Chapter 26

A Strange Scent

Ayame stopped abruptly, looking around in fear. She saw Jaken walking in front of her, and Sesshomaru in front of him. Rin, who had been walking beside her, noticed that she had stopped and looked up at her questioningly. Ayame closed her eyes to focus on the scent coming toward her, desperately trying to figure out what direction it was coming from.

"What's the matter?" Rin asked, looking up at her, a bit afraid. Ayame didn't hear her; she was lost to the world. She had found the direction of the scent – it was coming from the west. She had to find the source.

"Why have we stopped?" Jaken shouted angrily. He turned to stare at the two girls, who both ignored his question.

Ayame couldn't explain. Even if she had the time she wouldn't have been able to put it into words. So she ran, leaving without an explanation. Her heart was pounding so hard. The scent was so faint, but she could tell distinctly what it was, and who it belonged to. She'd be able to smell that scent miles away, and she'd probably never forget it. It was the scent of Kouga's blood.

"Where's she going?" Jaken asked, staring after her. Rin also gazed after her, unable to register what was going on. During the past month Rin had really grown attached to Ayame. The two of them were similar, both liked to dance around, play and tease Jaken. Since Ayame had joined the group Rin hadn't felt bored or lonely. The thought that Ayame would just leave without a word or explanation hurt her deeply.

"She'll come back, won't she?" Rin whispered, unable to keep from asking. Sesshomaru went to stand beside Rin, looking at the direction in which Ayame had abruptly left.

"Don't be a fool, Rin. Of course she'll come back," Jaken said, not wanting the little girl to burst into tears.

"Very strange," Sesshomaru muttered. Jaken looked curiously at his master.

"What is it, my lord," Jaken asked.

"Do you smell anything Jaken?" Sesshomaru asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Jaken commented, after a brief pause.

"There's the smell of blood, but there's a fainter scent," Sesshomaru said. Jaken tried to sniff the air again, but he couldn't even pick up the scent of blood that Sesshomaru was talking about, let alone another scent.

"There's nothing, my lord," Jaken confirmed. "We should continue moving."

"But how will she find us?" Rin asked, not wanting to leave until Ayame came back.

Jaken sighed in annoyance. "Stop whining!" he said, fed up.

"Jaken, look after Rin. I will return shortly," Sesshomaru said before walking away. Jaken looked after him surprised. Rin smiled, and turned to Jaken.

"He's going to find her and bring her back," Rin said happily. She no longer felt depressed, but she was tired from the long day they had had. She fell asleep, certain that Ayame would return safely with Lord Sesshomaru, and everything would be alright in the morning.

Ayame kept rinning, pushing herself to her limit. She ran as fast as she could, not feeling tired. She didn't feel tired because she couldn't feel anything. Her mind was a blank, only focusing on moving forward. The scent of Kouga's blood was a lot stronger now. She was absolutely certain something was very wrong. He must be very weak, for to have smelled his blood from so far away, there must have been a lot lost. He might not have long to live. Ayame had to make sure she made it to him before he died, so she could save him. She would not let him die.

When she finally did meet him she wasn't prepared for the sight. He lay on the ground, his leg twisted into a strange position, his own blood soaked over him. She had known his injuries would be bad, but seeing him was an entirely different thing. She wanted to run away, but he was alive and she had to try and help.

"Kouga," she repeated over and over again, determined to wake him. His chest rose and fell softly, and his breathing was laboured. Just as she was about to give up he opened his eyes, and she felt relief wash over her like a wave.

"What happened Kouga? Who did this to you?" Ayame asked, her throat dry. She tried to swallow, but it only made her feel worse. This was impossible. One month ago she had seen him alive and well, and now he was dying? How could things have changed so fast?

"Kikyo," Kouga said, his voice barely audible.

Ayame felt her heart swell up in pain. "It's not Kikyo, it's me, Ayame," she said, hoping he would recognize her. She briefly wondered where Kikyo was. Shouldn't she be here with him, helping him? Ayame held back her anger as she asked again, "What happened?"

"Find Kikyo," Kouga said. It seemed to take all his energy to say. "She must be safe." Her eyes were staring at her, but they seemed to look right through her. Ayame grabbed his bloodied hand, trying to snap him into reality.

"Tell me who did this to you Kouga," Ayame ordered. For some reason she couldn't even explain she had to know Kouga's killer. She had to get revenge. At that moment it seemed essential for her to know. She tightened her grip on Kouga's hand, and he seemed to see her for the first time.

"Promise to find her," Kouga asked, looking up at her.

"I will," Ayame promised. "Now tell me who did this to you." She waited for an answer, but it seemed as soon as she had promised to find Kikyo he had given up living. He lay still his eyes shut. Ayame looked at him, and then up at the dark sky. Why hadn't he told her? Who could have killed him, and what was their reason? She couldn't keep from crying out, and she sat sobbing uncontrollably until she sensed a familiar presence behind her. She stood up, still shaking, to face him.

Sesshomaru stood studying the scene, and eyeing the dead corpse.

"Your mate?" he asked.

"My friend," Ayame whispered.

"How was he killed?" Sesshomaru asked, his eyes boring into her.

"He didn't say," Ayame muttered, not wanting to look back at the body. "Why did you follow me?"

"Rin was worried, and I caught an unusual scent. It's even stronger here, but I can't be certain of what it is," Sesshomaru explained. "Do you smell anything?"

"The scent of blood is too strong. It's all I can smell," Ayame admitted. She began walking away.

"Where are you going?" Sesshomaru asked. Ayame looked at him in surprise. He had hardly spoken to her before except to give orders, and now to her utter amazement they were actually having a conversation.

"I made a promise that I would find his mate and make sure she's not hurt, so I will," Ayame said.

"Do you plan on rejoining us after you are done?" he questioned.

"If I can I will," Ayame said. She started walking, and was surprised to find him following her. She was shocked at his behaviour. In the past month she had wanted him to notice her, to at least acknowledge she was there, but he had never glanced her way. Now when she wanted to be left alone he wouldn't stop following her. "You don't have to follow me, I said I'd come back."

"I don't think it's wise for you to be alone in this area," Sesshomaru said.

"Are you worried about me?" Ayame asked, surprised at his response.

"Rin enjoys having you around. And I think it's good for her to have a female friend. She'd be upset if you died, which would probably occur if I did leave you," Sesshomaru said, his voice cool. "Besides I need to make sure of the scent."

"Does that scent have anything to do with Kouga's death?" Ayame asked.

"It seems likely," Sesshomaru said.

Ayame held her breath. Sesshomaru must have a good nose in order to have picked up the scent of Kouga's killer, when blood was drenched all over the place. "What is it you smell?"

"Not what, but who," Sesshomaru answered.

InuYasha sat comfortably on the large branch of a tree, enjoying the hot weather and cool wind that blew. He was over the days of continuous fighting and was content on enjoying his days peacefully with Kagome, who was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of a baby. He smiled, remembering her shocked expression that night he had told her she was pregnant. Maybe he should have broken the news more gently. She had asked about the sex of the baby, but he had stubbornly refused to tell. She'd just have to wait and find out. The thought of starting a family distracted InuYasha from his surroundings, and he didn't pick up the familiar scent until she was already close by. He dropped out of the tree, gazing at the horizon in surprise. He watched her walk towards him, and he was only able to utter a single word, "Kikyo."

Thank you so much for the reviews!!! Thank you Heather, shippousangoffe, Joung-Ming, and Veronica. I really appreciate them. By the way, I'm 16. Anyway, the next chapter will probably be about InuYasha, Kikyo, and Kagome. And it will reveal Kouga's killer. Send me your guesses!! Also a new character is introduced. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! And enjoy your holidays from school. XxDKAxX.