I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.
The Lost Chapters: The Desire Within Part 1
"Inuyasha…don't," Kagome moaned softly.
Amber eyes darted over at the girl to his right. "Dammnit," the half demon muttered, cursing the full moon for his restlessness. This was fifth night she dreamt of him, but tonight her voice drove him wild. He closed his eyes again but couldn't stop fantasizing of ways to pleasure her. His heartbeat quickened as he envisioned caressing her breasts and kissing her soft, warm lips. He opened his eyes then, and sighed remembering that she was only fifteen.
"I can't take it anymore," he grumbled to himself.
He grabbed tetsusaiga in case an enemy stumbled upon their camp and crept away.
Once he was out of earshot he bounded through the forest. He felt relieved as the cool air whipped across his face and through his hair. The feel of dirt between his toes and the sound of rustling leaves calmed him. He leaped up into the trees when he spotted soul collectors descending up ahead. He froze for a second as his heart skipped a beat at the thought of meeting Kikyo. He sped up until he reached the edge of a clearing and scanned the area. His eyes found her standing ten feet away. She looked beautiful yet dangerous surrounded by the lights of dead souls. Her long black hair cascaded down her back and her long lashes beckoned to him. She had not erected a barrier and the soul collectors were informing her of his arrival.
"Kikyo," he breathed walking towards her.
He stopped at a respectable distance between them. She seemed to sense his yearning for closeness and extended her hand. He took it gladly but noted how cold she was.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Inuyasha, it is a mere coincidence that we cross paths," she lied. She knew he was searching for Naraku's castle.
A question had been burning in his mind for a while and he couldn't stop himself from opening his mouth, "A snake demon attacked Kagome a few weeks ago, and it had a pure jewel shard. Ka….Kaede said you are the only one who can keep a shard pure after it's been in the hands of evil," he recalled lowering his eyes to the ground.
Kikyo dropped his hand, "She was right," she confirmed, not providing any more details.
"Why, I don't understand," he blurted out. "Do you want Naraku to complete the sacred jewel?"
The priestess glared at him, "Naraku sent that demon after me and I exchanged the shard for my life. I was the guardian of the jewel when I was living. I don't need to explain what I do with it to you," she scolded.
He was surprised by her retort and had undeniably upset her. Kikyo's methods confused and frustrated him which was the basis of their distrust, but involving Kagome only made things worse. Why couldn't they go back to the way things were, he frequently pondered.
"Or perhaps, you think I purposely sent him after Kagome?" She sneered.
Inuyasha attempted to deny this but she cut him off and narrowed her eyes at him.
"Never forget that our enemy is Naraku and that's who we seek to destroy," she criticized. Her eyes changed from irritated to sorrow, "I would not have wandered so close if I knew that you and your friends were nearby."
Her soul collectors swirled around her and lifted her into the air.
Inuyasha ran after her, "Kikyo!" His voice echoed into the night as he watched her disappear from sight.
After his run in with Kikyo he felt hollow and walked back to camp. It would be dawn soon and he didn't want Kagome finding out that Kikyo lured him away again.
His companions began to get up as the sun filtered through the forest. They ate food from Kagome's pack and continued walking. Around noon Shippo started to complain.
"We've been walking for days and haven't come across any villages. It'd be nice to have a good meal with rice and smoked meats," he daydreamed.
"It won't be long now," Miroku assured him.
"Keh, more ominous clouds hanging over the headman's house," Inuyasha snorted. "You should be ashamed of yourself," he muttered. He moved his hands behind his head as he walked.
"Maybe, but I want to take a bath, and sleep indoors. I don't sleep well outside," Kagome whined.
"You aren't the only one," Inuyasha mumbled.
"What? You aren't sleeping?" Sango asked him.
"Eh, it's nothing, just more noises in these woods," he grunted.
"You're a bit grumpy today," Kagome pointed out. She ducked under his elbow to look at his face and her scent flooded his nasal cavity.
He tensed up and jerked away from her, "No, I'm not," he said startled by her closeness. Her scent was so intoxicating to him right now; he couldn't stop thinking like that lecherous monk when she smelled this good. She was eyeing him suspiciously when he stopped short. He could smell another familiar scent, but one connected with grim circumstances.
"What is it?" Miroku asked.
"I smell human blood up ahead," he responded.
Kirara transformed for Sango and Miroku to hop on and flew off. Kagome climbed on Inuyasha back and Shippo leaped onto the girl's shoulder. The half demon made sure to focus on the smell of human blood instead of Kagome's alluring scent and smooth thighs around his waist.
As they came closer to the village they could see a body being removed from one the huts near the outskirts of the village. Miroku and Inuyasha exchanged looks and headed towards the group of people standing by. Not seeing any immediate danger Sango and Miroku dismounted Kirara who transformed back into her kitten form and Kagome slid off of Inuyasha's back.
Miroku was the first to approach the villagers. "Will you tell us what happened here?" he asked them.
The villagers eyed them with curiosity, but decided there was no harm in telling them what's been happening.
"We're being attacked during the night by a demon. No one has ever seen it, but if a villager is out late they are found in the morning with their blood sucked dry. The headman has set a strict curfew but we still live in fear," and older man explained. "This last victim was different though. He was attacked in his house and he lives alone," another gentleman added. Inuyasha sniffed the air but didn't smell anything unusual.
"You are a monk, you could help us," a young woman pointed out, and all the villagers agreed. Miroku stepped forward and clasped her hands in his. "It is my duty to protect young maidens, I will do my best, but I have a favor to ask in return. Will you bear my child?" he asked.
"He's joking!" Sango said firmly and knocked him on the head.
"Kagome do you sense any jewel shards?"
"Hmm, no," she answered.
"Then there's no reason to stay here," he initiated.
"I feel a strange aura about this place though," Sango observed.
"Yes, it seems strongest over at that house," the monk claimed, pointing to the largest house in the center of the village.
The group rolled their eyes at his predictable behavior, but before he could defend himself a village guard came up to them.
"Our headman, Tsukaro, would like to speak to you about protection for our village," he announced.
Inuyasha sighed at the thought of helping people.
"We can't ignore it," Kagome said to him.
They followed the guard to the large castle-like house. The headman was waiting for them by a doorway that exited into the courtyard. He had several guards manning the wall and servants were busy with chores.
"Wow, this must be the biggest house they can make without calling it a castle," Shippo gasped.
The six of them stooped before the headman and bowed in respect.
"Despite the dangers of this warring era we are a thriving village, but troubles have finally found us," the headman began. "My men heard the villagers say you can protect us from this demon plaguing our village," Tsukaro said.
"Yes, my comrades and I are prepared to exterminate the demon," the monk accepted and bowed to the headman again.
"Good, we will prepare rooms for your stay and food in addition to payment for your services," he offered. "I'm sure you've noticed that this is a large house and I have many sons and daughters.
Miroku slyly raised an eyebrow at the sound of daughters.
My daughters and their attendants reside in the East wing while my sons reside in the West. I believe it would be best if you split into two groups to better protect us and the village," he finished.
"I agree, Buddha would want me to be sure no harm befalls your daughters," the monk announced, displaying his best holy face.
"I'll go with you," Sango butted in.
Inuyasha silently swore to himself. The last thing he wanted was to be alone with Kagome right now.
Kagome stooped down to whisper to the fox demon, "Shippo maybe you should go with them, if he has several daughters Sango will need your help with Miroku."
"Right, I must stay strong," Shippo pledged.
Inuyasha's keen ears overheard them and he shouted out without thinking, "What?" He thought that Shippo would at least go with them; Even if it was only to provide him with a distraction.
"Don't worry Inuyasha, I'll trust you this once to take care of Kagome," Shippo said assertively.
"Keh," the half demon said and folded his arms, "If you only knew," he mumbled not audible enough for anyone to hear.
"Please follow Moika and Sairo and they will get you settled," the headman said gesturing to the opposite ends of the house.