[[Broken says: Hey, guys~ It hasn't been too long since I last updated, I don't think. But, anyway, here's another! And I hope that I'll be able to post more and more often after this. So please maintain interest!]]

After Naraku finally left them all alone, Bankotsu looked to his men and took a deep breath. His eyes moved from one member to the next, but he wasn't actually looking at them. Wasn't really seeing them. He was too deep in thought for that. His eyes finally came to rest on Jakotsu, his right hand man. The usually cheerful male's face was as concentrated as the leader. Even he knew this wasn't a time for humor. So… They'd been brought back from death's grip, only to be used as servants? Of course, Naraku had promised this was only for a short while. After they got this Sesshomaru guy back in one piece, and had fulfilled their promise to protect the strange man who'd brought them back, they'd be given shards of the sacred jewel and be set free. Well, it was a promising deal… "Jakotsu," Bankotsu said closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead with the tips of his fingers, "Stay here with Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu. As for the rest of you; Renkotsu, Suikotsu and Mukotsu, you will go in search of that… Inuyasha boy that Naraku mentioned." They all nodded. All but Jakotsu, who sighed and made a face at Bankotsu.

"And just where will you be going? C'mon, it's not fair that you get to have all the fun."

Bankotsu raised his brows playfully, his hands on his hips and a grin on his face, "Me? I'm taking that wind lady and going after the demon Naraku wants us to find. Now, don't whine. I won't be gone long."

Jakotsu pouted, glaring at their leader with his bottom lip stuck out as if he were but a mere child, "Aw, c'mon. I've just been brought back. I wanna have some fun too." The leader smiled and patted the male on the head softly, but didn't give him anymore of a response as he turned to the woman across the room. She'd been hiding there, in the shadows, for some time now.

"Let's go, woman."

She growled a bit, "Address me by my name, heathen. It's Kagura."

"Whatever."

Sesshomaru dug his nails into the dirt and growled lowly in his throat, his toes curling as something he'd never felt twisted his facial features. Just what was going on? Noisily, his teeth ground together, his amber eyes narrowed as a heated red color flourished across his cheeks. The air was cold against his skin and nothing he did cured him of this… Annoying urge. This itching. This need. This… Hunger. Jaken and Rin were settled around the fire they'd built inside the cave, and the lord was outside, hidden by rocks and trees. Jaken had earlier been worried, seeing this strange look in his master's eyes. But the dog hissed for him to leave. What could the imp do, but listen? Nothing. Had… Had Naraku poisoned his master? Oh no. What if Sesshomaru were deathly ill? If their lord passed away, what would become of he and the human? But what Sesshomaru was feeling was not something deadly. Quite the opposite, actually.

His gaze was turned to the sky. What was wrong with him?

"The hell are you staring at?" Inuyasha growled.

"Sorry," Sango scratched the back of her head, "I've just never seen… It's so strange."

"Hard to believe he turns human for a night, huh, Sango?" Kagome said, smiling softly.

Inuyasha muttered a bit, fury marring his usually sarcastic features. He hated this side of him. The night of the new moon… Damn it all to hell. He'd caught Naraku's scent, too. Just before he'd gone and fucking transformed. And… Kikyo… That's why he hadn't gone after Naraku right away. He'd been hoping to be able to find Kikyo before he transformed fully. What was she doing around here, anyway, "Well, anyway. There's nothing we can do in your current condition, Inuyasha. I say we camp here for the night. If I'm correct, Naraku has been weakened a great deal. Surely we can defeat him after the sun rises."

"You idiot. If he's weak, there's no doubt he's prepared for an attack. But… You're right about waiting here until sunrise. I can't protect any of you right now. There-"

"I'm sensing jewel shards. Approaching fast." Kagome's brown eyes were widened quite a bit as she looked about them, readying herself with her bow and arrow. Sango grabbed for her Hiraikotsu, Miroku twisted two fingers at the beads of his right hand. They were all on edge because of Inuyasha's transformation. An attack was something they couldn't deal with right now…

"Hey, Kagome!" Kouga hugged her from behind, around the middle, "Haven't seem you in a while." Ginta and Hakkaku weren't terribly far behind, and, when they actually stood with the group, they were a bit out of breath and complaining to Kouga as they usually did, "…What the hell…?" His blue eyes found Inuyasha, who's eyes were narrowed.

"The hell do you think you're staring at?"

"The mutt's turned human!" He moved away from Kagome to hold his stomach as he nearly doubled over with laughter, "Who'd've thought you could get any weaker?"

"Shut your stinkin' trap, wolf," He snapped back, glaring, his nostrils flaring as he grabbed the hilt of his blade.

"Good lord, I don't have time for this," the wolf wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, sniggered a little more, and then shook his head, "We're headed after Naraku. I smelled Kagome and decided to stop by to say hello."

"YEAH?" Inuyasha was suddenly infuriated. Seemingly over their going after Naraku when he was unable, "WELL, GO THEN. We'll be there to clean up your filthy corpses once Naraku's through with you. Even in his weakened state, you don't stand a chance, you rotten-"

"I'm sensing more jewel shards, guys." Kagome interrupted, pulling her arrow with the string and aiming it through some trees. This time, she was sure it wasn't friendly. Inuyasha, not wanting to be the only one sitting out, pulled out his useless sword and held it, ready to do his best. Kouga studied the hybrid for a moment, pausing and thinking before saying anything. He decided this wasn't the time for a joke, however, and clenched his hands into fists, his stance showing he was ready to fight with this group if he had to. A thick, green smoke caused everyone to jump away, though. The hell was that?

"…A girl, oddly dressed, as Naraku told us about.. But I sense no half-breed…" Came a gargled voice as a short being's figure became clear, "Where is Inuyasha?"