Chapter Four:
'SIX MONTHS! Why is it taking so long to find this bastard!' Inuyasha sat in the branches of goshinboku going over the last six months in his head. At first, he was confident that they would find this demon and kill him within a week! It only took a few days until they heard a rumor about him. So far all they knew was he went by the name of Kage, apparently he had the ability to hide in shadows which made it so much fun to find him. Every time Inuyasha got a whiff of him poof he was gone. It was driving him crazy! He felt like they have just been running around in circles chasing a ghost.
He started to second guess his decision when they realized that this new demon did not really do much. Every village who has encountered him stated her only asked about a strange Miko and then left! Was this guy really even that evil? Was he really that strong? Inuyasha didn't believe someone apparently so powerful would constantly run away all the time, it didn't make any sense! Kikyo was still committed to the idea that he was only after Kagome no one else. He found himself starting to question her motives in this whole mess.
At first, she seemed very determined on hunting this demon down. She rarely talked other than where they would head next. After a while, she started to try to get closer to Inuyasha. She would try to hold his hand as they were walking or sleep close to him at night. Inuyasha at first was nice to her, but after some very dirty looks from Sango, he tried to avoid her advances as much as possible. When this was over he didn't want Kagome to hear that he was being romantic with Kikyo. He would do anything in his power to make sure they ended up together and he would not jeopardize that by something as dumb as holding another's hand.
It was hard at first with Sango and Miroku not speaking to him. They knew that there was something he wasn't telling them about Kagome leaving. Especially after the first time they returned to Kaede's village and he didn't go and visit Kagome. He just couldn't. What would he say! It was better to just wait till this was all over...He had no idea it would take this long.
The gang was also shocked to hear of Shippos disappearance. Kaede first thought he was just hiding but after coming back time and time again with no sign of him, they were all really worried. So on top of shard hunting, searching for Naraku or his bastard spawn, they were also keeping an eye out for the kit. Inuyasha prayed he was fine. He did not want to have to explain this to Kagome too.
"Inuyasha, we should get going soon. We heard a rumor of a jewel shard not too far north from here." Miroku said as he approached the god tree. Inuyasha silently hopped down and cast his eyes toward the well. "Are you sure you don't want to go at least inform her of what's going on? I'm sure she's probably worried sick by now."
"Keh! She'll be fine! Wench would just worry anyway."
"I hoped Shippo would have returned by now. It is disturbing that he has been gone this long. I'm beginning to think all of this was a really bad idea..." Miroku looked ahead deep in thought.
"Yea well, not much we can do now is there bozo. Might as well just finish what we started." Inuyasha said as he headed back towards the village.
"How are you doing Inuyasha? I know that you care about Lady Kagome more than you let on... and with Lady Kikyo trying to win over your affections I can see the torment in your eyes. You have to let her know that your feelings toward her has changed. You can not continue to string them both along like this. If you wish to be with Lady Kikyo that is your decision, but that does not seem to be the case..." Miroku gave him a knowing look.
"I don't know what you're talking about monk. My feelings for Kagome haven't changed at all! She is just here to fix what she broke. When this is over she'll go back home for good and that's that!" Inuyasha looked away from him.
"Inuyasha, you may have everyone else fooled but you can't fool me. I myself am a man in love with a beautiful woman and I know what it is like to want to protect her...even from myself. But, if you keep her pushed away like this I'm afraid that you will lose her. Even I have let my feelings known to Sango and have told her of my intentions to marry her when this is all over. If you do not at least speak to Kagome I'm afraid you will miss your chance."
When Inuyasha stopped to look at him, Miroku took this as his chance to figure out the truth. "Inuyasha...how did you really get Kagome to stay home? I have known Kagome a long time and she is almost as stubborn as you." When Inuyasha didn't say anything he decided to push a little harder. "You know you are like a brother to me. If I ever need a man to talk to I know I can count on you to listen. I hope you feel the same towards me..."
Inuyasha thought about that for a moment. Even though he was a baka hentai, Miroku did always have good advice for him... Maybe he could talk to him about this.
"If I tell you, you have to swear not to say a word to Sango..She looks ready to kill me as it is." Inuyasha felt like he needed to get this off his chest. Maybe Miroku would know what he should do.
"I swear to you, what you have to say will not be repeated by myself." Miroku hoped whatever Inuyasha had to say wasn't too bad, but that was wishful thinking.
Inuyasha looked at him making sure he was telling the truth. After not smelling or sensing a lie he decided to let him know the truth...all of it.
"So, what you're saying is that even though you do love Lady Kagome, you decided the best way to protect her is to basically act like you care nothing for her at all...I am sorry my friend but I believe you may have pushed her too far this time. Kagome has always believed that your heart chose Kikyo but at least you cared for her as a friend. By acting like you could replace her so easily I think you may have dug your own grave." Miroku knew Inuyasha had good intentions but he may have crossed a line here. "She has always been self conscious when it comes to Kikyo believing herself a poor substitute and you pretty much just confirmed her beliefs."
"KEH! YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!" Inuyasha didn't need a reminder that he was an idiot...he already knew that. "But what was I supposed to do! At the time it seemed that her safety was more important than her feelings. Now I don't know what to think. What the hell do I do now!?"
"Tell me Inuyasha. Do you really believe Lady Kikyo when she says she has Lady Kagomes' best interest at heart? I find her behavior lately very questionable. She doesn't seem very concerned about finding this demon or Naraku. She seems more centered on you more than anything."
"At first I believed Kikyo was worried about the final battle. I don't know anymore everytime I talk to her about it she just wants to talk about us and our past. She keeps wanting me to reassure her about joining her in Hell, but how can I do that. How can I leave Kagome?" Inuyasha felt defeated.
"Well, you have already left her for six months now...If you want my opinion I think you need to go talk to Lady Kagome now before it gets worse. If she believes you do not care for her what will stop her from moving on...is there not a boy in her time that wishes to court her? What's to stop her now?" Miroku knew he struck a nerve on that one.
GRRRRRR "OVER MY DEAD FUCKING BODY WILL THAT HOBO TOUCH MY MATE!" His eyes were rimmed in red. Miroku actually looked a little frightened.
"Then don't you think it is passed time to speak with her and explain?"
Before Inuyasha could reply Sango came running over to them.
"INUYASHA! MIROKU! Kikyo said she could sense a tainted jewel shard nearby! She said it's moving quickly and we have to go now!"
Both men nodded and headed off back to Kaede's.
'Tomorrow, tomorrow I will go talk to her and explain.' Inuyasha thought as they took off.
Kaede was waiting for them outside the hut.
"Where's Kikyo baba."
"There was a demon. It grabbed her and ran off. She said her powers had no effect on him." Kaede explained.
"FUCK! It must have been Kage! But, why would he take Kikyo? I thought he was only after Kagome?" Inuyasha asked panicked.
"I know not. He came from the shadows and left just as quickly." Kaede was confused by the situation. Her sister said her powers had no effect yet Kaede did not feel her sister attack him.
"Lets go they couldn't have gone too far." Inuyasha started to sniff out which way they headed.
Miroku and Sango reluctantly hopped on Kirara and headed off after him.
'Something isn't right about this' Sango and Miroku thought at the same time.
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Kikyo sat quietly in Kages arms waiting for him to take her to where she knew he was headed. She knew why Naraku wanted to see her. She was actually glad he did this. She was getting nowhere with Inuyasha and she feared he would return to Kagome soon if she didn't do something drastic.
When they made it to the castle Kikyo was not surprised to see an angry Naraku waiting for her.
"It has been months Kikyo and we have still not found the girl! WHERE ARE THEY KEEPING HER!" Naraku bellowed.
Kikyo knew he was not aware of Kagome being from another time. She did not want Naraku to succeed but she needed him if she was going to make her plan work of winning back Inuyasha. She refused to die without him, but that did not mean she didn't want Naraku to die as well.
"Inuyasha has not told me of her location. I have only been told she is safe. It matters not anyway, as soon as Inuyasha has joined me in Hell she will be fair game."
"I am starting to believe that Inuyasha has no intention of joining you. Why would he when he can be with a living breathing woman?" Naraku was not amused with her.
"He will join me because he loves me not her! She is just a mere copy of the real thing. It will not be long before he comes with me willingly." Kikyo stated confidently.
"Hmm. We shall see. If you have not discovered the Mikos location by the next new moon I will kill Inuyasha myself and find the girl on my own. I will have need of you." Naraku knew Inuyasha had no intention of dying with her. It didn't matter to him as long as he got the girl she could believe whatever she wanted. His plans have changed for her. At first, he wanted to destroy her so she would not stand in his way. Now he decided he wanted Kagome as his own. He would enjoy tainting her and destroying Inuyasha in the process. He knew she was stronger than Kikyo believed and he wanted her powers for himself, but he was tired of waiting.
"Do not believe I listen to your orders. I could kill you right now if I chose to, but I do not care what you wish to do to her I only want Inuyasha." Kikyo walked away from him her head held high.
Naraku turned to Kage. "Take Kagura with you and find that girl! If you do not I will destroy you myself!" Kage bowed and left the room in search for Kagura.
"Kanna. Keep looking for the girl, and keep an eye on Kikyo. I believe she knows more than she is leading on."
"Yes, Naraku." Kanna said quietly with no expression. She watched as Inuyasha and his friends headed toward them in her mirror.
"Soon." Naraku stated as he disappeared.