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Morning bathed the four walls of Kaede’s hut in golden light, bringing with it a fresh start. In other words, a new opportunity for Inuyasha’s group to branch out their battle strategies. Cornering Naraku would take every ounce of their wit and tenacity. His last incarnation had thrown them for a loop, teasing each member into pure exhaustion. Any attempt to counter it proved fruitless.
If they were to destroy it for good, they needed a backup plan. And fast. Naraku held back for no one.
Inuyasha spent the night patrolling the perimeter. He didn’t sleep during the best of times, much less with an active threat on the horizon, so he had no problem delegating himself to the task. The hanyo remained on guard while everyone stirred around him. One by one, his comrades began their preparations.
Miroku dutifully organized his sutras, varying in range and potency.
Shippo practiced his fox magic on some targets he sketched with crayons.
Even Kagome, who was usually hardest to wake, rose bright and early to sharpen her arrows.
Only one member remained standing. Or, rather, lying down.
“Alright, gang, time to ship out!” Inuyasha commanded, eager to outpace the enemy. As they ventured outside, however, Kagome couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Her intuition was normally right; being the reincarnation of a renowned priestess gave rise to heightened spiritual abilities, which she honed over the journey’s duration.
She promptly stopped the group in their tracks.
“Wait up!”
A confused Inuyasha then turned to face her.
“Now what?” He answered in a huff. “We’re on borrowed time, you know.”
“Well, I wasn’t the one about to leave Sango behind!”
Miroku spoke up. “Now that you mention it, Lady Kagome, there has been a notable absence of,” he cleared his throat, “certain assets as of late.”
“Are you kidding me? Your mind is in the gutter at a time like this?” She fumed at the monk and his scandalous ways. “If I wasn’t so worried, I’d slap you myself!”
A sheepish grin marked his features in a soft effort to quell the feud. “Settle down, fair maiden. This is no time for disorderly conduct.”
“Look who’s talking!” Task failed successfully.
“Hey, knock it off!” Inuyasha put an end to it, now (unwillingly) assigned as the voice of reason. “In any case, we should see what’s keeping her. Kagome’s right, this isn’t like Sango at all. She’s usually up and ready before the rest of us. Well, besides me, anyway.”
“Wow, way to toot your own horn,” Shippo quipped.
“I’ll pretend I never heard that.”
_______________________________________
A slow sweep through Kaede’s place confirmed their worst suspicions. Kirara perched herself at the front entrance at the sound of their footsteps, looking distraught as she weaved between pairs of legs. One glance of her sad red eyes urged Kagome to pet her in sympathy.
“What’s wrong, Kirara?”
The twin-tailed cat mewled pathetically before leading them to Sango’s sleeping quarters. Inuyasha traced the scent of blood with each step forward, and if he didn’t know better, it could’ve came from any of them. Their previously sustained injuries had just begun to heal, after all.
But this was no ordinary battle wound. Metallic notes intermingled with an overwhelming sweetness, a unique, yet familiar smell that assaulted his nose. Many a time his mother spoke of her “monthly arrival”, lamenting on the discomfort it brought her. So had Kagome. It was the reason she returned home in agony just two weeks ago. Sango knew her pain all too well, and on her request, he made a trip across time to check in. A few lazy, blanket-nesting, chocolate binging days later, and, gratefully, she was back on her feet.
Now, it came back full circle, from one girl to another. Just like his new moon nights. Only far more physically taxing.
“Urgh…” Sango muttered in pain, the ache ebbing and flowing from her lower abdomen. She clutched the incriminating area while cursing her uterus under her breath. The soft kneading of Kirara’s front paws gave a short respite, for which her owner responded in gratitude. “Thanks, Kirara. That feels so good…” Rumbling purrs filled the space around them in a steady chorus. Working her feline magic, Kirara curled into herself with both tails waving upwards, on guard for any threats to her ailing master.
“You poor girl.” Kagome’s brows furrowed at the sight before her. Her fellow woman, energy second to none at her best, looking as battered and worn as her unpolished Hiraikotsu. Short nails sifted through brown locks before swiping a damp set of bangs aside. Kagome dug through her skirt pockets for her favourite handkerchief, dabbing compassionately at Sango’s pale face. “Feeling okay? What’s bothering you?”
“Besides bleeding out like a banshee and being on the verge of puking while the room doesn’t stay still? Yeah, I’ve been better.”
“Hold on,” Kagome quickly pieced two and two together. “Do you mean…is it your…”
“Afraid so, girl.”
A soft sigh escaped her parted lips. “Oh, the trials of womanhood. And just when I ran out of supplies, too,” in reference to her own stash of toiletries back in the present, among other useful things. Adjusting her empty backpack, she made to stand up. “Guess I’ll have to use the well again. Don’t worry, I’ll won’t take long,” she reassured. “You guys take care of her, okay?”
“Well, if you say so,” Inuyasha sneered.
Shippo piped up enthusiastically. “You can count on me!”
“Fear not. Our beloved is in good hands.” Or was she? Because at that moment, Miroku’s “good hands” found the swell of Sango’s bottom, fondling it through the futon. Misery sure loved company. Right now, though, his presence made her even more miserable.
“Ye stay put, dear Kagome. I have what ye need at my disposal.”
“Kaede! When did you get here?”
The elder priestess emerged from the front porch and met Kagome’s gaze. “I shall ask ye the same. I expected ye long gone by this hour.” She peered in Sango’s direction with pity through her uncovered eye. “Though, I can see why it is not so.”
“What can we do? We can’t just leave her like this,” Shippo cried, shaken with fear as his mind and body both trembled.
Kaede remained stoic for a moment, her demeanor anchoring the turbulent currents swirling about the room. Finally, she answered. “There is but one remedy, a concoction centuries in the making.”
“At this time, we’ll avail of anything you offer,” Miroku pleaded. “I only ask that you treat her with care.”
“Ye have my good word, monk.” Her promise, paired with a slight nod, put Miroku at ease. “As I mentioned, dear Sango’s plight is manageable. She appears to be afflicted with an ill of the womanly kind. Fortunately, I have something that may abate her, if only for some time.”
Inuyasha butted in, unable to contain himself any longer. “Well, what is it, hag?”
“None other than raspberry leaf tea.”
“And you’re sure this will work? I’m really worried,” Kagome mused. In the midst of her ruminations, Kaede’s hand rubbed small circles onto her shoulder. It felt nice, she admitted, as she released her bated breath. The stress melted away in an instant.
“Aye. These leaves have settled the stomachs of women much before my time. A proper source of nutrition, those are, once they take effect. In time, what the body has lost will be restored.” Years of healing knowledge made her certain of her abilities. “That said, I’m afraid my own stash has run out. It’s been in heavy rotation over this last year, and my own crops are too premature.”
Not the news Kagome wanted to hear. “Oh, great…”
“Do not fret, child. Ye may be able to assist me in the matter,” the older woman consoled as she lead them both outside. “A fine bunch of bushes have grown just beyond this village. Perhaps ye could join me in finding them? T’would be a fine favour. For all the strength I’ve given, this frail body has been sapped of its own. I could use the extra set of hands.”
Kagome beamed with pride in honouring Kaede’s request, concerned as she was. “Sure thing. I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank ye, girl. I’ll inform the others of our departure. We’ve a ways to go.” Taking one more peek into the common area, she turned her attention to a now napping Sango, heavy in the throes of agony. Her heart split, but she tried to stay level headed, letting her own pain subside for her friend’s sake. The least she could do; two girls in a group of guys learned to lean on each other for these things. Having younger brothers, they longed for a sister their entire lives. Sango’s alliance was the closest to that Kagome would get. She’d be damned to break that bond now, of all times.
A few minutes passed, and Kaede returned, basket in hand. Kagome felt a twinge of guilt wash over her as she lagged behind. She stopped abruptly, taking a last look at the hut for at least a few hours. Then, she made a silent oath to Sango that filled her with renowned purpose.
“You’ll be okay. Because I- no, we, will make sure of it.”