Chapter 9: No Cat's Got Michiru's Tongue
Kagome and Sango continued to blush and stare at Arthur getting out of his dusty clothes and climbing in the soapy steaming tub. He sat in the water enjoying himself for a moment before seeing a bottle and glass on a tray in front of him. He poured himself a drink and started to drink it down before ducking his head in the water and scrubbing his hair. When he was finished, there was a knock at the door.
"Need some help in there?" A woman's voice called from outside the door.
"Ah, sounds good! Yeah thanks," Arthur replied as Sango and Kagome's eyes went wide at the thought.
As soon as this was said, a lovely woman with blonde hair, pale white skin, and her cleavage bursting out of her blouse entered with a smile as Arthur gave her fifty cents. She knelt beside the tub and got to work.
"The audacity!" Kagome huffed, "Putting her hands on a naked man's body for mere pocket change!"
"Fifty cents was a lot of money then, Kagome," Dr. Ingles reminded her.
"Hey! But still…!" Kagome protested as the blonde spoke.
"Just relax and let me take care of you," She spoke dipping her hands in the bath water and massaging Arthur's shoulders, "You'll leave this place feelin' brand new, ya know." She proceeded to rub Arthur's upper left arm.
"Hope the water's hot enough," she said.
"It's fine," Arthur said, "Just what a man needs after being in the icy mountains for over a week."
"Oh, of that, I am sure!" The young lady giggled as she proceeded to wash his arms and his legs.
"You might be the nicest person I've met in this town," Arthur said lifting his strong leg so the woman could wash it better.
"I was nearly married once," Arthur began, "She never bathed me…"
"Let's…just keep that between us and these four walls, shall we?" The woman giggled as Arthur lifted his other leg so she could rub it. Sango and Kagome continued to watch with Kagome still grumbling about how easy American women apparently were in the Old West while Sango seemed to be seething a bit for reasons unknown to her.
"You don't suppose Michiru did this on purpose, do you?" Sango grumbled, "Knew we'd be watching and agreed to have a lovely woman bathe Arthur with him in Arthur's brain?"
"Don't reckon so," Dr. Ingles shrugged, "He does this most of the time."
"Does he now…?" Kagome grumbled again as they all watched. Soon the pretty woman scrubbed all of Arthur's body as he said to her that'll do before planting a kiss on his temple to Sango's shock as her mouth went wide. So much was this shocker, she barely even paid attention to the sight of Arthur's naked body getting out of the tub and getting dressed.
Ugh! This again! Sango raged internally. Again! It…It's not like I actually care about whom Arthur Morgan gets involved with! If he wants to get bathed by a pretty woman, such is his right! I…I…I don't care about what he does with his private life!
But the more these thoughts of denial entered her mind, the more she found herself dismissing them as true. For some reason…she did care, and she did mind. But why? Was it because Arthur was Michiru's ancestor? Was it the reminder of the way her own husband was in his younger days? Or did she…actually have stirrings in her heart for this audacious and murderous old rascal?
Whatever the case was, or whether there were more than one to begin with, Sango snapped out of her daze and watched as Arthur went upstairs and entered a room. It was a modest hotel room with a few drawers, a mirror, and a modest bed. Arthur tucked himself inside and slept.
"More waiting…" Kagome grumbled.
Shippo arrived back at Kaede's Village. He floated as stealthily as he could using disguises to look like Fushizenna's guards before arriving back in town. Kaede, lying on her bed, acknowledged his arrival in a sickly weak way. She was old. Nearly ancient, in fact now. Her time as leader was tragically nearing an end, and the torch would be passed to Kagome as leader of Kaede's Village.
"Shippo…" She weakly croaked, "…you've come back….where…are the others…?"
"It's…hard to explain…" Shippo got out, "All I can tell you is that Michiru has….agreed to help us, but not for free. He's…with some new friends that he trusts and has faith in their loyalty to him in comparison to all of us. He agreed that if these friends betray him in any way, he'll help us for free. If not, he'll help us in exchange for Sango's future."
"What?" Gyokuto gasped, "What does that…mean…?"
"It means she'll leave us and become Michiru's servant forever," Shippo answered sadly as all three of Sango's children gasped, "As part of her atonement for her betrayal."
"Then we'd better hope these friends of Michiru do betray him in some way!" Hisui exclaimed, "We…we can't lose our mother after losing our father!"
"But…there are some things we can try," Shippo said, "Michiru agreed that if either Sango realizes that there was another reason she got rid of him and apologizes to him for it, he'll help us. The second option is why I'm here. He said if there's anything here that he bears no grudge against and would die to protect, and we bring it to his attention, then he'll help us."
"What about innocent lives?!" Kin'u protested, "Isn't that reason enough?"
"Trust me," Shippo said with a shake of his head, "Based on what he's going through right now, human life doesn't mean a whole lot to him right now. He's…changed. He's become a very angry and hostile person, even worse than Inuyasha on his worst day. I guess that's part of the reason he was able to punch him out and break his neck…"
"What?" Kohaku gasped, "No…no human could do such a thing!"
"Michiru did," Shippo answered, "He's potentially stronger than any of us now. We don't know how…but it's true…and that's why we need to find something here he might genuinely care about. He just might be strong enough to defeat Fushizenna!"
"Then we'd better get moving, Shippo!" Kohaku nodded, "Let's search the lands and see if anything qualifies as this condition for Michiru's terms."
"Good luck…you two…" Kaede murmured before curling in her bed to return to her rest.
"We have to go to all places where we adventured in our travels," Shippo said, "If it's anywhere, it's there."
Arthur woke up about a half hour later in the time Kagome and Sango were at and mounted his horse.
"Come on!" Arthur cooed as he took the reins and rode out of town and all the way back to the camp at Horseshoe Outlook. He took his horse to the hitching rack there, undid the reins, and wrapped them around it.
"Hey Arthur!" The voice of Hosea Matthews called as Arthur turned to see the aging man on a boulder cleaning a big rifle. He nodded and addressed him.
"Hosea." He said.
"You wanna go huntin'?" Hosea asked.
"What are you huntin'?" Arthur asked picking up the big gun, "An elephant?"
"I wish!" Hosea chuckled, "No. I saw a huge bear. One of the biggest I ever saw. I reckon nearly a thousand pounds."
"My god…" Arthur said.
"Indeed," Sango gasped, "Are you sure there are no more demons in this world?"
"What, you need me to come with you?" Arthur asked.
"Of course," Hosea nodded, "Let's go."
"Well, where are we headed exactly?" Arthur wanted to know.
"Up near the Dakota River," Hosea explained, "Might take a day or two."
"I could do with a break from this place," Arthur said.
"Oh, me too," Hosea answered, "It's been a rough couple of weeks You need anything?"
"I don't think so, I got all I need."
"Let's go then," The two friends walked towards their horses, "So, you still ain't replaced Boadicea?"
"Nah…I miss her…" Arthur sighed sadly at the mention of this name, "…she was quite a horse…" Kagome and Sango could only shake their heads in sympathy. Obviously, the two of them were talking about a horse that Arthur owned before this all happened and lost.
"This one's okay, but…" Arthur spoke gesturing to the black and white horse taken from the Adler residence that once belonged to the O'Driscolls, "…ain't no Boadicea…"
"What kind of name is 'Boadicea?'" Kagome asked.
"Queen Boadicea was a queen of a Celtic tribe in England," Dr. Ericson explained, "A queen that resisted the influence of the Roman Empire nearly two-thousand years ago. Also known as Boadicea the Victorious, and the Black Queen of the Celts. Arthur's horse was black as the night, and unruly for the longest time. That's why Arthur named her that."
"I've been meaning to offload this big shire horse for a while," Hosea spoke gesturing to a big brute of a horse beside his own ride, "Unruly bastard!"
"Where'd you get him?" Arthur asked.
"Some big, loud-mouthed bastard tried to rob me when I was out riding, so I…" Hosea stopped, "…well, you know how it is."
"I see," Arthur nodded.
"Let's take them to Valentine," Hosea suggested, "It's on the way, sort of. There's a decent dealer there. We'll unload him, you can buy yourself a new horse. Put your saddle on him! Let's get moving!"
"Okay," Arthur agreed, "But I do kinda like this horse."
"There's nothing wrong with two horses," Hosea pointed out, "And the stables always have the best ones."
"I guess you're right," Arthur conceded removing his horse from the black and white horse and strapping it to the huge fella.
"This is gonna be fun, Arthur!" Hosea said.
"He won't throw me?"
"No, he's an angel…if I'm near him."
"Nasty little look in his eyes…"
"Don't be rude about this magnificent creature."
Arthur strapped his saddle on it.
"Okay, see if you can get your leg around that brute," Hosea said.
"Okay, boy…" Arthur said putting his foot in the stirrup and leaping on the saddle, "Easy, big feller."
"Alright, let's head into town," Hosea said, "No bar fights, please. I heard about that."
"I'll do my best…" Arthur sighed.
"We're heading out," Hosea called out to the others in camp, "Might be gone a couple of days." Then he spoke to Arthur again, "They got a good range of horse tack at the Valentine stables. Some beautiful saddles…I used to have a real nice one."
"Yeah, what happened to that?"
"Got stolen outside that saloon in Deer Creek."
"Ohhh, I remember now, just about," Arthur said, "That turned into a long day."
"Yes, remember?" Hosea asked, "Mac went crazy, threatened to kill the whole town. And Davey was passed out so cold, we left him there, came back the next day, he woke up, started right back drinking again."
"Heh-heh!" Arthur chuckled, "I miss those boys. Does feel like our luck died a little with them."
"Nonsense!" Hosea said, "We'll be alright. Just need some money to get back on our feet."
"I hope so," Arthur said, "You found a way to offload those Cornwall bonds yet?"
"Not yet. They're still very hot," Hosea explained, "Need to be done right. I have a couple of leads I'm looking into."
Suddenly, the big horse Arthur was on started to whinny in a fussy mood.
"Don't let that big horse get the better of ya, Arthur," Hosea warned.
Arthur reached down and patted the big horse to calm him, "Nah, he's alright. Yeah, good boy…you're alright, boy."
They pair had arrived in Valentine with the stables in view.
"Stables are just ahead," Hosea said as they rode to it, "Alright. Go sell that big brute, and buy yourself a horse."
"Okay," Arthur nodded.
"I'm going off to the general store," Hosea said, "Get a few things to lure that bear out with."
Arthur rode in and dismounted.
"Meet you out here in a bit," Hosea said.
Arthur looked about when a scrawny guy in a yellowish hat and a big thick mustache acknowledged him.
"Hey," The stableman greeted, "How can I help you?"
"I'm in the market for a new horse," Arthur greeted patting the big fellow's haunches, "Something strong and fast."
"Well, you're in the right place," The stableman smiled, "I've got some beauties in at the moment." He whistled to the back of the barn as a helper in overalls came in. The stableman then looked at the huge horse Arthur was on, "Yeah…and what about this one here?" He gave the big horse a rub on his face and between his eyes, "You lookin' to sell?"
"I ain't sure yet," Arthur said.
"You got papers?"
"No, no papers."
"Well, of course, that's gonna affect what I can pay, but your luck's in. I got a fella who's been looking for a decent workhorse like this for a while. He'll pay a good price. Otherwise, I can always stable him here for ya." He then pointed to the horse selection, "Here, take a look."
Arthur browsed the selection. He spotted a grey horse with a white stripe down its head and a thin black mane that was up for free adoption as he nodded. He sold the big horse for about sixty-five dollars and took the grey one.
"Alright, partner," The stableman nodded as his assistant pulled the horse out and gave the reins to Arthur, "You got yourself a deal and a fine new horse."
"I hope so," Arthur said patting the horse's back.
"Well, I don't sell anything other than good animals," The stableman answered, "You have my word on that."
"You didn't exactly sell me this one," Arthur said.
"That one lived in very harsh conditions before arriving here," The stableman said with a sob, "Sometimes you just can't profit off of an animal when you just want it to experience anything in the way of a loving owner after years of abuse."
"What happened to him?" Arthur frowned.
"He was kept in a cramped decaying barn with very poor hay inside for nearly two whole months," The stableman sobbed, "No one came to feed him, water him, take him out for exercise, or clean his pen. He looks big and strong now, but for the longest time he was a skeleton of a horse. Took all the lore I knew to fatten him up and exercise him. After all that suffering, I just couldn't bear to just sell him."
"I see…" Arthur said, "Did his previous owner die or something?"
"He got very sick, was in and out of the doctor's place, and couldn't leave the bed for long," The stableman said, "Circumstances were harsh, but…it doesn't justify not mailing a letter or not sending a messenger to the local stables or neighbors to take the horse off his hands while he recovers for as long as it takes. It…It's just not right."
"No…" Arthur said quietly as Kagome and Sango both started to sob, "…no it damn sure as hell ain't…"
Kirara rubbed Sango's leg purring sadly as Sango picked her up and held her needing to be comforted after hearing of such negligence.
"Alright, let's see…" The stableman said fumbling through some items, "Here are your papers." He handed Arthur some forms that Arthur took, "And on me..a new grooming brush and some treats."
"Appreciate it," Arthur said.
"Alright you…treat this fella well," The stableman said, "He needs all the love you can give him, and I know he's gonna look after you just fine."
Arthur took the reins just as Hosea arrived.
"Looks like a nice animal you got there," Hosea nodded at Arthur's new horse, "You happy?"
"Guess we'll see…" Arthur shrugged leading the horse out before hopping onto his saddle.
"Alright, let's get going," Hosea said, "We got quite a ride ahead of us."
"Lead the way," Arthur called out, "So what's this lake we're heading for?"
"It's called O'Creah's Run, up in the mountains east of Cumberland Falls." Hosea explained, "I just hope I can remember how to get there."
"Back into the mountains?" Arthur asked, "I sure didn't figure on that…"
"But this time…." Hosea began, "….we're doing the chasing." The two began to ride, "So, how are things between you and John?"
"Fine…" Arthur grumbled.
"Ain't it about time you let it go now?"
"It was a year, Hosea. He ditched us for a goddamn year."
The two had rode out of the town of Valentine and into the woods leading to the mountains.
"I spoke to him many times …he knows he did wrong…he just wants to put it behind him."
"I'm sure he does…" Arthur sighed, "Running off on that kid is one thing, but there's a code, and he knows that. He ain't Trelawny. Dutch and you pretty much raised him."
"I know," Hosea nodded, "But it's done. Has been for a while now."
"Nobody else would've been welcomed back that easy after that long, and you know it." Arthur said.
"Maybe…" Hosea relented, "But please don't you put that to the test."
"Ah…" Arthur muttered under his breath, "I never would."
"Why am I detecting more familiarity here?" Kagome asked as they watched Arthur and Hosea ride through some mountain path through the trees, "It's like Arthur Morgan is the gang's Inuyasha and John Marston is his Shippo. That one good-meaning friend that always seems to annoy him."
"I know…" Sango said, "…in fact, there might even be others that fit the bill of Arthur's proverbial Shippos, but that's another day."
They watched as Arthur and Hosea passed a mountain with a lovely pond to the side.
"Yes….I remember this place…" Hosea nodded, "Moonstone Pond. We're going the right way."
Dusk was setting in the scenery. Arthur and Hosea had been riding all day though forests and atop mountains. Soon their horses climbed up a mountain leading to a vast lake. Hosea nodded.
"There's the lake. Good we made it. Let's loop around the other side."
Arthur nodded following his friend. Suddenly, he started speaking.
"I should really be heading back over to Great Plains to see about Sean," He said to Hosea.
"It's bounty hunters who've got him?" Hosea asked.
"So Trelawny says…" Arthur nodded, "Javier and Charles have gone with him to scope it out."
"Pretty dangerous going anywhere near Blackwater."
"Right, but, if he's alive we gotta try."
"Of course."
They rode down a path as the sun had set once again. Hosea spotted something near the trail.
"Look there, rabbits," He said, "Maybe we should catch one to cook."
"Sure," Arthur nodded, "I'll try and shoot one."
"You don't want to use anything too powerful on a small animal like that," Hosea pointed out, "You'll just ruin the meat."
"That's for sure," Sango nodded, "I wouldn't use anything in my arsenal except for poisons to hunt rabbits, squirrels, or any small prey."
"Best thing's a bow or a .22 caliber varmint rifle," Hosea said.
"I have hunted rabbits before, you know," Arthur grumbled annoyed at the insinuation that he didn't know how to shoot something so small and simple as a rabbit.
"Yes," Hosea grumbled, "And obliterated them with a shotgun, if I remember right."
Arthur shook his head, dismounted, and pulled out his bow as Kagome stood on her toes wanting to see if Arthur's skills with small animals matched those with the deer from earlier. Kagome and Sango observed as Arthur looked to the dry ground looking for the tracks of rabbit feet. Once he found them, he started to follow them slowly crawling. Suddenly, he drew his bow out as Kagome gasped. Neither she nor Sango saw anything in this night sky as Arthur pointed to some tall brush in the distance, pulled back his bowstring, and shot.
"Got one!" Arthur declared walking to where he fired as Kagome and Sango gasped as indeed there was a dead rabbit with an arrow in its back.
"That was good," Kagome admitted, "Even I have trouble shooting at small things in tall grasses or bushes. Especially at night. Normally we use your poisoned bait for things like that, Sango."
"I know," Sango nodded, "It would appear as if Arthur's a natural with any weapon he uses."
Arthur retrieved the arrow from the rabbit's carcass, held it by the legs, grabbed a tight grip of its tail, and began to pull at it as after only a few seconds the rabbit's fur ripped completely off its body with no knife work or carving tools.
"Gross," Kagome paled.
"But impressive," Sango answered, "It takes a lot of strength to rip a rabbit's fur off its body with one's bare hands, but it takes a careful hand to not damage it so that it and the carcass are both in perfect tact."
Arthur stuffed the fur into his pouch along with some leg meat. He then picked up the carcass, slung it on his shoulder, and ran back to Hosea setting up a camp.
"Good job," Hosea said, "Alright, it's getting late. Reckon we should camp here."
"Sure," Arthur nodded setting the dead rabbit near the campfire whilst pulling his bedroll out of his saddle, "I'm famished."
"Cook that rabbit, then," Hosea answered, "They're delicious over an open fire like this."
"Fine by me," Arthur smiled as he knelt next to the fire, ripped off some meat from the rabbit's body, stuck it at the end of his bowie knife, and stuck it into the fire to roast it. Once he got the sear he liked, he offered some to his friend.
"You want some of this?"
"No, I'm fine. I don't like eating this late."
Arthur nodded and ate the portion off his knife before cooking another piece.
"Okay," Arthur said, "After all that…"
He cooked five pieces of meat and stored a few in his pouch for later.
"Alright….well…" Hosea began as he stretched, "We'd better get some rest." He went to his own bedroll, "I wanna be up at first light to find this monster."
"This better be worth all this drama…" Arthur grumbled as he got into his bedroll to sleep again.
Suddenly, the Animus began to whir as the screen dissipated from mountain scenery back to that void from before. Dr. Ingles, Dr. Garter, and Dr. Ericcson tended to the computer systems.
"Hmm…looks like Michiru is waking up of his own volition this time," Dr. Garter observed, "But why?"
"Knowing Michiru," Dr. Ingles said, "He doesn't care much for hunting animals for sport."
At least that part of him hasn't changed. Sango thought to herself as she smiled. Memories of herself once comparing traits of Michiru's personality to her own brother back when they were in love. The pod drained again, the arms held Michiru in place, and he woke up with a yawn.
"Hunting for food or skins for clothing, shelter, or bedding is one thing…" Michiru stretched, "Hunting a bear just because it's a rare find and would be something to boast about is entirely another."
"It's just as well," Dr. Ericson noted, "The Animus could use some maintenance and maybe a bit of updating."
"Of course," Michiru nodded, "I think I need to pop in on some friends of my own as well."
"Friends?" Sango murmured hopefully.
"Not you," Michiru grumbled, "I got some errands to run in town. I placed an order for something last time I was awake, and I think I need to get some R&R overseas."
"Going back to Cripple Creek?" Dr. Garter said.
"Yeah," Michiru nodded, "I'll need some money from my wages to reserve my usual hotel suite, my favorite restaurants, and my tables."
"Of course," Dr. Garter nodded, "Will $50,000 do?"
"Huh?" Kagome gasped, "Wait…are you…going gambling?"
"What if I am?" Michiru challenged, "What I do with my money is no business of yours."
"That's beside the point!" Kagome countered, "Here we are, needing help with some genocidal madman threating to destroy our home, and all you care about is hitting the pachinko and slot machines!"
Michiru let out a guffaw at this.
"Pachinko and slot machines? Don't insult me," Michiru said, "I'm a card, dice, knife, dominoes, and horseshoe kind of guy."
"It doesn't matter what kind of gambler you are!" Kagome protested, "Aren't we gambling right now with this wager?"
"Ah, but there's something this wager lacks that I seek when I got the gambler's itch," Michiru said.
"What's that?" Kagome asked.
"Fun," Michiru answered, "Now if you'll excuse me, again, I have an errand to run before I leave." He then marched out the shed door.
"Michiru?" Sango asked.
"What do you want?" Michiru spat back, "I'm leaving, and that's that!"
"I know you are," Sango answered, "Just….don't be too long away?"
Looking his former love in the face, Michiru sighed as he replied, "This I can at least promise to. I don't like to be away from Arthur for too long."
"Good," Sango smiled sadly, "That's all I can ask for."
"Whatever…" Michiru grumbled leaving and headed for the garage. Kagome was following him and let out a gasp as Michiru pulled a sheet from the side to reveal a silver dirtbike with black trim, "This is Boadicea."
"Arthur's horse, you mean," Kagome said, "She was a silver white horse with black spots?"
"Yeah…" Michiru said, "…I designed this bike with her in mind. She's the closest thing to real world love outside my family that I know…" Getting on his bike, he revved it up and put on his helmet, "You'd better get to your husband's side. I have no use for you." With that he sped off with an engine roaring loudly. Kagome looked sadly. So much attachment to a vehicle based on a horse that Arthur owned once upon a time-
Wait. Kagome thought to herself. The mare back home! She had a pony recently that was…grey with a little black trim! Maybe Michiru would like to have her! But…would that qualify as something he would want to protect like we agreed upon. I suppose his grief over Arthur losing her could be something we could try to exploit, but…I don't know if a horse would convince him to return...it's something, at least. I should bring this to Sango and Inuyasha's attention. Speaking of Inuyasha…
"Uhhhh…" Inuyasha groaned in the bed, "I've never taken a hit like that…ever before…I feel so….out of it…."
"I'm as shocked as you are, dear," Kagome admitted, "I want to know how Michiru got so strong in the first place."
"I wanna know as well," Inuyasha admitted, "I need to get that strong for our rematch later."
"Inuyasha," Kagome reprimanded her husband, "Threatening to pick a fight with Michiru will only deter him from wanting to help. You'll…just have to live with this humiliation for now."
"I guess…" The slightly more mature Inuyasha relented, "But this isn't over!"
Michiru rode his bike through the streets of Tokyo and across dirt trails and paths like his ancestor would do.
The audacity! He grumbled internally. Me! Going back to that wretched era full of betrayal! And my enemy dead before I got a chance to end him myself! Ugh! Damn it all to hell! If it weren't for the fact I want those assholes to suffer, I'd agree to take out this…Fushizenna for robbing me of the kill that should've been mine in the first place!
Being a betrayed man, Michiru could not ignore the desire for lethal revenge against those that betrayed him. Now knowing that Miroku conspired with a shapeshifting demon to frame him, that made him the biggest traitor of them all, and thus was the one Michiru wanted most…and now he couldn't have.
Robbed! He hissed to himself. Robbed of the revenge so rightfully mine! Shaking his head, he grumbled. Well, win this bet or not, either way Fushizenna is going to come face-to-face with me! When he does…he'll feel the wrath I've longed to unleash on that original bastard! If only he knew…if only any of them knew what I'd gone through before those doctors contacted me! What I've done. What I've taken my anger and hatred on!
These thoughts and more all coursed through Michiru's mind as he rode his bike to a street and parked it near the curb. He exited his bike and turned to a building. It read Tokyo Rodeo.
"Ah! My favorite shop!" He smiled. "Western wear isn't easy to come by in Tokyo Japan, but thankfully this place is well-stocked with the stuff I love."
He entered the store that let out a jingle as the spur in top of the doorway spun. An elderly man in a brown ten gallon hat, blue jeans, pine green boots, a light purple shirt with darker purple sequined stitching turned to the door and smiled.
"Ah! Michiru Kururugi!" He greeted, "My number one customer!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Yung," Michiru greeted, "I came to ask about that special order I placed about half a year ago. Has it arrived?"
"Indeed it has," Mr. Yung smiled, "I've been keeping it in this box for you."
"Thanks. I appreciate that," Michiru said as Mr. Yung handed him a round box. He took it, browsed around a bit, then exited. He then opened the box and smiled.
"Just the way I ordered it," He said, "Not as much wear and tear as I would like, but that'll- Huh?"
He then stopped hearing a familiar chirping mewl near him as he turned to see the sight of a small two-tailed cat he knew quite well. He immediately shut the box and glared at her.
"Your mistress didn't follow me, did she?" He demanded.
Kirara shook her head and mewled cutely again. Michiru rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Don't play cute with me, ya mangy vermin!" He snapped harshly as the two-tailed cat recoiled in surprise, "If you think you qualify to that whole 'find something I bear no grudge against and would give my life to help" clause to our agreement, think again! Where were you when I was banished, huh, Kirara? Did you hop up and protest my banishment? Did you comfort me before I left for the well? Did you do anything to help my cause? No! You snorted your big nose in the air and turned away from me like the rest did!"
Kirara mewled sadly at this, tears of guilt welling in her orange slitted eyes. It was true. She was there with Sango when they all witnessed that demon that took Michiru's form beat up Miroku, and when he tried to protest that could've been a possibility, she did nothing but turn her nose up at him and helped the others banish him. She was just as much to blame for this incident as the rest, and it was clear that Michiru had a bone to pick with her as well. She backed away slowly as Michiru got on his bike again before glowering at her.
"Follow me again, Kirara…" Michiru began, "…and I'll pull your fang out and carve it into a bowie knife!"
Kirara winced at this. Part of her wanted to hiss in anger at this threat, but she knew she had no right to do such a thing. Michiru's anger towards her was totally justifiable. Michiru sped off back to the Kururugi Shrine as Kirara sighed sadly before taking off to the skies to return to the shed. Although Michiru warned her not to follow him, she knew he couldn't fault her for returning to base. Whatever the case may be, it was clear that she didn't mean a whole lot to Michiru either, and it made the little two-tail so sad.
"So…where is Michiru going again?" Sango asked Dr. Garter.
"Cripple Creek Colorado," Dr. Garter explained, "It's a gambling town in the mountains. It used to be a gold mine town, but when the gold ran out the people started betting their fortunes there. It's similar in appearance to the Old West, and that's why Michiru likes it there."
"How does he get there?" Kagome wondered, "Do you make travel arrangements, flights, hotels, that sort of thing?"
"No need," A voice spoke from outside as they turned to see Michiru had returned with a large box. He pulled something black and large out of it and stuck it into a leather satchel hanging on the wall of the garage.
"Do not touch this," He spoke to everyone. Including the doctors, "This was custom made, very expensive, and no one may touch it but me! Now, I'm off." With that, he bent his knees a bit and jumped as a loud whooshing was heard as Kagome and Sango stared slack-jawed as Michiru had leapt fifty yards into the air and then sped off heading east in midair! The two girls could scarcely believe it as they covered their ears at the booming loud noise of Michiru's sudden takeoff!
"A…A sonic blast?!" Kagome cried incredulously, "I…I…I don't believe this! Michiru…can fly?! And break the sound barrier?!"
"Break the sound barrier?" Sango yelled, "What does that mean?"
"It means he can fly faster than the speed of sound!" Kagome answered, "That's fast! He…he must have been training in more than just strength and power!"
"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" A voice from upstairs yelled out, "MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome gasped realizing that the sound of such a booming noise would cause her husband's sensitive ears great pain and anguish as she rushed upstairs to tend to her husband to see if he was alright, "Inuyasha! Are you-?" But she was cut off when she opened the door to see her husband passed out on the wooden floor of Michiru's bedroom he wasn't using. She brought her fingers to Inuyasha's neck and pressed for a pulse.
"Oh!" She sighed, "You're alive! Thank goodness you're alive!" She then looked outside the window as Sango followed her upstairs and saw Inuyasha's unconscious carcass on the ground. Kagome rocked her husband's head in her lap stroking his cheek as she looked up at her friend.
"Inuyasha was vowing to get back at Michiru earlier for that punch…" Kagome said, "…I…I don't think he could even if he tried! First a punch that breaks his jaw, and now Michiru can move at speeds that generate loud blasts that would destroy Inuyasha's ears. I…I…I can't believe it!"
Nor I. Sango said to herself looking back out and looking east where Michiru sped to. Michiru…what are you? What have you become all these years? What could possibly motivate you to work so hard to be so strong, fast, and powerful enough to do the things you've done…?