The Ruins

*Unfortunately, I do not own Inuyasha and Company. Rumiko Takahashi does. (Except Koneko, she's mine.)

Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, Kagome, Rin, Sesshoumaru, and Koneko slowly made their way towards the walls of the ruins. They were careful to hide themselves in shadows which were abundant thanks to the moon not being out yet. However, it was supposed to be a full moon so they had to hurry or their cover would be blown.

Soon they were as close as they could get without being spotted. They didn't have to wait long before they heard a commotion.

Demons cried out as they started getting pelted with rocks.

"Hey, you ugly brutes!" Kohaku yelled. "Over here!"

"Yeah!" Shippo piped up. "Come and get us!" Then he blew a raspberry at them.

There were growls and mention of 'you little…' as the demons gave chase. The group waited a moment before Sesshoumaru nodded.

"Now."

Inuyasha led the way as they all ran across the now empty space. There were lucky; no one spotted them. When they reached the bushes, Inuyasha held them aside and waved everybody in.

The inside of the walls of the castle were eerie and deserted. There were still boxes and a cart situated by the entrance, which had been blocked off. But other than that, it was empty

Kagome looked around and rubbed her arm. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would there be walls around a tower and nothing else? Not to mention, this castle is in the middle of nowhere."

Sango frowned. "I agree. Who would build this?"

"Whoever it was, they left in a hurry," Miroku said as he walked over to the cart. He looked in and whistled. "A lot of valuable stuff here."

"Does it matter?" Inuyasha asked, irritably. "Let's just go talk to this Miko already."

"I hate to agree with Inuyasha," Koneko said, ignoring his glare, "but he's right. Whatever we're looking for is bound to be up there." She pointed to the top of the tower.

Sesshoumaru looked up and frowned. "Something's not right. We should approach with caution."

Koneko looked at him worriedly, "What's not right?"

He shook his head. "Something's just off."

The full moon started to rise as they walked towards the tower. Sango paused when they heard the demons returning. She looked back towards the wall.

"Maybe I should check on him," she said nervously.

"No. We need to go." Koneko frowned. "I feel as if we're running out of time."

Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder. "He'll be fine, Sango." She sighed and nodded.

Everybody entered the tower. Inside was a large staircase that climbed all the way up the tower. There were spots to place a torch, but nothing was lit. The only light came from the moon through small windows on each level.

Eventually the tower rose higher than the walls around it. Koneko happened to look out and notice a form flying above the crowds. She nudged Sango and pointed. Sango looked relieved and nodded her thanks.

As they continued, everybody drew their weapon of choice. Rin had a bow like Kagome but currently had out a small dagger.

When they reached the top, Sesshoumaru gestured everyone to stop. Everybody stayed silent and listened. There was a soft thrumming and the sound of someone muttering. He glanced at everyone to see if they were ready. When they all nodded, he walked up.

They found themselves in a large circular room. There was a platform in the center with a pedestal on it. In front of the pedestal stood the Miko, blocking whatever was on it. In the corner were two seemingly unconscious demons. There was also a stone tablet with an ancient text on it. Next to it was an unfurled scroll with a translation. It read:

With a drop of a Miko's blood

And the light of a full moon,

The moon stone will grant any wish.

But beware!

For the wish will come from the heart

As well as the mind.

Koneko frowned. Tonight was the full moon. But what was a moon stone?

Kirai turned around and studied the intruders. Her eyes narrowed as they went from Sesshoumaru to Inuyasha and Koneko. "Hello," she said calmly. "Who are you?"

"Does it matter?" Inuyasha growled.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded. She smiled at Kirai. "Sorry about him, he's rude. I'm Kagome. We were just wondering what you are doing here."

"Yeah. And why did you draw all the demons here?" Koneko added.

Kirai glanced at her and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "That was simply a side effect, although convenient." She waved her hand and suddenly Sesshoumaru grabbed Miroku and Sango and Inuyasha grabbed Kagome.

Koneko gasped and grabbed her head. Something was invading, trying to take over. She tried to fight it and found it was using her demon side to its advantage. Using her Miko powers, she managed to push it away.

The Miko glared at her. "How?" Then she shrugged. "No matter." She waved her hand again and the two demons got up and grabbed Koneko and Rin. "You will be dead soon anyways."

"What!" they all exclaimed.

She grinned. "Demons have lived long enough. And soon there will be no more." She walked up the stairs where the full moon was about to reach the spherical stone on the pedestal.

"NO!" Koneko yelled. She and Rin used their Miko powers to escape from the demons.

Kirai scowled. "Kill them."

Koneko ran over and punched Inuyasha before he could do anything. Rin yelled out, "Sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama!" before shocking him.

Miroku, Sango, Koneko, Kagome, and Rin prepared to fight against their own friends when moonlight hit the moon stone. Kirai laughed as she used a knife to cut her hand. "You're too late!" She placed her bleeding hand on the stone and the platform was consumed in a white light.

*You almost didn't get a chapter today. This week had been so busy that I woke this morning and realized the chapter wasn't done. So be relieved I am devoted enough to not miss a day.

*There is going to be at least one more chapter and an epilogue. I would be more specific, but I don't know how long it will take to finish this story. :(