Chapter Three: The Pounding Only I Can Hear

Akio sat beneath the sacred tree in the feudal era playing with her long black and white hair. She braided parts of it here and there as she looked up to the sky through the branches. She remained in her blue jeans and blouse but no sneakers, just a pair of socks rested on her feet. "I hot bath sounds good right now." She said to herself. "That's the same thing Kagome said when she first got stuck here too." A familiar voice mentioned from above her. Akio looked to the side to see Inuyasha's legs. She looked up at him. "Oh really?" she asked then scuffed to herself. 'Even here I'm being compared to Kagome…' she thought as she shut her eyes. "Well, where we're from that's the greatest way to relax." She said as she yawned softly. "Well, there is a place you can bath around here." He told her. "Oh yeah?" Akio's eyes opened again. "I'd be glad to take you there." Miroku chimed from behind Inuyasha. "Oh no you don't!" Sango answered as she grabbed Miroku by the ear. "I'll take you there, ok?" Sango offered her. Akio smiled. "Thanks." She said softly as she stood up. "It's no problem. I need to bath anyways." She laughed. "Kagome!" Sango called to her. Kagome walked up to them with three towels, wash clothes, body soap, shampoo and conditioner. "You two ready?" Kagome asked them with a smile. The two smiled and nodded. "Stay here." Sango and Kagome growled at Miroku and Inuyasha. The two females grabbed Akio by the arms and walked her to the lake. Upon arrival at the spot Akio's eyes glistened. "This is beautiful!" she said happily. Akio quickly removed her clothes and a got into the water. She made sure her body stood under the water. Sango and Kagome noticed this when they got in the water. "Something wrong?" Sango asked Akio. "Im just not proud of my body." She told her. "How come?" Kagome asked her. "Well, I have a lot of random scars all over my body. I've no idea where most of them came from. The ones on my legs are from climbing and falling from trees growing, heh." She laughed with a smile. "But other than that, no idea where the others come from." She said softly as she stood up to show them. Her body was covered in slash scars. There was a scar in the shape of an X over her chest. In a way, the scars looked like markings but they were clearly wounds from some type of blade. "How long have you had these?" Kagome asked. "Since I was five years old; my parents took me to the doctor for it and they informed us that they were birthmarks. But I know they are scars, birthmarks don't look like sword slashes." She sat back down. "I even have some on my upper legs. All the smaller scars on my lower legs were me playing around outside." She stated. "Scars or not, your body is beautiful!" Kagome complimented her. Akio smiled with a blushing smile as she pushed her hair behind her ear. "Why do you have silver hairs Akio?" Sango asked her. "Stress." Kagome stated. Akio gave Kagome that same excuse before when she asked about her silver streaks. Akio smiled because she knew her hair had always been like that. It naturally grew that way ever since she was little. Akio grabbed the body wash and a wash cloth and began to wash herself off. Once she rinsed she climbed out and wrapped a towel around her body. "I don't have clothes to change into…." Akio sighed and began headed for Kaede's house. When she finally made it there she requested the materials for clothing, thread and a needle. As Kaede fished for these materials, Akio removed the towel from around her body and began to dry her hair. She wrapped the towel around her body again and sat down as Kaede handed her the materials. "What are yee going to do with these items?" Kaede asked her. Akio smiled at her. "I'm going to make myself some clothes." And with that, Akio began work on her new clothes.

Once Akio finish she held in her hands a short red dress that closed on her neck like a turtleneck and was open on her chest. The length of the dress went down to her thighs and had splits on the side. She made kimono like arm pieces in blue that fit on her upper arm and draped down like a kimono sleeve. The buttons she made on the neck piece of the dress were also blue and she designed a blue obi piece with a smaller red one over it and a blue obi ribbon that tied it all on together. She smiled happily at her dress then looked over to her thigh high blue stockings that she had also made. She looked around the room and spotted a pair of red sandals that looked like they belonged to Kagome. Akio smiled as she dropped the towel from her now dry body. Kagome had brought her a bra and panties while she was making the dress. Lucky for Akio she didn't need the bra Kagome had brought her because, after all, she was a lot bustier than Kagome and she was not going to fit it. She had sewn in a bra with the dress to make sure. She slid on the panties and pulled her long hair into a messy bun. Akio began to check her body for any marks then began to put the dress on. She buttoned it up the neck and slowly rolled the thigh highs on. The wrapped the blue obi around her waist, then the smaller red one and finally tied it on with the blue ribbon. Akio slid the kimono sleeves then released her hair down her back. She grabbed Kagome's brush and brushed out all the tangles and knots she had. Once she was done she stood up and slipped into Kagome's red sandals and dusted herself off. There was still plenty of time in the day for the group to leave but Kagome wanted Akio to join them where Inuyasha disagreed. "Why not Inuyasha?" Kagome asked angrily. "Because she'll just be a nuisance; I already have to protect you, protecting her too is way too much!" he told her. "This coming from the guy that she beat up!" Kagome growled at him. "That's strength, she has no weaponry skills!" he screamed back. Akio walked over to them, her hands in the pockets of the dress she made. "Actually, I'm an archer and I'm quiet handy with a sword." She smiled. "Inuyasha…." Kagome said in an angered voice that normally ended with 'sit', she turned her head to him with an expression that read 'how stupid do you feel right now'. Akio smirked and very calmly said "Sit Boy." She laughed knowing it wouldn't work, but when it did, she was shocked. Inuyasha slammed into the ground. "What the…." She looked at Kagome who was also shocked. "I thought that only worked when you said it!" She screamed. "It normally does!" "Well, try saying it now, see if it works!" "Sit boy!" Inuyasha stood up and dusted himself off feeling confused. "Sit." Akio said after her. And Inuyasha crashed again. "This is so weird." Kagome stated. "I know…." Akio bit her lip. "How come it works for me and not you now?" she asked. "I've no idea." The two of them just stared at Inuyasha as he sat up on the floor. "Could someone explain what's going on?" he asked. "When I say sit you don't crash, but when Akio says it, it works." Kagome explained. "That's weird." "You don't think me and you are the reincarnation of the same person, do you?" Kagome looked at Akio and sighed. "That would explain some things." She said softly. If Akio were another reincarnation of Kikiyo, then it would feel as though Kikiyo, Akio and I are all fighting for his love….. Kagome thought to herself. "I doubt it. You look and smell nothing like them." Inuyasha stated. "but something about you does smell very off for a human." He added. Akio laughed. "Maybe I'm the demon that posse one of my ancestors." Akio laughed but Inuyasha took that serious. She noticed this and shook her head. "It was only a joke Inuyasha." she stated as she began to walk away. You said it as a joke but it doesn't smell like one… Inuyasha thought as he stared at Akio talking to Kagome. He drained out their voices and continued to look at Akio from head to toe. He eyed her figure in the tight fitting dress, her curves were tight with a small waist and smooth hips. Her breasts were bigger than Kagome's and perky and her butt peeked out from under the dress. Inuyasha could see her long black and silver hair flow behind her as a gust of wind flew by them. He smirked to himself for a moment being pleased. She was beautiful and strong with the claim of skills weaponry. She smiled and looked in Inuyasha's direction. Her eyes squinted and her bright smile faded into a smirk. I promise that I'll prove myself and you have no else choice. Akio thought to herself as she looked at Inuyasha from a distance. "I'm gonna go get everything set up for our journey." Kagome informed Akio. Akio nodded her head and headed for the sacred tree with a beaconing look in her eyes.

Akio stared up at the sacred tree in awe. It looks the exact same as it does back home. She placed her hands to the tree and smiled. "Hello there old friend." She said softly. She looked up and eyed the tree. Some branches weren't there but they were in her time frame. They most likely haven't grown in just yet. She thought to herself as she began to climb the tree. Akio smiled as she found her branch in the tree and to her amazement her name was already carved into it. "what are you doing?" a voice from below asked. Akio looked down from her branch and smiled. "Checking if this is still my branch." She laughed. "what do you mean your branch?" he asked. "This branch has my family's name carved in it." She stated. "no way." Inuyasha said as she jumped into the tree. He reached the branch Akio sat on and look at it from behind her. "Its been there for about maybe… 5 years now." He told her looking at the carving. "seriously?" she asked as she turned her head back to him. Their faces so close to where she could feel his breath on her neck. "yeah." He answered her, his voice low, it came off soft and hushed. Akio's face turned red from the closeness of the half bread. "you two!" Miroku called from below. Akio was so startled that she lost her balance and fell of the branch. "ah!" she screamed. Akio spotted the branch beneath her and aimed for it when a hand grabbed her and pulled her into their arms. Inuyasha jumped down from the tree, caring Akio bridal style in his arms. "Be careful would you!" he screamed at her. "Well maybe if pervy over here did startle me I wouldn't have fallen!" she yelled back at him. "don't blame other people for being a clumsy!" he yelled back at her. "You didn't have to catch me jerk! I saw were I was going to land!" she yelled back at him. "Inuyasha, are you planning on putting her down?" Sango asked from behind Miroku. Akio and Inuyasha looked at each other and turned bright red in the face. Akio pushed Inuyasha way from her and jump to the ground landing on her feet. "is Kagome ready?" Akio asked making a distance between her and Inuyasha. "yea, she's waiting back at the well for us." Sango stated. "ok, great!" Akio said as she ran off from them to meet up with Kagome. She held onto her chest as she felt her heart pounding out of her chest. How embarrassing! She thought to herself as she slowed down. The warmth of his body… actually felt nice… and the strength in his arms… Maybe that's why Kagome likes him so much. Akio thought as she held herself taking smaller steps as she went on to reach Kagome. That feel of safety his arms hold in them, it would calm anyone. She thought again as she shivered slightly. "I should have made longer bottoms, Its starting to chill over here." She sighed and continued on to meet with Kagome. Sango and Miroku looked at Inuyasha. "I understand that Akio is sexy as much as the next guy would but you have to think about Kagome before you move, Inuyasha." Miroku told him. "I agree. Kagome's a good girl. I understand that Akio is nice and all, but you have Kagome." Sango added. Inuyasha glared at them. "Would you guys mind your own business? I'm not interested in her in the slightest." He growled. "It sure didn't look that way." Sango stated. "Well too bad, because she isn't attractive and I don't like her. She's Kagome's friend. If she got hurt, Kagome would never forgive me." He argued. "Whatever you say, Inuyasha." Miroku said as he put his hands up in the air in surrender. "If you hurt Kagome, we won't forgive you." Sango added as she walked off with Miroku. Sango glanced at Miroku and smiled lightly as she reached for his hand, her cheeks flushing red. Miroku glanced at her and grabbed her hand. Inuyasha sighed heavily. "They want to act as though they are so perfect. Every woman he sees he wants! And she doesn't even bother him about it anymore!" he growled softly. "If I want them both, I'd have them both…" he growled to himself. Then it hit him. What am I saying…? Kagome already feels as though she has to compete with Kikiyo, she shouldn't feel compelled to compete with her own friend. Inuyasha sighed to himself and walked off to meet up with the rest of the group.

Akio looked at Kagome with a bit of a strange look on her face. "Kagome?" she asked her slowly. "yeah?" she answered. "Why did you bring your bike here?" she asked her as she walked beside Kagome who was riding her bike. "So I don't have to walk so… much… How are you keeping up with me?" Kagome asked her. "I do a lot of walking, so I'm very quick on my feet." Akio told her. Kagome was in shock. "Are you sure you're human?" she asked her. "I'm pretty sure I've never grown a tail or animal ears nor have I had any claws before. So I suppose I am human." Akio laughed. Kagome smiled at her and looked a head on her bike. Aki began to daze out as she stared up to the sky. She could hear the voices of everyone in the group at a far off distance. They seemed like a family and she smiled at this. One big happy family, hunh? She laughed lightly for a moment then stumbled over something. As Akio went to catch her balance she slipped on something and fell completely causing her to twist her ankle. Akio bit her lip and sat there on the ground for a moment as she gripped her ankle in her hand. The pain seemed to be bearable for the time being. "Are you alright Akio?" a voice called out to her. He put her thump up. "I'm fine!" she called back. As she lifted herself and applied pressure to her twisted ankle she could see something pink getting closer to her. "Akio?" the voice said softly. "yeah Kagome?" She asked softly as she attempted to apply pressure to her ankle. "You can't walk can you?" She asked her. "No, I can walk just fine." Akio told her. "no, you can't…" Kagome turned around to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, could you carry her for a while?" Kagome asked him. "Hello no!" he responded. "Do it or I'll make Akio sit you!" she screamed. "You wouldn't." He challenged. "You're a good boy right Inuyasha?" Akio asked with a devilish grin. "Wha-what?" He asked nervously. "Sit boy!" Akio announced which sent Inuyasha crashing into the ground. "What the hell!" Inuyasha screamed as he sat up. "Just carry her Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed. "fine….." Inuyasha grumbled as he lifted Akio onto his back. He could feel heart breast against his back. Wow… they are a lot bigger… and softer… He thought as his face flashed red. "You ok?" Akio asked him seeing his face red. "I'm fine. Just not use to carrying anyone other than Kagome." Akio smiled at him. "That's sweet!" she told him then laid her head down on his back a small frown on her face. He really loves her… wish I had that back home. I've got everything but that… she thought to herself as she held onto him. Akio can see everyone managed to trail behind her and Inuyasha and Kagome was farther ahead. Suddenly Akio could hear a pounding sound. She looked around her to see if anyone else could hear it. Seeing that no one could hear it she became confused. What is this? She thought as she looked around herself. No body? Really? Just me? She thought again. Why am I the only one that can hear this pounding… maybe it's just in my head? She thought again and held on tight to Inuyasha. He looked over his shoulder at hat with a questioning look. Is she ok? He thought to himself as she pushed her up more on his back. Even with that sad look on her face…... she is still beautiful… Inuyasha sighed as he managed to catch up with Kagome and everyone managed to catch up with him. Miroku looked at Sango and tapped her on the shoulder. "Are you thinking what im thinking?" he asked her. Sango nodded her head and looked forward. "Akio is no human girl… and her eyes are set on Inuyasha." Sango stated. "Exactly." Miroku stated.

Lawliet: Aw! Akio's crush on Inuyasha is starting to develop!

Akio: Shut up Lawliet!

Lawliet: Dont know how XP

Akio: I wish i could kill you some times.

Inuyasha: *sighs* please Review them... -_-'

Lawliet & Akio: You mean all of us jerk face!

Inuyasha: Yeah, what they said. *walks away*

albums/jj631/lawlietlover20/AkiointheForest_ (Akio! XD)