They had been traveling for three weeks, and ever since that night at the inn, Inuyasha had made sure to stick to the trees in order to avoid sleeping with Kagome. It was obvious to everyone, except maybe Kirara, but Kagome couldn't find the courage to question him about it. It was the result of her own impudent actions; she should have never slept with him in the first place since it had obviously been seen as an intrusion in his eyes. Sango had used the opportunity to reinforce his dangerous image, though Kagome had trouble believing that he really was a threat to her anymore. There had been plenty of opportunities during their travels for him to attack the group, or any single member. In her opinion, it appeared that he enjoyed the company despite his many complaints.
Miroku had been unsuccessful in his attempts to become closer to Sango, and had become discouraged after overhearing her conversation with Kagome one night, in which she stressed that he was still untrustworthy. He couldn't deny that it was his nature, and under different circumstances he might have been tempted to betray the group, but he had hoped that Sango would pick up on his sincerity toward her. Either way, it seemed that Inuyasha didn't trust him either, since he was the only one not allowed to keep watch at night. Kagome was allowed, though rarely did since Inuyasha stayed up for her general safety and Sango for her safety against Inuyasha. In that manner, it had become an unspoken rule that Sango and Inuyasha would take turns keeping watch while anyone else's presence was merely for company.
The group began early in the mornings, and today was no exception. Shortly after their stay at the inn, Inuyasha had taken to carrying Kagome on his back, declaring that she would only slow them down otherwise. This allowed Sango and Miroku to take turns resting on Kirara, though Miroku refused more often than not with the intention that Sango might appreciate his concern for her, though it seemed that it only caused her more suspicion. His only hope was to talk to Kagome about the situation and recruit her to his side, but he wouldn't get a chance to get her alone until night fall.
Late in the afternoon, they noticed a castle in the distance though it was dusk by the time they reached it. Inuyasha set Kagome down carefully, immediately on his guard. The feeling had first hit him a few miles back, but now he was certain of it. "I don't like this."
Miroku nodded. "It seems deserted, though I don't sense any presence of evil."
"I don't either," Sango agreed. "It's creepy, yes, but seems like a suitable place to spend the night.
Inuyasha clenched and unclenched his fist in impatience. "It just doesn't smell right."
Everyone turned to Kagome expectantly, who would normally have chosen Inuyasha's side but was feeling put off from his unusual behavior during their day's travel. He had pushed them hard throughout the day and now didn't seem to want to choose a place to camp. She sighed before replying, "Everyone's tired, and you're just being overly cautious. This seems like a fine place to stay; besides we might even find some food or useful items left inside."
Her voice was hopeful, silencing any protest he might have offered. Her shoulders were slumped, she looked worn out and her face was pale. Even though he had been carrying her for most of the day during their travels, she kept losing weight, and it was starting to worry him. He couldn't deny her rest when she needed it, even if his instincts wanted to go against it. She was right; he was just being overly cautious because of the night.
He growled lightly despite himself, "Do as you wish. But don't come running to me when you find yourself in trouble."
She grinned at him, and to keep himself from smiling back, he turned toward the castle's inner entrance. "I'm going to look inside before sunset."
Miroku waited for Sango to offer to follow him and when she didn't dejectedly gave up his idea of confronting Kagome alone. "I'll go after him," he remarked, though no one responded.
"Do you want to collect firewood with me, Kagome-chan?" Sango offered, kindly.
Kagome nodded, happy to make herself useful for once. "Sango-chan," she called as they spaced further apart in their search, though keeping careful not to stray too far from the castle entrance before dark.
"Hn?" Her friend answered back.
"Did Inuyasha seem a little weird today? Like maybe more edgy than usual?"
Sango neared, satisfied with her gathering. "He's always weird."
Kagome rolled her eyes at her friend and dropped the subject, though she couldn't drop her unease. The girls set up the campfire as close to the castle's inner entrance as possible. Finally, they set down on the porch steps a few feet away.
"It'll be nice to share a room tonight, just us girls again huh, Kagome-chan?"
Kagome nodded, trying to erase the unease from her features. Finally she found a smile. "Yeah." After a few moments she spoke again. "I wonder when the boys are coming back."
As if on cue, Miroku popped out on the porch behind them. Sango started and offered a small scowl to which the monk responded with a wide grin. "Is something the matter, Sango? You seem a little on edge."
He was teasing her. She tried to deepen her scowl further but settled on suppressing a smile instead. "Anyone would be around you, Houshi-sama."
He plopped down beside her, invading her personal space and leaned even closer in mock protest. "My dearest Sango, I can't begin to fathom what you might mean."
"I suppose with that thick skull of yours, you wouldn't."
He fell still, staring intently at her, an unreadable expression clouding his face.
At his lack of response, she questioned in concern, "Houshi-sama what's wrong?"
He gave a weak smile, a ghost of his normal self. "Just then, you smiled."
She choked and promptly turned away to hide the burning sensation that swept up her face. Kagome rose with wide eyes, muttering about going to find Inuyasha insde the castle when a large cry erupted from the foliage several yards away. Seconds later, a flock of crows burst from the trees, wings beating in an almost frantic skyward flight. Sango sat rigid, unsure how to respond. She stiffened further when she felt the light touch of Miroku's palm in the small of her back, but it was a subconscious gesture as he rose to his feet, eyes intent on the area of uncertainty. She shuddered from the fading sensation of his touch where his fingertips had brushed across her spine, but he wasn't even looking at her.
"Don't worry; I'll go and inspect the area. I'm sure it's nothing of significant danger."
She nodded absently at his words, and he started forward with the jerk of his staff.
It wasn't long before rounded the outer wall and disappeared from sight. Several moments passed in silence, and Kagome noted with mild intrigue that her friend did indeed seem to be on edge. It wasn't much longer before Sango jerked to her feet and rambled down the steps, grabbing Hiraikotsu from its resting place nearby. "I'm going after him. Kirara."
The fire cat sprang to action as Sango took off toward the castle wall. Glancing back she called over her shoulder, "Kagome-chan, go find Inuyasha. Hurry."
Kagome gave a small grunt of acknowledgment before drawing her twin blades cautiously as she entered the castle hallway.
It was pitch black inside; she strained her eyes to become accustomed to the lack of light, but remained barely able to make out shapes even after waiting for several moments. Impatient, she pushed forward, relying on her hearing for protection. Her first thought was to call for him, but that could be dangerous in unknown territory. Better not to alert the enemy, should any reside here. Besides, surely she would recognize him with his stark white hair in the darkness. She passed silently from room to room, searching for his presence, but it proved to be a tedious effort and time consuming to top it off. Just as she was about to re-enter the castle's hallway, a man's shout from outside shattered the silence. She froze, rigid at the sound. It was wordless and painful and cut off abruptly. Her heart was pounding painfully loud in her ears. What had happened to Miroku? She jerked forward, but immediately fell back against the wall at the sound of approaching footsteps.
They were thundering in her direction, a reckless and stumbling gait in the hallway. She listened to the rushed approach, forcing her breathing to slow and waited until she was certain of the location. On instinct, she swung out from the around corner into the hallway, eyes nearly blind as she positioned her twin blades in split second timing. There was a slight resistance and a startled grunt before the shadowed outline of a figure attempted to move back. She moved with him, keeping the blades pressed firmly to either side of his neck. "Move and I'll slit your throat."
The words sounded harsh to her ears, and she was vaguely proud of herself for her resolve even as the blades began to slightly tremble.
"Ka-Kagome?" The words came out as a choked exclamation, and she felt herself waver when she recognized the voice.
"Inuyasha?" She kept the swords in rigid place, unable to accept the sight before her. "What happened to you?"
It was hard to tell in the darkness, but she thought that he actually had the audacity to look annoyed. "I'm human tonight. Now would you get those things out of my face."
He looked at her expectantly as if that explained everything, though she didn't doubt from his response that it actually was Inuyasha. Finally, she pulled the swords away, making sure to keep them out just in case she had been fooled. "I don't understand. Why?"
"We don't have time for that. What the hell's going on out there?"
They started for the opening marked by the campfire as she explained. "There was something outside of the castle wall. Miroku and Sango went to check it out, and I came to find you." After a few moments she added, "I'm worried."
He looked to her, but she couldn't discern the emotion in his eyes.
"Come on; let's go."
She had to jog to keep up.
By the time they reached outside, he was pulling away from her. "Do you want one of my swords?" she called ahead to him, noticing in the passing light of the campfire that his claws were gone. He truly was human, which meant that he might not be able to use his sword. His next words confirmed her suspicion.
"Keep it," he called back, glancing over his shoulder to make sure she hadn't fallen too far behind. "You're going to need it. I won't be able to protect you tonight."