Konnichiwa, minna! I've worked very hard on this one. 32 pages in 4 days…that's good and y'all know it! We're nearing the final climax! Isn't it exciting!

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction, now would I? I wouldn't really be considered a fan… I mean, I would be the creator. And I'd have no need to write fanfiction. I could just make all my ideas into episodes and sagas and movies! Yay!

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The next day, Inuyasha shook Kagome awake. "Come on. We need an early start if we're gonna get over the mountain by nightfall."

Kagome nodded with a yawn and froze as she realized where she was. Her head was tucked into his chest and her hands were clutching the fabric of his gi tightly. "Inuyasha?" she started slowly, "Why am I here on your lap?"

Inuyasha sighed, "Don't 'sit' me. You fell asleep and you wouldn't let go of my shirt, so I figured I might as well just let you sleep."

She blushed and looked away. "Sorry."

Inuyasha looked surprised. "You're not gonna 'sit' me?" he asked incredulously.

Kagome smiled, embarrassed. "No. It wasn't your fault. Anyway," she cleared her throat. "Let's get going."

&&&

The pair made their way to the foot of the mountain. It towered above them and cast a gigantic shadow across the surrounding land. Most of it was lush forest, so it didn't affect the farmland. The trees were bare now, though, and Kagome had the feeling she was walking through a graveyard: all the trees looked like spiny skeletons. She shuddered in the cool air and looked up. The mountain was not the biggest in Japan by any means, but it was the biggest in the area, and most mountains tend to look pretty big when looked at from the bottom up. Inuyasha touched her shoulder, bringing her out of her daze, and hopped up onto the narrow winding road that spiraled up to the peak. Kagome blinked and followed him. They made fairly good progress for a while, but the slope became steeper and steeper until they couldn't just hope from ledge to ledge. They walked quickly along the winding path, looking for a ledge they could jump, when they found a cave. "Inuyasha!" she called to get his attention.

Inuyasha, who was further ahead, stopped and turned around. "Yeah?"

"Can we stop just for a second?"

Inuyasha shrugged, "Alright. Only for a second, though."

Kagome nodded, "Ok." She let her backpack drop and pulled out a bottle of water. She screwed open the top and took a long sip. "Ah," she sighed, smacking her lips. "My mouth was getting dry. Want some?"

Inuyasha took the bottle gratefully and gulped a little down. Half the bottle was gone now. Kagome put the bottle back in her bag and shouldered it once more. She took a step outside and all at once, a familiar scent filled her nostrils.

"What?" Inuyasha asked when she had stopped.

A whirlwind answered him. It stopped and disappeared before Kagome, revealing the wolf demon within. "Kouga!" Kagome said happily. "How are you?"

Kouga grinned, "I'm great! How's my favorite kitsune hanyou?"

Kagome giggled, "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

"I was just about to ask you the same question," he answered.

"Well, it's none of your business anyway," Inuyasha growled from the background.

Kagome frowned at him. "Inuyasha! You don't need to be so mean." She turned back to Kouga. "We're on our way to find Naraku."

"Me too!" Kouga exclaimed. "A branch of our wolf demon tribe moved out here years ago and we keep contact, so I come visit them once in a while. I was passing through here, so I decided to stop by." He peered into the cave. "Where's the rest of your group?" Kagome looked away sadly. Kouga looked confused. A tear slipped out of Kagome's eye, though she tried to hide it. The wound was still very fresh. "Kagome?" he asked.

Kagome sniffed and wiped her eyes. "They're…um…not here right now."

Inuyasha gave her a pitying look and his hand brushed hers. The contact gave her strength.

"Really?" Kouga asked.

"No. They're…they all died." She sniffed and wiped her eyes again.

"Dead?" Kouga repeated incredulously. "How?"

"Kagura…" she growled.

Kouga nodded with a grim expression. "She's a heartless murderer. She's the one who killed my tribe."

Kagome nodded, "I know." Her voice suddenly had an edge to it. "I'm gonna kill her. I swear I will."

Kouga looked surprised at her sudden change of voice. "We can do it together."

Inuyasha smirked, "Sounds good. And I'll kill Naraku."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest but she closed it as she saw the teasing glint in Inuyasha's eye. "Ok, fine," she agreed humoredly.

Kouga looked slightly sadder as he watched them, but brightened when Kagome turned back to him. "Why don't we travel together for a while?"

Inuyasha's answer was immediate. "No way."

Kagome ignored him. "Sure! We're going over the mountain."

"Me too. Sounds good. I'll only stay for a few days, or dog turd over here will explode."

Kagome put a hand to his mouth. "Don't call him that! His name's Inuyasha!"

Kouga dropped his shoulders apologetically. "Sorry."

Inuyasha smirked at him victoriously, but Kouga paid no attention. Kagome smiled at him and started walking up the path with him.

Inuyasha followed them sulkily. He would have interfered but for the look on Kagome's face at the thought of having Kouga walk with her. What does she see in him anyway?

The inner voice that he hated so much spoke out from the confines of his mind. Nothing. She refused his offer to be his mate. They're just friends.

Sure looks like it, he snorted mentally.

Stop being so jealous.

I'm not jealous! He pushed the voice from his mind and just watched them, brooding silently.

&&&

They made their way down the road wore down to a smooth surface from decades of travelers' feet. The strip of walking space grew smaller and smaller. Finally, the path widened. When she reached it, she realized it was because the path split into a fork. One path led to the left and went on a straight line and then turned on a corner. Kouga looked down it and shook his head when Kagome hopefully took a step down. "That just leads back down the mountain to a different part of the base."

Kagome sighed, disappointed. "So I guess we take the narrow uphill path, right?"

Kouga smiled dryly, "You bet."

Inuyasha shrugged, "Come on. I don't want to walk up that at night."

Kagome nodded, "Me neither."

They continued on up. The path slowly thinned. At one point, Kagome had to place one foot directly in front of the other. She let out the breath she's been holding when the path widened again. Once in a while, a couple small rocks would crumble down the slope where she stepped and she'd freeze in fear. Kouga would stop and look over his shoulder at her in encouragement. Inuyasha would place his hand comfortingly on the small of her back to push her gently into action again and she's start moving once more. Despite her demon balance and reflexes, she retained a human fear of heights and falling. They climbed at a steady pace so as not to waste too much energy. One time, Kagome paused and pulled three riceballs out of her bag, passing one to each of her friends. They munched heartily, and for a moment or two, Kagome was distracted from her anxiety. It was a long hike that never seemed to end. The path wound around and around, so all they could see ahead was yet another turn. On the left was a solid wall of rock and on their right was a drop that made Kagome dizzy just thinking about it.

Kagome puffed up a particularly steep part. Part of the path had fallen away, so there were about five feet of very narrow rock to walk on. Kouga jumped nimbly over it. Kagome hesitated at the edge and tried not to look down. "I'm scared," she confessed softly.

Kouga smiled at her. "It's not hard. Come on. It's really not far. I promise. You can do it! I'm right here to catch you."

Kagome shut her eyes tight and nodded, swallowing.

Inuyasha touched her elbow and whispered in her ear, "It's only five feet. You can do it."

Kagome nodded again and prepared to jump. She let her legs bend and spring up and forward, but her human side pulled back, afraid, and she found herself flung into the air. Because of her human side's hesitation, she did not jump far enough to reach the other side. Kagome realized all this in the split second that she hung in midair. She screamed as she began to fall. "Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha, in horror, saw it all even before her body passed over he edge of the ledge. "Kagome!" He lunged forward and grabbed for her hand, but it was an inch too far. Inuyasha groaned and jumped off the rock down the side of the mountain. He heard Kouga's shout of surprise, but ignored it, instead focusing on trying to find a handhole to seize. He found on and snagged it with his claws, wincing as they made a scratching sound on the rock. His plunge ended abruptly and he held on tight. Looking up, Inuyasha saw Kagome almost on top of him. She fell next to him and as her head passed his hand, he reached down and caught her hand with precision.

Kagome's eyes were shut and she opened them tentatively when she felt herself stop diving. She looked up to find the whatever had caught her and smiled in relief. "Inuyasha!"

"Are you ok?"

"I think so…"

Inuyasha pulled her up slowly. His arm muscles strained with the effort. "Climb on my back quickly," he ordered when he had pulled her up some. She nodded without speaking and climbed on. He checked to make sure she was on securely and leapt upwards. Inuyasha's hand found another handhole and grabbed it eagerly. Now he could see Kouga's face bending over above him. He took a deep breath and leapt again. This time, his hand got the ledge Kouga was standing on. "Kouga!" he called, "Take Kagome!"

Kouga reached his hand down and grasped Kagome's wrist. She gripped his wrist in return and Kouga pulled her up. Inuyasha let her stand on his shoulders. When she had successfully sat on the ledge, Inuyasha pushed himself up. Kouga surprisingly offered the hanyou his hand. Inuyasha, tired and mentally exhausted from the shock of Kagome's near-death, took it after a moment. Kouga helped him up and Inuyasha sat down next to Kagome.

"Are you ok?" Kouga asked worriedly.

Kagome nodded and swallowed, "Yeah… I just need to sit for a minute…" She gulped in air and slumped against the rock wall behind her.

Inuyasha smiled in relief. "Thank Kami you're ok," he murmured. However, everybody heard him.

Kouga cleared his throat. "Thanks for saving my…I mean Kagome."

Inuyasha gave him a small smile. "If it hadn't been for me, she would've been dead."

"No!" Kouga protested. "I would've caught her! I just thought you had her!"

"Yeah right."

Kagome put her hand up, still breathing harder than normal. "Guys, please." She closed her eyes. A tear leaked out.

"Kagome?" Kouga asked immediately.

Kagome sucked in a breath through her nose. "I was so scared. I thought…I thought I was gonna die…"

Inuyasha scoffed, "That's silly. Like I'd ever let you die?"

Kagome smiled slightly. "I know. I was just too scared to think straight. I knew you'd never let me die. You'll always be there for me." She leaned her head on his shoulder and looked up into Kouga's eyes. "I know neither of you would ever let me die."

&&&

The day was spent walking much more cautiously than they had been previously on account of Kagome's fall. Inuyasha never looked anywhere but at Kagome, making sure she wouldn't fall prey to the same situation again. Kouga carefully tested every step he took to make sure it was safe for her to walk on. Still, their progress remained good, though the pace had slowed down. The sun began to set, though at this point, it was difficult to tell through the swirling mass of clouds. The temperature dropped with the sun, and by the time evening had began, it was very cold. Snow fell softly upon them and further they climbed, the harder it snowed. Kagome shivered and hugged herself to keep warm. "I'm not climbing this at night, you guys."

Kouga nodded without turning around. "We won't be. It's too dangerous if you don't know the area, and none of us really do."

Inuyasha spoke from behind, and from his tone of voice, Kagome got the impression he was nodding. "We need to find somewhere to spend the night fast. It's getting darker by the minute."

Kagome looked around nervously, searching for a cave or a snowdrift. The air was thinner up here, so she figured they were near the top. The snow was falling faster and thicker, and winds were picking up. "I have a feeling it snows up here all the time," Kouga commented loudly in conversation. The winds were loud enough that they couldn't hear each in normal speaking voices.

Inuyasha's tone was wary, "Yeah, but I can smell a storm coming on. It isn't just gonna be snow tonight."

"Oh no. We need to find somewhere soon…" Kagome yelled.

Inuyasha smiled at her, though she couldn't see. "We'll find a place. Don't worry."

Kagome looked back and smiled at him. "I know. I just hope we find it sooner rather than later."

Kouga called out to them over the howling winds. "I found a cave!"

Kagome's head snapped back forward and she saw the gaping black hole he was pointing at. "Great! Good job, Kouga!" She walked up beside him and Inuyasha followed to stand on her other side. Icicles were hanging menacingly over the entrance, as if guarding it. Inuyasha took a swipe at a couple of them, creating a space big enough for them to crawl through into the cave. One by one, the three demons clambered in and sighed as the humid warmth contained inside washed over them. Kagome sat down against a wall. "We've hit the jackpot this time!"

Inuyasha grinned. "Definitely. This is a perfect to wait out the storm."

Kouga, however, gave Kagome a puzzled look. "Jack…pot? What's that?"

Kagome laughed. "In my time, people write numbers on pieces of paper and give them in to what's called a lottery. Then, the people at the lottery randomly choose a set of numbers and if it matches the numbers on your card, you win a whole lot of money. Like millions. And when you win, it's called hitting the jackpot. So, when you get lucky and find something really good, you can say you've hit the jackpot."

Kouga nodded, only half-understanding. "Strange world."

Kagome giggled, "That's what Inuyasha said, though not quite as cutely."

Kouga blushed red and Inuyasha growled. "I can't see how that sorry excuse for a wolf can be cute, but whatever."

Kagome shrugged, "That's ok."

Inuyasha looked away, a little put out. He focused instead on listening to the howling winds outside. They whistled higher and higher as the night wore on and all three fell asleep to its cold lullaby.

&&&

Kagome woke up at midmorning to find both her friends still asleep. She reached into her backpack and took out some cold riceballs. They didn't have much food left. She sighed. They would deal somehow, but if they had to deal with another night like the one that just passed, then she wasn't too sure how. Kagome set her backpack down against the wall and looked over at the sound of Inuyasha's yawn. "Good morning," she smiled.

Inuyasha nodded, "What's that?"

Kagome looked down at the riceballs in her hand. "Breakfast. And some of the last food we've got."

"Save it."

Kagome shook her head; "We didn't eat dinner last night. We need at least one meal a day, you know that."

"Then don't feed the wolf."

"Don't be silly. And his name's Kouga. I really wish you two would stop calling each other names."

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. "Only if he stops first."

Kagome sighed like a mother listening her child blame the spilt milk on his imaginary canary. "Don't be so childish."

Kouga yawned at that point, so Inuyasha chose not to respond. "G'morning, Kagome, Inuyasha."

Kagome smiled at him. "Good morning, Kouga." She nodded at Inuyasha. "See?"

Inuyasha grunted. "'Morning, Kouga."

Kagome's smile widened. "Alright! Breakfast! It's only riceballs, but better than nothing."

Both men took a riceball each with a smile and a nod and they all dug in hungrily. Once all the food had disappeared from sight, Kagome licked her lips. "I'm so thirsty." She reached into her backpack for her water flask, but Kouga put a hand on her wrist to stop her.

"Don't waste your water." He walked over and picked off an icicle. "See?" he demonstrated, sucking the tip.

Kagome beamed, "Good idea!" Both she and Inuyasha, the latter slightly grudgingly, grabbed an icicle each and sucked on it for the needed hydration. They stepped out of the cave and into the cold air. Kagome gasped in delight as she felt the snowflakes softly drifting upon her, but it soon turned to dismay. "The path's gone," she noticed despairingly.

Kouga grasped her shoulder, "Well make it down; don't worry. I have an idea the direction it takes. Same order?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. He knows the area better than we do, which isn't saying much, but we'll have to do. I'll be right behind you."

Kagome nodded grimly and the trio started up the path in single file.

&&&

It only took them an hour to reach the top of the peak. Kagome looked out across the landscape in wonder. "Wow," she breathed. The sun glinted off the snow on the slope and icicles winked at her. White clouds swirled mysteriously, and through gaps she could see wet green under a thin blanket of white frost. A multi-colored patchwork of farmers' fields spread out across the terrain. A small house dotted the scene here and there. Kouga smiled at her fondly and his voice shook her out of her trance. "Let's get going."

Kagome nodded, a smile decorating her own face. "Coming."

Inuyasha didn't say anything, but Kagome brushed his fingers with her hand. "You'll catch me if I fall, right?"

He snorted cockily. "Of course. I did last time, didn't I?"

She shook her head. "I know. You'll always catch me. I'm just making sure."

"No need."

She giggled and looked back to the front.

&&&

Going down was easier than going up, but the fear of falling increased tenfold, especially for Kagome, who did not ever want to go through the experience of falling over a four-thousand-plus-foot-high cliff again anytime soon. Because of this, their pace slowed down even more, but speed was not quite as important on this side of the mountain. Hence, Kagome took her time creeping down, never daring to look over to her right where the height of the drop was decreasing slowly. At one point, the air became slightly damper than normal and once they had passed through it, Kagome looked to up realize they were just passing through the layer of clouds that blurred the sharp peak. Suddenly, everything seemed brighter. She picked up her pace, feeling safer on the path now. They could see that they had covered half of the journey down and the path widened slightly. This made Kagome feel a little more secure and their speed increased. The trio skipped lunch in favor of time and continued on empty stomachs, sometimes scooping up a handful of fresh snow to sustain their thirst. By nighttime, they were three-quarters down the slope.

Kouga groaned. There hadn't been a cave for hours and hours. It would soon be too dark to keep going. "I don't know what we're gonna do," he confessed.

Inuyasha grunted, "We'll find something."

Kagome nodded, "There are some huge rocks and ledges down her. We're bound to find at least a ledge to camp underneath for the night. In the meantime, keep walking."

Kouga chuckled, "Yes, leader."

Kagome turned pink. "Sorry…I was just-"

"Don't apologize," Inuyasha gritted.

Kagome looked back in surprise. "Inuyasha?"

"What?"

"Are you ok?"

"Keh. I just don't want you apologizing unnecessarily to that wolf."

Kagome smiled slightly and sighed humoredly. "Alright. Whatever you say, Inuyasha."

Silence settled upon them once more, but nobody minded. It had rested comfortably on their shoulders nearly the entire journey, so the sound of it bothered none of them.

&&&

Hardly an hour and a half had passed and their sights were darkened by the lack of sunlight. Their companions became blurry black silhouettes against the dark grey of the air and the sharp black masses that were so obviously the mountain they were traveling over. Demons eyes provided the tool needed to continue on the path, but even Kouga had slowed down in caution. "Time to stop for the night."

They agreed without words and silently looked about for shelter. It didn't come for twenty minutes, and when it appeared, it was a disappointing excuse. "It'll have to do," Inuyasha frowned at it with a scrutinizing gaze. "Come on."

The wall on the left jutted out on a sideways slope, but stopped abruptly where a large chunk had fallen off. This end was where they planned to spend the night. Kouga and Inuyasha cleared out the snow piled inside. There was just enough space for two people to sit, so with three, they were squeezed together. Kouga climbed under first and inched over to the far end. Kagome stepped back to allow Inuyasha to go in next, but he pointed commandingly. "You go."

"I'm fine. Really."

Inuyasha scowled, but made sure she could see the winking glint in his eye. "I don't wanna sit next to that mangy…" he paused, "Kouga."

Kagome smiled and relented. "Alright." She crawled in and sat next to Kouga, their shoulder and arms touching.

Inuyasha went in last and just managed to get in the space left between Kagome and the end where the shelter tapered off. Kagome set her bag in between her legs and pulled out three riceballs. "These are the last ones. There's one more, but I'll save that for later." She handed one to Kouga on her left and one to Inuyasha on her right. They munched quietly. No words were spoken until Kagome, who was the last finish as she ate hers in more than two bites, swallowed her last bite. She yawned and blushed.

Kouga smiled. "Tired?"

"I guess," she shrugged. She paused. "How are we gonna manage this?"

"Manage what?" Inuyasha asked.

"Sleeping…"

The two men realized their situation at last. "Ah…um…" Kouga began intelligently.

"I'll sleep outside," Kagome offered. "We could switch every couple hours…"

Kouga shook his head. "No way. We'd freeze. And besides, nobody would get any sleep."

Kagome nodded, "You're right. I guess the only option is to sleep sitting like we are now."

Inuyasha and Kouga shrugged. "I don't have a problem," they said in unison.

Kagome smiled and nodded. "Me neither. Guess that's the plan." She drew her legs up so they were bent at the knee and, hugging them, leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes and preparing to sleep.

Kouga did the same, but didn't hug his knees. Inuyasha drew one knee up and tucked his sword under his arm in his usual sleeping position. The only one who had the full body warmth of her companions was Kagome, and this helped lull her to sleep quickly. Luckily, a storm did not rage past them that night, or they would have faced a much greater problem than sleeping arrangements.

Soon, all three were fast asleep. Kouga and Inuyasha kept their ears tuned for danger, both ready to protect the woman they loved that was squeezed between them. They all shifted slightly in their sleep so that their bodies fit together perfectly, keeping the body warmth contained inside.

Morning dawned sharply upon them and blinding light glinted off the surrounding snow. It softly bathed the trio, though as the harsh glare bounced off the meager semblance of protection they had slept underneath. It shone equally into all three pairs of slumbering eyes and they each awoke within seconds of each other. Kagome blinked and froze with a pink blush. Her head was nested comfortably on Inuyasha's shoulder, while her right hand was wrapped around the wrist of her other, which was clasped in Kouga's. All three remained still for a second. Kagome was the first to move as the other two were caught in a trance at the contact. She slipped her hand out of Kouga's and regretfully pulled her head from Inuyasha's shoulder. "Sorry…" she mumbled looking down.

Kouga took a deep breath and patted her hand nervously. "It's ok. Don't worry about it."

Inuyasha didn't speak and Kagome tried not to look hurt. He seemed mad at her. She moved to crawl out when Inuyasha pulled her back. "Let me get out first. It'll be easier." She nodded, confused, but let him crawl out before following her. It was easier, but she was sure he had a reason for his actions. "Did you get a good night's sleep?"

She smiled shyly, "Yeah… You're shoulder's comfortable."

He shifted his weight, embarrassed. He opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind as closed it again. I love Kikyou! Why didn't I want her to leave me? He stared at her thoughtfully. Kouga came out behind them. Inuyasha started forward. "Come on." He grabbed her hand in his and led her on.

Kagome pulled it out and stopped. "Um…" she stuttered when he turned around curiously, a hint of hurt in his gaze. "Could you…walk behind me? I just…feel better that way."

Inuyasha smirked as he passed her, whispered, "Because you know I'll catch you."

Kagome blushed, "I won't fall again! It's just that…"

Inuyasha shrugged, "Sure. Whatever you say."

Kouga moved to the front. "Ready?" He flashed Kagome a cheery smile and began walking down the slope.

Kagome smiled back and followed. Inuyasha took up the rear and they continued on the same fashion as they had for the past two and a half days.

&&&

The path widened very slowly, and it became easier to walk. Their speed increased with the width of the path. By the time two hours had passed, the path was wide enough for two of them to walk astride. Nobody took this luxury, but it gave a clue as to how far it was to the bottom. Half an hour more passed and Inuyasha stopped to look over the edge.

Kouga also stopped and peered over. The two men looked up at each other and nodded eagerly.

Kagome was confused. She looked back and forth between the, trying to decipher the new plan. It all became clear when Kouga leapt off the edge. Kagome held in a scream and nervously looked over the edge. To her relief, the drop was only about twenty feet. That was short enough that they could start jumping. Inuyasha put a hand on her back. "Your turn."

Kagome looked at him and swallowed anxiously. "Ok…"

"Come on, we did this on the way up. It wasn't any more than this."

"Yeah…but we were going up, not down."

Kouga looked up with a wide grin. "Hey, Kagome! Just jump! I'll catch you!"

She laughed. "Alright. Fine then. Here goes…" She bent her knees and propelled her body over the edge and down to the path below. Her landing became a mix of the two options available to her. Kagome landed by herself on her feet. She crouched to cushion her fall and then straightened with a triumphant smile. "I did it!" she called out happily. But, ther landing was too far out and her balance was lost over the edge. She began to topple forward. "Woah!"

Kouga immediately jumped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back onto safe ground. She let out a long sigh in his arms. "Guess I still need to practice," she commented dryly.

Kouga's eyebrow rose and he released her. "Looks like it. You'll get it soon."

Kagome turned to face him. "Thanks, Kouga." She hugged her friend briefly before turning again at the sound of Inuyasha's feet hitting the ground nearby.

"Are you ok?" he asked immediately.

Kagome's face split into an extremely pleased smile. Inuyasha was confused. "I'm just great! It was kinda fun jumping, but when I started to fall." She shuddered at the memory of her last fall. "Thank goodness for Kouga…" She sent him a grateful smile.

Inuyasha kept his jealousy in check. I'm not jealous! "What was that smile for?" he asked casually.

Kagome turned pink and smiled again. "I'll tell you later."

Inuyasha's eyebrow rose this time, but just nodded without a word.

Kouga cleared his throat to get their attention. "Come on. If we hurry, we can get down before lunch and grab something to eat in the village."

Kagome nodded. "Ok, then let's move. I'm hungry and we don't have any more food left."

&&&

Kouga looked over the edge and jumped again. The drop was about the same, so Kagome flung herself over before her thoughts and fears could catch up to her. The thrill of the air rushing past her left her blissfully numb for a brief moment. The ground rushed up to her and she readied her feet for the sting of the earth as she hit it. She landed further from the edge this time. Her balance wavered for a moment, but then she found her equilibrium again and straightened with another smile. "I did it for real this time!"

Inuyasha dropped down beside her and both gave winning smiles. "Good job," Kouga congratulated. "Toldja you'd get the hang of it." He winked and jumped over the edge again.

Kagome jumped right after him. This drop was much shorter, so she had no difficulty. Inuyasha landed not a second after her.

&&&

They continued on like this for the remainder of the journey down. The drops shortened until they were hopping down without stopping in between like a trio of excited grasshoppers. Kagome did indeed get the hang of jumping high distances and when she did, their speed suddenly surged. She found herself enjoying jumping down mountains and was disappointed when her feet found the rocky ground surrounding the base of the mountain. Kouga was in front of her and, as always, Inuyasha landed right behind her.

Kouga turned around with a smile, "Let's go eat!"

Kagome shook her head with a grin and started walking next to him. "Always hungry, you two. Maybe it's a guy thing."

Inuyasha, who had walked up to her other side, shrugged. "Maybe."

&&&

The village could be seen as a fairly large black dot about the size of a soccer ball, though the houses had not yet taken shape. Kagome reached into her backpack and pulled out the last riceball. "The last one." She put her hands on either side to break it.

"No," Kouga said, putting his hand on her wrist. "You have it."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest. "But-"

Inuyasha did the same with his other hand. "Go on. You have it."

She shook her head and held the riceball out as an offering to the air in front of her. "I'll split it into thirds. It'll be fine."

Kouga's eyes softened. "You have it, Kagome. I'm just fine. You can split it with Inuyasha if you're that desperate to break it."

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose at the wolf. "You just have the whole thing. We're not hungry."

Kagome looked hurt. "You don't like my riceballs?"

Kouga immediately wave his hand before him. "No, no! That's not it! I love your riceballs! It's just chivalrous to let the lady have it."

Kagome smiled. "Thanks, but chivalry is a human thing. I don't mind sharing."

Kouga laughed. "Actually, chivalry is also a demon thing. Only us noble demons use it, yes, but it's still there."

Inuyasha nodded, "The court uses it too."

Kagome looked surprised, but prepared to break the riceball anyay.

Kouga sighed. "You really want to share that thing, don't you?"

Kagome turned pink. "I'd feel so bad if I ate it by myself. Please? Just a bite?"

Kouga sighed and nodded. "Fine. I'll take a small bit if it'll make you feel better."

Kagome's face brightened. "Ok! Here, just take a bite."

Kouga bit off a third of the riceball in order to please his friend. "Mmm…and to think I didn't want to take a bite…"

Kagome laughed, "Thanks."

"Welcome," he smiled.

Kagome turned to Inuyasha. "Your turn!" she exclaimed brightly.

Inuyasha shook his head. "It's ok. You can have it."

Kagome shrugged. "Fine." She reached up and stuck part of the riceball in his mouth. She laughed. "You look funny."

Inuyasha bit the piece off and gave the rest back to Kagome. When he finished swallowing, he gave her giggles a funny look. "Was it really that funny?"

Kagome nodded. "Yep!" But she said nothing else as Inuyasha stuffed her riceball into her own mouth. For a moment, it stayed there and Kouga and Inuyasha chuckled. Kagome chewed it into pieces and swallowed. They laughed together for a minute. It died down and they focused again on the village, which held the promise of a full and hot meal.

&&&

The dot was bigger this time, and no longer round, but irregular. The shape morphed and remorphed the closer they got, until it was a strange many-humped creature on which the only distinct feature were the sharp angles of the roofs on the houses. The smells of food wafted out to greet them and more than one stomach growled appreciatively at the idea of a meal.

&&&

Kouga, Kagome, and Inuyasha entered he village just around noontime. Immediately, everybody stopped and stared. Kagome sighed sadly and hugged herself, hoping to protect herself from the piercing stares. She had forgotten their pain and didn't ever want to remember again. Inuyasha and Kouga moved closer to her. They found a couple of food stalls in the middle of the town circle and walked up to one man selling riceballs and assorted meats. Kagome took her bag and pulled out her small drawstring purse. Opening it, she pulled out three gold coins and placed them on the counter. "Can we have three riceballs, three fish, three beef bowls, and three vegetable plates?"

The man turned white with fear and nodded, scrambling to get the ingredients out.

Kagome put her hand up. "Woah, slow down there. Take your time. We don't mind waiting." She gave him a kind smile.

The man relaxed slightly, but his shoulders remained tense with fear.

"We're not gonna hurt you, you know," Inuyasha commented dryly. "If we were here to hurt people, we would've done so already."

Kouga nodded, "Honestly. I don't know why people are so afraid of us."

Kagome answered him sadly. "That's because not all demons are so nice. And we pay for it…"

Kouga flung his arm around her shoulders and offered her a comforting smile. "Yeah… But we deal with it, right?"

Kagome nodded. "Yep. Though, it's not as bad for you…"

He withdrew his arm and nodded grimly. "Unfortunately."

"I don't know how Inuyasha puts up with this…"

The hanyou looked surprised at the mentioning of his name and shrugged. "You get used to it. We have to."

Kagome sighed sadly again and reached for Inuyasha's hand. He squeezed hers and she felt that much better.

The man finished cooking and held the plates out to them. "Here! Take them! Just don't eat me!"

All three sweatdropped. "We weren't gonna eat you in the first place. We were gonna eat this food… That's why we asked you to cook it." They all sat down and dug in. It was their first real food in days, and for Kagome and Inuyasha, a week.

When they finished, they stood up and turned to leave. Kagome complimented the man as they passed the stall. "That was really good food. Thank you."

He swallowed and nodded, clearly eager for the trio to leave.

&&&

Kagome was also glad to be leaving. She hated the mistrusting stares of the people around her. They paused again at another stall to buy some rice and spices. They paid quickly and stalked out of the village. Although her bag was now heavy again, it was nice to know that they had food for a bit. However, they were not to get off so easily. Just as they reached the outskirts of the tiny farming village, a group of large farmers barred their way.

"Whaddya want?" Inuyasha asked, already on guard.

The farmers bristled their pitchforks. "Your heads. We're sick and tired of demons ruining our crops around here. Time to die, demons!"

Inuyasha frowned and sidestepped the charging man. "We haven't touched your crops, old man!"

"Yeah right!" a thinner man called out bravely from the back. "You're all alike, you demons!"

Inuyasha and Kouga growled. "We just want to leave in peace," Kouga said.

"You can rest in peace!"

Kagome opened her mouth. "Please, we're just leaving. You won't see us come back anytime soon, I promise!"

The thin mean scowled at her. "Shut up, you filthy mutt! I don't want to hear your lies, bitch!" That was, of course, absolutely the wrong thing to say.

Immediately, the air turned chilly. Inuyasha and Kouga stepped forward menacingly and snarled.

"Don't you ever again…" Kouga began.

"How dare you…" Inuyasha growled furiously.

"…call Kagome that!" they finished in unison.

The men all moved back, but the thin man refused to budge, so he was now in the front. He sneered at Kagome. "Looks like they're both your mates, huh? Stupid whore…"

That was the last straw. With feral snarls, Inuyasha and Kouga lunged for the man's neck. Inuyasha got his throat first and Kouga wrapped his hand around the other side and they both held him up. "I swear I'll kill you!" Inuyasha growled.

Kouga smirked, "Ready to die?"

&&&

The group of men pulled their heads into a huddle and quickly constructed a crude plan to save their friend as well as their village. Equipped with pitchforks and foolishness, two men quietly snuck around and grabbed Kagome from behind. The first man was strong and he plastered his hand over her mouth to stifle her scream. The second man, who was much smaller, placed the pitchfork under her chin. Kagome gulped and the tip of one of the prongs scratched her throat.

The larger man who had originally spoken stepped forward now and grinned maliciously. "We've got your mate. If you don't let him go, we'll stick a pitchfork up her throat."

At this, Kouga and Inuyasha turned their heads to find that Kagome was indeed being held hostage. They dropped the man flat on his bottom and dashed for Kagome. The two men holding Kagome set her free and stood far back.

The first thing Inuyasha noticed was the small trickle of blood dripping down her throat. It was merely a scratch, but it served to boil the blood of the two men.

"You!" Kouga growled. "You dared hurt Kagome?"

Inuyasha said nothing but snarled at them so fearsomely that they huddled together.

Kagome felt her throat. "It hurts," she noticed in surprise, not meaning for either of her friends to hear, but unfortunately for the two humans, they did.

"We'll be right back," Kouga said in a tight voice.

"Where are you going?" she asked, pulling on both of their arms.

"To kill them," Inuyasha growled.

"No! It's ok. I'm fine."

Both shook their heads. "Sorry, but it's their own fault."

"They've disrespected you," Kouga explained in a tense voice.

Kagome was surprised. "It's alright. Come on. Please, I just wanna go."

"Sorry, Kagome," Kouga apologized and moved forward with Inuyasha. They advanced on the group of men. Kouga showed his fangs and Inuyasha flashed his claws. The men were frozen in utter fear. "Cowards," Inuyasha scoffed in a guttural voice.

That voice! Kagome was now scared herself. "Inuyasha! Look at me!" she called hurredly. The hanyou looked back and Kagome was horrified to find they were flashing red. Why's he so mad? They were just calling me names and scratching me. She ran forward to him and reached up to put her hands on his shoulders. "Inuyasha. Calm down." That did the trick. His eyes became molten gold once more and she sighed in relief. By the expression on his face, Kagome figured he had an idea what had just happened.

Suddenly, Kagome screamed and Kouga yelled simultaneously as a brave farmer stuck his pitchfork into Inuyasha's back. In surprise, the hanyou fell forward onto Kagome. "Inuyasha!" she cried out, shaking him.

Kouga shook him and pulled out the pitchfork. Blood dripped from the wound. "He's in shock because it hit him in his spinal chord," the wolf demon concluded.

Kagome's hand flew to her mouth. "But he'll be ok, right?"

Kouga nodded, "Yeah, no worries about that. He'll just be paralyzed for an hour or two. With a good night's rest, he'll be back to normal in the morning. But for now, we need to get him out of here."

"Paralyzed?" Kagome repeated, quietly.

Kouga nodded sadly, "Unfortunately."

&&&

The huddled men shivered. A few of the braver ones whispered for an attack. "If we keep letting them walk over us, then soon they'll come in the villages and hunt us down. They'll hunt down you and your wives and your children!" one man warned.

Another agreed heartily. "We need to kill them now. Let's start with the unconscious one. With the silver hair."

Some others nodded. "I'll stick 'im!" a younger man announced proudly.

The big man nodded at him. "Ok, you go now and we'll cover you if they attack."

The young man crept around them all and silently tiptoed to the trio of demons. He raised his pitchfork and threw it at the silver-haired demon on the ground. It hit his leg, sticking up at an angle. The demon twitched in obvious pain, but could not do anything. The young man proudly started to creep away again, but his escape was not to be.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried out in despair. She turned and stared at the young man walking away. She narrowed her eyes and started forward. Kagome's demon blood, which was already on edge from her last two transformations, roared and took control. Her eyes turned red and her claws and fangs lengthened. "I'll kill you!" she yelled, her voice rougher than normal.

Kouga was shocked, to say the least. He couldn't speak for a moment. Kagome, his sweet gentle Kagome, was now a bloodthirsty demon prepared to spring on a rampage. It was almost impossible to believe, but there it was. "Kagome?"

Kagome turned around and Kouga's voice registered in her memory as familiar, though she couldn't place why.

Kouga stepped back. "Calm down, Kagome. Inuyasha's ok. He's just fine."

Kagome roared, "I'm going to kill them!" She turned and dashed toward the man. The young man broke into a feverish run at a speed one only reaches at the last few desperate minutes before his premature death. Kagome, however, was still faster, and she caught up easily. "You can run, but it won't do you any good."

"Help!" the boy cried out.

Kagome smirked and lifted a hand. It swiped down, slicing the man in two, ending his twenty years. The body fell forward onto its stomach and lay there, blood pooling about. The stench drove Kagome further over the edge. She bellowed into the sky, the village ringing with the frightening sound. Kouga was horrified. He could not believe what had just transpired not thirty feet away. It was unreal. Kagome bellowed again and the awful noise snapped him into action. He ran over to one of the farmer, who dropped his pitchfork and screamed, running. Kouga picked it up and sprinted over to Kagome, who was moving on another man. She reached his trembling form and raised her bloodstained hand once more, but did nothing more. Kouga lifted the pitchfork and slammed the flat end onto her head. Kagome crumpled like a piece of paper. Kouga caught her shoulders and set her gently onto the ground. "If you ouch either of them…" he left the threat hanging. Now I have to carry both of them away. How do I get into these messes? "I'm going to carry them away and we won't be coming back here ever. But if you touch them, we will back and I won't be slamming pitchforks on anybody to save you." He scowled at them and picked Kagome up, holding her bridal style, and ran off, a whirlwind gathering around him.

&&&

Five minutes later, Kouga stopped, feeling far enough away to be safe. He set Kagome's body down under a tree and ran back to get Inuyasha. Obviously the villagers took his threat to heart as they had all scattered and Inuyasha was lying on the ground alone, shallow pitchfork wounds in his calf and back. Kouga lifted his upper body up and draped it over his shoulder. Once again, he ran off with his whirlwind to hide him. He reached the tree Kagome was under and laid Inuyasha next to the hanyou. Now to wait.

&&&

Day pressed on and the sun rose higher and higher. Once at its peak, it began falling again. Kouga was reminded thoughtfully of their journey over the mountain. The sky slowly turned pink, spreading out to a deep blue. Behind him, Kouga could hear Kagome toss and turn, half in and half out of consciousness. He wanted to wake her, but she needed the rest. Her blood was probably still adjusting.

&&&

Kagome, however, would have gratefully kissed Kouga for waking her. She wanted nothing more. Her mind was filled with all sorts of strange images.

Kagome stood in the middle of a dark room. Two spotlights turned on. The light was sharp and white, like the ones you find in a hospital. It was a cold light that made her shiver. She looked down and found the floor to be concrete. It was just as cold and hard as the light above her. The second light lit a small empty circle in front of her, not three feet away. A man materialized. He had light brown hair to his ears and a warm youthful smile. He didn't look a year over twenty, and could've passed for years younger had he wanted to. Kagome smiled at him, but as soon as he realized her presence, his mouth opened in a silent scream. His voice was gone. It was all very curious. Kagome took a step toward him and the spotlight followed. The boy took a step back, waving his arms frantically in front of him. Kagome had the queer feeling of being on a stage at some sort of realistic play. She stretched her arm out. 'It's ok. I' not going to hurt you,' she wanted to say, but her voice had also fled. She took a step closer and suddenly he was rooted to the spot. His eyes widened in terror and Kagome stopped, confused. She tentatively took another step forward, trying to appear friendly, but the proximity just scared the man more. Suddenly, it was as if something possessed her legs, and she jumped forward. Not of her own will, she raised her arm and extended her claws. Kagome tried to pull her arm back to her side, but she had lost control over it. The arm slashed downward. A smirked split her face. Kagome stared at the young man's sliced body in horror and fear. Blood spilled out and made a crimson ring around him. It spread outward, trying to grab her. Kagome jumped back in surprise. Finger of the blood slid across to floor, attempting to touch her, to consume her in its syrupy consistency. Its promise of death called out to her, and somewhere deep inside, Kagome wanted to jump right in. A passionate desire to sink into the puddle brought Kagome a step closer. Another part desperately tried to pull back, but it slowly became muffled. Kagome peered over into the puddle and gasped in mortification. Her face had red eye with dark brown slitted pupils like a cat's. Her teeth were longer and sharper, as were her claws. Lime green stripes were slashed across her cheeks and her forehead. 'Oh my god!'

A voice called out behind her in a plea for life. "Help!" Somehow, she knew it was the man.

'But he's dead…'

A calculating voice sneered somewhere around her. It filled the room and spoke from the walls. "Yes. He's dead. And it's all…your…fault! You killed him in cold blood! You're a beast…a monster…a MURDERER!"

Kagome put her hands over her ears and moaned. "No! No! I'm not! I'm not!" She looked around and the walls vibrated with the voice within.

"Yes, you are! You know you are! Murderer! Killer! Monster! Beast! Savage!"

"No! No! No!" Kagome looked up to find the walls dripping with the same blood on the floor. She spun quickly. All the walls were drenched with the crimson substance. The puddle reached out for her and Kagome tried to run backwards, tripping over herself. She sat on the cold floor, her eyes closed and her hands over her ears. The blood came closer and closer. "No!"

Kagome sat up abruptly. "No!" Her eyes adjusted to this new world and she gasped at the blood red sunset. She hid her eyes in fear. "No!" she sobbed, rocking back and forth.

Kouga looked over in surprise and moved to her. "Kagome?"

Kagome looked over, startled, and it took her a moment for everything to rush back. "Oh Kouga! I had this awful dream and I don't remember what happened and it was so awful and I woke up and it was the same color and I got scared-"

"Slow down," Kouga chuckled. "Start from the beginning, and slower."

Kagome took a deep breath and smiled, embarrassed. "Well, to start it off, I don't remember what happened. The last I can recall is that young man putting a pitchfork in Inuyasha's…leg…" She trailed off in horrific realization.

"Kagome?" he asked worriedly.

"That was the man in my dreams."

Kouga ignored this part for now. "Alright. Well, you to that boy because you were mad and another man came up behind you and whacked you over the head with his own pitchfork."

Kagome nodded, confused at Kouga's nervous tone. She chose not to question anything yet. "Ok. You're not hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm just fine. I wasn't hurt at all. Now what's this about a dream and that boy being in it?" His tone became suspiciously jealous.

Kagome giggled quietly. "Not like that. Not at all…" She looked away for a second in unwilling reminiscence. "I had this dream. I was in a dark room and there was a bright light shining on me and one shining right in front of me. Then that boy, the one that hit Inuyasha in the leg, like materialized. It was weird. And he looked terrified of me. But neither of us had voices, so he couldn't scream and I couldn't tell him I wasn't going to hurt him. I tried to step closer, but he kept moving back. Then, he froze in fear and suddenly, something took control of my body and I jumped and…and…"

Kouga had a horrible feeling he knew what she did. He asked anyway in the interest of compassion. "What did you do?" he asked kindly.

"I…I…" she swallowed, trying to say the words. "I killed him. I sliced him in two." She began to cry again. "And then there was all this blood around him and it kept trying to get me. And part of me wanted to touch it and jump in it and kill. And then I heard that boy called out for help. And this voice started talking from the walls. And it said I was a monster and beast and a…a murderer. And I tried to tell it no, but it wouldn't stop. And then the walls started dripping in blood and the whole room was red. Then, I woke up and I saw the sunset and it was red and I freaked." Kagome hugged her knees and sobbed.

Kouga put his arms around her and hugged her, shushing her softly. "Shh. It's ok. It was just a dream. Nothing more. Just a dream," he said kindly.

Kagome nodded into his chest. "Just a dream," she whispered to herself.

Kouga mentally grimaced. He couldn't let her know what she'd done. He just couldn't.

They remained in this position for a few minutes. Eventually, Kagome quieted and her tears stopped. She breathed in deeply one last time, reveling in the comfort the arms of a friend could bring her. Then, Kouga released her and she wiped her eyes dry, the spell between them broken. Suddenly, the atmosphere turned awkward and Kagome instinctively turned to look at Inuyasha. "How-" she cleard her throat of the lump from her tears and tried again. "How is he?"

Kouga shrugged. "He's breathing and his pulse is normal. His back is almost completely healed and there's only a light scar on his leg now. He wasn't woken up yet if that's what you mean."

Kagome nodded. "He will soon, though, right?"

Kouga nodded. "He's had a good six or so hours of rest by now. I think he'll be just fine. In fact, he should be waking up soon."

Kagome smiled gratefully. "Thanks for taking care of us."

He flashed her a smile. "Anything for a friend."

She smiled back and sighed. "What an eventful day. I assume you won't be with us for too much longer, huh?"

Kouga shook his head regretfully. "Sorry. I'm supposed to meet up with Ginta and Hakkaku somewhere around here. I'll probably leave in two days or so."

Kagome nodded sadly. "Yeah. We'll see you again, though, I'm sure. But, Kouga, why only Ginta and Hakkaku? Don't you have a tribe now?"

Kouga chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose I do. See, they're actually one of the smaller wolf tribes on my mountain and we've been great allies for years. They're actually part of our original tribe, but about three generations ago, we split up, and they're one of the groups the tribe split into. Apparently, half the tribe was killed in a big battle with the Birds of Paradise. They were wandering around and I found them. They recognized me, told me the story, and said that their leader was killed. Then, before I knew it, they voted me leader. So I guess I do have a tribe again." He smiled at the idea.

Kagome looked at him thoughtfully. "You miss your first tribe, though, don't you?"

Kouga nodded in mild surprise. "Yeah…they were my family."

Kagome nodded slowly. "I know how that feels. They were my family here."

Kouga knew whom she was talking about, so he didn't need to ask who 'they' was. "Well, it's nice to have a common goal with your friends."

Kagome smiled. "Definitely." A sound caused both to turn their heads to the tree. Inuyasha was stirring. His head moved slightly and his eyes flickered open. Then, he attempted to sit up. Kagome rushed over. "Inuyasha! You're awake."

He looked at her strangely. "How long was I out for?"

"Kouga says six hours."

"Six hours!" His hand shot for his back as he sat up.

"Are you alright?" Kagome asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. I just have one helluva backache."

Kagome smiled in relief. "That's good. I can deal with a backache."

"You?"

Kagome hurriedly corrected herself. "I mean you can deal with a backache." She laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head.

Kouga shook his head and bent down on one knee next to Inuyasha. "You ok to stand up?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Yeah." He stood up slowly and cracked his back. "My back still hurts a bit, but otherwise I'm good to go."

Kouga held up his hands. "Woah, we're not leaving yet."

"Tired?" Inuyasha sneered.

Kagome frowned. "Inuyasha, be nice. You and I both need to rest."

"I don't need to. Why do you?"

"I got hit over the head with a pitchfork," she shrugged.

Inuyasha frowned this time. "What?" he growled at Kouga. "You let her get hit?"

Kouga clenched his jaw and tried to signal to Inuyasha with his eyes. "We need to talk," he muttered quietly.

Inuyasha scowled. "About what?"

Kouga flicked his eyes to Kagome and back. Inuyasha understood. "What's wrong with here?"

Kouga sighed impatiently. "Just come on."

Kagome looked at them curiously, but decided to let them talk. Wonder what Kouga wanted to tell Inuyasha that he couldn't tell me…

&&&

Kouga dragged Inuyasha out of earshot by the arm. Once he was sure Kagome couldn't hear, he turned to Inuyasha with a grim look. "You must never tell Kagome what really happened today."

"What happened?"

Kouga took a deep breath, ready to face the hanyou's rage. "Do you remember when the pitchfork hit your leg?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, a young man threw it. He was probably about twenty or so."

"And…?" Inuyasha asked impatiently.

"Kagome got really mad. Really really mad."

Inuyasha bit his lip. "Oh no. She didn't turn into a full demon, did she?"

Kouga looked at him strangely. "How did you know?

"This isn't the first time," he said grimly.

"It's not?" This was news to Kouga.

"Yeah. She's a hanyou, remember? So when we feel threatened or very angry, we turn into full-fledged demons to protect ourselves or whoever is in danger." Inuyasha smirked, "Which means you better watch out if I get really angry."

Kouga scoffed. "I could take you down anyday."

"You wish you could."

Kouga held up a hand. "Is this really the time?"

"What else is there?"

"It gets worse…"

Inuyasha's brow furrowed. "Whaddya mean?"

"That boy that got you in the leg… She went after him with this bloodthirsty rage in her eyes. And she killed him," he finished bluntly.

Inuyasha was shocked. "What? She killed him?"

"Slashed him into two pieces. And then she turned on the others and was gonna kill another guy, so I hit her on the head with a pitchfork."

"You what!"

Kouga protested angrily in his defense. "She was going to kill the others, too. Do you really think Kagome should have that on her record?"

Inuyasha fell silent. He remembered the feeling he had when he had done it to a whole village. Of course it made sense to stop her. "So… if we're not supposed to tell her, then that means she doesn't know, right?"

Kouga pressed his lips together. "She hasn't seen anything, but she had a dream about it. With the boy and everything. Obviously a part of her was conscious then. I told her it was just a dream, but if she catches wind of anything… We can't mention the fight at all, just to be safe."

Inuyasha nodded, "Right. I just can't believe…"

"Shh! I don't want her knowing. She was crying when she woke up. Sobbing about some voice in her dream calling her a murderer. That really upset her."

Inuyasha nodded and didn't mention the fight again.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Naraku stared into Kanna's mirror and laughed maliciously. "This is perfect!" he exclaimed in glee.

"What is perfect?" Kagura asked.

"Kagome killed a boy while on her demonic rampage." He laughed again.

"Why is that so great?" Naraku was obviously in a good mood, so she dared to continue pressing for answers to his delight.

"Murder darkens the soul. Her soul is now slightly tainted. That makes things all the greater! This will make the outcome of my plan even more wonderful!"

"And…what is the outcome of this plan? I really see to point to it." Kagura's voice was bored. She hadn't anything to do for a while.

"Power!" Naraku smirked widely. "I will gain an immense pool of power!"

"How? Where is this great power you're suddenly going to get?"

Naraku laid his cold eyes on her and chuckled darkly. "You'll see. You'll see very soon, in fact."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kouga walked down the dirt road that led away from the village and the mountain. The air was still and quiet. Kagome's voice reverberated in the bubble around her. The serenity of the area was contradicted by the violence they faced in the mountain village. But nobody thought about that. The breeze that flowed through their hair was sharp and cool. The bright sun shone dilutedly upon them. It was a relaxing walk. For the first time in days, they were just walking on a smooth, flat surface. They walked all three astride, Kagome in the middle, and converse quietly and amiably. Kagome was pleased that Kouga and Inuyasha were getting on civilly. They were making such good time that it was decided they would stop for the night as soon as it became dark. This did not take too long, and the three found a tree to rest under. They had just sat down when Kagome clutched her chest. She fought for air.

Inuyasha and Kouga were by her side in an instant. "Kagome?"

Kagome shut her eyes tightly. "I can't…breathe…" she gasped.

Neither man knew what to do. It wasn't an ailment they could just defeat physically and be done with. The biggest trouble of all was of course than even they could help her, it wouldn't matter as they had no idea what was causing her sudden spasm.

Three minutes passed and Kagome let out a long breath, panting. She leaned back against the trunk, her hand fisted against her sternum.

"What happened, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked immediately.

Kagome finally got her breath back. "I don't know. Suddenly, my chest was on fire and I couldn't breathe anymore."

Kouga swallowed. "Are you alright now?"

"I think so…" She turned then to Inuyasha. "The pain felt like the pain I had when I was under the curse the first time, remember? When I chose Hojo?"

Inuyasha nodded with a grim frown. "Then it's the curse. But why?"

Kagome shrugged. "I don't know." She racked her brain for any reason for the curse to act up again. In order to complete the curse, she had to choose a person to fall in love with. I chose Inuyasha and I'm in love with him. Unless…he has to fall in love with me… Her face fell in dismay.

"Kagome? Did you think of something?" Inuyasha inquired.

"Yeah…I think I know why it's acting up."

"Why?"

"Um," she blushed, "Just because. It doesn't concern you."

"You can tell me."

"Well, I don't know for sure," she excused, "I'll tell you when I know for sure."

Inuyasha gave her a strange look. "Ok… Fine."

Kagome mentally sighed. I just hope it doesn't get worse. Inuyasha's never gonna fall in love with me… What will happen to me if we don't fall in love? She looked at Kouga. It won't hurt to tell… "Inuyasha? Do you mind getting some firewood? Please?"

Inuyasha nodded, "Sure. No problem." He left Kagome and Kouga alone.

"I know what you're gonna ask. I was put under a curse and I had to choose between three people, one was a human, one was a hanyou, and one was a demon. The one I picked I would become and then I would have to fall in love with that person. I originally picked the human, but I didn't love him, so my soul started to rip. I was on the brink of my death when Sango saved me. She got the priestess who cursed me to re-curse me and I picked Inuyasha. In order to complete the curse, I have to fall in love with that person. Obviously if I don't, I experience great pain. So, because Inuyasha doesn't love me, I'm destined to die."

Kouga smiled at first. "You've pretty much admitted that you love Inuyasha."

"I don't!"

"Don't try to deny it. Now, about Inuyasha. He loves you."

"How do you know?"

Kouga rolled his eyes and looked at her with a mixture of humor and sadness. "It's so obvious. I'm surprised you haven't seen it, smart girl that you are."

Kagome's cheeks were stained pink. "He sure hides it well, then."

"Trust me. Now, we need to figure out a way to get him to admit he loves you."

"Which he doesn't. He loves Kikyou. I've heard him say it himself."

"Whatever you say," Kouga replied dismissively.

Kagome sighed and smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Kouga. Thanks."

"Anything for a friend, remember?" He winked at her.

She giggled. "You're the best."

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What didja think? Good, not good? I personally loved writing this chapter, but that's mostly because of the mild fluff I got to put in. Yay for fluff! I can't wait to get to the cotton candy at the end!

Personal Reviews:

Lord of the Blades – Yay! -celebrates- 9/10 is an awesome score! Hehe it seems I'm doing my job. Well, if you don't know, then that makes it all the more suspenseful and surprising, rite? I'm glad I cleared up your question. I realize that that area could be a little fuzzy until you pointed it out. Thanks for reviewing! I'm eager to see what score this chapter gets!

Raithya – A lot of questions! Questions are cool. It shows you're reading hehe. I don't mind telling you now. No, Kagome and Inuyasha are not going to die. As for the weapon…I wasn't counting on one, so probably not. Thanks for the review!

TaintedInuShemeeko – Thanks for reviewing! I can always count on you to r&r! You're the best! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think you'll like the ending. –looks all mysterious-

LadySword04 – Thanks for reviewing! Well, you'll have to see what kind of happy ending I'm going to put out there. Thanks! I'm so excited to start! I hope I do well… It's gonna be fun, I just know it!