Disclaimer: See chapters 1 or 2. Take your pick.

The Ties That Bind

Chapter 4

A Thief in the Night

Inu-yasha came out of the void confused as to why he felt the need to visit Kagome. He couldn't really figure out why he had such an urge to see her. He hoped she wouldn't be too mad. He didn't care if he pissed off Koga. Truth be told, it still felt good to piss off the wolf. Inu-yasha leapt from the well and stopped to listen for any noises. It was nighttime and he didn't want to disturb anyone. Maybe he should just sleep here for the night and see Kagome in the morning. But something was drawing him to Kagome. Without knowing why he was doing what he was doing, he crossed the courtyard and jumped up into the tree outside Kagome's bedroom window. No Kagome. This late at night she should be in bed. Maybe she was out with Koga. Well, he'll just wait here for her and grab some sleep until she shows up.

Inu-yasha saw Kikyo's face. It had a wicked smile and she was laughing at him. Then he heard her voice, commanding and echoing through his mind, "Bring me the jewel fragments Inu-yasha." Inu-yasha opened his eyes and let his senses reach out to find trace of Kagome. He finally sensed her in the temple. He silently made his way into the temple and followed his senses until he finally came to a small room in the back of the temple. He quietly opened the door and poked his head in.

There were Koga and Kagome in bed, sleeping peacefully. The hair on the back of his neck bristled at the sight. He walked into the room and stood over them, fangs bared in a grimace, a low growl rising in his throat. Then Kagome moaned and rolled over, facing Inu-yasha. He jumped back to the doorway to hide, but she was still asleep. Inu-yasha crept over to a wooden box on the dresser and opened it. There was the jewel fragment, pink and glowing. He quickly snatched it from the box and left the room and headed for the well, back to his own time, and back to Kikyo.

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Coldness

Kagome could feel her stomach turn to ice as she watched the Shikon jewel tear itself free from her body. She tried to grab it, but she was free floating and was having trouble righting herself. She tried to "swim" through the air towards the jewel, but it was still slow going. Then she watched as a clawed hand came out of the void and grabbed the jewel, pulling it into the void, disappearing right before her eyes. She yelled something, she couldn't quite tell, it was like she was speaking some foreign language. She kept trying to reach the area where the hand disappeared, but she couldn't see where she was going through all the tears, and her body was becoming so cold she was having trouble moving her limbs. She finally gave up and just floated there, crying, feeling her body completely consumed by the cold, becoming rigid and frost covered. It was gone. She had failed. She lost the Shikon jewel.

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Koga shivered as coldness crept into his body. He pulled Kagome closer to him, but he only seemed to get colder. He opened his eyes and felt Kagome's rigid, shivering body against his body. Her skin was almost blue from the drop in body temperature. He turned her over and began to shake her, noting shiny tracks down her cheeks where tears were almost freezing in place. "Kagome! Wake up! What's going on? Kagome!" He kneeled above her, shaking her stiff body. "Kagome!" Her eyes fluttered, her lips parted, furiously quivering, trying to say something.

"J-j-j-jewel. G-gone. S-s-s-so c-cold."

The jewel was gone? No, can't be! Koga jumped over to the small wooden box on the dresser. It was open and the jewel was gone. He ran back over to Kagome and cradled her in his arms, trying to ignore the coldness overtaking his body. What was he going to do? He was no healer. He placed his hand on her cheek and tried to get her to concentrate on his words. "Kagome! Listen to me! You have to tell me what to do. The jewel has been stolen. You need help. Kagome! What should I do?"

He saw Kagome trying to say something, but her body was becoming completely stiff. He hugged her to him so his ear was right next to her mouth. When she spoke, the whisper-quiet cold breath sent new chills down his body. "W-w-well. Nee--d Ka-ka-ede."

"Kagome, you don't have a shard with you. You won't be able to pass through the well." He hugged her close again trying to transfer some of his heat to her. As he sat there trying to figure out what to do, it suddenly occurred to him that he possessed two shards. He gently laid her down on the bed, covering her with all the blankets he could find, and then turned his attention to his right thigh. Without Kagome, he would have to guess the location of the shard. He only had to slice his leg three times before he found the shard. He pried open Kagome's clenched fist just enough to place the shard within her grasp.

Just as Koga was about to jump into the well, he realized he should tell her family what was happening. He laid Kagome next to the well and sprinted for the house. He immediately noticed the decrease in his speed as he tried to push himself faster. He found Sota in the kitchen making breakfast. "Sota! Listen carefully. I have to take Kagome back to the feudal era. The jewel has been stolen and it seems to be affecting Kagome. I'm taking her back to get healthy and find the jewel. I will send her back home as soon as possible. Ok?" Sota just nodded and watched the wolf fly back out the door.

Koga swept Kagome up and jumped into the well, hoping it knew where to dump them, because he had no idea how to navigate the void. As soon as they exited the void, Koga jumped up and hesitated only momentarily to thank the gods they were in the right place and time. Koga raced down the hill and through the forest in search of Kaede.

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Kaede was enjoying her quiet morning as she waited for the water for the tea to get hot. Things had been peaceful recently and she was enjoying the respite. She went over to the cupboard to get a cup when the wolf demon burst through the door with Kagome. She immediately saw Kagome's condition and rushed over to help Koga put her down on the mats. She began to pull the blankets back as she listened to the demon tell his story. "She awoke this morning cold and shivering. Her body has completely stiffened up." Koga watched as Kaede's hands began to glow, presumably to try and heal whatever was possessing her. But Koga didn't think it was going to help. He grabbed Kaede's arm to get her attention. "The jewel has been stolen."

Kaede's eyes went wide with shock and her hands stopped glowing. She stared at the wolf, unbelieving, as words spilled from his mouth. "Kagome said the jewel was gone. I don't know when it was stolen. With everything happening with Higurashi's funeral

we----"

"Higurashi is dead?"

Koga's eyes softened as he saw the sadness in the old woman's eyes. "Yes. Kagome felt his sickness and passing in this world, but we were too late. He passed the morning we arrived." Kaede lowered her head and observed Kagome. "But, Kagome has been fine until this morning. So my presumption is the jewel was stolen last night."

Kaede brushed Kagome's frosty hair and looked up at the wolf, his concern written all over his face. "It's nice to finally meet you Koga. I wish it were under better circumstances. Kagome has told me so much about you. Perhaps later we can sit down and get to know each other." Koga nods, but his eyes drift back down to Kagome. Kaede lays her hand on his, and he looks up, questioning. "Go find Inu-yasha. He's usually up in the Goshin Boku tree this time of the morning."

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Inu-yasha sensed a familiar presence heading his way. He opened one eye and almost fell off the branch in shock from seeing Koga's face mere inches from his own. He regained his balance and stood face to face with Koga, fuming. "What the hell are you doing here you mangy wolf?"

Koga's face remained serious as he let the insult pass. "Kagome's in trouble. Kaede sent me to find you. C'mon." Koga turned and disappeared towards the village in a cloud of dust.

Inu-yasha ignored the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and followed Koga. He entered Kaede's home and found her and Koga leaning over Kagome's body. Inu-yasha moved closer and saw that she looked almost blue. She was shivering and he could see frost in her hair. Inu-yasha's voice was a whisper in the quiet room. "What happened?"

Koga looked up at Inu-yasha, not trying to hide any of his concern or fear. Inu-yasha felt for the wolf. He loved Kagome too and couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her. What scared Inu-yasha was the look of fear in Koga's eyes. "I woke up this morning and found her cold and shivering. She's gotten progressively worse. Her body is freezing over, it's rigid and she can't talk any longer. Before she was completely immobilized, she told me to bring her here." Koga reluctantly left Kagome's side and walked over to Inu-yasha. "There's something else. The jewel has been stolen. I think that's what's causing the problem with Kagome. She mentioned that the jewel was gone."

Inu-yasha just stared at Koga. I must have heard him wrong. Stolen? From Kagome's era? "When was it stolen?"

Koga shook his head. "I'm guessing last night since Kagome was fine until this morning. I'm going back and checking out the temple for clues."

Inu-yasha snapped out of his shock. "Wait. How did you get back if the jewel was stolen?"

Koga looked down at his bandaged leg. "I cut it out and put it in Kagome's hand. The void within the well seems to guide you to where you need to go."

"Good thinking. I'll go with you." Inu-yasha's look left no room for Koga to argue. The wolf nodded and the two turned their attention back to Kagome.

Kaede sensed their questions and she looked up at the two demons. "I agree with Koga. Somehow, Kagome's condition is linked to the theft of the jewel shard. I will do what I can for her, but we must find the jewel shard and quickly. Go through the well, find out what you can and report back."

Koga and Inu-yasha start out the door when Koga grabs the dog demon's arm. "How are you going to get through the well?"

Inu-yasha pulls a shard from around his neck and quickly tucks it back. "Kagome gave me a shard to hold in case of emergencies. Let's go."

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Thief Revealed

Inu-yasha followed Koga into the temple and back to the room Koga used when he stayed with Kagome and her family. He didn't say anything to Inu-yasha about Kagome staying in the room with him, and didn't offer up any reason as to why the jewel would be kept with him, instead of her. Koga pointed to the wooden box on the dresser, "That's where the jewel was stored. I found it open this morning after Kagome said it was gone."

Inu-yasha began looking around the room and until his eyes rested on Koga. Koga looked up and met the gaze when he felt Inu-yasha's eyes on him. "What?"

"This is where you stay?"

"Yes. Higurashi…..he let me stay here. Inu-yasha, you should know---"

Inu-yasha cut him off, and started looking around the room again, not wanting to hear what was going to be said next. He thought he might have reached a certain comfort level with Kagome and Koga, but lately, it had been bothering him a lot. "No, I don't think I should."

Koga rolled his eyes and continued, "---Higurashi is dead." Inu-yasha froze and looked back at Koga. "Kagome felt him get sick and die while we were still in the feudal era. We didn't know at the time what was happening to her, and by the time we came back here, it was too late. He passed away in the morning and we got here that afternoon. Kagome was devastated. She blamed herself of course. She seems to be getting better, but, I thought you should know."

Inu-yasha just nods at the sad news. Poor Kagome. He hadn't known. How could he? But he felt horrible for not being there when she needed him? Inu-yasha looked over at Koga who was inspecting the box closely. Actually, I guess she doesn't need me anymore. Inu-yasha was inspecting the flooring for any scents or tracks when he came to the bed. His nose picked up a very familiar scent. He followed it up the covers and into the bed. Kagome. A slow growl started building in Inu-yasha's throat and the hair on the back of his neck started to bristle. He looked over at Koga, the urge to attack the wolf resurfacing once again. Inu-yasha let his claws come out and he approached Koga, who was kneeling down on the floor examining something.

Koga suddenly jerked up, banishing whatever impulses were driving Inu-yasha. "Found something! Look, a few strands of hair. Definitely not mine, Kagome's or Higurashi's." Inu-yasha walked up to take a look at the few strands Koga was holding up. Koga examined the hairs as Inu-yasha approached, and the closer Inu-yasha got, the more the strands seemed to match his hair. Inu-yasha noticed the frown on Koga's face but decided to ignore it, until the wolf held the strands up to Inu-yasha's hair and found that they matched perfectly. "It appears to be a perfect match."

Inu-yasha's voice was a low growl. "What are you saying wolf? I stole the jewel shards?"

Koga brought the strands up to his nose and smelled them, all the while keeping his eyes glued to the dog demon. There was the faint smell of the wood from the floor and another scent, faint, but still very distinct. He lowered his hand and leaned in as close to Inu-yasha as the dog would allow. Koga felt a pain pierce his chest as he inhaled Inu-yasha's scent. Koga stepped back, his hard blue eyes boring into Inu-yasha's glowing golden orbs.

The two demons faced off in the silence until Koga finally found his voice. It was low and strangled with emotion. He was trying to keep his anger in check and handle this matter calmly. For Kagome's sake. "Convince me Inu-yasha. Convince me not to believe my senses."

Inu-yasha continued to glare at the wolf. He felt the murderous rage boiling in his gut. He closed his eyes and tried to bury the urge to kill Koga. As he looked within himself to calm his demon aspect, he saw Kikyo, a cold smile on her face. He felt her body against his, and then it felt as if his entire body was on fire. He tried to sort the images and sensations, but couldn't figure out what was going on. Then the voices started. Bring me the jewel…to serve me...go through the well….I'll be waiting…..

Inu-yasha's heart sank. His chest constricted and he was having trouble breathing. The fire was consuming him. Koga watched as Inu-yasha's face contorted into confusion, and then pain. He saw sweat breakout on Inu-yasha's forehead, and he reached out to touch the tormented demon, but withdrew his hand when he felt the amount of heat coming from his skin. Inu-yasha let out a strangled cry and fell to his knees. Koga kneeled down with him and pulled off his outer coat, which was already becoming soaked with sweat. Koga tried not to touch his skin, but couldn't avoid it, suffering burns on his hands. He laid Inu-yasha down and started calling his name, anything to awaken the demon.

"Inu-yasha! Wake up! You must concentrate. You will burn up if you don't concentrate. Inu-yasha! Gods be damned you're not going to leave me with the task of telling Kagome you're dead. Kagome needs you! Inu-yasha!" Inu-yasha thrashed around on the floor while Koga kept trying to keep him cool with pitchers of water. The water practically evaporated upon contact, but seemed to be helping his body from becoming completely burned. Koga thought abut taking him through the well to Kaede, but wasn't sure he wouldn't burn up right along with Inu-yasha during the trip back.

Suddenly, Inu-yasha's body went rigid and he cried out in pain and agony, before his body finally gave up and he passed out. Koga saw some yellow smoke drift up from Inu-yasha and dissipate into the air. He looked back down at the unconscious demon and reached a tentative hand out to touch Inu-yasha's skin. It was warm, but not boiling hot. He got up and brought back another pitcher of water for Inu-yasha to drink. Koga propped Inu-yasha's head upon his knees and slowly poured some water down his throat, careful not to pour too fast.

Inu-yasha slowly came back from the fiery hell that consumed him. He remembered everything. Kikyo, the meeting in the woods, her false affections, the way the blade felt as it ripped into his back. Her cold, empty smile. Inu-yasha felt cool water touch his lips, and welcomed the refreshing liquid as it ran down his throat. He couldn't seem to get enough, but the water finally stopped and Inu-yasha was left still feeling thirsty. He slowly opened his eyes and saw he was half-naked, lying on the floor. Then he felt the hand that was resting on his shoulder. He looked over at the hand and followed it up to see two blue eyes looking down at him. He tried to speak, but his throat was still real dry.

Koga helped Inu-yasha sit up and gave him the pitcher of water. After he'd drained the pitcher, he tried to meet Koga's eyes, but the guilt wouldn't let him. He stood up and put the pitcher on the dresser next to the wooden box that housed the jewel shard. His hand played over the smooth edges as he closed the lid. It made a hollow sound that echoed through the small room. When he finally spoke, his voice was a whisper. "It was me. I stole the jewel."

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Koga waited for Inu-yasha to continue. Watching Inu-yasha suffer the attack, and trying to save him, Koga realized how much he meant to Kagome, and knew Inu-yasha would never knowingly betray Kagome. It was this realization that kept him from ripping out his throat right now. Inu-yasha's voice broke Koga's reverie. "I remember everything now. Kikyo played me for a fool. She…." Inu-yasha involuntarily shuddered at the thought of the pleasure and pain she made him feel. He cleared his throat and went on. "She stabbed me in the back. Literally. Some mind control spell. I stole the jewel and gave it to her."

Koga sat on the bed and let Kagome's scent sooth him. "Why would Kikyo want the jewel?"

"She thinks she can bring Naraku down from the inside. She wants to use Onigumo's love for her to get close to him and deal the final blow."

"So Kikyo now has half of the jewel in her possession, and she's taking it straight to the enemy. And Kagome is suffering from the separation. That about cover it?"

"Yeah."

"So we go get it back, right?"

"Right."

Koga gets up and brushes past Inu-yasha as he heads for the well. "What are you waiting for?"

To be continued….