Disclaimer: All hail Chou-Hoshi... The revered creator of Inuyasha. ...*Waves a scepter and bops the heads of village peasants*
Man...It's been a long week...What with moving and breaking a few lamps, stubbing a few toes, and left utterly entertainment-less with all of my sources of fun packed away in boxes... I really don't feel up to writing... But hey...This story needs another chapter. ...And I need to get out of my writing rut.
My computer was being formatted for the major portion of this week, and only recently was the DSL disconnected because of the whole...moving...crap. Yeah...It's a major pain in the ass...
... Without further ado... I hereby present, Chapter three. ...Go get ya some. ^_~
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Chapter 3: What?! ...A Female Shippou?!?
...Kagome opened the giant oaken doors and stepped into the darkness, which was punctured by round bursts of light. One foot daintily placed in front of the other, she walked regally into the center of the crowded dance floor... Several heads turned at the acknowledgement of her presence...
Pit... Pat...Pit...Pat... Her shoes tapped with every graceful step.
The crowd separated as she passed, murmuring awed whispers. Still more turned their heads and stared, admiration shining in their eyes...
...The rotating dance lights turned and beamed down on her, illuminating her snow-white glimmering gown, sending a million tiny beams of light glowing on the wall, moving like snowflakes as the lights slowly turned round and round... Her glossy black hair shone like moonlight, framing the soft face which held a sweet yet contented smile. Her clear brown eyes shone up with powerful intensity.
More whispers were heard through out the crowd, starting in one small corner, then gradually moving about like a wave, gaining strength. "It's Kagome..."
"...Kagome...she's...she's beautiful..."
"...Kagome..."
"... I... wish I were like her..."
"...Wow....such grace..."
"...Higurashi Kagome... such beauty..."
The murmurs of the crowd soon became indistinct, jumbled together in a sea of hushed noise...
Suddenly, all the lights in the room turned off, as well as the music, enveloping the room in complete dark silence for a moment. ...The sea was quieted...
...With a small click, a spotlight turned on and moved across the floor until its beam shone on Kagome.
...A male voice suddenly spoke. It seemed to be coming from everywhere at once.
"...It is now, without further ado, that we proudly announce our newest...and by far... loveliest royalty!"
Kagome turned around slowly in a full circle, getting a good look at her audience... every last one staring back at her with awe on their faces... ...Her dress glimmered...
"...Here...is the one... The always intelligent, the always beautiful.... Winter Ball Snowflake Queen," The voice paused. ...Dead silence still enveloped the room...
"...Higurashi Kagome!"
...The crowd went wild. ...Cheers erupted from every corner of the room and the students flooded the floor toward Kagome, lifting her up and hoisting her up on their shoulders. ...A steady chant started up... Students repeating her name over and over...
Kagome... Kagome... Kagome....
The crowd walked her around the vast ballroom, the entire attendance following behind like a parade, gradually chanting her name louder and louder...
...Kagome! ...Kagome! ...Kagome!
She grinned widely and waved to the crowd, getting a fervent response in return... More cheers and chanting... She felt a tug on her dress.
...Kagome! ...Kagome! ...Kagome!
...The music started up again, pumping loudly from several nearby speakers. ...A disco ball lowered itself from the center of the room and began illuminating. She grinned again. ...A pair of hands began to pull on her dress...
"...Hey!" She turned.
Another pair of hands shot up from the crowd and began pulling to the other side...
"Kagome! Kagome!"
Yet another pair rose up and latched themselves to her arm...
"...Kagome! Kagome!"
One by one, hands shot up out of the crowd and began pulling her down, shaking her in every which direction. With one hard shake, she lost her balance, and tipped over, falling from her perch into the arms of gleeful, chanting students....
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"Kagome! ...Kagome! ...Damn you..."
Sleepily and reluctantly, Kagome's eyes cracked themselves open. ...A pair of yellow eyes peeped back at her.
...Inuyasha gave her another good shake. "Wake up, you baka!"
Her eyes flew open. ...She sat up in bed just as quickly, sending Inuyasha tumbling backwards.
...She put her arm behind her head sheepishly. "...Err... gomen... ...Did I sleep late?"
Inuyasha growled at her from the ground, spitting a blade of grass out of his mouth.
Kagome crawled out of her sleeping bag and yawned. ...He's so moody...
"...Inuyasha....every now and then, just let a girl sleep in." She gave her arms a good stretch, then, wiping the sleepiness from her eyes, bent down to pack up her sleeping bag. Inuyasha dusted himself off and stood up. He looked Kagome's way and ran his hand down the sheath of Tetsusaiga.
"I'll let you sleep in when this decorates a youkai's gut." He turned around.
...A minute pained look flashed across Kagome's face. ...Even with all the battles Kagome and Inuyasha had been through so far together, she still found her stomach churning a bit at the sight of fresh gore.
Kagome, all packed up in a minute, turned and sprinted towards Inuyasha, who had already started a little way down the dirt path. He casually strolled with his eyes closed, arms folded across his chest.
Hey, wait a minute! Kagome thought. ...He didn't even ask me for breakfast. She skipped a bit and caught up to him. "Hey wait, Inuyasha! What's the rush?" He kept his eyes closed. "...The village is just a few hours from here... All we do is follow the river."
She knocked against his head. "...HelloOOoo...earth to Inuyaaasha..." She waved a hand in front of his face.
"Whaat?!"
"...Why are you in such a hurry, huh? You haven't even raided my bag for ramen yet."
"...What the- You're brain's broken!" {A/N: Gomen...I just HAD to use that line.^^}
"...And YOU didn't answer me." ...Inuyasha heard her unclasp her bag.
"...Feh! ...I don't know what you're talking about!" He closed his eyes again. Kagome reached over to him and poked him on the shoulder. Inuyasha turned around.
She handed him a package of Ramen. "...Here...Eat this. It's not as good when it's dry, but still tasty. ...You need to feed yourself."
...Inuyasha almost smiled at her unexpected concern. Reaching over and snatching the package, he tore it open and began crunching on some noodles into his mouth. He turned around once to see Kagome staring at the dirt path. Her eyes looked very far away.
...Kagome... she cares if I'm getting enough to eat or not... He glanced back a few moments later to look at her again, but now she was gazing towards the river. He poured the flavored powder in his mouth, saying nothing.
The sun climbed higher into the sky as they walked on in silence. Smooth terrain turned to jagged incline as they made their way up the mountain trail. Rocks jutted out from every corner of the narrow path. Kagome was having a rough time maneuvering her way around, especially with the heavy pack strapped to her back. Inuyasha hopped from rock to rock. There were no sounds to be heard except for the sound of rushing water below.
The path came to a sharp turn. They had just rounded it when Kagome gasped.
Hearing the sharp noise, Inuyasha immediately spun around, hand inches away from Tetsusaiga. ...He was surprised to find Kagome facing the valley with an admiring smile on her face.
"Wow..." she breathed. "...It's gorgeous! What a view! Look at that, Inuyasha!"
He glanced down at the valley, and sure enough, it was impressive for most anyone. ...From the barren, rocky ground so far, you wouldn't have been able to tell it was the same mountain. The valley sloped steeply down, and there were plants and trees covering every available inch of rock. The sun, coming in through spaces in the clouds, beamed down on some parts like a spotlight, moving across the valley with the clouds. Some shone down on the winding river snaking around at the bottom of the mountain, causing the surface to sparkle golden. Its waters made a soft rushing sound. The valley was quiet, with that only exception.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and turned back around, expecting something more breathtaking. He crossed his arms again. "...That impresses you? Big deal. ...I see one of those every day."
...Kagome looked down at the ground and shrugged slightly. "Well... You never see these things in Tokyo... I really never get out into the countryside. Even then, the mountains have probably been logged and developed..." She paused, looking up. "I guess you have to see it for the first time to appreciate it... Beauty like this, you don't see every hundred years... ...You have to cherish and appreciate it when it's around..." She trailed off, gazing down into the fertile valley again.
...Inuyasha took in her words silently.
...He had to admit...it was a great view.
A few moments later, Inuyasha heard a few rocks slide under Kagome's step. She gave a short, surprised cry and tumbled down to the floor, just as he turned around.
"Kagome!" He ran over to her. "...Are you alright?" She tried to lift herself up. Her hands bled slightly from the bed of sharp rocks she had landed in. "Oww..." She moaned. She shoved her heavy bag off her back and turned over. A flash of pain shot up her leg as she did so. ...Her left foot was in the pothole he had tripped on, and looked oddly bent.
Inuyasha saw it first. He moved toward the leg to investigate it as Kagome was wiping the dust and blood from her hands and clothes. He picked up the leg and gently touched a few spots.
"...OOW!! Hey!" She winced in pain.
Inuyasha flinched at her cries as he touched some more. Shut up... Kagome! ...The words were just at the tip of his tongue. I hate it when you cry.
He put the leg down as gently as he could, then scooped her up in one arm. "...You klutz. You've just sprained your ankle. Why can't you just watch where you're going?!"
Kagome ignored him. "So, it's not broken?" She asked. She breathed quickly in relief.
"What did I just say, baka?" Inuyasha picked up the bag and swung it over his shoulder. Kagome smacked him upside the head.
"Ow!"
"Stop calling me names! That was a rhetorical question!"
"No, it was a stupid question!"
"Baka!"
She crossed her arms and glared at him. ...Her leg suddenly started to throb painfully and she forgot all about the argument. She gave another moan.
Inuyasha's look softened just a bit when she began rubbing her twisted leg. He nodded. "Alright, alright... Let's get you fixed. ...You're a lot more useful when you're on your feet."
He carried her in his arms for about a mile until they came to a small clearing surrounded by huge, round boulders.
He set Kagome down on one of the rocks. He took of her shoes and socks, then began bandaging her leg with a handkerchief he had pulled out from the folds of his kimono.
"Ow! Not so hard, Inuyasha!" Kagome gripped the stone painfully as he wound the cloth tightly around Kagome's swelling ankle. ...The bruise was turning a lovely shade of black and blue. She closed her eyes and he worked on her foot...
Inuyasha leaned in, close to her ankle and tied the handkerchief snugly. He looked up at Kagome. "...There. Does... it feel any better?" He asked. ...His voice unintentionally came out a shade softer than usual. ...Kagome noticed the subtle change and opened her eyes...
...In that one moment, their eyes met solidly. ...Neither of them intended to prolong the gaze. Inuyasha looked into her wide liquid brown eyes. Something in the way they glinted them faintly reminded him of something.
-Kikyou-
...He was surprised at himself. The name had popped up in his mind so suddenly... It had been so long since he had buried those feelings... He knew he didn't want to reopen them.
...Still... It was so much more apparent when he was this close.
...Kagome...Kikyou... I guess I can't help it that they look so much alike...
Kagome felt her cheeks redden under Inuyasha's intent gaze... But she looked back at him as well.
...What's he doing...? Wow...Inuyasha's really acting odd... first, he's too serious and moody...and now...
....Why... was he looking at her like that? Suddenly feeling shy at Inuyasha's penetrating gaze, she broke the stare and looked away. Inuyasha suddenly realized what he was doing and did the same.
"Um...Are you done yet, Inuyasha?" Kagome edged back a little on the rock and wiggled her injured leg as much as she could. It was beginning to swell. Inuyasha stood up and took a few steps away, picking up the bag. "Yeah, But don't put too much weight on it. The last thing I need right now is to have you fully crippled in the middle of our demon-hunt."
...A twig suddenly snapped nearby. Inuyasha perked up his ears and looked to the bush just behind Kagome's rock. Kagome, not having his extremely sensitive hearing, turned back to look in the direction Inuyasha was, puzzled.
The leaves twitched. Kagome perked up her head, noticing the moving leaves. ...Inuyasha slipped closer to the rock... He crept up in front of the bush with the greatest of stealth.
In one fast, liquid movement, his red kimono-covered arm plunged in, grabbing hold of something and dragging it up from between the branches. ...At first, Kagome thought it was a moving giant ball of fluff, but then she noticed the creature attached to it.
"AIIIIIII!!"" The hairball wailed in surprise and fright. ...Inuyasha gave it 'The Look'. He held the fluffy thing up at eye level and turned it to face him.
"...What...exactly are you doing, Shippou?"
Kagome smiled happily, finally identifying the tiny fox youkai. "Shippou!"
The little kitsune stopped struggling and growled at Inuyasha. "...Didn't you mother ever teach you that it isn't polite to grab a kid's tail?!" Inuyasha smacked the kid at the mention of his mother. ...He turned in Inuyasha's arm from the hit, grabbing the lump that appeared on his head. "...Now that I think about it... No."
Shippou whined. "...Kagomeee! Make him put me down! He's hurting me!" Kagome sighed. She was all too familiar with the feud between the two. She struggled to get up. ...Another stab of pain flashed up her leg, so she plopped right back down on the rock, defeated. "...Inuyasha, put him down..." Inuyasha looked at her, then shrugged. "Sure. ...Whatever you say."
His hands released, and the kitsune fell straight to the floor with a loud smack.
Shippou looked up. His face was covered with dirt. He dusted himself off and, giving Inuyasha a glare and hopping over to Kagome. He climbed up on her lap. Inuyasha's eyes followed him. "What were you doing following us, brat?"
Shippou turned away from Inuyasha on Kagome's lap and folded his arms. He closed his eyes. "None'a your business." He said, miffed. ...Inuyasha pounced on the rock, nearly knocking Kagome over, and grabbed the kitsune again by the tail, Shippou yelped as he was pulled upside-down once more. "Inuyasha!" Kagome gave him a very annoyed glare.
She caught herself before she said the O-word.
"Sorry...I didn't quite hear you." He flashed an evil half-smile. ...Inuyasha clearly made this a test of the kid's obedience. He raised up his fist, as if to smack Shippou once more. The kitsune, undaunted, kept his arms crossed while looking at him upside-down. "...I...was lonely." He admitted.
...Aw! ...How kawaii! Kagome gazed, admiringly... Shippou missed me... "...But Shippou," Kagome began, confused, "...Wasn't... Kaede-sama was there for you to play with? ...And Sango and Miroku too? Why did you want to follow us all the way out here?"
Shippou looked indignant. "...Kaede didn't want to play! She was too busy mixing up her herbs and potions and stuff for the big festival. Kept pushing me out of her workshop because I was 'underfoot'... " He paused and looked up at Inuyasha. "Put me down!!"
Inuyasha dropped him again.
"...And Sango and Miroku?" Shippou spit out a blade of grass and turned around. "I didn't want to be with them either... ...They were getting all kissy-kissy in the living room. ...All over each other, and stuff."
They were both at full attention. Kagome and Inuyasha looked at him, wide-eyed. "Whaaat?!"
Shippou turned again, this time with a mischievous yet exited look on his face. "Yeah! ...An' he was grabbing her butt!" ...I was watching them, but then I saw Kaede coming from down the street, so I turned and ran." ...He looked up for a moment, thinking. "...I wonder why he was doing that..."
Kagome and Inuyasha now looked at each other, eyes opening wider still. ...Kagome bent down and picked up Shippou. She looked at him in the eye. "Shippou, whatever you saw that happened in that room, forget it, okay? ...You didn't see... anything."
"But..."
"-Nothing happened. You hear me?"
"But they-"
"You saw nothing."
...The fox shifted uncomfortably. "...Um... Okay..."
Kagome set him down on the ground. ...Her ankle flashed her another painful reminder as she did. She looked up at Inuyasha again, suddenly aware of the time.
"...Hey...Inuyasha? We'd better get going... I think we've stayed still long enough..."
...Shippou looked down, and suddenly noticed the handkerchief wrapped around her ankle for the first time. "...Um...Kagome-chan? ...Daijobu ka?" He pointed at her makeshift bandage. ...She glanced down and waved it off and gave him a sweet smile. "I'm fine, Shippou....let's get going." ...Inuyasha grunted and came over to Kagome, hoisting her up on his back, careful to avoid twisting her sprain even more. He took a few steps and looked back down at the kitsune. "...Shippou...you carry her bag."
He grumbled at the command, but walked over and hoisted the full pack over his shoulder anyway. ...Inuyasha was already twenty yards ahead. He ran to catch up to him, almost tripping over rocks on the way.
...The scenery changed as the miles passed... Kagome put her head down on Inuyasha's shoulder... ...This is kind of relaxing... The steady rocking motion of Inuyasha's steps made her want to close her eyes...
She wrapped her arms tighter around Inuyasha's neck to keep her from falling off... She buried her face in his long, soft, white hair, finding herself drifting into drowsiness...
...He...smells nice... Kagome unconsciously thought. She inhaled into his hair deeply. ...Like pine needles... She noticed her foot had stopped throbbing.
Inuyasha noticed Kagome's movements, but said nothing. To his surprise... as hard as he tried, he couldn't honestly say he minded having her so close a passenger.
~
...The miles wore on, and the mountains ebbed... Nearby, the River Shuitsugo roared loudly against the background of the picturesque-looking forest Inuyasha and the gang had wandered into from the mountain path. He stopped and looked around, nudging Kagome awake with his elbow.
"Kagome..." He poked.
"Emmmphhhmmmsshh..." ...Was her mumbled reply. Inuyasha nudged her some more.
Her head rose groggily. "Eh...Inuyasha...Are we there yet..?" Inuyasha nodded. "It's just below that hill." He turned halfway "...Hey! Shippou! Walk a little faster." Kagome snapped to attention. The little kitsune struggled to keep up with the heavy pack. Him being so small, carrying the bag looked like a floating yellow cloud zipping across the dirt.
Inuyasha began to charge towards the village. Kagome, surprised at his sudden burst of speed, almost fell off Inuyasha's back. She grasped onto him tighter. ...His feet slid against the ground as he skidded to a halt... ...Five inches from the hill who's edge...
....That turned out to be that of a small cliff.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome smacked him upside the head. "Nani?!!" Inuyasha rubbed his head. "What was that for?!!"
Kagome stared down at the cliff's ledge then put her hand over her now heavily beating heart. "...Don't ever do that again! You scared me half to death!" Inuyasha snorted. "...I could have jumped it..." ...He muttered the word "baka" under his breath. "...I heard that," Kagome said wryly, yanking on his hair.
Shippou came zipping along just then, huffing and wheezing under the weight of her bag. He collapsed to his knees next to Inuyasha's legs, and shoved the bag out from over him, sending it dangerously close to the edge. "Inuyasha!! Don't ever do that again!" Inuyasha looked down at him. "...What are you, a parrot?" Shippou bent over and wheezed some more. "Kagome-chan... what do you have in there? Rocks!?" He collapsed completely and sprawled out onto the floor.
Inuyasha bent down and picked up the bag. He glanced up at Kagome and said, "Hold on tight." ...She tightened her grip around Inuyasha's neck once more. He grabbed Shippou's tail with his free hand, then bent his legs slightly, preparing to jump down to the village.
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..."Okassan! Okassan!!" ...A delicate little creature with short legs and a mop of straight red hair jumped through the door into the small wooden hut. "Okassan! She shouted.
...A round, much older woman, and the village leader turned just in time to catch the little girl, who leaped into her arms. The woman gave her a surprised look.
"...Why, Mai-chan...Whatever is the matter?" A bit confused, she embraced the little girl, patting her back comfortingly. "You really mustn't scare me like that..."
"Okassan..." Mai looked up at her mother with pale amber eyes. There was a tinge of fear behind the yellow. "I saw them coming to the village! We must hide, mama!"
At the little girl's trembling words, the woman became alarmed. ...Multiple fearful visions passed though her mind. ...She put the little girl down onto the floor, but Mai clung to her legs. She bent down, wrapping her arms around the red-headed child tenderly, trying her best to sound calm for the girl's sake. "...Tell me Mai. ...Who's coming?"
Mai stepped away, but kept her hands firmly in place with the folds of the woman's skirt. She looked up fearfully. "...An evil youkai... He's coming to destroy the village!" She sniffled, and the woman's eyes widened a bit. "...Mai-chan..." She said, "Tell me what you saw." The girl let go of the dress and pointed out toward the open door. "A youkai..." She began, "...I saw it jumping down from the cliff towards us... It had long white hair, and a bright red kimono...and it was carrying a dead animal in its hand! ...I think it had something on its back, too..." The girl looked down, trying to remember. Her mother placed her hand on her shoulders, and looked at her comfortingly. She stood up.
"...You have no need to worry... I shall go investigate this now..." The girl looked up again. "You stay here, Mai. ...Don't go outside until I return." With a small bounce of her red hair, the girl nodded. "...Hai."
The round, graying woman picked up her bow lying in the corner. She hoisted her quiver of arrows onto her back, then was gone out the door.
...The girl looked at the open door, then giggled and casually hopped over to the table and helped herself to her mother's still cooling pie.
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Inuyasha landed easily on the ground, putting Shippou down as he slowly rose. The glanced back towards Kagome. "Daijobu ka?" he asked. Kagome nodded. "Yeah... I'm fine."
Inuyasha began walking towards the village. He looked around. "I suppose the first thing we should do is first meet with the village leader. He could tell us what to do." ....A breath of wind blew from the direction of the village, and Inuyasha caught a very faint blood smell. ...It's fresh... He thought.
"Inuyashaaa..." A whine came from below. "Do I have to carry that thing again...?" Shippou rubbed his hind end where Inuyasha had held onto him.
"Feh! You're complaining over this?" He tossed the bag lightly in the air. Shippou whined again and Inuyasha smiled mockingly, tossing the bag into the air a few more times.
...An object suddenly whizzed by Inuyasha's face, missing him by mere inches. He dropped the bag. The arrow to his left, embedding itself deeply in the trunk of a nearby tree. Kagome gasped in surprise.
...He turned quickly, Tetsusaiga drawn in both hands a few seconds later. There, a short, round woman with neatly pulled back graying hair stood, bow outstretched in her hand. She glared at Inuyasha grimly.
"What's the meaning of this, old hag?!" He growled and held a transformed Tetsusaiga menacingly in front of him. The woman looked did not move. She spoke with an even, low tone that was as grim as her face
"...State your business here, youkai."
Inuyasha snorted and returned her glare. "...My business? It's none of yours." The woman pulled another arrow from her quiver and drew her bow again.
"...I say it once, more, demon. State your business here. ...I do not suggest you provoke me." ...Inuyasha looked down at her clothing.
...She wore the garb of a miko.
...Inuyasha clenched his fists around his sword.
Inuyasha felt Kagome drop down from his back. She stepped out beside him, leaning against his shoulder for support. ....It was then the woman noticed her for the first time. "...Stop!" Kagome hobbled in front of Inuyasha, and put her arms out to the side. "...We're not here to look for any trouble."
...The woman looked the girl in the strange green kimono. ...Wait a minute... The woman thought. This girl.... ...A flash of recognition suddenly passed across her face, widening her eyes for a split second. ...Her bow lowered to the ground.
"You... You are the ones sent by Kaede, are you not...?" She asked slowly. She placed her bow on her back, putting the arrow in her hand back in its quiver. She looked at the trio expectantly, almost hopefully. ...Kagome gave her a small nod. "...Hai... We are. ...Forgive us for surprising you..." ...Inuyasha stood up straight once more, sheathing Tetsusaiga upon Kagome's response. He looked rather grumpy at the suspicious treatment he had just received. "...It's pretty dangerous to threaten strangers, baba. I could easily have slashed you in two."
The woman bowed, suddenly very friendly and apologetic. "...I humbly apologize... and no, no... It is I who should be sorry for startling you... It is just that...whenever strangers come to our village, there is a need to be suspicious... Especially with the most recent of developments..." She paused and looked up at Inuyasha. "...And the fact that you are a youkai did not add to my comfort. Again, I apologize. ...For my suspicion." She walked over to the group and bowed again. "...I am Hana, the leader of this village." Kagome bowed in return, introducing herself and the others.
"Well, Kagome," Hana said, looking at her wrapped leg, "...It looks as if you could use some medical treatment..." Kagome glanced down. ...She blushed, thinking of her own clumsiness and nodded slightly.
Hana smiled. "Come." She turned and motioned for the group to follow. "...Please... Do follow me..."
She walked into the grove of trees she came out of, followed by the group.
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"Hana-Baachan... are you a miko?" Kagome looked around the herb filled room, sipping her tea the leader had just handed her and her friends. Hana nodded a reply. "...Domo Arigatou. The tea is delicious."
"...Could use some sugar..." Inuyasha said between sips. Shippou squealed happily as Hana handed him a giant piece of rock candy. "Arigatou!" He said, full of joy. Hana gave him an adoring look.
"...A little fox-cub youkai... Has anybody ever told you how kawaii you are, little one?" Shippou would have answered, only he was too busy noisily crunching on rock candy and giving her a toothy grin. The priestess chuckled. She turned to the group. "Forgive me... I had a pie cooling on the table, but it seems to have mysteriously disappeared... along with my daughter."
"You have a daughter, Hana-baachan?" Kagome asked, interested. She smiled and nodded again. "Hai... She's just a wee bit younger than Shippou-chan, here. ...Quite feisty."
...Inuyasha spoke up as Hana bent down and began to unwrap Kagome's ankle dressing. "...Can you fix it, Obaasan?" He glanced at Kagome's face as she flinched in pain. "Yes." She answered. "'...It is quite a simple wound to heal. Here," She handed Kagome a damp sachet, smelling very strongly of unfamiliar herbs and sake. "...Hold that against your skin." Kagome did as she was told. ...Hana closed her eyes and muttered a brief chant. ...She looked up when she was done. "Do not take it off for five minutes." Kagome gave a quick nod and smiled gratefully.
The woman stood up slowly and wiped her hands, walking over to a free cushion on the floor and sitting down, groaning as she did so. "...It seems my age is catching up with me..."
"...Obaasan..." Inuyasha began when she had adjusted herself. "...We need to know about the situation here..."
Hana nodded repeatedly, suddenly remembering the cause of the group's presence. "Yes...yes..." She tossed Shippou another piece of rock candy she produced from the folds of her skirt. Her face became serious, and she folded her hands in front of her. "Tell me... What is it you need to know?"
"...Everything."
The woman nodded, looking very grave. "...The victims, then. I'm sure you know the circumstances... It was...gruesome... to say the least... So sad...it is... They were all so young..."
Kagome looked up. "...Hana? Who were they?" Hana looked down and closed her eyes... Kagome suspected she knew the victims personally. "The girl, a hime. The daughter of a noble living at the edge of this village. She was no more than nineteen years old, at most. ...Quite a kind young woman... She would play with the village children quite often... She was found by her father."
Kagome looked away. How sad... no one deserves such a horrible death... Hana opened her eyes and tried to compose herself. She cleared her throat. "...The men? They were brothers, not surprisingly... ...One was a farmer, and the other a fisherman. They were both also young and strong. ...In their twenties." She paused for a moment. "...It is a good thing their mother isn't around to bear such grief. ...She...after all, died a week before, from sickness of the heart..." Her voice cracked slightly.
The group was quiet. ...Shippou had even stopped crunching on his rock candy and looked at Hana. ...Wow... She really looks so sad... He thought. He looked around the room. Inuyasha wore a solemn expression. His arms were crossed and he looked away from Hana at the carpet. Shippou turned his head and glanced at Kagome, who was gazing in the air with a half angry, half sympathetic expression. Shippou looked past her to the open door. ...A peek of red from the doorway caught his eye.
"So...Hana... who found the brothers?" Kagome asked somewhat into air. Hana looked up suddenly. It seemed she remembered something at Kagome's words.
"It was... their third brother..."
...Shippou kept looking to the doorway. A face peeked around it to look into the room. ...Hey... who's that..?
Hana repeated herself. "Yes, their third brother. ...He's a shop keeper who lives on just the edge of the village. He found them." ...Inuyasha looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "...What's your point, Obaasan?"
The red haired face came fully around the doorway. Shippou popped some more rock candy in his mouth. The little girl spied into the room, her straight shoulder-length red hair, two parts of it tied into ponytails on either side of her head, shining like fire.
Hana spoke. "He found one first, a few days before the other died. When the other was found, he was had been in the corner of the house, shaking. ...I never thought of it before...but..."
The girl peeked into the room. Shippou crunched his candy. She shrunk back into the doorway at the sound and then saw Shippou, sitting on his chair, looking at her. She blinked, her big yellow eyes looking from his face, to his fluffy fox tail, to his rock candy. A few confused and longing blinks later, she turned and hopped away, the last thing Shippou seeing from the doorway a tuft of fur.
Inuyasha was getting impatient. Hana seemed to be thinking. Kagome spoke up. "Hana-baachan... what is it?" The miko looked up.
"...I think you may have found your first lead." Inuyasha looked into her eyes and caught on. He uncrossed his arms and looked at her. "...You think this man might have seen something." He said bluntly. ...Hana gave a strong nod.
"Yes. I never thought of it before, but he seemed especially stricken. ...More so than if he had just found the body. ...There was more fright in his face than grief, and the man hasn't spoken to anyone since that night."
Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. "...Nobody? Not even you, Obaasan?" Kagome asked. Hana shook her head... looking sad once more. "...Not even me."
Inuyasha stood. "...We'll find a way to make him speak... Tell me, old woman. ...Where exactly does this lone survivor live?" Hana raised her arm, pointing out the open window. "...Straight up that road. ...It's the last farm before you enter the woods out of this village."
Inuyasha nodded. "Kagome. Let's go." With a few strides and an almost thankful look at the old miko, he walked out of the room.
...Grabbing onto the edge of her chair, Kagome stood, curious and eager to see the results of Hana's magical remedy. "...Amazing..." She leaned, putting all of her weight on her ankle. ...There was no pain.
She handed the moist sachet back to Hana, smiling gratefully. "Doomo arigatou... For all of your help." Hana gave her a weak smile and bowed. "I should be thanking you, for your help. ...I beg you... come back with whatever you find." Kagome nodded, and a small bow in return, walked out the door after Inuyasha. "Come, Shippou-chan!" She called from outside the door.
Shippou hopped down from his chair and followed, but not before Hana had whistled and tossed him her last piece of candy, giving him a small smile. Shippou grinned widely. "Arigatou!" ...And was out the door.
....Hana stared out the open door.
"...Please find him..." She closed her eyes and clasped her hands in silent prayer.
"....Find out... ...who killed my grandsons."
* * * * * *
'I wonder..." Kagome thought out loud, "...If there was a reason this youkai targeted a pair of brothers..." Inuyasha looked up, to see her at his side. "...It's especially odd since the murders were several days apart..."
Inuyasha thought deeply for a moment. "...If there was, then where does the hime tie in? There isn't any connection between her and the men, other than being the victim of a random killing." Kagome nodded. True... but still... I mean...A youkai wouldn't return to the same scene of his last crime without a good reason... would it?
"Kagome! Wait for me!" Both of them stopped and turned to see Shippou catching up to them. He reached Kagome and hopped onto her shoulders. 'Shippou-chan, What took you so long?"
Shippou grinned and pulled out another giant piece of rock candy. "...I like that miko."
Kagome marveled, staring at the chunk. "Wow... what a huge piece!"
Shippou grinned happily again and broke off a cluster. "Here, Kagome, you can have some."
"Ahh! Arigatou, Shippou-chan!" She tossed it in her mouth and savored the sweet sugary candy. She opened her eyes again.
"...Eh...Inuyasha...why are you looking at us like that...?"
Inuyasha had turned around. ...He was staring at Shippou with a strange look on his face. ...Suddenly, his eyes were incredibly, (and falsely) bright, and he had a small grin on his face. ...As hard as he tried, Kagome noted, Inuyasha still looked wicked. He discreetly stepped up towards Shippou and brought his face close.
"...Inu...yasha?" Shippou was a little confused. ...His eyes opened wide suddenly. ...Ahh! The smile!! He's going to hit me again!
"Shippou-chan..." Inuyasha's smile widened into a larger grin. His pearly fangs glinted. ...Shippou became frantic. AHH!! What did I do?! What did I do?! Inuyashaaa! Don't hurt me!!
Inuyasha grinned wider. "...Can...I have a piece too?"
...
*Shippou falls to the ground in traditional anime fashion*
...Kagome rolled her eyes. "...Inuyasha....If you're going to fake a smile, at least make it more convincing!"
Inuyasha looked up at her, a bit confused. "...Nani? That... was convincing!" ...Kagome shook her head and sighed. "...Inuyasha..."
"Whaat?"
Shippou was up off the floor, and clutched his candy protectively. "Sorry." He looked away and stuck his chin into the air. "...But this candy is only for pretty mikos in green skirts and youkai. ...Full ones." He emphasized the last words, rubbing it in Inuyasha's face. Any trace of a grin was wiped off of Inuyasha's face.
He growled, glaring at Shippou evilly, "...Why, you..." Shippou screeched and dove behind Kagome's legs. "Taste my fist, you brat!!" Inuyasha chased Shippou in circles around Kagome while the little fox screeched at the top of his lungs. Kagome sighed. She looked up at the sky. ...Why me...?
Something caught her eye. Hey...wait a minute... She squinted up into the sky. ...What is that...? "Hey, guys... Guys?"
The two were still running. ....A vein popped out of Kagome's forehead.
..."OSUWARI!"
Inuyasha smacked the floor.
He spit out a chunk of dirt. "NANI?!! WHAT WAS THAT FOR??!" Kagome waved it off. "...Never mind that.... Look! Up there..." She pointed to a dot in the sky. Shippou crashed into a fallen Inuyasha. He looked up a moment later. "Where?"
Inuyasha looked to the sky and stood. "...Is that a....?"
...The object came closer...
"...No way... It isn't..." Kagome squinted.
Shippou shielded the sun from his eyes. "It's... It's... Wow! ...It's... a flying elephant!"
...A giant, blue, floating balloon elephant descended slowly from the sky.
...Dark, thundering clouds covered the area immediately above it. ...Lightning crackled.
...It floated down, hovering just above the group.
Inuyasha looked freaked. "What the...?" The giant elephant came a little closer... It spoke...
"Give me....the cryyystal!" ...Its voice was high and light. ...Like a girl's.
Inuyasha's surprised expression dropped. He turned to Kagome with a raised eyebrow. "...Is it just me, or does this tactic seem familiar?"
Kagome blinked confusedly. "...Shippou...?" Shippou shook at her leg. "...Hey!! I'm right here!"
The elephant spoke again. "Give... me... the CRYYYSTAL!" It floated closer. Lightning crackled around the clouds.
Inuyasha sighed, obviously not impressed.. "...If you think THAT will get you the Shikon no Tama..." He crouched, getting ready to pounce. A smirk appeared on his face. "...You had better think again!" He jumped straight for the elephant. "Sankotetsou!!" Inuyasha's deadly claws raked the air. He missed the floating blue creature by mere inches and landed on the ground. That was enough to shake the attacker, though. The floating balloon squealed in fright and tried to float away.
"HA! No, you don't!" Inuyasha jumped again, this time grabbing the balloon trunk and dragging it back down to earth. "Gotcha'!" The elephant squealed some more. Inuyasha grinned evilly again. "...Alright, fox, show yourself!"
...With a loud pop, the elephant disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke. Inuyasha found himself on the ground.
"I knew it!" Kagome said. "Foxfire!" Inuyasha stood, waiting for the smoke to clear...
Shippou saw something lying on the ground through the thick blue haze. "Kagome... look!" he pointed.
...Through the smoke she spotted a glint of red. "What is that..?"
The smoke finally lifted. ...Inuyasha's eyes widened as the creature lying on the floor came into view. "...It's a..." The creature stirred.
...Inuyasha's jaw dropped. "...a FEMALE SHIPPOU?!"
...The little girl sat up slowly, rubbing her head. "Oow..." Her bright red hair was tousled. She had a large, poofy tail, just like Shippou's, and instead of feet, she had delicate fox paws. ...A few tiny freckles dotted her nose.
Kagome's eyes widened. She looked from the girl rubbing her head to Shippou, who was still blinking. "...A girl kitsune?"
The little she-fox finally looked up at the group with big yellow eyes. They widened as she came to her senses. "Eeeee!!" She squealed and got up to make a run for it. Inuyasha pounced and blocked her way. ...Tiny fox paws screeched to a halt against the dirt. The girl looked up at him, petrified.
"I'm sorry! ...Really! Don't hurt me!" Her eyes quickly glanced around for and escape route.
"...Not so fast..." Inuyasha said, coming closer. ...He bent down and gave the girl a fierce glare, fangs glinting just a bit. "...Why don't you tell us what you wanted with the Shikon no Tama?"
However terrifying Inuyasha's face was, the girl's expression changed from fear to confusion.
"...Huh?" Her eyes blinked a few times. "Um...What's that?" Inuyasha began to get irritated. "...Don't pretend to be stupid! You said you wanted the crystal! ...Who sent you here?!" The girl blinked yet again. ...She turned and pointed. "Uh...I said I wanted that crystal." ...Inuyasha looked up.
...She was pointing at Shippou's rock candy.
...
*Inuyasha falls to the ground in traditional anime fashion*
...Kagome and Shippou ran up to the little girl. Shippou tilted his head, suddenly recognizing her. "...Hey! ...I know you! You were spying in Hana-baachan's hut!" She got up and dusted off her pink and white kimono. "I...I wasn't spying!" Shippou crossed his arms, clutching his candy in one hand and looking up matter-of-factly. "Yes, you were. ...I saw you there."
The girl crossed her own arms and gave him an indignant glare. "No... I wasn't! ...How can I have been spying? ...Hana's my mommy!"
...Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou all looked at her. "Your... mommy?!"
She turned around haughtily. "Yes... my mommy. So there! ...I wasn't doing anything."
...Inuyasha bent down and looked her over. ...The little girl saw him through the corner of her eye and blushed slightly.
"But..." Inuyasha studied her some more. "...You're a youkai. ...And Hana-baachan is... well...old." The little kitsune turned around, suddenly looking a bit sullen. She put her hands behind her back, swaying. "...Well..." The little girl began to mumble almost inaudibly. "...I'm not really a youkai... ...And she's not really my mommy..."
Inuyasha, his sensitive ears catching every word, bent down closely and sniffed her. Her head shot up suddenly and she shrank back, eyes wide and angry and blushing furiously. "Eeek! What are you doing?! A guy isn't supposed to sniff a lady!!"
Inuyasha blinked... for only a moment. ...He turned and crossed his arms knowingly. "...Yep, I knew it. ...She's a hanyou."
"...A hanyou..?" Kagome looked her over again... The little girl's big, amber eyes were kept glued to Inuyasha warily, and her cheeks were tinged with pink. A little fang peeked out from her top lip.
...Kagome's hands clasped in adoration. ...Hearts appeared in her eyes.
...She reached out and grabbed the tiny red-headed fox, pulling her close. She gave her a hard squeeze. "...Oh! You're just so kawaiii!"
...The girl struggled to move. ...Or breathe. Kagome squeezed harder and swayed. "A little fox hanyou! Cuute!"
...Inuyasha sweatdropped.
"...God, Kagome... do you torture everything with fur?"
She stopped squeezing. The girl wriggled out of Kagome's grasp and hopped to the ground. ...She turned and gave Inuyasha a seducing look. "Inuyasha... I haven't 'tortured' you yet, have I...?"
Inuyasha's nose tinged with pink. "...Well...err... I don't have fur."
...She snatched up and yanked on his furry ear. "Gyaahh!! That doesn't count!!" Kagome pulled his head down towards her mouth. "Inuyasha... OSUWARI!!"
...*SMACK*...
Kagome turned back around and bent down on front of the girl. "...My name is Kagome... What's yours?"
The little fox looked up, admiring the girl who had just commanded the dog-eared youkai to sit. "...Mai..." She said shyly. "...My name's Mai." Kagome nodded. "...That's a pretty name... ...Get up Inuyasha."
Inuyasha spat into the dirt.
Kagome stood, suddenly remembering where they were supposed to go. "...It was wonderful meeting you, Mai... But we have to go... We'll be back soon to see Hana though, so stay safe." Inuyasha got up and dusted himself off. He growled, bitter at Kagome. "...Yeah... scram, kid. Go home to mommy."
Mai crossed her arms up at Inuyasha, indignant. "...I'm not going anywhere. ...I'm following you."
Inuyasha scoffed.
"...You? Feh!! ...Aren't you aren't afraid of the big, scary youkai wandering around here?" He raised up his arms and claws and snarled, trying to scare her.
"No."
Inuyasha's arms were left in the air for a second. ...He turned and began walking. "...Beat it."
Kagome and Shippou began to follow him. She turned halfway. '...Hai, go somewhere safe... We'll be back soon!" Mai hopped after them, keeping up with their pace. "...No! I'm coming with you!"
"Mai-chan..." Kagome began. The red-headed kitsune looked up, determination set on her face. ...Kagome didn't continue.
...If she's anywhere as stubborn as Shippou, she'll never give up. She looked down. Mai's arms were crossed and her tiny red ponytails swayed with every firm step. Kagome sighed. ...We might as well let her follow. ...At least for a little while.
Surprisingly, Inuyasha didn't say a word. ...Kagome suspected he thought the same thing.
Pebbles crushed underneath the weight of their feet as they walked up the dirt road toward the house...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Okay... Okay.. I knew I promised I'd write some great Takako/Kagome action in this chapter, but it was getting way too long, and I really wanted to post... It's coming, I promise. ^^
Some more Japanese:
kitsune- means 'fox'...I 'spect you know that already, though.
Shikon no Tama- The jewel that pretty much makes up the entire story. If you don't know what this is, you need to be smacked. ..Really.
miko- In most translations, a miko is a priestess. More accurately, it is translated as 'white magic user'. A kuromiko is a black magic user.
As, always... review, review, review! Fourth chappie is up next...