By Angel of Anime
Chapter 8: If Sessho- Maru Didn't Exist...
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Disclaimer: yeah yeah, Inu- kun's not mine, don't sue me blah blah, Now onto the story!!
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"Owowowowow my head huuuuuuurts!"
"Shhh, calm down, here, does that help?" Kyoko placed a damp rag over the young fox's
forehead.
"Where the heck am I??"
"Oh, well Inu Yasha clobbered you, and I didn't want to just leave you there so we took you along with us,
oh and sorry about before, I just wanted to see how gullible you were." Kyoko stuck out her tongue
playfully, then removed the washcloth and dipped it in some cool water and
replaced it on the fox's head.
"So... you didn't eat Sessho- Maru?"
"Heavens no! I barely escaped him with my life hehe, well what's left of it, that's why I look like
this..."
"Oh..."
"So how's your head?"
"It feels much better thank you,"
"That's good, are you hungry? I just made some noodles!"
"What are noodles?"
"Come see!"
Kyoko helped the fox stand then they went to join the
others at the campfire. Miroku and Inu Yasha were busy slurping down noodles as
fast as they could. Kyoko only sweatdroped.
"uhhhh, here, have a bowl, just slurp them like those two gluttons hehe." Kyoko handed the confused
looking fox a bowl of noodles and a pair of chopsticks then went to sit down
with her own next to Inu Yasha.
"These 'noodles' are very good Kyoko- sama,"
"Thank you Miroku, they are almost an everyday food item in my time. Wait until I make you guys sukyuaki!"
"umf dood (its good)."
"Thank you Inu Yasha, but please don't talk with your mouth full."
Shippo watched the antics of his new companions in wonder... *A strange bunch, wonder
what I am getting my self into...*
Kyoko began to politely slurp her noodles as Inu Yasha and
Miroku quickly refilled their bowls from the pot and began to chow down again.
Shippo sniffed the noodles then slurped a few *WOW! These are good!!* Shippo
began to slurp them as fast as Inu Yasha and Miroku. All three finished their
bowls at the same time. They looked into the pot,
"There's only enough for one more bowl, it's mine!"
"No it should be mine! You already had ten bowls, Inu Yasha!"
"You had eleven you deranged monk!" Shippo sat back and watched as the two scowled at each other
and sparks began to fly anime style. Kyoko quietly finished her bowl and set it
down, placed her chopsticks neatly on top and waltzed over to the pot. She
scooped up the last of the noodles in the ladle and popped them into Shippo's
bowl while the other two were still having their stare down. As soon as the
noodles hit the bowl the two snapped out of it and starred open mouthed at
Kyoko.
"Well you each had about ten bowls, that was only Shippo's first, its only fair,"
"AFTER ALL I DID FOR YOU WENCH!"
"Kyoko- sama how could you!tear"
"Calm your selves, I can always make more, enjoy Shippo, don't worry about them." Kyoko smiled at Shippo
again who blushed faintly then began to gingerly slurp the noodles. Inu Yasha began to growl again.
"feh!"
*****
After they had all finished supper, Inu Yasha and Miroku
had fought over licking the pot, of course Inu Yasha won, Kyoko began to rinse
the cook wear with some river water they had stored in a hollowed out gourd.
Shippo watched as Kyoko swirled the water in the enormous pot *That's gotta be
heavy...* Then she walked to the edge of the woods and dumped it out and replaced
everything in the sack.
"Good night Kyoko- sama,"
"Good night Miroku, Shippo." Shippo went back over to the blanket he had woken up on and sat down.
He watched as Inu Yasha laid down his coat for Kyoko, who thanked him and said
good night as she curled up on it. Inu Yasha sat next to her, watching the
woods. Eventually he grew weary and stretched out next to Kyoko. Shippo felt
his eyelids grow heavy and stretched out his blanket and drifted off to sleep.
*****
Shippo woke up to the sun in his eyes; he sat up sleepily
and looked around the camp. The monk was still sound asleep, snoring loudly,
but Kyoko was up rushing around with pots and pans as Inu Yasha worked on
kindling a fire. He stood up and stretched then walked over to Kyoko and Inu
Yasha.
"Oh, Ohayo Shippo- kun, did you sleep well?"
"Ohayo, yeah I slept ok..."
"Why don't you ask me that huh?"
"Because I know what your answer's gonna be! And its not like Miroku can help snoring!"
"hrumph," Shippo smiled and sat down.
"Grrrrr why won't this dang thing light!!!!"
"Shhhh Inu Yasha, keep your voice down, Myoga and Miroku are still sleeping!"
"Well why the hell can't we wake them up!"
"They just need more sleep then we do, and we all need to be fully rested for a long days march,"
"hrumph,"
"Uh... here let me help..."
Shippo gently touched the flint and there was a healthy fire going in an
instant.
"My, my, how helpful, ne Inu Yasha?"
"I could have done that!"
"You lie, dog boy,"
"Don't call me that fox brat!!"
"I am only a few years younger than you!"
"Shhh calm down you two!"
"Gomen Kyoko- san."
"mumble mumble,"
"I head that Inu Yasha,"
Kyoko walked over and set a small clay plate over the fire. In it was some thick batter.
"I am gonna make you guys pancakes, they're a major breakfast food in my time..." (ok, I don't know if they
had all the stuff to make pancakes back then, I'm sorry, just go along with the story!)
"What do you mean 'you time'?"
"Oh, uh..."
Shippo looked at Kyoko strangely as she stuttered and tried to explain.
"She came from the future,"
"Nani?"
"Yes, I did, more or less."
"How far in the future?"
"About 600 years I suppose..."
"Are there demons in that time too?"
"No, this happened to me here, when I first arrived I was just a normal human..." Shippo detected a hint
of sadness in Kyoko's voice. He saw that Inu Yasha had picked it up to because
his cold expression softened slightly.
"Ok, enough of that, who wants the first one??" Kyoko cheerily flipped the pancake onto Inu Yasha's
plate then poured more batter into the clay plate and held it over the fire.
"How the fuck am I supposed to eat this thing!!" Kyoko sighed and put down the clay plate, she walked over
to Inu Yasha and cut up the pancake with her chopsticks then grabbed a piece
with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth and smiled. Inu Yasha just
starred at her, then picked up a piece Kyoko cut and tasted it cautiously.
"Is it good??" Kyoko's eyes seem to grow wide in anticipation of the answer. Inu Yasha swallowed the bite
and sat there for a moment.
"Yeah... really good," then he took another bite and another; soon he was shoveling the thing in his mouth
like no tomorrow.
"Good, I'm glad." Kyoko beamed and smiled at Inu Yasha, then picked up the clay plate again and set it
over the fire. Soon it browned and Shippo watched in wonder as Kyoko flipped it
up in the air to land directly on his plate. He cautiously took a bite, *hey,
this IS good...* and soon he was chowing down like Inu Yasha. Kyoko poured more
batter into the clay plate and sat down to cook it.
Eventually Miroku woke up and came to join them and sat down to eat his pancake too, Inu Yasha had six
and Shippo had three before Kyoko was able to make her self one. Then she sat down next to Inu Yasha and
began to eat hers slowly as Inu Yasha was shoveling his sixth pancake into his
mouth.
When they were all done Kyoko cleared the plates and began to wash them as Inu Yasha snuffed out
the last bit of the fire. Soon everything was packed up and they were ready to go.
"Well Shippo- kun, if you want to come with us it's ok, since I doubt that you want to return to your
village empty handed..."
"Who the hell said he could come with us!!"
"I did!"
"Who died an' made you queen!"
"What, you're gonna over rule me??"
"Maybe I will!!"
"Hrumph, I say he comes, at lease we have someone who can start a fire now!"
"I agree with Kyoko- sama,"
"You cowardly priest! And I can start a fire!!!!!!!!"
"Whatever, now come along."
"I am not your lap dog!"
"Why, do I treat you like one??" Kyoko's eyes grew big and watery as she popped up and starred Inu Yasha
directly in the eyes, her face only inches away from his.
"Uh..."
"Do I annoy you? Because I can just go off alone then, if that's what you want, I don't want to aggravate
you."
"grumble grumble... come on fox, lets go." Shippo stood confused, trying to figure out what had just
transpired.
"They are always like this, Inu Yasha can't say no to her, it's a good thing though." Shippo turned to see
the monk.
"O..."
"Now keep up, or Inu Yasha will lose his temper again."
Shippo watched Inu Yasha stalk off in the distance with Kyoko bouncing along beside him.
*****
The group walked for a few hours, Shippo and Kyoko chatting
about this and that and Inu Yasha just stone faced. Suddenly Kyoko stopped and
her face turned very serious.
"Inu Yasha, a demon approaches..."
Inu Yasha pulled Kyoko closer to him and they stood back to
back with their swords drawn. A giant snake twenty feet tall slithered out from the bush.
"shhhhhhhhhhh, giiiiiiiiiive me the swoooooooooord."
"...now!" Inu Yasha and Kyoko jumped at the snake, Inu Yasha came at it directly and sliced its belly, it
snapped out to try to bit Inu Yasha, but Kyoko had already found her way behind
it and cut its head clean off. The head fell to the ground, then the demon
corpse turned to dust and floated away on the wind. Kyoko landed again, back to
back with Inu Yasha, both still in a fighting stance. Then they both straightened up and sheathed their blades,
then continued on.
"uh..."
"They have finally begun to work together, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with aren't they."
"Yes you are correct, Myoga, but I am not sure if they can yet stand up to Sessho- Maru..."
"No, not yet, but in due time... come Shippo- kun, stop starring and hurry up or you will be left behind."
*****
The group found a place to camp for the night and had a dinner of noodles again.
When Kyoko was cleaning up the pots she bent down and winced. Inu Yasha came up behind her
and touched a spot on her back gingerly, which seemed to hurt her greatly.
"It seems it is time again..." Said Miroku thoughtfully
"I suppose so..." winced Kyoko
"I'll get the bandages."
Miroku rooted around in the large sack for a while until he
came out with some clean bandages. Then Inu Yasha scooped up Kyoko and the
three walked into the woods. Shippo was about to get up and follow when Myoga
hopped onto his shoulder.
"Do not follow, they are changing Kyoko- chan's bandages..."
"So?"
"So young one, they must remove her clothes of course."
"Ewww what pervs!"
"Siiiigh, unfortunately Inu Yasha does not know how to address wounds properly, thus Miroku has to do it."
"Why would it be any better if Inu Yasha could do it? He'd still be seeing her wouldn't he? He's still a
man,"
"Yes, but Inu Yasha promised to protect Kyoko, they are very close, she does not mind him..."
"Oh..."
"Just sit tight young one, if Inu Yasha is in a good enough mood he will quell your curiosity, for now,
just wait."
*****
Inu Yasha set down Kyoko carefully and helped her remove
her clothes. Miroku gently unwrapped the bloody bandage from around her waist,
and peeled off some dried herbs from her chest and thigh.
"It seems the poison is still in you and will not let the wounds heal, only in time will the venom
flush out of you, then this wound will seal properly..."
Miroku dabbed a few herbs in the still fresh wound on Kyoko's back then began to re- wrap it. He
administered herbs to a few places where there were still burn marks from the
poison, and washed away some dried up blood. Then Inu Yasha helped Kyoko put on
her clothes again and carried her back to the clearing so she would not
aggravate the wounds.
*****
Shippo watched as the three walked into the clearing.
Miroku put the rest of the herbs and bandages back in the large sack and Inu
Yasha laid Kyoko down carefully on his jacket.
"Good night Kyoko- sama, Inu Yasha, Shippo."
"Good night Miroku- san. Good night Shippo- kun... good night Inu yasha." The last good night she barely
whispered so only Inu Yasha could hear. Then Kyoko curled up and fell asleep.
Inu Yasha took his normal seat next to her, but only watched her.
*I guess he's not gonna go to sleep, maybe now would be a good time to ask him...*
Shippo quietly tip toed over to Inu Yasha and Kyoko, Inu
Yasha watched him come over and flattened his ears against his head. Shippo
came to sit in front of Inu Yasha, who only scowled at the fox, then turned his
attention back to Kyoko.
"I- Inu Yasha?"
"What, brat?!"
"What... what happened to Kyoko- sama?"
Inu Yasha twitched, and turned to stare Shippo directly in the eyes. After a long pause Inu Yasha
finally sighed and responded.
"I... I didn't protect her well enough..."
"Huh?"
"We were fighting Sessho- Maru, because he's after her, Sessho- Maru almost killed me, but Kyoko made a
bargain with him. She promised to go with him if he saved me." Inu Yasha shook
with silent rage, but continued his story.
"He... he tried to rape her, but she burnt him with her chi, he was so angry that he beat her... he used his poison
claws, so the venom is still in her, it wont let her wounds wont heal properly..."
Shippo could only sit in shock, he had head the rumors that Sessho- Maru was after her,
but he didn't fully believe them, rumors are rumors after all.
"If you asked her she probably wouldn't tell you, she almost died... she came really close, she never
let on how much pain she went through, even... even I don't know fully what happened."
Shippo looked at the sleeping Kyoko, she was about his age after all, but she was so much more mature...
she was kind and gentle, but strong as well, she was... so beautiful. Shippo blushed slightly.
"When Sessho- Maru took her away she still looked human, she only had a stripe on each cheek, from an
earlier encounter. She used to have golden brown hair, and it was much finer
and softer than it is now. She had dark blue eyes and soft skin. Now it's hard, like a demons..."
"B- blue eyes? And golden- brown hair??"
"She told me her ancestors came from a far away place, where everyone had her blue eyes and golden hair,
but she grew up in Japan..."
"So she really did come from the future!"
"Yes... she said Sessho- Maru brought her here... don't tell her I told you, she shouldn't be reminded of it."
Inu Yasha looked down at Kyoko again, his face was kind and gentle, not like
before.
"b- but... why don't you just mate with her?" Inu Yasha flinched and turned to face Shippo, his gentle
expression gone.
"I mean... then she wouldn't be a virgin, and Sessho- Maru would stop trying to claim her."
"Don't be a fool, then he would only kill her, that's the way he is, he would be too angry that I of all
people stole his chosen mate..."
"So... would you mate with her, like even if Sessho- Maru didn't exist?"
"That's none of your damn business! Now go to sleep, we have to go a long ways tomorrow!"
Shippo nodded then quietly made his way back to his blanket. He lied down and fell asleep quickly,
wondering what blue eyes would look like.
*****
Inu Yasha watched Shippo fall asleep. *Why did I tell him all that? Well, he was bound to find out anywise, I guess it was good that Kyoko didn't have to tell him...* He gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. *She's so peaceful when she's asleep... ...would I mate with her? If Sessho- Maru wasn't after her?... OF COURSE NOT! She's still just a stupid human... well, for a human I guess she's ok... hrumph, stupid humans!* With that he stretched out beside her, snuggling close, just in case something should come along during the night. He felt the rise and fall of her breath as he nestled next to her. *Would I?...* Inu Yasha closed his eyes, and fell asleep without even answering his own question.
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