Kagome had dressed in a yellow, light sun dress to combat the heat from the weather and her body. The wind billowed out the bottom of her dress as she landed through the barrier between her time and the Feudal Era alongside Inuyasha.

"They're back!"

Kagome looked up to see Shippo leaning into the well. A smile broke out on his face. She smiled back at the little kitsune, genuinely happy to see him.

Inuyasha assisted Kagome out of well by lifting her in one quick jump. He immediately released her as they touched the grass. She felt a coolness when his hands had left her. She craved his warmth. Sango, Miroku and Kirara also awaited them at the well.

Miroku was peering at them with inquisitive eyes, a hand scratching his chin.

"What are you looking at?" Inuyasha growled. He crossed his arms and stood apart from them defensively.

"Hmm…" Miroku said, eyeing them both. "I don't think they've given in yet, Sango."

Sango held out her hand to the monk. "Ha! I told you Kagome wouldn't give it up so easily. Pay up."

Miroku shook his head as he reached into his pockets. "I've got to say Inuyasha, you're a stronger man than me." His hands came out empty. "Ah, Sango my dear, I'll have to pay you after our next job."

Sango harrumphed, crossing her arms. She gave him a stern look. "You're intolerable houshi-sama."

"Keh," Inuyasha grumbled at their bantering. He turned to the cat demon perched in Sango's lap. "Kirara, do you think you could locate Myoga for me?"

The small cat leaped out of Sango's arms with a tiny meow and bounded into the woods. Sango starred after her companion. "Myoga?"

Kagome explained to them what she had read in her grandfather's book. "Myoga might be the only one who knows where we can find this witch demon."

Miroku looked displeased. "I've heard of the Kiji. They aren't to be trifled with. Most won't help unless there is something in it for them."

Sango nodded in agreement. "My village lost a few good men to one a while back. My father's team had a difficult time getting it out of the village and even then, they couldn't destroy it. It was very powerful."

"In all seriousness," Miroku said, cautiously. "Can't you just get it on and be done with this?"

He dodged Sango's hand and backed away from her with his hands held up. "No, really. Is it worth it to risk what the demon might require in return? Not to mention, we need to get back to finding the shikon jewel shards before Naraku retrieves them all. Then we'll have a bigger problem to deal with."

Kagome looked over at Inuyasha. He was pacing back and forth by the well. His red coat rustled as he walked. He avoided meeting her gaze, so she turned her eyes down. One of her hands rubbed the bruise on her shoulder, easing some of the tension away. She had almost let him have her many times over. She wasn't sure if she'd deny him now if he asked. Her cheeks heated at the thought. It would be awkward in front of their friends. That was in a sense a saving grace as she could hopefully control herself with the others around. She shook her head to erase the thoughts. Inuyasha wouldn't try anything anyways. He didn't want to. He didn't want her as she wanted him. She was certain of it. She let out a sigh.

A roar sounded from the edge of the trees. Kirara bounded into the clearing. She transformed back into her small cat form and leapt back into Sango's lap.

Kagome gazed at her. "Huh? Is Myoga here?"

WHAP. Inuyasha slapped his neck, revealing a squished bug on his hand. "He's here alright."

"Inuyasha-sama." The little demon popped back into his normal round shape. He bowed. "I apologize for not attending you sooner but…" He glanced at Kagome. "Even I am not immune to Kagome's allure."

Kagome was certain her face had reached an all new, never seen before level of red. The thought of Myoga… the little flea demon… feeling like that for her… She nearly gagged. This was really getting quite ridiculous.

"Inuyasha-sama!" he continued, eyeing the hanyou sternly. "How could you put Kagome in such a precarious position! Every demon for the next hundred miles is talking about her scent. It's an invitation to… to…"

"I know damnit!" Inuyasha snapped. "Look, we're trying to fix it. We need to know what you can tell us about the witch demons."

Myoga stood silent for a time. He cleared his throat before beginning. "You met one not long ago. Kagome and Shippo too."

"Huh?" Kagome had encountered a lot of demons over their journey. She had no idea one of them was a Kiji.

"Her name was Urasue. Inuyasha destroyed her."

Kagome shook involuntarily. She did remember Urasue. The thought of her stirred an unpleasant memory. A grotesque old woman with long grey hair and large red eyes. It was not long after her journey had begun with Inuyasha. Urasue had broken into the village and stolen Kikyo's bones and the dirt from her grave to resurrect her. In the process, she had nearly killed Kagome by trying to extract her soul from her body. She could still remember the numb feeling of being powerless against the attack.

She glanced at Inuyasha. He looked dazed by the mention of the demon. That's right… if it wasn't for Urasue, Kikyo wouldn't be around today. She'd still be dust and bones in the ground. The thought of Kikyo made her feel sullen and envious. She tried to quell the feeling but it coursed heatedly through her body. Maybe that's why Inuyasha couldn't make her his mate… he still felt obligated to Kikyo… still loved her. Kagome breathed in a shaky breath. She felt her eyes beginning to pool. She felt Inuyasha's gaze settle on her. Of course, he could smell her tears. She quickly rubbed her eyes. The last thing she needed from him was pity.

"Urasue is the demon that attacked my village. I had no idea she had been destroyed," Sango said. She turned to Inuyasha. "Whether you appreciate it or not, thank you for avenging my people."

Inuyasha just nodded, still eyeing Kagome.

"Urasue it so happens had a sister," continued Myoga. "Arasue. She is like her sister thought maybe not as power hungry. There is a rumour that she can be found across the river in a hollowed-out burrow in the ground. Now, Inuyasha-sama… I know why you seek the witch. You must know her help may come at a great peril. Perhaps you and Kagome would rather just…"

The small demon raised his eyebrows suggestively. Inuyasha flatted the bug again in his palm. "We're going to the see this Arasue. I'm done discussing the matter."

A rustling in the trees interrupting anyone else's objections. A villager appeared, clutching his shoulder. Blood oozed from the wound. He staggered towards them. "Please. Kaede has requested your assistance. Demons. So many demons."

Inuyasha moved to run towards the village. Sango held out her haraikotsu to block him. "No, we can handle it. They're only here for Kagome. Get her out of here to safety."

Before he could reply, Sango leapt on top of Kirara and held out her hand to assist Miroku and the villager up.

"Shippo!" Sango called out. "You're with us. Let's go!"

The little kitsune cried out at being separated from Kagome again. His cries were short lived as Kirara bounded into the forest.

Only Myoga remained as chaperone between Inuyasha and Kagome.

"We must make haste," the flea demon said. "The demons will be upon us if we wait here. I spotted a boat down the east side of the river."

Inuyasha and Kagome looked at each other. Kagome felt entranced by his amber eyes. Suddenly, she felt she needed to be closer to him. She involuntarily took a step closer. Inuyasha turned his eyes away. His face hardened as he bent down. Kagome took a deep breath to steady herself as she closed the distance, grabbed on to his coat and climbed on his back.

"This is going to be interesting," Myoga mumbled from Inuyasha's shoulder.