So here we go again, another try with fanfictions. This story is not finished yet, so sometime in the middle of the story I might take a bit longer to upload new chapters. I'll try to avoid that, but I can't promise anything. Sorry. :c

Caution! This story is an alternative version of Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen, and contains major spoilers!

Legends

(...) – Author notes or comments

Text in italic – song lyrics (centered) and flashbacks (will be marked)

Please, gimme opinions. ^^

Chapter I – Fever

As the rain poured down on their shoulders, the group of travelers kept their journey in a mournful silence. Inuyasha led the way with dropped shoulders and a lowered gaze. His bangs hid the sadness in his eyes.

After him, Kagome followed just a step ahead from the others, her head half down, since she worriedly and hurtfully watched her companion walking with great guilty aura hovering around him.

The weather matched their distress perfectly. Heavy, rainy, sad and dark.

"Kagome?"

The silence was broken by the little kistune, sitting on Kirara's back, who had been following her master in the narrow trail.

"Yes, Shippou-chan?" Kagome stopped walking and looked back at the redheaded boy. She noticed he was very tired. Last night hadn't been easy on him. It hadn't been easy on any of them, especially Inuyasha.

"I'm tired. Can we stop for a while?"

Miroku and Sango looked from the young fox demon to the untrained priestess. They were also tired. Sighing, she turned towards the half demon.

"Inuyasha?" She whispered, afraid of distressing him more.

"We..." He started, his voice hoarse with guilt. "...can rest near the river. It's not far."

Kagome looked at the ground, not knowing what to do. There was nothing she could do. But she wished she could. Badly. It was too hard seeing him like this. It was hurting her too.

Although her feet were hurting with exhaustion, she didn't want to stop walking. If she kept walking, her mind wouldn't dive in the memories of last night. The guilt and sadness almost crushed her heart.

It was all her fault. If she hadn't lost too much time dealing with her own heart's illusions... if she had been just a bit stronger and faster, she'd be able to reach Kikyou in time, and the priestess wouldn't have... wouldn't have...

"We'll continue in one hour." Inuyasha said as he left for the tree tops, leaving the group near the river.

They settled down to rest under the trees. Each one got near a tree to avoid the rain. Shippou curled himself in Kagome's arms and soon fell asleep, too exhausted to mind the weather and local they were. No words were shared between them. They only looked at the wet patch of grass separating them while waiting for their bodies to recover enough energy to reach the next village, where they could rest for an entire, deserved, full night.

/\\\\\

Shippou was the first to wake up. Groggily, he looked around trying to recognize his surroundings.

They were in a hut, that's for sure. By the expensive looking paintings on the wall, futon and folding screen separating the room, they were most likely in some sort of very expensive inn. Miroku's work, probably. No, absolutely Miroku's work.

The sun had still to come out of its hideout beyond the hills, but it cast enough light for a human to see. As a demon, Shippou could see even better.

The small kitsune could hear the light snores of the group. He knew Miroku and Inuyasha were on the other side of the folding screen, Inuyasha awake, but silent enough to pass by sleeping. Not for the kitsune, but he decided to ignore that for the time being. The hanyou was too absorbed in his own thoughts anyway.

But there was one thing that Shippou couldn't ignore. The heat he was feeling and making him get all sweaty.

'Why is it so hot here?' He wondered.

He saw himself in the arms of his adopted mother, the time-traveler untrained priestess Kagome. She slept half peacefully under the futon. A frown of discomfort could be seen in her features. Her breathing was a bit off of rhythm because of the heat.

That's when the fox demon noticed something was wrong. Kagome felt like she was burning up!

"Kagome!" He cried out, awakening the others with a jolt. "Kagome, wake up!"

The young fox demon jumped out of Kagome's arms as the others looked around in confusion. Kagome too woke up, confused with all the fussing.

"Shippou-chan, what is it with all the-...?"

"Kagome, you're burning up!" The kitsune cried out in panic.

The young girl looked confused at the kitsune, not aware of the others approaching her to see what was wrong. Sango pushed herself up with her elbows and stretched a hand to check her friend's temperature.

"You really got a fever, Kagome-chan. But it's not that bad."

"Keh! Useless kitsune..." Inuyasha mumbled, turning back to his corner.

"You better rest a little longer and eat something later, Kagome-sama. It will get rid of the cold before you catch it." Miroku advised as he laid down to rest for one hour or two till the sun came out.

"I'll do it." The priestess looked down at the kitsune, who was watching her weirdly. "What?"

"You're not even feeling uncomfortable?"

"No, why?"

"You're still under the covers, even with a fever."

"You feel colder when you get a fever, Shippou-chan. It'll soon go away. You better rest a little more. We have a big day ahead." She gently said, laying down to rest.

But Shippou wasn't so sure. He knew that fever wasn't just a cold. Something was wrong with Kagome. He knew it. And he knew she was aware of that too.

A bit short for the first chapter I admit. =/

...

But I promise a longer (and better) one next time. XD

Reviews, I beg you. DX