Disclaimer: Merfair points one of the legendary fangs at Rumiko Takahashi. "I want to own Inuyasha! Muuuhaahaa! Once you're gone it'll be mine!"
"Ano.." Takahashi points at the sword, "That's the Tenseiga."
"Oh damn.." Sesshoumaru walks up to Merfair who is crouched on the ground sniffling. His puts his clawed hand on her shoulder.
"Now you know my pain…damn you Takahashi! Giving me, the Youkai Lord Sesshoumaru, a sword that doesn't even work!"
"It does. just not it the way you want it too..snicker." Sesshoumaru glares at his creator.
"By the way…why did you have to make my inu youkai form so Goddamn Fluffy!" Merfair giggles at the Youkai Lord.
"Hehe. Fluffy-sama!"
"Shut Up!" Merfair stops and runs for her life, the inu running after her..(why hasn't caught up with her? He is rather lightning fast.who cares this just a stupid disclaimer.) Meanwhile, Rumiko Takahashi is just watching and sweat-dropping.
"Well another one bites the dust."

Chapter 2:

The group made their way into the small hut, very similar to Kaede's. Miroku gently laid the comatose inu hanyou next to the fire. Ukago sat down beside him, studying his features. "What business do you have with me?" She said simply, looking at Kagome.

"He won't wake up. We've tried everything." Kagome said; her eyes still puffy from crying.

"So, why come to me? I don't have time for petty illnesses." This angered the schoolgirl.

"Kaede-obasan sent us to you! Because she couldn't figure out what to do! And besides what else are you doing? Don't have time-"

"Kagome-chan! That's enough!" Sango placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder. Kagome sat back down. Ukago sighed.

"I apologize for being such an old nanny goat. Living alone all the time wears down my social skills." She placed her hand on her cheek.

"Apology accepted, Ukago-sama." Miroku said eloquently. Kagome was still angered, but being the person she was, she let it go. "Now that we are all settled down, Kagome explain what happened." Ukago nodded.

"I can tell you have a strong bond with this boy." Kagome blushed. "Now explain to me what happened." Kagome hesitated. "If you want me to help you, explain."

"Don't rush me." She was beginning to dislike this lady. She began her storyline, "It began with a battle with a harpy. The harpy screamed, causing him to be able to read minds of others. After another battle of the harpies he said he was cured of the mind-reading, but I think it may be what caused this anyways."

"Even though the hanyou-"

"His name is Inuyasha." Kagome inserted quietly.

"Even though Inuyasha said he was cured from the mind-reading from the second battle, he most likely was not."

"He wouldn't lie, would he? Inuyasha told me he was cured." Kagome was puzzled.

"Well, in any case after a matter of time, depending on the strength of the person, the curse of the harpy entraps the victim inside his or her own mind, thus making them fall into a deep sleep." She said calmly. "Eventually, the person will die from lack of energy."

"Is there anyway to reverse this curse?" The demon huntress asked.

"Yes, but it takes time and patience." They all breathed a sigh of relief; there was a solution. Inuyasha would live. Kagome took hold of one of Inuyasha's warm hands, running her fingertips over the long nails. She squeezed it tightly.

"How can we achieve this? Is there a certain herb we need?" She said still having her hand in his.

'Why is my hand so warm?' Inuyasha sat up, rubbing his eyes. He was still in the dreaded prison-like room. It was nearly pitch black now. 'Why is it growing darker?' He got up and walked around, making no effort to escape. He had already tried everything. The warmth in his hand grew. 'It's like someone's holding my hand. Kagome?' Growing weary from wandering around, he slumped back onto the floor.

"Yes, there is a medicinal part to the cure. The rest is up to you, my dear girl." Ukago flashed a smirky smile. Kagome looked at her blankly, not wanting to give away the true façade she planned to. "The herb is called, akushuu. It'll help him be able to hear the thoughts better while he's trapped. More than likely he can hear your thoughts right now." She looked at Kagome. "Physical contact is the rest of the solution. It will force him back; making him warm will make him comfortable." Ukago was hinting at something, but she still wasn't letting on to what had to be done precisely. The group waited. "I must speak with the girl alone, please." Miroku and Sango looked at each other and briskly got up hand in hand. They casually walked out the door without question. Kagome grew nervous to know what had to be done. She had let go of Inuyasha's hand and was now running her fingers up and down his cheek, a nervous gesture. If he was awake he would have never let her touch him so openly, especially in front of someone. "In order to bring him back you must lie with him."

"Are you serious? He's not even awake! It's like I'm a necrophiliac!"

"I don't mean it in the sexual sense, child." Ukago sighed. "You must remove his clothes and yours and you must sleep with him in the same bed. You must keep close contact with him every night. You must tell him what you're doing for him through your thoughts. It will make him realize what he has left in this life. His life-force will increase, making him be able to break the curse. Do you understand this?"

"Yes, Ukago-sama." She replied, her face red like a beet. "Will this actually work?"

"It has worked every time. My other patients actually had fun coming back afterwards." She laughed. Kagome gulped, thinking what might happen when he actually woke up. What would he think? Kagome shuddered at the thought. It might tear them apart, but them again it could bring them together. "Well, child? Will you be able to complete this part of the cure?" Kagome looked down at Inuyasha's peaceful face.

"I will do anything to get him well." She stated firmly with confidence. Ukago smiled softly.

"Alright then. We will begin treatment tonight."

With the monk and demon exterminator

"What could she possibly have to do that we wouldn't be able to hear about?" Sango questioned and Miroku gave a look of: c'mon now. "You couldn't mean something that……personal?"

"Many curses need the physical contact to break them. Hmmm…I wonder-"

"Don't even think like that, Houshi-sama." Sango slapped his shoulder.

"Why do I deserve that horrible name? It's so cold." He whined. Sango leaned over to him and kissed his cheek.

"Better?" She smiled. He smirked back.

"Hardly." He pounced her to the ground, hugging her close. "Much better."

"Miroku! Get off now! What if someone sees us?" Sango said muffled underneath him.

"Please, Sango. How often is it that we get to be alone together?" She gradually relaxed under him, pulling her arms around his back.

"Mmm. Nice and warm." She snuggled into his robe. He struggled to keep his composure. The monk got up, keeping the chestnut haired girl in his arms. "I hope Kagome can go through with it."

"Well, if she has any questions, I'll refer her to you."

"Haha, very funny." She grazed her teeth through the robe to his nipple. He gasped in surprise.

"Sango. Now that's not nice." Miroku gazed down into her eyes and smiled. "You are truly beautiful, Sango." She blushed bright red and nuzzled her face back into his robe.

"No I'm not." He sighed.

"When I tell you something of that sort you're supposed to just shut up and kiss me, not disagree and get shy." He laughed, taking her chin in his fingertips, lifting her gaze meet his.

"Miroku." He was about to kiss the girl when a certain schoolgirl appeared on the scene.

"Ahem!"

"Kagome!"

"Kagome-sama! What brings you out here?" Miroku asked as the two separated.

"Sorry to interrupt." She cast her eyes downward.

"No, no Kagome-chan. It's alright. So, what are you up to? How's this cure supposed to work?"

"I know; that's all you need to know. We just need to look for this akushuu herb. Ukago-sama said it's out here in the forest. It has pointed leaves and is a blue color. It also has a kinda rotten odor to it too. I think that's the only way we'll find it tonight. She said it should be by the stream." Kagome explained. "I need you to help me find it." She said somberly. Miroku and Snago just looked at her with worried eyes.

"We'll gladly help. No worries, Kagome-sama." Miroku smiled.

"What are we waiting for?" Sango said cheerily. She linked arms with the raven haired girl. Miroku pouted.

"What about me?"

"You're the man. You'll lead us to the stream!" Sango replied, trying to get some sort of a smile out of her friend. Nothing worked.

"I think I heard running water in this direction." Miroku pointed with his staff which made the rings jingle. All the way to the stream silence followed. The mood was tense with worry over the young girl. It wasn't like her to be so sad. She would normally, when faced with a hard situation, fake happiness, but not this time. "Here we are. Now, a rotten odor, eh?" They split up along the shore. The only sounds were made by the stream.

"Ugh……that is a terrible smell. Now where is it coming from?" Sango asked herself. "I found it!" Kagome and the monk came rushing over.

"Oh what a horrific smell." Miroku said as he plugged his nose.

"Smells like……ass." Kagome said softly to herself as she too plugged her nose. "Thank you guys. Now, shall we head back to Ukago-sama's?" She grabbed the smelly plant from Sango and headed back to the hut. "You two can be alone again. I truly am sorry for interrupting you earlier." She said with her back turned, walking away. When she was out of earshot, Sango began to speak.

"She's not herself at all. I don't know what to do to help." Sango wilted to the ground; Miroku wrapped his arms around her. She began to cry, "She's helped me countless times, but I can't do anything now. I feel so useless."

"You are not useless, Sango. You are being the best friend you can. Kagome-sama is just grief stricken. It's not your fault. Never blame yourself for this." He kissed her tears away. He soothed her and she quieted in his embrace.

Kagome entered the hut with the rotten plant. "Bring me the akushuu, dear. I'll make the potion now." Ukago saw that the girl was suffering, so, she tried her hardest to be sympathetic and careful of her tone. Kagome sat by the fire, watching the flames flicker. The door flap was pushed aside and Miroku and Sango came and sat down.

"Wow, that plant is strong. What was it called again?"

"Akushuu." Ukago stated simply as she mushed the plant with a pestle.

"Very fitting name." Sango said with a nasal tone because she plugged her nose shut.

"Monk."

"Yes?"

"I will need you to transport this young man to my other hut once we're done here." Ukago asked.

"Okay, will do." He responded.

"Demon Huntress," Sango looked at the old woman, "I will need you to carry the futons." Sango nodded. Ukago added a few more ingredients and mixed them before finally standing up. "We are ready. I will guide you to my additional hut. Kagome and Inuyasha are to spend every night in there together until he is healed. No one must enter the hut, unless I say so. Is that understood?" The monk, taijya, and demon cat all nodded. Miroku then hoisted the hanyou onto his shoulder, while Sango carried the futons. Kirara waited outside, already transformed. The monk lifted Inuyasha onto the fire cat. Ukago took the lead and all followed. "The path is rough up ahead, please take heed. I do not need to treat anyone else." The path was filled with rocks that jutted out of the soil. Everyone tripped at least once, except for the old woman who was accustomed to the path's treachery. They finally came upon a weary little abandoned hut. "It isn't much to look at, but it is shelter and private." She added. Kagome looked at her. They entered the hut and Miroku had the task of lighting the fire. Sango set up the two futons, separate. "No, dear. Put them together please." Ukago instructed. Sango looked at her with a face of disbelief.

"Please do what she says, Sango-chan." Kagome stepped next to her.

"Are you sure?" Sango asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine, trust me." She smiled at her friend. This warmed Sango's heart and she did as she was told. After the futons were set up, the unconscious hanyou was laid gently onto one side of the futon. "Thank you everyone."

"Not a problem, Kagome-sama." Miroku smiled. Sango came up to the girl and hugged her tightly.

"Sango, you're acting like my mother." Kagome laughed.

"I'm only worried for you, Kagome-chan. Please be safe."

"I will."

"Now, you remember what I taught you, Kagome?" Ukago said as she rose from Inuyasha's side. Kagome only nodded. "Good, I will stop by tomorrow morning to see how everything went, but remember results won't be immediate. We must repeat them until he awakens. If he doesn't awaken in a week after all the steps, then all is lost. Seven days, seven steps, remember." They all headed out the door, leaving the young girl to her work.