"Kagome - what did ye say?" I shot up gasping, and sweating. Had I been dreaming? Kaede was watching me with worried eyes. She handed me a cup of water, which I took with a nod of thanks.

"I... I didn't say anything...did.. did I?" I asked. What had I said? Oh dear god...thank my soul that there was no one else in here. If it was what I thought I had said then -

"Ye said ye weren't a mother. I'm not a mother, to be exact in the wording."

Oh gods.. did I? Why had I said it? The child's voice... so hauntingly cold... but it seemed so familiar... as if I had heard it numerous times before...

But I hadn't. I haven't. That voice was that of Naraku's offspring, as the voice of Kanna. It held the same emotionless quality. I could even imagine Kanna mouthing those words... but that voice... it was a little boy's voice. I just knew it. It couldn't have been Kanna.

What if Naraku had produced a new monster? One that manifests in people? What if it was in me right now? "Kagome, ye worry me. Please tell me what is ailing ye. The others are worried out of their minds."

"I... Kaede baba... is there any type of demon that can get into people's heads and make them imagine things?"

"Aye.. there is. Why do ye ask Kagome?" Should I tell her?

Yes. It would be best. It would be right. I should tell her everything. I could be rid of it if she helped. Yes! Kaede knew all the answers!!

"My friend, from my time on the other side of the well, she.. ah... she has been plagued by dreams. I cannot help but worry for her."

Nightmares and Visions

Lies

by: bs

What am I saying? Didn't I say that I would tell the truth?? It's too late now. Kaede baba will be hurt that I lied to her. But maybe --

"There is such a demon Kagome, but I do not understand why ye is acting so strange."

"She's been telling me what's wrong and... I... my imagination got the best of me that's all." I tittered nervously. Would she take the bait?

"That is not wise Kagome, as these demons like to manifest in fears and they become stronger as they infect more innocents who are unaware."

"Soo... I could - get rid of it since I know about it now?"

"Yes. All it would take is a simple exorcism."

"Would - would those people infected need it too?" I took a gamble. Maybe I will be rid of those images. And that voice. And all those terrible terrible thoughts that haunt me...

it's not as if you don't like them mother dearest...

My hands went to cover my ears, to try and block the voice. Kaede furrowed her eyebrows at me but I shut my eyes and I couldn't see what she did after that. "STOP TALKING TO ME!!"

I heard Kagome's scream from outside the hut, and I immediately turned and rushed to it. Miroku quickly followed me, but Sango held Shippou away, distracting him with who the hell knows what that brat likes.

"Inuyasha - did you hear that?"

"Ch. I'm not deaf like you idiot." I answered, but I looked at the door flap thing of the hut... should I go in? Kagome needed me... but should I go in...?

Last time I did - she was a complete wreck. I hugged her -- maybe I'd get to do that again if I went - no!! Keep your mind on what's important dammit!!

Miroku was one step ahead of me, and he pushed aside the door flap thing ((dammit... there was a name for it... Kaede told me... but if I asked wouldn't I look stupid? Yeah. Better not say anything. But I need to know.. it's driving me NUTS)) and stepped inside.

A milli second later I did the same. Kagome was kneeling on the ground, and she looked as if she was praying to some forsaken god with her forehead touching the ground, her hands clamped over her ears. I could tell she was crying, even though she wasn't making a sound. Kaede was sitting a few feet away from her, on the other side of the fire looking at me.

Miroku had walked over to Kaede's side of the fire, and helped the old ha -- err, up. They both left the hut, leaving me and Kagome alone. I took a few small steps closer and knelt down beside her.

"Kagome... are you alright?"

A sob for an answer. I sighed and reached out a hand to place on her back. "Dammit Kagome, stop being so weird. Tell us what the fucking problem is..."

When she felt my hand on her back, I noticed that she shuddered and curled herself up as if to protect herself. "Kagome..."

Dammit -- she wasin no position to talk at all. I scooched closer to her using my feet, and wrapped my arms around her.

That wasn't very smart. It just made her cry even harder, sobbing and making her delicate body shake.

This really wasn't good for her. She shouldn't stay here much longer... she should go home. For three days at least... maybe she would get better...

Maybe...

AN: Sorry for the short chapter ((short to me. all my other chapters are like 5x this long)) and you have to excuse the Inuyasha Point of View grammar mistakes. I left those in there on purpose... it's his "thought speak" and everyone doesn't always "think to themselves" in proper grammar. I sure as hell don't. Again, short chapter but I'm sorry but this story is being updated a whole hella lot more than my other ones. ::winces guiltily:: Short chapters do make for faster updates ((faster used in a generalized term)) and this is a MERRY XMAS TO ALL OF YOU! Yeah.