A/N: Well, I have to give a big thanks to my one reviewer. . .even if it was my beautiful beta Fuu43. So, on with the story and I can only hope that it reaches more people who feel compelled to review.
Oh, and a large congrats to anyone who figures out where the title of this chapter comes from. Except for Fuu43, cause if she does not know where it is from she should be slapped onside the head.
Timeline:
The Slayers takes place two years after Try. Lina is 19.
Inuyasha takes place while Kagome is 17. She is still dividing her life between her present and the past. The group is still after Naraku.
Disclaimer:
I do not own Inuyasha or The Slayers.
The Lesser Kindred
Chapter 2: Food Glorious Food
Lina strolled off of the ship onto the unfamiliar dock. Seagulls scuttled out of her way as she eyed up her end destination.
"Finally!" she yelled. "Dry land."
After a month on the water, a solid surface never looked so good. It wasn't necessarily a bad trip; it was actually quite spectacular compared to their last one where there was no food, or any crew on board. Just her, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadis floating off into the sea. A slight pain shot through her stomach as she remembered that trip. She vowed never to go that long without eating again. At least she had acquired her sea legs, which is more than she could say for Gourry. Poor Gourry. The entire voyage he was leaning over the railing sick.
As she scanned the port, a smile graced her face. There were people everywhere running around doing their daily business. Although it was the outer world, it reminded her of home. Unlike the last time she visited where there was some noticeable differences. Those damn bombs that Jiras was so fond of was definitely one of them. God, she hoped that those were not popular here. From the maps she had studied before she left, they were unquestionably in a different area than two years before. At her first glance around, she could already tell that she was going to like it here. Noises engulfed her senses as the smell of the city assaulted her noise. The scent of men, horses, dung and. . .what's that. . .is that. . .BEEF!
"I smell food!" she yelled.
"I smell it too Lina!" Gourry said from behind. Apparently his sea sickness was already forgotten.
"Oh Gourry," She said with a tear in her eye. "I am so hungry."
"Me too Lina," tears where in his eyes as well. He grasped her hands. "What do you want to eat first. How about some ice cream. No, no. . .what about roast turkey."
A bit of drool escaped from her lip. "It's been too long since I had fowl."
"Oh come on you two," Zelgadis huffed as he passed. "You act like you haven't eaten in days."
"Like you can call the crap we ate at sea real food," Lina responded.
"I'm going to have to agree with Miss Lina here on that one," Amelia joined the conversation. "I think I'm going to have nightmares from that awful gruel."
"Yea nightmares on that one," Gourry nodded, a look of fear in his eyes.
"Well Zel," Lina smirked. "If you like it so much, we can always get the recipe form the crew."
Zelgadis glared at Lina causing her to laugh.
"Come on, I'm hungry," Lina said leading the way.
She passed countless of fish stands, but she absolutely did not want sea food. After a month on the ocean she could forsake fish for years. Nope, she wanted beef. . .or chicken. Hell! Why not both! She took a sniff of the air hoping that her nose could lead the way.
"There," she pointed. "I smell chicken!"
Not even caring if the others where behind her, she took off at a run. People scurried out of her way obviously not wanting to be mauled by the crazy little woman. She looked driven by some unknown force- teeth bared as she ran. Chanting 'food' as she charged through the crowd, Lina had the scent and she wouldn't stop until she found its source. She was like some sort of rapid beast on a hunt.
There! The smell was coming from just ahead. Skidding to a halt, Gourry barreled into Lina causing them to gather even more attention than before. She tried to move, however a heavy object lay on top of her. She struggled briefly before realizing what it was.
"Damn you Gourry!" she yelled her face turning as red as her hair. "Why can't you watch where you're going?"
"It's your fault Lina! You should know better than to stop in front of a man on a mission."
"Mission my ass! I was the one leading you know!"
"Children!" Zelgadis's voice broke through her rant. "Quit arguing and get off the ground so we can eat."
If possible Lina blushed even more as she realized her current location. Damn it! She was so caught up with yelling at Gourry she didn't even realize he was right on top of her. Legs spread eagled around her waist. His left hand on her chest!
"GOURRY!" she slapped his face. "What the hell do you think you're doing! I am not that type of woman!"
Gourry rubbed his face with his right hand. "What did I do?"
"Move your hand now."
As he looked down at his left hand, his eyebrows arched up. "After all these years, they're still so small."
Steam. Bellowing piles of steam were coming out of Lina's ears. Her world went red.
"FIRE. . ." a small hand went over her mouth as Zelgadis pulled Gourry off of her.
"What are you thinking?" Zel said glaring at Lina.
"Yeah," it was Amelia's hand over her mouth. She was going to pay. "Aren't you overreacting just a little miss Lina?"
Lina grumbled something, Amelia's hand muffling the crude and inappropriate response.
"Be nice, or I won't pay your food bill."
Damn! Blackmail. Some fucking hero of justice she was.
"Mmmmm. . ." Lina replied. Amelia removed her hand. "I said fine."
"Thank the Gods. Now I want some nice tea," Zel strolled ahead of them into the resturaunt.
Lina jumped off the ground and followed after the rest of the group.
Glorious was the only word that Lina could think of after she finished the last of the food on her plate. The food was absolutely glorious. She looked at the large pile of empty dishes in front of her and sighed. She was full at last. Her favorite part of the meal was the hot sausages and mustard. . .or wait, maybe it was the rack of lamb. . .no, it definitely was the hot sausages and mustard. Laying a hand over her enlarged stomach, she swept her eyes over the rest of the group. Gourry was nibbling on his last chicken leg with his own equally impressive amount of plates in front of him. Although Lina would never admit it to his face, she could admit to herself that he could eat just as much as her. Zelgadis sat quietly sipping his tea, while beside him Amelia looked as though she was going to fall asleep any minute.
Sighing again, Lina thought about the task ahead of them. She really had no idea where to start. Sure, they needed to find the book, but where to look? Kara, also known as the woman on the flying feather, was the only solid lead that they had. Out of her pocket she pulled out a map of the area. There were red circles indicating where Jextra said the woman liked to hang around. They were currently in the town of Tauji, and if she was reading the map right, they shouldn't be too far away from an area where they could start looking.
"We should find someplace to spend the night," Lina said breaking the silence at the table. "Start our search tomorrow."
"I agree," Zelgadis replied.
Lina stretched out as she got up from her chair. "Come on Amelia, let's go pay for the meal and see if the bartender knows of a good place to stay the night."
"Why do I have to come with you?"
"Well, you do have the money."
Kagome sat underneath a tree with her eyes closed. Concentrating on her breathing, she used the rhythm to help focus her thoughts. Her body was one with her mind. She was calm. She was focused. She was in deep thought. She was at one with herself.. Her mind was free from all unwanted thoughts.
Except the ones about Inuyasha.
No matter how hard she tired, the hanyo kept distracting her. He was about twenty feet away, practicing with his sword. Why couldn't he practice quieter? He was making too much noise for her to concentrate. She did not need a continual reminder that he was right there. That his sexy body and cute ears were only twenty feet away. Perfect ogling distance. The more she tried to take her mind off of him, the more she thought of him. It was a vicious cycle.
Kagome sighed and opened her eyes. She wasn't going to win, so why fight temptation?
"Kagome," Sango called coming up next to her. "Are you done meditating already?"
"Yep," Kagome answered as Sango sat down next to her. "I just can't seem to concentrate."
"Does that have anything to do with a certain hanyou over there?"
"I am not going to answer that," Kagome stated trying to keep from blushing.
Sango laughed. Apparently that was all she needed for an answer. Her friend always seemed to be able to read her like a book, unlike a stupid half demon who would remain nameless. After all they'd done together over the years, she thought that he would be able to understand her just a little bit better. Humph! Men! Whether human or demon or half demon, they were all the same.
"Oh shut up," Kagome shot back. "At least I'm not in denial."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Sango poignantly looked away, but not fast enough. Kagome still saw the slight reddening of her cheeks.
"Sure you don't."
"Will you girls stop your yapping! I can't even hear my own thoughts!" Inuyasha yelled. "I swear, women! You're only quiet when you're sleeping."
"Gees, someone must have fallen out of the wrong side of the tree this morning," Kagome whispered out of the side of her mouth.
"I heard that wench!"
"Inuyasha! It's been almost two years! You think you would have learned my name by now."
"Keh, whatever."
"Sometimes. . .I could just. . .Awe. Come on Sango, lets get out of here." Kagome stood up, gave Inuyasha one last glare and marched away.
"Just make sure you're back in time to make me lunch! I want some of that ramen you brought back with you!" he called after her.
"Stupid Inuyasha," Kagome muttered as Sango trotted up next to her.
"Wait, where are we going?" she asked.
"Someplace away from him."
"I saw a stream not too far away from our campsite," her friend pointed through the woods.
"Sounds good to me." Kagome advanced in the direction Sango had indicated.
"I don't know why you don't just tell him," Sango stated as she caught up with her.
"Oh please! And inflate his ego even more!" Kagome huffed. "He has his precious priestess anyway." Stupid Kikyo. Why couldn't she just have stayed dead? But no, she had to be running around with a part of her soul.
"Kagome, you know that all Kikyo wants to do is to drag Inuyasha into hell with her."
"Ha, some honeymoon that would be. Sunbathing next the lake of fire and brimstone." Kagome was brought out of her morbid fantasy by the stream coming into view. "Oh, pretty."
Kagome kicked off her shoes haphazardly. Bending down, she removed her socks trying not to fall over. Once her feet were bare, she walked briskly to the stream letting her feet submerge beneath the water.
"It feels so nice."
Sango smiled. "Well it should with the heat wave we have been having lately."
"Where do you think Miroku is?"
"What?" Sango confusing with the sudden change of topics was evident.
"Well, if I'm going swimming, I don't want him trying to take a peak."
Sango laughed. "I couldn't agree with you more. I think he's with Keade picking herbs."
Kagome gave a whoo-hoo and started unbuttoning her shirt. After two years in feudal Japan, her modesty in front of Sango had ebbed away. With Inuyasha busy practicing and Miroku with Kaede, it was the perfect time for a bath. As Kagome's last piece of clothing was pulled off she glanced back at Sango. Her friend was definitely taller than her, with a muscular body. Kagome was building up her strength, but she was no where near Sango. Hell, Kagome couldn't even lift Hiratsu off the ground, while Sango swung the thing around as if it were only a few mere pounds. Then again, if Kagome had trained her entire life to fight demons, maybe she could do that too.
"Race you to the water!" Kagome called behind her, already running towards the stream.
"Hey, that's not fair! I'm not even undressed yet!"
"Excuses, excuses."
She heard Sango hastily throw off the rest of her clothing and charge after her. Kagome rushed into the water; instantly cooling off from the hot day. Diving under, she felt the refreshing liquid all around her.
"That's not fair," Kagome could hear Sango as she came up for air. "I was still half dressed."
"You snooze, you lose," Kagome laid back allowing herself to float. "This is the life."
"I agree," Sango had assumed the same position. "Kagome?"
"Hmm. . ."
"How's the meditation coming?"
"Not so well," Kagome sighed. "I don't think I'll ever gain full control of my powers. Keade has already taught me everything that she knows and it's still not enough. She told me that she's never seen a miko with so much potential. Not even Kikyo. She's taught me basic control, but I need more. I feel like that there is a flood gate just waiting to explode. The meditation helps a little, but what I really need is someone who knows what they are doing."
"I wish I could help."
"That's okay," Kagome replied and then let the silence wash over the two of them. It felt nice. It felt relaxing. A lot more relaxing than her attempt to meditate earlier. Kagome let her mind wander over the last two years. They had been surreal to say the least, and yet, she didn't think that she would trade them for the world. Sure, it had been hard. And she'd been almost killed more times that she cared to count. But she felt that she belonged here, in feudal Japan. It was like home, and that slightly worried her. What was she going to do once she had collected all of the shards? She most definitely did not want to leave Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Inuyasha. But she didn't want to even consider leaving her family either. Could she spend the rest of her life jumping back and forth through time? It's not like she could screw it up anymore than it already is. Over the years she had seen all sorts of movies about the dangers of time travel. Did the same hazards apply to her? She couldn't see how. After all, if she was changing her time, then she should notice the differences when she frequently returned to the future. And she hadn't noticed one. Fate. It was unquestionably fate that guided her to the past. Therefore, if fate was guiding her could she truly screw up? If everything had been predestined and. . .and the thought process was starting to give her a headache.
Kagome groaned.
"What's wrong?"
Before she could answer, Inuyasha's voice came through the forest. "Kagome! Where are you? I'm hungry!"
Kagome groaned again, "It looks like our fun is over."
"Yep."
"I'm at the stream!" she yelled back letting her body sink back into the water so only her head was visible. "And don't even think about coming over here!"
"Look wench! I go where I want to go!" Inuyasha charged through the woods popping out of the brush on the stream bank.
Kagome screamed. "Inuyasha! Sit!"
"Stupid bitch!" he yelled as he slammed into the ground.
"I told you not to come over here! Now don't get up until I am out of the water and dressed."
Inuyasha grumbled inaudibly into the ground.
"What was that?"
"I said fuck you, you stupid bitch! When I get this fucking necklace off. . ."
"Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!"
Sango smiled at her friend. "It looks like someone is not going to get lunch this afternoon."
