Chapter Two

The Half-demon,

Inuyasha

She ran into the forest, zigzagging off of the path and out of the way of the trees. She ran until she reached the river, then called out again without receiving a reply. Kikyou knelt next to the stream and proceeded to take a small drink but just as the water touched her lips the bush behind her rustled.

"Who goes there?" Kikyou stated, turning around.

There was a strange, tense silence. Kikyou slowly took a step backward to give her an advantage if she needed to retreat. She edged her hand to the bow and began to slowly slide it from its perch around her right shoulder. The bushes moved again, Kikyou bent her knees in preparation.

Suddenly, a black blur, much like a shadow, zipped out from the brush and charged straight at Kikyou. Kikyou tried to jump back but landed in the river and tumbled over a row of river rocks with a loud splash. The black blur darted into the air to reveal that its true identity was a Carrion crow. The creature let out a loud squawk then dove. Kikyou quickly turned her bow around and knocked an arrow, pulling it taught. The crow drew ever closer until Kikyou released her hold on the string and let the arrow fly.

It hit, the crow screeched and slid its sharp beak into Kikyou's gi, snatching the Shikon no Tama from around her neck. The bird took off, squawking excitedly with the Shikon no Tama tightly clenched in its black beak. Kikyou drew another arrow and slipped along the riverbed as she attempted to aim. The bird was gaining more and more altitude when a red blur dashed out from Kikyou's right, up a tree, then into the air as if propelled from a catapult.

Kikyou watched as the red blur flew into the air and proceeded to attack the Carrion crow. Black feathers rained down unto Kikyou and the river. Kikyou watched in confusion as the two blurs continued to battle it out above her. She raised her bow, arrow knocked and held taut, and attempted to aim. Unfortunately, the figures were moving too quickly to make out a single form. Finally, out of pure frustration, she fired slightly to the right of the blurred fighters, forcing them apart.

The red figure dashed down to the right, landing amongst the many leaf covered branches and vanished. The Carrion crow fell to the left then let out a screech, catching its second wind and pulling itself up into the sky. Kikyou scanned the bird for the jewel. Just as she was loosing all hope, a glimmer of pink caught her attention.

"I am afraid that the jewel is not meant to be used by the likes of you or your kind," Kikyou stated coldly, firing an arrow at the bird.

The arrow hit its target, piercing straight through the crow's head. The Shikon no Tama fell from the creature's beak. The glimmering jewel hit the forest floor with a small thud, bouncing slightly before it rolled into the grass. Kikyou made haste toward the jewel, her hand merely inches from it. Suddenly, the jewel vanished.

She stood up and looked around, listening for any sign of movement. A strong rustle to the left sent Kikyou darting through the trees and away from the trail. She stopped. The rustling had ceased. Kikyou stood, slowly reaching for an arrow and carefully knocking it, keeping her index and middle fingers tightly holding the string against her thumb. Suddenly, the bushes exploded with a red and white blur. Kikyou spun around, arrow up, a pink aura gleaming around the tip.

Time slowed, Kikyou's eyes widened when she saw what she facing. It was a boy wearing a flaming red gi, long, silvery white hair, and wild, golden eyes. In her shock, her fingers released the hold on the arrow. The arrow lit the forest with the shimmering pink aura that covered the arrow. It hit, pinning the boy's sleeve to one of the trees. The boy was jerked back, slamming into the trunk of the tree with a loud thud. He dropped the jewel and went into a frenzy to free himself and acquire the jewel.

Kikyou walked over and picked up the jewel, then gazed at the strange boy. Since it was night, she could not make out any major detail in his figure.

"Who are you?" Kikyou asked calmly.

"Hmph!" the boy replied, lifting his head.

"I see. You are not human and, because of this, I am afraid that you are not to live near the village." Kikyou backed away, putting the Shikon no Tama back around her neck. "Fare thee well, young demon."

She knocked another arrow and drew the string back. She took sharp aim at the demon's heart when a familiar voice echoed on the breeze.

"Sister Kikyou! Sister, come home, please!"

Kikyou relaxed her hold and replaced her arrow within the quiver. She looked back at the demon.

The demon spat.

"Stupid wench…"

Kikyou did not reply. She merely shook her head and walked off. A loud rustle from behind told Kikyou that she had not seen the last of that golden-eyed demon.

Kaede came bounding toward her sister as she neared the village. Kikyou happily embraced her little sister.

"Kaede, where were you?" Kikyou asked calmly.

"I went into the forest to find the demon…I wish to be like you, sister Kikyou."

Kikyou gave her sister a smile, then lead her back toward the shrine. She looked back toward the forest and narrowed her eyes in an attempt to see in the dark. Kaede looked at her sister but said nothing. Kikyou stared at the darkness, then continued to the shrine, unaware that she was to be closely observed.