Miroku could only stare blankly at Sango as he tried to come up with a response. This whole trip was supposed to bring them closer together, and up to this point it seemed to be doing just that. Now seemingly out of nowhere, they were at an impasse and Miroku found himself wonder how on earth it had ever came to this.

Growing impatient, Sango continued. "Well, what's it going to be, Miroku? Are you coming, or was all that talk about commitment nothing but an empty boast?"

That did it. The implication that he had wavered completely set him off. "Will you look at me?" He asked angrily, highlighting his filthy, soaking, mud and blood covered robes. "I just killed two demons single-handedly! And as much as I would have liked it, I didn't have Kirara to help me out along the way. Thank heavens she came back in time to aid you, or who knows what would have happened."

"Are you saying I couldn't have handled them on my own?" Asked Sango in an equally angry tone. Miroku questioning her skill was as offensive to her as her questioning of his dedication. "I was doing just fine before she showed up..."

While all this was going on, Kirara watched the two of them with a very troubled expression. Miroku couldn't tell which one of them she agreed with, but it was clear she hated to see them in dispute, particularly at such a critical time.

"That's not the point!" Miroku interrupted. "Your conflict with Zanshin is overriding your better judgement and causing you to make some very reckless decisions. Keep this up and the next time we might not be so lucky and as to get through them mostly unscathed."

"I'm just doing what's necessary to complete the hunt! Didn't I tell you what this was going to involve? As I recall, you accepted this condition without any hesitation." Then Sango stepped forward and mimicked Miroku's voice as best she could: "Whatever mountain you have to climb, whatever army you have to fight, whatever dragon you have to slay, I am with you.' Isn't that what you said? If you really meant that, then you should be willing to take whatever risks are needed to see this through to the end."

Miroku sighed and tried to calm his nerves. When he spoke again, he sounded far more restrained. "Of course I'm willing to do what is needed. But the safety of our friends always comes first. When we set out on this journey, we left them behind only because they didn't face any immediate threat. Now we have good reason to believe they do. Are you willing to risk losing them all over your personal vendetta against Zanshin? I don't believe you are. That's not the Sango I know."

Miroku's calm and relaxed demeanor seemed to rub off on Sango, as she responded in kind. "Look, I'm not going to deny how much I want to get Zanshin and finish what I started all those years ago. But this isn't some misguided personal crusade. There are larger issues here; things you aren't considering."

"Such as?"

"Remember what Zanshin said? He said he now has the resources to create an army strong enough to overrun the entire town! Diachi and his guards won't be able to stop them. He'll overrun their defenses and use the entire populance to make his army even stronger. We're the only ones who can stop him here and now, and if we fail at this, we might never get another chance. Zanshin could become as great a threat to land as Naraku! We can't let that happen."

Miroku paused for a moment to consider what Sango was saying. While he wasn't entirely convinced yet, he had to admit she was making a very strong case.

Seeing he was still unsure of what to go with, Sango continued. "I understand you want to help our friends, but like it or not, this is our duty now. If we leave, Tazumi will probably be nothing but smoldering ruins by the time we come back. You want that on your conscience? That's not the Miroku I know."

"And what if the worst is true? What if Zanshin really does assault Kaede's village while Inuyasha still hasn't recovered from his battle wounds?" Asked Miroku. The thought of Naraku obliterating the village and killing his companions while they were away was hard to get out of his mind.

Sango paused to consider his point, then she smiled at him as a thought occurred to her "Miroku, do you remember what you first told me when we had our reunion on the way to Tazumi? You said I should have more faith in our friends, and in my own abilities. Well now I do. The village will still be under the protection of Kaede and Kouga's wolf demon tribe, along with Shippo and Kagome. I believe they are ready to handle a battle on their own. We saw it first-hand in the woodlands. We were able to persevere even after Inuyasha was downed, because every one of us did what was needed. And it's not hard to see why."

"What do you mean, Sango?"

"It's because we were fighting to protect what we couldn't bear to lose. We both know first-hand that gets us past even the most difficult of challenges. That's what's going to get them through whatever Naraku throws at them, just as it's going to get enable us to succeed as well."

With that, Sango mounted Kirara as Miroku took in her statement. There simply was no denying the truth in her words and convictions. Miroku thought back to everything he had been through since he had been traveling with Inuyasha and the others. In all of the hardest trials and battles he had been through, the desire to protect his Sango had enabled both of them to cheat death time and time again. Sango had already proven she had the same feelings in regard to him on this adventure, while the others had proven themselves worthy in battle and motivated by the same burning desire.

Miroku smilled for the first time since their dispute began. "Well...then I guess we'd better get going. It wouldn't be polite to keep Zanshin waiting, now would it?"

"So, I take it that means you're onboard with my plan?" Sango asked happily as she helped him get join her on Kirara's back.

"Absolutely," said Miroku as he settled into his favorite position behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. All the doubt he had about her intention from before seemed to be gone "After all, the others are going have one hell of a tale to tell about their great victory against Naraku's forces. It wouldn't be right not to have a comparable tale of our own."

"Then we'll make it together," Sango responded confidently. Just like that, it seemed their dispute was over, and both of them were ready to face whatever lay ahead. "Now Kirara. Take us to where you followed Zanshin. Let's write our own ending to this tale. An ending we can be proud of."

A few minutes later, Kirara took them to their destination; a large encampment in a clear section of the woodlands, covered in old tents and huts and surrounded by tree stumps. Before risking getting in close, Sango decided to have Kirara land on the top of a large hill overlooking the encampment for a better look from a distance.

"Well what do you make of it?" Asked Sango as Miroku observed the area with a futuristic vision enhancement device Kagome had provided him before he set out on the trip, known as "Binoculars".

"It looks like a derelict lumber camp," Miroku said while continuing to scan for possible threats. "Probably used to gain resources for the village when it was still populated. I don't see any guards or demons, and it looks like the place has been abandoned for quite a long time."

This was not a satisfactory answer. "Come on Miroku, Kirara took us here for a reason. Keep looking. Zanshin's got to be down there."

Miroku sighed and tried to accommodate her impatience. "I know, just give me a bit more-wait! There! That's it! A large building in the middle of the encampment. Looks like an old lumber mill, but it's huge! At least three stories. If Zanshin's using this place as his lair, that's where he'd be."

Sango was almost overwhelmed with excitement. "Great job Miroku! Kirara, is that where you saw him go?"

Kirara looked back at her mistress and gave an acknowledging mew.

"Perfect, that's gotta to be his laboratory! This is our chance to put an end to this threat before it gets out of control."

"I think you might be jumping to conclusions," said Miroku as he put the binoculars away. "We don't actually know he's down there. It's been almost an hour since Kirara saw Zanshin last. He could be anywhere."

"Not a chance," Sango replied as she started checking over her gear in preparation for the coming battle. "Zanshin wouldn't leave his lab. Not when he knows we're hot on his trail. It's the source of his ability to create demons. Losing it would be a setback he can't afford, especially if he wants to be on par with Naraku when the two of them have their inevitable conflict. He'll be in there, ready to defend with everything he has as long as he's able too. We just need to be ready to give him our best effort in return."

Sango finished checking her equipment and turned to face Miroku. "So how about it, Miroku? Ready for the fight of your life?"

Miroku thought for a moment about the trials that lay ahead. Then suddenly and without warning he wrapped his arm around Sango and pulled her close to him. "Absolutely! You said it yourself Sango. This is our chance to rid the world of this dark menace and I promise I won't let you down."

Sango was surprised by his sudden action and bold claims, finding them quite charming and romantic. She started to settle happily into his embrace, but then became aware that something was amiss. "Uh Miroku..?"

"We can do this Sango!" Miroku continued, now entangling Sango with his other arm and pulling her in even tighter. "You, Kirara, and me. We'll drive back whatever atrocities Zanshin has waiting for us in there and go home to tell the others of our glory."

Again Sango tried to interject. "Miroku I'm glad for your enthusiasm, but could you-?"

"Now is the time." Miroku continued to ramble, totally oblivious to Sango's response. "After all the hardships we've had to endure so far, we can finally-

"MIROOKUUUUUU!"

Sango finally got his attention by shouting his name at the top of her lungs. He immediately stopped talking.

"Um, yes Sango?"

"Remove your hands before I rip them off and beat you to death with them."

"Oh, right." Miroku finally took his hands off Sango's bottom, from where they had drifted down too while he was he was making his big speech and had taken firm hold.

"Really, Miroku, even now? At a time like this?" Sango asked while rolling her eyes.

"Well we're both about to tangle with death yet again. What better time is there to enjoy life's greatest pleasures?" Even Miroku knew full well this was an insufficient explanation. Standing firm, he awaited whatever punishment Sango was about to unleash upon him, but his surprise, none came. Instead, Sango burst out laughing.

For a moment, both Kirara and Miroku could only stare at Sango while she laughed uncontrolably. Finally she regained herself and responded. "You know Miroku, that's a pretty good point. I guess I'll have to let it slide this time. Now let's go. The end of this hunt is in sight."

With that, Sango gathered her equipment and hopped aboard Kirara, while Miroku climbed on behind here, still amazed he had got through his most recent indiscretion unharmed. "Well this is adventure is starting to look up already. If this is an omen for what lays in store, the Zanshin doesn't stand a chance!"

Sango had Kirara make several overhead passes over the old lumber camp to make sure it was safe to land, and much to her surprise it appeared that it was. Just like the village, the place appeared completely deserted. Not even Zanshin's dragon mount seemed to be present.

Finally Sango took a gamble and directed Kirara to land in the center of the camp, fully expecting legions of demons to come bursting out of the ground or out of the surrounding woodlands. But still, there was nothing. The three of them set down and made there way to massive mill building completely unopposed. "This is just too easy!" Sango thought to herself as she and Miroku stood before the building. "Is this another one of Zanshin's tricks? Or does he want to fight us on his own?"

"Well Sango, here we are," said Miroku as he looked over the towering structure. Even without Inuyasha's demon-enhanced senses, he could smell the strange odors and brews of dark magic emanating from the building. This was Zanshin's lair, no doubt about. "So, how do you want us to proceed? What's your battle plan?"

Sango thought for a moment. "Zanshin will do everything he can to defend this place, but he'll flee if the fight turns against him. We need to cover as much of the area as possible to ensure he can't escape again. There are three floors on this building and three of us. So, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I certainly am," Miroku replied sounding very concerned. "But I'm also thinking of a way to talk you out of it."

Sango sighed. Once again they were at odds, though she took comfort in the fact that his opposition was clearly motivated by concern for her well-being. "I don't suppose you have any better ideas."

"Couldn't we just burn this unholy place to the ground? Kirara's fire claws should get the job done. Then we can force Zanshin to come out to us."

Kirara gave an agreeing meow to show she was up to the task, but Sango intervened. "I would like nothing better. But there could still be living people in there. Remember Zanshin uses his human victims as resources. I know it's unlikely any are still alive. I never found any living victims the last time I was in his lab in our first encounter. But still, we can't take the chance. It was a good plan, Miroku, but I'm afraid we'll just have to do this the hard way. Don't worry, we'll still be in the same area, with nothing but floors and ceilings to divide us. Whoever clears out their floor first can come to aid the others. It will work out, just like it did the last time. You just have to trust us on our own, just as I have faith in you"

Miroku still bitterly hated the notion of separating from Sango again, but found he had nothing to make a case against it with. At least, nothing he could come up with an oncoming battle seconds away. "Very well, if this really is what you feel is best, then I trust you. Now let us begin. I promise I'll fight my way through whatever Zanshin has waiting for us and come to assist you as fast as I can."

Sango smiled. "I know you will. I know both of you will fight this out with everything you have, and there's no one I'd rather have with me at such a critical time. Now let's get to work. It's time for Zanshin to meet his fate."

With that, the trio split apart and took their postions on the building's external staircase. Kirara was assigned to the first floor, while Miroku took the second and Sango headed up to the third. With one last look at each other to acknowledge they were ready, the three of them opened their respective doors simultaneously and entered the ancient mill, preparing to do battle with whatever horrors awaited them inside Zansin's lab.