Still simmering with fury, Kagome made her way to Sango and Miroku’s home. Her friends had invited her over for dinner that evening, and as much as Kagome didn’t want to attend after the fight she’d with Kohaku, she figured she should honor her agreement. It wouldn’t do to hide away from him, at any rate. She had done nothing wrong—he was the one who had crossed the line.

In hindsight, she should have known that there would be fallout from seducing him the way she had been forced to do. While most guys would have been happy enough to get a random handjob with no strings attached, Kohaku was different. He had always been different. So quiet, so serious—so intent. Maybe it was the result of his past traumas. Or maybe it was simply his own true nature.

Beneath that calm and reserved demeanor was a depth of intense feeling Kagome had not fully appreciated, nor anticipated upon.

The fact that she had miscalculated with regards to him unnerved her. Suppressing the anxiety that accompanied such a thought, she steeled herself and continued on. It was all water under the bridge now. She needed to move forward with her plans. The safety of the village was her chief concern, outweighing all other considerations.

Sango met her at the door with a tired smile, shifting baby Komori to her hip as she welcomed Kagome inside. The miko always arrived early to these sorts of events, in order to help her often beleaguered friend with the dinner preparations. With three young children and Miroku to tend to, Sango seemed frazzled more often than not—though cheerfully so.

Kagome tried her best not to envy her friend’s happiness. But it was difficult. Unfair as it was, Kagome couldn’t help but feel a certain resentment toward her, and though Sango would never admit it, Kagome knew that she sensed it too. Over the years, it had driven a wedge between them. They weren’t as close as they had been before. Sometimes, Kagome wondered if they ever would be again.

While Miroku held the baby and watched the twins play in the yard nearby, Kagome and Sango sat outside on the porch peeling yams and chatting. Just pleasantries, idle gossip. Nothing deeper than that. Not anymore.

When the vegetables and meat were chopped and ready, Sango went in to check on the rice. Emerging from the hut a moment later, she handed Kagome one of the clay jugs in her arms.

“I think we’re going to need more water. Will you help me fetch some?”

“Of course,” Kagome said, smiling as she stood up from the steps.

As Sango took the lead, it was a moment before Kagome noticed that her friend was not headed in the direction of the closest well. Rather, she was walking straight toward the edge of the woods.

Abruptly, Kagome halted in place. “Sango-chan—where are you going?”

Pausing, Sango glanced back, pointing. “To the spring just inside the forest, there. Well water is fine for cooking, but spring water has a much more pleasant taste, don’t you think?”

Kagome frowned. “Didn’t you hear the elders’ decree? Women aren’t permitted to leave the village anymore. For their own safety.”

“I did hear that.” Drawing to a stop at the edge of the yard, Sango turned around to face her, the corners of her mouth rising in a slight, almost furtive smile. “But I think I can take care of myself.”

Anger prickled up Kagome’s spine. “It isn’t about what you think, Sango-chan. The woods aren’t safe for women like you to wander around in.”

Sango’s eyes hardened. “Women like me? I’m a taijiya, Kagome-chan. I’m fully capable of defending myself.”

“You were a taijiya,” the miko returned. “But when’s the last time you went into battle? Even if you weren’t out of practice, your skills have their limits. Against certain demons, you’re as defenseless as any other woman—you know that.” As Sango opened her mouth to argue, Kagome cut her off. “You’re a mother now. You have three young children depending on you. Is getting some better tasting drinking water worth the risk of them losing you forever? Don’t be so irresponsible and reckless.”

Sango’s jaw clicked shut, a stricken look crossing her features. Regarding her a moment longer, Kagome turned, setting an emphatic course for the well just over the hill.

After a brief delay, her friend’s footsteps followed obediently along behind her.

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi