» Disclaimer - I do not own Inuyasha

• Gather the Shards

Divided

• Chapter IV •

Kagome gripped a vine and pulled herself up the wall of the well. Looking up she could see the clear blue sky and that was something she hadn't known she would be so grateful to see.

Inuyasha had jumped out as soon as the magic had passed, immediately leaving her there at the bottom all alone. She was hoping he would stick around for much longer. Now she was all alone. Again. You would think freeing him would have him be a little more thankful. There was a sinking feeling in her stomach. What was she going to do now? Would there be a way home? Was she going to have to collect those shards? There could be hundreds! Thousands even! If all the creatures that had a shard were like Hōsenki she was going to die!

Gripping the edge of the well Kagome was able to pull herself up and she almost lost her grip seeing Inuyasha standing there with his back to her. Her negative thoughts faded Was he waiting for me…? She couldn't stop the grin that was growing on her face.

Throwing her legs over the top she jumped off the rim and jogged over to him. "You waited for me," she said happily.

"Che- you think I would be waiting for someone like you?" He scoffed turning his head to the side, refusing to look back at her.

"Hey!" Her good mood rapidly deteriorated, "This someone-," Kagome marched over trying to catch his gaze, swatting him on the back to emphasize someone.

"Urk!" Inuyasha collapsed to the ground with that hit, surprising both himself and Kagome.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't think that would hurt!" She knelt down beside him waving her hands back and forth, "You were acting like it didn't- I mean I forgot and then you said! And I just-!"

"Just shut up…" Inuyasha said weakly, glaring at her. She could tell he was putting on a front, acting like he was all tough.

He lifted himself up slowly, one hand to his chest. It was irritating how the pain was still there. He glanced back at the well and then to Kagome. "It's too dangerous being near that thing."

The area around the well was lush green forest, with tall grass and wildflowers. In Kagome's opinion this was the most inviting place that she'd been forced into yet. It still wasn't home though. But she trusted him on this without a second thought. If Midoriko was right about how the well connected all the realms then she could come after them at any time. It was strange that the Midoriko from the legend and the real one were so different. The real one should be like a saint right?

"Where do we go then? I don't recognize this place." Kagome asked looking around.

Inuyasha sniffed the air, "I don't recognize even the types of trees in these parts," he admitted, "Come on we're getting away from that thing."

Inuyasha knelt down and gestured for her to climb on his back. Kagome placed her hands gently on his shoulders, a little worried after one hit from her had him on the ground. "Are you sure you're okay? I mean I can walk."

There was no answer, instead Inuyasha took off running using just his left hand to steady her on his back. Her hands flailed and reached to tighten in his red robe, holding on in a white knuckle grip.

Leaning forward she yelled in his ear, "Hey! I was trying to be considerate! At least give me a warning before taking off!"

"Stop that!" He tilted his head away, his ear twitching, "Your human legs would have been too slow. That Midorio or whatever…I don't trust her. The farther away from that well the better. At least until this hole in my chest heals up."

Kagome tensed on his back. He didn't trust Midoriko either. She had this gut feeling that Midoriko couldn't be trusted; him feeling the same way was a relief. Not that Midoriko gave them any reason to believe her. And whenever Midoriko was around she would get that horrible burning pain in her hip. Thinking back to the shadow spirit that came out of her dead body, everything about it screamed danger.

Inuyasha raced through the trees, the scenery around them passing in a blur. There was a bubbly feeling in the pit of her stomach like she was on a rollercoaster. The wind in her face and the warm sun was a nice combination.

For the first few hours anyway.

Inuyasha kept up his pace, bounding off branches and darting through openings between trees. Inuyasha, as it turns out, was not easy to hold a conversation with. Half the time Kagome felt like she was talking to herself. She tried to take in the greenery as much as she could as they whizzed by, pointing out landmarks, yelling at him every time a branch would hit her. For all the threats of dropping her and going off alone he never went through with it and for that she was thankful.

As the sun began to set and her body felt stiff and uncomfortable on his back, she told him of her family. Of how Sota was her little brother, how he was a brat and got on her nerves. How this was all similar to the video games he would play. Of how they played them together. How her mother would love the sunset, the flowers. Of her grandfather and his stories and the story he told her of the jewel. Anything at all to fill the silence. He did little more than grunt in acknowledgement at her words.

He skidded to a stop, letting her slide off his back. She watched as his ears twitched and turned, his nose sniffing as he looked around the area. Taking the opportunity to also survey the area as well she spotted a small spring of water that was partly hidden behind the trees and darkness. It was dark so the moon reflecting in the water caught her eye immediately.

"We are staying here for the night. This is a good enough distance from the well for now." Inuyasha stated not letting her have a say.

Which was alright with her as she stretched her limbs. She nodded her agreement and watched him sit with his back to a tree. He must be tired from carrying her so far for so long. He doesn't have to be so rude about it though.

"Hey you think I could go clean off in that pond?" Kagome asked looking back to the natural spring with longing. It would be great getting rid of all this blood, mud, and demon slime. Urk, she shivered just thinking about it, "I feel so dirty, it'll be real quick."

She missed his look of affliction. He quickly shook that away and glared at his hands.

"..Dirty…" He muttered and scoffed. That caught her attention. Looking him over he was probably sweaty from all that running he did while carrying her. And he still had dried blood on his chest, crusted on the opening of his red robe. Plus with the thrashing around Hōsenki gave him, he probably should go first.

"You're so dirty." Kagome commented quietly.

Inuyasha's eyes shot up and the look on his face almost broke her heart and she wasn't sure why. She made her way over to him and he flinched back. She wasn't sure how to take that reaction, but she knew that they should clean and wrap his chest. It could get infected or something. She mentally berated herself for not realizing sooner.

Fiddling with her fingers guiltily, she knew she could survive a few more minutes covered in muck. "You can head in first if you want. That way we can wrap that up," She pointed to his wound.

"Hah?" Confusion was written clearly all over his face. His eyes bore into hers clearly looking for something.

"If you're worried I'll peep, I promise I won't." She told him with a reassuring smile. Trying to lighten the mood between them.

The air grew silent as she waited for him to answer her, watching as his shoulders dropped in relief. What he was relieved about she didn't really know, she really didn't get him.

"I don't need no stupid bath," He informed her, "You do what you want, I'm not moving from here."

"You sure? I mean it looks painful and it's still open-," Kagome reached forward to move his robe out of the way when he swatted her hand away.

"Mind your own fucking business," he snarled at her. Kagome stood up and glared down at him.

"You don't have to bite my head off about it! I just wanted to help." Why is he being such a jerk?! Turning on her heel she stormed away from him. If he didn't want her help and wanted to do it on his own that was his own problem, "I'll be right back."

She looked over her shoulder before she was out of view. Looking him in the eyes to get her point across, "And no peeping!"

"Don't worry I'm not interested." Ooh he made her so mad! Even when he was being polite he was being a jerk. She didn't give him a second glance as she made her way over to the water.

Testing the water with her hand she could feel the cold temperature. She didn't really think there was a time before hot baths. But cold water was better than no water.

Out of habit she emptied her pockets before she unzipped her pleated skirt. To her astonishment she still had things in her pockets. She hadn't even thought to check.

Placing everything in a row on the ground in front of her she found she had only three things. Her cellphone, which for all thrashing she's been through was thankfully fine. Still with a little more than half its battery left. Not that it did her any good there was no cell service out here.

She also had her compact mirror but that didn't take the ride she'd been on as well. The mirror was cracked so it was almost completely useless. Only one large shard being slightly useable.

And thankfully she still had that unopened chocolate bar she had been saving. She almost hit herself for forgetting she had it. It was still in good enough condition.

Using her phone as a flashlight made seeing the pool of water much easier. She contemplated washing her clothing as well, but it was so dark and she didn't have a change of clothes, she would probably catch a cold.

She washed as well as she could without soap and gathered all her things. It was kind of irritating not even having a towel to dry off with. Gathering her things she walked back to Inuyasha, her hair still wet and the cool night air was not helping. Sure it was nice to be clean but the cold water had her shivering the whole way back.

To her surprise there was a small fire going on in front of Inuyasha. He obviously started it when she left and she leapt in front of it gratefully, getting as close as she dared to get warm.

"Thank you," She smiled genuinely at him. She pulled her wet hair over her shoulder combing it with her fingers so it could join in on the heat and hopefully dry faster.

He looked away embarrassed. Then his stomach rumbled and she laughed. They had both just went over a day without food. She wasn't sure she was willing to venture off in the dark for anything, and she was pretty sure there wasn't a grocery store that they could access in a place like this.

"Here, this is all I got," Kagome pulled out the chocolate bar she had and opened it up. His nose immediately started to sniff as the wrapping opened, the sweet scent released from the plastic wrapping.

"What is that?" He asked as Kagome broke it in half. She handed him his piece but he made no move to grab it from her.

"Chocolate. I was shocked I still had it with me. It's better than nothing," Kagome continued and he took the offered chocolate and sniffed it cautiously.

He watched her take a small bite out of her own piece before he took a bite of his own. He looked at the candy in wonder before wolfing it down, licking his fingers. It didn't escape him that she had split what she had equally with him.

"As soon as the sun comes out we are moving on," he told her.

Kagome was too lost in thought to pay him any attention, just nodded at his words. She folded her piece back in its wrapping, finding herself not to be hungry. She felt homesick. She wasn't sure how much time had passed since Midoriko had pulled her though the mirror. Mom, Grandpa, Sota…they must be so worried.

She slept that night curled up near the fire dreamlessly.

The crackling of fire woke her up. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The sky was lighter but a fog had made its way through the area giving her that dreadful feeling she had back at the graveyard.

She saw the fire still going, Inuyasha must have kept it going all night. She noticed two lizards being roasted by the fire.

"Good you're awake." Inuyasha grabbed one of the spikes containing a roasted salamander and handed it to Kagome, "…eat and then we can move on."

"Huh? For me?" Kagome asked as she took the stick from him and stared at the dead creature in horror. He wanted her to eat this? It had eyes!

"…I just don't want you to think I owe you anything. This way we are even," he said not looking at her. She watched as Inuyasha ate his all in one bite. She gulped. Her stomach growled at the smell.

Kagome closed her eyes and took a bite. Her face twisted in a cringe, but she forced herself to finish.

Noticing her discomfort Inuyasha explained, "I would have gotten bigger game, but there isn't anything larger around here. Which means there's got to be an over hunting predator around here somewhere."

She looked around like it would pop out at any moment, "You mean like Midoriko? You think it could be her?"

"No. That spirit's using nothing but a dead body. Something tells me this is probably more of an animal or demon."

Kagome worried her lip looking at Inuyasha. She scanned him over looking for any signs of him lying when the sight of fresh blood caught her eye.

"You opened the arrow wound on your chest?!" She pushed him back so she could take a closer look. He didn't clean it or wrap it up! He must have opened it up looking for breakfast for them.

"You think I need you to tend ta my wounds?" He griped, pushing her hands away.

"Drop the attitude, you're hurt!" Kagome bit back. She forced him on his back on the ground, her hand on his chest causing him to hiss. Sitting on his chest she tugged on his robes, struggling against him to get a better look at his wound, "Just take off your clothes!"

"The hell I will! Bitch, get offa me!" He growled and Kagome growled right back, fed up with his behavior. Why couldn't he just accept her help?!

Kagome stopped what she was doing and looked over her shoulder and into the woods. Inuyasha could feel her tense up and tried to see what she was looking at but nothing was there.

"What is it?" He asked cautiously. He strained his ears to listen but he didn't hear anything.

"I feels like…it was the same with Hōsenki," She turned to look down at him from her position on his chest, "The feeling of one of those shards."

"Damn," He muttered sitting up, knocking Kagome off him. She fell to the ground with a thump and a yelp. He grabbed her upper arm and hauled her up. "We're getting outta here."

"No wait." Kagome said rubbing her bottom, looking back to the woods, "I think we should check it out. I have this feeling. It doesn't feel dark like it did before."

"Yeah, no."

Tugging her arm back, Kagome jerked away from him, "I'm feeling this pull, and we should at least check it out."

"Now listen here wench, nothing good comes from those shards," he warned her but Kagome didn't pay his words any heed. She tugged on his sleeve and pulled him along with her.

She knew he was strong enough to pull out of her hold and was pleasantly surprised when he relented.

"It's getting closer to us," she pointed out to him and he clicked his tongue. His senses on high alert.

Inuyasha let her drag him along towards the shard, but she could tell his body was tense and ready to spring away at any moment. The ground was covered large tree roots and overgrown grass, the trees were large and had vines wrapped around their trunks, turning everything green. The light fog and grey clouds blocked a lot of the morning light, making it a little difficult for her to navigate through the thick woods.

They both heard rustling of leaves and crying before there was a loud thump. Kagome abandoned Inuyasha's side to run to see what it was.

"Dammit woman, you're going to get us killed…" Inuyasha muttered following after her. He didn't like this, but he was interested to see what had this shard. If the shards were good for anything it was at least good for power. He also had this small feeling that he didn't want to leave her alone. Though if things got serious he wasn't sure he could fight.

They were both bewildered to see a little girl crying on the ground. Kagome didn't waste any time running over to her, gently kneeling down next to her. Putting a hand on her back Kagome tried to get her attention.

"Hey are you alright?" Kagome asked softly.

The girl jumped at Kagome's touch, and looked up sniffling. Kagome was struck by the beautiful dark skin and violet eyes she had that were filled with tears. She was wearing a little dress that looked like old Victorian clothing with lace and ribbons in her hair. She looks like a doll. Kagome had the sudden urge to protect this girl.

"Mommy!" The girl cried out wrapping her arms around Kagome's waist and sobbed onto her lap. Kagome looked to Inuyasha for help but he just stared at them stupefied.

"No, I'm not your mom," Kagome tried to say soothingly, shaking her head.

"My mommy! I left her because she said but I didn't want to!" The girl sniffed, trying to say everything at once, "She needs help! Please help-us she's-grandfather! She-I can't! She's trapped and it's my-fault!"

"Woah, slow down," Kagome said not understanding any of the girls babble, "Why don't you start with your name."

The girl took a deep ragged breath and shakily replied, "My-my name…is Shiori."

"Well it's nice to meet you Shiori!" Kagome smiled at her, trying to calm the small girl, "I'm Kagome and this is Inuyasha."

Shiori took a moment to look from Kagome to Inuyasha and her eyes widened. Then she smiled through her tears at him.

Kagome got an idea and reached into her pocket and pulled out the rest of the chocolate bar she had. Chocolate was always something that calmed her down. "Here if you've been wandering for days you must be hungry."

"…what's this?" Shiori asked taking the treat sniffing it the same way Inuyasha had.

"Chocolate! It's very sweet."

Shiori looked back to Inuyasha, who still held a wide eyed expression, before taking a small bite. She looked at the candy in awe, "Is there more of this?"

"Nope that's the last piece."

"You…are giving me the last piece?" Shiori looked at Kagome in amazement. She then took another bite, savoring it.

"It's no big deal. You need it more than I do."

At that Shiori started to tear up again.

"So where is your mom, Shiori?" Kagome asked trying to piece together what Shiori was talking about before.

"My mommy she…please she needs help," Shiori pleaded looking back to Kagome, her hands clasping the chocolate tight.

"Of course we'll help," Kagome reassured her and Inuyasha sputtered next to her.

"No, no we will not." He said harshly cutting Kagome off. Shiori shrunk back.

"What?!" Kagome glared at him hard. They couldn't just leave her! She's just a child. What was wrong with him?!

"Can't you see what she is?!" He growled at Kagome, gesturing to Shiori in disgust, "She's a-a hanyou! A bat hanyou!"

"A hanyou?" Kagome quirked her brow.

"But you're-," Shiori tried to cut in between them.

"Half demon and half human."

"So?!" Kagome stood up and poked him hard in the chest, "What has that got to do with anything?!"

"Everything! Didn' you say she's gotta shard?!" Inuyasha fought back and Shiori pulled the silk pouch she had with her to her chest, "It's probably a trap."

"I'll give you my shard!" Shiori interrupted, her eyes earnest, "I don't care! I just want my mommy!" Shiori pulled out a red orb from her pouch, "I don't know how to take it out, but it's in here."

Kagome could see the light in that pouch the whole time. Her eyes just seemed drawn to it. That scared her.

"Shiori…" Kagome stepped in between Shiori and Inuyasha, eyeing Inuyasha before turning towards the girl, "Don't worry about it. I don't want anything to do with these shards."

"Oh, okay." The bat hanyou lowered the orb to her lap, gave Kagome a pitiful look, "You'll still help my mommy right?"

"Of course," Kagome said giving Inuyasha a pointed look. This was the right thing to do why couldn't he see that? "Where is your mom? Is she sick? Or hurt?" Kagome asked and Inuyasha gulped loudly next to her. He looked like he was going to be sick. Kagome wanted to ask him what his problem really was.

"My grandfather…he has her locked up." Shiori explained, "Mommy helped me escape."

"Locked up…?" Kagome echoed horrified.

"Where are they now?" Inuyasha asked wanting to get to the point. He still didn't like this, "There's no one near here."

"At the manor."

"At the manor?" Kagome echoed again, "Can you show us?"

"Yes!" Shiori jumped up happily. Grateful was she found someone to help; there was hope for her mother after all! She took Kagome's hand and guided them in the direction she was just running from, "It's back this way."

Kagome noticed the fog was thicker in that direction.

"Miss Kagome, you're just a human right?"

Just a human? What a weird way to phrase it. "Well, yes, I am a human."

"Then…" Shiori looked at Inuyasha's claws and then back to her own clawed hand that was holding Kagome's hand. "I'll protect you Miss Kagome."

Inuyasha coughed at that.

Kagome just about melted at those words. This little girl was so adorable. What kind of monster was responsible for making this little girl think she needed to protect someone?

Shiori led them through the woods, leading them through the thickening fog with ease.

A few hours later, they neared a town that to Kagome looked like an old European town she would see in the movies. Inuyasha looked at the town warily.

Shiori stopped them in their tracks from getting any closer, "It's better to go around."

Inuyasha nodded in agreement. Kagome didn't get it.

"Wouldn't it be better to get some of the townsfolk to help? I'm sure the more people the better, right?"

Shiori shook her head, looking at the town in fear, "Those people…they won't help…"

"Give it up wench," Inuyasha said ending the argument.

"But-."

"But nothing. I can see the manor she was talking about from here." Inuyasha said. Kagome followed his gaze up the hill that stood over the village. It was huge and reminiscent of a grand gothic mansion with pointed arches and towers.

They followed Shiori's advice and went the long way around the town. Kagome was surprised there was no pathway up to the manor.

"The demons of the manor don't need a road," Shiori explained to Kagome. She hadn't realized she had said that out loud.

"Do they never leave?"

"No they come and go all the time."

"Shit, get down," Inuyasha pushed both Shiori and Kagome's heads to the ground. His body guarding them from above.

Kagome wanted to question him when she saw a huge winged figure flow overhead, away from the manor. Oh, they can fly. That explained why they didn't need roads. She looked back to Shiori who had her eyes clenched tight. Inuyasha said she was a bat demon right? Or at least half anyway.

Inuyasha lifted himself up, gripping his chest in pain, "They're gone."

"We can enter through the kitchen," Shiori said helping Kagome up, "This way."

Kagome couldn't help but be captivated by the beautiful building. It was so huge and ancient looking, with a large bell tower in the center. She was taken aback at the lack of glass windows, everything looked open.

"This is the kitchen entrance. Since father died no one uses it anymore," Shiori said opening the large door for them. It creaked in a way that made Kagome cringe. They all slipped in rather easily, closing the door behind them.

"Was your father the cook?"

"No…he was the leader." Shiori looked away sadly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"I miss him." She sniffed.

Kagome squeezed Shiori's hand in hers, "We'll get you and your mom out of this."

Inuyasha sniffed around ahead of them, "I don't smell anyone around but…it…smells like blood."

"Well bat demons drink blood," Shiori said matter-of-factly.

Both Kagome and Inuyasha looked at her in alarm.

"Do we have a plan?" Kagome asked worriedly.

"Feh, this was your idea and you don't have a plan?"

Kagome glowered at him. Sure she hadn't thought that far ahead, but he wasn't helping.

"There is only one guard for mommy's cell," Shiori interrupted, pulling at a hidden trap door behind the counter. She tugged and grunted as she pulled it but it was too heavy for her.

Inuyasha took over and pulled it open with ease and Shiori beamed at him.

"If it's just one guard I should be able to take 'em," Inuyasha said cockily cracking his knuckles.

They went down the stone staircase, Shiori leading the way.

Inuyasha gagged and covered his nose with his sleeve, "It smells like liver and blood down here. I can't smell anything else."

Kagome covered her nose as well; she couldn't identify what it was like he could, but the smell really was overwhelming. It was making her eyes water. Blood and bat demons? They sounded more like vampires!

"To a human," Shiori looked at Kagome, "This would be a wine cellar. That's what Mommy calls it. Daddy used it to store animal blood 'cause he wouldn't let the clan eat humans anymore. And grandfather said liver makes it taste better."

There was stacks and rows of barrels containing what Kagome assumed to be the blood as well as stained metal hooks that hung from the ceiling.

Kagome leaned in closer to Inuyasha, holding his arm and thankfully he didn't shrug her off. She felt safer near him. There was a long counter that held many butcher knives and tools she didn't even want to know what they did do. She had to cover her mouth and nose to keep from throwing up.

Shiori walked ahead of them unphased by the horror and smell.

"Mommy is down here." Shiori showed them an opening in the stone wall that led down deeper.

Inuyasha took over the lead pushing Shiori behind him, readying his claws.

There were narrow dark hallways down there that terrified Kagome to no end, but Inuyasha and Shiori seemed to navigate in the dark just fine. Shiori guided Kagome through the dark, holding her hand. She was thankful both Inuyasha and Shiori had light hair she could make out in the darkness, because that was the only thing she could see.

They hit a split in the hallway and Inuyasha looked back to Shiori who pointed left.

Inuyasha crouched down and started to sniff the ground as they walked, reminding Kagome of a dog.

They reached an area that looked like a prison with multiple cells with iron bars and Shiori let go of Kagome's hand and ran to the one on the end.

"Mommy!" Shiori cried out, pressing herself onto the bars trying to get as close as she could to her mother.

"Shiori?" A feminine voice called out weakly, "Is that you? Oh god, what are you doing here?"

"There hasn't been anyone but her down here for days," Inuyasha informed Kagome softly so Shiori didn't hear.

"We're here to get you out!" Shiori said happily pulling at the locked cell door. Kagome came up behind her trying to see into the cell. She was only able to make out the woman's dirty white dress. Kagome wasn't sure how they were going to open the cell door, there were no keys around from what she could find.

"What? Your grandfather has been looking everywhere for you. He sent everyone out to find you…I was so afraid. You shouldn't have come back."

"Stand back," Inuyasha said to Shiori, before gripping the iron door and tearing it off.

Shiori rushed passed him, running to hug her mother, "Mommy!"

"Ah," Shiori's mother hissed in pain. Kagome entered the cell to see the woman holding Shiori at a distance, "Oh my baby. I want to hold you I really do. It's just my bones…after Taigokumaru found out you were gone…"

"Mommy…"

Shiori's mother turned to Inuyasha and Kagome, "And who are you?"

"Mommy, that's Miss Kagome and Mister Inuyasha, they are here to help us."

Kagome nodded warmly and gave a small wave and looked over the woman, now being close enough to see more clearly. Her right arm was limp and her left ankle was bent in an unnatural way. There was no telling what else could be broken. Kagome grimaced.

"Thank you. Kagome and Inuyasha. I am Shizu." She bowed her head to them politely, "But I don't think I can walk. Please, just take Shiori somewhere she can be safe."

"Inuyasha," Kagome leaned over to him. There was no way in good conscience they could leave her here. There had to be a way, "You think you can carry her?"

Inuyasha didn't answer her instead he walked over to Shizu and knelt down in front of her and told her gruffly, "Come on, we are getting out of here."

Kagome helped Shizu get on Inuyasha's back, apologizing every time the woman cried out in pain.

"Thank you," Shizu sobbed repeatedly into Inuyasha's back, "Thank you, oh thank you."

Shiori led the way as they retraced their steps back up to the wine cellar. She kept looking back to look at her mother, making sure she was still there. Kagome was happy at how easy this was.

At the top of the steps Kagome stopped and looked at the way towards the trap door on the ceiling. Feeling like their luck had just run out.

"I-I can sense another shard and it's headed right for us."

"Shit." Inuyasha cursed.

"That must be Taigokumaru, Shiori's grandfather," Shizu said hopelessly, "He has the shard he took from my husband."

Inuyasha's eyes darted around the room for an answer, "He won't be able to smell us out in this room, so hide." He pushed Kagome and Shiori to one side while he went to another with Shizu on his back.

Kagome forced herself as small as she could with Shiori behind a row of rancid smelling barrels. Looking over she wasn't able to see Shizu or Inuyasha and hoped that was a good sign.

Shiori shivered and held onto Kagome's arm.

The trap door swung open loudly, the heavy sound reverberating through the entire room, causing both Kagome and Shiori to flinch.

Kagome held her breath and listened as the heavy footsteps stomped through the room. She was afraid it would hear her heart beating because it was beating so hard it was almost deafening to her own ears. Shiori curled her body tighter against hers.

The footsteps passed them and down the staircase.

Kagome took a silent breath, unsure if it was safe to leave their hiding spot.

"Inuyasha said to run," Shiori whispered quietly into Kagome's ear and she didn't need to be told twice. Taking Shiori's hand they left their hiding place. She saw Inuyasha waiting for them as they made a run for the open trap door. Inuyasha pushed them along as well as he could one handed, his other steadying Shizu on his back.

He silently closed the trap door behind them, and they all let out a sigh of relief.

Inuyasha's ears twitched and he looked to the kitchen door they entered from, "I can hear more of them outside. Dammit dammit."

"Out the window," Kagome whispered trying to be quiet, hoping the demon's hearing wasn't as good as Inuyasha's. Thankfully these demons didn't use glass on their windows, instead they were just open panes. She helped Shiori up on the counter and out the window just as a crashing sound thundered behind them. The trap door flew open violently.

"YOU WHORE!" A demonic roar called out after them.

Inuyasha's large hand grabbed Kagome's around the waist and shoved her out the window. Looking back Kagome saw a glimpse of a large demonic face behind him. Kagome tried to reach back for them as she fell away from view.

"INU-!" Shiori put a hand over Kagome's mouth muffling her cry.

Kagome listened in horror at the sounds of the struggle. Inuyasha's curses and Shizu's screams. The sound of Inuyasha fighting whatever beast had them.

"Grandfather got them," Shiori sobbed.

"We need to help them!"

Shiori shushed her, "No it's useless, grandfather is too strong."

"No." Kagome sat up and grabbed Shiori's shoulders, looking her in the eye, "We can go to the town and get help. It's not hopeless!"

"They," Shiori sniffled rubbing her nose and hiccupped, "They won't help us."

"Yes they will. They have to!"

Kagome dragged Shiori down towards the town with her, descending the hill mush easier than climbing up it. Even though the fog in the area was thick, the clouds in the sky a light grey, Kagome knew it had to at least be midday. So there had to be people around!

The town was larger than Kagome first expected, houses and buildings side by side. Cobble roads and small alley ways. It was ominous that some of the buildings looked broken into, doors and windows broken and wide open. And there wasn't a person around.

"Hello! Is anyone out there?!" Kagome called out, cupping her mouth to project her voice. Shiori tugged on her skirt.

"Miss Kagome, I think this is a bad idea…"

"We need the help. I don't know what else we can do." Kagome told her. They followed the main road to what Kagome assumed was a central market of sorts. Stalls broken apart and merchandise left behind, scattered across the ground in ruins. She was beginning to think that maybe there was no one left. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Oh!" Shiori gasped.

Kagome turned to see two young boys through a broken window, digging through boxes and trash, shoving what she assumed to be food into the bags they were carrying.

"Hey!" Kagome called out to them, running over to the front entrance.

Both boys looked up to see her and Shiori through the broken glass.

"There's one of those demons with her," one said in a hushed voice and they took off running to the opposite side of the building, where she assumed was a back entrance. She ducked under the shelf that was pushed over the doorway.

"Please! Wait!" Kagome called after them, but they ran to a back room that led to a hallway and out of sight. Crap I lost them.

"Miss Kagome," Shiori pointed, "They went this way."

Kagome followed Shiori and was baffled at just how fast the little bat demon could run. Shiori had to stop a few times for her to even catch up. They ran down narrow alley ways that stank and were littered with trash. Kagome figured this must be a back way of sorts the kids used to get around town.

They ended up at a church. It was impressively large. A huge, surprisingly still intact stained-glass window adorned the front with an arched entryway. Kagome had to stop and stare. She pushed past the waist high iron-gate and walked towards the small flight of stone steps.

"Aagh!" Shiori shrieked behind her.

"Shiori?!"

Kagome ran back towards Shiori who was bent over on the ground by the gate. Sparks of light shot around her like lightning. It looked a lot like when Inuyasha was being shocked by the arrow.

"…It hurts," Shiori said, gripping Kagome's leg.

"What's going on? What hurts?!"

"The ground."

Wasting no time, Kagome scooped up the girl and brought her away from the church, just outside the gate. Shiori let out a sigh of relief, to which Kagome let out one of her own.

A crashing sound of glass landed next to them, stopping Kagome in her tracks of asking Shiori what happened. Someone had just thrown a lantern at them, its broken pieces and glass lay scattered.

"Die demon!" A man yelled from the steps of the church. Kagome now knew where the townsfolk were. All in the church.

"How dare you!" Kagome seethed. How dare he throw something at them! He could have seriously hurt them?! What was he thinking?!

People began to spill from the church out into the field. That man marched up, appearing to be their leader, a group of men stomped behind him like a mob. They didn't walk past the gate she noticed.

"I can see by how you dress you are also just another one of those demons' whores," The man who was dressed as a priest sneered, "How dare you, a human, bring such an abomination to this town!"

The men with him all started to say similar deplorable things amongst themselves and Kagome just couldn't take it.

"Abomination?!" Was he referring to Shiori as an abomination?! Just what was wrong with him?! With all of them?! "She's just a little girl, you monster!" Kagome marched right up to the gate fuming, "We came here for help! Those bat demons have her mother and my friend hostage!"

"Help? You think we would help that half-breed? We know what she is."

"Yeah, those demons can't be trusted!" Another man joined in.

"That spawn is a taint on the human race. Her mother made a mistake, and should have killed her once she was born," Shiori whimpered as the man ranted on and Kagome could feel her blood boiling, "This is all her fault. She's destroyed the balance with her very existence!"

Kagome kicked the iron-gate hard and was internally satisfied when the group of men all flinched. She had never been so angry in her life.

"Just try it," He taunted on, "No tainted creature can walk on these hollowed grounds."

Accepting his challenge Kagome pushed past the gate, standing on the stone path. The men began to whisper.

"I don't get why you have more of a problem with her then you do with the bat demons!" Kagome squared her shoulders. "She did nothing! We should be working together! To stop them!"

"Shut up! You know nothing!" The priest interrupted, "Her traitor of a mother gave birth to her. She was supposed to be a sacrifice. We did our part! And now the bat demons have gone back on their word."

"Those demons destroyed my home!" A boy butted in, Kagome recognized him as one of the kids that she chased here, "They killed my pa! I hate you!"

The boy threw a dirt clod at Shiori, missing her a great deal, but Shiori still flinched and clenched her eyes closed. Kagome gasped in shock.

The group that had gathered outside the church seemed to adopt the idea. The crowd seemed more and more like an angry mob as they started to pick up things to throw at Shiori. They threw trash, sticks, rocks, and broken glass. One of the men lobbed one of the stone slabs that was a part of the walkway at her, which thankfully missed. Kagome couldn't believe her eyes.

Shiori had silent tears streaming down her face and was frozen in place as Kagome ran over to cover her, curling her body over Shiori to cover the girl to take the brunt of the attack for her, trying to shield her the best she could. Kagome could feel the objects pelt her body, "I'm so sorry Shiori."

Something hard hit Kagome in the back of the head and she blacked out, but not before hearing Shiori scream out her name.

Kagome slumped to the ground, and Shiori listened through her tears as the crowd cheered. Shiori followed her down, cradling Kagome's head in her lap, gritting her teeth as she was hit in the temple with a rock.

"I'll protect you Miss Kagome," Shiori whispered pulling the red orb she had out of its silk pouch.

The mob spilled out from the gate. Deeming it safe to approach now that Kagome was out, they stalked towards Shiori with objects that they readied to use as weapons. Shiori wanted to run, but she couldn't leave Kagome behind. Kagome was a nice person. She listened. She couldn't abandon her here.

"What an interesting display," A voiced interrupted from a roof opposite the church.

Everyone turned to see one of the bat demons perched atop the building, clapping his hands. Shiori recognized him as one of her grandfather's servants, "Young Master Shiori, is this where you've been hiding this whole time? I thought you knew better than to play with the humans. Remember last time?"

Shiori cradled Kagome's head in her lap as the humans around her began to scream and run back towards the church. She trembled.

"Humans are so amusing," The demon commented as the mob ran for the safety of the church, "So this is where they've been? No wonder we couldn't find them."

Shiori tried to think of a way to get both herself and Kagome away from here.

"Young Master Shiori," The demon called, "Lord Taigokumaru will be pleased when I bring you back. And you found the human's hiding place. It's nice that they are all grouped together like that. Makes me hungry."

He stood up spreading his leathery wings, showing an impressive wingspan and dived right for Shiori.