Hello everyone! I have an apology to make.....I'm so sorry Ceaseless Cloudy Days! I was a bitch! I have this tendency to let my feelings get the better of me but you're right. If I can't except a bit of criticism then I should n't be a writer...But! I have all these ideas and I need to get them out or I'll explode.

Anywho, mesa no baka! Mesa no baka! MESA NO BAKA!!!!!! bangs head against the wall

Okay there, I punished myself so no hard feelings right?

Anywho, I know I rock! I'm the best writer in the world!!! Ohhh...and I love putting in suspense. Makes my readers all giddy and excited. Good thing! Oh and yes...I'm evil. EVIIIIIIIIIL! I shall be evil no more though because I give you another chapter to read!

Although, once you finish this chap...I shall be evil once more.....MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

ahem Enjoy.

Oh and hugs all around! hugs readers106 reviews! Arigatou! :D Keep them coming!

( It's not you Ceaseless Cloudy Days...it is my mom. She barks at me to get off the computer or else she'll rip out the modem.....She evil....Well..I managed to "elude' her to update! I took WAAAAAY too long though.....sorry.....)

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The Quest Begins

Kouga arrived in a flurry of flying snow. His wolves encircled the three, growls vibrating from their throats and the hair on their backs standing on end. He stood up and studied them, icy blue eyes taking the three primed enemies of his.

He smirked at Sango. "Well taijiya, long time no see. I'll inform you that you're brother has been very loyal to his master. What a good boy that one".

She glared daggers at him and raised hiraikotsu.

"Oh and Kagome my girl, don't look so confident that you can even touch me with those arrows of yours. You have no power what so ever to hit me".

"I'll call you on that one flea bag! You're lucky your bastard of a father hid my sword away or this would've been over long ago", Inuyasha snapped.

"You want a bet mutt? Why don't we see how skilled you are with just your claws!" He charged at the hanyou, an evil grin planted on his face. "After all, your only half-demon".

The two met with a clash, sparks flying as their claws met. Then, they spun off and attacked each other again, becoming nothing but a blur of silver and black.

Inuyasha dodged and slashed, moving with speed he never knew he possessed. His legs and hands moved of their own accord. All he had to do was pick the wolf's weak spot and let his claws do the rest.

Kouga was just as surprised. He never suspected a filthy half-demon being so fast. ' Although, not nearly fast enough you stupid mutt'.

His claws came in contact with the hanyou's face and sent him flying, blood running down his face.

The other youkai smirked as Inuyasha collected himself, spitting blood from his mouth.

"Impressive Inuyasha. Not nearly good enough though. Now, you will die". Kouga aimed his blood covered hand at the hanyou and charged, ready the impale the beast once and for all. "Now it's time for you to die bastard and pay for killing my father!"

A shaft of blue light whipped past his head, ripping through the skin on his cheek. Blood splattered all over his face, causing him to choke and jump back.

He brought a hand up to his face and winced. It was deep.

Kouga looked in the direction from which the light had come form and saw Kagome. She was facing him directly, the string on her bow still vibrating.

"You're despicable Kouga. Now, DIE!" Another one of her arrows came streaking towards him, sapphire light gathering around the tip like a comet.

He barely had enough time to dodge. ' Dammit I never knew she had such power! The power of a miko yes but I never sensed it within her! Damn it all!'

The wolf youkai charged at her, eyes menacing and teeth bared. "You have power yes but no speed!" He flexed his claws and raised them above his head, ready to take off hers as he went by.

Kagome saw her position and new she didn't have enough time to escape. She closed her eyes and brought her hands to her sides, waiting for everything to go blank.

It never came. Instead, a blast of pure energy tore past her, blocking Kouga's view and hitting him full force. He flew backwards, searing pain seeping through his body. He landed on the bare ground, the snow melted away by the heat of the blast.

"Wah? W-what was that?"

He looked up, squinting at his surroundings for the culprit. His vision was blurred from pain and he was going fast. Black already tinged the far edges pf his vision, obscuring even more.

Then, he saw him. A fluffy blur, red, black, blue and yellow swirling into the mix. It hovered in the air, silver hair, swirling around it's handsome face.

"W-what? King Sesshomaru?!"

Kouga stared blankly into the taiyoukai's menacing amber eyes. They held no emotion but his voice told all.

"Why Sir Kouga of Caer Danon. , attacking the king's castle and its inhabitants is against the law. One that has harsh consequences". A flash of entertainment showed in Sesshomaru's eyes before he lets loose his poison whip again, flicking it towards the dazed wolf prince. "Now here ends your mischief!".

He glared at the whip, wishing it could just blow up or something. " No....I will not-die. Not yet!" His wolves scampered in-front of the poison whip, growling defensively.

Sesshomaru's whip hit, sending up a vertical wall of white powder. It hung in the air for a brief moment then crashed to the ground, sending out another wall of snow fanning outwards. The waves finally settled, leaving a fine sheet of ice crystals shimmering in the air . Kouga had escaped.

"So, he escaped", the taiyoukai stated bluntly, floating gracefully to the ground.

"Dammit Sesshomaru! Why did you do that? I could've gotten him!", Inuyasha snapped, glaring at his half brother.

"Why the sour attitude? I saved your woman's hide from getting torn apart".

The hanyou blushed, glare intensifying at the king's answer. "She ain't my woman!"

Sesshomaru smirked at his brother but changed the subject. "I'm concerned about more pressing matters. Like what to do about that knight".

Inuyasha stopped glaring and stared at the spot where Kouga had last been, just a bare spot in the ground quickly filling up with snow. " Yeah, he would have just stayed there if he didn't have something important to live for. I think we should go after him".

"What do you mean "we" Inuyasha? After all, I have a kingdom to look after. He started walking back towards the castle, eyes hard as stone. "Come hanyou, we shall discuss this matter".

The lord grumbled and followed suit, arms crossed in typical behaviour. The two disappeared in a swirl of snow, blotting out from the bloody scene.

Kagome stood there, her back pressed against Sango's. She stared after them, pink still tinging her cheeks. Her arms dropped to her sides, shaking from the constant pulling and releasing of her bow string. She hadn't really "practised" her miko powers for some time now. She hadn't felt any need to, since she was in Kouga's care. Now though, a sudden burst of energy had pushed through, revealing that she still had it.

"Well, the was eventful", Sango grumbled, sticking her gargantuan boomerang in the snow. She tossed her hair and glared at the stop where Kouga had been. "We almost had him. Almost! I could have avenged my family".

The young miko cocked her head. "Your family?"

"I'll tell you later. Right now, we need to dispose of these bodies. How though?" She tapped her chin, shifting her weight onto another leg.

"With my wind tunnel of course!".

The two girls spun around to find Miroku, holding out his left hand. It was wrapped in violet cloth. Ending in a ring on his middle finger. He had prayer beads wrapped around it also, coming across his palm, over his thumb and spiralling down his arm.

' I never noticed that before', Kagome thought randomly.

Miroku unwrapped the prayer beds and kept his hand in a fist. "Stay low you two or you'll get sucked in". He then released his fist and a dark wind erupted from his palm. The ground shook from the force as he sucked the wolf bodies into his hand, drawing them into a black into a black hole in his palm.

It was over in a matter of seconds. He re-wrapped the prayer beads and stood up, dusting himself off. "There. Problem solved".

"Thanks Miroku".

"Anytime my dear Sango".

Kagome had a puzzled look on her face, scratching her head. "How?"

The two older people sighed and motioned for her to follow. "I'll tell you later Kagome. We should get inside and have something warm to drink".

She perked up at the mention of "warm". "Coming!". She followed, not really sure what to expect after all this had happened.

The three sat in soft high-backed chairs, sipping cocoa in-front of a simmering fire. The room was cozy, lined with couches and furs, soft and comforting. The curtains were drawn shut so the icy glare of winter didn't peek in. It was warm and relaxing, perfect for warming up frozen limbs.

"So Sango, can you tell me about your brother and family?", Kagome asked quietly, sipping her cocoa.

The taijiya's face took on a pained look as she remembered those thoughts. "It happened a few months ago, when the demon exterminators had been summoned to a castle that didn't exist...."

((Sango's POV))

The taijiya jogged through the dark forest, eyes straining for any sign of the castle they had been summoned to. It was quiet, the sky was dark and vision was limited. Their guide up ahead had said nothing during the journey, his black ponytail swinging from side to side as he went.

"Father, something is wrong. We've been travelling for hours and still no castle. Our guide said it wasn't very far", Sango whispered quietly to her father.

"Hai, I agree. Just keep alert. We might have entered some possessed forest".

"Hai". She trained her eyes on the guide ahead, eyeing him suspiciously. He looked human from her point of view and the way he jogged told her he was human but...why would he lead them into an enchanted forest? It made no sense. 'Wait! What was that?!'

She saw him glance back, icy blue eyes leering at the taijiya. A small smirk parted his lips, revealing sharp fangs. One of his hands came up and balled into a fist, showing pointed claws.

' Nani?! How could this happen? We've fallen into a trap!'

"Father! Our guide is a demon! We've fallen into a trap!"

"Nani? A demon? We would have sensed its aura. It can't be".

"It is father! I saw it too!", Kohaku insisted.

By this time, it was to late. The guide had spun around, knuckles cracking and an evil smirk planted on his face. "Foolish taijiya! You've fallen right into our trap. Being the highly regarded people you are, I thought you would have noticed".

The group of exterminators got into a battle stance, weapons at the ready. Kohaku stood behind them, being the youngest and most inexperienced of them all.

"Who are you?!", Sango and Kohaku's father barked, his voice holding a slight edge.

"My name is Naraku and this is my son, Kouga. Although you need not to remember since you all will be dead soon". A figure appeared beside the other demon, wavy black hair flowing in the wind that was starting to pick up. He had maroon eyes and purple eyeshadow, making his menacing stare stand out.

"Before you die taijiya's, I shall tell you this". His voice was deep and filled with evil, just like his son's. "Without the protection of its finest slayers, your village is virtually defenceless. As I speak even, your home is falling under the mighty hand of demons. What a mistake you made".

Sango growled, her anger rising at the two demons before her. "Why do you do this? Have you no kindness in your black heart?!".

"Unfortunately no girl. We do this simply so you won't get in our way. We can't have you meddling in our plans now can we?", Kouga answered, flashing a grin at her.

"What plans do you have that we would interfere in?!", she barked back at him.

"Revenge, world domination, things like that. Oh and also, we'll be taking the shikon jewel from your village once it is decimated completely. It'll need someone to look after it won't it? So reckless demon can't get their hands on it", he answered back, that grin still plastered on his face.

Everyone gasped. The shikon jewel had originated in their villager and it was very special to them. After hundreds of years of protecting it, they were going to lose it, and their lives.

"Attack!"

They all charged at the two demons, weapons raised and rage showing clearly on their features. "Now die you damn creatures!"

"Nu uh. You're too late", Naraku said, glee written all over his face.

The sounds of ripping flesh and breaking bones sounded clearly. Sango turned, her face hurt as she watched her comrades fall, blood pooling on the earth. They breathed their last painful gasps then were quiet, part of the living world no more.

She turned at the culprit and gasped, backing away a few steps. Kohaku stood, his weapon raised. She couldn't see his eyes but something was wrong with him.

"Why did you slay father and the others? Why do you do this Kohaku?!"

He ran at her, brandishing his weapon. His eyes had no life in them, clear of any regret.

Sango couldn't understand this as she blocked with her boomerang. ' Why has he done this? Why did he slaughter them? Wait...'. Through her struggle she looked up at the two demons standing not far off. Naraku's eyes had turned red, trained on only the young boy.

' He's controlling him!'

She knocked Kohaku aside and rushed at Naraku and Kouga. "Damn you!" She raised her boomerang and prepared to knock the life out of them when she felt a sharp pain in her back.

Sango looked back and saw Kohaku, his eyes watering and his hand shaking. " What have I done?..."

She fell on her knees, blood running down her back. She reached one hand up and pulled his weapon out, wincing at the pain.

"NO! SANGO!" He ran towards her, arms out stretched. Tears ran down his cheeks, his eyes filled with anguish.

"Kohaku..." Sango couldn't get the words to form. She saw Kouga rushing towards her brother who was blinded by tears. She watched with wide eyes as her brother was caught around the neck, the demon holding him in the air.

"Now hold nice and still", the wolf demon sneered. "This will sting a bit". He took his free hand and stuck a tear shaped object into Kohaku's forehead. The object glowed, then disappeared into the boy's scalp.

He was set down and swayed, his body not sure what to do. Then, his eyes went blank and he followed Kouga, coming to stand between him and his father. His gaze was unfocused, staring at her yet far away.

"What have you done to him?", Sango asked hoarsely, barely able to talk.

"I've cast his soul into an empty void. There, he can see everything and hear everything yet can't do a thing about them. His body is under our control. His soul will just rot in his guilt and sorrow until it kills him. Then his body will only be a shell", Kouga answered, flashing another grin at her.

"I hope you rot in your black heart", she sputtered, finding it harder and harder to breath.

"Hoping won't save you Sango. Now, we bid you farewell". Naraku leered down at her, no guilt in his eyes, only triumph. The three turned and disappeared into the gloom, leaving her to bleed there.

She coughed and fell on her stomach, wincing in pain. ' How could this have happened? How? The famous Youkai Taijiya falling into such a obvious trap. It was right before my eyes! Why didn't I tell father earlier? This wouldn't have happened if we had been paying more attention'.

Sango looked up at the now clear sky. The stars shone brightly in the clear zenith, winking at her like tiny diamonds lodged in a cobalt sky. The trees started to whisper, leaves brushing against each other. Night animals shrieked, coming out after the youki had dispersed. Far off in the distance, she heard the eerie howl of a lone wolf. Soon, it was joined by others, merging into a full out chorus, rising and falling then winding down to silence.

' They smell death. They will come and feast on these bodies, mine included'.

She planted a frown on her features. ' Wait. I'm still alive aren't I? I have a choice. I can choose to live or to die. If I die, my soul won't be in peace. If I live though, I can avenge my family so their deaths weren't in vain. They would have died for a cause, for the destruction of those who wish darkness upon everyone else. I shouldn't lie here and wait for death to claim me, I should fight! I will fight!'

Grimacing, Sango heaved herself to her feet. She wouldn't die, not now. It wasn't her time. She had been spared for a reason. ' I can survive this, I will survive. For my family and comrades, for my village and, for my brother'.

Her steps were short but filled with determination. She didn't cover a very long distance but just enough to come with in the range of help.

The sounds of pounding hooves echoed in the distance. The loud snorts of horse's breathing as they cantered, drawing nearer and nearer.

' I must be near a road! Oh thank kami-sama'.

Sango, quickened her pace, stumbling over roots and rocks. The sound was coming nearer and she saw the road just beyond a dense patch of shrubs. Her limbs were beginning to feel cold and her strength was ebbing. ' I must make it...I will make it'.

With her last ounce of strength, Sango pushed through the bushes and stumbled onto a dirt road. The impact was hard and it knocked the breath out of her. She had no strength to get up or to talk. Now, she just hoped that the riders would see her in the middle of the road. If not, she'd probably get trampled to death.

The hoof beats drew nearer, dust blowing into her face. The ground began to shudder ever so slightly, telling her there were a lot of horses.

"Stop! There is a person on the road"

The hoof beats ceased and only the sharp breathes echoed in the night. She the heard the thud of someone dismounting and footsteps drawing nearer. Strong hands picked her up, turning her over.

Sango's vision was blurry but she saw intense amber eyes studying her . Rough hands brushed the hair away from her face, feeling her forehead and checking her pulse.

"Your majesty? Is something wrong?".

"This girl is in bad shape".

Sango went limp in his arms as he picked her up, standing to face the other riders. "Lead my horse. I need to get this girl back to castle. You're in charge Jaken".

"Hai Sesshomaru-sama".

With that, the king turned and sped off into the night, taking to the air after a few strides. The girl in his arms was frail and weak but still alive.

' I "will" live'. She then lost consciousness, dreams filled with scenes of death and horror.

(( End of Sango's POV))

Kagome wiped tears away from her eyes. "You really had to go through all that? That must have been so hard for you".

Sango smiled sadly. "It was but now, I've learned to live with it and if I get the chance to avenge my family, I will let my anger power me through".

"Like a spring affect!", Miroku exclaimed.

"Hai Miroku", the taijiya sighed.

The young miko stared into the flames. "You said something about the shikon no tama didn't you? It must be corrupted by now and filled with dark power".

"Hai".

"Do you have purifying powers Lady Kagome?", the older man asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I've been hiding it for a while now sinceI never needed it while I was at Caer Danon.When Kouga showed up though, those powers that had been lying dormant just seamed to erupt out of me",

"So, once Naraku and Kouga are gone, you can take the jewel and it will stay pure ib your care", Sango concluded.

"Hai".

Miroku nodded, adding something else. "It is said that when the jewel is used for evil, it becomes more powerful. So, if we go after Naraku and Kouga, they will be very powerful in their defences".

"Hai. Although, if my arrow hits them, it will purify their dark power and render them powerless. Or, it could kill them". Her eyes widened suddenly when something that Sango had said finally sunk in. " Sango, you said that your family was slain a few months ago right?"

The taijiya nodded. "That's correct".

"How could that be possible though? Wasn't Naraku assassinated around twenty years ago?"

She frowned. "Come to think of it yes. But when I saw him, he looked very much alive to me".

"That doesn't make sense though. He was killed tow decades ago. How could you have seen him a few months ago?"

"I-

"He could have been a youkai projection", Miroku cut in.

"Nani?", both girls asked in unison.

"Youkai projection. The Naraku you saw Sango could have been a projection of him. Although it seemed real, it probably wasn't because he can't be alive after being murdered twenty years ago".

Kagome nodded. "But doesn't that take a high standard of magic to do that? I don't think Kouga has the power to achieve such a task".

"He has the shikon jewel remember? He could use its power to project his father's image. Although, the person needs to be alive for you to do that so trash that theory", he concluded.

"Wait! I know only one thing that could bring back a life".

"The Tenseiga?", Sango questioned.

"Iie. That can only be used by Sesshomaru. My father, he was a explorer and a bit of a sorcerer. On one of his expeditions, he created a idol. He called it tamashi and said it could summon the soul back to the body".

"So you're saying that Kouga might have it?" Miroku asked.

"Yes".

"So, if it belonged to your father, where do you think he is now?", the taijiya questioned.

"Well, I haven't seen him for eleven years so that must mean...." The harsh reality suddenly hit her like a brick wall. "I never thought of it before...It never occurred to me...until now".

"Are you alright Kagome-chan?", Sango asked out of concern for her new friend.

"Yeah, I'll be fine". She stared at the floor, looking blankly at the soft fur. ' I never gave much thought to it but...I shouldn't get worked up over it. Father is gone, never to return. I've shed enough tears over him'.

She looked up and gave a sad smile. "Don't worry about me". She then looked over at Miroku who was staring at his left hand, a frown masking his usually cheery face. "Miroku-sama, is something wrong?"

"Fifty years ago, my Grandfather's hand was impaled by Naraku, eventually becoming this wind Tunnel. My father was devoured by his wind tunnel was I was just a boy and I share the same fate".

"Another reason to kill Kouga and his father", she declared.

"Hai!", they all agreed.

A bang on the door caught them all by surprise. Inuyasha poked his head in the room, looking at the three.

"Kagome come on. We're leaving".

She got up and put on her shoes, walking to stand in-front of him. " Going where?"

"After Kouga baka. We can't let him go running around destroying the kingdom now can we?"

"No I guess not! Come on you two! Let's go and pursue our enemy", She smirked and ducked under Inuyasha's arm, making her way to her room.

"Take your weapons and change into something warm. Pack lightly. We meet in the stable in 10!", the hanyou announced, walking off in another direction.

Kagome hurried into her room, adrenaline rushing. She pulled on a pair of tights to go under her dress and long woolen socks. She tied on her silver cloak and grabbed her bow, slinging it over her shoulder. She took a pair of wool lined leather gloves and ran out the door, eager to saddle Ionn.

A welcoming whinny greeted Kagome as she brought her tack to Ionn's stable. He thrust his head into her chest and snorted, blowing gusts of warm air onto her bare hands. "Hi boy. Now be goos because I'm in a rush".

She didn't bother to brush him and just threw the saddle on his back and slipped the bridle over his head. Doing up all the straps, she made sure the saddle was cinched nice and tight then put on her gloves, eyes set hard.

' Now Kouga, be prepared. You might be trying to bring your father back to life but I won't let that happen. Not after what you and him have done'.

She heard the thud of iron-shod hooves and opened the stall door, staring into Inuyasha's intense amber eyes. At his shoulder stood Cadoc, ears pricked and eyes bright. "You ready Kagome?"

"Hai", she answered, grabbing Ionn's reins.

"Then let's go".

He started walking, Kagome right behind him. They went out onto the courtyard, where The other two were waiting. Miroku sat on a blue roan gelding and Sango on a cream coloured cat youkai. She was dressed in her exterminator uniform, clad in black tights and body armour. Hiraikotsu was hanging at her side and a thin katana was strapped to her waist.

Miroku was wearing a purple tunic and black pants, cloak rippling in the soft wind. A long, gold coloured staff was strapped to his saddle, the rings attached to it jingling whenever his horse moved the slightest bit.

She mounted her horse and walked over to Sango. "Who is the demon Sango?"

"This is Kirara", the taijiya answered. "She grew up at my village".

"Well I guess you won't be freezing at night".

She chuckling. "No I don't suppose I will. Lucky for me ne?"

"Hai!", Kagome nodded, smiling at the older girl.

"Everyone ready?", Inuyasha asked, his horse half-rearing with anticipation.

"Hai!", they shouted in unison.

"Then let's go and kick Kouga sorry little ass!" He let Cadoc go, sending him into a canter.

The others followed, going silent. Kagome stayed beside Inuyasha and Sango and Miroku stayed at the back. She didn't know why but she was excited. ' I'm going to get pay back. To rid this land of evil. I'm going on an adventure, with of without father. I guess he did tell the truth in a way and I'm glad he gave me hope for this!'

The Quest has begun.

End

OMG!!!!! That took sooooooo long to write!!!!!! I didn't even bother to read it over since I was itching to submit so badly. Anywho, sorry to keep you guys waiting. I was held up with homework sigh.

Anywho, That idol thingy. Don't ask where it came from but it just popped into my head. Tamashi means soul and the idol is used to summon back a dead person's soul. That is why I named it that.

Thanks for all the reviews pplz! Oh and yeah Hazel...c'ya next year I guess! Miss ya sniff

Oh and Moonlight Jade, never thought you'd read one of my stories but awesome! You should update some of yours since I'm dying to read what happens. Especially in Gleaming Dagger.

Well, I guess that's it. The end of this story isn't coming anytime soon I can assure you! That is a long way in the future.

Ja Ne for now and REVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW! 3 Keep em coming!

Later!