InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Pain, Her Wish ❯ Chapter 4- The Serpent Youkai ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 4- The Serpent Youkai

She took a deep breath. The moment her body was sumerged underneath the depths of the river, Kagome felt the impact of the icey waters impaling her flesh. Just by gazing at the river, you would never have been able to tell that it felt this cold once plunged underneath as forcefully and rashly as she had been. Kagome was being pulled expeditiously, being drug helplessly through the freezing, rushing waters that surrounded her. Kagome peered upward but couldn't even see anything through it's black surface. The river had suddenly changed from it's deep blue, sparkling shade to a menacing charcoal black.

As the miko held her breath, she tried to recall if she had felt any demonic aura surrounding the area and found she had not. Gazing downward Kagome saw the green, slimey, scale and spine-covered tentacle that had wrapped itself around her leg. Eyes widening, the frightened miko forced herself to look down the tentacle to see what was attatched to it's end. Kagome wanted to atleast be able to see what had captured her. The miko narrowed her dark eyes, but the tentacle almost seemed to fade into black. She couldn't even see ahead of her it was so dark.

Kagome was beginning to feel her chest tighten from the intensity of air-filled lungs as the young woman struggled to hold her breath. She wouldn't last much longer. Please...please let Inuyasha or somebody help me before that happens...please... She was being drug even further down and Kagome's mouth burst open, bubbles issuing from it as she released the oxygen that had been in her lungs. Everything around her was beginning to become hazy and blurry before her very eyes. Inu...yasha... Everything thing she could see began to close in around her like a deep, darkened tunnel, fading away from her vision. The miko soon fell unconcious.

oo00oo

"NO!! DAMMIT!" roared Inuyasha as his fist met the ground, one consecutive pound right after the other into the earth beneath him.

The hanyou turned human's knuckles were bleeding from the impact his hand made on the rocky surface. Feeling completely debilitated and helpess, the young man sat staring fixedly into the black surface of the rushing waters, his fists clenching tightly as he gritted his teeth and growled. The raven-haired man lept to his feet, instinctively placing his hand around the hilt of Tetsusaiga. Even though the sword wouldn't transform for him yet, Inuyasha could still use the fang blade as a weapon if need be. He couldn't give up hope now. Inuyasha was a decently good swimmer. He could go and rescue Kagome in his human form and cut off whatever it was that was holding her leg. Yes, that's just what he'd do. The hanyou was trying his best to build his confidence at being able to save her. As long as he knew the miko was in danger, Inuyasha would risk his life for her. There was no just standing there and waiting for her to resurface. He had to do this now.

"Just because I'm human, doesn't mean I'm giving up! I'm NOT giving up on you! KAGOME! YOU JUST HOLD ON! I'M COMING FOR YOU!" the hanyou yelled almost desperately.

Not only was Inuyasha enraged that Kagome had been taken right out from underneath his very, vulnerable hands, but he was furious with himself. If the hanyou turned human hadn't of been so stupid and tried to run away from her again then the defenseless miko never would have been pulled under the river. Was this a set up or some kind of trap? How come Kagome, Sango or Miroku never sensed a demonic aura around the area? Why didn't he catch the scent of the beast as he so normally had? Maybe it was because of him loosing his youkai power, or it could have possibly been something else? Was the thing that pulled Kagome under a youkai or just some kind of mutated creature? Whatever it was, Inuyasha didn't know. The hanyou turned human had not even seen anything grab Kagome. Could the thing that have taken her, been invisible?

"Inuyasha! INUYASHAAAAA!!" came the cries of Miroku and Shippou as they came hurtling towards the raven-haired young man. Sango was following hot on their heels, astride Kirara's tufted back. It was the middle of the night and Inuyasha was still rendered helpless, with no demonic power to use his Sakontessou or his transforming Tetsusaiga. All he had now was his own human strength and a non-transforming, fanged sword.

"Kirara, stay here and protect Shippou," Sango commanded to the firecat gently as she jumped down from her furry back. "Where's Kagome-chan!?" the slayer exclaimed, as ran to join Miroku and Inuyasha.

"Kagome was pulled under the water!" the hanyou told them, whirling around to face his comrades. "I can't stand here pussyfooting around. I have to go and save her!" Inuyasha snapped. The young man reached up to his neck, swiftly removed the crimson haori from his body, and he tossed it aside on the ground. This will only slow me down...plus Kagome can wear it once I rescue her so she won't be cold from the water. Inuyasha began running towards the water, withdrawing the rusted, jarred-looking blade of a sword from it's black, wooden sheath that hung at his left side. "Otherwise she's gonna drown!" Inuyasha's grey-blue eyes narrowed as his friends stared back at him worriedly. And if she dies, it'll be my fault...

"What was she pulled under by?" Sango asked, approaching the hanyou.

"I don't know! I didn't even see anything grab her! I can't sit here and waste anymore damn time! I gotta get in that water!" Inuyasha stayed true to his word and didn't waste a single moment before taking a great dive into the now darkened depths of the river.

The taijiya and houshi stood, gazing at the rippling water. A very confused, disconcerted expression crossed Miroku's handsome features. He drew in his eyebrows staring fixedly at the water that had once been gently sparkling. Miroku had seen the river earlier, but he now noticed that it's surface had turned black as night. The slayer stood next to him as a slight wind rustled the trees, blowing her ponytail back gently in the midnight air. Over her shoulder she held onto the Hiraikotsu and kept her guard up. Sango turned her head upward to catch the monk's eyes and noticed Miroku looking somewhat troubled. He was scratching his chin with his forefinger and thumb in a curious manner. He clutched his staff tightly as the houshi gazed sternly into the black waters.

"Houshi-sama? What is it?" the slayer questioned worriedly, placing a hand on Miroku's arm.

"Sango, do you not find it strange that neither, you, nor I or Kagome-sama sensed anything evil or precursive in this area? We know Inuyasha possibly have couldn't what with it being the new moon and all, but why couldn't we? Perhaps there was nothing to sense? However I feel something unsteady in the air; yet I can feel no youki." the monk spoke with a worried tone in his voice.

"Hmmm yes you're right, Houshi-sama. I never sensed any youki in this area at all either, and even standing right here I still sense nothing," the slayer acknowledged.

"Indeed, even standing this close to the waters, I sense nothing ominous about the place. However, I cannot help but wonder...," Miroku's voice trailed off as he stepped across the rocky ground towards the water. He lifted his gold encrusted staff and held out it's rounded, ringed end outward.

"Houshi-sama...what is it?" Sango asked, watching the monk intently.

Miroku made three tapping motions with his staff, causing a deep purplish-blue see through image to appear and then slowly fade away. "Aha! Just as I suspected! There's been a barrier of some sort put up around this river. The question as to whom is doing it and why it is there, is what baffles me. It seems as though since Inuyasha and Kagome-sama have managed to go through the barrier unharmed, that we as well should be able to walk through it," the monk pointed out. Miroku held out his hand towards the slayer with a small smile. "Come, Sango."

"I can walk through just fine on my own, thanks," replied the taijiya sarcastically, knowing that Miroku's intentions most likely were going to be something incontinent and lecherous.

The monk stepped through the barrier first, gazing upward, down and around as he walked through, as though studying the auras eminating from the barrier and the river itself. "Hmmm, it seems to be just an ordinary barrier, but something about it feels different."

"Yes, I couldn't agree more. Maybe we should just wait here on the riverbank until Inuyasha gets back with Kagome-chan?" suggested the youkai exterminator.

"Hmmm, well I suppose there is nothing we can do but wait. If we decide to go underwater, Inuyasha will be furious with us. I know he wants to continue to protect Kagome-sama and rescue her on his own. So let's allow him this opportunity to do so. We'll wait patiently here until needed," Miroku stated calmly as he continued to gaze at the black river with a very contemplative expression. Inuyasha you had better rescue Kagome-sama...I don't think our group can handle another loss...especially not Kagome.

oo00oo

Damn! This water is fucking cold! Where in the hell is Kagome!? Inuyasha was swimming through the blackness of the water, but it seemed as though everywhere the hanyou looked, all his eyes met was darkness. He saw no sign of Kagome, nor of the creature that had captured her. There weren't even any fish in the water which Inuyasha found rather strange. What could cause all the fish that would ordinarily live in a river just disappear as such? The hanyou turned human kicked his feet and accelerated to the surface as he felt his expanded chest about to release the air held in his lungs. Inuyasha ascended to the surface and his head plunged through the icey waters as he caught his breath. He looked around the surrounding area, gritting his teeth from the cold, in case maybe the creature had decided to come up on the surface. The hanyou's grey-blue eyes darted back and forth around the water, but there was no sign of them at all. Inuyasha inclined his head and caught sight of Sango and Miroku standing at the water's edge.

"Inuyasha!" called out the monk as he saw the raven head break the surface of the waters that were now becoming rough. It seemed as if the waterfall was decending down a lot harder than what it had been earlier in the day. The hanyou turned human cocked his head in the direction of the houshi's voice. "There's some sort of barrier surrounding the water! That's why weren't able to sense anything! Now that Sango and I are in the barrier, we both feel something foreboding and portentous! It's highly possible that the creature that captured Kagome-sama is a youkai! The barrier is preventing us from knowing for sure or not what it is!"

"Inuyasha, did you not see any sign of Kagome-chan in the water at all!? the slayer cried out desperately to the hanyou.

"No! I can't find her! But that doesn't mean I'm givin' up either!" Inuyasha told the two determinedly. The hanyou was about to dive back in the water when he was stopped once more by Sango's voice.

"Wait! Inuyasha! What about the waterfall!" Sango exclaimed, pointing down at the cascading, crashing waters. "You said you couldn't find Kagome-chan under the water! What if she's behind that waterfall?!"

"Huh?" Inuyasha's dark head whirled around to face the menacing, inauspicious waters falling around the rocky riverfront. "She could be just behind that waterfall! I'M COMING KAGOME!"

"INUYASHA, LOOK OUT!" cried Miroku and Sango in unison.

The hanyou turned human gasped and drew back as the waters just ahead of him began to slosh and stir with great force. What looked like a whirlpool began to form in the center of the river. Before Inuyasha had a chance to swim away so he couldn't get sucked in, something massive burst through the surface of the swirling water. It thrashed about wildly as it broke through the surface. It had the face and hood like that of a cobra, the body of snake, however attatched along it's sides were many tentacles. It was a deep green in color, coated with scales and spines. A set of glowing, menacing, red eyes opened along with a strong set of jaws lined with many sharp fangs. It lifted a few of it's tentacles out of the water, allowing them to hover just barely above them. In one of his spine and scale-covered tentacles was Kagome. One tentacle was wrapped firmly around the unconcious miko's hair, and the monster released from his mouth what sounded like a daunting, harsh laugh.

"Sango, let's go!" the houshi called out to the taijiya. "Be careful, Inuyasha! It's tentacles are covered with some sort of stinger! You could be poisoned!" Miroku warned the hanyou as he moved to battle stance, clutching the staff in one hand and holding sacred sutras in the other.

"KA-KAGOME!" exclaimed Inuyasha almost incredulously as he held Tetsusaiga out of the water and brandished it threateningly towards the serpent youkai. Seeing how the demon was just holding the vulnerable woman by her hair sent waves of rage coursing through Inuyasha's blood. "YOU LET HER GO YOU VILE BASTARD!"

"Heheheheheh...what'ssss a pathetic human like you going to do about it?" taunted the cobra-like creatre.

"THIS HUMAN CAN DO A HELL OF A LOT MORE THAN WHAT YOU THINK YOU JACKASS! NOW LET KAGOME GO OR I WON'T HAVE TO KILL YOU!" Inuyasha retorted, but he only earned another jaunting snicker from the monster.

"Mmmm, Kagome huh? Ssssso my dinner'sssss name issss Kagome, issss it?" the youkai replied back, in harsh, hissing tones. "Well, Kagome. Ssssoon you'll be introduced to your new hommmme. Insssside my sssstomach."

"Dinner!? You intend to eat Kagome!?" the hanyou turned human snapped, still not moving. His grey-blue orbs darted back and forth from where the serpent youkai was holding Kagome up by her hair and back to his eyes.

"Of coursssse. My body cravesssss the fresh blood of a human woman," the beast hissed back. The snake-like youkai lifted Kagome up closer to his face, turning his glowing crimson eyes on the young woman and staring her up and down. "Mmmm and she'ssss young and beautiful as well. The younger and more beautiful, the sssstronger I shall become," the monster hissed menacingly. "Oh? What isss thisss? Ssssomething flowing through her veinssss no doubt. She sssseems to possesssss the power of a miko, does she not? Mmmm I'm ssssignificantly lucky today. I shall drink her blood first and then devour what'sssssss left. However, I will wait until she awakenssss. I love to watch my prey die while awake"

"LIKE HELL YOU WILL!" roared Inuyasha feeling the fury rushing through him, but before he could make an advance towards the youkai, Sango and Miroku's angry cries pierced the air.

"HIRAIKOTSU!" yelled the slayer as she threw her boomerang-like weapon towards the snake demon. The bone-made weapon slashed through it's spiny tentacles on the opposite side of it's body, slicing them clean off. They fell into the water, one by one with a sickening splash. The beast flailed it's body, screaming horrendously as it's blood spattered and split from the serpent's side and severed limbs. The wailing creature dove back into the water, taking Kagome with him.

"NOW'S YOUR CHANCE INUYASHA! THE YOUKAI IS VULNERABLE!" the houshi shouted out to raven-haired man.

Inuyasha barely even registered Miroku's words as the hanyou turned human dove back into the black waters, not even acknowledging anymore how cold the river was. All he cared about was rescuing Kagome from the snake youkai's grasp. The moment Inuyasha was under the water, he saw the beast flailing back and forth, writhing in pain from his lost limbs. Too bad for you, you disgusting bastard...looks like you're gonna have to lose another limb! The young man began advancing towards the demon as fast as his human legs would allow him. As Inuyasha approached, he felt the waters getting rougher and rougher around him. They were nearly underneath the waterfall. He needed to hurry otherwise neither he nor Kagome was going to make it out of this alive.

The raven-haired man raised his weapon and swam up to Kagome. The tentacle that held the young woman wasn't flailing as badly as the others. Inuyasha assumed it was from the weight Kagome held on it. The hanyou took the opportunity, while the beast's mind was occupied to his lost limbs and massive amounts of blood loss, to release her. Inuyasha grabbed ahold of Kagome's body with his free arm and brought the fang blade down as roughly as the pressure from the water would allow him to, slicing clean through the slimy limb. The tentacle that had clutched Kagome's hair broke free as it was split by the hanyou's sword. The loss of yet another limb caused another howl of pain from the youkai's mouth. The snake-like demon began falling backwards, blood flowing from it's wounds, belly up as it screamed and writhed in agony.

Inuyasha stared down defiantly at the monster as it disappeared in the water's darkness, it's cries echoing from somewhere below. He wanted to make sure the youkai wouldn't be coming after them again. Once the beast was out of his sight, the hanyou turned human began swimming up to the surface. Inuyasha broke through the crashing waters just in front of the waterfall. He could feel the impact of the stinging spray as the water splashed about the rocks, but paid it no mind. Inuyasha cared about one thing and one thing only and that was to get Kagome back on the riverbank as quickly as possible.

He clutched the unconcious miko's limp body in his arms as the hanyou turned human felt the rocks near his feet from the waterfall. He stood, allowing the water to become waist deep and held Kagome's unmoving form in his arms. The hanyou gazed down at the woman, trying to determine if she were breathing or not, but with the spraying water hitting the two and the impact the fall was making on the surface of the river, made it difficult. Inuyasha placed Tetsusaiga back into it's sheath and used his free arm to swim across the river's surface and back towards where his friends stood safely on land. The hanyou and miko were about five feet away from riverbank when the massive snake's body burst through the surface once more, it's continuous shrieks still piercing the air around them and throwing blood everywhere. Inuyasha held Kagome's head protectively to his chest as the water sprayed into his eyes, causing him to squeeze them tightly shut. He waited for it. If he was going to die, atleast he could die protecting the young miko.

"HIRAIKOTSU!" came Sango's voice, echoing through his ears.

Inuyasha heard the familiar whipping sound of the slayer's bone-made weapon, reverberating against the air, soon followed by the sound of a blow to the snake youkai's neck. The weapon wasn't quite strong enough to slice it's head completely off, but it did place a decent-sized wound into the beast's neck. With another shriek of agony, the youkai threw it's head back and fell back into the water, and with any luck, falling dormant once more. Inuyasha quickly waded through the water, still clutching Kagome's body next to his and dreading what he might discover once they made it back on dry turf.

Sango and Miroku hurried out to the waters as Inuyasha advanced towards them. He glanced around to where he'd taken off his haori and walked straight over to it. The hanyou gently laid Kagome's drenched body on top of it and brushed back some of the raven strands of hair that stuck to the sides of her face. He stayed kneeled down at her side, while the monk stood tall next to Inuyasha and Sango crouched down at the miko's other side.

"Is there a pulse? Check for a pulse!" Inuyasha urged as he grasped Kagome's hand.

Sango placed her index and middle finger expertly against the miko's neck, feeling around for any sign of a twitch under her fingertips. Bump...bump... The demon slayer's eyes widened. "There it is! I found it! She does still have a pulse! It's very faint, but it's there!"

"Kagome. It's me. C'mon Kagome, please wake up," Inuyasha spoke softly as he held the miko's head up. Her head just fell backwards limply. "Open your eyes! Say something, Kagome!" The hanyou turned human lowered his ear down next to Kagome's face, his pools of deep grey-blue widening with disbelief and fear. "She's...Sango, she's not breathing!"

"Lay her down, Inuyasha and move," the slayer commanded.

Inuyasha nodded his ebony head, obliging and moving away from Kagome's body, not sure what Sango was planning to attempt. Normally if somebody had given him an order such as that, the hanyou would retort with something sarcastic, but in this case, there was no use arguing. Sango probably knew how to take care of Kagome's condition at this point better than what he did. The taijiya straddled Kagome's stomach and pressed her hands firmly in the unconcious miko's diaphragm. She pressed down three times and waited to see if anything happened. Nothing happened at all and so the slayer repeated the action, pressing down on Kagome's chest. Still, nothing happened. Inuyasha found himself falling backward from her, his hands resting behind him. The hanyou closed his eyes, turning his head towards the sky.

What have I done!? I should have known something like was going to happen to her. Why did I have to be so fucking stupid by just walking off and leaving her there? Because of my own personal fears, I still ended up putting Kagome in danger and now...now I may have very well lost her too...Damn, I really messed up. Kagome, I am so sorry...please don't die on me. Please forgive me for failing to protect you...to save you...

The hanyou was broken from his thoughts as the slayer was now leaning over Kagome's body. Sango held the miko's nose with her thumb and forefinger, giving the girl mouth to mouth. Sango breathed into the girl's mouth, causing her chest to rise and fall, but Kagome never took a breath. Sango pushed down on the younger woman's chest again and repeated the technique three times. Kagome still wasn't breathing on her own and Inuyasha was about to give up hope. The slayer looked up at the hanyou grimly, her dark brown eyes brimming with tears. Sango shook her head sadly.

"I...I don't know what else I can do. I can't get her...to breathe anymore, Inuyasha," the taijiya admitted softly. "Kagome-chan..."

Inuyasha lept over to the slayer's side and grabbed her by the arms. "WHAT!?" What do you mean you can't get her to breathe anymore!?"

"I-I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I tried everything that I know how to do. Kagome won't breathe...she's...," the slayer's words were cut off by the comforting hands of Miroku on her shoulders.

"It is not your fault, Sango. You did everything you could," came the houshi's comforting voice.

Sango placed her knuckles up to her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut as tears seeped down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Kagome-chan!" she whispered before allowing her body to slump into Miroku's comforting embrace.

No! I won't believe it! Kagome is NOT dead! She's not going to die! "No way in hell would Kagome just allow something like this to finish her off! She's a hell of a lot stronger than that!NNNH! MOVE!" Inuyasha exploded, pushing the taijiya and houshi out of his way. "All you did was press down underneath her ribcage, right Sango?" Inuyasha asked, but didn't give the sobbing slayer a moment to answer. The half youkai began pumping on the girl's chest with his hands. "No chance, Kagome. You...are not...going...to...die..and...leave..me...here...ALONE!"

The hanyou turned human pressed the bottom of his palm into Kagome's chest with such force that if he had been in his half-demon form, he probably would have injured the young woman. Kagome's head drew back, her dark eyes flew open and she began choking. Inuyasha hurriedly rolled the miko onto her side as she coughed and sputtered, releasing the water that had been trapped in her lungs. Inuyasha gasped and lowered his face close to Kagome's. "Ka-Kagome?"

"Kagome-chan! Kagome-sama! You're alright!" came the excited voices of Sango and Miroku.

The young miko lay on the ground shivering horribly and taking heavy, gasping breaths as her clouded thoughts began to somewhat piece themselves together. Kagome couldn't remember what had happened to her or where she was for that matter. The miko squeezed her eyes shut and then reopened them, blinking a few times to try and un-cloud her vision and see where she was. Inuyasha knelt down and lifted Kagome up in his arms, taking care to wrap the fire rat haori around her trembling figure.

"I-Inu..yasha?" the miko struggled to say as she gazed up into his grey-blue eyes that were clouded with worry.

"Kagome...are you alright?" the hanyou turned human asked her softly.

"Wha-what happened...to me?" she asked him, feeling the cold piercing her flesh and she nearly convulsed from being so cold. Kagome could feel his strong arms holding her even closer, trying to make her warm, but it didn't help that the hanyou turned human just as soaked from the river as she was.

"Let's get you back to camp and in front of the fire first," Inuyasha told the shivering miko softly.

"Mmmhmm," the miko agreed, nuzzling her face into Inuyasha's chest and closing her eyes.

The miko was feeling absolutely exhausted. Despite the fact that Kagome was freezing to death and enervated, she couldn't help but feel comforted and calm in the hanyou's protective arms. Once the group reached camp, the foursome were overcome with excited shrieks and cries from Shippou. Inuyasha walked past the bouncing kitsune and seated himself on the ground in front of the crackling, warm fire, still cradeling Kagome in his arms.

"Inuyasha! What happened!? Where'd you go!? Did you get hurt!? What's wrong with Kagome!? Did she get hurt!? Why are you two all wet!?" the kitsune questioned in earnest. Shippou bounced up and down next to Inuyasha and Kagome, hardly able to sit still and visibly grateful that Kagome was alright. The hanyou was becoming quickly irritated and he grasped the kit around his tail and held him upside down, grinning in a somewhat annoyed way.

"Shippou, could you cool it with the questions already?" Inuyasha asked with his teeth clenched, still wearing that strange grin.

"Hey! I was just curious on what all was happening with you two! There's no need to be rude!" the little fox youkai shot back and was quickly silenced by the hanyou slamming the little kit rather forcefully on the ground.

"Consider yourself lucky my claws and fangs are gone," he snapped before turning back to Kagome, leaving the little kit to whine and cry outloud, stalking off back over to where Kirara lay, pouting and complaining rather loudly.

"So, what exactly did happen, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked curiously. "I mean, I can remember being dragged under the water, but all I could see was some kind of strange tentacle holding onto my leg. I tried to look and see what had ahold of me, but it was so black underneath the water, I couldn't see it."

"Yeah, I'm not really sure what that was. I found it kinda strange I didn't smell it earlier this afternoon when I still had my powers," the hanyou turned human thought to himself. "I'd never really seen anything like it before."

"Yes, Sango and myself found it rather strange that we never once sensed a demonic aura eminating from the river. However, I did discover that some kind of barrier was put up around the place. I never would have noticed it if I hadn't tested it to be for certain," the houshi explained as he and the taijiya seated themselves in front of the crackling fire across from Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Yeah, come to think of it, I didn't sense any either and I normally do right away," Kagome added. "How strange that a barrier could block the demonic aura."

The demon slayer nodded her head in agreement. "Once we went through the barrier, we were both overwhelmed by a strong sense of youki. We knew something menacing had to be in the water and when the youkai emerged from the water with Kagome-chan, we soon figured out that it had something to do with that beast," Sango continued. "But how the barrier got there, Miroku and I aren't for certain."

"Yes, well, the youkai didn't seem to be as strong as some of the others we've fought. Maybe there is a possiblity that something or someone else was putting up the barrier?" Miroku said thoughtfully, scratching his chin.

"Houshi-sama, maybe we should go and check things out? Maybe we can atleast discover the source of the barrier. I didn't feel it fall when I hit that youkai with my Hiraikotsu," Sango pointed out somewhat sternly.

Miroku noticed the slayer nudging him slightly as the two were watching Inuyasha and Kagome out of the corners of their eyes. The hanyou had his head turned downward towards, conversing softly with her while the miko, who was still cuddled up to him, spoke quietly back. They were speaking in such low tones that was it was crucial for the monk and slayer to auscultate what the two were discussing. Inuyasha still had his arms wrapped protectively around her as well, so it could have been anything. Realizing that Sango meant maybe they should leave for a bit so the two could have some time alone, the houshi nodded.

"Ummm, yes indeed! Let's go investigate the area and see what we can find!" the monk agreed as he jumped a little too quickly to his feet.

Not only did he want to leave Kagome and Inuyasha alone, but some alone time with Sango might not be too bad for himself. The monk and demon slayer left rather abruptly, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha by themselves as they disappeared once more into the darkness. Shippou had crawled over to where Kirara now lay in neko form and had fallen asleep on her belly. There were absolutely no distractions now for the hanyou and the miko.

"They seemed to be awfully quick to go," Inuyasha pointed out as he and Kagome inclined their heads in the direction Sango and Miroku had went.

"Yeah they did. I suppose they really want to find out what caused the barrier to be put up. I wonder if maybe they think it's something else that's holding the barrier up since when Sango killed the youkai, the barrier didn't fall?" Kagome suggested.

"Hmmm, or maybe the youkai didn't die and that's why the barrier's still up," Inuyasha replied deliberately. "I mean, when Sango's Hiraikotsu hit the thing, it didn't cut it's head off or anything. It just left a really deep gash in it's neck, though it could have bled to death by now considering how many tentacles it had whacked off." Damn, if I just had my youkai power, atleast I'd be able to use the Red Tetsusaiga and break the barrier down myself!

"Hmmm, I don't know. Sango and Miroku are pretty intelligent when it comes to that. I'm sure the two can figure it out," the miko nodded her head. We're alone right now...and the way Inuyasha is holding me...could he finally be ready to open up to me? I mean he came for me, didn't he? Maybe now is the time I can try and talk to him...Yes, I think I'll try. "Ummm, Inuyasha?"

"Hmmm?" came the deep rumble from the hanyou turned human's throat.

"Can we...well, I mean, since we're alone. Can we...talk?" Kagome began apprehensively.

The moment she asked the question, the miko felt Inuyasha's muscles stiffen next to her body and his arms loosened the grip on her just a bit. "What do you wanna talk about?" the hanyou asked, just as nervously.

"Well, I thought...I thought maybe we could talk about...ummm, well about Kikyou?" Kagome finally spit out. They were alone now. Nobody was there to disturb them. "And...well, some other things...if that's okay..."

"Keh, I suppose there's no harm in it," Inuyasha replied, but he inclined his head, turning his face away from Kagome so she couldn't see his expressions.

"Well...I was just thinking how it must be so hard for you, Inuyasha. Seeing me every single day and knowing that I'm Kikyou's reincarnation. I've noticed you can't really look me in the eyes," Kagome stated softly as she sat up in the now rigid lap of the hanyou. The miko was about to say something more when she felt the words die in her throat from the tenseness emerging from the hanyou. She clutched his now dry fire rat haori around her body to still stay warm and scampered off of his lap, feeling as if she'd upset him and made a very big mistake. Kagome leaned herself up against a tree and sighed. Maybe I've said too much...

The hanyou stood up and walked over to a different tree, placing his hand against it with his raven head bowed. "Let's...let's not talk about this right now. Kagome you...I...it's not...," Inuyasha stammered, trying to find the words. "This isn't...the time."

The young man took a stumbling breath and Kagome stared at his back. She couldn't tell if he was just trying to keep them from discussing anything or if he were crying. Inuyasha struggled against the human emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He closed his burning eyes, not wanting to think about Kikyou's death or the fact that Kagome was hurting as badly as she had been and it was all his fault. Kami I hate these human emotions...why do I have to succumb to a weakness such as this? Why doe it have to be so hard talking about Kikyou? I'm always carrying on about how I don't have as weak of a dispositon as humans do and here I am, struggling to maintain my composure. If I keep hurting Kagome like this, she could end up severely injured or worse...she could end up dead just like Kikyou...and my mother. Dammit!

Inuyasha took a deep breath, composing himself and turned back towards Kagome. She was curled up against the tree now, falling asleep underneath his warm, fire rat haori. He sighed softly as he watched the flickering firelight dance on Kagome's beautiful features. Atleast she was safe from the snake youkai and atleast she hadn't become his dinner. That much the hanyou could do. Inuyasha walked silently over to the now sleeping Kagome and sat down next to her once more. He couldn't constrain the feeling of holding her again and so Inuyasha pulled the miko gently back into his arms without awakening her. He stared at the girl's beautiful features, studying each and every detail of her hair and face. She was lovely indeed, and bore a slight resemblence to Kikyou, but this little miko was beautiful all in her own way. She was Kagome, nobody else.

I don't understand what you meant Kagome...you might be Kikyou's reincarnation but you're not Kikyou and I don't see Kikyou through you either if that's what you're thinking...Keh, it must be, but that's not the case. You're just Kagome to me and nobody else. Kami, how I wish I had the strength to just open my mouth and say these words to you...Why can't I find the way to tell you what you do mean to me, Kagome? I feel like in every direction I go, I'm literally screwed. If I open my heart to you, protect you openly, and show my affection for you, Naraku will find out and use you to get to me...I can't let that happen because of the danger you'll be in, but at the same time if I keep turning my back to you the way that I have been, I could lose you just the same. Kagome this is so hard...even though you know your own life is in danger, you still continue to stay by my side..How much longer will you stay by me, Kagome?

"Inu...yasha...I'm so sorry," the miko mumbled in her sleep. Her soft words snapped the hanyou from his thoughts and he gazed down at the woman in his arms.

"That I couldn't save...Kikyou," Kagome sighed and snuggled up further into his chest and wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's torso, not realizing what she was saying or doing. "You must...you must hate me..."

Inuyasha felt his heart lurch painfully and he held Kagome closer. If he had not been human tonight, the hanyou wasn't sure how he would have handled Kagome saying something like this, but the words tore into his heart. Kagome! How on earth could you think I would hate you! Kikyou was past saving, even if you did purify her, you saved her soul. Dammit Kagome, it's not your fault!

"Inuyasha, I'll...always be by your side," the miko mumbled incoherently, lost in a sea of dreams.

"Kagome...," was all the hanyou could choke out.

Inuyasha leaned himself against the tree and held Kagome's body closer to his, burying his face in her hair. He took in the young miko's beautiful scent and struggled to keep his emotions at bay. Inuyasha loathed this feeling and loathed being as vulnerable was he was at this very moment. Shortly after, Sango and Miroku returned, telling Inuyasha that they weren't quite certain how to extinguish the barrier, but the hanyou only half-listened. Noticing that something must have happened between him and Kagome, the houshi and taijiya fell silent, but Inuyasha didn't take notice. He was too busy trying to keep his emotions and feelings under control. Miroku and Sango turned to speak to one another softly so as not to disturb the raven-haired young man. Soon, the hanyou found sleep in the comfort of Kagome's embrace. The monk and the slayer followed suit shortly after.

The night was a quiet one. Each star seemed to twinkle more brightly than usual in the midnight blue blanket above them. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves gently in the treetops. Inuyasha-tachi were all sound asleep lost in their own subconcious mind of dreams. Not one person heard the slithering sound advancing towards them.

"You pathetic excusssse for a human! With the lassst of my sssstrength, I will exact my revenge for you taking my meal and my life!" came this hissing menacing voice.

Inuyasha stumbled awake, rubbing his eyes and forcing himself to wake up. "Wha...what in the...AAAAAAAAARGH!" the hanyou yelled in agony as he felt something sharp pierce his side.

Kagome lept awake in his arms as did the houshi and the slayer. The miko screamed as she saw a long, green, spine-covered tentacle impaled into Inuyasha's side. His blood spattered the ground and the hanyou turned human threw his raven head back, crying out in pain. There was a massive trail of blood where the beast had slithered from. Using her instincts the miko grabbed her bow and arrows.

"Aaaahhh girl! If I can atleast ssssink my fangssss into your flesh, I might be sssspared! I WANT YOUR POWER!" the snake-like youkai raged, lifting his body as though ready to strike any moment. His long, pitchfork tongue slithered out of his mouth and shot back in quickly.

"NO WAY!" cried out Kagome as she stood back and drew an arrow. She placed it on the bow and pulled back the string. "You're done for buddy! How dare you harm Inuyasha!"

"Inuyasha you ssssay? The filthy hanyou? He is nothing but a mere mortal. He's lost his youkai powers and will soon lose you as well," provoked the dauntless monster. Kagome could tell, however that the youkai was weakening more and more by the moment and that he would be simple to finish off.

"You've spoke your last words!" exclaimed the little miko as she summoned up the rest of her strength and released the arrow.

"Ka-go-me...," Inuyasha murmered the girl's name as he clutched his bleeding side and forced himself to sit up. He propped his body up on one arm as he watched the scene unfold.

"A little arrow isssn't going to do me in you pathe- AAAAAAAAGH!" the serpent demon couldn't finish what he wanted to say as Kagome's spirit arrow pierced the monster's flesh, sending him flying backward. The young miko's arrow obliterated the beast to nothing but bits of smouldering chunks of flesh. Kagome dropped her bow and turned her head towards where the hanyou sat, grasping his side which was bleeding profusely.

"Those...stingers are a lot...sharper than they look," the raven-haired man managed to say before his gray-blue orbs rolled back into his head and he fell unconcious on the ground. Kagome ran to his side and lifted his head into her lap.

"Inuyasha, don't pass out on me! Stay with me! Can you hear me? INUYASHSAAAAA!"