Sango walked through the trees still looking for Kagome when a groan caught her attention. She moved in the direction of the groan following a narrow winding pass. She heard the groan again, louder. Approaching the sound, Sango found Miroku in a sitting position on a root protruding from the trees. He was rubbing his head and groaning loudly. " Miroku!" Sango rushed over to him. He looked up, noticing Sango's wound. " What happened?" she asked, giving him a hand. He took it, letting her help him up. " Inuyasha." he sighed, he related the incident to Sango. " What did you do to your chest?" he inquired. Sango smiled slightly and told Miroku what Kagome had done. He shook his head. " We have to find them before things get too out of control. I have a feeling that Naraku might have something to do with Kagome's and Inuyasha's strange behavior." He grabbed his staff then the two set off after Kagome and Inuyasha. Sango walked along side Miroku as they made their way through the winding trees and bushes. Kilala hopped in front of them from seemingly nowhere giving the monk and demon slayer a start. " Kilala!" Sango opened her arms to the small cat demon. " Meow." Kilala said as she jumped into Sango's arms. So now the three continued on, still not sure exactly where to find the hanyou and miko. I have a real bad feeling about this whole situation. Sango thought to herself. A feeling that tells me that things are going to go down hill fast.

Kagome jumped as she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with a young woman. The woman's light blue eyes darkened with concern as she looked upon the strangely dressed bleeding girl. She spoke to Kagome with a light comforting voice. " Excuse me," the woman was wearing a simple white kimono with patterns of various flowers and her rich black hair was pulled back neatly in a pony tail. Kagome stared at the woman as though she wasnt comprehending that the lady was talking to her. The woman continued, " Are you alright?" Kagome didnt answer her. " I'm Tasumi. I live in a village near here." she explained. She glanced over Kagome's shoulder and saw Inuyasha. Kagome watched as her eyes widened. You don't understand, do you, Tasumi? No, I can't expect you to. Kagome wanted nothing more at that moment than to reach out to Tasumi, to spill out her heart ache, to hear the village woman's soothing voice tell her it was alright. Yet, she refrained from doing so. She figured that once Tasumi had seen Inuyasha, she would leave. But Tasumi did just the opposite. She knelt down beside Kagome, her kimono collecting dirt around the woman's knees. She looked Kagome straight in the eyes through the girl's mask. " Come with me, please. Let me get you cleaned up." Tasumi gestured for Kagome to stand up and follow her. Kagome wouldn't budge, refusing to leave Inuyasha there by himself. Tasumi saw her hesitation. " If you would allow me to help," Tasumi stood, brushing the dirt off her. " I think we can get him back to my home." As it turned out, they didnt need to lift Inuyasha. Kagome was facing Tasumi when she heard Inuyasha waken. He made a sound that was like a cross between a whimper and growl. Tasumi felt Kagome's dress brush against her as she whipped around to face the half-demon. The village woman was confused at why this girl cared so much for the demon but didn't dare question her. " Inuyasha?" Kagome dropped back to her knees next to Inuyasha. " Kikyo?" Inuyasha's eyes were no longer clouded yet he still seemed perplexed. Kagome drew in a sharp breath at the mention of the dead priestess. " No, it's me. Kagome."
" Where's Kikyo?"
"She isn't here, Inuyasha. Remember?"
" Kagome...what happened? Where are we?"
"In the Feudal Era." Kagome saw the confusion in his eyes. She would explain everything to him later. Tasumi stepped forward. " If you still want to, your welcome to come back with me to my village." Kagome nodded then helped Inuyasha stand. Shakily, almost in a trance, they followed Tasumi back to her village.

Shippo pulled at the arrow that had him hung up on the wall by his shirt. " Come out, you stupid arrow." he fumed. He at the same time was counting his blessings that Kagome's aim was not perfect. Though, he had no clue why she shot him in the first place. Did I say something that might have upset her? Shippo loved Kagome. She was like a mother to him. Kagome was always there to help him, especially when Inuyasha was being a bully. So what made her shoot him? He finally ripped his tunic and fell to the ground, freed from the arrow's grasp. He hurried out of the hut and sniffed the air. He caught a faint scent of Kagome. It's not much but it'll have to do! Shippo raced off in search for his friend. The young kitsune was yet another in pursuit of the pretty mikko.

Kagura was confused. What is Naraku planning? Does he not know that Inuyasha was still alive? Is this just another part of his plan? She was curious but didn't care to ask. Who cares what he does? All I want to do is figure out how to get rid of him so I can be free. Like the wind. Naraku had returned, looking as his normal self instead of the seductive teenager he had left as. For that, Kagura was grateful. A strange feeling had possessed her. A feeling she did not wish to experience again. Naraku can be so unpredictable at times that I constantly have to watch myself. Kagura's thoughts strayed for a few moments until Naraku's sharp voice brought her back to the present. " Kagura." he walked in behind her, his face impassive. "What?"
"Inuyasha is still alive. I can not seem to kill him. Even using Kagome doesn't seem to be enough."
The look on the wind sorceresses face could be clearly read as " And your telling me this, because?". He laughed softly, then to Kagura's surprise, reached out to touch her hair gently. He rubbed the thick locks between his fingers, studying it intently. What is he doing? She was uncomfortable with Naraku's sudden interest in her hair. She longed to whip out of his reach and move away. Yet fear of him held her still. Naraku spoke quietly to her. " Any attempt to be rid of Inuyasha has failed. You yourself has said that Kagome admitted her love for the half demon. What if we use that against him?" He sighed and released her hair. Kagura inwardly let out a breath of relief. " Naraku, why do you tell me this?" she asked. " Find Kagome and bring her back here but make sure only the monk knows she is missing." he dismissed her.

Inuyasha sat next to the fire in Tasumi's hut, his arms crossed inside his robe of the Fire Rat. Kagome sat beside him, her head hung low. Tasumi went about making a pot of tea and dried herbs. Other than her rummaging around the hut, it was quiet. Inuyasha stole glances at the mikko from the corner of his eye, trying to remember everything that had happened after they got back from the party. Kagome's hair hid her face so Inuyasha could not judge from her expression what she was thinking. Everything is a blur to me. I don't even know what I said. Did I say something to Kagome to upset her? This is worse than the times that I turned full demon. Something having to do with Miroku kept nagging at his mind but he was unable to sort the thought out. " Here you go." Inuyasha looked up from the fire. Tasumi held out a small cup to him. He grunted but never the less accepted the drink. Inuyasha stared into the dark brown liquid, tracing everything in his head that might help him remember. I should ask Kagome. After he watched Tasumi try to offer Kagome a cup, Inuyasha decided to risk the chance and ask. " Kagome," he started.
"Please don't ask me, Inuyasha." Kagome's voice sounded sad and exhausted. He was taken aback. " I know you have the right to know what happened and I promise i'll tell you. Just not now." She set down her cup. " Fine. I didnt want to know anyway." he tossed his cup which smashed against the wall. Right next to where the young Tasumi was standing. She jumped back. A small drop of blood trailed down her arm. Looking at Inuyasha with wide yet understanding eyes, Tasumi leaned down to pick up the broken pieces. " Inuyasha? Thats your name?" she asked after she had finished.
"What do you care?" came his sharp reply. What the hell are we doing here anyway? I need to talk to Kagome. Alone. Inuyasha watched Tasumi offer Kagome a small kimono to change into. " No, thank you." Kagome politely declined. She glanced down at her slightly tattered red gown. A tear slipped down her cheek. She rushed out of the hut. " Kagome!" Inuyasha called out to her. He jumped up, ready to go after her. A hand reached out to touch his arm. " Leave her be." He turned around to glare at Tasumi. He ripped his arm away from her. " Let go of me. What would you know?!" he shouted. She tilted her head slightly. " You honestly dont remember?" she asked lightly. " I don't remember anything and at the moment, I don't give a damn." he bared his fangs at her. Tasumi stepped back in fear of him. Seeing her fear only fueled his anger. He turned back around towards the door. Tasumi quickly stepped in front of him. " I think it would be better if you left her alone for awhile." she said, her eyes bore into Inuyasha's. "She doesn't seem ready to talk to you. Why make things worse for yourself and her?" She was talking in a light gentle tone that would usually soothe but for Inuyasha it was causing just the opposite. Inuyasha felt the full demon in him starting to rise. My Tetsuiga. He reached for his fang only to clutch at empty air. The demon was fighting to get out. Inuyasha's eyes started to turn red. " Inuyasha? Are you alright?" Tasumi asked. Get away from me, Tasumi. " Move." he managed to growl out. His eyes were shut tight. Purple marks appeared on his cheeks. His claws became longer and sharper. Inuyasha could feel himself slipping. " Inuyasha, what's happening to you?" Tasumi sounded frightened. I...cant...fight...it... Inuyasha opened his eyes. "Heh heh heh." he laughed. "Inu-Inuyasha?" the girl stammered and began to back up. Inuyasha raised his claws. " Heh heh heh."

Sango, Miroku, and Kilala found a guide to lead them out of the forest. An old traveler who lived in a nearby village happened to be taking a rest between some trees. " My kind sir, if we could just ask you for a moment of your time to escourt us out of these woods, I would be forever grateful." Miroku said to the old man. The man opened his eyes, looked from Miroku to Sango to Kilala then back to Miroku, sighed. " Alright, you seem like a nice couple." he had a slightly raspy voice. "My village isnt too far from here." Miroku and Sango bowed their thanks. The traveler gathered himself then led the way through a weave of trees and bushes. Having been awake for awhile now, he seemed very talkative. He decided to strike up a conversation. " So, how long have you two been together?" he asked over his shoulder. Sango blushed. " Oh...no, you see---- We're not---"
" Ahh. I see. You haven't set the date,yet."
" No--"
" Well I would suggest you do it in the spring. It's always a nice time."
"Listen---" Sango was about to set him straight but stopped when Miroku placed a hand on her shoulder. " Let him be." he whispered. " There isn't any point in ruining his enjoyment and he is doing us a favor." Sango blushed again but said nothing else. The old man was still talking. " Here we are." He said suddenly. True enough, they arrived at the outskirts of a small sleepy village.