I don't own Inuyasha.
Sticks And Stones
Chapter One
A light breeze ruffled children's hair, the stream nearby gurgled and the warm rays of the sun ushered in spring: the day seemed perfect. However, the atmosphere surrounding Inuyasha and his motley band of friends was anything but.
They were on their way back to Kaede's village after a particularly long and arduous journey of following what clues they could ferret out about Naraku and when they were just a few kilometres away from the village, they spotted Kikyou's shini-dama-chuu. The luminescent soul-stealers coiled and uncoiled in the air, a silent call to Inuyasha to follow them to their un-dead mistress. Conversation halted mid-sentence and while Miroku and Sango exchanged meaningful looks, Inuyasha and Kagome looked everywhere expect at each other.
"Go," sighed Kagome almost inaudibly, turning her head away from Inuyasha. She walked towards Sango, Miroku and Shippou. Inuyasha dithered for a moment and then ducked into the woods with an apologetic look that Kagome missed.
"It's alright, Kagome-chan," soothed Sango with an arm around her dejected friend. "It's probably something about Naraku."
"Yeah," said Shippou stoutly. "And I think you're way better than Kikyou!" he added with a contemptuous sniff.
Miroku smiled when Kagome gave Shippou a weak grin and strode to her, "Why don't we stay here for a little while? Now, I don't know about you, Kagome-sama, but my legs are a little tired out. Why don't we enjoy this marvelous weather together?"
When he saw Kagome, Sango and Shippou narrow their eyes at his words, he hastily added, "I meant all together!"
"Why," said Miroku in a tone of exaggerated hurt, "You lot don't trust me at all!"
"That's enough out of you," said Sango, tweaking his ponytail. "But it's a fine enough suggestion. That tree over there looks nice and shady. Come, let's go sit there."
Nodding agreeably, Kagome, Miroku, Shippou and Kirara walked with Sango to the indicated tree and then scattered a little, finding comfortable spots to stretch their limbs. Kagome settled down next to Sango and after a few moments of comfortable silence, Kagome said, "You know, I was thinking...when we reach the village, I'd go and visit home for the rest of the day. I won't stay the night; I know we're only here for a stop-over and we're going to have to leave early tomorrow morning. It'd just be nice to see Mama again. I miss her."
"That sounds good," said Sango amiably. "I don't see it upsetting any plans."
To keep Kagome's mind off Inuyasha and Kikyou, Miroku, Sango and Shippou spent the rest of the hour that he was away with her. They all lay down on their backs and entertained themselves by pointing out what they thought the swirls of clouds looked like.
Just as Kagome and Shippou were laughing that one particular cloud looked like Miroku, they noticed Inuyasha walking slowly out of the forest with a disconcerted look on his face. They all got up from under the tree quickly and got their belongings together so that they could make their way to the village again. Kagome lingered next to Sango, unwilling to walk next to Inuyasha like she normally did. Nobody really said anything and walked in relative, awkward silence.
When they were within sight of the Bone Eater's Well, on the fringes of the village, Sango nudged Kagome towards Inuyasha. "Tell him," she mouthed meaningfully.
Gathering her resolve, Kagome quickened her steps until she was next to Inuyasha. He didn't really look at her, but kept walking, thinking that she was just choosing to walk beside him.
"Inuyasha,"
Inuyasha just grunted in response, his head still on his conversation with Kikyou. She had outlined her plans for baiting Naraku out of hiding. None of her plans included anyone other than herself in them and she refused any and all help he offered her. She did not want to align herself with him and his friends and he was worried about what would happen. He was frustrated at how stubborn she was being and was wondering what their steps should be next.
"Inuyasha, I'm going to go home for-"
Without bothering to hear her out, Inuyasha absently said, "No," The manner of his reply was almost instinctual and Kagome felt a rush of anger course through.
"Inuyasha," she repeated, trying to keep her voice calm and steady, "You didn't hear me out-"
"You're not going home, Kagome. We don't have time for all that shit right now." said Inuyasha, an edge to his voice.
"What do you mean 'You're not going home'? You're not the boss of me! You can't order me like that!" yelled Kagome, losing her patience. She stopped walking and just stood her ground.
Inuyasha, who stopped too, yelled back, "I can and I will! I say you're not going home, wench, and that's it!"
"Oh!" screamed Kagome in frustration, "you're impossible! You baka, don't make me say the Word!"
"You wouldn't fucking dare!"
"Try me!"
They looked daggers at each other for a moment and meanwhile, the others made sure to give the two a wide berth while continuing to listen intently at the ensuing fight.
"Kagome, you go down there and..."
"And, what?" demanded Kagome, her voice falling to a dangerous octave. "And what, Inuyasha?"
"Listen bitch, it's your fault the fucking jewel broke in the first place! It's your fault we have chase down every damn shard that damn scumbag youkai have picked up. You damn well keep your ass on this side of the Well! You don't get to complain! You don't do shit other than sensing the jewels and that's not even a skill you hadda develop! Kikyou-"
Inuyasha suddenly realized what he said and stopped himself short. He hadn't thought about what he was saying and was just blabbering. In his angry desperation to keep Kagome with him, he had played every cheap shot he had and he had just realized how much trouble he had gotten himself into. His chest was still heaving and his displaced rage was still pounding inside his head.
Kagome's face was transformed; her fury was resplendent.
"SIT!" she thundered, her voice trembling with rage. "I hate you, Inuyasha! I hate you and I don't ever want to see you again!" declared Kagome.
"Go, then! See if I give a fuck!" yelled Inuyasha from the ground. As she ran to Well and jumped inside it, Kagome didn't realize how Inuyasha's voice caught with the last word, as though it was choking him.