Disclaimer: I don't own them, all right?

Red Lantern

Chapter 13: The Journey Starts

Author's Notes:

Thanks for all the reviews, people! I love 'em! Enjoy the next chapter!

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Walking back to his room, Sango and Miroku began asking Inu Yasha questions. Well, mostly Miroku.

"So… This delightful young lady… Kagome, you say is her name?" Miroku asked.

Inu Yasha nodded. He decided to let the 'delightful' slip.

"She is your stepmother?"

He nodded once again.

"But she doesn't like your father and made herself sick?"

Inu Yasha whirled at him. "I don't know!" he snapped.

Miroku didn't seem fazed. "So now we're looking for the Shikon no Tama so we can cure her."

"Yes!"

Sango nudged Miroku. "Shush, houshi!"

Miroku instantly turned his attention onto Sango. "Ah… Lady Sango! I'm so glad you're going to grace us with your presence during our trip!"

Sango snorted. "Yeah right!"

Suddenly, she stopped dead. Turning almost robot-like towards Miroku, she glared at him.

His face was a portrait pure, untainted bliss.

"Houshi… Keep… your… hands… OFF ME!" She screamed the last part, slapping him as hard as she could.

Even Inu Yasha had to smile at the 'show'.

Miroku fell to the floor. When rolled over, his face would sport a large, red handprint, throbbing with every beat of his heart.

Finally, they arrived at Inu Yasha's dorm.

"Come on in. I'll need to tell you the whole plan," he explained.

Sango nodded, seeming to forget everything that had happened. "Come on, Houshi."

Miroku had somehow gotten into kneeling position. He crawled into the dorm dramatically.

Seating himself on a low-backed chair, Inu Yasha waved for them to sit down. Sango and Miroku both sat down, Sango moving as fast as she could away from Miroku.

"I think we should go on carriage to Shanghai, then from there, sail to Niigata. From Niigata we can go to Fuji-san by train. Does that sound reasonable?" Inu Yasha asked.

Sango nodded. "So, why do you need our help? It's a well known fact that you have enough money to hire many body-guards, and that you are the best fencer this school has seen!"

Miroku nodded in agreement. "Yes. And besides, what if we don't find the Shikon no Tama?"

Inu Yasha sighed. "You will come with us because you might have a better idea of the geography, and we will find the jewel!" He glared, as if challenging them to disagree.

"My people have guarded the jewel for centuries before the Era of Reformation. I think we will be able to find the jewel, not to worry, Hitoki-san," Sango said, trying to make Inu Yasha's doubts --if he had any-- go away.

Nodding, Inu Yasha stood up. "You may go back to your dorms. We will start our journey in two days."

"Can we see Kagome-san?" Miroku asked.

Inu Yasha hesitated, then finally consented. He led them into his room, where Kagome was still unconscious. She was as pale as ever, and her shallow breathing hadn't gotten any better.

Sango gasped at the girl who couldn't have been any older than she did. "What… does she have?"

"The doctor says she's had an emotional break-down, and coupled with pneumonia…" he drifted off.

"And such a beautiful woman, too!" Miroku said, pitying.

"She's not dead yet!" Inu Yasha loudly protested.

"Of course not, Hitoki-san! That's why we're going on this journey: so Lady Kagome won't die!" Sango comforted while Miroku nodded along.

"Thank you both."

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Author's POV~

"Kagome… Kagome? Wake up… You need to take your medicine," Inu Yasha said, gently trying to shake Kagome awake.

Kagome groaned. "Inu Yasha?" she asked, her eyes still closed. "Where am I?"

"Don't try to talk… You're really sick."

Kagome nodded, still half asleep. "Okay…"

"Do you think you can drink this? It's hot." Inu Yasha carefully lifted the cup of herbal tea to her lips.

Kagome quickly sipped the bitter medicine, wincing at the taste.

Once she was done, she drifted, once again, into a deep, dreamless sleep. Inu Yasha stroked her dark hair, wistfully thinking.

A knock interrupted his thoughts. "Hitoki-san!" a familiar voice called.

"Come in."

Miroku and Sango instantly stepped into the room.

"How is she?" Sango asked.

"She's a little better. At least she woke up to take some medicine. Are you two ready to go?"

Miroku and Sango both nodded.

"Is Lady Kagome well enough to take the trip?" Miroku asked, worry creasing his brow.

"I think so…" Inu Yasha said carefully.

"Are you sure you want to take this trip, Hitoki-san? The sea isn't very… cooperative during winter…" Sango commented.

"I'm Kagome's last hope. If I don't do this, she'll die. Besides… I've always wanted to live in Japan…"

'Live in Japan and escape my father… at least until I get powerful enough…'

"All right then. Let us go!" Miroku said. "The ship is arriving at what time, Inu Yasha?"

"In four hours, at exactly noon. Hurry up and leave your stuff in the living room. Some servants will bring it down to the carriage," Inu Yasha commanded, his old personality back.

"What about Lady Kagome? How will she go down to the carriages?" Sango asked. She felt a deep bond with the unconscious girl. Married or not, she seemed to miss her family very much.

"I will carry her," Inu Yasha said without hesitating.

"Oh, are you?" Miroku asked, smirking with an up-raised eyebrow. Inu Yasha blushed and glared.

"Shut up, houshi!" Sango shushed him. "Come on! You heard the guy! Let's get our stuff and go!"

"Yes, beautiful one!"

Sango rolled her eyes and walked out, Miroku following like a puppy dog.

'Kami help me!'

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Finally! It took me forever to finish this chapter, because I had writer's block and everything! Next chapter, "Tell Me,"!

Responses to Reviews:

Dark-coyote: YAY! Another Miroku fan! Miroku is so kewl! I like brownies! Thanks!

Sesshoumaruwuzhere: 11 out of 10? Surprises! You're in a fanfic? I have to see it! I'll read it!

AnimeObessionFantasy: Yes, poor Kouga and Kagura… They were fun while they lasted! Oh well…! Updating for ya!

Duke-of-Spades: Just go to chapter 10 and read the ending note! It tells what happens! Thanks for the review!

Sunflowerobi: Thanks for the critics… They help a lot! Sorry for the cheesy chapters and stuff… I'll try harder! Yeah, I felt that Inu Yasha was moving too fast, too… Oh well! You don't like the story? Or the movie? Or what? I'm confused!

DiaBLo2: Aww! Yes, it's Miroku and Sango! Everyone is going to Japan! Glad you still like it!