Warnings: Strong language. Inuyasha isn't a very happy puppy ^_~
Inuyasha was not in the best of moods, to be sure. His head ached, his body ached, and his nose felt it had been hit with a fifteen-ton iron sledgehammer right where it counts. To make matters worse, he could tell the problem wasn't going to go away any time soon, despite his god-like healing abilities-every step he took sent another searing spike of pain straight from his nose to his brain. In fact, the hanyou couldn't even smell his own blood, which was a blessing considering the state of his left arm.
"Goddamn cats!!!!" he snarled as he used his good hand to slash through the underbrush. That was the most embarrassing fight I've ever been in! the hanyou reflected with a growl. At least Kagome wasn't there to see that...shit, but my nose is fucked up-I wonder if my face is ok? He raised one shaking hand to touch the sensitive flesh and winced painfully. Damn, eyes are swollen up too...can't see too great neither...shit!
At least Kouga had turned tail and run, Inuyasha remembered. Glad that moron won't see me like this--I'd never f*king hear the end of it! But that was no good either-Kouga had escaped without taking any damage at all. And by all accounts, the wimpy bastard should have taken the fall, chasing the cursed black cat his way...Inuyasha snorted indignantly. Dammit, I shouldn't have chased it, but it's just so easy when they're running like that!
And it's also easy to make an ass out of yourself trying to show up that stupid wolf! a critical voice in his brain laughed. You're just as stupid as he is, chasing that damn thing when you should KNOW better! Inuyasha shook his head and instantly regretted it; the pressure on his head increased until it was almost blinding. Vowing desperately not to do that again, the hanyou half-fell, half-stumbled the final few steps to the clearing he knew must lead to the village, and his tree, and a bath. Yes, he could clean up real good and change his clothes, and then nobody would know he had-
"Inuyasha!!!" a familiar, nasal voice squealed on the wind.
"Shit!" the hanyou yelped. Of all the days for Shippou to be waiting for him...he made a mental note to severely pummel the kit for being too damn considerate. But that was for later--right now, he'd settle for getting away.
Ignoring the protest of his lungs and body, Inuyasha half-dragged himself back to the treeline, desperately trying to get out of sight and scent-range before the kit realized where he had gone. If Kagome found out what a mess he was...Inuyasha cringed. The LAST thing his head needed right now was an 'osuwari'.
Just a...little farther...I can make it...
Unfortunately, his malfunctioning nose and blinding headache had also caused the hanyou to misjudge Shippou's proximity. He was barely to the first tree trunk when the energetic fox bounded over the ridge. Shit, I'm done for!!! The hanyou squeezed his eyes shut and slid to the ground, feeling very tired and very depressed.
"Inuyasha, Kagome says to--"
Eyes widening, the fox kit came skidding to halt directly in front of the hapless hanyou and whipped his tiny paws up over his nose.
"KAGOME!!! Inuyasha's being playing with a skunk again!!!"
Japanese terms: youkai=demon
hanyou=half-demon
osuwari=Kagome's word, 'sit'