Tadaa! *opens curtain* Here's chapter 7 my beautiful fans! :D But first, cookies for my five AWESOME reviewers wolf girl4797, sangoscourage, ArmyRoseAlice, Emzy2k11 and Reader559! YOU GUYS/GIRLS ARE THE BEST! Also, a big thanks to all the people who have either favorited and/or followed this story. Thank you SO much! Hope you all enjoy chapter 7!

BEFORE YOU READ: Just another reminder, in this story there WILL be some scenes that you will recognize from the anime. But, since Kaze is here now, I promise that they'll be greatly different from the anime. All the same, I will try and avoid putting in exact anime scenes as much as possible. I mean, you guys have seen the anime so why would you need to read it as well, right?

Terms to know…
Kami – God
Hanyou – Half Demon
Miko – Priestess
Taijiya – Demon Slayer
Kitsune – Fox

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha, the Inuyasha plot, NOR the Inuyasha characters. I only own my own OC Kaze Hijikata, any other OCs created along the way, and any part of the plot NOT a part of the Inuyasha anime or manga. I do, however, own this fanfic right here and I'd like to keep it that way.

Chapter 7-The Serpent's Bite

Inuyasha's Pack/Kaede's Hut
Silence ensured over the small shard-hunting party as they ate; each pondering over the fact that Naraku had probably been spying on them yet again. Everyone except Kaze seemed deeply troubled by the event and, to be perfectly honest, all the silence was beginning to wear on her.

"Sooo," she began, practically desperate to make conversation, "You said that this Kanna was one on Naraku's incarnations. Kagome already explained to me how that worked, but she didn't list them off for me."

"Well, other than Kanna, the only other living one we know of is Kagura." Inuyasha stated, "She's a wind sorceress."

Kaze mulled over the information she was given, "I see."

SILENCE…

"Umm… So, Kaze," Shippo began tentatively, trying to break through the tense atmosphere, "are you going to be traveling with us as we search for sacred jewel shards?"

"Hmm…" the spiritualist was silent for several seconds as she looked over at the kitsune kit, "Yeah, I suppose I will. At least, I don't see why not."

"That's good." A certain white-haired hanyou said offhandedly, "It'll be helpful having someone as strong as you around during a battle, that's for sure."

"Inuyasha…" Miroku trailed off in surprise as the white-haired youth's praising words. Even Kaze seemed taken aback by the hanyou's statement.

"Keh! I'm just saying!" Inuyasha snapped, becoming defensive as he noticed everyone's attention being directed at him, "So, don't go all getting the wrong idea or something!"

Everyone, including the raven-haired spiritualist, chuckled at Inuyasha's reaction. It seemed the gruff male was beginning to except Kaze into his pack as one of his own. Suddenly, a piercing scream sounded from the corner of the small building.

"AHHH!"

All heads turned to see Kagome rummaging frantically through her bags. "What's wrong, Kags?" her cousin asked worriedly.

"Oh, no!" the miko cried desperately, "I forgot to pack my math book to study, and we have a big exam coming up soon too! I'm gonna have to run back and get it!"

The raven-haired spiritualist raised a bemused eyebrow, "She actually brings her school work along and studies here?"

"Don't be stupid, Kagome!" Inuyasha snapped, moving into a standing position, "With the threat of Naraku hatching some new plan, it's too dangerous for you to go ANYWHERE alone!"

"Bu-"

"Inuyasha's right, Kagome." Kaze interjected with a serious expression, being just quick enough the catch the grateful look that the hanyou shot her way, "It's too dangerous for you to go by yourself. Now, stop being stubborn and let Inuyasha accompany you."

The midnight-haired girl sighed in defeat. "Alright, you two win. Let's go, Inuyasha." She called out while exiting the hut.

The white-haired youth snorted as he followed the young female, "Keh! I was just waiting on you."

Kaze along with the rest of the small group watched as the bickering couple exited the hut. A smirk formed on the spiritualist's face once the two were gone. "They go well together, don't you think?" she asked out loud to nobody in particular.

"You really think so?" the taijiya asked curiously, "That's the last thing I expected to hear you say, seeing as how protective you seem to be over Kagome."

The raven-haired girl let out a small laugh, "Maybe so, but Kagome's always been such a good girl. I think it's good for her to finally have someone who can ruffle her feathers a bit."

Sango chuckled at that, while Miroku allowed an amused smile to adorn his face. "So what about you?" the monk asked with a lecherous grin on his face, "What might be currently happen in your love life, Miss Kaze?"

A certain young woman sitting beside the monk got a murderous glint in her eyes, while Kaze just snorted, "Pfft! Nonexistent, that's what." She paused, pointedly directing her next comment at Miroku, "And that's how it's going to stay."

The murderous glint left the taijiya's eyes as she gave the raven-haired spiritualist a surprised look. "I understand things are different in you and Kagome's time." She stated, "But haven't you ever considered marrying and having a family."

"Nope!" Kaze replied with an indifferent air, "In my line of work, I ain't got time for that. Also, most older men in my era are looking for a quiet, humble, and obedient wife to settle down with while most young guys are looking for a hot babe to have fun with. I don't qualify as neither of those so I haven't exactly had many suitors. Most men aren't interested in gals like me. Plus, a lot of people tend to find me… a bit strange, with my red eyes and all."

Sango nodded in understanding. Being different was never easy, and the taijiya guessed that, even though the spiritualist didn't let on, life had probably been hard for the girl growing up. She just seemed to have that feel about her, like she'd been through some tough times.

"Soooo…" the red-eyed girl began slowly after several minutes of silence had passed, "What about you Sango? What's your love life like these days?"

The taijiya blushed a deep red, "M-Me?"

"Hey!" Miroku interrupted, "Why didn't you ask about my love life? I'm the one who asked about yours."

"Hmph! Cause I already know what's going on in yours, idiot." Kaze huffed, "You chase anything female with two legs, two boobs, and two buns."

(A/N: HAHA! I laughed when I wrote that part. XD)

Sango's eyes brown eyes widened in surprise as her cheeks flushed pink at the raven-haired girl's bluntness in speech.

"That is not true in the least!" the monk retorted.

"Pfft… riiiight!" the raven-haired female replied sarcastically.

"It isn't!" he insisted.

"Oh, really? Hate to tell you this, but actions speak a lot louder than words, Miroku." Kaze stated.

Sango gave the raven-haired girl a curious look before freezing as she felt someone stroking her rear.

"See what I mean?" the ruby-eyed female said smugly.

BONK! WHACK! CLONK!

"YOU LECHEROUS MONK!"

With Kagome and Inuyasha/Bone Eater's Well…
Kagome climbed back up out of the Bone Eater's well, math book securely in place. She felt a little bad for not staying and chatting with her family, but the girl knew she needed to return as soon as possible. Climbing up the wall, it wasn't very long before she reached the edge as she swung her foot over. The miko was just stepping down when…

"Ouch!" she yelped, as when she put her foot down, it felt as if something had bit her.

"Hey, Kagome, what happened?" Inuyasha shouted as he jumped up and out of the well's depths.

"It felt like something bit me." The miko replied, a confused look on her face. But, as she briefly removed her shoe to examine the offended flesh, she couldn't find hide-nor-hair of any trace of a mark. "Huh," she shrugged, hoping off of the well edge, "Guess I must have imagined it."

Inuyasha's Pack/Kaede's Hut…
Kaze perked up as she sensed her cousin's presence approaching, temporarily distracting her from the entertaining show of watching Sango beat the living crap out of a certain lecherous monk.

"I'm back everybody!" Kagome called out cheerfully as she and Inuyasha entered the hut.

"Oh, welcome back, Kagome!" the taijiya greeted her, dropping a rather lumpy Miroku to the floor.

"Thanks! Hay Kaze, I'm-" the young miko paused as she spotted her cousin seemingly scrutinizing her with brilliant red eyes, "Umm… Kaze?"

Kagome's words fell on deaf ears as the spiritualist continued studying her cousin. Something was wrong, very wrong, but the raven-haired girl just couldn't put her finger on it. It was as if she could suddenly feel a deep darkness radiating off of the girl. "Kagome," she began, "did something happen?"

The midnight-haired girl gave her cousin a bewildered look, "Like what?"

"Anything." Kaze stated matter-of-factly.

"N-No." the miko stuttered, confusion shining in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Wait!" Inuyasha interrupted, "Didn't you say you thought something bit you?"

"Yeah, but-" Kagome began.

"Show me." The raven-haired spiritualist demanded.

Now too worried to argue, the young high-schooler promptly showed the ruby-eyed female the place she thought she had been bitten.

Kaze traced the small portion of flesh with expert hands. Her eyes widening greatly as she found the source of the darkness that she'd sensed earlier. "Kagome," she asked tensely, "did you see what bit you?"

Kagome shook her head, for she had seen nothing; only felt the pain of the infliction.

"Why, what's going on?" Sango asked, worry ringing clearly in her tone of voice.

The red-eyed female looked up solemnly from her careful examination, "Kagome's been bitten by a Shikigami."

"A Shikigami?" Miroku repeated.

"Yes." The spiritualist replied, voice laced with barely suppressed panic. "Just why would a Shikigami attack Kagome?! She's a miko for Kami's sake! Unless…" she mulled over in her mind, "Unless someone, another miko, was trying to place a curse on her!"

"Kaze, look!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed.

The raven-haired girl's head snapped back over to her cousin. Her eyes widening with shock as she found herself staring at Kagome's jewel shards. They'd turned black!

"What the-" the red-eyed girl began.

Suddenly, the glass vile in which they were stashed in shattered as the shards moved on their own accord and instantly imbedded themselves in the young miko's neck before anyone else had a chance to react. Chocolate orbs widened in pain as the midnight-haired girl fell over unconscious.

Kaze's eyes flickered with panic, "KAGOME!"

MWAHAHA! Cliff-hanger! What's Kaze gonna do now? How's she gonna react to her closest friend getting hurt? I know, I'm terrible aren't I? LOL! Anyways... Hope you enjoyed the chapter and are looking forward to the next one. :) Now, pwease, pwease, PWEASE review! I REALLY need reviews if I'm to be inspired to continue writing! Also, please follow and favorite this story as well. And don't worry, Sesshy-chan will be coming back REALLY soon! ;) See ya'all in the next chapter!

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