Chapter 8

Darkest Hours

Note; I'm actually updating- so no, I'm not dead. I've been working on the revision of 'Proving My Existence'. A Guest reviewer kindly told me they loved this story and I saw it rather sweet they did that (even though it was a GUEST), so I decided to update.

Enjoy,

Naraku peered down the well; still surprised he didn't see a mangled body down it. Quirking a brow, he looked upto the first lord, Riouga. The lord in question stood smug; as always. "You really believe she will return?" Naraku drawled. Riouga never had a doubt that crossed his mind when it came down to the small female.

It made Naraku feel sick with disgust.

What was so great about this abomination of a woman? She was different- traveled through a well, spoke oddly, and dressed oddly as well. She was nothing worth risking your life over. At that moment, the well that sparkled out a mystical blue, too bright that caused him to look away.

As it ended, Naraku and Riouga looked down the well and saw a smiling, healthy Kagome. She waved, giggling, "Hey, look; I'm back like I told you! Um, could you help me out?" Naraku snorted, turning away and traveling back to the camp to announce she had returned.

Scowling, Riouga dropped down and scooped her up and jumped out of the well and landed on the floor calmly. He smiled down at her, placing her on the ground before taking in her outfit. He stiffened, instinctually stepping away. She blinked; her eyes saddening. "Riouga- What's wrong?"

He looked into her eyes filled with confusion and great sadness, thinking to himself if he was the one who caused it. Shaking his head, he kneeled down to her, placing a hand on her head. "Why do you wear that outfit?" She blinked; that hadn't been what she had been expecting.

"My grandfather brought it too me, saying it was tra-di-tion-al Priestess wear," She responded cutely, sounding out the word. Nodding, though slightly still on guard, he patted her head and stood, taking her hand. "Shall we go see the others?" She beamed and nodded, skipping along side him as they walked to camp.

Sesshoumaru was more than relieved to see Kagome back in their pack. Though the outfit change was something new, he didn't mind it at all. They were all walking through the forest at the moment, talking and taking in the lull that settled around them.

Kagome, though next to him, was distracted by many of the smaller kids, who chattered away with her happily about random things about the human girl. He found it greatly amusing when she had them guessing and they couldn't figure something out.

"Alright, how about this- I'll give you guys a hint," She spoke, grinning. "It lives in small holes, dark places and can bite you. It also has a relative that looks almost like it, but there are dis-tinc-tions." The adults listened in, thinking about anything possible.

"This is still something that you don't like, right Kagome-chan?" Temari, a young pup of four summers asked. The elder female nodded, smiling. "It's a creepy crawly; I don't like bugs." That tipped the answer right off the bat for him.

"Centipedes," Sesshoumaru spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. Kagome stopped, staring at Sesshoumaru with wide eyes, her mouth slightly ajar. She blushed, her fear found out as she nodded, looking to the ground. Touga raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why are you afraid of centipedes? There are far greater things to have fears of."

Kagome shivered, rubbing her arm. "I was asleep in bed once, in my new bedroom for the first time alone. I didn't know the house had any bugs in it, so as I was falling asleep, one bit me right on my stomach and my back." The kids winced, looking to her stomach and back, wanting to see the marks.

Touga chuckled. "I guess that was less than fun for you," Kagome nodded, grimacing. A noise came to their left, a rustle in the bushes. Tensing, everyone surrounded the pups and Kagome, taking defensive positions. Out stumbled a fox kit, its leg mangled as it fell to the ground in a dazed pain.

Sighing, the adults continued on their way, not caring about the fox demon. Kagome on the other hand, stayed in her spot, frowning at the injured 'animal'. It growled at her, seeing her as a threat. She carefully stalked forward, not wanting to frighten it.

"Kagome," Riouga and Sesshoumaru called out, everyone stopped. She ignored them for the moment, entranced at the demon. She wanted so badly to help it. Without her knowing as she kneeled down to the young kit, her hands started to glow a soft pink, warm and comforting.

After giving the kit a charming smile, she whispered softly to it. "I won't hurt you," She cooed. "I just want to help your paw. It looks pretty bad." The fox whimpered in reply, laying its head on the ground and waiting for her to continue. She gently laid her hands on its paw, her soothing pink moving swiftly and setting the bone right, though with some pain.

Tears were shed from the small fox, its whine growing into a growl. Kagome cooed to it softly, rubbing her hands over the paw to bring comfort. After completely healed, the pink vanished and was replaced with small glistening dots of sweat on her forehead as she fell on her bottom, exhausted.

Rushing forward to her side, Sesshoumaru gave a glance at the demon fox, staring in wonder at its newly fixed paw. It was badly broken before- how could she have done such a feat?

The fox stood, testing it out and pranced around it joy before launching itself into Kagome's lap. It leaned up and licked her all over her face, making her giggle. The rest of the demons, though glad to see she was now unharmed, felt wary of the young girls power. Though extremely young, her power was abnormally high, and without something or someone to help control it, it would get out of hand.

Helping Kagome up, Sesshoumaru watched the rambunctious kit climb up and wrap itself around Kagome's neck, making a home. This surprised her, but she smiled, petting its head. The three trotted up to the rest of the group, continuing their journey.

The group entered a demon city, the civilians giving Kagome odd looks or hungry gazes. She didn't see them, as the fox, newly dubbed Kitarshou, distracted her; but in the back of her mind she could feel them eating away at her. Some kids and parents walked off, seeing as this was their home. Others continued to walk with their lords, prince, and the small attending priestess.

As he saw Sesshoumaru speed up to slide along side his father and uncle, Naraku slowed down his pace to saddle up next to Kagome, smirking. The fox kit hissed at him, as if sensing his bad intentions. The girl looked up to him, eyes wide in curiosity. "Kagome-chan," He smiled. "I think we should seek out a teacher for you. That power of yours could come in handy at some points."

"Power," She chirped like a parrot, soothing Kitarshou by rubbing his head. He whined but calmed down, keeping a close eye on the spider demon. "Yes, power. You definitely hold some. This place isn't the perfect spot to train," He winced. "I'd hate to smell and see ashes of a purified demon. But if we come up on a human village, me or the lords will escort you in and find you a willing teacher."

She smiled, hopping up and down excitedly. "Oh, thank you Naraku-sama! That's very kind of you!" She giggled, hugging his leg before dashing up and talking with Riouga a bit. He frowned, dusting the pant leg that she had touched. Though she could use the power against him, it would be even worse if said power was unruly. It could hurt anyone that would be use to him later on.

Oh how excited he was for that.