Something Amiss

Chapter 2

Feudal Japan, Warring States Period.... The Bone Eaters Well

Kagome pulled herself out of the well carrying her yellow backpack filled with supplies for her continuing search for the Jewel Shards and fight against Naraku with Inuyasha and the others. 7 years have passed since her adventures with inuyasha had started. Many things have happened during that time spent between her era and the Warring States Period; she has since graduated high school and by some miracle managed to get a college education, well sort off. College was a wash out after the first year and half, and to explain her long time of absence from her friends, her mom made the excuse that she was in some foreign exchange student program, studying around the world. Her and Inuyasha had gotten quite close also and were ready to commit to a real relationship once the jewel was whole and Naraku was defeated. It was taking longer than anticipated, but she was patient and wanted to live a peaceful life with him when the time came. Her miko powers had grown quite a bit and she was now very good with spells and had learned the knowledge that Kaede had passed down to her quite well. She had grown a few inches and now was a mirror copy of Kikyo minus the super long hair and the red and white kimono of a priestess, which would occasionally where.

Sango and Miroku had matured a little, Sango was more attached to Miroku and he in turned had deeper feelings for her; however he was still the lecherous monk that she had come to know and love. Neither of them wanted to move forward with their lives until Naraku was defeated as well. Shippo was still has small as ever, he may have grown a touch, however since he was a full demon he took longer to grow and mature. All and all, except for the constant fighting, searching, fighting, sleeping in the dirt, fighting, being fondled by Miroku, arguing with Inuyasha every day, evading death, meeting other demons who had it out for them, fighting and all that other stuff.............. Life was ok. Well loosely.

She headed over to the village to meet the others; she was day dreaming when she felt a very unusual aura. It was like nothing she ever felt before. She stopped for a second but the feeling went away as quickly as it came to her. Dismissing it she continued to the village, only this time she paid attention to her surroundings.

Little did she know she was being watched.

Approaching the village she saw Inuyasha heading to her at quick pace, he looked very annoyed 'what's is up with him' she thought as she quickened her pace. Something was wrong.

"Good you're here; I was wondering what took you so long." Said Inuyasha in that usual rude tone of his

"What are talking about I'm not late, in fact....." Kagome spat out before Inuyasha interrupted.

"Look, I don't want to talk here, let's get to the village." He said as he slung her over his shoulder and grabbed her bag, ignoring her protests. He ran back to the forest as fast as he could.

"Inuyasha! Put me down right now or....."

"Shut up!!!"

"What is wrong with you!! Inuyasha!" She yelled as they approached the village. Inuyasha took of his shoulder carelessly and she fell on her behind, Furious at his actions she stood up yelling the three letter word he dreaded.

"SIT!!!" WHAM... Before he knew it he was kissing the dirt, as usual.

"Whatcha do that for stupid.! I was worried." He yelled from the hole.

"Well you have a funny way of showing it, dumbass!" She yelled back. Standing up from the hole he stared at her for a good long while, he was about to say something when Miroku spoke instead.

"We felt a very strange aura a while ago, Inuyasha was worried" Miroku said.

"Wait I felt it too, it was nothing I ever felt before, but I couldn't pinpoint. It wasn't around for long." Kagome said "Could it be Naraku?"

"Maybe, I mean it would be the first time he has attacked in secret." Sango said from the porch of Kaede's hut.

"It's not Naraku, there something else around." Inuyasha said looking towards the forest

"How can you be sure Inuyasha, do you think is it one of his incarnations perhaps?" Miroku asked

"I don't know all I know is that felt nothing like Naraku" Inuyasha said not taking his eyes of the forest. This made everyone nervous.

"Inuyasha what's going on?" Kagome asked. In all her years traveling with Inuyasha she has learn to understand his moods. That fact that he was starring at the forest with out so much as blinking did not comfort.

"I can't tell. All I know that it is not safe to travel today." Inuyasha said

"I agree it's best to wait until daybreak." Miroku agreed.

"Well I guess it's settled, besides I brought some home cooked food mom made for us. Come on Sango let get set up for dinner." Kagome said going in the hut with Sango behind her.

"Sure, Why not." Sango said.

"Maybe we should keep watch tonight, this wouldn't be the first time we've been attacked with out warning from Naraku or any of his incarnations before" Miroku said

"Keh, I know. Get some rest, I'll take first watch." With that Inuyasha walked towards the area he had his eyes focused on. When he reached the area there was nothing there, but something in him was telling him otherwise. He decided to patrol the parameter of the village just to be sure.

Once he disappeared in the forest a figure was standing where Inuyasha was at. He stared at the direction Inuyasha went. Once he was sure that he wouldn't return it focused at the hut where Kagome and Sango where at.

"You may come out now." He said. Three figures dressed in black robes jumped from the trees above. "You know what to do, find out which one it is. Look for the mark." He instructed. "Do not alert them to know our presence here just get the information and return understand." He ordered them. They all bowed in acknowledgement. "If you see the others leave. Do not fail. Now go!" The figured disappeared in front of them. The three hooded figures separated and took their positions around the village.

It had been a long journey indeed, but he had to investigate. He had been hearing rumors of villages being haunted by demons wearing black robes. Normally he wouldn't care for such things, especially in human affairs, but the fact was it was happening on his land and any demon who dared trespass on his landed had to be removed one way or another. When he arrived to question the inhabitants all they were able to tell him was that these things would just stand around the borders and watch. No one dared to approach these things for fear that they would be killed off. If there was one thing that Sesshomaru despised more than his half demon brother were cowards, especially human cowards. They were already useless enough to him and he hated to make a stand for those who wouldn't even stand for themselves, but still, any evasion on his land must be dealt with, and besides, over the years traveling with Rin his approach towards humans had soften, more than he would ever care to admit. The girl was with him for the past 7 years and in front of his eyes she had grown from young pup to a lovely young woman no more that 15, maybe 16 years of age. He would never openly admit to it, but his affection for her had grown too. He found himself slowly becoming attracted to her and every day it was getting harder to fight it. Especially the past few nights, he returned to the camp site where he left her with Jaken and Ah-Un. Jaken was watching the horizon on top of Ah-Un, the double headed dragon was lying on the ground and right beside the dragon Rin was asleep. Normally he would have scolded the imp for allowing the girl to fall asleep during the day time while he was away, however the past few weeks the girl has been plagued by nightmares so horrible that she would often wake up in the middle of the night screaming, sometimes startling even him to the point where he had drawn his sword a few times. She would scurry to Sesshomaru for comfort and wouldn't let go until she fell as sleep again. Unfortunately the dreams were becoming worse, so bad that she would wake up drenched in sweat, then she would refuse to fall asleep for the rest of the night. After the last one she had she refused to sleep for 4 days even when he would order her to sleep she refused. As he approached her he noticed the dark circles under her eyes, clearly she was exhausted and must have surrendered to it earlier. He sat besides her watching her as she continued to sleep, she seemed to be at peace right now, however, that was yet to be seen. Brushing a few strands of black hair from her face, he stood up and began to address Jaken.

"How long has she been asleep?" He asked his servant.

"Not long long." Afraid that Sesshomaru would clobber him on the head for allowing Rin to sleep, he jumped down and went to his master's feet to explain. "L-lord Sesshomaru please forgive me for allowing her to sleep, she was just so tired. I will wake he........." He was cut of by Sesshomaru.

"No! Let her rest, go get some wood and food, we'll camp here tonight" He ordered. The little demon scurried off to do his masters biding. Sesshomaru took of his pelt and draped it over her. He stood there staring off into the distance when heard a whimper come out from Rin. He turned to look at her and noticed that beads of sweat where forming on her brow. "Another nightmare." He said to himself. He continued to look at her when he heard something from the trees behind him. He turned to the direction where he heard the noise only to see a dark figure standing. Using his superior speed he went over to where the figure was, using the Tokijin he cut through the trees. When he came to where he saw the figure, there was nothing there, but still there was a feeling of uneasiness that made him uncomfortable. He felt something but there was no sight of it or even a scent of anything. The only ones near by that he could clearly identify were Jaken, Ah-Un, and Rin. Sheathing his sword,he walked over to where the girl was to keep guard over her. He noticed that Ah-Un seemed a little uneasy also, that tipped him off to the fact there was something or someone else in the area other than them. He sat right besides Rin again watching her sleep, hoping that her nightmares wouldn't plague her. As he watched the dusk approached he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was still a presence watching and that it was able to hide it self well. There was a presence of danger and he knew he would be in for a restless night.