Azuka paced outside; anxious to know what condition Kyoko was in, seeing the way that Kyoko had run out the day before. Azuka had turned to go back into the house when she heard laughter. She was sure that she was only hearing things, but when she looked again, she saw Kyoko and several others emerge from the edge of the forest. Azuka rushed to Kyoko, Inu Yasha, and the others. "Kyoko? Kyoko, are you okay?"
Kyoko glanced at Inu Yasha, who happened to be carrying her. "I've seen better days, Azuka. However, could you show the others around so that they should be comfortable?"
"Of course."
Kyoko sighed and pointed toward the house. "Over there, Inu Yasha. Set me where you may, so long as I am able to watch what is happening."
Inu Yasha turned his head so that Kyoko was unable to see his face as he smiled. "Feh, always ordering me about, like I'm some type of servant, huh?"
"Inu Yasha! You know as well as I that I am unable to walk without going through much pain, and Miroku insisted that you carry me! It is not my fault, so please do not treat me as though I am attempting to take advantage of yourself."
Inu Yasha stopped at the entrance of the house and chuckled. "Ya know, you don't always have to take me so seriously, I don't hate you." Inu Yasha knelt down and set Kyoko next to the door gingerly.
"Huh?"
Inu Yasha grinned and ruffled Kyoko's hair. "You need to lighten up, you've been around Sesshoumaru too long. Relax, okay?"
Kyoko looked to Inu Yasha, briefly confused. She shook the confusion and smiled. "I'll try… but… you have to promise me something."
"What?"
"You have to promise not to fight with Kagome for a week."
"What kind of a promise is that? Are you saying that I intentionally fight with that-"
Kagome, unbeknownst to Inu Yasha, stood directly behind him. "'With that' ~ what ~, Inu Yasha?"
"Eh-heh, heh… With that little kitsune…. Yeah, you see, we were talking about Shippo, isn't that right Kyoko? Eh-heh… Kyoko?"
Kyoko smiled and cleared her throat. "Yes, Kagome, that is what we had been discussing."
Kagome smiled, sure now that Kyoko wouldn't lie. "Oh, okay." Kagome set her backpack down next to Kyoko. "Are you hungry, Kyoko?"
"Yeah, I guess so…"
Kagome dug through the backpack for a few moments and soon her hand returned from the depths of the backpack with a plastic cup. "You like cup ramen?"
Confusion swept over Kyoko's face. "What's that? I don't believe I've heard of it."
"Kagome!! You said you were out of that! You said that you didn't have anymore! I thought you got that for me! Ka-go-mee!!"
"Stop whining, Inu Yasha. I can go get more later."
"Kaa-goo-meee!!"
"Well, Kagome, I suppose that he can have it. I'm not too hungry anyhow."
"Please Kagome! Please?"
"Oh… I guess s- Hey!" Kagome reached for the cup ramen that Inu Yasha had snatched from her.
"Thanks!"
"Inu Yasha!"
"What?"
"SIT!"
Inu Yasha's entire body fell into the ground with heavy force. He immediately sat back upright, rubbing his cheek where his face had slammed into the floor. Anger passed over his face as he yelled, "Kagome!"
Kyoko giggled, but then looked at Inu Yasha and cleared her throat. "Inu Yasha… remember what I told you."
Inu Yasha's eyes curled upwards in innocent submission. "Oh…. Eh-heh… sorry, Kagome. I shouldn't have been so rude. And you shouldn't have-"
"Inu Yasha!"
"Gomen nasai, Kyoko-san." [But Kagome started it…]
~~~
[A.N. I know that this was a really short chapter, and so are the next two or three, but I guarantee that the action will pick up soon]