Chapter 2: Under Siege
Kagome had returned briefly to tell her mother not to worry about Sandi's whereabouts. She had to smile when she thought about the girl. She was a very independent woman and rather courageous to speak to Inu Yasha like that. Either that or stupid; but no matter. It was very clear that she was there to stay. Sandi had gone back to change clothes.
"Kagome-chan says you're from A-me-ri-ka. what's it like there?" questioned shippou later at lunch.
"Well, Shippou-chan, it's a big place. There are a lot of different 'states' in my country and I live in one called Virginia. We have a society were we elect the people we want in charge, so there are no tyrants; so to speak. I live in a 3 story house made of wood. I grew up in the woods with cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds. I have two younger brothers. I'm 20. I'm studying to be a teacher. not much else to tell. We speak English mostly. We eat Pizza, burgers, sandwiches. lots of yummy foods from all around the world."
"English," murmured Sango, feeling a little curious herself.
(Spoken in English) "Yup, I sure do. I like speaking Japanese better though. I think it's prettier. Don'tcha think?" She smiled at them as the sweat drops appeared on their heads.
"This is all very enlightening," came a soft growl, "but don't you think we should wrap up our lunch and start hunting for jewel shards again?"
"Oh Inu-Yasha!" smiled Sandi, "are you still mad I decided to stay on for the fun?" Inu Yasha merely growled again and prepared to leave. The way he figured, Sandi would take one look at the first Youkai they met and be home in no time flat.
Tired of Inu Yasha's complaining, lunch was packed up and the journey had continued. They'd not gone more than 2 minutes into the woods when a loud crash sounded up ahead. The party stopped in their tracks.
"There are jewel shards ahead. . . coming fast!"
"Good, I could use a good fight," grinned Inu Yasha baring his claws. Sandi watched around her as every one seemed to be bracing themselves. Out of the woods, a giant snake (hebi) youkai appeared, thrashing about wildly. Inu Yasha flew at it with his claws, but it smacked him back down after a few attempts. Sandi's eyes got big and she fell back in shock.
"Kagome, can you see where the shards are?" He yelled.
"It's moving too fast! I can't get a clear view," she called back.
"Shit!" he yelled as he began fighting again.
Sango flew at the youkai on Kirara with Hiraikotsu at hand. It threw itself at them, giving Kirara just enough time to dodge it. The snake flew at Kagome, but Inu Yasha slashed it across the face. It recoiled in pain, thrashing about wildly.
"Every one get back, I'm going to use Kazaana!"
"Are you crazy monk? That thing has shards in it!" yelled Inu Yasha.
"Keep it busy," called Sandi.
In a blur, she hurried by Kagome, "Sandi, get back over here!" she continued on anyway to the monster and drove a pocket knife into the hebi's tail causing it to rear up in pain.
"Inu Yasha!" called Kagome, "They're in the neck just below the head!" Inu Yasha slashed through the hebi easily with the help of Tessaiga, giving Sandi just enough time to jump away with her knife.
"Are you nuts?" he yelled as he put his sword away. "These monsters are dangerous. You could have gotten killed."
Catching her breath from the scare, she glared at him, fire in her eyes. "Where I come from, we say thanks to people who've helped us." Inu Yasha stared at her for a moment. She HAD helped. Feeling just a tad bit guilty he looked away with a simple 'feh.'
Kagome began to head over to the shared when a buzzing sound reached her ears. It was undoubtedly the sound of Naraku's poisonous insects. Unfortunately for the group, the bugs reached it first and flew off.
"Oh no you don't," Sango said. With that, she threw Hiraikotsu smashing the little bug thingies and dropping the shard back down to the ground. Kagome picked it up and added it to the others.
"Thanks Sango."
"No problem Kagome-chan."
"You realize of course," stated Miroku, "that this was most certainly an indirect attack by Naraku, right?"
"Yeah, the coward can never fight his own battles," Shippou added in.
"Naraku is the demon you were telling me about briefly earlier, right Kagome-chan?"
"Yup, sure is. He's pure evil. This was a weak attempt on his part."
"Which probably means he's got something big cooking," commented Inu Yasha.
"So what do we do?" asked Sandi.
"Keep on traveling," smiled Miroku. "We usually meet up with him sooner or later."
With that said, the group continued on, two shards closer to their goal.