The Fate of Awakening Love

By Mystical Star

A Kitty-Chan Production

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Inuyasha. If I did, Kagome and Inuyasha would have been together looong before the second movie! X3

Author's Note: This story will switch between first person and omniscient narration (probably only when the chapter changes) so please be aware so you won't be extremely confused. I know I would ^^;

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Trip of Destiny

The day had been long and hard. Kagome, Inuyasha, and the others had spent it traveling up mountain passes and through thick forests. All six of the travelers were exhausted when they finally reached a place not too far away from Kaede's village.

This looks like a good place to camp, Miroku said, surveying the area.

Any place looks good right about now, Kagome sighed, letting her backpack fall from her shoulders and landed on the ground with a great thud. Shippou nodded from his spot on Kagome's shoulder.

Sango said as she let hiraikotsu drop to the ground.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's eat! Inuyasha said, digging into the raven-haired girl's backpack. She promptly hit him over the head with her hand.

Oi! What was that for? The hanyou exclaimed, rubbing the area that had been attacked.

Baka. All of our food is gone! That's why we're coming back, remember? I needed to get more supplies from home!

Inuyasha let out a disgruntled growl and abandoned his search. So what are we going to eat? he asked. Kagome sighed.

Whatever I find in the forest! She said, frustrated.

Berries? Again? Inuyasha complained. Kagome let out a sound of frustration.

Don't complain unless you're willing to help! She exclaimed, stomping off.

I'll go with her. Knowing that girl she'll run into a youkai, Inuyasha said, following the descendant of Kikyou into the woods.

I suppose we should set up camp, Sango sighed, going off to gather branches for firewood. Miroku obediently followed, probably looking for a good chance to be alone with the beautiful Taji-ya.

Shippou and Kirara toddled off after them, hoping to be of some use to their friends

Meanwhile, Kagome looked through the bushes and trees to find fruit for her friends and herself to eat. So far she had found two varieties of berries, but she felt that with Inuyasha as apparently hungry as he was, she'd need a lot more. Suddenly, she happened upon a bush with bearing a large kind of fruit. It looked like gigantic clusters of blueberries were covering the bush.

What is that? Inuyasha asked, pointing to the bush.

I don't know, I've never seen it before, Kagome said, eyeing the fruit cautiously. It's large enough to feed us all, maybe we should take some back? She suggested.

Inuyasha said, snatching a cluster off of the bush and biting into it. Kagome sighed and picked four more, biting into one for herself.

"These are pretty good, she conceited, taking another bite.

Meanwhile...

While Kagome and Inuyasha were on their way back, Miroku was making a fire under the lean-to that he and Sango had made, while she, Shippou, and Kirara were off looking for more supplies for another lean-to.

The poor, monk sat in the cool air with a large red, hand-shaped mark on his face. An obvious sign that another one of his customary gropes was not appreciated.

There's always next time, Miroku told himself as the fire finally started.

Next time for what, Bouzu? A voice asked. The lecherous monk turned around to see Inuyasha and Kagome, back from the food-gathering excursion.

Oh, nothing, Miroku said, waving the thought away with his hand. Inuyasha arched a brow, noticing the brand on his face left by Sango, no doubt.

Sure, Miroku, Kagome chuckled, putting her load down on the ground.

What's this? Miroku asked, observing the large blueberry like fruit.

I don't really know, but they look like blueberries, so I figured that they must be some sort of the same thing, Kagome said, taking a cluster in her hand.

She offered, handing it to the monk. Miroku regarded the fruit cautiously. Seeing no danger, he took the fruit in his hand.

Thank you, Kagome-sama, Miroku said, smiling as he lifted the fruit to his mouth, ready to consume it. Just before the monk could take a bite, a cry stopped him:

Houshi-sama! Don't eat that!

All eyes turned to see the Taji-ya, Sango, standing nearby, Shippou sitting on her shoulder and Kirara standing next to her.

Sango-chan, what's wrong? Kagome asked.

The Taji-ya ran over to the lean-to and swiped the fruit from her friend's hands.

These are Poisonous Kudamono! They are deadly! She exclaimed. Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged looks of dread.

They exclaimed.

Oh no, Sango gasped, realizing that both had partaken of the deadly fruit.

Inuyasha! I'm so sorry! I had no idea! Kagome sputtered, feeling as though she may cry. Inuyasha didn't pay attention to her.

Are you sure? He interrogated Sango.

We have to get you both to Kaede-sama right away! If you don't get the antidote in you soon, this could be fatal! Sango said.

Oh no! Kagome! Shippou cried, grabbing onto his friend.

But the village is so far away, how will we get them there in time? Miroku asked.

Sango called. The small cat demon leapt from her perch on Kagome's backpack and transformed into her larger form.

You two, get on Kirara's back and she will take you to Kaede-sama's village. We will follow behind on foot, The Taji-ya explained, helping Kagome up onto Kirara

Shippou, I think it would be wise if you accompany them to the village to let Kaede-sama what has happened. Miroku noted, taking the small kitsune from the Taji-ya's shoulder and setting him on the cat demon's head.

Inuyasha reluctantly sat on Kirara's back behind Kagome. He wasn't so sure that he'd need an antidote with the strong demon blood coursing through his veins, but he was very worried about Kagome.

Thank you two, Kagome said gratefully to her two friends. Sango and Miroku smiled at her and Inuyasha.

Make it there safely, Sango said. The Taji-ya then turned to her youkai friend. Kirara, take them to Kaede-sama's village right away as fast as you can. We're counting on you, She directed. Kirara nodded and licked her mistresses' face before taking off into the sky with Shippou, Kagome, and Inuyasha on her back.

There was silence for a long time while once the four were in the air. Shippou clung to Kagome as if it would save her from the poison that was making its way through her body as they flew towards Kaede's village. After a while, Inuyasha looked over Kagome's shoulder. Are you alright? he asked her.

I'm okay, I think, She said. How about you? Are you feeling any different? She asked with worry in her voice.

I think I should be okay for a while. Demon blood isn't poisoned so easily,

Kagome, you're not going to die, are you? Shippou asked as his eyes began to tear. The raven-haired girl smiled and petted the kitsune's head.

No, Shippou-chan. She said. I won't leave you, or Inuyasha or the others, she promised.

Inuyasha, I'm so sorry about this, Kagome sighed.

Don't worry, Kagome. I was the one who picked the fruit out in the first place,

I should have known better! The girl protested in self-loathing.

Kagome, don't worry about me. I'll be okay as long as you are, Inuyasha said, trying his best to comfort her. Kagome looked back at him and smiled.

Arigatou, Inuyasha,

Inuyasha looked at the back of Kagome's head in worry. He knew that a human would succumb to a poison much quicker than a demon would and hoped that they could reach the village in time to get the antidote into Kagome.

Suddenly, Kagome inhaled sharply and clutched her stomach.

Inuyasha asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Her body was radiating heat and sweating. Inuyasha panicked.

He cried, turning her around to face him. Her face was pale and her eyes held a vacant expression, as though her soul had been stolen. The young girl began to shiver. The hanyou took her in his arms, hoping to make her feel warmer.

Inuyasha! What's wrong? Shippou asked frantically.

The poison, Inuyasha managed to say. He had suddenly noticed a difference in his senses too. He was dizzy and his vision was becoming blurry.

please, get us there, Inuyasha said, trying to make sense of things in his head as he held Kagome there.

Kagome! Inuyasha! Shippou cried out in worry as the four continued on towards the village

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Kaede walked out of the shrine to watch the sunset. The sun was large and the color of blood. It made the miko shudder.

It is a bad omen, She said to herself as she turned to return to her house to sleep. Suddenly, the wind picked up abnormally. Kaede looked around herself, now positive that something bad was on its way.

A child-like voice called. The elderly miko looked around again. She finally spotted who was calling her. On the horizon, she could see Shippou, Kagome, and Inuyasha all riding on the cat youkai, Kirara's, back. Kirara landed next to the miko and the dog hanyou slid off of her back, holding Kagome in his arms.

poisonous Kudamonoplease, help her, Inuyasha gasped as he shuffled towards the miko.

Kaede exclaimed. Shippou jumped off of Kirara just as Inuyasha handed Kagome to Kaede.

They've eaten a plant called the poisonous Kudamono! They're both very ill! Shippou cried.

Inuyasha pleaded to Kaede. No sooner had he uttered the words, he fell forward, unconscious onto the shrine grounds.

To be continued