"Inuyasha...?"
"Go away!"
Sango frowned at the rude response. "I'm not going anywhere, Inuyasha."
"Go away!" He repeated.
"I'm *not* leaving, Inuyasha! You need to get away from this well." Sango kicked the wooden box lightly with the back of her heel, a dull clunk made the snow white ears on top of Inuyasha's head twitch. "If you're not going to come with me, the least you can do is listen!" Sango put a gentle hand on his shoulder, but Inuyasha turned and shoved her backwords, causing her to lose her footing and need to grab the lip of the well to regain her balance.
"Listen to what? Listen to you try to smooth things over? Sango, the well doesn't work! Kagome is gone and it's *your* fault! *You* let her go! *You* told her it was alright!" Sango gulped. As if her own guilt hadn't already been enough.
"Inuyasha I kn-"
"No, you don't *know* if you're still convinced she's coming back!" The half breed's usually immature golden eyes were still and serious. Inuyasha made his choice. After three days he gave up hope that the well would work again.
Sango wouldn't stop believing so quickly, though. "Kagome left once, unable to come back, Inuyasha!" She reminded him, putting a hand on her hip. "She was able to find a way back! And she can again! Just have a little faith in her!" She exclaimed, throwing her other arm out in a wide, dramatic motion.
"Shut up!" Infuriated, Inuyasha gave a short cry that Sango realized his petty attempt to growl at her.
"Stop-"
"Stop *what* exactly, Sango?" The hanyou cut her off crudely, showing no concern for what she had to say. "Stop living in reality!? Sango, Kagome... Kagome is-!"
"Inuyasha! Just come back to the village. Miroku and Shippo are worried about you. Please, just come back to the village!" InuYasha was silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"No, I'm going to go find another way to get her back." Before Sango could object, Inuyasha broke into a sprint, running in the opposite direction of the village.
"Inuyasha..." Sango breathed, turning back the way she had come.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
High on the darkened pattieo, Kagome watched as the silver pool of luminescence cast by the near full moon become disturbed by riffles which ran across the once flat surface of the lake, reminding the young women of snakes, slivering and diving back into the unknown depths.
"Let's go for a swim!" Eri sung, flinging her swimsuit through the air cheerfully.
**"C'mon Kagome! You're finally back and you won't go camping with us?" Yuka asked.
"I'm just... waiting for someone, you guys, I'm sorry."
"I don't care who you're waiting for! Who knows when you'll be back from America? Its for the weekend, two days, its not like they can't wait!" Eri jumped in. Kagome looked at the two who stood in front of her. They had already packed their bags and even went through the trouble to by her a bus ticket.
"But-"
"But nothing! I got an awesome opportunity in the mail, letting me and three others go and stay at a newly open lake house for *free* and *you're* coming with us! You're going even if we have to knock you out and drag you there against your will!" Eri pledged, getting a cheer from the other two. **
Kagome nodded. "Yeah."
Soon enough, the four girls dressed down into their bath suits and were walking down to the lake for a midnight swim.
**Kagome sighed as she stuffed a pair of shorts into a small traveling bag. If Inuyasha comes to get me and I'm not back yet he'll be mad, that's for sure!Shaking the thought from her head, she decided that since she was being forced into it, she'd have a nice time. Anyway, if Inuyasha *really* needed to tell her something, she'd make sure Mom would know to inform him of her whereabouts. With a mental thumbs-up Kagome smiled. "I'm ready!" She called as she exited the house. Her three friends looked at her, bright smiles meeting her own as she threw on her sandals.
"Then let's get going! We only have one weekend at the lake house so we gotta make the most outta it!" **
Ayumi was the first to comment on how the water rippled and stilled again on the shore, saying something about how romantic of it for the earth and moon to be so in sync. Kagome, though not really seeing the romance in it, did see the beauty.
**Inuyasha, I'm going on a short trip with my friends over the weekend. If you show up before I'm back, stay and hang out with Sota, I guess he's been wanting some boy time. Thanks!
Kagome**
As she let the cold water slip above her waist the sequels of her friends complaining how cold the water was disappeared. Her eye lashes clouded her vision, but even though she couldn't see well, she felt as if she knew where she was going. A strong breeze ran past her, tangling her hair as her body become painted with goose bumps. She let her eyes close. "Yes, come closer." The voice was unfamiliar to the young girl. But... still, it was soothing. Kagome could hear her friends and remember that they were mere feet behind her no more for another instruction led her way. "Come further in, Kagome." He said. She took another step. The water slowly claimed her body, the waves licking up to her chin. Its cold She thought, her eyebrows drawing closer, wondering why she was going in further. Suddenly, her feet seemed to act on their own as she leaped off an underwater ledge. Surprised, her eyes opened wide and she gasped for breath. The pure moonlight that she once saw through her pink eyelids disappeared and was replaced by a veil of darkness as she was plunged deeper below the water's beautiful surface, leaving the riffles behind her as she fell.
**"Promise to tell Inuyasha where I went if he asks?" Kagome asked the three family members that saw her off.
"Yes, honey, why wouldn't I?" Her mother asked with a sweet smile on her lips.**
"Forget about them." Kagome's raven hair and arms flew above her head due to the improper gravitational pull, but the voice made the girl's body instantly relax once more.
Forget about who? Kagome asked. The fact that her lungs screamed for air didn't distract her anymore as she listened for the response from the unanimous appealing voice. She couldn't hear the screams from her friends that swam around frantically to find her, and she honestly didn't care.
"Forget about your friends, family, lover. Forget about them all." His voice lulled her aching body until she couldn't even feel the temperate drop as she made it closer to the bottom.
Heh- I wouldn't really call Inuyasha my lover! While Sango and Miroku are having kids, Inuyasha doesn't want to even *chance* bringing a half demon into this world...
"Kagome, forget about your journeys to seek and destroy your foes. Forget about your swivels and fights with the hanyou. Let yourself relax."
How... how do you know my name? She came to a slight realization as he said her name once more. Who are you?
"Let yourself go." The unknown speaker directed. Kagome felt her feet touch the muddy bottom of the lake, her heels pounding into a sharp rock. The women gasped in pain, but found herself breathing in only water.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Inuyasha growled. What was he looking for? He had been down this road once before, searching for a way to get Kagome back. The first time, he gave up, but he swore that this time, no matter what it took, he wouldn't budge! The half demon protected his face with a raised arm as he pushed a tree branch out of his way. He looked around the clearing he came into. A large lake was at it's center, reflecting the almost full moon and millions of yellow and white stars off its surface, light danced around him as he stepped closer. He'd been around these parts hundreds of times but never recalled a pool here. As Inuyasha stared into the waters he felt the urge to jump in. "Keh! I don't have time for a swi-"
"Kagome! Kagome where are you! Answer me!"
"I'm going to dive under again and try to see her!"
Inuyasha knew these voices. They were those friends of Kagome's. But... he looked around. He saw no one, no matter, he heard them as if they were close by.
"Kagome! Kagome!" Another girl called, Inuyasha could make out the sound of splashes in the water.
"What happened to Kagome?" Inuyasha yelled. "Where is she?" No reply. The three continued to cry out for Kagome.
"They can not hear you, Inuyasha." A new voice, a man, eased into the one sided conversation. Inuyasha took no time to think before he drew Tetsiaga.
"Who the hell are you, where the hell is Kagome!?" Inuyasha hollered, spinning around to confront the owner of the voice. He saw nothing but trees and water. Sniffing at the air he couldn't smell anyone either.
"Don't be so hasty." He chuckled. "Now why don't you put the sword away and we'll chat."
"How about you tell me where the fuck Kagome is and I don't rip your throat out!"
"Kagome? Oh, you must mean that girl at the bottom of the lake." Inuyasha's grip on the Tetsaiga tightened.
"At the bottom of the lake?" He asked between clenched teeth. "Whaddyou mean?"
"The poor, helpless soul is being devoured as we speak." He mused. Inuyasha peered into the pool, his heart racing. He had to do something! "The lake demon seems to not want to give his prey up, either." The man laughed. "I wonder how long she has." Inuyasha shook with rage. How could he be laughing!? "But, I am able to save her." This caught the hanyou's attention.
"How?" He gulped.
"Would you like make a deal?" The man asked, his voice going from amused to business like.
"A.. deal?" Questioned Inuyasha.
"Yes, the girl's life for something I desire."
If it could save Kagome...
"What do you want?"
This half demon would do anything for that human, huh! A dark laugh surrounded him. Where the hell was this guy!? It was like he was everywhere but nowhere. "Not much, just something that the priestess Kikyo held dear to her. A piece of clothing or Jewelery would do nicely."
"Something of... Kikyo's?" Inuyasha blinked, sure he hadn't heard him correctly.
"Yes, something of Kikyo's." He confirmed.
"Why the hell do you want that!?" Inuyasha barked.
"Tsk tsk, Inuyasha, while you ask petty questions that girl is one second closer to running out of air and dying."
Inuyasha wanted to scream! What the hell was he supposed to do? What did this man want something of Kikyo's for?
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Inuyasha asked, realizing that everything could be an illusion.
"Would *I* deceive *you*?" He asked, getting a huff in response from the silvered haired dog, he sighed. "Either you believe me or not, not my problem. But are you willing to take that chance and risk the girl's life?"
Inuyasha stopped. If it was just a trick then he'd be giving something away of Kikyo's to some creep for no reason at all... but if it wasn't, Kagome would die. This guy knew Inuyasha would never put Kagome's life on the line! Bastard.
"Fine." Inuyasha agreed reluctantly, gritting his teeth.
"Good. Now if you break this deal, ending that women's life is child's play." He paused for a moment before continuing. "All I can do is stop the lake demon, but receiving the girl and getting her to the surface before she runs out of air is your own problem. I do wonder if you can get to her in time. Not an issue to me." His voice indicated that this was all a show to him.
"Why you-!"
"Oh, and before I go, Inuyasha, the Amulet of Tsuku is the key to opening the path."
Inuyasha paused. Path? "W-What path!?" Inuyasha demanded, confusion spiraling in his golden eyes.
"Don't waist time, the girl is coming to an end." Throwing Tetsiaga down to the ground Inuyasha tore off his outer layer of clothing and dived in.
Hang on a little longer, Kagome. I'm coming!
Tsukuyomi watched, amusement smirking on his lips. So the rumors where true. This half demon really would do anything for that low life. A dry chuckle made its way into the cool night air. This was Inuyasha's weakness. How delicious.
Inuyasha searched the dark waters for any signs of Kagome. Using his claws to break through the water, his hand became tangled in something. Hair. His eyes followed downward and laid themselves upon Kagome whom was waist deep in mud. Alas getting to her, Inuyasha was able to wrap his arms around her and tug. Pulling with all the strength he could muster due to the lack of oxygen, the task began to prove itself next impossible. Kagome! I have to- he tugged harder, kicking with all his might. Please - Kagome! Finally! The mud around the human loosened up as the frantic half breed was able to free her. Now to get her to the surface as quickly as possible!
Using one arm to keep Kagome with him, Inuyasha grabbed and kicked at the cold black abyss, pressure sliding off him like the water itself, until they reached air. Taking no time, Inuyasha threw Kagome onto the shore. "Kagome!" He screamed. She was so cold, so still, so lifeless. "Kagome wake up! KAGOME!"
That voice... its familiar. Who is he? Why is he calling my name? I'm trying to sleep. Can't he just leave me be?
Inuyasha placed his hands in between Kagome's rib cage and pressed down with great force.
Ow.. that hurts! Stop it. And be quiet! Can't a girl rest in peace?
"Kagome!" He yelled once more, the hair on the back of his neck standing on edge. He plugged her nose and putting his mouth to hers. If she couldn't, he would have to breath for her.
Air... my lungs... Yuka! Ayumi! Eri!
Kagome's eyes shot open. Inuyasha pulled back on impulse before helping the choking women sit up. His heart slowed down slightly as the she regained the ability to breath. "Inu-Inuyasha." She sputtered, looking at him, her face filled with confusion. The hanyou stared for a moment before allowing himself to breath again.
She's OK...
Kagome examined her surroundings closely. She was still at the lake but... where was the lake house? "Eri... Ayumi... Yuka?" Inuyasha shrugged, standing up.
"Still in your time I guess." Kagome gave him a questioning look as he threw on his red pants before draping his coat over her shoulders.
"What.. what happened." Inuyasha shot out a hand to the girl with a million questions.
"I'll tell you on the way." He said as he pulled her onto her feet before throwing her on his back gently.
"Where are we going?"
"Home."
~•~•~
"The Amulet of the moon?" Miroku asked, raising a brow. Inuyasha nodded. Kagome and Inuyasha had returned to the village late in the night. Miroku had been up,unable to sleep due to the disappearance of his companion. Kagome laid in her bed, sleeping soundly. Guess almost dying makes one tired. Inuyasha and Miroku sat on the steps in Inuyasha's hut and discussed the night's events.
"I don't know what it is, either, but that bastard said it was the key to the path." Inuyasha breathed.
"Do you think he meant the key to making the well work properly?" Miroku inquired. Inuyasha shrugged.
"That was my first thought, but I'm not sure we can trust this guy. I mean, he did seem pretty shady." Miroku nodded in agreement. "And why does he want something of Kikyo's?" The lech gave Inuyasha a sly grin, earning himself a wack from the half breed.
"I don't know. But I have to find something that she held dear, like a piece of clothing. I don't own anything of hers, though!"
Miroku thought about this for a moment. "Well," he began, stroking his chin, "maybe Lady Kaede does. She *is* Kikyo's sister after all!" Inuyasha nodded with a sigh.
"Yeah.."
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
The sun rose the next morning, waking the birds and animals that lingered in the forest. Sango sat next to Shippo who quietly pocked and prodded at the fire so breakfast could be made. "I'm glad Kagome is safe." Sango said as Miroku filled the two in on what Inuyasha told him the previous night.
"Finally that idiot's inpatients paid off!" Shippo exclaimed, leaning over to blow on the bright embers of the young flame.
"And who are you calling an 'Idiot'?" Inuyasha asked as he entered the hut.
"Good morning." Sango greeted him as he sat next to Miroku. "Where's Kagome?"
"Sleeping. I guess she was worn out after almost drowning." Ignorantly, Inuyasha shrugged it off. As if drowning was no big deal.
"Well yeah! What did you expect? For her to be up and about?" Shippo asked, returning to a sitting position as the flame grew higher. The corner of Inuyasha's mouth twitched. Was this kid ever going to learn to hold his tongue?
"Well yeah! I could do it!"
"Inuyasha," Miroku sighed. "You must keep I min that Kagome is much more delicate then you are." Inuyasha huffed.
"Not *my* fault she's a human."
Sango sighed. "Have you talked to Kaede yet?" She asked, changing the subject. Inuyasha paused.
"... No, no yet."
"Did this guy even give you a place to meet?" Shippo butt in. Inuyasha shock his head.
"Naw, he just told be I'd have to give it to him. I my mind, if he wants it, he'll come an get it!" Inuyasha waved his hand in the air to brush off Shippo's unneeded question.
Miroku sighed. "You should talk to her soon, if that's the case, because he could be by anytime. He did already threaten Kagome, right?" Inuyasha nodded.
"Yeah, said if I didn't get him what I wanted he'd kill her." Without further adu, Inuyasha stood and went off to find Kaede.
~•~•~
The old women observed Rin as she directed the teen on how to make a special remedy out of roots and leaves. Inuyasha walked into the one roomed house, catching the two girls attention."Inuyasha, what brings ye here?" Kaede asked. Inuyasha scratched the back of his head. How was he going to tell her?
"Er- I need something of Kikyo's..."
Kaede raised an eyebrow. "Something of sister Kikyo's? What do ye need of hers?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "Just something that was important to her..." Kaede stared at him for a moment before pointing to the back of the cabin.
"Under the blanket in the corner." She instructed. Inuyasha walked over to where she told him to go and uncovered the item. His heart stopped as he saw what he was presented with.
"K-Kikyo's bow...?" He swallowed, running his hand across the smooth wood.
"Its the only thing I have of my sister's. Now tell me why ye need it." Inuyasha nodded and sat.
~•~•~
"So Kagome's life for my sister's only remaining item." Kaede sighed. Inuyasha paused.
"Yeah..." Kaede nodded.
"Well if there's nothing else ye can do- take it." Inuyasha gulped. A swirling feeling of guilt swam around in the bottom of his stomach.
Rin eagerly stood and grabbed the bow, handing it to Inuyasha. "I wonder why he needs it. Its just a piece of wood with string." She thought aloud.
"Sometimes, Rin, the importance of an item is more import than what it actually is. In times, spiritual power is able to transport from its wielder to the item, such as Inuyasha's Tetsiaga works." Kaede said with a sigh. Inuyasha looked down at the bow that was placed in his hands.
So this bow could... hold the spiritual power of Kikyo!?
"But with Tetsiaga, no one is able to transform it other than me, right? So would Kikyo's power be unusable unless held by her?" Inuyasha asked. Kaede thought about this for a moment.
"I do not know. But ye shouldn't think about it too much, if for Kagome's sake." Suddenly Rin gasped.
"Lady Kaede! If this man can use Kikyo's powers does that mean he can use it against us?" Kaede exhailed deeply.
"If he can take my sister's powers then he will become a great enemy, yes." Inuyasha hesitated a moment, his golden eyes taking in every aspect of the cool bright wood. If this man obtained the abilities Kikyo had...
"But, ye shall not think of that now, Inuyasha. Kagome is counting on you, and if in return for her life a new power is born... well ye just have to ask ye self if its worth it."
"Of course its worth it but-!" Inuyasha cried.
"No "buts". Now go." Kaede excused him.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Inuyasha walked into his hut and sat the bow down, he hadn't realized, but Kagome watched him curiously as he put his face in his hands. "God damn it! Giving him this could put alotta people in danger- but if I don't he'll kill Kagome!" The half demon growled lowly to himself. "What the hell am I supposed to do?" Kagome slid out from under the tan blanket that was laid messily on top of her and crawled over to Inuyasha. The half demon was surprised as Kagome put her arms around him.
"Inuyasha?" She asked worriedly. Inuyasha turned around and sighed.
"Sorry if I woke you," he grumbled. Kagome shook her head.
"No, you didn't. But what's this about giving that bow away? Who are you giving it to?"
"Its Kikyo's," was all Inuyasha had to say before everything fell into place in Kagome's mind.
"Oh..." she admired to bow that sat at the against the front wall for a moment. Kikyo's bow had to have been important to her!
"Keh, but that old hag told me that it still had some of Kikyo's spiritual powers." Kagome gabbed at him.
"Even though she's dead!?" Inuyasha answered with the movement of his head, up and down.
"Yeah, but if I don't give it to him..." the women next to him frowned.
He's going to potentially put countless people in harms way for me... Maybe I can talk him out of i-
Inuyasha watched Kagome before wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Kagome, I'm not putting you in danger. I rather have to kill this guy after giving him the bow than risk your life." Kagome's frown deepened.
"But-"
"Kagome," he started as he pulled away and stood up. "You should get some more rest. I'm going back to the lake."
"What- Inuyasha no!" She exclaimed as she began to stand up. "I'm coming with y-"
"No, you'll just get in the way." He shot over his shoulder, already exiting the cabin, bow in hand.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~~•~•~
"C'mon out you coward! I have what you want!" Inuyasha screamed. He had made it to where he had been yesterday, but the lake demon was gone. The sun rained down on him, making him sweat under his layers of clothing. Where the hell was this guy? Inuyasha sat on the ground. He'd wait. If the guy didn't return by the end of the night, he'd go back to the village.
~•~•~
"I'm glad to see that you're awake Kagome."
"Uh, yah." Kagome forced a slight smiled. Shippo seemed disappointed when she told him that she was not able to bring any treats due to the circumstances but he get over it. Kagome watched the door of Sango's hut for any sign of Inuyasha. He'd been gone for a while now, the moon would be out soon. What was he doing? Could he not find the lake again?
"Play?" A sweet voice dragged her from her thoughts.
~•~•~
"Tch! I've waited long enough! If that bastard wants this he'll have to come to *me*!" It had gotten dark and the hanyou's patients was long gone. He stood and spun to leave when a voice caught his attention.
"Inuyasha." He turned around quickly. A small girl with long black hair that swayed in the wind stood in front of him.
"Where the hell-"
"I've come for Kikyo's belongings." She held out her hand, the white blue sleeve of her Yukata sliding down her wrist. Her skin was as pale as anyone whom had become recently deceased and her eyes were gray. She smelt of some kind of flower that the dog did not recognize. Inuyasha fidgeted with the bow in his hand. Who is this girl?
Did *he* send her?