CHAPTER ONE

*

"Where's Kaede?" Kagome asked, kneeling by the hearth.

"There was some woman having a baby and Kaede needed to help," Shippo said matter-of-factly. He sipped tea from a cup as big as his face. "How was your test?"

"Not so amazing," Kagome said, as Inuyasha sat down beside her. "But I passed, and that means I don't need to do a makeup test later in the week."

"I think you should just stop school for awhile," Shippo said, nibbling a dumpling. "That way you can travel with us all the time."

"What he said," Inuyasha said gruffly. Miroku simply smiled.

Kagome was saved from replying by the sound of a demon cat roaring in the distance. A moment later, Sango stepped in, with Kirara tripping lightly behind her feet.

"How was your mission?" Miroku asked, crossing his arms. "Did you find any rumors of jewel shards?"

"Not exactly," Sango said, kneeling opposite Kagome. She accepted a bowl of rice, and fed a little to Kirara. The tiny demon-cat purred and curled up in her mistress's lap.

"Whaddaya mean, not exactly?" Inuyasha demanded. "It's a yes-or-no question."

"I mean that there is something strange going on at that mountain," Sango said. "That can't be denied. From the sound of it, the mountain passes are always covered in snow -- even in the middle of summer -- and there are blizzards that cover it and the land around it every single night.

"Some travellers and caravans have tried to beat paths through the snow, to establish routes. But something always happens -- either they have accidents and have to leave, or they simply vanish. Now, no one goes near to that mountain; they call it the Cursed Peak." She took a long sip of tea. "The villages nearby told me that there's a blight on their crops and animals. They blame it on the mountain."

"So what, there's no Shikon shards?" Inuyasha demanded. "I don't see why this concerns us."

"I'm not quite finished," Sango said calmly. "According to the villagers, the trouble started around the time the Shikon jewel was shattered."

*

"I don't see why you need to be back here." Inuyasha said, boosting Kagome out of the well. "You were just here, and now you wanna come back."

Kagome looked back over the edge. "I need warmer clothes if we're going somewhere with snow. It's late summer, for crying out loud -- I can't go sauntering into snow wearing warm-weather stuff. I'll pick up a few things for Sango, Shippo, and Miroku too. Do you need anything?"

"No."

"Nothing?"

"I'm half-demon, remember? I can stand the cold a lot better than you can." Inuyasha jumped out of the well and folded his arms. "Just hurry up."

Kagome spent the next half-hour digging through boxes in the storehouse, pulling various winter items into a bag. It would be at least six months before anybody noticed the clothes were gone, and Sota's old baby jacket would never be missed. She'd slip everything back into its place when she returned. When she returned, Inuyasha was chasing bats around the mini-shrine, apparently out of boredom. "You done? Good," he said, holding out his hand for the bag.

"I brought along some things for you too, just in case you change your mind," Kagome said, holding on to him as they jumped down. "Boots, for one thing. I guessed your size."

"Feh."

"Nice way to say 'thank you.'"

Shippo was sitting on the edge of the well when they materialized at the bottom. "We're ready!" he called down.

"Whatever." Inuyasha handed the bag back to Kagome and lifted her up onto his back.

TO BE CONTINUED