Ok, just so you all know, I'm NOT dead…and no, I'm not giving up on the story. But college started for me in August, and between that and work, it's been impossible to write anything. And when I do have the time to write, guess what? Yup, that's right. The BIGGEST case of writer's block I have ever had. My brain just sits there, looking at the blank Word screen going "Duh……" So anyways, here is the next chapter, and I will write more soon, probably sometime within the next week.

And, by the way, it's REALLY short… (Brain still going "duh….")

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha!

Shadows

Chapter 23: The Shortest Chapter I Ever Wrote

Kagura looked down at the forest she presently flew above. Few people, or youkai, were able to view the land from this high up as she was. It was a freeing sensation, to view the world from a far. Now that she was free from Naraku's control, the feeling was even stronger. She no longer had to fear being reabsorbed into her 'master'; she no longer had to fight for him. That too, was a great feeling. But who was it who had freed her? She had seen no face, only the voice of a woman. That voice that seemed to have spoken to her soul, telling her she was free. It had held such wisdom in it, yet sounded so young. She had no clue who it was, but that hadn't stopped her from escaping while it was possible. Perhaps it was all a trick of Naraku's, to have her lead him to his enemies.

Kagura shook her head. No there was no way she would help him any longer. Trick or no trick, he had made the mistake of giving her back her heart, and she would die before she gave it up.

Deep in her thoughts, she failed to notice a spear flying towards her. Quickly ducking, she narrowly escaped it. Glancing down at the ground, she saw one of her many enemies, due to Naraku's control over her. Bringing her feather to the ground, she shrunk it and placed it back into her hair and faced her attacker.

"Kagura, you bitch! What the hell do you want now! Where's Naraku!" Kouga yelled at her fiercely, ready to attack.

*~*~*

"Do you think they can be trusted?" Sango asked her companions around the fire.

"Well, it does not appear that they were lying," Kaede responded as she stoked the fire, "However, caution may be a good course to take."

"It makes sense, about why Naraku didn't absorb them as well…" Miroku pondered as he stared into the fire.

"Kagome's too trusting," Inu Yasha growled angrily and crossed his arms.

Sango sighed and glanced to where Shippo and Souta were playing a card game at the edge of the room. "Maybe they can teach her something useful. We'll just have to keep an eye on them."

*~*~*

"Ok Kagome. First I want to know how far your studying has been." Chii turned to face her, the afternoon sun shining down on their backs.

"Well, I've never been formally trained…I never even really knew until recently." Kagome admitted sheepishly.

Chii nodded, "I figured that, although you seem to have more control over it than other people with more training." She cast her sister a glance, who 'hmphed' in response and looked the other way. "Well, I suppose we'll just start with the basics."

*~*~*

In a forest on the outskirts of the western lands, a woman dressed in a black cloak walked over to a small clearing where a creek ran through. Lowering her hand to the water's surface, she gazed into it seeing an image only she could see. "Soon, all the players will enter the game. Then, it will be done." Withdrawing her hand from the water, the woman disappeared into mist.

Sorry again for the shortness!!!