The Road to El Shikon
~Kitty
Lost
…
Light was dim on the jungle floor. Thick roots loomed high overhead like cavernous walls closing in over the travelers struggling through the dense tangle of vines. The air was thick and heavy, tightening around their chests as a constrictor squeezes its prey. It was silent, save for the heavy, moist panting of all three miniature figures wandering amongst the majesty of the ancient trees.
"We're lost."
"..."
"We're lost."
"Shut up!"
"We're lost."
"I told you, I know where we're going!"
"We're lost."
"I'm gonna twist your puny little tail off!"
"Just admit we're lost, Inuyasha."
"Shut up, Miroku! Not you too!"
The white haired figure slashed, and bashed, and crashed his way through the jungle understory. A short distance behind, a darker haired man reclined against a moss covered boulder, clearly disinterested and beyond the point of caring. He made a face as he tried to scratch an itch just out of reach of his fingertips, groaning in frustration when every attempt fell short and he resorted to pressing against the wide, damp trunk of a nearby tree.
"It's been five days since the last marker," Miroku called, already losing sight of his silver haired companion in the dense foliage. The forest canopy all but obliterated the sun, and when light did make it all the way down to their level, a bloom of green sprouted, taking up every square foot of ground with tangled, dense branches and roots. Long, twisted vines hung low in the inbetween space between the tree trunks, every living organism industriously colonizing the available space. It was a nightmare.
"Shut up!" a grouchy voice shouted back, "I'd be there by now if I didn't have to wait for your slow ass!"
Miroku rolled his eyes. "You could always carry me," he retorted, holding up his arms like a child when his white haired companion glanced back sourly at him.
"... Fuck you!"
Miroku sighed, crouching down wearily with his elbows against his thighs. The heat was unbearable, his every breath laborious, more like drinking the soupy forest air rather than breathing. Shippou, only slightly more robust against the oppressive atmosphere, was panting heavily, feebly fanning himself with a wide, green leaf. Sweat dripped down the little fox spirit's face, dangling in a trembling droplet from his chin.
"This stupid city better be worth it!" He complained, "Why is he so desperate to find it anyway?"
Miroku paused in his self pity to glance down at the young child. His expression softened as his mind turned contemplative for a brief moment before shifting to a resigned half smile. Heaving a tired sigh, he plopped a heavy, sweaty hand onto Shippou's shoulder, ignoring the kit's eruption of protests.
"It's probably something you or I will never fully understand," he said vaguely, groaning as he righted himself and wearily pushed through the dense foliage in the direction their third companion had disappeared in.
Indeed, the desperation with which their white haired companion plunged heedlessly into the dark undergrowth went far beyond a typical adventure-seeking excitement. Inuyasha pressed and slashed and stumbled ahead, fueled by the slim-chance hope of one single dream, one kept pressed tightly against his heart, buried deeply into his psyche.
While Miroku could rationally sympathize with his friend's drive, the growing discomforts of jungle travel slowly ate away at his tolerances. Added to Inuyasha's slave-driver tendencies, the young human soon found himself feeling very differently toward the half demon.
I'm gonna kill him. I have to kill him. I'm just gonna have to kill him…
Miroku sat hunched over on the fallen log, rocking himself with his mouth in his hand. His eyes were crazed as he stared at his white haired friend. His other hand was fisted in a desperate attempt to keep from itching his various insect bites leaving no square millimeter of skin without an angry red lump. Beside him, a very concerned Shippou was hesitantly reaching for his sleeve, debating whether or not to attempt to console the miserable human. Fleas and mosquitos weren't as much of a concern for the demon blooded.
Inuyasha paced the small jungle clearing, map in hand, upside down once again in fact, and muttering to himself. He was completely absorbed with the ratty piece of paper and entirely oblivious to the discomfort of his companions.
"Where did we go wrong," he muttered, turning the paper this way and that. "Follow the stream to the hot springs, then through the bog and up the cliff…"
Around them the sounds of the jungle pressed in, the singing insects and birds, rustling from dark lurking shadows that circled the small troup. Slimy, slithering things and prowling, hungry things. Creatures with venomous fangs and long, constricting bodies. The whole jungle loomed in over Miroku and the bags under his eyes betrayed the long sleepless nights he'd spent in a state of paranoia, convinced some black evil would devour them. It wasn't like him to be so frazzled by a situation, but this one grated on him. There was a wrongness in this jungle, and a sixth sense told him to run.
He was teetering on the edge of madness and then his eyes flicked back to the pacing half demon. A twitch of muscle in his leg as it jittered, trying to keep it all in. Let's try to think of nicer things. Miroku gazed around, only capable of seeing more jungle prison in every direction he turned. He was gonna die here. They were all gonna die here. There was a hollowness ringing through his mind, echoing like a gong, as he slowly grappled with and accepted that fact.
Then a breeze snaked through the trees, gently tossing branches and pushing leaves. The air was so stagnant on the jungle floor and the gust of wind was refreshing. A little ray of hope. And then another, from beyond the leaves, Miroku saw a glimmer. His body stilled, and he stood, his joints creaking from being seated for so long. In a daze, he stepped forward, plucking the map from Inuyasha's hands and ignoring the half demon's annoyed protests. Pressing beyond the surrounding branches and leaves, a neighboring clearing revealed itself with a slim stone obelisk, a glittering jewel attached to its point.
The final marker.
"Where the fuck are you goi-," Inuyasha's angry voice was snipped short as he broke through the foliage and entered the clearing. He stared open mouthed for a moment before whooping with joy, punching the air and declaring triumphantly that his days as a half breed were numbered. Even Shippou was caught up in the enthusiasm, perking up and tittering excitedly how much he hoped they'd be able to leave this blasted jungle.
Only Miroku stood silent, a confused frown slowly growing on his forehead. His eyes bounced from map to marker, then back down to the map. He scratched his head and glanced around.
"I was right!" Inuyasha exclaimed, turning to his companion, mouth wide in a bright, toothy grin, "I was right! We found it! With this jewel, I'll be full demon and I'll get us all out of here and claim my birthright!"
"Inuyasha, where's the rest of the city?" Miroku asked, concern etching deep worried lines into his greasy, sweaty face.
"Who the fuck cares?" Asked Inuyasha. He only had eyes for the glittering gem poised atop the black pillar. As Miroku looked closer at the map, trying to make out the faded scribble that was barely legible along the tattered edge, Inuyasha took a deep breath.
"Shikon no Tama! Make me a full demon!"