Not a single bone in my body didn't ache by the time I finished the long mental list of things to be done. On top of that, I hadn't had a bath yet so I stank, I hadn't slept in over 24 hours and now a simple tree root defeated me. It was nearly the 'straw that broke Kagome's back'.
Night was fast approaching and I needed to hurry and yet a single root, gnarled and old, had delayed me. Close to tears, I waited for what seemed like hours before I found the courage to move again. By that time, darkness had set in and limited my visibility.
"Kagome." I jumped and shrieked when Inuyasha dropped down behind me. "Easy Kagome." He laughed slightly before hugging me tightly. "You'll be fine. The runt has great senses for nighttime and even a baby Fluff will be able to keep watch. However, Sesshomaru can fight and you can purify." Inuyasha gave me one more tight squeeze before releasing me. It was then that Sesshomaru-teenaged-entered the clearing. My jaw fell off in awe of him. He wore a tight, black leather training suit that accented every curve of muscle. His hair was pulled atop of his head in a high ponytail with only his bangs to cover his face and hide his lapis colored eyes.
"Miko, are we ready to leave yet?" Thankful that his preternatural senses were nelled due to his humanity, I closed my jaw. It would not do to let him know I found the human form attractive. Not only would he murder me in the cruelest of fashions, it would be a betrayal to Inuyasha.
"Yes, let me gather my bag and we'll be ready." I turned on my heel and wrapped my arms around Inuyasha's neck. "I'll be back soon, be careful."
Inuyasha nuzzled my hair and squeezed me tightly. "Be safe Kagome." He stepped away and ran into the surrounding forest.
* * *
"Can we stop here for the day?" Shippou's tired voice called out from his position at the back of the group. The area was a small clearing with hot springs on the edge. A large boulder separated the spring halfway making it okay to bathe at the same time. It couldn't have been more perfect for the dilemma of different gender bathing!
"Okay Shippou, Sesshomaru, lets get a bath before we pull out our sleeping bags." I know it was impractical but my muscles felt like jelly.
Screaming filled the air with a terrifying energy as Shippou and Sesshomaru shot up. Pure terror wracked me as I ran for the sound after issuing a quick 'stay'. I had only a bow and quiver but I didn't care.
Upon entering a small village, I noticed on thing: the place was covered in blood and gore. The need to wretch was strong but my sense of protecting overrode it. I began frantically searching every house for survivors. I found none but the scream echoed still in my head. I wouldn't stop looking.
Everywhere I looked, no one had been spared. Old and young, strong and weak, beautiful and ugly...not even the animals had been spared. Cats seemed to have it the worst of all though if they way they were said anything. That was too disturbing for words.
"Maman..." Faint and barely heard, the whisper filled my hopes. It meant someone had survived the bloody carnage.