Chapter 4

Pest Problem

Kagome hated bugs!

She knew that wasn't exactly conducive with the vows she took to preserve all life and to regard it as sacred. However, she was only human. And, there was only so much of the creepy, crawly, slimy things she could stand at once.

The buzzing horror at the village she and Miroku were currently rushing to help was something out of one of Kagome's bug-infested nightmares. No-one but Naraku could possibly know how much this would gross her out.

"What are these?" Miroku asked in disgust as he swung his shakujo staff to bat several of the buzzing terrors away.

"Whatever they are, we have to get rid of them," Kagome called as she shot a path through the gathering swarm. "They're getting worse."

And, they were. Already, the winged yokai had done considerable damage to the handful of structures that made up the village. And, there were injured and dying that would need seeing to but, luckily, the two reiki-users had arrived just in time.

"Stay back," Miroku ordered as he whipped off the long string of nenju beads from his wrist.

All at once, the buzzing was drowned out by the thunderous rumbling within the hoshi's palm as the horrifying winds of a hell-gate burst from his outstretched hand.

"Kazaana!" he shouted in holy retribution as the swarm started to be sucked into the dark swirling mass.

Miroku had been hesitant for show Kagome the curse of his line; the punishment Naraku had inflicted upon his grandfather, only to have it devour him and Miroku's father as well. However, once he'd displayed the sheer power of the deadly weapon, Kagome had become more determined than ever to end the hateful creature that was Naraku. She would do it for Miroku's sake as much for herself, and everyone else he'd harmed in the process.

Kagome smiled with relief as she saw the deadly insects lose the struggle against the weaponized winds. It was working!

However, as soon as the first few insects disappeared within the hoshi's palm, Miroku suddenly reared back in pain, his fist clenching shut in agony as he stumbled backwards.

"Miroku!" Kagome shouted as she fired towards the in-coming swarm.

The arching wave of reiki was enough to send the insects scattering back but Kagome had no idea for how long. The villagers were scrambling to their homes, desperate to escape the onslaught as the yokai turned their focus back towards their original goal.

Crouching beside the sweating hoshi, Kagome quickly propped him up against her knee.

"Miroku, what's wrong?" she asked as she felt him start to break into a sweat. "What happened?"

"The…stingers…." Miroku ground out between clenched teeth. "They're…..poisoned…."

"What?!"

Kagome stared in wide-eyed horror as the soft thrumming of wings started to gather in the sky above them once again.

The insects were poisonous. That meant….this wasn't just an infestation; it was an attack. They weren't wiping out the village to make a new nest but simply to destroy.

There was no doubt in Kagome's mind, now. This had Naraku all over it. He was here; watching, waiting. Like a spectator for a show.

And, she'd had enough!

Standing to her feet, Kagome raised her nocked arrow and shot through the swarm, cutting a clear path.

"I know you're there!" she called in barely restrained fury. "Come out, Naraku!"

Again, she shot, taking another row of the buzzing monstrosities with it.

"Stop hiding!" Kagome yelled. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Another shot. And, still the insects came. And, still, Kagome's fury grew ever hotter.

"What's wrong, Naraku?" Kagome taunted, lifting her bow again. "You've wanted me all this time, right? And, now, you hesitate? Come out from the rock you're hiding under!"

Another shot and the swarm started to crowd. Kagome swallowed through the fear that started to rear up in her. She had to keep going. She'd finish this. She'd shoot through them till there was nothing left and—

However, Kagome's hand found nothing but open-air in her now empty quiver. She was out!

The chilling laugh she knew all too well suddenly cut through the menacing cloud moving ever closer, causing Kagome to snap her gaze towards the one male she only hoped to see in her nightmares.

"Here I am, Kagome," his smooth voice replied from under the white furred cloak. "Your eagerness surprises me."

"You are sick," Kagome snarled in return, gaze flaring with contempt at the foul being that hunted her for years.

Again, he chuckled. "You hate me," he replied amused. "Good. Feed that hate, Kagome. Make it burn deeper than ever before."

"You won't win," Kagome bit back as she struggled to control her shaking hand.

However, the insects closed in, causing her to stumble backward till she tripped over Miroku's prone body.

"My dear, miko," Naraku's voice slid down her back like slime. "I already have."

At first, Kagome stared in brave resolution as the insects drew closer, their shadows blocking the sun from her sight. She'd die with her eyes open. However, when they started to dive towards her and the still shaking hoshi, her nerve faltered and she clenched her eyes shut, preparing for death.

"KAGOME!"

Everything froze and sped up at the same time for Kagome.

She knew that voice. She'd heard it in her dreams, begging for her to come back and stay. It had been her greatest torment and desire all at once. And, now, it rang through the air as clear and sharply as a bell.

All of a sudden, the winged bodies of the insects shredded and scattered like leaves before her wide eyes seconds before a fast-moving body lunged across the open air to land a hard blow against Naraku's chest. The force of it threw the cloaked monster backward as the other body suddenly skidded to a stop in a cloud of dust.

Kagome's breath lodged in her throat painfully as she took in the familiarly armored figure that stood between her and Naraku. Shock delayed the tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes and her chin wobbled slightly as she stared at the one being she thought she'd never see again.

"Koga…."

"Kagome, you alright?" he asked, barely shifting his ponytailed head in her direction.

Kagome nodded dumbly. "Y-yes," she answered, snapping herself to the present. "But, I don't think Miroku is. The insects are poisonous."

Koga grunted in acknowledgement but Kagome wasn't sure if he actually heard her or not. His focus was zeroed in on Naraku's cloaked figure as he straightened.

"The wolf," Naraku muttered in dismay. "You still live…."

"No thanks to you, you sick bastard," Koga snarled, cracking his clenched knuckles. "I've waited all winter for this. I'm not wasting the chance to make you pay."

"You'll be disappointed," Naraku stated before the swarm of insects suddenly dove towards him.

"Koga!" Kagome called in horror as she watched the ookami Alpha dart and dodge the winged yokai, swiping them as if they were no-better than the flies they appeared to be.

He was fast, as fast as he ever was. But, that didn't mean he couldn't get stung. She had to help him. Anything that could give them the advantage.

Spying an abandoned quiver, half the arrows sticking out snapped in half, Kagome dove for it desperately. If there was even just one, it would be enough. It would have to be!

SSS

Mushin breathed a sigh of relief as he lowered his cup.

Despite the warm brush in the wind, warm sake still felt perfect sliding down his parched throat. It wasn't too late.

He hoped that was the case for all this day. Mushin knew the day they'd waited for was coming.

Evil had been growing in the area but, with any luck, the two youths he sent out would be enough to banish the taint. If not, there was always the hope help would come.

Mushin wasn't blind. The priestess, Kagome, had been touched by the ookami alpha. Not in the physical sense but no-less permanent. He'd touched her soul and now she felt the loss. However, if there any chance the male felt even a fraction of what Kagome did, he'd find her again.

Mushin just hoped the yokai was merciful when he did.

Ookami were tricky beings to deal with. Not in the sense of the mischievous kitsune. But, simply, you didn't know what the wolfen beings would do. They were wild and unpredictable. Hopefully, he was exactly what the priestess needed.

She deserved some happiness, after the horrors she witnessed.

Another warm breath brushed across the quiet courtyard of the shrine, causing the nearby branches of budding trees to sway. Looking up, the Master hoshi smiled to himself as he took in the ready to burst buds on the limbs.

"Almost," he mused with a chuckle. "Almost….."

SSS

Everything was going exactly as Koga imagined it.

He'd saved his woman's life and Naraku was here, ready to be taken down. And, Koga would take him down.

Koga would admit he'd been unprepared before. But, he'd worked hard to change that. Naraku would be under-estimating him now and that would bring about his defeat.

Another swipe of his claws and more of the disgusting bugs shredded before him. It cleared the way for Koga to spy Naraku's form only seconds before they swarmed around him again, causing him to growl in frustration.

At this rate, it was going to take forever to get to his enemy's side!

However, a sudden beam of light shot through the buzzing, clearing a direct path towards the cloaked coward.

Koga grinned in satisfaction as he rushed towards his prey. Only his woman would be able to do that.

The metal band about his wrist starting to hum as the promise of blood hung in the air. This was his advantage; his ace in the hole. Koga was strong with his fists but this made him invincible.

"You're not getting away, Naraku," Koga snarled as he leapt towards the cloaked figure. "You'll die for what you've done!"

However, the bastard had the gall to sneer in derision seconds before he dodged Koga's claws.

"Stupid wolf," he taunted, causing Koga to grind his teeth as he raced after him. "You don't even know what you fight for. But, I will show you. I will show all to you."

Before Koga had a chance to consider what his opponent meant, Kagome's pained cry dashed his previous bravado to pieces.

Twisting sharply onto his bound feet, the Alpha stared in horror as he saw his woman on the ground, a hand pressed firmly to her now bleeding side.

A part of Koga breathed a sigh of relief at seeing her alive. However, that calm was swiftly changed as a small, glowing orb grabbed his attention as it shown in the grass at Kagome's feet.