AN: Well, I was finally able to pry myself away from .hack mutation long enough to update ^-^;; I love Elk! Waii waii! He's so adorable! ::clears throat:: Anyway, I can't imagine typing with two fingers taped together o.0 I ripped off the acrylic tips cause I couldn't type. The only thing I ever broke was my toe, and that's because I ran into a couch o.o
Also, very sorry about some not understanding the Japanese I was using. I'll include a little list at the bottom of each chapter form now on ^-^ I was fortunate enough to get an independent Japanese study for senior year next year ^-^ Turns out my science teacher is from Japan and said she'd teach me and my friend. ^-^ We're reading manga for our novels XD
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha XP But I do plan to cosplay as Sango if I go to Shoujo-con again! ^-^
~*^-^*~
Sango grimaced when she felt sunlight hit her face. Whimpering softly, she turned her head and buried it in the robes next to her. Wait…robes? Blinking a few times to clear up the drowsiness, she craned her head back to see where she was. What she didn't expect, was to see Miroku's sleeping face just inches from hers'. Fighting down the urge to slap him, she tried to wiggle out of his hold, only to realize she was efficiently trapped.
One arm was flung carelessly but dangerously close to her butt, the other held her pinned to his chest. After a few more attempts to break free, she gave up, admitting a silent defeat. Shyly, she rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart.
"So warm…" She whispered, snuggling deeper into his robes. His breathing had just about lulled her to sleep when she felt a hand sweep across her butt.
"HENTAI!"
::SMACK::
Sango stood, glaring down at the twitching priest. Moaning, he looked up, a pout on his face.
"Sango…I didn't do anything!" He protested feebly, one hand rubbing the red hand print on his cheek. Sango rolled her eyes and started walking back towards camp. Had she actually fallen asleep with Miroku last night? Determined to get that thought out of her head, she marched towards camp, listening to the unmistakable jingle of Miroku's staff behind her.
"Sango-chan! Miroku-sama! Did you sleep well?" Kagome asked, looking up from a pot of food she was stirring. Sango growled and plopped down next to her, weary of the houshi who took a seat on the other side of the fire.
"Just great." Sango muttered when she realized Kagome was waiting for a reaction. She nodded, satisfied, before stirring the pot of ramen.
"We should reach the den soon, it's not too far." Kouga informed the group as Kagome dished out bowls of ramen.
"Inuyasha! Food!" She glanced up at the tree where the hanyou had been last night.
"He's gone?" she frowned, scanning the rest of the trees for any sign of him. Kouga snorted.
"Good." He mumbled, soft enough for Kagome not to hear. She sighed, dejected, before placing his bowl aside and picking up her own, less full bowl. They ate breakfast in silence, Miroku and Sango occasionally stealing glances at one another when they thought the other wasn't looking.
After everyone had finished eating and Kagome had packed the dishes away, the group set off, Kagome once again on Kouga's back and Sango, Miroku, and a relatively sleepy Shippou on Kirara.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome muttered, looking behind her one last time. He still hadn't returned. Sighing, she rested her head on Kouga's back and closed her eyes, letting sleep take her.
~*^-^*~
"Kikyo…I know you're here…where are you?"
He had sensed her early that morning, and was determined not to lose her again. Inuyasha ducked under a tree branch as he ran, heart set on one thing. His ears picked up a sound and his nose picked up a faint scent that steered him to the left. He pushed through a bush and skid to a stop in a small clearing.
"Kikyo…"
A young, pale woman with dark black hair, a stark contrast to her skin, stood near a tree. Soul snatchers floated aimlessly above her head, undisturbed by Inuyasha's sudden appearance.
"Inuyasha." Kikyo acknowledged him, eyes devoid of emotions. Inuyasha snarled, clenching his hands at his sides. He'd never see her smile again. Never hear her laugh. All because of Naraku.
"Kikyo, where have you been?" He moved forward, arms stretched out towards her. She took a step back.
"Inuyasha, are you ready to come with me? We can be together again." She held out a hand. Inuyasha cursed and shook his head.
"Kikyo, I swear I'll kill Naraku for you. And then, we can be together. I'll follow you. I owe you that much."
"But can you leave? Can you really leave while that girl is still here?"
~*^-^*~
"Kagome, we're here."
Kouga gently placed the sleepy girl on her feet. She yawned and rubbed at her eyes before she could gather everything that was happening.
"Kagome-nee-chan!" A man garbed in clothing similar to Kouga's approached, his white hair in a mow-hawk. Kagome smiled happily.
"Ohayou!"
While Kagome was re-introduced to the wolf youkai tribe, a certain taijiya was having problems with a houshi.
"Let go, or would you like to repeat that scene from yesterday?" Sango growled, turning her head to see the smiling houshi behind her.
"I'm leaving before you do something stupid, Miroku." Shippou said, jumping off Kirara's back and transforming so he could float down.
"Houshi-sama!" Sango spun completely around to hit him, and was more than a little surprised when she realized he wasn't holding her anymore, and she was falling.
"Sango!"
Sango screamed as she tumbled off Kirara's back and landed in the water below. Miroku brought Kirara closer to the water's surface and searched for the submerged taijiya.
A hand shot up and grabbed his ankle, and he cried out in shock. Sango popped up beside him and Kirara, gasping for air. Once she was sure she could breathe correctly, she glared at Miroku.
"HOUSHI NO BAKA!"
"G-gomen, Sango." He said sheepishly as he and Kirara slowly backed away.
"M-Matte! Kirara! Why are you siding with that lecher!?" Sango threw her hands up in the air, fully aware of the fact that everyone was now watching her. Letting out a string of curses, she waded towards the shore where Kagome and an unknown wolf youkai member helped her out.
"Sango-chan! Daijoubu? You're soaked! What happened?" Kagome giggled as she pulled a twig out of her friends' hair.
"Houshi-sama thought it would be funny to let me fall off Kirara's back."
"Miroku-sama!" Kagome spun around to look at the man in question. He raised his hands in defense and slowly backed away.
"I didn't mean to!"
"Yea, right. Ne, Kagome-chan, can I borrow some dry clothes?" Sango asked, gesturing down at her soaked yukatta. Kagome nodded and hastily pulled out the clothes she had bought for Sango.
"Maybe I shouldn't…" She said, eyeing the jeans and tank top. Kagome rolled her eyes and grabbed the girls' hand, forcing her to get up and follow her.
"You'll catch a cold." She scolded before they disappeared into the back of the youkai den. (Of course, only after Sango and Kagome threatened anyone who tried to peak).
"Nice going, Miroku." Shippou said, eyeing the cave the girls had gone into. Miroku sweatdropped. Somehow, his luck with Sango just kept going further down hill.
It only took a few minutes before Kagome came out, followed by Sango, who was scowling and tugging at the tight shirt. Miroku smiled appreciatively, but quickly averted his gaze when she turned to glare at him.
"It's been so long…" Kagome marveled, spinning around in a circle with her arms outstretched. Kouga grinned as he watched her soak in her surroundings. A hiss from Kirara made him turn around. A slew of his wolves were crowded around the cat, sniffing curiously but cautiously. Kirara growled, her personal space being invaded.
"Kirara!" Sango called for her cat companion. She happily obliged, transforming into her smaller self and perching on her masters' shoulder.
"Kouga! I didn't know Kagome-nee-chan agreed to be your mate! When did this happen? When are the pups due?"
Kagome choked, eyes wide and cheeks a deep red. Kouga stared, slightly startled by the abrupt question. Sango snickered, hiding her smiles behind a hand.
"I-Iie! You've got it wrong! We're just friends!" Kagome sputtered, shaking her head. The man eyed her before shrugging.
"Gomen, I thought…"
"You thought wrong." Kouga muttered, fighting down a faint blush. Kagome, remembering her promise to Sango, watched him out of the corner of her eye. She watched him stumble over an explanation as his cheeks changed from a light pink to a deep red.
'He's blushing! Why? Because of what they said…about us?' Kagome herself blushed, eliciting a knowing stare from Sango. The awkward silence was interrupted when a group of wolf youkai tribe members came sprinting back to camp.
"K-Kouga! It's Kagura! And she has a boy with her!"
"Kohaku!"
~*^-^*~
AN: Be prepared for some angst in the next chapter…And then maybe a little group separation (though not on happy terms). Just thought I'd warn ya'll ahead of time. Anyway, how was it? As mentioned above, here's a little translation guide.
Houshi-sama- What Sango calls Miroku. Roughly translates to Mr.Monk, or something along those terms.
Taijiya- Sango's profession- a demon exterminator.
Houshi- A priest. (Miroku)
Daijoubu: Are you okay?
Youkai: Monster/demon
Hanyou: Half demon (Inuyasha)
Yukatta: A type of thin robe (think of Sango's robe, minus the green skirt)
Gomen: Sorry
Iie: No
Kagome-nee-chan: What the wolf tribe call Kagome, basically a sister.
Houshi no baka: Basically stupid priest.
Hentai: Pervert.
Matte: Wait
Ohayou: Hello/good morning
Wow, a little longer than I expected ^-^;; But then again, I translated everything. Hopefully I can squeeze in another update before exams, they're in two weeks. But I also have my other short S x M fic and Blinded by the Light. So…we'll see. If not, definitely right after exams. Gotta go panic because I have a speech at 7:45 in the morning, before school even starts!!! _
~Neoshipper~