Cool wind stirred his bangs, forcing them to tickle his eyelids. He scrunched his nose and brushed at them, grumbling. He felt himself sway softly, rocking him gently. It was completely silent. He threw his arm behind his head, enjoying the moment. Then he inhaled, and a thousand scents filled his nose, the strongest of which were salt water, acid, the strong scent of blood, fish, and Sango.
His shoulder shifted, and suddenly he felt someone's weight resting against his arm.
"Hentai!" As swiftly as a snake, a strong arm hit him across the face. "What do you think you're doing, Miroku? Sometimes I swear you have—"
"Hey!" Inuyasha raised his arms to protect himself from the hail of blows landing on his head and shoulders. "Sango, hold it! It's me—quit it!"
"Inuyasha?" He opened one eye, hardly daring to lower his arms. The bruises were already beginning to form on his skin, and they hurt. Damn, Sango was strong for a human! "I—I'm sorry Inuyasha! I thought you…that you were trying to—"
"Keh—as if I would ever touch you!" Inuyasha snorted. From years of exposure to Kagome, he recognized the look of angry hurt that passed over the girl's face. "Shit. I meant—"
"Forget it, Inuyasha." Sango blushed. The armored taijiya was on her knees beside him. In the cramped space, Inuyasha sat up, doing his best to avoid any more contact with her. He rested his arm over the rim of the…boat? What were they doing in a boat? His hand immediately went to his hip, and he was glad to feel Tessaiga's ratted handle against his palm.
The moon was high and bright above them. The small boat rocked again as the water shifted. They were in the middle of an enormous body of water. Inuyasha assumed it was the ocean. There was only one land mass within sight, and it was farther than he could jump. What the fuck were they doing out in the middle of the ocean? Where was Kagome?
"—ah!" A shrill, female shriek rattled his nerves. Sango was already reaching for her sword before Shippo balanced on the edge, hair standing on end. "You sat on me!"
"Shippo? Oh Shippo!" Sango hugged the kitsune apologetically. "I'm sorry, Shippo-chan."
"How did we get here?" Inuyasha kicked Sango's shin. The taijiya immediately punched him in the arm. Ow. "Quit playing with the idiot already!"
"Where's Kagome?" Shippo stayed in Sango's grip.
"I don't know." Sango shrugged. "We were fighting those ningyo before the dragon—the dragon! What if Miroku and—"
"Shut it!" Inuyasha got to his feet. The boat rocked gently as he found his balance. The three spent the next few minutes searching for an oar, but there was none. They were stranded in the middle of the ocean, with nothing to help them.
"What do we do?" Shippo's tail twitched.
"We can't just drift out here forever. We have to get back to land." Sango shivered as the wind blew again, and ocean spray covered her face. She was slightly terrified to consider the implications of their situation. The three of them were drifting hoplessly in the middle of the ocean, with a horde of flesh-hungry ningyo looking for food.
"Fuck—give me your sword." Inuyasha stepped around Sango, putting his foot against the end of the boat.
"What? Why?"
"We need something to move this boat forward! Hand it over." Inuyasha frowned.
"You really think we're going to steer this boat with a thin sword?" Sango touched the handle of her sword protectively. "The current is pushing us in the opposite direction."
"Would you rather swim, stupid? Who knows what's in this water? And if you want to—" Inuyasha's words were drowned out by a monstrous crash, and a familiar roar. The ningyo's enormous dragon friend was attacking the island in the distance. It bellowed before throwing its enormous body against the stone structure, dislodging several of the stones.
"What do you bet Kagome and Miroku are over there?" Sango used the boat's edge to stand.
"Why leave us out here? Somebody put us in this damn boat." Inuyasha's instincts were screaming at him. Something was terribly wrong. If Kagome and Miroku were on that island, they had been seperated from Sango and himself on purpose. But why?
"Shippo, do you think you could carry Inuyasha and I?" Sango carefully lifted the Hiraikotsu. Its edge was in desperate need of sharpening, but she was grateful for its presence. She would need her weapon to save Houshi-sama and Kagome-chan.
"I dunno. Maybe." Shippo pretended to carefully examine Inuyasha, who turned to consider him. "Inuyasha's head IS full of rocks. I bet he's really heavy."
"Shippo, this is no time for—Inuyasha!" Sango was almost knocked into the water as Inuyasha lunged for the kitsune. "Stop it, you two! Inuyasha, you are an adult!"
"I'm going to—"
"Ow!"
"Yeow! Ow!"
Both males held their tender scalps as Sango brushed her hands together satisfactorily. She was beginning to have more respect for Kagome's patience than before. Dealing with these two, without a subjugation rosary, was proving almost too much for her nerves. And what if something had happened to Houshi-sama? She would never forgive herself!
Miroku ran. The walls shook as the monster outside roared, crashing against the castle. It horrified him to see the flash of fangs as he raced by the occasional window. He had been trying to find Inuyasha or Sango or Kagome, but the castle was gruesomely barren. There was no one here, save Kohaku and himself. Well, except for the murderous ex-ally who might leap at him from any shadow.
Kohaku stirred in his arms, but did not wake.
"Hang in there, Kohaku." Miroku would die rather than allow Sango's brother any harm. Even if he was forced to fight the dragon outside bare-handed, Kohaku would survive.
The dragon…is your mother?
If the creature outside was Nori's mother…Miroku's mind was too stretched to give the ningyo's scratchings any further analysis. The yokai outside was determined to destroy the castle. He needed to find the entrance to this place. If he could not, the rubble would likely bury them alive. The floor beneath him shook violently and he was forced to slow down, or trip and risk injuring Kohaku.
Stones were beginning to crumble. Part of the ceiling ahead was beginning to collapse, bending under the strain of constant attack. Within two more shudders the wood and stone fell, blocking Miroku's path. He was forced to take an alternative route, deeper into the castle's matrix of halls.
"Who built this foolish place? Where is the door?!" Miroku was tempted to curse. He had been turned around more times than he could count. Nori might emerge from any crevasse, any disheveled rathole. He pushed through the layers of cobwebs filling the hallway. The castle shook again. Cracks appeared along the wall as the dragon bellowed again.
"Sango?"
"It's Miroku." The monk did not glance down at the mumbling boy. He was calling for Sango, which uplifted his spirits. Perhaps Nori had healed the kid, although he could not imagine Sango's reaction if she had. The taijiya did not like the ningyo, and with good cause.
"Sango?"
"We'll find her." Miroku promised quietly. "Your sister will be glad to see you. Kilala has missed you as well."
Kohaku moaned again, turning his face into Miroku's shoulder.
"Hold on, Kohaku. I am sure Kagome-sama can assist you." Or, so he hoped. He wasn't sure whether or not the young miko could do anything to counter a ningyo's magic. And if she could not, Sango was going to kill him. He would be lucky to be within reach of her backside within a decade! "I must say, Kohaku—your sister will probably not be pleased that I—"
The floor trembled again as the giant dragon struck again. Miroku was forced to skid to a stop as the floor beneath his feet began to crack. Sections of the stone was beginning to crumble away into nothing. Before he could react, Miroku found himself plummeting south with nothing to do but hold onto Kohaku. He fell hard, unable to stop himself from groaning. His legs and back were already beginning to ache with new bruises. By the time this was over, he was going to be bedridden for a week. His rib protested as he struggled to move. Miroku was horrified at the weakness spreading through his abdomen.
He was forced to release Kohaku onto the floor beside him as he fought to sit up. He barely managed, breathing heavily as he pressed against his crying rib. What he wouldn't do for Sango's lovely hands nursing him, feeding him Kagome's otherworldly cooking, Inuyasha and Shippo bickering like idiots while Kaede chuckled! Ah, what paradise!
This is no time for wishful thinking. You must find the others! Miroku ground his teeth as he used his staff for balance, groaning aloud. Heat spread through his abdomen at the tightness around his ribs. It was exceedingly painful. He was actually pining for Nori's healing abilities. It was so convenient at times like this.
"San—Miroku?" Kohaku rolled onto his back, blinking at him. "Did we fall?" Miroku looked upwards at the semi-circular crack in the ceiling. It was more than two stories over their heads. No wonder he was in such pain. He was lucky to be conscious. Miroku exhaled heavily.
"Miroku?" Kohaku sat up slowly, massaging his neck. "Where is my sister? Where am I?"
"I am not sure where the others—are." Miroku winced as he exhaled, stretching his abdominal muscles. "However, it seems that we are in Naraku's castle, and there is a dragon attacking it."
"Can you breathe?" Kohaku noticed the monk's discomfort. "What do we need to do?"
"We have to get out of this building. It is too dangerous." Miroku was grateful when the boy slipped his arm around his shoulders. He was doubly grateful to see the clarity in the boy's eyes. Sango's brother was himself.
"What about the others? What about Kagome and my sister?" Kohaku supported part of Miroku's weight as they turned, searching for the correct path to take. A multi-storied wooden door covered in cobwebs was at the end of the largest hallway, allowing fresh ocean air through its numerous cracks.
"Do you know where they are?" Kohaku was guiding Miroku forward, mindful of his ribs. "What of Inuyasha? Shippo-chan? Kilala?"
"I…I'm not sure. My head is sort of fuzzy." Kohaku apologized. "I have a feeling that Kagome-sama is not far, though. Naraku hates her, but he needs her powers for something."
"For a pearl?" Miroku nearly collapsed when he placed his staff on a chipped portion of stone, and he would have fallen if not for Kohaku. "Nori showed me one of your memories, before she transformed. Naraku is after a pearl, is he not? That is why he sent you to torture the ningyo? Do you know what it means?"
"I…maybe. I think he wants the ningyo to kill Kagome-sama, or corrupt her powers. It has something to do with making Kagome—" Kohaku stopped, within touching distance of the barely opened door. "I know where Kagome-sama is. Can you make it outside without me?"
"Where are you going?"
"Kagome-sama is in the basement! And that ningyo is going—"
"—to be drawn to her." Miroku stood frozen, horrified.
"I'll get there." Kohaku jarred the heavy door farther open for the injured monk. "Stay safe until I get back!"
"Kohaku—" The adolescent boy was already disappearing down the maze of corridors. Miroku would have followed after him, if not for the reality that he was not in running shape. He could not keep up with Kohaku with a broken rib. Miroku winced, slowly making his way towards the door. Although young, Kohaku was a taijiya-in-training. He would have to trust in Kagome's abilities and Kohaku's speed.
Besides, there was a murderous dragon to be dealt with. Any knowledge about the creature would be to their benefit.
"Kagome!" Rin shrieked and covered her head as debris rained down over them. The walls around them were beginning to buckle underneath the constant shuddering from outside. Kagome was forced to stop, breathing heavily. She had managed to drag Kouga and the fighting-sized Kilala into the hallway, but she was too tired to drag their bodies any further. She really needed them to wake up! But Kouga's aura was startlingly weak, and Kilala was still unconscious. They had to get out of this place and find Inuyasha!
"Kagome, we—"
"I know, I know!" Kagome jumped as the walls shook again, making the walls shake. The old chink holding the stone walls together was cracking loose in enormous amounts. At this rate, they were going to be buried alive. And just when she could actually use Kouga's help! Ooh, when he woke up, she was going to knock him senseless for doing this to her!
"What do we do?" Rin's fingers dug into her waist. "Will your friends be here to help? Where is Sesshomaru-sama?"
"We have to find our way out of here. It isn't safe." Kagome forced herself to hook her arms beneath Kouga's shoulders again. With great effort, she dragged herself backwards, and Kouga with her. Why did he weigh so much? He was so slender! And Kilala was even heavier! In disbelief, Kagome watched Rin grab hold of Kouga's calves, holding them beneath her arms. If it were not so sad, it would be almost comical.
"Rin, you could not possibly—" Kagome felt like she couldn't breathe. She dropped Kouga instantly, turning. She stared wide-eyed into the darkness of the long hallway. Something was waiting for them down here. Yet, they had no choice but to flee into the hallway. The cell Kagura had met them in was already caving in on itself.
"Ka—"
"Hush, Rin!" Kagome waved her hand at the girl blindly. A horrible sense of danger was beginning to crawl into her chest. There was jyaki nearby. Powerful jyaki. And she was pretty sure that it was getting closer. What was that? The hairs on her arms were standing on end, and Kagome found Rin leaning against her legs, peering around her.
Kagome held her finger to her lips for Rin's benefit as she removed Kouga's sword from his waist. She had never seen him use it, but it was better than nothing. She removed it from its scabbard with no effort. At least it was steel and whole, even if it was not Tessaiga. Oh, what she wouldn't do to have Inuyasha here! Sango, Miroku, Shippo! She would even take Sesshomaru over this creepy castle. At least she knew why he would kill her!
"We're not going to die here Rin. Understand?" Kagome held the sword exactly as Sango had shown her. She was regretting her lost bow. She was not very practiced with a sword and it felt unnatural in her hands.
The floor vibrated so violently that Kagome almost lost her footing. Only Rin's small hands on her clothing prevented her from falling forward. "Kagome-sama! Look!"
She glanced towards Sesshomaru's young charge. One of the enormous stones that formed the base of the castle had crumbled. Overgrown grass and vines and the sweet smell of the ocean water flooded into the stale room. "We can get out! Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin was screaming for the absent taiyoukai lord. "Sesshomaru-sama!"
"Rin!" What was it about her? She had complete and utter faith that the heartless taiyoukai would come and rescue her, out of nowhere.
"Hurry!" Rin was tugging on Kouga's limp arms. "Help me, please! We have to find Sesshomaru-sama! He's probably killed Master Jakken by now!"
"Kagome-sama! Run!" A strange voice echoed down the hallway. It took a moment for Kagome to recognize the voice of Sango's brother. Kohaku was yelling instructions to her? What if it was one of Naraku's traps? He could be trying to force them into an ambush! "Kagome-sama! The ningyo is down here! Get out!"
"Nori?" Kagome's mouth went dry. Nori is the source of that jyaki? It couldn't be! Her aura doesn't feel like this. This is…twisted.
"The monk is outside! Go!" Kohaku's voice was high strung. Kagome was tempted to believe him. She had never heard him use so much emotion before. What was going on? What had changed with Kohaku? Inuyasha had said that the boy had tried to steal Nori from underneath his nose!
"Rin, get outside! Stay in the grass." Kagome pushed the girl towards the opening. "Hurry, Rin! I have to save Kilala and Kouga-kun. Just go!"
"But I have to help you. You are—" Rin's words were drowned by the shriek echoing towards them. It was the mad wail of something vicious, and hungry.
"What the hell?" Kouga sat up blindly, wiping loose debris from his face. "What the fuck is that noise? Where—hey!" Kagome's arms were already underneath his arms, pulling him upwards. "Kagome? What are you doing?"
"We have to get outside—move!" Kagome was grateful. Kouga didn't bother to argue with the panicked tone to her voice. He easily dragged Kilala towards the opening in the wall. Rin darted outside ahead, wiggling her toes in the grass. Kagome was grateful to be out in the fresh air. Once they were securely in the tall grass, Kouga laid Kilala back down.
"What the hell is going on, Kagome?" Kouga sat down on a nearby boulder. Kagome was shocked at how winded he appeared to be.
"I—are you alright?" Kagome watched him run his hand over his face roughly. The ookami was pale. "Kouga-kun, you're not well."
"Where is Naraku? Where is that bastard? And what was that sound?" Kouga fixed her with steady blue eyes. "Where are your friends?"
"I think it was…Nori." Kagome could not bear to watch the sad weight to his shoulders. "Something was wrong, though. I've never felt a jyaki like that. It was—wrong."
She was probably trying to assist one of your humans and pushed herself too far. The increasingly familiar voice echoed through her mind. Kagome waited for more of an explanation, but there was none. She was beginning to wonder about this other her. Besides, how did she know how whether she could trust it, it if was connected to Nori? Or born from the ningyo, whateve that case was? And Inuyasha wasn't going to be able to help—
"Kouga?" Kagome kneeled down, taking the man's hand. "Kouga-kun, may I ask you a question?"
"…yeah? What is it?" Kouga seemed surprised at the gesture. His large hand curled around hers. It was not as warm as it should be. It frightened her. "If you're worried, you shouldn't be. You know I'll protect you."
"That's not—you're a demon, aren't you? Do you have a true form, like Inuyasha's brother?" Kagome watched him frown. "I'm only asking because—"
"I would never hurt you Kagome." Kouga leaned forward, stretching his legs out. "After I take Naraku's head, we will go home to the mountains. Ginta and Hakkaku have missed you. You can settle in with the pack."
"Kouga, I'm—what?" Kagome frowned. "The mountains? You seriously want me to go with you to the mountains?"
"Yeah, why not? You're my woman." Kouga squeezed the hand resting on his leg.
"Kouga…" Kagome inhaled. "I am so not your woman."
"Of course you are, Kagome." Kouga managed a smug smile, even with the sickness making him woozy. "Do you think I would just abandon you? I'm not fickle like that stupid half demon."
"Kouga, you are so stubborn! Listen to me—I don't want to be your woman. I'm in love with Inuyasha!" Kagome pulled her hand away, holding it against her chest.
The silence was deafening. The world had changed in seconds, with her declaration. She couldn't bring herself to look at Kouga. She didn't know what to expect. Besides, her heart was too raw. She couldn't say anything more anyway. What else was there to say? She was in love with Inuyasha. She'd been in love with Inuyasha for a long time and she had never wanted to admit it to herself. It would change everything between her and Inuyasha. It was terrifying.
A dragon's roar broke the silence. The monster continued to attack the castle behind them.
"Kilala!" Rin's sweet voice cheered as she hugged the stirring nekoyoukai. "Kagome, she's waking up!"
"Kilala?" Kagome turned away from the eerily silent taiyoukai to tend to her friend. Kilala shook herself, sitting up. "Oh, Kilala! I am so grateful to see you. How are you feeling?" The two-tailed cat meowed, nuzzling Rin's wrist. The little girl giggled. Kilala mewoed again, inquisitively. Kagome could only shrug. "I don't know where Sango-chan and the others are. But we'll find them."
Kilala mewed, transforming into her smaller form.
"What about that boy, Kohaku? What's going to happen to him?" Rin pointed towards the crumbling wall. "He's trapped in there with that demon, isn't he? Can't we help him?"
"I don't know. Rin, I'm not even sure if—"
"But he helped us get out! He warned us about the ningyo creature. We have to help him." Rin tugged on her sleeve. "Please, Kagome?"
"Well, I guess it—" Kagome cringed as several stones fell from the wall, sinking into the soft ground. At this rate, the castle was going to become a pile of rubble. It was unsteady as it was. It was too dangerous to risk going back inside. Yet, what if Kohaku was somehow…Kohaku? He was Sango's little brother!
"I guess we should—"
The horrible shriek that she now associated with 'Nori' was astoundingly loud. Kohaku yelled out something unintelligible, and Kouga jumped to his feet. The young taijiya crashed through the already crumbling wall into the underbrush. The force of the crash sent a mountain of stones falling towards the ground. Kouga grabbed Kagome and Rin quickly as Kilala darted for Kohaku, barely escaping the rubble.
Kagome was dropped roughly onto a patch of dirt, nearly crushing Rin. She clearly heard the screeching of a ningyo, and Kouga's familiar cursing threats. The stench of rotting fish and the metallic one of blood frightened her, and she screamed. Kouga was barely able to swing the ningyo away. Kagome shuddered at the blood red eyes, and the claws that had nearly grazed her. Kouga moved across the grass, avoiding the slithering creature, drawing it away from Kilala and the humans.
"Kagome!" Rin shifted. "I can't breathe!"
"Sorry!" Kagome pushed herself up, circling round. She turned to find Kouga. The ookami was gone. Kagome froze, watching the tall grass for movement. Where was he? And where was the ningyo? Was that Nori?
"…Kouga-kun?" Kagome whispered. Kilala dropped Kohaku at Kagome's feet, full-sized. The normally peaceful cat growled menacingly, brushing against the front of Kagome's legs. Her teeth were bared and her ears were alert. Rin clung to Kagome's clothing, burying her face in the tail of her shirt.
Silence. The tall grass swayed gently as the ocean air stirred.
"Kilala? Where did it go?" Kagome half-turned, counting on Kilala to guard the front. She didn't want the ningyo to catch them from behind. It was frightening, how easily Kouga had disappeared. She was trying to focus enough to find the source of the jyaki. It was not going well.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango's voice rang across the water. Kagome turned to watch the sharply-edged boomerang weapon crash into the side of the distant dragon's skull. The enormous creature fell into the harbor, washing the shore with salt water. A fast-moving figure landed on a rock, depositing another figure beside it.
"Inuyasha." Kagome's throat swelled with relief. She would recognize those two anywhere. "Inuya—"
Faster than she could have imagined, she felt something large plow into her side. Rin screamed and Kilala roared, but Kagome was being pushed forward until her upper torso was submerged in the nearby puddles. Kagome scratched at the creature whose nails dug into her, but the creature was too strong. The world went dark as Kagome suddenly found herself underwater. She couldn't see, which only made the fear worse. She was at a serious disadvantage. Kagome screamed, trying to push away from it. She swallowed a mouthful of water as the ningyo's claws raked down her back painfully.
I'm going to die! I'm going to die!
Serious pain ripped through her shoulder. Through the sparse light raining down from above, she could see the new red swirls. The ningyo's teeth were ripping through her flesh, and it was excrutiating. Kagome was already choking on the murky scum water. Her vision began to blur.
Kill the bitch already! Vicious anger began to course through Kagome, parallel to her fear. It sent welcome heat pulsing through her freezing limbs. She desperately wanted to rip away from the creature, but it was too strong. Its claws were clutching her tightly. She couldn't get free. How could she attack it if she couldn't get free?
A tingling feeling began to course over the skin of her arms. It was stunningly familiar, although she couldn't control her hands. Kagome twisted away from the creature tearing at her flesh. She let the energy go, in a way she couldn't explain. The small pond they were in suddenly turned brilliant pink, and her ears rang with the creature's screech of pain.
The force of the purification dissolved the water around them into steam and Kagome collapsed against the wet, muddy bottom. She coughed terribly. The water was forcing its way out of her lungs, making her throat horribly raw. Every breath ached, but she was glad to breathe. Every inhale was short and painful, but at least she wasn't dead.
"Kagome? Kagome?" The miko pushed herself up, leaning against the slanted wall of mud. She felt drained. "Miss Kagome, are you ok? Did you get it?" Kagome could see Rin's face peering down from several feet above her. Kilala meowed beside her, jumping down into the soft bottom. Her feet sank into the mud, as the nekoyoukai pushed her face against Kagome's arm.
"Kilala." Kagome rested her hand against the cat's wet nose. "Did I kill it? Is the ningyo still alive?"
The cat meowed, tilting her head.
Kouga was splayed on the bottom of the pond. His neck was bent to the side, and the ookami did not seem to be breathing. Unfortunately, Kagome was familiar with the recently deceased as a result from her time in the feudal era. Kouga's beautifully tanned skin was already beginning to turn colors. The ningyo had already gotten to him.
Kouga was dead.
Kagome couldn't move. She could only stare at the still body of her friend. The friend who was in love with her, who had died to protect her. A tired ache was beginning to twist through her heart. She would be able to cry later, when she wasn't so incredibly weary.
Kilala meowed softly, pushing against her shoulder.
"Oh, Kilala." Kagome wrapped her uninjured arm around her neck, burying her face into her furry neck. She was so tired of losing people she cared about. And Kouga? She had never imagined losing him. The idiot was so confident! He was so fast and young and strong. Always quarreling with Inuyasha, like children fighting over a toy. And now she was never going to talk to him again.
Ok, she had been wrong. She was going to cry.
Kilala stood still as Kagome sobbed into her fur. She tried to purr gently, but it soon fizzled out. The young girl was too sad, and Kilala watched over Sango's companions like her own.
"Kagome-sama? Kagome-sama!" Rin's voice betrayed her panic.
"Rin, what—"
"Hiraikotsu!" The deadly weapon soared into the hole. It barricaded half-way into the soft mud, directly above the shifting figure. Kagome lifted her head in time to see Inuyasha's red figure land in front of her.
"You fucking bitch!" Inuyasha sunk his Tessaiga into the ground. His hand lifted the ningyo by the throat. It was Nori, although…her face was streaked with blood. The girl's eyes were fading back to silver. Her mouth and throat were soaked with blood. She gasped when Inuyasha crushed her against the wall.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome saw the look of relief on his face as he looked over his shoulder. He'd probably seen the lightshow and assumed the worst. "I'm okay, but—" The tears returned. "She k-killed Kouga."
"She—" Inuyasha caught sight of his rival's body. "Shit, really?"
"Inuyasha? Is Kagome-chan—Kilala!" Sango crouched on the edge, beside Rin. "Kagome-chan, you're hurt! Have you seen Miroku-sama?"
"Kagome!" Shippo cried.
"Ggrrhh—" Nori gurgled, touching Inuyasha's wrist. It jerked the hanyou back into their sick reality. He snarled.
"Kagome, did she bite you?" Inuyasha glanced back. "The bitch reeks of your blood."
"She did." Sango's eyes ran over the slowly-healing wound in Kagome's shoulder. "That looks bad, Kagome-chan." The taijiya easily slid down, sinking down beside her. She pressed her hands against the wound, forcing Kagome to wince. It was slowing the bleeding. "Inuyasha, she needs help. We have to get Kagome out of here."
"Can you and Kilala lift her out of here? Shippo! Can you—what the fuck!" Inuyasha jerked back. He dropped Nori to the ground. "Bitch, you did not just touch me again!" Inuyasha cracked his claws. "Sango, get Kagome out of here. I can smell the blood."
"Kagome-chan, can you stand?" Sango carefully slid her arms around her friend. Kagome discovered that her legs were too weak to stand on her own. She began to cry. "Don't be afraid, Kagome. I'll get you out of here."
"Shippo-chan." Kagome could see the boy's worried face.
"Kagome! I was so scared. We were stuck in this nasty boat with Inuyasha!" Shippo tried to jest. The miko did not smile. "I saved us with my transformations. Are you proud, Kagome?"
"…yes, Shippo-chan." Kagome could not help from crying out when Sango moved her shoulder.
"Sorry!"
"Can—Kouga?" Kagome pointed at the wolf's body. She saw Sango's jaw tighten.
"Of course. We wouldn't leave him here Kagome." The taijiya kissed the top of her head fondly. She gently rested the miko's weight onto Kilala's back. "We have to get you out of this hole first. Then we can…we'll take him. I promise."
Kagome nodded.
"Now what are you doing?" Inuyasha yelled. The ningyo was trying to touch his leg again. "Bitch, get it through your fucking skull! I am going to kill you! I don't want you—I'm with Kagome, got it?"
Sango's jaw dropped.
The ningyo shook her head. She reached for his calf again.
Inuyasha's forearm landed against her face with a crack before she could touch him. She landed back against the dirt. The bruise on her cheek was already disappearing. The ningyo touched her face, curling away from him.
"Get her out of here Sango!" Inuyasha glared back. "I'll grab the wolf—just take care of Kagome."
"Ah—yes." Sango threw her leg over Kilala, climbing behind Kagome. She kept one arm wrapped around Kagome's waist, and the other wrapped into Kilala's fur. "Will you remember Hiraikotsu? I don't want to leave it here."
"Yeah, course I'll—"
"Inuyasha?" Kagome stopped. The ningyo's aura was beginning to shift again. "Nori…her aura's—Inuyasha, move!" Inuyasha landed beside Kilala in one jump, Tessaiga in hand. She put her hand over his wrist before he could swing.
"Ka—what are you doing?" Inuyasha gave her a look. "You said—"
"Ssh." Nori's shoulders were shaking. And her aura was shifting, although it was strange. Kagome didn't know how to describe it. The ningyo's aura was diminishing, or something. As the silence continued, they heard a distinctive hiccup.
"Let her cry! Who cares, Kagome?" Sango frowned. "You're hurt! We need to—" Nori's legs were beginning to disentigrate. As the moments passed, the glorious golden tail began to dissolve into two pale legs. The ningyo's long shimmering hair was beginning to darken.
"What's going on? Is she doing something again?" Shippo called down. "This feels weird, Kagome!"
"Fuck this!" Inuyasha moved forward. Before Kagome could protest, Inuyasha had a handful of the ningyo's hair. He pulled back, preparing to behead the creature. He was too stunned to react.
Streaming down the ningyo's face were large, shining tears. They were falling down the ningyo's skin in a variety of swirling colors, and she hiccuped. Once in her lap the semi-solid liquids were gathering together in her hands, into one mass of purple, red, blue, pink, white, and yellow. Inuyasha released her hair, ripping out a handful. He shook his hand, allowing the black-gold strands to drift into the mud.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome gasped.
The light gathering together on Nori's lap was stunning. In a flash that nearly blinded the voyeurs, a small orb rolled into the mud, where it lodged itself. The thing continued to swirl with color and light.
"What is that thing?" Inuyasha brandished Tessaiga towards Nori again. The ningyo ignored him, pulling her knees tighter towards her chest. "What have you done now? What the hell is that?"
There were goosebumps on the girl's skin, which was pale even in the darkness. She pressed her hands against the side of her head, shivering.
"Inuyasha, is—" Sango was too confused to voice her question. She wasn't even sure what she was asking.
"Every time we let our guard down, she hurts someone!" Inuyasha scowled. "Even when she pretends to be human, I know it's a fucking lie! She's a ningyo—she's faking it! She killed Kouga, she tried to kill Kagome! She's still covered in Kagome's damn blood!"
Shippo skidded down into the dirt, ambling towards the tiny orb. It was no bigger than one of the playing marbles that Kagome had given to him as a gift. He picked it up between his fingers experimentally, examining it. It was warm, and as he shifted it, new colors swirled inside the center. Its shell was as hard as a rock, but it was incredibly pretty inside. And it felt nice—it reminded him of Kagome and Inuyasha and Mir…
Shippo's mouth popped open.