Company
Sorry about not updating, I liked this story too much. I was afriad to ruin it, but I'm braver now so lets see how it goes.
Italics thoughts
"I can't believe he just left us like that." Kagome puzzled, as she stroked Corsico's mane, "Thank you so much Inuyasha, for coming with me."
"I'm not here to help you. I need to find out what's wrong with Kikyo." muttered a very distant Guardian. 'Don't worry Kikyo I'll protect you, I don't know who did this to you, but they'll pay I swear it!'
The pair drifted silently through the dappled morning light, neither taking a chance at further conversation. The land spread before them, a panorama of nature's elegance. The bubbling springs and hymns of birds seemed to beckon them further.
"We've been traveling all day. This is taking way to long. Where the hell are we going anyway? I could be there in second if you'd let me transform." growled an impatient Inuyasha.
"First you can't transform, as I said before, you'll draw to much attention to yourself. This is a different world; we have to worry about the humans now. Second, I heard that Kikyo ordered one of the Purifiers to guard a cave." Kagome calmly explained for the trillionth time.
"And where would this cave be?"
Kagome could only muster a sheepish smile, "umm…somewhere to the north?"
"What! You have no idea where the hell we are going! You idiot, I think Sesshoumaru had the right idea," bellowed the agitated Guardian "I'm outta here!"
Kagome turned on here companion and jammed a finger into his chest, while Corsico mustered a small growl.
She shrieked, "Don't you dare speak to me like that! Whether you remember it or not I saved your life, you owe me," She continued to glare into his deep amber eyes.
Clamping his hands over his already throbbing ears; Inuyasha prepared for next round of insults, only to be rudely interrupted.
A tiny boy and kitten burst out of the forest. Terror was plastered on their small faces as they sprinted toward the travelers. The two flung themselves onto a bewildered Kagome nearly knocking the Purifier over.
"Please, help us!" The child screamed before he went limp. The cat let out a diminutive cry and joined the boy in unconsciousness.
Kagome felt a warm sticky substance slide down her arm, "Oh my God, He's bleeding. What happened to you little ones?" She asked their unresponsive forms.
It did not take long for the answer to arrive.
"Its coming" Inuyasha breathed, as he flexed each of his lethal claws.
Then it began
The creature tore out of the forest leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Its pupil-less eyes focused on the woman carrying its prey. Its long scaled body writhed with decay. Its many wounds pulsed with maggots; the slimy creatures seemed to number in the millions. Enormous rotten teeth lined its grotesque mouth, from which hung globs of gelatinous saliva. The creature seemed barely alive let alone able to fight. The Guardian's sensitive nose was bombarded with the rank of death.
The Guardian's mind raced as he dodged the uncoordinated blows of the beast. 'Something is wrong, this thing isn't even alive…how am I supposed to kill it?'
'Kirara!' Shippo shouted mentally
'Good God you don't have to scream I can hear you.' reprimanded Kirara as she attempted to clear her ringing mind.
'Sorry, do you think this is convincing enough? I'm having trouble keeping that thing moving. In a minute I'm going to have some real wounds to worry about' whined the boy.
'Do you think this is easy for me either?' Kirara shot back, 'Gezz, just let Inuyasha get a hit in then we can let that thing rest in peace'
'Ok... I hope he attacks it soon, oh and remember you're a cute little cat now haha' the kit chuckled.
'Thanks for the reminder squirt' mentally growled the kitten.
Kagome never noticed the conversation between the 'unconsciousness' bodies she held. Her eyes remained fastened on the battle that was playing out in front of her.
Inuyasha easily dodged the messy blows dealt out by the creature. In one fluid motion he plunged his claws deep into the rotten body of beast. Its festering flesh split releasing a flood of maggots that covered the poor Guardian's body in squirming heap. The monster fell to the earth, never to move again.
An evil grin spread across the Guardian's face as he surveyed his victory.
Eager to boast, he called to his companion, "Somedemon, he wasn't even a challenge, for me that is, good thing I was with you huh Kagome."
But the girl did not even bid Inuyasha a glance. She was preoccupied with the care of the two children, she quickly healed their wounds, which were no worse than bumps and bruises.
"What do you think you're doing? Those are demon spawn they are minions of Satan." Inuyasha chastised, as he attempted to remove all the maggots which were firmly imbed in his hair. Inwardly he cringed as the slimly larva slid by his sensitive ears.
"They're only children and I feel nothing evil in them, besides they are alone we can't just leave them," Kagome coed, as she held the boy.
Letting out a sigh of defeat Inuyasha slumped to the ground 'God, she could at least say thanks…'
Corsico curled up next to the sleeping cat, both purred deeply. The child began to show signs of life; his sleep-laden eyes flickered upon. Kagome was caught by the brilliance of the demon's emeralds eyes. The boy's orange hair lay in knot ridden clumps; his once fluffy ginger tail was in a similar state.
"Hello," Kagome said, a warm smile graced her features, "Don't worry you're safe now."
The diminutive demon broke into sobs "Mommy…is…gone"
Kagome tightened her embrace on the child, rocking him slowly, "Don't worry we are going to take care of you know."
"Hey!" Bellowed Inuyasha, "I'm not taking care of anyone."
But the child was already asleep. Kagome glared at the Guardian, "Don't you dare say anything like that ever again…come on lets keep going, Corsico would you please help the little cat demon to her feet?"
Corsico nudged the feline; the animal cracked an eye in response. Letting out a quite mew she followed the rest of the group.
'Perhaps I should've gone into acting' boasted Shippo, gleaming with pride.
'Yes very nice now back on topic,' the cat countered 'we need to lead them to that cave. Unfortunately, that Purifier won't be very happy to see Inuyasha.'
'Honestly, I hope Kagome can work some more magic, thank God that at least one of them is level-headed' the demon sighed.
Kirara responded 'Looks like these next few days should be interesting…'
'It seems someone is looking for a fight' A rather bored Purifier comment as he haphazardly toyed with his staff.
'Good, I welcome a bit of fun after all these decades...I swear Kikyo gave me the worst job.'
The man allowed a pent up sigh to escape his lips as he continued to play with his staff, balancing the piece of wood gingerly on one finger. The staff violently swayed back and forth, the tiny gold rings that dangled from it jingled musically, but the man paid it no heed.
Briefly he turned his head to examine his 'mission', 'Pity she won't come out… Kikyo really does wreck all the fun'
The cave, if one could call it that, was rather unassuming. Its entrance was little more than a crawlspace, moss and lichen gripped the opening obscuring its presence further. He could not comprehend how any creature, Punisher or not could remain in such a place for so long.
Rapidly he lost interest in the monotony of the situation. Lifting his lean frame he turned is undivided attention to the horizon. His violet eyes brimmed with exuberance, as he waited for his 'guest' to arrive.
