The forest grew quiet as the hissing of leaves subsided. Birdsong had dimmed, the animals that roamed during the day had settled down for sleep, and the nocturnal creatures were beginning to stir. The moon's soft glow could still be seen through a layer of clouds, pushed on by the breeze that gusted through the trees every so often.

Nose to the air, he sniffed, bushy tail twitching as he searched for his path. He bounded forward again, ears pricked as he listened for any sound that might tell him where to go. He raced through the underbrush, headed forward in pursuit of his friends.

At last, Risu felt he was being useful.

It's been four days, they must've noticed that I'm gone by now, the demon squirrel thought as he raced through the trees.

Their group, as per the decision they'd made a few days ago, was headed back to Kaede's village. When they were about two days out Kagome recognized a traveler as one of the villagers. The miko asked the man about Kohana and Ronuku, but he'd shaken his head and said that there'd been no sign of the two at the village.

Risu noticed it, the way Sango's face fell. That night, as their group lay down for sleep, he heard her talking to Kagome in hushed voices.

"I…I was hoping Ronuku would be back," she'd said, fighting back her tears, "I want him to know about our children…"

She wasn't the only one, Risu could sense how agitated the group was because of their missing friends. Kagome had been pushing herself to help everyone and seem cheerful, but she couldn't disguise her fear-scent. Miroku and Kohaku busied themselves with helping the twins and Sango, but their eyes betrayed their worry, just as Kirara's constant pacing betrayed hers.

Futeki openly mourned the absence of his mother whenever he wasn't being distracted, but even Rin couldn't keep the little boy's tears away forever, she was only a little girl who couldn't even disguise her own fear. Sesshomaru's frown grew at the villager's news, and he seemed to become even more engrossed in staring at the forest.

Even Inuyasha seemed to be agitated by their friends' absence. His ears were always twitching, he often scouted ahead of the group sniffing for any sign of danger, and his usual irritability seemed to wane down into quiet apprehension.

Their group was a mess, but there was nothing they could do. Unless they wanted to lose the children, they had to stick together and wait for their friends. With the impending certainty that Naraku would attack looming over them, there seemed to be no choice in the matter. They could not go after the others.

That was when Risu realized what he had to do.

He was a squirrel youkai, one of the weakest demons in the food chain. Even after Ronuku took him in as a vassal, the squirrel still proved to be no threat in battle. He couldn't activate his powers unless he devoured a soul, but he'd never managed to obtain any souls until after the bushi took him in (and he'd always been forced to return them immeadietly) In order to survive, he stayed out of almost every fight and fled every powerful opponent they faced.

He was a coward. Everyone knew it. Their enemies always focused on Inuyasha or Kagome, or Ronuku, never him. What could they gain by fighting a squirrel?

What did it matter if he was there or not? Everyone expected him to flee, what difference would it make to Naraku if he attacked and Risu wasn't there?

The squirrel could come and go as he pleased, and no one would notice.

That's why I'm the only one who can go! Risu had thought, The others are Naraku's target, they can't go look for Ronuku and Kohana! But I can! I'm the only one who can go after them unnoticed!

As soon as he'd made his decision the squirrel had dashed away into the night and didn't look back. No need to let the others know his plan, they'd probably assume he'd fled home to his mate and children, it was safer that way. The only one who knew of Risu's plan was himself, he would make it to Ronuku and Kohana before anyone ever realized what he was up to.

The rodent put aside his usual laziness, determined to do something useful for once in his life. For two days he raced across the countryside, running through both day and night without stopping for rest. He was quickly able to find the abandoned shack where the group had rested the night that Kaida and Naoe decided that they should take their pupils and part ways.

Without the senses of a dog it had taken Risu some time to pick up the over a month old trail, rain and weather had nearly washed it away, but he was still a demon. Anyone else searching might completely miss the faintest clues, but Risu knew his best friend's scent. The moment he detected a trace of Ronuku, he recognized it instantly.

From there he'd been able to piece together what path they'd taken. For miles he traveled, pausing here and there to make sure he was headed the right direction. It occurred to him that Ronuku might be mad at him, his orders for the squirrel had been to look after Sango until his return.

He'll forgive me, Risu thought, He needs to know. We've rescued Kohaku, but Naraku has the entire jewel. Ronuku's a father now, he can't be training anymore, Sango needs him to come home. We all need both of them to come home.

As he continued to think about what he needed to say the squirrel's spirits lifted.

Just wait till that idiot hears about it! Twins! I can't wait to see what his face! The rodent's tail twitched in amusement, and he chattered his teeth in laughter. He hadn't realized until now just how much he missed his friend, even if Ronuku did smack him around occasionally.

There's trouble coming ahead, but it'll be good for everyone to be together again. I don't know what Naraku's planning, it's going to be tough and scary but if we all stick together...I think…that's the only way we can make it…

He couldn't deny that he was scared, but for once he wasn't going to let it hold him back. If Risu could do one thing useful to help this was it.

He was going to find his friends and bring them home.

The moon lit his path through the night as Risu paused to catch the scent once more, and with a jolt he realized just how strong it was compared to what he'd been finding before.

It's not fresh, he mused, but it's more recent than the rest. I must be getting closer.

He dashed through the trees ahead, his ears pricked for any sounds that might alert him of the usual night time predators that squirrels needed to fear. It seemed an odd to him that he heard no screech of an owl, or the paw steps of foxes or wolves. Not that he minded that there were no predators nearby, it made it much easier to travel.

Then again, he didn't hear the sounds of mice or crickets or night birds either. In fact, the clearing had grown eerily silent. Risu stopped again, listening for the sound of anything, even the breeze on the trees. His tail slowly began to bush out the longer he heard nothing, and his heart began to race.

A cloud covered the moon and the light on his path dimmed.

Risu took a tentative step forward, when suddenly his prey instincts screamed at him to flee.

"Hello Risu," A deep menacing voice called out, purring like a cat that has cornered its meal. The squirrel nearly leapt out of his pelt and flipped around to see who was speaking. His eyes widened and his heart dropped.

"You're an awfully long way away from your friends," Naraku said, standing in the shadow of a large tree, "Don't you think that'd they'd miss you?"

Risu's jaw fell and his tail twitched frantically.

W-why? The squirrel panicked, Naraku's never seemed to notice me at all, why…why would he follow me out here?!

"Or perhaps you're thinking that they'd expect you to flee," Naraku continued, "That in their hour of need, you'd run, fleeing back to the hole you came from. Do they really value you so little?"

Prey instinct took over. Risu bolted, dashing off into the underbrush. He prepared to leap into the nearest tree, but crashed to a halt when he saw that Naraku now stood in front of him.

"Why is it that you run, Risu? Did you think that you could escape? That I wouldn't notice?"

Risu turned and fled in the opposite direction, his limbs burning as he raced to leap into the next tree. Once again, Naraku stood before him blocking his escape.

"Unlike your friends Risu, I see your value. Even the tiniest insignificant creature has some use."

Risu bolted again, his heart crying in terror. Each time he changed directions, Naraku managed to move before him blocking his path. No matter where the squirrel fled, he couldn't escape the demon who tormented his friends and plotted their destruction.

He was trapped.

No! No, why did he come after me?! I can't die here! I have to tell Ronuku about his children!

"Wh-what do you want from me?!" Risu cried out, his path blocked once more, "Y-you have the jewel! I'm just a squirrel, what do you have to gain by killing me?!"

"I'm not here to kill you," Naraku said, chuckling as his mouth turned upwards in a malicious grin, "In fact I'm here to help you. You've come to deliver a message to that fool samurai have you not?"

Risu's breath stopped. He stood frozen, a glimmer of grief sprouting in his heart. Even now, when at last he'd done his best to do something good, it didn't matter. Naraku knew; Risu wasn't insignificant enough to be ignored, but he was still too powerless to do anything useful.

Ronuku…Sango…Everyone…I-I tried to help…

"It's such a far distance for one such as small as you to run," Nararku continued, "Wouldn't it be easier if your powers were activated? Wouldn't it be easier if you were able to find a soul?" He raised his hand and opened it, a small red light glowing in his palm.

"Risu, this is my gift to you. Use it, and deliver your message," Naraku smiled, his eyes glowing with malicious intent, and extended his palm. The red light shot forward, chasing after the squirrel who tried in vain to flee.

I wanted to help! I'm sorry! Risu's last thoughts echoed through his mind, as Naraku's evil cackle echoed through his ears.

The squirrel's screech of terror and pain echoed through the forest.