Disclaimer: Inuyasha is not mine......sigh
Chapter 20:
Sango watched as the young woman ran into the woods, into the darkness. The sun was very close to set and night would be upon them. 'Please be safe, Kagome-chan.' She looked worriedly into the woods in which Kagome disappeared. "You alright?" A calm soft voice came from beside her. Sango jumped, forgetting that Miroku was waiting with her.
"Oh, I'm alright. It's just that it's getting dark and all." She smiled weakly.
"Inuyasha will find her if anything happens. He's so funny. Like we didn't already know they confessed their love." Sango looked at him and blushed, thinking about what Inuyasha had said earlier. Miroku in turn did the same and turned his gaze from her face. 'I'm never gonna get anywhere this way.' He slumped down to the ground and gazed up at the rising moon. "I think dusk is one of the most beautiful times of the day, with the moon rising and the sun setting. The stars are just beginning to light up and the sunset's colors fade into deep blue night." He sighed and smiled at the girl who'd joined his side.
"Never really thought about that much. I like sunrises myself, a new day, a new beginning, but it never does turn out that way. Nope, no new beginnings." She smiled sadly and stretched out her legs in front of her.
"Yup...always seems that way, but it's good to think positively." He looked over at Sango as she was gazing at the night sky. 'We're alone, now's my chance, but why do I hesitate?' She casually looked his way and smiled as she scooted closer to his side, her face closing in on his. Miroku gulped right before her lips almost touched his, until a faint scream sounded off in the distance. In an instant, Sango pulled away, leaving the stunned monk hanging. "What? Huh?" Miroku was in a daze.
"Kagome-chan! I heard her scream! We have to go!" Sango jumped up, grabbing his hand as he picked up his staff. They hurriedly ran into the pitch black forest.
"Who's there?" Inuyasha questioned in a brash annoyed tone. "You have her....you have Kagome. Where the hell is she?!" He barked into the darkness. "Show yourselves!" A gigantic harpy stepped into the moonlight, her wings spread out and talons digging into the dirt.
"You killed my daughters! Inu youkai, because of your crime I shall kill this girl in return." She hissed. The harpy flapped her wings and the others showed themselves, surrounding him. One held Kagome in its grasp, its hand covering her mouth. Kagome kicked and let out tiny squealing sounds. This enraged Inuyasha. He was trying to contain his youkai blood from rising. The instinct to protect his mate was taking a hold of him.
'Inuyasha, control it. Please.' A calm, sweet voice echoed in his mind. "Kagome?" He stared in her direction and she nodded slightly. 'Good, you can hear me. I have faith in you.' She closed her eyes.
"Let her go and I will not shed any of your blood. I'll let you go now." The harpies chirped in laughter.
"A hanyou defeat me?" The ugly bird woman chuckled. The harpy holding Kagome was instructed to hand her over to the leader. Kagome kicked and screamed.
"You ugly bird! Let me go!"
"What is this on you arm, human?" The harpy squawked as she lifted up the cast. Kagome winced in pain and Inuyasha clenched his teeth right before he jumped at the demon.
"You let her go now!!! Sankon Tessou!" He clawed at her chest, making her drop Kagome onto the forest floor. "Kagome! Run!" The girl made a quick dash into the brush, the harpies following after her. "Kagome duck!!!!" Inuyasha bellowed right before he let out: "Kaze no Kizu!!!!" The blast wiped out the entire flock of horrid creatures. Inuyasha smirked and turned to the giant youkai, who instantly pinned him to the ground with her talon. Inuyasha coughed and found it harder and harder to breathe. She was crushing him. "Bitch!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome covered her mouth and hoped for the best. She was about to run to his side, when the harpy flung one of her wings out, knocking Kagome off her feet. Inuyasha spat blood onto the ground, his lips turning blue. Thoughts of dread and fear entered his mind; Kagome's fear and devastation made him regain strength. He knew she loved him and didn't want him to die.
"You little insect! Why are you resisting death?"
"Some...one....needs me." He coughed out. "That is....why...I must...must...live on!" Inuyasha shouted as he pierced the Tetsusaiga into her heart. The youkai shrieked and screamed in the same way her daughter had. Inuyasha fell backwards, just as before. He held his hands over his ears tightly until the screeching stopped as the harpy fell.
"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Kagome ran to his side and held him in her arms. She took a kerchief out of her pocket and blotted the blood up around his ears. "Are you alright?"
"Hmmm? Oh, yeah, I am now." He smiled as he shut his eyes. Sango and Miroku rushed in on the scene.
"What happened?" Sango asked concerned.
"The harpies came back for revenge. He just killed the leader." Kagome briefly explained. "I sure hope he doesn't go deaf this time, last time he was able to hear thoughts." Miroku and Sango gawked at each other in surprise.
"You knew, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked in shock.
"He told me when he took me home. I guess he told you too?" Kagome smiled. "Pretty interesting, huh?" The others nodded and then Miroku sealed the harpy. They all headed back to the hut for the night. Some rest would do them all well.
AN: Okay this isn't the last 't end it yet...lol...anyways I hope you're enjoying it! Thank you for all your comments!
Hey Ariyana,
I completely lost your e-mail....hehe, but I think we're safe from the hurricane for now....it is headed our way though. ; We'll be fine! (I hope....only God knows) Thanks for your comments and worries!
