No matter how much I try I still get some misspellings or repeat a sentence. I'll try and keep from doing those and spend some time doing the chapters right. It doesn't mean longer waits but I'm hoping to have less mistakes so who knows. Anyways here's the next chapter, have fun.

Chapter 29- The Journey

"Are we there yet?!" Naruto asked for the hundredth time. "No!" everyone yelled back this time, including the soldiers and Captain Kasiyama. Captain Kasiyama laughed and shook his head. "Is he always this irritable?" He asked as he turned to Kagome. She looked behind her to see Naruto being held down by a group of soldiers. "Hold him down so I can shut him up!" Another soldier said and Naruto yelled. Kagome laughed and turned around to look at the scenery. "He's pretty out there yeah, but he's there when you need him." Kagome said. She heard the captain chuckle and they continued their march in relative silence. The trees where starting to become more and more dense, indicating they were entering a forest soon. "What is our current location?" Kagome asked. The captain shrugged his shoulders and reached for a scroll on his pack on the horse. He opened it to reveal a map of the continent. He searched the map and pointed at a spot on it when he found it and showed Kagome. "We are here, the border is here," the captain pointed to a grey line on the map; a day and a half travel behind them. "We are going here," he pointed at a small blue speck on the map. "It's a two to three day ride from where we are. And your destination is here, at the Land of Whirlpools." The captain this time made a circle with his gloved hand of an area that was relatively small but noticeable, mostly because it was surrounded by water. "The hidden village is called Uzushiogakure and the only way to get there is by boat, as you may have noticed the water surrounding it. Once we check out the village we're going to now, we'll think of how to get you and your friends across." The captain finished as he stuffed the scroll back in the pack. Kagome thoughts were brought to the conversation Hakudoshi had with her copy. Her grip tightened around the horse's reigns. She already knew that Hakudoshi had killed her family but to here him confirm it was worse and made her blood boil. Her grip on the reigns loosens when she remembered the last thing Hakudoshi said. "Looks like we didn't need him after all..." Who was Hakudoshi talking about? Kagome started to get a headache and touched the side of her head, thinking that concentrating on something not important at the moment was a waste of time and could cause more headaches. Kagome reached for something on her left hip and found it when her gloved hand touched something that made a metallic sound when she tapped it with her fingernails. She grabbed the object and brought it to her lips, taking in a cool drink of water from her canteen after she lifted the ANBU mask she wore a bit. She put the mask down once more and placed the canteen on her hip. She felt someone looking at her and she turned to see the captain looking at her. "Yes Captain?" Kagome asked. The captain pointed at her mask. "Even though we live on the border, we know what ANBU are and what they do. So why is it that your group is the only ANBU I've seen to take off their masks in public isn't that against the rules or something?" Kagome smirked behind the raven mask. "It is. But we don't follow it most of the time. But those two…" Kagome pointed towards Marina and Sasaku. "…are from the village. They have to follow orders, even if mine say to take it easy." The captain looked like he was going to ask another question when Kagome raised her hand. "Shizune, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi are from the village but are not ANBU. Shadow-" Kagome was interrupted when Shadow appeared next to her in seconds and jumped into the air. Captain Kasiyama and Kagome watched as Shadow turned into a small pup again and landed on Kagome's lap. Kagome giggled when Shadow barked at her, the captain looked on amused. "You called Kagome?" He asked telepathically. "I was talking about you, that is all." Kagome said as she scratched the back of his ears and his tail wagged. "Hey…you don't mind that I stay on your lap for awhile do you?" Kagome smiled and patted him on the head. "No, your ok." Kagome looked up at the captain that waited patiently but had even more questions. She sighed but before she could answer more questions the captain raised a hand. "It is alright Captain Higurashi; you don't have to tell me everything at once. Maybe later today we can strike this conversation once again. You've had a long day, 'dieing' and all." He smirked and looked up. He raised a hand to his face and wiped it. "Rain. We got a few minutes before we have to stop and set up camp." The captain turned around and whistled, his men looking at him. The captain made a motion with his arm and then spurred his horse into a gallop. "I will go ahead and look for a good place to set up a camp, hopefully a clearing. I'll be back soon." Kagome watched as Captain Kasiyama went ahead and disappeared from view when he went into the darkening forest. Kagome smiled and looked down at the wolf on her lap, the horse moving without help. Shadow stared up at her with his red eyes and Kagome placed a hand over his eyes. Shadow growled and raised a paw and removed her hand. "What?" Kagome asked defensively. "My eyes make you uncomfortable I know. Everyone tells me that. It's ok." Shadow closed his eyes and placed his paws over them. "Better?" he asked. "Aww that is so adorable!" Kagome smiled. "But…" Kagome grabbed each of his paws with each of hers. "It's not you it's…I've seen those eyes before." Kagome said as she bit her lip and looked away. "Really? Where?" Shadow asked. Kagome looked back at Shadow and sighed. "The night Gakuto disappeared. I was attacked by an Uchiha that night. I don't know who it was but I do know that they were Uchiha because of their…Sharingan. I wouldn't be here if it was for that giant wolf." Kagome said as she looked up to see if Captain Kasiyama had returned. She looked down to see if Shadow was going to answer. Shadow looked at her blankly. A few moments of staring at each other Shadow broke the silence. "Could…" Kagome looked at Shadow strangely. "Could what?" Kagome asked. Shadow shook his head. "Could you describe the wolf to me?" he asked with a hint of worry in his voice. Kagome was nervous for the answer and nodded anyways. "It was large, probably 60 or even 80 feet tall. Jet black in color with blood red designs on its head and a new moon design on the forehead." Before Kagome finished she noticed Shadow's change in mood. When she did finish she waited for Shadow's response. "I know who you're talking about." Shadow stated. "Really? What was it doing there?" Kagome asked. Shadow 'laughed' and scratched the back of his ear, Kagome helping him. "Thanks. He was probably protecting you from the Uchiha." Kagome nodded remembering the wolf protecting her against the man. Then she remembered what Shadow said. "He?" Shadow nodded his small head, raising the adorable factor. "That was Hogo shinpi-tekina ōkami, the Protective Mystic Wolf, better known as Gakuto Minamoto, or at least his transformation." Kagome stared at Shadow with surprise clear on her face. "I'm guessing you didn't know…Great. Now I'm going to get fed dog kibble for this." Shadow put a paw on his muzzle and shook his head. Kagome had her suspicions but nothing like this. She couldn't wrap her head around how the giant wolf could be Gakuto so she did the easiest thing she could do: ask. But before she uttered a word she heard galloping, which was increasing in speed. She looked up to see Captain Kasiyama's horse without Captain Kasiyama. "Hold on tight Shadow!" Kagome said as she spurred the horse on and galloped full speed. Shadow yelped and bit on Kagome's gauntlet, trying to get a hold. Kagome could feel Shadow's sharp canines on the gauntlet but not penetrate the skin. "That's some tough armor…" Kagome thought as she passed Captain Kasiyama's horse. She heard people behind her yell after her but by the time she heard them she was long gone. Kagome had felt a strange chill go through her body. The area was darkening even though a few moments ago it was the middle of the day. She watched her breath start to appear, the area was getting colder. She raised her cloak over her head to try and keep warm. She looked down at Shadow and noticed he was looking up at her with a worried expression. Knowing that her friend had also sensed the drop in temperature and decrease in visibility. It just got even worse when they noticed fog appearing, decreasing their view even more. Kagome was actually getting a little scared. She felt like she was in a horror movie. Everything was there; fog, cold, and a darkening day. The only thing that was missing was the scary dead trees and something scary popping up. Then she saw it. Large black dead trees appeared and looked as if they were reaching for Kagome and Shadow. "Cue the scary trees…" Kagome grew frightened. Then it happened. Her horse reared back, frighten by something. It bucked around until Shadow and she were knocked off. Kagome fell with a thud, Shadow in her arms. Kagome groaned and rubbed the back of her head, feeling pain go through her body. She tried to ignore the pain felt something missing. She looked around when she noticed it was her faithful companion, Shadow. The first thing she noticed was the area. Dead trees were around her giving her a sense of dread. The sky was dark almost as if it was night. She felt fallen leaves underneath her. She saw him nearby unmoving. She reached for him when something stopped her. She felt a presence around her and looked up to see a dark shape walking away from her, a couple yards away in the trees. She tried to focus her eyesight but had to close her eyes to stop her pain from controlling her sight. When she opened them again she screamed in fright. The figure that had been walking away from her had run back at her at inhuman speeds and grabbed her by her hair. Tears fell from her eyes at the pain that went through her head as the figure held her by her hair. She opened her eyes to scream once again. In front of her was a face with hollowed out eyes and she tried to close the image by closing her eyes. She then felt the figure throw her away roughly. Kagome started to shake in fear and curled up in the fetal position. She heard footsteps approaching. "Breath…" Kagome heard a familiar voice. "Breath Kagome." The voice repeated, Kagome still shaking on the ground. "Are you just going to lay there and wait for your lungs to explode?! Breath!" Kagome lashed out at the entity that was approaching, slashing at them with pure anger and the need to survive. Kagome felt the voice start to drift away. She was once again afraid to open her eyes, remembering what happened last time she did. She waited and waited until she heard footsteps approaching. She grew tense as the footsteps got closer. She felt something touch her and she slashed again. Her eyes shot open when she heard an animal yelp and turned around to see Shadow on the ground behind her, blood on his side. She then heard a groan and turned to see Captain Kasiyama on his back as well, blood on his chest. "Oh no…!" Kagome stated and went over to Shadow, trying to pick him up and place him next to the Captain to evaluate both of them. She lifted him up with some effort, mostly because he had turned back to normal size sometime ago. Kagome ran her hand across Shadow's fur locating the large gash on his side. She started to heal the wound, her hands turning bluish green. She looked to Captain Kasiyama and noticed a similar gash on his chest. Kagome shook her head as she started to heal his wounds after she was done with Shadow's. "How did this happen?" Inside Kagome already knew what the answer was. She had been hallucinating and had attacked Shadow and Captain Kasiyama in her state. She wondered what could have caused her to hallucinate. She then felt a presence behind her. She turned around to see him. The same person she saw that night. His piercing red eye stared at her…

Convoy, same time…

Most people in the convoy had seen Kagome leave at high speeds. Her friends tried to go after her but their military escort had blocked their path. "What are you doing?!" Rin asked as she pulled the reigns of her horse. Lieutenant Bamako held up a hand to try and calm them. "Sorry we are trained in a certain way. We can't just separate the group; it might lead to an ambush and death. Let us handle this. We can send a small detachment to find your friend and the captain and still keep the caravan safe." The lieutenant motioned with his hand and two soldiers rode towards him. "But-" Rin started but Kakashi laid a hand on her shoulder, she turned around and stared at him questioningly. Kakashi shook his head. "No, their right. They have experience on this kind of thing. But I suggest at least one of us go with your team. Rin?" Kakashi said and Rin nodded as she spurred the horse on and sped away with the two soldiers.

Kagome's Location…

Long, dark, purplish hair flowed with the strong wind that was beginning to start up, some of it covering more of his facial features. The man was wearing a black, torn cloak that was torn at the bottom and made it look as if it was burned off. The man had a gray metal mask guard that covered and protected both his mouth and nose. A long, black piece of cloth covered his left eye while the right stared at her. Kagome started to get up when the man lifted an armored hand. Kagome could hear his breathing as he lowered his hand when Kagome sat back down next to her two unconscious friends, not by her choice but because the man was using some kind of hypnotic with his eye. "Your name…" Kagome heard the man say behind the metal mouth guard he had on. "Kagome…Kagome Higurashi." Kagome answered and was surprised to see the man's eyes widen a bit and then return to normal, as if relaxed or drugged. "Kagome…" the man repeated as leaves enveloped him and he disappeared. Kagome started to feel dizzy and turned to her right to see Rin and two other soldiers heading towards her. A few moments later she fell unconscious.

Later that night, Kagome P.O.V.

The sounds of night were the first things I noticed, including those of people and a campfire. Next was the feeling of a damp cloth on my head and having a feeling of sickness go through me as soon as I opened my eyes. I looked down and confirmed that I was in a sort of sleeping bag, and realized it was a thermal bag to keep me warm. I also noticed I was in a large tent with a light source from outside shining and casting shadows on the tent. I felt nauseous when I tried to move. I was a bit startled when I felt a hand on my cheek. I turned and felt as if I was drunk. Everything felt ten times faster, blurry images that looked like long streamers moving faster than me, as if I was moving at slower speeds. My vision tried to steady itself as I saw the image of Rin.

Normal P.O.V.

"Hey…you're finally awake. You ok?" Rin asked as she lifted the damp cloth from Kagome's forehead. Kagome smiled up at Rin. She opened her mouth to say something and was surprised when nothing came out. She tried again and again until Rin placed a hand on her shoulder and then her throat. Kagome flinched slightly at Rin's hand. Rin no longer wore gloves and the cold from outside was evident on her hands. Her hands then turned pink-orange and Kagome felt warmth on her neck. She then felt as if someone was in her thoughts. "The cold air has made your throat sore more than it was before. We found you screaming and tried to calm you for a long while until you passed out of exhaustion. I'm trying to warm your throat and heal it but it's slow. I hope you don't mind, I'm reading your mind so I can understand you. Shadow and Captain Taiko are ok; Captain Kasiyama's first name is Taiko by the way." Rin stared at Kagome's brown eyes, her blue slightly tired and Kagome noticed. Rin smiled at Kagome's thought. "No I'm fine. I don't…feel that tired." Rin yawned. Kagome smiled at Rin and placed a covered hand without her gauntlet on Rin's cheek, Rin leaning into the hand and closing her eyes. Rin opened her eyes after a minute and stared at Kagome. "No really I'm fine. I-…" Rin looked at Kagome's glare and nodded. Rin removed her hand from Kagome's neck and lay next to Kagome. Rin laughed lightly at Kagome's next thought. "Fine. I guess we can tell them your ok tomorrow." She got into the sleeping bag at Kagome's silent request. "Goodnight mom." Rin said as she used Kagome's shoulder as a pillow and started to fall asleep. Kagome looked at the top of the tent and started to think about who the mysterious person was and nodded off when she wanted to just forget about the person.

The following morning…

Kagome started to wake up when she heard the shallow breathing of people that were asleep and the noises of early morning. Kagome turned her head and smiled at Rin's sleeping face. Kagome gave Rin a kiss on the top of her head and started to get out of the sleeping bag. It was at this point that Kagome noticed most of her articles of armor were removed, what remained was her full body suit that she received with the armor as a under armor that looked like one single article of clothing in black. To Kagome, it looked like the leathery-looking under armor people used in those sci-fi movies she used to watch with her brother. To others of this universe it may be considered under clothing. Kagome had put on the under armor before they left the border town. It was tight but not constricting and covered her entire body except the head. Kagome looked around the tent for her armor and had not been able to find it. She gave a frustrated sigh and then looked at the flap in the tent that would lead outside. "I better make sure it's not in here before I go out there…" Kagome thought as she used a keener eye to look in the tent and turn things over quietly. After a few minutes of searching Kagome looked at the flap and bit her lip. Kagome walked towards the tent exit and stuck her head out and looked around. Their large group was is in a forested area but in a large clearing, trees were about half a mile away in all sides. There were many tents and other fire pits in the area and appeared like an encampment of some sorts. There was no one to be seen and Kagome spotted her armor next to some cloth near the fire pit. Kagome smiled when she saw the shine off it and looked back into the tent at Rin. "Thanks Rin…" Kagome whispered as she deduced that Rin had shined her armor up. Kagome took one more look around the encampment and started to walk out of her tent. She was half way to the armor when she heard a strange noise behind her. She turned around to see her tent but nothing else as the strange clicking noise continued. Goosebumps went through her as she tried to ignore the sound and started to walk back towards her tent, the clicking noise increasing in volume. When Kagome grabbed the flap of the tent the clicking had stopped. Kagome pulled the flap of the tent open.

Captain Kasiyama's tent…

Captain Kasiyama was awoken after he heard a strange clicking noise outside near the tents. He looked at the bandages across his exposed chest and was glad that Kagome had healed most of the damage, even though she had caused it. After his men had found him, someone from Kagome's team, Shizune had healed him to the best of her ability. It was strange, finding her swinging at everything even though there was nothing nearby. Well until he approached her that is. He had to admit it hurt but he wasn't going to hold it against Kagome. He started to get up and pain was felt in waves through his body. He grunted in pain as he stood up and grabbed a woolen overcoat that all his men were given by the armorer and put it. He opened the flap of the tent and was met by the biting cold. It was strange that it was cold here; even more that it was the middle of summer he thought. Even though he had not traveled far from the border town of where he was born he still read notes and personal experience of others that had, including his father. The area was suppose to be humid not freezing. Captain Kasiyama started to walk towards the fire pit his men had created last night, small embers still alight. He felt himself start to warm up and smiled at the three soldiers surrounding the pit also looking at him with tired eyes. "Morning guys, sleep well?" Captain Kasiyama asked as he reached for a tin of warm coffee that was being handed to him. "Well, until some weird clicking woke us up." Captain Kasiyama raised his eyebrows slightly at the comment and nodded. "I heard the same." The captain confirmed. He took a sip of the coffee and then handed the tin to the soldier that handed it him. That was when they heard the yells of Kagome Higurashi and rushed out of their sleeping bags.

Normal P.O.V. Seconds before…

Kagome walked into the tent to see a large hole in the tent and her daughter missing. Things on the ground were littered around and large drag marks were seen on the ground. Red liquid, blood no doubt, along with a green liquid that Kagome deduced was blood from Rin's attacker. Kagome went towards the blood pools when something caught her leg. She looked down to see a thick white string looking thing on her leg. Kagome yelped when she felt the string pull her to the ground and then towards the hole in the tent. Kagome yelped in pain as the string pulled roughly on her leg. She looked up to see that the string was coming from inside the trees. She pulled on the string, trying to get the string off her leg. That's when she saw the glowing eyes of something in the forest staring at her with evil hunger. She felt someone grab her shoulders and looked up to see Captain Kasiyama. She felt him pull her away from the string but it was only momentarily, as the string started to painfully pull on Kagome's leg again and drag them both. She heard movement behind her and she saw two of the soldiers pass her, swords in hand, and another soldier helping Captain Kasiyama pull her away. "Cut it! Cut it damn it!" Captain Kasiyama barked. The two soldiers ahead of them raised their swords and slashed at the string. "What the hell?!" One of the soldiers said as his sword got stuck in the white string. "It won't cut!" Said the other as he tried to pull his sword out as well. Kagome felt dread slightly build up in her gut. She then felt a slight sting on her right arm. She looked down to see the Sun Gauntlet. "Well that's convenient…" Kagome thought. "Captain, think you and your men can keep me from moving a bit so I don't cut my leg off?" The captain looked at her and smirked as he nodded. "You heard her! You two, get in front of her and hold onto her feet. Don't get to close to the string though. Don't want another soldier caught. The private and I will hold onto her shoulders." Kagome turned on the gauntlet and saw the captain slightly flinch at the sight of the blue energy. Kagome slashed at the string as soon as the soldiers were able to hold her steady. There was a loud snap and the soldiers fell in different places around Kagome as she tried to return her breathing back to normal. The small group covered their ears when they heard an annoyed screeching loud enough to awake the entire camp. Kagome got up and stared at the forest, eyes staring back at her in hate. Kagome lifted her arm and pointed at the forest. The gauntlet opened into a pincer and shot an orb of energy at the forest, destroying everything in its path. The soldiers stared in awe at the destruction. As the smoke cleared Kagome knew two things. One, that whatever was staring back at her had escaped, and two, that it had her daughter, Rin.

Hours later…

Kagome rode in silence, her hair clinging to her head as the rain kept on pouring over their heads. Her armor made a clinking noise every time rain hit it. Kagome was happy that the rain could cover up her tears. Her friends and Captain Kasiyama's group had searched the surrounding area for Rin with no luck. Kagome had not spoken to anyone after the attack already knowing that Rin was gone. Kagome had avoided her friends and refused to eat, leaving most of the food that was left for her outside a tent that one of the soldiers gave to her. She was so silent that her group had not realized that she got on her horse and started to head towards their destination until her horse neighed and started heading down her chosen path. A few minutes later and Kagome heard the rapid steps of horses behind her. She continued to look down at the horse's neck and was glad that the horse knew where to go with little direction. "Kagome! You left in a hurry! Why so eager?" Kagome heard beside her. She didn't see who it was but deduced that it must have been Kakashi. "Sir, I think she needs more time." She heard from her left, Captain Kasiyama. "Kagome Higurashi is an ANBU Black Ops member, she knew the risks of joining." Kagome rose her head at that, looking at Kakashi with hate. "I'm still human Kakashi." Kagome growled as she hit her horse on the sides and head down the path at a quicker pace, leaving the duo. Kagome smiled sadly that they did not pursue and left her alone. She put her head on the horse's neck and cried silently. "I'm sorry Rin…I wasn't there to protect you. I'm sorry…" Kagome cried silently on the horse's neck as they continued down the path in silence.

For the following two day Kagome had avoided the group, ate by herself and away from others, and spent most of her time in the tent that was provided for her. When she did come out was only when she went to her horse and brush it or pack for the march towards the village. Not much conversation was given between them until they approached the village. Kagome was the first to spot the village. Most of it was destroyed, building destroyed and different items strewn across the area. She felt her blood turn into ice as she spotted in different areas the same white string that had tried to pull her into the forest. But this white string was everywhere, as if coating the village and the surrounding area with it. The best she could tell was that the village was deserted, its inhabitants either left or became permanent residences of the ghost town in some horrific way. Kagome turned around and saw her group was still slightly behind her and would take five minutes or so to reach her location. She turned back around and gasped at the figure in front of her. A silvery blue image of a person stood in front of her. The horse rose on its hind legs and Kagome fell to the ground. She heard her horse run back towards the group, leaving her alone. Kagome rubbed the back of her head and looked up at the small figure in front of her. She started to back away from the figure when it took a step towards her. Kagome noticed the figure was of a small child, a girl. "Who are you?" Kagome asked the figure as she took another step closer. Kagome felt her back hit something and turned to see a tree, when she turned to the figure again it was mere feet from her. "Rin…" Kagome felt a pang in her chest at the name. She looked at the figure as it repeated the name and pointed towards the village. "Rin…" Kagome stood up shaking and looked at the figure and then at the village. Kagome walked pass the figure and looked at the deserted village. "Rin…Rin is here!?" Kagome asked as she turned around to see the figure had disappeared. "Kagome!" Kagome heard as she turned to see her friends and Captain Kasiyama's group join her. "Are you alright?!" Naruto asked as he got off the horse he was on. Kagome stared at Naruto. When Naruto heard that Rin was nowhere to be found he exploded with different emotions. He had been similar to Kagome, eating rarely and being seen even less. His voice was a welcoming sign. Kagome smiled and the groups flinched. "Yeah, thanks." Kagome turned towards the village and shook her head. "Could Rin still be alive? Could she really be in this desolate village? And who was that girl that had appeared before her?" Whatever the answers were, Kagome was going to find out.

Next Up…The Abandoned Village…