As her collectors brought her more souls to sustain her body, Kikyo pondered the mystery of the Doctor Suikotsu.

(Scene Change)

Nightfall came.

Kenshiro and the others were sitting around the campfire.

Shippo and the girls were already asleep.

"Kenshiro." said Inuyasha "Let me take over the watch. Get some rest."

Kenshiro shook his head "I don't need rest."

"Come on." Miroku tried to reason "You can't stay awake forever. Besides, I don't think the Band of Seven is gonna attack any time soon."

At the mention of the Band of Seven, Kenshiro stiffened "You better be right. Anyway, I saw Koa defeat Kyokotsu. Sesshomaru defeated the poison master Mukotsu. And Inuyasha dealt with Ginkotsu."

Inuyasha nodded "I doubt he could've survived a direct blow from the Wind Scar."

"So that means that 3 of the 7 have been defeated. That leaves Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and 2 others. They're bound to be much more cautious now." Miroku pointed out

Kenshiro nodded "And a lot more dangerous. So before the remaining 4 regroup and attack us, I'm gonna make the first move. I'm gonna slaughter those bastards before they even think about laying a hand on Kagome and the others. There's tons of ways to track them. According to Koga and Inuyasha, they reek of dead bodies and graveyard soil. And each of those bastards have Shikon jewel shards keeping them alive. I won't rest until I know that Kagome is safe, and the Ryuuga is stained with the blood of every last one of them."

Inuyasha looked at him intently 'He seems a little more bloodthirsty now, but it looks like he's getting better after what happened.'

(Scene Change)

Morning came.

They were heading in the direction in which Kagome sensed a sacred jewel shards.

This lead them to Suikotsu "Well, we finally found you."

Suikotsu looked at them in confusion "Who are you?"

Kenshiro glared at him "Drop the act. You're one of the Band of Seven."

This would've continued if they hadn't noticed smoke coming from the village.

Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and the rebuilt Ginkotsu were confronted by Kikyo "These men are three members of the Band of Seven."

"Lady Kikyo!" a voice shouted as Suikotsu ran up to her "What on Earth is this?!"

"So this is where you've been." Jakotsu muttered "Geez, you sure made it difficult for us to find you, Suikotsu."

Renkotsu nodded "Come on, Suikotsu. We came all this way to get you. You should be more grateful.

Suikotsu just looked at them, nothing but true fear in his eyes, as images of six beings flash through his mind "Who are you, and what could you possibly want with me?"

Kikyo looked on in confusion 'He really isn't lying. But then what is going on?'

Kenshiro and the others arrived in the village, and found Kikyo and Suikotsu being confronted by the members of the Band of Seven.

Kikyo looked at them "Inuyasha, Kenshiro. I see you've come to the northern lands as well."

Kenshiro nodded "We have, Lady Kikyo. But what are you doing here?"

Renkotsu raised an eyebrow when he saw them "You're all still alive. I must admit I'm impressed."

Kenshiro's eyes widened in fury when he laid eyes on them "Inuyasha, get Ginkotsu and that sick freak, Jakotsu. That bastard Renkotsu is mine." He changed the Ryuuga into a scythe, preparing to charge at him.

In response, Renkotsu drank from his gourd and spat fire at them, which Kenshiro easily was immune to. But then Ginkotsu sent out steel wires and set them ablaze.

Not wanting to make the same mistake, Kenshiro quickly formed the Ryuuga into a staff, and activated his Dragon Tsunami, the combined water and wind powers forming a hurricane vortex, freeing Kagome and the others before they got burned.

In the meantime, Jakotsu closed in on Suikotsu and Kikyo "Now, don't try and resist, Suikotsu."

Suikotsu glared at them "I don't know who you or your friends are, but you've come after me for some unfathomable reason. So then kill me and leave everybody else alone! Why attack the whole village?"

Jakotsu sighed "How long are you gonna keep this up, Suikotsu? Hurry up and snap out of it already! Otherwise I'll kill you for real!" And he used the Jakotsuto to attack Suikotsu, but Kikyo countered with a sacred arrow, which Jakotsu barely avoided.

Renkotsu then turned Ginkotsu's cannons on them and fired, knocking Kikyo unconscious, and several of her souls to leave her.

Jakotsu then turned his sights on some of the village children, but Suikotsu took the hit for them.

Something inside Suikotsu then awakened, and his shard turned completely black, as noticed by Kagome and Kikyo.

Suikotsu then took one of the children by the throats.

Kenshiro intervened at the last second, saving the children "Who and what are you?"

Suikotsu chuckled darkly "I am Suikotsu of the Band of Seven."

"Damn you, Suikotsu."

"That ridiculous do-gooder physician. He held me back for far too long."

"I don't know what the he'll you're going on about, but I do know I was right about you belonging to those pieces of scum."

Renkotsu then tossed a pair of tiger-claws, which Suikotsu then attached to his hands "So then, I seem to remember you asking to do battle with me. Well, you're about to get your wish."

In response, Kenshiro formed the Ryuuga into a set of triple-bladed claws of his own, and got into a battle stance "What? Are those claws all you've got going for you? You're gonna need a hell of a lot more then that to beat me, you Band of Seven scum."

Suikotsu glared at him "You better show more respect than that!"

He charged at Kenshiro, who easily dodged and clawed Suikotsu in the face, but he quickly rebounded "You're a quick one, aren't you?"

Kenshiro snarled at him "You're gonna die here and now."

The two fought evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand.

Eventually, Suikotsu found an opening and kicked Kenshiro to the ground, before he held his claws at Kenshiro's throat "It's over."

His eyes drifted to the children from before, and something inside of him snapped, sending him into turmoil.

Seeing this, Ginkotsu closed in on him, charging towards Kikyo.

Kenshiro attempted to help her, but Suikotsu prevented her from doing so.

Inuyasha wanted to go, but was stalled by Renkotsu.

Kilala charged in and distracted Renkotsu, allowing Inuyasha to get to Kikyo, saving her from Ginkotsu.

Sensing something off from Suikotsu, most likely due to the barrier of Mount Hakurei, Renkotsu and the others retreated.

Inuyasha would've fired a Wind Scar at them, but Ginkotsu prevented him from doing so.

For some reason though, Kikyo was unable to move.

Kenshiro noticed that her soul collectors were unable to reach her.

"We have to get Kikyo away from here." said Kagome

Inuyasha nodded in agreement "I'll carry her."

(Scene Change)

Kenshiro and Inuyasha moved Kikyo a distance away from the sacred barrier of Mount Hakurei, allowing her to be resupplied with souls "Inuyasha…?"

Kenshiro smiled "We brought you away from the village. Your soul collectors couldn't reach you."

"What happened to them? Those accursed men who possess the defiled sacred jewel shards."

"They retreated. They took Suikotsu with them."

Kikyo's eyes narrowed "I see. Kagome, you must have seen it. The sacred jewel shard in Suikotsu's neck."

Kagome nodded "I did. I saw the pure shard become defiled."

Kikyo nodded "It's because of this land. The land is wicked. It does not allow anyone with a demonic aura to approach. It is because Mount Hakurei is purifying the air of the areas that surround it."

"I've heard of Mount Hakurei before." said Miroku "It's a sacred mountain which absolves and cleanses criminals."

"The man known as Doctor Suikotsu was able to live here, because deep down inside, he had a pure, untainted heart."

"But his other personality, the Suikotsu who belonged to the Band of Seven, finally surfaced." Kagome added "So he wasn't able to stay here."

Kenshiro raised an eyebrow "So the reason they stopped fighting and retreated was because they were too close to Mount Hakurei."

Kikyo nodded "Mount Hakurei is indeed too pure."

"Let's go check it out. I'm curious." said Miroku

Kikyo then informed them that she was unable to get close to Mount Hakurei, because of her demonic aura from her soul collectors.

(Scene Change)

By morning, they were headed towards Mount Hakurei.

(Scene Change)

The Band of Seven met up with Kohaku, and prepared to meet up with their leader, Bankotsu, who was currently in the middle of writing a vengeance letter to the lord of the castle whose men had slain him and his comrades.

Or at least attempting to.

Kohaku appeared behind him "Bankotsu, sir. I have brought you your friends."

Bankotsu looked back and waved as Jakotsu and the others approached.

"So big brother, we're all back together at last." said Renkotsu

Bankotsu shook his head "Not all of us. Kyokotsu and Mukotsu were killed. It couldn't be helped. Now, Renkotsu. You're the smart one, so you can write."

Renkotsu nodded "Write what, exactly?"

"Let's see. The time has come to settle old scores. Our vengeance will know no bounds. So prepare to die. Or something to that effect."

Jakotsu grinned "Do we get to kill people?"

"Remember that castle? The inhabitants of that castle are the deceitful bastards who chopped our heads off."

"I'm glad they haven't been wiped out by some other lord over the years."

"Otherwise my companion might not still be there."

J"You mean they still have it?"

"And now I'll show them how it's used."

Renkotsu handed him the paper "Big brother, will this do?"

Bankotsu read over it "Let's see. Kohaku! Take this letter to the castle for me. Give it to the lord himself."

"Why me?" asked Kohaku

"You are a ninja aren't you?"

"No."

"Then what are you?"

Kohaku said nothing. He just took the letter and took off.

(Scene Change)

Kenshiro, Inuyasha and the others arrived at the foot of Mount Hakurei.

Miroku looked at the barrier "It's exactly as Lady Kikyo said it was."

Shippo and Kilala were feeling weak from the aura of the mountain.

Inuyasha was unable to get more than a few feet writhing the sacred barrier.

Kenshiro looked at the mountain in curiosity "Weird. I don't anything."

Miroku nodded "The barrier is probably intended to protect this sacred place. The barrier is most likely powerful enough to purify any evil. Since Ryu is a descendent of Midoriko, it must accept her genes in him. Strange, though, that I should feel it too. A monk untainted by any trace of evil."

Sango and Kagome looked at each other, and nodded.

They grabbed onto Miroku, and prepared to drag him through the barrier, before he freed himself and ran away from them.

"Looks like somebody's not as pure as they thought." Inuyasha muttered

Kenshiro snorted "I could've told you that without some barrier."

Miroku ignored the comments and turned to them "Hey, wait. I just had an idea. Perhaps Naraku is taking advantage of this barrier, and is using it to prevent himself from being detected."

Kenshiro shook his head "Not possible. Naraku is pure evil. He'd be purified the very second he takes one step on the mountain."

Inuyasha nodded "There's no way he could survive here. So, what do we do now? We know that Naraku's not here."

"Simple. We track down the Band of Seven. We find them, they'll lead us to Naraku. We know Naraku is connected to them somehow. Once we find them, we capture them, and interrogate them to find out where Naraku is."

He then noticed Miroku quickly walking away "Well then, let's leave this place quickly. Shippo and Kilala seem to be in great pain."

Kagome stared at his back "You think that's true?"

Sango snorted "Please. He's the only one in pain around here."

Kenshiro nodded "He's probably as impure as Naraku. Though that didn't stop Sango from falling for him."

He dodged a blow from Hiraikotsu, noticing the blush spreading across Sango's cheeks.

(Scene Change)

The group entered the village near the castle, when an old man flagged them down "Hey! What're you doing? Don't you know that if you folk like you wander around here, the men from the castle will capture you! All the able-bodied people in this area have forcibly been taken to the castle, and there's no exception for travelers."

Kenshiro raised an eyebrow "Why?"

"I don't know. But it seems that a warning note was sent to the lord of the castle. It said that the castle treasure would be taken."

"What do you mean by castle treasure?" asked Inuyasha

The old man shrugged "No one really know for sure. But never mind all that. You all better hide out somewhere."

A horse was heard, and the old man's eyes widened "Oh no! The general from the castle!"

The general approached them "You there! Identify yourselves!"

"We're just harmless travelers." Miroku lied

"Don't take me for a fool. I'm amazed that demons would dare to wander within our borders in broad daylight."

Kenshiro glared "What's your problem?"

His glare intensified when he noticed the general grab his spear "You are an impertinent one. But there won't be a second chance. Leave this are immediately!" and he rode away on his horse

Kenshiro looked at the old man "What's his problem?"

The old man looked at him "Do you know about the Band of Seven?"

Kenshiro stiffened with anger "What about them?"

"The warrior we just met was responsible for executing the Band of Seven. That man is a devil. If you go anywhere near the castle now, you're done for."

Kenshiro said nothing.

As this happened, the rest of the Band of the Seven were making their way towards the castle, as Bankotsu recalled the events leading to their deaths, and recalled that before his death, he had killed 999 men, deciding to even things up, and went ahead to the castle, slaughtering the guards in front of the door, before he confronted the lord "Ah, there you are. Did you get my letter?"

The lord looked at him in fear "But what about my guards?"

Bankotsu blinked "Oh right. I think they're a little hung up right now. Anyway…"

"Wait!" The lord pleaded "Just listen! You've come to reclaim the great halberd, have you not?"

Bankotsu smiled as he walked over to it "Hey, it's my Banryu!" and he easily picked it up, much to the surprise and fear of the lord.

It require three strong men to carry it to the castle, yet Bankotsu easily picked it up with one hand.

Bankotsu took the cloth off Banryu, revealing its blade "You polished it, huh?"

The lord nodded "Look, I don't care if you are a specter. Will you serve me? Be my new general, and together we shall conquer this land."

"Hey. Are you sure you read my letter? 'No bounds. Our vengeance will know no bounds.' Or something like that. Oh, by the way, 1000." and he slashed the Banryu at them.

(Scene Change)

Renkotsu and the others were enjoying the slaughter, when they noticed the general and the castle men returning.

Bankotsu emerged "You two, step aside."

Jakotsu grinned "You got your companion back."

"And it's time to test it out."

The general saw Bankotsu and his eyes narrowed "Him again!"

"Hey there. It's been awhile."

"Damn you! What did you do with our lord?"

"1000. Our heads were chopped off, if you recall. So I returned the favor. Are you ready to follow your lord?"

Enraged, the men charged, but Bankotsu easily slaughtered them all.

(Scene Change)

Kagome sensed a jewel shard, while Inuyasha smelled gunpowder and blood.

At the castle, Bankotsu and Jakotsu were discussing about the slaughter, and how Inuyasha would follow the scent of blood to them.

This was interrupted by Koga appearing in the form of a cyclone "I assume you're the Band of Seven."

Bankotsu chuckled "Well, I see the wolf gets here before the dog or the dragon."

Koga's glare intensified "Quit acting so smug! I know for a fact that you're in cahoots with Naraku! So tell me where he is and I'll let you live."

The casual chatter over this between Jakotsu and Bankotsu caused Koga to snap, so he drew his Shiroga, easily dodging strikes from Jakotsu and Ginkotsu.

Bankotsu picked up Banryu and smirked "You're a fast one, aren't you? It must be because of the Shikon jewel shards and Ryu scales in your legs. That reminds me, Naraku asked me if I would take those for him."

The clash began. Shiroga against Banryu. Koga's sword proved formidable, matching Banryu blow for blow, even with it's smaller size, before Kenshiro arrived and attacked Bankotsu with the Ryuuga in its halberd form "Found you."

Bankotsu smirked "I take it you're Kenshiro."

"Damn it Kenshiro!" Koga muttered "He was my opponent!"

Kenshiro snorted "Shut it. Deal with the metal one or the weird one. Leave Renkotsu and Bankotsu to me."

Bankotsu smirked "So you're Kenshiro. Are you a strong one?"

Kenshiro glared at him "I take it you're Bankotsu."

"I am. It's about time they arrived."

At that moment, Inuyasha and the others arrived "You bastards have been causing enough trouble around here. We're gonna send you all back to your graves."

"Same here. I'm going to avenge the deaths of our brothers, Mukotsu and Kyokotsu."

Kagome's eyes widened as she looked at Bankotsu "Be careful Kenshiro! The one with the halberd has 3 jewel shards in his neck!"

Kenshiro raised an eyebrow "3? Oh this is gonna be fun."

Bankotsu nodded "They belonged to Mukotsu and Kyokotsu."

Koga scoffed "I kinda wondered why you were so feisty. So that's why."

Kenshiro glared at Bankotsu "Reviving a bunch of no good murderous bastards like you is definitely Naraku's doing."

Bankotsu nodded "And he told us to use the power of the Shikon jewel shards to kill every last one of you."

"Just try it, if you can." and he charged.

The two clashed evenly, matching each other blow for blow. Bankotsu's Banryu against Kenshiro Ryuuga in its halberd form, neither one gaining the upper hand.

Koga protected Kagome from Ginkotsu and Renkotsu, who realized that Kagome could see the jewel shards he had taken and not given to Bankotsu.

Miroku clashed with Suikotsu, while Sango and Inuyasha fought Jakotsu.

Kenshiro and Bankotsu continued their clash, Kenshiro trying and failing to get information about Naraku's whereabouts.

(Scene Change)

Sesshomaru and his group were entering Mount Hakurei, with Rin having to drag Jaken towards the mountain, but failing. Sesshomaru had finally found his limit in the sacred barrier, and turned back.

Rin, however, saw Kohaku and took off after him, and Jaken being unable to go after her.

Rin followed Kohaku into a cave, but was forced to leave when Kohaku was confronted by several demons.

(Scene Change)

The brawl at the castle continued.

During this, the Saimyosho appeared.

Seeing that this had to be finished quickly, Kenshiro charged one of his strongest attacks "See you in hell, Bankotsu! Dragon Cyclone!" and the attack closed in on him, forcing him to block it with Banryu, as Ginkotsu's steel wire wrapped around him.

When it was over, the building behind was ripped to shreds, and Bankotsu had shielded himself with Banryu, and was angered "Damn. You put a scar on my Banryu. Good job, Ginkotsu. You saved me." He looked at the Saimyosho "Alright already! Kenshiro, that's all I have time for today."

But Renkotsu fired on Kagome, but Kilala saved her.

Kagome almost fell into a chasm, but Kenshiro saved her.

The Band of Seven retreated after that.

Kenshiro and Inuyasha attempted to go after them, but a rock formation appeared in front of them before crumbling, revealing he who shall not be named "Inuyasha, Kenshiro… It's been awhile."

Kenshiro eyes narrowed "Naraku…"

(Scene Change)

Sesshomaru reunited with Jaken and Rin. After hearing about how Kohaku saved Rin from demons behind the sacred barrier, Sesshomaru finally figured out Naraku's little trick.

(Scene Change)

At the castle, Naraku chuckled "Well, I must give you credit for coming this far."

Kagome sensed something "This demon puppet is different from the others."

Using the power of the Shiroga, Koga charged one of his attacks "Lightning slash!" and the demonic blast of lightning blew the puppet to bits, before Koga took off after the Band of Seven.

Inuyasha was about to go after him, when Kenshiro stopped him "There's something weird about the demon puppet."

Kagome nodded "It seems clean."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow "How so?"

"It seems pure. Like the barrier around Mount Hakurei."

(Scene Change)

Koga was chasing after the Band of Seven, but had lost their scent, and came across the sacred barrier of Mount Hakurei.

(Scene Change)

The Band of Seven made their way through the barrier, where they encountered Kanna and Kohaku, who showed them an image of Sesshomaru.

Kanna informed Bankotsu that the Banryu could become much stronger.

Bankotsu looked at Renkotsu and understood "Oh, now I get it. Hey Renkotsu. Time to hand them over."

"What do you mean?" Renkotsu lied.

Bankotsu pointed Banryu at him "I knew all along. You took Shikon jewel shards from that girl Kagome and hid them from me. If you prefer, I could cut them out of your neck. It's your choice."

Renkotsu decided to choose his life "Please don't be angry big brother. I've been meaning to give them to you all along."

He threw the shards to Bankotsu, who caught them "That's a wise decision Renkotsu. You are smart after all. However, do not make any more mistakes."

Renkotsu nodded.

Bankotsu then sent Jakotsu and Suikotsu after Sesshomaru, and stuck the jewel shards in Banryu.

(Scene Change)

Inuyasha had come up with an unusual plan to find Naraku: to search for the water and flowers that had the same scent as Naraku's puppet. As for the Band of Seven, they were bound to show up eventually.

(Scene Change)

This plan was not going well in the slightest.

Sango and Kilala were were flying around Mount Hakurei, but had to retreat when Kilala hit the barrier, meaning that they couldn't get any closer.

"How'd it go?" asked Kenshiro

Sango shook her head "The barrier is even stronger than before."

"One thing's for sure." said Inuyasha "Naraku's close by. No question about it. Which means we have to check every water way around the mountain."

(Scene Change)

Later, they came across a village, hearing a rather interesting conversation "I heard you mention something about sacred ground. You mind filling us in?"

The boy pointed towards the lake "You see out there, near the center if the lake? There's an island which is forbidden to common folk. The duty of village headman has been passed down through the males in my family. Only these select few have been allowed to set foot on the island to tend to Saint Hakushin and his temple."

Kenshiro raised an eyebrow "Saint Hakushin?"

The boy, Shintaro, nodded "He was a wise monk who lived over 100 years ago. He became a living Buddha, and is enshrined in a temple on the island."

"A phenomenon called Sokushinbutsu." explained Miroku "A monk of great virtue meditates and fasts until his death. Eventually, his body mummifies, and it is then that he attains nirvana."

"So we're talking about a dried up old prune of a monk." Inuyasha muttered

Kenshiro smacked him on the head "Watch it. You'll regret that."

"You said your father hasn't returned home from his journey?" Kagome asked softly

Shintaro nodded "He's been gone over 2 weeks. It started when a strange light fell on the island. Father said he was concerned about the temple."

"Naraku." Kenshiro muttered.

Inuyasha and Miroku nodded in agreement

"Shintaro, you cannot solve this on your own." said one of Shintaro's older sisters

Shintaro shook his head "I know. But our father always told me to take care of things if anything ever happened to him."

Kenshiro looked him "I heard the villagers mentioning something about a curse."

Shintaro suddenly grew angry "The villagers are mistaken! Father protected the village all his life. So there has to be a reason for his failure to return."

Kagome turned to Kenshiro and the others "Let's check it out."

Kenshiro nodded "Something doesn't sound right about that island."

Shintaro smiled "Thank you. I will guide you across the lake to the island. The are is always shrouded in mist, and it's dangerous if you don't know your way there."

"Please take good care of our dear younger brother." said one of his sisters

"Our brother Shintaro is the only male born to our family." said another

Miroku then started doing his thing "That must be a very deep concern for you."

Kenshiro and Inuyasha looked at each other 'And here we go.'

Kenshiro then looked at Shintaro "I apologize for what he's about to do."

Miroku took one of the sister's hands in his "If you'll oblige me, I will be more than willing to help you and your sisters bare some male offspring."

WHACK!

Next thing Miroku knew, he had a Hiraikotsu on his head.

"I don't know. Are you sure we can put our brother's safety in your hands?" asked one

Kenshiro shrugged "You're not the first one to ask that, and you certainly won't be the last."

(Scene Change)

The aura from Hijiri island was considerably effective on Shippo and Kilala.

"Hey, about the barrier around Mount Hakurei. Who do you think created it?" asked Kagome

Sango nodded "Someone or something had to have raised the sacred barrier. Strange though. It's the opposite of anything Naraku would typically use."

Shintaro pointed to a piece of land in the distance "That's Hijiri island. Be very careful. There are craggy rocks everywhere. If the boat strikes an outcropping…" He was cut off when that exactly happened."

"Thanks for the warning." Kenshiro muttered sarcastically as he carried Kagome on his back, and Shintaro over his shoulder to the island "I can feel the barrier. It's like the thing around Mount Hakurei."

Inuyasha nodded in agreement "Not as strong though."

When they arrived on the island, they found the island occupied by flowers.

Inuyasha took a whiff and his eyes narrowed "Now I'm sure of it. It's these flowers. They smell just like Naraku's demon puppet."

"There never used to be flowers like this growing around here." Shintaro muttered

Inuyasha and Kenshiro suddenly found something in the mist "What is that?"

"It's the temple of the wise one." explained Shintaro as he ran to the temple 'It's destroyed! But how?' He suddenly tripped on something, sending him crashing to the ground. He looked back, and was horrified when he realized what it was: his father's corpse, reduced to bones "His father came here only 2 weeks ago. He couldn't have been reduced to bones in such a short time."

"Perhaps one of Naraku's demons did this." Miroku suggested

Inuyasha nodded "Now I'm almost positive of it. What is it that makes this island so special?"

Kagome's eyes widened "I sense a Shikon jewel shard!"

"Damn! It's about time you showed up! Making me wait so long in here." a voice muttered angrily as they doors to the temple were blasted open "This place makes even a human like me feel sick."

Kenshiro eyes narrowed "Bankotsu. It was a trap. Was this your doing?"

Bankotsu scoffed "Don't look at me. I was only told to wait here. Nothing more than that."

"Be careful around him Kenshiro!" Kagome warned "Banryu has sacred jewel shards in it!"

Bankotsu smirked "That's right. It got scarred during our little match the other day. So I used the jewel shards to repair it. Now, let's finish this off Kenshiro!"

Wasting no time, Kenshiro quickly transformed the Ryuuga into its halberd form to combat the Banryu "This time I'll kill you!"

The two clashed, but the jewel shards in Banryu gave Bankotsu the upper hand.

Inuyasha tried to help by using the Wind Scar, but found the demonic energy of the Tessaiga was being purified by Hijiri island.

Kenshiro found that even with the Ryuuga's halberd form, he was outmatched by the empowered Banryu.

Realizing what he had to do, Shintaro ran to the temple, begging for the Saint to help Kenshiro, but found that the body of Saint Hakushin wasn't there.

Bankotsu slashed at Kenshiro, landing a deep gash on his right arm, sending him crashing to the ground.

But Kenshiro wouldn't give up. He was determined to beat Bankotsu to protect Kagome, and charged at Bankotsu once more.

(Scene Change)

Kagome and Miroku were investigating the temple, and theorized that Naraku had stolen the body of Saint Hakushin for his spiritual power, and when Shintaro's father found out, he tried to stop Naraku, but was killed.

With this new information, Miroku used Shippo's demonic power to locate the core of the barrier around the island, and found that the barrier was being erected by a vajra once wielded by the Saint.

Eventually, the combined powers of Shintaro, with his father's staff, and Miroku were able to destroy the barrier, cancelling out the purification effect.

Seeing this, Kenshiro placed a Ryu scale on the Ryuuga, increasing its power, and charged at Bankotsu once more, and unleashed one of his most powerful attacks "Dragon Cyclone!" and it charged at Bankotsu, overpowering his counterattack, the Dragon Hammer, sending both reeling back.

Bankotsu used his Banryu to throw himself into the air, and charged a lightning attack "Dragon Thunder! Even I can't predict where the lightning will strike!"

Kenshiro destroyed a large portion of the attack with his Dragon Cyclone, but still took a great deal of damage from the magnitude of the attack.

The island was in ruins, flames or lightning bolts everywhere.

Kenshiro opened his eyes and coughed up some blood. He looked around to find his friends unconscious "Sango… Shippo… Kilala… Kagome!"

Kagome was lying unconscious, after protecting Shintaro from a lightning blast.

Slowly, Kenshiro tried to reach her, but he collapsed "Kagome… Kagome… Bankotsu… you wretch… how dare you… hurt Kagome… I will… make you… suffer."

Bankotsu stood in front of him and smirked "Don't say I didn't warn you. I was telling the truth when I said I couldn't predict where my Dragon Thunder would fall. You lie there, little worm. I'll hack you and your sword to pieces!" And he prepared to kill Kenshiro, who summoned enough strength to block the strike "This is… between us… I won't let you… hurt Kagome… or my friends…" He slowly recovered thanks to the Ryu scaled imbedded in his body, and the Ryu kimono healing him, and began relentlessly attacking Bankotsu "Bastard! You didn't have to get Kagome or the others involved!"

Bankotsu scoffed "Quit being so naive. Is doesn't work for you. You're dead!" and he launched the Dragon Hammer at Kenshiro, who countered with the Dragon Current.

"I'll take you down even if it kills me." Kenshiro snarled "Time to kick things up a notch! Dragon Magma!" the fire and earth dragons combined into a lava dragon and shot out towards Bankotsu, overpowering the Dragon Hammer and engulfing Bankotsu.

Or it would've, if the sacred vajra hadn't appeared and blocked the attack, before its purifying effects healed Kagome and the others.

Seeing this, Bankotsu smirked "I take it he wants me to finish you off quickly. I have to admit it bothers me that he doesn't have faith in my abilities." and he charged at the weakened Kenshiro, preparing to use Banryu to end it, before Kagome struck him in the arm with a sacred arrow, reducing his arm to bone.

Suddenly, the vajra began glowing, and Bankotsu disappeared in a bright light.

"Kenshiro!" Kagome ran over to him "Are you alright?"

Kenshiro nodded "I'll live, but now what? Bankotsu clearly isn't our only problem."

"The vajra seems to have disappeared."

"Do you think it helped Bankotsu escape?" asked Sango

"Most likely."

Shintaro looked at the shrine "I don't understand. What happened to Saint Hakushin? He's gone. Where do you think he could've disappeared to?"

Kenshiro shook his head.

(Scene Change)

Bankotsu appeared in a castle where he was greeted by Kohaku and Kanna, who picked up the vajra and brought it to the mummy of Saint Hakushin.

(Scene Change)

"Father's gone?" asked one of Shintaro's sisters

"He died protecting the temple?" asked another

Shintaro nodded sadly "Saint Hakushin disappeared from the island because of a demon known as Naraku. I believe father died in a battle with this demon." He handed them the bundle of bones "Our father's bones are in here."

"We will give him a proper funeral and lay his bones to rest." Miroku consoled them

Kenshiro nodded "It's the least we could do."

(Scene Change)

Koga's men found him in a cave behind a waterfall, and began devouring a boar he had killed.

Koga was trying to devise a plan to get through the barrier, and track down the Band of Seven.

(Scene Change)

Sesshomaru's group continued into the mountain, with Sesshomaru certain that Naraku's schemes were in their final stages.

(Scene Change)

Kenshiro and the others were at the foot of Mount Hakurei, with Shippo and Kilala being weakened by the purification barrier.

"Miroku, are you absolutely sure that Naraku is hiding behind Mount Hakurei?" asked Kenshiro

"I'm not entirely certain, but I'm positive that Saint Hakushin is the one creating this barrier." replied Miroku

Sango nodded "Well, it does make sense, because the Saint protected Bankotsu, one of Naraku's men."

"I would've thought that a massive evil like Naraku wouldn't be able to enter a sacred place like that." Inuyasha muttered

Kenshiro nodded "Once inside, though, there's no better place to hide. Think of those who hunt him. Koga, lord Sesshomaru, lady Kikyo, and us. None of us can go to Mount Hakurei."

Sango looked at Miroku "Let's not waste any more time, Miroku."

"We've decided that Sango and I will go survey Mount Hakurei. Inuyasha, Kagome, Kenshiro, you stay here." Miroku told them

Kenshiro and Kagome looked at each other "Are you sure about this?"

"Don't you worry about a thing. From this point on, I won't have a spare moment to caress Sango's enticing body."

Kenshiro looked at him blankly "Then what the **** are you doing right now?"

WHACK!

"I'll show you enticing!" Sango snapped

"I'm not worried about that." said Kagome

"I am." Kenshiro muttered

"Are you sure you want to do this? We don't even know what's at Mount Hakurei."

Sango nodded "Inuyasha can't get past the barrier, and him and Kenshiro and necessary if the Band of Seven try to attack you."

Kenshiro looked at them "Just check around, but don't take any unnecessary risks."

They nodded and took off.

"I don't know about this. You think they'll be alright?" asked Kagome

Kenshiro shrugged "Sango, yes. Miroku, I'm not so sure. Besides, we don't really have much choice except to have faith in them."

The three watched as Miroku and Sango disappeared into the mist…