Well, hello again. ready for chapter 22? Sorry about the delay, don't kill me please!I might be another week or two with the next chapter, but, anyway, on with thischapter!Here's chapter 22, READ REVIEW and ENJOY!

Mayu Kitsune

Foresight

Shippo sat on Miroku's shoulder as they all traveled down the road to their destination. It had been so strange, finding someone else's shoulder to sit on. The young kit gazed down at Moyuru who was now sleeping on Kirara's back as they walked. Was she going to replace Kagome? His eyebrows furrowed in thought as he pondered this. Sure, Moyuru was nice, but no one could replace Kagome!

So far they had all traveled in silence, half the reason being that they didn't want to wake Moyuru; the other half being that things just weren't the same. "What's wrong Shippo?" Sango asked quietly, having noticed the kit in deep thought.

"I was just thinking, that's all." he answered.

There was another moment of silence before anyone spoke again, "What are you thinking about that seems to be troubling you so much?" Miroku questioned.

"What if Kagome doesn't come back?" Shippo asked worriedly, he already missed her.

"I'm sure she'll come back, she just has to do it on her own time." Sango stated hopefully.

"I guess you're right." Shippo replied after a moment, "But things still won't be the same when she does come back. It's not like I don't like Moyuru, I just liked it better when Inuyasha and Kagome where together. They were both happier."

"You've got a point, but maybe it's just that we're not used to this yet." Sango offered, "We're so used to Inuyasha and Kagome being together that this is all just a shock."

"Everything will be fine." Miroku stated in agreement.

With that said, everyone fell silent again. Things are just too quiet without Kagome. Sango thought to herself.

Miroku let out a heavy sigh, Nothing but trees and silence. There's got to be some way to return things at least somewhat back to normal. he thought as his gaze began to slip down to Sango's rear, his hand soon following suit.

Sango went rigid and the monk's hand brushed against her. He's not! she thought as her face flushed bright red. The silence was suddenly broken by a resounding smack. "Find something else to do if you're that bored you pervert!" the demon exterminator shouted without thinking.

Inuyasha stopped up ahead, looking back at them all.

"It's a good thing I decided to sit on your other shoulder." Shippo stated.

Moyuru moaned a bit as she began to wake up. Kirara nudged Sango with her nose as thought to say, "You're waking her up!"

Moyuru slowly began to sit up, temporarily confused by her surroundings before she remembered that they were traveling. She let out a wide yawn.

"Oh, I'm sorry Moyuru, I didn't mean to wake you up." Sango stated quickly.

"It's okay." Moyuru said softly, "I shouldn't be sleeping in the middle of the day anyway."

The hanyou paused as she caught sight of Miroku's face, "Oh, so that's what all the racket was about." she said flatly, stretching her arms a bit.

"Hey, I just noticed something." Shippo said suddenly.

"What?" Sango prompted. "Miroku hasn't tried anything lecherous like that for a while until just recently."

"Yeah, you're right. I wonder why." Sango mused, gaining a thoughtful expression before the thoughtful look turned to a sly one and her gaze shifted to the monk next to her. "I remember now," she said, "you didn't do that for quite a while right after Moyuru hit you so hard."

"Maybe all he needs is another good punch in the face to keep him from doing it again." Inuyasha cut in with a smirk, finally breaking his silent streak and at last gaining his usual air about him.

"Sounds like a good idea to to me." Sango agreed, gaining a smirk before turning to Moyuru, "Would you mind doing the honors?" she asked the hanyou, giving her a conspiratory wink.

Moyuru looked to her blankly for a moment before seeming to get it and falling into the act as well, "No, not at all. Just bring him here and I'll be happy to beat him out of a bad habbit." she replied, cracking her knuckles.

Miroku turned a few shades pale as the two girls exchanged a look. They were planning something, he just knew it! Females! Such conniving creatures! He began to try and make an escape but the demon exterminator latched onto his arm. He began to struggle, "No wait! Is this really necessary?" he shouted frantically.

Shippo hopped off his shoulder. There went his last line of defense, now with the little one out of the way they wouldn't have any problems beating him to a bloody pulp. He began to struggle harder but Sango still managed to drag him all the way to Moyuru while Inuyasha and the rest just looked on.

Sango had gotten the monk there but had a bit of trouble keeping him there. His face hadn't forgotten that punch the hanyou had given him the first time he had crossed her. Moyuru drew back, her fist aimed at his face.

"C'mon, you're not being serious are you?" Miroku exclaimed.

"Oh, we're serious." Moyuru replied in a very dry tone.

Miroku's eyes went wide, "Ladies, please be reasonable!" he yelled.

Moyuru and Sango both burst out laughing. Sango laughed so hard that she had to let the monk go. Inuyasha even managed a bit of a smile, "Not so good with the ladies anymore, huh Miroku?" he prompted

Oh, so it was a joke. Miroku thought, relief washing over him as he let out a heavy sigh.

"You should've seen the look on your face!" Moyuru laughed. "Come on. I didn't really hit you that hard before. I could've hit you harder"

Miroku let out a nervous laugh, "Oh you could ?" he asked. He wasn't so sure that he liked the sound of that one, although he knew that Sango was probably the same way.

Inuyasha smiled a bit more from where he was standing, watching. He liked Moyuru's laugh, she didn't do it much but it made him happy to see that she was enjoying herself despite all that had happened.

Sango managed to calm down after a moment, "Maybe that little joke will scare you straight for a while." She said.

The monk put a hand over his heart, "For a moment there I thought you were really being serious."

"No, we wouldn't go that far." Sango stated.

"I don't necessarily take joy in pummeling anyone anyway." Moyuru agreed.

Miroku smiled as he approached Moyuru, "I'm glad to hear it."

She paused in her laughing, a confused and wary look coming across her face, "What are you doing?" she questioned. She blinked as the monk gave her a hug, "Wha--?"

"I'm glad to see that you wouldn't strike a poor monk like me down like that. You're really a good friend." he said gratefully though his hand slipped a little too far down.

"He just doesn't learn does he?" Shippo asked.

"Nope." Inuyasha replied. Now a dead-pan look had replaced his smile. That dumb monk.

Moyuru's fists clenched, her face clearly showing her annoyance. Sango glared daggers at the monk as well. If he doesn't let go in three seconds. . . Moyuru thought as she silently started the count, One. . . two. . . THREE!

Miroku suddenly froze, looking a little pained. "Ow." he muttered as he slowly let Moyuru go and backed up, rubbing his stomach and looking pitiful. "I wasn't expecting that." he said under his breath.

"I know," Moyuru replied, "You were expecting a slap, but I assumed that your face had taken enough damage."

"You've got that one right." Sango muttered moodily.

There was a sudden strong gust of wind as something blew past them. Whatever it was stopped ahead and backtracked before coming into view in front of them. "Slow as always, Mutt-face." Koga stated.

Inuyasha looked as though he could kill something, he didn't need this. Koga was the last person on earth he wanted to see right now. The wolf demon's eyes searched the travel party though he failed to notice Moyuru as Inuyasha had stepped in front of her.

"Hey Mutt, where's my Kagome?" Koga questioned gruffly.

Moyuru looked puzzled. His Kagome? Why did he refer to her as his? Hadn't she been with Inuyasha?

"She's not here right now so just buzz off!" Inuyasha snapped.

"What? She's always traveling around with you. If she's not here then where is she?" the wolf demon demanded.

Inuyasha didn't answer. He hadn't necessarily liked the fact that she'd just run home like she did. Koga seemed to take Inuyasha's silence in a different way, "You let something happen to her didn't you!" he yelled accusingly.

"No I didn't, she's fine!"

"Then where is she?"

"She just went home for a little while okay!"

"You never travel without her, there's something wrong, I know it! If you let her get hurt I swear you won't live to regret it Mutt!" Koga exclaimed, suddenly rushing Inuyasha.

The hanyou took a hard punch across the face as he wasn't expecting it. "Why you. . . I ought to kill you you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha growled before retaliating.

Moyuru just watched them as they both continued to duke it out. This fight was different, she could tell. They weren't necessarily serious about it. It was more of a scuffle than a fight. "I take it they know each other." Moyuru prompted.

"Yeah, they've been rivals for a while." Shippo answered, "I think it's kinda ridiculous."

"Are they always like this?" Moyuru questioned, turning to the young demon who had returned to his seat on Miroku's shoulder.

"They always get into fights when they get anywhere near each other." he replied, shaking his head slowly.

Inuyasha and Koga both backed off of each other for a moment, looking as though they were beginning to go at it again when Koga froze, his gaze focused on Moyuru. "What's the matter? Having second thoughts about fighting me?" Inuyasha taunted.

"What's she doing here?" Koga demanded, pointing a finger at the kitsune hanyou.

Moyuru seemed to shrink back a bit. It was obvious that Koga was angry at her and it scared her a little. He was fast; if he decided to attack her for real then she would have to rely on Kirara to get her out of the way. She was helpless to make a move on her own and the fact unnerved her.

"What's wrong with her being here?" Inuyasha shot back.

"She's that wench that was working for Naraku!" Koga exclaimed angrily, leveling Moyuru with a glare. Now he was definitely serious, no longer occupied with trying to beat Inuyasha down.

"Don't call her that!" Inuyasha growled, moving to stand protectively in front of her.

"She was working for that bastard, why are you protecting her?" Koga demanded in a dangerous tone.

"It wasn't her fault. She didn't want to work for him then, and she doesn't work for him now so leave her alone." Inuyasha retorted sharply.

Moyuru just stayed silent, she just wanted to be unnoticed. She sunk down against Kirara's back nearly as though she were trying to hide as Koga glared back and forth in between the two hanyou. She just wanted him to go away and leave her be.

"Hmph, I don't have time to waste on zasshu, I've got that bastard, Naraku, to hunt down and kill. You can tell Kagome that she can travel with me since you've obviously gotten yourself another girlfriend." Koga said nonchalantly before turning and beginning off at a run, leaving Inuyasha and the rest of them in the dust.

"Baka." Inuyasha muttered moodily as he rejoined the group.

"Koga! Wait for us!" a voice called out as two more wolf demons showed up, panting heavily and looking wore-out. They both paused, gasping for air, "We were almost caught up with him too." Genta pouted.

"Wait Koga!" Hakaku called out, beginning to run again, Genta not too far behind though they both looked as though they could use a break. Moyuru just watched them in question as the plodded by but didn't ask.

The gang arrived at a village part-way to their destination around nightfall. "It looks as though we'll be staying here for the night." Miroku stated, immediately heading for what looked to be the biggest inn in the village, "I sense an ominous dark cloud hovering over that inn over there." he said as he continued on his way towards it.

"I'm sure you do Miroku." Sango muttered sarcastically.

Moyuru looked to be confused, "I don't sense anything."

"That's because there isn't anything." Inuyasha sighed.

Moyuru still looked to be puzzled by it, "Then why is he sensing something. Is there something wrong with his senses?" she asked.

"It's just his way of getting a place to stay." Sango clarified.

"Oh, so he's a lecher and a scam artist." Moyuru surmised, saying it just loud enough for the monk ahead of them to hear.

"You won't be complaining when you have a place to stay and food in your stomach." Miroku replied, again flashing a smile.

Moyuru caught the scent of blood as they neared the village. Blood and freshly dug graves. "Do you smell that?" Moyuru asked, looking a bit unnerved.

"Yeah, smells like this village has gotten attacke recently or something." Inuyasha replied.

"Maybe we could do something to help and get a room that way." Sango offered, "If it's a demon then we could slay it and take a night here and some supplies as our pay. It's obvious that these people don't need to be pranked." she added, giving the monk a pointed look.

Miroku just gave her an innocent expression.

They entered the village slowly and quietly as not to impose on the residents. There were people up ahead, a few of them looked to be carrying something with a priest walking in front of them. "What is that?" Shippo asked. He seemed to be unnerved by the air around the place.

"It looks like a funeral." Sango mused aloud. They continued to watch the procession as it neared what looked to be a graveyard. quite a few of the graves there looked to be fresh and still more were being dug.

"Maybe we should just head for an inn, it doesn't look like there's much we can do here." Moyuru suggested, sounding to be a bit nervous. She was with Shippo; this place just didn't make her feel comfortable at all. She didn't want to stay here too much longer than she had to.

"I agree, there's not much point in staying here at the moment. This place is even beginning to creep me out." Sango stated.

What could be killing off these people? Is it a demon? I don't think it's a sickness, no one here smells sick. Inuyasha thought as they headed for the inn. If it was a demon it probably wouldn't take too long to handle anyway.

Everyone was snapped out of their train of thought as a terrified scream pierced the night. Shippo had nearly jumped out of his skin, "Wh-what was that?" he stammered from where he was now latched onto Miroku's head, every hair on his head and his tail standing on end. Miroku just looked straight ahead.

"Sounds like whatever it is that's killing off these people just got another one." Inuyasha answered.

"Maybe not, if someone's in trouble then we should help them. This village looks like it's taken enough already." Moyuru stated, looking hopeful that whoever it was hadn't died.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Miroku stated, already beginning in that direction.

"Kirara, stay here with Moyuru and Shippo." Sango ordered as she shouldered her big weapon.

"But--" Moyuru began.

"You're injured and you're staying here." Inuyasha interjected forcefully before beginning off at a run with the others. He would never understand what it was with the rest of the group and saving complete strangers.

The others resurfaced at the village only a little while later, followed by some of the villagers that had made their way to the location where one of their own had been attacked. The villagers that had headed out there had instinctively taken a cot with them as though they were used to death. Now something rested on it, covered by a cloth Apparently whoever it was hadn't made it.

Inuyasha and the rest of the group stopped by Moyuru, Shippo and Kirara as the villagers continued on their way.

"So they didn't make it." Moyuru stated more than asked.

Inuyasha shook his head, "No, they were dead when we got there."

"Sora!" a voice from the village cried. A woman came running towards the people who walked so downcast. "Sora!" the woman cried again as she got near.

"She's dead." one of the villagers said quietly.

"No, no she can't be dead! My daughter can't be dead!" the woman sobbed, trying to get through to the one she called Sora. The others held her back, "I want to see her!" she shouted as she struggled against them, her arms flailing in an attempt to get past them all. Her hand snagged the cloth, causing it to fall off the dead girl's body.

Moyuru gasped and stared in shock as she caught sight of her. It was horrible! The girl's face was frozen in a terrified expression, her eyes wide open and lifeless. A small stream of blood ran from the corner of her lips, leaking onto the cot that she was being carried on.

The thing that shocked Moyuru the most was the wound that she had obviously died from. On the girl's neck was a gaping hole, looking as though something had just taken a chunk of her flesh and savagely ripped it away. Everything on the inside of her neck was visible including parts of her spine! It was the same injury Inuyasha had had in her dream.

"Moyuru, are you okay?" Sango questioned, looking to her.

Moyuru had turned nearly three shades paler than she already was, and she looked as though she could pass out at any second. Moyuru finally tore her gaze from the girl. Her stomach churned uneasily, making her feel sick.

Shippo seemed to be right along with her, though not quite so green. He just looked completely unnerved. "Uh, do you think we could maybe st-stay somewhere else?" he asked hopefully, only to be ignored.

Inuyasha gave Moyuru an impatient look as she didn't answer the demon exterminator's question, "Sango asked you if you were okay, answer will you?" he said gruffly. He knew Moyuru had seen worse, but why had this shaken her up so bad?

"I don't feel so good." Moyuru finally answered quietly, beginning to get off Kirara's back. If she was going to lose her lunch she didn't want to do it on a friend.

Sango quickly moved to steady the hanyou as she managed to slide off, "I'll help Moyuru. Get a room at the inn and we'll catch up with you later." the demon slayer said quickly, helping Moyuru toward the edge of the forest.

Inuyasha and the others began heading for the inn, Inuyasha looking worried but trying and failing horribly to hide it with his usual "this is such a bother" look.

"What are you thinking on so hard?" Shippo questioned after a moment.

"Nothing." Inuyasha lied.

"Something's gotta be bothering you for you to think so hard. Don't hurt yourself." Shippo countered

Inuyasha shot the kit a dirty look and Shippo only retreated to Miroku's other shoulder.

"Is it Moyuru's reaction that's troubling you?" Miroku inquired.

Inuyasha just sighed, "I don't get it, I know she's seen worse and she never did that. What's gotten into her?"

Sango had managed to get Moyuru to the edge of the forest before the hanyou let it all out, leaning heavily against a tree as she sat on her knees next to it. Sango knelt down beside her, rubbing her on the back and trying to be comforting.

"Are you okay now?" Sango asked softly once Moyuru seemed to calm down.

Moyuru just nodded her answer, "It's just that. . . that dream. . ." she mused in a whisper.

"Dream?" Sango prompted though not getting an answer. Moyuru just stayed there for a moment before using the tree to try and push herself up. Sango helped her and began towards the inn that Inuyasha and the others had gone to.

"Maybe you'll feel better if you talked about it." Sango offered after a moment.

Moyuru shook her head, "Not now." she replied quietly as she continued to lean on the demon exterminator.

Sango frowned, "You seemed really shaken up earlier, do you know anything about this?" she asked.

Moyuru hesitated before nodding slowly, "It was in the dream I had just last night."

"Did you see what did it? In your dream I mean." Sango questioned.

Moyuru shook her head, "No, I just remember. . . a color. . . purple, nearly black."

Sango didn't ask anymore questions after that as they approached the inn. The exterminator thought for a moment. So, this seemed similar to something that happened in Moyuru's dream, but couldn't it be just coincidence? Moyuru didn't seem to have taken it lightly at all. It was said that some dreams try to tell someone something, could her dream have been one of those?

So, did I freak any of you out yet? Oh don't worry, if you were disappointed with the creepiness factor you just wait until my next chapter, that's when things really start to get creepy. So far this chapter and a few previous chapters have just been leading up to this. For all of you that are reading this right now, you're going to love it if you like horror and mystery.

PREVIEW!

Chapter 23: A Midnight Encounter

Okay, so everyone's settled into an inn to get some sleep and hopefully slay that whatever-it-is the next day, right? They can take care of it. . . if it doesn't decide to take care of them first. Will everyone make it out of this first encounter alive? What is this thing and why is it attacking the people of the village? Who will it strike next? Plenty of action awaits as part of the gang comes into contact with the mystery killer creature. (I'm not telling who comes into contact with it first either, you'll just have to read to find out.)

REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Keep reading and reviewing!

Mayu Kitsune