Who Knew by Janie

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I would just love to own Sesshoumaru and the characters and make them dance the worm but sadly I don't.

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It was midsummer, the birds were singing their afternoon songs, and everything seemed peaceful in this forest. A little ways entering this forest there is an old dried up well where some local villagers name the “Bone Eaters Well”. It is said when you drop the carcasses of demons they mysteriously disappear, it is in this well that an ebony colored head stuck out of, she climbed up the old well by using the roots and vines that found their home there. She brought up her upper body first then her lower body, with her was a monstrous yellow backpack, she hoisted it up and over then herself, with a sigh of relief, she slumped against the well, and gazed into the surrounding forest then up at the sky. She stood up suddenly, pulling out her bow and quiver full of arrows, positioning herself, and then she notched an arrow, and took aim. She visibly relaxed when she realized she recognized the demonic aura. A little fox demon entered the clearing, her pale face lit up into a blinding smile, she opened her arms, ready to greet him, the fox shouted happily,

“KAGOME! I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE BACK!”

“Hi Shippo, it’s nice to see you too.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and set him down. Just then she sensed two humans, a demon, and a half demon approaching, she immediately knew who they were.

“Hello Kagome! How have you been? I have missed you so much!” said the human female cheerfully as they approached.

 “I’ve missed you too, Sango. How have you guys been? I have been doing just fine.” Kagome giggled, her light brown eyes sparkled with warmth. The male monk stepped forward with a warm smile.

“Welcome back Lady Kagome. We have been great as well while mourning your departure.” He ended with feign sadness as he inched closer to her despite the warning glare he was receiving from the female demon slayer. He was within range of the miko, his cursed hand wandered, landing on her arse, said miko’s eyebrow twitched with irritation, then a resounding slap echoed through the clearing followed by another resounding slap, then a loud shout.

“HENTAI!!!” The monk ended up with two handprints, one from the miko and the second from the demon slayer.

“You pervert!” screeched the demon slayer known as Sango.

“You never learn do ya monk?” grumbled a silver dog eared hanyou.

“I am a monk, a servant to Buddha, and as a servant to Buddha I must learn as well as know of all things in this world.” The monk replied innocently.

“Keh, whatever Miroku, you hit on any girl that is in your sight and either grope them, ask them to bare your child, or both! You will NEVER learn.” Replied the hanyou.

“Well Inuyasha my friend, in my search for knowledge I must experiment with different things in order to understand them.” Smiled the monk known as Miroku.

“Well I believe I have heard enough, I am going to put my stuff down in Kaede’s hut, catch you in a little bit.” The miko known as Kagome commented.

While she walked to the village she felt something warm and soft brush against her leg, she looked down to find Sango’s demon cat purring, then jumped into her arms, she smiled and continued. She paused sensing a flicker of an aura then nothing. She looked around cautiously, shrugged, and continued on her way. Little did she notice the eyes that watched her since she arrived that afternoon. The lone figure then disappeared though not before whispering into the wind,

“I will solve the enigma that is you little miko, just you wait and see…”

Later that afternoon…

 Everyone gathered into Kaede’s hut to eat and to discuss their travelling arrangements, as well as where they have heard rumors of Naraku and jewel shards, and then they would start their hunt in the morning. They sat there in a circle eating stew all deep in thought. Sango was the first to break the silence.

“I heard a rumor of a pig demon said to possess jewel shards and a bit farther than that there is a rumor of a demon possessing multiple jewel shards.”

“Hm…Where Sango? In which direction is it?” Kagome asked distant. The group looked at her confused at her tone of voice, she sounded a little strained. She was staring out the window seeming a thousand miles away.

 “North.” Was her terse reply. Kagome smirked, but kept it hidden, the jewels are in fact in that direction, but it would seem there is a pack, which didn’t make much sense because pigs don’t travel in packs only canine species. Maybe if she were a few feet away from the hut she would be able to tell more clearly, no sense in informing them of her enhanced miko powers and senses. She smiled then frowned. She felt deep guilt and pain keeping her new abilities from her friends, who she considered family, but it was for the best, who knew if Naraku had a spy who could hide their aura well? Of course she would know, but who knew? She also made sure to hide the extra addition to her aura and power for what if they sensed it? Miroku, she was sure would be able to pick it up right away. She sighed loudly, catching brief attention from her friends; Kagome looked at every one of her friends and smiled radiantly.

“Well I guess we will set off by morning, right?”

“Well YEAH! The faster we collect the shards the faster we get to destroying Naraku!” Inuyasha replied rather determined.

“Of course Inuyasha, though not only do you want revenge, but as do Miroku and I.” Sango replied.

“I know! That’s why we have been brought together.”

 “That’s right, though we have different scores to settle with Naraku, we have banded because all of our loved ones fate have been cruel and tragic…well your loved ones.” Kagome replied fiercely with evident disgust for the person responsible.

“Kagome? You never told us your reasons for the pursuit of Naraku. As far as I know he hasn’t done anything to harm you as of yet to spur your fury like that.” Sango contemplated out loud. Kagome looked up with blazing eyes.

 “He has killed innocent after innocent for his own malicious desires, that’s sick! I have been unfortunate enough to witness some of those deaths without any way to help and I feel guilty about it. Also he has some of the jewel I accidently shattered and it is my responsibility to put it back together again and to destroy the being using it for mal intent.” She replied sadly with a hint of disgust and regret.

 “Kagome…” Sango whispered brokenly, as the others (except Inuyasha) stared at her with saddened expressions and sympathetic gazes, while Inuyasha stared at her with open shock and disbelief. Sango started to sob when Kagome grabbed her and pulled her into her embrace. She began to sob brokenly for her friend, for her dead clan, and for her brother who was now a puppet for the man she despised most in the world. It seemed Sango reached her breaking point.

 “Shhh…it’s alright Sango, I promise everything will be fine again, even if I have to give my life.” She whispered fiercely to her weeping friend who she thought of as her sister.

 “No! Don’t leave me too! You are my sister! I don’t want to lose you too!” she wept harder at this and clung tighter to her thinking she would disappear.

 “Who said I am leaving? You won’t lose me! You are the sister I always wanted, but never had! Of course I won’t leave you! You guys are my family…I would never leave willingly.” She promised solemnly to the weeping slayer who to her dismay began to weep even harder and had her in a strangle hold, but Kagome held firm unwilling to be parted from her adopted sister.

 The others watched as the slayers tears turned to dried trails, as her sob became sniffles. Sango hugged Kagome tightly for a few moments before letting go and steadying herself. She smiled at everyone sheepishly, they smiled back, and then they all began to laugh except Kagome. By the time they all settled down it was dark out, they were about to fall asleep until a quiet voice whispered,

 “I will be back shortly; I want to take a night walk before I retire.” Kagome cringed at her speech. They all nodded, except Inuyasha.

 “I’ll go with you.” He offered.

 “No, it is alright Inuyasha. I want to think for a while, don’t worry though, I’ll come back soon.” She smiled.

 “…Fine, but take your bow and arrows…Kagome be careful.” She smiled wider and nodded. She grabbed her weapons, positioned them, then left the hut, and went for her walk. A pair of golden-amber eyes followed her again, though little did he know she was aware of his presence the whole time, no matter how great he was at masking his aura and scent.

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OOOOOO! Who's stalking the little miko?? Keep reading to find out! :)