Close Encounter

Kagome gasped and erratically shoved the blankets away from her face.

"Huh?..."

How they got there...she wasn't sure and from the hazed sun light that permeated the broken 'door' she finalized that it was dawn-yet another fact her diluted mind surpassed. Kaede's remedies are undeniably strong; the last thing she recollected was yelling at Inuyasha and somehow, someway she awoke the next day.

"Inuyasha." The name automatically slipped out of her mouth and just as routinely as she had found it to pronounce, she got out of bed with ease, despite the peak hour, and folded her blankets.

"Kagome!" Shippo burst in with a grin.

Kagome placed the neatly folded sheet on top of the pillow and smiled. "Hey Shippo." She rubbed her arms for warmth and followed the little fox outside; quickly slipping into her shoes on her way out.

As expected, everyone was already up and moving. Lady Kaede occupied herself with a bucket of water that would serve as a base for their breakfast stew. Carefully pouring the liquid into a black pot, she lit a simmering fire under it whilst looking up.

"How are ye, child?" She smiled and Kagome sighed.

"I'm fine Kaede, don't worry about me."

"Are ye certain?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and turned her back, dismissively waving her hand in the air. She saw Miroku in the distance, cradling the containers of apples she and Kaede had picked out the day before. He gently squeezed each apple, taking an occasional bite or two and tossing out any 'bad seeds.'

"How do you feel, Kagome?"

Kagome blinked and looked away from the monk and down her side. "Fine."

Shippo clung to her leg, dragged himself up her body and rested on her shoulder. "No, really. How do you feel?"

"What do you mean? I feel perfectly fine." She cringed, reluctant to read between the lines. "Well, I do feel...something...like an empty space, you know?"

Shippo slowly nodded, blinked a couple of times and then shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Nevermind. Where's Sango?"

"She's by the spring." Shippo replied as he jumped off her shoulder and ran toward Miroku. Kagome watched him run and looked beyond the hut.

She found Sango on the ledge of a smooth rock delicately bending over and lifting the sleeves of her trousers about knee-high. Her face scrounged into an awkward scowl; Kagome easily assumed that she was still in pain and sat next to her.

"Still hurts?"

Sango shook her head and carefully dipped her feet in the spring. "Water's cold."

Kagome smiled and poked the water with her finger to feel for herself.

"How are you feeling?" Sango mumbled.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

Sango visibly squirmed and looked away. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright, after what happened."

"Well I'm fine."

"Ok."

Kagome sighed. "...Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." Sango sympathetically replied, swaying her foot back and forth creating oracles of tiny waves. Kagome playfully dipped her hand in, clashing against their rhythm.

"Where's..." She rolled her tongue and continued to play with the water without bothering to finish her sentence.

"He went for a walk." Sango automatically responded as if scripted and the two entered an uncomfortable silence.

"I think she's still alive." Kagome finally blurted out.

"How so?"

"I can feel it."

-----

Inuyasha found himself walking with great reluctance. His 'reunion' with Kikyo wasn't the greatest; seeing her again could end up in another clash...that is, if she's still alive.

"She has to be alive." He stubbornly uttered and looked over his shoulder. "Kagome..."

He uncontrollably whispered and once again the pestering sensation called his 'conscience' rang through his head. And perhaps it wasn't the fear of a possible clash and burn that delayed his hunt but simply guilt. After all, he had the whole night uninterrupted; he should already well be at the mountain searching for his beloved, he could have found her by now. Instead, he wasted the night mumbling to himself, walking in circles like a lost child and debating with himself on whether to search for Kikyo or go back to Kagome.

"Kikyo." He sighed and shook his head, having considered his once betrothed companion a nuisance. She couldn't be the other woman; he and Kagome aren't even in a real relationship.

But Kagome wasn't a nuisance either...He fondly looked at the mountain and swallowed a knot in his throat.

"But...I have to know if you're alright..."

-----

"That stupid Inuyasha!" Shippo flaunted his spoon in the air and roughly dunked into his bowl of soup. "What does he think he's doing?" He took a mouthful and expertly dodged a pebble coming his way. "Kagome?"

Kagome calmly daunted. "Give it a rest."

Sango furrowed her eyebrows. "Something wrong?" When Kagome failed to respond, she inquisitively looked at Miroku and shrugged her shoulders.

"Kagome." Miroku brightly spoke. "How are you feeling?"

"Would everybody stop asking me that!" She shouted and ran into the hut.

"What did I say?" Miroku frowned and Sango rolled her eyes.

"Nothing." She stood up and chased after Kagome.

Inside the cabin, Kagome huddled herself in the corner, legs bent and curled up the her chest with her head resting at the knees. Flinching slightly, she cocked her head to the side, allowing one eye to survey her intruder.

"Kagome." Sango sighed and walked in.

Kagome quickly hid her face from view and grunted. "I'm being a selfish brat, aren't I?"

"No, you're not."

Kagome looked up and expectantly watched Sango sit next to her.

"What's a brat?"

Kagome smirked and shook her head. "Forget it." She leaned her back against the wall and slid her legs down the floor. "I kind of lost control for a second."

"It's not your fault. Everyone looses control once in a while."

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"How do you deal with Miroku?"

"What do you mean?" Sango slowly inquired.

"He's such a flirt; how do you deal with it?"

Sango's eyes widened and a crimson line brushed against her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about; I could care less about Miroku's...love life." She coughed and Kagome snickered.

"Of course." She nodded and sighed. "I know I can't control Inuyasha; I really am being a selfish brat."

Sango continued to blush and quickly stood up, almost running to the door. "Yeah, maybe you are."

-----

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha swooped and hollered the instant he reached the cave. "Kikyo!" Without wasting another second, he raged through boulders, and erratically pulverized any and all debris in his way.

"Where are you?" He grunted and conveniantly recovered a torn portion of the miko's robe from beneath a rock. Gripping it, he dug deeper and suddenly stumbled into a hollow crevice.

He anxiously peeked inside and looked around. Concave boulders rested against each other creating a neat yet small tunnel. It ran deep and a seeping light was visible at the end. Inuyasha squinted and noted another portion of the miko's shawl within the tunnel.

"Kikyo!" He squirmed his way into the small funnel and crawled his way to the other end.

The stone pipe lead him out of the cave and into the side of the mountain where a beaten path flowed through the forest. Assuming the priestess had flown the path, he dusted himself and ran after her. Reaching the foot of the forest, his nose twitched. The positive scent of peaches flared his nostrils, thrilling his hope and excitement.

"You're alive!"

He ecstatically scurried his way through the trees and sniffed the air when suddenly a light pinch itched his face. Abruptly halting, he slapped his hand against his left cheek.

"Ow!" There was a high squeal and Inuyasha brought his hand up to eye level.

"Myoga."

The pudgy demon flee plumped back into shape and rattled his head. "Master Inuyasha, what a surprise!"

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Cut the crap."

"Right." Myoga nervously rubbed his hands.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, you see, rumor has it that the great priestess Kikyo has been resurrected."

"How do you know?"

"Urasue spread the word throughout the entire western region!" Myoga exaggerated and Inuyasha sternly looked at him. "Well, not the entire region." He cleared his throat.

"She was resurrected last night and she killed Urasue."

Myoga looked back at the mountain and rubbed his head. "Well, that explains why that old wench wasn't in her cave." He looked back up at Inuyasha. "How did you hear about it?"

Inuyasha snickered. "Some stupid wolf; he said Urasue claimed to have the ability to locate fragments of the Shikon Jewel, he didn't mention anything about Kikyo."

"Oh, that was just a rumor; I don't know who started that...did you see the priestess?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I was there, but there was a cave in." He solemnly looked away.

"You're looking for her...why?"

"Let's just say we have history together."

Myoga mischievously smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "Master Inuyasha, I had no idea yo-" Before he could finish, Inuyasha roughly flicked him off his palm with his clawed finger. "Hey! What did I do?" He jumped on Inuyasha's shoulder, rubbing his bum.

"She's a priestess, don't ever speak about her like that." He aggressively barked though keeping fond memories of her in the back of his mind and a deep scarlet hue incinerated his cheeks.

Myoga noticed the blush and smiled. "My apologies."

Inuyasha nervously nodded and began to walk; resuming up his scent trail. "Alright then."

"I do have another bone to pick with you, Master Inuyasha."

"What is it?"

"What is your connection with the Dog Whisperer?...That's kind of a silly name." He chuckled. "Does he train dogs?"

"His name is Kohaku."

"So you do know him."

"He's Sango's brother."

"Is that right..."

"Yeah, what about him?"

"He's looking for you."

"Looking for me? Why?" Once again, Inuyasha stopped walking.

Myoga looked up. "He has a message from Naraku, or so I heard."

"You hear a lot of things, don't you?" Inuyasha baffled, slowly walking again.

"Well, you know me."

"Unfortunately...so, what's this message about?"

"I'm not sure, my guess is that it has something to do with the priestess."

"How does Naraku know about Kikyo...or my connection to her for that matter?"

"Not sure." Myoga shrugged. "Kohaku's probably crossing the river right now." And for the third and final time, Inuyasha stopped walking and immidiately turned around.

"The river? Kaede's hut is around there."

"I'm sure she can protect herself." Myoga dismissively waved one of his hands and Inuyasha began to run back.

"It's not Kaede I'm worried about; it's Kagome."

-----

"When is Inuyasha coming back?" Shippo complained for about the millionth time that day. "How could he leave Kagome like that."

Lady Kaede closed her eyes and breathed in. "Patience." She picked up a whicker basket and handed Miroku a duplicate.

"What's this for?"

"Ye practically threw out all the apples Kagome and I picked out; ye are going to help me pick some more."

Miroku sheepishly smiled. "Eh..."

Amused, Sango watched them walk toward the large apple tree by the hut and quickly noticed a dark figure standing under it. "Miroku!"

Kohaku blankly stared at them, dangling his chain and weapon at his side. Miroku tossed the basket aside and gripped his staff with both hands, one on the staff itself and the other atop the subjugation beads that clogged his wind tunnel. As if on cue, three poisonous bees exposed themselves from behind Kohaku, forcing Miroku to lower his hand.

"Kohaku!" Sango shouted and the bees began to protectively buzz around him.

"Where is Inuyasha?" Kohaku dully demanded as Kagome joined the group.

"Inuyasha?" She worriedly looked around.

"Where is he?"

Kaede picked her bow and arrow up. "Who are ye and what do ye want with him?"

"Kaede." Kohaku stated as if having known her all his life. "Your sister's been reborn."

Kagome looked down at Shippo and rudely muttered. "Good news travels fast."

"She must be with Inuyasha." Kohaku expressed and Kaede's eyes squinted.

The festering bees began to buzz quicker, forming a violet orb around Kohaku that elevated him.

"Tell Inuyasha stay away from her." Kohaku announced and ascended into the sky. He looked down and half saluted. "Naraku gives the priestess his regards." He looked away an disappeared into the horizon.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha hollered in the distance. He ran in, missing Kohaku by mere seconds and took Kagome by the shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Where is he?" He turned around and drew his sword.

"You're too late!" Shippo accused. "He already left."

Inuyasha frowned and placed his sword back into position. "What happened?" He noticed Kaede's muted posture and Sango's uncomfortable expression.

"Did you find Kikyo?" Kagome crossed her arms.

"No."

"Too bad." She turned her back and began to walk away.

"Why?"

"Naraku wanted to see her." She bent down and picked up a bucket and headed for the spring. Shippo disappointedly shook his head at Inuyasha and ran after Kagome.

"Huh?"

Sango blankly stared at him and also walked away, leaving him with Miroku and Kaede, the only sane people as he saw it.

"You didn't find Kikyo?"

"No, but I know she's alive."

Kaede's head jerked. "She is?"

"There was a tunnel beneath the debris; I'm positive she escaped the avalanche."

"Why didn't you go after her?"

"Myoga warned me about Kohaku, said he had a message for me."

"Myoga's with you?"

Inuyasha nodded and looked at his now vacant shoulder. "He was with me; must have run away as I made my way over here. Figures, that coward."

Kaede sighed and rested her bow onto a near stump. "This isn't good."

"You don't sound to thrilled about the good news, Kaede."

The old woman looked up and Miroku and sighed. "It is good news indeed, but I fear Kikyo might be in danger."

"Danger? Can someone tell me what's going on here?"

Kaede gravely looked at Inuyasha. "Naraku warns ye to stay away from Kikyo."

"Stay away from her? Is he serious?"

"Quite." Kaede nodded. "He also sends Kikyo his regards."

"Regards? How does Naraku know Kikyo?"

"Kikyo died over fifty years ago, Naraku hasn't been around that long." Miroku calculated and Kaede slowly shook her head.

"Kikyo may not have known Naraku, but she knew Onigumo."

"Onigumo?" Inuyasha and Miroku simultaneously inquired.

-----

"I didn't find Inuyasha, but his companions will deliver the message." Kohaku submissively perched himself on one knee and bowed his head, ignoring Kagura's sour posture in the corner. She bitterly simpered and rolled her eyes.

"Forget about the message." Naraku replied, gleaming over his orphic mirror. "I found just what I was looking for." He smiled and the reflector beamed, materializing an icon of Kikyo limping her way through a bush.

Kagura stepped out of the dark and crossed her arms. "What's so great about her?"

Naraku looked to his side and responded with a muted smirk. "I have some unfinished business to take care of." He stood up and popped the collar of his multicolored yet dull cloak.

Kohaku quickly stood up and stepped to the side, bowing his head as Naraku passed by. Kagura followed his suit, only this time, Kohaku defiantly lifted his head, denying her the same exit. Kagura pursed her lips and quietly followed Naraku.

-----

"Fifty years ago Kikyo encountered a bandit, Onigumo, near Mount Hakurei. She found him on the side of the hill, barely living. Disbanded fro his tribe, his flesh was incinerated and every bone in his body was broken. Unable to move, Kikyo nursed him back to health or as much health he had left; the only social thing he was able to acomplish after his accident was speak."

"What does this have to do with Naraku?"

"Everything...Within time, Onigumo developed feelings for Kikyo."

"What!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

Kaede nodded and folded her hands behind her back. "Out of lust, he sacrificed his immobile body to the demons. In exchange to devouring his disposable structure, he would be granted a new body with which he could claim Kikyo."

Miroku rubbed his chin with his hand. "Thus, Naraku was born?" He eyed a disturbed Inuyasha from the corner of his eye.

"Kikyo never mentioned anything about another man."

"She was always secretive, I was the only person who knew about him. I'd helped Kikyo nurse him and for the most part he was good company. But there were times where all he could talk about was you, Inuyasha."

"Me?"

"I use to hate the way he spoke about my sister and your name escaped my mouth." Kaede inhaled and gravely looked at Inuyasha. "He's the reason you and Kikyo hate each other."

"What do you mean?"

"With his new body and raging jealousy, Onigumo disguised himself as both ye and Kikyo and pinned ye against each other."

"How could you possibly know that?" Miroku clicked his tongue and Kaede sighed.

"I've had my share of run ins with Naraku. He likes to boast about it."

"Does that mean that Naraku could be in love with Kikyo?"

Inuyasha gasped and scrounged his face. "That bastard." He sneered.

"She's injured and he'll be looking for her." Miroku placed his hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Find her."

Inuyasha looked at the cabin and huffed. "...I can't...I have to make things right before I leave."

-----

Kikyo's frail body stumbled out of webbed bush and into a small clearing. Her left arm lifelessly clung on her side and she gripped her shoulder with the other, holding together her torn, blood stained robe and the wound on her shoulder blade. Though the artificial somaesthesia subsided a good deal of time ago, she cringed in pain as she felt her life span ooze out of her newly formed defect. She walked with little perception and her vision was limited to a meek blur. Almost blindly making her way, she stood upright and jerked around.

"Who are you?"

Naraku chuckled and towered behind her. "Still sharp as ever, aren't you Kikyo."

"Do I know you?"

"My name is Naraku; we've met before." He half smirked, allowing a small fang to surpass his lower lip. "I can help you."

Kikyo scrunched her eyes and turned her back. "I don't need any help."

"Are you sure? You're almost at the end of the line; I can heal your wounds."

The miko slowly turned around and Naraku stepped closer.

"You have a fragment of the Shikon Jewel." She gasped.

Reaching into a crevice of his robe, Naraku took out the already exposed shard and flicked it at the miko. It struck her on the shoulder, embedding itself into her flesh and instantly healing her wound. She stood upright and fluttered her eyes. With restored vision, she blankly stared at Naraku and he stared back in silence.

He stood no more than two feet away from her and still felt miles away. Without a thought, he found himself reaching out to her like a helpless child. He lightly parted her hair and slowly caressed her cheek, tracing his fingers down her neck.

"I...I had to make sure for myself...had to make sure you were alive." His voice nervously quivered for the first time.

Kikyo's large ebony eyes narrowed and she slowly began to step back and in doing so, provoked Naraku into gripping her neck and holding her in place. She remained still and he blinked a couple of times.

"I suppose I have to repay the favor."

Naraku smirked. "Correct."

Kikyo snickered and roughly pulled away. "I don't like to take orders." She hissed and bolted off.

Naraku patiently watched her run, remaining in position seconds maybe even minutes after she was gone. He finally looked over his shoulder and growled. "Follow me again and I'll kill you."

Kagura stepped out the shadows and gripped her fan.

-----

"He's only a guy."

Inuyasha heard Sango speak from inside the cabin and Kagome snort.

"I have to talk to Kagome." He walked in and Shippo crossed his arms.

"Go ahead, whatever you have to say to Kagome you can say in front of us."

Sango sighed and took the little fox by the ear, dragging him out side. Kagome mutely looked at Inuyasha.

"Kagome I..."

"Look Inuyasha, I-"

Inuyasha's eye twitched in annoyance. "Would you stop being so dramatic?!" He shouted and Kagome flinched.

"...I'm sorry." She looked down. "I just wanted to apologize."

"No, I'm sorry." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Listen...what happened with Kikyo..."

"I know...you have to go after her, right? It's only right. I guess I've been overreacting."

"Naraku's after her; I can't let him find her."

"You should hurry up then, I'll be ok."

"Are you sure?"

Kagome slowly nodded. "Yeah."

Inuyasha eyed her and bit his lower lip, quickly pulling her into his arms and hugging her tight. Baffled, Kagome returned the favor and hugged back.

"Thanks, Kagome.

TBC