Chapter 8 Too Close

Leah flew a head of the ships in hopes of cutting the time. The year was out in little more than two months, and time was spent traveling. Land was seen at nightfall, and Leah was five days ahead of the ships. A transformation to her human form and Leah made camp. When the shore parties arrived, Leah was already gone. Hunter was carried by Inuyasha. The dog hanyou felt like he should protect the child for Leah. The trail the party followed was difficult to follow; but with Inuyasha's nose, they found Leah. Unconscious and in a tree, she looked more at peace in that moment that she has in the past few months. She stirred and woke to find the pirates looking at her.

"Water's not far off," she said, standing from her jump down. "Half day at the most."

The group followed Leah, who was still half-tired. By nightfall, they were no closer to the Fountain. Leah took Hunter and tended to him not far from the camp. The pirates from both ships began talking of mutiny if they were not at the Fountain by month's end. When Leah returned to the camp, she allowed Billy to take him. Only those close to the female captain saw how exhusted she was.

"Leah, get some sleep," Inuyasha said, seeing how they were the last two up.

She tiredly shook her head. Hard as she fought, Leah fell asleep; leaning against a tree, holding Hunter in her arms. Only Inuyasha knew how Leah felt, seeing how he went through the same. Which could be why he and Hunter bonded in the few months Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo joined Leah's crew. The first to wake was Kas, who went off on a quick patrol around the camp. When she returned, a few others were up and readying for the day. Leah was expectedly missing with Hunter. When the fire was doused, the pirates set out in the heading shown by the comapss. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary, but the demons and monk knew something was not right. An arrow embedded in a tree right next to Kagome's head. She screamed in fright, which caused everyone to draw weapons. Leah placed Hunter in a hollow tree to be safe during the battle. She drew So'unga by accident, but paid it no mind. Two more arrows flew by and the fight was on. Glimpses of the natives were seen between the trees. The dragon demon and dog hanyou held their attacks, not knowing who their attackers were. Leah was not sure how to call upon So'unga's powers. Confident in her own sword, Leah changed swords and charged into the trees.

"Leah," Jack and the others shouted.

Shouts of a fight was heard and died down. Leah reappeared with a wound on her chest. She stumbled as she rejoined the party. A number of Jack's crew rushed to aid her, but she refused.

"I'm fine."

"But the wound," Gibbs said.

"Will heal. I'm no ordinary human, Gibbs."

Leah went to Hunter, who smiled when he saw his mother. When she reached out, Leah went down in pain, holding her left shoulder and chest; arm bent over her abdomen. Kagome rushed over with Kas; bother inspecting the captain's wound.

"Poison," Kagome said. "I don't think..."

She trailed off. The amount of poison in Leah's system was extreme and there was no telling if she would survive the night. Leaves moved and the pirates created a defensive circle around their fallen comrades. The fact of those that fall behind are left behind did not apply here. A lone figure appeared, dressed in garb that marked him as a tribal chief.

"I mean you no harm," he said.

"Then why did your people attack us," Marcus asked.

"They were new and inexperienced. I know the poison's antedote. If you want her to live, trust me."

Three days past before Leah finally came around. A look around showed that she was in a hut with Sango sitting not far off. Her wound hurt and throbbed with the movement of sitting up.

"You're up," Sango said. "We thought you were dead."

"It felt like I was. Where are we?"

"In a tribal village. Their chief gave you the poison's antedote. He gave us his hut for our stay," Sango said.

Leah bore her wound and stared at it. A greenish discoloration was at the center of the wound and veins of slightly lighter green radiated from it; spreading a short distance from the center. This was too close for Leah and the pirates. She placed her shirt back before she stood and left the ut. Outside, her crew, Jack and his shore party, and friends were welcomed into the tribe. Kas was holding Hunter, who had hit yet another growth spurt. About five months old now, Hunter was grasping the ability of crawling. He crowled over to his mother, who used her tail to him up; left chest and shoulder were still sore. Leah joined the others to discuss their next move.

"We have two months to find the Fountain," Leah said. "We should get moving."

"Hang on, Leah. You've come out of a strong poisoning. It won't be wise to take off," Miroku said.

"I don't care, lets go. I need some one to carry Hunter."

Billy took his cousin from Leah as the pirates left the village. The chief stopped in front of them; preventing their progress.

"Please, allow some of my men to escort you; with provisions."

"We don't have..."

"My son is the best hunter and tracker. He can take you to where you wish to go."

Before Leah could argue, a small group of men appeared. together, they went into the forest, in search of the Fountain.