Author's note: Ok, this chapter took a little longer to write. I want to know everything you guys think about how this chapter went, since it was changed a couple times. If anything about it or a previous chapter bothers you, please email me. I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.
Thanks to Inu-kami, Inulover4ever101, aleaha, Shikon, Sukuri, and insomnia-maniac for writing.
To Shikon- I mentioned in an earlier note, Ishiyana's name came from my mom, who can't say Inuyasha for her life. I'm not Japanese, so I don't know if it means anything…if anyone knows any Japanese and it does, please email me, lol.
Discaimer: blahblahblah.
* * *
Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, his hands resting on Kagome's waist. His mind kept wandering away from the danger Kagome's family was in and the battle that was likely coming. Instead, he found himself wanting to wrap his arms around Kagome, draw her close, and tell her what he'd recently discovered about his feelings for her, but he knew this wasn't the time or the place.
…Not to mention that he was terrified.
What if he told her he loved her, only to have her tell him to get lost? What if she laughed at him, or worse, looked at him with pity? I mean, I know she cares about me, but…she might decide that her own world is just too good for her to give up…for me.
He sighed for the umpteenth time. Noticing, Kagome turned to face him, a worried expression on her face, though most of her worry was probably directed home.
"Inuyasha, what's wrong?"
He forced a dismissive frown on his face and looked away. "Nothing. Turn around."
She frowned back at him, but she did what he asked. A moment later, a spell of dizziness overtook him. He leaned forward and shook his head. What was that all about? His stomach rolling, Inuyasha put a hand over it and grimaced. He started gently weaving back and forth, trying to clear his head. Dammit, it must be that lousy dagger Ishiyana used. If it had Naraku's poison in it…
He grunted softly and hung his head.
Kagome broke her moody stare to notice Ishiyana's bleeding shoulders. "Oh no, what happened?? I didn't realize you were hurt!"
He turned to look at her. "We have better things to worry about. I didn't think that I should bring it up."
"But look at you! Those wounds need to be treated!" Wishing she still had her backpack, Kagome got to work on ripping the bottom of her shirt. I can make bandages out of this.
Inuyasha glumly looked up through his hair. Figures. I feel horrible, and she tends to him. He blinked furiously, trying to clear his blurring vision.
Kagome pulled off the red cloth tied around her neck as well. "Now take off your shirt."
Blushing, Ishiyana did as she asked. He stared straight ahead as she wrapped his shoulders. No wonder Inuyasha fights so much. If he gets hurt, she can tend him. He tried to ignore a little spur of jealousy. Lucky dog.
The "lucky dog" was really starting to feel like crud. His hands tightened involuntarily on Kagome's waist as his balance wavered. Done with Ishiyana, she looked over her shoulder. Don't tell me he has a problem with—
"Oh gods, Inuyasha, are you all right??" She grabbed him as he started to slide off Kiori's back. "Inuyasha, what's wrong??"
The bloodstain on the front of his shirt started growing.
The hanyou looked blearily up at Kagome, but her face kept drifting in and out of focus. With a soft grunt, he blacked out, slumping into her arms.
"INUYASHA!!"
Panicked, she yelled ahead. "Kiori! Land now!"
The demon looked back at her, eyes narrowed.
"I'm serious! Land!"
Kiori looked for all the world as if he was going to just keep flying, but when Kirara sent a soft growl at him, he slunk to the ground. Damn women.
Immediately, Kagome turned completely around and pulled Inuyasha close. She checked his forehead for warmth.
"Oh gods, he's burning up!"
Kirara landed next to them. Instead of dismounting, Miroku simply turned and frowned in concern.
"Your bag of remedies was lost back at the campsite, Kagome. I don't think we have the time to go back, judging by his state."
She looked at him, eyes wide. "Remedies? You think he's poisoned?"
Miroku nodded.
"But how? When did this happen?"
Ishiyana sighed. "It must have happened while we were fighting. I think the dagger I used…was…" He trailed off at Kagome's expression.
"YOU WHAT??"
Ishiyana winced. "I was under Naraku's spell! I didn't know what the heck I was doing." His gaze dropped. "I'm sorry, Kagome."
She frowned at him and turned away. "We'll discuss it later. The only way to save him is to get home." Wincing at the pain in her arm, she pulled Inuyasha in front of her. "Let's go. And please, Kiori, hurry!"
Growling softly, the black cat leapt into the air, followed closely by Kirara.
Kagome tightened her hold on Inuyasha. For everyone's sake…hurry.
* * *
A few minutes later, Inuyasha came to and sniffed at the air. He grunted softly.
Kagome leaned close. "Inuyasha, what is it?"
"I…I smell…blood…"
He passed out again.
They landed at the well and piled off the cats, Kagome and Ishiyana carefully laying Inuyasha on the ground. With a gasp, Kagome spotted a familiar form lying in a pool of blood.
"Kaede!!"
She found herself unable to leave Inuyasha's side, but Sango and Miroku ran over to the old woman. As they touched her, she moaned.
"Na…Naraku! He…went through…I couldn't…stop…him…"
Sango shushed her. "Just rest, Lady Kaede." She looked up in worry. "Miroku, Shippo and I can wait here and tend to Kaede, but if Naraku's in Kagome's time…"
Kagome was on the verge of crying. I can't just leave Inuyasha, but Naraku might kill…might have killed…my family!
Ears twitching, Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes and sat up. "I…don't care where…Naraku is. I'm going…to kill him…if it's the last…thing I do!"
Kagome tried to get him to lie down. "But Inuyasha—"
"No, Kagome." He looked her in the eye. "I can't let him get away…" He winced in pain. "With what he's done. I am NOT going to…let him hurt your family. Not on top…of everything else."
Scowling, he rose to his feet and staggered over to the well. "Are you coming or not?"
Kagome ran to his side. "Of course I'm coming." He really cares…
"So am I."
The two turned to look at Ishiyana. "Hey, it's my era, too, you know. I have to protect it from that creep."
Inuyasha grasped the edge of the well in pain. "Fine, whatever. Let's just go already!" I feel like I'm going to collapse…but I won't. I refuse to! Seething with determination, he prepared to jump into the well. I'll show Kagome that I can protect her and her family…no matter how sick I am!
Kaede looked over at him, wincing in pain. "Nay, Inuyasha! Do not attempt to…"
Inuyasha leapt into the well.
KK-FOOOOOMMM!!!A towering cloud of miasma blasted Inuyasha out of the well. He hit the ground hard, coughing furiously.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome raced to his side. "Oh gods, are you ok??"
Sango wrapped her arms gently around Kaede and pulled the old woman close, trying to get her to rest. The exterminator looked up, anger glinting in her eyes.
"It looks like Naraku booby-trapped the well. We try to go in, and we end up like Inuyasha." She frowned down at Kaede, who had finally closed her eyes. "It's a good thing he went first and not Kagome or Ishiyana. He's the only one who could survive that."
Inuyasha groaned as he lay on the ground. Barely. Eyes closed, he felt someone lift his head and place it on something soft. He peeled his eyes open to stare up at Kagome, who was biting her lip in concern. His head was pillowed on her lap.
If he didn't feel like crud, he'd really enjoy this.
Kagome held back tears. "We…we have to get through. The only way to counter that poison is to get the antidote, and my family is…" Her voice trailed away, the tears shimmering at the edges of her eyes.
Inuyasha frowned, half in pain, half in self-disappointment. Dammit, I have to get back there! We can't just let Naraku get away with this…
Miroku looked up from assessing Kaede's wounds. "Perhaps…perhaps one of Kagome's arrows could purify the trap, since it is miasma. She's defeated that before."
Kagome bit her lip and looked down at Inuyasha, reluctant to move him. He frowned at her.
"Don't worry…about me, idiot. Just go…and do it!"
She nodded and gently placed his head on the grass. He tried not to show his disappointment at losing his quite pleasant pillow. Slowly, Kagome stood, picked up Kaede's bow and arrows, and went to the well. She peered into it, then notched an arrow and prepared to fire it…
"Oww!!!"
Pain shot down her wounded arm, and she dropped the bow onto the ground beside her. Gasping, she sank to her knees and clutched her arm.
"Why…why would it hurt now? It didn't hurt with Kiori…" she mumbled under her breath, her emotions swimming. I guess…that was because I was so upset over the way he was talking to Inuyasha…I was so mad that I forgot about my arm completely.
"Grandpa…Souta…Mom…" With a cry, she flung herself to her feet, grabbed the side of the well, and leaned over.
"GET AWAY FROM HOME!!!!!!!"
"…Away from home! Away from home!"
At that moment, she pulsed with a mighty blast of miko energy, and she collapsed to the ground before the well.
"Get away…"
* * *
Mrs. Higurashi hummed to herself as she carried a bag of groceries away from the market. Cheerfully, she noted the birds that circled above her and her family, more specifically over Grandpa and his sweet potatoes. The old man was yelling and threatening them with curses that would last for generations, and her delightful little Souta was laughing at him. If only Kagome were here, everything would be perfect.
She shrugged softly. Oh well. I can at least make everything nice for when she and her school friend return.
She rounded the turn, coming just a few minutes' walk to the shrine entrance.
"GET AWAY FROM HOME!!!!!!"
Gasping, Mrs. Higurashi froze in her tracks, her fingers loosening their grip on the bag. That…that had sounded like Kagome…but how?
When Grandpa and Souta caught up to her, debating how Souta could be an athlete and a priest at the same time, Mrs. Higurashi turned to them and smiled.
"Say, what would you boys think if we went to that new Virtual Reality Theater?"
Souta lit up. "Really?? You mean it?? Awesome!!"
Grandpa frowned and fingered his short beard. "Don't you think that we should go home first? You can put those bags away and—"
"No, I'd really prefer to go now. Right now." With that, Mrs. Higurashi stated shooing the two down the street. She took a moment to glance over her shoulder. Already she could detect an evil aura wafting up from her beloved home.
Kagome, dear, please be all right.
"Ok then! Off to the theater we go!"
* * *
Naraku stood before the long trail of stairs leading down from the shrine. Shrugging off his baboon pelt, he gazed out with wonder across this new era. It was amazing…the noises, the look of everything, the smell…
Briefly, Onigumo's heart jumped in Naraku's chest, sending him a brief moment of paralyzing fear. Naraku scowled furiously. Damn human. I will never allow fear to rule my actions. With a huff, Naraku began to head down towards the odd-looking road before him. He stopped abruptly and looked over his shoulder at the shrine.
Hmmm. Perhaps I should prepare this new place as my own stronghold. I'm certain that the girl will at least try to find her way home, and Inuyasha will not be far behind.
With a smirk, Naraku walked back into the center of the shrine. Slowly, miasma billowed out underneath him, and then it swirled furiously. The poison gas enveloped every nook and cranny of the buildings, shrouding the entire compound in darkness. Eventually, when the entire, once-pure area teemed with evil, Naraku was satisfied. He strolled down the shrine steps.
Now I can continue my quest. He held up the jewel shard, chipping off a few pieces to be used later. I can always bond them again later. Right now, however, this jewel has much more evil to absorb.
He walked away from the shrine, leaving the entire area shrouded in darkness.
* * *
Ishiyana shuffled his feet, unsure of what to do. Kagome was crumpled in front of the well, crying horribly, Sango and Miroku were tending to the age-wearied Kaede, and Inuyasha was flat on his back, fighting the poison that Ishiyana had put in him.
Ishiyana winced at the reminder. If it weren't for him, half the danger they were in right now wouldn't even exist. It only made sense that he should try to fix things a little.
"Uh, Miroku, how long will Inuyasha have if we can't get back to the present? Will we be able to wait for Kagome's arm to get a little better?"
Miroku looked up. "I'm afraid not. Only Buddha knows how long we have."
Ishiyana frowned. There must be something else…it feels like we're missing something here. How can that Naraku jerk win? If Kagome's arrows are sacred, then maybe she has other powers as well?
Kiori looked around at the group. They're not paying attention to me at all. I could finish off that Inuyasha and destroy the rest of them before they could even react. Slowly, he stood, preparing to slink over to Inuyasha's side.
A soft growl stopped him. Baring his teeth, Kiori looked over his shoulder at Kirara. She looked sternly at him and imperceptibly shook her head.
Dammit, I'm tired of being told what to do. Kiori growled back, turning to face her. If it's a fight she wants, it's a fight she'll…get?
"Prr-owl." Turning on the charm, Kirara wandered over to Kiori's side. He shrunk away at her attitude. Slowly, she strode in front of him…
And gave him a look that chilled him to the bone.
Oh, all right, I won't hurt them. Sheesh.
Grumpily, he sat back on the ground. Wonderful. Brought down by a woman. He sighed. This is not good.
* * *
Night began to fall over the clearing. Kagome had given up her vigil by the well and returned to Inuyasha's side, once again pillowing his head on her lap. Gently, she tipped a little more of her herbal remedy down his throat, smiling grimly when he complained of the taste.
"Inuyasha, I'm sorry it tastes bad, but it's the best I can do. If you don't drink it, you might…you might die." She lowered her gaze at her words, unable to meet his.
Swallowing hard, Inuyasha lifted a hand to her chin, tipping her head up until she had to look in his eyes.
"Kagome, I'm not going to die." She sniffled. Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha forced himself to admit more. "I promise you, Kagome, that I will protect your family from Naraku. I won't let anything happen to them." Or to you.
Kagome sniffled again and smiled softly at him. "Thanks, Inuyasha. I really needed to hear that."
Her eyes lowered. "You know, Inuyasha…I do wish you'd be a little more careful. You're always so eager to put yourself in danger, but…" Tears brimmed in her eyes. "I don't know…I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. I get worried about you." Her smile became watery as she looked into his eyes. "Even if you are a demon."
"I…I know how you feel."
"Huh?"
Inuyasha shifted his head on her lap, blushing slightly. His eyes drifted away from hers, briefly scanning the others. Kaede was patched up and sitting up, and she was engaged in deep conversation with the others. They weren't paying attention to Kagome and Inuyasha.
Resisting the urge to bite his lip, Inuyasha looked up at her. "I…I w…worry about you, too, Kagome. You're in danger more often than I am, and…"
He trailed off at the look in her eyes. Did I say something wrong?
Kagome's eyes shimmered. He actually admitted that he worries about me? Wow…wait. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Inuyasha…what brought that on? You're never so open about yourself."
He scowled. "Hey, can't a guy confess every now and then? Sheesh." His face turning red, Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned his face away. I should've kept my mouth shut.
His eyebrows darted up at the press of her soft fingers to his cheek. He allowed her to turn his face towards her, the blush still staining his cheeks. She gave him a bewildered smile.
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I'm glad you told me that."
He raised one eyebrow sardonically. "You're glad that you worry me?"
She giggled. "No, I'm just glad that…that you…care about me." Her smile disappeared. "You do care, don't you…?"
As Inuyasha looked up into her uncertain face, he felt his heart give a painful thump. I should tell her how I feel…but damned if I'm not afraid!
Heart pounding, Inuyasha lifted a hand to her cheek. "K-Kagome, there's something I wanted to say…"
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "What?"
He hesitated, unsure of whether or not this was the time for it. Still, if something bad happens when we go after Naraku…this might be my only chance…
"K…Kagome, I…"
"I got it!!"
They both jumped as Ishiyana jumped to his feet. Kaede, who had been conversing with him on the duties of shrine maidens, looked up at him. What on earth…?
Ishiyana grinned at them. "I got it. I figured out how we can get through the well." He walked over to it. "Kagome, come here, would you?"
She looked down into Inuyasha's face, but he was scowling at his reincarnation. Dammit, do you think that bastard could've waited a few more lousy minutes???
As if she read his mind, Kagome looked up at Ishiyana. "Um, could you give us a minute here?"
Ishiyana's smile disappeared as he took in the couple. "Oh…sure."
She looked back down at him. "What were you going to say?"
Inuyasha's blush deepened. I can't say it now…everyone's watching me! If she rejects me, they'll all know about it. "Look, if the moron's figured out how to get us back to your era, you should at least go hear what he's cooked up."
"But…"
He scowled. "Look, I'll tell you later, ok??"
Reluctantly, she left Inuyasha's side, unable and unwilling to stop a surge of annoyance at Ishiyana for interrupting them. What was Inuyasha about to tell me?? She stood warily before the well.
"What were you talking about? I can't shoot, so I can't purify this thing."
"Yes, you can."
She lowered her eyebrows in confusion. "Huh?"
Ishiyana smiled. "Look, you've got miko powers, right? That's what lets you shoot those sacred arrows."
She shrugged. "So?"
"So, if you've got the power to make those arrows anything but normal, couldn't it be said that you could create that same power without those arrows?"
She stilled, the memory of her first travel through the well rushing back to her. "Well, yeah, I guess I have done it before, but…"
"Then you just have to do it again!"
She sighed. "Ishiyana, I don't even know how I did it in the first place. The only reason that I could is that I was in danger."
He frowned thoughtfully. "Well, maybe all you have to do is recreate that need! Maybe you should think about your family, and see if that works."
She placed her hands on the rim of the well and stared down into its murky depths. I don't know if I can do this…but here goes nothing.
Closing her eyes, she brought up every memory of her family that she could muster. Flashes of laughing with her grandpa, arguing with her little brother, and hugging her mom all zipped before her eyes. Immediately, she remembered the time she and Souta were chased by the Noh mask. The thought of him being in danger…
Naraku.
Visions of Naraku's evil came back to her. Naraku tricking Inuyasha. Naraku cursing Miroku's family. Naraku tricking Sango into fighting them, then trying to get her to kill her own little brother. Finally, the dim memory of Naraku controlling her and making her attack Inuyasha surfaced.
Kagome's grip on the side of the well strengthened. How dare he be so downright evil?? I can't…I can't let him get away with this. I can't let him hurt anyone else.
Her eyes snapped open.
I WON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!!Suddenly, Kagome erupted with purple light. Enraged, she sent a screw-punch of energy down into the well.
FOOM!
Another tower of miasma blasted out of the well, but this time her miko energy wrapped around it, cut through it, and nullified it. The well glowed briefly, and then it subsided.
The evil aura around the well was gone.
"I…I did it!!"
Grinning, she gave Ishiyana a brief hug, then ran to Inuyasha's side.
"We can get through now! We can get that antidote for you…" She trailed off. "Inuyasha, what's wrong?"
He struggled to his feet. "Nothing." Nothing at all…I was going to tell you that I love you…but if you can generate all that power, do you even need me?
He sighed. "Let's get a move on!"
With that, he, Kagome, and Ishiyana jumped into the well.
Naraku, you're going down.