InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I Heard That ❯ Voices In The Darkness ( Chapter 3 )
Chapter III
"Inuyasha, is Kagome back yet?" Shippo whined.
"no" Inuyasha said lazily laying on the ground.
(Five minutes later)
"Inuyasha, is Kagome back yet?"
"No!" Inuyasha said sitting up and crossing his arms inside his kimono top, glaring at Shippo.
(Three minutes later)
"Inu.." Shippo was cut off.
"NO, STUPID SHE'S NOT BACK AND IF YOU ASK ME AGAIN I'LL TURN YOU INTO CONFETTI" Inuyasha was now standing in front of the unfazed little fox with his hands balled into fists.
(One minute later)
"Miroku, is" Shippo was cut off again.
"Don't even think about it, Shippo." Miroku warned
(Thirty seconds later)
"Sango"
"NO" Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku shouted scattering all the birds in the trees.
Kagome yawned, it had to be at least seven hours since she had left Kaede's hut and there are only so many clouds and trees a person could look at with out going slightly mental. `Man I'm bored, at least I hope the others are having fun.' Kagome thought longingly.
"With any luck we may get there before midnight, Kirara" Kagome said petting the cat demon on the head. The day was turning to dusk and there was still a lot of distance between Kagome and her destination. Kirara must not have wanted to be flying all night because she suddenly increased her speed. Kagome had to tighten her grip to keep from falling off.
`Ok where is she, it's been several hours since she left. It could not have taken that long to go to Kaede's and back.' Inuyasha thought glaring off into the distance.
"I'm worried Miroku, Kagome said she would be back before dark. It's been dark for awhile now and still no sign of her." Sango said worry showing all over her face. She didn't look at Miroku, she just watched Inuyasha sniff the air for the thousandth time searching in vain for Kagome's scent.
"I'm sure she's fine and has a good reason for not coming back yet." Miroku said calmly. This did not curve Sango's worry.
"Inuyasha, are you going to go find Kagome. She's been gone a long time and we aren't far from the village" Sango said deliberately, hoping it would make the hanyou rush after the girl everyone knew he cared deeply for.
"Feh" Inuyasha said acting as if Kagome's absences was having no affect on him.
"What if she's lost, or hurt, or…." Sango gasped at the thought "what if she's dead" Putting her hand up to her mouth to emphasize what she had said. Inuyasha's eyes widened at the word dead. In the back of his mind he knew Sango was saying those things to scare him into going after Kagome. As always it worked like a charm.
"Fine stop bugging me I'll go. Sheesh." Inuyasha said acting as disgruntled as possible so as not to show his true feelings.
"Ok it's settled, lets go" Shippo said excitedly jumping on Sango's shoulder.
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Kagome awoke from her dreams slowly to find herself on the cold ground with Kirara curled up next to her. `How long have I been a sleep?' Kagome thought sitting up and scanning her surroundings. The forest was well lit by the light of the moon over head, which showed it to be around ten.
"Good job Kirara, you got us here sooner than I expected." Kagome cooed scratching the small cat demon behind the ear. Kirara leaned into the affection and purred happily. `Well I'm not sure how far the valley is from here, but since we are already on the ground we might as well continue on foot.' Kagome grabbed her bag and started walking westward further into the forest. She hadn't walked far when she noticed Kirara was not following her. Kirara just stayed where she was and watched Kagome.
"What is it Kirara, is something wrong?" Kagome asked starting to feel a little scared. Kirara just continued to stare at Kagome making no sign that there was any thing threatening near by. "Kirara come on, let's go." Kagome said her fear turning into confusion. Kirara finally moved but in the wrong direction, away from Kagome.
"Wait Kirara where are you going?" Kagome asked her eyes full of confused fear. Kirara looked over her shoulder gave a soft meow, changed to full form, and bounded toward the sky. "KIRARA" Kagome screamed running after the airborne demon. She stopped running when Kirara turned into a speck in the night. "Come back, please." Kagome whispered. `Why did she leave, I don't understand.' Kagome thought hugging herself, trying to calm her now shattered nerves. She suddenly became very aware of the darkness. `Well no use just standing around here. I have to find those three people.' Kagome turned back to her original course, walking slowly at first then quickening her pace determined to get to the valley before some hungry demon found her.
"SHE WENT WHERE?" Inuyasha yelled as his body shook with rage towards the old miko.
"Ye are over acting, Inuyasha. She will be fine, after all Kirara is with her" Kaede stated pouring tea for Miroku. "The three will not harm her; the only bad thing they could do to her is refuse to help."
"But why is she going to see the three in the first place." Miroku asked confusion apparent on his face. "She said she was not feeling well, but is the extent of her illness that serious." `I hope it's not contagious' Miroku thought `The ladies would never come near me again'. He envisioned walking into a village full of beautiful women, only to have them run away screaming.
"I am not sure, but we can only hope it is not serious." Kaede said sounding worried.
"So Kaede, since I can't find Kagome by following her scent, point me in the direction of these three idiots." Inuyasha said still very angry at Kaede for letting Kagome go alone.
"I can not, the appearance of a foreign demon would only cause them to become hostile and destroy any chance Kagome has of finding answers." Kaede warned.
"Inuyasha, I had no idea you cared for Kagome so much." Miroku said smirking. He had to dodge a punch from the blushing hanyou.
"SHUT UP…..she has the jewel shards with her that's all." Inuyasha said matter of factly. "So we're supposed to just wait for her here. What if one of the local demons get the shards?" Inuyasha said still blushing from Miroku's statement. `If anyone touches her there will be hell to pay.' Inuyasha thought growling.
"There are no demons in that forest, save for……" Kaede broke off into silence.
"What is it Kaede." Sango asked concerned. She had been listening to the conversation while putting Shippo to bed.
"Oh it is nothing I merely forgot to deliver some herbs to Sakura. I hope she will not be too angry with me in the morning. Well I am off to bed and I suggest ye all do the same, good night." Kaede said lying down and before anyone could say another word was fast asleep. Still worried about Kagome, but knowing they could do nothing at that time, they all followed suit.
`I only hope that Kagome forgives me for forgetting to tell her everything about the three and that they find Kagome before he does.' Kaede thought before letting genuine sleep over take her.
Kagome had been walking for what seemed like hours when she finally reached the valley. It was small like Kaede had said, Kagome could see straight across from the tree line where she stood. The moon cast an eerie yet beautiful blanket of light upon its uneven decline. `Well I made it, I guess it's time to use this.' Kagome thought with a sigh of exhaustion, pulling out the flute from her back pack. She stood there for a moment remembering the fingerings of the tune. When she had it, she brought the flute to her mouth and played the first six notes. Just as before it did not stop there, it continued into the enchanting echo she had played earlier. The sound once again hitched a ride on the wind that carried it out of ear shot. But nothing happened, no one came, nor was there any sounds telling of an approach. `Ummm…now what' Kagome thought bewildered. Unbeknownst to Kagome silent shadows stirred in the night. A tall figure stood up from a crouched position a little ways from the valley and began walking in the direction of Kagome.
A crow took flight from behind Kagome causing her scream and drop to her knees covering her head. She did not notice the light shooting from the tree line directly in front of her into the valley below. Just as she got control of herself an explosion of fire erupted from the center of the valley, making her jump back onto her butt. `What the hell was that! Oh great now I sound like Inuyasha. Um well maybe the three are down there.' she thought getting to her feet. She walked at first then eagerness took over causing her to break out into a full run. She reached the bon fire to find no one there.
"Ok I'm getting really tired of this" Kagome said frustrated from her lack of sleep and the constant no show of the three.
"You're tired, you're the one who woke us up." growled a small high pitched feminine voice in the darkness. Kagome screamed turning in the direction the voice came from. The fire was bright but who ever it was stayed covered by the darkness a ridge near by created.
"I sense aggravation." Said a second voice, this one lower, smooth, and rich. It came from a short distance to the right of the first voice.
"Misuteri, please don't start, it's too early." A third voice spoke in the darkness on the left of the first. This voice was unmistakably a young woman, but had childishly joyful quality to it. The voice was giddy and energetic even though its owner was still half asleep.
"Are… you the three." Kagome asked timidly, trying to hide her fear.
"She is from far into the future my sisters. I recognize her clothing." The third voice whispered to her companions. They both nodded their comprehension as they watched the stranger with a mix of anxiety and curiosity.
"Who are you and what is your business here?" The second voice commanded making a slight movement towards Kagome, yet the shadows still hid its form.
"I think what she means, is it depends on who you are and what you seek the three for." the first voice said kindly trying to cover her grogginess.
"I..I'm Kagome Higurashi." Kagome stuttered through her fear. She stepped back when she heard another movement in the darkness. `Ah man I wish Inuyasha was here now. I know this the three but that doesn't mean I have to feel safe. I mean their standing in the dark, freaky things come out of the dark' Kagome thought as her eyes darted back and forth trying to see an outline, anything in the dark forest in front of her. She found nothing. "Kaede sent me. I need their help." Kagome finished starting to shake from the mixed messages her body was sending, (run, stay, run, stay).
"Put your mind to rest, we will not hurt you. You say you were sent by Old Kaede? What proof do you have."The second voice said soothingly yet still commanding.
Kagome calmed down slightly, but she remained nervous and alert. "I have this flute. Kaede said you had given it to her in case she needed help." Kagome said her voice not betraying her remaining fear as she produced the flute and held it out for them to see. Again she heard movement but this time it came from three different directions and it did not stop. Kagome started to back up but forced her self to stay put. The sounds came closer and closer. Kagome's eyes finally found something in the darkness. She watched as the figure emerged into the light. It was a petite young woman, who's movement gave her an energetic, youthful aura. She had her white and brown hair tied in a big knot at the back of her head, while a good bit of it fell down in a slight ponytail. Her black eyes showed curiosity and grogginess. She wore a cream colored silk kimono with embroidered maroon maple leaves on the right sleeve and scattered along the side. She also wore matching slippers on her small feet. Kagome then noticed a second figure emerge before she was able to take in her full appearance. This young woman was much taller then the first and she too moved with an energetic aura. She wore a contagious grin that seemed as if it would never fade. Her hair matched her outward personality well for it was flaming red, it was braided in a way Kagome recognized as a french braid with wisp of hair falling in her face. Bright green eyes showing gleefulness despite the tired expression upon her face. She also wore a silk kimono however hers was rich hunter green with a single light green vine wrapping up the left side until it ended in a single white rose that rested on the right side of her chest. She wore traditional Japanese sandals. Again Kagome's attention was distracted by what looked to be the last figure. The last young woman was about a foot above the second woman. Unlike the other two she did not move with an energetic aura though it was obvious that she was quite capable of doing so. Instead she held her self high much like a soldier. She wore her light gray hair in a loose braid that fell to her knees. Her dark amber eyes shining brightly with kindness yet a hint of sadness could be seen in their depths. She wore a silk kimono just as her companions did. Hers was deep maroon with an embroidered black dragon on the back. Her kimono however was shorter then the others revealing what looked like armor, Kagome guessed from the look of the leg guards that the suite was probably much like Sango's. The three kept moving towards Kagome but in no hurry. They knew that while she had seen most of them she had over looked a few major details. They had long ago guessed that Kaede had left a few things out of her explanation of them.