Chapter 15

It took them four days to return to her home. It was quieter than she remembered growing up. As a child the town had seemed so busy, so lively. Now it seemed empty. The huts and homes that remained unoccupied still sported damage from the night Kagura attacked. The road that used be lined with vendors of all kinds was mostly gone. A few stands with fruits and vegetables were all that remained.

Kagome nostalgically walked the halls of the castle. They were darker than she remembered, colder. She remembered hating it here, wishing everyday she could leave. Little did she know, she would soon be forced from the only place she had ever called home. She came upon her door, the one that once felt like a cage every time she walked through. Nothing had changed about the room. It had never been filled with many things. Her futon still lay rolled in the corner. The chair and table where she sat to brush her hair, still standing.

She walked over to her window. Her favorite thing about the room, and why she had wanted it when Midoriko-sama let her pick. The view was stunning. Overlooking the town, and all the greenery and mountains that lay beyond. She remembered finding solace in the sunsets, and enjoying the breaking of the dawn. When she had started waking early to make time for Hojo, watching the sunrise was her only motivation to move from her bed.

'Hojo.' She wondered how long it would hurt this time. The first time, it felt as if the pain would never go away. She thought, for a long time, the loneliness would consume her before the heartache did. Then she turned it off, simply because she couldn't stand it. The hurt, the grief, it didn't matter when she was slicing evil things to bits. She remembered the days of facing her enemies with no fear, because it didn't matter to her whether she lived or died. Without love, she felt like she had nothing.

Then the seal on the jewel weakened, her teacher was murdered, and she met two demons willing to go to the ends of earth with her to find the pieces she had inadvertently scattered. Suddenly the world seemed a little brighter, even with the threat of Naraku looming over them, she had people she could depend on.

"You've been given what I wished for at the time of my death...people who would care about you just as much, if not more, than I did."

Her throat began to tighten as the tears gathered in her eyes. Though she cried, her heart felt lighter than it did the first time. This time the loss didn't threaten to destroy her. Instead of the searing agony that accompanied Hojo's first demise, this pain felt closer to a dull ache. She wondered if it was because they had been able to see each other again, even if for a short while. The closure they'd both needed finally soothing the last of the hurt that remained.

Her hip warmed as she unconsciously began to fiddle with the sword that rested there. She smiled as the feeling comforted her. A knock on her door drew her away from the window. She placed a calming hand over heart, the sudden intrusion alarming her.

"You gonna eat with us wench?" Inuyasha asked as soon as she opened the door. He stood casually, his arms crossed as he leaned on the door frame. She nodded in response and he moved to let her come through the doorway. They walked side by side, a bit of space between them. The silence was comfortable, but loud. Kagome knew that Inuyasha was probably trying to give her space. She appreciated the thought of him trying to be considerate of her feelings, but if there was anything she needed right now, it was her friend.

"Inuyasha, after dinner, will you come somewhere with me?" His head turned quickly in her direction, clearly a bit taken off guard by the question. He grunted out in affirmation, and they continued to walk to where Sango and Miroku would be waiting.

Dinner was quiet but comfortable. She wanted to let everyone know that they didn't have to worry, or walk on eggshells around her. She just didn't have the energy to correct them.

Kagome collected the plates when everyone was done and brought them to the wash room. There was a large basin of water and some rags and Kagome began to gingerly scrub the utensils. It had been so long since she ate on a plate, or at a table. She found she missed the smoky taste of campfire on her food.

When she was done, she made her way back to the dining area. Inuyasha sat at the table with his head bowed and arms buried in the sleeves of his kimono. His ears twitched at her approach and he opened one eye to peer at her.

"You finished yet?" He called, not unkindly.

"I might have been faster had you helped me." She replied with a smile that suggested she was merely teasing him.

He blushed and dismissed her jab with a soft "keh." She walked over to him and he stood from the table to be beside her. She gave him a quick look before exiting the room and he followed her. He kept a few paces behind her, a little surprised to see her out of her miko garbs and her hair down. The only time he saw her hair down was in the morning, when she first woke up. It was always a little frizzy and wild, but on her it looked...

Inuyasha shook the thought free from his brain. The pulled back look was nice too, it showed her more of her face. The kimono she wore was simple and clean, his gaze continued to travel down until they landed on her sandaled feet that were missing her traditional tabi socks.

He barely noticed when they made it outside. Finally coming to clearing where a large boulder rested. It was big enough to support them both and Kagome smiled kindly when Inuyasha gave her boost up to sit.

"The stars are really bright over here. I've never seen a night when the sky wasn't perfect." Kagome started. Inuyasha had never understood stargazing until he met Kagome. It never really moved him the way it seemed to do her, but he always enjoyed spending time with her doing something she liked. It was nice to see her at ease.

"If you say so wench." He said as he stretched out on his back, one leg bent at the knee and the other hanging off the edge.

"How did you feel when you found out Kikyou was dead?" She asked suddenly. His breath caught in his throat at the question and he almost choked on nothing.

"What're you asking about that for?" He said almost mortified.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me, Inuyasha. Maybe I shouldn't have asked." She said quietly. Eyes still pointedly turned towards the sky. For awhile Inuyasha had noticed a change in Kagome. Over time she seemed to get lighter, stand taller, the look in her eyes a little brighter. Now she seemed dull, like the spark that was once within her had been put out.

He didn't like it.

"I felt...nothing, for awhile." She spared him a quick side eye and quickly looked away. He remained in his same position, head tilted to the sky. "Kinda denied it for awhile too, after it sank in it still didn't feel real." He continued.

"Then I was angry, angry that she died not trusting me. She died hating me and it made me hate her, because I still loved her even after everything. I hated myself for that too." He said honestly. He turned his head because he could feel her eyes on him. She looked pained.

"What changed?" She asked, almost afraid of what was to come. He shrugged and broke eye contact. Trying to find the sense of peace Kagome said she felt when she took in the night sky.

"Learning of Naraku helped. Gave me a sense of purpose...and someone to blame that wasn't myself." He scratched his ear in a seemingly nonchalant gesture, but Kagome knew he tended to do that when he was nervous.

"This time doesn't hurt as much as it did the first time." She started. "I feel conflicted about...not being so sad." He sat up at her words, moving a scant inch closer to her.

"You have a sense of purpose now too." He said lowly. "Naraku has been using people's hearts like toys for too long. Yours, Kikyou's, Akumu's...mine." He looked up when her hand found his. It was cold from the night's chill.

She gave him a watery smile, "Hojo deserves to rest, Sango's brother deserves to come home, there are so many people that need to be saved. I'm glad you're here to help me though."

Without a word he draped his fire rat top over her shoulders. Kagome was shocked for no more than moment before tugging the fabric around her shoulders and leaning into Inuyasha's side. She smiled contently as Inuyasha once again began to scratch at his ear. They stayed that way until she fell asleep.

The next morning the gang rolled their bedding, enjoyed breakfast and the last hot baths they'd probably get for a long while. After heading east for several hours, the group stopped to have lunch. Inuyasha hadn't noticed his bouncing knee until Kagome placed a gentle hand on it. She gave him a concerned look and he turned away in a huff, quickly standing and jumping into the trees.

"He seems a bit anxious, no?" Sango said around a mouthful of rabbit. Kagome nodded her agreement but said nothing more. If he saw something or smelled something he would say something. He never liked when they were idle, even if it was necessary. Miroku snuffed out the fire and they continued their walk at a brisk pace, set by the grumpy dog demon.

Kagome was almost clotheslined as Inuyasha stuck out an arm to block the group's path. She was going to snap at him, but she noticed his nose going into overdrive.

"What is it?" She asked carefully.

"Blood, human blood, and lots of it." He said lowly. Soon Kagome was lifted onto Inuyasha's back as he took off into a sprint. Sango and Miroku followed closely behind. It only took a few minutes for them to reach the decimated remains of a small village. The town was littered with bodies, young, old, women and children. No one was spared.

"Who could've done this." Sango whispered in a horrified tone. Though she moved through the town checking for anything living, there was nothing to be found.

Inuyasha's nose and ears twitched and before he could shout to his friends he was taking a bite to the arm from a brown wolf. A punch to head shattered it's skull, but there were ten more in it's place.

"Iron reaver soul stealer!" His claws glowed as they ripped through flesh and bone. He watched as Miroku sucked a few into his wind tunnel and Sango's boomerang took out the ones that couldn't be swallowed. His heart began to pound in his ears and it wasn't from the rush of battle. Where was...

"Inuyasha!" Kagome's cry was swallowed by the clawed hand that covered her mouth. She tried to fight against the arms that held her close, but the grip was iron tight, it was no use.

"Kouga," Inuyasha exhaled as he recognized the demon, "let her go vermin." He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He couldn't go slicing about with Kagome in harms way.

"I don't think so. You've got a treasure here mutt, too bad you're too stupid to protect her right. While she's with me, no enemy of mine will ever lay hand on her." The demon tightened his hold on her and Inuyasha's vision began to bleed red.

Inuyasha unsheathed his sword hoping to scare the wolf, knowing full well he couldn't use it while the coward used Kagome as a shield. "I'll give you 5 seconds to let her go before I take your head off."

"I'd like to see you try, catch me if you can, dog breath." In a second Kagome was thrown over Kouga's shoulder like a sac of potatoes and the demon took off in a dead sprint. Inuyasha cursed as he took off after them, remembering that Kouga had shards of the jewel in his legs that gave him ungodly speed.

"Put me down this instant!" Kagome screamed, her tiny fists beating into Kouga's back not deterring him in the slightest. He seemed completely unfazed by her lack of cooperation.

"I'll give you back to the stupid mutt, I just need your help first." His quiet declaration gave her pause, what could he possibly need her help with?

Her confusion gave way to terror as Kouga ran head first off a cliff. She could hear Inuyasha calling her name in the distance as they came closer and closer to the ground. She thought her vocal cords would burst from the volume of her cries.

"Will you shut up! I ain't gonna drop you!"

"You just jumped off a 50 foot cliff! I'll scream if I want to!" And scream she did, for what felt like hours but was only a few minutes. If she had dared to close her mouth and open her eyes, she may have noticed that way the wolf demon maneuvered through the cliffs expertly. His grip was firm without hurting her. Even if he did drop her, he was coming with her because she held onto his fur skirt for dear life.

When the turbulent cycle of free falling and sky high jumping ended, Kagome finally felt like she could breathe. Soon they ducked under a waterfall, soaking them both to the bone. He threw her down, none too gently, as she gazed around wide eyed at the amount of wolf demons before her. He must have taken her to his tribe.

She shrank back as animals and demons alike began to close in on her, salivating at the thought of tasting her flesh. Surely he hadn't taken her just for her to be dinner? She thought he needed her help.

"This is Kagome." His voiced boomed and echoed throughout the cave, his tone full of authority and halting the predators wanting to eat her. "She is my woman and my property and anyone who tries to take a bite will die."

His wolves and comrades looked disappointed, but his command left no room for argument. From what she knew wolves were loyal and tended to follow the command of the pack leader without question. Though the lingering hungry gazes made her swallow hard.

"If you gluttons are so hungry then I will go hunt. Keep in mind, I will snap the neck of anyone who even looks at her too long."

"All this commotion over an ugly human wench?" One demon snickered. Soon his giggles were cut off as Kouga grabbed him by throat and promptly sliced the man from ear to ear. A hush fell over the cave as an example had just been made. She was off limits in every sense of the word, they would be wise to not even think of her for too long, least they bare brunt of Kouga's wrath.

"Ginta, Hokkaku, let's move." She watched as two male demons sent her a quick glance, before scurrying after their leader. Now she was alone, without any weapons. She'd dropped her bow in surprise the minute Kouga grabbed her. She been so focused on taking out his wolves, trying to help Inuyasha, she hadn't sensed him coming up behind her.

"Hey." Kagome jumped at the small voice. She looked around before a tug on her pant leg brought her eyes down. Beside her was a small boy with red hair and fluffy tail. He looked like a demon, but he wasn't a wolf.

"Hi." She said out of breath.

"I'm Shippou, your name is Kagome right? I remember Kouga said it when he first came in." He rambled.

"Yes, Kagome is my name. It's nice to meet you Shippou. Are you sure it's okay to be talking to me? I would hate for Kouga to be angry at you." She said gently.

"Kouga doesn't care about me. I'm not even a wolf or a part of this tribe, I'm a fox." The young kit stated his heritage proudly, his small chest puffing out.

Kagome giggled at his cuteness and Shippou began to blush. He always felt shy after making a girl laugh, especially a pretty one like Kagome.

"If you weren't born here, how did you end up here?" She prodded. He seemed to deflate a bit and Kagome felt slight guilt at asking.

"I got separated from my parents by a forest fire. My father tried to control the flames with his magic, but they were too strong. I got caught stealing from their food stores. Kouga said I was too weak to kill and I could work off the debt."

"Do you like it here Shippou?" Her question was met with a vigorous head shake.

"No way! The wolf cubs always pick on me and never let me play their games. Plus it's smelly in here." He pinched his nose for good measure and Kagome couldn't help the laugh that brewed in her belly. When she was done laughing, she leaned in close so she could whisper without being heard.

"I don't like it here either, so why don't we try and leave together? We can find my friends and we'll help you look for mom and dad, deal?"

"Deal!"

Kagome knew they needed to act fast. The perfect opportunity to escape would be while Kouga was away. Though the demons would be fast, none could compare to Kouga and hopefully even as she ran away the threat of death would keep them from harming her.

She wasn't sure how good Shippou would be at his fox magic, but his impression of Kouga even had her fooled for a moment.

"I didn't hear you come back Kouga." One man said suspiciously. Shippou grabbed Kagome by the arm and hauled her to her feet. He sent the man pointed a glare, and made a comment about not needing to check in with subordinates. It was enough to shut him up and the fox began to lead her from the cave.

Someone else stopped them to inquire about where they were going and Kagome began to sweat. Since when did subjects question their leader?

"Away from you smelly lot," Shippou threw out, "she needs some fresh air and you all need a bath." They tried to make their way quickly without looking too suspect. Shippou began to twitch as his magic began to fade. Suddenly he was yelping as one of the wolves noticed his fluffy tail, as opposed to Kouga's long one, and took a bite.

The pain derailed the young boy's train of thought and the gig was up.

"Stop them!" Someone yelled from behind. Kagome grabbed Shippou and ran without thinking. She had half the mind to take a spear sitting at the mouth of the cave as she ducked under the waterfall once more. Her wet clothes weighed her down, but she had to keep moving. She had to get back to her friends. She had to get back to Inuyasha.

She came to the edge of the cliff and there was no way she could take the jump like Kouga had. She turned around in panic as the growls and footsteps of Kouga's tribe closed in on them.

"Shippou can you transform into something that can fly?"

"Yes, but I'm not strong enough to carry you." He said, tears welling in his eyes.

"Call out for Inuyasha, he's a half dog demon with Silver hair and red clothing. Lead him back here, he'll save me, don't worry."

"But Kagome!" Before he could say anything more she tossed him with all her might over the cliff. The sound of chains wiped passed her as she realized they were trying to grab him. She threw the spear, deciding it was more important for Shippou to get away. At least if he was safe, there was still a chance for her.

"Fucking bitch!" A demon growled. "I don't care what Kouga said, you're dead." The wolf was flattened by a dead boar before he had the chance to touch her.

Soon Kouga was in front of her, looking annoyed and pleased all at the same time. "You've got guts, trying to escape and saving the kit at your own expense. We wolves pride ourselves on loyalty. Maybe I should make you my woman for real." He finished by pulling her close and the slap she delivered was more a reflex.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled as an afterthought. If she wasn't dead before she was now. The whole group stood in silence as Kouga gingerly rubbed his cheek.

'Inuyasha, Shippou...please hurry!'

This chapter is largely unedited. Hope you still enjoy and hopefully it is isn't riddled with too many errors. Review, favorite, do whatever you like.

Until next time.