A/N: I'm not getting any reviews. It's rather disappointing, really. --

---------------Chapter 3: Just How Many are There?---------------

"Another portal? But that's impossible, right?" Sango asked. The whole group was having a council around a fire late in the day.

"Not necessarily," Miroku said, pondering. "If it is possible to make one, it is also possible to make another. But how it was made is the question."

"Who cares," Inu-Yasha said angrily. "Let's just get the bratty little runt out of here."

Kagome glared at Inu-Yasha.

"Inu-Yasha may have a point," Miroku said. "It would be too dangerous to keep the girl with us for long."

"But we don't know where the portal is," Sango countered.

"Yes we do," Miroku stated. "I saw it this morning."

"Then we'll take her back in the morning," Sango decided.

"Good," Inu-Yasha growled. "As long as she's off our backs we got nothing to worry about. I can't stand that kid.... Ooowwww!" Everyone turned and looked at Inu-Yasha. He was holding his head and beside him was a small rock. "What the hell was that?"

"That would be me," Kira had been hiding in the bushes the whole time.

"Why you little....!" Inu-Yasha yelled and lunged at her before anyone could stop him.

Kira dodged with ease and landed on his back. Inu-Yasha gagged. Kira seemed to be toying with him.

"Just for the record," she grinned down at him. "I don't like people, or demons, who don't like me."

And with that she was off, into the forest to do whatever it was she did.

"That kid really pisses me off," Inu-Yasha growled, getting off his stomach. "The sooner she's gone, the better."

"I'm curious to know how she knew you were a demon," Miroku said.

"It's kinda obvious isn't it? You'd have to be blind not to tell, what with the ears and all," Inu-Yasha said angrily.

"Yes, but," Miroku turned to look at Kagome. "Do people usually know about demons in your time?"

"No, not at all," Kagome replied. "There's not even any records of there ever being demons."

"I see," Miroku said, holding his head in his hand. "That makes it all the more interesting."

"What does it matter?" Inu-Yasha cut in.

"How is she supposed to know about demons if there's not a single record of there ever being any?" Miroku asked.

"I guess you have a point," Inu-Yasha answered. "But that doesn't change anything. She still goes back tomorrow."

"And we have to make sure that we get the jewel shard from her," Sango added, absent mindedly stroking Kirara's soft fur.

After more discussion and angry ranting from Inu-Yasha, the group put out the fire and went to sleep until morning.

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The next morning, everyone got ready to go and Kagome went to get Kira. Soon after, at Miroku's direction, they headed to the cave. They stopped at the cave and started to discuss how to get Kira through and get the jewel shard from her at the same time. Kira got bored and sat down on a rock near the entrance.

"This sucks," Kira groaned. "Why are we even here?"

"This is the only way for you to get home," Kagome told her.

"Whatever."

"I have an idea," Sango said finally. "One of us will go through with her, get the jewel shard and come back."

"I'll do it," Inu-Yasha volunteered. "I want to make sure the runt doesn't get away."

"All right, then," Miroku said. "We'll wait for you to return."

"Okay, kid," Inu-Yasha turned. A look of absolute anger and annoyance shot across his face. Kira wasn't there. She had gone through the portal without them noticing.