Chapter Five
Where Three Worlds Meet

'Sango perked her ears at the sound of rustling bushes. "Did you hear that…?"

'Miroku quickly diverted his eyes from her gorgeous backside. "What? …No, I haven't heard anything."

"Hmm…" She shrugged and continued looking for more wood to use in their fire. The evening was getting dark quickly and she hurried so it wouldn't get too dark before she was done. "Are you just going to stand there or help me?" She said, pushing Miroku, "We don't have all day!"

'He shook himself from staring at her again. "Of course," he picked up a fairly thick stick from the ground and sighed heavily, thinking of many things he'd rather be doing with his hands then gathering wood…

'"Whoooaaa!" Shippo appeared out of nowhere, tumbling down a hill with sticks rolling out everywhere. He smacked right into Miroku's leg, wood flying up all around them.

"Shippo are you okay!?" Sango cried, picking up the bruised little fox.

'Shippo rubbed his head tenderly in her arms, pearly tears in his eyes. "I—I—I saw something in the woods!" He whimpered pointing behind him.

'Sango looked to Miroku. He nodded at her, "Let's go check it out."

'They carefully went up the hill that Shippo had run out of and Miroku gripped his staff tightly, peering into the trees and bushes, approaching them carefully. "I don't see…" he began, when two sets of eyes looked up at him through the trees. His eyes went wide, his eyebrow twitching.

'Thwack! He took his staff and gave them both a bone shattering smack on the head with his staff and stumbled back, taking Sango by his side. "Stay back! I'm warning you, or you'll both be on our fire tonight!"

'The two mysterious creatures fell from their hiding spot and crashed into the ground, clutching their heads. "Please don't hurt us! We're not here to attack you!"

'Shippo gasped, pointing at them "Wolves? What are you doing here?"

Sango stepped closer with a skeptical look on her face. "That's a good question. What are you doing here?" She asked, gripping the long wooden weapon across her back with narrowed eyes.

'One of the human-wolves staggered to its feet, cowering before her. "Oh, please, don't hurt us! We just have a message for you!"

'Sango went wide-eyed. "A message?" She looked to Miroku with a confused face. "What for?"

'"It is from our master, Kouga," The other one said getting up.

'"Inuyasha better hear this…" Miroku mused, "Come with us," He led Sango, Shippo, and the wolves down the hill and out of the forest to a small clearing where a weak fire had been brewing and Inuyasha sat up in a tree. As soon as he saw them he jumped down, clutching the hilt of Tetsuiga. "What are they doing here?" he growled dangerously.

'"They can explain," Miroku said quickly holding his hand up in restraint to Inuyasha.

'He paid no heed and unsheathed his sword before the wolves. "I don't trust anything you wolves have to say. Leave now or I'll slay you both!"

'One wolf gulped down his fear and stepped forward. "Were not hear to cause any trouble, we have been sent by Kouga to deliver a message to you all."

Inuyasha faltered for a moment, his eyes wide with confusion, but only for an instant before he gripped his sword again and pointed it to them both. "What makes you think I will believe anything you have to say to us?" He snarled.

'"Don't be stupid Inuyasha!" Sango grumbled, stepping in front of him and forcefully putting down his sword. "What is the message?"

'"Lord Kouga was requested to tell you that Kagome is safe and well with him and his pack."

'"Kagome!?" they all exclaimed.

'Kagome…Inuyasha thought silently…."Why the hell is she with him?" He cried out.

'"The lady Kagome requested this message herself!" The wolf defended, "Lord Kouga saved her life and she has chosen to travel with him to the East Rock River."

'"Kagome hasn't gone back into her time…. We have to go find her!" Sango yelled.

'"Now just hold on a second!" Inuyasha ordered, "We don't need to go looking for Kagome, I'm sure she's just fine with that mutt, Kouga."

'"Don't be stubborn—" Miroku started,

'"We've been worried sick over Kagome! And there's no way your going to stop us because you're too stupid to realize you miss her too!" Sango cried and turned to the wolves, "Where is East Rock?"

'A wolf pointed into the distance, "That way, about forty miles from here. Follow the river and it will lead you to the lake."

'"Thank you, you may leave us." Miroku said and waved them away. He turned to Inuyasha. "I agree with Sango. We must go find Kagome."

'"We don't need her anymore…" He mumbled.

'"She has the jewel shards, stupid-head!" Sango snapped, "The very least you could do is go back and get them." She turned her back on him and grabbed Miroku by the arm, "Me and Miroku are going. If you choose to stay, then fine. But you owe it to Kagome to go and apologize for what you did to her!"

'"Fine! I'll go! But only because you wont shut the hell up!" Inuyasha fumed, walking in behind them with his arms crossed.

"Oh! I'm so glad we get to go see Kagome!!" Shippo sobbed in Sango's shoulder as they set off towards the river.

'Kagome…. Inuyasha dragged behind the others, his face slowly melting into worry. Why didn't you come back this time…?

' --- --- ---

'Kagome slowly awoke to the warm sunlight that drifted through the branches. Her body was heavy with exhaust, she groaned and slowly sat up, brushing her hair back and yawning. Something stirred below her and she looked down, seeing Kouga rustle in his sleep. She shook his shoulder gently, "Kouga, Kouga, wake up!" His eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her. He smiled weakly. "Kagome. Its good to see you well again." He sat up and stretched his arms above his head, several bones in his back cracking.

He stood up and looked around with weary eyes. "I doubt the pack is still waiting for us, we better get moving so we can catch up to them." He held out his hand and Kagome let him help her up. Her vision blurred for a moment as she stood on her legs, but she shook her head and forced herself to focus.

'They walked together at a slower pace than yesterday, Kagome was sure because Kouga was worried she wouldn't have the energy to go any faster. She resented that he pitied her, but the dull realization was that she was too weak bore a heavy burden in the back of her mind. So she decided not to argue with him.

'By mid-morning they stopped by the river to drink some water and eat a little. Kagome took the chance to refill her water bottle again and ate some of the granola from her bag (by now, she was getting very sick of eating granola every day). "Here," she offered a bar to Kouga. He arched an eyebrow at it and shook his head. "Oh, come on, I haven't seen you eat in almost a day!"

'"I don't need to eat every day like you humans, I'm fine."

'Kagome made a smug look. "Eat it anyway! You'll have more strength." She shoved the bar in his hands with a look that said she wouldn't take no for an answer. Kouga sighed and nibbled off a piece, his face twisting in disgust. "This tastes like grass."

'Kagome grinned and finished the last bite of her bar and stood up, taking in a breath. 'I never really realized how beautiful this forest was until today…" she said to no one in particular but herself, looking around. From the corner of her eye she saw Kouga, his cheeks red with blush. Her eyes went wide, wondering if her clothes had fallen off without her knowing or something just as crazy. After giving herself a quick look over she was confused, and simply watched him. His eyes were far away, a small, almost not-there smile on his lips. He shook himself from his daze and ate the last bit of his bar. "Maybe one day we'll come back here and see it again…"

'Kagome blushed and turned away from him. Starting back up the small hill to their trail, when she abruptly stopped in her tracks.

'"Kagome…?" Kouga came next to her.

"Stop." She barred his way with her arm and looked out into the distance, her face pale. "I sense a jewel shard."

Kouga went tense, his sharp eyes scanning the forest. "Where?"

'"I…I'm not sure." Kagome licked her lips and searched the forest. "Something isn't right…"

'They stood in the silence for a few moments, searching for the demon hidden in the trees and bushes. Suddenly a figure came erupting from its hiding place, branches and leaves shattering in its wake. It was so fast they barely could see it—Kouga took Kagome by the shoulders and dove to his side, just barely missing the demon.

'The demon chuckled as it reeled around and faced them. Kouga staggered to his feet and forced Kagome behind him. "What the hell do you want?" he growled, his claws rigid and ready to shred the flesh from the demons face.

'The demon smiled, its mouth seeming to crack under its enormous sharp teeth. It had the body of a human but was grossly disfigured. "I want the girl and the jewel shards."

He scoffed with a harsh smirk. "Figures."

'The demon charged for Kouga. Kouga shoved Kagome out of the way. "Run Kagome!" he screamed back to her and clashed with the demon, fending off its attempt to bite his head off and ripped at his face with his claws. "Run!"

The demon staggered back for a moment clutching its head, five claw marks etched into its skin and bleeding. It snarled at him. "I will destroy you!"

Kouga flexed his hands, the bones cracking. "Go ahead and try!"

'The demon ran for him and they were locked into a battle. Kagome watched them, horrified. She had to do something! She franticly looked around for anything to distract the demon, wishing that she had her bow and sacred arrows.

It was then she spotted the faint glimmer in the demons back. She peered closer and gasped. "Kouga!" she screamed "The jewel shard! Its in his back!"

'Kouga's eyes went wide, his head turning towards her for just a moment as she screamed his name. In that swift moment the demon struck him in the back of his head with its claws, reeling him into the ground.

'The demon craned its neck in Kagome's direction and snarled. "The girl!" It hissed, and stalked towards her.

Kouga struggled to lift his head from the ground, his face shuttering in pain, the back of his head bleeding pools of blood in the dirt. "K-Kagome! No!"

'She stumbled back in fear as the demon began approaching her, looking from side to side for any place to run. But there was nowhere. She was trapped. The demon licked its grotesque lips with a cruel smile. "Naraku shall have you." It thrashed out its arm to strike her but she rolled out of the way, the ground where she was shattered and broken. She tried to run out of his way but it was too late—the demon grabbed her ankle and shoved her off the ground, dangling her in the air. Kagome kicked and screamed desperately as her eyes were level with its head, her body quivering in fear.

'"Your jewel shards…" It seethed, fingering the jewel at her breast, its eyes wide and lustful as it touched the sacred jewels. "They are mine…"

'She trembled as its fingers scraped at her breasts for the jewel, and she swallowed hard on her fear. "You will never have them!"

'It clutched her neck with its hand, its claws digging into her skin. "They are mine!" it snarled, digging its hand deeper, "And you shall be mine as well!" This time as it trailed its bloody hand over the jewel it caressed the rise of her breasts, a different kind of lust overtaking his eyes. Kagome struggled hopelessly in his grasp, her lips trembling as he scraped hungrily at her body. She refused to give in and let him take the jewels to Naraku, even as her eyes filled with terrified tears.

'The demon laughed cruelly and she squirmed under his harsh touch, and moved his sharp hand under her shirt, slowly scraping her belly with its claws and drawing trails of blood as its made its way up and cut the chain of her necklace and held the incomplete jewel in its hand. A triumphant laugh echoed from its foul mouth and he clutched it tighter. "There is no hope for you!"

'Suddenly a vicious scream came from behind them and the demon whirled around, loosening its grip on Kagome and letting her tumble to the ground. A figure jumped high above them, it's body dark against the sun, and descended on the demon and landed on its back. Kouga made another ferocious howl and buried his claws in the demons back. "You filthy bastard!" He screamed as he dug his claw deeper into it's scarred flesh, the demon shrieking as Kouga spilled his blood, desperately reaching back and trying to throw him off. Kouga growled brutally as he barred his sharp teeth and ripped out the shard from its back and held it high, his hand soaked in blood. The demon wailed and yanked Kouga off him, he slammed into the ground on his back, the jewel held tightly in his hands. The demon disintegrated before their eyes, his body shriveling into nothing more than dust. His back went up in fiery flames, the image of a spider burned into his ashen flesh before the wind swept him away.

'They were motionless for many moments as they watched the demon disappear. Kagome shakily stood up and walked over to the ashes and reached in a trembling arm, taking the Shikon Jewel from the ground. She let out a long breath. "Thank God…I thought the jewel almost went with him…" she tied it back around her neck. "Let's go." She said dully, "I don't want to be here a second longer." She turned back to Kouga ready to run out of this forest if she had to, and then saw him on his knees, blood trailing down his neck. She gasped and knelt down next to him, taking him in her arms. "Oh, Kouga! I almost forgot! I'm so sorry!"

'He put his hand in hers and gave her the shard, closing his eyes tight. 'Its nothing, its just…"

'Kagome traced her hands very gently through his hair, trails of blood running down his long black strands. Blood trickled down her fingertips and she grimaced, taking the bottom of her shirt in her teeth and pulling hard to rip it, shredding off the fabric to help stop the bleeding.

'"Kagome, no, I don't need—" he abruptly stopped when she finally managed to rip it and exposed her stomach. "Oh, Kagome…" He took his hand and traced his fingers on her cuts, "Did he do this to you?"

'She said nothing and folded the white cloth and pressed it gently to his head. The fabric stained red as his blood soaked into it. "…I was really scared." She finally managed to say.

'His eyes went dark as he looked up at her. Kagome almost dropped her cloth as he looked into her eyes, his icy sapphire gaze filled with a distant anger. "I heard what that thing said to you…. I saw when he touched you…" Kagome sat back in awe as Kouga's words shook on his lips, an almost demonic look in his eyes. It felt as if his aura was bleeding a rage Kagome had scarcely felt before. She silently swore she would never again question how dangerous Kouga was.

'"I wanted to see him suffer. I wanted to tear him apart looking for that jewel shard…."

'"No, you stupid idiot…" Kagome whispered, "I wasn't afraid because of what he said…because of what he did to me…" She swallowed hard on her words, her hand shaking as she held it to his head. "I was afraid that…even if he would have taken the jewel shards, that…that he would to kill you…" She dropped her hand and held him by his shoulders. "Your so stupid…" She brought her arms around to his chest and held him close to her. She couldn't understand why, but the sudden thought of being without him was unbearable. She didn't know why she was feeling this way; why she felt so…incomplete without him.

'"Don't ever do that again…don't ever die trying to protect me." She whispered, holding him closer, laying her head on his shoulder.

'Kouga sat very still as she embraced him, gazing into the distance for a very long moment. He finally let his head down and turned to look at her. "I cant." He said. His deep, dark voice certain. "I wont let anything happen to you."

'Kagome lifted her head and looked at him. Her eyes grew soft and she hugged him again. "Your impossible…"

'--- --- ---

'Naraku lay in the darkest corner of his castle with his face hidden in the shadows. A cold breeze swept through his hair, the smell of blood filling his senses. Naraku extended his hand to the air, fine gray ashes settling on his palm. A twisted smile slowly came to his lips. "So…the demon has failed me." He let the ashes catch the wind and float into the

world outside.

'In the eyes of his castle he saw Inuyasha and trudging through the deep forest towards East Rock, his companions not far behind. Naraku smiled. How delightful it will be when Inuyasha and the wolf demon Kouga finally meet…. In the shadows Naraku's smile only deepened. It would such a fitting demise for the foolish men, to kill each other in battle over their dear Kagome….

'Naraku sat in his dark shadows and waited. Waited for the day that would come so soon…when Kouga the wolf demon and Inuyasha would be dead…and Kagome and her jewel shards would finally be his.