CHAPTER 1
It was a beautiful day in the village today. It was the start of fall and the leaves around the forest were changing colors. The sun was still very warm, yet the coolness of the breeze was perfect to keep everyone cool. Inuyasha and his 'pack' were enjoying themselves by the river on one of their few 'days off'.
Inuyasha and Miroku were fishing up some dinner while Kagome and Sango were gathering more firewood nearby. Shippo and Kilala were playing in the clearing with a big bouncy ball Kagome had brought back from her time.
Inuyasha had insisted on taking time for his human friends to heal after their last battle. The Lizard Demon they fought had been particularly nasty and while not seriously injured, they had been thrown around quite a bit. He wasn't going to admit to his own achiness as such things don't affect demons like him. However, when he noticed a few large bruises on his friends, especially on Kagome, he insisted that they take time, to 're-supply' before going out again. He hated that he couldn't hunt for the shards alone, but he especially hated when she got hurt. It made him feel like he couldn't protect her. And that just pissed him off more. But with this ragtag 'pack' of his, he was able to call a halt for them to rest without it seeming like he was favoring her.
He and Miroku called it a good catch and brought their full basket of river fish back to the fire. The girls were building up the fire as the men put the cleaned fish on the flat metal grate that Kagome had the village blacksmith make. Inuyasha had to admit (to himself only) that it was a benefit for their cooking. They sat around the fire teasing each other, waiting for the meat to cook.
But then the afternoon fun was shattered by screams from jot far in the forest. Everyone froze for only a moment before they all took off running towards the sounds.
They were coming from a small group of children from the village, probably heading towards the river also. Only now they were surrounded by a pack of wild dogs. Just as Inuyasha reached them, the dogs attacked. One dog grabbed a child by the arm, shaking him violently and throwing him against a tree before Inuyasha got to him. Another child was grabbed by the face and thrown just as Inuyasha ripped the dog to shreds. Children were screaming in fear, Kagome and Sango were trying to help the children get back to the village. Miroku was trying to bandage up the two injured kids, when Inuyasha finished off the pack of dogs.
"They aren't even inu, just regular dogs. Why would they attack the kids?" he commented walking to Miroku. Then he noticed how badly injured the two with Miroku were. One had blood all over her little face, the other's arm was bloodied and broken, but would heal. Inuyasha wasn't sure the girl would make it back to the village in time. "Follow me!" Inuyasha yelled after taking up the small girl and running off to the village at full speed.
"I'm not as fast as you!" Miroku yelled after him picking up the small boy. The child had passed out, which Miroku thought was a blessing as this trip was going to be rough on his arm. Then he set out to return to the village as fast as he could.
A/N *** This is a delicate story for me to write, however I though it an appropriate one to start with as I know most of the story already, or at least how the main part goes. I have of course adapted it to fit in the world of Inuyasha to put a fantasy spin to it. I hope you all enjoy it. It can be a bit graphic, so if that may bother you, please be carefull.