Chapter 31

An Army Marches…

Kagome first thought the sudden shaking was an earthquake. But, it was so quick, only to be repeated again and again, that she realized with a sickening terror that the tremors weren't naturally made. They were…. steps.

"What is happening?" Ginta demanded, the shaking causing his footing to falter before he righted himself. "The witch is supposed to be dead."

"This be not Urasue," Kaede informed, her face set in grim determination as she faced the ridge. "But, her evil creation."

Kagome shared a worried glance with Ginta before she and the ookami followed the older miko's line of sight. She wasn't entirely sure what she would see but the sight below them chilled her to the bone.

Like ants leaving a hill, earthen soldiers, too numerous to count, marched from the base of the ridge, pounding an unstoppable route through the surrounding trees that dotted the foothills. There had to be thousands of them.

And, they were heading—

"The village," Kagome breathed as she snapped wide eyes towards her mentor. "We have to warn the village."

"We'd never make it in time, child," Kaede argued with a grim shake of her head. "We're not fast enough."

"Speak for yourself," Koga growled as he came up beside them.

"Koga," Kagome gasped. "The witch—"

"She's gone," Koga answered. "She can't hurt anyone again. But, we got worse problems now."

"Ye think ye can outrun an army, Alpha?" Kaede pressed, suspicion furrowing her wrinkled brow.

Koga nodded, sharply. "I've outrun worse. But, we have to go now."

Kaede's sharp shake of her head had Kagome's heart aching.

"I will not leave without my sister, wolf," she stated. "Ye know this."

Kagome steeled herself for the fight that would ensue. They didn't have time and Koga wasn't always indulgent to people's whims. The fact he'd tolerated the elderly miko at all on this venture had surprised her. But, apparently, it time for her to be stunned twice again that day.

He didn't argue or shout. He didn't try to change her mind or call her a foolish old woman for trying. He just crossed his arms in consideration and nodded.

"Fine," he answered. "The witch's home shouldn't be too much farther. The kit will lead you."

"I, what?" Shipo squeaked, huge eyes blinking.

"Ginta will go with you too," Koga added.

If the Beta wanted to argue with his Alpha, he kept it to himself. Instead, he took his place next to the older miko, like a guard given a new charge.

Kagome could feel her heart warming as her mentor leveled a grateful look towards the sure male. He truly had a good heart when it mattered.

"I thank ye, …Koga," Kaede answered with an almost reverent respect. "I must see my sister is at rest."

"Just get back as soon as you can," Koga ordered. "We'll need your help."

"Of course," Kaede replied with nod. "I will not let the living pay for the dead."

The answer seemed to satisfy Koga since the Alpha made his way towards Kagome's frozen form. Despite the danger they were in, despite the threat that loomed before them with a horrifying clarity, she still couldn't stop the blush that warmed her face at the determined heat in his stare.

"You ready for this?" he asked, standing so close it took Kagome's breath away.

Somehow, she knew he didn't just mean the battle ahead. In his eyes was a promise of so many things. And, when he extended a large calloused palm towards her, Kagome didn't need to think twice.

Clasping his hand with a determined grip, she returned a set look of her own. "Let's do it."

The smile that lit his face was predatory but there was no missing the spark of joy in his blue eyes. Without delay, he swooped Kagome up into his arms and stood at the edge of the ridge.

The height was dizzying to Kagome, causing her to lean back against Koga's armored chest. Falling alone would kill her instantly. However, Koga seemed immune to the effect. With a final squeeze of reassurance, he leapt off.

SSS

This couldn't be happening.

Sango wasn't fool enough to think miracles happened. How many of her own people had she seen die in horrible ways? Most by Naraku's own bloodied hands. But still, watching Hojo just slowly crawl towards death was almost more than she could bare.

A part of her wondered if she should just grab a knife and put him out of his misery. Surely, it had to be more merciful than this. But, as if sensing where her thoughts went, the hoshi would glance at her every-once-in-a-while, a knowing stern gleam in his eyes.

He wouldn't approve or help her do it. And, that knowledge always shamed her into forgetting the idea. Instead, she would keep cleaning wounds that refused to stay clean and cool Hojo's brow with wet cloths that did next to nothing against the fever that ravaged him.

How could this possibly get any worse?

As if answering her own frantic thoughts, the hoshi suddenly sat up straight, back so tense it was as if his own shakujo kept him upright. The action had the hair on her neck stand on end.

"What is it?" Sango asked, preparing herself for the inevitable.

The monk didn't answer her immediately, which only raised her suspicions further.

"How bad is it?" she prompted.

"They are….many," Miroku answered gravely. "I sense no life but, it is as if a huge mass were coming this way. Powerful. Dark. Evil."

"Naraku?" Sango asked.

Miroku shook his head. "No. But, just as dangerous."

"How long do we have? We need to help the village prepare."

"We need to finish what we started," Miroku informed with a tense calm.

Sango stared in bold-faced shock. He was still stubbornly clinging to this?

"Miroku, look at him," she argued. "He'll die soon."

"Yes," Miroku answered, acknowledging it for the first time. "He will. And, I will see to it that he reaches it in peace."

"So, you're just going to stay here?" Sango snapped as she rose to her feet. "You're going to pray over a dying body while the rest of his people are wiped out by whatever is coming?"

"I'm not abandoning him at his most critical time," Miroku replied.

"His village needs you," Sango cried in exasperation. "Kagome and Koga, and everyone else needs you. I need you!"

But, the hoshi just raised steady eyes to meet her own, curiosity and understanding warring in their amethyst depths. It gaze Sango hope that maybe, maybe she had reached him, afterall.

"Go on," he replied calmly. "I will see you later."

Huffing in frustration, Sango snatched up her Hiraikotsu from the floor and stomped out into the open air. She had no idea what was going on in the hoshi's mind but she'd been cooped up in there long enough.