A.N.
Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait! I've been busy…
Bob-the-laptop: -cough-slacker-cough-
Shut up, you!! Eh, anyway, I'm kind of new to action scenes (I'm better at the fluffy, romantic stuff), so, sorry if they suck at first. I'm just going to have to learn to write them, because I'm sure there is going to be a lot of them. Gosh, I have written and re-written this chapter at least three times. It went from 'DHK IV' to 'Alternate DHK IV' to 'Alternate DHK IV (again -.-;)'. Honestly…
Stupid ff.net isn't letting me make the little upright arrow thing that I usually make my smiley faces with, so I'm stuck with this dumb thing: : ) . It also won't let me make the little underscore. Is this happening to you too?
Lalala...I can't think of much else to say, so please read and review‼
Disclaimer:
Hikari and James = Mine. Storyline = Partially mine. E = mc2. Everything else = Er…not mine…
Demon hunter Kagome
Chapter IV
( ")
Kagome awoke the next morning to the sound of the curtains being pushed back and a face-full of sunlight. She groaned and attempted to bury herself in her bedding.
"Wake up, sleepy!" Sango's voice cheerfully commanded. "Today is your first day of training! You don't want to be late do you?"
Kagome mumbled unintelligibly into her pillows.
"Come on. Don't make me throw you in a cold shower…"
Kagome sighed resignedly, and threw the covers back.
"Fine. I'm awake…" She mumbled sleepily.
"Good. Now, if you hurry, we might have enough time to grab a coffee from Suichi's before work."
"Okay." Kagome muttered, still half asleep.
One shower and a rushed exit later, Kagome found herself facedown on one of the pretty tables housed inside Suichi's restaurant/bar.
"So…you're not a morning person, are you?" Sango asked, staring at her.
"…"
"Kagome? Are you asleep?"
"No…I am merely unconscious." Kagome mumbled into the table.
"Oh, look. Here's our coffee." Sango smiled as the waiter set down two steaming mugs. She thanked him, and he left with a small bow.
"Come on. Wake up enough to take a sip."
Kagome lifted her head and reached for the cream and sugar…
Four sugar packets later, Sango was about to gag.
"…How can you stand that?" She asked, watching in horror as the fifth half-and-half cream disappeared into Kagome's mug.
"Eh? Stand what?"
"That! All that…sugary stuff…"
"Mmm…dunno." Kagome shrugged. "Mom always drank it that way, so I guess I got it from her…done!" Kagome tossed another empty sugar packet onto the accumulated pile, and reached for her cup. Sango shuddered and opted for staring into the blackness of her own coffee.
"Glad I don't have any sugar addictions…" She muttered, downing the last of the coffee.
( ")
"Miss Higurashi, I presume."
Kagome looked up from her facedown position at her computer at the sound of the new voice, starting out of a half-sleep. The simple action of moving her head sent a sharp pain through her neck. Training hadn't been anything like she thought it would be. It was more physical than anything, not to mention the strain it put on her miko energy…Kikyou didn't exactly help, either. At least Kagome didn't have to deal with her now…Kikyou was given early leave in return for training her.
Kagome spun her chair around and found herself staring at the torso of a very official looking man. His long, black hair was tied back with a red hair thong, and he was looking at her expectantly. A thick silence fell over the room, and Kagome looked around confusedly at the others before turning her attention to the man.
"Er…Yes? Can I help you?"
"My name is Naraku Arachna." He said. "I wanted to speak with you about your training session."
Kagome recognized his name and immediately rose from her chair, embarrassed to have been caught sleeping.
"N-Nice to meet you, Mr. Arachna." She offered her hand and he shook it. A cold chill raced down her spine at his touch and she quickly withdrew her hand.
"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier." He said, oblivious to Kagome's state of unease. "Alas, I have had…more pressing matters to attend to. As I am sure you already know, I am in charge here. I trust everything has gone well for you so far?"
"Er…yes sir."
"Very good. I had the privilege of being present at your session this morning, and I must say…you are quite…talented."
"Thank you, sir." Kagome blushed modestly.
"Hmm." He gave a small nod. "Keep it up. At this rate, you may find yourself on a hunt by the end of this week."
Surely he meant it as a complement, but to Kagome, the thought scared her. Her stomach clenched queasily and she blanched.
"You look pale. Are you feeling alright?" Naraku questioned, noting the sudden change.
"Um…Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Heh, I think all that coffee is catching up to me, eh Sango?"
Naraku shot Sango a questioning glance and she laughed nervously.
"Most likely." She said shortly. Something about Naraku made her insides churn…
"Well then," Naraku said, turning his attention back to Kagome. "I think I have said what I came to say…you really don't look well. Maybe you should rest awhile."
"I-I'll be okay. Thank you anyway, sir."
Naraku bowed slightly.
"Very well. It was good to meet you, Miss Higurashi."
"Uh, you too."
Naraku turned and headed for the elevator. As soon as the doors shut behind him, Kagome slumped into her chair and let out a long sigh.
"That was…" Kagome sighed to herself.
"Brief?" Sango suggested.
"Creepy?" Rin offered.
"Weird? The scare-you-shitless kind of weird? And now you think he's some kind of evil mastermind? Out to destroy the world? With evil squirrel-minions, no less?"
All eyes turned to Miroku.
"…What? It was a dream I had…"
Kagome laughed lightly, and wondered why the others hadn't offered to finish her sentence…
"Hey, wait a minute…Where are Hikari and James?" Kagome asked.
Sango shrugged.
"Probably still in a closet somewhere…"
Kagome gasped.
"They wouldn't! …They didn't…did they?"
"Huh? …Oh! No, no, that's not what I meant! I was talking about James. I haven't seen Hikari all day. You see, James was being a bit of a nuisance during your training, so, about the time he requested that you and Kikyou remove your shirts we had all had enough. So…"
Flashback
A vein in Sango's head throbs after James's last statement. Deciding she's had enough of it, she strides casually over to him, wearing a sly grin. Sango stops in front of James and takes hold of the tie hanging loosely around his neck.
"You know…I've been thinking…" She says softly, toying with the tie. "You really aren't a bad guy, James…"
James smirks down at her arrogantly.
"Hey…" She whispers in his ear. "What do you say we get out of here? Alright?"
"Hmph, I knew you'd come around." He says wrapping an arm around her waist. "Come on."
Miroku's jaw drops as Sango allows herself to be led out of the room.
Sesshoumaru raises an eyebrow at the pair as they glide past him and the electronics that clutter the observation room, but says nothing. Who knows? Maybe they'd find love and retire. Two more annoying humans out of the way…hey, a demon can dream, can't he?
Naraku steps through the doorway of the observation room, and stares suspiciously after the couple, before casting a questioning glance around the room. Everyone shrugs, with the exception of Miroku who has taken to pouting with his forehead pressed to the large window, glaring down at the training facility where Kikyou currently has Kagome in a headlock.
Somewhere on one of the many floors, Sango finds what she's looking for.
"In here." She says, opening a door to reveal a janitor's closet. Several brooms and mops were leaning in the corner, and it smelled slightly of turpentine.
"Why Sango I didn't know you had it in you."
"You have no idea…" She grins and pushes him into the closet. She looks thoughtfully at him and tilts her head to the side. "…You know…I think I've changed my mind." She closes the door on him. "You aren't really my type." She locks it. "Later Morgan."
"…Sango? …Takashi, how dare you!" James says, his voice muffled. "I can't believe you'd toy with someone's emotions like that!"
"You'll get over it, trust me." Sango shoves her hands in pockets and starts off down the corridor, whistling innocently and not feeling an once of remorse. Someone would let him out…eventually.
End flashback
Kagome laughed.
"I can't believe you did that…"
Sango shrugged.
"Yeah, well…He was annoying me."
Miroku suddenly appeared by her side.
"…Can I help you?" Sango asked suspiciously.
He said nothing, and Sango raised an eyebrow. He reached out…and poked her in the head. He did it again. Poke, poke, poke…Sango's eye twitched.
"…What the hell are you doing, Morita?" She asked and the poking ceased.
"Annoying you, my dear Sango."
"Are you saying you want to get locked in a closet too?" Sango said flatly.
"Not necessarily, but if you would look at me the way you did Morgan, It would be worth it."
"You really are a lecher, Morita." She turned away from him, but not before Kagome saw the blush that stained her cheeks. Miroku shrugged, and returned to his chair.
"Maybe some other time, then."
Sango sighed and rested her head on her arms, and Kagome noticed Miroku doing the same. Adults were so messed up…
She looked over and found Rin to be in much the same position. She looked as if she'd been like that for awhile…
Kagome sighed heavily, and decided to follow the trend.
That night, Kagome sat at her dresser, her diary lying open in front of her, pen in hand.
Dear diary, [she wrote]
Today was Day One of my daily muscle torture-- er, training. …Pain. Lots of pain. I hurt in places I didn't know that it was possible to hurt in…I really should have paid more attention in gym class. Kikyou is TOUGH!! I'm not exactly looking forward to tomorrow…
The STN has to be one of the weirdest…organizations in Japan. Not for the fact they hunt demons, but for the people on-staff. Demons, lechers, slackers, Rin…and Sango. I can't really place her anywhere. Then again, I've only known her for a few days…Rin and Sango both seem really nice, but Rin reminds of the girls from my school…I wonder how old she is? She can't be over 25...oh gosh, I ramble even when I write. Oh, gotta go. I forgot to feed Buyou his dinner, and now he's taking it out on my teddy bear…
Kagome shut the book and laid the pen down.
"Buyou, stop that!"
Meanwhile, back at the STN-J….
A young girl on the cleaning crew rolled a cart loaded up with various cleaning supplies down the ninth floor corridor. She stopped short at the sound of a loud thumping noise coming from the closet several feet in front of her.
"Hello? Is someone out there?" A voice called through the door. "It's me, James Morgan‼ Hello?"
The girl crept forward cautiously.
"Hello?" She called.
"Oh thank god…Can you let me out of here? I uh…tripped and the door locked behind me."
"Um…alright…"
She unlocked the door and opened it.
"Thank you so much! I-- Why, hello there…" James looked at her approvingly. "You know, the closet isn't that bad…care to join me?"
The girl glared and shut the door again.
"What a jerk." She muttered, continuing down the hall.
( ")
Attack, block. Attack, block. Attack, block. Kagome thrashed furiously at Kikyou with the two, three-pronged knife-like weapons she held in her hands, and each time Kikyou would block it with her wooden sword. Kikyou was doing well to not get impaled, much less get on the offensive…
A week had passed, and Kagome had improved tremendously. Her weapons were glowing with raw energy as she added a twirl in there, just for style.
"What's the matter, Kikyou?" She grunted as she caught the Shinai in one of the wings of her knife and swiftly brought the second one up to Kikyou's throat. "You look tired…Has the student surpassed the teacher?"
"Psh, you think that just because you've had success with one weapon that you're better than me? The Sai aren't very easily concealed, and would be quite suspicious if you were to take them on a hunt. Besides, I doubt demons would fight you with a sword. Teeth and claws all the way…"
Kagome paled slightly, but shook it off.
"Heh, you must really be getting desperate to stoop to terrifying your opponent into submission." Kagome taunted. Kikyou growled and pushed roughly away from her.
They broke apart, each twirling away from the other. They regarded each other calculatingly for a moment, before Kikyou launched herself forcefully at Kagome. Kagome dive-rolled to side, leaving Kikyou headed for an awkward landing, which she covered up with somersaulting and coming up on one knee.
"Damn…" Kikyou cursed softly.
"Watch your back!" Kagome warned. Kikyou turned just in time to see Kagome headed straight for her. She quickly raised her sword, and their weapons locked together once more.
"Man, that's annoying!" Kagome said loudly. Kikyou threw her off and back-flipped out of range.
As soon as she regained her footing, she lunged again. Once again, Kagome dived out of the line of fire.
"I do believe we're getting repetitive." Kikyou commented.
"I agree. Let's finish this."
"As you wish!" Kikyou ran at her, but Kagome was ready this time. As Kikyou reached her, she flipped up and over, landing behind her. Kagome spun around and crossed the sai over Kikyou's throat.
"Hmph…" Kikyou smirked. "I believe I have underestimated you, Kagome…I think I'm beginning to rub off on you." She quickly thrust the butt-end of the Shinai backward towards Kagome's ribs, but Kagome was too fast. She quickly stopped it with one of the Sai.
"God forbid." Kagome smirked and Kikyou's eyes narrowed. She attempted to 'stab' Kagome again, but was forced to the floor as Kagome administered a sharp kick to the back of her knees. Kikyou's Sword clattered away uselessly.
In an instant, Kagome was on top of her, the sai once more at her throat.
"Check and mate." She said, grinning victoriously. Kikyou sighed in defeat, and Kagome got off of her.
"I can't believe I was bested by a sixteen-year-old…" Kikyou muttered, pushing herself to her feet.
"Huh? What was that?"
"I said, good match. You've come a long way."
"…That was the best you could come with?" Kagome walked over and placed the sai on their stands. "You could have at least made it rhyme." She winked over her shoulder. "Whew…I'm tired. Hey, Sango?" She called, knowing they would hear her in the observation room.
"Yeah?" Sango's voice echoed off the walls of the training facility via the intercom.
"I really need a shower…do you think Sesshoumaru will let us leave early?"
"Maybe. You can ask him. He's right here…"
"Oh…"
"Hmm…Very well." Sesshoumaru's smooth voice said. "…I can smell you all the way up here."
Kagome glared up at the window, before flouncing out of the room. Demons…
He may be pretty to look at, but that was about it…
"Kagome," Sango said, keeping her eyes on the road. "I'm going to have to drop you off and then leave again, okay? We have a new assignment. Will you be alright by yourself?"
"Oh, sure. I can hang out…watch TV…whatever."
"Good. You know, pretty soon, you'll be coming with me on our missions."
There was that queasy feeling again…Kagome hoped it wouldn't be like this all the time. It wouldn't do to be vomiting in the middle of chasing a demon…
"Mmm…" Was all Kagome dared to say, in fear of vomiting and ruining Sango's pretty car.
"…Don't worry." Sango said as if reading her mind. "I was the same way when I first started."
"Really? That makes me feel a little better…how did you get involved with the STN anyway?"
Sango eyes darkened.
"…I prefer not to talk about it…" She said softly.
"Oh…sorry." Kagome stared out of her window, wondering what could have happened in Sango's past…Maybe Miroku was right… Maybe Naraku's evil squirrel-minions kidnapped her as a child and they're forcing her to work for them? …She really needed to cut down on the cartoons…
"Alright, you're okay here by yourself, right?"
"For the tenth time: Yes, Sango. I'm fine. I have food, TV, internet, and my cat. I'll be just fine."
"Okay…" Sango sighed reluctantly. "I'm leaving now…" She warned, heading for the apartment door. "Lock the door and windows, don't let anyone in, don't eat the cheese that's in the fridge, it went bad sometime last month--"
"Sango! I'll be fine. Go. Now."
"Okay…Bye." She ducked out the door, and Kagome locked it behind her.
"Whew…" Kagome sighed as Sango's footsteps faded. Suddenly, they were back, running at full force. A knock sounded at the door, and Kagome unlocked it. Sango stood there, several hairs out of place.
"I for-forgot to t-tell you to l-lock the bal-balcony door." She huffed. Kagome's eyes narrowed and she shoved her out the door.
"Sango, stop it. The others are waiting for you. I'll make sure everything is locked. I won't eat the rotten cheese. I will sit and do nothing. Got it? Good. Leave."
Kagome shut the door.
"Lock it!" Sango called not two seconds after she shut it.
"I am! Go away!"
"Not until I hear you lock it!"
Kagome locked it exasperatedly.
"Happy?"
"Yes! Bye!"
Kagome stared mindlessly at the television, more interested in the size of it rather than what was happening on the screen. She switched it off, thinking she had killed enough of her brain cells for one night. Her stomach rumbled hungrily and she headed for the refrigerator.
"Let's see what we have here…" She muttered, opening the door. She blinked. "…Not much."
The refrigerator was practically bare, save for the rotten cheese, a half eaten sandwich, a carton of milk, and a bottle of ketchup.
"I think I should get rid of this…" She mumbled, wrapping the cheese in a napkin and tossing it in the trashcan. "I'll take that out later…" She sighed as her stomach rumbled again. "Guess I'll have to order pizza tonight…"
Kagome munched happily on her slice of pizza as she stared into the moonless sky. Buyou was curled up on her lap, waiting patiently for her to drop some of her food. Kagome made a mental note to ask Sango to go to the store when she returned. She sighed and wondered what Sango was doing right now…
She didn't have to wonder for long. About five minutes later, a key turned in the lock, and Sango stepped wearily through the door.
"Hey, Sango!" Kagome greeted her. "…Are those the same clothes you left with?" She asked, giving Sango the once over.
"No." She said shortly. "I got them a little…messy and the factory confiscated them and gave me this crap. That was my favorite shirt, too…"
Kagome shuddered slightly. When Sango said 'messy', she had a feeling that that didn't mean dirt…
"Hey, we need food." Kagome said, changing the subject. "Do you think you could go to the store? If you're not too tired, that is."
"Yeah, I think I can do that. I'm still not sure what you like to eat, so you should come with me, okay?"
"Sure, I'll get my purse."
Sango and Kagome walked through the automatic doors of the closest grocery store and grabbed a basket.
"Okay, how about we split up?" Sango suggested. "I'll get the basic stuff. Milk, bread, etc, and a few things that I want, and you can pick out the things that you like to eat. Sound good?"
"Yep."
Sango gave Kagome the shopping cart and grabbed another for herself.
"Is thirty minutes enough time?"
"I think so."
"Okay, see ya!"
They went separate ways.
Kagome rolled her cart down the ramen aisle after grabbing a few essentials. Who knew they could come up with so many different flavors of noodles? Kagome quickly located her favorite flavor. There was only one left, and, not one to see the glass as half-empty, Kagome was delighted. She reached for it, but as she did, the box suddenly disappeared.
"…Huh?" Kagome blinked confusedly.
"Heh, looks like I missed one…" A male voice said thoughtfully. Kagome spun around and found herself staring at a dark-haired boy of eighteen who in turn was staring at the box of Ramen. He stared at it a moment longer before shrugging and dropping it into the hand-basket that was dangling from his arm. The basket was overflowing with Ramen. Kagome blinked again, before regaining her bearings.
"Hey! That's mine!"
"Huh?" The boy looked up, seemingly noticing her for the first time. A feeling of recognition surfaced in her, but she knew she hadn't met him before…
"Oh, hello. Didn't see you there." He said.
"Excuse me, but that's mine." Kagome pointed at the Ramen that he just dropped in his basket. He picked it up and examined it.
"I don't see your name on it…"
"How would you know? You don't know what my name is."
"So?" He shrugged.
Kagome pulled a pen from her purse and quickly wrote her name on the box.
"There. Now it's mine."
He blinked at her and read the name.
"Kagome, huh? …Have we met before?"
"Uh, I don't think so…"
He studied her face for a moment before looking away.
"…Here." He muttered, tossing her the box. "Take it."
"Uh…thanks." Kagome blinked. "Hey, you know my name, so I should know yours."
"…It's not important. I'm nobody."
Then it hit her. He was the boy that had bumped into her…granted, that was a little over a week ago, but she still remembered…But, that was impossible…right? This boy had black hair and violet eyes, while the other boy had silver hair…and amber eyes…come to think of it, he looked a lot like…
"Sesshoumaru…" Kagome muttered. The boy's eyes widened.
"What did you say?" He demanded.
"Huh, oh, he's just someone I know."
"How do you know him?"
"What's it to you?"
"He's a, uh…friend of a friend. I've been trying to reach him." He said, a bit too quickly. 'So…' He thought 'She does work for them…I knew it.'
"Uh-huh…well, I better go…" Kagome said slowly. Something was weird here…
"Kagome, wait! Can you give him a note for me?"
"I guess so…"
"Okay, uh…can I borrow your pen?"
"Sure." Kagome handed over the pen, and the boy pulled a crumpled receipt out of his pocket. "This'll do I guess…"
"Wait a sec, I have a notepad." Kagome produced a small notepad from her purse and tore off a sheet. The boy nodded his thanks and took it. He looked it over and shook his head. Little purple and pink kittens decorated the bottom, inside of a yellow border.
"Women…" He muttered, and scribbled something on the paper.
"What?" Kagome asked dryly.
"Huh?" He gave her a blank look.
"Right…"
Sango strode down one of the many aisles in search of bread. She didn't come here very much. She wasn't much of a cook, so for her, dinner was but a phone call away. But now, she had the self-appointed job of watching out for Kagome, and that meant making sure she had food.
"I'll find it. I will…" Sango told herself, turning down another aisle.
"Find what?" A voice asked behind her. Sango jumped and looked around. Miroku looked back at her questioningly.
"Damn-it, don't do that!" She hissed at him.
"Sorry. Can I help you find something?"
"No. I know where it is." Sango plucked a random item from the shelf as she passed and dropped it into the basket. "See, I knew where that was."
Miroku raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know you had a use for adult diapers…"
"Ack!" Sango turned red and frantically slammed the package back onto the shelf. "…Okay, so I don't know where I am. But I don't need your help!"
"Alright." Miroku shrugged. "Can I walk with you anyway?"
Sango glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
"…Alright. But if you try anything, I swear…"
"Dear Sango I would not dream of it."
"Right…"
Several minutes later, Sango and Miroku turned down yet another aisle and stopped short.
"…I-is that who I think it is…?" Sango asked.
"If it is, it would be too much to ask…"
They stared down the aisle at the dark-haired boy as he handed Kagome a piece of paper.
"I thought…I thought he was dead…" Miroku whispered, his voice trembling.
"I-Inuyasha…" Sango started toward him, but Miroku grabbed her wrist.
"Sango, don't. I don't want to involve Kagome in this, alright? We'll catch him on his way out."
Sango looked longingly at the boy, before nodding and allowing Miroku to pull her around the corner and out of sight.
"Here you go." The boy folded the paper and handed it to Kagome. "…Look, I'd appreciate it if you didn't read it, okay? I know that's probably gonna make you want to, but I don't think Sesshoumaru would want you to either."
"Um…okay…" Kagome tucked the folded note into her purse.
"Thanks a lot. Make sure you get it to him as soon as possible, okay?"
"I'll do that…"
"Thanks…well, uh…bye." The boy turned and started to walk away.
"Bye…" Kagome stared after him before turning and walking in the opposite direction. She jumped in surprise as Sango stepped into view in front of her.
"Kagome!"
"Oh, hey Sango. …Miroku? What are you doing here?"
"I am guiding Sango through the dangers of the grocery store." He answered, grinning when Sango punched him lightly in the arm.
"I said I didn't need your help." She pouted.
Kagome laughed, shoving all thoughts of the strange boy to the back of her mind.
"So, are you ready to go, Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Sure…"
"Here Kagome." Sango handed her the car keys. "Why don't you go ahead and get in the car? I need to…talk to Miroku."
The three stood outside the store, shopping bags in hand.
"Oh, I see how it is. Take your time." Kagome winked and headed for the car. Sango didn't bother to correct her. Let her think what she wanted…
"Oh, there he is…" Sango whispered.
The dark-haired boy stepped through the open doors, looking slightly out of it.
"I wonder why that girl didn't know who I am…I thought I was on their most-wanted list or something." He muttered. "Aw well. It doesn't matter." He had just started walking when a hand was clamped tightly over his mouth and another wound tightly around his chest. He dropped the shopping bags and attempted to punch the person as he was dragged around the corner and pushed against the wall.
"Psh, you must not value your life as much as you used to, Inuyasha. Usually I would have been out cold by now if I pulled something like that."
The boy relaxed at the sound of the familiar voice. Miroku laughed lightly and released his hold on him.
"Shit, what are tryin' to do Miroku, give me a heart-attack?" The boy asked. "What the hell are you doing here, anyway…?" He suddenly tensed. "Damn-it, you're after me too now, aren't you?"
"I'm hurt that you would think me capable of betraying a friend."
Inuyasha just rolled his eyes.
"Unless that's what you want me to think…who knows? You could be luring me into a false sense of security, then the second I start to trust you, you'll drag me back to those bastards…"
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Well, I see that you haven't lost your foul mouth, Inuyasha." Sango said laughingly. Inuyasha turned to look at her, noticing her for the first time.
"Sango… Alright, what's going on? And don't tell me you just want to chat. You know I won't buy that."
"We really did just want to talk to you. It's been awhile…we thought you were dead." Sango looked away.
"Eh….don't cry or nothin'…" Inuyasha looked warily at her. "I'm fine, really…I see you got a new hunter. Kagome, right?"
"Yes." Miroku answered. "She's a bit young, but she's powerful…she's been with the STN for a week now. Kikyou has been training her."
Inuyasha flinched, and Miroku looked apologetically at him.
"Sorry, I forgot…"
"Yeah, well…so, how's everyone else doing? I trust brother dearest hasn't changed much…" He added sarcastically.
"Not at all." Sango grinned. "He sits in his glass box all day, coming out to get a glass of water every now-and-then. It's kind of sad, in a way…I know he misses you."
"Yeah, well. I gave the girl a note for him. Make sure he gets it, okay?"
"I will. Kagome is staying with me, so I'll make sure of it."
"Thanks a lot…God, it's been a long time…"
"Yeah… Hey, how's Shippou?" Miroku asked suddenly. "You have been watching out for him, right? Like, we won't find his corpse at the bottom of the ocean weighted down with one of his own statues?"
"Naw, he's fine. Still the hyper little runt he's always been… that's not a bad idea, though…"
"Inuyasha, don't you dare!" Sango said sternly.
"Aw come on. You know I wouldn't do that…strangulation is much easier than trying to lift one of those heavy-ass things." He grinned, and the pair rolled their eyes. "…It's really good to see you guys again…it's almost like I'm back on the team…almost."
An awkward silence followed.
"Well, Kagome's probably wondering what's taking so long…" Sango said. "She has this idea that Miroku and I…well…it's silly really."
"…You mean you guys still haven't gotten together?" Inuyasha blinked at her, and she huffed.
"Of course not! You think I would want a relationship with that lecher?"
"I'm still here you know…" Miroku muttered.
"Heh, sorry…I really should go, though."
"And I as well." Miroku said, patting Inuyasha's shoulder companionably. "It was good seeing you."
"Same here…" He said almost sadly. "Maybe we'll see each other again...someday."
The three gathered the shopping bags that Inuyasha dropped, and watched him walk away into the darkness of the small side street.
"…Miroku?" Sango asked softly.
"Yes?"
"Do you think he'll be okay…? I mean, it's gotta be hard for him…all alone." A tear trickled down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. "Damn-it, I won't cry…" She muttered. A warm arm encircled her shoulders and she froze.
"Miroku…"
"Shh. It's alright. Inuyasha knows how to take care of himself…I'm sure he will be just fine. Besides, he's got Shippou to keep him company…although, I'm not sure if that's good or bad."
Sango laughed halfheartedly, and pulled away.
"Thanks Miroku…"
"Anytime…"
"Miroku…" Sango's eye twitched. "Remove your hand, or lose it."
Miroku sighed.
"I can't get away with anything, can I?"
"Nothing at all."
Sango slid into the driver's seat of her car and let out a long sigh, resting her head on the steering wheel. Kagome raised an eyebrow.
"So…what took you so long?" She asked with a wink. "I saw you and Miroku come out of that dark alley together…He had his arm around you and everything."
"It's not what you think. I-- oh, never mind. I'm really tired…Let's go home."
Kagome took note of Sango's slightly puffy eyes, and decided not to tease her anymore.
"Alright…"
Author's Note:
So, (the age-old question) how was it? Too drug out? Suck-y action scenes? Not clear enough? I thought so too.
Anyway, do you see how Inuyasha fits into this now? And, no, Sesshoumaru will not hate Inuyasha in this story. I think I'm going to center the next chapter around him and the…incident. -laughs maniacally- …Ahem…Anyway, things should start making a little more sense here pretty soon.
Please review and let me know what you thought of it : ) (ugh, I hate that face .)Oh, go here for info on the Sai weapon that Kagome used (there's some basic info and a couple of pictures). Also, you can click on the 'Shinai' link to find out about Kikyou's sword thing (In case you can't tell, I completely made up that battle scene. I have no idea how those weapons would work together in real life):
http:www. tkdtutor. com/ 15Weapons/ Offensive/ Sai.htm
Thanks to all who reviewed‼ New reviewers (In no particular order):
Mimi-chan
CraziAznGurl
MisguidedAngel
Viv
Special thanks to:
Shippou & Lilsisterjrneo who have been with me since the first chapter, and (hopefully) until the last : ) Thanks people‼