A/N: *walks in with a guilty face* So... *clears throat* I have no excuse for my prolonged absence. Although I owe my complete gratitude to Haveabananna for her inspiring review! If I had not read that, I probably would have not begun writing this chapter for a lot longer. Thank you SO much Haveabananna for reminding me how much my readers really have an effect on me, and reminding me why I love writing so much. So, I dedicate this chapter to you Haveabananna! Enjoy reading!

Also! I have decided to dedicate this chapter solely to the Inu-tachi. I realize that I have been neglecting this side of the story, making the fic (to me) not very authentic or believable. So in order to deliver a quality fic to all of my adorable readers, I am going to expand more on all of the characters instead of wrongfully neglecting them!

Disclaimer: …. Why do I need to keep reminding that I DON'T own Inuyasha? I think Rumiko Takahashi is well aware that this 21-year-old fan does not even BEGIN to think she owns this series... Oh wellz! Me no own!

Tainted Affections

Chapter 8

Back to You

It had been days since Inuyasha had last heard from Kagome. He felt restless. Why hasn't she been contacting me? He was worried to death. What if Naraku has found out? Is she dead? Hurt? What are we doing resting here when Kagome could be in danger?Inuyasha jumped up in his anxiety and began pacing. He let out a frustrated sound as he roughly scratched his scalp with both hands.

Sango looked at Inuyasha with a look of confusion on her face. She stood from her place on the ground and walked up to the hanyou. Placing her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, she had to stifle a laugh at the way he jumped at the sudden contact. Upon seeing that Sango was the hand's owner Inuyasha scowled and yelled: "What the hell was that for Sango?"

She had to stifle yet another laugh at Inuyasha's indignant look. "Sorry Inuyasha, I didn't mean to scare you."

That only served to piss him off. "The hell if you scared me!"

She raised her eyebrow at the statement. "Could have fooled me with how high you jumped." At that she let out a laugh as she couldn't hold it in any longer.

In his humiliation, Inuyasha took a step towards the demon slayer in a threatening gesture. "What the hell are you laughing at, bitch?" He growled out. Sango snapped at the word and made as if to hit him for his crude behavior.

"Bitch!" She bit out, reaching for her hiraikotsu.

At this, Miroku decided to interject. "Now, now you two," he said in a calm tone, "let's not squabble over such a trivial thing. Instead, why don't we think about what we are going to be doing next? It's been days since we've heard from Kagome. We've been aimlessly roaming around for the last week. It's about time we figure out a plan."

"You don't think I already knew this? I've been worrying about her since a couple days ago when Kagome was supposed to last contact us! What if she's been found out? What if she's hurt? Who found out? Was it Naraku? Did he do something to her? Is he hurting her? Is Kagome ok? Is she dead? Or worse... did Naraku ra-" Inuyasha was cut off from his ranting by a ringing smack followed by a pissed off "PERVERT!" Inuyasha's face twitched. "CAN'T YOU GUYS BE SERIOUS FOR A MINUTE?" He glared at the perverted monk who currently was caressing a loud red hand print on his left cheek with a goofy smile on his face.

"Ah, Sango, my love. I feel your affection burning hot on my flesh!"

Said female turned to look at the delirious monk, giving him a look that spoke: You are insane. She and Inuyasha moved away from the man and took the conversation across the camp. She sighed. "I don't know what to do Inuyasha. I'm worried sick about Kagome, but there's no telling where she is. She hasn't told us anything about where she was taken yet. How do we find someone who has been taken to a place where we have been searching for a couple years now?"

Inuyasha looked down at the ground beside him. "I don't know Sango. But we have to look. I have a bad feeling about this. Why hasn't she contacted us by now!" Inuyasha yelled out the last.

Sango looked at the ground, a worried expression shadowing her face. She bit her lip, trying to think of a way to find her. "Is there a way that you can track her by scent?"

Inuyasha tsk'ed. "She's been gone far too long to follow her scent..." he paused in thought. Troubled, Inuyasha crouched down swiftly and scratched at his scalp. "FUCK! What the hell Kagome! I should never have let her do this! What the hell was I thinking?"

Sango stepped closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha, you know better than anyone that once Kagome made up her mind, no one would be able to stop her."

Inuyasha's ears flattened to his scalp. "I could have stopped her" Then he began muttering to himself. "Could've thrown her into that damned well and then filled it up with rocks until there was no way she could get through. THEN she'd be safe in her time and not worry me to death!"

Sango shook her head at him, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Look. Inuyasha, nothing is going to change if we just laze about here. We need to get moving. Maybe we can find someone who has seen her or any of Naraku's spawns."

Inuyasha sighed dejectedly. "You're right. Pack everything up. We leave immediately." He left the packing to Sango, Shippo and Miroku while he gathered his thoughts a couple yards away from the camp. The job was done quicker than he thought it would be which he was glad for. They then left the small clearing they had lingered in and quickly made way to the next village, looking for any rumors that would lead them to their goal.

When they finally came upon a small village it was nightfall. They would have to find lodgings for the night before they could question anyone. They found such lodgings in the form of a small inn meant to house the rare occurrence of travelers. The inn was owned by an elderly couple, their faces full of smiles and happiness. It was a warm light in the midst of the groups despair and was appreciated. They took a room and the woman, the innkeeper's wife, brought to them a light meal of porridge. Their bellies full, the group went to sleep, eager to meet the morning and hopefully a clue as to where their friend had been taken. The only exception was the hanyou. Instead of sleeping, which was near impossible for Inuyasha given the state he was in now, he sat there awake, keeping an eye out for any intruders. That night was uneventful.

Morning greeted them with the sun shining brightly above them. The group separated and they began looking for rumors on their own. After a couple of hours, they met at the inn and shared what they learned with one another. There had been a rumor that there was strange activity to the north of the village. A young villager, her name had been Keiko, had seen something while walking in the forest and, in her fright, quickly ran back to the village. So, the group of four decided to check it out and see what it was that Keiko had seen.

Upon searching, they found that nothing was really amiss. Their search only yielded a group of thieves. Dejected, they returned to the village and began asking around again. This time around, they heard something more concrete. A few days travel to the east there was said to be a strange barrier blockading a rather large region of land. A traveling merchant had spoken of it while selling off some of his goods. Excited at hearing something of great potential, Inuyasha gathered the rest of the group to head off in the direction of the barrier. He was not going to let this opportunity pass him by because of a lack of vigilance.

By the time the sun began to set, they were well away from the village and closer to their destination. They broke camp in a cave they found and immediately lit a fire. Inuyasha left and when he came back half an hour later, he carried a couple fish caught in a stream somewhere nearby and speared them on long twigs and set them so that they hovered near the fire to cook. As the fire crackled and warmed the surrounding area, Inuyasha sat by the wall of the cave. He stared at the flickering flames for seemed like ages before Miroku spoke.

"What are you thinking about Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha scoffed at the question. "Isn't it obvious? Kagome. She is all I've thought about for days. Weeks." He spoke softly, which was unlike him. Miroku looked at him in acknowledgment.

"We'll find her. Who knows, maybe she'll contact us before that! You shouldn't lose faith, Inuyasha."

"You really think so?" In a rare moment of weakness, Inuyasha looked to the group of people that he's come to trust and depend on. His eyes showed his uncertainty, his eyebrows creased in distress.

Everyone looking toward the hanyou in silence, Sango broke. "I do, Inuyasha. What would Kagome say if she saw you like this? I think she'd die to see you all vulnerable as you are right now!" She laughed lightly at her own comment. Inuyasha gave a small chuckle as well.

The smell of cooked fish wafted through the air and the party each took a skewered fish. They ate in silence. No one had anything to say to the other. It was only interrupted by the quiet crackling of the fire suiting their moods well. They were all lost in their own thoughts. The first to finish was Inuyasha. He took his previous spot away from the others and sat cross-legged with his arms folded, listening to the quiet night. Whispering voices were heard and he looked to see Miroku and Sango talking to one another. Shippo had already passed out by the fire.

Shippo had been oddly silent through the whole journey, which wasn't like him. They all weren't like themselves. The worry they felt for Kagome affected their behaviors greatly. The one most affected, however, was Inuyasha himself. He had never felt so uncertain of anything. He couldn't stand his own behavior. He didn't want to mope everywhere. He just couldn't help it.

He had to be strong- for everyone. He knew this to be true. If he wasn't, how could he expect to save Kagome? Being the way he was now... how could he think straight let alone save the girl he loved?

The thought shocked him, yet he wasn't going to deny it. He loved Kagome. With all his heart he loved her. Yet... he allowed her to leave his side to go to his enemy's. Even if the whole purpose of her doing so was to allow them to rid themselves of Naraku's evil, he still allowed her to put herself in complete danger. He was scared out of his mind for her. What could Naraku be doing to his miko at this very moment? The possibilities were too great, and all of them bleak. She could be chained to a wall at this very moment, being tortured by Naraku's cruelty for all they knew. Or worse yet, Naraku could be defiling Kagome's pure body. The thought of Naraku's hands on Kagome sent Inuyasha's blood boiling. The thought wasn't as far-fetched as he would hope. Naraku was Onigumo before he let demons take over his body, and Onigumo had once wanted to possess Kikyo. Kagome was Kikyo's reincarnation, so Naraku may have a desire for Kagome in turn.

But what would this speak about his own feelings towards the girl? Of course he had considered this already. As he thought about it, the answer was quite clear to him. Even though the two miko resembled one another, Kagome was notably different from Kikyo. There was a child-like quality to Kagome... innocence would be a better term for it. There was more kindness to her than Kikyo could ever hope to possess. She was selfless and caring. And most of all, she was pure. Nothing could taint her. No hatred could infect her mind.

Another thought confused him. Why hasn't Naraku used Kagome as bait to lure them out? What other reason would Naraku have to take Kagome? It just didn't make any sense to him. Maybe he decided to use her to locate shards? So many questions flooded his mind; he felt it was likely to burst open.

As his thoughts ran rampant, he didn't realize how much time had passed. Before he knew it, morning had arrived. It was the beginning of a new day, and they would begin their search immediately. They packed their supplies and headed off once more in the direction of the barrier they were told about. As they walked, Inuyasha smelled the distant scent of dirt and clay. He knew this smell anywhere. It was Kikyo. He had to fight off the desire to follow it. What he was doing now was far more important than a rendezvous with his past lover.

The smell never went away though. It seemed like the woman knew they were passing and decided to follow them. Inuyasha rapidly grew agitated. If she was intent on following them, she might as well show her face! When he stopped suddenly, the group looked at him with confused expressions. He explained with one word: "Kikyo."

A scowl appeared on Sango's face and when she was about to start arguing with Inuyasha, Miroku stopped her.

"Let him explain." Was all the monk told her.

Inuyasha quickly rectified his behavior. "She's been following up all morning. We need to find out what she is up to."

Miroku agreed with him. "I noticed. I could sense her as well."

It didn't take long for Kikyo to finally show her face. When she did, she had the most uncanny look of satisfaction on her face. This confused the group of travelers. They stood in their places, waiting for the woman to speak.

"Hello, Inuyasha," she said in a sickly sweet tone.

"Kikyo... What are you doing here?" Inuyasha responded, ears flattened, showing his bad mood.

Kikyo stared at him, a faint smirk on her lips. "That's no way to greet the woman you love. What happened?" She took a look around the group, her smirk stretching. "I don't see my reincarnation anywhere… I wonder where she could be."

Inuyasha growled lowly to himself. Kikyo knew something. "You know something. Tell us."

"Me? Even if I did, why would I tell you?"

"Kikyo… I'm not joking around. Either tell us if you know something, or get lost. Either way, we don't have time to waste on you."

Kikyo gave him an even look before she spoke. "Oh, I know something all right. But, you best forget about looking for the girl. It's not worth it."

"Why wouldn't it be worth it! She's in danger. I'm not going to let her remain with that monster another moment!" Inuyasha was pissed.

"Calm down Inuyasha," she said with a frown. "Naraku is not going to let her go… Not in the current situation."

Inuyasha balled his hands into fists, his claws biting into the delicate flesh. "Why would I care if Naraku would let her go or not? I'm going to save her! Either help, or leave."

Yaay! There in the next installment! I will get to work on the next chappie ASAP! And by ASAP, I mean right now! Hopefully the Beta I just got will keep me on track! Thanks for being patient my lovvies! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I love you all!