Between Friends
By Aile Anna
A/N: This is something I have been thinking about for a while. This is an adventure with Inu Yasha and gang. IY/Kag S/M waff to come later. Rated for language. Enjoy, and please review! It encourages more chapters.
Disclaimer: Inu Yasha and tachi belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
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Chapter 1
Angry WordsThe bright sun beat down on the small group of travelers. The air was stifling, no wind blew to cool the day. They were all beginning to feel the effects of too many hours on the road in the sun's glaring rays. No one spoke. They seemed to have all agreed on companionable silence, for the heat of the midday sun was too great for even the smallest of talk. The group of six had left Kaede's village in Musashi's Domain earlier that day. Now they were traveling far toward the north, in search of Naraku and the Shikon no Kakera.
Far in the distant horizon, the dark shadow of the mountains reached skyward, before them stretched fields of tall grass and wildflowers. The dense forest loomed on the outskirts of the wild fields. The road twisted and winded, its rough existence of hard packed earth a stark contrast to the bright green of the surrounding terrain. Even through the waves of heat it was a beautiful sight to behold.
The girl sighed quite audibly. Sweat glistened on her brow and her legs ached from her exertions. Stopping occasionally to catch her breath and take a quick break, she looked in awe at the beauty surrounding her. It was not like this where she came from. This Japan had been gone long before her birth. It still amazed her that she was able to see this old version of her homeland. She loved it in this era, this time of raw nature unmarred by concrete and steel.
The future girl's eyes rested on the young man walking ahead of her. His long white hair swished gently at his waist. Two fuzzy, triangular ears atop his head swiveled back and forth listening to sounds far beyond her human capabilities. A bright red haori was slung over one of his shoulders. He had finally removed the outer garment only a short time ago in defeat of the heat. A giggle almost escaped her as she took in his cocky gait. Immediately an image of him dressed in tight jeans and a t-shirt, leather jacket slung over one shoulder while leaning against a Harley Davidson popped into her mind. The Rebel Without A Cause image did her in, and she suddenly found herself stifling the awkward sound.
Suddenly stopping, he turned to her. His golden eyes glistened as they bore into her. "What's your problem?" He demanded. Sweat had plastered his bangs to his forehead and soaked the edges of his white undershirt. "Well?" He growled.
"I-I…uhm…nothing!" She sputtered. A deep crimson, its heat adding to her discomfort, rose to her cheeks, and she quickly ducked her head so he wouldn't notice it.
He eyed her suspiciously, "Feh! Stupid girl!" Muttering to himself he turned and walked away. What was she laughing at? 'Humans,' he thought! 'The heat must be affecting her brain or something. And what was with her turning all red like that?' Worry began to nag at his mind. What if she was getting sick? It was hotter than usual today, though the only ill effects he felt was a grumpier than usual disposition, not that anyone had noticed. But she was human, and humans were frail compared to his youkai blood. He suddenly whirled around on the girl, his eyes taking in every detail of her. The deep red blush had receded to the pink flush of over exertion, her raven black hair was plastered around her small face. He sniffed at her.
"Whoa! Hey! Just what do you think you're doing, dog boy?" she demanded. Folding her arms across her chest, she leaned back away from his scrutinizing glare. Anger and confusion flashed in the depths of her eyes.
"You smell…" he began to explain but was abruptly cut off by a familiar glint in her eyes.
"I what!" Osuwari!" She yelled at him as she spun away in the opposite direction toward the rest of her companions. She smirked as she heard him slam face down into the dirt, rude expletives pouring from his mouth.
A furry orange-brown blur landed on her shoulder. "What'd he do now, Kagome?" The kitsune asked rolling his eyes. "That baka! He'll never learn!"
"Shut up, brat!" Inu Yasha yelled as he slowly rose to his feet. "What the hell did you do that for, bitch?" The inu hanyou growled, raising a clawed hand to the kitsune. Currently, Shippou was sticking his tongue out at Inu Yasha from the safety of Kagome's shoulder.
"You know, Inu Yasha, it is not polite to tell a pretty lady she smells." Miruko's voice chimed in. The laughter in his violet eyes belied the calm mask of his face.
"Who asked you, bouzu?" Inu Yasha barked, growling low in his chest. The hoshi stood slightly behind the girl, one hand on his staff, the other resting at his side. "And I did NOT say she smelled! Well, I did, but not like that!" He took a defensive stance as the others half surrounded him.
"Hmm…" Sango's voice broke in. "I think we should find some place to rest." A tiny mew from the cat demon by her ankles rose in agreement.
Inu Yasha glared at the group, "Fine. I'm going ahead. Maybe there's a village or stream nearby." With one last angry look at the fox child and Kagome he swung back into his haori and took off racing in a blur of red and white.
Kagome sniffed silently as she felt the sting of tears well up in her eyes. 'I am not going to cry!' She yelled at herself. She was just so angry. Why did he have to be such a jerk? A pair of bright eyes stared into hers, and she jumped. "I'm okay, Shippou-chan." She answered to the worry she saw in the little fox's face. "He can just be such a jerk sometimes." Her words were barely a whisper. Shippou nodded.
"Why don't we sit in the grass, Kagome-chan? We can wait there for Inu Yasha to come back." She laid a hand on her friend's shoulder and gently led her to a spot in the grass where Miroku and Kirara were already resting. Kagome nodded silently as she let her guide the way.
They sat quietly on the carpet of tall, green grass. The two humans and small kitsune watched the play of emotions that crossed Kagome's face. "Why does he have to be so insensitive?" She felt the tears well up again. They vanished when she noticed her friends' intent stares. "I'm fine, really. He just makes me so mad sometimes."
"It would be nice if he found a village," Sango thought aloud trying to change the sullen mood that hung over the group. They all nodded in agreement.
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Inu Yasha stopped his frantic running as the sound of rushing water reached his ears. Changing direction, he took off toward the woods in search of the source. Within minutes he was standing by a slow flowing stream. It wasn't very wide, maybe twenty feet across, but the clear water sparkled in the bright sun. Several small bushes crowded close to the waters edge, perfect for providing privacy to the women.
This thought made him angry and he slammed his fist down leaving a deep imprint in the soft ground. He had only been worried about Kagome. Why did she have to "sit" him? He was only trying to tell her she smelled, what? Like sickness. His nose crinkled at the thought of her smell. Sweet herbs, honey, and her very own special scent mingled with the sourness of sweat and illness.
Staring at the inviting water, he began to disrobe. It was hot. He would take a quick dip to cool off before going back for the others. They were not that far behind, they would be fine for a little while. He had not sensed any other youkai in the area. He let the water surround him like a second skin. The cooling waters cleared his mind. Deeper into the middle of the steam he dunked under, wetting his hair. Rinsing himself of the dirt and grime from the long journey, he headed back to shore. If Kagome was starting to get sick, then he wanted to hurry back to her. 'A bath would definitely make her happy,' he thought. Quickly dressing he headed back toward the others, thoughts of his argument with Kagome and her health warring in his mind.
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Japanese Definations Inu – dog Baka – idiot, stupid Shikon no Kakera – Shikon shardsHaori - a traditional, loose-sleeved coat
Youkai – demon
Hanyou – half demon
Hoshi – low ranking monk
Kitsune – fox
Bouzu – insulting way of saying monk
A/N: This is going to be longer than From the Shadows, and I might end up linking the two. Not sure yet. But I hope you like it so far. And remember to PLEASE REVIEW!!! Hearing from you encourages me to write more sooner!