Chapter Five: Big Game Hunting
"So what do we do?" Inuyasha asked, "Betrayal is a difficult thing to forgive even if it was all a trick from the get-go. No matter how much time passes. I…." He hesitated as Kagome frowned sympathetically knowing what was on his mind, "…I of all people should know that…"
All turned to Inuyasha nodding at the years of dealing with Naraku's forces, trials, tribulations, and tearing at Inuyasha's heart in two due to Naraku tricking both Inuyasha and Kikyo to betray each other after years of loving each other. Even though Naraku's scheme was exposed to them both, forgiving each other was still hard. They blamed each other for falling for such an obvious trick for so long.
"And Michiru is probably going to react similarly to how Kikyo and I treated each other after finding out about Naraku's treachery," Inuyasha said, "He'll say things like 'And this never occurred to any of you at any point after all these years?"
"'After years of Miroku's lies and deceptive tactics, you never once entertained the fact that this is what happened?'" Sango added with a guilty nod, "'Especially after I pointed out this possibility to you just before I left?' Michiru will say all that and more."
"And worse," Kagome added, "Imagine if he finds out about the truth spell that witch placed on Miroku shortly after he was sent away. He'll likely ask us why we didn't ask Miroku about that horrible day at any point during those years. He'll tell us we should have, and…and he'd be right."
"Michiru's right," Shippo spoke up, "That's what we need to tell him. That he was right, and we were wrong."
The friends all thought about how the eventual conversation with Michiru was going to go. All the apologies they'd have to make, all the angry points Michiru would make, and what they could offer him to show them they were sorry.
"We could offer him the gold we brought," Shippo pointed out, "Everyone's got a price."
"I don't think that'd be a good idea, little friend," Amy piped up, "We're paying Michiru millions in American currency every year to test this equipment. $7,000,000 a year, to be exact."
"Th-Th-That's over a billion yen a year!" Kagome gasped, "How long has Michiru been doing this?"
"About eight years," Chris answered. "Give or take a month."
"Nearly half the time he's been away from us?" Kagome gasped, "He must've wanted to get away from Japanese life really badly."
Inuyasha stood there in shock as he sighed. No longer the gruff attitude kid he once was, now he understood the meaning of empathy, and looked at the half-naked image of Michiru in his state and could see the blank expressionless sight on his face. A face that spoke of giving up without a word having to be said.
"I didn't realize he'd take it so hard…" Kagome murmured. A tear welled up in her eye as she added, "To be so saddened and depressed you'd rather be encased in glass and fluid with a tube in your mouth and wires in your brain sleeping an artificial dream rather than seeing the world turn. To…to give up on your own real life to live another's artificially…he…he must've really loved us…"
"And now he thinks he's found friends to replace us," Shippo deduced, "He thinks that despite their crimes, gruffness, and all that, one thing remains: true loyalty. He thinks these friends would never betray him as we did. He's not only given up on real life, he's given up on real world friendships and real world love."
"Then we have to make him believe in real loyalty, real friendship, and real love again," Sango spoke, "And I guess that starts….with me."
All eyes turned to Sango.
"You're…going to give your hand to Michiru?" Kagome asked, "Just like that?"
"No," Sango said, "I'm going to offer to spend time with him. Perhaps…perhaps we can fall in love all over again….that's all we can offer him."
As she said those words, the screen came back on. Arthur was leaning next to some tree in the snow. The big guy named Bill passed him as they greeted each other before Arthur walked to the stable and blacksmith area. Inside the blacksmith shop was a fat man with a mustache, longer hair, and a tophat.
"We're gonna starve to death up here, Mr. Morgan…" The fat man croaked out.
"We're okay…" Arthur replied trying to assure his friend.
"We have a few cans of food and a rabbit," the man answered going to a table with scarce food as everyone deduced that the blacksmith coals and hooks were being used as a makeshift kitchen, "For what, ten, twelve people?!"
Arthur sighed at this rubbing his cold hands over the fire. Food was indeed scarce even after taking from Sadie's old place and scrounging from the O'Driscolls' hideout, and the cold burning away their energy didn't help matters. They needed some food and fast.
"When I was in the Navy…" The man began.
"I-I do not wish to hear about what you got up to in the Navy, Mr. Pearson," Arthur answered with a look.
"We were stranded at sea…" Pearson began, "…for fifty days…"
"And you unfortunately survived…" Arthur grumbled. He had heard Pearson's old folktales many times before and how he often tended to exaggerate and drag on.
"When we ran away from Blackwater, I wasn't able to get supplies in," Pearson explained.
"Well, when government agents are hunting you down, sometimes shopping trips need to be cut short!" Arthur reminded Pearson, "We'll survive, we always have. And if needs be, we can eat you! You're the fattest."
"I sent Lenny and Bill hunting, and they found nothing," Pearson said.
"Well, Lenny's more into book learning than hunting," Arthur joked trying to warm his hands over the coals again before pointing back outside as another person entered the makeshift kitchen, "Bill's a fool. Unless those mountains are full of game that wanna read, ain't no wonder they found-"
"Enough of this," The other figure all dressed in black grumbled. It was Charles Smith, the Native American/Black hybrid member of the gang, "We'll go find something," He turned to Arthur and gestured outside, "Come on, Arthur."
Arthur shook his head preparing to follow his Native American-raised friend as he turned to leave with him.
"Wait a minute," Pearson spoke tossing Arthur a can of food, "You're gonna need something to eat out there."
"'Assorted salted offal,'" Arthur read on the label, "Starving would be preferable."
"What's offal?" Kagome asked.
"Animal organs," Jessie answered.
"Come on, let's go," Charles said as everyone noticed the bow on his back.
"You can't go hunting," Arthur pointed out, "Look at your hand."
"I can't stay here listening to you two!" Charles spat, "Look, if there's game in those hills, I'll find it, and you can kill it."
"You need to rest, Charles," Arthur said a look of concern on his face.
"You think this is rest?" Charles asked incredulously knowing that the cold made sleep difficult. Too difficult to recover from a wound from as Arthur shook his head unable to counter this point, "Come on."
Arthur tipped his hat to Pearson and went outside with Charles to their horses. Charles's horse was a mustang with a black head, shoulders, and front legs with a white with black spots rear as he removed his bow.
"Here, take this," He said handing it to Arthur, "I can't use it, and you'll have to."
"Can Arthur use a bow?" Kagome asked suddenly intrigued.
"Somewhat," Amy replied.
"Ohhh, you're joking…" Arthur shook his head.
"Use a gun," Charles answered getting on his horse, "And we'll scare off every animal for miles around. You're never too old to learn, I imagine."
"I've used a bow before, Charles," Arthur pointed out.
"I know," Charles said, "Why do you think I asked you to join me? You're the only one of us with some familiarity with it. What you need to learn is how to use it properly. Alright, let's head out."
The two were on their horses and heading out of their camp and out into the wilderness. Charles taking the lead. They rode for a minute before Arthur decided to pass the time.
"How you holding up, Charles?" He asked.
"I'm okay, apart from this hand. Stupid mistake!"
"Still bad?"
"It'll be fine in a day or two. I just can't pull a bow right now."
"I sure hope I can…" Arthur said hesitantly, "I may have before once or twice, but I never really got the hang of it."
"You'll be fine."
"Too bad you or Kikyo aren't with them…" Inuyasha said to Kagome, "Sounds like they need food, and to get it they need stealth."
"So…you reckon we're gonna find something to kill that ain't an O'Driscoll?"
"Heh! There's meat up here for sure. Pearson doesn't know what he's talking about. Now that the weather's eased off a bit, they'll be needing to feed."
"He sure is educated in hunting," Shippo deduced.
"Most Native American men were," Jessie answered, "They were very knowledgeable about nature and how to survive in it."
"We'll head up this way," Charles said turning his horse left, "Find some higher ground."
Arthur followed him and sighed out, "Been a wild few days, alright. That ride North from Blackwater, getting stuck in this storm, going out for John, that thing with the O'Driscolls."
"You've had a lot put on you," Charles agreed, "I wish I could've done more."
"I didn't mean it like that," Arthur protested, "Just a lot to think back on…"
"I still don't really know what happened on that boat," Charles said.
"Me neither," Arthur said, "Well, Javier told me a bit, but…it sure weren't good."
The duo rode further and further through the storm. Crossing hills, mounds of snow, bushes, through trees, then finally they came to an icy stream before Charles slowed a bit looking at some divots in the snow.
"I see some uncovered ground in here," He said turning to the stream, "Come on, let's try this way. Keep your eyes peeled for movement." They rode along the snowy riverbank, "The wind's died down too."
"And that's good?" Arthur asked.
"No wind at all is bad," Charles explained, "But if it's too strong, they won't move. Now shh…stay quiet." They rode a few seconds more, "Hey. Stop here a second. I see something."
They stopped and dismounted their horses. Arthur went to Charles as he looked down into the snow.
"There's deer been here…" He spoke, "…recently."
"How can you tell?"
"How can you not? Let's walk it from here. You're going to need the bow, don't leave it on your horse. A gun will scare everything around."
"Yeah," Inuyasha grumbled as Arthur turned to get his bow from his saddle, "That's why our people in Kaede's Village are starving. Fushizenna's men fire rounds of rifle and musket shots to scare the game away as out crops diminish."
"Keep down," Charles ordered as soon as Arthur had the bow, "Move quietly and slowly."
Arthur took a crouching position noticing what Charles was looking at.
"You see the tracks?"
"I think so. Maybe not…"
"Focus…"
Arthur took a moment to observe, and he did see a line of tracks in the snow and started to follow.
"It's easier in the snow," Charles said, "But once you get your eye in, you'll be able to track nearly as well in grass and woods."
Everyone watched as Arthur did indeed seem to have the hang of it. Although the tracks diminished, he still managed to locate and follow them through the grove of trees ahead. When they were between two trees, Charles stopped him.
"Shh! Down there! You see them?" Charles said as the silhouette of a deer was in the distance, "Quick, get that bow out, Arthur."
Arthur pulled out his bow, hocked an arrow, and pulled back aiming.
"Aim for their head or neck," Charles whispered, "We want a good clean kill."
Arthur aimed for the neck as best he could before releasing the bow sending the deer falling down dead.
"Good shot!" Charles whispered in awe.
"No kidding," Kagome said, "Even I would struggle shooting from that distance in weather like that."
"Now let's try for another," Charles said as Arthur nodded walking in crouching position continuing to follow the tracks. They crossed the stream and eventually found another pair of deer. Arthur tried whistling to get its attention and shoot, but it moved out just in time before running away.
"Unlucky…" Charles whispered, "…take your time."
"Hmph!" Kagome grumbled, "Guess it was just beginner's luck!"
Arthur followed the tracks along the river then spotted again. He pulled back and shot. It hit, but it didn't kill the deer.
"That didn't kill it," Charles said, "You should go finish it off."
Arthur was tempted to shoot again, but then he noticed the deer fall over in pain. He walked up to it through the snow and saw it bleeding out and thrashing as he retrieved his arrow from it.
"You should finish it off with your knife," Charles said as Arthur pulled out a big Bowie knife from his belt and thrust it into the deer's chest mercifully killing it.
"Okay, that'll do it," Charles said, "I think that's all we can carry."
"Okay," Arthur nodded, "You pick up one, I'll gather the other. You sure your hand's okay?"
"It'll be fine once I get it on my shoulder," Charles said as Arthur picked up the dead deer, laid it on his shoulder, and whistled for his horse to come to him, "I'll get the other one."
When Arthur's horse arrived, Arthur tied it to it's behind, and nodded to him, "Okay, boy," He got on his saddle and followed Charles to camp.
"Ready to head back when you are," Arthur said when he say him.
"Okay, let's head back," Charles said as they rode together, "Nice work, Arthur. Should be enough meat here to keep us all fed for a few days."
"You found 'em," Arthur pointed out as Charles chuckled.
"I knew you'd be okay with that bow."
"It's easier when they ain't shootin' back."
"We've seen enough of that…" Charles chuckled.
"Considering how things were looking a couple of days back, well maybe our luck is finally gonna turn."
"Seems to me we should be putting all our effort into getting off this mountain now."
"Soon. I mean, people are still weak, and you've seen how snowed in those mountains are. They ain't going nowhere until we get some more thaw."
"You're probably right," Charles agreed, "Even if we do get off here, what then? We still got a big price on our heads."
"This is a big country," Arthur reminded him, "We'll find somewhere to lie low. Dutch and Hosea will have a plan."
They rode on.
"Notice how Pearson's had a bottle in his hand ever since we fled Blackwater?" Arthur asked, "We give the camp cook five minutes to grab the essentials and go, and he doesn't even bring a crumb of food!"
"Good that we caught more than one," Charles said, "We've only been up here a couple of days and have already picked up two more mouths to feed."
"One more," Arthur corrected, "We ain't feeding the O'Driscoll a damn thing! Except maybe that can of salted offal Pearson was kind enough to give us!"
"The girl," Charles said thinking of Sadie, "She has a wild look in her eye."
"Of course," Arthur said, "She lost her husband, her home, everything she had."
"So what do we do with her?"
"Well, once we get out of here, and we're back on our feet, we'll see. She might have family somewhere."
"Who knows?" Charles chuckled, "Maybe she'll deal with the O'Driscoll for us!"
"Ha! Ha!" Arthur chortled, "I know who my money's on in that fight! He's weak, but that makes him much more useful. Maybe we can get to them before they get to us."
"What is it with the O'Driscolls?"
"You ain't dealt with them?" Arthur asked, "I suppose we ain't run into them much the last six months. I guess because they've been over this way."
"Yeah, I've heard a lot of talk about them," Charles said.
"Well…we've been scrapping over scores with them for years. A big gang. Nasty sons of bitches-"
But then their horses slowed to a crawl.
"Watch out," Charles said, "Bear up ahead."
He pointed out to show Arthur a huge bear in the distance.
"Let's see if we can find another way around," Charles said.
'He's got a lot of meat on him…" Arthur pointed out.
"We've got enough here, no need to push our luck," Charles said, "He must be real hungry, stay well back. Spring storms like this are the worst for animals that sleep all winter." Charles took the lead and turned right, "Cut up here, off the trail."
They turned right climbing the mountain to get away. Arthur's horse was scared, so Arthur tried to calm it as they followed Charles away from the bear.
"We ain't ever talked that much, you and me," Arthur pointed out, "How long you been with us now? Five, six months?"
"Something like that," Charles nodded.
"Bet you didn't expect this."
"What?"
"Any of this. The Blackwater mess, being up here."
"Ah, sooner or later a job's going to go wrong. Nature of life."
"I just thought you might have moved on by now."
"You want me to move on?"
"No, no, not at all, I just…I know you can run it alone, no problem."
"I did that for a long time. I'm done with it. Always wondering if someone's going to kill you in your sleep."
"I still wonder that most nights…" Arthur admitted with a chuckle.
"I reckon you're okay. This suits me. Sure, I could fall in with another gang, but Dutch…you know, Dutch is different."
"Oh yes," Arthur agreed, "Dutch is certainly different."
"He treats me fair," Charles said, "Most of you do. And for a feller with a black father and an Indian mother, that ain't normally the case."
"I know how that feels…" Inuyasha grumbled as Kagome rubbed his back sympathetically, "I was lucky to have found Kaede's Village when I was young."
"Well…" Arthur said, "…we need you now. More than ever."
"Good…" Charles nodded, "…and how long have you been with these boys? Why ain't you run off?"
"Me?" Arthur asked, "Twenty years, something like that. Since I was a boy."
"Twenty years?" Charles, Kagome, and Sango gasped.
"Yeah," Arthur said, "Dutch taught me to read. John, too. Taught me a few other things, him and Hosea."
"I'm sure."
"Dutch saved me," Arthur said, "Saved most of us. That's why we need to stick by him through this. He always sees us right."
They rode through the tundra and across the stream.
"How's that new horse?" Charles asked.
"He's alright," Arthur nodded, "He'll do for now. I appreciate you letting me take Taima the other night."
"She's a strong one," Charles smiled patting his horse's neck, "It's been as hard on the horse as on the rest of us. I don't know what Dutch would do if something happened to the Count."
"Same with Bill and Brown Jack," Arthur said, "He's a drunk miserable bastard, but…he loves that horse."
"I hope they all make it."
"I tried to ride the Count once," Arthur said, "Bucked me faster than a bull! Won't take nobody but Dutch!"
Their camp was just ahead just as they finished their conversation. They rode slowly to the hitching racks.
"I'm going to hitch Taima over there," Charles said.
"Brought some food back, boys!" Arthur called out as he rode his horse to the rack, got off, and tied the reins to it, "Come on, let's get these over to Pearson. Oh, and thank you for showing me how to use the bow properly."
"I only showed you a little," Charles said, "It takes a lifetime of practice to master."
"That's for sure," Kagome agreed.
They both untied their deer carcasses and returned to the makeshift kitchen where Pearson was waiting and looked wide-eyes at the carcasses.
"Well, well, well!" Pearson said excitedly as Charles put him on Pearson's butcher's table, "Just drop it down in here."
Arthur went inside and dropped the carcass on the ground as he noticed a drunken bearded guy in the kitchen.
"What a surprise," He grumbled at the old man, "To find the camp rat loitering around the kitchen."
"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" The old man asked, "I feel like we haven't spoken for days."
"I do my utmost to avoid you…" Arthur scowled.
"He loves me, really…" The old man mocked, "…it's his sad way of showing affection."
"No, it isn't!" Arthur shot back, "Now shoo! Get lost!"
"Well, see you gents later," The old man said leaving.
"I see you got on just fine!" Pearson said pointing to the two deer.
"Charles is a wonder," Arthur said.
"Have a drink, boyd," Pearson said pulling out a bottle and handed it to Arthur, "You earned it."
Arthur took a drink.
"Jesus! What is that?" Arthur asked suddenly excited.
"Navy rum, sir," Pearson answered, "It's the only thing, the only thing! Keeps you sane, it does!"
"Yes, seems to have done a treat on you," Arthur grumbled, "You go rest that hand, Charles."
"I'll be fine in a few days," Charles protested.
"You mind helping me with the skinning, Mr. Morgan?" Pearson asked, "It's easier if we do it together."
"Do I get to skin you?" Arthur joked.
Pearson chuckled, "You're always the one with the jokes, aren't you? Come on."
He went to the carcasses.
"This really isn't a job for a man with a burnt hand," Charles said turning to leave, "I'll see you later."
"You skin that one you left on the floor there," Pearson said as Arthur knelt next to the deer's carcass and pulled out his knife. He then made a deep cut down the deer's belly and began to pull the hide off the muscle tissue as Kagome started to pale.
"I think I'm going to be sick…" Kagome said.
"Well, at least we now know who to depend on when we need to sell pelts during our adventures," Inuyasha said as the pelt was removed perfectly and was in fine tact.
"Ah. Not too bad, Mr. Morgan," Pearson said as Arthur handed him the skin, "Yeah, they always said you were a butcher. You know you could trade these or sell these in pretty much any town. If you're looking to make a legitimate bit of money, of course."
"Right now I'm just looking to get off this mountain alive," Arthur said.
"Yeah, well if you catch anything else, you bring it to me," Pearson said.
"Sure," Arthur said.
"Thank you, Mr. Morgan," Pearson said, "Heck, Arthur Morgan's first decent bit of hunting after all these years."
The deer's bloody carcass was put on a hanger as Arthur hauled it to a hook in the makeshift kitchen and hung it.
"Yeah well, we're on the run now,"" Arthur said, "Everyone's gotta do their bit to survive. Just make a good stew." He patted Pearson on the arm, "Folk need it. It's been a tough few days."
"And when that stew's finished, Pearson," Dutch's voice spoke from outside, "Two things. First make sure that O'Driscoll can smell it. Secondly, you give Arthur and Micah the first two bowls. They'll need their strength for the assignment I have for them."
"Assignment?" Arthur asked, "What assignment, Dutch?"
"According to this map we stole from the O'Driscolls, there's a little mountain town just south of here called Strawberry," Dutch explained pulling out the map and showing Arthur, "I need you two to take whatever money we got and get a few days worth of supplies. Can you handle this, Arthur?"
"Sure, but I dunno about Micah," Arthur admitted, "He's a bit too temperamental now. Why not send Lenny? He's been standing guard outside the most, he needs food and a break."
"You're right, Arthur," Dutch nodded, "I'll have Micah stand guard, and you and Lenny head to Strawberry as soon as you've eaten. For now, get a nap in. Pearson, you wake Arthur as soon as that stew's done."
"Of course, Dutch," Pearson said as Arthur marched to his room.
"Hey guys," Amy said an idea occurring to her, "Strawberry might have a train station or post office. Maybe Michiru will get that message."
"Really?" Sango asked hopefully, "Then we don't have much time, and yet this can't happen soon enough."
After about five minutes, it was noon on screen as Pearson made his way to Arthur's room. He shook his shoulder a bit.
"Arthur…" He whispered, "…come on, buddy. Stew's ready. Time to get up."
"Mmm…" Arthur groaned, "…huh…? Oh, right. Eat, then go to Strawberry….alright….I'm up…"
Arthur rose from his bed, yawned, stretched, then went back outside to the makeshift kitchen. Indeed there was a big bowl of venison stew as Arthur licked his lips taking a bowl. With him was his best friend in the group, Lenny, and having taking Lenny's place on guard duty was Micah swearing beneath his mustache about being outside standing guard.
"This is gonna go down real nice, Arthur," Lenny said, "After days of canned food we finally get some good meat! Thankfully there were plenty of wild edible plants near the outskirts of the mountains, so we've got some wild roots and leaves in there."
"Still, we'd better get some carrots, onions, and real potatoes while we're out," Arthur said taking his bowl, "Hey, I'm gonna pay our little O'Driscoll friend a visit. See if a little…visual will motivate him to talk."
"You're gonna eat that in front of him?" Lenny asked, "Arthur, you are one cruel son-of-a-bitch."
"And don't you ever forget it!" Arthur chuckled back heading to the stables where the prisoner, Kieran Duffy, was tied near the most ornery horse they had. Near him was the little Marston boy, Jack as Kieran was trying to get his attention.
"Hey, kid…" Kieran whispered, "Come over here a second…" As Jack slowly approached Kieran, he asked, "What's your name, little feller?"
"Jack," Jack answered.
"So…listen…Jack…" Kieran pleaded, "How 'bout you fetch your Uncle Kieran a bite to eat, huh? There's a nickel in it for ya!"
"I'm not allowed to talk to you," Jack answered, "Dutch says you've been bad and need to be punished." With that, Jack left the stable as Kieran sighed.
"Damn brat…" He groaned as Arthur raised an eye at this turning to Jack.
"Hey Jack," Arthur greeted.
"Oh, hi Arthur," Jack smiled.
"Why don't you run on now, you should be keeping warm," Arthur advised, "In fact, stop by the kitchen and get a bowl of stew for you and your pa. He needs it."
"Okay Uncle Arthur," Jack nodded leaving the barn and turning to Pearson's kitchen as he grumbled, "This place is so boring…"
After Jack left, Arthur shot Kieran a look and waved the hot bowl of stew near his face before taking a bite and truly relishing in the taste as Kieran started whimpering from hunger and torment.
"You know, O'Driscoll," Arthur said, "Someone once told me that an empty stomach can bring more pain than a thousand whip lashes. A tortured empty stomach can make you wish you were dead," He then downed the rest as he said, "How 'bout it, boy? You wishing you were dead?"
"No! No please!" Kieran pleaded.
"Good," Arthur nodded hurling the empty bowl as it whizzed by Kieran's ear as Arthur hissed out, "CUZ IF YOU TALK TO THAT BOY AGAIN, I'LL CUT YOUR THROAT!" He then spat in Kieran's face and left the whimpering O'Driscoll alone as he pulled out his horse and Lenny's.
"How'd the interrogation go?" Lenny asked as Arthur exited.
"Caught the O'Driscoll talking to Jack," Arthur said, "I was so mad about it, I figured I better get out of there before I did something I regretted. Didn't have the patience to interrogate him."
"Restraint? You?" Lenny laughed, "Who are you? What have you done to my buddy, Arthur Morgan?"
"Aw, don't gimme that bullshit," Arthur grumbled, "Dutch gave explicit instructions to leave right after we ate. Not a second later." He mounted his steed and nodded, "Let's go." The duo rode through the snowy mountains and down the trail. They rode past a beautiful river, stream, and lake as all admired the beauty of the mountain range. Finally, a small town of buildings was in sight. They rode it where a small town of a few buildings, a church, a couple hotels, and a few stores was. They rode across a giant log bridge to a general store and hitched up their horses.
"Hello, how can I help you?" The shop owner greeted.
"Yes, we would like a sack of potatoes, a sack of carrots, a sack of onions, and some ground coffee," Arthur greeted.
"Of course," The store owner greeted, "By the way, would you happen to know the location of him?"
Arthur and Lenny turned to a poster on the wall as they gasped to see a wanted poster of Micah Bell hanging there. He was wanted dead or alive by the Sheriff of Valentine for murder according to the poster. He had a pretty hefty reward too.
"No, we don't know him," Arthur said, "We just wanna get our groceries and leave."
"Of course," The shop owner nodded as he totaled it up, "Four dollars even."
"Sure," Arthur said, "We have that much to spare."
They paid the bill, took their groceries, and hitched it to their horses' backs.
"Should we tell Dutch?" Lenny asked motioning back to the poster, "That's a lot of money."
"Dutch wouldn't betray any of us no matter how much of a jerk he is," Arthur said, "But he should know not to send Micah here. We'd better tell him when we get back."
"Yeah, good idea," Lenny said, "Hey look. A post office. Maybe we should see if we got any mail."
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Sango said, "This is it! This is where Michiru finally gets out message as Arthur looked thoughtfully and shook his head.
"Hmmm, nah!" Arthur said, "There could be Pinkertons in town here looking for us. If we take mail addressed to us, we might be discovered. Best we wait a few days or so. Especially if we're really planning on robbing that train."
"Awww!" Everyone groaned at Arthur's display of logic.
"You're right, Arthur," Lenny nodded, "You're always right."
"I know I am," Arthur nodded, "Let's get back to camp before we're spotted anyway."
The two rode back up the trail for nearly half an hour before the familiar sight of their camp was in sight. The light of day was fading fast, and everyone had eaten. Arthur and Lenny dropped the bags of vegetables in the makeshift kitchen, checked in with Dutch, and then turned to their sleeping quarters to get some more shut-eye.
"I can't believe it!" Kagome groaned, "The closest we get to him checking for our message, and Arthur decides to wait! We don't have much time! Fushizenna will recover from his injury any day now! Every minute counts and-" She then looked to see that the sun was setting in the real world too, "And we need to get to bed as well now."
"Aww!" Inuyasha grumbled, "I would've taken the risk! Maybe Arthur's not so tough after all!"
"Enough of this," Chris said as the monitor shut off, "We're able to watch about three days of activity at most here in an entire day, but we can't leave this on all night. This is a prototype, and we can't risk it shorting out or overheating. Get to bed, all of you. We'll continue this in the morning."
"Alright," Sango sighed returning to the couch near Michiru's sleeping form as the others toddled off to their tents outside. She looked up at his half-naked body sleeping in the tube blind to the world around him. She observed the look on his face. His scrunched up eyes and face as if under some sort of deep stress weighing on his very heart and soul.
Because of me. Sango sobbed to herself. So much pain, anger, and hurt all mired on your handsome face, Michiru because of me. Oh sure, Miroku and the others had their parts to play in what happened, but…so many people dead. So many lives ruined. All of which could have been prevented had I not betrayed you so long ago. I…I helped Fushizenna rise to power. He could've been stopped a long time ago if…if only I listened to you so long ago.
Looking up at the sleeping form of one who even though was right in front of her very eyes was far far away elsewhere and had little desire to come back, Sango placed her hands on the glass as she sobbed.
"Michiru, I…I haven't said this yet, but…but if you can hear me…I…" She sobbed, "I'm sorry, Michiru."