Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 15: Phase Six- The Girl with Strange Clothes
The lonely couple sat quietly near the blazing fire, each concentrating on the surrounding territory. The half demon watched with attentive eyes, keeping danger from approaching his girl. The teenage girl kept her eyes in the woods, hoping to see her comrades emerge safely from the forest.
"I'm worried about the others. We should go look for them." Kagome's worry-shaken voice echoed in InuYasha's perked ears. He had been listening to the rustling wind. Something was coming and it wasn't the others. Unsheathing his sword, InuYasha positioned himself for an approaching battle. Out of nowhere a woman wearing red and white appeared before the two, carrying a fan in her right hand.
"Kagura!" InuYasha hissed between his fangs, hands wrapped around his prized Tetsusaiga. The wind demon smiled as her hand was raised to her shoulder. With her red eyes, she seemed to pierce the young miko's soul.
"Dance of the Dragon!" Tunnels of wind raced towards InuYasha. Thinking quickly, he leapt out of the line of fire, grabbing Kagome in the process. They descended to the ground, just long enough to jump again.
"Dance of Blades!" Kagura shouted at the floating couple, shooting crescent shaped blades at them. With no ground to push off, InuYasha twisted his body. He whined as a crescent lashed his shoulder. As the two reached the ground, InuYasha released Kagome and lifted his sword.
"Kagome, get out of here," InuYasha commanded sharply, eyes transfixed on the witch who returned the glare with a slight grin. Kagome's protection was all he cared about at the moment. He held his position as he waited for Kagome to move.
"But InuYasha…" Kagome's worried voice shook as he stepped forward. Even without his acknowledgement, she knew he was injured. She wanted to be near him, despite his command.
"InuYasha, you've gotten slow with that human girl around your neck." Kagura laughed at the approaching demon. His wound would be to her advantage. InuYasha's anger grew at the chuckling sound, masking the pain he felt. His eyes may have been on Kagura, but his nose was on Kagome. He knew she needed to be safe before he engaged in any real fighting. Annoyed by Kagura yet fearful for Kagome, he awaited for the right moment to charge.
"InuYasha! Kagome!" Miroku shouted, running frantically towards them. InuYasha shifted his eyes to the monk, noticing he was alone. He felt Kagome leave his side. With keen eyes he supervised her as she headed to Miroku's position, without dropping his sword.
Miroku met up with the girl, breathing heavily as if he had been running long and far. He looked at Kagome with fear.
"Kagome, I need your help. Sango is injured. I need you to bring your medical supplies and follow me to her." His eyes pleaded to the young girl. Kagome, at the sight of his dark blue pearls, now feared for Sango's safety.
"Where is she?" Kagome asked worriedly, gathering her backpack in a hurry. She was not sure what had happened to her friend, but because of the monk's voice, she felt that time was not on their side.
"I will take you to her." He twisted his head back towards the forest.
"Look out!" InuYasha said, running to them. Using his sword he barricaded the two from Kagura's attack. InuYasha lifted his head towards Kagura, whose fan had returned to its raised position. She would attack again, and his wound was taking its toll. He knew it was time to take the offensive.
"Miroku, take Kagome to safety."
Miroku nodded, understanding InuYasha's quiet yet pleading voice. Kagome stared at InuYasha, hoping he would be alright. Her thoughts became focused on the injured Sango. InuYasha will be fine, she thought, Right now, Sango needs me. Signaling she was ready, Miroku led her into the blackened woods.
InuYasha watched the two disappear. Something did not feel right; his intuition compelled him to stay with Kagome. Even with the thought of Miroku being with her, he was not assured. Yet Kagura's unmistakable scent that gathered in his nose returned him to the current battle. His eyes fixed back on the wind witch, who had also watched the twosome leave the area.
"I'll have to get them later. But for now, I'll kill you." Wind blades were sent through the air. InuYasha slammed Tetsusaiga into the ground, guarding himself from the assault. The larger than normal throwing knives collided with his fang, making it sing with pain. The sound of Tetsusaiga's crying pierced his dog-like ears.
"Are all you going to do is hide behind a weak sword, like that woman hid behind you!"
"Shut up!" InuYasha lifted the sword above his head in dignity. His eyes were now engulfed with anger.
"Wind Scar!"
The two friends continued their trek into the woods. Rocks and trees blocked their path, deterring them from their goal. Kagome feared the worst. Miroku could not carry Sango to her. She must have been injured badly. Her eyes shifted lightly, focusing her eyes on he monk before her. She thought back to when he arrived. He was not calm, but neither was he panicking, except for his eyes, she thought. She knew that if Miroku was fearful of Sango's current state, he would be more concerned. Although his eyes showed fear, not care. His voice also lacked the necessary inflection. Worry began to grow inside her, not for Sango, but for Miroku.
The trees began to thin out as the two continued on their path. The ground beneath them began to harden the farther they went. Kagome's feet were sore from the rocky terrain. She hoped that Sango and Shippo were close. Breathing heavily, Kagome saw Miroku slow then stop in front of her. She ceased as a cliff appeared before the couple.
"Sango and Shippo are beyond this cliff," Miroku assured Kagome, "we just have to get across."
She watched Miroku back away from the edge. His powerful legs sprinted towards the lip of the cliff. In a smooth, swift motion, Miroku cleared the cliff. She looked down, judging the fall. Ten feet, she shivered. Eyes back on the monk, she nodded her head in determination. Sango needed her, no matter the obstacle. Retreating several feet, she positioned herself to jump.
Miroku gazed at her serious face. She really cared for her friends. Changing his focus, his eyes fell on where they had been. The monk could no longer see the battle. He looked back at the girl.
"Hurry up Kagome," Miroku yelled across the split plateau, "The others need our help."
His voice built her confidence. With newfound courage, she started to sprint, gathering as much speed as she could. At the last moment she leapt in the air. For a moment she soared awkwardly in the air, hoping to reach the ground. Her foot tapped the side of the cliff before she began to tilt backwards. A small scream was heard as the girl started to descend towards the ground below. Her journey ended abruptly as Miroku grabbed a fleeting hand.
"Hold on" Miroku strained to say as he held to her hand. Dropping his staff, he reached around to take her arm. Kagome's eyes said fear, but trust helped to keep her calm.
"Come on Kagome," Miroku stated, afraid to lose his grip, "help me." Kagome, using her legs, pushed off the side of the cliff. The two tumble backwards, rolling a few times before stopping.
Miroku and Kagome paused while the dizziness subsided. Each one stared at the sky as it slowly began to cease its swirling. Remembering her task, Kagome sat up quickly.
We need to get going Miroku," she said with determination and worry. She watched as the monk lifted himself onto his feet.
"Let's go," he said extending his right hand. The girl nodded and took his hand. He pulled her up a bit forcefully, causing her to flinch. She glanced at her hand, where it was in contact with his.
"Miroku," Kagome said quietly, releasing her grip.
"Yes?" He responded, smiling at the girl.
"Where's your rosary?"
The monk stared at his palm. No rosary covered his cursed hand. No protection from the curse. He looked at Kagome, whose eyes were confused and afraid. His smile never wavered.
"Come on Kagome…"
"Who are you?" Kagome stuttered in fear.
"Can't you see it's me?" Miroku open his arms, ready to grab the questioning girl.
"Stay away," Kagome shouted as purple light surrounded her hands, forcing the monk to fall backwards. Dust flew wildly around him as he fell, blurring his vision and filling his lungs. Burns from the holy light were scorched into his skin. Rubbing his eyes, he frantically tried to remove the dirt, while it coated his throat. As the dust ebbed away, the ground became visible. The scorch marks slowly healed, giving him strength. He coughed slightly, cleaning his lungs from dust. Breathing heavily, the monk got to his knees. Lifting his head he scanned the area hastily. The girl had vanished.
"Time for plan B," the monk whispered as he shot after the young miko.