Disclaimer, I do not own anything in reference to Inuyasha.

Wild Heart

Chapter 7: Help, I'm Alive

Warning, continuation of the theme in Chapter 6.

She hadn't seen her old friend in years and this was not how she expected their reunion to go. Coming all the way to the North to see Kouga was a trip she'd been excited for, she and Sango and Kirara had come along as well for old time's sake.

She hadn't expected to come across a scene like this. Blood was everywhere and a screaming woman being raped, not exactly a great 'welcome back'. It made her sick to see this man beating her and taking her as he was. She didn't even think as the rage consumed her and she fired a holy arrow at him. Just as she'd done so a large brown wolf jumped the man and narrowly escaped a bright pink death of obliteration. She ran to the woman who was bleeding horribly from wounds in her face and there was no doubt where the blood that was smeared on her legs came from. Sango was an older woman now but she took to the wolves as three more came out from the trees and began to eat the man alive.

Sango beat the wolves off him and the snarling ceased when a howl echoed through the trees. It was full of fear and sadness and Kagome hoped and prayed that this girl wasn't someone's wife. Not that it made this any better an action, but it certainly would be harder for her to deal with. It would also explain why wolves were eating the man and not her. The wolves backed away and the man was crying, his wounds were bad enough that if he didn't receive help he would die. She nodded to Sango and she knelt to help him. He didn't deserve help in her mind, she wanted him to die but that wasn't right, it wasn't her place to pass judgment. That arrow had been a rage of the moment sort of thing and she was sort of glad it didn't hit him. She was glad in a, 'I didn't make a big mistake' sort of way.

She looked down at the woman suddenly as she started to moan and tears came to Kagome's eyes. She could only imagine the sort of pain she was in. She didn't want to move her but she couldn't stay in the snow like she was, she tried her best to move her as gently as possible back into the wagon she assumed she'd come from. She climbed in and started to remove her ripped and bloodied clothing before she saw Sango coming towards her, a bowl of heated snow.

"Kirara is watching him. How bad is she?" Kagome was crying, she just couldn't get the tears to stop. Sango patted her back to soothe her but tears were coming to her own as she saw the awful state of the girl.

"Her breathing is terrible. I think she is sick. It sounds a lot like when Souta got pneumonia." Kagome's voice was weak but her hands took charge and rushed to clean her up as much as possible so she could re-dress her and get her back to the heat.

"She's going to need stitches on her face . . ." Most of her face was puffy now, but there were deep tears of flesh around her eye and chin not to mention her lip was busted badly. A cough came from her and Sango placed a tender hand by her temple and made soothing sounds. She wasn't conscious but it wouldn't hurt to help. Kagome took her torn undergarment off and Sango saw her lean forward towards the girls arm.

"What . . . made that?" Sango saw it too then, long sweeping scars on her arm. She must have needed stitches for those too as they were so deep. They didn't look old either, like freshly knitted scars. Had she been attacked by a demon recently?

"They look like a demon's claws . . . right?" Kagome nodded and went to grab some of the kimonos that were packed away before dressing the girl up and with Sango's help backing the wagon closer to the fire. The wolves were gone and all that was left was questions. Who this girl is, who the man was and where were they going and where were they coming from.

I knew I was awake. I was awake and for the first time in my life I wished I was dead. I knew exactly what had happened to me, what that . . . man had done to me. Though the memory of that night was foggy there was no way I could push back the fact of what had happened. I was ruined, completely worthless, just as he'd said before.

My body was in so much pain, I throbbed everywhere, my chest burned and my throat was raw. I had a horrible headache and my face felt like I'd been run over by horses. Then the aching between my legs started and I couldn't help but let a moan slip through my lips, only it wasn't so much a moan as it had been a whimper. I tried to open my eyes but I could only open one efficiently, the other too painful to force. I was back in the wagon and it wasn't moving. Had he thought that I was dead and decided to leave? Or perhaps figured I'd die after a few days?

Maybe he was going to come back.

Fear clenched my heart and I tried to move but strong hands pushed me down and without thought I let out the roughest of screams, my throat too sore for anything else.

"Sssh, honey, it's alright. You are safe. Everything is alright now." A woman? What woman . . . it wasn't my sister. I was in the middle of the forest . . . I tried to calm down and I slowly moved my head to see the white and red clothing of a miko. I felt more relieved than ever, if he was going to come back she would be here to protect me.

"I'm Higurashi Kagome . . . how are you feeling?" She was beautiful, perfect pale skin and silky black hair. Tears slipped from my eyes and I reached a shaky hand towards her,

"Miko-sama . . ."My voice was worse than before, barely past a whisper and pathetic. I saw tears escape her eyes and she grabbed my hand warmly.

"He won't hurt you ever again. I promise you." I wanted to believe that, I truly did. Did I? I wasn't sure that I could yet.

"Is he . . . alive?" Three words, they hurt so much. She gave me a watery nod and I cringed. I'd never feel safe again, even if he was dead . . .

"Don't you worry though; I don't want you to worry about anything. Sango and Kirara have him subdued and he isn't going anywhere." Sango and Kirara? They must be her companions. She brushed my arm and I saw the curiosity over my scars. She helped me sit up a little, it was difficult to breathe while lying flat and she handed me a cup of hot tea. I was so grateful for the warmth and even though it hurt to move and even to hold a damn cup I was thankful. I was alive. I looked at my charm. It worked, albeit not in the sense I had hoped but I was alive and it brought me a Miko even. Tears came to my eyes again and I brought my wrist up to my face and kissed the charm.

"Thank you . . ." I saw the Miko, Kagome-sama, quirk an eye and I knew she would probably never understand. I wasn't sure that anyone could.

Kagome watched over this girl, she now knew to be merely a 17 year old, as she kissed her bracelet and even told it thank you. As she looked at it better she could see that it was some sort of charm, she'd seen Kaede make one for a young girl once back in the days of jewel shard capturing.

"What does it do?" She blinked before turning to look at me better, one of her eyes wouldn't open, it was too swollen and she had to see with the other one.

"Protection. I'm alive. I prayed and it kept me alive . . . It's brought help too. More than I could have ever asked for . . . ''Her voice was so raspy; she knew it had to hurt and yet she could feel the passion and the faith in it. After all she'd been through she saw herself as thankful for being alive. She put a hand to her mouth and more tears slipped down, how much would she cry? People never ceased to amaze her with their will to live on . . .

"Kagome? How is she doing?" Kagome moved aside for the elderly woman, Sango, her best friend. The girl tried her best to see this new company, a woman who looked in her late 40's, she wore armor. The armor was familiar with the southern Demon Hunters. She must be the real sort, from the real kind of demon hunters who were professional and did it as a way of life and not his sort who did it for money and sport. Her heart stilled for a moment, what were a miko and a demon hunter doing here? The two women immediately saw the girl tense up and Sango gave Kagome a look.

"May I ask . . . what your . . . business is?" It was odd of her but Kagome reached a hand out to soothe her.

"We travelled to see an old friend that lives in the mountains. We took this old path for memories sake. Lucky that we did. . ." She nodded and Sango crouched.

"He won't tell us anything. He swears silence." Good ole Sango to get right to the point, her tone was gentle though and not prying. The girl sipped at the tea before slowly looking back to them and swallowing roughly.

"What do you need to know?" Kagome thought this sounded a bit rushed, like she was hiding something and didn't want people to pry. She wondered what had really happened to make that man do what he did.

"How about we start with your names?"

"Dan Kanon." She looked wearily around her before,

"He is Ihara . . . Ken." She looked upset for a moment and they wondered if it was too much for her but she quickly regained herself and gave them a stern look. She would do this, she would get through this and she would be alright.

"Where are you from? You were going somewhere right?" Sango looked to Kagome, hoping it wasn't too much at once but the girl, Kanon, gripped the bedding and started.

"I'm from the south, my sister . . . Airi . . . is marrying his elder brother, the Lord of the village," She pointed out of the wagon, "that way. " She had to catch her breath and she took another sip of the tea and a cross look came upon her bruised and battered features.

"He was taking me home due to illness." Kagome felt this was right and looked to Sango and she nodded before looking at Kanon.

"I'll go to the village and get your sister. I don't think you should travel yet-" Suddenly a shudder came from Kanon and she grabbed Kagome's sleeve.

"The wolves! I heard them last night! Are they alright?" Both Sango and Kagome exchanged looks of confusion and shock. This girl was worried about wolves? Most girls, and even boys, were terrified of such creatures. Kagome patted her hand.

"Relax, they left back to the forest." She seemed pleased with this and settled back down. A stoic look came about her face and she stared at what was left of the tea.

"I'm well enough to travel back to the village. I . . . want to see their faces when they see that their precious Ken-san is the real fiend." What was she talking about? The real one? Kagome raised a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

"Kanon-san, I don't think it's a good idea yet. Maybe wait a day?" She gave Kagome the most heart breaking look possible.

"Please, please just take me there. My sister . . . she is there, just please?" She was sniffing, trying not to cry but Kagome could see it was taking energy out of her. She nodded slowly and looked to Sango.

"Let's pack up the camp and load him up in the front. Can you drive?" Sango nodded with determination and they began to pack the things back up.

The moving wagon proved more foe then friend as the jostling made her more than sore body ache worse. Kagome was riding in the back with her and Sango drove. She knew that Ken was up in front, Kagome had told her he was tied up and unable to harm anyone, she didn't want to see him and was grateful she didn't have to. That didn't mean she couldn't hear him however. His pleas' and begging was aggravating and utterly pathetic. Kanon looked to Kagome who gave her a small and simple smile. She wanted to smile back but couldn't, her mouth was in too much pain and so she settled with trying for a gentle look. It worked because Kagome lit up, pleased that Kanon was reacting positively.

Day was just breaking and her heart clenched at the sound of horses that didn't belong to the wagon. Guards? They stopped and she could hear Sango talking to men but couldn't quite hear what the words were. Kagome crawled up to the front and opened the screen and poked her head out. The guards made surprised sounds and nodded, a Miko? Of course they would let them pass, even with the Lord's brother tied and gagged up front. She could almost laugh at that except she didn't think she'd ever be able to laugh again.

Kagome settled back down with a grin on her face, Miko plus she was very attractive, Kanon was sure she got away with a lot of things. The screen pulled back and Sango faced inside.

"I have no idea where I am going. Should I ask around?" Kanon's face went pale. No, she could direct them . . . but did that mean she'd have to see Ken?

"If you follow the main road . . . it should take you to the house." That was enough she supposed, and without having to see him she felt accomplished. She realized she no longer feared him, only hated him. Which was more powerful, which was more dangerous?

It wasn't very long before the wagon was stopped again; she knew this had to be the Gate Guards for the house. She could hear them walking around to the back before the door in the back squeaked open. She could barely make out the young guard she always saw. What were the chances of that? He gave a wide eyed look and she could no longer face him. He closed the door and directed them through quickly. He'd only had to see her face . . . how bad did she appear?

I realized as we pulled up to the back where they began to unload that I didn't really want to be here. I didn't feel any safer here then I did last night and that was pathetic. Kagome slowly came out and I saw Sango who then helped Kagome help me out. It was painful but I was standing with the help of these two saviors and again, for the millionth time that I'd been here I felt out of place, I felt that I needed to be somewhere else. Kagome let go and Sango took on most of my weight, she was a lot stronger then i gave her credit for. Kagome went inside to find my sister and I realized that I hadn't met Kirara yet. She must be the one watching him.

I was dreading confrontation but Sango gently led me up to the porch and before I could get inside my sister was there. For the second time she started to bawl. She tried to come and hug me but I winced before she could and though I knew it hurt her feelings I was in too much pain for her to wallow me around.

"Oh my . . . Kanon-chan . . . " She didn't have room for words as she senselessly wailed. Wasn't that supposed to be me? Crying like that? I saw Hina and I stopped Sango from moving me further though pain coursed through me. I didn't want to see her, I didn't want to see Akio either and before I could stop it,

"All of you will die! All of you!" It came out pathetic, not the least bit threatening but I knew that none of them were innocent. The spirits of all those they'd hurt and harmed and fixed had come to me. I knew how evil and greedy this family really was.

"Airi, we aren't staying here. I won't stay here a single night with these demons." Hina held a stiff but offended look and Akio looked furious. I didn't care, let him. I wasn't staying and neither was my sister. I looked to her and she was shocked, it was probably the most anger she'd ever seen from me and she shook her head.

"I don't understand Kanon-chan . . . I don't . . . ?" Sango held me up as I almost collapsed and Kagome came to stand by us like tower of faith.

"These people are evil Airi! Evil! He raped and beat me Airi, he was going to kill me. Do you understand that? Kill me!" I was near screeching and my body was on fire but I threw a trembling hand towards Hina and Akio.

"She killed her husbands for money and that precious son of hers helped to kill two of their sisters! Wolves didn't kill them, they did! Evil!" I was shaking and crying and I knew this to be hysteria but I couldn't calm down. She had to see, had to know so she could be safe. As I looked at her fear came into me as I saw her denial. She backed up and tears continued to fall.

"How . . . how can you accuse them of such things?" My fist clenched and my face throbbed.

"You think . . . I'm lying? You think I'm lying about being raped? Look at me Airi! Look at me!" I knew my face was a sorry mess and I knew that anyone could tell by looking at the way I could barely stand what was wrong. Why was she doing this? How could my own sister take their side? I looked to Kagome who was still, her face full of concern.

"Where are you going to go if you won't stay here? There isn't another village for miles." I tensed up. She was right, there wasn't anywhere. I looked to Hina and Akio who were talking in hushed tones. It was then I remembered that there was a place, a place where I was safe.

I looked up at Sango, would it be safe to tell her where the wolf pack was? I didn't have to say anything as Kagome spoke.

"I know a place, its only about a day's walk from here." It surprised me, she on my side and I never thought for a moment that she wouldn't be but backing me up was a wonderful feeling. Airi looked back at Akio who was looking at her angrily.

"You can't leave Airi, we are to be married. She is clearly sick and delusional. I'm sure once we hear my brother's side that things will be much clearer." I shook with anger as she relaxed a little at his words.

"How can you do this to me? Your own sister!" A fit of coughs suddenly took over me and Sango and Kagome tried to help me breathe again.

"Sango, there isn't time for this. Get her to the wagon and leave that man here." They couldn't leave my sister here! I choked and managed to get out.

"My sister!" Kagome smoothed some of the hair from my face as she whispered.

"Don't worry; I'll get her to come." I took her word for it as Sango wasted no time getting me to the wagon, where I got to meet Kirara.

The small two tailed cat had a gentle appeal to her, she stood at the sight of a distressed Sango and the man she was guarding, Ken, flinched like he'd been struck. While walking past him, Sango grabbed ahold of his ropes and yanked him off the wagon and allowed him to painfully hit the ground where the three could only imagine the sort of profanities that came from him. It went ignored as Kirara hopped down and followed Sango and Kanon to the back where Sango helped the still wheezing Kanon into the wagon. They stilled as loud shouting began and a something breaking on the wooden floors. Sango held a sheepish blush and gave a nervous chuckle.

"Kagome can be . . . quite persuasive." Kanon gave a rough cough and nodded before lying down, as long as she could get Airi out of there.