CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

x.

Kagome dabbed a little sweat from Inuyasha's forehead. He hadn't moved since she had removed the broken blade from his stomach, and had quickly bound up the wound with a slashed bit of his sleeve. He made a soft noise, not quite a groan and not quite a whimper.

"I-Inuyasha?" Kagome whispered. "Can you hear me?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha said faintly.

"How do you feel? Do you think you can walk?"

Inuyasha winced at the idea. A little more blood seeped around the bandage.

Kagome bit her lip. She couldn't stop Inuyasha's bleeding, and he was obviously on the verge of passing out. What had Naku done to him? Had that blade been poisoned or something? Inuyasha was tough, but there were things that could poison even him.

She eased him down onto the ground; when more blood dribbled out from under the bandage, she quickly tightened it around his waist. He winced again, then his face slackened. He looked peaceful, as if he were only sleeping. Kagome wiped her hands on her short skirt, hoping that he got some rest... until Miroku and Sango showed up....

Suddenly his golden eyes opened, staring straight past her. "Something's wrong," he said hoarsely.

Kagome's heart almost skipped. "W-what's wrong? Is it getting worse?"

"Something wrong... with that bastard..." Inuyasha continued, almost to himself. But then he drifted away again, with his clawed hand clutching Kagome's.

x.

Sango ran swiftly through the woods, with Kirara racing behind her. Shippo clung to the fire-cat's back. She tried not to think of how she had left Miroku -- he would be all right, she knew. But the sight of him trying to keep the gap open was painful to recall.

Her eyes fell on a log that had been smashed to bits -- recently. That was definitely Inuyasha's work. He had little patience for obstacles. Sango leaped over it, breathing hard. "Come on, faster!" she called back.

"Do you really think Naku hurt Inuyasha?" Shippo called.

"I don't know!" Sango replied. Inuyasha was powerful, but there was something about this Naku that made her uneasy. Better that Inuyasha have backup.

She only wished Miroku were there too. She was confident in her own abilities, but it was never a good idea to go into a battle alone. That was what Father had always taught her, ever since she had been old enough to fight little demon rats and crows.

Suddenly Sango sensed something behind her. As she turned, a long whirling rod came spinning out of the trees. She dodged it -- but only then sensed a dark shape coming up behind her. She felt a blow on the back of her head and tumbled into unconsciousness, cursing how she had been so easily tricked...

x.

Kagome sat alone for a long time, thinking and holding Inuyasha's hand. He was still holding her fingers tightly, which reassured her. Dark blood was still seeping from the makeshift bandage, and Inuyasha had made little groaning sounds from time to time. His face was sweaty. He'll be okay, she thought. He's had worse. And he always got better...

Then a horrible thought came into her mind. What if Naku came back while Inuyasha was injured and helpless?

Kagome gave Inuyasha's cheek a few light slaps. "Inuyasha," she whispered. "Inuyasha, wake up! We have to get out of here. Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha winced and twisted a little, but didn't wake up.

"Don't bother. That filthy puppy has probably been bled dry by now."

Kagome froze, still clutching Inuyasha's hand in hers. Her worst fears came true -- Naku stepped into the clearing, with a wide smile on his cold face. "What should I do with both of you?" he asked.

TO BE CONTINUED