Hey everyone. Back with another chapter, much to your delight. I'm thinking I should get most of this written before I post again though, because college is starting on Thursday for me and that means I have less time to write. I also work, and that takes up time too, believe it or not! And since I'm a crazy edit girl, I like to go over what I've written and make sure it all sounds okay and mechanics and things are good. And then I get sad when I read a twelve-year-old's story and it's better than mine. Ahem, anyway… I'm gonna do some review responses and a disclaimer, and let you get on with the story! That's what you all came here to read, anyway!

Review responses:

inuchick06- Aw... you're a really good guesser! I'm not going to say which one is right, you have to read for yourself! I hope I wasn't too predictable... it's what you wanted to have happen, right? And thank you for the compliments! It's always nice to hear your story is appreciated!

Kagome lover 2009- I'm glad you came back. I hope you like this chapter too... They'll find the others, don't worry!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that has to do with Inuyasha except for this plot, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't copy it. You wanna take ideas from it? Fine, but give me credit where credit is due. Yes, yes that's right.

Kagome tossed and turned in her sleep, groaning and every once in awhile saying clipped words. Then all of a sudden she sat up straight and let loose a blood-curdling scream.

Sango whipped up at the sound and stared at Kagome.

"What's wrong?!" she asked.

Kagome gasped and felt herself, and then her sleeping bag. "I... I had... a dream," she said shakily.

"Kagome," Sango said gently. Sango had normally saved affectionate actions for her father and younger brother, but Kagome was so upset that she went over to hug the trembling girl. 'She is really scared... what could she have dreamed of that would make her scream like that?'
"I'm sorry Sango," Kagome managed to say.

"No, it's okay. What... what did you dream about?"
Kagome shuddered again. "I dreamt about Naraku."
"No wonder you screamed," Sango said. After calming Kagome down, both girls attempted to go back to sleep. Sleep evaded Kagome however, as the images from her nightmare still assaulted her mind's eye. Kagome shivered again when she remembered that her dream had actually happened.

Kagome had finally dozed off and when the sun came up over the horizon the next morning she awoke and felt as though she hadn't slept at all. Sango searched through Kagome's bag for some fast breakfast as Kagome sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Do you think we'll find one of them today?" Kagome asked, watching Sango restart the dimly glowing embers from the fire the night before.

"We'll find them," Sango said with determination.

"It seems so weird to just have the two of us," Kagome remarked. Kirara mewed. "Oh, sorry Kirara! The three of us," she corrected.

"I know..." Sango trailed off. "Don't ever tell him I said this, but I'll admit I do kind of miss Miroku, and Inuyasha. Shippo too. Not having them around just seems... " Sango frowned.

"Incomplete," Kagome finished. The two girls were silent for a moment. Then Kagome spoke up. "But look on the bright side Sango. You don't have to deal with Miroku groping you every chance he gets, and we don't have to deal with Inuyasha's whining."
Sango grinned. "What a pair they are. Why would we ever want to travel with them anyway? Miroku always gets us into trouble when he rips off temples of their valuables."
"Inuyasha constantly complains about everything," Kagome added.

"Miroku is a lecher who goes after anything with a skirt and a pretty face."
"Inuyasha has such a thick head he never listens to anyone and always has to have his way."
"Miroku is... is...."
"Wonderful when you put aside his disadvantages?"
"Yeah," Sango said. "And Inuyasha really does care about us... he just likes to make us think he doesn't."
"His tough boy act is one he's long had to keep up, living the life he did. He just doesn't know how to drop it now."
"I... really miss them."
"I do too."
Kagome and Sango smiled sad smiles at each other.

"And Shippo's just cute. We need him back too," Kagome grinned.

Seven villages later Kagome and Sango were tired. Kirara was looking tired too, after carrying the two girls. It was late in the day and dinner was sounding good. No news of the monk, fox kit, or half demon. Kagome was starting to lose hope.

"Where could they be? We've searched all around the area where we first split up and none of them are around. Do you think that maybe... Inuyasha was hurt, or-"
"No Kagome. Inuyasha's fine, I'm sure of it. He can handle himself, remember? I'm sure he's going around from village to village just like the rest if us have been."
"But... Naraku told Inuyasha that he lived in the village where he sent him. He told Inuyasha to attack it. Where is that place? It has to be around here somewhere. Why would Inuyasha leave the place where he thinks he lives? He didn't leave Kaede's village before. He has to be near here."
"Well, I'm sure we'll run into him then. Maybe we were searching in the wrong direction for him. And besides, if Inuyasha attacked the village, why would he then stay there? He probably would leave to find some place better."
Kagome sighed. "You're right Sango. I believe the hardest one to find will be Miroku. He's a monk and I'm sure he was traveling around just like you. People see monks all the time. There's nothing special about him."
Sango raised a sardonic eyebrow and closed her eyes. "Oh yes there is, Kagome. Not all monks are as lecherous as him."
Kagome thought about that and then had to nod. "Okay, maybe it won't be too hard..."

As the girls were conversing they found a path that led to another town. "Why don't we stay there for the night, Sango?"
Sango agreed. When they finally reached it they went straight to the local temple.

"Sir? If I might could I enquire as to whether you have seen some friends we are looking for?" Sango requested of the head temple man after they were shown in.

"Many people travel through here, but if I can help you I will," he replied. Sango described Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippo.

"We have several monks that stop by through here. Could you be more specific?"
"He is tall, has black hair drawn into a small ponytail, wears purple robes and carries a staff. He is also quite lecherous... He um..." at this Sango blushed, "Often asks the women he meets to bare his children."

The temple man thought for a moment, then pointed his index finger up and said, "Oh! That monk. I know the one you mean." He then looked strangely at Sango and Kagome. "This man is your... friend?"
Both Kagome and Sango fought the urge to slap their foreheads.

"Yes sir, he is our friend and we're trying to find him. If you could just tell us when you saw him last..." Kagome spoke up.

"He was here about three days ago. The men ran him out of town after he had pretty much swooned all of our women. I wish I had charm like that..."
Kagome glanced at Sango, who seemed to be hovering between looking extremely angry and embarrassed. Did Kagome see a bit of jealousy in there as well?
"Well, if you could just tell us which way he went off, we'll be going then," Sango finally said. Kagome noticed she spoke rather clipped.

"He went east to find the large city out that way. He figured someone would need an exorcism out there."
"Thank you sir," Sango said shortly, getting up and pulling Kagome up with her. She stormed out the door as Kagome waved good bye to the temple man.
"Come on Kagome. That lecherous beast can't be too far away if he was here only three days ago."
"San-Sango slow down!"

Kagome and Sango decided to eat on the run and continue on their way, much to Kirara's dismay. If Miroku were really that close they could catch up with him by tomorrow. Kirara could fly through the sky a lot faster than a man on foot could walk. As the sun was starting to dip below the horizon Kagome and Sango smelt something in the air. They looked at each other.

"That smells like a big fire," Kagome said worriedly.

"Maybe we should check it out," Sango replied. Kagome nodded.

"Kirara, where is that fire coming from?" Sango asked the cat. Kirara gave a growl in reply and flew a little off to the right. Far up ahead large flames that were leaping up towards the sky in the middle of the forest came into view.

"There!" Kagome pointed. "It looks like a whole village is burning down!"

When the girls reached it they saw people running every direction trying to escape the blaze. They landed a save distance away from it and caught a frightened villager who was running.

"Sir, please, what happened here?" Sango asked.

"We were just minding our own business and doing things as usual when all of a sudden our roofs started on fire!"
"That's horrible," Kagome said.

"Where will we go now?" The villager moaned.

Kagome thought for a minute. Then she asked, "Sir, did you by any chance have a monk stop by? He would have been wearing purple robes and carried a staff with him. Goes by the name Miroku."
The villager thought for a minute. Then he said, "Yes, a monk by the name Miroku did stop by here a day ago. He just left yesterday."
Kagome and Sango tried to contain their excitement. "Which way did he go?" Sango asked.

"He left that way," the man pointed.

"Thank you sir!" Kagome said happily. Miroku couldn't be far away at all!
"I wish there was something we could do for your village," Sango remarked.

"There's nothing you can do now, miss. We'll just have to rebuild," the man said sadly.

The girls said good bye and flew up.

"We might even find him tonight," Sango said. She silently urged the poor tired Kirara on as fast as she could.

"That village was attacked because Miroku had been there," Kagome said grimly. Sango hoped with all her might it wasn't Kohaku who did the damage.

When they neared a very large settlement Kirara began to speed up. "I think she smells Miroku!" Kagome exclaimed. It was now dark out and the stars shone brightly in the sky. Kagome reflected how beautiful the huts and houses looked with their candles lit for light. They almost seemed to glow. Electric lights just didn't give that same effect at home.

Kirara flew straight to a seemingly public building used for gatherings and meetings. Music was coming from inside and Sango winced as she heard a bunch of girls giggle. Even before Kirara could land she jumped off and bolted up the steps into the room.

There was Miroku, sitting like a king among his harem. Dozens of girls were sitting around him as he reclined on a pillow and sipped his sake. More girls were dancing.

Sango clutched the door for support. As Kagome came up behind the demon exterminator she whistled at the sight. Then she glanced at her friend and could almost see the flames burning in Sango's eyes. Sango finally decided to move and stormed into the room, pushing dancing girls out of her way.

"Miroku, tell me my fortune!"

"Oh Miroku, please tell mine!"

"Will I bear lots of children, Miroku?"

"Ladies, ladies, one at a time!"

Miroku was smiling and laughing with all the girls crowded around him. Then he looked up into the severely glaring eyes of Sango. His smile faded. "Can I help you? You seem to be angry. Why not come sit with me, lighten up a bit, and I'll tell your fortune?" his charming smile returned.

Sango pushed a few girls, who protested, out of the way. She grabbed him by the collar, yanked him up so they were face to face and yelled, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing, Miroku?!"
By now Kagome had rushed in, elbowed her way through the crowd of screaming women, and came up behind the seething girl.

"Put him down, Sango! He doesn't remember you!"
"Have we met before? I seem to have done you a terrible wrong," he said, confused. Sango glared a bit longer before finally releasing the monk and tossing him back down on the cushion.

"I'm glad you're 'safe,' Miroku," she said in a dangerously low even tone and then stormed out of the building.

"Sango, wait!" Kagome called. She sighed when Sango made no move to turn around. The other girls in the room looked on curiously as the drama unfolded.

"I seem to have made the lady extremely angry, though honestly, I have never met her before tonight," Miroku said.

"Actually, you have… it's a long story Miroku and I need to talk to you," Kagome said, turning to him.

Miroku gave her a look and said, "Listen, I've never met you before either and I would like to continue on with my celebration, so if you don't mind-"
"Come on," Kagome sighed, grabbing his arm and leading him out the door, much to the dismay of the women in the room.

"Listen, you definitely are one of the more pretty girls I've seen but I was-"

"Can it, Miroku. I need to talk to you," Kagome cut him off. He silenced. "Okay. I'm going to say some funny words right now so don't mind me," Kagome said, waving her hands at Miroku.

He gave her a very strange look as she said the chant. He stared at her for awhile, and she looked at him. "Do… do you remember me Miroku?" Kagome asked uncertainly.

"Miss, to be honest though you are beautiful, you are just plain crazy. I'm going back inside now," Miroku said, turning around and heading back for the hall.

"Oh no you don't!" Kagome grabbed him. Miroku protested but she held firm. Then she spied Sango leaning over the rail on the porch attached to the hall.

"Come with me. You need to sort things out with Sango," Kagome said.

"Who's Sango?"
"That girl right there," Kagome said, taking him up the few steps and walked the length of the porch with him until they reached Sango. She looked up at Miroku and then sighed and looked away.

"Talk to him, please Sango. You might be able to get him back," Kagome pleaded. Then she walked away to find Kirara, hoping things would work out.

"So, your name is Sango," Miroku said, after an uncomfortable silence.

"Yes."

More silence. 'This girl is furious,' Miroku thought.

"May I ask why you have sought me, and why you are so angry with me when to my recollection I have done nothing wrong?"
"Done nothing wrong?!!" Sango exploded. "You were sitting in there, with a bunch of concubines, getting drunk and… and…" Sango stopped. 'And you don't even remember me…' Miroku said nothing. He was too busy watching the moon reflect in Sango's eyes and studying the shine in her hair. He also noticed that her figure was nicely shaped as well. In fact… if he were smooth about this…

"My dear lady," he said, putting his arm around Sango's shoulders, "I am a man of pleasure-"
"You got that right," Sango dryly interrupted.

"And," Miroku continued, "I have never met a woman so beautiful and vivacious as you." As he spoke his hands wandered down around her waist, turned her body to face him, and pulled her close. Sango blushed fiercely, then frowned as she realized she knew where his hands were targeted next.

"If I may ask you, will you bear me a son?" he said softly into her ear as his hand took the final plunge. Sango's face turned bright red. She was so livid she didn't notice Miroku's hand had stopped rubbing and a strange expression had crossed his face. She threw her whole arm back and slapped Miroku as hard as she could. He whipped around from the force of it and placed his hands over his stinging cheek.

"Aaaah! Sango, what'd you do that for?!" he exclaimed. Sango stared.

"Miroku?"

"What?!" he said, exasperated. "Ow… That one hurt."

"Are you…?"

"Am I what?"

"Are you back?" she asked, uncertainly. "Back? Back from where? Where would I have gone? Actually…" he said, taking a look around. "Where are we anyway?"

"Miroku!" Sango jumped into his arms. Miroku raised his eyebrows and was too stunned to hug her back. One minute she was slapping him as hard as she possibly could and the next throwing herself at him.

'I will never understand this girl as long as I live. And I thought I understood women…'

"Yeah, that is a bad one," Kagome remarked. "I've never seen it stay for that long."
Miroku rubbed his sore cheek, which still bore Sango's handprint. Sango had really walloped him one. It was the next morning and the group was preparing to leave the city. Kagome and Sango had spent the night explaining to Miroku what had happened. He had told Sango he was sorry for whatever he had done to make her hit him like that, and Sango blushed. Kagome then realized and asked if either one could remember what they did while they were under the curse. Neither could. Both had seen flashes of their life before the curse was broken. They all thought it was quite peculiar.

"We must find Inuyasha, and fast," Kagome had said. "He was supposed to attack a village. He might be going around and killing people and won't remember a thing. It's just like when he's transformed. We have to find him!"
Miroku nodded. "This is a serious problem. Inuyasha is dangerous when he has no control over himself. Many people could die before we find him."
Kagome bit her bottom lip and tried not to worry. Inuyasha would be okay, wouldn't he?

"Kagome, I was wondering. How will we ever find Shippo? He's so tiny and might be really hard to track," Sango said as they were walking along. Kirara could not fly for long time periods with all three humans on her back so they decided to let her rest and hoof it for a bit.

"That's easy. We just ask if anyone's seen a cute little fox demon around. Shippo's so adorable, someone will remember him!" Kagome said cheerfully. Sango and Miroku didn't look so sure.

"Actually, you should hope we find Shippo before we find Inuyasha," Miroku stated. "If we bring Inuyasha back first, he'll probably say that Shippo should just stay lost!"

"I wouldn't let him," Kagome said firmly. "And I think Inuyasha really likes Shippo. He just doesn't like to admit it."
Once again Sango and Miroku didn't look so sure.

Okay, sorry folks but this was the best place to end the chapter. I hope it wasn't too short, or too predictable, or… yeah. Gah. The whole screwy paragraph thing is really annoying me. Believe me, it was in the right format when I originally wrote it! is being stupid when it uploads my story for some reason. So, sorry about that. Anyway, next chapter: Finding the Fox Kit.