Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I unfortunately never will. I do however own the plot, Ayon, Sesi, Rei and any other original characters that I decide to add.

Italics: Dreams and Flashbacks

Dictionary

Hanyou – Half-demon

Kitsune – Fox

Miko – Priestess

Miasma – Poison vapor

Hiraikotsu – Sango's weapon

Scrying pool -- It is an old form of arcane magic. Wizards and sorceresses used a complex spell and a clear pool of water to spy on their enemies or watch for dangers in their own realms.

What's up guys? Well here is Chapter 8. This chapter will be long. Hope you don't mind. To answer a question I received about the length of my story I have this to say. I really don't know. It will probably be close to 15 chapters maybe more. Don't worry I'll try not to make it too long-winded. As always reviewers you can look for your thank yous at the end of the story. On with the story.

Ayon slithered through the forest. Her mammoth body crushed the undergrowth ahead of her. She eventually made her way onto one of her main travel paths and was able to pick up her speed.

She was anxious to get to see what information her loyal minions had collected during the day. She thought back to her encounter with Naraku.

Naraku paused a few feet from Ayon and opened his hand. On his palm a shard of the sacred shikon jewel glimmered. "Use it to increase your power Ayon. Without the power of this shard the miko will surely defeat you."

The demon Naraku had unnerved her. Ayon prided herself on her ability to read creatures but she had been unable to read Naraku. He didn't seem to harbor any emotions at all besides an icy calmness. She still couldn't understand why he would give her a jewel shard.

Ayon had heard about the immense power that these shards contained so why did he let her have one? Was he that confident about his own strength? If so why didn't he capture the miko himself? And this miko was she really that powerful? The only thing Ayon was sure of was that she would have to watch Naraku closely.

Ayon's thoughts of Naraku quieted as she approached her destination. She slithered up to a huge fissure in the ground. This chasm was the opening to a huge underground cavern.

Ayon slithered into its depths. The tunnel she traveled through was damp and dark. As she neared the opening of the cavern a soft multicolored light softly glowed lighting the tunnel.

Ayon entered the cavern and stopped taking in the view around her. The cavern before Ayon had been in her family for generations. It was large, at least 400 feet wide and 200 feet tall. The walls of the cave were covered in crystals ranging in size from as small as rock to as large as a boulder and ranging in color from pure white to blood red. This was where the light in the cavern came from. The crystals constantly glowed with an eerie internal light.

In the center of the cave was a large pool of black water. The surface of the water was calm and placid like the surface of a mirror. The light of the crystals reflected off the pool. Not even a glimmer of light reached the depths of the pool. There was no telling how deep the pool was but it was about 80 feet wide and circular.

Ayon headed toward this pool. She stopped shortly before the pool and coiled her 70-foot body. She lay still and waited for her loyal minions to arrive. While she waited she reminisced about the past.

A small 30-foot azure snake slithered after her mother. "Mother?" the small snake hissed, "where are we going?"

The large snake ahead of the baby turned her head towards her small hatchling. "To the place where you were born Ayon. It is time for you to be initiated as princess of our region. Now hush little one we are almost there."

That was the first time Ayon had seen the crystal cave and even now the sight of it always brought back memories and a feeling of awe.

This cave was the place where her tribe began and ended its life cycle. It was also the place from where the royal family of her tribe ruled. Ayon was now the current queen of her tribe and had been queen since her mother's death 100 years ago. Her species lived for thousands of years and her mother had been around 5,000 when she had perished.

Ayon's own children had been conceived and born here. Once the babies were hatched Ayon had gathered them all into her mouth and had slithered into the forest with them. They would be raised in the forest. Only one of her hatchlings would ever come back to the cave and that hatchling would be the one that Ayon had chosen to succeed her and become the next queen.

Ayon's thoughts of the past were interrupted by the arrival of her loyal minions. She watched as snakes of every color and size filed into the cavern. These small snakes, the largest being only 10 feet in length, had been carefully selected by Ayon to be her "eyes" of the forest.

Ayon waited as the snakes filed past her. Each one bowed slightly to her as it passed to take its place in the ring forming around the black pool.

When all the snakes had arrived and taken their places in the ring Ayon rose and made her way directly to the edge of the pool. She scanned the ring and hissed.

Swinging her massive head from side to side she addressed the group. "My children, who among you has any information about a group of travelers that is supposedly traveling through my domain?"

"Travelers?", "Are they villagers?" , "Human scum" These and may other comments made there way to Ayon's ears.

Still one small voice struggled to make itself heard and at first Ayon was not sure that she had heard correctly because of the noise that was echoing through the cave. "My queen I have information about a group of travelers!" a small sapphire snake was hissing.

"Silence!" Ayon bellowed. The snakes ringing the pool were immediately quieted. Ayon turned her attention to the small snake that she believed had spoken about travelers.

"Rei my little one, what is it that you were trying so admirably to tell me." She asked the small sapphire snake.

Rei slithered slowly to the front of the ring so he could be better heard. "My queen I have been watching some people at their campsite. I believe them to be the travelers you speak of. They do not look like villagers."

"You will show me these travelers." Ayon said to Rei.

Ayon swung her tail over the ground sending a shower of crystallized sand into the black pool. The black pool began to boil and seethe. Ayon swung her head over the pool and began to recite an ancient incantation. When Ayon finished the incantation the pool calmed and a white mist seemed to be rolling underneath the mirror like surface of the black pool.

Ayon turned to Rei and motioned toward the pool. "It is ready now Rei. You may enter the pool." She said to the small snake.

Rei slithered up to the pool and immersed himself in the water. When he had completely immersed himself the misty surface cleared and reveled a campsite in a clearing.

Ayon watched Rei's memories on the surface of the pool. She watched as a monk, a kitsune, and a female demon slayer conversed with a raccoon demon. She watched as the monk and slayer left on a flying fire cat demon. The picture then changed. It was now evening; a young female entered the clearing and was greeted by the obviously excited kitsune. Ayon hissed in rage when she saw the demon cat on the young female's shoulder. After the female a dog hanyou trailed. The hanyou spoke with the raccoon demon and then the female. She watched as the group sat by the campfire. The female took a jar out of her bag and in the jar shards of the sacred jewel glimmered. After conversing for a while the female and the rest of the group slept and the memory abruptly ended.

Rei slithered out of the pool and waited for his queen to speak.

Ayon raised her head from the pool. "Rei," she hissed, "you have pleased your queen. As payment for your services you and your family may hunt on my personal feeding grounds."

"Thank you my queen you are most gracious." Rei returned, bowing low to Ayon.

Ayon turned to the rest of the ring. "Does anyone have an event that they believe requires my immediate attention?" she asked scanning the group of snakes.

Not one snake spoke. All Ayon heard was the scratching of sand against scales as they nervously milled about. "You may all be dismissed." Ayon said. She wanted some time alone to think about the memories she had watched.

The snakes filed out of the cave quickly only pausing once to bow to their queen. Rei was the last to leave. He paused by his queen and bowed lowest of all, he then slithered quickly out of the cave anxious to get home and tell his family the good news.

Once alone Ayon digested the memories she had witnessed. These were undoubtedly the travelers that Naraku had spoken of. As promised the monk and slayer were no longer present. The young female must be the miko.

The sight of the cat demon had enraged Ayon. The miko must have found him and tended to his wounds. No matter, when she confronted the miko she would kill the small demon.

The hanyou did not look like much of a threat. If she had too she was confident that she would be able to kill him. Naraku had promised that the wind demon would take care of the hanyou and seeing as how Naraku had been truthful about the monk and slayer she was sure the hanyou would be dealt with.

Ayon remembered the bottle full of shards. Her encounter with Naraku again entered her mind.

Ayon stared at Naraku. Her tail twitched slightly. "I wish to know why you want this miko." She hissed.

"She has something I desire." Naraku stated simply.

The jewel shards, Ayon thought, the shards they are what Naraku desires. Ayon laughed out loud. The sound echoed throughout the crystal cave.

"What a fool." She hissed. "Why should I follow his orders? By killing the miko and taking her shards I can resurrect my own children!"

Ayon laughed again in ecstasy. "Naraku," she said happily, "I finally understand. You are to weak to capture the miko yourself. So you gave me a jewel shard so you could use my power to capture the miko. Once you had her you would use her shards to increase your own power. You would then dispose of me for I would no longer be useful."

She laughed again. Then in a sudden change of mood she swung her tail angrily into the wall shattering some of the crystals and sending their sharp fragments raining down onto the floor. "But you never guessed that I would figure out your little plan." She angrily hissed. "Well you are wrong you fool. I will kill this miko and take her shards for myself. I will not be your puppet."

Ayon took a deep breath and curled herself around a huge crystal; laying her head on one of her massive coils she closed her blood red eyes. "I will attack in the morning." She said sleepily. "I will devour them all." She hissed happily as she let the calming darkness envelope her mind.

The wind whistled through Miroku's hair. He shivered slightly and turned his head to look at the slayer in front of him. Sango was watching the land fly by beneath her. Her hands caressed the fire cat beneath her while her legs squeezed Kilala's body urging the demon to quicken her pace.

"Sango don't you think that maybe Kilala could use some rest?" Miroku asked carefully. "I mean we have covered an incredible amount of distance in a short amount of time. It would not hurt to stop and rest for a while."

Sango turned to look at the monk. "I don't know Miroku but every second counts if we stop even for a minute we could be too late."

"But Sango," Miroku started.

"Miroku," Sango interrupted, "Think about it, do you trust Naraku to keep his word? We have no guarantee that he will wait three days. He may even have Kohaku destroying the village as we speak. No it would be foolish to stop now." That being said Sango turned and once again started urging Kilala to quicken her pace.

"Sango please." Miroku begged. He could feel Kilala straining beneath him. He knew that the cat could not keep up this pace for much longer. Kilala was the type who would keep going until her heart burst if it would please Sango. Miroku knew he had to stop this, if only for Kilala's sake.

"Sango listen to Kilala. Can't you tell by her breathing that this is too much for her? If we don't stop to rest Kilala could be in bad shape. You don't want her to die do you?" Miroku asked. He waited for the slayer's reaction.

Sango's body stiffened but she did not turn to look at Miroku. She did however tell Kilala to descend.

The fire cat slowly made her way down to earth. She landed on trembling legs her breath coming in gasps. Sango immediately jumped from her back with Miroku not far behind. Kilala transformed back into her smaller form and collapsed onto the cool ground still gasping.

Sango dropped to her knees beside her friend. "Oh Kilala," she said her voice shaking, "Kilala I'm sorry. Please be okay, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Sango then began to cry.

Miroku watched Sango drop beside Kilala and when she started to cry he kneeled down beside her.

"Sango" he said gently pulling her against him and embracing her. "It's okay Sango, Kilala's okay, She'll be fine. Now stop crying." He rubbed her back gently and when he felt her trembling cease he released her.

"You okay?" he asked her gently?

Sango looked up at Miroku staring into his gray blue eyes. "I'm sorry Miroku. I've been so stupid. I'm just so worried that Kohaku will destroy that village. He's done so many horrible things. I just want to be able to stop him from adding yet another one to his conscious. I've been so busy worrying that I didn't notice Kilala's condition. If you didn't notice she could have..." Sango's voice trailed off as she buried her face in Miroku's robe and started sobbing again.

Miroku ran his hands through her hair. "It's okay Sango. Shhh." He said softly. By this time Kilala had caught her breath and was picking herself up off the ground. She made her way over to Miroku and Sango and started rubbing up against Sango.

Sango pulled herself away from Miroku and gathered Kilala up into her arms. Kilala rubbed against Sango's chin and started licking her face.

Miroku stood up and began picking up some branches that were scattered around the ground. "Miroku what are you doing?" Sango asked, watching the monk pick up the branches.

"I'm going to build a fire. If we are going to rest here we might as well be warm." Miroku replied piling the branches together and kneeling down beside them. "Thank you Kagome" he said as he struck a match and threw it on the pile of branches and brush. In minutes he had a blazing fire.

Sango stood and strode over to the fire. She sat down next to Miroku and leaned against him. "Thank you Miroku." She said gratefully to the monk.

"Don't mention it. That's what friends are for." Miroku said putting his arm around the demon slayer's shoulders.

Sango smiled to herself. This is why she loved the monk. He could be lecherous and a flirt but when you really needed him he was always there for you. She sighed happily and snuggled against him.

Miroku smiled down at the women beside him. There was no doubt about it she was the one he wanted for life. He may flirt with other women but none of them held his heart like she did. He would do anything for her.

He decided right then that when they completed their mission he would ask her to be his forever. He just hoped that she would accept, but for now he was content to just be by her side. Miroku laid his head on Sangos and sighed contentedly.

Okay how was that? Chapter 8 is now done. Sorry that it was posted so late. Chapter 9 is in the works and should be done sometime this week. Thanks again for all your reviews and advice. If you're new to my story then be sure to review. Even if you're not new I always love to get feedback. So here are the thank yous to my reviewers. Until next time happy reading! :)

anime-queen45

Good job :) The snake was Ayon's helper. Pretty perceptive are you spying on me? Lol. Thanks for the review.

Kasatka

Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for the review.

orange-Inu Yasha

Your welcome, (for the comment). I'm glad you agree with me on the Inu Kag thing. I just don't think they should immediately fall in love with each other either. I mean how many people fall in love immediately? Not many. I like it my way better too. I'll be sure to check out your stories. Thanks for the review.

Suaru

Glad that I haven't disappointed you. Thanks for the spot on your favorites. You rock too. Thanks for the review.

Tori

You adored my story? Wow thanks :). Don't worry the softy parts are coming up. I don't want to give too much away but I can say that it will be pretty fluffy. As I said at the beginning my story will probably be about 15 chapters long maybe more depending if I get a sudden inspiration or not. I won't draw it out to long though. Thanks for the review.

Sarcasm Girl8

Yeah I know Inu being nice is pretty weird. But hey Inu's a pretty weird guy. Lol. Thanks for the review.

Yvonne

Hey thanks for pointing out that mistake. I will correct it. Glad you thought it was funny. It will only get better I hope. Good luck with your upcoming story. Talk to you soon. Thanks for the review.