The Missing Chapter

By: Minakoi

( I would like to note that this is my first fanfic that I am putting on display for readers so please be kind. Also, this story takes place some time after episode 56 and before episode 79. Thank you)

Chapter 1: The Summoning

Within the safe confinements of his dark domain, Naraku sits in his silent corridors. Suffering from great frustration he gazes into the ancient mirror of his servant Kanna. Then smiles to himself with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

" I fail to see what you find so humorous Master," Kagura sternly says from the back corner of the room. Her joy of seeing Naraku unable to overcome obstacles shines through in her tone. "Your petty tricks have proved to be a waste of time. How do you plan to torment that annoying Hanyu, InuYasha, and his companions now?"

"Humph. It seems that this Naraku has over looked something."

"Nani?!" Kagura whispers to herself with a look of surprise and confusion. She watches the visions of InuYasha and his friends walking through a forest focus on the majestic cat-like demon that traveled beside them.

(Mirror fads into the scenery of the woods)

*Sigh* "Kagome, don't you sense a shikon shard around here at all?" InuYasha asks with a bored expression.

"Gomen. I don't sense anything." InuYasha immediately spins around to yell at her.

"If you don't sense anything then why are we traveling this way?!"

"Well we have to go in some direction," Sango enlightens him from the high perch of Kirara's back as they walk by.

"Besides, I heard that there is a village this way." Miroku says from behind Sango. "Perhaps there are some beautiful ladies there that will invite us into their homes."

The mood swiftly changes when a suddenly tense Sango knocks Miroku to the ground with the back of her fist.

"Gomen Houshi-sama. I forgot you were there. I can be so clumsy sometimes." Sango laughs with a forced smile.

"Sango's jealousy causes her to become more and more violent." Kagome whispers to InuYasha who seems to have been startled to the back of her bike.

"Jealousy? Why?"

"Sigh. Why are you so dense? I already told you, remember? Sango likes Miroku."

"Huh! You back on that? If she likes him then why does enjoy beaten the crap out of him?"

"Because he brings it upon himself. Can't you relate?"

"What do ya mean by that?!"

"Never mind. Hey look." Kagome stops peddling her bike at the top of a small hill overlooking a small clear spot within the woods. Near it, within the trees, is a small spring. "It's so pretty. Why don't we stay here for awhile?" Sango drops down off of Kirara next to Kagome and is the first to reply.

"We've been travelling for a while now and it would be nice to take a bath." After a quick thought of that the two girls turn around and cast two evil stares at InuYasha and Miroku whom both cower at the look.

"Why do you always look at me like that?!" Inu barks at Kagome.

"Cause I know what kind of guy you are. Come on Sango, lets go set up a camp." Kagome jumps off her bike and lets it tip over with InuYasha still crouched on the back. With that, the girls stick their noses in the air and continue down the dirt path. InuYasha scrambles up off the ground to reclaim his dignity.

"Really, you guys have no class," Shippo lectures from beneath a blanket on Kirara's back where he had been sleeping.

"Feh! What would a dwarf rat like you know?" InuYasha growls.

"More than you. Though that isn't that great of an accomplishment," Shippo teases. His insults are quickly silence with Inu's fist.

"Well it isn't very gentlemen-like to let the women do all the work," Miroku says as he passes the two of them. "Let's go. We should help." InuYasha sighs and follows Miroku next to Kirara.

(Angle moves to the branches of the trees behind them. Wind blows leaves by and reveals Kagura on branch. She watches them and her eyes become very determined. Angle changes to setting sun. )

"Alright," Kagome says to the guys as she and Sango finish tying up a sheet to separate the spring into two sides. " The left side is our side and the right side is yours. For your own safety stay on YOUR side." Miroku smiles a guilty smile and InuYasha grinds his teeth together.

"Feh! I have no intention of peeking on you," Inu snorts and turns away. Shippo hops up on Miroku's shoulder with a sad, hurt face.

"What about me. Must I suffer under the bad influences of being with InuYasha and Miroku?"

"Of course not. You can come with us," Kagome assures him, carrying him away from Miroku.

"Sigh,if only I were a child." he whispers to himself.

"Huh?"

"Oh, InuYasha. I was under the impression that you had left."

"Really."

"Mmmm. The water is perfect," Kagome giggles as she slips into the hot spring with a towel still wrapped around her. Looking up from the water she notices InuYasha behind the tree one end of the sheet is tied to. "Um, InuYasha. Not that it's a big concern or anything but do you ever take a bath?"

"NANI?!"

"Well, you've manage to 'accidentally' see me or fall into the water with me almost every time I take a bath but it's never been the other way around. I've never seen you go to bathe or anything." InuYasha turns a bright red and casts an evil glare over his shoulder at Kagome.

"Perhaps that's because I wish to avoid such situations you named." Kagome bits her lip with annoyance and then snorts at him.

"You can't sit there. It is in direct view of this side."

"I'm not watching you!"

"You might be tempted. You always are!"

"NA..I..FINE! I'll just go watch Miroku!" Noticing Kagome, Sango, and Shippo's shocked faces, InuYasha realizes that he must have said something wrong. (Of course that is what happens when you are thinking of one thing and talking about something else.) InuYasha looks over at Miroku in the other side of the spring. Miroku slowly sinks into the water until it is up to his nose and begins blowing bubbles. "You know that's not what I meant!"

"Wouldn't that be so typical?" Sango giggles to Kagome. " Miroku seems only to get the attention of men." The two girls burst into laughter as an extremely embarrassed Inu slips away out of view. InuYasha walks out onto the field ranting about humans' stupid sense of humor. He stops suddenly in is tracts and grips Tetsuaiga when he scents a strange yet familiar scent.

"Kagura!" InuYasha exclaims as he spots her standing on the branch of a tree on the other side of the clearing. She chuckles and swiftly brushes her fan through the air and sends forth a strong gust of wind that forces InuYasha backward through cracking trees and into the center of the spring along with the dividing sheet.

"I told you!" Kagome squeals. "What is your excuse now?!" Looking up from where InuYasha fell Kagome and Sango both see Miroku standing in waist deep water staring straight at them. Their instant reaction is screaming and ducking into the water. The sound of Kagura's laugh catches the attention of the group at the same time Inu surfaces.

"How entertaining you humans are," she chuckles.

"InuYasha do something!!!" Kagome screams.

"Alright, alright!"

"Now, now. Don't get so worked up over a friendly visit," Kagura laughs. " I came here as a messenger."

"Then why did you attack InuYasha?" Sango asks.

"Well aren't I allowed some fun? Any way, I'm looking for the demon by the name of Kirara."

"Kirara?" Sango questions. The small cat-like demon appears from beneath a bush and transforms into a graceful beast in a burst of flames.

"Aw, Kirara. My master Naraku would like to speak with you about some personal matters." Kirara nods her huge head and takes two steps forward towards Kagura.

"Kirara! No, what are you doing?!" Sango calls frantically. Trying to retrieve Kirara, she pulls herself on to the shore with a towel around her. A sudden wind from Kagura's fan sends her splashing back into the water. Kirara growls fiercely at the demon girl in response.

" I understand," Kagura nods. "Lets go." Kagura tosses her feather into the air boards it, and vanishes into the clouds. Kirara looks back at Sango before disappearing in pursuit of Kagura.