Hey! This is a short exaggerated story that came to mind. Enjoy.


Chapter 1

The sun was starting to set and another day was brought to an end. Kagome stood at the edge of the cliff and stared out into the ocean, smelling the salty smell and feeling the thick air coax her face. It was strangely relaxing after everything that had occurred to them. Kikyo's death was still recent, although Inuyasha has accepted it, and it still affected everyone. Not to mention the Flower Prince and his intentions of devouring Inuyasha's suffering which petrified Kagome. So after all that's been happening, it was nice to at least smell the clean air.

"Kagome!" Shippo's voice pierced the air, breaking her trance. Kagome turned around and saw the little fox demon running towards her with huge tears in his eyes. She caught him and instantly scanned his body for any injuries. "Inuyasha hit me." His bottom lip trembled and she frowned at the half-demon who came closer to them with an unimpressed face.

"Feh," He snorted.

"Inuyasha." She growled and his ears twitched at the edge of malice in her voice. That could only mean one thing. "Sit!" His face was pulled to the ground by the subjugation bead necklace and it smashed against the dirt. He lifted his face on a snarl and spit out some rocks.

"What the hell was that for, Kagome?"

"Stop hitting Shippo!"

"Yes stop hitting me!" Shippo agreed and stuck out his tongue as he hugged Kagome closer. Inuyasha growled and straightened up in a second.

"He's the one saying stupidities!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

"Are—"

"Enough you two." Kagome cut in with a sugary-stern voice. "How old are you both?" Inuyasha leaned onto the heels of his feet and crossed his arms across his chest with a scowl.

Miroku and Sango walked over to them and sighed. This was typical of them, although, they rather a mad Inuyasha then one that sulked and moped over Lady Kikyo's death. They didn't know how to deal with him or what to say.

"There's a village up ahead." Miroku chimed in. "Perhaps we should see if they need our services and request for lodgings." Inuyasha huffed out a cloud of air in irritation.

"We're on a time frame to kill Naraku sometime this lifetime, people." His attitude hadn't improved and due to the recent events, the group had been even more desperate to find him. Sango gave Inuyasha a glare and Kagome sighed.

"I understand, Inuyasha. Don't forget I would love to slice his throat as well." The monk's vulgar words were a little more graphic than usual but it didn't surprise anyone. After all, Naraku had played him dirty once by removing his wind tunnel for a short period of time to fake his death, until it was convenient for him to reappear. "However, we've been on our feet for days and we need proper resting."

Remembering that his companions were in fact humans, and not as adaptable as him, Inuyasha scratched his head and reluctantly gave in.

"Fine. But that's it. We can't stop at every village you see."

"Maybe you should sit him once more, Kagome." Sango whispered to her best friend as Kilala meowed in her arms.

"I can hear you." Inuyasha threw at her but she didn't look the least bit guilty. Miroku jingled his staff and took lead towards the village with everyone else behind him. Shippo dug through Kagome's back pack and found himself a lollipop to enjoy along the trip. Inuyasha traveled beside Kagome, always keeping his eyes on her.

Since Kikyo's passing, Inuyasha has felt an even more overwhelming duty to protect Kagome than usual. It had increased tenfold. He had accepted that Kikyo had passed from this world, as she should've long ago. She was forced to return and therefore was not a real person of this world anymore. When he held her in his arms, it was experiencing the death that he was not present for fifty years earlier. It ripped him that he couldn't save her and saying good bye to her wasn't easy. Once he understood that and comprehended the pain he put Kagome through, he was able to let go. It's not to say that he won't remember the priestess, but there is no more agony in his heart when he thinks of her gentle pale face. She was finally at peace—something she deserved all along.

Miroku spoke to one of the villagers while the others remained a few feet behind. Suddenly, Miroku waved them over and they all made their way closer to the old man and the monk.

"Killings?" Miroku repeated cautiously and the old man nodded vigorously.

"Yes. A demon."

"Demon?" Inuyasha's ears perked. "What demon?"

"I cannot say. He's been travelling through and slaughtering many villagers in search of someone." Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a look. That didn't sound like Naraku.

"We shall take care of it." Miroku promised. "In exchange, we'd accept lodgings."

'Straight to the point aren't you, Miroku.' Kagome thought as she fixed her bow that hung on her shoulder. Looking back she suddenly groaned, capturing Inuyasha's attention.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I have no more arrows." Her quiver was completely empty, which wasn't a sight she saw too often.

"Refill them here."

"I have to ask, I can't just take." She countered back as though it should've been obvious.

"I doubt they'll refute you." Since she used them during their last fight, she hadn't stopped anywhere to replenish. She hadn't even noticed until earlier today and she had forgotten up until now.

"You're right." They hadn't listened to a word the old man had said and only realized they needed to move when he started to walk towards one of the rooms. It was an ample room, with enough futons for them and some candles.

"Thank you." Miroku bowed towards him and turned back to his friends once the old man left.

"That's odd." Sango voiced. "A demon slaughtering villagers to find someone?" She put her finger to her lip and thought of many different solutions to the puzzle.

"Who would do that?" Shippo questioned as he sat down on the floor beside Kagome's yellow bag.

"The person would have to be human." Miroku added. "If it's a human village the demon is terrorizing it is quite obvious that he isn't looking for a demon." He placed his staff against the wall.

"A human? That's a lot of work they'd have to go through." Inuyasha commented. "And if this person is moving around than that means they travel often and not even the demon can locate them."

"The person must be valuable." Kagome paced the room.

"Or he has a death wish over their head." Inuyasha interjected. "This doesn't sound like Naraku."

"With Lady Kikyo dead there aren't many humans Naraku would hunt for." Miroku's statement resonated through everyone. Kikyo's name made Kagome feel a small pressure of sadness in her chest. She couldn't shake the terrible feeling she felt when she witnessed Kikyo's soul being carried up into the stars. She had finally learned how to overcome her jealousy and appreciate Kikyo only to have her die again at the hands of the same man.

"The only two I can think of, offhand, would be Kohaku," Inuyasha ticked off his fingers. "And you, Kagome." He turned his head towards the young girl.

"It doesn't make sense though." Kagome argued. "He knows we're looking for him so he doesn't have to look for me when we're headed straight for him."

"And Naraku doesn't consider Kohaku that much of a threat." Sango said with sadness in her voice. Kohaku held the largest place in her heart and she wished for the day when they could live as a family once again. When they wouldn't have to run in separate directions to protect one another.

"Then it is agreed that this doesn't seem to be Naraku's doing." The group nodded but the uneasiness of the unknown was still present in their hearts.