The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Souls

Chapter 213 - The Souls

*Surrounding Mists* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Look at them all," Kagome said softly, staring at what appeared to be an entire village full of ghosts. Heavy fog rolled along the ground, making their legs invisible, blending in with the fog, which gave them an even spookier appearance. "We have to walk through there?"

Sesshoumaru looked at the red stone he held in his hand, feeling the throbbing that indicated the direction they should travel. "Indeed," he agreed. He hadn't allowed the wind witch to lead; instead following the guide Migotoyami had made for them, just in case she was still working for the dark hanyou. He believed that she was free and helping them willingly, but he had to remain cautious. She had been an enemy quite recently, and he was unsure of where her true allegiances laid.

Slowly, the group began walking along the main road of the village towards the headman's hut. "We have to free them," the miko said. "This is cruel. To kill and enslave an entire village just to protect himself is vile."

"This is mild compared to some of the things he has done to ensure his safety," Kagura explained.

"Where are the bodies?" Miroku inquired. They needed to be laid to rest if their souls were ever to find freedom once they were released from the spell.

"In the huts," the kaze youkai replied with distaste. "I don't recommend poking your head in."

"The smell!" Inuyasha said, covering his nose with his sleeve as they passed an open doorway.

"See what I mean?" Kagura agreed with the hanyou's disgust.

"Where, exactly, is Naraku hiding?" Kagome inquired.

"He is buried in the root cellar of the headman's home," she replied. "I am certain that there must be other traps around. Be careful."

Sesshoumaru led the way, Kagome right behind him with her bow in her hand, as they slowly made their way through the village towards their destination. He hated that she was so close to danger, but it was more important that she stay close to him. They had no way of knowing where trouble would come from, and he was determined to protect her by any means necessary.

*Idol* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome gasped as the spirit of a child suddenly ran right through her, her body going icy cold.

"Are you all right?" Sesshoumaru asked, quickly checking her over for any injuries.

"Yeah, I've just never had a soul pass through my body before. It's... disturbing. How evil do you have to be to enslave the souls of children?"

"As evil as evil can be," Sango said. "Where is Kohaku?"

"He should be inside with Kanna. He will fight you," Kagura explained. "He has no memory of his family or of anything in his past. He is nothing but a shell devoted to protecting its master."

Sango swallowed hard, trying not to cry at the fate of her only living relative, her little brother. Now was not the time for grief. It was time for revenge. Naraku would die for what he had done to Kohaku and her entire village. She had prepared herself for his eventual death, knowing that once the shard in his back was removed, he would likely die. He had been mortally wounded multiple times and only the power of the Shikon kept him alive.

Miroku's heart ached for his sweet Sango. He knew how hard fighting against her only brother again would be for her. He was just relieved that this quest would finally be over. The hole in his hand itched at the thought that it would finally be gone and the curse on his family line would be lifted. When all of this was over, he and Sango could be married and have children safely, without the fear of passing the curse on to the next generation.

From then on, everyone was careful to stay out of the way of the misty ghosts, no one wanting to experience what Kagome had. Just the thought of having someone's spirit pass through his or her body was disturbing. Inuyasha turned around at the back of the group and watched as the ghosts they passed went about their business as if they were still alive. They were preparing food over cold fire pits, picking vegetables from dead gardens, and children played in the grassy area beyond the huts. Everyone was going about their business as if they had no memory of being killed, all the while their bodies rotted just feet away inside their huts.

Disturbed, the hanyou turned to face forward once more. They had to be ready for anything. Naraku was the king of the double-cross and had made use of a dark miko to protect his village from intruders. There could be anything waiting for them, including the dark hanyou himself. No one knew how deeply he slept during his hibernation, and he might have already been awoken by the group's presence in the village. Yes, he should be weak from the cold, but he was powerful thanks to the chunk of the Shikon he held. It was likely he would still be a difficult enemy to defeat.