By Aile Anna
Chatper 2! I was hoping to post this sooner, but writers block hit. But, as you can see, I am over it! This is rated R for Ianguage and Miroku's lecherous thoughts! Enjoy, and please review! It encourages more chapters.
Disclaimer: Inu Yasha tachi belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
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Cries in the Night
Kagome drank deeply of her bottled water, but it did not seem to quench her thirst. She was hot, sweaty, and covered in half a days traveling of dirt. She knew she was getting sunburn on her cheeks and nose. She could feel the prickling heat of overexposure tingling unpleasantly at her skin. 'I should remember to bring sunscreen next time,' she thought. It was not something she thought about before, but now, feeling the hot sun beating down relentlessly on them she wished she had. She glanced over at the others. They seemed to fare no better than her, although Sango had her wide brimmed hat to help shield her from the sun's rays. She hoped that baka hanyou would hurry back soon.
As if voicing her thoughts Shippou whined, "Where is Inu Yasha? Shouldn't he be back by now?" The poor kitsune's fur was damp with sweat, his little kimono clinging to his small frame.
"As soon as he finds refuge from the heat, Shippou, he will return." Miroku placed the cap back on his water bottle. Glancing over at Sango and Kagome, worry creased his brow. Both women were extremely flushed. But there seemed to be paleness beneath the young miko's crimson hue. Were they suffering heat sickness? Though the monk had never witnessed it first hand, he had heard of field workers who had dropped where they stood from overexposure to the elements. In some instances where heat was involved the victims had died. This was very unsettling to him.
"What?" Snapped Sango when she noticed the hoshi watching her. "Do I have cabbages growing out of my ears, hoshi-sama?" Kirara mewed at her mistress's curt words and glanced up at Miroku.
"Gomen. I did not mean to stare. But your cheeks, as well as Kagome-sama's, appear to be burned." His words spoke the worry in his furrowed brow.
"I'm fine." She turned away, surprised that the perverted monk would show such concern. Absently she stroked the fur of her fire cat. "Kagome-chan, you do seem very flushed. Are you feeling well?" Sango asked.
"Oh, yeah, just fine." The girl waved her hand absently. 'Like hell I do,' her head was beginning to pound with a headache. 'If I don't get some shade soon I'm going to spontaneously combust,' she thought.
Shippou sniffed at the air, "Finally! Inu Yasha's back." No sooner had the words left him than the hanyou appeared.
"I found a stream in the forest." He announced as he skidded to halt in front of them. Looking down at the still fuming face of Kagome, "Hop on." He crouched low offering her his back.
"Sango, can I ride with you on Kirara?" Kagome looked pleadingly to her friend.
"Uh…uhm, yeah." The taijiya turned to the dog demon shrugging.
"Feh! It's too hot to haul your ass around anyway." Hiding his hurt behind anger. He knew he deserved some of her temper. But if she could stop being so damned stubborn he could explain.
"Kirara." Sango called. Instantly the two-tailed neko transformed to her youkai form. Yellow flames flickered from her feet. She crouched down allowing Sango, Kagome, Shippou, and Miroku to climb onto her back. "Let's go."
Kagome clutched tightly to Kirara's fur as she leaped into the air. The sudden climb in height and quick movement made her head spin. She tightened her grip, causing the giant cat to growl as she looked over at her passengers. The girl's stomach lurched and she had to swallow hard, taking deep breaths to fight her sudden nausea.
"Kagome-sama!" Miroku grabbed hold of her shoulders as she suddenly slumped over, loosening her hold. He pulled her into him, wrapping an arm around her waist to secure her against him.
"Kagome?" Placing a small hand on the girl's cheek, "What's wrong with her, Miroku?" Tears welled up in Shippou's large eyes.
"I believe she is suffering from heat sickness. She will be better when we reach the stream Inu Yasha found." He prayed he was right. The kitsune did not miss the worried frown on the hoshi's face.
They landed in a small clearing in the forest. A stream cut through the thick canopy and wild field. "What the hell are you doing, Miroku?" Inu Yasha growled his eyes taking in Kagome snuggled against Miroku's chest. "Huh?" His eyes widened when she once again slumped over. "What happened?" He growled, carefully lifting Kagome from Miroku, cradling her limp body against his.
"Miroku says it's heat sickness." Shippou jumped to perch onto Inu Yasha's shoulder.
"Guys, I think I we should lay her down under a tree." Sango slid from Kirara's back, concern for her friend etched in her face.
"What's heat sickness?" Inu Yasha asked laying Kagome down under the shade of a large tree. He placed a hand on her forehead, frowning at the heat radiating into his palm and fingers.
"Just as it sounds. She was exposed to the sun too much. I have heard of it, but this is the first time I have seen it. We must keep Kagome-sama cool and force her to drink plenty of water. That's all I know what to do. We can't move on until it has passed."
"Why?" Fear welled up inside him. Kagome's usually rosy glow was deep red. Goosebumps covered her arms and legs where the sunburn shined a deep pink. The skin across her cheeks was pulled tight and looked dry, dead.
Swallowing audibly, Miroku turned to the hanyou, side glancing at Shippou. "It's just better that we don't." He didn't want to upset the little fox anymore than he already was. Inu Yasha nodded in understanding.
"Shippou, go fill up the water bottles." Inu Yasha ordered. One clawed hand reached out to gently push the loose strands of hair off Kagome's face. He knew she was getting sick. He should have insisted on her riding on his back. Guilt and helplessness ate at him. He had sworn to protect her. Not just against demons but against anything that threatened to harm her. But he couldn't protect her against something like this.
Shippou returned with five filled water bottles. Taking one from him, Inu Yasha soaked a piece of cloth Sango had found in Kagome's oversized bag and began lightly dabbing it across Kagome's face. She began to stir, reaching a hand up to cradle her head. A corner of his mouth turned up and he sighed in relief.
"My head." She moaned. Her eyes fluttered open. "Feels like I've been hit with a sledge hammer."
"Sledge hammer?" He raised a quizzical eyebrow as he slid his arm around her shoulders and held the water bottle to her lips, "Miroku will get you some of your aspirin. But first, drink this."
She drank greedily of the liquid, letting it cool the heat in her dry mouth. "Arigato." Kagome said taking the aspirin Miroku was now holding out to her. She turned her head to look at the worried faces watching her and gasped as pain shot through her head.
"Don't move, baka!" Barked Inu Yasha as he tried to force more water down the girl. Some of the liquid trickled down the side of her mouth soaking the sleeve of his haori. He pulled her up gently, helping her into a sitting position, his arm remaining protectively around her slender form.
A mischievous smile spread across Miroku's face as he observed the hanyou tending to his young female companion. Inu Yasha didn't like the way the hoshi was smirking. Only something perverted caused that particular gleam in the monk's eyes. "What are you smirking at, bouzu?" He ground out through clenched teeth.
Sango glared him, "I'm taking a bath. Kagome-chan do you feel well enough to join me?" Side glancing at the monk who still stood smiling.
"She's staying here!" Snapped Inu Yasha.
"She should wait, Sango-sama. Kagome-sama needs rest." His smile suddenly widened as he added, "but I would be more than happy to accompany you." His uncursed hand reached up to the taijiya's backside.
"Hentai!" Before the hoshi could blink her hand came hard across his face. She spun away, mumbling something about lecherous monks and the seven hells.
Miroku gently rubbed his right cheek, "She's getting quicker." He chuckled lightly as he watched Sango's retreat.
Kagome closed her eyes. Her head was still pounding and Sango's outburst had not helped it any. A blush spread across her cheeks as she suddenly realized the hanyou's arm was wrapped around her shoulders. 'I wonder if he even knows he's still holding me.' She thought, enjoying the contact. She wanted to look at him, to see his beautiful eyes with their golden depths, but the pain in her head restricted her movements. Instead she shifted her weight, leaning closer to Inu Yasha. Sighing she let sleep claim her.
Carefully Inu Yasha settled into a more comfortable sitting position, pulling the now sleeping girl against him. Although her skin was quite warm, Kagome shivered lightly. He wrapped his arms around her, the oversized sleeves of his haori covering her like a small blanket. A blush spread across his cheeks as she shifted, nestling closer into his embrace. His gaze rested on her face, his ears listening to her even breathing. It was a good sign that her breath was not ragged and he relaxed more.
Miroku, not one for looking a gift horse in the mouth, took this opportunity to sneak off for a peak at the bathing demon huntress. With Inu Yasha focused on Kagome and Shippou now curled up beside her sleeping, they would not notice his absence.
"Oi! Where do you think you're going, bouzu?" Inu Yasha growled low so as not to wake Kagome.
'Damn!' Miroku's mind worked quickly, "To gather firewood. Since we will have to stay here for the night until Kagome-sama is well enough to travel again, I thought it best." He said over his shoulder as he continued toward the woods and the place he heard Sango's splashing about in the water. 'That should convince him,' he thought, congratulating himself on his quick thinking.
"Shippou!" Inu Yasha unwrapped an arm from Kagome to nudge the fox child. "Wake up!"
"Huh? Whaaa! Is Kagome alright?" The kitsune sputtered rubbing sleep from his eyes with his tiny hands.
Ignoring his question, "Go with Miroku and make sure he stays away from Sango." Shippou looked over at the monk, nodded to the dog demon, and scampered off to follow behind a now disappointed Miroku.
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Sango sat next to Kagome's slumbering form. She had been sleeping when the taijiya returned from her nearly uneventful bath. No longer leaning against the hanyou, she lay snuggled inside her sleeping bag. Inu Yasha and Shippou sat across from the sleeping girl, a low fire burning between them. Occasionally Inu Yasha would glance up from his cup of Ramen to look at Kagome. Miroku sat at a distance from the others fingering a small lump on the side of his head as he ate. An angry scowl marred her features as she glared at the lecherous monk. 'That hentai hoshi! One of these days…' Her thoughts were broken by a low murmuring beside her.
"Kagome-chan?" Sango spoke low.
Kagome heard the familiar voice of the demon hunter. She reached a hand up to feel her head. The pain was gone and she didn't feel nearly as parched as she had earlier. Her skin felt prickly and the weight of her sleeping bag hurt her now oversensitive skin. She mentally shook the fog from her mind as she tried to clear her thoughts. How long had she been asleep? The last coherent memory was of Inu Yasha waking her up and forcing her to drink more water. He had been holding her, and she suddenly realized the absence of his presence. She missed his arms wrapped securely around her, the weight of his head resting on hers. Something else was weighing on her. She groaned as she felt a pressure, trying to grasp what it was. Her eyes fluttered open as she finally recognized the uncomfortable feeling.
Sitting up, Kagome found five sets of eyes staring at her. "Kagome-sama, are you feeling better?" Miroku asked.
Looking over everyone, her gaze rested on the amber-gold cat like eyes of the hanyou. Their eyes locked briefly before both quickly turned away. A blush spread across his face and Inu Yasha lowered his head, his shaggy bangs covering his now crimson cheeks.
"Hai, Miroku-sama." Kagome smiled as she rose to her feet. The sudden urge to relieve herself and bath overwhelmed her. 'My bladder feels like I drank the whole of the Tama River!' Embarrassment deepened her already flushed cheeks as she realized her friends were still staring at her. "I'm fine, really I am." Turning her gaze, she spotted her backpack beside Inu Yasha.
"Where do you think you're going?" He barked out as she took a step toward the bag.
Kagome rolled her eyes, sighing quite audibly as she replied, "I'm going to bathe, Inu Yasha. I feel all dirty and sticky, and I-I…" her mind blanked out as she once again turned a brilliant shade of pink at the thought to take care of her personal needs.
The half demon looked over to the monk, raising his dark eyebrows as if asking permission for the miko to leave. "It is a good sign, Kagome-sama." A mischievous glint entered his eye, "Would you like for me to escort you to the stream? I myself have not yet bathed."
With a flash of red and a deep throated growl Inu Yasha reached out bopping the hoshi on his head, adding yet another lump to his already battered cranium. "Stay away from her, pervert!" His golden eyes darkened as he shot Miroku a look that would make any normal man run in fear.
Kagome moved closer to retrieve her pack when her sluggish feet caught on the edge of her sleeping bag. A small cry escaped her as she felt herself falling forward, but before she could hit the ground two strong, lean arms caught her. "Baka!" Inu Yasha snorted. "I'll take you."
Kagome stared at him, "You'll what?" Anger flared in her hazel eyes. "And you call Miroku-sama a pervert!" The half demon cringed at the familiar glint in her eyes, his ears pinned flat against his skull. "Osu…" She began to yell.
He suddenly tightened his grip on her, smiling triumphantly. "Say it and I take you with me, wench!"
She gasped, "I can take care of myself, Inu Yasha!" Reaching a hand down to disentangle his arms from her waist.
"Feh! More than likely you'd get yourself eaten by some youkai or drown!" He retorted. Sensing her anger flaring more, "Shut up, will you!" He scooped her into his arms, snatched up the yellow backpack and raced off toward the stream, her protests screeching in his ears the whole way.
Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara all watched as the two disappeared from view in a streak of red and white and a stream of curses.
Turning back to the others Sango asked, "More Ramen?"
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He dropped her on the ground by the copse of bushes lining the water's edge. "Shut up already! My fucking ears can't take anymore!"
Kagome landed with a small thud on her bottom. "Why, Inu Yasha?" Tears once again began to well up in her eyes.
"Huh?" He shot her a suspicious look. "Why what?"
"Why were you so mean to me? You didn't have to say I-I smelled…" her words were cut off by a small sob.
"Don't you start crying, stupid girl!" His eyes grew wide as the unbidden tears began to streak down her sunburned cheeks. 'Damn! I can't believe she's crying. I hate it when she does that!' Crouching down in front of her he reached out a clawed hand, gently wiping away her tears. "Kagome," His voice was low. When she wouldn't meet his gaze, he moved his hand under her chin turning her face to his. "I was trying to tell you that I could smell you getting sick. It wasn't meant to be an insult."
Her eyes widened as his words registered in her mind. "You were worried about me?" Her skeptical words cut into his heart.
"Of course I was worried about you! You know…Feh! Go bathe." He spun away, leaping off into the branches of a nearby tree, his back leaning again the thick trunk as he stared off into the darkening forest.
"Arigato, Inu Yasha." She whispered, a small smile curving her lips.
His ears twitched, barely catching her soft words.
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The hanyou stared down at his sleeping companions from his perch in the tree. His ears twitched as he caught the slow even breathing of Kagome. Gazing down at her, he sighed, relief washing over him at her peaceful face. Even with the sunburn she was beautiful. Resting his head against the smooth bark of the tree, he closed his eyes. Sleep had eluded this night. Whether it was from worry over her, his Kagome or something else Inu Yasha did not know. Again he sniffed the air, his keen sense of smell picking up the scents of the flowing water, the earthy forest, and Kagome. Her scent was more pleasant now. No longer did it sour from sweat and sickness, but it had changed. He could smell the slightly burned flesh on her cheeks, arms, and legs. It was not an overpowering odor. He could still smell her own sweetness that he loved so much.
The waning moon hung low in the sky, the stars twinkled dully in slivered moons light. Wispy veils of gray clouds skimmed on the gentle breeze, casting shadows over the celestial bodies above. Again he sniffed, but this time he did not find the sweet aroma of Kagome's scent, nor the scents of the others he traveled with. A faint coppery odor that filled his mouth with a metallic taste tainted the air. His ears swiveled, straining to catch the barely audible cries carried on wind. Inu Yasha leaped to his feet, one clawed hand resting nervously on the Tetsusaiga at his waist. A harsh growl that rumbled deep in his throat escaped him as he recognized the distant tortured screams of humans and the smell of blood.
"Get up!" He yelled to the others, "There's trouble."
A/N: OH!!! A cliffhanger! My very first one!!!! And you thought this chapter would NEVER end!!!! Hope you liked it, and please review!!!! It will encourage the next chapter!