"I don't like this." Inuyasha was understandably skeptical. When Miroku did not immediately agree with him, he added, "The kid's gotta be acting, right?"

Miroku wasn't sure what to think. It had taken them a while to find this place, a small empty building that had once been a temple, where they could take shelter for a while. And in all that time, the mask—if it was one—had not slipped even once. Kohaku appeared to genuinely have no memory of his past or what had happened to the mysterious disappearing castle, much less any remembrance of his own sister. Sango was determinedly undeterred. Understandably so, it seemed to Miroku.

It was, quite frankly, too good to be true. And yet. Deep down, he wanted to hope, just like Sango. "It doesn't seem that way."

"You saying you trust him?"

"Not at all."

The hanyou scowled. "Then why's he in there with Kagome and Sango?" He did not ask why he and Miroku were out here, rather than in there.

Miroku really couldn't explain it. He didn't trust Kohaku at all… but at the same time, he did. The last time they'd seen that boy, he had behaved like a puppet: fully manipulated and controlled by Naraku. He hadn't acted like a person with a heart or a soul. Now, it was as if he were a completely different boy. He might (or might not) have lost his memory, but he gave every appearance of acting on his own according and having genuine feelings and concerns. If he was still being controlled, it was a different type of control than before.

As Kagome came out of the building, with Shippou in his usual place on her shoulder, the kitsune asked, "Are you sure we should leave them alone?"

"I don't know," Kagome admitted, "but it's what Sango wanted…"

At least they were all in agreement that the situation was suspicious. The only question now was what to do about it. And Miroku had no good answers for that, other than acknowledging that they must remain vigilant. No matter how he looked at the situation, it wasn't good. They couldn't trust Kohaku, but they couldn't abandon him either. And Sango was going to get hurt no matter what happened next.

"Say, if we hit him over the head a few times, won't that show his true character?" Inuyasha asked, sounding entirely too enthusiastic about this possibility.

"How could you even suggest that?" Kagome demanded, outraged.

"I don't think it'll be that easy," Miroku told them. He hated to complicate the situation even more, but it needed to be done. "Whether this is a trap or not, the fact remains that for now, Sango's brother has returned as the person he once was. He might not have his memories, but he is the same person Sango knew."

"Meaning if it is a trap, Sango will be hurt," Kagome concluded.

Miroku nodded. "And the whole thing reeks of Naraku. He loves to toy with people's emotions this way."

As if he needed one more reason to hate Naraku, to want to see the monster slain.

Inuyasha's nose twitched. "You smell that? They're coming, a whole swarm of them."

Miroku didn't smell them, but he could sense them. A large number of youkai were approaching, no doubt intent on acquiring Kohaku's jewel shard. He braced himself as the swarm became visible in the distance. "Better get ready for a fight."