Chapter 5
Kagome sat under a tree in the forest, cowering as three buffed demons came towards her with their hungry mouths opened and drooling. The growling noises that they made rang through Kagome's ears. Her eyes were tight shut, so that they wouldn't be the last thing she saw before they ate her. She tried picturing something happy, but all that came to her mind was those demons and how she wished she had just stayed home.
Suddenly, as a stroke of luck descended on her, the drooling echoes in her head stopped and another voice instead broke through. Her eyes quickly opened and there before her she saw her rescuer, it was Inuyasha and he had simply cut through them with his claws as though it was nothing at all.
Kagome's eyes lit up and she smiled up at Inuyasha as he landed in front of her, the demons gone for good.
"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked with a confused look as Kagome stood with a little more confidence.
Kagome slightly blushed, first he saved her and now for some reason he had made her quite embarrassed, because she really didnt know the answer to that. Instead of answering, she looked down at her hand which started to throb. She hadnt even noticed that she had been injured from the fact she could have been devoured. Inuyasha glanced down at her cut palm, which was still bleeding.
Skillfully, he tore a piece of his sleeve and wrapped the cloth around her hand, "There," he said when he was done.
Kagome gazed at him with an opened mouth, wondering what to say after such kindness from him.
"What?" he asked defensively, unsure what she was gawking at? The only time humans had ever gawked at him was for whom he was, that and it made them uneasy when they were around him. It was this that Inuyasha found it more peaceful in the forest. Just because his mother had raised him around humans, didn't mean he had to stay with them after her death.
"It's just," Kagome stopped, "you're being nice to me."
"And..." he got a little more defensive, "what have I told you, Im not like those other demons."
Kagome shook her head, "It's not that, its just, I've never had a guy be so nice to me like that."
Inuyasha snorted, "What about your father, the king?"
Kagome shrugged, "Thats different, he doesnt care for me, my mother and sister has taken care of me, well mostly and my father takes care of the kingdom."
Inuyasha nodded, understanding. In the kingdom, men generally didn't take care of the children unless they were a monk or priest who cared for them when they were hurt or sick.
"So why are you here?" Inuyasha decided to ask again, "it's kind of dangerous in the forest," he turned from her, "not that I care or anything, I just dont want to have to keep saving you."
"Hmm..." Kagome decided to now play it cool since he had saved her life and all. So putting her hands innocently behind her and walking casually away she said, "Oh I was just taking a walk, you know to get a bit of fresh air." She closed her eyes as she walked, still confidently and didnt see the small rock in front of her that she was now tripping over.
"Hey! Careful," Inuyasha barely had time to reach out and catch her before Kagome could fall to the ground. "That's what you get for not looking where you're going..." Inuyasha's mouth fell open slightly as he gazed into her eyes for the first time, still holding her.
"T-thank you," Kagome replied as she too stared back at him. They seemed to fall in each other's eyes when finally Inuyasha shook his head a little and cleared his throat, letting go of her so that she stood on her feet again.
Inuyasha gave a nod as if to say "you're welcome" as he looked away, blushing slightly. Then Kagome felt someone grab her hand from behind and she jerked around to see her sister, "Sango?"
Sango glanced over at Inuyasha then looked back at Kagome, "Father insists to see you right away, he has ordered a search party, if you're not there we're both in trouble, he doesn't even know I came looking for you."
Kagome looked down, "oh..." she looked back at Inuyasha again, "I have to go." Inuyasha nodded, trying to come up with something to say but by the time he had come up with a goodbye Kagome was already heading back to the castle, waving back to him. Sango gave a warning protective look at Inuyasha before following her younger sister.
By the time Kagome and Sango had entered the castle they heard their father talking to a guard ordering more people looking for them. He then turned, saw them and gave them a disapproving frown.
"Where have you two been?" he demanded.
Kagome took a step forward toward the king, "Please dont blame sister, it was my fault, I was outside near the forest on my own will." Sango looked over at Kagome surprised. Technically Kagome had been inside the forest, but by saying so would get her into deeper trouble so Sango kept her mouth shut.
The king looked angrier, "You know the rules! You know you aren't allowed near that forest, especially with what has been going on recently!" Kagome looked down ashamed, "Yes father."
Sango looked down too then back at the king, hoping to change the subject, "You wanted to see us father?"
"Yes...," the king gave a nod after taking a deep breath, "to discuss the wolf demon leader's offer, I have arranged a meeting with a monk who is training to be our new priest soon since our other priest was killed," he looked down sadly, he had been close to their previous priest. After a second or two the king looked back at his daughters, "I want to two of you to be ready of his arrival this evening."
Kagome nodded, trying not to look upset by her father still wanting to go through with the marriage. Sango glanced at Kagome sadly, but looked back at the king, "As you wish father," taking Kagome's arm she led her upstairs. Everyone seemed a little nervous to be meeting the new priest in training, the only thing Sango had heard about him was that his name is Miroku.
