Hey guys, sorry for the long wait for the next chapter for this story. Originally, I had planned to post this chapter sooner but my iPod had deleted all my documents and I had to rewrite almost everything. Not only that I must apologize for I have also distracted with school and have done little writing. I have not retrieved any of my missing documents, unfortunately, and this, my awesome readers, is why I write them on paper first.

(✿ﾉ｀Д´)ﾉ~~┻━┻ ...yeeeaaahh, that about explains how I feel. Well enough of my useless ranting, on to the story.

Warnings: possible swearing, fluff, and other things?

Ciel's point of view.

"Thank you for everything that you've done for us," Kagome smiled, waving at the old man as we started to walk away from the village.

"There's no need to thank me," The old man said, smiling back. "You're welcome to come back and visit the village, you're always welcome here."

"Thank you," Sango said, smiling as we headed towards the forest in the distance.

We had left the small village somewhere around noon, though considering the pace we were walking at, it was quite obvious we wouldn't reach the forest's spring before night fall let alone the forest. There was a slight possibility that we would reach the forest by the time the sun goes down, this could only happen if we don't run into any problems. One can only hope that everything goes smoothly but then again, when has that ever happened? It was only an hour or so before we could no longer see the village that we had previously stayed at, but there was something strange that kept occurring as we reached this point.

"Damn it," Inuyasha said irritatedly as he cut down another demon. "What's with the sudden increase of demons?" He let out a low growl. "It's as if every demon is after us."

"I don't know why this is happening, but I doubt the reason is a good one," Miroku stated calmly.

"At this rate, we would reach the edge of the forest by nightfall," Sebastian added, putting his blade back in its sheath. "If that does happen, it would be wise to wait until morning before heading towards the spring."

"I have to agree," I said, entering the conversation. "Trying to navigate through the forest at night would only make us vulnerable to the creatures that thrive in the dark. Even if we have our backs guarded, it will be suicide to go in considering we don't know what will attack nor or do we know what to expect. The possibilities of something horrible happening could be endless, we need to avoid going in there blindly."

"You have a point," Miroku stated.

"But even so, we should find somewhere safe to rest for the night when we get there," Kagome added as a sudden gust of wind hit us.

"Kagome get back!" Inuyasha yelled, pushing Kagome behind his body.

"What is it?"

"Already deciding what to do before you even reach your destination," A voice said above the harsh wind. "Sorry to spoil your plans but there will be a delay in the time you reach the forest."

"Kagura," Inuyasha growled as the wind sorceress appeared in front of us.

"Miss me?" Kagura smirked before it quickly faded and turned to a more serious expression. "Don't worry, I'm not after you, I'm here on business."

"And I thought you came here to be cut down by my sword," Inuyasha retorted. "Saves me the trouble of hunting you down."

"As if you could ever successful hunt me down," Kagura laughed. "I am the wind itself!"

"That doesn't stop me from trying."

"Try all you like, you won't get far."

"Might I ask what you want of us?" Sebastian asked.

"What I want of you?" She raised her eyebrow at us. "It isn't what I want, but what Naraku wants."

"What you want must be the same thing Naraku wants, seeing as you are doing his bidding," Sebastian smiled. "Is it not?"

"No, it's not," Kagura mumbled softly, looking away.

"Oh?"

"I-" Kagura was cut off when a horde of weird mutant bees showed up, well at least I think they're bees. "Damn," She cursed under her breath, opening up her fans. "I don't have time to play games," She said harshly, stretching her right arm over to the left side of her body as if she was ready to throw her fan at us.

"Kagura," A small voice said in an emotionless voice.

"Kanna?" Kagura turned her attention towards the small, white haired girl that was dressed in a white kimono who now stood beside her. Her eyes were black and unfocused, almost lifeless while she held a strange looking mirror between her hands.

"Naraku wants him unharmed," Kanna said in her robotic like voice.

"I know that!" Kagura hissed. "What are you doing here?"

"Naraku requested that I help you," She responded. "He questions your loyalty to him with this task."

"Damn him," Kagura cursed. "Whatever, let's grab the brat and go," She sliced the air with her fans saying something close to dance of the dragon, but I don't see any dragons.

"What?" I said, my eyes widened in surprise as I watched several tornadoes head towards us.

"You got to try harder than that," Inuyasha yelled, slicing the air with his sword while screaming backclash wave, why are they yelling their attacks!? I watched as the tornadoes were sent back towards the demoness who only dodged it by a little bit.

"Kanna, what are you waiting for!?" Kagura yelled, sending more tornadoes towards us, Sebastian stood in front of me as Kanna took a few steps towards us. I let out gasp, my eyes widening in shock as I felt intense pain shot through my body, centering around my chest like I had just been stabbed.

"W-what the... h-hell?" I struggled to say, clenching my chest as I doubled over.

"Bocchan," Sebastian quickly turned around towards me when he heard my voice that was laced with pain. "Are you alright?" He asked, moving his hand towards my shoulder only to slightly recoil as a barrier stopped him. "A barrier?"

'Why am I the only one being targeted?' I thought to myself as I tried to straighten up, but to no avail. "Ahh!" I yelled in pain as I fell to my knees, Sebastian was soon kneeling beside me unable to help me.

"You're not a normal demon," Kanna said, staring at me with her emotionless eyes. "Any normal demon would have collapsed by now."

"Th-is pain is... N-nothing compared t-to... What I've b-been through al-ready," I said harshly, looking up at her as I tried to push myself up on to my feet.

"Kagura, it's time to leave," She said, turning towards Kagura. "Grab him."

"Good," Kagura smiled, picking a feather from her hair. "We'll take our leave now, but before that, we'll be taking that boy with us."

"You're not taking him." Kagome said, drawing back her bow with an arrow in her hand, ready to strike.

"Just try and stop me," She said as I felt something wrap around my body while everything turned to darkness.

"No!" Sango screamed, lunging towards me as the wind picked up.

"See you around," Kagura said, soaring through the air and taking me with her.

"Bocchan!" Sebastian yelled before he started to run after Kagura.

"Wait, Sebastian!" Kagome yelled after him.

"Where's Sango?" Miroku asked as he looked around for the demon slayer, on the ground laid her Hiraikotsu.

"Do you think..." Kagome gasped. "Let's go Inuyasha." As they caught up to Sebastian, a large white dog was sitting silently in front of Sebastian, preventing him from continuing any further. "Is that Sesshomaru?"

"No, if it was Sesshomaru he wouldn't be in that form and not only that, it's not his scent," Inuyasha explained, placing Kagome on the ground before taking out Tessaiga. "That is someone else."

"I've never been fond of dogs," Sebastian hissed, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to attack the dog when suddenly he stopped. "I suggest you put your weapon away," He said, turning towards Inuyasha.

"What?" Inuyasha looked at Sebastian, a confused expression appeared on his face.

"You wouldn't cut down a demon in front of their young child, would you?"

"Child?" Kagome asked.

"Yes," Sebastian gestured towards something in the distance. Suddenly, a white ball of fur came bounding towards them, the white dog was like the miniature version of the bigger one. The puff ball ran towards its mother, snuggling up in her large fur on her side as the mother leaned down and licked the top of her pup's head. "My lady, I apologize for my harsh actions towards you," Sebastian said, bowing at the large female dog demon. "But I am in a hurry," The mother dog nodded her head at him once.

"It seems I was too late to help you," She said while the wind picked up slightly, but soon a tornado encircled her. "I had hoped I'd be here on time, but it looks like I showed up a few minutes late," The woman sighed, her white fur soon disappeared as she turned into her human form with her child. "To think things would end this way," The wind disappeared revealing a woman with long raven black hair that shone with red and purple. "I'm proud of you Shima," She smiled, lightly hugged the child in her arms.

"Lady Shinko, may I ask why you are here?"

"I wanted to warn you about what's about to happen, but it seems like I was too late," Shinko sighed. "The demon that has taken your mate is bringing him to Naraku, yes?"

"Yes."

"What is about to happen is now a fate that can't be changed, I did hope it wouldn't end this way."

"What do you mean?" Miroku asked.

"On your way to mount. Kong, there will be a great loss one will struggle to cope with," Shinko explained. "I know you must have been previously informed about this but what lays ahead of you will not be easy. I wish there was something more I can do to help but if I do something now it will only bring more pain. Warning you is all I can do, unfortunately."

"What is going to happen?" Shippo asked.

"I'm sorry, I can not provide you with that answer for if I do, the fate ahead of you will only go down a much worse path."

"Much help you are!" Inuyasha snapped. "If you can't do anything to stop it from happening, why come to us?"

"Because I believed there was something I could have done to help you, ill-mannered halfbreed," Shinko said sternly, glaring at Inuyasha. "If I had known things would happen this soon, I would have arrived much earlier than now. I do not wish for things to end so painfully as they are about to become, I don't wish to see a young boy be tortured so. I certainly did not come here to be back-talked by some ungrateful dog that doesn't know his place."

"How do we know you're not lying to us?" Inuyasha retorted.

"Excuse me?" Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him.

"How can we know for sure that you're not working with Naraku while lying to us about some horrible thing about to happen. For all we know, it could just be a trap."

"Inuyasha," Sebastian glared at him.

"You doubt my strength as well as my loyalty?" Shinko growled.

"There's a lot I doubt about you, I never once met or heard about a demon who could tell or see the future, I don't even believe you are who you say you are," Suddenly like a twig snapping, Shinko was standing in front of Inuyasha, towering over him with the collar of his kimono in her hand as she pulled him up towards her.

"Listen well, you insufferable mutt," Shinko said harshly. "I am a pure blood demon, I am the head of my family, I am the ruler of the northern lands, and I will not lower myself to that man's level and lie. I know who I am and I know my place, you are just the some half-breed who was pinned to a tree for fifty years by a mortal human. I don't need to prove myself to someone like you," Growling, she let go of Inuyasha and shoved him backwards. "And I don't want my daughter to see such violence at her young age," Shinko turned around as she began to walk away. "Now I know part of the reason why my cousin hates you so much, and here I thought it was because of your human mother."

"Shut up!" Inuyasha yelled, pulling Tessaiga out of its sheath. "Don't talk about my mother!" He then charged at Shinko.

"You dare aim your sword at me?" Shinko said as he swung his sword at her. As Inuyasha closed in on her, she quickly turned around and grabbed his hand before pulling him forward. Shinko kicked him in the chest, sending him backwards as she stood tall, looking down at Inuyasha while she held the Tessaiga in her hand. "You are a fool," She hissed. "I knew Izayoi, I knew her better than you ever did before her death, she was the first mortal I had as a friend. May she rest in peace."

"How can you wield the Tessaiga?" Kagome asked, her eyes wide with surprise. "Not even Sesshomaru can wield it."

"I was close to their father when I was younger and up until he passed, when I saw him use his sword in battle I figured out how he could wield it. And unlike my stubborn cousin," She continued, looking down at the child in her arms. "I have someone I need to protect," Looking over at Inuyasha, Shinko tossed the blade at his feet. "I am not your enemy, but your ally."

"Whatever, I still don't believe you," Inuyasha mumbled, placing Tessaiga back in its sheath.

"Believe what you like, I'm telling the truth," Shinko stood tall with her shoulders were back, her stance gave off a vibe one of noble birth would have. "Sebastian," She turned towards him.

"Yes, my lady?" Sebastian replied.

"I have a request," She said calmly. "Hold out your arms for me," Shinko watched as he held out his arms before carefully placing Shima in his arms. "Don't act so tense, just hold her tightly so you won't drop her," She explained as she rearranged his arms. "But not too tight that you accidentally hurt her," Taking a step back, she lightly chuckled at the sight in front of her. "You look as if you've never held a baby."

"It's been a long time since I last held a child," Sebastian said, looking up at her.

"I see, but that is going to change because in six months, that will be your child in your arms," She smiled.

"Can you tell me if Sango is alright?" Miroku asked, entering the conversation.

"You mean the demon slayer girl," Shinko said, turning towards him. "She's fine," Miroku breathed a sigh of relief as she continued. "She did a every noble and brave thing, charging in after the young boy," Placing her hands together, a medium sized, almost reflective like bubble appeared in between her hands as she pulled them apart, one over the other. "She has a good heart," As she said that, an image formed inside the bubble.

"Is that...?"

"Yes, it is," Shinko smirked. "Though it is dark, the people you see is most definitely your Sango and Ciel."

"That's amazing," Kagome stared in awe.

"Surely you jest, this is just a parlor trick," She scoffed. "My daughter will be able to master this trick by the time she's three, it's nothing special," She said proudly before quickly clasping her hands together once more, destroying the bubble and turning it into sparkles that floated up in to the sky. "As you just saw, your companions are unharmed."

"Thank you," Miroku said, Shinko gave a quick nod in acknowledgement.

"But it would not be wise for the demon slayer to be there much longer."

"What do you mean by that?" Kagome looked over at Shinko in confusion.

"The demons that took them do not know about her presence, but when they finally do find out she is among them, the consequences could be bad," She stated calmly. "But I am able to prevent it from happening," Shinko smiled.

"What the hell?" I cursed under my breath, my eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness around me. "Why can't people find some other target to capture for once, why is it always me?" I hissed.

As I tried to move, wanting to relieve my sore muscles, there was something beside me or more like protectively holding me that stopped me from moving. There was an arm around my back and an arm that curved around my head as if they were trying to conceal me from view or something. I pulled away slightly since I could only move a little bit because of the small space, my eyes widened as I looked up. I was shocked to see that it was Sango that was beside me but I was also embarrassed, I didn't know where to place my hands since she was a woman.

"H-hey!" I said loudly, a slight blush across my cheeks. "Wake up!" She flinched awake, her eyes shot opened as she looked at me.

"Ciel!" Sango exclaimed as her eyes focused on my face before she pulled me close in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you are safe!"

"S-stop, let go of me!" My blush deepened a bit as I began to struggle, trying to free myself of her hold. "Stop hugging me!" I said angrily. "And if you haven't noticed we're not exactly safe if we don't know where we are!"

"For now we're safe and we should use it to our advantage," Sango said as she removed her arms from me, scooting backwards a little to give me some space. "We need think of a way to escape this."

"Where are we exactly?" I asked as I tried to sit up, but the tight quarters prevented me from doing so.

"I don't know, it could be some type of room," She began to look around. "Whatever it is, it looks as if there's no opening."

"I can see that," I mumbled angrily.

"What is it made of?" Sango questioned, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as pushed against the wall, her hand indenting it like foam. "It's like some type of gel," She stared at it in awe as it slowly returned to its original shape.

"Are we able to cut into it?"

"We should be able to considering it's soft enough, but I wouldn't recommend it," She explained. "If this is part of Naraku's plan, this could be made of miasma."

"Miasma?" I looked at her confused.

"It's poison," My eyes widened in shock.

"Poison!?" She nodded. "So basically we're stuck here?"

"It would seem so," I sighed in irritation. "There must be some way to escape what ever this thing is without getting harmed," I started to look around, trying to think of what to do.

"Considering that fact that we have limited space to move around, I would guess those people weren't expecting another person to be with me."

"That's true, and taking the fact that Naraku wants to use you for something leads me to believe we won't be in here for long."

"Knowing that, we need to be prepared for when someone opens this thing," No sooner than when I said that, there was a sudden faint light that appeared in front of me that seemed to wrap itself around Sango. "How are you doing that?" I stared in disbelief.

"I'm not doing it," Sango stared at her hands in awe before it turned to panic, her hands were starting to disappear. "How is this happening?" I watched as her body slowly disappeared, I was confused about what I had just witnessed.

"Great, how could this experience get any worse," Suddenly, the top of the enclosed thing started to open up, it looked like scales were breaking off of it. "Wha...?" I cringed when the bright light hit my eyes. It wasn't too long after that that the thing around me disappeared, sending me to the ground. "Damn it!" I cursed as my back hit the floor. "What the hell! Was that really necessary!?"

"Quit your whining," Kagura snapped, pulling me up harshly by my right arm.

"Let go of me!" I hissed, trying to pry her hand off my arm.

"Quiet," She said, tightening her grip. "Honestly," She cursed under her breath. "What does Naraku see in this child, it's not like the boy can assist with anything he has planned."

"Ciel!" Sango screamed, reaching out in front of her.

"Welcome back, young demon slayer," A female voice said. "We've been waiting anxiously for your return."

"What!?" Her eyes went wide in disbelief as she looked around, noticing her new surroundings. "What happened?" Sango asked, scrambling up on to her feet as Miroku placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Lady Shinko brought you back here," Miroku smiled softly, happy that Sango was unharmed.

"What!?" Sango exclaimed, looking over at the dark haired demoness who nodded faintly. "What were you thinking!?" Sango lunged forward and grabbed the front of the demoness's robes forcefully. "Ciel is still with them, why did you bring me back? I could have protected him, he has no idea how to protect himself from Naraku! He could die!" She screamed, anger laced her voice.

"I request you remove your pathetic mortal hands from my clothing," Shinko's voice lowered threateningly as a growl emitted from her throat. "I did nothing that would warrant such behavior from you, a simple thank you would have sufficed."

"Sango," Miroku interrupted. "Shinko informed us that if you stayed with Ciel something bad would happen."

"Like what?" Sango snapped.

"Your life could have been on the line," Sango looked towards Shinko again, her mouth slightly ajar from confusion and shock. "It was possible that you could have been killed or even injured and you could have put that young boy in harm's way. It was either this or you and that boy face the consequences, I chose the option that I believed was the best. Now, remove your hands before I remove them in a way you would not prefer," Shinko said harshly before Sango quickly removed her hands.

"I'm sorry," She said softly.

"It's fine, but I prefer that you don't touch me again," Shinko stated calmly as she began to smooth out her kimono.

"Thank you for doing that," Shinko looked over at Sango as she gave a curt nod.

"Come with me," Shinko said, gesturing to Sebastian to follow her.

"May I ask what you intend to do with me?" Sebastian asked calmly.

"I wish to talk to you alone, there is something important we need to discuss."

"I see, shall we begin the discussion?"

"Yes," She said, walking towards the empty meadow behind them.

"What do you think they'll talk about?" Shippo asked as they watched Sebastian and Shinko walk away.

"Whatever it is, it must be something only Sebastian can know, seeing as Shinko is deliberately putting distance between us," Inuyasha suggested.

"That could be it," Kagome said before sitting down on the ground. "I guess we should wait for them to be finished talking."

I want to apologize once more about the long hiatus, not only did I have to rewrite a lot of things that were in this chapter but I have been way too engrossed in my schoolwork. Also, I have been thinking about redoing some of the earlier chapters, seeing as they are a bit rushed and quite vague to me Please review if you'd like more and/ or you support my idea, also reviews bring a smile to my face and make me happy :)

I must say, I'm quite nervous about posting this chapter for some reason... If you have any questions you would like me to answer, feel free to ask.