Kagome's hands were covered with a combination of sludge, blood, and sap. Her body ached and her eyes stung from sweat. She had made the mistake of trying to wipe her forehead with the back of her hand, and now excess mud covered her face. The hot sun shined brightly through the leaves, baking the top of her head. She let out a sullen exasperated groan. Of all the times for us to split up...
Earlier that day the gang had gone to explore a nearby village that had been begging them for an exorcism, claiming to be plagued by a snake demon of some sort. On their way to the village, Kagome had sensed a distant sacred jewel shard moving quickly through the forest. The group had diverted course, obtaining jewel shards more important than hunting down pesky demons. That is, until they had heard screaming coming from across the valley and saw black smoke rising high into the sky.
"Seems that the best course of action would be to split up. Sango and I will handle the village with Kirara and Shippo. Inuyasha, Kagome will you be able to obtain the shard?" Miroku asked, calm as ever in pressing situations.
Inuyasha shot an impatient glare. "We've been gathering shards long before your help, lecher."
Miruko gave him a slight eye roll, "Of course, all right, let's move quickly we shall meet back here by sundown." With final words of luck exchanged, Inuyasha and Kagome had set off in the direction of the shard.
The scenery had become a blur as Inuyasha sped across miles within minutes. It had felt like old times, just her and Inuyasha chasing after shards. It had been a long while since they had been alone together.
Oh yeah, this is the alone time I was looking for…Sure… She half dragged, half stumbled through the forest with Inuyasha in tow on the make shift sled. Both were caked with dirt an inch thick and the smell clinging to them could gag a skunk.
"Don't fall asleep on me, Inuyasha." she commanded "We're almost there,"
"You have no clue where we are, do you?" He scoffed. "Humans and their horrible sense of direction. Keh! Pathetic." This was normal Inuyasha behavior, but in Kagome's mind it seemed forced. His hand still gripped his bloodied shoulder. Staring fixedly at the muddied hilt of Tessaiga, he took deep and measured breaths.
"Can you smell the village or water? Something?" she asked hopefully.
"Nothing beyond the awful stench of swamp ass." He sighed shaking his head slightly, before his golden eyes rolled back into his head.
"Inuyasha!" She put down the small branch and knelt next to him. "Inuyasha?! Inuyasha!" Her hand held the side of his head as strands of white hair stuck to her fingers.
"Quit your yellin', damn woman." He glared up at her "You look like crap. Pft," Inuyasha said with a laugh.
Kagome sat back on her haunches, eyeing him worriedly. Normally Inuyasha's laugh was endearing, but his vulnerability and his comment made her slightly angry.
"Well you look worse," she said softly
Inuyasha's eyes locked with hers. His voice became serious. "I'll be okay. You're not going to let me die." They sat there for long seconds looking at each other. He shook his head again, his ears twitched. "Uh.. I think I hear a river over that way, Kagome."
Kagome felt a blush creep across her cheeks and quickly stood, clapping her hands together. "Okay! Lets go." She pried her sappy fingers apart, picked up the trunk, and continued to drag Inuyasha along the ground.