Disclaimer: Wahh!!! I don't own Inuyasha and co.!!!!!! I'm so sad!
Author's Note: Here's Chapter 11! Hope ya'll like it! I'd like to thank my reviewers, Anzu-chan and Hanyou Hugger, for their encouragement! Arigatou! Oh, by the way, I have 6 reviews! I'm hoping to reach 10!
The Course of True Love Ne'er Did Run Smooth…
Chapter 11
Dawn came to the western lands, allowing the radiant sun to slowly rise up from its slumber, blushing fiercely and tinting the calm skies with pink and gold. As morning came, rays of sunlight spread out in all directions, spreading over Musashi's Domain and waking up all living creatures. A mischievous sunbeam floated across a certain small cave, where it peeked through a small hole in the roof and danced about, warm, ticklish fingers that brushed across the sound-asleep faces of two people, who were lying side by side on two blue sleeping bags.
During the course of the late night, two shivering humans had unconsciously rolled and twisted about until they lay like spoons, snuggled closely next to each other to retain warmth in the chilly, damp air of the musty cave. A shaft of sunshine now warmed their sleeping figures as they slept, unaware of the arriving morning. Unfortunately for the sleeping souls, the sun was not the only one who caught Kagome and Inuyasha sleeping side by side. Light steps sounded above the cave, and three shadows fell over the earth, blocking out the sun.
"Mmm, Sango, shouldn't we wake them up?" A childish voice inquired softly.
"No, Shippou, I think we should just stay here and see how long these two love-birds are going to cuddle up to each other," an amused masculine voice answered quietly. "What do you say, Sango?"
The woman toward whom the question had been directed answered grumpily, "Humph. We almost kill ourselves trying to get here as quickly as possible, traveling all night, only to arrive to see the two people that were supposed to be in danger sleeping soundly, like babies, in no hurry whatsoever."
"Aww, poor Sango. Are you upset because you missed your beauty sleep? Or jealous because of your lack of a sleeping companion? If that is the case, I shall be happy to provide my services and accompany-"
The speaker's voice was cut off by a loud thump, then a resigned voice saying, "Pervert."
Miroku, for it was this monk who had 'offered himself as a sleeping companion,' rubbed his head and whined, "Oww! Lady Sango, please do not be offended. I was merely hoping to- "
Sango interrupted him with a infuriated look on her face, "Houshi-sama, I don't want to hear your excuses!" Her loud, angry voice had woken up the sleeping couple, who had immediately jumped two feet apart.
"Hey, no fair! Look what you two did! Now they're awake!" Shippou complained petulantly, as he looked down on Inuyasha and Kagome, who were sitting on the ground with dark, red, embarrassed faces.
"Umm, hi guys." Kagome offered up to the angry trio, who stopped their petty argument and looked down through the hole.
"Ah! Kagome-sama! Did you and Inuyasha enjoy your night together?" Miroku asked with an insinuating voice. He was awarded with another thump on the head with Sango's giant boomerang, Hiraikotsu. The demon exterminator rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like 'lecherous priest' under her breath, then smiled happily down at her friend.
"Kagome-chan, we're so glad you're safe! We came here as fast as we could when Shippou told us what happened." She smiled gratefully at the proud fox cub, their previous argument forgotten.
Shippou puffed up his small chest and said proudly, "Yep! I went as fast as I could! I saved you, didn't I, Kagome?" He demanded giddily, whirling about in satisfaction.
"Yes, Shippou, thank you for saving me," Kagome giggled at his antics, and smiled warmly at them all, "So, what are we waiting for, let's get out of here, shall we?" She looked at Inuyasha, who was currently studying his toe as if it were the most important thing on earth. "Hey, Inuyasha, do your shoulders still hurt?" She asked anxiously.
"No," was the half-youkai's abrupt answer. He had changed back from his human form the moment the sun had risen, and so had had ample time to heal with his demon blood. He hesitated, then said gruffly, "Kagome."
She turned and looked at him, questioningly, yet shy, "Yes?"
"It helped. Your massage. T-thank you." The last two syllables were barely audible, even to Shippou's ears, yet Kagome heard what Inuyasha had said. In an instant, her entire face lit up and shone as bright as a lantern.
Her features lightened into a beautiful smile, and she looked at him with glistening blue eyes as she said softly, "You're welcome, my Inuyasha." This time, both she and the boy realized what she had called him, and both were very embarrassed. Inuyasha's body jerked in response, startled, while Kagome's cheeks turned into the color of autumn leaves.
Meanwhile, the three rescuers up on top could not hear a single word of what was said, so Miroku yelled down impatiently, "Are you two done with you're sweet talk? We don't have all day, you know."
Inuyasha pulled away, struggling to regain his composure, while Kagome just turned so her face was hidden and began to pack up her backpack. The dog-demon's face was a mask of disdain as he finally turned around and said, "Feh! So how are you going to get us out of here, monk? I bet you don't even have a plan."
Sango furrowed her eyebrows and remarked, "Well, we discussed it before. We were going to try and see if Houshi-sama could move the rock pile for us. You know, with his Air Rip."
"Why, Sango, if you really want me to, then I will do it. I would do anything for you!" Miroku claimed with an exaggerated bow.
"I want you to shut up." Was Sango's harsh reply.
Kagome finished packing and hefted up her large backpack with an effort. Inuyasha, seizing the chance to show his normal contempt toward her, sneered derisively and snatched the backpack from her without a struggle, saying, "Feh! Weakling human! I'll hold it." And put it on his shoulder.
The miko wondered if she should be grateful for having someone carry the book-bag for her, or angry because he called her weak. She decided on holding her tongue until they got out of the cave.
Miroku instructed the two prisoners to stay flat against the opposite wall, as far away from the entrance as possible, so that they would not be sucked up by his powerful Air Void. Inuyasha took hold of Kagome's arm and pulled her towards the wall, wrapping his strong arms around her to protect her from any flying debris.
"Are you guys all ready?" Sango called out from above.
Kagome and Inuyasha both glanced at each other, then the girl from the future replied tensely, "Yes, we're ready. Miroku, you can start whenever you're ready." They both felt a deep rumble as the rocks that blocked the entrance started to shift and tremble, as if some invisible force were calling on them to move. The massive, gray rocks slowly rolled away from the cave opening, allowing sunshine to enter from the sides as the entire structure was gradually pulled away.
All of a sudden, there was a loud rumble from above, similar to the first time the cave had collapsed, and Kagome and Inuyasha looked up, startled. Because of the movement of the rocks that blocked the entrance, the already strained roof was now threatening to break. The two were in danger of being crushed to death very soon. Kagome shrieked in horror as a flat piece of rock smashed toward her. With almost no time to think nor act, Inuyasha scrambled forward and tried to hold off the rock until Kagome could run to safety. In the dark dusty air of the cave, a dark shadow streaked by and seemed to pick Kagome off the ground and fly up through the opening in the roof, knocking down small stones from the top that clattered to the ground. With a grunt of effort, Inuyasha threw the stone to the side, and followed the shadow, heartsick with worry over Kagome. He landed on the green hill next to the cave and looked around. There at the top of the hill, was a tall figure that held something limp in its arms.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried out, as he leapt up towards the stranger that carried the unconscious girl.
A/N: Yay! It's a cliffhanger! (I'm wicked) *readers kill foureyedbookworm* eep! I'm so sorry for the cliffhanger! J
Another Note: K, now I'm stuck! I'm not sure who the stranger should be! I've had a plea for Sesshoumaru…Anyone else agree or disagree? I don't know who to put in! Will everyone please review and tell me who the mysterious stranger should be? I'll wait until the night of July 28th to count the votes! Please let me know you opinions! Thanks so much!