No one present could ever remember a time where victory felt less satisfying. While their prior successful expeditions resulted in celebrations, rewards, or at the very least a bit of rest, this one earned them none. Instead, all they faced now was a long journey back through the dense woodlands, and they would have to make the trip carting their wounded half-demon along the way. Although the town where they had been hired on to take out the youkai responsible for the recent attacks was closer, the group decided it would be best to go directly back to Kaede's village, where she could help treat his injuries, while Kagome would also have the ability to go back to her time to stock up on her modern medical supplies.

Inuyasha's injuries were as serious as any he had ever received in his years of fighting, and the poison in his body was the worst aspect, leaving him in a perpetual state of delirium, daze, and pain. Neither his demonic healing powers nor anything in Kagome's first aid box could counteract it. Gathering up lumber from the forest, the group constructed a make-shift stretcher to lay him on and then tied it to Kirara's back. They considered having Kirara fly him directly back to the village ahead of the group, but decided against it on grounds that he might need more aid if his condition deteriorated along the way. So with Inuyasha on Kirara floating a few feet above them, everyone else had to walk. A long, painful, hungry, sleep-deprived walk back to the village. And just when it seemed like the situation couldn't possibly get any worse, it started to rain, in a seemingly endless down-pour that would not let up.

"Ohhh, K-Kagome how much further do we have? This whole experience has been a neverending nightmare," said Inuyasha in a pained voice. He had been drifting in and out of consciousness the whole way back and the misery of his condition and their situation had become so unbearable that he had actually dropped his tough guy image.

"We're on the last leg now. Just hold on," Kagome replied, doing her best to keep his spirits up and hide her own fatigue. In reality she was probably the second most miserable person among the group. In addition to not being in as good of physical shape as everyone else, her school uniform was hardly practical attire for long distance hiking, which is why she spent the majority of their quest being carried on Inuyasha's back or riding Kirara, both of which had been eliminated as options on the way back.

"Ah quit your whining, Inyusha," Shippo snapped. "We all know what really has you down. You're just jealous we were able to slay that demon on our own after it beat you." Shippo seemed to be the only member of the who was still in high spirits. Kagome assumed it was because he wasn't mature enough to understand the extent of Inuyasha's injuries and because he was finally in a situation where he could insult him without fear of violent reprisal.

"C-C-Can someone please deck him for me?" Inuyasha inquired to the group in general. "I can't be the only one h-here who wants him to shut up."

"Ha! It's not going to happen, you don't get to pummel me this time Inuyasha." Shippo shot back triumphantly. "No one's here's going to hit a kid, especially since my brilliant talents were the reason we won."

"S-Shippo I swear when I get back on m-my feet, I'm going to give you the thrashing of a lifetime. You'll be feeling as bad as I am now..." And so it went. The hanyou and fox demon had been going back and forth on and off periodically throughout the trip, interrupted only when Inuyasha's pain became to great or when Kagome broke them up

Meanwhile Sango walked in front of the group in total silence. She tried to show as little emotion as possible, but beneath her calm exterior, her mind was on overdrive. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. This was the same kind of youkai my team of slayers easily defeated years ago. The one he created. How did he make this one so powerful and intelligent? The jewel shards? Or maybe his skills have improved since then?"

"Sango, what's wrong?" Asked Miroku as he approached her from behind. He could tell something had been bothering her since the start of the hunt and now that it was complete, he figured this would be the time to figure out what it was. "You did nothing but push us onward at the start of this expedition, and you've been deathly silent the whole way back."

"Oh Miroku..uh it's nothing." Sango replied, doing her best to brush him off. "I'm just weary from our long journey and focused on getting back. Even now, it's not safe to let our guard down, especially considering Inuyasha's condition." She was still so lost in her thoughts that it seemed she barely noticed him. "Should I have told the others what I knew?" What good would it have done? I wasn't sure it was really the demon I fought before. And clearly I didn't know how tough it would be this time..."

"Is that what's concerning you?" Asked Miroku. "Look what happened to him wasn't your fault. It was just the fate of battle. None of us knew what that demon was capable of."

Finally Sango started to open up. The strain of keeping secrets from someone she cared for deeply was starting to weigh heavily on her conscience. "But wasn't it? I was the one so determined to find the blasted thing. I'm the one who insisted on minimizing our rest and food breaks to stay on its trail. If I had shown more concern for our own welfare, we could have fought him under more favorable conditions, and come up with a proper battle plan."

Once again Sango's focus drifted back to her own thoughts "I should have considered the possibility that it would be stronger or smarter this time. I let my personal feelings dictate my actions and nearly led us all into an early grave. I can't risk putting them through this again. Once we get back I'll have to handle the situation properly, on my own."

"Or maybe we never would have found it, and it would still be out there killing and maiming at will." Miroku pointed out. Then he put a hand on Sango's shoulder, causing her to immediately stop in her tracks. "Sango, stop torturing yourself. You should be proud of how well we all worked together to defeat it. And In doing so we probably saved a lot of lives"

Sango sighed and conceded his point. "Yeah...we did fight pretty well out there, didn't we?" She said while looking back and smiling at him. "Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, us; we've all become a real force to be reckoned with."

Miroku put his other hand on her other shoulder and started to rub them gently. "Exactly. And don't worry about Inuyasha. He'll recover. He's too strong to let a dose of demon venom to keep him down."

Sango had to hand it to Miroku. His gentle touch and words of reassurance were just what she needed right now. "Oh Miroku. You have no idea how good that felt." Finally she was able to take her mind off the events of the day and her plans for the future. "These are the times when it's so obvious why I fell for him. He really can be so supportive, so passionate, so-GODDAMN PERVERTED!"

Sango's feelings of relaxation quickly transitioned to feelings of primal rage as she felt Miroku's right hand transition from her shoulder to her bottom. "Miroku, you low-life letch!" She shouted as she unleashed her wrath. This time he wasn't lucky to enough to receive it in the form of a mere slap. Instead she swung her left arm back with full force, drilling him right above the nose with a powerful elbow strike. The impact sent him stumbling off balance for a few steps before slipping on the wet muddy ground.

"After the pure hell we've been going through, that's still all you can think about?" She asked in an angered tone of near disbelief. Even by Miroku's standards, she considered this act to be particularly audacious. "Unbelievable!"

Miroku quickly got back up, while desperately trying to think of a way to redeem himself. "Sango wait! You have to understand your immense beauty is nearly impossible to resist in any situation. And don't forget this cursed hand of mine-"

"Shut it, monk! Another word from you and Inuyasha will have to make room on the stretcher for one more! Now leave me alone!"

With that, Sango turned around in a huff and stormed back to her original position at the head of the group, kicking up water and chunks of mud as she left Miroku behind. Though it may have been his imagination or the effects of the blow he received, Miroku swore he could see steam rising from her rain-soaked body as she walked away.

Behind them, Kagome watched with resigned disappointment, while Shippo and Kirara had an expression of shock.

"What an idiot," remarked Shippo. "Still Sango usually doesn't react to him that way. What set her off now?"

"Remember a while back when I told you about the importance of 'atmosphere'?" Asked Kagome. "Well it can also work against you if you make a move at the wrong time."

A few hours later, the group's agonizing march finally came to an end at Kaede's village, where they immediately went to work getting Inuyasha's wounds proper treatment, while also looking forward to some badly needed rest and recouperation of their own. The one exception was Kagome, who refused to leave Inuyasha's side and worked tirelessly to aid in his recovery, leaving only on brief trips to her own time to replenish her depleted medical supplies. Over the next few days, through a combination of modern medicine and ancient healing techniques, Inuyasha's condition eventually stabilized and the poison in his body was slowly drawn out. But the wounds still left him crippled, sick, and bed ridden, with no clear sign of how long it would take to make a full recovery. Kaede estimated at the very least, he would be severely limited in activity for the next several days. And despite Kagome's constant support, Inuyasha was treating his convalescence as a prison term, just as everyone expected.

Meanwhile Sango had made up her mind. She was leaving to resolve the issue once and for all, and was doing so alone. Everything they group went through over the last few days had happened because what she did, or failed to do, years ago and it was up to her see it through to the end. "I suppose Miroku might say I'm 'going to confront the demons of my past'. It's kind of amusing that I'll be doing so literally." Sango thought to herself as she finished packing her travel bag.

Suddenly her heart sank as she thought of Miroku. She hated to leave him behind without so much as saying as saying goodbye, esepcially since there was a good chance she would not return, but it had to be done. He would insist on coming along, no matter how badly his skills were needed here. With Inuyasha incapacitated for the indefinite future, everyone, even Kirara, would be needed in the village at such a critical time. Besides, she couldn't ask them to go on such a journey after what they went through the last one, due in large part to her.

Leaving behind a simple note stating she would be going away on "personal business", Sango gathered up her supplies and headed out. It was very late at night and she assumed everyone would be in bed at the time, an assumption that appeared to be accurate until she reached the outer edge of the village, where she happened to run into Kagome.

"With all the trained warriors and demons on among us, Kagome is the one who catches me leaving. Sometimes the gods have a frustrating sense of irony." Hi Kagome, what are you doing out at such a late hour?" Sango asked, trying to act natural.

"Oh Sango, I was just out to fetch some water for Inuyasha. What are you doing here?"

Wishing she had thought of a cover story beforehand, Sango tried to come up with something. "Just taking a late night stroll. You know I find them quite relaxing.."

"Sure, you're out for a late night stroll, fully armed, wearing your slayer's uniform, and carrying a traval pack. Spill it Sango, what's going on?"

"Guess there's no way around it now. Well, I suppose she deserves an explination the most out of anyone." Sango thought, trying to figure out the best way to explain the situation. "Kagome, I've got a confession to make. That plant youkai we fought back in the woodlands...well...the reason I was so determined to find it is because I've fought one like it before-"

Kagome cut her off mid sentence with words of surprised betrayal. "What? You mean you knew about that thing and didn't tell us? Sango, how could you? Inuyasha nearly died because we didn't know what it could do-"

Now it was Sango's turn to interupt. "No! It's not like that. Just let me explain." Then she started from a different angle. "Kagome, didn't you find it odd that it had jewel shards in it's brain? How could it have put them there?"

That caused Kagome to pause. "I guess with all that went on since then, I never had time to think about it."

"The reason is because it was artificially created. Someone put that youkai together and put the jewel shards in with it. I know this because I've also fought the demon who created it. They were both targets of a demon hunt from my younger days, one I was never able to finish. The man's a real devil, Kagome. Just think, a demon who makes his own youkai servants, and he does so by harvesting humans."

Kagome took a bit of time to take this all in. "So he's like a demon Dr. Frankenstein?"

"Who's Dr. Frankenstein?"

"Oh, uh no one you would know." Kagome replied, realizing her reference was about 300 years too early. "Please continue."

"When me and my fellow slayers encountered that plant monster years ago, it was a total pushover. It wasn't posionous and it didn't have most of the powers and defenses we dealt with this time. We defeated it easily. That's why I never mentioned it when we set out together on our recent excursion. I wasn't sure if it really was the same one, but if it was, I figured we'd crush it without much effort."

"Well you still should have told us. We're supposed to be a team, Sango."

Sango closed her eyes and looked away. "I know. I take full responsibility for everything that happened back there, and that's why I've got to resolve this on my own. I'm leaving, Kagome. I'm going to find the one who created that youkai and put an end to him before he can make any more."

Kagome could hardly believe what she was hearing. "What? Don't be rediculous! Just wait until Inuyasha recovers and then we'll all set out to find him together. I'm sure Inuyasha would be happy to come along. He'll be practically begging for action after all this time couped up around here."

"There isn't time," Sango explained. "Don't you see? His creations are getting more powerful, more intellegent, and he's embedding them with jewel shards. If we wait too long, the next of his minions might be too much for even all of us to handle. It could be days, even weeks before Inuyasha is ready to re-join us. I'm not going to risk waiting that long."

"Then the rest of us will go with you. Kaede can keep Inuyasha company and take care of him until we get back."

"It's not that simple, you're forgetting Naraku. His Saimyosho and spies are everywhere. It's only a matter of time before he finds out about Inuyasha's condition, and when he does he'll try to take full advantage of it. You all have to stay here to protect him, and this village. Besides, you know you can't leave, Kagome. Inuyasha is going through one of the most miserable experiences of his life right now. He needs you."

"And Miroku needs you!" Kagome shot back. "How could you think of leaving him like this?"

Sango had to put some effort into finding a rebuttal. "Does he really? I know he said he wanted to live with me after we defeat Naraku, but what's changed since then? He still flirts with every girl he sees. He still can't keep his perverted feelings under control. Sometimes I wonder if he was just taking advantage of the moment to keep me going-"

"Sango, give it up," Kagome interupted. "You havn't gotten any better at lying since we started this conversation. I know you don't believe that. Not after all the two of you have been through together and all the times he's risked his life for you."

"Maybe you're right, but that's all the more reason I have to do this alone. The guy I'm after has already cost me a lot in sweat and blood. I won't risk letting him take anything or anyone else significant in my life. Anyway, all of you need to stay here. The more of you that are here, the better chance you have of deterring Naraku from trying anything before Inuyasha gets better. If he recovers before I get back, you all can come join me. I'll be starting from the town that hired us to slay the plant youkai. I've made up my mind Kagome, and if you really are my friend you'll respect my decision. This is what has to be done."

Kagome had never seen her friend look so determined as she finished her statement. She realize there was no way to convince her otherwise. "Fine, but just wait here for a bit. There is something you'll need to bring."

"You're not going to wake the others, are you?"

"No I swear I won't, just wait here and I'll be right back. You have to trust me on this."

Kagome rushed back to the hut she was using and returned with one her first-aid kits. "Better take this with you."

"Kagome, I can't take this. Inuyasha needs it now."

"It's just a spare. On my last trip I brought back more medical supplies then I'll probably need. I'm giving it to you on the condition you'll do everything you can to avoid having to use it."

Sango took the first aid kit and thanked her friend. "Fair enough Kagome, and thank you for understanding. I've got to go now. Say goodbye to the others for me."

"Wait! Is there anything special you want me to tell Miroku? You don't want to just leave him in the dark, do you?"

Sango sighed. "You can tell him everything I told you. But don't tell him where I'm going, not unless you're certain he understands he has responsibilities here that need to be fulfilled. Also, tell him to take care of Kirara for me. He'll know what to do. And..well...just tell him I'll be thinking of him on the road, and I'll do everything it takes to complete my mission as fast as I can."

"Alright I'll do it. Good luck Sango. It really doesn't feel right to see you go off on your own like this."

"We've all got our duties, Kagome. Yours is here, with Inuyasha during his time of need." With that, Sango gathered up her things and turned to leave.

"And yours is with Miroku." Kagome replied as she watched the demon slayer dissapear into the darkness. "Fight hard, stay safe, and come home."