Well... well. Plenty of GREAT reviews. I'm... I'm so happy! ... *sniffles*
I'm really enjoying writing this story. ...I just adore soft, fluffy, Inuyasha and Kagome romances. And, at the request of one of my reviewers and my own desires, there shall be PLENTY of fluff; enough to make a tub of marshmallow cream jealous. ...Isn't that right, pookie? *looks over shoulder*
Inuyasha: Feh...
...As you can see, his vocabulary's not at it's most witty.
Inuyasha: *grumbles moodily* ...You made me that way, you stupid obsessive fiction junkie.
Oh behave... *...dangles Hershey's Cookies and Cream in front of Inuyasha's watering mouth.*
Inuyasha: *drools.* ...Mmm... Forbidden Calories...
*yanks it away* Nuh-uh! ...Not until you get chummy with Kagome! ...And kiss her and hug her and whisper sweet-nothings... *enjoys Inuyasha's sputtering*
Inuyasha: ...You are the embodiment of all that is wrong and evil. *growls and reaches for bar again*
*Pulls just above Inuyasha's head, eyes gleaming* ...I know!
Inuyasha: You know, if I really wanted to, I could pounce right now and tear you to shreds. ...Then I'd eat your chocolate bar. ...And take over this fic. ...And then eat more chocolate. And then-
*eyes gleam brighter, smile widening* -Nuh-uh! ...And do you know why?
Inuyasha: *eyes evilly*
...
...Because I'm the author!! BUAH HA HA! ...Now, OSUWARI!!
Inuyasha: Ooof!
Enjoy chapter four.
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Chapter Four: A gruesome discovery is made.
"So... Mai-chan..." Kagome adjusted the straps on her yellow backpack, and looked down to the little kitsune who hopped along beside her. "You said Hana-baachan wasn't your real mother... What happened to your real parents?"
Red ponytails bobbed as she continued to hop. The girl tilted her head up in thought.
"...I don't know..."
Shippou looked at her face. He tossed another small piece of candy into his mouth. ...Her eyes looked a bit faraway.
"Hana said she found me when I was three years old... I was wandering around the village, and I was starving and crying." She looked down and shrugged. "...I don't really remember what happened."
Kagome felt a pang of sympathy in her chest. ...Poor thing. ...Her parents were probably killed in the war...
"But... do you remember your parents at all?"
A wistful smile was brought to Mai's face. "...Hai," she said "A little bit. ...I remember my mommy... She had loong, long black hair... So soft and shiny... and big green eyes. ...Her arms were always so warm, too."
She scratched her chin. "But I don't remember my daddy much. ...He was always away... for the war, I 'spose... He was nice enough... I remember his hair the most... It was red... like mine."
Shippou continued to stare at her. *CRUNCH CRUNCH* ...The candy was disappearing from his fingers rapidly. Mai felt his eyes on her and turned, trying to control the color rising in her face. "Whaat?" She crossed her arms. "Stop looking at me! It's rude!"
Shippou blinked and crunched. "Um...I am?" He gulped the mass down and continued. "...My dad was from the lower mountain clans. Over by the Kigatsu valley, I think... Do you remember where yours was from?" Mai turned, pink-cheeked and snubbed him.
"...I'm... I'm not listening! ...Hana told me not to talk to rude boys."
Shippou blinked again. He was at a loss. ...What am I gonna do? I don't think she likes me... He glanced down to the remaining candy in his hands. Hopefully, he held it out.
Mai turned. Her wide inquisitive eyes looked at Shippou for a moment before being replaced by a growing smile. "Aiii..." She looked at the piece hopefully. Shippou handed it to her. Mai gave the boy kitsune a suddenly shy yet happy smile. "Well... I guess you can't be rude if you're generous..." She held it protectively against her kimono. "Okay... I guess it's alright if I talk to you, now."
Kagome stood behind the two. Shippou looked relieved, for the most part. Inuyasha was still at the lead of the pack. His Tetsusaiga was drawn and rested against his shoulder. Kagome saw him stop suddenly and sniff the air, then keep walking. He turned partly to Kagome, lowering his sword. "...Kagome... come here." His voice was slightly hushed. She hurried to his side, becoming concerned. "What is it, Inuyasha? Is there something wrong?" ...Behind her, Shippou pointed at something. She heard them both marvel and squeal.
Inuyasha stared straight ahead.
He kept his voice silent. "...I smell blood. It's thick in the air. ...And the cabin is straight ahead." Kagome eyes widened. A tiny, nervous knot crept up her stomach. "...Are you sure, Inuyasha?"
White bangs fell over his face as he nodded. His yellow eyes looked back to hers. "Kagome, don't let the kids into the house. ...I'll be going in alone. ...I don't know what's in there, but I don't think they, especially that girl, should be around to see it." Kagome nodded slowly. She fell behind and came into step beside the two now-chattering kitsunes. Inuyasha raised his sword to his shoulders once again.
A little ways up the path, the cabin came into view. ...It was modest and nothing remarkable. Not a thing looked out of place... A dog slept deeply underneath a tree. Mai and Shippou's talking was the only thing filling the silence. The group stopped in front of it. Inuyasha looked behind to Kagome, nodding at her. She responded with the same.
He walked up to the door, and kicked it in, disappearing inside.
Shippou looked up. "Hey look, Kagome! He went inside. C'mon." Kagome bent down and held him back for a second. Mai stood next to her. "Wait, Shippou. ...Let him go in first. ...Let's stay out here for just a minute..."
...The kitsunes looked at each other, shrugging. A bird clucked nearby. Mai looked up and pointed to a brightly feathered chicken strutting along the ground nearby, pecking at the dirt.
Losing interest in whatever the investigation had to offer, the pair ran to go chase after it. The poor bird raised its head in alarm, and hastily retreated back into the forest, where it was follow by the relentless, giggling foxes.
Kagome found herself alone in front of the house.
She turned to the open doorway, sighing. "Inuyasha?" She called. There was no answer.
She walked up the stoop, supporting herself on the doorway and peered in. "Inu...yasha...?" The room was empty. A flash of red and white walked across a doorway at the far end of the room.
...A sudden stench wafted up Kagome's nose. ...Even she couldn't dismiss the thick blood smell. Tossing her bag on the stoop, she walked into the house, making her way to the opposite doorway. Kagome found that tiny buzz of nervousness tightening her stomach.
She paused at the other doorway. ...The blood smell was thicker within the room. The cabin was dark, and the only light to be seen came from a dirty window on the other side of the room. Inuyasha was knelt down in front of it, sniffing and inspecting a gash in the frame. Kagome breathed in relief, walking over to join him. "...Inuyasha... There you are." Inuyasha looked up at her at her voice. ...His eyes were almost surprised. "No!" He held out his hand. "Kagome...stop..."
She looked at him, puzzled, but it was too late. Her feet collided with something on the floor. ...She tumbled down, arms shooting in front of her to break her fall.
"Oww..." She winced, rubbing her head. She turned her head to see the object that had cause her fall. ...Her eyes began to adjust to the darker light. "What the heck-"
Kagome stared for a split second, confused. Then, her eyes fully adjusted, and she saw the obstruction lying on the floor. ...Her eyes widened and she recoiled in horror.
A body...
...Instantly, Kagome went numb, paralyzed with shock. ...A cold, lifeless body lay at her feet. Naked muscle was all that covered it. Its wide eyes stared blankly towards the ceiling, mouth and jaw hanging open. ...Every part of the corpse had been stripped clean to the sinewy muscle, right down to the fingers. Kagome frantically scooted backwards toward the wall. Lingering blood covered her calf where it had touched the dead man.
A body... He's... it's... Oh, my God! Kagome couldn't think straight, overwhelmed by the sheer shock and gruesomeness of the sight before her. ...Inuyasha came and knelt behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Hey, Kagome. ...Are you alright?"
His words were lost on her. She stared at the body, at the dead human lying on the floor. It's blue eyes were so bright, the way they stared at the ceiling... unblinking. Kagome felt herself begin to breathe faster.
Inuyasha shook her shoulders after no response. "Kagome? Snap out of it! Tell me what's wrong!"
...She could see his mouth... bright white teeth, stained with only a few specks of blood. ...Never before... never in any moment of her life had seen anything as repulsive, as horrifying, or as gruesome as this.
...Her strength was suddenly drained from her, and she fell back against Inuyasha's chest. Her head fell backwards, limp against his red-clothed shoulder.
...He looked down into her face and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her further away from the body. "Kagome!" he said, shaking her again.
Her blank eyes looked past Inuyasha, to the ceiling above them. Her heavy, rapid breathing hadn't slowed.
A few more frantic, scattered thoughts flashed through her mind.
The last thing she heard before she passed out completely was Shippou's very faraway-sounding voice.
"...Hey... Mai! ...This dog...I think it's dead!"
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Cold water splashed against her face and ran down her neck and blouse. Inuyasha tossed the cup back next to the yellow backpack, seeing Kagome stir. ...She blinked a few times, feeling her face and ground, then suddenly widened her eyes and looked up at him.
The hanyou stared at her with an unreadable expression.
She blinked confusedly. ...What the... what happened...? How... did I end up out here? She held her head in her hands. ...Vaguely, she remembered the events that had taken place back at the cabin. They suddenly seemed faraway now... Kind of like a bad dream. Although... no less terrifying.
Kagome wiped her face off quickly, then looked away. She leaned back against the tree and put her head between her knees...
"...I'm sorry." She said quietly.
She heard a branch snap next to her as Inuyasha took a few steps away. ...He was silent for awhile.
"...Sorry for what?" Came his sudden reply after a few long moments. Kagome looked up. Inuyasha stood in front of her, holding out the same cup, now full of water. "...Take It."
Kagome took the cup gratefully. ...She looked away again.
"I'm sorry for what happened in there. ... I know I must've looked like such a stupid baby." She paused. "I... I don't know what came over me."
When she turned her head, Inuyasha was out of sight. ...He took a seat on the other side of the tree. She closed her eyes and put her head between her knees again.
...I mean...really, Kagome... It's not as if this is the first time you've seen someone dead before... It's just...
"...You don't have to be sorry."
Inuyasha's voice from behind the tree cut off her thoughts. She lifted her head slightly. "...What?"
Inuyasha repeated himself. "You don't have to be sorry... I don't blame you for your reaction, Kagome. ...And I don't think anybody else would either."
Despite herself, Kagome felt a few tears coming to her eyes. "...Inuyasha..." She said. "I'm..."
"-You're human, Kagome." Inuyasha spoke again. He paused. ...His voice became a shade softer. "...I grew up around war... I've seen the bloodiest of battles at ages I shouldn't even have known what a weapon was..." Kagome heard him shift on the grass. "...No... It doesn't faze me... Killing... Seeing dead... And it shouldn't, not after all I've lived through... But you, Kagome... You shouldn't have those memories. ...And I'm glad you don't know what it's like. ...So, no. ...I don't blame you. ...And you shouldn't blame yourself for responding the way you did."
...Kagome gave a small smile, hidden by her sleeves.
"...Inuyasha... Thank you..."
"...For what?"
She was silent for a moment. "...For trying to make me feel better. ...And for opening up to me... at least a little bit. ...You never do that."
"Feh." Came the reply. "I did no such thing."
Both were silent for a moment, then a thought passed by Kagome. "Hey... Inuyasha. ...Where... where did Shippou and Mai go?"
Inuyasha stood, leaning back against the tree. "...Back to Hana-baachan's house. That little runt needed to be comforted... After finding out that her 'uncle' was dead."
Kagome's head rose. "...Uncle?"
"...Yeah. 'Uncle'. ...Apparently, the corpse in the house was the last of the three she had... ...She was hysterical."
...Kagome put the pieces together. "...But... then that would mean that-"
"...The three murder victims were Hana's grandsons, yes." Inuyasha finished. He walked around the side of the tree and stood near Kagome. She looked at the grass. "...I see..." She said sadly.
So... All of Hana's grandchildren are dead, along with their mother... Her daughter. This... This must be so terrible for a person to bear...
Another few silent moments passed. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha, who was staring off into nothing in particular. "...Inuyasha..." She began. She leaned backwards against the tree again. "I think I want to go home. ...For a couple of days at least. ...You can stay here and investigate some more without me. I won't be gone long..." Kagome braced herself for Inuyasha's loud resistance. ...He never wanted her to leave, and always made a big deal about it whenever possible.
He bent down and picked up a fallen apple. "...Okay." he said, shining it on his kimono.
...Kagome looked incredulous for a moment. "What? You mean you're not going to argue with me? ...You're not going to say, 'A shard-detector can't leave in the middle of an important demon hunt!'?!
Inuyasha scoffed. "Feh! ...I don't need you around all the time! ...Go for as long as you want, for all I care."
She looked at the ground and gave a quick nod. "I'll leave right before it gets dark, then. I have a test tomorrow, anyway. ...You should stay here and investigate some more."
Inuyasha turned to her, not hearing of such a thing. He glared at her. "...No. You're not. I'm going to take you back to the well myself."
Kagome glanced back at him and waved it off. "You don't have to. ...You have things to do here. And, It's more important you find this skin-thief as soon as possible. ...I'll take Shippou with me."
He crossed his arms over his chest. "Feh! ...A lot of good he'll do. You are not going to walk through mountains and forests by yourself at night. ...Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
He gave her angry sidelong glare, gripping the fruit in his hand tightly.
"...And I'm supposed to protect you."
...Kagome didn't resist further. She was silent for a few minutes more.
"...Inuyasha...?" She spoke finally.
"What?"
"...Thank you... again, Inuyasha..."
He looked away, shrugging. ...There was something... new in Kagome's eyes as the words came out with small, grateful smile... A tiny, almost insignificant hint of something he had never seen before.
A few, foreign words pushed themselves into his thoughts, and he realized, with a bit of surprise... that they were true.
What I meant, Kagome... was I want to protect you.
"...You're welcome."
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I know... I know... I'm bad. Not delivering the Kagome/ Bitch feud. An amigo of mine's going for a two week vacation below the equator, and I thought it'd be nice if she could have some reading material as her going away present. Besides... I need a break from those ridiculously long chapters. *cough* chapter 3 *cough*
I really enjoyed writing this chapter. ...But not nearly enough as I'm going to enjoy writing the next one. *grins evilly* Drop a review, fellow fanfiction junkies!