Chapter 11 - Of monks and mountain storms
As difficult as it was, Kagome realized she was still going to have to keep up her usual duties. After all, she needed to earn a living. Sitting around useless wasn't going to help her find Inuyasha or figure out this mess faster either. Besides, if she were to continue enforcing her herbalist role here in the city, it would allow her to maintain friendly relations with people who might be able to divulge useful information. But really, beneath it all she needed a distraction from being constantly worried about Inuyasha. It'd been a few days since her exchange with Jinenji and still no sign of the hanyou.
After allowing herself one foolish [act] of writing a message and leaving it weighed down near the base of the Goshinboku, Kagome got back to work. It was a pretty far reach given she had no idea if the hanyou read human languages, and that the note would stay intact. Regardless, it at least made her feel she'd done everything she could for the time being.
Summer was finally here and the field required a lot of work. It was always a delicate balance of keeping insects from eating all of the plants she was growing. Plus, with the weather getting hotter and drier, she spent a good portion of each morning lugging water from the stream to keep the more finicky herbs from wilting. In addition to that, the demand from the healers seemed to only increase. It would be the second delivery she was making in under a week. The medicines they've been asking her for were hard to come by and generated low yield even if cultivated. Sometimes Kagome wondered if perhaps Kaede really had intended for her to come maintain the herb farm out in the forest, but with recent events, even she couldn't convince herself of that entirely.
Sighing, and trying to steer her thoughts to a less pessimistic place, Kagome continued her trek up to the healer's guild. The stacks of paper-wrapped packets tied together with string were starting to cut into her palms. With both her hands full there wasn't really an option to shift around the weight either. Passing through the open doors into the main courtyard, it was immediately noticeable how abnormal the atmosphere was. The air was tinged with a faintly frantic feel, and strangely, she could hardly see any people around. Some muffled commotion drew her a few steps down the lane leading to the infirmary. Maybe that's where everyone was?
Hurried footfalls sounded behind her and Kagome turned to find one of the healers heading straight for her, or rather, trying to head past her. It was the familiar posture and gait of the man that finally clued her in. It was Yoshi-san, a senior healer, and one of her favourites who taught her years ago. His teaching style was no bullshit, down-to-business and Kagome always preferred working with people with little pretence. But maybe because of this, he would frequently get in trouble for not being deferential enough for the higher class patients. His expression at the moment looked rather harried though, the corners of his mouth downturned and lined.
The man's tired eyes seem to suddenly notice her hovering nearby and locked onto her face with recognition. "Higurashi?"
"Yes. Hi, Yoshi-san." She bowed in greeting.
His quick gaze located all the strings of bundles dangling from her arms. "Another delivery eh? Can't say we don't need it."
"Is there something going on? Can I help with something?"
"It's a handful but we got it under control" He sighed exasperated, with a faint roll of his eyes. "A bunch of idiots thought it was a good idea to raid a youkai nest. Teenage boys I tell you. I've been there and I'm glad it's done."
"What?"
"Yeah. You heard me." He huffed. "Why don't you just go ahead and pop those in the store room. If you don't mind, can you put them away too? I got no extra hands right now. You do remember where everything still is right?"
"Nothing's moved around since I was here?"
"Nope. Don't fix what's not broke." He waved quick goodbye to her before hurrying down the alley towards the infirmary. Then he paused as if he forgot something and turned around.
"Hisaishi-sama stepped out so I have no idea what else he'd meant to ask for, medicines wise. While you're at it, if you see anything that's running low, can you top us up next time?"
"Yes, of course. That's no problem." He nodded and hurried away, leaving Kagome to her own devices.
Kagome hadn't been in the store rooms since she was an apprentice. Thus far since returning to Kyo, all of her interactions had been purely transactional and handled in the front receiving room of the guild. Coming around to the main buildings and easing her way into the private structure felt a little like sneaking around, even if she was given full permission to. That thought was quickly replaced by a pleasant sort of nostalgia when she found the medicines room to look exactly as she remembered. Tall, wooden cabinets of neat grids of drawers spanned the back wall. The massive, well-worn table in the middle of the room was still strewn messily with hand scales, mortars and pestles, and other tools.
Fluently, Kagome fell back into the practiced rhythm of untying the bundles, carefully unfolding the packages and sliding the contents into their respective drawer. Even as an apprentice, she'd always gravitated towards the herbs and medicines. The other students were more than happy to trade duties with her, since this task can be difficult–dried leaves look very similar. Looking through, she made note of the items that were running out and documented them on a scrap of paper from the pile on the table. The task soothed her into such a deep meditative lull that the creak of the door opening almost startled her into dumping a whole packet on the floor.
After floundering briefly and making sure nothing was displaced, she looked up to find the master healer looking at her contemplatively from the entrance. "Higurashi-san, my apologies for the abrupt entrance. Yoshi informed me you would be here. He had taken a liberty in putting you to work, I see. I beg your pardon for that."
"Oh," She wrung her hands in slight embarrassment. "None needed. I am more than happy to assist since everyone is busy. I studied here as a child, so really it is no trouble."
"Ah yes, that you did." He hummed. "Kaede-sama did mention that. It was before my tenure here, I believe."
"H-have you seen Kaede-sama recently?" Kagome blurted out and then promptly winced. His greyed eyebrows raised just a fraction at her outburst.
"Yes. She is somewhat–" He replied, tone not betraying any emotions at her odd outburst. "indisposed at the moment. But she is well, if that is what you are asking."
Kagome fidgeted slightly, hoping to the gods that she wouldn't do something more humiliating like blushing. "Yes. Thank you for telling me."
There was a few seconds pause before the master healer gestured for her to continue her work. He, himself, went around to the far corner of the room in search of something. When he seemed satisfied with his findings, Hisaishi came back to the center table to catch her attention again.
"Yoshi mentioned the–unfortunate circumstance of the new patients?"
"Not in detail, Hisaishi-sama."
"Well, the boys caught wind of a youkai nest apparently and decided to try their luck. Thank goodness there were no casualties but significant poison burns. Unlucky for us, we used up most of our saxifrage reserve."
Saxifrage was an alpine plant that could be used as a general mitigating agent when poison is involved but no direct antidote is known or available. Results are varied though, since it isn't a straightforward neutralizer. Because it is an alpine plant, the conditions for its growth meant that it has to be foraged and cannot be domestically grown, unless one lived high up in the mountains. Kagome could guess what would be coming from that statement.
"I'm assuming that you'll be needing a restock of it then?" She couldn't help but sigh lightly.
"Yes." The man gave her an apologetic look. "You will, of course, be compensated fairly."
"I had no doubts about that, Hisaishi-sama." She turned back to scan the cabinets behind her once more, then gestured to the paper in front of her. "I'm nearly done here. I did keep a list of the low stock, do you want to review it for completeness?"
He nodded, taking hold of the proffered list. Kagome busied herself with gathering the loose string and paper packing to be reused while the healer pondered her charcoal scrawls. After a moment, the older man smiled and handed back the paper with his alterations.
"Is there anything else you require?" Kagome asked politely, as she prepared to take her leave.
"Well," Hisaishi started, and then paused, seeming to debate whether to continue.
"Please don't hesitate to ask. I'm proficient enough in simple healing as well, if you need a hand in the infirmary..." She trailed off, watching the curious expression on the normally stoic man's face. It betrayed some sort of inner struggle which made her even more curious about what it is he was contemplating asking of her.
"Higurashi-san," He cleared his throat, and the placid expression smoothed once more over his features. "If it is not too much to ask, I need something delivered in the city. It is a bit out of the way, so I understand completely if you decline."
It was a struggle not to keep the disappointment from showing on her face, but Kagome felt she had embarrassed herself enough today already. It did feel like a swift kick to the gut to hear the unspoken dismissal of whatever humble healing skill she possessed and be relegated to an errands runner.
"It's no trouble. Just let me know where to take it." Kagome managed to hold herself together enough to reply. Hisaishi nodded, his eyes trained on hers speculatively.
He excused himself briefly then to receive the package in question, leaving her to idle in the store room alone once more. When the healer returned, he pressed an unobtrusive packet in her hand, wrapped in plain cloth, about the size of her palm. Slipping it into the folds of her robes for safe keeping, Kagome bid the man farewell with the promise of returning as soon as she can acquire more medicines.
Feeling decidedly sorry for herself, Kagome stopped to pick up a treat to soothe her bruised ego before venturing out to complete the assigned task. Though the master healer did not outrightly say so, the slight shift in tone made her sense that whatever she was delivering might require greater discretion. She shook it slightly and the subsequent rattle sounded like dried seed or nuts perhaps. Discreetly raising the package to her nose for a sniff, Kagome was disappointed to discern no distinct scent. Short of opening it, she wouldn't know what it is.
The destination for the mystery package was a shrine, in the older east side of town. Instead of heading downhill to the gorge where the shady auction was held, she took the right of the fork that wound uphill to then twine down a very narrow track along the rocky ridge following the path of the river below. The name of the shrine was foreign to her. Once, in her ambition to become a miko, she'd made it a personal mission to learn the name of every shrine in Kyo, and the kami they honoured, so it puzzled her that this shrine existed without her knowledge. From the directions on how to get there, it didn't seem like it would be a newly built location either, not with it being far away from the new developments in the city.
The path eventually moved away from the rather precarious ledge and wound into the forest proper. The trees were just as tall and diverse as the forests around where Kagome lived but because this side of the mountain is always shaded by the surrounding peaks, the understory consisted of mostly lush, low-light ferns. She continued on through the verdant growth as the track became less and less distinct while the grade increased. It took her to the bottom of what could still be somewhat distinguished as stone steps leading further uphill. On either side were two vertical stumps of what Kagome guessed once held up the torii gates marking the start of the steps. The stone had crumbled in places where the plants slowly reclaimed them into the earth but it was still easy enough to find a purchase to climb. Along the sides were small stone lanterns, edges now blunted by the elements, covered in moss. Kagome found she quite liked forgotten shrines. It was in places like these, almost reabsorbed into the forest that felt like the kami were most present.
Arriving at the top, past the slightly bigger rock hewn masses that she assumed were a pair of komainu once, Kagome found herself staring at the remains of an abandoned shrine. With how much plant life could be seen swallowing the structure, she was pretty surprised the roof more or less looked intact. The faded inscription of the sign mounted on the lintel matched the name given to her by Hisaishi-sama. Question was, who is even here to accept a delivery?
She wasn't scared though. Only curious. Living largely on her own in the forest had dulled any aversion to wilderness. Kagome casually walked over the threshold and immediately felt a twinge across her shins. It felt as if she stepped through a fine piece of twine across the doorway and snapped it. Only it wasn't a physical feeling. There must be some sort of spiritual ward on this shrine. As if on cue, a faint jingling of what sounded like metal-on-metal came from the inner chambers of the shrine. Kagome tensed, slipping the bow off her shoulder and closing her hand around the grip just in case.
The clinking came closer, along with a quiet thud of something hitting the ground in time with the footsteps. With a swish of dark purple robes the figure of a tall man rounded the corner. The metal sounds came from a brass shakujo he carried, with several small rings strung through the circular head of the staff. He looked young, likely a few years older than herself, with clean, handsome features and dark hair pulled back into a small tail at his nape.
"Good afternoon." He smiled warmly at her, nothing particularly [alarming]. "What brings such a lovely lady like yourself to a place like this today?"
Kagome kept up her guard for the moment, suspicious despite the stranger's apparent friendliness. From his garb, one would infer he would be a Buddhist houshi, which did not add up to his presence in a shrine like this. An abandoned shrine at that.
"Would you be perhaps expecting something from the master healer?" Kagome replied politely, grip still firm around her bow.
"Oh yes, the good Hisaishi-sama sent you then." He bowed briefly. "I thank you for the trouble of coming all the way here."
"It is no trouble." Kagome clipped, fishing out the packet from one of her baskets and stepping closer to hand it to the monk.
Before she had time to react, her left palm, along with the packet, had been firmly encased in both of the man's hands. "Such gentle hands, my lady. Would you be interested in bearing my children?"
What the hell?
Kagome swung her bow up and deftly rapped him on the knuckles with the sturdy arch of the riser. The shock of it made him release her immediately. She glared at him while making a point of setting the envelope of herbs down on a nearby ledge.
"Ah, I take that as a no then?" The man had the gall to grin at her, albeit a little sheepishly.
"I will be taking my leave now." Kagome replied tersely, still glaring at him for a few seconds longer before she turned to exit the way she came.
It wasn't her place to question the character of people the master healer kept company with but it certainly didn't escape her attention that the two of them were very much alone. Against a youkai, she stood more than a chance. A human man though, especially one who'd already demonstrated questionable intent, it would be safer to just put as much distance between them as possible.
She managed to clear the front entrance when his calm voice called out to her again. "Wait, my lady! I didn't mean to offend."
Kagome turned, shooting him a sarcastic look daring him to defend himself.
He hurried forward, the staff making hurried jingles. "I apologize for the abruptness, but my lady has spiritual abilities?"
Kagome stiffened, recalling that feeling of crossing through the threshold both times. Of course this houshi would be able to sense auras just as clearly as she could sense his. The unspoken question in his voice was clearly, but why are you not dressed as a miko? It was rare to possess spiritual powers and thus any users were meticulously sought out and trained to their full utility. People like herself were definitely an oddity. Would this matter never cease to plague her life?
"What is it to you?" She asked, eyes trained on the man's face warily.
"I merely wondered why Hisaishi-sama would deem it wise to send someone here, let alone someone with reiki." The monk explained carefully, holding the palm of his free hand up and open in a gesture of peace.
She paused, slightly thrown off, but searched his expression for an explanation. There was definitely something he was saying in between the lines that Kagome was not getting. His attractive features were arranged in a neutral expression but his dark eyes were attentive and observant.
Kagome remained silent for a while longer, debating whether to engage further with this strange monk. Remembering that there was something just faintly peculiar with the exchange with the master healer she had brushed off earlier, she decided to go out on a limb.
"Dare I ask why it would be unwise?" She ventured, eyes trained on the houshi's face for any more non-verbal clues.
In response, he gestured casually at their surroundings with an unreadable smile. Something clicked, and Kagome fanned out her powers to cover the shrine grounds. There, on the far edge, towards the back was the telltale whisper of a barrier. Her brows shot up without her permission–gods she was awful at this– and the man in front of her smiled with understanding.
"Would my lady like a tour?" He offered, still smiling good-naturedly.
"What makes you think I can trust you?"
"Ah, well that makes both of us. But it seems to me that Hisaishi-sama is not a man of thoughtless action, so I will follow my intuition on this matter."
With his analysis seeming rather appropriate, Kagome agreed to follow him but still maintained a good distance in case he felt like invading her personal space again. She followed as he led them through the empty shrine building and out the back entrance.
"I feel we really have gotten off on the wrong foot, my lady." He sighed dramatically beside her. "You'll find I'm really a respectable man if you get to know me. I'm just a little out of practice with the fairer sex, being out here and all."
She scoffed lightly. "Pray, tell me why are you out here?"
"Let's just say I got on the wrong side of some powerful people and also felt compelled to repay a very esteemed lady for her help when I was in dire need."
More riddles. Kagome chose to ignore him for now as then came to a small opening in front of a rock face. If not for the stones encircled by shimenawa she would've easily glossed over the indiscrete crevice overgrown with vines. Perhaps this is what the shrine was once built to honour– a particular stone or crystal? In any case, the barrier she felt was erected across the entrance.
Kagome shot the man a questioning look before he swept in a bow "After you, my lady."
"No, I really think after you." She replied with some irritation. It felt like walking into a trap already, there was no need to go first.
He smiled graciously and bent down, ducking his head to slip through the narrow opening. Taking a deep breath and hoping to the gods she won't regret this, Kagome followed swiftly. The barrier whispered across her skin, sending the fine hairs on her neck on end, but admitted her with no fuss. The low tunnel continued for a few minutes requiring her to awkwardly shuffle along, bent over. When she straightened again to look around her, the sight took Kagome's breath away. From the outside, there was no way she'd have guessed this place existed. It seemed like a cone of rock enclosed the sizeable space, the walls tapering up to a roughly circular opening to reveal some high tree branches and the sky. Although dimmer, the area was still lit by natural light. It was all in all, a rather unique and beautiful location. No wonder it merited a shrine at some point.
Distracted, Kagome barely had time to register a cluster of small, but bright balls of youki and catch the houshi assuming what looked to be a defensive stance from the corner of her eye. He was angled towards her though, not the approaching demons at his back. Reflexively, Kagome grabbed an arrow and notched her bow, keeping it en garde by her side. She wasn't going to aim until she got a sense of what's going on.
The scampering group stopped a distance before the two humans. Without the luxury of being able to decipher all the details, Kagome noted there were a couple of little youkai, roughly the size and maturity of Shinta. Immediately, Kagome's eyes flashed with anger, as she turned to stare accusingly at the monk. Thoughts arose rapid fire in her mind: they were small cute demons, he wielded spiritual power with the barrier sealing this place likely of his making, his mention of doing an esteemed lady a favour and an image of the slave auction. There was only one logical conclusion.
"What do you mean to do with these youkai, houshi?" Kagome demanded, shifting to aim her bow at the ground slightly to the front of him, ready to whip up and shoot if necessary.
Before he had the chance to reply, a tan fluff ball landed between them shooting a tiny plume of blue flame at her.
"Kitsune-bi!" A high pitched voice yelled simultaneously with the monk's voice shouting in the background "Shippou, wait!"
A short wave of reiki neutralized it easily and Kagome turned to regard her assailant. It turned out to be a small boy, even shorter than Shinta in stature. The tan fluff she saw earlier was a large fox tail bristling behind a cute face topped with bright, red hair. Emerald eyes glared at her angrily, with tiny fangs bared completing the picture. And then unexpectedly, his little nose twitched slightly and his expression morphed into one of comical confusion.
"Wait. You smell like him." He mumbled, then catching himself, schooled his expression into looking half stern again and demanded. "Why do you smell like him?"
Kagome blinked. "What?"
"Shippou, come here." The monk she'd forgotten about momentarily was gesturing to the kitsune sternly, while the other youkai child seemed to have already hid behind his robes.
"Houshi, are you a youkai supplier?" Kagome challenged, once more turning her attention to the monk for the time being. There were children here and no time to waste pussyfooting around. "I won't let you sell these children. Let the other one go or I will shoot."
To her utter surprise the infuriating monk grinned at her words, the expression looking genuinely pleased for the first time since meeting him. Perplexed, Kagome watched him bend down and place his shakujo gently on the ground. Then straightening back up, he held both hands in surrender.
"My lady, please, let me explain"
She narrowed her eyes and made no move to relax her stance. "Then explain."
"There is clearly a misunderstanding. I mean these little ones no harm."
"I'm not little!"
"Shippou, please." The monk shushed the kitsune with a look then met her gaze again. "When you said Hisaishi-sama sent you, I knew there must be a reason, but I had to see for myself. The barrier here is meant to protect them, keeping their youki in versus keeping it out like what I'm sure you're used to. That way unless someone specifically knew to sense a barrier, their youki would not be apparent. The favour I spoke of is to help maintain this temporary shelter for those with demonic blood, especially injured youkai, away from those that seek to enslave them."
Kagome regarded him warily, still not trusting his words fully. He obviously was a smooth talker so she couldn't let her guard down just yet. She crouched down to address the fox demon looking up perplexed at their exchange. "Your name is Shippou?
"Ah-huh."
"Is this man telling the truth? Has he hurt you in any way? Is he keeping you from leaving here?"
He shook his head at her, walking a few steps closer to take a couple more obvious sniffs in her direction.
"No. Miroku doesn't keep me here. I can leave but it's not safe out." He answered her, his face still scrunched up like he was figuring out a puzzle.
Kagome tried to look for the other youkai but the only glimpse of them was a little squirrel-like tail peeking from behind a fold of purple fabric. She stood back up and sent the houshi a measured look. "Ok, I believe you for now. But I want more explanations."
"Of course. I believe some introductions are in order as well." He smiled at her, looking faintly relieved.
After the subsequent awkward introductions, Kagome let the monk lead her deeper into the natural enclosure they were in. The kitsune boy took to her rather enthusiastically, curiously hopping up to inspect the contents of the basket she carried on her back, reminding her of Shinta. Sadly, Kagome reflected that Shippou probably would be in a lot of danger if he left the protection of the barrier, what with his lack of reservations about a stranger with reiki. He'd be captured in ten-seconds flat. His youkai friend was very shy in contrast and hadn't spoken a single word, opting to peer at her with big, shy eyes instead. She was apparently a squirrel youkai according to Shippou.
Miroku led them to an enclave in a natural hollow along the stone perimeter where a shabby low table was set up along with several fraying straw mats for sitting. There was a banked fire with carefully protected coals nearby. But Shippou took the opportunity instead to show off his kitsune-bi, instantly heating the water Miroku needed. In no time, he had served her tea in a simple earthenware set. The exchange had morphed to something rather cozy.
"Now, Kagome-sama, do tell us a little about yourself. Since you now know a little of my situation." Miroku encouraged, while carefully refilling her tea cup.
"There's not much to tell truthfully. I trained under Tenrinji as young girl, hoping to become a miko. It didn't happen. I went home to my village until I was called back to the city by Kaede-sama to fill in as an herbalist for the time being."
The houshi's eyes had sharpened a little at the mention of her teacher's name. "Ah, Kaede-sama. That explains so much actually."
"It does?"
"Oh yes. She is the lady I mentioned owing much thanks to. You see, I'd gotten in a bit of trouble with the current head priestess and Kaede-sama was kind enough to vouch for my character. It would also explain why Hisaishi-sama is acquainted with you and sent you here."
Kagome wondered ungraciously if he'd asked Masae to bear his child too, but thought better than to ask aloud. Now that Miroku mentioned it, those two elders do seem to be in closer communication than what one would assume superficially. "Do you know where Kaede-sama is right now?"
"Unfortunately, no. I haven't seen her since late winter. She's been keeping strictly within Tenrinji since the winter solstice and I've been wondering if that is solely her own doing."
"I'm not so sure she's there anymore. I obviously can't search freely but last time I was there I tried looking to no avail." Kagome sighed heavily. Things were getting more complicated by the day and she was not getting any wiser.
"I could track her!" Shippou piped up from his spot, sprawled on a cushion. "But I need something with her scent."
Almost as Kagome opened her mouth to dissuade the boy Miroku cut in. "No."
"I just want to help. It's so boring here." He sulked, throwing a pebble idly across the room.
Kagome turned back to the houshi. "So Miroku-sama, the only reason you're staying here and helping the youkai is because of Kaede-sama?"
"Yes and no. I'm here also as a matter of principle. My beliefs," He paused, gesturing at her. "are different than yours, which I'm sure you're aware, Kagome-sama. But we believe that all life is to be protected. Not only that but enslaving youkai is a deed that can only beget more evil, and the karmic repercussions will be unimaginable if this is to go on. My religion is uncommon, even in a city such as Kyo. And to my knowledge, the other houshi and ama that were here have either been threatened or driven out because we have been rather outspoken about youkai slaves in the past."
Kagome nodded. "It's just a little hard to believe is all. You, being a monk but helping hide youkai."
He wagged his eyebrows at her suggestively. "Unconventional yes, but I am an unconventional kind of man."
"How long has this been going on?" Kagome swiftly carried on, effectively ignoring his innuendo.
"Certainly grumblings of it began last autumn. Most likely earlier than that in ultra secrecy. It really didn't pick up the momentum you see now until Masae arrived in Kyo. She was a stranger and then, overnight it seems, wrangled substantial authority."
"What happened, do you know? With Kaede-sama I mean." Kagome rushed to inquire [earnestly]. "She was supposed to remain head priestess until she dies!"
Miroku shook his head sadly, brows knitting in consternation. "The details of that, I'm afraid I'm not privy to, Kagome-sama."
"No matter." Kagome sighed, and reached for another sip of tea. Then her gaze strayed to the kitsune currently playing with a top he'd procured out of nowhere. "Say, Miroku-sama, do you know how they're controlling the youkai?"
It was Miroku's turn to sigh heavily. "I'm afraid I have to disappoint you once again. But no, that is a puzzle I have yet to solve. I have not been able to investigate up close, an enslaved youkai's aura, but from what I can scan afar, there's nothing glaringly obvious."
Kagome shared her own observations, including divulging her recon trips to the auction, to which Miroku looked impressed and worried at the same time. She mentioned the obvious seals and tethers for the lower youkai and the transport crates, which Miroku also concurred. But the biggest puzzle that eluded both of them was how the higher youkai were controlled. There is never any outward physical restraint, which meant the method of subduing them would have to be directly linked to their spirit or youki. When the houshi mentioned not having actually stripped anyone to confirm the lack of physical tether, Kagome shot him a reproving look but kept her mouth shut. She wasn't about to tell anyone about Inuyasha. Not if she can't be completely sure it wouldn't put him in more danger. Besides, the image of him still and bleeding have been haunting her dreams relentlessly. Kagome wasn't sure she could even talk about him without getting emotional.
Miroku filled the morose silence by fussing with the teapot and topping up their cups. No one said anything for a while.
"Hey, Kagome," Shippou piped up all of a sudden, abandoning his toys to plop down next to her. "You still haven't told me why you smell like him."
Miroku grinned at her from across the table and wagged his eyebrows. The lecherous air from previously returning to his mannerism. "Him you say? Ah, Kagome-sama, is this why you so heartlessly turned me down?"
She did remember the strange question that had thrown her for a loop earlier, but was nowhere closer to understanding the context. "What do you mean Shippou?"
"You smell like dog. A dog hanyou."
Kagome dropped her cup in her lap, tea soaking through her clothes. Good thing it was lukewarm by this point because she made no attempt to blot away the liquid, instead just stared at the kit, dumbfounded. Instantly, Miroku grew concerned upon seeing the stricken expression on the girl's face.
Oblivious to the humans' reaction, the fox continued on. "It's not very strong but your hands and your arms carry the scent."
Kagome paused, and then whispered "How do you know him?"
"Even though he's a hanyou, he saved me. He distracted them enough for me to get away." Shippou mumbled, voice getting softer as he looked down into his lap. "After my parents were killed."
"Oh, Shippou!"
Kagome impulsively scooped the kit up into her arms when she caught sight of the fat tears rolling down his cheeks that he was trying to hide by looking down. "I'm so sorry! What happened?"
The fox demon squirmed a bit to allow himself to wrap his stubby arms comfortably around her neck, allowing himself to be comforted.
His voice murmured quietly near her ear, trying to sound less affected than he was. "They were youkai that didn't belong to themselves anymore. They came and raided the dens in the area, saying they need to bring back more slaves. My ma and pa tried fighting them off, but they weren't strong enough. I don't know what happened because I was hiding but they died instead of being taken away. Then the dog hanyou in the group said something, there was a lot of noise and fighting but I saw him point to an opening and I just ran."
Kagome swallowed hard, and tightened her hold on the boy, patting his back gently. Oh Inuyasha. Her chest hurt.
After a time, she whispered. "He's my friend."
Miroku–who'd been respectfully silent, watching their exchange all this time– whipped around sharply to look at her. Kagome, sensing his attention, looked up and held it over the small mass of snivelling kitsune.
"You didn't ask, but that's why I'm staying in Kyo, why we're having the conversation we're having."
He studied her for a moment–fine features dropping the faint smile he seemed to wear most of the time–observing her seriously.
It didn't take long, but somehow, within the scant hours of that afternoon, they formed a sort of unspoken camaraderie. For the first time since moving back to Kyo and discovering the practice of slavery that had taken exponential hold, Kagome no longer felt lost and alone. Well, maybe a little lost but not so alone anymore. Maybe there were more people in the city that felt strongly against youkai enslavement. Maybe if there were more people, together they can find a way to reverse this burgeoning trend.
She left the abandoned shrine that day feeling more hopeful than she had in days. Miroku and her made a promise to inform each other of any new findings as they continued their search separately. They also made plans to sit down and work out possible ways youki can be controlled like it seemed with the slaves. Although their spiritual backgrounds were drastically different, reiki and houriki should be derived from similar roots and their disparate training might actually complement gaps in each other's knowledge. The hardest part was saying goodbye to the kitsune, still teary-eyed and–Kagome's suspected–using it to his advantage to persuade her to stay and play. She did, however, fold rather easily, and promised to bring him sweets next time she visited if he behaved.
–-–-–-–-–-–
Kagome's lifted spirits lasted through the evening, given a considerate boost when she noticed a certain piece of male undershirt missing from her clothesline. It could only mean its rightful owner had come to retrieve it, which in turn meant that said owner was well enough to move freely. This good cheer, however, did not carry into the night. She startled awake more times than she could count, heart pounding in her ears. The details of the dreams were hazy but she had a sneaking suspicion they concerned Inuyasha. This was how she found herself in a foul mood, trudging up a mountain at an ungodly hour the following morning.
The saxifrage she was tasked to restock was not an item that should be completely depleted. Usually only urgent cases would require use of it so it would be best if she could find some as soon as possible. It was rather strange the guild was going through it like candy, since the expertise of the healers stationed would ensure accurate diagnoses and thus, the use of specific antidotes. Throwing it at anything that looked like a poisoning was usually frowned upon. It was the equivalent of killing a cockroach with a hama-no-ya. Excessive and ineffective. Which meant there had been many desperate cases at the guild lately that had the healers throwing in a last ditch effort.
Kagome had never personally gathered this plant before, only heard of it academically. She'd hastily copied down a sketch from one of the scrolls in the study and brought it along with her. She did know it was strictly an alpine plant which meant she'd have to climb above the tree line at least before she could find it. If she was lucky, she might not have to completely summit. The trip was going to take her the full day as is.
She shifted the straps of the carrying basket on her shoulders a bit, trying to find a more comfortable fit as she continued uphill. The hike was rather pleasant, with the morning mist drifting low down amongst the trees and the air smelled like damp greenery. Her favourite smell, although most people might find that odd. It was still cool being early morning making the strenuous incline somewhat more tolerable as Kagome kept her pace steady even if her breathing was a bit heavy. Hopefully the weather would hold out as she gained altitude. The mountain tops were notorious for unpredictable weather; whatever conditions in the valley held no forecast for the high passes. She did come prepared for bad weather though, just in case.
It was at least midday when she broke the tree line but Kagome couldn't tell for sure since it'd gotten progressively more overcast. Picking up the pace, she hurried up through the loose rock, skirting the stunted shrubs that took over from the trees. The footing was awful, which meant she would have to be extra careful on her way down, and that would take longer than what she'd originally hoped to be a quick descent. Trying to keep an eye on where she stepped, Kagome scanned her surroundings in search of the elusive plant. It should be a tufted, grey-green plant, growing in a mounding habit which helps it blend into the rocky landscape.
At last, after having to climb further up into the steep crags, Kagome spotted a cluster of tiny white flowers on attractive red stalks. Letting out a whoop of celebration, she wasted no time scrambling over to it. Precariously balanced on a ledge, she swung the basket around and wedged it in a crack. She decided it was probably best to don the oiled cloak she had packed since the moisture of the air was getting stifling and it would be a matter of time before the clouds released a flood of rain. Finding the cloth bags at the bottom, Kagome set to work carefully collecting some of the plants in the area, making sure to only dig up at most half of each mound to allow it to regrow. It was important as a forager to make sure you always leave sustainable stock. You have to respect what the earth gives you.
Thinking better of letting the small bags slosh around in the massive basket, Kagome tucked them into her robes for safe keeping. Like hell she was going to lose them having taken all the trouble to collect them. As she was getting ready to turn back around, a crack of thunder rippled through the air, the resulting echo through the rocky crags amplifying the sound further. Kagome winced, clasping her hands over her ears and as if on cue, it began to rain. Not a gentle patter mind you, downright pouring immediately. She had been so intent on gathering the herbs properly that she'd failed to notice how dark and looming the sky had become. A storm had rolled in and it didn't look like it was going to be a passing shower.
Shielding her eyes from the water, Kagome tried to pick her way down from the steep bluff but it was difficult to see. There was so much rain coming down and the clouds were oppressively thick, making the light levels closer to that of evening. Her right foot slipped on a slick rock, and Kagome yelped as she went down. Panicked, she was helpless as she slid down the loose rock, now hopelessly slippery combined with the trickling rainfall. As she shot out her hands to try and stop her fall, the sore wrist bashed hard against an outcrop, and she cried out from the pain. Luckily, her other hand found a purchase, stopping her from tumbling the rest of the way down.
It was a rather large boulder and Kagome shakily pulled herself to huddle down at its base. It wasn't nearly enough shelter but better than nothing. At least it blocked the worst of the gales. The rain was coming down in sheets now, and Kagome was starting to feel moisture seeping in through the cloak. It was well made from tightly woven reeds layered with rendered grease but it wasn't made to withstand full on storms.
Miserable and now trying to stop her teeth from chattering, Kagome pressed herself tighter into the space between the boulder and the ground. Attempting to ignore the cold, she stared miserably ahead, blinking to clear the water from her eyes. The saxifrage remained tucked safely against her chest, so at least there was one positive. Then, Kagome heard a call of what might be her name in the wind. She hadn't really been there for long enough to start hallucinating right?
There it was again, and this time closer and more distinct. She could've sworn it was her name.
Red dropped down into her field of view. "Bitch, what the fuck, why didn't you answer?!"
Kagome could've cried with relief if it wasn't for what he called her. He hadn't used that derogative in a long time now. Dashing her hands against her face to wipe away some of the water, Kagome was ready to give him a good talking to. She might have spent days hoping to see him again but that doesn't excuse the rudeness. The first of her angry reprimand died a swift death on the tip of her tongue when he squatted down to look at her.
His long hair was sodden and clinging everywhere, ears pulled back tightly against his head. The image that did her in was the apparent distress in his wide golden eyes. He was worried about her.
"Do have any idea how fucking hard it is to track scents when it's raining this hard?" He continued to berate her roughly even as the arms that reached to gather her up was infinitely careful. "You baka! How did you stay alive for this long before?"
Before he came along, is what Kagome heard unspoken.
She made no objection even if it did surprise her when–after extracting her from under the rock– he picked her up fully. With one arm securely around her shoulders, the other hooked under her knees, Inuyasha took off. She had no idea where he was taking her because he was still going on about her apparent stupidity in an array of creative phrasings. With a relieved smile, Kagome tucked her face against his shoulder, pleased to feel the robe drier than expected. She couldn't find it in her to be mad at him anymore, not when she'd figured out his attitude for what it truly was. His concern for her fuelled the pleasant little flutter in her stomach even more as he transported them to an unknown location.
It wasn't long before her feet touched solid ground again and Kagome found herself in a shallow cave, almost like a cavity under a rock promontory. The space was perhaps as deep as the main room of her hut but the stone ceiling arched high above them, outfitted with stalactites of varied lengths.
"You, stay here." Inuyasha's familiar timbre groused behind her. Before she even had a chance to fully turn around, he'd shot back out into the rain.
Kagome deposited the basket near the ledge, and stripped off her cloak, laying it to dry as best as she could. Fortunately, while a bit damp in places, she did manage to stay fairly dry– her top half anyway. There wasn't much to explore, so she settled down on the far end of the cave, furthest away from the small amounts of rain slanting diagonally into their temporary shelter. The wait was brief before Inuyasha reappeared with firewood, which he threw carelessly down closer to her. She was rather impressed he'd found dry tinder in this kind of rain. Then, he shook himself vigorously, sending tiny droplets of water flying everywhere, his body a blur of silver and red. He looked so much like a wet puppy that Kagome couldn't help but giggle out loud. At the sound, Inuyasha stilled, then wordlessly, he stalked towards her. She gazed at him curiously then almost let out a squeak when his clawed hands came up to untie the strings that held his suikan closed, untucking it from his hakama. Wide-eyed, she remained frozen as he whipped off the garment to drape it over her, the heavy red fabric settling comfortably on the crown of her head, shielding her entire body in a warm makeshift tent.
"It's fire-rat fur. It'll stay dry on its own."
She nodded. The half-demon regarded her with pursed lips but his amber eyes seem to be satisfied with the arrangement. Kagome blinked. Her fingers reflexively drew the material closer to her, bunching the sides of it closed in front of her body. It really was untouched by the rain, still retaining much of Inuyasha's body heat. Certain that his attention was focused on starting a fire, Kagome dared to bury her nose briefly in a fold by her face and inhaled the pleasantly masculine scent mixed with pine and spruce. A flush rose on her cheeks.
"Hey," Kagome called to him softly. "I'm happy to see you again, Inuyasha. Thanks for coming to get me."
"Keh." He looked up from the surprisingly strong flame he'd coaxed from the wood. "You're nothing but trouble."
"What were you doing around here?"
"Only you would be running around this shitty place." He rolled his eyes before they widened a little, registering the fact that he might've just given himself away. Then he harrumphed, winding his arms tightly and settled back into his signature cross-legged slouch. It was less dramatic than usual without the billowing suikan sleeves to jam his hands into. Kagome hid a smile at the thought that she was indeed correct in guessing Inuyasha had taken back his undershirt. Pondering it some more, he'd probably been secretly keeping an eye on her whereabouts to know she was up in the mountains today. It reawakened the previous flutter in her stomach with vigour.
After a comfortable pause, Kagome spoke up again. "Are you ok, Inuyasha?"
He scoffed. "As good as it gets, given what I am."
"So... I heard you don't stay at the manor?" Her voice petered out a little towards the end of the question, already bracing for his reaction.
He pinned her with a narrowed gaze. "How the hell do you know that, woman?"
"Um, well, you see…I-might've-went-back-and-secretly-asked-around-for-you?" She squeaked.
"You did what now?"
"You left ok? In a lot of pain. I freaked out!" Kagome had no idea why she got so mad all of a sudden but here it was. "What the hell did you expect me to do huh? 'Oh well, guess that's that' and go on my merry way? NO! I hauled ass back up there. Thank gods they wanted me to work on their garden. I met Jinenji-san, he told me some things and promised to look out for you!"
"You should learn to leave well enough alone, ok? That's a stupid fucking thing to do!"
"I'm not dropping this, Inuyasha. You're just gonna have to deal with it."
She glared at him fiercely, breathing a little fast from the impromptu shouting match. To her surprise, he made no retort but instead, rubbed his forehead with one hand. It was such a non-Inuyasha-like gesture that he must've been extra exasperated with her.
"If you know what's good for you, you'd seal that barrier around your house." He grounded out at long last. "Use it to keep me out. No one knows about the place but with how much you keep sticking your damn nose into this shit, it won't be long till the bastards come sniffing."
It was too bad for the hanyou that Kagome had never once been known to know what's good for her.
"You wouldn't hurt me Inuyasha."
"If you haven't noticed, I don't exactly get to call my own shots right now."
"It doesn't matter. I trust you." He stilled, giving her a searching look, something unnamed swam beneath the amber depths. He didn't seem so angry anymore. She held his gaze, somewhat defiantly, lips pursed upwards.
"Fuck." He mumbled. "You're so damn stupid."
Kagome flicked her chin upwards in a sharp movement, non-verbally daring him to bring it on. When he remained quiet, she cheered inwardly. She knew what Inuyasha was doing. He was trying to goad her into keeping away. He was worried about her. But Kagome wasn't worried. Not as much anyway. Now that she'd met Jinenji and Miroku, and presumably the master healer secretly being an ally, she was sure there was something they could figure out together.
Their conversation eased back into less incensed territory while she dug up the soggy but still edible lunch she'd brought for the day. Inuyasha stubbornly refused to accept any of the food she offered so Kagome resigned to eating in silence. Being very aware of his preference of being around but not necessarily entertaining conversation, Kagome relished in the reassurance of simply having Inuyasha beside her, whole and unharmed. What she wouldn't give for the easy afternoons of the past month to come back, with him lazing in the tree tops while she worked, his youki a comforting smoulder in the back of her mind. The rain continued to fall, but maybe not quite as hard, outside. The sound was a soothing backdrop that lulled her into a nap, nestled in Inuyasha's clothing and scent. The rest was much needed given how sleep deprived she'd been for days. The hanyou remained silent, sneaking periodic glances at the slumbering girl and poking at the fire to keep it burning. It was a few hours before Kagome found herself being gently shaken awake.
When the storm finally abated, it was close to sunset. She'd apparently slept the entire day away. But with Inuyasha's superior abilities, they made the descent in no time, with her perched securely on his back. Like many times before, he deposited her home, on the outer edges of the clearing. This time though, Kagome was even more loathed to see him go. Reluctantly, she returned his suikan, hardly noticing the chill of the air, lost in her thoughts. The inner debate she was having with herself was so consuming he'd almost slipped away before she blurted out in a panic.
"Can you at least come say hi every day? Any time is fine." Kagome cringed, knowing it was a stretch asking him for that. They hadn't seen each other everyday prior, very nearly but not quite. And they were careful to maintain the pretence of it being a random encounter versus a deliberate engagement. It came off weird to ask for a check-in but she hadn't ever had to live in constant fear that he was bleeding out and possibly dead somewhere and she just didn't know.
His expression hardened at her words, some of that self-loathing ghosting into his eyes. "The fuck, woman, I'm not your dog."
The way he emphasized the word 'your' and calling himself a dog, split her breast with sudden pain, threatening to usher in an immediate rush of tears. She gasped, "Inuyasha! That's not–you're not–"
His amber gazed softened, faint regret for causing her distress colouring his features. "I know."
She looked up hopefully then, hand unknowingly grasping at one red sleeve.
"I'll see what I can do, Kagome."
Then he was gone, fading into the trees like he'd done countless times before. But it didn't used to cause her this much anguish watching him leave. Honestly, what she wanted to ask him– but chickened out from saying last minute– was to just come stay with her all the time. It was wildly inappropriate but a hundred percent what she wanted.
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Torii - the gateway that symbolically marks the entrance to the sacred boundaries within a shrine.
Komainu - comes in pairs. Comes in many different forms but the more commonly portrayed ones look like lion dogs. They guard entrances either to the shrine itself or to certain parts of the shrine.
Shakujo - the gold staff that Miroku carries with him everywhere
Shimenawa - ropes usually made of hemp or rice straw usually festooned with the zig-saggy looking strips of white paper (called shade) that mark the boundaries between the sacred and the mundane. In the Higurashi shrine in modern day, the Goshinboku is seen with this wrapped around its trunk.
Houshi - a buddist monk
Ama - a buddist nun
Houriki - the Buddhist flow of energy; the spiritual power that Miroku possesses.
A/N:
In myths written by cultures with Buddhist influences, usually creatures are lumped into three categories: 'higher beings' usually thought to be good and have magical powers, 'man' denoting mortal humans (normal animals probably also fall in this category), and 'demons'. But these demons can actually do good and accumulate good karma to move out of the demon category. In general, the religion does believe that all life is sacred and should be preserved.
If anyone happens to be a plant nerd like me, the plant in this chapter is saxifraga cespitosa found in subarctic-alpine climates in the world, which means it might not naturally grow in Japan? But hey, it's also not some kitchen-sink antidote so… xD
Finally, for concrit. I'm ALL FOR IT. If you're polite and just trying to help me improve as a writer, send them my way! For this chapter, if anyone finds the characterization of Miroku/Shippou a bit off, let me know. It's been a while since I've wrote them.
Credits:
Dawnrider for her support and being there as a sounding board for my crazy ideas
Kirin for taking the time to give me detailed concrit
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. However this plot, the exact sequence of words and any original characters described therein, I reserve all rights to.