*(A/N: opponent uses writers block. Ghost is unharmed. Ghost uses write! It's Super Effective!)
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Breadth"
When Inuyasha awoke he found himself in the campsite with the girls hovering over the nearby campfire. It took him a moment to realize that they had found them the night before walking forward just as Miroku had instructed them to do.
He yawned a bit and sat up stretching his arms and trailed his eyes around the ground until he found the monk's shape nearby lying on the ground – still sleeping no doubt. His eyes softened a little as he saw the figure and chuckled slightly as realized that their chosen sleeping positions seemed to be mysteriously drawing closer and closer together each night.
'At this rate he'll wind up on top of me' he though smiling a bit.
"Oh you're awake" A voice said snapping the hanyou out of his gaze, which was likely a good thing anyways.
"Yeah" Inuyasha said eying the place the voice came from. "You alright Sango?"
She smiled, standing up from he place at the fireside. "I'm not the one who went running off on a tangent last night."
"Yeah sorry about that, I thought there was a demon nearby" he said rubbing the back of his head.
Sango shrugged. "I guess we should be used to it by now anyways."
"You could at least tell us what's going on next time though" Kagome said staring at Inuyasha worriedly.
"Keh." Inuyasha muttered. "You and I both know I can't think clearly when I have that rushing through my blood."
Kagome frowned a bit and let her eyes trail back towards the food she was preparing.
Inuyasha stood up and stretched a bit more before wandering off towards the nearest brook to get washed up.
It turned out to be quite the nice day for traveling. A nice breakfast of something Kagome called 'tofu' was made and the weather was very mild with a cool breeze blowing occasionally from the east. Neither of the men had told miroku or sango where they were heading so when asked where they were heading, Miroku's answer came as something of a surprise the the girls.
"Why would we be heading back there?" Kagome asked.
"Just for a bit of a rest and a break." Miroku said chuckling. "We've been working pretty hard on the jewel shards so we should let ourselves take a bit of a break."
Sango had opened her mouth to say something but stopped as Miroku turned his head and smiled at her. Inuyasha felt almost jealous as he saw a blush come across her face.
'If she ever found out about us...' Inuyasha thought and then shook his head. 'Not this time.' He silently confided. 'This is chance two... Not this time.'
He felt a small sense of triumph wash over him as that resolution came into his mind and walked easier for the rest of the day.
Eventually they rounded a corner of trees and found themselves staring at the familiar sight of a village.
"We're here." Miroku said shooting Inuyasha a look which said more than enough to Inuyasha who's eyes darted for a second to Kaede's building and back to Sango and Kagome who were for some reason staring at him.
"Of course we're here" He said putting on his best 'duh' face and walking forward with his usual air of arrogance, shooting Miroku another glance. His eyes softened as their brief gaze broke.
'Good job Inuyasha' he said to himself silently. 'Good job.'
They were greeted with the usual air of uncertainty from the villagers who parted only for Kaede who came forward to greet them.
"Ahhh, Inuyasha and the gang!" she remarked smiling. "Long time no see – I trust ye not have any troubles in these parts?"
"We just came by to visit for a bit" Miroku smiled.
"As always you are welcomed here" she said chuckling. "There's an empty house on the edge of town if ye wish a place to stay."
"It would be an honor" Miroku said gratefully, flashing his usual triumphant manipulator aura.
As Kaede walked away there was another exchange of looks between Inuyasha and Miroku before they walked ahead towards the house Kaede had indicated.
On the way there Inuyasha found himself walking with the monk ahead and out of earshot of the others and seized the opportunity to exchange a few words with Miroku.
"How are we going to ask her anything without them knowing?" he asked Miroku while shooting a glance behind them at the girls and Shippou who had been unusually quiet ever since they had arrived in this world.
"I have no idea" He responded. "But I think if we explain ourselves as best we can then it should be alright."
Inuyasha's eyes darted to the ground. "You think we'll have to tell her about... you know – about us?"
Miroku smiled and strode along as the small cabin they were offered lay ahead of them.
"If we do have to," he said turning his head to face the hanyou, "Then I think that of all people, Kaede would be the one to trust with that info."
Inuyasha lifted his own gaze to meet the monks. His violet eyes were sparkling and soft and reflected the dying sunlight into Inuyasha's own. Inuyasha nodded slightly and sighed heavily as they reached the cabin.
"We'll go tonight then." he said turning to wait for the girls to catch up and faking every expression on his face.
"Tonight then..." Miroku said repeating the words and smiling softly in his usual way.
'night's are never forever...'
-T-
