InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shikon no Kakera Hunters ❯ A Foul Wind ( Chapter 2 )

Disclosure: I do not own InuYasha or other characters from the manga or the anime. But I did create Nozomi and Tomei so I guess they're mine.

The Shikon no Kakera Hunters

Chapter 2: A Foul Wind

A warm breeze blew across the Sengoku Jidai, as spring began to give way to summer. Flowing on the breeze was the stench of blood and rot. When it found its way to a group of weary travelers, it filled them with a sense of unease. InuYasha and Nozomi stared in the direction of the incoming wind. Nozomi glanced at InuYasha. "Do you feel that?"

"Yea, smells like a massacre. But something doesn't feel right. I smell human blood and traces of youkai. It doesn't make any sense that there haven't been any rumors of youkai in this area. Kagome, can you sense any shard in that direction?" asked InuYasha.

"No. What's wrong, InuYasha?"

"I'm not sure, but I think we should check it out in the morning. It's getting late. You better get some rest. We'll start out early", he said, looking back at his friends. "I'll take the first watch". Nozomi nodded and jumped into the nearest tree. InuYasha positioned himself in the tree above Kagome's sleeping bag. Kagome glanced up and smiled to herself. She loved having him near. She curled up inside her sleeping bag; Shippo (AN: I checked the spelling in one of my manga's, so it should be right) snuggled up in Kagome's arms as she fell asleep.

InuYasha watched the rhythmic rise and fall of Kagome's chest and listened as her breathing slowed, signaling that she was asleep. A small smile played across her full lips. He wished he could taste those lips. InuYasha wanted nothing more than climb down from his branch and lay down beside her in a protected, loving embrace. He spent his turn at watch, thinking and gazing at the sleeping girl.

"Somehow no matter how angry I am", he thought to himself "watching her sleep always calms me. Her intoxicating scent flows to me teasing me with its mixture of cherry blossoms and almond. I want so much to tell her how I feel, but she deserves so much more then a half- breed like me. Even Kikyo wanted me to become human, but Kagome never asked me to change. In fact I'm pretty sure she likes that I am a hanyou. She was never bothered by the fact that I was not fully human, nor has she ever been afraid of me, even when I tried to kill her. I really wished Kikyo was never resurrected and I would not be torn between a promise and my love for you, my sleeping miko. I will kill Naraku make the Shikon no Tama whole and hopefully put Kikyo at rest. Then again, when our quest is complete will you return to your time where I will never see you again? I hate it when you return to that strange time of yours, because I am lost when you're gone. I sit and keep vigil in the Goshinboku till your tantalizing scent signals your return. You would think that since I spent 50 years pinned to that tree that I would never want to be near it again. But that is where I first met you and that is where I always wait for you. Someday I will make you understand that. Someday I will make you understand everything."

InuYasha was so lost in his thought that he did not notice the change in Kagome's breathing. She slowly opened her eyes and glanced up at her sentinel, who was staring back at her. "InuYasha is something wrong?" whispered Kagome, knowing only Inu's keen hearing would pick it up. He jumped down and landed silently beside her.

"No, why?"

"Because you were staring at me," Kagome replied.

"Feh, why would I want to stare at you?" 'Damn why do I have to be such a jerk? I'm sorry, Kagome though InuYasha.

"Fine! Whatever, I'm going back to sleep," she said angered and turned away from him.

"Feh." InuYasha jumped back into the tree. He listened intently for her to return to sleep. When he heard her breathing slow down he returned to his thoughts and cursed himself for always pushing her away. Soon he was lost again in sentiment, so much so that he did not realize that he was being watched, agian.

Nozomi woke early and find InuYasha watching Kagome as she slept. He wore an expression of longing that was so saddening to watch. "Those two love each other so much," she thought to herself "yet neither will admit it. How could they be so blind? I've only been with them for a couple of weeks and it is plain to me and everyone else in the group. But then again, they all seem like they can't help but hide the way they feel. Look at Sango and Miroku. There is really something there. Yet, I think what keeps them apart is his lecherous ways. But I catch them stealing glances when the other isn't looking. I wonder what it is like to be in love? To pine for someone, or to have your heart race in their presence. Father said it would be difficult for me to find a mate, because most youkai Lords want submissive, powerful mates. My strong will and determination not to be dominated has not been to my advantage. Any Lord that has shown me favor has not been able to defeat me into submission. I dream of finding a mate who wants me as an equal, who will pine for me as I would for him. Well, I guess I should pull InuYasha back into reality." "InuYasha", She whispered. He whipped his head around; he was so absorbed in the sleeping miko that he did not notice Nozomi.

"Nani?"

"It's my turn to keep watch, get some rest." InuYasha just nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned against the tree. Nozomi returned to her own tree to stand guard till dawn. Her watch was disrupted by the flutter of wings. She knew right away who it was: Tomie. Tomie is a raven youkai, she is much larger than a normal raven and very clever. She can transform into a very large bird of prey, much like Kirara. Tomie was a gift to Nozomi from her mother's clan when she was 5. Her mother, Kirika was the daughter of the great raven youkai lord of the north. She landed on Nozomi's knee, and gazed at her mistress with black pearl eyes. "Tomei how is everything at the palace?" Nozomi asked. Tomie responded with a mixture of movements and calls that only members of the raven clan can discern. Tomie told her that while she has been absent a feud had broken out between the Red Dragon Tribe and Gold Dragon Tribe. "Send Kenichi to resolve the dispute, and tell him if he needs me to send for me. Return to me when you have reached Kenichi. I miss your companionship". She was rewarded with a nuzzle by Tomei. "Now be careful and hurry back." With that she flew off, and Nozomi spent the rest of her watch in relative peace.

The unease that settled over the group the night before only grew as the day wore on. Smoke filled the air as the group came upon a devastated village. The bodies of the villagers lay in heaps where they fell in death. No one was spared, as women and children were evident among the corpuses. Miroku sighed, "Who would do something like this?"

"I smell traces of Naraku. I think he or one of his offspring are responsible for this," commented InuYasha.

"Well, I think we should start burying them. Sango, could we use Kirara to help with the graves?" asked Miroku.

"Hai." Kirara leaped from Sango's shoulder and transformed. She started gathering bodies and followed Miroku. InuYasha and Miroku started digging graves. Kagome, Sango and Nozomi walked around the village looking for clues to the events that befell the small village. Nozomi walked into a hut in the center of town. Within the hut there was an altar and a small stockade of weapons along the walls. Kagome appeared from behind the altar, looking sad.

"There was a jewel shard here. The village must have been protecting it". She looked down at the floor. "So many lives lost for just one small shard. I hate all of this," Kagome said running out of the hut. Nozomi just looked at the now empty hut. She shook her head and started after Kagome.

"Sango, did you see which direction Kagome went?"

"No, what's wrong?" Sango responded with a concerned tone.

"The village was attacked because they were protecting a Shikon no Kakera. Kagome became upset over all the lost of lives. I think we should find her." "I'll go this way and look over there. If I find her I'll call you. Maybe we should tell Miroku and InuYasha." At that moment, Tomie landed on Nozomi's shoulder. "Who is this?" asked Sango.

"This is Tomie, she is my companion". With that, Tomie nuzzled Nozomi's cheek. "Tomie this is Sango," Tomie bowed her head in acknowledgement; Sango did the same with a smile. "Perfect timing as ever, Tomie. We are looking for someone. Her name is Kagome; she has long black hair and is wearing green and white. She will probably be very upset. If you see her, please notify me at once." Tomei nodded and took to the sky.

AN: This was a long chapter, I promise to post the next one soon. Let me know what you think, I know this one was a little fluffy. There will be some action in the next chapter. Thank you for the reviews so far.
RavenShadow