Chapter 21- Finally a little compromise

Kagome used her tweezers to quickly pluck the second claw from the shoulder of Kouga. He had taken a heavy blow from that overly large teddy bear that had deadly teeth. It had taken her near an hour to convince him to let her see and fix the wound all the while he whined and complained making excuses demons needed no healing or help. Though she figured all her nagging made him give in. Soon she washed the injury with water ,applied some herbal gooey ointment and then securely bandaged it. All her practice from last couple years paid off for wrapping injuries, with a sigh she repacked her bag knowing the only reason these two demons were in same company was solely on honor and reputation. Glancing over to Sesshomaru he had casually taken his place on the nearest tree with his arms crossed over his torso. If you didn't look twice you could mistake him as a statue considering he hadn't moved in near two hours. Kagome wondered what he thought about all the time, and today he had been the one to chase off the demonic bear.

She figured it was working on midnight considering they hadn't set camp till two hours after dark so she figured she better get some sleep while she had the chance. Pulling blankets from her bag she arranged them in the best way to get some what comfy. Within a few minutes she discovered she was more tired then she thought when it all sank in, and sleep soon snatched her unconscious.

Kouga had glanced to her a couple times while she had set up to sleep and now that she was sleeping his claw hand came to rest on his newly wrapped shoulder. "She really isn't that bad is she?" He spoke kind of low not to disturb her but knowing the Inu would hear easily; although he expect no answer. "She is a priestess after all, but an odd one." Kouga was slightly surprised that Sesshomaru had given a response and spoke once more. "Everyone has their own ways, humans are no different. Why does she travel to the Northern Mountains?" His curious nature getting the better of him. "I do not know many details myself, but she seeks a witch to help her." A low 'hmm' could be heard from Kouga as he propped himself onto the boulder near to him. "Hey, Sesshomaru been thinking and I think just this once we should attempt to get along, least till we get her where she is going. For last couple days the woman has been talking my ears off non stop but really its kind of growing on me, most my clan isn't very open like she is, you know what I mean?" He glanced over to the other demon. "Indeed and you thinking, I had been wondering what had been burning as of late." Sesshomaru couldn't help the remark that crossed his lips. Kouga glared at him but bit his tongue not to yell so she wouldn't wake up. "I'm serious you ass."

Sesshomaru finally opened his eyes to look at said wolf. "A truce of sorts. You do not aggravate me and stop being a pest, and I shall stop ….how did she say it yesterday…'egging you on'." Taking a deep breath Kouga gave a nod. "It's a truce then." Now if only he could sew his mouth shut and keep his temper in check he would be able to stick to it a whole lot easier. For the rest of the night the two canines chatted lightly waiting for the night to pass uneventfully.

_M_

"You two are making me nervous. Its been like three hours since we headed out again and ya'll haven't had it out once. What did I miss when I fell asleep?" She glanced between the two demons who were casually walking nearer to each other then she had ever seen them do. "Nothing to worry over miko." Sesshomaru was the one to answer without glancing back to her. Koga was also ahead of her. Maybe they have grown sick of me and all my talking…soon to make a run for it while they can…well forget them I don't need them quite able to take care of myself if they want to high tail it out then good riddance! With a glare to both of their backs she crossed her arms just beneath her breasts in a irritated manner. Blasted demons…

Another hour or so went on of said silence and treatment. It was beginning to annoy the heck out of Kagome and soon enough she put on her tough face was in the middle of strolling up right between the two demons when… "Give me the sacred jewel shards." Came a cold cruel voice which echoed among the trees. "I know you have them girl, give them to me and I shall let you live." Kagome stopped in her tracks wondering how could such a demon go without being sensed, smelled, seen, something! Within a few more moments his form materialized before the trio. Kagome managed to get a sideline peek at said new enemy from looking over the shoulder of Kouga. This demon had no presence, his hair was a light green falling to his shoulders in perfect straightness, the color matching the forest leaves, his eyes as blue as the sky itself, his form was slender dressed in a formal light battle gear with two swords strapped to his waist as she noticed how he casually eyed their small group. She had a bad feeling about this demon before them, that he was one foe that shouldn't be taken lightly even though couldn't pick up a trace of him. "Last chance girl give me the shards." Kagome managed to side step the two demons and look straight at their latest issue. Kouga soon had to shove himself in the conversation. "Why can't I smell or even sense you?" A smirk slowly rose to the males face at the question. "I shall amuse you with an answer before you all perish. I am Suzunkino." He swept in a mocking bow before them before again rising to continue the conversation. "I at one time, was guardian of this forest, though I am dead recently events have occurred which allowed me to return." His sea green icy gaze soon returned to Kagome and she shivered. She knew what he spoke he was from the well. "I am unable to be detected because my energy, my scent is the very forest itself." Kagome was taken back about that statement. How to defeat a demon that you can not even locate?

"Enough blabber, time for you to go back to hell." Kouga was suddenly quick as lightening, even without the jewel shards in his legs he was still quite deadly even at this age. He brought his arm up to punch said newest creature but only made contact with air. Kouga spun around searching for said opponent. Sesshomaru on the other hand was attempting to figure a way to destroy said creature, brute force or attacks physically would do no good. He said he was part of the forest meaning his spirit was bound to something he was assuming. He continued to watch the wolf aimlessly attack which was good in one way and bad in another, how much patience did the forest demon have for fun and games before he came after them as well. They found out soon enough as he appeared next to Kagome. "Enjoying the show little human?" He whispered within her ear but before he could make another move Sesshomaru had tugged her to being behind his form. Sesshomaru moved to make a deadly claw attack but as soon as he raised his poison dripping nails to Suzunkino the male was quickly gone with a smirk on his face. "Hey!" Kouga shouted. "You're my opponent you bastard, stop going after them." Kouga was soon enough chasing after said demon again. "Now, now wolf pup, plenty of me to go around." He chuckled avoiding another swing from Kouga.

Suzunkino appeared across the way with plenty of distance between them. "Enough play little ones, time for you to die." Before Kouga had a word in the forest demon was upon him and blade drawn the sickening sound of flesh tearing was echoed in the area. Kouga had barely managed to side step the majority of sword but it had given a nice slice across his rib cage. Stumbling back he glared at said demon who was soon to try to attack again and Kouga avoided it. Sesshomaru knew it was time to step in. He leaned down to Kagome and whispered in her ear to were only she could know his words. "You are a miko and so use your abilities to locate the object within this forest which his soul is bound to, once you do, call out for me. It must be destroyed otherwise we will be killed all too soon. Kagome swallowed hard as she suddenly found the space empty where her demon companion had been standing, he was going to fight and left her to find some object that could be anywhere. She glanced to the three briefly only seeing blurs as they battled, but she wielded herself to go. Her feet unsteady, her brain in over drive she tried to sense anything as she ran through the area looking for anything out of the ordinary. It was very frustrating knowing they were possibly getting further injured as the seconds ticked by .

Returning to the fight Kouga and Sesshomaru were taking turns attacking and getting attacked. It hadn't taken long for Sesshomaru himself to attain a few minor injuries. Though he knew as long as this demon was distracted with them Kagome had more time to find what they needed although their luck cut suddenly short at the forest demons next words. "My, my where did the succulent human go, hmm? She is quite pretty little thing and I bet her blood taste even better." Sesshomaru was taken off guard a slight anger ticked inside his chest and at same moment Suzunkino used it to his advantaged and used his blade to slice a nice wound across the Inu's torso. With a hiss Sesshomaru went down to one knee as the searing pain sunk in. "Now since you two are not much amusement anymore, how about I pay a visit to your little human girl, hmm?" Before either of them could say a word said forest demon was gone. Kagome was in trouble, they both knew.

Kagome guessed it had been about 15 or so minutes since she had left them and her search only grew more frantic . Come on , come on where are you at …I need to find you to save them, the one time need my powers they aren't here. With a frustrated sigh she near growled out and scanned the area once more as she walked. As if she noticed it then a rock, shaped oddly like a lopsided heart rested snuggly under some roots of a tree. It had a very unnatural aura hanging about its presence. She was fixing to call out for Sesshomaru when suddenly a voice stopped her dead. "Well hello little human, did you miss me? I was busy taking care of your friends back there, though don't worry we can still have a lot of fun together." She turned to face Suzunkino who was eyeing her with amusement dancing within those green depths, deadly amusement that is…

Kagome on the other hand screamed at that moment for the only being in this blasted era who would come for her for sure. "Sesshomaru!" at that moment the forest demon struck out at her and Kagome threw herself to the side barely missing the attack. I need to get that rock…might be my only chance to live through this…though what if they are dead?

Dun dun dun hope you enjoyed reviews are welcomes ^_^ ty