Hello everyone! This is a story I started writing a long time ago. It used to be on my deviantart account. So If you remember a Gemini-Sprite, you're in the right place :)

Chapter: 1

~The Opportunity~

The raging winds inside the well swept past me, cool and gentle. This was the opposite of the feelings that swirled around in my brain. I was drowning in worry and jealousy, and sadness hung heavy on my heart. It was like a giant, rusted chain squeezing my chest and pulling me down. I sighed loudly as the ground rushed up to meet me. After all those trips through the well I had finally mastered the landing.

A soft crunch echoed around the well as my shoes tapped soft earth. My eyes trailed up the moist wall of the well. I was glad that I had finally suggested a ladder. My assent up the rungs of said ladder didn't last very long. I wish it had been more time-consuming. Once on the grass, I sat on the edge of the well for a moment. My entire body seemed to be disgusted with the very idea of continuing forward. For the past few months everyone had been so distant around me. It's that woman's fault!

I frowned as an image of her face slunk through my mind. I stood and started my painfully short journey to the village. My legs and arms felt like lead, resisting my brain's command to move forward. However strong my body's instinct to flee was, it always fell on deaf ears. I hated that about myself. No matter how incredibly unpleasant a situation was, my mind's logic always won out. I wish I would listen to my instinct and react without analyzing every detail; more like Inuyasha.

I shuddered at the thought. He was also to blame for my friend's betrayal. It was like being in high school, again. All of the petty selfishness eating away at old and new bonds alike. Even after three whole years, part of me was affected by meaningless conflicts. I was no longer the tender age of sixteen, but a weaker side of me still sought their approval. It repulsed me. They were by no means the friends I remembered. They were hollow shells of what they once were.

I saw smoke rising in the distance; too close for my liking. It reminded me of her, the disgusting creature that had a face eerily similar to mine; the atrocious beast that smelled of graveyard dirt and death. The undeniably loathsome witch named Kikyo. My skin crawled and my throat tightened as I thought her name. She was a vile parasite that was literally living off a piece of my soul. It had been a whole awkward year and a half since her return. Her very existence grated against the foundation of mine. I was quiet certain that only one of us should exist and it sure as hell wasn't her.

I could feel myself fidget when I reached the gravel path leading to the village. My fists clenched and my teeth clamped together. I could feel them drawing nearer, all of them in fact. Their subtle aura ebbed off them in waves.

Suddenly, I stopped. My heart thumped loudly against my ribs and I licked my lips nervously. Surely I was mistaken when I read their auras. I concentrated harder this time and I found that I was right the first time. They haven't sensed me yet.

I broke into a cold sweat and froze were I stood. I took a slow shallow breath as I contemplated this opportunity. So many times I had wished to be a fly on the wall during one of their conversations. I had tried several times to sneak up on them before, but Inuyasha's nose was fool proof. I realized at that moment that the wind was blowing in my face. It must've swept my scent away. I took several cautious steps backwards before running full throttle into the woods. Excited breaths tore at my throat as I flew through the woods. Little branches whipped my fully clothed body. I couldn't even remember how I had survived the days when I wore my school uniform. I could only imagine how Sango felt in a kimono. These days I stuck to shorts and a T-shirt with protective, full-length arm and leg coverings. I had even cut my hair to my shoulders, and I now kept it back in a ponytail. I shook those thoughts away and focused on the task at hand; I needed to find a river.

In the distance I could hear water babbling over rock. I reached the clearing and saw a wide, meandering stream. Without stopping, I slipped off my backpack and dove head first into the water, it wasn't as cold as I thought, but I still shivered when I resurfaced. I went back under and rubbed my skin with my hands, trying to rid myself of all my natural oil. I took a moment to breath before I went below the surface again. This time I reached for dirt. I shoved smooth rocks aside and dug my fingers into the damp soil. I found enough mud easily and tossed it to shore. I quickly got to work covering myself with it. I plastered it to my clothes and skin. I even combed it through my hair. I couldn't leave anything to chance this time. I was not going to waste the golden possibility to uncover the secret I knew was just out of my grasp.

This was also very risky. There would be almost no way to talk myself out of this one. Not like they would bother to listen to me anyway. They're all brain washed fools now so it doesn't matter what I say. I angrily kicked my backpack into the bushes and left it there, hoping no lesser demons were hungry for ramen. I approached the village slower than before. Even with the wind on my side, I would have to stay as silent as possible.

I reached the outer buildings easily. The mud hadn't dried yet so I was careful not to touch anything. None of the regular villagers seemed to be there that day. They were either hunting, farming, or feeding their children inside. It felt like a ghost town, and I felt like an outsider. I wiped those feelings away. I still had another task to complete before I ventured farther. The mud on my body was good for diffusing scents, but it was out of place in the village. I needed something unmistakably local. I glanced around anxiously, my heart pumping blood ten times faster than before. I needed to stay calm.

'Think, Kagome!' I took a quiet breath. I had to stay composed or else they would sense my nerves. I pictured the village, trying to locate something that wouldn't raise any suspicion. I opened my eyes and then it hit me. Fire!

I slipped over to the next house, still undetected. There was an abandoned fire pit full of dust. I crouched down and sunk my arms into the mound of ash. Soon I was covered with gray speckles. I was sure to keep it away from my face, however. I did not want to sneeze and blow everything. Now I was certain I was ready.

I knelt down and put my hands together in prayer. I focused on nothing, just the blackness behind my eyelids. I could feel my aura snuffing out, slowly but surely. I had to be positive there was no trace of my energy unmasked. It quickly disappeared. I shivered with distain. I felt so weak and vulnerable like this, even though I knew I could call my powers back in seconds. Although seconds was sometimes all it took to kill something. I shook away that depressing notion and crept closer. I was so close now. I took several calming breathes before continuing. My face became a blank mask revealing no emotion, and my heartbeat slowed to a soft rhythm. I snuck around Kaede's hut and stopped a foot away from the edge of the wall. I could hear their voices on the other side of the hut, their auras distinctive and near.

"Don't you think you're being a bit ridiculous, Kikyo?" Sango argued.

"Yes, I agree," Miroku chimed in, "Kagome isn't useless, why not keep her around? We need all the help we can get."

"She was the one who started this whole thing in the first place," Inuyasha snorted.

I frowned slightly and swallowed. Everyone sounded so exhausted. There was no spark in their voice and no fight in their words. A part of me was over come with looming despair, crying out to my friends, but I swiftly silenced that impulse. I was just about to lean in closer when a much louder voice sounded.

"Shut up, Inuyasha! Kagome is much more useful than Kikyo will ever be!"

My mouth hung open and I had to stifle a gasp. It was Shippo! He had been gone for over a year now, and he sounded so different. The timber of his voice had deepened, and not only that, but he must be a very accomplished demon to have concealed his aura so well. I concentrated on finding his energy. Suddenly I could feel it. It was dull and barely there, but I could tell that it was powerful. It was like trying to see something hidden behind a waterfall. I felt my eyes water. I blinked away the happy tears and gulped. Shippo still cares! He sounded just as full of life as everyone else used to.

"Ha…" Kikyo muttered darkly. "I am merely suggesting that she would be safer in her own time."

I bit my lower lip to silence myself. Her lie was so blatantly obvious I could feel its hypocrisy hang in the air. I wanted to spit and clear my throat. I was practically choking on her insincerity.

"We've been over this, Kikyo," Shippo said, firmly, "Kagome is just as strong as you now and obviously smarter." His words were laced with so much venom that I felt a cheerful cry tug at my throat. 'I guess they aren't all brain washed,' I smirked with pleasure.

"Smarter?" Kikyo took on an amused tone, "Maybe you've forgotten, cub, but I have had much more experience as a miko."

All I could do was listen at this point; the others had fallen into an uncomfortable silence. Kikyo and Shippo's essences seemed to tangle and clash in the air.

There is more than one kind of smart, Kikyo," Shippo declared, a smile clear in his words. Pride was flowing off him in waves, "Kagome has something you never will."

I could feel Kikyo grow uneasy. I smiled; she was actually on edge. Today was proving to be full of lovely moments.

"And what is that?" Kikyo bit out through clenched teeth.

Shippo paused, reveling in the moment as I was. He took a deep breath before he spoke, adding to Kikyo's frustration.

"Compassion."

Kikyo bubbled over with confusion. "What does compassion have to do with how an arrow is shot?" Kikyo recovered her composure and located her mocking tone once again.

Then Shippo did something I never expected. He laughed, thunderous and self-assured. It sent excited chills down my back. The last time I had seen Shippo he had been as tall as Sota. He sounded so much older now.

"Compassion reaches even the most violent people. With out allies, you can't possibly hope to win an uneven war, or have you forgotten that we only have a third of the jewel now?" My heart thumped wildly in my chest. I was filled with the urge to see Shippo. How old was he now? What did he look like? How had he changed? He sounded unbelievably mature now.

"She is a liability," Kikyo stated plainly, "you are only as strong as your weakest link. Wouldn't you agree, Inuyasha?" I stood on edge, waiting for his answer.

Inuyasha grunted. "Look, lets not obsess over this, okay?"

I tightened my fists firmly. His attempt at avoiding the question was obvious. I tried to calm down, but I felt so betrayed. It wasn't the first time I'd felt this pain, like nails goring my heart. A sweeter part of my spirit was on the brink of tears.

"Inuyasha…" Shippo growled deeply. "She's right not to trust you anymore." Inuyasha's aura became steeped in guilt. I could hear him shifting nervously. Everyone had fallen deathly silent, Hushed by Shippo's all-consuming anger thickening in the air. Then suddenly, an all too familiar voice broke the silence.

"If she's that much of a liability, give her to me. I could find a use for her."

I jumped and covered my mouth, smothering a cry. What was Sesshomaru doing here? I felt sick. Sesshomaru, one of the nastiest demons around was sitting just meters away. His aura was practically nonexistent. How could he hide energy so dominating? I felt a small amount of aura leak to my fingers, responding to my terror. I quickly masked it again but I was certain it was too late. I felt Shippo's aura spike and then relax. It seemed to spread, probing empty space with tentacles of energy. I felt it wrap around me, full of relief, admiration, and support. My face went red and my heart thumped faster. I felt so overwhelmed with tenderness.

I could feel Sesshomaru's aura follow suit. A weird calm settled over him along with something else. It felt like he was admiring my bravery. 'Pride? For someone other than himself? This is beyond bizarre for Sesshomaru…'

It was then that I noticed the others were miraculously unaware of my sudden expenditure of energy. Sesshomaru's aura slunk back, but Shippo's remained wrapped around me. As comforting as this was, I still wondered why no one had detected our aura's pulsating. Shippo sensed my distress and his affectionate energy became even softer. I felt tears come to my eyes. I realized that he was keeping us hidden. This side of Shippo was meant only for me, it always had been. My dear, sweet Shippo had always looked out for me, even when the odds were against us all. My aura pushed against its bonds, wanting to be set free to mingle with Shippo's undeniably, unblinking confidence. I was shaken out of reality by Inuyasha's protesting growls.

"What do you mean find a good use for her?" Inuyasha snapped angrily.

"Must your mind go to the gutter so swiftly?" Sesshomaru spoke with his trademark mockery, "I believe you were the one who said not to obsess over this."

I wiped grimy tears off my cheeks, feeling the mud crack and crease with my movements. I could hear Inuyasha struggle finding the right words before giving up and shutting his mouth.

"I'd kill you if you touched her anyway," a defiant grumble escaping his lips.

This took me by surprise. I was certain that Inuyasha didn't care for me anymore. Part of me tingled with delight but I quickly disposed of that feeling. 'Don't try to rebuild burnt bridges, Kagome.'

All of a sudden, I heard a rapid movement followed by a firm thwack.

"Would you, brother?" I heard Sesshomaru question menacingly. Inuyasha let out a strangled squawk. I was gripped with alarm and my heartbeat accelerated.

"Release him!" Kikyo threatened. I could feel her gathering energy hurriedly. Sesshomaru continued as if nothing was said.

"You're so foolish, Inuyasha. You haven't even realized that the dead priestess you're protecting so fiercely is sucking you dry of energy." Sesshomaru paused before continuing, his aura becoming even more lethal, "Or could it be that you're tolerating it? How chivalrous of you. Trying to revive your zombie lover with the lives of your friends." I shivered and felt Sesshomaru bare his fangs.

I leaned against the hut to keep myself up. Every rasp and gurgle escaping Inuyasha's throat tore at my chest. I could feel Shippo's aura become less tranquil as Kikyo charged her bow and arrow with holy energy. I could feel her sucking the life force from all my old friends. So this was the secret! Kikyo had become a ruthless, thieving leech to sustain herself. The tiny sliver of my soul she clung desperately to was no longer enough. The sudden upheaval of energy seemed to rouse Miroku and Sango out of their soundless stupor.

"Sesshomaru, stop," Miroku drawled dully. He sounded on the verge of sleep. Sango tried to move but fell to her knees, uttering nonsensical pleas for peace. I clenched my fists. I knew I couldn't stand idly by while I had the element of surprise on my side. I inched away from the hut's corner over to a pile of crates. I reached the first box when I felt a mental tug. Shippo was begging me to stay back. His compassionate plea was so deep and overpowering that my heart felt like it would leap out of my chest just to be with him, but I knew what I had to do.

With stealth and silence, I reluctantly crept up the stack of crates. I laced my fingers in the thatched roof and pulled myself forward. I got to the hut's peak and glimpsed over anxiously. There I saw Kikyo poised for attack and Sesshomaru with Inuyasha's neck in a dangerous, clenched fist. In the corner of my eye I saw dark blue and magenta, Sango and Miroku's respective kimono colors, but I couldn't waste what precious time I had to survey the area further.

"DIE, YOU DEMON SLIME!" Kikyo screeched, drawing back the bowstring.

Without a second thought, I propelled myself forward and leapt into the air. Mid jump I let loose my aura, and let it collect in my upper arms. Kikyo hesitated and looked up, giving me all the time I needed. I landed solidly on her back and folded my arms around her neck, wrenching her backwards. Her arrow shot into the air in a perfect arc as she stumbled backwards. I let go and crouched behind her legs. She toppled over me; her head hit the wall with a sickening smack.

Her body slumped uselessly, confirming her unconsciousness. I tore the bow from her grip and pulled the quiver off her back. I slung it over my shoulder, and turned around feeling victorious. Then my heart almost fluttered to a complete halt when I came face to face with Shippo and Sesshomaru.

...

R&R& Enjoy :)