Chapter 1: Betrayed
She was running over a plain, trying not to stumble, but she was tired and thirsty, her legs wanted to just give out, and her lungs screamed for air. She knew she could not stop or they would catch her and kill her. She wondered how they could turn on her like this, after she had defeated Naraku and made the jewel whole. Sure, she hid who she truly was from them, but it was for their safety. But they had learned what she truly was when she had killed Naraku. She could not hold back the whole of her energy. The moment she had the whole jewel, they turned on her and started to attack her. She had not the heart to fight back so she fled, going as fast as her legs would carry.
They were gaining on her and she could see a forest up ahead of her. If she could get there, she should be able to hide. She picked up speed, trying to lose them and get to safety. She had not been this far south before, farther than the mountains. It was new land but she hoped it would help her.
"We cannot go in there, Inuyasha," Miroku said, coming to a complete stop. "The forest will be the death of her, and the jewel will go with her."
"Keh." He turned from the woods and they walked off. She was as good as dead.
She made it to a river and collapsed, chest heaving and sweat matting her bangs to her forehead. She smelt the purity of the water so cupped her hands and filled them, before drinking her fill. She splashed more water on her face, and collapsed onto her ass. She was trying to catch her breath. They had not followed her into the forest. She was glad for this, and the reprieve. She had to find somewhere to stay, knowing it was too risky for her to return home.
When her heart had calmed, and her breath even, she stood. Her legs still felt like jelly, but she had to find shelter for the night and something to eat. She was on her own now, so she would have to follow her instincts on defending herself. She just walked on, finding a small cave, and making sure it was not a home to anything or anybody. Happy with the results, she dropped her heavy bag before taking out the butterfly knife her mother insisted she take with her. She would have to kill her prey up close so set out, remaining as silent as possible. She pounced on a rabbit and snapped its neck. She picked it up and picked some berries and nuts on her way back to the cave. She threw a barrier up around the cave and started a fire with pieces of wood that were near the cave.
She cooked the rabbit as she snacked on a few berries. She would sleep tonight and travel onward, hopefully finding somewhere she could stay. Hopefully they were not prejudice against her for being what she was. It was not her fault after all and she had never harmed anyone. But maybe it was time to shed this guise she held. She did so and she grew six inches, her breasts filled out, her waist narrowed and her ass became toned. Her legs were slender and toned same with her arms. One of her eyes remained sapphire while the other turned scarlet. Her hair grew to brush her knees, and became an onyx color. There were blue and red swirls on her form, as well as a few silver swirls. Claws formed on her hands.
She pulled the constricting clothes from her form before rummaging through her bag and pulling out a sapphire and scarlet kimono. The obi was scarlet as well, with a sapphire cord. She pulled on the light kimono and secured it before turning back to the rabbit. She sprinkled a few spices on it before rotating it, trying to get it to cook evenly. She pulled out some tabi and a pair of comfortable geta. She could not stand out anymore, even if her eyes were a dead giveaway to her mixed breed.
Once the rabbit was done cooking, she dug in and ate her fill, storing the rest away with the berries and nuts. She leaned back against the cave wall and closed her eyes, a light sleep coming over her. She would need to restore her spent energy before she continued on.
Scene Change – Western Lands
He looked down at his slumbering ward before picking up his half-brother's scent. He turned and signaled for Jaken to keep watch of the camp. There had been rumors of the half-breed scum being dead, and he had wanted confirmation. His half-brother would know so he sought him out, noticing the lack of the miko that was usually with them.
"Hanyou," he greeted and they were on guard, ready to attack. "I am not here for the Tetsusaiga. I have my own sword." They did not lower their guard. "Rumor has it Naraku is dead."
"He is," Sango said, still on edge.
"Where is your miko?" He was curious.
"That forbidden bitch isn't my miko," Inuyasha spat out. Hate was clear in his eyes. "She is probably dead by now. She ran into the southernmost forest, where no one dares to go. She should be dead now."
Sesshomaru was surprised but he didn't show it, instead turning and walking away. It seemed they were low to have abandoned their colleague. He should have known. The half breed had no loyalty, even if the miko had been loyal to him. Now Naraku was dead and he had nothing to do, but patrol his lands. He scoffed at the stupidity of his brother. It was not like Inuyasha belonged anywhere anyways. It was only a matter of time before the monk and slayer left him.
He returned to camp and sat against a tree. He closed his eyes but kept alert. There were several demons nearby, but knew none dared to come close to his camp, less they wanted to die. It would be boring and soon he would have to return to the castle to do paperwork and listen to the elders and his advisor lecture him about finding a mate. He didn't need it, and he would make it known. He didn't plan on dying any time soon anyways.
Scene Change – Southernmost Lands
Kagome awoke and put the fire out. She ate the cold rabbit and grabbed her pack before dropping her barrier. She pulled on her tabi and geta before heading out, following the river. She was being cautious, her senses on high alert. She would need to find another bow and some arrows. She would then at least have some form of defense. She heard a twig snap and she turned towards the sound. Her eyes narrowed and she called out. They had not heeded her warning so her claws lengthened and she moved forward quickly, only to stop at the smell of fear. She lowered her hand and pushed aside the bushes to see a set of twins. They looked malnourished and were covered in dirt and many scratches. Kagome always had a weakness for children so she stooped to their level and smiled.
"Hello. I'm Kagome and I'm not going to hurt you." She held her hand out to the twins. "Are you two hungry?" She could hear their stomachs growl. She laughed, but the younger of the two shrunk back, hiding behind her older brother. He glared at her, but the prospect of food sounded so good to them. "Come now, I will not harm you. I have some food." She settled her pack down and pulled out the remainder of the rabbit, berries and nuts she had. "Take it." She held it forward and the young girl looked ready to run out and grab it.
"You will only hurt us," the boy said.
"I would never hurt a child," she said softly. She smiled at them. She knew they could smell no deceit from her, being neko youkai. They came forward and took the food and ate it. "Would you like to come with me?" She couldn't abandon the two kittens, and she could see their tails swaying back and forth, their ears swiveling around. "You will be well taken care of. You will have food in your stomachs and protection, and someday a roof over your heads."
"We should go with her, brother," the younger of the two said. "No one else will take care of us."
He was reluctant, but agreed. It was better than being left alone at this young age in these lands. They moved on with her, but stayed close together. They couldn't quite trust her. The last time they had, they were beaten and starved and forced to do manual labor. They had managed to flee, and their pursuers stopped when they had made it into this forest. They had gone weeks without food. What she had given them was the last thing they had ate in a while.
"We'll be stopping for rest in a few," Kagome said, noticing the position the sun was in. She would catch some fish for them and keep traveling after they had their fill. "Stay here." They nodded and watched as she pulled the edge of her kimono up and tucked it into the obi before going into the river. She reached into the water, being sure not to disturb anything before yanking a fish out of the water and throwing it onto the bank. She caught two more and came back to shore, straightening her kimono. She started a small fire before cooking the fish. The two sniffed the air and came closer, looking at the fish with mouths watering. They were so hungry.
"It'll be done in a few. Why don't you two go and wash up in the river?" She looked at the two and knew they were still nervous about her. She smiled to reassure them before turning back to the fish. She rotated them before reaching into her bag and pulling out her bottles of water. They would need to be refilled before they moved on. The twins came back and she handed each of them a fish. She took her own and dug into it as the two ate their fish like they were never going to see food again. Kagome smiled as she pulled pieces from the bones.
They finished and Kagome stood, putting the fire out. She went to the river and filled the bottles before shoving them back into her bag and picking it up. She started back off, the two following her. She kept alert as the two talked back and forth. She smiled as she continued farther into these lands. She was not sure what she would find, but she hoped it would be somewhere she could stay with these two. They had not deserved to be neglected.
Author's Note: Here is a new fiction I will be trying out. I am not sure if I will make it a crossover yet. But here is the start. Of course I do not own Inuyasha. Read, review, and ENJOY!