The Accident in Chemistry Class

Chapter 18: A Sacred Jewel Shard and the Orphan

Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own 'em.

As InuYasha dragged Kagome along out of the woods, Sango and Miroku trying to keep up with them, Kagome suddenly pulled on InuYasha and stopped where she was standing. Her eyes grew and flashed for a moment.

"I sense something...I think...I think it's a Sacred Jewel shard!" she gasped.

"Now we're talking! I don't think we've fought very many demons lately, and I'm in the mood to get some shards! C'mon!" InuYasha grinned and reached for Tetsusaiga.

Now Kagome had a chance to try out her inu-hanyou side in a fight! She was a bit scared, but comfortable to know the fact InuYasha would be by her side.

Out of the trees came a giant bear youkai. It roared loudly and InuYasha and Kagome slapped their hands over their sensitive dog ears. It looked around furiously and tore several trees out of the ground by the roots.

It smelled InuYasha's scent and lunged towards him.

Easily, the inu-hanyou leapt out of the way and seized Tetsusaiga in the mid-air. He seemed overly-pleased to being able to fight again. It was like he hadn't fought for forever. In one motion, he brought the large blade down on the bear's thick skull. However, much to InuYasha's disliking, there was only a loud CLUNK.

"InuYasha!" Kagome cried. "The shard is in its arm!"

"Well, why don't you come up here and help me!" InuYasha snapped.

"Alright already!" Kagome pouted. She transformed into her inu-hanyou form. Her human ears disappeared and dog ears were perched on top of her head. She now had sharp demon claws that she used to slash at the bear's leg. It howled in pain and swiped at Kagome.

Sango cried out and ran to Kagome, but Miroku stopped her.

"Miroku! Kagome's hurt! Let me go!" she protested.

"Sango, you could get hurt! That demon could tear you apart! Kagome will be fine, I'm sure of it." Miroku said calmly. Sango just glared at him.

The bear demon howled again and Sango's head whirled around.

The cat youkai had returned and was helping them fight! She bit its snout and flew through the air away from one of the bear's large paws. Out of no where, the bear blindly smacked the cat and she fell to the ground and was engulfed by flames. In her place lay a tiny cat. InuYasha saw Sango staring at it, horrified. "Don't worry," he called, "She's a neko-youkai; whenever she transforms into her bigger state, flames surround her!" Relieved, Sango took off running to retrieve her. The girl ducked from the bear's attacks as InuYasha and Kagome held it off. She scooped up the kitten in her arms and cradled it.

"I'm gonna call you Kirara!" she cooed and stroked the cat's fur.

Kirara opened her eyes and jumped slightly when she realized a human was holding her, but she soon relaxed.

"Sango!" Kagome shrieked.

Sango turned around slowly and her eyes grew frightfully. The bear was charging at her! Kirara growled and transformed again. Sango stumbled backwards nimbly and Miroku caught her in his arms.

"IRON CLAW!" InuYasha shouted and slashed at the bear.

A flash of pink glittered, catching InuYasha's attention.

"Quick, InuYasha!" Kagome cried.

InuYasha leapt into the air and caught the shard. "Yes!" he exclaimed and tightened his grip on it, afraid that he might lose the precious jewel shard. The only ones that looked confused were Sango and Miroku. Kagome said it would take a while to explain, so she sat them down and told the whole story. They were still a bit lost, but understood better. Somewhat...

"Well, we might as well stay the night since there's nothing else to do." InuYasha said as night fell.

"But, but... At least my mother knows where I am! What about Sango, and Miroku? Nobody knows they're here! Not like they'd believe we can overcome time..." Kagome was starting to throw a fit.

Miroku looked as if anything was fine with him.

But Sango... She was very silent and didn't say anything, only looked around and pretended to be busy grooming Kirara.

"Sango? Aren't you concerned about your mother? She's probably worried sick!" Kagome asked as she settled down beside her. Sango didn't say anything. "Oh, don't tell me you..."

"—I have no mother!" Sango choked and tears glittered in her eyes, but she fought to hold them back. "I've been an orphan since before I can remember! I live by myself and I pay for my rent and my school tuition! I have no family. No one..." she added bitterly, but she was in deep grief.

"Oh... oh, Sango... I'm so sorry. I... I never knew..." the younger girl whispered and held the sixteen year-old in her arms as she wept silently. Miroku watched from a distance, looking concerned, but hid it well. InuYasha just crossed his arms as he perched in a tree, but he was upset for the orphan.

"It's always hard whenever I see mothers and...and... I know that a lot of people take their parents for granted, and it makes me sick, and I just long to be loved by family." Sango angrily wiped her tears from her sleeve. "I'm sorry, I'm overreacting..."

"—Sango, you're the only one who has a reason to overreact, but you're not. You are probably the only one of us who has gone through so much worse things than anyone here! When we get back, you can come live with me. How does that sound?" Kagome held Sango at arms-length and put on a hopeful smile.

The brunette's lips lifted a little and she nodded, but hid her face and said nothing more.

Morning came and InuYasha woke everyone. Miroku arose soon after, but Kagome was reluctant. She probably would have kept sleeping if Sango didn't urge her to get up.

"C'mon, we're almost close to Naraku's castle, then we'll find her there. We'll find Kikyou..." InuYasha stated and started off again. The others followed suit as they left the forest and came to the mountains. Up in the mountains, they would have to come across Kouga and Ayame's wolf pack. Maybe when they retrieved Kikyou, she could somehow help Kouga remember his proposal...


Review Response!

Demon-Slayer13- Well, I updated sooner this time! Yay, Kirara! I love her! She is so cool! Well, she wasn't with Ayame's clan, but happened to be passing by, and just willingly took Kouga at the wolves' request. Eh, what can I say? Kirara's a good kitty. Yes, most men are idiots, I'm sorry to say. But I'm not saying ALL men are stupid. So if you're a guy, don't take it personally. And to Story Weaver1 for this conversation, I'm not saying you're an idot cuz you're a guy! Definitely not! Just most of the boys at my school are. Like the jocks... I hate jocks... Well, at least the ones I know.