Chapter 12
Nekokaze had learned the names of the rest of Kagome's friends as she led them through the forest; Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara.
"Are you sure we can trust her?" She heard Inuyasha whisper to Miroku. The monk nodded. She knew it would be hard for them to trust her under the circumstances, but all she cared about at the moment was getting the four of them to Kagome.
"You never answered me before. Why do you smell of human blood?" Inuyasha asked. Nekokaze stopped are turned to look at him with a hint of worry in her eyes. "Well?" The half demon snapped impatiently.
"I...I had to fight a demon called Kagura, I think you know of her. One of her wind blades hit Kagome's arm." She explained.
"That explains what we found in the other forest." Sango murmured.
"Is she alright?" Inuyasha demanded.
"H-her arm was cut pretty deep, but she should recover." Nekokaze said quickly, a bit scared by Inuyasha's temper. They were approaching the stream as Inuyasha picked up two very familiar scents.
"Is it just you and Kagome?" Shippo asked.
"No, we're-" Nekokaze started, but she stopped when Inuyasha rushed off ahead of them.
"Inuyasha, wait!" Miroku called with little to no effected.
"Is he always so... hasty?" Nekokaze wondered. Shippo, Miroku and Sango nodded in unison.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called out after rushing ahead of the others. He came to an abrupt hault when he saw Kagome resting up against a tree by the stream.
"Inuyasha..." She greeted a bit weakly, happy to see the half demon. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kirara, and Nekokaze finally caught up to Inuyasha, and they were happy to see that Kagome was alright.
"Kagome! Thank goodness!" Shippo said with relief, coming up to her.
"How did you find me?" She asked.
"Inuyasha was able to follow your scent until we met Nekokaze. She led us here." Sango explained. Kagome looked over to the ccheetah demon with a kind, warm grin.
"Thank you." She stated gratefully. Nekokaze blushing slightly at the thanks; she rarely ever heard it. That's when Inuyasha remember the second scent, but then he didn't need to think about it long because Kikyo stepped out from behind the tree Kagome was lying up against.
"K-Kikyo." He stuttered in surprise. There was a long, awkward silence.
"I'll return to my own travels now." Kikyo stated, before turning around and starting to walk away.
"Wait!" Kagome said quickly turning her head to look at Kikyo. Kikyo stopped, but she didn't look back. "Thank you for helping me." Kagome stated.
"You've no need to thank me." Kikyo murmured begining to walk away again. Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were still shocked at what had just happened. Nekokaze looked at the four of them, then to Kagome, then to Kikyo as she walked away.
"I have to go. I hope we meet again soon." Nekokaze good-byed before following after Kikyo quickly.
"What just happened?" Sango asked for anyone to answer.
"I should tell you huh?" Kagome replied.
"That would be helpful." Miroku stated. Inuyasha was still looking off at Kikyo, as if she was the only other person there.
