Chapter Seventeen
Minako Miharu: I'm glad you could feel his emotion, and that you liked the scene in general. Most of my reviews told me that the liked the chapter other than that whole scene. Another one of those 'character take over things', what's a poor author to do! Lol, really though, thank you for your review, I loved reading it. Please enjoy chapter seventeen!
Jessica Lyn: Koga's not bad or anything, well…not truly anyway. Read on to see how good he truly is! Thank you for your review, and hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Punk Rock Miko2: I'm sorry you didn't like the Koga and Kagome scene, but it seemed to need to be put in, so I did. Thank you for your review, here is chapter seventeen.
Sexy Kat: Lol, if you thought last chapter was suspense, wait until you read this one. I'm glad you liked the whole chapter, and hope you like this one as well, please enjoy and review again!
Kalei: Have I told you how much I LOVE hearing from you? You were one of the few reviews that didn't diss my Koga Kagome scene. Well, we're close…to the two meeting I mean. Lol, here is an update for you, I hope you enjoy, and can't wait to hear what you think of this…(evil snicker)
inugirl162: I'm glad you loved the chapter. Here is seventeen, enjoy.
Angela: I'm not sure I understand your review… but thank you for leaving me one none the less. Well, here is the slightly longer chapter seventeen, hope you enjoy.
Rae no Kitsune: Well, I love to hear from new reviewers, and right off the bat I think I should tell you that I update on Fridays to the best of my ability, so you can plan on the update of chapter eighteen next Friday. Thank you for your review, and hope you enjoy chapter seventeen!
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns the Inu-Yasha Co. Any others are mine.
Sango and Miroku carefully laid Kagura on the futon in their hut. "Can you hear me, Kagura?" The Taijiya asked as they pulled back. A small moan that turned into a cough was the shadow's only response.
"Do you think this was what she spoke of when she first arrived?" The Houshi whispered as she pulled Sango to his side. The woman's hand rested on his chest, taking the comfort he offered.
"Yes. I wonder how long she's been hiding how bad it's gotten." Tears filled the Taijiya's eyes at the thought of her friend dying. Then she smiled slightly. She had grown so attached to the shadow of the hanyou who had become her greatest enemy. My how fate had a funny way of having things work out.
"Sango…" Kagura's rough voice broke into the Taijiya's thoughts. She pulled away from Miroku to kneel at the now awake woman's side.
"Are you in pain, Kagura?" Sango asked, resting her hand over the shadow's. A forced smile played on the other woman's lips.
"I can handle some pain, Taijiya." More coughing. "Where is…Aijou?" She panted.
"Hana has him." Sango tried to smile, but the tears shimmering in her eyes gave away her sadness.
"I'd like to see him…"
"I'll go find him." Miroku jumped in. The woman turned to watch the Houshi leave.
"Can I get you anything else?" Sango asked as she turned back to Kagura.
"Some water, please." The shadow's eyes slowly fell shut as her breathing steadied slightly. The Taijiya smiled softly as she stroked the sleeping woman's bangs off of her face.
"Sleep well, I'll be here when you wake up."
((Across A Land))
The child yawned as she stretched her arms above her head. She smiled, turning around to look at Hokori standing behind her. "Do you think Kagome-san is up yet?" Mayoka asked the Neko. He seemed to smile as he nodded. "Good, I'm hungry, how about you?"
"Kagome spoiled you." Koga's voice reached the two. He had a smile on his face as the girl turned back around, her gaze meeting his.
"What do you mean by that, Koga?" She asked with a smile.
"Letting you sleep in this late, the sun's already up."
"Did you have something you wanted me to do?"
"No."
"Then why get up?" She stuck her tongue out at the ouji. He chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest.
"There is always something to do."
"Hmph." Mayoka pouted while still smiling.
"What do you want for lunch?" He asked, moving forward.
"Lunch? It's not that late, Koga." The child replied as the ouji rested his hand on Hokori's head.
"Is she always like this?" He asked the younger youkai. The Neko nodded with a purr.
"Where's Kagome-san?" The girl huffed at the betrayal of her friend. Koga sobered instantly at the mention of the Miko.
"She's not here." He replied quietly. A pair of blue and black eyes turned to the ouji, for his tone caught their attention.
"When will she be back?" Mayoka whispered in return.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, 'you don't know'?"
"She left early this morning."
"Where did she…" the eleven-year old's voice trailed off as she realized where the Miko must have gone. "After Inu-Yasha…Kagome-san went after Inu-Yasha alone." Tears welled in her black depths. "Oh, Koga-sama!" She wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressed against his breastplate.
"Mayoka…" He held her close. "Everything will be fine." He tried to assure her. She sharply pulled back.
"You have to go after her, please Koga-sama!" Tears fell freely down her cheeks now.
"I would not interfere unless Kagome asked for my help."
"But she's in danger!"
"Kagome is a strong woman, more so now that Sessho-maru has gotten his claws into her, she can take care of herself." Koga's voice was calm and strong now. Mayoka stood there, quaking slightly as she tried to stop her tears.
"You're right…I'm sorry…" The girl moved away from the ouji and toward the exit of the den silently.
"Go with her, Hokori, make sure nothing sneaks up on her." Koga whispered. The Neko nodded and moved after Mayoka.
((Across A Land))
Kagome cupped her hands in the river as she knelt on its bank. She lifted the crystal clear liquid to her lips to wet her tongue again. The sun shone on her bent back, heating up her armor. Her eyes were closed as she raised her face to the blue sky. I can feel him…He's started to come back down already… Her dark eyes snapped open. He's flying…
The Miko got to her feet, whirling around, quickly taking off again. She couldn't let him get past her, there would be no catching him then. Inu-Yasha… She couldn't keep up with him, even in her mind. He would vanish for seconds at a time before coming back about a mile further south. Her heart sped up. He had changed direction slightly.
They were going to run into each other head on.
((Across A Land))
The world was a blur of color as he ran. The breath came by gulps into his lungs, his ears twitching around to catch every sound around him.
I can smell her…
Nothing
I can smell Kagome…
No one!
There was a slight change in his direction and he was moving in a direct course to run into the Miko. It took only minutes to reach the field that she would enter from the forest at any second. His legs stopped instantly, a trail of dust slowly rising into the air behind him. His ears turned forward, perked up to hear her running feet growing closer.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides. She was so close now he could hear her breath.
Kagome…
What do you hope to accomplish human?
Kagome…
The woman burst through the bushes and into the field. She froze as she realized he was standing in front of her. He watched the slightly deeper intake of her breath as her eyes stared into his own.
So you wish to see her dead, human?
Kagome…
He carefully took a fighting stance, his gaze never wavering from the Miko
So be it.
Only one word resounded in his head as a reply.
Kagome…
((Across A Land))
Hana walked back and forth in the hut Kagura and Aijou shared, trying to quiet the child. He wasn't listening.
"It's ok, Aijou, hush, hush." The teen bounced him against her chest.
"I want my Mama!" He screamed in her ear, trying to push her away, and with his youkai strength, was succeeding greatly.
"Aijou!" Hana scolded as the child slipped slightly and she had to scramble to catch him again. "That's enough now!" The young Taijiya's voice was sharp this time, surprising the sixteen-month old into silence.
"Aijou, your Oka is sick, and needs to rest." Hana's voice was softer now that she had his attention. She moved to the futon and sat down. "Miroku-sama and Sensei will come tell you when you can go to her, alright?" He sniffled again, but nodded at her words. The teen breathed a sigh of relief as she smiled. "Good…" She held him close and rocked him, singing softly.
Just as Aijou's eyes began to droop, Miroku entered the door. Both children's heads lifted to the new arrival. "Miroku-sama?" Hana questioned as she got to her feet.
"Kagura is awake and asking for Aijou." He replied.
"Mama?" The child muttered. The Houshi nodded.
"I'll take you to her." He moved forward, but Aijou's arms wrapped tightly around Hana's neck.
"Hana." He stated. Miroku smiled and nodded slowly.
"Take Aijou to our hut please, Hana." He said to the teen.
"Yes, Miroku-sama." The Taijiya said with a slight bow.
"Oh, Hana," the man stopped the girl once more before she left the hut. She turned back. "Where is Tori?"
"He's in my hut. Kyouko is watching over some of the younger kids in there."
"Good. If Sango asks, I'll be making sure everyone is doing alright."
Hana nodded as she pushed out of the door and into the warm afternoon light. She tried to sooth the still quaking child as she moved toward the hut of the Heads of the village.
Author Notes: Ok, I know the time seems messed up at the Taijiya village, but it isn't. See, Hana has been with Aijou all night and into the day, and so now it is the after noon, OK?
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Well, I know, major cliffy with the Kagome Inu-Yasha thing, but hey, it will set up the next chapter! Aren't you all excited! Lol, truly though, I will make a deal with all of you out there: If I get 15 reviews, I shall update early, what do you say to that? Well, leave me a review and let me know! OK, I'm going to wrap this up, hope all of you enjoy your nights,
Myst