Inuyasha and the others walked along in silence. No one was in the mood to talk or rather, everyone was too afraid to speak. Miroku shook his head and looked around at the others. He was pretty sure that Inuyasha was feeling guilty about having to leave Kikyo behind even though it probably was best that she did stay behind. Kagome was a nice girl but even she wouldn't have been able to stand for that. Miroku chanced a sidelong glance at Sango who was clearly trying to make Kagome feel better by every now and then casting Inuyasha evil looks. Shippo was nestled comfortably on Kagome's shoulder, clearly not understanding anything that was going on. Miroku sighed. It never ends…Miroku walked briskly until he was side by side with his good friend.

"Hey Inuyasha…are you…ok?" Miroku asked softly.

"Huh? Oh…yeah, I'm fine," he replied sadly.

"Inuyasha, I know you're sad and upset about…" he looked back to find that Sango and Kagome were staring intently, clearly trying to eavesdrop. He raised an eyebrow before turning his attention back to his friend.

"Inuyasha, Kikyo's going to be fine. You forget that she's a lot stronger than Kagome."

"Did you…did you hear what she said though? Miroku, she…I just can't get over what she said," he whispered.

I was resurrected and unwillingly forced to be in a world in which I do not belong—a world in which I have no place…

"Inuyasha, I…I kind of see where she's coming from." Miroku winced when Inuyasha suddenly turned to face him, eyes flashing with anger.

"So you're saying you agree with her?" Miroku let out a nervous laugh and shook his head.

"Inuyasha, please be reasonable here. I'm only trying to clear the air here. It's been a long two hours! If I have to go another second without being able to breathe right then I am going to explode!"

"Who said you couldn't talk monk?" Kagome asked. Miroku could sense the fire in her voice and therefore chose to ignore her.

"Inuyasha, I know how you must feel about Kikyo but you have to try to see things from her perspective." Inuyasha stopped in his tracks and plopped down on the mountain floor.

"Do explain what you're getting at monk and if I were you, I'd make it good."

"Well, this is the thing, Kik…" A loud, shrill scream pierced the mountainous air and Inuyasha hurried to his feet, sniffing the air.

"Damn it! I can't smell a thing! The miasma has thickened." He looked around trying his best to pick up a whiff or a sound but something else caught his attention. A figure was heading straight towards them, through the miasma.

"Inuyasha…master I think that's…" Inuyasha side stepped just in time to dodge an attack from…

"Hmm…Inuyasha! It's so wonderful to see thee again," Jakotsu said teasingly. "Awe why do you look so down? Aren't you the least bit happy to see me?"

"Happy to see you? Why the heck would I be happy to see the likes of you?" Inuyasha took out his tetsaiga, it changing immediately ready for battle. "Miroku, get the others to safety. It's time I finish this loser off."

"Oh, safety huh? I don't think that's going to fly."

"MASTER INUYASHA! LOOK BEHIND…" Inuyasha looked behind him to see that thousands of Naraku's demons were attacking Sango and Miroku. Kagome and Shippo were hiding behind a big rock as his two friends did their best to protect them.

"WINDS…" His windscar was deflected by Jakotsu's trick blade.

"INUYASHA GET BACK! I'LL USE MY WIND TUNNEL!" Miroku took the wrap from around his hand.

"WIND TUNNEL!" Inuyasha put his hands up as Miroku's fierce winds started taking in the demons and everything in its path. Sango mounted Kirara, taking Kagome and Shippo with her out of harm's way.

"What the hell is that?" Jakotsu asked his face now white out of fear.

"Get in the way and you'll be next," Inuyasha replied. Miroku made quick work of the demons. Using the opportunity, Inuyasha sent his wind scar straight at the frightened Jakotsu, but missed by an inch.

"Damn it all!"

"INUYASHA!"

"Huh?" He turned to see Miroku now passed out onto the ground. Jakotsu let out a loud shriek of laughter as Inuyasha turned to face him. "What the hell happened to Miroku? Answer me dammit or I'll kill you now!"

"Well, I'm sorry to say that your monk has been poisoned. You see, Naraku made me promise not to tell you that his samiyousho were hiding inside the flesh of his demons. I would have thought you'd have sensed them, but alas no." He chuckled once again as he tossed his sword at Inuyasha, grazing his arm.

"NOW YOU DIE!" Inuyasha readied his backlash wave, sending the attack back at Jakotsu. He missed but was ready this time, sending his windscar right behind it. His attack hit Jakotsu dead on, sending his flying through a huge boulder.

"Serves him right the damn yamanouchi." Inuyasha hurried off to find Jakotsu. He found him pinned against the side of the mountain, a stake pinning him against it. Inuyasha's backlash wave sent him flying into a branch that was sticking from the mountain. He was now bleeding to death—stuck because the branch could not be moved.

"Damn you Inuyasha! And to think, we could have had something together. Hmp. That Naraku. I knew I should never have trusted him. No matter though. It was worth dying by your hands pretty hanyou."

"Wait…what's Naraku planning?" Inuyasha asked, kneeling in front of him. Jakotsu coughed, a large amount of blood spewing from his mouth, but he managed a smile.

"He's…something about a priestess…the infant…he wants to kill her…"

"Who? What priestess? Do you mean Kikyo?!?!"

"You…must hurry hanyou…she will die…"

"But she's not here! He doesn't…"

"She's here…he…lured her here…"

"TELL ME!" Inyausha cried, shaking Jakotsu, "TELL ME WHERE HE'S AT SO I CAN KILL THAT BASTARD!" Jakotsu coughed one last time before closing his eyes and was silent evermore. Inuyasha sat there frozen lost in thought. She can't be here…she wouldn't…I told her that I'd avenge her, the both of us. Inuyasha punched the side of the mountain before hurrying off to find his friends.

---

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"Miroku? Miroku are you alright? Answer me you lecherous monk?!?" Sango shook Miroku as hard as she could, begging him to open his eyes.

"Sa…Sango…please…stop shaking me. I'm…I'm awake." She looked down at him happily, pulling his limp body into a warm embrace.

"Don't you dare scare us like that again you monk!"

"Sango…calm down. I have drained a lot of blood from Miroku so he's still quite weak." Miyoga hopped onto Sango's shoulder and out of harm's way, eyes squinting looking for Inuyasha.

"Hey Myoga I'm right here you lazy flea." Inuyasha walked up beside them and dropped to the ground. "Hey, is he alright?"

"He'll be fine," Sango replied. "What happened to Jakotsu?"

"He's…dead. We were right about them though. They're working for Naraku but it seems that not all of them were too happy about it."

"Really? Did you get the jewel shard then?" Shippo asked. Inuyasha looked taken back but shook his head.

"What? You idiot!"

"Hey, lay off. I had other things on my mind ok!"

"Inuyasha, what made you forget the jewel shards?" Sango asked. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and stood up. He did not feel like telling them that he was worried about Kikyo. He knew what the reaction would be and he's rather not go through it all over again.

"Just forget it. Anyway, I'm going back for the jewel. Kagome, you coming?" he asked irritably.

"Yeah, sure," she said glumly. He must be worried about Kikyo. But why?

"Hey Inuyasha, Kirara and I are going to take Miroku to that cave near the peak of the mountain. He should be safe there. Shippo can watch him and I'll catch up with you later."

"No, Sango. You stay with him. You never know. Naraku could be hiding up there somewhere. If that's the case, you send Shippo to find me."

"Got it. KIRARA!" Sango and the others left as Inuyasha followed by a sulking Kagome headed towards the spot where Jakotsu lie.

"Inuyasha…I sense a jewel shard! Several jewel shards to be honest…" Kagome chimmed thoughtfully. Inuyasha looked around Jakotsu's body but he didn't find a shard.

"Kagome, I don't see…" A rustle from behind made Inuyasha withdraw his sword.

"I'm afraid you're just a little late to the spoils my friend. Had you not run off so quickly then you would have had another shard. I wonder what made you run off and forget such a precious commodity?"

"Bankotsu…" Inuyasha said through gritted teeth.

"Very good mutt. Now let's finish this. I grow tire of your interference. Who knows? Maybe if you finish me off quickly, you may still have time to save your priestess."

"What are you saying? Is she really here?" Bankotsu waved his Banryu in the air, producing a small crystal-like orb. Inuyasha stared into the orb and saw Kikyo walking slowly up the mountain with her bow. Her hair was hanging down flying freely in the wind but he could tell that she was still hurt. She had a small limp in her walk but her eyes were filled with hatred and determination. Inuyasha forced back his tears and glared at his adversary; nothing but pure hate in his eyes.

"You see Inuyasha, every second you waste the priestess gets a little closer to Naraku. She's here somewhere on this mountain. In fact, she may just be right above us, but you'll never know unless you defeat me first." Inuyasha looked over at Kagome who was bent over in a corner, staring at something.

"Kagome what are you doing?"

"Inuyasha, there's something funny about this mountain. There's a bunch of clay looking stuff over here in this corner. I don't like it. I am going further up the mountain to investigate." She hurried off leaving Inuyasha behind.

"I wouldn't look so worried Inuyasha. It's probably best that she goes on about her business. At least now you don't have to worry about protecting her although I question how much effort you would have put into it since it's clear that Kikyo's your only concern."

"YOU SHUT UP ABOUT KIKYO! YOU HEAR ME! And what's it to you anyway? I care about them both…just in a different way."

"If you say so. Now prepare yourself Inuyasha!"

---

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Sango sat down inside the cave next to Miroku. The miasma wasn't as thick here as it was outside and Miroku seemed to be resting peacefully. Shippo had fallen asleep leaving Sango to watch over them both. I hope Inuyasha's ok…Some rocks started sliding towards her making her sit upright. She looked to her right to see a figure that looked just like…

"Kohaku?"