OH! I just had the GREATEST idea! Once again I've gone back to occasionally listening to "Simple and Clean" (Kingdom Hearts theme) and I've been thinking a lot about how easily it could be fit into the Inu Yasha spectrum. I was thinking, I've never done one before, but in a few chapters I could probably insert that into it (REALLY well I might add), as kind of a song fic, but mostly fic chapter.^_^ I've never tried that before, but do you guys think I should? It would be a MAGOR emotional boost to probably the most emotional scene in the entire fic for those of us who have heard it. I would *REALLY* like some input on this because I wouldn't have much time, maybe only a chapter or two to think about it. Thanks!^_^
Update: Okay, I thought it was such a great idea that I wrote it anyway.^_^ Heh, but I still want to know how many people think I should do it or post it. What's more, I want to know how many people even know the song. I think that's more important.^_~
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters in it. If I did I'd be rich, but I'm not... and if I had lots of money I'd probably spend it on anime anyway so pleeaasseee, don't sue me.^_^ lol
Oh, and as always,
_= thoughts *_* = sound/ italicized "_" = speech
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Memories of the Present
Chapter 15: Nighttime Grievances
Two weeks, TWO WEEKS and still nothing! They had been searching forever and soon Kagome would have another test to go back for. By this time it was late afternoon and all were becoming a bit weary. Of course, Inu Yasha, being a hanyou, was not tired at all and pushed them all onward. Kouga was still traveling with them and had been insisting for he past three days that they were close to this demon, but they were beginning to have their doubts. He had, however, come in handy on occasion. He might find shelter or know of a nearby town, and sometimes he even went hunting for the group. Just his presence kept many lesser demons from bothering them too much, but, wonderful as that was, it was getting a bit old. Miroku and Kagome didn't mind the small vacation in the least, but Sango and Inu Yasha were becoming a bit restless. It wasn't that Sango loved to fight like he did, it was just in her blood. Besides, even Shippou had been on edge, and had every right considering that he was the one Inu Yasha would vent his frustrations on. Of course, every time he hit Shippou he would get sat, and every time he upset Kagome he'd be neck deep in a fight with Kouga. This arrangement he didn't really mind either, but no one else seemed to like it much. Needless to say, they all needed a break.
"Why don't we stop here for the night? There should be a hot spring up ahead and the girls could have a bath while we make camp."
Miroku sets down his staff. "I'm sure the ladies would like to relax after such a day."
"Wow, Sango-chan, are they actually acting like gentlemen?"
"I'm afraid they are Kagome. Quick, lets escape and go look for the real Miroku and Kouga!" Sango replies, playfully poking Miroku on the shoulder.
"Oh, oooh, can I come too?" Both girls turn to the little kit and smile. He's bouncing around excitedly and waving his hands in the air.
They laugh, "Of course Shippou-chan. Can you get the bath stuff for us?"
"Sure!" He rushes off and starts digging hurriedly through Kagome's pack. Before he is even through the first layer he's being dangled in the air, spinning slightly due to the folds in his little blue shirt.
Inu Yasha glares, "Shippou, trying to get out of the work? I thought you were a man."
"Aaeeiii!!! Kagome, Inu Yasha's being mean!"
"Inu Yasha!," The young miko demands, hands on hips and foot tapping, " Would you really make him work when there are three strong men around?! He's just a kid."
"Yeah.," Shippou pouts. He gives his best innocent little kid expression, big watery eyes, fluttering lashes, pouty lip, the works.
Mouths drop, "Strong...
"...men?" Kouga grins.
"Keh."
"I thought as much. Come on Shippou-chan." The three head off in the direction of the spring leaving a blushing monk, a smug wolf demon, and a pouting hanyou.
"What's with women and baths?," Inu Yasha questions, obviously annoyed.
"Aaaahh, Inu Yasha, it is a wonderful thing to watch women take baths. The curves the...ow!"
"Knock it off lech!"
"Ahhh, well..."
Kouga turns to them, "Would you guys hurry it up? I can't do everything now can I?" They turn towards the voice only to see that the campsite has already been prepared. The sleeping bags are out, each customized to their inhibitor, all placed in a circular pattern around the fire. Miroku's is purple, lying beneath a tree at the head of the fire, staff next to it. Sango's, is right next to his, but slightly to the left. Her large boomerang shines from the minimal light put out by the fire, and the rose tinted bag shines lusciously beneath its glow. Kagome's is placed next to Sango's, on the opposite side of the fire than Miroku's. Hers is deep blue and, lying beside it, she has her backpack, quiver, and arrows. The shine from which hurts the poor hanyou's eyes. Lastly, the extra sleeping bag that was brought for Kouga had been placed in a strategic position, that being between Miroku and Kagome. He had nothing next to his; Kagome was all he needed. A small pile of wood is next to the fire pit, and there are already sticks set up for cooking dinner. The fire is already lit and burning steadily, sending a small burst of warm, yellow light throughout the camp site to reflect upon the trees surrounding the small clearing.
"But Kouga-chan, it seems that everything's been done but..."
"Feh, let me guess, food and water."
Kouga laughs, "Yep, get going doggy-boy!"
Inu Yasha gets into a fighting position; bent at the knee, back slightly arched, he snarls and flexes his claws, "Why you...!"
Hoping to break up the fight before he'll have to clean up after it, the houshi interrupts as peacefully as he can. "What will I be doing?" Ahh, being submissive can do a world of good sometimes!
"Huh?" Both youkai turn to look at the monk, "Oh, you'll be guarding the camp."
"If Inu Yasha is doing the food and water, why will I need to guard the camp if you'll be here as well."
"Oh," Kouga says, the grin widening on his face, "I won't be here. I'll be off picking flowers for *MY* woman."
"Hmmm...," the lecher scratches his chin thoughtfully, "women *do* love flowers."
"What?! Why you, she is *NOT* YOUR WOMAN!!!"
"Come on dog-turd, don't want the ladies to starve!" In a flash a whirlwind appears where Kouga was standing; an instant later he's gone, leaving a *VERY* pissed inu youkai behind.
"Stupid wimpy wolf, trying to make me look bad," he mumbles in a tone barely audible to even demon ears.
Miroku shakes his head and sighs, "You had better get going Inu Yasha."
He turns to Miroku, still fuming, "And *what* makes you think I'm going *anywhere*?!"
"Well," he says matter-of-factly, "the girls need to eat, as do we, and it would be a lot faster if you did it. You wouldn't expect the girls to go hunt now would you?"
Grumbling, Inu Yasha snorts at Miroku before wandering off into the forest to find dinner. What's with all of the stinking guilt trips?!
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"Shippou, stop that!," two laughing forms shout into the steamy hot spring. The girls were just getting out of the water when a little tail popped up and splashed them. Shielding their faces with their hands, the girls kick water back at the cub.
"Don't make me come in there!," the younger girl threatens mockingly.
"Yeah Shippou, be careful!" They all laugh a little more and start to pick up their things. Shippou hops from rock to rock, naked as the day he was born, to get changed with the girls. He loved bathing with Kagome and often wondered why only Sango did as well. Surely Inu Yasha would like it if he gave it a chance. And Miroku, well, even Shippou knew better than to put the monk in there to bathe with them. He began to get dressed, Kagome helping him when his head got stuck in his shirt, when a voice calls out to them from the bushes.
"Hey ladies, would you like some help with that?"
"AAHH!!! HENTAI!!!" A scurry of rapidly moving towels and a few lumps later, the figure falls out of the bushes and Inu Yasha comes bounding down the path. Sensing danger, not to mention hearing the screaming girls, he jumps, landing in front of Kagome, and searches quickly for any remaining threats. When his gaze falls downward, he falls over laughing.
"Kouga, you idiot!" Everyone in the vicinity sweatdrops at the hyena on the ground and the unconscious wolf prince. Shippou walks up to the fallen form cautiously, and kicks him gently in the side. Well, he's out.
"Riiightt... Inu Yasha, you mind taking him back to camp while we change?"
Snickering, he stands and then lets out a little chuckle. "For that, yeah, it's worth it." He laughs some more and heads back down the path carrying Kouga like so many rotting potatoes (i.e. with both hands, but as far away from him as he can get). The girls shake their heads and sigh. Everyone helps to clean up and they all head back to camp.
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"What was all the commotion? Where are the girls?"
Inu Yasha walks up and drops Kouga in front of the baffled houshi. "He walked in on them while they were changing." Miroku sends a knowing smirk to the already grinning hanyou. They both start cracking up and continued until the others returned.
"Ughnn... what happened?"
Miroku and Inu Yasha snicker again. Gloating, Inu Yasha stands above Kouga and grins down at him, "You were stupid enough to walk in on them wimpy."
"Yeah, like neither of you have ever done it. *bop, bop* Oowww!!! Kagome!!!"
"Sit" *crash*
"You know Inu Yasha, Shippou has a point." Frowning, Sango picks Shippou up and holds him while Kagome tends to Kouga.
"Kouga-kun, are you okay?" Kagome bends down to check his head. "Sorry about that, but we didn't know it was you and you startled us." Inu Yasha's jaw drops.
The wolf prince smiles sweetly at the young girl and nods, "Sorry about that. I guess I should have said something first."
Sango's frown melts and she smiles back. "Don't worry about it." Hey, at least he can sincerely apologize. "Hey, Kagome, what are those by your sleeping bag?"
"What?," She looks over to the campsite, Wow, they did a good job. Her gaze falls upon the little bundle set up on the foot of her sleeping bag. Inu Yasha watches with green eyes while hers widen and sparkle with life. "Oh, flowers! How sweet!" How he wished he could make her smile like that. She looks to him, the sweetest, most beautiful expression on her face, but all he can do is look away. He hadn't done it.
"I picked them for you while you three were bathing."
"Well," her face drops slightly and she looks towards the wolf prince, " that was very sweet of you Kouga-kun." In response, he grins, completely oblivious of the slight drop in her happiness, and picks her up, setting her down gently on her sleeping bag facing the fire. "Only the best for my woman."
"Um... Kouga-kun," she began nervously, "I'm no…"
"Ahem, dinner's ready!" All eyes turn to Miroku and the meat roasting over the fire. Thankful for the intrusion, everyone goes to sit down except Inu Yasha. Instead, he jumps up into the nearest tree and sulks.
Stupid Kouga, making me look bad! I would've gotten 'sat' into infinity for that, and Miroku would've been castrated! Where does he get off getting out of punishment like that?!
Kagome notices that a certain someone is missing and glances over her shoulder, past the camp to where Inu Yasha is perched. Probably mad that he got sat. Getting up, she turns to the others, "I'll be right back."
Kouga stands up to block her, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go see what is wrong with Inu Yasha," she looks around nervously before picking up a nice, large, succulent lump of flesh and setting it on something, "... and bring him his food." Always with the excuses.
"Don't worry about him; he can take care of himself."
"Still...," she looks up towards the tree, "he needs his dinner." Miroku rises and puts a hand on Kouga's shoulder signaling that he shouldn't stop Kagome again. Kouga huffs softly and goes back to where he was seated. Legs crossed and shoulders slumped, he sits up straight, decision written all over his face. He would stay there and eat his dinner, for now, but he'd still keep an ear on them just in case.
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Stupid Kouga, tying to keep her from getting up and coming over to me. Heh, she got past him. I'll have to thank Miroku for that later; on second thought, maybe I just won't beat on him as hard as I usually do next time he gropes Kagome. Nah, not going to happe...
"Inu Yasha?" Thoughts interrupted for the time being, the hanyou looks down to yell at who ever had the audacity to bother him. However, he wasn't quite ready for the sight that befell him, though there's no real reason why he shouldn't have been. It's not like he didn't expect her to be there, but he didn't expect her to look like, well, *that*.
Kagome sat below him, dinner in hand, not only his, but hers as well. She shifted slightly at the bottom of the tree to look up towards him more easily. Though she couldn't see him very well in the dark, he could certainly see her. She was so beautiful. Though the firelight cast a soft glow over her features, making her appear that much more soft and supple, nothing could compare to the effect the moonlight had upon her. Her freshly washed hair still glistened with water droplets the bath had left behind. He made sure to notice how the shine really complimented her dark tresses and, as she looked upwards, how the moonlight caught her eye at just the right angle. It seemed to shine into the very depths of her soul, making everything and anything visible if one could only look deeply enough. His heart constricted in his chest as the wind picked up, showering both her and the landscape with water droplets and flower petals. She shivered softly and looked up expectantly, waiting, waiting for him, to be with him. She was so beautiful. He wanted to say something meaningful, something that would express how he felt. He had never been good at that kind of thing, but he had to try. He couldn't be afraid forever now could he?
"What do you want?" Yep, that was definitely *not* what he was going for. Ahh well, he'd gotten pretty used to that by now.
"I brought you your dinner."
"Keh, I don't need it. Why don't you just go eat it with Kouga." Um hmm, his stomach wasn't rumbling, nooo....
I am SO going to get sat for that. Well, that moment died pretty quickly.
"OOHHH!!! Fine, be that way! Maybe I will!" And with that, she threw his dinner at him and stormed back over to the campsite to finish hers.
You REALLY need to work on your people skills, his inner voice scolded him.
Yeah, well at least she didn't 'sit' me.
True, but now she's sitting with Kouga instead of you.
Damn. Why do you always have to be right!?
Well, you *say* that you're always right, and I *AM* a part of you.
Yeah, that's true. I'm good. Satisfied with himself, Inu Yasha sets to work eating his, now cold, dinner with a smug grin on his face.
(Sorry, I HAD to make him egotistic there; it was just too easy!!!)