AN: Updates coming soon for all of my stories! I know you have been patient for far too long and I apologize for that but school is over for the summer and being a Creative Writing major requires enough writing as it is an unfortunately takes up most of my time. Please have faith and I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. Remember always R & R!
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"Look out!" cried Miroku to Sango. The young woman heeded her boyfriend's words just in time to dodge the blow from the large bear demon that was attacking them. A heavy clawed, arm breezed by her head just as she ducked out of the way. She jumped back and regrouped with Miroku, who stood protectively in front of her.
"Can you use the Wind Tunnel?" asked the young woman.
Miroku shook his head, "Not with that jewel shard embedded in him. We can't risk it. We shall have to extract it first."
Inuyasha growled as he slashed at the demon with his sword. He raised the large blade above his head and cried out. The bear growled and cried out angrily, but did not diminish.
"Fool of a half breed!" declared the bear demon. "Your weak skills with the sword are no match against a shard of the Shikon Jewel!"
"Damn you to hell!" screamed Inuyasha as he leapt toward the demon once more. The bear darted out of the way swiftly. He raised a giant claw and swiped at Inuyasha catching the half demon in the shoulder.
"Inuyasha!" cried Kagome. She was standing some yards away, safe enough from the vicious demon they had come across. She started to run towards the half demon, but was stopped abruptly when he growled at her.
"Stay back!" ordered Inuyasha. Blood dripped down his black armor of the demon exterminator outfit he was wearing. He glanced at the bear demon and smirked slightly. He carefully smeared his own blood onto his hands and leapt into the air, "BLADES OF BLOOD!" he cried as he released the sharp blades towards the demon, watching as the bear writhed in agony over the cuts they produced on his body. As the bear recovered, Inuyasha took the opportunity to shout to Kagome, "Tell me where that shard is!"
The girl focused hard and stared at the bear. She tried to project her aura towards the beast, as Kaede had taught her, sensing the pull of the jewel. Suddenly she saw it. "It's in between his eyes!"
"Perfect," Inuyasha muttered with an amused smirk. He raised his sword and sent the crushing wind attack, the Wind Scar, towards the demon, aiming directly for the mark Kagome had pointed out to him. His aim was true, and the bear cried out in agony as the jewel shard fell roughly to the ground. "Miroku!" cried Inuyasha.
"WINDTUNNEL!" cried the young man as he held up his hand. Instantly, the bear demon was sucked into the swirling vortex and disappeared from their sight. Miroku covered his palm and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Kagome walked over with Shippou bouncing at her heels. Daintily she picked up the jewel shard, and instantly it turned from a dark purple to light pink in her palm. She placed the shard in a vial that she wore about her neck. "That was close," she said softly.
"Keh, that was nothing," Inuyasha retorted dryly.
Kagome managed to roll her eyes. It had been her first battle with the group and she hated to admit it, but she had been terrified. The bear demon had attacked them without any warning, sensing the jewel shards that Kagome wore about her neck. They had been lucky.
She tugged at the collar of her armor. She wasn't used to wearing such an outfit. The tight fitting armor hugged her body, accentuating her curves more than she would have liked. It was black and Sango's father explained that it was made partially of a dragon's hide so that it was fireproof. The only color that the outfit bore was a light blue chest plate, along with plates of the same color to protect her elbows and knees. The others were dressed as she, only Miroku's plates were purple, Sango pink, little Shippou had been fashioned a green one and Inuyasha's was bright red.
Kagome had to admire the way the armor clung to the body of the half demon. Inuyasha looked truly heroic and fit the part of demon exterminator brilliantly. His muscles rippled through the armor, and accented his tall, lean body. His white hair was a startling contrast to the black and red he wore, and at his side hung a sword, Tetsusaiga, the only weapon he had chosen to carry.
It was odd to her, in this day and age, to carry a sword as a weapon. But demons were of a different nature, and Sango's father had explained to Kagome that modern weapons were not always the most useful ones. Sango carried a giant boomerang on her back, the Hiraikotsu, while Miroku kept a gold staff with him at all times which he called the Shakujo, along with sutra strips. She had her bow. Shippou seemed to be the only one of the group who did not carry a weapon, but the little fox demon explained that he was a master in the art of illusion, no physical weaponry was necessary.
"That demon's aura was strong," Sango muttered quietly. "It is best that we decided to stay together instead of splitting up."
"Anyone know what time it is?" asked Miroku.
Inuyasha glanced at the sun, "Noon."
"Perfect timing for lunch!" exclaimed Shippou. The others nodded in agreement. They sat down and started a fire. Kagome dug out several packets of ramen from the bag she had brought along. The group ate mostly in silence, content to relax for a brief moment on the forest floor. They were miles from the city, in the forest that stood behind the Hirgurashi shrine. The Great Forest had many tales for the telling, and stretched on for hundreds of miles away from the city. Inuyasha had decided to search the forest because of their extended time off from school. There would be plenty of time to search the city at a later date.
Kagome leaned back and let the sun trickle down on her face, "My gramps has probably told me hundreds of stories about the creatures that live in this forest. I never really believed him up until now."
"The Great Forest is a landmark," Miroku explained quietly. "It stretches on for hundreds of miles. You are truly blessed to be able to live beside it, Kagome. It is a marvelous place. Don't you agree, Inuyasha?"
"Keh, whatever, it ain't like it's that big of a deal," replied the half demon as he shoved another bite of ramen into his mouth.
"Inuyasha, haven't you at least wondered what this place was like?" Shippou piped in. "I mean you do own it after all."
Inuyasha glared at the small kit youkai. "Shut up you little twerp!" He thumped the child on the head.
Kagome paled, "What do you mean 'own it'?"
"Ah yes, our new group member doesn't know," Miroku said cheerfully.
"Miroku…" warned Sango.
"You see, Kagome, this land was given to Inuyasha, after his father passed away. The Taisho family has owned it for literally hundreds of years."
"Shut up!" screamed Inuyasha as he lunged at his best friend. Miroku quickly dodged the attack and began running around the clearing like a fool, with Inuyasha chasing after him.
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That night, the group had decided to make camp in another clearing. Miroku and Inuyasha had gone off to search for more firewood. Shippou was already sleeping, and Sango was sitting quietly next to Kagome as they watched the fire dance in the darkness. Kagome was quiet.
"Kagome, is everything alright?" Sango asked.
"Sango, how does Inuyasha own this forest? I always just assumed that it was owned by the government."
Sango nodded, "Inuyasha's father left it to him after his death. You see, Kagome, Inuyasha comes from a very powerful family. Demons have been around since the beginning of time, before humans even."
"I don't understand I guess. Inuyasha doesn't talk much about his past. As a matter of fact he doesn't really talk to me that much at all."
Sango smiled, "That's just Inuyasha; don't take it too personally Kagome. He doesn't trust people very easily, and he hardly even opens up to Miroku and me. But we are his friends and we know what he's been through."
"I know that his parents died," Kagome nodded in reply. "And I know what happened between he and Kikyo must have been terrible."
"Yes, he's had a difficult past, but he's always managed to stay on the right track somehow," Sango agreed. "Inuyasha's mother was a very upstanding woman and she put morality and kindness, above all other things. Inuyasha's father was a powerful demon lord and ruler of all the lands of the west, including much of the land that surrounds Tokyo."
"I had no idea anyone still owned it all," Kagome replied.
"You see," explained Sango. "Demons hold tradition, honor, and strength as their top priorities. They have learned to fit into a world that is inhabited primarily by humans. There are still some demons though, who have not found their place. It's like a social class system. The more powerful demons blend into society perfectly and flawlessly, and their sphere of influence is widespread. For example, Inuyasha's older brother, Sesshomaru, is the CEO and owner of Taisho Industries. It is one of the most powerful and technologically advanced companies in the world, and run primarily by demons."
"Inuyasha has a brother?"
"Half brother, to be specific," Sango replied. "Inuyasha's father was married once before he married Inuyasha's mother."
"Oh I see," said Kagome. "But Inuyasha has never mentioned anything about a brother before."
"It's a touchy subject for him," Sango sighed. "Inuyasha and Sesshomaru don't get along at all. That's why Inuyasha lives alone. However, you could say Sesshomaru takes care of Inuyasha in his own way. He makes sure his schooling is paid for and that all of Inuyasha's finances are taken care of, until Inuyasha turns twenty-one and can legally take control of his inheritance. It's a very complicated relationship."
"This Sesshomaru doesn't sound that bad," Kagome muttered.
Sango smirked, "Try telling that to Inuyasha."
Kagome sighed and placed her head on her knees. A strange feeling of pity swept through her. How terrible it must have been to grow up completely on your own. When her father died, Kagome felt as if her whole world had fallen apart, but she learned day by day that life went on, just as her mother had explained to her. She was lucky to have a loving family and caring friends. Otherwise, Kagome wasn't sure how she would have faired. The girl rose to her feet and began walking off into the woods.
"Kagome, where are you going?" asked Sango.
"Just for a walk," replied Kagome with a slight smile, "I'll be back in a few minutes, I'm going to look for Inuyasha and Miroku, don't worry I'll be right back."
Sango frowned, "Be careful, you never know what could be out there. At least take your bow and arrows."
Kagome nodded and picked up her weapon, and slung it over her back, "Don't worry Sango everything will be fine. Besides they couldn't have gone too far. I'll probably hear them bickering the moment I step outside this camp." And with that, Kagome left the light the fire had to offer and set out into the darkness.
She walked quietly, staying on a cleared path, allowing the light of the moon to guide her. It was refreshing to get away, but at the same time, she felt a strong desire to see Inuyasha. She didn't understand why, but she knew she must speak with him. He and Miroku couldn't have gone far, and when she heard a rustle in the trees just ahead of her, she smiled, expecting to see the half demon and her lecherous friend, "Inuyasha?" she called. There was no reply. Frowning, the girl called out again, "Inuyasha? Miroku?" Again there was no response, that it, until she heard the noise again.
Kagome jumped slightly, "Hello? Is there anyone there?"
The only answer was the moving off branches and the crunching of the leaves on the forest floor. Something was making its way towards her. Kagome drew out an arrow and notched it in her bow, aiming it towards the trees in front of her. Her heart was pounding, and as the presence came closer, a dark aura began to fill Kagome's mind. It clashed with her miko senses, disturbing her, frightening her. Her hand quivered as it gripped her bow, but she held strong. And, as the trees and bushes began to part, the moonlight finally allowed Kagome to make out her opponent. It was a small girl.
Kagome frowned and lowered her bow, slightly. What was a little girl doing in the forest, at night, by herself? Uncertainty overcame her instincts. Truly the aura surrounding the child was a dark one, but the girl seemed so small and innocent. She was as pale as snow, and her tiny white dress matched the pallor of her porcelain skin. Her eyes were wide and dark as the surrounding night. But most peculiar was the mirror she held in her hands. Kagome shook her head trying to gain her bearings. Something about the girl was off.
"Who are you?" asked Kagome.
The girl stared at her emotionlessly. She made no move to reply. Kagome decided to try again, "Who are you?"
Kagome shivered as a cool breeze swept past her and wrapped itself around her body. What was with this kid? The silence stretched on between the two of them for what seemed like an eternity. The small girl just stared with the same blank expression on her face.
"Look," said Kagome, "I don't want to hurt you. Just tell me your name and your purpose here!"
"Kanna…I am Kanna," came the chilling reply.
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Inuyasha grumbled as he dropped the pile of firewood next to Sango. The young girl jumped. "Here's the stinking firewood," he mumbled. "You know Sango, next time maybe your boyfriend could help out a little bit."
"Now, Inuyasha," replied Miroku and he sat next to Sango. "I am deeply hurt. I did, after all, keep you company while you performed your little task. What more could I have done when there wasn't much wood to carry?"
"You could have at least helped instead of sitting there watching me do all the searching!" cried the hanyou angrily.
Sango sighed, "Really you two; be quiet. Shippo is trying to sleep."
"Ah, sleep an excellent notion, my sweet Sango," said Miroku. He pulled the girl into his arms, "Tonight we shall share a bed together under the stars." He stroked her bottom.
"Lech!" screamed the demon slayer as she smacked Miroku roughly across the face.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "You picked him," he said with good humor. The half demon's eyes trailed along the camp. "Oi, Sango, where's Kagome?"
Sango looked at Inuyasha sharply. "You mean she's not with you?"
"Keh, if she was with us, she would be here now, wouldn't she?"
"But she left, saying she was going to catch up with you," replied Sango, "Oh no…"
"Now, Sango" said Miroku, as he nursed his red cheek. "I am sure she will be making her way back into camp any moment now."
Inuyasha sniffed the air. Kagome's scent was fresh, but there was something mingling with it, something dark. He growled slightly. He turned his gaze to the forest. "Miroku, can you feel that?"
Miroku closed his eyes and concentrated. He stretched his aura out until he sensed what Inuyasha was feeling. Suddenly his eyes, snapped back open and he jumped up with a start, "Inuyasha!"
"What is it?" asked Sango.
"Naraku!" cried Inuyasha as he plunged into the darkness of the night, following Kagome's scent.
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"Do you serve Naraku?" Kagome asked fearfully.
Kanna looked blankly at the teenage girl standing before her. She sensed the girl's fear, but felt no pleasure in it. She only lived to serve her purpose. Devoid of emotion, she was an odd creature. Nothing moved her or swayed her. Obedience was the only thing she knew, and she accepted this with the empty heart that beat within her small chest. She would do as she was told without question. Gently, she lifted up the mirror she held so delicately in her arms.
"The mirror has the answers you seek to find," Kanna replied quietly.
"The mirror?" asked Kagome.
Kanna took a step towards her. Kagome drew her arrow back more. Her muscles strained under the tension of the weapon. Her miko powers were calling for her to extinguish this frail girl from the world, but at the same time, Kagome found she could not do so. Something about the young girl was captivating, as if a haunting spell had been cast over her body, and when Kanna stood directly in front of her, Kagome lowered her bow, knowing she had lost her wits. Kanna's innocent façade was more than Kagome could handle. She could not bring herself to shoot the child. So, when Kanna held up the mirror to Kagome's face, the young miko could only stare back at her reflection, dumbfounded. Her body was frozen. She could not move. And as she stared deeper and deeper into the mirror, no thought entered Kagome's mind, fixed in a trance that threatened to lock her away for eternity.
But just as darkness threatened to overtake her, Kagome could swear she heard someone calling her name. Who? My name…Kagome…That's right!
Suddenly, she was thrown against the ground. The impact was too much. Kagome lay there for a moment trying to gain her bearings. Again she heard someone calling her name,
"Kagome! Damn it Miroku, check on her!"
"Inu…yasha," muttered the girl. Slowly she sat up. Sure enough, there was Inuyasha, with the Tetsusaiga drawn, facing a beautiful woman dressed in a purple and white striped kimono. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant bun, decorated with two feathers, white as snow. An amused smile spread across the woman's dark lips, and her crimson eyes sparkled with glee. There was an arrogant air about her, but Kagome dismissed it when she realized the aura projected from the woman was the same as Kanna. Kagome caught sight of the pale girl standing behind the new arrival. Was this woman protecting Kanna? Kagome's attention however was diverted when Miroku knelt down in front of her,
"Kagome are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she stuttered as she shakily rose to her feet. Miroku helped her.
Inuyasha in the meantime, snarled, "Who the hell are you? And you better tell me the truth because you both reek of that bastard Naraku!"
"Clever, dog boy," said the mysterious woman, "I am glad you figured it out. You're not as stupid as Naraku predicted."
"Keh! Tell us where that bastard is before I give you a taste of Tetsusaiga!"
"I am Kagura of the Wind. But I don't think my sister and I will be able to stay around for too much longer. We have more important things than to deal wit you pup."
"So," said Miroku, "You are Naraku's offspring!"
"How smart, you figured it out," said Kagura smoothly. "But, I am afraid we don't have time to chat any longer."
"You're not going anywhere!" cried Inuyasha as he raised his sword. He lunged forward and was about to bring it down upon Kagura when the woman whipped out a fan and, with a quick flick of the wrist, hurdled a strong gust of wind towards the unsuspecting hanyou. Inuyasha's face fell as he toppled backwards and landed on the ground, barely able to keep his balance.
"Inuyasha!" cried Kagome.
"Stay back!" warned Miroku as he grabbed the girl.
Kagura looked annoyed at the whole scene, "Pathetic," she muttered. "Let's go Kanna." Gracefully, the wind sorceress pulled on of the feathers from her hair and threw it into the air, transforming it into an unspeakable size. Kagura and Kanna climbed aboard the floating vessel and soared off into the air. "We must report to Naraku," Kagura said as she stared down at her opponents. "So, Inuyasha, what will you do now?" she asked herself as they sailed away.
"Damn it! We have to follow them!" Inuyasha growled.
"Wait, Inuyasha, you must be logical about this," Miroku broke in, "Traveling by air they could already be miles away, and not only that but suppose Naraku is trying to set a trap for us? We can't risk it, not so soon in the game. We don't know enough about these incarnations."
"They'll be back," growled the half demon.
"Yes, that I am sure of," Miroku agreed. "But, what we need to focus on is why they were so interested in Kagome."
Kagome perked up, "Me? What could they want with me?"
"Because you can sense the jewel shards you idiot," Inuyasha declared suddenly. He whirled on her, "You're the only one who can sense the scared jewel shards, that's why Naraku wants you! And do you think you would at least be mindful of that? No! Instead you choose to run off into the woods, by yourself, when you should have stayed with Sango at the camp!"
Kagome grew agitated, "Obviously I didn't mean for it to happen! And I was looking for you! It wasn't like I decided to go off into the woods by myself, you know!"
"Why couldn't you just stay put and do as you're told?"
"It wasn't like I went unprepared, I had my bow!"
"Keh!" laughed Inuyasha. "A lot of good that did you, you can't even defend yourself with that damn thing! You're never going to be…"
"Never going to be what?" asked Kagome. "Never going to be what, Inuyasha? Say it! Just say it! I know what you are all thinking! Well guess what? I'm not ready for this! I didn't expect this to happen! I never meant to shatter the jewel; I didn't even know the jewel existed inside of me! If you just gave me more time and more of a chance I could do it, I know I could…"
"We don't have time Kagome!" Inuyasha said as he grabbed her by the shoulders. His eyes flashed, "What do you think this is? Do you think this is a game? People die! Don't you get that yet? People will die, if we don't do this. So no, I can't give you more time! Naraku is out there looking for the same thing we are right now. And heaven forbid he gets a hold of it first because you made a stupid mistake and got yourself captured."
Tears threatened to fall from Kagome's eyes. She shook herself away from his grip. "It wasn't my fault…" was all she could mutter.
"Inuyasha," said Miroku, "I think this conversation would best be left under calmer circumstances."
"Back off," Inuyasha retorted.
"I was just saying…"
Kagome wasn't paying attention anymore though. She started marching off into the woods, back towards the direction of their camp. Inuyasha, noticing her retreat began to follow her,
"Oi, wench, where the hell do you think you're going?"
"I'm going home!" Kagome screamed without looking back at him. She refused to look at him. If she did she just might lose it and she did not want to lose it in front of Inuyasha Taisho. He was by far the most arrogant, ungrateful young man she had ever met.
"What the hell do you mean? We still have one more day left to hunt jewel shards!"
"SIT!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
The hanyou hit the ground before he even had a chance to respond.
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Kagura and Kanna stood before Naraku, heads bowed. Their master sat leisurely upon a cushion, gazing at his offspring with what could only be considered a look of disdain.
"I see you have failed me," he said quietly.
"The half breed, interfered before Kanna could completely capture her soul," Kagura said coolly.
"Hmmm, interesting," Naraku muttered. "Protective now, isn't he?"
"What would you have us do?" Kagura asked.
Naraku smiled wickedly. "We must make sure the girl is alone, or that Inuyasha is…indisposed. We shall wait and strike when they least expect it." Naraku motioned for Kanna to join him by his side. The child acquiesced, and took her place next to him. Gently she tilted the mirror up so he could get a full view. The mirror shimmered and before Naraku, was an image of Kagome, running through the forest, with an angry hanyou storming behind her. "Kikyo," he muttered quietly, "what game are you trying to play?"
Kagura quietly slipped out of the room, but not without missing Naraku's last comment.
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Hey guys hope you all liked it. Remember please read and review! And again I promise more updates soon with my other stories!