Hunted Chapter 4, an inuyasha fanfic

Hello my dears! I promise I didn't forget you all. I just had crazy finals and I still shudder when I think about them. I tried to get another chapter up but I just couldn't find the time between school and work. But now I is free until winter semester so here's a chapter. I was going to wait until I had two to give you but I thought sooner would be better. Just a note. There is swearing, Okay? That means if you are offended by it, don't read. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the horrendous grades I just got on my finals. Sniff.

Kagome let out a growl of frustration and then froze. She realized what she'd just done, blushed, put her hands over her mouth, and shot an embarrassed look at Kaede. Kaede only chuckled.

"Don't worry, child. You are an Inu Youkai after all."

"I know," Kagome said with a smile. "But I can't get used to me growling!"

"In time you will." She gave Kagome a kind look. "I know you're frustrated, child, but masking charms take practice."

"I know," Kagome sighed. "But I'm so tired of being inside that not being able to pass as human is frustrating."

"Try again, child."

Kagome closed her eyes in concentration. Then frowned.

"Its progress, Kagome. Your aura is weaker and you are making progress with the physical masking."

Kagome looked in the mirror. Her markings had faded and her ears were less tipped but her hair, fangs, and claws were completely intact. She released the charm.

"I think that's enough for today," Kaede said.

"Will you stay for dinner?" Kagome asked hopefully.

Kaede shook her head. "I'm afraid I cannot. I have business to attend to."

"Okay," Kagome said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

Kaede gave her a knowing look. "Is it Inuyasha?"

"Yes. He's still not speaking to me."

"He will. Just give him time."

"Okay."

Kaede left and Kagome felt very alone.

There was the click of the mail slot as mail was pushed through the door. Kagome set her book down, rolling her eyes. Junk mail. Junk mail. Kagome was beginning to think that if Kikyo really wanted to find her that the dark miko should just join forces with the vultures that sent credit card offers and bogus promises of "easy cash". Sheesh. Kagome was prepared to dump the lot in the trash when she spotted a pale pink envelope. A letter! Kagome smiled. Mail! It was from her mother and Kagome opened it eagerly. Her mother chatted about family doings and assured her that everyone was well, though missing her. Kagome re-read the letter several times before carefully replacing it in its envelope. Her smile was soon replaced with tears. She missed her family so much.

"What are you blubbering about?"

Kagome's head snapped up and she saw Inuyasha with a soda he'd obviously just taken from the fridge. Kagome's sadness quickly turned to anger.

"Like you care," she said icily and went to her room. Forget dinner. That jerk could feed himself.

"Why don't we take a break, child?"

"Okay," Kagome said gratefully.

After they had settled themselves on the couch, Kagome decided to indulge her curiosity. "So how did you get involved in all this?" Kagome asked.

"As a miko I have always been aware of the presence of demons. I have known many good hearted demons, including your father and so I knew they were not solely the blood-thirsty monsters some would have you believe. So I, and others of similar opinion, decided to help demons."

Kagome nodded. "Others?"

"There are many I perhaps am not aware of but usually it is holy men, such as monks who can be of assistance, the number of people who can help is limited. There are less mikos and monks with true power than there are demons."

"I see. Do you operate within a large area?"

"Yes. And the distance is made even more difficult as that Japan is the hot bed of revolution with people such as Naraku and Kikyo, the most powerful and adamant of those attempting to eliminate demons."

"Who works with you?"

"I work closely with several monks, including a man named Miroku, whom you may meet at some point. I also work with a number of humans who mostly provide shelter."

"Shelter?"

Kaede sighed. "For demon children whose parents have been executed."

Kagome gasped. "Children?"

"Yes. And I fear there are often more children than homes. And so many of the children are lost."

Kagome felt tears sting her eyes. "That's horrible."

Kaede nodded wearily.

Kagome sat lost in thought awhile. "What about Inuyasha?"

"Inuyasha?"

"Whose side is he on?"

"His own."

"Why?"

"Many demons are."

Kagome set her jaw. "I could never be."

Kaede gave her a smile.

Kagome stomped to her room and slammed her door, hearing an answering slam from across the hall. Kagome fumed and cursed under her breath. Sometimes it was all she could do not to slug Inuyasha. He seemed to go out of his way to be a jerk.

"Screw this," Kagome huffed under her breath.

She shoved her feet into a pair of shoes and pulled on a hooded sweatshirt leaving her hair inside of it. She pulled a baseball hat low over her face and then the hood over it. She pulled on a pair of loose gloves and frowned when one of her claws went through. She pulled the fingertip back over her claw. She then quietly left the apartment. Kagome felt guilty as she left the apartment building but it felt so good to be out of the stale stuffy air and her anger was diluted by her anger.

'I'm just going for a walk. No harm in that. Just a walk.'

She walked for a long time, her temper soon cooling. And the indignity and anger soon evaporated, leaving her feeling empty and confused. Inuyasha was a jerk, there was no doubt about that but…but his life had been far from happy. Was she really the victim here? Or was he? Kagome sighed and looked up at the sky; such a beautiful night. Because she was so inexperienced with her masking charms, her senses were dulled slightly, mostly her smell. But Kaede had informed her that once she had perfected the masking charms that she would have her full demon capabilities, without risk of exposing herself. Kagome looked forward to that day. It was odd, even though she had been a demon for such a short length of time, she had come to rely so much on her senses. And right now…she was feeling nervous. Maybe her human-like senses made her edgy.

"Die, demon!"

Kagome gave a yelp and leapt aside, barely avoiding the giant boomerang that ripped past her. She whirled around and saw a tall slender girl dressed in snug armor catch the boomerang, slinging it casually behind her back.

"Based on your aura, I expected a lesser demon-"

'Shit,' Kagome thought. 'I guess I didn't do the charm as well as I thought.'

"-a little incompetent, aren't we? Prepare yourself!"

She threw the boomerang and Kagome scrambled out of the way with a yelp. Again the boomerang came, with Kagome diving out of the way.

'Wait, stupid! You're a demon; act like one!'

Kagome ripped her gloves and hat off as she ran towards the girl. There was no point in covering herself now and she dropped her charm to be able to fight. The girl once again threw her weapon, which Kagome dodged. Kagome then ran a tight circle around the girl as the boomerang was in the air, taking the weapons the girl wore at her side. The boomerang returned to the girl's hand as Kagome came to a stop several yards away, facing the girl. The girl's eyes narrowed with anger as Kagome threw the weapons aside. They now lay at least fifty yards away and were well beyond the girl's reach.

"Stand and fight!"

Again the boomerang. Kagome leapt into the air, grabbed the weapon, and turned with it to stop its turn. Once the weapon was motionless in her hands, Kagome sped to the ground, burying the weapon deep into the ground. She then rushed at the girl and slammed her to a tree, her claws encircling her throat as her other hand pinned the girl's hands.

"Stand down!" Kagome growled.

The girl glared at her with contempt visible upon her features. "Aren't you going to kill me, demon?"

Kagome looked at her and saw that this girl was willing to die. The heat of the movement faded and Kagome realized how close she could have come to killing her adversary. Was this what it meant to be demon? To kill. She released the girl and stepped back.

"No."

The girl's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Why?"

"I won't strike down someone who is at my mercy."

"You are weak."

The attack came suddenly as a blade sprung from the armor covering the girl's forearm. The girl swing her arm and Kagome, caught unprepared, felt a sharp pain across her face accompanied by the sharp coppery smell of blood. The girl didn't hesitate and swung again, catching Kagome across the abdomen. Kagome gasped and clutched at the new wound, feeling warm stickiness flow across her hand.

Kagome leapt backwards out of range, landing 15 feet way. Kagome then straightened and looked over the girl who stood rigid and obviously ready. Now what? Her face and torso hurt badly but didn't seem dangerous to her health. This girl on the other hand was dangerous. Kagome felt a faint stirring of some dark and primitive anger stirring at the base of her soul but she suppressed it. She was demon, yes, but now was not the time to lose control. She had to disarm the girl.

Kagome rushed as quickly as possible towards the girl and hit her in the abdomen, being careful to make it painful but not too much for a human's endurance. The girl gasped and instinctively hunched over. Kagome, feeling guilty, didn't give the girl time to recover before she roughly grabbed the girl's arms in one hand and tore off the material of one sleeve, effectively disarming the girl.

"Sorry," Kagome said.

The girl raised her gaze and Kagome saw not only the anger and contempt but a raw pain, a pain that Kagome did not think was physical. Kagome quickly struck the girl across the back of the head. The girl slumped unconscious and Kagome held her upright. Kagome sighed. Now what? The girl had obviously wanted to kill her but Kagome couldn't see leaving her unconscious at night. Kagome sighed again as she set the girl gently onto the ground. Kagome quickly gathered the girl's dagger, sword, and then pulled the large boomerang from the ground. Kagome contemplated how to carry everything; she was quite strong now of course, but she only had two hands.

Kagome took off her sweater and tied it around her waist, tucking the lighter weapons into it. She propped the boomerang upright and used a long tassel attached to it to tie around the girl's waist. She then lifted the boomerang up onto her back, using one arm to hold the weapon and the other arm to wrap around the girl's thigh so she wouldn't slide off. Kagome could handle the weight but the position was awkward as she stared back towards the apartment complex. In addition to wanting to be relieved of her burden, Kagome hurried because she was no longer masked and didn't want to risk another encounter.

Kagome entered the apartment and nudged the door shut with her foot. She then quickly untied the girl and set her gently on the couch. Kagome went into the kitchen and found some duct tape before returning to the living room. She looked down at the girl and though she didn't want to, realized she couldn't leave the girl loose. She firmly taped the girl's ankles together and then her wrists. When she had finished, she covered the girl with a blanket.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Kagome turned around and saw a livid Inuyasha.

"Well-"

"Who the hell is that? Why is she here?!"

"She-"

"She's human! Do you realize the risk? How the fuck could you do this, wench?!"

"Sit!"

Inuyasha hit the floor with a thud and his, undoubted, cursing was muffled. He started to rise, glaring and opening his mouth.

"Sit!"

Thud!

Kagome glared at the back of Inuyasha's head.

"If you'd give me half a second I'd explain! You were being a jerk and I went for a walk to get away from you. I was attacked. I had to knock her unconscious and couldn't leave her there. Now you know!"

Inuyasha struggled to his feet, his face red. "Bitch," he growled.

"Sit!"

"The name is Kagome," she said to his prone form. "Now if you don't mind, I'm gong to call Kaede."

Kaede was there within an hour. Inuyasha had stomped off to his room and Kagome stood near the still unconscious girl. Kaede looked form Kagome to the girl before speaking.

"What happened?"

Kagome sighed once and then explained all that had occurred.

"You should not have gone out," Kaede said severely, as soon as Kagome had finished. "It was very foolish."

"I'm sorry," Kagome said, looking down at her hands. "I was upset but I realize that it doesn't excuse me. And I'm sorry I've brought you into this but I wasn't sure what to do."

Kaede's expression softened. "I did not mean to upset you, Kagome." Kaede turned her gaze to the girl. "I know this child. If I am correct, she is the last survivor of a long lineage of demon slayers."

"Demon slayers?" Kagome squeaked.

"Yes. Are you okay, child? Were you hurt?"

"I was, but my wounds have healed. I'm fine."

Kaede nodded. "Well, we should speak to her."

Kaede placed a hand to the girl's forehead and a soft blue light came into contact with the girl briefly before Sango stirred and then slowly opened her eyes. Sango blinked and looked around before her gaze turned angry as she caught sight of Kagome.

"Where am I?" she demanded.

"Somewhere safe."

The girl gave a quick derisive laugh. "In the home of a demon? You cannot be serious."

"I am," Kagome said.

The girl's words were sharp and Kagome couldn't explain both the hurt and concern she felt. Her only encounter with this girl had been her trying to kill her. But…somehow…

"What have I done to you?" Kagome asked

"You are demon. That's enough."

"And you blame Kagome for what happened to you family?" Kaede's gravelly voice broke in.

The girl looked at Kaede for a long time.

"You are miko. Why are you here?"

"I am helping Kagome. And you."

"And how is that?"

"You are Sango Tajiya, formally of the demon exterminator village outside Ito?"

Sango narrowed her eyes. "How did you know that?"

"I know more than that. The man you are currently working for, Naraku, was the one responsible for the slaying of your village."

Sango's mouth opened and closed several times before she seemed to regain her composure. "I don't believe you."

"I didn't think you would. Did you also know that Naraku is himself a demon?"

Sango's chest began to heave and Kagome could tell she must be fighting off tears. Who could blame her for such betrayal?

"Where's your proof?" Sango demanded shakily.

Kagome felt stirrings of pity for Sango. She'd lost everyone and then, essentially, had been tricked into betraying their memories by going to work for their murderer. Kagome wondered about Sango's demand for proof. Did she have that little loyalty for her employer or had she already suspected that something was amiss?

"A young human girl named Rin witnessed Naraku's transformation into his true demon form. She is the ward of a demon named Sesshomaru who was captured. She came under my protection, for her guardian had instructed her to seek me if such an emergency should arise. We had been watching Naraku, along with others, for a long time and we had been suspicious of Naraku's true capabilities which are far beyond that of a normal human. Rin gave us insight into the reason for this."

"A demon with a human ward?" Sango asked, disbelief in her tone.

"Yes. Due to what Rin told us, we did extensive research and spying upon Naraku and discovered that he is indeed a demon; and a demon responsible for many murders."

Sango was silent a long time and Kagome could smell her tears and feel her anger. Kagome knew she must be struggling with this new information, which turned her world upside down. Kagome wondered if Sango would believe them despite her deeply rooted hatred of demons. And if she didn't, what would they do with her? To keep her silent?

"I want to meet this girl," Sango finally said.

"Very well," Kaede agreed. "But I cannot allow it unless I am assured of this girl's safety. I have deep respect and pity for you, child, but Rin was entrusted to my care."

"I give you my word that no matter what I decide, I won't be returning to Naraku's service."

"And why is that?" Kaede asked gently.

"I have never fully trusted Naraku. And now, I could not in good conscious work for him."

"Very well. We will go in a few hours. It is nearly morning."

Kaede turned her gaze on Kagome. Kagome, with some hesitation, approached Sango and, with a lick of her claws, cut through the tape binding Sango.

"There's a shower back there," Kagome said, pointing the way. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

Sango gazed at her face until Kagome grew uncomfortable. Did she have something on her face? Or was Sango going to smack her?

"I'm sorry," Sango said somewhat stiffly. "I misjudged you."

"Don't worry. You didn't have any particular reason to."

They arrived outside a small house in a bad neighborhood. Kaede knocked and they were admitted by a kindly, though tired looking, woman with a small baby on her hip. The conditions of the house were poverty stricken: peeling paint, sagging furniture, and scraped floors. Kagome marveled at this mother taking in one more person. Kagome had seen so much ill spirit and horror but here was such an instance of good and charity. The mother asked them to sit down before opening a door and calling Rin's name.

Rin was a cute little girl of about seven, attired in a dress which was slightly too small for her and soft with many washings. Kagome had the feeling that this girl was usually full of energy but a mask of sadness weighed her small face.

The girl looked around at them and then almost immediately launched herself at Kagome. Kagome was surprised but hugged her. The girl was sniffling.

"Is Sesshomaru with you? Did he come?" she managed to sob out.

Kagome tried to soothe her and looked up, feeling eyes upon her. The mother looked sad, Kaede grave, and Sango was blinking away tears.

"Did you want to question her?" Kaede asked Sango.

"No," Sango said, her voice unsteady. "I believe you."

Sango and Kaede moved slightly away, their heads bent in conversation and Kagome returned her attention to Rin.

"Where is Sesshomaru?" Rin asked, fresh tears spilling down her face.

"I don't know Rin," Kagome said, wishing she could banish this small child's misery.

"Will you save him? I miss him so much!"

Kagome pulled Rin into her lap. "What is your guardian like, Rin?"

"He is strong and nice to Rin. He saved me from the wolves. He takes Rin places and plays with me. Please will you bring Sesshomaru to Rin?"

Kagome remembered distinctly what Kaede had told her about parentless children who were lost in this time. Rin was alone and her guardian had been taken from her. If there was anything she could do to prevent one child from being lost, she could do it. She felt a tie to Rin and already felt a love and protectiveness for her. Kagome would see her happy.

"I promise Rin," Kagome told her quietly.

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