InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Alliances ❯ A Wee Bit of Bad Weather ( Chapter 13 )

Wow…

 

This story's been up for an entire year! Our anniversary was April 17…one year.

Hears to all that have reviewed and helped in that time. You know who you are.

 

Reviews!!

 

Kagome92111- It's finally up…I hope you enjoy.

 

Kitsama- Eeepp! I'm the one who should be sorry!!! You don't have to do this if your busy!! I really appreciated you still helping me out, though, even with your grad. Good luck!!!

 

By the way, I'd like to thank Kitsama, Kagome92111, Naruto16, BagheeraShadow, Yumi-chan, Tyalie, xkuroxshinobix and Animeluver1368 for reviewing § The Secret of the Fire Rat Haroi § one-shot.

 

That story's almost more successful than this one!!

 

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§ A Wee Bit of Bad Weather §

 

I hate the rain…

 

The wind, as if angered by his conviction, wailed through the surrounding granite face faster than before. Kouga winced, covering his ears, as a shrill whistling noise echoed through the valley.

 

A tiny white flake, roused by the ferocity of the wind, settled cautiously upon his nose. The tiny points tickled relentlessly as Kouga half-heartedly flicked it off, knowing more would soon take its place.

 

…but I loathe snow with a vengeance.

 

Just beyond the granite slab protecting him, a solid wall of white screamed in the wind. The blizzard had gradually increased over the days, into a colossal storm of likes of which the wolf youkai had never seen before. From what little he could see of the surrounding world, Kouga surmised half the area was covered in meters of the white blanket.

 

His enhanced eyesight could barely pick out of the shadow of his waterfall cave beyond through the tumult. Kouga frowned as he remembered why he was out in the storm in the first place, and tried to focus his mind on the situation ahead.

 

The blizzard had lasted near to a fortnight, hindering his wolves' lifestyle. Their game had been driven off, and with the danger of getting lost and freezing to death, Kouga had ordered the tribe to stay near to waterfall and wait out the storm.

 

That single decision was slowly becoming a death trap to them all. With no food, his pack was slowly starting to starve, and the constant bitter cold was beginning to sicken his wolves.

 

They would have to leave the shelter of the cave in order to survive, and they would have to do it soon.

 

“Kouga!”

 

Kouga pricked his ears, straining to hear the source of the voice over the howling wind.

 

“Ginta,” he called, “is that you?”

 

Ginta's struggling form slowly separated from the white sheet around him. The wolf youkai floundered through the deep snow, causing waves of white to billow up from his feet. The snow's crust, still not solidly packed from the wind, crackled and broke under his weight. Ginta, in his eagerness to reach Kouga, failed to react quick enough when the snow finally gave way, causing a flurry of arms and legs to go down in a heap. Kouga gave a light chuckle as the wolf youkai re-emerged to the world as the Indomitable Snowman.

 

“Here,” he said, holding his hand out to aid Ginta in the shelter. “Come out of that mess.” Kouga looked at his follower in curiosity as he brushed the snow off. “I wasn't expecting you back for a few days. Is there a safe haven from this storm so close?”

 

Ginta's hand paused, his eyes rising to meet Kouga's. “We've got a problem Kouga,” he said. “I know what's causing this storm, and you're not going to like it.”

 

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Kagome absent-mindedly picked at the seal of a bottle under the shade of an old cherry tree. The cool green grass under her feet was a welcome transformation from the endless path of worn dirt she traveled near to an hour ago. Her skin relished the shadow, as if it were an iceberg along the lava streams of a volcano.

 

Through quivering heat waves, Kagome could barely make out the blob known as Shippo. The little kitsune was stretched out in a dead man's float in the cool spring nearby. Kagome grinned, secretly envying the little kitsune. She'd forgotten her bathing suit at home, and the site was too close to the road to try the alternative with Sango. Not that Miroku could provide a reliable watch while they were bathing anyway; or Varon, for that matter.

 

Her face turned bright red as she remembered the first time she had been `formally introduced' to Varon's monk-like `habits'. It had been soon after they had renewed the search for the jewel shards, and although Sango had warned her of the first time they had met the new monk, Kagome hadn't expected their new companion to actually try it. She giggled, remembering Varon's sheepish grin when her hand had flung itself in his face.

 

Shippo nearly jumped a mile at the sound of the contact, stating afterwards that Kagome should look into giving Sango lessons.

 

Not that she'd had much practice. Miroku hadn't dared to try and taunt her since their own first encounter, when Inuyasha had made clear the `touch and die' policy. Kagome's smile faded at the thought of the hanyou.

 

There you go again, girl. Thinking about him.

 

Inuyasha hadn't been there to defend her honor when Varon tried to `cheer' her up.

 

Her eyes drifted down the road, to the thin outline of buildings on the horizon. Miroku and Sango had gone to the village to trade for supplies a while earlier, leaving Kagome, Varon and Shippo behind to catch some rest. Myouga had left before they had journeyed from Kaede's village, promising to return with reinforcements.

 

She sighed, lifting her hands to stare once again at the bottle. Its clear visage illuminated the few shards within. Only four were new additions, cautiously collected of the past few weeks.

 

One thing about the shards was a mystery to her, however. Shippo had miraculously gained the ability to sense demons before any other in their rag-tag party. His strange predictions accounted for nearly all of the new fragments.

 

Still, even with Shippo's new ability, capturing Jewel Shards was slow going without Inuyasha around.

 

Kagome feared it was too slow.

 

The brush rustled behind her. She jumped, cautiously gripping her bow with one hand and a free arrow with another. Turning her head, Kagome's eyes flickered wildly to locate the source of the noise.

 

Varon's robed form pushed back a branch, revealing his strong, stone-blue eyes. He glanced at her startled face, wincing slightly when they found the ready bow in her hands.

 

“I'm sorry, Lady Kagome. I didn't mean to startle you.”

 

Kagome relaxed at the voice of the monk. She timidly replaced the bow to its original position.

 

“It's alright. Sorry about the bow,” she added. “I thought you were going to search for some herbs and medicine.”

 

Varon pulled his hands from his pockets, revealing the multitude of plant life. “Done and done,” he grunted. “This place is legendary. I've never seen such a variety of plants in all my life.” He gave her a meaningful look. “Not that I got out much back at the monastery.”

 

“Miroku told me some of who are, but not much. You're the leader there, right? But you're so young!”

 

“It's a long story.” Varon gestured to the tree beside her. “May I sit?”

 

Kagome scooted over, and Varon landed heavily in the dust. She handed him a water bottle, of which he drank greedily.

 

“Miroku and I come from a unique group of monks. Though we often work alone, there is a central village in which we share all the tales of our forefathers. A kind of base, if you will. The buildings are full of libraries of the old knowledge. Very few people know of its existence.”

 

“I only know Miroku from a couple of times when we were kids,” he explained. “His father and mine were close friends. My old man was selected to care for all of the old sutras and scrolls that our village had collected. I guess I just inherited the duty from him.”

 

“Is the position an important one? I mean, to be called the leader of your people…”

 

“Yes,” he tentatively said. “As the keeper, I am responsible for looking into all the old prophecies. Many of my people see that as an imperative duty.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I just see it as being a burden.”

 

“So that's how you know…about the St'aler?”

 

Varon paused, looking off into the distance. “Yes,” he finally answered, “and truthfully, I wish I had never found out.”

 

Kagome paused, lifting the bottle of Jewel Shards again. Her soul sought strength from the shadowed ground. “I never got a chance, to thank you Varon,” she whispered. “For helping me…in the canyons. For helping Inuyasha.”

 

A hand brushed her chin, lifting her face to Varon's eyes. Their cold blue depths sank into her own with a sympathetic expression.

 

“Lady Kagome, I would not worry for your hanyou friend. From the time I first met him, Inuyasha proved to be a resilient, and, might I add, stubborn man. No offense, but though his mouth may first appear to work faster than his brains, he is actually a very intelligent person.”

 

Kagome looked away, embarrassed. Varon smiled. “I did not want to tell you this, for fear of being wrong, but on that night in the canyons, Inuyasha did something that may very well give us the advantage we need.

 

“He only allowed the St'aler to take half of his soul.”

 

Kagome's visage changed to one of confusion. “But Katsume said…”

“Forget what that bastard said. I'd bet a night with a pretty woman that he hasn't studied a scroll in his life. Half of Inuyasha's soul is wandering around here. The St'aler needs its entirety in order to obtain a maximum potential. If we can get our hands on the Sacred Jewel before Inuyasha is caught, Katsume and his `master's' fate is sealed.”

 

Kagome gave a weak smile. “I hope you're right.”

 

“And,” continued Varon, “knowing that dog-eared friend of yours, he'll be doing everything in his power to avoid trouble.”

 

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Kouga's jaw very nearly hit the snow beneath.

 

“What?! How could that flea-bitten mutt be responsible for a blizzard? He can't even look after a human girl!”

 

“The wolves on patrols have picked up his scent all over the area, even with the heavens pouring down upon us.” Ginta plopped down on the cold ground, tucking a tail beneath him. “It makes no sense. Usually a storm like this would have rendered our noses useless.”

 

“I can't believe this,” the wolf youkai muttered. “Have they picked up on the source of the scent?”

 

“The area the blizzard covers is smaller than we thought. About ten miles from here, the sky's cloudless. We just haven't been able to get through the winds until now. Our last report had Inuyasha's pack moving westward, away from the village they're always returning to.”

 

“The old miko's village?”

 

“Yep.” Ginta winced as one of Kouga's clenched fists cracked. He very nearly ran for cover at the sight of the wolf leader's face. “Are you going after them?”

 

“I can't, no, I won't believe that mutt would stoop so low as to destroy my pack. I am going to figure out what the hell this all is,” snarled Kouga, “and if I have to, wipe that hanyou off the face of the earth.” He turned to scuttle off into the snow.

 

“Kouga! Wait! Isn't this a bit soon to go after him?”

 

Kouga about faced. His eyes glowed viciously with a raging fire.

 

“If that dog is responsible for any of this, he's no better than Naraku.”

 

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“Sango! Did you bring me back any treats?” Shippo's face eagerly peered into the collection of assorted bundles and wrappings.

 

Don't get your hopes up kid.

 

Inuyasha lay in the branch of the old cherry tree, lounging around as best he could on the thin branches. Shippo gave him a concealed glare, before returning to his target pile.

 

Inuyasha snorted quietly. The kid had finally learned from the last time, in which Miroku had spotted the young fox cub yelling at a `tree'.

 

That had been a day to cherish for a while. It had been rather comical to watch Kagome scrambling around, calling Shippo `delusional' and searching madly for something she'd called a `thermometer'. Under her orders, the kitsune was soon smothered in blankets and gallons of hot water bottles, yipping and arguing back at Inuyasha the entire time.

 

The poor guy hadn't known when to quit.

 

The device that Kagome had been looking for turned out to be something that magically informed one if the patient had a fever. One interesting aspect of the thing was…where it had to be placed in order to work properly.

 

Shippo had not talked to him since.

 

Sango grinned, shaking her head. “Sorry, Shippo,” she said, pulling the packages away from his prying hands. “Nothing for you today. The village is very nearly cleaned out,” she added, directed more towards Kagome and Varon then the young kitsune. “There are rumors of a snowstorm heading this way, a rather heavy one. Most of the villagers have packed up and left to tend to their farms and prepare.”

 

Inuyasha pricked an ear at this bizarre news. Kagome's face twisted into an odd image of disbelief.

 

“In the middle of summer? Why would there be a blizzard…”

 

The plain answer hit almost everyone at once. Images of disbelief, anger and sadness flickered simultaneously across the faces.

 

“No…no,” she breathed, “not yet! We're not ready!”

 

“The St'aler,” whispered Varon. “He's started testing it.”

“But you said he couldn't use it!”

 

“Kagome!” The girl winced, forcing her eyes to meet the monk's. “We must not despair,” he said. “He's only testing to see how much power his has over the device. I know that, since if he knew the potential of the spheres, he would have already destroyed us. Inuyasha is still safe, for now.”

 

“Inuyasha…” Kagome sank slowly to the ground beneath. “We're running out of time. We have to gather the Jewel Shards faster. We can't let them win!”

 

The sight of the despair on Kagome's face made him ache with worry. Inuyasha pulled himself to his feet. He longed to tell the girl that he was here, was all right. But other thoughts were ailing him also.

 

Damn that thing. I knew it; I can feel it using me. No wonder I'm so tired…

 

Varon's face suddenly lightened with a curious expression. “Lady Kagome,” he ventured, “I have an idea. If I might be allowed to go to the site of the storm, there may be a chance I can gather some intelligence on the whereabouts of the St'aler. We've heard nothing for weeks-”

 

“You're not going by yourself, Varon.” Sango hefted the Hiraikotsu to her shoulders. “We stay together this time. If you go, we all do. Besides, there's been no sign of a shard in this area for weeks. It'll be good to focus on something else for a while.”

 

What? exclaimed Inuyasha. No! Are you nuts? You people stay way from Katsume and his master. Do you hear me? Stay way!!

 

Shippo, he pleaded, help me here! Convince them not to go!

 

Shippo acted like he didn't even hear him.

 

Kagome nodded, moving beside the tree to gather her backpack and bow. Inuyasha leapt down, placing himself directly between her and the gear. Unable to keep his balance, the hanyou folded over like a kite, landing flat on his back. Kagome walked right through him.

 

Shippo!

 

Shippo watched cautiously as Kagome grabbed her things and returned to the others. His tiny, nimble hands quickly packed his own gear. His eyes never even glanced at Inuyasha, waving his arms around like a maniac in the branches.

 

The hanyou growled a surprisingly feral note, and leapt from the branch to the kitsune's side. Shippo, he growled, you're going to listen to me whether you like it or not-

 

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A blur of red passed before his vision. Shippo sprang back in surprise as Inuyasha's fist came plummeting down exactly where his head had been moments ago.

 

“Inuyasha!” he whispered harshly, peeking around for any potential listeners. “What do you want?”

 

The looming body before him tensed in obvious rage. Don't play games with me, Shippo, his voice rattled. What the hell you think you're doing, ignoring me like that!

 

“Ignoring you? You've been gone for the past few minutes! Where did you go off to, so quick like that?”

 

What? I've been sitting in the same tree for hours, babysitting you guys like two-year olds, while your trying to go get yourselves killed in that storm!

 

Confusion clouded over the fox's face. “No, Inuyasha, you were gone. I couldn't see you at all.”

 

Now it was Inuyasha's turn to be confused. Okay, fine then. We don't have time for this. His visage turned to one of determination. Stop Kagome from doing this, he countered. It's a stupid plan, and you guys are going to get yourselves killed.

 

“Inuyasha, you really expect Kagome to listen to me?” His little eyes stared defiantly up to Inuyasha's cold ones. “I am a little young to order her around!”

 

The rationality of Shippo's query struck him. It wouldn't be like Kagome at all to deter her plan to the whimsical thoughts of a child. Inuyasha sighed.

 

You could at least try to convince her.

 

“Whatever you say, Inuyasha. Personally-” Shippo stopped, staring at the abruptly shaking form of Inuyasha. “Inuyasha! Are you alright!”

 

Inuyasha collapsed to the ground, seething under the sudden wracks of pain. His spirit moaned with the agony that coursed through it.

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

He had to be strong. He couldn't let Shippo see him like this. He didn't want to worry the poor kid further. With inhumane strength, Inuyasha grasped the pain and pushed it back as far as he could, locking it away in his mind.

 

The convulsions stopped, and Inuyasha gazed up to face the startled fox cub.

 

Don't worry about me kid. He managed to pull himself up against the tree, closing his eyes. It's nothing I can't handle.

 

Shippo still looked rather unconvinced. He crept closer to him, glancing over his shoulders to make sure no one had seen him. “The storm? Varon and the others are right, aren't they? It's the St'aler that's doing it.”

 

I'm fine Shippo. Just need to rest awhile, that's all. Now go help Kagome.

 

Shippo nodded, turning to help his friends.

 

Wait.

 

One of Inuyasha's amber eyes opened, glaring at Shippo with a commanding gaze. You keep them out of trouble until I catch up, alright? You're the main demon now. Take care…of the pack…for me. Keep them away from Katsume.

 

Or else.

 

Shippo gave a tiny smile. “Whatever, Inuyasha.” Inside, his tiny heart was fluttering. Inuyasha trusted him to look after everyone? Now he knew Inuyasha really was sick.

 

Good luck, kid. I'll meet up with you in a while.

 

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So far…no luck.

 

Varon sighed, softly patting away a tiny patch of dust on his shoulders. Not a hint of the storm stood out on horizon. There wasn't even a nearby cotton ball up there to keep the sun off his hot robes.

 

So much for my plans of a snowball fight… That would be a fine way to cool off right about now.

 

The continuous drumming of their feet on the dusty path under the sweltering sun was sending the monk into a hallucinogenic trance. Time and time again the mirages of the heat produced the visual effect of heavy clouds in the distance.

 

Varon shook his head, probably for the hundredth time. No small wonder I never left my scrolls before this happened.

 

He had never wanted to get mixed up in this. It wasn't even his priority. But he had made the wrong promises to the wrong people, and sent out into the world to honor them, on his young, inexperienced and naïve butt.

 

The monk glanced at the group following him. He hadheard of this strange band of demons and humans, working together to slay the evil demons of their lands. Small wonder Miroku had joined up with them. Varon smiled. He knew his friend always had a knack for sticking his head into sticky situations.

 

It was a miracle to have found them, and gotten everyone to help. His task would be much easier now with these legendary people beside him.

 

Kagome, the miko of the future, wielding her bow and arrow with deadly accuracy. Not to mention a determined confidence.

 

Miroku, his childhood friend, a monk whose curse provided a vital asset to his plan. Maybe there was something in the scrolls to help him, after this ordeal was over.

 

Myouga, the wise old flea demon. He had enjoyed a long chat with the flea before his departure in the mountains. It was nice to speak with someone for once who knew more than he did.

 

Sango, the ravishing demon slayer, and her companion, the fire-cat Kirara. Varon shuddered at the memory of the first time he had seen her in the hot springs. Too bad Miroku had already seemed to capture the young girl's heart.

 

Shippo, the young, opportunistic fox demon. Varon admired the young boy's innocence and cunning. Shippo had a good head on his shoulders. It was no wonder the group let him tag along.

 

Inuyasha.

 

Varon paused on his trail, letting his mind wander more freely. The monk was stunned at the sheer strength of will the young hanyou possessed. His fortitude, stamina, and love of his fellow companions was beyond Varon had ever heard or read about. Even hidden under sharp words and a rough exterior, the softness of the human's soul within shone with an irresistible glow.

 

He would do everything it his power to reunite Inuyasha with his pack.

 

Even if death awaited him on that trail.

 

Varon suddenly snapped to, realizing the others hadn't caught up with him yet. He turned around, facing the bewildered looks of Kagome and the others.

 

“Guys? What's up?” he ventured.

 

Shippo pointed ahead of the trail. Varon whisked back. His eyes found the rolling black mass that crawled like death itself across the land.

 

“Oh.”

 

He found he could not tear himself away from the sheer horror of the darkness. The cloud shed snow like a waterfall releasing its torrent of water. Lightning flickered haphazardly along its sinister edges.

 

The storm was sending a clear message. To enter within its boundaries was clear suicide. The hair on the back of his neck prickled. Something about this wasn't quite right.

 

Correction. Something here was deadly wrong.

 

“Hey,” Miroku muttered, looking to their surroundings, “isn't this Kouga's home territory?”

 

“You're right,” Sango gasped. “The cave's a few miles from here. I sure hope he isn't home right now.”

 

“We had better go back…” Shippo suggested. Varon's concern for the young kitsune deepened when he saw how hard the little kit's knees were shaking. “It's too dangerous here.”

 

A cold shadow passed over the area. The storm was slowly creeping towards them, Varon noticed. If they were going to act, it had to be now. The knot within his gut grew bigger.

 

“Why, my underlings? You just arrived.” (A/N. Not a thought, just a really creepy voice, so there are quotations around it!)

 

He spun around. A wolf youkai stood towering over them, positioned precariously on a hidden overhang. Its form wavered dangerously in the rising wind.

 

Varon winced, his realization coming a bit too late. Their rocky surroundings had provided a perfect ambush. His enemy was still looking for him, and he had stupidly let down his guard.

 

Other wolves and wolf youkai appeared. Snow-capped heads and whipped manes told their story in a matter of seconds. Not to mention, they were practically drooling at the sight of humans in their territory.

 

“You stupid humans. You dare enter the territory of the wolves?”

 

Kagome's back straightened. A line of disgust and fear mingled in her features as she marched past Varon, to the head of the column.

 

“We are looking for Kouga. Have you seen him?”

 

The demon cackled menacingly. Varon quickly suppressed the urge to pull out his sacred sutras as Kagome's face turned a bright shade of cherry. Does Kagome know these youkai?

 

“Kouga? There is no wolf named Kouga here. Who are you girl, to challenge me? Eager to be first?” It cracked its knuckles, showing off the finger length claws. “We youkai are rather hungry, you know. It's not everyday a human female comes walking in our grasp.”

 

Kagome glanced back. Varon read bafflement and alarm in her face, before she turned to face the `leader' of the pack.

 

“Look,” she started, “we don't want a fight-”

 

The threatening forms of Miroku and Sango readied their weapons, showing their lethal steel in the fading light…

 

“-just to continue on our way. All have you know, if any harm happens to me, Kouga will never let you live.” The wolves hardly flinched at the last remark. Some even snickered quietly to their neighbors.

 

Not exactly the effect I was hoping for.

 

Their leader smiled, showing off his wickedly shaped fangs. “I was promised to have you,” he whispered, “and I shall be glad to take it!”

 

Startled, Kagome shielded herself from the attacking youkai, using her bare arms and hands. Before he knew what had happened, Varon whipped out his sutras, plastering them across the youkai's face as it leapt from the outlook. It cried out in agony as the purifying spells took effect, and the monk pushed Kagome behind him as he readied another assault.

 

Sango's Hiraikotsu spun past, shearing the wolf demon in two. The others, seeing their leader dead, howled in anger. Their bodies swarmed over the rock faces, determined to seek revenge on the lowly humans whom had destroyed their kin.

 

A solid wall of wolf and youkai came ripped down the cliff side. Coupled with the awe-inspiring effect of the lightning now directly overhead, it was a petrifying scene.

 

“Kagome, Varon! Get back!” Miroku voice bellowed over the howling wind. “I'll use the Wind Tunnel!”

 

“Come on,” Kagome urged, pulling back on his sleeve. “Move!”

 

Varon obliged her, dashing over fallen debris to the safety of Miroku's back. Seeing its opportune chance, a wolf lunged away from its comrades. Its sheer weight flattened him to the ground with a savage blow to the back.

 

“Varon!” Kagome cried. She rushed back to help him.

 

“Kagome,” he screamed. “Get back!” Oh, god, if Inuyasha knew what I got his woman into now.

 

The wolf above him snarled. Its sparkling white teeth snapped viciously at his throat as Varon desperately tried to throw the thing off.

 

At least it doesn't have bad breath…

 

Kagome shrieked as another youkai reached her, grabbing her arm in his fist. Varon looked wildly around, but the others were too far and to occupied with their own adversaries to help. Swearing under his breath, he managed to shake the wolf off, and scrambled to his feet and her rescue.

 

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The wolf youkai held her arm in a death grip. His clawed talons dug painfully into her skin as he dragged her farther away from her friends.

 

“You little wench,” he snarled. “How dare you defy us? Do you even know who we are?”

 

Kagome's free hand pried at his fingers, frantically searching for their weakness. “Why should I care?” she hissed vehemently. “You're about to kill me anyway.”

 

The demon gave her a wicked grin. “I am not such a despicable demon, Kagome. I will allow you this one piece of information, before you join your hanyou friend in hell.” Her eyes widened.

 

“We are-”

 

A violent gust of wind threw the demon back. Its talons left deep bleeding gashes as the gale's force drove him away from her. Kagome hissed, rubbing the throbbing marks in a futile attempt to comfort her broken skin.

 

The wolf youkai's head smashed hard against the wall, creating a sickly wet smack. Its body crumpled limply to the ground.

 

“Kagome! Come here, quickly!”

 

She turned away, following the direction of Varon's voice. The wind hindered her approach to safety, but she cursed it none. A few other youkai attempted to recapture their prize, but all ended with the same fate as the first.

 

One got a little closer than the others, too close for Kagome's comfort. She slipped on the smooth surface of a stone, her knees contacting the gravel painfully. The gales rose to her rescue once again, but this time her eyes faintly caught sight of a silver haired figure angrily shoving the youkai back.

 

“Kagome!” Varon's strong arm pulled her up and away from the chaotic mess. Miroku and Sango fought their way through the throng to their side, with little Shippo ducked in and around the feet of the enemy.

 

Back to back, the group looked out to face the remaining enemy. Their exhausted forms resembled a circle of withered trees against an armada of bulldozers.

 

“You ready to take them on, Kagome?” Sango whispered to her. “I think I'm done letting them off easy.” She pointed to the pass from which they had entered. “We need to get back there. Once on the open farmland again, they'll have no place to hide.”

 

“Gotcha,” she answered, “but how are we ever going to make it?”

 

She smiled. “With a little extra help.”

 

Confused, Kagome glanced around. Almost immediately, her miko senses picked up a set of twin jewels shards in the area, moving towards them at astonishing speed.

 

The wind picked up again, but this time, Kagome welcomed it. Kouga's lithe form leapt from the center of the whirlwind, tearing into the heart of the demon attack. The wolves, astounded by this sudden attack, turned onto the defensive too late. The few survivors tore off into the countryside, narrowly escaping the fate of their comrades.

 

Kouga nonchalantly flexed his arm, rubbing at sore spot where a tooth had clipped him.

 

“Kouga!” Kagome yipped. “I am so glad to see you!”

 

The wolf youkai turned to her. The cold, indifferent look of his eyes frightened her. “We had better get out of the storm,” he said.

 

“And then we need to have a little chat.”

 

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Review!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

-Hanyou