“Inuyasha!!” A young voice screamed in pain, shattering the stillness of a small village just out side of a forest in feudal Japan. Inuyasha’s heart lurched into his throat as he paced frantically outside the Kaede’s hut, his hands balled up into fists. It had been one hour since he had bolted into the village, Kagome lying limply in his arms her face pale and lifeless. Blood still soaked his red fire rat clothing and branches and leaves littered his hair from his desperate run through the forest, but the boy paid no mind to these things. His mind was on one thing and one thing only, the screaming women inside the hut.
Around him, the village women scurried to and fro, carrying various medical herbs and dressings under orders of the village healer. They glared disapprovingly at Inuyasha presents, shooing him out of their way as politely as possible, their eyes wary. Inuyasha scoured every one of their faces as they passed, searching for any hint of what was going on inside of the healers hut. He found nothing. From inside, Kagome’s voice echoed against the walls, her screams of pain tearing his heart apart. What’s going on in there? Why is Kagome screaming? Why hasn’t anyone told me what is going on yet? Inuyasha thought, his heart hammering in his chest. Another women scurried past and Inuyasha grabbed for her kimono. She stumbled forward almost dropping the hand full of cloth she had been carrying. Inuyasha barely noticed as he spun the girl around to face him.
“What’s going on? How is he?” He demanded gripping the young girls shoulder, his eyes shining with unnerving intensity. The girl began to tremble slightly with fear.
“ What?” She stuttered with difficulty.
“Kagome, how is Kagome? Is she ok?” He asked, resisting the urge to shake the girl.
The girl gave him a blank stare. “I don’t know. I just do as I am told. I’m sorry.” She said as she tore her arm out of his and scurried away like a frighten mouse. Inuyasha growled in frustration.
Another scream punctured the night sky. Inuyasha turned to stare at the door that was barring him from the women he loved. God, she sounds like she’s dying. I can’t stand to hear her in this much pain. I have got to get in there and help her. Inuyasha thought as he rushed forward.
A hand stopped him. “Where do you think your going?”
Inuyasha glanced up to meet the violet eyes of the boy in front of him, his eyes shining with fear. “Miroku, what are you doing here?” Inuyasha asked shocked. Grabbing the boys shoulders hard, Inuyasha had to resist the urge to just throw his arms around the monk and pulling him into a bear hug. He had not realized how truly helpless he had felt until now, until he had someone here who he trusted. Someone who could help him figure out what was going on.
Miroku placed a reassuring hand on the Hanyou, a look of concern etched in his face. “Sango and I rushed over here the moment we heard what happened.” Glancing around at the nervous stares the women were giving the hanyou, he gently lead the boy away from the front of the healers hut. “How is she?”
“I don’t know. I brought her here as fast as I could, but we were a long way away. She was losing blood so fast and looks so pale. They rushed her into the hut the minute I got here. I have not seen her since.” Inuyasha stated looking towards the hut longingly. “They won’t let me go in, Miroku. Keade hasn‘t come out since I brought her. I have no idea what‘s going on.” Panic started to creep into Inuyasha’s voice causing it to shake. Miroku noticed immediately. Gently, he encouraged the pale looking Hanyou to sit down at the base of the tree they were standing by. Inuyasha was to tired too fight him.
Settling beside the boy, Miroku gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “ Calm down Inuyasha, it’s probably for the best. Looks like your presents would only hinder things here.” Miroku stated as he watched the procession of medical supplies flowing in and out of the hut. “INUYASHA” From inside another agonizing scream pierced the quiet village, causing the hanyou to jump up abruptly practically dragging Miroku with him.
“I need to get in there, Miroku. She is calling for me.” Inuyasha stated surging forward only to almost fall flat when Miroku’s grip on his robes yanked him backwards. Inuyasha glared at the monk and struggled trying to break free. “Let go.” Inuyasha growled.
Miroku shook his head. “Sorry Inuyasha.“
“I said let go.“ Inuyasha swung abruptly at Miroku’s head but the monk was quick. Crouching, Miroku swung his leg hard at Inuyasha’s, knocking the boys feet from underneath him. Both tumbled onto the ground. Inuyasha struggled, his claws digging into the ground as he tried to get the necessary traction to pull himself out from underneath the monk. His efforts were in vain and after a few minutes Inuyasha gave up, going limp. Miroku remained still for a few minutes to make sure the hanyou really wasn’t going to make a run for it before finally slipping off the young man. Reaching down , he pulled the hanyou up into a sitting position. The young boy complied. Inuyasha slumped pathetical his eyes fixed to the healers hut.. “Please,” He whispered.
“No, Inuyasha . If you really want to help Kagome, the best thing that you can do is to keep away and wait.“ Miroku pulled Inuyasha to his feet and lead him towards the god tree, hoping that the added distance will prevent the hanyou from making a run for it. Depositing the young man at the base he patted Inuyasha’s shoulder and released him. “Now stay here. I am going to go into the village and see if I can get someone to tell me what’s going on. I will come and get you the minute I hear anything.”
Inuyasha growled, but obeyed, knowing that fighting would be useless at this point. Miroku nodded in approval before rushing back towards the village leaving the boy alone in the forest. Inuyasha had to repress the urge to whine. Jumping into the lowest branch of the tree, Inuyasha pulled his knees up and stared at the direction of the village. His head spun sickeningly. At the village, the mad dash going on around him had helped him keep his mind off the growing tension that was building in his stomach the moment he heard Kagome first began to scream, but here he had nothing to stop his mind from replaying those memories over and over.
