She heard a slight crackle and the murmur of the other people. She cracked one eye open. The soul collectors were writhing in the air only a couple of feet from her. A very pale barrier stood between the youkai and their prey.
Sweat beaded along her hairline. How could she forget just what these creatures did? And she had run toward them! Was she trying to lose the last of herself?
"Hey!"
Kagome started at Inuyasha's shout, her barrier almost flicking out. Quickly, she returned her concentration. She had only just learned how to make one before the Wish That Went Wrong. She winced at the wording. Well, she was still trying out names.
"What are you doing? You finished what you'd come to do, now get lost!"
The youkai stilled their frantic movements. Then, one by one, they left. Still, she kept her barrier. She couldn't be certain they'd left for good.
Kagome turned to Inuyasha, only to see that he had returned to the pile of cloth. Kaede was kneeling next it.
"She still breathes," Kaede stated. "Let us get her inside. I can take a better look and see if I cannot find the reason for her unconsciousness."
She?
Inuyasha gently picked up the bundle and brought her inside, followed by Kaede. The others stayed outside but didn't leave.
Shippo looked between the door and his friends. "I don't get it. I thought she died. How could she still be alive?"
"I'm not sure, Shippo," Miroku replied.
No... It can't be...
"If it is Kikyou," Sango said quietly, "what do you think is going on?"
Miroku was quiet for a moment, and then, "I don't know, Sango. I don't know."