Crusade Against the Moon
Chapter Three : Breathless
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor the characters from the show.
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Their eyes lingered on her, disapproving and judgmental. She felt something in her stomach churn unpleasantly. These people living so close, they were complete strangers to her, and although this was technically her home, longer than it had ever been theirs. They didn't know her. They didn't know that she had returned, or that she had lived here before, or that she had helped save the village. To them, she was the stranger, and an unwelcome guest in their village.
Frowning, she turned away from their cold shoulders. She had a bad feeling. And one thing she'd learned about living in the Sengoku-Jidai, it was to always trust your instincts.
It was still early morning by the time the small group headed off to the tormented village. Kagome had borrowed a bow from Kaede since, in haste, hers had been left back in her time. She made a mental note to acquire a new one when they returned. Although she appreciated the old woman's kind gesture... the current bow didn't seem like it'd last for more than a few months. She eyed the weapon wearily, noticing some worrisome splints that she just knew would eventually end up lodged in her fingers.
She glanced back at Shippo, who had been chatting merrily on her shoulder throughout the trip. Kagome was pleasantly surprised that Inuyasha hadn't complained nor bothered to shut the little kit up. It was hard not to enjoy the exaggerated tales he told of his time in the Fox Academy.
After a few quick stops to replenish their energy, night had finally fallen. Kagome figured a couple more hours had passed after she began noticing the trees around them thinning out. She felt Inuyasha's strides slow up, "we're close."
Kagome nodded. "Should we set up camp before heading in?"
"The village headman was kind enough to offer us a place to stay," said Miroku.
So they continued silently onwards as crickets sang their ancient melodies. Inuyasha's feet crunched the scattered leaves littering the ground, and high in the sky, the moon shone full and bright. To the side, Kirara's fiery feet lighted the trees around them in a flickering orange glow. Kagome tried to ignore her unease as Shippo grabbed onto her tighter.
In the distance, the roofs of multiple huts came into view. Inuyasha slowed to a walk, keeping Kagome on his back before bending to one knee and letting her off near the edge of the village. He scrunched his nose at the smell of the smoke in the air. Miroku landed silently on his sandaled feet as Kirara transformed back to her miniature size. They walked together quietly, passing numerous huts whose windows were lit from the small fires inside.
"They still light their pits," Miroku wondered aloud, perplexed that the villagers would still put themselves in danger. His staff tinkled softly past his ears every time he rested its end on the ground, matching it with his foot steps subconsciously.
"Even so late at night?" Kagome furrowed her brow, confused and concerned all at once. "So strange."
"Feh," Inuyasha spit out, "bunch a' idiots."
Taking the lead, the small group followed Miroku deeper into the village. "The headman's hut is further this way."
Rubbing her thumb carefully over the worn bow on her shoulder, Kagome looked this way and that, trying to peek into the bright windows. If anyone needed help, she didn't want to miss her chance in aiding them.
Shippo leaned towards her turned face, obstructing her view. "I'm tired," he whispered, a little bit ashamed of admitting the fact since his friends were on official business.
Offering him a kind smile, Kagome lifted her hand and scratched softly at his head, he leaned in towards her temple, closing his eyes and letting out a small sigh. "It's okay, Shippo," she spoke softly, "the headman will show us where we'll be staying. You can sleep there once we're settled in." She dropped her hand when he nodded, his eyes blinking slowly, heavy with the promise of a comfortable futon to lay on.
Inuyasha snorted, stubbornly thinking how they should have left the kit back at home. Kagome narrowed her eyes at him in silent warning, knowing exactly what his opinion was. He crossed his arms indignantly and squinted his eyes right back at her. She sputtered, barely holding back her laugh at his reaction. His ears went up on alert, focusing solely on her as she covered her mouth in a desperate attempt to keep her voice quiet.
"Noisy woman," he grumbled.
"It's your fault!" She hissed back.
"Bah." With slightly tinged cheeks, he turned back to Miroku, continuing to follow with Kagome close beside him.
"This is it," the monk announced. The hut was significantly bigger than the rest in the village. It had a beautiful shoji front door and a wide awning to protect it from the weather. It wrapped around the whole structure along with a porch which had three steps that lead to the door. Kagome couldn't help gawk at it, impressed to find such a structure in the quaint settlement. There was nothing like this back at Kaede's village. The town must definitely be prosperous for the headman to afford something so elegant.
"It's a bit late," Miroku muttered. Feeling conflicted about waking someone in the middle of the night.
Kagome sighed, rubbing her arms to keep the chill from her skin. From her peripheral, she saw Shippo's tiny little hand slide out of his sleeve, he turned his palm to face the sky, and before she could react, the air swirled blue before bursting and sparking, then forth came his little fox flame. Instantly, it heated the cheek he still rested on.
"You're cold," he murmured. She closed her eyes happily and rubbed her head on him. It would seem he had been a little too late though, because as fast as he had conjured up the flame, she had felt a tickle in her nose, and despite herself, sneezed, her body convulsing with the strength of her own blow.
Mortified, she covered her mouth with both hands. Eyes going wide, she looked back at Miroku and Inuyasha looked equally surprised. She squeaked out an apology, feeling as though her outburst was still echoing through the vicinity.
Inuyasha shook his head, shrugging out of his haori and flipping it out once, straightening the creases in that single action before walking towards her. Kagome watched him approach, her face flushing as he lifted his arms around her, bring the material across her back. His chest was so close to her face, she could see the moon shine off his enchanted beads. She resisted the urge to reach out and touch them. His knuckles came together in front of her, and he pulled the haori so that she could move closer to him. "I don't want you catching a cold, Kagome."
She blinked dumbly up at him, not able to do much but nod before finally whispering a quiet thank you.
A loud cough tore the couple away, reminding them that Shippo was still right there, wrapped in the red fabric as well on Kagome's shoulder. Inuyasha immediately dropped his hands and Kagome averted her gaze.
Distracting them from their little exchange, a light flickered in the headman's house, drawing everyone's attention. Then out came his voice, loud in the quiet of the night. "Who's there?"
Clearing his throat before speaking, Miroku lifted his free hand, "we've come to exterminate the demon."
A bit of rustling sounded and the group watched expectantly as a glow emanated behind the shoji front door. It slid open to reveal an older set man. He lifted a tiny plate with a fire flickering in the middle of it, illuminating everyone's faces one by one, then stopped at Miroku's. "You've been gone quite some time, we've been expecting you." There was an annoyed undertone in his words.
"Indeed, we came as soon as we were able." Miroku could understand the man's displeasure so he kept an amiable demeanor about him.
The man bowed politely then moved aside, gesturing into his home with the lantern that lighted the room behind him. "This way, please." Everyone shuffled in, taking off their shoes once inside. "We have a room set up for your stay." He led them down a hallway and opened a door at the far end. Walking in, he set light to a couple lanterns around the room, then walked to the large shoji doors at the back and unlocked them. "You may come and go from here as you please." He went to another part of the room and opened a decently sized chest. "The futons are stored here." He pointed to another wall with an open hand, "screen dividers are there."
Miroku bowed, "Thank you for your hospitality, Shinobu." He wandered to the shoji doors that led outside and slid one open before turning back to their host, "we noticed the fires are still being used tonight."
"Ah, yes." The older man sighed dejectedly. "One must use the fire as required. It is inevitable."
"I see," replied the monk, watching as Kagome got a futon ready for Shippo, then tucked him in quietly and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Shortly after, a woman sitting behind the door they had walked in slid it open politely, setting down a tray with refreshments before closing it again and retreating back into the home.
Inuyasha stepped outside, drawing Miroku's view. "I'll go patrol the area, you stay here with Shippo."
"Very well."
"I'll go too!" Kagome jumped up, placing her empty drink back down before running to Inuyasha's side. She turned and bowed to Shinobu. "Thank you so much! We'll be vigilante tonight and assist when needed."
He bowed in return, thanking her and the group before the both of them straightened up. His curiosity piked at her peculiar clothing, he had noticed it when he had first greeted them. It was nothing short of scandalous, he had to admit, but he knew better than to say something so offensive in his current company. So instead, he deflected, choosing to state the other obvious observation he'd noticed instead. "Pardon me for being so forward, but," he hesitated a moment, "your face is unfamiliar. Are you also a taija?"
The pleased yet kind smile that lit her face struck him, and he was suddenly taken by the peculiar woman before him. She laughed a small sweet sound before responding. "Ah you must be thinking of Sango." She continued, "No, I am no taija."
Shinobu could practically feel the white haired hanyo bristling beside the young woman, but he couldn't help himself, and he found himself praying that curiosity wasn't the only trait he shared with a cat. "Then I insist you stay." It would be a mistake for such a casual woman to traipse around the village so late at night.
"Oh." Taken aback, Kagome found that was the only thing she could say. It was an immediate response, and she wrapped a hand around the shaft of her bow for comfort. She felt Inuyasha tense beside her as her mind worked slowly around the exchange she was having with the older man. This was the Feudal Era after all, and women were not particularly viewed as the strong and independent type.
A growl broke through her musings, and before she had a chance to respond, Inuyasha had straightened from the door jamb, his body stiff, agitated, and very unpleased. The village headman resisted the urge to bow his head in apology. He was a leader after all, so he faced the half-demon's wrath head on.
Inuyasha took a step forward, blocking half of Kagome's body from the idiot they were assisting. "I have to say," he lifted a clawed hand, smirking as he cracked each knuckle one by one, "I didn't take you as the dim witted type."
For a short moment, Shinobu blanched, horrifically mesmerized by the loud popping Inuyasha's bones emitted into the air. A glint from his claws matched that of his fang, and he mentally berated himself for showing such weakness. Finding his resolve, he stood with purpose and lifted his chest, his old brows knitting together with authority. "She mustn't go out there. You, the Lord Miroku," he motioned with a stiff arm to the quiet bystander, "and the taija are perfectly capable. She on the other hand..." he looked over Inuyasha's shoulder, taking in the measly bow that peeked up behind him, "will be safer here. Those arrow's will hold little chance with what's residing here."
"You really are an idiot," Inuyasha retorted, just about ready to let him have it. And he really really would have if Kagome hadn't placated him with a touch to his arm and a whisper of his name.
She stepped out from behind him, letting her hand fall from him and faced the old man herself. She smiled kindly at him, "I appreciate your concern," she eyed him before looking back at her hand-me-down weapon. "This bow is worse for ware," she admitted, "but I've traveled a long way from home, and in that time, my original weapon was destroyed." In reality she had left it in the future, but he didn't need to know that. "Kaede let me have this as a replacement for the time being," she continued, "so it will have to do."
"The Priestess Kaede?"
"Yes," she nodded.
Kagome could practically see the gears spinning in the older man's head. She tried to tell his age, maybe he was in his late forties? She could tell time had been rough with him, he looked much older than that, and people never really managed to live much longer in this era. His body posture seemed to go lax, and went back to its naturally hunched state.
"So you're -" cutting himself off, he turned to Inuyasha in disbelief, "you found her?"
Crossing his arms, Inuyasha huffed through his nose. "Mind your business old man."
The two stared each other down, and before things could get any more uncomfortable, Shinobu spoke back up, tone serious and posture strictly business again. "Have you taken our last conversation into consideration?"
"The only thing I'm considering is heading back to Kaede's," Inuyasha grumbled, clearly done with the current discussion. He didn't even want to be here in the first place, he'd come reluctantly in the end. All he wanted was to relax and be alone. And by alone he meant be with Kagome. He'd had enough of everyone's interferences, and quite frankly it was grating on his nerves.
Shinobu resisted the urge to strangle the ill-mannered hanyou. Knowing it would get him nowhere anyway, especially with his old weakened bones. He decided to drop the subject. Maybe it would be easier if he got him alone. Yes, he'd have to default to cornering him later. That settled, he bowed down to Kagome. "I apologize, Priestess Kagome, it was not my intention to offend you."
"Oh!" She flushed brightly and waved her hand at him, urging him to get back up, "no offense taken, and please, call me Kagome. Kagome is just fine!"
"Very well Lady Kagome. I'll take my leave then." He turned, sliding the door open before bowing once more. "I have the utmost confidence in your success tonight. Please, don't hesitate to wake me if need be."
"Finally!" Inuyasha threw his arms up after the geezer's exit. The old man's shuffling was still in earshot but that didn't stop him any. "Damn fool likes the sound of his own voice." He turned to Kagome and Miroku, and noticed the little lump snoring on the floor. "Looks like Shippo's out, lazy brat."
Kagome nodded warmly at seeing the young kit's adorable face. She wanted to give him another kiss and tight hug, but thought better of it. She didn't want to wake him.
"Don't stay up for us," Inuyasha tossed back, turning to leave towards the open shoji leading outside, "we'll need what ever charade for a prayer you come up with early in the morning.
Miroku let a tired smile grace his face. He walked up to the door and watched his friends depart for the night. "I guess I don't need to tell you to be careful. We've been at this long enough."
Inuyasha glanced at him in acknowledgment, a familiar smirk softening as he turned back to the girl he'd dreamt about for three years. "Let's go, Kagome."
She blushed prettily. Wrapped up in his fire rat haori with her skirt barely peeking out the bottom, she stepped out cautiously, minding the steps before her and lifted her hands up slightly with a bend of her elbows for balance. Near the last two steps, Inuyasha reached out for her, lending her his support till she finally descended to the cold ground.
Giving them some privacy, Miroku slid the door, watching as Inuyasha lifted his hands to adjust his robe more tightly around her, and then the shoji obstructed his view closed with a soft thud. His tired smile remained as he stared at the rice paper before him. His heart swelling at the chance for his friends' souls to finally be at peace together. Or at least their own version of one.
Outside, Inuyasha looked over the woman before him. The adult female that had grown a whole whopping inch in the time she'd been gone. But he'd grown slightly as well... and their height difference still remained the same. The same, yes, still with her black wavy hair, her kind words, her strong spirit. He gazed at her fair complexion that shone under the moon light, appreciating the way her cheeks curved and colored, the way her nose tinged pink in the cold. With his hands still on the collar of his robes she wore, he pulled her closer, noticing the way her lashes fluttered on her cheeks as she refused to look up at him. "Are you warm?"
She nodded, flushing with embarrassment. She wrapped her hands together just under his arms to keep them from shaking nervously. Here it was again, that demur feeling she got around him which she enjoyed but hated all the same. She cursed the butterflies wreaking havoc in her stomach. "I am," she forced out softly. And with great effort, she looked up at his slightly glowing eyes which were always so striking in the night.
He didn't expect his heart to stop so suddenly and so long in his chest before starting up again so loudly - so loud he could feel it. And an overwhelming sensation he'd felt around her so many times before fogged his senses, his gaze dropping, his hands sliding.
He wanted to kiss her.
Kagome's eyes went wide, noticing that honey-glazed look that had haunted her for so many years in her dreams... that look he'd given in her bedroom so long ago, when he'd held her hand with such fervor. When he'd promised he'd protect her with his life. Her lips parted silently in an attempt to take in more air. That time, he'd almost... they'd almost...
A scream ripped through the air, wrenching them apart as they turned in the direction of the sound. Inuyasha cursed under his breath, mentally reeling at being interrupted yet again. If only this whatever-it-was had plagued the town a couple weeks later instead of now. All he wanted was some time alone, some time to recuperate, some time to catch up and bask in Kagome's presence... in her calming aura that seemed to take over his mind whenever they were alone.
"We should go," Kagome whispered beside him, a little disappointed in the distraction, but her concern forced her to see past that, and she pushed her selfish feelings aside.
His jaw clenched in annoyance as he bent down before her. "Get on."
Kagome scrambled upon him before he rushed off in the general direction of the scream. "Do you know which hut it came from?"
"No," he grumbled out as he came to a stop between a handful of homes. "The fires are out," he noticed, " and all I smell is smoke." His ears swiveled atop his head as he set her down and straitened again.
"Inuyasha, this is bad," her eyebrows scrunched in worry. "Why would someone scream and then suddenly stop?" She looked over to him and he agreed with her concern. Something had happened to someone and was being hindered from calling out again. "What do we do?"
"Damn it." Inuyasha looked around quickly, but still couldn't catch any differences between each house before them. They all seemed peacefully quiet... nothing amiss. He really detested not being able to do anything, so with tight fists, he stalked up to a door, declaring how he was just going to bust into each one until they found whoever they came looking for.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome hissed, "no!"
He turned at her fierce whisper. "Well what do you suggest, Kagome? We can't just stand here all night."
She waved her hands towards the door frantically, "well, we can't break into people's homes either, Inuyasha! We'll wake the whole village!"
He squinted his eyes at her and crossed his arms, resisting to tap a clawed finger in annoyance. "So you have any bright ideas, or ya' gonna just stand there?"
Kagome huffed and looked around stubbornly. Like hell she'd let him get to her now. "Just... just look through the windows, ya' dough head!" Inuyasha eye visibly flinched, but she prodded on, too flustered at this point to worry about his feelings. "You're sure the scream came from here, right?"
Stopping the growl clamoring in his throat, he nodded, wondering what exactly had crawled up her ass all of a sudden. "You're really questioning me right now?" He challenged, slightly insulted in her lack of faith.
She almost rolled her eyes, "just look at the houses around here, we'll split it up, it'll be faster."
Obliging in her request without a second thought, he turned to the house he had almost broken into and glanced into the few windows it had. Nothing. He went to the next one, catching Kagome's eye as she checked another. Nothing. Kagome was careful with her footsteps, mindful of the sounds she made. Before she knew it, they both had cleared the immediate vicinity. "Well that worked out splendidly."
"Ugh!" Fed up, she shoved him away, not able to bare him being so near with such a foul attitude. She was this close to sitting him. "We must be missing something!" Agitated, she shook her leg and put her fist under her chin, trying desperately to brainstorm her way into a solution.
Inuyasha shrugged, "we can always just walk i-"
"No!" Kagome hissed, turning to him with determination burning in her eyes.
He blinked a few times, feeling oddly at peace despite their current situation, and appreciated one of her many strengths of character which usually shone through on the battle field. A look he felt he hadn't seen in ages, and in the back of his mind, feared he'd never see again.
Then suddenly, she deflated before him, and he felt a bit disappointed and cheated at seeing the fire leave her eyes. "We might need to get Miroku, Inuyasha." She sighed, "I don't know, I guess I'm a bit rusty."
"Kaede."
"Huh?"
"Kaede," he repeated. "She said something back at the village."
"What? What did she say?" She wracked her brain to think of anything significant that might have come up.
Instead of answering, he grabbed her arm and dragged her to a window. "Look inside, do you see anything?" She shook her head. He lead her to another at the side of the house, "how about now?" Still nothing.
He continued pulling her over to another hut. "Inuyasha," she whined, pulling back a bit but to no avail, "what are you doing? I thought you already checked these houses."
Pointing to another hut with a clawed finger, he waited and she shook her head. "Kaede said only you might be able to see what's around here."
"Oh," she agreed, "you're right." Another window and another hut, she shook her head again.
"It's like with Yura of the hair," he said, "you were the only one that could see the strands controlling everyone." He turned and looked at her pointedly, "you have the sight."
Filling with new found determination, she nodded, and reached out to squeeze his hand. "Take me to the next one."
"You know..." he said almost hesitantly, pulling her again but less forceful this time, "we didn't really need to drag the monk with us." He noticed there were only a couple more huts they needed to check over.
"But... how would I perform the blessing without him?"
"You don't give yourself enough credit, Kagome." She shook her head at another window and they went to the next. "You don't need him," he continued. "It would have been fine... like old times," he added almost hesitantly.
"Old times," she whispered. Memories of traveling together crossing her eyes - fuzzy yet very, very clear. Old times where they fought against the crow and his bandits, Yura of the Hair, Sesshomaru and the un-mother. "Just you and me," she breathed out faintly.
They stopped at another window and exchanged a meaningful look.
Kagome forced herself out of their revere, whispering an old truth, "you didn't like me back then," she admitted.
"You're right," he smirked, "you were a clumsy brat."
"So then, it wouldn't be the same," she countered.
"Why not?" He leaned slightly over her in mock intimidation, a fang poked out of his lips mirthfully, "who said I like you now?"
Her jaw dropped at his declaration and she lifted her hands to shove him away, "Inuya-!"
But a loud thud interrupted them and they both turned quickly to the window. Inuyasha searched the darkness but came up empty handed. "The smell of smoke here is strong... do you see anything."
"I'm not sure," Kagome whispered, squinting into the room. She saw a faint glow through a doorway in the home, but it was all the way in the back, just around the corner, so she couldn't say anything for certain. A loud crash echoed through the home and Kagome visibly flinched, jumping back as objects rolled out of the doorway the glow came from.
Inuyasha steadied her from behind, "something's happening."
"I think, I think this is the one." She turned to him, alarm wrought on her face. "We have to go in."
"Right." He grabbed her hand and pulled her around the hut, pushing them both through the mat that served as the front door and immediately covered his nose with a sleeve. His eyes burned at how much smoke filtered the air and he stopped walking, trying to adjust himself to the change.
"Inuyasha, are you okay?" She grabbed at his sleeve to turn and see him better.
"I'm fine," he grumbled out, "let's go." He didn't bother to look at her as he walked them further into the hut. She covered her own mouth as well. The smoke became thicker the deeper they went.
"Back there," she pointed, a cough broke though her before she was able to continue, "there's a faint glow coming from that room."
"Don't breathe too deep Kagome."
"I'm trying not to," she reassured him.
He wasn't able to hold back his own cough as they neared the doorway, and he mentally cursed as his vision blurred further. At this point, Kagome had switched to lead them instead.
"See anything," he asked again.
"Something's glowing in there," and before she could turn the corner, a bright light flashed before her, blinding her and she squinted her eyes in pain, raising up an arm to provide some protection and shade. She heard Inuyasha hiss behind her, and she took a step back, peeking over her limb eagerly.
A quick moment passed as the light settled and the room became dark again. Thick fumes lined through the air, moving in long billowy sheets. Separating at the edges and mixing again with other floating partners. They hovered and circled around a smokey apparition who floated over a woman that was weakly bracing herself against a wall. Her hands were around her throat, her eyes and mouth wide as she stared at her translucent attacker. Her knees were slightly bent, weak from the struggle, and slowly she slid to the floor, landing on broken pots and scattered parchment.
Too worried for the woman that didn't seem to be breathing, Kagome didn't even think. She ran at them with an arm out, her sight tunneling to the crumpled body which didn't acknowledge her. "No! Stop!"
She didn't hear Inuyasha curse behind her, and she barely registered how the time between each of his coughs became shorter. He struggled, leaning against the doorjamb with his shoulder while his hand still covered his mouth. He rasped out her name, but she didn't respond. His eyes watered painfully as he watched her fall next to the woman, holding her close and checking her over.
"She's not breathing!" Kagome's voice was frantic, and she lay the older woman on the ground, placing one hand above the other, then started pushing at her chest.
The apparition didn't seem disturbed as it slowly floated a couple feet away from Kagome. It watched her fret over its victim, studying her with its hollowed out eyes.
Frustrated, Inuyasha slammed his fist on the doorway, gripping his tessaiga defensively as another fitful cough wreaked his body. He closed his eyes tightly as his body shook from the exertion, which unwittingly drew the figure's attention to himself.
It turned slowly, fixing it's empty sockets on Inuyasha, then whispered softly, "you."
Ears twitching at the sound, Inuyasha just barely opened his eyes before the smoke sped at him. He took a step back in surprise, barely registering a broken shard of clay digging into his heel before it split his skin. And the smoke was upon him, swirling around his body thickly and obstructing his view. He worried for Kagome, but hoped that this meant the demon was fully focused on him instead - concern over his own safety completely minor whenever things came to her.
He squinted his eyes, the smoke irritating them as he struggled to breathe. His mind was growing hazy and before he knew what was happening, he fell back. Faintly, he heard Kagome scream his name. He clumsily waved his arm at her to stay back. With much effort, he expanded his chest, forcing himself to breathe, but found that he couldn't. Panic seized him and he opened his eyes wide in a moment of fear.
Confused and disoriented, Inuyasha didn't know what he had expected, but it wasn't a swirling face of smoke just inches from his own. It hovered and grew closer, its nose which seemed to be constantly changing shape almost touching his. He didn't know where to look, this thing, it had no eyes.
"Yoouu," it repeated, its voice eery, slithering through the air like a snake, "aaare stronnng."
Then, it attacked, face lunging at him and enveloping him once again. Inuyasha opened his mouth wide, scratching at his chest, pulling at his haori at a failed attempt to breathe. What ever it was, he could feel it entering his body, in through his mouth and nose. His vision started closing in, going black around the edges, then darker and darker. A bright flash flickered in the slit that was his shrunken vision, but he figured he might be hallucinating, everything was just getting so fuzzy, and seemed so far away.
In the back of his mind, he wondered if Kagome was still there. He wished he could tell her to fetch Miroku, anything to get her away.
As long as she was safe.
(A/N)
WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING?! I hope you liked this chapter! I really enjoyed writing it. I'm apologizing now for taking so long to post this. I had come across a story that was already several chapters in that had a very VERY similar plot to what I was writing, so I had to brainstorm and revamp this to continue. Not only that but it was exceptionally well written. That being said, I'm still working the kinks for this but I've finally got the main plot worked out. Thank goodness. The summary has been updated so check that out! Thanks for reading!
~RUBELLA