This was the introduction to the new arc where Brian integrates into the group that is why this is a little shorter then normal.

Who is your favorite character, I think mine is Kikyo then Sango then Naraku, Rin and Kohaku in that order.

BethxAngel- What do you think of Brian's attempts to bond and Miroku's attitude? Do you like the Chi System and how it is different then the rest of the magic? Who is your favorite character? Thank you for your reviews, they make it worth writing this and make my day.

"And what Flower is this Shippo?" Brian pulled out a dried flower from the pouch he hid in his clothes.

Sango watched the little demon frown for a moment from his place on Brian's shoulder. "That's Lantern flower, it reduces swelling."

"And this one?" This was a flower, purple in color and it smelled lovely. Sango knew it instantly, her mother had been very fond of this flower.

"That's an Iris but I don't know what it does."

Reaching up, Brian ruffled Shippo's hair. "That's okay. Iris' are mostly used for perfumes and for helping with a cough but in magic they are used for powerful purification spells. Even a demon can use it to purify other beings. I am actually working on a charm that includes Irises for potency." He reached over and handed it to Shippo, who ohhed at it. "You can keep that, if anyone ever comes after you stab them with it and the magic will hurt even the strongest of demons if only slightly. If you are attacked by a miasma, breathe it in and it should keep you safe for a short time."

"Really, I can keep it! Thank you!" Shippo smiled happily, not seeing Sango's deeply concentrated smile or the rolling of Miroku's eyes.

Sango knew what Brian was doing, putting himself and proving himself over and over to gain the allegiance of the group. Healing her, sparring with Inuyasha, teaching Kagome... he was making himself needed and wanted. It was clever and extremely effective, but she wondered why he was going to such great lengths. He didn't seem to be a con man or trying to sleep with any of them. He just seemed to want their loyalty... but for what purpose, she did not know.

Miroku, an actual con man, seemed to dislike Brian on principle for some reason, rebutting him and ignoring his presence entirely. It was a little amusing, especially when Brian didn't even seem to notice it.

'Still, as much as he is trying to integrate so fully, he is helpful. His spar with Inuyasha proved that yesterday.'

As they walked towards the village in the distance, her mind went to that spar, when a mere human with seven months of training beat a powerful half demon in combat.

"Are you sure you don't want to back down?" Inuyasha's taunt seemed to not ruffle Brian, who merely twisted his staff, a smirk on his face.

"If your scared Inuyasha, you can always stop."

Sango laughed, knowing already that would sway Inuyasha into messing up. He was too easily antagonized. Her laugh turned into a mild cough that subsided quickly, a product of her healing by Brian's magic.

She almost missed the first strike, Inuyasha slamming the transformed Tessagia downwards in a mighty strike, so naturally she was surprised when Brian easily and completely blocked it with his staff. There were sparks of purple and silver energy that ran down the staff as the two forces warred against each other but the staff held up. She knew it had to be enchanted to hold up against Inuyasha's power and that of his mighty sword.

"Damn, your pretty strong." Inuyasha said, smirking. "But not strong enough."

Brian twisted his blade side ways, forcing Inuyasha's blade to fall to his left. Then, in one motion, he slammed the staff upwards hitting Inuyasha in the groin, making the poor half demon groan in pain and stumble back with a pathetic whimper. With a grunt, Brian pulled the staff back and wacked Inuyasha's sword wrist knocking the blade from his hand then twisted and clocked Inuyasha's face so hard he fly back, blood spewing from his lips.

"And there... I won, your disarmed and bleeding."

Kagome, Sango and Shippo started clapping, to which Brian bowed before laughing at the stunned Inuyasha.

"You fight so unfair, that really hurt." He was almost whimpering as he limped towards his now untransformed blade. "Why did you have to hit me there, you bastard."

"Your stronger then I am, so I played dirty. Anyway you lost so now your going to have Sango and I train you to actually use your blade for real. I also get to train your spiritual powers like you promised."

"Yeah, whatever..."

Sango had actually enjoyed teaching Inuyasha, he wasn't a bad student. She had to readjust his stance a million times but his actual ability to learn through example was really high. If she showed it to him he got it. She imagined in a month he would go from terrible to passable. In three he would be extremely dangerous with the blade without any powers it might yield to him one day. She even showed him a little hand to hand combat, besting him in three separate sparring matches so long as he did not use his claws. He was really embarrassed, which she enjoyed.

'Maybe I should just let it go, his attempts at rapid integration. He seems to have a good influence on everyone, and if he succeeds in making us more powerful the I cannot see a downside. If we are to face Naraku then we will need the extra skill and power. Really we should have thought of this ourselves... '

"Actually, Shippo, I want you to have this." Brian pulled out a small sphere roughly twice the size of the Shikon Jewel, looking like it was carved out of stone. " It is a talisman of protection. If you throw it intentionally on the ground it creates a sound that anyone with evil intentions can here. It causes intense pain and should protect you. I don't want you to be helpless."

Seeing Shippo's eyes light up only added to Sango's resolve.

'Yes, I think I am going to overlook his desire to get out admiration. He really seems to want to help us.'

"""

Miroku seemed stunned and concerned as he asked the villager in front of him. " Hmm…So it rained pieces of demon carcasses?" As if the mere sentence he just uttered wasn't terrifying and disgusting all by itself.

"Yes…it was so creepy! Our fields are ruined."

"Not only our fields…the elderly, the young and the weak…so many of them have succumbed!"

The healer in Brian wanted nothing more then heal everyone that was ill, but he knew it was pointless. "No surprise there, I can sense a faint miasma and evil aura in this soil. I can scarcely feel a drop of Chi here, whatever this is it is killing the earth."

Within minutes there were walking towards the fields, where the majority of the damage had been seen. The closer they got to the fields the more nauseous Brian felt, he had never been around so little Chi. It was uncomfortable and wrong on so many levels.

Inuyasha broke the silence of their walk. "So we're gonna help again? Do we really have time for this? We have to find Naraku!"

Miroku, from his place at the head of their group, frowned. "About Naraku…That arrow that Kagome shot should have caused a very deep wound. As strong as he may be, Naraku would be out of commission for a while. Besides, " he said, holding a string of coins." I've already received a gratuity. We must help."

"When'd you…?!" Kagome and Brian both shared a look of shock, wondering when the hell he had time to get money from the villagers.

With some anger, Inuyasha turned to the Monk. " Don't take it then! And don't you get gratuities after you do something?!"

"After the fact, they usually give less."

"You amaze me! You dirty priest!"

"You really are something Miroku, still can't argue with your logic." He was almost impressed with the man before him, it took a special person to be that impressive or irritating. 'Why does Miroku look so irritated with me?' The monk lost any trace of amusement or happiness in his face the moment Brian opened his mouth, though why he had no idea. What did he do to make the man dislike him so much?

Kagome's voice broke him from that thought. " Sango, what's the matter?"

Sango, ahead of the group, looked forward at the mountain in the distance. It was covered in a thick veil of Miasma. " I'm pretty sure the miasma source is over at the base of that mountain." She turned to face the rest of the group. "I was wondering if there is a demon other than Naraku who could create a miasma so strong."

Miroku asked. "Other than Naraku…?"

"I say that's where we go." Brian turned to the others and they all nodded, and so they hurried to the mountain. Inuyasha carried Kagome's bike the entire way, which couldn't be comfortable.

Shippo was the first to speak as they reached the mountain a mere three hours later. "Because of the miasma, not even a blade of grass grows here."

Inuyasha nodded. " We'll soon be there…What's going on in this mountain anyway? Huh?" And they stopped, seeing a cave oozing a powerful Miasma much thicker then in the village. Brian shuddered at the presence it gave off, the raw power of it, while not comparable to Inuyasha, was not to be trifled with.

"What's the cave? The Miasma is just oozing from it." Kagome turned to Sango, who looked well though a touch pale." I thought you'd be weak but you seem okay."

Sango smiled, turning to face Brian with a smile. "His healing did the trick, I've been feeling great."

"Let's go then, the Miasma is just waiting for us." Brian stepped forward, and the others followed, all of them walking into the cave. Sango put on a mask that seemed to filter out the air. "Miroku, I have a talisman that can ward off Miasma, it might be of service to you. I have a few of them actually, my master noted how many demon auras can be fatal so he made many of them. I don't need any, my staff's aura is shielding me."

Miroku actually flinched away from him, annoyance burning in his eyes before turning on a fake con man smile. " That's alright, with my training I will be fine but thank you."

"As you wish." And with that they entered the cave fully, straight into the Miasma.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

I still love this story.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.