Chapter 12: An Encounter

Shippo stopped cowering, but kept his eyes clamped shut. That voice sounded so... child like.

" So you're afraid? I can't really blame you."

Shippo then opened his eyes and looked upon the figure before him. All fear left him when he saw who it was that had threatened him.

" Souten."

Both sat in silence neither knowing what to say though there was much to discuss. It appears that talking was a bit harder than anticipated. Inuyasha was going over things to say in his mind and dismissing every approach. I guess I could just be straight forward, thought Inuyasha. That's the only way I can think of. Inuyasha nodded to himself causing Sango to blink.

" Sango..." Inuyasha began. He stared at her with intense ember eyes.

" Yes Inuyasha..." That look was stirring something deep inside Sango.

" I think... I think..."

" You think what?" Urged Sango. Could he really be about to say what I think he is?

" I think I---"

" There you two are!" Called Koharu causing the two to jump.

" And it appears you have breakfast." Said Miroku as he came up behind Koharu.

" Yes I do." Replied Inuyasha. The intense look had faded from his eyes and they had returned to a cold ember.

No! Damn it, thought Sango. Just when he was going to tell me... What? What was he going to tell me?

" Sango? Are you ok?" Asked Miroku pulling Sango from her thoughts.

" I'm fine."

" Well the kill is skinned and cleaned. Lets take it back to camp so we can cook and eat it." And with that Inuyasha walked in the direction of the camp carrying the kill.

Miroku and Koharu simply shrugged and followed leaving a very unhappy Sango to trail behind them. When they arrived at camp Kikyo was awake and had already started a fire. She smiled at Inuyasha when he emerged from the forest and he smiled back. Everyone sat by the fire as Kikyo proceeded to cook the meat that Inuyasha had brought.

Shippo could hardly believe his eyes. It was Souten. She grinned at his look of disbelief.

" Bet you never expected to see me again." Said Souten

Shippo simply shook his head. " No I didn't."

" Where are the rest of you?" Asked Souten. By rest of you she meant Sango and the rest of the group. " They leave you or something, cause you're too weak."

Shippo glared at Souten. " No I left them... and I'm not going back." Shippo held back tears as the reason for him leaving came back to mind. Kagome.

" So you're a loner huh?" Shippo nodded. " Well you can always come with me. I could use a companion. Or just somebody to beat up on."

Shippo smiled slightly." Sure. I'll come with you. You're not strong enough to take care of yourself so I'll help you out."

The small group had finished their meal and now it was time to get down to business. Naraku had to be defeated and the jewel had to be completed.

" So the only shards left are Naraku's correct." Asked Kikyo

" Correct " Replied Sango

" Wrong." Interrupted Miroku

" What do you mean wrong?" Questioned Inuyasha.

" There is still the shard in Kohaku's back."

At the mention of Kohaku Sango's whole demeanor changed. " Kohaku..." Sango whispered sadly.

" Who is this Kohaku?" Kikyo knew nothing of this person, but she had noticed the change in Sango and was curious as to who Kohaku was.

" He is Sango's brother." Replied Miroku. " We need his shard." Everyone nodded. " That means we have to..."

" Kill Kohaku." Said Inuyasha.

" I'll do it." Said Sango firmly. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

" Sango you don't have t---"

" I'm going to do it!" Growled Sango. " No one else."

" Ok Sango..." After that everyone fell silent. They gathered their things and headed toward Kaede's village. All in silence. The walk had seemed much longer than it had in the past. Though they had traveled in silence on this same dirt path it had never felt so long. Koharu walked beside Miroku arm in arm while Inuyasha and Kikyo walked ahead of the group. Sango trailed behind them, eyes downcast, focusing on what she would have to do when they encountered Kohaku while Kirara sat on her shoulder. It was mid-day when they arrived at Kaede's village. They walked straight to Kaede's hut where she greeted them. She was not surprised to see Kikyo. Kagome had told her of Kikyo accompanying them, though the strange girl clinging to Miroku was unexpected.

" Hello all of you." Greeted Kaede as they all entered her hut.

" Hello Kaede." Greeted Miroku as he entered the small hut.

" And this must be Koharu." Said Kaede as she looked upon Koharu.

Koharu blinked. " Yes... how did you know."

" Kagome told me everything." Kaede said bluntly.

" Kagome..." Sneered Inuyasha. " Well we are here until tomorrow so we can get some rest. We are anxious to get on with this hunt for the shards."

" Very well." Said Kaede. " Make yourselves comfortable. I have some patients to attend to." And with that Kaede took her leave.

" So what are we doing all day?" Asked Koharu in a chipper tone, in a effort to ease some of the tension in the room.

" I'm sure we can think of something." Miroku grinned. He had a few ideas.

A/N: Well there goes another chapter. Fifty million years in the making. I take forever with these chapters, but hey It be that way sometimes. Tell me what ya think and any ideas if you have them. I'll try and make the next one longer.