Hello everybody! For several days now, I've been thinking about ending the story kind of early due to me not having many ideas for the next chapters, as well as. . . other things. Just a thought of mine, it may really depend on how many ideas pop into my head. If not, I already know how I'm going to end it. I'm actually feeling a little better about my friend's death now. I really didn't think I would be writing so soon but I'm sure it'll transform my writing in some way. . .

Anyway on with the story!

Chapter 10

"Don't you think we should ask one of the villagers for a direction at least?"

"Yeah!" added Shippo, who was perched atop Miroku's shoulder.

"Fine," croaked Inuyasha to Miroku's request. They had been searching for a short while for the supposed demon, to no avail. Earlier, Miroku had suggested they wait until the next day to slay the demon but was completely ignored. Considering they had been walking all day, even before their immediate short trek, they were tired. Well except for Inuyasha. He was a huge bundle of pride and energy. If he was tired, he certainly wasn't showing it. . . and probably also laughing at the other's fatigue.

A nice villager living near the outskirts of the town offered to help. "Just go that way," he pointed, not looking at all very sure about it but what other information did they even have to go on? They pressed on into the growing darkness in the late night.

"Inuyasha, are you sure we'll be able to even SEE any demon tonight, much less fight one?" questioned Kagome to the unaware Inuyasha, trying to see her hand waving in front of her own face as she tried to keep her focus off of her throbbing feet but was fighting a losing battle. It's just like a guy not to EVER admit you're wrong for once. I guess some things never change. Her feet were aching from their primary walk and she just couldn't seem to shake it. Inuyasha somehow found a way to take Kagome's anxiety as a surprising development and he reluctantly agreed to hunt the demon the next day. Kagome's pleased sigh of relief was a sign to him that he should have paid a little more attention to her condition.

They pulled an about face and slowly began the other way. "Would you l-. . . like me to carry you?" He managed to choke out, flushed as his face was. After the previous morning's events, the concept seemed obscure and frankly kinda embarrassing as Inuyasha thought of it. Why'd the hell'd I even ask? he thought, as he flushed even more.

"I guess so," sighed Kagome, who would have been perfectly happy walking back, just as long as they were heading for somewhere to rest and recuperate for the walk the following day. Inuyasha knelt down to his knees as he had done many times before and Kagome hopped aboard, as the tradition had turned out to be. "Let's go," she said to Miroku, who had paused for them in the path a few paces ahead. He turned and began to walk once more, muttering under his own breath to his only audience. "I know," Inuyasha's ears caught Shippo's reply.

"But they seem to be so restless toward each other today. . ." he eavesdropped some more. "Not like themselves. . ." he picked up.

Hmpf, it wasn't like we're not talking. What kind of gossipers are they, not even bothering to get out of my ear-shot before yappin' it up! Scowling, his face contorted into a mocking expression, staring into their backs. Idiots, Miroku probably wanted me to hear that one, just to annoy me, he thought angrily.

"What's wrong with you?" Kagome interrupted, having the feeling that she was prying in business not her own.

"Nothin'," he replied characteristically, continuing apparently without a care in his world, thinking behind the scenes of slightly vengeful thoughts, upon his face plastered his sneer, once again trying to burn holes into the backs of his menacing gossipers.

"You know, if you do that too much, your face'll stick that way."

"Shut up."

She disregarded his response. That is SO typical of that idiot. She watched the short huts come into fleeting view through the trees, in and out. A bath'll hopefully be in Sango's best interest before we sleep for the night. Their hut was on the Far East side, very near where they had taken their entrance from. "Sango?" called Miroku, lifting the curtain to enter.

The hut was empty. Not even Kirara was there.

"Inuyasha? Where does her scent seem to go?" asked Miroku, slight concern in his voice, a 'curious cat' look playing about his face.

Taking a moment to compose his nose, he decided. "Over this way," he pointed further into the village. He began on his seemingly imaginary path into the heart of the small settlement, the others in tow. He avoided where he was likely to lose her scent. Miroku expected to find her getting something to eat at a vendor for travelers, but they continued right on through the town center, to the west side of the village. "Here," proclaimed Inuyasha. "It leads into the forest."

"What else do you detect?" asked Miroku, concerned for Sango's well being.

"Water," Inuyasha said plainly. "A spring."

"So, she came here for a bath?" questioned Kagome.

"It should seem so," confirmed Miroku. "I for one feel up for one about now," he affirmed, chest growing big. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the monk.

"Oh no, no, no. You're going back to the hut," said Kagome, firmly. "I'm going to enjoy a bath." She walked on.

Miroku deflated. "Suddenly, I'm not so keen on the idea."

"Can I come, Kagome?" asked Shippo, eagerly.

"Sure, why not?" she answered, as she beckoned him along. Just as they as they appeared to have disappeared through a haze of trees and undoubtedly out of ear-shot, Miroku clenched a fist, "Suck up." He turned to Inuyasha. "So the usual plan then?"

"They're gonna find out sooner or later ya know, we're pushin' it as it is," Inuyasha pointed out.

"Yes, but really what can they do now?" Miroku retorted, defiance in his every fibre.

"You'd be surprised, monk, you'd be surprised," Inuyasha patronized. "Kagome is pretty good with a bow and Sango. . . could kick your ass, if she wanted to. I'm still okay there. But if you wanna die that quickly. . ." he started walking, drearily.

"Oh c'mon, you enjoy it," said Miroku, accusing as they walked towards the spring.

"So, what if I do? I'm still covered in the 'Sango' department aren't I? It'd be mortally dangerous if they knew about your peeking."

"Ah yes, but Kagome could purify you," said Miroku, fairly. "You said it yourself; she's fairly skilful with her bow and arrows."

"I lied," he said, trying to convince himself.

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"Your admirer expressed his desire to come bathe with you," chorused Kagome, stifling a laugh, coming into view of the natural pool.

Sango sighed heavily, "That hentai monk," she said, closing her eyes, blushing a little. She sounded and looked a little better than they had left her. She tried to relax a little more.

"Soooo, when did you decide on a bath?"

"I thought it would be a while longer before you exterminated that demon and I didn't think you'd be in the mood for a bath," said Sango, shrugging. "So I got Kirara to carry me over." She chuckled as Kagome and Shippo undressed. She tried to beckon Kirara to join her but the cat seemed to be on springs as she hopped madly away until what she felt was a safe distance from her mistress' reach. "Well if you feel so strongly about then. . ." Sango's voice trailed off. "You should have seen the looks we were getting!" she suddenly laughed, reminiscing slightly. "So, what'd you find out?" her voice chameleoning to become business like.

"Ah, I was too tired tonight, for any kind of walk, even a short one," Kagome replied, get into the warm water. "So, I wined for while and eventually, here I am," she finished her short story.

"Well, I figure I'll be healthy enough to set out tomorrow morning anyway," she said, matter-of-factly. "I'll be fine enough to at least be riding on Kirara. Better than today at least. Today was definitely the worst of it."

"You sure get through sickness faster than most people, although I've never seen a cold so bad before." She sighed, sliding into the balmy water, feeling so much better and rubbing her feet. "Oh, this is much better than walking."

"You can say that again," said Sango, still enjoying the relaxation time.

"CANNONBALL!" declared Shippo, barely even making a splash into the water. He came out, sporting a spout of water originating from his mouth.

The two girls hardly noticed at all as they savoured their time in the water.

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"Hey, asshole," Inuyasha scolded with harsh whisper, gaining Miroku's attention, "You're drooling on your robe."

"Let me just. . ." he looked back at the gap between the trees. "Damn! I missed it! I was trying to concentrate!" he jeered back, obviously annoyed with him. He wiped off his robe before continuing. He looked back as the girls, along the two demons not to mention, were once again hidden by patch of trees. Shippo suddenly stared in their direction, obviously smelling them. He didn't show any surprise or so much of any reaction for that matter, knowing the two would pummel him if he gave them away.

"Hey, I'm only here to make sure you don't scout out Kagome! I don't care what the hell you miss! You got that?" he hissed with a frustrated look on his face. God damn monk, he's the one supposed to be celibate! And I'M the one keeping HIM in line! Bastard! He thought in spite.

"Inuyasha loosen up," Miroku replied. "You'd know if I ever looked at Kagome."

"I told you, we're here for their protection. That's it," he restated firmly. "Do I have to beat it into your head?"

"You're lecturing me now?"

He just stared and began walking the other way. "Let's just go, they're almost done; peep show's over, everybody out."

"You're the boss," Miroku joked, following him.

"Damn right, I'm the boss," he prided out. "Who else could keep you on the straight and narrow?" He seemed to consider something for a moment. "Well, MAAYBE Sango," he stated, answering his own question.

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Inuyasha sat on the ground, cross-legged, with his eyes closed for many more minutes before Kagome and Sango came in with their escorts. He stirred, stretching slightly and yawning. "So, how was the bath?" he asked with fake interest as he tried to keep a fire that he had tindered a few moments before.

"It was heavenly, thank you," answered Kagome, who also yawned and noticeably ready for sleep. "Put the fire out soon," she yawned again, "I'm tired."

"Sure," affirmed Inuyasha.

"I'll need my sleep for tomorrow," added Sango.

"Oh Sango, you're coming with us?" enquired Miroku enthusiastically. At least tomorrow isn't going to be a total waste of time.

"Yes, so I would appreciate it if I could sleep," she said as Shippo went to sit beside Miroku and Kirara Sango.

"Of course Sango, what makes you think we would prevent it?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

Sango watched him for a moment and turned away and sat down near Kagome, who had nearly got her sleeping bag set up, just the way she liked it.

"Night everyone," she said sleepily and turned to face the wall, away from the light, already dozing.

"Night," they all returned politely.

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Inuyasha hadn't been sleeping very well the few previous nights. He sat outside the hut, watching the few vendors that remained open for the VERY few travelers that traveled during the night instead of the day. He had pondered silently to himself many, arguing to himself lifestyle was better. In the end, it always came out to one conclusion, it was preference.

He listed off the requirements to be a night-traveler: Okay, one. You'd have to be able to sleep at night time. Two. You'd have to be able to sleep during the day cause there's no possible way to get by without sleeping at some point. Three. You'd have to hunt just before you went to sleep; the animals didn't come out until just before dawn, feeding time. Four, good eyesight. It was nearly pitch-dark at night, if the moon wasn't there, it would be. Even for him, it was dark. Six, shit what number was he on? Last. You'd have to be used to it. You just suddenly decide to travel at night, some evil shit would sneak up on you, slice, and there goes your head.

While Inuyasha himself would easily adjust, the other members of his little ensemble would not. They'd be dead meat, especially Kagome.

While he did ponder this, the real root of his restlessness was due to that snake's offer. He knew he was stupid for even considering it, but he couldn't help it. He felt that Tessaiga had betrayed him shitless. He thought he had mastered it long ago, and now it seemed he'd been duped. He longed to actually do something about it but he feared in doing so, he'd put his friends in vain danger. They had nothing to do with it really.

He held the sword and sheath in his outstretched hands, the blade out-drawn slightly from it's prison. Why Tessaiga? Why do you hide your strength?

His thoughts were perturbed slightly as a racoon dog had walked blatantly into the small clutter of houses and continued into the small town centre. "Hachi," he said aloud. "That dirty raccoon dog."

The figure kept moving and turned toward the north part of the town.

Hachi was training with Miroku's Master Mushin at the shrine during Miroku's absence. He somehow had both an appearance that seemed both ragged and sophisticated. His eyes were a little on the beady side and came with a mask like patch of black around them. He wore a slightly baggy shirt, blue pants, while his big, bushy tail hung outside of them. His tail in itself had two distinctive black rings near the tip.

He considered waking Miroku but decided it wasn't his business what the raccoon was doing. He raised the hut's curtain and stepped inside, almost onto Shippo and Kirara, barely managing to get around them small lumps, and into his space again. I hope I can finally get some sleep, he thought as he lay down again.

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First to rise, made breakfast or bought breakfast; but seeing as they didn't have any money, Inuyasha wasn't about to cook, especially looking at his sleep ethic of the past week. At first, it was because of Kagome's trip away, and two days before she returned, it morphed into curiosity about what Remoru had said. Now a full week after Remoru's offer and five days after Kagome return and his sleep was still troubled.

Miroku stirred out of the corner of his eye, finally, thought Inuyasha, with tremendous relief washing over him in waves. His relief was short lived though as Miroku fell covertly into sleep once again, his snores a sure sign. He was very good at pretending anyway. Damnit!

It wasn't long before Kagome moved though. It was just after dawn, so it was sorta surprising to see her up but thinking about it, not really. She HAD gone to sleep earlier than the rest of them last night.

She stretched tremendously before she sat up, scratching her head. That's much better, thought she. Kagome dragged herself out of her sleeping bag and to her feet. She looked around at the other bodies. Damn, my turn again. Just once!

Maybe five minutes more, just to be convincing, reflected Inuyasha silently.

By the time Kagome had breakfast going Inuyasha had arisen from his death-like sleep. He had gotten a little sleep. It wasn't as much as he would have liked, but there ya go.

"Hey Kagome," he said.

"Morning Inuyasha," she replied pleasantly in a morning voice, crackling slightly. She hurried outside get to some water for ramen because, naturally, Inuyasha would want to first bowl. She REALLY didn't feel like cooking from scratch, much less tending the fire up to the temperature to boil water for but it was her job this morning.

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Everybody woke up after she got back, suspiciously almost seconds apart. Kagome cast them all dirty looks for the whole breakfast.

They spared no time in packing up and setting off for the hunt of the troubling demon of the village. This path sure looks much less scary in the daytime, thought Shippo, secretly thankful no one could hear his thoughts.

"Ok, so this must be where we turned around," said Kagome, observatively (A.N. not a real word, I checked) looking around.

"How d'you know that?" called back Inuyasha.

"Because I've been looking for this since last night," she replied, picking up a hairbrush from the side of the path. "It must have fallen out."

Inuyasha had nothing to say, other than, "Look after your stuff better," as they walked on into a wood from the plains of a farmer's field.

"Just what kind of demon are we supposed to be looking for Inuyasha?" inquired Miroku.

"No idea," he replied like it was the simplest thing in the world. Truth be told, there was nothing but the smell of a raccoon dog lingering about the place, but seeing that Hachi had come from this direction, he wasn't surprised.

"Then why are we even out here?" asked Sango, criticizing his thinking.

"Hey I'd much rather be sleeping," he said truthfully, "But these villagers paid us a hut for the night to rid the demon. I'm not sure they're going to be too happy if we just slept and ran."

Kagome, as well as the rest of the group, really couldn't argue with his logic.

Inuyasha suddenly lowered into a crouch and whispered a hushed order. "Shut up, get down!"

He couldn't really smell any other traces of demon other the raccoon dog's scent, which was particularly strong in this part of the forest. It suddenly clicked as if there was a missing piece involved as he saw Hachi, hastily eat on a log before a fire. I'm so stupid! Why didn't I see it before? Resolutely, his figure loosened up and straightened to stand up. He walked out from behind his bush and right behind the back of Hachi. He snatched him up, growling. "What do you think you're doing?" he boomed, disguising his voice. "This is MY forest!" he boomed again, causing his friend to loosen and straighten also.

"I'm sorry great demon!" cried the cowering raccoon in his hand.

"I have someone who would like to see you!" he continued as he turned the dog toward Miroku.

Hachi gasped. "OH no! Miroku! It isn't what you think!"

"On the contrary Hachi, I believe it is exactly what I think. You've been stealing from the villagers, haven't you?" Miroku said slowly, disappointment raining supreme in his voice. "In a disguise no doubt?"

Hachi struggled more, but gave up sadly and nodded.

His natural appearance changed into a fierce bear demon's, his legs touching the ground, Inuyasha let him go.

Inuyasha sighed, looking tired. "I don't suppose you would help us out then?"

The others stood still, looking hopeful to what information they could hear.

"Anything, anything Inuyasha," Hachi grovelled, on his knees, changing back into his normal form.

"We'd like to know if you'd heard of any underground rumours of anyone creating rumours of a jewel shard. We've come all this way, and it seems someone had lured us here. WHO might lead us to WHY."

Hachi looked like he was deep in thought, wracking his brain, for any rumours of the sort. "Oh, I remember now!" his composure suddenly joyful. But then his ears went down. "I'm not sure how useful this is, but I heard talking to another demon, something about a Remoru and a jewel shard in the same sentence." He seemed very unsure of himself and it also seemed likely Inuyasha was going to smack him over the head, but Miroku beat him to the punch. Inuyasha himself looked little surprised, as well as Kagome. They were the only two to hear the snake's real name and were likely to be found out if they didn't play their cards right.

"Hachi, you should go home to help Master Mushin with the temple duties, he's getting too old to handle all of it on his own."

Hachi looked back at him and nodded changing into his blimp-like state, soaring over the trees and out of sight.

"So, we following his advice?" asked Inuyasha, praying the answer would be a no.

"We have to don't we?" asked Sango. "It's the only thing we have to go on."

"No!" piped up Kagome. "Why can't just stay here for a few more days?"

"Well, I thought we'd want to know the reason for the rumours, but if not. . ." trailed off Sango.

"We have to," said Miroku firmly. "We can't waste so much more time."

Inuyasha added an item to his own personal to-do list in his head. Kill Miroku. Period. He labelled it, One.

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Whoa! That was a long one. I mean a LOOONG one for me. But what can I say, I was inspired. Hope you all like the new chappy and I'll see y'all later! Remember REVIEW! Uncle Sam always needs more reviews!

Peace out!

Nolan