"And that, my dear Kagome, is why I can never go back to China."
Kagome Higurashi smiled down from her perch across Inuyasha's shoulder. "Wow Miroku," she breathed in false amazement, "I had no idea there was such high demand for circus pandas," Kagome's eyes sparkled with laughter as she held her chin in both hands.
Sango smiled at their new companion as the group made its way through the dense forest, "I like her," she stated to no one in particular, "anyone who can survive listening to Miroku for two hours straight is okay in my books."
Miroku's eyes widened as the three infront of him laughed at Sango's remark. "I am deeply hurt," he whined, dropping his chin and shuffling slowly after them, kicking a stray branch across the forest floor.
"Man up," Inuyasha barked. The group's leader was visibly tense; his team had been walking through the forest for hours without any sign of an end and he was beginning to worry that they may be lost. Furrowing his brow, he stopped to examine their surroundings.
Kagome huffed in irritation and shifted tenderly on his shoulder, "What's wrong now idiot?" she muttered.
"Shut it wench," Inuyasha snapped, jerking his shoulder sharply and smirking at the loud hiss that escaped his cargo's lips. "Well," he sighed, throwing his free hand into the air in defeat, "I have no idea where we are and I've been packing this smelly gorilla around for hours."
"Hey!" exclaimed Kagome, smacking her carrier swiftly across the head, earning an angry "Bitch!" in return.
"It's not my fault I smell a bit," Kagome barked, raising her fist to hit him again before her wrist was trapped by his much stronger hand.
"A bit!" Inuyasha snorted, grasping her small wrist tightly, "You reek!"
Ignoring the bickering pair, Miroku sighed. Plopping to the ground, he sprawled out in exhaustion. Any will to continue had left him hours ago. "What now?" he whined, picking up a stick and poking at the ground like a five year old boy.
Sango crossed her arms over her chest and looked through the tree tops to the darkening evening sky above. "It's getting late," she said apprehensively, "I think it would be best for us to find some sort of shelter for the night. We can find our way out of here in the morning."
Inuyasha nodded his head slowly in agreement. Sighing, he released a struggling Kagome from the head lock he had somehow managed to hold her in. "Alright," he said, running a hand through his long hair, "let's find a decent spot."
The group settled for a small, mossy clearing with plenty of cover from the trees so that they wouldn't be spotted if anyone happened to pass by. Sango strategically placed herself far from Miroku's wandering hands and Kagome was quick to learn of his lecherous behaviours. When they first arrived at the site, Kagome had carefully lowered herself to the ground directly onto Miroku's waiting hand. A slight bruise had begun to form on his jaw by the time he settled down to sleep.
The quiet of night settled into the clearing and he sound of the Miroku and Sango's steady breathing was soothing as Kagome leaned carefully against a tree trunk. She took a deep breath of the sweet forest air and sighed in content. The feeling of being outdoors again was amazing and the air was wonderfully fresh and cool against her skin. Gazing up at the clear night sky, Kagome felt herself relax for the first time in what felt like years.
"Do you have to breathe so loudly?"
Kagome looked up towards Inuyasha's voice to find him lying comfortably across an overhead tree branch. "Do you always sleep in trees?" she asked, crossing her arms over her grime covered chest.
"Nah," he said, crossing his arms behind his head, "best spot for a look out."
"I see," Kagome replied, leaning her head back onto the bark and closing her eyes. "I never knew how much I loved being outside until I was trapped in," she sighed quietly, taking in every breath with great pleasure.
Inuyasha looked down at her peaceful form and felt a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth. "I would spend all my time outside if I had the choice," he said to the sky, a light breeze dancing across his face. "There's nothing I like more."
Opening her eyes, Kagome studied her rescuer with curiosity. Uncomfortable in her gaze, Inuyasha furrowed his brow and crossed his arms over his chest, "Keh, what are you looking at woman?"
"My name is Kagome," she replied, narrowing her large brown eyes before they softened once more, "and I just wanted to say thank you, you know for getting me out and all. You three saved my life."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise at her praise. Uncrossing his arms, he sat up slightly, "You're welcome," he replied, with sincerity that shocked even himself.
Kagome smiled softly, "So," she said, slowing shifting her fragile body into a more comfortable position, "shall we cut the name calling and try to be slightly pleasant to each other?" she asked, her eyes focusing on the man above her.
Laughing slightly, Inuyasha lay back on his branch and closed his amber eyes. "Couldn't hurt I guess," he replied, letting out an exhausted yawn. "Good night....Kagome," he said softly as sleep drifted over him.
"Good night Inuyasha."