I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Lost Chapters: The Desire Within Part 2

Once they were settled and had bathed they met in the large central dining room. They were grateful for the large amount of food the house prepared and heartily ate their fill. Miroku was the only one who ate sullenly because the house had provided plain women as their servers. A few hours passed without incident and they talked and relaxed in the comfortable warm house. Shippo's yawn reminded the group about their assignment and they took turns analyzing the details they were told about the demon.

"This demon is supposed to attack at night and suck out the victim's blood," Miroku started. "But no one has seen it and we can't sense a strong aura."

"Maybe it's a demon that can only be seen during the day," Shippo imagined.

"Stupid, then I'd be able to smell him," Inuyasha shot him down.

"Fine, what do you think it is then?" Shippo challenged back.

"It doesn't matter, we'll find out tonight unless you're scared," he taunted the fox demon. He jumped into Kagome's lap as Inuyasha started to chase him around the room.

"Stop teasing him," Kagome warned giving him a stern look.

"It doesn't seem like Naraku is involved, since Kagome hasn't sensed any jewel shards," Sango thought out loud.

"That's good, I'll be able to use my wind tunnel," Miroku pointed out.

"Don't strain yourself monk, we all know I'll be the one to deliver the final blow," Inuyasha said casually. He shifted his position to lie on the floor leaning on his elbow.

"We shall see," was all Miroku said.

"Inuyasha, Miroku is more reliable than you," Shippo said.

The half demon pretended to lunge at Shippo for that remark and he ran to hide behind Kagome again.

"I just hope this doesn't take all night, I'd like to get a good night's sleep in," Kagome whined.

"I'm sure you'll fall asleep while I do all the work," Inuyasha said. His eyes were closed and he didn't notice the glare Kagome was giving him.

"Osuwari*," she said, and he face planted.

"Why you," he growled still held to the floor.

With all the commotion, they hadn't noticed that a hooded figure stood in the doorway. They readied themselves for a confrontation, but when the hood fell away it was a beautiful young girl. Her skin was fair and her movements were smooth and graceful. Sango turned to look at the monk, but he was already by the girl's side.

"Your beauty is purely divine, you must be one of the headman's daughters," Miroku complimented, reaching for her hands. She nodded in agreement but remained quiet. "Will you bear my child?" he asked.

"Oh, you tease me," the princess blushed while fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Sango's eyes were on fire and Miroku could feel her anger directed at the back of his head.

Kagome saw the need to interrupt quickly and spoke up. "Uh, it's awfully late. Does your father know you're out?" she asked.

"No, I am the eldest of his daughters and I come on behalf of my sisters. We are frightened and we've seen strange things lately, but no one will listen. Our father is an over protective traditionalist and we spend most of our time inside. He wishes that no man look upon us until we are married," the princess explained.

"It must be lonely then, all of you cooped up inside the house," the monk coaxed her.

"Yes, sometimes it's hard to bear," she admitted.

Sango rolled her eyes.

"What have you seen?" Kagome inquired.

"At night my youngest sister has seen eyes in the corner of our room and another has seen things move around with no one controlling them. We know that something is lurking around, but we haven't seen it. Our brothers have seen nothing suspicious, but they are not kept inside as often as us. We don't sleep at night for fear of being attacked. Please find the demon and stop our suffering." She confessed. As the princess trembled with fear Miroku embraced her and brushed away her fresh tears.

"Don't worry; we won't fail. Rest peacefully knowing that we will protect you this night," Miroku soothed. He held her closer and rubbed her upper back and arms.

Is this girl serious? Maybe she's just starved for attention Sango thought.

The princess lifted her head and starred into the monk's eyes. "I have been gone for too long and the guards to our quarters will soon be returning," she said.

"I'll escort you back," Miroku offered.

"No thank you, I know the way," she declined. She loosened her arms around the monk and got up.

"Wait, at least tell me your name," he pleaded.

"My name is Miyo," she said bowing to them. She slid the hood back over her head and left the room just as quietly as she came.

"Now Shippo, all you have to do is stay away from corners and you'll be safe," Inuyasha joked.

"Yes, but I can't say the same for Miroku," Shippo gestured over to the evil glare Sango was giving the monk.

"Hey Inuyasha you want to switch rooms?" the monk asked nervously.

"Not a chance," the half demon snorted. He wasn't so sure about spending the night alone with Kagome, but didn't trust the monk any more than himself. "You aren't weaseling your way out of this one."

They continued to joke around, but little did they know, the demon they hunted was close by listening and devising a plan to get rid of them.

*Osuwari - sit command