'Tis the Season
2. In the Feudal Era
"Inuyasha, put me down!!" Kagome beat her fists on Inuyasha's back. He had picked her up and slung her over his shoulder without any warning.
"No, we're going back to get another jewel shard." Swiping the jar of jewel shards they had, Inuyasha jumped onto the window sill, then out the window with a screaming and none-too-happy Kagome. He entered the well shrine and took one leap into the well. When they landed he spared no time in making another leap and landing on the grass. He deposited Kagome who landed on her butt with a thud and a glare at Inuyasha.
"Come on," he said curtly. Turning he walked away and towards the village where Miroku, Sango, and Shippo would be.
"Inuyasha!"
"Wait, Kagome-"
"SIT!"
thud Kagome gave a wicked smile and stepped on and over Inuyasha, heading for the village. That would teach Inuyasha to treat her better. When she arrived at the village, a sulking inu hanyou in tow, she was met by a ball of fur slamming into her repeating the words, "You're back, you're back, you're back!" Laughing, Kagome held the little kitsune out away from her and set him back down on the ground. She was soon joined by Sango, a demon slayer, and Miroku, a very, very, very perverted monk.
"Lady Kagome," he said with a smile. "And Inuyasha," he added. Inuyasha returned the greeting with a nod.
"Kagome, did you have a nice break?"
"It would've been better," Kagome said with a glare at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha ruined it, right?"
"All the way. This is a new record for him."
Sango grinned
"Well, I hope you at least had-".she broke off, whirled to face the monk, and slapped him, hard. Sighing, the monk rubbed the red hand mark on his cheek.
"You never give up, do you?!"
Kagome hid a giggle behind her hand and faked coughing.
"Are you ok, Kagome?" asked Sango.
"Oh, fine," Kagome waved it off.
"Very well, then. Perhaps we should be going." Miroku.
"My sentiments exactly," muttered Inuyasha. Kagome glared at him.
"Inuyasha, can't we have a rest? My feet hurt."
"We can rest once we get another jewel shard."
"You're impossible!" Kagome defiantly plopped down on the grass where she stood, arms crossed. Inuyasha gaped at her.
"Kagome, get up."
"No."
"Inuyasha, perhaps a rest would be a good idea," said Miroku. "We've been traveling non-stop for hours."
"Feh, you humans are so weak." But Inuyasha sat down and his companions sighed in relief. Kagome stripped off her shoes and socks and rubbed her sore and aching feet. Inuyasha sniffed the air. Kagome glared at him.
"You don't have to be so-"
Inuyasha interrupted. "There's a hot spring over there in the forest," he said.
"Oh." Kagome was slightly taken aback. "Thank-you." Inuyasha snorted.
"Just hurry up," he snapped. Kagome sighed. 'Just like Inuyasha,' she thought. Kagome and Sango headed off together in the direction of the hot spring. When the reached it Kagome was filled with delight.
"Oh, look!" she squealed. "There's little tiny fish!" Sango studied the fish.
"Hot spring fish. Wow. Never even knew fish lived in hot springs." Both woman stripped themselves of clothing and got into the water.
"Ooo, this is SO nice," she sighed out.
"Yes, that is, until Miroku comes to spy," commented Sango.
(Miroku, Inuyasha, Shippo)
"So, Inuyasha, I think I'm going to go for a walk."
"Don't even think about it, monk."
"Think about what? Can I not go on an innocent walk?"
snort "You, innocent?"
"But of course." Inuyasha just shook his head and looked away. Shippo jumped into his lap and looked up at him.
"You look grumpy today, Inuyasha," he commented. Inuyasha growled, and with a yelp the little kitsune barely dodged a fist. "Stop being mean, Inuyasha! I'm going to Kagome and Sango!" Shippo ran on his furred fox feet towards the hot spring in the forest. Snorting, Inuyasha looked around. Something was missing.
"Shit," he muttered and stood up to look for Miroku.
(Kagome and Sango)
Shippo had come to them and was swimming in the hot spring, supported by a ducky floater. Kagome sank low into the water up to her nose, leaving air for her to breathe. She was thinking about what to get her friends for Christmas. It was quite a dilemma. What could she get friends that lived in the feudal era? 'I could get Inuyasha a muzzle,' she thought with an evil grin. It was very appealing. Sighing, Kagome stood to get out of the hot spring. She heard a rustling in the brush nearby and a familiar voice swearing. Inuyasha burst into view. With a shriek, Kagome plunged back into the water.
"Inuyasha! SIT!"
"Arg!" Inuyasha's face was now in the dirt. Quickly, Kagome left the water and went behind a tree to change into her clothes. Sango had done the same behind a nearby oak. When she came back around the tree, a disgruntled Inuyasha sat indian-style and glared at her.
"Well, it served you right, you peeping tom!"
snort "I wasn't here to spy on you, I was chasing Miroku!" As if to prove this point, an unashamed Miroku emerged from the bushes. Kagome was ready to berate the two when she sensed a jewel shard.
"Inuyasha, there's a jewel shard coming this way, and fast." Inuyasha responded by gripping Tetsusaiga. A whirlwind came crashing through the forest to stop abruptly in front of Kagome. A very surprised Kagome looked up at the face of Kouga, whom had already grasped her hands in his.
"Why, my dear Kagome, what a surprise!" There was a snort from Inuyasha.
"Surprise for you my ass," he muttered. Kouga glared at him.
"Watch it, mutt. I have no problems killing you in a fight."
"We'll see who kills who, you mangy wolf." Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga, brandishing it.
"Inuyasha, sit."
thud
Kouga turned his attention away from a sputtering Inuyasha to focus on Kagome.
"I am sorry to regret, my dear, my love, that I can stay no longer. I must go now. But first," he pulled Kagome close to him, an arm around her waist. "Might I have a kiss?" Inuyasha shot up from the ground.
"Why, you," he lunged for Kouga and wrestled him to the ground.
"Inuyasha! Sit!" Kagome yelled. Kouga pushed Inuyasha away as Kagome said sit, and stood. With a friendly salute to Kagome he grinned.
"See ya." He then turned to look at Inuyasha, disgust etched into his face. "Hopefully not with the mutt around." With that there was another whirlwind and he was gone. Kagome walked over and sat on her heels in front of Inuyasha, who had just lifted his face from the ground. He glared at her.
"Why did you do that?!" ye yelled at her. Kagome returned his glare and stood up, turning away. She looked down when she heard a mewing. She smiled at the adorable animal that sat there.
"Hey, Kirara,"she said, leaning down to pick up the cat-like animal. Cat-like, but with two tails. Kagome cuddled the animal. Behind her, Inuyasha stood up and brushed the dirt off him.
"Come on," he said with a grunt. He turned and started walking in the direction of the grassy area he had come from. Kagome and the others followed, Kirara jumping to be held by Sango and Shippo hanging on Kagome's shoulder.