Unchangeable

By. Seelin

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Inuyasha. He and his friends are just pawns in my story!

Chapter 5:

Reincarnation

Inuyasha and the others started into the woods the next day. Inuyasha could smell the stench of wolf demons not to far away. He grumbled menacingly as they walked deeper into the woods, knowing that Kouga and his pack would reach them any second. Before Inuyasha could take another step Kouga knocked him into a nearby tree. As Inuyasha stood up shaking off the unexpected attack he witnessed Kouga's reaction to Kagome's new form.

"Ka...Kagome. My beloved?! What has happened to you? You are changed?!" Kouga exclaimed.

"And you are?" Kagome asked disgustedly.

Kouga disregarded this comment and grabbed Kagome to him, "It's alright. I accept you this way."

Inuyasha retaliated and tackled Kouga to the ground. They wrestled around for a while until Inuyasha shoved Kouga out of the way.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that she doesn't want you?" Inuyasha mumbled as Kouga got up and jumped at him.

"Maybe she just doesn't want to hurt your feelings dog breath!" Kouga yelled.

"And maybe she doesn't want to be infested with your fleas and ticks!" Inuyasha yelled back.

Kouga took offense to that, "Hey, I'll have you know that my pack and I are clean and uninfested...unlike you and that flea Myoga."

Inuyasha growled at the insult and tackled Kouga again. After moments of watching the two roll about the leaves Myam picked them both up and slammed them back onto the forest floor, "Now quit it. I've had quite enough of your pathetic ramblings. We have someplace to be now don't we? Let's get up and get moving."

Inuyasha threw her hand away from him as he jumped up brushing the leaves from his clothes. Kouga just lay there for second; still absorbing all that had happened until he jumped up finally, "I suppose I can guide you to the end of the woods, unless Kagome needs me to attend to her further."

Kagome gave a half-hearted smile, "Um thanks but no thanks Cougar."

"Cougar?!" Kouga shouted in confusion.

"I mean Kouga, right?" Kagome asked nonchalantly as she walked to catch up with the others.

Inuyasha had a hard time getting Kouga to remain in the woods but Myam easily convinced him to hightail it back into the forest.

Before Kouga returned to his pack, Miroku stopped him. "Wait. Why are you and your pack here in the woods anyway?" he questioned.

Kouga lowered his head to the ground before he spoke, "My pack and I were driven out by demons. They overwhelmed us and killed off our weakest members. I could not save them. So we came here to regroup."

"Those demons, they were...cat-like?" Inuyasha asked.

Kouga sighed, "They called themselves Tigrans. I am ashamed to have been run off by mere...cats! You had best take your leave."

Before they left Kouga had one last remark, "Kagome, please do not forget to return here after your quest has ended."

They left him with a blow to the head and carried on.

The group arrived at the next village only to find that it had been nearly destroyed. There were few survivors. The few sane people told the group that large, cat-like creatures had devastated their humble village. Inuyasha walked off and began to look around. Sango questioned the villagers but their experience was traumatic and short, so they only said so much. Miroku accompanied Kagome and Shippo on a search for any more survivors. After their search, which had gone none to well, Myam dropped down from the sky.

"There is someone following us."

Kagome looked around, "I do have a strange feeling, but I don't know what it is."

"Kagome, she resembles you in a way," Myam said.

Sango glanced back behind, "Must be Kikyo."

Inuyasha didn't bother to look back but stood still with his arms folded against his chest. "What the hell does she want now?" His hard eyes softened as he half attempted to glance back but quickly straightened his gaze as he heard her soft footsteps near the party.

Kikyo arrived and stopped a few feet away from Sango who had parted the group and walked over to confront the empty shell of a powerful miko.

"I see one of you has already been infected," she said looking to Kagome.

"What do you know of it?" questioned Sango.

"Enough. Soon she will go mad and seek out her brethren," Kikyo said.

Inuyasha stepped up, "And how do you know about all this?"

"Ha! I am the most powerful miko, I think I know a bit about the world's history."

"Then why do you help us Kikyo? I thought you only lived on your hatred for Inuyasha. Why are you helping us now?" Sango asked.

"Get to where you need to be soon, lest the prophecy comes to pass as told," Kikyo said before walking off into the newly formed mists.

Everyone stood confused as to why Kikyo, of all people, had helped them. Shippo squinted into the mists but could see nothing, "I guess she had a little bit of kindness left in her."

They all turned to leave, except Inuyasha and Kagome. Inuyasha's eyes were soft again, something Kagome noticed every time Kikyo's name was mentioned. She looked confusedly back and forth to the others.

"Umm, could some one please tell me something?" asked Kagome.

Inuyasha turned to leave as well but stopped at her side, "What?"

"Who was that?!" she asked profoundly.

Everyone sighed.

They kept on until they had reached an untouched village, the village of the demon Kaede had told them of. They had traveled miles and passed many ruined fields, houses, villages, and castles. The Tigrans seemed to destroy everything in their path, leaving nothing but dust and sand. The air had become dry and hot on their journey. It seemed as though the world was becoming a desert.

"Well, at least this village hasn't been destroyed yet," Shippo stated.

The village was of a decent size and held a formidable castle as it's background. The villagers took note of the travelers and eyed them warily. But they soon ignored the travelers and went back about their business.

"Thank you Shippo, for stating the obvious," Inuyasha said, his every word dripping with sarcasm.

Shippo rolled his eyes and walked over to Kagome who was chatting with Myam. Once they had entered the village, Sango dragged Kagome over to a stand that sold clothing. While the women shopped, Inuyasha and Miroku asked the villagers about the demon. They had none much to say and avoided talking about it at all. Shippo followed Myam around while she asked the villagers questions of her own.

Sango successfully bought Kagome an outfit that was to her liking. Inuyasha and Miroku came back with none of their questions answered. Myam and Shippo didn't come back empty handed.

"I've found out about the demon we have been seeking. He lives in that castle and protects the village. His so-called kindness is repaid with harsh tax laws that the citizens pay, but they still seem to make a decent living," Myam informed her companions.

"Yeah!" Shippo added in, "I helped her interrogate people!"

"Interrogate?" Sango asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Do not question my antics. I found what we needed to know, plus a little information of my own," Myam said coldly.

Kagome pointed up to the large castle in the background, "So we head that way huh?"

Inuyasha walked off, "Yeah, come on."

The group failed to see the person standing in the shadows of an alley, listening to their conversation...

---Well, this chapter seemed....short.......I think it's because I rewrote the whole thing so many times. Or would it seem longer? Hmm, I don't know. Well newho, I really hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter. Let me know what you think by reviewing. Happy reading!