Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations…)

Authors Beginning Note: A few terms you might want to know-

Kusarikama: Sickle blade attached to a long chain. Efficient weapon for fast attacks.

Ofudo: Spirit papers, sutra. Used by priests and priestesses (Holy people).

Nintoujou: Jakan's two headed staff. Can spout out fire, and point out directions by answering yes or no questions. No if the woman head screams. Yes of the old mans head laughs.

I hope you enjoy!

Shout it outs!

Tanwen-Whitefire:As crazy as it sounds, your last review gave me a few good ideas. I don't know when I'll use them or how. But as for your Q's/Predictions, there's only one real way to find out...

And no, Thanksgiving didn't happen in October, Halloween did, but if it makes you feel better I'll go along with this self delusioned notion-LOL :)

Rayame325: Hmm...I really don't know, was it? (evil grin)

Animefreak808: Word of good advice-ditch the friend. I've dealt with people like that and they didn't do anything for me but bring me down. I know, maybe thats hard because you don't have many others or maybe you have tons( in which case hang out with them) but trust me, a friend doesn't do those kind of things.

Anyhoo, I'm really delighted to hear that I could brighten up your mood. :)

kitt: I can't say any of my chapters have been called 'pimpin' before. Lol, thanx.

silenzstarz: Well, I'm glad that you did so!

keeblerelmo: Thank you, I'll have to fix that here...sometime? (he he) :)

Chapter 55

Being Saved and Saving

The fists never struck. Instead, light flecks of blood rained down across her arm and face. Rin looked up, scared as she was and stared at the monster and the stumps where his arms used to be.

"What is this!"? His dark eyes hardened as he swung to face his antagonizer. A boy, dressed in simple villagers clothes and bandages stood there holding a bloody chain and blade. His hair was tied back into a tight high ponytail.

"You, a mere boy dare challenge me!" Kohaku's gaze stayed level as he took a ready stance for the beast's next action. He charged, and Kohaku neatly sidestepped, lacing his chain around on of the beast's horns and pulling. The beast howled and wretched the blades from his hands, leaving blisters. The monster let the weapon clatter to the floor uselessly.

"You're going to die boy." He snorted out smoke from his tiny nose holes.

"What's the matter boy, don't you speak?" He waited for a response of either fear or reckless insult. Kohaku said nothing.

"Here I had so hoped to enjoy hearing you scream. Nothing to worry. At least I'll have the girl." He charged, his horns on a one-way course straight towards Kohaku.

"Nintoujou!" Kohaku ran straight under the hulking demon safely from the blazing fire that engulfed the stinking Youkai.

He hadn't stood a chance.

His remains dripped to the carpet and were nothing but a stump of bubbling flesh. Kohaku gathered his Kusarikama, winding the chain in a circle, placing it in a loop, and then putting the sickle safely tucked in his sash on his back for easy access.

"Uh, excuse me…"

"Don't go near him Rin! He could be dangerous!" Rin stepped on Jakan's foot and let herself by. She stood right in front of Kohaku and stared at his bowed head. She ducked to look at his face, where a crimson blush began to color his cheeks and he took a step back.

"Thank you for helping. This one is called Rin. What is your name?" Kohaku moved his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Uh, can't you speak?" He shook his head and lowered his face once more. Jakan stepped right in between the two and eyed the boy.

"You're that human that Lord Sesshoumaru nearly got rid of. He should have too. Can't even talk. Probably damaged in the head as well. Useless…"

"That is enough Jakan. It is not nice to insult. Now apologize or Rin will tell Lord Sesshoumaru."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Rin would!" She stomped her feet and kicked the green toad in the shin where he began hopping around like…well…a toad. Kohaku waved his arms to get their attention and signaled to be quiet, he quickly slipped to the doorframe and quietly looked out.

"Ke yah!" Yelled Neelah, impressively jumping into the room only to fall to the ground. She groaned.

"What are you doing Neelah?" Rin asked as she giggled at the girl laying in the floor. Neelah blew a wisp of blond and red hair from her eyes before getting up and curtly bowing to Rin and Jakan. The boy she nodded to.

"Saving you, or at least trying to. The guards have been looking for the boy since he escaped his room. I saw feathers and pieces of wood lying around so, I decided to come and save the day. I see I'm a bit late."

"Rin is glad all the same. He helped save us."

"Hey! What about me!"

"Jakan helped a little bit too." She rolled her eyes. Neelah stopped and listened.

"There are strange Youkai in the castle. It seems the one here isn't the first to sneak past, but how?" She chewed her nail and shook her head.

"We have to get out of here before someone comes and finds us. Uh…where's the boy?" She shook her head side-to-side, and twirled around nearly falling looking for him.

"Over there." Kohaku was looking around in the rooms and was excited to see something.

"What is it?" Kohaku disappeared into the room again and Rin ran to find out what it was while Neelah nervously walked to the room.

"Foolish humans. Before you know it we'll end up dead because of those two. Or worse, they'll end up dead and Lord Sesshoumaru will find out, and kill me a thousand times." He shivered and walked into the room where Lord Sesshoumaru bathed to find them staring at the hole in the wall that was the laundry chute.

"Jakan, do you know where the laundry chute goes?"

"Of course I know, stupid girl. It leads right to the lower tunnels of the castle and that leads outside near the river where the water runs and lines are hung to dry clothes and…"

"Wee!" Neelah was the second to go down and Rin was just about to jump through.

"Jakan you talk too much. Hurry up before we leave you." Rin giggled as she too disappeared.

"How indignant! To think I, Jakan once a king, and now loyal servant to Lord Sesshoumaru is asked to stoop so low as to…wait for me!" He jumped through, his staff poking him in the eye and was whisked in a sickening dark downward spiral faster than a bird with Youkai speed.

"Oh woe is me! To be degraded as such. 'Guard Rin' he says, more like baby-sit the human girl, and not just her but a clumsy orphan Youkai and mute human boy! Oh…" He whined before turning a pale color and holding his breath to keep his meals in.

A streak of light ran through the demon bird and it burst into flames. Sweat dripped into her eyes as she waited for another attack. She didn't have to wait long and strung another arrow to her bow. It creaked and soon the arrow let loose to fell another fowl.

"Goth cha." Kagome whispered.

I have to get back to the others though…there's no way I can keep fighting them like this…there's too many of them…

"Kagome!" Kagome looked into the black mass and at a red headed pixie boy, fighting off three of the birds that had been following him. She readily knocked another arrow and this time sent an extra boost of energy through her arrow, and killed all three. The pixie boy flew and landed right next to her.

"Kagome, thank goodness you're all right! Inuyasha and I were scared something bad had happened to you!"

"Shippo?"

"Look out!" Kagome jumped to the ground and felt a claw mark on her cheek. Warm liquid ran down, but she was still in one piece.

"Shippo, where's Inuyasha?"

"Looking for you! After we heard you scream, Inuyasha sent me to find you because he is a human and can't do it as well and…" Kagome pinned another bird to a tree.

"Shippo, we have to go find him. Do you know which way you came from?"

"Sure, just go that way…or…maybe it was that way…or maybe…" Kagome shook her head.

"It's all right Shippo. We'll just…" They heard a scream and Kagome looked puzzled.

"What was that?"

"It sounded like you but…"

"I'm here, so…"

"Uh oh. I think Inuyasha's in really big trouble!"

"I think so too. That's what I'm afraid of." Kagome fell to her knees as her lower arm was punctured, but luckily that was all.

"Kagome! Are you okay?" They heard another yell just like hers.

"I'm fine. Let's go find Inuyasha." She placed a hand on her arm and let a soft blue glow travel through it. The bleeding stopped but it wasn't completely healed.

"Whoa! What did you do Kagome?"

"I heeled myself, but not completely. That would take more energy than I can waste right now." Shippo clung to her shoulder.

"What about your clothes?"

"I don't need 'em now. What I'm wearing is much better." She said indicating the clothes she was wearing. They looked nice on her, but more importantly, the green fire rat clothing that was given to her would protect her much better than her school clothes.

They ran through the trees, lost as to where they were going, with Raven Youkai in hot pursuit. Kagome didn't waste any arrows, shooting only when necessary. She picked up speed, not hearing the loud screaming at all, and didn't dare let herself fall. If she did that, her quiver would empty and it took time to pick up her arrows, and she didn't have that. To fall down would mean the demon ravens could come down on her and sweep her up. That would mean death.

Soon a huge screeching sound, like a message began to pass between the flocks. Kagome stopped.

"I don't like this." Shippo whined. Kagome had to agree.

"Wait! I know where we are. Inuyasha should be that way!" Shippo pointed a tiny pixie finger to her front left and she began running even faster.

"Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Are you there?" She yelled, glad not for the first time for her vigorous training, and through her journeying with Inuyasha and the others, their constant walking and running.

"Get back!" Shippo poked the bird with his little used arrow. The bird squawked and didn't try to come back down. In fact none of them tried to, they just flew around in a wild frenzy above their heads.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled as she ran in front of another tree and stopped.

"Kagome…" Shippo's eyes turned wide at the sight. Kagome clutched her stomach and heaved three times, before, finally and shakily, stumbled over to him.

Feathers laid everywhere, as did black and red splatters on trees and the ground.

"Inuyasha, wake up, Inuyasha!" Kagome felt for a pulse, relieved it was there.

"Inuyasha!" She cradled his head.

"Um, Kagome, I think we're in trouble." Birds circled above in a twirling spiral. Kagome ignored Shippo as he fluttered around in the air nervously. His puffy tail twitched and shook.

Kagome took off Inuyasha's haori, and saw the bloody holes in his chest and stomach. She touched his black hair lovingly, thinking back.

Flashing Backwards to the Past

"Kagome, a Miko's power is deadly when not properly trained. This power is not just a toy, it is a gift meant to be used wisely. It comes with a cost though, it is not free."

"You mean…there are rules?"

"That is exactly what I mean. One of them being that you must know your own limit. If you use too much of your power at once, you will leave yourself too exhausted for anything else, or worse, kill yourself."

Flashing Forward to the Present

"I have to do it. It may be too much, but I have to do it." She murmered thinking of the consequences her course of actions may take.

"Shippo, you'll have to be in charge of protecting me and Inuyasha."

"What?!"

"Remember how Keade and Miroku make barriers out of string, sticks, Ofuda, and prayers?"

"But, but…"

"Don't worry, you'll do just fine. You just have to remember these four words…"

"What?" He trembled.

"Protect my loved ones."

"Is that all? They always say something complex and long and…" Kagome touched his shoulder and then handed him a stack of little ofudas and a thing of floss from her time.

"We're counting on you. Don't worry. I know you'll do fine. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to do it." Shippo looked into her face and she could see the beginning of pride swell into him.

"Okay. I'll do it! I'll make you both proud too! You'll see, it'll be the best darn shield if there ever was a like…" He rambled on as he quickly scampered to make a circle of sticks, and floss.

Assured that they would be safe in Shippo's hands, Kagome turned back to Inuyasha. Blood poured out of his chest in thick doses. Laying one hand on her heart and the other on his she furrowed her brow in deep concentration.

I have to stay calm…I have to grasp it…Miyako said it would always hurt every time I went to search for it…that it was different for me…and I know it will…she said it could kill me too…If I don't stay in control…so come on girl…lets do this…it should be a lot easier than a geometry test…say stay together and focus…

She spasmed in pain, nearly loosing consciousness.

No…I can't…black out…I have to…have to stay in control…

She screamed in her head, but stayed awake. A burning filled her veins and body as she glowed. The power flowed through her and surrounded Inuyasha. It seemed to take forever before the wounds stopped bleeding. Sweat dripped off her face and stung the open chest gashes. Her mouth went dry and thousands of times her body spasmed from the great force of power she was controlling. Thousands of times she opened her mouth to scream but her throat closed and denied her that. Her focus though, laid solely on the one before her and healing him.

Her limbs began to quake and she fell beside him on one of his arms, but still her hands remained where the energy was being transferred.

Her hands began to shake and give.

I'm sorry Inuyasha…I'm trying…but…I don't think…I don't think I can…hold on much longer…

She was right. As the purple light faded, so did her strength, and soon she fell completely limp. Her eyes glazed over and her lids fell shut.

Authors Ending Note: For those of you who haven't heard and this notice may pertain, the Inuyasha DVD has arrived in North America. That's right folks, sold in your nearest dependable store (like Wal-mart, or what ever-of which I do not own either) you can now purchase the 1st Inuyasha movie- Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching across Time. I can only imagine the second one will come here in the next year. (But then again, I'm not an expert; I only pass on what I know. So don't quote me on when the second one will be available)