Chapter Five

Among Friends

Thank you to all of my reviewers, I want to get this up, so I'm just saying thanks as one.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu… sad to say, I know.

((Chapter Five))

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome yelled as the hanyou was thrown sideways. Blood poured from the large hole in his side as he crawled back to his feet. The priestess' eyes turned fearfully back to the youkai as it laughed.

"Now, half demon, give me the sacred jewel shards you possess, before I have to kill you." It growled.

"Feh," the silver haired hanyou hissed out through his clenched fangs. "Not a chance." He gasped lightly. Damn! Why in the hells am I bleeding so much! I already am having trouble seeing straight… but I've got to make sure Kagome is alright… "You're going to be the one who dies today!" Inu-Yasha yelled, running at the youkai once again, Tetsusaiga held over his head.

"INU-YASHA!" The priestess screamed as the youkai and hanyou clashed in the center of the clearing. She gasped as something grabbed her from behind, putting a piece of cloth over her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise. She tired to call out to the hanyou again, but her voice was muffled. The priestess' vision blurred as her body fell limp in the person's grip. Blackness soon filled her mind.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara sat waiting for the two others to return. "What could be taking them so long?" The young kitsune wondered, looking up at Miroku.

"I'm sure they will return soon." The monk said with a smile.

"Miroku." Sango said suddenly. He turned to look at her.

"What is it Sango?"

"Look at Kirara…." The humans and youkai turned to look at the larger two tailed youkai. "What is it, Kirara?" The demon slayer asked, getting to her feet beside her friend. The youkai only roared in response.

"It must be Inu-Yasha and Lady Kagome." Miroku said seriously, getting to his feet next to the slayer.

"What do you mean!" Shippo asked, jumping onto the monk's shoulder. "Is Kagome in trouble!"

"I don't know, Shippo."

"Let's go, Miroku." Sango ran off in the direction the hanyou and priestess had gone, Kirara on her heels. The monk nodded and ran after, Shippo clinging to his robes.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

"Taste my Kaze no Kizu!" Inu-Yasha yelled, bashing Tetsusaiga down on the ground. The youkai had no chance to move, already in its own attack on the hanyou.

"What!" The larger thing hissed out, as the blades of light and wind slashed through its body, breaking him into nothing but particles. The hanyou fell to his knees, his breath coming roughly into his lungs.

"Are you—alright—Kagome—?" He gasped out, slowly turning around. There was no answer. "Kagome!" Inu-Yasha growled as he found no one. "KAGOME!" He yelled, her scent now growing old. He jumped to his feet, ready to run after her.

"Wait, Inu-Yasha!" Sango called, ready to use Hiraikotsu to block the injured hanyou's path.

"What is it! Kagome's gone, damn it!" Inu-Yasha growled, whirling around and growling at the demon slayer.

"I realize that, but you need to hold on a second before you go after her." The slayer said calmly.

"And why is that!"

"Because you are bleeding pretty well there and, unless you want every youkai around coming after you, you need to cover it up." Miroku put in.

"Hu…?" The hanyou breathed as he lowered his eyes to the bloody hole still dripping from his haori. A deep, low growl rumbled from his throat, his clawed fist shaking at his side. "Fine, but only a second. Do you have Kagome's medical bag?" The male snapped.

"Here, Inu-Yasha." Shippo said, jumping to the hanyou's shoulder. The older one reached to take the bandages from the kit. Inu-Yasha tried to hide the wince as he moved the Firerat cloth from his side.

"Let me help you, Inu-Yasha, just to make sure you get it on there right." Sango said, jumping to the hanyou's aid.

He backed off and let the slayer do as she wished. "Thanks…" He breathed, gritting his fangs in pain. He turned his head away, turning his thoughts to Kagome. Just hold on, Kagome, I'm on my way…

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Where am I…? What happened…? Where's Inu-Yasha…? Deep brown eyes opened slowly, pain still pounding in their owner's head. Kagome winced as she slowly sat up. She blinked as something bit at her ankles. What…? Roots were wrapped around her ankles, holding her feet tightly to the ground.

"So, Miko, you escaped…"

"Who are you…?" Kagome stammered. Her chocolate orbs widened as someone came from the shadows, a woman, dressed all in crystal jade clothing.

"I am unimpressed that you do not recognize my aura. I thought you were a powerful Miko." The woman's deep pools of azure eyes locked with russet. "Did you think that that monk's hand could keep me locked up forever…?"

"Wha—what? Miroku's hand…?" I thought whatever was sucked into the Wind Tunnel could never escape…

"That's right, Miko, for I am immortal… and now all I need is a better body to get my revenge on that half-breed for what he did to me." The woman growled, her eyes dancing with hate and malice, as she moved closer to the teen.

"A new body…?" Kagome whispered…

"My body maybe destroyed, but I am an immortal heavenly being. You, girl with the sacred powers, your body shall be mine!"

The young priestess gasped. "Kaguya…" She breathed. "But… how?"

The woman laughed, grabbing the front ebony haired girl's shirt. "I told you, that monk's hand could not hold me for long."

Horror danced in Kagome's eyes as the now returned Celestial being laughed again.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

The girl's scent was growing stronger, fresher.

He was gaining on whoever had taken her.

"Inu-Yasha, are we getting closer!" Sango yelled down to the hanyou from Kirara above.

The hanyou only increased his speed.

"I would take that as a yes." Miroku said for the hanyou as Kirara had to run through the air faster to keep up with the red and silver flash.

She'd better be alright… Inu-Yasha growled at the thought of any harm coming to his Kagome. The priestess' own arrow being shot into her back by Kaguya's mirror flashed in front of his golden orbs. I won't let anything happen to you again.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

"Inu-Yasha!" Miroku shouted as the hanyou came to a dead stop. "What have you found?" The monk added as Kirara circled back around.

"Take us down, Kirara." Sango whispered, the two tailed youkai doing as her master said.

"It's Kagome…" Shippo breathed. The humans turned to look at the kit.

"Kagome…? How did… Did you escape?" Inu-Yasha breathed as he stared at the silent priestess. He could smell no blood on the girl, but that didn't mean she wasn't hurt. He took a hesitant step toward her. "I—I'm sorry I didn't protect you like I should have…"

"Inu-Yasha…" The priestess breathed. His golden orbs stayed firmly locked on the ground. Even as se touched his upper arm, he did not move. "Look, I'm fine, I got away!" The teen smiled at him.

"But I shouldn't have—"

"Hush, Inu-Yasha." Kagome said, cutting off is words with a light finger. His eyes finally turned back up to her. "Everything's alright… See, I've learned to use my Miko powers more, I can take better care of myself now." She smiled again as she dropped her hand from his lips. The two stared silently at the other until Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara met up with them.

"Kagome!" Shippo shouted as he jumped at the priestess. He faltered slightly as he looked into her eyes. Something was hidden there that didn't belong.

"Hey Shippo!" The teen said happily as she caught and hugged the kit. He dropped his hesitation at the girl's response.

"Are you alright, Kagome?" Sango asked calmly, Miroku and Kirara on either of her sides. The priestess looked at the slayer, still smiling.

"Just fine, Sango."

"What happened?" Everyone turned to the speaker.

"What do you mean, Inu-Yasha?" Kagome asked, blinking.

"You said you learned how to use the power of a priestess; how?" The hanyou expanded.

"I don't—" Her explanation stopped as her head turned to the side. "It's a jewel shard." The priestess snapped.

"Kagome…?" Sango whispered. The younger girl slowly turned to her best friend. "Did you just snarl…?" The slayer added

"What? No, of course not." Kagome laughed.

"Let's go, if there's a shard, Naraku may be near by." Inu-Yasha broke in. The others nodded. "Get on, Kagome." He said, crouching down for her. She nodded and did as she was told, climbing onto the hanyou's back. "Let's move." The hanyou jumped off, followed by Kirara, with Miroku, Sango, and Shippo.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

"Are you sure this is where the jewel shard is, Kagome?" Inu-Yasha snapped.

"Yes, in there." The priestess confirmed.

"Alright then." The hanyou moved toward the opening of the cave.

"Wait, Inu-Yasha." Miroku called.

"What, monk?"

"I would suggest that we wait until morning before we enter. We have no idea what awaits us inside."

"Miroku is right, Inu-Yasha. Let us wait till morning." Sango agreed. The hanyou's golden orbs looked between the cave entrance and the older two of his human companions.

"What do you want to do, Kagome?" He finally asked.

"Well… the shard hasn't moved, so I guess it would be alright to wait until the sun rises." Kagome confirmed.

"Fine. We camp her tonight." The hanyou said no more, instead moved to sit right in front of the black, yawning mouth. The others sighed slightly as they spread out. Kagome stood for an extra minute, just staring at the silver haired boy.

"Kagome…?" Sango called softly. The priestess finally, reluctantly, moved away from the hanyou and toward the newly built fire.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

There is no shard.

Very good Miko.

Then why?

Do you want me to tell you?

Should I know?

I used it as an excuse, for many things.

Are you going to enlighten me?

I have plans for your hanyou, Miko, but you shall not know of them before he does.

You leave him alone!

Who are you to give me orders?

How long do you think this will last?

Long enough, Miko, long enough…

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Well, there you go, please give me reviews! I know people are reading, but it's nice to hear what you think about my fic, and writing. Anywho, sorry it took me so long to update, no computer in the dessert, like I said before. OK, going to shut-up now, later,

Myst