Chapter 14
Come to think of it, this was probably one of her less brilliant ideas, but a girl can't be brilliant all the time, right?
She'd forgotten how much darker it was in the forest even though in open areas the sun still had a ways to go before meeting the horizon. Of course, she'd just made a beeline for the trees the moment her tasks were complete without noting the position of the sun in the sky.
Around her were all shades of deep green, the shadows long and dark. Everything seemed a little warped and even though she squinted hard at them, it was hard to make out what was what.
Trying to not worry (yet), Kagome stubbornly glared at the canopy above her. Craning her neck this way and that, up and down, hoping to catch a glimpse of red. Oddly enough, there was no sign of Inuyasha, when normally he'd show up the instant she entered the forest. Usually all she had to do was trample around in the bushes and he'd come yelling.
The last few days have been hectic, so there hadn't been time to visit, but she'd hope to at least give him some of the sweet floral cake her and Kaede made fresh that afternoon. Sure, he would probably yell at her but they could catch up while he ate, and then he'd run her to the edge of the forest like he always did.
Kagome scuffed moodily at the dirt. Maybe he was away today.
He didn't owe her his whereabouts, but damnit she wanted to know! If only so she wouldn't do all this running around for no reason.
She proceeded to move some of the tall undergrowth uselessly about, resuming her search for the faded footpath which she had lost track of.
"The road is behind you." She startled, her body twitching embarrassingly violently. Her head jerked up, wide eyes scanning the area around her for any danger while looking for the owner of the voice.
There, just out of view a few trees beyond her, was someone with most of their body hidden by the thick trunk. Which was… odd.
A part of her knew that she should probably look for something that could be used to defend herself ASAP, in case the newcomer turned out to be hostile, but paradoxically she felt no alarm. Actually, she even felt drawn to them.
Kagome took a step forward.
"No, idiot," The voice was exasperated, but weirdly familiar. "Behind you. Better go before it gets completely dark."
Kagome hesitated. The man's voice was oddly muffled, like he was trying to talk but not talk at the same time, or had pulled his clothing over his mouth. But that was silly, and she was imagining things; he was probably just one of those people with an awkward nasally tone.
She glanced up at the purple-hued sky. The marked drop in light meant the sun had just dipped below the horizon, which would give her maybe fifteen minutes to run back to the village. And to think of it, she remembered seeing the sliver of moon a few days ago, meaning tonight, there could very well be no moon to light her way.
Mind made up, she dipped a quick bow in the person's direction, and chirped "Thanks for all your help!" before she hurried away.
Why would anyone stay in the forest after dark though? Inuyasha had made it very clear multiple times that she would get eaten without a doubt.
Belatedly, she turned to peer back into the trees from whence she'd come. If she'd remembered earlier, she could've offered the uneaten cake to the stranger for being so kind to direct her.
Kagome sighed.
Then she sighed again, but this time in relief as the silhouette of the village and its flickering light came into view.
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A/N: Whoooah such a helpful person in the forest :D
For all who has expressed…concerns about last chapter, check the tags for reassurance. Trust the process ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. However, this plot, the exact sequence of words and any original characters described therein, I reserve all rights to.