CHAPTER FIVE:

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

As if to prove Sephiroth right, Kanna appeared out of nowhere along with Bankotsu. "All this fuss over some Ancient chick. I don't get it." Bankotsu shrugged and put Aeris on his back. "Ja ne, Kagome!" He waved and disappeared into thin air. Kanna vanished after them.

Not long after, Sesshoumaru and Cloud came into view. Both of them were injured, but not fatally. As a matter of fact, everyone was injured except Rin and Ah-un. Lucky... Kagome thought and then smiled.

"Tifa." Cloud grasped her arms. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Cloud." Tifa ruffled his spiky hair a bit. "It's Kagome I'm worried about. Both Kikyo and Inuyasha got her."

"Oh me? I'm fine." Kagome smiled weakly. "We should be worried about the others. Some of them could've been injured fatally or hurt by the miasma." And so they set off in search of their lost companions in silence. Once they reached Kaede's village, they realized the true damaged Naraku had done.

The group soon spotted their comrades. They were burying all of the humans who had died in Kaede's village. Kagome hung her head in remorse. They didn't deserve that. And neither did Kaede... Kagome's eyes filled with tears. She saw Miroku kneeling down and praying at their graves.

"Miroku! What about Kaede-bachan?" Kagome ran over to him, but Miroku just shook his head and didn't say anything.

"Kagome, we must all pray for the gods protection. Naraku is much more dangerous than he was before. He has Inuyasha, Kikyo, Bankotsu, and Hakudoushi to fight against us. He also has this new Materia, these odd magic orbs." Miroku said seriously. Kagome nodded and knelt down next to him. "May their souls rest in peace..." Miroku went on and all the others waited respectfully.

Kagome tried to concentrate, she really did. But all she could think about was the look on Inuyasha's face when he attacked her. He never looked at her like that before. Then again, Kikyo never possessed him before either.

"Kagome-sama?" Miroku cocked his head and broke Kagome out of her trance. "Sango is tending to the wounded, but she needs your help." He then turned to Tifa. "Can your Materia heal poison?"

"Oh? Yes, it can." Tifa nodded her head. Miroku pointed to the one hut that didn't catch fire. Tifa, Kagome, and Rin ran over to the hut. Kohaku, Shippo, Yuffie and Vincent were all lying down. Sango was running here and there. Kirara was running after Sango.

"We've come to help." Tifa said softly and Sango smiled in relief. She held out her hands and a green light transferred from her to the injured. After a flash of light, Tifa put her hands down. "The poison is now gone. I... I don't think Cloud gave me any Materia that can heal wounds..."

"I'm going to go look for herbs." Kagome inspected all of the injured. Out of all of them, Vincent was the one who was hurt the most. For the most part, the only thing he'd suffer from was the blood loss. No thanks to Inuyasha...

"I'll stay." Tifa nodded her head. "What about you, Rin?"

"Rin will stay with Tifa-chan." Rin nodded her head. "And Cloud will go with Kagome-chan to protect her." Kagome smiled and exited the hut.

"Ano... I'm going to get some herbs." Kagome announced quietly to the group outside the hut. Miroku, Red XIII, and Ah-un were trying to clean up the village. Sesshoumaru and Sephiroth were standing near each other, glaring. Cloud was sitting down with his back facing her.

Kagome walked over to Cloud. "A-ano... I was wondering if you would come with me when I get some herbs for the others. Tifa doesn't have any Materia that can heal wounds..." She broke off as Cloud abruptly stood up.

"Where?" Was all Cloud said, his intense eyes locking with her calm ones. Kagome wordlessly led him into the forest. She began picking out all kinds of herbs and giving some to Cloud.

"Are you alright?" Cloud asked after a while. At first, Kagome didn't reply. She just bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. Then Cloud put a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome?"

"I... I..." Kagome slumped to the ground, the tears falling again. "I feel like such a baby... I've cried so much today... and Inuyasha is gone... the next time I see him he might try and kill me. Naraku is stronger than ever... I feel as if all hope has been sucked from my body..."

"No, Kagome! That's what they want. They want you to lose hope!" Cloud knelt down next to Kagome and grasped her hands. "You mustn't lose hope. Promise me that, Kagome."

"I... I promise." Kagome smiled faintly and squeezed Cloud's hands for some odd reason. "Arigato, Cloud. So... what about you?"

"Did... did Aeris attack you?" Cloud said, lowering his eyes to the ground.

"Don't say that!" Kagome stomped on the ground angrily. "That wasn't the Aeris you loved, I can promise you that! She's just a soulless puppet of Naraku. Does that sound like the Aeris-" She broke off as Cloud stared into her eyes.

Oh dear... I'm losing myself in his eyes... Kagome gulped and then realized she was still holding Cloud's hands. "Looks like we're even now." Cloud stood up, still holding her hands. After a while of just standing there, Cloud spoke up: "Shouldn't you pick up those herbs? The others do need it."

"Hai." Kagome blushed and picked up the herbs. They made their way back.

Cloud and Kagome walked back in silence. By the time they got back, the sky was almost fully dark. The sky was now a majestic purple, which was fading into the darkness of the night. Only Sesshoumaru, Sephiroth, and Ah-un remained outside of the hut.

"And then Samurai Shippo saved Hime Marlene and Hime Rin..." Kohaku was saying, but then he looked up and saw Cloud and Kagome standing in the doorway. Kagome smiled at this rare sight.

Shippo, Rin, and Marlene were all squeezed up in one of Kagome's sleeping bags. Red XIII was curled up at their feet, his eyes already closed. Kohaku was sitting Indian-style in front of the kids. Miroku, Sango, Yuffie, and Vincent were conversing in the opposite corner of the children.

"The evil youkai was no match for Samurai Shippo. He attacked with his finishing move 'San no Kizu' effortlessly defeating..." Kohaku's voice grew smaller as Cloud and Kagome sat down by the others.

"What's the plan?" Cloud asked instantly.

"We plan on going back to Midgar to get some more supplies. And to check on Midgar as well." Tifa started.

"I should go back home as well..." Kagome nodded her head. "We're supporting a lot of people, not to mention children."

"I'll go with you." Cloud said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Red XIII, Tifa and you..." He stopped, looking at Miroku. "Are you able to travel to other worlds?"

"Not that I've tried..." Miroku frowned. "Did you use some kind of Materia?" He trailed off, looking at Yuffie. Suddenly he leapt over to Tifa and grasped his hands in his. "My fair Tifa, you have saved Kagome-sama's life, and I am eternally grateful for that. Would you like to bear my child?"

Everyone blinked in sheer shock. Then a thud was heard as Sango hit Miroku in the back of the head with her Hiraikotsu. Miroku sighed and closed his eyes until the pounding went away. Then everyone burst out laughing. Tifa ruffled Miroku's hair. "Sorry, Miroku. Although you are cute, I'm not interested." Tifa giggled and rolled her eyes at Kagome.

"Erm..." Miroku kept looking around and then sat down with another sigh. "She was my only chance..."

"HE-EY!" Yuffie snapped out. "I happen to be a girl to, you know!"

"I know, I know. But you're too innocent..." Miroku moaned out loud. This time it was Kagome and Sango who were in shock. Kagome felt Miroku's head for a fever. Miroku felt Kagome's butt. Sango felt her Hiraikotsu connect with Miroku's head once again.

"Looks like things are back to normal." Kagome laughed out loud.

"Maybe that's why he has a fever! Because you keep hitting him all the time!" Yuffie accused Sango and stomped outside. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"We've got more important things to worry about." Cloud said seriously, turning to Kagome. "Let's go."

"Tifa." Red XIII looked at Tifa. They both ran out without another word. Cloud and Kagome walked out of the hut quietly.

"Ano... Sesshoumaru? Will you watch..." Kagome trailed off as Sesshoumaru nodded. "Arigato!" Wow... that was easier than I though it would be... "We'll be back tomorrow morning." Sephiroth barely looked at them. She nodded politely and ran off with Cloud into the forest.

Cloud and Kagome finally reached the Bone Eaters' Well. "I'm not sure if you can make it through, dakara..." Kagome shrugged it off. "Oh well." She jumped in and Cloud followed after her. A flash of blue light came and then Kagome opened her eyes.

Ah. Home sweet home! Kagome thought as she climbed out of the well, looking around the shrine. Surprisingly, Cloud was already in her house! "Oh hi, Kagome." Kagome's mother smiled happily at her. "Who's this nice young man?"

"Uh... this is Cloud everyone." Kagome smiled, gesturing to Cloud. Her grandfather just stared suspiciously at Cloud and of course Souta was overjoyed.

"I wanna see your sword!!" Souta gushed running over to Cloud, trying to grab onto it. "You remind me of Inuyasha, but your hair isn't silver. Kagome, where's Inuyasha?"

"Well... he's sick today, so he couldn't come." Kagome smiled stiffly at Souta. Let's see. How can I rationalize that? She inwardly sighed.

"Is he going to be okay?" Souta turned to her, his dark eyes widening. "I hope so. He came for my birthday and he was just fine then. Can a youkai catch a cold? Or get cancer?"

"Souta... he doesn't have that kind of sickness. It's more like a youkai disease, something none of us know about." Kagome blinked away the tears. "Anyway, Cloud and I came for supplies."

"Of course! But I know you're both hungry!" Kagome's mother exclaimed, rushing both of them over to the dining room. "I had a feeling you were coming back, so I made extra."

They all ate dinner in silence. Kagome knew that her mother could tell something was wrong with her. "By the way, Kagome, Hojo came by to see you earlier. As a matter of fact, you just missed him. After you go shopping for supplies, why don't you stop by his house and see him?" Kagome's grandpa told them.

"A-ano... alright." Kagome shrugged. Her grandpa handed her some extra yen to buy the materials. "Nani?"

"The spirits were upset today. Something big is happening over there, right? So buy as much as you need. Be strong, Kagome." For once, Kagome's grandfather did something both useful and serious. Kagome nodded solemnly and stood up.

Kagome and Cloud exited her house and went towards the nearest supermarket. As they were walking along the dark streets, Cloud spoke all of a sudden. "Why did you lie to you brother?" He turned to her, looking confused.

"Nani?!? I couldn't just tell him that Inuyasha had been possessed! Souta looks up to Inuyasha a lot! It would upset him so much if he knew." Kagome burst out. "I can't believe you would ask something like that!"

"Is it that? Or is it that you don't want to except the fact that he's possessed?" Cloud raised an eyebrow, which only angered Kagome more. Kagome froze and stopped walking.

"Leave me." Kagome said darkly. When Cloud didn't say anything or move she blew up. "Just go away and leave me alone! I don't need you!"

Without looking at Cloud, Kagome ran off. She reached the supermarket by herself. It was then that she realized that Cloud didn't follow her. Good! I don't need him anyway! How dare he ask me such a question? Who would ever tell a young boy such a horrid thing about his role model? And it wasn't Inuyasha's fault Kikyo possessed him! Kagome fumed as she picked out nonperishable foods, bottled water, a flashlight, Band-Aids, bandages, rubbing alcohol, and other supplies.

After exiting the supermarket with her goods, Kagome made her way to Hojo's place. Fifteen minutes later, she finally found it. She rang the doorbell twice and Hojo instantly answered. "Kagome!!!" Hojo said happily and ushered her inside. "How nice of you to visit me!" Hojo closed the door behind her and locked it.

Kagome set her bags down next to the door and stood awkwardly next to Hojo. "I just stopped by to say hello and everything..." She trailed off as Hojo practically dragged her upstairs into his room. He closed his door and locked it. "Ano... Hojo?"

"I've got something to show you." Hojo said seriously. "I figured since you live at a shrine, you'd know what this is." He went over to his bed and felt under the pillow. Hojo took out a tiny shard of light.

"Shikon no kakera! Hojo... how did you find that?" Kagome froze. Something was wrong... The air seemed to be thicker. Hojo suddenly seemed bigger and darker. Alright... I'm hoping this is some kind of sick joke...

"Ah yes, Kagome. Naraku delivered this to me. He said all I had to do was get you alone." Hojo smiled sinisterly. "But of course..."

Nani?!? How can this be? I didn't even sense the shikon no kakera before Hojo took it out. Something's wrong. My powers never failed me before. Why now? Why here? And what's wrong with Hojo? Kagome gulped.

"I want a real one though. This one is fake." Hojo crushed the shard with his hands. "I know you have some, Kagome. And if you don't give me one, I might have to hurt you. You're so pretty Kagome. But you won't look very pretty if you're covered in blood."

"Hojo... what's wrong with you?" Kagome shook her head. "This anger, this hatred... it's not a part of you! You need to break free, Hojo! You can do it!"

"Break free? From what? This is mankind's true nature. Kagome, face it. We're all doomed. The human race is full of hatred, abuse, and evils beyond your innocent imagination. There's no point in doing good, being courageous, showing compassion or anything like that.

"In the end, it won't save us. Naraku showed me that. The cruelty of mankind has pushed us for too long. Only with the Shikon no Tama and the Infinite Materia can mankind be saved. Naraku will start every world over. He will be the grand ruler of the universe. Every world shall bow down to him!" Hojo screamed out madly.

"Hojo!!" Kagome cried out as Hojo's body burst into flame, then exploded. When Kagome opened her eyes, Naraku himself was right in front of her!

"Ah, Kagome. I hope you see what happens when you leave those you hold dear defenseless. Let this be a lesson to you. I suppose you'll have to explain to this boy's family why their nice son is dead. Or you can just lie to them, like you did to your brother. Speaking of, I think he'll be my next target..." Naraku laughed manically and disappeared.

Kagome ran as fast as she could outside, not forgetting the supplies she bought. She kept on running and running, not even realizing that she was crying. I can't believe this... now that Naraku can come to my time... there's no stopping him! He'll kill my family! My friends! Hojo... gomen nasai... How could I have let this happen? Kagome finally reached her house. She barely made it to Goshinboku, when she fell to the ground and began to sob loudly.

Hojo... Hojo... he's dead. He's dead. And it's all my fault! Who's next? Who's going to leave now? Souta? Mom? Grandpa? Inuyasha... I wish you were here. I really do... I need you... Please, come back... Kagome didn't even notice that someone had their arms around her.

Kagome looked up, tears falling from her eyes. She stared up into Cloud's compassionate face. His blue eyes, full of emotion. "He... he... Hojo... went mad... Naraku...wants Infinite Materia... I... I..." She broke down again and Cloud's arms tightened around her.

"Kagome?" Souta tentatively scurried over. "Daijoubu desu ka?"

"I... I need to be alone, Souta. Arigato." Kagome ruffled his hair and was surprised when Souta gave her a tiny kiss on the cheek.

"You're my favorite sister in the whole world. And whoever made you cry will pay! Right, Cloud?" Souta turned to Cloud. "Any you'll get Inuyasha back too, right?" And without waiting for Kagome's reply, he ran off inside their house.

"I told him. He's not as immature as you think." Cloud said after a while. Kagome hiccupped and then stopped crying all together. "Where am I going to sleep?" What's gotten into me? I can't fall for her... can I?

Ok... that was completely random... Kagome smiled softly and stood up. "Arigato, Cloud. You've been so helpful. And I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier." And together, they walked back inside her house.

For the rest of the night, everything went okay. Kagome was calm enough to tell Cloud everything that happened when she went to Hojo's place. Cloud actually let Souta see his sword. Kagome learned that it was called the Apocalypse.

Souta and Cloud were playing video games. Cloud caught on quickly how to fight and in no time, was kicking Souta's tail. "Aww..." Souta sighed as he lost his tenth game in a row.

"Time for bed!" Kagome's mother called out cheerfully and Souta reluctantly sauntered upstairs. Kagome set up the couch for Cloud, who sat down on it instantly.

"Good night, Cloud." Kagome smiled fondly at him and turned the light out. She retreated to her room, her soft bed and immediately fell asleep in it. She allowed the soft, silent darkness to take away her consciousness...

Kagome. Kagome... Kagome heard her name spoken by one she knew, but at the same time, didn't know. Kagome looked around her. She was sitting on an odd rock of some kind and trees surrounded her.

"Why am I in a forest?" Kagome blinked in confusion.

Kagome, Kagome... The kind voice said again. You and I are very much alike. But I am dead and you are alive. You have a job to do and my job is almost over. You must defeat Naraku before he grows too powerful. Kagome, I am called Aeris. Suddenly, the brown-haired girl from earlier appeared.

"You!" Kagome gasped. "But... your eyes. You're not evil..."

Of course not. Another familiar voice said coldly. Now both Kikyo and Aeris stood before Kagome. As if I would possess Inuyasha. I do not care for him anymore. But that is not the point. We are here to show you what is to come.

Kagome, the child "Rin" is very special. You must watch her especially. Aeris smiled brightly at Kagome. Close your eyes, and we will show you what is to come.

And Kagome obeyed, closing her eyes. Suddenly, a flash of light came and she opened her eyes against the light. She was looking at a small village, with a bunch of villagers lying on the ground. Dead, but not dead. Kagura, Kanna, and Naraku stood in front of Inuyasha, who was not possessed.

Kagura! Kagome exclaimed. Matte, she's dead... Then as Inuyasha prepared to use his Kaze no Kizu, Kagome realized what was happening. Iie, Inuyasha!!! It's a trap! It's a trap! Kanna's mirror!! Kagome tried to cry out, but she couldn't speak. She helplessly watched as Kanna reflected Inuyasha's attack right back at Inuyasha. Gold light came towards her and all was still.

Kagome opened her eyes again and she saw that she was whizzing around. Where Kagome was, she didn't know. She saw faces, faces full of emotion. Rin, concentrated on something. Marlene crying. Bankotsu hanging his head in shame. Two figures kissing under the stars. Red XIII jumping in the way to save Tifa. Kohaku and Shippo fighting side by side against youkai. Sango and Vincent traveling somewhere.

"Knights of the Round!" Rin's voice called out.

"Shinichi-tai!" Marlene's voice said simultaneously.

The Cetra, the Cetra, the Cetra, the Cetra... A voice whispered inside Kagome's head. There were more images: Inuyasha attacking Kikyo... or was it Kagome? Cloud facing off against Hakudoushi. Sesshoumaru and Sephiroth dueling to the death once again. And finally... all was dark.

We have shown you all we can and all you are permitted to see. Aeris' voice said reassuringly. Take care, Kagome. And take care of Cloud...

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it..." Kikyo recited darkly. Use these visions wisely. DO NOT FORGET!

Kagome woke up gasping, Kikyo's words still ringing in her ears. As she looked around her room, still dazed from the dream, light shone in through her window. "Ok, that was weird...." She stood up slowly, heading to the bathroom. "What I need is a good bath."