Twisted Accusations

Chapter Seven


The morning started out dull and boring for her, she was woken up at dawn. Aoshi was in front of the temple waiting on her. She grumbled the whole time about getting up before the roosters. Her stuff was already packed for her when she checked. Naturally, they had forgotten her shampoo and a few others things. So that took a few minutes to make sure she had everything that would be needed.

Her hair was the first thing that she tended to, it had to go up. Three days of walking, trailing behind Mr. Round Bottom. What she wouldn't give for a pair of reliable sneakers instead of the damn sandals she was being expected to wear. It took a few minutes to find her stick of deodarant, someone had misplaced it. Why they thought it belonged in the kitchen was beyond her reasoning.

Aoshi was standing looking away as she walked out the door carrying her belongings along with her bow. When she got within distance he began walking, leaving her to trail behind him. "Sure you don't want a leash?" She muttered under her breath, he didn't give any indication that he heard her. Today he was sporting a long trenchcoat over his clothes. Something told her that he had weapons hidden from view. Probably some like the one still hidden in her yellow bag which was tucked safely away in her room.

Once again he had that mask back in place, the I'm Mr. Serious face. She wondered what made him that way. Everyone needed to smile every once in a while. Hell even Naraku had known how to smile. Usually it took watching one of his enemies suffer because of his menacing ways but atleast the bastard had known how to smile. This man was way too uptight for her liking, then again to kill without remorse one couldn't be very emotional.

She trailed behind him for several hours, keeping to the road. Horses would have been wonderful but a luxury it seemed. She was the Great One couldn't they have forked up the cash? Atleast let her ride while he walked, it wasn't fair. Moments like these made her miss her old friends, it saddened her.

The group had always been lively, very close. When traveling they spoke to each other, laughed, and played when it was possible. Silently following someone was begining to get on her nerves. Some polite conversation would have been lovely, a word here and there. She didn't even have the pleasure of staring at his rear with that long coat on.

She let her thoughts wonder back to the past, back to him. Where would she be if things had turned out different? She missed him most of all, he'd been her best friend. Not to mention her first crush and first love. They had loved each other greatly, just weren't meant to be together. The thought that she was destined for something kept her going. She was the Great One after all, she had to live up to her name. Just a damn shame she had to do it now without her bike or a horse. Not to mention with a man that refused to acknowledge her presence. Maybe she should stop and start stripping, start dancing around naked. She snickered when the image flashed in her mind, he'd probably still keep walking.

A few more hours went past, flying by much to her amazement. She'd started humming to herself awhile back, he just kept on walking. Her feet stopped when she felt a sudden tug in her soul, a warning. She stopped in her tracks, drawing her bow. He stopped and turned to her, he looked around.

She could feel the presence, it had to be a youkai. Not a very strong one but definitely a youkai aura. "Come out, I know you're there." Her back stiffened when it became menacing, it was coming closer.

"I don't see anything," Aoshi was standing next to her suddenly. It almost caused her to fire from suprise. He stiffened when he felt them coming, laughter was soon heard. A large man stepped out first, looking at the girl.

"You have something I want girl, give me the jewel." Five more men stepped out from the woods, they were behind them. Aoshi turned to the five, while Kagome looked at the leader. "Hand it over nicely or I'll tear it from your flesh."

"You can try," Kagome released the arrow as he charged her. The arrow struck him in the chest, everyone watched the pink light erupt. The top half of his body was gone within a second, leaving the legs and groin to fall to the ground.

"Kill her," The other men charged towards her, she took a step back in fear. Her view was filled with trench coat suddenly. The first man went down quickly, Kagome watched Aoshi draw his blades quicker than humanly possible. It took the head off at the neck, it fell near her feet.

The second man went for him, only to end up on the ground gutted. Kagome almost threw up as the innards spilled out. The other three stopped in their tracks, debating the chances of victory. Aoshi didn't move, letting them run off.

Kagome tried to catch her breath, it had happened so fast. If it weren't for the bodies laying on the ground she'd believe she'd just dreamt it all. How the hell was he that fast? He must be one of the men she'd been told about. It left no doubt in her mind he was exceptionally skilled, he had no problem with killing.

"Let's go," He started walking off to leave her staring at the mess. He didn't think she'd be so upset about seeing the deaths. What was keeping her from moving? "I plan on being further away when we make camp, so I suggest you get moving."

"Alright, I'm coming already." What a jerk! So what if she was still slightly upset about seeing some man's intestines spilling out. Obviously it didn't phase him one bit, it would take someone heartless to be unaffected at the display.

Kagome was thrilled when they finally made camp for the night. She was starving, the bread was looking real good by the time she dug it out. He accepted the food she handed him, without speaking. She sat down next to the fire, trying to get warm. There was only one blanket in the bag. It was spread out on the ground.

He was standing up leaning against a tree, looking into the sky. His thoughts on the girl sitting near the fire. She was unlike anyone he'd ever met. A loud swear filled the air as she started digging through the bag. "What is wrong?"

"Well for starters there is only one blanket, it's starting to get cold. I don't really feel like freezing to death. Something tells me it wouldn't be healthy for me to sleep in the fire either." Kagome put the bag aside, the fire would have to be enough. "You can share the blanket with me, I don't expect you to sleep on the ground. Just stay on your side if you do." She layed down on her side facing the flames.

Even as tired as she was it was difficult to dose off. The chill in the air was starting to make her shiver. She almost jumped up when he sat down behind her, instead she willed herself to keep her eyes closed. Her eyes opened when she was covered up, his coat covered her small frame. "You didn't have to do that, I'll be fine."

"Take it, get some rest."

Well if he wasn't going to take it back, she snuggled under it and closed her eyes. She felt him lay down behind her as she started to doze off. Sleep claimed her, dreams came to her in the form of a young ninja.

Aoshi tried to close his eyes, needing to rest himself. Having her laying so close was having an effect on him. He wanted to move closer, see what she'd feel like pressed against him. She mumbled something in her sleep suddenly causing him to lift his head.

"Not listening, didn't do it. Dead, I'm not dead." She rolled over in her sleep putting her next to him. He stiffened when she reached out to place a hand on his waist. Her even breathing stated she was indeed sleeping and had no idea what she was doing. Yet he didn't move her hand as he watched her sleep.

Please read and review