Authors notes:
Sorry the chapter took longer than usual, but as compensation, it is twice as long as usual (or nearly anyway). Thank you to those of you who reviewed! I'm glad you like my story. The stuff that happens is this chapter is actually quite important... I just can't tell you why yet. So without further ado, enjoy the Disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I am only borrowing him. I would lie, and say that I owned Harry Potter, but I think he might jinx me...
Just so you know:
"blah" speech
'blah' thought
blah Memory
~*~*~*~
Chapter Four: Of meetings and pranksters
~*~*~*~
Inuyasha glared down from his perch in a tree.
Kagome had suggested everybody go to sleep. They could figure out a way to send Abracadabra back where he came from in the morning, but at that moment the only one coherent enough to think properly was Inuyasha and, he admitted grudgingly, at the time he had seemed more apt to string curses together than arrive at grand solutions.
Now, since he was up, he was appointed the duty of keeping the fire going. It was a chilly night, and the others had decided that he could serve the double purpose, of 'Night Watch-man' and 'Stick Boy.' Normally he wouldn't mind, but tonight he felt that if he didn't keep a steady watch on the fire, it would sputter out just to spite him.
Paranoid?
Perhaps. But in a world where Kagome could summon the 'All Powerful Demon' or youkai (whatever), with a polished stick...
What was more, he REALLY didn't like this Abracadabra guy. His little log "demonstration" was enough to tell Inuyasha that he hadn't been lying (or at least not completely) about his power. Inuyasha found that he was extremely uncomfortable as he realized that Abracadabra might possibly be able to survive Tetsusaiga. Up until this point only two youkai had survived Tetsusaiga's most powerful attacks when hit head on: Naraku and Sesshomaru. And only because they were cheating bastards who didn't keep their hearts in their bodies, or they had father's other fang...
It was more than a bit disconcerting that their newest traveling companion was possibly more powerful than Naraku himself, and the only thing that kept him from doing harm was an extremely vague spell that kept him from harming people except under special, and might I add, unpredictable circumstances.
Yes, Inuyasha was looking forward to sending Abracadabra back where he came from...
Or to his grave. Kami knew four-hundred years is old enough...
He turned his glare momentarily down at the demon that sat peacefully against a tree at the opposite end of the clearing, with a powerful barrier up, and glowing darkly, and reflecting anything that tried to enter, be it a small night creature or firelight.
'Well... That's too bad about the grave idea...'
The rustling of noisy sleeping bag material, drew his attention to Kagome. At first he thought she was awake again, but he soon realized that she had only shifted in her sleep.
He was alone in his watch.
He wondered what Kagome thought of the whole affair. She had wrapped the 'magic wand' thing up in one of her school uniforms, vowing not to touch it again until she took a good look at her Spell Book.
She had scooted right under the tree he kept watch from, the need to feel protected overpowering the need to be near the fire. She had eyed Abracadabra warily until she fell asleep.
Inuyasha felt kind of bad for her. She seemed to have been upset about something. Though that wasn't quite the word. Disillusioned seemed closer to the mark.
Inuyasha didn't know WHAT she had to be upset about.
'Keh, I probably just imagined it. I bet she's cooking up stupid ideas to make that filthy baka 'good' or something.' He snorted.
He doubted even Kagome could get that bastard to be 'nice.' He almost envied Abracadabra his resilience, but then, he had a pretty sweet setup at the moment. And if letting his guard down every once and a while was the price to pay, well, that could be...refreshing.
'Kagome's more powerful than any of us thought.'
Long into the night Inuyasha pondered this thought, as he stared into the fire, occasionally adding sticks to the flame.
Kagome had strange powers. She was not as physically strong as he Sango, or Miroku. And he used to taunt her about being useless, except for collecting Shikon shards.
He didn't mean it.
One thing Inuyasha knew about himself; that required no real thought to understand, was that he was a Big Mouth. He didn't speak much (not as much as Shippou or Kagome, anyway...Or even Miroku), and when he did he tried to choose his words carefully. Because if he didn't, he almost always said the wrong thing, and offended somebody.
He had never meant it.
Kagome was not useless. Her sacred arrows had taken down youkai the size of a house, had almost taken down Naraku... twice! And it wasn't just that. Kagome was their miracle worker. Whenever the situation was most dire, enough so that everyone else lost hope, it was always Kagome who saved the day.
Inuyasha knew he didn't always SAY the right thing, but he wasn't stupid. He saw the pattern. Even if he hadn't really appreciated it at first. Like when Kagome had pulled Tetsusaiga out, and enabled him to use it (though he viciously denied it afterwards). Or the time with Kagura, when Kagome shot an arrow so he could use the wind scar. There was even the time when she had gotten everyone their souls back out of Kanna's mirror.
And just recently, he had realized that she was worth more than just her powers. Kagome gave every one of them strength. Especially him.
"For just a bit longer. Please support me." *
'We would have died. We all would have really died that time if it wasn't for Kagome.'
Never had he appreciated someone so much, as at that moment, when Kagome supported him. It felt...nice...to be able to rely on someone. He had never allowed himself the luxury before.
But that wasn't the point right now.
Inuyasha did NOT like what the magic wand had done so far. But realized a good thing when he saw it. He would make sure that Kagome mastered that spell book.
Because that wand was unlocking her power.
And the more control Kagome got over her power, the safer she would be.
Inuyasha sometimes pitied Kagome. Because unlike He, Miroku, Sango, and even Shippou and Kirara, Kagome did not know her limits, and had no way of finding them.
He remembered what it had been like. First getting the Tetsusaiga, and not even knowing how to make it transform. Not knowing when he would be able to use it. Not knowing when it would protect him. He was surer of himself now. Even if he did still have a lot to learn.
Maybe now, Kagome would be surer of herself too. And that would give HER strength, which would in turn make the rest of them even stronger.
'That bastard Naraku's gonna wish he'd gotten rid of Kagome while he had a chance.'
~*~*~*~
"Harry!" Someone was now shaking him.
Harry was surprised that he had fallen asleep again. After that dream he didn't think he was capable of it.
"Harry!" It was Ron's voice. He sounded slightly frightened.
"What?" Said Harry blearily.
"Moody's here!" Hissed Ron. "And he looks ready to kill something!"
Harry cringed. Mad Eyed Moody was a scary man, regardless. But when Mad Eye was mad, he was as frieghtening as any Death Eater alive.
'And he must not be too happy about us giving him the slip the other day.'
"Did Mrs. Higurashi see him yet?"
"Yeah. She's a special one, for a muggle. She didn't look frightened of Moody at all. The woman could stare down 'you know who' himself." This made Harry visibly relax.
'All right, so they haven't scared our hostess out of her wits. Yet...'
"Have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked.
At this Ron's face took on a pink tinge, as if he was remembering something rather embarrassing. He answered, "Yeah, I spoke to her before breakfast. She told me about that dream you had, Harry. How're you gonna reach Dumbledore?"
"I think he's coming here."
"Good morning Harry! Are you up?" Came Hermione's voice, from the hall.
"Morning Hermione."
The door opened, and Hermione came in. She wore jeans, and a sweater, but her slippers were still on, her hair was slightly mussed, as if she had not had time to brush it yet, and she carried a Japanese book, though Harry was certain she'd forgotten she was holding it.
"Harry, I've been thinking about that dream you had, and I think I have a theory." That's Hermione for you. When she had a 'brilliant' idea, she'd cut right to the chase. Of course brilliant for Hermione ranged from finding out about a basilisk (a very good thing), and how not to get killed by it, to her still up-and-running organization, S.P.E.W. (not- in Harry or Ron's opinion anyway- one of Hermione's best ideas)
Ron, of course, took the bait, "A theory?"
"You said that Voldemort," Ron cringed, "seemed weaker Harry?" Hermione waited for Harry to nod before she continued. "Well, think about it you two. We know that the ministry was tracking a KWIKSPELL course that had been sold to a muggle. But would Fudge normally send a team from outside of Mr. Weasley's department if that was all they thought it was? And why would the Order of the Phoenix get involved if it didn't have anything to do with Voldemort- don't be a baby Ron- or his Death Eaters?"
"Uh."
"Erm..."
"The order hasn't sighted him on the move in over two weeks. I think he's plotting something, and it's making him weaker. And if Dumbledore's coming, then what ever it is, is here."
"Oh," said Harry.
Ron just blinked.
"As sharp as ever, I see. Good form, Hermione." Came the voice of Dumbledore himself. He was standing just inside the door. He wore wizard's robes, of a deep blue color, and his eyes peered over half moon spectacles, twinkling a bit more than usual, as if he had just learned something particularly amusing.
His sudden appearance caused all three teenagers to jump.
"I cannot stay long, for the ministry must not know I am here. They have good intentions but they are too easy to breach."
'Ah. So that explains why he's speaking to us, and not Moody or Lupin and Tonks. They're probably with Holms or Templeton,' Harry thought.
"It is most important that I speak with any members of the Order in the immediate area."
'Well that's going to be a lot of people,' Harry realized, 'everyone's in Tokyo for the World Cup...'
"And I believe YOU had something to tell me Harry."
"Yes I,"
"I apologize Harry, but I must leave. I came to ask that you notify Tonks, Remus, and Alastor, that they should come to arranged spot at noon. And I hope I can count on the three of you to keep the Ministry agents busy, at that time."
"Professor, I know we're not in the Order yet, but could you at least give us an idea of what's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I will want to speak with you, Harry. If you wait for me outside of the well house on the shrine grounds, I will come to get you at three o'clock. You are free to tell Ron and Hermione what we discuss, in fact I ask that you do. And I must ask you two," he gestured to Ron and Hermione, "to excuse me, But I really must speak to Harry. And it will look suspicious if all three of you disappear. Now I must take my leave."
Dumbledore brandished his wand, and then he was gone. There was no noise, or anything.
"Wicked!" Said Ron, impressed.
"Professor Dumbledore has the cleanest apparating and disapparating spells I've ever seen!" Hermione supplemented.
"Well, let's go. We've got to find everyone," Harry snapped them all out of their silent awe.
"Oh yeah," said Ron. "I'll find Lupin, and Hermione, you can get Tonks. Harry," Ron snickered slightly. "Why don't you get Moody?"
"What?" Harry cried. "Can't we find them together? You said Moody was seething when you saw him!"
"Exactly!" Answered Ron. "Of the three of us, Mad Eye's least likely to maim you."
~*~*~*~
"I really don't like you," she said, as she waded through the shallows of the lake.
"I could tell."
"And that's a rare thing you know," Kagome continued, plucking a blouse out of the water and tossing it to shore. "There are very few people that I actually dislike. And most of them have committed heinous crimes."
Inuyasha snorted, as he dove for a sock.
"But you! You are despicable!"
Abracadabra feigned astonishment. "What? You mean you don't LIKE me?"
At this point everyone was worrying about Kagome's health.
Is it SAFE to be that red?
'Shit. Kagome looks like she really wants to 'sit' that bastard or something.'
Inuyasha had already used up his colorful dictionary of 'things to say when you're pissed' earlier that morning. Truth be told, Inuyasha had to agree with Kagome on this one. Abracadabra was annoying as hell. He was worse than Jaken, even. If only because you could hit Jaken. If you tried to pound this guy in to the ground, he would just go all 'transparent' on you, and your fist would go right through him without striking a thing.
Abracadabra had started the day off with a few 'harmless' pranks. The last of which, was to dump the contents of Kagome's book bag into a lake that had 'conveniently appeared' over night.
To Kagome's chagrin, the contents of her pack included her homework, schoolbooks, and calculator.
It also included the Ramen.
So naturally, Inuyasha was fuming.
Kagome's homework lay drying on a rock in the sun. Shippou and Kirara kept guard so that no more prank-playing demons could get their hands on it. Her books, and calculator were beyond saving.
The fish at the bottom of the lake were REALLY enjoying the ramen.
Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and Kagome were wading around, collecting items from the backpack. Abracadabra watched, serenely, from the base of a nearby tree.
They would find pens note cards, a chocolate that had been meant for Shippou, and an occasional article of clothing.
Kagome was still in her pink pajamas. All of her clothes were floating in the lake, save for one shirt, which she had used to wrap up her wand last night.
"Come look Kagome-sama! Your Spell Books are magnificent!" Came Miroku's voice.
All the item hunters went to see what Miroku was holding up in the shallows.
He had one book in each hand. They had come from the water, but they were perfectly dry.
"Hey I guess they really are magic!" Kagome exclaimed happily.
"Perhaps if I consult them, I could find a way to exorcise Abracadabra." Miroku offered.
"Please do, Houshi-sama!" Sango spoke for the first time. "The sooner we get rid of that stupid con the better."
"I agree, Sango-"
"EEEP! PER-"Kagome didn't get to slap his hand away, or even finish the word, because through the clearing came a resounding CRACK!
Miroku slumped, unconscious into Sango, sporting a huge bump on his head. Inuyasha dropped a rock back into the water as he walked away.
Apparently he'd had rightfully enough.
"Today was NOT the day to cross me, Bouzo," he muttered, picking up a container of lip-gloss.
Silence prevailed for a moment, and then, "Here Sango-chan, let me help you carry him to land."
"Thank you, Kagome-chan."
~*~*~*~
"This is your fault, Inuyasha." Shippou said, after wisely relocating to Sango's shoulder, where the dog-boy could not reach him.
"Jeez, I know already!"
"Why did you knock Miroku-sama unconscious Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, as if she were merely curious.
"Come on Kagome! Don't tell me you weren't about to hit him anyway!"
"Well..." Said Kagome. "Maybe so, but I wouldn't have knocked him out! Not when he was our best hope for getting rid of that JERK." She jabbed a finger towards Abracadabra moodily.
"It's rude to point, dear," said Abracadabra solemnly.
"Grrrrrrrr..." Was the closest to an audible answer Kagome could give him.
Inuyasha did feel like a bit of a baka now that he paused to contemplate his actions.
Not that he was SORRY. Miroku had got what was coming to him.
But in retrospect, knocking out their only trained Houshi might not have been the smartest thing to do when they had to get rid of an EXTREMELY evil presence.
Of course now they were going to the nearest village, to find someone who could exorcise a youkai for them.
The irony was not lost on him.
"YOU JERK! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO GO HOME-"
Inuyasha cringed, and edged towards Kirara, who was in her transformed state, carrying an unconscious Miroku.
Apparently Kagome had found her voice.
Inuyasha was just really glad that Kagome wasn't mad at HIM any more.
~*~*~*~
"Excuse me!" Said Shippou. "But is there a holy person in this village?"
He was speaking to a middle-aged woman, who eyed he, Inuyasha, Abracadabra, and Kirara warily.
"Cause if there is, we really need to talk to them. We've got to exorcise an evil presence."
Abracadabra snorted, "So THAT'S what your calling it."
"Shut up," Inuyasha told him.
Miroku snorted in his sleep.
~*~*~*~
*From manga chapter, "Evil Presence."
Sorry the chapter took longer than usual, but as compensation, it is twice as long as usual (or nearly anyway). Thank you to those of you who reviewed! I'm glad you like my story. The stuff that happens is this chapter is actually quite important... I just can't tell you why yet. So without further ado, enjoy the Disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I am only borrowing him. I would lie, and say that I owned Harry Potter, but I think he might jinx me...
Just so you know:
"blah" speech
'blah' thought
blah Memory
~*~*~*~
Chapter Four: Of meetings and pranksters
~*~*~*~
Inuyasha glared down from his perch in a tree.
Kagome had suggested everybody go to sleep. They could figure out a way to send Abracadabra back where he came from in the morning, but at that moment the only one coherent enough to think properly was Inuyasha and, he admitted grudgingly, at the time he had seemed more apt to string curses together than arrive at grand solutions.
Now, since he was up, he was appointed the duty of keeping the fire going. It was a chilly night, and the others had decided that he could serve the double purpose, of 'Night Watch-man' and 'Stick Boy.' Normally he wouldn't mind, but tonight he felt that if he didn't keep a steady watch on the fire, it would sputter out just to spite him.
Paranoid?
Perhaps. But in a world where Kagome could summon the 'All Powerful Demon' or youkai (whatever), with a polished stick...
What was more, he REALLY didn't like this Abracadabra guy. His little log "demonstration" was enough to tell Inuyasha that he hadn't been lying (or at least not completely) about his power. Inuyasha found that he was extremely uncomfortable as he realized that Abracadabra might possibly be able to survive Tetsusaiga. Up until this point only two youkai had survived Tetsusaiga's most powerful attacks when hit head on: Naraku and Sesshomaru. And only because they were cheating bastards who didn't keep their hearts in their bodies, or they had father's other fang...
It was more than a bit disconcerting that their newest traveling companion was possibly more powerful than Naraku himself, and the only thing that kept him from doing harm was an extremely vague spell that kept him from harming people except under special, and might I add, unpredictable circumstances.
Yes, Inuyasha was looking forward to sending Abracadabra back where he came from...
Or to his grave. Kami knew four-hundred years is old enough...
He turned his glare momentarily down at the demon that sat peacefully against a tree at the opposite end of the clearing, with a powerful barrier up, and glowing darkly, and reflecting anything that tried to enter, be it a small night creature or firelight.
'Well... That's too bad about the grave idea...'
The rustling of noisy sleeping bag material, drew his attention to Kagome. At first he thought she was awake again, but he soon realized that she had only shifted in her sleep.
He was alone in his watch.
He wondered what Kagome thought of the whole affair. She had wrapped the 'magic wand' thing up in one of her school uniforms, vowing not to touch it again until she took a good look at her Spell Book.
She had scooted right under the tree he kept watch from, the need to feel protected overpowering the need to be near the fire. She had eyed Abracadabra warily until she fell asleep.
Inuyasha felt kind of bad for her. She seemed to have been upset about something. Though that wasn't quite the word. Disillusioned seemed closer to the mark.
Inuyasha didn't know WHAT she had to be upset about.
'Keh, I probably just imagined it. I bet she's cooking up stupid ideas to make that filthy baka 'good' or something.' He snorted.
He doubted even Kagome could get that bastard to be 'nice.' He almost envied Abracadabra his resilience, but then, he had a pretty sweet setup at the moment. And if letting his guard down every once and a while was the price to pay, well, that could be...refreshing.
'Kagome's more powerful than any of us thought.'
Long into the night Inuyasha pondered this thought, as he stared into the fire, occasionally adding sticks to the flame.
Kagome had strange powers. She was not as physically strong as he Sango, or Miroku. And he used to taunt her about being useless, except for collecting Shikon shards.
He didn't mean it.
One thing Inuyasha knew about himself; that required no real thought to understand, was that he was a Big Mouth. He didn't speak much (not as much as Shippou or Kagome, anyway...Or even Miroku), and when he did he tried to choose his words carefully. Because if he didn't, he almost always said the wrong thing, and offended somebody.
He had never meant it.
Kagome was not useless. Her sacred arrows had taken down youkai the size of a house, had almost taken down Naraku... twice! And it wasn't just that. Kagome was their miracle worker. Whenever the situation was most dire, enough so that everyone else lost hope, it was always Kagome who saved the day.
Inuyasha knew he didn't always SAY the right thing, but he wasn't stupid. He saw the pattern. Even if he hadn't really appreciated it at first. Like when Kagome had pulled Tetsusaiga out, and enabled him to use it (though he viciously denied it afterwards). Or the time with Kagura, when Kagome shot an arrow so he could use the wind scar. There was even the time when she had gotten everyone their souls back out of Kanna's mirror.
And just recently, he had realized that she was worth more than just her powers. Kagome gave every one of them strength. Especially him.
"For just a bit longer. Please support me." *
'We would have died. We all would have really died that time if it wasn't for Kagome.'
Never had he appreciated someone so much, as at that moment, when Kagome supported him. It felt...nice...to be able to rely on someone. He had never allowed himself the luxury before.
But that wasn't the point right now.
Inuyasha did NOT like what the magic wand had done so far. But realized a good thing when he saw it. He would make sure that Kagome mastered that spell book.
Because that wand was unlocking her power.
And the more control Kagome got over her power, the safer she would be.
Inuyasha sometimes pitied Kagome. Because unlike He, Miroku, Sango, and even Shippou and Kirara, Kagome did not know her limits, and had no way of finding them.
He remembered what it had been like. First getting the Tetsusaiga, and not even knowing how to make it transform. Not knowing when he would be able to use it. Not knowing when it would protect him. He was surer of himself now. Even if he did still have a lot to learn.
Maybe now, Kagome would be surer of herself too. And that would give HER strength, which would in turn make the rest of them even stronger.
'That bastard Naraku's gonna wish he'd gotten rid of Kagome while he had a chance.'
~*~*~*~
"Harry!" Someone was now shaking him.
Harry was surprised that he had fallen asleep again. After that dream he didn't think he was capable of it.
"Harry!" It was Ron's voice. He sounded slightly frightened.
"What?" Said Harry blearily.
"Moody's here!" Hissed Ron. "And he looks ready to kill something!"
Harry cringed. Mad Eyed Moody was a scary man, regardless. But when Mad Eye was mad, he was as frieghtening as any Death Eater alive.
'And he must not be too happy about us giving him the slip the other day.'
"Did Mrs. Higurashi see him yet?"
"Yeah. She's a special one, for a muggle. She didn't look frightened of Moody at all. The woman could stare down 'you know who' himself." This made Harry visibly relax.
'All right, so they haven't scared our hostess out of her wits. Yet...'
"Have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked.
At this Ron's face took on a pink tinge, as if he was remembering something rather embarrassing. He answered, "Yeah, I spoke to her before breakfast. She told me about that dream you had, Harry. How're you gonna reach Dumbledore?"
"I think he's coming here."
"Good morning Harry! Are you up?" Came Hermione's voice, from the hall.
"Morning Hermione."
The door opened, and Hermione came in. She wore jeans, and a sweater, but her slippers were still on, her hair was slightly mussed, as if she had not had time to brush it yet, and she carried a Japanese book, though Harry was certain she'd forgotten she was holding it.
"Harry, I've been thinking about that dream you had, and I think I have a theory." That's Hermione for you. When she had a 'brilliant' idea, she'd cut right to the chase. Of course brilliant for Hermione ranged from finding out about a basilisk (a very good thing), and how not to get killed by it, to her still up-and-running organization, S.P.E.W. (not- in Harry or Ron's opinion anyway- one of Hermione's best ideas)
Ron, of course, took the bait, "A theory?"
"You said that Voldemort," Ron cringed, "seemed weaker Harry?" Hermione waited for Harry to nod before she continued. "Well, think about it you two. We know that the ministry was tracking a KWIKSPELL course that had been sold to a muggle. But would Fudge normally send a team from outside of Mr. Weasley's department if that was all they thought it was? And why would the Order of the Phoenix get involved if it didn't have anything to do with Voldemort- don't be a baby Ron- or his Death Eaters?"
"Uh."
"Erm..."
"The order hasn't sighted him on the move in over two weeks. I think he's plotting something, and it's making him weaker. And if Dumbledore's coming, then what ever it is, is here."
"Oh," said Harry.
Ron just blinked.
"As sharp as ever, I see. Good form, Hermione." Came the voice of Dumbledore himself. He was standing just inside the door. He wore wizard's robes, of a deep blue color, and his eyes peered over half moon spectacles, twinkling a bit more than usual, as if he had just learned something particularly amusing.
His sudden appearance caused all three teenagers to jump.
"I cannot stay long, for the ministry must not know I am here. They have good intentions but they are too easy to breach."
'Ah. So that explains why he's speaking to us, and not Moody or Lupin and Tonks. They're probably with Holms or Templeton,' Harry thought.
"It is most important that I speak with any members of the Order in the immediate area."
'Well that's going to be a lot of people,' Harry realized, 'everyone's in Tokyo for the World Cup...'
"And I believe YOU had something to tell me Harry."
"Yes I,"
"I apologize Harry, but I must leave. I came to ask that you notify Tonks, Remus, and Alastor, that they should come to arranged spot at noon. And I hope I can count on the three of you to keep the Ministry agents busy, at that time."
"Professor, I know we're not in the Order yet, but could you at least give us an idea of what's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I will want to speak with you, Harry. If you wait for me outside of the well house on the shrine grounds, I will come to get you at three o'clock. You are free to tell Ron and Hermione what we discuss, in fact I ask that you do. And I must ask you two," he gestured to Ron and Hermione, "to excuse me, But I really must speak to Harry. And it will look suspicious if all three of you disappear. Now I must take my leave."
Dumbledore brandished his wand, and then he was gone. There was no noise, or anything.
"Wicked!" Said Ron, impressed.
"Professor Dumbledore has the cleanest apparating and disapparating spells I've ever seen!" Hermione supplemented.
"Well, let's go. We've got to find everyone," Harry snapped them all out of their silent awe.
"Oh yeah," said Ron. "I'll find Lupin, and Hermione, you can get Tonks. Harry," Ron snickered slightly. "Why don't you get Moody?"
"What?" Harry cried. "Can't we find them together? You said Moody was seething when you saw him!"
"Exactly!" Answered Ron. "Of the three of us, Mad Eye's least likely to maim you."
~*~*~*~
"I really don't like you," she said, as she waded through the shallows of the lake.
"I could tell."
"And that's a rare thing you know," Kagome continued, plucking a blouse out of the water and tossing it to shore. "There are very few people that I actually dislike. And most of them have committed heinous crimes."
Inuyasha snorted, as he dove for a sock.
"But you! You are despicable!"
Abracadabra feigned astonishment. "What? You mean you don't LIKE me?"
At this point everyone was worrying about Kagome's health.
Is it SAFE to be that red?
'Shit. Kagome looks like she really wants to 'sit' that bastard or something.'
Inuyasha had already used up his colorful dictionary of 'things to say when you're pissed' earlier that morning. Truth be told, Inuyasha had to agree with Kagome on this one. Abracadabra was annoying as hell. He was worse than Jaken, even. If only because you could hit Jaken. If you tried to pound this guy in to the ground, he would just go all 'transparent' on you, and your fist would go right through him without striking a thing.
Abracadabra had started the day off with a few 'harmless' pranks. The last of which, was to dump the contents of Kagome's book bag into a lake that had 'conveniently appeared' over night.
To Kagome's chagrin, the contents of her pack included her homework, schoolbooks, and calculator.
It also included the Ramen.
So naturally, Inuyasha was fuming.
Kagome's homework lay drying on a rock in the sun. Shippou and Kirara kept guard so that no more prank-playing demons could get their hands on it. Her books, and calculator were beyond saving.
The fish at the bottom of the lake were REALLY enjoying the ramen.
Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and Kagome were wading around, collecting items from the backpack. Abracadabra watched, serenely, from the base of a nearby tree.
They would find pens note cards, a chocolate that had been meant for Shippou, and an occasional article of clothing.
Kagome was still in her pink pajamas. All of her clothes were floating in the lake, save for one shirt, which she had used to wrap up her wand last night.
"Come look Kagome-sama! Your Spell Books are magnificent!" Came Miroku's voice.
All the item hunters went to see what Miroku was holding up in the shallows.
He had one book in each hand. They had come from the water, but they were perfectly dry.
"Hey I guess they really are magic!" Kagome exclaimed happily.
"Perhaps if I consult them, I could find a way to exorcise Abracadabra." Miroku offered.
"Please do, Houshi-sama!" Sango spoke for the first time. "The sooner we get rid of that stupid con the better."
"I agree, Sango-"
"EEEP! PER-"Kagome didn't get to slap his hand away, or even finish the word, because through the clearing came a resounding CRACK!
Miroku slumped, unconscious into Sango, sporting a huge bump on his head. Inuyasha dropped a rock back into the water as he walked away.
Apparently he'd had rightfully enough.
"Today was NOT the day to cross me, Bouzo," he muttered, picking up a container of lip-gloss.
Silence prevailed for a moment, and then, "Here Sango-chan, let me help you carry him to land."
"Thank you, Kagome-chan."
~*~*~*~
"This is your fault, Inuyasha." Shippou said, after wisely relocating to Sango's shoulder, where the dog-boy could not reach him.
"Jeez, I know already!"
"Why did you knock Miroku-sama unconscious Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, as if she were merely curious.
"Come on Kagome! Don't tell me you weren't about to hit him anyway!"
"Well..." Said Kagome. "Maybe so, but I wouldn't have knocked him out! Not when he was our best hope for getting rid of that JERK." She jabbed a finger towards Abracadabra moodily.
"It's rude to point, dear," said Abracadabra solemnly.
"Grrrrrrrr..." Was the closest to an audible answer Kagome could give him.
Inuyasha did feel like a bit of a baka now that he paused to contemplate his actions.
Not that he was SORRY. Miroku had got what was coming to him.
But in retrospect, knocking out their only trained Houshi might not have been the smartest thing to do when they had to get rid of an EXTREMELY evil presence.
Of course now they were going to the nearest village, to find someone who could exorcise a youkai for them.
The irony was not lost on him.
"YOU JERK! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO GO HOME-"
Inuyasha cringed, and edged towards Kirara, who was in her transformed state, carrying an unconscious Miroku.
Apparently Kagome had found her voice.
Inuyasha was just really glad that Kagome wasn't mad at HIM any more.
~*~*~*~
"Excuse me!" Said Shippou. "But is there a holy person in this village?"
He was speaking to a middle-aged woman, who eyed he, Inuyasha, Abracadabra, and Kirara warily.
"Cause if there is, we really need to talk to them. We've got to exorcise an evil presence."
Abracadabra snorted, "So THAT'S what your calling it."
"Shut up," Inuyasha told him.
Miroku snorted in his sleep.
~*~*~*~
*From manga chapter, "Evil Presence."