Disclaimer: In stead of some fat old guy in a rag of a old suit, claiming to come for Christmas,
I'd prefer a hanyou in his red haori to come for real(hey, every girl can dream). Oh, and I still
don't own InuYasha, there's some stupid Amendment in the Constitution that doesn't allow
slavery (well, ownership of anyone else) in the US, what's with that (what a gyp u_u)?
Author Notes: *gasp* OMG I can't believe how many reviews I got (maybe I should have risen
the stakes n_n'...) Well, now the group is on their way to find the oh-so-close shikon-no-tama
shard, joined by Seiko *cheers*? ( u_u' maybe not...). Okay, I'm gonna give another try at the
whole 'talk to the reviewers' thing...
Artemis Moon - InuYasha was merely curious (good thing he's a dog demon and not a cat... heh
heh, okay so it's not funny.) Kagome stubborn? Well, don't worry, she's only been a little down
played for now, she'll become more active... She'll be back to old self in no time (is that good or
bad? I mean Inu was nice only for the fact that she was sick... well maybe he'll forget to be rude
since he's kinda preoccupied...) As for Shippou and Sango, they ARE there, they just aren't as
active as the others... this is Miroku's time to *cough* shine n_n'''. As for Miroku, from this
chappy, and more to come, all of his energy will most likely go into resisting temptation from his
old 'habit'... that is, until he cracks...
Kaylana - You are seriously fixed with the idea of some M/S incorporation, aren't you... (well
their might be... but I didn't say that... and as for the rest of you staring at the screen, I didn't say
ANYTHING, not one word. So either read the story and review, or I'll stop posting, and what I
DIDN'T say, will never be posted... _ got it?!)
Nilannawen - Thanks for coming to read my fic... You are right, Sango has kind of disappeared,
and I'm surprised that no-one has even mentioned the absence of Kiarra...
Imowen - O_O You people are so mean. Have you no compassion that Miroku finally found
someone to love him?... Oh well, you'll find out how Sango's really reacting soon enough, I
mean they did finally leave Oki's hut, that definitely had something to do with it... n_n'
Okay, I'll just sum this 'all - too - long' A/N up so yous can get to actually read what happens.
fyi: there WERE others I would have liked to mention, *sad* but it is too long as is... I'll be sure
to mention those of you next chapter...
~* Over the Edge - Chapter 8: Silence As Well As Strength*~
Is wasn't till once the hut was out of sight, that Seiko seemed relaxed, well as relaxed as things
got as far as Seiko goes. She was dead silent, even as the others conversed around her. She just
kept walking along with them, though slightly to the back, and only spoke when spoken to, and
in a very direct manner. It was almost as if she didn't want them to get to know her.
Once in a while Miroku found himself studying the curves of Sango's body. But he tore his gaze
from the familiar form when he caught sight of Seiko in the corner of his eye. She was sure to be
a reminder if his commitment to Oki. But his habit was sure not to be so easily conquered...
Kagome chose to lean on Inuyasha, despite her healed wound. But like Oki had said, she was
having a bit of difficulty walking on it at first. The strange part was, she found herself, leaning on
him more than needed. There was just something about his muscular embrace as he held her
steady, that she melted into.
As for Shippou, he found it entertaining to hop about the huntress' open shoulder to get a better
look at the fire hawk, still resting on the other. Surprisingly, Seiko didn't seem to mind the
kitsune's behavior. She even let him hold it, after his return to the ground (which was partially
from the 'persuasion' of a near by InuYasha). But the sheer size of the combat bird nearly caused
him to fall over, unable to balance the new weight, so it returned to it's place of rest on it's
master's shoulder.
***
When it grew darker, InuYasha found a small clearing where they would be able to rest for the
night.
"Seiko, would you mind chopping some fire wood?" Miroku was now getting set in with what
the concept of having someone in your servitude meant.
"As you wish." Her tone was deep, as if she were filled with hatred of the monk of which she
was bonded by her sisters hands. She went off into the woods to fulfill her task. But as she left,
InuYasha picked up the sound of faint mummers, "damn monk, you'd think he'd come up with
something better than WOOD..."
"Miroku! I can't believe how you're treating her." Sango started on him once Seiko was out of
the clearing. "You know that firewood is YOUR job. Why must you feel it's necessary to take
advantage of her like that? I'd understand if it was something small, but did you have to give her
such labor intensive work right away?!"
"She didn't complain." Miroku argued.
Kagome and Sango both sighed and exchanged glances, then Kagome spoke up. "InuYasha."
"What is it?"
"Would you go help Seiko with the fire wood? I think Sango and I need to teach Miroku a little
lesson about his ego trip."
"Feh." He crossed his arms and turned from her. There was no way he'd lower himself to do
Miroku's chores for him. Besides, Seiko seemed like she could handle it, especially from her
mumbling as she left, but they hadn't heard that part.
"Please." She gave him a helpless look, like the ones Shippou would give her to get extra
chocolate.
"Fine." He headed off in the direction she'd gone, following her unique scent of pine and
jasmine.
***
When he'd found her, she was chopping wood on a rather large, sturdy, stump. She glistened of a
faint sweat, and looked angry for some reason, taking it out on the wood, chopping it into little
bits for the fire. (A/N: Not 'little bits', just a smaller size)
She set a log on the stump. "Do you need any help?" InuYasha asked. As that was what he'd
come to do.
With those words, her brows lowered, eye's closed, and as she swung the ax it came down even
harder on the wood, with even less effort, splitting the stump.
InuYasha jumped back slightly as this happened. He wasn't sure if humans were so posed to be
that strong.
"I don't NEED your help." Her words were deep and smooth, as if she were resisting to grit her
teeth from all the frustration. 'Why must everyone underestimate me?!'
She hauled some wood up in her arms, then pushed pass the confused hanyou to get back to
camp.
***
Once the fire had been started, Kagome and Sango cooked supper of fried rice and oden. Seiko
sat off to the side while they ate, sitting up against a tree. She still seemed mad about the 'wood'
thing, so InuYasha left her alone, when he would have normally jeered her until she slapped him
upside the head like the other girls seemed to do.
"Seiko. Why don't you come join us?" Miroku asked, wanting to get to know the huntress like all
the others.
She didn't say anything. She merely rouse from her position, and joined them by the fire on a log
in between Miroku and Kagome.
Kagome shot him a sharp glare to push him to apologize. "I'm sorry that I made you cut the fire
wood earlier... It was my chore, and I shouldn't have done that..." He stammered as he spoke. In
truth, he actually wasn't sorry, she'd seemed to have an easier time with it than he'd have, and
she never had objected to it.
"It alright. I'm just not used to doing such menial work... I prefer things to be more labor
intensive, that way I feel like I did actual work that more than just I could benefit from." She
spoke dryly, and after such continued slurping her oden, becoming quiet once more.
This was the most she had said to them all day. But it wasn't how much she said that amazed
them, it was what she had said.
'MORE labor intensive' Sango thought. Miroku would always complain that it was too much for
one person's chore... and here their new companion was complaining it wasn't enough! This just
wasn't right. But, if she didn't complain, than there was no reason why she shouldn't do his
chores if it was closer to her level than his other anticipated chores. (A/N: His list of other chores
included: cleaning, if they were able to stay in a hut for a night, tending to wounds, if he were
injured in battles, and mending any cloths that might be torn for what ever reason...)
***
It was completely dark when they finally decided it was time to go to bed. No one said it aloud,
but there was the question of where Seiko would sleep. Everyone already had there positions,
Kagome in her sleeping bag with Shippou, Sango on the ground with Kiarra, Miroku up against a
nearby tree, and InuYasha would be up IN a nearby tree, all of which would be around the spot
where the fire had been, lighting their small clearing with glowing embers.
This question was soon answered as a silhouette was seen climbing up a tree, next to InuYasha's.
The others soon fell asleep, but InuYasha saw her as she situated herself for the night. She
pulled a oddly shaped scrap of fabric from her bag, and tied it to various branches toward the top
of the tree. Then she lay in it as a hammock. A whistle sounded, and her fire hawk flew to her
side as she too, fell asleep.
***
At some point during the night, InuYahsa had dosed off, but only for a moment. It was early in
the morning, and darkness still flooded the clearing as morning dew collected on the grass floor.
His ears were twitching, searching for sounds, but everything was still.
But then, there was a far off sound of Seiko's whistle. 'How did that bitch sneak off without me
hearing, damn it.' He continued to cure himself for not knowing when she'd left, on her own will
no doubt. Miroku and the others were still sleeping and she wouldn't have been given any chores
for such an early hour.
So he leapt from his branch and headed in the direction that he'd heard her whistle. He was
gonna find out what she was up to, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
*SAD* Just to let you all know, I will write the extra chappys I promised. But the thing is, that
there might be a delay in getting them posted... You see, I'm reading "Gone With the Wind" for
school *gag*, and my dad is pushing me to read more of it, and not as much on ff.net... So my
plan is to keep writing my chapters off line, but unfortunately he's also limited my computer
time, so as you can guess, I might not be able to get all of them up as planned... u_u' stupid book,
it has 1024 pages and I'm only a little over half way through... Basically, the sooner I finish the
book, the sooner I get my ff.net privileges back. So PLEASE bare with me. (Oh and btw, I do get
to read any reviews and e-mail, so any words of encouragement would motivate me to keep
reading that long, never-ending, hell of a damn BOOK *FRUSTRATED*...) Sorry, bout' that, I
will put out SOME chappys while on 'punishment', but I can't put out the extriees until later.
()()
(_) "Damn Book" ~Bunny
I'd prefer a hanyou in his red haori to come for real(hey, every girl can dream). Oh, and I still
don't own InuYasha, there's some stupid Amendment in the Constitution that doesn't allow
slavery (well, ownership of anyone else) in the US, what's with that (what a gyp u_u)?
Author Notes: *gasp* OMG I can't believe how many reviews I got (maybe I should have risen
the stakes n_n'...) Well, now the group is on their way to find the oh-so-close shikon-no-tama
shard, joined by Seiko *cheers*? ( u_u' maybe not...). Okay, I'm gonna give another try at the
whole 'talk to the reviewers' thing...
Artemis Moon - InuYasha was merely curious (good thing he's a dog demon and not a cat... heh
heh, okay so it's not funny.) Kagome stubborn? Well, don't worry, she's only been a little down
played for now, she'll become more active... She'll be back to old self in no time (is that good or
bad? I mean Inu was nice only for the fact that she was sick... well maybe he'll forget to be rude
since he's kinda preoccupied...) As for Shippou and Sango, they ARE there, they just aren't as
active as the others... this is Miroku's time to *cough* shine n_n'''. As for Miroku, from this
chappy, and more to come, all of his energy will most likely go into resisting temptation from his
old 'habit'... that is, until he cracks...
Kaylana - You are seriously fixed with the idea of some M/S incorporation, aren't you... (well
their might be... but I didn't say that... and as for the rest of you staring at the screen, I didn't say
ANYTHING, not one word. So either read the story and review, or I'll stop posting, and what I
DIDN'T say, will never be posted... _ got it?!)
Nilannawen - Thanks for coming to read my fic... You are right, Sango has kind of disappeared,
and I'm surprised that no-one has even mentioned the absence of Kiarra...
Imowen - O_O You people are so mean. Have you no compassion that Miroku finally found
someone to love him?... Oh well, you'll find out how Sango's really reacting soon enough, I
mean they did finally leave Oki's hut, that definitely had something to do with it... n_n'
Okay, I'll just sum this 'all - too - long' A/N up so yous can get to actually read what happens.
fyi: there WERE others I would have liked to mention, *sad* but it is too long as is... I'll be sure
to mention those of you next chapter...
~* Over the Edge - Chapter 8: Silence As Well As Strength*~
Is wasn't till once the hut was out of sight, that Seiko seemed relaxed, well as relaxed as things
got as far as Seiko goes. She was dead silent, even as the others conversed around her. She just
kept walking along with them, though slightly to the back, and only spoke when spoken to, and
in a very direct manner. It was almost as if she didn't want them to get to know her.
Once in a while Miroku found himself studying the curves of Sango's body. But he tore his gaze
from the familiar form when he caught sight of Seiko in the corner of his eye. She was sure to be
a reminder if his commitment to Oki. But his habit was sure not to be so easily conquered...
Kagome chose to lean on Inuyasha, despite her healed wound. But like Oki had said, she was
having a bit of difficulty walking on it at first. The strange part was, she found herself, leaning on
him more than needed. There was just something about his muscular embrace as he held her
steady, that she melted into.
As for Shippou, he found it entertaining to hop about the huntress' open shoulder to get a better
look at the fire hawk, still resting on the other. Surprisingly, Seiko didn't seem to mind the
kitsune's behavior. She even let him hold it, after his return to the ground (which was partially
from the 'persuasion' of a near by InuYasha). But the sheer size of the combat bird nearly caused
him to fall over, unable to balance the new weight, so it returned to it's place of rest on it's
master's shoulder.
***
When it grew darker, InuYasha found a small clearing where they would be able to rest for the
night.
"Seiko, would you mind chopping some fire wood?" Miroku was now getting set in with what
the concept of having someone in your servitude meant.
"As you wish." Her tone was deep, as if she were filled with hatred of the monk of which she
was bonded by her sisters hands. She went off into the woods to fulfill her task. But as she left,
InuYasha picked up the sound of faint mummers, "damn monk, you'd think he'd come up with
something better than WOOD..."
"Miroku! I can't believe how you're treating her." Sango started on him once Seiko was out of
the clearing. "You know that firewood is YOUR job. Why must you feel it's necessary to take
advantage of her like that? I'd understand if it was something small, but did you have to give her
such labor intensive work right away?!"
"She didn't complain." Miroku argued.
Kagome and Sango both sighed and exchanged glances, then Kagome spoke up. "InuYasha."
"What is it?"
"Would you go help Seiko with the fire wood? I think Sango and I need to teach Miroku a little
lesson about his ego trip."
"Feh." He crossed his arms and turned from her. There was no way he'd lower himself to do
Miroku's chores for him. Besides, Seiko seemed like she could handle it, especially from her
mumbling as she left, but they hadn't heard that part.
"Please." She gave him a helpless look, like the ones Shippou would give her to get extra
chocolate.
"Fine." He headed off in the direction she'd gone, following her unique scent of pine and
jasmine.
***
When he'd found her, she was chopping wood on a rather large, sturdy, stump. She glistened of a
faint sweat, and looked angry for some reason, taking it out on the wood, chopping it into little
bits for the fire. (A/N: Not 'little bits', just a smaller size)
She set a log on the stump. "Do you need any help?" InuYasha asked. As that was what he'd
come to do.
With those words, her brows lowered, eye's closed, and as she swung the ax it came down even
harder on the wood, with even less effort, splitting the stump.
InuYasha jumped back slightly as this happened. He wasn't sure if humans were so posed to be
that strong.
"I don't NEED your help." Her words were deep and smooth, as if she were resisting to grit her
teeth from all the frustration. 'Why must everyone underestimate me?!'
She hauled some wood up in her arms, then pushed pass the confused hanyou to get back to
camp.
***
Once the fire had been started, Kagome and Sango cooked supper of fried rice and oden. Seiko
sat off to the side while they ate, sitting up against a tree. She still seemed mad about the 'wood'
thing, so InuYasha left her alone, when he would have normally jeered her until she slapped him
upside the head like the other girls seemed to do.
"Seiko. Why don't you come join us?" Miroku asked, wanting to get to know the huntress like all
the others.
She didn't say anything. She merely rouse from her position, and joined them by the fire on a log
in between Miroku and Kagome.
Kagome shot him a sharp glare to push him to apologize. "I'm sorry that I made you cut the fire
wood earlier... It was my chore, and I shouldn't have done that..." He stammered as he spoke. In
truth, he actually wasn't sorry, she'd seemed to have an easier time with it than he'd have, and
she never had objected to it.
"It alright. I'm just not used to doing such menial work... I prefer things to be more labor
intensive, that way I feel like I did actual work that more than just I could benefit from." She
spoke dryly, and after such continued slurping her oden, becoming quiet once more.
This was the most she had said to them all day. But it wasn't how much she said that amazed
them, it was what she had said.
'MORE labor intensive' Sango thought. Miroku would always complain that it was too much for
one person's chore... and here their new companion was complaining it wasn't enough! This just
wasn't right. But, if she didn't complain, than there was no reason why she shouldn't do his
chores if it was closer to her level than his other anticipated chores. (A/N: His list of other chores
included: cleaning, if they were able to stay in a hut for a night, tending to wounds, if he were
injured in battles, and mending any cloths that might be torn for what ever reason...)
***
It was completely dark when they finally decided it was time to go to bed. No one said it aloud,
but there was the question of where Seiko would sleep. Everyone already had there positions,
Kagome in her sleeping bag with Shippou, Sango on the ground with Kiarra, Miroku up against a
nearby tree, and InuYasha would be up IN a nearby tree, all of which would be around the spot
where the fire had been, lighting their small clearing with glowing embers.
This question was soon answered as a silhouette was seen climbing up a tree, next to InuYasha's.
The others soon fell asleep, but InuYasha saw her as she situated herself for the night. She
pulled a oddly shaped scrap of fabric from her bag, and tied it to various branches toward the top
of the tree. Then she lay in it as a hammock. A whistle sounded, and her fire hawk flew to her
side as she too, fell asleep.
***
At some point during the night, InuYahsa had dosed off, but only for a moment. It was early in
the morning, and darkness still flooded the clearing as morning dew collected on the grass floor.
His ears were twitching, searching for sounds, but everything was still.
But then, there was a far off sound of Seiko's whistle. 'How did that bitch sneak off without me
hearing, damn it.' He continued to cure himself for not knowing when she'd left, on her own will
no doubt. Miroku and the others were still sleeping and she wouldn't have been given any chores
for such an early hour.
So he leapt from his branch and headed in the direction that he'd heard her whistle. He was
gonna find out what she was up to, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
*SAD* Just to let you all know, I will write the extra chappys I promised. But the thing is, that
there might be a delay in getting them posted... You see, I'm reading "Gone With the Wind" for
school *gag*, and my dad is pushing me to read more of it, and not as much on ff.net... So my
plan is to keep writing my chapters off line, but unfortunately he's also limited my computer
time, so as you can guess, I might not be able to get all of them up as planned... u_u' stupid book,
it has 1024 pages and I'm only a little over half way through... Basically, the sooner I finish the
book, the sooner I get my ff.net privileges back. So PLEASE bare with me. (Oh and btw, I do get
to read any reviews and e-mail, so any words of encouragement would motivate me to keep
reading that long, never-ending, hell of a damn BOOK *FRUSTRATED*...) Sorry, bout' that, I
will put out SOME chappys while on 'punishment', but I can't put out the extriees until later.
()()
(_) "Damn Book" ~Bunny