Author's note: Hey everyone! I feel just terrible that my last chapter was so jacked up! I'm sorry! Well, FanFiction.net is being stupid, and won't let me on. Again. It really is quite irritating! Oh well, here comes the afternoon of day three. So here we go!!

Disclaimer: stupid fucking legalities……..I don't own Inuyasha…….

Warning: Um….. Some fluff…..language… and some serious angst!

Dedication: This chapter and all the rest of my story is dedicated to my very best friend FatCat11388. We have been friends for eight years and counting. And as we are about to start sophomore year of high school, I'm glad to have such a loyal and trusting friend by my side. Thanks girl, and let the good times roll!

Three Days Time, Day 3: Afternoon Part 1 Ch. 8: Melting inside of the living maze

** Flashback** Miroku spoke suddenly, startling everyone out of their silence. "She approaches quickly. Three days time is soon up." **End Flashback **

Kagome felt rooted to the spot as the words resonated strangely around the tiny hut. Her heart began to race as thoughts swirled chaotically around in her head. What does he know? Could he know of the challenge? Is Kikyo coming here? But it's not sunset! As Kagome fell to her knees, the scene unfolded rapidly around her. Inuyasha's glaring face snapped up, Shippo dropped the partially melted candy bar he devouring, Kirara leapt into Sango's arms, Kaede gasped and stood quickly, Sango stood also and leapt to Kagome's side, attempting to help her to her feet, and Miroku opened his eyes, lifting his young face to Kagome's stricken one. His violently purple eyes unnerved her, and she allowed Sango's thin hands to pull her up to distract her from his gaze. The motion fell still in the hut, as everyone around Kagome stood like statues.

She felt each of their gazes fall upon her, and her senses came speeding back. Lie you idiot! Quickly! Screamed her mind. Pulling herself away from Sango, she laughed nervously. " What are you talking about Miroku?" She said in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone. Before Miroku could reply, a blur of red and silver swept past Kagome. Grabbing the front of Miroku's black robes, Inuyasha lifted him straight to his feet in one powerfully fluid motion. " You know what's goin' on here monk, don't you!! Tell me right now, or I'll throttle it out of you!" He growled violently. Kagome gasped as Miroku looked straight past him to Kagome, attempting to speak. Kaede cut him off swiftly, saying in an equally powerful voice, " Silence ye self, Sir Monk! Say not another word!" He looked at her, but she stood firm against his gaze. Suddenly, Kagome's mind snapped back to her own situation, and thinking quickly, she knew she had to get Inuyasha away from Miroku. " Let him go, now Inuyasha!" Kagome said, her voice taking on a commanding tone.

He turned to her, still holding Miroku fast. "Feh, why should I wench?" He said insolently. Kagome thought quickly, and came up with the best reply she could. "Because the Ramen's ready, and if you don't let him go, I'll say the "s" word, and you don't get any!" She taunted. God, that was lame, she thought. Turning on her heel, Kagome strode to a corner of the room where Kaede kept her supplies. Picking out six bowls, and a container of delicately carved chopsticks, Kagome strode back to the steaming pot of Ramen on the fire, stirring it a bit more. She began serving the noodles into the thin wooden bowls. Emptying the pot quickly, Kagome's mind was strangely blank. She handed the hot bowls to everyone in the room, and they accepted then with reluctance. Kagome felt her stomach rumble as she picked her own bowl up, she took some chopsticks and began to eat quickly. Her mind focused on the food for now, an occasional question floating across it, coming and going like the steam on the ramen.

She finished, and rose to find that everyone was still eating though almost finished. Inuyasha had indeed let go of Miroku, but was still sitting close to him, throwing nasty looks his way. Shippo was devouring the food sloppily, and Kirara was lapping at the broth, sucking the noodles up quickly. Kaede set down her own bowl, the dull clunk of wood on wood sounding unnaturally loud. Standing up and straightening out her robes, she turned to Kagome. Kagome surveyed her quickly, listening carefully to the words the old Miko was directing at her. "Kagome, take thee self to the meadow, ye know the way well enough now, I trust?" Kagome nodded hesitantly, slightly panicking because she didn't really have any idea where she was going. "Sir monk, bring thine self with me, I must speak privately with thee." Kaede finished. Without any further directions, Kagome trudged outside, her eyes watering as the glaring sun blinded her. She found her bow and arrows, and slung them over her back. Turning to face the forest, Kagome thought ruefully of her previous journeys to the meadow. Which way had she gone now?

" It's obvious you have no idea where you're going. Get on, I'll take you there." Said a curt voice behind her. Turning, she saw Inuyasha standing close to her. How had she not noticed him there? Suddenly smiling, Kagome walked up to him, crawling onto his warm back. " Thanks Inuyasha…." She said uncertainly. He grunted in response, grabbed her legs securely, and with a smooth leap, he flew into the forest. As the foliage passed her by in a blur of color, Kagome closed her eyes and nestled herself closer to him. As her mind quieted, she felt his soft hair brush her face, and his strong heartbeat. It feels right to be here, Kagome thought lazily. As the motion of his muscles slowed down, Kagome opened her eyes reluctantly and gazed around. The devastation of the meadow around her made her feel guilty, but somehow she pushed it aside and felt a warm feeling arise in her. Inuyasha released her legs, and she slid off to the dusty ground. He stood turned around for a minute, but then faced her slowly. Seeing his expression of frustration, Kagome dropped her arrows and walked towards the hanyou in front of her. She put her arms around him, and nestled her face in his robe. It hurt to keep things like this from him, truly it did.

He picked her up easily, and carried her bridal style over to a large tree to sit down. The tree's massive roots spread everywhere, forming a maze of thick vines and wood. Finding a comfortable seat among the confusion of the living maze, Inuyasha sat down, and placed Kagome on his lap. Loving the feel of his strong arms around her, Kagome allowed herself to melt into him. " So, now Miroku knows whatever is going on?" Inuyasha spoke carefully, keeping his voice in check. Kagome felt guilt wash over her at the tone of his voice, and tears began creeping into her eyes. She felt herself begin to sob, and suddenly began to talk. " Inuyasha, I-it's not t-that I don't t-trust you, I don't e-even know how he f-figured it out!" Kagome sputtered into his chest. He growled slightly, and rested his head on top of hers. " Don't cry, I hate it when you cry! It's just so damn frustrating! Everything in this fucking world is telling me that something is going to happen. I just hate feeling powerless to stop it." He confessed, letting anger seep into his voice. Kagome heard these words with a fresh wave of guilt. He tightened his hold on her, and added in a strangely gentle voice, " I can't help but know everything you're feeling. It just doesn't make any damn sense to me." Kagome lifted her head sharply at this remark, and stared into his glowing eyes. So that's why he's been staring at me lately, his demon senses have been reading my emotions.

"Inuyasha, I…..I'm sorry…." Kagome said quietly. He nodded, staring into her steel gray eyes. She nestled herself against his chest again, and allowed herself to doze off in the warmth and safety she felt. One last thought floated across her mind, getting swept away by the gathering darkness. This could be the last time he holds me……

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_ Naraku's POV

Sitting against a smooth, richly polished wooden wall, a young black haired man sat with his eyes closed, as if deep in thought. Long, delicate bamboo blinds fell from the ceiling around him, shading the area in moderate darkness. Small slits of afternoon sunlight crept in through the shades, giving the room an eerie appearance. Outside, a beautiful courtyard stood empty, it's breathtaking flora and fauna swaying gently in the breeze. Naraku sat as silent as the grave, his face stony and resolute. He focused his mind, feeling nothing around his body, but a lush forest around that of another. His soulless form walked inside that of the ever relentless Kikyo as she strode on through Inuyasha's forest, the glittering necklace of diamond shining around her neck He smiled coldly to himself as Kikyo preoccupied herself with her own thoughts, all of which he could hear.

He congratulated himself again on his brilliance, wondering how Kikyo could not have figured out the purpose of the necklace. It was indeed beautiful, a delicate little thing created by Kanna and Kagura together. The power of it allowed him to travel inside of her unnoticed, with not a trace of demonic power to be felt. If necessary, he thought to himself, I will control Kikyo if her reincarnation proves more than she can handle. I will not allow that irritation to continue living. Pulling himself back to his own body easily, Naraku opened his frozen blue eyes. Looking around the darkness, he subconsciously reached back into his shirt to feel his spider shaped burn. The third day is upon me, and soon my quest to be a full demon will have one less obstacle. He thought with happiness. As a bird began to sing shrilly in the courtyard outside, he stood smoothly, and walked into the blinding sunlight, looking into the sky. Only a few more hours to go.

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_ Sango's POV

Sitting on a hill overlooking the busy little village, Sango polished her massive boomerang. (a/n: I really just can't get over how damn big that boomerang is! Hahaha!) The white bone gleamed in the bright sunshine, but she still rubbed it lightly. Her mind was going in million different directions at once, giving her a pounding headache. It spun back to waking up in Miroku's arms, hearing him speaking in strange voices, as if being possessed. Then it fast forwarded to the hut, and Miroku's warning of someone approaching. What in the seven hells was he talking about, three days time? Her eyes looked forward, glazed and unseeing. She didn't even hear the sweet jingling of a golden staff as a familiar figure made his way up the hill. Everything sense in her body, every nerve she felt was screaming out that something was seriously wrong, and that she didn't have the energy to go on. She felt overwhelmed, and tired. Trying to remain strong, Sango wavered a bit, swaying this way and that. She felt like she was going to faint, but ignored it to the breaking point.

As her vision starred over, she continued to think of everything that was going on. She didn't even notice the world go silent, or her body slumping over onto the grass. Falling into darkness, things began to sort themselves out in the blackness of her brain.

**Sango's train of thought**
Kagome is hiding something, something about three days time. And she's obviously training with Kaede, because nothing else could make a person that tired. Inuyasha and Kagome are falling in love. He spends every visible moment pouting over what she's hiding, and Kagome actually admitted her feelings. And someone is approaching us swiftly, but who? ** End thoughts**

As her vision came back into focus, Sango found herself in darkness. She was in the hut outside of the village again, but she was warm and comfortable. Looking around slowly, she wondered how she had gotten here. Her boomerang sat on the floor next to her, shining dully in the dim light of the room. Noticing a long, carved staff laying next to it, her senses returned quickly enough for her to realize the reason for her location. Miroku. "Sango my dear, are you feeling well now?" Said his voice smoothly from behind her. Sango looked back to see herself laying on Miroku's lap, his smiling face looking at her kindly as he sat up against the wall. Blushing slightly, she sat up. Her brain began to race again, realizing so many questions she wanted to ask him. This made her vision swim again, and Sango fell back down again. As the room stopped spinning, she cursed herself for her weakness. She felt the softness of the monk's robes as he slid his arms around her, holding her down. " You really mustn't strain yourself so much, it's a hot day. Please be more careful, I was worried about you." Miroku's voice said easily.

Sango blushed harder, and found herself thinking on his words. He was worried? She began to speak, spilling everything that was flying around her brain. Relaxing back against him, Sango loved how good it felt to tell someone what was troubling her. By the time she was finished, she actually felt sleepy. It was silent for a bit, and Sango lay there, listening to the distant sounds of horses pulling carts, children laughing, and daily life going on as usual. With a sudden movement, Miroku pulled Sango into a sitting position against him. "Sango…I cannot tell you everything that I have come to find out. I must remain silent about the terrible events that will come to pass." He said, sadness dripping from each word he spoke. Sango was shocked at how remorseful he sounded. Looking up at him, she lost herself in his deep eyes of royal purple. " I won't ask you to tell me. I just want to know what I can." Sango said distantly. He smiled sadly at her, and held her tighter. " I feel something terrible is coming. So please, while everything is still normal…..lets stay here a little longer." Sango said, shocking even herself by revealing her true feelings. He looked down at her, and slid a bit down the rough wooden wall, making himself more comfortable. As she closed her eyes, her mind went blank and dark. What was coming could wait, even if just for a moment.

Deep inside of Inuyasha's forest, in a devastated meadow, three people were talking seriously. Training for the last time was about to begin.

Author's note: Okay everyone, this one was a bit sad, with a bit of foreshadowing here and there. Should I do the POV's of Kirara and Shippo? What do you guys think? I'm actually going on vacation ( To Washington D.C.) until next Wednesday, so should I update another time before I go? Let me know what you think! I'm really sorry that the afternoon is split into two sections, but I think the cause of the errors last time was that the chapter was to big. Either that, or the computer hates me and is being evil! (That's what I'm guessing!) Ok, what did everyone think? Was it terrible? Please let me know all of your opinions and comments! Thanks everyone, love ya lots, bye!