Chapter 2: Choices and Changes
"Watch it bozu!" Inuyasha yelled as he entered the hut. Miroku was swinging his staff around like a maniac. "My apologies, Inuyasha. Just testing my reflexes." He explained. "Can't you do that shit outside?" Inuyasha asked as he sat in a corner. Miroku didn't answer him but he did stop. Shippo jumped on Inuyasha's head." Where's Kagomae?" he asked. Inuyasha picked the kitsune up by the tail and slammed him on the floor. " How the hell am I suppose to know?" he said. "Why don't you just sniff her out?" "I can't pick up her scent!!" " Well don't go crying to me about it! Look for Sango. She'll know." Inuyasha told the fox. " Right!" Shippo said as he headed out. He came back momentarily and threw a stone at Inuyasha's head. " Hey! Get back here you little--" Shippo was gone before Inuyasha could finish. "Pain in the ass." he huffed under his breath. Miroku walked out as well. "Perhaps they are at the lake taking a swim," he pondered aloud. " Hey, Miroku! Get back here hentai!" he called after him.
"What for?" "I'll run you through with Tetsaigua if you dare lay a indecent finger on Ka-" "Tell me Inuyasha...aren't you with Kikyo-sama?" Miroku interrupted. Inuyasha was rendered speechless. "Ah." Miroku said and continued in the direction of the forest lake. Regaining his voice Inuyasha chased after the monk. "What's that supposed to mean?" he yelled. " I'm just saying. Why meddle in my business of women if you have one to be faithful to. Surely you can't have both. Because then who would be the real hentai?" Miroku said quizzically. "Okay now I'm going to kick your ass!" Inuyasha yelled. He leaped at Miroku but the monk easily dodged. "Calm yourself Inuyasha. No need to get mad. Besides Kikyo must be waiting...or are you going to catch up with Kagomae? Choices choices. I told you one before that you can have both. But just make sure neither of them find out or else it's big sit for you." Miroku said. He put his hand to his mouth and tried to hold in a chuckle.
He leaned his staff against his shoulders and started walking. This time Inuyasha didn't follow him. He went the other way in search of Kikyo. He thought about the predicament he was in. On one side was the intelligent and sophisticated Kikyo. She was good in magic and archery. On the other was the warm and kind Kagomae. She was easily scared and weak but trusted everyone completely and made everyone feel welcome. Come to think of it Inuyasha hadn't seen Kagomae since the night she saved Kikyo. He knew Kagomae's feelings toward the other woman and assumed she was somewhere in the woods sitting alone. "Let her collect herself" he thought. " She'll come around. As for me...I think I've already made my choice.
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Kikyo was helping treating the sick and wounded when Inuyasha found her. He sat in the corner of the healing tent with his arms and legs closed. His sword leaned against his shoulders. He watched her work swiftly and carefully. The people seemed to trust her completely. A smile lit her face as she gave a young girl some herbal soup for her mother. "She really loves doing this." Inuyasha thought. When Kikyo was finished she turned her attention towards Inuyasha. "Inuyasha would you mind assisting me on finding the thing that's killing the livestock? I suspect it hunts at night which would be the best time to track It." she asked, "It's probably just a wolf or something. I don't sense anything." Inuyasha said. "Wolves don't leave the bones and carcass strewn across the land uneaten. Besides it won't hurt to check. Are you coming?" she replied settling herself next to him. "Yeah. I'll be there." Inuyasha promised. He embraced her again. They sat quietly and enjoyed the peace. She looked at him and he was staring right back. He inched closer to her and kissed her lightly.
In came a young woman and child. " Kikyo-sama! Sorry to interrupt but my brother stuck a rock up his nose." She said. Kikyo directed her attention to the boy who was now crying. "Idiot. What the hell were you thinking?" Inuyasha yelled at him. "Inuyasha please. He doesn't know better. Go and hunt. Meet me back here at sunset so we can begin tracking the monster." Kikyo said. Inuyasha left the hut and began walking towards the forest in search of the kitsune and bozu.perhaps even Kagomae too. Kikyo watched him leave and smiled. Then turned herself to the boy. "Okay Ohm-kun let's see what we can do about your nose."
----------------------------------------:------------------ ---------------------------- When Inuyasha arrived at the small clearing he found Shippo and Kirara napping in one corner, Sango cleaning a small blade, and Miroku meditating silently. He noticed the newly made bumps and scratches on Miroku's face and knew that the bozu had been caught trying to spy or feel up on Sango. "Where's Kagomae?" he asked casually. "Switching time?" He heard Miroku say. "Hey you wanna start something, Miroku?" Inuyasha yelled. "No. Not at all." Miroku answered. "Then keep your fucking mouth shut." Inuyasha spat. "She went to go look for you." Sango answered. "Oh...Then she'll soon enough find me. I'm going hunting." He said and left the band.
"You know he has chosen Kikyo. Kagomae will be heartbroken." Miroku told Sango. "It will be hard. But we'll be there to comfort her." Sango replied putting her weapon away. "Hmmm. Yes." Miroku said and smiled. Sango hit him in the head. "Don't try anything just because she's vulnerable." Sango warned. "Why not? Wouldn't that be the best time for her to seek welcome hands?" Miroku inquired. "There's no limit to you." Was all Sango could say that was decent enough for the Kitsune to hear.
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"Inuyasha?" Kagomae called up a tree. It was evening and the sun was setting slowly. It took her a while but Kagome finally found him. She needed to talk to him and needed to know reply. "Could.could we talk?" Kagomae's voice was nervous and unsure but she had to know what was going on. "I'm busy." Inuyasha replied.
"Look, Inuyasha. You've never made excuses or lied to me just to get me to go away,"
"I said I'm busy!"
"But you've been avoiding me for a week now."
"Me avoiding YOU! Don't be stupid."
"It's true. And when we do have a five second conversation it's always about Kikyo."
Inuyasha jumped down from his tree. He began walking towards the village. "I'm going. I promised Kikyo--" "See!" Kagomae interrupted. "Kikyo, Kikyo, Kikyo! That's all it's about now!" Inuyasha turned around. "That's because that's all there is." Kagomae held back a sob. "What about me?" she asked. She was shaky and knew she was going to cry but that wouldn't stop her. "What about you, Kagomae?" Inuyasha asked back. Kagomae turned from on the verge of tears to angry. "You know what, Inuyasha! You can just have her! I don't care! You're just a stupid, insensitive, lazy jerk! And Kikyo's just another pain in my ass if you ask me!" Kagome yelled. She knew she meant nothing of it. She was just trying to relive stress.
"You act like your some hotshot who can hide his feelings when you're the one who's weak."
"Shut up Kagomae."
"Every time she's near you, you go crawling back like a love sick puppy."
"I said shut up!"
"Your so stupid and transparent it's unbelievable. Even when that evil son of a bitch tried to kill you, you just went right back to her! Your life means nothing to her but you wouldn't care as long as she gave you a glance and a smile." Kagomae yelled. She was so buy saying the first things that came to her mind she didn't even notice Inuyasha running up to her. He slapped her so hard that she flung into the nearest tree trunk. Her cheek was starting to swell up and was bleeding from the cut of his claw. "Shut up!" he yelled. " Stupid wench." He said, "I choose her. So get off my back!" He sprinted off towards the village.towards Kikyo. Leaving Kagome on the forest floor crying her broken heart out.
----------------------------------------:------------------------ ---------------------- Kagome walked towards the forest lake. She was glad to see a small fire there. She was also relived to see Sango, Shippo, and Kirara sleeping. She quickly and quietly packed her bag and headed towards the Bone Eater's well. She tripped over something and realized it was Miroku. "What in the seven hells." He mumbled awaking. "Sorry Miroku. I didn't see you there. The fire light made your robes look like a shadow." She explained. "Oh. That's quite alright." Miroku said realizing the situation. He then looked up and noticed her cheek. It was blue and black and puffed up. "Kagome! What happened?" Miroku asked concerned. "I-I tripped over a tree root and landed on my face." Kagome lied. Miroku looked her straight in the eye. "Are you sure that's what happened?" he asked again calmly. Kagome had to look away. "Yes." She said. "I am going home now.okay?" she told Miroku and started walking. "Kagome?" she heard Sango's voice. "Hey.I was just leaving." She said forcing a smile at her friend. Sango still laid down with her eyes closed but was listening. "How did things with you and Inuyasha go?" she asked sleepily. "You were right Sango. It did work out for someone." Kagome replied and started walking until she was sure she was out of earshot. "Just not for me." She added quietly and headed home.
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It had been perfect. He had watched carefully from the very beginning. Using an ofuda of stealth he had watched among the trees. He had seen Kikyo use the Shikon no Tama to give herself a new life. He was angry at first and killed a few livestock to relive stress. Then he remembered how the Shikon was created in the first place. He planned to make a new one. He could obtain a thousand demons and make them merge into one. He had done it plenty of times. Now all he needed was a miko to offer her soul. Since Kikyo was always in the presence of the half demon, he would use the girl. He was present when Inuyasha had struck her. This would only make it easier. Perhaps the hanyo wouldn't even come looking for the girl. He now sent one of his puppets to chase after her. His strength was little. As soon as the girl had reached the clearing of the well he pounced on her and held her to the ground. She tried to scream and resist but she only received the smell and taste of dirt. He picked her up and held a hand over her mouth. Turning her around so that she could see him she let out a muffled scream. He then picked her up and began running dropping her backpack into the well before leaving. She struggled against him in a desperate attempt to get away but he dug his fingers so tightly into the side of her ribs that it penetrated her skin. Making a wound so painful that the girl lost consciousness. "Naraku." she whispered before falling into a drift of painful sleep.
"Watch it bozu!" Inuyasha yelled as he entered the hut. Miroku was swinging his staff around like a maniac. "My apologies, Inuyasha. Just testing my reflexes." He explained. "Can't you do that shit outside?" Inuyasha asked as he sat in a corner. Miroku didn't answer him but he did stop. Shippo jumped on Inuyasha's head." Where's Kagomae?" he asked. Inuyasha picked the kitsune up by the tail and slammed him on the floor. " How the hell am I suppose to know?" he said. "Why don't you just sniff her out?" "I can't pick up her scent!!" " Well don't go crying to me about it! Look for Sango. She'll know." Inuyasha told the fox. " Right!" Shippo said as he headed out. He came back momentarily and threw a stone at Inuyasha's head. " Hey! Get back here you little--" Shippo was gone before Inuyasha could finish. "Pain in the ass." he huffed under his breath. Miroku walked out as well. "Perhaps they are at the lake taking a swim," he pondered aloud. " Hey, Miroku! Get back here hentai!" he called after him.
"What for?" "I'll run you through with Tetsaigua if you dare lay a indecent finger on Ka-" "Tell me Inuyasha...aren't you with Kikyo-sama?" Miroku interrupted. Inuyasha was rendered speechless. "Ah." Miroku said and continued in the direction of the forest lake. Regaining his voice Inuyasha chased after the monk. "What's that supposed to mean?" he yelled. " I'm just saying. Why meddle in my business of women if you have one to be faithful to. Surely you can't have both. Because then who would be the real hentai?" Miroku said quizzically. "Okay now I'm going to kick your ass!" Inuyasha yelled. He leaped at Miroku but the monk easily dodged. "Calm yourself Inuyasha. No need to get mad. Besides Kikyo must be waiting...or are you going to catch up with Kagomae? Choices choices. I told you one before that you can have both. But just make sure neither of them find out or else it's big sit for you." Miroku said. He put his hand to his mouth and tried to hold in a chuckle.
He leaned his staff against his shoulders and started walking. This time Inuyasha didn't follow him. He went the other way in search of Kikyo. He thought about the predicament he was in. On one side was the intelligent and sophisticated Kikyo. She was good in magic and archery. On the other was the warm and kind Kagomae. She was easily scared and weak but trusted everyone completely and made everyone feel welcome. Come to think of it Inuyasha hadn't seen Kagomae since the night she saved Kikyo. He knew Kagomae's feelings toward the other woman and assumed she was somewhere in the woods sitting alone. "Let her collect herself" he thought. " She'll come around. As for me...I think I've already made my choice.
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Kikyo was helping treating the sick and wounded when Inuyasha found her. He sat in the corner of the healing tent with his arms and legs closed. His sword leaned against his shoulders. He watched her work swiftly and carefully. The people seemed to trust her completely. A smile lit her face as she gave a young girl some herbal soup for her mother. "She really loves doing this." Inuyasha thought. When Kikyo was finished she turned her attention towards Inuyasha. "Inuyasha would you mind assisting me on finding the thing that's killing the livestock? I suspect it hunts at night which would be the best time to track It." she asked, "It's probably just a wolf or something. I don't sense anything." Inuyasha said. "Wolves don't leave the bones and carcass strewn across the land uneaten. Besides it won't hurt to check. Are you coming?" she replied settling herself next to him. "Yeah. I'll be there." Inuyasha promised. He embraced her again. They sat quietly and enjoyed the peace. She looked at him and he was staring right back. He inched closer to her and kissed her lightly.
In came a young woman and child. " Kikyo-sama! Sorry to interrupt but my brother stuck a rock up his nose." She said. Kikyo directed her attention to the boy who was now crying. "Idiot. What the hell were you thinking?" Inuyasha yelled at him. "Inuyasha please. He doesn't know better. Go and hunt. Meet me back here at sunset so we can begin tracking the monster." Kikyo said. Inuyasha left the hut and began walking towards the forest in search of the kitsune and bozu.perhaps even Kagomae too. Kikyo watched him leave and smiled. Then turned herself to the boy. "Okay Ohm-kun let's see what we can do about your nose."
----------------------------------------:------------------ ---------------------------- When Inuyasha arrived at the small clearing he found Shippo and Kirara napping in one corner, Sango cleaning a small blade, and Miroku meditating silently. He noticed the newly made bumps and scratches on Miroku's face and knew that the bozu had been caught trying to spy or feel up on Sango. "Where's Kagomae?" he asked casually. "Switching time?" He heard Miroku say. "Hey you wanna start something, Miroku?" Inuyasha yelled. "No. Not at all." Miroku answered. "Then keep your fucking mouth shut." Inuyasha spat. "She went to go look for you." Sango answered. "Oh...Then she'll soon enough find me. I'm going hunting." He said and left the band.
"You know he has chosen Kikyo. Kagomae will be heartbroken." Miroku told Sango. "It will be hard. But we'll be there to comfort her." Sango replied putting her weapon away. "Hmmm. Yes." Miroku said and smiled. Sango hit him in the head. "Don't try anything just because she's vulnerable." Sango warned. "Why not? Wouldn't that be the best time for her to seek welcome hands?" Miroku inquired. "There's no limit to you." Was all Sango could say that was decent enough for the Kitsune to hear.
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"Inuyasha?" Kagomae called up a tree. It was evening and the sun was setting slowly. It took her a while but Kagome finally found him. She needed to talk to him and needed to know reply. "Could.could we talk?" Kagomae's voice was nervous and unsure but she had to know what was going on. "I'm busy." Inuyasha replied.
"Look, Inuyasha. You've never made excuses or lied to me just to get me to go away,"
"I said I'm busy!"
"But you've been avoiding me for a week now."
"Me avoiding YOU! Don't be stupid."
"It's true. And when we do have a five second conversation it's always about Kikyo."
Inuyasha jumped down from his tree. He began walking towards the village. "I'm going. I promised Kikyo--" "See!" Kagomae interrupted. "Kikyo, Kikyo, Kikyo! That's all it's about now!" Inuyasha turned around. "That's because that's all there is." Kagomae held back a sob. "What about me?" she asked. She was shaky and knew she was going to cry but that wouldn't stop her. "What about you, Kagomae?" Inuyasha asked back. Kagomae turned from on the verge of tears to angry. "You know what, Inuyasha! You can just have her! I don't care! You're just a stupid, insensitive, lazy jerk! And Kikyo's just another pain in my ass if you ask me!" Kagome yelled. She knew she meant nothing of it. She was just trying to relive stress.
"You act like your some hotshot who can hide his feelings when you're the one who's weak."
"Shut up Kagomae."
"Every time she's near you, you go crawling back like a love sick puppy."
"I said shut up!"
"Your so stupid and transparent it's unbelievable. Even when that evil son of a bitch tried to kill you, you just went right back to her! Your life means nothing to her but you wouldn't care as long as she gave you a glance and a smile." Kagomae yelled. She was so buy saying the first things that came to her mind she didn't even notice Inuyasha running up to her. He slapped her so hard that she flung into the nearest tree trunk. Her cheek was starting to swell up and was bleeding from the cut of his claw. "Shut up!" he yelled. " Stupid wench." He said, "I choose her. So get off my back!" He sprinted off towards the village.towards Kikyo. Leaving Kagome on the forest floor crying her broken heart out.
----------------------------------------:------------------------ ---------------------- Kagome walked towards the forest lake. She was glad to see a small fire there. She was also relived to see Sango, Shippo, and Kirara sleeping. She quickly and quietly packed her bag and headed towards the Bone Eater's well. She tripped over something and realized it was Miroku. "What in the seven hells." He mumbled awaking. "Sorry Miroku. I didn't see you there. The fire light made your robes look like a shadow." She explained. "Oh. That's quite alright." Miroku said realizing the situation. He then looked up and noticed her cheek. It was blue and black and puffed up. "Kagome! What happened?" Miroku asked concerned. "I-I tripped over a tree root and landed on my face." Kagome lied. Miroku looked her straight in the eye. "Are you sure that's what happened?" he asked again calmly. Kagome had to look away. "Yes." She said. "I am going home now.okay?" she told Miroku and started walking. "Kagome?" she heard Sango's voice. "Hey.I was just leaving." She said forcing a smile at her friend. Sango still laid down with her eyes closed but was listening. "How did things with you and Inuyasha go?" she asked sleepily. "You were right Sango. It did work out for someone." Kagome replied and started walking until she was sure she was out of earshot. "Just not for me." She added quietly and headed home.
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It had been perfect. He had watched carefully from the very beginning. Using an ofuda of stealth he had watched among the trees. He had seen Kikyo use the Shikon no Tama to give herself a new life. He was angry at first and killed a few livestock to relive stress. Then he remembered how the Shikon was created in the first place. He planned to make a new one. He could obtain a thousand demons and make them merge into one. He had done it plenty of times. Now all he needed was a miko to offer her soul. Since Kikyo was always in the presence of the half demon, he would use the girl. He was present when Inuyasha had struck her. This would only make it easier. Perhaps the hanyo wouldn't even come looking for the girl. He now sent one of his puppets to chase after her. His strength was little. As soon as the girl had reached the clearing of the well he pounced on her and held her to the ground. She tried to scream and resist but she only received the smell and taste of dirt. He picked her up and held a hand over her mouth. Turning her around so that she could see him she let out a muffled scream. He then picked her up and began running dropping her backpack into the well before leaving. She struggled against him in a desperate attempt to get away but he dug his fingers so tightly into the side of her ribs that it penetrated her skin. Making a wound so painful that the girl lost consciousness. "Naraku." she whispered before falling into a drift of painful sleep.