Chapter 4: Stupid Bird

Previously:

InuYasha caught me gawking and he frowned, "What the hell are you looking at?"

"You, apparently."

"Well quit it! You're creeping me out!"

"Aye, aye, mon capitan." I smiled and walked past him. I stretched my arms up with satisfaction. Yup. This was so much better than trudging into the forest by myself and getting myself captured by bandits. Maybe I won't have to break the jewel.

I turned back around to face InuYasha. "You know what sounds good right now? Breakfast. How about we have some?" I grinned.

Rumors spread fast throughout the village that InuYasha was tamed by the strange new girl who happened to be Kikyo reincarnate. The word about the rosary beads around his neck was soon known to everyone. As such, no one seemed to be as frightened of InuYasha as they were prior. InuYasha- of course, wasn't too happy about being compared to a dog on a leash. There was very little he could do about it aside from grumble, sulk and occasionally snap at the nearest person who usually happened to be me.

He tugged at the rosary beads that were around his neck as Kaede fried the fish over the fire. InuYasha couldn't pull it off, no matter how hard he tried. He even tried to use his teeth to bite through, but the necklace did not release its hold over him.

"It's not going to come off," I told him. "You're wasting your time."

"Damn it!" InuYasha gave it one last tug and glared angrily at me. "I'll find a way to get these blasted beads off. And once I do, you are gonna wish that you have never met me!"

"Yeah, yeah… bark, bark to you too, buddy," I helped Kaede by adding more wood to the fire. The smell of the fish was mouthwatering. Nothing was better than a decent breakfast in the morning. "The only way that they are coming off is if I take them off." Or if I sit you hard enough that they shatter like in the third movie. I looked up at InuYasha with a complacent smile, "And maybe I will one day. If you learn to behave yourself."

"Yeah? And what will you do if I don't? Will you subdue me again?" InuYasha pressed.

"I keep my promises," I said with pride. "If I said that I won't use the word against you unless you get violent or try to steal the jewel, then there is no need to say it."

The fish looked to be about done and was going to grab myself a stick when it was snatched out from under me. InuYasha pulled the fish off the stick with his teeth and chewed it noisily. Scorning me, he flicked the empty stick in my direction and it landed on my lap.

Kaede sighed at InuYasha's childishness and began to pour us some hot tea. She did not wish to get involved in whatever was starting.

I felt a flicker of irritation spark up inside me. Luckily my inner furnace was drafty one and the sparks sizzled away before they could turn to flames. I decided to be the mature one and grabbed for another stick. After all, petty is as petty does. I bit down… only to taste wood. I blinked and pulled away the stick to see that there wasn't any fish.

InuYasha made a show of holding my fish by the tail and lowering it into his mouth. He smirked at me smugly as he chewed.

I felt a twitch in my brow. So he was testing me, was he? He was trying to see how far he could push me before I broke my word. Some wars were started by disagreements. Some wars were started by greed. InuYasha was starting a war by simply being an ass. Well, it took two opposing parties to fight and I was a very sore loser. I gave him a smile so bright that it was clearly fake. "Hungry, are we?"

My voice so sugary sweet that only an idiot would miss the underlying threat in my question. A smart man would back the hell off. InuYasha… was a special case to say at the very least. If he caught onto the warning- and I was quite certain that he did- … he did not find it intimidating. InuYasha licked his fingers clean and I saw his fangs peek out from beneath his lips in a grin.

"Mmm. Aren't you going to have any?" he asked me in a semi-innocent manner, "Ka-go-me?"

Shock ran through me like a bolt of lightning and the smile left my face. He said my-er...no HER name already? He wasn't supposed to say it until after Yura of the Hair was defeated!

As if sensing a disturbance in the force, Kaede put down her cup of tea and got up. She muttered something about getting more firewood and left the hut. No one pointed out the obvious that there was a stack of unused wood by the wall.

InuYasha and I were left alone and only the sound of the crackling fireplace kept the silence at bay. Getting over the initial shock of Kagome's name being said aloud by the half-demon, I smiled again. "You remembered my name. I'm flattered."

"Keh, as if I could forget a stupid name like that."

I couldn't help but feel a little insulted for Kagome but I stayed calm with a smile still plastered onto my face. InuYasha was trying to get a rise out of me and I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. If I was to strike… it'd be my win not his. Instead I held out a cup for InuYasha. "Would you care for some tea?"

InuYasha reached past the cup and grabbed another fish stick, ignoring my offer completely. He wordlessly tore into the second to last fish with his teeth, not bothering to keep his mouth closed as he chewed. The sign of ultimate disrespect.

Now, I consider myself to be a tolerant person with the patience of a saint. However… after being forced into a foreign body, into a foreign world, into a foreign time period with monsters after my life… I was starting to feel a bit more than a little cranky. It would be so easy to just 'sit' this pretentious pup; to watch his face get smashed against the wooden floor just to beat the arrogance out of him. It would be so, so… easy and so, so… satisfying. But I was a woman of my word. I held myself in too much of a high regard to allow myself to be emotionally swayed like this.

As a way to keep my honor - so to speak - I decided to go on the offense rather than defense this time. "InuYasha, be a good boy and SI-"

InuYasha dropped his fish stick and his eyes widened. His entire body became frigid with horrified anticipation.

"-P your tea before it gets cold." I popped the 'p' for good emphasis.

InuYasha mechanically took the cup from me, shellshocked.

I felt my smile relax into a more genuine one. I gently blew at my own hot tea, chasing the steam away. I sipped it gingerly and I tried not to show my displeasure at the bitter flavor. I always had two teaspoons of sugar in my tea but there was none to be found in this day and age. InuYasha mimicked my actions and drank his tea. I mentally sighed and just enjoyed the natural flavor of the green leaves. At least I finally had some peace and quiet. I felt my irritation dissipate like the steam from the tea. I reached for the last fish stick and noticed from the corner of my eye, InuYasha was doing the same.

Normally I would have either tried to snatch it away from him first (and lose) or just let him have it. I could always get more fish. It really wasn't that big of a deal in the long run.

So what happened next caught me off guard. An overwhelming sense of fury enveloped my soul and my head began to throb with a dull pain. How dare he? How dare he?! Before I knew it, I grabbed the empty stick that was still in my lap. I skewered the sharp end through the floor… right between InuYasha's fingers.

Silence…

We both stared at the stick that was in my clenched fist. Did I just… do that?

InuYasha let out a spiteful chuckle, "Well… I've got to hand it to ya, wench. You've got good aim. I guess you are more like Kikyo that I gave you credit for."

Those poor choice of words made something in my soul twist.

"What are you talking about?" I looked him dead in the eyes. My voice was eerily quiet and unfamiliar to me. My smile was gone. The smirk left InuYasha's face and for that split second, I saw wariness in his golden orbs. With a sharp jerk, I pulled out the stick- leaving a hole in the wood. I didn't notice the slight crackle of pink spiritual power that sparked from it. "I missed."

InuYasha did not go after the fish again.

My sudden migraine dissipated and the dark emotions faded. I was left feeling cold and shaky. I bit into my fish and tried to somehow make sense of what just happened. It was similar to when I was facing off with Mistress Centipede- when Kagome tried to take back control. Unlike last time where I could easily discern the difference between my emotions and Kagome's, these emotions melded into mine. They became mine. It wasn't something that I could just… push away.

This didn't feel like Kagome. It felt darker. Angrier. I had wanted to hurt InuYasha.

I felt my face go pale with realization. Kagome wasn't the only one lying dormant in my soul.

'Kikyo… was that you?'

For the first time in my life, I felt frightened of myself. I glanced over at InuYasha who sat with his back to the wall, arms crossed his chest. His eyes were distant, as if remembering a memory from long ago. I wanted to apologize to him for my sudden violent reaction. Him trying to steal my food did not warrant such behavior.

"InuYasha, I-"

"Something is burning," InuYasha broke me off. His ears were perked up in alert and he sniffed the air.

I looked at the fireplace in confusion.

But then I heard the screams. I got up to my feet in worry and raced towards the door. I pushed aside the curtain and looked outside. I gasped. Bandits! They were torching the homes and shops! What was this?! This never happened in the show!

"Well, aint that bad luck?" InuYasha asked nonchalantly as he looked over my shoulder, appearing almost out of nowhere. I jolted in shock. "It seems that the rumors about the Shikon jewel returning has already attracted the attention of bandit scum."

"We've got to do something! They'll destroy the village!" I was about to run outside when InuYasha grabbed my arm.

"What do you expect to do?" InuYasha snapped at me. "If they really are after the jewel, then you are the first person that they'll target!"

"Well- what would you suggest?" I asked desperately.

InuYasha looked at me like I was stupid. "For starters, you could give me the jewel."

I shook his hand off and glared at him angrily. "Don't start that again! Would you stop thinking about yourself for one second and help these people?!"

InuYasha scoffed at me and leaned down to meet me at eye level, "Do I look like I run a local charity? I don't owe these people a damn thing! The way I see it, they deserve it."

My mouth dropped open. Was he serious? Was he fucking serious right now?! When he saved me from falling out of a tree, I thought that he was turning over a new leaf - but no. He was still just as bad as when I released him from Kikyo's spell. This was still the half-breed who harbored a deep grudge against this village.

"Ahahaha!" one of the bandits laughed as lit a home on fire. A mother with her baby ran out screaming, her face covered with soot. The villagers were running around in a panic. The men tried to fight back with their spears and arrows, but the bandits on horseback proved far more experienced with wielding weapons. I watched in horror as the blacksmith...who so kindly helped me with the jewel, was speared in the shoulder.

"Where is the sacred jewel?!" A bandit yelled at the blacksmith and kicked him in the stomach- causing the man to curl up in pain. "We know you are housing it here somewhere!"

"Go… to hell…" the blacksmith groaned.

I shook with fury. Partially at the bandits for harming these innocent people and partially at InuYasha, who was content with simply watching this attack unfold. I had enough of this! I ran outside, ignoring InuYasha who yelled after me.

"Hey! Get back here, moron! What are you doing?!"

Maybe it was because I was Kikyo in one of my previous lives, but I felt entitled to protect these villagers. They took me in. They protected me. They were trying to protect me now by keeping their mouths shut!

"Stop!" I yelled as the bandit was about to stab the blacksmith with his spear again. He looked over to me in confusion and eyed me up and down. The surrounding bandits also stopped and stared at me.

"What's with this bitch?" he asked, his eyes lingering on my bare legs. He laughed, "What's with that get up? Are you trying to turn me on?"

"Lady Kagome… please… run away!" The blacksmith begged me.

Again, I mentally reprimanded Kagome for wearing nothing but her school uniform during the dark ages. Would it kill her to put on some pants?! Or at least leggings?!

"Let him go!" I yelled at the bandit and held up the shikon jewel for all to see. "I am the one you are after, not him!" Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that I was recklessly putting myself in the way of danger. But I was desperate. A man was about to be skewered like my breakfast! Besides, it wasn't like I didn't have a plan in mind.

'I must get back to the bone-eater's well,' I thought to myself. 'The best chance this village has is if I lure these bastards away. Once I do, I'll return back to Kagome's time. They won't be able to follow me there!'

"The jewel…"

The bandits parted to reveal a man who towered over them all. My eyes widened in recognition of their boss. It was the nesting crow's puppet! I hadn't been able to avoid the crow demon after all. Since I never entered the forest when I was supposed to in order to get kidnapped, the bandits decided to come to me instead!

The giant staggered towards me, his glassy eyes were unseeing and parted awkwardly in different directions. He dragged his sword behind him limply. He was dead alright… "Give me the jewel…"

An arrow shot the giant in the head, causing the bandits to yelp in surprise. The giant zombie however just merely tilted his head and looked around in a confused daze. It was unaware of the weapon imbedded in his brain. I looked to see that it was Kaede who had shot the arrow. She notched another one into her bow. "Ye shall not have the jewel!" she announced sternly. She was backed up by several of the villagers.

"It's no use, Kaede!" I yelled to her. "The man's dead. He's being controlled!"

Kaede's one eye widened at my word. "Controlled? But by what?"

"He's dead?" one of the bandits whimpered in fear.

"The boss is dead?!"

"I thought that he was acting kind of strange these past few days…"

"But if he's dead, then whose orders were we following?"

"I'll show you who." I grabbed the spear of the bandit who was attacking the blacksmith and pulled it out of his hands. The bandit was too shocked by the turn of events that he didn't even resist. With a furious cry, I thrust the spear through the giant's heart.

I heard gasps all around me. No one expected a teenage girl to take matters into her own hands. I grimaced at the decaying stench of the corpse. With a sickening crunch, I heard something emerging from the other side of the giant's body. The nesting crow flew out of the corpse, cawing and snarling.

The bandits screamed as the giant's body went limp and turned to bones. I leapt away, completely grossed out by both what I did and by the skeleton. Ugh… I really wanted to be home.

"L-let's get out of here!" The bandits screamed and ran away- throwing their weapons aside like a bunch of sissies.

"I didn't sign up for this demon crap!"

"I knew I should have stayed in bed today!"

I dropped to my knees and tried to help the blacksmith up, "We need to get you help!" I looked worriedly at his wound.

The man forced a smile onto his face though it was clear that he was in tremendous pain. "Don't worry about me...I'll be fine."

"Huh, so it was a nesting crow all along."

I turned to see InuYasha casually strolling up beside me, his eyes focused on the circling bird. Again, I felt anger flare up inside me. "Oh, now you decided to show up?"

InuYasha wasn't fazed in the slightest by my anger. In fact, he outright ignored me- finding the demon to be far more interesting. "Disgusting little buzzards. I thought that something smelt off. They are too weak to fight their own battles so they devour the heart of their victim while they sleep and use the corpse as their puppet."

"Thank you for the useless trivia," I glared at him while another villager came to take the wounded man away from me. "I figured it out before you did. Now how about you do something worth while and go after the stupid bird?"

InuYasha rolled his shoulders carelessly, "Why bother? It's not like it can do anything." He grinned fiercely at the crow that continued to fly over us in a circle. "If the crow has a shred of intelligence, then it knows better than to cross me."

"Maybe not, but that won't stop it from coming back for the jewel and attacking us again!"

"I don't know if you've noticed, but the whole world is going to come after the jewel," InuYasha retorted. "You think I ought to go after them all?"

"I think you ought to do something if you don't want someone else grabbing the jewel!" I gasped when InuYasha suddenly grabbed me by the necklace. He roughly pulled me to him and I felt myself shrinking into myself when he glowered down at me.

"You know, I'm getting really tired of your high-and-mighty attitude, woman. The only one who will be taking the jewel is me," InuYasha growled. Suddenly I remembered that right now, he was as much as my enemy as the nesting crow. He wasn't my friend. He wasn't kind. He was dangerous. Seeing that I was rendered speechless, InuYasha smirked darkly. "And don't think about using the command on me, wench. I'll crush you beneath my weight."

My face darkened, "Yeah? In that case, how about you let go and we'll call it even."

"I think I have a better idea," InuYasha's grin widened and my stomach curled in on itself. "You take off these wretched beads off my neck and I'll take the jewel… and maybe I'll let you live."

"Oh no! Lady Kagome!"

"He's got Lady Kagome!"

I saw the village men start to focus their weapons towards InuYasha, but they did not attack in fear of hurting me.

"It seems that we are at an impasse then," I said dully.

"I wouldn't say that," a fang poked out from the corner of his mouth. "It won't take much to kill you here and now. Well? What will it be, Kagome?" InuYasha rubbed the jewel between his fingers tauntingly and his eyes bore into mine. Again… he called me by name.

I considered my options and there really wasn't much I could do. If I sat him now, I'd be in trouble. If I took off the beads… I'd be in trouble. If I gave him the jewel… I'd be in trouble. It was a never ending hula-hoop of trouble.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind and my eyes brightened. Ohhh… I was good. I lowered my eyes demurely, giving the impression that I was submitting myself to InuYasha. "Oh, you really want the jewel that much?" I made my voice meek and frightened.

Sensing his victory, InuYasha lowered his face towards mine with a triumphant smirk, "You know that I do."

With hesitant hands, I curled my fingers around his rosary beads. I moved in closer until our faces were a breath away. "There will be no going back, you know?" He had an earthy scent, something of a mixture of pine and warm amber. Probably from being stuck to that tree for so long...

His eyes focused down to my slightly parted lips and for a moment his eyes glazed over with heated passion. He wasn't looking at me anymore. He was looking at Kikyo. I felt a swirl of emotions begin to rise within me- two opposing emotions that were battling to get my attention. I could feel Kagome panicking and urging me to get away. To just let him have the jewel. Kikyo on the other hand was drawing me towards InuYasha's lips. To kiss him and then use the moment of his weakness to destroy him. They were both so loud and insistent that I wasn't sure how I felt. Did I want to escape like Kagome? Or did I want to kiss him like Kikyo did? What did I want? I felt myself losing my sense of self...

"I know…" InuYasha whispered back and his lips parted slightly, his eyes started to close.

Before his mouth could make contact with mine, I forced my knee up with all my strength.

IMPACT!

InuYasha's eyes shot open and his mouth was agape in a silent scream. He lost his grip on the Shikon jewel and doubled over from the pain. He fell to his knees and curled up. Dog like whimpers escaped from his trembling form.

Finally finding a handle on my own true emotions, I shoved both Kagome and Kikyo back into the farthest reaches of my mind. Tears stung my eyes. I was so frustrated. Frustrated with everything and everyone. I breathed heavily, trying to keep myself in check. My hands trembled. I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell. Why was I stuck in the middle of everything?! This wasn't my life!

"You...bitch!" InuYasha squeaked, tears of pain visible from the corner of his eyes.

I wanted to sit him. I wanted to sit him so bad. In some way, shape, or form. I felt betrayed. I had trusted that he would help me. That he wasn't as horrible as he made himself to be. No, he just sat back and watched. Then he threatened to hurt me. Then he actually was going to kiss me. No. He was going to kiss Kag-...Kikyo.

Crap… I didn't know anymore.

I glared down at InuYasha with such vehemence that even he fell silent. "The only jewel you should worry about is your own pair," I hissed. Several stray tears fell down my cheek and InuYasha actually flinched at the sight of them. He actually looked guilty. Well, good! I angrily rubbed my face but more tears replaced the old ones.

I felt alone… I had no one to rely on. The villagers were kind and Kaede was wise, but they were not what I needed. Kagome and Kikyo were more of a nuisance than anything. What I wanted…I wanted…

The image of my mother's face came to mind and more tears escaped. This time I couldn't hold back a sob. I missed her. I missed her so much!

I wished that … I wished…

The jewel around my neck began to glow, unbeknownst to me. The villagers gasped.

InuYasha's eyes widened. "What the-...?"

I felt a desperate voice in the back of my head- Kikyo's voice. She was warning me...trying to stop me. But I was too emotional to listen.

'What is it that you wish?' the jewel seemed to whisper in my mind. 'Tell me and I shall grant it.'

'No, Anna! Stop! You musn't!' Kikyo's voice forced her way through.

Kagome joined in. 'Just wish to go home! It isn't worth this!'

'That wish is wrong!'

'So what?! It's MY body!'

'What do you wish for?'

So many voices in my head… all jumbled up. I clutched at my head and fell to my knees, whimpering. It hurt. It hurt so much. I felt like I was going to explode. "Shut up… shut up… shut up… just shut up!"

"Kagome! Look out!"

I looked up, vaguely aware that Kaede yelled a warning to me. I heard a bird-like screech and a streak of black charged at me. I felt a rush of air, slight resistance around my neck and then a pop! The nesting crow flew off into the sky with the shikon jewel in its clutches.

"The jewel!" I yelled in a panic but then stopped and just sat there. Wait...why was I panicking? Why did I have to care about it? Why was I taking responsibility for this jewel? I frowned and I looked away. Someone else can worry about it. I had enough. I wasn't its keeper.

"Damn it," InuYasha grunted as he finally got to his feet. He looked over to me and snapped, "What are you doing sitting around like an idiot? Let's go!"

"Go where?" I grumbled. I sounded like a child but I didn't care anymore. I flinched when he grabbed me by the arm. He dragged me to my feet by force. "Hey!"

"After the jewel, of course!"

"The hell I will!" I yelled back. I tried to tug my arm away from him but InuYasha held tightly. "Let me go! If you want the jewel so badly, then go after it yourself!" I tried to pull myself away by using my leg to push against his side with no result. I stumbled as InuYasha gave me a sharp tug.

"Oh, NOW you want me to have it? Make up your bloody mind!" InuYasha dragged me along and he grabbed a bow and arrows from a saddle of a horse with his free hand. "Your mood swings are giving me whiplash!" He knelt down before me and offered me his back. "Get on."

I wrinkled my nose at him in distaste. I didn't want to be anywhere near InuYasha right now, much less ride him. I turned my head away from him, "No thank you."

InuYasha narrowed his eyes in annoyance and with a slight kick with his foot, he knocked my leg out from under me. I cried out in shock and I fell flat against InuYasha's back. Not allowing me to recover, InuYasha hooked his arms around my thighs and secured me tightly to him.

"InuYasha, no! Stop!"

"Keep your mouth closed if you don't want to lose your tongue," was his only warning before he took off into the air. I screamed as my stomach leapt into my throat. I threw my arms around his neck as the forest sped past beneath us. InuYasha's ears flattened against his skull at my shrill scream. "Will you be quiet?! I'm not going to let you fall!"

"You think that I'll believe that?" I shrieked. "I wasn't born yesterday y'know! Let me off! I want to get off!" I hit his shoulders with my fists. Still feeling emotionally imbalanced, I felt tears prick up again. InuYasha tensed up. "Do you hear me?! You or that stupid bird can have the blasted jewel! Turn into a full demon for all I care!"

"You don't care? Really?" InuYasha jumped from tree to tree, his eyes focused on the crow. "The crow lives by eating human flesh. If you think that's bad, just wait till it swallows the jewel."

Looking up, I saw the crow demon do just that. "Bon appetit…"

InuYasha groaned in agitation, "Oh come on! I didn't mean for you to actually swallow it, dumb bird!" He looked over at me, "You saw that, right? Think of what it would do to the old hag and the rest of the village once it digests it! Is that really what you want?!"

I grasped InuYasha's shoulders tightly. No… of course I didn't want them in danger. But what could I do?

"Kagome!"

"No! I don't want that!" I yelled, caving in. "I don't want anyone to get hurt anymore!"

"Then take the bow and shoot it down!"

Huh? I glanced down at the bow that was in his hand. I frowned and shook my head. "I can't shoot it down."

InuYasha growled in frustration. "Damn it, woman! We don't have time for your insecurities!"

"It's not that!" I snapped back. "I can't shoot it down because I don't know how! Sure I've held a bow before, but it was a kid's bow! It's not like I've had actual lessons! The chance of me actually hitting a moving target is highly improbable!"

"I swear that if you don't shut up and shoot, then I'll drop you here and now!" InuYasha snarled angrily.

"Fine! I'll do it!" I exclaimed and roughly snatched the bow and arrows from him.

"Thank you!" was his sarcastic reply.

I slung the arrow holder over my shoulder and strung one of them into the bow. I tried to pull the string back but like I had expected, it was exceedingly difficult. I groaned as I forced the string back, inch by inch until I had pulled it as far as it could go. My arm trembled and protested with the strain.

"Kikyo was a master archer!" InuYasha momentarily distracted me and I loosened my grip. "Take it out in one shot!"

I sighed and forced myself to draw back the string again. "You're in for one heck of a disappointment if you think that I'm anything like Kikyo…"

InuYasha leapt into the air, giving me a perfect view of the crow. I felt the sunlight hitting the back of our shoulders as I aimed. Deeming my aim as accurate as I could make it, I released the arrow.

A/N: Will she hit it?! Will she miss?! FIND OUT NEXT TIME!