Chapter 12
A Day of Enjoyment
Ayame awoke to the sound of a few birds chirping in the morning, it was hazy and cold out side, but it was nice. She turned over to see Inuyasha still asleep and gently kissed his cheek. He moaned and turned over on his other side, opposite of Ayame. Ayame got up to check her wounds. She faced the wall opposite of him and unwrapped the bandages around her breast just enough to see where the arrow had gone through. It had almost completely healed, since she was a demon, but it still left a scar behind. Inuyasha secretly watched her as she checked her wounds, he wasn't being perverted…o.k., a little perverted, but he just liked to watch Ayame's every move. When Ayame was done checking the wound, she put on the shirt Keade let her borrow and went outside. The air was cool as it nipped her cheeks and nose. She took a deep breath of the morning air, renewing herself for a new day. She undid her pigtails and shook out her hair. Her gorgeous, auburn, wavy locks then rested on her shoulders. All of the sudden, Ayame heard rustling in the bushes on the side of Keade's house. Out of the bushes came Kikyo, she didn't seem angry, she had more of a soft look on her face. "Kikyo!" Ayame said in surprise. There was a moment's pause. "How do you do it?" Kikyo asked. "Do what?" Ayame asked back. "How do you make the man I have loved for more than fifty years fall in love with you in the matter of a day?" she said. "I guess its true love." Ayame said in an unsure tone, as if not to offend Kikyo. There was no reply. Kikyo just stood there with that soft look upon her face. Then Kikyo's attention turned down the path from Keade's house. "They're coming." She said. Then she hid in the bushes and disappeared. Ayame stood there, waiting for whoever was coming. Then she heard voices, familiar voices. They were the voices of Kagome, Sango, Shippo, Miroku, and Kouga. They turned the corner of the path and saw Ayame. They stopped, all of them. It was quite an uncomfortable moment, especially between Ayame and Kagome. "Hey," Kagome finally said. "Hey," Ayame replied. "So, you guys spent the night here?" Kagome asked. "Yeah, I had wounds that needed to be treated, so we came here." Ayame replied. "Oh," said Kagome. "Uh…are you still mad about-" Ayame began but was cut off. "Oh, about that? No! Kouga and I are back together." Said Kagome. "That's good," Ayame said. Everyone seemed so quiet. Then Kouga broke the silence. "Is that stupid mutt still around or did he die or something?" This made Ayame steam with anger. "Kouga, I'm tired of you saying such nasty things about him! You're just jealous because he's a hell of a lot hotter than you!" Kouga was silent. Then he said, "Well Kagome doesn't think that do you Kagome?" he said turning to her. Kagome giggled, a guilty look on her face. Kouga began to turn red with anger. "C'mon guys, we can make breakfast in Keade's house." Sango said, changing the subject. "And I brought some food for us!" Kagome said patting her backpack. "O.k." Ayame said, "Come on in."
The group settled down as Kagome pulled out some pans and stuff to cook with. "Boy! I'm starving!" Shippo piped up. "Then I think you'll enjoy this!" Kagome said pulling out a lollipop. "Yummy!" Shippo squealed as he grabbed it and began to lick it up. "I'll go get Inuyasha up." Ayame said walking into their room.
"Inuyasha, time to get up," she said kissing him in between words. He took in a deep morning breath and kissed her. "Good morning" He said softly, "Good morning," She replied. She lay on top of him as he rubbed her back. She kissed his neck. "Kagome, Kouga, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo are all here. Kagome is fixing us breakfast." "We better get up then," Inuyasha said as they got up and walked out of their room. "GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!" Inuyasha said cheerfully,"…except Kouga." Kouga growled. "Listen, why don't you two try to start your relationships new?" Ayame suggested. "Yeah," agreed Kagome, "We won't be successful in finding the Shikon shards if all you guys do is fight." "I suppose your right." Kouga said kissing up to Kagome. "Feh." Inuyasha would never become close friends with Kouga. He despised him for stealing Kagome, and now even more for how he treated Ayame. "Fine," Inuyasha agreed, "But I'm doing it for the rest of the group's sake, not his." Ayame rolled her eyes. "Breakfast is ready!" Kagome said giving everyone an omellette.
After everyone was finished Kagome offered Ayame to go in the hot springs with she and Sango. "I'd love to!" Ayame exclaimed. They all jumped up and ran to the spring. The men of the group walked behind them sluggishly. "Man, what's with women and hot springs?" Kouga said. "I have no idea." Inuyasha replied. "Actually, I find women bathing in hot springs quite fascinating!" Miroku said excitedly as he hurried up to go spy on the girls, but was caught by his kimono by Inuyasha. "You little perv." Inuyasha said exasperated.
All three girls undressed and jumped into the steamy, warm water. Shippo joined them. All three girls laughed and giggled while the perverted Miroku watched them. Inuyasha and Kouga played with Kagome's playing cards. "See anything good Miroku?" Inuyasha asked sarcastically. "Not yet." He replied.
About an hour passed once Kagome, Sango, and Shippo decided to get out. Ayame stayed in to bathe a little more. She got dressed, made some natural soap, and got undressed again and got back into the hot spring. She was scrubbing her body when everyone had left…except Inuyasha.