As soon as Kirara reached the ground, Sango and Miroku quickly dismounted with their weapons in hand, staying vigilant for any signs of trouble. However, all that greeted them on the ground were the same rotten structures they had witnesses from the air and the haunting sound of winds whipping through the deserted town. It seemed the area was truly a ghost town, and for the moment at least, the group was safe.

"Alright, we need to cover the whole area as quickly as possible," said Sango, immediately taking charge. "Kirara, you go check the fields and open areas in the southern end of the village. Miroku and I will start clearing out these old huts and buildings one by one. Hopefully we'll find some evidence Zanshin was here."

"That's not a wise course of action, Sango." Miroku cautioned. "We need to stay together. Just because we haven't encountered or detected anything yet doesn't mean there aren't enemies lurking about somewhere."

"This isn't the time for excessive prudence," Sango replied with a bitter dismissive tone. "I told you this was going require taking some chances. If we missed Zanshin, then we need to do whatever it takes to discover where he went as fast as possible. I'm not about to let him slip away."

Sango emphasized her final point by walking over to a nearby farmhouse and kicking in the door, knocking it off it's rusty hinges and sending it crashing inside. Then with her Hirakotsu at the ready, she stormed in. Realizing there was nothing more to discuss, Miroku and Kirara reluctantly split up to search the rest of the village just as she instructed.

For the next 20 minutes, the three of them searched as much of the area as possible, with Miroku and Sango checking all the indoor areas and Kirara clearing the perimeter. However, after all this time, none of them had anything to show for their efforts. There was no evidence Zanshin had ever been here. Indeed, they had not found anything to suggest anyone had been there for quite some time. As Sango searched her way through another crumbling structure, she began to wonder if they had truly run into a dead end. However, her thoughts were soon interrupted by Miroku's frantic shouts.

"Sango! Get out here now! Something's coming!"

"This is it." Sango thought as she rushed outside to join her companion. " It's all come down to this."

Sango rushed outside with her weapon ready, but saw nothing in the immediate area except Miroku. "What's going on? Where is it?" She asked, almost sounding excited at the thought of an oncoming battle. Kirara, however, was not present. It was most likely she was too far away to hear Miroku's shouting, leaving Sango and Miroku to face the oncoming threat alone.

Miroku motioned for her to come closer and then pointed to the sky. "Up there! Can you see it?"

Sango looked up in the direction Miroku pointed and saw the object of his concern. Something was up there, currently too high for identification, but decending rapidly. Soon it was low enough for Sango to make out some details . It appeared to be a flying dragon, roughly 12 feet in overall length and carrying a single rider, and within a few more minutes it was low enough for Sango to tell who the rider was. It was Zanshin. Even after all these years, his form was still burned into her memory and she remembered every detail.

"Zanshin," Sango muttered as she watched the demon decend.

For Miroku, this was his first encounter. Right away he could tell Sango had not been exaggerating when she said he resembled a human. Other then his oddly shaped ears and slightly unusual eye color, Zanshin looked human in nearly every regard. It was almost hard to believe such a simple looking man, coming before them in standard clothing and with no visible weapons, could be the immensely resilient and lethal warrior Sango had described to him. The dragon he rode in on appeared more formidable, but Miroku trusted Sango enough to assume he was all the same.

Glancing over at Sango, Miroku saw a fixed expression of hatred and fury in her eyes as she stared straight ahead at her old adversary with her Hiraikotsu ready to strike, but she said nothing. It seemed Zanshin's sudden appearance had left her completely speechless, allowing Zanshin to start things off.

"Well well, this is most surprising," Zanshin said calmly as he stepped off his mount. "I was under the impression Sango would be dead by now, and you, Miroku, would be delivered to me from Natsumi's custody. I guess things didn't quite work out that way."

Finally Sango spoke for the first time. "Sorry Zanshin, but there has been a change of plans, due to the fact that Natsumi will be inhabiting in a prison cell for the better part of her life. Your entire operation is over, permanently!"

Zasnhin seemed unconcerned by this information. "No matter. Natsumi was starting to outlive her usefulness anyway, especially since your meddlesome group disrupted my caravan raiding operation. The supplies I did acquire will be sufficient for the next phase of my plan."

"And what would that be?" Asked Miroku

"Why to overrun the town of Tazumi, of course. "I've acquired enough supplies to create my own youkai army, easily powerful enough to overcome whatever token resistance the town guards could put up. And once it's under my control, I'll have even more resources to expand my forces. Nothing will be able to stop me!"

"Resources...you mean people." Sango responded angrily.

"Pitiful humans. That's all you ever will be. A mere resource to use for my creations as I see fit. The two of you are no different. Your own powers and talents are nothing but raw materials I'll use to enhance my army."

This was all Miroku needed to hear. "You will find doing so most difficult...after I've sucked you into an endless void!" Miroku was about reach for the seal on his right hand, but Zanshin stopped him.

"Oh? I suppose you plan on pulling me into that wind tunnel of yours. Really Monk, you insult me with such a predictable manuver. I've prepared for everything."

With that, Zanshin made a visible hand signal with his arms above his head. Suddenly a huge group of Saimyosho wasps came pouring out of the surrounding woodlands. The exact number was hard to determine, but Sango estimated there were at least two dozen of them. She also noticed something else. These particular Saimyosho seemed different. They looked larger and more menacing, and were differently colored as well.

"Surprised?" Zanshin asked, sounding as if his victory was already assured. "If you are wondering why these particular Saimyosho look different, it's because I gave them some special enhancements, most notably the same poison that nearly killed your Hanyou mutt. I'm sure you can imagine the effect it would have on a mere human. You would be dead the exact instant you sucked in even a single one of them, so I suggest you keep the Wind Tunnel sealed if you wish to prolong your inevitable fate a bit longer."

Reluctantly conceding his point, Miroku left the seal on his wind tunnel. "This doesn't make sense!" He shouted in frustration. "How did you gain control of Saimyosho? How do you know about me?"

Zanshin laughed. "I don't really have any reason to tell you, but I suppose I'll oblige you this one time, seeing as you're both about to die anyway. It's all thanks to the wonderful partnership with a fellow demon I think you both know well. His name is Naraku!"

For a moment, Sango and Miroku could do nothing but stare ahead in utter shock as his words sank in. Eventually, Sango spoke up. "You're...working with Naraku?"

"I most certainly am," Zanshin replied. "You see Sango, when we first met all those years ago, you and your fellow slayers did one hell of a number on me. Never in my life had I ever endured such pain and suffering. By the time it was over, I was barely clinging to life. Really, there is a fairly good chance that Nekomata demon of yours could have finished me off, if she wasn't so concerned with saving your worthless hide."

Sango clinched her teeth and tried to contain her rage. "So that's how it played out. Considering the outcome, Kirara should have finished the job, even if it meant my life. Still she couldn't help but be impressed by Kirara's loyalty.

Meanwhile Zanshin continued: "After the battle, I knew I had to leave. I was sure your village would send a large team of slayers to avenge the loss of their people and I would be in no condition to fight them when they arrived. So I packed up all the supplies I could carry and headed for far off lands, eventually taking a ship to China, where I knew the hunters from your village would never find me. And it was there I spent the last few years, restocking the invaluable supplies you destroyed and recovering in preperation for my eventual return. Needless to say, I planned to come back and wipe your puny village from the pages of history!

"Well then it's a pity you didn't come back sooner!" Sango shot back. "We would have handled anything you could have thrown at us."

"You mean the same way your village 'handled' Naraku and his minions?"

This comment caused Sango to pause as she seathed with rage, while Zanshin continued. "When I returned I discovered someone had already beaten me to the task, much to my disappointment. The village was a lifeless husk, and naturally I assumed you had died along with all the others. I was just about to leave when I met a most unusual fellow, who said his name was Naraku and claimed he was responsible to the destruction of the village. Then he revealed a most interesting fact: you were still alive. Not only alive and well, but traveling with a group and warriors to seek out objects of immense power called the Shikon Jewel shards, which he demonstrated could grant any wielder immense power."

Sango could barely contain herself. "What are you talking about? What sort of demonstration?"

"He showed me the prowess of your own brother, Kohaku," Zanshin smugly replied. "Really Sango, you should be greatful to him. The jewel shards have turned Kohaku into a greater warrior then a lifetime of training and experience in your village ever could."

"You monster!" Sango shouted while hurling her Hiraikotsu at Zanshin, which he dodged almost effortlessly and watched it return to her hands.

"Struck a nerve, didn't it?" Zanshing asked. "It's hopeless Sango, I know you all too well. And thanks to Narku, I know everything I need to know about your worthless companions too. That's why you've been falling into my traps one by one."

Suddenly Miroku realized something, "The plant youkai! It wasn't just there to raid the caravans. You made it specifically to kill us."

"Ah, it's all starting to come together now. Yes indeed. Think about it. All those abilities specifically adapting to your tactics. The poison that rendered your Wind Tunnel unusable. Did you really think that was all a coincidence? The knowledge of your group and the power of the jewel shards enabled me to build the ultimate weapon against you."

"Yet we prevailed," Miroku pointed out. "Your 'ultimate weapon' was a failure in the end."

"Not exactly. It still served it's purpose." Explained Zanshin. "Your strongest warrior was decimated. Your group has broken up. That's all we needed to proceed with the next step."

"Which is?"

"Your utter extermination! While I eliminate you two whelps, Naraku will be personally leading an assault of Kaede's village. With Inuyasha out of the picture, it will be an easy victory, though neither of you will be around to see it. Perhaps he'll even bring Kohaku along. His newfound skills would certainly prove most valuable in overcoming your comerades' last stand."

Miroku was about to respond this shocking revelation when he was suddenly cut off by Sango. He expected Sango to be in an uncontrolable fury, but instead she seemed surprsingly calm and restrained.

"Really Zanshin, do you honestly think we'd fall for such an obvious ploy?" She asked, sounding somewhat amused.

"Why Sango, whatever do you mean by that?"

"It's a trick. You're just trying to make us panic. Get us thinking about leaving you alone so we can go back to aid our friends. It won't work."

Miroku was disturbed by Sango's calm defiance. As long as he had been traveling with her, Sango's loyalty and dedication to Kohaku and her companions was always above reproach. Now she seemed to be treating their fate as inconsequential and her immediate emotionless dismissal of Zanshin's claim they were in serious danger didn't seem like Sango at all. "Could it be that her determination to eliminate Zanshin is starting to overrule her better judgement?"

Zanshin just laughed. "You insolent worm! Do you honestly think I'd be afraid of you? It does't even matter if you believe me, because you're about to die right here. Naraku promised me more jewel shards once I carry out this task, and you won't stand in my way."

"Are you really that stupid, Zanshin?" Sango asked. "Naraku has no more use for you then you have for humans. Once he's done with you, he'll come to take his shards back."

This didn't seem disturbing to Zanshin at all. "Let him try. By then, my creations will be unstopable. I'll demonstrate by having them kill both of you!" With that, Zanshin turned away and an upward hand gesture, as if giving some pre-determined signal. "Demons! Arise from the earth!"

Suddenly the ground started to shake. Sango and Miroku could only watch as the earth around them split open in several places, and from the gaping holes, four humanoid demon warriors emerged, looking ready for battle and armed to the teeth.

As the ground stopped shaking, a quick assessment about her oncoming opponents revealed a striking fact. They were armed with the same weapons used by the slayers from her own village.

"See something familiar?" Asked Zanshin. "I created them from the souls of your own fellow slayers, the ones who fell against me all those years ago. I've been saving them all this time for the moment when we meet again. All their tactics, all their training, all their experience, all their equipment, is now combined with the powers and prowess of a demon body and is completely under my control. Look well, Sango, for they shall be your doom."

If Sango was even remotely reluctant about fighting the new forms of her old companions, Miroku couldn't find any evidence of it. "So this was your plan in case the meeting with Natsumi didn't turn out as you hoped. More rabble thrown to the slaughter" Sango observed. "Zanshin, I'm dissapointed in you. I didn't realized you had lost so much courage over the years. Are you afraid to face us on your own?"

Zanshin laughed. "Why put the effort into those who are so unworthy of my time? I have better things to deal with then the likes of you. Savor your final moments Sango, for you are about to become a permanent part of this village."

Then he hoped back on his dragon mount and had it take off, shouting one last command to his demon soldiers as he flew away. "Kill them both and bring whatever remains back to me. They might still prove of some use yet"

"Yes master." One of them responded emotionlessly. With that, the four demon soldiers started to advance toward Sango and Miroku. But rather then charge into combat, their advance was slow and methodical, as if they were sizing up their opponents, while maintaining a defensive posture, and trying to come up with a strategy for what they observed.

"Just like I was trained to do." Thought Sango. "Guess they really do have my tactics." But even with the four demons closing in, Sango had even greater concern for something else. Zanshing was getting away! With no ability to detect his aura, she and Miroku would have no way to track him. He could go anywhere, and even if they won this fight, they would have to start their hunt from scratch. Unless...

"Kirara!" Miroku shouted greatfully as the faithful demon cat soared to their location, claws aflame and ready for battle. Apparently the shaking ground had alerted her of the danger in the center of the village and now she was rushing to their aid. "Praise Buddha you've arrived! You aid in this fight is greatly needed..."

But Sango had other ideas. "Not now Kirara!" She intructed while stepping in front of Miroku to overrule him. "See that flying demon up there? It's Zanshin! Follow him, but do not engage! Find out where he's going and then come back here at once!"

"Sango? What are you doing?" Asked Miroku in surprise. "These demons outnumber us and they seem like they are Zanshin's elite! Kirara's assistance is..."

"Something we'll have to make do without!" shouted Sango. But now Zanshin was a mere speck from Sango's view and he needed to be persued at once for Kirara to have any chance of catching up. "Kirara, get after him now!"

Kirara's facial expression showed she clearly agreed with Miroku, but she flew off after Zanshin anyway. She had never disobeyed a command from Sango in combat, and she had no intention of doing so here, leaving Miroku and Sango behind to face the four demon soldiers with the large group of Saimyosho still buzzing overhead.

"Dammit!" Shouted Miroku in frustration as he took hold of his staff and prepared to face the oncoming hoard. Before he was wondering if Sango's determination to complete their quest was overriding her better judgement. Now he was almost certain that it was.

"We can talk about this later." Sango calmly replied, realizing his frustration. "Now come on! We've got some demons to slay!"