Chapter 03 – A Day to Relax

Kodoku lay in bed, contemplating his motives and what he fights for. This is not his hometown, nor is it his homeland, yet he has a strong will to protect it. He knows nothing of these intruders, yet he wishes to help them. What is my goal? … He thought until he slept. The next morning was bright and beautiful, the sun shining, decent wind blowing, and exerted the feeling to make people want to take a walk.

"Kodoku! Wake up damnit!" He still slept. Kagome and Sango stood and watched, only wondering who is she? It was a girl; she wore similar clothes to Kodoku, only she had bandages around her waist and her chest. Her hair was long and black like the night, tied back behind her head. She held a katana on her back, and her waist was lined with stilettos. Could she be… another shinobi? Kagome thought to herself.

She shook him until he finally opened his eyes and drowsily said, "Let me sleep…"

"No! Wake up! I cooked breakfast for all your friends! Yours is getting cold!"

"One thing… They aren't my friends; I just decided to lead them to Izayoi. Another thing… I didn't freakin' ask you to make me breakfast, now did I?"

"Looks like a couple," Kagome smiled and chuckled, raising her hand to her chin. Sango raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Oh Come on, let's leave them alone," Kagome winked, held Sango's hand, and left the room.

She looked at them and blushed as they left the room. "Kajin… why are you here? This place is past the mountainous region from our village, some one like you should be forbidden to cross that path."

"Well, I managed to cross it, that means I'm worthy of crossing it. Besides, the chief told me to look after you, and if you think crossing some mountain that I'm forbidden to pass will get me away from you, you're wrong."

"Look after me? Why would I need you to look after me when I'm several times faster and stronger than you?"

"I have no idea… chief's orders though. I think it's because you're still young, I mean, just because you're a hanyou doesn't mean you get to skip being a child. You're younger than me after all, so if I'm forbidden to cross that mountain, you should be too."

"Whatever, suit yourself," Kodoku rose from bed, "I need to practice vertical running. Good morning and good bye," his image became blurry, he then vanished.

"Miss, allow me to read your palm," Miroku smiled and offered to Kajin as she descended the stairs with a sigh. The rest of the group was sitting at a table deciding what to do next and didn't pay attention to Miroku. Kajin slowly lifted her arm with her palm sided up. "Let me see… you will certainly live a happy life. You will get married, have the man of your dreams, and have lots and lots of children," Miroku had a grin almost too big for his face.

"Huh?" She was confused.

"Miss, would you consider bearing my children?"

SMACK! Her hand throbbed after slapping the monk and leaving a handprint upon his face. He sighed and she continued her way toward the table where they were sitting.

"Hello, are you Kodoku's friend?" Kagome looked at Kajin.

"Well… I guess so," she said and looked down.

"I am Kagome, this is Sango," she pointed, "And this is Inuyasha." Sango waved, Inuyasha only sat there and continued to eat instant noodles.

"And I am Miroku," he tried to laugh as he scratched the back of his head. His face still red.

"Welcome, I am Kajin," she bowed.

"We are spending the day relaxing, would you care to join us?" Sango stood up.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," they all began to walk out the door.

"I will look for Kodoku, don't mind me," Miroku walked the opposite direction as they left.

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"Muramasa… show me your strength, show me your power," Kodoku held his katana to his front and closed his eyes. The blade began to emit a swirling steam and a purple glow. He stood on a cliff, wind blew away from him and the blade seemed to absorb light, causing a shadow in plain space.

What a strong demonic aura! Not only demonic… it feels evil. Miroku watched from behind shrubbery. Kodoku pushed himself into a fighting stance, then slashed at the air. He moved incredibly fast, and to Miroku, he seemed to create an afterimage of himself. The air in front of him swirled in a frenzy of visible dark winds, but nothing else happened. He sighed and sheathed his sword, then turned around, "What do you want, monk?"

Miroku stood up and smiled, "Nothing really, Sango sent me to get you," I hope he can't tell I'm lying about that he thought to himself, "And I was interested in what you were doing, so I had and tried not to disturb you."

"I said I was vertical running, and I'm done with that, I was just trying to master a technique I once saw with this sword. After this I planned to go back to the tavern anyway."

"I see, let's go back then, shall we?" Miroku smiled. He led Kodoku back to town through a forest. It was silent and he felt uneasy, so he thought of something to talk about. "Kodoku…"

"Hm."

"What do you think of that girl who was at the tavern?"

"Hm?"

"Errr… Kajin," Miroku felt nervous.

"I think nothing of her, why?"

"Oh, nothing. What about Sango?"

"Hm?"

"Doesn't she have a nice ass?" Miroku looked over his shoulder and smiled sheepishly.

"Err… what?"

"Come on, I caught you staring one time," Miroku smiled brighter.

"You're mistaken."

"Oh? Then why are you so red?" He chuckled, "Admit it. At least I do."

"That is only because you are you, you are a pedophile."

"And you go after older women," Miroku turned around completely and walked backward, starting to enjoy their conversation.

"No, actually I prefer younger women."

"So you admit it!"

"Gak!" Kodoku turned bright red and looked away. "Okay whatever, believe what you want," he kept walking and crossed his arms.

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"They have a hot spring!" Kagome was excited when she saw a large building.

"It would be nice to take a bath, we haven't cleansed ourselves in days," Sango read the signs. Kajin agreed as well.

"Yeah, leave me all alone will ya?" Inuyasha stood there, waiting and impatient to move on.

"Oh, that's right, you'll be alone," Kagome looked at Inuyasha.

"Err… I didn't mean it that way, let's just find something else to do," he blushed.

"Sango, you and Kajin can take a bath here, I'll go do something else with Inuyasha."

"Are you sure?" Sango questioned.

"Yeah, go ahead and enjoy your time," Kagome smiled and began to walk.

"So where do you suggest we go?" Inuyasha looked at her.

"We'll just take a walk around, okay?"

"Sure, I guess," he shrugged.

"Hey Sango," Kajin said lightly as she sat in the hot spring, "are Kagome and Inuyasha… together?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" Sango looked at her.

"Well, they seemed kind of close when they left us here… and it seemed like Kagome just wanted some time alone with him."

"Oh, well yeah… they do seem to have some attraction to one another. Why would you ask?"

"Oh nevermind, it's nothing important…"

"Is this about Kodoku?" Sango tilted her head.

She blushed, "No, really, it's nothing."

"You like him, don't you?" Sango smiled.

"Well… I guess…"

"That's fine, I think you're just worried about how he feels for you in return. Don't worry about it, I'm sure he does. And if he doesn't, there are other men."

Kajin sighed and looked down, "I said nevermind. We are here alone, he should be getting to know each other better, not talk about other people," she smiled at Sango.

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Inuyasha and Kagome were at the base of a hill and beginning to hike over it. They had talked, but not much. "Kagome…" Inuyasha had whispered, after a long moment of silence, "I think it would be better for you to go back to your own time…"

"What?" Kagome looked at Inuyasha, full of worry.

"We've hunted Naraku down, and completed the jewel, there's no reason for you to stay…"

"Why can't I stay here with you!" she hugged his arm.

"I'm worried… it has only been getting more and more dangerous, what if something happens to you? How will I explain to your family?"

She began to expand her arms around him, "Just… don't tell them…"

"Kagome, listen, this isn't a good bye. If you stay back in your own era, I will certainly come to visit you, I promise," Inuyasha sighed as they reached the summit, "I just don't want you to get hurt!"

"Inuyasha…" she hid her face in his chest. Tears began to roll down her face, "I like it here… with you, with my new friends…"

"You know what? Nevermind," he sighed, gazing out to the lake beneath the hill, the evening sun shining upon it, making it a pool of fire. "I was just concerned for your safety, but it seems you can take care of yourself out here, you're a great archer after all."

"Mm hmm," she looked up at his face, it was so serious, unlike she'd ever seen before. She stared into his eyes, and viewed the rose-red lake from there. "Inuyasha, let's keep going, let's make this moment last."

He smiled at her, and began to pace down the hill as she followed. They walked along the beach of the lake, which still glowed with the burning passion of the sun. The whole time she embraced him tightly and closed her eyes, trusting he would lead her the right way. Inuyasha supported her, and held her by his side. Neither of them said anything the entire time, hours had passed; finally they circled the entire lake and stood upon the hill where Kagome had cried. "Kagome," he nudged her because she looked asleep.

"I wish this moment could last forever…" she stood up and looked at him. All he did was take a step toward her, then expanded his arms around her. She stared into his eyes and leaned closer, he slowly leaned in as well. He then gave her a deep kiss, as they both closed their eyes. His lips… are on fire… she thought as he broke the kiss.

"It's late now," he looked at the stars, "we should be going back."