Thank you so much Janey. Not only did you convince me to continue, but you helped me deal with the dreaded writer's block. So thanks a bunch. As for Kaede still being alive at eighty or so years old...let's just say she is still alive for a reason...but enough for the spoilers. :grins:

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha...if did I would give Koga a haircut...

Chapter Four: The Raid.

It was late in the evening and everyone was asleep but Kiyoshi. He wandered carefully the village. He prayed that he wouldn't attract attention in this late hour. He still felt the hostile vibes from the villagers and he certainly didn't want to fight them again. He sighed as rain started to pour. The soothing rthym of the rain brought the unusal silence to the young demon's attention. The quiet before the storm, he thought. The silence was shattered by a the slighty muffled screams of a girl. His ears picked up reconizing the voice. He was confused at first but sprang into action without much thought afterwards. He had to see what was wrong.

"Kaiaya," the ghostly voice of Midoriko rang through the girl's mind. "Watch who you trust, my dear." The legandary priestess appeared in front of Kai. Her hair and kimono blowing in the wind with a dramatic effect. Her eyes were veiled by her long black eyelashes.

Kai sighed, like an ordinary teenager. "What's with all the riddles? Why can't you speak in a language I can understand!"

The corner's of the priestess's mouth twitched into a half-grin. "A quick-wit, eh?" She looked into the distance and a troubled look spread across her face. "I am sorry, Kai. But but you must understand this..."

The priestess faded into the air and the scene changed into what looked like Naraku's lair. Sure enough standing in front of her was Naraku handing the Jewel. Trapped inside the pink shell was Midoriko staring back at Kai. Around her lay dead bodies of demons. Naraku grinned at Kai and said. "Hello dear Kai." She snarled at the way he adressed her. "I will make this simple. Unlock the Jewel and I won't kill your family."

Kai turned and saw Kagome and Inuyasha unconsious caught in what looked like spider webs. A low growl escaped her chest, but was caught in her throat painfully. Her head swished to glare at Naraku. "You bastard."

He lifted his right hand and the Akahoshii flew from Kai's side and landed in his palm lightly. "Last chance..."

"ROT IN HELL!" She spat. Naraku chuckled and he brought the Akahoshii down on Kagome's throat. Making a swift cut, blood poured into the floor. Kai cried out but she felt her control slipping as a slight fog started to form. The cold mist made her numb. Naraku had then slaughtered Inuyasha and moved on to Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kohaku. Kai's throat went raw with her screaming that couldn't be heard. "No, no, no!" She cried. The numbness disapated in her shoulder and she felt a warm hand shook her gently.

"Kai?" a voice said. "Kai, wake up!" Her amber eyes snapped open. Staring back at her was the worried face of Kiyoshi. "Ee!" Kai squealed and slapped him without much thought. Kiyoshi was thrown back. He grabbed his red cheek. Kai blinked. "I'm so sorry!"

Kiyoshi muttered something that not even Kai's sensitive hearing could pick it up. "Nightmares?" He asked. Kai looked up at him and stared into hsi unqiue eyes that were filled with understanding. She nodded. He patted her shoulder sympathicaly (sp?) "I get them some times too."

Kai watched him intently. There was definetly something about him that she admired. "Mine are about the ones I love being hurt."

"Yeah. Mine are like that too. And you have that 'choice' to save them only you don't and they die anyway." He said his voice surprisely light and relaxed.

"And then the fog comes." Kai and Kiyoshi said gloomily, at the same time. They froze and stared at each other. Realization dawned on them. They shared the same nightmare!

"This is it, Borac." Kasumi said to the hideous demon. She had to stand downwind of the beast because of his unbearing stench. The demon grunted with indifference. He was obivious upset that he had to take orders from a mortal woman. He had make no attempt to hide his distaste and Kasumi pretended not to care. She was absorbed in her own planning. "Borac, dear. " She said in a sweet voice. Again a grunt. He was listening. "You better not screw this up." He snarled and make a lunge for her and she simply side-stepped him. "Tsk, tsk. Naraku would be very disappointed if you can't do your job." She explained as if he was two years old.

"Shut up, wench!" He growled. Straightening he said. "I will show the half-breed. And when I'm done I will finish you off."

"I won't hold my breath." Kasumi said dismissively. Borac's eyes turned completely red and he stomped off barking commands to his men. They rallied together and stood staring at the top of hill looking down at the village dwarved by the surrounding landscape. Kasumi yawned and said to herself. "I suppose I should have told them to wait until the village wasn't on guard." She shrugged. Naraku couldn't pin the blame on her for Borac's death.

Her flock of ravens flew down from their trees and followed her. "I must find the demon born of Naraku that surives."

Inuyasha and Kagome were sitting together eating a meal in peace on the steps of their hut. It was rare to see the two so relaxed and actaully enjoying a meal. Normally, especially since Naraku's return, they barely had time to sit around. Kagome finished her meal and scooted closer to Inuyasha.

"It's so quiet tonight," she said dreamily.

There was a long pause. "I don't like it." Inuyasha replied tense as he sat up.

"What is it?" Kagome asked alarmed. Inuyasha put a hand on the Tessaiga (thanks Janey)and sniffed the air. "It's a bunch of demons." Kagome jumped to her feet and ran into the hut to get her longbow and quiver.

"But why would they attack us now?" Kagome asked her question falling on deaf ears as Inuyasha bolted ahead. She sighed. Her question was long forgotten and she readied herself for battle. Since Naraku's 'death' she had worked to improve her archery. She wasn't a bad shot and a simply raid wasn't going to scare her.

A boar demon scout appeared on top of the hill directly in the center of her mental crosshair. Kagome released the arrow and it whished (is that a word?) through the air. Halfway there it began to glow with a blue light, the arrow of a priestess. The arrowhead burried itself into the demon's right eye. He cried out in pain and placed a clawed hand over his bleeding eye socket. The second arrow went into his throat ending his suffering. His dead body rolled down the hill leaving a trail of blood.

Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted as he returned. He stopped and saw that she was the one who killed the demon. He sighed in relief. "Just likeold times?" Kagome teased.

"Hey, we aren't that old." Kagome giggled but soon returned her attention to the approaching mob. Inuyasha looked at her through the corner of his eye to see if she was ready. With a small nod, Kagome reloaded the bow and Inuyasha held the powered up Tessaiga in his hands.

"WIND SCAR!" Inuyasha roared as Kagome released her arrow. The combined attack demolished the horde with its first contact. They stood there blinking at the wave of destruction and the blood bath. "What that it?" Kagome asked dazed.

As soon a she finshed her sentence, a new group arrived at a much faster pace. Inuyasha jumped in the crowd his sword swinging wildly. Kagome planted her feet into the ground and released arrow after arrow. Demons were dropping left and right but more keep coming before they swarmed them into a tight circle. Kagome and Inuyasha stood back to back.

"Any ideas?" Kagome asked.

"I'm thinking, damn it!" was the reply. The demons stopped fighting and just stood there looking down at them with looks of trimuph.

"That wench with learn that I won't let a half-demon stop me!" Borac said as he worked his way to the front of the mob.

Kagome backed closer into Inuyasha. He growled as he scented her fear. He wasn't about to let her die. Suddenly the air was pierced by a scream. Everyone looking around and Kagome froze stiff.

"Kai..."

Sorry for the cliffy and a long time between updates.

PLEASE REVIEW!

-SMR

This button is your friend.