I know it's been months since I've updated, but all my attention as been on my LOTR story. But it's summer, so on a whim I decided to try to write another chapter.

By the way, if you see this "OoOoOoOo" it means a change of scene, change of POV or something like that.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Inuyasha, whether it's plots or characters.

Chapter 2 Recap:

"Who-who are you?" stuttered Kagome.

"Well, now that you ruined my human form, I guess my name would be Teyah," she said in a low voice. Her ear became pinned back and she flexed her claws.

"I don't want to hurt any of you, but I need my jewel shard back. NOW!"

Chapter 3:

The group stood still in shock for another moment, until Shippo finally spoke up.

"So if you're a demon, why were you hiding as a human?" the curious kitsune asked.

"I don't give a damn about her reasons," Inuyasha scowled. He pointed the Tetsusaiga. "I ain't giving up the jewel shard, so if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get."

Teyah merely smirked. "It's been a while since I've used my demon powers, and I'm also missing my weapon. Both put me at a slight disadvantage."

"Are you gonna keep making excuses or are you going to attack me?" Inuyasha yelled impatiently.

"Inuyasha, are you sure this is a good idea?" Kagome asked nervously.

"I'd listen to the girl. I meant what I said, I don't really have a desire to hurt any of you, but I really need my jewel shard," Teyah said again.

"I am afraid we can't leave the sacred jewel shard in the hand of a demon, lady Teyah, if that is your name," Miroku said.

Teyah sighed. "Then you leave me no choice."

She crouched down, and then leaped at Inuyasha with a demonic speed.

Inuyasha quickly handed the shard to Kagome and raised his sword above his head.

"WIND S-"

"INUYASHA SIT!" Kagome interrupted him.

Immediately Inuyasha plummeted face-first into the floor. Teyah flew over him, not prepared to stop, and crashed into the wall, but managed to land on her feet again.

"What the hell was that for?" he shouted at Kagome, rubbing his head.

"Think for a moment, you idiot! We're in the basement inside a stone corridor. If you use wind scar here the whole palace will collapse on top of us!" Sango defended.

Teyah took advantage of the distraction and charged at Kagome who was still holding the shard.

"Oh no you don't!" Inuyasha said, and moved protectively in front of Kagome using the Tetsusaiga as a shield.

As soon as the she-hanyou collided with the sword she was thrown back with some sort of energy shock.

"That's not your everyday sword is it?" she muttered.

"Nope," said Inuyasha proudly.

Teyah snorted and ran him once more.

"You don't ever learn do you?" he sighed. Bored, Inuyasha raised his sword and ran at her as well with only a half-speed.

Just before she reached him, though, she did a backwards flip and dove to the floor. Inuyasha was too surprised to stop, so when he was on top of her she kicked up her legs and threw him into the ceiling.

Then Teyah continued her charge, but suddenly was pushed aside by a large boomerang.

She grunted in pain, and slowly stood up from the floor, glaring at Sango.

"So, I see you are all skilled in fighting demons," she commented bitterly.

"Yes, I suppose so," Kagome answered simply.

Teyah hung her head. "Five against one really is not a fair fight. I know when to admit defeat."

She raised her head, and Kagome was shocked to see tears starting to fill the female's eyes.

"Thanks for destroying my one chance at a normal life," she hissed, but her voice still held much sadness.

With a final look of venom, Teyah turned around and sprinted out of sight.

Inuyasha brushed of his robe and sheathed the Tetsusaiga.

"Well, that wasn't much of a fight," he grumbled. "But at least we got the shard."

"Still, this was a most interesting situation," Miroku said thoughtfully. "Teyah had a sort of grey aura. She's powerful, but not necessarily good or evil." He looked at Inuyasha. "I definitely think she held back her fight."

"She said she didn't want to hurt us," Sango spoke up. "Maybe not all demons who have a piece of the shard have cruel intentions when using it."

"Who cares, let's just get out of this dump," Inuyasha huffed.

"I think we should follow her," Kagome said softly.

"Huh? Why's that, Kagome?" Shippo asked, jumping up onto her shoulder.

"Really. What more do you want from that pathetic excuse for a demon?" Inuyasha said, as he headed towards the exit.

The rest followed him as Kagome continued to talk.

"It's just…she looked so sad. And I don't believe it was because she was 'defeated in battle' or whatever." She gave a small laugh. " You know, this may be a rare time in which I actually feel a little guilty for taking a jewel shard."

"It doesn't mean we have to waste our time comforting her, let alone trying to find her," Inuyasha said with a yawn as they reached the outdoors.

"I know that," she replied hastily. "But we've already come this far and I don't sense any other shards and-"

"Alright, alright, we'll go look for her," Inuyasha waved his hand. "But I don't want to take much more then a day, especially if there isn't even a jewel shard around."

Kagome's face lit up into a wide smile. "Thank you Inuyasha! I promise, this won't take too long," she hugged his arm.

"Yeah…whatever," he mumbled, looking away.

The others faintly noticed the small smile he had on his face when Kagome hugged him.

When Kagome finally let go, he raised his head and sniffed the air.

"Her scent's this way, come on," he crouched down.

Kagome, with Shippo still on her shoulder, climbed on Inuyasha's back and then they sped off.

"After you dear Sango," Miroku bowed.

Sango rolled her eyes at him while Kirara transformed. "You can have a ride, monk, as long as you keep your hands to yourself. One touch and I swear I will drop you off in the nearest swamp," she threatened.

"Ah, even harsh words sounds like music with your beautiful voice," he smiled mischievously.

Sango blushed lightly, but hid it beneath her hair.

"Let's go," she said, swinging her leg over Kirara's neck. Miroku climbed on after her and the cat demon leaped into the air.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

After about a half-hour of running, Inuyasha stopped and placed Kagome on the ground. They landed in a slightly barren field, with a small, brown forest to the left of them.

"Teyah's stopped running, she's somewhere in there," Inuyasha said as he scanned the trees.

"That's a relief. My hands were starting to cramp up from hanging on so long," Kagome sighed.

"If it bugs you so much, just ride Kirara next time," Inuyasha called over his shoulder as he started to walk away.

"But…I like going with you," Kagome whispered, tucking her bangs behind her ears.

Inuyasha didn't give any sign that he heard her.

"What was that, Kagome?" Shippo asked politely.

"Nothing Shippo," she answered dejectedly. 'Why do I even bother sometimes,' she thought to herself.

Suddenly, there was a gentle growl behind her as Kirara landed with Sango and a red faced Miroku in tow.

"What happened?" Shippo asked, noticing Miroku's dazed expression.

"Shippo, he always has that face after doing something lecherous," Kagome shook her head, exasperated. "Am I right?" she asked Sango.

The demon-slayer nodded her head. "I had such high hopes. He almost made it through the whole trip without pulling anything," she glared at the monk. "You're lucky this area is too dry for swamps, hentai."

"Always worth it…every time," Miroku replied dreamily.

Sango groaned and shook her head. "Thanks Kirara," she said, scratching the great cat's ears.

Kirara transformed back and gave a small mew.

"Well, let's go follow Inuyasha before he gets to far. He says Teyah is somewhere around here," Kagome said, jogging off in the direction that Inuyasha left.

Sango tightened the straps of hiraikotsu to her shoulders before continuing after Kagome.

"Come one Miroku, snap out of it," Shippo tugged at his robes, before he bounded away energetically.

"Oh-yes, of course," he replied, back to normal. "Wait for me, Sango dearest!"

Even from the back you could hear Sango's disgruntled sigh.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Next chapter: The confrontation with Teyah.

I'm not really sure when I'll be updating, but I have a sudden passion to do some work with this story. Be on the lookout, I guess.

Until next time!

-MysticNight9