Chapter 8
Disclaimer: don't own Inu.
Kagome sat next to Inuyasha's stretcher as a young woman removed his armor, his fire rat coat and his shirt underneath causing Kagome to blush and look away. Inuyasha smiled slightly at her reaction. "Well glad to see you're very modest."
"Shut up." She said trying to hide her blush.
Inuyasha laughed at her embarrassment. "Fine, but only because you asked so nicely."
"Whatever." She said quietly. "I'm gonna stand outside." Standing up Kagome walked through the open door and found that a soft breeze was blowing. She found it rather refreshing after being stuffed up in a cave for who knows how long.
Sitting down she looked up at the now setting sun and found the splash of orange and red against the clouds and sky made it one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. She smiled slightly as she watched the sun sink lower and lower into the mountains. She loved watching the sunset. She just wished that she had someone to watch it with. She looked back at Inuyasha and then quickly looked forward and shook her head.
What the heck am I thinking? She thought. He's a bit of a jerk with a rude side who probably doesn't even care about a sunset. He wouldn't even want to sit with me and watch it go down. I doubt he would even really want to sit with me at all, but then again he did sit with me in the cave. Probably just for support or to be nice. Then there was also the things he said during the fight with Sesshomaru. Kagome slapped herself out of her thoughts. "What the heck is wrong with me? Why am I even thinking about him!" she yelled not realizing she yelled it out loud.
"Who are you thinking about?" Inuyasha asked as the woman nursed the gapping wound on his side where Sesshomaru delivered his first strike.
Kagome let herself fall to the side and land softly on the wooden walkway before replying. "No one I want you to know."
"Why?" Inuyasha questioned.
"Because you don't need to know." She replied.
"Why?" He asked again.
"I said you don't need to know."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because why."
Kagome let out a sigh before replying, "Because Inuyasha it's personal and I don't want anyone to know what I think especially when I'm thinking about some guy."
"Alright have it your way. Ow hey could you be a little gentler. I'm injured here." Inuyasha said as the woman pour an odd liquid onto his wounds. "And what is that?"
"This is a special herb liquid. It helps heal severe wounds quickly and keeping it from getting infected." The woman replied as she continued to pour the liquid over him.
"But I'm a half demon I already heal quickly." Inuyasha said.
The woman nodded. "I know that, but whatever made these. "She pointed at his wounds. "Was extremely evil. It is causing your demonic blood to slow the healing process. It is too busy trying to rid your body of the evil aura to heal, so to help this herb medicine will take care of that enabling your body to fight the aura with all strength. And the sooner the aura disappears you will feel your strength slowly, but until then you are bedridden."
Inuyasha looked at her in disbelief. "What do you mean bedridden? I'm not going to sit here for the next week or however long it takes for these wounds to heal. I'm not going to bea hapless victim of some demon."
"You won't be. This village is well defended. It would take an army of several hundreds of thousands of demons to take this village." She said proudly.
Inuyasha gave her another look of disbelief. "There is an army of at least three hundred thousand in the southern lands that is the smallest army of the entire empire. The largest is at least three million."
Both Kagome and the woman looked at Inuyasha with their own looks of disbelief. "Inuyasha that's twice the size of our largest army." Kagome's look of disbelief soon turned to fear and worry. "We don't stand a chance."
Noticing Kagome's fearful look Inuyasha quickly added, "But don't worry the demons don't know how large the humans' armies are so won't be making any moves against them. Not only that but the humans have more assets then they do so if they did attack their armies would be completely destroyed or several damaged. They would probably be of no use again." Inuyasha gave Kagome a weak but reassuring smile.
Kagome smiled weakly back at him feeling a little better but there was still fear displayed in her eyes. "Well I suppose that's good." Inuyasha nodded.
The woman quickly shook her away from her worries and returned to work but was much less focus and often poured to much liquid on him causing him to yelp in pain. "Hey lady will you watch what you are doing! You're doing more damage to me than that stupid aura is doing to me!" he yelled.
Kagome laughed at his reaction and felt her heart lighten a bit. The pounding of footsteps turned her attention to an approaching figure that she could barely make out as it grew darker. "Hey Sango what's up?" she asked.
"My father reserved one of the hot springs for just the two of us so we could clean up." She said happily.
"Oh yes. I've been dieing to get all this blood and dirt off me." She said seemingly ecstatic about taking a bath. She started to get up and walk away but stopped and turned back to Inuyasha. "Hey you gonna be alright by yourself?" she asked.
Inuyasha scoffed. "Of course I'm gonna be okay. I can take care of myself."
Kagome smiled at him. "I know you can. I'll see you later okay?"
"Yeah yeah." As he heard them quickly walk away he yelled out to them. "Hey watch out for the monk!"
"Okay!" he heard her yell back.
Inuyasha smiled as he looked out into the night sky. "That girl is strange." He said quietly.
"The way your smiling makes me think you care for her greatly." Inuyasha looked over at the woman.
"What's it to ya?" He said.
"Nothing just that love is so grand." She said happily and dreamily.
Inuyasha's face turned red. "There is no love between me and Kagome!" he yelled embarrassment growing more and more across his face.
The woman smiled brightly at him. "Okay whatever you say."
"Humph, whatever." Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest and looked away from her.
Kagome stuck her foot into the water checking to make sure it wasn't to hot before removing her clothes and dunking her entire body into the water. "Ah this feels so good." She said happily.
"Yep." Sango agreed as she stepped in.
Kagome put her back to the side of the hot spring and rested her head against a small rock before letting out a heavy sigh. "It feels so good to just get those dirty clothes off." She sat silence waiting enjoying the piece and quiet. "Hey Sango?"
"Hmm?"
"Your father does have a replacement wardrobe for us right?"
"Yep." Sango replied.
"Good, I'd hate to have to get back into those clothes." Kagome said a look of disgust across her face.
Sango nodded. "Yeah I agree."
Sango leaned back against the hot spring's side and looked up into the night sky watching the seemingly endless stream of stars stretch across it. She made out the shapes and figures that she had memorized from all the nights before. She loved how brightly they shined. It seemed that even in the darkest of times they shined bright. Even when it seemed that there was no way to forget a troubled past, when it looked as though you could never make up for a heart breaking mistake the stars always seemed to show you that you could. Because every night they were shining through the darkness being guides and small little reassurances that no matter how dark it is you can always see through it.
She smiled slightly at this thought and turned her gaze away from the stars. She then looked over to Kagome and suddenly remembered the battle against Sesshomaru.
"Hey Kagome?" She asked.
Kagome leaned her head forward and looked at her. "Yeah?"
"You know I was thinking and I just remembered, while you were fighting Sesshomaru you suddenly showed a display of incredible miko power why didn't you ever tell me you had them?" Sango asked.
Kagome gave her a confused look. "Sango what are you talking about? What do you mean miko powers?"
Sango now looked confused. "What do you not remember?"
"No I don't. I never had any miko powers nor will I ever have them. Sango are you okay?" Kagome replied an even more confused look on her face.
Sango took a second to look over Kagome to make sure she wasn't joking or just messing with her, but found that there was no sign. How can she not remember? That was one of the most awesome display of power that I've ever seen. It wasn't something that you could easily forget. Sango thought.
"No, Kagome I have to ask if you're okay. I don't understand how you could've fortgottenusing miko powers. It was a scene hard to forget." Sango said worry now replacing confusion.
"Sango are you sure?" Kagome asked.
Sango nodded her head. "Yes absolutely."
Kagome looked down into the water her face showing more and more confusion as well as worry. She could remember the fight with perfect recollection, but couldn't remember anything about miko powers. She could feel worry build in her chest as she tried to remember anything of miko powers, but couldn't.
Sango read Kagome's worried look and swam to her side. "Hey Kagome it's alright. I'm sure there is a reason why you can't remember. We'll ask Miroku and Inuyasha if they can think of anything okay." Sango gave Kagome a reassuring smile.
"Okay Sango." Kagome smiled back at her.
"Come on. It's time for dinner." Sango said, standing up. Kagome soon followed her.
A figure stood upon the roof, the figure's identity concealed by the darkness, and watched as the two girls stood up. "Now this is what I've been waiting for." He said pervertedly.
Another figure stood upon the roof and quietly and stealthily walked up to the other and right when it was next to his head screamed, "Miroku you better not be spying on Kagome or Sango!"
Miroku jumped several feet into the air and turned to look at what had scared him. He looked around for several seconds until he finally looked down to find Shippo angrily looking up at him. "Oh hi Shippo." He said nervously. "W-what are you doing out here?"
"Making sure you're not up to your perverted ways again." Shippo eyed Miroku suspiciously.
"Oh Shippo what could ever make you say such a thing?" He asked innocently.
Shippo put his finger up to his chin and acted as though he was thinking. "Hmm. I don't know maybe because you're on a roof overlooking the hot springs!" He yelled.
Miroku looked hurt. "Shippo your accusation wounds me. I'm doing nothing but making sure they were protected." He said honorably.
Shippo thought for a moment beforelooking up at him apologetically. "Miroku I'm sorry. I never should have doubted you."
Miroku smiled at him. "It's alright Shippo. It was an easy mistake. Just try not to do it again."
"You know Miroku just because I accused you wrongly I want to help you down." Shippo said a forgiving look on his face.
Miroku's smile grew bigger. "Thank you Shippo."
Shippo's smile suddenly changed and an evil one took the forgiving ones place. "You're welcome." Shippo suddenly attacked Miroku and kicked him off the roof. As Miroku plummeted down from the twelve foot high roof Shippo wiped his hands and said, "Serves you right you jerk."
Miroku sat up his hand rubbing his chin. "Ow, I was hoping the kid wouldn't see through act." His head dropped. "Oh well, the kid is to smart for his own good." Suddenly Miroku felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.
His body stiffened and slowly, ever so slowly he turned around and to his horrified surprise found two fully clothed girls andtwo pairs of glaring eyes aimed at him. He swallowed hard. "Hi Sango, Kagome." He laughed nervously.
"Hi Miroku." Sango said a devilish look crossing over her face. Her hands were clenched into tight fists.
Miroku looked over at Kagome to find that she had a similar posture about her. "I suppose there is no way of explaining why I was on the roof is there?" Both women shook there heads. "Well than please be gentle."
Sango's smile widened. "No problem." She then cracked her knuckles causing Miroku to swallow hard again.
He watched helplessly as the two girls walked slowly toward him both of them flexing their hands. Shippo you're going to pay for this. He thought. If I live to see tomorrow, and if not then I'll haunt you till the day you die. As the girls grew closer Miroku looked upon them in fear and closed his eyes.
Inuyasha's sensitive ears picked up the sound of muffled screaming and the sounds of breaking bones. Inuyasha quickly sat up and then regretted it when pain shot through his body. He looked out thedoor to see if whatever was causing it was in his line of sight, but found that it wasn't. Then he suddenly heard the words "you stinking pervert" and then it all came to him.
Miroku. He rolled his eyes. He should know better than to spy on two combat experienced women. He thought. They're going to kick the crap out of him. Inuyasha lay back down and stared up at the ceiling. Feeling very bored.
Ever since that woman had left and stopped embarrassing him to death he was now bored out of his skull. Grant it he'd rather be bored to death than have that woman constantly talk about the nonexistent love life between him and Kagome. He never had been so embarrassed in his life. He was glad Kagome hadn't been there or she also would've been embarrassed to no end, and therefore making his embarrassment far worse. What was wrong with that woman anyway?
The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. He looked over at the door to find a very satisfied Kagome and Sango walk through the door. He was surprised to find them dragging an unconscious bruised and battered Miroku through the door. He looked up at both of them with a very confused look on his face.
"You didn't leave him there?" He asked.
"No." Kagome replied. "We thought it better that we be nice and not let him become a victim to anymore angrywomen."
Inuyasha shook his head."Personally I just would've left him there. He deserves it anyway."
"Maybe, but we're not as mean as you are Inuyasha." Sango said sitting down on the far side of the room.
"Hey! I'm not mean." Inuyasha said a little insulted. "What have I done to be mean?"
Kagome looked up in thought. "Well if I named all the times it would take me all night."
"Very funny." Inuyasha looked away from her.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Inuyasha you're much too sensitive."
Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest. "Keh, whatever." Kagome rolled her eyes again.
Kagome walked next to Sango and sat down. Then leaned over to her and whispered. "Never thought I'd see a guy so sensitive did you?"
Sango shook her head. "No I didn't. It is definitely a surprising."
"I can hear you ya know." Inuyasha said irritation in his voice.
Kagome silently laughed. "I know, that's the point." Inuyasha growled lowly.
Sango pointed at him. "You know he's been doing that a lot lately." A small laugh erupted from her.
"Where's Shippo or a conscious Miroku when you need them?" He asked himself. The sound of laughing from behind him caused him to turn his head around. "What are you two laughing about?" He asked.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Sango said a smile on her face.
Inuyasha glared at them before turning his head away from them. I'll never understand women.
The pounding of footsteps and the smell of food caused him to nearly sit up; the only thing that stopped him was another wave of pain shoot through him. "Well it's about time some food got here. I haven't eaten since who knows how long." He said nearly drooling at the thought of a meal.
"Just don't eat it all Inuyasha." Kagome said laughing at the look on his face. "We have gone just as long without food as you."
"Yeah, yeah whatever." He said smelling the food get closer.
Several seconds later a line of servants walked through the door caring large bowls of fish, rice, chicken, beef and many, many other different foods.
The three's eyes bulged. They stared hungrily at the food. "Is this all for us?" They asked in unison.
One of the maids nodded. "Yes, milady. Your father wanted to make sure that you had a proper homecoming meal forreturning home safely as well as thanks to the young men that saved you." The maid motioned for the others to set the food down in front of them. "Enjoy your meal milady." She bowed at Sango before turning to bow at Inuyasha and Kagome, and then quickly walked out. The others followed suit.
Inuyasha salivated as he looked at the food. "You know it's too bad Miroku is knocked out and Shippo is out somewhere because now it leaves more for us." His eyes scanned the bowls deciding which to eat first.
Kagome looked around for a second before asking, "Where is Shippo anyway?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "Don't know, probably trying to flirt with some girl." Making his decision Inuyasha grabbed a smaller bowl from a stack and stuffed it with everything.
Looks of worry crossed the girl's faces. "Inuyasha, Shippo doesn't "flirt" like Miroku does. Does he?" Sango asked.
"No." he replied. He heard both girls let out a sigh of relief. "Now come on over her and eat before I change my mind and eat it all by myself." With that both girls quickly ran over and began stuffing their faces.
Inuyasha watched them with surprise and shock. He watched them scarf down the food at a pace he'd never seen. It was almost like watching himself. "What has gotten into you two?" He asked.
"Nothing." Kagome replied. "Just have to make sure you don't eat all of it."
He continued to watch them in awe as he continued to fill bowl with food. "You're going to regret that later you know that right?"
Kagome shrugged. "It's better than having you eat everything."
"Suit yourself." He said as he began to eat.
Minutes past and slowly the food in all the bowls dwindled until there was almost nothing left. There was only enough for a small little kitsune. Kagome sighed heavily and fell over onto her back and rubbed her stomach.
"Ah, that was a good meal." She said contently. "Except I think I over ate."
"Yeah me too." Sango agreed.
"I told you not to eat so much." Inuyasha said, finishing his last bowl. Setting it down he sighed happily and felt a wave of sleepiness take him over. He closed his eyes and was beginning to drift into sleep until a loud groan disturbed him. "Well I guess that means Miroku's awake."
Miroku's head lifted up off the ground and he blurrily looked around the room until his eyes focused on two glaring women. He jumped in fear. "Oh come on ladies, you still can't be mad at me." Their glares hardened. "Okay, maybe you can be." He looked away from them and looked over at the bowls of food. "Hey you guys already ate without me?"
"You were knocked out. We're not going to wait for you to get up and let our food get cold." Inuyasha replied.
"Well did you at least leave some for me?" He asked hopeful.
"No."
Miroku eyed the little bit of food left in the bowl. "Then what is that?"
"That." Inuyasha pointed to the food. "Is for Shippo."
Miroku's mouth dropped. "Why did you leave food for him and not me, and where is he anyway?"
"We left it for him because Shippo isn't a stinking pervert." Sango said continuing to glare at him. "And we assume Shippo is flirting with a girl, the correct way." She put an emphasis on the word correct.
"Well I suppose that makes sense." He said trying to avoid her glare, but could still feel it on him. "Okay you assume he is with a girl, but are you sure?"
"No, but you and I both know that he can take care of himself." Inuyasha replied shaking his head.
"Very true." Miroku looked down sullenly and felt his stomach grumble.
Kagome leaned over to Sango and asked. "You think we should ask them now?" Sango nodded. "Hey guys I have something to ask you."
"Yeah what is it?" Inuyasha asked.
"Sango has told me that I did something, but I can't remember what I did for some reason." She said a somewhat worried look on her face.
"Like what?" Inuyasha asked again.
"She told me that while I was fighting Sesshomaru that I used miko powers, but I have absolutely no recollection of doing so." She replied. "Do either of you have any idea why or did either of you see it too."
A look of remembrance came over Inuyasha's face. "I had completely forgotten about that."
"Yes me too." Miroku said. "With all the stuff going on I forgot to ask."
"So I do have miko powers then." She said. She seemed somewhat excited at the prospect of having them, but then a look of worry yet again came over her face. "But then why don't I remember anything about it."
Inuyasha shrugged. "No idea."
Miroku shook his head. "I don't know why either."
Kagome looked down. "It doesn't make much sense that I can't remember."
"Can you remember the fight?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah, everything." She replied.
"Even when you took Sesshomaru's arm?" She nodded. Miroku looked down in thought trying to think of anyway that she could've possibly forgotten. He thought for several minutes but came up with nothing. If only I had an archive or something. He thought.
"Maybe you hit your head." Inuyasha's voice brought Miroku out of his thoughts.
"What?" Kagome asked not hearing him.
"I said maybe you hit your head?" He said again.
Kagome touched the back of her head and felt a scab forming,and then felt it peel off. Eww. She thought. "Yes I did, but that was before I fought Sesshomaru."
"You know Inuyasha maybe right. Perhaps for some reason that despite that you hit your head before the battle it may have caused some after effects. Like say forgetting you used miko powers." Miroku said.
"But how?"
Miroku shrugged. "I don't know, but the mind is a powerful and weird thing. Who knows why you only forgot about the miko powers but nothing else."
Kagome thought about it for a moment. He's probably right. It's the only thing that makes any sense. Hopefully that really was it and I don't have some weird disease that's causing me to lose my memory. She smiled at the thought.
"I'm guessing that because you're smiling that you agree with my suggestion?" Inuyasha asked his eyes closing again.
"Yeah, it's the only thing that makes any sense." Kagome replied.
Inuyasha rolled on his side. "Good because I think I need to get some sleep."
"Okay. Night." Kagome said.
"You know I think it be best for us all to get some sleep." Miroku said. "We'll have to figure things out in the morning. Good night all."
"Night." Kagome replied. Sango nodded.
Kagome lay down and closed her eyes. "Night Sango."
"Night Kagome." Sango blew out the candles lighting the room before lying down and falling asleep.
That is the end of this chapter and I apologize if it isn't all that great. The way I wrote it and put all of the things into it made me feel as though it wasn't all that great, but I suppose I should leave that up to you to decide. After all an author never things their work is good enough and that it can be better. Anyway I also realized I had changed a few things. I was reading some of my earlier chapters and realized I had said Sango's parents were dead and there were few demon hunters left, and now they are in Sango's village with her father. So oops. If any of you noticed that, or any other mistakes, then I apologize. Well I'll try to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible and not make some many unexpected changes. Until then bye.