Kagome was exhausted. She had been walking for half the night trying to find a place to stay until morning. She needed her strength, who knew how long it would take her to find that boy?
Almost every inn in the village was full up. It was odd but not unusual so close to winter. Her last hope was the one remaining inn she knew of in the area. It was a little run down but she wasn't about to complain. All she wanted was a nice warm bed she could lie down on.
She walked through the small doorway and up to the wooden counter next to the wall. There was young woman with dark hair tied back with a dirty cloth. She wore a stained kimono and she had black smudges on her cheeks. The woman looked up at Kagome and frowned.
She didn't look terribly friendly but Kagome decided to smile anyway. The woman snorted and rolled up her sleeves. "Sorry, but we're full up tonight. No rooms available".
When Kagome didn't leave the woman glared at her, "why are you still standing there? I said we're full. No room. Now get out".
Kagome simply smiled at the woman "I was just wondering if you'd be kind enough to tell me where I might find a vacant inn". The woman snorted and continued to glare unpleasantly at Kagome. "I guess I have no choice, you won't go away until I do tell you, am I right?" she asked with a toothed grin.
"That's right" Kagome replied sweetly. The woman chuckled and reached into her pocket.
She set a map down on the counter in front of Kagome and pointed. "I suggest you go to the nearest village, Ame ki. There might be a few inns available there". The woman held the map out to Kagome and beckoned her to take it "here, I don't want you coming back so just take it".
Kagome took the map and tried her very best to appear grateful but it was hard to be grateful to someone who was being so rude. Despite the way she felt, Kagome thanked the woman and left the inn.
Kagome felt terribly uneasy about leaving her village behind and going to another that she had never been before. She hoped that her family would remain safe while she was away and that they would be able to do what she could not, forget.
Forget her father's death and continue living happy and peaceful lives. Kagome shivered as the ice-cold air began to nag at her sore and aching limps. It had gotten so cold in such a short amount of time. If she hurried maybe she would make it to the other village before sunrise.
Kagome reached into her bag with quivering hands and pulled out a small blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She hoped it would keep her a warm enough until she reached Ame ki.
With the map in hand Kagome walked out and into the forest, in search of the next village.
Kagome stood in a treeless plain, with the moon reflecting it's pale blue light down onto her slim figure. Her feet were aching so much she had to take a break and sit down. She didn't know how much longer she could go on. Her eyelids were getting so terribly heavy she could barely keep them open. She needed and wanted sleep. If she could she would have fallen asleep right where she was but she knew better. Forests were the homes of many youkai and if you weren't careful you would be eaten alive or worse. The forest held bad memories for her anyhow she could never see herself sleeping in a forest infested with something that could eat her. She yawned groggily and rubbed her aching eyes.
'I have to keep going…' she told herself and slowly but surely gathered herself back onto her feet again and was about to continue on her way when she heard something moving in the trees.
Kagome turned and looked around. She saw nothing but she heard the noise again. Her drossiness suddenly vanished for a moment and she lifted her bow, with an arrow ready.
"Show yourself!" she demanded as fiercely as she could.
There was no reply but the bushes began to rustle once again. She took a deep breath and fired her arrow. It flew into the bushes, illuminating with an unnatural power. Kagome eyes widened in surprise.
'What was that?' she asked herself. She had never seen her arrow do that before.
There was a small, terrified shriek and something jumped out of the bushes and fell near her feet. She crouched down and saw that it was a little kitsune. It didn't look like a real threat; actually it looked kind of cute. The kitsune began to stir and slowly opened his eyes.
As soon as he saw Kagome leaning over him he jumped away from her with a low growl and fangs bared.
Kagome stared, confused at why he was growling at her. Just then she realized why. Of course! She had shot at him. She felt so stupid!
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm". Kagome put her bow on the ground in front of her and laid her arrows down as well. "Please forgive me". The kitsune blinked at her and scratched the back of his head. He seemed to understand.
She smiled "my name is Kagome, what's yours?" she asked. The kitsune slowly approached her and smiled back "my name's Shippo" he replied and laid his small hand on his chest proudly. "Are you some kind of miko or something?" Shippo asked curiously and leaned his face in closer. Kagome raised an eyebrow at his question. "A miko? Me? Oh no, of course not".
"That's weird…I was sure you were. Well, I guess your terrible aim proves your no miko but it was close enough…"
"I'm sorry about that!"
Shippo shook his head and grinned, "That's all right. Actually, you're the first human who's bothered to even apologize. All the other humans want to skin me and make me into a hat but I always manage to get away".
Kagome frowned angrily "how cruel". Shippo sighed sadly and ran his fingers through his bright orange hair "Mom and Pop weren't as lucky as I was though" he mumbled.
'How horrible…' Kagome thought. She never really thought of how truly horrid humans could be. When she was young the villagers used to tell her stories of merciless youkai that killed just for the pure joy of killing and yet some humans act the same way.
"So, where are you headed?" Shippo asked and snapped Kagome out of her thoughts. "I've been trying to find a village named Ame ki but I think I've gotten myself lost" Kagome replied sheepishly. Shippo picked the map up lying on the ground and studied it a moment then threw it over his shoulder.
"H-hey, what do you think you're---"
"That map is no good. It's over 3 centuries old. I can get you to Ame ki in no time". Shippo pointed to his nose and took a whiff of the night air "I can get us there with my nose".
Kagome let out an annoyed shrug. So the woman at the inn had given her a useless map just to get rid of her. Oh well, at least she hadn't lied about the village.
She sighed and grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulder "all right, lets go". Together Kagome and Shippo walked off into the trees, towards Ame ki.
Kagome had trouble walking through the thick vegetation and stumbled a few times. She could barely see five feet in front of her. Suddenly, something jumped into her arms and cuddled close to her chest. Kagome looked down and saw Shippo.
He got comfortable and then grinned up at her "I'll help guide you" he said, "since you humans can't see well in the dark". Kagome smiled and thanked him as they continued on.
In the darkness of the night, there stood a hooded figure clothed in black. The darkness was wonderfully pleasant, if only it were everlasting. The sunlight was so revolting and bright. Darkness was what he craved, everlasting darkness.
Behind the hooded figure there was a wolf-youkai, kneeling, with his eyes glued to the ground. He dared not to speak unless spoken to.
"So, Prince of wolves, what news do you bring to me of the Higurashi scum?" a cool and dark voice asked and broke the long and painful silence.
Kouga looked up and frowned, his blue eyes burned with anger. "I did as you asked, now release my companions!" he demanded in low growl.
The figure in black merely chuckled and turned to face the wolf. Kouga could not see his face clearly for it was concealed by the shadows of the forest and even though he could not see eyes within the hood, he could feel that he was being glared at. The feeling made his hair stand on end.
"Fool. I desire you to bring me the woman with miko blood running through her veins. Destroy everything in your path until you find her. I also want the woman whole if she is dead then your companions will suffer the same fate".
Kouga clenched his fists together, trembling with anger.
"Upset are you?" the figure asked turning away, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Good, you will need your anger to accomplish your mission".
Kouga quickly stood upright, turned and hastily walked away. It was his own fault that his companions were in the clutches of that monster and if he didn't do as he was told they would be killed.
But he didn't understand! Why did he have to find some woman with miko powers? What did a human woman have to do with anything? Kouga shrugged and leapt up into the nearest tree. He would have to return to that human village again but this time he would tear the place apart and would not stop until the woman revealed herself to him.
"We're here!" Shippo announced happily and pointed ahead to the village of Ame ki. The roads were deserted and the shops hadn't been opened yet. Everything was still and quiet. 'And for good reason…' Kagome thought.
'Everyone must be still sleeping…'
Her eyelids were slowly but surely started to droop. Shippo looked up at his female companion and his new friend. He saw how exhausted she was. She needed a good long rest and he knew exactly were they could go.
"We can rest at Sango's inn"
Kagome yawned and looked down at the little kitsune.
"Is she a friend of yours?"
Shippo nodded a reply and jumped out of Kagome's arms. "Come this way".
She followed him warily until he disappeared around the corner. She rounded it slowly and saw Shippo greeting a young woman in the road.
'She must be Sango…' Kagome thought and was about to walk over to meet them until everything around her began to spin suddenly. She grabbed onto a near by wall for support and held her forehead; waiting for things to stop moving but instead things went black, all at once.
"Kagomeeee!" A voice squealed.
Kagome slowly opened her eyes and saw a teary eyed Shippo hovering over her "Kagome! You're all right! I was so worried!" the fox cub wailed and jumped into her arms. Kagome smiled and hugged Shippo. She looked around and found that she was lying comfortably in a warm bed and she had a damp cloth on her forehead.
"What happened…?" she asked but before her question was answered the door to the room slid open and a lovely young woman walked in with a bowl of hot water. She smiled at the two and walked over to the bed "so, your finally awake".
Kagome sat up quickly and the wet cloth fell onto her lap. Her head throbbed slightly and she reached up. There was a small cut on her forehead.
"You fell unconscious" the woman replied before she could even open her mouth.
"Are you Sango?" Kagome asked. The woman nodded and took the cloth off of Kagome's lap, rinsed it in the tub of warm water and then handed it back to Kagome.
"Shippo and I were worried about you. You had been out in that dreadful cold for so long. You were as cold as ice but thankfully we were able to warm you up in time. I'm surprised you didn't get a fever"
"I'm sorry for being such a burden…I will pay for the room and the treatment you provided".
Sango shook her head. "That's all right, I don't want your money," she told her "would you like some breakfast? You look hungry".
"Yes please" Kagome said and watched Sango leave the room and close the door behind her.
Kagome looked down at Shippo who was sitting on her lap and staring up at her worriedly. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked in a shaky voice. Kagome nodded and embraced the cub. "Shippo! You're a lifesaver".
Shippo gasped for air as the girl's grip on him became too tight. When Kagome realized that he was gasping for air, she released him.
Sango walked back into the room, with a plate of food in her hands and handed it to Kagome. Everything looked so good, two eggs, two pieces of toast and two strips of bacon. "So, I heard that you aren't from around Ame ki. Where did you come from?" Sango asked and sat down next to Kagome's bedside. The famished Kagome took two big bites of her eggs then replied, "I'm from Chiisai…yesterday was my 16th birthday and I was supposed to spend the day with my family but things happened and I ended up leaving last night. I couldn't find an inn to stay at there so I tried to find this place" she began but paused for a moment to take a bite of her toast. She swallowed and continued "but unfortunately I got lost…" she admitted sheepishly. "I met Shippo when I shot one of my arrows at him thinking he was a youkai".
The kitsune in her arms shuddered slightly as he recalled the event that had almost leaded to his death. Sango couldn't help but laugh when she glanced at Shippo and saw the petrified look on his face.
"After that we became friends and eventually ended up here" Kagome finished along with her breakfast.
Sango smiled and took Kagome's plate. "That's quite an interesting story but I can't help feeling there's more to your tale. Why couldn't you stay with your family?" she asked. Kagome stiffened and looked down at her hands, which were neatly placed in her lap.
Sango shook her head and stood up. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry" she apologized and was about to leave the room until Kagome started to speak again.
"My father was murdered yesterday. That's why I left home. I'm trying to find someone. I don't know much about him other then he has long white almost silver hair, golden eyes and two dog-ears on the top of his head. I suspect he was the one who did it. If it turns out he didn't he might know who did".
Sango and Shippo stared at the girl a moment. She seemed like an entirely different person now. Her eyes seemed shadowed. They were filled with pain and sadness. She looked paler then before and her body began to tremble.
Sango slowly walked back over to Kagome. "I'm so sorry". Kagome shook her head and laid her face in her hands as tears threatened to stream down her cheeks. She refused to cry. "It's not your fault".
Sango placed her hands on Kagome's shoulders and gave her a warm smile. "It's all right, I know how it feels to lose someone close to you". Kagome nodded and smiled back at her new friend.
Shippo scrambled onto Kagome's shoulder and grinned at the two girls "don't worry, Kagome. We're going to help you!" he said. Sango nodded in agreement "the person you described…he sounds like the hanyou, Inuyasha".
"Inuyasha?"
"Yes, he's been seen in this village once or twice but he's never stayed for very long. The only time he ever comes to this village is to see a monk named Miroku"
"Miroku? Does he live near by?"
"Yes…in the temple near the river"
Kagome quickly scrambled out of the bed. "I have to go ask him about Inuyasha!" she exclaimed and ran over to her bag, which was lying across the room. Sango and Shippo stared at her in disbelief.
"A-are you sure your well enough to move?"
Kagome nodded a reply and began to rummage through her bag. Where was it? She knew she packed it before she left her house.
"A-ha!"
Kagome pulled out a silver chain, with a small jewel linked to it. The jewel on the chain sparkled mysteriously in morning light and caught Shippo's eye. "What's that?" Shippo asked and gawked at the large jewel. Kagome smiled and held the necklace up. "It's an old family heirloom…my father gave it to me when I was young. He said that it would bring good luck to whomever wore it".
"It's very pretty" Sango said.
"Thank you". Kagome slipped the necklace around her neck then tucked it under her shirt. She would need luck more then ever now. Kagome pulled her bag over her shoulder and started out the door.
"Kagome, I'm coming with you!" Sango said quickly and followed after her. "Me too!" Shippo scurried towards Kagome and jumped into her arms.
"Miroku gets a little too friendly when women pay a visit to the temple and I should know".
Kagome didn't understand…wasn't it good that he was friendly; at least he would answer her questions. Right?
Kagome, Sango and Shippo walked through the temple's large and elegant entrance and were greeted by a group of monks. They all had shaved or naturally baldheads and wore the same robes. It was hard to tell them apart.
An elderly monk approached them and smiled. "Welcome, young ladies and welcome to you young sir".
The three smiled bowed their heads slightly.
"Why have you come to the temple today?"
"Please, sir. We are here to find, Miroku. I need to ask him a few questions" Kagome replied. The elderly monk nodded his head and led them down a large corridor and into a well furnished room. On the table in the middle of the room there was a bowl filled with tasty looking treats and there was a blue pot filled with tea.
The sweets caught Shippo's eye and he wandered over to the bowl and began to gobble them down when the others weren't looking. Sango caught him stuffing his face and scolded him, telling him he was being very rude but the old monk just laughed. "It is all right. Those treats are for especially for visitors so the young one may have as many as he wants".
Shippo cheered happily and stuffed treats in his mouth until his cheeks could hold no more. The monk laughed again and then turned to leave the room. "Please make yourselves comfortable. I will call for Miroku and he will be with you shortly"
They thanked him and he left.
A loud thud echoed down the hall and startled the group, soon after loud annoyed and angry yells echoed down the halls. Kagome glanced at Sango. "What's going on?" she asked. Sango sighed and shook her head "you don't want to know" was her answer. Suddenly the door to the room slid open and in walked a young and handsome monk. He grinned as he entered the room, staff in hand. "I am sorry about all the noise" he apologized to his guests.
His eyes wandered around the room and stopped suddenly on Kagome. His smile widened and he knelt down in front of her. Taking her hands in his "and what might your name be, miss?" he asked. Kagome was about to answer when she felt a hand grab her backside. She shrieked in horror and kicked the monk away. He landed on his back with a thud and Kagome shot to her feet with her hand clutched into a fist "pervert!!" she screamed.
Sango sighed and shook her head again. She glared down at Miroku who was still recovering on the floor. "You'll never learn will you?" she shrugged.
Miroku recognized Sango's voice and grinned up at her "ah, Sango, my little kitten. So you've finally come to visit me, eh?" he chuckled. Sango frowned angrily. She was definitely not amused. "I am not your kitten".
Miroku laughed and sat upright. "All right, all right. Whatever you say, kitten" he said.
After things had settled down. Everyone was seated. Kagome and Sango had wisely decided to set far away from Miroku, on the other side of the room while Shippo comfortably reclined on Miroku's shoulder.
"So…Miroku, Sango has told me that you know someone named, Inuyasha" Kagome said finally, breaking the silence. Miroku nodded and sipped his tea quietly. "Do you have some business with Inuyasha?" he asked.
"Yes, I have to find him. Would you happen to know where he is?"
"I'm afraid I don't. The last time we spoke he didn't tell me anything. Where he was going, for how long, why. Nothing"
Kagome frowned. This was beginning to seem like a waist of time. If Miroku didn't know where Inuyasha was then who did?
"Ah, wait a minute. Inuyasha did happen to say that he was looking for the Higurashi family. He asked me if I knew anything about them and when I replied that I didn't except for the fact that they lived in the next village he left".
"Higurashi?" Kagome gasped and quickly stood up. "Are you sure that's what he said?" she asked.
"Yes"
Kagome walked over to Miroku, the fear of being groped again had suddenly fled her mind. "When was the last time you spoke to him?" she asked. Miroku titled his head in thought. "Last night" he said.
Kagome's blue-gray eyes widened and she suddenly rushed out of the room. Shippo and Sango had called out to her but she continued on as if she hadn't heard them. Something in her mind told her to go back home. She had to get back home!
As she ran out of the temple, Kagome spotted a horse. He was tied up to a pole, along with a couple of other horses. She wouldn't be able to get home fast enough on foot. 'I'll just borrow him' she thought and ran over to the horse. She untied him and jumped onto his back just as the owner came walking out of a shop.
"Hey stop!"
Kagome turned to the man and told him, "I'll bring him back! I promise!" and with that she galloped off into the distance.
A thousand things ran through Kagome's mind at once as she rode through the forest. She was afraid, afraid that something had happened while she was gone, to her village and family. 'No, that's silly. Your just being paranoid!' she told herself but deep inside she knew that wasn't the case.
Kagome could smell smoke and ash in the air and in the distance she could see something was on fire.
It couldn't be!
The village was on fire!
Kagome lead her horse into the flames and rode on towards Chen's house. Along the way the dirt roads were crowded with the dead bodies of villagers. Blood was everywhere and she had a hard time maneuvering the horse around the bodies.
Kagome finally reached Chen's house but she had come too late, the old run down house was already engulfed in flames.
"Mama! Sota! Grandfather!" she called desperately but she received no replies. The heat around her was unbearable.
Her horse suddenly reared up and knocked her off. She hit the ground with a sickening thud and the horse fled quickly into the distance while she slowly picked herself up.
Kagome heard a chuckle coming from behind her.
She whipped around and saw a wolf-youkai standing with his hands on his hips. His eyes carefully looked over her body and she shivered.
"Who are you?"
The wolf chuckled again. "The name's Kouga" he said "I'm impressed that you've actually been able to stay hidden this long but now that I've found you I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you".
Kagome glared at the wolf angrily and clenched her hands into fists at her sides. "Did you do this?!" she demanded. Kouga flashed her a grin and shrugged. What was she planning to do? Couldn't the pathetic human see he was a youkai? "And what if I did?" he sneered, "Humans are weaklings. Killing them is a joy".
"How could you?! You murdered hundreds of innocent people and you don't even care!! Your sick!"
Kouga chuckled again and ran his fingers through his dark hair. "And?" he muttered, "I'm a youkai. I don't care about anything".
"Coward! Pig! Monster! Barbarian!" Kagome shouted and she didn't care whom it was she was shouting at.
Kouga managed a half smile, no human had ever dared to insult him before but to his surprise and amusement this mere human girl seemed to have the guts that very many lacked. She had spunk. It was too bad he had to kill her. With his talons held high Kouga charged forward. 'I'll make it quick and painless for you, sweetheart' but before Kouga could even react the girl before him disappeared in a flash of red. He slid to a halt and quickly scanned the grounds for her 'where in the hell did she go?!'
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, she suddenly found herself in two strong arms. She looked up and blushed. The boy who had saved her had long flowing white hair, two dog-ears and golden eyes.
"Inuyasha?!" she exclaimed in disbelief. He had actually come to her rescue. Two annoyed golden eyes glared down at her "woman! Your lucky I came in time, are you trying to get yourself killed?!" he demanded angrily. Kagome frowned and met Inuyasha's glare with one of her own "well, it's nice to meet you too!"