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 39
Morning was ruthless. Kagome forced her eyes open and faced it with a groan. She stumbled out of her tent and bumped right into Miroku.
"S-sorry!"
"Good morning, Avatar." He peered down at her. "Are you quite well?"
"Oh, I'm just a little tired, that's all." She swallowed a yawn. "How about you? Sleep well?"
"Well enough." His frown didn't leave his face. "Of course, there would be no harm in a little more rest. We'd best not push Hachi too hard for now."
"Oh, I'll be fine." She wasn't going to argue about Hachi but one night here was more than enough. "I was never a morning person."
"I see." Miroku didn't even pretend to look convinced. "Perhaps a little pick-me-up is in order. I believe I have just the thing... " He strode off towards Hachi's saddlebag.
She gave another yawn while his back was turned. She'd best make herself useful. At least it might keep her from nodding off. Her stomach growled in agreement. Some breakfast would be a good start.
Inuyasha had already rekindled the fire. She gave him a wave as she walked past. He greeted her with a grunt. She shrugged and resumed her search for breakfast.
At least Miroku had come prepared. He was amply provisioned with dried and pickled foods. She fished out some dried vegetables, seaweed noodles, tofu and a small box of miso. He produced a clay pot, a brick of dried leaves, a pouch of flour meal, a tin of salt and a pat of bison butter.
"Tea?"
She nodded. Inuyasha shrugged. He flared up the fire and wandered off to inspect their supplies.
The tea didn't take long to brew. Miroku filled three bowls from the pot. He added a generous lump of butter and a pinch of salt to his own. He smiled at Kagome's frown.
"Butter tea. An Air Nomad staple."
Inuyasha took a suspicious sniff. He wrinkled his nose and went back to rooting through their bags.
"Of course, it is not to everyone's taste," Miroku said mildly.
She'd take his word for it. She fished out another pot and set some more water to boil for the soup.
It was almost done by the time she'd drained her tea bowl. She fetched a ladle and dished out two bowlfuls. She offered Miroku a taster. He sampled the soup with a smile. Inuyasha gave her another grunt. He took the bowl all the same.
There was peace until Inuyasha was done. He set his bowl down on the nearest rock and rose to stretch.
"Right. Better get packed up."
"There's no need to rush, Inuyasha." Miroku set down his own bowl. "We have plenty of time to pack. Unless you would care to join us for our morning's meditation?"
Inuyasha's jaw dropped. "Oh, you have got to be-"
"All in good time, Inuyasha," Miroku replied. "The morning is young and Hachi needs his rest."
"And we've got half the damn Spiders on our tail."
"Indeed. But that doesn't make haste the best course. Even a master airbender cannot outfly a grown bison."
"Keh. Don't push your luck, monk. Hachi ain't outflying those spirits any time soon."
"Then we had best ensure Hachi is ready and willing before we set off. I assure you, we'll leave as soon as we're able."
"Keh, like sitting there and twiddling your thumbs is going to help." Inuyasha gagged.
"The Avatar and I will be at the shrine." Miroku gestured towards a shady spot below a nearby tree. "You are still most welcome. If you wish, of course."
Even Inuyasha had no words for that. He huffed out a final "keh" and bounded away.
Miroku allowed himself a small sigh. He turned back to Kagome with his usual sunniness.
"Well. Shall we begin?"
Kagome shrugged. Moon knew when Inuyasha would be back. They might as well.
Miroku sat down beside the shrine. She settled down opposite him and attempted to mimic his posture. He gave her a nod.
"Close your eyes and try to relax. Let your mind and spirit be free."
She closed her eyes. Birds wheeled and called overhead. The waves crashed below. Her body stayed stubbornly stiff. She let out a breath and tried to relax.
Her body was less than willing. The birds' cries grated through her very bones. The morning chill made her shiver. Her nose twitched. She clapped her hand over her face and burst into a sneeze.
"S-sorry!"
Miroku's eyes remained closed. He didn't even show the slightest sign of irritation.
"Just let yourself relax and clear your mind."
She gathered her breath and closed her eyes again. She'd faced far colder mornings than this. The birds wouldn't bother them with Hachi about. Her left foot was starting to twitch. She took another breath and focused on the waves' lull. A brief yawn escaped her mouth.
"Keh."
Her eyes opened into a glare. "Inuyasha!"
"What?" He peered down at her from atop the shrine. His face was as innocent as a penguin chick's.
"We are trying to meditate here."
"Oh." He didn't even try to look sorry. "Well, he seems to be doing okay."
She glanced over at Miroku. His face was as serene as the statue's. Spirits knew who was more punchable. She heaved a sigh.
"Look. If you don't want to join in, you could at least-"
Miroku cleared his throat. "Perhaps a break might be in order?"
Kagome blinked. "But... weren't we just getting started?"
"My pardons, Avatar. You just seem somewhat... restless. Perhaps a little exercise would do you some good?"
Inuyasha nodded. "Better than waiting 'til your bum goes numb."
She stifled a groan. At this rate she really would end up punching both of them. Well, at least she could take a hint. She got to her feet and set off for the spring.
Kagome was still puffing with indignation by the time she got there. The island offered precious little privacy but at least there was no shortage of water to practice with. She bent down to refill her waterskin and filled a couple of pots for good measure. Satisfied, she straightened up and began to run through her warm up exercises. She may as well do something useful.
Loosening up took longer than it should have. Yesterday's battle must have strained her shoulders. As if she didn't have enough problems already. She shook her head and scooped up some water. Maybe some practice would help to take her mind off things.
She began with some basics. At least these were getting easier, even if the water wobbled perilously every time her thoughts strayed to Inuyasha. He'd been snapping at Miroku like a leopard from the moment the Spiders were out of sight. You'd think they were still enemies.
A low cough came from overhead. Her bubble burst all over her tunic. Wonderful. She whirled round and fixed Inuyasha with a frigid glare.
"You... "
"What?" He stared back at her from atop an overhanging branch. His face was maddeningly clueless.
"Honestly." She may as well just go back to bed. "What's wrong with you?"
"Me?" He frowned. "I'm not the one who's treating this like a damn holiday."
"Look, if you've got a problem with Miroku, go talk with him. I just need some peace and quiet. And some practice." Even he couldn't miss a hint that blatant.
"Practice?" His ears quirked at the word. "How are you going to do that by yourself?"
How indeed. "You know, it would be a lot easier if you stopped interrupting."
"How? You ain't going to learn shit on your own. Even that windbag must've had a scrap or two to earn those arrows," he scoffed. "Face it. You ain't going to learn to fight with your head up your arse."
"I-Inuyasha!" she spluttered. His nerve left her speechless. He may have been half a legend but his mouth was as earthy as they came.
"Keh. You got any better ideas?"
Oh, if only she did. Damn him. She squared up to Inuyasha and lifted her chin.
"Okay. Let's hear yours then."
"Easy enough." He shrugged. "You want to learn how to fight? Fight."
That made her take a step back. Was he serious? "F-fight? You want me to fight you?"
"Wha- no!" Inuyasha flinched in disbelief. He gripped the branch before he could topple off it. "No! I mean, not right now... "
"Not now?" She shook her head. Was a straight answer really too much to ask for? "Okay. Just say what you mean."
"I mean – you, you need a partner right?"
"P-partner?" she squeaked.
"Unless you want to fight your own shadow?"
Her comeback cut off into a sigh. Well, they did have most of the morning to kill. She could only run through the basics so many times. Maybe he did have a point.
"Well... okay. But don't blame me if you get wet again."
"Keh," he snorted. "I'd like to see you try."
"Oh, really? Bring it on."
He gave her another snort and hopped down from the tree. She caught a hint of a smirk.
"Now you're asking for it."
She didn't know whether to smile or shake her head again. She settled for both. "So. Where do we start?"
"Eh, guess punching's easy enough." He shrugged. "Though I had to learn the hard way."
Kagome blinked. "So, you never had a master?"
"Keh. No masters in the School of Hard Knocks," he scoffed. "Nothing beats experience if you ask me."
She nodded in reply. Maybe that shouldn't have come as a surprise. There was little love lost between him and the Spiders. As for what she'd gleaned about his family...
He tapped her on the shoulder. "Oi. You still with me?"
She gave him another nod. "Okay, so what should I do?"
He replied with a blank stare. "Kind of obvious, no?"
Oh for the love of - "I'm a waterbender!" she snapped. "Striking isn't really our thing. You might have noticed."
"You're the Avatar. You're going to have to learn sooner or later." He jutted his chin towards her. "Better make it sooner if you ask me."
Honestly. You'd think he wanted her to punch him. "Look, you're the "master" here. A little help would be nice."
He rolled his eyes. "Okay then. Put your arm out and point your finger."
She lifted her arm and pointed towards the nearest tree. She glanced back at Inuyasha.
He gave her a sigh. "Close your hands."
She bit back a sigh of her own and followed his advice. He weighed up her stance with a frown.
"Not so wide. You need to be able to move fast." He tapped her again. "Just try to relax, okay?"
As if he could talk. His brows were nearly as tense as her shoulders. She took a deep breath and let it out. His frown eased a little. He circled in front of her and gave her a brief nod.
"Better." He slipped aside. "Now let's see your jab."
Finally. She shot out her arm. His brows wrinkled again.
"That all you got?"
"Oh for-" She stifled a groan. Well, she did ask for this. "Okay. What's wrong with it?"
"You're just using your arm." He shook his head. "You won't swat flies with that. Put your weight into it."
"And how-"
"Keh. Just watch me."
He circled to her side and settled into a fighting stance. He raised his fists and gave her a nod. She followed suit. He gave her another nod and showed her a slow jab.
"You need to use your body. Put your hips into it." He demonstrated a few more for good measure. "Now you try."
She gathered her breath and attempted another jab. He tsked and bopped her lightly on the top of her head.
"Hey!"
"Both hands up." He bopped her again. "Your guard goes down, you go down too."
"Ugh, fine."
She went through the motions again. She made a point of keeping her right hand up by her face. It took another dozen reps before he was satisfied.
"Okay. Time for some water."
"Water?" That hadn't even crossed her mind, if truth be told. What was he thinking? "Will – will that even work?"
"Keh. Only one way to find out." He glanced around the shrine in search of a target. His gaze narrowed on a small boulder perched atop a pile of rocks. "That'll do."
Well, it wouldn't hurt to try. Hopefully. She strode over to the pot and reached for the water. She gathered a small globe and let it flow over her right hand. She held her hand steady for a few seconds before she curled her fingers to form a fist. The water wobbled a touch before it formed into a glove.
She clenched her fist and jabbed towards boulder. A thin spray of water spattered at Inuyasha's feet. He wrinkled his nose.
"That's it? Come on."
She didn't even bother to hold back her groan. "You know, I could say the same about-"
"Keh. Try your right."
"Ugh."
She settled back into her stance all the same. At least it might shut him up for a moment. She reached for the water and called it to her right hand. It trembled as she clenched her fist.
"Don't tense up. Just let it flow like, like uh-"
"Water?"
"Y-yeah. That'll do." He pointed towards the boulder. "Again."
She tried another punch. A glob of water whistled over the rocks and burst against a nearby tree.
"Too high."
No kidding. She scooped up some more water and tried another punch. That one hit the dirt a few feet away.
"Argh!" Her shoulders slumped. "This is-"
"Keh. Try something bigger." Inuyasha pointed to a larger boulder. "There you go."
She swallowed her frustration and reached for more water. Fourth time lucky? She circled her shoulders and took a few breaths before she drew back her arm. Inuyasha gave her a nod.
"Go for it."
Well, he asked for it. She was more than ready by now. She took aim and hurled all of her frustrations into her punch.
The water leapt from her fist and hardened into an icicle. It hit the boulder like a ballista bolt. Shards of ice and rock burst from the impact. She ducked down with a shriek. Inuyasha sprang away like a spooked salmon.
"Oi!" He glared down at her from a nearby tree. "What the-"
"I did it!" She couldn't keep the grin from her face.
"Keh." He turned his glare on the boulder. Her icicle had made it more than halfway through. His eyes shot wide. "Not bad."
"Oh?" Her grin grew sharper. "Think you can do better?"
"Like you need to ask."
"Okay then." She beckoned him forwards. "Go for it."
He hopped down from the tree, grumbling all the while. Yet he couldn't hide the way his ears pricked up at the challenge. She stifled a smile and settled back into her stance. Maybe a change was as good as a rest after all.
Constructive criticism is very welcome!