SO. FUHREAKING. TIRED.
GAH.
Okay, so here's another chapter… can I go to bed now?
I almost forgot! I want to thank everyone that has read/reviewed/favorited/set alerts for this story. The response has been great and you make my life :D
I'm also really happy with the response to Haki, my other fic-in-progress (yes, it has a nickname). People have been very encouraging and accepting of the cultural references I've been stuffing in there. You people lyke totes rockkkk… obvii.
I promise… I'll never talk like that again.
We are friends; we must assist each other to bear our burdens. – Osage proverb
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha and his friends. I also do not own any of his family members, including one very exceptional (winkwink) demon lord.
….
"Do you see her yet, Miroku? She can't have gone far."
The monk couldn't help but think that the taijiya was underestimating her miko friend. Kagome was stronger than she seemed, and he had seen the way she acted lately. She was always thinking about something and now he wished he had confronted her about just what that 'something' was.
"No, my love. Perhaps we would have better luck on foot? We could visit a village or two and ask.."
His words died on his lips when he saw the look on his beloved's face.
"I know you are NOT honestly suggesting that we stop looking for Kagome just so you can WHORE yourself around a village and SWINDLE your way into a comfortable night's sleep!"
The monk immediately began to backtrack. He hadn't realized just how big his feet were until he found them stuck in his mouth.
He also chose to ignore the fact that she was rather attractive using such naughty language.
"No, no, no, my Sango! I would never! You know I only ask the village girls what stalls give the best bargains, never anything else, I-"
"HENTAI!"
SMACK!
The monk nearly fell from Kirara's back, the resounding slap he had just received causing him to lose his balance. Kirara shook her head and adjusted to keep the monk perched atop her safely.
"Now, Miroku," Sango began in that voice that Miroku knew meant trouble, "we will continue searching for Kagome. And we will not stop until we find her."
She paused for a moment to put the fear in him and then gritted out through clenched teeth, "Got it, houshi?"
He nodded enthusiastically in the hopes of appeasing her.
Deliciously feisty.
Sango turned forward, once again scanning the landscape below for any signs of Kagome.
They had slept later than usual and had been surprised to find Kagome gone. Intuitively, Sango knew something was wrong. They searched the area around the camp, completely mystified as to just where Kagome had run off to.
We have to find her. I've lost my brother… I will not lose my sister.
They had broken camp with little to-do and hopped onto Kirara's transformed back. Heading first to the East, they traveled almost an hour before moving North again. They were coming up empty-handed and Sango wanted nothing more than to burst out into tears.
No. I must be strong.
"Kirara, southwest. This way isn't taking us any closer to her. I can just feel it."
So the three continued on, hoping against all hope to find their friend alive and well.
Kagome continued on, completely oblivious to her friends' inner turmoil.
Just around noon, when the sun had reached its zenith, she spotted a village a short way down the road. Not wanting to pop out of the woods closer to the town and risk having the villagers think she needed psychological help, she slowly made her way out into the middle of the road.
Why am I worried about looking like a sketch in front of a bunch of strangers?
She flounced her way down the road, mentally taking stock of her funds. She had only taken the money she had received for real exorcisms, not Miroku's fake ones.
I should have enough for a nice lunch! She thought with a smile.
The miko reached the town and immediately made her way to the closest inn. After ordering her meal, she sat and evaluated the other diners.
They all seemed rather sickly, even the men. Their skin had become sallow and their actions sluggish. Looking at the man nearest her, the priestess noticed that even his eyes seemed a bit cloudy.
What is going on here?
Before she could entertain her thoughts any further, the innkeeper brought her food.
She took out her payment, but she didn't relinquish it right away.
"Do you know where the Western Palace is? I seem to be a bit… well, lost," she said with a light flush and a flash of her winning smile.
The innkeeper looked surprised at her question. What would a young girl such as this be going to the Western Palace for? And why was she alone? He stroked his thick beard as he considered his answer.
"It is about three and a half day's walk down the road. You must continue down the main path for one full day. Early the next day you should come to a double fork. I'm pretty sure the second one on the left is the fastest. It should lead you directly to the palace gates."
Unsure of how to continue, he paused and rubbed his bald head.
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the image of the bald man with that thick beard.
It's as if his hair has gone south for the winter.
Her smile faded as soon as she realized what he had just told her.
It's past midday… I have less than two and a half days to get there!
Just as the innkeeper got the nerve up to ask her about her destination, the girl jumped up and fled the room. He ran to the door and watched her retreating form as she sprinted down the road he had told her to follow.
Turning back to her vacated seat, he shook his head. She had included an extra silver coin in his payment.
….
Voilaaaaa! See, Kagome isn't sooo bad XD
Please review!
I am now off to the Land of Nod to report for duty. See y'all later!
~Siki
