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Kagome awoke early, shivering in the thin morning air. She folded her sleeping bag, moving quietly so as not to wake Sango and Miroku, who during the night had shifted and somehow ended up holding hands. Cute, Kodak moment for sure. Kagome grinned at the sleeping pair as she slipped out of the hut, pulling on her shoes and socks outside, placing her hands behind her head and studying the softly moving patterns on sunshine through leaves. I wonder why Tsubasa was so crazy? I mean, Inuyasha's not exactly normal, but that other hanyou really had himself convinced he was a full demon. And he didn't kill me, even- he just wanted to screw with Inuyasha's head. She glimpsed a flash of crimson and silver as Inuyasha jumped down from his nighttime perch.
He walked over to where she sat and plumped himself down, avoiding her eyes. She smiled hesitantly. "Good morning, Inuyasha. How's your arm?"
He scratched a circle in the dirt with his foot, then stood up again convulsively. "It's fine. I'm gonna go catch some fish for breakfast." He strode off, ears wriggling wildly, then stopped. "Kagome, are you doin' okay?"
She nodded, eyes crinkled, then realized her couldn't see her with his back turned and laughed. "Yeah, I'll be all right, too." Inuyasha took off, relieved that it wasn't awkward between them like he'd thought it would be after last night. Though in his own mind, it was strange talking to Kagome- the wound of losing Kikyo was still fresh, and the two did look similar. He still wasn't sure exactly how he'd felt about Kikyo- he'd been protective and possessive. But the resurrected Kikyo was nothing like the kind woman he remembered from fifty years ago. She'd been colder and wilder in her new form, taken over by her freed emotions and clay body, and he hadn't liked the change at all. Nevertheless, even if he wasn't sure if the love was still there- and he had loved her, she'd been the first human to ever accept him wholly- she'd been an important part of his life, and her loss had cut deep.
Kagome was grinning like a fool, glad, though she wasn't entirely sure why. She stretched out on her back and folded her arms behind her head in the soft dewy grass, watching the sky slowly brighten and hearing Sango and Miroku getting woken up rudely by Shippou.
"Come on, you guys! Wake up wake up wake up!"
"Aaah! Shippou! Don't jump- oof!" Hysterical giggles floated through the air.
Inuyasha wasn't beaming like Kagome, but he was pretty happy too. Kagome had been rescued and he felt like the weight of the world had fallen from his shoulders. He'd never admit it, but he'd been unbelievably stressed and worried while she'd been kidnapped. He hated her being gone for any reason, really. Even if she was just going home for a day to take a test or do some shopping, he was prone to extreme grumpiness and involuntary chopping down of innocent trees. The hanyou tensed, eyes flashing, then plunged a hand into the water, pulling out a fat trout and tossing it onto the bank, already searching for another. He felt the completed jewel bump his chest and missed his next try. If I wish with it... it will disappear forever... at least Kagome doesn't need it anymore to come back to me. But what do I do with the damn thing? I'm not sure any more...
Sango walked out of the hut, rubbing her eyes blearily. She came over to Kagome and smiled down at her. "Good morning, Kagome. Listen, are you still tired? Or would you like to take a break from the boys and come back to my village with me? I know I just- went-" she clenched her jaw for a moment. That trip had been to bury Kohaku. "-But I have things to do there still."
"Sure I'll come with you, Sango. How come you need to go back again? Weapon repairs?"
The demon slayer nodded ruefully. "Yes, that last battle with Naraku really did some damage, and I haven't had time to fix it yet." Kagome was feeling much better after a good nights' sleep and decided that a day or two with her friend in the quiet, if a bit gloomy, slayer village would be just what she needed. I should really go home and tell the family about Naraku and the jewel, I haven't been home in almost a month. She ran inside to get her bow and arrow- won't be caught without these again!- and decided that could wait. Her family had gradually grown accustomed to longer and longer absences, and Kagome felt more at home in the feudal era now than she did sitting in a classroom. But I'm still gonna graduate next year!
She swung aboard Kirara, waving to Miroku and Shippou, shouting, "Tell Inuyasha we'll be back in a few days!" Sango blew the monk a kiss, which he pretended to catch, a little surprised by the overt affection. Kagome was quiet during the journey, relishing the sun warming her as they rose higher. Sango stayed silent and let her friend think, sensing now was not the time to discuss what was really bothering her. Kagome's brow was puckered. I haven't really thought about it- what will we all do now that Naraku's gone and we have the jewel? What will Inuyasha do? And… will I have to go home for good? She cringed at the thought. Surely that won't happen. I'm a fair shot, after all, and it's not like we're going to run out of demons any time soon! I don't think I could leave Inuyasha for good, anyway. It shocked her a little how much he had become a part of her entire life.
Late in the day the trio touched down inside the slowly falling enclosure of the slayer's village. Sango immediately went to the graveyard, lighting fresh incense and praying silently for her family and comrades, something she tried to do whenever she had the chance, and would do especially for the newest, smaller grave at the end- Kohaku's. Sango had gone straight there with Kirara after the battle with Naraku, before anything else at all, to bring him back to their family, but after burying him she had come directly back to the others, worried about them and needing Miroku's comfort. Kagome gave her time alone, wandering in the workroom containing the remains of demons that the slayers used to create their amazing armor and weapons. She picked up a long rib bone idly, sensing that any demon aura that might once have been in it was now long gone, and admired its pearly multi-colored sheen in the light.
It's shaped a lot like my bow, actually, she mused. Self-defense was definitely forefront in her consciousness right now, after the Tsubasa debacle, which had left her feeling rather helpless and highly aware of her own puny mortal body. Hanging around with all these slayers and half-demons and monks- it doesn't make a girl feel very tough! She hefted the bone, then carefully bent it over her knee, gingerly at first, then firmly, marveling at the springy texture and bounce. Wow, this isn't like bone at all. She held it up and drew back an imaginary string, pretending to take aim, then giggled at her own foolishness and set it back down, going outside to unload a snoozing Kirara.
Miroku and Inuyasha were taking advantage of their first real day of rest to do some hot springs soaking. Luckily there was one not too far away from the hut, which, due to its hidden location, owner-less state, and adjacent river, had been one they returned to time and again in their travels. The hot springs were a much loved added bonus.
As the men relaxed, the monk couldn't help noticing Inuyasha was a bit distracted. He splashed the hanyou lightly. "Is there something you'd like to talk about, Inuyasha?" He got only a growl and a turned back for his efforts. I'll just have to play a little dirty, Miroku decided. I'm certain I know what's bothering him.
He leaned back, wriggling until he found a smooth spot against the rocky banks. Putting his hands behind his head and shutting his eyes, he was the picture of a daydreamer. "I know I have plenty to think about after seeing Kagome in that outfit," he mused out loud. "That was something, all right. And I did rather like that ring in her belly. Very exotic." Inuyasha's ears were laid back, Miroku noticed. He continued, adding in a loudly dramatic sigh, rather pleased with his acting chops. "Sango is just not very forthcoming in the romance department, I regret to say. I'll tell you, Inuyasha, I am more than a bit jealous that you have a friendly girl like Kagome around-" he choked off as Inuyasha whirled around, squeezing his hands around the monk's neck and shaking him violently, lip curled.
"Shut up, you little bastard! It's not like that between me and her! And what were you doing looking at Kagome anyways?!" he shouted, one eye twitching. Miroku twisted one of Inuyasha's ears, gasping in relief and massaging his throat as the hanyou let go with a yelp. The monk prudently scooted a few feet away as Inuyasha growled at him. Nobody'll ever say I don't have a wonderful sense of self preservation, he thought to himself.
"Listen, Inuyasha, I know that there is something between you and Kagome besides friendship," he began, as Inuyasha sheepishly began to realize he'd been duped. "I don't know about you, but Kagome obviously has deep feelings for you. Now that Kikyo has returned to the afterlife," he said this gently, watching golden eyes cloud over, "she most likely hoped that in time, you would return them. I'm asking you as her friend and yours. Do you have feelings for Kagome?"
Inuyasha took a deep breath and ducked under, silvery hair swirling on top of the water. Miroku crossed his arms and waited patiently, knowing that although Inuyasha could hold his breath for quite a while, he would come up eventually. Forgive me,dearest Sango. You're wonderful in the romance department, he thought repentantly.
He eyed Inuyasha sternly as he finally surfaced, flipping his soaking hair impatiently out of his eyes. Inuyasha sighed deeply, staring into the steaming water. "Yeah, I - I guess maybe I do, now Kikyo's gone," he said slowly.
Miroku's eyes narrowed. "Merely because Kikyo's gone? Kagome and Kikyo are not the same woman at all, you realize. One is not a substitute for the other."
"Well, duh! Idiot. But before, I guess I felt I had to protect Kikyo. Like I owed her something, you know?" He sank into the water up to his chin, glaring moodily at Miroku. "Kagome's kind of crazy, though. I mean, more than normal women."
Miroku started laughing helplessly. "Yes, she is! Though Sango runs a close second. But this is the first time you've admitted your feelings for her, correct?" Nod. "Are you planning on informing Kagome?" Shake. "Why not? It's obvious to all of us- she would welcome it."
Inuyasha looked at him disgustedly, pointing to one ear. "I'm a half-demon, remember?" Miroku frowned, not understanding at first, then his eyes widened.
"You honestly believe that makes the slightest bit of difference? That doesn't matter in the least to Kagome, or to anyone who knows you, Inuyasha!"
"I know it doesn't matter to her! But it should! Look at her grandpa. He's nuts, he's always tryin' to purify me whenever I'm over there! And he's not half as bad as most humans!" he roared in frustration. "You didn't have to grow up the way I did, Miroku. Remember Jinenji, that half-demon from the eastern village? Look what he went through! He was an inch away from being murdered by the villagers, and they would've killed his mother too, just for being around him!" He subsided, swallowing, eyes stinging. From the steam, dammit to hell! "If Kagome really knew what she'd be getting herself into she wouldn't want to be with me," he muttered.
Miroku was aghast. "I think she knows full well, Inuyasha! She's been by your side night and day, through unimaginably dangerous battles, and she's seen how they look at you in the towns." He put a finger to his mouth in mock confusion. "I wonder why she's still here? Could it possibly be because she doesn't care?" Inuyasha started grinning abashedly and flicked water at the monk.
"Yeah, yeah, I guess you're right. But if I decide to tell her, that'll be my decision, hear me, monk?" he growled. "Don't you go running your mouth."
Miroku nodded, raising his newly healed hand in mock salute. At least the stubborn man has admitted he wants Kagome, he reflected. Gods know it's about time! I wonder if I should ask about his plans for the jewel... He glanced pensively at the shimmering pinkish gem around his friend's neck. Mmm, better not yet, that's a whole other den of demons to open.