A/N: So I feel like I couldn't post this without a list of excuses of why it took me 4 years to complete this story. Alas, I don't have a good one, life happens and writing was pushed to the back burner. I apologize deeply and if I still have loyal fans, I would like to say that I am extremely grateful. MorikoTheHalfAngel inspired me to finish the chapter so be sure to check out her new story. I'll be finishing the Mysterious Thief saga and I'm not sure if I'll begin a new one. Let me know if you'd like a new lost chapter episode.

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

The Mysterious Thief - Part Nine

Back at the green barrier Kagome, Miroku and Sango still hadn't worked out a solution. Kirara cautiously approached the line of trees behind them and flicked her tail restlessly. Sango was the first to pick up on her behavior and turned to scan the woods. With the exception of the fear stricken Shippo, everyone faced the forest as the sound of rustling leaves grew louder. Miroku's hand reached for his ofudas and Sango kept a firm grip on hiraikotsu. Shippo, who was closest to the edge of surrounding trees, reluctantly jerked his head around, just as a red blur shot out of the bushes.

"Ahhh! Someone save me!" The fox demon cried until he unintentionally tripped over his own feet and landed face down in the dirt.

Inuyasha landed quietly in front of him with a grin from ear to ear. He snickered as Shippou lifted up his head, but his taunting was interrupted by Miroku.

"What happened with Kagura?" the monk questioned.

"Keh, she took off as usual," he scoffed. "I thought you guys would have gotten the jewel shard by now," he frowned.

"We ran into a little problem," Sango said, pointing at the barrier. "We already know that objects can enter the barrier but then they're struck by lightning and disappear," she explained.

The half demon tilted his head, obviously confused, which prompted Miroku to toss a small pebble through the barrier.

Inuyasha's mouth fell open, "Where'd it go?"

"We don't know, but it might lead to Airi. I don't feel any spiritual connection or presence of good or evil from the barrier," the monk reasoned.

"Kagome, what is it?" Sango inquired. The young girl had been very quiet and her eyebrows were scrunched together.

"It sounds kind of like a portal rather than a barrier," she pondered, the wheels still turning in her head.

"What's a por…portal?" The fox demon asked.

"In my world, we have a TV, tha..," Kagome began to explain. "TV? You mean that box with the little people in it?" the half demon interrupted. "Ya and sometimes it shows portals as a way to travel. It's a strong field of energy that you enter and it will send you to another place," she explained, but her friends looked even more confused. She took a moment to think about a better way to explain it. "It's like the bone eater's well, except in this case, it'll be the same time and era. But portals are normally created by machines and science or magic," she finished.

"It's definitely not fox magic. I would know it," the fox demon stated proudly.

"Yeah, sure you would," Inuyasha muttered.

"Hey!" Shippou retorted.

"Kagome, I think I heard you talk about science before. You carry a book about it in your backpack sometimes, right?" Sango asked. The girl nodded.

"You go to school to learn how to make portals?" Shippo asked.

"No no, nothing like that," she objected. "Portals don't actually exist in my world, it's just pretend, but they must've gotten the idea from somewhere," she mused.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Kagome said, all we have to do is walk through the barrier and we're there," Inuyasha said striding forward impatiently.

"Wait, I don't know if it works like that!" She tried to stop him, but he was already breaking through the barrier.

Once he was inside, he vanished just like the other objects.

"He…he's so reckless," Sango stammered.

"I guess we don't have much of a choice now," Miroku sighed.

"Why do we have to follow him? It's not our fault he's stupid!" Shippo folded his arms across his chest.

"Come on, Shippo. It's not that bad. I'm going too," Kagome coaxed.

"No, I don't want to go," he protested.

Miroku took a calming breath. "Okay, Shippo. You can stay out here and watch for Kagura."

The fox demon flinched, "I…I guess I can come along. You never know when you might need some fox magic."

He hesitated, but edged closer to Kagome.

Sango scooped Kirara up in her arms and crossed into the dome first. Kagome reluctantly leaned her bike up against a tree and hoped it would still be there when they returned. Shippo jumped into the young miko's arms and they went through the barrier with Miroku.

Deep within the earth Hideaki continued to deceive Airi. "I think it's safe to say, you might be hungry. Would you like to join me for lunch?" he asked politely. Her cooperation was vital and he needed absolute loyalty from her before releasing her power. He knew food wasn't much, but was a step in the right direction.

"Yes, that would be nice," she obliged and smiled pleasantly as he doted on her, but didn't let her guard down.

"Come, my dear, I have another room I'd like to show you," he prompted after she finished her last bite of food.

She nodded and followed him back out into the winding corridors.

"So you regularly reside down here then?" Airi commented, trying to remember the turns as they went.

"Yes, all my work is below ground and it's the most reasonable place to conduct experiments without any…interruptions," he replied.

Hideaki led her to an inviting bedroom: decorated with calming purple tones and illuminated by soft candlelight that gave off a soothing lavender aroma. "You should rest before we continue. I will come and wake you when everything is ready," he suggested.

Airi nodded graciously, but was still weary of him. He took her hand and kissed it ever so delicately before excusing himself from the room. She glanced around the room; it was a cozy space with comfortable bedding and large canvas rugs covering the walls. But there was nothing that she could fashion into a weapon. She didn't like the idea of sleeping here, but knew that she was long overdue. She slipped off her shoes, nestled under the covers and slipped into a dream.

Hideaki visited the main control center of his underground caverns and flashed a wicked grin. Everything was moving according to his carefully laid out plans. He smirked to himself as he thought of what Naraku had offered him. Normally, he would not pair up with anyone, but he made him an offer too enticing to turn down.

Hideaki pressed a square, grey button to send a little something to keep Airi's friends busy for a little longer. He headed for the lab after double checking the locks to his control room and briefly paused in Airi's doorway. She twitched restlessly in her sleep and he quietly promised to take away her burdens. She was a very special half demon with abilities that were thought to no longer exist. And once she killed off Inuyasha, he would collect his gift from Naraku and extract her powers; granting her a painless death.

"Daydreaming over your prize already?" a woman's voice broke into his thoughts. "I wouldn't get carried away," she taunted.

"Kagura, you're right on time," Hideaki smiled.

"Ya well Naraku was adamant that I follow your ridiculous time schedule. These are all you need?" she asked, handing over one long, silver hair and one long, straight, black hair.

"Yes," he confirmed, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a potion to finish. Yuta please escort Kagura out," he commanded, while safely placing the two strands in separate test tubes.