Thank you for everyone who follows this story and patiently waits for the updates. I appreciate it.
Thank you IPod Reader for your comments and corrections that you provide. If possible, I would appreciate if you could tell me the chapter and paragraph number when an update to grammar or spelling needs to be made so that it's easier to find.
Anyone else (Guest) who is nice enough to provide my errors, please give chapter and paragraph number. Most paragraphs aren't real paragraphs (5-7 sentences) like we are taught in school, so I only mean that each line break can be considered a paragraph.
Tax Lady, I read all of your comments. I'm glad you feel the same way that I do about Inuyasha. Someone has to teach him a lesson.
You may all see an increase in dialogue between characters, as I prefer the communication between them as well as their own individual thought processes.
Character thoughts are listed between 'apostrophes and italics'. I figured I should mention this going forward since there may be some extra. I find writing easier with dialogue than prolonged descriptions of areas and scenery, but I will try to give as much detail as needed to imagine the area and space of every location that's important, and generic imagery for places that are not important like clearings or trails for example.
Also, not really important but I think I keep catching myself spell Sesshoumaru's name this way, and this way: Sesshomaru… I don't know why…. But I apologize in advance.
Thanks again.
Previously….
Mira departed toward the West after a visit from Jett. Sesshoumaru prepared Kagome for departure towards the West.
Now with Inuyasha's group….
During the time of Sesshoumaru's sexual escapade, the group managed to shorten the distance between themselves and Kagome. Whereas they needed to travel a few days to reach them, now, there was about day's length away. The humans of the group still needed sleep, so they rested whenever they could.
Sango took over Kagome's duty of preparing a meal of fish for the morning, since camp was made by a creek with rushing water, perfect for catching trout. She also stalked off through the woods and scavenged some berries for her and Miroku. She had prepared the area for cooking while Miroku gathered firewood and Inuyasha caught the fish. He had no choice but to settle for fish since all of his precious ramen supply was depleted. For the last few days, he had been overly impatient and insistent, always nagging the two to move forward without breaks or food. As if they would allow him to run over their lives that way. Once the break was over, they would pick up and continue where they left off.
This pattern continued throughout the day, along with Inuyasha's many tantrums about humans being so slow, so weak, and so mortal. Miroku had attempted to placate him a few times and tried to limit the length of their stops since Sango had as much stamina as himself, if not more, but even that began to wear on him. Eventually, it was Sango whom had had enough first. She understood the feudal woman more than anyone, but she wasn't submissive, nor spineless, and would deal with any situation the only way she knew how – slayer style. She approached the hanyou, Hiraikotsu in tow, and immediately descended it upon his head.
"Are you crazy?! What the heck was that for ya crazy bit- fwack," Inuyasha grunted and squatted while his hands were atop his head, as if to prevent another attack.
Sango stared the hanyou down, as menacingly as Naraku had before, as she spoke: "You will NOT disrespect me. Kagome may brush it off sometimes because she had feelings for you, maybe, Kami only knows why! But I am not her, and I will not accept it."
Miroku eased his approach to calm the situation, but thought better of it when Sango gave him the "side eye glare" that hinted "DON'T YOU DARE!" At this point, he had a choice to make: Piss off the woman you love even further, or just stay the hell out of it, knowing Inuyasha deserved so much more than he was getting… So, he threw his hands up in surrender and stepped to the side instead.
"I am so sick of your bullshit. We are human! For crying out loud. We require breaks and sustenance. Kirara needs a break for carrying not one, but two full grown humans, consistently, for the last couple of days and she's full demon!" Sango was on her soap box at this point. She was standing over Inuyasha, one hand on her hip, while the other hand pounded Hiraikotsu into the ground to signify every word. "But, if you try that shit with me again, I'll send your baby maker straight to hell with your clay pot, so HELP ME KAMI!"
A shudder passed through both the Inu and monk after hearing Sango's declaration. She had never been so angry before; it was slightly out of character for her… only slightly though. A person can only handle so much negativity and degradation until they either retaliate or suffer emotionally.
But Miroku couldn't blame her. After everything they've been through, Inuyasha would never treat Kagome well, no matter how many times she had stayed by his side, provided first aid to his wounds, and made sure he knew he was perfect the way he was and happy. That was the exact opposite of the support the hanyou provided to her and the rest of the pack. When had he ever done anything that was for the benefit of others selflessly, without griping and complaining? When had Inuyasha ever truly cared about the well-being of another during their travels, who wasn't Kikyo? It didn't count if Kagome was in danger, since that was probably the Inu's fault too. As Miroku pondered those questions, he realized that neither question had a positive answer.
As Miroku looked at the back of the Inu's head, all he could hear was grumbling, which was probably best considering the beating that Sango had just given him. All of the slaps she had given him over the course of their travels, from fondling her back side, did not seem to coincide with the amount of pain caused by Hiraikotsu. With that in mind, Miroku banged his staff into the ground and sent up a prayer, praying that he could last until they saw Kagome before he groped Sango again, knowing how close he would come to it while they were riding towards the West.
Shaking his head at the foolishness of it all, Miroku headed towards Kirara still in deep thought. Now that their greatest enemy was burning in hell, 'I hope', they were supposed to be relaxing, settling down, exploring each other's respective feelings for the opposite sex, making babies, making love, and then making more babies, or just partaking in the activity, according to Miroku's logic. A sleazy grin crossed his features as he mounted the fire neko in preparation for departure. Yet, here they were, chasing after Kagome, though he knew there was no safer place for her than in the arms of the demon lord – 'Literally' he hoped!
Once the group was in the air, Miroku reminisced about a time he and Kagome spoke at length of what the Feudal future held for the group.
FLASHBACK…. a couple months ago
"Hey guys! I'm back!"
"Kagome! I missed you!" Shippo yelled excitedly while jumping into her arms, tail swishing back and forth.
"I missed you too, Shippo. And look what I brought you… A new coloring book, colored pencils instead of crayons, and….. dun dun dun (suspense sound) POCKY!" Kagome exclaimed cheerily. Although Shippo loved suckers, the chocolate tips of pocky was slowing becoming his new favorite treat. He would do anything for it.
"Ooh thank you Kagome. Can I eat it now? Please, Please, Please?!" Shippo begged.
"Only one of them for now Ship. Remember, you are of a canine species although you are a demon, but I don't want you to get sick because of it. Ok?"
"Ok!" and from there Shippo opened the candy box gently so that it would close properly to save the rest. He could be seen moments later skipping back into Kaede's hut to tinker with the color pencils Kagome had promised to bring him to upgrade from the crayons.
"And of course I brought something for you and Miroku too, Sango, but don't open that yet, we will talk about it later," Kagome said as she winked at Sango.
Miroku chipped in after noticing the shared looked between the two with piqued curiosity. "And now, you two are keeping secrets from me too? Where does the treachery end?" Miroku faked sobbed.
Both girls burst out laughing and Kagome assured him that it was not something he wanted to know about. She then handed Sango a bento to carry with her since she was sharpening Hiraikotsu on the outskirts of the village. Kagome and Miroku decided to settle outside the hut to eat their share of the bento that Kagome's mother had prepared.
"Speaking of secrets Miroku, where's Inuyasha? I'm surprised he didn't come flying through the forest as soon as my scent crossed over the well," Kagome said with nonchalance.
Miroku furrowed his brows, thinking of how to air his suspicions. Kagome was no fool, he knew, so there was no point in making up unnecessary lies. "Although I can't confirm because he never says anything, if he's not standing around here waving Tessaiga around and loudly stating {in my Inuyasha impersonation} "We gotta find the last shards before Naraku, you lazy humans," "then I think we both know where he is." Miroku chanced a glance at Kagome to observe her reaction. It was nothing like he had expected. She appeared completely unbothered by it and even agreed to it.
Kagome genuinely laughed and told him "Yeah. That sounds just like Inuyasha."
For a moment, they ate in companionable silence, but the Monk's curiosity was eating at him and he had to ask "Lady Kagome, forgive my intrusion, but do you still have plans to be with Inuyasha when this is all over?"
Kagome pondered the question and wondered if she should answer or not, but truth be told, there was nothing to hide. The truth was what it was, even if it took her a long time to acknowledge it.
"Not in the romantic sense" she began. "I haven't thought of Inuyasha in that way for several months now. You could say I just woke up to self-reflection one day and wondered when I started undervaluing myself so much. And from there, all I had to do was weigh the perks and benefits of the love I wanted to give, versus this so called love I have been experiencing." Kagome turned to Miroku then and looked him square in the eyes, a serious expression on her face. Miroku felt tension then, and squared his shoulders for whatever it was she was about to say. She looked more serious than he'd ever seen her, which made him equally nervous for what she would reveal.
"Miroku, I want to give you all the love that I have in me. Everything that I have to offer you, my heart, body and soul. However many children you want, I want to give them to you. And they will be special because they would be loved by you and me."
Miroku tensed even further after hearing such a heartfelt confession. He was honestly at a loss. He was in love with Sango of course, but his heart felt like he was about to betray Kagome too. 'What… is… this?' What was she talking about? She couldn't be serious! But it was at that moment where Kagome intervened.
"You see Miroku? That feeling you felt when you thought I was serious about that; that specific feeling…. I've done everything to show that I would give him that, accept him, and provide my unconditional love, and he refuses me over a zombie – a walking dead, soul stealing, and hateful piece of clay."
Miroku, still speechless, was frozen. He didn't know what to do. Of course, she wasn't serious. His heart was pounding for nothing, but still, it would seem that women who knew what they wanted were intimidating. 'Perhaps', he thought, 'I need to reconsider how I advance on Sango'.
"Lady Kagome, you can't play with a man of Buddha's heart like that. Even the most practiced monk would not have been able to resist such a confession" Miroku breathed a sigh of relief and laughed warmly.
"I know that! But I wanted to be sure you understood the weight of my feelings, and that was the best way to do it. I know you're in love with Sango whether you both admit or not, you know. I would never come between that" Kagome said and gave Miroku a sly smirk. She had sensed Sango approach their location and knew she was hiding behind one of the trees. Thank god for her training, otherwise, she would have had to do a lot of explaining in order to put out a fake fire about love and betrayal. Fortunately for her, she felt Sango's aura dissipate and it only spiked again in a good way, when she had mentioned the two being in love with each other. Eventually Sango left the tree to finish sharpening her blade.
"Whatever do you mean? I am but a humble Monk traveling the land to become better for Buddha's sake. Even if what you say is true, there is nothing to be done until my enemy is defeated."
"Yea yea, save it for someone who'll believe you," Kagome laughed.
"Then, since you are no longer interested in Inuyasha that way, is there someone else who has caught your eye?" Miroku inquired.
He immediately detected the blush on her cheeks which confirmed his answer without her saying so. "Ah, to be young and in love" Miroku murmured.
"I'm not in love… yet. So far, it's just fanciful thinking. He wouldn't give me a chance anyway since he hates humans, and he'll need a demon heir anyway, so let's just talk about something else" Kagome said feeling insecure.
"Well, my dear, if you insist. Please tell your mother that her cooking is lovely as always when you return," Miroku said. He always knew what to say to get Kagome to reveal things she probably doesn't want others to know just yet. And with the right care and nurturing, he'll make her his pupil yet. He's not the only one who has high standards, regardless of the frivolous flirting.
"I will. I think I'll go practice with my reiki powers a bit by Sango, then we'll return together."
"Perhaps I should accompany you. Two beautiful women in the middle of nature, all alone… think of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, Lady Kagome."
"Stay right there buster. We've got a demon slayer and a somewhat talented miko. Plus, we will probably venture to the hot springs when we're done for some girl time. I think we'll be fine… And no peaking Miroku or I swear I'll zap you in the bushes," Kagome threatened while putting on a menacing face.
Miroku placated his way back to his seat on the log outside of Kaede's hut. "I think I'll stay out here and do some meditation after all. Please be careful."
"We will."
End Flashback
And another chapter. I really wanted to continue writing in this chapter, but I was able to setup the plot for the future chapters finally. I had no idea how to go about reaching my goals for this. I don't intend to rush through it, but I expect that it should be picking up now that I have more outline. This chapter was heavy in dialogue, but it'll probably be the only one as heavy as this. I expect the others to have lots of communication, but not like this chapter.
Thanks for reading.
