InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing Paths ❯ Not who you think I am ( Chapter 7 )

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA; PLEASE DON'T SUE ME FOR LOVING THIS ANIME!

 

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“I know what happened to her,” Shippo said. “Something grabbed her up. I could smell peaches but I didn't see who or what it was. The top half was green and the bottom half was black. It was a blur.” They kept on going, hoping to come across something that would tell them where their friends were and what happened to them.

 

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“He's been bitten by that spider and injected with its poison.” She told Crickett. The only way she knew to remove poison was to make the incision larger and suck it out.

 

“But with the time that's gone by, there is no doubt it has circulated throughout his entire body by now.” Crickett bowed his head.

 

On the female, Onekan noticed a rather large, angry looking lump and part of her skull had been fractured, she had several broken ribs, and bruises all over her body. Onekan bandaged them up with strips of their own clothing and she split her pelt into two pieces and covered the two they rescued, with it. They would be lucky to make it through the night.

 

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Onekan and Crickett took turns watching the injured during the night. Onekan watched the moonless night slowly fade.

 

“I think we should head out before the sun rises. We'll make better time when it's cool.” Crickett nodded his agreement. He did not sleep, keeping vigil over Onekan while she nursed and fused over the two whom had fallen victim to the spider demon.

 

`Do you think it wise to move them?' Crickett asked as he pulled his massive body upright. He shook the dirt and debris off his coat and stretched his bag legs one by one.

 

“I don't know that we or they have much of a choice. We need to find them someone who can take care of them. I don't have the skills of a Miko and we have to find someplace I can bring Azriel and Sato. I'm afraid that they won't make it if we don't find someone who can take care of them.” Onekan glanced at the two still unconscious to her right. “They need experienced care and I could very well be killing them by not.” Crickett felt the sadness in her voice. Onekan went to Kagome's side and checked her wounds. They were still bleeding but the amount was much less. She breathed a sigh of relief that she had made some progress in keeping them alive. She was more worried about the male. He had so much venom in his blood she was afraid he would have died during the middle of then night. Hopefully she got most of the poison out before it caused anymore damage to his fragile human body.

 

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“Do you think they are alright?” Sango asked as she poked the coals in the fire with her stick. “I'm worried.”

 

“I don't know, but all we can do is hope. We'll find them soon enough.” Miroku said.

 

“I miss Kagome.” Shippo whined. In fact, they all missed them, but what ever took Kagome must have been after the jewels as well and took advantage of the fallen girl to get them. If they thought correctly, maybe what ever it was left her somewhere in the forest after snatching the shards.

 

“Let's eat and then continue our search.” Miroku offered, the others agreed.

 

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“Are you sure you don't mind Crickett?” Onekan asked. She looked at her companion.

 

`I am fine, friend. They are nothing. I have carried more weight before and without problem. This is a small weight and no discomfort.' He assured her. In deciding how to move them, Crickett knew the best way was for him to carry them. Onekan chose to walk saying she could keep eye on them from falling off; she couldn't ask him to carry her and them. He was doing everything as it were.

 

During their quiet walk towards the nearest village, Onekan didn't notice that the human male atop Crickett's back, wasn't so human anymore. A familiar scent wafted to her nose sending chills down her spine.

 

`Onekan, what is happening to the male?' Onekan stopped and looked around. Atop Crickett, the mass of black flowing hair was no longer there and in its stead was a mass of shining silver hair. She stood in awe.

 

“He has white hair now.” She exclaimed. “He is the demon from the forest, but how?” She felt her insides knot and she felt herself `drawn' to him.

 

`You said he is a hanyou, yes?' Crickett pondered.

 

“Yes, he has the scent of a demon but there is an underlying softness to it that suggests he's not a full demon. Like myself. His eyes, I saw, were golden, not the deep red of the demons of my clan. I wonder if he is awake then.” She stepped closer to inspect further. As if it summoned him, Inuyasha opened his eyes. He looked down and all he saw was green. His vision cleared slowly and he focused in on Onekan. His sensitive nose caught her scent causing a stir in the pit of his stomach.

 

His youkai sensed a female demon like his own; it sensed her strength and her human side as well. His mind was clouded by the spider's poison. He could feel his demon side trying to surface, by instinct it wanted to couple with the female demon. He fought to suppress his youkai and focused on the girl in front of him.

 

“Who the hell are you?” He said with more anger in his voice than he should have. He hadn't meant to but he was trying to fight his demon nature and not having the best of luck.

 

Before Onekan could say anything, Inuyasha grasped his senses and realization struck him like a ton of boulders.

 

“Kagome?” He cried out. He didn't remember when he had last seen her.

 

“Relax, she's behind you. She has been wounded badly by that spider demon.” Onekan said coarsely.

 

Then another thought occurred. “Where are you taking me and why am I on this beast?” He growled.

 

“Nowhere, any more, you ungrateful wretch!” Onekan growled back, taking offense for his rudeness and lack of respect for her companion's deed. Crickett simply shook himself free of the burden on his back. Onekan caught Kagome as she slid off the stallion's back while Inuyasha, still stunned, hit the ground face first. She laid Kagome on the grass. She smiled contently as they started walking again. Inuyasha, in a daze of confusion, stayed where he was.

 

“Stupid beast, you could have just said to get off.” Inuyasha growled while rubbing his head. Onekan had enough. She retracted her thoughts about this hanyou. She couldn't stand to be in his rudeness's presence anymore. She'd cared for him all night and his friend, and there's nothing worse than having an ungrateful demon around. She voiced her anger towards him for insulting her kindness.

 

“You should know not to be so cruel. He didn't have to carry you.” Onekan fumed, she turned to Crickett and started walking ahead. “And I didn't need to help you,” she added softly, “but you are better and we'll be on our way. Your friend is badly injured and should be looked after.” Inuyasha only stood, staring dumbfounded at the retreating backs of his rescuers. `why did she have to be right?'

 

“Wait,” Inuyasha said, trying to spit the next words out like they were a death wish upon his demon blood and to utter them was pure pain.

 

Onekan and Crickett stopped, but did not turn around.

 

“I'm . . . I'm sorry.” He growled. Fists clenched at his sides. Onekan took a moment to respond.

 

“Crickett, do you accept?” Onekan stroked the stallion's neck. He flared his nostrils and stomped a foot. He threw his head towards Onekan and quieted.

 

Inuyasha jus looked puzzled. Onekan smiled.

 

“What the hell was that all about?” He asked.

 

“He said . . .” Crickett nuzzled her hair and blew softly in her ear. She laughed turning back to Inuyasha. “He said, he accepts but for you to give thanks to me for saving your skinny hide.” She continued to stroke Crickett's neck.

 

“Keh, I didn't need your help anyways!” He ground out. Crickett was on top of him in a flash with his hoof on Inuyasha's neck, nostrils flared and ears pinned back. Inuyasha didn't even register what just happened until Onekan spoke.

 

“For what it's worth, just say it and he'll leave you alone.” She whispered. She had appeared at the stallion's side crouched down to Inuyasha's current level. Onekan reached up and touched Crickett's cheek. He flicked an ear in her direction and gave a small nicker. He pulled his hoof off Inuyasha but didn't take his eyes off the white haired half-demon. She rose to her full height when the danger dissipated.

 

Inuyasha averted his gaze. “Thanks, I guess” he mumbled. The stallion at Onekan's side relaxed and blew her hair with his enormous nostrils.

 

“You're welcome.” She said. Both she and Crickett turned to leave the bewildered hanyou were he lay. In the excitement, Inuyasha forgot about Kagome. He was reminded very quickly.

 

“Don't forget about your friend either. She's in bad shape and needs healing. A lot of rest will do her good too.” Onekan said as she pointed to Kagome's still lifeless form in the shade of the trees.

 

Inuyasha ran to her side and checked her out himself. She was still breathing, labored, but she was alive. He could smell her dried blood on the wraps that Onekan had made.

 

He made to pick her up but carrying her seemed to cause her pain. Her face scrunched as he lifted her into his arms. He immediately placed her back on the ground, fearing he hurt her worse than she was already.

 

Onekan and Crickett watched. Having hearts as they do, Onekan couldn't leave the girl to die. She looked to Crickett and without speaking he sensed her intentions and nodded. They walked back towards Inuyasha.

 

Lost in his own thoughts, Inuyasha didn't notice that the two strangers had returned and were standing above him and Kagome. That was, until the stallion lay down, nearly squishing Inuyasha in the process.

 

“Hey watch it, you oversized oaf!” Inuyasha fumed. “You nearly sat on me.”

 

“Settle down. You're way too over-dramatic' Onekan stated flatly, as she maneuvered Kagome's body.

 

Crickett ignored him and continued to stretch out along the girl's body. Onekan gently slid Kagome to Crickett and draped her along his back. Crickett rocked to his side and then picked his body up. It seemed the easiest way to get the girl from the ground to his back without actually picking her up, which caused her more pain.

 

“We will take her to the next village so she can be healed.” Onekan said. Inuyasha bit his tongue and accepted the help from the two strangers that helped Kagome and himself out of a very bad situation when they didn't even know each other. He agreed that Kagome needed help and suggested they head to Lady Kaede.

 

“Who is this Lady Kaede?” Onekan asked.

 

“She's the sister of . . . she's a miko in a village and we know her. She'll help Kagome.” Inuyasha stammered as he nearly voiced `her' name. The memory still hurt but the more he refrained from bringing it up, the more he could suppress them and forget about her. Besides, he didn't want this girl to ask questions about it. He wasn't going to give such vital information to her even if she saved his and Kagome's lives. He did not trust her.

 

“This is Crickett.” Onekan said after a moment's pause. She put her hand on the stallion's neck and he bowed his head.

 

“He says it's nice to meet you.”

 

“Inuyasha.” Inuyasha stared quizzically at the stallion who at the mention of his name bowed his head. He was still leery of coming to close to the stallion, he was afraid he'd squish him for real this time.

 

Onekan merely nodded her head in approval. She leapt onto Crickett's back and neither flinched when she landed behind Kagome onto the stallion. She braced Kagome's unconscious body against hers. Inuyasha leapt to the trees and stayed just within sight of them, leading them to Kaede's village.

 

 

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“What should we do Miroku?” Sango asked disheartened. They'd been searching for Kagome and Inuyasha all morning with no sign of them. The only thing they came across was the body of the spider demon over the side of the cliff.

 

“Do you think Inuyasha survived the poison of the spider demon and took Kagome with him?” Sango mused.

 

“I don't know how because he didn't rescue Kagome.” Miroku replied.

 

“Maybe he recovered and tracked whomever it was that took Kagome?” Sango pondered.

 

“Maybe it was `peaches'.” Shippo offered. The other's just looked at him.

 

“Do you think that who took Kagome was able to get Inuyasha too?” Miroku just shook his head.

 

“What if we go back to the village with Kaede, she'd know what to do? We could get others together and search for them.” Shippo offered. Miroku and Sango agreed. They packed their things and headed east towards the village.

 

*************

 

“We should be to the village soon; it's just over that hill.” Inuyasha was staring across the land from his perch high in the tree. They had stopped for minute to get water and check Kagome's bandages. Onekan nodded her head and continued to tend to Kagome's wounds.

 

“How are you faring, Inuyasha?” Onekan looked up to Inuyasha sitting on the branch.

 

“I'm fine, don't worry about me. How is Kagome?” Inuyasha folded his arms and turned to the horizon. He stood abruptly.

 

“Is something the matter?” Onekan said as she finished the last of Kagome's bandages.

 

“We have to leave.” Inuyasha leapt into the next tree and hurried them. “Hurry up there isn't much time.” He left them behind and went to the edge of the forest. Onekan looked to Crickett.

 

“What's his problem? I don't sense anything wrong do you?” Crickett shook his head and snorted.

 

`No, but we should follow him. Without his guidance we know not where the village is and Kagome is not going to get better.'

 

The mismatched quartet resumed their journey towards Kaede's village, Inuyasha still high in the trees, Kagome unconscious with Onekan and the Lecithinian stallion.

 

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A/N: Sorry for the delay. Please Review. I'd like to know what you guys think so far.