Pure Breed: Chapter 11

"Are we almost there?" Miroku asked Shiori. They were getting quite close to Naraku's barrier.

"Yes, I'll tell you when to stop. How do you plan to get Kohaku out?" Shiori asked.

"I'll think of something." Shiori rolled her eyes. How could he set off to do something he didn't even know how to go about yet?

"We're there." Shiori said. Kirara flew to the ground and Miroku dismounted.

"Can you break Naraku's barrier?" Miroku asked the young hanyou.

"Yes." she replied. Shiori walked up to the barrier and but her hands on it. Blue sparks ran across the barrier and Naraku's castle appeared as if by magic.

"Be ready to take off again." said Miroku as he approached Naraku's castle. Miroku entered Naraku's compound and looked it over. He entered the main building, ready to face what and whoever Naraku had ready to attack. To the monk's great surprise, there wasn't a single sentry. Kohaku was lying down behind a screen. Miroku walked over to the young demon slayer. He appeared to be unconscious. He gingerly lifted the boy and exited the building. As he steeped back out into the parade grounds, some sixth sense told him to move. He jumped to his left, and saw a wind blade tear through the earth where he had stood not a second earlier. Kagura descended to the parade ground and got off her feather.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Kagura asked mockingly.

"You know, for a second there, I really did." Miroku replied, setting down Kohaku getting into a fighting stance.

"Naraku wouldn't dream of giving up his favorite pet, especially with the shikon shard still embedded in his back." Kagura said, sending more wind blades toward Miroku. Miroku nimbly dogged them. Kagura was flanked by Naraku's venomous wasps, so Miroku couldn't use his wind tunnel. Miroku threw two sutra scrolls at the wind witch. Kagura knocked the first one aside with her fan, but let the second one hit her, knowing that the liberation of Kohaku would bring Naraku one step closer to defeat. Kagura was enveloped in a web of sparks from the sutra, and Miroku sized his chance to escape. He picked up Kohaku and made a mad dash for the exit. He ran through the gates and jumped on Kirara's back.

"Go!" he yelled. Kirara took off and flew as fast as she could in the opposite direction of the castle. When they were what Miroku reckoned was a safe distance from the castle, he ordered Kirara to touch down. Shiori dismounted and Miroku took Kohaku off Kirara's back.

"Is that the boy you were looking for?" Shiori asked.

"Yes." Miroku answered. "Sorry about this Kohaku." Miroku said has he removed the shikon shard from Kohaku's back. Shiori noticed Kohaku's breathing stopped.

"Did you just kill him?" Shiori asked, shocked Miroku would do such a thing.

"I'm afraid so. The only way to free his mind from Naraku's control was to remove this jewel shard. Unfortunately, the shard was also the only thing keeping him alive. But I know a way to bring him back to life." Miroku explained.

"Lord Miroku, that's impossible. You can't wake people up from death." Shiori said.

"Oh but you can! It is very possible indeed." Miroku argued. "If you know Lord Sesshomaru."

"Who is Lord Sesshomaru?" asked Shiori.

"You'll see." Miroku said with a grin. "Kirara lets head west." Kirara transformed again, rolling her eyes, conveying the message she wanted a longer break. "Quit complaining. After this we'll walk until you want to fly again. That's fair don't you think?" Kirara made no responsive gestures and took off, making for the western realm of Lord Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha and the others were still searching, despite the fact that Inuyasha, Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku claimed it was pointless to search any further.

"I'm telling you Kagome, he's long gone. We gotta focus on what's important, the shards." Inuyasha complained.

"Don't talk like that!" Kagome cried, tears welling up in her eyes. "Were gonna find him! He wouldn't just abandon us and not tell us anything if he wasn't nearby!"

"Unless he didn't want us to find him, which he obviously doesn't. You're just going to have to accept it." Inuyasha said, trying to be as nice as he could.

"Sit boy." Inuyasha's rosary kicked in and Inuyasha met his good friend, dirt. He peeled himself off the ground once the spell had worn off. He caught up to the rest of the group, who hadn't bothered to wait for Inuyasha to recover. Inuyasha muttered something under his breath.

"What was that Inuyasha?" Kagome asked sweetly. Inuyasha responded with silence. "That's what I thought." Kagome smirked.

Miroku and Shiori had reached the western domains and the castle compound of Lord Sesshomaru. The approached the massive gates.

"How do we get in?" Shiori asked.

"We knock I suppose." Miroku raised his staff, and hit the gate forcefully three times. The large gates opened to reveal Rin and Jaken.

"Welcome." said Rin cheerfully. "We are the attendants of Lord Sesshomaru. I am Rin and this is Jaken. If you come seeking shelter we shall prepare you a room."

"I appreciate your offer, but we have actually come to speak with Sesshomaru himself." the kindly monk responded with a smile.

"You dare consider yourself worthy to speak with the mighty Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken yelled. Rin whacked him over the head.

"Don't be so rude Jaken! Right this way sir." Rin said respectfully, leading Miroku, Shiori, and Kirara to the main chamber. Rin kneeled before the dog demon and said "Lord Sesshomaru, a monk from the east wishes to speak with you. Do you accept his audience?" Sesshomaru looked up and dismissed Rin with a wave of his hand.

"You one of Inuyasha's companions, are you not?" Sesshomaru asked in a monotone voice.

"Yes, and I thank you for granting me an audience Lord Sesshomaru. I come to ask of you a favor." Miroku gestured to Kohaku's body. "On the cat lies the brother of another of your brother's companions. I humbly request for you to revive him with the Tenseiga."

"Why should I grant your request?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Because this boy was formally under the control of Naraku, and to free the boy of Naraku's control would hurt his morale. This boy also helped young Rin here escape from Naraku when he had abducted her." Miroku explained.

"Is this true Rin?" Sesshomaru asked. She nodded. Sesshomaru drew the Tenseiga, and struck Kohaku with it. "Anything that will help bring about the death of Naraku I support." Kohaku slowly awoke. "Go, if that is all you desire."

"Thank you my lord." Miroku bowed respectfully and left as quickly as he could, knowing Sesshomaru would kill him, Kohaku, and Shiori for no reason if the mood drove him. They exited the castle and took off. Kohaku was now fully revived and aware of his surroundings. He gave Miroku and odd look.

"Where am I? Who are you? What happened to the castle? Where are my father and my sister?" Kohaku asked, apparently oblivious to everything that took place after Naraku had taken control of him. Miroku began to explain everything to Kohaku.

By the time Kohaku, Kirara and Miroku returned Shiori to her village; Miroku had informed Kohaku of all that had occurred after Naraku had taken control of his mind. Kohaku was very shaken at the fact that he had slew his father and companions.

"How could I do such a thing?" Kohaku sobbed.

"It's not your fault, you had no control of what you were doing. Don't be so hard on yourself." Miroku said.

"I killed my own family and friends! Who cares whether I had control over my actions or not?"

"It doesn't matter. What's done is done. Besides, it was not you who killed them, it was Naraku. And my companions and I have all sworn revenge on him. He will die for what he did." Kohaku wanted to change the subject; he didn't want to deal with this right now.

"How do you know my sister?" Kohaku asked.

"Uhh...well, she and I sorta…er…" Miroku began to say.

"You what?" Kohaku persisted.

"She'll explain it to you tomorrow." Miroku said, deciding it was the least Sango could do to repay him for saving her brother. Kirara spied the group and mewed happily, soaring down and landing right by Sango. It was late at night, and everyone was asleep. Kohaku walked over towards Sango, but Miroku stopped him. "Let her sleep." Miroku advised. "It's been over a year, what are a few more hours?" Kohaku was too tired to protest so he just lied down on the ground and closed his eyes. When Miroku was convinced Kohaku wasn't looking he lied down next to Sango and put his arms around her, falling asleep to the thoughts of being back with his Sango, and that she would no longer have to suffer the loss of her younger brother.