She had to do it now. It was the only chance she was going to get and she was not about to waste it. As she slinked back into the darkness of the forest behind her, she changed her form. From the information she had gathered recently, Kagome thought that her female companion was a close relative.
"Do not fail me...You know the punishment if you do..." said a voice in her mind.
"Wish me luck, Master."
As she stepped out into the light her usual attire was gone, in its place was a light brown kimono, long black hair that was tied loosly behind her and features of the Taijiya.
"This better work.." she thought viciously, as she walked quickly in the forest to find the main guest in her little plan.
Kagome was sat huddled with her knees against her chest by a large bush. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as the information sunk in her brain.
"Mai...Mai..." she sniffled.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it was true about Mai, but she still refused to let herself fully beleive in it. As she wiped away remaining tears, she sat and looked around her surroundings. When she had ran away she completly forgot about checking for tell tale signs that could help her on her way back. She sighed deeply and rose to her feet, while rubbing her eyes. Just as she was about to walk back to camp, thinking it was the right way, a beautiful girl walked out from behind the trees. Kagome's eyes widened and tears brimmed them once again. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and was sure it was going to burst any moment.
"Y-you! It's you!!" stuttered the infant girl.
"Hello, Kagome." the girl replied.
"M...MAI!!" she screamed.
As the tiny girl ran, the older girl opened her arms out lovingly. Once in her hold, she slowly started rubbing Kagome's back to sooth her cries.
"Mai! Mai! I knew they weren't dead! I knew you wouldn't leave me!!" Kagome sobbed.
"Sssh! Its okay now. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Kagome's grip tightened and she burried her face into 'Mai's' shoulder. The older girl smiled then pryed Kagome from her body. Using her thumb to wipe stray tears sht then stood and clasped onto Kagome's hand.
"Come on, we've gotta get out of here." said 'Mai'.
Her features changing dramatically, no longer were they happy but full of worry and seriousness.Kagome titled her head in confusion. As if she heard the unspoken question, 'Mai' spoke.
"We have to find a safe place to hide. They're going to be looking for you soon."
"Who? Mai whats the matter?" Kagome asked, her eyes then grew in size and her hands started trembling "Is...Is daddy here?!"
"Huh? Er...No." 'Mai' faultered, but quickly covered herself up "Its those people you've been staying with. They're bad people, Kagome." 'Mai' knealed down so she was eye level "Kagome, they are trying to steal you away from me. They locked me up and wouldn't let me see you. They are bad people aswell as liers."
"But...They helped me...Why would they lie?" Kagome asked.
"They lied about me being dead, who knows what else they have been lying about! Now come on! We've gotta go, i know just the place we can hide!!"
Kagome furrowed her brows but obeyed her 'sister'. As the two ran through the forest, 'Mai' had to stop herself from screaming with joy. Her plan was working! She could already hear what her Master was bound to say.
"Well done, you've out done yourself this time!"
Or
"For doing such a great job i shall make you my queen!"
She almost squeeled with excitment. She knew her Master would never make her his queen. But a girl was aloud to dream, right? Looking down at the child running beside her, 'Mai' then thought of a better, more twisted way of getting her mission complete. She would convince Kagome to do everything herself, even use the tainted object that would be her demise. But what made it even more demented, was that she was going to let Inuyasha and his gang find Kagome. She would errect a barrier that would allow him only to watch. Then, once her mission was complete she would dissappear, leaving that mutt-faced Hanyou and his stupid companions with a semi-dead Kagome. It was brilliant! 'Mai' smiled inwardly as she ran. About twenty minutes later they finally came to a hault.
"Kagome, this is far enough."
Kagome slumped down against a tree, her chest rising and falling as she panted for air. She was still tired from her run not long ago, and and top of it all, all of her crying had drained away her energy, physically and emotionally.
"Kagome, i need you to do something for me." said 'Mai', breaking the small girl from her thoughts.
"Mmmhmmm"
"Close your eyes and i shall give you something that wil kepp you away from those people forever, you can then me with Mai, er...Me, forever and ever. Okay?"
Kagome nodded and 'Mai' watched with an evil smirk as Kagome slowly closed her eyes. Reaching within her kimono, 'Mai' pulled out a small fragment of a jewel. It was glistening a blackish purple in the light that was able to flood through the trees. Then, with her other hand, she pulled out a small rag doll.
"Master, I am in need of your assistance." she thought, using her mind to reach the one she desired.
"What is it? This better be good." her master asked in reply
"I need you to send Inuyasha a little vision, so that he will find Kagome."
"Why? What do you have planned?" he asked, his voice cocky and full of interest.
"I do not wish to ruin the surpirise, My Lord. but i promise it shal not dissapoint you."
"Very well. Concider it done."
Back at the camp, Inuyasha was sat, leaned agaist a tree. His eyes were focusing on the little specks of pollen that were floating around in the air. He knew he should go find Kagome, but the others had convinced his to leave her alone, just for a bit longer. He sighed deeply, stood up and moved his gaze to the sky. He watched at the fluffy clouds slowly passed by. It was then that he felt numb all over. His mind was black and his eyes rolled back into his head. He gasped for air as he fell back, the feeling of losing control of his mind overpowering him.
"Inuyasha!" called Miroku, Sango and Shippo as they all watched him collaps.
(This is in Inuyasha's mind, the vision that "the master" has shown him)
Inuyasha opened his eyes and looked around him. He was no longer at camp, but somewhere deep within the forest. It was then that he noticed he was not alone. By the base of a tree infront of him, was Kagome and a older girl that looked alot like Sango.
"Yo, Sango? What the hell is going on?" he asked.
The girl did not reply and instead she closed her eyes. He stared in horror as her appearance changed into one he knew he would never forget. Her dull brown kimono was replaced by a large frilly dress, her long blackish hair changed aswell as her facial features.
"K-Kauri?! What the hell are you doing to Kagome?!" he roared, unsheathing his sword to attack.
Racing forward, he brought down his sword onto Kauri. His eyes widened with complete shock. His sword went right through her!! Stummbling a few paces back, he watched as Kauri placed a fragment on a Shikon jewel on Kagome's head. The jewel merged with her skin and became apart of her body. Kagome started to sweat and wriggle around like she was in deep pain. Kauri then started to chant, holdin that doll of hers.
"No! No, what are you doing to Kagme?!" he yelled.
Everything around his started to go fuzzy. It was like he was running backwards, as Kauri and Kagome were getting further and further away from him.
"No! Kagome!! NOOO!!"
"NOOO! KAGOME!!" Inuyasha bellowed, sitting up.
"Woah! Inuyasha, whats the matter what happened?" asked Miroku.
"I've gotta find Kagome! She's in danger!!"
With that the Hanyou ran off into the forest leaving behind a very confused Houshi, Taijiya and Kitsune.
"I'm coming Kagome! Don't you dare leave me!!"
Kauri smiled as she returned back into her usual form. With a flick of her wrist a protective barrier covered them. She smiled darkly as she pressed the jewel shard to Kagome's forehead. As was to be expected there was a little resistance but her powers soon gave up. In mear seconds the tainted jewel was one with the small child. Kagome's eyes brows clashed together in discomfort. Her fists clenched onto the blades of grass and she bit down on her bottom lip so hard it almost bled.
"Almost time." thought Kauri.
Inuyasha ran as fast as he could. He just had to get to Kagome.
"I knew i should have gone after her as soon as she ran off!" he argued with himself.
Kauri could feel the Hanyou getting closer and closer. She smiled and her eyes shone with a menevolent glint. Stoking her dolls head she then began chanting slowly, as to give Inuyasha enough time to reach where they were. Kagome started to scream in pain. Her insides felt like they were on fire and her mind was filled with horrible images. Not far away, Inuyasha heard Kagome's screams.
"I'm coming Kagome!!"
Just as he was about to reach the two, he ran face first into the barrier.
"No! URG! I don't have time for this!" he growlled.
Pulling out his mighty sword, he crashed down onto the barrier using his barrier-breaking manouver. The barrier shattered, just as Kauri finished casting her spell. Inuyasha ran through the bushes and caught sight of Kauri leaning over an unconcious Kagome.
"You're to late! My mission...Is complete!" cried Kauri.
"No...Kagome!!"
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