Chapter 7 searching

Cold water dripping over his face woke Inuyasha a few hours later. When he opened his eyes he saw Kikyo leaning over him with a wet piece of cloth in her hand. He noticed her face held a strange expression. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain over his chest as if he'd been scratched by Kagome's cat only ten times its size. He moaned and rolled on his side.

Kikyo noticed. "Inuyasha?" she said. "Are you awake?"

He looked at her. "Yeah," he said. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in my house and that insane cat monster scratched you," she replied.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he wanted to know as the strange expression stayed on her face.

She hesitated. "Well if you must know," she reached down and picked up a mirror. "Here, try looking at yourself."

Inuyasha peered into the looking glass. He saw his face had a long scratch on it, going fron the left side of his face near his ear to the right part of his chin. But that wasn't important at the moment. He had noticed something else as well.

"Am I human?" he asked shocked at his own reflection.

Kikyo nodded. "Yes," she said slowly.

He stared at her. "How did this happen?" he demanded.

"I don't know," she replied. "After that cat sent you flying I shot an arrow at it and made it go away. When I ran up to you to see if you were all right I found you this way."

"Is tonight a new moon?"

"No. Tonight if a full moon."

Inuyasha was silent.

"I think that feline has some kind of power," Kikyo said thoughtfully.

Inuyasha looked right at her. "You think that cat did this to me?" he wanted to know.

The Priestess nodded slowly. "You know I don't think it was really that big," she mused off topicly.

"What!" he was confused. "What was that big?"

Kikyo looked back at him. "I don't think that cat was really as big as it was."

"Why do you say that?" he inquired.

"When I shot it with a purity arrow and it ran away it started to grow smaller." was the answer he got.

Inuyasha had no answer to give her. Slowly he asked. "Do you think it has a human shape?"

The woman nodded. "That is very likely and if it does it will be harder to find."

He didn't like the sound of that. "Do you think it was the same cat I ran into this morning?"

"Maybe."

"If it was what do you think it did with my brother?"

"I honestly don't know."

Kikyo's answer wasn't any help. I need to find that cat, Inuyasha shouted. I have to find out what it did with Sesshouamru.

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Mearle heard Sesshoumaru moaning in pain all the way from the other room in the small house. It sounded like a puppy moaning when wounded. It was so pitiful her heart went out to him. She left her own room and walked back to where he lay and once again knelt down beside him. Her heart filled with compassion. She put her hand on his forehead. It was super hot. Sweat soaked the blankets.

He does have a fever!

She reached over toward the bandage on his rght shoulder. She untied it slowly. When she saw the wound she put a hand over her mouth in horror.

The wound had swollen intensely. Green puss oozed out of the infected wound. I was right! It did get infected!

She touched the wound with her fingers. The dog demon cried out. Even in his sleep he felt pain. Mearle quickly removed her hand. "I'm sorry," she said in a whisper. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

She realized she'd better do something. She got up and filled a bowl with water. She brought it back over to where he lay and put a cloth in it. She wrung it out and rested it on his forehead. After a few minutes he moved it to his neck. She held his hand and carressed his forehead as she tried to comfort him.

"Don't worry," she told him. "I will not let you die. Stay strong. When morning comes I'll look for something to help you get better. Until then try to stay with me. Don't die again..."

All night she stayed beside him. All night she held his hand and when he'd cry out she'd calm him down by singing to him softly. By morning he seemed a bit cooler but she knew he wasn't better yet.

His fever was down but wouldn't be for long.

Mearle stood up. She saw the first rays of sunlight coming from over the mountains. It's time, she thought.

She leaned over the dog demon and whispered in his ea. "I have to go. I promise to be back soon."

She grabbed a basket and her bow and arrows and ran out of her houses, being sure to lock the door behind her so nothing would get in and Sesshy wouldn't get out if he had hallicinations.

The car demon made her way into the forest to search for herbs that would help heal the infection. It was hard work. By noon she still hadn't found anything. She leaned against a tree and slowly slid down the trunk until she was sitting on the ground. She sighed with disappointment.

"I can't stop now," she said out loud. "If I do I know he'll die. I must keep searching." She closed her eyes. "I just wish I had someone to help me."

"Did you say help?" a voice from the woods asked.

Starled, Mearle's golden eyes flew open. "Who's there?" she demanded.

A woman with red eyes and wearing a pink butterfly kimono came out from behind a tree.

"Who are you?" the cat asked, eyeing the woman.

"My name is Kagura," th woman replied.

"What do you want?" Mearle asked, eyeing the woman suspiciously.

"I just happened to be walking by when I heard you say you needed help to save the life of a friend," Kaugura explained herself. "If you're interested; I may know someone who can help you."

The cat demon blinked. "You do?" she asked sounding hopeful.

The woman nodded. "Yes, I do."

Mearle said nothing. Something didn't feel right. Could she trust this woman? What other choice do I have?

"Well?" Kagura asked after a minute.

Mearle nodded. "Okay," she said. "Take me to this person."

"I knew you would make the right descition," the woman turned. "Please come with me."

Mearle stood up and followed the other woman deeper into the forest. Kagura led her deeper still. Mearle began to worry a little bit as the trees seemed to take all the light. She knew it was still day but the darknening forest made her nervous. She didn't know what might be lerking out there waiting to punce.

Her grip involuntarily tightened around the bow she'd brought with her. I hope I don't have to use this, she thought. But if worse comes to worse I won't have any choice...

After walking a bit longer Mearle asked. "How must further?"

"Only a little ways to go," Kagura replied, not looking at the cat.

"Are you sure this person can help me save my friend?"

"Possitive."

Why do I feel so uneasy about this? she looked up at the trees. She could see through the gaps in the leaves that it was getting cloudy again. It's going to rain again, she thought. I hope I don't get stuck in it. I hate rain. I hate water, period!

Awhile later they came out of the woods. Mearle could see a large castle not far ahead. "Is that where he is?" she asked, just to be sure.

Kagura nodded. "Follow me and don't wander off."

Mearle nodded. She stayed with the woman as she let her across the yard and into the darkened building. As they walked down the shadowy hall the cat demon noticed there didn't seem to be anyone else in the building. In a castle this big shouldn't there at least be some servants?

"Does this person live alone?" she asked.

"Most of the time," was the tight reply.

"He must be real lonely."

Kagura said nothing to that.

I guess she isn't very talkative.. Mearlwe figured. I might as well not say anything. She looks like the type that gets annoyed easily.

With that thought she said nothing more as they walked trough the castle. Eventually she was led into a room that was lit by candles on the floor. Through the gloom she could see a figure but she couldn't tell who it was. She wasn't even sure it was a material person. It looked more shadow than human.

"Kagura," a deep voice spoke from the figure. "What is this?"

The woman stepped toward the figure. "This girl would like your help."

The figure said nothing. His eyes locked on the tiny pink gem on the cat's necklase.

"What do you need?" he finally asked.

"I was told by this woman that you had something that could help me save a friend," she replied, not looking at the shadow but rather the wall behind it.

The shadow sat there a moment thoughfully. Finally he stood and walked into the light. Meare saw a man with long black hair and piercing red eyes standing in front of her.

"Would you be able to help me?" she asked taking a small step back.

"I might," he said touching her jewel. "I will. I'm Naraku."

A/N

Another update. My fingers are sore.