DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

Twenty-six Days

Chapter 8

The next day they came to a village. Its modest huts and friendly villagers made the group feel more relaxed since the past two day's events. The village was known for its extremely large herb garden, and for good reason.

"Wow." Kagome muttered at the site of the garden.

"Are you a priestess?" Kalypso asked.

"Uh-no I just like herbs and their uses."

He dug through the pack he carried, and pulled out a large book. "Here, I hope it brings you joy. Now it is time for my departure."

"Why? You just got here."

"I am traveling west and you are not. It is that simple." He picked up his bag and left.

A few feet away Inuyasha fixed his most menacing look at Kalypso. Shippou, who was on his back, saw the look on his face and said, "Why do you care is Kalypso is talking to Kagome? I thought you loved Kikyo."

"Kikyo?" Ringhali asked.

Sango quickly whispered, "Shhhhhh! I'll explain later."

Inuyasha growled, "Its not about Kikyo! It just that Kagome shouldn't be talking to other demons!"

"You are a little hypocritical." Ringhali muttered. Inuyasha gave her a piercing stare that chilled her to the bone.

Just then Kagome walked back to the group carrying the book Kalypso had given her, idly reading the pages.

"What's that?" Shippou asked leaping to her shoulder.

"Uh-a book about herbs, Kalypso gave it to me before he left." She read the spine aloud, "Medicinal uses for Herbs. I'm going to sit here and read for a while if we are going to stay here."

"We are staying here, and old woman has let us use a hut that her son once inhabited. She is glad for the company." Miroku looked pained and Kagome was sure it wasn't for the old woman. With an abrupt change in attitude he winked at a group of girls near by and said in his most flirtatious voice, "Hello, ladies! I am sensing evil spirits about and perhaps I should check your robes for bad omens."

"I believe I have a few bad omens near me." Sango said. Miroku didn't notice this because the group had exploded in high pitched giggles. Kagome sighed, why didn't Sango just tell Miroku how she felt?

The hours passed by quickly and soon it was dusk. Kagome had finished a quarter of the book. Sango approached the crumpled figure, Kagome, and her eyes were bloodshot from reading for hours.

"Kagome, its almost dark, are you going to come and eat with us?" Sango asked.

Kagome looked up from the book, her normally brown eyes had taken on a red tint. "Why the hell are you talking to me? You should be in there screwing Miroku, I know you want to, besides I'll come in whenever I feel like it."

Sango took a step back, Kagome hadn't ever lashed out like that and it was a bit scary.

"What are you waiting for? Get away from me."

She gave Kagome one last look of disbelief and headed back to the hut. What's with her? She hasn't ever done that before.

"What is wrong Sango?" Miroku asked.

Had she arrived back at the hut so soon? "Um-Kagome is acting strange."

"Strange how? Is she ill?" Inuyasha leapt up and started for the door.

"Anyway, she cursed at me and.... well it was strange, like she was possessed. She said she wouldn't come back until she felt like it." She sighed, remembering what else she had said.

"She is probably just tired, it has been a long couple of days." Ringhali tried to break the eerie silence that had fallen over the group.

"Uh yeah that's it. Kagome wouldn't try to hurt you on purpose, Sango." Shippou said, believing that the world made since again.

"I'll wait up for her, you all just get some sleep." Inuyasha stood and walked out the door.

Why would she act like this toward Sango? Did I do something to her? I will never understand her. Inuyasha thought as he left toward the tree Kagome had been sitting last. Well, I have some questions, and I am going to get the answers I need.

A.N. R&R please!