Whoo! Man, it took me frikin forever to get this out. Sorry everybody, I've been having some real trouble lately.

Schools being really hard this year, much harder than I thought it was going to be. Programming I is kicking my butt right now, and calculus isn't too fun right now, either. I got accepted to the NY all-state conference choir, so I'm happy about that, but it makes a lot of extra work for me, so that's just another thing on my plate, along with preparing for Christmas concerts with my local men's choir and a completely different Christmas concert with my high school choir. I'm just really, really busy. Add to that a long running case of really bad writers block, and a major reassessment of what I want to do with my life, and I hope you can see where I stand. Say, umm, if any of my readers out there are Christian, would you guys mind praying for me? Thanks a bunch, guys. I appreciate it.

Anywho, sorry to angst there for just a moment. I'm always thee cheerful, bubbly guy at school, but I can only take so much before I have to let it all out, and you guys just got the brunt of it. I'll try not to throw my problems at you all again.

On a good note, I happen to think that I did very well on this chapter, and I'm about to start in on the Miroku / Sango romance, and going to be stepping the plot up, and starting to fly through this. I think it's dragging on way too long, and I'm going to start making things happen faster. Definitely something I need to work on if I'm going to be a writer.

On some quick comments:

Time's Mortal Enemy: Woot! I'm happy that I finally managed to do a chapter that you couldn't hack to little pieces. Thanks for the honest opinions, and I look forward to seeing your thoughts on this chapter.

Valese: Still sorry I haven't had time to read. I'm a naughty fuzz. I'll try and get to it at some point. L

Tanwen-Whitefire – well, you wanted a summary of Death earlier in the story, so I'll give it to you. As kikyo is walking down a road, she crosses a farmer. The Farmer's ox goes berserk, and falls on him. He dies, meets death, death goes off on a quest. She is, if you'll remember, trying to find out why souls are disappearing. That's pretty much it. She's hanging out in the wolf den cause she thinks something big is going to happen here. You'll see what in this chapter.

To the rest: Thanks for everything. I really enjoy reading your reviews!

Anywho, enough of my ranting! Fic-time!

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"Houshi-Sama…"

"Yes, Milady Sango?"

Sango turned towards him very slowly, eyeing the monk dangerously. "Where exactly is your hand, Houshi?" She asked, her voice almost sugary.

Miroku blinked, and thought about this for just a moment. Little warning sutras were going off somewhere in his head. "Sango," He began, "You misunderstand. You see, I was merely trying to steady myself from that last wave. It was an accide-"

Crunch.

Sango scowled, and rubbed her stinging hand. That stung just a little. She stepped over Miroku's still form, and walked briskly to the stern of the ship. It was a charming little ship. Little benches run up each side of it, providing just enough wood to have the most uncomfortable seating Sango had ever had the privilege of sitting on. Well, it was nice to have some peace and quiet, anyway. Kohaku was up on the front of the ship, with Morgan, and Shippo was attempting to make a new record with one of his little wooden toys. Miroku was relatively disposed of, for the time being, and that left only…

The demon slayer sat down on the uncomfortable bench, and turned her gaze towards the Tai youkai who stood on the opposite side of the ship. He was facing placidly out to sea, gaze never once faltering. The little girl, Rin, was playing at his feet. It looked like she was counting how many planks made up the deck of the ship. Sango shook her head just a little as she looked at the pair. How on earth had that happened? Sesshoumaru had always hated humans, yet here he was toting one around with him like a handbag. It just didn't make sense.

"You find it odd, too?" Came Miroku's voice from beside her.

She jerked, and half slapped the man merely on principle. "Houshi!" She breathed. "How did you?"

Miroku sat down next to her, seemingly oblivious to the still growing slap mark on his face. "I wonder why it is that Sesshoumaru seems to have taken to guarding a human."

Sango blinked. "Guarding? It looks like Sesshoumaru wouldn't give a care what happened to her. "

Miroku shook his head. "No, Sesshoumaru does indeed protect her. Observe." The Monk stood up very suddenly, and walked over to the spot where the girl was playing. "Excuse me, Lady Rin." Miroku began. "What exactly are you doing?"

Sango's training instantly started talking to her. For just a split second, Sesshoumaru stood just slightly higher. His hand dropped down to his side, his head turned just a little, so he could see Miroku and Rin in his peripheral vision, and the claws on his fingers started to glow just a little. Sango swallowed thickly. If Miroku made the wrong move here, he was a dead man.

Rin looked up at Miroku. "I'm counting how many planks there are in the ship." She announced happily.

Miroku nodded. "Oh really? And how many are there so far?"

Rin looked up at him, studying the monk's face for just a second. "You made me lose count!" She cried eventually, just a hint of panic in her voice. "Don't distract me!" Lake a flash, she dashed back to the side of the boat, and began recounting.

Miroku nodded quietly, and returned to Sango's side. "Did you see it?" He asked.

Sango nodded. This was even weirder. Sesshoumaru was not only allowing the girl to be near him, but protecting her to boot? That was just plain… wrong.

A strong swell rocked the boat, and Sango stumbled just a little. Miroku swayed just a little more, and had to steady himself. Sango paused for just a moment, and turned to Miroku for just a moment. "Houshi…"

"I was just steadying myself!"

Whap!

Sango primly walked away from the cringing monk, heading towards the front of the ship.

"Okay, now, ya put the first loop through the second like this, and pull." Morgan was saying, looking over Kohaku's shoulder.

"Like this?" Kohaku asked, holding up an intricately knotted piece of rope.

"Aye." Morgan said, holding up the rope, and pulling on it. "Could be a little tighter, but a very fine first attempt."

"What are you two up to?" Sango asked, crossing her arms as she walked up to the pair.

"Morgan's showing me how to tie knots." Kohaku announced enthusiastically.

"And a mighty fine student young Kohaku is, too!" Morgan crowed, clapping the young boy on the back. "He'll make a fine seaman in no time." Kohaku practically glowed at the compliment.

Sango chuckled. "So, you like your first boat ride, Kohaku?"

The boy nodded vigorously. "Yes, very much!"

Sango smiled and nodded. It was good to see him acting like the boy he was again.

Morgan quickly undid the rope, and told the boy to try again. Then, he slowly sidled up to Sango, and looked out across the boat to the sulking monk. "So…" He muttered. "Are you two… together?"
Sango choked suddenly, a blush spreading across her face like the bubonic plague. "N-no!" She half sputtered and half yelled. "Of coarse not." Where had that come from?

Morgan nodded, and smiled. "Good. That means you're free." He murmured.

Sango blinked very suddenly, realizing what he had just said. "Excuse me?" She demanded, blushing even more if it was possible.

Morgan grinned, and with all the grace and poise of a true gentleman, grabbed her butt.

The air surrounding the boat must have suddenly filled with impending doom, because suddenly all other sound on the ship stopped save the flapping of the sails and the lapping of the waves. All eyes focused on the pair. Miroku had the oddest expression of horror on his face.

Slowly, Sango's brain began working again. Someone was doing something to her. Touching her. In an inappropriate area. It wasn't Miroku. Stop. Rewind. Play. IT WASN'T MIROKU!

Sango's normal reaction to this was an open palmed slap to Miroku's face. Somewhere in the process of forming the open palm, however, her hand twisted into a fist, and diverted sharply lower. The blow landed.

Morgan's eyes widened, and then watered. He slowly backed away from the hunter, crouching down low, and coughing.

Sango rose to her full height, crossed her arms, and glared unmercifully down at the pirate, face flushed with rage.

Morgan rose halfway out of his crouch, still wrapping his arms around his sides. "I thought you said you were free…" He sputtered, his voice squeaking ever so slightly.

Sango emitted a low, feral growl, and stalked away to the back of the boat, crossing her arms, and hunching her shoulders.

Miroku blinked at her as she passed. She had never hit him like that… what exactly did that mean?

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Dammit! What the hell was with this place?

Koga dashed behind a rock, and crouched down. What the hell was going on? Where had all these birds come from?

All thoughts of the mysterious dog had fled his mind. Right now, Koga was more worried about pressing matters. There was a bloodcurdling shriek of rage from above, and with a silent oath the wolf jumped out of the way. Just as he landed again, a harpy swooped down, and took a large bite out of the bolder. Dammit, so much for hiding.

He looked up in the sky. At least twenty dark shapes were hovering up there, waiting for a chance to spring. How the hell had so many of them found him at once. He had figured that that last attacked had finished off at least a decent few of their numbers, but it didn't look like it from the way things were going up here. He licked his dry lips, and crouched down, trying to decide whether to take a few out, then bolt, or to not take the risk.

Deciding for him, the birds dropped down, completely surrounding him. "Shit…" he muttered, reaching for the long, steel claws at his belt. "Looks like it's the bloody way." With a sudden howl, he launched himself towards the smallest, slashing across the blue figure on top of the bird, and landing five feet behind the bleeding creature. The second his feet touched the ground, they were moving, carrying him away from the hulking menaces.

The bloodthirsty caws told him that the birds were chasing him, and somehow they were managing to keep pace. He tensed his legs, and drew a little more power from the shards of the Shikon jewel. His pace quickened, and the screeches slowly disappeared behind him. However, as the sounds behind faded, they were quickly replaced by shrieks from ahead.

He slammed his foot into the ground to stop, sending dust flying, and looked up. His stomach turned sharply, and he took a step back. There was no damn way…

At least two hundred birds, no, more than that. It had to be more then five hundred, all shrieking their war cries, and all flapping together in a great cloud of stench and death. Koga took another few step back, and jerked around to see the other buzzards chasing him closing in fast. More must have joined them; at least forty of fifty were soaring at him. What the hell was going on?

He looked back up at the stormy cloud of screeching beasts in the sky, and his eyes widened even further. They hadn't seen him yet. They were heading south. Towards the wolf territory. Towards his territory.

Koga didn't bother swearing. He crouched down, punching his hand against the ground, and willing the power out of the tiny shards imbedded in his legs.

The birds behind him were closing in, screaming madly. He didn't bother waiting, either. He simply twisted around, and launched. With a sudden burst of wind, Koga dashed backwards, twisting in mid-bound, and began sprinting. His feet dug into the ground, sending geysers of rock and dust into the air behind him. He bolted past the onrushing flock, sending them flying in all directions with the winds that flew in his path. He had to get back, now.

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Miroku was feeling exceptionally confused. Sango was, as he expected, still furious. Morgan had retreated timidly to the opposite side of the boat, and was making a true attempt to make as little eye contact as possible. Not that Miroku would really blame him. That had really looked like it hurt. He had been asking for it, but it was still hard not to take pity on the man.

The odd thing was the reaction. Every time that Miroku groped Sango, he managed to get off with a slap in the face, and maybe a kick. Certainly not a punch, and very definitely not… there. Miroku cringed just a little, in spite of himself. It was a mystery. Maybe… just maybe…

He glanced over at Sango. She glared back at him, eyes flashing dangerously.

Maybe not.

Putting the hormonally challenged part of his mind on hold for just a moment, he bent towards another thing that was bothering him.

Sesshoumaru hadn't moved for the entire voyage, his placid gaze still held sharply out to the horizon. Miroku could vaguely make out the slim line that was Japan separating the sea and the sky.

Miroku slowly began to scrutinize. Why exactly was the Tai-youkai with them? He was leaving his precious city to go to the mainland, but why would he do such a thing. Mayhap he was perusing InuYasha again? Miroku certainly hoped not. It would be really nice to be able to know. Maybe he could manage to get something out of the pirate.

Slowly, the monk meandered over to where the pirate was cringing, and cleared his throat softly to announce his presence.

Morgan crossed his arms, and glanced at the monk. There was a slight amount of resentment in his face. "I thought you two weren't a couple…" He muttered.

Miroku blinked, and looked around. "With the lady Rin?" He asked finally, "Well she is a little young, but…"

A bit of the resentment faded from the pirate's face, and he chuckled just a little. "Yeah, well, you'd have to take that one up with his highness Sesshoumaru." He muttered. Then he crossed his arms, and looked over at the seething demon slayer. "Got quite a temper, don't she. I like that in a woman."

Miroku had to nod. The pirate did have good taste.

"I don't get it. If you and that Sango lass aren't a couple, how come you always get off with just a love tap and I have to lose my manhood?"

Miroku blinked. The pirate was mirroring his thoughts almost directly. "Yes, well…" He began, not quite sure how to answer that. "I'm not quite certain either…"

Morgan nodded slowly. Then he snapped his fingers with a grin. "I get it." He muttered. "She must have a bit of a shine for ya, savy?"

"Excuse me?" Miroku asked, not quite understanding the pirate speech.

"She likes you lad." He said, punching him lightly in the shoulder. Miroku half choked. "How else could you get away with all that handling?"

Miroku's mind suddenly began racing. Could such a thing be possible? Certainly, it was an interesting proposition, and one that he couldn't complain about, but it would be grim to jump to conclusions. "I suppose it's possible…" He mused slowly.

Morgan nodded. "It's decided then." He declared. "T'would be a shame to let such a fine lady go to waste, so well se if we can't throw you two together in a life boat or something by the end of the voyage."
Miroku choked again, and began coughing. "I somehow doubt that that is the most prudent course of action." He said quickly.

"Nonsense!" Morgan laughed. "Take some risks, man! You'll get more out of life."

"I'd prefer to get more out of life by living longer." Miroku commented, holding up both hands.

Morgan stared at him for just a moment, then shrugged. "Fine." He conceded. "But I'll cook something up."

Miroku wasn't quite sure he liked how the pirate said that. However, now was not the time to pursue romantic strategies. Miroku needed some different information. "So," he began. "Do you know why exactly Sesshoumaru is on this voyage?"

Morgan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I'm not quite exactly sure. I'm more of a delivery boy that go drafted." He sighed. "Near as I can tell, it's like this. Sesshoumaru has some bad blood with some Chinese guy. Menomaru, I guess his name was." Morgan spat. "Well, this Menomaru guy needs a magic sword to make himself more powerful, and Sesshoumaru's going to look for this sword to keep Menomaru from getting it."

Miroku mulled over this for just a moment. "Magic sword…" He muttered, "So you know what the name of the sword was?"

Morgan shook his head. "Didn't catch the name, but there was a lot of talk about Sesshoumaru's brother."

Miroku nodded. Sesshoumaru was after InuYasha, then. Miroku nodded slowly. Sango would need to know about this. He glanced over at the demon slayer. She was casually punching the siding of the boat, causing splinters of wood to fall off. Miroku grimaced. Maybe… later.

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Death was growing increasingly impatient. She crossed her arms, and tapped one foot as she waited in the wolves den. She knew something was coming, but what? There was about to be a whole lot of dying here, and where there was dying, there were souls. And there are souls, the soul's thieves will come out to play, and that was exactly what she needed.

Watching the wolf medic, Mika, work on Ayame had gotten boring pretty quickly. The wolf medic knew what she was doing, so the wolf girl was probably going to make it. That is, if any of the wolves here made it. No way of knowing for sure. All Death did know is that she would have work here, very shortly.

There was a sudden exclamation from the outside of the cave, causing Death to look up from her vigil, and cock her head. The wolf prince, Koga, sprinted into the cave, face red and shoulders heaving. His flunkies, Ginta and Hikaku followed him closely, holding him up. "Hey, boss!" Ginta demanded. "What's going on?"

Koga shoved him away roughly. "Gather the pack!" He commanded roughly, "We're leaving!"

Ginta blinked. "Leaving?" He gasped. "Boss, what's going on?"

Koga turned, and spat. "Birds." He seethed. "Tons of them. We have to get out of here before they reach us."

Ginta gasped. "Another attack?"

Koga pushed him again, "Go get the pack, and move them out!" He growled. "We don't stand a chance, so hurry the hell up! Tell them to drop everything, and head south." He whirled around to Mika, stalking over to the medic and her patient. "Is she gonna make it?"

Mika looked up, and gave a half-hearted nod. "Probably, but she's in no condition to be carried anywhere."

Koga cursed softly, crossing his arms. "Hikaku," He commanded. "Go out and help Ginta to gather up the tribe. Herd them south as fast as you can. Me and Mika will catch up."

Hikaku nodded quickly, and dashed out of the cave.

"Can we risk carrying her?" Koga demanded, looking over Mika's shoulder.

Mika bit her lip. "I doubt it." She muttered. "If we took her along, we would have to move fast, and that would definitely mean us jerking her around just a bit." The she-wolf shook her head. "She probably wouldn't make it."

Koga looked up to the roof of the cave for just a few moments, then looked down. "Well, she's lived for longer than either of us thought she would, and she's just dead if we leave her here." Gently, the wolf prince leaned down, and propped the unconscious wolf up with one arm. "Go with the others. I'll catch up."

Death smiled lightly as the Mika nodded, and dashed out of the cave. Koga slowly picked up the girl, and slung her over his shoulder. "Dammit." He muttered, looking around the cave. "Why'd this have to happen now?" Death almost chuckled, in spite of herself. Why were mortals always convinced that she was so very far away? She walked among them, after all.

Casting one final glance around the cave, Koga sprinted out, sending little cracks spreading through the rock with his footfalls.

Death shook her head, and slowly meandered out of the cave. She scowled just a bit, and looked around. Man, they cleared out fast. Death surveyed the abandoned clearing. There were tools and weapons littered throughout the camp. From the looks of things, everyone had just dropped everything and left. There wasn't a single wolf left in the entire vale.

A number of angry screeches caught her ear, and she looked up. Like a furious storm cloud, the harpies were closing in. She nodded. No wonder they had left in a hurry. But one thing remained confused her. There was definitely a large amount of death heading towards this spot, but if all the wolves were gone, then who was going to be dying.

She watched placidly as the birds approached, and crossed her arms. This might get interesting. The birds landed like a swarm of locusts, covering everything in sight with a sudden storm of angry cries and feathers. Death winced just a little as one of them passed right through her, pushing a spear around with its muzzle. The cries of fury only began to increase as the birds flocked. There were no wolves here, and they weren't happy about it.

Death shook her head, and sat back and watched as the show unfolded. They danced on their pudgy, lethal legs, crying angrily at each other. They took to the air, and flew in great circles their hatred for the wolves burning in their calls. They would probably start killing each other pretty soon.

Death chuckled as she watched. Mortals always seemed to do anything they possibly could to meet her, but they seemed surprised when they finally did.

The force of nature didn't really notice the figure walking boldly through the flock of birds until the person was almost right on top of her.

Death blinked for just a moment at the person, cocking her head. Death didn't really see things only in terms of physical bodies. She saw things in terms of the souls inside, too. And for one of the very few times in her entire life, she was looking at someone she didn't recognize. She rubbed her eyes, and blinked once or twice to make sure they were working properly. Nope, still couldn't recognize the person.

The woman was short, with her black hair tied up in a tight bun, and decorated with feathers. She wore a kimono decorated with red splashes of die and ribbon, and in her hand she carried a huge battle fan which she held demurely over her face.

The birds were starting to notice her now, and they slowly turned towards the woman. She smiled red lipstick behind her fan, and snapped it shut with a sharp click. Her eyes were the color of blood. She smiled at the foremost bird, then bowed slightly to it. Even as she came up out or the bow, she snapped the fan open, and brought it up sharply.

Death had to grab her cape as a sudden rush of wind flashed into the valley, roaring like a dragon. The bird closest to the woman was snatched up like a rag doll, and thrown into the cliff with shattering force. With a sudden, fluid motion, the woman brought her fan down again, air swirling around her. "Dance of blades!" She whispered in a voice like steel, the wind around her vibrating with her words.

A little tingle ran down Death's spine as the first few birds were cut down like confetti. Her eyes narrowed as the birds suddenly surged forward, finding a few target for their rage. With a few graceful twists of her fan, the woman sent screaming gust after gust of wind into the mass of feathers, slamming birds against the rock earth and flinging them into the sky like rag dolls. What exactly was going on here?

It was only a few minute until the woman's work was done. Demurely, she raised her fan to cover her face again, and bowed to the fallen beasts. Then, yet another snap of her fan. The closest bird rose once again to it's feet, and began to gurgle softly. Death took an involuntary breath. The bird's skull had a huge dent in it. The thing had no soul. Slowly death turned to look at the woman, and shook her head once.

A necromancer.