Chapter 8: The Plan of Action
"We aren't going and that's final." Inuyasha shouted angrily, kicking a cup of water and sitting against a wall, his legs folded and his arms crossed.
Sango's cheeks puffed in rage and her hands immediately met her hips. "Why do you have to be so egotistical Inuyasha! Our lives are at stake here and all you can think about is yourself! If we do this together, it'll better our chances of getting out!" She observed his non-caring expression as he turned his gaze away and stuck his nose high in the air. "Why are you such a stubborn dog!" She yelled. Turning away, she marched by Kagome and took a seat next to her, groaning heavily from frustration.
Miroku was next to try his luck and reason with the hanyou. "Inuyasha, I must agree with Sango, she's very right. This may be our only way to get out of here for good." Maybe all Inuyasha needed was a 'man-to-man' talk, knowing the way he responded to women.
Inuyasha snorted and glared up at Miroku who stood above him. How he hated being lower than someone less superior than he. It made him feel like scum being in this position. Pushing himself up off the ground he stood and met Miroku eye to eye. "So you're saying you fell for the little brat's innocence speech then huh? Well I sure didn't. That kid works for my brother meaning that she's just as bad as him!"
"Inuyasha she's just a little girl! Why can't you believe her!" Shouted Kagome in his direction. She couldn't believe he was acting this way.
Folding his arms he pushed past Miroku and towered over her figure. "Because I can't Kagome." He kept his eyes locked on hers and observed the way her forehead folded in anger.
Kagome jumped to her feet and glared up at him. "And just why not?" She asked, her curiosity mixed with rage. "Why can't we get out of here? If it's about you that screw it. I'm going whether you are or not Inuyasha because I want to go home. I want to see my family." Her eyes began to swell with tears when thoughts of her mom entered her mind but she quickly pushed them away, not wanting to cry in front of everyone. "I'm sick of being trapped in here and treated like a wild animal." Her voice was shaky but she tried to steady it. "We're all dying Inuyasha, haven't you noticed?" Pausing she turned to face Miroku and frowned. "Let's get out of here Miroku. Sango, are you coming?" She took a step forward and approached the man, ready to leave without her love.
"Kagome wait." Inuyasha snatched onto her hand before she left to get her to stop. "It's too risky. I…" he waited until she had turned back around and was facing him once again. "What Rin said could get you killed and I don't want that. I don't want you to leave me."
'He's scared…That's what it is. Scared that I'm going to die.' Kagome smiled sweetly, all her anger washed away and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Oh Inuyasha, I didn't know." She stepped into his body and felt his arms around her waist and shoulders, holding her tightly.
Miroku's eyes widened at the act playing before him. "Did…did he just…" He raised a finger and pointed in their direction, totally speechless.
Sango stepped beside him and smiled, admiring the couple. "Did he just show emotion, love for Kagome? Yes, yes he did." 'I feel sorry for them though, in a way. They've obviously told each other their feelings but they can't be totally happy, not in here." She walked towards the couple and put her hand on Kagome's shoulder. "There has to be another way that doesn't put you in so much danger."
Kagome nodded and lifted her head from against Inuyasha's chest to look into his eyes. "We could try to find some other way, if that's what you want."
"Of course that's what I want." He let go of Kagome and dropped to the ground into his 'thinking position'. Crossing his legs he rested his arm atop his knee and began to plot a way out of that place. "We could just make a run for it." He suggested.
"That's stupid Inuyasha!" Cried Sango in outrage. "That's putting us all in a lot of danger. Sesshomaru will easily find out. We're dealing with a powerful demon remember?"
Inuyasha frowned and narrowed his eyebrows at Sango's behavior. "If all my plans are so much crap to you then how about you shut-up, quit complaining and help Sango." Miroku's chuckle entered his canine ears and he glared at him next. "What the hell are you laughing at? You got a plan?"
Kneeling beside him, Kagome took her hands and wrapped them around his. She could tell he was frustrated and wanted to get out more than anyone. She didn't blame him for it either, he was the main target here and Sesshomaru wasn't showing any signs of letting up anytime soon. "Inuyasha you need to calm down, we'll figure out something don't worry." Smiling slightly she observed his concentrated expression.
"Actually," Miroku started, holding his hand to his chin. He waited until full attention was drawn to him before continuing. "Lady Kagome, I do have a plan."
"Then why didn't you say so in the first place?" Grumbled Inuyasha. 'He always does this! Waits till I've set out my plans then crushes them with his own better ones!' Turning his head to the side in Kagome's direction he muttered under his breath. "Damn monk."
Kagome lightly slapped his arm from his rude remark. "Inuyasha." She hissed. Smiling up at Miroku she tilted her head to the side and shrugged one shoulder. "Ignore him. But please, tell us."
Miroku nodded his head once and took a seat beside Kagome, followed by Sango who sat across from him beside Inuyasha to form a half circle. "Alright, it's a little complicated but if we run through it a few times it'll be perfect."
He ran through his plan slowly and with much detail so everyone could catch on and get an idea of what exactly he was thinking. Keeping his voice quiet he dragged his finger along the dirt covered ground to show them the directions. The odd time Inuyasha snorted but said nothing. The others just figured he was still angry about not getting his way, it was normal and they just ignored it. Kagome and Sango nodded often to show they understood and for him to continue on.
"And Kagome, while we're around the corner you can call Sesshomaru and tell him that Inuyasha here," he pointed to the hanyou with his thumb, "has escaped. That should quickly clear him out of there." Satisfied, he folded his arms and shut his eyes, awaiting their response.
Sango was the first to say something and she told him exactly how she felt about it with much enthusiasm. "Miroku that's perfect! It has to work…it will work!" Automatically without any thought she hopped up onto her knees and leaned across his map and into his chest. She laughed and buried her face into his shoulder. "We'll be free."
A large yet surprised smile appeared on Miroku's face. It wasn't at all like the grins that normally showed up, this one was sweet and loving. The urges he once had to grope Sango at any given chance never crossed his mind and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Yes, we'll be free." He leaned his head into hers and sighed softly.
"Stop! It wasn't all that great." Said Inuyasha, intimidated that he couldn't come up with something as 'brilliant' as that.
Sango smiled and was released from Miroku's grasp. Sitting back up beside Inuyasha she patted his shoulder and laughed slightly. "We know how you feel about it Inuyasha, you don't have to say a thing."
He frowned and took his hand out from Kagome's. Leaning his elbow against his knee he rested his chin on his hand and slouched his back to the side. "Feh."
Miroku and Sango chuckled but Kagome kept quiet. The couple noticed this and found it to be rather unusual. Normally she'd say something about his behavior towards others or laugh to herself but she didn't even crack a smile.
Kagome bit her lip and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. 'Its not going to work…there's something about it that just won't work.' She grabbed a handful of her dress and looked to the floor in thought.
"Kagome?" Whispered Sango with concern. "Is everything ok?" Watching the way her friend responded to Miroku's plan didn't give her the fuzziest of feelings. 'Maybe,' She thought. 'She's worried about Inuyasha and the rest of us. But she would have said something, she always does.'
Blinking a couple of times as Sango brought her back to the real world she stared at the girl's hazel orbs. "Um…" Trailing off she had to make a quick decision. 'Do I tell them how I feel?' "…No it's nothing." She smiled to add to her innocence and received the same back from Sango. 'No, I can't tell them. Inuyasha would be furious with me…I have my own plan, something better, something that will work for sure. It'll save us all.'
Miroku clapped his hands together than wrapped his arm over Kagome's shoulders. "Well since we're all in agreement, that must mean it's a go." He turned to Inuyasha. "When do you think we should leave Inuyasha?"
Picking Miroku's arm off of Kagome he threw it back at him and frowned very seriously. "We'll leave tonight, when it's dark."
Everyone nodded and got up to prepare their things. Kagome knelt in front of her yellow bag and sighed. Lifting it from the ground she held it tightly to her chest and shut her eyes tightly. 'I hope this works.'