Chapter 27

"Who the hell said that?", Inuyasha demanded, looking confused.

"I did.", said a voice as a female figure entered the hut.

"Who the hell are you?", Inuyasha demanded to know.

"Inuyasha!", Miroku chided him, "Pardon him, my lady, he is very upset because of his wife."

"No need to pardon him, he's always that way. I am very familiar with the second pup of the legendary Leader of the Dogs."

"How do you know me?", Inuyasha asked angrily.

"That information is not important right now. But the shikigami that cursed Kagome is.", she said.

Really getting angry and perturbed, Inuyasha demanded again, "Who the hell are you and how do you know her name? I've never seen you before."

"I know a great deal about everything.", the woman said as she made her way to Kagome. Kneeling down beside her, she smiled at little Yasha, "Your mama's going to be just fine, young pup. I'll take care of her.", then turning to Miroku, "Monk, I think it would be a wise idea if you take the child over to your home and let your wife watch him."

A confused monk agreed, "Yes, my lady, I will do that. Come with me Yasha, so the lady can help your mama.". Yasha got up and followed Miroku out the door. Kaede was the next to speak,

"May we please know your name and how you knew about young Kagome's condition."

"Yes, I'm sorry. My name is Tamae. I am a witch from the far north. But I have been living in these parts for quite a while now. I felt the demonic aura when it approached. It is from a demon witch that lives far north of here. Near the extreme northern border of the island. I followed Inuyasha and Kagome here to offer my assistance.", she said quietly.

'Tamae? Where have I heard that name before?', Inuyasha wondered, before asking, "What can you do for her?"

At this time, Miroku came walking in, with Shippou on his shoulder. Shippou had been spending some time with Aya and Cho and didn't know about Kagome until Miroku explained everything to Sango and him. He had to come see her.

"Will she be alright?", Shippou asked as he jumped down to Kagome's side.

"I think so, young fox.", Tamae said.

"You THINK so? You said you could help her to my son!", Inuyasha said, his voice rising in anger.

"Actually, it will be YOU Inuyasha who will need to help her.", Tamae said.

"Me? Whaddya mean!", Inuyasha stated suspiciously.

"This curse is an unusual curse. Kagome is very much alive. But she is in an undead state.", Tamae started.

"Undead?", Shippou and Miroku said together.

"Yes, neither alive nor dead. Her spirit hovers in another world. A purgatory so to speak. The person who demanded this curse be placed on her is attempting to become reincarnated as her unborn child. With Kagome in this state, it is harder for her to resist this person. Harder for her to fight for the safety and well-being of her unborn child. But, fighting she is. She is giving this person more resistance then this person expected."

"Do you know who demanded this curse placed upon Kagome?", Miroku asked.

"Only one person is evil enough to be able to reach back from the world of the dead and do this sort of thing. Only one. His name is ... Naraku!"

Kaede, Miroku, Shippou, and Inuyasha just stared at the woman as one word, one name escaped them all, "NARAKU!"