Authors Note:
Sorry for taking so long. I've been so busy these past days that I haven't had time to write my story. Eek! But it's done now so please don't throw anything at me!
-ducks for cover-
Outside the sun's rays warmed up the Shrine. It's bright light shone through closed curtains to display a march of shadows across the walls. Gentle wind flew into the Shrine with a hissing sound that could be heard all through out the street. The land slept eerily for only the wind made it's sinful song.
"Good Morning!" Hoshiko jumped down the stairs with a large smile on her face. Inuyasha and Kagome sat on the dining table. They stared at their plates as if they were utterly bored. "I said good morning!" she yelled again.
"Eh.." was all she got out of Inuyasha while Kagome replied, "Konnichiwa"
After last night, they didn't have more energy or desire to argue some more. They figured that they could let this one pass for now. Inuyasha took his empty plate and placed it in the kitchen.
"Come on, we better leave." He took hold of Hoshiko's arm and started walking outside. "Inuyasha! Wait!" called out Kagome as she stumbled on the chair's leg. "I better call my mother and tell her I'm going back."
He stopped the instant she replied then turned around to stare at her. "Uh, Kagome?" he said.
"Nani?" she blinked continuously as he kept his gaze upon her. "Are you sure you can go back?"
Her shoulders slumped then she rolled her eyes, "Of course I can, Inuyasha. I just need to tell my mother, hold on" She took the phone and walked into the kitchen. Inuyasha felt uneasy that Kagome was willing to leave for the Feudal Era. Hoshiko could feel how his hand trembled lightly on hers.
When they arrived at Kaede's hut they saw Sango sitting on the porch while Shippo and Kirara were playing nearby. "Kagome!" she screamed in happiness and sprung to her feet. Shippo stared for a moment at Sango's sudden reaction yet did the same when he saw the miko.
Shippo jumped on Kagome's shoulder and hugged her head tightly screaming, "Kagome! Kagome, you're back! I'm so happy to see you again!" Inuyasha watched this with an annoyed look on his face.
Hoshiko patted Shippo lightly on the head before staring off in Inuyasha's direction. He walked slowly with his arms crossed then disappeared inside the hut. Miroku soon came out with a rice ball in hand and a large smile painted across his face.
"Ohayou-gozaimasu lady Kagome!" he said and gave her a small hug. She smiled at her friends and walked with them into the hut where Inuyasha was sitting down with his legs crossed. He seemed to be meditating since his eyes were closed and he took long, deep breaths.
He felt Hoshiko's tiny hand on his shoulders and he squinted a bit. He didn't mean to. "Eh.." he looked up at her, "Hello" She wondered what could be wrong with him. He seemed so distant all of a sudden and it frightened her.
He closed his eyes once again to regain his thoughts while his friends chatted away about Kagome's injuries and past days.
As Hojo's name came into the conversation, Inuyasha's ears twitched and a low growl escaped him but it dulled away in a matter of seconds. His worries flowed into his mind after the growling subsided. Naraku, Hoshiko, Kagome and even Kikyou had left him troubled. It seemed his powers as a half-demon were useless now. He felt like the full moon rested above his head. Vulnerability entered his body.
He breathed slowly to enjoy the fresh aroma of flowers that was carried by the wind, the pollen tickling his nose. But he never moved or breathed again, he just sat quietly, peacefully. Yet such harmony never rests long enough.
Outside a scream could be heard. It sounded high-pitched and female-like. When the sound reached Inuyasha's ears he immediately jumped up and ran outside to face Shippo and Kirara, both unconscious on the floor. "Where's Hoshiko?"
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Naraku held Hoshiko over his shoulders as he bounded off through the forest, leaping over boulders to escape arrows. Kagome aimed again yet Inuyasha jumped high and quick which made her miss once more. She grabbed Inuyasha's neck tightly before she fell off his back. "Inuyasha! I'll never get him like this!" he grunted at her complaint and kept running.
'That filthy bastard isn't going to get away with this!' Inuyasha gritted his teeth in anger.
The couple halted, where they saw Naraku standing with Hoshiko placed harmlessly on the floor. Her hair glistened with the bit of light escaping the canopy of trees. She lay still.
"Naraku! Give her back before I rip you apart!" yelled Inuyasha. The half-demon growled in fury as he clenched the Tetsuseiga, pointing it at Naraku. His hand trembled when he gripped harder on the handle.
Naraku stood without a sound. It angered Inuyasha how he wouldn't respond him. At last, he couldn't take the silence any longer and charged towards him.
The Tetsuseiga struck the ground hard as Naraku evaded his attack. He tugged at the sword unsuccessfully, it had dug into the ground too deep. He tugged again but only to get hit on the side by Naraku's tentacles. Inuyasha flew against a tree, leaving the Tetsuseiga on the ground.
"Tisk, tisk" Naraku shook his head, "Inuyasha, you poor fool, try again" A smile emerged beneath the dead monkey's fangs as it rested on Naraku's shoulders. He stood just a mere inches away from Hoshiko.
Inuyasha charged again, "Iron Reaver!"
A few tentacles smashed onto the floor but that wasn't enough to stop Naraku from sending more tentacles his way. He dodged each one with great speed. Inuyasha smirked at his opponent then jumped once more to the top of the tentacles. "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
Inuyasha landed lightly on his feet then looked at Naraku. Three great slashes were embedded onto his chest and his eyes gleamed with a ghostly blue glow. However, they disappeared in seconds. "Huh?" Inuyasha was dumbfounded.
"Inuyasha! Naraku contains a jewel shard on his forehead!" screamed Kagome.
"You could of told me that earlier!" he yelled back, 'the Tensuseiga!' He had left it on the ground and still he had forgotten to retrieve it. Inuyasha started to sprint towards his sword yet was cut off by one of Naraku's tentacles. The hanyou screamed as he flew backwards.
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Sango had placed both Shippo and Kirara on the beds with cool cloths on their heads. Lady Kaede was making some tea in the far side of the hut. The smoke rose from the burning coal through the wooden boards of the ceiling.
"Hurry up Sango! Inuyasha is already in battle!" said Miroku. He peered in through the door for only a moment then retreated into the forest. "Coming!" she answered back. "Go ahead, Sango. They will be okay" Kaede emitted a wrinkled smile. She nodded before running out of the hut with her Hiraikotsu.
They arrived to see Inuyasha slam onto a mound of dirt with such force that he created a dust cloud around his body as well as a dent in the ground. He groaned at his sore muscles then stood up again. "Inuyasha be more careful!" shouted Kagome. She stood far from Naraku's reach yet close enough to hear Inuyasha groan.
All the while, Hoshiko was on the ground. Her body seemed to be entranced in a deep sleep. Her eyelids shown motion as if she was dreaming even though they were partially covered by her shadowy bangs. The lips that once kissed Inuyasha had now lost their rosy color and became chapped, showing various cuts along the sides. The hanyou's skin had grown quite pale in the few moments spent fighting. Inuyasha noticed this as he glanced at her. His heart felt as if it were tightened by the horrid sight.
For the third time, Inuyasha leaped towards his sword. This time he was able to reach it as Sango took care of the tentacles hurled at his direction. He tugged at the handle and it finally gave way. He sneered as he turned to face the disgusting demon.
"Wind Scar!"
A long, vivid light rushed towards Naraku and tore at his flesh violently. With a mere shriek, he was gone. In his place lay a marionette. Satisfied, Inuyasha positioned his Tentsuseiga back in it's place and walked towards Hoshiko. Her appearance had gone back to normal. With a pinch to the arm, Hoshiko woke. "Ouch! Why did you do that for?" she shouted at Inuyasha.
"Just making sure you're alright." he grinned in a mocking way. He let out his hand for her to take. She paused for a second to stare at it. The clawed fingers were faintly stained in blood and were murky with dirt. "I'll get up by myself, thank you"
He stood aside to let her get up and then lead her back to the hut where Shippo and Kirara were drinking tea. They showed bruises on their arms and faces. "Oh! Hoshiko! Thank Gods you're alright!" Shippo exclaimed.
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They rested for the night knowing that tomorrow they would start traveling again. They figured it be best to cover some ground, find more Shikon shards and get some exercise. Most of them had started to complain about their boring moments stuck inside the hut yet none let Kaede know. Her hospitality was greatly appreciated.
Naraku's attack made everyone think: why did he want Hoshiko?
No one knew the answer except for Hoshiko herself. However, they didn't dare ask her. After what she had to go through that day, they decided to keep it off for another time. Inuyasha was deeply worried about her. He had saved her this time but what if he wouldn't be able to one day? What if he ever had the curse to choose between Hoshiko and Kagome? Or Kikyou?
'Foolishness!' he thought, 'That probably won't happen'
However, it had. If Kagome hadn't gotten into a jealous fit then nothing bad would of happened to her. Instead of showing Kagome the truth, Inuyasha let her go, taking Hoshiko's side. The moment in which he'd find this out was looking quite dim.
'Rest, that's it. Everything will be fine in the morning' Inuyasha slumbered with these thoughts. Peace was sure to come in the morning for him and nothing seemed to make him think otherwise.
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Morning came and so did peace. The bird's songs showed it clearly. The sky loomed in a shadow of baby blue with not a single cloud in sight. Bright rays of sunshine woke up the half-demon.
He looked around at his friends sleeping. 'It was sure a nice day for travel', he thought. His worries left while he bathed in the river. Despite the bitter cold from the water, everything showed to be peaceful and calm. He dressed and combed his hair, passing each clawed finger between strands of hair. He let the sun dry up his skin and hair then walked back to the village.
"Inuyasha, we're eating breakfast, come join us." smiled the miko. She handed him a plate filled with many kinds of foods, some of which he did not know of. 'Seems like one of Kagome's picnics' he stuffed the strange food in his mouth with no hesitation.
"Do you like it?" she asked eagerly. He never answered. She frowned and asked the others the same question. They replied happily saying the meal was great. Hoshiko was especially intrigued by the many kinds of foods. Growing up next to Inuyasha meant having Ramen all the time. Sure, they ate other things yet it was rare to see any meal without the noodles placed somewhere on the table.
She never complained for she too was obsessed with the slimy noodles but it was nice to see how Kagome had prepared this breakfast for them. She frowned, 'why won't he answer Kagome?'
"Kagome, he thinks it's delicious and greatly appreciates you making this meal for us!" she said before stuffing another morsel into her mouth. Inuyasha stared at her with a blank expression. Chewing and gulping his food, he said, "Yea, what she said!" Still Kagome would of loved hearing him say it.
They packed some supplies into Kagome's backpack and started leaving the village. They stretched and breathed deeply. Joy spread over every face. "So, where are we going?" asked Hoshiko exited for new adventures. "Anywhere" replied Inuyasha, "Wherever we can find more shards." She frowned. She didn't understand: why search for something you already have?
"But why?" she asked.
"Why? So demons cannot get their filthy hands on them! That's why!" he said.
"Oh" she looked down with a saddened expression showing her confusion, "But I supposed that since I have it then you wouldn't need to look for it."
"Silly girl, of course we do! The shards are still out there and it's better that we keep moving."
They walked two miles before stopping to rest. They laid out their supplies such as their pots and pans to cook dinner. "Me and Miroku will go out hunting, you girls stay here!" The girls groaned bitterly at Inuyasha's remark. They always stayed behind even though Kagome was an excellent archer and Sango a master of her boomerang. Hoshiko easily got offended. "How come you boys get to hunt while we stay at camp? Don't you think we're good enough to hunt too?"
"Uh" Inuyasha felt surrounded by roaring demons as he looked upon the girls. "No, of course not! Just stay here okay?" Hoshiko reluctantly sat down next to Sango and watched the boys disappear beyond the trees of the forest.
They chatted of pure nonsense until Inuyasha and Miroku returned with rabbits in hand. They skinned and cooked the rabbits before putting out the fire and falling into deep sleep. 'The first day of travel went pretty well', thought Inuyasha. He knew everyone else thought the same.
Out of the darkness that enveloped the forest, a slight purple glow emerged. It came from the sleeping hanyou girl that rested her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. Hoshiko immediately got up to press her hands over her aching head. A low high-pitched sound made her ears hurt. "What is th-that?" she managed to say.
Hoshiko's shoulders relaxed, the sound was gone and her head ached no more. When she tried to lay down again, she saw that her body was immobilized. 'What's happening? Why can't I move?'
Inuyasha woke up for he felt a certain warmth gone from his shoulders. He looked up to face Hoshiko. She stood over him but didn't utter a word. "Go back to sleep Hoshiko" he said. Nothing. There was only silence.
"Hoshiko, I said go back to sleep!" he raised an eyebrow at her, he was confused at how she didn't react. "Hoshiko!" He stood up to shake her softly. Still nothing. "This isn't funny, go back to sleep now! You can explore the forest in the morning."
She thrusted her hand into his chest, clawed his stomach. He gasped for air and stared into her eyes. They glowed blood red.