They rode on Kiara's back, with Byaku sitting in front, scanning from the sky with only starlight to guide their search for the missing Shihai. They found nothing strange; everything around them still showed signs of a peaceful moonlight setting.
"About your father," Sango began. She knew her daughter was ignoring her, but she continued anyway. "I know you heard stories about him, about his scandals, but he really was a good man. The day he died - it was before you were born, so all you heard were other peoples' thoughts and feelings. I want to tell you clearly what happened."
"He promised you," she said absently, "didn't he? When you married, you were to have a fine life, filled with peace and happiness, but you're still fighting. It's his fault."
"I admit that he wasn't the most trustworthy when he was with the ladies, but in the crucial times he always supported me. There were painful times in my life, I don't ever regret the days I spent with him. Now I have you and-"
Before she could speak any further, they noticed a swarm of youkai charging at them. It was strange to see a large number of youkai attack in together, but they didn't have time to think about that as their primary concern was defeating them.
Two experts in the field of slaying demons and a fierce cat, never afraid of a battle, were able to quickly eliminate their opponents; however, even more seemed to be coming. A horrible wind struck, and Byaku found it impossible to effectively use her boomerang. Sango, however, seemed to see something in her eye that Byaku did not, and timing the moment perfectly, she threw hiraikotsu with all of her strength, weaving its wind through the conflicting wind patterns to successfully slay the numerous intended targets.
The immediate threat had vanished, but more groups of youkai could be seen massing in the distance. Kiara flew them directly to the source, and as they loomed closer the storm became harsher. Eventually, the source, of both the wind and the monsters, was found.
Byaku had realized that there was a high probability of a situation like this arising, and had tried to prepare herself, but there really wasn't anything for her to do. She had expected, but was still shocked to see Shihai performing another ritual. This time, he seemed to be suffering from more pain and fatigue than the others, at least any of the one she had seen, and the most logical reasoning was the vast amount of various types of demons he had summoned.
"Shihai really isn't a bad guy," she found herself defending. "There must be something in the shadows we are not yet aware of."
"I know," her mother said softly. "We'll save him. Keep your faith."
Byaku knew that by interrupting the ceremony she risked summoning another daiyoukai, but fortunately, or unfortunately, she didn't have to worry about that as the ritual was complete. He immediately collapsed, but she was at his side immediately.
From the shadows, a familiar face, to Sango, emerged. He laughed, "How good it is to see you again, Sango, and a pleasure to meet you, Byaku."
"How is it," Sango demanded, thought she already knew and was simply somehow hoping to deny it, "that you're still alive."
"How naive. Did you really think you could destroy me that easily? If you had followed Kikyo's orders, and let her purify the shikon no tama upon my completion, there is no doubt that I wouldn't have survived; however, you just weren't willing to use Kohaku's shard against me. After Kohaku's shard was the only missing piece, it was nothing more than a lucky shot from that girl. Her arrow destroyed the fused shards and spread them once again across the earth, temporarily destroying my body, but because they were not purified, traces of my evil remained intact. Now, enough shards have been gathered for me to stand like this. Soon, I will claim the rest of the missing shards and achieve my true power."
Furiously, Sango hurled hiraikotsu and shredded him to pieces, but she knew it was only a puppet. Though there was no body, his voice continued to resonate loudly in the quiet night air: "You know better than to waste your energy on mere puppets. I think you know where my real body is."
Sango's expression went blank when she realized what he meant.
"Mother, what's wrong?" Byaku asked frantically.
It happened too quickly. A new puppet emerged from the shadows, and gathering the fallen Shihai in his arms, Naraku sped away into the distance.
"Follow him. Kiara."
It was one of the scarce moments in her life that Byaku heard her mother demonstrate a strict and commanding voice. This wasn't the same as always. This was an order. More important than Kohaku, was what she sensed. Before she could dispute, Kiara had lifted her from her feet and was already chasing. She tried to order her to stop, but her mother's orders overrode her own. All she could do was focus on the puppet, and believe that her mother knew what she was doing.
Kiara's quick speed eventually found the enemy. Using hiraikotsu, Byaku blocked Naraku's escape path, and forces him to halt his retreat. After laying down Shihai gently, he laughed evilly, telling her that a battle between them was inevitable.
The two split up and charged separately. Byaku attacked first with her katana, forcing Naraku to dodge and step away from Shihai. Kiara tried to gather him, but a piece of flesh branched from Naraku, pushing the firecat aside.
Naraku floated into the air, as many branches extended from within his baboon skin coat. She blocked them with the width of her hiraikotsu, but a few branches curved around her guard and pushed her away.
This time, she threw hiraikotsu, slicing the branches off. After catching her weapon, she went for the source but the branches that she had cut free reformed into a piece of flash, surrounding her and entrapping her to the ground.
She decided rashly to use kazanna, but Naraku had anticipated that, as he released a hive of poisonous bees. She had been warned of these insects and their deadly poison. Her strongest weapon was sealed for now.
Kiara tried to rescue her, but was hit directly on her side by a series of branch attacks. She escaped instead using her hidden sword and hopped on Kiara's back. In the air, they were able to destroy many of the bees, but there were simply too many. They went for the main body but with all those branches protecting the puppet's life source, it was impossible to get near.
"Kukukuku," he laughed. "It will be a glorious day, when I am rid of my two greatest enemies."
"What do you mean?" she asked, annoyed.
"By now, your mother will have reached the village. It is being attacked by all of the youkai your friend has summoned. Do you think she can contend with all of them, on top of my true body, which is much stronger than my puppets. It was a long run; I hope she isn't too tired, or that she didn't aggravate her sickness. All of you were doomed from the beginning."
"Kazanna!" She didn't hesitate at all, as she absorbed all of the bees, with their poison as well; however, she was forced to stop when he cowardly hid himself behind Shihai.
"I must admit, that was quite brave of you, to absorb them, but that too was part of my calculations. I wonder if you can still fight me having consumed all that poison? You have sealed your defeat. I will take the boy. His abilities will call forth my resurrection.
I see the poison is already taking effect. It's marvelous, isn't it? Every part of your body must be paining; you're finding it hard to breathe. I recall that your father found it quite impeding. Suffer, in the last moments of your life."
She glared at him, as she breathed painfully, lived painfully, gripping her left arm tightly. She wondered, considered, if this was the pain her father had felt. She wondered, worried, if her mother was all right. She wondered, was not sure, if she could win. She wondered many things.