Inuyasha jerked forward, a growl running deep in his throat. He threw his head around, desperately trying to find what had woken him.

An unfamiliar scent was in the air. His ears twitched as he listened to the night air, the air ruffling the leaves and making the branches groan.

He sniffed the air, eyes darting over his sleeping companions. Kawayou shifted uncomfortably in his sleep, nuzzling deeper into his makeshift blanket.

Inuyasha growled, claws digging into the trees. He was sure he smelt something, but the shifting wind hid it. It was faint.

"Sango, Miroku wake up!" Inuyasha yelled to his companions. A clamor in the bushes twenty feet away caught his attention. As if it knew he saw it, it jerked into motion.

"Damnit!" Inuyasha pulled out his Tetsusaiga, the sword transforming, just as he hit the ground.

The racket in the bushes moved, jerking forward behind trees. He turned, barely just catching its shadow.

"What is it Inuyasha?" Miroku and Sango had stirred and sprung up defensively.

"I don't know, but come out come out wherever you are." He growled at the woods.

Kawayou just barely stirred, blinking his human eyes to urge to see in the darkness.

"Oi, boy, get behind me!" Inuyasha yelled.

The creature darted through the woods, stirring the trees. It was fast. Inuyasha's eyes barely caught its location a half second before it darted to the next.

Kawayou jumped up and obeyed, running behind him where Sango stood. The three warriors turned to form a circle, each readying at the dark woods before them.

Kawayou drew his knees up to his chest, heart starting to pound as he desperately looked at the gaps between them at the darkened woods. Another demon, it had to be.

The disturbed leaves called out louder, the trees screamed as the creature sprung on them. And suddenly, it stopped.

Inuyasha's ears flattened and he growled. The shadows moved, quickly pulling together to form into something lean and panther-like.

It prowled forward, and seeing it come closer, the three snapped their heads to look at it. Kawayou whimpered, just looking between the gaps of their legs. Its eyes gleamed, its fur becoming visible as a deep shadow of gold. Opening its mouth, fangs and a sharp set of teeth smiled back at them.

"What do you want demon?" Inuyasha readied himself.

It looked up at him, studying him for a second, and then stopped moving. It spoke, slowly and deeply.

"I am not here for you."

Inuyasha stiffened, his eyes widening. Without a second spared, the creature jerked his head down. Kawayou's heart froze. It was staring straight at him.

It stared, looking straight at him, with its eyes glinting with something too malicious to be described. It spoke again, each word chilling him to the core.

"I'm here for the boy."

~*~*

"Kagome, wait!" Kagome had hustled for the door and barely stopped when the old woman called her again.

"I have to rush, Kaede. I'm on a time constraint!" Her heart kept pounding and she hit the dirt and located the path the others had taken.

"Don't go alone, Kagome. You will not be safe."

Kagome turned to look back when Kaede got to the doorframe. She looked at her pleadingly.

"I can't wait for someone."

Kaede held out a hand before Kagome could move. "Please, Kagome. I've called someone to help you."

Kagome opened her mouth, not sure what to say at first, but an aura struck her. Twisting around, she squinted her eyes to see it. It moved quickly, rushing toward her. Kagome almost jumped when the tiny fox demon landed in front of her.

"Shippou." She didn't even realize she'd said the words.

The tiny fox looked up at her, eyes wider than she'd ever seen, and he flexed his tiny fingers.

"Kagome, it's really you."

Kagome almost cried. Falling to her knees, she opened her eyes for the tiny fox to spring into them.

"Kagome I thought you died!" He wailed and Kagome dug her fingers into his fur.

"Oh my gosh Shippou. I've missed you so much." She was numbly aware of her own words. His tears soaked her shirt and she felt her knees shaking uncontrollably.

"Why didn't you ever come back for me Kagome," He cried and Kagome's mouth suddenly felt dried out.

She listened to his sobs for a second and pulled him forward to look at him.

"I'm here now Shippou. Please believe me, I won't ever abandon you again."

He nodded gently and Kagome gave a weak smile.

"What's going on?" He kept sniffling and Kagome kept petting him.

"I'm looking for someone. He's with Inuyasha and Sango and Miroku. I need to find them."

Shippou didn't move at first and then he asked, "The hanyou boy."

Kagome reluctantly gave a nod and smiled. Shippou seemed to take a minute to realize it.

"Who's he Kagome?"

She hoisted him up to carry in her arms while moving to walk in the direction Kaede had told her.

"Oh Shippou, I have so much I need to tell you. But, you have to not tell anyone yet…please."

~*~

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