Hey, I'm back! I have to admit at the beginning I was just writing this story with a weak plot. But now, I have developed it more, and I think it should be better... Let's hope!
Without further ado, Chapter Two!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
--Chapter Two--
The day had been long and boring; they had not seen or heard anything new about Naraku. Trudging along, it was dark when the group finally chose a suitable campsite. It was in a quiet section of the forest, in the middle of nowhere, in between villages. The only sounds that broke the still night air were the faint chirps of the grasshoppers and the crackling of the small fire Kagome had made.
The whole day had been almost spent in silence. Only Sango and Miroku had spoken, and then it had been whispered and it was about the weather. Kagome had remained silent, staying by Sango's side, listening to the conversation between the monk and the demon slayer, while Inuyasha remained in front, oblivious to everything and everyone. Neither hanyou nor human had said anything during the whole day; Kagome was always staring at her feet while Inuyasha stared with a blank look on his face to the sky.
"What are you going to make for dinner tonight, Kagome?" Sango asked in a soft voice, taking a seat next to the silent girl. Might as well start a light conversation.
Kagome looked down at her yellow sack. "Ramen," She sighed. Unfortunately, that was all she had brought with her, trying to please the one hanyou who had torn out her heart not half a day later after she had returned. She had to fight the urge to add some poisonous mushrooms to the soup, giving Inuyasha food poisoning and a horrible episode of non-stop puking. That would not solve her problem at all. Sure, it would make her feel better, and maybe it would even stop him from leaving with Kikyo, but… She couldn't think of an argument.
Sighing heavily again, Kagome began to systematically prepare the group's dinner.
Inuyasha was twitching uncontrollably on the other side of the fire. His nose constantly tasted the wind, searching for a sign of Kikyo or an unfamiliar demon, and his ears turned, this way and that, searching for foreign sounds. It really bugged him that they had not seen a demon or a shard of the sacred jewel in one week. Something was up; he could feel it. The trouble was that he wasn't sure if it had anything to do with Naraku. That bastard had not shown his face for two weeks, let alone have his 'servants' do anything. Plus, Kikyo was out on her own: vulnerable to his attacks. There was no doubt in his heart that once Naraku got over his feelings for her, he would have her killed. Kikyo dying a second time would really kill him.
Miroku had almost had enough. This argument between Inuyasha and Kagome had gone on long enough. They were acting really stupid and immature, and it really peeved him off that he couldn't even have a normal conversation with Sango.
"Beautiful night out," He grunted, eyes shut as he sat down on the ground next to the fire. He crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest.
Sango looked over at the monk. He was obviously irritated with the whole tense silence between the two. She herself had had enough too. But being a girl, she could sense that this silent argument was a bit different than the others; it would decide the couples' outcome.
"Ramen's done," Kagome announced, pouring the soup into separate bowls.
Shippo ran forward and stared at the fullest bowl. "Kagome, can I have this one?"
Kagome only nodded and continued to hand out the bowls to Miroku and Sango. Kirara had already gone off to the stream near by to catch her meal and Myoga was nowhere to be seen. After both the monk and the demon slayer had their bowls, Kagome looked down at the two remaining bowls, and then glanced up to the hanyou who was sitting a couple feet from Miroku. With his back to her, she could tell that he was stressing over something. Probably Kikyo.
Kagome let out a sigh before grabbing one of the bowls and standing up. Crouching down beside the silent boy, she held out her hand with the soup bowl in it.
"Here, Inuyasha," She said softly. He sharply glanced up, confusion marking his features. His golden orbs softened a bit when he saw what she was offering.
"Thank-you… Kagome." He took the bowl, and nearly dropped it when his finger's touched hers. Mumbling something incoherent, he took the bowl from her, making sure not to touch her skin again or meet her tortured gaze.
"You're welcome." She stood up and walked back over to her original spot and sat down. She didn't say anything more as she snatched up her soup bowl and began to silently eat it, a brown fire burning deep within her eyes.
Miroku was the first to break the silence. "This is delicious, Lady Kagome. A perfect treat for a night like this." He handed her back the empty bowl.
"I'm glad you liked it." She took the bowl, placing it in front of her.
Shippo added his to the pile. "I love it when you make Ninja food!" He grinned.
Kagome smiled back to him as Sango added hers to the pile too. "Really hits the spot," Sango stated. Hopefully Inuyasha will get the hint…
But the said half demon boy's mind was elsewhere. He placed his empty bowl next to his thigh before standing up. Sango and Miroku's mouth dropped as he just walked away – no comment on Kagome's meal at all! Miroku shook his head, completely awestruck. He really needs to learn how to work it with the ladies.
Kagome's blank eyes watched the boy walk into the dark woods without a word. She knew that he wasn't going to see Kikyo – she was on a task that he knew nothing about. She knew his mind was full and being alone would help him sort out everything.
Placing her now empty soup bowl on top of the others, she stood up. Miroku leaned over, snatching up Inuyasha's bowl and placing it on Kagome's dishes stack. Kagome smiled in gratitude, and then turned to leave.
"Kagome, do you need help with the washing?" Sango's voice drifted out to her.
Kagome turned around, a small smile on her face. "I got it." She turned back around and proceeded to walk into the woods where Inuyasha had gone, in search for the stream.
Inuyasha's probably far away from here, she thought as she gingerly stepped around the bushes and branches that threatened to scratch her skin. When she entered a clearing, she saw the small bubbling stream to her right.
She walked up to it, placing the bowls on the ground. Half in a trance, she looked up at the bright moon. Her breath caught in her throat as she admired its beauty. It was a full moon, casting its ghostly shadow across the earth, making the land almost glow with a pearly light.
She didn't notice the huge spider lurking beyond the shadows before it jumped out and lunged at her throat, where the jewel shards glowed.
A scream erupted from her throat, and her arms came up to protect her face. When nothing happened, she opened one eye cautiously, and then relaxed her stance when she saw the spider dead on the ground at her feet. Inuyasha was standing a few feet away, cracking his knuckles.
"Hn, that was easy; it hardly put up a fight." Inuyasha turned to look at Kagome. In the moonlight, her features seemed to soften, and her hair blew in the night air, the light catching loose strands. Big, chocolate brown eyes stared at him in surprise and gratitude, making his heart skip a beat.
"Kagome, are you okay?" He asked, his voice a little rusty. He cleared his throat.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Her hand came up, catching a loose strand of hair before placing it neatly behind her ear. Her eyes darted to the soup bowl pile, sitting neatly by the stream.
Inuyasha's eyes softened. "Let me help you." And without waiting for a response from Kagome, he bent down and began to rinse off one of the bowls in the stream.
Kagome's heart started beating harder. Inuyasha look so powerful and beautiful in the moonlight. The light hit his silver hair, making it almost glow. Golden orbits stood out against the pearly glow of his skin while his features almost seemed soft. She dropped beside the hanyou and started washing one of the bowls.
Kagome took one more glance at the moon high in the sky. "It's really pretty out tonight, right?" Kagome looked over at the boy, nodding her head to what he said.
"It's almost magical," She whispered, shooting a small smile towards the boy.
He looked at her, lost in her soft chocolate brown eyes. "Listen, Kagome-"
Kagome cut him off. "Have you heard anything about Naraku?"
Inuyasha shook his head, a sigh of frustration leaving his lips. "We haven't seen or heard about him for two weeks!"
Kagome nodded. "And then we haven't seen any demons at all in this region."
Inuyasha's eyes hardened. "I know. Something's up."
Kagome sighed, closing her eyes. "I just hope we get to it before it turns into a disaster."
Inuyasha looked down at the pile of now clean bowls. I need to tell her. Now, do it now. "Kagome-" He stopped when she opened her velvet brown eyes to look at him.
"What is it Inuyasha?" But he only shook his head. How can I do this to her? When will I ever be able to tell her it's over between us? It just… hurts to think about it. My life… without Kagome.
He suddenly stood up, looking down at the girl who had her deep brown eyes fixed on him. "Let's go, Kagome. The others will be wondering where we are."
Kagome only nodded before gathering up all the bowls and standing up. She had to jog a bit to catch up to Inuyasha. She fell easily instep with him.
"Oh, there you two are," Miroku said, nodding to the two as they entered the camp. "We were beginning to worry."
"I wouldn't let anything happen to Kagome," Inuyasha snorted, standing in front of the fire.
"We know," Sango sighed in response. Sometimes he's too cocky for his own good.
Kagome silently replaced the bowls in her yellow sack before untying her sleeping bag. Shippo jumped on her shoulder as she laid it out.
"Look, Kagome! Look at the full moon! It's so pretty!" Shippo gushed, his finger pointed excitingly at the huge sphere in the sky.
"It sure is, Shippo." Kagome smiled at the young demon before glancing once again at the moon.
"You better get some rest, Kagome. We are heading out early tomorrow morning." Inuyasha's voice broke through the spell. She nodded her head in his direction before climbing into her sleeping bag.
"Night everyone,' Sango stated, sitting down and leaning against a transformed Kirara. She closed her eyes as a purr came from Kirara's fanged mouth.
"Night," Miroku answered, sitting himself in front of a nearby tree, closing his eyes too.
Kagome took one more look at Inuyasha, who was sitting in front of the fire, facing her. She studied his features, admiring his beauty in the firelight before closing her eyes and cuddling Shippo to her chest.
Inuyasha glanced around at his sleeping group. Everyone was either sleeping already, or pretty damn close to it. He let out a small sigh before adding more wood to the dying fire. When the fire seemed to burn by itself, he stood up and jumped, landing on a stable branch high up on a tree. Sitting down and leaning against the trunk of the tree, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. Thoughts and memories of him and Kagome drifted through his mind as he fell into a deep slumber of sleep.
/----------
It was about mid-morning when the group had been fed and was packed up and ready to go. The sun was high in the sky, making spirits high. Kagome smiled while throwing her pack over her shoulder. Maybe today we will hear something about Naraku.
"Come on, Kagome. We need to reach the next village by nightfall," Inuyasha called, already walking ahead of the group with Sango and Miroku on either side. Shippo ran along side Kagome as she jogged to keep up with them.
"Where's Kirara?" Kagome's eyes scanned the ground around the group.
Sango smiled. "She went ahead; searching for demons in the woods."
"Hm." Kagome nodded, hitching her yellow sack higher up on her back. She glanced down at the young kitsune at her feet. Shippo was humming a tune as he bounced along at her feet. He had to jog to keep up with her walking pace.
"Hey, Shippo, wanna shut up already? You're giving me a headache!" Inuyasha complained, sneering in Shippo's direction.
The little demon's eyes darkened as he frowned in anger and embarrassment. "Shut up, Inuyasha! I can do whatever I want!"
"Yeah, who told you that?" Inuyasha sarcastically asked, cracking his knuckles.
Shippo looked down at his feet before displaying a watching Kagome with sparkling, innocent green eyes. "Kagome did!" He stated.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha angrily shouted, one of his eyebrows twitching in annoyance.
Kagome looked at him with confusion in her features. "What?"
"Why do you always give Shippo so much slack? You let him do whatever he wants to do!" Inuyasha whined. It peeved him that he couldn't whack Shippo over the head with his fist. If he did… (-gulp-) she would sit him!
"Grow up, Inuyasha." Kagome only stated, already bored with the argument.
"Wha-WHAT? What did you say to me?" He demanded, eyes going super wide.
Shippo stuck his tongue out at the older boy. "She told you to grow up!"
Inuyasha went red. "You come here, you idiot, and say that to my face! Let's just see what I do then when Kagome isn't there to protect you!"
Shippo jumped bravely over to where Inuyasha was walking, landing on Miroku's shoulder. "Kagome told you to grow up!" He shouted in the half demon's face. Kagome watched in silence as Miroku and Sango's mouths dropped down in surprise. Since when does Shippo have this much bravery?! Miroku stared in amazement.
Inuyasha looked taken back at the young demon's bravery, but he didn't hesitate in bringing up his fist and slamming it down towards the little boy's head.
"Sit boy." Two simple words were heard before Inuyasha's fist collided with Shippo's head, and the big half demon came crashing to the ground. He groaned in pain before lifting himself up and glaring daggers at the one girl that had said those two words.
"Why'd you do that for?!" He demanded, struggling to get up on his feet.
Kagome shrugged, an amused smile on her lips. She continued on walking ahead with the others, leaving Inuyasha behind in the dirt.
"Hey, wait for me!" He waved his fist in the air before deciding to run after them.
It was about mid-afternoon when they finally reached the village. Miroku went ahead and greeted one of the villagers, asking him where he could find the most beautiful maiden in the village. Sango had reacted by slamming her Hiraikotsu down on the monk's head.
Inuyasha only scoffed; ignoring the scene and the monk's pain and stupidity. He walked away, checking the area for signs of danger. Shippo watched in amusement, a small laugh escaping his lips before he closed them at Miroku's murderous glare. Kagome shook her head as Sango began to yell at the lecherous monk, telling him off.
A young maiden of about her age caught Kagome's eye. The young girl was walking alone with three water buckets in her hands, out of the village. Kagome put on her friendliest smile and walked up to the girl.
"Hi there, I'm Kagome." Kagome's smile widened.
The young maiden stopped walking and looked up at the strange girl. What's with this girl's clothes? "Hi, I'm Yuki."
"Well, Yuki, it seems you have three water buckets and only two hands. Need some help?" Kagome gestured to the empty buckets.
Yuki glanced down at her hands before smiling at the girl. "That would be great, thank-you." She handed Kagome one of the buckets before continuing down the road, headed for the stream near-by.
Kagome fell into step with the girl. "This place is so beautiful. Do you live here with your family?"
Yuki nodded. "My mother died a long time ago, so I'm living with my brother and my dad."
Kagome looked taken back. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Me and my big mouth!" Kagome mentally slapped herself.
Yuki smiled. "It's okay, it was ages ago. I hardly remember her."
Kagome nodded. "I see."
A moment of silence broke out while they reached the stream. It wasn't very big, but crystal clear. A few fish splashed in the water, playing in the waves. Kagome stepped up to the edge and watched the girl fill her buckets in the stream.
"This region is so quiet! There are no demons at all! Jeez, I think I might come and live here," Kagome remarked. Maybe Yuki knows something about Naraku…
Yuki stepped back as Kagome dug her bucket in the stream. "I think it's because of that new jewel; The Jewel of Crystallized Tears."
Kagome almost dropped her bucket in the stream. "New jewel!?"
Ahh, cliff hangers! So much fun!
I guess you'll have to wait for the next chapter.
READ AND REVIEW!
xx bumble.