Author's Note: Hey guys! So, its been incredibly long since 've updated. I'm really sorry I've been so busy with school and other things in my life. So, to those of you who still follow me and have reviewed I really appreciate your support and I hope you enjoy the new chapter of Fever! R&R.
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Inuyasha scoffed loudly from across the fire as he slipped his hands into the sleeves of his kimono. His companions shared similar expressions of surprise and amusement at the Hanyou's last statement.
Kagome giggled next to him as she picked up her fish on a stick and bit into it again. Inuyasha immediately turned to here and gave her an annoyed glare, "What's so funny, Kagome?" he snapped, saying her name syllable by syllable, like she'd done to him so many years ago, as his ears twitched in irritation.
"Oh, come on Inuyasha," Sango drawled from across the fire as she ate from a small bowl of rice, noticing the flick of challenge at Inuyasha's question burn in Kagome's eyes as she looked at the antagonistic Hanyou. "We're not making fun of you." She said in an attempt to quickly diffuse a pointless argument between the couple.
Inuyasha turned his gaze towards the demon slayer and her monk, his dark eyebrows furrowed and an annoyed expression visably curling his mouth into a frown, "Oh, Really?!" He asked harshly.
"Come now, Inuyasha. Sango and Kagome are just very surprised to see how much you have matured over the years," the monk interjected, smiling good naturedly as he gracefully held his small cup of tea and sipped from it intermittently, "And I must say, I'm impressed too."
Inuyasha huffed again and looked away from all his friends and up towards the moon in embarrassment. The half demon was no longer the young adolescent facing off against Naraku or pinning over the memory of a lost, albeit dysfunctional love. He had finally after 200 years or so begun to grow into an adult in just the past couple of years. He had changed not only physically but mentally as well; Inuyasha didn't know whether to accredit it to time or his experiences – perhaps it was a bit of both.
Of course he was still the same brash and impulsive Inuyasha at times but that was simply just who he was. Although, when it came to dealing with all others, his brother included, he had become much more rational and even compassionate.
So when they had all decided to help Sesshomaru despite his attack and Inuyasha had agreed, suffice to say they had all been the furthest from stoic upon hearing Inuyasha agree.
Inuyasha glanced down from the moon to look to the beautiful woman who sat to his right. He smiled lightly as he watched her chat animatedly with Miroku and Sango. He knew that this compassionate side of him was the direct result of the woman he loved.
"You guys laugh all ya want!" He said while he leaned forward and grabbed another fish from over the fire and smirking added, "But when that bastard wakes up the break is over. We leave and we take the medicine with us. We got demons to kill and a priestess to reacquaint with my claws."
He flexed his free hand and the joints popped loudly.
Kagome rolled her eyes, 'Something's never change.' She thought as she smiled at her boyfriend currently stuffing his face.
"Kagome?"
The sound of Rin's voice broke the young woman from her revere as she turned away from the fire towards the young woman behind her.
"Is everything okay, Rin?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango just silently looked towards Rin as they ate, the campfire now eerily quiet as they waited from the young woman to speak.
Rin had spent the majority of the last few days running back and forth from the forest to the small abandoned hut they'd found to put Sesshomaru in. She had been harvesting herbs, food, and getting water for him. At first Kagome tried to convince the young woman that she didn't need to do this alone. But she had insisted that this was her opportunity to repay a debt to the Lord who had protected her all these years.
Of course, she could not change bandages on her own so Kagome had often assisted Rin with this task. And each time she entered the hut she noticed the procured and prepared food was always untouched.
Kagome frowned at this memory as she looked up at the young woman.
Rin smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she nodded her head 'yes', "Of course! I actually think that tomorrow we will be able to travel our separate ways again. And I wanted to know if I could have a few extra bandages? I will repay you next time we meet, I promise!" she responded sincerely as she took a proffered seat next to Kagome on a log by the fire.
"No problem, Rin!" Kagome said with a wink as grabbed a fish for Rin and handed it to her. Kagome watched as Rin at delicately but intensely from the food they'd prepared tonight. The raven-haired priestess looked towards her boyfriend, who now had a hard look on his face – his jaw tense. She wanted to sigh but kept her emotions to herself. Inuyasha already knew that she thought pushing Rin for the information regarding Sesshomaru was wrong. But she also knew that the reoccurrence of the dark priestess was a cause for worry. And Sesshomaru's bizarre condition was not only suspicious but also incredibly dangerous for him and Inuyasha's group.
What powers does Tsubaki have that could alter a demon as powerful as Sesshomaru? That is, if his condition was caused by her, of course.
But either way, Sesshomaru was a wanderer and traversed these lands much more than her and Inuyasha. If there were any validity to these rumors, then the Lord of the West would know.
There were questions that needed to be answered.
One way or another…Kagome thought darkly into the flames flickering viciously across from her.
Rin smiled and bowed a slight thank you to the dinner and began to eat quietly. Rin couldn't ease the tension from her shoulders and she waited for the inevitable interrogation from Inuyasha's group. It had been almost four days since their unfortunate run in with each other. And she knew it was coming, but the fact of the matter was that Rin wasn't sure this was her story to tell. Of course she wanted to help Inuyasha and Kagome, they had been so helpful over the last few days. She cringed at the thought of what she would have done had Kagome not been around. Although in truth, there was not much to tell, they ran into a strange old priestess and the next morning her lord was no longer a full-fledged demon.
Inuyasha cleared his throat and tossed the now fishless stick into the fire across from him. He shifted Tetseiga to rest against the opposite shoulder and then placed his hands into the sleeves of his kimono. Rin watched as he closed his eyes and his face relaxed momentarily but moments later his amber eyes opened slowly as he stared intently into the fire.
It was moments like these that Rin was struck with how much time had passed since she had first met Inuyasha and his friends. Staring at Inuyasha now, she was actually nervous, he radiated power and confidence that he'd never had just ten years prior.
She glanced across the campfire towards the Monk and Demon Slayer who sat calmly and quietly; although they noticeable change in their normally snuggly demeanor which made Rin's heart beat faster. Miroku and Sango sat forward with their elbows across their knees as they stared through the fire at Inuyasha.
Even Kagome was serious and silent, although she sat with a sort of careless grace, and she too appeared to be waiting for someone to say something.
"Rin," She jumped at the steady sound of Inuyasha's voice. Her gaze whipped away from Kagome to Inuyasha, who still stared intently into the fire.
"Y-yes, Inuyasha?"
His gaze unwavering from the flickering flames he continued, "The time has come for you to tell us exactly what is going on with Sesshomaru," he said and slowly turned his gaze on Rin.
Her throat felt dry and suddenly she wanted to be anywhere else but right here in this moment with Inuyasha's burning gaze upon her. But before she could respond he continued to speak.
"There is a woman…who I failed to kill, many years ago. I know she was involved with the condition my brother is in," Kagome gasped and looked at Inuyasha, whose gaze remained fixed on Rin.
"I can smell it on him, the remnants of dark magic, it has a distinctive scent. So, what I need you to tell me," he paused as Rin stared wide-eyed at him and after a few moments of proceeding silence Rin's anxiety prevailed over her patience, "Yes, Inuyasha?"
The silver haired half demon's stoic face broke into a smirk finally and the familiar arrogance replaced the calm confidence that had so eerily reminded her of her Lord. And with a resounded "keh!" in the silent moonlit night, illuminated only by the crackling fire between the half-breed and his human companions did he finally ask,
"Well, do you and that bastard brother of mine want to help us kill this witch?!"
Rin was shocked and was about to respond when a deep voice broke through the silence, causing her heart to jump in surprise as she whipped around, her long black hair momentarily blocking her vision as the voice continued, but she didn't need to see him to know who was speaking.
"As memory serves, little brother, you are the bastard, not I," the icy baritone cut through the darkness. "And I have no need for your assistance in destroying that whore." Amber eyes narrowed at the ones starring amusedly back from the campfire.
"I was right, you really are as arrogant as the day is long," Inuyasha said as he stood up and laughed placing Tetseiga at his waist. But suddenly he was serious returning his brother's hardened look, "But if you try to do this without us... Look, ya ain't a half demon naturally. You're not meant to be in this condition. And if you fight without me,"
Inuyasha paused, seeing confusion flash ever so slightly across Sesshomaru's face and then he realized it, "Of course you don't remember…but if you fight without me, Sesshomaru. You will die."
Sesshomaru's eyes widened momentarily, the memory of how he had sustained these wounds was a mystery to him, and the last thing he remembered before waking was tracking Inuyasha down.
"Speak," Sesshomaru said as he brandished Tokijin. "Or die."
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END NOTE: So, the story is now back on track! Let me know what you think! R&R!