Aaah! Sorry, people (if anyone's been reading this at all)! I was (and still am) suffering from writer's block, but I managed to write and post this chapter, and hopefully the next one will come more swiftly. So that's why I need you to review, people! Help me! Lots of positive reviews kinda kick my stamina, if you know what I mean.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, so don't sue me!
Two days, later, Kagome warily walked up to Hojo's house and knocked on the door. It was opened by a kind looking little woman that looked remarkably like Hojo.
"Oh, are you Kagome Higurashi? You're here to help Hojo study, is that right?" she asked her.
"Uh, yes I am. But I was just going to drop off his books and-"
The little woman didn't seem to be listening. She was too busy chattering and bustling Kagome up a flight of stairs and down a hall. "Oh, good! He's been waiting quite eagerly for you. It's simply awful about that cold he's gotten; every breath seems to wrack his poor thin frame! But I've been feeding him my famous hot miso soup, so he should be back on his feet in no time! I'm his mother, by the way, pardon my rudeness in not introducing myself earlier and oh, here we are!"
She stopped in front of a particular door and knocked. "Hojo, dear, your friend Kagome is here!"
From within came the weak reply, "Okay… 'coughcough!' Come on in, Kagome!"
Hojo's mother disappeared back downstairs with the merry call of, "Don't work to hard, Hojo, you hear?"
Upon entering and setting sight on Hojo, Kagome reflected that he didn't look that sick at all. He was sitting up in bed and beaming his heart out at her. Even his "wracking coughs" were pretty feeble.
"Hi, Kagome! Sorry you had to take the trouble to come up here, and I really appreciate it. Do you think you could stay for a little while and help me? With this awful cold I have 'coughcough' it's kind of hard to concentrate."
Inwardly, she sighed and prepared for a long afternoon. What more could she do?
Sengoku Jedai
Inuyasha leapt down from the old dead tree and glanced furtively around.
"No one can see me by the well," he muttered as he snuck off. "Or else I'm really in for it! Or rather," he added, flexing his claws, "they are."
Hurrying towards the clearing, Inuyasha was so intent on disguising his trail that he didn't notice the tiny black pigtail peeking out from behind a nearby bush. It snickered, rustling the foliage, and popped down out of sight.
"Miroku, do you really think this is a good idea? Spying on Inuyasha like this, I mean."
Shippo presented this question to the giggling Buddhist monk in a slightly irritated tone, which was perfectly reasonable since the monk had dragged him away from a delicious, steaming bowl of rice, his hair had leaves and twigs in it, and they had just barely escaped a swarm of hungry mosquitoes minutes before. The kitsune's tail was still sore from when Miroku had grabbed it in making their escape.
"Of course it is, Shippo," Miroku replied, oblivious to all worldly cares. His eyes were fixated on the bounding red dot rapidly moving away. "We need to keep a close eye on Inuyasha. By following him and noting his behavior, we can better plan how to trick him into professing his true feelings for Kagome."
"Which he'll never do, of course," Shippo added. "I want him to say it as much as you do, Miroku, but you know that Naraku will hand over the Jewel to us and cure your Wind Tunnel before that happens."
The monk's right hand twitched reflexively, and he sighed. "Yes, you may very well be right about that, Shippo," he said in a less elated tone. "But we must never give up hope of this happening."
"Besides, why just me? What good can I do?" the fox child asked, looking up from scratching a bug bite. "Why not Sango, or Kirara?"
He saw Miroku stiffen suddenly, and smirked. "Ah, well, um," Miroku stumbled, composure suddenly gone. "That's because as men, and loyal companions of Inuyasha, it is our duty to ensure his happiness. And having women around would merely get in the way."
"That's funny, because I would think you would leap at the chance to be alone with Sango," Shippo said, exaggerating thoughtfulness. He started to stand up. "Tell you what. Why don't I go back to get her instead and-"
"NO!" Miroku desperately slammed him face- first into the ground. "I- I mean… Well, you know, Shippo. More people means a less better chance of disguising our presence," he explained, releasing his death grip on Shippo's head. "And you know what Inuyasha would do if he found us out don't you?"
Shippo sprang up, spitting out dirt and leaves. "Yes… PHTOO! I know very well what would happen," he replied sullenly.
Miroku beamed. "Okay, then, we should continue following. He's already made great progress." He stood and marched briskly away, feeling the scathing gaze of the kitsune boring at his back.
After finally reaching the well and rushing around the clearing to flush out any lurking intuders, Inuyasha went to the edge of the well and gazed down into the depths.
Kagome, there must be some reason why you consider helping Hobo more important than me- than the Jewel Shards! And I'm going to find out what.
Well, here was your chapter. Please R&R, and DO expect another chapter soon!
More reviews= faster updates= happier readers= a more dedicated author.
Remember this!
