Yuuki's eyes fluttered open as she slowly woke. Turning her head slightly, she realized she was lying in an abandoned hut. Am I still in Botan village...? She winced as memories flooded her mind- leaving Kagome, Inuyasha being a demon in disguise, Utsugi and Kanna trying to take her soul- she gasped and sat upright, looking around frantically. Where is that priestess? She scrambled to her feet and ran out of the hut only to stop short. A blue flying serpent moved in front of her. She froze, staring at it, and it turned to look at her. After inspecting her, it flew away, moving as if swimming in the air. That's when Yuuki realized a lot of those demons were flying around, some carrying smoky orbs of light. While it surprised her, they didn't seem hostile so she was able to relax. Following their flight pattern, she found them slowly circling around the priestess who stood in the fog. She seems ethereal, she thought.

As if hearing her, Kikyo turned around to face her. "You're awake."

"Y-yes..." Cautiously she stepped out of the hut towards her. "Did you save me?"

She turned away, focused on t he demons again. "Unintentionally. It was simply chance."

"Ah." Yuuki frowned at her. Guess she's not a friend or an enemy then. A blue serpent passed by her face and she jumped slightly away from it. Watching it fly away she asked, "What are these things?"

"They are called Shinidamachu."

"Huh..." Yuuki commented absently, "They're beautiful."

"Beautiful?" She glanced back at her. "What a peculiar thing to say." Yuuki looked back at her, but she turned away to her demons, raising her hands to greet one as it approached her. "They are my soul collectors."

"Soul collectors...?" Yuuki's eyes widened slightly. "Are you... are you the demon that's been stealing the souls of dead women in this region?"

The soul collector flew away and Kikyo lowered her hands again. After a moment, she looked back at her with a dark smile, "Do I seem like a demon to you?" Yuuki's brows twitched together. Is that a trick question? Not knowing what to say, she remained quiet. In her silence Kikyo looked away once more. "I have been taking the souls of dead women, yes. However I am no demon. I am a priestess. I am one of the dead."

She was surprised. One of the dead...? She then watched as one of the collectors floated by and released the smoky orb of light. It drifted down and was absorbed in Kikyo's body, and she realized more color came to her flesh. As she watched, Kikyo and Utsugi's exchange came back to her. "I shall steal whatever soul fuels you now."

"Your name is... Kikyo, right?"

Kikyo glanced back at her. "Have no not heard of me before?" She gave her a confused look, but Kikyo smiled and shook her head. "Never mind. Yes, I am Kikyo. And you are?"

"My name is Yuuki," she replied and approached her more. "I have a question about Utsugi... is she the same as you? One of the dead?"

Kikyo watched her collectors for a moment. She then replied, "She is like me. A false body created by clay and the ashes of her remains. Her body is a counterfeit, animated by the souls of the dead." Yuuki was shocked not only at the information, but at how willing this stranger was to give it. Kikyo then frowned at her, "I have the same question for you. Are you perhaps her reincarnation? The two of you are identical, and she seeks your soul."

"N-no," she shook her head. Kinya was her previous life. "Not her reincarnation, but I believe she's my ancestor. It's the only explanation I have, anyways."

Kikyo hummed. "And Naraku. For what purpose does he want you?"

Yuuki then hesitated. Kikyo wasn't a friend or an enemy, but she wasn't sure if it was safe to tell her everything she knew. "Why do you ask about Naraku?"

"Because I seek to kill him," she replied. Well, Yuuki wasn't entirely surprised by that. "You can relax, I don't plan on using you for my personal gain. I will take him down on my own. I'm simply curious, you're not from this world."

She was caught off guard. "H-How do you know that?"

"Your clothes provide a clue," she replied and Yuuki sweat dropped slightly. "Besides that, my eyes can see more than the living can. I can see the disruption of time around you, a break in the current."

If she could really see so much, then there was no point in lying. Besides, an enemy of the enemy is a friend. Yuuki relaxed, "I don't know what Naraku wants from me. Utsugi teamed up with him to summon me here, and she wants my soul. I don't know what he gains from it."

Kikyo hummed again, looking away. Yuuki watched as she seemed to be thinking for a moment. "No matter. If you're well enough, you should get going. I haven't scared them off. Utsugi will return for you."

She hesitated. "I would, but... I don't know the way back..."

They stood in silence for a moment, the soul collectors floating around them.

Then there was a rustle in the bushes. They looked over and Yuuki was surprised to see a villager emerge. "We've found you..." He said in a dull voice. "Yuuki..."

Yuuki tensed, and more villagers emerged from the woods. They were stiff as they moved, and Yuuki was reminded of the undead back in Naraku's castle. "Are they Kagura's undead?" She asked.

"No," Kikyo replied, "they are Kanna's puppets. They are still alive, their souls are merely missing."

"We can't fight them then." More villagers emerged, moving to surround them.

"You're right," Kikyo agreed as she stepped back. "We have no choice." She then ran and Yuuki quickly followed after her. The possessed villagers moved slowly and they were able to lose them in the woods, yet they couldn't identify where they were with all the fog.

Once they stopped Kikyo looked back at Yuuki, seeing her short of breath. "Are you all right?"

Watching her back she replied, "Yes, I'm fine." She then looked at Kikyo, seeing her pant a little as well. "Are you? You seem a little winded."

"I'm fine… I think." She looked back from where they ran. "I have not fully recovered after my last encounter with Naraku. I escaped here to recover, however my soul collectors have been empty handed. I realize now it's Kanna's doing."

"Two birds with one stone," Yuuki suddenly realized. "With Kanna, Utsugi can get my soul. If she steals all of your souls, can she kill you?"

"It is the only way for him to kill me." She looked to her, "You should leave me be and continue on."

"I'm not letting Naraku win in any way," she said firmly. "Besides, I don't know where to go from here."

"Yuuki..."

"Kikyo..."

They froze, hearing the moans from the villagers as they shuffled through the woods. Yuuki glared over at their shadows in the fog, "They can figure out where we are."

"We're not surrounded yet." Kikyo turned away and said, "Let's continue," and started running again.

They continued running through the woods until they returned to the abandoned Botan village. Running through the streets to the far end by the forest edge, they stopped at the graveyard. Panting, they both looked back, but didn't spot anyone. "Looks like we lost them," Yuuki sighed.

"Head east of here," Kikyo suddenly said.

"What?"

"To the east," she repeated. "You will find your friends."

"My friends?" Yuuki frowned at her, "How do you know-?"

"I've found them..."

The quiet voice made them tense. They both turned to the two figured that approached them. "Kanna," Kikyo stated as they emerged.

Yuuki narrowed her eyes, "Utsugi."

Utsugi stared back at them. "Kanna, now." Yuuki and Kikyo braced themselves as Kanna's mirror began to glow, but nothing happened immediately. They became suspicious as the light went out. Utsugi turned to Kanna and asked, "What's the matter, Kanna?"

"Someone's coming," she whispered.

"I see," Utsugi glanced behind them. "Let's leave."

"Wait!" Kikyo called out, but Utsugi brought her hands together. Summoning her Seishin powers, she created a brilliant light that blinded them. When they could see again there was no trace of them.

Yuuki walked out, glaring around the area. "Damn cowards," she muttered.

"Something got in their way," Kikyo explained.

Yuuki glanced back at her confused, but then froze at Inuyasha's voice, "Oh, brother. So, this is where you've been."

She whirled around wide eyed to see them all there, Shippo looking worried while Inuyasha was peeved. Kagome and Sango were relieved as Miroku stepped forward confused. "How did you end up out here? We've been looking all over for you."

"I thought you'd been spirited away like the others we heard about!" Shippo said.

"She probably just got lost," Inuyasha said annoyed. "I tell you to quit going off on your own."

Yuuki hesitated, not knowing what to say in her surprise, and then glanced beside her as Kikyo moved next to her. Her friends became shocked and Kagome shifted and withdrew into herself. Inuyasha was speechless. "Kikyo…"

Yuuki blinked at him. "You know her?"

"Fate is inescapable," Kikyo said to him and Yuuki glanced between the two. She smiled, "It's been a while, Inuyasha."

"Kikyo... What are you doing here?" He asked.

"No reason," she replied and Inuyasha went silent. Yuuki observed him. This was the most calm she'd ever seen him before, and he was staring at her so intensely. They were obviously more than acquaintances. Glancing at Kagome, she seemed emotionless as she stared off passed them, while the others were a little uncomfortable. "We'll meet again, I'm sure," Kikyo said.

Inuyasha then looked sad, throwing Yuuki off into a whole new world of confusion. "Kikyo…" Kikyo walked off passed the group, not giving them a glance and disappeared into the fog.

"Well," Miroku spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "We'd better head back to the inn for now."

"Good idea," Kagome agreed, snapping back to normal. While Sango and Shippo hurried to Yuuki, she stared and watched as Inuyasha quickly turned to Kagome, but she was quick to avoid his gaze. Yuuki blinked, not knowing what was going on. Inuyasha knows Kikyo...?

"Yuuki!" She was snapped out of her daze as Shippo jumped into her chest. She quickly caught him as she snuggled into her bosom. "We were so worried about you!"

"We were looking all over for you," Sango added and Yuuki blinked at her concerned look. "How did you end up all the way out here? You have to explain everything."

"A-all right..."

As she walked with the others back to Minamo village, she explained that she had run into the demon that was spiriting away young women. She left out the important details- how it was disguised as Inuyasha and what exactly transpired. Instead she simply said she got lost on the way back, and ran into Kanna and Utsugi.

Once they were back at the inn, they gathered into the room as before and settled on the floor. Miroku then asked Yuuki, "Why were you with Kikyo?"

"She randomly showed up and helped me," she explained. "Kikyo said it wasn't intentional. But she managed to chase Utsugi and Kanna off long enough for me to recover, until they came back again. Once you guys showed up they disappeared again."

"I see," Miroku said, "well, at least we know they're close. And you solved the demon problem of this village."

"Y-Yeah..." Yuuki tried not to think about it.

"Kagome, don't let it bother you," Sango whispered and Yuuki glanced over at Kagome, seeing her distant again.

Kagome quickly snapped back to reality and smiled at Sango. "I know, thank you."

"Kagome…" She looked over at Inuyasha while the others avoided eye contact. "I…"

"Oh, it's all right, really!" Kagome forced herself again as she waved it off. "Come on, guys! We all had the same hunch, right? I already figured it was Kikyo to begin with. Anyways," she then suddenly stood and Yuuki was confused. "I'm going to take a walk, I need to sweat out this cold so we can get moving again! With Utsugi around Naraku can't be far off, so we gotta be ready!"

When she left, she slammed the door rather hard behind her. Yuuki stared after her baffled. "What... was that about?"

Sango frowned over at Inuyasha, "Inuyasha, aren't you going to go after her?"

Inuyasha was silent for a moment, staring at the ground. They watched him for a moment, and then suddenly he stood and bolted after her. After he slammed the door behind him, they listened as his footsteps faded off. After that, Yuuki turned to the others. "Does someone what to explain to me what's going on?"

Miroku looked regrettable to tell the tale. "We don't know much," he replied, "but Inuyasha and Kikyo were involved before Kagome came along." Yuuki stared at him slack-jawed. "Thanks to Naraku's trickery, they became bitterly angry at one another, and it cost Kikyo her life."

Sango continued, "Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation. After a witch brought Kikyo back to life, she stole a piece of Kagome's soul and that allowed her to be revived. Their fates are still intertwined from that event."

Yuuki stared at them, processing all of the information. A part of her wanted to laugh. Well, all thoughts of her and Inuyasha suddenly flew out the window. A love triangle with a dead ex-girlfriend? Who wants to be a part of that? Keeping herself composed she asked, "So... does Inuyasha love Kikyo more than Kagome then...?"

"He still has feelings for her," Miroku inclined his head. "There's no doubt about that. We don't know how deep Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship went before Naraku interfered. I can only assume they both carry great regrets, being torn apart in such a way."

"The fact of the matter is Kikyo is one of the dead," Shippo said firmly, and Yuuki was surprised at his strong opinion. "Kagome's right here and living flesh and blood! He's stupid if he runs back to Kikyo."

"It's not that simple, Shippo," Sango said. "Kikyo isn't a bad person, it's just a tragic situation. Inuyasha has to learn acceptance and to move on. It's hard to let the dead go when they're still wandering around in the living world."

With a sigh Yuuki suddenly got to her feet. "Yuuki?" Miroku questioned, and they all looked to her.

"I'll be back," she assured with a wave and left the room.

Wandering around the village, she found Inuyasha on a small bridge. He was glaring down at the small river below, no doubt lost in thought. Yuuki stopped, observing him for a moment. Remembering the demon that was disguised as him, violating her, she felt uneasy. It's just that idiot dog, she assured herself. At the very least she definitely didn't feel any romantic feelings anymore.

As she walked up to him he spoke up irritably, "What, now you wanna chew me out, too?"

"Why? You say something stupid?" His ears flattened out. Crossing her arms she sighed at him. "You're hopeless."

"I was just trying to do the right thing," he snapped defensively, still glaring at the water. "Kagome means a lot to me, but... I can't just abandon Kikyo..."

Yuuki sighed again. "Where did she go?" He pointed across the bridge over to the village edge. "All right let me talk to her. Let's see if I can't fix your screw up."

"... Thanks," he grumbled as she walked passed him.

Yuuki walked through the village and found her sitting alone on a hill, staring down at the same river. "There you are." Kagome didn't respond as she approached. Tucking in her skirt, Yuuki took a seat beside her and moved in close. Wrapping an arm around her, she pulled her in and Kagome rested her head on her shoulder. "I heard."

"I know." Kagome sighed, "You don't have to be worried." Yuuki remained quiet, watching the water as well. "Inuyasha just says the dumbest things, sometimes. He really is an idiot."

"You don't have to tell me that."

She laughed lightly. "Yeah, I know." They went silent again. Kagome then frowned to herself, "Yuuki... I don't have that much self-control. It's not like I try to care about him... I care very deeply for Inuyasha, but he still has feelings for Kikyo, that's all."

"You make it sound like it's no big deal." Looking down at her she ask, "I'm curious. What are your feelings towards Kikyo?"

She sighed. "I can't exactly bring myself to like her, but I understand how she feels. I mean, it's not like Kikyo and Inuyasha were just friends long before I arrived here."

Yuuki pulled her arm back and Kagome sat up on her own. "I had the impression you and Inuyasha were together though. Don't you feel betrayed?"

"I always have my doubts," she said quietly, her bangs hiding her face from Yuuki's view. "I hate feeling bad about it, but… But I can't pretend I don't feel the way I do."

Yuuki hummed, looking out at the water. "Maybe remind him of that. I don't know anything about his relationship with Kikyo, let alone Kikyo herself, but I mean, you're the one that's with him. He'll pull his head out of his ass at some point."

"Maybe," she relented.

Yuuki got back to her feet and held a hand out to her, "Come on, I saw him being pouty at the bridge."

Kagome looked up at her worried, "What about you?"

"Me?" She blinked. "Well I was going to head back to the inn."

"That's not what I mean." Yuuki hesitated as Kagome got to her feet. She turned to her and frowned, "I could tell something was wrong, Yuuki. I don't know at what point we stopped talking to each other, but we're still best friends, aren't we?"

She gripped her hand, catching her off guard. "Y-yeah... Yes, we are, Kagome."

She tilted her head, "Then talk to me."

She stiffened up and was forced to look away, a blush of embarrassment creeping up on her. "W-well..." How was she supposed to explain everything!? "All I can say is... anyone who likes that idiot has something wrong with them."

Kagome's eye twitched. "Uhm..."

She stared at her flatly. "I stand by what I said."

Kagome laughed despite herself. "I just want to know that you're okay. That we're okay."

Yuuki smiled and took her hands in hers. "Kagome, I support you. Trust me, as far as I'm concerned, you're the only one that can handle that lousy dog. Come on," she tugged her and forced her along. "If he sulks too much he'll become petty, and no one else wants to deal with that."

"Heh, yeah, I know..."

Yuuki let out a moan as she sunk into the hot bath water, relaxing against the rocks that naturally held the water in. Sango was enjoying the spring water as well, smiling over at Yuuki as they relaxed at the inn's personal spring out back that was thankfully fenced off. "You seem much more relaxed now, Yuuki."

"Hm?" She opened her eyes and looked over at her. "Did I seem tense before?"

"A little bit..." She sat up, revealing her chest unashamed and Yuuki glanced away briefly out of shyness. Looking back at Sango, she smiled at her sympathetically, "I don't want to pry, but... I've noticed some tension."

Yuuki blushed more, realizing her meaning. She sat up more as well, but her wild hair helped cover herself. "I-I'm all right, I promise. I was a little... wound up before, but I'm better now."

"I'm glad to hear it." She then looked down, noticing all the dirt in the water from her hair alone. "Wow, your hair gathers so much. You were really in need of a bath in only a few days."

"Oh, I know," she replied as she grabbed the handmade soap. She began working on her hair as she said, "It's so much easier to maintain back in my world. I would wake up and shower every morning, then go through the day without so much as a paper cut let alone get into fights with demons." Sango watched as she dunked under the water and then came back up to scrub herself again thoroughly. "From fighting with Kagura to fighting the samurai at Naraku's castle, sleeping outside in the dirt and travelling in the hot sun, I've fallen in a swamp, been thrown in a couple of jail cells, and I've nearly had my soul stolen."

While rinsing again, Sango commented, "It must be a lot for you. Kagome's told my about her day to day life back in the Present. It doesn't seem nearly as active as a day here."

"It's not," she replied. Following Sango's lead in not being shy, she sat up on a rock to wash at the rest of her body. She sighed at herself, "I haven't shaved or brushed my teeth with an actual toothbrush and toothpaste in so long. I don't even have deodorant, and I haven't even seen what my eyebrows look like without plucking them."

Sango blinked at her. "Plucking your eyebrows? You shave?" She wrinkled her nose up, "Like a man?"

Yuuki paused and then stared at her. "… W-well…" She then looked down at her legs, blushing lightly. "Yeah… Just my legs and armpits…"

"Armpits?" She questioned as if it were ludicrous, and Yuuki blushed more from embarrassment. "Why?" She asked confused, making an obscure gesture. "What do you gain from it?"

"… So… People don't notice… When I wear a skirt or tank top…"

"Well that's silly," she smiled at her. "Why?"

Her blush became so intense it just about hid her face. "… S-so I'm not... unattractive…?" She had never really thought about it, it was simply a society standard for beauty. However, talking to Sango about it, she felt silly.

"Unattractive?" She glanced up as Sango swam towards her. "Yuuki, you're beautiful the way you are," she said and got out of the water to join her on the rock. "You don't have to go through bizarre rituals to keep your body looking like a newborn. I mean, look at me." She lifted her leg and Yuuki inspected it. Sango indeed had leg hair, but it… Wasn't bad at all, really. You wouldn't notice it if you weren't looking for it, and it wasn't nearly as long as a man's would get. She then lifted her arm unashamed and it wasn't bad either. It wasn't long or too dark, just natural. Sango then leaned towards her and pointed at the space between her eyebrows. There were tiny hairs that weren't noticeable unless you were inspecting her brows.

Yuuki relaxed and stared at her surprised as she only smiled back. "Wow… You're still really pretty, but… Guy's don't care?"

"Of course not," she replied as if it were obvious. "No one shaves their legs or armpits or pulls out their eyebrows." Yuuki looked down at herself. She then shyly lifted her arm, showing her armpit hair as stubble. "Now that is odd," she said, pointing at it. Yuuki immediately hugged herself blushing furiously. Sango furrowed her brows and said, "Yuuki, if you care so much, then why not just let it grow naturally?"

"Because," Yuuki replied, glancing around shyly. "Women don't do that in my time… It's just how society works now… To appear attractive to guys we have to keep shaving so hair isn't there…"

"That seems ridiculous," Sango said and crossed her arms in disapproval. "If that's how your time works then I'd rather stay here."

Yuuki looked over at her and furrowed her brows up. "You mean… You're not embarrassed at all?"

"Why would I be?" She questioned, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm a Demon Slayer. I'm busy traversing the countryside! Slaying demons and hunting down Naraku. Hair is the least of a man's problem in my situation."

Yuuki laughed out of surprise, "You have a point! You give me confidence I didn't know I lacked."

"Well, you're very welcome." She nodded proudly. "Now we should hurry and finish up before Miroku tries to sneak in here."

After the girls cleaned up and got dressed again, they met Miroku back in the room and looked around confused. "Are Kagome and Inuyasha still not back yet?" Sango asked.

"Appears not," he replied with a shrug. "It could be either good or bad considering those two."

"What do you mean 'those two'?" Kagome questioned in offense. They looked back at the doorway to see Kagome smiling there next to a peeved Inuyasha. "I see you guy's got all cleaned up," she said as they entered.

"Sorry we didn't wait," Yuuki said, "But I was getting a little desperate."

"It's no problem," she replied. She then looked around confused as Inuyasha took a seat. "Where's Shippo?"

"He's still playing outside," Miroku replied as he stood up. "I decided to let him play instead of forcing him to stay here."

"He's such a kid," Inuyasha commented with a smirk.

Yuuki took a seat and mused, "Well he should take a bath before dinner tonight."

"Inuyasha! Kagome!" Everyone turned to the door, hearing Shippo's frantic shouting. He slid to a stop at the open door and shouted, "You guys gotta come quick! Hurry!"

Yuuki and Inuyasha immediately got to their feet as Kagome questioned in alarm, "What is it, Shippo?"

"It's Utsugi!" He pointed down the hall frantically. "She's gonna kill Kikyo!"

Yuuki's eyes widened, "She's back again?"

"Where's Kikyo!?" Inuyasha suddenly demanded, surprising her.

"B-Back by the graveyard!" Shippo managed to get out and Inuyasha suddenly bolted.

"Inuyasha, wait up!" Kagome shouted as she ran after him.

"Kagome!" Yuuki hurried after her followed by the others. She easily caught up with her as they filtered out of the inn, Inuyasha using his superior speed to gain a lead. As she ran beside Kagome- amazed Inuyasha was going so far ahead, and looked to her friend worried. "Kagome, are you all right?"

"Don't worry about me right now," she replied, staring steadfast ahead. "We have to hurry to Kikyo!"

Yuuki was astounded. "A-are you serious? But she's..."

Kagome merely shook her head. "I don't want to see Inuyasha and Kikyo together, but I'll regret it if I don't go just because I'm uncomfortable." She looked a little sad as she added, "Besides, I want to be with Inuyasha. I don't want him to die. I care about Inuyasha, so that's why I'm going."

"All right..." She focused ahead and said, "We need to hurry to him, I know he wants to protect Kikyo, but I can't have him be reckless and kill off Utsugi."

"I doubt she'll be that easy to kill off," Sango said from behind them.

Yuuki sighed, "Unfortunately, I guess..."

Taking the beaten path from Minamo to Botan through the woods, the group could hear Inuyasha shouting already as they neared the graveyard. "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" Inuyasha had leapt into the air and came down on Utsugi and Kanna, forcing them to back away from Kikyo's body lying on the ground. Once he was between Kikyo and them, the group joined him as he shouted, "What did you do to Kikyo!?"

"If you're concerned about her souls, she's merely immobilized," Utsugi replied callously. Her expression then shifted, turning cold. "However I am capable of doing worse. Yuuki, give me your soul."

Miroku caught on, "She's making a bargain, Yuuki's soul for Kikyo's life."

"Yeah, fat chance!" Kagome suddenly shouted at her. "You don't get either!"

Yuuki then stepped forward and Inuyasha glanced at her. "Yuuki?"

"It's a weak bargain sparing someone who's already dead," she said to Utsugi, but she didn't react. She frowned at her, "Utsugi, you're already dead. Just what do you hope to gain by having my soul? Your time in the living world is over!"

"It's not," she replied easily. "My time was cut short. I'm merely taking back what belongs to me." She then raised both hands and aimed them at Yuuki. "Come, if you wish to resist, I will gladly take it by force."

Yuuki took off her rosary and faced off with her. Behind her, Inuyasha and the others readied their weapons as well. In the tense moment before they clashed, Kanna suddenly stepped forward besides Utsugi. "Wait." Utsugi glanced down at her whisper. A buzzing sound caught everyone's attention and a lone Saimyosho came flying down over to them. They watched as Utsugi stared at the insect a moment before it flew off.

"Count yourselves lucky," Utsugi said, lowering her arms. "Naraku is summoning me." They relaxed a bit as she turned to leave. "Kanna, take her soul. I'm going on ahead."

She then walked away into the fog as Kanna lifted her mirror. It shone a white light once more and again Yuuki felt the suffocating, searing pain of her soul being sucked out. Crying out she fell to her knees and Sango called out, "Yuuki!"

"Not a chance!" Kagome quickly fired an arrow and let it fly into Kanna's mirror. Kanna allowed the arrowhead to sink into the mirror and it shone in a brilliant pink light. Inuyasha jumped up with a shout to cut her down with Tessaiga, but a swarm of demons came down from the sky to protect her.

"She's going to escape!" Miroku shouted and readied his Wind Tunnel. "Inuyasha, move!"

Inuyasha jumped out of the way, however as the demons picked Kanna up, Saimyosho emerged from the thicket of them and flew at them. Inuyasha swung his glaive, "Wind Scar!" After burning away the insects, the attack raced up the swarm of demons, but the sheer number of them prevented it from reaching Kanna, and she escaped into the fog.

"God dammit!" He slammed his sword down out of frustration. "Every damn time!"

"Yuuki!" He looked back, seeing Kagome and Shippo at her side. "Are you all right?"

Yuuki groaned, and she moved slowly to pick herself back up. "I-I'm fine," she replied, but she was short of breath.

Inuyasha then looked passed them, seeing Kikyo stirring as well. "Kikyo!"

"Come on," Kagome took Yuuki's arm and wrapped it around her shoulder. She helped her stand and they joined Inuyasha as they all gathered around Kikyo.

Kikyo lifted her head, clutching at her chest. "Inuyasha..." Her brows knit together looking almost annoyed. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to save you," he replied and reached for her. "Are you all right-?"

"I'm fine." Kikyo quickly pushed herself up, retreating from his reach. He looked up at her sadly, but she ignored him. Looking to the others she said, "I see. I suppose I should thank you all. In return for saving me, I'll tell you what I've managed to learn from Utsugi. Before she struck me down, I overheard Kanna instructing her to return to Asagiri Island to report to Naraku. If you wish to go there, I suggest you take a boat from Shiyosai Village."

The lot of them were surprised. "You're giving us this information?' Sango questioned. "I thought you would want to find Naraku yourself."

"You all saved me," Kikyo replied simply. "I at least owe you this to repay the debt." She then walked through the group saying, "You shouldn't delay."

"Kikyo, wait!" Inuyasha called as she walked off. "Where are you going?"

Kikyo paused and didn't turn back. "Inuyasha, I will see you again." She then continued on into the fog.

He stared after her sadly. "Kikyo…"

Yuuki managed to lift her head to glanced at Kagome. She was staring at the ground with a distant expression. Then, after she managed to bury her feelings, she lifter her head and forced a smile for the group. "All right, so our destination is Asagiri Island."

"Right," Sango quickly chimed in. "First we have to go to Shiyosai Village and find a boat, like Kikyo suggested."

"The sea! The sea!" Shippo jumped up onto Miroku's shoulder animated. "It's been ages since I've been to the sea!"

Yuuki continued to stare at Kagome in concern, but when she looked at her she merely smiled. "Yuuki, I don't think you've been on a boat before."

"You've never been on a boat!?" Shippo exclaimed.

"N-no..." The group began moving, Inuyasha taking up the rear as Shippo went off animatedly about how wonderful boats were. While he spoke on and on, Yuuki couldn't help but tune him out as she glanced at Kagome worried again. She's shouldering so much... She must really love him if that's the case. One thing Yuuki knew for certain, if that was love then she felt nothing of the sort for Inuyasha, which was for the best.

Shiyosai Village was a fishing village that seemed lively enough even though the sky was covered in dark clouds and the ocean appeared grey. The group made their way towards the ocean for the village's harbor. Watching the villagers as they passed each dock, they saw women carrying vases on their heads and old men pulling in nets, even the children were helping as they ran around. "It'll be easy finding someone who can work a boat," Sango said, "but the trick will be to find someone who's available."

Yuuki looked around and then spotted an old man sitting by a lone boat on the far end of the dock. She pointed at him and said, "What about him?"

"He doesn't seem busy," Shippo agreed from her shoulder and they approached the man.

"Excuse me," Yuuki said as the man took a puff from his pipe. "Do you know where Asagiri Island is?" The man hummed in response as he blew out the smoke. They hesitated, was that a yes? "Uhm... Well, we'd like to go there if you would be so kind." He only hummed again as he took another puff.

As he blew out the smoke, Inuyasha glared at him and grumbled, "Is he ignoring us?"

"I think I know what he wants." Kagome approached the man and brought her backpack around, rummaging through it and pulling out a small pouch of coins.

The old man eyed the pouch for a moment before accepting it. "Get on," he grunted, getting to his feet.

Once they were situated, the old fisherman pushed the boat off the dock and steered them towards Asagiri Island. "He doesn't talk much," Kagome said, referring to the fisherman, "but I think he's nice."

"I doubt that," Inuyasha replied and she frowned at him.

Sango and Miroku sat together and stared out at the water around them. "It's refreshing being out here," Sango said.

"I agree!" Shippo piped up as he ran around, peering over every edge of the boat. "I wonder if I can catch something!"

Yuuki smiled at him, his happy energy contagious. "Careful, if you fall in you'll be freezing the rest of the day."

Inuyasha looked around as Kagome enjoyed the scenery as well. "Isn't it peaceful?" Kagome said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Inuyasha frowned, looking around again. "We're going too slowly," he said and stood.

Yuuki glared up at him flatly. "Inuyasha, sit back down."

He ignored her and rummaged through the boat until he found a paddle. "Inuyasha?" Miroku questioned nervously. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" He then began rowing on one side of the boat furiously. "I'm getting us to Asagiri Island!"

The fisherman gritted his teeth and tried to force the boat to keep straight. Inuyasha's harsh movements rocked the boat and caused everyone to grab onto something with a death grip. "Inuyasha!" Yuuki shouted at him. "Are you insane!?"

"I'm helping!" He replied and continued his rowing.

"You've got to keep it straight!" Sango said urgently.

"It is!"

Yuuki hurked and slapped a hand over her mouth. Quickly she leaned over the boat edge and Shippo became alarmed, "Yuuki, are you all right!?"

"You've got to keep it straight!" Sango said urgently.

"It is!"

As Yuuki stared out at the horizon, she groaned out, "I'm kicking him off the boat..."

"Inuyasha, knock it off!" Kagome snapped at him, "If Yuuki gets sick she'll get sick on you!"

Inuyasha frowned in annoyance, but he stopped rowing. "That's a pampered brat for you. Come on, Yuuki, grow some sea legs!"

"I hate you..." Hurk... blueh...

With the fisherman able to do his job, they reached the island shortly after noon. The clouds began to break as Inuyasha helped drag the boat onto the sands, the sunlight warming them from the ocean spray. "Thanks for the ride, sorry for the delay," Kagome said sheepishly to the fisherman, but the old man merely grunted, lighting his pipe again. "Well pay you for a return trip. And the trouble."

"Let's walk up this way," Sango said and pointed down along the shoreline. "I can see a path that leads into the island."

"Good job, Sango," Miroku said and they began their walk.

Walking behind them in front of Inuyasha and Kagome, Yuuki stared up at the island, seeing the looming mountain. With the sunshine and crisp, clean air it was hard to tell if Naraku was really hiding out at the island. She imagined it would be desolate like the castle; grey and lifeless. "Hey, look!" Shippo jumped up onto her shoulder, causing her and the others to stop, and he pointed down the hill back at the shore. "A boat! Is someone else here, too?"

"Must be if it's here," Sango said and brought a hand to her chin. "It could be Utsugi's..."

Yuuki looked at her and said, "More than likely it's Kikyo's. She headed out before us."

"Then she beat us here. And we know who else is searching for Naraku," Miroku said and they looked at his serious face. "Sesshomaru. Since Naraku escaped he would have been searching relentlessly. We need to hurry and find Naraku first."

The group hurried up the mountain and followed the path leading into the forest. Travelling the winding paths, Inuyasha came to an abrupt halt. "I smell a demon," he said and turned to stare up a path. "It's not like Naraku's, but it's something." He ran and they chased after him.

He led them to a cliff and then encountered a small flying red bat-like demon fluttering around. It laughed at them. "You came!"

Sango blinked at it. "It's just a little thing..."

Inuyasha crossed his arms looking unimpressed. "And who are you?"

"Nyaha, I'm your doom!" It then spat out a weak ember that fell to the ground.

They waited, and then sweat dropped. Yuuki then asked, "Can you tell us where Naraku is?"

"Just wait!" It squeaked at them. "It won't matter to you in a moment, since you'll be dead!" It then laughed.

Inuyasha cocked his head. "Is it serious?"

Shippo then sniffed the air. "Uhm... Does anyone else smell that?"

Inuyasha sniffed and frowned, "What is that?"

Sango sniffed as well, and then suddenly became fearful. "It's gunpowder! Everyone, run!"

Just as they set out to move, the ground erupted beneath them. The sound of the explosion made their ears ring. The ground below them was blown away and they became weightless, blinded by the light of the blast. Yuuki couldn't see or hear- the wind was knocked out of her and she struggled to breathe as she tumbled uselessly. She was knocked around- her ribs, back, and legs getting banged up. Finally she hit the ground, rolling a few times before she stopped on her side. Her vision was black for a moment, focused solely on the effort to breathe.

Eventually her vision came back, and she was staring at foliage and moss covered boulders and trees. Gaining her breath, she began coughing, and remained still until all her senses came back to her. Every part of her aching and throbbing, she slowly forced herself to sit up. She winced, and then looked around to spot Inuyasha lying a few feet away. While coughing she managed out, "Inuyasha...?"

"Nng..." He stirred as well and mumbled deliriously as he picked himself up, "Ka-Kagome...?" After lifting his head and coming to his senses, he realized she was there, "Yuuki..." He perked up, "Yuuki, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she replied, getting to her feet. However her cried out in pain and her knees buckled.

"You idiot," he hurried to her side and helped her up. "Don't push it, you're just a human."

"Oh yeah?" She frowned at him through the pain, "And you're just fine?"

"Of course I am," he replied as if it were a stupid question. "I'm a lot tougher than you are." He then guided her forward- only for his legs to buckle and they both went down.

After yelping from pain, she glared at him, "Now who's the idiot!"

"Shut up!" With a grunt he pushed himself up a little, "Guess I was banged up more than I thought..."

"I can see that." Yuuki forced herself to her feet. She held her ribs, but she was able to stand while Inuyasha seemed worse than he originally was. She sighed, "Look, I know you don't like being told what to do, but just stay put for a while, okay?"

"As if," he shot back, while still struggling to sit up. She stared at him dully. Helpless.

She then frowned to herself, thinking. We were caught off guard, great. She sighed again, Inuyasha's too stubborn to sit still for me to find everyone else... "Don't think it," he suddenly snapped.

"Uh-?" She blinked at him, "What?"

"I know what you're thinking," he glared at her. "You're wanting Sesshomaru here aren't you? What's your obsession with him anyways?"

"... Eh?" Blinking she stared at him openly confused. "Obsessed? I'm not- I'm not even thinking about him!" Her expression suddenly changed to thoughtful again, "Although if he were here..."

"There you go again!" He yelled and she blushed, retracting from him. "That's your thinking-of-Sesshomaru look. I told you to forget that guy, you can't trust him! He's a cold hearted jackass and you can't fall for his bullshit!"

"Okay- jeez!" She hissed, trying to calm him down. "Keep it down, would you!" Turning her head away she mumbled to herself, "I see what the others mean now..."

"What was that?" He growled and she kept quiet. "Yuuki," he inched closer and she dared to glance at his irritated aura. "What did the others say?"

"Well..." She avoided his look, "Just that... you feel a bit inferior to him, you know, cause he's stronger."

His aura was suddenly massive and looming over her, making her shiver. "Who said that? Did Kagome?"

Oh shit, "N-no!" She quickly lied, waving her hands to clam him. "J-just everyone else!"

"Everyone!?" He nearly roared.

"That damn imp." The two of them froze. Yuuki quickly shushed him. They could hear Kagura in the distance, and she was frustrated. "Now they've all scattered. This is a waste of time!"

Yuuki hurried over to a boulder, trying to peer through the foliage above as Inuyasha dragged his limp body after her. "It's Kagura and Utsugi," she whispered, seeing the two women on a path just ahead.

"Hey," Yuuki glanced down at him. Leaning against the rock, he had an oddly serious air around him. "Run away."

"What?" She questioned confused. "What about you? You can barely move."

"C'mon, you really think they could beat me up?" He questioned, but then winced and held his ribs. She frowned at him. "Besides, you're the one they're after. Hurry and get out of here."

"Oh, shut up," she said and headed off.

"Hey!" He hissed, glaring after her. "What do you think you're doing!?"

"I'm going to fight, duh," she replied, peering through the shrubbery again. "If I run it's not like I'm getting very far. Besides, I need to protect you, for Kagome's sake." That surprised him and Yuuki gave him a small smile. "If you got hurt then she'd be kicking herself for not being by your side."

"Uhh-" he stared at her dumbly, a slight blush on his face. Yuuki took the opportunity to push through the shrubbery towards Kagura and Utsugi and he suddenly snapped out of it. "Wait! You idiot!" He hissed, pulling himself along the ground. "Stop it! Stop it!"

Emerging from the forest, Utsugi and Kagura stopped short on the path. Kagura was surprised, but she quickly hid her face behind her fan. She grit her teeth, that idiot, she's committing suicide fighting us alone. She eyed her up and down, noting her clothes were a dirty mess and she was hunched slightly, holding her ribs, even if her expression was steadfast.

Utsugi's eyes narrowed at her, "Found you."

Yuuki pulled off her rosary and forced herself to stand tall, aiming it towards Utsugi. "I let you," she corrected. "Fight me here, Utsugi. No more using Naraku's power, let's see if you're good enough to take my soul on your own."

Utsugi then smiled slightly. "You challenge me. Have you not learned from our last battle?"

"I'll kick your ass!" Yuuki declared. "You won't win." Kagura stood to the side, eyeing her. She still has a strong fighting spirit...

She snapped her fan closed, gaining their attention. "I've done my part," she said to Utsugi, "I don't have to waste any more of my time for your cause."

"Very well," she turned back to Yuuki. "You are unnecessary." Kagura's lip raised slightly.

Surprising her and Yuuki, Utsugi suddenly dashed forward, gliding over the ground and aiming her fine nails as she had done before. Yuuki's eyes widened as she tensed, but just before Utsugi closed in a sacred arrow flew between the two of them, stopping her in her tracks. Kagome!? Yuuki gasped, and they all looked up the hill. "Kikyo," Yuuki said in surprise.

Kagura narrowed her eyes up at the priestess. She knocked back a second arrow and declared, "I will not miss a second time, Utsugi."

Utsugi stared back at her dully. "Pretty dolls are easy to break, Kikyo." Kikyo merely smiled darkly at that.

"Utsugi, we're done here," Kagura said firmly and waved her fan. On her command a hoard of demons came from within the mountain, blasting out through the side and sweeping to the of them up. Kikyo was forced to lower her bow as Yuuki put her hands up against the blast of air that hit them. That many demons came from the mountain!? There was no mistaking Naraku was there now.

After Kagura and Utsugi were taken away out of sight, Kikyo walked down the hill to meet Yuuki. "You are reckless. In your state Utsugi would have defeated you easily."

Yuuki sighed, she had to agree. "It couldn't be helped." She then looked back into the woods where Inuyasha was.

Kikyo followed her gaze and then walked towards him. Yuuki followed after and the two of them found Inuyasha resting against the boulder, holding his deep red stained kimono. Yuuki's eyes widened, "Inuyasha, you're bleeding?"

Inuyasha glanced up- looking like he was ready to say a thing or two to her, but stopped short in shock. "Kikyo..." He attempted to get up, but was quick to fall back down. "Dammit, I still can't move."

"I'm disappointed in you, Inuyasha." Both him and Yuuki were surprised at Kikyo's words. The priestess stared down at him indifferently. "You fell for such an obvious trap. You're in no condition to be fighting Naraku now."

"Kikyo, why are you on this island?" He demanded.

She smiled again, a scary expression on her pale face. "I'm here to kill Naraku, of course. A task you are unable to accomplish."

Inuyasha's ears flattened out slightly. "Kikyo..."

Kikyo suddenly turned to Yuuki and she jerked slightly. Reaching into her hakama, she pulled out a small corked bottle. "Take this," she handed it to Yuuki and she accepted. "It's a special medicine I acquired from the eastern shores. Drink this and you should recover more quickly. Yuuki," she quickly focused on Kikyo's brown eyes. "Naraku is hiding within the mountain. Prepare yourself if you intend to proceed."

Sighing again, she looked down at the bottle. "No matter what, I have to try."

Kikyo watched her for a moment, then without another word she turned and left the two of them. Yuuki popped off the cork and drank half of it, and then walked over to Inuyasha and offered it. He turned his head away stubbornly, "I don't need that stuff."

Yuuki nearly collapsed from exasperation. "You can't even move, Inuyasha. Just drink the damn thing so we can find the others."

"It's not that serious," he insisted persistently. "Just give me a minute and I'll be fine."

She stood upright and took a breath. After that she then knelt down to his level. She stared at him in the eye and said, "Inuyasha, injured people need to allow themselves to be taken care of."

"Look who's talking," he retorted. "You're knee is bleeding."

"Your gut is bleeding!" She shouted back. "Quit being yourself for five minutes and just take the damn medicine!"

"I told you I don't need that crap!" He shouted back.

"How does Kagome even stand you!?"

"What's that supposed to mean!? How does she stand you!?"

"You're nothing but a child!"

"Look who's talking! Pampered brat!"

"Lousy dog!"

"Found them!" Miroku's voice called happily.

They both whipped their heads around to see him smiling at them, pushing open the bushes. Shippo jumped up onto his shoulder and frowned at them, "We could hear you two across the island. It was easy to find you." Yuuki blushed from embarrassment while Inuyasha tch'd.

Sango then popped up beside them and smiled, "Inuyasha! Yuuki!"

Kagome popped up on their other side looking worried, "Are you two okay?"

"We're fine!" Inuyasha snapped at her. "All of you quit your yapping!"

Kagome blinked at his tone. Turning on a dime she glared and yelled back, "Sorry for being concerned! I'll make sure to not care next time!"

"Don't mind him, he's just moody cause he's hurt," Yuuki amended as they all approached. Inuyasha shot her a venomous look, but she ignored him. "We've confirmed that Naraku's on the island, he's hiding inside the mountain."

"Hiding?" Sango echoed. "Now that I think about it, we don't know what happened to his encounter with Lady Kinya back at the castle. It's possible she did some damage to him with her sword Ginkkoken, it's supposed to be filled with holy power."

"He could be recovering," Miroku said, following her line of thought. "That would explain why there was such a trap ready for us."

"We should take this moment to make sure all our wounds are healed," Kagome said and Yuuki corked the remaining of the medicine, pocketing it. "Inuyasha, can you stand?"

"Of course I can," he grunted and forced himself to his feet. Yuuki sighed, but stood with him instead of arguing. "All of you take care of yourselves first, we need to be ready to end Naraku once and for all."

Yuuki stiffened. End him... Keeping quiet she glanced around, seeing the resolution in her friends faces. Sango's grip tightened on her Hiraikotsu, "Naraku... I'll kill him and get Kohaku back."

Miroku looked down at his covered hand, "and I'll finally be free of my curse."

Yuuki kept quiet on the side as everyone sat back down, Kagome pulling out her medical kit. But if we kill Naraku, will I be able to get home..? She turned her head away, she knew better by now that they had no way to overpower Naraku and bend him to their will like that. He wouldn't listen to anything they had to say. She frowned at the ground, if he was here then could be possible... Sesshomaru...