Chapter Eight

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR ITS CHARACTERS, ONLY THE PLOT AND THE CHARACTERS I INTRODUCE!

He ran as fast as his feet could carry him, his head pounding as he fought against the pain jolting through his nerves. His vision started to blur and his jaw ached as his fangs extended.

'Damnit' he thought to himself 'Kaede where are you!?'

He busted through the tree line and fell to his knees as he hit the edge of the village, yelling out in pain as he grabbed his side and doubled over. He yelled again and jumped back, throwing his hand out as someone touched his shoulder. Sango pulled her hand back and looked to him with worry on her face.

"Inuyasha," she started but was quickly cut off by his low growl.

"The jewel," he managed "Where is it?"

Understanding dawned on her as he doubled over again and and yelled loudly. He closed his eyes tightly and ground his teeth as another wave of pain raked his body. His breathing was becoming ragged as his nails grew with his fangs. He closed his eyes tighter as they changed colors he dropped a hand on the ground, his nails digging into the dirt below.

"Sango!"

Sango turned and saw Miroku running up behind her, a look of worry etched on his face.

"Whats going on?" she asked with terror in her tone, "Inuyasha's changing because of the jewel. Where is it? Wheres Kaede?"

Sadness and worry crossed his features as he opened his mouth to respond being cut off by another one of Inuyasha's pained screams.

"Kagome's using it."

"What!?"

The two looked over to see Inuyasha pushing against the wall of a nearby hut as he looked to them with one eye still closed tightly. He was gripping his shirt tightly as he fought the pain that was still consuming him.

"She's what?" he growled loudly.

The two looked to each other before looking back to Inuyasha. A sudden explosion hit them all, dropping them to the ground and the village was engulfed in a bright lite.

Kagome cupped the jewel in her hands, looking at it as it sparkled against the demon deterrent fog filling the shrine. She looked to it for a moment as she gently rubbed it with her thumb, a soft voice sounding behind her.

"Kagome, are ye sure this is what ye want child?"

Kagome turned and looked to the woman with a small smile on her face.

"I know he wants me, but I want to make sure I stay something that can keep up. There's too many things here that can get in our way, and there's too many ways I can't keep up. Not only that but if I do this, then you can relax. There wont be a jewel to guard constantly anymore."

A look of worry crossed her face as she smiled sadly, a gentle nod all she gave as she turned and walked from the shrine, closing the doors behind her. Kagome looked back to the jewel in her hands and thought for a few more moments. She knew that Kaede didn't want her to use but she was certain this was the only way to make sure things would stay as they were. Wasn't it?

Memories of their night together flashed across the back of her mind and she smiled, the jewel in her hand glowing brightly as she did so. Her smile widened and as the jewel glew, and she knew what she had to wish for.

The villagers ran in circles and screamed as the fire raged where the shrine once stood.

"Kagome!"

Inuyasha shook his head as the throbbing subsided and he stood, his heart racing in fear as the heat from the flames touched his face. 'Kagome' he thought to himself as he started for the light, being stopped when Miroku wrapped his arms around him.

"Miroku let go!"

"Inuyasha no, you can't go in there now."

Inuyasha turned and his eyes glew, the red around his pupil more pronounced than ever. Miroku removed his hands and backed away with his hands up, his expression worried and fear in his eyes. Inuyasha looked to Sango and she put her hands up, confusion on her features but her eyes gave her away when she kept peeking towards where the shrine once stood.

Inuyasha took off at top speed but paused when the flames rose again and he covered his face from the heat.

"Kagome!"

He went to move forward again and the flames rose higher, creating a tunnel in the middle of where the shrine once stood. He backed away a step and covered his face, trying to peek past his claws. The fire spiraled high into the air, pulling back the flames that were on the outer edge, focusing them on the funnel. Inuyasha lowered his hand and narrowed his eyes at the funnel, watching as it slowly starting shrinking.

The rest of the group walked up to stand beside him, all of them watching in awe as the flames curved and danced, the funnel slowly shrinking. The heat subsided as the villagers peeked their heads out of their doors and through their cloth window covers. As the flames shrunk, the outline of a person stood at its center, their arms slightly lifted and outstretched. Their hands lowered slowly, the flames finally dissipating all together.

The groups jaws dropped all at once as they saw the figure standing in the center of where the shrine used to be. Kagome stood there, her hair longer now, brushing the back of her knees with a red stripe down one side. Her eye lids had a permanent line of black color and her nails had grown long. Her eyes were closed and she took a deep breath, opening them and revealing red iris's. Her gaze scanned the group for a moment before focusing on Inuyasha and smiling, two fangs visible past her lips.