Hunted by Sweet_Dark_Silence

Ch 1 Betrayal

Greetings one and all! I have decided to try my hand at writing fanfiction, and fully expect to fall on my face several times before I get it right. Since this is My First Fanfic, I will take ANY suggestions and tips to improve this story. This includes flames, although, if you do not like it, please take the time to tell me what you detest, and I may be able to explain it better. So, without further ado, lets begin.

***text***- Memories / flashbacks

Italics - personal thoughts

"Italics" - One person's thoughts heard by another

~text~time has passed (large or small amounts)

Ch 1 Betrayal

The dim shadows ran together as she raced through the forest, colors bleeding in to each other mixing with her already blurred vision. Her breath rasped, lungs screaming from exertion with every step. Exhaustion dogged her, but fear drove her forward. She continued her flight, tripping and falling over the roots and rocks, branches tearing at her clothes and face. She lay there for a moment, desperately gulping down the cool night air, her body numb from the numerous cuts and bruises. How could this have happen?

***

The Shard Hunters had been a mile from the coast, following rumors of shard activity. That night they were able to stop a little early, at the hanyou's insistence, much to everyone's surprise, and near a hot spring. Making his favorite food in thanks, she served him first, eyes glowing, a radiant smile upon her face. He blushed and mumbled his thanks before grabbing his bowl and jumping straight into a tree. Her smile was infectious, affecting the others as they watched the interplay between Kagome and Inuyasha. Peace settled over the friends as they ate, broken only by the occasional story or joke. Miroku even kept his hands to himself, even with Sango sitting next to him. After dinner, the girls eagerly gathered the dishes and bath items, the prospect of cleanliness making their moods light, when Inuyasha suddenly jumped down from the tree, growling. At this, the others quickly readied themselves as the bushes shook. A silvery-blue headed child fell out of the bushes. When her lavender eyes made contact with Inuyasha, she burst into tears, sobbing so hard even Shippo couldn't understand her. Many tears and much sobbing later, an exhausted Shiori slipped into a troubled sleep, leaving the group to watch over her.

"Kagome, she can't come with. I already have all of you I have to save, I don't need another!" So argued a frustrated Inu.

"But we can't just leave her here! Her mother is dead, the villagers will never let her return. She risked her life to even come out here! You know what she is going through." Sango threw in.

"Inuyasha, I'm a little surprised by your behavior. You of all people should jump at the chance to save someone from the pain you experienced." Voiced Miroku.

"Well, she can't stay with us, she'd be dead in a week." Inuyasha shot back. Kagome, who had been thinking about the dilemma, cried out, "I know! We can take her to Kaede's village, she might be able to help."

Much debating and one reluctant hanyou later, all agreed that Shiori would be safer with Kaede, and the week it took to travel back would be used to find a better idea.

~

That had been a week ago. While normally they would've reached the village by now, the addition of a group member slowed them down. The strangest thing was that although they hadn't fought any youkai since, everyone experienced a bone-deep weariness they couldn't explain, even Inuyasha found his ears drooping and his eyes sagging.

"Come on Inuyasha, can't we stop yet?" whined Shippo, paws dragging the ground. The rest of the group murmured in agreement, also worn out. Inu, focused on their destination three miles away, paused only long enough to shoot a glare at them, before moving on.

"Keh, I don't know why I put up with you. If your weak bodies didn't have ta rest so much, we'd have more shards by now. We have to find them, if you wanted to rest, you shoulda looked harder. "

So started the ongoing argument, so threadbare and used, Shippo and Kirara could (and often did) mouth the words as Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha spoke them. And, predictably, ending with "Oswari!" and a face-plant. The remaining members sighed in relief, hurriedly gathering firewood, tinder, and water from a hot spring Kirara had found. Soon, the camp was full of happy groans as the tired and aching bodies were allowed respite. After dinner was consumed and dishes cleaned, they drug themselves to their respective sleeping spots. An hour, and much tossing and turning later, Kagome found sleep evading her once again. Careful not to disturb Shippo and Shiori, she gathered her bath supplies, fresh clothes, her trusty bow and arrows and walked in the direction Kirara obtained the water. Five minutes later she arrived at the spring, a sight which brought grateful tears to her eyes. Stripping as fast as her tired muscles would allow, she entered the water, pure pleasure making her moan. Swimming back to the edge, she proceeded to remove the gunk and grime from the day's travel. Cleansed completely, she sat on a submerged shelf, the therapeutic water working its magic, as all of the stress left her, allowing sleep's sweet oblivion to cradle her.

~

Kagome jolted awake, the blood curdling cries of her comrades ringing through her ears. Dressing faster then previously possible, she grabbed her weapon and bolted towards camp. Arriving in less than a minute, the grizzly sight and sounds which greeted her, made her insides turn to ice. The campsite looked like a bad scene from a Halloween movie. Her feet slowly brought her forward, her eyes landing on the nearest body. A tall figure, dark hair, purple robes, hand loosely holding a staff. Her throat collapsed, feeling raw from her silent screams. No... Miroku... you can't be dead...you can't be... Her mind chanted, wishing this would bring her wise 'brother' back. Shaking now, her traitorous feet carried her deeper into the devastation. The next body was of her dearest friend and adoptive sister, Sango. Her mind refused to recognize the shape of the slayer, her own sword run through her heart. Nearby Hiraikotsu lay split in half beside a maimed Kirara. She could feel the tears building and tried to keep them at bay, but at the sight of her mangled kit, they broke free, cascading down her face. His heart-broken, soulless look pushed her to the limits, as she gently leaned down and closed his eyes. Righting herself once more, she moved to the last form. Her heart shriveled as she faced him, blood soaking his silver-white locks. His throat torn to shreds, his right fingers severed. Falling to her knees, she buried her face in his robe, grief so strong it was a tangible thing.

Kagome didn't know how long she stayed there, for her time was meaningless, but the sound of crunching leaves and sticks drew her focus to the surroundings. There, on the other side of the smoldering fire, was Shiori.

Kagome swiftly made her way to Shiori, thankful she at least had survived, when she heard the little girl giggle. Feeling as though ice water had been dumped on her, she froze and took a closer look at the child.

The girl laughed again as Kagome tried to push away her unease, and she gathered Shiori in her arms.

***

"I can hear you struggle, why punish yourself? You are so tired, just lie down and rest."

Kagome shuddered as his voice, his beautiful deadly voice, caressed her skin and sank into her soul, robbing her very willpower.