How Will I Know

Disclaimer::Gasp-gag-pant: no more running like that…. Phew.. I needa sit down and write some more of that stuff I don't own the characters in.

Chapter 8: Kagura's Plan

Kagome was suddenly aware of a warm blanket. Her side throbbed with pain, and she winced, not willing to open her eyes; she didn't remember what happened yet, but she didn't want to.

"Kagome… I'm so sorry…"

"InuYasha?"

"That's cute; you think of that mutt even when you're half-dead?" A cold female voice spoke from her right. An oddly familiar voice…

Kagome opened her eyes and looked around. She was in a small cabin, one room, no decorations, except for a mat she slept on and a warm, comforting blanket over her. Upon further inspection, she saw her shirt lying next to her, and Kagura inspecting her from the far end of the room. Kagome sat up, wincing again at the persistent pain in her side. The blanket fell, and Kagura looked out the window. Is she embarrassed? Kagome looked down. She was covered by bandages, wrapped firmly around her middle. What's going on? Kagura didn't do this, did she? Millions of questions ran through Kagome's mind as she stared at Kagura. As if she sensed this scrutiny, Kagura turned to Kagome.

"Well, are you going to put your clothes on?" Kagome hastily grabbed her shirt and pulled it over her head, crying out in pain, and then standing as if to prove that it didn't hurt that much. She leaned against the wall, and Kagura watched her, surprised.

"What do you want with me?" Kagome asked, very levelly. Whatever Kagura was up to, she wasn't participating. Suddenly, her legs turned to jelly and she sank to the floor.

"You lost a lot of blood. Get some rest, girl, or you won't be able to help me, or save your half demon." With that, Kagura walked out of the hut and Kagome sat against the wall, still baffled. She ground her teeth together, gathering courage to move, and crawled back to the bed. As she gingerly lay back down, she thought.

Well, I don't think Kagura will attack me now… There's nothing I can really do that would threaten her. Kagome thought angrily. I guess I should rest. That's all I can do, get better and wait for InuYasha to show up. I wonder how far away he is. I hope Miroku and Sango are ok… I wonder how Kagura was able to get away with me… I hope InuYasha is ok! She sighed. I can hope. I wonder what she meant by helping her and saving my half-demon. Kagome blushed as she realized what she'd thought. My half demon… that sounds good. My InuYasha…Kagome drifted into exhausted sleep.

Kagura stood, looking out the window. When will this girl get better? As if in answer, she heard Kagome shift.

"InuYasha"

"That's cute; you think of that mutt even when you're half-dead?" Kagura couldn't help but be even the slightest bit amazed that this girl's first conscious thought was not herself. She'd wrapped her up in bandages, slightly embarrassed the whole time, because she was still a person, although a person controlled by Naraku. That b$!&. Kagura thought bitterly. Her attention was brought back to the cabin when Kagome sat up. The blanket fell, and Kagura turned away in courtesy. Out the window there was a pretty steep cliff. It overlooked a valley some miles from where she'd gotten Kagome. It would be a hard climb, even for InuYasha and that demon cat to get here.

Kagura turned and saw the girl just sitting staring at her.

"Well, are you going to put your clothes on?" She felt some satisfaction at bringing the girl back to this world it seemed, and watching her struggle to put her shirt on. The girl cried out, then stood as if nothing happened. Kagura was surprised that the girl even could stand; after everything, this girl should have fainted.

"What do you want with me?" Her unwavering words weren't fooling Kagura, no matter how strong she seemed. The girl could barely stand, and would soon have to rest again. Sure enough, before Kagura could answer, the girl sank to the base of the wall.

"You lost a lot of blood. Get some rest, girl, or you won't be able to help me, or save your half demon." Kagura strode outside, brushing away the door flap. She paused outside and heard the girl move back to the bed. Kagura sighed, and sat on the edge of the cliff around the side of the cabin. She would use his girl to destroy Naraku. From what she'd witnessed, this girl was more powerful than InuYasha, or could be. In Kagura's opinion, this girl was more intelligent… she seemed like she would be the kind to think up an attack plan, whereas InuYasha would charge in and swing around that dned sword, more than likely playing into Naraku's trap.

Naraku was, after all, somewhat … you couldn't call it fearful, really, but he was more delicate with matters when this girl was around. Ever since she almost destroyed him, that is. As she thought about this, she picked up the girl's bow and arrow. After some consideration, she took it inside and laid it next to the poor girl after deciding that she would still be too weak to shoot it. It would also probably be helpful in getting that wench on her side. Well, calling her by name also might help… it was Kagome, wasn't it?

Kagome opened her eyes to the same little cabin, and rolled over to sit up. Her side throbbed, but nowhere near as much as it had before. She stretched, yawning. What time is it? When she looked around, Kagura was nowhere in sight. She slowly sat up, and when she put her hands down to steady herself, her left hand bumped something cold and smooth. When she looked down her eyes shone, first with joy, then confusion. Why would Kagura give me my bow back? Kagome stood wearily, and picked up her weapon. Her quiver was hanging near the window. She slowly walked over to it, and strapped it to her back.

Well, I won't be getting any more rest. I think I'm just weak now. I have to exercise and get ready to fight. I can't depend on InuYasha all the time. Especially when I have no idea where I am. Kagome sighed. This all sounds so hopeless. She happened to glance out the window, and saw the breathtaking view. The clouds had cleared away, and the sun was about an hour over the horizon and rising. Kagome could see for miles, and didn't see anything familiar. She turned away from the window. How will they ever find me? How will I find them?

Kagome made her way over to the door, walking slightly better now, almost regularly. She pulled back the door flap and found herself facing Kagura.

"Well, Kagome. I see you're feeling better."

Kagome had been loading an arrow, but paused halfway. Did she just call me Kagome? What is she up to? I'm not going to let my guard down for an instant. I'll just play along for now. Until InuYasha gets here, that is.

"Yeah, much better." She put the arrow away after noticing Kagura had put away her fan-weapon. "Thank you for the bandages." She had noticed this morning she had new bandages on, which had done nothing to help her confusion.

"Hmph. You humans are so stupid. I wasn't taking care of you because I'm compassionate. I need you for my plan."

"Why should I help you!" Kagome asked, forgetting her plan to play along.

"You want to destroy Naraku, don't you?"

Kagome froze, her next remark blowing away in the breeze.

"I don't trust you. Why should I? Answer that."

"Fine. He imprisoned me once for betrayal. I despise that b$rd's living guts. What else do you want to hear?"

Kagome thought for a while. Kagura seemed to be telling the truth. Naraku had turned against his own incarnation? That seemed reasonable. She seemed to really want help.

"Does he know about this?" Kagome asked.

"No."

"What happens if he finds out?"

"He'll torture me, or kill me."

Kagome took a deep breath. She really seemed genuine. There was a touch of fear in her eyes when she answered that question.

"I still won't trust you. Do you have any other reasons?"

"Yes. One. I know when your half-demon changes. I haven't told Naraku, and never will. He doesn't know I know." Kagome thought her heart skipped a beat.

"You know when he changes?" She squeaked.

"Yes. Naraku doesn't."

Kagome made up her mind then and there to accept Kagura's word, but she'd still be wary of her. Naraku could be plotting, and using Kagura again.

"Fine, I'll trust you, but only what you say about this plan. Nothing else."

"Hmph, I see your reasoning. Fine, this will work. Now, go sit and I'll bring back some food."

Kagome just realized how hungry she was. Her stomach rumbled, and she cringed. Kagura smirked, and then left on her feather.

When she returned, Kagome was sitting on her bed, bow drawn, ready to attack whoever came through the door. Kagura persuaded her to lower her weapon, and brought a stack of wild herbs in, along with a fresh-killed rabbit.

"I thought you wouldn't trust food from me."

"You were right. Did you poison it?"

"No, see, I killed it here."

Kagura showed Kagome a long slash, straight down the rabbit's back. Kagome realized that Kagura brought in firewood.

"Can I start a fire?"

"Yes, but keep it from smoking too much." With that, they were both reminded that this was an unwilling truce, and had the circumstances been any different, they would be attacking. Kagome piled the wood, and lit it with a match. Kagura watched in amazement, which she quickly masked when Kagome turned around. I forgot, she's from the future.

Soon, both women were sitting around a roasted rabbit, taking pieces from it and drinking a tea Kagome had put together from the herbs. After they were content, but not stuffed, Kagura stood and walked outside. She looked around, and not a moment too soon. Naraku came up over the top of the mountain and landed in front of her. Kagura cursed at herself. How could she have let this happen, Naraku sneak up on her? The girl… that's probably what he's after… She swallowed in fear for the fleeting thought of him knowing her plan, but she quickly pushed it away.

"Good work Kagura."

"What are you doing here?" Kagura retorted, not bothering to be polite.

"Kagura, don't tell me you're not happy to see me?"

"Are you Naraku or just another puppet?" Kagura said accusingly. "You know the girl, Kagome is here, right?"

"Of course, now move aside from that doorway and let me in. Unless you have some reason why I shouldn't?"

Kagura scowled and moved aside, just before an arrow flew out of the door flap. It was aimed straight at Naraku. The saimyosho flew out of the hive Naraku concealed and blocked most of the attack. Naraku was still blasted by some of Kagome's arrow, and his arm needed to re-form. He backed up a few paces, setting up his barrier. Kagura was conveniently left out of the barrier Kagome noticed, as she stood in the doorway; the door flap was a tattered mess. She didn't doubt Kagura now, but Naraku was a pressing matter, even if it was a puppet.

"Naraku! What are you planning?"

"Now now, girl. Don't be worried, you won't be killed so soon. I have use for you yet."

:Gasp: Naraku! What on earth is he planning! (I don't know fully myself). I want to get to the romantic parts! I didn't realize I'd miss writing anything! I may have to do a one-shot romance… What do you think? Because I don't know if there will ever be any romance between InuYasha and Kagome again! Especially with what's planned in the next chapter… :cough cough return of SOMEBODY cough: