Disclaimer: Don't own Inu-yasha or any of his fellow Feudal era comrades.

A/N: mai yamainu (my wolf); nisou (priestess)

Thank you to kagomente, AnimusPatronus, Shadow Kitsune67, sakurablossomskxk and loves-winged-dark-angel for reading and enjoying the story. Hope it continues to entertain.

The Nisou and the Wolf

Chapter 5

Two weeks later, in the Feudal era

Inu-yasha's ears twitch. He can sense Naraku nearby. He jumps up and starts into the forest before anybody can ask a question. He flies from branch to branch with lightening speed and stealth. As he approaches Naraku's aura, he jumps to the ground and crouches in some shrubs. He can hear muffled voices. A man and a woman. He moves closer to get a better view of the demons in the clearing. The first thing he sees is Kagura, the wind sorceress, created by Naraku. She's talking to someone, a man, and the voice sounds familiar. He can't identify the scent of the other because of Kagura's overwhelming scent. But as Kagura moves out of Inu-yasha's range of vision, the second demon walks around to occupy the place vacated by Kagura. Sessho-maru! What the hell is he doing talking to Kagura?

Before Inu-yasha can hear anymore of the conversation, Sessho-maru turns and looks directly at him. "Inu-yasha, what an unpleasant surprise. Spying on your brother? That's very rude."

Inu-yasha steps from the forest, hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga, his face hiding none of his animosity for both demons in front of him. "Hope I'm not interrupting."

Sessho-maru exudes calm and grace as he walks over to an advantageous position to face both Kagura and Inu-yasha. "Not at all brother. I was just explaining to Kagura why I wouldn't help her with a little scheme that she had devised. A scheme, you might be interested to know, to defeat Naraku."

Inu-yasha flashes a momentary look of shock but hides it quickly. "And why would she do that?"

"Sessho-maru! I came to you. Not this half-breed! If you do not wish to assist me, fine. But it is no business of this dog!"

Before Inu-yasha can retort, she rises in a whirlwind and disappears. The brothers watch the wind-rider disappear before returning their attention to each other. "Well Inu-yasha, I will be leaving myself."

Inu-yasha takes a step forward and thumbs the Tetsusaiga free. "Not so fast dear brother. Why should I trust you not to assist Naraku?"

Sessho-maru lets out a tired sigh and starts to walk away. "Because you know I could care less about what happens to you or that body-stealing, obsessed fool."

As Inu-yasha advances toward Sessho-maru to get more answers, Kagome and Miroku come out of the forest while Sango lands with Kirara. "Inu-yasha! Sessho-maru? What's going on?"

Without taking his eyes off his brother, Inu-yasha answers Kagome. "According to my brother here, Kagura was trying to get his assistance in one of her schemes. The best part is, the scheme was against Naraku."

"Against Naraku?" Kagome takes a step toward Sessho-maru. "Where's Kagura now?"

Sessho-maru turns his cold golden eyes on Kagome. He had always despised humans. But ever since Rin had entered his life, his hatred had waned a bit. And looking at Kagome now, he found himself wondering what his brother found so fascinating about this girl. She was attractive; he could not argue that fact. And in looking at her now Sessho-maru realized she had become quite powerful. He noticed she did not flinch under his gaze. But there was something different about her aura. He had encountered Kagome enough to recognize her aura and it was not the same. It had become brighter, yes. But that comes with power. No, her aura now seemed…infused, may be the right word…with some other aura. Then Sessho-maru's eyes lighted with recognition and a small barely audible laugh escaped his lips.

"I'm afraid Inu-yasha scared her off. But I don't want to talk about her anymore. Let's talk about you Kagome.'

Kagome's eyes narrowed at the velvet-voiced demon approaching her. She did not back away, she held his gaze and waited to see what game he was playing.

"It has been awhile since last we talked. You seem to have changed quite a bit." Sessho-maru gives Kagome an appraising eye and sends his brother a quick smirk before turning his attention back to the human girl.

"Sessho-maru, get away from Kagome now." Inu-yasha comes to stand by Kagome's side, but Sessho-maru doesn't back off.

"I can see you have become quite powerful Kagome. You must be training hard with Kaede. No doubt you will make a fine priestess."

Kagome held Sessho-maru's gaze as she spoke, her voice calm and level. "I am aware of my power Sessho-maru. Now let's get back to why Kagura would approach you for an attack against Naraku."

Sessho-maru sighs and waves his hand as if shooing away a fly. "Oh, she believes me the only person powerful enough to stop Naraku. She asked my assistance in a scheme that would supposedly bring him down. Something about him holding her heart so she will serve him."

"What?" Kagome's eyes register her shock at the revealed torment of Kagura.

"Yes, yes I know. Very tragic. But let's get back to you." Sessho-maru gently nudges Inu-yasha aside as he slowly circles Kagome. Kagome gives Inu-yasha a look that keeps the demon from drawing his sword on his brother. "There's something different about you Kagome. What is it?"

Kagome lets her head fall so she doesn't show the anger rising within her and the heat rising to her face from Sessho-maru's intense appraisal. Sessho-maru stops in front of Kagome and lifts her face up to his. Her face registers her indignity and anger of the situation, but he smiles at her, his golden eyes sparkling. "I see what the difference is Kagome. You have grown up." Sessho-maru slowly leans in so his lips brush Kagome's ear and he whispers, so only she will hear. "You have been tasted my dear. And since I can read my brother like a book, I know it's not him. But does he know I wonder?" Sessho-maru slowly backs up and fixes Kagome with a knowing smile, as if they were coconspirators.

Kagome hears the words pouring like poisoned honey from Sessho-maru's mouth. Her whole body turns cold, and she is aware of nothing but Sessho-maru. She sees his eyes upon her again. The cold, golden eyes that are smiling at her, mocking her, and daring her to prove him wrong. But she cannot. She cannot dispute what he said. It is the truth. But how did he know? Kagome is brought back to reality when Inu-yasha places a hand on her shoulder. She flinches at the touch and pulls away. She turns to see a shocked and confused Inu-yasha, hand hanging in the air as if it still rested on her shoulder.

Kagome turns her attention back to Sessho-maru. She begins to walk toward the demon, eyes hard as diamonds, her bow drawn and an arrow aimed at his heart. "Unless you have something useful to say, I would suggest you leave immediately."

Sessho-maru chuckles lightly and bows as a strong gust of wind signals the arrival of his dragon. "As you wish my dear. I look forward to our next meeting." Kagome doesn't falter against the winds and keeps her arrow trained on him until he is far enough away.

Kagome drops her bow and lets out a deep breath. She sits down and stares at the ground, tired from the tension in her body and dizzy from the anger. Her friends just stare at her, unsure of what just happened and if they should approach her.

Finally Inu-yasha sits down next to Kagome. As he opens his mouth to say something, Kagome cuts him off. "I don't want to talk about it right now. I'm sorry. I wish I could." She turns to face Inu-yasha and his heart aches at the look in her eyes. He sees sadness, guilt, anger and desperation. He can see the tears welling up in her eyes.

Inu-yasha pulls Kagome to him and hugs her. "I understand. And when you want to talk about it, I'll listen. I'm your friend Kagome. I will always be here for you." He brushes her hair to the side and notices something on her back. He cranes his neck to see what looks like yellow flower petals peaking out from the top of her tank top. A tattoo? Inu-yasha begins to rub her back to expose the rest of the tattoo when he feels Kagome's shoulders shudder. He forgets his curiosity and squeezes tighter, while gently rocking her.

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Koga crouched behind the cluster of rocks, watching the entrance to the Gokuraku-chou lair. They were waiting for the signal to launch the attack. As he waited, his body suddenly went ice cold, and he could feel anger and panic course through his blood. His entire body was tense, he couldn't move. He had no idea what was going on and as quickly as he was seized by the feelings, they left him. He exhaled and suddenly felt drained. As he was trying to figure out what was going on, the signal appeared. He pushed the confusion out of his mind and sprang forward toward the cave entrance.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Inu-yasha had held Kagome in his arms until she had fallen asleep. He heard her mumbling in her sleep, but he didn't want to wake her, so he just listened to the snippets and tried to figure out what they meant: forgive me… love him...Inu-yasha…lies. He had no idea what was running through her head, but the next time he saw Sessho-maru, he would make him pay for hurting Kagome.

Inu-yasha gently laid her head down on her bag and went over to grab some food with the others. He glanced over at Kagome as she moaned in her sleep.

"What do you think Sessho-maru said to Kagome?"

Inu-yasha looked over at Miroku, then searched out Sango's eyes, before looking down at his food. "I don't know. I didn't hear a thing he said. Kagome has been mumbling in her sleep. Something about 'lies, forgive me, love'. I don't know what it all means. But whatever it is, I'll wait for Kagome to tell me. There's obviously something she's keeping from us, but I'm sure she has her reasons."

"You mean you're not mad that Kagome has kept something of obvious importance from you?"

Inu-yasha glared at the monk. "Of course I'm mad! But…." The half demon sighed. "I've made my share of mistakes with Kagome, I know that. I figure she's entitled to a few as well." He looks back down at his food, his appetite gone. He meant what he said about accepting the mistake. He just hoped that when it came time, he could remember to accept and not let his short temper show through. Inu-yasha placed the plate down on the ground and looked up at Sango and Miroku. "Do you have anything to add Sango?"

"I think you have the right attitude Inu-yasha. I just hope you keep it after Kagome talks to you. I know you two care for each other very much and I hope this isn't something that will break that bond."

Inu-yasha nods at Sango and looks back over at Kagome. He sighs and then jumps up to the nearest tree branch to fall asleep. Sango and Miroku look at each other wondering what kind of damage this latest drama will cause. Miroku puts his arm around Sango's shoulder and she leans her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry Sango. They'll be fine."

"But what could have Kagome so upset? I've never seen her so scared or angry. And how does Sessho-maru know?"

"I wish I knew. But whatever it is, Kagome and Inu-yasha will work it out. They love--"

Before Miroku can finish his thought, Kagome abruptly sits up gasping, her eyes wide, arms wrapped around her stomach. Miroku reaches her side first, trying to comfort her. "Kagome! What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Inu-yasha appears on the other side of Kagome, his face full of worry. "What happened?"

"I don't know. Everything was quiet and then she suddenly woke up like this. She hasn't said a word."

Inu-yasha grabbed Kagome by the shoulders and tried to break her out of her trance. "Kagome! Can you hear me? Kagome!"

Kagome awoke to a searing pain in her stomach. It felt like a hot poker being driven into her. Her heart was pounding and all she could see was blackness. She could smell blood. She tried to fight the pain, tried to move, tried to shake the blackness. She could hear voices calling to her, but she still couldn't see anything. She felt another stabbing pain in her shoulder and she cried out. She felt dizzy, and weak, the pain taking over her body. She could hear a voice calling to her. Where was it coming from?

Inu-yasha was getting worried. Kagome cried out in pain again and seemed to be fading. He didn't know what to do. He turned desperate eyes to Miroku. "Do something! You're the monk for crying out loud!"

"I don't sense any malignant energy. There's no trace of any kind of spirit or demon. From what I can tell, she's reacting to a nightmare."

Inu-yasha and Miroku continued to yell at each other over Kagome's writhing body. Sango grabs the water bottle and starts dumping water on Kagome. The girl starts choking and coughing. Kagome looks down at her stomach for the source of the pain, but she wasn't hurt. Her shoulder was fine too. But the feelings had been so intense, so real. She could still feel ghostly ripples of the pain as she looked around at her concerned friends, wishing she could offer an answer. But she had no idea what happened.

"Are you ok? You cried out in pain. Was it a nightmare?"

Kagome looks over at Miroku, unable to speak. Nightmare? Maybe. But she had never had such a real dream. She takes a deep breath and hugs her knees to her chest, looking into the fire. "I don't know. It could have been a dream. But," she looks at Inu-yasha, "it was so real. I can still feel the burning pain."

Sango kneels down in front of Kagome. "Can you tell us about the dream?"

Kagome looked into Sango's warm brown eyes. "I felt a burning pain in my stomach and then my shoulder. Everything was black. I could smell blood. There were voices calling to me, but I couldn't make them out. It could have been you guys." Kagome looked around at her friends, her eyes begging for answers. Any answers. But they were as lost as she was.

"Ok. Well we know that you really weren't hurt. And there are no spirits or demons present to be culprits. So for now we'll consider it a nightmare unless something indicates otherwise. Now I suggest that everybody, including you Kagome, try and get some sleep. We should reach the village tomorrow afternoon."

Kagome watched Miroku and Sango fall asleep. She knew Inu-yasha wasn't asleep and that he was staying awake to watch her. She didn't know what was going on but she knew what she experienced was not a nightmare. Could Sessho-maru have done something to her? Kagome's lids started to droop. The fire was just about out and the sun would be coming up soon. Kagome decided to risk a few hours sleep. She laid her head down on her bag and closed her eyes. "Goodnight Inu-yasha."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kagome was letting the steam take all her worries and tension up into the air. She reclined against the moss covered rocks and closed her eyes. They had arrived in the village early this afternoon and they were all a little on edge. She knew it was her fault, but she had to think of the best way to tell them about Koga. She would do it tonight after dinner. She just hoped Inu-yasha could forgive her. She wasn't worried about Miroku and Sango. They didn't hate Koga. Inu-yasha on the other hand….Tonight. She would handle Inu-yasha tonight. For now, she would relax in the hot spring and let thoughts of Koga sooth her mind.

"Mind if I join you?"

Kagome looked up to see Sango standing at the edge of the spring. She smiled at the demon slayer. "Of course not." Sango sank into the therapeutic waters and sat across from Kagome. Both girls closed their eyes and let the water work its magic.

"Did you get much sleep last night?"

"Not really. I fell asleep a few hours before sunrise."

"Any residual feelings from the nightmare?"

"Nope. But I still don't believe it was a nightmare."

"Well I'm sure you and Miroku and Kaede will figure---"

Both girls sat up and looked in the direction of raised voices. They were getting closer. Kagome and Sango quickly jumped out of the spring and put their robes on in time to see Inu-yasha and two other people come crashing through the bushes.

"—we must see her! She has to help him!"

Inu-yasha was trying to keep both people back but they were too quick and agile to be held back by just one person. If he stopped one, the other broke past him, and vice versa.

"And I told you she's busy and you'll have to wait! Now get back here! Hey, stop!"

Kagome watches the scuffle until one of them makes it past Inu-yasha and throws himself at Kagome's feet, grabbing her ankles. Kagome looks down and immediately recognizes his dress as that of the wolf tribe.

"Please Kagome! You must come with us! He's been wounded and he's dying! We need you to heal him!" The desperate wolf looked up at Kagome with pleading eyes.

Inu-yasha and the other wolf stopped short of falling over the genuflecting demon in front of Kagome. She knelt down and brought the groveling demon to his feet. She thought she recognized the face.

"Hakkuku? What are you doing here? What's wrong?"

"Koga! It's Koga! We led an attack on the Gokuraku-chou and he was wounded. He'll die without your help. Please!"

"You know these guys?" Inu-yasha jerks the demon next to him by the collar and turns an angry look on Kagome. But she's not paying attention to him. Her eyes are fixed on the wolf in front of her.

Kagome's face was white, and her knees felt weak. She clutched at Hakkuko and slowly sank to the ground. "Inu-yasha?"

Inu-yasha pulls the demon in front of Kagome away and kneels before her, his hands clasping hers. "Kagome? What's wrong?"

Kagome turned tear-filled eyes to her friend, hoping he would show why she cared for him so much. Her voice was quiet and he had to lean in to hear her. "I need you to be my friend right now. I need you to help me and leave the questions for later. If you hate me I'll understand. But right now I need you. Please help me Inu-yasha. He can't die."

He had no idea what was going on, but Kagome was terrified and he would do whatever it took to make it better. "Just tell me what you need."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Inu-yasha raced towards the east with Kagome on his back. Sango and the others would follow later with the wolf demons. All he could gather from the conversation he heard before he left with Kagome was that the wolves apparently attacked the harpies and Koga was seriously injured so they sent two runners for Kagome. Why was Kagome so upset about that stupid wolf being injured? He knew she valued life and all, but she barely knew him.

Inu-yasha felt Kagome tighten her grip on his arm. She had remained silent since she pleaded with him for his help. Why did she think he would hate her?

It took them about four hours, but they made it to the wolf tribe's lair. Kagome hit the ground running and headed straight for a cave located on the top level. How did she know where she was going?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kagome burst into the room and stopped when she saw Koga's body, lying lifeless on the bed. She slowly approached and everybody gathered around withdrew. All except the old woman.

"Is he--?"

"No. You may still be able to save him. But he is weak and has lost a lot of blood."

Kagome crawled onto the bed and placed her hands on Koga's stomach. Her hands began to glow as she poured her healing energy into the wolf demon. She leaned in to within a breadth of Koga's lips.

"You are mine Koga. I will not let you leave me. You're my mate. Mai yamainu." Kagome continued to talk to Koga as she concentrated her healing energy to the immediate problems first. The internal damage, the hole in the stomach. Kagome was unaware of anybody or anything around her except for Koga. His life was all that mattered right now.

Inu-yasha watched from the doorway as Kagome began healing Koga. The look on her face, her body language, told Inu-yasha everything he needed to know. No wonder she was worried he would hate her. She kept her love for someone….no, not someone…Koga…she'd kept it a secret from him. She had betrayed their friendship. He slipped out of the cave and waited outside for Miroku and the others to show up.

To be continued….