Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or He, Jars of Clay (Mushi's song)
Uh…yah.
And on with the story!
I awoke to something hard and warm against me. I snuggled into it liking the warmth. Then to my surprise it chuckled at me. I slowly opened my eyes and noticed the warmth was coming from another body. I then looked up at the person. When I saw it was Nasuku I was a first ok with it, but when I noticed our state of dress…
"Nasuku!" I shouted and jumped back holding the blanket to my chest. "What are you doing?"
He chuckled again and propped himself up on one elbow so he faced me. "I was expecting that." He said. "I helped bring down your temperature. It was so high you would have died if I hadn't. The arrow that struck you had a poison on it. Yugi gave you an antidote but you came down with a fever and I was forced to bring it down."
I blushed. I was always the one who got injured over and over again. I would have to be treated. Sometimes I would awake to powerful herbs being forced up my nose or my mother's worried face, but this time I awoke to my teacher next to me…in the same bed!
When Nasuku saw me blush he smiled and got up from the bedroll. "Ah come on pup. It's not that bad is it?" He asked.
I looked at him. I wanted to say, 'I never said I didn't like it!' but I knew I couldn't. "Next time ask me." I said.
Nasuku turned his back to me and retrieved his shirt. "I did." He said as he slipped it on.
"Oh." I said and looked at the ground. When I saw a shadow in front of me I looked up.
Nasuku stared at me. I felt weird under his gaze and pulled the blanket closer to my chest. He kneeled in front of me. "You're not mad that I did that are you?" He asked. I shook my head. "Ok, but just remember I meant nothing by it. It was just something I had to do to keep you with me." I nodded again. He smiled, but it looked forced. "Besides it was either me or Yugi. I really didn't think you'd be happy if you woke up next to him."
"Right." I said. "Uh…Nasuku."
"Yes?" He answered.
"Could you turn around so I can put on my shirt?" I asked.
"Oh yes sure." He said as he stood up and went to the other side of the tent. He sat down, tilted his head forward, and closed his eyes. I then dropped the blanket and stood up. I walked over to my clothes and breast bind. I picked them up and quickly glanced at Nasuku. He looked asleep. I still didn't feel comfortable so I turned my back to him, as I got dressed.
'Why didn't I just tell him to leave?' I wondered as I tried to tie my breast bind but because of the arrow wound couldn't. I tried again but failed. "Damn it." I muttered to myself. Before I could try a third time I felt someone grab the bind's ends.
Nasuku carefully pulled the bind tight and tied it. Before I could say anything he grabbed my shirt and put it on my shoulders. He gently placed my arms in the sleeves and closed it. Then wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled my sash tight to hold my shirt in place. Slowly he removed his arms and didn't walk away from me. He stayed standing behind me.
I froze. I was confused now. What was he doing? Why wouldn't he say anything? I wanted to say something but nothing came out of my mouth. Finally Nasuku turned and left the tent without a word. My heart pounded in my chest. What just happened?
I ran out of the tent and looked around for Nasuku. "ROOK! You're well!" Someone shouted.
I spun around to see Mushi and Shinsai walking towards me. Mushi waved at me like a maniac. I forced a smile and waved back. "Hi yah guys." Mushi ran at me and held his hands out behind him like he thought he could fly through the air. He stopped right in front of me, and quickly ran around me. "Uh…"
"Sorry Rook he's rather hyper today." Shinsai said as he ran up.
I laughed. "I noticed." Mushi stopped running and smiled at me, laughing. I poked him in the forehead. "You, my friend, are weird." I said. Mushi just smiled bigger. I shook my head. "Hey Shinsai. Have you seen General Nasuku?" I asked.
Shinsai nodded. "He stormed by us when we were walking this way." He said. "He looked rather angry. Did you do something?"
I looked at the ground. "Not purposely." I told him. "Which direction did he go in?" I asked.
Mushi cut in before Shinsai could tell me. "Do you think that's very wise Rook?" He asked.
I shrugged. "Why not?"
"Well if you are the reason he's mad he might not want to see you right now." Mushi explained.
"But Mushi even if I am the reason he's mad it wouldn't hurt for me to say sorry." I replied. Mushi thought it over a minute then pointed behind him.
"He went into the field near the village." He said finally.
"Thanks guys." I said as I ran past them. Nasuku was mad at something and I was going to find out what.
I ran through the camp and into the field. When I spotted Nasuku he was looking at the sky near the middle. I stopped and slowly approached him. "Nasuku? Did I do something wrong?" I asked. Nasuku didn't answer but instead kept looking at the sky. "Nasuku?"
Silence.
I was beginning to wonder if coming was very smart after all. "I'm sorry." I said.
Nasuku looked at me confused. "What?"
"I'm sorry." I repeated. "I must have done something wrong for you to be angry seeing as how I was the only person you were with before now."
Nasuku shook his head. "I'm not mad at you. It's just that…" He paused. "Nevermind. It's nothing." He looked at the sky again.
I sighed. "Are you sure it's nothing I did?" I asked. He didn't answer. "Nasuku?"
"It's hard to explain…" Nasuku trailed off and looked at me. He approached me. "Very hard to explain." He said as he stood in front of me. My heart began to beat faster. What was he talking about?
That's when I heard it. Music. I turned to the woods. It was different from the music Yugi played but yet similar. "Do you hear that?" I asked. Nasuku nodded. "What is it?"
"I don't know." Nasuku responded as he began to walk towards the music. "Shall we?" He asked.
"Yes, yes we shall." I responded and followed Nasuku.
We didn't need to walk far until we heard that the person was also singing.
Don't try to reach me
cause I'm already dead
the pain when it grips me
for things that I've done
Well, I try to make you proud
but for crying out loud
just give me a chance to hide away
exhaustion takes over
will this someday be over
His voice was beautiful. It flowed so well. Nasuku and I stayed low until we saw who was singing…Mushi. He sat in a tree play a larger version of Yugi instrument only he used his fingers to pluck the strings. Nasuku and I walked into the clearing and watched Mushi. He smiled at us.
The bushes behind us shook and we spun around as Yugi came out, instrument in hand.
Fearful tears are running down
the pain you've laid don't speak a sound
don't take my heart away from me
and they think I fell down
Again
Yugi began to play a slow rhythm.
Daddy, don't you love me
then why do you hit me,
and mama, don't you love me
then why do you hurt me
Well, I try to make you proud
but for crying out loud
just give me a chance to hide away
exhaustion takes over
will this someday be over
Fearful tears are running down
the pain you've laid don't speak a sound
don't take my heart away from me
and they think I fell down
A teardrop falls
from up in the heavens
drowning the sorrow
Yugi stopped and smiled at us. "Like it?" He asked.
We just stared at him. "Since when could you sing?" I asked not believe what I just saw.
"Since always." He replied.
"Where'd you get the instrument?" Nasuku asked.
Mushi jumped from the tree. "Kya's father threw it at me when he ran into camp. I tried to give it back but he told me to keep it." He said.
Yugi stared at Mushi. "I only knew one other person who could play and sing like that. What's your name?" He asked.
"Mushi." He replied.
"Mushi? Wait a second." Yugi approached Mushi. "Mushigo? Mushigo Catarie?"
Mushi jumped away from the man. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
Nasuku and I stared at the two. What was going on?
"I thought you were dead." Yugi said. "I thought someone had already turned you in."
"Well as you can see I'm alive." Mushi snapped. "Now who are you?"
Yugi put his instrument back on his shoulder. "It doesn't matter who I am. It matters that you're a still wanted criminal."
"Criminal?" I asked. "What are you talking about Yugi?"
Yugi turned to me. "Mushigo Catarie. Wanted for the murder of his parents then denial and escape." He said if reading the wanted sign.
I gasped. What?
Uh oh! What's going to happen! What's Mushi's story? Come back next time and find out!
Review please. (You know you want to.)