Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any other anime - I just like making up stories…oh, and this is my third official fan fic and my first InuYasha fan fic so I'll just apologize now if it sucks. Sorry!
Chapter Eight: Shippo's Discovery
Kagome sat near the mouth of the cave and stared out without blinking. Her sleep deprived state was obvious to anyone, just by looking at her. Her eyes, which were generally bright and shining, were now foggy and dark. Her skin, which ordinarily shone with a healthy glow, was now turning a dull gray, with dark circles forming around her eyes. She wasn't smiling.
It had been two days now since Inuyasha and Miroku started their training, and six days since the demon first haunted her dreams. Since then, she was lucky to get a couple of hours of restless sleep before she awoke to her own screams.
The atmosphere among the group was not one of joy or excitement, like it typically was. Inuyasha and Miroku spent the entire day outside of the cave, and quite a distance away, practicing their plan. Sango and Kirara did the majority of the hunting and Shippo tended the fire. But for the most part, Shippo spent his time worrying over Kagome.
"Kagome? Do you want somethin' to eat or drink?" He stood next to her and leaned over her shoulder with an inquisitive look in his eye.
Kagome closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. "No. Thank you."
"Do you want me to get your sleeping bag so you can rest?
"No Shippo. I'm alright."
"I'm worried about you Kagome, you don't –"
"Shippo!" Kagome got to her feet and raised her voice at the kitsune. "Go worry about something else! I don't need you pestering me!"
"Please don't be angry Kagome!" Shippo cried as he attempted to hug her.
Kagome shoved the poor, surprised kitsune to the ground with a snarl of frustration. Shippo's eyes began to water as he turned away from the angry priestess and fled towards the back of the cave. What – what's going on with her? Why is she being so mean? I'm sure she doesn't mean to be angry with me, she's just tired. He hoped he was right, but he had a feeling that her sanity was slowly slipping away.
Inuyasha sat very still, except for his left ear which was twitching thanks to an insect that had decided to light on it, with his eyes shut. Across from him sat Miroku, his eyes were also closed tight in concentration. For some time they sat, unmoving and silent. At last Inuyasha smiled boldly, showing his teeth and began to laugh. Miroku, meanwhile was turning the perfect shade of pinkish red and suddenly his eyes flew open.
"Well! It appears my training has been successful, you jerk." The monk frowned.
"Ha!" The half-demon pointed a finger at the monk. "Your dreams are perverted! Wait until I tell Sango what your dreams are like!"
"Inuyasha! I did not train you to enter dreams so you could get me in trouble, but to get Kagome out of trouble." Miroku leaned in and added in a whispered voice. "Please don't tell Sango, she'll hurt me. I'll do anything, carry heavy stuff, share my food – anything."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, nodded and grunted his response. "Well, I'll think about it. Right now I gotta get back to Kagome and teach this demon a thing or two. Let's get going, the sooner I get this over with, the better."
When Inuyasha and Miroku reentered the cave they realized how severe the situation had become. Shippo was huddled in a tiny alcove towards the back of the cave while Kagome was staring blankly into the fire in the center of the cave with a dark look in her eye. They were both completely silent. Inuyasha arched an eyebrow.
"Hey, what's going on here?" He grunted.
"Kagome's being mean." Shippo sniffled.
"Kagome's being mean?" Miroku asked.
"Uh huh, I don't know why…" Shippo stammered over his words.
"Kagome, what's wrong?" Miroku was walking over to the silent priestess cautiously.
"I'll tell you what's wrong!" Kagome was on her feet in a instant and screeching at the shocked monk. "You asses left me alone with a whiney little brat! He's driving me nuts! God! I can't stand it in here anymore! I'm going crazy!"
Inuyasha stepped in front of Kagome and attempted to put his hands on her shoulders. She shrugged them off with what sounded like a growl and he frowned at her. "Calm down wench, you've got to get a grip. You're getting upset over nothing. The training worked! I can get into your dreams now, so just stop freaking out! We'll get this demon killed off and get you out of here but right now you've –"
But Kagome wasn't interested in waiting or listening to the half-demon before her. "Inuyasha! You're not listening to me! I'm losing it! I can't stay in here! I'm just not strong enough! I'm so tired!" She began to sob. "I'm so very tired Inuyasha, and I can't trust myself to sleep! I – I can't do this anymore!" She pulled at her hair. "I – I can't stand it! I wanna go home do you hear me? I WANT TO GO HOME!" She fell to her knees and rocked back and forth while continuing to sob.
Inuyasha drew back from her with shock. He had never seen her like this. He looked with concern towards Miroku and then towards Shippo, who returned his look of horror. This is getting bad. She's completely out of control.
Sango was riding Kirara, who was transformed into her larger self. They had been hunting for hours and simply weren't having any luck. There just isn't any game around the cave; I'll have to go further out, like Inuyasha, if I'm going to find anything, but it's getting too late. Sango squinted at the ground below her.
"Looks like we're gonna be having more of Kagome's ramen tonight Kirara. I can't see anything else, can you? "
They turned back towards the cave empty handed. But soaring over the clouds, Sango felt a peace and calmness that was very foreign to the atmosphere she had been enduring in the cave recently. I wonder if Miroku and Inuyasha are finished with their training. I bet they are, I mean, with Miroku teaching another man they might actually get something accomplished.
To Be Continued...
Alright – let me have it! Please give me your questions, comments and/or snide remarks! lisa
