Disclaimer: Inuyasha is not mine. *sniff*. I don't even have a plushie...*sobs*
Friends and Foes
It had been four long days since Koga and his two minions, Ginta and Hakkaku, had joined the Jewel hunting party, and they had been long.
Apparently, Shippo's disappearance had been caused by a wrong turn, which resulted in a circular route, bringing the kitsune right back to camp. It was there that Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Koga, Ginta, and Hakkaku found him, wailing for Kagome.
Inuyasha, as a promise to Kagome, had refrained from complaining about the wolves' presence. But he took every opportunity to avoid camp.
On the fourth day, they had come across a fierce owl demon in possession of a Sacred Jewel shard. The battle proved that Koga was willing to do nothing but protect the human girl, and not aid (or in Inuyasha's opinion "iterfere") in the battle. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango finished it off fairly easily, once Kagome located the shard. Tension and grudges might have been over looked from that point on. At if Koga hadn't decided to make very loud derogatory comments about how pathetic the demon had been and how it had taken three people that long to kill it, that is. That completely severed any weak peace ties that might have been woven, and things had been stormy ever since.
Currently, the group that was now nine strong was walking, or in Kagome's case biking, down a dirt road. Inuyasha was clearly trying to make a point by walking at the front, but no one noticed. Or rather, no one commented. kagome had noticed but didn't mention it. She was too busy exploring her own thoughts to do much more than pedal at the moment.
'Something weird is definitely going on. Sesshomaru and Koga are proof enough of that. They never show up with out explaining themselves thoroughly. And I'm sure Sango didn't tell me everything that Kaede said. She's such a bad liar. Still, I've got enough problems on my hands to be getting on with.
'Like Koga. I wouldn't say this for all the jewel shards--well, maybe--but he really is a pain. It's nice to have some extra help, although it's weird to have him here...'
"Kagome?" Speak of the devil. It was the wolf.
"Yes Koga?"
"Do you need to rest? Are you tired at all?"
"Well I didn't get much sleep last night, but--"
"Hey dog-turd, Kagome needs to rest. We're stopping here!"
"Koga, we're in the middle of the road..."
"Yes, somehow I noticed, monk. But Kagome said she needed to rest."
"Koga, it's okay, I'm really not--"
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, WOLF BOY?! I'M IN CHARGE HERE AND WE REST WHEN I SAY!!!"
"WELL I NEED TO PROTECT THE WELL-BEING OF MY WOMAN!!!" On the emphasis of 'mine', both Kagome and Inuyasha's eyes had widened, hers in embarassment, his in fury.
"SHE AIN'T YOUR WOMAN, WOLF-MANGE!!!" bellowed Inuyasha.
"NOT LIKE SHE'S YOUR'S!!!" was the retort.
"QUIET!!!" shouted Kagome, ears ringing. "Okay, first: I BELONG TO NEITHER OF YOU! Second: YOU TWO PROMISED TO COOPERTATE! And third: YOU'RE MAKING MY EARS HURT!!!"
Koga and Inuyasha were completely taken aback. They looked down at their shuffling feet, shooting furtive murderous glances at eachother as they quailed under Kagome's anger.
"Sorry..."
"Feh."
"I think this would be a wonderful time for a group hug!" Miroku broke the tension, a delighted smile on his face. "Lady Sango?" His hand was wandering toward her...
"HANDS OFF MONK!!"
Kagome sighed. She'd never have peace here. 'Why me?!' Sometimes she was so sorely tempted to wail it out loud.
Surprisingly, the group had quieted since Kagome's outburst that afternoon. A few more gropes, a couple brief arguments, but that was about it, and virtually unavoidable.
They had stopped for a night, and would be spending it in one of the local inns for free. This was, of course, one of those in need of an exorcism that Miroku had a wonderful knack for finding. After a large and delicious meal, the nine of them had filed into their room for the night.
Shippo was already sleeping, curled up in Kagome's lap while she petted his tail absently, chatting with Sango. Ginta and Hakkaku sat near the door, flanking it while Koga stood protectively at the miko's side. Miroku and Inuyasha had been conversing as well, but the monk had begun a meditative sleep. His friend was left to glare in a corner silently, arms and legs crossed. As Sango and Kagome's voices murmured slightly, almost the only sound in the room, Koga began to yawn. He was unused to the long hours the group kept.
"Koga, you look really tired. Why don't you get some sleep?" suggested Kagome.
"Yah, wouldn't want you losing your strength, eh wolf boy?" The hanyou smirked.
"Inuyasha!"
"No, Kagome. For once that idiot has a point. Want me to fall asleep when you needed my protection." Koga took this opportunity to morph in werewolf fashion, lying at Kagome's feet as a large, dark brown wolf.
The three of the group that were still awake looked down at him in surprise.
"Did...we know he could do that?" asked Kagome.
"I don't see why he shouldn't be able to...," replied Sango, who was eyeing the large canine. "Afterall, his pack is made of wolves..."
"True..."
"Feh. Who cares what wolf boy can do?" The scoff came, of course, from Inuyasha, who was glaring daggers at the animal curled by Kagome.
THe two girls ignored him, rolling out sleeping bags near the wall, the miko trying to get as far away from Koga as she could. She didn't like the wolf that much...especially when he was in the form of such a vicious creature. Miroku came out of his meditation and prepared his own sleeping place, settling across from the girls. Kagome picked up her kitsune foster son, settling him in the sleeping bag before climbing in herself as her slayer friend yawned and stretched before lying down. THe hanyou in the corner watched his friends drift into unconciousness, his eyes resting for long moments on Kagome. She looked so peaceful, at rest with the young fox snuggled up to her chest.... Inuyasha's face, which had worn a glare all day long, softened to a slight smile as he leant back and fell asleep.
****Kagome was running, desperately fleeing the white bug-like demons. Kikyo's Soul Stealers had been pursuing her through an unknown forest, and she had no idea why.
As she rean into a clearing, the purpose suddenly became clear. Or so she thought. Kikyo was ahead, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Kikyo..."
Ah, so I see you fell into my trap, girl. Don't worry, you won't be here long." The way she said it sent ice-cold chills down Kagome's spine.
"What do you mean 'trap'?! Your Soul Collectors chased me here!"
"Don't twist the truth around, it will do nothing to help you, and only serves to annoy me."
"Kikyo! What--why are you doing this? I don't understand!"
"Then let me explain. I grow weary of wandering the earth and wish to return to death. But I will not go without getting my revenge and bringing Inuyasha with me. You've interferred too many times. You will not be an obstacle anymore."
"You mean...do...you want to...kill me?"
The answer was a small shot of miko power which exploded inches from Kagome's head, singing her hair and shirt. The girl stumbled back, a small cry of alar, escaping her mouth. "Kikyo!"
"It's too late to beg now, girl. Nothing can save you." Kikyo notched an arrow to her bow, aiming it at her reincarnation.
"...a sacred arrow?!"
"Oh no, not yet. You will suffer before you die. This arrow will only wound you...don't worry."
"'Don't worry'?! Are you mad?! I--" Kagome's voice was cut off as the arrow plunged into her thigh. She collapsed, looking up at the priestess, her skirt beginning to soak with blood.
"Kikyo, what are you doing?" Another arrow, this one punching into her left bicep. Another cry of pain broke through the air. "Help me! Inuyasha!"
"You call for Inuyasha. The sooner he comes, the sooner I can drag him to Hell." Kikyo smiled as she drew a third arrow. "Well, have you had enough? are you ready to die and return my soul?"
Kagome was curled on the ground, tears all but blinding her as fear consumed her. "Inuyasha! Help me! Oh please! Inuyasha! INUYASHA!!"
The arrow began to glow pink, the usually cheerful color now seemingly icy, an inescapable promise of death. The bow was being pulled tighter and tighter. Soon, it would have to be released. Soon, her life would end.
Kagome screamed as the arrow was loosed. "INUYASHA!!!!"****
She woke with a jerk, cold sweat and hot tears pouring down her face. She looked at her friends' concerned faces as they sat around her, and burst into tears again.
Sango put her arms around the younger girl, trying in vain to comfort her. Shippo hugged Kagome too, nuzzling into her stomach. "Kagome! What's wrong? What'd you dream?" As memories of the nightmare flashed through her mind, the miko's sobs redoubled. She cried and cried, soaking Sango's kimono as she shivered in fear. She cried for a long while, cried herself to sleep on her friend's shoulder.
Miroku helped Sango to lower Kagome back onto her sleeping bag, while the fox kit snuggled up to her sleeping form.
"We should let her sleep. A nightmare that traumatic will have exhausted her even further," murmured Miroku. "Sango, perhaps we should go wash out your kimono..."
"Monk, if you think--" she began. Then she saw his pointed glance at their hanyou friend. "...right. It's an...excellent...idea. Perhaps we can also find a cloth to wash Kagome's face with."
"Forget it. I'll find something." Inuyasha spoke for the first time. His voice was quiet and he refused to take his eyes off Kagome.
"Very well. We'll be back in a little while." Miroku and Sango stood and walked out of the door, pausing only to look at Kagome once more and retrieve a spare kimono for Sango.
Inuyasha stood as well, rummaging around in Kagome's pack for a water bottle and a cloth. He sat again, kneeling by the girl's head and dampening the cloth with a small amount of water. He dabbed at her face, wiping away tear stains and sweat. He could hear echoes of her voice in his mind. See her thrashing and tossing and turning. Calling his name and pleading another's: Kikyo.
Kagome sighed and shivered. He recoiled as she rolled over, but she was still asleep. Inuyasha looked down at her sadly. 'Kagome, what were you dreaming?' He removed his red haori, placing it on top of her. As he retreated to the nearest corner, Kagome snuggled into the robe unconciously.
"Inuyasha?" It was Shippo.
"What?"
"Thank you for taking care of Kagome."
Inuyasha stared at the kitsune blankly as he leaned against the wall. It was so unexpected. After all, he'd completely forgotten about Shippo's presence. At a loss for words, Inuyasha continued to stare blankly. Then, regaining his composure, he closed his eyes, leaned back, and answered in the most eloquent way he knew how:
"Feh."
A/N:
Well, another chapter. Dang that took a long time to write! I had writer's block for WEEKS and I was still faced with the problem of getting rid of Koga, since I realized I didn't want him around right after I updated. By the bye, did anyone notice he wasn't there anymore? Still, I'm glad to get that off my back. One review for the last chapter...*sigh* not even my friends review. Thanks Cattiebrie393!!! Now, glossary, review RESPONSE, and other random junk.
"blah": talking, physical speech
'blah': thoughts, mental speech
****blah****: dream sequence
if talking or thinking occurs during a dream sequence, italics and normal font will be reversed.
*/|\*: scene change or flashback or time change
miko: shrine priestess (I only just realized I'd forgotten this before!)
I hope you know hanyou, youkai, kitsune and hentai by now, so I won't take the time to write the definitions AGAIN.
Cattiebrie393: Sorry, no dream interpretation...yet. Thankies on the cliffie comment, but it wasn't really anything. I promise though, there will be a cliffie soon...and maybe I can actually get the plot going...hmmmmm...
Itachi/Inu/Appendix: You know who you are, and you also know I can torture you in many ways, so, REVIEW, WOULDJA?!!
A/N:
Sorry if the Koga/Inuyasha insults started getting a little pathetic, but I had to think of SOMETHING. Only one last thing before I go...REVIEW!!!! PLUSHIES TO NICE REVIEWERS!!!! ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO EVIL FLAMERS!!!! I DON'T CARE! I'M DESPARATE!!!
--*Elyndewen Startree
