Well, it's that time again. I have a new Chapter in the Surviving a City Saga, muhahaha. I'm really happy that I kicked that wicked writer's block that I had, so now I'm really getting into this story. But I'll skip the talkie and go to the meat, haha!
Disclaimer: Don't own it, not no way, not no how, but I plan to steal it in the near future!
Chapter 4:
What's a Guy to do?
I don't care who you are, demon, human, or half-breed, there is nothing better then waking up in the morning to the smell of food. Especially when you have a sensitive nose like mine. Heaven! Heaven I tell you! The scent of meat wafted to me from a dream and my mouth watered. When I sat up, I feared the smell was all from my brain, but then I smelled it still.
Kagome was in the kitchen making us a banner breakfast. She looked rather chipper that morning, hair wet and held up from a shower and wearing different clothes. My guess would be that Sango lent her some from that bag she had with her the night before. Speaking of Sango, she immerged from the bathroom behind me and scampered into the kitchen.
"Kagome, you are a goddess!" she squeaked happily, hopping around and eyeing the food. I mentally agreed, getting up and walking over.
"Good morning Inuyasha," Kagome said with a smile. "I virtually cleaned out your kitchen, so we'll have to go food shopping today. But I thought it was worth it. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
"Yeah, uh-huh," I wasn't paying attention, drooling at the food in front of me. I think she knew I wasn't paying attention. Sango had the same idea as me as we slinked towards the unprotected sustenance. Kagome only laughed, grabbing a piece of toast before allowing us to attack the rest. Sango and I dug in with our hands, savagely fighting over every crumb. I can honestly say that it was the best meal I had ever eaten.
During this time of food warfare, there was a knock on the door and Kagome went to answer it. "Good morning Miroku!" I heard her chirp as she let him in. "You're welcome to food, if Inuyasha has left any." There was amusement in her voice and I turned just long enough to wave a hand at Miroku before stuffing my face some more. My partner came over, beating away my hand for some toast, but froze when he noticed the unknown female located next to me, eating just as quickly.
"And who might this be?" he mused aloud, looking her over. Sango looked up at him from her plate, mouth full, and gave him a glare. I almost choked on my toast when Miroku's eyes lit up like he had just got fifty bucks. Oh boy, this wasn't good.
"This is Sango," Kagome told Miroku, eyeing him apprehensively. It seems she had the smae thoughts I did. "She's my best friend. Sango was looking for me when Kaede told her I'd be here with Inuyasha."
"Is that so?" he said absently, looking from one girl to the other. The smug look on his face told me he thought he was in heaven. The way to my heart is food, the way to Miroku's is to simply be of the opposite gender. I sighed and shook my head.
"Sango," Kagome said, turning to her friend. "This is Miroku, Inuyasha's friend. He also helped save me from Naraku's men yesterday." My ears twitched at this. So it was Naraku who was after her? She knew it was the Golem gang on her tail? I held my tongue however, when Sango swallowed and got to her feet. She bowed in front of Miroku.
"I thank you for helping to save Kagome," she said very regally, but there was something in her eyes that told me she knew very well what Miroku was and was not.
"I'm always out to help a lady in trouble," he said with a smirk. Then it happened, Miroku's super-ultra-lecher-move. Simply, he grabbed her ass before she could do anything about it. I shook my head and looked up at Kagome, she had a horrified look on her face.
"That was not a very good idea Miroku," she said, but the damage was done. Sango's eyes flashed red as she grabbed a frying pan off the stove and belted Miroku across the face.
"AHHH!" Miroku cried, landing about eight feet away, in the middle of my living room. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically at this. He deserved worse, and Sango was ready to pummel him some more, but Kagome stopped her.
"That's enough Sango. I think you gave him enough brain damage for one day!" Kagome pried the frying pan out of Sango's hand and sat her down at the table again, but I think she had lost her appetite. Miroku didn't move for a few minutes. Either he was really unconscious, which I doubted, or he was just laying like a slug until he was sure Sango wasn't coming back to finish him off, which was what he probably did. Miroku can really act like a pussy sometimes. He should be able to take the beatings from the girls he feels up.
Kagome went over to Miroku and helped him to sit on my bed, examining the large bruise on the side of his face. "Wow, she got you good!" Miroku smiled, though I know it had to hurt with a bruise like that!
"It was worth it." Sango snorted, but I saw a faint blush on her face. I raised an eyebrow and she just looked away.
"Well, nothing bleeding or broken. You got away lucky! Last guy who pulled that on Sango was in the hospital for two weeks!" Kagome beamed a smile at him before heading back to the kitchen to clean up. Sango helped her. I went over to Miroku, pointing and laughing.
"Oh man, you should have seen your face when she cracked you with the pan!" I went into another fit of laughter. "You looked like one of those chibi things on a Saturday morning cartoon!" I couldn't help it, I physically cackled! Yeah, I've seen women go off the deep end with Miroku, slapping him around and all, but nothing like what these two girls did. Maybe the inner city was a tougher neighborhood then I thought. That drew my thoughts back to what Kagome had said about Naraku and my laughter stopped.
Kagome was still in the kitchen, talking with Sango about girl stuff I guess. I really didn't want to interrupt them, but I was worried and curious. The Golems were not demons who just let things lie. You'd have to do something pretty big to get the whole gang on your tail, or to get the attention of Naraku. He obviously wanted Kagome back, badly. The scene at Kaede's came back to my mind. They had a picture of Kagome, saying she was their boss's sister and everything. What was really going on here?
"Ah, Kagome?" I said, coming up behind the two girls. She looked up at me, half smiling in expectance. Sango looked up too, but her eyes slid over to where Miroku was still sitting, leaning back smugly. She growled and turned back. "Could I talk to you?" I asked Kagome, rubbing the back of my head.
"Sure! Now that breakfast is gone I was gonna go out to get more food. We can talk on the way." Her logic was simple.
"This meal was on you," Sango said, reaching into her pocket and retrieving a small wallet. "We'll pay for the next ones, in thanks for letting us stay here and all."
"You don't have to..." I trailed off because the fact was, I hadn't been out pocketing in two days. The money I had would be gone soon, so I'd let them treat for now. I mean, my life was probably now being risked, there's nothing wrong with letting girls spring for groceries.
"We want to," Sango said with a smile. From what I read about her, I could see she was very protective over Kagome, like an older sister. She also looked like a fighter, with a slightly colder presence then the soft and warm vibe that Kagome gave off. Not that Sango wasn't friendly, she was just more reserved. I could respect her from the moment she shook my hand.
"Ok then," Kagome said happily, tossing a dish towel into the sink. "Let's be off." She walked to the door, grabbing her discarded jacket from the ground next to the nest she had slept in with Sango. Then she looked to Miroku. "Are you coming?" Sango froze making a few sputtering sounds as she went over to Kagome with a very unhappy expression. "Oh Sango, relax. If he hasn't learned his lessen already, you can always pummel him again." The other girl relaxed, but only slightly. Miroku got to his feet and followed me as the four of us left for the streets of the city.
It was busy this morning. Everyone running this way and that way. We stopped in a few places, Kagome and Sango browsing over the food and picking out only what looked the best to them. My mouth watered at the sight of all the Ramen Kagome bought, flashing me a huge grin. Sango groaned, saying something about how not everyone loves Ramen as much as she does. I openly gaped at her, muttering something about how Ramen is the epitome of all things good. Sango gaped back, then smiled at Kagome saying how I was her Ramen soul-mate.
For a while, I forgot that I had wanted to talk to Kagome about anything. I was too busy watching her. She was absolutely a sight to behold, flashing a pretty smile at everyone she spoke to. It was like anyone who laid eyes on her was totally smitten. Some of the hardest shop clerks I had ever seen, demons no less, went all gooey on her, offering the finest stuff for half the price. Sango watched with a knowing smile on her face. She stood next to me at just such an occasion.
"She's still got it," she commented idly.
"What's that?" I asked. Miroku was off talking to some girl behind a register and she looked two seconds away from flashing him with the price scanner.
"Kagome has always been like that." She seemed to think for a moment, coming up with the words. "She can charm people, but not in a con-like way, like that guy," she waved a hand at Miroku and rolled her eyes. "She's got such a pure heart, everyone seems to be in a rush to be near her. It's been that way since we were small."
I could see what she meant. It was like Kagome could calm the soul of anyone with a look and a smile. I got this weird, flighty feeling in my stomach, but shook it off with a thought of something at breakfast. "You've known her a long time then?" I asked.
"Yes, since we were about five I think." Sango paused a second before continuing her story. "Our families have been friends for quite a few years, before we were even born. It's tied into who she is, and the thing she protects." Sango stopped, like she had said too much, but I ushered her on. "Well, when Kagome and her brother, Souta, were sent away for schooling, my family sent me and my brother Kohaku as well. Kagome and I have been together for many years. When he parents died and she had to come home, I came home as well."
"So you're kind of like her body guard?" I mused aloud, looking from Kagome back to Sango.
"You could say that. Kagome's family are mystics, the ones with power. I'm sure she's told you." I nodded in agreement. Now it was getting interesting. "Her family are the ones bound to protect the scared jewel. My family are the ones bound to protect the guardians of the jewel. I am her body guard in a devine right, but basically I'm just her friend. I protect her when I can. But I failed when her shrine was attacked three days ago." Sango sighed. I would have tried to cheer her up, but the wheels in my head were turning. She had said jewel didn't she? Kagome said she protected a scared object, but she didn't say what it was. Suddenly, my eyes widened, and I realized why a demon gang was after her.
"She doesn't protect THAT jewel, does she?" I blurted at Sango. She looked highly upset.
"What jewel?" Miroku asked, striding over. There was a red hand-print on his face and he look very pleased with himself.
"Nothing," Sango said quickly, backing away. "I shouldn't have said anything." She quickly ran over to Kagome's side and whispered to her. I perked my ears, trying to hear.
"--Shikon Jewel. I'm so sorry Kagome, it just slipped out!"
"It's alright, I was going to tell him anyway." This made me feel somewhat warm and fuzzy inside, not that I would ever admit it.
"But what would you grandfather say?" Sango said, still not happy.
"Grandpa can't protect me here Sango. We have to trust them, there's no other choice. They saved my life, twice! I think we can trust them with that much."
Sango sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know. Not everyone in this city can be trusted, especially a half-demon and a lecher." I was miffed with this statement. But it was old prejudice. Being a half-demon just made you more susceptible to insults and blame.
"Sango," Kagome said in a soft voice. "You shouldn't talk about them like that. Especially since Inuyasha can hear everything we're saying." I froze. She was looking at me, giving a little wave from across the store. I waved back, blushing dully. They came back over, Sango looking apologetic and Kagome looking calm. She took my arm and led me from the store. "We should talk now." I only nodded, still kind of surprised.
Sango and Miroku walked behind us, arguing all the way. Sometimes it was a low conversation, other times it was Sango yelling and chasing him around the street with a large and threatening object. They were oblivious to us as Kagome and I walked at a slow pace.
"Like I told you before, I am the guardian of a scared object," she began with a whimsical sigh, her hand at her neck. "This object is known as the Shikon Jewel. I'm sure you've heard of it."
"Who hasn't?" I said off handedly. It was really hard to believe that this pretty little thing was supposed to be the guardian of the most sought after artifact in the entire city. Every demon knew of the Shikon jewel, and every one of them wanted the jewel for themselves. It was said that the humans who protected the jewel were the strongest in all of the city, and could smite a demon in the blink of an eye. "Everyone knows about the Shikon Jewel. Able to grant any demon unbeatable strength and grant a human their heart's greatest wish. For a half-demon it could mean becoming a human or becoming a full demon."
Kagome nodded. "Yes. My family has guarded the jewel for many generations. Sango's family have guarded us for just as long." We both looked at her 'guardian' as she grabbed Miroku by the back of his shirt and began beating him over the head with a long stick of hard bread. The baker from whom Sango had stolen the bread began chasing after them. I shook my head and looked back at Kagome. She smiled at the scene, then looked back at me and continued with her story. "Like I told you, my parents were killed two years ago and I was brought home to the city by my grandfather. He owns and cares for the shrine where the jewel is supposed to be housed. Being the oldest in my family, Grandpa started my training to be the Shikon's guardian immediately."
"Training? You mean like learning to fight and stuff?" I asked, curious.
"Well, not really. Grandpa is a mystical man, not a warrior. It's Sango who taught me basic self-defense." She sighed a little. "I'm not very good at either, as you've seen. Sango can fight and take care of herself. All I ever seem to do is screw up." I felt bad for her. She seemed to lost here in this place, too good-hearted for the rough and tumble life of a street urchin. I was tempted to put an arm around, but I thought better off it. "Sorry, didn't mean to go on that little self-pity trip. I was talking about training, yes."
She wrapped her jacket tighter around, as if warding off cold, looking forward as she walked. "Grandpa taught me spiritual things. Each member of my family has a certain weapon, a symbol of their power. This weapon best conveys their power. Mine is the bow and arrow. With that weapon, my power as the Shikon Guard is at its height and I could defeat any demon that attempts to steal it. My powers need something on which to focus their energy, the arrows I shoot. But without my bow, I'm a very poor guardian indeed." She sighed again, looking up at me with an ironic smile. She looked really sad in her eyes, really sad. "Last year, Grampa did this whole ritual thing, making me the 'official' Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. That's when everything started to go wrong."
"How so?" I asked. I was genuinely curious about all of this. I had the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel and her body guard staying at my apartment! I couldn't say if I had the best or worst luck in the world. Probably a little of both cuz I'm just that well-rounded.
"Well, that's when The Golems started coming to the shrine. One of them especially. A demon named Naraku." I felt a cold streak of fear in me. Naraku was the most evil, and powerful demon in this entire city. Nothing happened without him knowing about it. If Kagome was being hunted by him, she was in some pretty deep shit. And I was getting dragged right into it as well.
"So Naraku was after the Jewel," I said out loud.
"Yeah, but he wasn't out for it directly. He came to the shrine to learn its history and power. Grandpa didn't like him there, but the shrine is for people and demons to come and pay their respects for the fallen. The jewel is part of that so he couldn't throw Naraku out without good reason. Naraku was an upstanding citizen, even though everyone knew his shady practices. There was really no way to make him leave." She began to shiver slightly. "That's when he started coming for me." I perked at this, looking at her questioningly. "He became interested in me, the new Guardian of the Shikon Jewel."
"But it was more then just innocent curiosity," Sango said from behind us, making me jump. Miroku followed after her, starry eyed in a lovesick way. At first I thought it was from the intense beating that Sango gave him, but then I noticed it was more of a mushy way and rolled my eyes. "He was practically stalking her!" Sango walked close to Kagome, lending some warmth and a concerned smile.
"What do you mean by stalking?" Miroku asked, pushing he way in between me and Kagome. I growled at him, grinning in a way that made my fangs very clear. He gave me an 'eh-he' laugh and backed up a little.
"He or one of his minions would always be following her around. And whenever Naraku was at the shrine, he wouldn't leave Kagome alone. She was polite, as always, but he was persistent until she took to hiding in the house. Even when I was there, he was shamless about what he wanted from her." Kagome blushed a dull red, looking at the sidewalk under her feet. Sango looked unabashedly angry. "It wasn't even in a flirty way like with Miroku, it was a total demand for sex. He'd say little things and try to touch her all the time." I felt my hackles rise. That was not a way anyone should treat a girl, especially a girl like Kagome.
"That's horrible!" Miroku said. At that, Kagome smiled and then started to laugh. I relaxed a little now that she didn't look so humiliated.
"Coming from you Miroku, that makes me feel better." He beamed.
"Always here to help." I was surprised that he didn't try to grab her this time. So was she, but she smiled and looked at Sango. Sango looked at me. I looked at Miroku. He shrugged and we all started walking again.
"So, what happened?" I asked, wanting to know what made her run away.
"Well, one afternoon about a month ago, Grandpa and Souta went out shopping. I stayed home to look after the shrine and to wait for Sango and Kohaku, who were coming for dinner."
"We were finishing up some last minute chores at our home before heading over," Sango explained. "Or we would have been there sooner." Something darkened her eyes. "We should have been there sooner." Kagome placed a hand on her arm.
"Sango," the simple act of Kagome saying her name made the other girl look up and take a deep breath. I could see tears shining in her eyes as she looked away from all of us. Kagome sighed and looked away as well. "I was alone in the shrine when Naraku and two other of his demons came. I had been in the Jewel House, a small building in the center of the grounds that housed the Jewel with pure mystical energy. Only the Guardian can enter the house, but anyone can look inside it to see the Jewel. When I was finished with my duties, I headed back to the house. Naraku stopped me in the open yard."
Miroku and I both tensed. The girls sensed this and they moved closer to us, trying to dispel tension. Sango was rewarded for this gesture by being groped. Miroku was rewarded for groping with a swift fist to the jaw. Kagome continued once they were done.
"He knew I was alone. I tried to get away and all, using a few tricks Sango taught me. But that only pissed him off. He roughed me up pretty good," her tone was casual but I could see the shadows in her dark eyes. I took her hand in mine, knowing at least a little contact would help. She smiled up at me and squeezed my hand, but then she darkened and looked away from me, to sometime before I existed. "I think he would have raped me, he tried at least."
"That's when Kohaku and I got there," Sango cut in, wrapping her arms around Kagome to ward off evil memories. "We chased off Naraku's two henchmen, but he was harder. My brother had his arm broken for interfering. He was like an animal, totally feral that we interrupted him. I was...the most frightened I have ever been, seeing Kagome like that." A few tears fell from Sango's eyes, but Kagome refused to cry, comforting her friend instead.
"Sango and Kohaku distracted him long enough for me to get to the Jewel House. That's where I keep my bow. I fired a shot. It went wide, but I think Naraku knew what would happen if I were to hit him for real. He took off then and I didn't hear from him until three days ago, when he and his gang attacked our shrine."
"I was a setup," Sango said with venom in her tone. "Half the gang attacked another location to draw the Wolf Pack and my family away from the shrine while Naraku and a group of his best demons went for Kagome and the Jewel."
"The Wolf Pack?" I asked. I had heard the name before. It was an inner city gang, one that rivaled the Golems. There territory was no where near as vast, but it was a small circle that kept everyone else out.
"Yeah," Kagome said, a smile on her face again. "They're a Pure gang of Wolf Demons, but they act like Mixers. They protect all the humans and demons who live in their territory as if we were their own. The Wolf territory is one of the safest places in the city, but I just couldn't ask them to risk more lives for me alone."
It was actually frustrating looking at this girl. She'd let no one help her under the impression that her life was not worth help. It was getting on my nerves. "You know, people will protect you whether you want them to or not," I said with a tone that dared an argument. She didn't take the dare.
"He's right you know," Sango agreed. "I'm here, and your grandfather and Souta would protect you with their last breath. And you know Kouga would if you'd let him."
"Kouga?" I asked Sango, blinking in a confused way.
"He's the new leader of the Wolf Pack," she explained. "He's got a thing for Kagome, even though they're just friends." I bristled a little bit, but forced myself to be calm. What should I care if some wolf liked Kagome?
"You know," I said off-handedly, as if it was no big deal. I am such a sucker... "I'm kinda already involved with all of this stuff. I did beat the hell outta six Golems and liberate you twice. I'm not gonna just walk away now that I'm in this deep." She looked at me with such gratefulness that I had to salvage my pride with a quick witted response. But I have no quick wit! Ah! Think brain, think! Why have you betrayed me?? "Well, you know, where would the fun in life be if I just walked away? I mean, it could be interesting." Yeah, wait to go Inuyasha. I mentally kicked myself, hard.
"Thank you," both girls said to me, smiling brilliantly.
"What about me? I'm gonna help too!" Miroku said, feeling left out.
"Thanks to you to Miroku," Kagome said. Then she did something that stunned us all. She kissed Miroku on the cheek, quick as lightning, like one of her smiles. He didn't even have time to grope her, not that he could have functioned. Sango looked like she was about to gag, eyes wide and face drained of all color. I just blinked, then went ridged when I received the same thing. Both me and Miroku looked at her and blushed, hard. She just smiled prettily before taking Sango's arm and heading back toward my home.
Now, let me ask you this. When you wake up one morning from a boring, but safe life, you can never imagine that two days later you're thrown into the mix of something that is quickly shaping into an adventure of a dangerous proportion. Rescuing a pretty girl from an ugly situation is one thing, taking her home so she doesn't get attack in the dead of night is another. But when you find out the leader of the worst gang in the entire city is after the self-same girl you happened to rescue, you get a little scared. You get even more scared when you find out this girl could blow you away with a carefully aimed arrow. You become totally freaked when she says she'd the guardian of the Shikon Jewel, something with more power then you could ever imagine. Maybe you should have just shut your mouth and let the girl leave with her friend. Maybe this is over your head. But then she kisses you and everything you had been scared of seems like a small thing. When she kisses you, you know that you have to protect her, and you have to protect her for as long as she'll let you. And if you get it your way, that'll be forever. Especially when this girl is beautiful, sweet, and can cook Ramen like you can't believe! So let me ask you, what's a guy to do?
Hehe, there we are. Chapter 4 is fin! 5 will be in your face tomorrow, I hope. Monday at the latest. I doubt that I'll finish this story before I have to get back to school in two weeks, but if not then I'll have to slow down my chapter output. But who knows, another few days like yesterday and I just might get it all out. Okay, a few people I'd like to thank...*ahem*
Jessie s-d: I love you for loving my story, hehe. Good luck on your mission to kill Naraku, just don't be mad at me if I kill him first. Muhahaha!
AnimeAngel0123: I'm glad my literary skills have impressed you enough to where you enjoy my fic! And don't worry, Kagome will be kicking some major ass later on in the story. Right now I have to wrap out all the background info and get the characters set up. Believe me, once the fun begins, she won't be sitting in a corner.
dangerous-beans: I'm pleased you think it's good. And about the Ramen rant, hehe, Ramen is actually my favorite food too so I like to make my character's Ramen-crazed. I have a little ongoing food joke in all of my fics. In my Yu Yu Hakusho fic intitled 'The Fighter' it's pie that everyone loves. This one is Ramen, glorious Ramen...*drools*
Ok, that's all of you who have reviewed so far. (Now I have 6 fans, hehe *feels loved and is still teary eyed*) Please remember to review the story, that's what the little button down there is for!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Disclaimer: Don't own it, not no way, not no how, but I plan to steal it in the near future!
Chapter 4:
What's a Guy to do?
I don't care who you are, demon, human, or half-breed, there is nothing better then waking up in the morning to the smell of food. Especially when you have a sensitive nose like mine. Heaven! Heaven I tell you! The scent of meat wafted to me from a dream and my mouth watered. When I sat up, I feared the smell was all from my brain, but then I smelled it still.
Kagome was in the kitchen making us a banner breakfast. She looked rather chipper that morning, hair wet and held up from a shower and wearing different clothes. My guess would be that Sango lent her some from that bag she had with her the night before. Speaking of Sango, she immerged from the bathroom behind me and scampered into the kitchen.
"Kagome, you are a goddess!" she squeaked happily, hopping around and eyeing the food. I mentally agreed, getting up and walking over.
"Good morning Inuyasha," Kagome said with a smile. "I virtually cleaned out your kitchen, so we'll have to go food shopping today. But I thought it was worth it. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
"Yeah, uh-huh," I wasn't paying attention, drooling at the food in front of me. I think she knew I wasn't paying attention. Sango had the same idea as me as we slinked towards the unprotected sustenance. Kagome only laughed, grabbing a piece of toast before allowing us to attack the rest. Sango and I dug in with our hands, savagely fighting over every crumb. I can honestly say that it was the best meal I had ever eaten.
During this time of food warfare, there was a knock on the door and Kagome went to answer it. "Good morning Miroku!" I heard her chirp as she let him in. "You're welcome to food, if Inuyasha has left any." There was amusement in her voice and I turned just long enough to wave a hand at Miroku before stuffing my face some more. My partner came over, beating away my hand for some toast, but froze when he noticed the unknown female located next to me, eating just as quickly.
"And who might this be?" he mused aloud, looking her over. Sango looked up at him from her plate, mouth full, and gave him a glare. I almost choked on my toast when Miroku's eyes lit up like he had just got fifty bucks. Oh boy, this wasn't good.
"This is Sango," Kagome told Miroku, eyeing him apprehensively. It seems she had the smae thoughts I did. "She's my best friend. Sango was looking for me when Kaede told her I'd be here with Inuyasha."
"Is that so?" he said absently, looking from one girl to the other. The smug look on his face told me he thought he was in heaven. The way to my heart is food, the way to Miroku's is to simply be of the opposite gender. I sighed and shook my head.
"Sango," Kagome said, turning to her friend. "This is Miroku, Inuyasha's friend. He also helped save me from Naraku's men yesterday." My ears twitched at this. So it was Naraku who was after her? She knew it was the Golem gang on her tail? I held my tongue however, when Sango swallowed and got to her feet. She bowed in front of Miroku.
"I thank you for helping to save Kagome," she said very regally, but there was something in her eyes that told me she knew very well what Miroku was and was not.
"I'm always out to help a lady in trouble," he said with a smirk. Then it happened, Miroku's super-ultra-lecher-move. Simply, he grabbed her ass before she could do anything about it. I shook my head and looked up at Kagome, she had a horrified look on her face.
"That was not a very good idea Miroku," she said, but the damage was done. Sango's eyes flashed red as she grabbed a frying pan off the stove and belted Miroku across the face.
"AHHH!" Miroku cried, landing about eight feet away, in the middle of my living room. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically at this. He deserved worse, and Sango was ready to pummel him some more, but Kagome stopped her.
"That's enough Sango. I think you gave him enough brain damage for one day!" Kagome pried the frying pan out of Sango's hand and sat her down at the table again, but I think she had lost her appetite. Miroku didn't move for a few minutes. Either he was really unconscious, which I doubted, or he was just laying like a slug until he was sure Sango wasn't coming back to finish him off, which was what he probably did. Miroku can really act like a pussy sometimes. He should be able to take the beatings from the girls he feels up.
Kagome went over to Miroku and helped him to sit on my bed, examining the large bruise on the side of his face. "Wow, she got you good!" Miroku smiled, though I know it had to hurt with a bruise like that!
"It was worth it." Sango snorted, but I saw a faint blush on her face. I raised an eyebrow and she just looked away.
"Well, nothing bleeding or broken. You got away lucky! Last guy who pulled that on Sango was in the hospital for two weeks!" Kagome beamed a smile at him before heading back to the kitchen to clean up. Sango helped her. I went over to Miroku, pointing and laughing.
"Oh man, you should have seen your face when she cracked you with the pan!" I went into another fit of laughter. "You looked like one of those chibi things on a Saturday morning cartoon!" I couldn't help it, I physically cackled! Yeah, I've seen women go off the deep end with Miroku, slapping him around and all, but nothing like what these two girls did. Maybe the inner city was a tougher neighborhood then I thought. That drew my thoughts back to what Kagome had said about Naraku and my laughter stopped.
Kagome was still in the kitchen, talking with Sango about girl stuff I guess. I really didn't want to interrupt them, but I was worried and curious. The Golems were not demons who just let things lie. You'd have to do something pretty big to get the whole gang on your tail, or to get the attention of Naraku. He obviously wanted Kagome back, badly. The scene at Kaede's came back to my mind. They had a picture of Kagome, saying she was their boss's sister and everything. What was really going on here?
"Ah, Kagome?" I said, coming up behind the two girls. She looked up at me, half smiling in expectance. Sango looked up too, but her eyes slid over to where Miroku was still sitting, leaning back smugly. She growled and turned back. "Could I talk to you?" I asked Kagome, rubbing the back of my head.
"Sure! Now that breakfast is gone I was gonna go out to get more food. We can talk on the way." Her logic was simple.
"This meal was on you," Sango said, reaching into her pocket and retrieving a small wallet. "We'll pay for the next ones, in thanks for letting us stay here and all."
"You don't have to..." I trailed off because the fact was, I hadn't been out pocketing in two days. The money I had would be gone soon, so I'd let them treat for now. I mean, my life was probably now being risked, there's nothing wrong with letting girls spring for groceries.
"We want to," Sango said with a smile. From what I read about her, I could see she was very protective over Kagome, like an older sister. She also looked like a fighter, with a slightly colder presence then the soft and warm vibe that Kagome gave off. Not that Sango wasn't friendly, she was just more reserved. I could respect her from the moment she shook my hand.
"Ok then," Kagome said happily, tossing a dish towel into the sink. "Let's be off." She walked to the door, grabbing her discarded jacket from the ground next to the nest she had slept in with Sango. Then she looked to Miroku. "Are you coming?" Sango froze making a few sputtering sounds as she went over to Kagome with a very unhappy expression. "Oh Sango, relax. If he hasn't learned his lessen already, you can always pummel him again." The other girl relaxed, but only slightly. Miroku got to his feet and followed me as the four of us left for the streets of the city.
It was busy this morning. Everyone running this way and that way. We stopped in a few places, Kagome and Sango browsing over the food and picking out only what looked the best to them. My mouth watered at the sight of all the Ramen Kagome bought, flashing me a huge grin. Sango groaned, saying something about how not everyone loves Ramen as much as she does. I openly gaped at her, muttering something about how Ramen is the epitome of all things good. Sango gaped back, then smiled at Kagome saying how I was her Ramen soul-mate.
For a while, I forgot that I had wanted to talk to Kagome about anything. I was too busy watching her. She was absolutely a sight to behold, flashing a pretty smile at everyone she spoke to. It was like anyone who laid eyes on her was totally smitten. Some of the hardest shop clerks I had ever seen, demons no less, went all gooey on her, offering the finest stuff for half the price. Sango watched with a knowing smile on her face. She stood next to me at just such an occasion.
"She's still got it," she commented idly.
"What's that?" I asked. Miroku was off talking to some girl behind a register and she looked two seconds away from flashing him with the price scanner.
"Kagome has always been like that." She seemed to think for a moment, coming up with the words. "She can charm people, but not in a con-like way, like that guy," she waved a hand at Miroku and rolled her eyes. "She's got such a pure heart, everyone seems to be in a rush to be near her. It's been that way since we were small."
I could see what she meant. It was like Kagome could calm the soul of anyone with a look and a smile. I got this weird, flighty feeling in my stomach, but shook it off with a thought of something at breakfast. "You've known her a long time then?" I asked.
"Yes, since we were about five I think." Sango paused a second before continuing her story. "Our families have been friends for quite a few years, before we were even born. It's tied into who she is, and the thing she protects." Sango stopped, like she had said too much, but I ushered her on. "Well, when Kagome and her brother, Souta, were sent away for schooling, my family sent me and my brother Kohaku as well. Kagome and I have been together for many years. When he parents died and she had to come home, I came home as well."
"So you're kind of like her body guard?" I mused aloud, looking from Kagome back to Sango.
"You could say that. Kagome's family are mystics, the ones with power. I'm sure she's told you." I nodded in agreement. Now it was getting interesting. "Her family are the ones bound to protect the scared jewel. My family are the ones bound to protect the guardians of the jewel. I am her body guard in a devine right, but basically I'm just her friend. I protect her when I can. But I failed when her shrine was attacked three days ago." Sango sighed. I would have tried to cheer her up, but the wheels in my head were turning. She had said jewel didn't she? Kagome said she protected a scared object, but she didn't say what it was. Suddenly, my eyes widened, and I realized why a demon gang was after her.
"She doesn't protect THAT jewel, does she?" I blurted at Sango. She looked highly upset.
"What jewel?" Miroku asked, striding over. There was a red hand-print on his face and he look very pleased with himself.
"Nothing," Sango said quickly, backing away. "I shouldn't have said anything." She quickly ran over to Kagome's side and whispered to her. I perked my ears, trying to hear.
"--Shikon Jewel. I'm so sorry Kagome, it just slipped out!"
"It's alright, I was going to tell him anyway." This made me feel somewhat warm and fuzzy inside, not that I would ever admit it.
"But what would you grandfather say?" Sango said, still not happy.
"Grandpa can't protect me here Sango. We have to trust them, there's no other choice. They saved my life, twice! I think we can trust them with that much."
Sango sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know. Not everyone in this city can be trusted, especially a half-demon and a lecher." I was miffed with this statement. But it was old prejudice. Being a half-demon just made you more susceptible to insults and blame.
"Sango," Kagome said in a soft voice. "You shouldn't talk about them like that. Especially since Inuyasha can hear everything we're saying." I froze. She was looking at me, giving a little wave from across the store. I waved back, blushing dully. They came back over, Sango looking apologetic and Kagome looking calm. She took my arm and led me from the store. "We should talk now." I only nodded, still kind of surprised.
Sango and Miroku walked behind us, arguing all the way. Sometimes it was a low conversation, other times it was Sango yelling and chasing him around the street with a large and threatening object. They were oblivious to us as Kagome and I walked at a slow pace.
"Like I told you before, I am the guardian of a scared object," she began with a whimsical sigh, her hand at her neck. "This object is known as the Shikon Jewel. I'm sure you've heard of it."
"Who hasn't?" I said off handedly. It was really hard to believe that this pretty little thing was supposed to be the guardian of the most sought after artifact in the entire city. Every demon knew of the Shikon jewel, and every one of them wanted the jewel for themselves. It was said that the humans who protected the jewel were the strongest in all of the city, and could smite a demon in the blink of an eye. "Everyone knows about the Shikon Jewel. Able to grant any demon unbeatable strength and grant a human their heart's greatest wish. For a half-demon it could mean becoming a human or becoming a full demon."
Kagome nodded. "Yes. My family has guarded the jewel for many generations. Sango's family have guarded us for just as long." We both looked at her 'guardian' as she grabbed Miroku by the back of his shirt and began beating him over the head with a long stick of hard bread. The baker from whom Sango had stolen the bread began chasing after them. I shook my head and looked back at Kagome. She smiled at the scene, then looked back at me and continued with her story. "Like I told you, my parents were killed two years ago and I was brought home to the city by my grandfather. He owns and cares for the shrine where the jewel is supposed to be housed. Being the oldest in my family, Grandpa started my training to be the Shikon's guardian immediately."
"Training? You mean like learning to fight and stuff?" I asked, curious.
"Well, not really. Grandpa is a mystical man, not a warrior. It's Sango who taught me basic self-defense." She sighed a little. "I'm not very good at either, as you've seen. Sango can fight and take care of herself. All I ever seem to do is screw up." I felt bad for her. She seemed to lost here in this place, too good-hearted for the rough and tumble life of a street urchin. I was tempted to put an arm around, but I thought better off it. "Sorry, didn't mean to go on that little self-pity trip. I was talking about training, yes."
She wrapped her jacket tighter around, as if warding off cold, looking forward as she walked. "Grandpa taught me spiritual things. Each member of my family has a certain weapon, a symbol of their power. This weapon best conveys their power. Mine is the bow and arrow. With that weapon, my power as the Shikon Guard is at its height and I could defeat any demon that attempts to steal it. My powers need something on which to focus their energy, the arrows I shoot. But without my bow, I'm a very poor guardian indeed." She sighed again, looking up at me with an ironic smile. She looked really sad in her eyes, really sad. "Last year, Grampa did this whole ritual thing, making me the 'official' Guardian of the Shikon Jewel. That's when everything started to go wrong."
"How so?" I asked. I was genuinely curious about all of this. I had the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel and her body guard staying at my apartment! I couldn't say if I had the best or worst luck in the world. Probably a little of both cuz I'm just that well-rounded.
"Well, that's when The Golems started coming to the shrine. One of them especially. A demon named Naraku." I felt a cold streak of fear in me. Naraku was the most evil, and powerful demon in this entire city. Nothing happened without him knowing about it. If Kagome was being hunted by him, she was in some pretty deep shit. And I was getting dragged right into it as well.
"So Naraku was after the Jewel," I said out loud.
"Yeah, but he wasn't out for it directly. He came to the shrine to learn its history and power. Grandpa didn't like him there, but the shrine is for people and demons to come and pay their respects for the fallen. The jewel is part of that so he couldn't throw Naraku out without good reason. Naraku was an upstanding citizen, even though everyone knew his shady practices. There was really no way to make him leave." She began to shiver slightly. "That's when he started coming for me." I perked at this, looking at her questioningly. "He became interested in me, the new Guardian of the Shikon Jewel."
"But it was more then just innocent curiosity," Sango said from behind us, making me jump. Miroku followed after her, starry eyed in a lovesick way. At first I thought it was from the intense beating that Sango gave him, but then I noticed it was more of a mushy way and rolled my eyes. "He was practically stalking her!" Sango walked close to Kagome, lending some warmth and a concerned smile.
"What do you mean by stalking?" Miroku asked, pushing he way in between me and Kagome. I growled at him, grinning in a way that made my fangs very clear. He gave me an 'eh-he' laugh and backed up a little.
"He or one of his minions would always be following her around. And whenever Naraku was at the shrine, he wouldn't leave Kagome alone. She was polite, as always, but he was persistent until she took to hiding in the house. Even when I was there, he was shamless about what he wanted from her." Kagome blushed a dull red, looking at the sidewalk under her feet. Sango looked unabashedly angry. "It wasn't even in a flirty way like with Miroku, it was a total demand for sex. He'd say little things and try to touch her all the time." I felt my hackles rise. That was not a way anyone should treat a girl, especially a girl like Kagome.
"That's horrible!" Miroku said. At that, Kagome smiled and then started to laugh. I relaxed a little now that she didn't look so humiliated.
"Coming from you Miroku, that makes me feel better." He beamed.
"Always here to help." I was surprised that he didn't try to grab her this time. So was she, but she smiled and looked at Sango. Sango looked at me. I looked at Miroku. He shrugged and we all started walking again.
"So, what happened?" I asked, wanting to know what made her run away.
"Well, one afternoon about a month ago, Grandpa and Souta went out shopping. I stayed home to look after the shrine and to wait for Sango and Kohaku, who were coming for dinner."
"We were finishing up some last minute chores at our home before heading over," Sango explained. "Or we would have been there sooner." Something darkened her eyes. "We should have been there sooner." Kagome placed a hand on her arm.
"Sango," the simple act of Kagome saying her name made the other girl look up and take a deep breath. I could see tears shining in her eyes as she looked away from all of us. Kagome sighed and looked away as well. "I was alone in the shrine when Naraku and two other of his demons came. I had been in the Jewel House, a small building in the center of the grounds that housed the Jewel with pure mystical energy. Only the Guardian can enter the house, but anyone can look inside it to see the Jewel. When I was finished with my duties, I headed back to the house. Naraku stopped me in the open yard."
Miroku and I both tensed. The girls sensed this and they moved closer to us, trying to dispel tension. Sango was rewarded for this gesture by being groped. Miroku was rewarded for groping with a swift fist to the jaw. Kagome continued once they were done.
"He knew I was alone. I tried to get away and all, using a few tricks Sango taught me. But that only pissed him off. He roughed me up pretty good," her tone was casual but I could see the shadows in her dark eyes. I took her hand in mine, knowing at least a little contact would help. She smiled up at me and squeezed my hand, but then she darkened and looked away from me, to sometime before I existed. "I think he would have raped me, he tried at least."
"That's when Kohaku and I got there," Sango cut in, wrapping her arms around Kagome to ward off evil memories. "We chased off Naraku's two henchmen, but he was harder. My brother had his arm broken for interfering. He was like an animal, totally feral that we interrupted him. I was...the most frightened I have ever been, seeing Kagome like that." A few tears fell from Sango's eyes, but Kagome refused to cry, comforting her friend instead.
"Sango and Kohaku distracted him long enough for me to get to the Jewel House. That's where I keep my bow. I fired a shot. It went wide, but I think Naraku knew what would happen if I were to hit him for real. He took off then and I didn't hear from him until three days ago, when he and his gang attacked our shrine."
"I was a setup," Sango said with venom in her tone. "Half the gang attacked another location to draw the Wolf Pack and my family away from the shrine while Naraku and a group of his best demons went for Kagome and the Jewel."
"The Wolf Pack?" I asked. I had heard the name before. It was an inner city gang, one that rivaled the Golems. There territory was no where near as vast, but it was a small circle that kept everyone else out.
"Yeah," Kagome said, a smile on her face again. "They're a Pure gang of Wolf Demons, but they act like Mixers. They protect all the humans and demons who live in their territory as if we were their own. The Wolf territory is one of the safest places in the city, but I just couldn't ask them to risk more lives for me alone."
It was actually frustrating looking at this girl. She'd let no one help her under the impression that her life was not worth help. It was getting on my nerves. "You know, people will protect you whether you want them to or not," I said with a tone that dared an argument. She didn't take the dare.
"He's right you know," Sango agreed. "I'm here, and your grandfather and Souta would protect you with their last breath. And you know Kouga would if you'd let him."
"Kouga?" I asked Sango, blinking in a confused way.
"He's the new leader of the Wolf Pack," she explained. "He's got a thing for Kagome, even though they're just friends." I bristled a little bit, but forced myself to be calm. What should I care if some wolf liked Kagome?
"You know," I said off-handedly, as if it was no big deal. I am such a sucker... "I'm kinda already involved with all of this stuff. I did beat the hell outta six Golems and liberate you twice. I'm not gonna just walk away now that I'm in this deep." She looked at me with such gratefulness that I had to salvage my pride with a quick witted response. But I have no quick wit! Ah! Think brain, think! Why have you betrayed me?? "Well, you know, where would the fun in life be if I just walked away? I mean, it could be interesting." Yeah, wait to go Inuyasha. I mentally kicked myself, hard.
"Thank you," both girls said to me, smiling brilliantly.
"What about me? I'm gonna help too!" Miroku said, feeling left out.
"Thanks to you to Miroku," Kagome said. Then she did something that stunned us all. She kissed Miroku on the cheek, quick as lightning, like one of her smiles. He didn't even have time to grope her, not that he could have functioned. Sango looked like she was about to gag, eyes wide and face drained of all color. I just blinked, then went ridged when I received the same thing. Both me and Miroku looked at her and blushed, hard. She just smiled prettily before taking Sango's arm and heading back toward my home.
Now, let me ask you this. When you wake up one morning from a boring, but safe life, you can never imagine that two days later you're thrown into the mix of something that is quickly shaping into an adventure of a dangerous proportion. Rescuing a pretty girl from an ugly situation is one thing, taking her home so she doesn't get attack in the dead of night is another. But when you find out the leader of the worst gang in the entire city is after the self-same girl you happened to rescue, you get a little scared. You get even more scared when you find out this girl could blow you away with a carefully aimed arrow. You become totally freaked when she says she'd the guardian of the Shikon Jewel, something with more power then you could ever imagine. Maybe you should have just shut your mouth and let the girl leave with her friend. Maybe this is over your head. But then she kisses you and everything you had been scared of seems like a small thing. When she kisses you, you know that you have to protect her, and you have to protect her for as long as she'll let you. And if you get it your way, that'll be forever. Especially when this girl is beautiful, sweet, and can cook Ramen like you can't believe! So let me ask you, what's a guy to do?
Hehe, there we are. Chapter 4 is fin! 5 will be in your face tomorrow, I hope. Monday at the latest. I doubt that I'll finish this story before I have to get back to school in two weeks, but if not then I'll have to slow down my chapter output. But who knows, another few days like yesterday and I just might get it all out. Okay, a few people I'd like to thank...*ahem*
Jessie s-d: I love you for loving my story, hehe. Good luck on your mission to kill Naraku, just don't be mad at me if I kill him first. Muhahaha!
AnimeAngel0123: I'm glad my literary skills have impressed you enough to where you enjoy my fic! And don't worry, Kagome will be kicking some major ass later on in the story. Right now I have to wrap out all the background info and get the characters set up. Believe me, once the fun begins, she won't be sitting in a corner.
dangerous-beans: I'm pleased you think it's good. And about the Ramen rant, hehe, Ramen is actually my favorite food too so I like to make my character's Ramen-crazed. I have a little ongoing food joke in all of my fics. In my Yu Yu Hakusho fic intitled 'The Fighter' it's pie that everyone loves. This one is Ramen, glorious Ramen...*drools*
Ok, that's all of you who have reviewed so far. (Now I have 6 fans, hehe *feels loved and is still teary eyed*) Please remember to review the story, that's what the little button down there is for!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~