Chapter 3

"Ugh, dammit I can't believe that happened." InuYasha groaned. Kagome just sat down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. InuYasha looked at Kagome and she just smiled at him.

"You know it could of ended alot differently if he wanted it to InuYasha. He could of killed both you and your brother if he wanted to." Kagome sighed and suddenly a smile spread across her lips.

"What's with the smile Kagome? Do you think the idea of me and Sesshomaru killed is funny or something?" InuYasha asked a harsh tone. Kagome cringed at the sound of his harsh words. She turned to InuYasha and shook her head.

"No, nothing like that InuYasha. It's just the way Myoga talked about him. When both you and Sesshomaru were out of the fight I thought for sure this 'wrathful assassin' would kill us all. He's basically the opposite of they way Myoga described him. I mean he's strong, but he's not the vicious blood-thirsty monster that legend made him out to be." She looked into the sky and yawned.

"Yeah, he was unbelievalbly strong. From what you and the others said it only took one punch to bring me down in my full demon form. That's quite the feat. We should thank him for killing Naraku if we ever run into him again. Anyways, you sound tired Kagome. Lay down and get some rest. We have to look for more shards tomorrow." InuYasha quietly replied. Kagome stood up and walked to her sleeping bag. She yawned once more before telling InuYasha goodnight. He simply smiled and said it back. Depsite the seemingly peaceful evening InuYasha couldn't shake the feeling of looming danger. Despite what his instincts were yelling at his brain, niether his eyes, his nose or even his ears detected anything out of the ordinary. Little InuYasha know his senses were being manipulated. There was a very sinister presence close to his friends.

"Thats right little half demon. Go to sleep under a veil of false security. That girl with her sacred powers...she will be mine by tomorrows end. Her blood will increase my demonic powers 10 fold. I'll also steal that sacred jewel of hers too. Heh." The mysterious figure then vanished almost instantly.

The following morning Kagome woke up feeling refreshed and alot better then yesterday. She knew that they wouldn't have to deal with 'The Assassin'. She couldn't help but smile when she thought back to the events of yesterday. Myoga described him as a crazed killer, but in reality he was actually a guy that most moms would be proud of their daughters bringing him home. She walked to the stream and splashed some of the cold water onto her face. It instantly woke up her senses. She dried her face with the hand towel she had brought with her. She walked to the camp site and began to prepare breakfast.

"I think InuYasha will enjoy this. I know Shippo will." She smiled as she got out 5 bowls, 5 spoons, a box of chocolate cereal and a gallon of fresh milk. 'You know, come to think of it I've never seen InuYasha eat anything except ramen and fish. Or anything else I bring. I think he'll enjoy chocolate cereal.' She smiled and started to hum a tune to herself. InuYasha's demonic hearing managed to pick up her humming and he sat up and looked at her.

"What are you doing so arly, Kagome? It's barely even morning." InuYasha stood up and stretched his arms and his legs before walking over to Kagome. She stopped humming and turned around and smiled at him.

"I was just making breakfast for everyone. Why are you up so early?" She smiled gently at hime and showed him the bowls and cereal she had prepared.

"Well, I was sleeping but I heard this really un-nerving sound that caused me to wake up." He walked closer to her and sniffed the box of cereal. Kagome looked at him puzzled.

"What did you hear InuYasha?" Kagome asked him in a more serious tone. He just smiled lightly and began to mimic Kagome's humming from just moments before. She blushed and held both hands at her side.

"Are you saying I sound bad or something by that comment InuYasha?" She glared directly at him. He stopped mimicing her and turned to face her.

"No, Kagome it was actually good. Too good. It was a little too peaceful for my liking." He said in a firm tone. He then looked around the area.

"Last night, I had this feeling. I didn't see or hear or smell anyone, but I felt like someone was stalking us. Like prey. I can't explain why I felt it, I just did." He grabbed the hilt of his Tetsuiaga. Kagome walked over and placed a hand on his back. He relaxed at her touch and looked down at her.

"It'll be okay InuYasha. You're here. Plus, Sesshomaru is not very far away. We'll be fine. Now, lets eat breakfast. Help me wake them up." InuYasha and Kagome proceeded to wake up all their compainions and they were enjoying their day. Suddenly Kagome, Miroku, and Sango all stood up and looked in the same direction.

"Do you feel that Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked with a very catious tone. InuYasha then stood up next to Miroku. He glance to his left to look at Kagome. He eyes were wide open and her knees were slightly shaking. InuYasha leaped to her side and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Y-yes, Miroku. I feel that. That is the darkest, most pure evil demonic energy I have ever felt. Naraku's demonic energy wasn't even this sinister. Nor Sesshomaru or even you, as a full demon InuYasha." Kagome had seem to lose all hope in her voice with those words. InuYasha looked in the same direction but his demonic senses were failing him once again when all of the sudden they all hear something that none of them could deny.

"The girl with the sacred powers and the sacred jewel will die. Her blood will be the catalyst for my next demonic transfromation. I will bathe in her blood and eat my meals using her bones. Resistance is futile, I will kill anyone who attempts to stop me." A voice roared out like a clap of thunder surrounding them.

"Then why don't you come on out and show yourself. Quit being a coward! I won't let you lay a hand on a single piece of hair on Kagome's head!" InuYasha barked out in a very angry tone. Kagome even heard some growls eminatting from his throat. Suddenly a bolt of lightning landed directly in front of InuYasha and InuYasha couldn't react fast enough. He was launched back about 20 feet and Kagome rushed to his side. When she reach his side she saw a single slash going down the front of his torso. His Cloth of the Fire-Rat kimino was drenched by his blood. He even had a puddle seeping onto the ground under him. Kagome had seen him injured before and she never gets use to it. This time was much worse though. InuYasha would not be able to defend himself and she had left her bow and arrows by the camp site. She couldn't risk going after them.

":Kagome! Watch Out!" Miroku and Sango jointly yelled to their friend. It was to late thought. By the time Kagome turned to look a mysterious dark figure was dashing at her with a sword in it's left hand. Suddenly she felt a warm sensation cover her. She had heard the sound of a sword slicing through flesh. Her fear was that InuYasha had managed to stand up and took the blow for her. She opened her eyes only to see InuYasha laying on the ground with both eyes wide open. Kagome turned around.

"I t-told you to be careful and watch out for yourself. Heh." He said between breaths. Kagome covered her mouth. Shadow, the man from yesterday was standing in front of her with a sword impaled through his stomach just inches away from her face. She looked at herself only to notice that she was covered in his blood. Suddenly, the sword was jerked from his stomach and he stumbled backwards and knelt next to InuYasha.

"I won't let you harm this girl! I told you I would kill you for what you did and that's what I plan on doing!" Shadow yelled as he quickly reached down and grabbed Tetsuiaga. To Kagome's suprise the sword didn't reject him, it actually transformed into the Fang Of Destruction. He swug it and the figure laughed and gave one final message.

"Better luck next time. Hahaha!" The figure laughed as it disappated. Shadow groaned and collapsed on the ground.