Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me

Chapter Eighteen: Demon versus Demon Slayer

November 4th

"Are you sure the DEMON slayer village is REALLY the place we're supposed to go?" Kagome asked again as she looks nervously at Shippo and Inuyasha. It's bad enough when regular villagers try to kill them…

The monk sighs heavily and with slightly less patience than the last time he explained. "Yes, lady Kagome. In the demon slayer's village there is a cave where the scrolls we are seeking are hidden."

"WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHY WE HAVE TO TAKE THE STUPID LECHER WITH US?" bellows Inuyasha as the monk walks a bit too close to Kagome.

"Because I am the only one who is able to read the ancient scrolls."

Inuyasha growls and flexes his claws.

"And we really appreciate it Miroku. Thank you again."

Miroku smiles sweetly at her and leans in close. "If you wish to repay me…"

Inuyasha didn't let him finish the thought as he knocked the monk unconscious. "Mosquito," Inuyasha explained.

"Hmmm…." Kagome didn't believe him, of course, but would have knocked the monk unconscious herself if she could have. "Right. A mosquito." She didn't mention that there was no way a mosquito would be out in the cold weather like this. But, it was a good enough excuse for her.

She shivered. The days were growing colder. Yesterday she thought she saw a snowflake. Inuyasha and Shippo didn't seem to mind the temperature change, possibly because their demon blood kept them warm. In fact, they seemed to be enjoying it tremendously. Miroku was not complaining either, but who knew how many robes he was wearing. Maybe he was even sporting some thermal underwear under all that.

Inuyasha grabbed Miroku by the foot and began to drag him towards the village. Kagome was beginning to feel sorry for the guy as he was dragged along the rock filled road, but not quite sorry enough to put a stop to it. After a few yards Inuyasha stopped, dropped Miroku, and sniffed the air.

"Smoke." He sniffed again. "And blood." Kagome shivered again, but this time it had nothing to do with the cold.

Miroku woke and stood up. "The village has been attacked," he said calmly.

Kagome opened her arms up for Shippo to jump up into them, then she hugged him close. He was warm, and they were both trembling. He looked up at her with his expressive brown eyes.

"Scared or cold?"

"Both," admitted Kagome.

"Me too."

Kagome couldn't help but gasp when they came upon the village. She had only seen anything remotely similar from horror movies back home that she would watch from behind her fingers, and only when her friends forced her to go. There was blood everywhere. And body parts.

Falling to her knees in tears Kagome held Shippo tighter to her chest. She felt his tiny paw against her cheek, attempting to comfort her. She pulled his face towards her and held it so that he wouldn't see the area.

"What happened here?" Inuyasha asked no one in particular.

"A slaughter," answered Miroku.

Kagome continued to sob loudly, mourning the unnecessary loss of so much life. She thought for sure she was going to throw up. She rocked back and forth with Shippo trying to calm herself and the kit. Inuyasha moved towards Kagome and reached his hand out to her. But before he could reach her the group heard a war cry.

"Get away from her, demon!"

Kagome watched as a slim figure jumped high into the air, silhouetted by the sun. It was a woman, with some sort of weapon that looked like a giant boomerang. Kagome was in awe of the woman's grace and power.

"Wow…"

When the weapon narrowly missed the swearing Inuyasha's head, Kagome jumped to her feet. She rushed towards the woman.

"Wait! Please stop! Don't hurt him!"

The woman stopped and turned towards Kagome. Her eyes went from the girl's face to the little fox demon kit in her arms. She glanced towards the monk with his staff raised in defense stepping in front of the girl, then back towards the dog demon who had yet to make a physical attack. Verbal attack, yeah, but not physical.

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when the woman cautiously lowered her weapon.

"Hi, I'm Kagome. This is Shippo and Miroku. And that is Inuyasha. We're traveling together to find the sacred scrolls hidden in a cave in this village." Kagome's eyes clouded over. "We've just arrived, I'm sorry about the villagers."

"I am Sango. The people before you are my friends and family. Murdered by demons." She glared at Inuyasha.

"I am sorry for your loss, Sango. Please, if there is anything we can do…" Kagome left the offer open ended. She watched as the woman fought an internal battle, and let her breath out when her eyes told her she had come to a decision.

Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha spent the rest of the day digging graves and burying the dead. Shippo spent his time bringing water to each person in turn and tending to the wounded fire cat Kirara, Sango's companion who was wounded badly in battle. At twilight Miroku began to say prayers over the fallen villagers. As the prayers were said, Sango would lay down a small bouquet of flowers that Shippo and Kagome made for her.

The next day was spent very much the same. Digging graves, saying prayers, and laying down flowers. When the last bouquet was placed, the warrior woman allowed herself mourn.