I have noticed my chapters are growing longer and my writing is improving. At least I think so. As for the flow of the story its steadier than I expected it to be. If I wrote this a couple months ago it wouldn't be as good. And as much as I hate to say it, my english teacher was right. By discussing the elements of literture, your writing improves. Of course I still make many errors (mostly spelling) and I am sorry about that...anyways...

Disclaimer: Since one of my friends complained that my disclaimer was getting old, I am going to do something different...I don't own Inuyasha...end of story

Chapter Thirteen: Search for the Devil

"You were in league with Naraku the whole time?" Kiyoshi asked in disbelief. He was still pinned under Kai with her blade drawn across his throat. He could feel the pressure of it against his skin. When he talked the blade vibrated. He looked into Kai's eyes and saw dark panes of glass. The swirling orbs that contained vigorous energy, and mischief were dead and cold. These weren't Kai's eyes. This wasn't Kai.

"Yeah." The imposter said casualty, albeit mockingly. "I was to bring your head to him and I would get the Shikon Jewel. But I have to say this entertainment is a better reward."

"Who the hell are you and what did you do to Kai?" He demanded. The blade on his throat left a red mark.

"You are a funny man." She laughed, but then was no mirth in her voice, only mechanical apathy. "I am the real Kai. The Kai you know is nothing but a reflection of your own desires. That Kai is dead." Kiyoshi's face was filled with anxiety. "Hmm. Did you flatter yourself into thinking that, that Kai loved you?" Kiyoshi was silent. "My, my you are a fool."

Kiyoshi's eyes narrowed in hate at his former friend. Her words like salt thrown on to his open wounds. His heart was filled with hatred. He flung the imposter off of him. She rolled backwards onto her feet. Bringing her dagger out in front of her as if it was a sword. Kiyoshi grabbed the Akahoshii off the ground. He didn't seem to care that it was still in its useless state. He readied it. "You are a fool." Kai said.

Kiyoshi smack her across her face with the flat side of the blade. She was stunned for a second before she leaped into the air. In midair she threw her dagger at Kiyoshi; it embedded itself in his right shoulder. He cursed and looked up and saw she was gone. He sensed that she wasn't far. He followed her retreating scent. For a second it disappeared. Kiyoshi stopped in his tracks. Where could she have gone?

Kagura appeared with her fan and a flock of controlled humans behind her. Her red eyes were blank as she was a slave to Naraku's will. However, she was more animated than Kai was. Despite the absence of her insults and her emotionless eyes, a bystander would not have known she didn't have control. She crept up to the village with an evil expression on her porcelain face. She was ready to kill. No, she was ready to massacre.

All feeling was lost, she half-expected herself to levitate in the air and hang there eternally. Then her feet would dangle down as she slowly drifted onward, into battle. In distance she saw Sesshomaru, that woman who followed him, the annoying toad like demon, and Kagome. They were rushing away from a translucent barrier of a deep yet radiant shade purple. She knew that had to be Kai's.

So, Naraku thought as he saw through her eyes. Did Kai find Kiyoshi? He released a small cackle that sounded unearthly. Naraku was sitting in the comfort in his lair watching his pawns in work. This was too easy. He was playing with ants. After he attacked the queen the nest scattered unable to strike back or plan efficiently. Seeing this made him smile as he decided to zoom in on Inuyasha's progress.

"What do you think I am goin' to do!" Inuyasha demanded of Kaede, who had tried, however unsuccessfully to coax a plan of some kind from him. Miroku was the schemer and unfortunately wasn't here, but in the grasps of Naraku. Although everyone preferred anybody but Inuyasha's strategy, then were left with no choice. They rationalized this decision but claiming there was no other way.

Sango had to part with her children again. It chilled her how they seemed so adapted to her extended absence. She sighed. Since Naraku's return, she was called to fight or to train, and she no longer could enjoy the delight of being a mother. To demons who were attacking she wasn't the mother of four, but just a demon slayer. Sango never thought that her two lifestyles would ever collide. They collided, however the two could never mix. She found it impossible to be both. Resentment grew into hatred toward Naraku for making her sacrifice that part of her life. But what would she do after he was destroyed?

The veteran demon slayer shook her head dismissing her gloomy thoughts as something in the distance triggered her alarm. She saw Kagome running into the village with a woman in a red kimono at her heels. Sango rushed to greet the women. "Sango. Something has happened to Kai!" Kagome said.

Her face paled. "What happened?" She asked as she finally found her voice. "Is she hurt?" Kagome was short of breath and she tried to calm her racing heartbeat before answering.

But then Rin spared Sango the wait. "Lord Sesshomaru smelt Kaiaya's blood behind her barrier. From what he said, she must have been injured severely." Rin's young face was as pale as Sango's. Despite the fact she didn't know Kai very well, she was deeply concerned about the woman who has been like her niece. Although she may have been too young to full understand the evilness of Naraku the first time he tormented everyone, she was now fully aware of his wickedness.

"What happened to you, Sango?" Kagome asked sensing her friend's distress. Sango looked away.

"Kohaku and Miroku are kidnapped by Naraku. We were going straight out there to help them, but we must find Kai first."

"Actually, I believe Kai is on her way to Naraku's as we speak." A voice said from behind them. Kasumi appeared in all her dark glory. Kagome's eyes flew open as she had a flashback of her last encounter with the raven witch. She was shouting to the boar demon who was fighting with Inuyasha. She provoked him and then distracted him from his battle with Inuyasha. She didn't know whether or not it was intention, but it wouldn't help her see her in a different light. She was no doubt Naraku's minion. But then what is she doing here? Was she a part of Naraku's grand scheme?

Kasumi shuddered at the unwelcoming stares she received. Her face was thoughtful for a split second, but returned to its usual glossy stone expression.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome asked. Kasumi sighed as if bored as if bored of answering questions. Kagome quickly drew her bow and aimed it point blank at the girl's forehead. "Didn't give me an attitude young lady, I get enough of it from my daughter."

The corner of Kasumi's mouth twitched. Thinking of Kai, she muttered. "I suppose you do." But nobody heard her comment. Kagome repeated her question her tone threatening. It was obvious she wasn't going to ask again, but possibly allow her grip to slip. "I come to warn Inuyasha about Kohaku and Kai."

"What do you know about Kai?" Kagome demanded, acting very much like her husband and daughter. She pressed in arrow deeper into the girl's forehead.

"Kai is-." Kasumi began but Sango cut her off.

"Kai has gone mad. Naraku pulled another one of tricks, like with Inuyasha and Kikyo." Kagome gasped. "This girl came to warn us. She has agreed to lead us to Naraku."

Kagome allowed this to sink it. Slowly, she lowered her bow. "But isn't she Naraku's minion?"

Kasumi snarled, but realizing seconds afterwards it was true. She pulled her sleeve back to reveal the metal shackle. "Not by choice."

The older miko swallowed. She did feel a small sense of pity for the woman. Being a slave to Naraku no doubt was hell, but she still wondered if this was just her acting a role to lure them into Naraku's trap.

"What do I have to do to make you trust me?" Kasumi asked; her eyes were lowered to the ground. She looked so pitiful as if expecting a hard blow. Kagome felt her heart warming up to the girl. But she knew she mustn't fall for the trick.

"I'll let you know when the time comes." She said. Inuyasha approached and armed for battle.

Suddenly Sesshomaru arrived and Inuyasha growled. "Hello to you too, little brother." He said his voice lacking his usual coldness. "Kagura has come."

"What?" Everyone asked. Sesshomaru sighed. He hated talking to clueless humans, with the exception of one or two…

"Kagura has been sent this way to destroy the village."

"But we don't have time to kill her. We have to find Naraku." Inuyasha cried. Sesshomaru was beginning to lose his temper.

"Fool. You go after Naraku. I will stay and defeat Kagura." He said directly. Everyone paused. He volunteered to protect the village? Rin's face beamed with pride. When he looked at her, a slight tug of the corner revealed his true feeling. Kagome noticed this exchange and knew for a fact what has changed. Rin had melted Sesshomaru's heart, much like she had done for Inuyasha. She made a mental note to congratulate the younger woman later.

"Then it's settled." Inuyasha said, although he was still dazed by his half-brother's action.

Shippo and Chandra were lying in the fields. "Inuyasha won't let me come!" Shippo complained. "I am not coward anymore." He added extra stress on the last word. At least he is willing to admit he was a coward, Chandra thought as she twirled one of her dark copper curls. Her keen fuchsia eyes were thoughtful. She rolled on her stomach and looked Shippo who was on his back staring into the sky.

"We can follow them." Chandra suggested, almost modestly. Then her expression darkened. "They don't realize that I am not as helpless as I look." The seriousness in her face made her look ten years older. Shippo was taken back.

He sat up, propped up on his elbows. He placed his right hand of hers. "I never thought you were helpless." She smiled, but her eyes were still sad.

"You're just saying that."

"No," Shippo said, his face serious. "I mean it."

Chandra sighed and coyly averted her eyes. A faint blush was evident on her small round face. If only he realized just how different I am than I appear, she thought. But then he wouldn't feel the same if he knew about my secret...

Chandra rolled back into her back. Grateful that her emotions didn't show through her voice she announced. "Let's follow them after they leave."

"Yeah," Shippo said. "I wanna prove that I am strong!"

"Me too." Chandra whispered weakly. "Me too…"

Heheh...Chandra has a secret. What could it be?

plz plz plz REVIEW!

-SMR