AN: Well here I am again. Miss me? ...What do you mean no? ::grumbles:: mean reviewers... ::dodges randomly thrown objects:: HEY! I still gotta write the chappie!! ::throwing stops...for now:: whew, that's better. On with the story!

NOTE: I can no longer put smilies in the story coz wont let me! yes, it's sad, but oh well i guess.

Disclaimer: Hmmmm, who should do the disclaimer today? Hinote and Kasai haven't done it in a while! HINOTE!!! KASAI!!! Your turn to do the disclaimer!
::Hinote and Kasai come out::
Hinote: Do we gotta?
Kasai: Yeah, this is stupid.
kyuuka: Yes, you hafta, now do it!!
Hinote: Fine…
Kasai: Whatever…
Hinote: kyuuka doesn't own Inuyasha and gang.
Kasai: But she owns us.
Hinote: And this notify list…
Kasai: http: / kyuuka-kit. notifylist. com/ amgr.html (fill in spaces)
Hinote: So sign up if you want to be notified of when she updates.
Kasai: And review after you read this chappie.
kyuuka: Very nice! Good muses!

Last Chapter:

"I told you that you underestimated him," she growled, knowing he would say it was her fault. Naraku scowled and picked up an item, giving it a small squeeze. Kagura cried out in pain.

"Do not forget that I own you. I could kill you in an instant so remember your place." Kagura narrowed her eyes as Naraku released his hold on her. "Go. Find the miko girl he travels with and bring her to me, she could prove very useful," he said as she made her leave.

A Mistake Gone Right

Chapter 6: Journey Ends, Trouble Begins

Inuyasha's group had packed everything and was ready for the long walk through the forest.

"It's going to take forever to get out of the forest on foot," noted Kagome. Inuyasha looked over to her and then the rest of the group. They all looked weary from the battle, so they wouldn't be able to get far. They only ones who looked fit enough to travel were Kirara and Shippou...and himself of course. He studied Kirara as she playfully chased a butterfly.

"Sango, Kirara can transform can't she?" asked Inuyasha. Sango looked over at Inuyasha and then at Kirara.

"Yes, she can," she replied.

"How many people can she carry?"

"Two or three," said Sango, finally getting what he was trying to say.

"You, Miroku, and Shippou ride Kirara. I can carry Kag-Kaitou," Inuyasha commanded. Sango nodded and turned back to Kirara.

"Kirara," she said. The cat came up to her and transformed. Sango climbed on and picked up Shippou, Miroku got on behind her. Inuyasha turned to Kagome and crouched down a little.

"Get on," he said. Kagome just stared at him confused. Inuyasha turned his head around to look at her. "We don't have all day, it's not safe here. We have to go now, so get on," he repeated. Kagome nodded and climbed on his back. Inuyasha stood up and held onto her legs so she wouldn't fall as they ran through the forest. "Follow me," he yelled back to the others as he began running. First Kagome felt lightheaded and scared but as time wore on she found that she rather liked this form of travel. The sun began to sink lower into the sky and Kagome was getting hungry. They hadn't been able to eat breakfast because of that stupid youkai and now it was almost dinner time!

"Inuyasha, I'm kinda hungry," she said weakly. She was also getting pretty tired.

At first, he was going to retort but when his own stomach rumbled, he decided eating would be a good idea. "We'll stop at the next clearing," he said. Soon enough, they arrived at a small clearing in the woods and Inuyasha slowed to a stop. Not long after, Kirara stopped too.

"Why are we stopping?" asked Miroku, slightly worried.

"Food," was all Inuyasha said as he put Kagome down and ran off into the forest in search of food. Sango and Miroku got off Kirara and picked up Shippou who had fallen asleep. Miroku put him next a tree while Kirara turned back to her cute, cuddly form. She curled up next to Shippou and fell asleep.

"Hey Sango, I wanna go find a hot springs to take a bath. Wanna come with me?" she asked. Sango smiled brightly.

"Yeah!" she all but screamed, waking Shippou and Kirara.

"Wait, I better come with you, to, uh, protect you," said Miroku with a phony innocent look on his face. Kagome and Sango stared deadpan at him before smacking him.

"You better stay here, to watch Shippou and Kirara," said Sango to the crumbled heap of Miroku on the ground. "Come on, Kaitou," she said, pulling Kagome away, leaving Miroku and the 2 half asleep demons in the clearing. They walked in comfortable silence, keeping an eye out for a nearby hot springs. About 15 minutes into their little trek, they stumbled onto a small secluded hot springs. Kagome was about to quickly shed her clothes and jump in when they heard rustling in the bushes. Sango held her hand out, signaling Kagome to stay there and be quiet as she tip-toed over to the bushes. When she got near them, a hand quickly shot out and grabbed her, pulling her into the bushes.

"SANGO!!" Kagome yelled. Two figures suddenly rose out of the bushes. She recognized one as Kagura from before. Kagura was holding onto Sango's hair with a knife up to her neck.

"Come with me quietly and she goes free," said Kagura calmly. Kagome's eyes darted first to her captured friend who was wincing in pain, but giving her a look that said 'You go with her and I'll personally kill you,' and to Kagura who looked dead serious about her threat. She made up her mind.

"I will, but let me talk to Sango first," said Kagome softly. Kagura released Sango, knowing Kagome knew the consequences of running away without being told what they were. Kagome quickly pulled Sango into an embrace. "Take the jewel and tell Inuyasha what happened," Kagome whispered so softly into Sango's ear that Kagura had a hard time hearing what was being said. Kagome slipped the jewel to Sango.

"Be safe," Sango said, holding back tears. Who knew what they would do to Kagome? Kagome managed a sad smile.

"I will," she said, a little louder this time. She pulled out of the embrace and walked over to Kagura. She gave a small nod, signaling she was ready. Kagura pulled the feather from her hair and threw it in the air. She jumped, holding onto her hostage, and landed gracefully on the feather that would take them back to Naraku's castle.

Sango wasted no time in running back to the clearing. She arrived and saw Inuyasha had come back and looked worried. Miroku looked even more worried as he studied Sango's appearance. She was dirty, sweaty and crying and Kagome hadn't come back with her.

"What's wrong!? Where's Kagome!?" shouted an angry Inuyasha, completely forgetting to call Kagome Kaitou around Shippou.

"Who's Kagome?" asked Shippou. His question went ignored however as Sango answered Inuyasha.

"Ka-Kagome w-was...sh-she was...ki-kidnapped!!" managed a panting Sango.

"By who!? Who took her!?" yelled Inuyasha as he went up to Sango and shook her shoulders.

"Inuyasha, give her time," said a stern Miroku. Inuyasha looked back at the monk and realized he was right. Now was the time to panic...but they had to find Kagome!

"Kagura...Kagura took her," she said. She held out the jewel shard. "Kagome slipped this to me before she was taken though. She...She didn't want Naraku to have it," she finished placing the shard in Inuyasha's hand and roughly falling to the floor from exhaustion. Inuyasha growled as he looked at the jewel in his hand. Where was Naraku hiding? How were they gonna find him? How were they gonna find Kagome!? Inuyasha clenched his fists and growled louder when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Inuyasha, I know you want to find Kagome but we have no way of finding Naraku's castle. Naraku must have taken her in order to get to you. Let him find you," explained Miroku, hoping against hope that he was right and Naraku would give them a chance to get her back instead of killing her right away. Inuyasha stared at the ground, letting his bangs shield his eyes from his friends. Shippou and Kirara had gone back to sleep and Sango had managed to stand up again. She was looking guiltily at the ground.

"Why'd she have to do that?" Sango whispered softly to herself.

"Do what?" asked Inuyasha, now looking at Sango. Sango immediately looked away.

"Kagome and I were looking for a hot springs. We heard rustling in the bushes so I went to check it out. Kagura grabbed onto me and threatened to kill me if Kagome didn't go with her..." she said, unshed tears rolling down her face. Miroku walked over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Sango, it's not your fault. Kagome might still be alive, but if she hadn't gone, you wouldn't be here and Kagura would've taken Kagome anyway," Miroku said, rubbing her back in a comforting way. Normally Sango would've knocked him unconscious by this time, but all she could think was that it was her fault that Kagome had been captured. Miroku looked over at Inuyasha, wondering what his reaction to this new information was. Inuyasha was sitting against the base of a tree, staring off into space, probably thinking of ways to get Kagome back. Sango soon stopped crying and her breathing became deep. Miroku carefully carried her to the ground where Shippou and Kirara were sleeping and placed her on the ground. He then walked over to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, you know we have to continue our journey. It wouldn't do anybody good to stay in this forest, especially not Kagome," Miroku tried reasoning with him. Inuyasha sighed.

"I know...but if she somehow escapes and comes back to the forest and we're not here..." he trailed off. Anything could happen. She could get killed by a youkai, Naraku could find her again and this time, kill her.

"Don't worry about it. She's a smart girl. She'll either head back to her own village or follow us to the kingdom of Yamakaji," he reasoned.

"We didn't tell her where we were going," retorted Inuyasha. At least he didn't think they did. He couldn't remember. Miroku just shook his head, laid down and quickly fell asleep. Inuyasha, however, couldn't sleep. He kept thinking of what Naraku might do to Kagome. He shook his head to rid it of those thoughts. Nothing's gonna happen, he tried telling himself. But there was a part of him that didn't believe him.

----Naraku's castle----

Naraku watched in pleasure as Kagura entered the room with the miko behind her. The miko looked very frightened. 'As she should,' thought Naraku with a sadistic glint in his eye.

"Welcome to my castle, miko," he said, gaining her attention. She quickly stepped in front of Kagura so nothing obstructed her view of him.

"What do you want with me?" she questioned, snarling at him.

"Kukukukuku, you, my friend, are going to help me kill Inuyasha," he said, as if it were an everyday thing.

"I will do nothing of the sort!!!" she screamed at him, restraining herself from strangling the man from even suggesting that.

"Oh but you will if you wish to keep your other friends alive," he said cryptically.

Kagome instantly looked confused. "What do you mean?" she asked carefully.

"You must choose who you wish to live...Inuyasha, or Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara," he said smiling.

"How do you know their names!?" she asked bewildered.

"I know many things, Kagome," he answered.

"What if I don't want either of them to die?" she asked with hatred in her eyes.

"Then I'll just kill all of them," he said casually. Kagome drew in a sharp breath. How was she going to save all her friends? How was she going to warn them!? Kagome narrowed her eyes at the man in front of her.

"What can I do to save them?" she asked.

"I was hoping you would ask..."

----Inu's group----

Inuyasha opened to see the sun rising slowly above the trees. He didn't remember falling asleep, but he was probably more tired than he thought.

"Inuyasha, you're finally awake," said Miroku from the campfire. He, Sango, Shippou, and Kirara were eating cooked fish and seemed to be in better spirits than yesterday. Inuyasha grumbled and walked over to the group. Sango handed him a plate of fish. Inuyasha quickly ate the fish. He was feeling better, but he was still worried about Kagome. After they had all eaten, they continued on their journey. Miroku, Sango, Shippou still rode Kirara and Inuyasha led the way. They traveled quickly and reached the edge of the forest by noon. Inuyasha took one last glance at the forest before they continued. The kingdom of Yamakaji wasn't far away and they would reach it in a few hours' time.

Sure enough, 3 hours later, the group arrived at the kingdom's gates. They walked through the city, slowly making their way to their destination. Inuyasha remembered the reason for coming. His father wanted him to meet a stupid princess or something. He had been worried that his son would never settle down with a suitable lady and have children of his own. Inuyasha scoffed as they reached the castle gates. The guards looked over the group's messy appearance.

"What's your business here?" questioned one of the guards.

"I am Lord Inuyasha," he started, "this is my cousin, Lord Miroku, Lady Sango, her pet, Kirara, and Shippou," he explained, pointing to each in turn. The guard scoffed in response.

"You really expect us to believe you're Lord Inuyasha?" asked the other guard incredulously. Inuyasha growled. He was about to fight his way through when a voice stopped him.

"It is indeed Lord Inuyasha...let them through," said the new voice. The group walked through the gate and came face to face with a woman. Inuyasha noticed she looked similar to Kagome, but there were a few differences. Her black hair was longer and straighter. She didn't have the look of innocence Kagome had. Her eyes didn't have the spark Kagome's had either. These new brown eyes looked cold and dead. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Princess Kikyou," she said, slightly smiling. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. This was the princess his father wanted him to meet. "Come with me. You look very weary from your long journey," she said, motioning them to follow. The did, following her across the castle grounds before coming to a large door that seemed to open on its own, but was really opened by servants guarding the door.

"We already have 2 other guests, but we were forewarned of your arrival," she went on, stopping in the front hallway. "The servants will show you to your rooms and to the bathhouses," she said walking away. As she left, 4 servants came and introduced themselves.

"I am Amai and I will be your servant," said the female servant, bowing in front of Sango.

"I am Karuson and I will be your servant," the male servant bowed in front of Miroku.

"I am Kijo and I will be you servant," the servant introduced, bowing in front of Shippou.

"But I don't want my own room!" protested Shippou.

"Shippou will stay in my room," said Inuyasha softly. Miroku and Sango looked at him in worry; he wasn't acting like himself at all. Shippou's servant bowed once more in understanding before leaving.

"I am Reiu and I will be your servant," Inuyasha's servant quietly introduced. Inuyasha nodded as Shippou jumped on his shoulder. The servants led them each to their rooms. Sango's and Kirara's (AN: can't forget her, now can we?) was on the second floor and Miroku's, Inuyasha's, and Shippou's was on the 3rd floor. Miroku's was next to Inuyasha's and Shippou's. As soon as Inuyasha was shown the way to the bathhouse, he went. He needed to relax. Not long after, the door opened again and Miroku and Shippou came in. The slipped in the huge bath without a word, knowing Inuyasha wouldn't want to talk right then. Deciding they had spent long enough in the bathhouse, they retreated back to their rooms. After getting dressed, Inuyasha's servant knocked on the door. Inuyasha answered it and the servant bowed.

"Your presence is requested at dinner in an hour," he relayed, gesturing to both Inuyasha and Shippou.

"We'll be there," he replied. The servant bowed again and made his leave. Inuyasha closed the door and laid on the bed. "Shippou, wake me up when dinner is ready," he said before falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.

----an hour later----

"Inuyasha, wake up! Inuyasha! INUYASHA, WAKE UP!!" screamed Shippou, trying desperately to wake Inuyasha. Shippou sighed and left the room, coming back with a glass of ice water. "Inuyasha, WAKE UP!" he yelled, throwing the water on Inuyasha's face.

"AHHH!!!" Inuyasha sputtered. "C-c-co-cold," he said shivering.

"I had to do it, it's dinner time and you wouldn't wake up," said Shippou, leaving the room to go to dinner. Inuyasha growled and looked for a towel. Finding one, he quickly dried his face and hair before making his way to the dining room. Upon arriving, he noticed he was the last one to show up. He took the only seat left, in between Miroku and Princess What's-her-face. He surveyed the table and its occupants. The King was at the head of the table with the Queen on his right and the Princess on his left. A girl with raven black hair was sitting next to the Queen. Inuyasha couldn't see her face because her head was bowed. To the left of the girl was a wolf youkai with his black hair put in a high ponytail, his piercing blue eyes seeming to be narrowed at Inuyasha. Next to the youkai was Shippou. To the right of the Princess was Inuyasha, then Miroku. Sitting next to Miroku was Sango. Kirara was on the floor in a corner, lapping at a bowl of milk.

"Inuyasha, I'm glad you came," said Kikyou. At the mention of Inuyasha's name, the girl across from Inuyasha raised her head sharply, her brown eyes wide with shock. Inuyasha glanced at her then did a double-take. 'What...How could...That can't be...What is going on!?' Inuyasha thought, his expressions turning to shock then to relief then to confusion.

AN: Done! What do you mean, "That's a terrible way to end it!"? That is a good way to end it!! It's called a cliffy!! What are you doing with those tomatoes!? Ouch!! DON'T THROW THOSE TOMATOES AT ME!!! ::kyuuka is bombarded with tomatoes:: I'm allergic to tomatoes!!! ::readers start throwing coconuts:: NO, NO, I WAS LYING, I'M NOT ALLERGIC TO TOMATOES!!! ::readers throw coconuts and tomatoes and kyuuka is knocked unconscious:: -

Hinote: Looks like we've gotta do the rest of the AN, Kasai.
Kasai: Seems that way. Time for Reviewer Responses!!

crazy-kitsune- Hinote: Well, kit, kyuuka decided to keep Okibi out of this story. And she says thanks for bein her beta reader. Now REVIEW!!

The Spiked Dragon- Kasai: It's always nice to see a new reviewer!! Yeah, kyuuka knows Kirara's a girl now...don't know why she didn't before, but anywhozamawhatsitz, keep reviewin!

obsessiveIY-psycho-girl92- Hinote: Sorry, kyuuka's not putting Okibi in this story. I think you're the first person to ever threaten kyuuka!! And with a chainsaw!? That's her weapon of choice, but she's got a special one called Mr. Chainsaw. She also has Dr. Bazooka, Ms. Flamethrower, and Sr. Sword, but don't get any ideas now! Review!!

eddie4- Kasai: Glad ya like! Thanks for reviewing, and remember to review for this chapter too!

Xessive- Hinote: Be glad kyuuka's not putting Okibi in this story. But trust me, Okibi is not evil, she can't do...hehe, woops, almost gave away another spoiler. REVIEW DAMMIT!! hehe, coz Hinote, the cool muse said so!!

Hinote: Well, that's it. Remember to review or kyuuka will think it's our fault that the chapter stunk.
Kasai: Yeah, you wouldn't want us to get in trouble, would ya?
Hinote: Didn't think so!
Kasai: Oh, and by the way, kyuuka decided not to put Okibi in this story.
Hinote: Yeah, she only wanted Okibi in SFSFH.
Kasai: And you can still sign up for her notify list!!
Hinote: http: / kyuuka-kit. notifylist. com/ amgr.html (fill in the spaces)
Kasai: Well, until next chappie!!
Hinote and Kasai: See ya!!