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Okay, well here I am again. I know you people want more Kagome in here, and she'll come back in full force eventually. For right now you just have to work with me and be patient. She may not really be in this chapter, but she'll be in the next, I promise. So please don't kill me! I've had I nice long talk with my muses and they've given me a way to work this all out. Anyway, here's the next chapter, READ REVIEW AND ENJOY!
Mayu Kitsune
A Midnight Encounter
Sango and Moyuru located the rest of the gang in the inn, settling down in the one big room they had managed to get by offering to slay whatever it was out there killing the village's people. The inn keeper had been all too delighted to hear that there was a demon exterminator, a monk, and a half-demon, all of which were willing to help get rid of the creature killing off their people.
Moyuru's stomach was still upset so she skipped out on a meal, going to a corner of the room and trying to go to sleep. Her leg throbbed with pain though. Apparently whatever Kaede had given her before they left had worn off.
She tried to get comfortable but found it impossible to do so. She wanted nothing more than to go to sleep right now. Sleeping was always what she used to do when she was injured and in Akiko's care, it was an easy escape from pain. The only problem was that Akiko wasn't there to help her now.
"Your leg bothering you?" Inuyasha questioned after a moment of watching her toss and turn.
"Yeah." she admitted reluctantly.
"Is there anything we can to do help?" Sango asked.
Moyuru didn't speak as she seemed to be thinking on something. She hesitated, "Inuyasha, could you do something for me?"
"Like what?" Inuyasha prompted, looking to her with a bit of confusion present in his expression. What did she think he could do? He didn't know anything about helping her injury.
Moyuru still looked hesitant, "Could you. . . um. . . scratch me behind the ears?" she questioned timidly, nearly inaudibly.
Inuyasha gave her a puzzled look, "What?"
"My haha used to do that when I didn't feel good; it always made me feel better." she answered quietly after a moment, looking to be a bit embarrassed.
Inuyasha hesitantly made his way over to her, positioning her so that her back rested against him. He timidly began to scratch behind her large, red fox-ears, being careful not to hurt her with his claws.
She melted into him, a look of contentment on her face.
He blinked, blushing lightly. He hadn't expected this kind of reaction from her. He abruptly stopped, he wouldn't have had such a problem with all this if it hadn't been for Sango and Miroku sitting right in front of them.
Moyuru let out a whine, "Don't stop." she said quietly.
Inuyasha continued to blush as he started again. She snuggled into him, one of her ears resting on his chest as she had done a few nights previous. Inuyasha turned a few more shades red as he just kept scratching.
Sango and Miroku neither one made a comment, both of them looking away to give the two hanyou some privacy. They both had some agreement earlier that they would stay out of this one. Sango had especially not liked the idea, but Miroku had brought up the point that they may only make things worse. They both stayed silent.
Shippo had stared a bit before he too looked away. Did Inuyasha really like Moyuru that much better? He never did anything like that with Kagome! Shippo missed her already and it was only the first day without her. His little arms crossed in front of him a he glared ahead. This was all Inuyasha's fault. Miroku had told him while they were alone that he shouldn't let himself get too angry. Moyuru was a good friend and no one whished her any harm. Shippo understood that, but it still felt like she was trying to replace Kagome. What made him even more angry was that Inuyasha seemed to be letting her! It was all his fault that Kagome left.
Moyuru hadn't seemed to have noticed anything around her; she was in seventh heaven. She didn't quite understand it herself. Why did it feel so good to get scratched like that? Oh well, the question really didn't matter; all she cared about was that it helped her to get to sleep and forget how miserable she felt. She just occupied herself with listening to Inuyasha's heartbeat. He was so warm too. . . He had a nice heartbeat. . .
Moyuru soon went limp against him, her breathing evening out. Inuyasha looked to her in question. She had fallen asleep? Maybe she was a bit more demon than he was, he never really remembered getting that feeling from someone scratching his ears. The only thing he ever remembered was getting agitated because someone was treating him like a dog.
"Uh. . . I. . . I think she's asleep." he spoke up after a moment. The others looked to him as he got their attention.
"It seems that she's gotten more from her demon side than her human side." Miroku said thoughtfully.
"It doesn't feel good to you to get scratched like that?" Shippo asked suddenly, trying to get his mind off the subject of hating Inuyasha.
"It does to you?" Sango questioned.
"Are you kidding?" Shippo replied, "It makes you feel all happy. If you get scratched long enough, sometimes you end up falling asleep."
"I never thought of it that way before, but I guess it makes sense." Sango mused aloud. Moyuru did seem as though she felt better, looking so content and peaceful as she slept.
Inuyasha paused as he caught the scent of blood, giving Moyuru a troubled look. It was her blood he was smelling.
"What's wrong?" Sango asked, having noticed his expression.
"She's bleeding." he answered.
"Oh, that's right, her leg! I forgot to help her changed the bandages!" the demon exterminator nearly exclaimed. How had she forgotten? "I should've just let Kirara take her to the woods, her walking must've reopened it."
"I'll be glad to help her if you're not feeling up to it Sango." Miroku stated, all smiles as he began to stand.
Inuyasha shot him a glare.
"Or not." the monk said slowly, seating himself again. "I can take care of it, Miroku." Sango replied, retrieving the supplies they had brought along to help Moyuru, "I just wish I didn't have to wake her up."
"Perhaps you won't have to wake her if Inuyasha scratches her ears while you dress her wound." the monk suggested. The demon slayer seemed to be thinking it a good idea.
Inuyasha just frowned, "But that would mean that I'd have to stay here." he stated. He would feel awkward staying in the room while Sango helped her out, they had always requested that he, Shippo, and especially Miroku, leave before they changed her bandages before.
Miroku seemed to notice his troubled expression, "You don't have to look. . . but of course if you don't feel comfortable with it-"
"No Miroku." Sango interjected, "You and Shippo can sit outside the door if you don't mind."
Miroku let out a heavy sigh, getting up and heading out with the little kit. He closed the door behind the both of them but didn't stop right outside, instead he continued walking.
"Miroku, where are you going?" Shippo questioned.
"There's something I need to take a look at." the monk answered, "You just stay here and make sure no one else enters that room."
Shippo just nodded, then watched as Miroku walked off and out of sight. Where was he going? Shippo soon sat with his back pressed up against the door behind him. There was just something unnerving him.
It was a calm clear night, the moon shining brilliantly down and illuminating his surroundings. Even with the extra light, there was just something that scared him. An eerie silence had been oppressing the mood of the village ever since they arrived. Probably before that.
Shippo had seen that poor girl that had been attacked. The thing that had done it was still out there somewhere too! Why did Miroku have to leave him alone?
Inside, meanwhile, Sango had already begun to unwind the bandages that wrapped around Moyuru's leg while Inuyasha had resumed scratching. His cheeks were painted a faint red as he looked away, his gaze focusing on a far wall. This was just too awkward for his liking.
Moyuru cringed in her sleep as Sango tried to stop the bleeding. Inuyasha had felt her tense and heard her as she let out a whine. He absent mindedly held her more firmly to him, beginning to scratch a bit harder.
Moyuru snuggled into him, the top of her head brushing him underneath his chin. He forced himself to stay there and stared off even more to keep his mind off the awkwardness of it all. He could take it, so long as she wasn't in so much pain. He just let her rest against him and continued his scratching.
By the time Sango had finished, Inuyasha had fallen asleep with his back resting against the wall behind him, his cheek resting against one of Moyuru's. He had his arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders, holding her much like some child would an oversized teddy bear. He unknowingly snuggled her back in his sleep as though trying to be of some comfort. They both looked so peaceful and content.
Sango decided not to wake either of them as she exited the room. Shippo nearly fell in when she slid the door open. He let out a surprised cry as he caught himself.
"Shh!" Sango warned, "They're asleep."
The kit looked to her in question before his gaze shifted to the two hanyou in the corner of the room.
Moyuru stirred a bit, her eyebrows furrowing. She let out a quiet and scared whimper. Sango began back towards them to do as Inuyasha had done and scratch her behind the ears to calm her down, but she paused upon seeing Inuyasha move. He unconsciously nuzzled Moyuru in an attempt to calm her down and it seemed to work. She settled back down into a more peaceful sleep.
Shippo just stared at them both. Inuyasha was never like that with Kagome! How could he find it so easy to be like that around Moyuru? Stupid Inuyasha. He thought
Sango walked back out of the room back to where Shippo was, closing the door behind her, "We should probably just leave them alone for a while." she said.
Shippo looked troubled, "Do you think she's gonna end up replacing Kagome?" he asked after a moment.
Sango looked down to him, "I don't think so. Inuyasha's just found someone else. Sometimes things might seem difficult, but Kagome'll come back and things'll get back to normal." she said assuringly, though she had her worries as well. Kagome had been so upset before she left. She secretly didn't want this change to be permanent, but she didn't want Moyuru to be unhappy either. It seemed as though her best course of action was to just leave it all alone and up to Inuyasha.
"I think we all just need some time to get used to this. I'm sure everything'll turn out okay in the end though." Sango added in an optimistically. There wasn't anything else she could do but be optimistic.
Sango suddenly looked a bit confused, "Where's Miroku? Wasn't he just out here with you?"
"He said he wanted to look at something." the kit answered. Sango sighed, "Women no doubt." she stated as she began away.
"W-wait! Don't leave me here by myself!" Shippo suddenly cried after her.
She looked back to him in question, "What's wrong?"
"It's creepy out here." he replied quietly.
Sango just smiled with a bit of amusement, "You'll be fine, just stay inside with Inuyasha and Moyuru if you don't feel safe out here. I can get Kirara to stay here with you if you want." she offered.
Shippo just shook his head, "I can handle it. . . I-I'll just. . . go inside."
"Don't worry so much, I'll be dragging Miroku back here before long anyway." she said casually.
The kit just nodded before slipping into the room and quietly settling himself next to the two already sleeping. He didn't really like to admit the fact that he was so close to them because he felt safer near Inuyasha, so he just told himself that he was so close because it was his duty to wake them up if something were to happen.
Sango began off in search of the monk that always seemed to be out womanizing, Kirara in her small cat form walking beside her. He'd better not be flirting. she thought as she walked through the village.
It looked nearly deserted, no one was to be seen anywhere! Shippo was right, it was creepy out here. People were so scared of this thing that they wouldn't come out of their huts.
Kirara nudged her and mewed a few times, trying to put her in the right direction. She could smell Miroku somewhere and her mistress was going the wrong way.
Sango looked down to her in question before seeming to get it and heading in the way Kirara seemed to be pointing her in. She mentally came to a conclusion when she noticed where they were headed. They were headed towards the hut the villagers had been putting the dead that had yet to be buried in.
He must've come out here to investigate or something. . . oddly enough, that sounds like Miroku. Sango thought as she approached. She entered the hut hesitantly, death was never a pretty thing though she had seen much of it. She still didn't like it at all.
Sure enough, just as she had thought, there was Miroku. He was looking between a few of the people in there.
"It's getting late, I was beginning to think you were up to something else." she said after a moment, smirking slightly in amusement as Miroku nearly jumped.
"Oh, it's you." he sighed, relieved that it was another human being and not that thing. He seemed to think on something for a moment before motioning her over to him, "Come here for a second, I could use your expertise on something."
She did so, looking around with a frown. Being in a hut full of dead people didn't thrill her.
"You've seen all varieties of demons haven't you? You are a demon exterminator." Miroku said once she was beside him.
"Well, sure." she answered.
"What kind of demon do you think could have done this?" he asked, pointing to the neck of one of the victims.
Sango thought for a bit, "It looks like something a bat demon would do, but they're usually a lot cleaner with their bite." she replied, thinking for another moment, "And it looks like whatever it is is faster than a bat; these people look like they don't even know what hit them. It took them out fast."
"So it's not anything you've ever seen before?" Miroku questioned.
Sango shook her head in response.
"Maybe we should get back to the others and deal with this tomorrow when everyone's awake and we can ask around." Sango offered, "Besides, I told Shippo that it would only take me a little while to drag you back."
Back at the inn, Shippo still couldn't get to sleep. He lay curled up next to the two hanyou and still wide awake. There hadn't hardly been a noise since Sango left! The only thing to be heard was the breathing of the three in the room. Not even a breeze blew outside to offer a bit of sound. Nothing. Nothing but silence.
The light of the moon was the only light that lit the room. The moonlight shone through the shoji screen door, casting shadows on it from the pillars outside that held up the roof.
Shippo was growing more unnerved by the moment. It was the middle of the night, it was dark, and eerily silent. Didn't most horror stories and ghost stories happen in a setting like this?
"I hope Sango and Miroku didn't get attacked by that thing." Shippo whispered to himself, mostly for the sake of hearing his own voice. His eyes went wide and chills went up his spine as the floorboards outside creaked. "What was that?" he squeaked quietly, slowly turning his head to look toward the door.
A silhouette of something moved outside the screen door as something moved stealthily along walkway outside.
"Sango? I-is that you?" the kit asked quietly in a hopeful tone. As the figure moved further across the walkway outside Shippo could better make out it's shape. It looked human in form, maybe it was just someone that worked at the inn coming to check on them. . . like the inn keeper or someone.
The figure reached out a hand to open the door . . . a clawed hand. With really long claws. That definitely wasn't anyone he knew! What if it was that thing? Shippo tried to say something, but his voice seemed to have fled the scene before he had a chance to move.
Long nails clicked against the wood on the outside of the door as the thing made to open it.
"Inuyasha. . ." the kit whimpered, still not yet having found voice enough to say it any louder than a whisper.
A sliver of pure moonlight appeared on the floor as the door began to slide open. It was coming in!
Shippo couldn't quite catch a scent from it, at least no yet. What if it was a ghost? Like one of those vengeful spirits from the ghost stories he'd heard that came and devoured peoples' souls? He didn't want it to eat his soul! His heart raced faster as a soft grinding sound could be heard from the door sliding slowly open.
"Inuyasha. . ." Shippo cried softly, finally getting up the nerve to nudge the hanyou.
Inuyasha only stirred a bit, still not waking up.
The streak of silver moonlight that painted the floor kept getting wider and wider as the door opened more and more with agonizing slowness. Any wider and the thing would be able to get in!
"INUYASHA!" Shippo screamed, finally finding his voice.
Inuyasha and Moyuru both shot awake. Moyuru screamed as well, so startled by the kit's sudden cry.
"What! What is it!" Inuyasha shouted in panic as he had been awakened from a dead sleep.
"That thing! It's here!" Shippo cried, moving even closer to them.
"What thing?" Inuyasha questioned. Shippo just pointed to the door though he had his eyes clenched shut.
"Ow!" Shippo suddenly yelped as a fist hit him over the head.
"There isn't anything there you coward!" Inuyasha growled in agitation. He hadn't liked it that the kit had roused him in the middle of the night for nothing.
Shippo looked to the door in question, but there had been something there. "But there was!" the kit yelled back, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he rubbed the top of his head.
"You didn't have to hit him." Moyuru stated nearly scoldingly, a lot like Kagome would. Inuyasha just grumbled a bit.
Moyuru frowned as Shippo still looked to be terrified by something. She had a bad feeling as well, something in the back of her mind was telling her something was wrong. "Maybe you should just check it out." Moyuru said quietly.
Inuyasha looked to her in question. Moyuru sighed, "You know, just incase there is something there. If there isn't then maybe it'll at least make him feel safe enough to fall asleep." she whispered so Shippo wouldn't hear.
"Fine." Inuyasha muttered irritably, getting up from behind her and beginning for the door. He opened it before looking back to the others and motioning out, "See? There's nothing there. Now stop being such a frady cat and go to sleep."
Shippo nodded slowly, peering out from behind Moyuru. Maybe he had just been having a nightmare. Yeah, that was it, just a nightmare.
Inuyasha closed the door and began back to where he had been before though he was inwardly frowning. He had caught a scent at the door, a strange one. Something like he'd never smelt before. He brushed it off. There hadn't been anything there and there wasn't much place anyone could hide in the room.
Moyuru still couldn't help but to feel that something was up. She closed her eyes and tried to force herself to calm down. She could feel Shippo nearly pressed into her back as he continued to hide behind her.
"What the Hell!" Inuyasha suddenly shouted as something let out an inhuman snarl.
Moyuru's eyes shot open, growing wide when she saw what it was that he was cursing about. Something had launched itself at him and was now on his back!
He stumbled around, struggling to dislodge it. What the hell was this thing? Inuyasha cringed in pain as long claws dug into the flesh of his arms, latching the creature onto him, "Get off!"he shouted
"Inuyasha!" Moyuru cried.
That was right! Moyuru was still in there! She'd be next if he didn't do something to get rid of that thing! But what? He cried out in pain as sharp fangs began to peirce the skin on his neck.
Moyuru could feel it as Shippo hid behind her, "I told you it was there!" he wailed.
"Get off damn you!" Inuyasha yelled, disregarding the kit's comment.
Moyuru held one of her sais ready to throw, but she was hesitant to do so. What if she hit Inuyasha? He was moving around too much! Inuyasha had resorted to clawing at the creature on his back, getting desperate now to get it off. He looked as though he were weakening! It was draining his blood from his veins!
Moyuru hesitated no longer before letting one of the weapons fly straight for the thing. The creature let out an unearthly cry of pain as the sai embedded itself in its back, its jaws releasing their hold on Inuyasha's neck. The hanyou didn't waste any time throwing the thing off, ignoring the pain as one of it's claws broke off in the upper part of his left arm.
The creature shrieked as it hit a wall hard, causing the sai to go in further.
"Damn you you little bastard." Inuyasha seethed, putting a hand to his neck.
His attacker lay in a heap on the floor a moment. Moyuru could make out much of what it looked like, only a faint outline in the moonlight. It was nearly Moyuru's size and wore clothes. It also had long hair, almost human-like in appearance. That was all she could make out of it. It may have had a few human features, but human was definitely one thing it wasn't.
Inuyasha cautiously approached it, was it dead? Had he killed it? He froze as it moved, its red eyes glaring between Inuyasha and Moyuru before its gaze rested on the one that had hit it in the back.
Moyuru seemed taken aback, its glare was so intense! It wanted to kill her, that much was clear. Inuyasha moved to attack it but it seemed unfazed, ignoring him before seeming to just disappear.
"What the-" he exclaimed.
Moyuru suddenly let out a terrified scream, "Inuyasha!"
He quickly moved to take action. The creature had gotten to Moyuru and she was fighting just to hold it off. Being in a corner had given her somewhat of an advantage as it was only able to attack her from one direction. "Get off her!" Inuyasha growled as he tried to swipe at it with his claws.
It moved, again seeming to disappear. Moyuru looked shaken, having a few cuts but otherwise unharmed.
"Where did it go? Is it gone?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling the little bastard's still here somewhere." Inuyasha answered as he stood protectively in front of the girl he'd come to care for so much. If that thing wanted to attack her it would have to get through him first and he wasn't about to let it take him down.
There was movement in the shadows off to one side. Inuyasha's head snapped in that direction, but by the time his eyes focused on the area there was nothing there. It was definitely still in the vicinity. What was that thing? How was it able to move so fast? How the hell were they going to get rid of it?
Ha! A cliffy! I'm so evil! (insert evil laughter here) Anyway, what did you think. You've gotta review if you expect me to keep writing my best. Authors have a morale that they need to keep up, if your morale gets low then your muses like to quit on you. So you see? You people have got to reveiw! It helps my muse turn out good story plots. Personally though, I think that I come up with my best stuff when I have a bag of skittles sitting right in front of me. I love skittles. . . anyway, here's the preview for my next chapter or at least what I think is going to happen in my next chapter.
PREVIEW!
Chapter 24: Dark Colors
So, what is this thing and why is it attacking Moyuru and Inuyasha? Can they get rid of it before it gets rid of them? Can they survive the night? All these questions to be answered. Also, Kagome makes her reappearance in the feudal era, what happens when she finds out that the gang has already left? Will she try to catchupwith them on her own? What ifNaraku finds out? Will he abandon his current plan to go afterher if she is alone?
Well, as I always say, REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND THANKS TO ALL THOSE THAT HAVE REVIEWED ALREADY! ARIGATO AND ASHITERU!
Mayu Kitsune
