Disclaimer: I do not own any of the wonderful InuYasha characters created by Rumiko Takahashi, nor do I own any of the Greek gods listed within this story.
Anger Management, part 1
Unknown to Kagome, the night before her group had discussed her anger problem and came up with several ways to try and help her manage it. Kagome was awakened by the amulet and unknown by anyone had slipped out of the hut to meet whichever god had called. She soon discovered the said god was actually Ares in disguise. He vanished in a flash, leaving Kagome alone and confused. She shook her head to clear it. Dissolving the barrier with a wave, she headed back towards the hut, thinking sarcastically to herself. "What a way to start the day. It just can't get any better."
Kagome's dark mood was uplifted slightly when she returned to the hut for breakfast. Shippo was waiting anxiously for her return and didn't give her a chance to sit down before he approached. "Good morning, Kagome-san." Shippo greeted as he approached her with his hands behind his back. "Good morning, Shippo. How is my favorite kitsune today?" she asked, masking her unsettled feelings with a bright smile. "Good, Kagome-san." He smiled brightly as he pulled his hands from behind his back. "I drew this for you. I hope it makes you happy" his bright eyes looked at her expectantly as he showed her his drawing. Kagome studied it carefully with a touch of surprise in her eyes. "When did you become such a good artist, Shippo? This drawing looks like it could jump off the page any second." She praised her kit as she viewed the sketch with appreciation. It was a picture of the pack gazing silently out towards a red and pink sunset. Everyone including InuYasha had smiles on their faces. Kagome bent down and lifted her kit for a hug. "Arigato, my kit. This makes me very happy." Shippo beamed at her before hopping back down to the ground. "I'm glad okaasama" he blushed. "Gomen, Kagome" he started to apologize when Kagome shushed him. "I like it, Shippo. I feel like you are my kit and I am glad you feel like I am your mother. You may call me okaasama if it makes you happy." He blushed and looked at the ground. "Hai, okaasama, it makes me happy." Kagome ruffled his hair and nudged him towards the door. "Now go outside and play while I eat. I'll be out soon." she promised as he scampered off. No one else was around, so she made a quick breakfast and headed out to the training grounds to see what Apollo had in store for her today.
Kagome exited the hut and saw Shippo practicing his kitsune tricks near the edge of the forest. She headed towards the training area and was soon joined by Apollo. She was grateful he did not try to talk about what happened yesterday. They started training right away, first by reviewing what she had already learned before moving on to more complex tasks. Apollo kept his hands to himself, only touching her when absolutely necessary. "What is going on? He's acting a little odd today." She mused during their lunch break. "Apollo, where is everyone else?" she asked before eating another piece of fruit. "Sango and Miroku took Kirara and said something about visiting a Buddhist shrine close to here." He drank some wine and continued. "InuYasha took off this morning but didn't say where. He did say he'd be back by sundown." Kagome studied her hands for a few minutes before getting up. "Are you ready to continue training?" she asked. "Hai. Let's go". They left the hut and returned to the training area.
"Okay, Kagome. That's enough for today." Apollo surprised her by ending her training in the early afternoon. "Already? We usually keep going until sunset." She replied. "You've just about mastered everything I can teach you, so I figured we'd stop early so you could relax a little before everyone returns." Apollo replied. "Arigato. A little relaxation sounds like a good idea to me." She stated as Shippo ran up and jumped on her shoulder. "I practiced hard today, okaasama." Shippo stated proudly as they headed towards the hut. "Hai, I saw you earlier. Perhaps after we bathe you can show me some of your tricks. "He beamed at her suggestion. "Hai, I would be proud to, okaasama." She put him down. "Now, go get your bath. I'll get mine when you are done." She watched him run off to the bath house to clean up.
Dinner had been a quiet affair. No one said much, which was completely out of character for the group since they were usually chatting and arguing like there was no tomorrow. There wasn't even a slap to be heard as Miroku had actually been keeping his hands to himself for a change. After they cleaned up, Miroku approached Kagome. "Lady Kagome" he caught her attention. "Hai, Miroku?" she put down the dish she had been drying to focus her attention on him. "Would you join me outside for meditation this evening?" he offered his hand. "Why on earth is he asking me? He never wanted company before." She shrugged as she answered. "Sure, why not. Its beautiful night and I'm not ready to turn in yet." She took his hand and he led her outside under a large willow tree. "My dear Lady Kagome, have you ever meditated before?" he asked as they sat down under the tree. "No, I haven't Miroku. What do I do?" she asked as she made herself comfortable. "Just follow my lead" he proceeded to tell her how to meditate.
When they were done, Kagome got up and brushed off her yukata and looked up at the sliver of moon showing through the trees. "Ack! The new moon is tomorrow night! I was going to do something special for InuYasha and I totally forgot! Stupid, stupid me!" she ranted inside her head. Miroku was looking at her funny. "Are you okay, Lady Kagome?" he asked. "Hai. I forgot I was going to surprise InuYasha with a special activity during the next new moon. That's tomorrow night!" she twitched as Miroku waggled his eyebrows and leered at her. "HENTAI!" she screamed and whacked him on the head. "Hey! I didn't say anything!" he whined, back to some semblance of his normal self. "What a relief! Wait! I'm happy he's back to being Hentai?!" she thought. "No, but you were thinking it!" she answered furiously as she stomped back to the hut, leaving a very confused Monk behind.