Authors Note: Ok, here's the next part! Please keep reviewing!
"I said LET GO!" Kagome kicked back as hard as she could, causing her captor to release her with a grunt. The moment the she felt his arms loosen, Kagome ran for the tree line.
Unfortunately, the demon was recovered quickly and was on top of her in moments. Instead of grabbing her from the front this time, he wrapped one muscular arm around her and pulled her close, until they were practically nose to nose. Flinching as his foul breath assaulted her, Kagome began the struggle to break free again. Something slipped free of her attacker's shirt, and a flash of light caused Kagome to look down. Attached to a chain around his thick neck hung the piece of shard she had sensed. Where is he? She thought as the demon's grip tightened once more. The breath was squeezed from her lungs, and the slim girl gasped for air. "What-do you want from me?"
The demon did not answer. Instead he wrapped one powerful arm around the girl and squeezed. With his free hand he reached into his shirt again, trying to find the small pouch he had hidden there.
"Don't touch her!"
The demon looked up to find a figure in red standing at the edge of the forest, and he didn't look very happy. Hurriedly, Kotori pulled the pouch from his clothing and used his teeth to pull the strings open. The other was running towards him now, and would be on top of him in seconds. This was his only chance to do his task and still manage to get out alive.
Inuyasha had reached the spot where the demon held Kagome. In the same instant, Kotori released the girl, throwing her backwards toward her rescuer. As the two collided, Kotori emptied the contents of the pouch into his calloused hand and blew it into Kagome's face.
Kagome, who had opened her mouth in a gasp, inhaled the strange powder that had suddenly filled the air. She began coughing violently as the dust filled her lungs, and was still coughing when moments later she landed on top of something soft.
"Kagome? Are you all right?" asked a muffled voice.
Unable to respond, the girl tried to sit up, hoping that the movement would help her breath easier. Inuyasha slid out from under her and helped straighten her. Moving his body so that he was positioned in front of her, the youkia's amber eyes sought her violet ones. "Kagome? Can you hear me?"
The words seemed to melt together as they reached her ears. With an effort, she raised her face to his. She knew that the voice belonged to Inuyasha, and yet, as she tried to focus on his face the world began to blur. Something was wrong.
The feeling of dread did not escape the half-demon's attention. He glanced around quickly to see if the enemy demon still threatened, but the coward had fled after his attack. A flash of light on the trail caught Inuyasha's eye as he turned back to Kagome; a piece of the Shikon Jewel shard, which the demon must have dropped, lay on the path behind him. He quickly snatched it up before anything else could happen, and then tried to ease Kagome into a standing position. Dazed, she struggled to her feet, clinging to Inuyasha for support.
Inuyasha watched, concern clouding his features. Something wasn't right. Kagome was having trouble standing, and her movements were sluggish. He held the girl closer in an attempt to keep her from falling.
Her hair tickled his chin as she leaned into his chest. It smelled faintly of dust and flowers. "Are you ok?" he whispered.
Kagome sank into his embrace. "I-I just need a minute. I feel so strange."
"Take all the time you need. It looks like that demon is gone, the coward. And he left his shard behind."
Kagome nodded, barely hearing him. Things had come back into focus, and she tried to pull away from Inuyasha. "I think I can walk."
He let her pull away, resisting the urge to hold on. She managed to take one tentative step before her knees buckled and she toppled forward. "Kagome!"
He reached out and with one fluid motion scooped the girl into his arms. Her body had begun to radiate heat, and panic gripped at his heart as her eyes slipped closed. "No! Stay with me, Kagome!" When she didn't respond, Inuyasha pulled her prone body closer to his chest and took off.
As if on cue, the clouds that had been looming above let out the first snowflakes of the year in earnest.
