Nope, still don't own Inuyasha. Hope you enjoy the next chapter!

The journey to Washi's tribe was quick, and after only ten minutes the group was standing before a sheer cliff. Inuyasha was becoming more anxious by the second, as Kagome struggled for breath. He still did not trust the eagle youkai, and was uncertain as to what interest he had in Kagome.

"Wait one moment," Washi said, and ran a clawed hand over the rock face. The area around his hand pulsed with energy, and an entrance appeared before them.

"Follow me," he said, and entered. Miroku and Sango exchanged a glance with Inuyasha before following.

The entrance simply cleared the way to a trail, which wound its way up and into the mountain. Foliage grew thickly on the trail and fragrant blossoms covered the mountain walls. Inuyasha idly thought of how much Kagome would enjoying seeing the pretty flowers, taking the time to smell them all. Her feverish body shook against the hanyou's chest.

"Here we are," Washi said suddenly, causing Inuyasha to glance up from Kagome's face. They had reached a large valley where a whole community of youkai lived. Massive trees reached toward the sky and homes rested within their branches. A few cottages were on the ground, and winged children could be seen playing. A waterfall cascaded down the far cliff and into a lake, the village's water source. All around them were the mountains, surrounding the village on all sides.

"It's beautiful," Sango breathed, eyes wide with awe. Washi smiled. "This is my home. The cottages on the ground are where you will find the leader of our tribe and our finest healer, Fusae. We have been fighting the snake tribe for some time now, and she possesses the antidote to their poison." Washi talked as he led them down a grassy slope and toward the village.

The group of wingless people began to draw attention as they got closer to the eagle youkai village. Curious eyes peered down at them from the trees above, and a few children came toward them for a closer look.

"Washi, Washi! Who are they?" A little girl with purple eyes and wings ran up to them.

"Not now, little one. Run ahead and tell Fusae that I come with a wounded friend. Ask her to prepare an antidote for snake venom," Washi instructed her. She considered this with wide eyes, then nodded and departed.

A few minutes later they had stopped before the largest of the cottages. A large herb and vegetable garden surrounded it and a cobblestone path lead the way to the door. An elderly woman stood waiting for them. Washi inclined his head in her direction.

If one word could be used to describe her, it would be "gray". Her eyes, wings, and hair were all gray, and her bearing was that of a very ancient person. Her eyes drew the most attention. They were very cold eyes, devoid of emotion. It seemed as if she had lived too many years and while her body lived on, her soul had departed long ago.

"Warrior Washi. Why do you bring strangers to our home?" Fusae asked. Her voice held the tone of one used to giving commands and having them obeyed.

"I was wounded in battle with one of the greater snake demons. It was this one here who defeated the creature, and the woman he holds in his arms was also wounded in the attack. Although it was not their intent to save me, by killing the demon these warriors did so. I ask that in return for my life we heal her," Washi said. His tone was respectful yet just as commanding as that of Fusae's. She stared down at Kagome for a long moment.

"Bring her. And no one else," Fusae said, irritation in her voice. She turned and entered the cottage.

Inuyasha scowled. "Why can't I bring her in?" he demanded.

"She does not like outsiders. I will watch over her for you," Washi said.

Inuyasha's scowl deepened, but he grudgingly agreed and handed Kagome to Washi. The eagle youkai took her carefully and followed Fusae into her home.

3 hours later . . .

Inuyasha sat stewing in the lower branches of an oak tree, his jaw clenched. The others had agreed to go on a tour with a few of the village children while Kagome was being treated. He had stayed behind to wait for when someone would come from the cottage to tell him how she was. His entire body was tense with guilt and worry. He knew he would never forgive himself if Kagome didn't pull through. Only because it was his responsibility to protect her, it wasn't as if he cared. Okay, maybe he did care. Very much so. Hell, he might as well admit that the thought of losing Kagome made him feel as if an arrow had pierced his heart. He found himself almost wishing he had told her how much she means to him. She wasn't just the reincarnation of Kikyo, or a shard detector. Kagome meant much more to him than that. Maybe it was finally time he told her.

"That's it! I don't care what she thinks of outsiders, I'm going in!" Inuyasha growled, springing from the tree branch and landing in the grass below. He made his way to the front door and was about to knock when it opened and he came face-to-face with Kagome.

Relief flooded throughout the hanyou. "You . . . are you okay?" he asked her.

A puzzled expression passed over Kagome's face.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Cliffhanger, sorry! Bwahaha. Please review! I like reviews, I really do! They make me want to keep writing. ~_^