Are there people reading this? I hope so. Hallo those on ! I am Inogen, and I shall be your magical guide on this new adventure starring the infamous Inu-yasha and co. You wanna know who that was in the prologue? smiles nicely All right I'll tell you...wait, never mind. cackles evilly How's THAT for a cliff hanger huh? HUH? gets hit with a tomato Ok, ok, the torture is about to end. I'm continuing, though I cannot promise you that you will pick up who that person was anyway. That concerns the tact of the reader. shrugs Alright, enough introduction, on to the story!!

By the way, I do not own ANY of those created by the miraculous Rumiko Takahashi. I do, however, shall attempt to earn the title as bride of the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands. And I shall do battle with those who threaten me!! brandishes sword Bring it on!!

"magic" – speech

'magic' – thought

Za Hoshi Yabun: Chapter One

Yototi Me Za

"INU-YASHA!! Can we stop soon? I'm ssssooooooooo hungry!!" whined poor, little Shippo. Kagome reached up and petted the small kitsune sitting on her shoulder on the head, "Shh...Shippo, we'll stop soon, I promise."

"The soon has yet to be determined, however," yawned Miroku. He then leaned over and whispered loudly in Sango's ear, enough for all but the dog demon to hear, "I mean, we all know how Inu-yasha can be when it comes to judging time." This comment resulted in a snicker from the young fox demon, which made the focus of the light fun turn around. "Eh? What was that monk?" The said priest raised both his hands, feigning innocence, "Nothing, Inu-yasha, nothing at all." Giggles came from the two girls in the party which made the hanyou even more suspicious and he leapt in front of the lecherous Buddhist. His eye twitched slightly as he attempted to tower over the other male, "You better be telling the truth, H...o...u...shi, if you wish to keep that lying tongue of yours in your mouth..." Miroku placed his rosary sealed hand over his heart, "On my honor, I am telling you all I know!" Inu-yasha shook his head and turned away, "Why do I not believe that?" Huge grins plastered themselves on all the others faces as he started walking away. Then they all broke out into laughter, causing Inu-yasha's ears to tweak and face them once more. "What in the seven hells are you guys laughing about?"

"You are such a stupid hanyou!" cackled Shippo from his perch. An angry blush stole over the dog demon's face before he snapped his claws, "Why you little genki..." He suddenly leapt in the direction of his tormenter, prepared to tear the little child to shreds. Shippo let out a cry before hiding in Kagome's hair. His foster mother sighed deeply, "Inu-yasha, OSUWARI!!" The magic of the charmed rosary hanging around the hanyou's neck glowed and pulled him to the ground. Soon his face was stuffed with dirt and he attempted to shout, sounding muffled, "What did you do that for?!"

"You were going to hurt Shippo," Kagome answered simply, "And me while you were at it!" Stifled curses flowed from the earth as the trapped demon tried to rise to his feet. Yet the curse kept him pinned down. This allowed an opportunity for an excited kitsune the leap down from his protector's shoulder and land a light kick to Inu-yasha's ribs. But the spell let up as soon as the kick touched the red-covered side. An evil light gleamed in a pair of golden eyes as a clawed hand reached out for the child-demon. "You are SO dead!!"

"KA...GO...ME!!" screamed the kit as he led the fuming inu-youkai around the small clearing they were in. The older team members stood there and laughed at the scene, not making a single move to help out the smaller demon. It cheered all three of their hearts to see Inu-yasha so energetic; he hadn't been quite the same since the death of Kikyo. "Perhaps the poor fellow is recovering," Miroku mentioned lightly to Sango. She nodded in agreement, though her eyes were focused on Kagome, "He's had a lot of support. I don't know what would have happened if she hadn't been there for him."

"Hopefully now his heart will be free to love her."

"I should hope so..." The Taiyja's face turned a deep crimson before she whacked the monk with Hiraikotsu, "HENTAI!!" As the all too familiar settings took place around her, Kagome kept her warm sapphire eyes on Inu-yasha, who was now lightly bopping Shippo on the head. He had warmed up to the kitsune after a while, and now acted like a fatherly figure to him, though he would never admit that. 'He would make a good father........." the miko shook her head suddenly before blushing. Where had THAT come from? Inu-yasha, a father? It would never happen...at least, not with her. She lowered her eyes to hide her tears. Even after Kikyo's death, the dog demon had not shown any other different type of emotion to her. In fact, he looked at her more sadly now then he ever did...Lost in her emotions, Kagome did not see the focus of her hidden attentions looking at her. Even as Shippo bit his head and nipped at his ears, he did not take his eyes off her. She looked so sad, so forlorn. Was it his fault? He wanted to walk over to her and wrap his arms around her, and made sure she never shed another tear again. But, he didn't know if she would take on his offer of affections now, what with all they have gone through. And Kikyo...so soon after her death, could he turn to the warmth of another's embrace? Would he ever? Maybe, after they obtained the Shikon jewel...his heart could finally decide on what he wanted...

The image of the friendly antics played over in a still pool, watched by a pair of unseen eyes. 'Now that is an interesting thought process. Naïve, even foolish, but interesting. Perhaps I should lend a hand...' A soft breeze passed by, rippling the water and whispering unheard words. It twirled around the area momentarily, then moved on to play elsewhere. The water stilled, bringing up the image of the group once more. A pair of rosy lips pursed in thought before speaking, "Is that so? Well then, it is about time that they came here. The end is coming soon, and all their hearts need to know the truth or else they will fail. Kurokiri." A shadowed man appeared suddenly to the person's side, "What is it, my lady?" She gestured to the pool, "I'm lowering the shield, go to the east border and make sure that nobody attacks them; I want no ill feelings between us." She curled her index finger against her lips and paused in reflection, "I do want to test them though..."

"Do you want us to attack them then?"

"No...take them to the plains of trial. Work your magic there. Also, have Nori prepare some rooms for our guests, in case they do succeed." The man bowed his head, "As you wish." He rose to his feet and turned to leave, "Oh, and one more thing." He turned to look at her, "Yes?" A smile touched the woman's lips, "Have fun and play nice." He smirked, "I will try my best." With that, he vanished, leaving the lady to finger the multiple violet shards that hung on a cord around her neck. After a few moments of contemplation, she reached out and touched the surface of the now plain water, and something glowed in its depths. When she felt the barrier drop, she waved her hand so that she could resume watching the group and see what talents they possessed...

Kagome's head suddenly snapped up from where she had been pondering her fate with Inu-yasha, "I sense Shikon shards, a lot of them!!" Everyone jumped to attention, "Is it Naraku?" growled the dog demon, his hands balling up into fists. The girl shook her head, "No, it's not that many. But it is quite it few, maybe the rest of the remaining shards besides those belonging to Kouga." Shippo scampered up the miko's arm, "Wow, whoever has them must be really powerful to not be caught by Naraku."

"How far are they from here, Kagome?" Sango asked, coming up to her friend's shoulder. The girl narrowed her eyes, "They're less than a mile to the west." Miroku's face took on a thoughtful expression, "Strange, isn't it, that you couldn't feel them until just now?"

"I agree," Sango said, "I think it's some type of trap." Kirara mewed her approval. Inu-yasha growled, "I don't care if it's a trap or not. If someone has the jewel shards we have to go and get them. Then we only have the stupid wolf and that bastard Naraku to take care of."

"For once, I think Inu-yasha is right."

"Kagome?!" the others stared at her in shock as the eighteen year old walked up to the hanyou. "I want this to be over with, so many people have already died...and...I want it to stop." She clasped her hands in front of her as her eyes peered deeply into her companion's eyes, "I bet you feel the same way, don't you Inu-yasha?"

"Kagome..." It took all his self control not to reach out and cup her cheek in his hand. To his pleasant surprise, she took the same hand that craved her touch, and she began to lead him in the direction she felt the shards. "Let's go." A blush began to shade his cheeks, but he pushed it back. He then reluctantly let go of her hand, and stepped in front of her and knelt down. "We'll get there faster if we travel at demon speed." Nodding in agreement, the teenager hopped onto his back and wrapped her strong legs around his lean waist. Kirara immediately changed to her larger form, and her mistress, Shippo, and the Houshi leapt onto her back. The dog demon then rose quickly in a red blur, and began running through the forest with the others close behind.

As they raced past the hazy green trees, Inu-yasha's mind began to wander. He focused on the body pressed close his back, basking in the warmth and comfort that it gave to him. Her gentle scent filled his nostrils and calmed his heart for the supposed battle ahead. A strong sense of protection rose in his soul, he would not fail her like he did her predecessor. Just as he relished and took strength in the reassurance Kagome's closeness offered him, she was comforted by the hardness of his form. Recently, she had sometimes wondered if he was really there, sometimes he seemed so aloof and untouchable she doubted in his very existence. Every time she went through the well she was afraid that she would realize it was all a dream. But now, plastered firmly to the hard plains of his back, Kagome realized just how real Inu-yasha was. Her face rested on the nape of his neck on a thin pillow of silky silver hair. It had grown in the time they had known each other, and it now reached slightly past his buttocks. She thought it made him look more mature, and she liked it, though she had never told him that. Behind them, Miroku and Sango were having similar thoughts about each other, though everyone was trying to prepare for the fight ahead. But as they traveled, they did not notice that they were being followed by multiple blurs that bounded in and out of the trees without a sound.

The woman could have crowed with laughter as she studied the minds that were coming closer and closer to her home. Two couples, each side of the pair loving the other, yet never admitting it!! Oh, playing with these new ones was going to be so much fun!!

"We're getting close, Inu-yasha," Kagome whispered into his ear. It twitched at the sudden breath on his sensitive, and he controlled the shivers that wished to run down his spine. His eyes narrowed, "I don't smell anything, are you sure?"

"Of course!" she snapped, "I've been doing this for over three years, you think I would know by now!"

"Sor-ry!" he hissed, turning back to glare at her, "You don't have to get so touchy about it!" She growled at him, at which he suppressed a smile, it seemed like she was picking up some of his habits. And strangely, he liked the idea he had such an influence over her. He had to keep this new fact in mind for future reference. "Ready up you guys! Kagome says we're getting close!" Everyone prepared for battle, Miroku clasped his staff and Sango brought Hiraikotsu over her shoulder, and Shippo...Shippo just cowered on top of Kirara. Kagome raised her bow and arrow, prepared to protect herself and Inu-yasha until the half-demon could draw Tetsusaiga. 'So close, so close...' Then they barged into a clearing. Nothing was there except the sandy earth that covered the small field, and a few rocks that seemed black against the white grains. And as they landed on the soft surface, the aura of the jewel shards immediately disappeared. Inu-yasha placed the girl on his back down and turned to face her, "Kagome? Where are they?" He noticed she was shaking terribly, and he unconsciously brought her into a hug to still her movements. "Kagome? Daijobou? Kagome?"

"I can't sense them anymore, they're gone!!" Tears shimmered in her eyes as she clutched at his haori. The monk walked forward and studied the area around them, while Sango took Kagome from Inu-yasha's arms and started stroking her hair. Shippo jumped up on the Taiyja's shoulders and started muttering nonsense to his foster mother. "Something is very wrong here, Inu-yasha," Miroku muttered at his friend. "Aura's just don't vanish." The hanyou tucked his hands into his sleeves, "Yeah, but then where did they go?"

"I think this is a magic used by Naraku, in other words, this was a trap."

"C'mon, you got to be kidding me, there's nothing here. Wouldn't have Kagura or one of his other creations attacked us by now?"

"That's true, then what is going on...?" A scream from behind them stopped the conversation. Both men turned around to see Kagome sinking into the ground, Sango and Shippo vainly trying to pull her up. Inu-yasha ran towards them, and reached out and grabbed the miko's arm. She looked up at him with fear-filled eyes, "Inu-yasha!"

"Kagome, pull, pull on me!! Pull yourself up!!" He would not, he would NOT lose her! Not now, not when they were so close!! Tears poured down her cheeks, "I can't, it's like quicksand!!" He was so desperate to drag her out of danger, that he didn't notice his own situation. "Inu-yasha!" He felt a hand grasp the back of his haori, "Monk, what are you...?" It was only then that he noticed he was sinking. 'Shit!' Tears were pouring down Kagome's face, and he pulled her into a hug, knowing there was nothing else he could do. 'I'm going to die!' the girl thought, clenching her eyes shut, 'and so is the one I love, and it is all my fault!' "Don't cry, Kagome." She looked up him, his eyes were so soft and shining, trying to comfort her. And lurking in their depths...almost it be? Her heart calmed within her, and she relaxed, even though her face was the only thing you could see of her body. "Inu-yasha, aishite..." His gentle face was the last thing she saw before her vision blacked out. As soon as she was gone, Inu-yasha let a tear slide down his face, he had been brave, for her, and now she was gone...but he would join her soon. His golden eyes closed before they disappeared beneath the sand, and then he was gone as well. But what the couple hadn't noticed as they were lost in their own little world was that their companions had begun to sink also. Within a few minutes, the whole crew had disappeared beneath the white sands.

When nothing remained there once more but the earth and rocks, a being appeared from a mist. Even though he stood in unblocked sunlight, his features remained shadowed; the only thing about him clearly visible was the black hair that fell down past his shoulders. As he touched the sand, a web of power appeared, stretching across the whole plain, the center at his feet. He had made this spell long ago, and he was glad to see it was still very effective. The man smiled a hidden smirk and rubbed his hands together. Let the games begin...

Heheheheh...yet another cliffhanger. I am so evil. You readers better get used to this, I love leaving you hanging, it keeps you entranced. Or so I think. shrugs Oh well, get used to them. Once again, please read and review, flames are appreciated if they are helpful. "Your fic sucks.........." If that is all you basically say, you will be promptly ignored.

Oh, by the way...Japanese dictionary!!!

Hanyou- half demon

Inu- dog

Youkai- demon

Taiyja- Demon slayer

Houshi- priest/monk

Kitsune- fox demon

Miko- priestess (particularly Shinto)

Genki- brat

Osuwari- SIT (no da)

Hentai- Pervert

Daijoubu- Are you alright/ok? (normally you would add a 'desu ka' at the end of the sentence since it's a question, but most Japanese speaking people skip over it )

If there are any others that I have overlooked, please let me know!

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