I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Mysterious Thief - Part Five

When Inuyasha returned to the fight Miroku was gently using his staff to fend off the bandits while Sango only shoved them with hiraikotsu to inflict minimal damage. Miroku gestured in the direction Kagome was taken and the half demon zoomed past, throwing punches as he went.

A few minutes on the path brought him to the man Airi had cut down. Her scent was hard to distinguish among the strong smell of human blood, but he didn't care about her now. He was going to save Kagome first.

He followed the faint hoof marks left from the commander's horse to a small shack located at a crossroads. Rather than rush in, he peered through a window from a high tree branch above the hut. He didn't want to start smashing things if it meant endangering her. He finally caught sight of her tied up in the back corner. He was about to make his move when he noticed Airi to his far right hiding behind a large oak tree. For a moment, he contemplated taking her out before rescuing Kagome. She only had one ax out and he knew he could overpower her easily. He watched her glance around the tree at the hut and then down the path leading away from it. She was talking to herself so the curious half demon tuned in to her rambling.

"There's only one guard outside, I can take him and then I'll be on my way," she reasoned but bit her lip unsure. "But I can't get by without Kagome noticing and she was so nice to me earlier. She even offered me a place amongst them."

Inuyasha nearly fell off the branch at the possibility of her joining their group. He made a mental note to scold Kagome about trusting people so readily.

Airi sighed, "But I can't leave her, I can't. I can't let what happened to me, happen to her. Even if I am this close," she hesitated, casting a longing look down the path away from the hut.

She got quiet and Inuyasha was sure she had chosen to abandon Kagome, when she suddenly reached for her other ax. She slyly moved through the bushes and brutally hacked down the two guards from behind. Inuyasha was caught off guard by her ferocity, and once again his senses flooded with human blood. He descended from the tree, out of her swinging reach.

"So, do you always attack people from behind?" he asked her.

She whirled around surprised by his presence and he locked eyes with her. It was clear that he had been watching her struggle with her morals and lowered her eyes remorsefully.

"They wouldn't hesitate to do the same to me," she answered.

He walked past her to the door of the hut and kicked it down. Within seconds the fighting inside ceased and Airi could hear Inuyasha asking Kagome if she was alright. She glimpsed the couple embracing through the open doorway before they came out.

"Thank goodness you're alright," the young girl ran and squeezed Airi tightly.

Inuyasha thought it was quite an amusing sight: Kagome, the pure hearted and forgiving soul, hugging Airi, the fierce thief with two axes dripping with blood. When she released her, Airi moved her axes to one hand and took off the backpack. She handed it to Kagome who slipped her arms through the straps without checking its contents.

"Ka…Kagome, I…I have to tell you something," she looked her in the eye.

"What is it?" she inquired.

"I'm sorry, I…."she began, but Inuyasha cut in.

"She's upset that she couldn't protect you, back at the river," he finished for her.

Airi looked up at him in awe. He flashed a stern look at her, as if to say you've got one more chance. She acknowledged his change of heart just as Sango, Miroku and Shippo flew up on Kirara.

"Don't worry about it, you did your best. If it wasn't for you, who knows what would've happened," Kagome smiled.

"Kagome, you're alright," Miroku greeted her.

Kagome nodded confirming she was unharmed.

"Kagome!" Shippo cried out joyfully and leapt into the girl's arms.

"Can we leave already? I'm sick of this place," Inuyasha grumbled, putting his hands in his sleeves.

They all happily agreed and headed back to camp to pack up their belongings and continue on.