Authors Note: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while! I got this new computer game and it had me completely hooked! Anyway, I'm back now so enjoy!
Disclaimer: I only own Saru, Asano, Raye, Sakura and Kekeru.
Chapter Five: Rescue and Loss
Sakura sat chained up as usual. She'd been that way for almost two weeks now and she wondered if her family would ever come find her. A smell was carried through the air and Sakura smiled, it was Kekeru. She saw the little boy walk up to her, this time he had a bowl of stew. He was unusually silent and wouldn't meet her eyes. Sakura finished the stew, "What's wrong?" Kekeru sniffed, he was crying, "I-I'm scared. M-My mother's gotten sick. Also I... I think something's happening to me." Finally Kekeru looked up and Sakura saw that his eyes had turned a light purple color. "Who in your family was a demon?" Kekeru sat down, "My grandmother." Sakura looked at Kekeru, he seemed so much more helpless tonight then he had before, "Well, maybe your demon powers are starting to grow." Kekeru started to sob, "B-But I don't want them to! If this keeps up, everyone will know what I am!" Sakura tried her best to comfort the boy, "It's alright, it's all part of who you are. Has anything else happened?" Kekeru didn't say anything, he simply pointed to the empty stew bowl that was lying on the ground. Suddenly, the bowl started to shake, then slowly it rose about six inches off the ground and settled back down. Sakura watched with amazement, "Wow! I wish I could do that!" Kekeru smiled, "Thanks. But, what am I gonna do? Someone's bound to notice my eyes." "Well, I guess you'll just have to try not to look directly at anyone. As for your mother... pray that she gets better. I will too." Kekeru stood up, his eyes brimming with joy, "Thank you Sakura."
It was midday and Sakura was getting a break from the abuse since everyone was eating lunch. Then, the men standing guard at the village entrance let out a cry, "Demons!" People stepped outside, all of them first glancing at Sakura, then realizing it wasn't her the yelling was about, they started towards the entrance. "Outta my way you damn humans! I can smell her blood! What have you done to her?!" Sakura broke out in a smile, it was her father! They'd finally come to rescue her! Inuyasha made his way through the crowd knocking over any human who got in his way. He stopped in front of Sakura and took in the full extent of her injuries. Slowly he approached her and broke the chains. Sakura stood up to hug him but her legs gave out under her. The weeks without proper food and the injuries had taken their toll on her. Inuyasha bent down and let her grab onto his back, then he ran out of the village into a forest clearing.
Kekeru was one of the few who didn't run when the men yelled that there were demons. He knelt by his mothers bedside holding her hand. Her breathing was very shallow and her fever kept getting worse. He removed the cold cloth from her head and dipped it into a basin full of water before replacing it. "Mother, please, please get better." Her eyes flittered open and she cupped his cheek in her hand, "Kekeru... I'm sorry. Please, take care of yourself. I love you." Her eyes closed and seconds later her hand fell limp. Kekeru eyes filled with tears and he cried, "Mother... Mother, please don't go! No!" He crumpled onto the ground and cried himself to sleep.
Sakura was lowered to the ground and Asano and her mother came over to her. Kagome gave her a hug, "Oh sweetie, are you alright?" Sakura nodded, "I'm ok mom." It was then that she noticed the other person in the clearing. Raye walked towards her and stopped a few feet away. She eyed her up and down, looking at her injuries then sighed, "You know, if you'd just run away this wouldn't have happened." Sakura frowned, "Well if you hadn't attacked that village so often this also wouldn't have happened." Raye smirked, "Whatever, at least you didn't die on us." Sakura smiled before drifting off to sleep. Raye walked away and settled down against a tree, "Well, I don't hear a thank you for gettin' you guys here." Inuyasha walked over and hit Raye across the head, "Learn some manners." "Inuyasha, sit!" Inuyasha slammed into the ground much to the surprise of Raye. Asano laughed, "Wow mom, you haven't done that in a while."
Sakura woke up when she felt someone approaching. Inuyasha, Asano and Raye were also alert. Sakura recognized the smell, "It's Kekeru!" Kagome looked to her daughter, "Who's Kekeru?" "He took care of me when I was tied up. He's my friend. He's also part demon." Kekeru finally stumble into the clearing and fell to his knees, "I found you! Thank goodness! Please, please take me with you wherever you're going!" Sakura's eyes widened, "Kekeru, your mother..." Kekeru started to cry, "She's gone."
Authors Note: Well that it for now, sorry it's so short. As usual I'll wait for three reviews before continuing. Please tell me if you think I should focus more on Sakura and Raye or if I should continue with more about Kekeru.