Inuyasha ignored the horse-demon's pronouncement and dodged the first blow. He seemed determined not to lose his temper as he continued on the path he had set. Kagome followed, feeling somewhat confident that Shiyou would not strike her. Miroku eyed the demon, then he, too, followed Inuyasha, bringing Shippou with him. Shippou went to make a raspberry as he passed, but Miroku shushed at him violently. Inuyasha's and Kagome's self-assurance did not seem the same in his case.

Shiyou stomped off, thoroughly furious. He always had his way! He would simply have to try again with a different approach. He knew the brothers disliked each other... no, hated. If that was the case, why wouldn't the half demon tell him what he knew. Surely he wouldn't mind if I overthrew the Sesshoumaru.

When out of range of Shiyou's ears, Kagome picked up the argument from earlier. 'I wasn't finished, just so you know,' she said to the hanyou's back.

'I don't care if you're finished. All I care is that that stupid pony leaves me alone. I'm damn tired of him.'

Miroku glanced from the school girl's face to the half demon's. Inuyasha seemed to have meant 'tired' literally. He looked it, and more now than ever. The monk supposed life might finally be catching up with him.

Sango joined them again three days later, looking better; not so pale. Kagome started talking again, even if it was only to Sango and Inuyasha livened up a bit. He had at least regained his temper. 'Damn tree branch in the middle of the damn road!' he shouted when he tripped.

'Yes, let's all shout at the tree branch,' Kagome said sarcastically to Sango. 'That's definitely going to fix it.'

Sango snickered.

For the next two weeks Sesshoumaru let his curiosity lead him in the direction of the mysterious force. In his travels he journeyed passed the boundaries of his lands and into the northern mountains. He had obtained little sleep, for the discomfort in closing his eyes beneath the darkening sky was unnerving... and unnatural.

Rin amused herself with new sites and Jaken endlessly questioned the youkai's motives for leaving his domain, much to Sesshoumaru's annoyance. With each night, the energy grew stronger, and eventually he associated it with an undying evil; something that thrived in darkness. His companions remained oblivious. Sesshoumaru anxiously awaited the night of the new moon, when surely all would be revealed.

Blood by blood shall we be bound.

Blood of my heart and of yours.

Once the new moon to set our path.

Twice the new moon to name us true.

Once the sword for remembrance lost.

Twice the sword for the price he did pay.

Kagome noticed Inuyasha becoming restless with the passing days and once asked him what was bothering him, to no avail. She tried again. 'Inuyasha?'

'Someone's watching us.'

Miroku and Sango looked into the woods that surrounded them.

'Shiyou?' Kagome asked.

Inuyasha shook his head. 'No. Kagura, maybe. She might be able to cover her scent. I can't think of any one else.'

'What would she want?' Miroku questioned. 'Unless Naraku might be close by.' Sango glanced up at Miroku with an agreeable expression on her face.

'I don't want to be here when we fight Naraku,' Shippou piped up. 'It's too scary and I'm just a kid.'

No one responded.

Kouga, having recovered, pursued the horse-demon so that he might get his revenge. Ginta and Hakkaku trailed along in his wake, a little uneasy about battle. They trusted, though, that their pack leader knew what he was doing. Damn... what is he doing so far north. He's definitely left his territory. Any decent demon would take his head. He sped up. That's my job... and mutt-face better not get in my way.

If you haven't already noticed, they're kind of all headed in the same direction. By the way, this story is going to be ending soon. A few more chapters, in which we will see another new moon, meet Inutaishou, and have our final battle with Naraku. But don't worry... they will be really really long chapters... with lots of action! -grins-

InuNightWalker: It is tiff... although I suppose there is more than one way of putting it, and '...' is just the same as "...". I put thought in italics. Thanks for the compliments.

Sailor-Saturn-415: Kagome doens't really look all that different... just in her eyes. Most of the change is in her personality- temperment.

Wow, this chapter has a lot of breaks... hehe.