Kagome awoke with the dampness of the thick fog that settled in around her. "Kagome we must go." The stranger's voice sounded, reaching out his hand. "Why should I go with you, where is Inuyasha and who are you?" Kagome said bluntly, testing the Akuma's limits. "Heh, Forgive me lady Kagome, I am Kouji, leader of the wolf pack that lives in-…well it doesn't matter where I live. Lets go." Kouji picked her up with ease and bolted once again through the forest.
"Why won't he talk to me? Err he reminds me so much of Inuyasha, where is Inuyasha anyway?" Kagome pondered on her friend's actions. "What if he doesn't come to rescue me?" Kagome's body tensed at the thought. Forcing her eyes to hold in the tears. "He will come for me, I know he will."
Kouji could sense the girls' loneliness and decided to stop for a short break. They came to a shallow river that ran through a long valley. "Were half way there, just two more days of travel and this girl can be with the master, and I will be free." Kouji's mind wondered from the small fire that he had made as he stared into clouded skies. "It's going to rain." He said to Kagome who was digging through her big yellow backpack. Kagome just looked up and went back to her bag, pulling out an umbrella. "That's alright, I won't get to wet." She looked at Kouji with a satisfied grin.
The first rain drop began to fall when Kouji picked up an unpleasant scent. "Not again. Why hasn't my master taken care of these badger demons yet?" Kouji drew his ken and placed himself between Kagome and the demon. "Come out you coward!" he hollered towards what looked like nothing but thin air. The air rippled, then took to the form of a badger. "Meddling with humans again are you Kouji? I thought you would've learned the first time." The badger mused.
"Shut up! What I do is none of your business!" Kouji yelled back, frustration taking over his body.
"Well that depends. You see I have clear orders to kill you and bring the girl to my master for his entertainment." The badger's eyes shone with eager towards Kagome, who stood and reached for her bow. "Now, now missy lets not be doing anything you might regret." He teased, moving around the angered Kouji, towards the priestess.
"Touch her and I will see to it that your head is served on a silver platter." Kouji grumbled. The rain pouring down his delicate face. He pointed his ken at the badger and slashed towards him, cutting the unsuspecting badger across his hind leg.
The badger started to laugh as he began to fade away. "You fool, I didn't think you would develop feelings for a mere human. Kyo, You remember the name Kyo, it is not the last time you will hear of it." Then the badger faded away.
"Dammit!" Kouji cursed himself. "How could I be so stupid to stop for that wench. This never would have happened if I had just ignored her feelings and continued on my way. But, then why was I so certain on stopping." Kouji turned towards Kagome, looking into her eyes then looking away in hatred. "Stupid humans!" he screamed to himself. "We should be on our way."
Kagome looked into the demon's eyes and then looked away. "Why am I so stupid. Kouji doesn't even care about me, it is about his duty to his Lord." Kagome looked to the ground, rage began to bubble in her soul. Where is Inuyasha!
When Kagome said nothing Kouji walked over to her and fiercely grabbed her hand, which surprised Kagome. "Let go of me! I don't want to go with you!" Kagome screamed out in pain. His nails gripped her wrists, causing them to bleed. "Kouji please!" she mumbled. Tears stung her eyes as she fell to the ground before him. "Shut up wench!" he yelled at her, throwing her to the ground.
Kagome fell face first to the ground. Unable to catch herself she fell to the muddy ground "What happened to him, he was so nice. What happened to him!" Kagome got up and looked into Kouji's eyes. They were filled with memories, hurt and anger. He hated human just like Sesshoumaru. "Kouji, not even one is bad." Kagome whispered, remembering the hatred Inuyasha had for her and all because one human supposedly betrayed him.
"What did you just say." Kouji stopped is hatred fit and looked at her mud-covered face.
"I said not everyone is bad. I did nothing to hurt you. So why are you hurting Me." Kagome innocent voice calmed Kouji as he helped her up and helped wipe off her face. "What happened to you?" Kagome asked looking solemnly into his in eyes. Kouji just looked away not saying anything.
"It doesn't really matter. It's got nothing to do with my mission." Kouji fought for his words. Hoping that she would by each and every one.
"Kouji, if you ever need to talk you can always come to Me." Kagome took his hand and held it tightly. "I want to be your friend, but I can't do that if you won't let me."
Kouji just looked at her wondrously. "A human girl, showing me kindness and actually caring for me-… why did my heart skip a beat? Could I possibly be falling for this human-… no it can't be-…but she wants to be my friend, that has to mean something." Kouji quickly took Kagome in his arms and embraced her tightly. "I do want to be your friend." "But I don't know how to be a friend, I am only a leader how can I be a friend too?"
Kagome smiled to herself and returned his embrace. "Inuyasha. Where are you?"