A/N: Just as a heads up to my readers, I will be finishing this story soon. I have noticed a rapid decline in the number of reviewers, which has led me to believe less people are reading this than there originally. In addition, College Life seems to be exceedingly popular, despite its slow progression.

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Till Evermore: Is that sarcasm?

Chapter 18: Jewel Theft

"I have brought her Naraku." Kagura told her master as she took a knee. She presented Kagome. "Is my lord pleased?"

"Indeed." Naraku replied in his ever so chilling voice. "You are dismissed Kagura. I must speak to this girl alone." Kagura took her leave and Naraku shifted his attention to Kagome. "How do you like my castle Kagome?" Kagome continued to stare at him with hatred. "Don't look at me like that. You are wishing I was dead aren't you? Well, wishes of the weak are like raindrops on the sea, they count as nothing." Kagome still made no response. "Have you anything to say? Oh well I never cared much for small talk either way. I believe you have something that rightfully belongs to me." He took several steps towards Kagome and cupped her chin in his hand.

"Don't touch me." Kagome growled at him.

"You are in no position to give me orders girl. Tell me, do you still carry the shikon shards?" Naraku asked.

"Go to hell."

"I know you have them. Give them to me." Naraku demanded.

"Piss off!" Kagome shouted back.

"Feisty today, aren't we? Has it occurred to you that I could kill you now if I saw fit?" Kagome continued to glare. "I get the impression you do not fear me. Do you think your half-breed and his motley pack will come to your rescue?"

"You're one to talk. And they will come for me that I know." Kagome answered with an arrogant tone. "I think it would be in your best interest to release me before Inuyasha and the others find me and end your miserable life."

"Do not mock me. It's something you wouldn't live to regret, because you wouldn't be living much longer." Naraku hissed. "Thank you for the gift by the way." Naraku tore the vial containing the sacred jewel fragments off her neck. "Kohaku!" he called.

"Yes Lord Naraku?" the mindless boy replied, appearing as if out of nowhere.

"Take this girl to a cell and keep watch. I will let you know if I'll need her." Naraku dismissed Kohaku with a wave of his hand.

"As my lord commands." Kohaku said, dragging Kagome away from the main chamber.

"Master Miroku, so you think we will be resting soon?" Hachi asked. He was really beginning to wear himself out.

"Hachi, what did I tell you?" Miroku asked.

"I know Master, but I don't think I'll be able to continue much longer, I can only hold my shape for so long, and it's been several days." Hachi complained. "I know you love her, but you're asking the impossible of me."

"Fine." Miroku sighed, finally giving in. "Set us down over there in that clearing."

Hachi landed in the clearing and reverted back into his true form as a raccoon. "Thank you Master. I thought I was going to die of exhaustion." the shape-shifter thanked his master as hi wiped sweat from his brow.

Miroku offered his friend a string of coppers. "Coins for your trouble." Hachi accepted the payment. "I will continue by myself from here on in."

"Why? You will never reach your destination on foot!" Hachi exclaimed.

"I will not halt until I have found Kagome. You rest if you must, but I will journey on." Miroku said.

Hachi was about to protest, but he was unable to say anything before he was interrupted. "Miroku! MIROOOOKUUU!" Shippo, who was running as if the devil himself was after him, leapt onto Miroku and held on to his robes like he would never let go. "I'm so glad I found you! Inuyasha sent me to find you all by myself! It was so scary!"

"Did you find Lady Kagome? Where is she?" Miroku asked with urgency.

"Naraku. Naraku is the one behind her capture." Shippo said morbidly.

Miroku's anxious expression turned to one of anger and fear. He gripped his staff so tightly his knuckles turned sheet white. "If he has harmed one hair on her head…" Miroku growled.

"Come on then!" Shippo urged him, tugging on the hem of his robe. "I can take you to his castle. If we hurry we can get there by tomorrow!"

"What about Sango? We need to contact her as well."

"Why not send Hachi?" Shippo suggested.

Miroku smiled at the young kitsune fox. "You're very intelligent for your age Shippo." Miroku turned his attention to his raccoon friend. "Hachi, you must make haste to the southeast. When you catch up with Sango, lead her west. We need our group in full force if we are to stage an assault on Naraku's castle."

"Yes Master." Hachi pulled you his leaf and transformed into the fly-happy creature. Miroku and Shippo saw him off as he flew as quickly as he could to the southeast to find Sango and Kirara.

"He is off. Come Shippo, show me the way. Kagome is in even greater danger than I would've suspected." Miroku said gravely. Shippo darted off in the direction he had come from and Miroku followed in pace.

"Miroku, you know we won't be able to attack tomorrow." Shippo asked the monk.

Miroku was perplexed. "Why not? If Sango has joined us by then…"

"Tomorrow night is the night of the new moon. Inuyasha loses his demonic powers then. We won't be able to raid Naraku's lair without Inuyasha at full strength." Shippo reasoned.

"True. We can expect lots of resistance once we enter Naraku's miasma of evil. We will most likely encounter Kagura and a crew of rag-tag demons. Maybe even Kohaku." Miroku added. "But I will not let Kagome stay in Naraku's hands one second longer than necessary! We must go as fast as possible Shippo. We will need to get there before tomorrow evening if the new moon is in cycle tomorrow."

"Right." Shippo agreed picking up his pace.

Miroku made a silent vow. "If Kagome has so much as a scratch on her, I swear I will kill Naraku, even if he manages to bring me down with him."