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Chapter 28: An Earnest Plea

The burning sunset painted the sky in beautiful fiery tones as Inuyasha ran through the woods for all he was worth, following a laughing, leaping silver shadow. The western sky ahead of him shone brilliant orange and fading yellow, while the cooling clouds behind dimmed to soft violet at the edges as the sun began to touch the hills. Soon the fire would drain away with the sun, and the indigo blanket would surge west like the tide, cloaking the sky in night.

Inuyasha loped swiftly along, his eyes locked to the half-flying, half-bounding silver figure ahead. He was only just beginning to run, but if he remembered correctly, the heart of the Western Lands was still far, far away from here. But he couldn't go back--not now, not yet.

The stolen Shikon shard seemed to burn against his skin, even though it was wrapped in a ragged bit of silk, then in a small linen bag, and then secured safely inside his tunic. He could still feel it glimmering, pulsing there, both seducing and accusing him, beckoning and reviling him. Some small part of him wondered why he had not asked Kagome for permission to use a shard; it wondered why he'd kept all of this Full Moon Howl-Gathering a secret from her.

Why is it any of her business what I do? It's not like she owns me, he thought with a snort as he ran. I'm a demon, I go where I like. And if I want to go be with other demons, well, dammit she's just gonna have to live with it.

But then why, oh why did he feel so guilty for his subterfuge?

"Hey, Silver wench!" he called gruffly between pants, forcefully tearing his mind away from the subject of Kagome. "Just how long...until we reach...the place?"

Ginnezu slowed to bound at his side, deerlike, with a cute-eyed smile. "I don't know, my lord. At this pace, we won't make it before moonrise!"

"Hrrrrr..." he grumbled. And at this pace, I'll wear out long before then. I may be half demon-- He frowned and snarled at the thought of his limitations. --but even I can't run that far in a night.

"My lord, perhaps..." Ginnezu began shyly, "...perhaps I might carry you there. I can transform and I would be proud to--"

"What--?" Inuyasha stopped running so abruptly that Ginnezu outpaced him several yards. By the time she skidded to a halt, Inuyasha was already back on two feet and staring hard at her. His expression was incredulous and suspicious. "No dog-demon would ever--!"

Ginnezu blinked at him, then laughed. "Oh, don't be silly!" she giggled, waving a hand at him. "I wouldn't mind at all. I'd be honored if you allowed me to bear you quickly to our destination. And my lord...I can run so much faster than you that way..."

Inuyasha scowled at her, weighing it in his mind, trying to decide if he wanted to allow her the opportunity to transform into her true shape--and if he wanted to be that close to her when she did. But she did say she could get there faster... "No tricks? None of your wily games?"

"Oh, Inu-darling, I wouldn't dream of it!" she said sweetly, hiding the gleam in her eye. "Tonight is far too important for that sort of nonsense. Why, all of the Clans will finally get to see you!" Tonight is very important...it might be my last and only chance...

One of his ears twitched. "Very well, Ginnezu. You can do it. But I'm warning you, one single bit of trouble from you and I'll tear you apart, true form or no...true...form..."

He broke off, eyes growing wide and surprised; she was already transforming, growing larger and more glisteningly silver with each passing second. He stepped back several steps, jaw hanging slack as he wondered if it had been a good idea to let her do this.

She was huge! Not as big as Sesshomaru--definitely not--but still, large and frighteningly imposing in the fire-bath the sunset brought. She stood a span shorter than his elder half-brother, and lacked his slim, refined profile; her muzzle was blockier, her legs shorter and less slim. But she did have the same silky fur, soft ears, and long, bushy tail--as well as the thunder-gray stripes on her legs and flanks. Her eyes remained the same dark amber, not washed glowing blood-red with battle rage.

A short, questioning bark brought him back to his senses; he shook himself and looked into those eyes, seeing the same Ginnezu behind them. He'd have to watch her every second, he knew that; Shirokiba's warning still rang in his mind, and he was taking no chances.

Still...he wondered again if it was a good idea to have left the Tetsusaiga behind with Kaede. Even if Ginnezu had said the other demons wouldn't react well to the weapon, having it at his side in times like these would work wonders for his confidence.

"I'm coming," he grumbled, striding cautiously over to her and making the easy leap to her lowered shoulders. "Watch it now, wench. I'm in a good place to take your head off right here if you pull anything."

Ginnezu snorted with a light, airy bark and rose to her full height. Inuyasha gripped the light silvery fur tightly as he felt muslces pull and bunch beneath him. She leaped into motion, traveling as only a full-blood dog-demon could, covering dozens of yards with every bound. Inuyasha clung tight to her as she picked up speed and settled into her stride.

And then, they traveled.

* * * *

With an effort, Kagome finally hauled herself over the lip of the well, scratched, tired, and dirty. There was no ladder on this "side" of the well's time portal, and without Inuyasha to help her it was an arduous climb to reach the opening from the very bottom. Heaving a sigh, she stepped to the grass beside the well and sat against the edge to catch her breath.

She didn't rest long, however. Finding Inuyasha was still the first priority in her mind. Since it was growing late, she had changed her clothes before she left her house; now she was wearing her jeans and a sweater, all the better to shield against the evening chill if she was going to be out looking for her half-demon companion. Pushing off from the well, she moved at a hurried clip through the woods, heading for the village where her friends--and hopefully Inuyasha--waited.

"Kagome!" Sango greeted in surprise as the girl from the future trotted up to Kaede's home. "I thought you weren't coming back for a week!"

"Um, something came up," Kagome replied, panting as she pulled to a stop beside her friend. "Have you or Miroku seen Inuyasha around?"

"Sure," the huntress replied. "He was here about an hour ago, being his usual mopey self. But isn't he with you? When he left I was sure he was going to see you..."

"No," Kagome replied, the worry in her voice increasing. "I haven't seen him for more than an hour. Where was he when you saw him?"

"Heading for the well--or at least I thought he was," Sango replied. "He was on his way to the woods. Kagome, is something wrong?"

By this time, Shippo and Miroku had heard the commotion outside and were coming out the door of the hut. "Kagome! You're back!" Shippo yelped, jumping from the monk's shoulder into her arms.

"Hello, Shippo," she greeted absently, hugging him on reflex alone.

"Is something amiss, Lady Kagome?" Miroku inquired curiously.

"Inuyasha's disappeared, apparently," Sango replied, looking annoyed that the dog-demon was putting Kagome through such worry for his sake.

"Not only that, but he's taken a Shikon shard," Kagome added--which immediately got the attention of all three of her friends.

"What?" they demanded in unison.

"I counted!" Kagome responded. "He came to see me earlier and snuck out when I wasn't watching. And he took a shard! Shippo, Miroku, have either of you seen him?"

"No," they both replied, Miroku looking contemplative while Shippo scratched his head.

"What would Inuyasha want with a single shard?" Sango wondered aloud. "I thought he wasn't as stupid and shallow as all those other demons. He knows we're getting the whole Jewel--why would he steal one and run?"

Why indeed? thought Kagome, holding Shippo tight and thinking furiously. A passing idea struck her. Oh, no--he hasn't taken the shard to try and fight with Shirokiba...has he? Oh, Inuyasha...! No, he wouldn't do that, he couldn't...!

"Shouldn't we go find him?" Sango asked.

Kagome snapped out of her reverie. "How will we know which way he's gone?"

Miroku gestured to Shippo. "Well, we have at least one nose that can track him down."

"And I can call Kirara and ask her to help," Sango said. "We'll have him found in no time."

"Thank you," Kagome sighed gratefully.

"It is imperative that you find Inuyasha as soon as possible," spoke a new voice.

"Kaede!" they exclaimed, whirling to see the old woman emerging from her hut--and she held a very familiar object in her hands.

"The Tetsusaiga?" Kagome breathed. "But why...?"

"Inuyasha left this in my home, under my care," Kaede replied. "He would not say why, but if he is not with Kagome, and he has taken a shard, it is possible that he is in some danger. You must search for him quickly, for it may already be too late."

"This is getting weirder and weirder!" Shippo commented. "Inuyasha would never just up and leave the Fang here for no reason! And with that Jewel shard he has... What the heck is he thinking?"

"I wish I knew..." Kagome sighed.

"Let's go!" Sango said firmly. "Kaede can keep watch here in case he comes back. We'll go to the woods and see if Shippo and Kirara can pick up his scent."

And so they went. The sun was mostly gone by now, and the woods were shrouded in the yellow-gray shadows of evening. With Miroku guarding Kagome and keeping an eye out for those marauding dog-demons, Sango used her tracking skills to look for sign while Kirara and Shippo cast about for any clues to Inuyasha's whereabouts.

It didn't take them long to come up with a trace of him. Far from the well, the young dog-demon's scent turned up in the woods near the God-Tree, his favorite hangout. Unfortunately, Shippo reported with some disgust that Ginnezu's scent was all over his, as if she were with him. Kagome did not take this news well, and at her insistence, the small party began to follow the trail left by the two dog-demons. The scent-path turned slightly northwest, forming a large arc that circumnavigated the village, then struck out dead west.

A half hour away from the village, Kagome and her friends were still hurrying along Inuyasha's trail, calling out to him--and even occasionally to Ginnezu--but getting no response whatsoever. Kagome was beginning to wish she'd brought her pack along, as she was beginning to guess she'd be here for a while, but she did not want to turn back to go and get it. So the group pressed on, deeper into the western forest, deeper into danger.

Just as the sun slipped beneath the horizon, Kirara stopped her tracking, hissing, and behind her Shippo froze and bristled. The humans in the party paused as well, breaking off their calls, watching their two demonic companions.

"What's wrong?" Kagome whispered, stepping a bit closer to Miroku.

"Something's coming," Shippo reported softly, sounding frightened.

The small group scanned the forest around them, wary. With the passing of the sun, the trees and bushes became gray shapes in the half-darkness, possibly concealing any number of dangers. In the growing dark, they no longer felt so safe. Without Inuyasha by their side, this little evening jaunt into the woods had suddenly become a gamble on their lives.

Swallowing her nerves, Sango reached up a hand to her boomerang, ready to throw at the slightest hint of danger. Miroku raised his staff in one hand and fingered the beads of his sealing rosary with the other. Shippo began to retreat, while Kirara growled low at the grayish shape they could just begin to see in the shadows ahead.

"What is it?" Kagome hissed, trembling and wishing for Inuyasha's presence.

"A demon!" Shippo cried, launching himself backwards into her arms and trembling.

Kirara snarled and stepped forward, her ruff bristled. The figure paused, and they could almost see the flash of its eyes in the dimness. "Call off the sabrecat, huntress," said a low, familiar voice.

"Shirokiba!" Kagome's knees went weak with relief, at least at first. Then the wolf-dog came closer, and his expression was set and cold, almost like Sesshomaru. The hardness of his blue-gold eyes made her gasp and cover her mouth, wondering if her relief was well-founded--or if they had all sealed their doom.

"Call her off, huntress, before I do it myself," Shirokiba snapped, with uncharacteristic ire.

"Kirara! Come here," Sango ordered, suddenly concerned for her pet-friend's safety. Reluctantly, Kirara ceased her warning growls and stepped back to Sango's side--but she did not return to her small form.

"Shirokiba...?" Kagome spoke hesitantly.

"What are you fools doing out here?" the wolf-dog demanded, his voice low and harsh. "Don't you know these woods are death for humans at night?"

"But...Inuyasha's gone and..."

"I know." The wolf-dog demon looked over his shoulder, off in the direction the scent-trail led. "They've gone toward the Western Lands."

"Will you help us find Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, gathering his nerve to speak directly to the demon.

Shirokiba glanced sharply at the monk. "Why should I? He can make his own choices. He's a grown demon--I'm no longer his caretaker."

Kagome stepped past Miroku, setting her jaw and looking the angry wolf-dog straight in the eye. "But you still care about him, don't you?" Her heart quailed when those glittering blue-gold eyes focused on her, but she tried not to show it on her face. "Well, don't you?"

Something flickered across Shirokiba's face, something fast and unreadable. A quick grimace, a flash of a snarl, the shadow of a frown--she couldn't tell.

"I know you and Inuyasha had a disagreement," Kagome said, mustering enough courage to continue. "I know that...whatever was said between you and Kouga was painful. And...I know I'm involved somehow, because Kouga and Inuyasha have always hated each other because of me. So...for what it's worth...I'm very sorry." She bent at the waist, bowing humbly to him. Because of this, she didn't see the faint trace of surprise that flashed on his face.

Taking his silence as acceptance, she straighened and continued hesitantly. "I'm sorry that you and Kouga had a fight because of me. And...I'm very sad that you and Inuyasha had words too. But I think you should know how upset he was when he came to me after your fight. I've never seen him so hurt before, not even when Kikyo did her worst to him."

The others listened silently, respectfully, wonderingly, as the coldness slowly, almost imperceptably melted from the wolf-dog's expression.

"He was almost broken down when he came to see me," Kagome went on softly, the beginnings of tears in her eyes. "I'm sure he thought he'd never see you again. He told me what happened, and...at least I thought...he was about to cry when he told me what you said to him. I think...that...what you said..." She swallowed hard and gathered her nerve. The words came out in a rush as she locked gazes with him and spoke before her courage ran out. "I think what you said was wrong and unkind, and he didn't deserve that, especially from you. This argument between you and him and Kouga--you should hold it against me, not him, since I'm probably the cause of most of it. He needs you, he cares about you, and you shouldn't be angry with him--not for something that's my fault."

Her tears were coming silently, openly now. "I'm very sorry that I've caused this between you. I can't ask you to forgive me, but I want to ask if you'll do this for him. I know I can't do anything to appease your anger right now, but Inuyasha might be in trouble." She bowed again, lower this time. "Please. Shirokiba...will you help me find him?"

The wolf-dog was staring at her now, the surprise and regret written plainly across his face. He just stood there for long moments, gazing at her bowed form with a sort of awe. As he watched her, two crystal tears fell from her lowered cheeks; his demon sight could trace them as they fell to the ground, glittering in the dim starlight that filtered through the trees.

The silence drew on so long that Kagome almost wondered if he'd left. But she held her bow and tried to hold back her tears, waiting for his response.

"How...how can I refuse such a request?" came his soft voice, the harshness gone from his tones. He touched her shoulder--so very lightly!--bringing her gaze up to his. The friendly wolf-dog demon she knew was back, pushing aside the cold stranger he had been. Though small, that same wry smile was on his face again. "You ask this of me so earnestly...and you shed tears for he and I, not yourself..." Gently, one clawed finger brushed her cheek, catching one of her escaped tears.

The others breathed a heavy sigh of relief, feeling that somehow, a disaster had been averted. The power that Kagome had--the power to reach and touch even a demon's heart--had once again worked its magic. Kagome almost broke down in tears of gratitude herself, her eyes shining up into his. "You'll help us?" she asked breathlessly.

"My words to Inuyasha were spoken in anger..." the wolf-dog responded, his head lowering. "I cannot hold him responsible for what is not his fault...just as I cannot blame you for what is not yours either. What is between Kouga and I should remain so. Those words I spoke to Inuyasha...I already regret them, but the damage is done..."

Kagome touched his sleeve hesitantly, her expression hopeful. "He won't hold it against you--I know he won't! He knows you were upset then. He'll be glad to see you! And I know you want to see him too..."

Shirokiba let out a sigh. "I only fear that I have forever broken something which cannot be mended."

"Then we have to find him!" she replied. "How else will you make up with him?"

"You said you knew which way he's gone?" Sango asked, breaking into the pair's conversation.

"I do," the wolf-dog replied. "They've gone to the Western Lands. And if I am correct, tonight is the night of the Full Moon Howl-Gathering, when the moon is at its largest and all the Clans come together as one."

"A 'Howl-Gathering?'" Sango inquired. "I've never heard of such a thing, even among the demons my family keeps--kept track of."

"I'm not surprised," Shirokiba replied. "The Howl-Gathering is for the Dogs alone; no demons dare approach the High Stone at this time, and any demon hunter would be suicidal to be anywhere near that area at this time."

"The High Stone? Is that where Inuyasha has gone?" Miroku asked.

"The Gathering festival is held there," Shirokiba said. "It is the stronghold of the Western Lands, and the home of what remains of the White Dog Clan. Few as they are, they still live there to this day. It is their castle, so to speak--a vast clifflike rock, and underneath it lies the grand caverns that form their dens."

"If that's the case, then...we needn't worry about him so much, right?" Sango said, half-encouragingly.

"Not necessarily." The wolf-dog frowned. "He's stepping into the tiger's jaws now. If they decide to destroy him, there's little any of us could do."

"Plus, the foolish idiot went and left the Tetsusaiga behind," Miroku said, frowning disapprovingly.

"Then his chances are even worse," Shirokiba responded.

"And Ginnezu is with him!" Kagome blurted. "I don't know what she might be doing to him--"

Shirokiba looked grieved. "In all honesty, girl, she probably plans to seduce him once they're there, among all the other demons. Whether or not he holds out against her...depends entirely upon you, and how well you used what I told you." He glanced meaningfully at her.

Kagome blushed. "Well, I have...sort of...but..."

The others looked on curiously, having no clue what she was talking about. "But Inuyasha has also taken a Shikon shard with him," Miroku spoke up. "Do you know what this could mean?"

Shirokiba looked surprised. "A shard of that cursed bauble? I have no idea why he would. Perhaps he plans to use its power to boost his own, to ensure his safetly among the other full demons...or perhaps Ginnezu has managed to seduce him enough that he brought one for her alone--"

"No!" Kagome interrupted, perhaps a little more forcefully than she had intended. "I mean, I doubt he'd do that--he doesn't like her at all and besides, he's always so defensive about the Jewel, he'd never give it up to anyone for a silly reason..." She caught herself babbling and halted, blushing some more.

"Either way, it doesn't bode well," Sango said, speaking for all of them. "When the Shikon Jewel is involved with demons, only ill has ever come of it."

"True, from what I've heard." Shirokiba frowned. "Very well; I will go on ahead to the Western Lands. I have not attended a Howl-Gathering in some time, myself. It has been over sixty years since the last time I did--before I met Inuyasha."

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Kagome asked quickly.

"I can't say," the wolf-dog responded softly. "I don't know what Ginnezu has planned for him. But I will try to find out..."

"Then I'm coming with you!" Kagome blurted.

The entire gathering stared at her in surprise. Sango and Miroku were shocked speechless, while Shippo cried "No!" and clung to her tighter. Shirokiba looked stunned for a moment before he found his tongue. "Not a chance, girl! You wouldn't come back alive!"

"But--" she began to protest.

"Those demons would rip you to pieces, and there isn't anything I could do to stop them," the wolf-dog explained firmly. "And even if one of them had the gall to leave you alive long enough to rape you, you wouldn't live very long afterward--he'd kill you and eat you just for fun, once he's done with you."

Kagome paled and gulped. "I...I'm willing to take that chance," she quavered, her heart strong where her body was weak.

"I'm not," Shirokiba retorted, shaking his head. "Stop and think of what it would do to Inuyasha if you were killed! He's almost been lost to grief two times already--and now nearly thrice because of me. I would lose all hope of reconciliation if I let you come to harm--and he would go mad with sorrow if you died!"

"That's nothing compared to what Ginnezu might do to him!" Kagome replied.

"Girl..." the wolf-dog rumbled.

"Kagome, please," Sango pleaded. "Come back with us, and let Shirokiba--"

"No!" she cried, pulling away from the humans. "Even if you leave me behind, Shirokiba, I'll still be heading westward tonight--until I find Inuyasha!"

"Kagome?" Shippo said softly, his lip trembling. "Please don't go. I don't want them to eat you..."

Kagome paused, looking down at the little fox-boy. "I have to go, Shippo. Don't worry, I won't let them eat me. I'll come back when I find Inuyasha."

"Human girl, you are as stupid as you are brave," Shirokiba said, shaking his head in wonderment and exhasperation, amazed that she was willing to walk blindly into certain death all for the sake of a coarse young half-demon--who, he could almost say at this point, was proving himself unworthy of her pure, strong heart and earnest devotion. "But I commend you for your courage."

Kagome set Shippo down--despite the kitsune's continued pleas for her not to go--and faced Shirokiba. "So you'll take me with you?"

"As you said, if I don't you'll just go off alone and get yourself killed even sooner," the demon replied with a sigh. "I might as well see how long I can prevent that from happening."

"Oh, thank you, Shirokiba!"

Shirokiba held up a hand. "Thank me when I get you back home safely--if that has a chance of happening."

"We can accompany you on Kirara's back," Sango said. "We can provide at least some defense."

Shirokiba regarded her calmly. "Against the dog-demons? Huntress, you and your pet would not last a minute. Even you, human monk--you would be killed before your cursed hand could pull in more than a dozen of them. And there will be many more than a dozen there tonight. Nearly every dog-demon in the surrounding regions will be there." His gaze panned over the group. "No...the rest of you should stay. I'll be hard-pressed to hide one human, much less three humans, a sabrecat, and a fox-demon kit. I don't like risking one life, much less five--and my own, should the girl and I be caught."

"We're willing to take the same risk Kagome is!" Sango said firmly.

"No, he's right," Kagome said quietly. "I don't want you guys to get hurt because of me. Do as Shirokiba says."

"But Kagome--!" Sango and Miroku tried, almost in unison. However, the look on the young girl's face froze their words in their throats.

"Um...good luck," Sango mumbled. "If it helps any."

"I will pray for the Buddha's protection on you both," Miroku said reluctantly. "Though I wish I could face the danger by your side, Lady Kagome."

"Thanks, you guys." Kagome looked to Shirokiba. "Ready?"

The wolf-dog demon sighed. "Come with me, then."

He turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Kagome scurrying to catch up. She turned and waved to her friends as she hurried, keeping her face and voice cheerful despite the fear she felt. "Bye, guys! I'll be back!"

"Goodbye, Kagome!" Miroku replied.

"Hurry back!" Sango called. "And Shirokiba--you take care of her, you hear me? If she doesn't come back I'll hunt you down for the rest of my days!"

Kagome hurried after the departing wolf-dog, trying not to giggle at Sango's bravado. Shirokiba merely snorted at the thought of Sango hunting him, and walked on.

To be continued...