A Taste Of Fire by Silver_Dog_Demon

Chapter One

It was a peaceful but a hot midsummer's day and everyone was at the village taking a well deserved rest from shard hunting. Sango was in the hut with Kaede preparing herbs for drying. Miroku was talking to a young man who needed advice on how to approach a beautiful woman and to make the offer to marry the young woman. Inuyasha was laying in his tree with his arm and legs dangling off the tree trying to remain cool.

Kagome and Shippou were laying in the tall grass in the shade of the trees that overlooked the village. While laying in the shade Kagome realized how much stress was lifted off her shoulders do to the fact she did not have to fight with Inuyasha anymore to be able to go home because of school work, tests or anything like that. She was glad that her mother was able to talk to her school about taking a test to be able to test out of school and graduate a year early.

"Kagome are you glad that you can stay in this time instead of going through the well to do those strange tests?" Shippou asked Kagome.

"It has relieved alot of stress from off my shoulders because I don't have to deal with Inuyasha, but he still gets that way when I must return for supplies. Other than that yes I love staying here in this era. Even though I was born in my era, this era feels more and more like my home everyday."

"What would you do on the other side of the well to cool down?" Shippou sat up.

"I would put on what is called a bathing suit and go swimming."

"Why don't you bring it here?"

"I did, but to wear it here I would be looked down upon because it does not cover very much skin. I've thought several times to go to the pond with the waterfall outside this village at night to swim, but it's to dangerous." Kagome sat up and took a drink of her water.

"Not to mention having to deal with Miroku and him being a lecher." Shippou said.

"Ya and here he has been helping a young man as a spiritual adviser in approaching a beautiful woman to be able to offer her family gifts to marry their young daughter."

"Yep when he can't even correctly do so with Sango, without his hand getting in the way and rubbing her butt. That poor man." Shippou shook his head slowly.

"You're very right. We should head back to Kaede's, but at least here in the shade it's not so hot. If they need us someone can come and get us." She was about to lay back down but stopped. "But if we do that Inuyasha would be cranky." So she stood up. "Let's go Shippou." They slowly headed down to the village.

In the village Kaede and Sango came out of the hut with baskets intent on going to get water when they noticed some people coming towards them. The group of people approached and gave a bow.

"Are you the miko who travels with a group looking for shards?" A man asked.

"No I am not she that ye seek. Why don't you go inside this hut." Kaede opened the mat that covered the entrance of her hut. "Inuyasha go fetch Kagome and be ye quick about it."

"What am I the village messenger dog now?"

"Inuyasha." Kaede voiced.

"I heard you, you old hag." Inuyasha slowly stood up on the branch and jumped down.

"Go find Miroku as I sit with the guests."

"Yes lady Kaede." Sango left as Kaede went back into the hut.

"Inuyasha is coming." Shippou said looking up at Kagome as they walked.

"I see him." Kagome watched as Inuyasha stopped in front of them.

"Get on. Kaede had me get you."

"Why? Did she give a reason?" Kagome asked as she got on his back.

"No. She just had me come get you because some people showed up." He stood back up and ran down the rest of the hill to Kaede's hut. Once back at the hut Kagome got off Inuyasha's back and walked in.

"I'm here lady Kaede."

"Kagome these people wish to speak with you." Kaede looked back at the guests. "This young girl is the one you wish to speak to."

"This young woman does not look like a miko." A man said.

"She may not dress like that of a miko, but I assure you that the spiritual powers flows through her veins." Kaede voiced.

"What did you need to speak to me about?" Kagome sat down.

"We were told to seek the miko who travels with a group looking for shards and hand her this." The man handed a scroll to her. "We have delivered the scroll to you as we promised the poor souls who passed from this life some four days ago. Now we will return to our homes." The group of men stood up and left the hut. Kagome opened the scroll and read what it said.

"What does it say Kagome?"

"It says that there has been a strong demonic energy around the plains close to lake Biwa. The scroll is not signed."

"If it's a strong energy then that could only be..."

"Naraku!" Everyone said together.

"We are heading out come morning. We can't give Naraku anytime for him to escape." Inuyasha voiced.

Later on in the evening everyone sat down and ate the evening meal and talked. After eating Sango and Kagome helped clean the cooking pot before they headed to the pond with the small waterfall next to the village. They removed their clothes and stepped into the cold water.

"This water is cold, but at least after a hot day we can cool down before we go to sleep." Kagome said before she made herself sink down into the water to get her hair wet then came back up.

"Yes the water is a delight." They washed off, dressed, and walked back to the hut ad went to sleep.

While the faint signs of dawn started to show Inuyasha stood up and walked over and shook both Sango and Miroku then headed to Kagome and shook her. Instead of saying anything Kagome rolled over the other way and continued to sleep as the others tiredly rolled up their mats and put them away. Inuyasha pulled the blanket off of Kagome and shook her.

"Wake up we are heading out."

"No mom it's to early to go to school." Kagome moaned in her sleep.

"I'll get her up Inuyasha." Sango walked over and knelt down.

"Kagome wake up. Inuyasha wants to head out." Sango gently shook Kagome. "Come on wake up Kagome." Sango watched as Kagome slowly sat up.

"Just let me change." Everyone left the hut so Kagome could change. She rolled up and put away her mat and blanket then she picked up her backpack, bow, and quiver of arrows. Quietly she walked to the door and put her shoes on then left the hut. While walking over to the group she put her backpack on as well as putting both her quiver of arrows and bow on her shoulder then got on Inuyasha's back.

They traveled throughout the morning without breakfast and as the mid-day came around Kagome had to use the sit command to get Inuyasha to stop so she could cook something for everyone to eat. After cleaning up the things used to cook their lunch Kagome took her backpack with her and changed into a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top.

A few hours later they came upon a family who's mule was killed and a man was trying to pull a cart full of their belongings, his wife, four children. Sango had Kirara landed. Miroku talked to the father and when the rest of the found out what happened Sango offered the use of Kirara to pull the cart. The family was reluctant but agreed. To make matters worse the group agreed to let the family travel with them until they reached the nearest village. The family did not like the idea of traveling with a hanyou and Inuyasha did not like the idea of traveling with them either.

When the group decided to stop early in the evening they sent Inuyasha out to kill something big so everyone including the family to have something to eat. While they were waiting for Inuyasha to return Sango had gotten on Kirara's back and took to the sky to see if a village was anywhere close. Sango traveled until it was to dark to see then headed back to the camp.

"Did you see anything Sango?" Miroku asked.

"No. I traveled until it was to dark to see. I'll check tomorrow when we stop for a break." She took the meat that Kagome sat aside for her and Kirara.

"We should leave these people and go our own way as we started out doing in the first place."

"We can't do that Inuyasha. They have nothing to defend themselves with. They would be hunted down and be food." Kagome voiced.

"Your heart bleeds with concern for every stranger you come across. You would probably try to help my half brother if you found him hurt somewhere even through he's tried to kill you."

"So your saying that I care to much for people and I should of left you pinned to that tree and not freed you? And yes if we came upon Sesshoumaru and he was hurt badly then yes I would try to help, though my life would most likely be in danger by doing so." Kagome finished saying as she put more wood on the fire. Inuyasha did not have a answer to come back on what Kagome said about him and the sacred tree.

"Did you just say this hanyou is the half brother to the lord of the western lands?" The father of the family said.

"I didn't say anything about a lord. All I said was the half brother to Sesshoumaru."

"There is only one youkai by that name and he is the lord of the western lands. The stories go that his father was know as the Great Phantom beast and the Great Dog General. He ruled over the western lands before his death. Now his son is lord."

"Wow. That is news to me. I always wondered why I've heard you say lord once or twice Miroku." Kagome looked over to Miroku.

As the night got later everyone went to bed while Inuyasha slept outside the little camp but yet close enough to be in hearing range if any danger approached the camp. He sat in a tree and looked up at the moon and saw that it was almost the night of the new moon and he hoped that they would find a village before then.

Inuyasha had opened his eye as the birds started chirping signaling morning was arriving so he jumped out of the tree that he was in and searched the forest to find breakfast. He came back with two skinned and gutted rabbits. Rebuilding the fire in the middle of camp he speared a good sized piece of wood through them and placed the rabbits over the fire to cook. By the time the sun came over the mountains the rabbits were almost done and the smell of something cooking reached the noses of those sleeping and they woke up.

"Inuyasha my dear friend. I didn't think you cared." Miroku sat up.

"I just didn't want us to get a late start like always." Inuyasha stepped away from the cooking rabbits.

"I'll go see if there is a village in another direction. Kirara." Kirara transformed and Sango got on and they left. Kagome slowly woke up when the smell that she was smelling was coming the fire and not in her dream. She saw everyone was up except her.

"Morning Kagome." Shippou greeted her as she sat up.

"Morning Shippou and morning to everyone. Where's Sango?"

"She is out looking to see if a village is in another direction." Miroku volunteered the information.

"Then who started cooking the meat?" Kagome asked and watched Miroku pointed in the direction of Inuyasha. "Thank you Inuyasha."

"Nothing doing. I just didn't want you to take all morning to cook something and making us get started late is all." He crossed his arms and looked the other way.

"Well thank you any how for what ever reason you did it for." She stood up and stretched.

As the hours went by Sango had yet to came back from her scouting. Inuyasha was getting in a bad mood as the hours went by because Sango was not back and therefore they were not traveling from their current place and closer to where they were heading.

"Calm down Inuyasha. Sango might of ran into trouble along the way there or back. If you want something to do, why don't you go to the top of one of these trees and scan the sky for any sign of her so your not sitting there complaining." She watched as Inuyasha left the camp so no one would know that he was going to do what Kagome suggested.

"Young lady how could you travel with such a creature." The woman from the family asked.

"Inuyasha may have rough edges about him, but he has a kind heart under all those sharp thorn bushes that he makes himself look like. Sure there are many youkai who hate and kill humans, but there are alot out there who don't hate or kill humans as well. I know a few like that."

Towards the ending of mid day to early evening Kagome asked Inuyasha to go hunting to get his anger out by killing something for their dinner. She was hoping that Sango would hurry and get back to camp soon. They all knew how Inuyasha hated to be kept waiting when he wanted to get something done or be somewhere.

Inuyasha had come back with a deer that he had gutted and skinned. The sun was descending behind the mountain a few of the members jumped when a large yellow fire cat landed and it's rider slid off and stood by it as the fire cat transformed into it's smaller self.

"Why the Hell are we still here Sango? We are still here because you have been gone all day when we were to be traveling and I thought that Kagome was the stupid Air Head when it came to being back on time."

"INUYASHA SIT!" Kagome stood up and walked over to the laid out hanyou. Then looked at the family that was with them. "Oh and he's easy to keep under a tight leash. I mean under control. Isn't that right?" Kagome patted the back of Inuyasha's head.

"Thanks Kagome."

"No problem." Kagome answered.

"Where have you been all day Sango?" Shippou asked from Kagome's shoulder.

"Did you find a village?"

"Yes I found a village, but it is towards the Northeast. Which will take us from our current direction to the south." Sango said.

"How far is it?" Miroku asked.

"By riding Kirara it took me almost all day and she is faster then walking and since she would be pulling a cart that is full, it should take a day and a half to two and a half days to get there by walking."

"We are not taking..." Inuyasha went face first into the ground as Kagome used the 'sit' command.

"We will see the family safely to the village."

"Look at the moon Kagome." Inuyasha pointed out. Kagome looked up.

"So it will be the night of the new moon." Kagome said then turned back to talk to Sango but stopped when it hit her. "Oh! I see, well tomorrow night go ahead and go visit that special place that you always go to on that night. We will be alright until day break." She winked at him. "We will be ready to travel when you arrive." He nodded to let her understand that he knew what she was getting at.

After everyone ate their fill of the meat and finished talking everyone laid down for the night and fell asleep. Sometime during the middle of the night the camp was woke up by a loud scream.

"GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT." Kagome stood pointing at her sleeping bag that she's been laying on top of with a thin blanket since it was summer.

"Get what out Kagome?" A tired Sango asked.

"I don't know. All I do know is it's slimy and cold." Inuyasha walked over and lifted the blanket to see a snake coiled up.

"It's just a snake. Go back to sleep." Inuyasha dropped the blanket and went back to the tree he was in before Kagome screamed.

"Easy for you to say, you jerk."

"I'll get it." Shippou waled over and picked up the snake and took it outside the camp as Kagome slowly lowered her foot to feel around for anymore lumps in her sleeping bag. Seeing nothing move she lowered to the sleeping bag and laid back down to go back to sleep. Shippou laid next to her.

The day dawned early with Inuyasha going around waking everyone in the group up. Not to long after eating they were on their way towards the Northeast. Inuyasha traveled closely to the group all day and when it started getting close to evening he eased back a bit and went into the tree line just enough that they could not see him but close enough that if he or a member of the group screamed the other would hear. When they stopped for the evening they stopped by a stream that had deep areas to where one could bath.

"Kagome, I'll take take Kirara and catch the food." Sango walked out of camp.

"Young lady Kagome where is the hanyou? We noticed he vanished close to early evening."

"Every month on the evening of the new moon he travels to the place his mother is buried and spends time there then in the morning he comes back and rejoins the group." Little off in the distance came a wolf howl followed by other howls.

"Momma that one wolf sounded close." The youngest girl hugged her mother.

"Kagome, I can feel..." Kagome took the wood from Miroku after she stood up.

"Yes I can to. The presence of two jewel shards and that can only mean." A dust tornado came into the camp and stopped. "Kouga."

"Hello Kagome." Kouga took her hands into his. Behind him the family yelled and hid by their cart. Kouga turned around and looked at them. "Who are they?"

"We are helping them get to the village that is close by before we head back south. Please wait here Kouga." Kagome walked over to the family. "Don't be afraid. He is one of the good youkai's that I mentioned. His name is..."

"Kouga! We finally caught up with you." Ginta and Hakkaku came walking up to Kouga with the underlings following them which made the family scream again. "Ah who are they?"

"A family Kagome and her group are helping." Kouga answered. He watched as the family stood up and walked close to Kagome but stopped when the underlings growled. Kouga turned and said something to them.

"Hey sis." Ginta greeted.

"Hello boys." She turned to see that the family went back to the spot they had been sitting before Kouga showed up.

"Hey where's dog breath and the exterminator?"

"This is the night of the new moon. Remember what happens to him! He did not want to be in camp so the family can see him, but he is around in that tree line somewhere around us. Sango is out getting something for our dinner. So why are you guys here?"

"We were heading south because there is a rumor of a strong energy and I figured that can only be Naraku, but then the underlings caught your scent and I had to come see my woman." Kouga answered.

"Kagome, Kirara and I caught some fish." Sango came back into camp to see Kouga. "Hello Kouga." Kouga gave her a nod.

"Kouga why don't we travel with sis since we are heading south."

"Why not Kouga. We can always use extra help if any fighting comes our way even though I know one person who will hate the idea. Like Hakkaku said we will all be heading down as soon as we get this family to the village." Kagome watched him as he stood there and took in the information.

"The plan of action is set boys. We will join with Kagome and the group. We will be back. " The three and the underlings left.

"Kagome do you think that was wise to ask Kouga to travel with us? You know how Inuyasha is when he is around." Miroku put his hand on her arm.

"I don't see why we couldn't travel together when we are going to be heading the same way after we take these people to the village."

Both Miroku and Shippou left the camp a little later to get enough wood that would last until morning as Sango and Kagome picked the places they were going to sleep. Kagome started laying out her bed near a tree when the wolf boys returned.

"Should you be sleeping that close to the edge of camp sis?" Ginta walked over to her.

"I'll be fine guys."

"Kagome you are the main person of this group a leader of sorts because you carry the shards. A leader sleeps in the center of his men or comrades to be protected so when a enemy comes he has to go through the leaders comrades to get to him."

"Kouga is right on that Kagome. Where you intend to sleep a enemy that can conceal his aura could over take you."

"Alright, where then would be a good place away from the fire pit?" Kagome asked.

"Let me handle it sis." Ginta picked up her bedding and took it close to the very center of camp but not close to the fire and laid her bedding back down for her. "Here is a good place." Kagome walked over and sat down on her bed.

"Thank you." But as she was about to lay down Kouga said something and three of the underlings went over and laid around her for added protection.

The night and the moon's glow waned as the sun started to rise. The quiet peace of the camp was soon to change as the red clad hanyou approached the camp. Entering the camp he saw Kouga and his companions.

"KAGOME! WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?"

"We are traveling with you as of last night. So live with it dog breath."

"The Hell you are!" Inuyasha put his hand on his sword.

"My woman asked me and my men to travel with the group. I agreed so that way she would be protected by me and not no weak..."

"Kouga please stop. Inuyasha, I asked him to come with us since we are all heading south anyways after we get this family to the village. Since I have four shard pieces and Kouga has two in his legs that should flush Naraku out because if he is where we are heading then that would mean six shard pieces coming his way. Which would mean possible trouble."

They headed out after breakfast. Inuyasha was in the far front of the group as Sango, Miroku, and Shippou followed closely behind the cart as did Kagome, Kouga and his companions. The morning started out feeling cool but as it got to the high moon hour the temperature started to climb.

"We've got to stop. Not just to take a break in the shade, but also to find something to eat." Kagome opened her water bottle to get a drink but it was empty so she put the lid back on. "Hey Sango do you have any water? I'm all out."

"Just a little." Sango held out her bottle to Kagome and she took a small sip.

"Thanks Sango." Kagome handed it back to her.

Continuing to walk Kagome's tongue started sticking to the roof of her mouth as she tried to swallow but carried on without complaining. Out of nowhere two of Kouga's underlings ran past Sango and the others and up to Kouga whining, yipping, and howling low.

"They say a village is not far from here." Kouga announced.

Traveling along Kagome's mouth became alot dryer and harder to swallow. As Kagome started to slow down and felt like she was going to faint do to lack of water to drink they came to the outskirts of the village. They saw a stream that was flowing down by the village so before going any further Kagome went over and knelt down and drew some water into her hands and drank it down then repeated it a few more times before she filled her bottle and the other bottles then stood up and returned to the group.

"Kagome we will wait here for you to return." Kouga and his comrades went into the tree line to remain out of site as Kagome and her friends entered the village with the family.

When they walked into the village the villagers turned and watched as they came further into the village. They were stopped by a group of people holding bows, and farming tools.

"What brings you strangers here?" A man asked.

"We have been traveling with these kind people for two days. Our mule was killed and these people let this fine animal though a youkai to take my family to the nearest village."

"You will stay at my place tonight and find you a place to build a dwelling in the morning."

"Come on Kagome. We helped them to get to a village so let's go." Inuyasha said.

"Thank you for the offer, but we need to get going." Kagome turned to go.

"Wait." The woman moved to the back of the cart and looked through something then turned and walked over to Kagome.

"Here take these in payment for agreeing to help us. I know it is not much." The woman said.

"Thanks, but it was nothing. We all were glad to help."

"Kagome come on were leaving." Kagome turned to see her friends walking towards the entrance of the village.