A/N: (dodges tomatoes hurled at her by a hoard of faithful angry readers) Gomen Gomen! I know I haven't updated in like a million years and there's no excuse so throw as many virtual tomatoes and any other assorted objects you can get your hands on at me as you please! I only hope this chapter doesn't totally disappoint... it's been a while…Well without any further ado…
Regroup
Kohaku rushed to Miroku's side to gauge the situation. Summoning his strength, he carefully moved the injured man's upper torso onto the stretcher and grunted as he moved his lower half. He held his hand over his eyes, shielding them from the sun's strong rays and gazed at the disheveled young woman trudging her way towards him. Her eyes sparkled in tears of joy and her ebony locks were haloed in the glow of the sun. Kohaku shook his head in effort to rid himself of the strong bought of nostalgia which assailed him as she neared.
Who is this woman? Why does my heart break at the sight of her?
Kohaku quickly composed himself as she stood silently before him. Uncomfortable under her intense gaze, he decided to speak first.
"Ano ne… could you please help me carry this man to the shrine beyond those trees? His wounds need immediate attention and judging by your appearance," his gaze followed the snaking trail of blood down her face, "you need attention as well."
Sango gingerly touched the side of her forehead, her fingertips probing for the source of pain which emanated from her brow. She felt a small, but deep, gash a few inches above her right eyebrow and let out a short sigh accompanied by a wry grin.
This is the least of my worries… she eyed Miroku and her grin died, overcome by sudden emotion for her friend's plight, Sango gripped the handles at Miroku's head and gently lifted his upper torso off the ground.
"Lead the way Kohaku-kun."
Kohaku's eyes widened for a moment in surprise that she had known his name. Deeply puzzled, but anxious to be on their way, he nodded curtly and took the other handles in turn.
"This way, it is not far."
Fingers of sunlight pierced through lazy clouds which wisped by. Shiroi raised her head and breathed in deep, firmly gripping the head of the arrow protruding from her chest. With methodical precision she forced it out; her flesh ragged and torn around the edges of the wound. She quickly placed her hands on it, warm blood pulsing through her fingers and drenching her hakama.
She opened her mind allowing the surrounding spirits to infuse her with their power. Even with hanyou blood running through her veins she would need at least a night's rest for her body to heal properly on its own, but time she had not. She decided to expend the energy needed to heal herself and prayed that she would have enough for the wounded that were sure to arrive soon. Shiroi chanted in low alto tones an ancient healing incantation her surrogate father taught her. As the last haunting syllable left her pale pink lips the skin as well as the torn muscle underneath had completely healed. Feeling drained but no longer in pain, she rose off the ground and headed to the shrine to prepare beds for the oncoming visitors.
Sango could not contain her choked sobs as she stooped over a half-dead Kirara who mewed feebly below on the earth stained in her own blood.
"She must have transformed while I was tending to Miroku. The bleeding has stopped at least; although I fear death is near even with her youkai regenerative abilities. I have no knowledge in how to treat a wound such as this…", she noted through tear rimmed eyes, Kirara's intestines peaking out between the folds of skin that precariously held her organs in place, "I…I hope your master has no objections to treating youkai. I know most…"
"My master is not like most. Your companions will be equally cared for, but for now let us hurry as time is against us."
Sango laid Kirara's tiny form by Miroku's side and continued their trek through the woods.
Wary that this was one of Naraku's many traps, Shippou followed up the rear, suspicious of Kohaku and his intentions. Eyeing Kohaku's back, he slid his tiny hand into his fur vest and clutched his spinning top. He fervently hoped he wouldn't have to use it; he was dubious to whether its illusion would sway a warrior of Kohaku's caliber for more than a few moments. But if necessary, it would at least buy them some time if the situation grew dim, although escape seemed nigh impossible at the moment due to his companions' current condition.
Sango's mind was whirling in confusion, too many questions assailed her at once. Her almond shaped eyes glazed in shock, her breathing slightly erratic. Kohaku noted her behavior but merely smiled and thought of a topic to discuss, hoping that some friendly idle chatter would help calm the obviously distraught woman.
"My name is Kohaku and the shrine we are heading to is owned by my master Shiroi-sama. She is a powerful miko and skilled healer and will most assuredly heal your friends. What may I ask is your name?"
"Sango is her name," spoke Shippou from behind, "My name is Shippou, that man you're carrying is Miroku and the neko youkai is called Kirara."
Kohaku wondered when the little kitsune would make his presence known. He turned his head and smiled, "Hajimemashite?"
"Genki desu." Shippou responded as evenly as he could as he relaxed his grip onthe weapon inside his vest.
Kohaku nodded and continued prodding Sango through pleasantries, eager to find out more about this mysterious woman.
"Your armor is beautiful; it is youkai exterminator armor is it not?"
A minute passed and no response. He stopped and turned his head to glance at Sango, who was slowly recovering from the shock of seeing her brother once again, unbeknownst to him.
"Ha..i." Sango managed to stutter through her slightly gaped mouth, realizing that she was being rude.
"I have never met a demon slayer before; it is so rare to meet one in these troubled times. It is unfortunate that there are so few left, the last clan was wiped out this past year I was sad to learn."
Sango suddenly felt sick.
This boy has no idea that it was he who wiped out the last clan of demon slayers! The only family he had in the world…he killed with his own blood smeared blade…
Silence befell the group as they maneuvered through the brush. Kohaku quickened the pace as the shrine finally came into view, anxious to find out how his master had fared while he was gone.
A thin layer of sweat formed on Shiroi's brow as she crushed various medicinal herbs and flowers using her mortar and pistil.
"Tadaima!" yelled Kohaku as he entered the shrine sighing in relief as he saw his master kneeled on the floor busy at work and seemingly unharmed.
Shiroi poured the thick paste into a wooden bowl and set it on the floor by the makeshift ward she had made while they were gone. Her deep blue eyes widening for a moment at the sight of Kirara's lacerated abdomen.
"Hayaku! Hurry Kohaku! This way, bring them over here!"
Sango lowered her end of the stretcher in the spot Shiroi indicated she wanted Miroku to be laid. Quickly she seated herself in a corner of the room intent on giving them space, knowing that she would only get in the way if she tried to help.
"Kohaku you take his legs and on the count of three we will move him onto his bed." Kohaku took his place while Shiroi gripped Miroku under his arms.
"Ichi…ni…san."
Miroku groaned and his eyes flickered open for a moment as they transferred them onto his bed. Shiroi and Kohaku undressed him so his injuries could be assessed. Shiroi placed her ear on his chest noting his slightly uneven heartbeat and took his pulse. She ran her small but skilled hands down his ribcage ascertaining that he had three broken ribs on his left side.
"His pulse is weak and he has three broken ribs. He may have internal damage to his lungs but it's not severe enough that it will be fatal." She eyed Kirara and continued, "Kohaku, first wash this man's wounds with disinfectant and then clean the rest of his body. Have him ready for me after I see to this neko youkai, her injuries are more critical than his at the moment."
Kohaku nodded and immediately set to work. One look at Kirara told Shiroi what she would need. She rushed to the back of the shrine where she hung her herbs and animal skins to dry. She sized up her supply of dried but supple animal veins and chose one of the appropriate length. Carefully, she threaded the vein through a fine ivory needle and set it aside, first disinfecting the wound and making sure the muscles were in place. She examined the wound carefully, the organs were untouched but the muscle and skin were badly torn. She reached deep within herself andpleaded to the spirits around her. Summoning the last dredge of her spiritual power, Shiroi mended Kirara's torn abdomen muscle, conscious that if she used any more energy she would undoubtedly collapse.
This is the best I can do…
Satisfied that the muscle had mended together correctly but unable to summon enough power to heal the torn skin, Shiroi began the task of stitching the two pieces of skin back together. The muscle quivered underneath as Shiroi expertly worked the needle through flesh and fur. Saddened that it would leave an immense scar where no hair would grow forth, Shiroi lathered a thick green paste onto the wound to help quicken the healing process and prayed that the youkai would be strong enough to heal the rest.
Shiroi wiped her brow and faced Sango. "Your neko youkai will be fine after a few days of rest as will the man you travel with." Sango let out an unconscious sigh and let her head lean against the wall.
Thank goodness.
Moments later she felt a warm soft cloth dab at her forehead and opened her eyes. Shiroi knelt in front of her quietly cleaning the gash above her right eyebrow. After it was properly bandaged Shiroi helped Sango out of her armor and into one of her spare yukata.
"You need to rest now, I'll see to your friends." Shiroi smiled warmly, her calm countenance lending Sango some much needed peace. Sango was led to a spare futon beside Kirara and fell into a deep dreamless sleep before her head touched the square pillow.
"You too Kohaku, I think you should rest as well."
"Demo…Shiroi-sama you need rest more than I, allow me to stay on watch tonight I would…"
"Dame Kohaku."
"Hai Shiroi-sama."
Kohaku averted his gaze from his master and looking forlorn attempted to get up when Shiroi caught his hand and pulled him into a warm motherly embrace.
"Arigato, without you I fear I would of perished today. You have shown me the depths of your loyalty today and I thank you for it. I could not ask for a better apprentice." She released him and smiled tenderly as Kohaku kept his head lowered in attempt to hide his tears even though she could plainly smell their salt without having to look.
"Ima Kohaku, if you would, please rest for the night."
He sniffled while bowing to his master. "Oyasumi nasai Shiroi-sama."
"Oyasumi Kohaku-kun."
She snuffed all but one candle and knelt by Miroku's side. A weak pink glow emanated from her hands which were placed on his left ribcage. Aware that this would render her unconscious she drained what was left of her power into him, healing his bruised lungs and mending his broken ribs. Kohaku watched from his futon as she fell limp and landed in a heap on the floor. Within moments he was cradling her in his arms and wiping her brow with a damp cool cloth. Only when his master's breath evened and her body stoppedtrembling did he dare move her. His muscles screamed as he carried and half dragged Shiroi to her futon and somehow he managed to stumble to his own and collapsed.
The light of the moon leaked through the tattered grass roof of an abandoned shack by the bank of a small stream. Inu-Yasha sat tensed and hunched over his Tetsusaiga against the wall. Kikyou slept soundly under Inu-Yasha's fire rat kimono exhausted after healing her wounds through her miko abilities, the shard of the Shikon no Tama clutched in her hand.
Translations:
Ano ne: Well…
Kitsune: Fox
Neko: Cat
Hajimemashite: How are you?
Genki desu: I am Fine
Hai: Yes
Tadaima: I'm home
Hayako: Hurry
Ichi/Ni/San: 1…2…3
Demo: But
Dame: Wrong, no
Arigato: Thank You
Ima: now
Oyasumi (nasai): Good Night
Gomen: Sorry
A/N: The group needs a little time out right now. Next chapter… questions are answered and love is made! Psych! Well….maybe a lil' lemon scene between our newly mated couple…we shall see. Until then (and I promise it won't be too far from now) let me know what you think!
ja ne,
everybody-loves-ramen