The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter 6 - Power of the Curse

The small group traveled in silence as Inuyasha led quickly. Miroku was worried for Sango. He had no idea where she was or even if she was still alive.

"Have you found a trail, Inuyasha" The hanyou turned around and glared at him.

"No, I'm just leading you in circles." His voice was filled with bitterness and anger. "It's faint but I can smell it."

"Do you think he killed her" Shippou asked, his voice cracking. Inuyasha didn't answer but just shrugged. Sesshoumaru was silently staring ahead, his amber eyes devoid of emotion as he trudged along. He was thinking about the taiji-ya. She had one hell of an attitude. She was bound to get into trouble with Naraku.

"Shippou, I think that's a sensitive subject for him." Miroku whispered to the kitsune on his shoulder.

"Well... I-I want to know if she's safe."

"Just keep praying." The houshi patted the young kit's head then sighed.

"Come, my dear." She walked forward, gazing at him emotionlessly. "You have done well in tainting the jewel. Perhaps you have Midoriko's powers in truth. Then, you would be even greater than Kikyou, would you not"

"I have no powers, Naraku." She stated. "You know that they are still laying dormant." The hanyou gazed at her as if amused.

"Then not even this portion of the jewel can awaken those powers" Sango saw how much of the jewel he had. If he got their shards...

"Only if I come into contact with the full Shikon and you know that"

"Hm." His eyes narrowed and a smile spread slowly across his lips. "You have such a beautiful fiery temper."

"I'm not going to let you win, no matter what" She was getting angry, feeling her heart begin to hammer against her chest. She was never so angry, not even at Sesshoumaru. But that still didn't mean that he wasn't her nemesis.

"Ohh, delightfully rich, my dear."

"Stop it" She cried, clenching her fists in fury. He was mocking her. He was trying to humiliate her. That little... "You're nothing but a lowlife half-breed. Even Inuyasha is higher up on the youkai standards than you are." He froze and his smile faded for a split second. Then he smirked.

"And how, lovely Sango, would you know that? Just how would you know of a youkai's standards" He asked. She suppressed a shudder. It sounded like he was flirting with her. She wished he would cut it out.

"You are nothing but a lowly human male with an ego that was burned as bad as your skin." At this, he lurched out and slapped her... or was about to but she caught his wrist. "You had no pride in Onigumo's body. You hated and loathed his crush on Kikyou. You despised that witch for caring for you, making you weak and dependent on others. You hated her for making you love her." She tightened her grip on his wrist.

"What do you know, foolish mortal" He snapped, his blood-red eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I know well enough the story of your life. Do not forget, who was the one who was trapped inside the jewel that Kikyou herself possessed" He let out a hiss. He pulled his wrist from her grasp.

"Midoriko..." Sango's own eyes narrowed.

"Did you not think that maybe I would be set free one day? Do you not know that I knew it was you who killed the priestess before any other knew? You laid the blame on Inuyasha then put the Shikon no Tama back inside the shrine for him to take when she 'betrayed' him. You wanted nothing more than to see my jewel tainted with your selfish evil." The voice that was coming from the taiji-ya's mouth was a little bit softer but nonetheless the same. The voice made him shudder.

"It is so much more beautiful when tainted with greed and hatred." He held it up so that it glittered in the soft light that was the sun hidden behind gray clouds. It's black, sleek exterior glowed with an ethereal light. It was depth-less, almost hypnotizing those who stared. "Is it not more lovely than usual"

"It is vile" Sango's eyes began to glow then she fell forward, unconscious.

That's right... I have not come into full contact with my creation... my complete creation. Sango, you are certain that he will not kill us?

Midoriko? Yes, I am certain. He will not harm us if we have your powers.

Naraku called to Kagura. His smirk grew wider.

The jewel shards glowed brighter with each step she took.

C'mon, girl. You can run track now better than anyone in school! You can do this!

She was tired of running and skidded to a stop. She was right next to Kaede's village. Her bike! She had run all the way home, down the well, and to the village without stopping to catch her breath. She raced to Kaede's house and grabbed the bike, setting the shards in the basket up front with her small bag and quickly adjusted her bow and arrows on her back. Then she took off, speeding down the dirt trail. Her eyes narrowed.

What's wrong? Why are they glowing?

She looked down at them and gasped sharply, pulling on the brakes until she slid to a stop. The jewel shards were pure black.

"Sango! Sango! You're okay!"

"K-Kohaku..." Sango opened her eyes. She was met with a dark nothingness inside the room she had resided in before she had met with Naraku.

I have to get out of here. This is going nowhere fast. If he figures out how to manipulate me just right, everything could go wrong. But...how would I even get out of here?

"Sister."

Oh no. This is all I need.

"What do you want, Kohaku? And I would prefer if you called me by my name." He gazed at her through emotionless eyes. She gazed right back.

"You are needed."

"Tell Naraku to shove it up his"

"Watch your mouth, human witch." A female Sango recognized instantly walked up behind him.

"Why should I? I am a hostage, not a servant! I don't need to listen to anyone"

"Back-talking? Is that all you've got"

"You're not even worth my time but that doesn't mean that I won't kill you" The taiji-ya lunged forward and kicked a surprised Kagura right through the wall. The instant her foot connected with the wind sorceress's face, she knew that she was ready to make a break for it. She turned around while ripping off the bandage on her arm. She struck Kohaku in the side of the neck then tied his hands behind his back and let him limply slide to the floor. She stared down at him as a pained expression crossed her face.

I don't want to...but this is his chance to rest in peace for good, unless...

Shaking her head, she removed the jewel shard from his back and tucked it in the bandages on her wrist.

I don't have much time to play with. I've got to leave now!

She looked to the door and ran out, finding a window in the hallway. She knew there would be a force field but if she didn't try, she would never get out. Quickly jumping out the window, she used all the speed she could to run into the barrier. A jolting pain ran through her and, before she knew it, she was outside of it. She shook her head.

No time now.

She had to save herself. She just had to get to her friends to warn them that Naraku was up to something extremely sinister.

This isn't just another incarnation that he's planning for. He is going to use the nearly-complete jewel for something. If only I knew what!

She turned to see Kagura chasing her with fury burning in her pink eyes. She let out a shriek of surprise when she felt herself flying through the air as the earth that was no longer below her feet rumbled. She fell on her stomach then stumbled to her feet.

What should I do now? Think, Sango... Think.

The taiji-ya lowered herself into her fighting stance. She was going to fight. Kagura let out a laugh.

"You certainly are persistant for a little human wench. I will show you no mercy for what you have done to me" Her fan clicked open with a simple flick of the wrist but Sango was ready.

"It's time this little human wench kicks your sissy ass" She knew Inuyasha's bad habits were growing on her but she didn't care at the moment.

I am definitely spending too much around him...

"Irritating wench" She sent her attack on the human woman. "You are a nothing but a mortal"

"Enough talking, Kagura. It's time to fight." Sango stated after she dodged the attack easily. The two stared at each other before Kagura lunged forward.

"I will kill you myself"

"You wish" Sango flipped something on her wrist and hidden blades popped out, grazing across Kagura's chest and stomach. She was using what she learned from her training. All of it was skill. She was always hardworking and never faltered in her lessons.

"Remember, never let your enemy have the advantage. Never give them the advantage. We are dealing with deadly creatures. There is no room for games. Do not start a game with them because you may never finish your turn. Always be alert. Always be ready for anything."

Kagura cried out when Sango sliced her arm with her blades.

"This is over! You will never win" The taiji-ya kicked the surprised youkai's wrist then jumped up and caught the fan that flew from her hand. She snapped it in two and made certain to hold it. "I leave the rest to your master." Her voice was cold and hard. Then she turned around and ran quickly away, hearing a sharp scream behind her.

"GET BACK HERE, TAIJI-YA" She continued running, hoping only to make it before Naraku had the chance to send someone.

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were glaring daggers at each other. They absolutely refused to get along. They hurled insults, bitter remarks, and glares whenever they found the chance. The hanyou was still blaming his older sibling for Sango's capture. He only hoped she was still alive.

Boy, did she really hurt his pride. He's been moody since she fought with him. But why such hatred? I never knew Sango to get so bothered by someone. We're in an all-out war already. We don't need those two killing each other.

Inuyasha let out a silent sigh. It was really bothering him that Naraku had Sango. If Kagome ever found out, she'd sit him all the way to hell. He stopped.

"I lost it. Dammit" He cursed, growling.

"Continue on, little brother. The scent is but faint...not gone." Sesshoumaru took the lead, his sharp senses catching almost every intricate detail. The sweet scent of her blood, her lovely scent.

What the hell am I thinking of? Why am I even helping them find her?

He continued to question himself until he stopped completely, causing Inuyasha to run into him.

"What is it, Sesshoumaru"

"I sense someone... Behind us."

Kagome was charging on, wishing Kirara was with her. Then she would be able to find the others. However, she knew Miroku had two jewel shards on him so she was able to sense them. They were traveling quite quickly and she was having a hard time in the woods with her bike but she managed. After all, she had to make it there to see if the houshi's shards were black.

Something has to be up. How can this come to us right under our noses? What in the world is going on?

She sped up when she felt the shards ahead of her stop. She had gone past Sango's village a while ago and she was wondering where the taiji-ya was going. No one was there and she could tell so she hadn't bothered stopping. Her breath was now coming in short gasps and sweat rolled down her face.

I have to keep going...even if I do slow down, I will catch up to them.

She stopped when she sensed something strong up ahead. It had to be Sesshoumaru. What was going on?

Now I'm really confused. Why would he... Oh no! Is he after the Tetsusaiga again?

She paused a moment to catch her breath and take a drink of water from her water bottle that was in the basket. Her gaze strayed to the shards.

What am I gonna do about it? I don't want to risk touching them. I don't think I have the power to purify them.

She began going again, this time a little bit slower.

Don't want to mow them down if they're in front of me, now, do I?

She sweat-dropped. Come to think of it, she wouldn't mind running Inuyasha over a good couple of times for the trouble he gave her for wanting to go home. She saw three figures facing her up ahead. One figure, Miroku, had Shippou on his shoulder. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru stood, side-by-side, their amber gazes almost the same. Kirara stood impatiently beside the houshi.

"Hey, you guys" She called to them, stopping and running over to Inuyasha. "Look at this" She held up the glass bottle with the shards inside.

"There's another one in there. Have some trouble in your time" He asked and she nodded.

"But there isn't any time to tell it now, Inuyasha. I want to know what's going on. Look at them. They're glowing! It's like they're reacting to someone's presence. I can feel it...can't you? Like a distress signal. And they're black." She looked down at them. "Yours are probably doing the same, Miroku." Then she looked up and met her friends' hard gazes. "Where's Sango"

"Well... It's like this..."

"Her brother came and took off with her after a battle. We had no idea until the neko came to us." Sesshoumaru answered evenly. "He took her to Naraku. I am certain of it."

That's all for chapter 6! Ohh! What's gonna happen next?

n.n Go Sango! Kick their asses!

Please review or our favorite taiji-ya will come after you!