Chapter 6
Despair
It was a small village. Not many people had lived there, only twenty or so. But for every one that they had to bury, they felt their hearts weighed down in grief. They could only assume that while they had been inside the temple walls, these people had been attacked. Sango had nearly burst into tears when they found the little ones that had been trailing Suitkotsu. Inuyasha and Miroku was surprised that she had shown such weakness, for it wasn't very characteristic of her, but they understood. One of them had looked like Kohaku, and it only served to remind her she had failed. She had failed to protect her brother and she had failed to protect these young ones as well. Though no one thought that way of her, she felt it was the truth.
Miroku and Inuyasha worked diligently to bury the villagers while Sango and Shippo went to find flowers for their graves. Miroku watched the two, smiling slightly to his-self. Sango was trying to comfort Shippo for the loss of Kagome, Shippo in turn trying to comfort her. He could only think that Sango would be a wonderful mother someday, that was if they lived through the battle with Naraku, he though with a grimace.
"Hey, you just going to stare at Sango all day or are you going to help?" Inuyasha said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Even though everyone thought him to be dense, which he liked because no one would come to him trying to talk about their problems, he knew very well what they felt for each other. The looks they would sneak at each other, were the same as he would sneak to Kikyo.
Sango, overhearing what he said, quickly turned her head away blushing. Miroku, surprisingly said nothing, and went back to praying over each grave.
Inuyasha shook his head. He had been hoping to raise the groups morale, he needed them to focus on Kagome, not their grief. This isn't right. Normally Miroku would have something sly to say, then Sango would end up hitting him in the head when he started daydreaming. We have to get Kagome back. He looked up to the sky. The sun was barely visible, disappearing behind the trees. Before he had met Kagome, he would have left the bodies to rot and went after those who had attacked him. He wouldn't have cared about stupid humans that, he thought, wouldn't accept him. Now, though, he knew that not everyone was the same. He had found friends that accepted him for who he was, and it was all because of her. She was his best friend, and he'd be damned if he was going to lose her.
Sango, Shippo, and Miroku joined him where he stood looking at the sunset. "We need to make camp Inuyasha. Tomorrow we will search for information on the men that attacked us. I believe they have Kagome, or at least know who does." Miroku expected him to argue, but he simply nodded his head and took off for a tree.
"Get some sleep. We leave early tomorrow." That was all that was said from the hanyou. Miroku and Sango shared a look. They knew he was having a hard time with Kagome being gone, they all were, but he didn't seem to be out of control like they thought he would be. They made camp, ate ramen from Kagomes' bag, and laid down to get some rest. Above them in a tree, a pair of amber eyes surveyed the area, watching over his friends as they slept.
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Miroku was having the most wonderful dream. So wonderful in fact, that if the leading lady knew the part she played, surely he would not remain amongst the living. It was nearing extremely wonderful when he was abruptly awoken. He cracked open an eye, and upon seeing an annoyed Inuyasha, decided in would be in his best interest to get up and wake the others.
He grumbled under his breath about being woken from his most pleasurable dream state, then an idea came to him. Being one to never pass up an opportunity, he put his plan to action. He kneeled down in front of Sango's sleeping form. Reason told him that if he was to caress her back side, she would turn over to slap him thinking he was behind. He reached over her slim body, slowly and quietly, as not to wake her. He knew she would wake up immediately after he touched her, but was hoping to get out of slapping range by the time did. He had the urge to laugh manically as his hand neared it destination.
A slap resounded through the clearing. "Pervert!" Sango screamed at him, gathering her things to get ready to leave. Inuyasha grunted something about screaming females assaulting his ears when Sango turned on him. "You knew what he would try to do, so you deserved it. Grrr, sit boy!" Inuyasha flinched, those words alone having an effect on him. Frustrated by the boys, and because she wished Kagome was there, she stormed off. She was having a hard time with Kagome missing and also the little boys they had to bury. "Come on Shippo, I don't want you to be influenced by these two." She yelled back.
Shippo looked at the males and shook his head. Will they ever learn? He questioned his-self, before running off to find the furious woman. Sango was scary when she was mad, and he didn't want any of that anger directed towards him.
Miroku was still on the ground rubbing his cheek. He didn't understand, he hadn't even touched her, yet, and somehow she knew what he was planning. He didn't think she had been awake, so maybe she had developed a sixth sense. He sighed, oh well, there was always later.
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Inuyasha had checked the area around the temple for the scent of the men. They had been light, nearly gone, but they had lead in a general direction. The group had walked for two days, taking time only to camp. Silence reigned over them, as each was lost in their own thoughts.
Inuyasha halted the group, sniffing the air. Kilala started growling, and grew into her larger form. "What is it Inuyasha?" Sango asked, knowing there must be something wrong for Kilala to act that way.
"There's a village ahead of us. They are burning it down." By they the group assumed them be the men they were in pursuit of. Sango and Miroku jumped on Kilala's back while Inuyasha raced through the trees.
When they reached the village, there wasn't any villagers in sight. They prayed to Kami that they had made it out alive. The village itself was in ruins, smoke billowing out from what was left of the homes. They made their way through the destruction towards the center of the small town, before a familiar voice stopped them.
"You monsters! How could you!" They all turned around to face the voice of their friend. Shock overwhelmed them, and they were speechless. There before them was Kagome, arrow pulled back aiming at Inuyasha's heart. She looked beautiful, dressed in a traveling kimono, hair pulled up in a complicated twist. She was the same, though in the few days they hadn't seen her, her soft features turned more into a hardened warriors. Rage filled her eyes, turning them white with the power she was to use against them.
They didn't know what happened to their young friend, but what ever it was, it was bad. Sango started to take a step towards the miko, but was held back by Miroku. She looked at him, questioning him with her eyes, but he merely shook his head. Shippo, who was about to lunge towards her, was then held back by Sango. He whimpered, knowing there was something wrong with his mother figure, but wanting to be with her so bad.
Inuyasha shook his head as if to clear it. This was not the bright happy girl he once knew.
"Kagome," He was cut off.
"Be quite you retched creature! You don't deserve to live! With all that you've done to me, to these people! You don't deserve any last words!" Kagome screamed at him, shaking with rage. She took a deep breath, then released her arrow. Filled with her power, it was meant for only one purpose, to purify him to hell.
A.N. Ok guys. I have to say I was very dissapointed that the last chapter got only one review. I wish I wouldn't have to ask, but please, please review. Let me know if its good, bad, wonderful, or sucks.:) Sorry for taking so long with the update. I really kind of lost my inspiration for a while. Thanks for reading my story everyone:)
