(Heh! With all of the beginning and ending notes I leave you I think I'm going to establish my own Writer's Corner!)

Writer's Corner:

Ok, so the story is actually going quite well. It might seem that if I stop updating this fic I will get some very nasty reviews and emails that will threaten my survival... Hmmm... To update, or not to update. That is the question! STOP!!!

Before you freak out, my decision is that I will update and thanks again to all the people who review! Your support and opinions are helping me want to perfect this fic ;). I am now in the mood to try to make it as good as or better than the movie (even though I'm fairly sure that it is impossible...)

Cary Elwes es muy guapo y sexi... For all of you non-Spanish speakers, that translates to "Cary Elwes is very handsome and sexy." Do I have any disagreements? Hee hee hee! I thought not! Enough about MY ramble, how are you all? (;P)

Also, on mediaminer, this chapter is displayed as two different ones but since I'm feeling lazy AND it's the fourth of July, I thought I'd give you guys a present! A two-part chapter! YAY!

.

Previously...

"You should have listened to me. Foolish human," He said to her in amusement and annoyance. Kagome shrugged and wrapped herself in the garment that Sesshomaru threw at her in the next instant. He and Miroku are not bad people except for the lecherous behavior and the arrogance and impatience. Also, from what I have heard of Sango she doesn't seem it either. Are they bound to Naraku? How mysterious...

Kagome sighed. This was going to be some adventure. She just knew it. If I am to die on the Gilderian frontier, then so be it. I will join Inuyasha and be with him for eternity.

. . .

Chapter Seven:

"What is that?" Naraku snarled, pacing anxiously and angrily around the deck of the ship. He stopped, freezing to spare another glance at the spectacle of his fury. "Damn it all..."

"Perhaps it's just a man returning to his wife and children in Gilder," Miroku suggested but silenced him self and returned to picking at the torn edges of his cloak. Sesshomaru was silent, staring at the ship that was nearly shadowing theirs. Kagome stood and looked back at the ship.

"I think it is someone who is going to rescue me," She said in a slightly haughty tone. Sesshomaru just snorted and rolled his eyes, his gaze shifting to Sango who was slowly starting to wake up.

Naraku's crimson eyes fixated on Kagome and he drew closer to her, stopping to tower over her. She shrunk back but there was a fire in her eyes that stated she would never give in. She did not fear him. "I suppose you are either very brave or very foolish. I could kill you with one swipe from my tentacles..." He whispered and raised his arm; his long kimono that was the color of black cloaked his hand.

"You won't though. You need to kill me when we arrive in Guilder," she shot at him. The hanyou chuckled and it was filled with malice and amusement. "No one will save you. Stop talking with that tone," he growled and slapped her on the cheek sending her stumbling back a few steps. Kagome cupped her cheek that now felt that it was enveloped in flames. Miroku and Sesshomaru watched this happen; the Inuyoukai, emotionless and the lech, speechless.

She felts tears ##### in her eyes. She had never been treated in such a manner before. Someone... PLEASE save me...

"Naraku, don't touch her anymore," A strong and defiant feminine voice sounded from behind. Kagome turned to see Sango, awake and glaring at the hanyou who had taken her captive.

"Sango," He muttered and approached her, roughly grasping her chin in his hand. "What have I told you about knowing your place?" He thrust her backwards but she caught herself and let out a sound of anger. This brought the attention of Sesshomaru and Miroku. What was she doing?

"Don't touch me either," she shouted and jumped up, her slender body hidden in her large violet garment.

"What?" Naraku asked, his voice held disbelief and anger. Miroku leapt up and grabbed Sango's arm, pulling her against his body.

"Do not listen to her. She doesn't know what she is saying. Clearly she is still half asleep," He lied, hoping to protect her. Naraku was going to murder her. He had made that threat to her before and now... He seemed angry enough to attempt it.

"Cease this idiocy all together," Sesshomaru barked at them making them all turn their heads. "Have you forgotten that we are coming in to a dock and that there is a stranger following? If we are not on our guard, he will take us when we least expect it. Drop this foolishness and let us start to Gilder," He finished, his solemn golden eyes flashing once. He brushed past Kagome as he went to leap out of the ship onto the dock.

Naraku let out a small sound under his breath but then stormed off to accompany Sesshomaru in tying up. Miroku hugged Sango tighter to himself. "Did he hurt you?" he whispered, his eyes closing as she melded into his body.

"No, not just now anyways," She exhaled but then remembered there was a guest on board. She quickly pulled away from the young man with etched cheeks and smiled stupidly at Kagome. "H-hello..."

"Hello to you too," Kagome giggled at seeing both of their embarrassed and guilty expressions. "You are Sango, right?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "I am sorry that Miroku, Sesshomaru and I had to deceive you. We have no control of what we are to do."

"That's all right. I understand," She replied, her eyes still shining from the cute image that Miroku and Sango had displayed.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru called gruffly, motioning to her. "Climb on my back. Naraku, the fool that he is, wants me to carry Sango, Miroku and you as we climb The Cliffs of Death."

"Oh, all right," she replied, waiting for him to bend slightly and when he did, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He then gripped her behind the legs and took a glance back at the two lovers who were holding each other again.

"Fools," he whispered and Kagome nearly missed his word.

"What?" she replied, her own voice nearly as silent.

"If Naraku sees them he will kill her for sure. Then I will be virtually powerless to stop him," he answered, sighing lightly in annoyance. "Come you two, I must carry you up the Cliffs," he called, startling Miroku and Sango. They nodded and hurried over, finding appropriate spots to hold on to without them being in his way.

Then, they began the climb. Kagome was silent, her arms slowing gripping Sesshomaru's neck more so as their altitude increased. She was deathly afraid of heights. "Woman, are you trying to suffocate me?" Sesshomaru snapped as he climbed. His voice sounded strained from the hard work he was performing. Little did they know that there was another occupant climbing on the mountain.

"Good Kami-sama! The bastard is following us!" Naraku exclaimed as he climbed by Sesshomaru's side. He quickened his pace and then glared down at the Inuyoukai who was carrying about 500 pounds extra human flesh. "Hurry yourself or he'll catch us and steal the princess!"

Sesshomaru growled in response. I would like to see him try and cart all of these pathetic humans up here...

Sango looked below to see the person, presumably a man, gaining slightly on Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru? Is he a youkai?" she asked, knowing his astute and accurate nose would be able to pick it up.

"He is a youkai but I am not sure what breed. He has masked it," The Inuyoukai replied and continued to climb. Miroku sighed and grasped Kagome's hand. She pried her eyes opened to see him smiling reassuringly at her.

"Are you afraid, Kagome?" He asked gently. She nodded and closed her eyes again.

"I'm going to fall," she whispered, closing her eyes and relaxing once again into her mode of transportations silky white hair.

"No you won't. Sesshomaru won't allow it," Miroku answered her, giving her hand a light squeeze. "We're almost to the top. You should keep your eyes open. It's a beautiful view."

Kagome let out a shuddering breath and nodded, her chocolate orbs opening and observing the surrounding area. It was lovely. The sun was shining off of the wide expanse of ocean, the breeze blowing a crisp salty smell into her nose. "You're right."

"I most always am," Miroku chuckled.

"I doubt that," Sango interjected, giggling with Kagome.

"Will you cease your incessant jabber? I am trying to get you all and myself to the top of this very steep and very dangerous cliff," Sesshomaru barked, silence following. "Thank you," he growled somewhat sarcastically.

Upon reaching the top, Naraku promptly yanked Kagome from off of Sesshomaru's back, keeping a tight grip on her arm so she would not run away. Sango was next but Naraku gave orders for her to be carried by Sesshomaru. "Miroku, you shall stay here."

"Here? What ever for?" The young man asked, perplexity twitching at his dark brows and creasing his forehead.

"If that youkai makes it to the top, you know what to do," He stated, tossing his slave a staff with rings of gold on the end. "If he falls, leave him to rot in hell."

Miroku nodded, his fingers gripping his all too familiar staff. With this weapon of destruction, he was unstoppable. He had trained day and night with it and was thoroughly used to any situation he might have encountered. He watched as Kagome, Sango and Sesshomaru faded into the distance, the hanyou Naraku leading the way. He was ready for this youkai. Naraku's plan would be flawless. It was either that, or loose his chance at freedom.

Freedom... The word had a special twist... It was what he had never known... Free... To be free to love and hate... To be free to take Sango and marry her... To...

Miroku shook his head. He needed to concentrate for the upcoming battle. He peered over the edge of the cliff, seeing that the youkai had come closer. He was dressed in strange clothing, a cloak and thick deerskin pants. His face was hidden and he could not very well make out any major detail about him. All he had to do now was wait... Wait for the youkai to make it to the top... Then, he would battle...

PART TWO

Chapter Eight:

A half an hour passed and Miroku was still sitting, shining his staff with the torn part of his kimono. He let out an impatient sigh and stood, once again leaning over to look at the youkai who was now only feet from the top. "Um, it might be a bit to ask but could you hurry it up?"

The youkai whose face was unidentifiable looked up, his eyes bewildered. "Why?" He asked, his annoyance and wonder evident in his gruff tenor voice.

"Well, since you haven't fallen yet, I'm supposed to kill you when you get up here. If you want, I could help you, my friend," Miroku explained. He hid his staff behind his back, observing his approaching opponent.

"Well, I don't know. Why would I accept your help if you're just going to kill me, friend?" The stranger replied, slightly amused but all the same sounding irritated and aloof.

"Hm, good question..." The young man muttered, his hands going to hide in his sleeves as he looked down at the youkai. "Well, since you are now only an arms reach away, if I promised not to kill you would you accept my assistance?"

"I've only been able to trust one person in my who whole life and it sure as hell wasn't you. Sorry, I can't help you. You'll just have to wait until I get up there which might take a while, seeing that my arms and legs have cramped in this position," came the strained response. Miroku sighed. He wanted to get this battle on. He was craving the fight.

"Is there anything else I can do to make you trust me?" Miroku asked, his persistence winning a low growl from the stranger who was gripping the Cliffs of Death as they spoke back and forth.

"Nothing that I can think of," was the blunt and tired response. Miroku shook his head, hoping that wouldn't have to come to this.

"I swear, with all of my heart, on the grave of my dear sweet mother Koharu that I will not kill you unless we wage in battle," He gripped his fists, anger welling up in his chest as memories and residences of bitterness resurfaced. He saw her as she was murdered. He saw the helpless and betrayed look in her eyes when her blood was spilled all over the ground and yet; he was powerless to help her.

His gaze now shifted to the youkai who was at the moment observing him. After a pregnant silence between the two of them, the stranger nodded. "You'll have to pull me up, I need to stretch my joints." Miroku smiled and reached down, yanking with all of his strength when he felt the youkai grip his offered hands. "Thanks," came the reply as the mysterious demon stretched and popped his joints back into place. He leaned back and his lower back snapped, letting out a powerful crack. "Oooh..." He mumbled. "That's going to hurt tomorrow. Now then," The youkai turned to Miroku, looking slightly fatigued but stood in a battle stance anyway. "You said something about a battle?"

"Would you like to rest for a bit? Now that you are up here, I see that I'm not in that much of a hurry," Seeing his opponent shrug and sit down, he joined him on the ground, leaning back on his elbows. After another uncomfortable silence, Miroku cleared his throat, drawing the stranger's attention back to him. "By any chance you wouldn't happen to have strange but beautiful blue shapes up and down your arms would you?"

The youkai next to him blinked a few times. "That's a really strange way to start talking to someone that you don't know... But, since you asked," The stranger rolled up his sleeves up to his elbows, turning them in all directions, revealing firm and toned flesh, but not the blue shapes Miroku was talking about. He nodded to his future opponent, resting his chin on his hand.

"I'm sorry about that it's just, my mother was slaughtered by a youkai with strange blue markings and I've been out to avenge and get revenge," He chuckled lightly, feeling sheepish. His eyes looked over at his future opponent's, seeing that he might actually be listening and continued on.

"I loved my mother. She was all that I had. When I was nine years old, I remember her starting to court a youkai with those strange blue markings. I had bad feelings about him from the start but, to please my mother, I went along with his schemes. I respected him but something about him always had me on my guard. He knew I was always watching him. To try and 'strengthen' our bond because he was planning on marrying my mother, he taught me to defend myself and attack with this staff," he held up the staff that had been sitting in his lap.

"He had one of his own and naturally, he was much better than I but that did not stop me from wanting to be rid of him. One night, the adults assumed I was sleeping but I was peeking in on their conversation and I heard him tell her that the only way he would wed her is if she sent me to another family. Naturally, my mother refused to part with me, and the youkai was furious. His rage took hold and there was a positively terrifying red gleam in his eyes when he slit her throat, her blood splashing all over the room. I was stunned but I quickly went to grab my staff and challenged him, hoping to put him in his place. Where he belonged. In hell."

"Let me guess. He beat you without even trying," The stranger said with an ironic hint in his voice. Miroku nodded, letting out a sigh of shame. "I can see scars and the imperfections in your joints from where you were cut and from where bones were broken."

"How can you-"

"I'm a youkai. I can see these things," His opponent chuckled. Miroku stood, stretching slightly and inhaling deeply. "So, you're been in the revenge business. What are you planning to do make him have a painfully satisfying death?"

"When I see him, I'll draw my staff and make this face," He placed his staff in front of him, his body poised and ready for any sudden movement. His face was solemn and intense; his violet eyes were narrowed. If his opponent would have been a woman, the look in his eyes could have been desire or seduction. "Then, I will say, I am Miroku, son of Koharu, the woman whose heart and life you stole. Prepare to die a slow and agonizingly painful death while the satisfaction plays across my face for only your eyes. Come. Attack me." He laughed along with the stranger. "I certainly hope my statement is true. It took me a while to ponder that up while I have been training in secret for all of these years."

"I see. Well, I suppose I'm ready to fight when you are," He finished, reaching up his hand and Miroku helped him to his feet. "I hope you find that bastard someday. He deserves what's coming to him." Miroku's opponent stretched once more before cracking his knuckles.

"You are a very good listener. I am sorry that I will have to end your profession at this time," Miroku stated, his mouth forming into a confident smirk as his staff when into position.

"You are a smooth talker. I can't wait to see what you've got," The youkai replied just as cheekily, his own mouth perking at one side as his eyes flashed with anticipation.

"Attack," Miroku cried.

.

Ending Writer's Corner:

Lo siento (Sorry) for the cliffhanger ending and not putting the fight scene in here! I guess I put Miroku's past in here beforehand and, you know how writing can be. I PROMISE! NEXT CHAPTER THEY WILL FIGHT! (Oh yeah! Did you like Miroku's line? That's instead of, Hallo. My name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die... That is my favvvvorite part. Tee hee :P) Do you guys like what I did with Miroku's past? I know it's a little different but different is good right?

Oh yes and...

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!