Chapter 11
The door to the priestess' hut opened with a loud slam. Miroku and Sango narrowed their eyes at Inu-Yasha. They were suppose to be quiet... Inu-Yasha paid them no heed as he walked up to the pallet on the floor. He sniffed the air, but did not smell Fuyu's scent. "She's not here." "Then who is that asleep," Sango asked. Inu-Yasha unsheathed the Tetsuiga. He pointed the blade at the pallet. Aiming it carefully, he sliced through it. Their eyes widened as stuffing cluttered to the floor. They had been tricked. "She knew we were coming," Inu-Yasha said, his eyes downcast, examining the pallet for further evidence. "Or that someone would eventually find out," Miroku said. "Someone such as myself has to prepare for caution when working a plan through," Fuyu said from the shadows. She opened her eyes as they focused on her location. Her eyes gleamed bright yellow. "Pity that you have managed to foil my plans, half-demon," she said bitterly as she walked out from the shadows. Her clothes flowed around in an eerie sense. Miroku kept his guard up as the rest of the group followed. Sango glanced around quickly for any of traps. She noticed that Hitori was missing as well as Natori. She wondered for a brief moment where they could have gone. The priestess walked towards them with no threat. She did not percieve any of them to be harmful, even though Inu-Yasha's famous sword, Tetsuiga was drawn and held at the ready. Fuyu stood before him, her eyes focusing on his face rather than his weapon. She smiled coldly, the blood running through her body calling out to him. Inu-Yasha did not know what was happening. She was calling him, but not in way he would have expected. Her body was longing for his blood. It wanted to bond with his so she could remain young and beautiful. As Inu- Yasha's eyes looked into hers, he was lost to her. He knew what was happening around him as if it were a dream. He could not feel his body. Sango watched in horror as Fuyu touched Inu-Yasha's face. She kissed him deeply, her nails trailing down his face. Sango tried to move, in order, to protect him. She found that her body was frozen stiff. Her eyes were the only things that could move.Sango looked to Miroku in agony. He, too, was frozen as she was. As Fuyu kissed him, her nails started to dig into one side of his face. Blood treackled down his cheek as she broke the kiss. "Your blood will run deep and bond with mine in ways no man, or demon has experienced." She smiled coldly again. Inu-Yasha's heart raced. He was not able to move and it was utterly pointless to try. Whatever Fuyu was, she was a strange demon that he had never encountered before. Inu-Yasha's mind raced to Kagome's shinning face. He did not want to lose her. His heart began to call out to her. *Kagome!* As Fuyu opened her hand, catching his blood in her palm, Inu-Yasha thought more about the little girl he had rescued from the snow covered forest. *Nauki, I'm sorry Little One...I wanted to watch you grow up...*
Nauki opened her eyes from where she lay on the pallet. Someone was calling her. The child sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Papa," she said softly, blinking her eyes as she yawned. She looked around the area, but did not see him anywhere. The girl tilted her head. It wasn't his voice that was calling her, it was his heart. She kicked the blanket off of her, then tip-toed to the door. Kaede was sleeping soundly. Nauki made her way outside. The cold air hit her face, but the child paid it no mind. She walked further away from the hut, following the pulse of Inu-Yasha's heartbeat. He was very far away, probably two days travel. She stopped, whimpering. "Papa," she said again. Nauki blinked, her purple eyes looking through the snow. Even though she was small, Nauki could feel an evil energy that had a hold of her papa. It was tightening its grasp around him.
The girl's heart sunk. She wasn't there to protect him like she had promised. "Weave my papa awone!" Nauki crouched down some, flexing her arms. She closed her eyes, then leaned back, her heart opening. She was calling to him.
Inu-Yasha felt Nauki's heart calling out to him. He couldn't explain it. His eyes widened more as Fuyu drained the blood from his wrist. She was gathering it into a large bowl to drink it. *Li-ttle...One..?* Inu-Yasha knew it was Nauki. The girl had somehow sensed that he was thinking about her. "Do not worry half-demon, I will not let your blood go to waste. It will empower me to become more powerful and more beautiful," the fake priestess told him. She looked up at him. His mind was eased a little, she could see that. Not knowing what could have prevailed an increase in his comfort, she rose narrowing her eyes. Inu-Yasha was looking past the demon, his mind fixed on his adopted daughter. She was drawing his attention elsewhere, so he would not be hypnotized by Fuyu. He smiled a little, the feeling coming back into his body. "You are nothing more than a fake," he told the priestess. "One that is heavily outdated." Fuyu grabbed his wrist. She snarled at him, showing the same fangs that the previous demon had had. The demon knew instantly that her spell was wearing off. If it was effecting him, then it was happening to the other two by the entrance. She could not afford to lose the blood she had gathered. Sango shook her head. Her head was hurting from the hypnotizing spell of the priestess. Miroku blinked his eyes, then held his staff in his hand. He ran straight for the fake priestess. Fuyu heard the monk coming towards her. She let go of Inu-Yasha's wrist, as the half-demon fell to the floor. Fuyu flung backwards, as she did the large bowl of blood dropped to the floor. Her eyes held shock and pain as her only chance of devouring the half-demon's blood had welded itself into nonexistence. Sango ran to Inu-Yasha. She went to her knees, wrapping her arms around him. The demonic priestess had drained enough blood to kill him. "Inu-Yasha?!" She lifted him up, his head laying against her shoulder. His eyes were closed. Miroku threw tailsmans at the priestess. She tried to avoid them, but was hit with one right on the forehead. He covered his ears as she let out a high-pitched scream. "Sorry, priestess, but these tailsmans are real!" Fuyu tried to come at him, her nails flexed for his throat. They had grown to the size of a child's arm. Her revenge came at a standstill when Miroku dodged her. She was infuriated. "Your defense is lacking in the ways of a demon. One can assume that you have not fought much. Often depending on the defenses and attacks of your underlings," he said as he stretched his arm out. His staff tripped the priestess. She fell flat to the floor, snarling. Before she could get up, Miroku raised the staff over his head. "I shall banish you to the darkest depths of the demon world for your insolence and petty trickery!" With one large swoop, he brought down the end of the staff onto the priestess' head. Sango watched as the demon's skull split in two. Her head opened up, spilling forth the evil spirit that once held the flesh of the previous priestess. She watched in disbelief as the spirit lifted into the air, its blackened form evaporting above the body. Miroku breathed hard, standing back. He looked back to the shock on Sango's face and the unconscious Inu-Yasha. He walked to her, kneeling down. "Is he alright?" "I'm not sure. She managed to drain a lot of blood from him." Sango began to wrap Inu-Yasha's wrist. She sighed sadly. "What do you propose brought him out of the trance?" "I'm not sure. Whatever it is effected him enough to snap him out of it. When he wakes up, we should ask him," Miroku said. He bent down, grabbing Inu-Yasha's arms. Miroku slung him over his back, the half-demon's long hair almost touching the ground. As they exited the hut of the priestess, Natori came running towards them. He was breathing hard. "Wh-What happened," he asked out of breath. "We found the leader of the demon who tried to snatch you," Sango said. She bent down, looking at the boy. "It was the priestess like Inu- Yasha had thought." The boy looked down. Natori had had so much hope for his village. His life would be ever changed from that day. "We tracked the other demon to see where it would go," the boy said. "Hitori followed it far enough away then struck it with his arrows. He said that we could not afford for it to retreat in case there were more of them." "Wise decision," Miroku said. "Where is the archer so that we may thank him?" "He went to the entrance where the path of the warning is placed. Hitori said it should be removed," Natori said. "You are a brave little boy, Natori. I know your parents are proud of you for helping us," Sango said. She smiled at him, then nodded. "It's time for you to rest now. You've earned it." Natori nodded back, then ran to his hut. He had no reason to fear the night monster anymore. As they walked out of town, Kirara shifted into her larger form so Miroku wouldn't have to carry Inu-Yasha. "Thanks, Kirara. He might not like to admit it, but he's heavy," Miroku said rotating his shoulder joint. "Sango, you don't have to walk. I can walk beside Kirara for a ways while you sleep." She nodded her thanks as she heaved herself up, placing her hands on Inu-Yasha's back so he wouldn't fall off. Miroku eyed Hitori walking towards them. He stopped. The archer stopped as well, hearing their footprints. "We want to thank you for your help," he said. "No, it is I who should be thanking you. If you hadn't of disobeyed the warning, who knows how many more children Fuyu would have slain," Hitori said griefly. "We will be in debt with you for the rest of our lives. I just wish there was some way I could repay you for your kindness and generosity." His eyes shifted to the half-demon who was laying unconscious on Kirara. "What happened to your friend? Did he get attacked by the priestess?" "Fuyu drained Inu-Yasha of a great amount of blood. She was going to use his demonic blood to become more powerful," Sango said tiredly, looking down at her friend sadly. "She hypnotized all of us with some kind of force. We couldn't move any of our limbs, but our minds were awake to what she was doing," Miroku said. "If what you say is true, then how did you escape?" Hitori leaned on his bow. "Inu-Yasha snapped out of the trance. Although, we aren't too sure what caused him to do that," Miroku said looking off as he sighed. "What are you going to do now that Fuyu has been destroyed," Sango asked. She pitied the archer because he had lost his sight to help his people. She wondered how he was going to go on with his life. "I have thought about it whilst walking towards the village. You have taught me great kindess and respect. I would like to aid the people in my village in whatever way I can. Whether it is protection, or comfort. That is all one needs to do," Hitori said. "I know my eyesight will never return again. A lesson I will have for the reminder of my life. But one does not need eyesight in order to find the goodness and hope in others." Sango smiled at him. She was glad that Hitori had found a way to be happy, instead of living in regret like those they had encountered over the years. As they parted ways, Sango's head dropped down, falling fast asleep.
Sango awoke to a snowcovered plain early in the morning. The sun shinned brightly over their heads. She blinked her eyes letting them focus on the bright light. As she yawned, she noticed Miroku was still walking beside Kirara. "How long have you been walking?" "Since you fell asleep," Miroku said tiredly. He had let her sleep while he travelled. He glanced at her concerned look. "I'm alright. I'm used to travelling for long hours." "You haven't slept." Sango hopped down. "You can sleep on Kirara. Just lay your head on Inu-Yasha's back," she said, pulling his arm. "I'm...not...a pillow," Inu-Yasha said gruffly. He opened his eyes slowly looking at the two of them weakily. It had only been ten hours since the blood was drained out of his body. Even he hated to admit how weak he still was. Kirara stopped. Sango walked up to Inu-Yasha. She put the back of her hand on his forehead. He didn't have a fever or anything, just weak. Sango was kind of surprised he let her touch him. Usually Inu-Yasha was withdrawn from them slightly, not allowing anyone to touch him. Taking the opportunity, she lifted his chin up and tilted his head a bit to look at the long scratch on his cheek. Fuyu had dug her nails into his flesh deeply. "Does it hurt?" She touched it lightly. Inu-Yasha flinched a little. "No," he lied. "'Inu-Yasha, what brought you out of Fuyu's trance," Miroku said hopping onto Kirara. The twenty-year-old half-demon looked away from them as Sango let his chin go. He didn't know how to answer it. They waited. They wanted to know. He was the one responsible for helping break the spell. "I heard...Nauki calling me..." "Calling you?" Sango tilted her head. She didn't understand. She remembered Miroku had said that Nauki spoke to Inu-Yasha in his dreams. "In a dream?" Inu-Yasha shook his head slowly as he looked at the ground. "No,...I...don't know how to explain it...I felt.....her heart calling me." He didn't care if they believed him or not. Inu-Yasha knew what she sensed. The child had been trying to protect him from the distance between them. Miroku looked at Inu-Yasha. He didn't want to say his friend was utterly mad. So far, Inu-Yasha had been correct about Nauki. Whatever the connection was between Inu-Yasha and Nauki would have to be found out. He, personally, still believed the girl was an angel. "Kirara, do you think you could get us home by tonight," Sango asked as she got behind Miroku. Miroku was slowly falling asleep, his head resting on Inu-Yasha's back. Kirara nodded, understanding. She ran then jumped into the air. The creature flew with all of her might towards Kaede's hut. Sango held onto Miroku so he wouldn't fall off. She noticed Inu-Yasha didn't seem to be minding that Miroku's head was laid on his back. *If he can truely sense the girl, then Nauki can sense him, too. That means that she is looking out for him, even though, they are at a great distance from each other. What if she is an angel like Miroku and Kaede imphasize? Will Inu-Yasha turn her out because of it? Miroku told me that Inu-Yasha does love Nauki and plans on raising her. Maybe she is good for him. He is already changing. I wonder if he even knows it.* Sango looked off, thinking to herself as Kirara flew.
Late that night, Kagome was trying her best to get Nauki to go to sleep. "It's alright, Nauki. Inu-Yasha will be back soon." She held the girl by the waist as Nauki scream-cried and kicked her legs at full force. Kagome knew the child was not going to go to bed willingly. It had been four days. The longest time Inu-Yasha and the girl had been apart. Nauki shook her head, crying. "Pa..pa....Ehhhh eh eh...Papa....." She was fighting Kagome for all it was worth. She was tired of cooking and helping Kaede. Kagome only came in the afternoon to entertain her, and she was bored with it. She couldn't go outside to play because of the snow. Nauki still didn't have any sandals. Kagome turned the girl around to face her. She held onto her, then started to bounce her up and down. "Shhh sh sh. It's o.k. It's o.k." Kagome didn't know what to do. "Kagome, thee child is not going to sleep until Inu-Yasha comes back," Kaede said from the other room. She stirred the fire. Kagome sighed as Nauki continued to cry softly. "Nauki," Kaede called. The girl looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Ye papa will be back soon, child. I know ye are upset, but crying and fighting Kagome won't make Inu-Yasha show up any sooner." Nauki whimpered. She stuck her thumb in her mouth, sucking on it hard as she tried to comfort herself. Trying to make amends with Kagome, she laid her head on her chest. Kagome sighed some watching the girl. Kagome sat down across from Kaede, holding Nauki. Within about thirty minutes, Nauki was passed out on her, still sucking on her thumb as Kagome cradled her. Taking their freedom, Kaede settled down to sleep while Kagome sat up sleeping, her head lowered. Inu-Yasha decided to walk to the hut so Sango and Miroku could go rest at their hut. He entered slowly, looking around quietly. Kaede was well asleep and Kagome had fallen asleep cradling Nauki. He smiled a little, then walked up to Kagome. He blinked his eyes, then leaned in, rubbing his cheek against hers. Kagome stirred a little. Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around her, pulling her and Nauki towards him. "Shhh," he said softly. He laid his head on hers, drifting off to sleep. Without realizing it, Inu-Yasha had a family. Outside the birds began to chirp as the snow started to drip off of the trees.
The door to the priestess' hut opened with a loud slam. Miroku and Sango narrowed their eyes at Inu-Yasha. They were suppose to be quiet... Inu-Yasha paid them no heed as he walked up to the pallet on the floor. He sniffed the air, but did not smell Fuyu's scent. "She's not here." "Then who is that asleep," Sango asked. Inu-Yasha unsheathed the Tetsuiga. He pointed the blade at the pallet. Aiming it carefully, he sliced through it. Their eyes widened as stuffing cluttered to the floor. They had been tricked. "She knew we were coming," Inu-Yasha said, his eyes downcast, examining the pallet for further evidence. "Or that someone would eventually find out," Miroku said. "Someone such as myself has to prepare for caution when working a plan through," Fuyu said from the shadows. She opened her eyes as they focused on her location. Her eyes gleamed bright yellow. "Pity that you have managed to foil my plans, half-demon," she said bitterly as she walked out from the shadows. Her clothes flowed around in an eerie sense. Miroku kept his guard up as the rest of the group followed. Sango glanced around quickly for any of traps. She noticed that Hitori was missing as well as Natori. She wondered for a brief moment where they could have gone. The priestess walked towards them with no threat. She did not percieve any of them to be harmful, even though Inu-Yasha's famous sword, Tetsuiga was drawn and held at the ready. Fuyu stood before him, her eyes focusing on his face rather than his weapon. She smiled coldly, the blood running through her body calling out to him. Inu-Yasha did not know what was happening. She was calling him, but not in way he would have expected. Her body was longing for his blood. It wanted to bond with his so she could remain young and beautiful. As Inu- Yasha's eyes looked into hers, he was lost to her. He knew what was happening around him as if it were a dream. He could not feel his body. Sango watched in horror as Fuyu touched Inu-Yasha's face. She kissed him deeply, her nails trailing down his face. Sango tried to move, in order, to protect him. She found that her body was frozen stiff. Her eyes were the only things that could move.Sango looked to Miroku in agony. He, too, was frozen as she was. As Fuyu kissed him, her nails started to dig into one side of his face. Blood treackled down his cheek as she broke the kiss. "Your blood will run deep and bond with mine in ways no man, or demon has experienced." She smiled coldly again. Inu-Yasha's heart raced. He was not able to move and it was utterly pointless to try. Whatever Fuyu was, she was a strange demon that he had never encountered before. Inu-Yasha's mind raced to Kagome's shinning face. He did not want to lose her. His heart began to call out to her. *Kagome!* As Fuyu opened her hand, catching his blood in her palm, Inu-Yasha thought more about the little girl he had rescued from the snow covered forest. *Nauki, I'm sorry Little One...I wanted to watch you grow up...*
Nauki opened her eyes from where she lay on the pallet. Someone was calling her. The child sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Papa," she said softly, blinking her eyes as she yawned. She looked around the area, but did not see him anywhere. The girl tilted her head. It wasn't his voice that was calling her, it was his heart. She kicked the blanket off of her, then tip-toed to the door. Kaede was sleeping soundly. Nauki made her way outside. The cold air hit her face, but the child paid it no mind. She walked further away from the hut, following the pulse of Inu-Yasha's heartbeat. He was very far away, probably two days travel. She stopped, whimpering. "Papa," she said again. Nauki blinked, her purple eyes looking through the snow. Even though she was small, Nauki could feel an evil energy that had a hold of her papa. It was tightening its grasp around him.
The girl's heart sunk. She wasn't there to protect him like she had promised. "Weave my papa awone!" Nauki crouched down some, flexing her arms. She closed her eyes, then leaned back, her heart opening. She was calling to him.
Inu-Yasha felt Nauki's heart calling out to him. He couldn't explain it. His eyes widened more as Fuyu drained the blood from his wrist. She was gathering it into a large bowl to drink it. *Li-ttle...One..?* Inu-Yasha knew it was Nauki. The girl had somehow sensed that he was thinking about her. "Do not worry half-demon, I will not let your blood go to waste. It will empower me to become more powerful and more beautiful," the fake priestess told him. She looked up at him. His mind was eased a little, she could see that. Not knowing what could have prevailed an increase in his comfort, she rose narrowing her eyes. Inu-Yasha was looking past the demon, his mind fixed on his adopted daughter. She was drawing his attention elsewhere, so he would not be hypnotized by Fuyu. He smiled a little, the feeling coming back into his body. "You are nothing more than a fake," he told the priestess. "One that is heavily outdated." Fuyu grabbed his wrist. She snarled at him, showing the same fangs that the previous demon had had. The demon knew instantly that her spell was wearing off. If it was effecting him, then it was happening to the other two by the entrance. She could not afford to lose the blood she had gathered. Sango shook her head. Her head was hurting from the hypnotizing spell of the priestess. Miroku blinked his eyes, then held his staff in his hand. He ran straight for the fake priestess. Fuyu heard the monk coming towards her. She let go of Inu-Yasha's wrist, as the half-demon fell to the floor. Fuyu flung backwards, as she did the large bowl of blood dropped to the floor. Her eyes held shock and pain as her only chance of devouring the half-demon's blood had welded itself into nonexistence. Sango ran to Inu-Yasha. She went to her knees, wrapping her arms around him. The demonic priestess had drained enough blood to kill him. "Inu-Yasha?!" She lifted him up, his head laying against her shoulder. His eyes were closed. Miroku threw tailsmans at the priestess. She tried to avoid them, but was hit with one right on the forehead. He covered his ears as she let out a high-pitched scream. "Sorry, priestess, but these tailsmans are real!" Fuyu tried to come at him, her nails flexed for his throat. They had grown to the size of a child's arm. Her revenge came at a standstill when Miroku dodged her. She was infuriated. "Your defense is lacking in the ways of a demon. One can assume that you have not fought much. Often depending on the defenses and attacks of your underlings," he said as he stretched his arm out. His staff tripped the priestess. She fell flat to the floor, snarling. Before she could get up, Miroku raised the staff over his head. "I shall banish you to the darkest depths of the demon world for your insolence and petty trickery!" With one large swoop, he brought down the end of the staff onto the priestess' head. Sango watched as the demon's skull split in two. Her head opened up, spilling forth the evil spirit that once held the flesh of the previous priestess. She watched in disbelief as the spirit lifted into the air, its blackened form evaporting above the body. Miroku breathed hard, standing back. He looked back to the shock on Sango's face and the unconscious Inu-Yasha. He walked to her, kneeling down. "Is he alright?" "I'm not sure. She managed to drain a lot of blood from him." Sango began to wrap Inu-Yasha's wrist. She sighed sadly. "What do you propose brought him out of the trance?" "I'm not sure. Whatever it is effected him enough to snap him out of it. When he wakes up, we should ask him," Miroku said. He bent down, grabbing Inu-Yasha's arms. Miroku slung him over his back, the half-demon's long hair almost touching the ground. As they exited the hut of the priestess, Natori came running towards them. He was breathing hard. "Wh-What happened," he asked out of breath. "We found the leader of the demon who tried to snatch you," Sango said. She bent down, looking at the boy. "It was the priestess like Inu- Yasha had thought." The boy looked down. Natori had had so much hope for his village. His life would be ever changed from that day. "We tracked the other demon to see where it would go," the boy said. "Hitori followed it far enough away then struck it with his arrows. He said that we could not afford for it to retreat in case there were more of them." "Wise decision," Miroku said. "Where is the archer so that we may thank him?" "He went to the entrance where the path of the warning is placed. Hitori said it should be removed," Natori said. "You are a brave little boy, Natori. I know your parents are proud of you for helping us," Sango said. She smiled at him, then nodded. "It's time for you to rest now. You've earned it." Natori nodded back, then ran to his hut. He had no reason to fear the night monster anymore. As they walked out of town, Kirara shifted into her larger form so Miroku wouldn't have to carry Inu-Yasha. "Thanks, Kirara. He might not like to admit it, but he's heavy," Miroku said rotating his shoulder joint. "Sango, you don't have to walk. I can walk beside Kirara for a ways while you sleep." She nodded her thanks as she heaved herself up, placing her hands on Inu-Yasha's back so he wouldn't fall off. Miroku eyed Hitori walking towards them. He stopped. The archer stopped as well, hearing their footprints. "We want to thank you for your help," he said. "No, it is I who should be thanking you. If you hadn't of disobeyed the warning, who knows how many more children Fuyu would have slain," Hitori said griefly. "We will be in debt with you for the rest of our lives. I just wish there was some way I could repay you for your kindness and generosity." His eyes shifted to the half-demon who was laying unconscious on Kirara. "What happened to your friend? Did he get attacked by the priestess?" "Fuyu drained Inu-Yasha of a great amount of blood. She was going to use his demonic blood to become more powerful," Sango said tiredly, looking down at her friend sadly. "She hypnotized all of us with some kind of force. We couldn't move any of our limbs, but our minds were awake to what she was doing," Miroku said. "If what you say is true, then how did you escape?" Hitori leaned on his bow. "Inu-Yasha snapped out of the trance. Although, we aren't too sure what caused him to do that," Miroku said looking off as he sighed. "What are you going to do now that Fuyu has been destroyed," Sango asked. She pitied the archer because he had lost his sight to help his people. She wondered how he was going to go on with his life. "I have thought about it whilst walking towards the village. You have taught me great kindess and respect. I would like to aid the people in my village in whatever way I can. Whether it is protection, or comfort. That is all one needs to do," Hitori said. "I know my eyesight will never return again. A lesson I will have for the reminder of my life. But one does not need eyesight in order to find the goodness and hope in others." Sango smiled at him. She was glad that Hitori had found a way to be happy, instead of living in regret like those they had encountered over the years. As they parted ways, Sango's head dropped down, falling fast asleep.
Sango awoke to a snowcovered plain early in the morning. The sun shinned brightly over their heads. She blinked her eyes letting them focus on the bright light. As she yawned, she noticed Miroku was still walking beside Kirara. "How long have you been walking?" "Since you fell asleep," Miroku said tiredly. He had let her sleep while he travelled. He glanced at her concerned look. "I'm alright. I'm used to travelling for long hours." "You haven't slept." Sango hopped down. "You can sleep on Kirara. Just lay your head on Inu-Yasha's back," she said, pulling his arm. "I'm...not...a pillow," Inu-Yasha said gruffly. He opened his eyes slowly looking at the two of them weakily. It had only been ten hours since the blood was drained out of his body. Even he hated to admit how weak he still was. Kirara stopped. Sango walked up to Inu-Yasha. She put the back of her hand on his forehead. He didn't have a fever or anything, just weak. Sango was kind of surprised he let her touch him. Usually Inu-Yasha was withdrawn from them slightly, not allowing anyone to touch him. Taking the opportunity, she lifted his chin up and tilted his head a bit to look at the long scratch on his cheek. Fuyu had dug her nails into his flesh deeply. "Does it hurt?" She touched it lightly. Inu-Yasha flinched a little. "No," he lied. "'Inu-Yasha, what brought you out of Fuyu's trance," Miroku said hopping onto Kirara. The twenty-year-old half-demon looked away from them as Sango let his chin go. He didn't know how to answer it. They waited. They wanted to know. He was the one responsible for helping break the spell. "I heard...Nauki calling me..." "Calling you?" Sango tilted her head. She didn't understand. She remembered Miroku had said that Nauki spoke to Inu-Yasha in his dreams. "In a dream?" Inu-Yasha shook his head slowly as he looked at the ground. "No,...I...don't know how to explain it...I felt.....her heart calling me." He didn't care if they believed him or not. Inu-Yasha knew what she sensed. The child had been trying to protect him from the distance between them. Miroku looked at Inu-Yasha. He didn't want to say his friend was utterly mad. So far, Inu-Yasha had been correct about Nauki. Whatever the connection was between Inu-Yasha and Nauki would have to be found out. He, personally, still believed the girl was an angel. "Kirara, do you think you could get us home by tonight," Sango asked as she got behind Miroku. Miroku was slowly falling asleep, his head resting on Inu-Yasha's back. Kirara nodded, understanding. She ran then jumped into the air. The creature flew with all of her might towards Kaede's hut. Sango held onto Miroku so he wouldn't fall off. She noticed Inu-Yasha didn't seem to be minding that Miroku's head was laid on his back. *If he can truely sense the girl, then Nauki can sense him, too. That means that she is looking out for him, even though, they are at a great distance from each other. What if she is an angel like Miroku and Kaede imphasize? Will Inu-Yasha turn her out because of it? Miroku told me that Inu-Yasha does love Nauki and plans on raising her. Maybe she is good for him. He is already changing. I wonder if he even knows it.* Sango looked off, thinking to herself as Kirara flew.
Late that night, Kagome was trying her best to get Nauki to go to sleep. "It's alright, Nauki. Inu-Yasha will be back soon." She held the girl by the waist as Nauki scream-cried and kicked her legs at full force. Kagome knew the child was not going to go to bed willingly. It had been four days. The longest time Inu-Yasha and the girl had been apart. Nauki shook her head, crying. "Pa..pa....Ehhhh eh eh...Papa....." She was fighting Kagome for all it was worth. She was tired of cooking and helping Kaede. Kagome only came in the afternoon to entertain her, and she was bored with it. She couldn't go outside to play because of the snow. Nauki still didn't have any sandals. Kagome turned the girl around to face her. She held onto her, then started to bounce her up and down. "Shhh sh sh. It's o.k. It's o.k." Kagome didn't know what to do. "Kagome, thee child is not going to sleep until Inu-Yasha comes back," Kaede said from the other room. She stirred the fire. Kagome sighed as Nauki continued to cry softly. "Nauki," Kaede called. The girl looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Ye papa will be back soon, child. I know ye are upset, but crying and fighting Kagome won't make Inu-Yasha show up any sooner." Nauki whimpered. She stuck her thumb in her mouth, sucking on it hard as she tried to comfort herself. Trying to make amends with Kagome, she laid her head on her chest. Kagome sighed some watching the girl. Kagome sat down across from Kaede, holding Nauki. Within about thirty minutes, Nauki was passed out on her, still sucking on her thumb as Kagome cradled her. Taking their freedom, Kaede settled down to sleep while Kagome sat up sleeping, her head lowered. Inu-Yasha decided to walk to the hut so Sango and Miroku could go rest at their hut. He entered slowly, looking around quietly. Kaede was well asleep and Kagome had fallen asleep cradling Nauki. He smiled a little, then walked up to Kagome. He blinked his eyes, then leaned in, rubbing his cheek against hers. Kagome stirred a little. Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around her, pulling her and Nauki towards him. "Shhh," he said softly. He laid his head on hers, drifting off to sleep. Without realizing it, Inu-Yasha had a family. Outside the birds began to chirp as the snow started to drip off of the trees.