Warnings for this chapter: references to death and suicide, blood, and an extra helping of angst.

Miroku kept his gaze levelled at Sesshomaru, keeping the dog demon pinned. He didn't dare move, sensing that the slightest shift would end the eerie calm that had fallen over the group. If Sesshomaru broke first and attacked, he had absolutely no way of defending himself. Not with the Jewel shard he could barely sense embedded in the demon's flesh. He just needed to keep Sesshomaru there for a few more moments. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Shippo scamper around to where his staff had fallen. He moved painfully slowly, reaching out a hand. The staff came flying at him from Shippo's powerful throw, and he snatched it from the air before aiming it at Sesshomaru.

"Drop the sword," he warned. "Or I'll cut your left arm off!"

Inuyasha glanced between Miroku and Sesshomaru, now thoroughly confused. Why his arm? What was going on? He saw the muscles in Miroku's jaw shift a heartbeat before the monk charged forward, but Sesshomaru easily jumped away from the swinging blow. Sesshomaru sneered and dove for the human, claws poised to tear flesh. No! Inuyasha flung himself forward, connecting bodily with Sesshomaru and intercepting his path.

"I'm the one you want!" he reminded his brother, slicing his claws through the air.

He connected with something, though he didn't know what, and Sesshomaru changed course. Inuyasha landed in front of Miroku, claws ready and teeth bared. Miroku leaned heavily on his staff behind him, barely keeping his feet.

"Most amusing," Sesshomaru drawled. "You seem so anxious for his safety."

"There's a shard in his left arm," Miroku said urgently. "I'm sure if I can just hit it-"

"Forget it!" Inuyasha snapped, not taking his eyes off his brother. "Sesshomaru's never been the kind of opponent that's easy to strike down, and you can barely stand. Get out of here while you can still move!" He paused for a breath, softening his voice. "And Miroku, thanks for your help. Now I can defeat him."

Miroku narrowed his eyes suspiciously, the hint of a smile in his voice. "You're thanking me? That can't be good."

Inuyasha huffed, worry leaving no room for humour. "Miroku, go!"

Sure enough, Miroku turned and clambered back around the pile of demon parts. He wouldn't leave – he couldn't, in more ways than one – but he could stay out of the way and let Inuyasha get the Tessaiga back. Hopefully he would still be able to help if it came to it. Inuyasha launched forward, trying to provoke Sesshomaru into dropping the Tessaiga. Miroku debated trying to grab it while the demon was distracted, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to move. He doubted he could get there in time. As he came to a stop, he caught sight of Jaken peering over a chunk of demon liver. With a growl eerily similar to one of Inuyasha's he caught a hold of the imp and lifted him up by the head.

"You looked nicer before," Jaken commented, eyeing him up and down.

Miroku was not amused. "I'm having a bad day, imp, so I'll give you one last chance to leave."

"How very generous…" Jaken said, reaching for the Human Head Staff. Shippo darted forward and grabbed it from his hand.

"Confess, you nasty little beast," Miroku pressed. "Where did you get those venomous insects?"

"They were given to us by a demon," Jaken spilled instantly. "I did not see his face for he wore the hide of a baboon to conceal himself."

"And what was his name?"

"His name?" Jaken paused, eyes widening slightly. "He said it was Naraku."

Miroku's blood ran cold. Across the battlefield, Inuyasha froze mid-strike. Naraku?

"Where is he?" Miroku asked with deadly calm. "Where can I find him? Tell me now!"

"I know not where he is!" Jaken insisted before a menacing smile spread across his face. "And even if you were to find him, it would do you no good. Your fate has been sealed! You won't make it until dawn."

Miroku groaned, a tremor ripping through his body forcing him to drop the imp. Shippo clutched at his sleeve with anxious hands. "Are you in pain, Miroku?"

"Pain is nothing. It is death that concerns me."

He couldn't die. Not yet. Not when he finally, finally had a hint of Naraku's presence.

"Don't look to me for sympathy!" Jaken taunted.

Miroku took the imp by the front of his robes and threw him over his shoulder. Another shudder passed through him and he gasped, landing on his hands and knees. The energy brought on by panic that had been keeping him going thus far was quickly draining away. He couldn't carry on much longer.

"Miroku!" Shippo cried, though his voice sounded distorted to his ears.

"I'm fine," Miroku assured anyway. "I just need to rest."

The imp must have been right about the venom. The tightness in his chest was growing stronger, talons of pain squeezing his lungs until he could barely draw breath. Every movement was an effort, and sent red-hot flames through his shaking muscles. He took in Shippo's anxious face, the fear in his eyes. He had to hang on. He knew that the little fox had grown to care for him, and he didn't want him to have to witness the death of another loved one.

"Listen, Shippo," he gasped out, trying to sound reassuring. "Can you help me get up this hill? Inuyasha needs out help."

Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru, determined to keep his brother away from Miroku. He eyed his left arm, noticing the slightly different skin tone and the faint smell of human. Now that Miroku had pointed it out, he could vaguely sense where Jewel shard emanated, connecting the arm to his body.

"I've figured you out, Sesshomaru," he muttered, just loud enough for his brother to hear. "Disgusting! Didn't think you would lower yourself to human parts."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "As though you can talk. You're dragging around an entire human!"

"I'm gonna rip off your arm and beat you to death with it."

"I guarantee it will be harder than me taking away your human toy."

Inuyasha launched himself forward with a roar, claws poised to dig into Sesshomaru's flesh. Sesshomaru rushed at him in turn, slicing across his shoulder with his poisoned claws. The light-whip snapped across the ground at his feet, forcing him to jump back. They danced forward and back, each dodging the strike of the other until Inuyasha growled and pushed forward. He blocked the whip's strike with his sleeve but another attack flung him back. He jumped, twisting over Sesshomaru's head. He landed on a boulder and pushed himself off, straight at his brother with a shout of "Iron Reaver, Soul Stealer!"

He must have been getting to Sesshomaru, because his brother's fist connected with his face. He went flying, gouging a scar into the earth with his body until he slid to a stop. Sesshomaru was smiling menacingly, emotion starting to crack through his iron control. Blood dripped down his cheek from an earlier attack and his eyes flashed. He took a step forward before something crashed into his left shoulder, shattering the armor there with a pulse of spiritual power.

Sesshomaru froze, stunned, before both he and Inuyasha looked to where Miroku was lowering Shippo's slingshot. The fox handed him another rock and he quickly wrapped a sutra around it, bringing it to the ready.

"Miroku!" Inuyasha shouted, half relieved that the monk was still upright, half terrified of what he had just done.

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said, low and dangerous. "Make him stop. Even as a hanyou, there is youkai within you. Be proud of that. Do not accept human aid, even in death."

Miroku shouted back "Maybe you shouldn't accept aid from people wearing dead monkey skins on their heads!"

Inuyasha shot him an incredulous look, wondering if his friend had finally lost his mind. For some reason, the words seemed to strike a chord with Sesshomaru, though, who looked utterly pissed.

"Don't try anything, Miroku," he warned. "Sesshomaru is ruthless!"

Miroku pulled back the slingshot and sent another rock flying at Sesshomaru. The demon easily snatched it from the air. His hand glowed green and the rock melted.

"You've had your warning," Sessomaru said, raising the Tessaiga as it partially transformed and glowed golden. "Now I shall put an end to your interference!"

Sesshomaru planted his stance and swept a golden blast of energy flying at Miroku. Shippo screeched and darted out of the way. Miroku grimaced and leaned harder on his staff. His body was no longer responding to his orders. He couldn't move out of the way. Inuyasha swore and jumped, wrapping Miroku in his arms a heartbeat before the blast reached them. The wave hit them and sent them off their feet. Inuyasha cried out as the energy tore at him, barely blocked by the robes of the Fire Rat. They landed hard on the ground, Inuyasha taking the brunt of the impact on his forearms to avoid shattering Miroku's bones with his body.

He could hear Shippo calling after them, but it sounded far away and distorted. His vision blurred as he sat up and his head pounded, but that didn't matter right now. He grabbed Miroku's shoulder, waiting for an earthshattering moment before his ears picked up the heartbeat again. But the monk wasn't moving. Was barely breathing.

"Miroku?" he pleaded, shaking his shoulder. "Miroku!"

He reached forward, cradling the human's cheek with his hand. Miroku's brows furrowed but he didn't wake. Sesshomaru raised his sword again and Inuyasha instinctively shielded the monk more with his body. "How dare you?" he snarled, baring his teeth. "He doesn't deserve it!"

He didn't. Miroku didn't deserve to die, not like this. Not as the product of an attack on someone else. Not in some barren field in the night. Not before he could fulfill his mission, complete the Jewel and save himself from the wind tunnel. Not yet.

"Shippo," Inuyasha called quietly, bringing the fox to him. "Get Miroku out of here, fast. Get as far away as you can."

"You sure?" Shippo asked, eyes darting to Sesshomaru.

"Get Miroku out of here!" Inuyasha insisted. "Please, don't let him die."

The kit stared at him with wide eyes before an expression of determination shifted across his face. He transformed into his pink sphere and Inuyasha carefully lifted Miroku onto his back. He brushed his fingers through the monk's hair one last time before pushing Shippo away, sending them floating away from the battlefield. Sesshomaru raised the Tessaiga again, golden energy swirling around it as it struggled to transform.

"You will never escape me," he called to Inuyasha. "I shall destroy you all with a single stroke!"

Inuyasha ran for him, a shout of rage ripping from his throat. Sesshomaru swung the Tessaiga, another blast of energy leaving the blade and tearing towards him. Inuyasha ran through the impact, feeling the energy flying through him in waves of pain. The impact caught Shippo and Miroku, sending the monk off of the fox's back. He awoke with a gasp as he hit the ground. Bits of rock and dust settled around them as the blast subsided. He glanced back just in time to see Inuyasha pushing back the pulsing blade. Miroku gasped out "Inuyasha!"

The hanyou's head snapped around to stare at him with wide eyes. "What're you waiting for? Run!"

"Very touching," Sesshomaru drawled, raising his right hand with poison on his claws. "Trying to buy time?"

Inuyasha pushed harder against his human arm, trying to rip it off or grab the Tessaiga. Sesshomaru shifted his other arm around, claws poised, and rammed his hand through Inuyasha's back. The fingers emerged through his chest. Inuyasha screamed.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku clambered to his hands and knees.

Sesshomaru removed his hand and it was covered in blood. He smirked, eyes meeting Miroku's over Inuyasha's head. There was a cold victory there than sent shivers down Miroku's spine. No! Sesshomaru returned his gaze to Inuyasha as the hanyou gasped, trying to cope with the overwhelming pain. "Any last words before your tragic demise?"

"Your ignorance surprises me," Inuyasha gasped out weakly, the ghost of a smile on his lips. "I really thought you would've realized it by now."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. Inuyasha tightened his grip on Sesshomaru's arm, just below the elbow, and twisted hard. Cartilage and tendons snapped as the arm separated at the joint. Inuyasha continued the rolling motion until the arm pulled cleanly from Sesshomaru's body, the Tessaiga still in hand. He grabbed the handle and swung the sword up, transforming it as he did so. The human arm dropped to the ground. Inuyasha levelled the blade at Sesshomaru's chest, trying to disguise his trembling as blood spilled down his front. Sesshomaru's eyes pinned him there, cold and calculating. Sesshomaru could no longer touch the sword. Inuyasha was moments away from dropping it. They were at an impasse, and they both knew it.

Inuyasha was the first to break, dropping to his knees as the weight of the Tessaiga grew too much. The tip of the sword dug into the earth and he leaned heavily against it. His vision was going in and out, barely clinging to consciousness.

Miroku watched Sesshomaru assess the situation. Jaken scrambled to his master's side and took a step toward Inuyasha. The hanyou's hands tightened on the hilt, sending a small burst of power travelling after the imp, chasing him away.

"Do not approach any closer," Sesshomaru warned. It was very subtle, but Miroku could almost make out the lines of defeat in the tension in his shoulders. "We shall leave, Jaken. There is no sense in staying."

He turned, his gaze meeting Miroku's again. The slightest hint of a smile tugged at Sesshomaru's lips. Miroku's eyes narrowed and he pointedly grasped his mala beads. Something shifted in Sesshomaru's gaze, defeat and cold fury mingling with something approaching respect. He lifted into the air, yellow-green strands of youki swirling around him. He eyed Miroku as he left, one final glance as he rose into the night sky.

Miroku waited until he was certain Sesshomaru was gone before dropping his hands. He crawled to Inuyasha's side, dragging himself when his body stopped cooperating. Inuyasha's eyes were vacant as he approached, but one of his ears twitched. Slowly, he lifted his gaze, hazy but recognizable.

It was the monk's scent that brought him back, warm and familiar. The purple blob before him slowly took form. Miroku? His mind struggled to grasp what was going on through the warring feelings of relief, worry, and pain. He was alright! The Tessaiga transformed back and Inuyasha slipped forward, unable to support his weight. The world went black.

Miroku didn't so much as catch him as use his own body as a landing mat. The ground was slippery with Inuyasha's blood. He had no idea how to treat a gaping hole in someone's chest, one that went right through his torso, but he had to try. He stripped off Inuyasha's suikan and hadagi, his heart sinking as the wound was laid bare. Miroku didn't know the limits of hanyou strength. He wasn't even sure if Inuyasha was still alive. Instead, with Shippo propping him up, he wrapped his kesa around Inuyasha's chest several times, pulling it as tightly as he could. Inuyasha groaned as he finished, his eyes flickering open.

"Home," he breathed, voice barely there. "Miroku, take me home."

Miroku summoned Hachi. He was pretty sure that home meant Kaede's village. He was pretty sure that Kaede would be able to heal Inuyasha's wound. He was also pretty sure that he would be unconscious long before they reached their destination, and Kaede's village was the only place that would treat a hanyou without him there to talk them into it. Besides, Kaede might even know how to treat demon insect venom. It was a faint hope.

Hachi landed beside them and Shippo instantly darted to his side, explaining what had happened and where they needed to go. Miroku needed Shippo's help to get Inuyasha onto Hachi's back, and then the fox had to drag him up as well, his strength utterly spent. He sat cross-legged on the tanuki, Inuyasha's head on his lap and Shippo hovering anxiously nearby. Though the pain was still present, the panicked urgency that came with the venom had diminished, leaving him cold and calm and resigned. He suspected that it wasn't a good development, but he was too tired to care. He tangled his fingers in Inuyasha's hair to try and stop their violent shaking. He could feel the blood leaking from Inuyasha's back through his kesa.

"Hachi," Miroku breathed. "We've known each other for a long time…"

"Take cheer, my friend," Hachi interrupted smoothly. "You can cut out that sentimental talk. We don't need any deathbed sentimentality today."

Miroku smiled to himself. He suspected he didn't even need to ask. If he died before they reached Kaede's village, Shippo and Hachi would see to it that Inuyasha was safe. Slowly his body sagged, his brow coming to rest against Inuyasha's. Consciousness was slipping away, his strength utterly spent, and thoughts came unbidden to his mind.

He thought about Naraku, who was out there, somewhere. Naraku, who must somehow know that they were travelling together. Who had sent Inuyasha's brother after them with insects designed to block his wind tunnel. It made sense that Naraku would want Miroku dead, but was he after Inuyasha as well? Or was that simply a way of manipulating Sesshomaru into doing his dirty work for him? Either way, he wouldn't tell Inuyasha about Naraku until he was healed. That was, assuming he was around to tell anyone anything.

He could vaguely hear Shippo talking to him, his voice high and shrill, but he couldn't make out the words. He was so tired. So cold. He couldn't seem to keep his eyes open. If he could just rest a bit, just for a moment…

Miroku woke to Shippo's teeth sunk lightly into his shoulder. He shifted his head to blink questioningly at the fox. "Just hang on!" the kit was saying. "We're almost home!"

Hachi opted to crash-land outside Kaede's hut. The shaking of the earth alerted any villagers who hadn't been summoned by Shippo's frantic cries for help. Miroku wrapped uncooperative arms around Inuyasha and slid them both off of Hachi's back, landing in a pile on the ground. Villagers were by their side, hands reaching, voices asking questions that Miroku's mind couldn't comprehend. Then Kaede was in front of him, asking what had happened with hard eyes.

"He's injured," Miroku gasped, clinging to Inuyasha. "Please…"

"And Miroku's been poisoned by venomous insects!" Shippo added.

Someone pulled Inuyasha from Miroku's grasp. He tried to protest, reaching out weakly, but his hands wouldn't move and his voice didn't work and his vision was slowly turning grey. Someone was lifting him, hands on his arms and legs and back, someone supporting his head. He could make out Shippo's voice and Kaede's, both loud and urgent. They would take care of Inuyasha. He could let go. His task was done. He slipped off into the welcoming arms of oblivion.

Inuyasha woke to the smell of bitter herbs and the sense that he had just been hit with a mountain. Everything hurt. It hurt to breathe. He groaned, long and low, but that didn't seem to help. He blinked his eyes open, taking in the familiar surroundings. He didn't remember how he got to Kaede's hut, but he was glad to be there. Bandages wrapped around his bare chest. A low fire burned in the irori. Then Miroku's scent registered in his mind and he whipped around.

Kaede knelt over the monk, her face pinched and drawn. She placed a damp cloth on Miroku's brow, wiping away some of the sweat that gathered there. Miroku's face was waxy and frighteningly pale, his eyes sunken and closed tight with pain. His breathing was less ragged than before but was laden with effort. Stress, pain, and sickness rolled off him in waves.

"Miroku?" Inuyasha breathed. "Kaede, is he alright?"

"Be still, Inuyasha," she warned, not looking up from her charge. "Do not aggravate your wounds. Miroku is fighting off the venom."

Inuyasha watched the rise and fall of Miroku's chest as though transfixed, his ears trained on the rapid heartbeat. Other sounds in the room broke his concentration – the snap of the fire, Kaede shifting on her knees, and a slight snoring coming from the corner, where Shippo and Hachi were fast asleep, leaning on one another. It hurt to move, and his body was drained and weak from blood loss, but Inuyasha crawled his way over to Miroku's side. He slid one arm under the monk's head, wrapping the other around his chest, and placed his head resolutely on his shoulder. The rest of his body pressed against Miroku's side opposite Kaede, one leg hooking over the monk's own. He blinked slowly at Kaede, saw the gentle understanding in her gaze, and drifted slowly off to sleep.

When he awoke once more, Miroku was sitting up. The monk was propped up by Kaede's arms and chest, smiling tightly but very much alive. Shippo held a small cup of water to his mouth, urging him to drink. Hachi stood close by with a bowl of cold water and some strips of cloth. Shippo caught sight of Inuyasha and his face lit up. He immediately dropped the cup and flung himself at Inuyasha, wrapping his arms around the hanyou's neck. "Inuyasha, you're awake!"

"How are you feeling?" Miroku rasped quietly as he dabbed at the spilled water seeping down his chest.

"I'm fine," Inuyasha said, brushing off the question and placing a comforting hand on Shippo's head. "How are you? Is the poison gone?"

"Mm," Miroku nodded. "Kaede has taken very good care of me." He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially "I'm starting to think she likes me."

Kaede instantly swatted him over the back of the head before standing and gesturing to Shippo and Hachi. "Come on, you two. I need to replenish my stock of herbs, and I think we should find some food." Both demons perked up at the suggestion of food and quickly scampered outside. Kaede turned back to Miroku and Inuyasha. "I seem to have gained another demon helper. We will discuss that later."

She walked out with a smile, leaving the two of them alone. Miroku gave Inuyasha an assessing look. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Feh."

"Look," Miroku sighed, pushing his hair back from where it stuck to his forehead. "I know you're stronger than humans, but anyone would be slowed down by an injury like that. You need to give yourself time to recover."

Inuyasha frowned at Miroku. He would see the tremors running through the monk's body as he struggled to keep himself sitting up. "Like you can talk."

"Don't worry," Miroku grinned. "I intend to do nothing but sleep and be waited on for another five days at least."

"You're strong," Inuyasha muttered, staring at the floor. "Those insects could've killed you – they were killing you, but you kept on fighting, even after I told you to run."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you," Miroku sighed. "I shouldn't have gotten in the way."

"No," Inuyasha shook his head, reaching out to grasp at Miroku's arm. "You saved my life. At least a couple times, no doubt. I'm grateful that you were there."

Miroku mock-frowned, though there was a serious tint in his eyes. "Again with the alarming sincerity that makes me think something bad is going to happen. Do you have a fever as well?"

Inuyasha levelled an earnest look at the monk. "Look, things are getting more dangerous by the day."

"Most probably," Miroku agreed, easily but warily.

"The Jewel shards are a beacon to all the demons out there. You're a target even more than the rest of us."

Miroku shrugged. "True, but that can't be helped. The risk is one I accepted when we first began journeying together."

"It'll get worse, though," Inuyasha pressed, his ears lying flat against his head. "Naraku and Sesshomaru have joined forces, and I don't doubt they'll be back."

"Ah," Miroku smiled, sadly and a little ruefully. "So you figured that out. Yes, that will likely be another threat on our horizon."

"We were lucky this time, but who knows about next time!"

"That's true, but it's true of every battle, every day," Miroku mused. "I suppose that's why we should cherish what we have in the moment."

It took Miroku by surprise when Inuyasha flung his arms around him, crushing him to his chest. Once his mind caught up with the situation, he wrapped his around Inuyasha in turn. Inuyasha's nose buried into his neck, one hand winding into his hair. He took a shuddering breath, his arms grasping impossibly tighter.

"I was afraid…" he muttered, breath ghosting against Miroku's neck. "I thought I was going to lose you. I saw you dying before my very eyes. I was terrified!" His hand cradled the back of Miroku's head, pressing it into the hanyou's shoulder. "Don't you dare do that to me again."

Miroku sighed, winding his hands into Inuyasha's robes. "I won't make a promise that I cannot keep."

Inuyasha pulled away, frowning with an argument on his lips, but Miroku wasn't done.

"Inuyasha, the path we travel is dangerous. We will face more threats, not just Naraku and Sesshomaru. Every Jewel shard we find will likely have at least one villain vying for its power. Finding Naraku is my destiny, and I was the one to break the Jewel, so I must be the one to repair it. You, however, face no such obligations. No one would blame you if you no longer wished to pursue the Jewel shards."

Inuyasha snorted. "As if! Someone needs to keep you idiots alive." He sighed, and his shoulders sagged. "Besides, Naraku killed Kikyo. He deceived us both, made us think we betrayed one another, and he stole my last moments with her. I will hunt him down and avenge her!"

Miroku nodded solemnly. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around him once again, settling them both down on the floor. With Miroku pressed against his chest, he could feel the tremors still running through the monk's body. He could smell the pain and exhaustion. It was true, he needed to avenge Kikyo. He needed Naraku dead. But Sesshomaru had given him a glimpse of all he had to lose, and it was absolutely terrifying. He couldn't let anyone else die. He couldn't lose his family. Not again.

I live for Granny Kaede and the Village Support Team™. Also the increasing number of demons that Miroku and Inuyasha bring home to Kaede. (No one tell her about Kirara yet)

Now it's time for a conspiracy theory: Naraku wears the hide of a baboon. There are no baboons in Japan. Does this mean A) This is another mistranslation, and they really mean to say macaque? B) In this alternate history version, there are baboons in Japan? Maybe even baboon demons that came there? C) This overdramatic little shit liked the aesthetics of macaques but realized that they were too small to wear comfortably as a hat, and so travelled all the way to Africa just to find and skin one? And that's why he hasn't been seen in fifty years? For the aesthetic?