(Inuyasha and Co do not belong to me. I just like to write about them. For grope/glomp fans, hopefully I have some funny bits for you in this chapter.)

Kanashimi no Hate ni - End To Sorrow - Twelve

Search for Kagome/Compromising Position!

"Seems like old times, doesn't it, houshi-sama?" Sango cast a sideways look at Miroku, who was walking beside her. They were not too far from Kaede's village.

"It certainly does." Miroku nodded in agreement. "Eh, Shippo, enjoying the ride?" He asked as he pedaled Kagome's bicycle. Shippo was at his old accustomed place in her wicker bike basket. The small kitsume yawned and said, "Yeah, but it's not the same with you, Miroku. Kagome used to sing and talk and - "

"Argue with Inuyasha.." Sango added. She was walking alongside Miroku as they went down the beaten path away from Kaede's village.

"That is something I almost miss." Miroku smiled faintly. "Oh and Sango, I still must thank you for freeing me from that web cocoon."

"Humph!" Sango glared at the monk. "You tried thanking me the other night, remember?"

"Ah, but I did not get to finish my - "

CLUNK!

Sango had bopped him with the end of her Hiraikotsu. Miroku rubbed his head ruefully.

"Sango-chan, violence solves nothing." Miroku said piously.

"No, but it certain FELT good.." Sango smirked.

"I remember when Kagome used to make Inuyasha sit!" Shippo grinned at the memory. "It was too funny!"

"Not for Inuyasha though." Sango frowned as she absently stroked Kirara's fur. The demon-pet was settled quite comfortably in the crook of Sango's arm.

"Do you really think Kaede's right in saying that Kagome is back?" Shippos asked. "How come she hasn't come to see us? The well is right near the village."

"If there is one entrance to this era from Kagome's time, then perhaps there stands to reason that there is another." Miroku replied.

"But she had to have a Shikon shard - wouldn't she?" Sango asked.

"Not necessarily, but then it's only my guess. Perhaps something else brought her here. At any rate, she must be here if the youkai can sense her soul. Kikyou is dead and Kagome is her incarnation."

"And here we are searching for her - yet we do not know the first place to look." Sango grimaced.

Miroku paused in his pedaling to retrieve the dark shard that Shippo had retrieved from the spider demon. Carefully he pulled it out of the small bag he carried. It still shone darkly.

"I am not sure, Sango-chan. This shard - it may help us to find her."

"Or at least it'll bring the youkai who want it on our trail." Shippo said.

"That is to be expected." Miroku frowned. Nothing had helped to purify the shard - not anything he and Kaede had tried. It was Kaede who had suggested to use the shard to find Kagome, since she was the one who had been able to purify it before.

"So - how?" Shippo asked. "I think it was easier when we had Inuyasha to sniff for us. At least he was good at that!"

It was then that Miroku had an idea. There had been times - actually many times - where he had used his staff to decide which direction he should go in. If he placed the shard on the staff, perhaps it would mark the direction in which Kagome was in. Stopping the bicycle, he got off and leaned it against a flat rock on the side of the road.

"Houshi, what are you doing?" Sango asked curiously.

Miroku took the staff that had been attached to the bicycle by a cord and untied it. He then worked with the staff for a moment to tie the Shikon shard to the center of his staff. Straightening up, he faced the road.

"This is north.." Miroku pointed outwardly.

"Well, yes, it is, Miroku." Sango wondered just WHAT he was doing.

"Very well then. Let's see if this works." He raised his staff up and then he flung it downwards towards the ground. However, instead of just lying there, it spun wildly for just a moment and then it stopped.

"West. It is pointing west. That is where Kagome is." Miroku said decidedly.

"That's it? We're relying on a stick to get us to Kagome?" Shippo exclaimed loudly.

"Peace, Shippo. The Shikon shard has pointed the way and my staff has never let me down yet." He winked at Sango lecherously.

BONK!

Sango hit him again with the end of the Hiraikotsu.

"HENTAI!" She screeched. Miroku rubbed his head again, wincing.

"Why, Sango! How could you misconstrue my meaning? I only meant it in the most innocent way possible."

Sango blushed. Maybe she had taken what he said wrong.

Rub...rub...grope..

"Of course it IS true that my staff has never let me down, lovely Sango."

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Sango screamed as she quickly got away from the monk's grasp.

Shippo sighed. It was indeed like old times. Now only if they could find Kagome!

***

Kagome sighed. Being in a cave with Sesshoumaru and that Jaken was not the most wonderful place to be at night, but it beat being alone out in all that darkness. Oh, what she would give for street lamps, automobile headlights, even just a flashlight! But at least there was a fire in the cave and that was better than nothing.

Kagome looked down at the food that Jaken had procured for her. She was quite sure that the frog demon had tried to get her the most unappetizing animal in the whole of Japan to eat. Number one it stank and number two, it was raw. Scowling, she threw the icky dead thing into the fire and went to rummage in her backpack. She had always stuck all kinds of junk in there - maybe there was something palatable to eat. It had been a habit ever since she had returned to her world - stuffing things in her bag.

"Ah ha!" Kagome found what she was looking for - three small cups of Ramen. Sure, they were from the vending machine, but right now it was better than nothing.

Sesshoumaru watched her from the other side of the cave. He looked bored and did not respond to Kagome's exclamation. It was to be expected of humans to make a big fuss over such trivial things.

"I'm going to get some water." Kagome got up.

"No." Sesshoumaru said.

"I'm going to get some water for my Ramen!" Kagome shook the Styrofoam cup. "HE" Kagome pointed at Jaken, "Certainly doesn't know what humans can eat and can't eat!"

Jaken glared at the human. "Sesshoumaru-sama does not want to hear your whining over a silly matter such as food! You either eat what is given or not."

"Jaken, go get some water." Sesshoumaru said.

"Awk..but - "

Sesshoumaru coolly looked at his servant.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama! Right away!" Jaken hurriedly scuttled out of the cave.

"Sit down, girl." Sesshoumaru looked bored again.

"My name is Kagome!" Kagome sat down, her brows knitting in irritation.

Sesshoumaru said nothing.

"Boy, I bet you're great at parties.." Kagome rested her chin in the palm of her hand.

It was then she saw that he held her Palm Pilot handheld, examining it. When did he get THAT?

"Give that back!" Kagome exclaimed.

Sesshoumaru frowned. What was this odd thing? It was very light and it held the sheen of metal around the edges, but what were those small odd symbols within the square? It was not like anything he had ever seen - either human or youkai made.

"I said, give that BACK!" Kagome was standing over him - a thing which had never happened to him before.

"You are not in a position to demand anything." Sesshoumaru continued to study the device.

"Oooooooh!" Kagome balled her fists and quite suddenly, lunged at Sesshoumaru.

"That's - Aieeee!" Kagome lost her balance and fell into Sesshoumaru, her body sprawling on top of his. Kagome caught herself somewhat and Sesshoumaru compensated by grabbing her arms out of reflex.

Kagome stared into Sesshoumaru's eyes as she realized that her lips were on HIS lips.

Gulp...

You could hear a pin drop in that cave it was SO quiet...

This was the picture that Jaken saw as he came in with the water.

"A - a - awk!!" Jaken stood there open-mouthed.

Kagome saw Jaken, and realized just how this looked! Her face turned a beet red as she managed to retrieve her handheld computer.

~I never realized how full his lips were..~ Kagome thought wildly.

She quickly backed away from Sesshoumaru, tugging her top back into place. Sesshoumaru, as usual, looked calm but his eyes looked somewhat annoyed. Now he'd be carrying her scent all night, not to mention having the girl's lips on his own. He glared at Jaken, who knew better than to question his lord and master. Jaken brought the water in the makeshift bag, to Kagome, who took it in silence. Her face was still red with embarrassment.

~Aiiii..how embarrassing!~ Kagome busied herself with fixing her ramen.

Sesshoumaru acted as if nothing had happened, but he could not help but think of just how she felt against him. Bah! Foolishness! It was time to confront this troublesome girl -

~Woman..~

And question her about just where she came from and just how she came to possess the Tetsusaiga.