Inuyasha let his muscles relax, focusing on the sound of soothing scent of a peaceful Kagome and the even breathing of his friends. It was late, even his body was wavering between sleep and awareness more so than usual, lying on his side. He'd positioned himself nearest the door. The kid was curled up against his haori, snoring quietly; her head was resting on his bicep and she was mumbling in her sleep about something.
It was his favorite time of the day. Kagome was asleep—unconscious where he could keep an eye on her…and the others, late enough that there was almost nothing outside that he felt compelled to keep his attention on, mostly. With as busy as human villages were it drove his senses crazy. It didn't help that Kagome attracted unwanted attention like nobody he'd ever met.
"Keh," he snorted softly, reaching a hand down to rub Miyuki's back slowly. Miyuki's claws fisted in his clothing, mewling quietly as her nose searched. What is it? A nightmare? The squirt immediately quieted, tucking her face into his shoulder. Atta girl. He focused his ears on the rhythmic breathing of them all. He relaxed his arm, letting his shoulders drop as he let his cheek rest against her white hair, arm resting against the length of her back. He let a rumble rise out of his chest gently, just enough to soothe the girl.
She went limp, her hands relaxing. He let out a relieved breath that she wasn't going to be waking up quite yet. I might be able to keep up with her but these humans need their sleep. And the tyke could do with a full-night herself.
The distinct crack of a stick snapping in half made him raise his head, ears swiveling towards the door. There was definitely someone walking around out there. A human, if I'm not mistaken. No youkai would be so careless. It wouldn't hurt to check though.
Inuyasha lifted the kid carefully, moving to lay her on Kagome's sleeping bag next to the wench. It took a moment but she turned to curl up against Kagome's chest atop the bag. Good kid. He straightened; keeping his hand on Tessaiga as he quietly shifted the door open, he slipped out into the cool night air.
The cool ground felt good on his feet though. He glanced up at the sky. The new moon's tomorrow. Going to have to find somewhere to hole up for the night. Dammit. The absolute worst time of the month.
Keh, except maybe when those two girls get their heats. He chuckled to himself at that one. They turn into absolute bitches. I don't know how Miroku's skull has held up so long, considering how many times Sango beats him over the head then. Smirking he lifted his nose in the air. There was the distinct trace of the insect youkai from before, which he disregarded, but also the new scent of some passing human not too long ago. There was definitely no one around now.
"Yaya?" Miyuki's small voice made him turn. Standing there on the steps behind him she looked very rumpled as she rubbed at her eyes. She yawned, flashing her fangs.
"You woke up squirt?" She didn't answer, only holding up her arms for him. He rolled his eyes, taking the steps quickly as he bent to scoop her up, feeling her leech herself to his neck again. "Come on then. Let's get some sleep," he yawned.
Yip!
Sango groaned, lifting her head. Miyuki yipped again from her position in Inuyasha's lap, standing up so that she could pat him on the cheek. "Yaya? Yaya sleepy?" Inuyasha was still asleep.
"Miyuki?" The miniature white head turned in her direction. "Why don't you try to get a little more sleep?" Preferably another few hours or so.
"Day, lady." Miyuki shook her head. "Time to wake."
Sometimes she really couldn't understand Miyuki's adorably confusing speech. "What are you talking about?" She yawned, covering her mouth. Even Inuyasha's still asleep and he's always the first one awake. It must be early.
"Day." Miyuki shook her head again, turning back to Inuyasha's unconscious face. "Wake Yaya," she tugged on his forelocks.
"Ssh! You're going…" Miyuki was completely ignoring her, yipping loudly. She winced, waiting for Inuyasha to startle awake, but he did not. Kilala brushed against her side as she weaved her way towards Inuyasha's legs, resting her forepaws on his knee. "Kilala?"
"Hi kitty." Miyuki half-turned to pet Kilala's head, who leaned into the touch for a moment. The nekoyoukai leaned forward to sniff at Inuyasha's fingers resting on his leg, tails flickering. She couldn't hold back a gasp as Kilala bit down on Inuyasha's hand firmly, growling.
"What are you doing?" She got up immediately to go and kneel by Inuyasha, pulling at Kilala's midsection. The cat let go, but not without a firm pull. "Kilala, how could you?" And she's usually so friendly to him! What's gotten into her?
"Yaya!" Miyuki let out her baby growl, distressed. "Make Yaya wake lady!" Those golden eyes turned onto hers.
"Inuyasha?" He's not a deep sleeper. I'd think with all this noise that somebody would be awake by now. She leaned forward to shake his arm gently. "Inuyasha?" She lifted her fingers to press against his neck. Heartbeat, breathing…but he's still asleep. Odd.
"Is Yaya sick?" Miyuki tugged on her sleeve.
Something about this doesn't feel right. She turned away from the slumbering hanyou to go over to Kagome in her sleeping bag, laying her hand on her shoulder. "Kagome? Kagome, are you awake?" She shook her other friend's arm gently too, only to have Kagome remain limply asleep.
Hesitantly she looked to where Miroku was resting against the wall, staff resting against his shoulder. Don't tell me that Houshi-sama won't wake up either. Then again, if he does, it'll probably be to grope some part of me. She almost didn't rise up to go over to their resident monk, shaking his shoulders. "Houshi-sama? Miroku?" Nothing. "Houshi-sama, I'm ready to bear your children."
There: if he doesn't wake up for that…something's wrong.
She waited another minute—Miroku's face didn't change.
"Sango?" Miyuki's voice startled her. The girl had left Inuyasha's lap to tug on her sleeve, pushing her white hair back behind her pointed ear. I've never actually had the girl speak to me before. I didn't think she actually knew my name.
"…just, stay here, ok? Keep trying to wake them up." She went to where Hiraikotsu rested, hefting it over her shoulder. "Kilala, stay here to guard everyone." Her friend meowed her agreement, perching herself on the wooden floor next to Miyuki.
Sango opened the door after changing into her slayer's uniform, stepping outside. It was strangely quiet for midday; yesterday the town had been bristling with moving people, though none of them were out now. Yes, something is definitely wrong here. But I don't sense any aura. Could it be the townsfolk? But why would they want to do this? Why are Miyuki and Kilala awake too? I don't understand. She walked towards the middle of the road, turning carefully. Not even a whisper of footsteps.
Enough of this. I'm tired of waiting to be attacked. Just get it over with already. "I know you're out here," she called. "What are you waiting for?" A whisper of a youkai's aura made a shiver run up her spine. She turned, but nothing was there. Can it conceal itself? She tightened her grip on the Hiraikotsu, keeping her muscles ready. The others are helpless right now. I'm their only defense.
"You think that you stand a chance against me?" A woman's voice. She turned, only to see a puff of green smoke. The disembodied voice chuckled. "A human? Though, I must ask—why are you not asleep with the others?"
I don't know.
"So you're responsible." I hate when they play games like this. It just takes longer for me to kill them.
"Thankfully I've been successful. These villagers are easily persuaded," the voice gloated. "Your hanyou friend took his time getting to sleep. He's very paranoid."
"I can't imagine why that would be." Sango returned sarcastically. Strike already.
She turned again to be surprised by a tall woman standing behind her, smirking. She barely had time to take in her long brown hair before the creature's fist came towards her, which fell against Hiraikotsu as she blocked. Taking a step back the woman's bright blue eyes darkened, one side of her lip rose to expose her fangs.
Sango immediately removed the knife concealed within her sleeve, taking a jab over Hiraikotsu at the youkai's neck. She hissed, moving sideways with surprising agility. "I don't have time for this." She took another step backwards, glancing at the room where the others were still defenseless.
"You don't have any time left." Sango raised her boomerang. "Hirai—" Green smoke blew over her face, forcing her to reach for her mask.
There was a sharp whistle, "Miyuki? Miyuki?" A different voice. She moved out of the smoke to see a different woman standing in the youkai's place, although the aura was the same. Long white hair blew over a beautiful green kimono, golden eyes. "Miyuki baby?" The malice in her eyes was completely at odds with the sweetness of her voice.
"Oh no you don't!" She threw Hiraikotsu as she heard the screen door opening. Those golden eyes flickered to her face with annoyance. As her boomerang approached the woman she waved her arm, and the Hiraikotsu crashed against a tall stone statue, falling to the ground.
A fox.
She looked to where the woman's attention was. The little inuyoukai girl was frozen still on the platform leading to the room, staring at the youkai's disguise. "Miyuki? Come here sweetie."
"Miyuki, don't!" Sango ordered sharply. She wants Miyuki, why? "Go back into the room, now!"
"It's not safe here sweetie." The woman's face was very solemn, throwing a few glances at her. "Mama's here."
That's who she's disguised as?
"Miyuki, go back to Inuyasha!" Sango demanded. "She's a fox!" Darting forward she removed her sword, swinging it at the woman's shoulder. The fox darted backwards as she simultaneously dropped her sword and picked up her Hiraikotsu one-handed, throwing it again with all the force she could.
"You little bitch!" The woman's voice grew harsh again, and when her eyes found the fox assailant again she saw that the disguise had dropped. "That girl is mine!" The youkai was pressing her hand to her shoulder where blood was beginning to stain through her dark shirt. It looks like I rendered her other arm useless. She can't move it.
"You're not getting her!" She picked up the darkened steel sword again, flourishing it a bit.
"I'll see you again human!" The fox narrowed her blue eyes as she rushed forward, green smoke making her press her sleeve to her mouth. The aura disappeared almost immediately.
She re-addressed her attention to the little inuyoukai still watching her. She went to retrieve the Hiraikotsu next to the stone statue, replacing her sword into its sheath.
"Milady?" A man's voice. She turned to see a small group of villagers approaching from one of the paths running through the town. "We meant no harm. S-she has some of our children. We had no choice. But your friends are only asleep."
"Sango lady?" She felt hands on her knee. Miyuki had come forward to stand beside her, trembling. "Is she go? Yaya safe?"
"For now," she sighed. "Do you know that fox?" Miyuki nodded sadly, pressing her face into her leg.
Inuyasha is not going to like this at all.