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Inu-Yasha is owned by Rumiko Tahahashi and Sunrise. Unchained Melody is owned by Hy Zaret, Alex North and the Righteous Brothers. I make nothing from this fanfiction.
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He was driving them crazy. Kagome had been gone for three days and Inu- Yasha couldn't contain his nervous energy. So he spread it around. He cracked one of Kaede's finest eating vessels by mistake. She had to take a broom to him to shoo him away, he was such a nuisance.
"Inu-Yasha, ye must make use of all that excess energy, or ye will surely send us to the madhouse."
He had gone back and forth to the well dozens of times.
'Hnf, stupid girl. Where the hell are you?' He grumbled.
He slumped against the part of the well wall that was raised from the ground and folded his arms while he stewed in his funk. So lost in his thoughts was he that he didn't pay attention to the sound or smell of the small kitsune that walked right up to his left side.
"Inu-Yasha!"
The high-pitched squeak startled him enough that he leapt from his seated position and drew Tetsusaiga, ready to strike down the attacker. Shippo squealed in terror.
"Yi!!!"
Inu-Yasha glared at the fox demon, his body quaking from the stress of almost cutting him to pieces.
"Way to get yourself killed, stupid!"
He shielded Tetsusaiga and flopped back down on the ground, grunting. Shippo approached again, more cautiously this time.
"What's wrong with you, Inu-Yasha!? You've been acting weirder than usual since Kagome's been gone." He was still trembling from the thought of having almost been sliced in half.
"Kagome's got nuthin' to do with it." He lied.
"Naraku is probably busy planning something big while we're all just sitting around on our butts. I just want to get my hands around his neck, that's all."
He furrowed his brow. That was lame and he knew it. He hoped it was enough for Shippo as he really didn't want to have a heart-to-heart right now, especially with a child.
"Listen, I may be young, but I'm not stupid. Every time Kagome leaves, even for one day, you start acting strange. Now that it's been three days, it's like you're turning into a whole different person. You know I'm right. Why are you kidding yourself?"
Inu-Yasha bared his right fang and growled, all he wanted was to be alone with his thoughts and this kid was getting on his nerves.
"That's enough!"
He stood up and glared at Shippo, hoping he would get the message. Unfortunately, Shippo was too young and naive to have learned to hide his intent behind double meanings. He only spoke from his heart, with the innocence of a child.
"Why don't you just go and bring her back? Bring her back and get it over with!"
Shippo hopped up and down around Inu-Yasha, not fully understanding the complexity of Inu-Yasha's emotional state, the impact of his words on the hanyou, and the dangerous ground he was treading on.
"Grrrr." Inu-Yasha cracked his knuckles, his boiling point rapidly approaching.
"I said it's not about Kagome." He growled in a deep baritone.
"Leave it alone."
"No, I won't! Why do we have to walk around on eggshells whenever you... Hey!"
"I said that's enough!"
Inu-Yasha grabbed Shippo by his collar, windmilled him a few times, and then hurled him into a grove of trees a couple of hundred feet away.
"Whoooooaaaaaa!" Shippo's voice trailed off as he flew through the air.
"Hnf, stupid fox, doesn't know when to leave well enough alone."
Looking down the well, he sniffed, hoping to catch Kagome's scent. Nothing. He contemplated doing exactly what the fox suggested, going after Kagome. How would he explain his presence to her? He didn't want her to know that his feelings for her were growing even deeper. He still had trouble admitting as much to himself. He wanted her to be near him. She comforted him, stilled the rage in his soul. On the other hand, he hated not being in control of his feelings. It made him feel weak and insignificant compared to demons like Sesshomaru or Naraku, both masters at controlling their emotions. His current state merely served as another reminder that he was only a half-demon.
"Keh, not making out so well, eh Inu-Yasha?"
'Great, now I'm talking out loud to myself. Better get out of here.'
He made for the edge of the clearing, towards the village.
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The stew had been percolating for a while now, filling the air with sumptuous aromas. Miroku had taken a seat on the far edge of the hut, content to observe Kaede and Sango as they prepared the meal. Sango already knew the rudiments of meal preparation, but had asked Kaede if she could teach her the finer aspects of herb and spice proportions, as the elder woman was a master at infusing flavor into anything she prepared. Sango was grateful for such a patient instructor. Although she had lost her family to Naraku's treachery, a small hope glimmered in the far reaches of her mind that she could one day get past the tragedy and make a semblance of a life for herself and... a mate? She should certainly know how to keep him satisfied at mealtime. She glanced quickly over at Miroku. His eyes caught hers and he smiled. She blushed. He had so many fine qualities. If only he...
"...and so you must never add this spice before the stew has cooked for at least two hours...Sango?"
"Oh. I'm sorry, Kaede. Please forgive my loss of attention. I was just..."
"Worry not, my child. The day has been long. Ye have tread many miles patrolling the area around the village, as well as catching our dinner for tonight. Take a rest for now. I shall retrieve more wood for the fire."
"I can do that for you."
"Nonsense. I am but an old woman, it is true, but I too must keep my skills as sharp as I can, or of what use would I be to anyone? I shan't be more than ten minutes. The stew will be fine as of now. Take thy rest." She waved a hand in Miroku's direction.
"All right."
Sango stood and walked over to where Miroku was seated. She noticed the odd look on his face as she approached.
'I wonder what's wrong? Did I spill something on myself?'
She stopped and looked down at her clothing, making sure everything was as it should be. She didn't know that Miroku had fallen into a daydream haze just from watching her.
'She's so lovely. The way she moves is so graceful. She's almost intimidating, being as strong and athletic as she is, but at the same time, she is so fragile because of her past. Almost as if she could break at any moment. Gods, I want her. I want all beautiful women, but there is something special about her that I can't yet put my finger on.'
The nature of his unintended pun occurred to him and he began to chuckle to himself. Sango noticed this and again looked about herself to see if she could be causing this reaction.
"Do I amuse you, Miroku?" She snapped him out of his twilight.
"Oh no, Sango. Ahem. I, err, had an amusing thought about something, err, Kagome said to Inu-Yasha not long ago."
"Would you care to share it?" She sat down next to him, waiting expectantly.
Miroku thought quickly.
"Well, as I happened to overhear it accidentally, and they were not aware of my presence, I think it only appropriate that I keep it in confidence."
He hoped that would work. She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, then shrugged.
"O.k."
He sighed relief inwardly. She moved closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He raised his arm and put his hand on her back. Surprisingly, she didn't recoil from his touch. He took another chance and leaned his head onto hers. Somehow, the spices she was working with mingled with her natural scent and created a quite pleasing experience. Her breathing became slower and deeper and he soon realized she was asleep. In his arms. His amorous instincts started to manifest and his hand on her back began to move lower.
Then he felt the scar.
The scar left when her brother struck her with his weapon. He had almost killed her when Naraku had taken control of his mind. The wound had healed, but the scar would be with her for the rest of her life. The other, deeper scar would never leave her, either.
It shocked him out of his lecherous advance. He thought more about the amazing woman who slept peacefully in his arms. About her capacity for love. And forgiveness. She would have killed Kohaku and then herself in order that he not wander the afterlife alone. And here he was, after she showed him by her action how much she trusted him, trying to catch a cheap thrill by taking advantage of her. He felt a wave of self-loathing and squinted at its intensity.
'I'm so sorry, Sango.'
He gently rocked her, and using the back of his free hand, wiped the evidence of a tear away from his eye. He rubbed his cheek in a circular motion about her soft hair.
'Sango. You really are a very special per...'
"Keh. What's up with the two of you? We can't leave you alone for more than a few minutes?"
Inu-Yasha had walked into the hut and observed the two before announcing his presence. He wouldn't admit it but their closeness only served to underscore the loneliness he felt by Kagome's absence. And since misery loves company, he would be damned if he'd be miserable alone. Sango rubbed her eyes as she slowly woke up. Miroku glared at Inu-Yasha. That had been such a special moment that that idiot had just stepped on. Kaede entered the hut with the wood. She looked back and forth between Inu-Yasha and Miroku. The air was thick with emotion. Something had just happened but she wasn't sure what. She decided to change the mood.
"All right, then. Let us take our dinner. Where is Shippo?"
"He's, umm. That is, I, erm..."
"What is it?"
"Well he got on my nerves and I kind of hurled him in a southwesterly direction."
"What!?!?!"
"He'll find his way back."
Both Sango and Miroku glared while Kaede spoke.
"This is the last straw, Inu-Yasha. Abusing your friends like this. Ye must go and find Kagome immediately and bring her back. For our sake, as well as your own!"
"Now wait a minute. If you think that I..."
They practically threw him down the well.
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Next: What happens when Inu-Yasha gets to the other side of the well and still can't find Kagome? And what about the song? Feedback is appreciated.
Inu-Yasha is owned by Rumiko Tahahashi and Sunrise. Unchained Melody is owned by Hy Zaret, Alex North and the Righteous Brothers. I make nothing from this fanfiction.
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He was driving them crazy. Kagome had been gone for three days and Inu- Yasha couldn't contain his nervous energy. So he spread it around. He cracked one of Kaede's finest eating vessels by mistake. She had to take a broom to him to shoo him away, he was such a nuisance.
"Inu-Yasha, ye must make use of all that excess energy, or ye will surely send us to the madhouse."
He had gone back and forth to the well dozens of times.
'Hnf, stupid girl. Where the hell are you?' He grumbled.
He slumped against the part of the well wall that was raised from the ground and folded his arms while he stewed in his funk. So lost in his thoughts was he that he didn't pay attention to the sound or smell of the small kitsune that walked right up to his left side.
"Inu-Yasha!"
The high-pitched squeak startled him enough that he leapt from his seated position and drew Tetsusaiga, ready to strike down the attacker. Shippo squealed in terror.
"Yi!!!"
Inu-Yasha glared at the fox demon, his body quaking from the stress of almost cutting him to pieces.
"Way to get yourself killed, stupid!"
He shielded Tetsusaiga and flopped back down on the ground, grunting. Shippo approached again, more cautiously this time.
"What's wrong with you, Inu-Yasha!? You've been acting weirder than usual since Kagome's been gone." He was still trembling from the thought of having almost been sliced in half.
"Kagome's got nuthin' to do with it." He lied.
"Naraku is probably busy planning something big while we're all just sitting around on our butts. I just want to get my hands around his neck, that's all."
He furrowed his brow. That was lame and he knew it. He hoped it was enough for Shippo as he really didn't want to have a heart-to-heart right now, especially with a child.
"Listen, I may be young, but I'm not stupid. Every time Kagome leaves, even for one day, you start acting strange. Now that it's been three days, it's like you're turning into a whole different person. You know I'm right. Why are you kidding yourself?"
Inu-Yasha bared his right fang and growled, all he wanted was to be alone with his thoughts and this kid was getting on his nerves.
"That's enough!"
He stood up and glared at Shippo, hoping he would get the message. Unfortunately, Shippo was too young and naive to have learned to hide his intent behind double meanings. He only spoke from his heart, with the innocence of a child.
"Why don't you just go and bring her back? Bring her back and get it over with!"
Shippo hopped up and down around Inu-Yasha, not fully understanding the complexity of Inu-Yasha's emotional state, the impact of his words on the hanyou, and the dangerous ground he was treading on.
"Grrrr." Inu-Yasha cracked his knuckles, his boiling point rapidly approaching.
"I said it's not about Kagome." He growled in a deep baritone.
"Leave it alone."
"No, I won't! Why do we have to walk around on eggshells whenever you... Hey!"
"I said that's enough!"
Inu-Yasha grabbed Shippo by his collar, windmilled him a few times, and then hurled him into a grove of trees a couple of hundred feet away.
"Whoooooaaaaaa!" Shippo's voice trailed off as he flew through the air.
"Hnf, stupid fox, doesn't know when to leave well enough alone."
Looking down the well, he sniffed, hoping to catch Kagome's scent. Nothing. He contemplated doing exactly what the fox suggested, going after Kagome. How would he explain his presence to her? He didn't want her to know that his feelings for her were growing even deeper. He still had trouble admitting as much to himself. He wanted her to be near him. She comforted him, stilled the rage in his soul. On the other hand, he hated not being in control of his feelings. It made him feel weak and insignificant compared to demons like Sesshomaru or Naraku, both masters at controlling their emotions. His current state merely served as another reminder that he was only a half-demon.
"Keh, not making out so well, eh Inu-Yasha?"
'Great, now I'm talking out loud to myself. Better get out of here.'
He made for the edge of the clearing, towards the village.
&&&&&&
The stew had been percolating for a while now, filling the air with sumptuous aromas. Miroku had taken a seat on the far edge of the hut, content to observe Kaede and Sango as they prepared the meal. Sango already knew the rudiments of meal preparation, but had asked Kaede if she could teach her the finer aspects of herb and spice proportions, as the elder woman was a master at infusing flavor into anything she prepared. Sango was grateful for such a patient instructor. Although she had lost her family to Naraku's treachery, a small hope glimmered in the far reaches of her mind that she could one day get past the tragedy and make a semblance of a life for herself and... a mate? She should certainly know how to keep him satisfied at mealtime. She glanced quickly over at Miroku. His eyes caught hers and he smiled. She blushed. He had so many fine qualities. If only he...
"...and so you must never add this spice before the stew has cooked for at least two hours...Sango?"
"Oh. I'm sorry, Kaede. Please forgive my loss of attention. I was just..."
"Worry not, my child. The day has been long. Ye have tread many miles patrolling the area around the village, as well as catching our dinner for tonight. Take a rest for now. I shall retrieve more wood for the fire."
"I can do that for you."
"Nonsense. I am but an old woman, it is true, but I too must keep my skills as sharp as I can, or of what use would I be to anyone? I shan't be more than ten minutes. The stew will be fine as of now. Take thy rest." She waved a hand in Miroku's direction.
"All right."
Sango stood and walked over to where Miroku was seated. She noticed the odd look on his face as she approached.
'I wonder what's wrong? Did I spill something on myself?'
She stopped and looked down at her clothing, making sure everything was as it should be. She didn't know that Miroku had fallen into a daydream haze just from watching her.
'She's so lovely. The way she moves is so graceful. She's almost intimidating, being as strong and athletic as she is, but at the same time, she is so fragile because of her past. Almost as if she could break at any moment. Gods, I want her. I want all beautiful women, but there is something special about her that I can't yet put my finger on.'
The nature of his unintended pun occurred to him and he began to chuckle to himself. Sango noticed this and again looked about herself to see if she could be causing this reaction.
"Do I amuse you, Miroku?" She snapped him out of his twilight.
"Oh no, Sango. Ahem. I, err, had an amusing thought about something, err, Kagome said to Inu-Yasha not long ago."
"Would you care to share it?" She sat down next to him, waiting expectantly.
Miroku thought quickly.
"Well, as I happened to overhear it accidentally, and they were not aware of my presence, I think it only appropriate that I keep it in confidence."
He hoped that would work. She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, then shrugged.
"O.k."
He sighed relief inwardly. She moved closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He raised his arm and put his hand on her back. Surprisingly, she didn't recoil from his touch. He took another chance and leaned his head onto hers. Somehow, the spices she was working with mingled with her natural scent and created a quite pleasing experience. Her breathing became slower and deeper and he soon realized she was asleep. In his arms. His amorous instincts started to manifest and his hand on her back began to move lower.
Then he felt the scar.
The scar left when her brother struck her with his weapon. He had almost killed her when Naraku had taken control of his mind. The wound had healed, but the scar would be with her for the rest of her life. The other, deeper scar would never leave her, either.
It shocked him out of his lecherous advance. He thought more about the amazing woman who slept peacefully in his arms. About her capacity for love. And forgiveness. She would have killed Kohaku and then herself in order that he not wander the afterlife alone. And here he was, after she showed him by her action how much she trusted him, trying to catch a cheap thrill by taking advantage of her. He felt a wave of self-loathing and squinted at its intensity.
'I'm so sorry, Sango.'
He gently rocked her, and using the back of his free hand, wiped the evidence of a tear away from his eye. He rubbed his cheek in a circular motion about her soft hair.
'Sango. You really are a very special per...'
"Keh. What's up with the two of you? We can't leave you alone for more than a few minutes?"
Inu-Yasha had walked into the hut and observed the two before announcing his presence. He wouldn't admit it but their closeness only served to underscore the loneliness he felt by Kagome's absence. And since misery loves company, he would be damned if he'd be miserable alone. Sango rubbed her eyes as she slowly woke up. Miroku glared at Inu-Yasha. That had been such a special moment that that idiot had just stepped on. Kaede entered the hut with the wood. She looked back and forth between Inu-Yasha and Miroku. The air was thick with emotion. Something had just happened but she wasn't sure what. She decided to change the mood.
"All right, then. Let us take our dinner. Where is Shippo?"
"He's, umm. That is, I, erm..."
"What is it?"
"Well he got on my nerves and I kind of hurled him in a southwesterly direction."
"What!?!?!"
"He'll find his way back."
Both Sango and Miroku glared while Kaede spoke.
"This is the last straw, Inu-Yasha. Abusing your friends like this. Ye must go and find Kagome immediately and bring her back. For our sake, as well as your own!"
"Now wait a minute. If you think that I..."
They practically threw him down the well.
&&&&&&
Next: What happens when Inu-Yasha gets to the other side of the well and still can't find Kagome? And what about the song? Feedback is appreciated.