Wow! Look at this story, I haven't seen it in ages! Aww, my poor neglected baby! well, hows about we start updating this one? Teehee. Well anyway everyone, I'm now starting my junior year, so I may or may not be busier than usual. So updating things may be a little haphazard now, but it'll get better. Thanks for all your reviews everyone, really. :) -Ariana
Disclaimer: (sniffles sadly and plays her Inuyasha soundtracks)
Chapter 7 – The Ramen
Kagome didn't move a single muscle, choosing to stay as still as stone while she waited. If only the brute would open the doors, then she could tend to him.
As a miko, she felt it her duty to tend to those in pain and need. It was something she'd learned to live by, and she'd be damned if this one, stupid, evil little demon was going to stop her.
"Demons," she muttered, still glaring. True, she'd never quite had to tend a demon before. She knew about their regeneration powers, and that they could heal relatively fast. And besides, they were always too proud to ask for any human's help. Especially that of a miko.
Kagome sighed, losing her will to not move. She slumped her shoulders, still glaring, but with an added pout effect. She could hear him on the other side, and it was driving her crazy.
The sounds on the other side of the door stopped then, and Kagome frowned, wondering if she'd done something. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a face peek out from behind a corner in the hallway.
Seeing no one else in the hall besides Kagome, the body attached to the face came out as well, and the miko saw that it was the young woman from earlier.
The woman bit her lip, and then beckoned over to Kagome quickly. She pointed unnecessarily to her chest and raised an eyebrow in inquiry. The woman rolled her eyes and beckoned more fiercely. Kagome shrugged and began to walk over.
"What is it, milady?" Kagome asked kindly. Sango chuckled.
"I'm no lady, I'm but a servant here, responsible for you." As an afterthought, she tilted her head in the direction of the demon. "And him, too."
Kagome nodded shyly, unsure of what to do. "So... what was it you wanted?" Sango smiled kindly, and Kagome relaxed a tiny fraction.
"You are here to tend to the lord, yes?" she asked. Kagome nodded, then bit her lip.
"But he won't let me tend to him..." she stared pointedly at the woman, wondering what her name was. Sango flushed and laughed nervously.
"Forgive me, Lady, I seem to have lost my manners. I am Sango, madam, at your service." She bowed formally, her palms against her thighs. Kagome smiled. She'd found a friend.
"...Sango. Is there anything I might do to help him?" she asked with a worried frown. Sango just smiled and shook her head.
"Milord will be tended to only when he wishes to be tended to, and never other than then. But I have faith in milady," she said, sweeping a calculating look over the girl. Kagome blushed, but held her head high. She would show everyone what good she could do. She wasn't going to remain a timid miko for the rest of her life. Kagome was determined to make something of herself.
Her shoulders slumped suddenly, and Sango hid a smile at the familiar gesture; many of them were making it these days, and it was all centered on the same man. Kagome couldn't do this, could she? Yes, her healing powers were amazing, surpassed by none and all that jazz, but could she deal with this... buffoon who didn't wish to be healed?
Sango's soothing voice, traced with laughter, brought her back to her senses. "He favors them noodles we heard you make," she whispered conspiratorially. Kagome frowned. Who had heard of her cooking way over here? .....Mother...
A rustle was heard from behind the wide doors they stood outside of, and Sango gave Kagome a knowing look that she returned with glee. Sango hurried away with a last reassuring wink, and Kagome walked slowly up to the door.
She sighed dramatically when she was nose-to-nose with the great wooden thing. "Oh milord, I fear you must fend for yourself whilst I am gone, and the food that would have been yours will go to..." she grasped for a name, any name that she'd heard recently. "Hojo."
At this, the door burst open, and she gasped when she found herself nose-to-nose with Inuyasha instead. Red blurred her vision, and she backed up slowly. He fixed a glare on her that dared to be challenged, and growled deep in his throat. Something moving drew her attention, and she looked curiously down to find the bandages on his hands open and dripping with fresh blood.
She reached out with another gasp, trying to take his hands, but he pulled back with a snarl. "Noodles. What do you call them?" he asked shortly. She swallowed a lump in her throat.
"R..ra...ramen milord," she stammered. He huffed again, his nose quivering at the smell of her. He clenched his fists harder.
"Bring it to me." And with that, he slammed the doors again. She stared for a moment, before shaking her head and turning to go down the stairs. Sango popped out of nowhere and grabbed her arm, asking her if it went all right.
"It's fine," Kagome reassured her. "I just have to make him some ramen." Sango nodded her head, looking enlightened.
"That's what you call it?" Kagome nodded slowly, raising an eyebrow at the look on the servant's face. It looked a little sneaky, in fact...
"Well, I suggest you get it to him quickly, before he breaks something else for me to repair," she said calmly, a tiny smile gracing her mouth. With a final bow, Sango hurried away, leaving Kagome once more alone in the hallway. She glared at the door for effect, and then followed after the servant girl.
She made her way back downstairs quickly enough; trudging up those damned stairs required a great amount of strength. With a groan, she realized that she would be making the trek often if she was to care for the lord.
Kagome slumped into the kitchen, nodding to Kaede. The woman smiled, relinquishing Miroku, who hurried to hide behind Sango. The young woman gave him a funny look, but let him be, more interested in watching Kagome than she was in a perverted monk.
"What is it ye need Kagome?" the old woman asked. Kagome smiled hesitantly before glancing around with a hurried look.
"I need to make some ramen for the lord... what exactly is his name, anyway?" she asked, honestly curious. Kaede looked to the others, who shrugged; there seemed to be no harm in her knowing his name.
"Inuyasha is the lord's name, Kagome. Now, I'll get the pot ready, and you can make his ramen for him." Kaede smiled, and everyone relaxed and smiled as well.
Kagome looked again to the man with the black hair and indigo eyes, wondering who he was. The instant he felt his eyes on her, he moved closer toward her; Sango and Kaede immediately groaned. He reached her, and she raised an eyebrow in question.
"Lady Kagome," he said tenderly, "I am Miroku, and am but your humble servant." He bent over her hand, which he kissed, and then rose to stare down into her eyes. Kagome's eyes widened in contrast. "Milady, would you -" He stopped abruptly when an object came in contact with his thick skull.
"Miroku! Get a grip!" Sango whacked him on the head with the pot again. He rose, scratching the back of his neck in an embarrassed fashion. He bowed formally to Kagome, and then scurried out of the room, Sango hot on his heels.
Kagome looked to Kaede, who just shook her head and handed Kagome another pot.
"This is so strange," she muttered, and Kaede laughed.
"You've no idea, child."
Back once more, Kagome glared at the door that was becoming her most hated obstacle. With a cough, she knocked lightly on the door. She heard some noises, like an animal scurrying about, some louder noises, and then she braced herself as she heard - and felt - him stomping towards the door.
He opened it quietly, but there was more force behind it than was quite necessary. She gulped, overwhelmed in his presence. The youki flowing off him almost stifled her; she hadn't noticed it much before. Blinking fiercely, she held the bowl of ramen out to him. He sniffed hesitantly at it, never taking his eyes off her. She watched his nose with fascination, wondering if he could really smell it as much as it seemed.
She jumped when the bowl was yanked out of her hands. She blinked, and he was gone, and the door slammed shut in her face before she had time to respond. Furious, she pounded on the door and mere seconds later he reappeared. She opened her mouth, about to scold him, when he handed her the now-empty bowl.
"Thanks," he muttered, and he hesitated before shutting the door. Surprised, she smiled a little, making a little dance as she walked away, feeling better about herself.
A few more bowls of ramen and he'd be like putty in her palm!
Well, that's more of a start than I had. I promise, more stuff soon, but this is a hard plot to write gradually. I can't have them leaping into each others' arms right off the bat! Sucks, doesn't it? Oh well, you know I love the fluff, so you can look forward to it. Teeheehee -Ariana