AFFT Ch8 Pg94

“You found her near the mountains?” Miroku asked, with both Killala and Halo in his arms. It was the next morning and they were headed to the area that Jane and Inuyasha had found Halo lying on the ground unconscious.  Sango and Miroku walked along side each other behind Inuyasha who was leading the way. Kagome was trailing behind them followed by Jane who was brushing Kagome’s platinum black hair.

“Are you talking about the ones where we fought the birds of paradise?” Kagome asked, referring to an old memory.

“That’s the one.” Inuyasha confirmed without changing the direction of his gaze.

“But how on earth did Halo get involved with Naraku in an area like that? There aren’t any jewel shards around there.” Miroku said.

“You never know.” Jane interrupted, pulling Kagome’s hairs out of the comb. “To our misfortune, Naraku knows about the Shykun Jewel. Remember? He did try to get into Takumi’s home.”

“So do you think the birds of paradise might have one of the shards?” Sango asked.

“Uh oh, I wouldn’t doubt it.” Kagome shivered, sensing something approaching. Everyone turned to look at her as Jane zipped up the pocket on Kagome’s back pack. “I feel a few shards on their way right now.”

“You… you can sense Shykun Shards now?” Jane asked. Kagome nodded.

“I first noticed it in the fight with Takumi.” She said. Jane smiled and was about to congratulate Kagome’s abilities before they were interrupted by an incredibly rough wind. The gang all shut their eyes and shielded their faces from flying stones until it calmed. When they looked up, there was a figure standing firmly before them like a monument.

“I knew I smelled rat.” Inuyasha said, revealing a fang. Koga smirked at Inuyasha’s comment and walked over to Kagome and lifted her slender hands. He cradled them in his and became serious.

“I knew it was you. I could smell your beautiful scent from a mile away, Kagome. So, did you miss me?” Koga asked Kagome. Kagome smiled in embarrassment and tucked her head back like a turtle.

“Hi Koga. How are you?”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Inuyasha asked, forcing himself in between Koga and Kagome.

“None of your business, Mutt Face.” Koga argued. Jane looked at him curiously. A wolf demon, she thought.

“Surely he’s here in search for more jewel shards.” Miroku guessed.

“Excuse me?  What wolf tribe are you from exactly?” Jane asked, with a finger to her chin. Koga turned to look at the half demon in front of him and examined her quick enough to avoid awkwardness. From his observation, he concluded that she inherited her demon blood from foxes…

“North.” He replied, curious about her too.

“Hm, Tasmanian?” Jane asked.

“Phantom.” 

“I see. My father worked with a Tasmanian wolf demon before and traded with them and tribes in the north.” Jane smiled as she began starting conversation with Koga.

Inuyasha’s jaw dropped.

“What tribe are you from?” Koga asked.

“Red foxes. Deceit.” Jane smiled. They continued to go on as if they've already know each other and this made Inuyasha grow impatient.

“Would you get over yourselves?” Inuyasha raised his voice and Jane and Koga looked at him with confusion when he clenched both fists. “We’re on an important mission, wolf, so get lost!”

“You know what?” Koga started, “You’re so far beneath even those of your own kind.”

“Owch.” Miroku commented, who was standing next to Sango, observing the whole thing like a live theater.

“What do you know about it? You’re just a useless scrawny wolf!” Inuyasha yelled with his forehead touching Koga’s.

“More than your tiny brain can hold, Albino.” Koga yelled back.

“Albino?” Jane burst into laughter and rested her hand on her head, ruining the tension. “I can’t believe I never thought of that, ahahahahaha.” Koga smiled a little, flattered by the compliment of his humor.

“Stay out of this, Jane!” Inuyasha said. Jane focused her look on Inuyasha after he gave her attitude.

“Don’t worry about him being all sensitive, Koga. It was his time of the month, last night.” Jane spoke for revenge. Both Koga and Jane threw their heads back in laughter and were even joined by a couple of giggles from Miroku and Sango.

“Shup up! You guys make me sick.” Inuyasha said, hiding his bit of sadness over the cooperation between his friend Jane and rival, Koga. 

“Jane, huh?” Koga said after hearing her name from Inuyasha. “You’re okay, kid.”

Jane nodded, accepting the odd compliment and Koga smiled in response with a hint of dally on the corner of his eyes. Inuyasha caught this and his ears twisted in discomfort.

“Watch it wolf.” Inuyasha said in an almost whisper. Koga’s attention turned to him and he noticed Inuyasha’s uneasiness. Kagome walked in front of Koga before another fight would break out and Koga’s expression quickly became content when she did.

“Say Koga, why are you back on these mountains?” Kagome asked.

“I’m looking for a fabled demon that specializes in witch craft.” Koga said.

“Witch craft?” The others said in attentiveness.

“Yeah. I heard that there’s a powerful wizard at work who’s making deals with other demons and granting incredible requests. I’m on the search for him so I can find out more about Naraku and the Jewel.” Koga explained.

“You mean the jewels, right?” Kagome asked. “I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve added a Shykun shard to your right arm and moved the Shikon shard you had in it to your left.”

Koga eyes widened. “You can see right through me, Kagome. I’ve forgotten how amazing you are.”

Inuyasha made a gesture to attack Koga for his jewel shards when he was instantly sat by Kagome. She didn’t even have to turn to see him coming. Jane looked at Halo and then back at Koga.

“Are you searching blindly? Or are you on your way?” Jane asked.

“A bit of both. I know he’s been in the area, but I’m not sure where or if he’s still around.” Koga crossed his arms.

“Why don’t we stay together until we find him?” Sango suggested.

“No way!” Inuyasha apposed.  Miroku rested a hand on Inuyasha’s shoulder.

“I think it’s a good idea. Koga is our best lead after all. We might be able to learn a thing or two about Naraku.” Miroku said.

“Maybe we can ask the demon about Halo.” Kagome remembered.

“A whole day with Kagome? How could I refuse?” Koga teased, smiling at Inuyasha.  Inuyasha tucked his arms in his sleeves. They sure have been picking on him a lot lately. Not that he cared or anything. He wished he could blame Jane for it, but he knows it’s not her fault. Then he recalled his conversation with Shane in the middle of the night and Inuyasha turned away.

“Why don’t you stick with us for good, Koga?” Jane asked, who was enjoying his company.

“Nah, I don’t have the time. I’ve got too much to do. Besides, the thought of working with Inuyasha makes me sick to my stomach.” Koga answered in disgust.  Inuyasha didn’t respond. It seems he was lost in his own thoughts.  

“Well, how about right now? Where do you think he could be?” Miroku said, bringing up what was most important.

“Well the edge of the desert at the bottom at the mountain is the only place I haven’t looked in the area yet. If he’s not there, we’ll have to try the jungle on the other side of the next village.” Koga explained.

“Well, let’s head off then.” Sango said, tightening her grip on the fabric of her weapon.  The others followed Koga and Inuyasha trailed far behind, watching him lead next to Jane. He grunted a low grunt and Kagome, who had been walking next to him, nudged his arm.

“He’s not so bad, Inuyasha. Just give him a chance.” Kagome tried. Inuyasha didn’t answer once again. He figured it’d be easier not to talk out loud with what’s been happening in his head lately. He was lost in so many confusing emotions and events that he didn’t know what to think anymore. His frustrations were making him not care very much for anything. He looked up to observe the two other demons leading the way. Better her than Kagome huh, he thought. He sighed heavily and decided not to freak out about the way Koga was acting around Jane. Even thought it was really bothering him.

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