Here is Chapter 17! And it turned into a loong one! I hope you all still like the story, I am very happy to see so many reading it in this chapter there is much about Inu Yasha and the gang and about Kikyo and even some with Kagura. In the next chapter it will jump a little to and from the future and the past. hope you'll stay tuned and now, please enjoy chapter 17!
Chapter 17.
Kagura let out a gasp of pain when her body hit the wall that Naraku threw her at one of the walls in his personal chambers and she looked up at the enraged hanyou and swallowed slowly, she knew he would be angry but she also knew that she had done the right thing in delaying to tell him what was going on. She wanted to be free from him and she now knew Kagome was very likely to be her key to freedom. If Kagome actually could give the band of mercenaries their lives back, Naraku would lose a very strong group of fighters.
"How can she possibly bring those ignorant fools back to life without the help of the jewel shards?! And why didn't you stop them?!" Naraku snarled out and Kagura flinched slightly and knew she had to say something that would not make Naraku want to kill her.
"I confronted Bankotsu and he told me that the miko was still alive and that she had offered them a way to come back to life. Before I could find out how, he stepped inside some sort of barrier, that was covering a part of Inu Yasha's forest, it was covering the part where that old dry well that the girl uses from time to time. I don't think they has done it yet. If they need a barrier to keep them hidden then shouldn't, whatever, the girl is doing take time?" Kagura said and made sure to keep herself calm so that Naraku wouldn't pick up on that she was only telling him a half truth. Naraku glared at Kagura in fury but didn't sense any deceit from her, not that, that was anything new, he knew she was not telling the whole truth but he deemed that whatever it was that she was not telling him probably was not of any importance.
"Fine! I want you to find Inu Yasha and tell him that I plan on going through the well in his forest. That should get his attention. He can use that red Tetsaiga on that barrier you spoke of and destroy it and then I will kill those traitors." Naraku growled out and Kagura nodded and hurried out of the room, she did not want to stay any longer than necessary. The wind demoness hurried outside and left on her feather in a hurry after she had gotten the right directions from Kanna.
(With Inutaichi and Kikyo)
Inutaichi and Kikyo had been traveling for days when Kirara returned and then they continued their search. That had been over a week now and they had, had now sign of Kagome nor Bankotsu and his band of mercenaries. It had made Sango and Miroku very worried, Inu Yasha was worried and on edge and Kikyo was still angry about what Inu Yasha had said. She had hoped she could have made him at least to come to her side so to speak but it hadn't worked. She knew that what she wanted was selfish but she couldn't help it. She was jealous of Kagome. After all, the girl had a completely new soul and if she was correct in her suspicions then the girl was also a direct decendant to the great miko Midoriko herself. Kikyo had always idolized the legendary miko and when she had been chosen to protect the Shikon jewel she had been happy and honored. Of course that had changed once she realised that she would never be allowed to be more than the cursed jewels protector. She was never allowed to be a woman. To fall in love and when she did indeed fall in love with Inu Yasha she hated her duty as the jewels protector even more. 'If I just take Kagome's soul and make it my own then I can probably call all the shards to me and destroy the jewel for good. After all, if the girl is a decendant to Midoriko then she should be able to destroy the thing without making a wish. But first I need to take her soul and make it into my own. I can do that, and then I will be alive and Inu Yasha and I can be happy together' Kikyo thought as she walked slightly behind her love and the soul collectors following her closely but they had now lost their snow white color and was now slightly grey in color. Though Kikyo didn't take any notice to it, Miroku however and noticed it and he had secretly told Sango aswell. They were both unsure of why those eerie creatures had started to change their colors but it didn't seem like Kikyo had noticed it herself yet and that told them that whatever was happening was not something the clay miko had any control over. They both had agreed on keeping their guard up and be ready for anything from then on. Kirara looked at the soul collectors and remembered what Shippo had told her and she couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe the soul collectors had another purpose aswell as stealing souls.
Inu Yasha walked in front of the group, his mind too occupied with worried thoughts of Kagome to take any notice of Kikyo's angry aura or his friends tense auras. He wanted to find Kagome. He knew Kagome was alive but she was with that bastard Bankotsu and the other members of the Band of Seven. That was not a good thing. Inu Yasha stopped suddenly and sighed and looked back at his friends and Kikyo.
"We should take a short break." Inu Yasha said and then he looked at Kikyo and continued.
"Do you feel Kagome anywhere near here?" He asked and Kikyo gave him a glare but then closed her eyed and concentrated but then opened them again and shook her head.
"No, she is not anywhere near here…" Kikyo spoke coldly and then walked to a tree and sat down in the shade. It was late in the afternoon and she knew that the group would want to continue looking until the sun was gone from the sky and that they wouldn't rest for long. Not that it mattered to her, she wasen't tierd. Inu Yasha looked at her for a moment and then sighed and sat down. They had bought some dried meat in a village a few days ago and they had a few canteens with water so they would just eat and drink that and then continue. Sango and Miroku joined him and once they all had a share of the meat and each a canteen they ate quietly. Sango sharing her food and water with Kirara. They didn't really speak much, just what they thought they should go next and soon they were walking again, they still had a few hours of sunlight left and they didn't want to waste any of it. Kikyo looked at them all and she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy in her chest when she watched her love so engrossed in searching for a girl that was not her. Didn't he love her? Why was he so determined to find Kagome when she, Kikyo, was at his side. He was supposed to love her after all.
It wasen't until the sun was long gone and the moon started to rise that they all made camp and Inu Yasha went out to hunt some fresh meat. Sango looked at Miroku and the both noticed that Kikyo had left to follow Inu Yasha and they both relaxed since her soul collectors had followed her.
"I don't sense her or her soul collectors so I think we can speak freely now." Miroku said quietly as he stoked their camp fire with a stick and Sango relaxed.
"Do you think she plans to harm Kagome? I know she had apologized but I don't trust her…" Sango said as she hugged Kirara and Miroku nodded.
"I agree with you there. Kikyo is not trustworthy and I think she wants to do something But I am unsure of what. We will have to keep a close eye on her. But Kagome is not the same untrained girl she was three years ago. Kaede has trained her in how to use her reiki. It just too bad that none of us had given her any training in hand to hand fighting or a weapon. Maybe if we had she wouldn't have been kidnapped but that is something I plan on changing once we have saved her. I will not let something like this happen again." Miroku said with determination in his voice and Sango nodded her head in agreement. After that they sat in silence deep in their own thoughts, though still aware of their surroundings.
Kirara looked up at her companion and the monk and wished she could take them all to the well but Kagome had asked her and Shippo not to and the nekomata could understand. The change in the young mikos scent had revealed everything to her and from what Kagome had said she knew that Naraku had raped the young miko. The vile half breeds scent was long gone from Kagome's body, which was good in Kirara's opinion. The girl did not need that stench on her body. She was worried about the Band of Seven but she hadn't smelled any deceit from them so she would give them the benefit of the doubt for now. She would wait a few more days and then try to make her pack understand that she wanted them to return to Edo. That should give Kagome time to maybe heal enough for her to face her friends and let them help her. Especially Sango, Kagome needed a female close to her that was not her mother and from what she knew, Sango and Kagome was as close as sisters. Kirara let out a soft yawn and laid down in Sango's lap to get a quick nap until Inu Yasha returned.
Inu Yasha had just killed a decent size deer and flung it over his shoulder when Kikyo and her soul collectors came through the trees and he sighed internally. He knew that she was still mad at him but he didn't feel bad about it. After all Kikyo had been the one in the wrong. He looked Kikyo in the eyes and was about to speak when Kikyo spoke first.
"Don't you love me anymore, Inu Yasha? Have Kagome taken you away from me? Is that why you have been so cold to me? It is the reason why you are so desperate to find her?" Kikyo asked as she watched Inu Yasha and Inu Yasha stared at her in slight shock and then shook his head slowly.
"Is that why you were bad mouthing Kagome before? You thought I love her instead of you?" Inu Yasha asked and when Kikyo just stared at him he sighed.
"I do love Kagome, Kikyo. But not as a mate. I love her like a younger sister. It is you that I love as a woman. The woman I want as my mate, my wife. The reason why I have been so distant to you is because you are talking badly about Kagome. She don't deserve it. She hasn't done anything to you. I want to find Kagome because she is my friend. My best friend. The very first that accepted me for who I am and not for what I am. I know you love me and that you loved me back when you were still alive but you didn't really accept me completely. After all, you asked me to use the jewel to become human for you." Inu Yasha said and then he walked up to Kikyo and caressed her cheek as she stared at him with wide eyes.
"You cannot deny that you didn't accept the demon side of me. But I still love you like I did back then. But I won't become human for you anymore. If you want to be with me, you will have to accept all of me just like I do to you." Inu Yasha said and then he walked passed Kikyo to return to the camp, Kikyo stayed behind, thinking on what Inu Yasha had just said and she then turned to follow after him. A small part of her was furious at him for what he said. But the rest of her had been so happy to hear that he still loved her that she decided to push her anger aside for now. Inu Yasha still loved her. Sure he had said that he loved Kagome as a sister and that made her angry but she would think about all this once she was sure everyone was asleep back in camp. Right now she just wanted to be near Inu Yasha.
(With Kagura).
Kagura knew she was getting closer to Inu Yasha and the others, she could sense their auras and she hoped she could convince them to hurry to the well but she also wanted to make sure to give them a clue on this being a trap set by Naraku. But she had to be careful. She had noticed that a small swarm of Saimyosho's was following her. She needed to make sure she worded her warning correctly or maybe she could write it down. That thought made Kagura rip of a small piece of her sleeve using the sound of the wind to cover the tearing of the fabric hidden from the hell insects following her. Then she took the small container she had her lip paint in and used her claw to write down a small message to the Inutaichi. Maybe she could make the slayer throw her weapon at her and then she could use her wind to somehow attach the small fabric to the boomerang. She could only hope it would work.
(With Inutaichi and Kikyo).
After Inu Yasha had returned to the camp site with Kikyo returning just a few minutes after him he gave Sango his kill, who immediately started to gut and clean it and soon the deer was spited over the fire slowly cooking. Kikyo walked to a tree and sat down quietly and she gave Inu Yasha a very unsure stare and then closed her eyes. Showing him and everyone else that she wanted to be left alone. Inu Yasha looked at her and sighed. He really hoped he could get Kikyo to let go of her hatred towards Kagome before they found and rescued the younger woman. Kagome had never done anything to deserve to be hated for. After all, Kagome had helped Kikyo from time to time even though she never had to do it. 'Oh well, I am sure I can make Kikyo understand' Inu Yasha thought to himself as he got some of the cooked meat from Sango and started to eat. Sango then gave some to Miroku and then Kirara before she took some for herself to eat and as they ate a sudden and sharp wind started to blow and they had to cover their eyes slightly to prevent from getting dirt in them, when the wind died down however Inu Yasha let out and angry growl and unsheathed Tetsaiga and then glared at the one who had decided to appear before them, Kagura. Sango immediately reached for her weapon and Miroku grabbed his staff and they all stood ready to fight. Even Kikyo had moved to their side, aiming an arrow towards Kagura.
Kagura landed in the clearing where the Inutaichi had made a small camp and once she saw that they were ready to fight she held up her hand to make them wait and before Inu Yasha started yelling or the dead golem started to fire arrows at her she spoke.
"I am not here to fight at the moment. I am here to warn you. I don't have much time so just shut up and listen. Your young friend, Kagome, she is in her own home. She was able to escape Naraku and go through the well. However, Naraku has found a way to get through the well aswell. He even took over another miko to create a barrier around the clearing where the well is so that he can do the preparations that needs to be done for him to pass through the well. I don't expect you to believe me but I do not like what that bastard has planned for the girl and that is why I am telling you this. If you want to save the young miko then hurry to the well!" Kagura said as she then took her feather and used the wind to lift her high up into the sky, leaving a shocked and worried group of friends and Kikyo behind. However, Miroku noticed a piece of Kagura's kimono sleeve fluttering down at his feet and he thought it weird that Kagura had ripped her clothes when there had been no fighting, and even weirder was that the piece of fabric had been fluttering so close to the ground, like the wind demoness didn't want no one to know about it. So Miroku pretended to drop his surta and then bent down on one knee to pick it up and while he picked up his sutra he secretly pocketed the small piece of fabric and then stood up and looked at everyone.
"What should we do, Inu Yasha? Should we believe her?" Miroku asked Inu Yasha looked at his friends.
"I think we should trust her. It isn't the first time that Kagura had come and given us secret information. Let's hurry back to Edo and to the well. If Naraku has found a way to get through the well then Kagome and her family is in danger." Inu Yasha said and at that they immediately broke up their camp and made sure to package the leftover meat and then they started to hurry. No one was going to get any rest this evening. Kikyo looked at them as she was riding on Inu Yasha's back, while Sango and Miroku was riding on Kirara. She couldn't help but actually agree with what Inu Yasha had said. If Naraku could get to the girl's time then nothing good would come out of it. 'I still want Kagome gone but maybe if I destroy the well instead then I can become Inu Yasha's mate and all I have to do is wait for the girl's time to come to pass and kill her then.' Kikyo thought however she then flinched slightly as pain filled her chest and she took a deep breath and laid her head on Inu Yasha's shoulder in confusion. 'What was that pain in my chest just now?' Kikyo thought in confusion and Sango and Miroku both noticed that Kikyo's soul collectors had become a darker shade of grey in just an instant and it seemed that some of the creatures was missing. Kikyo only had six left while when they had made camp she had, had ten of them. They wondered what was going on but they wouldn't say anything right now, they didn't want to stop now.
Miroku took out the small piece of fabric after a while and noticed that Kagura had written something on it. He read it and took a deep breath to calm himself. 'It seems that Kagura is trying to help, it wouldn't be the first time she did that.' Miroku thought and then whispered to Sango what he had read on the fabric. Sango let out a worried gasp and then calmed herself and looked over her shoulder and asked Miroku to let her see it for herself and once Miroku handed over the fabric Sango read it herself and she thought the same as Miroku. This wouldn't be the first time that Kagura had given them, hints and clues in secret. And this was just too rushed to be a trap set by Naraku. Which meant that what Kagura had said most likely was the real trap. Sango looked at Miroku.
"Should we tell Inu Yasha about this now or should we wait?" Sango whispered and Miroku looked down at their half demon friend and the dead miko and sighed.
"We should tell him now, otherwise he might just go charging right in once we get to the clearing with the red Tetsaiga. That would be bad. But if we stop him we might be able to get some rest before we arrive. It will take us at least two days to reach Edo if we travel without any breaks but we will have to stop for short periods of times. We should show him this message then." Miroku whispered and Sango nodded in understanding. Sango then looked forward, letting her thoughts go. 'What has happened to you Kagome? From what Kagura told us you were able to escape, but from the message she had written it seemed you had help. But she didn't write who had helped you.' Sango thought in worry and sighed as she looked down at Inu Yasha. 'And it bothers me on what Kagura said, what is Naraku's plan? All the times before he just wanted you dead. What in the world has changed and what does he want from you now?' Sango shook her head to chase away her thoughts and took a deep breath as her eyes took on a shine of sheer determination. 'No matter what I will not let that bastard get to you again, you are my best friend, Kagome. I will protect you and once you are back with us I will start train you. I swear it!' Sango thought as she urged Kirara to go faster. She wanted to cover as much ground as possible. Miroku looked at Sango and without knowing it the two humans shared thoughts. They would make sure Kagome got the training she needed once they found her.
Inu Yasha ran at full speed with Kikyo on his back, he was worried. How had Kagome been able to escape? It didn't make sense that Naraku would be that careless. And what worried him the most what was Kagura had said about Naraku having some kind of plan on regarding Kagome. Something not even Kagura liked. That could'nt be good at all. He knew that they wouldn't be able to reach Edo for at least two days. And that was if they only stopped to eat, relieve themselves and only took short naps to get some kind of rest. Inu Yasha growled lowly in his throat and then felt Kikyo hug him from behind.
"Thanks Kikyo, but I am okay. I am just worried." Inu Yasha said lowly and Kikyo looked at him and laid her head on his shoulder and pressed herself against him.
"I am sure the girl is fine. Since Kagura came and warned us now, knowing we wouldn't be able to get to Edo right away, should tell us that whatever Naraku is planning should take some time to accomplish." Kikyo spoke calmly. Inu Yasha relaxed slightly at hearing Kikyo's words and smiled.
"You are right Kikyo. I just hope Kagome is fine. I am worried. What if that bastard hurt her? I promised her and her family that I would keep her safe. She is like a sister to me Kikyo… I won't be able to forgive myself if she has been hurt." Inu Yasha whispered and Kikyo couldn't help but feel jealousy grow in her chest and she hugged Inu Yasha tighter.
"Is she really that important to you, Inu Yasha? What about me? You said you wanted me as you mate. But you talk like no matter what Kagome will always be more important." Kikyo said, her voice cold and trembled slightly in anger and Inu Yasha blinked slightly in surprise and then looked over his shoulder to Kikyo and sighed. Suddenly becoming annoyed by her jealousy.
"Don't be like that Kikyo. I love you and I want to have you as my mate. But I can't do that while you are dead. As soon as that bastard Naraku is dead and Kagome has the jewel that will change however." Inu Yasha said as he looked at Kikyo and gave her a light kiss on her cheek and then turned his eyes back on the road and continued running.
Kikyo stared in shock and confusion and frowned once she thought about what Inu Yasha just said.
"Inu Yasha, what does you mean by that?" Kikyo asked quietly and Inu Yasha tensed slightly and sighed.
"I wasen't supposed to tell you since even though you have apologized to Kagome, she don't really trust you and she asked me not to tell you in order to see if you really meant it. Once Kagome has the jewel she is going to wish for you to have your own soul. She won't be you reincarnation and you will once more be alive. Then we can be together, Kikyo. So please don't do something stupid. I don't want to lose you." Inu Yasha said quietly and Kikyo could only stare at him in shock. Kikyo didn't know what to say or even think. The girl, Kagome wanted to give her life back. Even after everything that she had done to her. She had always known that Kagome was a very forgiving person but to give her, Kikyo, her life back after everything she had done to hurt the girl? Not even she herself would completely trust a being like that even if they did apologize. 'Could I have been blind to all of this? N-no that can't be. The girl probably only said that to Inu Yasha to give him false hope, there is no way that anyone, human, half demon or full demon would be that kind and unselfish. After all, not even I was that way when I was alive. There is just no way… can it?' Kikyo thought sadly.
Sango and Miroku watched as Kikyo and Inu Yasha talked while he was running and noticed that once more the soul collectors color got darker only to slowly change back to a lighter she of grey. Sango and Miroku looked at each other and was starting to get worried about what they were seeing. It seemed Kikyo and Inu Yasha both was completely oblivious about it all. Kirara had also been watching what was going on with the ones on the ground and she narrowed her eyes in suspicions. She was starting to get an idea of what was happening. She knew that Miroku soon would notice aswell. Kikyo's aura was slightly turning darker and darker and that was what the soul collectors were reacting to. Thought it did seem that something in Kikyo made them revert back from dark grey to light grey. Maybe Kikyo was slowly turning into something darker. Whatever it was it probably was not good and she hoped that it could be stopped. She did not wish to put Kagome in more danger right now. Kirara let out a soft huff and continued on, flying as fast as she could.
The gang continued to travel all through the night and wasen't until after the sun had come up that they all stopped and Inu Yasha let Kikyo down and watched how Kirara landed. Sango and Miroku jumped of the Nekomata and Kirara immediately reverted back to her smaller form. Miroku looked at Inu Yasha and cleared his throat to get their leaders attention.
"Inu Yasha, Kagura left us a secret message before, we didn't want to tell you anything while we were traveling but now that we are going to get a little rest I think you should know." Miroku spoke evenly making sure that even if Naraku was spying on them he wouldn't be able to hear what they were talking about. Inu Yasha heard what Miroku said and tensed but he forced himself to talk with a low voice just like his friend.
"So what does that message say then?" Inu Yasha hissed out in a love voice while Kikyo just stayed quiet. She wasen't sure why but she knew she had to do some meditating while they all rested. She didn't know why but she just knew she needed to do it. Sango watched Kikyo carefully but made sure to listen to Miroku and Inu Yasha aswell while she held a now sleeping Kirara in her arms.
Miroku looked at Inu Yasha and sighed.
"She says that there is indeed a barrier around the clearing of the well but it is not Naraku's doing. She thinks it might be Kagome's but she isn't sure. She also says that Naraku wants us, or more precisely, you, Inu yasha to break it. She won't say in her message what is behind it other than that Kagome is in there and from what I could get from how Kagura wrote the note Kagome is not alone behind the barrier." Miroku said and Inu Yasha was nearly shaking with worry and anger as he looked towards Sango and the sleeping Kirara.
"Shippo is probably in there, maybe even Kaede. The question is why the hell Kirara did not try to tell us to return." Inu Yasha hissed out but he immediately flinched when Sango glared at him.
"Well maybe Kagome asked her not to. We don't know what that bastard has done to her, she could be very severely injured. Knowing Kagome she probably wanted some time to heal before she saw us. She hates it when we blame ourselves when she gets injured Inu Yasha." Sango whispered and at that Miroku could only nod in agreement though a part of him feared that it just might be something worse than just being injured. He was sure that Sango feared it aswell but he was positive that Inu Yasha had not caught on, on what Kagura had said. Miroku suspected that Naraku might want to keep Kagome as a servant if he gets the complete jewel, or worse make her his mate. That thought alone made Miroku want to cringe in anger and disgust. For now he wouldn't let Inu Yasha know of this. If he knew their short tempered friend would lose all control he had of his instincts. Miroku looked towards Kikyo and hoped she wouldn't say anything either but he didn't think she would. Whatever Kikyo was planning or at least wanted had to do with Kagome so right now this knowledge would be safe. He would also have to ask Kikyo about her soul collectors before they continued.
Inu Yasha sighed. He knew Sango was right.
"Okay, whatever now let's eat something and get some sleep for a couple of hours before we continue. I don't want to slow down, even if it is a trap. We will stop at the village before we go to the well. Maybe Kaede will be there and know what is going on." Inu Yasha said and once the food had been given to everyone, except for Kirara, who would get her share once she woke up they all sat down and ate quietly and then they all laid down to rest. Miroku, erecting a barrier around them all with the help of his sutras. Kikyo sat by Inu Yasha's side while he slept meditating.
After just two hours Miroku woke up and looked around while he stretched slightly, he noticed that he was the only one awake and he then noticed that Kikyo had stopped her meditating and was looking at Inu Yasha while he slept sitting up. Miroku slowly rose from his seat and walked up to Kikyo and once the dead miko looked up at him he spoke.
"Kikyo, may I speak with you about something?" Miroku asked politely and once Kikyo nodded and then stood up he walked to the other side where Sango and Kirara was sleeping to make sure Inu Yasha wouldn't wake up as easily. Once there he looked at Kikyo and then glanced at her soul collectors.
"Have you noticed that your soul collectors have changed in color? Why is that Kikyo?" Miroku asked quietly while looking into Kikyo's eyes only to see shock enter them. It seemed Kikyo, indeed hadn't noticed the change. Kikyo stared at the monk in shock and then turned to looked at her snake like servant and just like Miroku said, they had changed from snow white to light grey and they were also fewer of them. She only had six left.
"I… I do not know. I haven't noticed this I have been occupied with other thoughts." Kikyo said slowly and Miroku narrowed his eyes at her answer. He noticed that once those words left her mouth the dead mikos aura turned darker then returned back to normal.
"Kikyo, I will say this now and take this as your only warning. I know you don't like Kagome and are jealous of her but you better not be planning on harming her. Both me and Sango will attack you if we think you do that. Kagome does not love Inu Yasha like she used to. She sees him as a friend. That is all so you better leave her alone." Miroku spoke quietly and at his words Kikyo flinched and stared at him on shock and anger.
Kikyo couldn't believe it. How could this perverted monk know what she was thinking?! And the slayer too. Kikyo gritted her teeths and glared at Miroku but then she noticed that her soul collectors became darker in color again and once more the pain in her chest appeared. The dead miko took a deep breath and glared at Miroku.
"I won't harm her so stop threatening me." She hissed out and then walked back to Inu Yasha and sat down. Miroku watched her leave but he didn't believe her. The Kikyo that now walked the earth was not the woman that Kaede always spoke of. Sure the Kikyo from a little over fifty years ago had also been selfish but from what Miroku could understand the Kikyo from before would never even think about hurting someone else just because of her own selfish wishes or out of jealousy. He just hoped that Inu Yasha would either realise that there was no way to save the woman or Inu Yasha would perform a miracle and help the old Kikyo to come back, sending this dark and jealous shell of a woman that now was called Kikyo back down to wherever she came from.
Thirty minutes later Inu Yasha woke up and told Miroku to wake Sango and Kirara so they could eat some more meat and then continue on towards Edo. He did notice that Kikyo seemed angry but he would ask her about while they were moving. Not right now, he had learned when he first met Kikyo that it was better to let her cool down a little before he asked her anything when she was upset. He was certain that it was the same even now. Soon they all had eaten and were once again back on the road, heading towards Edo as fast as they could. After a short while Inu Yasha glanced over his shoulder and looked at Kikyo and sighed.
"What is wrong, Kikyo?" Inu Yasha asked quietly and when Kikyo met his eyes with his own he couldn't help but be slightly concerned and worried. She was pissed about something.
Kikyo gave Inu Yasha a glare and then hissed lowly in memory of what the perverted monk had told her.
"That monk friend of yours outright threatened me while you were asleep." Kikyo said in a whisper and Inu Yasha frowned at what she said. He knew for a fact that Miroku wouldn't threat anyone without a reason so he held Kikyo tighter and looked forwards as he ran.
"And why did he do that? And don't try to trick me Kikyo. I am not gonna believe that Miroku, who I know hate to resort to threats just up and threatened you?" Inu Yasha said and he felt how Kikyo tensed and that she grew angrier and that was when something dark grey, nearly black caught his eye and he stared in shock at Kikyo's soul collectors. 'How did I miss that they have changed color?!' Inu Yasha thought but he was brought out of his musings by Kikyo's angered and tense whisper.
"He just said he wouldn't let me hurt my reincarnation. I have already said I wouldn't do anything to her but he and the slayer don't believe me. I can't believe you are taking their side." Kikyo whispered in anger and Inu Yasha sighed.
"Of course they don't trust you, Kikyo. I didn't want to believe that you would harm Kagome but before you apologized but you have tried it. You can't deny it and neither can I. I saw and heard you once remember. I don't think you would harm her now though since you did apologize. But can you really blame the others and Kagome not to completely trust you?" Inu Yasha asked quietly and Kikyo glared at the back of his head in fury, how could he say that her words was not trustworthy in the eyes of the monk and slayer? Kagome, she could begrudgingly admit that Kagome's mistrust she could accept but not the other two.
'Why is it always that damn girl that get all the loyalty?! It is not fair. I should have that, not her damnit!' Kikyo thought in anger and for a moment her dark brown eyes flashed black but then flashed back to brown when Kikyo felt the pain in her chest once again and she clenched her teeth in pain and confusion and then glanced up at her soul collectors and stared in slight fear at the now nearly black color they had and she swallowed in worry.
"Inu Yasha, you need to stop and let me down. I will have to meet you in Edo. I need to take my soul collectors and myself to get cleansed in one of the holy springs. Something is wrong with them." Kikyo said coldly, still being angry at him for in her mind taking the monk's side instead of hers. Inu Yasha heard her and came to abrupt stop and let her down and he watched in slight sadness as the dark soul collectors flew to Kikyo and lifted her up but before she could fly away he spoke.
"Kikyo, I love you I really do but you need to let go of this hatred and the idea of everyone being against you, please don't let me lose you again." Inu Yasha said and Kikyo looked at him in slight shock but didn't answer him and instead told her soul collectors to take her away from there and they did what she told and soon she was long gone and Kirara landed near Inu Yasha, Sango and Miroku looking at Inu Yasha with concern.
"What is going on, Inu Yasha?" Miroku asked and Inu Yasha sighed.
"She needed to get her soul collectors cleansed. She said she would meet us in Edo. Come on, let's keep going." Inu Yasha as he bounded of in high speed again and Kirara soon following him. Miroku and Sango however didn't know if they liked this development. They felt like they needed to keep a close eye on the dead miko. But they couldn't do anything about it now. Hopefully they would already be by the well once Kikyo decided to rejoin them.
(With Kagura).
Kagura returned late the next day back at Naraku's hiding place and sighed. She really did hope that they had noticed her secret messaged. She knew that Naraku wouldn't try do spy on the Inutaichi. Not while Kikyo was among them, not even with Kanna's mirror. That undead bitch seemed to feel whenever he was watching her so Naraku always made sure to spy at Kikyo to a minimum. Kagura walked along the hall ways in the castle inside towards her own room, making sure to hide the tear in her kimono and when she reached her door she saw Kanna standing there and she tensed slightly and walked up to her.
"Kanna, I am tierd. What is it?" Kagura said, which wasen't a lie in total. Kanna looked up at Kagura and nodded slowly and then stepped aside and started to walk past Kagura only to say in her monotone and quiet voice.
"Make sure to destroy that ripped kimono, sister. Otherwise Naraku will surely kill you this time." Kana said and then the void walked away, leaving a worried Kagura behind. Kagura hurried inside her room and looked her door and then stripped out of her kimono and threw it inside the open fireplace and took out a new, similar kimono and redressed herself and then started a fire in the fireplace. Making sure that nothing of the old kimono survived. Kagura let out a breath of relief and knew that Naraku probably wouldn't bother her for now, otherwise he would have made Kanna tell her so right away when she returned so Kagura walked to her futon and laid down to get some sleep while silently sending a prayer to the young miko, Kagome. Praying that the young woman would be able to destroy Naraku very soon so Kagura and Kanna could be free. With that thought, Kagura drifted off to sleep.
(In the Village of Edo).
Shippo sat in Kaede's hut with the old miko eating some stew for a late lunch but the old miko could see how the little boy would, from time to time, look towards the door like he was waiting for someone, most likely Kagome, to walk inside and greet him with her smile and a hug. Kaede sighed slightly and a part of her wanted to tell the young fox demon what she suspected had happened to Kagome but she knew for certain that Kagome would never want young Shippo to know that. He was still very young and Kagome would surely not like the young boy to know the truth. So instead the old woman was left with trying to reassure the boy in whatever way she could.
"Do not worry Shippo. I am sure that young Kagome will be fine, she just need some time to heal. Ye should just wait and be ready to greet her once she returns." Kaede said and Shippo looked at her and smiled a little and nodded.
"Okay, but I miss her Kaede. And I am worried also. I know I didn't smell any lies from Bankotsu and the others but they tried to kill us so many times." Shippo said and Kaede nodded in understanding.
"Yes, ye are correct but you should remember that since you couldn't smell any deceit from them that you shouldn't have to worry." Kaede said as she helped herself to some more stew and Shippo looked at her while thinking over what she just had said and then nodded in agreement and asked Kaede for some more food and soon they ate in comfortable silence.
It wasen't until the early evening while Kaede and Shippo was preparing dinner that Shippo's head snapped towards the door and then he ran out of the hut and Kaede could sense why the young boy had reacted that way. Inu Yasha and the others had returned. She let out a sigh and slowly stood up and walked out of the hut after Shippo. She had to make sure that she could talk to Inu Yasha and the others without Shippo.
Inu Yasha soon arrived in front of Kaede's hut and noticed that Shippo and Kaede was waiting for them and he looked at Shippo, who wouldn't meet his eyes and he narrowed his eyes.
"Hey, runt, why are you avoiding eye contact with me?" Inu Yasha asked and Shippo looked at him slowly and then bounded of as fast as he could towards the well. Inu Yasha was about to go after him when Kaede's voice stopped him.
"Let him go, Inu Yasha. I need to speak to ye and the others and it is not something I wish him to hear." Kaede spoke and at that moment Kirara landed and Sango and Miroku heard what she said and Kirara hurried after Shippo, she didn't wish to see what was about to happen inside the old mikos hut. Kaede watched Kirara go and then looked at Inu Yasha and the other two and motioned them to follow her inside the hut.
Once everyone was seated Kaede looked at them and saw Inu Yasha's impatient look and sighed.
"Inu Yasha, ye need to keep yourself calm, for what I am about to tell you will not be easy and it is only a suspicion I have. Kagome hasen't come here to see me but she has seen Shippo by the well. She is in her own time and she does not wish to come back right now. She needs some time with her family. Inu Yasha can ye keep yeself calm?" Kaede asked as she glared at the inu half demon. In Inu Yasha's case he could only stare at Kaede in shock just like Sango and Miroku was doing. Kagome was really back in her own time and she didn't want to return for the time being?! Inu Yasha swallowed the lump that formed in his throat and slowly nodded.
"Keh, fine I will be calm." He said and when he saw the look Kaede gave him he knew she didn't believe him but then the old miko shrugged her shoulder and nodded.
"Good, because if you go through the well right now it might just hurt her more than it will do any good." Kaede said and at that they all tensed and Kaede sighed and told them what she suspected had happened and once she was done Sango was crying hysterically, Miroku was trembling in anger and sadness and Inu Yasha was completely grey in the face as rage filled his eyes and he slowly stood up. Intending to hurry to the well but Kaede stopped him.
"Ye cannot go to her Inu Yasha. Right now she needs her family. Also there is a barrier around the clearing of the well. It seemed the ones that saved her life once Naraku was through was the Band of Seven… I do not know why they saved her but they did and right now they are hiding in the clearing, the barrier keeping them hidden." Kaede said and Inu yasha turned on her with a snarl on his face.
"It was those damn bastards that took her to Naraku!" Inu Yasha yelled but Kaede just glared at him.
"I know that. Ye all told me that but it is thanks to them that she is still alive and right now that is what should really matter! Now sit down and calm yeself! I will not let you go and make matters worse for Kagome." Kaede snapped and Inu Yasha flinched and glared at Kaede.
"What the hell do you mean by that you old hag?!" Inu Yasha yelled but it was Miroku who answered instead of Kaede.
"She means that right now, Kagome might not want to see us. I don't know why Bankotsu and the others saved her but the truth is that Kagome is safe in her own time. Shouldn't we just leave it at that for now? Inu Yasha let's wait until tomorrow before we take down that barrier and confront the Band of Seven. We all need to get some rest after hurrying back here." Miroku said as he held a sobbing Sango in his arms and Inu Yasha's ears went flat on the top of his head and he nodded slowly, though he didn't want to wait he knew that if he broke the barrier now he might just play right into Naraku's hands.
"Fine! But once the sun rises tomorrow I will be taking that damn barrier down!" Inu Yasha said as he left the hut and jumped up to its roof to lay down, he looked towards where the well was and swallowed. 'Kagome, please be okay. I promise I will do anything I can to help you.' Inu Yasha thought in sadness as the last rays of the sun vanished from the sky.
Sango had soon cried herself to sleep and Miroku looked at Kaede as he laid Sango down on a futon and covered her with a blanket.
"Lady Kaede do you really think it is safe having the Band of Seven near the well?" Miroku asked and Kaede nodded.
"Aye, I believe so. Shippo and Kirara both did not seem to sense any lies from them when they met with Kagome and them in the clearing so I think we should trust them. Kaede answered as she gave Miroku a bowl of soup, which he gratefully took and soon even Miroku had gone to sleep. Kaede also turned in for the night soon after Miroku had fallen asleep. Inu Yasha however stayed awake, he wanted to go to Kagome but right now he would keep himself calm. After all, the Band of Seven couldn't get through the well. Soon even Inu Yasha fell into a light slumber and it wasen't until late at night that Shippo and Kirara returned, they had arrived at the well and saw that there was only the bones, armor and clothes left of the former mercenaries and he was a little worried over Inu yasha and the others reaction but he wouldn't tell them about Kagome finding out that that Bankotsu and the others had a life in the future. That would just set Inu Yasha on crazy hunt for them in the future. Shippo wouldn't let that happen. That would surely upset Kagome. Shippo and Kirara soon laid down to sleep aswell, Shippo sleeping on the futon Kagome always used with a blanket covering him and Kirara went to sleep beside Sango. Both knowing very well that the next day, Inu Yasha would surely try to destroy the barrier Renkotsu had put up.