By the time Kaiya rejoined Inuyasha's group the sky was just beginning to lighten overhead.
"Where have you been all night, Kaiya?" were the first words out of Inuyasha's mouth when he saw his older sister approaching him.
"I've been around," Kaiya replied with a shrug, sitting down beside the sleeping Miroku.
"Around?" Inuyasha asked, with a raised eyebrow. Kaiya nodded, and Inuyasha decided not to press her. The brother and sister sat in silence after that, waiting for the others to wake up.
The sun had already been in the sky for a few hours by the time that Kagome, Sango, and Miroku woke up, although once the group had awoken it did not take them long to set out on their journey. With Kagome carrying the still sleeping Shippo in her arms, the group continued to walk at a leisurely pace with Kagome and Inuyasha slightly ahead of the others. However, for some reason, this day, Sango had decided to walk slightly behind the rest of the group, watching Miroku and Kaiya.
"I don't understand Miroku," Kagome complained to Inuyasha.
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked her, having no idea what Kagome was talking about this time.
"I thought he cared for Sango," Kagome explained. "Meh," Inuyasha said with a shrug.
"Meh?" Kagome repeated.
"Why is it any of our business?" Inuyasha asked, "Miroku falls for any girl he sees. As soon as he runs into another girl, he'll ask her to bear his child and forget all about Kaiya."
"But Sango. . ." Kagome began.
"Can take care of herself," Inuyasha interrupted her.
Kagome glared at Inuyasha, not understanding his attitude. It was obvious that Sango's feelings were hurt by all the attention that Miroku was giving Kaiya, and the fact that Kaiya was giving that same attention back to Miroku was not helping the situation at all. "Inuyasha," Kagome began, annoyed with the hanyou's attitude, "SIT!" Immediately, Inuyasha slammed face-first into the ground.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" Inuyasha cried out angrily as Kaiya and Miroku caught up with the two of them.
"Hmph," was all Kagome said, then turned back to look at Sango who was walking with her head down. "Hmm, that's an interesting power, Kagome," Kaiya commented with a smile as she walked past her brother. "And knowing Inuyasha, probably very useful as well."
"Oh, very useful, indeed," Miroku agreed with a nod and a smile, remembering all the times in the past when Kagome had had to use her SIT with Inuyasha.
Inuyasha glared at Miroku and his older sister, considering whether or not to smack the monk. However, one look at Kagome told him that if he did, she would use another SIT command and Inuyasha was not in the mood for that to happen again. With an annoyed sigh, Inuyasha quickly marched in front of everyone else once again, so that he was leading the group of six. "What's pissed off Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, sleepily, having awoken just in time to see Inuyasha march past angrily. "It's nothing, Shippo," Kagome whispered to the little fox youkai. "It was just something stupid."
"Figures," Shippo said, rolling his eyes. Kagome giggled and whispered, "Shippo, can you go walk with Miroku for a bit?" "Huh? Why?" Shippo asked. "I want to talk to Sango for a bit," Kagome informed the young child. Seeing the look of concern in Kagome's eyes, Shippo nodded, hopped out of her arms, and called out, "Miroku! Wait for me!" After making sure that no one else could hear her, Kagome smiled at her friend as Sango neared her. "Hey Sango."
"Hi, Kagome," Sango replied, her tone not nearly as cheerful as it usually was "Sango, um . . .," Kagome began, unsure of how to say what she wanted to. "Yes?" Sango asked, turning her head to look at Kagome.
"The, uh . . . with Kaiya and Miroku," Kagome said, stumbling to get the words out.
"Yes?" Sango asked, her tone suddenly turning cold.
"You know Miroku's just being Miroku, right?" Kagome asked, carefully, "You know that he probably doesn't mean anything by it, right?"
"What do I care?" Sango asked, frowning.
"Y. . . you mean you don't?" Kagome asked, dumbfounded.
"Why should I?" Sango asked her friend.
"Um," Kagome began, her face going pink, "No reason." Sango's not very good at lying, Kagome thought to herself, deciding not to press the matter with her friend. It's obvious that she cares for Miroku!
For the rest of that day's journey the two girls walked in silence, while Kaiya and Miroku walked ahead of them flirting, and Inuyasha walked ahead of the entire group, still slightly upset about Kagome using SIT on him.
The sun was just settting as the group settled down in a little forest clearning. The fire had just been started by Inuyasha and Kagome when Sango announced that she was going to go for a little walk. Once Sango was gone, Kagome walked over to Kaiya and Miroku. "Um, excuse me, Kaiya?" Kagome began.
"What is it, Kagome?" Kaiya asked, seeing the anxious look on Kagome's face. "Could I talk to you for a minute?" Kagome asked, then looking at Miroku, "Privately." Curious to know what was worrying her, Kaiya nodded. "Of course," the youkai replied, standing to her full height. "We'll be back in a bit," she informed the others and quickly Kagome and Inuyasha's sister set off. "What is it, Kagome?" Kaiya asked, after they had been walking in silence for a bit.
"It's about Miroku," Kagome began. "Hmm," Kaiya said, suddenly having an idea why she had been asked to talk privately.
"Yes, and Sango," Kagome continued, "It's just that, Sango has feelings for Miroku and, well, I'm pretty sure that Miroku has feelings for Sango as well, but. . ."
"You're afraid that I'm coming inbetween them?" Kaiya interrupted.
"Yeah," Kagome admitted, "I mean, it's just that. . ."
Kaiya smiled and shook her head, stopping Kagome's attempt at defending herself. "Don't worry, Kagome," the youkai replied, "Miroku is a handsome man, but I'm not ready for anything like that. It's just, when I'm around him and we're flirting it helps me to take my mind off of everything that happened with Toshiro and Michio. It helps to lighten my mood, I guess." "But you'd never want anything serious to come of it?" Kagome asked.
Kaiya shook her head. "No," she replied, "I would never want anything serious from Miroku. I'm not ready for that, I'm not sure if I ever will be again." "Oh," Kagome said, suddenly feeling horrible for even thinking that Kaiya would have wanted anything serious from him. How could she even have thought that when it had not been that long ago that Kaiya's husband and son had been murdered!
"Although that does explain the cold attitude I've been getting from Sango," Kaiya sighed. Then, with a small smile, she said, "I suppose I should straighten things out with her."
"That might be a good idea," Kagome agreed.
"Come on then," Kaiya said.
"Huh?"
"I'm going to walk you back before I go look for Sango," Inuyasha's sister replied, "He may not want to admit this, but Inuyasha cares for you a lot, Kagome. Trust me when I say he'd kill me if I let anything happen to you." Kagome smiled and tried to hide her cheeks which had suddenly gone bright red. She knew that Inuyasha cared for her a lot, but there were still a lot of confusing issues that still had to be sorted out first. One of them being how Inuyasha felt for Kikyou. It did not take long for the two girls to reach the little clearing, and as she had said, once she dropped Kagome off, Kaiya left in the direction where Sango had gone.
I was stupid for thinking anything could ever happen with me and Houshi-sama, Sango thought quietly to herself for about the hundredth time as she stared out at the water in front of her. In walking away from the group, the youkai exterminator had managed to find a quiet riverside, which was where she had decided to stop and think for a bit. Why did I even let myself think that? Sango wondered, trying to stop the tears that threatened to form in her eyes. I shouldn't be concerning myself with those types of feelings. I should be concentrating on finding and killing Naraku so that I can free Kohaku. She was just about to get up and head back when she suddenly felt someone approach her. Quickly, she stood to her feet and grabbed Hiraikotsu, ready to attack if need be. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sango," came a voice that the young youkai exterminator recognized.
"Kaiya?" Sango asked, slightly unsure. Suddenly, the figure stepped from behind the trees and Sango recognized the easily distinguishable white hair and yellow eyes.
"Hello, Sango," Kaiya said with a small smile.
"What are you doing here?" Sango asked, somewhat suspicious as to why Inuyasha's sister had come in search of her.
"Sango," Kaiya began, "Could we sit down and talk for a bit, please?" "Um, sure," Sango replied, relaxing her grip on Hiraikotsu. Why did Kaiya want to talk her?
Once the youkai and the youkai exterminator were sitting down, facing the river, Kaiya began the conversation, saying, "I want you to know that there's nothing going on between me and Miroku."
"W. . . why would I care if there was?" Sango asked, immediately going on the defensive.
"Then is there some other reason why you seem to dislike having me around?" Kaiya asked. Sango turned her head to look at Kaiya. "Do you know which village I have come from?" she asked the youkai.
"From the looks of your weapon," Inuyasha's sister began, "It looks like you came from the youkai exterminator village." "Shouldn't that answer your question?" Sango asked, thinking that it would be obvious, and at the same time knowing that she was lying.
"It should," Kaiya agreed, "But I've had experience with other youkai exterminators, Sango. I know that they don't automatically hate every youkai they meet, unless they have some reason to. Personally, I can't think of any other reason you'd have to dislike me so much."
At this, Sango remained silent. Kaiya sighed, and seeing that she wasn't going to be getting a response, she continued, "There is nothing that is going on, or will go on between me and Miroku. Sango, the reason why I act the way I do around Miroku is because it's easier for me to act like that. Acting the way I do allows me to put my mind on other matters. If I didn't act like this, then I would be completely and entirely depressed, my heart would be consumed with grief for my husband and son. And it's not that it isn't anyways, but at least, when Miroku and I talk it allows my mind to drift somewhat. I also think that you understand what I mean by that, don't you?"
"Why do I care if there's anything going on with you and Miroku?" Sango repeated. Kaiya sighed. "I'm not asking you to admit your feelings for him, Sango. But just know that what I'm telling you is the truth. And I think on some level, you understand what I'm going through. I know what happened to your village, and I am sorry. I know that I can never understand your loss exactly because, while you lost everyone who was important to you, I still have Inuyasha, and, I hate to admit it, but I still have Sesshomaru, too, who for some reason I also care about." As Kaiya mentioned her village, tears began to form in Sango's eyes. The young youkai exterminator, however, chose to ignore them, not wanting to show any signs of weakness. Kaiya sighed. She knew that Sango was trying to be strong, but she just wished that the young girl knew that she didn't have to rely only on herself. "Sango, please think about what I just said, okay?" the youkai asked the young exterminator, then, without waiting for a response, Kaiya stood up and walked away from the girl, into the woods, leaving Sango by herself once more.
Kaiya's husband: Toshiro Kaiya's son: Michio
"Around?" Inuyasha asked, with a raised eyebrow. Kaiya nodded, and Inuyasha decided not to press her. The brother and sister sat in silence after that, waiting for the others to wake up.
The sun had already been in the sky for a few hours by the time that Kagome, Sango, and Miroku woke up, although once the group had awoken it did not take them long to set out on their journey. With Kagome carrying the still sleeping Shippo in her arms, the group continued to walk at a leisurely pace with Kagome and Inuyasha slightly ahead of the others. However, for some reason, this day, Sango had decided to walk slightly behind the rest of the group, watching Miroku and Kaiya.
"I don't understand Miroku," Kagome complained to Inuyasha.
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked her, having no idea what Kagome was talking about this time.
"I thought he cared for Sango," Kagome explained. "Meh," Inuyasha said with a shrug.
"Meh?" Kagome repeated.
"Why is it any of our business?" Inuyasha asked, "Miroku falls for any girl he sees. As soon as he runs into another girl, he'll ask her to bear his child and forget all about Kaiya."
"But Sango. . ." Kagome began.
"Can take care of herself," Inuyasha interrupted her.
Kagome glared at Inuyasha, not understanding his attitude. It was obvious that Sango's feelings were hurt by all the attention that Miroku was giving Kaiya, and the fact that Kaiya was giving that same attention back to Miroku was not helping the situation at all. "Inuyasha," Kagome began, annoyed with the hanyou's attitude, "SIT!" Immediately, Inuyasha slammed face-first into the ground.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" Inuyasha cried out angrily as Kaiya and Miroku caught up with the two of them.
"Hmph," was all Kagome said, then turned back to look at Sango who was walking with her head down. "Hmm, that's an interesting power, Kagome," Kaiya commented with a smile as she walked past her brother. "And knowing Inuyasha, probably very useful as well."
"Oh, very useful, indeed," Miroku agreed with a nod and a smile, remembering all the times in the past when Kagome had had to use her SIT with Inuyasha.
Inuyasha glared at Miroku and his older sister, considering whether or not to smack the monk. However, one look at Kagome told him that if he did, she would use another SIT command and Inuyasha was not in the mood for that to happen again. With an annoyed sigh, Inuyasha quickly marched in front of everyone else once again, so that he was leading the group of six. "What's pissed off Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, sleepily, having awoken just in time to see Inuyasha march past angrily. "It's nothing, Shippo," Kagome whispered to the little fox youkai. "It was just something stupid."
"Figures," Shippo said, rolling his eyes. Kagome giggled and whispered, "Shippo, can you go walk with Miroku for a bit?" "Huh? Why?" Shippo asked. "I want to talk to Sango for a bit," Kagome informed the young child. Seeing the look of concern in Kagome's eyes, Shippo nodded, hopped out of her arms, and called out, "Miroku! Wait for me!" After making sure that no one else could hear her, Kagome smiled at her friend as Sango neared her. "Hey Sango."
"Hi, Kagome," Sango replied, her tone not nearly as cheerful as it usually was "Sango, um . . .," Kagome began, unsure of how to say what she wanted to. "Yes?" Sango asked, turning her head to look at Kagome.
"The, uh . . . with Kaiya and Miroku," Kagome said, stumbling to get the words out.
"Yes?" Sango asked, her tone suddenly turning cold.
"You know Miroku's just being Miroku, right?" Kagome asked, carefully, "You know that he probably doesn't mean anything by it, right?"
"What do I care?" Sango asked, frowning.
"Y. . . you mean you don't?" Kagome asked, dumbfounded.
"Why should I?" Sango asked her friend.
"Um," Kagome began, her face going pink, "No reason." Sango's not very good at lying, Kagome thought to herself, deciding not to press the matter with her friend. It's obvious that she cares for Miroku!
For the rest of that day's journey the two girls walked in silence, while Kaiya and Miroku walked ahead of them flirting, and Inuyasha walked ahead of the entire group, still slightly upset about Kagome using SIT on him.
The sun was just settting as the group settled down in a little forest clearning. The fire had just been started by Inuyasha and Kagome when Sango announced that she was going to go for a little walk. Once Sango was gone, Kagome walked over to Kaiya and Miroku. "Um, excuse me, Kaiya?" Kagome began.
"What is it, Kagome?" Kaiya asked, seeing the anxious look on Kagome's face. "Could I talk to you for a minute?" Kagome asked, then looking at Miroku, "Privately." Curious to know what was worrying her, Kaiya nodded. "Of course," the youkai replied, standing to her full height. "We'll be back in a bit," she informed the others and quickly Kagome and Inuyasha's sister set off. "What is it, Kagome?" Kaiya asked, after they had been walking in silence for a bit.
"It's about Miroku," Kagome began. "Hmm," Kaiya said, suddenly having an idea why she had been asked to talk privately.
"Yes, and Sango," Kagome continued, "It's just that, Sango has feelings for Miroku and, well, I'm pretty sure that Miroku has feelings for Sango as well, but. . ."
"You're afraid that I'm coming inbetween them?" Kaiya interrupted.
"Yeah," Kagome admitted, "I mean, it's just that. . ."
Kaiya smiled and shook her head, stopping Kagome's attempt at defending herself. "Don't worry, Kagome," the youkai replied, "Miroku is a handsome man, but I'm not ready for anything like that. It's just, when I'm around him and we're flirting it helps me to take my mind off of everything that happened with Toshiro and Michio. It helps to lighten my mood, I guess." "But you'd never want anything serious to come of it?" Kagome asked.
Kaiya shook her head. "No," she replied, "I would never want anything serious from Miroku. I'm not ready for that, I'm not sure if I ever will be again." "Oh," Kagome said, suddenly feeling horrible for even thinking that Kaiya would have wanted anything serious from him. How could she even have thought that when it had not been that long ago that Kaiya's husband and son had been murdered!
"Although that does explain the cold attitude I've been getting from Sango," Kaiya sighed. Then, with a small smile, she said, "I suppose I should straighten things out with her."
"That might be a good idea," Kagome agreed.
"Come on then," Kaiya said.
"Huh?"
"I'm going to walk you back before I go look for Sango," Inuyasha's sister replied, "He may not want to admit this, but Inuyasha cares for you a lot, Kagome. Trust me when I say he'd kill me if I let anything happen to you." Kagome smiled and tried to hide her cheeks which had suddenly gone bright red. She knew that Inuyasha cared for her a lot, but there were still a lot of confusing issues that still had to be sorted out first. One of them being how Inuyasha felt for Kikyou. It did not take long for the two girls to reach the little clearing, and as she had said, once she dropped Kagome off, Kaiya left in the direction where Sango had gone.
I was stupid for thinking anything could ever happen with me and Houshi-sama, Sango thought quietly to herself for about the hundredth time as she stared out at the water in front of her. In walking away from the group, the youkai exterminator had managed to find a quiet riverside, which was where she had decided to stop and think for a bit. Why did I even let myself think that? Sango wondered, trying to stop the tears that threatened to form in her eyes. I shouldn't be concerning myself with those types of feelings. I should be concentrating on finding and killing Naraku so that I can free Kohaku. She was just about to get up and head back when she suddenly felt someone approach her. Quickly, she stood to her feet and grabbed Hiraikotsu, ready to attack if need be. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sango," came a voice that the young youkai exterminator recognized.
"Kaiya?" Sango asked, slightly unsure. Suddenly, the figure stepped from behind the trees and Sango recognized the easily distinguishable white hair and yellow eyes.
"Hello, Sango," Kaiya said with a small smile.
"What are you doing here?" Sango asked, somewhat suspicious as to why Inuyasha's sister had come in search of her.
"Sango," Kaiya began, "Could we sit down and talk for a bit, please?" "Um, sure," Sango replied, relaxing her grip on Hiraikotsu. Why did Kaiya want to talk her?
Once the youkai and the youkai exterminator were sitting down, facing the river, Kaiya began the conversation, saying, "I want you to know that there's nothing going on between me and Miroku."
"W. . . why would I care if there was?" Sango asked, immediately going on the defensive.
"Then is there some other reason why you seem to dislike having me around?" Kaiya asked. Sango turned her head to look at Kaiya. "Do you know which village I have come from?" she asked the youkai.
"From the looks of your weapon," Inuyasha's sister began, "It looks like you came from the youkai exterminator village." "Shouldn't that answer your question?" Sango asked, thinking that it would be obvious, and at the same time knowing that she was lying.
"It should," Kaiya agreed, "But I've had experience with other youkai exterminators, Sango. I know that they don't automatically hate every youkai they meet, unless they have some reason to. Personally, I can't think of any other reason you'd have to dislike me so much."
At this, Sango remained silent. Kaiya sighed, and seeing that she wasn't going to be getting a response, she continued, "There is nothing that is going on, or will go on between me and Miroku. Sango, the reason why I act the way I do around Miroku is because it's easier for me to act like that. Acting the way I do allows me to put my mind on other matters. If I didn't act like this, then I would be completely and entirely depressed, my heart would be consumed with grief for my husband and son. And it's not that it isn't anyways, but at least, when Miroku and I talk it allows my mind to drift somewhat. I also think that you understand what I mean by that, don't you?"
"Why do I care if there's anything going on with you and Miroku?" Sango repeated. Kaiya sighed. "I'm not asking you to admit your feelings for him, Sango. But just know that what I'm telling you is the truth. And I think on some level, you understand what I'm going through. I know what happened to your village, and I am sorry. I know that I can never understand your loss exactly because, while you lost everyone who was important to you, I still have Inuyasha, and, I hate to admit it, but I still have Sesshomaru, too, who for some reason I also care about." As Kaiya mentioned her village, tears began to form in Sango's eyes. The young youkai exterminator, however, chose to ignore them, not wanting to show any signs of weakness. Kaiya sighed. She knew that Sango was trying to be strong, but she just wished that the young girl knew that she didn't have to rely only on herself. "Sango, please think about what I just said, okay?" the youkai asked the young exterminator, then, without waiting for a response, Kaiya stood up and walked away from the girl, into the woods, leaving Sango by herself once more.
Kaiya's husband: Toshiro Kaiya's son: Michio