I could not do it. After all this time, I couldn't kill her.

"Fool," he cursed at himself, "allowing such a helpless human to sway you from your purpose!"

I saw the guilt on her face. Even she knew she deserved what was coming.

Even as he swore to banish her from his mind, he could not help but wonder what or who had caused her such pain.

Shaking his head decisively, he forced his thoughts to focus elsewhere.

Perhaps Rin would enjoy venison for dinner.

Kagome, slowly coming back to herself after the troubling appearance of the dog demon, looked around and tried to get her bearings. Believing herself to be only a few hours walk from the well, she decided to continue instead of making camp for the night.

After several hours of walking, Kagome was wishing she had thought this through a little more.

She now believed it to be around midnight. She had no idea where she was, let alone where the well was.

Kami! This was foolish of me. I've gone and gotten myself lost even worse than before.

Finally, weary in both body and soul, Kagome sank to the ground and let her emotions pour forth. She lay, vulnerable in the dark, as huge sobs wracked her entire body for the second time that night.

After two hours of restless sleep Kagome's powers awoke her from depressing dreams. Her miko senses were alerting her to the danger she was in.

A yokai is stalking me. Not overly powerful, but BIG.

Without hesitating, she jumped up, grabbed her pack and ran.

Her legs pumping, she dodged the trees as best she could, stumbling and tripping over roots in the dark.

The sounds of trees snapping behind her spurred her to even greater speed.

Sprinting was taxing her strength, despite her physically fit body. She was gasping for breath. Cramps throbbed in her sides. Her heavy backpack hit her with each step.

I can't keep this up for much longer.

Branches tore at her hair and clothes. Her face stung with pain where she'd been hit.

The creature was gaining on her. The dense trees impeded the progress of its massive body, but it was starting to catch up to her.

A fire flickered in the distance.

There! That's my only hope. If I can get to the light, I can turn and fight this demon. I just hope whoever's fire it is doesn't come to any harm.