When Night Falls

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, so stop asking me for my autograph dammit!

Hi everybody! Here I am with the second installment of When Night Falls. I spent four hours over two days writing this, and I ended up with 2164 words or something. Yeehaw! That makes it my longest ever submission! I want to thank MoonyMe and Veglma for their very kind reviews! So here it is, enjoy!
Chapter 1
Serpents and Seizures

With Miroku's headache continually worsening, Inuyasha and Co. unfortunately had to pay for an inn that night. Of course, in Miroku's weakened condition he had been unable to stop them from raiding his wallet either. However, much to his gratitude, Sango had stopped Kagome from getting the most expensive room in the place, rather, one non-fancy room large enough to accommodate all of them.

But, luck did not seem to be on their side that night and they had forgotten to account for the fact that they would need an extra bed for Miroku, who would normally sleep sitting up against a wall.

"It's okay; I'll be fine sitting up," he said, smiling as he normally did.

"You should really lie down…" said Kagome.

"Really! I'll be okay, it's just a little headache…"

"Dammit, Houshi-sama, think about yourself for once!" yelled Sango. "Here, you can take my bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

"Sango, you don't have to…"

Sango simply gave him a death glare and that was the end of that argument right there. Sighing in defeat, Miroku slipped into the bed. He had to admit, it felt good to actually sleep lying down for once. And the futon was fairly comfortable.

"Thank you Sango-sama," he said.

Sango merely waved him off.

By the time Koga returned to the wolves den, the sky had nearly darkened to the point of night. Walking casually into the cave he was almost immediately encountered by Hakkaku.

"What you find boss?" he questioned curiously.

"Just a very old wolf out of his goddamn mind," said Koga. "The world ain't gonna end, what a joke."

"Uh… end of the world, boss?" asked Hakkaku nervously.

"Don't worry too much about. Nothing's gonna destroy the world while I'm alive."

Hakkaku nodded, though he still didn't look convinced. As Koga walked past him he spoke up once more. "'ey, Koga? Where's Ginta?"

Koga looked back. "That slowpoke? He's probably ogling some she-wolf somewhere."

Sango was the first to wake up, as she normally was. Pushing some stray hair behind her ear, she rose noiselessly to her feet. Squinting her eyes slightly she looked around the dark room. Kagome was sleeping soundlessly, Shippo wrapped tightly in her arms. Inuyasha was snoring up against the wall, his arms resting protectively across the Tetsusaiga.

And then there was Miroku. Sango nearly panicked at how still he was until she noticed he was breathing slightly. When he slept, Miroku was usually very restless. Sango, as a light sleeper, had woken up to his groans before and had looked over to see him struggling against an unknown force, his brow furrowed in either anger or great concentration. But there he was, sleeping as peaceful as she had ever seen him. Something about his face captured her eyes, and for a time unknown to her, she was content just watching his lips moving as he silently breathed in and out. She was dragged back into reality when Kirara mewed at her feet. Instantly feeling her face heat up, she bent down to pick up the demon cat who, once in her arms, snuggled happily into her chest.

"Let's go get some fresh air, what do you say Kirara?" The cat-youkai mewed in response.

Sango yawned as she stepped into the cool night air. There was a slight breeze that played with her hair, causing her to shiver. In her arms, Kirara let put a growl.

"You feel that too, Kirara?" Sango asked. There was something about the air that night. It was an ominous feel… unsettling. It wasn't demonic though, Sango had enough experience to know that. Still shivering she looked towards the sky.

Instantly her breath caught in her chest. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't. She tried to call to her friends, but all that came out of her mouth was air. Panicking, she ran back into the room.

"Inuyasha, Houshi-sama, Kagome! Wake up!" she screamed, her voice finally finding her again.

Inuyasha quickly jumped to his feet, and instinctively unsheathed his Tetsusaiga.

"Shit! Kagome, do you feel that?" he asked the waking girl. Whatever the force outside was, it was strengthening by the second.

"What is it?" Kagome asked, pure terror in her eyes, not realizing she was practically crushing Shippo in her grasp.

"I- I don't know! It ain't Naraku though!"

A sudden, ear-piercing scream came to their ears as they turned in time to see Miroku fall off the bed. He rolled around on the floor clutching his head tightly with his hands all while screaming his lungs out. Sango caught his eyes for a brief moment to see them practically bugging out of his skull.

"HOUSHI-SAMA!" she screamed. She quickly ran to his side. "Houshi-sama! What is it?"

"It… it hurts!" he stuttered under his pain.

"What's going on Sango?" asked a fear-filled Kagome.

"Outside… the sky!" she yelled, all while trying to comfort Miroku.

"Kagome," said Inuyasha. The school girl nodded and they ran outside.

There were new emotions that surface in Inuyasha the moment he looked upward. For once in his life he was scared out of his mind. "Damn…"

Kagome was staring wide-eyed at the sky, trying desperately to convince herself this was some kind of bad dream. Shippo had instantly burst into tears.

The sky was black with thick, cumulus clouds. And yet the force emulating from it was so great. Lightning would flash in the sky and the clouds would be temporarily translucent. That's when the true terror began. Behind the clouds serpentine figures could be seen stretching and writhing across the vast expanse of the sky.

"Inuyasha, what is that?" stuttered Kagome.

"I-I don't know. But we have to get out of here, NOW!"

Kagome nodded and ran inside to get their stuff. There she found Sango cradling Miroku's unconscious body.

"Sango… what happened?"

Sango was in near tears. "I had to… I had to knock him out… he was in… so much pain…"

Kagome nodded, Miroku would be okay. By no means was he unacquainted with blows over the head by the young taijiya. "Come, we're leaving."

Sango nodded and flung Miroku's body over her shoulder. Cradling Hiraikotsu over her other shoulder she called to Kirara. She ran outside and jumped onto the transformed youkai's back. Kagome rode piggy-back on Inuyasha with Shippo hiding in her bookbag as they took off.

"Where do we go?" asked Sango.

"South! To Kaede's!" answered Kagome as they darted through the forest.

"Ah! Lord Sesshomaru!" yelled Rin as she grabbed tighter onto her guardian's pants leg.

"Rin! Don't bother Lord Sesshomaru with your fears!" yelled Jaken, though he himself jumped when lightning darted across the sky.

"Jaken?"

"Ah, yes Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Shut up." Jaken's face flushed, but he kept his mouth shut. "Don't worry Rin," Sesshomaru said in his usual monotone, "as long as you're with me you're safe."

Rin calmed slightly, "I just want this night to end…" she whined.

(Yes, for you Sesshomaru lovers, this story will contain the one, the only, SESSHOMARU! No romance with him though, he doesn't seem the type… sorry. Actually, no I'm not. He's always paired up with Kagome (not right!), Rin, or Inuyasha (Both of which are just disgusting!))

Inuyasha and Co. were happy to see upon arrival that Kaede's village had not yet fallen prey to the darkness that had covered much of the land to the north. The sky was covered in clouds, but it was nowhere near the point where they completely blocked out the sun. Kaede had welcomed them as she always did, but they noticed she seemed particularly jumpy…

Sango couldn't help but on occasion glance over to the unconscious body of Miroku that had been laid carefully on the floor of Kaede's hut. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she was very worried about the young Houshi. What had caused that fit he had back at the inn? She knew it had something to do with the darkness but…

"How long do you suppose we have 'til the darkness comes?" Inuyasha asked Kagome. He was leaning up against the wall, looking nervously out the window.

"I don't know… I figure maybe a day or two, the feeling is weak here."

"Damn…" cursed Inuyasha, "I didn't see this coming."

Walking up to him, Kagome grasped onto the sleeve of his shirt. "It'll all work out… it always has." Kagome, always the optimist.

"I hope so…" Inuyasha's ears drooped a bit, "I don't like this… I haven't felt like this since I was a pup."

"You're scared?"

"Feh, of course not, I'm just… anxious."

From the look in Kagome's eyes it was obvious she didn't believe him. However, her knowledge of Inuyasha told her not to argue with him. She decided to change the subject.

"What do you suppose caused Miroku's fit at the inn?" She wondered.

"How the hell should I know?"

"I was just asking, you don't need to be so rude." Kagome stole a glance at Sango, who was seated very silently. Deciding to let Inuyasha stew in his own thoughts, she went to talk to the taijuya.

"You think he'll wake up soon?" she asked.

Sango looked up she was pulled out of her thoughts. "Huh?"

"Do you think Miroku will wake up soon?" Kagome repeated.

"I… don't know," Sango answered quietly, "I didn't think I hit him too hard…"

"Are you worried?"

"What? No! Of course not! I mean… a little! But I'm sure he'll be fine…" Sango rambled as a blush graced her face.

Kagome sighed. Inuyasha and Sango… they were both the same. Why couldn't they just come out and say how they were feeling?

It had been a rough night for Koga and his tribe. Of course, how he knew the night was over was beyond him. The mountains and fields that made up his territory were now nearly completely blackened. Koga himself was tired from staying up all night. In truth, he didn't think any of the wolves had slept. Rubbing his tired eyes, he scanned the scene beneath him from his perch at the peak of the mountain. Perhaps the old geezer had been right?

Naw, Koga, don't think like that, he told himself, It's just dark, that's all, certainly not the end of the world.

Then, a new scent caught his nose. It was a scent he knew well, however. After rubbing his eyes once more he dashed down the mountain's steep sides.

"Ayame? What are you doing here?" he asked upon coming across the pack of wolves he had only been searching for only half a day before.

Ayame blushed slightly. She seemed a bit nervous. "Well… we figured we're never going to escape this so… we were just wondering… could we stay with you guys for now? At least until this thing is settled."

"Why would you even ask that? You're wolves; of course you can stay with us." Koga retorted.

"Really?" asked Ayame, "Thank you!" She lunged forward to capture Koga in a hug, but one look at his face and she decided against it. Blushing, she returned to her tribe. "Thanks," she repeated, a little less exuberantly.

"No problem," Koga gave a toothy grin before leading them to the dens.

It was well past noon when Miroku finally woke up.

"Ow…" he moaned as he sat up and ran his fingers over the large bump on his head.

"Ah! Miroku, you're awake!"

Miroku's eyes scanned the room to see Kagome smiling happily at him.

"How… long was I out?" he asked.

"Twelve hours at least," said Kagome, as she brought him one of her bottles of water.

"That long?"

"Yeah. Miroku… do you remember anything that happened last night?"

Miroku took a swig of water before speaking. "I remember… immense pain. And then… there was someone there. 'It'll be allright'… they kept saying that. Then… something hit me… that's all."

"Miroku, this is important. When you woke up, did you… sense anything?"

Miroku gave a small nod. "How did you know?"

Kagome ignored his question and continued her own interrogating. "What did you feel Miroku?"

"It… wasn't like anything I've ever felt before. It wasn't demonic either… but it was over-powering. It felt like there was something in my head, trying to force its way out. I felt like my skull was going to explode… every orifice of my body was filled with immense pressure and… whatever it was… it was evil. More evil than Naraku. I… I thought I was going to die…"

That was when Sango walked into the room.

"Houshi-sama! You're awake!" she exclaimed, rushing over to the seated monk. "How are you? Is your heads okay?"

"It's fine… fine." He repeated for the still fussing Sango. "The only thing that hurts is this bump right here…"

"Sorry…" said Sango, blushing.

"Why?"

"Well, it's just… you were in so much pain I… I hit you over the head with Hiraikotsu."

Miroku just stared for a minute before laughing slightly.

"What's so funny?" asked Sango with her anger rising.

"Nothing, it's just funny to think about. Thank you, though."

Sango was now blushing again. "It was nothing really."

Miroku began chuckling again before Inuyasha barged into the room.

"Now's no time for jokes," he said sternly.

Outside, the sky darkened.

End Chapter 1

Ooooo... my first cliffy... Yay!

Please review to keep my confidence in this story up!