Chapter 5
Aiko's eyes fluttered open but squinted at the bright morning light. She looked at her claws and smiled happily. She was back to normal. She pushed herself of the tree and looked at the sleeping Haru beside her. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and with the help of the tree she pulled herself up into a standing position. Her ankle was still swollen and very sore and she guessed it was broken. She squatted down beside Haru and nudged him gently.
"Haru. Haru wake up" she whispered but he didn't budge. She rolled her eyes and nudged him harder. "Haru. Wake up!".
He jumped and looked around him frantically.
"What?. What's wrong?" he said half conscious.
"Morning dimwit!" she laughed and stood up straight again.
"Ok this is a very random question but were you human last night or was I dreaming?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes.
"Nope you weren't dreaming" she sighed.
"Oh ok then. Couldn't remember" he laughed.
"I think we should start to find our way back. How far are we down stream?" she asked.
"A good bit. That current is extremely strong and you were in the water for some time" he explained.
"Great so it will take us ages to get home" she sighed.
"Well we could try and find a nearby village and get your ankle seen to and then we can start heading home" he suggested as he stood up and faced her.
"Yeah I guess that would be good plan" she said and sniffed the air a bit. Her senses weren't as good as Inuyasha's but they were better than a human's. "There is a faint scent of people coming from that direction but there might have just been people here. We should go through the forest and see".
"Right then. Hop on, I'm not letting you walk with your ankle like it is" he said and bent down for Aiko to get on his back.
"Thanks" she smiled gratefully and he lifted her on. Haru headed for the forest and pushed back branches and leaves out of the way. The forest was huge and dark so Aiko kept look out for any demons while Haru made his way through the shrubs. He stopped at a small stream and looked over his shoulder at Aiko.
"Do you think you could walk across the stones on your own?. I won't be able to carry you across unless you want to get soaked again" he asked.
"Yeah I'll be fine" she replied and slide of his back. Haru went across first and turned around to face her. She hobbled over to the first stone and slowly stepped onto it. Her ankle was killing her but she kept going. She slowly made her way across until she got to the last stone. It was a bigger jump to shore than the others. Haru gave her an encouraging smile and she had a leap to the other side but slipped. She fell but not into the river but into Haru's open arms. Their noses were just about touching and they stared into each other's eyes. They each went a light shade of red until Aiko slowly pushed herself up.
"We should keep going if we want to get home" Aiko said flustered and rubbed her arm.
"Yeah. Come on" Haru said quietly and lifted her onto his back. The walk to the village was quiet with both of them not knowing what to say to the other. They both looked down at the peaceful village but Aiko slide of Haru's back and backed away a bit.
"Aiko what's wrong?" he asked concerned.
"What if they don't except me and try to kill me" she panicked.
"They won't. I won't let them. Now come on" he said softly and held out his hand for her. Aiko hesitated for a moment but looked into his eyes and realised he meant what he said and took his hand. Haru smiled at her and lead her down to the small village.
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist and jumped out of the well. They both stretched when they reached the surface and smiled at each other.
"We should do that more often" Kagome smiled at him.
"We can right down if you want" he smiled slyly at her.
"As tempting as it is we have to go get our daughter" she laughed and kissed him.
"Keh".
They made their way to the village where they saw Miroku and Sango running towards them.
"Thank god your back" Sango panted.
"Sango whats wrong?" Kagome said trying to calm her best friend down.
"Haru and Aiko never came back last night" she cried.
"What!" Inuyasha shouted.
"We are sorry Inuyasha but don't forget our son is missing too" Miroku replied.
"Where were they last?" Kagome asked trying to remain calm.
"Ami said they went in to that forest yesterday" Sango explained and pointed in the direction of the biggest forest that surrounded the village.
"Well then come. We have to find them" Inuyasha instructed and signalled for Kagome to get on his back. Sango did the same with Miroku, as they couldn't use Kirara any more as she was too old now, and they ran after Inuyasha. Inuyasha ran straight for the forest and looked around searching everywhere for his daughter. He sniffed around but couldn't pick up her scent at all. He kept running until he reached the end of a large cliff and sniffed the air.
"Can you catch her scent?" Kagome asked looking below the cliff.
"No. Damn it. I should still be able to get it. Its only been a day" he growled at himself.
Miroku and Sango soon caught up with them and looked around.
"We should go up stream. I highly doubt they went that way" Miroku said signalling to the edge of the cliff.
"True. Aiko's a daredevil but she wouldn't go as far as to jump of a cliff" Kagome said with worry in her voice. Inuyasha ran on ahead of them up stream searching around them frantically.
"God damn it. What's wrong with me?. Why can't I get her scent?. Aiko I will find you soon. I promise".
A villager came up to the two teenagers and smiled but then she looked at Aiko and gasped. Aiko braced herself for whatever the woman was going to through at her but was shocked when she hugged her!.
"Your Inuyasha's and Lady Kagome's daughter aren't you?" she asked.
"I am. Why do you know them and how did you know?" Aiko asked.
"Yes of course I do and you are the spitting image of your mother and you have you father's features. They saved our village along with their friends the demon slayer Sango and the monk Miroku" she explained.
"Well then this is the monk and demon slayer's son, Haru" she smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Oh I am sorry I should have recognised you sooner you do look awfully like monk Miroku. You are nothing like your father used to be. I hope" she said.
"Oh no. I promise from what I have heard I am nothing like my father" he laughed.
"That is good" she smiled "Oh you are injured. Let me get those wounds tended to".
"Thank you" Haru smiled gratefully.
"Your welcome. Child what is your name?" she asked turning to Aiko.
"Aiko" she replied.
"Lovely name. Suits you. You are a very pretty young woman" she smiled.
"Thanks" Aiko blushed as Haru helped her follow the old woman.
"I will bring you to our village priestess. She will help you with your wounds" she explained and walked into a small hut.
She nodded for them to sit down as she went into the next room. When she came out a young looking priestess followed behind her.
"Aiko, Haru. This is Lady Kikyo".