Yuki Asao-Ah, hello and welcome to my world. I am a freshman also, though almost a sophomore, because I nearly have 32 credit hours. Thank for that upbeat review it does wonders for my self-esteem. Hope everything goes in your favor.
Clueless97-Thank you. The 4th movie is kind of cool. Yes Inutashio is having the time of his life.
Sapphire-Thanks, yep Hotaru and Kouga.
Unspoiled Rini-Me too. InuYasha will pull through. Kaede and InuTashio? Yeah, I am being very gentle with easing the couple into the story.
Rena Moon-Maybe he is. Don't force the inspiration, it will come to you. Thanks, and take care too.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. No I don't own Inu/SM.
Hotaru sighed, rolling over as she struggled to awaken from her peaceful sleep. Her body subconsciously seeking the warmth that was offered to her from the left. Pale arms stretched cuddling the source of warmth to her. Whatever thought of waking up dissipated as she snuggled into the warmth.
Said source of warmth was awake and was watching with a half smirk on their face. Kouga had gone to rest after waking Hiten for watch. Falling asleep as he talked companionably to the one that laid curled at his side. He had made the comparisons between Kagome and Hotaru as he thought out he liable fascination. Realizing that his obsession with Kagome was rather with the idea of her loyalty. He knew that Kagome was a sweet girl, but knew relatively nothing else about her, and Kagome wasn't trying to speak of such things to him at least.
No, Kouga finally accepted that Kagome didn't look at him in such a way, as she did with InuYasha.
Sighing gently he admired Hotaru tucked into his side with a smile. It was a fairly large smile he had as he returned to their previous conversation. She was loyal as well, so loyal that she had died to protect the ones who care for and came back to do it again. Her whole life story laid before his feet in trust, and boy could she wield that glaive. The wolf demon sighed once more in happiness drawing the raven-haired woman closer before burying his nose into her locks. His tail languidly unfurled from behind him and wrapped instead around the petite woman.
Hotaru yawned as her mind finally processed why she was there in the first place. Cracking her eyes open, she was blinded by the sight of brown, and he feel of something soft. Drawing back a little she noticed that her head had been buried in Kouga's shoulder. A growl drew her attention as the wolf youkai muttered in his sleep drawing her back into his shoulder. Contenting himself with immersing his nose into her locks again. Hotaru blushed at the tenderness of the action and figured her princess could wait just a little.
This statement held true as the princess as she was, was currently sleeping as well. Not exactly in the same of the predicament as Hotaru, but well, she certainly wasn't going anywhere. Though it wasn't by choice, as Kagome had bugged InuYasha to try and get Usagi to come back as Kohaku was suffering some side effects of the purification. Seeing as Usagi was sleeping the Inu-lord went to hunting quickly losing himself to the hunt. InuYasha had tried waking the sleeping girl which was a task to anyone who tried. Seeing as he was unsuccessful in such, he picked her up and rushed her to where he had left his friends.
As he reached the area, he causally dumped her in a shallow river. Which immediately awakened the tigress with a screech. Causing InuYasha to flatten his ears in response and mutter his thoughts. "Wench, shut up!" He growled out while offering Usagi a hand up. She did as he requested, however not before she yanked him into the river in return. Standing up while wringing out her clothing and her she glared at InuYasha as he sputtered. "What the hell was that for?" He yipped out standing up as well.
"First for the wake-up call, and second for the language." Usagi responded. "Now, what do you want?" She enquired.
"Kohaku is suffering side effects." InuYasha answer and together they both headed off.
Sesshomaru return from his hunt with a tight grimace. Hunting had been really scarce since Naraku passed through. Ignoring such thoughts he glanced to see if the tigress demon was up. However, his nose alerted him to his half brother's fading scent and the demoness's. I think jealous would be the right word for his state of mind as he hastily followed the scents. Though none of that showed as he made his way.
Usagi kneeled beside the shivering Kohaku observing him closely while Sango gazed on pleadingly. "Damn him." She cursed as she laid a cooling hand on the boy's brow.
"What?" Kagome asked.
"Naraku is trying to possess the boy again, and is having a fairly difficult time because the shard is gone, and Kohaku refuses to give in." Usagi explained glancing at the Kohaku's left cheek. "The fact he can still do it is what concerns me." She continued.
"Well do something wench."InuYasha ordered, but was distracted as his brother showed up. Usagi didn't even noticed the new presence as she stared at the wound on the boy's cheek.
"Sango, where did Kohaku get that?" She inquired pointing to his cheek. Sango glanced worriedly at her brother before answering.
"I think it was the demon we fought a few hours earlier." Sango said. Usagi nodded while placing a hand on her broach.
"I see." She mumbled while the healing glow left her fingers. After the light faded away, Kohaku blinked awake as she stumbled to get up. A pair of warm hands steadied her and helped her up, the scent alerting her to who it was. "Ohayo." She greeted softly, leaning against the chest of the male. A slight tightening of a hand was the response as he saw the hurried breathing of the demoness. "Sorry, I just have not recovered all my energy yet from healing Kirara, healing Kohaku, and battling off the possession of Naraku in the boy." She told him. A soft grunt alerted her as she fought off a dizzy spell. Obviously, the trek through the rain yestereve was not a good idea. A sneeze escape Usagi as she gave a feeble smile behind her. Her body shivering under the wet clothing she fought for conscious.
"Ne, Usagi?" Kagome spoke up, as she saw her friend stumble.
"Hai, Kag.."Usagi fainted with out answering, luckily still being supported by Sesshomaru. He glanced down, unsure about how to handle this situation. Yet, he didn't get a choice as Kagome rushed over and grabbed the blonde out of his arms before he could phantom the speed of the ningen girl. A small growl was swallowed as the blonde was taken from him, but he still did not make a move to change otherwise.
"She's got a high fever!" Kagome exclaimed feeling the blonde's forehead. "We've got to get her to Kaede, where is she?" Kagome asked the silent lord. Sesshomaru glanced down at Kagome before reaching down and lifting the demoness into his arms. He set off without a word, toward the Western lands. Realizing the brisk pace he ran at was not good for the wet Usagi, he called his flowing cloud and stepped upon it while wrapping the tigress into his boa. Sesshomaru gazed at the blonde with a curious gesture of concern. His father's words whispering in his ear. 'Have you found something you wanted to protect?' "This Sesshomaru does not protect anything." He whispered harshly to the air. Ignoring the one claw combing through the blonde hair.
InuTashio held up a hand for the progression to stop, their eyes landing on a strange dwelling and a cave. InuTashio walked in with a casual air. "Toto-sai?" He called out.
"Yeah?" An old man, with thin white hair pulled up in a tight ponytail. His eyes focused on his house guest and his breath left him. "InuTashio?" He asked before fainting. InuTashio sighed and looked down at the old man.
"Well, that went well." He muttered, before walking back and waving the others in. "We've got a bit of a wait." InuTashio spoke to them.
Ah, there you have it the next chapter. Do I see the ice youkai softening? Just wait and see what I got planned next. After all, Naraku hasn't made his move, and what about the new pawns in the game, Hotaru and the other henchman of Naraku? As always enjoy and please review.
Much Care,
WCB.