Booga-boo everyone! Wassup? It is I, Ama, here to bring yet the latest instalment of Guardian Angel! *applause* And now, for all three of my loyal fans, here's what's coming up!

- Inu-chan does something stupid.

- Naraku does something evil.

- Sesshoumaru does something and looks damn fine while doing it, as he does with everything else.

I know, that's not much information. But hey, the chapter's right here. So stop reading this useless stuff and read on my friend, read on!

Shoutouts:

Tanuki-chan: You're forgiven, don't worry. I understand completely all of your problems. I like the idea of Kikyou hunting! Let's go kill Kikyou! Woot! And Inu-chan's stupid but we love him anyway.

Claira: Yeah, Kikyou has an importance to the plot. Unfortunatly….

Fate: Whee, cat demons! Don't we love them?

Silver Magiccraft: Fruits Basket is the best! If you watch Inu-Yasha and then Fruits Basket you'll notice that Fruits Basket is like IY reincarnated or something! It's crazy! (or my sister and I were up to late…)

Chapter 24:

 Towards:

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Mizuki the kappa rapped on the wall to alert the demon Lord that he was coming up behind him, although Sesshoumaru had known of his presence long before. The water demon was already getting visually prepared for war, with the symbol of the Fourth domain tattooed on his dark-skinned left cheek and his blue hair stylized in spikes to look more formidable. Mizuki swung his spear over his shoulder as he followed his commander, his long legs keeping up with Sesshoumaru's more elegant steps.

"Them soldiers, there's talk." Mizuki drawled, not noticing or not caring that Sesshoumaru hadn't acknowledged his presence. "From what that new one said. That there bitch of Naraku's, what she's done."

"Mizuki, I'd appreciate that if you cannot or will not speak properly that you do not speak at all." Sesshoumaru interrupted, not looking at his general. "And yes, I will tell you now that the rumours are true and Kagura has gone after the Seven."

The kappa's eyes widened and he almost dropped his spear before he caught himself and attached the spear to his back. "Shit." He swore in his normal voice, pulling out a cigarette. "As much as I hate your nephew, I feel sorry for him." He light his smoke and chewed on the end of it, leaning against the wall as Sesshoumaru tapped in the key code to his main war room. "So, do I tell the soldiers or not, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"I suggest that if you want the information clearly, before you start spreading rumours amongst my troops, that you go speak to the witness himself." Sesshoumaru said, giving Mizuki a cold glance. "Remember that you are alive only because under your stupid wit lies an intelligent officer. I must say, you hide it very well." He took the cigarette from the kappa's mouth and dropped in on the ground in disgust. "Now go and prepare yourself. We only have two more days."

"Gotcha." Mizuki bowed as Sesshoumaru disappeared into his room. As soon as the Fourth Lord was gone, Mizuki pulled out another cigarette and lit it, humming to himself as he walked leisurely down the hallway to go and talk to the new general.

Inu-Yasha ran through the forest, his mind on a hundred different things at once. Kikyou was alive again, Naraku was attacking the mortal plane, the third strike could happen, Kagome just screamed, he smelled something, Kikyou was alive…

"Dammit!" Inu-Yasha swore, jumping onto a tree branch to get a better view of the forest, his ears twitching before he found Kagome and bounded in that direction. Why in all the hells did everything have to happen to him?

Of course it was just stupid, fucking coincidence that Kagome had to wake up and get curious. That she had to see him and Kikyou talking. He growled and shook his head in frustration. And what did Kikyou say back there? That the balance had been screwed over because both she and Kagome were alive; that one of them had to die or they both will? Dammit… he remembered his father telling him something about this. It was like some sick, twisted historian's idea of a joke.

There! He spotted Kagome's shirt colour, inside a small clearing where the girl was kneeling. He jumped down beside her, looking at her in concern. There was a small cut across her cheek and a faint hint of blood outlined it. She seemed in shock and didn't seem to notice him as he knelt down beside her. "Kagome?" he put a hand on her shoulder, shaking her lightly. "What happened?"

Kagome shook her head in confusion, putting a hand to her cut. "A – a shadow…" she said distantly. "Attacked me… then it just disappeared…" she seemed to be trying to grasp everything that happened, a little in shock. Inu-Yasha glanced around the woods and saw nothing out of the ordinary. He sniffed a bit, searching around… still nothing. But something was here… he could feel it.

He turned back to Kagome, smelling it suddenly, faint but on her sleeve. In surprise he brought her arm up to his nose, trying to sort out the different scents. Kagome pulled her arm away quickly. "What are you doing?" she asked, standing up and looking at him in shock.

"Kagome, did you meet anybody out here?" Inu-Yasha jumped up after her, trying to sound calm and normal although his voice had raised louder from his surprise. "Were you talking with anyone?"

The black-haired girl looked at him for a bit, seemingly thinking about what she should tell him. Finally she turned her back on him, beginning to walk back towards the camp. "What does it matter to you?" she said as she stormed away.

"It matters because I should know!" Inu-Yasha said, following her. He knew that smell on her, but he couldn't remember where. But something in the depths of his mind was turning on the warning lights full blast and it scared him, although he would never admit to his task. "I'm your guardian angel!"

"Some angel you are! Sit!" Kagome almost ran away as Inu-Yasha ate dirt, pushing himself up just in time to see his task disappear into the misty forest. As soon as the rosary's effect died he jumped up and ran after her.

Kagome raced blindly into the campsite, where everyone else was awake. With a cry of her name, Shippo flung himself into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Kagome, we thought you died or got kidnapped again! Don't do that to us!"

Kagome stopped and hugged Shippo back. "Don't worry Shippo-chan. I'm sorry I scared you." She patted his head soothingly, then looked up at Sango and Miroku. "Well, shall we get going?" she asked, moving eastwards. "We have to get to Tokyo before Naraku does."

"I suppose…" Miroku said, looking at Sango in confusion. The older girl shrugged but was still concerned. Something was nagging at her about Kagome. By now it wasn't a big deal if Kagome and Inu-Yasha disappeared and Kagome returned all angry, as this was a habit Sango was getting used to, but this time Kagome looked genuinely sad. Something had happened back there and Sango wondered if Kagome would ever talk about it.

As they started walking along in silence, Inu-Yasha came out of the forest, sulking in the back and refusing to talk to anyone. Miroku eventually gave up his attempts on goading the half-angel into talking and instead decided to start a conversation with Sango.

"Inu-Yasha and Kagome-sama seem to have gotten quite distant this morning." Miroku said loosely while walking beside Sango. The girl nodded distantly, seemingly thinking of other things.

Miroku tried again. "What do you think may have happened this time? Kagome-sama appeared to have a small wound on her cheek. Do you think that maybe Inu-Yasha ran off, Kagome-sama followed and the result was poor Kagome getting attacked again?"

"Mmhmm." Sango nodded again, staring straight ahead and walking steadily. Miroku raised an eyebrow at this curious behaviour and thought for a moment before speaking again. "I suppose that like all of their fights this will end quickly enough. However, it does hinder using Kirrara for transportation at the moment, doesn't it?"

Again Sango nodded distantly and Miroku made up his mind. Time to stop cutting around corners and playing games and just get down to business. And if Sango wasn't really paying attention anyway, when normally she was watching him like a hawk, then it certainly must mean that she wouldn't mind this time.

"Pervert!" BONG!

Kagome and Shippo looked around to see Sango, eyes aflame, holding her Hiraikotsu above a suspiciously large bump on Miroku's head. Sango disposed of her weapon and walked away from the monk grumbling, shooting him a dirty look before continuing on. Kagome kept walking, now almost in step with Sango, and she watched the older girl out of the corner of her eye but said nothing.

I suppose everyone has their own different sort of boy trouble, she thought wistfully. Why she considered Inu-Yasha 'boy trouble' she couldn't guess. She pictured him and Kikyou again, him making that promise, that horrible picture of them together from Kikyou's memories imprinting on her mind. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Inu-Yasha loved Kikyou, she told herself. There was no room for a third wheel, especially one like her. Third wheel. Psh, what was she thinking. Being dead was starting to drive her crazy, she guessed, if she started liking a selfish, obnoxious, two-timing jerk like him. She sighed, wishing her friends where here. They'd help her out in this situation.

"What's wrong, Kagome?" Shippo looked up at her with childlike innocence. He wasn't stupid; it was obvious Inu-Yasha had made some major screw-up. "What did Inu-Yasha do this time?"

"It's nothing, Shippo-chan." Kagome assured him, patting him on the head. Shippo frowned. "Kagome…"

"Inu-Yasha's just stupid, that's all." Kagome sighed, not even glancing back at her guardian. She smiled. "But you knew that already, didn't you?"

Shippo blinked, and then wisely smiled and nodded. He was going to get hell about this later from dog-boy, he just knew it. Maybe if he had played dumb from the start he wouldn't have to be the brunt of everything all the time.

Inu-Yasha's ears picked up the 'stupid' comment and he grumbled. Stupid him… bah. Stupid girl, that's what. He knew better than to start an argument; first of all Miroku, Shippo, Sango and Kirrara would hear everything and inevitable get involved, especially that stupid, perverted monk. Plus, what could he argue? Girls were impossible to understand and he didn't even know what he was going to do about this situation anyway. Hell, he didn't even know what was going on, so how could he explain it to her? He didn't even know why she was acting so stupid anyway. He'd have to talk to Shippo when they stopped for a break.

The morning passed uneventfully, with the odd, familiar feud between Miroku and Sango when the boy got bored and wanted to try his luck yet again and the girl with the giant boomerang just couldn't figure out how much simpler she could get the message across. Inu-Yasha remained at the back, still sulking but looking more bored than angry as the day wore on. Kagome and Shippo led the way at the front, the pair occasionally holding small conversations with Sango until Miroku interrupted and quiet stayed the group again.

It was enough to bore a spy to death.

By noon Miroku would have been seriously injured were he not already dead, Sango's long patience was wearing quite thin, Kagome was beginning to wonder if maybe she was being a bit too immature, Inu-Yasha had forgotten why he was even mad at Kagome and Shippo was asleep. As a whole they decided to stop at a small campground/tourist trap to get some food and would then follow the highway all the way back to Tokyo.

"Houshi-sama and I will go get some food." Sango announced as Inu-Yasha disappeared into a tree. Miroku looked at Sango hopefully. "Sango, are you sure?"

The dark-haired girl eyed Miroku suspiciously, but nodded. "Kagome-chan has hard a hard night and morning and deserves the rest. Besides, I won't be able to carry all the food myself." Her eyes hardened. "And no funny business."

Kagome nodded, and sat down, slumping against a tree and closing her eyes, stroking the sleeping Shippo's tail absently. "Sure thing you guys. I'll just wait here with Shippo." It was clear that she was still ignoring Inu-Yasha's presence. Sango nodded uncertainly and turned to walk away, Miroku following her eagerly as if he misinterpreted Sango's 'invitation', which was made more apparent by yet again his infamous gesture. Sango didn't bother to bring out her Hiraikotsu but instead just let Kirrara at the lecherous monk.

Kagome watched them go, a slight smile on her face. She certainly wasn't stupid and she knew that the only reason Sango had pulled Miroku away from them is so that she and Inu-Yasha could be alone and talk and maybe make up. Kagome only smiled more when she thought of maybe another reason that Sango may have dragged the monk away, but she knew that the older girl would deny it from every angle; perhaps even too much.

Maybe she should talk with Inu-Yasha, she thought loosely. It's not like she had seen them… actually she preferred not to finish that thought. She was just being immature and selfish about it; she should let Inu-Yasha lead his own life. Even if it didn't include her…

You notice that every time you're given too much time to think you get depressed? A tiny voice in the back of her head suddenly popped up.

Kagome shook her head. Not all the time.

Just most of the time. And all of the time ever since you met Inu-Yasha. He's the anti-anti-depressant!

I have not! He's not the reason!

He is this time. And the time before and the time before and the time before…

Okay… maybe a little…

Told ya.

Hey, who asked you anyway?!

I'm the voice in the back of your head! I know this stuff! Every time you get too much time to think you get depressed, especially if it involves dog-boy. Look, either go with Kouga, kill some hot guy or go with the threeblood. Just stop pinning!

Why is this so much of an interest to you? It's my life and if I what to pine over Inu-Yasha, I will!

Fine then, you love-sick wench! Just find other things to do with dog-boy rather then thinking.

Like what?

Oh… you know…

What kind of conscience are you! I'm not doing that! What's wrong with you?

The little voice almost sniggered. I'm bored.

"What?" Kagome said out loud, startling herself. When she realized she had been having a one-track argument with herself she began giggling, unable to help herself.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Inu-Yasha's bitter voice quipped from above her. Suddenly happy after that stupid little argument she had with the voice in her head Kagome called cheerfully up. "Talking to myself."

Inu-Yasha snorted. "Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity." He stated, leaning against the tree branch.

"I didn't start until I met you!" Kagome shot back up. "And shouldn't sticking with you be the second sign?"

Her angel snorted again, not responding otherwise. After a moment's silence, feeling a little braver, Kagome called up to him again. "Inu-Yasha, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Her guardian's reply came from after a few moment's of silence. Kagome sighed, wondering if she should continue then decided she might as well put both feet in.

"For running away this morning." She said. "I really shouldn't have and I shouldn't have followed you into the forest in the first place. I could have gotten kidnapped again or killed and…" she trailed off. What else could she tell him?

There was another moment before Inu-Yasha replied. "That all?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed as she glanced up. "What do you mean, 'that all'?"

"I mean," Inu-Yasha jumped down to stand beside her, "is that everything? All you have to apologize for?"

Kagome felt her face flush as she looked at him, half-angry. "Well, what else is there?" There was nothing more to tell him, expect that she had been crying but what would she tell him that anyway?

Inu-Yasha's expression hardened, strengthening the family relation between him and his demon Lord uncle momentarily. "Why did you follow me in the first place? And who were you with?"

Kagome looked at him in shock. Why was he being so inquisitive? Was he being defensive or was he genuinely concerned? "I, uh…." She bit her lip. "I followed you because I was worried. You were missing, gone without telling anyone and when I woke up I sensed demons, you and… and something else." For some reason she couldn't bear to say the name 'Kikyou'.

"And?" Inu-Yasha crossed his arms impatiently.

Kagome tilted her head as she thought. "And… I met a demon, a girl who said she knew you. She wanted to go meet you but when we got there she vanished…"

"A girl demon?" Inu-Yasha looked fully attentive all of a sudden. "What did she look like? What was her name?"

"She was a cat-demon, with brown, striped hair in a braid, brown stripes on her face, a brown, striped tail and green eyes." Kagome remembered. "And her name…" she shrugged. "She never told me her name."

"You didn't ask?"

Kagome looked at her guardian curiously. "No, I never really thought about it. I was too worried about you, but you don't seem to care about that." In a huff she stood up, walking away from her flustered guardian.

"Hey, waitaminute!" Inu-Yasha blinked. "Kagome!"

Kagome turned and looked at him, tempted to say the 's' word. Just as she opened her mouth she was interrupted by Sango and Miroku returning at high speeds.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango said, riding Kirrara with Miroku behind her. "We have a problem!"

"What is it?" Inu-Yasha asked hurriedly.

Miroku answered. "A group of demons were attacking a tankard truck just near here." He fingered a rosary bead on the ring around his air rip. "We stopped them, but we have the feeling that there's more. We're only about two hours from Tokyo and from what I heard the invasion has already started."

"Shit." Inu-Yasha swore. "Kirrara, how fast can you fly?"

The feline angel nodded her flame-ringed head and let out a deep-throated growl. Inu-Yasha, seeming to understand the cat, nodded. "Fly faster. Come on Kagome, we're going." He picked up his protesting task and placed her on his back.

"Inu-Yasha, put me down!" Kagome shouted but he ignored her, instead speaking to Sango, Miroku and Kirrara.

"I'm heading to Tokyo with Kagome. If you can keep up, great. Otherwise, we'll meet you there." He then ran forward, jumping into the air. Kagome sighed and held onto Inu-Yasha's shoulders as he flew forward at top speeds towards the capital city.

Shippo yawned and sleepily rubbed his eyes. "Kagome?" He looked around in confusion.

Miroku patted him on the head as Kirrara turned around and followed Inu-Yasha into the air. "Don't bother Shippo. Just go back to sleep."

In the depths of Hell, Kagura was miserable.

She had done what Naraku had told her and had dug up the Seven, plus one extra. Now she was supposed to be in charge of them until he was completely finished his job. Still getting used to their new bodies, they had been locked up in a sealed room so that they couldn't do any harm to her or themselves; of course, they also made sure she did no harm to them.

Unfortunately that didn't stop them from talking.

"Oi, bitch! Are we ever going to get out here?"

"What the hell is Naraku doing anyway? Isn't he done with the damn doctor yet?"

"Hello-o! Aren't you going to answer? I want my preeeety back!"

Kagura rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly. This was going to be a very long day. "Naraku will be finished with your companions soon. You freaks don't exactly come to life easily, you know!"

A colourful laugh came from inside. "Damn straight, woman! We should know, this is the third time we've been alive!"

"What does Naraku want from us this time? And why must we be kept in this room without our weapons?" Another, hissing voice came. Kagura sighed.

"We have servants off searching for your weapons now. And Naraku doesn't trust you, that's why."

The laugh came again. "He sure as hell shouldn't trust us! Isn't that right, Ani-ki?"

"Shut up." The other voice hissed again. "You're getting on my nerves, you fag."

"Aw, that hurts." The first voice pouted and Kagura was beginning to wish she could give them their weapons; right in their throats.

"Both of you, shut up!" Another commanding voice barked and the second voice stopped the hissing he had been making. "Now then woman, what does Naraku want us for this time?"

"I hope he's cute!" The first voice said, and then was silent.

"You may find this ironic," Kagura said, hoping that she could get away soon, "but it's Inu-Yasha's son you're after."

"Really?" the third voice said calculatingly.

"Inu-Yasha had a son? You mean he betrayed me?"

A squeal came as the second voice hissed out again. "He never betrayed you. The hanyou wasn't into men." The first voice responded with a muttered curse word. "You're no fun." He pouted.

"Shut up!" the third voice barked again. "Now then woman, you say that hanyou's son?"

"Yes."

"Indeed…" The third voice trailed off and there was silence, sweet blessed silence for a moment.

"I wonder if his son looks like his daddy!"

"Oh shut up before I make you less manly than you already are!"

Kagura sighed and could feel a headache coming on as she rubbed the bridge of her nose again. Suddenly she felt a cold presence behind her. She sighed.

"What do you want?"

The shadowy demon smiled but remained the shadows. "Just… observing."

Kagura frowned. This shadow, named Kuro-michi, had appeared recently to offer it's services to Naraku. It was a trespasser, a demon that could travel freely to all three planes, something reserved only for the Key Keepers. Because of it's abilities and shape shifting it had been hired by Naraku quickly. Already it had done some excellent spying jobs and had given Naraku excellent information, such as just recently when Kikyou returned to Earth and met Inu-Yasha. But it being around her worried Kagura; to be honest, it gave her the creeps.

"I hope you enjoy yourself, Kagura." The demon said in a low voice before whisking away. Kagura shuddered. She was starting to hate this place more and more.

Kuro-michi walked slowly and carefully through the hall, keeping to the shadows until it came to the main doors. With a like flicker of a clawed hand it opened them and entered Naraku's domain.

The Master didn't look up as he carefully placed the tainted Shikon shard onto the corpse's forehead, where it shone a dark light. When he was done, only then did he look up to the shadowed figure.

"Trespasser, how delightful." He said dangerously, with a tone to even chill the demon's bones. "You have information for this Naraku?"

"Yes, m'Lord." The shadow demon bowed. "I have been to the three planes and I have seen what I should not. The Guardian Kikyou has met with the threeblood." Naraku smiled coldly at the news and nodded that the shadow continue. "And I received information of Sesshoumaru's domain. He has received a trespasser of his own."

Naraku's eyes narrowed. "What has he learned?"

"Not enough, m'Lord." Kuro-michi smiled. "His spy is a female, short-sighted at best. He uses her to keep an eye on his nephew and to communicate with the other planes. He does not trust them which shows more promise for our side. She has also been in this area, sniffing around but finding nothing. She is amateurish, a trespasser but no spy. Do not worry m'Lord."

"And how long will this trespasser live?" Naraku questioned. The shadow smiled. "Only as long as The Master wishes."

"Good." The outcast demon nodded. "Keep an eye on this trespasser until the information we may extract from is no longer a use to this Naraku. Then we will eliminate her."

"Yes m'Lord." The trespasser bowed again, leaving the room silently.

End Chapter 24

Whee! Again! Isn't it fun? I've had so much work overload up the doodang that it drove me over the edge and this fun-filled chapter was born. Things like Kagome's little conversation with the voices in her head are courtesy of working for too long at your neighbourhood MacDonald's. And yes, I know her conscience is perverted. It was funnier that way. And then there's Naraku's 'spy' person… I dunno, I had a long conversation about ninjas today. Leave me alone! *cries*

So, have you figured out who 'the Seven' are yet? I've given as many hints as I could without giving any names; you'll find out who they are tomorrow. I doubt except many of you to know who they are (and if you do, don't say so) so don't feel bad.

Shoutouts:

CorkyComp: Chapters? Um… 50? And who's your friend? Have they reviewed this? If not, why not? I want answers!

link no miko:  Yes, Carrot is the best (I'm not a dirty old man, I'm a dirty young man!)  And yeah, I noticed that too about Kikyou. Manga version seems more.. stoned. Ah well, she'll turn out how she turns out. And right now it's bitchy. Maybe I'll have a spectacular death scene for her! *starts planning*

nikki: Yay, thanks! And thanks for the intellectual conversation on MSN too! (actually, if you want to any of you can add me. Please? I'm lonely!)

Sorry if this chapter was kinda anti-climatic. BIG climax next week! I promise!

In fact, to keep you around, I've decided to add a special little bonus paragraph/sentence, like I used to in the old days!

From Chapter 25: Seven:

                Inu-Yasha ran forward as fast as he could, chasing the demon down. "Get back here you bastard!" He snarled, pulling out his sword. The shadow skirted to the right, trying to avoid him but Inu-Yasha was faster. With a quick swing of his sword he slashed the demon right across the back, splitting him in half.

Or so he thought.

Instead he watched in horror as the illusion before him vanished into thin air. "Dammit!" He swung around, looking left and right. Nothing. "Kagome! Kagome!" Ears swivelling left and right, all of his sense keen, he looked around frantically for his stolen task. "Kagome!"

There! He quickly turned to his left, racing at top speed. He spotted her, lying on the ground, motionless. Hoping with all his heart that it wasn't another illusion he quickly turned ran up to her side and put a hand on her shoulder. Warmth. Good, she was real.

"Kagome?" He said, trying not to sound panicked. Carefully he checked for all signs that she was alright and that she wouldn't die the second time on him. Then he smelled it, stopping his hear dead. He picked her up, gently, as he looked at the ground below her and at his hands.

Blood.

Her blood.

From his sword.

End preview.

Okay, okay, I'm mean, I know. Sorry! I should have tried harder to not be so mean! I'll try harder next time *grin*

Y'all have a nice night now, you hear?

~Ama

Quote of the week: Psychiatrists cost money. Bubble wrap is free.