Her Blood Sings For Me

Chapter Three - Bandages and Eating Habits

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"Well, my friend, it seems she's not at all as powerful as the rumors say. As you instructed, I waited and observed the situation with care. The yokai you sent off to that little village pulled her, along with another of the young woman hunters, out. But, as they fought against it, I saw nothing too special about her powers. It took the two quite some time before they were able to dispose of that weak yokai. Neither of them alone could do a thing. She, of course, was using sacred arrows, like we expected. And the other lovely woman was using a sort of large boomerang weapon; I was too far away to tell of the exact details. Only when the weapons were combined were they able to stop it, and they had to aim for its weakest point. She was even damaged during the battle. I doubt you'll have to worry about her." Miroku explained the little of what detail there was to say about his observation of 'the miko savior,' Kagome while Inuyasha just sat there, not even appearing to pay attention, though he was to some degree. From Miroku's point of view, she wasn't at all the one worth watching.

On the other hand, he was much captivated by the other woman which resided with her during the previous battle at the little village. Oh, if only he could get that woman's name. Surely all of his problems would fade away, no doubt about it, if he had her. But he sighed heavily with despair at that thought. She was a demon hunter, he was the best friend and right hand man to the vampiric hanyou ruler.

How this odd natured monk ended up in this particular position, everyone wondered about it. It made little sense to everyone, human and yokai alike. How was it, exactly, that a fairly normal human came to befriend the disturbed hanyou? It didn't seem at all correct, especially when you added in the fact that the hanyou was cursed with traits that of a vampire and now had to have a steady diet of blood; mostly human's. Mikoku himself was probably the only human that worked with or for Inuyasha that wasn't eventually used as a source of food. And, in that, how did the man stand watching other humans be eaten in such viscous, unnatural ways?

Well, its all came down to a point a few years ago, before the half yokai half human male was infected by a new essence, before the yokai began to transform with vampire traits. Inuyasha traveled and lived inconspicuously. Hated by both humans and yokai alike. Because of his mixed blood, he didn't fit in anywhere. In return, he too hated all of them. He killed humans and yokai on random intervals, even then, but nothing like he did now. He wasn't evil, just lost in the world. Usually the ones he attacked then, he had to so he himself wasn't killed. It was a horrid fate- kill or be killed. But one odd day, he came across a traveling monk. At first he reacted with hostility, it was the way he was programmed after such a life, but the monk didn't return this expression. Inuyasha couldn't make any sense of why this human didn't find it in himself to attack him. Never in his life had a human showed this reaction to him, aside from his human mother who was killed during his childhood. This caught his interest, so he ended up following the after the monk in hopes to find the proper answer. At first, there wasn't much contact between the two; the half yokai only observed from far away. But, as time went on, things came up that pushed to two to work together to stay in the state of living; such as yokai attacks against them. With this sort of contact, being forced as partners in battle, came the fact that they had no other choice but to talk to each other a little. This then developed into full conversations, understanding, and mutual friendship. Neither could comprehend such a thing, but it happened in a slow, drawn out process. The two very different men became best friends.

As time went on, the human and mix-breed continued to travel, both seeking something they longed for but neither of them knew what that thing was. However, something began to unravel. The yokai began to transform into something much more dangerous, and this also infected Inuyasha. His nature, heart and mind twisted in ways he'd never wished. That's how bad it was for him now. It was true, the fact that he wanted to be full yokai, but he didn't want this type of power. He wasn't that evil.

In the end, he couldn't do anything against whatever was happening to him, so he came to accept it. And Miroku loyally stayed at his side. Though his friend had changed on the outside, and a little on the inside, he knew that the true Inuyasha was still thriving deep down. He continued to help him in whatever way he could, despite the sins the two may have been committing. The monk saw the killing of humans that the vampiric hanyou was forced to do, as something that isn't nearly as bad as it seems. He's careful to insure that the only ones that are taken are harmful in one way or another to his friend. In the few cases this isn't true, he sees it as a balance in the world. A little of Inuyasha's revenge against all of those who had hurt him in the past.

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After the battle with that serpent-centipede yokai, the huntresses' decided to return to their own village. They would have taken up on the hospitality that was shown to them, only if the slightly younger of the two hadn't been injured. During the whole battle, the miko ignored the fact of pain and the warm red liquid that ran down her leg and seeped into her clothing, permanently staining them. It was after the adrenalin slowed in her veins that the realization of aching in her limb clicked in her mind. They had to return home to get it inspected and treated.

A soft whimper of displeasure grumbled low in Kagome's throat as Kaeda ripped off the right pant leg of her garb. The younger miko was sprawled out on her stomach on a mat as the elder went to work on her rather large wound. Any pressure that was placed near the open flesh stung, which was the cause for the extra ache that Kagome felt now and ultimately, her quiet protests

"Hush now, Kagome." Kadeda scolded her gently. "You know we have to get this cleaned up."

Kagome didn't verbally respond to the woman. It was obvious protocol to clean wounds, especially those created by vampiric beasts. Its wasn't honestly known as to how one became like a vampire, or even if it could happen to human beings, but it was assumed, with some logical guessing, that all the vampiric creatures possesed as venom in there fangs. If that venom was left untouched in one's body then they too would eventually be inflected by the curse. Either that or die. No tests were done yet, it was too much of risk with either result.

The old woman worked away on the gash that ran diagonally along the back and side of Kagome's calf. It must have went in a little more then an inch deep. She first wiped it down with water, getting rid of all access blood, then sprinkled some sort of salt in it which stung, causing Kagome's body to contract in pain. This ended in another soft scolding from Kadeda as she continued on without any sign of delay. In total, she used water, herbs, salts, and Kami knows what else before she was satisfied that the other miko wouldn't be harmed. It was all precaution.

Kagome rolled over onto her back, sitting up to examine all the work that had been completed. Her one leg was now wrapped in a several thick layers of white cloth, already slightly stained pink here and there. Her stomach twisted, like everything was rolling into knots and trying to force its way up her throat. She never saw how much damage there was, but imagining was probably much worse then seeing. With her imagination, she was only left to believe it to be far worse then it really was. And her stomach didn't seem to like the picture her mind was painting.

"How long will this take to heal?" She finally pushed herself past her present sickness to ask.

"Ah, I'm not quite sure, my dear. It went down two centimeters or so and the cut itself is at least thirteen centimeters long. Though, is does seem you can walk on it, with you coming all the way back here." Kagome was going to protest, pointing out that she hadn't another choice aside from getting it treated, but there was no opening. "You'll just have to take it easy for awhile. Stay around here and out of any exterminations for a week, and we'll see hows its going."

"But I just go back..." The ebony haired woman mumbled. See, it would have been better if she stay back at her real home tonight. This wouldn't have happened, and she would have been more useful in the days to come.

"Yes, and now I'm telling you to stay here. We can't risk anything happening to you." The elderly woman's eyebrows pulled together as she gave her patent a stern look. In turn, her patient flinched away. There was no arguing with Kadeda when she was like that.

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Kagome decided it best not to tell her mother about this incident. This thing, no matter who trivial it was in retrospect, was sure to give her mother a heart attack if she found out. She'd prefer not to worry her mother, to have her want her to never come back to this past era. It was something she failed to understand, but a feeling rested deep inside her that told her something in this time frame was waiting for her. Something was worth while here. If only she stuck around long enough, she knew she'd discover the answer eventually. Even if there wasn't too much of anything to chain her here now, she'd hang on until her feeling vanished. Whether or not she liked the place, her work or her confusing life switching, everything would be worth it in time...sometime...

This and many other things swam around in the miko's very bored mind. She'd been escorted back to her room and wrestled to pull off the outfit she wore to any of the extermination assignments. Only, now the one she'd most currently wore was useless, stained it blood and had one of the legs ripped off. It was a great chore to get the outfit on and even harder to get off, even more notably so now that she had one leg bandaged up with restricted movement. It took the remainder of her energy away to get that off and slip back in her white and green school uniform. She wore it as her signature look here. Everyone would alway be able to identify her.

All she could do now was sit around for the time being. She lay on her abnormally fluffy sleeping mat. A normal sleeping mat gave the woman horrible back problems, so used to her soft bed at home, so she layered the mat with poofy, fluffy, and extremely soft blankets from the modern time. She had the top blanket pulled up and wrapped tightly around her body and her head rested half-buried in a big pillow. She was left to rest and mull over whatever popped into her head. Not a very entertaining past time, but there was nothing else to do. Once or twice she'd wondered where Sango went and on another few times, she'd tried to picture what he looked like- the apparent number one enemy she'd yet to meet.

It was then someone barged in, disrupting and shattering whatever thoughts she had. Her head lifted up to see who it was after a the haze of her broken images cleared from her sight. It was her best friend, Sango. She'd changed back into her normal wear as well, a green, pink and purple kimono and her long hair was no longer tied up but instead fell across her shoulders.

"Its time for dinner." The yokai exterminator announced, holding up a dish with some sort of roasted meat and rice along with a pair of chopstick lying across it and a cup of water.

Kagome nodded, "Thanks." And accepted the dishes gratefully, once she sat up with her back against the wall. She left the plate in her hand and set the glass on the other side of her.

"So, how are you?" Sango asked, taking a seat next to Kagome on the empty floor.

"Oh, I don't think its anything too bad. Its hurts and everything, but Lady Kadeda made sure to use several different things to remedy it." Her expression was one that stated she'd rather not have had to deal with all the herbs and salts.

"Oh really?" Came the light response. "When are you gonna be up and working with us again?"

"She said that I'd have to wait for a week and see how it all comes together. I'm not sure if I'll be able to work then or if I'll have to wait even longer." She sighed out of frustration. "I can't go back home for any visits until its mostly healed. That way, I'm able to lie about its severity and my mother wont have a fit."

Sango 'Hummed' in understanding. She'd heard plenty of tales about Kagome's family, life, and other things of her time and knew well enough what her mother's reaction would be. "Well," she said after a moment. "I have to get back to my own room. I have yet to eat my own dinner and have a few other things to tend to."

"Alright. Thanks again." The miko smiled.

"You're welcome. See you later." Sango had picked up some of the dialect of the modern era that her friend spoke.

"Later." And with that, the woman left the room, shutting the door behind her to leave the miko in peace.

Once Sango left, Kagome contented herself with eating the meal she was so kindly delivered. She was careful in eating, taking bits of the meat and rice together and taking a sip of the cool water to wash it down. She enjoyed the meal, despite its simpleness. And soon found herself adding bits of spices provided from her mother. It was good all in all, a very human sort of food.

When she finished up her meal, she left the cup and chopsticks sitting on the plate on a small trunk beside her sleeping materials. She figured she'd take them to be cleaned later, perhaps in the morning if she had the chance, and feel back into her pool of thoughts until she fell into an early visit to dream land.

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The sun began to fall behind the nearest of natural structures, the jagged mountain range. The vast blue sea that was the sky was washed over in pale pastel colors. Mixes of pinks, oranges and even a few shades of purple fell over it, most of the blue hue had disappeared. And, observing this one piece of beauty that the Earth allowed once everyday, was one specific hanyou. He was watching from his bedroom window, just like earlier that day, but it seemed like he never left in the first place. There was one thing very different about him now, though. He adorned a rather fancy robe, one that stated high class of this time, and a matching hat perched upon his head so his ears were now visual secrets. He observed the sky change with a very blank expression, as if he didn't really take any interest in the setting of the bright orange orb.

The sky grew dark only moments after, a dark blue that was soon to transform into a mass of inky black with blotched twinkling spills of white or similar pale colorations. When finally it grew dark enough to satisfy him, his features transformed into a grin, showing off his abnormal, perfectly white fangs. His golden eyes narrowed and grew dark, like shades of black was spilling into the gold. He launched himself from the window, aiming to land on the ground, with such grace with that of a swan but with intentions more like that of a raven or condor. He landed on the ground with ease, not even sending him for a light jolt despite the fact that he fell from at least four stories up. Without any noticeable pause between actions of landing, he sped off across the land so he was only blur to normal eyes. Soon he reached the forested area in record timing, and not slowing what so ever even as he dodged around the trees. Not long after that, he was near a small village, and that is when he gradually slowed into a stop.

He remained in the sheltered shadows that the trees created with the light of the moon falling over the soon-to-be sleeping world. His eyes shifted frantically across the layout before him. His head rose up a little, his nose tasting the scents that lingered in the chilling air. His own stomach, his throat and every other part of his body thirsted horribly, longing for his illegal substance and ultimate source of food. He discovered a scent, to his personal pleasure, that was within the forest. What luck tonight was. He wouldn't have to infiltrate the human grouping to find a proper victim.

He turned from the edge of the forest to stalk off silently in the direction he determined the smell to waft from. Each of his movements blended with the surroundings so when pulled out into the small break in the trees, the young woman, who was just sitting with her back against the trunk of one tree, gasped softly. She hadn't expected any visitors and none as beautifully astonishing as this. The roughly twenty year old woman was captivated at the mere sight of the hanyou.

Inuyasha was deliberately slow with movements in front of the gawking target, that's all he saw this woman, just a source of food to sustain him.

"Why, hello milady." He spoke up in a gentlemanly voice, purposely layered with the addition of a seductive tone. "I'm sorry for my intrusion. It seems that you and I were meant to meet on this evening, for each of us longed to escaped the crowds of other people tonight." He took a few steps toward her to gage her reaction, his face transforming into one that egged her on in her growing longing of the man. She nodded slowly, almost shocked that he would speak so to her. She was only a peasant, pretty, but she could never see a man of his clear caliber interested in he. Though, that was exactly how it appeared.

"Y-yes. T-that must have been why I was urged to come here..." Her voice was faint, shaky. Already his presence was clouding her logic, reeling her in.

It took little work on his part to pull her all the way in. She'd stood up and he pulled so close to her that it would have been awkward for any other strangers. He lifted one of his clawed hands to bush the back of his fingers along her cheek, sending a shiver of pure desire up her spine. She pushed herself against him without thinking, reacting to his captivation flawlessly. He welcomed her, too, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head so that he was abled to whisper words into her ear that would only drag her even more into his will. He swept back the strands of her hair, moving it so that it no longer covered her neck.

After a few minutes of allowing the woman to become completely enchanted, he moved around her. She was pulled with her back against his hard chest, with his arms wrapped around her. She didn't complain, she was too far gone to have any correct thought trails. He rested his chin on her shoulder, sending another shiver through her. He pulled her hair back again, so it was completely on the other side of her face and he moved his hand to bush against the soft skin of her neck. This wasn't just to urge her longing of him, making her feel that her sudden likeness of him was normal and she couldn't fight against it, but for him to locate the most vulnerable area in her flesh. He pressed his lips delicately against her skin, his own hair falling to create a veil around him as his hat fell to the ground. His ears rested against his head, his eyes dilated with great speed. His urge to feed twisted his stomach now that he had his meal secured.

The woman let out a soft gasp of pleasure as reaction to his touch, urging him to just finish everything and stop prolonging the moment. The vampiric hanyou pulled back, his mouth roughly an inch away from the location on her neck where his lips just rested. His hand moved to hold her face in his palm and her eyes slid shut with contentment. Without her to notice, his face grew devious and venomous. This mouth parted and lips pulled back over his teeth, his breath blowing onto her warm body. It was in such a movement that it was impossible to see it coming, that his teeth lounged into her neck, breaking the thin protective layer with ease to get to the valuable treasure of a liquid. At that very same moment, his hand moved from her cheek to cover her mouth with great force. There was not chance of her to pull away, no one could ever stand a chance to hear her screams of terror...

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Hello everyone! I'm Toxic Shadow. I know that we're not really supposed to have extra notes but, sorry, there was something that I had to point out about the story. So far these first chapters haven't been all that exciting. They're more like fillers to get up to the main point, to get everything moving along. The most important thing that has happened so far was the battle with the serpent-centipede yokai, while everything else was fillers and me stuffing bits of information down your throat. I believe the later chapters will be more fulfilling then what's going on so far and I'm not sure how many chapters it will take before things are where I want them to be. Thanks to all those who've read, reviewed and favored my work. I hope you all enjoy the story. Oh, and another point I wanted to add, I'm trying to keep a lot of the basic story information from the actual plot line of Inuyasha while adding an interesting, unique twist. - Toxic Shadow