This chapter isn't that long, because I figured I wanted to leave it at the point, because I thought the suspense was great!

Chapter 12: It begins

"You mean we can seal him away?" Kagome questioned.

"It may be possible," Miroku stated. "Although I am not sure how the process works, or how to do it."

"Well there goes that plan." Kagome sighed and tilted her head forward.

"Not entirely, we can still find a way... there has to be a way." Miroku continued. Then there was an uneasy silence in the room as they all contemplated possible ways to defeat this burden of a hate demon. 'How?' They all thought. Was it even possible?

One week later

Kagome had finally been back on her own two feet and returned the wheel chair earlier that day, with Inuyasha's help of course.

The gang still hadn't created a method to destroy Akahito. They had decided not to let it bother them for now. Though, of course, Inuyasha couldn't ignore it. He still wanted to tare Akahito to shreds for what he had done to Kagome.

Inuyasha was sitting in the sacred tree now looking over the snowy fields. The well was near to the point he could smell its olden, wooden stench. He could also smell fresh snow.

Earlier that day a light coat had covered the fields. It was now mid-winter and time was going by slower than usual for Inuyasha and the gang.

He could also smell something more beautiful, more intriguing. It was Kagome. Her skin naturally smelt of flowers. She was nearby, coming closer, probably looking for him. 'Of course, I left this morning with out saying a word to Kagome and the others.' Inuyasha thought. 'It's no wonder she's come looking for me. Stupid wench... I mean woman. She's going to get herself sick out in this weather.'

"Inuyasha!" The all to familiar, loving voice called out to him. He looked down at Kagome, who was staring at him. She had only just this morning got into the habit of walking again and wobbled a little here and there.

Inuyasha jumped down in front of her and before he knew it she was in his arms. She had tripped while trying to approach him. She blushed and pulled away.

"Sorry." She apologized.

"Feh, lets go," Inuyasha walked right beside her instead of walking ahead of her. He was making sure she didn't fall again and if she did he would be there to catch her. Of course he would never admit to that.

When Kagome had fallen into his arms, just moments ago, he wanted nothing more than to hold her. In a way it was like that time Kikyo had tripped into him on the dock, but in a way it was different, much different. his urge to embrace her was so much more, almost more than he could handle. The cause of this was probably because he cared for Kagome more than Kikyo, and two his human and demon side both cares for Kagome. His demon side despises Kikyo for reasons he wasn't completely sure of. One of them was most likely that Kikyo didn't except the demon in him and in doing so it caused Inuyasha's demon side not to like Kikyo. At least Kagome excepted him for who and what he was.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome began, causing Inuyasha to lose his train of thought and look over to her.

"Hmm?" He questioned.

"Well.. I was just wondering when you wanted to go back out to search for the sacred jewel shards?"

"The sacred jewel shards?" 'Of course! I forgot all about them. I've been to caught up in Akahito... the damn bastard.' Inuyasha thought. "Ah... we'll leave when the snow settles."

"But..." Kagome began, not really knowing where she planned to end.

"It's to cold for humans to travel in." Inuyasha persisted. Kagome was a little caught off guard. Inuyasha was never the kind to hold off on searching for the sacred jewel, whether rain, snow, or an unbearable heat. Inuyasha was one determined half demon.

"Are you sure about that Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.

"Would I say it if I wasn't?" Inuyasha's voice held irritation.

"Okay than, as long as it's what you want." Kagome was in no mood for a brawl. So she said the easiest thing that came to mind. Of course Inuyasha wasn't really listening intensely to her, because his thoughts kept interfering. "So what do you plan on doing for all the time we have to kill?" Inuyasha didn't answer. Kagome's attempt to break the silence and make conversation was failing for Inuyasha was to caught up in thought, thus for making Kagome a little worried. "Inuyasha?"

Kagome placed her hand on Inuyasha's should springing him from thought. He looked at her questioningly.

"Are you alright, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked in a concerned tone.

"Ah... yeah." Inuyasha's voice was filled with doubt... depression. It was quiet and soft. All of this surprised and confused Kagome farther. She became more concerned and wondered what changed his sudden tone of mood.

"Are you sure?" She couldn't help, but ask.

"Let's get back. I have to go hunting for dinner."

"You don't need to. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara are all eating at their new home. I can make some ramen for us. I'm sure Kaede won't mind having ramen, either.

"No, there are plenty of white rabbits at this point in the season. Plus we had ramen for lunch." Inuyasha's words didn't surprise Kagome. They shocked her! Had Inuyasha just turned down ramen to go hunting? The Inuyasha she knew and loved would have ramen everyday for every meal and every snack if he had his way.

Of course she still loved him. It's not like you can stop truly loving someone because they don't want ramen! She loved him no less, which was one of the reasons she was worried. She didn't want to lose him and from the way he was acting... something seemed wrong.

Inuyasha's thought now centered on protecting Kagome. He worried that Akahito would come after her and he wouldn't be able to protect her. If he couldn't 'slice and dice' Akahito how could he protect the woman he loved. Kagome.

"Alright, it's up to you." Kagome finally said. "Just don't get to much."

"Yeah, yeah." Inuyasha shoed his hand in the air to her. He normally wouldn't have turned down ramen, but he wanted some alone time for thinking. Hunting was his excuse to get away for a little while. Of course he wanted to stay with Kagome, but she would be worried for him and he didn't want to stress her.

They arrived at Kaede's hut soon. As soon as Kagome was inside Inuyasha left. he walked quietly, as well as swiftly through the forest. In his head he went over all the past months events. 'There has to be another way to kill him!' Inuyasha thought in frustration. 'He won't get away with what he did to Kagome! He'll come back for the jewel. He has to be stopped and we... have to be ready.'

Inuyasha continued to walk through the forest.

Meanwhile/ Later

(With Kagome)

Night has now fallen and Inuyasha wasn't back yet with his hunt. Kagome was now getting worried. He had seemed somewhat stressed earlier. what is he had been caught off guard by wondering demons? 'Inuyasha.' Kagome thought in worry. Kaede had gone out to get some fresh water for herb washing. Kagome stared into the fire. Thoughts consumed her, like they had Inuyasha earlier.

She was filled with anxiety for him and could only hope he was okay, but for her hoping wasn't enough. Inuyasha was the most important thing in the world left for Kagome. She would be damned if she lost him. Although Inuyasha was more to her than the last person she had to care. He was the person she loved, the person who allowed her will to go on. His mere presence calmed her when she was down. Heck, when she was in the hospital all she wanted was him and he was the only thing on her mind. Even her body and soul knew she needed him.

Soon she could take no more and wanted, no needed to know if Inuyasha was safe. She stood up and walked out of the hut. Kaede was knelt down in front of the stream.

"Kaede, I'm going to find Inuyasha. I'll be back soon." Kagome informed.

"Alright, be careful." Kaede replied not bothering to turn from the stream. Kagome held her bow and arrows close.

"I will." Kagome walked off into the forest. She followed the path she sensed Inuyasha's warm presence in.

Later

She must have been two miles away from the hut at this point and her ribs were aching from all of her walking. She had been walking for over an hour. Normally it wouldn't take so long, but she wasn't having the easiest time walking around with the pain in her ribs and to her the walk seemed like eternity.

The only thing to guide her in the dark depths of the night was the moon's glowing gaze shinning down on her. She wanted to turn around, for she was getting colder by the second and the was feeling a bit lost. Inuyasha presence was to far for her to sense by now.

Kagome was smart enough to know calling out Inuyasha's name would not be wise, because a demon would probably hear and come after her for a late night snack. She also had the sacred jewel shards, which put her into an even more troublesome situation. She could only hope Inuyasha found her soon.

Meanwhile

(With Inuyasha)

Inuyasha finally arrived back at Kaede's hut. Concern instantaneously rushed through his veins when he smelt Kagome's scent only lingered and didn't reside, which meant she must have left. He walked into the hut. Kaede was the only one in there, just as he expected.

"Where's Kagome!" Were the first words, which left his mouth. His voice was panicked. Kaede looked at him, surprise etched in her features.

"Is she not with you?" Kaede wondered out loud.

"If she was with me would I be asking!"

"I believe she went out in search of you. She left some time ago. I assumed she had found you by now."

"Why the hell did you let her go!"

"Kagome has a will of her own, Inuyasha. I am not to keep her locked away like a prisoner."

"Why the hell not!"

"I suggest you go and looked for Kagome, rather than sit here and complain." Kaede said. Inuyasha was prepared to reply, but comprehended she was right. Akahito could have already gotten to Kagome. he ran out of the hut following where her scent was freshest.

It didn't take long to get near Kagome. She was only about thirty seconds away when...

"Eek!" Kagome screeched.

Well I should update tomorrow. I'll update earlier on if I get lots of reviews! Thanks for reading and I hope you are all enjoying this. The action will start next chapter. There will probably be a major drama too, but don't worry.