Hehe, it's fun to read the reviews of people mad at me leaving a cliffe. (grins) Anyway, here's another chapter, so now you don't have to scold me no more. I've also forgotten the proper name for Miroku's beads on his hands.. Oh, and I'd just like to say, don't hunt me down and maim me until you read all of the first section of this chapter. Ok? (heheh)

Chapter 9: Down

With a sickening sound, the wasps were sucked into Miroku's hand. Quickly as the last one disappeared into the vortex did Miroku finally close it, sealing the Kazaana with the beads. Though this seemed to do him in, and with a pained grunt, the monk fell to the ground, still clutching his right hand, his face wearing a look of pain and exhaustion. It was clear Miroku was unconscious.

Baka! Inuyasha screamed to the monk in his mind. The idiot, the fool! From the withered tree Inuyasha had jumped to safety on, he watched as Miroku lay limp on the ground, he watched as Kagome and Sango both ran to his aid wearing identical looks of worry and horror. He was confident he also wore the look of horror.

Those wasps, their venom will kill him! His mind screamed furiously. He can't survive sucking in so many! Clenching his teeth, Inuyasha looked over at Ontai-Wasupu. The dead skin that surrounded the wasp demon sickened him. What sickened him more, however, was the look he wore. No mercy or pity shined in his eyes, for Miroku or for his colony. All Inuyasha could see was uncaring eyes for his friends, and concern for his own well being. But Inuyasha could see something else. He could see a faint trace of joy, joy in the fact that one of them were down. Not the one he desired, but one down all the same.

" Heh heh heh.. " Ontai-Wasupu's foul, dead-lipped smirk spread onto his face. His eyes still showed concern, though now he expressed his joy. " One down, three to go. " He confirmed Inuyasha's thoughts.

" Hey, what about me! " Inuyasha heard Shippo's voice squeak loud and clear in his ears. The little Kitsune's hot headed nature causing him to forget for a moment the situation that stood before him. Though, as expected, Ontai-Wasupu ignored the outcry of the demon child.

" You... " Inuyasha mumbled through gritted teeth. He knew Ontai-Wasupu could hear him. " You.. Bastard! " Now the wasp demon looked over to him, joy still in his eyes. He was enjoying the situation enough to forget his concern.

" Heh heh heh.. Typical Half-Breed. " He replied. " I would expect a Hanyou to get attached to human filth. These wenches you allow to follow you are a great example of that. Excluding the monk now, of course. " A wicked smile replaced his smirk at the thought of the one he just killed.

" You.. " Inuyasha repeated, this time yelling at the top of his voice. In the corner of his eye he could see Sango and Kagome looking towards him. Kagome wore a sad, worried expression. Sango however, now wore the mask she always had on while fighting. She was trying to hide her emotion. So... He murmured in his mind. The monk is truly gone...

" You- i will never forgive you! " Inuyasha continued his sentence. He could feel the rage burning inside him. The untiring rage for the third rate demon that took down one of his friends. All Inuyasha could think about now was feeling the demons flesh rip through his talons, to hear it's dieing breath, and to massacre it's corpse. " I will kill you! "

Inuyasha rushed forward at this, holding his Tetsusaiga high, ready to slice the demon. " You no longer have those bugs to protect you! " He screamed with rage. It didn't cross his mind to use the Wind Scar. All he could think about was killing Ontai-Wasupu. He could see concern, and even fear, return to the demons face, but he didn't care. This demon deserved no mercy.

" Heyaai! " He barked as he brought the over-sized blade down onto the wasp demon. The blade dug into the dirt, kicking up dust and clouding his vision.

Inuyasha could still feel the rage burning in him even as the dust settled, though now with it was the satisfaction and glee of killing the one who slew Miroku. But that feeling of rejoice disappeared instantly as he saw Ontai-Wasupu's body through the final settling dust. At least.. He thought it was Ontai-Wasupu..

A wasp demon stood a short way to Inuyasha's right, the only wound being a small cut down it's shoulder. Inuyasha could only stare in disbelief. Covering the end of the Tetsusaiga was human skin, dead and rotting quickly now that it was not supported by demon power.

" Heh heh heh... " The wasp demon laughed. His voice was that of Ontai-Wasupu's. " Your rage blinded your aim. You hit only that human skin. " His wasp demon face was not able to wear a smirk, though Inuyasha could swear he would have one if his fake face was still on. His true form was just like the other two wasp demons, one of which he had already battled and killed. The only way this one had gotten so powerful is because it had more brains, and probably held a few more skills. Or maybe they all had the poisonous goo. Maybe they just didn't use it.

" Still alive?.! " Inuyasha wailed. How could he have missed?.! He was sure his aim was true!

" I may have lost this battle, Hanyou, but i will not lose the war.. " Ontai-Wasupu growled. " Your death will be on my hands! " With that, Ontai-Wasupu turned and fled into the tree's, His unexpected movement rendering Inuyasha helpless to stop him. The demon's scent quickly disappearing. That trick again! Inuyasha cursed.

Hiding the defeated look from his eyes, Inuyasha turned away from the woods to his friends. Sango was still wearing her warrior expression, glaring dangerously into the woods. Kagome stared helplessly at Miroku's lifeless body. Shippo was on her shoulder, his eyes squinting as if resisting the urge to cry. Kirara, already transformed into her smaller state, mewed softly, looking up at the monk.

Inuyasha jumped the distance to Miroku and the others, getting to them quicker than if he had walked. Stopping a few feet away though, he slowly walked the last few steps, crouching dog-like a short way away from Miroku's head. Now Sango was looking back at the group, still hiding her true feelings but unable to hold back a look of misery in her eyes. Inuyasha stared sadly at the face of his fallen companion.

He had always figured that a person dieing from something other than a wound would have a look of peace on their face, them not being there anymore to hold the look of pain on their features. But it mustn't be true. He could see Miroku's expression still held the look of pain and exhaustion, unchanged since he fell.

" I'm sorry... " Inuyasha murmured unknowingly to his fallen companion, as if expecting him to hear. He might just, yet. If his soul was still there... " I'm sorry... " He repeated. " I couldn't stop the demon.. I didn't kill it... " In the corner of his eye he could see Kagome in the brink of tears. Shippo had failed to stop his own, his face wet. " I'm sorry, Miroku... " He said a final time. It would be the last words he'd say to Miroku. Right?

" Heh.. " A familiar voice chimed in. It sounded weak, the group barely being able to hear it. " Don't matter.. Sounded like.. He'd be back... " Miroku wore a slight smile.

" Miroku! " Kagome and Sango yelled simultaneously. " Your alive! "Kagome added. Inuyasha wore a look of surprise, flinching slightly at the sound of his voice.

" You- Your alive?.! " Inuyasha stammered, his eyes wide. " You.. You let me apologize like that for no reason?.! " Now he wore a look of anger and annoyance. " Why you-! " Inuyasha raised a clenched fist, ready to thump Miroku.

" Sit! " Kagome cut in before he could do so. There was a muffled cry from Inuyasha as his face hit the dirt inches away from Miroku's head.

" Heh heh... " Miroku laughed shakily. It was clear he was unconscious again shortly after. It couldn't be expected of him to remain awake after all that he was put through.. Inuyasha thought, lifting his face from the dirt and hearing Miroku's breathing steady after the short rasps of breath he had been drawing only a few seconds ago.

" Baka.. " He growled, staring at Miroku's unconscious, yet alive, body. He hid well the joy he felt in his heart that his friend wasn't out. Down, but not out.

He opened his eyes, greeted was he by the darkness surrounding him inside the hut. Must be night time.. Miroku figured. But which night time..? He remembered nothing after Kagome's command of subjugation earlier. How long had he been asleep? A few hours? A day? A week, even? Even after sleeping for who-knows-how-long, he still felt tired and ready to sleep until next winter. He also felt terrible. His stomach churned, his head throbbed, and all his limbs pained and felt heavy. Though he had absorbed wasps venom before, and paid the price, it wasn't at this intensity. Must be because i absorbed so many.. He decided. How many were there, again..? His head throbbed, making it hard to think straight. At least i can think properly now.. He added to himself, grateful, at least, for that one gain. Whether it was worth it though... No. He thought firmly. I mustn't think like that. With the help of Lady Kagome's remedies, i will recover. Eventually...

With a sigh, he focused his attention to the hut's straw roof. I wonder where i am... He thought. Are we at a nearby manor, or is this owned by Lady Kaede..? I can't see why Inuyasha would stick around... Miroku's mind flashed to what the half-demon had said to him earlier.

" I'm sorry.. " Inuyasha had said. " I'm sorry... I couldn't stop the demon.. I didn't kill it... I'm sorry, Miroku... " Inuyasha's voice had sounded with despair. Despair because the demon escaped? Or despair that he thought his friend had lost his life..?

With another pained sigh, Miroku closed his eyes, blocking out the image of the straw roof. At least when I'm asleep, the pain is gone... He thought miserably.

" Miroku? " Sango's soft voice called for him. Surprised, Miroku opened his eyes and looked towards the source. Sango was sitting not too far from him, her features hidden in the darkness. He hadn't noticed her there before.

" Yes, Lady Sango..? " He replied. He could barely make her face out, but her eyes shone clearly in the night.

" Are you all right.. Lord Monk..? " She murmured, her voice betraying the fact that she already knew the answer. Still, there was no need to say anything.

" I'll be fine.. " He answered. He couldn't lie, yet he did not want to alarm Sango. At least this way he could speak sincerely without worrying her.

" Yes.. " She murmured, nodding her head slightly. Miroku could see worry rise in her eyes. Darn.. He thought. He should have guessed Sango would notice the true meaning of his words.

" Do not worry yourself, Lady Sango.. " He said hurriedly, attempting to calm her. He smiled slightly, trying to reassure her. " It isn't like.. this hasn't happened before... I will recover, as usual.. " His words didn't seem to have any effect.

" But, you were so weak.. " She sighed. " And all that poison... " He heard her draw a breath, as if forcing back something.

" If i were to die from this... It would have been back at the manor... " He replied softly, mentally shaking his head, trying to rid himself of the painful throbbing, but, as expected, nothing happened. He heard Sango sigh.

" True... " She said. Nothing more passed her lips, and Miroku closed his eyes. Sleep will stop this throbbing, this pain... Luckily, sleep wasn't too far away.

Kagome stepped into the hut, a lantern holding a flame clutched in her fingers.. She could see Miroku on the ground, laying on the weed mat on top of the hay she and Sango had laid out. The rest of the hay rested in the corner behind Sango, to Kagome's left. The room was dark. Sango insisted they keep the room that way, to help Miroku rest. Though a torch resided to the left of Sango, if she needed it. Kagome had shown her how to work the torch if she needed it. She was pretty sure Sango had gotten the idea, though had a feeling her friend still didn't quite understand how it worked.

" Is everything ok? " She asked. She had come to check up on Miroku. Sango has been watching over him while she and Inuyasha prepare for any attacks Ontai-Wasupu may make while they were all weakened. Without Miroku fighting, their chances were worse. Not bad, just worse. Kaede had been shocked at Miroku's state when she came out of her hut to investigate. Inuyasha carried the enfeebled monk on his back, Miroku sleeping soundly the whole way to the village, and had so far shown no indication of waking up.

" Oh, what has happened? " Kaede said as she left her hut to investigate the urgent calls from Kagome.

" Miroku's hurt! " She answered back. " He's really really hurt! " That last part, she knew, had been pointless to say, but Kagome had said it, merely to emphasize the fact that Miroku was basically almost dead. When you say someone's hurt, you think their injured but fine. Nobody understands just how far the word " hurt " can be stretched.

" Oh! " Kaede uttered after hearing Kagome's words. She ran up to the group, quickly inspecting Miroku. Kagome could tell from the look on her face that Kaede knew it was serious. " This young monk must be surprisingly strong to still be alive after such brutality. " She commented. Her words didn't help calm the groups feelings of despair. " Quickly, " Kaede continued, " Take him up to the hut that Inuyasha once resided in. " She said, pointing a short way up a nearby hill to a new-looking, small manor. It was clearly only recently rebuilt. Strange, as it has been a while since it was destroyed. I guess it wasn't a priority. Kagome thought. She had heard how Inuyasha had rested there after the battle with Sessho-maru. Unfortunately she hadn't been there at the time..

Inuyasha hastily ran up the hill to the Hut, Kagome, Sango and Kirara following him. Shippo was on Kagome's shoulder, an upset expression on his face.

Now, here they were, Sango and Miroku in the hut, Kagome making frequent checkups, Inuyasha in the tree outside, and Kaede in her home not too far away, making remedies and meals for Miroku and the gang.

He woke up, earlier, " Sango said, answering Kagome's question, " But he's sleeping again now.. "

" That's good, at least. " Kagome replied with a sigh. " Next time he wakes up, we will try to give him some food. He has been out for two days now, and he won't get stronger without eating anything. "

" Yes. " Sango nodded. " I'll call Inuyasha to tell you the next time he wakens. "

" Ok. " Kagome smiled. " I'll tell him then, to look out for your voice. " With a quick glance at Miroku's sleeping form and a short wave to Sango, Kagome turned and left the manor. She felt the crisp night air hit her flesh as she stepped out into the open, only the torch to guide her path. Kagome walked a short way down the hill, stopping near a tree to the right of the manor. She knew Inuyasha knew she was there, her thought being confirmed when she shone the torch up, onto his face, showing his questioning look as he watched her. His eyes shone bright yellow in the light, like a cat caught in the headlights of a car.

" Sango will call you when Miroku wakes up. " She said, getting right to business. Inuyasha had been quiet ever since they got here. She could tell he was ruffled by what happened, how it had come close to him losing another person that he cared for. " I want to bring him some food, " Kagome continued, " So when Sango calls for you, come and tell me, ok? "

" Whatever. " Was Inuyasha's reply. He looked away from Kagome and back to the tree's that lined the edge of the forest. Lowering the torch, Kagome turned to walk back to Kaede's hut.

" Hey. " Inuyasha said suddenly. Kagome looked back at him, again shining the torch on his face. Inuyasha didn't even blink as the bright light hit his eyes. " He's all right.. Right? " He asked.

Kagome smiled. " Yeah. " She replied. " Sango said he woke up earlier. He'll be fine. " Inuyasha watched her for a few seconds before replying.

" Good. " He said. " I owe him a headache. " He added, making an excuse for his question. Kagome smiled again. It was typical of Inuyasha to pretend not to care about Miroku. But she could tell he did. And she could tell he was miffed at spouting his feelings the other day when they had all thought him dead.

" Ok. " She answered. " Just don't hit him until his better. "

" Feh. " Was his answer. Removing the torch beam from Inuyasha's face once again, Kagome continued her way to Kaede's hut. She found herself out the front of the hut in no time, light pouring out of the edges of the door illuminating her path slightly. Kagome pulled back the door, turning off her torch as she entered.

" Is the monk all right, Kagome? " Kaede asked her from beside the cooking pot.

" Yeah. " She replied for the second time that night. " He woke up, but now he's sleeping again. Sango's going to call when he wakes up again so we can give him food. "

" Good. " Kaede said. " Ye must be tired, Kagome. Why don't ye rest for the night. If the monk wakes up during that time, i will bring him food. "

" Nah, it's ok. " Kagome smiled. " I'm used to staying up some nights, with studying and all. " She sat down beside Kaede.

" Studying? " The old miko repeated. " What would ye study for? "

" Er.. Never mind. " Kagome sighed.

So, what do you think? You now know Miroku will be fine, but what if something attacks before his better? Heheh, I'm not saying anything! You'll just have to wait for the next chapter. At least i didn't leave you with a cliffe again.