Chapter 22
Kagome yawned and rolled over slightly, bumping into Inuyasha. "Mmm?" she mumbled as she opened her eyes. Inuyasha just laughed.
"I was wondering how much longer you were going to sleep." he smirked. Kagome simply hit his shoulder out of reaction.
"I needed the rest." she explained. Inuyasha just kissed her forehead.
"Well then, good morning. Shall we go begin building the huts? I'll go get the wood with Miroku and Kirara. You, Sango and Shippou can gather rope, thatch, and anything else that we'll need. Plus, we're having ramen for lunch." he told her. Kagome giggled.
"Yes, sir!" she saluted him and ran off to find Sango. Inuyasha smiled and walked over to where Miroku and Kirara stood.
"Let's go get some lumber!" he cracked his knuckles. Miroku sighed.
"Must you be so violent? They're just trees." Miroku pointed out.
"Keh! I'll do things my way, you'll do them your way." Inuyasha scoffed. Miroku put his hands up in surrender.
"Fine!" he conceded as they walked into the thick forest. "Someone's going to get hurt. And it will be me." Miroku sighed. Inuyasha's fist slammed into the side of Miroku's head, causing a slight lump to form.
"That's right. It'll be you." Inuyasha snarled playfully. Miroku whimpered as he rubbed a hand over his sore cheek. "Why can't anyone ever go for the other side? This side gets all the abuse..."
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"Is this enough thatch, Sango?" Kagome asked as she lugged an armuful of thatch and threw it onto the ever-growing pile.
"Just about two more loads should suffice." Sango said gruffly. She was busy twisting rope for the foundation with a few of the other villagers who had decided to help out. Kagome took in a deep breath.
"Okay! Be back soon!" she cried as she left to gather more thatch. After a few minutes of gathering and adding to the pile, Kagome needed only one more load to finish up. Wiping the persperation from her brow, Kagome retreated to find more thatch. When she had gathered almost enough to suffice, she heard rustling in the bushes. "Who's there?" she questioned nervously, hoping it was only a villager.
"You have the jewel. I will be back for it, miko." a voice whispered.
"Where are you? Show yourself!" Kagome threatened as she dropped her pile of thatch. "You think you can scare me!" Nothing. Whoever it was, they were gone. Weird... i'd better tell Inuyasha and the others. Kagome gathered up her thatch and ran back to the village.
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"SANKOTESSOU!" Inuyasha cried. Three trees fee towards the ground. "Hah! Told you my way was better! I'm getting three trees a swipe. You're still on your fourth tree alone." Inuyasha smirked. His smile widened when he saw Kagome walking towards him.
"Kagome? I thought you were helping Sango?" he smiled.
"I was..." she said nervously. "...but there was some strange youkai in the forest where I was collecting thatch. It wanted the jewel. It's gone now... but... Inuyasha?" Kagome looked up at him.
"I'll hunt the freaking thing DOWN!" Inuyasha snarled. Kagome laughed.
"No, no, that's alright." she said. "I just... how are we ever going to live peacefully, or even hope to exterminate youkai with this jewel always around? If any youkai gets ahold of it..." Kagome shook her head. "I don't want to even think about what would happen." she whispered. Inuyasha's ears pinned back against his head, and a sadness replaced the anger that had been there. Without a word, he walked over to Kagome and threw his arms around her.
"Don't ever think like that. Nothing will happen. It can't. The scroll shows our future, Kagome. Nothing will happen." he whispered. Kagome sighed and slowly put her arms him as well.
"I know, Inuyasha. I'm... i'm just worried about everyone else too. If I get attacked... and they're there... what if something happens?" Kagome whimpered.
"I'll be there. I won't let anything happen." Inuyasha reassured the nervous miko. He began to stroke her hair and gently rock from side to side to soothe her.
"I know, Inuyasha. I just don't want anyone to suffer needlessly again." she said as she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. Inuyasha rested his chin atop Kagome's head. We have to get rid of the jewel. How? I've got to think of a way. Inuyasha stared off into space as his thoughts consumed him.
"Ahem?" Miroku cleared his throat. Kagome cracked an eye open.
"What?" she asked.
"We should get back to work." he smirked. Inuyasha growled.
"Yeah, yeah, we're on it, monk." he spat. Kagome waved as she left to pick up the thatch she had dropped earlier. Inuyasha went back to physically assaulting trees. 3 or 4 at a time, too. Miroku grinned. Life is sweet.
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"I can't believe the huts are almost done!" Kagome cheered as the sun was setting on the second day. "They look amazing."
"All that's needed now is to make the inside feel like home!" Sango cried happily. Kagome nodded.
"I brought a ton of stuff for that. Mom bought some pots and pans to cook over the fire with, some curtains- curtains are these long strips of material that cover windows so that the sun doesn't shine in too brightly..." she looked at Miroku. "...or if you want privacy. I also have some blankets from home that can be used on the beds, i've got actual pillows!" Kagome cheered. Inuyasha watched her with an amused expression.
"Sounds good." he smiled. Kagome looked up at him and smiled back. It's so nice to see him smile more often. I still can't believe that i'm the reason he smiles! Kagome couldn't help but let her smile take over her delicate features when she thought about him. Inuyasha laughed. Miroku tapped Inuyasha lightly on his shoulder, causing Inuyasha to wheel around and face him.
"Inuyasha... there is something in the bushes. I can hear it." Miroku whispered. Inuyasha stopped and sniffed. There was definately a youkai in the area.
"Come on out and show yourself, youkai!" Inuyasha growled. A hawk youkai emerged. It's voice was bone-chilling.
"Hand over the jewel." it hissed. Kagome winced. She remembered that voice. It was the voice that had interrupted her when she was collecting thatch.
"Inuyasha! That's the one from earlier!" she cried. Inuyasha readied his sword. The hawk youkai laughed. Both opponents ran at one another, beak and sword clashing with a shrill sound that filled the air.