Where My Heart Lies

***Ok, so here's chapter three. Thanks to those who have been reading and thanks to my reviewers! All of you guys are great!! And no more of those A/N's like the last chapter (yay says you lol). So technichally, it's Saturday here (very early in the a.m. on Saturday, but Saturday all the same.) btw: Nioaku is pronounced (nee-oh-AH-koo), and completley my creation. Well, Here ya go! Enjoy!***

Disclaimer: Still not owning I-Y characters... and I won't for the rest of this story. If that ever happens, I'll be sure to let you know.

InuYasha was at Kagome's well. She had left the morning before and already he was wondering when she would be coming back. Part of him knew that even though she was out of school, she still had to return home to her family, but he always felt that she should make the trips as short as possible... she was supposed to be here. Deep down, he worried that one day she might not come back. Glancing to her bike that leaned against the side of the well, he thought Well I wish she would get rid of that damn thing, its a pain haulin it around. A breeze brought the scent of his other friends. Turning, he faced Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, who was sitting on Kilala.

"She's coming back tomorrow, InuYasha, you don't need to guard the well." Miroku commented.

"Who's guardin it? I thought she was coming back today, that's all.", came the defensive reply.

"Sure, and I'm a flea." Shippo called. InuYasha glared at the younger demon, then managed his sweetest smile. As he approached, Shippo watched distrustfully, but before he could escape, InuYasha's fist came crashing down on his head.

"MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS!!" Stalking off, he threw a look over his shoulder at the two humans consoling Shippo, "And that's goes for you two as well!"

Sango watched InuYasha as he retreated into the forest. "He's a lot more agressive than usual. Even with Kagome gone."

Shippo cried, "Why does that jerk have to take it out on me if he misses her!!"

Miroku attempted to sooth the small fox demon, "Don't worry, he does miss Kagome, but I think he also has a lot more on his mind, just try not to set him off until Kagome comes back."

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During this, InuYasha was still walking through the forest, again, lost in his thoughts. Damnnit, why can't she just stay here." Kagome leaving was bothering him more than usual. Could it be from what she had said the other night. The scene played in his mind "I'll always need you with me"..... InuYasha shook his head. What the hell was he thinking. Kagome didn't care about him like that. Couldn't. She was his friend, but the lines were drawn. He was the protector, she was the keeper of the jewel. Simple. Except it wasn't. As much as he refused to acknowledge it, in his heart there was something there. InuYasha pushed it aside. He had already learned too well what could happen if you cared too much. Raising his hand to the place on his chest where there was no visible scar, he sighed. As he stopped and looked around, he realized he had done it again. He had walked to the God tree. Always here... Despite his pining over Kagome, InuYasha was also getting a sense of foreboding, but he couldn't tell what it was from. All he knew was that when Kagome returned, they would have to get a move on. The jewel was almost complete, and things were getting more dangerous. Climbing up and perching on a branch in the God tree, InuYasha looked at the well he had come to associate only with her.

Kagome, hurry up and come home.

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Kagome yawned. It was early evening and she had spent most of the day shopping with her mother and after that had packed a new medicine kit as well as the remainder of her winter clothes in her backpack. As a last minute thought, she packed a warm blanket as well Although only 2 days before she and Sango had been swimming in bikini's, it had been a freak day of warmth. It was late fall and there would be no further days of swimming in the lake until spring. Her mother had thought the blanket was a good idea, stating that you never knew what could happen. There was an unspoken understanding between the young woman and her family that there may be a day when she didn't return from the Feudal Era, and so, there were few arguments. Recently, Kagome had moved from her bedroom in the large home, to the guest house, closer to the well, making it easier for her to leave if necessary. At the moment, she sitting on her couch in a baggy pale blue sweatshirt and black stretch pants and was staring blankly at the T.V. as some movie was playing. Something was unsettling her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Sighing, she rose and went to the small kitchen. As she entered, the stove was to the right. She placed the kettle on the burner and turned on the stove. Sitting at the three person table not two feet away, she rifled through the latest batch of college applications. She was out of high school and should have been thinking of what college or university she should attend, but all she could think about was how it would affect her trips to the Feudal Era. Her mother and grandfather were still supporting her, although she also worked at the small temple gift shop. She knew she would have to make a decision soon, but it could wait for another while.The kettle whistled and Kagome rose again to make herself a cup of tea. Turning off the burner, she returned to the couch to relax and watch the ongoing movie. Maybe I'll fall asleep early, then I'll be rested. Curling up on the far end of the couch, Kagome looked at the other end and, for a moment, in her mind's eye saw InuYasha sitting there, fascinated with the picture on the screen. Smiling to herself as the image faded, Kagome grabbed an overstuffed pillow that was lying on the floor and hugged it. Turning back to the movie she thought, I wonder if he misses me?

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InuYasha could feel something tickle his nose. He opened his eyes to a leaf from an overhanging branch dangling in his face. Brushing it away, he wondered how long he had been asleep. It was dark now. He had decided to stay in the tree, even when Miroku came by to tell him the rest of the group was going to return to the village, and that was late afternoon. Judging by the stars, it was well past late evening, everyone would be asleep. Just as well.... he thought, Wasn't really in the mood to do a lot of talkin anyway. Shifting into a crouching position, he sniffed. There was something strange in the air. He didn't know what it was, but it didn't smell good. He jumped from the branch he was sitting on and started to follow the scent. Whatever it is, I gotta make sure it stays away from the village.

As the scent became stronger, InuYasha was led further and further away from the village. The owner of the scent had a master that was watching as InuYasha fell into the trap.

Keep going, InuYasha. Soon, no one will be close enough to help you.

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"What the hell? This smell gets stronger, but there's no source!" InuYasha muttered. The scent had led him to a valley a fair distance from the village. There was plenty of trees and foliage for someone to hide behind, but the forest itself was not dense, with more than a few small clearings, one of which he was standing in. Suddenly, InuYasha sensed the prey he had been stalking. Unsheathing the Tetseiga, he took a battle stance. "All right you asshole! I'm tired of chasin' you around! Why don't you come out and fight me already!"

A sinister chuckle rippled through the leaves. InuYasha could sense, rather than see, a body run swiftly between the trees and over branches. A voice came, "You want to fight me half-breed? I was told that you would be a great advesary and that you had the Jewel that is almost complete. I only sense dirty human blood running through your veins, and you do not carry the Jewel. I think I might be disappointed in a battle with you."

InuYasha's features flashed anger, then he smirked. "If you think it would be so easy to defeat me, then why don't you show yourself."

"Why not, it might be good for a laugh." A figure dropped down in front of InuYasha, about 25 feet away. The male demon was dressed in long black pants and a brown leather vest. A quiver full of arrows and a bow was slung over one shoulder, while two short blades hung at his waist. Strapped to each thigh was a sheathed long dagger, while smaller ones were tucked into each high boot.

"Carrying an awful lot of weaponry to take out a pitiful creature like myself aren't ya?" InuYasha charged forward, bearing his weight down on the lunge. He planned to take this creep out in one blow, but before the sword could strike its mark, Inuyasha found he had planted it deep into the tree that was behind where the demon had been just moments before. Yanking his blade free, InuYasha spun to face his opponent. Damn! He's fast!

The demon laughed from his new postition, where InuYasha had previously been standing. "You think it will be that easy? You should at least know who's going to end your life. My name is Nioaku, the Hunter. I plan to kill you as easily as a deer." Just as the last words were spoken, InuYasha saw a blur as the demon flew towards him. Pain exploded as Nioaku delivered a swift spin kick to his jaw. Stumbling backwards, he tasted blood in his mouth. He spat and felt his head clear. Damn. How can I strike him if i can't see him . InuYasha was casting a wary look about, trying to spot the Hunter before he could land another blow. Hearing a whistle to his left, InuYasha jumped high as a small dagger planted itself in the tree, where his head had just been. Landing a few feet away, he had barely gotten ground when Nioaku rammed his fist deep into the other's stomach, just below the ribs. Falling to the ground, InuYasha couldn't breath. The pain was immense.

Using the Tetseiga to support him, he stood again. Nioaku was standing in front of hime again. Catching his breath again, he braced his legs and raised the sword.

"We're hardly done here. C'mon Nioaku, it takes more than a few cheap shots to take me out."

Nioaku sneered. "Oh don't worry, I'm hardly done with you." Removing one of the daggers that were strapped to his thighs. he lunged forward. This time, InuYasha blocked his strike. "Ooh, the mutt is learning..". he smiled. "But not quite fast enough"

Grabbing the other dagger, he slashed InuYasha across the belly. InuYasha dropped Tetseiga with the unexpected blow. "Fuck this is not good." He rasped. Making a quick right cross, Nioaku struck the half-demon in the face, splitting open his cheek and putting InuYasha in a daze.

"Oh, c'mon. This is wonderful. I expected you to be more challenging, but hell, it's still fun beating the shit outta you."

Now kneeling in his own blood, InuYasha attempted to brace himself and fight back as more of Nioaku's impossibly fast blows rained down on him.

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Kagome had fallen asleep on the couch, it was very late. She was mumbling in her sleep and her head twisted slowly from side to side. Her brows knit together as her dream continued...

She was standing in an unfamiliar forest, she automatically knew she was in the Feudal Era, but the trees weren't close together like they were nearer to Kaede's village. Walking forward, she saw two people ahead. Quickening her pace, she approached the small clearing and saw InuYasha on his knees, the front of his shirt covered in blood. Close to him was another person. 'No, not a person, a demon.' Kagome thought. She gasped as the demon picked up InuYasha by the front his haori and drove him into a nearby tree. Running from the protection of the trees, she tried to pick up a rock to hurl at InuYasha's attacker. She stopped as her hand went through the stone. 'Wh- what's going on?' Helpless to do anything but watch, she saw the demon wait until InuYasha was standing again, then take one of the short swords hanging from his waist and plunge it through InuYasha's shoulder. Blood poured as InuYasha grunted from the blow, holding in his cry of pain. 'Inuyasha!' Kagome screamed, 'INU-'

"-YASHA!!" Kagome bolted upright and wide awake, her scream continuing from her dream. She was shaking. She knew what she had seen was not a dream. InuYasha was in trouble. He might even die! Flying from the couch she grabbed the closest article of clothing to replace her sweatshirt. The baggy shirt was no good for running through trees. Her hand rested on the black sweater she was wearing a few days previous. Her bag had been packed the day before and was laying next to the door. Grabbing that, and the bow and arrows she now carried with her to and from the Feudal era, she ran out the door.

Hauling off the sweatshirt and pulling on the black sweater, Kagome ran to the well. Slinging both bag, bow and arrows over her shoulder, she vaulted herself into the well and through to InuYasha's time.

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In the Feudal era, the bag popped out of the well and came to rest on the ground, next to Kagome's dark green bike, the bow and arrows soon following after. Moments later, Kagome pulled herself out of the well, and grabbed the fallen items, again throwing them over her shoulder. Without thinking she picked up her bike and hopped on. She started to pedal, then realized she didn't know where to go. Panicking for a second, she stopped and tried to remember something Kaede had taught her. Each person had an aura, Kagome had learned her friends aura's. Shippo's was green, like young grass. Miroku's was blue and silver. Sango's, pink and white. Inuyasha's... his was red and gold. Concentrating on InuYasha, Kagome closed her eyes to center her powers. Opening them again she looked around, trying to find any hint of the half-demon. There, in the distance, was a faint red and gold light. She starting pedalling as fast as she could, flying through the trees. That was where she would find InuYasha.


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"Resilient little fucker aren't you?" Nioaku snarled. He still had InuYasha pinned to the tree and had proceeded to simply use him as a punching bag. InuYash was still conscious, and blocked what blows he could, but his strength was weakening. He was in trouble, and if he couldn't get a strike at the Hunter, the trouble would get a lot worse. Nioaku roughly yanked his blade from the tree and InuYasha's shoulder. InuYasha hadn't realized how weakeded he had become. Unable to stand, he sank to a sitting position, bracing his back against the tree. He was panting to catch his breath. There was blood everywhere, his blood. It flowed freely from the wound in his left shoulder. Raising his head, he saw Nioaku standing in front of him, the distance between them too far for InuYasha to strike the demon with Tetseiga, but close enough for Nioaku to carry out his intentions. Notching an arrow in the bow he held at ready, he drew back his arm and let the projectile fly. It found it's mark with a sickening thuck! on the right side of InuYasha's chest. InuYasha gasped and loosed a roar of pain. It burned! Grasping the shaft of the arrow, he tried to pull it out, but the head was barbed, causing even more pain. His blood, his body felt like it was on fire. It was excruciating. He winced as he tried to suppress it.

Nioaku gave a deep laugh. "Hurts, doesn't it? The head of the arrow is poisoned, it will spread through your body, by way of the blood I have left you with, break down your internal systems, and eventually kill you." Making ready with another arrow, Nioaku took aim and pulled back his arm again. InuYasha could only watch. He couldn't move his legs. DAMNIT his mind cried. Nioaku let the arrow fly and smiled as it sunk with another thuck! in between InuYasha's lower ribs. Grunting, InuYasha noted that this one didn't burn as much as the first, but it still hurt like hell, and worse. His vision was getting blurried. "Shit."

He heard another arrow being notched, and closed his eyes as he waited for it to find it's place somewhere in his body. Everything was in so much pain. He could barely move. He heard the whistle of an arrow cut through the air, and a thock! as it landed. This one brought no pain at all. Opening his eyes, he still saw only two arrows protruding from his body. Once again raising his head, he looked at Nioaku, and was confused. Nioaku had dropped his bow and arrow.

Quivering ever so slightly, barely a hairsbreadth away from the other demon's nose, was an arrow, it's whole head buried in the tree he was standing next to.
From the edge of the trees, the two heard a low, deadly-toned voice and the notching of another arrow.

"That was a warning shot, this one is aimed at your temple."

Following the voice. Nioaku shifted his eyes to the right. There was a girl there, hair unbound and flowing in the wind, dressed all in black. Her own bow was drawn taut with the arrow she had aimed at him. He could see that she was charging it with power as it started to pulse with blue light.He smirked, this would be the one with the priestess powers, the one his master would take care of later.

"Ka- Kagome....?" InuYasha rasped.His vision was blurred, but he could make out the figure standing ahead of him. It hurt to breath. "Kagome.... run.."

"Like hell I will." Focusing on Nioaku again, she poured more of her powers into the arrow. "I told you this will sink into you head, I suggest you leave."

"As you said, 'Like hell'" Jumping up Nioaku made to attack Kagome with his short sword, but unconsciously, the powers of the young mortal had allowed her to home in on his every move. Before the demon could raise the sword he held, Kagome released her arrow, now encased in blazing blue energy. the arrow blasted through the right side of Nioaku's chest. Shock registered on his face as his body began to dissapate. Before finally dying, his features contorted into a hideous look of hate. "You little bitch! You'll be so..." The remainder of his saying was left on the wind as the rest of his body turned to dust.

Kagome felt dizzy for a moment. She had never used that much of her powers before and it was draining. Shaking off the dizziness, she ran to InuYasha's side. Dropping her bow and arrows, she cradled him to her, brushing away his hair and wiping blood from his face.

"InuYasha... " She had heard what Nioaku had said about the poison. Looking up, she knew she was too far away from the village to get help, and worse, she didn't even know where she was, she hadn't been paying attention. Tears started to well in her eyes. InuYasha was going to die.

Angrily brushing her tears away, she refused to give up, there had to be something she could do. Remeber her training with Kaede, she recalled pulling poison from a cat that had ingested it by accident. InuYasha's a lot bigger than a cat, but it's the only option. Laying out the now unconcious demon on his back, Kagome knelt beside him, placing one hand above his heart, the other on his belly. Closing her eyes, she focused on InuYasha's body and searched for the poison, marking it in her mind as black. After a moment, she gasped. It had coursed throughout his body. Determined, she placed both hands over the wound in his chest, and started to pull out the poison. A small blue light grew from between her hands and InuYash'a chest. Water began to spill out as Kagome purified the poison. A few minutes later, Kagome stopped, panting her heart beating heavily and quickly due to the effort of pulling out and purifying the poison. She had pulled out as much as she could. There was now a large pool of water she was kneeling in. InuYasha was still out.

A chill gust of wind suddenly blew through. Kagome sensed a demon, but could see no one. "Who's there?" She reached for her weapons. A disembodied voice drifted with the breeze.

"I see you, young priestess. i see you very well. You cannot see me." The voice paused, Kagome tensed."I see you've attempted to heal the half-breed." At the mention of InuYasha, she placed a hand on his chest. "You will not kill him" she said in the same deadly serious tone she had used with Nioaku. The voice laughed.

"I have no intent to kill him. Not yet. No, I am more interested in you. Actually, I wanted to let you know something. At this moment. I am sealing your portal to your world. " the owner of the voice sent an image to Kagome's mind where the well was being covered with vines that were quickly hardening to stone.

"You have a choice, priestess. You can leave, and be safe. Or you can stay, and eventually die by my hands. It is your choice, and I leave that to you." As quickly as it had come, the voice left and with it, the sense of demon. Kagome stared wide-eyed at where she had dropped her bike upon entering the clearing. If she didn't leave now, she would never see her family again. Looking at InuYasha, she knew if she left, he could die in his current state, and she would never see him again even if he lived. Just then, InuYasha shifted, the obvious pain showing on his face, and his hand reached up and clasped hers. Kagome made her choice then and there.

"I will stay with you InuYasha. I need you, I will not leave you."she whispered. Glancing again towards the direction of the well, her resolve stregthend.

I love you

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A/N: Ok, so hope you liked it! Comments and Constructive criticism are appreciated. Next update on Wednesday, and I'll probably post both Chap 4 and 5. TTFN! ;)