04. And Sometimes Memories Will Haunt You

By the time Kagome had finished explaining everything to her companions, there were more questions than answers. Shippo had more appropriately cute questions, while the others asked anything that came to mind. Some technology, like phones and cars, were hard for the humans and demons to imagine, but once the excitement settled down, Asami was able to ask them once more who this person they were looking for was. Collectively, everyone fell silent, their faces downcast or turned away as they debated on what to say. It was Sango who spoke, her voice low and even, as if she were trying to keep herself from crying. "Naraku is… a demon that is trying to spread evil and chaos in the world. He… takes people's emotions and uses them against them."

Inuyasha scoffed. "He's a bastard," he growled.

"He likes tormenting people," Miroku added with a nod. "We've all been a victim of his schemes."

Azure eyes scanned everyone in the room. There was a solidarity amongst these people that she could not comprehend, but Asami nodded. She understood that whatever this man had done to these people had wounded them all deeply. Kagome faced her with a soft, kind smile. "I'm worried that you might be next," she whispered. A few pairs of hues flickered to the young woman and Asami tilted her head to the side. "Naraku… will torment anyone who holds any semblance of emotion. I know you want to find a way home, and we're willing to help you, but…"

"Its dangerous," Asami said. Kagome nodded, "Yes. Very. If you're okay with that… then we can search for the mirror."

"A mirror?" Koga repeated. His two companions, who were named Ginta and Hakkaku she had learned, seemed as confused as their leader when Kagome nodded. "Yes. Asami says that she came through a mirror from one of her classes. We tried to send her back using the Bone-Eater's well, but…"

Asami glanced at her swollen right ankle, taking care to tuck it beneath her as Kagome sighed. "It didn't work. The only other thing I can think of is to find the mirror and see if she can go back home that way." Asami closed her eyes as she fingered the device in her jacket pocket. She had received it as a gift when she was thirteen, a hard-working student needed a way to get in contact with her mother while she was gone at work, and she had taken extreme care of the device. A soft sigh escaped her. How long had it been since she came here? Was it midnight? Did her mother even know that she was missing? Dread crept into the pit of her stomach. If only she had not touched that stupid mirror.

"You're making faces again," Inuyasha spoke up with a light snicker.

Asami blinked, her smoldering gaze landing on the dog demon and she shrugged. "I'm just thinking…" Her voice trailed off as she considered the time. Did she dare turn on her device? Would it even tell her the time without the cell towers to correct it? Her teeth sunk into her lips with worry as she considered how dark it was outside. "My… My mother is going to worry when she gets home. She's all I got, ya' know?" Kagome reached out a gentle hand to squeeze Asami's shoulder to comfort her. "She doesn't get back until midnight, but…"

Sango nodded, "Its difficult. To lose family without knowing where they are."

Asami sighed. "I… I guess. I don't know. I keep thinking that I'll open my eyes and I'll be in class. Or in bed. Just… Hard to believe that a mirror took me back into the past and demons are real."

Of course, she had heard many stories of monsters throughout the years. As a child, she had been enthralled with monsters, demons, and the supernatural. It had become a nightly thing for her to imagine up a new monster and pretend to fight it like the heroes in the storybooks her mother had written or bought for her, and sometimes Asami believed that there were more fables that her mother refused to tell, but she had learned at an early age to stop asking questions. After demanding to learn more about her father, it had become apparent that her mother wanted nothing to do with stories and demons, and Asami had taken to learning about stuff on her own. She was deep in thought when Sango posed her next question.

"What about your father?"

Asami tensed and she focused her gaze on the fire between them. How many times had she asked that, growing up? She had yearned for a father figure in her life, especially since her mother was hardly around with her jobs, and a sharp pain in her chest forced a grimace to splash across her face. She bit at her lower lip, her fingers still toying with the device in her pocket. She had paintings of her father, but no pictures. She never knew his name, just that he was her father. It was… difficult to grow up without one. She had endured the teasing and the questioning for years, but even days away from her twentieth birthday, Asami held onto a hop that he would appear. Yet, she always told herself that he wouldn't. Could a dead man come to her graduation? Could a deceased man hug you and tell you that he was sorry? No, Asami knew very well that the dead could not come back to life, and they could not replace what was missing inside of her. She forced the same smile she gave everyone on her lips and shrugged.

"Died when I was little, Mom says." Her voice quivered, but she kept the smile on her face. "Far as I know, he had no family either. So, it's just me and my mom."

"I'm sorry," Sango said.

"Don't worry about it," Asami said, the smile still plastered to her lips. "I get that question a lot. I'm used to not having him around." Liar. Her chest constricted as she bit the inside of her cheek, holding onto the smile for as long as she could. She was not used to being alone, even while growing up like she had. Instead, she sought out company in forms of music and dance, eventually discarding it all to pursue something more 'reliable,' as her mother loved to say. Asami's fingers dug into the hard-plastic case of her phone as she moved her gaze to the fire once again. "You can't bring the dead back to life."

Koga's nose picked up the scent of tears.

No one was obviously crying, but he scanned the room with a critical gaze. The scent of the new woman, Asami, had been driving him insane since he walked through the door, and he found that his nose was sensitive to pick up any scent that was not the disgusting odor of Naraku. Beneath the stench of miasma and death was a rather pleasant fragrance, but it was so hard to pick up, that when the salty perfume of tears wafted his way, Koga immediately began to search out the one crying. The awkwardness slowly dissipated after the demon slayer's question, but the new girl seemed more subdued than she had been before. She did not perk up to ask more questions, and instead seemed to just stare into the fire. The scent of tears must have come from her. Her eyes were that strange glowing blue, but it seemed to shine as if she were holding back tears. Yet, the girl smiled. What sort of good did smiling when you were sad do? Koga quirked a curious brow as he considered the question, watching the woman with curiosity. It was sad, he had to admit. Growing up in a pack was the best thing he could ever have asked for. He had the love and support of all the wolves in the den and losing one of them would be traumatic. He leaned against the wall, idly listening, as Kagome asked the woman about her time in their world.

"Oh," she spoke up. She seemed startled that they were talking with her again, but she smiled. "I'm in college. First year."

Kagome gasped excitedly. "University?! That's amazing! I don't even know if I'll make it into high school with my grades and all the school I miss while I'm here. I go home for make up exams from time to time, but…" Kagome sighed rather dramatically as she settled herself by the new girl. Koga felt his fur stand on edge as Kagome connected with the woman. He did not trust her. She reeked of Naraku, and he wanted to interrogate her until she gave him the accursed demon's location, but between Kagome and the mutt, he would never get close enough. For now, he would have to wait and see. Speaking of…

"Well, I guess we'll be hanging with you guys for a while."

Of course, the mutt was the first one to speak up. "What?! The hell you are!"

Koga gave him a glare. "We haven't come up with anything, and you guys have a lot of the shards already, don't you?" Kagome nodded to confirm his suspicions and he scoffed. "It would be safer for Kagome if there we more people to defend her. Plus," his eyes cut to Asami who seemed to wither at his stare. "I don't trust her. If she's linked to Naraku, then there's danger, meaning my Kagome is in danger! So, I'm coming with you."

The mutt growled at him and Koga met him with a snarl, but the mutt rolled his eyes. "Fine! Just don't get in the way, wolf. I won't tolerate you stopping me from killing Naraku."

Koga gave a satisfied smirk. "Feeling's mutual, mutt face. Don't get in my way in a fight."

What was a friend?

It was the thought upon Asami's mind as the group embarked on their journey the following morning. It had been a long night, and a disorienting morning, but Asami had kept quiet as they packed up and started on their way. Inuyasha and Koga seemed to bicker often enough that the others simply tuned them out and carried on their own conversation. All of which, Asami had nothing to input because she had no idea what they were talking about. It was her inability to join in on conversation, and her lack of knowledge on making friends, that kept Asami toward the back of the group near the other two wolf demons. They had been introduced to her last night, and while she knew that the one with the white mohawk was Hakkaku and the other with blue hair was Ginta, Asami could not bring herself to open a dialogue with them. Friends were not company that she kept. Ever since she was a young child, she had been isolated. No child wants to play with the weird kids, and especially if they never had parents around to help them get cool toys or clothes. Asami shook her head. Raven locks bounced around her in waves and curls. She had managed to brush it thanks to Kagome bringing a hair brush, but it was difficult to put it up without a mirror. So, instead of being anxious about her hair, Asami elected to leave it down. She still wore the black shorts, blue tank top and grey jacket, but she scrunched her nose as she considered a change of clothes.

An exasperated sigh left her as she followed the group along. Her appearance changing had been astonishing, and alarming, but Asami was more concerned about her mother. While the older Sutaraito kept herself preoccupied with work, she always made sure that Asami was home and safe before she even considered passing out for the evening. Guilt began to build in her stomach and Asami let her shoulders droop a bit. Did her mother call the cops? Did she go to the school? Had they found her bag sitting in the classroom, discarded to the side, and left behind? Guilt tipped the boat into worry as she wondered if her mother had eaten. Bathed. Oh goodness, had she—

"Oof! Hey, watch it!"

Koga's gruff voice reached her as she stumbled back, rubbing at her nose. Asami mumbled a small apology as she kept her eyes downcast, feeling ridiculous for having run into him. The wolf had made his mistrust of her known and she could not blame him. They had told her some of what this Naraku guy had done; from tricking Inuyasha and his past lover to kill one another, to the manipulation, slaughter, and reanimation of Sango's family and brother, all the way to a part of Koga's tribe being massacred. A shudder ran through her as she thought about what kind of demon would want to cause such havoc when Hakkaku tapped a finger upon her shoulder. Blue eyes snapped up to attention and found the white-haired wolf demon.

"Uh… Miss. Asami?" he asked. "Are you alright?"

Asami nodded as she flashed him a smile and hummed at him her affirmation. It may be a new world for her, but Asami felt more at ease knowing that someone was here from her world. Kagome was like an anchor for her, and she was grateful that the dark haired middle schooler was not as suspicious of her as her friends. Asami turned her attention back to her dark shoes as she contemplated friendships. Was it what made Koga so eager to mistrust her? Or was it because they were all good friends and she was the stranger. Asami rolled her eyes. Of course, she was the outsider! When had that ever changed?! Asami took a moment to internally scold herself when a snicker broke her from her thoughts.

"You sure like making funky faces."

Vibrant hues rolled once more as Asami turned her head to look at the dog demon. He had fallen into step with her and the two wolves, lagging behind and smirking at her as he enjoyed whatever look she had etched onto her face.

"Take a picture," she grumbled at him. "It'll last longer."

Another snicker met her retort as they shuffled on. By noon, Kagome decided that it was a wonderful time for everyone to stop and relax. In minutes, the fifteen-year-old had expertly laid out a blanket and started to pull out items from her large yellow bag. Various instant foods that Asami recognized were laid out and she chuckled as she leaned against a nearby tree. Her legs were aching, especially after the rough tumble she had taken trying to use the well, and her right ankle throbbed painfully. Asami released a long, drawn out sigh as she tilted her head back to look up. Dark green leaves were shaded black against the blue sky and she reveled in the crystal-clear skies. It was not often that she ventured out during the early parts of the day. Even before she graduated high school, Asami was a night owl. She used to stay up all night and would go to school in a daze. She would go home, sleep until dinner, and then repeat the process. After graduation, she had taken to late afternoon and evening classes, opting to stay up all night while sleeping the day away. The extra activity of walking, along with her constant strain of thoughts, were really all that kept her going most of the morning.

"Aren't you gonna eat?"

Asami tilted her head to the side as her attention turned to the blue haired wolf demon. He had a bowl of instant ramen in his hands, and the steam that rose from the top told her that he had just finished heating up his meal. Asami flashed him a lopsided smile before returning her attention to the leaves and sky. "No, thank you."

"Are…uh. Are you sure?" He asked. His tone was timid, but seemed as though he were concerned. "You haven't eaten anything since the stew yesterday."

Asami blinked up at the sky. "I'm sure. I'll be okay. You guys enjoy your food."

A part of her wanted to join them, though it was small. She was the stranger, after all. While they were comfortable with one another, Asami felt rather unwelcomed since some of them seemed to still be rather hostile with her. Plus, if she sat down right now, there was a huge possibility that she would forgo eating for some sleep. The crunching of grass beneath feet told her that Ginta had left to return to his spot and she stared up at the clouds, shifting her weight from one side to the other, taking care of her ankle's tenderness. She had a bad habit of thinking when all she really wanted to do was empty her mind, but there was something nagging at Asami.

Why the hell did she smell like this Naraku demon?

It had been a question that plagued her since the wolves showed up. Twice she had faced the possibility of death. Twice, she had been told that she smelled like some psychopathic demon that was being hunted. Aggravation welled up in her as her thoughts began to spiral and she glared at the sky. Why would she smell like him? Was there something specific about her that replicated that scent? Was it something she could wash off? Asami frowned. Was it her laundry detergent? Did her clothes smell like him because of her fabric softener? She sighed again. She had always warned her mother that she could not always buy cheap. Maybe that was it!

She groaned as she stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets again. It was a stupid, silly theory, but Asami had nothing else. How did demons even differentiate the 'scents' of people? She huffed as she stared at the blue sky. The pain in her legs and ankle dulled as she forced herself to focus on the breeze that began to blow. Her dark hair fluttered around her gently and she closed her eyes against the cool sensation that rippled over her. For a moment, she tried to pretend that she was back home, but her mind's eye could not conjure the image. Brows furrowed in concentration as she tried to visualize the small house she lived in with her mother, but it was difficult. Had she hit her head when she was transported to this time? No. Asami's eyes fluttered open to stare up into the skies above. It was because it was still daylight, since there was that nagging scarlet behind her closed eyes, and on top of that she could not focus while so tired. She shook her head as she pushed herself from the tree. One glance told her that the group was still relaxing and enjoying lunch together, so she turned away from them and stepped away. She did not stray far, just a few feet, but Asami felt herself relax with every step she took away.

A groan escaped her as she slid to the ground and laid back. Her view of the sky was clear now, no leaves rustling in the breeze, and she sighed as she let her mind wander. It was difficult for her to be so silent while alone, but she could not bring herself to open her mouth to speak. It was like a shackle. Daylight forced her anxiety to sky rocket and become almost unbearable because in the light everyone could see your flaws. Yet, she had to journey with them. It was only fair. Kagome had agreed to help her find the mirror she needed to get home, so Asami had agreed to go with them. It was the only thing she could think to do. How else was she supposed to go home?

"The hell do you think you're doin' so far away?"

Alright. The wolf was not helping her anxiety either.

"Enjoying nature," she grumbled as he towered over her. His body forced a shadow to cast over her and Asami sighed. "Is there a law that says I can't?"

"Why you gotta go far then?" he pressed.

A growl left the raven-haired woman as she sat up. She had nearly cracked their foreheads together, but she turned to look at the wolf demon with a glare situated upon her features. "Look, I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here," she said. Every word was slow, deliberate, and she articulated it with a punch of her nerves as she continued. "I was literally taken from my world and thrown into a world of demons, which happens to be in the past. I'm looking for a way home. We don't have to like one another, but you don't have to be an ass."

He blinked at her before scowling, "I don't trust you."

"Are you a broken record?" Asami scoffed as she turned away from him. "You don't trust me, okay. I get it. I don't even trust myself right now. How do I even know if any of this is real? Where I come from demons don't even exist! They're just fables. Myths. Legends with no real validity." Smoldering hues bore into him as she glared over her shoulder at him. "I just want to go home. Why is that such a damn problem for you?" Her head was beginning to hurt and Asami brought a hand to her throbbing temple. She had spent much of the morning thinking and stressing about all sorts of things, and she sure as shit did not need Koga to come and watch her like a damn watch dog. "Just leave me alone. You don't want anything to do with me, right? The feeling is mutual, so leave me be."

She slid herself a few feet further from him, and the others, and laid back down with her eyes closed. She was tired, and her body felt so tensed that she thought her muscles would tear. She heard the grass crunch, but instead of going further away, she heard it come towards her. Cracking one eye open, she found the wolf demon sitting near her and she frowned. "What?"

"Demons really don't exist in the future?"

Asami closed her eye and sighed. "Not that I know of. Everyone is human. We all go to school, graduation, get jobs, and try and be productive members of society." The words came naturally. A mantra that her mother had repeated for most of her life. Yet, they felt much more hollow than normal. She sucked on her teeth for a second as she thought about it. "Its just how things are there…"

"Tch," she heard Koga click his tongue. "Sounds boring."

A scoff bubbled forth from her as she felt the tug of a smile, "Yeah, tell me about it. All I wanted was to sing and dance. Mom basically told me that it was a waste of time and pushed me into University. It's fine though. I have time to decide now."

"Sounds complicated."

"So, which is it? Does it sound boring or complicated?" she asked.

"Both," he said, eliciting a soft laugh from her.

It was the last thing she heard from him. Instead, she let herself feel the gentle breeze and inhale the intoxicating scent of nature. It was clean, crisp, and unpolluted. Everything around her went silent as she let herself fall into her own headspace. She felt as though she were drifting in a silent, peaceful void, and Asami almost let herself be taken by the calming sensation. It was relief to her legs to lay there, letting the world around her disappear, but the little space she had conjured was torn asunder as a hand gripped at her arm and yanked her. Her eyes snapped open as the world around her suddenly buzzed to life. Sounds. Screams came from nearby as dirt kicked up around her and suddenly she was being launched into the air. Brown fur and metal was pressed against her face as she felt the world around her move, and soon she was dropped onto the ground.

"Ow!" she yelped as she hit the hard ground. In front of her Koga stood up and turned away, and Asami scowled. "What the he—"

BOOM!

The ground ahead of them, where he had just pulled her from, seemed to explode. Asami gasped as she covered her head with her arms. Dirt and grass flew about, and she could hear Inuyasha yelling at someone. Carefully, Asami looked up and around the group to find a woman. She had dark hair tied up in a small ponytail and strange colored eyes. From the distance they looked like a deep pink, but Asami could not decipher if they were red or pink, because Inuyasha pulled out his sword and charged her. Asami forced herself to her feet and grimaced. Laying about for some rest had forced her legs to scream in red, hot, searing pain, as she got to her feet. She watched as Koga joined the fight and she turned to look for Kagome. The younger woman was watching with a frown, and Asami reached out to grab at her arm. Kagome seemed unharmed and Asami only tilted her head, clueless as to what was going on.

"K-Kagome?"

"Kagura sure knows how to make an entrance," Shippo said before Asami could ask. Confusion clouded her face as she looked from the group to the woman. Inuyasha and Koga were locked in a fight it seemed and she pressed her lips into a firm line as she watched the fight.

"Should we help?" Sango asked.

"I can't," Miroku declined, pointing up with his bronze staff. Asami followed his line of sight until she saw what he was pointing at. Asami covered her mouth at the sight of what appeared to be flying insects. They resembled overgrown wasps with a body of yellow and black, white wings, a purple thorax, and a crimson stinger. "Naraku has sent Kagura with the insects." Asami's blood ran cold as the monk spoke the demon's name and she forced the lump in her throat to go down.

"What… What sort of insects are those?" Asami asked.

"Poisoned," Sango replied. "Stay here with Miroku and Kagome. I'm going to help Koga and Inuyasha." The cat that she had been carrying jumped from her arms and Asami staggered back as flames engulfed the feline, ebbing away to reveal a much larger, and fiercer, version of the cat demon.

Sango and Kirara were off to fight and Asami stayed back with Kagome and the others. The demon that had appeared sung around a simple fan, but it wielded large gusts of air that seemed to cut like knives. Even combined, the demon woman seemed to deflect and dodge the attacks of Kagome's friends with ease. Asami gasped as Inuyasha took a hit, but he seemed resilient as he threw himself back at the woman. They danced around one another as if they were used to fighting. Koga and Inuyasha dodged each other as they lunged at the woman and she only laughed, darting around them and using her wind to knock them around.

Kagura had been gone for quite a while.

He had sent her out yesterday and the wind sorceress had yet to return to the castle. Naraku was quite agitated that his own search had yielded no results and dared to hope that Kagura would bring him better news. He silently willed Kanna to him, and his incarnation wandered in, holding her infamous mirror. Her vacant black eyes bore into him, unfeeling, as he nodded. White hair matched her ghastly appearance, for she wore a white kimono, obi, and her skin was unnaturally pale. She stepped into the room and held her mirror out for him. It shimmered a pale grey before showing him what he wanted to see.

The insects he had sent with Kagura were hovering above an ongoing battle. He smirked as he watched Kagura throw away the idiotic half-demon that had been the bane of his existence for well over fifty years. With him, however, was the wolf demon. Naraku arched a curious brow. He knew that the two butted heads even after the set up was discovered to have been Kagura not Inuyasha, but Naraku's smirk only grew darker. Perhaps Kagura would kill them, and he would be free to do what he desired without interference. But, he wondered with a slight tilt of his head, where were the others? The insects turned to locate the rest of the group, when Naraku found that there was one extra person among the group. A woman with raven hair stood with the others, a fresh new target it seemed, and Naraku chuckled. "Closer. I want to see the new toy Inuyasha and his friends have brought this time." Kanna replied with a small nod, and he watched as the monk, priestess, and stranger came into view. There was a hint of excitement flowing through him as he began to contemplate possible new ways to torment the newest addition to their band of misfits, when the female in question turned and looked up.

Every ounce of excitement drained from him in the harsh winds of an oncoming blizzard as his veins turned to ice. Long dark hair was common in the world, especially among the humans, but those eyes were not. He had seen a set of eyes like those before, and a deep anger blossomed in his stomach. She seemed different than the last time he saw her. Paler with strange clothes that were reminiscent of what Kagome wore, and the smirk fell from his lips, dipping into a dark scowl. It had been a rather long time since he last saw her, the traitorous wench, and his eyes narrowed as he growled. "Kagura!" he snapped. He knew that his voice would reach her, and he scowled as he considered the female. "Kill the one with blue eyes."

Kill the one with blue eyes!

The force of the command almost knocked the wind sorceress off her feet. She ducked from the wolf demon's swipe and smirked as she swung her fan forward, a gust of wind sweeping up behind her and pushing Koga back and into the demon slayer. Inuyasha roared as he launched himself at her, and she threw herself back. Her eyes searched the clearing and found the insects hovering a bit above the monk and priestess. With them stood another, with bright blue glowing eyes. She pivoted and dodged another attack from Inuyasha, swinging her fan at him once more. "Dance of blades!" she cried. Inuyasha screamed as he was hit, blood spurting into the air as he flew backwards and to the ground. The demon slayer and wolf were still untangling themselves from each other, and Kagura turned. Her vibrant rose-colored eyes locked onto the woman across the field and a smirk splayed itself across her lips. Her eyes were abnormal and bright, two things that she could immediately pick up. It was a simple task, she knew, and she glanced over at the wolf demon as she lifted her fan. Her eyes were locked onto the wolf and she gave a cocky grin as she felt her own power course through her. "Dance of the Dragon!" Thought she had turned to face Koga, the tornados that she summoned danced along the field. A wicked grin crossed her face as they closed in on her target, and a shriek erupted from the two women. Kagura laughed as she felt her tornado collide, striking the group that had been on the sidelines, and the wolf demon screamed as he dashed into the winds with Inuyasha right on his heels.

"Backlash wave!"

Shit! Kagura's thoughts went from excited to angry when the familiar voice of Inuyasha had cut through the whipping winds, sending her tornados back at her. She pulled her feather from her hair and took to the sky, flying just high enough to avoid the reach of the tornados. The two insects that had accompanied her fluttered up to her, but as she gripped her fan to toss another attack, ensuring someone's demise, she felt her arm still.

Return! She heard Naraku's voice growl at her.

"But!"

I said return!

Kagura growled as she turned from the debris and took off into the skies. What she failed to realize was that the insects she had arrived with did not follow behind her. Instead, she huffed as she began to make her way towards the castle, taking to the skies to not be followed.

Asami was astounded at the abilities being thrown around between the demon woman and Inuyasha. Koga and Sango had their weapons and were slicing at her, yes, but Inuyasha's sword was much more impressive than she had originally thought. The woman seemed to expect it though, and Asami glanced at Kagome. "Who is that?"

Kagome sighed. "That's Kagura. One of Naraku's incarnations!"

"In…carnation?"

Kagome nodded. "It's like… a person made from him. A type of clone, but not identical. Each one is a different entity, but they all follow his orders. They're all his henchmen."

Asami gasped as she turned her attention back to the fight, only for the demon to look at them. Her flesh tickled with fear as it rippled with bumps, and she gasped as she turned to Koga, readying her fan once more. But, to Asami's horror, the woman swung her fan at her and Kagome, not Koga. Whipping winds formed tornados that touched down, racing toward her and Kagome. A sharp gasp escaped her, but Asami moved. Instincts kicked in and she turned. Her body slammed into Kagome's and the two hit the ground. She shielded the younger woman and she felt the sharp winds tear at her clothes. Hot, fresh blood tickled her back and she shouted, until the winds vanished. Pain coursed through her as she held onto Kagome tight. Her eyes were shut tight as shouts echoed over her and soon, she felt hot hands ripping her up. She heard Kagome's name called and Asami collapsed off to the side as Koga and Inuyasha checked on her. Asami studied the middle schooler and exhaled when she realized that she was fine. Chocolate hues darted to her and she gasped. "Asami! Are you okay?!"

Asami grimaced. "Yeah, I'll be okay."

"Damn it," Inuyasha growled, surveying the destroyed clearing. "She got away."

Kagome rushed over to check on Asami. The blue eyed collegiate coughed as she shook her head. "I-Its nothin'. I couldn't just let you get hurt."

Koga's eyes latched onto the woman he had suspected. Kagura had attacked her, and she had thrown herself between the attack and his beloved human. Confusion mixed with gratitude, even as the woman whimpered under Kagome's careful hands. The priestess immediately started to demand for bandages and tore the grey fabric from Asami's shoulders. The discarded fabric was drenched in blood and Koga felt his feet move as he knelt before her. "Hey," he said, reaching out to grab her trembling shoulders. Cerulean eyes looked up at him, glassy and confused. He forced a smirk onto his face. "Least you're not easy to kill," he half joked.

A pained chuckle left her. "Aren't you polite?"

The injuries were not as severe as Kagome originally thought, but the young priestess continued to watch over her even as they moved on. Asami swore that she could walk, even went as far as to skip around despite the pain, but Inuyasha had all but demanded for her to ride on his back. Something about her slowing them down and Asami had finally given in. They traveled for the rest of the day, attempting to find out where Kagura had gone, but to no avail. The sun was finally setting as it dipped towards the horizon and the group set up camp. Her back ached as she sat by the campfire. She wanted to lay down, but her exhaustion from earlier was disappearing as the sky grew darker. A soft laugh left her at a joke Ginta had made, and it was like the group was a family. Though she felt more like and outsider looking in, Asami felt the hostilities from before gone. She sat by the fire even as the others began to fall asleep. The flames flickered and danced about, and Asami smiled into the scarlet flames. She waited, and waited, until she was almost sure that everyone else had fallen asleep before forcing her strained body onto her feet. She turned to take a few steps into the forest, a sharp hiss escaping her as her back throbbed, and Asami let herself move. She… wanted to release her pent-up emotions. So much had happened in the last few days. So many things had disturbed her and made her afraid, and Asami felt her control slipping. Her back had a long gash, Kagome had told her, and she shook her head as she remembered the bright-eyed girl apologizing to her again and again, and all Asami wanted to do was forget about everything from the last twenty-four hours.

Her life had been so simple, and now it was insane.

It was hard for her to wrap her mind around it all, but truth had stared her in the face and thrown tornados at her. Truth had sliced open her back and made the wound feel like it was on fire as she collapsed a short distance away from camp, and Asami felt relief settle through her as she crawled into the light of the moon. A small opening in the canopy allowed the stars to shine overhead, and the moon was brilliant against the dark blue sky. She tilted her head back as she closed her eyes, letting her tension from the day drain away from her body. Her muscles relaxed, and she let a small smile reach her lips as she let herself forget everything around her.

I just… want to dance.

Dancing was impossible with the pain in her back, and Asami knew that. Instead, she crept over to a rather decent sized rock and forced herself back onto her feet. She sat on the stone and panted with her exertion. Her muscles screamed at her, the fire in her back pulsing, and she lifted her eyes to the sky.

It… was gorgeous here. The night sky was clouded with smog and shadowed by the brilliance of the street lights in the modern era, and Asami felt tears wet her eyes as she admired the sky. Her chest ached as she stared up at the stars. Her thoughts traveled to her mother and she wondered if she was okay. Her worry swelled as she considered the fear her mother must be feeling. Another night away from home, and her chest began to ache. The swell of emotions she could not let herself feel the evening before rushed her, ice cold tears spilling over her tight grip on her emotions until they splashed down her cheeks in waves. A sob racked her body and her back pulsed in agony as she let herself crumple and cry. She missed her mother, and the warmth she had of her bed. She missed waiting up late for her mom to come home and helping her get to bed after a long day of work. She missed… She missed the paintings. Her balcony. Her space. Asami felt the great amount of sadness pull at her insides as she let the reality of her situation finally settle onto her. She was far from home. So, so very far from home, and she had no idea how she would get back. She had assumed, with Kagome's help, that the mirror she came through would be her ticket back to her era, but she had no idea where it was. She felt another sob bubbling in her throat and she swallowed it down. Breathing was slowly becoming difficult, and she had to get a grip before she fell into a state of panic.

So, with her eyes closed against the moonlight, Asami parted her lips and took a deep breath.

He heard movement, and cracked open a sky-blue eye. Asami had managed to get to her feet and stumbled out of camp without so much as looking back, and Koga sat up from the tree he was leaning on. The dying embers of the fire alerted him to the fact that the others were sleeping, and suspicion raced through him. Silently, he stood and tiptoed around the sleeping group until he could follow. Her injury led him right to her, the copper and miasma scent leading him to a small clearing where she had crumpled to the ground. She looked… so small. Small and fragile was what he thought as he stared at her silhouette. She seemed to strong earlier when she had taken the blow from Kagura and survived. He was impressed with her instincts as she leapt in front of Kagome, and shielded her from the tornados. Yet… She seemed so small in that moment, and he had no idea what to do. Had she tried to flee them, or was she just trying to get some space? He was suspicious of her still, but he could not deny that Kagura attacking her meant that she truly may be innocent. She might not have anything to do with the bastard she shared a scent with, but he refused to accept it.

Then, she moved.

Slowly, deliberately, she crawled over to a rock and pulled herself onto it before tilting her head back to look up at the sky. Koga was uncertain of her reason for being here when she pitched forward. At first, he thought that she might have fainted, but she did not fall to the ground. Instead, she bent forward, and the salty scent of tears reached him.

She was… crying.

Her sob reached his ears and his shoulders drooped. He had no experience with crying women. Kagome rarely cried, and the few times she did was because she was mad at the mutt, so the crumpled form of the woman froze him in place. The sound tore at a part of him and he stepped back. Perhaps he should have just let her go and not have chased her. This… is not a sound that anyone would want to hear. It was painful, and he could only stare as she straightened herself. Her breathing came in short, sharp gasps and he wondered if she could even breathe. Her face turned up toward the sky and he finally moved. Her cheeks glistened in the moonlight from her tears as they fell, racing down flushed flesh and she took a deep breath. He debated on reaching out to her, when she parted her lips.

And the blood will dry underneath my nails, and the wind will rise up to fill my sails…

Koga blinked. It… was a beautiful tone that escaped her, and he was stunned. What… was she doing?

So, you can doubt, and you can hate, but I know; no matter what it takes…

Her voice was steady, but he watched her body tremble. He was astounded. Whatever the tune she was carrying was, he found it pleasant to his ears, and he stay silent as she continued. Her tears seemed to continue, her brows furrowing as she continued, the verse leaving her lips, her voice thick with something that Koga could not identify. Instead, he watched her as her fingers tried to dig into the stone she sat on, her knuckles turning white with the pressure. He watched as her shoulders shook, her chest heaved, and her tears fell as she continued.

I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Tell the world that I'm coming home. Let the rain, wash away, all the pain of yesterday…

Koga frowned as she continued. Was she in pain? She looked like she was struggling to continue, and he had to admit that he wanted to hear more. Whatever it was that she was doing, it was beautiful, and he could not bring himself to stop her. His body was still as he watched her, periwinkle eyes locked onto her form as she continued, her words echoing gently in the clearing as she opened her eyes. Koga almost gasped, expecting her to see him, but she never moved. Instead, her gaze was focused on the sky and he stepped back to not disrupt her. He was entranced by the tune, and her voice. It was strange, but he kind of liked it. Just as he was willing to admit it though, he watched as her light and fair skin began to shine. Koga blinked and rubbed at his eyes, but it was there. A soft glow seemed to be coming from her as she closed her eyes. She was lost to the world happening around her, he realized, and she continued. Her voice grew stronger, and with it, the light shifted tones. At first it was white, bleeding away to blue, then purple. He glanced from her to the sky, seeing the same three colors in the night sky, and he looked at her again. Was she even human?

Still far away from where I belong, but it's always darkest before the dawn. So, you can doubt, and you can hate, but I know; no matter what it takes… I'm coming home.

Her voice faded with the last note and Koga watched her as she opened her eyes. She stopped shaking near the end, he finally noticed, and her tears were starting to dry on her cheeks. He was still uncertain of what he saw, but even she gasped as she looked down at herself. Her eyes seemed to widen, and she looked ready to freak out. Without warning, he let out a low whistle. Brilliant hues locked onto him and she gasped, pushing away from him. She staggered away, nearly falling and Koga almost wanted to laugh at her. Almost. Her voice was still ringing in his ears, and he wanted to know why she was glowing, but she seemed panicked.

"That was nice," he told her. Her mouth nearly fell open as he smirked at her. "What were you doin'? It sounded really nice."

Asami gulped. He watched the muscles tense beneath her skin on her neck and she shrugged, grimacing as her back tweaked. "I… I was just singing."

"Singing?" he asked.

Her eyes widened even more. "Do… Do you not know what singing is?" Koga merely shrugged and Asami shook her head. "That… That's awful. I'm… I'm sorry."

"What for?" he asked.

"… Because singing is amazing," she breathed. "But… you probably don't care about that."

Koga hummed. "I do want to know what this 'singing' is, but tell me why you're glowing first."

"I… I don't know," Asami responded. She had sung under the moonlight before, so what would have done that to her? The light in question also began to dim until she was back to her normal self. Just great. She had come out here to release her tension and built up emotions, and instead she ends up with more questions and worries. "I was going to ask if you were doing it."

Koga scowled. Why the heck would he do that? He had no reason to do that to her, and he sure as hell didn't have the power to do so. He was about to retort when the scent of fresh blood reached him, and he stepped forward. He watched her tense as he stepped up to her and around. Her jacket was at the camp, discarded by the fire and still damp from Kagome's attempt to clean it, and the shirt she wore exposed part of her back. Her bandages were stained a soft crimson beneath her right shoulder. He noticed a little black star in the middle of her right shoulder and tilted his head to the side. He had noticed the marking before, when Kagome was bandaging her up.

"You're bleeding," he said. Asami gave him another shrug and he rolled his eyes as she cringed. "How about we talk about the glowing later and get back to camp? If you hurt yourself anymore, I'll have to wake up Kagome." He stepped around to stand in front of her again and then knelt down. "C'mon. I can carry you back."

"I'll be okay," she whispered.

"Tch," he replied. "Suit yourself."

The walk back to the camp was slow, but Koga stayed behind her. He was watching the blood spot on the bandages, checking to make sure that it did not become worse. The last thing he wanted to do was wake up Kagome. "So, what is this singing?" To her credit, the woman kept moving. "It's speaking with a tune," was her answer. "Its popular in our world."

"Do you sing a lot?"

"Sometimes."

"Why?"

Asami slowed and stopped. They were close to the camp now, she could smell the extinguished fire from the trees, and she kept her gaze ahead. How would she be able to make someone from this era understand? A soft chuckle escaped her. "The same reason I breathe, Koga."

It was all she told him before leaving him in the trees and stepping back into camp. He stared after her confused. What the hell was that supposed to mean? You did not have to speak with a type of tune, but you needed to breathe. It was what kept you alive! He shook his head and stepped into camp, finding her laying down where she had first been sitting. He exhaled as he stepped around everyone as careful as he could, settling back down into his spot. A soft scoff escaped him as he looked in her direction, brows furrowed in thought. If singing was so popular in Kagome's time, why did she not mention it to him? A spark of jealousy flared in him as his gaze traveled to the half-demon across the way. Did mutt face know what singing was? Did Kagome tell him about it? Koga sighed. He was acting ridiculous. For now, he would leave Asami alone. He would try to give her the benefit of the doubt, but he would ask her about the glowing crap tomorrow. A yawn left him as he slowly closed his eyes, and soon, Koga joined the rest of his comrades into the land of dreams.