Author: Hey, guys! Oh wow, thank you for the wonderful reviews. They made me smile and I'm so glad other people enjoy the Inu/Sango pairings.
I've been writing almost this entire Christmas break, editing and reediting. So, enjoy, okay?
Chapter 2
"Look, Kagome, it's a village!" chirped the small kitsune as he sprinted towards the small town.
The group stood on top of the hill looking down at the small town. The area was filled with beautiful fluorescent flowers and soft grass. To the right of the town was a vast field of a garden filled with vegetables and fruits as men began to hoe and pick the ripe and plumped items. To the left was a large pond surrounded by the local women cleaning their clothes and fishing for food. It looked so small yet peaceful to the viewing eyes.
"I think we should stop here and take a rest," stated Miroku looking toward the pond with a smirk on his face.
"No way, I know why you wanna stop here, but there's no time to be letting your pleasures get in the way of our mission, Miroku," barked Inu-yasha glaring at the houshi.
"I hate to admit it, Inu-yasha, but I think Houshi-sama might have a good idea to stop here for a bit. We just traveled a long way not eating since this morning. It's not becoming night yet, but I think we earned ourselves a little rest," Spoke Sango looking over to the hanyou holding onto Kirara.
"Yes…..well…. I guess," he mumbled folding his arms together. He looked down to the ground trying not to make real eye contact with the taijiya. Ever since that night, he couldn't really look at her. It wasn't as if he was ignoring her; every time he saw her, he would see the image of her naked. It wasn't a bad view but it was a very embarrassing situation. If Kagome knew, he wouldn't be surprised if she said those "wonderful" words just out of plain confusion; Osuwari.
"We need to eat before getting on the road again. Come on, Inu-yasha, you know it's a great idea," chirped Kagome smiling as she folded her arms behind her back.
"Fine, whatever! But no touching the merchandise in the village, Miroku. As much as I like seeing Sango pummel you in the ground and all, we don't need to start anything," replied Inu-yasha walking down the trail.
"I would never try to do anything foolish like that," chuckled Miroku while combing his hands with his fingers.
"Humph, I bet, Houshi-sama, I bet," scoffed Sango glancing at him as he walked before her.
Sango then fixed her eyes on the hanyou walking down the path as the group followed him, one by one. She could tell that something was up with her companion. It was obvious that he nervous with her as she spoke toward him or the group. She knew it had something to do with that night from a couple of days ago. It wasn't the best moment for her life either, but she didn't think about it…….well, not a lot. Besides, it was nothing to fret about; it was over and done with. Maybe she needed to speak to him about that later.
Soon enough the group walked down the road through town. Though the town looked small from where they were standing not that long ago, it was actually large once they set foot in it. There were homes, variety of shops, restaurants, and a shrine. It was such a vast town filled so many options. Where could they go and take a break at? As they began to look through the village carefully, the villagers were looking at them as well.
"Why are they looking at us like that?" asked Kagome walking closer to Inu-yasha's side.
"It's because of me," grunted Inu-yasha with a short snort after that. He knew what it was. He's always had the same glances when he was young. The villagers probably thought he was threat and were frighten of him at first glance. The world was growing but not the people's minds. Things would always stay the same; he was half a demon but he was still demon and with a demon, anything could happen.
They made their way though the village still kept to themselves as whispers began to appear and becoming louder. The villagers' eyes watched the group carefully. They were surprised to see such a group come to their town. Three demons, a taijiya, a houshi, and a girl in unusual clothes weren't something you see everyday. They didn't know if they wanted to welcome the group or just turn them away.
"What should we do Inu-yasha? Should we turn and head out the town?" asked Miroku glancing side to side watching the glances.
"Humph, I ain't turning back! We came in this town to rest and, dammit, that's what we're doing. I ain't leaving because of some stares!" spoke Inu-yasha walking faster than the others to lead.
"Always one to speak his mind," thought Sango following after Inu-yasha.
Miroku shrugged at the hanyou himself and took a few steps to follow the group. Without noticing, the houshi's shoulder came in rough contact into someone else's causing a basket to fall to the ground. Needless to say, items were spread all over the ground with the basket leaning on its side.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, let me help you," stated Miroku crouching down to the basket.
He carefully picked each herb up back into the basket and stood up once. His eyes glanced toward a woman just as he handed her basket back. Her long, full dark violet hair flowed down her back as her dark glowing ruby eyes looked back at the houshi. She absent mindedly smoothed her long blue kimono out with her free hand. He gazed at her presence for a couple of minutes without speaking or even moving. In his mind, it was an understatement to call her cute; she was gorgeous!
"Um, thank you," she simply said as she was too busy observing him as well.
"Uh oh, Kagome, Miroku has that look in his eyes," whispered Shippo as he lounged on her shoulder.
"Humph, he'll never change," simply spoke Sango glaring at the two glimpsing into each other's eyes.
"She has demon inside her." Spoke Inu-yasha sniffing the air.
The two girls and the small kitsune looked directly at Inu-yasha as he nodded at his comment.
"Her scent is more of a human and I have more demon than her, but she still has demon inside," commented Inu-yasha walking over to the girl.
"You are correct, my good man. I am a quarter of a cat demon. I have the eyes and teeth to prove it. I can sense that you all have been journeying a bit. You must be tired and hungry, so I invite you to dine at my home," replied the violet hair woman glancing over to Inu-yasha and the group.
"I think that'll be a wonderful idea," swiftly spoke Miroku glancing down to the violet hair woman.
"Yeah, a free meal is a great meal," replied Inu-yasha with a small smirk.
"Inu-yasha, you're getting as bad as that houshi!" commented Kagome waving her finger at him.
"Heh, Kagome, he isn't that bad yet," replied Sango.
"Now if you will, I shall show you to my home. Follow me," spoke the woman as she started to walk down the path in the village.
"Here, let me take that for you."
With that, Miroku walked to her side and took hold of the basket that was in her hand. The violet hair woman smiled vivaciously to the houshi and began to walk side by side with him as the group began to follow them. As Kagome began to glance back and forth with Miroku, Sango, and the woman's face, she began to notice something; a group of Shikon jewels were near.
It didn't take long to arrive at the woman's home. It was large and vast as it was located close to the local shrine. She walked up her steps and opened a screen door as the group peered to see. In this small room held various herbs, knives, cutting boards, and various other working tools. She placed the basket inside the room and showed them into another room with a long table inside. One by one they took seats on cushions at the table as the woman stood.
"Okay, since you are settled, I'll go start the tea and dinner. Make yourselves comfy while I start the meal," stated the woman with a slight bow.
"Before you leave, may we get your name?" asked Miroku looking toward the woman.
"My name is Nekomi." As she left, Miroku watched her presence disappear and Sango watched him. She wasn't jealous, well, not a lot, but she was mostly concern with the way Miroku was acting. She very well knew he would act friendly to Nekomi and extra friendly since she was woman, but his smile was genuine and his face just displayed a sense of not lust but affection and admiration toward Nekomi. He didn't even ask her to bare his child! She needed to know what was going on in the mind of houshi-sama.
"So, Nekomi is quarter of a demon. I guess one of her parents were a hanyou like you, Inu-yasha," stated Miroku looking over to his friend.
"Yeah, it seems that she lives alone as well. I wondered what happen to her family," spoke Shippo looking over to Kagome.
"Don't be nosy, fox. If she doesn't want to tell her, she don't have to," told the hanyou with his signature punch to the Shippo's head.
"Aw, Inu-yasha, I was just asking! Don't be such a meanie!" whined the kitsune touching his head in pain.
"Inu-yasha, Osuwari!" In an instant, the hanyou was crushed on the floor shaking a bit at the sudden contact.
"Still, I wonder about her life. Is she by herself here and if so, why?" asked Miroku placing a finger to his chin to contemplate.
"Maybe she doesn't want us to get involve with her life, Miroku. Maybe she just sees us as travelers and that is that," replied Sango studying the houshi's expression.
"No, I don't mind," called out Nekomi as she opened the sliding door to the room.
She walked in with a tray of cups and cakes in her hand and a tea pot in her other hand. She quickly and softly placed the tray down in the table as she walked over to a corner in the room. In the corner appeared a small fireplace where she the teapot in. She walked back over to the table and gave each person a tea cup and the plate of cakes on the table.
"Here, take your treats while we wait for the tea," spoke Nekomi placing the try at her right side.
The cakes appeared regular slices sprinkled with pinches of cinnamon. They looked so appealing that no one could resist them, not even Inu-yasha. Shippo tried to reach for his cake but couldn't as everyone was taking theirs. Nekomi watched him for a moment then brought the cake to his extent.
"Thank you, Nekomi," chirped the kitsune with a wide smile to the feline demon.
"You're welcome, young fox," replied Nekomi with a small smile.
"Hey, you can call me Shippo. This is Kagome, that's Inu-yasha, Sango, Miroku, and under the table is Kirara," announced Shippo pointing to everyone.
At the mention of her name, the small feline demon crawled from the table and meowed loudly. Nekomi's eyes widen as she observed Kirara. She picked up the small demon and began to pet her in her hand. Kirara then meowed as she jumped onto Nekomi's shoulder and purred against her face. Nekomi closed her face and brushed her fingers along Kirara's fur as she softly purred back.
"Oh, she's adorable. Looks like I made a new little friend," spoke Nekomi with a soft smile.
"And you will make more with us," commented Miroku glancing down to his hostess.
Nekomi looked up toward the houshi and finally acknowledged his presence beside her. His chestnut eyes reflected a radiant light as he smiled affectionately towards her. He gently placed her hand on her shoulder, which only brought her small chills along her slender body. She took her cup of tea and began to sip it before anyone could see the blushing on her face. He looked so handsome and so friendly. She could feel a gentle aura from the monk. It was as if she could trust him and he could be a true friend.
"So, Nekomi, you have such a big house," stated Kagome cutting her cake with her fork.
"Thank you. I inherited from my father. My father's family was known for their strong healing herbs and remedies. They were this village's doctor for many years," replied the feline demon.
"No wonder you are loaded!" chirped Shippo hastily nibbling on his food.
"Hush, idiot!" shouted the hanyou as he punched Shippo in the head.
"So where is your family?" asked Miroku trying his best to ignore the bickering duo.
"Gone…. My father told me when he once in his younger days, he was on his own. His family died trying to search for a rare herb. I could sense that he felt helpless and he felt guilt that he didn't try to cover the secrets of their departure, but he was left to take care of the village. That's what my grandparents wanted and needed him to do."
"My father was a kind and simple man. He wasn't special and he knew the basics with herbs, but he had such a strong heart. He would help anyone with no second thought. I loved him so much and I wanted to be just like him," told Nekomi until she looked over to the tea.
As soon as her eyes glanced over, the pot began making a shrieking noise as to call her to her duty. She walked over to the fireplace and quickly took the steaming pot away from it. She took a cloth and took the kettle steadily to the table. Quickly one by one, she poured their tea inside their cups and placed the teapot down beside the table. She grabbed her hand and shook them out; the kettle was a little hot for her to handle.
"Anyway, my father needed certain herbs to help a patient of his. The herbs were found in our forest, but the search inside the forest for the herb would take two days to find. The next day he packed and went in search of the herb. He found the herb that he needed and many new plants to take for samples. He had ideas of mixing herbs together to make stronger remedies and he wanted to see if he could. Hopefully if his predictions and beliefs came to life, he could make the strongest cures for the worst diseases.
Suddenly, he heard yelling from a distant. The person sounded in pain, so of course my father went in search. When he got to his destination, he saw my mother leaning on a tree unconscious. She was hanyou at first sight and he knew it, but he wasn't concern with that. She had a deep wound in his arm and waist as if a sword stabbed into her flesh many times. She looked bad and he knew it.
He made camp in the forest and tended to her wounds. She didn't even wake up till the next day. My father said that she froze in her spot when she saw him greeting her with several animals on a stick. He said he could sense her eyes wanting to attack but her body wouldn't let her; she wasn't fully recovered. My father stayed with her….He made sure she was well fed and good enough to move around. He looked at her once more, smiled, and left my mother.
In a week, my father was walking from a check up of a patient and heard a commotion in the market. He saw men with gardening tools and spears ready to fight. As he walked closer, he saw my mother standing ready to pick a fight with the men. My father called out to her and once he did, she ran to his side. He calmed the villagers down and took her home.
"My mother was so different from my father. She fought through her life with both demons and humans. She been on her own and so she was bitter. Still, when my father presented her with kindness, she began to change. When he took her home with him, she repaid his gratitude very nicely."
"She stayed with him and they began to depend on one another never feeling alone. Each day they fell deeper in love and they would never leave each other's side. My mother even tried to learn about healing herbs and simple remedies. Though things were going wonderfully with them both, the villagers weren't pleased. They were scared and frighten and wanted my mother gone. They tried to attack her and pressure her out of the village, but my father protected her with all his love. He grew tired of the ignorance and only wanted to be with her, so they eloped and left the village."
"Afterwards, I was born. My father said I had my mother's eye and hair, but I adapted his ways and personality. He said he could tell I would become a wonderful doctor, but my mother wanted me not to belong to the village. My father became homesick, but my mother refused to live back in the village. He had to pick his home and heritage or my mother; he reluctantly picked his home as my future. He never saw my mother again."
"When we began to live there again, the villagers didn't trust me. They said my blood was bad and I wouldn't be trusted as a quarter demon. I was shunned and children called me names. Still, my father made the best of it and showed me the ways of being a doctor. I learned very quickly and as I matured, he became very ill. He wouldn't eat or sleep and his spirit was just slipping away. I think he regretted leaving my mother. He told me before he died, he could feel my mother's spirit joined the stars in sky and soon he joined her in death."
"I never felt so much pain. I loved them both and I knew my mother loved me, but my father was there for me always trying to make sure I was okay. I could tell in his eyes he was in so much pain, but he worried so much for my health……"
Nekomi finished her words and looked at her tea. Her emotions were getting to her nerves now. All the memories played with her mind and all she wanted to do was cry. She lost her father and she could do nothing. It wasn't her fault but she felt as though she could have done something. Her tears stared to trail down her face as she noticed eye were watching her.
"Oh, excuse me, I guess I should get dinner ready," spoke Nekomi wiping her eyes quickly.
And with that, the feline doctor stood up, bowed slightly, and walked out the room. The group sat quietly collecting all the information that Nekomi gave them. The first emotion they felt was pity for her especially from Inu-yasha and Miroku. Inu-yasha understood she felt different with the village and understood what some of the things she went through. Maybe he could find a time for them to talk once they get the chance so she could feel better.
Miroku, though the lecher that he was, felt sorrow. He could sense the admiration the doctor felt for her father. To lose her father and mother was very upsetting and was amazed that the woman was still strong. He had so much respect for Nekomi now.
After dinner, Nekomi showed her guests to their rooms. She carried a large lantern in her hand as she looked over each room. She wanted to give the women and men separate room to lounge and give them space. She had an idea to place the women, but she wanted a room special for Miroku. A nice sized room not so far from her room, but at least three rooms away if she wanted some alone times with him. This idea made the young doctor redden her cheeks with such embarrassment.
"Nekomi, you need to drop that out your head. They are guest; they'll be leaving in the morning," she whispered to herself softly.
"Neko-chan, did you say something?" asked Miroku placing his hand on her back.
At the sudden touch of his firm yet gentle hand, Nekomi jumped up and turned to his view. Her face was completely red as she looked up to him quickly then covering it with the lantern.
"Oh, um, here's your room, boys! I hope you like it!" she chirped while opening it with her free hand.
She bowed down letting her hand and whole arm pointed inside the room. As she flicked her hand toward the room, along her wrist appeared a bracelet as her long sleeve rolled away from her hand. The bracelet hung on her wrist with seven small objects attached to it. The group looked at the small jewelry as it glowed darker as the star appeared more visible in the sky.
"Wow, those gems….." spoke Shippo gawking up at the bracelets.
"Those aren't gems, they're…." said Sango looking closer at the item.
"Shards of the Shikon no tama," unison Miroku and Inu-yasha taking steps closer to Nekomi.
"I knew I felt something with her!" shouted Kagome nodding at the sudden found.
"Shikon no tama? So, I knew these were strong, but I didn't know these were shards. No wonder my herbs have been so strong," thought Nekomi bringing her bracelet closer to her to observe.
"How many are there, Kagome?" asked Inu-yasha looking over to the miko.
"About seven! How could you not notice this many before," replied Kagome looking back at the hanyou.
"Me? You should have told us right when you found out!" barked Inu-yasha.
"Nekomi, we need your bracelet. Those shards are powerful," spoke Shippo hopping closer to her.
"Yeah, we need them, so hand the shard over," stated Inu-yasha with his hand out.
"Inu-yasha, don't be so forceful. That's so impolite!" spoke Kagome crossing her arms.
"Can it, wench," replied the hanyou not even looking back at her.
"Wench?! Why you, Osuwari!!" muttered Kagome as she watched Inu-yasha hit the ground with pain.
"I-I don't know. These shards make me feel so warm and full. They give me hope and so much happiness. There such a treasure to me." Nekomi looked down at her bracelet and remember picking the small shards from the ground, connecting them, and making a bracelet. She looked at the small jewelry for comfort. She saw as answers when she was depressed and alone. She didn't want to really give it up.
"Please, Nekomi, we need those shards. We are fighting a hanyou named Naraku who is trying to kill so many people. We want to rid him, bring the Shikon no tama together, and use it for good. Please, if you can, make our journey easier and let us retrieve the shards," spoke out Miroku taking one of her hands.
She looked at their hands as they touched and back at his face. His expression was so pleading and hoping. He looked so innocent and so handsome and she wanted to help, but she loved the bracelet. She began to contemplate by squatting down and placing the lantern to her side. She placed her head in her hands as her elbows were planted in her lap.
"What is this girl doing?" whispered Inu-yasha in Kagome's direction.
"She wondering whether she wants to give it to us or not. Miroku must have persuaded her choice," whispered back Kagome.
"Or persuaded her heart," whispered Sango glancing over to Miroku as he joined them.
"We can't do anything but wait till her choice. Hey, Sango, what's with your face?" asked Miroku looking over at the taijiya.
"Oh, that face? Wow, Miroku, you're not very observant. She been like that all night looking in your direction, too," replied the kitsune pointing at Sango's expression.
"You don't help at all, Shippo, you know that?" muttered Inu-yasha as he shook his head.
"I made my decision!"
Nekomi stood up and dusted her kimono out while walking back to Miroku. She took the lantern as the group observed her. There was something peculiar looking at her face; it had such a mischievous smirk on her face. The group wasn't too nervous, but what was making her look that way?
"I will give you the bracelet, but you must stay here," stated Nekomi looking only to Miroku.
"Um, Nekomi, we can't stay here. We're on a mission," addressed Kagome looking over to the violet hair girl.
"I know; I meant, each day you stay here, I'll give you a shard. I think you all need to rest and replenish yourselves and besides, it would be nice to get to know you," replied Nekomi looking down at her hands.
"Whatever you say, Nekomi," agreed Miroku looking down at her.
"Hey, who said you were the leader of this group, Miroku," spoke Sango glaring solely at the man she was talking to.
"Sango does have a point! We need to find the Shikon jewels as soon as possible," replied Inu-yasha poking Miroku in the back with the butt of his sword.
"Guys, we have no choice. We can't just take it from her," said Miroku turning to his team.
"Oh, yes we can. I ain't going to let her stop us from getting to Naraku," shouted Inu-yasha taking a step towards her.
"Inu-yasha, just stand down. You have no right being that way toward a lady and someone taking us in when the town resented us!"
"Please, I promise I'll give each shard each day. Just let me enjoy this for a little while. It feels nice to have someone in the house," spoke up Nekomi behind Miroku's back.
Inu-yasha looked at Nekomi and Miroku then Sango, Kagome, and Shippo. He ran his hand through his hair and just sighed at the sudden frustration he had from this stubborn woman. Women were always a problem in his eyes. What could be such a simple answer and solution was made into such a hassle.
"I'm getting some sleep now. I hope to receive the first shard in the morning at breakfast," said Inu-yasha stepping into the room.
"Thank you, Inu-yasha, I promise!" Nekomi smiled brightly as Miroku gave a departed smile since he walked in behind the hanyou to the room.
"Well, I think this will be a great idea! A nice rest is what we need," spoke Shippo hopping into the room as well.
"Oh, shut up!" With that Nekomi closed the door behind and showed the women to the other room as they listened to the yelling and scurrying in the boys' room.
"I am so glad we have separate rooms now. Boys can so immature. They fight all the time," Said Kagome with a sigh.
"Me and houshi-sama have to talk," thought Sango not listening to Kagome's ranting.
A/n: I hope this one turned out al right.
I made this chapter long and most of my chapter might be just as long.
I hope you don't mind Nekomi. She is a vital character that I needed to make everything fit. I explained a lot about her so you readers can understand the way she acts and feels. She won't become such a big person like them; she'll probably just be in this and the next chapter, then it is just the Inu-yasha characters again.
Read and review so I can read your opinions and I love to hear from you guys.