I'm so sorry that it took so long to update this! I was preoccupied with some things. I apologize. Anyway, time to get going.
Responses to reviews:
YaoiLovinKitsune: I'm glad the chapter made you giggle :P
Almondbutter: I can't tell you. :X Spoilers :P
Fanficqueen306: I assure you nothing nefarious is happening with the necklace her friend gave her. :)
Timewriter: Of course I had to mention you! YAY!
And now, onto the story!
Saya tried repressing her grin as she followed the sulking, irritated hanyou. By making the subjugation beads—Kaede had taught her how—she stalled the group's progress. Well, in order for progress to be made, they had to have left first, which they hadn't. Saya was still surprised she managed to get the beads onto Inuyasha. The young female had Kaede to thank.
Inuyasha had not spoken to her since receiving his new necklace, which was over an hour ago by her estimate. She subconsciously brought out her cell phone to check the time. She didn't know why she brought it with her—it wasn't like she could use it here. Force of habit was her guess. Shrugging, Saya replaced the electronical device in her pocket before she glanced around to take in her surroundings as she walked at the back of the pack—she had not felt it to be her place to walk ahead of anyone, so she allowed herself to bring up the rear.
Inuyasha broke his silence later to ask if she sensed any shards nearby. Saya momentarily gazed at him blankly (the duration of which a vein was made prominent on the upper left side of his forehead) before she surveyed the area that surrounded them in detail. They currently walked along a path that forked to take them through a wooded area or through a plain. A nagging feeling in the corner of her mind told her to go with the path through the wooden area. She redirected her attention back toward the impatient hanyou. "I think we should go that way," said Saya as she indicated the direction by pointing.
"I ain't askin' ya where you think we should go. I'm askin' if ya sense a shard or not."
Saya shrugged. "I couldn't exactly tell you if I do or not; it's not like I've ever had to sense one before. However, I do have this nagging feeling that we should go that way. If that means there are shards in that direction, then so be it. But, like I said, I've never actually had to sense them."
"Then what good are ya?" the irritated hanyou exclaimed thoughtlessly. Bright blue eyes darkened with a mixture of annoyance and hurt. The insecurities she tried to brush off throughout the journey thus far rushed to forefront of her mind.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't even be here, and I'll just let all of you take care of everything. Oh, hey, while I'm at it, why don't I just go back to my time and get my mother to come back here to help you guys because you all seem to prefer her over me—oh right! She can't." Her tone turned venomous as she finished her tirade. Saya pushed her way through the group and walked toward the woods; an aura of annoyance seemed to surround her—Miroku, Sango, and Shippo could almost see it as they watched her form march its way toward the thickets.
"Inuyasha, perhaps it would be wise to not irritate the person that is supposed to help us find the remaining jewel shards—no matter how few there are," spoke the monk with a hint of exasperation within his tone before he followed after the irate girl, hoping to quell her anger. Sango and Shippo followed the monk. Inuyasha growled before following his comrades. They always take the girls' sides, thought Inuyasha irritably.
Saya stomped her way through the deer trails. She was sure there were animals running from her as she made her way through the thickets like a lumbering troll; normally she would have been quieter as to see them, but at the moment, she couldn't be bothered. So it came as a surprise when a small flash of white followed by two larger blurs of color dashed before her on the path. A tugging sensation in her heart caused her to follow the blurs at a run. She heard Sango and Miroku call out to her, telling her to stop; that it was dangerous to simply run off, but she ignored them, pursuing the white blur further into the thickets. She distantly heard them pursue her.
Saya soon discovered the white blur to be a fox whose fur had some sort of dark residue and blood splotched across the pure white surface. It seemed to be huddled in a protective shell atop something while the two larger animals approached it. The fox collapsed as Saya arrived. She saw the two animals drawing nearer to the debilitated kitsune. Saya fitted her bow with an arrow before she took aim; the arrow hit the ground directly beside one of the approaching animals. She fitted another arrow as the duo turned toward her, growling. The animals were two tan wolves.
"Get moving!" She pulled the bow taunt in preparation of loosing another arrow. The two beasts' ears became alerted of the group heading in their direction. They seemed to weigh their options before growling but slowly backing away. Saya stood still momentarily before she relaxed, replaced her bow and arrow, and ran toward the fox, retrieving her arrow along the way. She knelt before the fox as the group arrived.
"Saya-chan! What happened?" Miroku asked, but Shippo appeared next to her. His teal eyes gazed sorrowfully upon the fallen animal.
"She's dying. She isn't going to be around much longer." The sad tone made Saya look at the child.
"It's a female?" Shippo nodded, his face tightening. Saya could see tears beginning to well up in his eyes.
"She's a mamma. She's dying because she protected the only kit that's still alive. All the others were already killed." Shippo sniffled after his explanation. Saya saw the child rubbing at his eyes with his sleeve out of the corner of her eye while she observed the dying animal before her; she began to look for signs of a kit but found none. She was about to ask where the pup was when Shippo spoke again, this time looking at Saya with widened eyes. "She wants you to take care of her baby. It's beneath her. She said because you stepped in to intervene and protect her from the wolves, she could trust you to care for it. Will you?"
Shocked, Saya gazed into the fox mother's eyes. She seemed to be pleading with Saya to take care of her pup, her baby, to protect it, to raise it, and everything that being a mother entailed. Saya gulped. She knew she wanted to be a mother eventually, but to be one so suddenly—even if it was just to a pup—seemed to be a big responsibility, but by looking at the mother, Saya felt she needed to do this. She nodded her head with a reassuring expression that she would do everything in her power to protect and raise the pup.
The mother fox shakily stood; a small, white bundle of fur was nestled beneath. Saya instantly took the pup and placed it against her chest with one hand. With the other, she hesitantly reached out to stroke the fur of the dying animal. The grown fox collapsed; the last of her strength leaving her. The mother relaxed before licking Saya's hand. The girl bit her lip momentarily in deliberation before she placed her hand beneath the belly of the fox and moved her as gently as she could to where the head was placed upon Saya's lap. She continued to stoke the fox's fur until its life left its body. The only consolation was the fact the dead mother looked to be at peace. Saya took a deep breath and closed her eyes to keep from shedding tears before she gently removed the corpse's head. The corpse. Saya couldn't believe that something still so warm was now reduced to nothing but a corpse. Gently shaking her head of those thoughts, and wiping away some escaped tears, she stood on trembling legs. After taking a deep breath, she approached the group, doing her best not to show how affected she was. She needed to keep her composure in case these new comrades didn't approve of her keeping the little fox.
"I know it's just a fox, but do you…do you guys think we could do something so its body isn't feasted upon?" The three people before her stared, but when she thought they would do nothing, Miroku stepped forward with a sympathetic smile.
"Shall we?" A relieved smile passed over her lips as Sango also stepped forward. Nodding, the three set to work burying the body while Shippo held the small, sleeping kit. A short while later, the group returned to the path and resumed their journey. Saya looked at the resting bundle in her arms. It was wrapped in a spare towel she had placed in her bag. Saya knew the kit would need something to eat when it awoke, but hadn't the slightest inkling what it would eat. A sudden weight on her shoulder alerted her that Shippo had decided to ride upon her shoulder instead of Miroku's. Interesting. Saya turned her eyes toward the small fox demon and found his undivided attention was on the slumbering form in her arms.
"She's just like me now." The words were spoken quietly, but Saya still caught them. The simple statement tore at her heart. Saya remembered the description of Shippo's story; one that still saddened the girl by simply thinking about it.
"Will you help me with her? I know she's going to need to eat soon, but I don't know what I could possibly give her." The request seemed to startle the boy.
"R-really? You-want my help?" Saya nodded with a smile. The grin that sprouted on the young demon's face made Saya's smile widen in response. "Well, she looks like she's old enough to be able to eat actual food, not just her mother's milk." Saya sighed with relief; that had been something she had been worried about. It also brought up another question.
"What would she eat, then?"
Shippo looked thoughtful, "She'd probably be able to eat smaller portions of what we eat." Saya smiled and mentally translated his statement to vegetation and meat. She doubted the kit would be able to eat something like ramen. The thought almost made her giggle aloud.
The band of comrades walked within the wooded area without further incident and decided to stop for lunch when a clearing appeared. Saya looked around as each person automatically went to a task. Inuyasha and Miroku seemed to be going off on their own while Sango started to gather wood from nearby trees; Shippo assisted her by gathering twigs. Unknowing of what she should do, Saya asked Sango.
"Oh, Kagome-chan always prepared the food once Inuyasha and Hoshi-sama brought the water and Shippo and I got the wood." Saya nodded before sitting down to await the return of the males. While she waited, she removed her bag and took inventory the food her mother had packed for her. Inside was a decent amount of ramen (more than she would have expected) and ingredients for healthy meals. She turned toward Sango.
"I'm thinking for lunch my mother would make ramen?" Sango nodded. "I figured. She packed a lot for me. I also figure that Inuyasha would be impatient and would want to get back to traveling as soon as possible." Sango nodded with a smile.
"You seem to understand him well enough for being around him such a short amount of time."
"Well, he is a guy—and impatient. It's not too difficult to put two and two together, at least for me. I mean, some girls are clueless when it comes to guys, but thanks to one of my friends, who told me all the secrets of the male mind, I'm not." She offered a small laugh at the end. Sango smiled a little in return. "Hey, I'm sorry that I'm not my mother and that I'm still new to things, but I'm going to try to pick up her slack as best I can." A small smile stretched Sango's lips while she shook her head.
"It is not your fault. I apologize for instantly comparing you to Kagome-chan." She was quiet for a beat. "It is strange to think that you are her daughter. It was only a few weeks for us to have last seen her, but thirty years have passed since she has last seen us. It is a strange thing, indeed." After another pause, Sango added with a reassuring smile, "I suppose this is how Inuyasha must have felt after Kagome-chan released him from the Sacred Tree." Saya smiled lightly, but before she could speak, the pup in her arms stirred. The females' attention was redirected toward the moving animal. Kirara approached the baby fox to sniff it when the pup began whining.
"She's hungry," Sango said as she watched the pup squirm. Saya turned to dig around in her bag before pulling out some cut vegetables and holding it before the kit. She sniffed it and took one of them from Saya's hand, nearly nipping her finger in the process. A bubble of laughter spilled out of Saya's lips as she watched the fox devour the vegetables.
"What's so amusing, Saya-chan?" Miroku appeared near her. He leaned over to examine the feeding fox; a smile found its way upon his lips as well. "Ah, she sure seems hungry, doesn't she?" Another giggle accompanied Saya's nod before she returned her attention to the people surrounding her.
"Ramen okay?"
"You mean your ninja food?" Shippo piped in. Saya found the name to be highly amusing and displayed such amusement with more bubbles of laughter.
"Sure, my ninja food." The boys built the fire and Saya set to work boiling some water from a pot her mother gave her. As Saya waited for the water to boil, she idly began to wonder if the bag had a spell on it to allow more room or if her mother was extremely gifted in packing things to achieve the optimum capacity. She reasoned it to be the latter. Saya poured the water into each container of ramen and distributed them amongst the group, saving the last one for herself. While she ate her ramen, Saya fed the pup bits of vegetables until it had its fill, lying its head down and slowly slipping into slumber once again. Saya quickly finished her food and began to pick up the miniature campsite while Miroku, Sango, and Shippo finished their food. Inuyasha had long since finished his, having scarfed it in what seemed to be one bite. Saya was still slightly amazed at the feat. He had disappeared after to scout ahead.
As Sango finished her food, she looked at the sleeping pup in Saya's lap once the girl had resumed her spot beside the demon slayer. "Have you thought of a name for her? After all, she is in your care now."
Saya gazed at the white fox in her lap. "Yue." It seemed to fit with the color of her fur—as white as the moon. Sango nodded with a smile.
"Time to get going. I wanna get to the other side of these trees before night fall," ordered Inuyasha as he returned.
Everyone nodded and began to pack what was left. The travelers continued their journey once they finished. Inuyasha took lead with Miroku while Sango and Shippo stayed back to remain with Saya; a fact that brought comfort and a small smile to her face. At least things were beginning to improve within the group where Saya was concerned. Minute amounts of small talk commenced as Inuyasha and the rest continued their journey—mainly stemming from Sango and Saya; Shippo jumped in with the occasional comment or two.
The companions continued their trek through the woods. As they walked, Saya began to feel an odd sensation that grew stronger the more time passed. She stopped walking and turned toward her right.
"What's wrong, Saya-chan?" Sango asked as she, too, stopped. The males ahead of them ceased walking to turn toward the female in question.
"I have an odd feeling, and it's getting stronger. I think it's coming from that direction…" Saya trailed off as something drew her attention from within the woods. A swirling column of air made its way through the trees at an alarming rate, and the wind picked up speed around the group as the whirlwind drew closer. Kirara became engulfed in flames for a split second before a larger form stood before Sango, who gripped onto the large neko and turned to grab Saya and Shippo. Inuyasha withdrew his sword and embedded it within the ground to keep him from moving, while Miroku did the same with his staff. Sango's grip on Saya began to loosen.
"Hold on, Saya-chan!" Saya tightened her grip on Sango and Yue as much as she could without hurting either. Right as Saya was losing grip again, the wind slowly died down. Saya released her grip on Sango, and took a step back, only to feel a body collide with hers, knocking her away from the group with a shout.
Saya clenched her eyes tightly and tightened her grip reflexively on Yue as she flew through the air. She felt something warm wrap around her torso and felt herself being forced to skid to a halt. Opening her eyes, she found a pair of blue-green ones staring back at her. A blush fought its way to the surface across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. The owner of the blue-green eyes took a step back, withdrawing his arm from around her waist. He looked away from her as he spoke.
"Sorry, I don't know what came over me. My legs just suddenly seemed to have a mind of their own. You okay?" Saya nodded and took a step back as well. That instant was when her companions caught up to them, pointing their weapons toward the male before Saya.
"Who are you? Why did you attack us?" Miroku spoke, though Saya could see Inuyasha tightening his grip on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. The attacker turned away from Saya to face Miroku. Saya, then, was able to take in the details of the being before her. He had black hair pulled into a high ponytail by a brown cord. There was a plate of armor across his chest, but the rest of his body was covered in fur. There was a brown tail that swished as he stood facing the people before him. He wore no shoes. Saya blinked as she caught sight of a pale pink glow on each of his legs beneath the tan fur. Saya closed her eyes, shook her head to clear it, and then reopened her eyes to still see the pale pink glow. Okay, so I'm not imagining it.
"The name's Haru; I'm the second in command for the Yoro Clan—the first being my father, Koga. What are you doing here?"
"Why did you attack Saya-san?" Haru turned to Saya.
"So that's your name? Nice name for a pretty face." Saya raised an eyebrow at his smirking expression. Instantaneously, his teasing expression vanished as he jumped a distance away. He gazed at the group with a malicious glint in his eyes. "Now, who was the one that attacked my wolves?"
Saya raised both eyebrows at his sudden change in mood before she realized what he had just said. I didn't attack them; I threatened. There were no injuries. Her mood shifted toward the foul side of annoyance. He turned his attention toward her.
"It was you, wasn't it?" He sighed. "That's a shame. I hate killing pretty faces." Haru noticed Yue for the first time; she seemed to hold his attention. "How about a trade? The kit for your life. Whaddya say?"
"Not a chance," spat Saya, who pulled the slumbering kit closer to her body. Haru smirked before disappearing in a gust of air and reappearing directly before Saya. She gasped in surprise and took a step back out of reflex. Haru reached out and grabbed onto Yue before leaping back onto a tree.
"Thanks for the gift. I'll return it by letting you live." An arrow embedded itself in the trunk of the tree next to his face. He looked at Saya, the threat of bodily harm dancing within his irises. "I wouldn't do that again if I were you. I will attack, and as I said, I don't want to hurt that pretty face of yours."
Saya notched another arrow, leveling it at his face. It began to glow a pale, lavender-pink color. "I could say the same." She paused for a second, her eyes narrowed in confusion and curiosity. "Why do you want Yue?"
"It's a special kit, so I want it." He shrugged. His gaze became interested as he looked at the young woman threatening him. "What about you? Why do you want it?"
"She's mine; given to me by her deceased mother—courtesy of your wolves. If you don't return her to me right now, I'll purify your ass to hell," growled Saya venomously. Haru stared at her for a short time in silence, eyes calculating, before he jumped down and held the kit dangling from her scruff before Saya. The girl began to reach for Yue when what Haru said next stopped her in her tracks.
"I'll give her back on one condition: You'll be my woman."
"Eh?" There were multiple shouts of surprise, but Saya's was the loudest. "Why?" The flabbergasted female finally managed to squeak out.
"You protect this kit like she's your own pup. That is something that would be great for the next Alpha Female of the Yoro Clan."
Saya's breath whooshed out of her in an instant. He could not be serious. The guy had just met her; how could he be so willing to marry her this soon? He had to be joking.
"You've got to be kidding…" She shook her head in disbelief. There's no way…
"Why would I joke about something like this?"
"You just met me. You don't know me at all. I threatened to kill you! Why the hell are you wanting to get with me?"
Haru shrugged. "You're strong. You protect your kin. That's all I need to know to understand that you'd make a great Alpha Female."
Saya stared at Haru for a moment before speaking, her voice taunt, "Sorry, I'm taken, but I'll still take Yue back." He hummed in thought for a moment. Saya narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth to threaten Haru again, but he spoke first.
"Don't tell me that you're taken by that mutt-face back there. That would be a waste." Saya's brain was slow to process what Haru had spoken.
"She ain't mine, but you still better get outta here after you give that kit back!" Inuyasha spoke up from behind Saya. Haru stared in contempt at Inuyasha before returning his attention to her.
"So you're taken, but he isn't here. Where is he then? I can't smell any scent of another male on you except for that mutt."
"He's not here because he's unable to join me. His scent, as you put it, isn't on me because I haven't seen him in a while, but I'm still taken all the same." Yeah, I'm taken all right. Saya thought as Haru narrowed his eyes at her in thought. I'm about as taken as a delusional fan-girl gets. She tried to keep her thoughts from showing on her face.
Haru hummed in thought before sighing and handing Yue back to Saya. "I guess that means that I'll just have to convince you to leave him and be my woman." Saya sighed as she accepted Yue into her arms. As she returned to Sango's side, she spoke to Haru.
"I appreciate your flattering words, but I cannot accept them. Thank you for returning Yue to me. We'll be on our way now." The rest of the group watched as Saya made her way back to the path they had been following; they followed suit after a quick glance in Haru's direction. The wolf demon stood still in a mix of emotions as the group disappeared from view.
As they walked, Saya's mind was in an uproar about the recent events that had unfolded concerning the young wolf demon, Haru. Something that still puzzled her was the pink glow on his legs. Maybe it had been a fashion statement.
"What was, Saya-chan?"
"Hm?" She turned toward Sango. "What was what, Sango?"
A confused smile passed over Sango's lips. "You said 'maybe it had been a fashion statement.' What was a fashion statement?"
"I said that aloud? Oops." She laughed sheepishly at herself. She did seem to possess the habit of speaking her thoughts aloud when she did not mean to. "I was just thinking about Haru-" Saya missed Inuyasha's annoyed expression at the mention of the wolf demon "-and about how he had a pink glow type of thing on his shins. I was wondering if that was a fashion statement or not. It must have been."
Sango's face grew confused. "What pink glow, Saya-chan? I didn't see one." She turned to Shippo who rested upon Saya's shoulder. "Did you?" Shippo shook his head.
"Huh? You guys didn't see it? It was pretty bright—definitely noticeable. I wonder why that is…"
"Did I hear you say that the wolf demon had a pink glow on him?" Miroku slowed down so that he could talk with the two females. Saya nodded. "Could it be that you've seen a Shikon shard and not realized it?" Saya blinked in surprise.
"Huh, I think you're right, Miroku-san." Saya said, looking up at said companion with a thoughtful expression resting upon her face. She collided into Inuyasha when he suddenly stopped walking and began to quake in anger.
"We ran into a shard of the Shikon no Tama…and you just now decided to point it out to us?" Saya looked at his back with arms crossed as best they could with Yue resting peacefully within them.
"It's not like I knew that they were Shikon no Tama shards. I told you before that I've never had to sense them, and the ones that I have were given to me by Mamma. I haven't had to look at them or really notice them before now. Sorry that I'm pointing things out later than you would have liked." Saya turned away with a huff toward Miroku and Sango.
Inuyasha turned as well, an irate expression upon his face. "They?! Shards! How many did he have?" Saya replied that there were two on his person. Inuyasha growled in aggravation once again before he began to stomp his way through the trees; the others were forced to follow.
The group emerged from the wooden area to be greeted by a setting sun. Saya admired the sunset before she was forced to reign in her slipping attention to prepare camp before their source of light vanished beneath the horizon. They barely set up in time. Saya was forced to prepare ramen again for dinner due to the lack of light. She made a mental note to bring a flashlight for whenever she returned home.
While Saya ate her food, movement on her lap alerted her that Yue had awakened. She set down her ramen to retrieve bits of vegetables for the kit. After the kit had eaten, Yue returned to sleep, curling closer to Saya's stomach.
"She seems fond of you already," spoke Sango quietly next to her. Saya nodded with a smile, grabbing her ramen and resuming her meal. The remainder of the evening was uneventful as the group settled down for the night.
The following morning, Saya awoke when she heard the others moving around the campsite packing and cleaning. She reluctantly opened her eyes before peering around. Sango, being the nearest to her, was the first to notice her open eyes.
"Ah, good morning, Saya-chan. We were just about to wake you so we could finish cleaning and depart." Saya nodded, sleep still fogging the edges of her brain.
Sitting up, she yawned and stretched. She was about to stand when she noticed something seemed to be missing. Saya glanced around the area surrounding her as panic settled in. "Where's Yue?"
"Shippo has her. She woke up a bit ago and was hungry, so Shippo took care of her for you." Saya looked for the young demon. She spied him attempting to play with Yue. The scene was too cute to allow it to slip away, so she brought out her phone from her pocket and took a picture. The sound of the shutter clicking alerted everyone; they glanced around in preparation for an attack. Saya began to laugh.
As she tried to quiet her laughter, she noticed that her companions turned to face her one by one. Sango was confused, Miroku was wary, and Inuyasha was irritated. Once her mirth was under control, she began to explain what had happened.
"So you mean to say that there is a likeness of Shippo and Yue on that devise of yours?" Miroku pieced together slowly.
Saya nodded before indicating the group to gather so they could peer at the picture. Everyone started when they saw the picture of the two young demons. Upon seeing the adults' startled faces, Shippo ran over to discover what was happening; Yue trailed behind slowly. After the smaller demons rested upon her lap, Saya showed the picture to them.
"Is-is that me?" Shippo asked with something akin to awe and fear. Saya nodded. Yue, however, was unaffected. She merely made noises of happiness while she nestled closer to Saya.
The group set out to continue their journey not long after. Inuyasha and Miroku took the lead once again while Sango and Saya brought up the rear with Shippo resting upon Sango's shoulder. Yue had found a new favorite place to travel—along Saya's shoulders, which was where she currently was slumbering. Saya was amazed by how much the young kit could sleep. She seemed to awaken only long enough to eat and relieve herself before sleeping once again.
"I know she's a baby still, but I'm surprised how much Yue can sleep." Saya turned to Sango, "Did Kirara sleep this much when she was young?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I received her when I was young, but she had been in my family for years. Before that, she was with Midoriko, the creator of the Shikon no Tama." Sango smiled at the neko demon traveling by her side. "So, I don't know the answer to that question. Sorry, Saya-chan." Saya shook her head before waving away Sango's concern.
"It's all good. I was just wondering." Sango nodded.
The group took another break a while later for lunch. It was another quick affair of ramen. Saya was surprised by how healthy everyone seemed to be—especially since the majority of the time what they ate seemed to be nothing but ramen! Although, all of the walking had to be good to help keep them in the physical fitness the group all possessed. They resumed their endless wanderings a short while later.
Saya's body was aching in protest by the time Inuyasha announced they would stop for the night. It was with minute amounts of reluctance that she managed to motivate herself to cook a meal for everyone that wasn't ramen. She decided a quick soup would satisfy the masses. She noticed as she was allowing the soup to simmer, everyone seemed rather impatient for the food to finish. In fact, Inuyasha and Shippo had both come at some point to check how much time remained for the food to finish. She decided to ask a question that had been bugging her while she had cooked as she fished out bowls for the soup.
"Did my mother ever fix healthy food for everyone, or was it always ramen?"
Miroku looked up from where he sat. "We have not been traveling together as a group for very long. Kagome-sama would usually fix food that was quick to make and eat, so our meals tended to be ramen."
Saya let out a short giggle. "Well, that explains why everyone seems so impatient for the soup to finish."
Miroku gave a sheepish laugh. "Yes, it seems that we are all very eager to eat the delicious-smelling food you have prepared for us."
Once the correct amount of dinnerware had been acquired, she began dishing out the soup. "Well, you don't have to wait any longer. It's done now." At once, the gang swarmed to receive a bowl. Inuyasha and Shippo fought who would get the first bowl. "Guys! There's enough soup for everyone to have seconds. Just get a bowl and eat," said Saya while laughing. Miroku and Sango retrieved their bowls in calmer manners. Saya had even found two small saucers for Yue and Kirara to try some. "Here, Kirara. Would you like some?" The small neko mewled happily before digging in as well. Saya set Yue's meal before the tiny kitsune and was surprised to see how quickly the food disappeared. The group ate in relative silence until Shippo and Inuyasha both finished and demanded more.
Saya sighed, realizing there was more work for her to do other than finding the jewel shards. The manners of those two were atrocious. "Do you two ever ask for anything?" When the duo stared at her confused, she sighed once again. "If you ask, you can have your second helping. Demanding gets you nowhere with me." It was with great reluctance that Inuyasha finally caved and asked for his food after the remainder of the group had gotten theirs. "Here you go, Inuyasha. I gave you the rest." She had to bite back the smile that wanted to surface when she saw the look on his face. It reminded her of a child at a candy store. It was incredibly endearing.
The remainder of the night passed with no disturbances. That night, when Saya laid down was the first time she noticed the sky. A soft gasp escaped her lips before she could stop herself.
"What is it, Saya-chan?" Sango asked from beside her, fearing an attack.
"It's just that I've never seen this many stars before. It's breathtaking." Sango asked what she meant. "In my time, there are so many lights; the air is filled with pollution so you are only able to see a small fraction of what you see here. It's amazing how many stars there are." Sango smiled before agreeing with Saya. The two wished each other a good night and sweet dreams before drifting off into their slumbers.
The following day was much of the same: travel, break, travel, camp for the night. It wasn't until the fifth day that anything eventful happened. The group had stopped for the night when Saya paused in her actions of preparing dinner.
"What's wrong, Saya-chan?" Miroku asked, suddenly alerted to the possibility of an oncoming attack.
"I have that odd sensation again. I think there's another fragment headed this way."
~x~
Inuyasha's golden eyes narrowed as they swept the landscape before him. Something was, indeed, headed toward them, and it did not set well with his senses. The annoying wolf had been only mildly unsettling, but this was causing every fiber within his body to stand on high alert.
The monk was quick to join him as the females and Shippo gathered the meager campsite and smothered the fire. The hanyou's senses strained to notice anything unusual surrounding them. He distantly heard the girl gathering things into her bag before grabbing her weapon then flanking to his right while Sango stood on the other side between the monk and himself.
Compressed darkness seemed to spread slowly from behind the tree line toward the group. Whatever the darkness was, Inuyasha detested it; it reeked of blood and death. Distantly, Inuyasha heard the howl of a wolf. As the darkness surged forward, another scent reached his nose—a scent that was purely demonic. The darkness must be some demon's youki. He advised everyone to avoid it at all costs; it was likely to injure the weaker members of the group—or worse.
"Avoid what? I don't see anything," mumbled the girl with slight annoyance. Inuyasha was about to explain when a voice cut him off.
"You possess something that I desire. Give the kitsune pup to me, and I shall allow you to live," a voice called from within the trees. It threatened a slow, painful death if its demands were not met. Now that the demon was closer, Inuyasha could measure its power; he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. While its youki was something to worry about, the actual demon was not.
"Like hell we're giving you anything, bastard. Come out and fight!" Inuyasha wanted to get the confrontation over with; his nerves were starting to wear thin. (The fact that he had yet to eat dinner did not help alleviate his annoyance.) If something did not happen soon, Inuyasha would venture into the woods to end the demon himself.
"You will learn well not to bare your fangs toward others of higher status than you, hanyou," the demon threatened. Inuyasha scoffed; the weakling didn't know what he was up against.
"Why don't you come out here and show me why I shouldn't?" The youki shifted, stretching toward the girl and Shippo, who perched himself upon her shoulder. The youki, which swelled, moved with incredible speed toward the two. Inuyasha turned to grab onto them, but they had already disappeared. He scanned the area, only to discover them in the arms of the annoying wolf.
"What the hell? Are you good for anything? She was almost attacked, and you did nothing to stop it." The mangy wolf turned his attention to the girl. "Everyone okay?" At the girl's slow nod and dazed conformation, the wolf demon redirected his attention toward the irritated hanyou. "Are you going to take care of that annoying pest or should I?"
Inuyasha growled, annoyance beginning to roll off his body in waves. This wolf was beginning to become more aggravating than the demon threatening them. "No one asked for your help."
~x~
Saya watched with something akin to amusement as the two egos within the campsite argued. She quietly stepped out of Haru's grasp before approaching Miroku and Sango after they brought down the demon. Once the demon had met its demise by Sango's Hiraikotsu, the youki that had not been previously removed with Miroku's wind tunnel had dissipated instantaneously.
Shippo glanced back at the still-arguing males. "Do you think they will even notice?"
Saya spared them a glance. "Probably not." Saya approached Miroku, who was knelt on the ground, breathing hard. "Are you all right, Miroku-san?"
He nodded, though it seemed a little strained. "Yeah, I just took in a bit too much of the demon's youki. I should be fine soon." Nodding uncertainly, Saya left the man alone to venture toward Sango. She asked if there was anything she could do to help.
The demon hunter nodded her head. "If you could find the shard, I'll take care of the rest." Saya nodded before glancing around the remains of the fallen demon. Upon spotting the glowing piece of flesh, Saya approached it. Bending down, she grimaced as she removed the shard from the flesh. She did not noticed Sango's look of surprise when she simply picked up the shard. Sango smiled at her in thanks before resuming her work of disposing of the demon corpse.
While Saya watched those about her busying themselves in some sort of fashion, she discovered something about the night's events that bothered her. How had Haru arrived in the nick of time to save her? Had he been watching? If so, why? Was he trying to steal Yue again? The last thought frightened the girl as she looked toward the wolf demon. He did not seem to notice that Saya and the small demons had vacated the area around him. One would think that if he were trying to steal something, he would be more aware of the location of the object he was attempting to poach. Finally, Saya could not handle the unanswered questions any longer, so she marched toward where Inuyasha and Haru stood, glaring at one another.
"Haru, why are you here? I'm not complaining about you saving us, but I am wondering why you are even here." The egos broke their intense glaring competition to stare at the female speaking.
Saya's question seemed to finally register in Haru's head before he took a step toward Saya and offered a boyish grin. "I'm here because my father put me in charge of protecting that kit and her mother."
Confusion spread like wildfire through Saya. "Why? Aren't wolves and foxes enemies or something?" Haru chuckled before suggesting that they sit for the explanation.
Once settled, Haru explained, "Yeah, normally we don't get along too well, but under certain circumstances, we can work together."
"So, why are you working together now?"
"There's been something plaguing these lands recently; it's been killing all the animals and weak demons instantly. That kit in your arms is special—her entire clan was until they all were killed. In order to keep whatever it was from getting its hands on them, they were killed or protected by other demons. My father chose to protect instead of kill; he no longer cares for unnecessary bloodshed."
Saya tilted her head to the side in thought. "So you mean to say that the demon we just ran into wasn't what is killing them."
"Yeah, that's right."
Saya hummed in consideration before asking another question. "When I ran into those wolves earlier, they were protecting the fox, not hurting it?"
"Correct. They had been given instructions not to harm the kitsunes."
Saya nodded. "That explains a few things. But answer me this: you keep saying that Yue is special, but how is she?" Yue stirred in Saya's lap, drawing the attention of both adults. The young kit squirmed around until she found another comfortable position on Saya's lap before returning to her slumber. "Is she special because of how much she can sleep? Because that seems very possible right now," spoke Saya dryly. Haru gave a chuckle in response.
"I think it's best if I allow you to figure out how she's special on your own. She seems to be growing attached to you already." The wolf demon redirected his gaze from the slumbering animal on her lap toward her face. "That's a good thing, by the way." Saya nodded slowly.
Light engulfed the area around her causing Saya to glance around for the source; Inuyasha had restarted the fire. Everyone was gathering around its offered warmth. Saya made as to join the others, but a hand reached out to stop her. Haru's hand was latched onto her wrist, keeping her from leaving his presence yet. Saya opened her mouth to ask what his problem was, when he began to speak quietly for the first time.
"I know there is no other male in your life." The statement caused blood to rush to her face; Saya was sure she now resembled a tomato. Haru glanced toward the group as they prepared places to rest around the fire. "Is it the monk?" The unexpected question elicited a chortle out of the startled girl. Inuyasha's gaze turned toward them briefly before refocusing on the fire before him.
Saya fought to control her laughter before speaking. "No, it's not him."
Haru gazed at the girl, causing her to flush again. "So I was correct in guessing the mutt. That's a shame." He shook his head. "You could do so much better."
"Like you?" She arched an eyebrow in his direction. His self-assured grin was the only response Saya required before she dissolved into a fit of giggles. She excused herself to prepare dinner for the awaiting group. Ramen seemed to be the wise choice for the night. It was already dark, so fixing a legitimate meal was out of the question. Besides, Saya was sure everyone was tired and wanted to sleep. Ramen was fast and easy to prepare. Once everyone, including Haru, had a container of ramen (much to Inuyasha's irritation), the night passed by smoothly.
Woo! That was a long chapter! Let me know if there was anything you liked, disliked, or thought needed more attention via review! Until next time! ~Saph