A/N: Ok everyone, this story started out as a songfic that I couldn't actually work into words and it took on a life of its own. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: The plot alone is mine.
Chapter 1
It had been two months since Miroku's wind tunnel had consumed him. He had known it was coming and not said a word. That night he had quietly withdrawn from his companions, believing they were sleeping. One such companion was not. Little Shippou had seem him silently rise and retreat into the forest, and being the curious kit that he was, had followed the monk.
The others never saw either of them again. The only evidence of the tragic event had been a small green bow lying near the large crater marking Miroku's final stand.
It had been five weeks since Kohaku died. Naraku had appeared that day, the young boy in tow. He ripped the jewel shard from Kohaku's body before them and released his tortured mind in time for the boy to beg for his fading life in his sister's arms.
Two weeks after that, Kouga had caught up to them, the only surviving member of his now slaughtered pack. Kagura's doing.
Barely four days later, Sesshoumaru sought them out. Laying down his weapons, he had proposed a temporary truce in order to kill the evil hanyou who had wiped out half his territory.
Kagome stared blankly into the fire, picking lazily at her food. It had been a week since Sesshoumaru had called his truce and joined their group. They had, admittedly, not accomplished much in that week. There were still many shards to collect and, without many leads to follow, the group had aimlessly traveled for seven straight days.
Sango had disappeared two days ago. Inuyasha had followed her scent for three hours before losing it at the river. They had stayed near said river in hopes she would return, and Kagome could tell Sesshoumaru was growing impatient.
"It is a foolish waste of time to wait here any longer," he said flatly, cutting into the heavy silence they had all grown accustomed to. No one replied and, after it became clear no one would, Sesshoumaru stood and walked into the forest, a look of disgust gracing his face.
"He's right, you know," Kouga said after several minutes. "She'll come back when she's ready, regardless of where we are." The betrayed look on Kagome's face caused him to pause. He moved and stood in front of her, taking one of her hands in his own. "We still have a job to do. I'm sure"—
"You get your filthy hands off her, you deranged mutt!" Inuyasha's shout echoed through the clearing. Kouga jumped out of the way just in time for Inuyasha's fist to meet air. The hanyou lost his footing and face planted into the ground at Kagome's feet.
"Come on, dogface, I could relieve a little stress," Kouga smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"Please don't you two," Kagome's subdued plea was barely heard.
Inuyasha fixed Kouga with an annoyed look before turning back to Kagome. "We'll be leaving in the morning. Get some rest." He cast one more glare in Kouga's direction before leaping into a nearby tree.
Kagome silently slid into her sleeping bag as Kouga moved to other side of the fire. "Goodnight Kagome," was heard followed almost immediately by the wolf's light snoring.
Several hours passed before Kagome got up and snuck away from the two sleeping demons. Her thoughts were eating away at her, as they had every night since that morning two months ago. Kagome needed to be alone.
A/N: Hope you guys like it so far.. Sorry the first chapter was so short.. I just needed to set you guys up for the rest of the story. Read and review please.