Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me
Chapter Fifteen: A Nice Hot Bath and a Perverted Monk
October 28th
Kagome had been on her bizarre journey with the half dog demon for a month and a week now. Almost two weeks of that time was spent playing mother to a small fox demon child. Every night she would tell Shippo bedtime stories and sing him to sleep. And although Inuyasha complained on occasion, he was always sitting close by with his fuzzy ears twitching at her words, especially when she made up voices to go with the characters she was talking about.
While they walked along the path Kagome would play games with Shippo. Sometimes they were guessing games, sometimes they were riddles, and sometimes they were simple games of hide and seek. Most of the time Inuyasha could be goaded into playing, but it was never an easy task.
"Are we there yet?" whined Shippo.
Inuyasha growled at the oh so familiar question. "For the last time, Shippo, if you ask me that question again I will tear you into tiny pieces."
"Are we close?" asked Kagome.
Inuyasha sighed heavily and dramatically. "We should arrive tomorrow by noon."
Cheers were heard across the forest.
"We would have been there DAYS ago if you two hadn't spent so much time playing stupid games!"
Kagome smiled. Inuyasha's words may have seemed harsh, but something in his tone told her that he had enjoyed every one of the small delays.
"We are sorry, Inuyasha." Of course, anyone anywhere could tell that she wasn't really sorry at all, but the words were enough to make the dog demon happy. "You were playing too," she whispered. The way his furry ear twitched in her direction she was sure he had heard her comment, though no one would be able to tell by looking at him.
We are almost there. Kagome frowned. Was her journey really almost over? She looked over at Shippo chewing on Inuyasha's head as the larger demon tried bopping him on the noggin. She bit her lip. How could I ever say good-bye to them? Her eyes fast filled up with tears. Her heart actually hurt.
Suddenly a concerned hanyou was glaring at her. "Oi, wench. What's wrong with you?"
Kagome turned towards the trees. "I am going to go take a bath. We passed a hot spring a bit ago, and I want to be clean when we get there." It was the truth, and also a lie. All she wanted to do was get away from Inuyasha and Shippo. It hurt to look at them and be reminded that soon she would lose them.
"What happens when we reach Miroku?" Kagome heard Shippo ask.
Inuyasha paused before answering. "He sends her home."
Kagome couldn't stop the tears. By the time she got to the hot spring she was bordering on hysterical sobs. After a few final sniffles she wiped away the tears and peered into the water. Baths made her paranoid now. Satisfied that no images were going to be appearing tonight she undressed and slipped into the water.
Don't think about it, she told herself as she tried to relax. Don't think about leaving.
One thing Kagome missed more than anything else was soap, shampoo, and especially conditioner. Though she had to admit that the stuff Kaede had given her smelled nice.
I miss bubble baths. But she enjoyed the hot springs too. I miss my bed. But sleeping under the stars was breathtaking. Except when it rains. But even that was fun.
Kagome smiled as she recalled the last rain. It was the middle of the night when the first drop fell. It was barely a sprinkle, but Inuyasha had scooped her and Shippo up and had them safe in an abandoned cave. It wasn't until after they were safe and dry with a nice roaring fire going that the hanyou complained about the burden. Kagome hadn't had the heart to remind him that it was his idea in the first place. She had rolled her eyes at him and he had harrumphed.
Rustle rustle.
A cold chill went down Kagome's spine. She looked around frantically. Someone is out there. She could tell it wasn't either one of her traveling companions. She sunk farther down under the water until it reached her nose. Suddenly she was quite aware of her state of undress.
Rustle rustle.
Now, by no means did Kagome feel like she was a helpless damsel always in need of rescuing. Over the past month she had taken down a demon or two with her bow and arrow. But her almost accurate shooting wasn't going to help her if the bow and arrow were back at the camp.
So, considering the situation she was in, and her lack of options if she wanted to keep her modesty, Kagome did the only thing she could at the time. She screamed.
"INUYASHA!"
A blur of red and silver flashed through the trees, and suddenly her friend was by the bank, looking ready to attack. The glance she threw at the bushes was all he needed. In moments he had a tall, dark haired man by the throat, pinned to a tree.
Inuyasha's growling needed no translation, and the man quickly began explaining himself.
"I mean no harm. I merely stumbled upon this lovely young lady and was so awestruck by her beauty that I could not will myself to move. I do apologize most humbly my lady," the man said with such sincerity that Kagome ALMOST believed him. 'Almost' being the key word. When he turned his eyes back to her she saw the twinkle in his eye as he attempted to see below the water level.
"Pervert!" she screamed as she ducked lower into the water until her nose was just above the water line.
"I am a monk," he explained over Inuyasha's snarling, "My intentions are entirely honorable."
"Sure they are," sneered Inuyasha.
"A monk?" Kagome was now interested.
Considering he was being held around the throat by a very irate dog demon, the man seemed very calm. "Yes my lady, a loyal servant of Buddha."
"Do you know of a monk named Miroku?" Kagome asked.
The man smiled graciously. "I am Miroku."
Cursing was heard in stereo as both Inuyasha and Kagome cursed their luck that this lecherous monk was the man that they were seeking.
Kagome would have liked to punch the monk for the look he was giving her as she tried to keep herself covered in the water. She debated with herself on whether or not she should be smacking a holy man, regardless of his behavior. Plus… they were looking for his help. Inuyasha, however, had no qualms about a little violence, and knocked a few bumps onto the man's head.
"You were searching for me?" the monk asked calmly once his vision cleared.
"Yes. We are searching for a scroll. The priestess Kaede sent us to you."
"What kind of scroll are you searching for?"
Although she was rather uncomfortable talking while she was still in water, Kagome took a deep breath, then explained to the monk about her world and how she got into this one. She expected the monk to think she was insane, but he just closed his eyes and nodded sagely.
"I see."
"Well, can you help her?" Inuyasha demanded rather than asked.
Miroku stood up. "Come with me back to the temple and I will find the scroll you are looking for."
Kagome squealed happily. "Thank you!"
"You could repay me, my lady."
Kagome's right eyebrow rose. "How?" she asked suspiciously.
The answer to her question had the monk sprawled out on the grass unconscious as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Inuyasha stood over him, seemingly waiting for him to get up again so that he could knock him unconscious again.
"Can you toss me my clothes then drag the pervert back to camp?" asked Kagome.
As Inuyasha was searching for her clothes and keeping a careful eye on the monk, Kagome looked down into the water to make sure she was still covered. For the second time that evening Kagome screamed.
In the water, staring up at her, were Kikyo… and Hojo.
