Chapter 30
Thankfully, while the youkai attack had been alarming for everyone, the actual damage had been minimal.
Inuyasha certainly eliminated the remaining threat in record time. And Kikyou's efficiency allowed for no human casualties.
By mid-morning everyone was sent home and Kagome found herself standing in for Kaede, carefully folding in the anti-venom powder in small batches of cream. Said girl was ordered by her older sister to take the rest of the day to convalesce and of course she was all meek obedience when it came to Kikyou's requests.
It was not an unpleasant way to spend the morning, and the silence between her and the priestess was less awkward than Kagome anticipated.
The entire village had taken the day off after the bare minimum of tasks were complete. After the harrowing events of the day before, it was more than warranted, she'd say.
This left the streets outside unusually tranquil for the time of day and the only sounds were the quiet clinking and thuds as the two of them prepared the medicines.
"It is unfortunate we've depleted our stock of anti-venom this early in the year." Kikyou spoke up beside her as she shook the small jar between them on the counter, inspecting the remaining contents.
"Oh? Um... do things like this happen often?"
"From time to time yes." The miko explained. "It is more common in the autumn months. Youkai are rather like animals you see, so they also try to fatten themselves and their young before the cold settles."
"Are they always venomous?" Kagome asked.
"Not always but commonly enough."
"Can we find more of the antidote then? Kaede and I can try and stock up again before fall comes." Although Kagome didn't recall this particular plant ever being on their list to forage.
"Unfortunately, it's a finicky plant." Kikyou's brow furrowed slightly. "I have a small batch growing at the shrine grounds but it will not be ready to harvest until closer to winter for maximum potency. However, your questions remind me..."
Kagome paused in her task, turning to fix Kikyou with a hopefully look.
"I have passed by the market at the village beyond the mountain pass in my travels, and I've seen a female vendor who sells healing herbs and salves. At the time she had some of this in stock. I do wonder if she grows them herself since wild foraging will not yield any significant amount."
"Oh that's great! We can go buy some then!"
The corners of the priestess' lips quirkily faintly at Kagome's enthusiasm.
"If only it was so simple. The journey takes close to a fortnight if the weather is unfavourable up in the mountains. And I do not feel secure in leaving the village unguarded for that long right now, in case the youkai who attached have other brethren nearby."
"Hmm... well I can go!" The words tumbled off her tongue before Kagome could stop herself. What possessed her to volunteer, she'll never know.
Her comment was enough to still Kikyou's hands for a moment.
"Kagome... that may be ill advised. Correct me if I am mistaken but you do not seem to have experience travelling in the wilderness through youkai territory."
She flushed immediately in embarrassment. "Um, that is true, but it's not like I'd go alone."
At this, Kikyou was surprised enough to raise a slender brow at her in question.
"I'm sure Inuyasha would go with me. Then there's nothing to worry about!"
Kikyou's surprise morphed into a vaguely troubled expression that Kagome had a hard time interpreting.
"It's not particularly... conventionalfor an unattached woman to travel another man, especially one of Inuyasha's... attributes."
Finally, Kagome caught on to what the priestess' reservations were, hidden between her words.
"It's Inuyasha!" She laughed, which devolved into an awkward chuckle when she noticed the blank look on the miko's face.
It should be pretty self-explanatory. How could anyone think Inuyasha would do anything to harm her?
She couldn't.
Not after seeing his raw, unveiled distress when he found her yesterday amidst the chaos.
"It'll be fine! Plus, you said it would be better for the village if we were stocked up with anti-venom again." Kagome attempted to reassure the older girl.
It was lucky she bit her tongue before she could ramble further. If even just her being alone with Inuyasha overnight was such a bit deal, somehow, she didn't think letting Kikyou know that she'd be traveling on his back would be a good idea. She was just about to use the argument for them only needing a third of the estimated time for her case.
Oh well.
Kikyou was silent for a while, considering their conversation thoughtfully.
"Very well." She sighed at last. "Given the circumstances, I think perhaps this might be best. I do not wish to risk a time in the future when we have need of anti-venom but have none."
Kagome refrained from cheering outwardly, but nodded with enthusiasm.
They resumed their respective tasks for another length of time before the miko spoke up again.
"Kagome, I wish for you to know that I do not intend to ignore the latent talents you apparently possess."
She whirled around looking at her companion with wide eyes. Here she was trying hard not to think about that.
"I have heard multiple accounts of what you were able to accomplish yesterday." The smile on Kikyou's face was small but kind. "Trust me Kagome, this is a very good development,"
Kagome had never seen that much emotion show on the miko's face before, like she was excited for her.
"I have to say, to produce an hama-no-ya with naive powers is an incredible blessing from the kami." Kikyou continued. "I'm sure you'll find yourself quite pleased with how much you can do with more training."
She blinked, feeling the gentle and unexpected pat on the shoulder from her companion.
"We will discuss your training when you return from the trip."
"Oh, okay." Kagome could only nod dumbly, overwhelmed by the latest turn of events.
She was definitely not accustomed to hearing something so close to praise coming from the older girl directed at her. Is this what Kaede must feel sometimes?
It seemed all she'd been doing since she arrived in this time was struggle to prove herself. And now there's something else she could contribute. At least it wouldn't hurt to learn how to defend herself right? Maybe she can avoid stressing out Inuyasha every time there's a demonic threat around.
The rest of the morning passed uneventfully. When Kikyou excused herself to tend to her miko duties, Kagome made a beeline to the forest in search of a certain half dog-demon.
Inuyasha will be thrilled that she volunteered him for yet another task. But Kagome had a feeling he'd give in anyways.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hama no ya: arrow imbued with spiritual power for purification
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.