Sanctuary

Author's note: Hey guys! I revised the story remember? So here's another chapter so that it can make a little bit of sense!

Disclaimer's note: I still dunno why we have to put these considering that fanfiction.net clearly states that we do not own any of these stories and are just people who like to write different 'episodes' because we love it so much…but anyway, I do not own InuYasha. I do not own it! …unfortunately… ^-^ fortunately, Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most talented people around!

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She ran faster as the rain fell harder and the winds grew colder, making the raindrops feel like needles being shoved into her skin. Kagome trembled as she slowly became numb and could no longer feel her knees.

'I must find shelter! I must find-'

Before her vision blurred even more, she found a small hut just a few meters ahead. Without thinking, she rushed on ahead and knocked on the door. She waited before knocking again, only to find the door swinging open. Rushing inside, she found the hut was not lived in, nor was it used, at least for a long time. There was a small collection of wood at the far corner of the tiny hut, as well as a few web covered blankets.

Saying a prayer of thanks to whomever lived here before, she made a fire and stripped her school uniform off and hung them to dry, leaving only her undergarments on.

Taking the blankets and brushing the cobwebs away, she warmed herself up and sat down in front of the fire. ' I wonder how the rest of the gang are doing?'

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Shippou paced impatiently inside the dirty cave. The rain had washed off Kagome's scent and had left nothing to go on. Sango insisted on finding shelter while InuYasha could only growl in defeat.

" When is the rain going to stop?" Shippou whined. " I wanna find Kagome now!"

Sango felt badly for the kit. Shippou had been orphaned and Kagome was the only family that Shippou had. Not even Sango nor Miroku nor even InuYasha was considered family to Shippou. No, to him, Kagome was his adoptive mother, though she had not adopted him in youkai terms… yet.

Miroku was tired and weary. He had a perfect opportunity to grope Sango, but chose not to. The mood was tense and he did not want to add more tension by having an argument with Sango.

" The rain should let up soon." InuYasha stated " It should not be more that a few hours. We can still find her by dusk"

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Kagome stared at the fire and marveled at how it crackled. For some reason, it called to her. As if there was some hidden secret it wanted to share. For a brief moment, Kagome saw herself playing in a field of green, laughing carelessly and running freely. She had stared at the castle that was behind her and the magnificent couple that stood before the castle walls.

Kagome

Her thoughts were cut off by the sound of the wind. The sound of rain had ceased and she could see the sunlight that came through the cracks of the doorway. She checked her uniform and found they had dried nicely. They didn't smell like the softener that she had used but smelled like summer rain.

Carefully, she folded the blanket and placed them on the corner. She quickly dressed and put out the fire. She checked her bearings with the 'trick' her grandpa had taught her about being in the wilderness.

Check to see where the wind is blowing. If its warm, it came from the south, if its cold, it came up north

Kagome licked her index finger and lifted it to feel which way the wind blew. It was warm and soft and was blowing northward. She checked the sun to make sure she was right. Her wristwatch said it was about 2 in the afternoon, so the sun would be where west was. Smiling at herself for her small accomplishment, she went on towards the east, hoping to end up at Kaede-sama's village.

After an hour or so of walking, she noticed a familiar aura coming closer towards her. She was about to panic trying to find some sort of weapon to protect herself with, until she felt who it was.

" Kagome!"

She turned around and smiled. " Kouga-kun!"

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Kouga smiled at his luck. He had gone for a stroll to find rumors about the Shikkon no Tama and bumped into his beloved. Though she was human, Kagome was very… special to him. Somehow, he felt something in her.

" What are you doing here?" she asked.

" I was taking a stroll… what are you doing? And without that mutt no less!" Kouga said.

Kagome chuckled. " We got separated and when it rained, I guess my scent just dissappeared."

Kouga nodded and twitched his tail in thought. " Yes, I guess that would make it harder for that hanyou to find you… Maybe I should walk with you, just in case you get into any trouble!" he offered.

Kagome smiled in appreciation. " I would love that! Considering I forgot my bow and arrows."

Kouga flashed her another simle and they quickly walked westward. For some reason, he felt peaceful and calm around Kagome, unlike his usual worried self. Being the leader of the north-western pack, he was usually worried about the safety of his men, and being the son of Lord Kazutoshi of the North Western Lands.

He looked over to her and gasped inwardly as her hair blew past her shoulders. ' imouto-chan?'

Kouga clenched his hands at his side and tried to control himself from crying. Seeing Kagome walking quietly beside him triggered his memory of his long dead sister, who was presumed dead for almost half a century. 'Why now? Of all the times to remember her… why now?'

Youkai and ningen battle

Kouga held his imouto closer to his chest. His tail wrapped protectively around her. Sounds of battle was so loud it nearly deafened him. The eerie glow of the burning castle shone behind him, and the small camp that they were in was quickly piling up with injured people.

Kouga marveled at his father's form. He had transformed into his youkai form, dazzling people with his arctic wolf-like body. His pure white mane was now caked with mud and blood, and his white tail dragged on the mud as he licked his wounds. He switched back into his ningen form and scanned the area with his bluish gray eyes. His usually snow-white hair was clumped together and his armor was broken. He was favoring his left leg and was clutching his broken arm.

" 'Niichan?"

Kouga looked down at his half sister and saw pure fear in her eyes. His heart twisted in pain and swore to himself that he would make sure that fear would never be in her beautiful blue gray eyes again.

" yes, imouto?"

"Where's mama?"

His blood ran cold. He quickly looked over to the tent just ahead. His little sister's mother, the regal inuyoukai miko who had valiantly protected them both from harm was lying in a small tent unconscious and bleeding. He didn't know what to tell her. Ayame-okaasan, was the one person who took him as her own after his own mother died.

Lady Rei, his biological mother had died of childbirth so many years ago. After Lady Ayame and his father settled in, he was weary of her, and afraid that she would turn out to become mean and unfair. Much to his surprise, Lady Ayame turned out better than he had expected. Like lady Rei, she was truly a gentle woman, and true to her name, was as sweet and lovely as an iris.

"Kouga-kun?"

Kouga snapped out of his reverie and was face to face with a worried Kagome. ' Imouto… What was her name? It had been so long since I said it… I barely remember it anymore'

" Kouga?" Kagome said waving her arms in front of his face. He got another far away look and she decided to take action. Without another word, she pulled his furry brown and white tail causing him to yelp in pain.

" Huh?!" Kouga took his tail and petted it until he barely felt the twinge of pain. " What was that for?"

Kagome giggled and shrugged. " Nothing. Come on! We have to get to Kaede-baba's village before it gets dark! Mom, Souta and Jii-chan might get worried if I don't get home soon!"

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InuYasha stopped walking and sniffed the air. He growled suddenly, causing Kirara

to stop. Sango and Miroku stopped arguing and watched wearily as InuYasha unsheathed the Tetsusaiga.

" InuYasha? What is it?" Shippou asked cautiously.

"SesshoMaru"

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Author's Note: bum bum bum! Oooooo. Lol. Sorry for making it short! And I know that Sesshie didn't come yet… but he will! Don't worry!