A Long Search

Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo looked everywhere for Inu-Yasha, but after searching for an hour, they got very tired, and Shippo suggested that they stop and rest.

Kagome wanted to stop, but she said, "No, I'll keep looking. You guys wait here. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"

She continued down the trail and looked on both sides of her. No, there was nothing, no activity whatsoever. Wait, what was that…?

Kagome hurried off the trail and into the thick grass. There, on the ground, was Inu-Yasha. He had been stripped of most of his clothing, and seemed to be unconscious. Kagome looked around her. This had to be the work of Shikara! But she saw no one.

After checking Inu-Yasha's heartbeat and pulse, Kagome was comforted by the fact that he was still alive. But she was very frightened by Inu- Yasha's condition. After all, he was half-demon. Shikara must be quite powerful if he could not defend himself.

Suddenly, Kagome had felt a pang of guilt. If she had spoken up earlier in the day when they had first met Shikara, then maybe this wouldn't have happened!

"I'm sorry, Inu-Yasha," Kagome murmured. She laid her head against Inu-Yasha's body.

Then she realized that Miroku and Shippo were standing by the trail, looking at her with raised eyebrows.

"Did we come at the wrong time…?" Miroku asked.

"No, no! We're not doing anything! No, nothing at all!" Kagome shrieked. Then she sighed. "It appears that the same thing happened to Inu-Yasha that happened to me. He's unconscious. But I don't see Shikara anywhere."

Unexpectedly, Inu-Yasha began to stir. He saw Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo looking down eagerly at him.

"What…happened…to me?"

Then Inu-Yasha realized that he was half naked and got up screaming. "You perverts! Why didn't you tell me! Go away… or give me something to wear!!"

Miroku tossed his cloak to Inu-Yasha, which he put on hastily. Before anyone could speak, and evil laugh was heard from the branches above…guess who?