The next few days passed at a blurring rate and finally, after a few tracking errors, not to mention a few drops off, overgrown brush, and other random problems, they found themselves at the top of a river valley, over looking a peaceful setting, ruined only by the stench of evil rising from within a secret cave, hidden behind the roaring white falls supplying the river's body.

"There," Sango asked Inuyasha in disbelief, "That's where he's hiding?" Shaking his head, Inuyasha sighed, his eyes glued to the foamy water. "I can hardly believe it myself, Sango, this is very weird…" "Do you think it could be a trap," Sesshoumaru said in his quiet way, coming up beside his half brother to look over the cliff's edge. "Possibly," The half demon replied distantly. "Well, I'd rather go look and be sure then miss the chance of possibly finding my kids, lets go," Kagome said lightly, a certain excitement appearing in her dark eyes as she almost skipped with excitement down the rocky path that would lead them into the scenery below.

With a raised brow of shock, Miroku came up the also slightly unsettled in Inuyasha. "You have to admit that that's a little scary…," He commented in a low voice. "Heh, more then a little," Is all that the hanyou replied, finally shrugging his shoulders before making his way down the hazardous path before them.

The way down had been chaotic and uneasy, but somehow they had made it, after almost falling over cliffs, getting stuck in thorn bushes, and having to pour an endless amount of dirt and rocks out of their shoes of course. At the end they sagged down to the grassy floor of the valley in relief though, allowing themselves to relax for just a fe moments, keeping a wary eye on the hidden entrance of the cave lurking behind the waterfall the whole time, just in case…

Even with the knowledge of danger nearby, it seemed impossible to keep their eyes open as they settled into comfortable positions against trees. The sun shined down upon them, birds sang around them, and water from the flowing river not far from them giggled softly. It was as if they had no idea of what was happening, it didn't even feel like fall in such a strange a place as this.

But as they drifted into a deep slumber, each member of the little group could tell something was wrong. 'Just a tiny rest…just a little nap…'

i He /i watched from the cave entrance, cloaked in the protective illusion of falling water, as the small group of…guests…he'd been expecting for sometime made their way into his little land of lies. Smirking in glee as the stage before him was set and oh what a marvelous play it would be indeed.

Turning, he let a low chuckle escape his lips before making his way back into the dark expanses of his underground world. Turning corner he finally came upon his destination, for in front of him lay a dimly lit room.

"You've done well, my dear servant," He rasped softly, his glowing eyes turned in the direction of the one in whom he was speaking to, a being chained against the far wall, head lowered in a sign of defeat. "They came, just as you promised…"

"Let me free," The other replied, raising his head only slightly at the sound of another's voice. Tisking softly, his captor slowly shook his head before drawing the corner of his lips up into a sinister smile. "Nay, I still have work for you…Naraku…"