My mind has run a marathon of thoughts, leaving loneliness to abuse me and jealousy to pick up the pieces...

"Careful..." Kagome warned, rising from her perch. A low growl rumbled in the campsite, and Kagura suddenly found herself hesitating, her hand pausing just above her head. InuYasha was a currently more of a threat than an ally. Convincing the others, she was sure she could accomplish, but him...that would really be a challenge.

"Here." She dug the feather from her dark hair and threw it to the ground at Kagome's feet. The miko raised an eyebrow and bent down to retrieve the object, only for a clawed hand to snatch her wrist.

"Are you stupid?" He asked. Kagome withdrew her hand and stepped back, a very hesitant InuYasha kneeling in front of her. Silence fell for only a moment before the hanyou's voice quietly spoke up. "What the hell is this, you wench?" He was calm. Way too calm. He disappeared in an instant, reappearing just in front of the former sorceress, one hand pressing Tetsusaiga to her throat while the other held up the offering. "Now, I know you're lying! I think I'll just kill you right here. That way, Naraku's plan will be useless."

"InuYasha, what..." Kagome started, a pulse suddenly running through her body before she could take a step. "Jewel shards...a lot of them." Kagura smiled over the blade.

"Correct." She nodded, wincing when a small amount of pressur was applied to the sword. InuYasha allowed the feather to whisk to the ground, the tiny bag still dangling from one of his claws before he tossed it to Kagome. "I took as many as I could before he banished me." Her eyes left the miko and met the golden gaze of the hanyou before her. "You have no reason to doubt my intentions."

"The hell I don't!"

"InuYasha!" He looked over his shoulder to where Kagome stood, the others gathering around her. "I...I believe her." She poured the jewels into her palm and looked up, biting her lip. "I think she's telling the truth."

"As do I." Miroku agree, finding his spot next to Kagome. Sango followed closely, Shippo on one shoulder and Kirara on the other.

"As much as I hate to admit it..." The slayer shrugged, avoiding the burning amber glare that was set on each of them.

"You're joking." He stated calmly, reeling back slightly to remove some of the pressure from the human woman's throat. Each individually shook their head. He trembled for a moment and lowered his head, eventually stepping back to sheath his sword. "You've been spared..." he whispered, casually walking away, only to briefly pause to add, "this time." With that, he disappeared into the shadows.

"Oh, InuYasha..." Kagome shook her head and followed after him. Kagura inwardly laughed, only smiling at the remaining four.

'I did it! I will have my revenge! That is...if I can convince InuYasha...'

There was not much light to help her see her path, and she pushed at the limbs and twigs that were constantly appearing to slap her in the face. "InuYasha!" She called quietly with no response. 'Oh, great...now, he's ticked off.' "InuYasha!" Again, nothing. "Gee whiz!" She complained quietly, muttering a few indirect curses of her own. The quiet sound of moving water drew her attention, signaling a river was nearby. 'Ah-ha!' She tore through the remaining foliage before the clearing, emerging on the bank and instantly finding whom she was seeking. "InuYasha?"

He was reclined on the edge of the bank, leaning back onto one hand while the other was occupied with tossing rocks into the river. He gave a quick glare out of the corner of his eye. "What?" He grumbled, pitching another stone. Kagome smiled and moved closer, running her hands down the back of her skirt as she took a seat next to him.

"What's wrong?" She questioned with genuine concern.

"Nothing."

"Liar." She accused, narrowing her eyes with irritation. 'He feels outdone...' Her mind reasoned. Her face instantly softened and a smile rose up from nowhere. "I'm sorry." His hand paused in midair as he turned to look at her.

"For what?" He asked, lowering the rock he was about to throw. Kagome scooted closer, leaning forward slightly.

"I shouldn't have taken control like that. You were handling things, and I should have stayed quiet." She admitted, turning to look out onto the water. The hanyou eyed her suspiciously, raising an eyebrow as he leaned closer. "What?" She asked, suddenly feeling his eyes upon her.

"This was way too easy." He sneered, bouncing the rock in his hand.

"What was easy?"

"You...giving in to apologize."

Her eyes narrowed. "I apologized because I was wrong..." she snapped in defense, satisfying the hanyou's insinuation. He turned his head away, finally throwing the pebble in his hand. "...and you sure as heck wouldn't apologize." She added, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. InuYasha smirked.

"I knew there was more to it." He stated simply. Kagome's mouth gaped. She could not believe her words had not provoked him out of his strange mood.

"Talk about easy." She muttered.

"What?"

"You are really starting to scare me, InuYasha." She shook her head, getting to her feet. She dusted her skirt off and turned to head back to camp, knowing they had a lot of planning to do.

"Huh? Hey, Kagome! Wait just a damn minute!"

'Yep,' she smirked, looking over her shoulder at the stomping hanyou, 'that was easy alright.'

The small demon walked silently behind her master, her mirror held tightly against her chest. She did not know where they were going and only registered the putrid smell that lie ahead. All she knew was that he needed her.

"Ah, so, you do want to come out, don't you?" Her master questioned with a laugh. He had obviously seen their target before her. He stopped, granting her silent permission to stand at his side, her white hair flowing in the wind. The hideous beast before them pulsated and growled, emerging from its cocoon, dozens of tentacles whipping about. Looking away from the scene, she turned to her creator.

"What shall I do, master Naraku?" She asked in a voice barely above a bland whisper. Naraku smiled maliciously.

"Why, show your sister her target, Kanna." He outstretched a hand as if to broadly introduce them. The young demon nodded and took a few steps forward, pushing her mirror out slightly. The beast hissed and craned her neck forward, cocking her head as she looked into the mirror. A silver haired hanyou appeared inside the looking glass, following closely behind a strangely dressed mortal girl. Her task presented itself silently in her mind.

'Kill the one called InuYasha, and bring the girl to me...alive. If anyone interferes, do not hesitate to dispose of them.'

"Yes, master Naraku." The demon gave a small bow and turned away from the mirror. Kanna stepped back to Naraku's side and watched her new sibling disappear into the darkness.

'This one holds a small surprise for our witty hanyou...'

"What of my sister?" Kanna asked, her face showing no emotion. Naraku laughed cruelly, his eyes narrowing.

"She is your sister no longer."

I'll try to update my other stories pretty soon since so many people have asked for them. Feel free to email me with questions or comments.