She remembered that Naraku spent a long time talking to her, working up courage to tell her that he loved her. He had been waiting so long, and Kikyo's resistance had failed. She could not resist, mainly because she refused to. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, and Kikyo knew that this was her life's calling. She must stay with Naraku...always.
Inuyasha rested in Kaede's hut, telling the others about what happened at the castle. Kagome and Shippo sat nearby, listening to Kaede lecture Inuyasha about fighting Naraku.
"Ye mustn't go until you're absolutely ready," Kaede said quietly, bandaging Inuyasha's arms. "Tis a strange man, that Naraku. He isn't even human! Ye must be careful, Inuyasha."
The young half-demon leaned against a thin pillow, blinking out of confusion, shame, and pain. "That damn Naraku! I was so close to rescuing Kikyo! I...I think he really wants to keep her!" Kagome, who was listening very intently to Inuyasha's story, brushed a strand of black hair from her face.
"Inuyasha, please be more careful. I know you're confident, but you're gonna get killed if you ever do that kind of crazy stunt again!" Kagome begged.
Inuyasha sat up suddenly, not caring if his wounds will re-open. "Whose side are you on, Kagome? I was doing it to save Kikyo, I was doing it to save the others, and I was doing it to save you! Ain't that enough of an excuse?"
Voices were heard from outside the hut. Kaede turned, still wringing the cloth she used for Inuyasha. "Who goes there? State ye names!"
Two of Inuyasha's friends entered. One of them was a girl, who looked a little bit older than Kagome. She had beautiful, black hair that was cutely cut around the cheeks. The girl had magenta, deep pink eyeliner and a caring smile. She carried a large, brown boomerang made of demon bones.
"Sango," she exclaimed, putting on her friendly smile. A tall young man walked behind her, reaching out toward her waist.
The man wore a black and purple monk's outfit, and carried a golden, spiritual staff. He had smooth, black hair that was very well-cared for, and it was tied into a short ponytail at the neck. He wore gold earrings, two on the right and one on the left.
"Miroku," he said in a friendly yet casual voice. He wrapped his arm around Sango's waist, and she shrieked in surprise. Then, without warning, the young woman turned and slapped the lecherous monk directly upside the face, leaving a large red handprint on the skin.
"Such misunderstandings," Miroku sighed. "I was merely checking if your Hiraikotsu was in place. The strap was hanging off a little ways, you know."
Sango growled, and she waved her hand in the air. "Not necessary, thanks. If you need another slap to set you straight, I dare you to do that again."
Kagome stood, and clapped her hands in glee. "Sango! Miroku! Where have you guys been? Did you find any information about Naraku?"
Sango shook her head and placed a hand on her hip. "No, except that Inuyasha went after him. What were you thinking?" she asked, looking in Inuyasha's direction.
Miroku waved his staff around, a look of worry upon his face. "Yes, you gave us quite a scare. When we heard Kikyo had been taken, we knew you would gallop off to her rescue. Still, Inuyasha, you're the one who said we shouldn't go off doing things alone."
Inuyasha waved his hand and laid back down. "I don't need a lecturing party, you know!" Still, Sango and Miroku would not stop asking about Inuyasha.
"That's right, we're a team," Sango exclaimed. "Remember when I wouldn't join your team? I was ignorant, and thought I could defeat Naraku on my own. Now look where it's gotten you! Those wounds look terrible!"
Kagome smiled. "You're the best, Sango. You, too, Miroku. We're all concerned about Inuyasha, and you seemed as worried as we are."
Kaede shook her finger in Inuyasha's face. "Tsk, tsk. You're lucky you have such great friends, Inuyasha. Why, if they weren't here for you, you would be left out in the rain, destined to be defeated by Naraku forever."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow dangerously. "Not very reassuring, are you, old hag?" Kaede shrugged. Judging by the expression in Inuyasha's eyes, he was neither injured nor calm. He was finally taking it in, admitting that he lost to his arch nemesis.
"Look, I failed to rescue the woman I loved," he said. As Inuyasha said this, Kagome's facial expression changed, and she looked at the floor in silence. Inuyasha saw this out the corner of his eye, and he stopped talking immediately. At that moment, Kaede stood, breaking the silence in the house.
"I am going to fetch some herbs. Shippo, come with me. Sango, Miroku, can you two fetch some more firewood? And please, Miroku, no touching. I don't want Sango to get on me for it," Kaede said blankly, and everyone laughed.
Miroku sighed. "I am nothing but a poor, misunderstood monk. When will Sango accept me for who I am, not who I touch..? Um, I mean..."
Everyone laughed once more. Sango placed a hand on Miroku's shoulder and pushed him out the flap in the door. "I've got my Hiraikotsu, if it comes to extreme measures."