I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter out, whoever's reading. I was currently busy with other stories which are finished except for The Captured Princess, of course. Gomen!!!! I feel terrible. I've never gone so long without updating a story before. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Hope you still know what's going on…

Finding What Was Lost

By: Sanci J

Chapter 17: Sango's Escape and Miroku's Confusion

Last Chapter…

Kagome hid a grin at his formality. She got a good look at him and saw that he also wore clothes similar to Kouga, but his clothes were thinner and had some patches of dirt on them. "Let's go then."

Hakiro, the mysterious boy who resembled her dear friend Miroku, took Kagome's arm with a smile and proceeded to take her to dinner.


The servant placed Shippou on the lumpy ground. The fox whimpered in his sleep from the lingering pain. "Will the fox live Master?"

The Master remained silent. Actually, according to his plans Shippou would live, but who else needed to know other than him what was planned?

End of Last Chapter.

As Miroku groggily woke up, he noticed by the placement of the sun in the sky that he had slept in. After dressing, he had walked to the exit of his hut to surprisingly see the sun out. It had been days since he had seen any sunlight. He frowned when gray clouds inched closer to the yellow sphere, dulling the day. 'I suspect this won't be a gratifying day…'

He grabbed his staff and hurriedly left the hut just as the man of the house came walking towards him. Miroku feared the man was angry with him or something. 'I didn't fondle anyone last night, right?' He felt slight perspiration gathering on his forehead.

The old man eyed Miroku. "Sir monk, are you leaving so soon?"

Miroku looked down and saw the man holding a tray of rice and tea. Ah, so the man had prepared him a breakfast. He looked out at the horizon with a frown. He felt a pull of some force towards the forest but he hadn't the slightest idea why. He wasn't hungry, didn't need food at a time like this. But he wondered in confusion, 'A time like what?' It could be Kimisa. Was this feeling meaning she was in trouble? He shook his head. "Yes. My business is finished here, and I thank you greatly for your hospitality." He shook the man's hand.

"No, no, young monk. I should be thanking you on behalf of this poor village for your help." The old man shoved the platter of nourishment into Miroku's vacant left hand. "Please, take this food with you, and may Kami guide you." They respectfully bowed to each other.

"I will. Thank you." Miroku said with gratitude. He nodded and left, taking the fresh air into his lungs. Well, if one could call it fresh, considering it had just recently been littered with dead bodies just the day before. The sky was now filled with the grayish color that made him depressed and dreary. Miroku sighed heavily. His stomach took that open opportunity to rumble and he took a bite of the rice.

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Next to the hut, Kimisa sat on the exact same log she had been sitting on the night before. She had stayed up to the early hours thinking long and hard about Miroku and her orders. Her Master knew she was slacking, she was sure of it. Her stomach grew queasy in fear. Really, she could have taken more control over him, but for some reason she had stopped herself beforehand. Somewhere deep down, she wanted him to mean it when the time came and he pledged his love to her.

As she had settled through the night in silence, she had felt her Master watching her. It disturbed her that she had been vulnerable to an attack in the darkness but there was nothing she could do. She feared he would tire of her and send one of his incarnations to get rid of her.

She swallowed and knew her throat was parched. Her stomach burned from hunger too, but she ignored such a weakness. Her last feeding had been the day before on that girl, but due to her jealousy she hadn't drank much of the blood while ripping her to pieces.

Jealousy. She despised that word as much as she despised her need for blood. She couldn't be jealous. No, especially not of Miroku. She was afraid of her newfound feelings for him, hoping her Master didn't know; that wouldn't be good. She had to forget about him and her feelings.

If her Master found out about her secret feelings, he would send someone else to do the job.

For all she knew he could be in danger this minute.

Kimisa gasped, jumping up. 'What am I doing? I can't run after him!' She slowed to a casual walk, making her way to the front of the hut.

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When Miroku ventured to the campfire, Kimisa wasn't there. He wondered if she was in the forest as he felt a presence there, making his way into the shadowed mass of oversized trees and greens.

As he got closer, he recognized a demonic presence. He pushed his way through big bushes to see a bush glowing blue. He narrowed his eyes, swinging his staff before it.

He froze at the unmistakable stench of rotting flesh and recoiled back. 'It must be a dead animal. Or a body…' Kimisa? "Kimisa!" he called out. What if it was her? What would he do? He lifted his arm over his nose and mouth protectively and moved closer.

He saw blood on a bush. Not the one that was glowing, but one to it's left. A piece of what he hoped was not human flesh was lying on the side of the same bush. It smelled and looked terrible, almost making him want to gag. He slowly moved around to the other side of the bush.

His eyes widened, horrified as he saw remnants of body parts on the ground. It was definitely a human body, and from seeing the colorful clothing now dirty and stained, he guessed it was a woman. He leaned closer and saw loose guts and organs strewn about. He coughed to keep himself from getting sick. 'What demon would do this? Could this be Naraku's doing?'

"Do you know who did this?"

Miroku whirled around and stopped.

Kanna, one of Naraku's minions stood before him holding her weapon, the mirror.

"Kanna. Where's Naraku?" he demanded, readying his staff.

She stared at him expressionless.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am here for matters that do not concern you." She said in her soft, child-like voice. Kanna's head swayed, looking for Kimisa.

Kimisa popped into the scene angrily. "What is it Kanna?" She looked stricken when she saw Miroku for the first time. What was he doing there? How had Miroku found the dead body? The same body Kimisa had torn to shreds in her anger. Could he know she was the one-?

"I am here for you Kimisa." Said Kanna, tilting her mirror towards Kimisa.

Kimisa stood still, narrowing her dark eyes. 'What does Kanna think she's doing? She cannot steal my soul. I don't have one, or a reflection. For her to try, it is only useless.' Kimisa knew Kanna wasn't that ignorant, so why was she saying this? 'Damn, Naraku probably has something up his sleeve.' She glanced at Miroku and the stunned look on his face. 'I can't transform in front of Miroku, he can't know I am a vampire-demon.'

"Kimisa, defend yourself!" Miroku shouted. 'What's going on? Does Kimisa know what she's getting herself into?' he thought. 'But why did Kanna want to be rid of Kimisa? Do they know each other?' He watched back and forth between Kimisa and Kanna until Kanna's mirror began to glow. He waited for Kimisa to look away from the mirror, but she didn't. 'I have to save her…' Miroku put his hand in his haori and flung sacred scrolls at Kanna. But there wasn't enough time. He hesitated momentarily before launching himself in front of Kimisa before her soul would be taken.

Kimisa's eyes widened in horror. 'No!' she thought as she fell to the ground.

Kanna smiled wistfully, but it was so small Miroku didn't see it. 'I hadn't believed Naraku would be right,' she thought, ' but he was yet again; Miroku had done exactly what Naraku had thought he would do. His plan was perfect.'

Miroku looked at Kimisa lying on the ground and was much relieved to see her soul hadn't been taken. Her eyes were closed tightly. Miroku looked back to Kanna, a low growl of irritation in his throat. Just as he straightened his staff and scrolls in a fighting stance, he did what he shouldn't have done.

He looked into the mirror.


Ever since Sango had woken up, she had been alone in the cave. Light poured in the small holes and openings above her, so she wasn't in the darkness.

She had waited with as much patience as possible, but in truth she didn't have much patience when it came to men. He hadn't come back, and she was a little afraid to leave the cave in case he might be right outside. She wondered where he was. She could recall something happening last night, but couldn't remember what it was. Last night was now just a big blur to her. 'What happened?' she thought and sniffed the bread Picura had specifically left for her before he disappeared. Sitting next to it was a small basin of water. She was starving and itching to wash her face but she hesitated. How could she trust if it was poisoned or not?

Anger burned within her. 'I refuse to accept any hospitality of his. Even if it isn't poisoned.' She stared longingly at the food and water. 'What am I thinking? I'm alone in this cave with Picura out of sight. I can escape!' she thought excitedly.

Sango quickly stood up and was glad to notice her leg was feeling better. She could make it. She picked up her boomerang and limped her way to the exit of the cave, gasping in happiness. Her breathing came in and out harshly from lack of exercise the past couple of days. Her leg was stiff, but that didn't matter, she had faced worse.

As she approached the face of the cave, Sango could tell the sun was in the process of hiding behind clouds. The wind chilled her as it swirled around her skirt and she shivered. 'The first person I want to see once I'm free is…Miroku. Actually, right now I would rather run into Shippou.' Sango saddened. 'I sure hope he's alright.'

She breathed a sigh of relief when she cautiously walked out of the cave. He wasn't here. Good. That was, until she saw how much her surroundings were affected by the storm.

Trees were broken apart down the middle and some had fallen on the ground. Branches and leaves were scattered everywhere. The place was a mess. 'Could this have been why Inuyasha never found me?' The thought occurred to her that maybe he had run into bigger problems. 'Oh no…I have to get to Kaede's.'

Sango paused at the sound of thunder. "I have to get there…fast. Before another storm hits."

She walked as stealthily as possible into the forest, a way she was sure to get her back to Kaede and her friends. Then they could find Shippou together.

"So long Picura." She whispered, disappearing into the mass destruction of trees and brush.


Inuyasha cursed to himself. 'I can't pick up any scents. That damn storm!'

He growled. Shippou hadn't even left any clues to show him where he was. Does that mean Shippou wasn't conscious or something? 'Why did this have to happen?'

He angrily sliced the nearest tree in half, feeling frustrated. Once he calmed down some, he walked on, searching for even the faintest scent he might be able to decipher.

A few minutes later he stopped in his tracks. His nose smelled something mightily familiar, and it hit him like lightning who it was.

Kagome…!

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Wow guys. What can I say? Thanks for reading. It was short, but the story is moving along. I think it will be about 25 chapters. At least, I'm hoping so.

Sorry, I didn't get to Kagome in this chapter. Next chapter I will. Hey, if anyone would like to draw scenes and stuff of this story…send them to me and I'll put them in my bio for others to see. It's fun to have a visual of a story sometimes, and I think it would be cool, except for the fact that I have like no drawing skills. Let me know please if you like the idea.

Overobsessy: No, I wouldn't kill Shippou. He's too cute! Hakiro isn't Miroku's relative or anything. It's just an ironic resemblance. Hakiro is just a servant of Kouga's. Weird, huh?

Inu: So Fluffy isn't going to steal my toys anymore? -jumps excitedly up and down-

Me: -gets dizzy from watching him jump up and down- Inu! Stop bouncing. No, you and Fluffy are brothers. You don't kill each other. Okay? -rubs Inu's cute ears-

Inu: -glares, but purrs in content- Fine. But can I still be the winner?

Me: -stops rubbing- What?! I said no more fighting! -kicks Inu into the sky-

Inu: Wow, the sky sure is way, way up.

Me: Don't worry. He'll be back. He's a puppy that always comes back to his master… -grins evilly-

Inu: I heard that! -growls-

IamSupergirl: What about Kagome? Sorry about lack of fluff, it will come soon. Thanks!

DragonRose13: Oh thanks! I'm so glad you like this story! And just so you know, I am planning on being a writer in the future. Thanks so much!

Thanks to my other reviewers: iLvsimplepln2, SuGaR-HiGh-16, Sesshoumaru is mine back, Shinna, Kaichai, Courtnie

Thanks for the reviews. I'll be sure to update soon!

-Sanci