Ch9
SesshouMaru was watching Rin destroy his garden, or 'pick flowers' as she so fondly referred to it, when he smelt the distinctive scent of Naraku. After instructing Jaken to watch Rin, under threat of death, he left to investigate. He arrived in a small clearing to see Naraku's incarnation, Kagura, looking at her fans, and not paying any attention to him.
After a minute, SesshouMaru spoke, "What dose Naraku want now?!"
It was more of a demand than a question, and Kagura could tell from his voice that he didn't want to waist time. What the rush was, she didn't know, but didn't feel like getting into a fight with him at the moment either. "I'm here to inform you of your brother's situation."
"I already know of him going to Hell with his dead whore."
"Then you must also know of the effect it's having on his OTHER wench."
"Explain."
"She is beginning to act more and more like the henyou with every battle. Of course that could have to do with the fact that she has his Tetseiga. But you must have known that would make the Tetseiga open for the taking, so why didn't you go after it and kill the girl? Or maybe...........................................you DID go after it, and got beaten."
SesshouMaru growled, as his patience started to grow thin, but remained in check, "What dose this have to do with Naraku?!"
"Naraku merely wishes to help you."
"The last time I excepted help from that disgraceful baboon, he tried to eliminate me with his arm." (at least that's what it seemed like to me)
"But, my dear SesshouMaru, Naraku isn't foolish enough to repeat his mistakes."
Before Kagura could blink, she was being held four feet above the ground by SesshouMaru's hand which happened to have snaked it's way around her neck, "NEVER call me 'dear SesshouMaru' again. And tell your master that I am not interested in his help."
After being dropped to the ground, Kagura stood, dusted herself off, and smirked, "I would reconsider telling him so, if, that is, you would like to see your little human again." Then she flew off, knowing that SesshouMaru was right behind her.
~*~*~*~
Yoko and Miroku were talking about what could have caused Kagome's actions, while Shippou was sleeping, and Sango was still talking to Kagome, who had begun to act more like herself. "Hey Kagome, do you want to go bath, I think I saw a spring near here."
"Ok, but how are we going to keep Miroku from watching us?"
"If we leave without him noticing, we'll have a few minutes of privacy. Besides, if he dose peep on us, we'll beat him for it." To anyone else, that might have sounded like a threat, but Kagome could easily hear the joking tone of voice Sango had, and nodded. They both snuck away, taking Shippou with them. (Kagome decided that he needed a bath.)
Once the girls were a out of hearing distance, Yoko stopped what he was saying, and smirked. Miroku was curious as to the fox's strange actions (not that he didn't think of Yoko as anything less than strange anyways), "What?"
"The girls just left to bath............." He trailed off, but Miroku caught his drift, and the two crept silently into the forest in the girls' general direction.
~*~*~*~
Kagome had just woken up Shippou, and was washing his hair. Sango was relaxing with her eyes closed. Shippou decided to be funny, and splashed Kagome, who splashed back. They had gotten into a splash-fight, and then, Kagome stopped. This confused Shippou, until he saw her point in Sango's direction. Shippou got a mischievous smile, and the two faced Sango.
Before she knew what was going on, Sango was hit with a lot of water, and Kagome and Shippou were laughing. She growled (as much as a human could) and splashed them both. Soon, there was an all-out splash war going on.
~*~*~*~
Miroku was about to take another step when Yoko stopped him, and pointed down. Miroku noticed a small stick on the ground, that would have snapped and given them away, in his way. After quietly kicking it to the side, the two moved a bit closer to the girls.
Miroku was happy, to say the least, with the view he had, '(I'm sorry, but Miroku's thoughts must be censored....................................I mean come on, it's Miroku watching people bathe., so I shall sum it up with two words) HENTAI THOUGHTS'
Yoko wanted a better view, and jumped onto a small tree branch. He stared down at one of them more than the other two, 'Look at her, her guard is down and anything can attack at any second. Well, I'll have to sit here and keep guard. Yes, that's what I'm doing, keeping guard. Oh who am I kidding? I'm watching her, and that's it. But how can I not?! And the kit gets to bathe with her! I should be down there. I'm much better looking than the kid anyways.' So, he sulked for a while, but soon his gaze drifted down to see two women beating a monk, and a small fox laughing in the background. So he took this as his clue to leave and went back to their 'camp'.
~*~*~*~
Kagome and Sango stormed back to camp, Shippou asleep in Kagome's arms, and Miroku beaten on the floor. They got to camp to see Yoko sitting under a tree, apparently deep in thought. "I told you that Yoko wouldn't do something like that." Kagome said as she started to wake Shippou up.
In all honesty, Yoko had only gotten to camp a few minutes before them, but they didn't need to know that.
Sango had calmed down a bit, but still shot Miroku a cold glare every so often. After a few minutes of Shippou begging for chocolate, Miroku acting innocent, Yoko staring off into space, and Kagome trying not to give in to the puppy-eyes that Shippou was giving her, Sango spoke, "So, what were you doing in that village anyways?"
Yoko answered, "We were going to get some food."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Well, why don't we get some food now." Kagome suggested.
"I was hoping to show you a place, but now might not be the time." Yoko got up to hunt, but stopped when Miroku cleared his throat.
"Sango, Kirara, and I won't mind watching Shippou, while you two got out." Sango shot Miroku a questioning look, but his only reply was and innocent smile. "Neither of you would mind, would you?" Sango, and Kirara shook their heads 'no', "See? You two have a good time."
Yoko lead Kagome off into the woods, leaving the others behind. Once they were gone, Sango went over to Miroku, "Why did you let Kagome go off with him, alone, like that?"
"I didn't see any reason not to. Besides, I know that you have seen the looks they have been giving each other just as well as I have. I figured they needed some time alone. Besides, Shippou is too young to see something like that."
Sango hit him over the head with her boomerang, "Hentai!"
Shippou and Kirara stopped playing, and watched them. "What did he mean?" Shippou asked.
"Nothing, RIGHT Miroku?" Sango was satisfied when Miroku nodded his head, in response to her question.
~*~*~*~
Yoko and Kagome walk for a few minutes before Yoko stopped. He had stopped so suddenly that Kagome ran into him. She started to fall backwards, but he caught her. "Gomen."
Yoko smiled, "You should be paying more attention to your surroundings. By the way, we're here." Yoko said as he pointed to the tree behind him.
Kagome looked at the tree that Yoko pointed at. It was a sakura tree, without anything to make it seem overly special. "So, should I go back and get some ramen, or something?"
Yoko just chuckled, "Not in front of the tree, INSIDE of it."
As Kagome was about to question him, he grabbed her hand, and walked through the tree. She thought that she would hit the tree, and was surprised when she too went into the tree. She was stunned at the site she saw. There was a circle of trees she had never seen before. They were taller than most trees, and covered in beautiful flowers of blue, purple, and black. Underneath every tree (and everywhere else in the clearing) were flowers of pink, light blues, and yellows. And on the trunks were green vines with white flowers in full bloom. In the middle of the clearing she saw a perfectly round lake of the clearest water she had ever seen. And to top it off, fireflies were floating, wistfully, around them.
"Wow." was all Kagome could get out.
Yoko chuckled again, "Glad to see you like as much as I did when I started this little 'garden'."
"This is your garden?"
"Well, I found the lake, planted a few things, and put up a barrier to hide this place, and keep people out."
"Why wasn't I kept out?"
"I was holding your hand, but if you ever need to think this would be the place to do so. If you want to come here, all you have to do is keep this with you." He said as he handed her a rose.
"This will help?"
"I grew it using my own blood, and spirit energy, so having it with you would be the same as me holding your hand. Now, let's eat."
"Eat what?"
Yoko left, and returned shortly after with a dead dear. He made a small fire, and they cooked it. They spent the night joking around, and talking about themselves. Yoko didn't reveal too much, but learned of Kagome's ventures. He wasn't too surprised at the amount of trouble she was having in finding the jewel, and had to admit that her first encounter with Kouga sounded amusing.
The sun was setting, but they didn't notice. Yoko was talking about the different things he had acquired, and how bored he used to be. Just sitting around with nothing to do had never suited the fox, as Kagome had found out. But, she was surprised at how well he had gotten at picking locks. "Why do you only steal from humans? If it's too easy, you should do something harder."
"I thought you didn't like stealing."
"I don't, but it doesn't make sense to only do what's easiest."
"So, any family?" Yoko decided to change the subject. He found her mush more interesting than himself anyways.
Kagome smiled, and told of her grandpa's stories, her mother's kindness, and her annoying little brother. When she talked about how Souta admired Inuyasha, she got a bit sad. But Yoko took care of that by tossing her into the water. Kagome got out, and pushed him in. At the last second, he grabbed her, causing them both to fall in. They splashed around like children for a while before getting out.
"It's cold out here. You should sit by the fire." Kagome said as they got out.
"I should, but it's getting late and we should get going."
"Do we have to?"
"I guess we can stay a little while longer." Yoko said as he sat down next to Kagome. "Your cold."
Kagome shivered a bit, "I know."
"Your cloths are wet."
"I figured that one out too."
"You should take them off."
Kagome hit Yoko in the head, "HENTAI!"
"I was merely suggesting that you put on something dry for the time being."
"Oh." Kagome blushed slightly, "I don't have any extra cloths."
"You should still take them off." Yoko had a look of amusement in his eyes, which was missed by Kagome who again hit him, "It was just a joke."
"I think it's time to leave."
"Aren't you the one who wanted to stay?"
"I did want to stay, just not with a perverted fox." Kagome said as she started to walk away.
Yoko laughed to himself as he followed her, 'She certainly is interesting. And she's nice to be around, as long as the henyou's blood isn't messing with her. I think I should tell her about how I feel. By the looks of things, she likes me too. And I don't see any reason why she shouldn't, after all, I'm a perfectly good person. If you look past the thieving, which she has.'
Kagome and Yoko arrived at camp to see Sango fuming, Miroku unconscious, and Kirara sleeping, and Shippou laughing. "Time for bed Shippou." Kagome said as she got out her sleeping bag and laid down to go to sleep, 'I think I like Yoko, but........................................................what if things turn out the way they did with Inuyasha, and what was growling noise I heard while Yoko and I were playing? Yoko didn't seem to notice, so, I'm pretty sure it was in my head. I hope I'm not going crazy, that's the last thing I need.'
SesshouMaru was watching Rin destroy his garden, or 'pick flowers' as she so fondly referred to it, when he smelt the distinctive scent of Naraku. After instructing Jaken to watch Rin, under threat of death, he left to investigate. He arrived in a small clearing to see Naraku's incarnation, Kagura, looking at her fans, and not paying any attention to him.
After a minute, SesshouMaru spoke, "What dose Naraku want now?!"
It was more of a demand than a question, and Kagura could tell from his voice that he didn't want to waist time. What the rush was, she didn't know, but didn't feel like getting into a fight with him at the moment either. "I'm here to inform you of your brother's situation."
"I already know of him going to Hell with his dead whore."
"Then you must also know of the effect it's having on his OTHER wench."
"Explain."
"She is beginning to act more and more like the henyou with every battle. Of course that could have to do with the fact that she has his Tetseiga. But you must have known that would make the Tetseiga open for the taking, so why didn't you go after it and kill the girl? Or maybe...........................................you DID go after it, and got beaten."
SesshouMaru growled, as his patience started to grow thin, but remained in check, "What dose this have to do with Naraku?!"
"Naraku merely wishes to help you."
"The last time I excepted help from that disgraceful baboon, he tried to eliminate me with his arm." (at least that's what it seemed like to me)
"But, my dear SesshouMaru, Naraku isn't foolish enough to repeat his mistakes."
Before Kagura could blink, she was being held four feet above the ground by SesshouMaru's hand which happened to have snaked it's way around her neck, "NEVER call me 'dear SesshouMaru' again. And tell your master that I am not interested in his help."
After being dropped to the ground, Kagura stood, dusted herself off, and smirked, "I would reconsider telling him so, if, that is, you would like to see your little human again." Then she flew off, knowing that SesshouMaru was right behind her.
~*~*~*~
Yoko and Miroku were talking about what could have caused Kagome's actions, while Shippou was sleeping, and Sango was still talking to Kagome, who had begun to act more like herself. "Hey Kagome, do you want to go bath, I think I saw a spring near here."
"Ok, but how are we going to keep Miroku from watching us?"
"If we leave without him noticing, we'll have a few minutes of privacy. Besides, if he dose peep on us, we'll beat him for it." To anyone else, that might have sounded like a threat, but Kagome could easily hear the joking tone of voice Sango had, and nodded. They both snuck away, taking Shippou with them. (Kagome decided that he needed a bath.)
Once the girls were a out of hearing distance, Yoko stopped what he was saying, and smirked. Miroku was curious as to the fox's strange actions (not that he didn't think of Yoko as anything less than strange anyways), "What?"
"The girls just left to bath............." He trailed off, but Miroku caught his drift, and the two crept silently into the forest in the girls' general direction.
~*~*~*~
Kagome had just woken up Shippou, and was washing his hair. Sango was relaxing with her eyes closed. Shippou decided to be funny, and splashed Kagome, who splashed back. They had gotten into a splash-fight, and then, Kagome stopped. This confused Shippou, until he saw her point in Sango's direction. Shippou got a mischievous smile, and the two faced Sango.
Before she knew what was going on, Sango was hit with a lot of water, and Kagome and Shippou were laughing. She growled (as much as a human could) and splashed them both. Soon, there was an all-out splash war going on.
~*~*~*~
Miroku was about to take another step when Yoko stopped him, and pointed down. Miroku noticed a small stick on the ground, that would have snapped and given them away, in his way. After quietly kicking it to the side, the two moved a bit closer to the girls.
Miroku was happy, to say the least, with the view he had, '(I'm sorry, but Miroku's thoughts must be censored....................................I mean come on, it's Miroku watching people bathe., so I shall sum it up with two words) HENTAI THOUGHTS'
Yoko wanted a better view, and jumped onto a small tree branch. He stared down at one of them more than the other two, 'Look at her, her guard is down and anything can attack at any second. Well, I'll have to sit here and keep guard. Yes, that's what I'm doing, keeping guard. Oh who am I kidding? I'm watching her, and that's it. But how can I not?! And the kit gets to bathe with her! I should be down there. I'm much better looking than the kid anyways.' So, he sulked for a while, but soon his gaze drifted down to see two women beating a monk, and a small fox laughing in the background. So he took this as his clue to leave and went back to their 'camp'.
~*~*~*~
Kagome and Sango stormed back to camp, Shippou asleep in Kagome's arms, and Miroku beaten on the floor. They got to camp to see Yoko sitting under a tree, apparently deep in thought. "I told you that Yoko wouldn't do something like that." Kagome said as she started to wake Shippou up.
In all honesty, Yoko had only gotten to camp a few minutes before them, but they didn't need to know that.
Sango had calmed down a bit, but still shot Miroku a cold glare every so often. After a few minutes of Shippou begging for chocolate, Miroku acting innocent, Yoko staring off into space, and Kagome trying not to give in to the puppy-eyes that Shippou was giving her, Sango spoke, "So, what were you doing in that village anyways?"
Yoko answered, "We were going to get some food."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Well, why don't we get some food now." Kagome suggested.
"I was hoping to show you a place, but now might not be the time." Yoko got up to hunt, but stopped when Miroku cleared his throat.
"Sango, Kirara, and I won't mind watching Shippou, while you two got out." Sango shot Miroku a questioning look, but his only reply was and innocent smile. "Neither of you would mind, would you?" Sango, and Kirara shook their heads 'no', "See? You two have a good time."
Yoko lead Kagome off into the woods, leaving the others behind. Once they were gone, Sango went over to Miroku, "Why did you let Kagome go off with him, alone, like that?"
"I didn't see any reason not to. Besides, I know that you have seen the looks they have been giving each other just as well as I have. I figured they needed some time alone. Besides, Shippou is too young to see something like that."
Sango hit him over the head with her boomerang, "Hentai!"
Shippou and Kirara stopped playing, and watched them. "What did he mean?" Shippou asked.
"Nothing, RIGHT Miroku?" Sango was satisfied when Miroku nodded his head, in response to her question.
~*~*~*~
Yoko and Kagome walk for a few minutes before Yoko stopped. He had stopped so suddenly that Kagome ran into him. She started to fall backwards, but he caught her. "Gomen."
Yoko smiled, "You should be paying more attention to your surroundings. By the way, we're here." Yoko said as he pointed to the tree behind him.
Kagome looked at the tree that Yoko pointed at. It was a sakura tree, without anything to make it seem overly special. "So, should I go back and get some ramen, or something?"
Yoko just chuckled, "Not in front of the tree, INSIDE of it."
As Kagome was about to question him, he grabbed her hand, and walked through the tree. She thought that she would hit the tree, and was surprised when she too went into the tree. She was stunned at the site she saw. There was a circle of trees she had never seen before. They were taller than most trees, and covered in beautiful flowers of blue, purple, and black. Underneath every tree (and everywhere else in the clearing) were flowers of pink, light blues, and yellows. And on the trunks were green vines with white flowers in full bloom. In the middle of the clearing she saw a perfectly round lake of the clearest water she had ever seen. And to top it off, fireflies were floating, wistfully, around them.
"Wow." was all Kagome could get out.
Yoko chuckled again, "Glad to see you like as much as I did when I started this little 'garden'."
"This is your garden?"
"Well, I found the lake, planted a few things, and put up a barrier to hide this place, and keep people out."
"Why wasn't I kept out?"
"I was holding your hand, but if you ever need to think this would be the place to do so. If you want to come here, all you have to do is keep this with you." He said as he handed her a rose.
"This will help?"
"I grew it using my own blood, and spirit energy, so having it with you would be the same as me holding your hand. Now, let's eat."
"Eat what?"
Yoko left, and returned shortly after with a dead dear. He made a small fire, and they cooked it. They spent the night joking around, and talking about themselves. Yoko didn't reveal too much, but learned of Kagome's ventures. He wasn't too surprised at the amount of trouble she was having in finding the jewel, and had to admit that her first encounter with Kouga sounded amusing.
The sun was setting, but they didn't notice. Yoko was talking about the different things he had acquired, and how bored he used to be. Just sitting around with nothing to do had never suited the fox, as Kagome had found out. But, she was surprised at how well he had gotten at picking locks. "Why do you only steal from humans? If it's too easy, you should do something harder."
"I thought you didn't like stealing."
"I don't, but it doesn't make sense to only do what's easiest."
"So, any family?" Yoko decided to change the subject. He found her mush more interesting than himself anyways.
Kagome smiled, and told of her grandpa's stories, her mother's kindness, and her annoying little brother. When she talked about how Souta admired Inuyasha, she got a bit sad. But Yoko took care of that by tossing her into the water. Kagome got out, and pushed him in. At the last second, he grabbed her, causing them both to fall in. They splashed around like children for a while before getting out.
"It's cold out here. You should sit by the fire." Kagome said as they got out.
"I should, but it's getting late and we should get going."
"Do we have to?"
"I guess we can stay a little while longer." Yoko said as he sat down next to Kagome. "Your cold."
Kagome shivered a bit, "I know."
"Your cloths are wet."
"I figured that one out too."
"You should take them off."
Kagome hit Yoko in the head, "HENTAI!"
"I was merely suggesting that you put on something dry for the time being."
"Oh." Kagome blushed slightly, "I don't have any extra cloths."
"You should still take them off." Yoko had a look of amusement in his eyes, which was missed by Kagome who again hit him, "It was just a joke."
"I think it's time to leave."
"Aren't you the one who wanted to stay?"
"I did want to stay, just not with a perverted fox." Kagome said as she started to walk away.
Yoko laughed to himself as he followed her, 'She certainly is interesting. And she's nice to be around, as long as the henyou's blood isn't messing with her. I think I should tell her about how I feel. By the looks of things, she likes me too. And I don't see any reason why she shouldn't, after all, I'm a perfectly good person. If you look past the thieving, which she has.'
Kagome and Yoko arrived at camp to see Sango fuming, Miroku unconscious, and Kirara sleeping, and Shippou laughing. "Time for bed Shippou." Kagome said as she got out her sleeping bag and laid down to go to sleep, 'I think I like Yoko, but........................................................what if things turn out the way they did with Inuyasha, and what was growling noise I heard while Yoko and I were playing? Yoko didn't seem to notice, so, I'm pretty sure it was in my head. I hope I'm not going crazy, that's the last thing I need.'