Along the way to Ayame Village, they had to make camp in the woods. It was late and they were tired, and even though Inuyasha was annoyed, he relented. They were able to look over their supplies and Kagome treated Yuuki's wound properly. "Here, Yuuki," when Yuuki came back from changing into her pajamas, Kagome showed her a plastic wrapped school uniform that was clean and folded. "My mom had me pack spares. You can use this one when you want it."

Yuuki smiled at her in gratitude. "Thank you, Kagome. You can keep it for now though," she said as she held out her uniform shirt, seeing the tears and stains. "Just in case this time isn't done with me yet."

Kagome put the uniform away as Sango spoke up, polishing her Hiraikotsu behind them. "Don't worry, slaying demons can be rough, but soon enough you'll be a natural."

"Yes," Miroku added and they looked over at him across the fire. He closed his eyes and smiled. "Though at this rate it appears your clothes will be nothing but shreds."

He gave a pleasant sigh as he got lost in his imagination and all the women glared daggers at him. "Letcher," Sango grumbled, focusing on cleaning her weapon while Kagome sighed.

Shippo looked over at them from his sleeping spot and asked, "Hey, Yuuki," she looked over at him. "Did Sesshomaru really save your life?"

She sighed as the others looked to her. "Well, more or less..." She took a seat and leaned back against a tree, staring at the sky. "I don't believe he went out of his way for me. My fight with the incarnation was in his way, and he was already slaying the undead. I think I was just lucky."

"Feh," she looked over at Inuyasha as he rolled over away from them. "Lucky to run into Sesshomaru? Not an ounce of good in that jackass."

Yuuki sighed to herself. She didn't want to make Inuyasha upset, but she couldn't deny it would be good to have Sesshomaru's help. Kagome turned to Yuuki and said, "I've been meaning to ask, Yuuki, what about Kinya?"

"That's right, the last we saw her she was facing Naraku alone," Sango recalled and Yuuki looked to the fire sadly. "You haven't mentioned anything about her in a few days."

"I... Haven't been able to reach out to her." Which is a lie. In all honesty, she hadn't tried to reach out to Kinya at all. She'd been too afraid to. If a helpful, powerful woman like that died to Naraku it would've been her fault.

Kagome furrowed her brows up at Yuuki's distant expression. She decided to be uplifting, and smiled when she said, "Well, Naraku wasn't at the castle. If he beat Kinya, wouldn't he be there to boast his confidence to us?"

"That's a very good point," Miroku agreed as he laid down. "He would've been happy to let us know of his victory."

Putting her things away Sango added, "More than likely Kinya made sure we escaped before fleeing herself, just to thwart Naraku."

Yuuki didn't respond as everyone laid down to sleep. She stayed up, watching the fire as the other's slept soundly. They're probably right, but something feels off still. Yuuki took a slow, deep breath to calm herself. I need to stop being a coward. Closing her eyes, remaining upright, she slipped into meditation.

When Yuuki opened her eyes again, she found herself in a familiar open tatami room, moonlight beaming in from the open balcony, cherry blossom pedals falling and drifting inside.

She was sitting against the wall and looked to see Kinya lying in a futon in the center of the room. Her face fell to dread. Oh no... Kinya was a pale sweating mess, her breathing labored and cheeks sunken in. "Oh, no, no, Kinya," Yuuki quickly crawled over to her, "Please, Kinya, open your eyes!" Yuuki hovered her hand over Kinya's chest, but a blue light shone from beneath her haori. Yuuki went wide eyed, that's the Dai Saishi no Tama... She began to hear faint whispers, and Kinya lurched in pain.

"Gnn-gyahh!" When she cried out Yuuki quickly backed away, fearful she did anything. When she retreated the light faded away.

"Lady Kinya!" A woman quickly entered the room with a bowl and cloth. She shushed Kinya, trying to sooth her as she placed the wet cloth on her forehead. "I have medicine for you, my lady," she said and tried to spoon feed her.

Yuuki opened her eyes with a regretful expression. She found herself on her back, staring at the grey early dawn. I didn't get sleep again. She felt exhausted, and awful. Kinya looked awful. She wasn't dead, but she was dying. Am I staying here too long? Was it Naraku's miasma? She had a feeling it was both. There's only so many fronts a person can fight.

Yuuki closed her eyes and tried to rest as much as she could before the others began to wake. With a sigh Yuuki heaved herself up with the others, Inuyasha stomping out the remains of the fire while the girls changed and packed. They continued on mostly in silence as they followed the path from the castle town to the forest.

Then Inuyasha stumbled with a sickly look on his face. "Ugh- what is that terrible smell?"

"Hm?" Pulled out of her thoughts, Yuuki looked back at him. "What happened?" Kagome glanced at her, noting her distraction.

They turned to him as he backed away, covering his nose with his sleeve. "Nothing's happened; there's just a terrible smell coming from over there," he pointed up the road and they followed his thoroughly disgusted gaze.

Sango sniffed the air."I can't smell anything."

"Inuyasha's sense of smell is superior to most being's," Miroku explained and Sango looked at him. He brought a hand to his chin, "Unfortunate, though, seeing as we have to continue."

"Oh screw that!" Inuyasha yelled. "No way am I going that way!"

Yuuki sighed, tossing a hand up. "Well, the Saimyosho were seen going to Ayame Village, and the fastest way is on this path."

Shippo jumped up onto her shoulder and grinned at Inuyasha, "It's okay if you have to be left behind, Inuyasha, we'll take care of Naraku for you."

The group continued forward to his chagrin, but he followed after them slowly, looking like he was going to be sick. When they neared a farm that was carved into the forest, that's when Shippo hurk'd on Yuuki's shoulder, making her nervous. "Um, Shippo? You going to be sick?"

"I smell it now..." Covering his nose and mouth he hopped off and waddled over to the bushes where Inuyasha was staked at. "You're right, that smells awful..."

"I told you- hurk," the others quickly shielded their eyes, trying to ignore their dry heaving.

Passing the farm Kagome noted, "I smell garlic."

The farmer that was tending to his strung up garlic looked up at them as they passed. When he spotted Inuyasha and Shippo's sick faces he laughed, nodding in understanding. "Sorry there, folks!"

"Are you only farming garlic?" Kagome asked as she looked at the mass amount of strung up garlic set out to dry.

"Yup," the farmer replied, putting his fists on his hips as he stood proudly. "As stinky as it is, it's very nutritional!" He then asked, "Do you guys want to take one with you?"

"Why not?" Miroku questioned happily. "It would be rude to refuse. Give us the strongest smelling one you have."

"I hate you-!" Inuyasha ran for the bushes, vomiting over the side of it.

"The smell got to him," Sango explained to the farmer politely.

Shippo watched Inuyasha horrified, "Oh no, now I'm gonna-!" He ran and mimicked him.

Both Yuuki and Kagome grimaced, "Who would've thought it was that bad," Yuuki murmured.

Inuyasha fell to his knees and looked back at them pleadingly. "H-help me…!"

"Here," Kagome set her backpack down and took out a container. "You can just put it in here," she said, holding it open.

"All right then!" The farmer happily searched through his stock and plucked a single garlic. He then put it in saying, "Free of charge! Just make sure you tell people were to get the most nutritious garlic around."

"Of course," Sango assured as Kagome quickly sealed the container shut.

"Please, hurry," Shippo pleaded pitifully, "Before Inuyasha gets sick again."

Yuuki scooped up the poor fox demon while Kagome put her backpack back on and helped carry Inuyasha away from the garlic farm. Shippo was first to recover once the farm was out of sight, however Inuyasha needed to be a bit further. He eventually recovered and was able to walk on his own by the time they passed another shop. Sango became curious and paused by it, looking at the display of, "What are these?" She asked. "Large straw sandals?"

"Hey, traveler!" The male shop owner popped up from behind the counter, startling her, and beamed a smile. The shop keeper's wife emerged from the back and stood there looking bored. "You got a good eye to pick that out of everything," he winked.

"A good eye?" Shippo questioned, looking up at the straw sandals. "They don't exactly look good..."

"They're called snowshoes," The shop keeper explained excitedly. "With these shoes, no matter how much snow there is, you can walk without sinking!" He grinned and clasped his hands together. "How about it? You want them, don't you? If you buy them now, I'll give you a good deal."

"I'm sorry," Miroku said with an apologetic smile, raising his hand. "But we aren't in need of these snowshoes. You see, it doesn't even snow around here."

"See?" The man's wife grumbled next to him with a dangerous aura. "I told you not to buy those from the peddler."

"Oh, that's too bad," he began to sweat from nervousness. "They're the latest trend, too! The women go wild for men who wear these, you could even make a turnover in the city with them!"

"How much did you say they were?" Miroku asked, shoving Sango aside.

Sango stumbled and blinked. She then whirled around on him and shouted, "But we don't need them!"

"That's not going to stop Miroku," Inuyasha said as he walked off, "Come on, let's just leave him."

"Unbelievable," she grumbled as she left with them.

They made a good distance along before Miroku ran back to them, carrying several pairs of snowshoes in his arms. "I must say I outdid my own expectations," he said happily.

"In what," Yuuki questioned, "getting suckered?"

Kagome looked back at his pout and said, "She's right, Miroku. You just wasted money to buy things we don't need."

Inuyasha looked back at him angrily and asked, "Why did you even buy so many!? It's not like we're going to choose to look stupid along with you."

"I'll have you know I bought all of these at the price of one," he said matter-of-fact. "Like the shop keeper said, we can make a turnover in the city!"

"It's summer!" The lot of them shouted at him.

"He used you as a trashcan," Yuuki explained in exasperation. "He can't sell those things around here- you said so yourself that it doesn't snow here! So he got rid of all of them at once because you're a womanizer."

"Oh, come now!" Miroku ran up to her and got close, shoving them in her face. "Do you honestly mean to say that these don't attract you to me?"

Yuuki stumbled away from him. "Get back, would you?!" She snapped annoyed.

Sango gasped. "Yuuki, look out!"

Yuuki stepped back and her foot slipped right out from under her. She yelped as she fell and splashed in mud. They hurried over and stared down at her worried while Inuyasha only laughed, pointing at her. "You friggin' clutz!"

Yuuki was shocked at herself, her uniform completely ruined by the mud. She glared up at him, face beet red and shouted, "Sh-shut up, lousy dog!"

"Quit teasing her," Kagome scolded, grabbing her hand and helping her out.

"Don't get mad at me," he said defensively. "It's Miroku's fault she fell in the mud."

While Yuuki tried to wipe the bulk of the mud off, Sango looked around and realized, "It's a giant swamp area."

"This isn't good," Miroku said direly, staring at Yuuki above his snowshoes. "You need to change right away."

"Not in front of you!" She yelled, thoroughly annoyed, and he became dejected.

"Luckily your uniform just needs a wash," Kagome said as she pulled her backpack around. "We can use the clothes that Kaede gave us in the meantime!"

As she pulled them out Yuuki furrowed her brows up at them, her blush going away. "The priestess clothing?" Am I really worthy of wearing those?

"Well we should have my spare uniform for when yours is beyond repair," She replied. "Here, go change behind the trees. We'll make sure Miroku doesn't watch."

"You should have more faith in me," he said as Yuuki took the clothing.

Sango crossed her arms. "How can you say that!? With all those stupid shoes in your arms." He could only sigh.

Yuuki hid behind the trees and was careful to remove her uniform, though her mass of hair was already ruined. She sighed sadly as she used leaves to try and remove remaining mud on her body. I need a hot bath and sleep. She put on Kaede's old priestess clothing and then stepped back onto the road. Miroku lit up as he gazed at her. "You look beautiful!"

"Give it a rest already," she said tiredly, walking on without them.

He frowned after her. "Is it me, or is she in low spirits today?"

Sango shot him an annoyed look. "She's probably tired of you."

"No, there's something off with her today," Kagome said, watching her friend with concern.

The group continued on, Kagome being kind enough to let Miroku stuff the snowshoes in her backpack. Along the way Inuyasha stopped and smelled the air. In a low tone he said, "I smell wolves."

"Wolves?" Kagome questioned. "That means-"

"That's right; scrawny wolves," he said distastefully and continued on his way. Yuuki raised an eyebrow as she followed.

Making their way through somewhat of a maze of a forest, there was a peculiar rush of wind. Yuuki stopped short and went wide eyed, feeling a presence behind her. She turned around to see two men wearing fur clothing, glaring at her. She took a step back, sensing their hostility. "Uh, who are these guys?"

As the group faced them Sango replied, "Wolf demons."

A small cyclone raced by them and it dispersed, revealing a third wolf demon. He had long black hair in a ponytail and blue eyes that glared at Yuuki with hate. "What do you mean who are they? How can you pretend?" He spat. Yuuki blinked, and then realized he was speaking to her. "You think you can do what you did and I'll just forget about it?"

"Wait- what?" She shook her head, trying to come to her senses. She frowned at his livid glare, "I've never met you or your friends before."

"Don't pretend that nothing happened," he growled. She became alarmed as he raised his clawed hand, cracking the knuckles. "I never forget a face. It's time for you to pay for every day of attacking my comrades!"

She quickly backed away from him. "Wait- attack!?"

"Koga, wait!" Kagome hurried between them and shielded Yuuki from him. "Yuuki has been with us the whole time!"

Yuuki blinked at her friend. "You know him?"

"You know her!?" He shouted incredulously.

"Yes," she explained desperately, "Yuuki is my friend!"

"Move, Kagome!" Koga said. "I'll lose face if I let her go."

"I don't think he's going to listen to what we have to say," Miroku said.

"Interesting," Inuyasha smirked. "Now we'll get to see who's stronger." Yuuki looked back at him confused, seeing him draw his Tessaiga. "Yuuki, get behind me." She was surprised as he walked passed her to face off with Koga. He's defending me again without me asking him.

Koga's cohorts pushed back the others so their leader could fight without disruption. "Of course you'd protect someone as despicable as her you mangy low-life mutt," Koga spat.

"Shut up, ya scrawny wolf, and die!" Inuyasha shouted and attacked him.

"Despicable...?" Kagome glanced over at Yuuki, seeing a hurt look in her eyes.

"Yuuki?" She questioned, but with no response. She shared a worried look with the others.

Why am I despicable? I've never even seen him before... Koga jumped back to dodge and then struck back with his leg. Inuyasha easily blocked the attack and went to cut him again. "Wait- please," she called out, realizing their fight was serious. "Let me explain-!"

"Shut it, you!" Koga looked at her with such rage that she was stunned silent. "After I kill the mutt I'm killing you next!"

"Koga!" Kagome exclaimed appalled.

"Not if I kill you first!" Inuyasha shouted as he raised his sword. "Wind-!"

"Inuyasha, sit!"

Inuyasha slammed into the ground, caught off guard and losing his sword. "What... the hell..."

Kagome hurried in front of Inuyasha to protect him from Koga. "Koga, this has to stop. Yuuki doesn't know what you're talking about- none of us do!"

"I'm sorry, Kagome." She faltered at his serious expression. "I can't take your word, not this time. My comrades were attacked- killed, and their descriptions of the assailant match her perfectly." He jabbed a finger at Yuuki and her heart sank. He turned to her and added, "I would never hurt you, Kagome, but I'll slaughter anyone else that stands in my way of having that murderer's head!"

Murderer. The word echoed inside Yuuki and Kinya's sickly state crossed her mind. She looked to the ground sadly. I guess he's not wrong...

"Fine!" Yuuki looked up to see Kagome blocked her from Koga again. "Then until we can prove to you that Yuuki is innocent; take me as your hostage!"

Yuuki was shocked. "Kagome..."

"Are you insane!?" Inuyasha shouted from the ground, still dislodging himself. "This guy is a fucking lunatic! How can you trust him at this point!?"

Koga was surprised as well, but recovered. "And if they can't prove it, what'll I do with you?"

"Whatever you like at that point," she replied, "because we're not going to fail in proving her innocence. She didn't kill anyone!"

"Really," Koga smirked. "That means you'll become my wife."

"Who does he think he is?" Inuyasha growled. "That can't happen…!"

Yuuki's head was spinning. "W-wait a minute," she reached out to her friend, "Kagome, you can't-"

"It's fine," she smiled back at her. "I'm not entirely sure what the situation is, but knowing you're not the culprit, it won't take long to prove that. Besides, I trust Koga."

"Kagome..." Yuuki glanced up at Koga, seeing him stare at her with a blush.

"No way am I letting you have Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted and jumped over the girls to attack him.

Kagome closed her eyes. "Inuyasha, sit!" He slammed deep into the ground again.

"All right, it's decided." Koga moved too fast to follow, and the next thing Yuuki saw was Koga's back to them holding Kagome bridal style with her backpack on the ground. "Everyone, we're heading back to the den."

"Dammit…" Inuyasha struggled to lift his head to glare at him. "Wait…!"

"Later, mutt," Koga smirked at him. "I have what I want now."

"Kagome!" Yuuki shouted and Koga and his pack mates ran off faster than they could keep up with.

"Damn…" Inuyasha slowly brought himself to his feet and grabbed his sword, his Tessaiga transforming big again. He sheathed it away as he said, "We need to go after them."

"Then what's the use of her becoming a hostage?" Miroku questioned.

He was frustrated. "Yes, I know, but…"

"We know Koga won't hurt Kagome," Sango said, gaining their attention. "He cares about her too much. So we should search the forest first. According to Koga, they're being attacked every day. We may be able to find some clues to clear Yuuki's name and get Kagome back."

"Fine," he snapped and marched off.

Yuuki watched him, feeling even more guilty. She picked up Kagome's backpack and walked with the others after him, "So, who was that Koga guy?"

"Koga is the leader of the wolf demon tribe," Miroku replied. "He has the jewel shards of the Shikon Jewel in his legs. We first met him when he kidnapped Kagome to have her help him."

"Help him? For what?"

"His tribe was being attacked by some demons called the Birds of Paradise," Shippo explained, jumping up onto her shoulder. "The birds had jewel shards and he needed Kagome to find which one had them so he could defeat them. While he kept her hostage he fell madly in love with her. So whenever he's around he's always asking Kagome to marry him and Inuyasha get's super jealous and full of rage."

"Shut up, Shippo!" He shouted back at them.

Yuuki's heart nearly stopped. Then it suddenly it kicked up to speed- she was panicking. Inuyasha doesn't love Kagome, does he? Looking to Inuyasha, she had to ask, "Jealous?"

He turned away to hide his blush. "I don't get jealous- why should I!? She just hands herself over willingly to that flea ridden wolf anyways! Honestly we should just leave her with him!"

Sango and Miroku took discreet looks back at Yuuki, seeing her pale and staring at the ground silently. My chest is hurting again. The thought of Inuyasha already liking someone else made her heart twist. It took a lot of self control to not grab at her chest. It doesn't make sense. They fight more than anything. They said they weren't together to begin with. Slowly she was convincing herself to calm down. Besides that, it doesn't matter to me. It doesn't! I don't like Inuyasha like that. I don't!

Why was it becoming difficult to convince herself?

The group rounded the bend on the path and stopped short, seeing a man lying on the ground just ahead. "A wolf demon," Sango realized.

"Yes," Miroku narrowed his eyes at the demon. "Why is he on the ground?"

"It could be a trick." She took the lead as they cautiously approached. They huddled around as Sango knelt to him. "It's Ginta!" She said in surprise. "He's injured and has lost consciousness."

"Ginta?" Yuuki questioned.

"He's basically Koga's second-in-command," Shippo explained. "He and Hakkaku, another wolf demon, follow him everywhere. The last survivors of Koga's original clan's massacre."

She stared down at Ginta. A survivor...of a massacre. Koga's original clan was nearly wiped out. Now it was happening again? He must be blinded by fury.

"He must have been on patrol," Sango said as she examined his wounds. "These are recent, I'd say a couple hours ago."

"I'll tend to him." Sango moved out of Yuuki's way as she knelt to him, pulling Kagome's backpack around. "It's the least I can do since my impersonator did this."

"Try not to take it personally, Yuuki," Miroku said as she rummaged for Kagome's supplies. "You haven't done anything."

"Yeah, he's right," Sango said gently.

Yuuki didn't reply as she pulled out some bandages and ointment. Right as she readied to dab his open wounds with the ointment, Ginta's eyes fluttered open. "Ahh!" She jumped from surprise and he scrambled back away from her, thudding against the trunk of a tree. "I-it's you!"

She blinked at him in shock as Inuyasha said, "Hell, he's terrified of her."

"Wait- please," she reached out to him, but he yelled again, cowering against the tree.

"D-Don't come near me!" He put up his arms to defend himself, shutting his eyes tight. "Don't pretend nothing happened! You're just going to attack me again! I've had enough, please!" Yuuki stared at him at a loss. I've never seen anyone so petrified of me. It hurt. She realized that her heart was hurting, taking his reaction to her personally. "Murderer!" He cried. "Someone help me! It's the murderer!"

"Ginta, please!" She begged.

"Shut it, you!" Inuyasha suddenly kicked him in the head.

Ginta cried out and held his throbbing head. "Inuyasha, stop it!" Yuuki yelled, waving him away. "Leave him alone!"

"But he was yelling stupid shit!" He said in his defense.

"He's scared, can't you see that!?" Inuyasha stared at her. He could see clearly in her face that she was becoming personally affected by Ginta's reaction. He sighed and walked away from him, leaving her to cautiously crawl towards him. "Ginta, please, it's all right. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry for Inuyasha."

Ginta peeked at her from between his arms. He then glanced around, fully realizing the others were there. He then lifted his head in surprise. "You're all Kagome's friends!"

"Hey, Ginta," Shippo smiled. "Long time no see!"

"Ah," he looked around confused. "But where's Kagome?"

"Long story short, she's with Koga as a hostage," Miroku replied. "Listen, Ginta, we need the full story of what's going on around here. You were terrified of our friend Yuuki here," Ginta looked at the girl he recognized before, seeing her sad expression. "Why is that?"

"W-Well..." He still shied away from her as he explained, "A few days ago, a woman that looks exactly like her started attacking us... She only injured a few to start, but after a while she began killing our kind, attacking a few times a day and our night patrols. She makes sure no one follows her, and we haven't been able to track her down. She just vanishes."

"Well that's a lot of help," Inuyasha grumbled from behind them.

Yuuki glanced back, but then looked to the ointment she held. "You guys should search around here, Ginta's wounds are still fairly recent. She might came back for him, so I'm going to stay here."

"Wh-why?" Ginta asked in a panic. "Why be alone with me?"

"I just want to heal your wounds," she replied quietly. "And I'll protect you."

Ginta watched her face for a moment. With how sad and defeated she looked, he began to feel a little guilty. "Um, well, all right then. Thank you."

Inuyasha sighed as he walked off, "All right, we'll be back."

"Be alert," Sango advise before they split up.

Once they were gone, Ginta stared at Yuuki nervously while she kept her gaze down. She simply thought about Koga's hateful looks and words. Ginta was truly scared of her. Murderer. She took a breath and lifted her head. "Would it be all right if I moved closer?" He hesitated, but nodded. Slowly she crawled up to him, making sure she froze when he flinched or jerked. "I'm going to apply this ointment to your smaller cuts, but for the deeper ones I'll have to disinfect them first."

"A-all right..." Ginta kept his eyes on her face, still nervous as she reached for his arm. Once she touched him, however, he surprisingly felt more at ease. She didn't hurt him, and she was careful and gentle. Her hands are soft, he realized. He blinked, watching her work and feeling her hands and fingers brushing against his skin. It made him feel tingly and he blushed. Is this how Koga feels when Kagome tends to his wounds?

Yuuki brought out a brown bottle and some cotton balls, applying the liquid from the bottle to them. "This will sting," she warned.

Dabbing at the gash across his stomach, he winced, but kept his composure for the most part. While she was bent over focusing on his wound, he took the opportunity to sniff at her. He perked up surprised, "You smell good." She blinked and looked up at him. He panicked, blushing more, "I-I mean- what I mean is, you don't smell like that other woman."

"Oh?"

"No, not at all!" He cleared his throat and forced himself to calm down. "You smell like flowers, it's calming, actually. The other woman smelled like... clay."

She furrowed her brows, "Clay?"

He hummed and nodded. "Burnt clay."

"Well, I suppose that's something." Though what it meant, she had no idea, and resumed on his wounds.

"Um, what's your name?"

"Fujiwara Yuuki."

Feeling a bit guilty, he said, "Yuuki, I'm sorry about my reaction earlier. I had passed out when that woman attacked me, and when I saw your face I..." He blinked. She was shaking. When he heard a sniff he became alarmed. "A-are you crying!?"

"I'm sorry," she quickly pulled back and put her face in her haori sleeve. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." She couldn't stop. The tears started coming out, and when Ginta asked she just cracked. She sniffled and hiccupped, trying to wipe the tears away so they could stop. "I'm so sorry..."

"N-no! I'm sorry!" He panicked, waving his arms, unsure of what to do to fix the situation. "I didn't mean to act the way I did, I'm sorry, please don't cry, Yuuki!"

"They're right..." Ginta froze and blinked, listening as she muffled into her sleeve, "They're right... I'm a murderer... It's my fault... I shouldn't be here..."

"Yuuki...?" Feeling concerned, he carefully took her arm and moved it away, getting a clear look at her face. Her eyes were shimmering and red from the tears, her face red across her nose as she sniffled. "Hey... I know it's not your fault, I can see your face now." She glanced up at him and he smiled. "You look really similar, but she was more... I don't know, it looked like she had painting on her face. Her lips were red and there was brown on her eyes. Besides that her hair wasn't pulled back, and that's something!"

"Ginta..." Her face twisted up before she began crying again, falling into Ginta's chest.

He went beet red, frozen for a moment. Hearing her cry made him snap out of it and he held her, thinking that would be what Koga would do. I've never had a woman cry in my arms before. He swallowed, feeling nervous again, but with butterflies in his stomach. "H-hey, it's okay. You're not a murderer. You didn't do anything wrong; you helped me!"

But I'm killing someone else. Yuuki let herself cry for a moment. She needed to get it out, her sadness and frustration. Ginta was kind enough to let her, stroking her hair to try and soothe her. Eventually she was too tired and she was able to calm down, the tears stopping. Sniffling and wiping away the last of them, she sat back up and said, "I'm sorry... That was probably rude, since we just met. I've never done that before."

He blinked. "You mean cry?" She nodded. He mustered a smile, "Well it's all right. I can't imagine how hard it would be having people you've never met before reacting the way me and my comrades have." Yuuki took a breath and nodded. She then continued to finish up with Ginta's wounds and was done by the time her friends came back.

"We didn't find anything," Shippo said regretfully.

"It's all right," Yuuki replied, and Ginta helped her to her feet.

"You don't need to worry," he smiled at her, "I'm going to try and talk to Koga."

She looked up at him surprised, "Really?"

He nodded. "He's not very good at listening, but there's a chance he'll listen to me." He then poked his fingers together bashfully, blushing, "It's the least I can do in return for you healing my wounds."

Shippo stared at his strange behavior and then looked up at Sango. "Does he like Yuuki now?"

Sango looked down at him. "Seems that way."

"W-well, I should get back to Koga. I'll see you later, Yuuki!" He said and then ran off.

"Ah-wait!" She called after him, but he was gone.

She sighed, dropping her arm as Miroku said, "Well there's that, but now we need to find his den. Let's see if we can find any more understanding wolf demons."

The group ran off desperately searching for any wolf demons. Keeping along to the path they eventually came across two, but they spotted them back and shouted in fright, "Oh no! It's the woman!"

"She's found us! Run!"

"Hey, wait!" Yuuki called desperately, but they ran off.

They came across more wolf demons, but again they saw her. "Damn, it's the witch again!"

"Let's get out of here!" And they took off again.

"Stop!" Yuuki shouted, only to be left in the dust.

After about their fourth encounter and Yuuki getting called a murderess bitch, she was starting to feel depressed again. Inuyasha looked over at her gloomy aura and said, "Quit sulking."

"This isn't good," Sango said, "If they even see you they'll start running."

"Then what do we do?" Shippo asked.

Miroku looked to Inuyasha and asked, "Can't you track their scent, Inuyasha?"

"Don't you think I would've done that already," he replied annoyed, crossing his arms. "This forest is covered in their stench, I can't find a clear path anywhere."

Sango thought for a moment and then perked up, dropping her fist in her palm. "I got it!" They all looked at her as she said, "The garlic we got from the farmer! If we can plant it on one of the wolf demons then Inuyasha can find them easily."

Inuyasha swayed, looking sick as he just remembered the smell. Yuuki blinked in surprise and said, "I forgot we actually got that." She brought the backpack around and rummaged through it. She pulled out the container and Inuyasha cowered away from it. Yuuki handed the box to Sango saying, "It's safe to bet that you have the best throwing arm here."

Sango nodded and took the box. "All right," Miroku said. "Let's go find some wolf demons."

They took off again and wandered aimlessly. They eventually came across more wolf demons that spotted them, too. "It's the evil hag!" One of them shouted. Yuuki went dismal again.

"Run! Run away!" The other shouted and they took off.

"Sango!" Miroku exclaimed.

"Right!" Sango opened the container and took out the garlic. Inuyasha stumbled back as if he was punched by the smell and Shippo's eyes rolled back as he dropped to the ground. Sango chucked the garlic and Yuuki was surprised at how fast it flew. It slammed hard enough into the wolf demon's back that it exploded and he went flying forward, landed on his front and sliding a little.

"Damn," she murmured impressed.

"I've been hit!" The wolf demon cried in panic.

"Come on!" His friend came back and dragged him to his feet. They took off quickly and escaped.

"Hurry, Inuyasha!" Miroku said to him. "Follow the scent!"

They looked back at him to see him on the ground in the fetal position. "I can't," he groaned looking sick. "I'm gonna die…" Shippo shoved his head in the bushes and made sick.

Sango was surprised at the state they were in. "The smell got them again," she realized. "You're a real mess there, huh, Inuyasha."

"Shut up, Sango…" He hurk'd and covered his mouth.

Staring down at him Miroku said, "You poor thing."

Inuyasha took great effort to give him a pitiful glare. "Like you give a shit…"

"Inuyasha," Yuuki knelt to him and he glanced at her serious expression. "Koga still has Kagome hostage. Ginta might try and talk to him, but can you trust him not to have his way with her?"

"Uugh…" He struggled to pick himself up off the ground. "Why should… I care? She went with him… On her free will…" He got to his feet and wiped the sweat off his brow. "I need to find her to give her a piece of my mind though."

Yuuki looked over at Shippo as he translated from the bushes, "He's- uuah- worried about Kagome a lot..."

"Shut up, Shippo." He then sniffed and turned to the direction the demons ran. "It's this way." He ran off and the others quickly followed, Miroku snagging up Shippo by his tail. He led them in confidence, only pausing a couple times to sniff the air. Traveling further into the forest they came by a river. He pointed ahead of them and said, "Their lair is over there."

"I hope Kagome is all right," Shippo said from Miroku's shoulder.

"Of course she is," Inuyasha snapped. They followed him through the beaten path along the river until they came to a bridge.

On the bridge laid two dead wolf demons, their blood staining the wood a dark brown color. Judging from the smell it was longer ago than Ginta's attack. "What an unforgivable thing to do," Sango murmured as they slowly approached.

Staring at them as they passed, Yuuki said, "It's hard to believe that someone is impersonating me and slaughtering these demons. I mean, what could their purpose be?"

"Well, we're gonna find out," Inuyasha replied.

"He's right," Miroku agreed. Staring ahead he then noticed a hole in the cliff side. He pointed at it and said, "There, just ahead, that's their den."

Pushing through the bushes to get to it, they found a wolf demon propped up against a tree just outside the den, groaning. Yuuki gasped and pushed past them to run to him. "Hold on," she said as she knelt to the demon. "Let me heal your wounds."

"Is he awake?" Sango asked as they approached.

Rummaging through Kagome's backpack she replied, "Just barely." She began putting ointment on his cuts.

Then someone shouted, "Hey!" They quickly looked over to the den entrance, seeing two fearful looking wolf demons staring at her. "W-What did you do to my friend!?"

"Wait!" Yuuki stood up and held up the bandages saying, "I'm helping him!"

"We gotta get Koga!" One shouted and the other ran back into the den. He pointed at her accusingly, glaring at her with hate. "You'll pay for what you've done, witch!" Yuuki stared at him hurt as he ran back after his friend.

"They've mistaken us again!" Shippo exclaimed in disbelief.

"Well what do you expect?" Inuyasha questioned. "They're wolf demons; they have puny minds. Come on, Kagome's gotta be in that cave."

Yuuki finished up with the injured demon and hurried after them into the cave. At the far back they could see a light and ran for it. Getting closer they could see Kagome sitting on the ground under the torch. "Kagome!" He shouted.

Kagome looked up and then stood, smiling at them. "Everyone!" She then blinked and looked behind her, suddenly seeing Koga standing there and flanked by his men.

"You're not trying to take Kagome away from me without my knowing, were you, mutt?" Koga questioned, glaring at him accusingly.

"Kagome, are you okay?" Inuyasha asked concerned, ignoring Koga completely.

She nodded to him and Koga raised his fist shouting, "Hey, mutt, I'm talkin' to you!"

Yuuki looked around and then saw Ginta standing by Koga. She perked up and called out, "Ginta!"

"Huh?" He saw her and smiled with a wave. She sweat dropped at him. Don't say hi, talk to Koga! Ginta then realized something and turned to Koga saying, "Um, Koga…"

"Huh?" He glanced at him and then stared at them unhappily. "Right. Fine. But no matter what your story is, it's not like I can believe you just like that. My friends are getting attacked, I lose a comrade every day," as he explained his aggravation grew. "And the one that's been attacking us looked exactly like you." He pointed at Yuuki and she frowned sadly. "I still need some proof that you aren't the one that's been killing my friends- not just for me but for my men as well." She sighed in defeat. What can I do at this point? If Ginta's word wasn't enough, then they had nothing else to offer him. "Or, you can just hand her over to us."

Inuyasha glared at him and opened his mouth to shout, but Yuuki stuck her arm out to stop him. He blinked at her confused. "Yuuki?"

Ginta became worried while Koga watched her with a sharp eye. "So be it," she said and walked forward. "I have no other evidence to offer you, Koga. You're accusing me, so let Kagome go and I'll listen to you." She couldn't leave her friend in her stead, even if she trusted this man.

"What are you saying?" Sango questioned in absurdity. "You can't do that!"

"So, you finally admit you're the killer," Koga said with a smirk.

Yuuki lifted her head and stared him down. "I would never kill- not senselessly like this. There's an imposter of me out there doing this, that's a fact, but I can't leave Kagome in my place like this. It's not fair."

"You idiot!" Inuyasha snapped and she ignored him. "Do you realize what you're doing!? He can kill you!"

"Of course I realize what I'm doing," she replied in annoyance, not breaking eye contact with Koga. "I'm not any closer to getting home as it is, and there's no way Koga is going to just let us leave. We have no other proof that I'm not the killer, and we can't have Kagome stay here forever until we figure this out because we don't know how long this could take!"

Ginta stared sadly as Koga grinned wickedly, raising a clawed hand. "Then get on your knees and bow your head so I can cut it off."

"Well then!" Miroku said cheerfully, getting everyone's attention. He walked forward, his staff jingling. "I suppose we just have to teach them a lesson, isn't that right, Sango?"

Yuuki glanced back confused, seeing her step forward as well with her own smile. "Koga, do you really think we'd let you hurt our friend?" Kirara transformed beside her and roared. "We'll fight off your whole tribe if we must."

Did she just declare war on them? "Idiot," Inuyasha smiled at her dumbstruck face. "Like we're just going to abandon you."

She only stared at him. She then looked over at Kagome to see her smiling at her. She only nodded. Yuuki wasn't sure how she should react, but she felt… Happy. They were just going to jump into battle with people they knew to help her? "If you all are on her side," Koga said and his comrades crouched down, snarling and ready to attack. "Then we'll kill you, too!"

"Wait!" Ginta ran out and stood between the two forces, putting his arms out to protect Yuuki.

"Ginta?" Koga questioned in surprise. Everyone else stared in surprise as well that the timid wolf demon would stand up to his leader. "What are you doing?" He asked, genuinely confused.

Ginta had his eyes shut tight, nervous sweat building on his brow as he tried to build up his courage. He swallowed and stared up at Koga meekly saying, "I-I have to protect her… Because I love her!"

There was silence.

Both sides had blinking eyes, stunned and confused. Shippo mumbled from the side, "That probably sounded a lot more manly in his head."

Yuuki was the most flabbergasted, she didn't have a single thing to say to that, but her face was slowly turning red. Did... someone just confess their love for me...? Ginta? Someone she just met? A demon?

Koga was dumbstruck as well. The first one to recover was one of Koga's men, "What!?" he shouted, making Ginta flinch. "Traitor!"

"Kill him, too!" Another shouted. "He's been bewitched!"

"Now hold on!" Koga shouted at them and they backed down immediately. He relaxed and crossed his arms, staring at Ginta hard. "All right, fine. You have my attention. So explain yourself."

Ginta stood upright and said, "W-Well… I was attacked by the witch and was left for dead. But Yuuki found me and saved me. If she didn't help me then I would have been a goner, and she has a completely different scent from the witch. The woman attacking us smells like burnt clay, while Yuuki smells of beautiful flowers!" Inuyasha snickered while Yuuki turned more red, feeling embarrassed by his words. "And if that's not enough…" He lowered his arms and looked over at Kagome saying, "She's one of Kagome's friends. Isn't that proof that she isn't a bad person?"

Koga hummed long and hard, thinking it over long enough to test Inuyasha's patience. "Koga," Kagome stepped forward and got his attention. "Yuuki has been my best friend since we were children. She may not look it, but she's from the future- from my time. She's a victim of Naraku just like the rest of us. We were passing through this forest to get to Ayame Village in search of Naraku in hopes of getting her back home."

He frowned, not liking it, possibly just being stubborn. Looking back at Ginta he asked, "You'll really protect her?" He nodded furiously. Releasing a long, drawn out sigh he finally relented, "She isn't the killer."

"What!?" The wolf demon shouted.

"Koga, why all of a sudden!?"

"Pipe down," Koga said to them. "We were too desperate to find whoever was responsible and we almost accused the wrong person."

"Thank you, Koga, for understanding." Kagome smiled at him. "Can I go now?"

"Yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I wanted you to stay longer, but…" Kagome nodded and walked back to her group of friends. He then glared at Inuyasha and said, "Hey, mutt!"

He glared back. "Whaddya want, ya scrawny wolf?"

"Kagome is still my woman," He warned him. "You can have her back for now, but you better not touch her!"

"Who do you think you are, you mangy wolf?" Inuyasha questioned dangerously.

"Kagome needs a man like me!" Koga shouted back.

"What about what I want?" Kagome asked herself tiredly.

"They're both idiots," Shippo said to her and both Miroku and Sango nodded in agreement.

Ginta turned around to Yuuki and she suddenly stiffened as he smiled at her. "I'm glad Koga decided not to kill you. He can be- um, very opinionated."

"Uh- yes," she mustered a smile. "I am grateful, Ginta, thank you. If you didn't stand up for me then our friends would be fighting each other."

"Yuuki," Ginta took up her hands and she swallowed, sweat building on her temple. Ginta was turning a bit red himself, "Um, you saved my life, so I promise you that I'll use this life to protect yours."

"I-I'm sure you would've been fine without my help in all honesty." He didn't seem to be listening, however, as he stared at her in a daydream like daze.

"Oh wow," Shippo commented from behind her, "He has it bad."

Yuuki felt herself shaking from nervousness. Is just me or is he leaning in closer!? "Uh- um, Ginta?"

He only giggled and ran away back towards Koga. She stared after him feeling very confused and flustered. After shaking her head and coming back to her senses, she called out, "Hey," Koga looked at her. "Not to interrupt your important argument, but don't you think we should be looking for the killer now?"

"And how do you propose we do that?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"Well, do you have any places nearby that you think the killer could be hiding?"

He glared at her annoyed. "Don't you think we would've already checked them."

She sighed, "Fine, then can anyone remember anything else about the killer beside my face?" She asked them and the wolf demons looked at each other clueless. "Ginta?" He put a hand to his chin and thought hard. She started to feel hopeless again. Could they honesty not remember anything else? "All right, then let's go over what we know. The killer has to be close to here with how frequently they're attacking you. Yet somehow they always slip away. We know their scent; burnt clay. I assume you guys follow it, but it quickly disappears, right?"

"I got it!" Koga suddenly exclaimed. "I know where the killer is!"

He suddenly transformed into a cyclone and flew out of the cave with his men following after him. Annoyed Inuyasha shouted after them, "Quit doing that!"

"Hurry, we need to follow," Miroku ushered and they raced after them.

Inuyasha took the lead and they ran as fast as they could after the wolves back through the forest. They made it all the way back to the swamp where Yuuki fell into. As they approached Koga he turned to them and asked, "What took you so long?"

"You're the one that disappeared all of a sudden," Inuyasha snapped back.

"You're just slow, mutt!" Koga spat back.

"What did you say?" Inuyasha asked in a dangerous tone, both of them getting up in each other's faces.

Yuuki sighed heavily, pressing her fingers to her forehead. "I'm getting a headache."

"Please, you two!" Kagome wedged herself between them and pushed them away from each other. "We have more important things to do!"

"Why do they hate each other so much?" Sango asked.

"They're both just helpless bone-heads," Shippo replied and Miroku nodded in agreement.

"Anyways," Yuuki spoke up, her low tone catching the boys' attention. She stared at them hard saying, "So, has this area been checked?"

"No," Koga replied, putting a hand on his hip as he stared out at the swamp. "We'd sink in the mud if we tried to go in, and the water erases any scent."

"Well, Miroku," Kagome smiled, taking her backpack from Yuuki. "I guess you came in for us after all."

Everyone, even including Miroku, looked down at her confused. "I did?" He asked. She pulled out the snowshoes and he smiled, "I did!"

"Don't let it go to your head," Shippo warned.

Holding them up Kagome said, "If we wear these then we won't sink in the mud-" The snowshoes were missing and she blinked.

"All right," Koga said, struggling furiously to put on the shoes. "Time to avenge my comrades!" Once he managed to get them on he ran off into the swamp.

Miroku stared after him saying, "He has no patience."

"Neither do I!" Inuyasha snagged a pair from Kagome's bag and quickly put them on as well. "I want to find the killer and give them a piece of my mind, so hurry and put the stupid things on!"

The group ran together across the mud, following Koga's footprints before they disappeared. Once they reached the other side of the swamp Kagome gasped, seeing Koga collapsed and injured in the mud. "Koga!"

"Look!" Sango pointed past him. "It's Kagura and Utsugi!"

They surrounded Koga to protect him and Yuuki stared up at them confused. Why in the world are they here? "Careful," Koga forced out. They looked over to see him struggling, using effort to look up at them. He clung onto a rock to keep himself from fully sinking into the mud. "They used… A strange power…"

"Koga, don't talk," Kagome quickly said. "Save your energy."

"It's still not enough…" They glared at Utsugi suspiciously.

"What are you mumbling about?" Inuyasha demanded.

Kagura gave them a condescending smile. "It's been a while. It's a shame you all didn't kill each other for us, seems you're just smart enough to not fall for our trick."

"You two were up to this?" Gesturing to Koga, Yuuki raised her voice, "You were the ones killing the wolf demons!?"

She smirked. "It's their own fault for being so weak."

"I've had enough of you!" Inuyasha shouted and pulled out his Tessaiga. "We're taking care of you right now!" He looked over at Yuuki. "Yuuki!"

"Right," she closed her eyes and folded her hands together. As her Seishin powers built up she opened her eyes and shouted, "Spirit's Rage!" Her energy force shot up and then fell down on Utsugi and Kagura hard, revealing and shattering the barriers. Her eyes then widened, suddenly gasping for air. What's going on? I'm tired so suddenly. Still powered up she took out her talisman, making it glow, and shouted, "Inuyasha!"

"Right!" He raised his sword, seeing the tear in the demonic energies. Yuuki closed her eyes and the Tessaiga shone in a white light. "Wind Scar!" His attack rushed at them across the mud in five streaks with Yuuki's Seishin spiraled around each streak.

Kagura smirked and waved her fan. "Dance of Blades!" Her attack rushed at Inuyasha, but was overpowered. She glared and jumped out of the way as the attacked was veered slightly away from them, though Utsugi refused to move. She stood fearless as the attack just barely missed her, flying passed her head.

"Damn!" Inuyasha shouted. "I missed!"

The attack ran its limit and Yuuki stared at Utsugi in shock, panting heavily. She didn't even flinch... Yuuki grunted and nearly fell to her knee, clutching at her chest. Sango looked over in alarm, "Yuuki!?"

There was a crack and Yuuki peered back up at Utsugi. Her eyes widened. She was so focused on Utsugi's mask that time seemed to slow. It cracked on the side, and it webbed across the face, the pieces falling away. As the parts slowly fell to the ground along with the wig of blonde hair, her face was revealed. Yuuki stared at her trembling. "What the hell…?" Utsugi stared down at her with the same light lavender eyes in a vacant expression. Her hair was brown and wild, loose in the wind. Their facial structure was the same, however she did seem to be wearing makeup. "She's…"

She's me.

"What's going on?" Kagome questioned. "She looks exactly like Yuuki!"

"How dare you point a knife at me," she said to Inuyasha monotone. "Interesting."

Kagura looked to her partner annoyed. "Why are you so tedious?"

"How can we attack if they look the same?" Shippo asked worried. "Won't we get confused?"

"Keep calm, Shippo, they're just trying to trick us," Miroku said as he raised his staff at them. "It's just a demon in disguise."

Utsugi stared at Yuuki. "Just a demon, huh?"

Yuuki grit her teeth. "No... she's not."

"Huh?" Her friends looked to her confused. "Yuuki?" Sango questioned.

"I don't understand what's going on... but she's me." She forced herself to stand upright again, despite the immense fatigue she felt. "She wields the Seishin like I do, and she looks exactly like me. There isn't a hint of demonic arua around her. This isn't a trick- from Naraku or anyone else."

"Utsugi, we need to go," Kagura said to her. "Dance of Blades!" With a wave of her fan she hurled her attack at the ground, but Yuuki ran forward.

"Yuuki, look out!" Kagome shouted before the swamp water exploded.

They all cried out and Yuuki was bombarded by the mud. I'm not letting them get away again! Her hair tie snapped and her hair was let loose in the chaos, whipping around and getting even more dirtied. While she struggled forward she felt a hand grab hers and she squeezed back.

"Let's get out of here, now." Yuuki's blood ran cold. Kagura!? "Don't just stand around, hurry!" Kagura pulled her hard and she was dragged up onto something soft.

Next thing she knew she was flying out of the dirt cloud with Kagura on her giant feather. She stared at the back of Kagura's head wide eyed. She mistook me for Utsugi! "Those damn wolves were smarter than I thought," she said without turning back. Yuuki panicked and looked over the edge, but they were flying too fast. They were already ascending into the clouds, making it harder to breathe.

I'm... I'm so fucked. What could she do, attack Kagura now? She'd fall to her death. "You're awfully quiet," Kagura commented and she swallowed. "Don't be sulking again. So long as you work with Naraku he'll assure you get what you want."

Yuuki felt pressured to speak. Trying to keep her voice as monotone as possible she asked, "What now."

"Now we go back to Naraku," she replied and Yuuki bit her lip. "We need another plan to get that girl. The trick will be separating her from her friends."

Mission accomplished. While Yuuki was full of dread, she was forced to hold it in. She was too far away from her friends at this point, having no idea where they were heading. She would just have to sit quiet as Kagura took her directly to Naraku.