Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the rest of the gang. Only my original characters and I think they'd rather be owned by someone else!

A/N: Thanks to Catleana for my one review. I promise to get to the prophecy, eventually!

Stopping abruptly on the path, Kagome barely noticed when the rest of the group proceeded without her. Turning slowly to the west she faced the breeze, wondering what was causing the strange sensation. What is that tugging? Cocking her head, she closed her eyes focusing her senses on the unusual feeling. It's not a jewel shard, but what is it?

"Kagome, what are you doing?" Shippo asked, running back and launching himself into her arms. "Why'd you stop?"

"I," glancing down Kagome smiled at the kitsune just shaking her head, "I'm not sure Shippo. But I'm sensing something unusual. Something seems to be pulling me in this direction."

"Kagome? Shippo? What are they doing?" Inuyasha groused to Miroku and Sango upon noticing Shippo head back the way they had just come. From a hundred yards down the path Inuyasha yelled in exasperation, "Kagome I thought you had to get home and take an exam. How do you plan on doing that if you just stand around all day?" The irritation and unhappiness Inuyasha felt about Kagome's going back to her time rolled off the hanyou in waves leaving him unwilling to be polite or retrace his steps to talk to her.

Rolling her eyes Kagome ignored him, used to his surly behavior when he couldn't get his way. Oh please, like my going home for two days is going to be such a hardship. He won't be angry with me when I show up with the treats from Mom, that's for sure. A sharp gust of wind streamed across her face, refocusing her attention to the west. I just wish I knew what that tugging was.

"Kagome?" Shippo asked hesitantly as her arms tightened around him.

"Something is happening, something that we need to be a part of." Kagome spoke softly, as if to herself. Looking down at Shippo, she smiled gently, "Guess I'll be missing that test after all." Her attention shifted again, eyes darting west as the tugging intensified becoming painful to ignore.

"Kagome, what the hell is going on?" Inuyasha yelled, his expression darkening when he was promptly ignored. "Kagome...Are you listening to me?"

"She need's help..." Kagome whispered to herself as she focused on the presence that was drawing her to the west.

"Who needs help?" Shippo asked. "Kagome....Ka-go-me" he continued waving his little paw in front of her eyes. Eyes focused on the west and blank, as if she was seeing something far from where her body was actually standing. "Kagome," Shippo's voice was quiet and shaking with fear as he took in the change occurring to her. "Why are your eyes glowing?"

"Kagome?" Sango called, "What's going..." She gasped as Kagome abruptly dropped Shippo to the ground and dashed into the woods, stringing her bow as she went.

"Ka-go-me..." Shippo whined, landing painfully on his tail.

"What the..." Inuyasha glanced at Miroku and Sango in confusion before leaping to follow Kagome. "Let's go," he called over his shoulder. "Kagome....STOP!"

"Oh, no you don't," the woman cried shifting to block the bandit's ambush. The bandits' swords clashed together as she fell back, moving toward the center of the clearing. Warily, more bandits slunk out of the woods encircling the girl. The stench of their unwashed bodies rose as they gathered close, grinning maniacally at their prey. The bandits had no doubt as to how this encounter would end...and they were nearly salivating at the thought of getting all that gorgeous woman to themselves, even if they had to share her.

"Did you really believe that you could steal it?" The bandit leader growled. "Mistress Kagura will be pleased when we bring her back your head." Gesturing to his men, the bandit smirked as the circle tightened cutting off her escape.

Crystalia smiled, brushing her hair off her shoulder. Not taking her eyes off the leader of the bandits she commented in a dry tone, "Just this small group of pathetic losers?" Sighing she shrugged, "Oh well, I could use a decent warm up this morning."

"WHAT???"

The bandits sputtered, grips on weapons tightening, as they took a menacing step towards her.

"Insolent wench," incensed the bandit leader stalked forward, trying to force her back into the bandits behind her. His eyes widened when she failed to move, even when he was close enough to press his katana into her breast. "You shall beg for death before my men and I get through with you."

"Hmmm, I doubt it," was his only reply as she stood relaxed and confident, not even bothering to touch her own weapon. "I would ask you to bathe more often," she smirked, "but I don't imagine you will live past sunset so that would just be a waste of time."

"DIE..." the bandit leader roared, incomprehensible in his anger.