Chapter 6: Arrival of the Inevitable
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Sango stopped Kirara after receiving a simple glance from Inuyasha. He said nothing, but that look told her more than any amount of words. Slowly, everyone got off of Kirara and looked around. Inuyasha sniffed the air. Kagome waited for her eyes to adjust to the lack of light. Darkness had arrived, in more ways than one.

Kagome didn't need her eyes to know that Naraku was there. She could sense an overwhelmingly large amount of jewel shards. She was glad Inuyasha wasn't having as much trouble with the darkness as she was, if not for his dog-like eyesight, they probably would have been doomed upon arrival. Kagome tried again to see, the forest was blurry, but she could make out her companions and some other shapes. For the first time Kagome realized it had not been wise of them to travel in the day, now they would more than likely have to battle in the dark..if only they had thought to travel at night..

Miruko could hardly see a thing. . This was quite unfortunate. Naraku had made sure they were definitely at the disadvantage when choosing location. He could barely see his companions! The sky was dark as pitch. Any hopes of light from the moon were dashed due to the huge amount of trees blanketing the forest. Inuyasha could see perfectly, this he knew, and Kagome could probably see a little, due to the jewel shards, not only that, but she could no doubt sense the jewel shards as well, allowing her to have an idea of where danger would be. He himself, would be able to sense the negative energy, which, aided a little to his vision, but that was almost as useless as being blind. Sango was worst off of course, 'She probably can't see anything, much less *sense* anything'. This wasn't unfortunate, this was bad, really, really, bad.

Sango looked around. She couldn't see a thing. 'I'm useless, for the first time, I'm useless..', she wasn't accustomed to being the one with the most of a disadvantage, 'This must be how Kagome feels in battles..now even Kagome is better than me!'...'I wouldn't even know if Miroku tried to feel my butt!, this must be some kind of ironic payback for bashing him on the head all those times..'. 'Well, I guess I'll just have to make do with what I have..'.She sighed heavily as she sat down and leaned back up against Kirara. Boomerang ready, she closed her eyes in hopes that it would help her other senses become more alert…at least she would have the protection of her cat demon companion.

Inuyasha took a look at his surroundings. Naraku wasn't in sight, but he was near, his nose told him that. It was dark out, he realized, 'Good thing I have excellent night vision.', but then he
realized something else, if it was dark, that meant he was the only one who *could* see.

And of course, this new revelation forced him to voice his unhappiness. "Oh shit.."

'Well, Sango probably can't see a thing, that makes her practically useless, the letch can probably see something, considering he is a monk, if a perverted one, and Kagome has the jewel shards, *and* she can sense them, that makes her my most useful ally....but..*I'm* supposed to be protecting *her*...' he mused, trying to figure out what to do. Finaly, he came to a decision, he had no other choice, he would just have to kill Naraku by himself, maybe he would get a little help from the others, but in the end, it would have to be him.

"shit.."

"Yes, this is quiet unfortunate." agreed the monk, "It appears the only one, other than you of course, that will be of any use is Kagome...I can hardly see a thing...but I do sense a great evil."

Inuyasha snorted,"Ya think?"

"Me??!!", Kagome was, shocked to say the least, that she was the was the most useful next to Inuyasha, surely there had to be some kind of mistake, "How could I be of any use...I'm just the...the shard detector.."

"Feh, yes you, your the only one besides me who can see anything, well, the letch can see a little, but I'm sure Sango is as blind as a bat."

At the mention of her name, Sango opened her eyes to look around out of habit, of course, it did no good, not being able to see the others, she merely turned in the direction she had heard their voices.
She sighed again, "He's right, I can't see a thing....I'm....useless...."

"I guess it is up to you and Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango and I will try and help out if we can, of course"
"Feh, I'll fight him myself, I don't need her to help me!"

The aforementioned "her" was slightly hurt, but then she understood he only wanted to protect her. Suddenly she felt something, it was as the air had turned solid and was pushing at her.
Miroku glanced around anxiously...he sensed a horrible evil...

Inuyasha smelt it. That putrid scent of the one who had tried to ruin his life. He sniffed, trying to find the direction it came from. Oh how he hated that smell. He turned to his left, that was where the smell was coming from. His face contorted into a menacing scowl.

And then he saw him, and the only thing he could do was growl his name.
"Shippo"
*A.N: ok...sorry I couldn't resist, ignore that last line there and just pretend it never happened...*

"Naraku"

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Reposted,
Chapter revised/edited-Feb/13/03