Authors Note:
Warning: Kind of fluffy! -smiles-
You have been warned. Now on with the story!
Inuyasha lay on the straw bed. It itched a bit but he ignored his urge to scratch and kept thinking. His eyes slowly moved around the room until they focused on his friends.
Miroku slept close to Sango, where his hand was mere inches away from touching her. His breathing grew louder and louder each time he inhaled. Kirara was the only thing separating the demon slayer and the monk. The two-tailed kitten slept silently except for a low purring that escaped her chest. All the while, Shippo was curled up next to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha could feel the kitsune's warm breath on the side of his chest. Shippo groaned and rolled over to show his belly. Then he started to snore.
'We have all been through so much' Inuyasha sighed.
He sat up and finally scratched at the bothersome itches. He took out some straw from his hair by passing his claws between every lock. Next, Inuyasha stood up and walked outside. He considered the air inside the cabin to be hot and humid.
The thoughts of his daughter hadn't escaped him since his talk with Kikyou. She seemed disturbed about Hoshiko's existence yet Inuyasha didn't care for it at this time. His main concern was who Hoshiko's mother was going to be.
His ears pressed close to his skull and a delicate pink color grew on his pale cheeks just at the thought of it. The cold air made him shudder as it passed between his hair so he walked back inside. He was still unsure about what was going to happen yet hoped things would fall into place. Inuyasha lay back down next to Shippo.
He slept peacefully for he dreamed of Kagome.
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"Wake up Kagome! It's a nice sunny day!" Hoshiko screamed. Kagome groaned and started to turn in bed, she was glad that Hoshiko had stayed but hated that she was being awaken at 5:30 in the morning. Hoshiko placed a white and pink kimono on the bed and walked out, satisfied.
She had finally slept inside and it felt so good to have warm blankets in the cold night. After being awaken with the first sight of light, she had walked into Kagome's room and searched her entire room for possible outfits that the miko could use.
Kagome walked down the stairs, slowly and steadily, with her crane tightly gripped. "Good morning. I appreciate the gesture," she said, mentioning the kimono, "But did you really have to leave all my clothes on the floor?"
Hoshiko blushed, "Oh, I'm sorry!"
Breakfast, according to Hoshiko, was Ramen with a side plate of fresh fruit. She helped Kagome sit down and beamed. "Mm" said Kagome, "This Ramen is really good." Her fake smile fooled the hanyou. Hoshiko then gobbled up her noodles cheerfully.
At around 3 pm, the young boy came walking up the Shrine's steps again. He wore a large smile on his face and carried a plastic bag. "Kagome!" he yelled, "I've got something here that will surely make you feel better!"
His smile was visible even from the bottom of the steps.
'Oh great! It's Hojo!'
"Hello, Hojo!" waved Kagome, "It's great to see you again" The boy walked towards her and opened the bag. Inside he took out two chocolate candies. He handed one to her. As she dug her teeth in it she realized they were marshmallows dipped in chocolate.
She smiled and led him inside, reluctantly. Hoshiko took one glance at him and growled. Hojo was shocked and said, "That sound… it reminds me of..." Kagome cut him off by saying, "So Hojo, what brings you here again?"
"I told you I'd come back to take care you, silly" he smirked and went into the kitchen, "I'll make you some lunch okay?" Kagome nodded, hoping after lunch, he'd leave.
'Inuyasha, come back to me' she thought, while Hoshiko stood on the doorway of the kitchen, glaring at Hojo.
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"You're going back?" Shippo asked Inuyasha as he walked outside, "Of course, you fuss ball! I have to see how Kagome is doing."
"Come back soon! We can't wait to see Kagome!" Sango said, "We'll stay here." Both Sango and Miroku smiled at him as he started to walk away. Miroku placed an arm around Sango's shoulder and squeezed softly. She gave him a look of pure embarrassment.
Inuyasha jumped into the well. Blue lights swirled around him. They shined brightly and he was suddenly reminded of Hoshiko's eyes as she smiled.
He opened the doors from within the tiny cabin in which the Higurashi family kept the magic well. He walked towards the front of the Shrine, beaming. He was glad he'd be able to see Kagome again. When he opened the door he saw her sitting on the couch, she looked disturbed.
"Kagome, what's the matter?" he asked. "Inuyasha! You're back!" she jumped from her seat and ran towards him. Her arms flung around his neck and she buried her head in his chest. He flinched just a little before letting his hands caress her hair, enjoying her sweet scent.
She let go and closed the door behind her. "How is Hoshiko?" he asked, "Oh, she's great! We've never been better." her smile displayed her white teeth. "Really? Then let me see her"
He tried walking past her yet she blocked him, "No!" she snapped, "I mean, it's so nice out here, why can't we enjoy the weather?"
"Is there something you're trying to hide, Kagome?"
"Phhft! No."
"Kagome! Lunch is ready!" a voice arose from within the house. The voice was too deep for it to be Hoshiko's. Inuyasha pushed Kagome aside and marched into the house where he found Hojo placing dinner plates on the dining table.
"Hobo" he whispered. The very sound of his name burned in Inuyasha's ears. He leaped into the dining room to face Hojo. "H-Hello, Inuyasha" replied the boy.
"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha bellowed, not that he really cared. All he wanted right now was to punch Hojo unconscious but he knew Kagome wouldn't approve his actions so he clutched his fists tightly, hiding them in his long sleeves.
"I came here to take care of Kagome." By this time, she was standing next to the two of them, hoping that Hojo would start running for his life. Yet Hojo stood still even when Inuyasha glared his fangs. "Well, I'm here now, so go home!" Inuyasha's anger rose as he kept watching the boy.
"No thanks, I want to make sure Kagome is well taken care of!"
'Hojo just leave!' Kagome thought. Seeing that the stubborn boy wouldn't flinch, she screamed, "Hojo! Go home! I'll be okay." He was startled by her outburst but did as she said.
"I'll be back tomorrow, Kagome." he told her, "I don't think so!" shouted Inuyasha. His fists now became uncovered and growled. He walked towards him as if getting ready to attack when Hoshiko took hold of him.
Even at a young age, Hoshiko was strong enough to hold back Inuyasha. He pushed in vain and finally let his muscles rest. Kagome dragged Hojo outside before saying good-bye.
"Inuyasha?" Hoshiko stood in front of him with a worried look, he looked down at her. He wanted to see her smiling face with those eyes shining brightly although seeing her upset gave him a sinking feeling in his stomach. "I'm okay now, what's for lunch?"
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Back in the Feudal Era…
Shippo screamed madly. His little legs couldn't run any faster yet the demon kept running. "Shippo! Take cover!" yelled Sango as she let her boomerang go. It cut off one of the demon's six legs then swung back for another blow. The youkai screamed.
Finally Shippo transformed into a small statue to let the demon pass him. It stopped and whirled around to throw toxic slime at them.
Sango blocked it with her Hiraikotsu and flung the weapon again. She rested on top of Kirara who was racing across the sky, avoiding any slime that was hurled at them.
The monk was too busy trying to rip the monsters legs when Shippo screamed again. A giant piece of torn up flesh had hit the tiny kitsune which sent him flying towards a tree. "Ouch" he murmured.
After a couple minutes of fighting, Miroku finally figured that the best way to get rid of it was to use his wind tunnel. "Sango! Get out of the way!" he yelled.
"Wind Tunnel!"
The gusts of wind uprooted trees and saplings while picking up boulders of all sizes. The demon screamed in agony of his ill-fate. Then was sucked into Miroku's hand.
Kirara landed, letting Sango get off. She panted and placed her Hiraikotsu on her back. "Good job, Miroku." she smiled.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Of course!"
"Good, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." this statement made Sango blush yet she tried to hide it as she picked up Kirara.
"Don't worry about me!" shouted Shippo. He walked towards them in a dizzy manner. "I'm perfectly fine!" Suddenly, he fell to the floor.
When they arrived back at the hut, Miroku placed Shippo on the bed and let him rest. Sango had changed back in the forest and was now wearing her long kimono. She smiled at the monk and then at Shippo. "He was pretty shaken up, huh?" she said. "Oh, hm" Miroku nodded.
"Will you join me in an afternoon walk?" Miroku asked, he held out his hand to her and smirked. "Sure" she shrugged but didn't bother in letting the monk have her hand. She walked past him and into the forest.
They walked slowly, enjoying the song of birds, the melody of the river and the warm breeze. Sango looked around her but never laid an eye on Miroku which made him feel ignored. "So Sango, may I ask what goes through your mind?" he finally questioned the lack of attention.
"I was thinking about Kagome and Hoshiko. I wonder how they are. And I miss them" she replied. She was more concerned about Kagome though. In their last conversation, she had noticed sheer anger in her friend when she mentioned Hoshiko's parents. And she knew that Kagome felt something deep for Inuyasha so it was clear that Kagome had developed a jealousy in her that made Sango worried.
Miroku stared at her with caring eyes and touched her hand. "I understand" he said. Still it was the way he said it that shocked Sango. It echoed in her mind. How deep and strong yet sweet, his voice had sounded. 'Heh, stupid' she thought, 'He cannot make me forget how he can be such a hentai! But he really did sound.. Well.. Sweet' she shock the thought out of her brain and focused her eyes on the ground.
They stopped on a hill to rest and stared at the sunset. If they knew better, they'd see it was merely 5 o' clock. Yet time wasn't an issue in such an era so they sat peacefully, ignoring all around them, only focusing their eyes on the bright rays of the sun.
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Kagome rested on the couch since her bed had been taken up by the little hanyou. She was so tired that Kagome let her sleep in her bed. It was just a bed, nothing bad would happen if she slept on the couch for one night. Or at least that's what she had said to both Inuyasha and Hoshiko.
If her mother was there, she'd never approve but they were still in the hospital. Her grandfather needed to stay for another week because of his old age and her mother had decided to stay. Her concern over her father was too great for her to leave. Souta had stayed also since it was a great excuse for being absent at school. They called once or twice a day to make sure how Kagome was doing yet never bothered to visit.
She stretched her legs for the fourth time. She never thought the couch would be so small since Inuyasha always slept in it. He had to sleep on the floor since Kagome refused to let him sleep in any of her family's rooms. She didn't want anything to be broken, smashed, torn or even splattered with anything! If her mother knew that she was letting hanyou's sleep in their beds, she wouldn't see daylight unless it came from the television.
"Inuyasha" she said.
"Eh, what is it wench?"
"How could you sleep in this thing! My legs are starting to cramp up!" she let her legs swing off the couch. She heard a little yelp and looked down. Her foot had landed on top of Inuyasha's head.
He glared at her, then pulled her leg. She shrieked as she fell off the couch and onto the floor. Kagome was now rubbing her injuries as she lay flat on the floor. Inuyasha smirked.
"You didn't have to do that for!" she yelled.
"Of course I did! You hit me first!"
They argued for a couple minutes before it grew darker. A dim light came from a lantern outside on the porch. "Inuyasha, I didn't mean to hit you, but you meant to hit me! So you better apologize!" she said.
Silence.
He was never good at making apologies yet without another breath he simply stated, "Your right, I'm sorry"
She beamed, happy of her accomplishment and victory. But that didn't make her forget how nice he had just been. Inuyasha was usually an impolite brute so any act of kindness made her feel shocked.
They both still lay on the floor. Kagome was flat on her back while her legs disappeared beneath Inuyasha's kimono. He almost lay on top of her if he hadn't moved to let her fall. He stared down at her. He could see how her smile grew and then faded.
His right ear twitched and Kagome giggled. She reached up to rub it. Kagome could tell that Inuyasha was glad she did. He purred softly in delight.
"Kagome…" he whispered to her.
"Yes?" she let go of his ear. His breath was low and warm, and it tickled underneath her chin.
"I would like it if you.." he started.
"If I what?"
He leaned in a little, just enough for his hair locks to fall onto her chest. "Boiled up some water for me" he finished.
"WHAT?" she felt so horrible to think that maybe that had been a nice moment, that for a slight chance he would lean in completely. Now she felt like smacking him on the side of his head!
"Ugh!" she got up and started to murmur curses to herself. Kagome walked up the stairs, disappearing into the bathroom. "What did I do?" Inuyasha seemed so confused.
Hoshiko had heard everything. Even though she felt bad for spying on him, she couldn't help it! She heard how he had blown his chance. That made her feel embarrassed. 'How was he able to have me with those skills?' she laughed to herself before falling back to sleep.