Shina ran toward the castle, it was so close yet seemed so far away. She soon stopped as her legs grew tired. The sun was slowly setting. She wiped the remaining tears from her blue eyes as she glanced above her. The castle stood on a large dirt mountain with only a bridge connecting it to ground.

She took a deep breath as she pushed her hair out of her face. It was now or never. She had to complete the mission her mother once had. Then when it was all over, she could finally go back home and forget anything had ever happened.

She took a cautious step onto the bridge. A soft breeze gently blew her hair. She softly sighed and continued toward the castle.

The sun had finally set, leaving the castle in a gloomy darkness. Shina's skin began to crawl. She really hoped her friends would be there soon.


Kaiya gently placed the flower in Rin's hair and kissed her cheek. The sleeping child slightly stirred but soon was still again. This was her only chance to escape. Sesshoumaru had left to ensure the area was safe. Jaken was asleep as well, he would never notice.

Kaiya slowly stood up and carefully tiptoed over Jaken.

"Nmmuggh." Kaiya froze as Jaken turned over in his sleep. Kaiya continued on her way after Jaken was still again.

She formed a bubble around herself and started toward the castle Sachi had mentioned. She was very nervous, Sesshoumaru had a keen nose. If he noticed, he could easily kill her. She had to take the risk though, her friends needed her.

A few minutes had passed when she noticed the castle in view. As she neared the castle her bubble started to disappear.

"No… no, no, no, no!" She screamed as she fell from the bubble to the ground. Luckily she was close enough to the dirt mountain and grabbed on tightly. She coughed as rocks and dust fell on her.

Why did her bubble disappear? It never did that before. She struggled to climb up to the castle but soon made it to the top. She wiped her dress and face and staggered toward the dirt field in front of the castle. It was silent and dark. She looked around for her friends, helplessly.


Michi, Bankostu and Jakotsu hiked across a clearing when they heard a voice.

"Michi! Wait up!"

Michi turned around in shock. Who would be calling her name at this point in time? She noticed a group running toward them with a girl in front, her pigtails bouncing.

"Kohana?" Michi questioned and she walked toward the running girl. She soon came closer into view causing Michi to smile to herself. "Kohana!" Michi shouted as she ran toward Kohana. They both leapt into each other's arms and embraced. They stopped when they heard InuYasha and Bankotsu arguing.

"Stop you idiots!" Kohana shouted. Bankotsu glared at her.

"Who do you think you're calling an idiot?" Kohana took a deep breath.

"Who else? You two idiots. We're on the same damn team now, so stop arguing."

The two groups stared at each other for quite some time. It couldn't be denied. They were all after Naraku now, and in order to defeat him, they had to work together.

"The girl's right. We have to work together to defeat Naraku." Jakotsu stated. InuYasha scoffed.

"Aren't you working for Naraku?" Bankotsu growled.

"No, they don't. Now, let's get moving people!" Michi ordered as Kohana and herself started to walk toward the bridge of the castle. They took a step onto the bridge when they noticed the group wasn't with them anymore.

"What the hell? Where'd they go?" Kohana questioned. Michi continued on the bridge.

"We have to keep going. We'll figure it out later." Kohana reluctantly joined Michi. They could protect themselves.


"Damn it, they can't hear us!" Bankostu growled.

"Who the hell put a barrier here anyway?" InuYasha shouted. Kagome gently touched the barrier.

"Let's figure out a way to get in before they get in trouble."


Thanks for reading!

R&R Pleaasee!

Snowy B