I do not own Inuyasha. Big shocker there. It does belong to Rumiko Takahashi though...

One With The Wind. ch 16

The night hung heavily. Tree branches creaked, leaves bristled, but it wasn't the breeze they responded to. Naraku limped awkwardly through the forest, his body in desperate need of replenishment. Damn Dogs. He searched slowly, his eyes picking through the darkness in search of anything that might replace the blood he'd lost.

He could sense the woman; Kagome. She was like him. She was a result of his attack on Kikyo, and he now knew the presence he often sensed while he hunted was not his imagination. She was linked to him, and if she could see through his eyes, then he could see through hers. He opened himself to her, allowed the link to grow. He wanted her to see him, wanted her to feel his hunger, his pain. It was only a matter of time; her subconscious would find him, and through it he would find her.

There had been others in the past that he'd converted, albeit unintentional. He was young, hadn't learned the reprucussions of his actions until one of his converts had begun using the connection for his own benifit. It was then that he'd hunted them down, one by one, and killed them despite their pitiful screams for mercy. But she was different. He'd use the connection against her. After all, she had something he wanted.

Forest life scattered at his presence, and the night wore on. He had to find something, anything that could refuel the power he felt ebbing from his limbs. Distantly he could hear the faint hum of a car engine, and he questioned just when he'd wondered so close to the highway. Did he have enough strength to shift? Could he manage one last time if only to slow the car? Its driver was sure to have what he needed, and deep inside he knew that his life might depend on this moment. Hours spent in the forest had yielded nothing but the frightened screech of the animals as they fled him. His strength was barely enough to keep him on his feet, let alone enough to give chase. But, perhaps soon he'd have a meal.

Staggering haphazardly towards the highway he managed to clear the tree line in time to catch a glimpse of headlights in the distance. His eyes rose to the sky, an angry growl resonating through his body. Another hour perhaps, and the sun would crest the horizon. He had no time to screw this up. He wondered distantly if the cave a bit further up the road was occupied. Something told him that he wouldn't be spending his day in the comforts of his home.

Then suddenly he felt her; Kagome. He allowed her to watch, took sadistic pleasure in letting her see the life he intended to take. A brief image stirred through his mind; darkened passageways leading to hidden rooms. Yes, he'd find her, but first he needed nourishment.

Something stirring at his left stilled his body. Reddened eyes searched the ground until they landed on a white ball of fur hopping slowly in his direction. He waited silently, watched as the creature unknowingly made its way toward death, a wicked smile forming on his lips. Fangs glistened eerily beneath the moonlight, and hate filled eyes glittered in anticipation. An instant later his ears heard the snapping of bone. What was once snow colored fur became matted in crimson heat, his claws ravaging the tender flesh while his teeth sank deep into the warmth of the rabbit's backbone. Red eyes rolled back, his delight in the rush sending his body crashing to his knees. Metallic life rolled down his throat, and a surge of power lashed out over weakened limbs.

The roar of the car he'd been watching moments before pulled his hate-filled gaze back to the highway. A sneer stole across his pale features. Dessert was coming, and he felt good enough for a chase.

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Music blared loudly through the speakers of her car. She was glad she'd decided to make this trip. Vaguely she wondered if her ex-boyfriend had found the damaged remains if his truck; the bastard. She'd found him cheating again, only this time she'd had enough. Glancing over to the passenger seat she smiled happily at the baseball bat that resided in its softness. The windshield of his truck hadn't stood a chance against it.

Kirara turned her gaze back to the darkened stretch of highway before her. Kagome and Sango had asked her to come visit before they'd gone back home after graduation. She'd said no then, deciding instead to stay with the man she'd fancied herself in love with. It hadn't taken long to realize what a lie she'd been living. After finding him in bed with someone else, she'd taken her anger and hurt out on his pickup before heading home, packing her belongings and heading out to see her best friends. Tomorrow she'd find herself an apartment, and a job. She was starting over.

Blinking once to clear her vision, she tapped the break to slow her speed. An eerie mist filtered across the highway. Her fingers reached to pull the turn signal toward her, the headlights brightening in response. Reaching to turn the radio down a bit she made her way through the mist. She watched it swirl around the hood of her car until it disappeared. Shaking her head she pushed the accelerator to gain speed. It was nearing sunrise, and she wanted to be at Kagome's place when they woke.

Raising her hand she reached to adjust the rearview mirror. Orange eyes widened in shock at the reddened gaze reflected in the mirror's depths, and her ears burned as his sinister laugh echoed past them.

" Welcome to Hell."

She flinched away from his clawed hand when he reached for her. The steering wheel jerked beneath her shift in weight, and her scream resonated through the thick night air.

The tires roared at their sudden lack of momentum, her foot heavy on the brake. The last thing she remembered was the sound of shattering glass, twisting metal, and the sight of the front-end of her car melting like butter around a large tree.

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NO!!!

Kagome's scream echoed through the darkened cave. Inuyasha snarled in response, his body automatically shielding hers from anything that might have gotten in the room. The scent of her fear was heavy, and her heartbeat pounded erratically in his head.

It was only a moment before he realized that she'd had another nightmare. He could hear the others shuffling toward his room, their angry growls echoing down the hallway.

" What is it? What happened?"

Sango slid into the room followed by Miroku and Sesshomaru. Rin and Shippo stumbled in a few seconds later.

Shippo turned instantly at the sight of Kagome, his eyes focused on the rock opening of the room. She sat upright in bed, her arm holding a fur covered blanket lightly across her naked chest. But her next words froze his heart.

" Kirara! Naraku has Kirara!"

" What are you talking about?" Miroku murmured, his hand reaching to sooth a now shaking Sango.

" I saw him. In my dream, I saw him. He was badly injured searching the forest for something. Then I saw her car, and saw him sitting in the backseat before the car swerved and hit a tree. She's on the highway leading to the mansion."

Shippo bolted, his legs carrying him out of the caverns and into the forest. His body shifted, his paws tearing up the ground as he sped toward the forest surrounding the mansion, and the woman within it.

" Where the Hell's he going?" Inuyasha asked, his arm pulling Kagome to rest against his bare chest.

" To Kirara. " Sango whispered. " They have a history together. "

" We have to help him. " Kagome murmured. " He can't go up against Naraku by himself. "

" I'll go. " Miroku said. Turning he made his way into the hallway, Sango following him.

" You dream of him?" Sesshomaru asked.

" I see what he sees. " Kagome whispered. " At first I thought they were just nightmares, but after what happened tonight..."

" Does he know?" Inuyasha asked.

" I don't know. It's almost as if he's allowing me to see through him. It's different this time."

" You can't let him sense your presence. He can't find out that you have a connection to him"

He felt Kagome tense in his arms. He watched her eyes glaze over, her mouth opening to speak the words he didn't want to hear. They stilled his heart.

" He already knows."

" Kagome? Kagome, what's happening?" His words were merely a whisper. Sesshomaru watched silently. Something told him that things had just gotten worse.

" He's hunting her." Kagome whispered, her words laced in heartache. Kirara was one of her best friends. They'd shared several of their classes in school together, hung out together. She was Sango's closest friend, and hers as well. What was she doing there?

Inuyasha gazed down at her, his hand reaching for her silk robe. Sesshomaru turned, his eyes taking in his mate. She was frightened. Pulling Rin to him he waited as Inuyasha dressed Kagome.

Inuyasha pulled the robe over Kagome's body, but his touch pulled away when her body took on a new glow.

"Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru turned instantly, his eyes falling on Inuyasha whose eyes were wide in wonder resting on Kagome.

Her body faded in and out of sight. Her eyes lit from within, a white brilliance shining through.

" What's happening?" Inuyasha growled, his hand reaching to touch her only to grasp thin air.

" Kagome?"

" She's like him. When I sensed Naraku at the mansion, my claws ripped through his flesh moments before he disappeared. He shifts into the wind, and it appears she can do the same." Sesshomaru stated.

" I have to go to her. I have to help. Shippo'll never reach her in time. I have to go. She's scared. "

" No! You can't go there Kagome, you can't! " Inuyasha hissed, but in that same moment she was gone.

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I do hope that this chapter was better. I wanted to get the story moving, and since my mind has finally decided to get its butt off the couch and provide me some inspiration; I finally managed some time to get it typed up. I actually know exactly where I want to go with this story, and even have a few chapters thought out and ready to type. I am hoping to get more chapters up soon, but it all depends on things slowing down at home.

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. I am glad you liked the last chapter even though it was terribly short. Forgive me for the cliffy- haven't had one of those in awhile...lol, but it couldn't be helped. It was simply the best place to stop.

I have started the next chapter, and hope to finish it soon. Please let me know if you liked this chapter. I sincerly hope you did.

I wanted to let you all know that I am feeling quite a lot better. The headaches have gotten better, though they haven't stopped entirely. Given time I think they will. I have days where I feel absolutely wonderful with fewer and fewer bad days among them. The surgery was well worth what I went through, and I am glad to say that I have my life back.

I want to thank you all for your wonderful support, your prayers, and your friendship. So many of you wrote me even when you didn't have to, prayed for me when you didn't even know who I was, and put smiles on my face when I desperately needed them. I have no way to thank you all for such care and friendship. I am honored, and privilaged to have you and I wouldn't trade a second of your kindness and friendship for the world. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart..

Until next time. Neisha