I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Mysterious Thief - Part Fifteen

Airi walked up to her axes, but paused to glance over at the monk again. She was no longer confident that the monk would remain asleep if she tried to retrieve them. She knew he was more cunning than people gave him credit for.

Airi looked back at her axes and her mind filled with Tsuyoshi's voice: 'We can begin a new life together.'

And even though she was now alone, she still wanted a different, no a better life for herself. So instead of turning tail and running, like the old Airi, she decidedly walked over and sat down on the blanket, letting out a sigh as she did. She folded her arms across her chest as she planned out where she should go. She tethered back and forth about returning to her homeland, all the while keeping Inuyasha's warning in mind. She came up with 2 likely scenarios. One: her father would welcome her back with open arms, but then the rest of the village would turn on him, filling her with guilt if she stayed. Or two: Her father had passed during her three year disappearance and she would be killed on sight. Both of which caused her to twitch her face up in a pouty scowl sort of way. And she continued to brood that way in silence.

Inuyasha on the other hand had just caught a rather large rabbit. It would be just enough to feed all of them tonight.

"That's if those lazy fuckers get up before nightfall," he glowered, still in a sour mood from his talk with Airi.

The sun was starting it's slow descend and Inuyasha changed his direction towards their camp. He wasn't particularly in a rush to get back, because he knew a goodbye gathering would be something Kagome wouldn't allow him to skip out on. When he made it back to camp, everyone was still in the same spot as when he left. Airi seemed to be dozing in and out of sleep, but her youkai flared slightly in response to his presence.

"She's going to have to get that shit under control. Can't be raising your youkai around just anyone. That's just asking for it," he mumbled at her inexperience.

Inuyasha stayed hidden in the trees and fell into a short dream. It was his favorite one, where Kagome said Osuwari, but instead of him being held to the ground it was Koga that she was subduing. And then Kagome jumped into his arms, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. All the while Koga was swearing up a storm with his head in the dirt. Inuyasha couldn't help himself and woke up with a smile on his face and his mind full of Kagome. The wind had changed and he was getting a nice airy breeze mixed with Kagome's scent. It just made the moment that much sweeter.

The half demon wasn't sure how much time had passed, but finally the sound of rustling leaves reached her ears. Inuyasha glanced down to see Shippou rolling out from the bush he had taken refuge under. He looked around briefly and didn't see Inuyasha anywhere so he puffed out his chest and strutted around the campsite. He hadn't taken notice of Airi, who was laying on her side with her head propped up on her hand. Her eyes watched him carefully as he pretended to inspect the grounds. It wasn't until he was level with her did he finally become aware of her, giving him the shock of his life. The little fox demon stifled a shriek, as he tumbled backwards.

"Serves him right for pretending to be all high and mighty," Inuyasha grumbled, leaning back against the tree again.

"I feel like I should say boo, but you did that part for me Shippou," Airi said casually, sitting up and stretching.

"Well, you would do the same thing, if someone who attacked you before was right before your face!" he scowled back.

"I'd be paying better attention," she corrected, tilting her head in his direction. "But I really am sorry about that," she apologized sincerely, bowing her head. "I hope you aren't hurt."

"Nah, I'm tough. Not like Inuyasha," he boasted.

"Why that little brat," Inuyasha growled from up above.

"Oh is that so? I was under the impression that Inuyasha was pretty tough," Airi played along.

"Ya, well he's learned that all from me," he answered back without hesitation, producing a giggle from Airi.

This time, Inuyasha's retort was in the form of a twig aimed at Shippou's head.

"Hey! That hurt Inuyasha! I'm telling Kagome and then you won't get any ninja food for a week!" the fox demon shouted at the trees.

That was it. Inuyasha had enough of his mouth and leapt down to the ground right behind the fox demon. "That's not up to you," he said knocking him over the head with his fist.

Shippou wailed now, causing such a commotion that it woke up the others. Kagome glanced at the situation, "Osuwari," she mumbled through a yawn.

"Why are all women so damn heartless?" the half demon muttered.

After everyone was fully awake and Airi had formally apologized and filled them in on the details of what happened to her while she was missing, she informed them that should would not join their group. Even though Kagome wanted to protest, she could see that there would be no changing her mind.

"But stay with us until morning," Kagome pleaded. Airi glanced at Inuyasha standing behind Kagome and didn't see any silent protests from him and nodded.

"Yeah!" Shippou bounded around in excitement.

Kirara also mewed in agreement.

"Okay, that's settled then," Kagome proclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Inuyasha, you cut up the rabbit, Sango and I will gather some herbs and greens for a stew and Shippou and Airi can gather the firewood," she delegated happily.

"And what about the monk? Does he just get to stand around and do nothing?" Inuyasha complained.

Kagome glanced at Miroku perplexed. She couldn't send him with Airi, which he undoubtedly wanted, he wasn't coming with her. "He can stay and help you Inuyasha," she smiled.

"What?!" the half demon protested. But Kagome ignored this and started walking away with Sango.

"What have I done to deserve this kind of torture? Just be quiet and don't bother me monk," Inuyasha instructed.

"If you ask me.." Miroku began.

"I didn't," Inuyasha cut him off.

"...I'd say you're getting off lucky," the monk finished.

"What do you mean?"

Miroku enjoyed having his full attention, "Well, maybe Kagome is still upset about your little nose kiss with Airi."

Inuyasha immediately recoiled. "Th...that wasn't anything," he objected.

"Maybe so, but that's not what your blushing face was saying," he taunted the half demon.

Inuyasha gulped, suddenly he was feeling guilty for something he didn't mean to do in the first place.

Miroku took his silence as permission to continue, "Kagome hasn't said anything, but it probably bothered her."

Inuyasha thought about that for a moment. The first thing she had done after waking up was use Osuwari and then she put him with the monk. She was being passive aggressive about it, but what the monk said made sense.

"Here monk, finish this," he said standing up.

"With what? I don't have any claws," Miroku tried to get out of it.

"I'll send Sango then," Inuyasha replied without turning around. And he walked off to go find Kagome.