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.
New Moon
After leaving Miroku confused and dazed outside the hut, Kagome swiftly formulated a plan so she could accomplish her surprise for InuYasha before sunset the next night. "I will need Kirara and Sango to help me if I want to do this for him." She thought as she sought the demon slayer out. They weren't in the hut, so she headed back out past a still dazed and confused monk to look for her soon to be co-conspirators.
"Sango! Kirara!" She called to them. Sango was practicing with her Hiraikotsu in an open field when Kagome found her. Kirara was in small form, soaking up the sun on a large, flat rock at the edge of the field. "What's wrong, Kagome?" Sango asked as she caught her weapon and came over to where Kagome was waiting. Kirara leapt off the rock and joined them. "I need your and Kirara's help." She started, a light blush beginning to cover her cheeks. She continued. "Tomorrow night is the new moon and I planned a surprise for InuYasha, but all the stuff I need is stowed back at Kaede's. Do you think you and Kirara could take me there so I can get it?" She asked in one breath, staring at her friends with pleading eyes. "Oh, really?" Sango grinned and waggled here eyebrows just like Miroku had earlier. "You are becoming as much of a hentai as the monk, Sango!" Kagome accused her friend as sadness covered her face. "It was a joke, Kagome! Lighten up! You know we'll help you." Sango put a comforting arm around her shoulder. Kirara mewed and rubbed against Kagome's legs. "Arigato, Sango and Kirara. I just want to make him feel wanted and not so alone on his human night." They started walking back to the hut. "I know you have a plan on how we're going to escape the pack without anyone being suspicious." Sango voiced her confidence in her friend. "You know I do." Kagome chuckled. "Here's the plan…" she began to whisper in Sango's ear. When she was done, Sango stopped and shot a surprised look at the Miko. "When did you become so devious, Kagome?" she asked, a touch of awe in her voice. "I've always had a bit of a devious streak, Sango. I just never had to use it much before. Now, let's get back to the hut and put my plan in action." The three companions hurried back to the hut so they could put operation New Moon into action.
The pack had gathered for dinner. Kagome made an extra large serving of ramen for InuYasha. As she carried it to the table, Kirara ran up and wrapped herself around Kagome's legs. "Kirara, no! You'll trip me! Ahhh!" she cried as she stumbled and fell backwards onto her butt, sending ramen flying all over the kitchen. "Are you hurt, Kagome?" Miroku rushed to her side. Kagome began to sob as she hid her face behind her hands. "I-I'll be okay, Miroku. Only my pride was injured." InuYasha decided to put in his two cents worth. "So why are you crying, wench?" he asked gruffly as he knelt before her. "T-that was the last of the ramen!" She wailed. "WHAT!?" he snarled. "What do you mean the last of the ramen?" Kagome cried harder, putting on a good act for her audience. "Mama said they were out when she went to buy more our last trip home. She gave us what she had left, and I've been rationing it ever since." Sango and Miroku had started to clean up the mess while the drama was going on. "Well, why don't you go home and get more?" Miroku asked. "I'm sure your mother has been able to restock her supply by now." Kagome stopped crying and beamed at the monk. "What a wonderful idea, Miroku!" She got up and turned to InuYasha. "Now, for the hard part" she thought. "InuYasha, could Sango and Kirara run me back to the well so I can restock the ramen?" She asked with pleading eyes. "I'll even make sure mama got extra of your favorite beef flavor" she promised as she gazed into his eyes. She could see the conflict in his eyes. He knew tomorrow was the new moon and he couldn't take her. She moved closer so only his demon ears could hear and whispered "When I get back, I'll take you to the hot spring and wear that red bikini you liked so much last summer" she raised an eyebrow suggestively. He gulped and broke eye contact, staring at the floor. "Feh! Whatever! Go get me my ramen, wench!" He turned to the demon slayer with slightly red cheeks. "You better make sure nothing happens, Sango." She nodded her affirmative as he turned away. "Thank you, InuYasha!" Kagome gushed, jumping up and down excitedly. "Shippo, please help Miroku finish cleaning up the mess. Sango, let's go get changed." She grabbed Sango's hand and pulled her towards their room. "The sooner we go, the sooner we get back with more ramen! Arigato, boys!" she shoved Sango in the room and erected a sound and demon proof barrier before they both burst out laughing.
Once they got their laughter under control, the two women changed into clean yukatas. "That was amazing, Kagome." Sango chuckled again as she thought about Kagome's performance. "Why thank you. I deserve an Oscar for that performance!" she tied her obi tight. "What's an Oscar?" Sango asked. "It's a little statue of a man given to actors and actresses in my time." Kagome explained. "Oh. And what did you whisper to InuYasha that convinced him to let us go?" Kagome blushed at this question. "I told him I'd take him to the hot spring and wear that red bikini I showed you last summer." Sango smirked. "You mean the one that showed more than it hid?" Kagome grabbed her pack as she replied. "Yep, that's the one. I was planning on wearing it for my surprise anyway, but he didn't know that." Sango chuckled again. "You are so bad!" "Yeah, I know. Ready to go?" she asked as she removed the barrier. "Whenever you are, oh devious one!" Kagome swatted at Sango's shoulder as they walked out of the room.
After many promises to the boys that they would be careful and not stop for anyone or anything, the trio was finally on their way to Kaede's. Kagome guessed it would take a couple of hours to get to the village, where they would rest until morning. Then she would go home and restock the ramen, just as she had promised. If things went well, they should be back at Apollo's by mid afternoon, leaving just enough time for Kagome to set up her surprise at the hot spring before sunset. "Sango, I need one more favor when we get back." Kagome said loudly so she would be heard over the wind. "What's that?" she called over her shoulder. "I need you to distract InuYasha while I set up my surprise." "You got it! I'll get Shippo to do that one trick- you know, the stone that grows and can't be moved until the sutra is removed?" Kagome laughed. "That'll work great! I'm sure Shippo will enjoy helping, especially if he can trick InuYasha without getting into trouble." They both laughed as they remembered InuYasha's previous experience with that particular trick.
Kirara landed softly in a small clearing just beyond Kaede's hut. She transformed into her smaller self and jumped into Sango's arms. The trio quietly entered the hut, surprised to find the older Miko still up and drinking a cup of tea near the fire. "Kaede-san. Gomen for the lateness of our visit." Kagome apologized as they entered. "Ye have nothing to apologize for, Kagome. I was expecting ye." She replied as she offered them tea. "You were?" Sango asked as she sat down near the fire. "Of course. Kagome left some supplies in my care until the next new moon. Since the new moon is tomorrow night, I knew ye would find your way here." Kagome drank some tea before responding. "Arigato, Kaede. We will stay the night so I can go home for supplies in the morning. Then we will rejoin the boys to continue the hunt for jewel shards." Kaede finished her tea and banked the fire. "Ye are always welcome here. Your supplies are in the crawl space under the floor where ye left them. Now I bid ye goodnight." She shuffled over to her sleeping mat and was soon fast asleep. Kagome and Sango talked for a short time, discussing the details of Kagome's plan for the next day. They soon turned in; knowing tomorrow would be a long and busy day.
Kagome woke at dawn and quickly got ready for her trip home. Sango was just stirring as she prepared to leave. "I'll be back in a couple of hours, Sango. When Kaede gets up, have her show you the crawl space. By the time you have everything ready, I'll be back." Kagome told her friend in a low voice, trying not to wake Kaede. "Hai, Kagome. Be safe." Kagome waved as she ran out the door. She performed a quick scan of the area using her powers. Not detecting any demon auras, she hiked her pack onto her shoulder and took off running the familiar path to the sell. She didn't slow down when she reached the well- instead she jumped over the side like she was clearing a hurdle at a track meet and was swiftly enveloped by the familiar blue light that would transport her to her time.
Kagome landed softly at the bottom of the well in her own time. She scooted up the ladder and headed out of the well house. "Mama should be up getting Souta ready for school and herself ready for work by now. I hope she was able to restock the supplies so I can finish quickly." She thought as she entered the front door. "Mama, I'm home" she called as she entered the kitchen. Her mother looked up from the food she was cooking on the stove, a look of happy surprise on her face. "Kagome! I wasn't expecting you today, dear. But I'm glad you're here just the same!" Her mother walked over and gave her a hug. "You're just in time for breakfast. Sit down while I scramble you some eggs." Kagome poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. "Arigato, mama. I'm afraid I can't stay but a couple of hours. We ran out of ramen last night so I just came to restock our supplies." She sipped her coffee as her mother bustled around the kitchen. "I understand, dear. Next time I expect you to stay a couple of days, okay?" "Hai, mama. I really do miss all of you when I'm gone." Her mother set a plate of food in front of her and Kagome dug in with relish. "Souta! Hurry up or you'll be late for school!" her mother called upstairs to her son. "Coming, mama!" He stampeded down the stairs and stopped suddenly when he spotted his sister. "Nee-chan! I missed you!" He gave her a big hug and looked around. "Did InuYasha come with you?" he asked as he sat down and started to eat. "No. He had to stay behind this time. I'm only here for a couple of hours to restock our supplies." He looked disappointed. "I'll bring him with me next time, Souta, and we'll stay a couple of days, okay?" "Hai." He finished his breakfast and got up. "Gotta run so I'm not late. See ya soon, sis! And don't forget to bring InuYasha or I'll never forgive you!" he called as he ran out the door. Kagome finished her food and helped her mother clean up. "I've got to go Kagome. I bought extra supplies for you-they're in the laundry room on the shelf. There's an extra pack there too since I know it wont' all fit in one." She hugged her daughter. "Arigato, mama. What would the pack- heck, what would I ever do without you?" She hugged her back tightly. "You would manage somehow. You are a smart, inventive girl, Kagome and I have complete faith in you." She hugged Kagome one more time before heading out the door to work. "Make sure you say hi to your grandfather before you leave. He wouldn't speak to anyone for three days when you forgot the last time." She called over her shoulder before closing the door.
Kagome packed both packs and went to see her grandfather. He looked sad when she told him she was leaving again, but perked up when she promised to find him some kind of artifact and bring it back to him on her next visit. Hefting the two overstuffed packs over her shoulder, Kagome entered the well house and jumped into the well. In a flash of blue, she was on her way back to the feudal era.
Kagome struggled up the rope and out of the well in the feudal era. "I hope this won't be too much for Kirara." She worried as she hurried back to the hut. Sango was waiting for her, Kirara already transformed and loaded with her stash. "Mama overdid it this time." Kagome grunted as she handed Sango one of the packs. "At least InuYasha will be happy when he sees all this ramen." Sango replied as she shouldered the pack. "This isn't too much for you, is it Kirara?" Kagome asked as she approached the feline. Kirara growled and nudged the girl, encouraging her to hop on. "Thanks, Kirara. Mama sent a couple of cans of the salmon you like so much. I'll give it to you when we get back." Kirara purred as the two women hopped on her back. In a flash, they were on their way back to Apollo's hut.
As predicted, it was mid-afternoon when they got back. Kagome hopped off Kirara, took the second pack from Sango, and headed towards the hut. Sango and Kirara snuck away to the hot spring to drop off Kagome's other supplies before going to track Shippo down to recruit him for his part of the plan. "Bout time you got back, wench" InuYasha gruffed as he took one of the packs from her. "Oi! Looks like your mom over did it a bit" he grunted as he shouldered the pack. "Well, she wasn't sure how long I would be gone this time, so she got enough to last a month." She huffed as they walked to the hut.
InuYasha dropped the pack in the kitchen and waited expectantly as Kagome started water heating and pulled out two servings of his favorite beef ramen. She then pulled out the cans of salmon and handed them to InuYasha. "Would you please take these outside to Kirara?" she asked him nicely. "Feh! Why would I want to do that" he replied, eyeing the cans suspiciously. "Because Kirara is the reason you have your ramen, which should be ready by the time you return." She pushed him out the door. "Feh! I'm only doing this to pass the time until the ramen's ready." He grumbled as he went in search for Kirara. Kagome finished InuYasha's ramen and left it on the counter for him. She then snuck out of the hut to go set up for tonight. "He better appreciate all the trouble I've gone to for his surprise tonight or I'll sit him clean into next week!" She thought as she hurried to the hot spring.