Disclaimer: Inuyasha and company are not mine.  The only thing I have is the two movies on DVD.  I don't even have any plushies. L  Nekoyasha and her grandchildren are mine though.

"Spoken"

Thoughts 

Chapter 16: Finishing the Bath

Washcloths, soap and shampoo were distributed all around, and everyone started washing.  Slowly the group started working in pairs washing backs and hair.  Nekoyasha and Lotus worked with the little ones, washing all of their hair.

Kagome came up behind Inuyasha and started scrubbing his back with the washcloth in hand.

"Kagome, what do you think you are doing?" a surprised Inuyasha asked.

"Washing your back.  Why?"

Inuyasha felt her light touch wash in circles on his back.  It actually felt kind of soothing.  He started to relax into it.  "No reason."

Sango and Miroku stayed together after she cleaned the blood off his cheek.  She was sitting in front of him on an outcropping while he washed her hair.  Sango was actually surprised that she was letting him get this close and touch her without slapping him.  But he had asked and as long as he kept both hands in her hair, all would be fine.  *Probably just wants to look down the front of my sari,* she thought.  She watched Kagome and Inuyasha.  They now had changed places and Inuyasha was washing Kagome's back.  She held her hair up for him; he looked a little uncomfortable with the situation.

Miroku laughed softly.  "Does he not know how wonderful the position he is in is?"

"What ever do you mean?" Sango inquired.

"It is not often that a lady will let a man wash her back.  Close your eyes," Miroku took a jug filled with water and softly poured it over Sango to rinse the soap away.  "Or her hair.  Even if she trusts him."

"Oh, and I am sure that you are taking full advantage of washing my hair?"

"I am honored that you would let me wash hair as beautiful as yours, Sango."

"Uh huh.  How much can you see, Miroku?"

Miroku paused before answering.  She had called him Miroku, not Hoshi.  He smiled.  The truth of the matter was that he wasn't looking down her sari.  He actually enjoyed being here with her.  He glanced over at the other couple.  Inuyasha had relaxed some.  He was washing Kagome's hair now.

"Well, Inuyasha has seemed to relax some," he said.

"Yes, he has.  Don't avoid the question, Hoshi."

Damn.  Back to Hoshi.   Miroku sighed.  "I don't see anything that I shouldn't be looking at.  Besides you're done.  My turn."

Sango shook her head as they exchanged places.  As they were moving past each other, Miroku gave Sango a quick kiss on the cheek.

"What was that for?" she asked as he seated himself.

"For trusting me."

*****

Inuyasha had seen Miroku kiss Sango yet again.  He sighed.  He wanted to be able to kiss Kagome... actually he wanted to love the girl in front of him.  But there was Kikyo to think about.  She was the first girl to love him.  She was dead because of him.  She toyed with his emotions almost as much as he was doing to Kagome.

But I am not toying with Kagome.  She knows I can't love her.  That it is Kikyo I belong with.

Ahh... but are you sure about that?  Isn't Kagome just Kikyo's reincarnation?

No, she is more than that.  She is Kagome.

Well, maybe you belong with her.  After all isn't she the one that woke you up?

Inuyasha growled at his inner voice.  It's Kikyo that I belong with.  Not Kagome.

"Kagome, close your eyes.  I am going to pour the water over you."

Then why are you washing her hair!  You could have grabbed Miroku or even Sesshomaru...

Stop right there!  I am not leading Kagome on, okay.  Just shut up.

Inuyasha was tired of dealing with his inner voice.  Because maybe, just maybe it was right and he did love Kagome.  But he didn't want to think about that.  Because right now she was his friend.  And he didn't want to lose that.

*****

Sesshomaru had finished washing and was about to start on his hair when he felt hands on it.  He breathed in only to smell wet cat.  He rolled his eyes.

"Nekoyasha, what are you doing?"

"Washing your hair," came the reply.  She continued washing.

"I don't need your help."

He felt the hands stop.  He turned his head to the left and came face to face with the woman.  "I know," she stated then pulled back and began washing his hair again.

"Then why are you still here?"

"Because I want to be.  Besides you should learn to accept help when it is offered."

"I don't need any help," he growled at her.

She ignored the comment.  Her gaze had landed on his missing arm.  "Have you tried anything to regain your arm?"

Her question caught him off guard.  *Well, there was the human arm from Naraku, but that didn't work.  Then there was the dragon arm, still went bad on me.*

"Nothing that has done any good."  Sesshomaru was surprised that he was saying this to the healer.

"Hmmmm... Rinse!" Sesshomaru closed his eyes as the water cascaded over him.  "Surely there is something that can be done about it."

Sesshomaru shrugged.  "I'm dealing.  It isn't a big deal."

"Believe me, if you are dealing with children you are going to want both arms.  Rinse."  Another pitcher of water rolled over him.  "I'm done with you."

Nekoyasha stood on the rock and dove into the spring.  When she came up she grabbed some shampoo and started washing her own hair.  To rinse, she ducked under the water.

"I thought cats didn't like water," came Miroku's voice.

She smiled at them.  "They don't.  But I am not your usual cat.  Everyone ready to go?"

*****

A/N:  Ok, so this is a semi-short chapter.  I'm sorry.  I'm graduating in December, too many papers to write and I was in Chicago a few weeks ago for a conference.  There may not be any more updates until after I get through everything.  (Meaning second week of December.)

So now this means I am only one chapter ahead of you.  Oh well.  That might make life easier than being two chapters ahead.  I have the storyline as long as some characters don't veer off of it.  ::gives glare to Sesshomaru.::

Thanks to my reviewers!  Please review.  Reviews make me happy!

Later!