Callie here: Chapter Two of the revised Heart of Ice.
To Kagome it all seemed to be a dream but it wasn't. Kori Touketsu had eaten breakfast with her and her family, and her grandpa had talked the whole time about future wedding plans, which in turn had ended up making Kagome feel physically ill, so that she had to leave the table early. A room had been prepared for him but he had refused the offer-which was a relief to Kagome- he had plans for board already. Now he was gone, busy with other things, but he would be back tonight; giving Kagome only a short widow of opportunity to go through the sacred portal.
Like always she climbed down the well only to, when she reached the bottom, climb back up and find herself in Inu Yasha's world. Before she could even find her bearings Shippo jumped up into her lap.
"What'd yah bring me?" The fox demon began digging through the bag she had slung over her shoulder. He pulled out a chocolate bar half melted, and began chomping greedily.
Miroku walked out of the brush and, upon glancing Kagome, realized something was terribly amiss. "What's wrong Kagome?"
Kagome could only imagine how she looked to him. What, with her eyes wide and glazed over from far away reflection, and her complexion muted, she must have looked remote and disgruntled. The story swelled in her throat begging for him to hear knowing he would listen and comfort, but just then Inu Yasha came prancing up and for some reason the words couldn't get out.
"Where have you been?" He was visibly annoyed, "You were supposed to be here way before now."
"Well maybe you're lack of consideration has kept me away." She retorted.
Shippo eyes rounded on her and, with his mouth covered in chocolate, said, "I don't lack consideration, I missed you Kagome."
Kagome ruffed up Shippo's hair resisting the urge to laugh, as he wiggled away disgusted by the show of affection.
"Well I'm so-o-r-r-r-ry but I didn't know that baby sitting you required compassion." Inu Yasha muttered.
Kagome felt sudden tears well up in her eyes but couldn't understand why. She'd bickered with Inu Yasha before but this was different, this was hurtful after finding out that she was betrothed. Her tears began to spill over. Inu Yasha, Shippo, and Miroku all gaped at her in surprise.
"What did I do?" Inu Yasha asked trying to cover up his mistake.
Kagome feeling ashamed for crying stood up and tried to run away, only to find her path blocked by the unsuspecting Inu Yasha. They both toppled backward from the force of the blow, Kagome falling on top of Inu Yasha. Feeling even more embarrassed by this position she scrambled to her feet and ran into the woods, tears streaming from her eyes.
Miroku helped Inu Yasha up but then, with a second thought, pushed him back down. "Inu Yasha you dope, you hurt her feelings and then you arrogantly got in her way."
"That's not true," a growl rang in Inu Yasha's throat as he jumped up and tried to nock down Miroku. Miroku dodged the enraged demon easily, leaving Inu Yasha to tackle air and fall flat on his face. "Muffa muffa emf umf."
Miroku bent down and rolled Inu Yasha over, allowing him to spit out the bits of dirt and debris. "You were saying?"
"She ran into me." Inu Yasha spat angrily, still on his back.
"But you did hurt her feelings." Pitched in Shippo who was still sitting on the well and wallowing over the lack of Kagome, or perhaps just her chocolate.
Sitting up, his elbows propped beneath him, Inu Yasha murmured his voice remorseful, "You don't think I know that."
Less reproachful Miroku lent a hand to help Inu Yasha to his feet, "What do we do now?"
Smacking away the offered hand Inu Yasha jumped to his feet, "We won't do anything, you'll wait here, and I'll go get Kagome." His mind made up, he sprang off in the direction that Kagome went, "I'll fix this."
(Break)
After a while Kagome no longer knew why she ran, but her legs kept moving hurried through the woods. The tears that had fallen were now dry on her face but she continued to run. Suddenly a twisted tree root caught her foot up and tripped her sending her tumbling, rather than falling, through the underbrush.
Sprawled out on the ground she finally had the chance to catch her breath. She didn't know what was wrong with her. Every time Inu Yasha came around recently, she'd get this funny feeling and then he'd just pick on her and make her feel miserable. Now on top of it all, there was this guy Kori Touketsu; when she got married she would she have to leave Inu Yasha forever. The thought had never occurred to her before, but how could she go off gallivanting with a half- demon boy if she was supposed to be lawfully married.
That's when a noise, which had been in the corner of her mind, finally became clear. It was a voice; "You two bull heads have finally done something worth your keep."
Cautiously Kagome peered out between the leaves of a bush to find three men conversing on the other side. They were all cloaked so she could not make out their features, but they were defiantly men.
"With this bit of info I shall obtain exactly what I want." The leader of the small group was speaking. "Now all I have to do is put on a little show and let you do the dirty work. If you can't do that," The cloaked figure rose to his full height as two, head sized, ice balls grew out of his palm, "I'll have your heads as well." With that he crushed the two ice figurines in his fists.
"Kagome!" The call floated into the sky and echoed in her ears. It was Inu Yasha and he was heading this way; she had to warn him and fast. "Kagome! Enough hide and seek come out here now!"
Who did he think he was, demanding her presence with that tone of voice? She questioned about warning him but it was already too late, the three men had heard.
(Break)
Kagome the girl he would soon wed, but how could it be he had just left her. Did she already know about him? Kori Touketsu had checked his surroundings before but now he wasn't so sure about them. On the other hand there was this sniveling little whelp to deal with, the one crashing through the forest bellowing his fiancé's name. "Is this the one?"
One of his cowardly companions turned to him, "Yes my lord."
The demon jumped out from the trees completely caught off guard. On closer inspection, Kori realized the stranger was a half-breed like himself. "Well do something!"
The two numbskulls turned and ran towards the miscreant, leaving Kori behind to wonder why he had ever given them each a jewel shard; neither of them even understood it's full potential.
(Break)
Without warning Inu Yasha was struck with a mighty blow to the head, which knocked sent him reeling into the strong trunk of the tree. Not getting the chance to shake the woozy feeling out of his head before another one came, Inu Yasha Struggled to dodge and found himself teetering then toppling onto his face. A sharp kick in the ribs rewarded him sending him spinning through the air, but he managed to turn himself about and land on his feet. "Who are you punks!" He growled as he went head to head with one. Heaving his opponent off the ground he flipped him, like a pancake, over his shoulder.
Before he could even congratulate himself though, the other one charged up and caught Inu Yasha in a tackle.
"That's for us to know and you to find out." The fiend sneered and pulled Inu Yasha to his chest, trying to suffocate him. Being this close to the man Inu Yasha noticed the most revolting smell that seemed to emit from him.
Inu Yasha kicked the oaf in the jaw and leapt to his feet away from the stench. "Man you are dumb, 'It's for us to know and you to find out'." He mimicked slathering on the stupid.
He reached for Tetsusaiga, if only he could get to it he could end all this, but he was grabbed from behind his arms restrained to his side. The one he had just finished with, gathered himself from the ground and jabbed Inu Yasha in the stomach with a fist. The air was knocked out of Inu Yasha as another blow fell on his nose. It was like the guy had steel knuckles as well as big fist.
"Laugh while you can demon boy," The fiend continued to send punches in Inu Yasha's direction, one by one; Inu Yasha couldn't catch a breath. "Because whenever I get through with you…" The bully didn't finish because just then a rock struck the side of his head.
(Break)
The punishment had gone on long enough, Kagome decided, Inu Yasha must have learned from his mistake. What Kagome hadn't counted on was that the big bully would turn around and charge at her, forgetting about Inu Yasha. Kagome could not run and leave Inu Yasha behind, so she stood her ground and chucked another rock at the stranger to distract him. It hit him right between the eyes and he stopped dazed for a moment then quickened his pace.
"Uh-Oh"
"Uh-oh's right little girlie." The bully reached out to grab her.
The man barreled towards her, at the last second Kagome dropped expecting to feel the man crash into her but instead she heard a curse.
"You fool, you dumb slab of rotting meat, don't harm the girl!" To Kagome's surprise it was the leader speaking, and when she looked up she saw an ice barrier had formed between herself and the charging man.
The two goons looked at each other and the one holding Inu Yasha let go with a shrug. "But Master."
"No buts." The cloaked figure, that had stayed still this whole time, raised a hand. From it swirl a misted blizzard, which flew out blinding both Inu Yasha and Kagome. When the blizzard receded the figures where gone, and only the chill air remained to remind them of the strangers presences.
After a moment Kagome rushed to Inu Yasha's side and hugged him rather roughly, in return he groaned.
"Are you all right, Inu Yasha?" She looked at him with a keen eye. "Any broken bones?"
"You were there the whole time weren't you?" He said this with a growl in his voice, but before Kagome could get all defensive he continued, "Look Kagome if it means anything I'm sorry. You know for before."
Kagome's heart fluttered and before she knew what she was doing, her lips found there way to his and she embraced him in another hug. The kiss was just as surprising to Inu Yasha, as it was when Kagome felt a stiffness growing in his pants.
"Inu Yasha!" She pushed him back, "You perve."
They stared at one another as the sun began to set, and despite themselves began to laugh. If you had been a stranger who just happed to walk up now and see them laughing, you just wouldn't understand; however these two in that quick kiss had shared something, something that tied them together even during a fight.
"You know what Kagome?" Inu Yasha managed to say through his laughter.
"What is it, Inu Yasha?"
"I'm going to wring Shippo and Miroku's necks when I see them, for not helping me out."
The laughter started up again and spilled into the night air.
(Break)
Back at the well Shippo and Miroku were just lying down to sleep.
"Do you think we should have followed him?" The fox boy asked through a yawn.
Miroku patted Shippo's head, "If I know them they're probably alone somewhere not wanting to be bothered."
"Guess again." Inu Yasha steeped out of the shadows with Kagome at his side. From the bruises on his body and the look on his face, they could tell he wasn't happy.
"Where ya been?" Shippo said weakly.
"I've been fighting two guys," He began, "With fists as hard as anvils!"
"Oh is that all?" Questioned Shippo against his good benefit.
"Yes, and I've discovered their leader is some sort of Ice demon trying to kill me." Inu Yasha was poised for battle, his Tetsusaiga in hand. "I've been busting my but, and where have you been!"
Miroku said matter of factly, "You told us to wait here."
With that they were off; Shippo in front dashing among the trees then Misoku, Inu Yasha came running third swing the Tetsusaiga around cursing like a sailor, and lastly Kagome trying to get them to calm down.
"Sit!"