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Dangerous Adventures	By : stratas Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > InuYasha/Kagome Views: 10724 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
A/N: Revised - 9/05/2007

Dangerous Adventures

Chapter 5

A Fateful Meeting

The hot mid afternoon sun shown down on Kagome as she led the horse down the dusty road. The small youkai lay curled up asleep on the horse�s saddle, snoring lightly. Kagome shielded her eyes against the harsh light, a wisp of smoke in the distance catching her attention. �There must be a village up ahead. It�s been quiet the last few days; perhaps we can stop to rest and restock.� She picked up her pace and hurried down the road, hoping to get to the village early enough to catch the market shops before they closed.
An hour later Kagome paused at the edge of the modest village. She took a deep breath before continuing on to the market square. The few elders that were left in the village after the younger members left to work in the fields, stopped and watched her pass in curiosity.
Kagome walked into the square, stopping at a small well. There she dropped the horse�s reins and began drawing up a bucket of water. She pulled the dripping bucket to the lip of the well and steadied it before walking over to a sack tied to the saddle. She removed the two water containers and quickly refilled them, before pouring the rest of the water into a wooden trough beside the well. She allowed the horse to drink his fill from the trough as she took several long drinks from one of her water containers.
When she was through, Kagome quickly refilled the one container before repacking both. She then picked up the reins again and led the horse along the line of small shops looking over the wares. As she passed the shops, the shopkeepers called to her, trying to catch her attention. Deciding on what she needed, Kagome led the horse to a small food shop.
�Hello my dear, what can I get for you,� a kind faced old woman asked.
�I was hoping I could trade you for a small sack of rice.�
�What do you have to trade with?�
�Hand dried herb bundles.�
�I�m sorry dear, but I have no use for them,� the old woman said, before hobbling to the other end of the stall to help a young man. Seeing the old woman making her way back towards her, gave Kagome an idea. �Is there anything else you have to trade?�
�Maybe�. I�ve noticed that you�re having trouble walking, do you have anything that helps with that��
�No, my old bones are just aching today.�
�I know of some herbs that should help with the pain.�
�You�ll trade this for the rice,� the woman asked cautiously.
�If you think it�s a fair trade. I�ll go to the forest and gather some of the herbs and tell you how to use them.�
�Fine, it�s a deal.�
�Good, I�ll be back in about an hour with the herbs,� Kagome smiled at the woman before turning and leading the horse into the surrounding trees. She walked through the underbrush searching for tall dull green, leafed plants.

Finally, after searching for a half hour Kagome found a large patch of the plant. She led the horse to a nearby fallen log and tied off his reins, then rummaged through their sack of supplies finding the empty rice bag. The Miko walked back over to the plants and knelt down beginning to pick handfuls of leaves. She stuffed several into the bag before digging up a few roots adding them as well.
Kagome walked back over to the horse carrying the bag, and untied the reins, before heading back to the village. She glanced over her shoulder smiling to herself at the still sleeping youkai. �I�m beginning to think that he can sleep through anything.�
Kagome had been walking for about fifteen minutes when a familiar feeling began making its self-known. �Not now,� she thought before quickly unhooking her bow and quiver from the saddle. She slung the quiver over her shoulder before leading the horse deeper into the underbrush. She then tied off the horse�s reins before walking back out into the clearing.
The young woman notched an arrow, waiting for the youkai to appear. Her eyes widened when a huge snake youkai slithered its way into the clearing, large red eyes focused on her, its forked tongue tasting the air. Kagome pulled the bowstring back ready to let the arrow fly, but the youkai caught the movement. It struck out with its tail, sending Kagome flying back; she slammed into a tree and slid to the ground.
The youkai slithered closer to her, opening its mouth, flashing long fangs that dripped poison. Kagome moaned and opened her eyes to see the snake looming over her. She frantically searched the ground for her bow, finding it several feet away, after dropping it when she was thrown.
The snake youkai tightened his body into a coil, preparing to strike. Kagome slung out her hand preparing to send a blast of miko energy when she heard a voice yell out, �Fox fire,� followed by a small green flame in the face of the youkai, momentarily distracting it. Kagome climbed as quickly to her feet as she could and hurried over to her bow, snatching it up, she faced the youkai. The Miko notched another arrow, as the green flames died down and the snake youkai set his sights on her once again. Kagome pulled the bowstring back and let the arrow fly leaving a pink trail in its wake.
�No,� Kagome cried, as the youkai dodged the arrow, and then charged her. She threw herself to the side, a moan of pain escaping her as she landed wrong. Kagome climbed to her feet; taking out another arrow from her quiver. She bit her lip to stifle a gasp of pain when she tried to hold the bow and notch the arrow.
The youkai angled around, turning to face Kagome, and giving her a clear shot. She pulled the arrow back, pain lacing up her arm as she tried to hold the bow. She took aim and released the arrow, this time finding its mark. The youkai disappeared in a bright flash of pink light.
�Kagome,� Shippou called running to her as she dropped the bow and cradled her injured arm, examining it. �Are you ok?�
�Hai, my arm is just a little sore. I must have sprung it, when I fell.� Shippou gave her a questioning look, taking in her dirty and scratched appearance. �Come on, we need to get back to the village.�
�Village,� he asked, picking up her bow.
�Hai, you�ve slept through a lot,� she said with a smile. Kagome walked back to the horse, with Shippou following close behind. She took the bow from him, hooked it around the saddle, before helping the small kitsune onto the horse. Kagome followed behind him and then nudged the horse into a trot. She headed back to the village, cradling her arm in her lap.
Kagome didn�t get very far, before a dark green divided leafed herb, with creamy white flowers captured her attention. �What�s wrong,� Shippou asked when Kagome reined the horse to a stop.
�Nothing, I just wanted to collect some of that herb.�
�I�ll do it.� The words had hardly left his mouth as he jumped to the ground and ran over to a plant and asking, �This one?�
�No, that one over there,� Kagome said pointing to a different plant. Shippou headed over to the other plant, and picked two small handfuls before bounding back to Kagome. He scrambled up the saddle and dropped the leaves into their bag of supplies. �Thank you Shippou-chan,� Kagome said, placing a kiss on the top of his head.
�You�re welcome,� Shippou replied beaming, glad to have been able to help her, before they set out again.

Kagome rode the horse through the village, heading to the old woman�s shop. �You�re back, I was beginning to think- My goodness dear, are you alright,� the woman asked looking Kagome over.
�Hai, I�m fine. I was thrown from my horse on the way back,� Kagome answered, not wanting the woman to know of the youkai. �I was able to find a large patch of the herbs not far from here. I can show you where so that you can collect more when you run out.�
�It will be dark soon, and I�m closing for the day. Why don�t you come to my house so that you can get cleaned up?�
�I don�t want to be any trouble.�
�Nonsense dear, it�s no trouble. You still have to show me how to use the herb.�
�Hai, elder.� Kagome nudged the horse into a slow trot, following the woman out of the square, and to a house at the edge of the village.
Shippou jumped to the ground when they arrived; allowing Kagome more room, while she slipped out of the saddle. �Come on in dear,� the woman said, entering her home.
Kagome looked around seeing no place to tether their horse. �Gomen, but where�� The woman poked her head out, and seeing Kagome�s confusion as she held the horse�s reigns, she pointed to the left, before disappearing back inside. The young woman led the horse around to the side of the house, and found a small bench in the shade. She fumbled with the reigns trying to tie them to a tree limb.
�I�ll tie Kage,� Shippou said bounding over to her.
�Kage?�
�Hai, is that name alright for him?�
�I think it is a fine name for him. What made you decide to give him one in the first place,� Kagome asked glancing at the kitsune.
�Everything deserves a name.�
�Alright, Kage it is.� Kagome agreed, not arguing with the child�s logic. She slipped the quiver of arrows over one shoulder and fumbled with the ties before being able to remove their supplies from the saddle. Shippou quickly tied the reigns to a low hanging limb before grabbing Kagome�s bow.
The young woman smiled at the child and headed back around to the front of the house, stopping by the door. �Don�t stand there, come in, come it, no reason to be so formal.� the old woman called out to them. Kagome entered the house with Shippou close behind her, his free hand clutching the bottom of her yukata. �Have a seat. I�ve put some water on to heat; now tell me about this herb.�
�It�s burdock-� Kagome started nervously, before sitting down. She slipped the quiver to the floor beside her and then removed the bag of herbs from their supplies, placing it front of her. Shippou dropped the bow on top of the quiver, then plopped down beside her, nearly in her lap and watched the woman a little fearfully. Kagome smiled down at the nervous kitsune, and began to stroke his hair in an effort to calm him.
�I know that plant, it has large green leaves and white flowers bloom on it in the spring.�
�Hai,� Kagome answered finding her voice. �You can make the leaves into a tea, or pound the leaves and roots into a pulp with warm water, and then use it as a compress where there is pain.�
�How much do I use,� The woman asked, eyeing the bag.
�That depends, dried leaves are good for a tea; it only takes a small palm full to a cup of hot water. Fresh leaves and roots are best for a compress, with as much is needed to cover the area,� Kagome said picking up the bag again and handing it to the woman.
�Thank you dear, though you still haven�t told me your name.�
�Sorry. My name is Kagome, and this is Shippou,� Kagome answered blushing slightly.
�Nice to meet you both, my name is Asumi.�
�Nice to meet you as well.�
�Now Kagome, why don�t you go on into the back and get cleaned up, while I make myself some tea?�
�Hai elder, thank you.� Kagome said climbing to her feet with the woman standing as well. Asumi hobbled over to the far wall, before picking up a bucket and returning to the fire. She poured the now warm water into the bucket before handing it over to Kagome.
�This should be plenty enough for both you and the kit. You can use the storage room back there,� Asumi said pointing behind her. Kagome smiled and headed into the room, sitting the bucket just inside the door before walking back out to pick up their supplies. �What�s wrong with your hand,� Asumi asked watching Kagome pick up the small bag while she held her left arm against her chest.
�I landed on it wrong, when the horse threw me,� she answered, a look of guilt flashing across her features.
�You should have it looked at, the next village has a healer, and -�
�No, it�s ok� I sprang it, that�s all. It will be fine in a couple of weeks or so.�
�Whatever you say dear,� Asumi replied, shaking her head, and dismissing Kagome�s answers for the foolishness of youth.
�Gomen, I didn�t mean to be disrespectful -�
�No need to apologize,� Asumi said interrupting her with a wave of her hand. �You wasn�t, I just thought that you should get it seen about.�
�Before I came back to the village, Shippou gathered an herb for me that will help; I just need to make a cool compress for it.�
�Good, can�t have you wondering around injured.� Kagome raised an eyebrow at her choice of words but continued to the small storage room. She paused at the door waiting for Shippou to enter before sliding it gently closed behind her.

Asumi sat sipping her tea, watching a hearty stew bubbling in a pot over a small fire, its mouth-watering aroma filling the tiny house. Kagome slid the storage room door open looking freshly washed, and dressed in her purple yukata, and her damp hair hanging down her back. �Feeling better,� Asumi asked taking in Kagome�s clean but tired appearance.
The Miko smiled as she walked over and sat down near the fire before answering. �Hai, much better. Thank you.� Shippou smiled timidly and sat down beside Kagome, and hid a yawn behind a small hand.
�Looks like you�re not the only one tired,� Asumi replied with a smile watching the kit.
�Hai, we�ve been traveling for almost two weeks now.� A smile tugged at the corners of Kagome�s mouth, as she watched the small youkai leaning against her.
�Then why don�t you both stay here with me for a few days. It will give you both a chance to rest and your wrist time to heal some.�
�You�ve already done too much for us,� Kagome said shaking her head.
�I insist,� Asumi replied. �It�s no trouble, and besides I could use the company. An old woman gets lonely from time to time living by herself.�
�I guess, we have no choice then,� Kagome said smiling brightly.

Shippou sat beside Kagome�s futon watching her sleep, the late morning light streaming into the small house. He reached out with a small hand lightly touching her bandaged arm. �She�s ok,� a voice said startling him. He snatched his hand back and looked guilty up at Asumi. �She�s tired, just let her sleep.� Shippou nodded his head and backed up a few paces before starting up his vigil again. �Why don�t you come with me to open my shop?�
�No, I don�t want to leave her,� Shippou replied not looking up.
�Alright then child, after she wakes up, both of you come on over to my shop.�
�Hai.�

It was early afternoon before Kagome opened her eyes; she quickly scanned the room, meeting a pair of worried green eyes. �Is everything alright Shippou-chan,� Kagome asked quickly sitting up.
�Hai� I was just waiting for you to wake up. Asumi-san left for her shop earlier and said we should come after you woke up.�
�Alright then, let�s head over there as soon as I change clothes.�

Kagome walked through the quiet forest scanning the ground, collecting as many strongly aromatic herbs that she could find, a borrowed basket from Asumi on her back. �Will these help,� Shippou asked sniffing a plant and wrinkling his nose at the smell.
�Hai, that one will make a good addition,� Kagome said with a smile walking over to him. She slid the basket off her back and to the ground before kneeling down beside him. Shippou quickly striped two handfuls of leaves and dropped them into the basket, before picking more. �Remember, don�t pick all of the leaves from one plant,� Kagome reminded him, beginning to pick a few leaves as well.
�Kagome, how much longer will we stay here?�
�A few days more, just long enough for these herbs to dry. Why,� Kagome asked sitting back on her heels, giving him her full attention.
�I just don�t like staying in the village.�
�Weren�t you the one that was tired of traveling,� Kagome replied, raising an eyebrow at him.
�Yeah, but� What if more youkai show up?�
�Oh, so you�re worried about Asumi-san.�
�Hai,� he replied looking down.
�It will be ok Shippou-chan; we should be gone before anymore youkai show up. So don�t worry so much, ok?� Kagome said with a small smile standing up.
�Ok.�
�Good, now let�s head back and share those plums we picked with Asumi-san.� They walked in silence, almost to town when Kagome decided to ask a question that had been bothering her. �Shippou, is something wrong that you�re not telling me?�
�No�� he trailed off looking down at his feet.
�Don�t you trust me?� Kagome asked dropping to her knees beside him, brushing his hair away from his face.
�Hai, I trust you. It�s just that I��
�You what, Shippou-chan?�
�You got hurt because of me!�
�Shippou, that�s not true-�
�It is, I was sleeping when you needed my help,� Shippou said, tears coming to his eyes.
�Oh Shippou, it�s nowhere near your fault,� Kagome replied picking him up and hugging him to her. Shippou buried his face into her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her neck as far as they would go. �I hid you out of the way, because I didn�t want you to get hurt. Besides you helped save me from the youkai, remember?�
�Hai.� he quietly replied, his voice muffled.
�Now, no more worrying about it, ok?�
�Hai,� he replied sniffling.
�Good.� Kagome stood and began walking back to the village, holding Shippou tucked under her chin.

�Are you sure that you can�t take anymore,� Asumi asked watching Kagome tying their bags of supplies to the Kage�s saddle.
�Hai, you�ve given us more then enough rice, and meat Asumi-san. I wish you would let me repay you for it, you�ve done so much for us.�
�Nonsense child, it was good to have company for a few days, though I wish you would stay longer.�
�I�m sorry, but we need to go.� Kagome glanced to the forest, still feeling the presence of a strong youkai that had been hovering around, waiting. �Thank you for all of your help,� Kagome said bowing to the woman.
�No need to be so formal, child.� Asumi said hugging both Kagome and Shippou. �Since I can�t get you to stay, if you come back this way, you better stop in and see me.�
�Hai, elder,� Kagome said it a smile. �Sayonara.�
�Sayonara,� Asumi said watching them leave. Kagome led the horse down the road away from town; she turned and waved one last time before continuing.

Kagome hurried down the road, the forest beginning to thicken along the sides the further she went from the town. �Shippou, I know you can feel that youkai that�s following us, if anything happens I want you to hide until its safe, and then run back to Asumi-san�s.�
�But-�
�No buts, just promise. Please.�
�I promise.�
�Thank you,� Kagome said, momentarily dropping the Kage�s reins and removing a pouch of the dried herbs they made a few days before from her obi. She picked the reins up with her bandaged hand, giving her room to throw the pouch if she needed. The sounds of the forest stilled around them sensing the impending fight.
Kagome�s eyes widened when she felt that the youkai had changed direction, coming toward them from the rear. �Look out Shippou,� Kagome shouted turning around, seeing a red and silver blur launched from the trees. It landed just behind Kage, the sudden movement causing the horse to kick out at the offender. The figure sidestepped the horse, and came in to full view. Kagome�s eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her as she took in the amber eyed, almost ethereal youkai standing before her.

To be continued�.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review.
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Dangerous Adventures