Kagome woke slowly. Something warm and bright filtered over her skin and she smelled sweet, heavy flowers. Sighing with pleasure, she rolled to the side and opened her eyes to find soft sunlight and a gentle breeze wafting through the open windows. She breathed in the scents of her new, temporary home and she sat up.
The night had started off on a sour note, and she had gone to sleep with damp eyes and more than a hint of fear in her heart. Sometime in the night, she had settled and calmed. She couldn't ever remember having rested so soundly or woke feeling so safe.
There had been a dream. A shadowy figure had stood, watching over her— an angel perhaps? Or perhaps a memory of Hojo? At any rate, she'd dreamed of a firm, light hand smoothing along the length of her hair. A man's hand.
Deciding there was no use worrying about it, she crawled from her bed, and then washed her face with a small basin of water she had poured from a bottle. She would use the latrine later, provided one had been dug. If not, she would make do as she could.
Later, once she'd dressed she climbed down the sturdy wooden stairs that led to the main floor of the treehouse. Here was a nicely sized living area with built in shelves and a raised stone fire pit for cooking. Looking up, she saw an open cupola, cleverly designed to filter out the smoke without letting rain in. There were two large open windows on either side of the room, letting in plenty of bright sunlight. The large, solid shutters had been pulled up and tied off. All in all, it was a comfortable, cozy space.
"Good morning," she said, her gaze sliding quickly over Naraku, who sat in shirtsleeves and dark trousers, and to her grandfather.
"Did you sleep well, Grandpa?" she asked.
"I don't believe I've ever slept better," he replied between mouthfuls of rice and soup. "And breakfast is delicious," he added with a look at Hana. She smiled at his complement and began dishing up a bowl for her daughter.
"Enjoy it while it lasts," Naraku said. "The ship won't return with more supplies for a couple of weeks, and when these provisions run low, we'll be supplementing them with whatever game I can find in the jungle."
He regarded Kagome closely. "Good morning, Miss Higurashi. I trust you slept well?"
She met his gaze firmly, and didn't break eye contact. "I slept very well," she replied. "And thank you for the reminder; I've decided it would be best to keep a loaded firearm in my room. Just in case I have unwanted visitors."
Any reply he might have made to that was forestalled by Hana refilling his tea cup and asking if he wanted seconds. Breakfast continued without much talk, aside from Tomo gushing about all the birds he was sure to find that day.
Finally, Naraku broke in. "Perhaps you'll allow me to teach you how to load and shoot it?" he suggested. His black eyes were fastened on her once again.
"Kagome hardly needs help with that," Hana commented. "Her father taught her years ago, and she's a excellent shot."
Kagome blushed at the pride in her mother's words. Tomo took that moment to hop to his feet and insist on heading out right then. As she ate, Kagome watched in fond amusement as he began to organize his tools for the day.
"Have a wonderful time, Grandpa," she told him.
"Don't forget your lunches," Hana added. "There's also a thermos of tea and one of water."
Naraku sighed, clearly reluctant to accompany the old man. "And what do you have planned, Miss Higurashi? Would you like to accompany us?"
"No, thank you," she replied cooly. "I have several trunks to unpack and supplies to organize. There will be other opportunities for me to accompany you, I'm sure." Besides, she really wanted to explore on her own.
It would be unlikely, but there could be a clue to Hojo's disappearance, even after nearly a year. She was certain she'd find the man she loved— or at least a trace of him. And, just as compelling of a motivation… she might even find a small pool where she might swim. After all, with the men gone, there was no one to see her but the birds and animals of the jungle.
Some time later, Kagome pushed away thick, heavy green brush as she made her way into the jungle. She hadn't gone far, but she was already warm from the heavy, humid heat. The treehouse loomed behind her, and she used it as a landmark to make certain she didn't become lost. There were no trails, and the going was difficult. Just a few yards in and everything looked exactly the same, so she was glad of the glimpses of the hut she could see as she wandered about.
Knowing the dangers of the jungle, she had no intention of going far from the encampment this first day. The last thing she wanted to do was to have to spend the night in the damp, noisy jungle filled with wild creatures— some of them possibly youkai. With a pang, she realized not for the first time that it was quite possible that was what had happened to Hojo. But perhaps she'd find evidence of a camp he'd made, or some of his belongings still intact against the weather. If she could just find a sign of him, any sign…. She just hoped it wouldn't be a pile of his bones.
Trying to change her train of thought, Kagome turned her turned her attention toward finding a place to bathe. She pulled aside a swath of ferns, and stepped on soft, squishy moss. A bird called in the distance, another answered high above her, and something rustled in the leaves. Springing up everywhere were thick vines, which grew from the ground up into the trees and anchored around them. She touched a tree trunk and something skittered away beneath her fingers: a flat, gray insect that had been camouflaged by the bark.
Stifling a squeal, she continued on. At last, Kagome heard the tell tale sound of rushing water. Patting the small bag she wore crosswise over her torso, she thought longingly of washing her hair. The bathing opportunities on the ship had been limited to hip baths and pouring pail after pail of water over herself. In her small bag, she optimistically carried a small bar of soap, a comb, and deodorant. And then, ducking beneath a series of low-hanging vines that acted almost like a screen, she found a small circular pool.
Kagome had never imagined such a place. She paused, entranced by the lovely scene. Water flowed into the pool from a stream on one side, and disappeared into the jungle on the other. It was clear and clean and very inviting. The rough, stone sides of the pool were softened by lush green ferns, vines, and leafy bushes. Flowers of every shade from pink to red to salmon to rose grew in abundance in the small clearing.
Kagome wasted no more time. She pushed past vines thicker than her wrist and hurried over springy moss toward the pool. Moments later, after assuring herself there was no evidence of human presence currently in the vicinity, she was naked. Testing the water with a toe, she found it cool and comfortable. Quickly she stepped forward, testing the depth as she went. She'd only ever swam in the presence of her friends, never alone. The freedom was incredible.
She swam and splashed about for some time before bathing, including washing her hair. Finally she simply floated, enjoying the pool and its surrounding beauty. A sudden rustling very nearby made her open her eyes and look towards shore. She screamed.
SSSSSSsssssss
Merry Christmas!
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