Why was it so damn hot.

Kagome wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead with her kosode sleeve as she trudged through the forest.

The blazing sun rays seering through open patches of tree branches from above her exhausted form. The sound of cicada clicks circled her as her sandled feet crunched on leaves and twigs as she pressed forward to her destination. She took a deep breathe, breathing in the smell of pine, dirt and stale hot air.

She wished for some sort of breeze, but knew that wouldn't happen. She was to deep in the forest now. The trees and shrubbery would have blocked any type of welcoming coolness.

Rain, she thought.

The feeling of cool water dripping from the sky was what she really desired.

They haven't recieved any rain in a few weeks now.

The summers dead heat was drying the fields, lake and the village well at this point.
And everyone in the village was so miserable. Kimonos sticking to everyones sweat dripping bodies. People constantly out of breathe from being engulfed in the heat for long periods of time. And the smell.. she shuddered.

And unfortunately today seemed to be the hottest day out of the year.
Kaede disappeared into her hut during the early hours of this morning, flapping her paper fan back and forth as fast as she could muster. She hadn't been seen since. Sango even canceled training for today, which never happens, saying she and Miroku were taking the children to a nearby lake to cool off.
Even everyone in the village seemed to have disappeared within their huts, laying underneath shaded areas or took off to the lake along with her friends due to the excessive heat.

This never happens.

Which is why she took the opportunity to travel out today to gather medicinal herbs.
Traveling way farther than usual, almost a days walk to the desired location.

And she was constantly regretting not agreeing to Sangos offer to bringing Kirara along with her.

The main reason for her travel was for a certain flower that grew deep in the forest close to the mountains.
Its dark purple pedals had healing properties for open wound injuries, helping the wound to not get infected during the healing process.
Due to the villagers constantly getting injured in the fields this summer, her little jar she kept the flower in was almost completely empty at home.
And the usual traveling merchant who would show up every so many weeks to the villege with herbs, tonics and medicine didn't have them this time around.

She let out a heavy sigh.
Good thing she knew where to find this special plant.
Thanks to doing this little journey years ago.. with Inuyasha.
She frowned at the thought of him.

She remembered her arms wrapping around his neck with all her might as he sprinted through the forest grounds. His silver hair tickling her nose as it blew around her face. She let a soft squeak of surprise escape her red lips when she felt his strong hands squeeze both of her thighs ever so slightly when he jumped up into the trees. She felt his back muscles constrict against her as he landed on top of a branch.
The branch slightly dipped from the unexpected weight that landed on it, cracking, but managing to bounce back. Leaves cascaded to the forest floor due to the impact.
Still holding her against his back he said in a soft voice, "Kagome, open your eyes."

She peeked above his broad shoulders and gasped at the view before her.
She rode on his back countless times and saw many extraordinary sights before, but nothing like this.
The sky was a beautiful red and orange color with pink clouds floating gracefully, slightly blocking the dusting of twinkling stars.
The sun was setting, gliding behind a gigantic mountain, its rays still fighting to be seen making it look almost golden.
Trees littered the ground of rainbow colors getting ready for the summer days to end, welcoming the cool autumn season.
She sighed happily taking in everything around her. "It's so beautiful." She said said, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"I knew you would like it." He said turning his head to look at her.

She met his gaze, his golden molten eyes boring into her. Wisps of silver strands blew in the light breeze entangling with her black ones. She watched as the two fluffy ears on top of his head perked straight up when they made eye contact. His cheeks were slightly flushed with a smirk plastered on his face, a fang slightly escaping between two perfect lips.
"You're right." She smiled "Thank you Inuyasha." She leaned forward and ever so lightly brushed a kiss onto his warm cheek.

She felt her heart skip a beat at the memory.

That was so long ago, she thought sadly, stopping in her tracks.

She looked up at the trees above her, standing tall and still in the summers heat. White light shinning through the leaves openings.
They were greener now then from before when she was with Inuyasha, the seasons weren't ready to change yet.
Her eyes jumped from tree to tree, taking in each detail.

I wonder which one it was that day that we landed upon.

There were thousands of trees in this forest. It would be impossible to know which one it was she knew.

Her thoughts were immediately interrupted when she heard a scream coming from deep in the forest.

What was that?

Her hands squeezed tightly around her short bow. Hazel eyes looking off into the distance from where the scream came from.

Then she felt it. A shiver ran up her spine. That all to familiar feeling when there was a demon nearby. Her body giving her a warning to tread carefully that danger was close.

Not a demon, but demons.

Now fully concentrating on her surroundings she able to pick up three different auras. One being way more powerful than the other two.

The scream erupted through the forest once again breaking her from a train of thought.

That sounded like a child.

She took off running without a second thought. Sprinting as fast as she could, dodging hanging tree branches and leaping over large tree roots that were pulled up from the ground.
Sweat cascaded down her back making her kimono stick to her. Her satchel holding supplies and previous herbs she uprooted from earlier was thumping against her hip as she ran. She could hear the arrows withinn her quiver jostle around against eachother.
The screams were no more, but following the demons aura would lead her to where she needed to go.

She came to halt when she heard a loud roar. She swore It shook the ground she was standing on.

A bear? Please dont let it be a bear demon.

They were so hard to kill. Strong and murderous, much like a regular bear, but smart and tactful. She would have to be sneaky to take him out.

Walking closer to the opening, slightly standing behind a thick tree trunk away from the view from any on looking eyes she took in the scene below.

Two little pups that looked to be wolf demons were huddled next to a bolder, obviously cornered by the giant bear demon.
One pup cowered in fear, blood dripping from his head down to his cheek. He held on to his leg which looked liked it had a chunk of missing flesh. Most likely from being attacked from the bears sharp claws.
The second pup stood in front of his injured comrade. Covered in scratches himself, but not as serious as the other boy. He was trying his best not shake as held up a knife in his little hands pointing it at the bear demon with blood glistening upon it. Fangs bared as he growled at the overpowering demon in front of him.

Kagome glanced at the bear who was glaring at the pups on the ground.
He held up his paw in the air in front of him watching as blood oozed from its fresh cut.
Covered in brown fur standing straight up towering at at least seven inches tall. His thick body was covered in silver armor except for his head, hands and feet.
His tongue started to lap over his wound, baring his own set of long fangs.
"You managed to scratch me you little brat" he roared. "I will enjoy picking your bones clean tonight. It has been so long since I have had wolf pup for dinner."

He started stalking towards the pups, anger radiating off of his body.
The young pups eyes widened with fear, but he refused to leave his stance. His knuckles turning white from holding the knife within his hands so tightly.

The bear demon was no more than a foot away looking down at his prey. Licking his lips he raised his uninjured paw into the air, his claws elongating, preparing to strike the cowering pup.

But before he could, a arrow engulfed with purple light made direct contact to his risen paw, disintegrating it instantly.
The bear demon roared loudly in pain shaking the trees around him. His other paw went to his elbow immediately holding it as he watched as blood dripped profusely from the stub onto the ground. Its raw flesh still tingling painfully from the purification.
The bear demon whipped his head around aggressively, taking in deep breaths to pick up the smell of the archer.
Then his eyes landed on Kagome, already pulling back the second arrow. Her finger pointing to her desired target, his head.

The demon bear launched forward towards Kagome at incredible speed. His blood shot eyes were red with fury, canines barred ready to attack.
"You fucking wench! I'm going to ki-"

He never finished his threatening sentence.
Kagome unleashed her second arrow before he could, with just a little more spiritual energy then was needed when she heard him call her a wench.
The arrow hit him between the eyes, engulfing his entire upper body in a purple light causing him explode into a thousand pieces.
Chucks of blood, flesh and bone fell from the sky and littering the forest floor. The remaining part of his body fell limp to the ground with a loud thump. Flesh from the torso still sizzling from the purification.
The smell of cooked flesh and blood quickly overtook the surrounding area.

Kagome walked slowly from where she was standing towards the two pups. She had to be careful, both pups were still so frightened.

And it didn't help that they just watched her purify a demon - basically going from one threat to a another in their shaken eyes.

She crouched a few feet away from the them placing her bow on the ground next to her feet. She hunched over slightly, her foremans resting on bent knees. Hazel eyes studied the little wolf demons before her.
One was looking at her with eyes as wide as saucers.. she wasn't sure if it was from shock of what he just witnessed or from fear.
She did know he was loosing a lot of blood and needed to be treated fast.

Demon or not, he was still a growing pup and was developing into his abilities. And that included his gift of healing. Glancing at the wound she realized it would take a few weeks for the wound to completely heal, whereas as for a adult demon it would have healed up in days.

The standing pup remained in his stance, knife held before him still. His skin covered in goose bumps.
Probably due to the purification still lingering in the air. His demon senses were telling him that there was danger before him.

That SHE was dangerous.

Kagome smiled warmly. One kind hand reaching out towards them.
"Are you two okay? Please don't be scared, I promise I wont hurt you. I just want to help." She said softly.

She watched as both boys slightly relaxed under her warm eyes. The one with the knife slowly lowering it to his side. The goosebumps fading away from his tan skin.

"My name is Kagome. What's yours?"

"Ka-kagome?"

Kagomes eyes looked at the wounded pup on the ground as he stuttered her name.

"Mhm" she hummed happily.

"Sister Kagome?" He whispered so softly that she barely picked up on it. His eyes no longer filled with fear, but were now blinking rapidly with amazement right now.

"Huh?" She said in shock.

She hasn't been called that in years.