Love Me to the End?

Well...this was a big set back.... I just got on to AFF to find out that there was a recent glitch and this chapter was lost along with my new reviews....*cries*... well, let's try posting this chapter again... This is the *second* attempt at posting chapter 9... As far as posting chapter 10, I'm half way done proofing it so it should be this friday night. So if your seeing this chapter for a second time, then blame the AFF crew, not me. I didn't delete it, the glitch did. And if you had reviewed this chapter from before the glitch, plz re-send em? I was keeping a list of my reviewers to see how popular my story has become over the course of its posting. The number of reviews tells me whether or not it's worth keeping. Well, anyway, here's the deleted chapter back up and 99.9 percent proofed as before :)


CHAPTER 9 :) Discovery


“Are you sure it’s Naraku?” Kagome called out from InuYasha’s back. She clutched her new bow closely to her, afraid to drop it. Sango and Miroku were riding Kirara along side them as InuYasha followed his nose.


“I’m positive! I’d know that stench anywhere!” He’s close, I can smell that worthless basted! I’ll get him this time! He won’t escape, I won’t let him! InuYasha’s determination flowed through his legs as he pushed them to their maximum speed. There was only one thing on his mind. To kill Naraku!


Kimi flew only yards above her tense companions, her eyes focusing ahead as she sensed a strange presence coming from that direction. This must be the enemy I heard of from Kagome. They call him Naraku and he’s deadly. He was able to curse the Monk’s family with the Wind Tunnel and he slew Sango’s family by controlling her brother. InuYasha... hmm, I haven’t found out what wrong Naraku has done to him yet. It’s sealed in the back of his mind so I can’t get to it. Whatever he did, it hurt InuYasha more than anything else. I don’t know how powerful this Demon is, but I’ll find out soon enough. He’s lurking about, up ahead.


Kagome gasped. “InuYasha! I sense a Scared Jewel shard. There’s only one, but it’s right over there and it’s moving slowly.” InuYasha leapt into the air and drew Tetsusaiga with Kagome still on his back. Kirara roared as she followed InuYasha’s example, a familiar scent clinging on the air. InuYasha caught it too. “It’s Kohaku!”


They all looked down to see a young boy running under the scattered trees, trying to hide from the strangers above. Kimi dove down to get a better look at the human. She was confused at the blank look in the boy’s eyes when she matched his running pace. He’s being controlled... But by who?


Suddenly the boy swung around and slashed out at the bird that flew beside him and his blade missed by only centimeters. Kimi was thrown off balance and nearly slammed into a tree, but she twisted her body and pumped her wings as hard as she could to get higher into the air. Damn, that was too close! Well that’s what I get for being so stupid.


She winged back up to Kagome who was wide-eyed with worry. “Kimi he almost got you! Stay away from him, he’s under Naraku’s control.”


‘Thanks for telling me...’ Kimi replied sarcastically.


“Sango! I see Kagura, over there.” Miroku pointed at the woman who appeared in the sky on a large white feather. The Wind Witch, Naraku’s incarnation, swooped down to collect Kohaku who had been ordered to return to this particular spot.


“Right! InuYasha, I’ll take care of Kagura, you find Naraku!” Sango called, spying her brother as he leapt onto the feather with Kagura. InuYasha nodded and headed to where he thought Naraku would be hiding. Kagome looked back to watch Sango and Miroku break from the party and silently wished them all good luck and a safe return.


I hope we can finally end this. Sango is trying so hard to save her brother. And InuYasha is so determined to kill Naraku. Miroku, I know he’s scared about dieing from the curse Naraku put in his hand. We have to kill him, Naraku! Huh? I think I see poisonous insects in that clearing over there...


InuYasha saw the clearing and landed in it, all his senses on high alert. He knew that Naraku was hiding in the shadows somewhere. He let Kagome slid off his back and she readied her bow with an arrow. What they didn’t expect was an ambush.


Kagome sensed it coming only seconds before a horde of Demons burst out into the open, fangs and claws aiming at both throats. She fired her arrow, unable to aim and her Sacred powers demolished a small group in front of her. InuYasha used the Wind Scar and took out another section of Demons. He reached out and snagged Kagome, springing skyward to avoid the rest of the Demon horde they hadn’t been able to slay at that moment. With lightning speed, he swung around to face them in the air and slashed another Wind Scar at them. The Demons screamed in pain and turned to ashes at Tetsusaiga’s wrath.


“You alright Kagome?” InuYasha asked as he attempted to land in the clearing again. His eyes darted about, looking for any more surprises.


“Yeah, I’m ok. But I’m worried about Sango and the others. Kimi, go to them. I know you can create barriers and I bet they could use your help. Protect Shippo. He’s with them and even though he’s brave, he’s too young to defend himself. Please hurry!” Kimi soared overhead and obeyed without complaint. ‘I’ll help, don’t worry. Just look after yourself.’ The bird vanished over the circling trees.


Kagome grabbed another arrow and stood close to InuYasha’s side. Her heart was racing with the familiar excitement of battle. A spine tingling laugh rang out from the shadows to the left. “You never give up, do you InuYasha? Why is it that you hold such a grudge against me? I did you a favor by killing Kikyo, don’t you think. Where would you be now if I hadn’t? Surely not with Kagome. Don’t you wish to be with her, to protect her...like you had at the reunion?”


InuYasha froze as his worst enemy laughed, still hiding in the dark. He couldn’t make out any form of Naraku, but he knew that stench and voice anywhere. InuYasha was growling in frustration as Naraku brought up Kikyo’s death. He wasn’t stupid. Naraku was trying to take a stab at Kagome to make her vulnerable and by bring up her dead rival, it would be the perfect way to distract her. But when Naraku spoke the last sentence, InuYasha felt a blow to gut. Did he just say...reunion? Don’t tell me that he...!


“What the hell are you talking about you bastard?” He growled, his sword ready to strike out if Naraku appeared. He heard the grass hiss as someone moved across it.


“You know very well what I am talking about InuYasha. Why don’t you tell Kagome? You knew who slew the young girl at the reunion. Are you selfish enough to keep that information from her? She should have a right to know... It was her friend after all.”


Kagome gasped at Naraku’s words and she shook her head.
“InuYasha, what is he talking about? Told me what? How do you know anything about the reunion, Naraku! What is going on? What games are you trying to play!” Kagome’s voice was shaky at the mention of Ayume. She suddenly felt sick and weak as flashbacks came to her and she wanted to scream.


He couldn’t know about the reunion! He can’t pass through the Well... but I really don’t know that do I? He said that InuYasha’s hiding something? I don’t believe it! InuYasha wouldn’t hide anything from me, not something like that. Naraku’s trying to start trouble. He thinks he can pit me against InuYasha! Well let him try, I won’t fall for it! I won’t be another Kikyo!


Naraku laughed. “InuYasha, tell her what you’re hiding. Tell her who killed Ayume!” InuYasha gritted his teeth. “Damn it all! Shut up! Don’t try those games on me! No one knows who did it so get off my back!”


I do know who did it! It was... him! He was who I smelled when Tioen came over to greet us! I thought the scent was familiar but it was disguised and I ignored my own instincts when I got suspicions about that cousin. I found out that he was a Demon in disguise but I had no choice and couldn’t chase after it. Kagome was a mess and I was afraid that she might do something stupid... I remember how many times I wished to die after mother was gone... I know how I felt and I knew she was in pain like I had been. So the Demon got away undetected! And that Demon was Naraku! Always playing with people’s hearts! Damn him to hell!


Kagome looked confused and she glanced at InuYasha with questioning eyes. She kept her comments sealed up, but she was thrown off guard and it left her unable to think. What are they talking about? What does this have to do with the reunion? Why is Naraku talking about Ayume?!


Naraku saw her expression and smiled to himself, rising from his hiding place to face the two companions. “Since you won’t tell her, allow me to.” Naraku walked out into the clearing covered in the skin of a baboon that he used to hide his identity. InuYasha leapt at him and slashed out with his sword, aiming for the heart of Naraku. Tetsusaiga let loose the Wind Scar and it consumed the baboon and its hidden treasure beneath it.


Kagome gasped and her hand flew to her mouth in utter horror when the blinding light and powerful winds cleared from the attack. “Nn-no! I-it...it can’t be! Please tell me this is a dream or...or an illusion or...anything but this!” Kagome stared at the face of her beloved cousin who was standing where the baboon skin had been. The costume had been destroyed, but the person hiding in it was untouched.


“I don’t understand...Tioen? What is going on? I’m the only person from home who can pass through the Well. How could you be here...? It’s impossible!” InuYasha fisted his hands and growled. “Kagome, stop! That is not your cousin! How could a mere human appear out of nowhere in Naraku’s place? Don’t forget that Naraku is a Shape-shifter! He’s playing the form of Tioen! Open your eyes!”


Kagome’s eyes clouded with stinging salt water. Her own hands fisted and she took the arrow she held and aimed at Tioen’s heart. She pulled back on the string, hearing it creak in protest. Her hands were trembling as the nightmare at the reunion replayed in her head.


The young man in front of her gave a shocked expression. “Kagome? What are you doing? Why are you holding a bow? What is this place? Why are you crying, Kagome?” The familiar voice rang through her ears. It was truly Tioen’s voice... But that was not him! It was Naraku. What InuYasha had said was all true. Naraku was a Shape-shifter and was messing with her mind.


She was planning to shoot Naraku and get it over with but she dropped to her knees, unable to do anything. It’s too real! I can’t kill Naraku! Not when he’s in Tioen’s form! My mind knows he's that lying bastard but my eyes tell me differently. His voice is so real...it’s like my cousin is here in the Feudal Era with me! I can’t shoot! I just can’t!


InuYasha saw Kagome crumbling at the sight of her cousin. “You snake! I’ll cut you to pieces!” He lunged at Tioen and heard Kagome scream at him just before he ran his sword through his opponent’s neck. "SIT!" she screamed out, and the spell dragged him to the ground with a heavy thud.


Tioen laughed and suddenly his form vanished into thin air, Naraku’s laughter filling the sky. “I own you my thanks Kagome for holding him down for me!” Kagome gasped as a new horde of Demon sprung up from the shadows of the forest. It happened so fast that they were on InuYasha before the ‘Sit’ spell wore off.


She franticly grasped behind her for an arrow and shot at the mass that overwhelmed the Half-Demon. She was terrified that she would hit him along with them, but her fingers slipped and her arrow glowed as it flew at the heap of Demons. Kagome could hear InuYasha’s muffled cry of pain from a Demon biting him and as soon as her arrow hit one of them, he burst free using his claw attack.


The Demons chased after him as he leapt into the sky, blood dripped to the ground from an open bite wound. Kagome was panic struck, her body refusing to move. She turned to see three Worm Demons charging at her and her screams caught in her throat, only allowing a small gasp out. InuYasha wouldn’t be able to save her...this would be the end!


She hugged herself, cramming her eyes shut and imagined the Demons being repelled by a barrier, wishing that there was some way to avoid being eaten. A flash of purple danced around her a second later and the Demons crashed into an invisible wall.


Kagome cracked her eyes, hearing the impact and was startled to see her attackers dead on the ground with their necks snapped in two. Huh? What happened? Kagome heard InuYasha’s Wind Scar finish off the last of the Demons and she looked up to see him land. He winced and dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his side and right shoulder. His fire-rat kimono cloth was ripped in several places and his face and hands were covered in scratches and blood.


Kagome forgot her confusion with the dead Worm Demons and tried to run to him in worry. She ran into something invisible and fell backwards, landing hard on her back. She looked frantically around her but she couldn’t see anything. InuYasha had seen her collision and gritted his teeth as he pulled himself to his feet.


“Hold on, Kagome!” He raised Tetsusaiga and the blade turned a blood red. With one swipe he torn through the air and it collided with a barrier that was surrounding a panicked Kagome.

Kagome was completely confused but she struggled to her feet to keep InuYasha from falling to the ground as he wobbled on his feet. She felt tears stinging her eyes as he slumped against her and she lowered him gently to the ground. “InuYasha...I’m so sorry.”


Shift...


Kimi locked her wings as she caught a fast wind heading to where Sango and the others had gone to. She spotted them in battle with Kagura and a few stray Demons that flew about and attacked one at a time, trying to exhaust their opponents. Sango slashed out with her weapon at an oncoming Demon and sliced it in two. She was covered in Demon blood and sweat. Miroku was busy fending off two other Demons.


Kimi folded her wings and dove down to where the action was. She looked for Shippo and heard his cry as he fled from a chasing Demon. It was a small Demon but Shippo had been caught off guard and all he could do was run for his life.


‘Hold on!’ Kimi called out with her mind and swooped over the Demon. She slashed out with her razor sharp talons and blinded it, hearing it scream in pain and anger. The Demon blindly thrashed about and crashed into a tree, killing itself. Kimi winged over to Shippo and landed beside him. ‘Are you ok?’ Kimi asked, her eyes watching out for any other Demons. Shippo nodded and then looked at her in confusion.


“Huh? Did you just talk?” Kimi hissed in annoyance. ‘Of course I did! Why is everyone so surprised that a spirit can talk? I’m getting rather sick of that question! Hold still, here comes another Demon!’


Kimi snapped her glowing wings open and silently commanded a barrier to form around her and Shippo. There was a flash of purple and an invisible wall suddenly surrounded them, causing the Snake Demon to bounce off it. Kimi laughed and passed through the barrier.


Shippo watched in awe as the bird took to the air and attacked the angry beast. She dove down and racked it with her talons, screeching in a deafening tone to stun it. Then she dropped down and sank her talons, which began glowing blue, into its back. The Demon screamed out and crumbled into ashes on the ground.


She turned to Shippo and removed the barrier that protected him, and fluffed up her feathers in satisfaction. Shippo stared at her with wide eyes and his mouth hung open in a funny expression. “How’d you do that?”


Kimi cocked her head to one side. ‘Easy. I simply tapped into Kagome’s Priestess powers for a split second. I’m made up of her spiritual powers and that means that whatever she can do, I can do. I’m able to grab onto her arrows when she shoots them without being destroyed and I can create barriers just like she can. I’m able to pass through barriers too when I’m in my true form. This is just a counterfeit body. It holds warmth and the feathers look real...but it’s only a...disguise you could say. It holds my soul to this earth. If I stay in my spiritual form for too long, I’ll “die” as you people call it. My soul will be forced free of this earth and I will disappear to where I was supposed to go...the land of the dead. But I can’t rest yet. There is much to do here. Kagome sent me here to guard you.’


Shippo scratched his head. “Kagome can’t create barriers. At least from what I’ve seen, she’s never used one. And why are you still here if you’re only a spirit?” The Kitsune glanced up in case there might be another Demon lurking nearby. He noticed that Sango and Miroku were gone, along with Kirara. The ground was littered with Demon body parts and skeletons and he shivered at the sight.


‘Kagome needs my help. She tried to help me before my living body died and I feel like I owe her in some way. I can’t rest until I know she has completed her destiny. I will help her in any way I can.’


Shippo nodded. “So Kagome sent you to watch over me? Have they found Naraku?”


‘Not sure. But I want to see who this Demon is. He’s done some pretty nasty stuff to everyone. I hate him just because of that. Come on. Let’s go find Miroku and Sango. They may need our help!’


Kimi took to the air and Shippo bounded after her. They followed their friends’ scent and were led down a path to a small empty looking shack. That’s where they found Sango, holding the boy that had been with Kagura. She was crying over him with Kirara protecting them both from the few Demons left that tried to get at them. Miroku was helping the Two-Tail, using his staff like a sword.


There are poisonous insects here. Damn! I can’t use the Wind Tunnel. Things would be a lot easier if those bugs weren’t around. But there are only one, two, three...seven Demons left. I can handle that much on my own. We’ve got Kohaku and my guess is that InuYasha and Kagome have found Naraku by now. Why do I feel like this is only a trap? Kohaku still has a Jewel Shard in his back... and he may be unconscious, but Naraku still has control over him. Sango won’t be able to stop her brother from running back to his ‘Master’ when he’s called. I wish there was some way to end this!


Miroku spotted Kimi and Shippo heading towards him. Shippo jumped onto his shoulder. “Miroku, you guys left us!”


“We had our hands full, Sango was determined to chase after her brother... She still thinks that she just saved him but when he wakes up...”


“..he’ll go back to Naraku.” Shippo finished for him. They both glanced back at Sango who had thrown her weapon aside and held her unconscious brother in her arms. It made Miroku’s heart twist in pain. A screech from Kimi drew his eyes from Sango and he saw the bird dive down with glowing talons to land on the neck of a Centipede Demon. The Demon thrashed about and then burst into a million pieces which littered the ground before them.


‘Don’t just stand there! Help me out!’ Kimi chased after her next victim, another Worm Demon. This is quite fun. I love some action once in a while. She was closing in on her prey when there was a sudden blast of wind, kicking up sand and blinding everyone. Kimi dropped to the ground, unable to see or fly and crammed her eyes shut. The wind howled and then suddenly vanished as quickly as it had come.


Sango’s cry jerked everyone’s attention. “No! Kohaku! I won’t let him have you!”
She grabbed her Hiraikotsu and gave it a mighty swing and it spun high into the air, aiming at a fast retreating feather. Kagura, seeing the oncoming weapon, repelled it with her winds and then vanished behind a patch of clouds.


Sango waited for her Hiraikotsu to return and she caught it, gritting her teeth and fisting her hands as the weight of the Hiraikotsu dragged her back a bit. “Damn him! Damn that Naraku!” She dropped to her knees in defeat, yelling out in frustration. Her tears flooded her eyes, making everything blurry.


“Sango look out!” What know? ...Oh gods! Sango heard Miroku’s warning and looked up to what had alarmed him. She screamed out in pain as an overly large Snake Demon appeared before her and clamped down with its fangs around her arm. She was overwhelmed with pain and shock as the Demon picked her up and thrust her into the air like some play toy. Kirara lunged after her, leaping high to break her fall. She flew up under her human companion and caught the now unconscious Demon Slayer.


The Snake Demon growled at being interrupted by the Two-Tail and charged after both of them. It was gaining every second as Kirara struggled to keep Sango on her back. She was out cold and blood was dripping from her shoulder. There was a sudden flash of blue and a bird’s screech behind them. Kirara swung her head around to see the Demon crumble to the ground, Kimi’s glowing talons returning to normal. The bird winged beside the Two-Tail and motioned her to follow.


Kirara obeyed, spotting Miroku running towards them from the ground. He looked pale and out of breath. “Sango!” The Monk reached them as they landed, Sango almost falling off. He caught her and laid her on the ground.


Shippo jumped off his shoulder and stepped back, a little afraid that Sango might be dead. She looked sickly pale and still. “Miroku, is Sango going to be ok?” He asked in a small voice. Miroku nodded as he ripped the cloth away from her wounded shoulder. He tore his own kimono and wrapped the cleaner cloth around the wound to stop the bleeding. The pain in her shoulder stirred Sango and she gasped out, her head spinning and pounding. Her vision was blurry and every thing seemed to be moving in slow motion. But she could hear Miroku’s soothing voice before she blacked out again.


“Calm down Sango. Everything's alright. We’re all safe now.” Everyone except my brother... She thought in silent reply… Only Kimi heard her.


Miroku scooped her limp body into his arms and walked back to the empty shack that they had found while battling the Demons. He cautiously entered the building and, seeing that it was clear, set Sango gently on the floor. “Kirara, find the others and bring them back. We need Kagome’s help. She has more knowledge with this kind of stuff. I’ll keep Sango safe, don’t worry. Shippo will even keep an eye on me for you ok? Please hurry back.” Kirara stared at the Monk for a moment and then darted out to find Kagome and InuYasha.


Shift...


Kagome tried to force down the yawn that begged to come free. She rubbed her stinging eyes and blinked several times to clear them. Shippo came into the shack with a bucket of fresh water brought in from the river that ran just a mile away. “Thank you Shippo. Go get Miroku. Sango’s awake and wants to talk to him.” Shippo nodded and smiled a greeting at Sango before leaving to find the Monk.


Sango looked down at her arm. “Hmm. This is the second time this arm has become useless. I broke it when we first fought Kanna, remember? Now I’ve broken my shoulder. Wonderful.”


Kagome shook her head and soaked a clean cloth in the bucket of water. She wrung it out and wiped a sleeping InuYasha’s face. He was running a low fever and his wounds were taking their sweet time to heal. It worried Kagome because he usually healed faster than this. It had been four days since the attack with Naraku and his ambush. Sango had won a broken shoulder and a couple of nice bruises and InuYasha had several stitches on his arms and side. And then Kimi had disappeared again.


“At least we’re alive to fight Naraku another day. And one day we will end this nightmare. I promise that!” Kagome said, her words unnaturally harsh. She resisted the urge to break into tears and concentrated on InuYasha’s wounds.


“Kagome?” Sango was concerned with her friend’s behavior. “What happened when you found Naraku?” Kagome stiffened and pulled her hands away from the gash she was washing on InuYasha’s arm.


“I found out something...about what happened at the reunion. I know who killed my friend...and I’ll hunt that bastard down to then end. Naraku thought he could pull a fast one and hit two birds with one stone. He tried to make it look like InuYasha knew who had done it and made him look like the bad guy. When that didn’t work, he tricked me and I ended up giving him a clean shot at InuYasha...It’s all my fault. He’s hurt because of me... I’m so weak...and I knew it was a trick, but I fell for it anyway...”


Kagome became silent as her emotions flooded her senses. Miroku appeared before Sango could comfort her. Kagome straightened and put on the fake smile again, cloaking her expression by concentrating back on InuYasha. Sango made an attempt to speak but Kagome shook her head and pointed. “Miroku, I want you to take her out and make her walk a bit. She needs some fresh air and something to eat. If she gets tired, let her rest in the shade...and keep those hands of yours tied up or I’ll feed you to the Demons on a silver platter!”


Miroku smiled innocently. “I promise to take good care of her! I’ll behave.” Kagome shot him a warning glare.


“Shippo will make sure of that.” she said slyly. Shippo popped up at the sound of his name and joined the Monk.


“I’ll keep him in line!” he said happily. InuYasha twitched and groaned, pulling everyone’s attention to him. Kagome used it as an excuse to chase them away and shooed them out the door. “We’ll bring back some fish and berries, Kagome!” Shippo called as Miroku lead Sango to the river. Kirara joined them and meowed in her tiny form at the sight for her close friend. Sango glanced back at Kagome, still worried about her.


Kagome sighed and vanished back into the shack. “Miroku...I’m worried about Kagome. She’s not herself. And it’s not just fussing over InuYasha. Something’s bothering her.” Sango said a while later as she walked slowly down the small path to the river. Shippo was wandering this way and that, collecting wild berries and putting them into a small container from Kagome’s world. Kirara picked up the small bowl with her mouth and carried it over to Shippo who was working on another bush, trying to grab the fattest berries while keeping Miroku and Sango in sight.


Miroku nodded. “I noticed that too. Naraku’s behind it...that’s my guess. I heard part of your conversation. That coward is up to his games again. But he doesn’t realize who he’s messing with. One day we’ll kill him, all of us working together. We out number him a hundred to one and I know he’s wary of us. InuYasha broke his barrier once and was so close to killing him. He won’t be so lucky next time.”


Sango listen thoughtfully, surprised at how positive Miroku seemed to sound. She wanted to believe him. “…and we’ll save my brother?” she asked, more to herself than to him.


“Kohaku will be saved. I promise that...on my fathers grave."


Sango gasped and looked up at him. He sounded so confident and sure of himself. Was it all a mask to hide the truth of it all? But I want to believe him! Yes. Kohaku will be freed from Naraku and we’ll kill the bastard. I have to keep believing that. Miroku glanced behind him and noticed that they had lost Shippo and Kirara. He had the sudden urge to grab Sango, but he swallowed it and cleared his throat.


“Should we go back and find Shippo? Or do you want to wait for him and Kirara to catch up?” Sango was lost at his question, thinking that they were right behind them. She turned to see them gone. It figures! Now how long will it take Miroku to get perverted and try to grab me? I better start counting...maybe I should walk a few feet away from him. I vote to find Shippo and Kirara right now!


“Let’s go back for them. Shippo might get upset if we just leave him where ever he’s wandered off to.” Sango said, eyeing the Monk. Hmm... no grabbing yet... How odd... She took a step back from him, giving him the evil eye, knowing from past events that he would try something at any moment. Miroku gulped and smiled sweetly.


“What’s with the glare? I haven’t touched you!”


“Yeah and let’s keep it that way!” She walked on ahead, watching him from the corner of her eyes. After a while, she stopped glancing back and forgot about him. They hadn’t found Shippo or Kirara and the sky was becoming orange.


“Maybe they went back to Kagome because they lost us?” Miroku said finally, breaking the silence. Sango jumped at the closeness of his voice. She had forgotten that he was behind her and her ears had become accustomed to the peaceful rustling of the leaves. He still hasn’t tried anything on me yet... This isn’t like him at all. Why is everyone acting so strange lately? What’s Miroku up to?


Sango nodded to Miroku’s suggestion. “I guess...” She eyed him suspiciously.


“What? You’re eyeing me again...” Miroku said, looking innocent.


“It’s just...you’re...never mind... I think you’re right about them going back. Let’s make sure.” She walked on ahead again, hiding her tiny smile and blush. Don’t tell me I’m actually wanting him to grab me! Hmm... It’d give me a good reason to slap someone though...


Shift...


Kagome knelt down beside InuYasha, finally alone with him. She felt his head and reached for the cloth again, soaking it in cool water. He still has a slight fever but it’s going down. This is all my fault. I was so stupid and weak! I’m so sorry InuYasha...I don’t blame him if he’s mad at me. He has a right to be... Kaede put the prayer beads on his neck to stop him from killing me... Since then it’s become very useful indeed... But after what happened... it’s suddenly become a dangerous weapon. If only I could just... Kagome leaned forward and took the beads in her hands. She hesitated a moment before pulling them apart, wonder what the consequences would be if she broke the only thing that bound InuYasha to her.


A firm hand stopped her. “InuYasha...I...Let me take it off...” InuYasha pushed her hand away and gritted his teeth as he tried to sit up. Tiny needles stabbed him all over and he felt a little light headed.


“Don’t be stupid, Kagome. What’s gotten into you?” he said through tight teeth. Kagome withdrew her hands, a little confused.


“I thought you would be jumping for joy if I took it off... Don’t you hate that one little word? Well I do... I hurt you and basically handed you over to Naraku’s Demons. It’s because of that necklace. I want it off of you... Please let me take it off.”
InuYasha shook away her pleading. In truth, he longed to rip the damned thing off himself, but one thought always haunted the back of his mind. What if I had not been bound to her... He knew the answer and shuddered at it.


“I... I just feel...safer with it on.” He stammered. Kagome looked at him and noticed that he looked a tad pale. She soaked her cloth in the bucket of water and wiped his face, avoiding his eyes. “You need to lie down. Your wounds are still bad and you look terrible.” She tried to push him down, but he held his ground and took a good look at her. She was caught in his gaze and struggled to look elsewhere, at the ground, at the bucket of water...anywhere but at him.


“Speak for yourself, Kagome. My eyes tell me you haven’t slept in over a day. You’re the one who needs to rest, not me.”


“Oh don’t even start that, InuYasha.” She reached over and poked a small gash in his arm, seeing him wince. “Ouch! What was that for?”


“It’s the closest as I can get to your favorite word at the moment. You’re hurt and need to rest. The more rest, the faster you heal. Now lay down or I’ll poke you even harder!” InuYasha folded his arms in a pout, biting back a curse at the pain that tore through his side from the movement. “Lay down!” Kagome repeated in a forceful voice. InuYasha did as he was told, growling in irritation at being dominated by her.


He closed his eyes and kept his arms crossed, his head spinning lightly. A cool cloth settled on his head, a welcoming feeling as the throbbing began to fade. He let out a sigh and relaxed, then winced as a knife stabbed his paining side. Kagome saw him wince and grabbed a bottle with pink liquid in it. She measured out the medicine with a teaspoon and mixed it in with some sweetened tea to hide the ill taste it possessed.


“Here, drink this. It’ll help you sleep and take away the pain. You have a cracked rib. It may hurt to breath for a while.” InuYasha opened one eye. “I thought you told me to ‘lie down’.” Kagome moved over and set the cup down. She lifted his head and set it in her lap. “I did. Now drink.”


InuYasha took the offered cup, expecting a bitter taste. The sweetened tea was a surprise and he swallowed it down slowly, enjoying every drop. When he finished the last of it, he looked up at Kagome, who was starring off into space with a sad expression in her eyes. He felt an old pain in his heart, knowing she was thinking about Naraku and his dirty trick.


InuYasha reached up and ran his claws through her hair to get her attention. The caress startled her and she gazed down at him, confused. “I’m sorry Kagome... I knew that it was a Demon who had pretended to play your cousin...But I had no idea that the Demon was Naraku... I should have told you that much before...”


Kagome stared at him. “You knew it was a Demon? Why didn’t you go after him?!” she hissed, stiffening.


InuYasha looked away. “Because you needed me...” He whispered.


Kagome felt ashamed at his words. “But I pushed you away...and you still didn’t leave me...” She felt his claws tangle in her hair as tears bubbled up. One salty drop fell free and landed on InuYasha’s nose. He licked it up and pulled her face down to his.


“No. I still didn’t leave you. I couldn’t leave you alone. No matter how much you pushed me away... The truth is...I needed you too. I needed to be with you and comfort you. It gave me a reason to belong, to be needed.” He was whispering, his breath warming her face, tingling her skin. Kagome’s tears suddenly began to fall freely. She couldn’t hold them back.


InuYasha licked the salty tears from her face and muffled her sobs with upside down kisses. His head was on her lap and she was leaning over him, soaking his face with raining salt water. He continued to kiss her until she calmed down and began returning each one. He kissed her deeply, his tongue tickling and twisting with hers. It soothed her nerves and she finally pulled away from his sweetness. Her eyes felt heavy and irritated, but she was hungry for her lover, wanting to taste him again.


“You need some rest, Kagome...come here.” InuYasha lifted his head and pulled Kagome over to his side. He gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the screaming wounds as he turned over on his good side and settled her beside him on the floor. A yawn escaped Kagome as she cuddled beside him, pulling a blanket over the both of them.


“I’ll rest if you rest. Deal?” She whispered, burying her head in his neck. InuYasha wrapped his arms possessively around her in answer. The medicine tea was beginning to take affect and his pain was numbing. He felt drowsy and Kagome’s soft breathing lulled him into soft slumber, Kagome slipping into darkness with him.


When Kagome woke, she found herself alone under a warm blanket. The sun was bright and shining in through the open door of the shack. She sat up, hearing two people bickering somewhere outside.


“That’s mine! Give it back InuYasha!”


“Go get your own pest! I had it first!”


“I picked those for Kagome and me! Not some mangy old dog like you!”


“What did you just call me! Come back here you little shit and say that to my face!”


“Ahh! Miroku suck him up with your Wind Tunnel! He’s turned rabid! Oh where did that Monk go… Ahhh!”


Kagome covered her mouth and laughed, picturing Shippo being chased by InuYasha. “Gotcha! Now you’ll get it!”


“Ahhhh! Kagome! He’s picking on me!”


“InuYasha...!” Kagome stepped outside to see InuYasha holding Shippo by the tail, his legs scrambling a million miles an hour, trying to get away to no avail. InuYasha heard Kagome’s voice and expect a “Sit!” to come after his name. She stopped and eyed him.


“Put him down, InuYasha...” He did... opening his hand which held Shippo four feet from the ground and letting the Kitsune fall smack on his face. Shippo began crying and ran to Kagome.


“He’s picking on me for no reason! Kagome make him stop!” Kagome picked him up and hugged him, ignoring a satisfied InuYasha. She wanted to ‘Sit’ him...but the recent Naraku accident held her back.


“He won’t pick on you anymore. He just lost his ramen privileges for the rest of the week. You can have them instead.” That got him. InuYasha’s mouth dropped open.


“What?! That pipsqueak gets my ramen?! That’s not far! I didn’t do anything!” Came the all too familiar complaint. He shut up then, seeing the hurt expression on Kagome’s face. She went back into the shack with Shippo still in her arms, a strange feeling gripping her. She felt suddenly protective over the Kitsune and there was a sense of something missing, something that her instincts poked at but she couldn’t put a picture to it. She reluctantly put Shippo down and dug into her bag for a bag of ramen. She found one and realized it was the last one. Mom didn’t put that much in here... I have to go get more...


“Here. This is the last one anyway. Make it last and hide it from InuYasha.” Shippo happily took the bag and stuffed it in his shirt pocket. Kagome stifled a laugh, seeing the bag bulging out of the fabric. “You’ll have to hide it better than that. InuYasha isn’t blind.” Shippo pulled it out and scratched his head. “Let me boil some water for you.” Kagome offered with smile.


She gathered a pot and went out to find InuYasha. “As punishment, you get to go fetch some water. I need this pot filled; the water bottles need refilling as well while you’re at it, thank you.”


InuYasha growled, crossing his arms. “I’m not your slave! You do it!”


Kagome got fed up with his stubbornness. “Sit!” The word felt suddenly good to say and the thud was even better. “Your wounds seem healed enough over night, so make yourself useful.”


InuYasha dragged his face from the dirt. “Over night? You were asleep for three days! Miroku had to patch me up and Sango for that matter!”


Kagome blinked. “Three days?” She looked down at the flattened Half-Demon. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” She asked, surprised at having slept that long.


“Because you looked so exhausted. Sango told me to leave you be so I did. Though I would have preferred your hands to the Monk’s!” InuYasha stood up and shook the dirt from his kimono. Kagome noticed it was still torn and needed mending. It was stained with dried blood from his wounds and he looked like a rag doll.


“Hold on a minute.” She turned and went to fetch her bag. When she came back, her bag was slung over her shoulder, a bucket swinging at her side. “Might as well go with you. Come on Shippo, we’ll cook by the river. Wait. What happened to Sango and Miroku?”


Shippo hopped onto Kagome’s shoulder. “They went for a walk. Sango said I should stay here and keep you company when you wake up.”


“She did? That’s odd...” Kagome mumbled in a puzzled voice. InuYasha grunted. “Well that’s her own mistake if she trusts that letch to behave when no ones looking. Let’s go and get this over with. I’m hungry.”


Kagome climbed onto InuYasha’s back and Shippo held onto her shoulder as the Half-Demon jumped into the air. I wonder what they're up to... Why would Sango want to be alone with Miroku? That’s not like her... Unless something’s going on between them.


Shift...


Miroku walked quietly beside Sango. She was still wary of him but she had relaxed a lot since she noticed a change in the Monk. It was slightly strange. He’s up to something but what? I can’t figure him out. He’s normally a pervert and always jumps at the chance to flirt with a woman. He hasn’t even attempted touching me...not once! I’ll drag it out of him today, just you wait Miroku!


Miroku was smiling to himself on the inside. She’s going for it. I can see it in her eyes. She’s attracted by my new habits and she’s itching to find out why. But gods this is killing me to keep these damn hands to myself. I just want to reach out and...No! Don’t blow everything now! You’ve made it this far! One more day...I have to keep saying that, just one more day and maybe... Ugh! I’ve said that for three straight days! How much longer will it take before I either win or crack?


“Hey Miroku?” Sango’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “When we slay Naraku...what will you do in life after that?” She stared at the ground as they walked side by side.

Miroku smiled. “Good question. Maybe I’ll continue my travels...see new places... like we’ve been doing. Or maybe I’ll pick some place to call home...settle down...start a family...” He let his words trail off. Sango was blushing at his last statement. “Why do you ask?” He prodded.


“I...don’t know...just wondering that’s all.”


“Oh? And what do you plan on doing once you have your brother back?”


Sango sighed. “I’ll rebuild the village...and start over...” Miroku looked over at her.


“It’ll be hard to do that by yourself.”


“Maybe...but at least Kohaku will be there helping me.” He nodded at her with approval. She’s got her mind set on the belief that we will kill Naraku and save her brother. That’s a good thing. It’ll keep her from worrying as much. And I might be able to reach her easier that way too. She uses her brother as a protective blanket and dwells on him. If only she could let him go...just a little... She would be able see what could be between us... I can’t believe how fast I’ve fallen for her. But she’s giving me a good chase and it’s getting annoying!


Sango cleared her throat. “I’m getting tired, can we stop for a while?” She didn’t wait for an answer and found a shady tree to sit under. Her shoulder was aching and she winced as she sat down. Miroku dug in his pocket and held out some crushed herbs and a half filled water bottle from Kagome’s time.


“It’ll help the pain.” She accepted the offer thankfully, glancing at him as he sat down beside her.


“You’ve been watching Kaede teach Kagome about medicine and herbal remedies?” Miroku nodded and leaned against the back of the tree.


“Comes in handy sometimes. It’s rather entertaining to watch those two working together. I think it make Kaede happy when Kagome’s around. She treats her like a younger sister and teaches her as much as possible when ever she can, and Kagome shows her stuff too like things that she’s learned from her own world. You should join me some time when we go back to the village.”


Sango shook her head. “I doubt we’ll be going any time soon. Not with Kagome still so upset about what happened in her own world. Naraku stirred up another cloud of dust and she’s having to think about it all over again. I can’t believe Naraku got through the Well in the first place. What’s stopping him from going back and causing more damage?”


“You have a point there... Naraku’s attacked all of us now, Kagome being his latest victim. I wonder what that Demon has planned next. We can only prepare for the worst and fight our way through.” Miroku closed his eyes. “I wonder if our paths would have ever crossed if Naraku hadn’t even existed.” He said out of the blue with a long relaxed sigh.


“Maybe...if fate wanted it to be that way...” Sango replied, looking over at the Monk who was resting against the tree.


“Ah, but then Kagome wouldn’t even exist now would she? InuYasha would be an old man and he’d be digging in the fields like a normal human is supposed to do and there would be Kikyo...an old woman...an ordinary woman, waiting for him in some broken down hut they would call home. Hmm. Fate has a funny way of putting everything together. I doubt I would have met any of you if Naraku hadn’t made so much mischief... And I wouldn’t have been able to fall for someone like you...” AH! That just slipped right out! Damn it! That line wasn’t supposed to come out till later!


Sango’s face lit up a bright red as his last sentence filtered through her brain. Is it me or is it suddenly extremely hot out here? Did I just hear him correctly? She glanced at him and saw that he was looking right at her. She avoided his gaze and found a blade of grass to stare at instead. The memory of that night at the inn in the village replayed in her head and her blush deepened.


He’s backing me into a corner! I bet he knows what I’m thinking too and he’ll use it to his advantage... Damn this broken shoulder! Sometimes I wish I were a Half-Demon...they heal so much faster! I want to be with Miroku...and he’s not helping any either... He’s got me trapped. If I admit that I want him then there’s not escape. But I can’t and I won’t, not until this mess is over and I can move on to other things... Miroku will have to wait. Ahh! He’s moving closer to me! No, no, no! Stay...uh...uh, Sit! Down boy! Oh I can’t move! I can’t slap or anything! He’s going to-


Miroku leaned over offered her a hand, standing up.


WHAT?! He...he’s not going to kiss me or grab me or...or anything! Oh what’s gotten into me? This is absolutely crazy! Miroku’s teasing me I know it! He knows I want him to kiss me! Ah! No! I don’t want him to kiss me! That’s a lie... Sango argued with herself and was helped to her feet, her blush never fading. She kept her mouth sealed shut, afraid that it would betray her in some way and waited for the Monk to speak.


“You look pale...We should get back and have Kagome check you over when she wakes up.” He lied. She was anything but pale... Sango nodded. “Let’s go.” She shyly followed the Monk, her eyes never leaving the ground. The longer he keeps his hands at bay...the more desperate I get! I can’t believe he’s making me crazy like this... How did I fall for him in the first place? He’s such a pervert. Oh boy...


Shift...


Kimi watched as Miroku carried Sango into the old shack. The Demon Slayer was bleeding from the shoulder and the bird knew that it had to have snapped from the force of the Snake Demon’s throw. But the Demon was dead now. No one seemed to notice the rest of the Demons retreating into the sky.


I bet their master is calling them back. I’ll follow and see who this Naraku really is. She circled around and pursued the Demons. There were only four left, two Worm Demons, a Skull-Head looking Demon with spidery legs and the last one looked like a mix between a snake and a furry rat. Ugly creatures.


Kimi locked her wings as a caress of warm air surrounded her body, lifting her high into the clouds above. Her sharp eyes kept the Demons in view, even though they weren’t as high up as she was. That’s when she saw it, a mass of black smog...no, miasma! It has to be Naraku! Poisonous insects surrounded the miasma and the Demonic Aura was spine tingling. And there was another presence that shocked the bird.


I can sense the Shikon Jewel! It’s a huge fragment! It’s in this Demon’s possession? Kagome never told me that! I should make myself useful while I’m here and try to snag the thing. I’m a spirit...he can’t touch me even if I wish it. Let’s find out where he’s hiding first. I’ll tell Kagome and the others afterwards. I hope they don’t get upset with me for disappearing again.


Kimi glided stealthy through the white clouds. She stayed hidden at the bottom of them, using the heavy mist as cover and keeping her head low so she could see through the fog. Flying was difficult but she managed without attracting attention to herself. When a white feather appeared from below, Kimi recognized the Wind Witch Kagura and the young boy who had slash out at her earlier. The boy looked blankly straight ahead, no expression held on his face, his eyes glazed over with no thoughts, no feelings. It made Kimi’s head spin just looking at him.


That’s Sango’s younger brother. I see that he has a Jewel Shard in his back. But why? His body is capable of functioning on its own. He doesn’t need the power of the Jewel to live. Hmm... Something fishy is going on here...


The evil party began to descend from the sky. Kimi dove down and followed, hoping that she wouldn’t be discovered because she was in clear view now, no longer in the safety of the clouds.


Oh! A barrier! Perfect! I can pass through that without a problem. But wait. Don’t be stupid, little bird. I bet Naraku has that barrier setup so he can sense when someone breaks through. And then he’ll know I’m spying. If I can enter the barrier right after them, he might think of me as a late arrival, a lagging Demon. I have to time this right!


Kimi saw the invisible barrier ripple as Naraku passed through it, his minions following after. She folded her wings tightly and dropped like bomb. Her body began glowing a metallic purple as she became her spiritual form and she passed through the barrier without detection. She flipped her wings open and snapped from her fall, back winging in hard strokes to land as quietly as possible on the blacked ground.


She realized how foolish she had been later on when a strong paw gripped her body seconds later and a large Rat Demon glared at her. “Thought you could sneak in now did you? Naraku doesn’t like uninvited guests.” Kimi struggled, quickly concealing her spiritual form and flapped her one free wing frantically, pretending to be a stupid, helpless bird.


That won’t work! This place is filled with toxic gases. A normal being would have died instantly. I’m in real trouble... I’ll have to get myself out of this one. Stupid, stupid bird!

END OF CHAPTER 9. Well here you go, the next chapter. Hope you liked it, cause it took me hours to proof read it over for spelling mistakes. There may be one or possibly 2 typos left, but I got this chapter 99.9 percent cleaned of errors….and there were many of them too, surprisingly. But my hard work is just to help you readers read better and enjoy everything. If you have any questions, just ask, kk?? And reviews welcome. Yeah, I know I beg, but it's the least any read could do for an author, right? They build my confidence and boost the idea's. So R&R. Oh, and a reviewer asked what a lemon was. A lemon, for those of you who don't know, is sexual content, meaning the characters go all the way with sex. A lime is a teaser, meaning the characters kiss and get a little frisky, but they don't go all the way. Citrus is another sexual warning. A fluff story is something sweet and, well, fluffy between characters, but it doesn't necessarily mean sex. Hope that helps whoever asked in the first place or any other readers with the same question. Now, onwards to chapter 10! :)