Chapter 5

Kagome and InuYasha

"What?" InuYasha asked. "What the hell does Miroku have to do with any of this?" 'I know I didn't smell him there,' he thought.

"Miroku had given me some sutras to practice with in case I ever needed them. The one I used was supposed to seal a demon from moving for a certain amount of time. But if used with an arrow then it can become permanent if the arrow stays in. . . Maybe my arrow fell out?" Kagome wondered.

'I wonder if that's how Kikyo sealed me. . .' thought InuYasha, who had never really learned how exactly Kikyo had sealed him to the tree at all.

The couple sat silently for some time until Kagome tried to get up.

"What the hell are you doing?" InuYasha said, almost annoyed.

Kagome's brow furrowed. "I have to feed Mikomi."

InuYasha gently pushed her down again, but with barely enough pressure to do so. He didn't want to hurt her. "I'll take care of it. Do have any of those odd 'bottle' things?"

"Yes. I grabbed one before I left. It's with Mikomi."

InuYasha stood up and walked to his pup. He gently picked her up and brought her over next to Kagome. 'It still amazes me how much she looks like my mom. . .' he thought.

Izayoi

After gathering the herbs she needed, Izayoi walked back to the village. As she neared it, the village head came to her.

He spoke softly. "My Lady Izayoi. The miko's mate has finally shown up."

"Is he with her?"

"Yes. I didn't want to anger him so I allowed it." the leader looked a little dissapointed in himself.

"It's quite alright. I wouldn't have it any other way." Izayoi said encouraging the leader.

The leader looked upon the foriener whom he'd befriended only a few years prior. It was incredible how much she had aged. When she had shown up, she was young and beautiful. Now she had thinned, as if her body had been made of dirt and it was blowing away. Her hair was starting to show bits and pieces of gray. Her face had taken on a few life lines, as well. But she still had warm eyes.

When the village had discovered her past, it had been a shock. She had kept it a secret, at first, but she soon revealed it when she defended a half demon child that was passing through. The villagers soon got over their fears and prejiduce of half demons and accepted her.

The leader nodded and Izayoi walked to her hut expecting another demon.

InuYasha and Kagome

InuYasha and Kagome were talking about the demon that had attacked their village while he fed their pup, when InuYasha froze.

"What is it?" Kagome asked.

"that smell. . ." InuYasha took another deep breath through his nose. "Someone's coming and they smell like bones and graveyard dirt!"

"What?" Kagome almost yelled. "Who do you think it is?"

"Shh." InuYasha put Mikomi in his mate's arms.

His eyes were on the door and his ears were layed back. He quickly got up and put himself between Kagome and the doorway. A low growl rumbled in his chest.

InuYasha Kagome and Izayoi

Izayoi walked in and she froze. InuYasha's growl became louder.

"Who are you?" He gowled.

Izayoi gasped. 'No. no it couldn't be... InuYasha?'

"WHO ARE YOU? And how have you been treating my mate? How did you die? Yes, I can tell just by sniffing you!" InuYasha had been almost traumitised by all the dead people he'd encountered. Considering that every one of them had at least once tried to kill Kagome. He didn't was to take any chances.

"InuYasha! STOP IT!" Kagome yelled. "This nice woman saved my life! You can be nicer!"

"Well, the Band of Seven sure fooled me when they 'saved' you! I'll never risk it again! I have to know!"

"InuYasha. I know you worry about me. Thanks. But be nicer!"

Kagome and InuYasha stopped their usual ranting when the heard a small voice coming from the woman.

"InuYasha?" she spoke silently, with tears in her eyes.