Inuyasha: Sealed Fates Unleashed

By: Lady JenDragon

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha and characters.

Author's Notes: Comic-Con was so much fun! Met the voice of Inuyasha. If you want more details, see my other story CYCLE OF RIN. For those who have never been to Comic-Con, I highly recommend going next year. We call it Freaks and Geeks weekend. I'm a geek, not a freak…not yet anyway. Much fun to be had! For non-comic fans, there's loads of other stuff to do. Comics are just a cover. We got to meet Samuel L. Jackson, Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst there in addition to Sam Raimi, Joss Whedon, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriquez. First peeks at all the movies coming out within the next year are a major bonus. Oh, and TRANSFORMERS looks good! Now that I'm done shamelessly promoting Comic-Con, on with the next Chapter!

Chapter Thirteen

Ally of the North Valley

Sango walked beside Miroku with Shippo balanced on his right shoulder. Hairaikotsu hung across her shoulders, dressed in a green and white flowered kimono. It was good to get out of that demonslayer uniform. That whole day of rest worked miracles for her spirit and physical body. She raised her eyes, setting on Kagome walking ahead of them while listening to Miroku detailing his theory of Kagome's recent behavior change.

"I don't think Kagome's telling us the whole truth about that night." Miroku stated. "Something happened. I'm sure of it."

Kagome kept herself withdrawn from them since the Night of Chaos occurred two nights back. She was not acting normal, even for her. Miroku did not know how to approach Kagome about the subject. How does one bring something like this up in a conversation?

"She has been spending a lot of time to herself, I admit. But, does it really mean that something happened? There was a lot going on that night." Sango answered. "We can't just jump to conclusions, Miroku."

"How can you tell something happened?" Shippo inquired, his eyes veering from Sango to Miroku.

Both Sango and Miroku went silent and red in the cheeks.

Shippo sighed, both shoulders sunk. He had not been in the village for the 'Night-of-Chaos' as Miroku called it. He woke up in the forest, all by himself, not even the animals were around. The memory of that night went missing, just like Inuyasha. What he ate, what he did, not a single memory. In panic, Shippo immediately returned to Lady Kaede to find out what had happened to him.

And now Kagome was behaving strangely. Was it his fault? Sango assured him that was not the case. But, Shippo could shake feeling responsible some how. Kagome was so sad though she tried to hide it from everyone. Miroku mentioned to Shippo not to say a word during last night's dinner and allow Kagome to believe she hid her feelings from her friends. She would eventually come to them when she was ready. He hoped it would be soon.

"Even Inuyasha has noticed her change." Miroku looked at the clouds gathering in the sky. "He hasn't been himself either."

A storm headed in their direction, he thought automatically. And there, under the darkening clouds, Kagome walked by herself oblivious to the world around her. She had a lot on her mind. Miroku understood what that was like. His instincts were typically keen in this area. Something happened all right.

"Personally, I don't blame her." Sango shivered. "I mean, she had all those demons and Inuyasha chasing her all night. I wouldn't want to relive those memories again. She's scarred for life."

Miroku felt the chill. It washed over him suddenly, like they were being watched. Quickly surveying the tall grass, trees and hills, he could see nothing. Was someone waiting to attack. Suddenly, it was gone.

"There's more to it than that." Miroku eyed the horizon.

IT was gone. 'Yes,' there was someone watching them. He could not get a definitive aura of whatever it was anymore. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Miroku noticed Shippo eyeing him oddly.

"What's wrong?" Shippo shifted, settling back down into a comfortable position on Miroku's shoulder.

"Now, you're acting strange." Sango added.

"I got the feeling we were being watched…by something." Miroku wondered if they were on the right track. "We should let Kagome come to us when she's ready. Right now, we need to go to the North Valley and discover the fate of the Fourth Seal."

Sango and Shippo nodded in agreement. Shippo frowned, his expression turning serious. Sango's gaze followed the road with her eyes to Kagome walking alone.

"Where's Inuyasha?" Shippo asked Sango.

"Inuyasha's been on a rampage to find the demons who almost hurt Kagome." Sango answered, hiding a sigh. "He's been going all over the forest looking for clues. He's become obsessed."

"He won't find them." Miroku pointed out. "That spell was too powerful. It would've blocked out every scent in the air. Even with Inuyasha's acute sensitivity."

An uneasy silence fell among the three walking together. It was awkward not being together all in one group. And KiRaRa still had not returned from where ever she went. Sango hoped that her friend would come back soon. She missed her a lot.

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Kagome sat on the boulder beside the road, waiting for Sango, Miroku and Shippo to catch up. She spent most of yesterday doing laundry, taking extra time to clean her green and white school uniform. It was a good self-cleansing activity, helping her to reason out her actions. Shifting, she accounted for the bow and arrow pouch she carried over her shoulder. Leaning her arms on her legs, Kagome looked around the landscape.

The lovely day was turning gray and gloomy. Just like the mood she was in. One thing was clear. She would have to do a better job of putting up a brave face. Miroku and Sango had noticed her spending more time to herself. And Inuyasha was not paying attention… as usual. He was off trying to locate the demons she claimed attacked her. He was so stubborn about getting revenge on them.

"I'll have to be more careful." Kagome said quietly.

She glanced over her shoulder at her three friends. That was not a good sign. Miroku, Sango and Shippo were discussing amongst themselves. They were trying to avoid eye contact since she looked in their direction. There were a few minutes till they caught up.

"Come on…" She coached herself, her hands on her knees. "Just be yourself. Sure, it was a life changing event. Heck, it could've been a lot worse."

It was true. She gave herself to Inuyasha. However, she could have done without Sesshomaru, though he was rather experienced. And where did Sesshomaru find the time for women? He struck her as the loveless type. She squeezed her eyes closed, shivering.

"I gotta stop creeping myself out!" Kagome cringed. "Ew!"

Now that her friends and she had taken on a mission, her mind focused on getting to the North Valley. She could return to her normal self. But, her state of normal had been altered. Kagome did not know how to react. She gave her innocence away to protect her feelings for Inuyasha.

'I did the right thing!' Kagome told herself. No way was she going to become a victim. Not of that. It was a way of maintaining control, was it not? Both hands clenched into tight fists, she had to believe she did the right thing.

Kagome relaxed, opening both fists and laying them on her lap. She turned her face to the remaining sun peaking through the clouds. She opened her eyes, a smile on her face. A flash of light caught her attention.

"What was that?" She narrowed her eyes to focus.

Damn! It was too bright. The light was blinding her from seeing the source. Kagome got to her feet, walking towards it to investigate.

"I should've brought sunglasses." Kagome mumbled.

The sun disappeared behind a gray cloud. Kagome came upon the small Human form among the long blades of grass. It was an unconscious young girl. The child's kimono was silvery, her hair a frosted-blue color that shimmered metallic in the light. A string of green jade-colored beads hung around her neck. Kagome felt that the girl was more than human. The girl did not look like a demon, her ears were round, not pointed.

Without hesitation, Kagome knelt beside the girl. Lifting the young girl off the ground, Kagome held the small frame against her. She felt warm, the child's form limp. There were no signs of an attack

"Kagome?" Miroku arrived beside Kagome. "Who is she?"

He looked down at the girl Kagome held. Lifting his face to the road, the feeling he got earlier was not detectable. Had the demon attacked this girl and taken off? Had the demon sensed them coming?

"I don't remember seeing her around." Sango said, taking Shippo from Miroku.

"Neither have I." Kagome wiped the girl's hair from her face. "But, I'd never have known she was here if it wasn't for her kimono. It glistened in the sun."

"What little there is left." Miroku warned. "We should find shelter and wait for the storm to pass."

The girl began to stir then. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Silver-blue eyes opened and focused, taking in the faces looking down upon her. Her eyes widened.

"It's okay." Kagome coaxed.

Kagome stroked the girl's head to comfort her fears. Mom taught her this when dealing with her much younger relatives. The girl relaxed under her tender caress.

"I…" Asaia sat up.

Neither of the people seemed to want to harm her. Perhaps they knew where she could find the priestess? Asaia needed to find her. She looked at the one called 'Kagome' who was dressed rather oddly. Could she be the one?

"Are you okay?" Kagome asked. "What's your name?"

There were no physical wounds anywhere that she could see. Maybe, the girl fell asleep under the sun. Was she waiting for someone? Kagome glanced at Miroku then Sango. Both seemed skeptical of the girl.

"I'm fine, I was just tired. My name is Asaia." Asaia spoke softly, keeping her voice from echoing across the small field. "I've been traveling for some time. Who are you?"

Kagome's aura felt more powerful than the staff-carrying monk and demonslayer with the large weapon accompanying her. Was this the priestess the one she was waiting for? The one she been sent to find and bring back? But Kagome did not match the name she had been given. Lady Kaede was the priestess she needed to find.

"My name's Kagome." She smiled. "These are my friends."

"Sango." Sango placed her hand over her heart.

She narrowed her eyes, Asaia's attention on Kagome at the moment. Sango sensed no demon aura nor was the girl Human by any standard. But, if she was not that either, what was she?

"I'm Miroku." He smiled warmly, waving with his free hand.

Asaia was strange, even for a Human. Her attributes were Human in appearance but her hair and eyes are demon-like, he concluded. Was she a half-breed like Inuyasha?

"And I'm Shippo!" Shippo waved at the girl from Sango's shoulder.

As far as he was concerned, he was happy for the change of pace. Shippo smiled at the girl to lessen the tension. The conversation was turning too serious for him. Perhaps Asaia was on her way to the North Valley too.

"A demon?" Asaia inquired.

This was surely unusual. Demons and Humans typically never mingle with one another. However, they appeared comfortable together. Perhaps, these people were strong enough. Asaia had to decide quickly. Was she going to use them to help her find the priestess?

"I'm a Fox demon." Shippo suddenly panicked. "I'm a good demon though!"

"Oh, okay." Asaia got to her feet, dusting herself off.

Growling turned all heads towards the tree line thirty feet away. Kagome's eyes widened, a pack of snake demons were watching the group with hunger. Miroku's hand went immediately to the scared beads around his right hand. Sango put her hand into the handle of her Hairaikotsu.

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Kikiyo stood with both fists clenched, white knuckled. Brown, dried blood stained her palms where her nails dug into the flesh, when she'd been flesh. Her shoulders shivered with a rage she'd never known before.

Naraku had left her on the ground after being used by him. Someone would pay for this humiliation. She wanted Naraku dead. Now she wanted him to suffer slowly before he went to hell. But, she could not help notice the change of behavior in Naraku once the sun rose above the mountains.

He returned to his castle shortly before dawn. Why had he suddenly left her? It was some kind of spell. Of that she was sure. A sorcerer? The list was short for sorcerers and sorceresses in the vicinity. None with whom she had any previous contact.

If not it was not a sorcerer, who could have done this? Kikiyo was at a loss as to where to start looking for the culprit. There was no evidence to go on. Nothing had been left behind. She failed to detect any auras or barriers. Her eyes widened as the thought came to her.

"The Fifth Seal!"

She needed to go to the cave to check on the Fifth Seal. If it were stolen, then she would know where to start searching. Kikiyo turned towards her old village. Perhaps Kaede had already gone to the cave to check on the Fifth Seal.