It was night when the group escorted Sachi back to Akebi Village where she was reunited with her father Gosuke. His wife, Yone, cried as she held her daughter. Gosuke bowed again and again, thanking them over and over. Yuuki didn't know what to do with the man's behavior while Kagome smiled, putting up her hands. "Really, it was nothing," she insisted.

Inuyasha felt uncomfortable enough to leave and the group followed. Leaving their house Kagome frowned at her friend apologetically. "I'm sorry we didn't find anything that could take you home."

Yuuki only shrugged. "Either way, it's too late to get home before a reasonable hour. I just have to keep searching. But first…"

She slowed to a stop and Inuyasha glanced back annoyed. "What is it now?"

"It's late, but I want to see if Grandpa Kakuju is still hanging out by the pond," she replied. She turned and added, "You can go ahead to Kaede's Village if you want, by all means."

Inuyasha rounded on her and barked, "You really think we're just going to let you wander through the woods alone at night? Think again, idiot."

Yuuki glared at him flatly with a blush, her brown hair flaring out more in irritation. Kagome chuckled with a sweat drop while Shippo smiled at Yuuki and explained, "That's Inuyasha just trying to be nice."

"Shut up, Shippo," he snapped.

"He's just embarrassed," Shippo amended.

"Gee, I couldn't tell," she murmured sarcastically and began walking away. She led them back to the pond and surprisingly Kakuju was still there.

Crickets chirped all around them with fireflies dancing above the water. He turned around as they approached and said, "Well, you haven't been gone long, but you've already experienced so much. I can sense you're more in tune with the Seishin power. Tell me what happened." Yuuki nodded and complied, explaining how they found the spider demon and defeated it, and then saved Sachi. Kakuju remained still as he listened. When she was done he nodded with a hum. "I can't say I'm surprised that you defeated the spider demon. You have a stronger connection to the Seishin than I anticipated. I have a premonition that you will be fighting many more demons from now on."

Yuuki smiled ruefully at that. "You sound so proud, yet I was hoping for a 'you'll find your way back home' premonition."

Kakuju nodded in understanding. "There is hope."

"What a stupid old man," Inuyasha grumbled behind them and Yuuki's eye twitched.

"You're so rude, Inuyasha!" Kagome hissed at him. She then stared at Kakuju apologetically. "I'm sorry for him, Kakuju."

"It's all right," he replied. He then turned around and faced the pond. "There are many different uses for Seishin power. It can do more than just break rocks or destroy webs. That rosary I gave you is a channel to your powers to help you fight in battle. Without your powers it's no more than an accessory." He faced Yuuki again and said, "If you want to learn how to wield your rosary to help you fight, come stand beside me. Remember, close your eyes and be very still."

Yuuki nodded, "Okay." Shippo jumped off her shoulder and watched with the others as she and Kakuju faced the water together. They held hands and their rosary began to glow, Yuuki's green and Kakuju's purple. Their clothes swayed and hair lifted just as before. Images and words swarmed inside Yuuki's mind, almost overwhelming her. Calmly they settled down and the light from their rosary went away. Yuuki gasped and stumbled back, but didn't fall on her butt that time. She panted, staring down at her Exorcism Beads. How did he do that? Suddenly her mind was filled with knowledge as if she had always known.

Kakuju turned to her. "Now you have learned to call upon the Seishin when you fight and wield your rosary properly."

Inuyasha couldn't help but smile. "Hey, that's pretty cool, Gramps! I wish it were that easy for me."

"Come," Kakuju motioned Yuuki to approach and she did. He then gestured across the pond with his cane. "Do you see that boulder over there?"

Gazing across the water, there was a rock no bigger than the one she broke before. She nodded and replied, "Yes."

"Use your new knowledge to destroy it with your Exorcism Beads," he instructed.

She smirked as she took off her rosary. "Always the violent one, aren't you?" That made Kakuju chuckle.

Her friends watched as Yuuki faced off with the rock across the large pond. "What's she gonna do?" Shippo asked, looking up at Kagome. "It's too far for her to reach that."

"I don't know, Shippo," she replied as she watched her friend.

Yuuki tossed her rosary in the air and then clapped her hands together with a shout. The beads broke apart and shone brightly. They flew at an incredible speed and shot into the rock, destroying it to rubble. Yuuki raised her hand and the beads shot back from the dust to her hand, slowing and reforming before gently landing in her grasp. "That's good for now," Kakuju said as she put her rosary back on. "Soon you will be able to completely control your powers."

Yuuki turned to him and smiled again. "Thank you, Kakuju. You're very generous and I'm grateful for your help."

Kakuju nodded, still staring out at the water. "It's getting late. You should hurry home, now. No doubt we'll see each other again."

"See you around, Grandpa Kakuju," she said and followed her friends away from there.

"Wow, I'm really impressed, Yuuki," Kagome said as they traveled out of Akebi Village. "In just about half a day you've grown new powers and even know how to use them!"

Yuuki looked down at her hands. "I know… I don't know what Grandpa Kakuju did, but it feels a part of me."

"Good, so you won't be completely useless now," Inuyasha said from the front and Yuuki glared at him with a blush of anger.

"Are you picking a fight?" She asked dangerously.

Inuyasha put his hands behind his head and looked back at her confused. "What are you talking about?"

She turned away and huffed in annoyance. "Never mind then." Kagome smiled at her apologetically as she sighed. He really was just rough around the edges.

They made it back to Kaede's Village. It seemed like a ghost town with everyone in bed. Back at home there would still be cars and building lights keeping you from seeing the stars. She couldn't tell if it was eerie or peaceful. They entered Kaede's hut and the old woman shot upright from the floor, surprised to see them. "Ye are all back!"

"Sorry to wake you, Kaede," Kagome apologized as they filed in, gathering around the cooking pot.

"No need to apologize," she replied. She then turned to Yuuki and asked, "Did ye find any clues?"

Sitting down, Yuuki only looked at her and shook her head. "Not at all."

"But we learned how to use Seishin powers!" Shippo added helpfully. "Just as Inuyasha was about to be killed, Yuuki used her Seishin powers to save him!"

"Shut up, Shippo," Inuyasha snapped. "That's not how it happened at all."

"Seishin?" Kaede questioned.

"Have you heard of it before?" Kagome asked, gaining everyone's attention.

Kaede put a hand to her chin, wracking her brain. "Aye, the name is familiar... however I can't seem to recall where I've heard it from..."

"An old man who I think is a priest named Kakuju taught me," Yuuki explained.

Kaede seemed impressed. "Well, I've never heard of the name before, but he must be impressive to teach you so much in a short amount of time."

"All right, enough boasting her ego," Inuyasha interrupted and Yuuki shot a glare at him. "Let's get to bed."

"Aye," Kaede nodded, "ye will all need an early start tomorrow. Let's get some rest."

Yuuki and Inuyasha narrowed their eyes at each other. They then looked away at the same time with a huff. She then curled up on her side on the floor as everyone else and closed her eyes. She listened as one by one they all fell asleep. Must be nice getting rest. She rolled onto her back and tucked her arm behind her head, staring at the ceiling. She was exhausted to her core, however her mind was still active. Maybe if I fell asleep I'd wake up at home. If I could get to sleep. Instead her mind wandered over the events of the day.

Eventually Yuuki got up and snuck outside. Despite being physically tired already, she needed to push her body's limit if she was going to pass out. Perhaps it's the Seishin giving me this energy. She was a bit more used to it now having exercised her abilities a few times. Yuuki walked along the water that cut through the village, deciding it was peaceful with the sounds of nature's nightlife. The water, the insects, the wind...

Yuuki looked up at the moon, wondering who that woman's voice was. Leave at once. Just before Inuyasha shoved her into the well. Yuuki knew it was a stranger's voice that only she heard. It echoed inside her, and left an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Who could she have possibly heard?

"Don't wander off too far." Yuuki jumped slightly at the sudden voice. She turned to see Inuyasha had been following her. "You don't know you're way around yet. I don't need you getting lost."

"The village isn't that big," she argued. Akebi was bigger than this.

"Yeah, and you'll probably still get lost."

She blushed in frustration and snapped back, "Why are you awake anyways?"

"I don't need to sleep as much as the others," he replied, and it sounded like a genuine answer. She eyed him up at down, possibly because he was a half demon?

He didn't pressure her to go back, he merely hung around looking out at the fields towards the moon. As Yuuki studied him, she figured now would be a good time to ask a few questions. "So..." He glanced at her. "Are there... you know... a lot of your kind?"

He shrugged a shoulder, "Eh, possibly. Though I haven't seen 'em around often." He looked back towards the moon and went more in depth for her. "Dog demons, not so much. As for half breeds like me, we're usually hunted by both demons and humans. We're not really liked all around."

"Oh..." She hugged herself feeling like she was being invasive. "So it's safe to assume you had a rough time growing up?"

"You'd assume right."

He didn't seem too bothered by it. "So then... where did your demon side come from?"

Inuyasha was quiet for a moment. "My mother was human, my father was demon. I had my mother for a while... I never knew my father though."

He didn't have very much to say about it, it seemed like. Yuuki sucked in a breath, thinking of a way to lighten the mood that seemed to turn dark around him so suddenly. "Well, that's all right." He glanced at her again, and was surprised at the smile she gave him. "It's not that bad not knowing your family. I apparently have a lot of relatives, though I don't know any of them. Kagome didn't know her own father very well either. He died shortly after her brother was born."

Inuyasha hummed and turned back to the moon. Though she stared at him, she couldn't tell if that made him feel better or not. It made her slightly nervous. I didn't mean to set him in a bad mood...She couldn't help her curiosity. "Sorry we didn't get any clues on how to get you home." Her eyebrows went up as he turned to her. "I know a lot's happened in a day. You're handling it about as well as Kagome did her first time here."

I'll assume that's a good thing. Yuuki nodded, looking away from him. His sudden niceness was awkward for her to handle. "Yes, well... I figured it's not every day girls are dropping in from another time. If there was a way here for me there'd be a way back."

"Hey," she glanced at him and lightly blushed at his smile, "you're pretty optimistic for someone I pegged as a pessimist."

She quickly looked away again. "You're... more helpful than I thought you would be." She was so used to his glares that his happy expression made her feel weird. Her stomach felt a little squirmy. I didn't get a chance to eat dinner, did I?

"Listen, Yuuki, we'll help you find a way back, I promise." She took a glance at him, but couldn't look at his soft features for long. She only nodded, trusting his words. "Let's get back to Kaede's. Staying up late won't make you feel any better."

The two of them walked together back to the hut and Yuuki settled herself on the hardwood floor while Inuyasha sat against the wall. She kept herself still, and eventually her mind drifted off into a dreamland as she slowly fell asleep.

"Return to your time!"

All too soon did she wake with a jolt. Her lavender eyes stared widely at the wall, her breath quick and her body with a thin layer of sweat. She glanced up at the window, seeing the light coming in with the sounds of birds and children playing nearby. What the hell was that?

She must have dreamt. The sounds of a woman's demand still rang through her ears as if someone shouted into them. Yuuki laid there, calming herself as she tried to remember anything. It was a woman, a blurry outline. Dark hair and... wearing white? Yuuki closed her eyes and sighed, her adrenaline giving way to fatigue. Did I get any sleep at all?

That's when the smell of food hit her nose and her stomach suddenly woke up. Slowly she pushed herself off the ground and stifled a yawn. "Good morning, Yuuki," Kaede said as she stirred the cooking pot.

"Morning," she replied and sat proper. She looked around to see her friends at just starting to stir as well, Shippo stretching wide, Kagome rummaging through her yellow backpack, and Inuyasha's eyes fluttering open still sitting upright against the wall. He can sleep like that? Yuuki wondered if it was a defensive habit.

"Here, Yuuki," Kagome handed her a hairbrush and she thanked her. Thus she began going through her mass of curly hair.

Shippo rolled up to a sitting position and yawned loudly. "Good morning, everyone," he said.

"Good morning," Kagome replied. She got up and retrieved wooden bowls for Kaede, helping her fill them with stew.

"So, what do ye all plan on doing today?" Kaede asked as she passed out the bowls.

Yuuki set down the brush and accepted her bowl. "I'm not sure," she replied, staring down at her food. Shippo took his happily while Inuyasha and Kagome accepted theirs gratefully. "Seeing as how our only clue was a dead end I don't see what there is to do next."

"I was thinking," Kagome spoke up as Shippo inhaled the food. "Why don't we take the day off today?"

"The day off?" Inuyasha questioned in a low tone. He didn't like the sound of that.

She turned to him and explained, "Yuuki is new here. She must be exhausted from fighting demons and developing new powers in just a day. She needs a beak before she's overwhelmed."

Shippo paused his consumption to chew and swallow before smiling up at Kagome. "You're so nice, Kagome. I agree."

"Thank you, Kagome," Yuuki nodded to her. "I do need a few minutes to at least get my bearings." The dream she had left her feeling off and unsettled. It was a bad start to the day, and she was so tired still.

"But I don't think it's a good idea for us to split up," a small male voice spoke up. There was a loud sucking sound and Inuyasha smacked himself in the face, making Yuuki blink at him.

There as an awkward pause and Yuuki wondered if he smacked himself on purpose or if Kagome taught him a new command. No one else seemed to be too concerned about it, so she had to ask, "Um... what was that?"

Inuyasha held out his palm and replied, "It's just Myoga."

Yuuki leaned in with the others to stare at his open palm. There was a small flea-looking man flattened in his palm. After he popped back out to size he sat down and folded his four arms. "It's been a while, Master Inuyasha." He then turned to stare up at Yuuki. "Well, well, nice to meet you. My name is Myoga; I'm Master Inuyasha's bodyguard."

"He runs away at the slightest sign of danger," Inuyasha said and she looked at him. "Not much of a bodyguard."

"Oh, I see," Yuuki stared back down at Myoga. She supposed she could only take this as the norm. "Well my name is Fujiwara Yuuki. I'm a friend of Kagome's."

"Now, as custom, we must do the formal greeting ceremony," Myoga said and she furrowed her brows confused. The others watched as Myoga jumped onto Yuuki's shoulder.

There was a sucking down and she quickly smacked her neck. "If this is formal then I guarantee I would have killed you on casual," she said as she held out her palm, glaring at the flattened Myoga. Now her neck had a slight itching sensation.

After he popped back out to size again he sighed in satisfaction. "That was exceptionally delicious," he said and she frowned, feeling slightly disturbed. "Now never mind that. I agree with Kagome's last suggestion. There are demons all around. We should make teams before we take off, just in case."

"I thought if you were here then it wasn't so dangerous," Yuuki said and Myoga sweat dropped.

"Still, we don't want to get into any sort of trouble," Kagome pointed out.

"So let's go in teams of two!" Shippo suggested.

"It's decided," Kagome stood up. "I'll hang out with Shippo today. Yuuki, why don't you spend some time with Inuyasha?"

"Do you want us to fight?" Both Inuyasha and Yuuki asked her. She didn't feel right being left alone with him.

"I'm going to go collect chestnuts!" Shippo said as he hurried out of the hut.

"Wait for me, Shippo!" Kagome called and hurried after him.

Yuuki and Inuyasha frowned after her before glancing at each other. They both huffed and turned away while Kaede continued to eat peacefully. Well, she supposed he wasn't all that bad last night, but that's what made her uneasy the most. Aside from that he was just generally rude and provoking. She sighed and dropped Myoga on the ground so she could eat her food. After she finished she stood, "Well, come on, Inuyasha."

"You serious?" Inuyasha asked skeptically.

She paused by the door and glanced back at him. "You wanna make Kagome happy, right?" Judging by the irritated look he gave her she assumed she won an argument. She crossed her arms and waited, and eventually Inuyasha came grumbling out. "So, can you help me with something?" She asked.

His grumbling ebbed to curiosity. "With what?"

"I'm looking for a certain herb," she explained. "It has a peculiar smell and I was hoping you could help me find it with your nose."

"Is that right," he murmured as he crossed his arms. "What a pain in the butt." She glared at him flatly, her eyebrow twitching. Did he always have to complain? "Fine, I'll help you," he said and marched off. She rolled her eyes at his behavior and quickly followed him. He didn't even ask what herb. As he sniffed the air he led them to the outskirts of the village along the tree line.

Yuuki hung back and held her arms, watching him sniff around the bushes. "Can you find it?" She asked.

He glanced back at her annoyed and replied, "Be patient. It's faint, but I can smell it."

She smirked at his behavior. She had to admit he was pretty entertaining. He seemed very serious as he sniffed around the brush. She then glanced ahead and perked up. "Oh…" She walked ahead past him without his notice and knelt down to the plant. "Found it." She plucked it and stood up. "Inuyasha," she called.

"Don't bother me," he snapped back. "I said I'm looking for it!" Yuuki sighed and then approached him, holding out the herb. She watched as he continued to sniff and slowly trailed towards her. With his eyes closed he followed his nose right to her hand. "Hey, I found it!" He said happily and opened his eyes. He then blinked and looked up at her smirk. He quickly stood upright and crossed his arms turning away from her. "What a waste of time," he said with a light blush.

Surprisingly Yuuki found herself holding back a chuckle. It wasn't often she laughed from pure entertainment. "Sorry about that, but thank you for your effort."

"Well, I'm glad you found it," he said and then looked down at the herb. "So, what is it anyways? It doesn't smell like much from here."

"It's called mint," she replied and held the plant up to his face. "In order to fully smell the plant you have to pinch it first."

"Huh? Let's see…" Curious, he pinched one of the leaves. He then choked on a yelp and stumbled back, holding his nose. Yuuki was astonished at first as he shouted, "You fool! Get that away from me!"

"Pfft-!" She quickly covered her mouth, her face going red as she help back laughter.

He glared at her again and shouted incredulously, "Are you laughing at me!?"

She choked down her laughter. "It smells good," she insisted and then stuffed some of the plant in her mouth, chewing it.

"Are you insane!?" He shouted, watching her bizarrely.

Yuuki covered her mouth and looked over at him to reply, "It's to freshen your breath so it doesn't stink. You should try some."

"Keep that away!" He shouted and then ran off.

Yuuki tilted her head at his enhanced speed and decided it was pointless to try and follow. Instead she casually walked back, munching on the rest of the mint. Though he can be annoying, he isn't all that bad. As she passed through the town square, she watched as some children played with a ball. "Greetings!" There was suddenly a shadow looming over her and she quickly jerked back from surprise.

She was stopped by a very large man. She took an extra step back as he had both weight and height on her and it made her uncomfortable. The man smiled down at her and said, "Sorry to startle you, my name is Kimbei. I was wondering if you knew where I could find tasty cakes around here?"

"Sorry, but I couldn't say. I only just arrived," she replied and went to side step around him, but sweat dropped. He was too big for a single side step.

"Just arrived? Aw, that's too bad," he said and slumped over, making her nervous. She was afraid he would fall down on top of her. Staring down at her, he then became curious. "Hey… I've seen you before! Now where was it…?"

Yuuki suddenly looked up at him confused as he tapped his chin. Inuyasha and Kagome walked up behind her and overheard, "I'm sorry, Kimbei was it? I'm afraid I've never seen you before." There was no possible way he recognized her looks.

"What's going on?" Shippo asked and Yuuki glanced back, seeing them gathered behind her.

"Oh, yes!" Kimbei exclaimed with a loud clap of his massive hands, making Yuuki jump. "In Kasasagi Town!"

Yuuki forced a polite smile up at him that twitched. "Again, I'm sorry, but I don't know where that town is. In fact, this is the first time I've heard of it."

"Nope, no mistake," he said shaking his head. "Kasasagi Town. That's where I saw your face."

Kagome pressed a finger to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "I'm getting tired just listening to him."

"Then let's go," Inuyasha said simply and walked around the man.

"Excuse us," Yuuki bowed awkwardly and quickly followed him, trailed by Kagome and Shippo. She sighed in relief once she was away from the large man and then hurried over to Kaede's hut. That man had to be mistaken, however it was really odd to confuse her looks with someone else. Entering inside she called, "Lady Kaede?"

"Hm?" She looked up at her from the paper she was writing on with a paintbrush. "What is it, Yuuki?"

"I was wondering if you knew were Kasasagi Town was," she said as she sat with her, her friends following inside behind her.

"Why do ye want to know?" She asked curiously.

"There was a large man outside named Kimbei. He said he for sure saw my face before in that town, but I've never been," she explained. "I might be grasping at straws, but it's a little too odd."

"Ah, Kimbei," she said and nodded, obviously knowing the man. "He's a bit of a gluttonous young man, but he's no liar, I can assure ye. If ye think it's a lead, why don't ye all travel to Kasasagi Town? It's just south of here and not very far."

"Well… It sounds like a start," Yuuki said as she stood.

Kagome stared at her unsure and asked, "Are you sure, Yuuki?"

She nodded to her. Putting a hand on her hip she replied, "There isn't much I can do around here. If Kimbei truly believes he saw me, then it may lead to me returning home."

"And in the city we can find leads to the Shikon Jewel shards," Inuyasha added.

"Wow, Inuyasha, did you just agree with Yuuki?" Shippo asked surprised.

"Didn't you hear me?" He questioned annoyed. "I'm willing to do anything to get the shards of the Shikon Jewel and that's it."

Yuuki looked over at him tiredly. He couldn't just be outright nice, could he? "Let's go while we still have daylight."

"Right," Kagome nodded and Inuyasha headed out first.

The group traveled together through the woods along the dirt paths, spotting wildlife scurrying about. It was a little after midday when they reached the exceptionally large town. Yuuki was expecting something minor, but this really was a city. "This is Kasasagi Town," Kagome said as they entered. "It's the biggest city around here and they sell pretty much everything you need for traveling."

"Hey, do you think they sell any juice here?" Shippo asked beneath them.

Yuuki smiled down at him. "Are you thirsty, Shippo?" She asked and he nodded.

"I'll take him to a shop and get him something," Kagome said as Inuyasha stared up the road, watching the crowd of people bustling about.

"There sure are a lot of people," he commented.

"Yes," Yuuki agreed as Shippo jumped up onto Kagome's shoulder. "This means we should split up and ask around. No doubt it'll get dark before we ask everyone, but after we get any information we'll meet back here."

"The city is big, so be careful not to get lost," Kagome warned them.

The three of them then went separate ways. Yuuki idly strolled through the city, observing people as they went about their day as usual. Her plan was solid enough, but now that she was in action she wasn't sure of what to do. Was she just supposed to walk up to people and ask, 'have you seen me before?' She brought a hand to her chin thoughtfully. This city was too far from where she woke up. It was in the opposite direction in fact. How was it possible that Kimbei saw her before in this town?

A man that was walking the street paused, spotting Yuuki. He stared at her dumbly as she strolled past, not realizing he was blatantly staring. He blinked, kicked into gear, and then exclaimed, "Y-You! I've seen you before!"

Yuuki stopped short and turned to stare at him surprised. "Me?" She questioned, pointing to herself. He nodded furiously. This is the second claim now. It couldn't have been a coincidence. "Where?"

He hesitated and then thought hard for a moment. She cocked an eyebrow and fully faced him, resting her hand on her hip. She waited patiently until his face lit up in realization. Pointing at her accusingly he shouted, "You're the girl from the wanted poster!"

Her eyes went wide. "... Wait- wanted poster?"

"Guards!" Yuuki watched incredulously as he ran up the street and began shouted. "Guards! I found the girl on the wanted poster!"

She then frowned at him unhappily. "Now hold on just a minute," she said as she walked up to him. He spun around and stared at her slightly fearful as she approached. "I'm not on any wanted posters. I'm-"

"It's her!" A woman suddenly shouted and Yuuki stopped short. She turned around to see a woman pointing at her. "Guards! The wanted poster girl!"

"You have to be kidding me," she said aloud, baffled at the turn of events. She insisted, "Enough, please! I can't be on a wanted poster…" She trailed off as several men dressed in old-fashion uniforms ran towards her and surrounded her, aiming their long spears at her. She sighed as her face fell, putting her hands up in surrender before they started stabbing. "Listen, there has to be a misunderstanding." She had never been here before!

"We've found her," one of them said as they moved closer to her. She eyed him sharply, tensing up. The officer lifted a paper in her face and she stared at it. Her eyes went wide. It was her… There was something slightly off, but the facial structure and the untamed long hair were the same. But how-? "You're coming with us," another man barked as two of them grabbed her arms roughly.

"Ow." She didn't want to pick a fight, so she directed her irritated look to the ground. "All right, I'm not resisting." They didn't exactly let up on the roughness as they dragged her through the streets towards the largest home she'd seen since the temple in Akebi. She was at least thankful that they were swift so they didn't draw so much attention as to form a crowd.

As they led her onto the grounds of the luxurious manor one guard called, "My lord!" and ran up to the porch as the guards holding her shoved her down, forcing her knees to hit the sand of the garden rather hard. They're treating me as if I'm dangerous, she thought and risked to lift her head. An elder man with receding black hair in a top knot walked forward as the soldier knelt to him. "We've found the girl on the wanted poster," he reported, holding the poster up to him.

Yuuki watched him as he took the poster. He examined the stoic face of the young woman in the poster before lowering it, examining Yuuki's own stoic expression. "Well, well," he smiled smugly as he rolled up the paper. "It's the girl from the wanted poster."

"That isn't me," She insisted firmly. Still smiling the old lord raised an eyebrow at her. She sighed, knowing it was pointless at this point, but continued, "Please, you have me confused with someone else. There's no possible way my face would be on any posters, I'm new to this region. Just look at my clothes," she straightened her back to show off her uniform. "I've just arrived to these parts yesterday."

He frowned at her, not liking her point. "Well, you're right, your clothes are strange." She sweat dropped. "But for some reason Kagura wants us to capture you."

Yuuki narrowed her eyes. "Kagura? I have no idea who that is."

"You wouldn't know her," he replied gruffly, crossing his arms behind his back. "She's a messenger from the castle."

Yuuki frowned resisting a tch. What in the world does a castle want with me? "Well then, she has the wrong person," she said, acting gruff right back. This man and this situation were getting on her nerves really quickly.

"Are you insane?" He questioned angrily. "The messenger made a mistake? No way. Impossible!"

"You people aren't very open minded are you?" Yuuki snapped annoyed.

A guard grabbed her roughly by the collar of her shirt and she winced, but glared through the sharp pain. "Watch yourself," he ordered.

"Take this girl away to the jail," the lord commanded, gesturing them to leave. "You can wait there until Kagura arrives and speak with her then."

Though her tongue was feeling particularly sharp, she decided to keep her mouth shut as they unkindly dragged her away. The guards brought her around and threw her in a stone cell, making sure she fell and hit the ground. "Behave yourself until Kagura gets here," one ordered as the other locked the cell.

She glared at them, but remained on the ground until they walked away disappearing around the corner. After that she got off the ground and dusted herself off, looking around the cell. She couldn't begin to wonder what in the world was going on this town. She went up to the cell bars and grabbed them, peering out around the garden of the manor. She spotted a guard approaching and quickly backed away. As he passed he gave her the stink eye which she returned with a cold stare. He continued on and she then examined the cell. "No way am I sticking around for Kagura," she said to herself.

She needed to find Kagome and Inuyasha quickly. She felt around the stone walls, hoping there was a hidden switch or perhaps a fake piece of wall. As her hands pressed against the cool stone, one of the lumps of cobble broke away. She narrowed her eyes and groped around the rock, breaking more of the stone away. It's weak. Yuuki closed her eyes and extended her senses through her Seishin. If Kakuju could do it, then she could at least sense if anyone was nearby. The coast seemed clear, so she backed away from the wall and pulled off her rosary. She then tossed it in the air and clapped her hands. The beads shot out on command and bombarded the weak structure, destroying it and leaving a hole in the wall. She caught her rosary and winced at the ruckus it made, but didn't waste any time slipping through the hole.

She kept close to the wall, frantically looking around in search of guards. Thankfully her Seishin didn't lead her wrong and didn't spot anyone. She made a break for it and ran for the wall that enclosed the compound. She jumped and kicked off a decorative garden rock, grabbing onto the top of the wall. Yuuki quickly glanced around, spotting guards walking away from her. She pulled herself up and jumped down the other side, running in the opposite direction.

Making it back to the city she had to weave around pedestrians, avoiding eye contact with anyone as she kept her eyes peeled for more guards. She paused by a wall, seeing a poster of herself, and tore it from the wall, stuffing it in her pocket. Without a hitch she ran back to the meeting place huffing, seeing everyone else already gathered there. Kagome looked over at her and smiled, "Yuuki! You're back!"

"What took you so long?" Inuyasha asked as she ran up to them.

Still panting, she took out the poster and held it up for them. "Seen these?"

"Yeah, they were posted everywhere!" Shippo replied. "I was getting worried."

"Why are there wanted posters of you here?" Kagome asked confused.

"I don't know," Yuuki replied, crumpling it up and tossing it aside. "But the guards got me for a moment and took me to the Headman's house to jail. I tried to convince them it wasn't me, but obviously that didn't work."

"Well I'm glad you're safe now," Kagome said as she eyed the crumpled poster worried.

Yuuki took a breath and then crossed her arms, calming down. "Some woman named Kagura brought them here. Apparently she's under the impression she knows me."

"What?" Inuyasha suddenly perked up at the name. "Kagura!?"

Shippo looked up at him wide eyed. "Do you think it could be that Kagura?"

Yuuki furrowed her brows feeling annoyed at the vagueness. "If you mean by 'that' Kagura as in the 'castle messenger' Kagura, then yes," she replied. "Not that I know of any castles around here," she added annoyed under her breath.

"Yuuki," she looked over at Kagome's serious stare. "Do you remember the demon Naraku I told you about? On the way to Akebi?"

Yuuki hesitated, but then nodded. "You didn't tell me much, but yes. The evil demon that's after the shards?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Kagura is one of Naraku's female incarnations."

"She's a wind sorceress that possesses the dead to do her bidding," Inuyasha quickly added heatedly, fired up by the mention of her. "She's disgusting."

Yuuki shook her head. "Wait a minute," she put her hands up. "Slow down and roll back. Just 'one of' his incarnations? You're saying that this Naraku can create other beings?"

Kagome nodded regretfully. "That's how powerful he's become. He holds most of the jewel shards after all."

Yuuki stared at her for a moment. She then pinched the bridge of her nose. "So you're telling me a powerful evil demon's incarnation is handing out wanted posters of me."

Kagome furrowed her brows up and put her hands up. "Yuuki, please calm down…"

"Oh, I'm calm," she replied and dropped her arm, staring with a harsh and cold gaze. "I'm calm and pissed off. I was just thrown in jail for no reason other than this Naraku wants to give me a bad day."

"It must be because of you coming to our world," Shippo said below her. "It sounds like something he would do."

"Well, this Sorceress Kagura is supposed to be on her way to get me," Yuuki said.

"Then we might as well wait until she shows up," Inuyasha said.

"Except I escaped from my cell," she added. "If I'm not here then she'll leave."

Kagome brought a hand to her chin and thought for a moment. "Well then, why don't we take you back?" They all stared at her and she explained, "We'll get Headman's good graces if we turn you in, and Kagura is sure to show up. If we're at the manor then we can ambush her."

"Hey," Inuyasha smiled at her. "That's a great idea!"

Yuuki eyed him suspiciously. "You sound too happy."

"Come on!" He grabbed her arm roughly with a smile on his face. She yelped in protest as he dragged her behind him. "We're taking you in, fugitive!"

Yuuki grabbed his wrist and tried to free herself desperately. She glared at him angrily with a blush, her heels digging into the dirt. "Inuyasha!" she shouted in a warning tone as he easily dragged her behind him. "I don't like to be man-handled!"

Kagome sweat dropped as she followed. "Inuyasha…"

Shippo jumped to her shoulder and stared at them in interest. "Inuyasha seems to be having too much fun."

"Yes, and it seems he forgot how dangerous this can be," she added in annoyance.

Inuyasha dragged her through the city, ignoring the strange stares they received, and walked right up to the Headman's house. A guard quickly stopped him and shouted, "Hey! This is the house of the village headman. What do you want?"

"What do you idiot guards think you're doing!?" Inuyasha barked right back. The man blinked at him and the girl that was still struggling to get her arm free. "We caught the girl on the wanted poster that you let escape and came to turn her in again."

"Let me go, dammit!" Yuuki shouted at him, her hair flying out.

"I see…" He glanced between them a little unsure, but nodded. "She is the girl from the posters. Come inside and wait by the white sand." He stepped aside to let them through. Inuyasha walked inside, dragging the stubborn Yuuki along. Kagome and Shippo flashed awkward smiles at the guard before quickly following after them.

"Well, that was easy," Kagome commented once they were out of earshot.

"Great acting, you guys!" Shippo smiled at them.

They both quickly looked over at him, Inuyasha confused, and Yuuki annoyed, as they both said, "We're not acting." They then looked at each other, Inuyasha blinking at her and her staring at him flatly, her face going red in frustration. "You're blushing."

"Quit pointing that out!" She snapped, resuming her fruitless struggle to be free.

Kagome sighed, but smiled at their bickering. She then blinked, hearing a strange sound. Alarmed she said, "Shh! Can you hear that?" They paused and glanced around.

They could hear the sound of a faint buzz. Shippo looked up and gasped. "There!" He pointed up and they followed his gaze, seeing a large wasp flying away.

Kagome gasped as well. "Saimyosho!"

"Saimyosho?" Yuuki questioned confused, staring at the wasp. "It looks like a giant wasp."

"Saimyosho are Naraku's eyes and ears," Inuyasha said as he released her, causing her to stumble back. "If they're here then Kagura is, too."

"Which means we've probably already been found out," Shippo added sadly.

Suddenly, four demons dressed in monk clothing slammed in the ground, surrounding them. They quickly faced them back to back, Inuyasha smirking and Yuuki quickly gathering herself. "Even a welcoming committee?" She questioned, taking off her rosary.

Inuyasha flexed his clawed hand, cracking his knuckled. "Bring it on!" He jumped out and scratched at one of the demons shouting, "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"

Yuuki whipped out at the demons and cut through two of them easily. Shippo jumped up and shouted, "Smashing Top!" His top toy blew up in size and pinned down the last demon.

"Come on, we have to find Kagura," Kagome said and took off with Shippo.

Yuuki and Inuyasha quickly followed after her, running around the manor. "Help me!" A man called out.

Yuuki knit her brows together and said, "That sounded like the headman." They ran around a corner and stopped short, seeing the Headman cornered by two of the salamander monk demons. She smirked at his helplessness and lashed out at the demons, killing them before his eyes. She then ran up to him followed by the others. "You okay, Headman?" she asked, putting a hand on her hip with a frown.

He stared at her in surprise. "Y-you saved me?" He then bowed at the waist. "Thank you so much. I don't deserve your kindness."

"No, you don't," she agreed.

Kagome stepped beside her and frowned at her. "Yuuki!"

Yuuki sighed and closed her eyes. "But don't worry about it. So, what happened around here?"

"I was tricked by that Kagura woman," he replied bitterly, standing upright again. "I had no idea the castle's messenger was a demon. After she arrived and you weren't here she attacked us for wasting her time."

"Where is she now?" Inuyasha demanded.

"She's just ahead," he quickly replied, gesturing behind him inside the manor. "She tried to feed me to the demons!"

"Quickly! Let's go!" Inuyasha jumped up on the porch and ran inside, followed by Yuuki.

"Get somewhere safe and hide," Kagome instructed the Headman and ran after them.

They ran into the manor as Inuyasha followed Kagura's scent. It was easy enough to find her in one of the back rooms. "Found you, Kagura," he said as they gathered in the room.

Yuuki stood beside him and stared at the Kagura woman with her back to them. She wore a magenta and white kimono with a yellow obi, her brown hair tied up and decorated with feathers. She turned around, revealing red eyes and holding a fan. "I thought I heard a ruckus," she said in a husky voice. "It was you guys."

"So, you're Kagura," Yuuki said as she eyed her up and down. "Why are you trying to capture me?"

Kagura eyed her back with a smile. "So, you're the girl…"

She narrowed her eyes, wondering what scheme was going on. "I only have one question for you," she said and held her rosary up to her. "Was Naraku the one to summon me to this world?"

"What of it?" She questioned, acting coy as she hid behind her fan.

Yuuki glared coolly. "Because I'm going to force you to send me back if you are."

"Send you back?" She echoed as if interested. "Now why would we do that?"

"You're useless as always!" Inuyasha barked and drew his sword, transforming it into the giant glaive. "I'm going to cut you to shreds once and for all!"

Kagura glanced at him, her amusement gone. "As always, you're such a mutt," she murmured. With a shout she waved her fan, "Dance of Blades!"

The wind kicked up and blades materialized out of the air and flew at them at amazing speed. Kagome quickly picked up Shippo and held him close to her to protect him, but Inuyasha jumped in Kagome's way to protect them both, getting cut in the sides. "Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed.

In short thought panic, Yuuki ran in the opposite direction and a blade cut through her shoulder. She cried out as blood flew and stumbled to the ground. Inuyasha wiped the blood from his side and shouted, "Blades of Blood!" He flung back his own red blades, but demons charged into the room from the side doors, taking the blow for the smirking Kagura.

Sweating and struggling, Yuuki clung onto her limp injured arm as she glared at Kagura furious. Once the demons were destroyed and there was an opening, she used her rage and lashed out at Kagura with her rosary. Kagura glanced at her unworried. The rosary collided with a barrier that became visible. "A barrier!" Shippo exclaimed. The contact from the rosary created a small crack that only Kagura noticed. Her eyes widened in shock, her calm demeanor faltering. "Now how in the world was she able to do that," she murmured to herself.

Suddenly there was a flash of white that engulfed the room. Shippo screamed in Kagome's arms, startling her. "Shippo!" Nearly blinded, Yuuki looked from them over to Inuyasha, seeing him baring his teeth in pain. What is this light? What is this sensation? The light went away and Kagura was startled. "Utsugi?" She questioned.

Inuyasha quickly turned around, seeing Kagome on her knees still holding Shippo. "Are you guys okay!?"

Kagome looked up at him and nodded, "I'm fine."

She frowned down at the struggling Shippo, but he forced out, "I'm okay, too...!"

"What the hell was that?" Inuyasha murmured as he and Yuuki looked behind them confused.

Yuuki's eyes widened, seeing a person approach. They wore a red and white kimono with their face hidden behind a smiling oni mask, having long blonde hair brushed back reaching their lower back. Kagura chuckled and Yuuki glanced back at her, seeing her smile slyly. "Seems Naraku sent someone to help me."

Inuyasha pointed his sword at the one named Utsugi threateningly and warned, "You'll be sorry if you get in my way."

They stopped not too far from Kagome. She stared up at them strangely for a moment, sensing something odd before standing and hurrying by Inuyasha's side. "Be careful, Inuyasha. I don't think this is your typical demon."

"It isn't," Yuuki confirmed and they glanced over at her. She was holding her bloodied shoulder with her rosary in hand, staring at the newcomer intently. "I may not be an expert on demons, but I don't think they can wield Seishin power. Don't ask how I know, but that was it and it was definitely stronger than mine."

The mask turned to stare at Yuuki, making her tense. It was intimidating with its wide eyes piercing hers. "Your wound… It's beautiful," Utsugi said in a woman's matured voice, making Yuuki's eyes widen. "It's like the setting sun." Yuuki felt disturbed.

"I don't care what it is," Inuyasha replied as he glared at the masked woman. "I'll destroy anything that gets in my way."

"You're wasting your time," Utsugi said facing him, sounding devoid of emotion.

Yuuki's eyes narrowed, but Inuyasha swung his blade shouting, "Wind Scar!" The attack raced at the woman in five streaks of light, but the attack was easily repelled by another barrier. The four of them gasped as Kagura slyly hid behind her fan smiling. "Damn," Inuyasha growled, holding his sword up defensively.

"Now it's my turn," Utsugi declared.

She raised her hand towards him and it shone brightly in a white light. The light shot at him and engulfed him, making him shout in pain. "Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted desperately. Yuuki stared in shock, unable to utter a sound. She could feel the power behind the attack, and being just next to it felt overwhelming.

The attack finished and Utsugi dropped her arm. Inuyasha fell to his knee, digging his sword into the ground to force himself to stay up. Shippo jumped out of Kagome's arms a she ran to him, kneeling beside him worried. He lifted his head and strained to glare at Utsugi, one of his eyes forced shut from the effort. "Just a scratch…"

"You…" Utsugi turned to stare at Yuuki while Inuyasha glanced. He could see her staring in utter shock. "That power… Who are you…?"

"So you're the girl," Utsugi murmured. She then faced Kagura and said, "Kagura, I've completed my mission. I'm leaving."

Kagura frowned at her in annoyance. "Fine."

Utsugi turned and walked away, but Yuuki shouted, "Hey-Wait-!" A harsh wind whipped around the room, causing them to flinch. Forcing her eyes open she witnessed Kagura flying out of the room on a giant feather. Once they were gone the wind died down. Yuuki struggled to keep her eyes open until finally her legs gave away.

"Yuuki!"