Chapter 10

After finding the strange blonde girl knocked out in the forest, Inuyasha and the other villagers had carried her to an abandoned hut and sent for the closest doctor. "I don't understand. There's not a single mark on her besides a few minor scratches from running in the woods. She doesn't have a fever or a bump on her head, so I can't explain the unconsciousness." The village healer looked puzzled. "She's looks human, but i've never seen hair this color....at least not around here." Inuyasha and the group looked at each other with concern as the healer bent over Kaori's still form and opened one of her eyelids. He immediately jumped back. "Evil spirits! Who is this girl?"

Curious, the group leaned forward to see what had startled the old healer. Kagome reached over and lifted one eyelid. Immediately a green glow emanated from the unseeing eye and Inuyasha swiped her hand back.

"Don't touch it! We don't know what's happening to her." He warned, concerned Kagome might be in danger.

Kagome frowned. "What would cause her eyes to do that?" she wondered aloud.

The doctor just shook his head. "I have no idea, but I can't treat her. She may be a demon or under a spell. Who knows what could happen to me if I do anything to her?" With that, he gathered his things and left.

Miroku put his hand out and hovered it over the unconcious stranger's face and then the rest of her body. "Hmmm. Odd."

"What's odd?" asked Sango. Kirara sat on her lap, contentedly purring.

"Her aura feels human but there's demonic energy leaking from her eyes..." Miroku looked deep in thought.

"Is she a half-demon? Like Inuyasha?" piped Shippo.

Miroku shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Inuyasha exudes demonic energy everywhere all the time. Unless he's human of course. Then he feels completely human. No 'leaking'..." he trailed off, sharing a look with Inuyasha. Inuyasha nodded slightly and stood.

Kagome yawned, " Well, since she's sleeping, I'd like to go to bed. We can talk more in the morning." She yawned again as Shippo jumped in her lap. Inuyasha and Sango nodded and followed Kagome, now carrying a sleepy Shippo, out the door to their own hut while Miroku stayed and sat watching over the sleeping girl.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is she a half-demon? Like Inuyasha?" piped a young sounding voice. Kaori had slowly regained consciousness but didn't move. She had no idea where she was and wasn't about to wake up to any nasty surprises so she lay still and listened.

"No, I don't think so. Inuyasha exudes demonic energy everywhere all the time. Unless he's human of course. Then he feels completely human. No 'leaking'..." a man's voice trailed off as someone yawned and a girl's voice joined the conversation. " Well, since she's sleeping, I'd like to go to bed. We can talk more in the morning."

'Half-demon? Completely human? In her curiosity, Kaori was tempted to open her eyes but didn't. And what's leaking?

Footsteps and a door opening and closing told her that some, if not all, the people had left.

"You can open your eyes now."

Kaori twitched in surprise and reluctantly opened her eyes. Her eyes gradually focused and rested upon a young man, a monk by the looks of the robes, looking at her with a guarded expression.

"But how-"

"It's not hard for me to tell when your breathing rate changes." Another man, this one with white hair, entered and sat next to the monk.

"That," the monk agreed, "and your finger twitched."

Kaori wilted a little. "Oh." She lay there for a few moments then tried to push herself up to a sitting position. With a little help from the monk, she was successful. Kaori looked down at her hands not knowing what to say. It was that moment when she really noticed her hands. They were still human. Disoriented, she asked "How long have I been...unconscious?"

The monk brought her a cup of water. "Hard to say, really. But I would guess no more than about 2 or 3 hours. Here." he offered her the cup, which she took gladly. Sipping carefully so as not to spill, Kaori noticed the white haired man watching her every move. Putting down the now-empty cup, she took the opportunity to take in his clothing and couldn't help but be impressed.

"Fire-rat's fur...right?" Kaori asked.

He stared at her. "What?"

Kaori pressed on, "Your clothes. They're made from fur of the Fire-rat. Where ever did you get it? Fire-rats are rare, so the fur is considered almost to be a trea-"

"Who are you?" he demanded, interrupting.

"Now, now Inuyasha. You musn't frighten her." chided the monk, then, turning to Kaori he smiled and introduced himself, "I'm Miroku and this somewhat irritable companion of mine is Inuyasha. He's a half-demon but don't let that frighten you."

Kaori choked back a laugh. Oh, I won't. I may be human right now, but i'm not entirely helpless.

Miroku mistook her repressed laugh for fear and took her hand gently and began to stroke it. Kaori looked bewildered at such a bold move and immediately yanked her hand away. "Yes....well, I am Kaori."

Looking very serious now, Miroku took both of her hands in his and looked unflinchingly into her green eyes. "Kaori...hmm...now that I have the pleasure of your name, it would give me great pleasure if you would bear my child."

Kaori stared at him. This man is a monk?

"OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!"

Kaori, Miroku, and Inuyasha all turned to see a broken door with Kagome and Shippo trying to restrain a raging Sango from pounding the perverted monk with her hiraikotsu.

Miroku immediately dropped Kaori's hands and laughed sheepishly. "Oh, Sango. What's the matter? I was only-"

"YOU. WERE ONLY. WHAT." Sango's glare could have melted through castle walls.

"Ahem."

Everyone turned and looked at Kaori, now standing with Inuyasha's help. She smiled politely, "Thank you everyone for your gracious hospitality. Who knows what could have happened to me had you not come. I do not wish to intrude on you any longer than necessary so I will now take my leave. Again, you have my thanks." With a proper bow she started to walk towards the door.

"And just what did happen to you?"

Kaori paused at the doorway. Inuyasha walked up and positioned himself in front of her. Defiantly, Kaori's green eyes met his...and widened.

Dear god, his eyes. Kaori was breathless for a moment. She'd seen those eyes before.

Author's note: *sheepish laugh* hehehe, so...uh...long time no write! Yeah, about that...Gomen nasai, minna! please forgive me for the long wait. Writers block, Grease production, and college... you know, the normal excuses. But hey! Kaori finally met the group right?

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