Kagome couldn't believe her eyes as she and Sango crested the hill and beheld yet another village destroyed by Naraku. "Inuyasha!" she gasped as he, Shippo, and Miroku crested the hill behind them.
"Damn!" Inuyasha breathed is eyes scanning the village. His fists clenched. Tears sprang to Kagome's eyes but she forced them back. "Search for survivors," Inuyasha whispered, knowing it was useless.
He was right. An hour of searching had proved in vain and Kagome found it impossible to control the tears as she stepped over the body of a small child, barely five years old. She clung to Sango's arm as she felt a wave of dizziness hit her. Shippo buried his face in her chest and Kylala whimpered, snuggling against Sango's ankle. "We should burry them," Sango suggested and they proceeded to do such. Myoga leaped on Inuyasha's shoulder and, for once, had nothing to say.
"Hey, look at this. I think it's still alive," Miroku called and Kagome rushed to were he indicated. Lying in the mud was a white dog, it's fur matted with blood.
"Oh, poor girl," Kagome said, approaching her slowly.
"What makes you say it's female?" Miroku asked.
"She's too small to be male. Her bone structure is to delicate." Kagome reached her hand out slowly to the dog.
"Wait Kagome," Inuyasha said. "That dog smell like a demon."
"Who do you think injured her? A cat? She probably has Naraku's scent on her."
"Kagome!" But her hand had already descended on the dog's head. Like lightning, the half dead looking beast leaped off the ground and away from Kagome. Holding her front paw close to her body, she scanned the group, assessing her chances of escape. Her yellow eyes were wide with panic as she drew back her lips to reveal fangs stained with blood. A snarl rumbled deep within her throat. Kagome pulled a piece of bread out of her bag and held it out. The dog tilted her head curiously, some of the fear leaving her eyes.
"Here girl," Kagome cooed. The dog took a tentative step towards her, eyeing Inuyasha fearfully. "Don't mind him, it's ok. We won't hurt you." She pined her ears back and never her tail curled over her back, a dog's way of saying "I'm dominate! Don't mess with me!" as she reached Kagome. The white dog gingerly took the bread and darted away, snapping it quickly down her throat. She didn't appear to have much use of her legs, especially her front right one. Kagome snapped her fingers to get her attention as she pulled another piece of bread out of her bag. "Here girl. I know you must be hungry." The dog crawled a little faster, still watching Inuyasha and the others with apprehension. "It's ok," Kagome reached her other hand out along with the bread and the dog snarled. As she took the bread, Kagome's hand descended on her head.
In a flurry of snarls and snaps, Kagome fell to the ground, her hand bleeding and the dog had jumped backwards, snarling viciously at the group. Inuyasha drew his Tetsusaiga, which was already pulsing in anticipation of protecting the human girl. The dog looked around wildly as Kagome darted in front of her, shielding her from Inuyasha. The dog's back leg gave out and she collapsed, whimpering, to the ground. "She's injured, Inuyasha. She's scared. She's just protecting herself." Inuyasha lowered his blade and nodded. The dog stood shakily and growled as Kagome, once again, offered her help. She darted off into the woods.
"Feh!" Inuyasha snapped. "Just leave her alone, Kagome. If she wants to be stubborn, she can just die out here." Kagome glared and bolted off after her.