Inuyasha awoke with a gasp, "Where is she?!" Suddenly he realized he'd been dreaming; there was no girl. He sighed, relieved he hadn't woken anyone. He searched the room, Kagome lay few feet from him, in that portable blanket she referred to as her sleeping bag, with Shippo at her head, snoring. Sango lay near her with Miroku beside her. Even Kirara had not stirred at Inuyasha's panted remark.

He glanced at the sky, it was starless, and rain was coming. Not even the moon was in sight. He leaned forward slightly, his back was quite sore from his traditional, uncomfortable sleeping position. He closed his eyes again, attempting to fall asleep, but there she was. There was the woman. Her age looked of eighteen, her honey hair was thick and long as it blew over her shoulders and back, but it was her eyes that seemed so strange, they were green, emerald green, but they were frightened. As if they were begging for something, for help. She was always dressed the same. Her kimono was black and blue, stained with grass and mud, and she wore these boots that were continuously covered in blood. She seemed so alarmed, as if something was happening to her, something she could not prevent. Inuyasha opened his eyes, realizing he would not be able to seep into slumber again that night. It was just as well, rain had begun to fall. Kagome awakened quite quickly, along with the rest of the troop.

"Oh no!" Kagome's whined remark was on everyone's lips as the abandoned hut began to leak. Inuyasha looked to the roof of the building; a large hole gave perfect view to the night sky. He stood; ready to leave the deserted site, morning was approaching.

"Let's get going, daybreak is coming." Sango yawned, still fatigued from her lack of sleep. "Inuyasha, its raining, and we haven't eaten breakfast in two days." Miroku stepped in, agreeing with Sango, "She's right Inuyasha, searching for Naraku is strenuous work, we should not begin our journey without having a meal first."

Inuyasha moaned in annoyance at his friends, "You bunch of pansies! You can't go one day without one meal! You-“

"Inuyasha! Sit!" The hanyou was cut off by Kagome sending him to the floor of the hut face first, shutting him up. Shippo slowly walked over to the half demon as he, somewhat gracefully, recovered from the humiliating order.

"Listen Inuyasha, we haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon, and we need as much strength as we can get, so can you just let us have a little something before we start looking for Naraku?"

Inuyasha stood, groaning as the young fox demon requested a change of mind. "Alright, but hurry it up will ya ?!" The group rolled their eyes as Inuyasha gave them his unneeded permission to eat. As Kagome reached into her pack to retrieve numerous snacks she brought back from her home, she suddenly halted herself. Shippo was the first to notice her action.

"Are you alright, Kagome?" Kagome shook her head slightly, as if not sure what she had felt. "I, I think I'm sensing a jewel shard." Sango looked her friend over before speaking, ensuring she was alright.

"Are you sure, Kagome?" Again, Kagome nodded, "Yes, it's very faint, but its definitely a jewel shard...I think."

Inuyasha moaned again, annoyed at the false start of the day, " Dammit Kagome! You don't even know if what you're sensing is an actual jewel shard?!" Kagome shot a hardened look at Inuyasha, preparing to sit him, but felt the sense again. "Alright it's a jewel shard, I'm certain of it now."

"Finally!" Inuyasha yelled his statement as he stood, along with the rest of the group. The comrades exited the hut, heading west, the direction of the supposed jewel shard. Miroku, Shippo , Sango, and Kagome all boarded Kirara , braced for there search. Inuyasha traveled on foot, as expected. Morning had come, though no light eluded from the ominous clouds. Harsh rain blew down from the dead sky, stinging the flesh and eyes of the six companions. Kagome looked below, the forest seemed to jet past her, she watched as Inuyasha leapt on the cold ground, not needing to struggle at all to keep up with the pace of Kirara . Suddenly she spotted something in the corner of her eye. Something was on the ground, just ahead of Inuyasha, something was waiting for them.

"Sango look!" Sango looked back to Kagome, not sure what she was telling her to do, but soon realized what she had been instructing. " Kirara ! Land now!" The cat demon roared at her owner's command, acknowledging her order.

"What is it Sango?" Miroku's question did not have to be answered; both young women knew he would also quickly see what they had. Shippo yelped slightly as Kirara headed straight down, sharply leaning in front. Inuyasha halted dead, gazing at what stood in front of him.

Kirara landed behind Inuyasha, allowing her passengers to safely dismount her. The group of mortals and demons approached Inuyasha, but the hanyou held up his right arm to them, forbidding them to come close. Few feet across form Inuyasha a man stood, hidden behind a suit of armor. The plated armor was black, covering his entire body, and even though the weather was thick with grey, it gave a reflection to the life around them. On his head was a hood, with a sewn in mask, covering his whole face. His feet were fitted with fine leather boots, matching his gloved hands. No skin was seen, black was the only color bathed on the man. His stance was firm, planting his feet sturdy, hard into the ground, as if challenging Inuyasha. He possessed no weapon, but was broad and obviously cut with muscle. Inuyasha drew his sword, ready to battle. "What the hell do you want?!"

Kagome stepped in, needing to speak, "Inuyasha, he has the jewel shard!"

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