~Their Salvation~

~Chapter 44~

They didn't know how long they've been walking, but it felt like forever. Aia, Kaito, and even Hana now struggled to keep a breath. Thankfully, Shippō found somewhat of a solution. He had a few tiny flames dancing around the group, the flames pushed up the toxins in the air just enough to prevent the humans from passing out, but not enough to help them gain their strength back. Hana was the worst out, she was still trying to walk on her own instead of riding a mount like Aia and Kaito. She felt too on edge, for some reason her flight reflexes kept presenting itself with each passing second, she didn't like it. Suddenly, she fell to her knees coughing making Inuyasha quickly turn and look.

"Hana!" He rushed over falling to his knees, however, before he could even touch her, a sudden black smog swarmed the group like a tornado. Hana looked up trying to find the others through it, but she couldn't see a thing, it burned her eyes as well. She rubbed them trying to clear her vision, then, the air stilled suddenly. She looked up, the smog was gone, and so was her group. She forced herself to stand, her lungs burned and pounded painfully making her cover her mouth and nose, her eyes watering.

"Inu... yasha." She choked out trying to look around. She took a step back but lost her balance again as her vision darkened. She fell back into someone, but she blacked out before she could figure out who.

Hana took in a sharp gasp as she shot up like a bat out of hell itself.

"Hana?" She looked over seeing Inuyasha, they were back in their hut.

"Inuyasha?" She asked, her voice was shaking just as she was. Inuyasha wore a worried look in his eye as he scooted closer and pulled her close.

"Shh, you're ok." He whispered. Hana slowly closed her eyes, tears falling down her face as she did.

"Y-You- we were- how did we..?" Hana tried to speak, but her mind raced way too fast to even form a proper sentence.

"Hey, hey, Hana." Inuyasha spoke softly before gently holding her face.

"You started whimpering, you must have had a nightmare." He muttered. Hana wore a confused look.

"B-But, we were with the others, we were going inside Aokigahara to find Hahanaru Shizen!" Hana spoke.

"Haha... naru Shizen?" Inuyasha asked looking rather confused.

"We went to Sesshomaru's mother, she said she was real, Naraku was trying to find her and seak power from her!" Inuyasha looked even more confused. Hana sat there for a moment, then looked down.

'Did I dream all of that?' She thought.

"Hana, hey, look at me." Hana looked up.

"You're safe, we all are." Inuyasha reassured. Hana hesitated, then nodded gently.

"Uhn." Inuyasha smiled.

"Hey, let's head out and see the others, that should clear your mind." Hana nodded. How could her mind conjure up such a long dream? It felt like days! They both got up and walked out. Hana smiled feeling the cool, fresh air.