For all of my readers out there… good news! I received a very uplifting review… so im not discontinuing the story. I would appreciate it though if at least some of u would review…looks up hopefully leanne0716: I hope this chapter is long enough im sorry that I didn't update sooner even though I told u I would update…

Disclaimer: Don't own InuYasha.. I don't see the point in even putting this up here cause it's apparent that I am not…………Sorry ill just move on to the story.
Regular

Author Note

Thoughts

Header

EMPHASIS

"When Winter Comes"

Chapter 8 "Dealing With Problems"

Katsuki bent over to pick up a rare herb. It had a purple flower on it and giant black leaves. "Only two left." At that she tucked it away in the fold of her kimono.

xXx Flashback xXx

"This is what ye must gather: a medicinal herb found in the Eastern Territory. It is blue and blends with its surroundings. Then travel to the northern lands to retrieve the purple herb. It lives only in the sand."

xXx End Flashback xXx

What's next? I don't have much more time; I have only 5 hours more. The last two Kaede said were in the western lands…crap…that's Sesshomaru's territory. I have to travel with caution. With that Katsuki sped off.

xXx Back in the hut xXx

Kagome's not going to last much longer… Sango thought. "Kaede, Isn't there anything we can do while Katsuki is out?"

"Im afraid all ye can do is wait.

"Damn it im sick of waiting! What is taking that girl so long?!"

"Patience InuYasha. Katsuki's task completion will take much time."

xXx Miroku xXx

Where could that Shippo have gone off to? Kagome is injured, badly at that; Shippo would be heartbroken if he saw her… Maybe he's by the well…

xXx Katsuki xXx

One more left… and no sign of Sesshomaru…

"Wench. Name yourself."

Crap...Speak of the demon and he will come… "Lord Sesshomaru." Katsuki turned around to meet the demon lord eye to eye. "My apologies for not acquiring your permission before entering your lands. My name is Katsuki and my business is to obtain an herb."

"Did you expect your visit to go unnoticed, Miko of the Fuyurashii pack?

"How do you know that?!" Before Sesshomaru could answer, they sensed the presence of a human child and a demon toad.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Rin is most glad to catch up to you!" Rin said, then caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner of her eye and turned toward Katsuki, contorting her face in puzzlement. "Rin is most curious about this girl Lord Sesshomaru."

"Enough Rin." Commanded Sesshomaru.

"Yes milord!"

"Sesshomaru, if you don't mind, I do need to find this herb concerning the health of another of the pack.

"Hn." With that Sesshomaru summoned Ah-un for Rin and Jaken, and they took off.

That was close…I'll worry about how he knows my pack later…Right now I need to find the last herb. Katsuki wondered in search for the last herb. The sketch Kaede had given her was of a small plant, maybe a few centimeters in height. Its leaves were a deep green and were clumped at the base of a strand of berries, which were perfectly rounded and a light pink in color. The stem was a swirling mix of both green and pink, and had short black thorns whirling down it until they met the ground beneath it. "How in the hell am I supposed to find this?!"

xXx Kagome xXx

Kagome was lying by the fire, wrapped up in several layers of blankets and cloths, sweating furiously. InuYasha was sitting next to her, grasping her hand as if to help ease the pain. Kaede was out fetching clean water, and Sango was standing outside the hut.

Inside the hut, Kagome began to furrow her brow, while murmuring in her sleep. Her black ears began to twitch, and her fangs were pinching her bottom lip. InuYasha's ears twitched as he heard her murmur yet again, this time more clearly and it was his own name.

"Kagome? Are you alright? Kagome?! KAGOME!"

xXx Kagome's Dream xXx

Kagome stood in a blackened area with dim lighting. "InuYasha!"

"He's alright…"

"Who's there?"

The silhouette of a figure appeared in front of Kagome. It appeared to be a woman with long dark hair. "Don't you recognize me? Of course you don't my dear, you were only a pup the last time you saw me."

"Mom?!"

"Yes dear. I'm your mother, the priestess of the Fuyurashii village, but your father called me Kazumi. I've come here to tell you that you need to wake up and heal yourself."

"I quite like being asleep. It's so peaceful. It's not like I'm hurt, just a few scratches and a couple bruises, nothing major.

"There was once a myth that the kori suisho shugeki no reitekina shi was so powerful that if even spoke of it would bring omen to the people spoken to.

At this point the light was shining brighter, and Kazumi was revealed. Kagome stood in shock at her features, but also at the new acquired knowledge. She still could not remember as to why this would refer to her though.

"This was not the case though, even if Katsuki has her suspicions. In all truth the attack is very powerful and highly spiritual, but send Katsuki regards from me saying to relax." She then gave Kagome a small smile.

Kagome took in her features. She had midnight black hair cascading down her back past her waist and to the back of her knees, the traditional hair tie long forgotten. Her hair outlined her heart-shaped face, which held shining blue eyes. Her kimono was not one of a priestess' but instead more of a fighting kimono, with the outer layer being a midnight blue with bright stars seemingly twinkling, scattered across her kimono.

"Even if powerful, and able to kill several demons with one strike, it doesn't do as much harm to a priestess such as yourself. But the attack doesn't go unnoticed by your body. You become highly susceptible to bodily harm, and even a former scratch will appear as a deep gash wound, and poison becomes a problem too."

"So Okaa-san, you're telling me that this stack is very powerful, I get it. How does this relate to me?"

Kazumi then grew with a look of concern.

"Well I know now one of the kori suisho myths is true. The attack leaves the priestess with a slight amnesia, and can't remember what actually happened. Your sister by no means was actually trying to harm you. The attack came about by her desire to save you from Naraku's grasp and by chance it hit you. The attack, if the bracelets you were given are left forgotten, can be conjured up by the demon in you, who will use even priestess powers to save a comrade. Although Katsuki's bracelet remained on her wrist, her demon mind set was let loose in just enough amount of time to let loose the powerful blow. She even surprised herself because she had not yet learned that attack." Kazumi paused before continuing. "This will be a little difficult to grasp but as of this moment you have three options. 1: Wake up and heal yourself and then pass out again. 2: Wait until Katsuki returns with her ingredients to help heal you…" She then trailed off leaving off the important part and continued to the third option. "Or 3: Lie on your death bed and let darkness consume you.

Kagome physically winced at the last option. "So I've been blasted by a fatal attack with a small possibility I'll survive all because my sister's inner demon gained a small amount of control."

"Basically."

"Kuso… this sucks!"

"You'll pull through, after all you're your father's daughter, and your friends are worried. Tell Katsuki I love her, and don't worry Kagome, you'll be fine. When you wake, don't be surprised by the massive headache. Bye and I love you!"

"Wait mom!!" Kagome paused as she saw her mom disappear, but in her place she heard a voice calling her name. She decided it would b a good time to wake up, even if it was reluctantly. As she began drifting back into reality, she could feel the pain rise throughout her body…

xXx End Dream xXx

"Kagome! Kagome!"

Kagome slowly lifted her eyelids to reveal pained icy blue eyes. "What is it…teme…" She winced in pain and desperately searched the room for Katsuki.

"Kagome! You're awake! Thank goodness!" Sango sighed. 'We were so worried!"

"It's okay, I ain't dieing like this. You know I'm too stubborn for that. I have something to tell you guys…"

The groups grew concerned looks on there faces as Kagome explained her dream to everyone in the hut, which only included Sango, InuYasha, Kaede and Kirara at the moment.

xXx With Katsuki xXx

"Thorny green pink plant, round berries. Thorny green pink plant, round berries. Ugh! Why can't I remember were Kaede said they were! All I have is a piece of parchment with its appearance! Wait… Kaede said something about a small girl and asking where to find it…" Does she mean Rin? Damn it! Sesshomaru is going to put me on my death bed! Well I have to take that chance. Now where does Sesshomaru's scent lead to? I only have an hour before I have to be back… I hope Sesshomaru is in an understanding mood today… With that Katsuki took off in the direction of his scent.

xXx With Miroku xXx

"Looking for Shippo would be easier if I had demon senses… Damn that Kitsune." Miroku was now standing at the well, but there was still no sign of Shippo. He didn't want to worry Kagome, but he had to warn everyone else of his disappearance. So with his decision made he walked back to the village to talk to InuYasha.

I was nice and didn't leave a big cliff hanger, but be warned as I have said that I will continue the story, BUT if not many of you review, the next chapter will be soooo cruel you'll flame me to know end! Muhahahaha! So all you need to do is push the shiny blue button and the nice side of supersillee06 will be shown! ;) Special thanks to my uplifting reviewer leanne0716… my other reader take notice that without her review, I would not have updated at all… next chapter will be up in maybe a week… until then bye!
Review Questions:

Where's Shippo?

What is Katsuki supposed to be doing with herbs?

Why is Kazumi no longer wearing priestess clothing?

What will Sesshomaru think of Katsuki's request?

How does Sesshomaru no of her past pack?

All Interesting questions now answer in reviews!