A/N: Do you know that this fic was nominated for the first quarter of this year's Feudal Connection awards for the category Best Character Portrayal - Inuyasha? Thank you so much! You have no idea how happy it made me!
Beta: Lord Yaulendil

The Miko and the Storm

"How is she?"

Sango lifted her head when she heard Kagome's soft, hoarse voice. The young miko hesitated on the edge of a tree shadow where Sango sat next to her faithful companion of feline persuasion.
Kagome's eyes were puffy and red from crying, her usually perky attitude gone.

"She is going to be fine in a day or two," Sango ran her hand over Kirara's soft back. The slumbering feline didn't even shift in her sleep, too exhausted and knowing that Sango would not allow any danger to come near her while she recovered.

They had found Kirara barely conscious in the tall grass, poisoned and with lacerations covering her flanks and paws, blood coating her head. She had fought the youkai that had ambushed Inuyasha and her. Sango luckily had the right antidotes to aid Kirara's youki. She had cleaned and wrapped her wounds with Kagome while Miroku had gone to the sanctuary to ask what they could tell them about the attackers.

After he had come back he and Kagome had gone over the battlefield, trying to learn more about the youkai, but there was little information about them.

And, whenever Kagome was not working on something, she was sobbing and despondent. Over a day and night they spent at the foot of the staircase, camping under the trees.

Sango sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for the miko. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if she lost Kirara, if someone took her away right before her eyes. Kagome wanted to go after them, to get him back, but there was no trace they could follow. With Kirara unconscious they couldn't follow a scent trail if there was any. The hanyou shrine guardian was well beyond the range of sensing of both Kagome and Miroku.

"I'm glad," Kagome sighed and came closer stiffly before she sat down next to Sango. The slayer reached out a hand and stroked her forearm like she would Kirara or Kohaku when they were anxious. She paused when she realized what she was doing, but Kagome seemed to relax just a fraction under her touch.

"I'm sure he's fine and we will get him soon," she offered softly, meeting Kagome's sorrowful gaze.

"Y-yes," she whispered hesitantly, not quite convinced. "He's really strong."

"Yes," Miroku approached them and sat in front of them, his legs crossed in a position Inuyasha often sat in. "Inuyasha is capable of keeping himself safe and we will make sure he is returned to his rightful place at your side, Lady Kagome. Have faith."

"Thank you, guys," Kagome lowered her head. "I… I got used to hearing him, here," she pointed to her temples."I miss him."

Clouds started to roll in from the South, starting to cover the sky. Miroku glanced up and raised to his feet.

"I think we should try to move Kirara to the tent," he offered, pointing to the said construction, waiting behind the tree trunk. "It may rain soon."

They had just enough time to move Kirara under the roof of the tent before the rain started falling - first as a drizzle, then harder. Kagome sat in the opening, staring at the drops beating against the ground where the scars of Inuyasha's attacks had torn the ground.

Sango glanced at her and bit her bottom lip, unsure how to lift her spirits and bring light to her eyes. Even Miroku sat quietly, not trying to flirt with her, not wishing to disturb Kagome. She glanced to him but he looked as lost as she was.

The rain would surely wash away any scent trails and how could they find Inuyasha by his youki if he was far away?

All they knew was that the youkai were cats and moths, that they had gone in the direction of the North-East. They had stolen one miko bow and one shrine guardian - but for what purpose was not clear. The dwellers of the sanctuary were terribly not much help and there was little hope this would be an easy mission. But she was determined to help Kagome and Inuyasha - they treated her like an equal, easily accepting a female slayer, never doubting her skills, but also not denying her her femininity. They were so sweet and so obviously deeply connected that Sango couldn't think about one without thinking about the other. With their mental link how much did Kagome really miss him - that she was not sure of, but guessed it was really bad.

A rumble sounded overhead and Sango sighed - it was one of the summer storms, so there was little hope Kirara could pick out the scent of the hanyou.

Kagome's shoulders shook and Sango heard a soft sniffle coming from her direction.

"Kagome?" she hesitated. The miko shook her head, not turning to face her.

"I'm fine," she said, not really sounding fine.

Miroku opened his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated. He frowned and looked up and somewhere beyond the tent walls, as if sensing something. Sango tensed, not sure if she liked that look on his face. They didn't need any more trouble right now and without Kirara she was earthbound. She could fight and defend her friends, but Kirara had been her partner since forever and she loathed going to battle without her.

The rain started to lessen, the storm quickly passing overhead, violent but short-lived. Sango started to relax and almost turned her head to look to the back of the tent where Kirara rested.

That was when something white flashed in front of the tent, partially visible in the gap between the door flaps. The pleasant scent of wet ground was overpowered by one of simmering air and Sango gasped. An energy she had never sensed before washed over them all and made her back stiffen, her hand reaching for a hidden blade tucked in her sash. Miroku cried out sharply at the sudden presence and made to rise, his hand already in his sleeve, fishing for the sacred papers he used.

But they both paused when Kagome moved and stood out of the tent, in the rain. She moved with renewed vigor and her shoulders were set when she started to walk forward, approaching the white presence.

They scrambled after her, sharing a worried glance. When they left the tent they both paused to take in the sight that greeted them.

Kagome stood there on the wet grass, her head tilted up to look directly in the face of the entity that occupied the space before her. It was painfully white and seemed to glow with light and energy against the darkened sky. It coiled and slithered over the damp ground, bending its triangular head, adorned with deer-like horns, pearly eyes focused only on Kagome. Long whiskers floated down from its muzzle, sharp fangs and talons glimmering like shards of crystal.

Its long tongue slipped past the fangs and lapped at Kagome's cheek, as if tasting the tears of the miko.

"Tempest," she said, her voice at the same time happy and hesitant, hopeful and hoarse.'

The slayer wasn't sure how to react - how was she to aid Kagome if this creature wanted to attack? Battling a dragon wasn't an easy feat. The aura of the beast was not hostile, for now, which was a bit soothing.

"Miko," a voice like thunder rolling over the hills replied, the whiskers twitching. "I smelled your tears from my river. Where is your canine companion?"

"He's gone," Kagome's voice faltered and she bowed her head. The rain was now mere rare drops that couldn't really soak through their clothing.

"Then there is nothing else to do for me than to carry you to him," the creature said, pearly eyes glancing over her shoulder to stare at Sango and Miroku. "And your companions, if they wish so. This way the debt will be paid."

Sango was unable to decipher the emotions in the creature's eyes, nor was she sure what it was talking about. One thing was clear though - Kagome knew it and she was already nodding her assent.

All Sango and Miroku could do was to hurriedly gather their things, swaddle Kirara in a blanket and hope that after this summer storm passed the air would be clear, with Inuyasha and Kagome laughing with them around a fire somewhere on their way home.