Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the songs I use as titles.

Premonition

by Vernie

Chapter 1 – Indifference

Miroku had leaned himself against the trunk of a nearby tree for the better part of the night, sitting watchfully. He hadn't taken his eyes of Kagome's small figure, which lay across from him, since he had awakened from his nightmare. Miroku sighed and took a deep breath of the cool, crisp late fall air. He could feel a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach—dread. He knew he should tell Inuyasha about his dream, and that was exactly what he would do. He sat quietly as the sun rose, bringing light and warmth to the area surrounding him.

Miroku looked up at the hanyou, who was currently fast asleep. "Inuyasha," Miroku called his name from beneath the branch of the large tree, on which the dog demon lay resting. Inuyasha's head leaned against the base of the tree, as his arms remained crossed over his chest. He was no doubt dreaming, as Miroku noticed his ears twitching. After a couple of seconds, Inuyasha's eyes snapped open.

"What do you want?" he asked, stretching his arms above his head.

Miroku gripped his staff nervously, studying a couple of bright orange leaves that drifted from the tree's branches. "It's imperative that I speak to you right away."

The monk heard the hanyou grunt as he jumped from his branch in the tree onto the spot before him, as he now found himself face to face with the glaring dog demon.

"What is it?"

Miroku gave Inuyasha a look of uncertainty, as his eyes saddened. "There is something that concerns me, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha stood impatiently, frowning as Miroku searched for the right words to say. "Well?" the disgruntled hanyou finally asked.

"I had a dream last night—one I cannot forget. The events of my dream kept my mind wandering all night," he paused to look over to Kagome, who was now awake and was rolling up her sleeping bag. "It was about Kagome."

"What!" Inuyasha scowled. "Alright monk, what's your death wish?" he asked, popping his knuckles, as if preparing for a fist fight.

Miroku gave the hanyou a look of pure confusion. 'Oh.' "No Inuyasha. My dream was not a pleasant one by any means, for in it, Kagome's welfare took a turn for the worse." Miroku went on to explain the events of his disturbing dream as Inuyasha listened carefully, his face expressionless. "Now I feel that this dream was a forewarning of some sort. I also think that it would be best if we return to Kaede's village and remain there, perhaps for a few wee-"

Inuyasha grunted. "You have some stupid dream and you want to give up the shard hunt just because of it?"

Miroku stood, appalled. "Inuyasha, must I remind you again of the troubling events of this dream? You most certainly would not allow this most regrettable fate upon Kagome."

"Feh. Kagome doesn't need to worry; she has me to protect her, remember?" Inuyasha replied in a most arrogant manner. "Besides, it's just a stupid dream. Doesn't mean anything."

Miroku noticed that Kagome had already quickly approached them. "What are you guys talking about?"

Miroku glanced at her uncomfortably, as he shook his head.

"You're talking about me, I knew it!"

Miroku sighed.

"What was he saying about me, Miroku?" the girl asked, giving the hanyou at her side a detestable look.

"ME?" Inuyasha exclaimed. "He was the one talking about you, not me! It was his stupid dream, not mine."

Kagome glanced at Miroku curiously. "Dream?"

Miroku nodded. He had intentionally planned to keep the dream a secret from Kagome, at least for awhile, afraid that it might frighten the young girl. However, it seemed now that he would be forced to confess the terrifying omen to her.

"Yes Kagome. I am afraid so."

"About me?" The girl glanced at him as her eyes narrowed. "What happened in this dream?" she asked apprehensively, crossing her arms.

'Now why do they keep getting the wrong idea?' Miroku thought to himself. "You see, in this dream, you are attacked by a demon. And at the end you…well…you depart from this life."

"I die?"

Miroku nodded.

"Why me?" she asked. "What did I ever do to you?"

Miroku glanced uncomfortably at the girl. "Kagome, I have no say in what I dream. Besides, I'm afraid you don't quite understand what I am trying to tell you. I believe this dream is a foretelling. I fear that I may have prophesized your, well…your demise."

Kagome, who should have been scared out of her wits by this time, smiled brightly. "Oh Miroku! That's so sweet, but it was just a bad dream. If you're having trouble with dreams disturbing your sleep, maybe I can help. When I was small my mom used to sit next to my bed after I had a nightmare until I fell asleep." The young girl's face brightened. "Hmm…or even read a book! Matter of fact, I have some in my backpack," she replied skipping towards the large yellow backpack, which sat on the ground, and digging through its contents as the young kitsune beside her watched curiously.

Miroku frowned. 'Bedtime stories?'

Inuyasha laughed hysterically, bending over slightly as he held his stomach. "I told you it was stupid, monk."

Miroku sighed. As much as he liked the idea of Kagome comforting him at his bedside and tucking him in (with, perhaps, a good night kiss), she was not taking the situation as seriously as he would have liked.

"What is stupid?" Sango asked as she approached the two. Her worn blanket was folded neatly and clutched beneath her arm while Kirara followed closely behind at her heels.

"Miroku had a bad dream. Now he's certain it was a sign that we're all gonna die," the hanyou snickered.

Miroku glared at Inuyasha. "Not everyone, just Kagome," he muttered.

Sango looked uncomfortably at him. "You dreamt this? How did Kagome take it?"

Miroku glanced over his shoulder to see Kagome pulling one of Shippo's favorite bedtime stories out of her backpack as a large grin spread across her face. "Ooh, Tikki Tikki Tembo!"

"I see," Sango replied. "Well, in any event, it is just a dream, Miroku. I wouldn't worry too much about it."

Miroku sighed. He had had the most frightening dream of his entire life, one that threatened Kagome's very existence, and no one took him seriously. It was exactly what had happened in his dream now that he thought about it. He had been apprehensive about the strange evil energy, warning Inuyasha, who in return showed little concern. But in his dream, he gave up trying to convince the hanyou. Now, he would not allow himself to do that, knowing that his lack of concern might have well been the cause of Kagome's death in his nightmare. He became certain that the dream would become reality if he reacted in the same manner now. If he didn't do something, what would become of Kagome? He certainly didn't want to find out.

~*~*~

The group had packed up their things and begun the travel back to Kaede's village. Despite Miroku's alarming premonition, his traveling companions seemed quit chipper. Sango was perched on Kirara's back, grinning happily as Kagome, who sat behind her on the fire cat, was holding a friendly conversation with Shippo as the two admired the colorful fall leaves.

Kagome grinned happily. "In my time, after the leaves would turn and fall from the trees, my grandpa would rake them up into a huge pile. Then my little brother, Souta, and I would jump inside!" Shippo giggled as she tickled at his tiny body.

Kagome smiled. "Once, when I was five, I hid in the pile until dusk, and my mother couldn't find me anywhere. She ended up calling the cops because she thought I ran away." She laughed. "I freaked her out so bad."

Miroku frowned. He didn't know what 'cops' were, and he found himself not really caring. He had his mind on other things, as he studied their surroundings carefully. 'What was that?' he though to himself, gripping his staff and preparing to attack whatever creature may be stalking them. Moments later a small bird flew from a nearby bush. He breathed a small sigh of relief.

Inuyasha scowled. "Why would you pile leaves up anyways? What's the purpose?"

Kagome frowned. "You wouldn't understand anyways, Inuyasha. You don't know how to have fun."

"Yeah," Shippo piped in.

"Feh."

"Good comeback," Shippo replied sarcastically, putting his tiny hands on his hips and sticking out his tongue. Inuyasha glared at the small kitsune and raised his fist threateningly; however, he brought it down as Kagome shot him a hostile look.

They had finally entered the village to find Kaede gathering medicinal herbs within her garden. The old woman put her hand on her back, standing up slowly as she dusted her palms off on her clothing. Miroku decided she looked tired—like she hadn't slept well the previous night. "Ye are back already," she replied with a kind smile, as she picked up the basket of herbs.

Kagome nodded. "It didn't take us long at all to get the shard."

"Come inside, I have news for ye." Kaede smiled as she urged the group into her small hut.

Miroku, Sango, and Kagome took a seat on the floor and Kaede looked to her cooking fire as she began to prepare tea for the four traveling companions. Inuyasha lay on the floor, propping his head up with one hand and stroking the small fire cat at his side with the other.

"I have been told of a shard rumor, far away in the Gatsusobishi Forest," the old woman said, adding the tea leaves to the boiling pot.

Inuyasha looked up curiously from his position on the floor. "Gatsusobishi Forest?"

Kaede nodded. "I have been told by several injured travelers, whom I treated just yesterday, that a demon there possesses three shards of the Shikon jewel."

"Three?" Sango asked.

"Aye. But there is one catch. This demon is…it is not usual. The travelers who said to have come across this demon were injured. One of their companions did not make it back. He was mauled."

Miroku's jaw dropped as he could feel his heart begin to race. Three shards? Peculiar demon? Injured travelers? One mauled? He looked to Inuyasha, who glanced back looking a little puzzled himself.

"Lady Kaede," Miroku replied, "tell me, what kind of demon was this?"

Kaede frowned. "A bear demon. One of the men suffered from grave injuries. He was barely even able to stand."

Miroku sat thoughtfully as he brought his hand up to rub the back of his neck. "Inuyasha, does this not sound familiar to you?"

The hanyou shrugged. "Not really. She said it was a bear, not a cat."

Kaede looked towards Inuyasha inquisitively.

"Miroku had a dream that Kagome was attacked and killed by some giant cat demon," he explained in an annoyed tone. "Now he thinks it might come true. Idiot."

The old miko's face softened. "Inuyasha, it would be wise for ye to take such a dream seriously. It just might mean something."

"But, it was just a dream, Kaede," Kagome whimpered, "I have them all the time. That doesn't mean it's on omen or whatever. Besides, Inuyasha is with me. No one can hurt me with him there."

"Ye must not ignore such a sign, child," Kaede replied, glancing towards a hopeful Miroku. "It is rare to have such visions, but the situation is a strange one."

Kagome sighed as she looked down at the young kitsune on her lap.

"Kagome, you're not gonna die are you?" Shippo whined as he buried his face into the girl's chest. Miroku watched jealously. "I don't want you to die!" Kagome smiled, patting the young kitsune's head reassuringly.

"No Shippo," the girl answered him. "Miroku's nightmare means nothing. His dream is no more credible as his palm readings."

Miroku frowned, taking that particular comment personally, although knowing for a fact it to be true. "Inuyasha, if you do not allow Kagome to stay in the village, I will be forced to leave the group and will finish the quest on my own."

The hanyou smirked, sitting up and crossing his arms. "Is that supposed to be a threat, Miroku? Because if it is, I don't care. Leave if you want. No one's making you stay anyways."

Sango smiled softly. "Inuyasha, maybe we should listen to him. He seems sincere about the whole thing. Like Kaede said, it is an odd situation with a lot of coincidences. We need to watch out for Kagome's safety."

"Finally, a voice of reason," Miroku replied, giving Sango a grateful look. Perhaps a little too grateful, as she shot him a glare.

"But you can't find the shards without me!" Kagome exclaimed in protest.

"She's right," Inuyasha agreed. "At least not easily."

Miroku frowned. "In my dream, Inuyasha was not able to protect you, Kagome. And I fear that he will not if this situation arises during our journey. Please Kagome; agree to stay in the village. Inuyasha and Sango can go after the shards and I will stay here and protect you."

Kagome shook her head at the idea of staying with Miroku as Inuyasha and Sango set out on the shard quest without her. She looked up at Kaede, who had placed her old, wrinkled hand on the young girl's shoulder. The old woman smiled warmly.

"I think it would be best for ye, child."

Kagome sighed in defeat. "If you insist," she replied unenthusiastically.

Miroku smiled. "Trust me, Kagome. It is in your best interest."

Kagome frowned at the monk, as she could have sworn he had just waggled his large eyebrows at her. 'Just great,' she thought to herself.

To be continued…