Stretching the muscles in her back, Kagome sighed and wiped the sweat from her brow. She had come back to Edo almost a year ago, but some things just never got easier. Being hunched over collecting herbs was one of them. She now could see why Kaede had such a bad back. A few more years of this and she was going to be hunched over too.
She could feel them approaching, however. Three demons were moving along the river towards her position. Not wanting to be at a disadvantage, Kagome pushed to her feet. Her knees popped and her legs were a bit stiff from sitting so long, but she was ready. Grabbing her bow and a couple of arrows, she waited patiently. There was no point in shooting first. There was a chance that they would walk on by no matter how slim.
Of course, luck was never on her side, and only moments later the demons emerged from the tree line. A handsome face was the first thing she noticed, but she wouldn’t be swayed by pretty things. His companions were a little worse for wear. One sported a large scar, sealing his left eye shut, and the other hadn’t made out well in the genetic lottery. He was part boar, but she wasn’t quite sure what else.
Shifting her eyes to the demon closest to the river, he shot her a charming grin. Frowning, Kagome asked, “What business do you have here?”
Cocking his head, shimmering, green hair shifted off his shoulder. “Are you a miko?” he asked, his voice smooth and pleasant.
Narrowing her eyes, Kagome knew it was obvious she was. She was wearing the traditional white and red garb and she was sure he could feel her power rolling off her in waves. “I am,” she stated flatly.
Smiling broadly, the demon’s fangs glinted in the light. “Perfect,” he chirped, causing Kagome to take a step back. Ignoring her reaction, he continued, “We have set up camp a little way from here. Some of our companions are injured and are in need of assistance.”
Lowering her bow, Kagome eyed the demons warily. “Demons heal quickly,” she replied. “I’m not sure I would be of much use.”
Sighing, the demon crossed his arms over his chest. “And there lies the problem, miko,” he said. “We have humans in our group. Women among them. We have been traveling for some time and a few are not faring well. My companions and I left camp to seek help. Surely you will not turn us away?”
Shifting on her feet, Kagome wasn’t so sure, but if there were people in need, she really couldn’t just abandon them. Sighing, she nodded causing the demon to grin again. “I need to return to my village and get supplies.”
“Excellent,” he replied with a clap. Turning towards his silent companions, he added, “I will accompany the miko and show her the way to camp. You two go back and let them know we will be coming.”
Without a word two of the demons disappeared back into the forest. Before Kagome could blink, the handsome leader had jumped the river and landed next to her. Gasping she took another step back and glared at the charming smile he shot her. Huffing, she glanced at him one more time, and bent to pick up her basket of herbs. Sniffing, she started up the hill towards the village, and said, “This way.”
Shoving his hands in his pockets, the demon walked casually next to her, and said, “I get the feeling you don’t trust me very much.”
Kagome’s stomach dropped. Had she really grown so cynical in the last year. “Sorry,” she eked out. “But most of the demons that wander here are not friendly. We have a few that we’re on good terms with but, you can’t blame me for being hesitant.”
“I suppose not,” he shot back easily. “Name’s Tabakaru by the way,” he added.
“Kagome,” she replied.
“Beautiful name, for a beautiful woman,” he stated with a grin, causing her cheeks to burn.
Clearing her throat, Kagome shifted the basket, so it rested on her hip. Trying to steer the conversation, she asked, “What type of injuries do your companions have?”
“Nothing too serious,” he replied with a shrug. “Some scrapes and bruises for the most part. But there’s one lady with a serious gash in her arm. Turning all kinds of colors and is swollen.”
Great, Kagome thought. Sounds like it’s infected. Seeing the village come into view, she made a mental note of everything she would need to grab. Walking straight towards her hut, she mumbled absently, “I shouldn’t be too long. Just wait outside for me.” Pushing the matt door aside, she slid into the dark hut and placed her basket down. She’d have to dry the herbs later.
Gathering several rolls of bandages, and a few containers of different salves, she really wasn’t sure what she was walking into. A clean pot, a needle and some thread also went into a small bag. Rummaging through a trunk, she ignored her visitor when the door to her hut was violently pushed aside.
Huffing, he growled, “What the hell are you doing?! And who the hell is that standing outside?!”
Rolling her eyes, Kagome found what she was looking for. It was the last of her modern medicine. A couple of pain pills in a small bottle that she happened to have on her when she made her last jump to this side of the well. She had been saving them, but it sounded like one of the women would need them. Straightening, Kagome closed the lid to the trunk, and said, “I really don’t want to fight about this Inuyasha. His name is Tabakaru, and he needs help.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Inuyasha growled, “I don’t like him. He smells like trouble. Tell him to take a hike.”
Grabbing her bag, Kagome replied, “You know I can’t do that. I already said I would help him.”
“He can get someone else to help his sorry ass,” Inuyasha snapped.
“Look,” she said moving back outside. “I won’t be gone long. He has some companions he is traveling with who need medical attention. I’ll be back before dusk.” Picking her bow up, she looked expectantly at Tabakaru, and nearly groaned when Inuyasha continued.
“What the hell kind of demon can’t heal itself and needs a miko to help?”
“My companions are humans,” Tabakaru replied calmly, eying the half demon warily the whole time.
“Demons don’t travel with humans,” Inuyasha huffed.
“You did,” Kagome pointed out quickly.
“I’m half, Kagome!” Inuyasha quickly bit back.
“Shippo did,” Kagome continued.
“He was a kid! That don’t count!” Inuyasha insisted.
Holding a hand up, Kagome counted on her fingers, “Jaken did, then there was Ahun, and Sesshomaru, can’t forget Kouga did for a short time, there’s Myoga, and Kirra, and what about-”
“Damn it, Kagome, alright, you made your point!” Inuyasha snapped, interrupting her. Glaring at the male, he asked, “And why are you traveling with humans, anyway?”
Frowning, Tabakaru didn’t like all the questions, but knew this half demon would be a thorn in his side until he answered. “We are escorting a small contingent of women from the southern provinces north.”
“We?” Inuyasha balked. “There are more of you?”
“Five others,” Tabakaru answered honestly. “The miko has already seen two of my companions. The other two remained with the women to keep them safe.”
Bristling, something sounded off about the demon’s answers, but he couldn’t put a finger on it. “Are you satisfied?” Kagome asked rubbing her temples. “I know you can tell if he’s lying.”
Scowling, Inuyasha huffed, “Nah,” he groused. “He ain’t lying. But I still don’t trust him.” Palming the handle of his sword, he said, “I’m going with you.”
Frowning, Tabakaru couldn’t say anything, but thankfully didn’t have to. “No, you don’t,” Kagome quickly quipped. “You promised Miroku to help him with his roof today, remember? The leak you said you’d sniff out without any problems.”
“I remember!” Inuyasha snapped. “Bozo can wait. I’m going with you.”
“Inuyasha,” Kagome growled, making his ears flatten against his head. “I can take care of myself and don’t need you babysitting me all of the time.”
“But Kagome!” he quickly protested, “I don’t trust this guy! He’s bad news!”
“You don’t trust anyone, Inuyasha,” Kagome shot back. “Besides, you said so yourself, he isn’t lying. So, I’m going. Alone. And you’re going to stay here and help Miroku like you promised. And if I’m not back by the time you’re done, then you can come check on me. But so help me, if I find out you left Miroku before the job was done…” she left the threat hanging in the air, but it did the trick. He flinched and his ears disappeared in his hair. “And Sango will tell me, so don’t think about getting Miroku to lie for you,” she added.
Grabbing Tabakaru’s hand, she quickly pulled him away from her hut before Inuyasha could hold them up more than he already had. Tabakaru stared at their joined hands. Her skin was soft, but her grip was firm. It was a strange combination that he oddly liked. Smirking internally, she handled that half demon rather well. He was worried he was going to have a fight on his hands and then he’d have to force the woman to go with him. She surprised him though, which meant he’d have to keep a close eye on her once they reached his camp.
“Sorry about that,” Kagome mumbled when they reached the river. “Inuyasha can be overbearing but he means well.”
Eying the woman, her head was down, and her eyes stared at the river next to them vacantly. Smirking, he replied, “I’m sure he only does it because he cares for you. You his lover or something?” he asked, hoping to draw more information out of her.
Flushing a shade of pink, Kagome shook her head, her eyes growing wide. “No! I mean, yes, but no.” Sucking in a breath, she collected herself, and clarified, “We’re engaged but haven’t ever …. Anyway, where is your camp?”
Smirking, Tabakaru slid an arm around her waist and pulling her against him, jumped the river in an easy bound. Kagome squeaked, and barely regained her footings when he released her. “This way,” he said, not allowing her to think too much on what just happened.
Following the demon, Kagome gripped her bow tightly. Her stomach was in knots. Perhaps coming alone wasn’t the best idea, but she was capable and needed to stand on her own. Inuyasha had been suffocating her ever since she returned. She knew that she wasn’t the best miko when she first came back, and his protectiveness was almost endearing. But she had trained hard over the last year and was ready to stand on her own, much to Inuyasha’s discontent. He just couldn’t see past the clumsy teenager that stumbled into him five years ago.
Gripping the bow tighter, three more demonic auras filtered her way. They were getting close to his camp. Sucking in a deep breath, she braced herself for anything. The soft glow of a fire pierced the darkness of the forest, and pushing past a few trees, Tabakaru held a low branch for her to be able to pass into the make-shift camp.
Blinking, Kagome scanned the area slowly. Four demons, including Tabakaru sat in the camp. One human male, and six human women sat quietly on the ground. Two wagons were parked between nearby trees and a small fire was going in the center of camp with water already boiling over it.
Walking towards one of the women, Kagome knelt and pulled her supplies out of her bag. The woman was young, of marrying age, and was covered in a layer of dirt. Her clothes were old and had tears in it, but she didn’t appear too worse for wear. A few minor scratches and bruises littered her arms and legs but were easily cleaned and bandaged. What concerned Kagome the most was the chafed skin and bruising circling the girl’s wrists. Applying a salve and wrapping her wrists gently, Kagome remained quiet about her suspicions and moved onto the next woman.
The next four were the same. Minor scrapes and bruises but they all had the chafing and raw skin circling their wrists. Moving to the last woman, she was in the worst shape. A deep gash marred her forearm. It hadn’t appeared to be treated and was now discolored, swollen, and creating a good amount of puss. Sighing, Kagome shook her head absently. Pulling out bandages, a long piece of thread and a needle, she set the items aside, making sure that they remained clean. Rummaging in her bag some more, she pulled out her last pain pills.
Filling a small cup with water, she handed the woman the pills and instructed her to swallow them. Digging into her bag again, Kagome found a piece of leather that she would sometimes use as a tourniquet. Folding it, she handed it to the woman and instructed her to place the leather between her teeth. Cleaning her wound would hurt and Kagome didn’t want the woman biting off her tongue.
Motioning to the demons nearby, they approached, and Kagome said, “Hold her down for me. This is going to be painful, and I can’t have her moving around.”
Sending a quiet apology to the woman, Kagome got to work. Re-opening the parts of the wound that had started to close, she ignored the whimper of pain that left the woman. Being as gentle as possible, she drained the fluids and puss from the wound, then taking water rinsed it out. Soft screams and cries made their way around the leather in the woman’s mouth, but Kagome had to ignore them. If she didn’t flush the wound enough, then all of this would be for nothing.
Eventually the pain was too much for the woman to bear and she passed out, much to Kagome’s relief. Stitching the wound closed, she asked softly, “At what point were you going to tell me you were slave traders? Or were you hoping I wouldn’t notice?”
Smirking, Tabakaru said, “I had honestly hoped that you wouldn’t notice.” Taking a seat next to Kagome, he watched her work. Her hands were steady yet gentle, and despite his nearness, she remained focused on her task.
Tying off the thread, she inspected the wound one last time before wrapping it loosely in a clean bandage. Pushing a few stray hairs out of her face with the back of her hand, she glanced at Tabakaru, and said, “It needs to be kept clean and aired out every day. Keeping it tightly wrapped in a bandage the whole time is just as bad for it as leaving it exposed to the elements. Twice a day, unwrap it, let it air out, clean it, and wrap it back. She may experience a mild fever, but that’s part of the healing process. Just make sure it doesn’t get too high, otherwise you’ll need to find a healer to look at her.”
Rubbing his chin, he watched as she packed her belongings back into her bag. “Sounds like a lot of work,” he mumbled. “Almost like she needs someone to watch her for a few days.”
Rising to her feet, Kagome watched Tabakaru stand with her. “Honestly,” she said, “she shouldn’t be moved or be walking. Rest is what’s best for her, but I know you wouldn’t listen even if I tried to get you to let her go.”
Chuckling softly, Tabakaru replied, “You’re pretty smart for someone so naive. But I think I will take your advice and have a healer travel with her for now.”
Grabbing Kagome’s arm, he smiled, “You know I can’t let you go, priestess. You’re far too valuable.”
Narrowing her eyes, Kagome allowed her reiki to flow, burning Tabakaru’s hand. Hissing, he pulled away quickly and glared at his smoking skin. “I will kill you if you try that again,” Kagome hissed.
Taking a few steps towards the edge of camp, she paused when Tabakaru said, “You’ve forgotten one thing, priestess.”
Pursing her lips, she turned to question him, but never had the chance. A firm blow on the back of the head knocked her unconscious. Tabakaru watched her fall to the ground. He had hoped to not have a confrontation with her, but this was the next best option he supposed. Walking up to her still form, he toed her with his boot before crouching before her. Running his fingers through her hair, the tips were stained red.
“You hit her too hard, Goro,” Tabakaru hissed at the only human male traveling with them.
“Sorry, boss,” he replied sheepishly.
Sighing, he inspected her head. Thankfully it was only a small cut, but she would surely be in a foul mood when she woke. Cradling her in his arms, he stood, and said, “Get the women loaded into the wagon and cuff them. Put the fire out and Sakkaku, make sure we’re not followed. I don’t want her hanyou friend finding us.”
Carefully climbing into one of the wagons, Tabakaru laid the priestess down. Glaring at his hand, the skin still burned. He wasn’t sure what she had done to him, but it didn’t feel like a normal holy burn. His skin was pink and blistered and tingled in strange way. Grabbing a glove, he pulled it on, hoping to lessen the burn.
Feeling the wagon jerk to a start, he glanced at the unconscious woman lying at his side. She would fetch him a hefty price, but he would have to make sure she was safe first. He couldn’t have one of his wares killing a client. That would be bad for his reputation and for business.