Sorry sorry SORRY! for the week-late update. I know that at least one person is reading my story (thanks for the review Sesshomaru is mine, it means a lot). My computer corrupted the second chapter and I had to re-write it in my non-existent spare time. Don't worry though, next week it will be on time. PROMISE!

Happy Easter (Good Friday today actually) and remember what the true meaning of the season is!

Disclaimer: Rebecca and Rumiko glare at each other, circling around the legal papers declaring ownership to the characters of Inuyasha. "Help me Sesshoumaru is mine," Rebecca says, "And you shall have the named demon as a reward!" "All eyes turn to her, awaiting her response…

Without further rambling ado, here's the newest chapter!

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Gen'infumei Byouki (Unknown Illness)

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Last time…

Inuyasha frowned at the girl's retreating figure, trying to figure out what she was up to.

I'll just make sure to sleep extra light tonight he thought, smirking slightly at the "Hentai!" and slap that resounded from the pair's direction.

Where am I? Inuyasha found himself in a dim forest. The wind rustled the leaves, leaving him chilled. The waxing moon hung overhead, lighting his surroundings a bit more. He shuddered, glancing at the looming trees. "Hey, anyone there?"

Deafening silence was the only response. He started to walk cautiously around. The only thing nearby was a glittering pool.

"Damn someone answer me!" the hanyou called out angrily.

"You must learn to be patient," a breezy voice whispered. He spun around, searching for the source of the voice.

"Who's there?" Inuyasha demanded. And where are you…

Eyes darted to the pool. A disturbance on the surface rippled out to the banks. Gently it gained intensity. A woman began to rise out of the water suddenly, knocking the startled hanyou back a few feet. She continued to raise out of the small lake. When she was impossibly standing on the liquid itself, Inuyasha observed her appearance.

She had pale skin, almost blue in the moonlight. Pure white hair flowed down her back with sporadic braids placed here and there. Her dress was like something out of an ancient tale, deep blue with lace and gems elegantly dotting the smooth fabric. The most shocking part of her was her eyes. Such a pale crystal blue, like the inside of an agate geode.

She had a thing for blue, that's for sure. Obviously not from around here the observant hanyou thought. "What do you want?" he shouted aloud, wary of any attacks that might come from her.

Chuckling slightly, the woman answered with a question. "What do you want is the more appropriate question. You yourself do not know."

Inuyasha was becoming annoyed at her side-stepping and growled "Answer my question!"

Her face turning serious, the woman looked at him with concern in here eyes. "You should be more concerned with finding the truth among your friends than the truth of me."

He blinked. "What the hell does that mean?" He didn't like this situation. He wasn't sure where he was, to whom he was speaking, or what meaning her words held. Not being in control was one of Inuyasha's annoying agents.

"Not all is as it seems. Clouded judgment can bring revelation or ruin." Turning her back on the confused man, she whispered, "I'll be here when you need me again."

"Wait!" Inuyasha reached for her. For some unknown reason, he trusted this nameless woman. Immediate trust did not happen to him, and he was not about to let the first instance of this emotion to slink away in the night.

"Wait!" he awoke suddenly. Glancing around hastily, his eyes picked up the forms of the monk and the girl, both sleeping soundly. He glared at the latter of the pair, someone sensing his dream was her fault.

"Watch your step, wench," Inuyasha grumbled before settling back down, deciding to try and sleep so the strange woman would return to his dreams.

xxxxx

Balinda was up early the next morning and moving around surprisingly well considering her injury rendered her unable to move without assistance the night before. Although Inuyasha had thwarted her attempt to obtain the shards earlier, she was convinced she would have ample opportunities.

Hearing the pervert begin to stir, she hurriedly added the powder into the water, barely managing to tuck the vial back into her kimono before he stood up. Stirring the contents unobserved, she threw a flirtatious smile to the newly awakened man.

"Good morning, lovely Lady!." Miroku said with a grin.

"Good morning, sweet…monk," she replied.

He could tell by her tone that she had originally planned on saying something other than "monk" but decided not to comment on it. Miroku didn't want to invite trouble and, with Sango due back any moment, Balinda was sure to cause some.

He smiled but remained silent as he took the pitcher from the girl and poured himself a glass of water. He did not notice her eyebrows rise as he took a drink.

Noting its usually sweet flavor, Miroku merely said, "I hope you slept well," while scanning the forest for signs of his companion.

Inuyasha appeared at the door with berries and joined them with a gruff "Good morning!" It didn't take a genius to figure out that the reason he was annoyed was because the others, particularly Kagome, was late in returning this morning from the little outing they had decided to take to the well.

"I slept very well with Inuyasha's presence nearby," she said with a smirk.

"Keh," he said with a nod after a confused look washed over his face. I should have slept outside, but I don't trust that woman. He reached over and poured himself a glass of water. Neither man noticed how she leaned forward in anticipation as he brought it to his lips.

"What is going on here?"

Drink forgotten, Inuyasha and the other two turned to see Kagome looking at them with barely covered annoyance, her hands on her hips. Sango, who was standing next to the miko, didn't look any happier. Shippo and Kaede just looked confused.

"She was hurt and needed a place to stay the night," Miroku smoothly said. Making his way over to Sango, he eased the burden out of her hands. It seemed Kagome had decided to bring back a lot of supplies, indicating she decided to stay quite a while. She also had the old woman for God-knew what reason.

At least Inuyasha will be pleased by Kagome-sama's long stay with us Miroku thought, glancing nervously at everyone.

"Yes, I'm sure she did," Sango said uncertainly.

Kagome sat down her backpack by the door and smoothly strolled over to Inuyasha. She glanced at his drink longingly. It had been a tiring trip back from the well since she had insisted they get back in time for breakfast.

I had wanted Inuyasha to have his precious rayman, and look what he's got instead! she thought bitterly, not completely sure why she felt such animosity for Balinda. The named hanyou didn't even like the woman from what she could tell, but that was beside the point at that moment.

Inuyasha, seeing the expression on Kagome's face, quickly presented his drink to her. She gave him a huge grin before gulping down some of the drink thirstily.

Odd flavour…she noted.

Taking his friend's gesture, Miroku offered graciously, "Here, let me get you something to drink Sango." Pouring her a glass of water, he handed it to her and couldn't stop himself from appreciating her behind as she turned to face Kagome as she swallowed the contents.

Stepping forward, Shippo bounded up to the foreigner. "Hey! I'm Shippo, who are you?"

"Shippo," Balinda said sweetly, "You are adorable!" Shippo looked very satisfied at the comment.

"This is Balinda. I believe we told you about her."

"Oh yes." Recognition flashed in his eyes. He had been staying with Kaede at the time they passed through Balinda's village. Kaede too was introduced to the distracted girl. The cub and the old miko then went to sit further into the room, both not wanting to be in the middle of the conversation.

Balinda had watched in disbelief as first Kagome and then Sango drank the spiked water.

This is going to be interesting she thought with a smirk. Wish I could be around to enjoy it. As soon as the two women had partaken in the refreshing liquid, she knew she would have to leave…quickly. I'll just have to find some other way to pay Kei back.

"Well, I think it is time for me to get going," she informed them in an amused voice.

Not a moment too soon…Kagome thought while still managing to keep a smile on her face.

"But what about your carriage? Don't you need help fixing it?" Miroku asked, hoping to keep the thus-far ungrouped behind nearby.

"I've imposed on you enough," she answered. "I will manage on my own." She grabbed her bag, which she had left by the cot the night before, and moved to the door.

"Too bad, hope to see you again," Kagome said cheerily. Again being never. Although she would never admit it, she was more than a little jealous of the flirty girl who was obviously interested in the Inuyasha.

"Nice meeting you!" Shippou said to the girl while Kaede, from her seated position, waved. The girl simply smiled at the group, winked at Inuyasha, and disappeared out the door and into the forest.

The hanyou noticed a new necklace hanging from Kagome's neck, and questioned it.

"Oh, Shippo made it for me out of flowers. Isn't it cure!" Kagome answered, admiring the creation the kitzune cub had presented her, all angry thoughts of Balinda effectively gone.

"I'm feeling a little dizzy," Miroku abruptly announced as he weaved in place. Sango put her hand on his arm, and he smiled at her. He wanted to grope her so bad, but figured dizzy and bruised wasn't a good combination to start a day with.

Kaede felt his forehead and stated, "You don't feel warm. Perhaps you're just hungry. What have you had to eat today?"

"We were just about to have berries when you came in," Inuyasha notified her.

"Well we'd better have some, because I'm beginning to feel a little dizzy myself," Kagome said. He immediately put his arm around her waist to try to balance her as she started to sway slightly.

"Now that you mention it, I'm not feeling well either," Sango said as she reached out to grab a nearby stool for support.

Kaede and Shippou exited to make some food for their companions while Inuyasha helped Kagome to her sleeping bag. He then took Miroku by the arm and put his other arm around Sango's sturdy shoulders to lead them to their respective pallets.

"GET THE HELL OFF ME MONK!' the irritated hanyou shouted, punching Miroku and sending him flying in the direction of his bed. The bozo had missed Sango's butt and groped Inuyasha's instead. That was a level of friendliness he was NOT going to reach with the man. "Pervert…"

Sango just giggled as she was lain down. "Thanks, I feel better already!" the exterminator managed before bursting into full laughter and turning over so as not to disturb Kagome.

After quieting down, she muttered with a groan, "I know that woman is the cause of this."

"I don't see how Sango," Miroku said quietly, rubbing his head. Note to self: fire rat haori is much scratchier than Sango's kimono. Avoid all scratchy surfaces from now on. Looking dismally at the hand that had committed the previous offence and wondering if he could boil it, Miroku simply said "Let's just get some rest. We'll be fine in a few hours."

xxxxx

Inuyasha, after murmuring more curses at the resident pervert, sat down near Kagome to keep an eye on her. He waited until she had fallen asleep a few minutes later before joining Shippo and Kaede outside.

Nervously the kit asked, "What do you suppose is wrong with them?"

"I'm sure it's nothing," he assured the young demon. What could hit them all at the same time?

"Do you think Balinda had anything to do with it?" Kaede asked seriously, stirring the contents of a pot.

The hanyou just grumbled in response.

Fast update-promise. All comments welcome-just don't cuss me out.

Reviews help push me along to update-yes blackmail is going to be slightly used!

Rebecca Ashley