Bonded Lives

Chapter Two : The Trap

As they entered the forest, Kagome could feel a sense of restlessness stirring amongst the creatures, and doubtless, she wasn't the only one who was able to sense it.

"What is this?" Shippo whined, as the trees rustled violently after a gust of wind blew. "Everything feels so creepy."

"I do agree, this forest is more dark than usual," Miroku observed. The sun was covered by the grey clouds that seemed to suddenly emerge from the sky, but nobody was worried.

"Do you think it could be Naraku?" Sango asked.

"I don't smell his scent anywhere," Inuyasha retorted, "don't get all jumpy over nothing." He folded his arms across his chest and continued to walk at the front of the group. Kagome, just behind him, trailed her pink bike right behind.

Lately, she wasn't as perky as usual. Not because she was sick or anything, but because she was beginning to fully realize the problems being here caused her. First of all, what would she do when all the shards were found? They had about half the Shikon Jewel completed now, and Kagome knew that with Inuyasha's determination, the rest would come fast.

No doubt, she didn't want to leave. But where would she go? Kikyo had once said she didn't belong here, yet Kagome loved it here. Though this place had less technology, less food, and her family wasn't here, she would leave her own world to stay here, and to be with Inuyasha. Before, she thought she would've missed the 21st century. But now, she knew all she deeply wanted was to be with Inuyasha, and her friends here.

Sometimes, it made her want to cry, knowing that one day Inuyasha would become a full demon, and possibly forget about her. Then, she would have no choice but to leave. Sometimes, her brother Souta would mutter things like "there are many other fish in the sea", but Kagome knew that no matter how long she searched her world, there would never be another Inuyasha, because there could only be one Hanyou that made her heart beat faster.

The thoughts of Inuyasha swirled in her mind always. After they had kissed, Kagome had thought things would be a bit different. Nothing changed at all though. Deep inside, she knew that she had wanted to kiss him. It was an attempt to save him, yet she was glad she had had the chance to save him. It was odd, how sometimes he would just hold her, and it seemed like she could melt in his gauzy red robes forever. But then, she always pulled away when the time seemed right, because he would too. She wondered whether he knew, about her love for him. Was it written all over her eyes? Sango and Miroku seemed to have noticed, but Inuyasha kept a barrier. Often times, Kagome tried to read his eyes, but they would never show much.

However, Kagome reflected happily on the time that she was able to read the emotion in his eyes when they sat together in the fire, talking about Princess Kaguya of the Moon. He had looked lonley, and a bit confused. She could see that even he himself wasn't sure if he wanted to stay a hanyou. No matter how many times he said that he's made up his mind, Kagome knew he was still deciding somewhere in him.

Absentmindedly, Kagome smiled to herself as she thought of that memory, and the happiness spread around her when she realized that at least, Inuyasha still wore the locket she had given him some time before. No matter how many times he complained it looked ridiculously feminine, she never let him take it off, and miracuously, he never did.

If only she could think about school this much.

Suddenly, a small signal in her head brought her out of her deep thoughts.

"Inuyasha, I sense a jewel shard," she gasped, and quickly retrieved her arrows and bow from her bag. "It's very faint, but it's that way!" She pointed towards the left of the forest, where the trees opened up a bit, and a damp moss could be seen on the ground. Inuyasha and the rest of the troupe sped towards that direction. Inuyasha, as usual, the fastest, as if the devil itself was chasing after him. Sango had stopped holding Kirara, and it was now it's full deadly size, flying towards that direction.

They reached a small inning of the forest when Kagome sensed the pulsing of a shard grow stronger, and stronger. There was a small stream blocking their path, and further ahead were cliffs. "Over there, " Kagome said determined, "the cliffs!"

Then suddenly, she gasped. "Inuyasha..it's coming!" The signal was very strong now, and a figure was flying at them. It was a bired-like demon, with glowing green eyes, and a wail that sounded faintly like a truck from Kagome's time. It was quite large, probably around the size of a whale, and had shiny scales all over it. It was flying towards Inuyasha, muttering incomprehensible words. Sango, aboard Kirara was about to use her hiraikotsu, but sensed that Inuyasha probably had things under control.

"Oh yea, it's coming alright," Inuyasha said confidently, and drew out his Tetseiga. It immediately grew to a larger size, and Inuyasha held it out in front of him. The bird stopped mid-air and flapped its wings, sending out waves of lightening.

"Where is it, Kagome!"

Kagome looked up at the massive creature, and saw the glow. "On it's forehead, Inuyasha."

"Great. BACKLASH WAVE!" He immediately sent the waves of lightening back at the huge demon, and rushed to aim his Wind Scar at the forehead.

"Inuyasha, wait! I'll sent it down, and you can take it from there!" Sango yelled, and sent her hiraikotsu flying. It slammed right into the right wing of the creature, and with a wail, it went flying down towards Inuyasha.

"Kagome, get out of the way!" Inuyasha growled, and pushed her and Shippo out of the landing zone for the bird. He was just about to finish the bird off, when a bright blue flash came out of nowhere and grabbed Kagome.

"Huh?" Miroku and Shippo said at once. Inuyasha looked back and saw how a blue wind was carrying Kagome in the air. "KAGOME!" He yelled. "Dammit, stupid bird."

"INUYASHA!" Miroku said, "Go get the shard. I'll use some sutras for the wind."

Sango steered Kirara towards Kagome. She dove towards the wind and was readying to grab Kagome. Inuyasha, by that time, had killed the demon, but was desperately looking at Kagome.

"YOU BETTER LET HER GO, WHATEVER YOU ARE OR YOU'LL REGRET IT!" He yelled, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to use the Tetseiga without risking Kagome's life. Shippo was worried, and was calling out Kagome's name. "Inuyasha, do something!" He wailed.

Miroku threw his sutras at the wind, but it just blew the papers away, as if they were feathers.

Kagome, being in the wind, was struggling to get out, but it enveloped her and was carrying her away. Then suddenly, just as Sango almost reached her, the wind rushed and entered her body.

For a split second, she felt as if her body wasn't hers. The wind was cold, and she felt like her whole body was frozen. Just before she was falling, she swore she heard a voice whisper "Kagome, now we're very much alike" and then a blood curdling woman laugh. Then, the wind was gone and she was falling.

She couldn't open her mouth to scream, still in a daze, but luckily Kirara caught her before she hit the ground.

When she reached the ground, she couldn't think. Her mind was blank with daze, as if somebody just knocked the wind out of her.

To them, Kagome looked pale, and her eyes were opened wide with no expression. Her mouth was partially opened, as if she couldn't breath. Inuyasha looked at her, and his heart pounded. Quickly, he gathered the dazed girl into his arms and whispered, "Hey, Kagome, what happened?" Sango, Miroku, and Shippo stood on the side, not saying a word. However, Shippo had enough sense to quickly pick up the shard of the jewel that the bird possessed.

In Kagome's mind, all was blank, but then she could feel the warmth. She opened her eyes to see the red cloth Inuyasha always wore, and she breathed in, deeply, as if she hadn't breathed for ages. Her eyes returned to their normal lively look, and Inuyasha's tensed up face relaxed. Shippo let out a cry of joy and hugged her.

"Kagome, what happened?" Sango asked her. "Are you alright?"

"Yea.. I feel okay," Kagome whispered. But what just happened? I have a bad feeling about this.

She got up, out of the warmth that she recognized as Inuyasha. "We should get going now," Kagome finally said, after brushing herself off. "It's going to be night soon, and we need to find a safer place to settle!"

"Are you sure your alright?" Miroku said, "I could sense the demonic aura in the wind that just carried you and disappeared. It was quite strong, and it was the object of use."

"I'm fine. It let me go now right? I must've not been what they were looking for," Kagome said cheerfully. "I'm just surprised, that's all."

"Well then, lets go. What are you guys waiting for?" Inuyasha said, and started heading towards the cliffs.

Kagome looked at him, walking away. She felt a connection just minutes ago, but now it was gone. All gone.