A/N: REVISED. This chapter is violent, just wanted to warn you guys if you are sensitive to that kind of thing. I hope you all enjoy because I had to conjure up some horrible images to write this chapter. I apologize for any grammatical errors.

~Chapter 14~

There was a chill in the air and the atmosphere seemed to become unthinkably darker, an uneasiness settling in the pits of their stomachs. Sesshomaru subtly lifted his face and breathed in deeply, his sensitive nose recognizing immediately the scent of death. He turned to look at the others and from the look on their faces it seemed that they too, knew something was terribly wrong.

"Kagome, come here."

Sesshomaru reached out his hand in a beckoning motion and was pleased when the miko didn't hesitate. He pulled her close, his arm protectively wrapping around her waist. She was frightened by whatever awaited them past the cluster of trees ahead, as she should be. Even he, who had led many wars and claimed many lives would admit the twinge of fear he felt.

"There is a village up ahead, from it we should reach Bokuseno before nightfall."

Koga wrinkled his nose, "You mean there was a village ahead, now it smells more like a graveyard. Can we not just go around it?"

"We could, but it will add two more days to our journey."

They couldn't risk two days. As much as Kagome wanted to avoid what lay ahead, Rin wouldn't last for very much longer. Sesshomaru spared the group a glance and warned, "Stick together."

Kagome lay her hand on the hilt of her sword as they reluctantly made their way through the trees, her pulse racing in fear. When she raised her hand to swipe away the branches Sesshomaru reached out and stopped her. She had been so focused on what lay on the other side that she hadn't noticed that the green leaves were stained red with blood. She watched with a grimace as he swiped the branches out of the way and her blue eyes widened in horror at the gruesome scene that greeted them.

Inuyasha whispered, "Holy shit. Who the fuck could have done something like this?"

Kikyo shakily responded, "A monster…a soulless monster."

Kagome whole heartedly agreed with Kikyo as she watched severed limbs float slowly past them in the creek dyed red with blood. She took a step back as she realized that not five feet away from her was a young man who had been disemboweled, his entrails lay scattered around him as large birds pecked at him with bloody beaks. Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around her once more and when she looked up at him for comfort, she couldn't help but follow his horrified gaze. The bridge they had no choice but to cross was decorated with heads, each of them with frozen looks of pain and horror on their faces. Kagome covered her mouth as she finally took in the entirety of the village, from the villagers hanging sporadically from the trees to the ones impaled on large spikes speared into the ground. This massacre had not just been about death, it was clear that whatever had done this had more than enjoyed the pain it inflicted. It took pride in its work, seeing it as some kind of art form. It was disgusting that such evil could exist.

Kagome's eyes finally fell on the twisted form of a young boy, his hair picking up in the wind like dark silk to reveal his face. His eyes were open, the dark brown reflecting back at her all the things he had suffered in his last moments. She could see the terror and the anguish, but beneath that, and perhaps she was seeing in his eyes what she felt in her own heart, she could see eyes that begged for retribution. This child wanted justice and Kagome would make damn sure he had it.

"We must not linger."

In their horror, they still managed to move forward. Sesshomaru grabbed hold of the strap of her backpack and pulled her back before he handed a sleeping Rin to Koga. He moved to kneel down and offered her his back, "I will not allow you to be forced to walk in the blood of the innocent."

Kagome stared down at him gratefully as she wrapped her arms and him. His big hands held her thighs comfortably and the others took notice and followed his lead; both women looked just as relieved as Kagome felt. As Sesshomaru led them through the carnage, she buried her face in his mokomoko when the wind blew the smell of rot towards them. She closed her eyes and softly whispered prayers for the dead, wishing they had the time to offer them a proper burial. The village was not overly large, but it still felt like hours had gone by when they finally reached the other side. She turned back once more, tears in her eyes as offered one final prayer for the poor souls.

"That was horrible."

"Yes, it was."

Sesshomaru released her and before she let herself slip from his back she leaned down and kissed the magenta mark on his cheek. Sesshomaru tilted his head to the side as he welcomed her tiny kiss, his eyes closing for a moment at the feel of her warm lips.

When her feet touched the ground Miroku asked, "How much longer?"

"A few hours at most, we should reach him well before sunset as long as we do not make any unnecessary stops."

It had been perhaps two hours when Sesshomaru stopped, holding out his arm to block Kagome from moving forward. There was a slight movement in the trees ahead of them and everybody simultaneously reached for their weapons.

Inuyasha sniffed and his brow lifted when he turned to Kikyo, "They're humans."

It seemed as if the trees had come to life as men came forward with their weapons pointed at them. There were maybe fifteen of them and they were absolutely filthy. The visible parts of their bodies were covered in grime and blood and their clothes were no better, but it was the looks in their eyes that told Kagome what kind of men they were. She knew that blood would be shed, no matter how they tried to avoid it.

The tallest and burliest of the men smiled and Kagome grimaced at the sight of his yellow rotting teeth. "Well well, what have we here? What would you fine people be doing in a place like this?"

Koga bared his sharp teeth with a smile of his own, "That would be none of your damn business. How about you move along and let us pass, we have places to be."

The man pulled out his sword from his back and studied his unattractive reflection in the blade, turning it to catch different angles of his face as if he were considering Koga's demand. His eyes rose slowly and spared each of them a glance before resting on Kagome, those dark eyes flashing with lust and making her skin crawl. "No. I think instead we should do this my way. You all will die…except for you little girl." He licked his dirty chapped lips as he gave Kagome a once over. "I fully intend to enjoy my fill of you."

Sesshomaru let out a loud growl that had some of the men stepping back in fear, except for the stupid leader in the front. Kagome scoffed at them, "I assure you, his bark is nothing compared to his bite."

The group's leader leered at her, "I think I'm willing to take my chances with the dog if you are the prize sweetheart."

Kagome laughed out loud surprising everyone, "I am no one's prize. If you touch me, I promise you, you'll lose a hand."

She watched as fury twisted his face and for some reason that was beyond her he spat on the ground, some of it dribbling on his chin before flicking his head as a cue to the other men to attack. Kagome held her sword out and Shippo hopped down from her shoulder, his little hands incased with foxfire that burned even brighter than she remembered.

The men ran at them and not a single one of them moved until the group was upon them. Kagome raised her sword high, blocking a downward swing and raised her leg to kick the man in his stomach. He grunted and stumbled back right into Sesshomaru's lethal claws. The man opened his mouth in a silent scream, his eyes wide as he dropped to his knees and fell on his face. Kagome hated death; she hated killing, but if she didn't defend herself then they would have no qualms about stealing more than just her life from her.

She ducked under the swing of another sword and raised her own at an angle as she charged up, the tip piercing soft skin before protruding from the other side. She slid it back out of the man's stomach and turned to come face to face with the leader.

His sword came down on hers with a sharp clang and he tried to force her to her knees with his superior strength. She remembered what her sensei had taught her; physical strength was only one half of strength and she was reminded of something she had learned all on her own—the bigger they are the harder they fall. She let one hand fall from the hilt of her sword and before he brought her down with his weight she shot her arm forward and jabbed him with the heel of her hand in his throat. She moved out of the way as his sword fell and watched with satisfaction as he clasped his throat in his meaty hands and gasped for air. He fell to his knees and before Kagome could move forward he lit up in a blue flame and began to scream out in agony.

Kagome watched with morbid fascination as the flames began to scorch the skin from his body; the smell of burning flesh and hair nearly made Kagome gag. He began to roll desperately on the ground, but it only seemed to make the flames burn brighter. The foxfire grew smaller as his cries faded away to nothing, leaving behind a charred body. Shippo stood calmly to the side staring at the man who he had killed as if he were admiring his work.

Kagome fought off a shudder when he looked up at her with blood lust in his eyes that slowly faded away as the cries of the man had. He lifted his arms to her and though she was unnerved by what he had done, she didn't hesitate to reach down and pull him close. She was reminded of the Shippo in her nightmare and she knew if she didn't find a way to save him, her fear would become a reality. She kissed the top of his head and looked up, trying to ignore the bodies around them.

She whispered, "We have to keep going."

All were in agreement as they turned towards the direction where Bokuseno hopefully still remained.

~oOo~

Kagome had never been in Bokuseno's forest before, but a part of her felt immediately at home. She reached out her hand and touched the barrier, gasping when it rippled and pulsed. She whispered, "Bokuseno," and a hole in the barrier appeared, growing like an arch to let them pass.

The others stared in wide eyed amazement as they followed her lead and walked through the barrier behind her. She saw him immediately and though she had never met him, she was overcome with a feeling of extreme fondness. The tree looked at her with old knowing eyes and smiled, "It has been a long time—when you asked that I wait for you, I didn't realize it would be for so long."

Kagome was taken aback. "I'm sorry, I think you might have me confused with someone else. We have not met before."

Bokuseno's branches shook as he let out a laugh. "It is true that I have not met Kagome, but it is your soul I was speaking to."

"My…my soul?"

"Yes child, your soul. That bright light that shines within you is almost as old as time itself. It knows me well, for we grew together through many lifetimes. You have returned to me as you promised and if I am right, you have questions for me."

Kagome nodded slowly, "And I think I just added a few to my list."

A/n: This was not a fun chapter to write. I have never written a fight scene before, so I hope I did okay. Let me know how I did, please.

~Inari