Chapter Thirteen: Mishaps
(My favorite number!) I rewrote this chapter several times, and I think that I finally found a version that I like…ah well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what you think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha.
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Kagome and Sesshomaru had stopped so that Kagome might prepare an adequate lunch for herself. She was currently in the process of heating up a box of ramen that was refusing to cooperate. Luckily, she had learned a thing or two about instant meals during her travels and she soon had the noodles warmed up and ready to eat.
"You want some, Sesshomaru," she asked. She didn't expect a "yes," she was simply used to offering what she had to those around her.
"I suppose…I shall try it," Sesshomaru replied reluctantly. He didn't want to admit it, but he was hungry. That was another thing that Takumi had always lectured him on; being able to go without food for however long was necessary. He tried, but he had never been very good at it. It was all he could do to hide his emotions from the human under normal circumstances; he didn't think that he could do it on an empty stomach.
Kagome was surprised, but she handed him the box and a pair of chopsticks before getting out another for herself.
To Sesshomaru the meal did not look especially appetizing, but it didn't smell too bad so he tried to keep an open mind. He took a small bite, and his eyes widened in surprise. It was good!
"Do you like it," Kagome asked, smiling slightly.
"It will suffice," he replied, always playing the stoic demon, even as he shoveled more into his open mouth.
"I'm so glad," she said, opening her own box.
They finished their meal in silence, and then prepared to continue on their journey. Kagome zipped up her yellow pack, and then they were on their way.
"So, how far do you think we are from the mountains," Kagome inquired as they walked.
"At this rate, we shall be there within two days."
"Great," Kagome said, beaming. Once we reach the mountains, I'll be one step closer to getting back to the feudal age that I know! Her smile faded as she remembered exactly what she would be going back to and, more importantly, who. She didn't want to admit it, but it hurt her to be near Inu-Yasha. She had given her heart to him so completely, that it had been hard to regain; it still was painful, but she knew that she was slowly pulling back her feelings. It killed her to do so, but she knew that it was best for Inu-Yasha. She still cared for him, but he had broken her emotionally. He could never love only her while Kikyo was around, and Kagome was far too kind to come between them. If it made Inu-Yasha happy to be with Kikyo, then she would do nothing to prevent their love. Not that I could, anyway, she thought miserably.
Sesshomaru noticed the girl's change in expression immediately. "Are you hurt, human?"
Kagome's smile was back in place in an instant. "Don't worry about me! I'm perfectly fine," she assured him.
The human was obviously lying, but Sesshomaru didn't bother her with further questioning. It was certainly interesting though. He hadn't thought that this human had ever suffered, judging by her bubbly personality. Apparently he had been mistaken.
Suddenly, Sesshomaru slowed his pace; his instincts told him that something meant them harm. He sniffed the air cautiously, searching for some sign of what it was.
"What's wrong," Kagome asked, realizing that her companion had stopped.
"There is something nearby," he said. "A demon."
Kagome slid her backpack off, and pulled out a quiver. She notched an arrow to her bow, and left her other things on the ground beside her feet.
"Back up," Sesshomaru commanded, stepping forward. "I do not need for you to be injured."
Kagome did as she was told, but kept her arrow pointing at the woods in front of her. Sesshomaru might be a full-demon, but he was still young and somewhat inexperienced. She didn't want to take any chances.
There was a rustling in the bushes ahead of her, and a jet of fire signaled the approach of the demon. Sesshomaru dove at his adversary, but Kagome had already loosed her arrow. A brilliant flash of miko power lit the forest for a moment, and then the demon was gone before they had even seen it.
Sesshomaru stood still, for once completely at a loss. His brain did not seem to be working properly. It was telling him that the girl had just killed a demon, but that couldn't be possible. She was a mere human…a happy human. Happy creatures did not kill demons with one arrow. For that matter, humans did not kill anything with one arrow.
He turned slowly, a look of complete bewilderment written across his features. Under other circumstances, Kagome might have laughed. As it was, she was too busy looking at the place the demon-fire had struck, a look of complete horror on her face.
"Muh…my…my…" she said helplessly.
"You…you…" Sesshomaru stammered.
"Muh…my stuff," she shrieked. "That demon spit fire at my backpack! Look, it's burning up!"
Sesshomaru looked uncomprehendingly at the merry little fire that was spreading across Kagome's backpack.
"I shall get water," he told her dazedly, trying to restart his non-functioning mind. He turned and headed between the trees.
"Aaaeeeiii," Kagome shrieked, as small sparks flew off of her pack. "Sesshomaru, please hurry!" She spun about a few times, randomly picked a direction, and ran. "Got to find water," she panted, racing through the forest.
Kagome cried out as she tripped over a log, and fell over a small cliff. She just had time to see what was below her before she had broken the surface of the small pond.
She rose to the surface, spluttering, and rubbing water out of her eyes. "Sesshomaru," she screamed. "There's water over here!"
The young demon lord was there in a flash, now holding the strap of Kagome's backpack in one hand. It looked like he was holding a small campfire. He quickly tossed the object into the pond, where it hit the water with a loud splash.
For a minute, neither of them moved. Then Kagome slowly raised herself up and out of the water. She was completely soaked, and water dripped from her bedraggled hair. She looked into the eyes of her companion. A large smile spread across her face, and she began to laugh.
Sesshomaru stared at her blankly, letting his mind catch up. "Did I miss something," he asked after a moment.
Kagome clutched helplessly at her stomach, as she collapsed back into the water in a fit of laughter. "I'm sorry," she gasped. "But that was ridiculous!"
Sesshomaru arched a silver brow.
"You know, Sesshomaru," Kagome said, still smiling. "You should show a little emotion some—oh no! My backpack!" She leaped up, and began searching. "Where is it," she muttered, peering into the water. "Is that it?" She dived for it, and came up with her hair covering her eyes.
Upon seeing her like this, Sesshomaru almost followed her advice.
Almost.
……(Time passes)……
The branches of the tree that he sat in concealed Sesshomaru. As he watched Kagome drift off to sleep, he allowed his mind to wander.
The stars had become visible, and Sesshomaru was beginning to relax. He knew that there were no demons nearby; if any came he would sense their presence.
He glanced down at the girl to make sure she was alright. She looked like she was fine; she was kept warm by several layers of singed blankets, a blackened sleeping bag, and the fire that she had started when they had first decided that they would stop for the night.
Sesshomaru shook his head slightly as he recalled the events of the morning. This girl was able to kill a demon with one arrow, he thought. It is incredible, really, for a human to have so much power.
Fighting was something that Sesshomaru understood, and was very adept at. It was strange, but it seemed that he had something in common with the unusual human below him.
He had been wrong about the young miko. She wasn't quite as clueless as she looked. Although Sesshomaru would never admit it, he was beginning to feel the faintest stirrings of respect for her.
……………
"So she wasn't with Inu-Yasha…you do realize that this will ruin everything?"
The demoness nodded, her expression grim. He might be talking calmly, but she knew better than to trust his outward appearance. Naraku was angry.
"Tell me, Kagura, how am I to obtain the remaining Shikon shards without taking them from the girl who carries them?" He began thinking aloud. "Even if she returns now, I will have accomplished nothing." An evil smile spread across his lips. "Unless I have something to bargain with…or someone."
A chill ran down Kagura's spine, and it had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.
Naraku looked up and noticed her again. "You didn't answer my question, Kagura." He raised a hand, and suddenly she knew what he was about to do.
"My lord, no," she began, panic in her voice, but it was too late. Her own beating heart had appeared in her master's open palm. She fought the impulse to attack him.
He squeezed.
Kagura screamed as her body contorted in pain. Blood fell to the floor, dripping from Naraku's fist.
He laughed softly. "You carry on as though this is killing you, Kagura…you won't die." As he watched his underling writhe on the floor before him, Naraku leaned his head back against the wall and smiled.
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