Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the rest of the Chars ...There. I said it. (sighs)
CHAPTER SIX:
After another nightmare Moriko woke up with her heart pounding in her chest.
She looked around and saw everyone else was still asleep, so I decided to take a walk alone to clear her head and settle her nerves.
She walked off alone a long ways until she came to the river and decided to sit down with her head on her knees.
She started thinking about the nightmare she'd had and started crying to herself.
Koga walked up behind her, sat beside her, and sighed, pulling her into his arms, just holding her while she cried.
Moriko cried until she couldn't cry anymore, then looked up at him as he gently wiped the tears from her eyes and asked, "Are you ready to talk about it?"
She sighed and replied, "I had another nightmare..."
He asked, "What was it about?"
She said, "My life ever since my parents disowned me... being unwanted and alone... being mistreated... just everything."
He nodded, then pulled her into his lap, laying her head against his chest, and ran his hand through her hair, saying, "Mori, you're not alone! I'm here for you now!"
She pulled back and replied, "I know that Koga, but you won't always be here- "
He cut her off saying, "Yes I will!"
She looked down and he put his finger under her chin, lifted her head up, looking into her eyes and said, "I will ALWAYS be there when you need me Mori! No matter what happens I will find away to be there for you!"
She looked at him and said, "Thanks Koga."
She smiled and laid her head back on his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair and said, "By the way Mori, I prefer your hair down free like this so I can run my fingers in it."
She sighed and said, "Ok Koga, but I still keep it up during the day for practical reasons."
He smiled and said, "As long as you leave it free at night that will be fine." She laughed and agreed to leave her hair down at night.
She snuggled into him and said "And thanks for holing me while I cried and for talking to me about it too."
He laid his cheek on her head and said, "You're welcome."
They sat like that for awhile, then she stood up as did he and she said, "Well I don't know about you, but I'm thinking about going for a swim, want to join me?" And she ran into the water.
A few minutes later Koga joined her. She splashed him laughing. He looked at her and said, "Oh yeah?" then splashed her and they carried on like that till she ran and said, "Catch me if you can."
With a grin on his face he started chasing her in the water.
When he caught her, she squealed and giggle then he turned her around to face him and said, "Now what?"
She replied, "Not sure." a little breathlessly
He replied huskily, "I know." and kissed her.
They kissed each other passionately, while exploring each other's mouths, savoring the taste of the other. After a while she broke the kiss.
After catching her breath, Moriko said, "Well, we better get back to camp. The others will be waking soon and I don't want Kagome to worry if she finds me gone."
So he reluctantly let her go and they got out of the water then walked back to camp.
--
She went over to her bag and got a blanket out to dry off her skin and let her clothes air dry.
A few hours later after her clothes had dried, everyone was awake and sitting there eating breakfast, when all of a sudden there was a weird feel to the air.
Moriko got up and went to where Sesshomaru was standing.
"Sesshomaru. I take it you brought her?" she said in greeting.
"She is here." he replied.
"Rin come forward." he said.
Rin stepped up and hid half behind and half beside Sesshomaru's leg.
"Hello." she said shyly.
Moriko knelt down in front of her and beside Sesshomaru.
--
Koga's POV:
I was standing back at camp watching thinking to myself agitatedly, 'What the hell is she doing now? Why does she got to keep getting so close by him?'
--
Regular POV:
"Hi Rin. I need to look at you face okay?" Moriko said.
"Let her see Rin," replied Sesshomaru with his hand protectively on Rin's head, and eyeing the woman carefully.
Moriko looked her face over and smiled. "Are you feeling any better now? she asked the child.
"Yes, Thank you." Rin said and blushed.
"Your very welcome Rin, and it is nice to meet you." Moriko replied while getting back up.
Rin held out a bunch of flowers to her. "Here these are for you. I wanted to do something nice to thank you." she said.
"Aw Rin, how sweet of you, Thank you." Moriko said while getting back on her knees and holding out her arms to hug her if she wanted.
Rin walked up and hugged her shyly then handed Moriko the flowers.
Moriko took the flowers and held them to her chest, while standing back up again smiling.
"Your very welcome." The child replied and smiled looking up at the woman.
Moriko smiled back at her and looked over at Sesshomaru. "Well Sesshomaru, she appears to be just fine, just remember what we talked about ok." Moriko said.
Sesshomaru stared back at her. "I will." he replied.
Moriko turned around and started to walk off, when Sesshomaru gently grabbed her wrist and she stopped.
--
Koga's POV:
I was back at the camp and saw him grab her wrist.
I started to growl lowly and thought, 'He damn well better not try anything! If he hurts her I –'
--
Regular POV:
Moriko turned back around and Sesshomaru dropped her wrist.
He looked her right in the eyes as she did his. Then he said, "Tell me, why do you not fear me?"
Moriko looked at him and replied, "Well for starters have never done anything to me to make me fear you, 2. I don't intimidate as easily as I did as a child, and 3. Anyone who takes care of a child as well as you obviously do, can't be all that bad!"
He said, "Thank you Moriko."
"Your both welcome" she replied with a smile.
He announced. "Rin it is time to leave, say goodbye!"
"Okay lord Sesshomaru...Goodbye nice lady." she said.
"Good bye Rin, and take care. Thanks again for the pretty flowers." Moriko said.
Sesshomaru and Rin turned around, walked off and disappeared.
Moriko went back to the camp, walked over and finished her breakfast after putting the flowers in her bag.
Kagome came over with a dazed look on her face. "That was nice of her to bring you flowers huh Mori." she said.
"Yeah, she seems like such a sweet kid." Her cousin answered.
"Teh." Inuyasha huffed then walked off.
Moriko got into her bag long enough to pull out a cute pink flower and stuck it her hair. She announced "Well I am done now so I will do the dishes in the river and then we can go ok."
She got up and started gathering the dishes.
"Wait Mori and I will go with you." said Kagome.
"Okay." she replied.
Koga walked up to Moriko.
"I didn't know you like flowers." he said.
"Oh well doesn't every girl like flowers? Besides I couldn't just turn down her gift without hurting her feelings. I just felt like putting one in my hair." she said. She smiled and walked off.
Kagome and Moriko gathered up everyone's dishes and went to the river to clean them.
--
Down at the river:
Kagome and her cousin were cleaning the dishes in the river.
"Hey Mori." she said
"Hmm?" Moriko said.
"When your parents first disowned, you um..." Kagome started.
"What about it Kags?" Moriko asked.
"Well I was just wondering..." Kagome said
"Yes?" Moriko asked.
"Why didn't you just come stay with us then?" Kagome asked.
Moriko sighed heavily. "Well Kags, I was so afraid and hurt, and not sure who I could trust ya know... plus I didn't think anyone wanted me at that point." she replied.
Both girls stopped what they were doing, faced each other and looked into each other's eyes.
"I have ALWAYS wanted you Mori! ALWAYS!" Kagome said.
"Thanks Kags." Moriko said.
"Promise me we will always stay in touch ok." Kagome said.
"I promise Kags. No matter what happens we will always stay in touch from now on." Moriko said.
"Never forget you have always been loved and treasured by me ok. Never forget that Mori." she said looking very serious.
"Thank Kags, and I promise I won't forget it ever again." Moriko said.
Then they went back to washing the dishes.
"Umm Kags?"
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I have noticed Inuyasha is very protective of you, and I know you love him it's written all over you face!" Moriko stated.
Kagome blushed.
"I was wondering about Koga. Why does he still try to claim you are his even though you are clearly with Inuyasha?" Moriko said.
Kagome proceeded to tell her all about how stubborn Koga was, and how even though she cared about Koga as a friend, it was Inuyasha she loved.
"Oh, I see. One more thing Kags."
"What?" she said.
"Well, what's up with Sango and Miroku? Do they like each other or what?" her cousin asked.
"They are engaged to be married. But they are waiting until Naraku is dead before getting married." she answered.
"Okay. Well looks like we're done here so why don't we head back to the others?" Moriko suggested.
" Sure." she agreed.
So they walked back to camp.
--
When they got to camp Inuyasha rushed up to the girls fuming.
"What the hell took so long!?" Inuyasha bellowed.
"We were talking a bit and got a little side tracked." explained Kagome.
"Relax Inuyasha, it's not like anyone got hurt or nothing! Sheesh!" Moriko said then walked over to Sango.
She looked at Sango, asking, "Is he always like this?"
"Yes he is at least when it comes to Kagome." she replied and Moriko walk away smiling.
She went over to her bag and got ready to head out. Then everyone got ready to head out again.
"Alright people to save on time we are going to travel like yesterday, Climb on Kagome." announced Inuyasha.
Kagome climbed on Inuyasha's back. Sango, and Miroku climbed on Kirara.
"Let's move out." said Inuyasha looking impatient.
Koga walked up to Moriko. "You ready Mori?" asked Koga.
"Yeah, sure you don't mind?" she replied.
"I don't mind. Okay climb on and lets go." said Koga.
"Okay." she answered and climbed on Koga's back and they all took off.
"Try to keep up mutt face!!" yelled Koga.
"We will see who keeps up mangy wolf!!" replied Inuyasha.
Then they took off trying to out race each other.
--
With Sango and Miroku in the air:
"There they go again." said Shippo Shaking his head.
"Yup." replied Sango. Miroku shook his head and sighed.
They all traveled together until just before sun set again, then made camp.
That afternoon after setting up camp:
"Well maybe this will work out after all. We made some good time today as well." said Inuyasha.
"Yeah we sure did." agreed Miroku.
"Not bad at all." added Sango.
"And in plenty of time to start cooking before dark." replied Kagome. "Now if only Koga and the others would get back with the food."
At that exact moment Koga, Ginta, And Hakaku came back with plenty of rabbits already skinned and ready for cooking.
Kagome put two thirds of them in the pot to cook with the herbs her cousin had added earlier.
Then after dinner was eaten everyone all sat around the campfire.
"That really hit the spot!" Moriko proclaimed.
"Yeah delicious!" added Sango.
"Teh, not too bad." said Inuyasha.
"That was great!" added Kagome.
"Nicely blended with the herbs." stated Miroku.
"Yeah," said Shippo.
"Well they are used for more than just healing; certain ones can be used to add a touch of flavor to meals as well." Moriko said.
Koga Ginta and Hakaku walked over and joined them, and Koga scoffed.
"I just can't understand why you all would want to ruin the good meat by cooking it like that." said Koga.
"Hey wolf boy! Not everyone likes raw meat ya know." Moriko replied.
"That's right!" added Kagome.
Koga scoffed again. "To each his own I guess."
After everyone was done eating, Sango said she was going to the hot springs to bathe and asked Kagome and Moriko, if they wanted go to as well. They said yes and the three of girls went to the hot springs.
At the hot springs:
"If that pervert comes around this time I'm going to smack him unconscious!" fumed Sango.
"Relax Sango, I doubt he will get past either Inuyasha of Koga." said Kagome shaking her head.
"So do I." Moriko added and the three girls started laughing.
They all let the water soothe them and relax for an hour or so enjoying the peace and quiet.
--
Back at the campsite:
Inuyasha and Koga had tied Miroku up with the rope to keep him from trying to spy on the girl's bath.
Miroku said in a whiny voice, "Hey let me go guys come on."
"Give it up Miroku." said Inuyasha.
"Yeah just let them have some privacy for once!" added Koga.
"Come on guys let me go." said a struggling Miroku.
Inuyasha and Koga laughed shaking their heads.
"Forget it Miroku I want to be able to sleep tonight, not have to dig a grave." said Inuyasha.
"Yeah." agreed Koga.
"So forget it monk, you're staying put until they get back." added Koga.
Miroku sighed heavily and resigned himself to staying put.
The girls were all laughing when they walked back into camp only to find Miroku tied up.
"Well now Kagome, why didn't we ever think of that before now?" asked Sango.
"I don't know Sango, but at least it worked." replied Kagome.
"Yeah at least it worked." Moriko added.
The girls freed Miroku while Koga and Inuyasha walked off laughing and went to bathe. Miroku followed them sulking.
After an hour or so the guys came back and we all sat around the fire again.
"So we probably should come up with a new plan right?" said Sango.
"Yeah we haven't found one clue or jewel shard in days." added Kagome.
"Yeah not one damn thing!" stated an angry Inuyasha.
"Yeah and my wolves haven't picked up anything either. I have had them scouting around every time we camp." added Koga.
"Well then I guess we just all get a good sleep tonight and make a new plan in the morning." Moriko said.
Everyone agreed so they all bedded down for the night.
Later that night Inuyasha saw Kikyo's soul collectors again and followed them to her.
--
Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is chapter six please remember to read and review thanks. Also let me know what you all think of this storyline so far thanks.