Disclaimer: Okay, since the characters we created are getting fairly numerous, if it doesn't sound like it belongs to us then it probably doesn't. Please don't take any of our characters or any part of our story without our permission first. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takashi.

Ayame: Once again, I am searching for a new writing partner. I need a lot of help to finish this story. If you want to help me, write me at rhian116 at hotmail.

Chapter Six- Into the Forest Part 2

By Ayame and Sessuna

The fires had now completely faded in the clearing. As shown in Lycoris's scrying pool, the two groups had been healed and in some cases, brought back to life. The friends were hugging one another, expressing their profound relief that they were all alright; all except for Inuyasha, of course. Kagome stood up uneasily and looked to her friend who was brushing himself off while grumbling.

Meanwhile...

Sango held her brother's body tightly in her arms, whispering his name over and over again. In her hand, she clutched the Shikon Shard piece that had been keeping Kohaku alive. It had been forced out of his body during the healing and was no longer needed to keep him breathing. Kohaku made no moves to embrace his sister and just stared blindly at the sky.

"Sango... Father is..."

"Shh, Kohaku. No one blames you for what happened. It's all right. It's all over now. You're with me again and that's all that matters. I'll take care of you, I promise."

"Sango, I killed our people... and Father... I wish I was dead..."

"Shh... don't say that. It's okay. You'll be fine now that we're together again..."

Kohaku continued to stare at the sky as rivers of tears rolled down his cheeks while his sister began to gently rock back and forth in a vain attempt to comfort him. The others in the group stayed clear of the siblings.

Meanwhile...

"Inuyasha! Are you alright Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, you got beat bad."

"Shut up! I'm fine!" Inuyasha stalked off towards where Naraku lay. Shippou stood next to Kagome looking at Inuyasha.

"Did I say something wrong Kagome?"

"Yeah. It's okay though. What happened after she... you know..."

"After you went down, I went to help Sango save Kohaku. Everyone was hurt by that woman. Sailor Moon used an attack on her, and she left with that weird demon after it had grabbed something that had come out of Naraku. I don't know where she went though. She made some weird black hole and just flew through it. Maybe Lady Kaede will know who she is."

"It's worth a try, besides, we could all use some rest," Setsuna said walking towards the two.

"I'll go get Inuyasha and tell him what we need to do. That way, if he objects, I'll just tell him to sit and we can drag him to the village." Kagome started to walk over to where Inuyasha was interrogating Naraku.

Inuyasha grabbed the front of Naraku's shirt and hoisted him up. "What did you mean 'You have released an evil greater than any other'? What did we just help you release, Naraku?" he said growling.

The fully healed Naraku answered with a laugh. "Helped me release? You fool! I was keeping him prisoner; I didn't want him released! You have just helped the second deadliest demon from the Dark Realm release the most powerful demon in the world! You have doomed us all!" At his last word, Naraku was enveloped in a bright, pure light. Inuyasha felt his anger and humiliation disappear looking at the light. When it faded, Naraku was gone as well.

"Where did he go?" Kagome asked standing a little behind Inuyasha. She had heard the entire exchange.

"I don't know, but I'll find him eventually," Inuyasha replied, the inner-pain returning. "What did you want?"

"We need to rest. And maybe Lady Kaede will have some answers for us about who that demon was and what she wanted. Lets go, Inuyasha. She may even know where Naraku went."

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go." By this time, the rest of the untransformed group had already begun to head towards the village. Inuyasha and Kagome joined them. Sango was leading Kohaku, and they were still given a lot of space.

The curious group reached Lady Kaede's village a few minutes later, staring villagers their welcome. Inuyasha marched straight up to Lady Kaede's door and began pounding on the wall relentlessly until Kaede herself appeared to berate him.

"Inuyasha! Why are ye hitting my house? Do ye have any idea what time... Well, ye must be the ones I was sensing earlier. My name is Lady Kaede."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're the Scouts. Now what do you know about a demon with black hair, black wings, and a thing for black?"

"Sit boy! You need to learn some manners!"

The Scouts took this momentary lapse in Inuyasha's usual brashness to make proper introductions.

"Welcome to my village. Ye are most welcome here. And what be this? Talking cats? Thou must have a chat with me later. We will provide all of thee with food and beds."

"Inuyasha, I'm going to go take a bath. Does anyone want to come with me?"

The Inners immediately said yes as Miroku lay twitching on the ground, one arm half raised.

"Stupid perverted monk," Haruka grumbled, rubbing her knuckles as Michiru laughed softly.

The cats entered Kaede's home as she held the mat aside for them. She placed a saucer of milk in front of each of the cats.

"So, what brings thee to our village?"

"We need your help Lady Kaede," Artemis managed to say between slurps.

"Artemis! That's rude! Forgive him Lady Kaede."

"There is nothing to forgive. Thou canst blame a hungry cat for wanting to eat. Now, what help do thee seek of me?"

"Shush Artemis. I'll talk, you eat. Have you, by any chance, seen a girl with pink hair in pigtails come through here?"

"I can't say that I have. I did see a large emission of energy in the Forest just yesterday. Perhaps the one you seek be in there?"

"We'll have to check that out. Do you know anything of a demon with long black hair, black eyes, and black angel wings?"

"Ah, yes. I know of her very well," Kaede replied stroking Diana who had curled up in her lap. "She is one of the most dangerous beings in our or anyone else's world. Her name is Sauda. Thou wouldst do well in avoiding her."

"But we can't avoid her. We must find her as quickly as possible. She tricked us into releasing something from within Naraku."

"Naraku? He absorbed many evil and dangerous things as Onigumo to become what he is now. I will see what I can learn for thee tonight as thou and thine friends rest. Be at peace good feline and join thine counterpart in slumber."

Luna turned and lay down next to Artemis. Lady Kaede lay Diana down next to them and exited the hut. Sleep refused to visit Luna as what Kaede had said ran through her head.

Meanwhile...

Kagome and the Inner Scouts rested in the nearby hot springs, their tired muscles getting the much-needed rest after their previous battle.

"So Kagome... what's going on with you and Inuyasha?"

"Wha?"

"Yeah Kagome. Are you two dating? If not, Mina and I can arrange that."

"Serena! Inuyasha and I aren't dating!" Kagome replied blushing furiously.

"Well that blush says that you wish you were," Lita said smugly.

"Oh come on you guys. Leave Kagome alone."

"You should just be glad we're not making fun of you Amy. By the way... how are you and Greg doing?" the priestess asked coyly.

"Oh we're going to the fair togeth... Raye!" Amy blushed even redder than Kagome.

Just then, a loud crack reverberated over the small pool and Miroku came tumbling head over heels down the small incline to rest in the center of a group of screaming girls. Darien, Haruka, and Inuyasha crashed through the foliage seconds later to rescue the girls, only to need rescuing themselves as rocks and sticks, (and one log courtesy of Amy of all people,) were thrown at the heads of the pervert and would-be rescuers.

A few minutes later, the four perpetrators hobbled back to their respective beds, grumbling, "I should have learned from the last time. I'll never help her again," "I'm in Heaven," "Michiru is going to kill me," and, "I've got the best future wife ever."

A few minutes later, the Inner Scouts and Kagome went to the beds Lady Kaede and the villagers provided. Sango and Kohaku were given a hut to themselves. Sango watched over Kohaku as he slept, his face tear-stained. Lady Kaede walked into the hut in the middle of the night and motioned for Sango to follow her out again. Sango followed obediently.

"Sango, thou needs thine rest as much as everyone else."

"I know, but I can't sleep."

"If that be the truth, then why dost thee yawn?"

"Well, maybe I am a little tired, but I..."

"Thou are afraid that thine brother will disappear in the night?"

"He's just so depressed right now, I don't want him to leave in the middle of the night to get away from everyone. He still thinks that what Naraku made him do is his fault."

"It may not be the child's fault, but there is naught thou canst do to make him think otherwise. Thou must give him time to heal, and I warn thee now, he may never recover from this. Now get some sleep. I will have the villagers take turns watching the hut to make sure Kohaku does not leave."

"Thank you Lady Kaede," Sango said with a yawn. She then returned to the hut to get some much-needed rest.

"Such a shame. They are so young and have so many trials yet to face." Kaede walked away.

The village was quiet for the rest of the night. As the sun rose, Kaede could be seen staring out towards the woods nearby. A winged figure could be seen flying over the forest, dipping in and out. It seemed to be searching for something.

"There's Sitara." Setsuna commented walking up behind Kaede.

"Yes. Sauda will be here soon as well. She would not miss an opportunity to attack Sitara."

"I will wake everyone up."

To Be Continued...

Ayame: The next section of the story is ludicrously long, as it is mainly fighting. Part three of this chapter is longer than the first two sections combined and it's not even finished yet.Now you know why Chapter 6 needed to be separated into three sections. So, part three will be finished as soon as possible, but I make no promises, especially since I don't have anyone to help me finish this story. Please review.