It’s a damp cold night; the sky is gray with falling rain.  Kagome-sama is singing a cheerful song, trying to cheer up Inu-Yasha and the others. The entire Inu-Yasha group is walking through the muddy woods. In front are Kagome-sama Inu-Yasha and Shippou-chan.  Kagome-sama is walking with her bike, next to her is Inu-Yasha and sitting on her bike basket is the little kitsune youkai by the name Shippou. All three of them are soaking wet. Their clothes sticking close to their skin due to the rain. Behind them are their two friends Miroku-sama and Sango-sama. The two of them are trying to hide under Sango-sama’s hiraikotsu, but it’s no use, they still can’t escape the cold shivering drops of rain. Miroku-sama turns his head and stares at Sango. She is soaking wet and shivering frantically.

            “We should stop and rest at the next town,” says Miroku-sama who is still staring at Sango-sama.

            “ I think that’s a great idea Miroku-sama. What do you think Inu-Yasha?” asks Kagome.

Shippou pops his head up from inside the basket startling Kagome.

            “ What’s wrong Shippou-chan?” asked Kagome

            “ I hear some water splashing,” says Shippou.

            “ Of course, it’s raining.”

 Shippou turns his head to the left and points in that direction.

            “Look!” says Shippou.

Everyone looks to where Shippou was pointing. There is a young lady bathing in a nearby hot spring. Miroku-sama attempts to go to the lady but Sang-sama grabs his robe.

“ Don’t even think about it houshi-sama!” Sango-sama said to the lecherous monk.

Kagome-sama looks around, then speaks.

            “ Do you think we should ask her if there is a village nearby?”

The smirk on Miroku-sama’s face widens.

            “I’ll go ask her,” Said Miroku-sama

Miroku-sama starts to walk toward the lady. Sango-sama picks up a small rock and hits Miroku-sama in the head with it.

            “Get back here Houshi-sama.” Says Sango

Miroku-sama turns around and walks towards Sango-sama.

            “Do you not trust me my dear Sango-sama?”

Miroku has a small grin on his face.

            “No, I don’t Houshi-sama.”

Miroku stands in front of Sango. Sango stares into the houshi’s eyes and he stares into hers. They get lost in each other’s gaze. The Sango feels something touch her rear. Her eyes twitch.

            “Houshi-sama?!”

            “Yes my dear Sango-sama?”

            “Your hand!”

            “What about my hand?”

Sango-sama looks up at the monk and sees a smirk on his face.

            “Remove your hand! If you don’t mind!”

            “Actually my dear Sango-sama I do mind, I think I’ll keep it there.”

Just then Sango-sama gets frustrated and smacks the houshi across the face. The houshi messages his face where she smacked him. He now has a huge grin on his face.

            “You never give up do you Miroku-sama,” says Kagome-sama.

The monk chuckles.

            “I know not what you speak of lady Kagome. You must be more specific.” Replied Miroku-sama

The noise startles the girl in the hot spring. She looks towards the Inu-Yasha gang and screams. Kagome-sama approaches her.

            “I’m sorry did we scare you?”

            “ Why yes, yes you did.” Replied the girl in a petrified tone.

“ I’m sorry. Well, my friends and I were wondering if you could tell us if there are any villages nearby.”

The girl looks behind Kagome and sees four people standing there. Inu-Yasha is staring at the sky to stop from looking at the girl.  Shippou is standing next to Inu-Yasha and is looking at Miroku-sama.  Miroku is standing next to Sango and is looking straight at the girl in the hot spring. When Sango -sama realizes Miroku-sama staring at the girl she hits him on the back of the head.

            “There isn’t a town for three days,” answers the girl.

            “Oh, what luck,” says Kagome

            “ If you want you can stay in that cabin there.”

            “ But what about you?”

            “ Oh, don’t worry I have a cabin here in the woods.”

            “ Ok if you say so.”

Kagome walks back to the Inu-Yasha gang and tells them about the cabin. Inu-Yasha didn’t like the idea. Yet Kagome and the others agreed on camping there. So everyone walks to the cabin.

            As they are inside the girl in the hot spring leaves. Inside the cabin; everyone looks around. There are only two rooms.

            “Sango-sama and I will sleep in here,” says Miroku-sama.

            “What!?” said Sango-sama in a frustrated yet not surprised tone.

            “What for? So you can grope a feel, Lech?” Said the hanyou.

Miroku-sama smiles.

            “ I am shocked that you would accuse me of such terrible things. I am but a mere monk and would never do such a thing,” said Miroku-sama in a sarcastic tone.

            “ Yeah right,” said Inu-Yasha rolling his eyes.

            “If you’re staying with Sango-sama then Shippou-chan shall watch over the two of you,” says Kagome-sama eyeing Miroku-sama. “ Shippou-chan keep a close eye on Miroku-sama, O.K. Make sure he doesn’t try anything on Sango-sama,”

            “ I won’t let him out of my sight Kagome-sama,” answered the little Kistune.

Miroku-sama knocks the kitsune on the head.

            “OW!”

After a while the cabin began to smell musky. Miroku-sama , Sango-sama, and Kagome-sama  sniffed the air and traced it to the little kitsune.

            “I believe someone need a bath,” said Miroku-sama eyeing the little kitsune.

            “What?” said Shippou.

Sango-sama speaks while covering her nose. “I think you should go wash up in that hot spring out there.”

            “I don’t want to go back out in the rain!” said the little kitsune with a sad and disappointed tone.

Miroku-sama grabs the kitsune and throws him out. Kagome yells at Miroku-sama.

            “You didn’t need to throw him out!”

Miroku-sama walks over to the other side of the cabin and looks for wood to light a fire.

            “We need someone to get some wood for a fire,” Said Miroku-sama whilst staring at Inu-Yasha.

            “I’m not going back in that rain! Go get it yourself! You stupid Lech!” said the frustrated hanyou.

            “ You are the only one who gather wood pretty fast.”

Miroku-sama walks over and sits next to Sango-sama. Inu-Yasha gets up grouchily and walks towards the door. Kagome looks at Inu-Yasha then at Miroku-sama. She then stands up and follows Inu-Yasha.

            “Inu-Yasha! Wait!” yelled Kagome.

Inu-Yasha turns to see Kagome running towards him.

            “What do you want?” said the hanyou in a frustrated tone.

            “I want to help you, Inu-Yasha.”

Inu-Yasha looks at Kagome then looks ahead.

Meanwhile back at the cabin. Miroku-sama sits close to Sango-sama. Sango-sama sits there shivering in her wet clothes. Miroku-sama moves in closer to her. She is sitting there with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs when she notices him getting closer. She shoots him an angry glare trying to get him to back off. But he doesn’t. He is now sitting side-by-side with Sago-sama. He looks at her and she stares back at him.

            “Will you like me to warm you my dear Sango-sama?” asked the monk.

Sango-sama gives him another angry look.

            “I’m not going to try anything. I promise, I just can’t stand seeing you shiver like that,” said Miroku-sama with a serious tone.

Miroku-sama wraps one arm around Sango-sama’s shoulder and pulls her towards his chest. He then wraps his other arm around her waist. Sango-sama is now leaning against Miroku-sama. She can feel the warm heat generating from his muscular chest. She looks up and stares into his eyes and he looks down and stares into hers. She then leans her head back into his chest and takes in some of his scent.

            “Houshi-sama…” said Sango-sama finally breaking the silence.

            “Yes, Sango-sama?”

            “ Have you ever been with a woman?”

            “Huh!?”

            “Have you houshi-sama?” Sango-sama looks at the monk. He is smiling. She begins to blush.

            “Are you blushing my dear Sango-sama?”

Sango-sama doesn’t answer.

            “Why do you want to know Sango-sama?”

            “Huh?”

            “I asked, why do you want to know if I have been with a woman?”

            “…Just curious.”

The monk chuckled, and Sango-sama blushed some more. Miroku-sama placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face so he can see her eyes. Sango-sama stares into his eyes then looks at his lips. As if reading her min Miroku starts to lean towards Sango. He gets closer and closer, then his lips touch hers. Sango’s eyes widen. “Should I hit him or not?” She thinks. She decides not to. Sango stares at Miroku then closes her eyes and enjoys the brief moment. Miroku slowly pulls away. He looks at Sango with a smile on his face.

            “You didn’t smack me this time my dear Sango-sama.”

Miroku-sama stares into her eyes then leans over and kisses her again. This time it was longer and more passionate. Just then the door opens. Sango and Miroku are startled by the sudden noise. Yet they stay in their position. Sango leaning on Miroku with his arms around her. Then Shippou walks through the door. Sango and Miroku looks at each other then Sango gets off of Miroku and walks to one of the rooms. Miroku watches Sango walk away. After she leaves he looks at Shippou.

            “Such a perfect moment wasted. And how may I be of assistance to you Shippou?”

            “Well…I finished bathing!” answered Shippou

            “Then may you go see if Inu-Yasha has any fire wood yet.”

            “Nope. I’m supposed to stay here and protect Sango-sama.”

            “You need not worry my dear friend I will protect her.”

            “Exactly…I’m supposed to protect her from you.”

Miroku stands up, walks over to Shippou and taps him on the head.

            Meanwhile Inu-Yasha and Kagome are in the woods still gathering some wood for a fire. Inu-Yasha jumps up and slices a tree into eight pieces. Kagome picks up the firewood, she stops and looks at Inu-Yasha.

            “Inu-Yasha?”

            “Yes, Kagome?”

            “Do you love anyone besides Kikyou-sama?”

Inu-Yasha stares at Kagome then looks at the ground.

           “If you don’t want to tell me I’ll understand,” said Kagome who had continued to pick up the firewood. Kagome stands up holding the firewood, stares at Inu-Yasha then speaks.

            “Come on we should head back to the cabin.”

Kagome starts to walk in the direction of the cabin. Inu-Yasha grabs her arm causing her to drop the firewood and startling her. He pulls her towards him. He stares into her eyes and she stares into his. Then he leans over and kisses her. She is shocked that Inu-Yasha actually kissed her. Inu-Yasha pulls away slowly. Kagome stares into his eyes yet again.

            “Does that answer your question Kagome?”

Kagome is speechless. Inu-Yasha and Kagome gaze into each other’s eyes before Inu-Yasha walks over to the pile of firewood and picks it up.

            “Come on Kagome, we better get back to the cabin.”

There is a short pause. Inu-Yasha glances over at Kagome who is staring at the ground.

            “Is there something bothering you Kagome? Asked the worried hanyou.

Kagome looks up from the ground to gaze into Inu-Yasha's gold eyes before speaking.

            “No, there’s nothing bothering me. I’m fine.”

Kagome looks at the hanyou standing in front of her. Inu-Yasha places the firewood back down and walks to her side.

            “Are you sure you’re ok?” You sure nothing’s bothering you?” he asked in a more concerned voice.

            “I’m fine.” Answered Kagome in a saddening tone.

Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha then leaned over and hug him tight. He returned the hug. They stood there quietly holing each other before any of them spoke. The rain was beating upon their body. Soaking their clothes which where now sticking to them as they stood there lost in the mists of the others eyes. Kagome lifted her face and looked at Inu-Yasha this time with a happier look on her face.

            “Let’s head back to the cabin.”

Inu-Yasha picked up the pile of wood and the two of them started walking.

End Chapter One

VOCABULARY:

Hiraikotsu- HUGE Boomerang

Houshi-low ranking Buddhist monk

-sama,-chan: -sama stands for Mr., Mrs., and Ms., used to show respect. –chan used when addressing a child or someone younger than you.

Lech, Lecherous Bouzu- bad insult to a Buddhist monk

Hanyou- half demon, half-human.

Kitsune- fox