Chapter Four - Torn Apart



Shippou was currently rolling about on the ground, clutching his sides in laughter. His amusement came from watching Sango chase Miroku around Kaede's hut, her boomerang held above her head, emphasizing her intention. Strangely enough, this did not disturb the villagers, for they had quickly become accustomed to the group's behavior. The sight of a hanyou chasing a girl from the future to a magical well in order to plead with her not to go, a young kitsune playing tricks when bored or chasing the fire cat for fun, watching the taijiya pulverize the corrupted monk for letting his hands wander... all these things the villagers now seemed to view with familiarity and paid little attention when they occurred. But still, the little fox was merry at such a spectacle, he seemed to never tire of the event.

"GET BACK HERE, HOUSHI!!" Came the shrill voice of Sango, her face now flushed from embarrassment and anger.

Miroku was leaning forward, hands on his knees... a vain attempt to regain his breath and composure. When he saw her closing in, he darted toward Shippou, grabbing him up in a frenzy, holding him up as a shield. "Sango, dear, if you were not so lovely I would be able to control myself!" He pleaded with her as she stopped short a few feet away, not willing to harm the fox child for revenge. "If you would only allow me a chance to--"

"To what?! Find new reasons and ways to grope me? MORE OFTEN!! Why in the world would I WANT you to touch me?!" He was taken back by this, a glint of hurt shining through his somber eyes for a split second. Shippou took this opportunity and squirmed out to hide behind the enraged girl. She had him now. Her weapon made contact with its target, rendering the lecher unconscious. Sadly enough for Sango, it only lasted a few moments.

He sat up, rubbing his head, apparently over her comment... that I'm-so-innocent grin spreading across his visage. "You know, it was completely worth it." He said more to himself than the other two. But Sango heard. She was preparing another bashing with her boomerang when a scream pierced through her thoughts. Shippou was immediately attached to the exterminator's shoulder and the monk had pulled himself from the ground.

"Kagome..." The trio uttered in unison, their worry evident as they wasted not another breath before taking off.

"Kilala!!" Sango beckoned and the kitten transformed into her larger size, swooping them up. She may have been an animal, but she understood the situation. "Find Inu-Yasha!" Was the houshi's command as Kilala took off into the forest.



____________________________________



"KAGOME!!!" He was off, his bare feet launching him into the air. The forest sped by, becoming a blur as the hanyou desperately struggled to figure out where the girl had gone. He had to find her. Dammit, where was she!?! As if on cue, his nose found her scent. It was faint but he recognized it. He also recognized the emotion laced throughout the scent. Fear.

'Damn girl, if she hadn't fucking run off like that!' He sighed mentally as he pushed himself faster, he couldn't even pretend to be upset. 'It's my fault she ran off anyway. Why can't I ever just keep my mouth shut?! I should have stopped her. I should have protected her better...'

His self-loathing was put on pause as her scent grew stronger, as if she were here only moments ago. He skidded to a stop, digging his feet into the ground beneath. He gave a quick sniff-sniff into the clearing and found the information he sought. Demon. An angry growl emitted from his chest, just before his fist made contact with the nearest tree. The tree collapsed backwards, but that did little to vent our hero's frustration. DAMN! He needed to see Kagome. He needed to see that she was safe. The problem was that he could do nothing about it... not now, night was coming. Not alone either. If only he had chased after her when she ran off. This was completely his fault. Another tree felt the wrath of his claws, guilt and pain masking his usual 'who cares' visage.

"I'll find you Kagome. And when I do... I'm not letting go."



____________________________________




"Are we almost there, Kilala?" Called Shippou's meek voice as he sat perched between Sango and Miroku. Originally he had been on the fire cat's neck, just in front of Sango, eager to find any sign of Inu-Yasha or Kagome. As fate would have it, when darkness falls... the wandering hands of a monk have a will of their own, and can not be trusted. It was now Shippou's duty to serve as a barrier between the two young adults for the remainder of the trip. A pissed off taijiya and a tainted houshi. No tension there, huh? Shippou was sure he would remain safe as long as Sango didn't turn to see her body being caressed by Miroku's mischievous eyes.

A few roared 'mew's served as the cat's response, followed by a loving pat from it's owner. The group traveled in silence, scanning the area below for a clue as to which direction they should travel. An on-going battle. A scream. A sky of raining toads. Anything. Kilala's head shot upward, looking over the distance between her and the targeted destination of the familiar scent she was picking up. She gave a soft growl as warning and shot off in a quicker pace, nearly knocking the kitsune from his place. The fox clung tightly until the cat slowed once more after a few miles, loud crashes heard from the forest now directly ahead of them.

"If I were to guess, I'd say Kilala stopped for a reason. And judging by the noise... I'd also guess that we've found Inu-Yasha." Sango spoke the thoughts her two friends had also been sharing. The growls echoing from the forest sounded hostile enough to kill without the owner lifting a finger.

"He seems mad..." Shippou was unsure of why, but somehow he knew it wasn't going to be something he wanted to hear. He gulped down the slab of fear gathering in his throat and latched onto Miroku's shoulder.

Miroku stepped up behind his comrades, pensive oculars shining sorrowfully. "It is as I feared then. Some ill-doing has befallen Lady Kagome." The others said nothing, merely hung their heads. They had been in the village goofing off and Kagome was kidnapped. They had no way to know what kind of torture she was being put through at this very moment.

Kilala began striding into the forest, looking over her shoulder as if assuring her companions that it was indeed the canine they had sought so desperately. They took the hint and followed suit, the crashing sounds of trees becoming louder as they closed the distance quickly. A swirl of leaves covering the air around once clear area. There was the source of the surrounding chaos. Clawing, punching, growling and ripping anything within arms reach. A large branch landed a few feet before them with a thud before the hanyou turned on them, fangs bared.

One could say that this sight may imply that the boy was upset, but that did not deter Sango from wanting answers. Afterall, she was just as worried as he. "What happened? Where is Kagome-chan?"

At this, the growling ceased, but his rage did not. His eyes dropped, suddenly finding the ground extremely interesting as he answered. "Gone." He stated in a hushed tone, as if he were ashamed to admit it to them.

"Gone? Gone home you mean?" A confused Shippou asked quickly, concerned about his adopted mother. It would explain Inu-Yasha madness... even if a little excessive and it was a happier scenario for Kagome.

"No, you little runt, not home! GONE!! As in TAKEN!" He bellowed, causing Shippou to slump down over the ground in despair. "Lousy, filthy demon..." he muttered under his breath, accompanied by a few choice obscenities. He felt his guilt surface again as he regarded Shippou and the other, another tree falling to his anger.

Miroku stepped behind him, grabbing his shoulders and turning the hanyou to face him. "We'll find her." So perhaps it wasn't the best for motivation. It was said more to rekindle hope and to remind Inu-Yasha that he was not alone, nor to blame. Miroku considered himself a good friend of Inu-Yasha's and the monk knew that their unofficial leader took it upon himself to protect the miko. Not only because of the jewel, but because no matter to what extent he denied it... he cared for the girl. Miroku knew this was gnawing at him. He needed to calm his friend in order for the rescue to begin.

The hound was seated Indian-style now, beginning his tale of what had happened before they had arrived. No one interrupted... knowing that this was hard for him since Kagome had been taken while fleeing from him and their now seemingly pointless argument. Granted, he may not be the most sensitive creature known to the world, but Inu-Yasha would never let harm come to Kagome, of this they were positive.

Inu-Yasha claimed an expression of shock as those three words reached his ears. He was not as ignorant and brainless as everyone suspected. Those words and the understanding look on his friend's face told him the hidden meaning and extra message that came with the statement. His fellow travelers knew that Kagome was special to him. Yet, it seemed to the hanyou that why and to what extent was the girl special... he was the only one who couldn't comprehend the answer. With Naraku, Kikyo, Sesshoumaru, the various demons possessing shards, and all the other problems the group is faced with on a daily basis... somehow it slipped his attention just how strong the bond was between himself and the girl. Somewhere along the course of their journey, he grew accustomed to having her around. Her pretty face and bright smile. Her soft voice, her patience. She would always care for him when he was injured. The way her eyes would shine gleefully when he behaved kindly toward her or held her in his arms... the sexy way she would become flushed when angry. He blinked... why was he thinking about this again?

Slowly voices muffled his thoughts. His mind must have wandered off in the middle of a discussion because all he heard now was Sango's laugh and Shippou's retort. "I think you're right Miroku, he is daydreaming about Kagome." The kitsune erupted into a fit of laughter, pointing at the accused, his other hand gripping his side. It may not have been considered appropriate to laugh in such a crisis, but the kitsune would worry himself to death otherwise. All four also knew they had a better chance at finding a trace of the demon in the light of morning. Waiting was all they were left with.

"I am NOT daydreaming! Even if I were, it wasn't about some weak human!" He huffed his disapproval at being made fun of and moved from the fire Sango had prepared while he was in la-la land. He hopped into an inviting tree.... well, one that was still standing anyway. "Sleep," he ordered roughly, "we hunt tomorrow."

The remaining group complied. Tomorrow.









__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________


Slowly, but surely. Lol.

I think I'm only going to make this fic ten chapters long.

I'll see how I work out the rest of the chapters.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed.

Oh, and I've started outlining another idea for a fic.

It won't be posted until I'm completely done writing it though.

I've learned my mistake with this one.

Trying to outline, write, and type it for you guys all at the same time. Too much.

Reviews answered next time. Thanks.

Next -- Chapter Five : An Unlikely Team

Woot! Do you know who shows up? I'll bet some of you do.

Too bad you have to wait to find out if you're right or wrong. Lmao.

Also, thanks to Athar-Luna for the kind review.