The title was too long, so I shortened it for the posted chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own them (my therapist says I need to address my denial).

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Adomitansu ken Zetsubou (Admittance and Despair)

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Last time…

Kagome looked at the demon before her, worried about his powers. Kagome had sensed three shards within the creature when he popped out of the ground, and now she saw them clearly: one in his forehead and two in his body. She cleared her throat.

"So, she failed to tell me who you are…sir," Kagome added the last part to appease the dangerous look in his eyes.

"Kobura-kun, but you can call me Kei," he then started to eat a rat demon that had been housed in a bowl.

Kagome cringed at his display. Oh Miroku, my love, come save me quickly

Miroku was indeed on his way to her rescue. He rapidly made his was through the greenery, terrified for Kagome's safety.

I should have gone with her, not let her go off by herself he blamed. She's so innocent and unprepared, I have to find her! Miroku gritted his teeth and pushed harder.

He stopped. What was that? When he passed a bunch of bushes he felt the oozing of evil and power. Retracing his steps, he poked his lovesick head through, gasping at what he witnessed.

His poor Kagome's prone form was being moved by a snake demon, coiled tightly in his tail. He slithered to a cave's opening and hissed inside. A woman appeared from inside…

"Balinda!" the monk whispered fiercely, recognizing the woman – again, once she stepped from the shadows. His exclamation was caught by the snake and he turned sharply, searching for its owner. Miroku hid behind a tree, hoping he had not idled long enough for his body heat to remain visible.

Hearing nothing after a few seconds, he crouched low and peered through the bushy covering once more and caught sight of the three disappearing into the cave.

Don't worry, my sweet he thought fiercely. I'll rescue you! It never occurred to him how ridiculous his speech had become since he drank the water. Usually his lines were just that, lines. Now he meant every syllable.

In the meantime, Inuyasha had quietly made his way towards the man until he was directly behind him. He quickly covered the man's mouth before he could shout.

"Keep quiet or we'll be discovered! Then what would we do to help Kagome."

Miroku nodded and forced Inuyasha's hand away.

"Why did you sneak up on me like that? We have a common goal, remember." Inuyasha had to smirk at the words' double-meaning. "Kagome was just taken into that cave," the monk continued, pointing through the greenery, "And Balinda was in there."

That name caused Inuyasha to grimace further. He knew she drugged them but hadn't suspected she had something to do with Kagome's capture.

I should have suspected.

Sango surveyed the entrance and commented, "First of all, that's not a cave but a snake youkai's hole," she said, throwing Miroku a look. "Second of all, judging by it is size a pretty big and powerful snake resides within."

"Well, the one I saw wasn't any bigger than a human," Miroku said. "Hey, where's Kaede?"

"She went back to the village with the shards, and no, no sign of the brat," Inuyasha answered. He was worried about Shippo, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

"That means there has to be a few dozen guards just inside the entrance," Sango frowned at Miroku's comment. "How are we going to free Kagome?"

Feeling as if time was running out, Inuyasha muttered, "I'll think of something."

"That's it? That's the best the great hanyou can do," Miroku demanded. "Kagome is in there, surrounded by hostile snakes and probably about to see the king for whatever reason, and all you can say is 'I'll think of something?' Standing up, the man said, "I'm going in there and rescuing her now!"

Sango put a restraining hand on Miroku's arm as Inuyasha growled, "Like hell you are! You can't just wander into that snake hole and order them to give her back. You'll get Kagome and all of us killed!"

Pain flashed over Miroku's expressive face. He just wanted Kagome safe in his arms again. "You don't understand. I love her and-"

"The hell I don't," Inuyasha bitingly interrupted. "I've loved her for the past three years so sit down and shut up!"

xxxxx

"The way I ssssee it," Kei said, settling down on his 'throne' of skulls and skins, "you can give me the ssssshardsssss or I can take them from you."

That didn't sound pleasant to Kagome. She could just imagine him or one of his henchmen slithering through her clothes with their scales and darting tongues, searching for that which was not on her.

"Ah, you see," she began, forcing her hands not to wring together, "I cannot give you the shards, and you won't find them if you search us." Making Balinda a deeper part of the problem made Kagome feel better.

"Why? Did sssshe lie in ssssaying you carried a good clussssster of them?" the king asked, shooting Balinda a withering look.

"Of course I did not, your majesty," Balinda interjected, determined not to be killed by Kagome's incompetence and stupidity. "What she meant was that she did not have the shards on her. She has hidden them for safekeeping."

Kagome stared at the other girl. Had she completely lost her mind! Balinda's sharp look prodded her to nod dumbly.

Sighing with impatience, Kei asked, "And where are they?"

"That's the problem, great king," Balinda again answered, hoping she was lying her way to freedom, "The hit on her head has muddled her thoughts and she cannot recall where they are at the moment."

Kei stared at both of them in turn, sizing up the story's validity. Kagome's heart was pounding and she was sure the king could feel her body heat rising in her fear. If this didn't work, they were both dead.

"Very well," the snake conceded, "You sssshall be locked in the holding ccccell until you remember." He flicked his tongue and two guards glided up to the humans and began to lead them away.

"Sir, why must I be detained as well?" Balinda pouted, making herself as appealing as she could. "Couldn't I remain out here and keep you company why we wait?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes.

"No, my ssssweet," Kei chuckled, completely ignoring her amorous overtures, "You mussst help this girl remember where sssshe hasss sssstored those fragments, or you will be punissshed as I promisssed."

A frown marring her pretty face, Balinda slumped a bit.

"Oh, and if you don't recall before the morning meal," the king said, adjusting himself in his seat, "you two will be the morning meal."

xxxxx

It would be dark soon, which spelt all sorts of bad for the rescuers. Snakes were nocturnal, so any attempt at freeing Kagome would have to wait until morning when snakes were not at their best.

No one was happy with this news, but Miroku practically had to be restrained from charging in there. He was convinced that they should attack at night since the snakes would be out hunting. He did not realize that only the hunting snakes would be out, the rest would be up and completely alert. A healthy dose of explaining (and threatening) finally convinced the obsessed man to keep to the plan. In the meantime, they had to find a place to hide out so the snakes would not detect them. Miroku and Inuyasha headed one direction and Sango another, attempting to beat the waning sun. It would have been better to split up three ways, but Sango and especially Inuyasha did not trust the monk to keep away from the hole.

It was all the hanyou had inside of him to keep from pummeling the monk beside him. He was of no help in looking for a hiding spot, instead worrying himself with Kagome and what they were doing to her and thinking about the plan and what could go wrong with it. Just as he was at the end of his rope, a lovely sight entered his vision: a huge hot spring surrounded by lush vegetation.

"Great! This is perfect," Inuyasha headed around the water, feeling for some sort of alcove hiding in the dense foliage.

"This is hardly the time for a bath, I think" Miroku snapped, rolling his eyes at his partner's distraction.

Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha ground out, "This is a hot spring. Snakes don't like heat and should avoid this area. If we stay nearby, the snakes should miss us, baka."

Ignoring his sarcasm and logic, Miroku began pushing his staff through the wall of vines, helping look for a niche.

The half demon turned when a yelp came from his friend's direction, spinning in time to see the monk wildly falling through and disappearing into the flora. Snickering, he made his way over to that spot and clawed his upper body through, laughing outright at what he observed. Miroku was sprawled on the ground, covered head to toe in leaves and broken vines.

Scowling at the amused man, Miroku picked himself up and began removing the jungle from his clothing, skin, and hair.

"Well, I found a niche. So we can wait to rescue my sweet Kagome."

Inuyasha stopped laughing at that comment and glared slightly before sighing, giving up for the moment.

"I'll head out to get Sango. You stay here," he added sternly, making sure Miroku knew he meant business.

"I know, I know. Don't worry, alright."

"Keh." Still unsure, the hanyou set out to find Sango, picking up her scent quickly. He followed it all around the forest. She seemed disoriented, unsure, torn. The exterminator finally set on one path, but as he journeyed down it Inuyasha became worried. Coming to a clearing, he growled in despair and anger. Sango had apparently been fighting to help Kagome and not pursue Sesshoumaru. They were near his brother's territory, and, as he feared, she gave in to the potion and headed into the Western Lands. He stood at the border, gazing at the hills and distant forest.

Should I follow her or go back? We need her, but I don't have the energy or the time to drag her back. Plus, I can't live the baka alone for long or else he'll go after Kagome. Kagome… He hadn't had time to really think about her and not her predicament for awhile. The half demon couldn't believe he admitted that he loved her in front of Sango and Miroku. Just blurted it out, not thinking about it. Hopefully, he could cover it up later by saying the two were hallucinating because of the drug. It didn't escape Inuyasha that the strange woman from his dream had spoken true: "Clouded judgment can bring revelation or ruin." So far, it had brought both. He realized (and admitted vocally) that he loved her, but the drug had begun to split the group apart. I wish I could talk with her again.

He turned back to camp, hoping that he and Miroku could rescue Kagome without getting killed. The situation was infinitely complicated by the stupid love potion, making everything much more dangerous.

"I really will kill that woman when I see her…" Inuyasha muttered, coming up on their nighttime hiding place.

"Where's Sango?" Miroku queried when the hanyou entered without the exterminator.

"Stupid bada, she went off in search of my brother," Inuyasha said wearily, too tired to be upset or disappointed or anything anymore. "I swear, if you three don't shape up we're going to get killed." With that mutter, he turned over and showed every intention of falling asleep.

Miroku couldn't retort, probably because deep down he knew his friend was right. They were acting strange and brash, and if they didn't get it together someone was going to get hurt. Maybe precious Kagome, which was more than the monk could handle. He laid himself down as well and fell asleep quite fast, dreaming of Kagome's face when he rescued her.

xxxxx

This time I'll reach him Sango though wildly, making her way to her love, led by the dying sun. I'll show him how much I love him, how great this love is. He'll return my affections!

She had been going mad in the forest by herself. She had no one to distract her, no one to keep her there. The girl gave into her longing and made her way rashly to the Western Lands, thoughts consumed by the drug. Unease scratched at the edges of her thoughts. Unease that she had left the men alone to rescue Kagome, and unease that she suddenly felt love for a demon. However, cresting a hill she saw Sesshoumaru's castle, and all ill thoughts melted away with her heart as she made her way to her lover.

xxxxx

Again, Inuyasha found himself in a dim forest. He saw a familiar pool.

"Oi, blue woman!" he called to the water, desperately wanting to talk to her. He knew she could answer his questions and give him some direction.

She rose out of the water again, piercing blue eyes looking kindly at the half demon.

"I told you all you had to do was ask for me and I'd answer," she smiled.

"Help me, please," Inuyasha whispered. He hated asking for help, but he desperately needed it now.

"Of course," was the gentle response. "Tsukiko will gladly help you."

Alright! Another one up and at 'em. I also re-uploaded the previous chapters to correct any misspellings or errors. Please review, and I'll try to have another chapter up in 1-2 weeks. I'm working on the next chapter in my other story "A Beginning" and my poem "Secret Observation," so I'm doing 1-2-3 and revolving my time.

I know we don't know much about Balinda and what she's up to, but that's the plan. I also know Shippo is MIA still. I haven't forgotten about them, just keeping with the plot.

Thanks for all the reviews, and a special thanks to Amygurl, whose short but encouraging review inspired me to get off my behind and update once more. Thanks to all my loyal readers!

Rebecca Ashley