Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.
Lost City
Chapter Four
Sneaking back into the palace had almost proved to be more challenging then sneaking out. Not that Kagome couldn't just walk right in, but then there would be the whole question of how she got out in the first place and why was she returning around four in the morning that she'd have to answer. Yeah, she didn't want to go through that. In the back way it was then.
Luckily, some of the underground servant's passageways Yukina showed her were unknown to the guards and once she was actually inside the walls, hiding in the shadows and tiptoeing down hallways worked to get herself where she wanted. It's not like she didn't have lots of practice, what with all the sneaking around she had to do when she was trying to pull pranks on Inuyasha. The thought of it made her smile, though sadly.
When she reached her chambers, Kagome grabbed a few simple garments and packed them in a bag, along with a blanket and other more necessary items. The group had parted ways at Botan's house, each going back to their own homes to get what they needed, or at least, what they thought they would need for their journey. They would leave just before dawn.
The door connecting her room to her servant's opened, revealing a tired Yukina. "Kagome? You're back?"
Kagome flashed her a smile before moving toward her bureau, removing the few bracelets she wore and placing them on top of it. "I found a team," she said happily, "to go with me. I'll be leaving for the Lost City."
"When?" she asked, moving so that she could see Kagome's reflection in the mirror, since her ladyship had her back to her.
"Tonight. Well, this morning," she corrected herself.
"What? So soon?" Yukina asked, alarmed, suddenly entirely awake.
"The sooner the better." She was about to move on when she noticed the gold heart necklace her mother had given her. She ran her fingers over the engraving on the heart before she began to put it on. "Tell my mother… tell her I'm sorry for disappearing. But don't tell her where I'm going, she'll worry too much." She tucked the necklace under her shirt before turning toward Yukina. "When they realize I'm missing, don't tell anyone you know where I've gone or they could punish you for not stopping me."
Yukina nodded, then paused. "Not even Lord Inuyasha?"
Kagome stopped in her tracks on the way to her bed, pausing in thought, then looked at her. "Especially Inuyasha. I don't know if he'd… overreact if he found me gone."
"Kagome…"
She held up a hand. "Don't try to stop me. We've been through this, it won't work."
"It's not that, only…" She bowed to Kagome. "I wish you luck."
When she straightened, Yukina almost squeaked when Kagome abruptly hugged her. "Thank you." She gave her a tight squeeze before letting go. "I'll come back. I promise."
On that ending note, she put on her cloak and grabbed her bag, giving Yukina one last glance before leaving the room. Would this be the last time she saw her? No. No, she wouldn't think negatively. She would be back and with the cure. She would.
There was no way she could come back without it…
She lightly walked to the statue path was hidden behind, having to hid in the shadows only once when an exhausted-looking servant went by, though he moved quickly. Kagome paused when she reached the servant's secret passageway, glancing at the room down the hall. It was the room Inuyasha was staying in.
She walked silently down the hallway and cautiously opened the door, peering into the dark room. Had this been the room that servant had just left? Walking in, she dropped her pack on the floor and closed the door silently. She turned and was startled to see golden eyes, eyes she hadn't seen open for a long while, watching her from the bed.
"You're awake," she said in surprise. She wanted to go forward, but her feet weren't cooperating. Neither was the rest of her body.
"How long was I out for?" Inuyasha asked. He began to sit up, but almost immediately fell back onto the bed.
She got over her momentary shock and rushed forward, pushing him down gently. "Don't try to sit up. You've been out for days, I've lost count of how many," she told him. When she was sure he'd remain lying down, she grabbed a chair that was against the wall and put it next to his bed. Once she was settled comfortably, she proceeded to lean forward and poke him hard in the arm. "That's for not telling me." She would have hit him harder, but he was already ill. She didn't want to do anything to make him feel worse.
He looked down at his arm before looking at her. "Ow, you know, that almost hurt," he mocked.
"Don't joke," she said in a soft voice filled with emotion.
He might have continued on but then noticed the genuine concern on her face. "Sorry," he mumbled awkwardly. He looked away, turning toward the window covered by curtains. Noticing no light seeping in, he continued, "why are you still up? Go to your own room and sleep. I don't need a babysitter."
Kagome almost smiled. "Such a nice way to put it. You always did have a way with words," she told him. But I guess… I might as well tell him, she thought to herself. "There's something I should tell you. I'm… leaving tonight. In a few minutes actually."
His face became unreadable except… except it looked a little pained? "Finally giving in?" he asked, before his voice got angry. "I guess I wasted a lot of plans to get rid of you. If I knew it was the illness that would make you leave I would've told you before, that way—" She hit him in the arm, harder than before. "See, now that one hurt a little."
"Don't even think that," she snapped, "the reason I'm leaving is because of your illness but not because of your illness."
Inuyasha looked at her as though she was crazy, though everyone seemed to be doing that lately so it wasn't that much of a surprise. "Because that makes a lot of sense," he said sarcastically.
Kagome shook her head, trying to get her thoughts straight. "What I mean is—let me start over. I went out tonight and met with this guy named Miroku. Actually, you should know him, he's your cousin. Anyway—"
"Miroku? My cousin Miroku? I thought he was dead," he said, then thinking of something else, "if he tried something I swear I'll rip his head off—" he interrupted.
She interrupted his interruption. "That's not important—wait, wasn't the last time you saw each when you were young? How lecherous is this guy?" she inquired, mostly to herself.
"I guess by that comment he hasn't changed," Inuyasha muttered. He sat up and gave Kagome a glare when she opened her mouth to protest. His arms trembled, but in the end he got himself up on his own. He gave Kagome a triumph look, though it had less of an effect when his arms gave out and he let his back fall heavily against the wall.
"After I met him, I told him of my plan. And… I'm going to cure you," she told him.
He gave her another odd look she couldn't decipher, the second one that night, but then it was gone. "Don't waste your time. Kagome, listen to me. There is no cure."
"There is in the Lost City," she said.
He scoffed. "Yeah, but—" He met her eyes and actually looked into them, deep into them. Then he realized. "No." One word. Firm. Commanding.
Why? Why the sudden show of concern? He had never cared before, never cared about her emotions or how she felt. Well, possible once or twice, but then he turned arrogant once more and was even more determined to drive her away. Why now?
The chair screeched and moved back as she stood up, taking herself out of his reach. Always out of his reach. "You can't make me stay."
"Then I command you," he told her. He tried to get up, but his body failed him, so he stayed put. "I command you as a lord, your betrothed, and future king. I won't let you go."
"I don't take commands very well," she told him as she headed for the door.
Her hand was on the handle when he spoke, causing her to look back. "Why are you doing this for me? You don't love me and I've been nothing but nasty to you," he stated.
Kagome turned back, leaning against the door. "I'm doing this because you don't deserve to die. And you're to be my husband. Shouldn't a wife do anything to save her spouse?" she said with a half-smile though it didn't look too happy.
"You should be glad. Once I die, this engagement will be over and you'll be free to do whatever you want," Inuyasha informed her.
"You're not going to die," she told him firmly, emphasizing her words by taking a few steps toward him until she was at his bedside.
"All we've been doing since you got here was trying to get rid of each other," he continued.
"There are a lot of men out there worse than you," she said seriously, "if you're gone, then I will be forced into marrying one of them. I'll take my chances with you, even if you are a jerk," Kagome finished, saying the last part jokingly.
"Funny, it started out as a compliment and ended in an insult. Good to know I taught you something," Inuyasha commented.
She tried to smile, but couldn't. Even the atmosphere around him was solemn and knowing he was dying… "I have a team to go with me. They're strong and are going to take care of me. Botan's coming too for all our healing needs. So don't worry about me, worry about yourself. I will come back with a cure. Just make sure you're alive to take it."
"Feh, I won't let this little illness take me," Inuyasha sneered.
"You better not," she warned, "or else I'd have to bring you back to life and… I don't know, do something bad to you." She winced at her own non-intimating words. So she wasn't so great in the threatening department.
He let out a short laugh. "If you could bring me back to life, this whole thing wouldn't be much of a problem, would it?"
She scrunched her nose, hands on hips. "Do you have to make every conversation with you so difficult and frustrating?"
"Yes," was his simple answer.
The smallest of smiles touched her lips and she took his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. Abruptly he used her hand to jolt her forward causing her to squeak in surprise and protest. He covered her mouth with his, making her eyes widened considerably and she jumped away, at least, as far away as she could with her hand still in his grasp.
"Inuyasha!" she exclaimed, her voice not too happy and her face turning bright red.
"When you come back alive, you can slap me for that or do whatever you want," he told her, "but only when you come back."
She looked startled for a moment before she understood. "Oh, if I wasn't certain before, I'll definitely be coming back now."
He let her go and she stepped away, going to pick up her pack and stealing a rose from an assortment of flowers by the door. Sent from someone wishing Inuyasha good health, no doubt. She played with it in her hands for a few moments, twirling it between her fingers, before putting it in her pack just as a reminded of why she was going to all the trouble. Not that she'd be capable of forgetting, even for a moment.
"I will be back," she repeated for the umpteenth time.
Maybe if she repeated it enough times, it really would come true.
The sky was a nice mesh of blue and pink as the sun began to rise, chasing away the darkness. Slowly the city was beginning to wake up, though grudgingly it seemed at such a beastly hour in the morning. The group was at the edge of the vast city, ready to leave, except for one last problem…
"You're not coming with us?" Kagome asked, catching his arm and making him face her.
"In all fairness, I never said I would be coming along," Miroku reasoned, "you only assumed I would."
Yusuke glared at him from his spot on the grass. He'd been sitting there for awhile since they were taking forever to leave. He blamed it on having women in the group. Them and their damn time taking.
"Yeah, but what's with that? You convinced half of us, but you won't come along," Yusuke scoffed. "That's a little unfair."
"I'm not suicidal," Miroku said, looking down at him while moving away from Kagome, making her drop her hand.
"And yet you still got us to go," Sango commented. She plopped down on the ground next to Yusuke, tired of standing for so long. "And we suckers fell for it." She added as an afterthought, "though I guess we girls can sleep safer without him."
He chose to ignore her last comment. "I'm not that much of a fighter, I won't be much use to you," Miroku told them, "you don't need me there."
"No, but I want you there," Kagome informed him, meeting his eyes, "I need all the help I can get. Even if it's just someone to talk to."
He understand what she meant. She was hiding from the rest who she was and why she was really going to the Lost City. Keeping that from everyone might be stressful; she'd need someone to talk to once and awhile.
He had to look away from her. Her eyes were too convincing in a sad puppy dog kind of way. "You have Botan, that'll be enough," he said, "I'm only here to wish you good luck and see you off."
Sango half-raised her hand. "I liked the 'being off' part of that sentence," she said. Yusuke let out a small laugh at her words, which made her give a fleeting glare.
"I agree with my cousin here," Shizuru declared, "I think we should be off before anyone is moved to tears by this touching parting of ways."
"Are your words ever anything other than sarcastic?" Botan asked.
"Generally, no, not really," Sango answered for her with a slight smile as she stood up.
Yusuke opened his mouth to speak, but the fighter-for-hire silenced him with a hand movement. She was frozen in place and seemed to be… listened. Abruptly she spun around, drawing her sword as another sword parried the attack. Yusuke jumped to his feet, sensing the same thing she had.
Sango smiled when she saw Hiei in front of her. "Can't catch me the same way twice," she said.
He smirked as he struck, but she blocked. "Almost did."
He attacked again and the two began their dance, moving forward and back to parry the other's assault. Sango for the most part only blocked his attacks since he moved much faster than she did and didn't give her much of a chance to strike back.
Their blades locked and each tried to push the other with their sword until Sango, using a surprising burst of energy, made Hiei jump back. Seeming satisfied, Hiei put his sword down, though Sango stayed defensive until he finally put his blade away. She did the same.
"So the Prince of Darkness decides to show up after all," Miroku commented when their mock fight had come to an end.
Hiei gave him a cold look. "Weren't you leaving?"
Miroku held up his hands to make himself look harmless. "I'm going." He glanced at Kagome. "I hope your journey goes well."
After seeing that Hiei and Sango meant no harm to each other, Kagome had continued to try and persuade Miroku to come. His refusal was less certain than the man Kurama's had been, but firm just the same. Well, she couldn't make him come if he really didn't want to.
"You'll be seeing me in no time," Kagome replied with a smile. She turned the rest. "Alright, let's go."
The group picked up their bags—if they'd bothered to bring any. Hiei and Sango had only brought weapons, nothing else while Yusuke didn't have anything at all, preferring to fight with his fists. It seemed none of the three wanted to be bothered with lugging around anything while there was possible fighting to be done, which was understandable. Botan had a bag which was mostly filled with items she might need for healing and whatever else she might be able to do with her powers.
They all glanced around, waiting for someone to make the first move, except Hiei who rolled his eyes at their incompetence. Finally Yusuke got fed up and began walking, the others following with a few shrugs and glances at each other.
"I hope so," Miroku murmured to himself as he watched them get farther and farther away. "I really do."
They trekked through the hilly terrain, the occasional tree every now and then. It would be two or three days before they reached the actually forest, a very boring few days with nothing to do but walk and walk.
Yusuke glanced up at the sky, seeing its gray-like quality and many clouds. "I just hope it doesn't rain on us. We don't exactly have any place to use as shelter," he commented, looking around the nearly bare fields.
"Don't say that!" Botan told him.
"Why not?" he asked, annoyed.
"Because just because you said that, now it'll rain! That's the way it works," Botan said haughtily.
"Of course, you didn't know that Yusuke?" Shizuru said sardonically, her eyes filled with silent laughter.
"You can't actually mean that," Kagome said skeptically. She looked upward at the dark sky, then continued with doubt in her voice, "Can you?"
While she was staring upward, she didn't pay attention to where she was going and ended up walking into the person in front of her. She let out a small "oomph" and almost fell backwards, but Yusuke put a hand out to steady her before moving on. The person, Hiei, glared at her.
"Watch where you're going," Hiei snapped.
She didn't mention the fact that he was the one that had stopped walking, keeping her mouth perfectly shut. She wouldn't admit it, but she was slightly intimated by the short man. But in the end, she wound up speaking her mind anyway saying crossly, "I'm not the one that stopped moving." What could she say, she wasn't one to keep her thoughts to herself for too long, especially when she was annoyed.
He, however, wasn't listening or just ignoring her, she couldn't tell which. He was looking back at the way they came with an intense look on his face. Then he moved on, without saying a word. Kagome didn't even bother asking; she already knew he wouldn't answer.
"What is it?" Sango inquired, glancing back to where he had looked once before she kept walking, going to Hiei's side.
"It was nothing," he responded, not even looking at her.
At least she gets a response, Kagome thought as she went over to walk with Botan.
Sango looked at Hiei. "Why do I feel like you're lying?"
He didn't answer, but after questioning him for a few more minutes, even his stubbornness broke. "I thought I heard something," he said, irritation in his voice, probably for having to explain himself. He was use to working alone.
"Now was that so hard?" she asked. He only glared coldly at her, but it was enough to make her laugh before she left him alone, thinking he probably didn't like her hanging around him.
They walked for another hour in silence before Yusuke felt the need to end the silence—and complain a bit.
"I don't see why we couldn't just take horses," Yusuke complained, "it'd be faster with 'em."
"That sounds like a good idea except how many of you actually know how to ride one?" Kagome inquired. Only Botan responded with an "I can". Motioning toward Botan, she went on to say, "and that's why we're walking." When Yusuke started muttering with a certain foul word here and there, she continued, "besides I'm not going to take a poor, defenseless creature into that forest where it could be easily killed."
"We're taking you, aren't we?" Hiei stated from in front of her.
She glared at his back, hoping he would somehow notice and be uncomfortable. Either way, noticing or not, she had no such luck." Would you stop making comments at my expense?" Kagome asked, annoyed as she shifted the weight of the bag she carried.
"I don't know, it kind of makes things less dull around here," Shizuru commented.
She threw up her hands. "Oh, fine, then let's all just make fun of me," Kagome said dryly.
"It's okay, Kagome," Botan said, resting her forearm on Kagome's shoulder, "I still like you. Even if they don't." Laughing a bit, she passed her as Kagome slowed down her walking.
"That makes me feel much better!" she called after her, her voice thick with sarcasm.
More of the group passed her until she was trailing behind. If Miroku had come with them, she had a feeling he would have tried to cheer her up, but only to make a pass at her or some inappropriate comment. Even the other man, Kurama, seemed polite enough to stick with her, just like Yukina would have, had she been there. Inuyasha probably would have joined in the making fun of her, it was one of his greatest and most enjoyed hobbies. And Botan just didn't seem to notice when she was down. Probably because she tried to hide it.
She took herself out of her thoughts. No use dwelling on things she couldn't change.
It was just that… traveling with a group of near strangers, she felt so… alone.
"Hurry up, Kagome, you're holding up the group!" Sango called back.
"I'm coming," she said, sighing inwardly, before catching up to the rest.
The group had decided to finally stop once Yusuke tripped twice over unidentified objects, the outdoors becoming too dark to see where they were going. Besides, none of them had slept for over twenty-four hours, making them exhausted. They set up camp at a base of a hill hiding them from view—just in case. A small fire was going in the camp's center, using some twigs and branches from a nearby tree as kindle. The group sat down, surrounding it for its warmth, except Hiei who chose to sit underneath the tree some feet away, wanting solitude.
They dug into their packs for food, the people who didn't bring any having to share, though all ate sparingly, not knowing what food they would need in the future or how many edible items they would find. The same was true for their water supply, little as it was at the moment.
Kagome sat down in front of the fire across from Botan as she began digging through her pack. Why had she brought so much stuff? It'd only burden her more, having to carry it. Then again, unlike some of the others, she liked having the comfort of knowing she had food and water with her, just in case they weren't able to find any. Some of the other stuff, however, she probably could have done without. Oh, well.
Letting out a small call of triumph, Kagome took out her canteen that she had just found. The walking that day had made her terribly thirsty and she hadn't wanted to stop the group just so she could dig it out of her pack, especially knowing the looks she'd get from a few of them, mainly Hiei.
She spun the cap off and was about to take a sip when it was snatched from her grip. Yusuke ruffled her hair a bit before plopping down next to the noble, her canteen in hand. She gave him a look as he started to drink, waiting for him to give it back.
"Ah, that was refreshing," Yusuke said when he stopped guzzling her drink.
"You're welcome," Kagome said dryly, snatching it back from him. She brought it to her lips, expecting some water to come into her mouth. Nothing. Staring at Yusuke incredulously she said more than asked, "you drank it all!"
He returned her glare, crossing his arms. "What? There's not that much in that little container!" Yusuke protested.
She pushed his shoulder, causing him to sway a bit. "You jerk!"
"Yusuke!" Botan reprehended from the other side of the fire, then to Kagome, "pass that here."
Kagome tossed the canteen her way, making sure it didn't touch the flames, though not sure why Botan would want it. Botan just managed to catch it, though instead of her hands grabbing it was caught between her chest and arms. She took it in both hands and muttered the words 'mare repleo', which Kagome recognized as the Old Tongue. The healer's hands shimmered a faint blue for just a moment, the color slightly lighter than her hair. Then with a nod, she placed the cap back on and threw it back to the noble.
Kagome almost dropped it once she caught it, not expecting it to be so heavy. Shaking the canteen, she heard the gentle shoosh of water. "It's… refilled. How'd you do that?"
"Let me see that," Yusuke said, grabbing it from her hands. She let him inspect it, but when it looked like he might drink some more, she snatched it back, sticking her tongue out at him. He looked amused at the display.
"Mare repleo. It means literally 'sea to replenish', but it works with creating water—drinkable water—as long as I have something to hold it," Botan explained. With a smile, she added, "Healing isn't the only thing I can do."
Kagome half-expected a lecherous remark follow her comment, then remembered Miroku wasn't with them. It was almost sad how predictable Miroku was after only knowing him for one night, even if it was an extremely long one. It had probably been the longest night of her life. Then again, it was the first night she had never slept at all which would generally make it seem much longer, being awake for the entirety of it.
"Can you do the same with food?" Sango asked.
They were a bit surprised to hear her speak seeing as how she and Shizuru had declared awhile ago that they'd be going to sleep and were resting a few feet away from the fire, seemingly not listening to the other conversation. Shizuru was genuinely asleep, but the fighter was watching them from where she lay, specifically looking toward Botan.
Botan shook her head, causing her ponytail to sway back and forth. "Food's more complicated. Too many different elements incorporated in it."
"Too bad," Sango commented, "that could've been very useful." She shifted onto her back, looking up at the stars. "But we'll find a way to get food."
Food. That reminded Kagome. Everyone had eaten at least something that night, no matter how little, save for one. Hiei hadn't even touched a single food item all evening, not having brought any of his own and not asking others for any either. He had just remained on his own, away from the group not even trying to join in any conversation.
Taking the bread she brought, she ripped off a piece of it, a very reasonable-sized piece. She then stood and walked over to Hiei, who was resting with his back leaning against the tree. He opened his eyes to stare coldly at her, obviously not appreciating her hovering over him.
"Here," Kagome said, offering the portion of bread. She let it drop into his lap, knowing he wouldn't take it from her. Goddess forbid he actually got up because of her. And to take something from her? Yeah, he'd stay put.
"I don't want your charity," Hiei snapped.
"But you do need food," Kagome told him, hands on her hips. "We walked all day and you haven't eaten anything."
"If I want food, I'll get my own," he replied crossly. He pushed her offering off him and to the ground.
"Why do you have to be so rude?" she asked, feeling angry herself.
"Hn," he said, looking away. His turning from her was like a slap in the face, his body language telling her how insignificant she was to him.
"Fine," Kagome said, fed up as she walked back to her seat by the fire. She huffed causing Yusuke to glance at her, then thought better of it and stared into the fire instead. He didn't want her venting her anger on him.
There was silence between the group for awhile, though it was a little awkward. It was to be expected, however. They were hardly more than acquaintances, not having the time to get to know each other yet. Some of them hadn't even known each other for a day, though the tension in the air after Kagome's exchange with Hiei made it worse.
Yusuke abruptly stood up, announcing that he was tired as hell, those being his exact words. He placed a hand on top of Kagome's head for a second as he passed before moving on, causing Kagome to look after him curiously and puzzled, but he never turned back. Finding a decent patch of grass not too far from the fire's warmth, he dropped down and was asleep almost instantly, the light snoring obvious evidence of it.
Botan followed later though Kagome wasn't sure exactly when, not having the greatest concept of the time. She said a quiet goodnight and Kagome did the same before Botan, too, settled down for sleep.
The noble held her hands out, putting them as close to the fire as she dared while contemplating whether or not to go to sleep. She was tired, but… she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Nervousness filled her with a touch of eagerness, wondering what awaited them.
Her thoughts wandered since all there was to do was think. Her mind moved from Inuyasha, Yukina, and the others she had left, wondering how they were doing. Then she moved on to the events of the day, making a small frown appear on her face.
"Don't look so down," a woman's voice said.
Kagome looked up, startled, to see Sango standing beside her. She hadn't even heard her get up.
Sango sat down next to her, occupying the space Yusuke had sat in before. "Don't let what anyone says get to you. Today when we were walking… they were just joking around. Days get long when you have nothing to do but walk. It was something to pass the time."
"How did you know?" Kagome asked, incredulously, "are you reading my mind or something?" She was only half-joking. One thing she had learned while living with Inuyasha: never rule out any possibility.
She smiled. "The only thing that I can think of that'd make you frown was either Hiei or what was said today, and you didn't look angry so I ruled out the first," Sango told her.
Kagome frowned further, then sighed deeply, letting some of the tension run out. "I don't think Hiei likes me much."
Sango glanced to where Hiei was, seemingly asleep while leaning against a lone tree not too far from them. She didn't trust the guy, not yet. She wasn't sure she ever would. There was something about him… he was hiding something.
"Hiei doesn't like anyone," Sango replied.
Kagome looked at Sango, her face only half-illuminated by the fire. "He likes you."
A slap to the face from Kagome would have been less surprising than her statement. "What?" Sango said, startled. "What makes you think that?"
"Considering you're the only one he allows near him, I'd say he does. He at least respects you after you fought," informed Kagome.
Seeing the flames dying, Sango went to grab a small branch to throw on the fire then, hiding her face momentarily from Kagome. "Respect, I'll give you, but not so far as like."
"That's like giving the difference of sticks and… you know, other kinds of sticks," Kagome finished weakly and Sango gave her a look. "Don't give me that look, I don't know what I meant either."
Sango laughed, shaking her head, while Kagome smiled. Taking notice, Sango said, "I think that's the first smile I've seen on your face all day."
The noble's face turned serious again as she brought her knees up, her arms hugging her legs. "I guess I've just been worried and… with so many new people around…" Kagome commented.
"You just got to get to know us. None of us really know each other yet either," Sango told her. She nodded toward Shizuru. "I've got the upper hand, having my cousin here. If all else fails I still have Shizuru to talk to, but how much fun would that be? We're stuck together, might as well get to know everyone else."
She sighed, leaning her cheek against her knee. "You're lucky you have at least someone," Kagome declared.
"What about Botan?" Sango asked her. They had seemed friendly enough to one another when Sango had brought Kagome to her house, having definitely at least known of each other beforehand.
Kagome shook her head. "I've met her a few times in the pal—place where I live," she quickly corrected, almost saying palace. She still wasn't comfortable with telling them she was a noble and probably never would be. A lot of the people of the city tended to not like them with good reason, seeing how snobbish many of them acted and how a lot of them kicked around those in the lower class. Kagome continued, "but I still don't know her well."
Not knowing what else to do or say to lift Kagome's spirits, Sango gave it a last try. "Alright, then I will be your first official friend on this journey." She held out her hand expectantly toward the noble.
Her face brightened. "Really?"
"Sure, why not?" Sango said with a shrug, though her lips tugged upward in a smile.
Kagome smiled and took the offered hand, shaking it.
After that they chatted a bit, (Kagome feeling much happier than before) though mostly they stayed in silence, but it was a comfortable one. Feeling much more at ease, Kagome soon retired to bed near Botan, taking out the blanket she had brought to keep her warm and lay it on top of her. It took her only minutes to fall asleep.
Sango stayed near the fire until she heard Kagome's even breath. She waited a few more seconds, making sure Kagome and the rest were really asleep. Then silently, she stood up, walking toward the small figure, adorned all in black. He looked like he was sleeping, eyes closed and chest rising and falling evenly. She knew better than to believe that and she stood in front of him, waiting for him to acknowledge her.
It was minutes before he responded, probably waiting to see if she'd give up and go away. Yeah, like he was that lucky.
Hiei didn't even bother opening his eyes as he asked irritably, "what do you want?"
Sango sat down in one graceful movement, crossing her legs in front of her. He had one leg bent, the other straight out as he sat, making her have to sit somewhat to side of him then directly in front, not that it truly mattered.
"So, what, you're never going to sleep during this journey? Always alert?" Sango could see his muscles tense, his annoyance growing. She continued on, "and no eating either? What are you, some superhuman that never needs to eat or sleep?"
Hiei opened his eyes to glare at her, not even bothering to speak. She smiled, though not nicely. "Oh, you do that very well," she mentioned as though she were praising a child, then normally, "do you ever do anything but glare?"
Her own words gave her an idea and her smile grew. Changing her position so that she was crouched down, she put her weight on her heels before leaning in closer to him, all the while keeping their gaze locked. His bent knee was in the way, so she rested her crossed arms on it and she felt the muscles in his leg tense further. Obviously, he didn't like her touching him.
Not entirely content yet, she rested her chin on her crossed arms, just intently watching him, refusing to look anywhere else but at him. She did this until he finally looked away, uncomfortable with her gaze. It was only then that Sango, satisfied at seeing an emotion other than annoyance or anger (plus she had won their staring contest), sat back on her heels once more, giving him his much desired space. She had only wanted to see if he was capable of showing another emotion and more or less surprisingly, he was.
"Was there a reason you came over here? Or was it just to annoy me?" Hiei snapped, turning to look at her once again.
Sango suddenly turned serious. "Go easy on Kagome."
He crossed his arms. "I don't know what you mean."
She let out a short breath that all but told of her obvious disbelief. "You know exactly what I mean."
"I hate people like her," he responded since it was clear the girl wouldn't be satisfied with anything but a straight answer.
"Really? It seemed to be like you just hated people in general. Good to know you like a few," she replied wryly. She expected an angry reply back; he did something much different.
He sprung forward, quicker than anyone she'd ever seen before in her life, and, before she could blink, he had one hand wrapped around her throat, or rather, the material of her clothes, since it half-covered her neck. He had positioned his hand so that it wouldn't have to come in contact with her skin. She concluded two things; he either thought she wasn't worthy enough for him to actually touch her or he had a fear of germs. …Somehow, she didn't think it was the latter.
Sango reached behind her back for a concealed knife, but he seemed to realize what she was doing since he quickly used his free hand to hold her wrist together, again touching her sleeves instead of making contact with her skin. The movement brought them even closer, the front of their bodies touching and their faces not too far away. She leaned back unconsciously to get some space between them. If only her damn legs weren't crossed then she'd be able to catch him by surprise and kick him away…
She remembered Kagome's words from not too long ago, telling Sango that Hiei liked her. Yeah, right, she thought. If this is what he does when he likes someone, I'd hate to see what happens if he really likes someone.
"I've had enough of your curt remarks," he told her, his voice low and dangerous. "Normally you'd be dead right now. Before you even know what happened I could have sliced your throat."
A part of her wanted to respond "then why didn't you?" with a small insult attached to it but the other part of her that was her common sense caught the words before they could be spoken just in time. Silence was best right now, especially after hearing his tone.
Her eyes showed calmness that she didn't feel, but she had long since been able to school her face. However, when she tried to swallow the small lump in her throat (unsuccessfully), she was certain he could feel it, what with his tight grip on her neck.
He smirked. "Hn." Just that one syllable, mocking her terribly as he let her go. Angrily, she took a swing at him, but he quickly was back to where he had started, sitting under the tree. How did he move so damn fast?
"Why do you hate Kagome? You hardly know her," Sango told him.
He glanced at where the girl lay, half-hidden under her cozy blanket, her peaceful face making her seem like she didn't have a care in the world. Hiei sneered. "In just one day, I've seen her fake sweetness and innocence. It's disgusting. I don't care who she is, I want her far from me."
Then why are you here? What are you planning? Sango wondered, her eyes narrowing. Aloud, she asked, "How do you know that she's not actually just a good person?"
"Because there's no such thing. And even if she were, all the more reason to hate her."
His voice was so cold, his eyes even colder. She knew at least some of what he did, killing people as he pleased. Even so… how did he get so cold?
"I believe in her." She listened to her own tone as she spoke. Her voice was confident, just this side of warm. And so very different from his.
He didn't seem to care about her opinion, though responded, "that's a fool's choice."
Sango shook her head and stood up. "I don't know what happened to you to make you this way, but Kagome… she's just a genuinely good person." Or maybe she's just that good of an actress, another part of her said. Se shook her head again, removing the thoughts from her mind. Kagome wasn't like that. "And we're here to protect her, even you. You agreed to it—though I have no idea why you would, a rabid dog would be kinder—so at least try to be nice." She decided to change her wording. "That's probably impossible for you. Just try not to be so nasty." She glanced to the sleeping girl a few feet away. "She's not use to people not liking her."
With that said, she began walking toward the others and away from the loner among them. She had said all she had wanted to, now she'd give Hiei the space he wanted since he seemed to dislike everyone so much. That was fine with her, she didn't trust him anymore now than she did when they met; less, if it was possible.
Hiei gave her a glare that would have told her just how stupid he thought Sango was being at that moment had she been facing his way. "You hardly know the girl. You can't know any of that."
She didn't pause in her walking, however, she did turn, walking backwards for a moment in order to look at him while she spoke. "Or maybe I just see in her what I've seen in another." Because Kagome… she reminded Sango of someone that she had once held close to her heart. The two had the same spirit. Maybe that was leading her to false conclusions, but she didn't think so. Kagome seemed to be a good person.
"Fool," he muttered, though the wind carried his words to her.
She smiled softly as she took a place by the fire, sitting so that she'd be able to see him out of the corner of her eye. Maybe, she thought, but believing in some is better than believing in none, Hiei. It was when she saw him grudging take the bread he discarded before and rip off a small piece that Sango's smile grew. Maybe there's hope for you yet.
It was about the time Sango was contemplating turning in for the night for the second time, that Hiei abruptly stood up. She eyed him oddly, but she felt it too before long and stood as well. Taking a canteen, she poured it over the dying flame, dousing it completely and darkening the area around them, though they did still have the moon and stars that allowed them to see.
Both Hiei and Sango unsheathed their blades, a ringing sound occurring as the swords were let free of their sheaths. Kagome, awaken by the sudden commotion, blinked open her eyes slowly, trying to focus them on the two standing people.
"What's wrong?" came the sleepy voice.
Hiei ignored her completely, eyes searching the area, while Sango glanced down at her.
"Something's coming."