Chapter 11
He opened his eyes. His whole body felt stiff and tired. Just in front of him was Kagome. She seemed to be preparing something over a fresh fire. He looked around and found that they were alone. He had overslept.
"Kagome-sama?" His voice was dry.
"Oh! Miroku-sama your finally up." She turned to face him. She poured the tea into a cup and walked over to him.
"Here drink this. It should wake you up." She held the cup out to him.
"Arigato. I usually don't oversleep like this. Is the rest of the group mad at me?" He took a sip of the tea and relished the taste.
"Not at all. But you did worry us. Are you ok?"
"I'm ok. I guess yesterday's pace really did take a lot out of me." He smiled.
"I see. Miroku-sama is it true that Mayumi won? She told us that you had told her so." She took the empty cup.
"Yes I did. By the way where is everyone?" He stood up slowly and stretched. His body felt so heavy.
"Their down by the stream waiting. But why did…?" She noticed his right hand.
"Mayumi has proven herself to… Kagome-sama?" She had gone pale.
Following her eyes he looked down at his right hand. A red droplet slowly made its way down his index finger. 'I must of open my cuts when I stretched. Kagome…?' He looked up and met her eyes.
"Miroku…" Her voice trembled.
"It's nothing. I must of…" He looked away.
"The lazy monk is finally up! Lets get going already."
Inuyasha's shout came from behind him. His body tensed up as the cheerful voices of his friends came closer. He looked at Kagome.
"Kagome…Please."
He wiped his hand against his robes. Kagome stared at his hand but didn't answer. He was about to speak to her when Inuyasha patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry bouzo I'll slow down today." Inuyasha taunted.
"I thank you for your concern but it won't be necessary."
He turned back to Kagome. But she had quietly left them to get her stuff ready. Once everyone was ready they began on their way. The day went by fast. They had walked without a break to make up for the late start. Soon the sun faded into the horizon. Inuyasha stopped and turned to face his friends. They in turn stopped and looked at him.
"Lets call it a day. Sango I think it's your turn to hunt. Right?" He looked at her but soon returned his attention to Kagome. Something was wrong.
"Yes." Sango answered as she put Kirara down.
There was a moment of silence. 'What's wrong?' Both Sango and Inuyasha thought. Both of them had noticed how quiet Kagome had been all day long. But only Sango had noticed how she kept turning to look at Miroku and Mayumi. She had tried asking her but received no real answer. After a moment longer Inuyasha led them to the campsite.
"I'll go see about finding water." Miroku started to leave with Mayumi behind him.
"Wait." Sango walked over to them.
"Houshi-sama would you mind if Mayumi-chan helped me instead?"
She felt a bit embarrassed asking. But something told her that Mayumi might know something about what was wrong. She also had been very quiet all day long.
"Mayumi would you be kind enough to help Sango?"
He looked down at the girl by his side. At first she had only stared back at him. But after a moment she nodded and walked over to Sango's side. Sango noticed the pained expression on her face. 'She's become really attached to him.'
"If both of you will excuse me." With that said he left them.
"Mayumi-chan are you ok?" For a second she actually thought that the girl might run after him. But instead she turned to look at her and smiled.
"Yes! Is Kirara helping us too?" Her cheerful expression held no trace of the one before.
"What do you say Kirara? Want to help us?" Sango called out to her feline friend. Kirara came running towards them eagerly.
"Well let's go find something to eat."
Sango smiled at the girl that held her small friend. As they started to walk away Kagome called out to them.
"Sango-chan? You think I could have Kirara stay with me?" Kagome smiled faintly.
"Aw. Sure Kagome-chan." Sango looked as Mayumi put the small cat down.
"Arigato." Kagome petted the small cat once it reached her.
"We'll return soon. And Kirara make sure to take care of Kagome-chan."
Mayumi said before following Sango. Once both of them were out of sight Inuyasha approached her. He needed to know what was bothering her.
"Kagome? Is everything ok? You've been real quiet today." Kagome stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
"Oh. I just had something on my mind. But it's nothing to really worry about. Thank you for your concern, Inuyasha." She smiled at him. 'He noticed and was worried for me? How sweet!'
"Good. I thought maybe you were mad at me for something." The dreamy look on her face made him feel uncomfortable.
"Why would I be mad at you? You've been so nice lately."
"Well I don't know. But sometimes you get mad for the dumbest little thing. By the way its not that stupid test you need to take that's bothering you is it?"
Kagome covered her face with her right hand. 'Don't get angry. Don't get angry. He's trying to be nice.' She waited for her anger to come down before speaking to him again.
"Inuyasha don't you need to do something?"
"Oh yeah!" He started to walk away.
"Inuyasha take Shippou with you please." Shippou who had been enjoying the show jumped on top of him.
"What! I don't want that brat…" He quickly closed his mouth when he saw her close her fists. Without another word he walked away with Shippou following happily behind him.
"He can be so dense sometimes. Can't he Kirara?"
"Meow." Kirara agreed.
Kagome went back to her chores. Once she was finished she called Kirara over to her. She kneeled down and petted her.
"Kirara you think you can find Miroku-sama? I want to talk to him."
Kirara looked up at her and a moment later transformed. Kagome caressed her head in appreciation and mounted her. As Kirara made her way thru the forest, Kagome tried to gather her thoughts. 'I'm sure he'll give me a rational explanation. Most likely the blood came from a cut that just happened to be on his cursed hand.' He would tell her that. She was sure of it. And once he did she would feel much better. At least that is what she wanted to believe. But her heart knew better.
FLASHBACK
They sat around the campfire eating quietly. Each one of them had gotten two fish with a bit of ramen as their dinner. Kagome stopped eating and looked at the small girl before her.
"Mayumi-chan why aren't you eating?" Kagome asked as she put down her fish.
"I'm not to hungry." She took a small bite of her fish before setting it down.
"I'll take the ramen if you don't want it." Inuyasha eyed her untouched ramen.
"Inuyasha! That's her…"
"Its ok Kagome-chan. Here Inuyasha you can have it."
Mayumi held her ramen out to him. Ignoring the glares from the others he grabbed it. She grabbed the rest of her food and walked over to Sango.
"Could I give these to Kirara?" Kirara was on Sango's left side eating contently.
"Mayumi you haven't eaten anything." Sango looked worriedly at her.
"I took a bite out of this one. See?" She pointed at the small bite.
"That isn't enough. You're still growing. And besides that Kirara probably won't finish her own food. Please eat."
"Look if you really don't want it I'll take it. I'll even give half of one to Shippou." Inuyasha received glares from both older girls.
"Ok here." Mayumi walked over to him. As Inuyasha reached for the food, Kagome slapped his hand away.
"You ate enough already. That's her food. If she isn't hungry now I'll just save it for her. Maybe she'll be hungry by the time Miroku-sama gets back." Kagome took the food and placed it where she had Miroku's portion.
"His food is getting cold isn't it?" Mayumi looked at Miroku's portion.
"Just a bit." Kagome noticed how worried she seemed.
"I'll go tell him." Mayumi began to walk away.
"Wait. You can't go alone. It's dark and could be dangerous." Kagome stood up.
"It's ok I can take care of myself. Miroku-chan said so." She smiled faintly.
"So it's over? You won?" Mayumi nodded in response.
"It's still dangerous for you to go alone. I'll come with you." Sango walked over to her.
"I'd like to go alone. Please." Mayumi looked at her nervously. Both older girls looked at each other worriedly. Kagome was about to ask if something was wrong when Sango spoke up.
"I wouldn't feel good letting you go alone. So, what would you say to having Kirara go with you?" Sango went to get her feline friend.
"I don't want to worry anyone so I'll take her."
Mayumi smiled at her. Once Kirara had transformed, Sango helped Mayumi mount her.
END OF FLASHBACK
'She looked so determine to go alone. And yet when Sango suggested for Kirara to go with her she accepted so easily. Why?' As Kirara made a quick turn, Kagome realized something. Of the whole group Kirara was the only one that couldn't talk. Kirara came to a stop. Kneeling near a small spring was the man they came looking for. He had his back to them. The two containers of water were by his side. Kirara transformed back once Kagome dismounted. At the sound of this he turned back to look at them. For a moment he said nothing and just stared at her.
"Kagome-sama is everything ok?" He got up and walked over to her.
"That's why I'm here. I want to know about…" She paused as she noticed that he was hiding his right hand. In the moonlight he clearly saw her distress.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you." He showed her his hand. "I just finished cleaning the cut. And was drying my hand against my robe." He smiled as she sighed in relief.
"So, it's only a cut right? Nothing to do with… you know." She waited for the answer that she had come for.
"Its just a small cut. I got it when I leaned against the tree to get up this morning. So don't worry." He turned around planning on getting the water containers.
"But you used your staff… like you always do."
Her voice was but a whisper. But it was able to freeze him in mid step. He stood there with his back to her unable to move. She had caught him in a lie. It was a small lie that he could easily explain as a mistake. But something told him he had just blown his only chance at keeping his secret. After a moment longer he turned to face her. She was standing quietly with her head lowered. He put his hand on her shoulder and she quickly pushed it away.
"I thought we were friends." Her voice was shaky.
"What? We are friends. Why…"
"Then tell me the truth." She looked up. She was on the verge of tears.
"I…" He looked away from her. She closed the gap between them and embraced him.
"Miroku. Please." She looked up at him.
Her tears slowly made their way down her cheeks. Without a word he held his hand up to her. She took it in her hands. Making sure not to uncover his curse she moved the protective cloth to reveal his wounds. The cuts weren't deep but she noticed their locations.
"This cuts…were made by..."
She nearly pulled away from him when she realized the implication of the wounds. Instead she stood her ground and looked at him. Her tears now came more freely.
"I've always tried to see this curse as my greatest weapon. A powerful weapon that I had control over. But last night I discovered how wrong I was."
As he looked at his hand, he told her everything. Once he was done he looked at her. She seemed lost in her thoughts. Using this time he went to gather the water he had collected earlier. He returned and waited for her to speak.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Sorry?" He looked at her surprised.
"Every time I've gone to my time, I could have been helping you find Naraku. We might have even defeated him if it wasn't for…" She stopped when he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"If you're going to blame yourself, don't. If anything I'm thankful to you."
"But I've only slowed you…" He hushed her.
"I'd been on my quest for six years before I met you. In all that time not once did I get a chance to face Naraku. But since you allowed me to join you I've had several chances to complete my quest."
"But Naraku is still alive and you…"
"Luck just hasn't been on our side. But I'm sure that if Naraku is ever to be defeated it will be by this group." He smiled.
"Don't you mean our group?"
"Yes. Our group… Kagome I've told you all this because I trust you. I trust you to keep it a secret." He looked at her seriously.
"Secret? But … they're our friends."
"Even among friends there are always secrets. I'm sure that you and Sango hold a couple from Inuyasha and me. Isn't that right?" She lowered her head. "In either case this is best left a secret. The last thing I want is to have the group feel that time is running out. Many mistakes can occur when one feels constrained by time. So please keep this between us. The time will come when they'll need to know but let me decide when that is."
His voice was calm and steady. 'How can he be so calm when…?' She looked up at him.
"Ok."
"Lets get back. The rest of the group might be waiting for us."
He picked up the water and led the way. Kagome followed quietly with Kirara in her arms. Once they arrived at camp their friends greeted them.
"Where were you Kagome? And why the hell is he with you?" Inuyasha jumped in front of Miroku.
"Inuyasha leave him alone. I went looking for some herbs when I walked into him."
Kagome showed him some herbs she had pick up on her way back. Miroku made is way around him without a word. Setting the water near their dinner he looked over at Mayumi. The look of relief on her face made him smile. 'She's still worried about me.' He walked over to her and sat next to her.
"I see that you and Sango caught a hare for dinner. Was it difficult?"
"Actually Sango-chan caught it. I just picked some berries. What about you? Did you have any problems?" She looked at him with a smile.
"No. I've mastered the art of fetching water." He winked causing her to laugh.
"Miroku-chan, I'm glad." She whispered to him.
He looked at her then put an arm around her. After a moment he excused himself to get a drink. As he poured the water into his cup he looked up and saw Sango sitting by herself. She was quietly cleaning her weapon. 'Is she blushing?' Although she had he head lowered he could still see enough of her face. Curious, he walked over to her.
"Sango?"
She jumped up at the sound of his voice. 'She must have been lost in her thoughts. I wonder what she was thinking about? It must have been good if she's blushing.'
"Houshi-sama you scared me. Is there something you want?" Her blush deepened.
"Actually there is something I want."
He said playfully. He kneeled so he could see her better. She moved away from him. He heard Mayumi's muffled laugh.
"Houshi-sama I'm not in the mood for you antics." She tried to sound forceful. But his laughter made her realize that she had failed.
"I just checked up on Mayumi and…"
"What did she tell you?" She glanced over at Mayumi nervously.
"What?" He looked at them both and couldn't help feel like something had happen between them. "Well she told me that it was you that caught the hare. But besides that she said nothing else. Is there something else I need to know?" He noticed the relief on her face.
"No nothing. I just… never mind Houshi-sama." She went back to cleaning her weapon.
"Sango are you hiding...?"
"Sango-chan could you teach me how to sharpen my father's sword? I've tried to take care of it. But I was never shown how to properly care for one." Mayumi sat down next to her. Sango looked at her surprised but soon recovered.
"Of course Mayumi-chan. Bring it and I'll show you how." She smiled at the small girl. Mayumi got up and went to get her bag.
"Hey wait I was…"
"Oh. I'm sorry Houshi-sama did you want to teach her?" It was clear that Sango had regained control over herself. And with that his chance of getting anything out of her was gone.
"No. Never mind. I'll be over there if you need anything."
He got up and left. She looked at him then turned to Mayumi. She was walking over to her with her bag in hand. 'That's two times she helps me.' Mayumi reached her and sat down next to her.
"Arigato." Sango whispered to her.
"It was kind of my fault anyways. So, what do I do first?" Mayumi brought out the sword. And for the first time Sango saw the small sheath of the sword.
"Why do you hide it in your bag? Your father's sword is beautiful." Sango took the sword out of its sheath.
"I'm afraid someone might see it and try to take it from me."
"You might be right. In either case the first thing you need to know about taking care of a it is…"
Mayumi listened as Sango explained everything that was needed in the care of one's weapon. Time passed and soon it was time to sleep. Everyone found their spots and laid down for the night. Miroku gazed across the fire as he drifted off into sleep. Across the fire from him slept Mayumi and Sango facing each other. In between them Kirara rested.
Author's note: Again I would like to thank those that took the time to review my story. It helps me know that some people are at least enjoying it. I'll try to update soon. Until next time. Oh yeah! Almost forgot. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!