This idea came to me, and now I've decided it's going to be my writing project for the semester, or however long it takes me to complete it.

I love Inuyasha, but I did not create it... Rumiko Takahashi did.

A New Wind

Kagome sighed, stepping over a root as she followed Inuyasha deeper into the forest. Sango and Miroku walked behind her, listening to Shippou as he tried to teach them a new game he had learned from the children in the last village.

They had been traveling for over a week now, and still there had been no sign of any demon that the villages had been talking about.

Once, when everything had first started at the very beginning, Kagome had thought that once Naraku was defeated everything would be set to rights. There would be no evil lurking in every village, no need to look over your shoulder, no nights without sleep just because the next day could be the last opportunity to kill the one being that threatened all other beings.

But now, even two years after Naraku had been defeated, there was still a need to look over your shoulder and be wary of who you made your friend.

As soon as Naraku was out of the picture, other demons had got the idea that they could take his place. Now, demons ran rampant, and there were entire packs of them that still terrorized village after village.

Just recently, there were reports of centipede demons ruining the villages to the east. And while they never posed much of a threat, there was a rumor that the centipedes were working with another, more powerful demon. And so, when Kaede had told them about the rumor, Kagome and the others had collectively decided to go and see if the rumors were true.

But the village to the east where the demons were supposed to be was still a long way off, and Kagome sighed again as she thought about what the next few weeks would hold.

As far as she was concerned, the next few months could be spent in this time. It was summer, and so she could stay away from school. Not that she had to go back to that either. She remembered her mother last time she was home, and cringed at the ideas that had been put to her. A job? Now? She still had business in this time, in the past. She couldn't get a job yet.

And so here she was, listening to Shippou explain what the point of tossing a ball straight into the air and running in the opposite direction was, her eyes glued to the back of a temperamental hanyou, and for the first time in weeks she felt content.

"How long until we reach the next village?" She asked the group.

"It'll be another week or so before we get close to that village in the east," Miroku answered. "There should be another village about a day's walk from here, though, where we can get more supplies."

Kagome nodded. A long journey sounded great right now, and as she continued walking forward, she caught up with Inuyasha and walked by his side, her mind wandering as the sounds of birds chirping echoed through the trees.

They were passing through a small clearing when Shippou jumped off of Miroku's shoulder and ran ahead, picking up acorns that were scattered in the tiny clearing.

When they got to the other side, Inuyasha glanced back, stopping the group as Shippou continued to pick up the fallen acorns.

"Shippou!" Inuyasha called to him. "Let's go!"

Shippou looked up, a small frown on his face as he stuff an acorn into his pocket. He didn't say a word as he started to run to the group.

Shippou froze mid-step, his tail twitching once before freezing as well.

"Shippou?" Kagome stepped up behind the little kitsune and stared at him. "What's the matter?"

"Do you feel that?"

Kagome turned to see Inuyasha suddenly close to her side, his eyes raking through the trees.

"Feel what?"

"I do," came Miroku's soft answer, and Kagome saw him tense as well.

"I don't feel anything. Sango?" She turned to the demon-slayer who shrugged, Hiraikotsu shifting on her shoulder. But the demon-slayer's eyes were wary, glancing between the hanyou and the monk.

Kagome glanced down and again, and her eyes grew wide as she saw Shippou shaking all over. She fell to her knees and put her hand to the kit's shoulder.

"Shippou! What's the matter?"

The kit's mouth opened to answer, but he was cut short as a wind suddenly blew through the tiny clearing. And Kagome felt a chill go down her spine.

She sensed it now. "Demonic aura," she whispered, and she saw Sango nod out of the corner of her eye. She turned and met the other woman's stare. Why had they not been able to sense it before? The males had all been finely attuned to the demon's approach, but she and Sango had been oblivious until the wind had picked up.

And the aura was getting stronger.

Kagome stood, stepping closer to the kitsune as she reached behind her to make sure her arrows were in reach. She wouldn't draw them yet. While this demonic aura was strong, she didn't get any hint of violence from it. A simple presence, even a strong one at that, was nothing to overreact about. If the demon meant them no harm, having weapons drawn and at the ready would not help the situation. And judging by Inuyasha's near silent growling, Kagome guessed if weapons were needed then the hanyou would be more than willing to cover for her if she should have to take a moment to draw her bow and arrow.

The wind suddenly picked up, and Shippou jumped, giving out a little yelp. He ran quickly behind Inuyasha, and peeked towards the forest past the hanyou's leg.

"Kagome, you and Sango stay back," Inuyasha muttered, and she watched as his hand shifted to Tessaiga. "Stay out of this one."

"Inuyasha? Why-" but she never finished her question. The wind picked up suddenly and she shut her eyes against the leaves that spun around the clearing. Shippou squeaked in surprise and fear again, and Kagome felt his hand fall upon her leg for a moment before it disappeared.

The wind settled quickly enough, but Kagome opened her eyes slowly. A figure stood at the opposite end of the clearing, and Kagome caught a glimpse of black hair and gray robes before Inuyasha stepped in front of her.

"Greetings," the demon said, and Kagome was shocked at how Inuyasha and Miroku tensed. She glanced at Sango, and saw the other woman's eyes narrowed at the demon.

"What is your business here?" Miroku snapped, and Kagome stared at him in surprised. Miroku was usually the diplomatic one, and here he was being the antagonist?

"I'm traveling," the demon drawled, and Kagome shifted so that she could get a better view of him. His voice was soothing, and she found herself relaxing despite not know who this demon was. She managed to catch a glimpse of him past Inuyasha's shoulder before the hanyou shifted his stance again, as if to block her from view. The fleeting glimpse she got of him reminded her briefly of Sesshomaru, and she almost laughed. "I'm traveling and seek nothing more than a friendly face every once and a while."

"Well you won't get one here, demon," Inuyasha snarled. "Go on your way."

"Inuyasha!" Kagome stared at the back of his head. She lowered her voice so that only Inuyasha could hear as she whispered, "He hasn't done anything. Calm down."

"No," was the clipped answer, and Kagome sighed, seeing he wasn't in the mood to compromise.

"That woman has some sense in her," the demon's voice wafted into the air, and Kagome's muscles tensed up. He had heard her? "You should listen to her."

Inuyasha scoffed. "Not this time," he crowed. Kagome opened her mouth to retaliate, but the breeze suddenly picked up again. The breeze was cool as it brushed over her body, and she shivered. This was no ordinary breeze. It was charged with energy and demonic power, and Kagome gasped as a gust suddenly wove under her hair to caress her neck.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's concerned voice pulled her attention from the strange breeze.

"Inuyasha, what was that?"

"Oi! Stop your tricks," Inuyasha shouted at the demon.

"Go your own way and we will not harm you," Miroku prompted, and he took a step to his left. Kagome realized he was moving closer to Sango, and she was surprised to see that the demon-slayer was staring wide-eyed at the demon now, surprise clearly written over her face.

"Not yet," the demon said. "I need to ask the girl something." And Kagome heard the sound of boots crunching over fallen leaves and twigs.

Inuyasha's growl erupted into the clearing. Before Kagome knew what had happened, Inuyasha was firmly in front of her, his arm thrust out against her chest to prevent her from moving.

"You don't touch her," Inuyasha ground out, and Kagome stared in shock at the back of his head.

The demon chuckled quietly.

"And who are you to decide that?" He sounded extremely smug.

"I protect Kagome."

"You are not her mate, so that is not your job."

Behind the sudden blush rising to her face, Kagome heard Inuyasha's growling grow louder. She reached up and laid her hand on his bicep, pulling down to try to get him to calm down.

"Inuyasha, don't pay attention to him. He-"

"Shut up, Kagome, and stay put. Don't distract me."

Kagome froze. Shock was her first reaction. He hadn't even turned to look at her, and she hadn't managed to move his arm one bit. But anger was soon to follow. He wasn't even letting her stand on her own, and so far the demon hadn't done anything to show he meant any of them harm.

"Inuyasha," she warned him, and her voice was low, dangerous, and one of Inuyasha's ears twitched towards her voice.

"Kagome, leave it be." Miroku's voice startled her, and her anger was pushed aside as she heard his warning tone. She turned to her left and was shocked yet again to see Miroku in battle stance, his staff held out before him in both hands, lips in a fierce scowl while his eyes were locked on the demon's figure. He looked dangerous, and for a moment Kagome could barely recognize him.

But what shocked her more was that he was standing in front of Sango now, much like Inuyasha stood before her. And the taijiya was letting him. Her eyes were locked on the demon as well, Hiraikotsu at the ready, but Miroku was standing before her all the same. Shippou must have ran off, she realized, as he was nowhere in sight. A shiver shot down her spine as her eyes went back to Inuyasha.

He was vibrating now with the intensity of his growls and the tension of his anger. Her hand still clutched his arm, and she squeezed her hand for a moment to communicate quietly that she was ready to listen to him. He seemed to relax somewhat, his stance changing from one of defense to one of offense now that he knew she wouldn't disobey him now.

Kagome looked passed him. She could see the other demon now. His hair was midnight black, his eyes brilliant green, and for a moment he looked up and caught her staring at him. He smiled, and his chuckle echoed off of the trees.

"She's special, this one," he said, and his voice seemed to purr off of the leaves and the grass. A shiver went through Kagome, and she found herself suddenly stepping closer to Inuyasha, her entire body shaking. "She has power in her." And he smiled, and started to walk towards her.

And Tessaiga was out, the tip pointed at the demon.

"Come a step closer and you'll be dead before your foot hits the ground."

The demon's eyes left Kagome and fell upon Inuyasha. His smile fell into something more dangerous.

"Do not threaten me, pup."

He moved quicker than Kagome ever would have imagined. One moment, she could feel Inuyasha's heat against her front, his body shielding hers, and the next she was standing alone, a cold breeze sweeping across her body.

She heard, as if from a distance, the sound of a tree breaking, the trunk being smashed in half. Someone yelled a warning, the sound of Hiraikotsu whizzing overhead, and then everything seemed to go still.

She could feel her heart beating, the feel of her blood rushing in her veins, the feel of that cool breeze flowing over her skin. But all she could see was white.

What is happening to me, she thought, and panic seized her. But she couldn't move, couldn't cry out, and her eyes, no matter where she looked could see nothing but whiteness. Inuyasha! She cried out in her mind, but there was only silence and the sound of her own heart.

It seemed like eternity happened in those few seconds of sheer panic, and then the sound of chuckling shattered the rhythm of her heart pounding in her ears. She searched the whiteness, looked for the figure of the black-haired demon.

"Sango!" Miroku's voice came to her suddenly, and she cringed with the sudden loud noise. She tried to whip her head around, tried to search for the monk or the taijiya, but she could see nothing.

Miroku's shout, when she heard it next, was full of barely suppressed fury. "Don't touch her!"

And then Sango screamed. Panic and anger and fear flared in Kagome and she shut her eyes tight, trying to move with all her might. Miroku's voice held real panic in it when he called to the demon-slayer again. "She's bound to me, demon, stay your ground!"

That chuckling again, and then the feel of a hand on her waist. Her eyes snapped open, but when she tried to look down she couldn't. Her limbs wouldn't move.

The sound of scuffling, of panting and grunting reached her ears, and Kagome thought for a moment she heard Inuyasha swear, and her heart stopped at the sheer desperation in the sound.

"Miko," came the demon's voice, and Kagome felt like she was being lifted up, and everything was turning black. "You'll have to do. That demon-slayer can wait until next time," and then Kagome heard a sound of pure animal outrage, and the pressure on her hip increased, followed by a hand on her other hip. Her eyes snapped shut, and she screamed for Inuyasha, but no sound came out.

And then the hands were ripped away, and the sound of a creature hissing snaked through the air, and arms like bands of metal clamped around her chest, pulling her back and back and back, and she was falling, the sound of fighting and breaking twigs and feet hitting hard ground rushed passed her.

Then there was a moment of nothing, followed by too many moments of darkness. She didn't know how long it lasted, just that by the time light started to peak under her eyelids she felt like she had been gone for forever, and yet no time at all.

The metal band was still around her chest, but she was being cradled by something on either side of her body. Against her back was a vibrating wall, and she shifted back into it. It was soft, and yet solid and unyielding, and when she shook her head to clear the dizziness away her left temple collided with something very solid.

Her eyes snapped open, and she felt the pressure against her cheek, flowing down until it rested almost painfully against her neck, like something was holding her there. Something warmed flowed over her neck, and she realized it was warm breath.

Her vision came slowly, followed by memories, and she watched in horror at the sight before her. She was on the ground, her legs sprawled out in front of her, watching Miroku face off the black-haired demon. The demon's eyes were tinged with red now, and he seemed to sense Kagome watching him, because his eyes snapped to her. She didn't see him step forward, but all of a sudden he was so much closer, and Kagome pushed back against the vibrations at her back.

The metal band around her tightened, and she felt the pressure on either side of her legs increase. The pressure on her neck increased as well, and for a moment her eyes fluttered closed. She couldn't stop the reaction, not even with the demon standing there watching her, and her heart sped up at the sensation that shot down her spine at the pressure.

"You stopped me now, hanyou," the demon's voice echoed in Kagome's mind and her eyes snapped open to see the demon watching something over her left shoulder very carefully. "But do not think this is over. That priestess is not yours yet."

And suddenly the wind picked up, and Kagome closed her eyes against the dirt and leaves that got caught in the whirlwind as the demon left.

When she opened them again, she slowly started to focus on the clearing around her. Miroku had disappeared, and she searched for him fleetingly. She wouldn't allow herself to think of Inuyasha now, not when she had heard him call out with such rage before. What had happened?

Her breath caught when she saw Miroku leaning over a prostrate Sango. The demon-hunter was conscious, her eyes blinking up at Miroku, and Kagome was shocked to see the monk reach down and brush the hair out of the taijiya's face. They were talking in subdued voices, and Kagome couldn't hear what they were saying, but after a moment Sango nodded and Miroku put an arm under her shoulders to help her sit up. Sango gripped her head with a hand, her eyes shut tight, and Kagome saw blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

Kagome felt fear grip her, and her eyes darted around the clearing. A tree was uprooted on the other side of the clearing, its roots splayed and scattering dirt over the grass beneath it. Branches were knocked off of it, its trunk split in half, like something had smashed into it, uprooted it, and then used various part of it as a weapon.

Panic was flaring through her, and Kagome closed her eyes, leaning back, barely registering that anything was wrapped tightly around her anymore.

The sound of feet padding against the grass drew her eyes open and up, and Miroku was crouching in front of her.

"It's okay, now," he was saying, his voice soothing yet guarded. And Kagome stared at him. He wasn't looking at her, but at something right above her left shoulder. Something shifted behind her and Kagome started, her eyes going down to her legs. The vibrations against her back increased as Miroku held out a hand to Kagome, and Kagome saw out of the corner of her eye his hand drop again.

She was staring down at her body. Legs cradled her own, stretched out on either side of her, and arms were wrapped tightly around her middle. Red cloth covered the limbs, and silver hair flowed over her shoulder to mix with her own raven hair.

"Inuyasha," Miroku tried again, his voice more forceful, and Kagome realized the vibrations were the half-demon's growls. She turned her head just slightly to the left, and saw Inuyasha's face pressed against her neck, and realized with a jolt that his teeth were fastened around her skin where shoulder met neck. "Inuyasha, the demon's gone."

Kagome was stiff where she sat, cradled against the hanyou, her vision going slack as she realized the position she was in. But Inuyasha, it seemed, didn't care.

Or didn't realize.

She shifted her arms after a moment or two of feeling his breath sweep over her neck, warming her shoulder, and placed her hands on Inuyasha's arms. He shifted beneath her, and his arms seemed to tighten for a moment before relaxing a bit, so that instead of pressing her against him he was merely resting his arms against her. But still his teeth were fashioned against her neck.

Kagome stayed still, and despite everything she felt the tension ease out of her body. Her body hurt, and her head felt even worse, with her vision swimming every few moments if she kept her eyes open, and the light hurt her eyes no matter if the lids were open or closed. Her limbs felt like she had been running for days, and as she closed her eyes for a moment she realized something warm and wet was trickling from her nose. She lifted a hand up and pressed it to her nose, her heart stopping when she pulled it away and saw blood.

"Inuyasha?"

She couldn't control how her voice sounded desperate and scared, or how it shook.

For the first time he seemed to calm down. The growling died down to a dull thrumming in his chest, and after a moment his teeth left her skin. But he didn't move away just yet. She felt his lips press against the spot where his teeth had sunk into her neck, and nearly jumped when his tongue lapped out to sooth the slight pain that accompanied the bite mark.

But then his forehead was resting against her shoulder, and he was shaking in waves.

Kagome looked up. Miroku was there, still watching them, and he locked eyes with Kagome.

"We need to move, find shelter for the night," was all he said. Kagome nodded, but couldn't force herself to move. Her whole body ached, and Inuyasha's actions were beginning to frighten her.

Miroku stood and Kagome watched as he walked over to where Sango was leaning against a tree, trying to stand slowly all the while her eyes were blinking back the midday sun. Kirara was transformed, and there was a gash in her right side, dripping blood onto the grass, but she stood by Sango, allowing the demon-hunter to grip her fur for balance before Miroku came and put his arm about her waist to help her.

"You're hurt."

Inuyasha's voice startled her, and her eyes snapped away from the scene before her to Inuyasha's arms around her waist.

"Inuyasha?"

"I can smell your blood," he answered, and his arms tightened almost imperceptibly.

She shook her head and her vision swam, so she closed her eyes. "I'll be fine," she said, even though she was still terrified that she wasn't. Why was her nose bleeding? And why did it feel like her head bad been smashed against a wall?

Miroku's voice brought them back to the present. "We need to move," he said, authority taking over in his voice. "Now."

Kagome looked up to see Sango on Kirara's back, Miroku behind her. For once he was actually holding onto her instead of using his staff as a handhold around her. From the way Sango swayed and Miroku's arms tightened around her, Kagome realized with a shock that it was to prevent the demon-hunter from falling. Whatever had happened to her seemed to have happened to Sango as well.

A rustling in the trees had Inuyasha growling again, and his head was immediately drawn from Kagome's shoulder to whip in the direction of the sound. His whole body tensed, and Kagome watched as Kirara leapt into the air, facing the oncoming intruder, ready to attack as well as guard the demon-slayer on her back.

A moment later Kagome heard her name squeaked into the air, the rest of the party's names soon following, and a russet ball of fur came flying into the clearing.

Inuyasha practically barked, "Back off, runt," and instantly the ball froze. Shippou stared at Kagome and Inuyasha in front of him. His entire body was shaking, his eyes wide as he took in the blood on Kagome, the way Inuyasha was still protectively wrapped around her.

"Kagome, are you okay?" He sounded like he was on the verge of tears.

She nodded, and her head swam again. "I'm fine, Shippou." Shippou nodded quickly, his eyes glued to her face, tracing the line of blood running from her nose. "Where did you disappear to?"

"Later," Inuyasha growled, and then he was shifting, his grip moving only to slide under Kagome so that he could lift her up and cradle her against his chest. "We're moving."

Kagome looked up, and gasped when she saw red flaking the half-demon's amber gaze.

"Inuyasha?"

"Later," was all he said, and when his eyes flickered down to her for only a moment, she felt herself press more tightly against him, her eyes closing on a shiver.

"Inuyasha?" Shippou's voice broke into the darkness engulfing her mind as Inuyasha started to run, Kirara following with Miroku and Sango. Kagome opened her eyes to see the kitsune perched on Inuyasha's shoulder. His hand was dabbing at Inuyasha's shoulder, and Inuyasha's growl started again. "You're hurt too."

"Forget it, runt."

Kagome stared at the half-demon for a moment longer, then turned her gaze to Miroku and Sango. Sango's eyes were clenched tight shut, and her knuckles were white where she was gripping Miroku's arms around her waist.

"Sango," Kagome whispered, and Inuyasha's arms tightened around her.

"What was that demon?" She whispered, and she knew Inuyasha heard her by the way he tensed against her body.

"Later," he said.

If you have any questions about what's going on, just be patient a little longer. This is only the first chapter, after all, so questions will be answered as the story continues (ex: Who exactly was this demon? Why did Shippou disappear? etc.).