Shashomiru: Updates… Wee!

Hack: Joy.

Shashomiru: w00t… Here we go!

The gang walked along in silence. It seemed like it was a good while, but thankfully, Inu Yasha spoke up.

"I thought we had other gains in mind."

"Come, now, Inu Yasha. We can't just let the boy wallow in whatever this so called "Witch" could be putting him through." Miroku patted his back.

Inu Yasha sighed and lowered his head.

"Niku ag ne!" Fro-Fro leapt up and down before the group in front of a batch of boulders.

"What is it, Fro-Fro?" Penman followed forward in curiosity.

"Kiku!"

Upon walking up to the boulders, beyond them was a sight to see. There, stood a tall, old castle- the castle of the Bitch of the North.

"Look at THAT…" Starecro stared in awe.

"This must be the place." Sango began to step over the boulders, but Miroku pulled her back.

"Wait! Sango... be careful. There could be who knows what all about the place."

"Yeah." Inu Yasha unsheathed his Tetsusaiga. (LOL There's a froggy on the window! .o.O;; Sorry… ) "You gotta make sure it's safe before you just jump in like that. You could get yourself k—"

"Are you guys coming or not?"

Inu Yasha and everybody looked at the Castle gate to see Seto and Fro-Fro already standing there. They all blinked.

Seto tapped his watch.

"Gah, come on guys…" Inu Yasha began toward them, everyone else following behind.

The Witch suddenly entered into Ryou's domain. She closed the door behind herself and pulled up a chair.

"Can… Can I help you?" Ryou stared at her, baffled.

"Hm? Oh. No. I'm just here to watch you become consumed by my spell." She smiled.

"Wah!"

"Yes! It's MY castle and I do as I wish!" She crossed her arms.

"Oh, Fairy, we have to do something! The sand is fading quicker than I supposed it would!" Ryou stared frantically at the hourglass.

"I'm sorry, Ryou—I'm thinking!" The Fairy grabbed her head and shook herself. "What am I going to do…"

"Tick-tock drip-drop, time is running freely, Ryou…" The witch laughed smugly under her breath.

"Fairy... Please… Help…!"

"I'm sorry, Ryou, I'm thinking!"

Ryou gazed at the hour class and slowly moved his hand to it. Upon his fingers contacting the soft glass, he was given in return a surprising vibration that coursed through his hand. "Agh..!"

"Ah, ah ,ahh." The witch laughed maniacally.

Seto and the group pressed themselves again the castle walls. It was important that they stay completely concealed for pondering of whatever could be lurking about…

"Alright guys…" Inu Yasha looked back at the group, whispering. "Just follow close behind me and you'll be safe."

"Funny hearing that from an animal…" Seto sneered.

"Except you. You can protect yourself, ass."

"It isn't like I haven't had to protect myself in the past, Canine."

"Just stay quiet and follow me."

The group continued on through the darkened corridors. It was silent and glowing from the small light of torches, which were the only things that lined the walls and provided any kind of lighting whatsoever. As the group continued, they began to hear a chanting of sorts. It grew louder and louder as they carefully wandered deeper within.

"What is that…?" Shippou clung tight to Miroku's shoulder.

"I'm not sure…" Miroku responded.

The chanting continued to grow louder, arousing the group's curiosity.

"What do you think the chanting is?" Sango looked about the darkness.

"Hm. It sounds like they're saying… Pen. Pen, Pen!" Penman smiled.

Shippou shook his head. "No, they're saying Pearl, pearl, pearl."

"Pearl?" Seto raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think it is, Inu Yasha?" Kagome clung tight to his arm as they all came to a halt.

He sniffed the air and growled softly. "Smells like darkness…"

"Looks like weirdness." Starecro pointed in front of them into that pure darkness.

The chanting began to grow louder quite quickly. The words were more audible now as darkened Ham-Hams began to speed toward them.

"Oh, dear! It's the Ham-Hams!"

"They're back for more. " Starecro smiled.

"Thrill, Thrill, Thrill! Eat, Eat, Eat!" The Ham-Hams laughed wildly as they smiled, showing sharp teeth and heading straight for the group.

Penman laughed. "Ohhh, that's what they're saying."

"Run, you weirdos, RUN!" Seto turned about face and frantically began running away. (Like a little girl. :3 With a dress. Tehe. It's pink.)

"Aww, they're so cute."

"Cm'on, you, before you get yourself eaten!" Inu Yasha grabbed Starecro and began with the others.

They all made several turns, following Seto, the Ham-Hams close behind chanting.

"Hey, Kaiba-ass, do you even know where we're going?" Inu Yasha called from behind.

"Of course not, I realized that a long time ago! Grr." Seto sighed to himself for admitting it. He had tried to keep it to himself that he was clueless as to where he was going.

"Y-you...! You don't even know what part of the CASTLE we're in?!"

"Wait up! I think I hear something." Seto began to slow a bit.

"Uh, yeah, that would be the Monotonous chants of the dark flesh Craving Hamster behind us!" Inu Yasha snarled.

"Why are you slowing down! They're going to catch us!" Miroku ….spoke.

"I hear something. Listen." Seto came to a pause and listened.

Everyone else also came to a halt, panting and trying to hear over the Ham-Hams who were still traveling closer.

A small sound was heard from a distance.

"I think I hear it!"

"It has to be him." Seto began forward again.

"Who?" Penman questioned.

"Guuh… who have we only been searching for in the past 24 hours?"

"o.o….W-…Waldo?"

"AAARH! Ryou, you!" Inu Yasha him for his ridiculousnessididity. (lolerz)

"lol, oh yeah!" He laughed at himself.

"Help me! Somebody help me!"

"He's close!" Seto turned a corner. He came to a sudden sliding pause as he met with two large doors.

"Somebody help me!" Ryou pulled upon the large doors, the witch laughing loudly.

"Won't you give up?"

Starecro slowly walked up to the doors and gently pressed his cheek against them. "Ryou, my dear friend. Is that you?"

"Starecro! Oh, thank goodness! Starecro, you must help me!"

He gave a warm smile. "Don't worry. We'll get you to safety."

"Oh, thank you!"

"It's drawing closer…" The Fairy sat in front of the Hourglass with her legs drawn close to her chest, staring deep into the mound of red sand. "Time is almost…—"

"Time is almost up, Ryou." The witch smirked maniacally.

Ryou's eyes began to fill with tears. "Please… Please hurry!"

Inu Yasha grabbed Starecro and pulled him from the door. "Don't worry, kid! We'll get ya out! Just hang on!"

"Please, hurry…"

Shashomiru: MWUAH!

Hack:...

Shashomiru: What will happen in this unexpected turn of events? You'll have to to see…