Author's Note: It might not seem like it to all of you but I'm truly a very busy girl! lol, yeah I have plenty to do but I still always find time to type up a chapter as quick as I can. I'm the kind of person who always plans ahead and stuff, but sometimes I ahte it. I dunno, but I like staying busy, it feels like I get so much done. Anyways, enough of my personal life, please read and review! Enjoy!

lady kjerston of the western: lol, can't help it! I just love making you all so happy! And surprisingly no. I don't really have much time to do anything, because I just got a job a couple of weeks ago, I babysit every weekend, I kickbox everyday, I'm in two clubs at my school, and I'm also on my school's martinette team... Sooo I don't know. lol, I just type a chapter every single spare minute that I have and manage to update as fast as I do now. lol, and reviewing gives you a lable? What kind? Crazy she must be then. Heehee, damn our folders being on the keyboard when we don't know it (shakes head and glares at my own folder that just happens to be nearby) Thanks for your review!

Suaru: Yeah, I wanted to put the action aside for a minute and just take the time to put you guys in the gang's position, I guess. But never fear! Action is coming now! Thanks for your review!

Akida411searcher: Heck I'm scared too and I know what's gonna happen! lol. And I don't think I will warn you, I like tormenting everyone and pissing them off!...j/k lol. But just see this warning now, the scaryness will come! Thanks for your review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Sixteen: Save The Remnents of Our Hopes

"Lady Kaede! Oh thank goodness you're back" Sango exclaimed and right away told her everything about Sanae and her running away"We don't even know if she's alright or not." Sang stated sadly and lowered her head in shame, 'I should have watched her more.'

Kaede however had a different view on all of this. She sremained as calm as she was when she had gotten back and smiled at the younger woman before her"It's all right child. Sanae is fine, I'm sure of it."

Sango whipped her head up at this"W-Wait, how do you know this? Are you sure"

Kaede nodded and walked toward a nearby window"Yes, I'm sure she is with the others right now. And I don't think I can explain how I know. I just feel it in my heart." She said glancing out the window and breathing in the fresh air.

A light breeze flew in and Sango was grateful for it. She breathed it in and sighed, nodding with what Kaede was saying"I suppose so. And besides, you've never been wrong about these kinds of things before." She smiled.

Teishin blinked and kindly got out of his mother's hold on his shoulders. He walked out back to where Keiko, Rikku, and Kaden were"Hey guys, Lady Kaede just said she thinks Sanae is already with Inuyasha and my dad, so I guess there's not really anything to worry about huh." He suggested with a shrug of a shoulder and the others nodded.

Kaden sighed worriedly "I hope so." and turned around to overlook her surroundings. She was concerned for Sanae, she actually very much hated it when she wasn't around. She remembered how Sanae said she would be by her side before they had gone in that forest. It seemed like such a long time ago now, but in reality it wasn't.

"We're just gonna go in there for a second, and then right back out. And besides, I'm sure doing the exact opposite of something never hurt anyone." He said in a convincing voice.

Sanae rolled her eyes, "Whatever, let's just go in there and get out." She said and looked at Kaden.

"I'm kinda nervous." Kaden said and looked at Sanae, "Don't worry, we'll be here with you." She said to comfort the younger girl.

Rikku saw the troubled look on Kaden's face and it made her all the gloomier. She walked up to her and held her hand. Kaden looked down at Rikku and saw her sad smile, she smiled back and they both looked far beyond the mountains and tress where they knew their family was.

-

This latest castle was just as large as the old one, just as dark, and just as mysterious. The sun would set in only a few hours and would somehow make the enormous mansion much darker than it previously was.

She watched him sitting cross legged and meditating without a sound in the large training dojo they were currently in. Reina partly glared at him from her spot several feet straight across from where he sat. "Why are we here?" Her voice echoed softly and the sound traveled to Taisuke's ears. He didn't answer her right away, which was a mistake no one else would dare to confront.

"I said why are we here?" Her voice a little louder now and further demanding. Taisuke opened his eyes and looked up directly at her"I need to meditate, that's why." He finished and closed his eyes.

Reina knew that wasn't it. Well, she knew it was partially it; he always meditated like this before going forward into a new large battle. But Reina wanted to know the whole truth, and wouldn't be satisfied until she got it.

She breathed in deeply to try and calm her anger that she felt was coming all too quickly, "Why else my lord?

Taisuke just about smirked at her irritation. He found it amusing when Reina was on her very last nerve, it showed she was almost willing to challenge him, but then wouldn't dare to. He knew she wouldn't stand a chance, and she knew this moreover.

He didn't open his murky eyes this time, "I am thinking of a plan to destroy Inuyahsa once and for all in a way everyone would never forget.. They all need to learn their place. I am not my brother, I'm stronger than that bastard ever was and always will be." Taisuke almost whispered. Everything was silent once again. Reina just stared at him, this time with a face that was practically unfathomable.

She blinked and spoke again, "Inuyasha and his friends have nearly reached their destination. Don't you understand that we need to keep going" She asked, trying to convince him that they shouldn't stay here any longer; wasting more time that she felt was running out quickly. Taisuke didn't falter a single moment. He knew how important their circumstances were, he wasn't stupid.

"We'll be there soon enough. Don't be fraught with uncertainty and doubt Reina, just wait and see."

Reina of course had that same emotionless look on her face as before, and this time, she didn't speak another time.

-

"I almost can't believe how close we are now." Miroku pointed out and everyone agreed. Kagome smiled, "I know, and I can't wait until this is all over." She gazed at the mountain that was much larger now.

Inuyasha couldn't tear his eyes away from it and just nodded along, "Yeah, I miss my girls." Kagome hugged his arm.

Sanae was up and walking with the younger guys now. The three of them were just as anxious to just get the orbs make their wish, and finally go home. It already seemed like they have done so much, but it was only the beginning, and they all sorrowfully knew this deep inside but decided to stay positive about it for now.

About half an hour later, they were at long last, standing before the foot of the mountain... and too exhausted to celebrate.

The kids fell on their knees and drank water from the water bottles Kagome gladly gave them. Inuaysha looked up, looking for a cave of some sort that he saw in his dream. He tried to remember what it specifically looked like …

"Look into the water." She said and Inuyasha tentatively did so.

A cave on a high ledge of a mountain came into view. "What you need to defeat this demon is only in there Inuyasha."

Inuyasha looked for a ledge. He saw a few, but looked for the one that Kikyo showed him. He and Miroku scanned their eyes slowly all over the mountain of where they could see. Were they on the wrong side?

No. They were on the right side of it, because Inuyasha just then saw that same ledge he was looking for. He figured when he reached it, there was bound to be a cave there nearby.

Inuaysha turned around and by this time Kagome had sat down with the children and were all eating some of the fruit that the kids had picked for them on the way. Miroku was still examining the mountain.

"Ok, be careful everyone. I'm going up there and getting the orbs, be right back." He looked back up and was about to jump up when Kagome stopped him swiftly with a hand on his shoulder, "Wait, let me come with you."

He straight away frowned to protest, "No, you're exhausted. Just rest here and I'll be right back."

"Please." She beseeched him and now he just couldn't say no. "All right, get on." He said and she climbed on his back. Miroku nodded to them, "I'll take care of the young ones for now, go on." He said an Inuaysha tightened his arms around Kagome's legs before he jumped very high. He landed on a tall rock, jumping and landing on a higher one, getting closer.

Miokru breathed out a heavy sigh"I'm getting way too old for all this 'saving the world business.'" He murmured while rubbing his neck wearisomely.

"Aw Dad, you're not that old." Asoka said and Miroku sweat dropped"Thanks, I think." He grinned stupidly.

Sanae giggled and finished eating her orange. She yawned afterwards and looked around, "Hey, I think I see a stream behind those bushes." She said and the boys looked to where she was looking. So the kids got up to wash their hands and faces, and came back. Taikan didn't sit back down like the others, he felt refreshed and fully alert by now. "I hope they come back with the orbs ok." He said and saw Miroku nodded.

-

Taisuke look into his mirror and saw that Inuaysha had arrived at the mountain finally "They have arrived." He said and Reina stood up"Then we should be arriving there as well."

She stopped and looked at his expression, immediately seeing a bit of hesitation. She wondered what the meaning of that was.

"What's the matter with you" She said half heartlessly. He looked up at her then, "You go and fight Inuyasha off from the orbs. I will shortly join you."

Reina gave him a double take; she gave him a look as if to say, 'Why not just come with me now?' But she knew he probably had some other business to take care of. So, she followed orders. "All right. I'll fight him off." She agreed and turned to face the doorway.

When she reached it and placed her hand on the bamboo flap to leave, Taisuke stopped her with a voice that was laced with utter warning, "Do not underestimate him Reina. He is much stronger now than he was thirteen years ago. He held back in the last battle with you and Hineto... You must have been aware of that, haven't you"

She paused for a long moment, "Yes, I was aware of it. And I will not underestimate him my lord, you will not need to be concerned about that." Her voice trailed off as she walked away and her shadow disappeared.

-

Inuaysha landed and set Kagome down. "Now, they must be in some cave thingy here somewhere." He said while he and Kagome looked around. They began walking, and it was Kagome who spotted a small cavity along the walls of the mountain. "Inuyasha, look over there." She pointed and ran toward it, already getting too excited. The hanyou hastily followed and smiled in relief when he saw it, "Good, they must be in here then."

He cocked his head to the side, "Hm, opening's too small. Oh well, I'll make it wider with my sword." He started to unsheathed it but Kagome stopped him"No! Inuyasha, you might destroy the orbs if you use Tetsusaiga to make the cave bigger. Look, I'll get them," She faced the hole and examined it thoughtfully, "You know, I think I'm small enough to fit."

"Are you kidding me? I won't let you go in there by yourself... Look, I can fit in there too." He said and walked up to the jagged opening.

He got on his knees and tried to crawl in there, but then got kinda stuck. Kagome just rolled her eyes and watched Inuyasha shake his legs repeatedly to try and get out. She could've sworn that she heard him whine like a sad puppy and she nearly burst out laughing.

"What the hell is so damn funny?" Inuaysna shouted and wiggled his legs more.

Kagome laughed as she got behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle. She pulled him out and they both fell on the ground together, she was still giggling. Inuyasha sat up and dusted his shoulders roughly while growling in frustration. "Oh just shut up. The-.. the hole is too damn small." He said and crossed his arms over his chest.

Kagome smiled and stood up with his help, "Inuyasha, we need to get serious ok? I'll get in, get the orbs, and get out. It's that simple." She said and saw him shake his head. "No, it's not that simple. What if you get stuck along the way, or you get attacked by some other demon that might live in there?... What if the orbs aren't even in there at all?" He panicked.

"Calm down!" Kagome put a hand on his shoulder, "It'll be ok. I'll call to you for help if anything goes wrong, then if I do, feel free to swing your sword around all willy nilly to try and save me." She giggled and waved her hand casually to him as she walked toward the small cave.

Inuyasha just rolled his eyes and reluctantly agreed, "Fine, but if you're in there for longer than two minutes I'm coming in to help you." He confirmed and watched her crawl in the hole with less difficulty that he had.

He sighed unhappily and kept a look out for any demons that may be around the mountain. He hadn't seen nor smelt any near like Kikyo had warned him about, and he got a bit worried. 'Are they all just hiding or something? Or is this place really deserted?' He wondered.

Kagome coughed a little and rubbed her nose quickly, "Man, it's so dusty in here." She murmured and crawled in further, the light becoming darker. 'I wish Kikyo had mentioned that the cave was this small.' But Kagome stopped all together when she noticed a colorful dim glow up ahead.

"It-It couldn't be…" She trailed off and crawled closer to the light that was behind a large rock up ahead. It was only then that she noticed the cave was becoming wider and taller, giving her plenty of room to move about but not stand.

She felt her fingers numb in anticipation, her heart beat faster, her senses to her other surroundings dulled quicker. "Please, let it be them…"