I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.
The Lost Chapters: True Feelings Revealed Part 6
Kaede awoke just as the sun came over the horizon. Quietly she collected her things for gathering medicinal herbs and Kagome's school uniform. She laid out a set of miko* clothes for her instead and stepped outside the crowded hut. She took a calming breath and felt the warm breeze brush across her face. On her way to the fields she was greeted by village farmers who were already weeding, picking and planting new seeds.
"Out to the fields early today, aren't we?" Isamo called out to her, leaning on the fence.
"Waking up early brings three coins of profit*," Kaede responded.
The farmer laughed, "And what kind of profit are you looking for today?"
"Hopefully to be done in the fields before the sun is high," she confessed.
"So do us all, better we stop talking and get working then," he waved a goodbye and went back to his garden.
Miroku and Sango woke up as light filtered in through the window. Kirara grew alert when Sango sat up and Shippou rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"I suspect we'll be in the village for a few days," Miroku whisphered.
"Hm, it'll take a few days for her to fully recover," Sango added in a hushed voice.
They decided to start their day early as well. They moved about as quietly as the four of them could. When Miroku grabbed his staff the rings jingled and Sango gave him a sharp look, but Inuyasha never stirred. They slipped on their sandals and lifted the door mat to find the town alive with its everyday hustle and bustle.
Each of them went their separate ways; Miroku excused himself claiming that he wanted to meditate, but was undoubtedly going to look for single women to prey on. The sounds of laughter lured Shippou and Kirara to a small group of children who were eager to play with them. Myoga, the flea, had been riding on Kirara but decided it was time to leave the group. He was sure to meet up with them again at some point. Lastly, Sango decided to help Kaede with her everyday activities and walked the path towards the fields. She found her in a small field of wild flowers and healthy growing herbs. She helped the miko weed and offered to help with dinner.
"We can prepare lunch, it's the least we can do for your hospitality," Sango persisted. The miko gave in and the two laughed and chatted as they worked.
In the early afternoon the smell of roasting fish nudged Inuyasha awake. He stretched and sat up to find Kagome up and already dressed. He silently cursed Kaede for providing her with a miko outfit which made her look so much like Kikyo. He observed her as she read one of her textbooks in the pool of light encircling her. She looked up when she felt his eyes watching her and greeted him with a warm smile.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, noticing that she still looked rather pale.
"Much better, although I'm a little hungry," she admitted.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I would've gotten you food," he insisted.
"You looked like you needed the rest, besides I didn't feel up to walking and was enjoying the quiet," she said looking away from him.
"Well, I woke up for a similar reason. If we hurry Shippou might save us some fish," he said standing up and tucking tetsusaiga into his belt.
She looked up at him a little unsure about how steady her legs were from the bruises.
"I'll carry you, let's go," he offered, holding his hand out to help her up.
She nodded, placed her book down and let him pull her up. He stooped down so she could climb on and he gently carried her to the stream. Their friends were all there. Miroku tended the fire while Sango and Kirara were standing in the stream catching more fish. Kaede was hanging her school uniform on a makeshift drying rack formed with sticks and Shippou lay in the shade of a cherry blossom tree. He was the first to notice their arrival.
"Kagome! You're alright!" he shouted.
He raced over to her and jumped up on her shoulder. She winced slightly at his weight. Inuyasha knocked him off with his fist.
"Yeah, but don't go jumping all over her!" he hollered at the fox demon.
"Well, she'd be alright if you protected her properly," Shippou retorted.
Inuyasha growled and raised his fist again, but the fox demon escaped before he could swat at him again. Sango and Miroku smiled at things returning to normal.
"How're you feeling child?" Kaede asked.
Kagome slid off Inuyasha's back, "Much better, thank you for healing me," she smiled.
"You're welcome, but I would like to change your dressings later today," she remarked. "Well, I'm off to attend to sick elders in the village," she announced.
"But Kaede, you haven't eaten yet," Sango pleaded.
"It's quite alright, I'm sure that they will offer me food when I go to the headman's house, it's around lunch time there," Kaede said. "They'd think it rude if I didn't accept, and I can only eat so much," she explained. "I will see you at sundown," she said and with that she picked up her basket of fresh herbs and walked back towards the center of the town.
"I suspect you're hungry after sleeping so long," Miroku said.
Kagome nodded, "and thirsty," she added. She knelt by the river's edge and rolled up the long sleeves. She cupped her hands and dipped them into the cool water. As she drank, she felt Sango's eyes on her.
"Kagome, your arms…..?" Sango hesitated. Her left arm was no longer black, but matched her right arm blotched with multiple purple and yellow bruises. Kagome glanced down and quickly let the long sleeves drape over them, but Miroku had peered over before she got her arms completely covered.
"Inuyasha you shouldn't be so rough when you're alone with Kagome," Miroku teased, shaking his head in disapproval. "You must caress and stroke young ladies," he lectured, getting lost in the moment.
Sango scooted away from Miroku apprehensively and stared at him in disbelief.
"Stop thinking perverted thoughts monk!" Inuyasha howled. "Do you honestly think I'd do that to her?" his face turning a light shade of pink.
"Yeah, Inuyasha may be unrefined, but he'd never be rough with Kagome. Besides, she would have used the sit command if she didn't like it," Shippou piped in.
"Shi…Shippou, you really don't need to say so much," Kagome mumbled with embarrassment, the color rising in her cheeks.
Inuyasha clunked Shippou over the head again. "Aah, what did I say?!" Shippou complained. Inuyasha sulked away from the group and sat down. He held tetsusaiga in the crook of his left arm.
"They're just bruises, I'm fine, really," Kagome insisted, but averted her eyes.
"Well, I'm hungry, let's eat," Miroku initiated, breaking the awkward silence.
Everyone grabbed a roasted fish and Shippou and Inuyasha argued over the extra one.
The next couple of days passed without incident and they were ready to set off in search of more jewel shards. Inuyasha especially was anxious after being cooped up in the village for so long. They thanked Kaede, said their goodbyes and set off into the forest.
*miko - priestess
*Waking up early brings three coins of profit - Japanese proverb that means waking up early will bring good things to you
Author's Note: This is the end of True Feelings Revealed that occurred around episodes 33 and 34 (in my imagination, anyway) but stayed tuned for the next chapter.