DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.
Chapter 38
They didn't make camp until it was almost sunset. Hachi kept a steady course, despite Miroku urging him to rest twice. They passed over several promising islands before he finally began his descent.
They settled on a small island that was little more than a crag poking out of the ocean. All it had to offer was a natural spring, a handful of straggly trees and some highly disgruntled gulls. Any other occupants were long gone.
A small shrine sat before the spring. It wasn't anything special, just a crude stone statue of a fox, protected by a ramshackle shelter. It was a reassuring sight nevertheless. Hachi must have chosen this place for a reason.
Inuyasha leapt from Hachi's back before his tail even touched the sprang aside to avoid being and Kagome dismounted at a more leisurely began untacking Hachi while she took in their surroundings.
"What is this place?"
"A shrine. Of sorts." Miroku was still struggling with Hachi's girth. She hurried over to lend him a hand. He accepted it with a smile. "Hachi has always had a good nose for these things."
Inuyasha sniffed the air. His nose wrinkled in disgust. "Like what? Bird shit?"
"Flying bison are natural airbenders. You may find you can learn much from them." Miroku's face was as calm as the sky. "It seems Hachi has chosen well. I suggest you both rest while you can."
"Keh." Inuyasha folded his arms.
Miroku coughed politely. "Of course, if you have other business to attend to-"
"Oh, come on!"
One of Miroku's eyebrows quirked a fraction. The rest of his face stayed placid as ever. "You object?"
"You had a bison! The entire time!" Inuyasha bristled.
Miroku suppressed a sigh. "I believe we have already discussed this matter."
Inuyasha snorted. "Of all the fucking-"
"We were trying to keep a low profile."
"Trying? You didn't even-"
Kagome groaned. "Come on, you two. Dinner isn't going to make itself." Her ears could certainly do with a break. She gathered up their canteens and plodded off to the spring.
By the time she returned Miroku had already assembled two makeshift tents and a campfire. Inuyasha had stalked off in search of more provisions. Hachi's saddle layatop a himself was enjoying a vigorous dust bath. The sight brought a smile to her face.
"Avatar." Miroku waved at her over his shoulder.
She set down one of the canteens to return the wave. "How's Hachi?"
"Happy enough." Miroku swatted another cloud of dust away. "Although I fear his shoulder may be sprained."
"Could I take a look? If he's okay with it, of course," she added.
It was the least she could do, really. Hachi had gone through more than enough for them already. At the very least it might take her mind off that mess of a mere memory was enough to set her cheeks ablaze.
"That would be most kind of you, Avatar." Miroku replied. "Although I would recommend a small precaution first."
He reached into one of the saddle bags and pulled out a wizened apple. He offered it to her with a smile.
"A little help goes a long way."
"Uh, thanks." Kagome put down the rest of the canteens and took the apple. She took a deep breath and strode over to Hachi. She shielded her face from the dust with her free arm and held out the apple.
"Here you go, big guy."
Hachi rolled onto his feet. Kagome scrambled aside. The bison righted himself with a groan. He was still favouring his left side. He craned his neck forwards and took a cautious sniff. It was soon followed by an excited huff and a huge slimy tongue.
Kagome's smile froze on her face. She dropped the apple at once. Hachi sucked it into his mouth. He wolfed it down eagerly while she stood there shaking.
Miroku suppressed a smile. "I'm afraid sky bison aren't renowned for their manners."
Kagome gave a nervous laugh. She smoothed her tunic and held out her hand again. Hachi took another sniff. He gave an approving grunt. He settled down on the ground and turned his head towards her. She swallowed her nerves and gave him a gentle pat. He rumbled a reply. She reached out and parted his fur with both hands.
Fortunately, the wound wasn't deep. His hide was too tough for the wire to leave more than a graze. It was still awfully tender. She gave his skin a few moments to acclimatise before she tested the edge of the wound. Hachi bristled. She soothed him with a hush.
She gave him another minute before she tried again. This time he merely groaned. She traced the cut's path with her hand. His skin slowly knit together beneath her touch. Hachi relaxed with a settled down and let her work in peace.
She was done in a couple of minutes. She straightened up with a sigh. The water splashed from her hands. She stooped back down to gather it up before it could seep into the earth.
Miroku offered her a canteen. She scooped the water into it without wasting a drop.
"My thanks, Avatar. It seems you have a gift for healing."
Kagome flushed. "Oh, it's nothing, really."
"Don't sell yourself short. A skilled healer can be worth more than ten benders in times of strife."
She bit back her protests. Miroku meant well, of course. Yet his kindness only sharpened the sting. What little she'd learned was no match for a seasoned bender. She shook her head.
"I – I just wish I could have done more."
He laid his hand on her shoulder. "You did nothing to shame yourself,Avatar. I myself was unprepared."
"Still... "
The memory nagged at her like a splinter. It made no sense. How could something as complex as healing be so much easier than a simple water whip? Even spiritbending came to her more readily than the most basic form.
"I... I don't know, Miroku. I can't just keep going like this. I mean, how am I supposed to teach myself to waterbend?"
"No one could expect that," Miroku reassured her."Not even of the Avatar."
She gave him a weak smile."Guess not. So what can I expect?"
"I have no doubt that Master Amaruq will be anxious to make up for lost time," he replied. "If you are willing, of course?"
As if he had to ask. The very thought made her stomach turn. Her choices were slim, to say the least. Hitomiko was out of the question. Amaruq would be unbearable. Kaede was her only hope.
She swallowed her nerves. "And Kaede?"
"I would be more than willing to vouch for Master Kaede," Miroku replied. "Although I must admit that I cannot speak for the other masters."
"Of course." Well, at least he was honest. "Guess there's really not much we can do, huh?"
"On the contrary," Miroku replied."There may be something I can do."
Kagome's stomach flipped. Could he be serious? "M-Miroku?"
"I will grant you that this is somewhat... unorthodox. But desperate times call for desperate measures." He sank into a deep bow."I would be honoured if you would accept me as your master."
Kagome's brain crashed like a wave. The seconds ticked by as she floundered for an answer. "M-master?" she finally managed.
"If you would have me," he replied."I won't be offended-"
"No, no, I'm – I'm honoured, thank you," she replied. "It's just – I mean, I hardly know how to waterbend. Airbending... " She lowered her eyes as colour rose to her cheeks. "Is – is it really okay?"
Miroku blinked. "My apologies, Avatar. I agree that now is not the proper time."
That made her look him in the eye. "Then why-"
"The Avatar Cycle must be followed. That is unquestionable." He nodded. "But that doesn't mean we cannot pursue other paths to knowledge."
"O-other paths?"
"I recall you haven't heard from Kikyou recently?"
"Kikyou?" She blinked. "I'm not sure she wants to talk." Let alone listen. Airbending might honestly be a more likely option.
Miroku was undeterred. "Kikyou may not be the only one who can aid you. What of my – Avatar Lobsang?" He couldn't quite keep the yearning from his eyes.
Lobsang? This was a strange path indeed. She stared at Miroku. "How?"
"Meditation is one of most reliable methods." He didn't even blink.
"Meditation?" Stranger and stranger. "I- I've never done that before."
"That is where I can aid you," he replied. "It would honour me to be your guide. If you would have me, of course."
"I- I'll try." Well, it wouldn't hurt. Hopefully. She dipped into a bow. "Thanks, Miroku."
"You are most welcome, Avatar. I believe-"
"Oi!"
Kagome started like a spooked hen. Miroku turned to Inuyasha with only a hint of weariness in his smile. He stared down at them from a nearby tree. Some kind of bird was slung over his shoulder. He fixed them both with a frown.
"You going to make dinner or what?"
"An excellent suggestion." Miroku sprang to his feet. "I believe I have enough bowls for the three of us, although... "
Inuyasha grunted in reply. He leapt down to inspect the campfire. Kagome busied herself with sorting through Miroku's provisions bag. At least Inuyasha didn't bother her. Not that he needed to. His ears didn't miss much. Dinner would be a welcome distraction.
They settled down for the night as soon as they'd washed the pots. Fortunately, she had a tent to herself. Unfortunately, it didn't do much to help her relax. She tossed and turned until she sighed and scrambled out of her bedroll. Morning wasn't coming any time soon. Spending most of the day on Hachi's back had left her as stiff as rawhide. Maybe a walk would do her some good.
She stretched and winced. What she'd give for a proper bed right now. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and emerged from the tent. She made out a shadowed figure sitting opposite the campfire.
"Inuyasha?"
He didn't reply. She cleared her throat.
"Do you ever sleep?"
"Keh." His gaze stayed fixed on the flames."Do you?"
She hadn't the energy to argue. She made her way over to Inuyasha and sat down beside him. He scooted across to make room. His eyes were still lost in the fire.
The flames were blazing, even at this began to bead on her shrugged off her tunic and laid it on the log beside her.
"Isn't this a bit much?" He hadn't allowed her so much as an ember that first night.
"Tch. Keeps them out."
"Them?"
Something stirred in the shadows. Kagome tensed. Her hand went straight to her hip.
Inuyasha didn't even twitch. Her chest tightened as a streak of darkness slithered towards them.
"Inu-"
The streak reared up. Kagome shot to her feet. Inuyasha grabbed her arm.
"Don't."
"But-"
The shadow screeched. It flung itself straight towards them. Sparks split the air. Kagome flinched. The spirit shrank back with a hiss.
Inuyasha scoffed. "What? It's not like they can get in."
Kagome stood there was right, of course. That still didn't bring her much comfort. If she was faced with this every night she'd have no choice but to keep one eye open. They'd have no real escape until they reached the Air Temple.
He cast her a frown. "Thought you were tired?"
"I - I couldn't sleep."
"Again?" His frown softened.
"It's... it's no big deal. I just need some fresh air." She stifled a yawn. "You don't have to stay out with me."
"Keh. Not like there's anywhere else to go."
She glanced back at the tents. Well, Miroku had only packed for two. Inuyasha wouldbe in no rush to share with him. As for her... oh sweet Moon above. Her cheeks must have put the campfire to shame.
"I- I guess not."
Inuyasha made no began to pick at his claws. His hair shielded his cheeks from her curious eyes. Only his twitching ears betrayed his nerves.
She swallowed. "How long have they-"
"Long enough."
"Every night?"
"Keh. What's it to you?" He carried on picking his claws.
"Every night? Really?" She shook her head. "Inuyasha, I-"
He sighed. "Go back to bed."
"But-"
"Keh." His back might as well have been a wall. "Not like there's anything we can do about it. Just get some rest already."
"Oh."
Her face fell. He wasn't wrong. The spirits were hardly going to ignore her. Or him, for that matter. The only people who could truly keep them at bay were the Spiders. Maybe that was how he'd managed to stand them for so long. A twinge of guilt tugged at her stomach.
"Well, goodnight, I guess."
"Keh." He kept his back to her. Yet some of the stiffness seemed to leave his shoulders. "Night then."
"Night."
She turned back to the tent and tossed him a wave. He grunted in reply. He was still staring at the flames as she slipped through the tent flap. She bit back her questions and lay down to face the night again.
Constructive criticism is very welcome!