Make that 3.
~Yasha's Sis
Circumstance
Book 2: Land of Grass
Chapter 16:
More of the same
InuYasha trudged through the marshes in grim silence, only lending a passive ear to check on the progress of the woman trailing behind him.
She was no warrior, that was for damn sure, and she wasn't a shinobi either (InuYasha now had an idea of what those bastards were and he was not inclined to interact), but she managed to keep his pace with little difficulty and less complaint.
Scratch that, no complaint. The woman hadn't said a word the entire trip. InuYasha wasn't complaining about the silence but he never knew a woman to be so… somber.
Because that was what it was. She was quiet like she'd be punished if she did anything else.
The whole women and children were meant to be seen not heard idiom. It made him irritable, which made him move faster to get out of the unsettling aura around her.
It wasn't grating, like Assface's had been, nor was it bubbling and almost oppressive like the She-devil's. It was vast, and soothing, but also very sad.
It made his skin itch like nothing else.
InuYasha also wanted to know how the woman wasn't sweating bullets with all those layers. She wore gloves and a scarf and InuYasha saw wraps climb up her arms when the robe shifted. The only skin he could see on her was her forehead, which was paler than Sesshomaru's ass.
He'd die of heatstroke if he was in her position.
InuYasha tilted his head back to look at the sky from under the dark blue floppy brimmed hat the lady gave him.
It was nearing night and the marshland looked like it would end just after sunset at the pace they were going.
The former hanyou debated the merits of camping here or pushing the woman harder.
A hiss spurred that thought into action. "We're getting out of the marshes, then we'll make camp. Say something if you can't keep up."
The silent woman murmured an affirmative and dutifully chased after InuYasha when he broke into a jog.
Forty five minutes later, InuYasha slowed to a trot, carefully scanning the ground and taking firm steps to ensure its stability.
Satisfied, he set camp and turned back to wait for the woman to break out of the marshland.
Ten minutes later she arrived, panting and brow drenched in sweat. InuYasha eyed her carefully as the woman tottered for a moment but righted herself through sheer willpower.
"Here." He offered her a waterbottle and some of the dried salted fish still left over as she reached his side.
The woman stared at his outstretched hands, a definite air of stupor hanging between them.
"Well," InuYasha prompted, impatient. "You nearly keeled over back there, so eat else I'll have to carry you, and it'll be hella awkward."
Carefully, as if he'd snatch it away, the woman took the proffered food and slowly sank to the ground where InuYasha had already set his newly refitted pack.
InuYasha scowled at her, annoyed with his own concern and set about making a fire.
He hated traveling with women.
Next chapter: Company
Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
~Yasha's Sis