InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Cry ❯ New Friends ( Chapter 3 )

A silent tear rolled down Kagome's cheek as she was carried away into the night. She closed her eyes unwillingly and fell into a dreamless sleep. Kouga looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms…

"Don't cry…" he whispered into the night.

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Kagome awoke to a pounding headache and a bright sunny day. It was early in the afternoon and the sounds of the woodland filled her ears. Kagome blinked back heavy lidded eyes and sat up slowly, her head felt heavy and fuzzy at the same time and her body was still sore from the night before. `The night before…' Kagome immediately looked around scanning the area for the two demon lords. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw neither.

She was in a small moss covered clearing, the sky was a radiant blue and wisp like clouds floated over head. The birds were singing the wind was blowing, everything seemed so perfect. Kagome grumbled as she got to her feet and absentmindedly rubbed her neck where the two demons had bitten her. "Freaks" she muttered to herself as she started to walk away, back into the forest that surrounded her on all sides.

Kagome walked through the dense wood happy to be free from the two demons from the night before, but at the same time VERY nervous that they may come back. And who knows what they'd want if they did. Kagome had no idea where she was going, in a sense she was just admiring the beauty of the world around her. The world she didn't belong in.

"Where's that damn well…" Kagome muttered to herself. Kagome had no idea where she was but all she did know was that she had to get back to the well from whence she came. `Who knows maybe it will bring me back.' Kagome thought hopefully as she continued on her peaceful walk through the woods.

Kagome had been walking for hours and hadn't found one sign of civilization yet. Her bare feet were sore and torn up and she was really starting to get hungry. Her stomach growled as she paused for a rest by a wide river. Kagome let her feet dangle in the cool waters, soothing the cut up skin and washing away the dirt. She sighed as she gazed up into the beautiful sky her long black hair falling over her shoulders as her head lolled on her shoulders.

Today was one of those days that you would go outside and have a picnic with family or friends, or just sit in the grass and stare up into the sky, just to enjoy the beauty of the day. But Kagome couldn't do that now, as much as she wanted to. She couldn't just forget all her worries and drift away into some dream world. No, she had to be in some strange world with two demons that were after her. Kagome sighed angrily at herself and slowly got to her feet.

"HELP ME *gurgle* ELP MEEE!!!" a child's voice screamed from behind her. Kagome turned and stared wide eyed as a small child whirled by her, being pulled by the strong current of the river. His small brown head bobbed up and down in the water his hands flailing uselessly for something to grab onto.

"Hold on kid I'm coming!" Kagome cried as she dove into the river after the small boy. She moved with expert strokes her arms cutting through the water like a knife through butter, her feet kicked steadily behind her propelling her towards the struggling child.

"HELP!" The child cried once more as he sank slowly under the water, unable to keep himself up any longer. Kagome saw this and her strokes became faster, more desperate as she raced toward the small boy. Kagome dove under the cold water, her eyes wide as she searched for the boy. Everything was covered in an eerie darkness. Kagome's heart jumped into her throat as she saw a small figure drifting slowly under the water, his feet dragging on the rivers sandy bottom. Kagome grabbed the boy by the arm and dragged him to the surface. Kagome gasped for air and fire burned her lungs. Kagome swam to shore, the boy pressed close against her chest. His head lolled to the side limply and Kagome could tell he wasn't breathing and her stokes became more frantic as she neared the shore.

Kagome pulled the boy up onto the soft green grass and set him on his back. His eyes were closed and his face was almost paper white. His lips were a light blue, this worried Kagome and immediately she put her ear to his chest, searching for a heartbeat. She found one, slow and unsteady but it was still there. His small chest didn't rise and fall and if he didn't start breathing soon Kagome knew he would die. `Shit!' Kagome cursed mentally. She didn't know this kid at all but she didn't want him to die!

Kagome tilted the boys head back, her fingers on his chin as she pushed. She pinched his nose with the other hand and bent over him hesitantly. She had never preformed CPR before and she wasn't even sure she was doing this right. She shook her head and pressed her lips against his and blew. His chest rose as Kagome blew, she held it for five seconds then came back up for air. Placing one hand over the other on the center of his chest she pushed down HARD three times and paused looking at the small boy for a reaction. Nothing happened so she resumed doing this after a five second break. On her third time the boy's eyes snapped open wide and he began coughing up water --among other things--. Kagome sat back on her heels with a sigh. Her black dress clung to her now like a second skin and her hair was flattened against her face.

Kagome smiled, her face full of relief as the small boy came to. He shook violently his green eyes wide in his pale face. He rolled over onto his side and curled up into a tiny ball. Water rolled down his face as he shivered.

"Are you alright?" Kagome asked gently as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. The small boy nodded and whispered softly "C-Cold". His teeth chattered as he spoke and he closed his eyes and curled more into himself. Kagome nodded and looked around, hoping to find some kindling to start a fire. She nearly screamed when she saw Kouga standing there, staring at her with interest. His deep blue eyes sparkled in the midday sun as he smiled.

"How did you do that?" he asked his gaze intense as he stared at her with eyes unblinking. His arms were folded across his chest and he was leaning quite comfortably against a tree.

Kagome scowled at him as she rose to her feet. "I don't have time to talk to you right now!" Kagome said in a tone that was not to be threatened. Anger flared up with in her as he stood there with a smirk on his face. Kagome ignored him as she brushed past him her wet skin brushed against his and she smiled when she heard a surprised yip escape his lips.

Kagome set about collecting the small twigs and sticks that had fallen on the ground. She returned to the boy's side with quite an armful. She placed them on the ground next to him and then paused biting her lip. "What am supposed to do now? I don't know how to light a fire!' Kagome thought angrily as she stared at the wood dumbly.

"Need some help?" Kouga said from behind her, a small smirk on his face. Kagome opened her mouth to scream at him and tell him that it would be a cold day in hell when she would need his help, but she closed her mouth when a small sob escaped the boy's lips as he shivered on the ground next to her. `Damn' Kagome thought scowling as she looked up at Kouga, her brown eyes meeting his blue ones defiantly. She sighed and his smirk grew wider.

"Yea… I guess" Kagome mumbled bitterly. Kouga smiled as he walked up to her confidently.

He grabbed her arms and held them at her sides and he leaned close to her so that their noses were almost touching. "For a favor." He said cockily his blue eyes gleaming with triumph. Kagome frowned and looked at him warily.

"What kind of favor?" She asked eyeing him suspiciously. She wasn't promising him anything, just in case it was perverted.

Kouga smiled and let her arms go as he took a step backward. "A kiss." He said simply, waiting for her reaction. Kagome stared at him her brown eyes wide, `Just a kiss' she thought to herself. Kagome bit her bottom lip, `She didn't even know the guy and he wanted her to kiss him? Just the other night he almost killed her and now he wanted her to KISS him! She didn't know what to do, she really didn't feel like kissing the creep. But as she glanced at the small boy on the ground she sighed in defeat, he needed to get warm and soon.'

"Fine" she said as she marched up to Kouga who was standing there stunned that she had accepted his offer. She placed her small hands on his armored chest and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

"There." She said as she backed up and folded her arms over her chest. Kouga stood there wide eyed.

"That's not what I meant!" He objected, he had wanted a different kind of kiss, not a kiss on his cheek!

Kagome smiled as she stood across from the demon. "Your problem not mine!" she said with a shrug and turned around back towards the boy. "Are you gonna help me or not!" She snapped when Kouga didn't move. Kouga scowled and opened his mouth to object but stopped when he saw Kagome wipe the child's bangs back from his face.

"Fine." he grumbled as he stepped toward the small pile of wood. He grabbed two sticks and rubbed them together (now when a HUMAN tries to do this it takes a lot longer because their hands cant move as fast as a demon's and cant cause as much friction) within seconds he had a small spark, he placed the flame beneath the other sticks and blew gently, causing the flame to catch. Soon there was a small fire going and Kagome sat by it savoring it's warmth.

Kagome's face softened into worry when the boy continued to shiver.

"We need to get him out of those wet clothes." Kagome mumbled. She gently pried the boys soft brown vest off his shoulders and placed it neatly on the ground besides him. The boy didn't object because he had fallen asleep by the warm lull of the fire. Kagome slipped the boy's under kimono off as well and paused. `Kimono?' Kagome thought with a puzzled expression on her face. She shrugged it off and undid the bow that strung the bow that held the boy's pants up. With a silent prayer to the gods that he was wearing some sort of under wear she slipped his royal blue pants off. Kagome was relived to find that the boy WAS wearing a loin cloth. She then placed his clothes by the fire to dry. And sat back to relax.

"Your wearing wet clothes too ya know." Kouga said with a smirk on his face as he stared at her across from the fire. Kagome scowled at the demon and turned her head, ignoring him. Kouga chuckled "Was it something I said?" he smiled, a small fang showing as he did so.

Kagome chose not to respond to him and stared at the blue sky, it was late in the afternoon now maybe five o'clock Kagome guessed. She sighed, here she was sitting with the guy that had tried to kill her just the night before, wet and wearing a flimsy black dress. This was not good. Then there was the little fact that the guy was a pervert, atleast in Kagome's book he was. This was not a situation Kagome wanted to be in. But she had to stay, for the kid's sake.

They sat in silence for what seemed to be like forever ( in reality it was about an hour). The sky was growing dark and the sun was slowly sinking on the horizon leaving streaks of colors in the sky. Kagome sighed out loud at the beauty of it. She hugged her knees to her chest and laid her chin on her arms as she stared at the scene before her. Her dress was now dry and the boy still lay sleeping peacefully at her side. His skin was no longer pale and sickly looking and his clothes had dried long ago.

"We better get going soon." Kouga said softly, breaking Kagome away from her thoughts.

"What do you mean WE?" She asked with a frown. There was no way that she was going to with him ANYWHERE. Especially if anywhere happened to include Sesshoumaru the guy just freaked her out.

"I came here to bring you back to camp, it seems you ran away from us." He said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I am not going anywhere with you!" Kagome said lowly as she stood up and looked at him defiantly. Her brown eyes blazed with anger and defiance.

Kouga smiled at the girl who stood across from him, slowly he got to his feet and looked at her, his deep blue eyes shining in amusement. With speed so fast it was almost blinding he ran to her and stood not a foot away from her.

Kagome gasped and stumbled backwards falling over the sleeping boy. Kagome shut her eyes tight waiting to feel the impact of flesh hitting ground but it never came. Instead a strong arm circled about her waist and pulled her up. Kagome's eyes flew open in shock as she was pressed up against Kouga's chest.

"You don't have a choice, you have to come with me." He whispered in her ear as he let her go. Kagome stepped backward, away from Kouga.

"N-No" she stuttered shaking her head violently. All she wanted to do was to go home, she didn't want to be here anymore. Kouga shook his head sadly as he took a step toward Kagome. He didn't want to force her, but she wasn't being reasonable, `Not that I should have to reason with a HUMAN!' Kouga thought angrily and took another step forward.

A small blur stepped in Kouga's path as he reached an arm out for Kagome. It knocked his arm away with a audible slap.

"Leave her alone!" the boy stood before Kouga in nothing but a loin cloth. His green eyes scowled at Kouga and he stood protectively in front of Kagome. A small blush tainted the boys cheeks as he realized he was stripped down to his loin cloth. His green eyes grew wide but he still refused to move.

Kouga looked at the human boy with shock. `Is it just me or are the humans here different?' he thought to himself as he stared at the brave young boy.

"Put some clothes on runt." Was Kouga's only reply as he turned from the two humans and leaned against a tree a few yards away.

The boy's cheeks were a bright red as he grabbed his clothing and covered himself as best to his ability. Kagome stood behind him with a small smile on her face. Within a few minutes the boy was dressed and his face was a bright scarlet.

He turned to Kagome and looked up at her with wide green eyes full of adoration.

"T-Thank you for saving my life!" He said as he smiled up at her. Kagome smiled back and waved it off.

"Don't worry about it, it was nothing." She said with a faint blush. Her brown eyes smiling down on the boy. Kagome realized that the boy was probably only seven or eight years old, and he was a little short for his age too.

"Shouldn't you be at your village or something?" Kouga interrupted rudely. A small scowl on his face. He wanted to get back to camp, they had wasted enough time already.

At this the small boy looked down and Kagome saw a tear fall from his eyes.

"I-I don't have a village anymore…or a family." He said quietly, not meeting either Kagome's or Kouga's gaze. Kagome felt her heart squeeze painfully as she saw another tear fall from the boys eyes.

"What happened" Kagome asked gently as she put a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy just shrugged her hand off and sighed deeply. When he looked back up, there were no tears in his eyes.

"Bandits attacked the village a couple of nights ago, they killed all the men and children and took the women for, for…" The boy faltered and he swallowed loudly, trying to keep himself from crying.

"They killed my father and Mama." His voice cracked as he told his story, unwanted tears spilt down his face. He began to chew on his lip.

"I-I only made it out because I hid in the forest…they found me though, and then they threw me into the river." He said this with a frown on his face. His green eyes smoldered with anger and hatred.

"What's your name?" Kagome said gently, not wanting to startle the boy any more.

"My n-name? It's Shippo." The boy said with a slight tremor in his voice. "My father gave me that name…"

"It's a great name." Kagome said with a smile. "My name is Kagome."

"The boy smiled weakly and mumbled an inaudible reply as tears pored down his cheeks.

Kagome stroked the boys head gently and whispered soothing words into his ear as he cried into her shoulder. After a while the tears stopped and the boy looked up at Kagome, his green eyes wide. "C-Can I stay with you?" He whispered.

"You don't have anyone?" Kagome asked a slight frown on her face. She wanted to go home, but if she had to she would take the boy with her. The boy shook his head slowly, he stared at his feet as if they were suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

Kagome sighed and gave the boy a weak smile.

"You can stay with me for as long as you want." She said gently. The boy looked up at her and smiled. His face was bright as he hugged Kagome around the waist tightly.

Kouga got up from his perch against the tree and scowled at Kagome and the boy. He opened his mouth to protest but Kagome cut him off.

"If you want me to come with you then you will take him as well." Kagome said in a tone that was not to be argued with. Kouga scowled, he opened his mouth to tell her that he could take her by herself whether she liked it or not but paused. Truth was that he actually felt bad for the little runt of a human, `Damn!' he cursed at himself. He was getting too soft for comfort.

"Fine." Kouga said lowly as he turned away. "We better get going before Sesshoumaru comes." He grumbled as he began to walk away down the path that led away from camp. Silently the two humans followed.

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Okay sorry it was short and a little rushed. I would have liked to have more time untill they met shippo…AND YES HE IS A HUMAN!! ^__^ I thought that was an interesting twist. Well any way please review and thank you everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it. So wut do you guys think? Good bad…or other. LET ME KNOW! Buh bye!

~Sarah

P.S REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks! ^_^