Chapter 4 Welcoming Committee
Miroku had been summoned from his warm bed earlier than was usual for the growing village. Usually, the physical work was done by the village men. The domestic chores were handled by the village women. The defending was done by Inuyasha. Sango trained the new recruits, when she was not heavy with child. Shippo and Kirara watched and entertained the children. And Kikyo tended to the sick and injured. Miroku was usually only called when there was a problem, or planning was needed. Somehow, he had been elected the village's tactician and judge. In practical terms, he was the village head-man, but since it was Sango's village, he did not let the villagers elect him to that position. It was a peaceful, organized life that was occasionally interrupted by the random demon attack that was so strong it required all of their efforts.
Miroku straightened his hastily donned robes as he exited his hut. He had been in the process of worshipping his lovely wife when he had gotten the call. There seemed to be some type of disturbance at the gate that was more than Kikyo and Inuyasha could handle. He knew his lovely, pregnant wife would soon appear once she donned her outfit, so he wanted to settle the problem as quickly as possible. With any luck, he could be finished before she was dressed, and they could continue where they left off.
Kikyo's hut was the closest to the gate entrance, with an open porch where visiting ill travelers could be treated. This was where the villagers congregated, so Miroku assumed this was where he was needed. The men and women parted to let him through, and then turned to attend their morning chores, confident that the elders of the village could handle the problem.
Kikyo was leaning over a small dark figure on the porch of her hut. Inuyasha sat on a porch railing and watched with a snarl plastered on his face. Miroku had just gotten close enough to hear when the hanyou grumbled, "But his smell is all over….that!"
Curious purple eyes scanned the "that" they were discussing. He would have thought it some type of hair demon if it were not for the very human ankles and feet protruding out from under the tangle of black hair. Maybe it was some type of half hair demon?
He addressed the agitated half demon, "Is there some way I can be of assistance? Oh, and Inuyasha, whose smell is all over 'that'?" The staff jingled as Miroku stepped up onto the porch and leaned against it. His eyes returned to the body that Kikyo was trying to uncover under the matted hair.
Inuyasha jumped off the railing and stepped over to the side of one of his oldest friends. With a snort he grunted, "Sesshomaru. That bastard's smell is all over this thing. I don't like this."
Kikyo's voice floated up from the porch in a calming manner, "So, it's possible that Sesshomaru deposited this person at our doorstep. Wouldn't that explain the smell?"
Inuyasha snorted again and crossed his arms, "You think he'd care enough to bring someone to us for help? He'd just do away with them and leave their carcass to rot. He'd probably think it was merciful. I just don't buy it."
