FFFS chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters in this story sniff. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 2: setback
Miroku woke with a start. It was so quiet…He sat up, taking in the sight of the morning sunlight. He picked up his staff and stood, glancing swiftly at the tree where Inuyasha was supposed to be sleeping. But all he saw was a figure who looked exactly like himself. He closed his eyes in terror, expecting that when he opened them again, he would see Inuyasha perched in the tree, just as he had been the night before. But nothing had changed. He yelled up to the figure in the tree. "Hey, you!" The…person in the tree awoke with a start, and promptly lost his balance and crashed ungracefully to the ground below. Obviously still asleep, the creature tried out his sangontetsu on the visitor. A small flicker of light was emitted from the tips of this stranger's fingers before fading into oblivion.
"Keh?" Inuyasha looked at his hand in confusion. How come his attack wouldn't work? He glared up at Miroku. Hang on a sec, was that himself he was glaring at? Only then did he realize that he no longer had his hanyou claws. He felt the top of his head, hoping his ears were still there. He was very fond of them, after all. (Not that he'd admit that) They weren't. He growled in annoyance. He had a suspicion that the character before him was someone he knew, but who? It wasn't one of the girls, and it surely wasn't Shippou, as he was still sleeping like a log a few metres away. Snarling, he asked, "Who the heck are you?" Miroku jumped slightly in surprise at the tone. "Miroku." He stuttered. His voice sounded deep and gravely to him, and he seemed slightly taller than he had been the night before. And he was wearing a red robe. Surely not…it couldn't be! No! he would not accept it! He couldn't possibly be Inuyasha…could he? "Miroku" glared at him with distaste. "Body switch huh?" Only powerful magic was able to do this… "Damn!" Inuyasha swore. But Miroku inwardly smiled. Now he would be able to wield the tetseiga, and rescue the lovely Sango from any harm. He would be the hero….his eyes glazed over in a daydream, until he was slapped out of it by the person who now looked like him. "Tetseiga?" he questioned, and smiled, showing his new fangs. "Inuyasha was not going to give up his sword without a fight. He drew the inherited sword out from its sheath. "TETSEIGA!" he growled, and the weapon lengthened and glowed as is usually did. He frowned. Reluctantly, he handed over his prized sword, and looked saddened. Here's the deal, "Miroku" said, slightly disheartened. He felt as if he was incomplete without his tetseiga. HIS! Not Miroku's. "No one will find out about this. Not the girls, nor Shippou. Got that?" He stared intently, waiting for an answer, while "Inuyasha" tried to copy Inuyasha's actions with tetseiga. To him, it was a heavy, awkward sword. He took a hefty swing, but the tip of the sword only grazed the ground at "Miroku's" feet. "Watch it, baka!" he snarled, but the hanyou-turned priest was inwardly happy that tetseiga still only responded to him. How he wished he still had his golden eyes though, they made people uncomfortable and edgy.
But not Kagome. She always stared into them with interest and fascination, edging closer, closer….Shaking his head, he turned on his heel, and tried to leap back into his tree. But he made it no further than about half a metre above the ground. He slumped at the base of the tree, defeated, hoping that this would not last long, or worse, be permanent.
The gang rambled along slowly, after "Kagome" had re-learned to ride her bike, much to the surprise of the guys. This was more than humiliating, Sango thought. The vehicle teetered and toppled as she struggled to keep it straight. Kirara padded along silently, it's two tails waving gracefully. "Sango" was walking alongside Miroku" so as to not attract any attention. "Time for lunch!" announced the Kitsune, and grumbling stomachs could be heard from the gang. "Kagome" rummaged in her bag and pulled out some tasty looking sandwiches, along with some ramen for Inuyasha. "Ooh! Ramen!!" Squeaked "Miroku" in happiness. "Sango" gave "Miroku" a strange look. "But…you hate ramen!…" she stuttered. "Miroku's "face fell." "of course" he muttered, disappointed. How could I forget?" a black stare was shot in the direction of the hanyou-turned -priest. "Here you go Inuyasha! "Kagome" handed the noodle bowl to "Inuyasha." "Wow….thank a lot" said the priest, wrinkling his nose at the food. "In fact, it looks so good, I think I'll keep it for later! chucks ramen behind a tree "My precious ramen!!" "Miroku" jumped up and rushed in the direction where the food had landed.
"Sango" stared blankly. So did "Kagome". What on earth was going on? This was too weird for words. Anyway, after the suspiciously odd lunch the gang upped and left again, heading towards the fog-cloaked mountains. Overhead a black creature was gliding soundlessly. It had two black massive wings, leathery like a bats. Its eyes glowed a malicious purple, and out of its hideous crimson head, a charcoal horn sprouted. Its body was the same blood red colour as the head, and deadly-looking talons protruded from its wiry legs.
"Sango" noticed the glimmer of the shattered stone first, contemplated a while, but said nothing. She had vowed not to arise suspicion, and she would not break that vow. That thing, whatever it was, would come to visit soon enough, with their presence of the Shikon shards…. Though somehow, the feeling she got when she was near the enemy, was growing slightly fainter.
"Kagome" glanced up into the pale sapphire sky. A creature which both disgusted and intrigued her swooped craftily overhead. She grasped an odd feeling…..something about it….but what? She shrugged, and sauntered on as usual.
It lunged nearer and nearer, the group could feel the foul stench of its breath eating into them like a pungent acid. A rancid claw raked the sky only metres above their heads. "Kagome" focused harder…there was something important that she was missing here. She stared at the dragon with steely eyes of hatred, and then, just knew. It was definitely a Shikon shard – in its foot. But how could she know? She couldn't sense them; only Kagome could. And there had definitely been something about that whatever it was setting off alarm bells in her head – something that was not a usual occurrence.