((Hello my readers! How is everyone today? Well, before you begin reading the next chapter i have posted I would like to ask a question. We already have Yuka, Kagome and Gary in a party. But who would you all like to see? I have been thinking of some interesting people. I mean... I know what you all are thinking! Go Classic! Kagome, Sango, Mirouku, Shippo etc. But, I want to think outside of the box. Come on my dear Readers! Tell me some interesting people for her party. Heehee. Well, here I go!))

Protect Me, Please

By: UnForgottenMemories

Chapter Ten

A Slow Start To A Quick End?

It had been so long since Kagome had stood outside Kaede's hut at night. It was amazing how silent and calm everything around her was as she stared up at the glittering stars in the sky. For the first time in years her heart beat slowly and calmly as she listened to the wind blow through the trees.

'I am actually back' she thought as the full realization dawned on her making a small smile form on her lips. This was the place she had once called home. Even though she had given up somehow Kagome had still made it back. With the help of her friends of course.

Yuka, it seemed was going to be sticking with her for a while. Every since the girl had fallen through the well Kagome had become sure she would eventually pass out from the stress. But, Yuka was handling things well considering she had dropped into a time and place that was totally different than which she had come from.

Kagome glanced over her shoulder back into the hut and could see Gary and Yuka sitting in front of the camp fire. Gary seemed to be totally focused on the flames, his eyes showing a torrent of emotions that worried her. Kagome could easilly since the untrust and sadness deep within the boy's heart. Why was he so hurt they had made it here? It was easy to tell though no matter what she wished differently... He was hiding something.

As for Yuka, she seemed to be enjoying herself now. Even though in the begining the poor girl had almost went insane when she had learned Kagome had been telling the truth about the Feudal era. Now, she was sitting behind Gary ever so lightly playing with his ears and smiling every time they twitched. For some reason it reminded her of Inuyasha and herself.

The moment Kagome's thoughts drifted to Inuyasha however her mood instantly soured and she crossed her arms. Instead of the romantic and pulse racing way her body responded when she had first thought of seeing him again her body was now cold and reluctant.

She knew that if she had to it would be easy to stand up to him. But it hurt her to know she had to. The idea of making him sad made her feel worse as she leaned against the hut and sighed. What if instead of making him feel bad, He simply did not care at all? What if he had moved on?

It annoyed her that she could not sort out the complex emotions and thoughts that flashed through her when she considered that he might not need her anymore. Her eyes drifted down from the stars to gaze into the dark woods not far from them.

Yuka was stuck here, she refused to leave through the well. "It was too freaky" she had said when Kagome had tried to convince her it was an unsafe place. Now, she wanted to go with the Priestess as they traveled a path she knew nothing of. Yuka did not know how to fight, had no powers or anything to really benefit the group.

"I can cook!" She had shouted when Gary had brought up the point about her being useless. Yuka's cooking would work as great poison against their enemies yet Kagome doubted it would help fill their stomachs.

Then there was the fact that she and Gary could leave in the night and let Yuka stay in the village with Kaede. She would be safer with them and maybe learn a few things. But what if she attempted to follow them? She could get herself killed!

There was no use in it. Kagome knew the girl was coming along, maybe it would be helpful having a friend to talk to. At the thought of a female friend her thoughts drifted to Sango. Kaede had given her some information of the Demon Slayer's where abouts.

"The very last time she visited was... About a year ago I think, she checked the well and then stayed the night before heading back out onto the old road" Kaede had told her while they sat around the fire eating. Kaede had already taken it upon herself to train Yuka in different useful skills she would need while aiding Kagome's mission. So far... The food still tasted horrible even with Kaede's help.

"Did she say where she was going? Or anything about Mirouku? And what about Shippo?" Kagome had known she was drowning the elderly woman in words but it had been so long she was dying for information on her friends. Even though a part of her wondered about Kouga she made a point to avoid mentioning him in front of Gary. Something the demon was starting to become aware of.

"Nay, I know not where she went. As for the Priest... The last I heard he was taking care of a haunted village a months walk from here.. And Shippo has not been seen since you left" Kaede has told her knowing she was being of no help. If Kagome was to go against Kigotaka and help Inuyasha then she needed more than a demon boy and a brainless human girl.

With that their short conversation had ended when Yuka had started to explain how a television worked. It had captivated Kaede to know what the future held and Kagome did not care to ask questions she knew had no answer. That was why she now stood outside of Kaede's hut looking troubled.

They knew nothing of Kigotaka either. There were no stories, only legends to rely on and it seemed as if she moved around just as much as Naraku had. It would not be easy locating her. They had no place to start and Kagome knew it.

"Why did it seem easier with Naraku?" she asked herself as she sighed again before hearing someone approach her from behind. "Because most of the time he wanted you to know where he was" Gary answered her absent minded question as she glanced over her shoulder and smiled, he seemed in a better mood now.

Instead of the human clothes he had been wearing when he first came through the well the young demon was now clad in a Leather, Cloth and Fur mixed armor. He reminded her of his father as he stood there with a soft smile on his lips. He was getting used to Kaede the more he spoke to her.

"You right I guess... But how would you know that?" She asked before slowly moving to sit down in the soft grass. He seemed to think about it for a few moments before his smile vanished and his eyes drifted to the ground. "My dad and grandfather used to tell me stories about your adventures" He admitted in an almost angry tone as she looked up at him curiously.

There seemed to be a moment between them when both of them realized the other knew more than they were letting on, that was when Gary decided to speak up.

"You know, I am your friend... But I do plan on dealing with my father eventually" He said in a tone that showed he was testing the waters, he did not want to make her an enemy yet he knew that this woman had a connection to Kouga. It was still not clear if they would be able to actually work together.

Kagome was quiet as she thought over exactly what Gary must have meant. It was quite clear that he would not simply speak to his Father. But, she had thought Kouga was his Grandfather. Yet again he was caught in another lie. She decided to speak her mind about him.

"You helped me open the well... You have been nothing but nice to me and are even going stay with and protect both Yuka and myself.. Gary, Kouga is my friend... Why do you hate him so much?" She asked sadly as she looked up at him just begging for information.

His eyes seemed to drop down to the ground and she swore he seemed like he was almost about to cry before Gary let out a shaky breath and shook his head. "Kagome... He took something from me that I can never get back.." He informed her before reaching forward and lightly brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I am so sorry I have been lying to you... Just... Give me some time" He said before turning and walking back into the hut.

Kagome stared after him and nodded her head before biting her bottom lip and looking up to the stars. She was going to have to try and repair whatever Kouga had done. Surely if he had been the boy's father it could not be something to bad, right? Who was she kidding. Kouga could have killed someone for all she knew.

The wind was blowing harder through the trees as she grimaced and then sighed. She had been wanting to leave the minute they had gotten their bearings and were equiped with what they needed. Yet it was becoming clear a storm was moving in tonight. By personal experience she could not force Yuka's first leg of the journey to be in the harsh wind and rain.

According to Kaede it would blow over in a day, two days at most. That would give Kagome time to think and properly prepare herself for what she knew was coming. Inuyasha, Kouga, Kigotaka... So many people with so much on the line. She had to do what she could to leave and still return with her whole party still alive.

She shifted herself against the building and then felt her eyes grow heavy as she yawned and let them close, it had been so much getting to where she was now. If she did not rest it would just hurt her in the end. It was only moments before she was totally relaxed and asleep against the building.

Kaede had been listening to Gary and Yuka try to convince her that there was actually giant metal birds that could hoist people into the sky and fly them from place to place, but she knew they were lying there. She had finally got up having heard enough and walked outside to see Kagome sleeping. She grinned and walked back into the hut before returning with a blanket and placing it over the girl, she would wake her up when the rain reached them.

The old woman hobbled back into the hut and glanced up at the wall where she had her bow hung before a small, devilish thought entered her mind. 'Maybe... It is time I tried once more before I am sent into the heavens..." She thought before sitting next to the two talking humans again.

It was strange how none of them sensed the pair of dark red eyes that was watching them from the woods, just out of view of the party. It was difficult to tell much about the demon, other than the fact it was definettly a demon as it stepped back and suddenly launched itself into the air.

The figure moved swiftly and carefully through the trees before landing silently behind the hut, it's eyes focused on a target. It was a spider demon trying to mimic being human that was making it's way towards the unexpecting party. He would deal with it quickly.

The spider demon noticed a moment to late that he was in danger when the shadow launched itself forward and raised a hand, slashing through the spider before it could move. It simply coughed and looked back at him before falling in half. The demon smirked before looking back at the party.

It would watch over and protect them as they go. It still had to evaluate who deserved to live and who he would take the pleasure in killing. It's eyes flashed for a moment before launching into the air and landing in the trees again. They did not know what he had planned for them... Not yet anyways...

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((There we go! I hope you like it! Now, please remember to drop me some reviews on some interesting party members! i want to hear funny as well and good ideas. Not that funny isn't good! Come on! Give me watcha got! HeeHee, Have a nice day!))