Disclaimer~ I don't own Inuyasha or any related characters.
Dialog~ "Meep meep meep."
Thoughts~ 'Meep meep meep'
Author's note~ Okay, so it's been a long ass time since I've updated and I apologize. I have been working on an original story and sort of got caught up in that. Also, school decided to be a bitch and I've been preparing for my BST's for a while now. Any way, I've got some time now so I'm going to try and write my ass off for now on and not have such a long period of time before I update. Hell, I'm missing Super Bowl Sunday for you people. So I do hope you enjoy. ^_^
Chapter 9
"He what!?"
Xen cringed slightly at the booming sound of Inuyasha's voice coming from just outside. Sango had said to wait for her while she explained things to her friends. He sighed and took another sip of his sake. "Things most not be going well, I guess."
Outside Inuyasha was still throwing a fit at Sango while Kagome and Shippou watched wisely from the sidelines.
"Sango, now tell me this one more time, what the hell happened to Miroku?" Inuyasha was growing more frustrated by the second as his answers came slowly to him from Sango, who she herself didn't really know what was going on.
"I already told you all I know, Inuyasha. Somehow Miroku lost his memory and is now convinced he's this Xen person."
Inuyasha's face got all bunched up and he started ranting and shouting out curse words. Sango sighed and shook her head, 'He's like a child, I swear.'
Kagome was disgusted by Inuyasha's pre-schoolish behavior as well but had more important things to worry about at the moment besides him going nuclear. "So, Sango, what do you think we should do about it then?"
Her face darkened and she sighed, she was obviously very distressed over the whole situation. "I'm not very sure Kagome, I've never dealt with this sort of situation before. I don't know if there's a way to cure him or not. I think he may have to stay this way for a while."
Kagome could sense her friend's anguish but would talk to her about it later, for now she just wanted to find out what they should do. "So, what does that mean? Do we take him with us?"
"It's our only choice, I think. Maybe his memories will eventually return to him as he spends more time with us. I just have no idea." Her fast twisted into a painful expression and Sango for once in a long time had looked defeated.
"It'll be okay, Sango. Things will work out, I know they will. Just give things time." She patted her friend on the back reassuringly, hoping she would be okay.
Inuyasha let out a low and angered growl, he could easily overhear the girls' conversation and was not pleased. "Time is something we don't have you stupid wench! That idiot doesn't have much time left to live and it certainly doesn't help when he doesn't even realize that himself. We have to fix this quickly or Miroku's life will be in danger."
Kagome's aura resonated in pure anger as she fought with herself not to go over and smack him a couple of times upside the head. 'That idiot! I was trying to comfort her and he messes everything up!' "Inuyasha, you need to stay calm and think rationally before you go and make everything worse."
"Keh." Inuyasha crossed his arms in a defiant pose, he was feeling dangerous today. "No, I think you're being a stupid bitch and are just avoiding the problem entirely."
"Inuyasha!"
'Oh boy, here it comes,' thought Sango. 'Well, I'm certainly not going to stick around and them explode on each other.' She turned around and left the two super powers to duke it out while she talked with Xen.
"Hey," he smiled at her as she walked back into the bar. "How did things go? Bad?"
She nodded as she sat down next to him and sighed. "Things are going very bad. Inuyasha is very hostile and Kagome doesn't feel like being patient with him today. They're outside bickering right now."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he guzzled down more sake. "I see, things are going bad then. This is unfortunate. What are we going to do then?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yes, nothing. There's nothing that can improve the situation from here. There's no point in getting angry about it. We should just move on."
Xen slammed his cup down rather loudly as his face darkened underneath his long bangs, trying hard not to show his real emotions. "I'm very sorry. I'm causing you all this trouble, Sango. Forgive me."
Her heart clenched at this sadness in his voice, she never wanted Xen to see himself as a burden to her. She really had feelings for Miroku, even if this memory loss had changed his personality he was still the same to her. Quickly, she resolved to fix things. She reached out and touched his arm tenderly, giving him a sincere smile. "You didn't do anything, you have no reason to be sorry. Don't worry about things, Inuyasha and Kagome fight like this all the time."
"It's not that," he whispered.
"Then what is it? Tell me what's wrong, Xen." That last word, Xen, sounded forced, she couldn't really help it. She had grown accustomed to calling him houshi-sama or Miroku. The whole thing wasn't still sitting with her well, and it showed.
"I don't like hurting beautiful and sweet women such as yourself, Sango. Me loosing my memory and being around you probably only makes you hurt worse. So that's why I'm-"
Wanting to stop Xen from going on a guilt trip and feeling poorly she silenced him with a quick and unexpected kiss. She gave him a little taste of her tongue and peeled back, wanting to see if it had worked.
"Sorry," he said breathlessly, finishing what he was originally going to say. His eyes flickered at hers as they both stared deeply and intensely at one another. The room was growing warmer and their pent up feelings could explode at any moment.
Luckily, or unluckily for them, before things got out of hand Inuyasha barged back into the bar, and he did not look happy. He was bruised and scraped up pretty badly. It was assumed he got sitted by Kagome a numerous amount of times, making him very irritable. "Sango, you and Miroku stop having fun and get your ass in gear. We have to get going."
There was a fierce amount of brutality in his voice and neither Sango nor Xen felt like challenging him. They stood up and left the bar where Kagome was waiting outside with Shippou and Kilala.
Sango smiled and gathered up Kilala in her arms and gave her a soft pet, Shippou hopped up on Kagome's shoulders, and Inuyasha silently muttered something about a cruel bitch and revenge. Yes, the gang was all ready to set out.
Xen was taken aback for a moment by the mental picture he was getting from all of this. Though he didn't remember any of these people the feeling he was getting was quite familiar and comforting. "It's odd," he said silently to himself. "I almost feel like I know these people."
"Oi! New guy! Haul some ass, we're already ahead of you!"
The sound of Inuyasha's face being smashed into the ground roused Xen from his temporary daze and he quickly caught up with his newfound companions.
There had been a comfortable silence between the group for a little while but it didn't last long and Kagome's voice filled the air. "So, Inuyasha, where exactly are you taking us? I'd like to know how late we're going to be traveling tonight."
Inuyasha didn't respond to her question at first, as though he were contemplating it but as Kagome was about to open her mouth and get angry he wisely responded. "I'm not sure, exactly. I'd like to hunt for some more jewel fragments but it's been a long while since you've said that you've sensed anything. Which means we should go back kind of where we started from."
"That's a sensible plan," she said bitterly. Kagome and Inuyasha were definitely fired up about something, definitely something other than jewel fragments.
He decided to keep his mouth shout and not say anything, he had just fought with Kagome not too long ago and didn't want to hear the 'sit' word anymore then he had to that day. So instead his mind spoke for him. 'Whatever you stupid wench. I don't hear you coming up with a plan.' He chuckled evilly to himself at the thought of actually saying that to Kagome.
The rest of the group could hear his chuckling and felt terribly embarrassed for him, but decided it best not to say anything. Quickly the group's attention left Inuyasha and turned to their mysterious Xen.
"So," Kagome said, "You must really like Sango to be kissing her like you did back at the bar."
'Kagome!' Sango's mind screamed at her friend. She was too embarrassed to say it herself and her face turned a dark crimson color.
Xen however seemed pretty calm about her statement and smiled when he say Sango's face. 'I love it when she blushes like that.' "Well, I thought me kissing her was pretty self explanatory, was it not?"
It was Kagome's turn to feel embarrassed. Xen had gotten her good there, and she didn't make any more remarks about it after that.
Inuyasha having sensitive ears could hear the conversation and scoffed at the remark Xen had made to Kagome. 'Serves her right for being so nosey.'
Sango was feeling relieved after Xen had told Kagome off as he did but her cheeks still kept a pinkish hue to them, much like cherry blossoms.
After a few numerous amounts of side conversations, chit chatting, and a couple of pit stops the brilliant sunlight of the day had been lost and night was casting its shadow down on the group. By this time Inuyasha had reached what he called their designated "camp site" which was really an open area not too far from a small forest.
"We can make camp here for tonight and start off early in the morning," declared Inuyasha. "Sango and Kagome go see if you can find any streams or anything and gather some water. Take Shippou and Kilala with you, I don't want any nuisances. And you," Inuyasha pointed over to Xen who was resting silently on a large rock, "You can help me gather some firewood."
"Sure."
The girls group disbanded and Inuyasha and Xen were left to go and collect some wood. It wasn't hard finding any since they were right by a forest but the task was tedious enough.
Inuyasha taking out his frustrations over his fight with Kagome was tearing trees to shreds left and right with his claws, not even needing his sword.
Xen took a much calmer and more rational approach so there was actually some tree left to collect. Using his scythe he cut numerous amounts of smaller trees into smaller exact pieces of wood for them. Working quickly and efficiently with no in-between words spoken to each other the job got done pretty fast.
By the time they had finished there were two large piles of wood sitting in the campsite, one more or less shambles of what used to be a tree, Inuyasha's pile, and then Xen's, which they used to set up their fire.
Inuyasha set up the wood tee-pee style for a good even fire and Xen collected some large rocks and placed them around what would be a roaring campfire soon. Seeing everything was in place Inuyasha sparked some flames with his sword and used some brush and got the wood ignited.
Once it started burning steadily for a while the two were able to take sit back and relax and admire their handy work.
Though through the process it was pretty obvious neither of them were much on talking to each other. That or there was just nothing to say. Finally, Inuyasha spoke up. "Don't play with Sango's feelings. If you don't love her then leave right now because she's been through enough heartache."
Xen was slightly startled by this statement at first but quickly understood. Inuyasha was more or less a big brother to Sango, and he respected that. "I have no intentions of hurting your friend, Sango. I really do have feelings for her and I just want to be whoever it is I'm suppose to be."
"Good answer. Now I want have to kill you." Inuyasha gave an evil smirk at Xen, trying to psych him out a little bit.
He just smiled back at him, ignoring Inuyasha's threat/warning to him. "I wonder what the girls are up to now. They should be back soon."
"Probably not. Knowing Kagome they probably found a hot spring somewhere and are giggling and talking about girl things. Yuck!" Inuyasha made a disgusted face.
Xen merely shrugged and nodded, "You're probably right."
Even though they were boys their thoughts were indeed correct and the girls did come across a hot spring, which they now inhabited.
A warm and pleasurable feeling raced through Sango as the warm water washed over her skin and eased away the tension of the last few days. Hearing a low sigh come from Kagome she turned her attention over to her equally exhausted friend. "How have things been between you and Inuyasha, Kagome? You two seemed pretty angry with each other earlier."
Sango's question had definitely caught Kagome off guard, but she had wanted to tell her friend anyway. "It's not that there's anything bad going on between us, I think. It's really more of a self-defense."
"Huh?" Kagome's bland explanation on things wasn't very helpful to Sango to get the picture. "What are you saying, Kagome?"
She bit her lip hard, hurting herself for not denying that something was going on between them. "Me and Inuyasha, we got very close while you were gone . Very close." Her red cheeks shown brightly even in the night sky. "I think we just rushed into things and now are trying to act like nothing is going on."
"Oh," said Sango, trying to hide her surprise. "I had no idea. I'm sorry for pressing."
She smiled and shook her head. "No, it's no big deal. After all, I did embarrass you today anyway, about Xen."
Sango wasn't quite sure how to respond to that statement, so she just didn't say anything at all.
Kagome however wasn't going to let the subject go, she was bent on getting those two together. "What did happen between you guys any way? You were definitely close when he had found you at that bar."
"When I found Miroku I didn't believe him at first about him not remembering who he was or who I was but after talking with him it was pretty clear he was telling the truth. I felt like my world had come crashing down on me but now, I don't think it matters very much."
Kagome had caught the distant look in Sango's eyes as she had said that and became immediately engrossed in what she was thinking. "What do you mean?"
"This is, to me, more or less still Miroku. He sort of goes back and forth between his old happy-go-lucky attitude and more of an Inuyasha attitude. He can be very detached at times or very open. It's like he's two different people."
Kagome urged her friend to go on, she was really getting into what she had to say.
"Xen is the Miroku we never see, the part of Miroku who is more dark and doesn't want others to know about his past. Really, it's showing the other side of him, even if it isn't Miroku's actual dark side."
"So what does that mean? What are you going to do about it, Sango?"
"I'm not very sure yet, but I do know, that regardless of all this I still have feelings for him. All I can do is pray and bring more of him out as I spend time with him."
She nodded silently, absorbing all of what she had to say. "That's tough Sango, but I know things will work out."
Sango smiled at her friend, glad to have her support. "Thanks."
"No problem, Sango, but I'm going to head back to camp. I'm kind of hungry and would like to warm up by the fire." She got out of the springs and slipped her clothes back on. She turned to her side and Shippou was waiting for her. Kagome could sense Sango needing to be alone and left with Shippou and Kilala tagged along with them. Turning back to her friend before leaving she said, "See you later." Then left.
"Alright, bye." She let out a small sigh of relief as she saw her friend disappear back into the night. She was glad that she had given her a little space. She was still stressed out over the whole Miroku situation. Her feelings hadn't changed for him but the situation had grown more complicated and all the more stressful for her. "Why can't things ever just go easy for me?"
She let her thoughts take care over and just melted into the springs letting all the time just slip away from her.
"Sango? Are you there? It's me, Xen."
She was quickly aroused and sank lower into the water so only her head remained above surface. Her face was bright red and she was trying hard to hide how embarrassed she really was. "Wha-What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I updated, I hope this will suite you all nicely. I worked pretty hard to pound this out tonight and I feel bad I hadn't updated in such a long time. Please forgive me. Thank you. ^_^ And thanks a lot from all the kick ass reviewers from the last chapter.
Inu-shounen~ Oh, don't worry, there will be plenty more mayhem later on. For now this is just more or less a filler chapter but it'll be important for the setup of the next chappy.
Lar-lar~ I always love reading your reviews. You're always so positive and kind when you talk about my writing and I appreciate that, greatly. Thank you so very much for that kind review.
Aamalie~ I understand your frustration in the whole changing personalities but that's sort of an important part of developing Xen's character, he really has no set character, more of an alter ego of Miroku I would say. Sorry for that, don't get angry. Thanks for the review.
Rissi-sama~ But wouldn't you rather be blushing than crying like in my other fics? No. That's what I thought, glad you enjoyed it. ^_^ Thanks.
I Love Miroku~ All in due time my good friend, there is a plot needs to be fully developed first, but thanks for reading and enjoying the story.
Cassiechan~ I'm doing my best to get reactions done right, it's sort of hard. The characters are pretty multi-dimensional but things are moving along better now and I should update sooner. Also, don't worry, I finish every fic I start.
SM Together~ And I love kind reviews like yours! Thanks!
Rain Angst~ It's a pleasure, truly, I love hearing that my writing is satisfying.
Small-Buttercup~ Since this really isn't suppose to be a humorous fic there aren't too many great lines, but I do enjoy hearing that the parts I intend to be humorous are to people. Thanks for the compliment and lets pray Inuyasha never does have a period.
Sarenaty~ No worries, I finish every fic I write and hearing that it's good only aids in the process. Thanks for reviewing.
Backsplash007~ Sorry, I was unable to update very quickly but I'm glad the humor in the last chapter was satisfyingly funny and I'll do my best in the future. Thanks a lot.
KaT aka Mistress Shinigami~ Oi, I appreciate the praise and knowing that you're enjoying what's going on. Sorry for not updating sooner but I hope this is good enough for you.
Miroku's girl~ That's a lot of love. *is being smothered in love* Thank you, thank you so very much. Now someone please, help dig me out.
Eva~ I appreciate the kind words and I'll do my best to update sooner in the future.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR KICKASS REVIEWS AND STICKING WITH ME EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN A DOOSH AND HAVE TAKEN SO LONG TO UPDATE! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
And if you feel so compelled you can check out my original story and some of my friends' at this site Thanks everyone!
Expect the next update around next weekend, maybe earlier or later, not sure. But it shouldn't be nearly as long as last time. I'm very sorry.
Till then,
Zero.
Dialog~ "Meep meep meep."
Thoughts~ 'Meep meep meep'
Author's note~ Okay, so it's been a long ass time since I've updated and I apologize. I have been working on an original story and sort of got caught up in that. Also, school decided to be a bitch and I've been preparing for my BST's for a while now. Any way, I've got some time now so I'm going to try and write my ass off for now on and not have such a long period of time before I update. Hell, I'm missing Super Bowl Sunday for you people. So I do hope you enjoy. ^_^
Chapter 9
"He what!?"
Xen cringed slightly at the booming sound of Inuyasha's voice coming from just outside. Sango had said to wait for her while she explained things to her friends. He sighed and took another sip of his sake. "Things most not be going well, I guess."
Outside Inuyasha was still throwing a fit at Sango while Kagome and Shippou watched wisely from the sidelines.
"Sango, now tell me this one more time, what the hell happened to Miroku?" Inuyasha was growing more frustrated by the second as his answers came slowly to him from Sango, who she herself didn't really know what was going on.
"I already told you all I know, Inuyasha. Somehow Miroku lost his memory and is now convinced he's this Xen person."
Inuyasha's face got all bunched up and he started ranting and shouting out curse words. Sango sighed and shook her head, 'He's like a child, I swear.'
Kagome was disgusted by Inuyasha's pre-schoolish behavior as well but had more important things to worry about at the moment besides him going nuclear. "So, Sango, what do you think we should do about it then?"
Her face darkened and she sighed, she was obviously very distressed over the whole situation. "I'm not very sure Kagome, I've never dealt with this sort of situation before. I don't know if there's a way to cure him or not. I think he may have to stay this way for a while."
Kagome could sense her friend's anguish but would talk to her about it later, for now she just wanted to find out what they should do. "So, what does that mean? Do we take him with us?"
"It's our only choice, I think. Maybe his memories will eventually return to him as he spends more time with us. I just have no idea." Her fast twisted into a painful expression and Sango for once in a long time had looked defeated.
"It'll be okay, Sango. Things will work out, I know they will. Just give things time." She patted her friend on the back reassuringly, hoping she would be okay.
Inuyasha let out a low and angered growl, he could easily overhear the girls' conversation and was not pleased. "Time is something we don't have you stupid wench! That idiot doesn't have much time left to live and it certainly doesn't help when he doesn't even realize that himself. We have to fix this quickly or Miroku's life will be in danger."
Kagome's aura resonated in pure anger as she fought with herself not to go over and smack him a couple of times upside the head. 'That idiot! I was trying to comfort her and he messes everything up!' "Inuyasha, you need to stay calm and think rationally before you go and make everything worse."
"Keh." Inuyasha crossed his arms in a defiant pose, he was feeling dangerous today. "No, I think you're being a stupid bitch and are just avoiding the problem entirely."
"Inuyasha!"
'Oh boy, here it comes,' thought Sango. 'Well, I'm certainly not going to stick around and them explode on each other.' She turned around and left the two super powers to duke it out while she talked with Xen.
"Hey," he smiled at her as she walked back into the bar. "How did things go? Bad?"
She nodded as she sat down next to him and sighed. "Things are going very bad. Inuyasha is very hostile and Kagome doesn't feel like being patient with him today. They're outside bickering right now."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he guzzled down more sake. "I see, things are going bad then. This is unfortunate. What are we going to do then?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yes, nothing. There's nothing that can improve the situation from here. There's no point in getting angry about it. We should just move on."
Xen slammed his cup down rather loudly as his face darkened underneath his long bangs, trying hard not to show his real emotions. "I'm very sorry. I'm causing you all this trouble, Sango. Forgive me."
Her heart clenched at this sadness in his voice, she never wanted Xen to see himself as a burden to her. She really had feelings for Miroku, even if this memory loss had changed his personality he was still the same to her. Quickly, she resolved to fix things. She reached out and touched his arm tenderly, giving him a sincere smile. "You didn't do anything, you have no reason to be sorry. Don't worry about things, Inuyasha and Kagome fight like this all the time."
"It's not that," he whispered.
"Then what is it? Tell me what's wrong, Xen." That last word, Xen, sounded forced, she couldn't really help it. She had grown accustomed to calling him houshi-sama or Miroku. The whole thing wasn't still sitting with her well, and it showed.
"I don't like hurting beautiful and sweet women such as yourself, Sango. Me loosing my memory and being around you probably only makes you hurt worse. So that's why I'm-"
Wanting to stop Xen from going on a guilt trip and feeling poorly she silenced him with a quick and unexpected kiss. She gave him a little taste of her tongue and peeled back, wanting to see if it had worked.
"Sorry," he said breathlessly, finishing what he was originally going to say. His eyes flickered at hers as they both stared deeply and intensely at one another. The room was growing warmer and their pent up feelings could explode at any moment.
Luckily, or unluckily for them, before things got out of hand Inuyasha barged back into the bar, and he did not look happy. He was bruised and scraped up pretty badly. It was assumed he got sitted by Kagome a numerous amount of times, making him very irritable. "Sango, you and Miroku stop having fun and get your ass in gear. We have to get going."
There was a fierce amount of brutality in his voice and neither Sango nor Xen felt like challenging him. They stood up and left the bar where Kagome was waiting outside with Shippou and Kilala.
Sango smiled and gathered up Kilala in her arms and gave her a soft pet, Shippou hopped up on Kagome's shoulders, and Inuyasha silently muttered something about a cruel bitch and revenge. Yes, the gang was all ready to set out.
Xen was taken aback for a moment by the mental picture he was getting from all of this. Though he didn't remember any of these people the feeling he was getting was quite familiar and comforting. "It's odd," he said silently to himself. "I almost feel like I know these people."
"Oi! New guy! Haul some ass, we're already ahead of you!"
The sound of Inuyasha's face being smashed into the ground roused Xen from his temporary daze and he quickly caught up with his newfound companions.
There had been a comfortable silence between the group for a little while but it didn't last long and Kagome's voice filled the air. "So, Inuyasha, where exactly are you taking us? I'd like to know how late we're going to be traveling tonight."
Inuyasha didn't respond to her question at first, as though he were contemplating it but as Kagome was about to open her mouth and get angry he wisely responded. "I'm not sure, exactly. I'd like to hunt for some more jewel fragments but it's been a long while since you've said that you've sensed anything. Which means we should go back kind of where we started from."
"That's a sensible plan," she said bitterly. Kagome and Inuyasha were definitely fired up about something, definitely something other than jewel fragments.
He decided to keep his mouth shout and not say anything, he had just fought with Kagome not too long ago and didn't want to hear the 'sit' word anymore then he had to that day. So instead his mind spoke for him. 'Whatever you stupid wench. I don't hear you coming up with a plan.' He chuckled evilly to himself at the thought of actually saying that to Kagome.
The rest of the group could hear his chuckling and felt terribly embarrassed for him, but decided it best not to say anything. Quickly the group's attention left Inuyasha and turned to their mysterious Xen.
"So," Kagome said, "You must really like Sango to be kissing her like you did back at the bar."
'Kagome!' Sango's mind screamed at her friend. She was too embarrassed to say it herself and her face turned a dark crimson color.
Xen however seemed pretty calm about her statement and smiled when he say Sango's face. 'I love it when she blushes like that.' "Well, I thought me kissing her was pretty self explanatory, was it not?"
It was Kagome's turn to feel embarrassed. Xen had gotten her good there, and she didn't make any more remarks about it after that.
Inuyasha having sensitive ears could hear the conversation and scoffed at the remark Xen had made to Kagome. 'Serves her right for being so nosey.'
Sango was feeling relieved after Xen had told Kagome off as he did but her cheeks still kept a pinkish hue to them, much like cherry blossoms.
After a few numerous amounts of side conversations, chit chatting, and a couple of pit stops the brilliant sunlight of the day had been lost and night was casting its shadow down on the group. By this time Inuyasha had reached what he called their designated "camp site" which was really an open area not too far from a small forest.
"We can make camp here for tonight and start off early in the morning," declared Inuyasha. "Sango and Kagome go see if you can find any streams or anything and gather some water. Take Shippou and Kilala with you, I don't want any nuisances. And you," Inuyasha pointed over to Xen who was resting silently on a large rock, "You can help me gather some firewood."
"Sure."
The girls group disbanded and Inuyasha and Xen were left to go and collect some wood. It wasn't hard finding any since they were right by a forest but the task was tedious enough.
Inuyasha taking out his frustrations over his fight with Kagome was tearing trees to shreds left and right with his claws, not even needing his sword.
Xen took a much calmer and more rational approach so there was actually some tree left to collect. Using his scythe he cut numerous amounts of smaller trees into smaller exact pieces of wood for them. Working quickly and efficiently with no in-between words spoken to each other the job got done pretty fast.
By the time they had finished there were two large piles of wood sitting in the campsite, one more or less shambles of what used to be a tree, Inuyasha's pile, and then Xen's, which they used to set up their fire.
Inuyasha set up the wood tee-pee style for a good even fire and Xen collected some large rocks and placed them around what would be a roaring campfire soon. Seeing everything was in place Inuyasha sparked some flames with his sword and used some brush and got the wood ignited.
Once it started burning steadily for a while the two were able to take sit back and relax and admire their handy work.
Though through the process it was pretty obvious neither of them were much on talking to each other. That or there was just nothing to say. Finally, Inuyasha spoke up. "Don't play with Sango's feelings. If you don't love her then leave right now because she's been through enough heartache."
Xen was slightly startled by this statement at first but quickly understood. Inuyasha was more or less a big brother to Sango, and he respected that. "I have no intentions of hurting your friend, Sango. I really do have feelings for her and I just want to be whoever it is I'm suppose to be."
"Good answer. Now I want have to kill you." Inuyasha gave an evil smirk at Xen, trying to psych him out a little bit.
He just smiled back at him, ignoring Inuyasha's threat/warning to him. "I wonder what the girls are up to now. They should be back soon."
"Probably not. Knowing Kagome they probably found a hot spring somewhere and are giggling and talking about girl things. Yuck!" Inuyasha made a disgusted face.
Xen merely shrugged and nodded, "You're probably right."
Even though they were boys their thoughts were indeed correct and the girls did come across a hot spring, which they now inhabited.
A warm and pleasurable feeling raced through Sango as the warm water washed over her skin and eased away the tension of the last few days. Hearing a low sigh come from Kagome she turned her attention over to her equally exhausted friend. "How have things been between you and Inuyasha, Kagome? You two seemed pretty angry with each other earlier."
Sango's question had definitely caught Kagome off guard, but she had wanted to tell her friend anyway. "It's not that there's anything bad going on between us, I think. It's really more of a self-defense."
"Huh?" Kagome's bland explanation on things wasn't very helpful to Sango to get the picture. "What are you saying, Kagome?"
She bit her lip hard, hurting herself for not denying that something was going on between them. "Me and Inuyasha, we got very close while you were gone . Very close." Her red cheeks shown brightly even in the night sky. "I think we just rushed into things and now are trying to act like nothing is going on."
"Oh," said Sango, trying to hide her surprise. "I had no idea. I'm sorry for pressing."
She smiled and shook her head. "No, it's no big deal. After all, I did embarrass you today anyway, about Xen."
Sango wasn't quite sure how to respond to that statement, so she just didn't say anything at all.
Kagome however wasn't going to let the subject go, she was bent on getting those two together. "What did happen between you guys any way? You were definitely close when he had found you at that bar."
"When I found Miroku I didn't believe him at first about him not remembering who he was or who I was but after talking with him it was pretty clear he was telling the truth. I felt like my world had come crashing down on me but now, I don't think it matters very much."
Kagome had caught the distant look in Sango's eyes as she had said that and became immediately engrossed in what she was thinking. "What do you mean?"
"This is, to me, more or less still Miroku. He sort of goes back and forth between his old happy-go-lucky attitude and more of an Inuyasha attitude. He can be very detached at times or very open. It's like he's two different people."
Kagome urged her friend to go on, she was really getting into what she had to say.
"Xen is the Miroku we never see, the part of Miroku who is more dark and doesn't want others to know about his past. Really, it's showing the other side of him, even if it isn't Miroku's actual dark side."
"So what does that mean? What are you going to do about it, Sango?"
"I'm not very sure yet, but I do know, that regardless of all this I still have feelings for him. All I can do is pray and bring more of him out as I spend time with him."
She nodded silently, absorbing all of what she had to say. "That's tough Sango, but I know things will work out."
Sango smiled at her friend, glad to have her support. "Thanks."
"No problem, Sango, but I'm going to head back to camp. I'm kind of hungry and would like to warm up by the fire." She got out of the springs and slipped her clothes back on. She turned to her side and Shippou was waiting for her. Kagome could sense Sango needing to be alone and left with Shippou and Kilala tagged along with them. Turning back to her friend before leaving she said, "See you later." Then left.
"Alright, bye." She let out a small sigh of relief as she saw her friend disappear back into the night. She was glad that she had given her a little space. She was still stressed out over the whole Miroku situation. Her feelings hadn't changed for him but the situation had grown more complicated and all the more stressful for her. "Why can't things ever just go easy for me?"
She let her thoughts take care over and just melted into the springs letting all the time just slip away from her.
"Sango? Are you there? It's me, Xen."
She was quickly aroused and sank lower into the water so only her head remained above surface. Her face was bright red and she was trying hard to hide how embarrassed she really was. "Wha-What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of chapter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I updated, I hope this will suite you all nicely. I worked pretty hard to pound this out tonight and I feel bad I hadn't updated in such a long time. Please forgive me. Thank you. ^_^ And thanks a lot from all the kick ass reviewers from the last chapter.
Inu-shounen~ Oh, don't worry, there will be plenty more mayhem later on. For now this is just more or less a filler chapter but it'll be important for the setup of the next chappy.
Lar-lar~ I always love reading your reviews. You're always so positive and kind when you talk about my writing and I appreciate that, greatly. Thank you so very much for that kind review.
Aamalie~ I understand your frustration in the whole changing personalities but that's sort of an important part of developing Xen's character, he really has no set character, more of an alter ego of Miroku I would say. Sorry for that, don't get angry. Thanks for the review.
Rissi-sama~ But wouldn't you rather be blushing than crying like in my other fics? No. That's what I thought, glad you enjoyed it. ^_^ Thanks.
I Love Miroku~ All in due time my good friend, there is a plot needs to be fully developed first, but thanks for reading and enjoying the story.
Cassiechan~ I'm doing my best to get reactions done right, it's sort of hard. The characters are pretty multi-dimensional but things are moving along better now and I should update sooner. Also, don't worry, I finish every fic I start.
SM Together~ And I love kind reviews like yours! Thanks!
Rain Angst~ It's a pleasure, truly, I love hearing that my writing is satisfying.
Small-Buttercup~ Since this really isn't suppose to be a humorous fic there aren't too many great lines, but I do enjoy hearing that the parts I intend to be humorous are to people. Thanks for the compliment and lets pray Inuyasha never does have a period.
Sarenaty~ No worries, I finish every fic I write and hearing that it's good only aids in the process. Thanks for reviewing.
Backsplash007~ Sorry, I was unable to update very quickly but I'm glad the humor in the last chapter was satisfyingly funny and I'll do my best in the future. Thanks a lot.
KaT aka Mistress Shinigami~ Oi, I appreciate the praise and knowing that you're enjoying what's going on. Sorry for not updating sooner but I hope this is good enough for you.
Miroku's girl~ That's a lot of love. *is being smothered in love* Thank you, thank you so very much. Now someone please, help dig me out.
Eva~ I appreciate the kind words and I'll do my best to update sooner in the future.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR KICKASS REVIEWS AND STICKING WITH ME EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN A DOOSH AND HAVE TAKEN SO LONG TO UPDATE! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
And if you feel so compelled you can check out my original story and some of my friends' at this site Thanks everyone!
Expect the next update around next weekend, maybe earlier or later, not sure. But it shouldn't be nearly as long as last time. I'm very sorry.
Till then,
Zero.