Sango stirred with a slight groan, her entire body felt odd and sluggish. A sour expression crossed her face as she sat up wondering what in the hell she ate, or drank, last that left such a taste in her mouth. Her surroundings were illuminated by the small blue fire; shadows were cast upon Inuyasha's still form. His gaze turned to her upon hearing her shift about, she noticed dark circles beneath his eyes and the amber colored eyes were bloodshot.

"How are you feeling?" He grunted. She noticed he pointedly kept from looking at the light directly.

"I've been better," she replied with a grimace as her head suddenly throbbed. The area they sat in was sheltered from the outside, but she could not call it a cave or a home. "How long was I asleep?"

"Hours," Inuyasha replied simply. He caught the alarmed look she sent his way, opening her mouth to argue the fact they were still there and question why he hadn't woken her up earlier. "Don't start Sango," he huffed as he shifted to make himself more comfortable. "Even if you did wake sooner we wouldn't have been able to leave anyway. In the state I was in we'd have been easy prey." The sound of shifting leaves drew her attention to the right to see a tall man with skin the color of an emerald and eyes milky white. In his clawed hand he held a cup, which he extended to her wordlessly.

Sango didn't move to take the cup, instead stared at it as if some slimy substance would come out of it and strangle her. Inuyasha simply nudged her and nodded his head towards the cup, silently telling her to take what was being offered to her.

Because of her upbringing she found it hard to simply take, and drink, something handed to her by an unknown demon. But if Inuyasha found nothing of alarm it must be safe. She took the cup and found it had a most unpleasant smell. She grimaced as the thick substance slid down her throat hotly.

She was most surprised; and pleased, when feeling her pounding headache subside and a sense of normality returned to her. The demon waved his hand over the fire, a strange white powder fell from his palm causing the flames; which had been dying, to roar to life again.

Silence fell over the occupants of the small sheltered area. Inuyasha looked out at the entrance with an odd expression carved onto his face, his sleeves were folded within his haori and his legs crossed. The green skinned demon relaxed against the stone wall behind him that provided the main structure for the small shelter.

"What brings you to these parts?" He suddenly spoke, revealing to have a deep throated voice. Sango turned her attention to the demon, but Inuyasha remained looking away. "It be very idiotic for anyone, even a demon slayer, to travel to the sleeping death." Though his head was turned in her direction, she knew he was not looking at her. The milky texture of his eyes proved that he could not see. Inuyasha's ear twitched slightly in the demon's direction, obviously intrigued about the name.

"Sleeping death?" Inuyasha repeated questioningly.

"That is what this area is called. You've experienced first hand, I see; the lands namesake." His lips twisted into an odd grin as his hand came up to run through his thin black hair which lay atop his head in a tangled state. A sound came from his throat, sounding like an attempt at a chuckle. "So, what business do you have in these parts?"

"We were looking for a flower," Sango replied quietly. She gasped as she suddenly remembered she had not obtained it before she passed out. In fact, she hadn't even remembered the reason to being there for a while there. As if sensing her sudden worry, the demon held up something wrapped in cloth. Inuyasha instantly covered his nose, moving for the first time since the demon had spoken.

"Worry not half demon," the demon near laughed. "There are several other plants within that will dull the smell. You will not be affected by it unless you take it from its wrappings."

"How did you know?" Sango questioned. She highly doubted Inuyasha would have been any help when found and she had been in no better shape.

"This is the only thing any one comes for," he replied knowingly.

"You know quite a bit old man," Inuyasha grouched as he stood and grasped the hilt of his sword. "Who the hell are you?"

"I am Kyoshin keeper of the lake. As you would know, it is a very good thing I was there. Any who come I save from their watery deaths, in your case you would have ended up as dinner for the forests' residents." The demon wasn't fazed by Inuyasha's rough words or thankless attitude. But in retrospect, the half demon was unusually passive. He had accepted the answer without another word and sat down on the ground once more.

"We are grateful for your help Kyoshin," Sango bowed respectfully. "Thank you." The demon waved a hand and smiled lightly.

"It is my job, thanks is not needed slayer. Now, get this plant to your friend." He handed Sango the wrapped flower and clasped her hand between his. "It is good to know that slayers are still seeking to right that horrid wrong." She smiled sadly in response.

"We do what we can," she spoke quietly. He pat her shoulder before releasing her hands.

"Boil it in healing water that will be the best you can do." Sango knew he meant the water from the healings springs. Inuyasha left the shelter for a few brief moments before calling out to her.

"Come on, let's go." As she stepped into the light of the rising sun she was slightly alarmed. Yet another day had passed….time was continuing to run short. Kyoshin pointed in a direction that appeared random, until he spoke.

"That will be the quickest way to go; I highly doubt you will run into trouble." Inuyasha opened his mouth, no doubt to speak against his instructions. Trusting a blind demon seemed foolish, but Sango had a feeling that Kyoshin knew more than they did. After ensuring that the cloth wrapped flower was tucked securely beneath her shoulder armor she climbed upon Inuyasha's back. Without another word he bounded off, feeling each minute that ticked by weigh upon him like heavy bricks.

IIIIII

Kagome watched over the fire cat that lay in the shallow waters, the mystical properties of it healing her stomach wound as time passed. By this point Kagome knew that not even a scar would be left behind. Her knees were drawn up to her chest as she stared off at the trees in thought. Despite having been awake for hours, proof being the sun peaking over the tree tops, weariness had not yet returned to Kagome and Miroku. Not once had they been tempted to lay on the grass and fall into a blissful slumber.

Even though the spring was doing wonders for them, it seemed to have no affect on the young man submerged within the water. He grew paler as time ticked by and was now shaking violently as if he had been dunked into a tub full of ice. Kagome had long since forced herself to turn her attention elsewhere, the sight of him and the thought of not being able to do anything more was horrible. Miroku was understanding and said it hurt her because she had a sympathetic heart; a wonderful trait, he had claimed.

Miroku watched her slumped back and sighed, knowing how hard it was for her to simply watch unable to do anything. He was used to seeing such things and had come to accept that some people were too far gone to save. Kagome, however, was convinced that every one had a fighting chance and would help them until the very end…until they breathed their last breath. No doubt this would be the same.

He had been utterly surprised to find the young mans body was one of a fighter. The scars that riddled his body was proof he had seen and done things that were unimaginable. He was fairly young, but was obviously a seasoned warrior. By what Kagome had told them of her era it was not a time of great devastation or war nor was it normal to fight in the streets in broad daylight. But the look of this man told him an all together different story. Either Kagome had been lying to them, which was unlikely, or things were transpiring that not even she knew of.

'And here I thought things would be better in the future,' he thought sadly. 'Yet I am proved wrong.' Had this man lost his childhood? Had he fought for his life since he was able to throw a decent punch?

On the man's right arm was a fist sized bruise; which was slowly fading away by now, and there had been dried up blood in the midst of it. Once it had been washed away a small puncture was revealed, which puzzled the monk to no end. He had not beckoned Kagome over to inspect it for she seemed lost in her thoughts and wished not to disturb her. If she managed to slip into a temporary peaceful state he would not dare disrupt it.

Miroku had been content listening to the birds morning song as he kept watch over the man. Unfortunately a horrified scream ripped through the silence and caused the birds to fly from their perches in the tree tops nearby. Kagome jumped up instantly and ran over to where they were with Kirara on her heels.

Miroku hooked an arm around Yusuke's chest to keep him fairly still, but was close to being pulled into the water himself. Yusuke's eyes had opened, but were rolled into the back of his head showing only the whites of his eyes. The screaming was suddenly cut off, his mouth still open as if his voice box had suddenly ruptured. His movements had stilled and, for a few short moments, the silence was unbearable. All too soon the screaming continued with renewed volume and his thrashing was far more violent than before.

Finally Miroku was forced to drag him onto the shore lest he be pulled within the waters depths. He quickly pulled off his robes to cover Yusuke with before restraining him to keep him from harming them or himself. Kagome put the young mans head in her lap and ran her hand through his hair, her expression distraught as she looked at Miroku. His brows furrowed and lips pursed as he looked down at the thrashing man. Yusuke's body temperature continued to rise dramatically and his torn screams showed no sign of stopping. It was the type of scream one would usher when terrified, but it was one that would usher when being beaten to death.

The ghostly white complexion of his skin had Kagome to near tears. She knew what was happening, how close he was now to death. She placed her forehead atop Yusuke's before opening her mouth.

"Hold on!" she cried desperately. "Don't give up yet, please, Sango and Inuyasha should be here soon. Just a while longer, hold on a while longer!" Miroku wanted to tell her to give up, to just let the man go. By the looks of it he had been through hell and perhaps death would be welcomed. She, however, never gave up on anyone and so he kept his mouth closed and continued to listen to her desperate cried. She continued to speak to the man, but Miroku could scarcely hear her words over Yusuke's own pained screams. "Stay with us…" Her voice had dropped to a whisper. "You have friends who are wondering where you are no doubt."

"K-Kuwa…ba….ra…" His voice was raspy and nearly inaudible. He had heard her somehow; something within his mind must have clicked with something she had said. But his screams continued and he jerked as if he had been hit in the stomach.

"Your family is probably worried sick." This too must have registered within his mind for 'mother' had left his lips as well. "You have to stay for them." She lifted her head to look at his face. A small gasp left her lips as she saw tears streaming down his face. She closed her eyes and replaced her forehead atop his so as to not look at his broken form.

Miroku wanted desperately to pull Kagome away from the man and tell her to go away from the scene. But she'd put up a fight about it so he kept to himself, continuing to restrain the man and watch as she continued to speak to him.

It was hopeless; this man was officially on his deathbed. Even if Sango and Inuyasha did manage to return now he didn't have any hopes that the plant would work. Yusuke looked too far gone at this point…beyond the point of saving.

The sun was positioned in the middle of the sky before Miroku finally sighed and spoke Kagome's name. She looked up at him with hopeful eyes, looking around wondering if he had spotted Inuyasha and Sango. He shook his head knowing what she was searching for. He was about to tell her it's over when she cried out happily. The aforementioned people came crashing through the foliage. Sango clutched a cloth wrapped bundle to her chest and near jumped off Inuyasha's back and ran over to Kagome and told her to get something out to boil water with.

Instructions were spoken quickly and movements quickened. Inuyasha had gone to get firewood and started a fire upon which they set the water filled kettle to boil. Sango had unwrapped and thrown in the flower quickly, not wanting anyone to become affected by it. She would rather not experience that again and, she was certain, neither would Inuyasha. Despite it being in a covered kettle Inuyasha sat a good distance away.

During this time Yusuke's screams had fallen silent and his movements stilled. He lay on the grass; still wrapped in Miroku's robe, with his eyes still open and skin still ghostly white. Inuyasha seemed to share Miroku's thoughts; the way he sighed and shook his head as the girls prepared the antidote confirmed he thought it was hopeless. Neither spoke lest they end up on the receiving end of one of the two's temper. Inuyasha could hear Kagome's shrill voice now.

Give up? You want to just give up on him when we've come so far to help?

He'd rather avoid her temper during this time, especially since it was about saving someone's life. She wouldn't give up until he was dead.

IIIIII

"Kill…me," he demanded best he could. "Just….get it….over wi-with." Somewhere within him he knew he would die. Why fight it? The only thing that was doing was causing him more pain…more torture.

"This is pathetic," his attacker spat as he nudged Yusuke with his foot and glared down at his broken form. "You, a strong demon, asking for death!" The anger in his voice was unmatched. Now, Yusuke found, he preferred the sickly sweet tone. He could feel the energy surrounding the demons fist as it rammed into his stomach unmercifully. He continued to scream as he was beat upon, not in amusement, but in rage. No punches were pulled and no insult was mocking.

He was faintly reminded of Toguro and what he had gone through during that fight. But even that, or any other fights he had gone through, seemed to match with this. He felt each bone break and the warm blood gush from each wound.

This was it. He was really going to die at the hands of this demon, whose abilities and power resembled his.

Your friends…wondering

His breath hitched as a familiar orange haired teen came to mind, telling him not to die or he'd kick his ass. "K-Kuwa…ba…ra…" The demon growled as Yusuke stopped responding to the pain and planted a fist firmly in his chest. He smirked as he felt a few bones break under the pressure and heard Yusuke scream again.

Your family…worried sick

His mind forced an image of his mother against the wall with her knees drawn to her chest, sobbing over the loss of her son. He couldn't do that to her again…not again. "Mo…ther." He was lifted up by his neck, but paid no mind to it. All he could hear and see were his friends and family…mourning over his third death. Unbidden tears coursed down his face and he made no move to stop them.

Stay

He had wanted to die, to escape the hell he was being put through. But, in the end, he would be doing the same to his friends and family. How could he do that to them again? What kind of bastard did that willingly? He cried out again as he was suddenly brought back to the present time, the pain exploding in his mind like a bomb.

Please stay

'I-I want to,' he thought desperately. He began to fight against the demon, struggling to be removed from his grasp, but his attempts were futile for he did not have the strength or energy.

Just a while longer

'I've got to try…got to...' He tried to block the pain from his mind in an attempt to hold on a while longer. Stars exploded in his vision as he felt his shoulder bone break, his arm hung limply at his side. The demon began to strangle him; each breath became harder, his airway becoming blocked off. He didn't have the strength to fight anymore. All he could do now was hanging there as he was slowly dying from lack of oxygen. He briefly wondered why blood loss and such hadn't killed him earlier. And then he felt nothing.

IIIIII

Hm, don't know what to say really. I hope it was intense 'cause it's supposed to be. If it's clumsy in any part, as I hope it is not, let me know. I love the reviews oh so much and appreciate that you all take the time to leave them!

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Yu yu hakusho (c) Yoshihiro Togashi

Kyoshin (c) Tijiya