I was up late the night before, had to get up early to go shopping and then
watch some volleyball. I wasn't in the mood to do the next chapter, but I
had an urge to check my mail and saw I had 32 new emails! Well they were
all reviews and suddenly I felt in the mood to write the next chapter, but
I had to have a small nap to catch up with my sleeping, but now I'm
refreshed and ready to type. This chapter is mainly fluff, and Inu-Yasha
telling her about his past. Oh and by the way, if you think Hojo's brother
is going to be useless, he's actually a real priest, kind of like Miroku,
so he is the real thing. But that's all I will say, don't want to give any
give a ways now!
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Thirteen
It was almost too beautiful to be real. The moon shining brightly in the night along with the stars, but what caught the half demons breath was the way the light hit the open snow. It was like they were surrounded by diamonds, they way the white snow glittered and gleamed against the light. It was pretty cold outside, especially since it was night out, but the two had no complaints as they sat together on the snowmobile, staring at the sky. Inu-Yasha sat crossed legged, with Kagome in his lap, his hands clasped in front of her. Inu-Yasha was unfazed by the cold since he was wearing his usual fire rat outfit tonight, plus a pair of wool socks to keep his feet a little warmer. Kagome would have been freezing since she was wearing a thick winter coat, mittens and a light toque, but she was surrounded by Inu-Yasha's warmth and not to mentioned the mug of hot chocolate in her hand. Back at the cabin Mrs. Higurashi, Grandpa, and Sota were all playing Clue (I love that game), but it was rather noisy there so the two had left on the snowmobile for some privacy.
"Eri knows?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"No, it's Ayumi who knows you are half demon,"
"Oh good, because if Eri knew, she would definetly tell Hojo,"
Kagome nodded and snuggled closer to the half demon, "So you had fun swimming?"
"Yeah, except when you sat me," growled Inu-Yasha.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist,"
Inu-Yasha smiled and pecked Kagome on the cheek.
"The Christmas ball is coming soon, I believe . . . I know it's not tomorrow, maybe the day after that?"
"Would you laugh if I said I was a little nervous?"
"I wouldn't laugh, but. . . . you nervous?"
"I don't know, I'm just not really used to people when I'm in my demon form,"
"You'll be wearing a hat, so no one will see your ears,"
"Yeah I know,"
They lapsed into silence with them both staring at the sky.
"So, how often does your family come up here?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"Well my family came up here last year and the year before, but I couldn't come because I was with you guys,"
"And you didn't give me a gift then?"
"I couldn't, you wouldn't let me go back to my time to get you any,"
"Oh, well I"m sorry,"
"That's okay, but the last time I was hear was when I was thirteen I believe, and then before that I was seven, and we went up with my dad," Inu-Yasha's ears perked up at the sound of Kagome's dad, come to think of it, he had never heard her talk about him.
"Is he . . .?"
"Yes," whispered Kagome.
Inu-Yasha could hear hurt in her voice, and glanced down to see tears welling up in her eyes, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked,"
"No, it's okay. I'm just crying because he . . . well . . . died out here,"
"What?"
"I was only nine at the time, and it happened two days before Christmas . . . and you know the skating rink?"
"Yes,"
"Well at the time we didn't have that, there was a small lake not far from the cabin that we used. Dad was taking us skating, and told us not to go near the middle since the ice was thinner, but then Sota had dropped his ball which rolled out to the middle. Dad went to get it, but then the ice cracked and he . . he . . ."
Inu-Yasha held Kagome tighter, her harsh sobs wracking his body. He hated to see her like this, in pain and sorrow, "It's okay Kagome, I'm here for you,"
The half demon continued to say soothing words into her ear, while holding her closer and stroking her hair until she calmed down.
"I'm sorry, but being out here just kind of reminds me of that painful memory,"
"It's okay, I shouldn't have asked,"
"Oh stop blaming yourself. I still remember what he looked and what he was like,"
"But if it makes you feel better, I was then same age when I lost my mom,"
"Your mom?"
"Yes, my mother,"
"Do you min me asking about your past?"
Inu-Yasha stared down at Kagome. Usually he didn't want to think about his past, it was an emotional think for him to remember that usually got him on the verge of tears. However Kagome had been opened about her past, plus since they were going to be spending their future together, it was time he told her about his past. Holding Kagome tighter, he began his tragic tale.
"I don't remember much about my father, although Sesshoumaru resembles him quite a bit. Mother was the one who really raised me, but my father came to see me the odd. It wasn't like he didn't want to see me, but . . . since he had mated with a human, demons and even men were after my mother, father, and of course me, he was out protecting us. Mother . . . my mother . . . she always seemed sad,"
"Why?"
"For many reasons. She was being mistreated by humans, I mean even her parents rejected her when she was with my father. The servants at the castle hated her as well, but my father made sure they never hurt her or anything, She was also sad because of me too. I remember the village children always bullying me, calling me names, and . . . well you saw how the villagers all treated Jinengi,"
"Yes, I remember,"
"My mother knew what my life was going to be like, how I would be hunted, so she did the best she could to raise me and make me happy. I remember us playing in the garden a lot, and how she taught me to read and write,"
"What about Sesshoumaru, did you know you had a brother at the time?"
"Sesshoumaru . . . you're not going to believe this, but back then he was actually a brother to me, but I never really saw him much since he was traveling around Japan. Everything at the time was fine, but then father was killed. My mother was so sad and scared. Father was dead, and he could no longer protect us from his enemies. Mother thought that Sesshoumaru would help us, but he blamed us for fathers death and turned bitter towards us,"
"So that's why he hates you?"
"Yes,"
"So he killed your mom?"
"No, Sesshoumaru wasn't the one . . . hell it wasn't even a demon. All I can remember is I was asleep . . . I don't know how I had fallen asleep since my mothers crying and her whispering my fathers name had kept me awake. I remember smelling smoke which had woken me up. I thought mother had left a lantern on and so I went to check it out and . . . my home had been started on fire. I ran to get my mother who was still sleeping,"
Kagome glanced up to see Inu-Yasha staring at his fire rat sleeve.
"She had grabbed this, and covered herself with it, I was in her arms. We headed to the door, but it was blocked off by the villagers, threatening to kills us if we came out. She continued to look for a way, but all the exits were blocked . . ."
Kagome could hear hurt and sorrow in Inu-Yasha's voice now, and could tell he was no the verge of tears.
"We couldn't get out . . . we went to every exit but we couldn't get out. The last thing I remember was her whispering to me, 'I love you Inu-Yasha, my son,' and then everything went black since I was surrounded by darkness. she had wrapped the fire rat cloak totally around me. I could hear a loud crash, and my mother screaming out in pain. I tried to rip through the cloak, but I couldn't and something ha hit me on the head, knocking me out. The next thing I knew, I was trying to get out of the cloak again, screaming my mothers name over and over again, wanting her to answer me. I . . . I finally made my way out of the cloak . . . and . . . my house . . . burnt to the ground . . . mother was . . . she was . . . "
Inu-Yasha finally snapped as tears rolled down his eyes. He couldn't help it, the memory was just to painful to hold back his emotions. The half demon could feel arms wrap around him, Kagome holding Inu-Yasha close to her, showing that she was there for him.
"I wanted to kill them . . . I wanted to kill them all . . . but I didn't . . . "
Kagome had never seen Inu-Yasha like this, and wished she had never asked the question, but was half glad that she did, glad that Inu-Yasha was being open with her about his past.
"Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to promise something,"
"Anything,"
"If anything . . . anything were to happen to me . . . I want you to go back to your time . . . and never return to the past,"
"What?"
"I don't want anything to happen to you, when I'm gone and not there to protect you, and I don't want our pups to go through the same life I had,"
Kagome had tears in her eyes at the very thought of Inu-Yasha dying, "Please don't say stuff like that,"
"I know, I will try my hardest to stay by your side, but . . ."
"Don't say it . . . I understand, so let's not talk about it anymore,"
The two just held each other, no words could describe how the other one felt. Inu-Yasha wiped his eyes, and pushed his mothers memory to the back of his mind, and tried to think of something cheerful to talk about.
"So . . ."
"So what?" asked Kagome.
"How many pups are we gonna have?"
Kagome rested her head against Inu-Yasha's chest and smiled, "I would like to have three,"
"Only three?" joked Inu-Yasha.
"Three's a nice number,"
"I agree, three sounds good," whispered Inu-Yasha, burying his face into the crook of Kagome's neck.
"Do you think we should head back?" asked Kagome.
"But were alone out here,"
"Oh and just what were you thinking about?"
"Are you cold?"
Kagome blushed, "We a little,"
"Well then how about I warm you up," grinned Inu-Yasha, pressing his lips to hers.
"I say you wait till we get to the cabin," whispered Kagome.
"Oh, your no fun,"
Kagome laughed and started the snowmobile up again.
************************************************************************
Mrs. Higurashi sat on the living room couch, waiting for her daughter and Inu-Yasha to come back from their snowmobile ride. A loud sound from outside meant they were back. Putting down her book, she went the door to let the two in.
"There you are, I was starting to worry,"
"Sorry," said Kagome, taking her clothing off.
"Well, let's head to bed," said Mrs. Higurashi.
Kagome started to head up the stairs, but stopped when Inu-Yasha didn't follow, "Aren't you coming,"
"In a moment, I have to talk to your mom about something,"
Nodding Kagome headed upstairs.
"What did you want to talk about?" asked Mrs. Higurashi.
"Well, it's about Kagome's gift, and I have a question to ask you about Christmas evening,"
************************************************************************
Back to the Past . . . .
Miroku slowly opened his eyes as the sun shined in through Kaede's open window. Yawning, Miroku tried to go back to sleep as he held Sango tighter to his chest.
"Hey! Miroku!!!!!!!"
The monk suddenly sat up, but made sure he had goo hold on Sango so she didn't fall to the floor.
"What the heck was that?" yawned Sango.
"I don't know, but I"m going to find out," said Miroku as he walked outside, "Well long time no see, Kouga,"
"Alright, has Kagome come back yet?"
"No," sighed Miroku.
"Well what the hell is that mutt face doing with her?"
"We've told you already! She'll be back in a week now," said Sango.
"Well I can't wait that long! I followed her scent to some old well and it cuts off from there, so where are they?"
"Trust me, it will take too long to explain it to you," said Miroku.
Kouga was about to respond, but stopped. He suddenly started to sniff the air.
"What is it?" asked Sango.
"I smell . . . Kagome . . . and yet it's different some how,"
"Like how different?" asked Miroku.
"Its full of death, "
"Kikyo," breathed Sango.
"What would she be doing here?" asked Miroku.
"Probably to see Inu-Yasha," said Sango.
"Wait, who's this Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
(Okay, off the top of my head, I don't think Kouga has met Kikyo yet, but if he has, please let me know and I'll change this part of the chapter)
"Inu-Yasha's old love . . . Kouga, where is the scent coming from?" asked Sango.
Kouga sniffed the air again, "In the forest . . . wait! Inu-Yasha already loves someone? So why does he care if I love Kagome?"
"We'll explain that later, right now we're going to find out what she wants," said Miroku, grabbing his staff and Sango's boomerang from the hut.
"Kirara, Shippo, lets go!" said Sango.
The cat demon and Shippo came running out of the hut. Shippo jumped on Miroku's shoulder and Kirara transformed for them to ride. They flew into the forest with Kouga on their heels.
"There! I can see the light of souls," said Miroku, pointing to the God tree from the sky.
Kouga was the first to reach the clearing, and just stared at the woman who stood near the large tree, soul collectors flying around her.
"Who are you?" asked Kikyo.
"I'm Kouga, leader of the wolf demon tribe. Why do you smell so much like Kagome?"
Kikyo didn't say anything, but glanced up as Miroku and the others landed, "Kikyo, what are you doing here?" asked Sango.
Miroku stared at the priestess, "It seems what Kagome said is true, you are alive because she healed you," (Going by the manga here)
"It was her choice, so I don not owe her any thanks,"
"You heartless woman," whispered Sango.
"Where is Inu-Yasha?"
"Why do you care? Last time he wanted to see you and yet you took off," said Miroku.
"I still had to stay in hiding so Naraku couldn't figure out I was still alive since he thinks I'm dead by his hand,"
"Yes, when you were supposedly dropped in the river of lava, but enough of that, why do you want to see Inu-Yasha?"
"Naraku has found the last remaining jewel shard, the only ones he is missing are the ones Kagome has, and the ones in your legs," said Kikyo, glaring at Kouga.
"How do you know that?" asked Kouga.
"I can see the shards, just like Kagome,"
"Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation," whispered Sango to Kouga.
Kouga nodded, "So then this isn't the real Kikyo then?"
"Of course I'm the real Kikyo! But I don't have time with this chit chatting. I am here to take the remaining jewel shards to Naraku, and then I will send him and the jewel to hell, and then I will take Inu-Yasha with me . . . his life belongs in my hands,"
"Well sorry to tell you this Kikyo, but Inu-Yasha isn't here, he's in Kagome's time,"
"Oh, and when will he be back?"
"I'm afraid since you intend to kill him, we won't bother telling you," said Sango.
"Well in that case . . ." Kikyo waved her hand high above her head and the soul collectors surrounded Miroku and the others. Everyone tried to fight the things off, but there were too many of them. Shippo and Kirara were tied up, but Miroku and the others weren't going down that easily.
"Miroku what are we going to do?" asked Sango.
"I don't know, Inu-Yasha will be beyond mad if we kill her," said Miroku, "So, I'll just have to set her soul at rest,"
Grabbing his talismans, Miroku leaped into the air to try to bring Kikyo's soul to a peaceful rest, but was stopped as an arrow hit his left arm.
"Miroku!" screamed Sango, which caught her off guard when the soul collector wrapped itself around her.
"Sango!" Miroku cried as he himself was tied up.
Kouga was doing the best he could, but he was totally out numbered and was soon brought down.
"Bitch!" screamed Kouga, trying to break free.
"Now tell me when Inu-Yasha will be back,"
"We're not sure," said Sango, "They left a week ago,"
"He's been with her for a week? Well if that is all you know, then I'll just use you to bring him to me,"
"Kikyo!"
The dead priestess turned around to see Kaede walking towards them, "Kaede,"
"What in the world are you doing?"
"Tell Inu-Yasha if he wants to see his friends alive, he will bring Kagome and her jewel shards."
"But Kikyo . . ."
"He will find me by following my scent,"
Kikyo snapped her fingers and was lifted into the air by her soul catchers, along with Miroku and the others as they disappeared into the sky.
TBC . . . well that's the end of this chapter, please review to tell me what you think!
Lynns
Winter Wonderland
Chapter Thirteen
It was almost too beautiful to be real. The moon shining brightly in the night along with the stars, but what caught the half demons breath was the way the light hit the open snow. It was like they were surrounded by diamonds, they way the white snow glittered and gleamed against the light. It was pretty cold outside, especially since it was night out, but the two had no complaints as they sat together on the snowmobile, staring at the sky. Inu-Yasha sat crossed legged, with Kagome in his lap, his hands clasped in front of her. Inu-Yasha was unfazed by the cold since he was wearing his usual fire rat outfit tonight, plus a pair of wool socks to keep his feet a little warmer. Kagome would have been freezing since she was wearing a thick winter coat, mittens and a light toque, but she was surrounded by Inu-Yasha's warmth and not to mentioned the mug of hot chocolate in her hand. Back at the cabin Mrs. Higurashi, Grandpa, and Sota were all playing Clue (I love that game), but it was rather noisy there so the two had left on the snowmobile for some privacy.
"Eri knows?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"No, it's Ayumi who knows you are half demon,"
"Oh good, because if Eri knew, she would definetly tell Hojo,"
Kagome nodded and snuggled closer to the half demon, "So you had fun swimming?"
"Yeah, except when you sat me," growled Inu-Yasha.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist,"
Inu-Yasha smiled and pecked Kagome on the cheek.
"The Christmas ball is coming soon, I believe . . . I know it's not tomorrow, maybe the day after that?"
"Would you laugh if I said I was a little nervous?"
"I wouldn't laugh, but. . . . you nervous?"
"I don't know, I'm just not really used to people when I'm in my demon form,"
"You'll be wearing a hat, so no one will see your ears,"
"Yeah I know,"
They lapsed into silence with them both staring at the sky.
"So, how often does your family come up here?" asked Inu-Yasha.
"Well my family came up here last year and the year before, but I couldn't come because I was with you guys,"
"And you didn't give me a gift then?"
"I couldn't, you wouldn't let me go back to my time to get you any,"
"Oh, well I"m sorry,"
"That's okay, but the last time I was hear was when I was thirteen I believe, and then before that I was seven, and we went up with my dad," Inu-Yasha's ears perked up at the sound of Kagome's dad, come to think of it, he had never heard her talk about him.
"Is he . . .?"
"Yes," whispered Kagome.
Inu-Yasha could hear hurt in her voice, and glanced down to see tears welling up in her eyes, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked,"
"No, it's okay. I'm just crying because he . . . well . . . died out here,"
"What?"
"I was only nine at the time, and it happened two days before Christmas . . . and you know the skating rink?"
"Yes,"
"Well at the time we didn't have that, there was a small lake not far from the cabin that we used. Dad was taking us skating, and told us not to go near the middle since the ice was thinner, but then Sota had dropped his ball which rolled out to the middle. Dad went to get it, but then the ice cracked and he . . he . . ."
Inu-Yasha held Kagome tighter, her harsh sobs wracking his body. He hated to see her like this, in pain and sorrow, "It's okay Kagome, I'm here for you,"
The half demon continued to say soothing words into her ear, while holding her closer and stroking her hair until she calmed down.
"I'm sorry, but being out here just kind of reminds me of that painful memory,"
"It's okay, I shouldn't have asked,"
"Oh stop blaming yourself. I still remember what he looked and what he was like,"
"But if it makes you feel better, I was then same age when I lost my mom,"
"Your mom?"
"Yes, my mother,"
"Do you min me asking about your past?"
Inu-Yasha stared down at Kagome. Usually he didn't want to think about his past, it was an emotional think for him to remember that usually got him on the verge of tears. However Kagome had been opened about her past, plus since they were going to be spending their future together, it was time he told her about his past. Holding Kagome tighter, he began his tragic tale.
"I don't remember much about my father, although Sesshoumaru resembles him quite a bit. Mother was the one who really raised me, but my father came to see me the odd. It wasn't like he didn't want to see me, but . . . since he had mated with a human, demons and even men were after my mother, father, and of course me, he was out protecting us. Mother . . . my mother . . . she always seemed sad,"
"Why?"
"For many reasons. She was being mistreated by humans, I mean even her parents rejected her when she was with my father. The servants at the castle hated her as well, but my father made sure they never hurt her or anything, She was also sad because of me too. I remember the village children always bullying me, calling me names, and . . . well you saw how the villagers all treated Jinengi,"
"Yes, I remember,"
"My mother knew what my life was going to be like, how I would be hunted, so she did the best she could to raise me and make me happy. I remember us playing in the garden a lot, and how she taught me to read and write,"
"What about Sesshoumaru, did you know you had a brother at the time?"
"Sesshoumaru . . . you're not going to believe this, but back then he was actually a brother to me, but I never really saw him much since he was traveling around Japan. Everything at the time was fine, but then father was killed. My mother was so sad and scared. Father was dead, and he could no longer protect us from his enemies. Mother thought that Sesshoumaru would help us, but he blamed us for fathers death and turned bitter towards us,"
"So that's why he hates you?"
"Yes,"
"So he killed your mom?"
"No, Sesshoumaru wasn't the one . . . hell it wasn't even a demon. All I can remember is I was asleep . . . I don't know how I had fallen asleep since my mothers crying and her whispering my fathers name had kept me awake. I remember smelling smoke which had woken me up. I thought mother had left a lantern on and so I went to check it out and . . . my home had been started on fire. I ran to get my mother who was still sleeping,"
Kagome glanced up to see Inu-Yasha staring at his fire rat sleeve.
"She had grabbed this, and covered herself with it, I was in her arms. We headed to the door, but it was blocked off by the villagers, threatening to kills us if we came out. She continued to look for a way, but all the exits were blocked . . ."
Kagome could hear hurt and sorrow in Inu-Yasha's voice now, and could tell he was no the verge of tears.
"We couldn't get out . . . we went to every exit but we couldn't get out. The last thing I remember was her whispering to me, 'I love you Inu-Yasha, my son,' and then everything went black since I was surrounded by darkness. she had wrapped the fire rat cloak totally around me. I could hear a loud crash, and my mother screaming out in pain. I tried to rip through the cloak, but I couldn't and something ha hit me on the head, knocking me out. The next thing I knew, I was trying to get out of the cloak again, screaming my mothers name over and over again, wanting her to answer me. I . . . I finally made my way out of the cloak . . . and . . . my house . . . burnt to the ground . . . mother was . . . she was . . . "
Inu-Yasha finally snapped as tears rolled down his eyes. He couldn't help it, the memory was just to painful to hold back his emotions. The half demon could feel arms wrap around him, Kagome holding Inu-Yasha close to her, showing that she was there for him.
"I wanted to kill them . . . I wanted to kill them all . . . but I didn't . . . "
Kagome had never seen Inu-Yasha like this, and wished she had never asked the question, but was half glad that she did, glad that Inu-Yasha was being open with her about his past.
"Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to promise something,"
"Anything,"
"If anything . . . anything were to happen to me . . . I want you to go back to your time . . . and never return to the past,"
"What?"
"I don't want anything to happen to you, when I'm gone and not there to protect you, and I don't want our pups to go through the same life I had,"
Kagome had tears in her eyes at the very thought of Inu-Yasha dying, "Please don't say stuff like that,"
"I know, I will try my hardest to stay by your side, but . . ."
"Don't say it . . . I understand, so let's not talk about it anymore,"
The two just held each other, no words could describe how the other one felt. Inu-Yasha wiped his eyes, and pushed his mothers memory to the back of his mind, and tried to think of something cheerful to talk about.
"So . . ."
"So what?" asked Kagome.
"How many pups are we gonna have?"
Kagome rested her head against Inu-Yasha's chest and smiled, "I would like to have three,"
"Only three?" joked Inu-Yasha.
"Three's a nice number,"
"I agree, three sounds good," whispered Inu-Yasha, burying his face into the crook of Kagome's neck.
"Do you think we should head back?" asked Kagome.
"But were alone out here,"
"Oh and just what were you thinking about?"
"Are you cold?"
Kagome blushed, "We a little,"
"Well then how about I warm you up," grinned Inu-Yasha, pressing his lips to hers.
"I say you wait till we get to the cabin," whispered Kagome.
"Oh, your no fun,"
Kagome laughed and started the snowmobile up again.
************************************************************************
Mrs. Higurashi sat on the living room couch, waiting for her daughter and Inu-Yasha to come back from their snowmobile ride. A loud sound from outside meant they were back. Putting down her book, she went the door to let the two in.
"There you are, I was starting to worry,"
"Sorry," said Kagome, taking her clothing off.
"Well, let's head to bed," said Mrs. Higurashi.
Kagome started to head up the stairs, but stopped when Inu-Yasha didn't follow, "Aren't you coming,"
"In a moment, I have to talk to your mom about something,"
Nodding Kagome headed upstairs.
"What did you want to talk about?" asked Mrs. Higurashi.
"Well, it's about Kagome's gift, and I have a question to ask you about Christmas evening,"
************************************************************************
Back to the Past . . . .
Miroku slowly opened his eyes as the sun shined in through Kaede's open window. Yawning, Miroku tried to go back to sleep as he held Sango tighter to his chest.
"Hey! Miroku!!!!!!!"
The monk suddenly sat up, but made sure he had goo hold on Sango so she didn't fall to the floor.
"What the heck was that?" yawned Sango.
"I don't know, but I"m going to find out," said Miroku as he walked outside, "Well long time no see, Kouga,"
"Alright, has Kagome come back yet?"
"No," sighed Miroku.
"Well what the hell is that mutt face doing with her?"
"We've told you already! She'll be back in a week now," said Sango.
"Well I can't wait that long! I followed her scent to some old well and it cuts off from there, so where are they?"
"Trust me, it will take too long to explain it to you," said Miroku.
Kouga was about to respond, but stopped. He suddenly started to sniff the air.
"What is it?" asked Sango.
"I smell . . . Kagome . . . and yet it's different some how,"
"Like how different?" asked Miroku.
"Its full of death, "
"Kikyo," breathed Sango.
"What would she be doing here?" asked Miroku.
"Probably to see Inu-Yasha," said Sango.
"Wait, who's this Kikyo?" asked Kouga.
(Okay, off the top of my head, I don't think Kouga has met Kikyo yet, but if he has, please let me know and I'll change this part of the chapter)
"Inu-Yasha's old love . . . Kouga, where is the scent coming from?" asked Sango.
Kouga sniffed the air again, "In the forest . . . wait! Inu-Yasha already loves someone? So why does he care if I love Kagome?"
"We'll explain that later, right now we're going to find out what she wants," said Miroku, grabbing his staff and Sango's boomerang from the hut.
"Kirara, Shippo, lets go!" said Sango.
The cat demon and Shippo came running out of the hut. Shippo jumped on Miroku's shoulder and Kirara transformed for them to ride. They flew into the forest with Kouga on their heels.
"There! I can see the light of souls," said Miroku, pointing to the God tree from the sky.
Kouga was the first to reach the clearing, and just stared at the woman who stood near the large tree, soul collectors flying around her.
"Who are you?" asked Kikyo.
"I'm Kouga, leader of the wolf demon tribe. Why do you smell so much like Kagome?"
Kikyo didn't say anything, but glanced up as Miroku and the others landed, "Kikyo, what are you doing here?" asked Sango.
Miroku stared at the priestess, "It seems what Kagome said is true, you are alive because she healed you," (Going by the manga here)
"It was her choice, so I don not owe her any thanks,"
"You heartless woman," whispered Sango.
"Where is Inu-Yasha?"
"Why do you care? Last time he wanted to see you and yet you took off," said Miroku.
"I still had to stay in hiding so Naraku couldn't figure out I was still alive since he thinks I'm dead by his hand,"
"Yes, when you were supposedly dropped in the river of lava, but enough of that, why do you want to see Inu-Yasha?"
"Naraku has found the last remaining jewel shard, the only ones he is missing are the ones Kagome has, and the ones in your legs," said Kikyo, glaring at Kouga.
"How do you know that?" asked Kouga.
"I can see the shards, just like Kagome,"
"Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation," whispered Sango to Kouga.
Kouga nodded, "So then this isn't the real Kikyo then?"
"Of course I'm the real Kikyo! But I don't have time with this chit chatting. I am here to take the remaining jewel shards to Naraku, and then I will send him and the jewel to hell, and then I will take Inu-Yasha with me . . . his life belongs in my hands,"
"Well sorry to tell you this Kikyo, but Inu-Yasha isn't here, he's in Kagome's time,"
"Oh, and when will he be back?"
"I'm afraid since you intend to kill him, we won't bother telling you," said Sango.
"Well in that case . . ." Kikyo waved her hand high above her head and the soul collectors surrounded Miroku and the others. Everyone tried to fight the things off, but there were too many of them. Shippo and Kirara were tied up, but Miroku and the others weren't going down that easily.
"Miroku what are we going to do?" asked Sango.
"I don't know, Inu-Yasha will be beyond mad if we kill her," said Miroku, "So, I'll just have to set her soul at rest,"
Grabbing his talismans, Miroku leaped into the air to try to bring Kikyo's soul to a peaceful rest, but was stopped as an arrow hit his left arm.
"Miroku!" screamed Sango, which caught her off guard when the soul collector wrapped itself around her.
"Sango!" Miroku cried as he himself was tied up.
Kouga was doing the best he could, but he was totally out numbered and was soon brought down.
"Bitch!" screamed Kouga, trying to break free.
"Now tell me when Inu-Yasha will be back,"
"We're not sure," said Sango, "They left a week ago,"
"He's been with her for a week? Well if that is all you know, then I'll just use you to bring him to me,"
"Kikyo!"
The dead priestess turned around to see Kaede walking towards them, "Kaede,"
"What in the world are you doing?"
"Tell Inu-Yasha if he wants to see his friends alive, he will bring Kagome and her jewel shards."
"But Kikyo . . ."
"He will find me by following my scent,"
Kikyo snapped her fingers and was lifted into the air by her soul catchers, along with Miroku and the others as they disappeared into the sky.
TBC . . . well that's the end of this chapter, please review to tell me what you think!
Lynns