Inuyasha sat with his arms crossed inside his kimono. To most it looked like he was extremely uncomfortable, but this was how he slept. Eyes closed and head slumped, he listened to everything, always on the lookout for danger. Many sounds reached his sensitive ears, Shippo's obnoxious snoring, Kagome's soft breathing, even the tiny vibrating purrs of Kirara.
Suddenly a new sound reached his ears. Hard thumping sounds that made the ground around them shake gently. He recognized them as footfalls, but if these were causing this much commotion, the creature making them must be big. Inuyasha opened his eyes and stood. Tetsusaiga pulsed at his side, always ready for a battle. He tensed, feeling the footsteps draw closer. Whatever it was, it was coming at them extremely fast. He heard someone stir behind him, but he didn't look back.
"Inuyasha…..what are you doing up at this hour?" Kagome asked, in between yawns.
"Something's coming…." He told her. "I think it's a demon…can you sense any sacred jewel fragments….?"
Kagome's head shot up at the mention of demons. She concentrated her miko powers, trying to sense what was coming. She felt a strong presence, but no jewel shards.
"No…I don't sense any….just a powerful…something….and it's heading this way!" she said.
"I could've told ya that!" Inuyasha fumed. He knew she meant well, but honestly what was it with her always stating the obvious! He sensed that the creature was close, just another minute or two and it would be upon them. He drew Tetsusaiga from it's sheath, the sword transforming in his hands. Gripping it tightly, he placed his feet so that he could meet the creature full on and not be overcome.
Suddenly something shot out of the forest and dodged right past Inuyasha! In a swirl of grey, black and blue, the creature passed him and headed off into the night.
"Hey…you…come back here!" Inuyasha shouted after the creature, making chase.
"Inuyasha wait!" Kagome shouted after him, helplessly. Realizing that he wasn't going to come back, she climbed out of her sleeping bag and pulled on her shoes. Hearing the commotion the others had woken up. Shippo yawned loudly and stretched his little arms, then proceeded to wipe the crusted sleep from his eyes. Sango and Miroku stirred, stretching and staring around.
"Kagome-chan what's going on?" Sango asked, one hand propping her head up.
"Some kind of demon just came through here and Inuyasha ran off after it!" she shouted, trying desperately to wedge her foot in her shoe. Sango immediately raised her head and stood, grabbing her Hiraikotsu that she'd leaned on a nearby tree. Miroku followed, getting to his feet and clutching his staff tightly.
"Where did he go, Lady Kagome?" Miroku asked calmly.
Kagome pointed in the direction that Inuyasha had run and they all took off running, Kirara scampering beside Sango and the tired Shippo in Kagome's arms. They ran for at least a quarter mile into the forest and then they came to a clearing. When they had all caught their breath and looked up, the sight that met them was worrying. On one side of the clearing stood Inuyasha, sword in hand, glaring at his opponent. They followed his gaze and saw what they had been chasing. Across from him, on the other side of the clearing stood a huge wolf demon and what appeared to be….a young woman….