us. We'd all wash each other's hair and Mom and Dad would..." Soon Shippo's voice was muffled.
"Shippo?" Kagome asked worriedly. She stood up to see if she could see him.
"No worries Kagome, I'll take the little runt back to Kaede's," came InuYasha's voice.
"Ahhh!" Kagome shrieked ducking back into the hot springs as Sango tried to stifle her own shriek.
"Sit boy!" Kagome commanded. Soon a loud thud was heard. Though it sounded far away.
"Damn it wench! I wasn't even near the hot springs!" Shouted a very angry dog demon.
"InuYasha I really don't understand the big deal. Mom and Dad used to bathe together all the time! If you and Kagome like each other shouldn't you two take baths together too?" They heard Shippo ask InuYasha.
Kagome wasn't even the one being asked the question and her face reddened.
"Shut it you little runt! I don't wanna hear about what your parents did when they took baths! Kagome and me don't bathe together because...that's not something you do...with someone from the opposite sex. Not that I take baths with men" InuYasha quickly corrected himself. He was having trouble trying to explain the complicated subject to Shippo.
"I mean I would love to take a bath with Kagome. No! I mean if Kagome and me were mates..no wait! I don't want Kagome to be my mate. Not that she isn't worthy to be my mate. Not that I think of her in that way. I mean I never think of Kagome. I think more about Miroku...not of Miroku bathing of course" InuYasha kept digging himself deeper. Shippo gave InuYasha a look of disbelief.
"Why am I even explaining myself to you! You're just a child!" InuYasha yelled before pounding Shippo on the head. InuYasha then drug Shippo back to Kaede's hut where Kaede had Miroku trapped dusting scrolls.
Sango was gasping for air as she continued to laugh, although she was trying hard to hold it in. Kagome was somewhat embarrassed and somewhat amused by the conversation she had heard InuYasha having with Shippo.
"Come on Kagome we should finish up and get back to the others so the guys can get cleaned up" Sango said while trying to get the shampoo out of her hair.
"Not that InuYasha likes taking a bath with Miroku" Kagome said before erupting into giggles Sango too had started laughing again.
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Meanwhile
"Now Miroku ye must be very careful with that one" Kaede said sternly as she watched the young man who now had a weathered old scroll in his hands. His dusting cloth was poised ready to attack the dust that was clinging to the scroll.
'Give me Naraku and his miasma any day' Miroku silently said to himself. He was greatly annoyed at the moment. Not only was he doing a menially task, but at this very moment two very beautiful women were bathing in the hot spring not far from the village.
As if on cue InuYasha and Shippo walked into Kaede's hut. "Where were you two?" Miroku asked casually, as he continued to carefully dust the scroll. Kaede began crushing some herbs to form some sort of paste. Miroku had the urge to cover his nose because the remedy had a very pungent smell to it.
"We just came from the hot springs," said Shippo as he bounced into the hut and began warming himself by the fire.
"I wanted to take a bath with Kagome and Sango, but InuYasha pulled me away." Shippo said rubbing his tiny fox-like hands near the flames.
"You were there!" Miroku said jumping up, letting the still dusty scroll fall to the floor of the hut. Kaede gasped as she watched the ancient manuscript clatter to the ground. Miroku ignored the angry look Kaede was giving him and stepped over the scroll to go talk with InuYasha who was leaning on the wall of the hut.
"Give me all the details of what you saw! While I was here working hard, helping an elder in need, my good friend was off having fun without me!" Miroku wailed his eyes wide at the thought of what InuYasha had seen and he had not.
"Details? Of what I saw?" InuYasha asked slowly. "Yes, yes, yes!" Miroku urged impatiently.
"Well I recall a lot of green leaves and trees and it was a little muddy" InuYasha said his brow scrunching in thought. He had abandoned his standing position and was now sitting Indian style on the floor.
"What was muddy?" Miroku asked leaning closer to InuYasha. The half-demon leaned backwards a little to get away from Miroku who was inching closer.
"The ground was muddy." InuYasha replied to Miroku's question.
"What where they doing on the ground with leaves and trees!" Miroku asked exasperated.
"Get the perverted thoughts out of your head monk" Came a woman's voice as her fist connected with the top of the monk's head. Shippo was rolling on the ground in laughter now.
"Oh Miroku, InuYasha wasn't describing Sango and Kagome. We didn't even see them!" Shippo said wiping at tears that had now formed in his eyes.
Miroku was now fuming. "InuYasha! Why would I want to know about the scenery!" Miroku bellowed. His left eye twitched slighly in annoyance. Kagome half expected to see steam come out of his ears.
The young half-demon shrugged his shoulders. "Look why don't you two just go get cleaned up and forget it," Kagome said trying to smooth things over.
"Perhaps your right Kagome." Miroku said as he sighed in defeat. He seemed to be in a slightly happier mood at the thought of going down to the springs the girls had just left.
"Oh Miroku can I come?" Shippo asked. Miroku nodded his head yes.
"Oh, I mean only if it's all right with you InuYasha. I know how much you enjoy your baths with Miroku" Shippo said innocently. At this comment InuYasha's face reddened to match the color of his Haori.
Miroku's face was also red as he turned around to face InuYasha. "W-what?" Miroku choked out.
"Well you see..." Shippo began, but he was cut off as InuYasha whacked him on the head.
"Owwww!" Cried Shippo as he clutched his now swollen skull.
"I didn't say that you weasel!" InuYasha yelled and stormed out of the hut.
"Do I dare go now?" Miroku mused not sure what exactly had just transpired before him.
"Oh go on Miroku. Just pretend you didn't hear anything" Kagome urged him, as she consoled the crying Shippo.
Miroku seemed reluctant, but nodded his head and went off --- slowly mind you --- to follow InuYasha to the hot springs.
"Ok, better Shippo?" Kagome asked after rubbing the spot on his head where InuYasha had hit him. The little kitsune nodded his head.
"Now go on to the hot spring and don't talk too much; unless you want InuYasha to get angry with you again," Kagome warned Shippo.
The little boy nodded and hurried to catch up with Miroku and InuYasha. Kagome smiled and turned her attention to Sango who had now been given the job Miroku had abandoned.
"So what exactly brings all of ye here?" Kaede asked.
The group had arrived a little less than an hour ago. Before Kaede could really talk to them Kagome and Sango had rushed off to the hot spring. Miroku had been put to work helping Kaede with her scrolls and InuYasha was well not doing much, but no doubt had not been in a very talkative mood.
"Well I sensed a jewel shard in this direction, then it kind of disappeared. Sango suggested that if a demon possessed it, it would no doubt attack the nearest village. Which happened to be this one, so we decided to come here and make sure the village was ok" Kagome explained.
"I see, I thought it odd that ye had not returned home." Kaede said as she finished making her green herb paste.
"InuYasha wanted me to stay here the night. He figured anyone with the jewel --- if they are in the area --- would show up tonight, the demon, he thinks will attack at night because the villagers will be less prepared." Kagome said.
"Since ye posses the power to sense jewel shards you could let the group know of danger even sooner than InuYasha's nose" Kaede pointed out.
"Our thoughts exactly." Sango said while placing the now clean scroll down and reaching for another.
"InuYasha said I can go home tomorrow for awhile, but I can't spend much time there. He's afraid if I'm not here we'll miss the jewel shard and this will have all been a waste." Kagome grumbled.
She couldn't help, but feel her presence here tonight would be useless. She honestly didn't think the demon or whatever possessed the jewel shard would show up.
"If ye don't sense the jewel shard by late tomorrow will the lot of y'be off then?" Kaede asked.
"I suppose we will, InuYasha has been impatient lately." Sango said. She had stopped dusting so that she could put more logs on the small fire.
"I wonder if the half-demon's impatience is due to Kikyo's soul collectors, which appear to be wandering closer to the village" Kaede's question seemed to fall on deaf ears because no one answered her.
Kagome faked a yawn and curled herself up in her sleeping bag. 'If InuYasha wasn't such a jerk I could be at home in my bed' Kagome thought to herself. Sango --- in a lame attempt to lighten the mood --- also yawned and covered her mouth
"Kaede you'll have to excuse us, we've had a really long journey. Kagome and myself are really quite tired" as she said this she too lay by the warm fire. Kaede nodded she added some more wood to the fire and continued with her scrolls.
Soon InuYasha, Miroku and Shippo returned from the hot spring. To their surprise all but Kaede were asleep. Miroku took up a sleeping position close to Sango. Kaede's eyes watched Miroku and his wandering hand like a hawk.
InuYasha had wanted to ask Kagome if she sensed any jewel shards before she had to gone to sleep, but now it appeared to be too late to ask. The half demon grumbled to himself before he fell into a light sleep.
A/N: Well there you have it folks. I'm sorry for my lame attempts at humor, but I tried. I wasn't sure if Kaede's village had a hot spring by it or not so I chose to put one in.
Please review I love getting them.
Here is a preview of what to expect next chapter:
"A barrier must be around it," InuYasha said.
"But shouldn't I be able to break barriers? I mean I broke the spell Kikyo put on you didn't I?" Kagome asked.
"Breaking the spell of a Priestess and breaking a barrier created by a demon or Priestess is another matter completely" InuYasha said clarifying the difference for her.
Kagome nodded, her eyes now downcast. She picked up her bow and arrows which were the only things she had on her when InuYasha and her fell down the well.