Hearts of Ice
"Inuyasha!"
Ebony hair, a nice scent... Those eyes...
Kikyou...? He shook his head. No! She's dead! Kagome...
"Come on Inuyasha... It's time to go!" The painfully familiar face smiled at him, and then she took off running. Then it cut to an image of Kagome's angry face and then another of Kagome playing with Shippou, laughing with Sango and Miroku, eating dinner with her family, sleeping in her own bed back home.
Inuyasha didn't appreciate this intrusion on an already uneasy slumber. Let me out of this stupid dream! Don't torture me with her when I can't have her!
A flash of light blinded his eyes and a girl fell from the sky...
Damn it! I'll protect you, Kagome! Inuyasha ran at the strange girl, ready to fight her.
--------
"Damn!" Inuyasha woke up in a cold sweat. "Dreams... They're a curse." He sat up on the tree branch that had been his bed, and stared down at a certain beauty who along with her counterpart, tortured his soul. "Damn you, Kikyou," he muttered. I could almost curse you for making me love you! Pent up anger boiled inside him. No matter how much physical resemblance was there, Kagome was not Kikyou. And something inside of him simply refused to let Kikyou go. Kagome needs somebody who can love her the way she deserves... Not somebody who's still hung up over somebody else... Like me. He suddenly looked over at Miroku, and cringed. Just not him! For just a minute, he forced himself to think about Hojo, that guy that Kagome had mentioned from her own time once or twice before. That only made him even more depressed. He knew it was selfish of him to want Kagome to stay solitaire, while he planned to leave with Kikyou someday. But he couldn't help it. It's obvious... I know she likes me... Like that. But how could I do that to her!? If only I could just forget... He shook his head. Ugh... Don't fool yourself. No one can take Kikyou's place. He turned away from Kagome, and walked away to a nearby cliff, crouching down. "Heh... People talk about miracles and prayer... Miracles... Pah! As if any deity would care about me!"
Suddenly, a flash of light blinded him.
"What!?" Inuyasha turned his head up to the sky. What the hell is that!? He saw a blinding light flash above him, and within seconds, he could make out a form falling toward him.
"Shit!" he exclaimed aloud without thinking, and jumped to catch it.
It, which Inuyasha could soon easily see was a small girl, seemed to float right into his arms.
"She's light," he muttered. But she's shining... Then he noticed the girl had pale hair. My dream! He closely studied the creature he held.
Then, the girl opened her eyes. She smiled. "Hello. I'm Suki*. Are you Inuyasha?"
"Gah!" He dropped her, letting her fall to the soft growth of moss below her.
She hit the ground with a soft thump. "Well... That was unexpected!"
"Who- What are you?!"
"Why, don't you know?" Suki stood up, and brushed herself off.
Inuyasha stared at her, speechless. Acting upon instinct, he drew the Testsusaiga.
"Don't!" she cried out, shocked that he would even consider such a thing. "Don't you see? I am like you! I'm a halfling." She grinned.
"Eh?" He looked her over. "White skin, yellow hair... You don't look like any demon I've ever seen!"
"Demon!? That's ridiculous! I am half angel. And the rest of me is human."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Angel...? What's an angel!?"
She frowned, her lips pursing in offense. "You don't know what an angel is!? And you're a demon!? Demons are spawns of hell. I am of heaven. A heavenly maiden. I've been sent to you."
"A holy thing!?" Horror stories he'd heard as a child about holy creatures made him jump back away from her. "Don't touch me! Or I'll turn you into a rotting corpse!"
"Fear not. I cannot harm you."
"Well... Like you could anyway!" Inuyasha made himself look as tall and menacing as was possible. "I'm not afraid of some angel!"
"Hmph..."
Inuyasha sheathed his blade, but his eyes remained suspicious. How are you half angel, or whatever? What's your story?"
"Simple. My mother was an angel sent to aid a mortal man. They fell in love, and, well, I was the result. The Creator is a loving master though, and did not punish her. Instead, It said that I must be cared for in both worlds. I have been raised in heaven as an angel, but now I am sent to walk among humans. I must be careful however, to make sure that I do not make the same mistake my mother did."
Inuyasha sat down. Master? Creator? Rabble about gods no doubt... Worthless. "How did you know my name?"
"Why, I am here to help you! Since time has no meaning in the heavens, I can go to whatever era or physical plane I want. But I cannot return to paradise until I have performed a sort of miracle for someone else. That's difficult for half angels like me, since we don't have all of the benefits that a full angel does. I was assigned to help you. And I can look into your thoughts."
Miracle... Did someone... Really hear me? "My... Thoughts?"
"About... A pretty young girl. Kagome?"
He growled. "Listen! You stay the fuck out of my head"-
She brought a hand to her mouth, astounded at his terrible language. "Please, don't be mean to me! I only want to help you!"
"Well then go away!"
"Well, I can't do that now. I've taken up a mission... I can't leave until I complete it."
"And just what is this mission of yours?" He scowled at her. He couldn't help but notice her ears, which were suspiciously shaped somewhat like that of some demon he'd seen. Sesshoumaru... He has ears somewhat like that too. So did... My father.
"Why, to make sure that if you and your Kagome are really meant to be together, that it comes to pass!"
"You're some... Angel, and you don't get it?! There's someone else involved!"
Suki noticed the look of pain in his eyes, and tried to recall any and everyone else she had seen while looking through his thoughts. That other woman, who held a remarkable resemblance to Kagome... Could she be who he meant? I see a great purity... Love... Power... Betrayal... And now bitter hatred. Kikyou... "Kikyou?"
"Do you know her or something? I dunno, maybe priestesses talk to angels..."
"No... I don't. I just... Know. She died, didn't she?"
He sighed, his countenance fading to misery. "Yeah... But then an ogre brought her back. Now she's just a bunch of mud and ashes. But..." His temper flared. "It's none of your business anyway! I don't want your damned help! So go away!"
"You're the one who called for me!"
"Called for you? What the hell are you talking about? I never called for anyone!"
"Maybe you don't realize it... But you did. Why, with a little extra boost from the master, namely me"-
Inuyasha decided to change the subject. Talking about Kikyou to a stranger made him uncomfortable. "Who is this master you keep spouting about?"
"Why, It is the creator of all things. It created this very world, and... Well... I shouldn't say too much."
"Hmph." Yep. A religion freak. Just as I thought. Inuyasha grimaced. "Alright lady, how do you help me? What do I have to do?"
"What do you want Inuyasha?"
"I want... It to end." He sat down, looking pretty despondent. "I want Kikyou to stop suffering, and move on. I thought about going with her... A part of me wants to, but then I think and... Well... Everything I loved about Kikyou is in Kagome now. But I like Kagome for herself too! But it's easier I guess to keep loving the face you remember, instead of trying to... Take everything and put it on something else."
"You're afraid to let go, I think. Realize this, Inuyasha." Suki sat down next to him. "You wouldn't be abandoning Kikyou. Kikyou's time is over. The dead belong in my world. Letting her go would only be a step in guiding her to where she belongs."
"But I don't want her to go!" Inuyasha's breathing was now heavy with sorrow. "You can't possibly understand how I feel!"
"That's what I'm here for. To help you deal with this. Inuyasha... You should have died that day, too. But the will of the powers that be kept you alive. I think that alone is proof that you and Kikyou simply weren't of one destiny."
"Maybe... It doesn't make it any easier. If only I had trusted her more... Then it never would have happened..."
She looked over at him, overwhelmed with pity. She felt so sorry for people who didn't understand that the life beyond this one was so much better. What did he think Kikyou was going to move onto? An eternal darkness? She realized now what she'd come here for... An exorcism. The dead simply could not walk among the living. And besides... Kagome... He loves her too. That's what's tearing him apart.
"What are you gonna do?"
"Well Inuyasha..." She didn't want to say, "destroy the demoness that Kikyou has become." That would be the very truth of what she intended to do, but that would just translate to Inuyasha as, "I'm going to kill her." No, that wouldn't go over well.
"Magic. That's what you're gonna use. Isn't that what people like you do anyway? What's your magic gonna do, huh?"
"Magic? Ha! I can use a bit of what you call magic, but I don't think that is the answer to your problem."
Inuyasha was greatly confused. What's she here to do anyway? Help Kikyou... That's gotta be it.
Suki brushed some strands of her incredibly long hair behind her ear. "I will be travelling with you Inuyasha. So get used to me."
"You're crazy!" Inuyasha scowled. "You go with me? That's... No!"
"You think Kagome will get jealous?"
"I..." Yeah... She would. She was about to cry when she saw me and Kikyou... The last thing I need is a stupid angel following me around and talking to me all the time like now! I don't want to hurt Kagome anymore... "I don't care what she thinks!"
She laughed. "Well, no worries. You see, once she knows I'm an angel, she'll never, ever believe that you could ever have feelings for me, or me for you."
"I said I don't care!" He seethed with anger. "And she won't know what you are. If I didn't know what an angel was, she won't either. And you're half angel!" Inuyasha felt that she was pretending to be a true holy creature, untainted by human blood, just to give herself airs. Well, I won't let her! Bitch!
"Ah, but you'll be surprised." She smiled. "You should sleep now."
She smiles too much! "What about you? What are you going to do?"
"Why, I'll stand by you."
"I don't plan on sleeping."
"Insomia?"
"I guess, whatever that is."
---------
Inuyasha... Kagome opened an eye.
"I had a dream about you before you came. Was that a result of you poking around in my head? You'd better not do that again or I'll"-
"Did you? Your mind must be stronger then I thought then, if you could foresee my arrival."
Kikyou...? Kagome slowly raised her head, some black strands falling out of the way of her eyes. A girl! She stared at the strange creature, standing with Inuyasha. Such long hair... So pretty. But what is she doing with Inuyasha? Did he say he dreamed of her?
"I thought it was just the imagination of a demented soul, at first. But then you fell out of the sky!"
Kagome couldn't stand it. Another girl? Who is that!?
Suki suddenly looked over in her direction. "Ah. Somebody is awake."
Inuyasha turned his head in Kagome's direction, seeing that her eyes were opened, already looking incredibly pained. "Ka... Kagome! It's not... Really, it's not!" Inuyasha immediately felt ashamed of himself. Why should he explain his doings to her? It's none of her damned business anyways. I can talk to whoever I want!
Kagome, knowing this was her chance to be angry, sat up, glaring at them both. "Well what else am I supposed to think, you carrying on with a strange woman in the middle of the night"-
"Calm, Kagome. It really isn't what you think." Suki stood up.
Kagome couldn't help but notice how short she was.
"My name is Suki. Like Inuyasha, I am a"-
"Half demon?"
"No, no... I am half angel."
"Angel...? An angel!?"
"Correct, though heavenly maiden would be a much better word to describe me. I am not an angel really."
Kagome eyed Suki suspiciously. She herself, being a follower of the Shinto religion, had doubted the existence of these creatures for as long as she could remember. "If you're an angel, where are your wings?"
"I am only half angel. I am not at any such level to be able to"-
"These angel things have wings!?"
Kagome glared at Inuyasha. "Are you meaning to tell me you didn't know what an angel was!?"
He glared right back. "...Of course I did! I know all about them!"
"Please, don't argue because of me. I am only here to help you all, Kagome."
"Wow... Our cause is so important, an angel came to help? Who sent you? The God of the Christians or something? But they're so bigoted!"
"The God of any religion, is the very same God of the Christians. People just tend to interpret Its words differently. Unfortunately, however, people hungry for power twisted the words of Its prophets."
"God? A god sent you? What about this master of yours?"
"My master is known by many names. One of them is God."
"What name might I know him by? He sounds pretty arrogant to me."
"It's not a he."
"Fine. Her!"
"My master has no gender."
"No gender? Right." Inuyasha snorted.
"It's true!"
"How can something have no gender?"
It really isn't that hard to understand."
"How am I supposed to understand anything that's not a man or a woman? How could I worship anything like that!? That's stupid!"
"Don't ever say that again!" Suki was becoming impatient. Why couldn't she have been assigned to a human to assist? Why a half demon? Humans were so much more respectful, and most of them believed in her master.
"Why not? I can say whatever I want!"
"Not against the great creator!"
"What are you gonna do to stop me, wench!?"
"Ahem!"
Suki and Inuyasha both directed their attention to Kagome.
"You should really change your clothes," said Kagome, laughing a little.
"My... Clothes?" Suki looked down.
She wore a white, gown that nicely fitted her torso. The skirt fell down to her ankles, with a long slit up the side, and she wore nothing on her feet.
"Yes. They make it awfully obvious that you're something special. In my era, it would look like a nightgown. You should try and find something else to wear, or we'll attract more attention then we already do."
"To hell with her clothes," snapped Inuyasha. "Now that I know what an angel smells like, if I ever smell another, I'll know what it is."
"Well... I think Kagome is right. My clothes are awfully strange, for this era anyway. But I did think it better than coming here naked."
"Yes, I do like to keep my food in my stomach!" Inuyasha smirked.
Suki's faced flushed. "You're already impossible!"
"Sit!"
Inuyasha, in less than a second, found his face against the ground.
"We need all the help we can get! It's bad enough that you and Kouga fight, but Suki never did anything to you!"
"She's a bitch!" snapped Inuyasha.
Suki sighed.
"Be right back..." Kagome shook her head in frustration, and kneeled down to open her pack. She dug out one of her school uniforms. "See here? You can wear this."
"Okay. I'll go change." Suki was about to just take off her clothes, when Kagome stopped her.
"What are you doing...?"
"I was about to change clothes, like you told me to."
"Suki... It's a custom here on Earth to... Well... Change clothes out of the presence of other people."
Suki sighed, remembering again that humans seemed to have a taboo against letting others see their naked bodies. She herself didn't see what was so terrible. However... As humans say... When in Rome, do as the Romans do... She nodded and ran behind a nearby rock.
"You're too short. It'll look terrible on you!"
Suki was getting tired of Inuyasha's mouth. She was tempted to say something mean, and then scolded herself. He is half demon after all...
Kagome and Inuyasha noticed, once Suki came out, that she resembled a little girl dressing up in her older sister's clothes.
"I just thought of something else," mumbled Inuyasha. "Your hair. How many yellow haired people do you see around here?"
"Well, if it's a matter of that, maybe I should have just kept my dress."
"An angel is a demon's opposite, right?"
So much for him knowing all about angels... Kagome smiled a little. Inuyasha...
"Yes, that's true."
"I may be willing to travel with you, but if any other youkai saw you, Naraku for example... They'd want to get rid of you as soon as possible. I don't think he'd like angels very much."
"Oh my... I never thought of it that way." Naraku... That entity that plagues them?
"You don't seem to think at all! Angel my ass... You're a ditz!"
She ignored that. "Hmm... Is Naraku that demon I heard you think of? The one who eternally separated you and your Kikyou?"
His Kikyou, Kagome thought bitterly.
"If you haven't noticed, we're not separated," said Inuyasha, glancing at Kagome.
"Ah... I see. An incarnation." She tried to keep her shock concealed. I should have known. So it's not a matter of taking Kikyou back to the Stairs... It's a matter of putting her back inside Kagome? That'll be harder...
Kagome resisted the urge to argue her undying belief that she was not Kikyou.
"Yeah..." Inuyasha quietly sighed.
"Are you coming with us?"
"Why, of course. Now, what exactly are we doing?"
"We're searching for the shards to the shikon no tama. Jewel of four souls."
"And this Naraku? Is he also seeking the shards?"
"You're awfully dense. Every demon in this realm and all others wants those shards. But I'm better then them all at finding, and taking them."
"Why, aren't you proud?"
"And I have a good damned right to be. I've gone through a lot to get the shards we do have. I'd do it again, if I had to. Then I can finally be a full demon."
"Oh..." Suki tried to hide her surprise that he would wish this.
"Suki... In the future, does the shikon jewel still exist?" Kagome looked hopeful.
"I have never even heard of a shikon no tama." I will do the best I can to help you however. My power as a half angel is not that of a holy born." She suddenly looked eastward. "The sun is rising."
"Wow. You're really quick," Inuyasha scoffed.
"My point was, shouldn't we be off soon?"
"Well, now that it's daylight, I'm definitely not sleeping. Too many demons in this realm that want the shards... I don't put any of them above attacking a guy while he's asleep. Kagome, wake Miroku and Shippou up. Sango won't get up until the light covers the ground. And make sure Miroku stays a respectable distance away from Suki, if you know what I mean."
"Right." Kagome went to wake Miroku, but to her surprise, he was not in his sleeping bag. "Inuyasha, Miroku's gone!"
"What!? Did he run away again!? Why that"-
"Lady angel!"
"Huh!?"
A rather handsome man with a short black ponytail knelt at her feet. "Lady angel... It is an honor. Allow me to kiss your hand!"
"So that's where you went!" Inuyasha leapt between Suki and Miroku. "Lech!" Inuyasha kicked Miroku down onto his side. "Kagome, I thought I told you to keep him away from her!" If that thing's gonna help me, I'm not gonna have Miroku making it difficult!
Miroku sighed, getting himself back up. "I heard it all, Inuyasha. I know what she is. I will be so honored to have an angel for company."
"I am only half angel, but thank you for being so kind."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. Oh no... Don't tell me that she's actually charmed by that load of horse shit!
'And what is your name?"
"My name is Miroku. I am a monk, serving the great Buddha. I hope to serve you, as well, my lady.
"Ah, he is such a sweet man. How nice to meet you!"
Miroku beamed proudly.
Suki frowned. "Why did you kick him Inuyasha?"
"Keh! You're no better than Kagome!" He remembered the time that Kagome stood there and drank in all of the pretty things Kouga poured down her throat. Is that what she wants? What does she think I am? A woman!? I don't have time to write poetry... Inuyasha stomped off to wake Shippou.
"Don't mind him." Miroku climbed to his feet. "He may act rudely at times, but he is truly a good man at heart."
"Oh, I know that. Don't worry!"
"Inuyasha, who's that?" A small boy with a ponytail and the legs and tail of a fox clung to Inuyasha's hair, obviously still tired.
"Get off of me, runt!" Inuyasha swatted Shippou away.
The poor fox demon managed to land on his feet. He stared at Suki for a minute before a sniff at the air made realization strike. "Wow... You things really exist!"
Suki couldn't help but stare back. Fox feet? And a tail? "Why, who's this little fellow?"
"I'm Shippou. A fox demon. Is it true that you're an angel?"
"Only half." Obviously, an angel hasn't appeared here in quite some time. Or else there would be no fuss."
Inuyasha looked at Shippou strangely. "You know about these things?"
"Of course I do! My pa told me all about them!"
Inuyasha growled, muttered a few words under his breath, and clenched his fist. "Wake Sango up. We're leaving."
Shippou hopped off of Inuyasha's shoulder, and bounced over to where a pretty young girl, and a cat like creature slept. "Sango! Wake up! Inuyasha says it's time to go!"
"'Aight, 'aight..." The girl sat up, and rubbed her eyes. "Kirara..." She patted the small animal on the head. "Get up."
"Your name is Sango?" asked Suki. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Suki."
Sango raised an eyebrow. "Inuyasha... Who's that?"
"She's Suki. She's an angel, and she's joining us."
"Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer," Sango murmured. She figured it best to say nothing more.
"So, what do we do today?"
"We go after more shards. Or weren't you listening at all?" What was I thinking last night? She could very well have been a demon in disguise.
Unbeknownst to Inuyasha, Suki could hear his thoughts. Oh Inuyasha... I'll do my best to help you... She thought longingly of her home. So that I can return to heaven.
"So... Where to first?"
"Wherever Kagome senses jewel shards at. That could be anywhere."
"Strange..." Suki closed her eyes. "You... Sense them?"
"Yes I do," said Kagome. "And if they're already inside a demon, I can see where, so that we know where to take it from."
"What does it feel like... To sense them?"
"As if... Something's drawing me near. It's a very distracting awareness."
"I feel it too, Kagome. Is it possible that I can sense the shards too?"
Inuyasha slapped his forehead. "Of course. The pure can sense the shards. It makes sense. You're an angel while she's the incarnation of a priestess."
"It's this way," said Kagome, pointing east.
"No... It can't be. I'm sure it's this way." Suki looked to the north.
"There appear to be two shards nearby, Inuyasha."
"I think Miroku's right." Kagome nodded. "There are two."
"Which one is closer?" asked Inuyasha.
"Both seem to be a pretty equal distance away... Maybe a mile's difference. I have an idea. We don't want to go too far away from either of them. Maybe we can split up into two parties, and"-
"I will accompany her," said Miroku, moving close to Suki.
"Split up!? Are you crazy?" Sango stared at Suki.
"Come on... It can't be that bad," said Kagome. "You and I and Shippou can go get the shard in the east. Sango and Miroku can go to the north with Suki."
"Eh..." Inuyasha shrugged. "Think you can bear your own, Suki? Miroku and Sango will be too busy fighting to take care of you."
"...Of course I can!"
"Then I guess it's alright. You'd just get in my way anyway."
"We'll meet again here, okay?" Kagome could tell Suki didn't appreciate Inuyasha's constant rudeness, and was trying to keep him from saying anything more.
"Sure. We'll see you guys later. Two new shards!" Inuyasha walked off happily.
"Hey, wait for us!" Shippou and Kagome ran after him.
"Well... We should get going, before whatever demon has it leaves."
Sango nodded to Kirara, who reverted to her true form.
Suki stepped back. "Oh my!"
"Don't be scared," said Sango. "She's a little leery of you, but it's okay. We're going to ride her."
"Ride her?"
"She's my my partner. Don't worry. Here." Sango hopped onto Sango's back. "See? Miroku, help her."
Miroku eagerly helped Suki climb onto the cat demon, and then got on himself.
"You can hold onto me if you want to. And if you're afraid of heights, don't look down. Tell Kirara where to go. Fly Kirara!"
Suki latched onto Sango as they took off into the air. She had never flown before, and it was horrifying. With all she knew about physics and the laws of nature, the thought of falling off and her fragile human body being broken to pieces would not go away. "I'm scared!"
"I won't let you fall, lady angel." Miroku didn't dare touch her however, the teachings of his priesthood freezing his usually groping hands into a state of respect.
"Where do we go?" Sango couldn't help but be a little suspicious of Suki. I don't care if she is half angel. I know the look of a fighter when I see one, and this girl knows nothing about it!
"That way!" Suki pointed.
"You heard her Kirara. Let's go!"
They flew for a few minutes, before Suki spoke up again.
"Over there. Land."
Kirara landed in the indicated spot, and took on a defensive stance.
"In that grove of trees... I sense a shard. But..." Suki took on a confused expression.
"What's wrong?" asked Miroku.
"It's Inuyasha. He's in there. The life signal I'm getting is Inuyasha's."
"Life signal...? Right... Are there anymore life signals? Say that of the others?"
"No. Kagome and the little demon aren't with him."
"That's strange... Maybe he made them stay behind. Inuyasha can travel faster then Kirara... Kagome's never been wrong..."
"Maybe for once, the shard was just lying around, and there was no need for a battle."
"Inuyasha would have gotten our attention somehow... This doesn't feel right." Sango shook her head. "Let's go back and look for the others."
"Well, if you want. You two go back for Kagome and... Shippou, was it? I'll go to Inuyasha."
"Leave you here alone?! No. We can't do that." Miroku frowned.
"You're only going back to look for Kagome and Shippou, right? I'll be fine. Inuyasha seems to have already gotten the shard."
She seems so confident that it's Inuyasha... Well, if she's wrong, we'll see how well she can fight. "She's right, Miroku. We'll be right back, anyhow." His constant fussing over Suki was beginning to annoy Sango.
"Hmm... Well, if you're sure, lady." Though I don't foresee any good coming from this... But surely somebody with holy blood cannot be wrong.
She nodded. "It's Inuyasha. I'm positive."
Sango and Miroku got back onto Kirara.
"We'll be right back. Tell Inuyasha to wait for us!"
Suki watched as they flew away, and then proceeded to make her way to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha!" she called. "Do you have it already?" She felt herself pass through something that felt like thick molasses. "What... Is this? Inuyasha!"
Something hit her head.
The last thing she saw was white hair before she lost consciousness.
--------
"Kagome! Shippou!"
"Huh!? What do you want those two for? I'm the one with our new shard!" Inuyasha proudly held a small piece of crystal in inbetween his thumb and forefinger.
A smoking corpse of what used to be a demon lay at Inuyasha's feet.
"He wasn't too difficult... With the Testsusaiga, it was nothing."
Kagome jumped out of the tree that Inuyasha had insisted she shelter in.
Shippou jumped out from behind Inuyasha. "Do you guys have the other shard already? Where's the angel thing?"
"...Well... We left her back there because she told us that she sensed that you Inuyasha was there too. She sent us back to get Kagome and Shippou."
"Well monk, as you can see, I'm not there either."
Sango yawned. "She probably wants to prove herself to us by getting a shard of her very own."
"Or maybe... She's a demon in disguise," suggested Inuyasha. I'll take her on!
"No way," said Shippou. "A demon can't take on the scent of something holy. Remember that fake water god Inuyasha? Even with that holy halberd, he smelled of demon."
"Well, if she truly is something holy, perhaps we should humor her. Let her get the shard. It'll save us some trouble."
"No..." Kagome bit her lip. "I don't feel good about leaving her there. We should go help her."
Inuyasha muttered to himself.
"I think she's right, Inuyasha... Holy thing or not, handling a demon with a shard isn't easy unless you know what you're doing."
Inuyasha sighed in frustration, not feeling like an argument of morals. "Fine. We'll go and get the stupid angel. Come on Kagome, on my back... You guys take Kirara. Do you remember where you left her?"
"You bet." Sango climbed onto Kirara.
Kagome complied, and got onto Inuyasha's back. "You sure you don't want Shippou to ride with us, Sango? It might be a little too much for Kirara."
Kirara snorted, feeling a little resentment at the thought that anything could be too much for her.
"No... We'll be alright. Come on, let's go! Hurry up monk!"
Miroku sighed as he got on behind Sango. "Yes, yes..."
On the way, Kagome couldn't help wanting to talk to Inuyasha.
"Do you really think she's here to help us Inuyasha? I mean... You're a half demon wanting the shards for power like anyone else. Why would she want to help you specifically?"
"How should I know?" Inuyasha asked, though his rhetorical question was also a lie. Of course he wasn't about to tell her that Suki was here to help Kikyou. At least, that's how he had interpreted Suki's words.
"It just seems a little strange to me..."
"Just let it alone. Hey Sango! Are we almost there!?"
"Yes, Inuyasha, in a little bit."
She's gonna get it after this is all over... Stupid egotistical angel...
Soon, they were back by the same grove of trees they had left Suki at.
"Well... Where is she?"
"We'll have to go in and look for her. I saw her enter the woods as we were leaving."
"Well, if it means I'll get a shard..." Inuyasha grinned and started in.
"I wanna go in first!" Shippou bravely ran up to the forest. He was subsequently thrown back by an invisible barrier.
"...A magic barrier. Oh shit..." Inuyasha sighed angrily. Did she make this, in case we figured out her plan?
"I know what you're thinking Inuyasha..." Kagome thought for a minute. "And whether she or someone else made it, we'll have to break the barrier if we want that shard."
"Monk... Can you dispel the barrier?" asked Sango.
"Hmm..." Miroku looked at the entrance to the forest, as if studying the unseeable wall. "I wouldn't be surprised if she made it. This is high grade magic. I could break it... Possibly... But I'll need time."
"We don't have time Miroku!" snapped Inuyasha.
"Being late is better then not getting there at all. Have patience, Inuyasha." Miroku sat down, and abruptly slipped into a state of meditation.
"Great... We're stuck here for who knows how long, while angel bitch in there makes off with our shard!"
"Inuyasha, what would she want with the shard? If she's really half angel, then all she would do is purify it, right? She wouldn't be able to use it." Sango frowned. "It'd be pointless for her to take it."
"Unless she's doing what Kikyou tried to do... And completely purify it so that it will vanish forever."
"But didn't she say that she didn't know what the shikon no tama was!?"
Kagome sighed. "We shouldn't argue. We might be here a long time... So let's just relax."
-------
*Although Suki is clearly not Japanese, I named her Suki because I named her in memory of my pet mouse who died.