"Ahh, Inuyasha. I was expecting you." Kaede smiled as she greeted Inuyasha and his friends. She had been awake for at least an hour. She was awakened by Sesshomaru to let her know that they were off. She decided to stay awake in case Inuyasha dropped by and so he did not disappoint.

"Expecting me?"

"Well yes. It's been days since I've seen you all and I figured you'd be by sooner or later. How's the search for the shards going?"

"Not so good these past few days," Kagome winced. "I'm not sure how many we're lacking but I'm sure we have more shards than Naraku."

"Yes, and if only we knew what happened to the jewels Kikyo was carrying. I believe it's safe to assume that Naraku has them and if so then he has a few less than we do," Miroku added. There was a long pause before Kaede broke the silence.

"Ye get the feeling that something's wrong. Tell me, how are ye Inuyasha?"

"Huh? Oh I'm sorry Kaede I was just…"

"Inuyasha isn't feeling so well Kaede. He feels like there's trouble a foot," Shippo chipped.

"Shut your mouth you mangy fox," Inuyasha grumbled. "No one asked you and you're just stupid fox."

"Inuyasha that wasn't very nice," Kagome snapped.

"And I don't care what you think," he snapped back.

"Sit." Inuyasha fell flat on his face in front of Kaede.

"Damn you Kagome." He stood to his feet and entered Kaede's cabin muttering something about ungrateful women. Kaede shook her head and headed inside after him.

"Inuyasha, what be troubling you so? You had no reason to be biting Kagome's head off. You were being overly rude to Shippo. He was only answering my question."

"Yeah well the question was not directed to him…stupid fox," he grumbled. He folded his arms across his chest as he sat Indian styled on the floor.

"Inuyasha, stop sulking and tell me what's bothering you. I have to say that you're letting your brother surpass you in courtesy. He was very polite to me the other day."

"Huh? My brother was here? Where is he now and what the hell was he doing here?"

"Well he came by to ask me something about the sacred jewel."

"Why? I never knew he had an interest in finding the jewels. Is he trying to make himself stronger?! I hope you didn't tell him much. Just one more thing I have to worry about now…my brother becoming just as powerful as Naraku." Inuyasha cursed loudly before turning to face the wall.

"Oh Inuyasha," Kaede chuckled. "I think Naraku may have pissed your brother off somehow. He was inquiring about ways to defeat Naraku. I don't think your brother cares all that much about the shards."

"Oh…well…I don't want him to defeat Naraku. It has to be me. I have to get revenge for what he did to Kikyo and me. I also have to show Kagome that I can protect her too."

"Ahh…so that's what this is about. Inuyasha, are you afraid of letting Kagome die?"

"I…well…" He let out a sigh as he turned to face Kaede. There was a certain sadness about him that made Kaede just as sad. "Kaede, do you remember when Kikyo died…the first time?"

"Ahh yes. Something like that I could never forget."

"Well…days before she died I had this feeling…I can't really explain it but…"

"I understand Inuyasha. Your brother has sensed an odd change in the weather and he reckons it's a sign. I have to say that I agree with you both. Something bode's ill in the air and I think we all should exercise extreme caution in the days ahead."

"Yeah. You're right. So Kaede, any idea which way my brother went? If he's also looking for Naraku then I think we'll fair better if I travel in another direction. I'm sure if we all end up facing Naraku together, then maybe he'll exercise a little restraint in fighting me to help kill that bastard."

"I think he will. Believe it or not, I think your brother actually has a heart."

"Hmph. That'll be the day."

"All the same, your brother is traveling in a westward direction. A few days ago, he spotted some samiyousho going in the opposite direction. I think he's trying to stay out of Naraku's way until he has a plan."

"I see. Well east it is." Inuyasha stood to his feet and made ready to leave when his nose started to pick up something. He walked around the room looking around when he found something that made his face turn pale. It was one Kikyo's robes folded neatly on a shelf beside a sacred arrow that had belonged to her. The funny thing about it was that it didn't smell of graveyard soil but it smelled of her…Kikyo. Inuyasha's eyes teared up as he held the robe in his hands. He lifted it to his face and sniffed, taking in the sweet scent that had always driven his senses wild.

"Inuyasha, your friends are waiting. Best not keep them waiting lest they come looking for ye." Kaede placed a hand on his shoulder comforting him.

"Yeah. Um…" He placed Kikyo's belongings back on the shelf and headed for the door. "I'll be seeing you soon Kaede."

X--X--X

Sesshomaru let Kikyo sleep while they traveled by land. He did not wish to be spotted in the air and he figured by traveling through the depths of the forest that he might not be spotted as quickly. Sesshomaru couldn't help but to watch as the beautiful Kikyo slept on his steed. As he watched her, he was reminded of the events from earlier that morning, mainly the part where her tiny arms had held him down on top of her as he kissed her soft neck. Just thinking about it was turning him on and he cursed loudly. I have to forget her! I have to give her back…He sighed as he continued walking. This was definitely not the time to be fantasizing about his brother's fiancé. He had thought that he whiffed Naraku earlier when he first headed out towards the forest but when he looked around investigating the area, he found nothing. Sesshomaru had been traveling at a pretty fast pace but he decided to slow down a bit. If someone was following them then it would be a lot harder to get to Kikyo if she's not out in the open.

X--X--X

Not too long after Inuyasha and his friends left Kaede's cabin, they soon spotted Kagra flying west, the same direction that Sesshomaru was traveling. Inuyasha and his friends stopped in order to think.

"I think we should follow her Inuyasha," Miroku suggested. "We don't have a clear lead to Naraku or any of his minions. I say we'll have better luck following her."

"Yeah but what if she's just looking for my brother? I've always had this feeling that she only picked fights with my brother because she's smitten with him. Maybe she whiffed him and wants to toy with him for a while. If that's the case, she'll be heading back this way soon. Sesshomaru's not the loving kind. He thinks all women are useless."

"That may be Inuyasha but I agree with Miroku. She's our only lead. If we can get her to talk, I'm sure she'll give us clues to the whereabouts of Naraku…or at least tell us his plans. I don't think she likes being told what to do and that Hakudoshi knew how to push her buttons. I bet she'd give anything just to get that child out of the way," Sango noted.

"Yes. I agree as well but Inuyasha has a point. I know Kagra has a thing for Sesshomaru and unless he left a long time ago, he shouldn't be too far away," Kagome stated.

"I don't understand these grownup matters but didn't Kagra lead us into a trap last time?" Shippo asked. Everyone stared at the young fox until finally Miroku spoke up.

"Well done Shippo. I too was thinking the same thing."

"What are we going to do? We can't stand here all day talking about it," Sango replied. "Inuyasha, what do you want to do?"

"I…" He looked up at the sky. He still had the feeling that things were going to go bad but something had to be done. Being overly cautious could prove to be just as bad as not being cautious enough. "She may be trying to trick us but since we don't have any leads, we're going to head towards my brother. We need to be careful though. I don't think we should draw too much attention to ourselves. If we hurry, we should be able to catch up with her but we're only going to observe. We don't have time for delays."

"Right," they all said in unison.

"Kagome…" She climbed onto Inuyasha's back and they all took off after Kagra. I hope this isn't a trap and if it is, I WILL protect Kagome even if it costs me my life!

--XX--

"Inuyasha please…this is how it has to be."

"But Kikyo I love you too much to just let you die again!"

"Can't you see? This is the only way. This is the reason I was brought back…"

"AND I'LL NEVER BELIEVE THAT KIKYO!"

"If you…fail to save…Kagome then you…have failed me…Inu…yasha…"

"No…please…" Kikyo moaned. Her body began shaking violently as if she were having a fit. She started to roll off of Sesshomaru's steed but he was able to catch her in his arms.

"Kikyo…Kikyo wake up." Her body was drenched in sweat and she was running a very high fever. She managed to open her eyes but the sharp pain in her head made her shut them just as quickly. Sesshomaru's heart stopped and his face went pale. He had no idea what to do. This fit that she's having…it's not normal. Could it be the miasma? Sesshomaru laid Kikyo flat on her back on the grass and proceeded to rip open her robes. The wound on her shoulder was almost completely healed so he doubted it was a reaction from the miasma.

"Sesshomaru…the necklace…" Sesshomaru looked at the small chain around her neck and noticed that one of the three jewel shards was glowing bright red. This must be it! Sesshomaru ripped the necklace in two, tossing the shards aside. Immediately Kikyo's body stopped moving but her breaths were still somewhat labored. He scooped Kikyo into his arms placing her atop his steed. I'll find a safe place to stop so that I can clean her up. He grabbed the three shards placing them in his pocket before climbing aboard his steed.

"Kikyo, I'm going to find a safe place for us to stop and rest."

"No…Sesshomaru…" He silenced her protest by grazing her lips with his own.

"Don't make me kiss you again Kikyo. We have to stop so you can rest. You may get your way all the time with my brother but that is not the case with me."

Kikyo managed to smile before she closed her eyes. She was glad that Sesshomaru was with her. That jewel shard could have accidentally killed her but that wasn't what was worrying her at the moment. The glowing of the jewel shard meant that someone was tracking the jewel. Whoever was tracking it, had to have placed some kind of spell on it beforehand to insure its safety. Since the jewel was with her, whoever used the spell to access the jewel now knew that she was alive. The question on her mind—who?

--KK--

Damn Naraku. Damn Hakudoshi. Damn. Damn. Damn. Kagra glanced behind her and saw that Inuyasha and his friends were following her. Those fools. Don't they know a trap when they see one? Kagra just shook her head and picked up the pace. As much as she hated Inuyasha and his friends, she hated Naraku even more. I need to figure out a way to help those losers. They can't die just yet. Not until they figure out how to defeat Naraku. She knew what trap lied ahead for Inuyasha. She just needed to make sure that they survived somehow. Even if they didn't win the battle, if they managed to get out alive there was still hope for Kagra.

AN: Sorry about the long delay but as you know, I was on Spring Break. It's crunch time again with finals in a month so don't expect another update soon. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I plan to go back and edit the first six chapters to make them more readable. Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing. -grins-