As the groups started out that morning, Kikyo noticed that everything seemed to be… different. But she supposed that was because she was now alive and seeing things through a new perspective. The trees seemed to be greener, the summer air warmer, the sun brighter, and the flowers smelled sweeter. But then, that could be because of her heightened senses, due to Kagome's shared soul. But she wasn't complaining. She had never felt more happy or full of purpose before in her life. And the secret fear of being trapped in her duty as a miko, if she were ever truly revived, was thrown out the window. She couldn't care less about duty. She had a new life now, and by god she was going to live it in anyway she wanted to! Whether it is duty, or loving Inuyasha, it was her choice. She was no longer bound by the shikon Jewel, so to hell with it!

'Well, it's about time.'

'Oh be quiet.'

'I just wish I could say to hell with the damned thing. I don't want it as much as you do, but it is my responsibility now, but I will need your help with it, so your not in the clear yet.'

'I'll help you Kagome, you know that. And I'm sorry. I know how much a burden the jewel can be.'

'Eh, don't fret over it. I have friends, and a mate to help me. I'm sorry you didn't have that, that you couldn't have that.'

'As you said, don't fret over it. It's in the past and I'm moving on.'

'As much as I would love to congratulate you, but do you sense that?'

'Yea… It's moving away. It knows we're after it?'

'Could be. We need to catch up, whatever the reason.'

"Inuyasha, the jewel shard is moving away," They announced, getting the others motivated.

"Are you sure?" He asked turning to face them.

They only nodded their head.

"But I thought you said that whoever what holding the jewel shard was keeping a steady pace with us." Sesshomaru noted.

"Which is why we need to after it, because it's getting away," they stressed.

Within a few minutes, everyone was on the chase. Sango and Miroku were on Kirara, Shippo at her head, and Rin in between them. Kikyo was on Inuyasha's back, who was trailing behind Sesshomaru.

'Wow, it's been along time since Inuyasha's carried me like this.'

'Sesshomaru never did?'

'Kikyo, does he look like he would?'

'Well, I just thought that since it was you…' Kikyo trailed off and Kagome chuckled.

'Unfortunately, no. He made me run. Like a human could keep up with someone like him.' She retorted.

'Anyways, I don't think the holder of the shard is demonic. I don't sense an aura, do you?'

'…No. Do you think they could be human?'

'Possibly. It doesn't seem to be getting any faster. But how could they sense us from a two days distance?'

'They could be masking their aura. I learned powerful demons, like Sesshomaru or even Naraku could mask their sent, and aura, so that way they can sneak up on pray, or for a surprise attack.'

'True. Sesshomaru taught me how to do that. But I still would sense something. It's just a pure jewel shard.'

'Maybe it's a half breed, like those in the band of seven.'

There were a few moments of silence, and then Kagome muttered darkly, 'Perhaps.'

"Inuyasha," They spoke up, relaying the information to the others. "We think the holder of the shard could be a Halfling, like in the band of seven."

"Is the shard dark?"

"No. And that is what is puzzling Kagome. The shard is pure, as far as we can tell, and it's not getting away any faster then its already moving, so whoever it is can't move very fast. But it has to be for them to be able to sense us from a two days distance."

Silence wrapped around the group as they all thought about what Kikyo said. But then suddenly, Sesshomaru came to a stop. His gaze stayed steady in front of him, as though he was still thinking about something. Then, so softly that even Inuyasha stained to hear him, he whispered, "Perhaps it is a trap."

"That is what I was thinking." Kagome added grimly.

She didn't like this, not one bit. Nothing added up, and she didn't like the anxious feeling she was getting. It warned her against something, and she knew it had to so with something with whoever was holding the jewel shard. But then, the feudal era never did cease to amaze her. It could be a being they have never encountered before. There was only one way to find out. They had to go and see what was waiting for them, and they needed that shard.

'Let me stay here for a while, alright. With me in dominance, the extra strength and all is more potent.'

'Whatever helps, is fine with me.'

"Well, we've worked our way out of traps before. If it is a trap, but we need that shard." They encouraged.

Sesshomaru turned to look at her in the eyes. She knew what he was telling without words. Be safe. She nodded her head and they took off again. At the rate they were going, they could reach it before sundown. They traveled without stopping, determined to get this over with. And with every step they took, the anxious feeling increased until it was almost unbearable; almost to the point of hyperventilation. But she forced it down. She couldn't allow any distractions, especially if it was a trap. She knew that if it was, they were going to need their strength and wits, and the only one she was really worried about was Inuyasha. Even though he was half demon, he was carrying her, which would exhaust him faster compared to if he wasn't.

"Inuyasha, you sure you don't need to rest?" They asked worried, seeing a bead of sweat drip down his jaw.

"Feh. I'm a lot stronger then you think wench." He huffed.

They smiled and gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze.

Just when they entered a clearing, Kagome sensed something odd, and sinister.

"Stop!" She shouted jumping off Inuyasha's back.

Kagome slowly walked to the center of the clearing looking around in all directions. The jewel shard was here, she could feel it, but she couldn't see it, which sent warning bells going of in her head.

'Careful.' Kikyo warned.

Kagome closed her eyes to focus on trying to pinpoint where the shard was.

"Come on out, I know your there," She whispered.

She could feel the evil swim around in the air, taunting her, teasing her. It was just beyond her reach and it knew it and kept teasing her. She growled in frustration.

Then she felt Sesshomaru's warm hands on her shoulder and his warm breath at her ear.

"Concentrate." He whispered.

She breathed in a deep breath and relaxed under his hands. She let her aura flare out, warning them she was not to be messed with and was tired of their game. And then she saw it. Some where deep in the shadows of the forest came a bright pink sparkle. But it was moving at blinding fast speeds. She barely got out a gasp as it embedded itself in her chest. She fell limp as Sesshomaru's arms wrapped around her before she could fall. Inuyasha rushed over just as Sesshomaru laid her on the cool grass. Where the shard entered her, black started to spread out in her veins. She started to convulse and clutch the spot as though she couldn't breathe.

"What's wrong with her!?" cried Inuyasha. He had seen her possessed by the jewel shards many times, but nothing like this. It was almost as though….

But his thoughts were interrupted when the demonic aura was unmasked, and the demon stepped forth. He walked to the edge of the trees, but stopped as he leaned on one, crossing his arms his chest. His black smoldering eyes studied the group, as his flaming red hair swayed in a gentle breeze, cooling his heated skin. He wore a black hoari (sp?) top, but had a thin metal breast plate over it. Hooked in his sash wrapped around his waist was a katana, and a small pouch, but nothing else. His black pants topped his out fit, which help him melt into the shadows easier. His eyes never wavered from the group, even as he watched the slayer struggle to keep the miko from harming herself, and as the monk left the kids in the care of the fire cat, to help the slayer. But he focused back onto the two demons in front of him, or at least the half breed as he drew his sword.

"And just who the hell are you?" He growled.

But He didn't answer, nor did he plan to. He had orders to obey, and if he wanted to keep living, then he had better do his job, and do it right. His face twisted into a snarl but didn't bother to hide it. They didn't need to know the reason behind it, they could think anything about it, and he couldn't care less. He stood up striate and dug into a pouch at his side and opened his hand to display the near completed jewel.

"What the…" he heard the half breed whisper, before it was drowned out by a growl.

"The only way to cure the miko is to purify this, which, I don't see anyone else capable enough to do so, but you can still try. But you have to get through me." He finally said, looking at each one of them, his voice void of any emotion.

This was frustrating. Why did Naraku choose him to do it? Why not Kagura or the little slayer? He didn't want to do this. He didn't want any part in it, but if he wanted to continue to exist, he would have to. But what kind of existence was this? To hurt and kill people who had done nothing to him, but Naraku. Why couldn't he just settle this himself? He was the one to start it, why couldn't he just man up and finish it? But, as though his body moved without his mind's permission, he tucked the jewel back into his pouch and drew his sword. He had heard about the dog brother's powerful swords, the Tetsusagia, and Tokijin, so he had a sword specially made for himself, one that could handle his fire powers without it melting the sword.

As he drew it, it stayed in the original katana form, but was surrounded by flames. He watched the demon lord draw his. He knew he would have to be careful with that one. He had lost his mate recently, and he knew that the spirit of his mate fused with that one that was withering with pain on the ground by the slayer and the monk. He would have to make this fast. He had never faced a couple of demons this strong, even the half breed because of his blood. But he didn't have time to think because then he heard the half breed shout his attack, and the battle was on.

Oh god, it hurt. It hurt everywhere. It was like fire burning through her veins, and her lungs had lost the ability to work as she struggled to breathe. God this hurt more then any pain she had experienced, both physically and emotionally. Worst then being shot with an arrow, or have claws run though her shoulder, or her arm being sliced open with a knife. And all she wanted to do was drown in the darkness that brushed along her consciousness. But every time she was close enough to it that she almost did, the pain would bring her back. She could feel the weakness starting to take over her limbs. She felt so tired but the pain didn't want to leave.

She could faintly make out cool hands brushing her hair back from her forehead, and she tried to tell them to make the pain go away, but she couldn't make her voice work. But then suddenly the pain attacked sharper then ever, and it made her cry out. She felt her self buckle under it and could feel strong hands near her knees as someone tried to keep her legs from kicking. And she took advantage of the use of her voice.

"Please, please make the pain go away…" She tried to make them understand, but her voice was nothing but a harsh whisper. But she got a response.

"Their working on it Kagome," She heard Sango say by her ear.

Who was 'They'? She tried to speak again, but her voice left her. So she just ended up mouthing the words 'who?' But it was a different voice that answered her this time. It was Miroku.

"Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. Their fighting for the jewel Kagome." He grunted as he fought with the power of Kagome's convoluting legs.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha…. Those names sounded familiar to her, but the pain was just too much. She couldn't think and she couldn't concentrate, except for the pain. Another wave hit her and she cried out again. She felt something warm and wet run down the side of her face and felt Sango's hands wipe it away, and then she vaguely realized she was crying. But by god it hurt too much for her to care. And then she heard a loud explosion and a bright light blinded her behind her closed eyes.

What was going on? Were Inuyasha and Sesshomaru fighting? But she thought they were getting a cure for her pain. Did they have to fight someone to get the cure? She didn't care as another wave hit her. Somewhere far away she heard a roar and something crack. She moaned and turn her head to the side and cracked her eyes open. Her vision was burry and everything swam together, but she could make out some shapes. Like a white one that was holding something long and shiny. Next was a red one that held something large that emitted a yellow light. She closed her eyes at the suddenly brightness and once she was sure it was gone, she cracked them open again. Some distance away was a black figure, hunched over in front of some broken trees. He looked like he was in pain. No one should go through pain, whether it is from a cursed jewel, or being thrown into trees. But he suddenly looked up and his eyes met hers. And suddenly everything cleared. Then pain she felt suddenly numbed, leaving her to feel nothing, not even the hands that held her down. Even thing was gone, but suddenly clear as his black eyes bore into hers. And she heard a voice in her head.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me." It whispered softly, and she knew it was the one who was staring at her. She knew that he really was sorry. And suddenly everything became clear. The white figure she saw was Sesshomaru, who stood with his back to her, so she couldn't she the fierceness in his eyes. The red figure was Inuyasha with his Tetsusagia and the yellow light she saw was the wind scar attack. But that isn't what she was focusing on. She felt pity. Why did she feel pity, and for whom? Numbly, she reached over and grabbed her bow and notched an arrow in it. She aimed and let it fly. With a satisfied cluck, it pinned the black robed demon to a tree with a hiss as the purification powers burnt his skin. Kagome set the bow down and leaned on Miroku, who helped support her sitting up.

She closed her eyes so she couldn't she the furious look in both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's eyes. But when she didn't open her eyes, she stared striate into the fire demon's eyes. They glared at her, the fire in his eyes melting her. She reached a hand up and Inuyasha came and knelt down to her.

"Take me to him." She whispered, still not able to fully use her voice.

"But Kagome-," He started to protest, but Kagome insisted.

With the help of Inuyasha and her bow, she walked to him, and stopped to stand in front of him. With out much thought to it, she reached out and grabbed the pouch at his side. Once she grabbed the jewel, she clutched it so hard her knuckles turned white as she tired to purify it through her pain and weakness from fighting the pain. With a slight gasp, the shard in her chest was purified and popped out and fell to the ground. But she didn't make a move to get it, but instead she looked the demon in the eyes. And she noticed the light in his eyes dimmed as he gave up. She knew he didn't want to continue and he saw there was no reason.

"Why didn't you stop me?" She asked softly.

"This isn't my battle to fight. You can keep that damned jewel for all I care."

"Then why did you fight?"

"Because then at least I could say I tried. And hope that Naraku doesn't kill me."

His voice was rough, but flat. It matched the fire inside his heart, but he had given up.

"But aren't you one of his incarnations?" She asked confused.

"No. He took over the castle and imprisoned me."

"Feh, Typical," Inuyasha snored.

"You don't know anything half breed." The fire demon sneered.

"Why you…" Inuyasha growled, but was stopped when Kagome put a hand on his chest to stop him.

Kagome kept her gaze with the demon pinned by her arrow until her returned her gaze. When he finally did after sharing a few growls with Inuyasha, Kagome said softly, "What is your name?"

The demon stared long and hard at the little miko standing in front of him. Once he said his name, Sesshomaru would recognize it, and he didn't know what would happen. Sesshomaru and his father weren't allies, but they weren't enemies either. But if Sesshomaru got the ridiculous idea that they might be in league with Naraku, then all hell could break loose. But something told him to trust the miko. He had heard of her long before his encounter with the dark half demon. She was indeed something else, but could he trust the rest? With a deep breath and without breaking his eye contact with the miko he mumbled his name.

"Rooski," He shot a sly glace at the demon lord, but saw nothing.

"Do you mean the son of Reagan?" He asked instead.

Rooski only nodded his head.

"Hn" Sesshomaru mumbled, thinking.

"Well, Rooski, if I let you go, do you promise not to attack?" Asked Kagome still looking at him.

"You have my work miko." He answered softly.

(Well, that's chapter 3. I must say I'm rather happy about it. I know I said this would be more humorous, but I had to add that in there it introduce my character Rooski. Kagome-in-Kikyo's-body will get better. But you might want Kikyo to get better too because it's her body... but anyways, You like? Are you confused? You ready for more?

I might have to do something special in the next chapter, because we got our scores in today of the EOCT, and I found out that... I PASSED ALGEBRA!! God I swear I thought I'd fail that class, but turns out I scored a 90, can you believe it? Well, of course you could because I just mentioned it, but oh well, I'm still happy. And I passed Science, but I wasn't so worried about it like I was with my math class.

Enough with nonsense that doesn't concern this story. Don't worry, Rooski will tell his story in the next chapter. Untill then... )