Okay, I'm sorry it's been so long since I last updated.  I was sick for my last two days of school and now I have 5 tests to make up!  I'm highly stressed right now.  That, and I was gone practically all last weekend and all the time I did have at home I was spending working on the stuff I had to finish before Tuesday.

Ah…I feel better now.  I got one week to just relax and it feels great.  Well, onward!

Disclaimer:  I don't own Inuyasha.  I do, however, own the characters I make.

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*Some people are able to distract fate.  They can cause things to happen that aren't meant to happen, or stop things.  Either way, they mess up fate, but is that possible?  Or are they simply messing with destiny?  You can change destiny, but you can't change fate, right?  Or maybe there is no such thing as fate.  Maybe it's all destiny, or maybe neither exist.  Maybe we're all just wandering.  There are so many possibilities.  Nothing is certain.  It's better not to think about it, but that's not an easy feat.  How can you ignore what's all around you?  People, places, things, all of them affect you in some way.  Is fate real?  Do we have any control in our lives, or are we all just following a set path without knowing it?  Does everything happen for a reason?  Or are some things that happen not suppose to happen?  In that one instant, is that when we're free to do what we want?  The one time we're free from fate, where we can control our own lives?  A slip in fate.  Is that possible?  Who knows?  Perhaps some people can live outside of fate, of destiny.  Maybe some live without it, or control it.  Maybe a slip in fate can cause someone to live outside of fate.  So many questions.  The more you think about it, the more complicated it becomes.  Let's end this here.*

The Inuyasha gang was on the road again.  They had left the town the next morning and were now traveling back towards the fork in the road.  Inuyasha was walking in front, his arms crossed in front.  This trip was getting boring for him.  They hadn't had a lead on the shikon no tama for a while now and he was starting to get really edgy.  Kagome walked behind him with Shippo sitting on her shoulder.  Kagome smiled as she looked up at the clear blue sky above her.  The sun seemed to make the leaves of the trees a bright green, which was beautiful against the brown of the forest floor.  It was a very nice day and she was simply enjoying the weather.  A little ways behind Kagome was Sango, who was walking next to the transformed Kirara.  On Kirara was Miroku, since his injuries couldn't heal overnight.  Sango continuously glanced up at him.

"Are you sure you're all right, Houshi-sama?" she asked.  Miroku looked down at the worried expression on her face.  He gave her a warm smile.

"Hai, I'm fine, Sango."

"We could have stayed at that village until you were better."

"It's alright.  Remember, I'm the one who decided to leave today, with, of course, some encouragement from Inuyasha."  Sango smiled at that.  Inuyasha had complained all morning about having to wait at the village.  Miroku had insisted he was fine, so they left.  No one wanted to get on Inuyasha's bad side right now, since he seemed really edgy.  They all walked along in silence for the rest of the day.  It would take them about two days to reach the fork in the road and then they'd go down the right path.  There was a village about 4 days off from there, so they'd have to camp out for a few nights.  No one really seemed to mind.  The day was beautiful and the night would surely be just as nice.

******

Night came quickly and they were forced to set up camp.  Inuyasha wanted to keep going, but Kagome insisted, and Inuyasha didn't feel like being sat today.  Kagome had already started a fire and was preparing dinner.

"Oi, Kagome?" shouted Inuyasha from his tree branch.  He had found a nice, tall tree to sit in while Kagome cooked.  "Is dinner done yet?"

"I just started cooking.  Have some patience," said Kagome, her voice slightly annoyed.

"Feh."  Sango laughed silently to herself as she began to pet Kirara, who sat in her lap.  Miroku smiled.  He was sitting on the ground, leaning against a tree.  His staff was lying next to him, just in case he needed it.

"Well then," said Miroku, grabbed his staff and using it to slowly push himself to his feet.  "I'm going to go and seal up this area.  We don't need any youkai to attack us tonight."  He knew the minute he stood up what would come next.

"Miroku-sama, sit down," said Kagome, glancing at the now standing houshi.

"Hai, Houshi-sama.  You need to rest.  You shouldn't be walking around."

"I'm fine.  I won't be gone long."

"Demo, Miroku," said Shippo, his emerald eyes pleading with the man to stay.  "What if you get attacked?"

"Don't worry Shippo.  I won't go far, I promise."

"At least let me go with you," said Sango.  Miroku simply shook his head.

"Iie.  You wait here.  I'll only be gone a minute.  Trust me."  Both Kagome and Sango were hesitant, but realized that there was no talking him out of it, so they both simply nodded.  Miroku smiled and then left the campsite, leaning on his staff as he walked into the forest.

******

Not long after leaving the campsite, Miroku came back, still using his staff for support as he walked.

"Welcome back, Miroku-sama," said Kagome.  "You're just in time.  Dinner is ready."

"About time," said Inuyasha as he jumped down from his tree.  Miroku walked over and took his place against the tree.  Kagome handed them each a bowl full of ramen.  They all ate quietly, none of them having anything to say.

After dinner, everyone decided to do their own things.  Kagome was reading, Shippo was drawing pictures, Miroku was staring at the fire, and Sango was petting Kirara.  As for Inuyasha, he was just bored.  Suddenly, he stood up.

"I'm going for a walk," he announced.  Before any of them could say anything, he left.  It was really late and he wasn't tired yet, so he decided to walk off into the forest, making sure to be careful.  Miroku had put ofudas around the area and Inuyasha wasn't sure exactly where they were or how far away from camp he had set them, so his walking space was limited.  He walked quietly, unsure as to why he needed a walk.  He was hoping for some action, but the ofudas made it so that no youkai could enter the area.

"That bouzu, ruining my chance at some fun," said Inuyasha quietly.  Unknown to him, there was a figure sitting on a high branch in a tree, completely covered in shadows.  A smirk spread across the face of the figure.  'Good.  He doesn't know I'm here.'  Silently, the figure stood up and jumped from the branch, landing silently on the ground.  Inuyasha kept walking, but suddenly stopped.  He sniffed the air and closed his eyes.  He could feel it.  Something was there.  'Stupid Miroku.  He should have done a better job with that barrier.'  Inuyasha was now mad again at Miroku, but this time it was the completely opposite reason from what it had been before.  Inuyasha couldn't pick up any unfamiliar scents, but he had a feeling someone was following him.

"I know you're there, youkai," he said.  "I may not be able to pick up your scent, but I know you're there."  The area was suddenly filled with laughter.

"Youkai?  Me?  You must be joking," said the voice.  It was obviously female.  "There's a barrier all around this area.  Do you think youkai would be able to get into this place?"

"So…you're not a youkai?"

"Of course not."

"Then who are you?!"  The laughter came back.  The voice was highly amused with Inuyasha.  The hanyou began to get angry.  He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.  "What's so funny?!"

"You are."

"Show yourself!"

"I think not.  How about you come find me.  It'll be fun."

"Just shut up and show yourself!"

"My, my, what a temper you have.  Oh well.  Have it your way, but you better see me, or else…"

"Or else what?"  The forest became quiet again and Inuyasha stood silently, waiting for some sign of the girl.  He couldn't tell where she was, but he knew she was there.  Suddenly, he felt it.  The wind moved behind him, but he wasn't fast enough.  He felt something cold and metal push against his back and then rip through it, coming out on the other side.  His eyes went wide with shock and pain.  Behind him stood the girl who had been taunting him.  She gave a sickening smile.

"Or I'll do this.  Sorry, but it looks like you just lost our little game.  You were way too slow," she said.  She quickly pulled the sword out and twisted it on the way, causing Inuyasha to cry out in pain.  The blade to her sword was huge and curved, making the whole in his chest even larger.

"Damn you…" he cursed at the girl who had just jumped in front of him.  She still stood in the shadows, smirking.

******

Back at the campsite, everyone was wondering what was taking Inuyasha so long.  Suddenly, Kirara jumped out of Sango's lap and turned towards where Inuyasha had walked off.  She began to growl and her eyes narrowed as she looked near the area.

"Kirara?" questioned Sango as she watched the small fire cat.

"Something's wrong," said Shippo as he sniffed the air.  "I think I smell something."  His eyes widened and he became panicked.  He quickly ran to Kagome and jumped in her arms.  "It's blood!" he cried, his voice becoming high and scared.

"Where?" asked Kagome.  He pointed to the forest.  Just then, they heard the faint cry from Inuyasha.  Kagome and Sango quickly stood up.  "Inuyasha!" cried Kagome as she ran into the forest, Shippo still in her arms.

"Kirara," said Sango.  The little cat understood perfectly and transformed.  Sango quickly began climbing on when she noticed another figure next to her.  It was Miroku.  "Houshi-sama, you should stay here."  He simply shook his head.

"I want to come with," he said simply.  Sango nodded, knowing there was no talking him out of it.  That was one of the few similarities between him and Inuyasha.  Both of them were stubborn and they also never seemed to take mind of their injuries.  Sango got on Kirara and then helped Miroku up.  They then followed after Kagome.  They caught up to her in no time.  They ran out into a small clearing where they found Inuyasha, down on his knees.  Kagome was the first one to reach him.

"Inuyasha, daijoubu ka?" she asked in a hurry.  Inuyasha looked to her worried face and smiled the best he could.

"I'm fine."  Kagome looked up and further into the clearing, where she noticed a silhouette in the shadows.  Kirara growled at the figure and Sango got off of the feline.  Miroku remained where he was, not wanting to move around any more than he had to.  They all turned to look at the shadowed figure.  Kagome's usually soft eyes hardened.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice angry.  The figure laughed and then smirked, not saying anything.

"Are you a…" started Shippo.

"No," said Inuyasha.  "She's not a youkai."  It was easy to tell he was in pain by the sound of his voice.  His stomach injury was great and the blood was gushing out at a very quick rate.  The figure smiled again.

"He's right.  I'm no youkai."  She slowly stepped out from the shadows and into the dim light of the moon.  She was a young girl, probably about the same age as Sango or Kagome.  She still wore her smirk.  Her blade gleamed in the light of the moon, the crimson blood giving it a sickening glow.  Miroku took in her image and his eyes widened.  He was at a loss for words as he stared at the girl.  Sango heard him gasp and turned to look at the awe struck houshi.  His face was covered in fear and shock.

"Houshi-sama?" she asked.  He didn't respond.  Sango turned and took another look at the girl.  That's when she noticed it.  "K-kagome-chan?" she asked, her voice slightly shaking.  Kagome turned to her friend.

"What is it, Sango-chan?" asked Kagome.

"That girl.  Her face…"  Kagome turned to look at the girl harder.  That's when she, too, noticed it.  The features of the girl were unmistakable.  'Blood red hair and gray eyes.'  That's what Miroku had said and that's exactly the way she looked.  Her crimson hair fell to her shoulders and covered the left side of her face.  The eye that wasn't covered was a gray color.  The stone in the middle of her stomach shined dimly, since it was a dark gray, almost black color.  Miroku finally broke out of his shock.  He was suddenly overwhelmed with hatred.  He tightened his fists, nearly drawing blood.

"You," he said, directing his voice at the girl.  He had an icy edge to his voice as he spoke to her.  "You're Siria, right?"  The girl grinned.

"So, you remember," she said.  "Hai.  My name is Siria, and I'm a human, just like you."

"Impossible.  You…you look exactly the same as you did three years ago."

"Remarkable, isn't it?"  She had an amused tone in her voice, which seemed to tick all of them off.  Inuyasha was struggling to keep his eyes open, but eventually collapsed onto the ground.  Kagome turned her full attention back to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha?  Inuyasha!"

******

It was dark.  That was the first thing Inuyasha noticed.  He seemed to be lying on the floor, but he couldn't see anything.  It was dark all around him.  He couldn't move either.  His body felt numb.  He wanted to close his eyes and reopen them to the familiar forest scene.  He didn't like the cold darkness, not at all.

"Strange," said a voice.  It was soft, yet very youthful, and seemed to belong to a girl, perhaps a child.  Inuyasha saw no one.  "I can't do it."

******

Inuyasha opened his eyes and found himself back in the dark forest.  He wasn't sure how long he had been out, but it didn't seem like long.

"Wow, that was fast," said Siria, but none of them heard her.

'Siria, something's wrong,' said the voice of the young girl.  No one heard her, since she spoke only to Siria.  Her voice echoed throughout Siria's mind.

"What?"

'It didn't work.  I couldn't purge his mind.'

"What?!  I just did this all for nothing?"  The whole group looked over at Siria, who seemed to be talking to herself.  She was no longer keeping her voice quiet.

'I'm afraid so.'

"Well try again!"

'It won't work.  Something is stopping me.  It's strange.  I should be able to purge his mind.  I can with other demons.  Unless…I understand.'

"Understand what?!"

'He's a hanyou.'

"A hanyou?!"  Siria looked to Inuyasha, who was staring at her, along with the others.  Siria smirked.  "A hanyou, huh?  That explains it."

'I'm done here, Siria.  Withdraw.'

"Hai, danna."  Siria sheathed her blade and turned around.

"Hey, wait!" shouted Miroku, but it was too late.  Sirai was already gone.

"That was weird," said Shippo, speaking what was on everybody's mind.

"Come on, Inuyasha," said Kagome, helping him to his feet.  They all began to head back to camp, none of them saying anything about what had just happened.  They were all left alone with their thoughts.

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That's all for now.  I mean it.  Yep.  This took me a long time to write, since I wasn't sure how I wanted to word this.  I was gonna make it longer, but it's already long enough.

Oi –If my ears are right, I think it means "Hey".  "Ne" also means "hey", I think.  Correct me if I'm wrong, k?

Hanyou -half breed

Shikon no tama –jewel of four souls

Ofudas (spelling) –the scrolls that Miroku uses (I couldn't think of a better way to describe them.)

Okay, I need some help.  I know how to say master in Japanese, but I wasn't completely sure.  Is it dona, or dana or something like that.  I know I've heard it said before, but I can't remember the spelling.  I know the suffix one is –dono, but I don't know how to just say "master".  HELP ME!

Anyways, that's all.  Until we meet again!

Audi^.^