Author's Note: I'm so glad that everyone likes chapter 8! Not much happened but it was fun to write.. I decided that I wont be choosing a pairing until we're further into the story.. I'll play around with the idea's a bit for now and then see what Kagome decides, so don't worry there will still be juicy drama and love triangles :) Well.. considering all the contenders.. I guess it would be a love pentagon.. COMPLICATED! Anyways, I will post this chapter now but it might be a little while before I post another one because I'm moving in a week.. I will try to post as soon as I can! Enjoy Chapter 9!
Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever own Inuyasha or any of its characters. (Though I would like to) All original characters that did not appear in Inuyasha but do appear in this story are created solely from my awesome imagination and some with the help of my cousin Jessica Lowell :
actions (slaps mostly)
thoughts
"telepathic conversations"
Miroku's P.O.V.
Once I realized that Sango wasn't actually after me, I had hidden for about 2 hours. So I went to the first place I knew my fiancé would be.. with Kagome. To my surprise, Isamu was chatting with Sango and Inuyasha was staying quiet while Kagome read one of her modern era scrolls. It's amazing how much information can be put on a single scroll in her time.. Right now however, I need to report my findings to Inuyasha..
"Ah, there you are my dear Sango." I made my way over to her as she stood up.
"Wow monk, you have some nerve if you're the one coming to find me right now!"
SLAP!
Suddenly, the only thing my face felt was the sweet sting of Sango's hand. Isamu looked down right scared, Inuyasha scoffed and Kagome laughed quietly. It was not my shining moment..
"My dear Sango, you misunderstood my actions earlier.. I was simply conducting research of the foliage in the area." I began quickly. "Best to know which are poisonous for future reference when we have children to care for."
"Well that's a new one at least.." Kagome said.
"Keh! No it's not.. He uses that one at least once a week." Inuyasha mumbled.
"Are you saying that this happens that often?!" Isamu asked, still terrified of Sango.
"None the less, it was important to me." I stroked Sango's hand. "Inuyasha will you accompany me to get more firewood?"
"Get it yourself ya' lech!" he replied.
"Inuyasha I'm sure you don't want Lady Kagome to freeze to death in the middle of the night.." I looked at him pleadingly.
"Fine.. Whatever.." Inuyasha stood with a quick blush.
We began walking further and further away from prying ears and the hanyou became restless. Wanting to know why I insisted on bringing him all the way to the middle of nowhere, I told him of the conversation between Sango and Kagome that I had heard earlier.
"So they are just friends! Keh.. See I told you there is nothing going on." Inuyasha said with a proud look.
"Inuyasha.. Judging by the way Kagome speaks about Isamu, and the way that Isamu looks at Kagome.. There is definitely something there.. They just don't know about it yet." I told him.
"Wah?! How can you be so sure Miroku?! If she says there is nothing then there is nothing!" He blew up.
"I'm sure because the way that he looks at her is the way that I look at Sango.. It's also the way that a certain hanyou we both know looks at Kagome when he thinks that nobody is watching." I was not sparing his feelings on this one.
"W-well.. We need to put a stop to this." he had an evil look in his eyes.
"You cannot kill him with Tetsusaiga.." I scolded.
WHAM!
"I know that ya' idiot!" He hit me on the head. "We just need to make sure they don't realize their feelings for each other!"
"How do we do that?" I asked rubbing my newly scarred temple.
"Keep them away from each other as much as possible!" Inuyasha replied with a fierce look and a clenched fist. This ought to be interesting to see..
(evil time skip) The next day..
Kagome's P.O.V.
Shippo should be returning today! I'm so excited to see him after so long! I better get my duck's in a row before he arrives. Inuyasha hadn't shown up to Kaede's yet so I decided to take Isamu with me to start the activation of the well.
"Kagome wait up!" I turned around to see Sango running over as we left the hut.
"Good morning Sango! I trust you slept well?" I asked.
"Y-yes I did.. Where are you guys off to with such smiles?" she asked with a questioning look.
"Oh we are going to start activating the well! Shippo should be home soon!" I told her excitedly.
"We?" she replied.
"Yes, I'm going to need someone to watch my back.. The process will take a few hours and I won't be able to defend myself." I looked over to Isamu with a smile.
"Shouldn't you wait and ask Inuyasha to go with you?" Sango asked, eyeing Isamu's old sword at his hip, then the one on his back.
"Isamu is a skilled swordsman. I'm not worried one bit!" I reassured her.
"You give me too much credit Kagome.." Isamu blushed at me. Aww..
"Nonsense. Come on we have a long day ahead of us." I grabbed his hand and started towards the well, waving back at Sango with my free hand.
Sango's P.O.V.
After Kagome and Isamu ran off looking adorable, I went to have tea with Kaede while I waited for Inuyasha and Miroku to return from their extermination job. Hmm.. They did look adorable didn't they.. I was lost in thought apparently, as I didn't notice the arrival of one monk, one hanyou and our missing group member.
"Sangooo.." Miroku sang in my face. "Are you in there my dear?"
"Sango! I've missed you so much!" Shippo jumped into my lap.
"I've missed you too Shippo!" I squeezed the fox demon as Miroku sat next to me and Inuyasha sat in the corner. "Sorry about that I was just thinking about something."
"What were you thinking of?" Miroku asked.
"Hey! What's the big idea?! I thought you said that Kagome was back!" Shippo pouted at Inuyasha as he jumped from me.
THUMP!
"She is back ya' idiot!" Inuyasha brushed imaginary dirt from his hands while Shippo fell to floor with a new lump on his head. "She's just not here.."
"Where is Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked standing up.
"Oh that's what I was thinking about actually.. She and Isamu went to activate the well a little while ago.." I said deep in thought. I wonder if she knows about his feelings for her? "They looked awfully cute didn't they Lady Kaede?"
"Cute?" Miroku asked, glancing in Inuyasha's direction. "What do you mean?"
"They were hand-in-hand running to the well like old childhood friends.." I said dreamily.
"Ay.. Kagome and Isamu seem to get along rather well, don't ye think?" Kaede asked.
"Inuyasha.. Would you like to come with me to.. uh.." Miroku started out of the hut with Inuyasha at his heels. "Let's go!"
"Well that was weird.. Have they been like that for long? Oh and who is Isamu?" Shippo asked innocently. Weird indeed Shippo.. Weird indeed…
Inuyasha's P.O.V.
Immediately once we left the hut, Miroku and I started toward the well. What the heck did she mean? Hand-in-hand like old childhood friends? Keh.. If anyone is qualified to be old friends with Kagome it's me. Not that pathetic human who follows her around like a lost pup….. Hand-in-hand? I stopped short about halfway to the well and Miroku ran into me.
"What's the problem? Why did you stop?" he asked brushing the dirt from his robes.
"Hand-in-hand? What did Sango mean by that Miroku?" I questioned.
"It means they were holding hands dummy." His staff landed on my head with a thump. "Did you seriously stop just to ask me that?"
"H-holding.. hands?" I asked worriedly. Damn it all! This plan is backfiring!
"Can we please just get going now?" Miroku started walking ahead.
"Keh.. Looks like I'm going to have to do this the old fashion way.." I said as I followed the monk.
Isamu's P.O.V.
Seems like this might be finished without incident. As I sat by the well, alert to my surroundings, I imagined what Kagome's time would be like. Her mother would be warm and kind just like Kagome, her grandfather would try to give me dried demon parts.. And her little brother…
~~Flashback~~
"Big brother.. I've decided that when I'm grown-up like you and Papa, I'll be a fierce demon slayer!" Kotoko smiled up at me while we walked home from trading our father's latest harvest.
"Kotoko, I am not grown-up yet either.. I'm only 8 years old." I told my little sister. "You are only 5, so you have plenty of time to decide.."
"There is no need to wait though! I know what I will do.. I shall slay demons and protect you and Papa." she puffed out her chest to act tough.
"Being a demon slayer is a foolish dream little sister.. Dangerous too." I scolded her. "Besides, there is only one village of them left and that is very far away."
"It's no matter to concern yourself with big brother. I will make you proud one day." Kotoko said with a serious expression.
Suddenly she came to a complete stop and stared ahead of us with wide eyes. As I looked to where she was glaring, I saw many demons attacking the village in front of us. I quickly grabbed Kotoko and ran to our hut, ducking in and out of hiding places as we got closer. When we arrived, I told her to stay in the hut until I came to get her, then I ran outside with my father's sword to find him.
"Father! Where are you?! Papa!" I yelled as I dodged a flying piece of wood.
"Isamu! Get your sister and run as far away as you can!" My father yelled as he battled a demon in front of me. Said demon took notice of my father's distraction and impaled his torso with the large demon blade it was carrying.
"FATHER!" I tried to run to him but the demon turned to me with vicious eyes. Father is dead… He's.. And this demon is the one who took him from us. I unsheathed the sword I was carrying and pointed it at the demon.
"You will regret this day demon!" All of those times I took my father's sword when he wasn't looking had finally paid off as I slayed the demon that had killed him. I ran to my father's nearly lifeless body.
"Father.. You need to get up.. You need to be okay, if not for me then for Kotoko!"
"My son…. Y-you must.. Protect your sister from now on.. I…." As my father pleaded his last words to me, the life faded from his eyes.
"Father?... Papa?.." I shook him but he was dead. "PAPA!"
"He.." I heard sob filled words from behind me. "Papa is dead Isamu?"
I turned around just in time to see my little sister thrown against a nearby hut by another demon. I quickly jumped into action defeating the demon with my father's sword, and ran to where my sister landed.
"Kotoko? Are you alright?" I asked helping her up.
"Y-yea I'm okay.. you?" She looked into my eyes, avoiding the direction of our only living relative's body.
"I'm fine but we need to get out of here now." I grabbed her and started running until I couldn't run any longer.
We eventually reached another village and were taken in by the headman and his wife who weren't able to have children of their own. Not long after that, I came back from seeing my friend Aiko in the village and was told that Kotoko died from the injuries she got during the attack. Once the funeral was over with, I said goodbye to Aiko and left on my own to find a master of the sword.
~~End Flashback~~
I had tried to imagine Kagome's little brother, but every time I just remembered Kotoko. Little sister, I miss you everyday. My thoughts were interrupted by a demonic aura moving toward us quickly. I jumped from my seat and took my sword from it's sheath on my back, running over to Kagome as I did so.
"We've got company Kagome.. Any way you can wrap this up in the next few minutes?" I asked my furrow browed friend.
"I can reach the halfway point and stop then, but not before or after, otherwise I will have to start over." she replied.
"How long before you reach the halfway point?" I asked, watching in the direction of the aura.
"I only need a few more minutes."
"I'll protect you until it's finish, but the demon is already here." I was staring at what could only be described as a bear-like demon that stood much taller than me and carried a club of some kind.
"That girl smells delicious.. Perhaps I will eat her when I am finished killing you!" The demon lunged at me as I dodged to the side.
"You won't be eating anything ever again demon." I jumped at the demon with my sword aimed at his throat but he leapt away.
"Your fast for a human." he smashed his club down to where I had been standing a moment ago. "Not fast enough though!"
I realized that he was never trying to hit me, he just baited me so that he could get in between Kagome and I. The demon was about to strike her down when a familiar tornado ripped through the trees and slammed said demon so it went flying beyond where the eye could see. The tornado was suddenly replaced with a wolf demon who had picked up Kagome and was now standing too close to her while holding her hands in his own.
"Hey there Kagome.. I knew the mutt was useless but I didn't know he can't protect you from some weak demon like that." He stared into Kagome's eyes as if they held the meaning of life.
"K-Kouga.. Thankyou for saving us, but could I have my hands back please?" She asked. Ahh.. Kouga is back I see..
"Kagome! Are you okay?" I asked running up to her.
Kagome's P.O.V.
This is going to get complicated.. Isamu ran up to me and absent-mindedly shoved Kouga out of the way in the process.
"I'm fine Isamu.. I managed to get to the halfway point in the activation too." I smiled up at his concerned face.
"Uh.. Kagome.. Why is this guy here?" Kouga asked standing next to Isamu.
"Kouga, Isamu came back from Miko-mura with me." I told him.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Kouga.. Kagome never tires of telling me of your adventures." Isamu said turning to the wolf demon.
"So what you're saying is that Kagome talks about me often?" Kouga asked, speaking much louder than before and grabbing my hands again.
"Uh.. I suppose so.." Isamu looked confused until Inuyasha jumped through the tree line and punched Kouga out of the way.
"Keh! Stupid wolf-boy.. Always smelling around where you don't belong.." Inuyasha said, standing in the previously occupied space in front of me.
"Inuyasha! That was so rude!" I scolded him.
"What are you talking about?! He is the one who was coming on to you when you CLEARLY don't feel that way about him.." he raised his voice.
"Keep fooling yourself puppy. We both know who Kagome will end up with.." Kouga grinned mischievously as he made his way back over to us.
"Well you weren't kidding Kagome.. They really fight like this every time?" Isamu asked.
"It never ends.." I sweat-dropped. "Anyways, Kouga what are you doing here?"
"I went to Miko-mura to tell you about something but Lady Aimi told me that you left.. So I followed the stench of wet dog.." he replied.
"Keh! Sure that wasn't dumb wolf you were smelling?.." Inuyasha started. "Wait… Who the heck is Lady Aimi?"
"She is my mentor in Miko-mura.. The one who I have been learning from for the last 3 months.." I told him. How many conversations have I mentioned her in since I came back? Clearly he doesn't listen.. As usual..
"Isamu, the old man told me to give this to you." Kouga pulled out a sharpening stone, not realizing that he forgot what he had to tell Kagome.
"Aha! Look Kagome! Now I don't have to buy one!" Isamu took it and smiled at me.
"Why does Kouga know the people from Miko-mura?! Why does he know Isamu already?!" Inuyasha yelled to me.
"Didn't you visit with Kagome while she was training?" Kouga smirked with a raised eye brow.
"NO! I WAS TOLD THAT I WASN'T ALOUD TO!" Suddenly the hanyou was very close to me.
"Well with your attitude they would have killed you without hesitation.." I replied grimly.
Kouga burst out in fits of laughter while Isamu observed Inuyasha and I glaring at each other furiously. At some point while I was in the heated staring contest, Miroku had arrived and he sat with Isamu and Kouga to see who won the battle.
"Why did that scrawny wolf visit you when I couldn't?!" Inuyasha yelled in my face.
"Because you are an idiot! You would have gotten yourself killed!" I yelled back.
"You are the idiot, wench! Wolf-boy only came to visit you because he knew I wasn't around to protect you from him!"
"My name is KAGOME! How many times do I need to spell it out for you?! KA-GO-ME! You never change!"
"Well when you're acting like an idiot.." Inuyasha stepped back with a smug look. "I don't see the need to call you Kagome when there is a simpler word to use."
CRASH!
"SIT! You.. SIT! Are… SIT! AN IDIOT! SIT! SIT! SIT!" I screamed with everything I had. "I wish this well was already working!"
When the dust cleared, Inuyasha was in a deep crater twitching. The other three were all backed up against a tree looking at me, apparently scared for their own lives. We all turned out heads to a noise we heard nearby.
"Kagome!" Shippo ran into the clearing and leaped into my arms.
"Shippo! I've missed you so much!" I squeezed the little fox demon.
"We felt the ground shake and felt a strange aura so we came to check it out but now I see that it was just you and Inuyasha fighting again.." Sango entered the clearing as Shippo climbed onto my shoulders.
"Ahh.. My dear Sango, there is no need to worry about me. I am great now that you are here." Miroku swiftly moved from the tree to Sango's side.
"Yea I wasn't worried about you.." Sango ignored his advances and stood next to me as Isamu and Kouga joined us.
"So that's the infamous sit command.. It's scarier than I thought it would be.." Isamu eyed me nervously.
"Don't worry Isamu, Kagome only uses it to keep the mongrel under control." Kouga smirked at the crater.
"This is Isamu huh?" Shippo questioned.
"Oh right! Shippo this is Isamu, my friend from Miko-mura and Isamu this is Shippo." I introduced them.
"It's an honor to finally meet you Shippo.. I've heard everything about you." Isamu turned with a smile to face us.
Shippo smiled back as Inuyasha resurfaced from the hole in the ground with a scowl.
"Isamu I know you hate when I do this but can you protect me while I finish the activation now?" I sent my thoughts to him.
"AHHH!... Sorry about that Kagome.. You scared me.. Yes I will protect you while you finish, but can you concentrate with all of these people around?"
"I will make Inuyasha leave but the others know how to sit patiently.."
I noticed Kouga and Inuyasha glaring at each other again so I figured an easy way to make the latter go off brooding somewhere so I could have some space. I'll hear about this later..
"Kouga, what was it you came to tell me about?" I walked right in between him and Inuyasha. "Also I was wondering if you want to stay for a few to visit?"
Inuyasha fell dramatically on his side and sweat-dropped while Kouga smirked a devilish grin and watched the scene unfold.
"I completely forgot what it was.. I'm sure I'll remember it soon, and I would love to Kagome." he pulled me into a hug and then retreated to sit with Sango, Miroku and Shippo. Now for phase two…
"Inuyasha.." I started and he jumped up with a sour look. "Maybe you should just go for a walk or something.. To calm down a little.."
He seemed surprised at first, then he got a furious look about him and stalked off mumbling something about not needing to calm down. I took my place by the well and began funneling my spiritual power through it, imagining it flowing to the other side in the modern era.
Inuyasha's P.O.V.
Stupid Kagome.. Stupid human.. Stupid wolf! Why did he get to visit her when I couldn't? She has been away for 3 months and I have been worrying and freaking out thinking she's lonely and needed me to protect her.. Then, come to find out she had Kouga and Isamu there with her while I was alone.. After about a ten minute walk from the well, I arrived at my house which was in the middle of the woods with a stream running right in front of it. I built it to be a mix between homes from the modern era and homes now. Just like Kagome mixes between the two times.. The house had 3 rooms for sleeping, a room for eating and relaxing, and an extra room for nothing in particular. It was a big home and it felt odd being there alone so most of the time I slept in the Goshinboku. Maybe she will calm down some when she goes back to her time for a little while… She must be going crazy without her family right now. Why does Isamu want to meet them so badly?!
"Gah! Now I can only think about Kagome with that stupid human!" I yelled to the stars that were just coming out. I better get back before it gets too dark.. Also to keep that scrawny wolf and scrawny human away from Kagome!
Author's Note: I know this chapter was mostly filler.. I felt bad that I hadn't updated in a while so I just wanted to post this before I get busy with moving and that way.. After I'm finished moving, we can get to the good stuff! :D Bare with me readers and please review!
