Kagome and the woman were carried to a large cave with multiple columns holing the ceiling up. Once placed on the ground the women were surrounded. Knowing that it would only make things worse to try to escape, Kagome pulled the woman to her side.
"Wake up!" She commanded, feverishly shaking the unconscious woman. The largest beast walked away to some unknown corners of the cave, leaving the hyenas to watch his hostages. Over an hour passed, and things remained the same. Kagome held the woman as tightly as possible, trying to convince her to stir. She wondered how long it would take for Inuyasha to find her, and soon the large beast was returning through the entrance it had used when it carried her in. There must have been an exit in the back of the cave...
The beast dropped a small figure beside Kagome, and the girls eyes snapped wide open at the familiar child beside her.
"Rin!" She cried, reaching for the girl. The child was still awake, and was crying. She rushed to Kagome and pulled her into an embrace.
"What happened? Why are you here?!" Kagome asked the girl, unable to conceal her panic.
"Lord Sesshomaru was gone, and Jaken couldn't stop them!" The girl exclaimed, tucking her head onto Kagome's shoulder. Though Kagome was just as scared as Rin, she couldn't show it. She knew that she needed to act strong for the girl's sake.
"It's okay, Inuyasha will find us..." She murmured, hugging the girl against herself.
Soon the woman in her lap started to move. The ears atop her head twitched, as well as her red tail as her eyes fluttered open.
"You're okay!" Kagome noted, and relief washed over her.
The woman dusted off her green yukata and peered at Rin curiously.
"They brought a child?" She asked and Kagome nodded. Rin stopped sobbing Sesshomaru's name, and the woman peered at her.
"You're bleeding." She stated, an Kagome frowned down at the girl in confusion.
Rin nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Without warning, the woman pulled Rin to her side, and pushed her sleeve up. Kagome didn't expect the woman to start licking Rin's wound, and the girl watched her curiously. It took a moment to realize that it was actually feeling better as well. The woman watched the surrounding hyena, which were all watching the small group back. Before she finished cleaning Rin's wound, one of the hyenas started to draw nearer. Glaring at the beast, the woman shot a flame towards it. The hyena whined in pain, an the woman nudged Rin towards Kagome.
"Why did they bring us here?" Kagome asked, her worry heavily hanging on her tongue.
Leaning up, the woman stared at the Miko donning no expression what so ever.
"It's their mating season. I already escape once, but didn't expect them to go to such lengths to retrieve me."
The statement caused Kagome's eyes to widen. The Miko was obviously stunned by the information.
"You two... When they follow me, you run to the exit. Don't look back, don't stop until you're far away." Expressionless, the woman gracefully rose to her feet. The other beasts were slowly closing in around them, and she shot another flame in their direction.
"What? You can't be serious! There's too many of them!" Kagome exclaimed as the tension in the room started to escalate. The woman shook her head, signaling that she would not be reasoned with. Her ears flattened back, and her tail swished from side to side.
"Don't look at me." She warned, as Kagome stared up at her, practically shocked.
The world around them grew hazy, and the stone floor grew warm. Kagome stood up clenching Rin's hand. The two curiously watched as the woman shifted into a red fox and weaved throughout the crowd of hyenas. The eagerly chased after her, and the haze grew thicker. As instructed Kagome pulled Rin towards the entrance of the cave. The light of day was visible through the opening and Kagome and Rin ran as quickly as possible. All Kagome could think of was finding help. When they reached the exit they saw Inuyasha rushing towards them with Sango, Shippou and Miroku.
"Kagome!" They called in unison as they neared her side.
"Everyone! That woman is fighting those Youkai alone!" She exclaimed and the group's eyes widened.
"We're on it!" Inuyasha nodded as he spoke, and handed the girl her bow. Without another word monk, half demon, Miko, and slayer rushed back into the cave. Rin followed behind them, keeping her distance. Once inside, they found themselves in an illusion. It was no longer the cave, but a forest. Gasping, Kagome frowned in confusion.
"The jewel shard is over there!" She exclaimed, an Inuyasha nodded. Everybody took to the forest without a second thought. They found that the trees were not solid, and an idea crossed Miroku.
"Inuyasha, if you see a demon, use your wind scar! Most likely the pack will stick together!"
The half breed nodded in response, as they searched for the woman and the shard.
After ten minutes of running they found a hyena. Seeing the opportunity, Miroku opened his wind tunnel. Multiple Youkai flew towards him but the woman was nowhere to be found. Sango threw her boomerang, and Kagome searched for the jewel shard whilst clasping Rin's hand. More hyena approached, and Inuyasha pulled out his Tessaiga. Without hesitation he used his special move, the Wind Scar. A loud crack filled the air, along with the howls of pain from the hyenas. Miroku covered his wind tunnel, and the illusion faded. As reality returned to them, a loud crash and shriek of confusion graced their ears. The group stared ahead at the sight of a fallen pillar, and undeniably red hair on the ground beside it. The entire ceiling appeared to have caved in, and the rubble along with the pillar had crushed the woman from the stomach down. her left arm was also pinned down by the heavy stone. Low mews of pain hung in the air, and Rin was the first to run to the woman's side. Kagome called after the girl, and soon followed behind her.
Loud booming footsteps could be heard a short distance away, and Rin reached the woman's side. When the woman listlessly shifted her gaze to the child, she was surprised to find the girl crying.
"Kagome, she's -She's-"
Before Kagome could reach her side the leader beast appeared from the darkness of the deeper area of the cave. Gasping, Kagome called to Rin, who was focusing on the woman. Pushing through the shock of the situation, Sango gripped her boomerang. Kirara rushed towards Rin, as Sango threw said boomerang at the monster. Inuyasha dashed towards it, and the combination of the hits seemed to barely have an effect. As Kagome ushered Rin on Kirara, the woman's fingers twitched. She slid her head back, barely attaining an upside down view of the monster. Reaching towards it she pushed the last of her fox fire out of her body. A large white flame danced from her fingertips, and all stared in disbelief as the monster was ignited. After a few seconds of agonizing cries, and running around in an attempt to put the flames out, it fell to the ground.
Kagome retrieved the jewel shard, and she, Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango all walked to the woman's side. Shippou climbed atop Kirara, and everybody stared own at the Youkai who had helped them. She stared past the group, no longer voicing her pain. Her eyes had clouded, and she stared at the open sky above her. Kagome started to cry, and Inuyasha shifted his gaze. The thought of this being his fault consumed him. The pillar hadn't broken until he used his wind scar.
"Go." The woman finally spoke, and her voice was still like honey.
"But you-"
"Don't stand there and watch me die." She stated, cutting Kagome off. Sighing the woman gazed at Rin.
"Get the kid out of here..."
Miroku and Sango nodded, as well as Kagome who was obviously hesitating. The woman's ears laid flat against her head, and she stared at the open ceiling once more.
"W- What's your name?" Kagome asked, trying to keep her voice from quavering.
A lazy smirk curled the woman's lips as she glanced at the young girl.
"Nazoki." Her answer hung in the air, and soon Kagome was slowly being pulled away by Sango.