Disclaimer: Inu Yasha's not mine. Tis all ye need to know.
AN: Well, I don't really have much to say here, but I thank all of you out there who reviewed, it really does keep me going ^_^. Anywho, this chapter is breaking away from the angst. I'm better at writing humorous stories anyway. Lots of fluffy moments ahead, so enjoy!
Kitsune- Fox demon. ( I know, I said all the vocab was in the prologue ^^; )
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Four~Quarreling is Only the Beginning
Deep in the forest, far away from any of the taijiya villages...
"Mou! Where exactly ARE we going? We've been walking for two days already, I'm tired, hungry, smell like something that died, and on top of it all, my feet are KILLING me!"
"The more you complain, the longer it will take for us to get there," Inu Yasha snorted as he continued at his own pace, annoyed by the girl's blabbering.
"Get where? You still haven't told me where the heck we are going," Kagome huffed. Then she stopped and sat on an upraised tree root, rubbing her sore feet after removing her wooden sandals. The bottom of her light green kimono was frayed and covered in dry mud, much to her dismay. That was her favorite kimono, too.
"Keh. If I tell you, will you stop whining so much?" he asked, highly annoyed now that she stopped for another break. Maybe he should've left her to die.
"Maybe... now, where are we going?"
"We're going to a village. There, happy now?"
Kagome visibly growled. That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, being as obvious as it was.
"Osuwari!"
*Thud*
"Hey! What the hell did I do to deserve that, ehhh?!"
"Grrr...You are so...so...argh!" she yelled in frustration.
"Keh. You shouldn't talk, wench!" Inu Yasha spat as he pealed himself off the dirty ground.
Kagome finally put her sandals back on, much to her discomfort, and slowly stood up. After wincing in pain from her poor feet, she sat back down again.
"I can't walk anymore! Go on without me...I'm nothing but a burden," she pouted, giving up seemed better than walking on sore feet.
Then, Inu Yasha suddenly pulled Kagome up and motioned for her to get onto his back.
"Wha~?" she began, but was then cut off.
"I'll carry you for a bit, that should be enough for your feet. Ahhh, humans are so weak..."
Kagome would have felt angry at his last comment, but she was grateful for his offer. It felt strangely comforting to be so close to him. She felt safe and warm, but of course, she would never admit it. The only thing worrying her at the moment was if he was offended by her smell...after all, it had been three days since she last bathed, and she knew he had a sensitive nose.
'Well, if he doesn't say anything, I won't,' she thought with a small grin.
"You're not as heavy as I thought you'd be," Inu Yasha remarked.
"Gee, maybe because I haven't eaten anything in so long..." she hissed.
Suddenly, to Kagome's surprise, Inu Yasha leaped up high onto a tree branch, causing her to cry out in fear.
"Did you have to scream in my ear?!"
"Well sorry! I'm just not used to heights, okay!!!" she argued, embarrassed by her little outburst.
"This is quicker, so don't complain. We should see the village soon. Then you can meet the old hag."
"Old hag?" Kagome asked, wondering who he meant. Was it going to be some old, scaly demon? She shuddered at the thought.
Then, Inu Yasha stopped dead in his tracks up in an old tree on it's sturdy branch.
"I sense a demon nearby..." he said, while sniffing the air. Kagome began to feel worried. Whatever was out there had him on edge...
The next thing they both knew, the tree branch they were on had been swiftly sliced off, leaving them to plummet towards the ground.
"Kyaaaa!" Kagome shrieked as she had a death grip on Inu Yasha.
"Hey! Not so tight!" he growled.
Luckily, he managed to keep his balance, and landed safely on both feet.
"So, tis a mere hanyou and a human. How cute..." said a smooth female voice, "I think I'll have some fun with you two. La, let's begin, shall we?"
Then, out from a tall bush appeared a skantily clad woman with short black hair. She had a red comb in one hand, and what seemed to be hair coming off of it.
"La...I've been searching for the owner of this beautiful silver hair. Now that I've found you, I'm sure you won't mind if I take the rest!"
Then, brandishing a small sword, the woman lashed out at Inu Yasha, intending to slice his head clean off his shoulders. Inu Yasha quickly pushed Kagome out of the way, then reached for his own sword.
"Look out!" Kagome screamed as the demon came closer.
Then, without hesitation, Inu Yasha unsheathed the sword. Kagome's eyes grew wide as she witnessed the rusty looking sword transform into a huge blade that resembled a giant fang.
"Hm, not bad, hanyou, but not good enough either."
"Don't underestimate me, bitch!" Inu Yasha warned as he swiftly slashed with his own sword, "Now, taste my iron cleaving fang! Tetsusaiga!"
Kagome gazed at the hanyou, amazed and in awe. 'I had no idea that he could use a sword like that...interesting.'
"La, I'll slice you to pieces with my demonic hair!!!"
Suddenly, large masses of black hair came spiraling towards Inu Yasha from all directions. However, he soon realized that he couldn't see the hair.
"Inu Yasha! Don't just stand there, dodge the hair!" Kagome yelled as she pointed to the shiny hair. But it was too late. She knocked the sword away from him with her hair that he couldn't see. Inu Yasha was then entangled in it, and this demon was free to take advantage of that fact.
"Allow me to introduce myself before I kill you. I am Yura of the hair. Hm, hm, and you certainly do have lovely hair..." she cackled before slicing Inu Yasha with her sword.
Kagome stared in horror at what was happening. She had to do something, but how? Without any weapons she was useless...
That's when she noticed the Tetsusaiga lying nearby on the ground...
'If I can get him his sword, I'm sure he'll beat her!' she thought as she made a mad dash for the sword without Yura noticing.
"Inu Yasha! Take it! Quick!" Then Kagome threw it to his free hand.
"Looks like you're not totally useless after all! Heh!"
"You little witch! You'll pay for this!" Yura shouted, now with her sights set on the human before her. However, before she could get a step closer. Inu Yasha swiped at her with the mighty fang, destroying her red comb, and her as well.
"We did it! Way to go doggy-boy!" Kagome exclaimed, patting him on the shoulder. When he winced a bit, she then remembered the wound he had received. "Are you okay?"
"It'll heal soon, but I'm afraid I can't carry you now."
Kagome was surprised to hear his words. He actually sounded sincere. He seemed to care more about her than his wound.
"Keh. Good riddance. You were a pain in the back anyway."
'I take it back! He's still an arrogant baka!' she thought as she gave him a death glare.
**********
"Nee, Kaeda-Baachan, where do you think Inu Yasha went? He's been gone for almost four days now!" said a little kitsune.
"I know not what became of him child, yet I sense that wherever he is, he's fine," replied an elderly woman, who happened to be a miko.
Suddenly a man came into Kaede's hut.
"Kaede-Sama, Inu Yasha has returned, and he has a girl with him."
"I see. Found himself a mate, did he?" she chuckled.
"Who in their right mind would wanna be HIS mate?" the kitsune asked incredulously.
"Now, now. Be nice, Shippo."
The two stepped out of the cozy little hut to greet their hanyou friend and the girl. Little Shippo was surprised to see that the girl was a human.
"Inu Yasha, where did you get that awful wound?" asked the concerned voice of Kaede.
"I ran into some Yura person. As for my long absence, and this creature beside me~"
"Hey! Who're you calling a creature?!"
"Ahem, as I was saying...I can explain it all to you in detail. Let's go inside," Inu Yasha said simply, not noticing that Kagome was fuming from his remark.
A hour (and many arguments) later, Inu Yasha was calmly (cough, cough) explaining everything to Kaede and Shippo...
"You baka! How could you let yourself be captured? Did you have a death wish or something?"
"Keh! I didn't get captured on purpose! Some miko bitch caught me off guard, put this damn rosary on me, then I got taken in by a taijiya that was with her. They locked me up in a cage like an animal after this whole big court ceremony...Their leader, Naraku I think, ordered to have me killed the next morning. I wanted to rip that bastard apart, but I was kept in some odd restraints that seemed to drain my energy. With the technology those people have going for them, I was surprised that they didn't have better security around those cages.If there was, I'm sure that Kinryoku spy wouldn't have been able to get me out. So, you can thank that human for saving my life. What was her name again?" he asked, turning towards Kagome.
"Rin."
"Now that I'm involved with this girl here~"
"I have a name, you know! Kagome...KA-GO-ME! Learn to use it dog boy!" Kagome retorted.
"Fine, Kagagme, or whatever. I'm stuck with her now because she sealed this rosary's spell, and I want it off. Also, I'm partially responsible for her village being over run by the taijiya, since it was me they were after. If it wasn't for these circumstances, I'd have nothing to do with her," Inu Yasha snorted, glancing at Kagome, then back to Kaede and Shippo.
"Hmmm, it seems you two were brought together by some dreadful circumstances... ...However, I'm sure it is in the best interests of BOTH of you to try and get along," Kaede said as she sipped some warm green tea.
"Keh!"
"We made a deal Inu Yasha! You help me save my family and the others, and I'll take the rosary off you."
"You two really DO look like a couple! Always fighting..."
*Bonk*
"Owwww!!! Why'd you have to hit me for Inu Yasha! It's true! You'd almost think you two were mates or something!" Shippo squealed as Inu Yasha began to pummel him with punches. Kagome blushed a bit.
"You better shut your hole before I tear you a new one!" Inu Yasha growled as poor little Shippo ran to Kaede for cover.
"Ahem! Enough out of both of you. It's been a long day, and Kagome, I'm sure you are weary from everything that's happened so far. If you'd like, I may procure a bar of soap for you so you can wash up."
Kagome's face lit up with utter joy.Yes! Out of all the misfortunes she's encountered over the past few days, finally she can at least get clean! Then Kaede began to speak again, getting back her attention.
"I even have a clean kimono that I'm sure will fit you. There is a hot spring not too far from here. Inu Yasha, you will show her where it is, and make sure no youkai are about. And while you're there, you might as well bathe too. You certainly do not smell like ashes and roses..."
"No way old hag! I'm not going!" Inu Yasha shot back.
"I would love to have a bath, but not with an untrustworthy character like him around!" Kagome grimaced at the thought...who knew what the hanyou would do if he....no, some thoughts are best left alone.
"Both of you, go, before the sun sets. I will not tolerate foul smelling beings in my hut, be they hanyou or human."
At that, Inu Yasha and Kagome both shut up, and felt quite embarrassed.
"Keh! Fine! Where's the damn soap?"
Kaede motioned for Shippo to retrieve the soap and some drying cloths.
"Here. Oh, and don't stay in the hot springs too long, otherwise we just might think that you two are~"
*Bonk*
"That's enough out of you, Shippo."
Then, picking up a bar of soap and drying cloth, Kagome, unwillingly, followed Inu Yasha out of the hut.
'I can't believe this! Now I can't even bathe in peace,' Kagome sulked.
'Damn woman! Why do I always get stuck with her? What cruel joke is fate playing on me? ARGH!' Inu Yasha thought as he glared daggers at Kagome.
It was going to be a loooong evening...
To Be Continued...
AN: I know I'm evil! That's a mean cliff hanger, ne? Well, it'll make y'all look forward to the next chapter even more ^_^. Lot's of hot springs fun to come! Remember, R+R!
AN: Well, I don't really have much to say here, but I thank all of you out there who reviewed, it really does keep me going ^_^. Anywho, this chapter is breaking away from the angst. I'm better at writing humorous stories anyway. Lots of fluffy moments ahead, so enjoy!
Kitsune- Fox demon. ( I know, I said all the vocab was in the prologue ^^; )
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Four~Quarreling is Only the Beginning
Deep in the forest, far away from any of the taijiya villages...
"Mou! Where exactly ARE we going? We've been walking for two days already, I'm tired, hungry, smell like something that died, and on top of it all, my feet are KILLING me!"
"The more you complain, the longer it will take for us to get there," Inu Yasha snorted as he continued at his own pace, annoyed by the girl's blabbering.
"Get where? You still haven't told me where the heck we are going," Kagome huffed. Then she stopped and sat on an upraised tree root, rubbing her sore feet after removing her wooden sandals. The bottom of her light green kimono was frayed and covered in dry mud, much to her dismay. That was her favorite kimono, too.
"Keh. If I tell you, will you stop whining so much?" he asked, highly annoyed now that she stopped for another break. Maybe he should've left her to die.
"Maybe... now, where are we going?"
"We're going to a village. There, happy now?"
Kagome visibly growled. That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, being as obvious as it was.
"Osuwari!"
*Thud*
"Hey! What the hell did I do to deserve that, ehhh?!"
"Grrr...You are so...so...argh!" she yelled in frustration.
"Keh. You shouldn't talk, wench!" Inu Yasha spat as he pealed himself off the dirty ground.
Kagome finally put her sandals back on, much to her discomfort, and slowly stood up. After wincing in pain from her poor feet, she sat back down again.
"I can't walk anymore! Go on without me...I'm nothing but a burden," she pouted, giving up seemed better than walking on sore feet.
Then, Inu Yasha suddenly pulled Kagome up and motioned for her to get onto his back.
"Wha~?" she began, but was then cut off.
"I'll carry you for a bit, that should be enough for your feet. Ahhh, humans are so weak..."
Kagome would have felt angry at his last comment, but she was grateful for his offer. It felt strangely comforting to be so close to him. She felt safe and warm, but of course, she would never admit it. The only thing worrying her at the moment was if he was offended by her smell...after all, it had been three days since she last bathed, and she knew he had a sensitive nose.
'Well, if he doesn't say anything, I won't,' she thought with a small grin.
"You're not as heavy as I thought you'd be," Inu Yasha remarked.
"Gee, maybe because I haven't eaten anything in so long..." she hissed.
Suddenly, to Kagome's surprise, Inu Yasha leaped up high onto a tree branch, causing her to cry out in fear.
"Did you have to scream in my ear?!"
"Well sorry! I'm just not used to heights, okay!!!" she argued, embarrassed by her little outburst.
"This is quicker, so don't complain. We should see the village soon. Then you can meet the old hag."
"Old hag?" Kagome asked, wondering who he meant. Was it going to be some old, scaly demon? She shuddered at the thought.
Then, Inu Yasha stopped dead in his tracks up in an old tree on it's sturdy branch.
"I sense a demon nearby..." he said, while sniffing the air. Kagome began to feel worried. Whatever was out there had him on edge...
The next thing they both knew, the tree branch they were on had been swiftly sliced off, leaving them to plummet towards the ground.
"Kyaaaa!" Kagome shrieked as she had a death grip on Inu Yasha.
"Hey! Not so tight!" he growled.
Luckily, he managed to keep his balance, and landed safely on both feet.
"So, tis a mere hanyou and a human. How cute..." said a smooth female voice, "I think I'll have some fun with you two. La, let's begin, shall we?"
Then, out from a tall bush appeared a skantily clad woman with short black hair. She had a red comb in one hand, and what seemed to be hair coming off of it.
"La...I've been searching for the owner of this beautiful silver hair. Now that I've found you, I'm sure you won't mind if I take the rest!"
Then, brandishing a small sword, the woman lashed out at Inu Yasha, intending to slice his head clean off his shoulders. Inu Yasha quickly pushed Kagome out of the way, then reached for his own sword.
"Look out!" Kagome screamed as the demon came closer.
Then, without hesitation, Inu Yasha unsheathed the sword. Kagome's eyes grew wide as she witnessed the rusty looking sword transform into a huge blade that resembled a giant fang.
"Hm, not bad, hanyou, but not good enough either."
"Don't underestimate me, bitch!" Inu Yasha warned as he swiftly slashed with his own sword, "Now, taste my iron cleaving fang! Tetsusaiga!"
Kagome gazed at the hanyou, amazed and in awe. 'I had no idea that he could use a sword like that...interesting.'
"La, I'll slice you to pieces with my demonic hair!!!"
Suddenly, large masses of black hair came spiraling towards Inu Yasha from all directions. However, he soon realized that he couldn't see the hair.
"Inu Yasha! Don't just stand there, dodge the hair!" Kagome yelled as she pointed to the shiny hair. But it was too late. She knocked the sword away from him with her hair that he couldn't see. Inu Yasha was then entangled in it, and this demon was free to take advantage of that fact.
"Allow me to introduce myself before I kill you. I am Yura of the hair. Hm, hm, and you certainly do have lovely hair..." she cackled before slicing Inu Yasha with her sword.
Kagome stared in horror at what was happening. She had to do something, but how? Without any weapons she was useless...
That's when she noticed the Tetsusaiga lying nearby on the ground...
'If I can get him his sword, I'm sure he'll beat her!' she thought as she made a mad dash for the sword without Yura noticing.
"Inu Yasha! Take it! Quick!" Then Kagome threw it to his free hand.
"Looks like you're not totally useless after all! Heh!"
"You little witch! You'll pay for this!" Yura shouted, now with her sights set on the human before her. However, before she could get a step closer. Inu Yasha swiped at her with the mighty fang, destroying her red comb, and her as well.
"We did it! Way to go doggy-boy!" Kagome exclaimed, patting him on the shoulder. When he winced a bit, she then remembered the wound he had received. "Are you okay?"
"It'll heal soon, but I'm afraid I can't carry you now."
Kagome was surprised to hear his words. He actually sounded sincere. He seemed to care more about her than his wound.
"Keh. Good riddance. You were a pain in the back anyway."
'I take it back! He's still an arrogant baka!' she thought as she gave him a death glare.
**********
"Nee, Kaeda-Baachan, where do you think Inu Yasha went? He's been gone for almost four days now!" said a little kitsune.
"I know not what became of him child, yet I sense that wherever he is, he's fine," replied an elderly woman, who happened to be a miko.
Suddenly a man came into Kaede's hut.
"Kaede-Sama, Inu Yasha has returned, and he has a girl with him."
"I see. Found himself a mate, did he?" she chuckled.
"Who in their right mind would wanna be HIS mate?" the kitsune asked incredulously.
"Now, now. Be nice, Shippo."
The two stepped out of the cozy little hut to greet their hanyou friend and the girl. Little Shippo was surprised to see that the girl was a human.
"Inu Yasha, where did you get that awful wound?" asked the concerned voice of Kaede.
"I ran into some Yura person. As for my long absence, and this creature beside me~"
"Hey! Who're you calling a creature?!"
"Ahem, as I was saying...I can explain it all to you in detail. Let's go inside," Inu Yasha said simply, not noticing that Kagome was fuming from his remark.
A hour (and many arguments) later, Inu Yasha was calmly (cough, cough) explaining everything to Kaede and Shippo...
"You baka! How could you let yourself be captured? Did you have a death wish or something?"
"Keh! I didn't get captured on purpose! Some miko bitch caught me off guard, put this damn rosary on me, then I got taken in by a taijiya that was with her. They locked me up in a cage like an animal after this whole big court ceremony...Their leader, Naraku I think, ordered to have me killed the next morning. I wanted to rip that bastard apart, but I was kept in some odd restraints that seemed to drain my energy. With the technology those people have going for them, I was surprised that they didn't have better security around those cages.If there was, I'm sure that Kinryoku spy wouldn't have been able to get me out. So, you can thank that human for saving my life. What was her name again?" he asked, turning towards Kagome.
"Rin."
"Now that I'm involved with this girl here~"
"I have a name, you know! Kagome...KA-GO-ME! Learn to use it dog boy!" Kagome retorted.
"Fine, Kagagme, or whatever. I'm stuck with her now because she sealed this rosary's spell, and I want it off. Also, I'm partially responsible for her village being over run by the taijiya, since it was me they were after. If it wasn't for these circumstances, I'd have nothing to do with her," Inu Yasha snorted, glancing at Kagome, then back to Kaede and Shippo.
"Hmmm, it seems you two were brought together by some dreadful circumstances... ...However, I'm sure it is in the best interests of BOTH of you to try and get along," Kaede said as she sipped some warm green tea.
"Keh!"
"We made a deal Inu Yasha! You help me save my family and the others, and I'll take the rosary off you."
"You two really DO look like a couple! Always fighting..."
*Bonk*
"Owwww!!! Why'd you have to hit me for Inu Yasha! It's true! You'd almost think you two were mates or something!" Shippo squealed as Inu Yasha began to pummel him with punches. Kagome blushed a bit.
"You better shut your hole before I tear you a new one!" Inu Yasha growled as poor little Shippo ran to Kaede for cover.
"Ahem! Enough out of both of you. It's been a long day, and Kagome, I'm sure you are weary from everything that's happened so far. If you'd like, I may procure a bar of soap for you so you can wash up."
Kagome's face lit up with utter joy.Yes! Out of all the misfortunes she's encountered over the past few days, finally she can at least get clean! Then Kaede began to speak again, getting back her attention.
"I even have a clean kimono that I'm sure will fit you. There is a hot spring not too far from here. Inu Yasha, you will show her where it is, and make sure no youkai are about. And while you're there, you might as well bathe too. You certainly do not smell like ashes and roses..."
"No way old hag! I'm not going!" Inu Yasha shot back.
"I would love to have a bath, but not with an untrustworthy character like him around!" Kagome grimaced at the thought...who knew what the hanyou would do if he....no, some thoughts are best left alone.
"Both of you, go, before the sun sets. I will not tolerate foul smelling beings in my hut, be they hanyou or human."
At that, Inu Yasha and Kagome both shut up, and felt quite embarrassed.
"Keh! Fine! Where's the damn soap?"
Kaede motioned for Shippo to retrieve the soap and some drying cloths.
"Here. Oh, and don't stay in the hot springs too long, otherwise we just might think that you two are~"
*Bonk*
"That's enough out of you, Shippo."
Then, picking up a bar of soap and drying cloth, Kagome, unwillingly, followed Inu Yasha out of the hut.
'I can't believe this! Now I can't even bathe in peace,' Kagome sulked.
'Damn woman! Why do I always get stuck with her? What cruel joke is fate playing on me? ARGH!' Inu Yasha thought as he glared daggers at Kagome.
It was going to be a loooong evening...
To Be Continued...
AN: I know I'm evil! That's a mean cliff hanger, ne? Well, it'll make y'all look forward to the next chapter even more ^_^. Lot's of hot springs fun to come! Remember, R+R!