I Fell for Myself by Stella Mira

It Was Reflex!

"I'm getting some weird vibes from that mountain. You think Naraku is hiding somewhere in there?" Many smells, odious, mephitic, inundated the crispness of the mountain air, dismayed Kagome.

More adept than the miko in handling foul odors, Inuyasha took in the scents, made his assessment. "I sure as hell hope so! This doesn't exactly smell like the bastard's miasma, but it's similar. Maybe it's one of his incarnations or something?"

Sesshōmaru inclined his neck in agreement. "I cannot discern scent in this ningen body, yet the unmistakable aura of an evil presence dwells in that mountain."

A huff came from the miko. "Be glad you can't smell it for once. It's disgusting…" It was only through sheer willpower that Kagome moved forward.

Atop Kirara, Sango surveyed their surroundings. "We will take Kirara and scout the area from the sky, Kagome-chan. If we see any danger or anything suspicious, we'll come warn you." The we included Miroku who made a valiant effort not to caress Sango's backside in the process of mounting the nekomata behind her.

"Take Shippō-chan with you. He'll be safest with your group seeing as we aren't yet accustomed to fighting as a team." Kagome placed the kit in Sango's lap, ignoring Inuyasha's sneer at her remark.

"Keh, we never got along even when you were in your original bodies, wench. What makes you think we'll turn to fucking buddies just because he looks like you now? I've been getting sat more often these days than in the whole past year!"

Not in the mood for this discussion again, Kagome forced her way into the nimbus of unpleasant scents. "Whatever, let's just move on."

Half an hour later, the hanyō's yell resounded with distorted echoes over the mountain. "Watch out, Kagome!"

Kagome stilled, alarmed – then she chuckled in reminiscence. Her former body lay under a crimson tangle of limbs. "I guess old habits die hard. Well done, Inuyasha. Now that's what I call brotherly love."

"Shuddap, wench! It was reflex!"

"I do not need your feeble assistance, hanyō."

Inuyasha unfurled himself away from his half-brother with a legion of curses. Kagome spared them one last chuckle then focused on the creature who had unleashed that attack on them.

"Well, well… I knew the dark miko wasn't lying when she told me you had fallen under her spell, but this is better than I imagined."

Red lips, red eyes, and vice stood above them.

"Kagura." Kagome stared at Naraku's female incarnation. Yōki simmered quietly beneath stretched skin – and a growl.

"Now, now, don't get so agitated, little miko. You might lose control and turn into a beast. You wouldn't want that to happen, yes?" A chuckle, full of mock, and tilted smirk, Kagura gazed at them under her lashes.

"Cut the games, Kagura! We ain't here to play with your sorry ass. Where's the bitch we're looking for? You just said you've met her, so you know where she's hiding. You can tell us on your own or I can force it outta you, but you will be talkin'!" Inuyasha's snarl, though quite loud, had no effect on Kagura.

"Hm, I honestly do not know where she is. Where do you think dark miko go after they die? I do wonder…" The wind yōkai tapped a slender finger on her chin with a diabolical smirk – but it would take more than enigmatic words to nonplus Kagome.

"You're lying – she can't be dead… If she were then her spell should have ended."

Lyrical laughter sprung from Kagura's throat. Her subsequent words stirred the trio's despair. "That distasteful woman… She tried to sway Naraku's will to her whims. I could not have that, now could I? I assure you, little human, she is certainly dead. I personally made sure of that."

Now what? The silent question passed through everyone's mind – but no answer came.