Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but I am the owner of a copy of the dubbed version of Inuyasha: The Movie 1! Yay! It was awesome!
Dedication: To my French teacher and to my science teacher from 7th grade - Madame Devenski and Mr. Currin. They just go married! The only problem I have with this is 1) I wasn't invited... (I'll get over it - inviting one student would mean inviting them all, and providing 200 or more kids - not to mention adults - with cake would be a difficult task), and 2) we are going to have a substitute in French class for an entire week so they can go on their honeymoon... I hate having a substitute...
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A/N: After I get finished with my other Inuyasha story, Thirteen, I'm making a Rin/Kohaku centered fic. It will probably be out sometime in October or November. Watch for it! Don't worry, all your favorite couples will be in it - including: Sango/Miroku, Sess/Kagura, Shippou/Souten, and either Inu/Kikyou or Inu/Kagome. It depends on how I'm feeling and what the readers want. For more information, check my bio... After you read my fic!
Ack... my allergies are starting up again! I hate allergies... Every three seconds I have to blow my nose...
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Aamalie: Uh-huh... well, it's not my fault that you can't make Naraku sound evil instead of retarded. Just try to make Queenizzay update so that Corisu and you can update! And yes, Monks are awesome. :)
anime09: Yep. The rain here was like... a drizzle. Talk about paranoid idiots... oh well, I got out of school, anyway.
Heart of Friendship: Thank-you. And you either chose one you want and subscribe (then you're only getting alerts), make your own, or somebody will ask you to be on staff. I'll let you be on staff in mine, if you like.
Naomi-Starcloud: Thank-you.
YoukaiTaijiyaSango: Because she doesn't know whether Naraku is responsible or not, and if Naraku wasn't responsible and he did find out, something bad could happen.
Xichiathik: Heh heh... speaking of cookies, I think I have some in my fridge...
Tache: Correct! Virtual cookies for you!
SITboyShippou: Thank-you.
Jyppster: Thanks much.
Aprill May: Oh, just wait... This chapter hints at the second - er - third? - chibification. Yay for chibis!
lodz: Don't worry. In the next chapter he'll be over withdrawal... he'll be going into shock! He'll have Sango back, though... sort of...
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She curled up on the futon sprawled across the floor, watching the monk across the room. He leaned against the wall, distantly gazing off. Any other person may have assumed it was boredom that occupied his thoughts - or perhaps some other trivial matter, but she knew better.
He was worried. Deeply.
She wanted to tell him that it was her, to tell him that he had no reason for worry, but she knew she couldn't. In case Naraku wasn't responsible for what had happened to her or in the rare coincidence that he had unknowingly shrunken her, she couldn't tell a soul. She couldn't even say it aloud - Naraku could be anyone or anywhere, or he could have his minions lurking behind every corner. She couldn't risk it - Naraku would have her dead in an instant.
She'd have to do something to take his mind off of her disappearance, and she'd often found herself wondering about Miroku's parenting skills. 'It's worth a shot, anyway,' she told herself, approaching him.
"Houko...?" he questioned, feeling her leaning up against his arm. He leaned down toward her, finding himself caught in her sad, chocolate orbs.
"I'm cold," she declared, hugging her knees to her chest. She wasn't lying - it was cold. Her apron wasn't much of a kimono, after all - there were no sleeves, and it barely hung to her knees. Added to the fact the winter was fast approaching, it was no surprise that she found herself shivering. He smiled, turning away and putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Kaede-sama is supposed to have you a new kimono tomorrow," he told her. She nodded - she was grateful for that. In the meantime, though, this worked just as well. A few moments of silence passed between them before Miroku finally spoke up. "Houko, how old are you?" he questioned. His gaze was fixed ahead of him on the wall, a solemn expression lingering over his face.
'Looks like I misjudged you, Houshi-sama,' she concluded sourly. 'You're going to ask me your question, after all.' Still, it would be rude not to answer. She wasn't entirely sure how old she was supposed to be at her height, but she figured she may as well guess. "Six," she told him dryly. He nodded.
"I thought so," he admitted. "I was about your age when my father died, as well." Her heart sank, guilt overtaking her. Not only had she jumped to the wrong conclusion, she was now a walking reminder of his father's death.
"I'm sorry," she sighed softly. He glanced at the beads on his right hand gravely.
"Unless Naraku dies, I'll probably suffer the same fate," he confessed. And so he explained to her Naraku's curse on his family and how it would be passed down through each generation. Hearing his story was sobering, even if she did already know it. She wished she'd told him she was eight - if that were the case, she probably wouldn't have been listening to him at the time. He was just trailing off from one somber thought to the next, even though her original goal was to try and make him feel a little better.
"That's why I have to kill Naraku," he continued. "Disposing of him is the only way I can live, and unless I live..." His voice trailed off as he thought for a moment on how he could explain it to her. "You might not understand it yet, but there was a special bond between Sango and myself. I wouldn't want to cause her any more pain."
She felt terrible. She was lying to him, and he was here telling her his life story. He forced a grin, turning back toward her. Despite his attempt to look cheerful, sorrow bled through his deep, violet eyes.
"I should probably try to think of a less tragic bedtime story next time," he admitted, "but if you get nightmares, just tell Inuyasha and you can make him sing for you."
"I ain't singing for nobody," the hanyou grunted, tossing his nose up into the air. "You can sing for the brat if she starts caterwauling from having bad dreams."
"Oh, he'll make a fine father..." Houko grumbled sarcastically, rubbing her temples.
"Indeed..." Miroku breathed, folding his arms behind his head. A chill ran down her spine as her shoulders were exposed to the cool air around her. She ran her hands over her forearms to warm them and leaned against the monk at her side. She bit her lower lip, thinking for a moment.
"Inuyasha, would you swap beds with me?" she asked him. He looked at her questioningly though the corner of his eye, twitching an ear. "Please...?" she added, in hopes that it might budge his standpoint somewhat. Inuyasha turned from where he stood by the door to look at his futon, which was next to Miroku's.
"I don't know, Miroku," he growled, glaring at the houshi suspiciously, "can I trust you to sleep next to the girl without pulling anything?"
"Must you always assume the worst of me?" Miroku mumbled, narrowing his eyes. Houko tried her best to pretend she didn't know what they were talking about, but she didn't imagine her acting skills were up to par.
"Feh," he growled turning away. "It's not my place to ward of lechers for her. If she can't do that, we may as well dump her off on Kaede right now." Houko and Miroku both shot him icy glares. "If the kid wasn't stupid enough to try and follow us away, I'd probably do it anyway..." he added beneath his breath. She wanted to bash him over the head with something then and there, but decided to try and be respectful by pretending she didn't hear him.
After Kaede and Shippou had returned from gathering herbs and they had all finished eating their supper, Houko tucked herself into the blanket beside Miroku. For once, she hoped, she'd be allowed to get a good night's rest in, with no youkai or Shikon shard interrupting it. Not to say she didn't want to find any more shards, but she'd much rather find them after she'd slept. After all, it would have to be over a month since she'd had a decent slumber.
She drifted off quickly into fantasies of her ideal life, namely one with Miroku and Kohaku - the two people that meant the most to her.
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She awoke to the soft, unmistakable jingling that was none other than the shakujou carried by Miroku. She wiped her eyelids wearily and looked to the monk standing at the door.
"Houshi-sama...?" she mumbled groggily. He turned around to face her, violet eyes shimmering.
"I'm headed to the hot springs," he justified. "I'll be back shortly." He smiled warmly, the same smile that had made her heart melt so many times before.
He was up to something.
Inuyasha snorted, rolling over. "'Hot springs' my ass..." he growled before trying to go back to sleep. Generally he'd be much more willing to get up, but without a lead on Naraku or Kagome to sense the shards, he saw no reason why he should get up early.
"Inuyasha can be really pessimistic at times..." Shippou sighed, watching the pot of vegetables simmer. Kaede nodded without a word, continuing to cook. She didn't need to drag herself into such a mess, after all. Upon hearing the rustling of blankets in the direction of Houko's bed she turned sharply, remembering the girl.
"You're awake," she affirmed. "Inuyasha, you and Shippou go outside while I help the child into her kimono." Inuyasha grunted, but forced himself up and grabbed Shippou by his tail, dragging him out.
"C'mon, runt," he grumbled, "let's go track down that stupid lecher and make sure he's not doing something Sango would slap him over..." As the curtains swung closed, Kaede held the kimono out for the girl to inspect.
It was beautiful. She traced her fingers along the silver flower petals embroidered over the soft lavender material, quivering slightly. Kaede had probably acquired it from someone whom she had assisted - someone well off, for that matter.
"You like it?" the elderly miko inquired, studying the look on the girl's face.
She nodded and, forcing herself to overcome her speechlessness, gasped, "It's wonderful." The old woman smiled, helping the girl out of the tattered cloth she'd used for a dress and into her new one. She was about to point out that it looked very similar to the apron Sango had worn, but she let it slide.
'Curiosity killed the cat,' she reminded herself, helping the young girl to fasten the indigo obi around her waist.
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Houko gazed over the edge of the grass into her reflection. He had to admit, it was the most stunning kimono she'd ever worn. Of course, as a taijiya her family had always been more concerned with how she fought than how she looked. Still, though, she adored it. The soft, cool colors contoured her ruler-shaped body perfectly, covering all of her arms but her hands and hanging to her ankles. The indigo or the obi was her favorite part - it was the same color of the eyes of her beloved monk.
"I can't believe that stupid monk," a familiar voice hissed. "He's gone! The village girls haven't seen him; he wasn't at the hot springs... The idiot probably left to try and find Sango." Kirara, who was standing next to Houko and batting at her reflection - which to her appeared to be another cat youkai, stopped to stare at Inuyasha in confusion. Was her mistress not standing beside her? True, she was a considerable amount smaller, but wasn't it still her mistress? The fire-cat shook her head, purring and rubbing against the young girl's leg.
"Damnit..." Inuyasha growled, "I'm smelling things again... it faintly reminds me of Sango." He snorted, heading into the hut. "I'm never eating that old wench's cooking again..."
"What's with him?" Houko questioned, stroking Kirara. Shippou shrugged, following Inuyasha. "Houshi-sama wouldn't leave when he was told Sango would be returning to Kaede's, would he?" she questioned, stroking Kirara. She gasped in realization. "Kirara, you don't think... what happened to me... could it?" she tried to force out. Kirara mewed softly, jumping out of her owner's lap. Houko nodded sharply. "You're right. Let's go," she announced, jumping up. No one else was around, so it was her best chance to get away without suspicion.
She crept past the hut, just for safety, and raced towards the direction she remembered to be the way to the hot spring, with Kirara trailing her closely. She stumbled, landing face first in dirt.
"Ouch..." she grumbled, pushing herself up. "It's harder to run as a kid," she complained. "Kirara, you think you can carry me?" The youkai mewed in response and quickly transformed into her full form. Sango swiftly hoisted herself on Kirara's back and gestured towards the direction of the hot springs. "Let's go," she whispered to her companion. Kirara charged towards the woods, but slowed once she reached a mushroom-lined area.
Houko pulled her collar over her nose as the intoxicating scent filled the air. She fumbled for a moment until her she had fished the filter mask from her obi, holding her breath in order to let the fabric loose and replace it with her poison filter. 'If Inuyasha and Shippou made it through here, then it might not work as well on demons,' she assumed. 'Ironic, though... the noses of demon are much sharper than those of mortals.'
From the looks of things, Miroku was probably already knocked out. She was unsure how long it would be for, though - it was probably more than a few brief moments, though, seeing how he had been worried about her being gone to long when she had been shrunk. If she was lucky, he would be okay.
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This chapter was longer than the last one. It wasn't excessively long, but it's an improvement. Anyway, I've already started on my Rin/Kohaku story. It won't be up until I finish Thirteen, though. It only has a few chapters left, at least. It shouldn't be more than a month or so before you can get to read it.