Chapter 13:

The trio of disapproving doctors all shook their heads at Sango's departure. Sure, they may have poured it on a bit thick, but what were they supposed to say about someone who threatened to kill and even torture something that served him? They all shook their heads returning to the screen as Arthur hitched Sango up to the camp's hitching rack and marched to where Strauss was sat looking through his ledger.

"Ah, how did you get on?" Strauss asked.

"Not so good," Arthur answered hesitantly, "He's almost dead, and they seem more or less destitute. You were a fool for lending them the money."

"Well, people who aren't desperate don't seem so interested in my propositions," The moneylender cheekily replied.

"Of course," Arthur grumbled as he turned to walk away. Somehow, what he just did, didn't feel so right in his heart, but there was no changing what was done. Life moved on.

He stood there a moment listening to the wind and the chirpings of little songbirds before contemplating his plans for the day. He then remembered that Hosea Matthews wanted to speak to him at a place called Emerald Ranch. His ex-girlfriend, Mary Linton, had a favor she wanted and was living a little north of Valentine. Javier Escuella was near the thresholds of Blackwater inspecting to see if Sean MacGuire hadn't been taking by those bounty hunters yet. Lastly, Micah Bell was sitting in Strawberry jail awaiting hanging. Arthur didn't want to save Micah, but didn't defy Dutch's orders.
"Still, I guess I don't have to prioritize saving that son-of-a-bitch," Arthur grumbled, "I think I'll go see Hosea at Emerald Ranch. It's closer." He stopped at the medicine tent to pick up a few bottles of cures, snake oils, and alcohols when a voice to his left got his attention.

"Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan," Reverend Swanson's voice called out.

"Reverend," Arthur nodded.

"I just want to thank you…for saving my life," He said, "The liquor…is not my friend, Mr. Morgan. It really isn't. I make such a fool of myself."

"Don't worry about it."

"You're a fine man."

"Now lyin', on the other hand," Arthur pointed out with a chuckle, "That really is a sin."

He walked around camp hearing Kieran engaging Mary-Beth in conversation about reading as he went to the camp's ledger. He saw that there was over $253 in the camp funds, and now he could upgrade his own tent to include different kinds of ammunition. He purchased the upgrade and saw newer and better ammo in his tent. Uncle was at the campfire playing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" on his old banjo.

"Arthur. Arthur, how you been? I've been real worried."

"What do you want?" Arthur grumbled at Uncle.

"Don't be like that," Uncle protested, "Just…a few bucks. I'm short."

"Get lost," Arthur grumbled again.

"Well! I'll go try someone with a heart."

"You do that."

Arthur then went to Sango as a voice spoke up behind him.

"You know," Dutch's voice said, "I think we're going to be okay."

"Sure, but…what next?" Arthur asked, "All that money…lost in Blackwater."

"We have licked our wounds long enough," Dutch said, "We do what we do. We make more money, and before they even realize that we're here, we're gonna be gone again."

"And after that?"

"I ain't losing to these…these fools, Arthur," Dutch assured him, "You know me better than that. We get to work here, we make money, and then we head out back west. To freedom. Oh, I ain't wavering, son."

As Dutch turned to leave, Arthur got on Sango's back and rode northeast to Emerald Ranch. There was a vast plains area with huge rock formations reaching to the sky.

Outside, Sango sat in her tent weeping in her hands. The remembering of her deceased husband's threats and acts of violence on Hachi, things she had long forgotten after years of happiness with Miroku and her children really hit her hard. Not to mention the doctors' disdain for his actions was a shock to her as well. Kirara tried desperately to comfort her but Sango still wept.

But it wasn't just this that was making her weep, it was something else. Every time she saw Arthur fight for his friends, she saw a bit of Miroku in his deeds, and only through Michiru's lashing out did she realize this.

"Why, Kirara…?" She asked her faithful companion, "So many good decent men out in the world, and I always fall for the bad ones. Miroku changed and had moments of good, yes, but…he was still…"

Sango couldn't finish what she was trying to say. Her thoughts dwelled to Arthur Morgan. He too was a thief and a conman who enjoyed the company of beautiful women, he beat up people weaker than himself just as Miroku used to do.

"That's…why I'm falling for Arthur…" Sango admitted to herself, "That's why I'm jealous of those ladies in his group that all seem to fancy him, and that hotel maid that bathed him."

She then allowed a smile to creep up on her face as she dried her eyes and picked up Kirara.

"And if I'm falling for Arthur, then I should be by his side, shouldn't I?" She said determinedly, "Michiru too. They need me. They need my feelings for them both. How else will Michiru forgive me and…fall in love with me again if I leave when things get rough?"

With that, the Demon Slayer went back into the Shrine and addressed the doctors there.

"My friends," She began, "I know what you just saw looked bad, and I know you probably never want to hear word of my…husband ever again. Very well. No casual mention of him or comparisons with him and Arthur will be discussed again, but please. Please do not badmouth him in front of me. I know it's hard for you all to believe, but he did change for the better once he…married me even though it was a deceitful marriage and he had the help of a witch's curse force him to always tell the truth, but no matter how he changed, he did. Aside from framing Michiru, he was for the most part a good man, and I would appreciate it if you kept any negative comments about him to yourselves."

The doctors just ignored her and went back to inspecting the Animus as Sango watched Arthur ride across the plains of New Hanover, She marveled at the sight. She had seen plains in an area of Japan now called Kyoto and could find a certain peaceful serenity in the dry dusty trail, but she knew the size of North America in comparison to Japan courtesy of Kagome's maps. As gorgeous as the plains in Japan were, these were surely more widespread and bountiful.

Suddenly, her admiration was stopped by a voice addressing Arthur.

"I don't think you should just be wandering around here, friend," An Irish voice called out as Arthur pulled on Sango's reins and dismounted. There, next to a cleft of rocks hiding for cover, were two men dressed in black with green scarved around their heads.

"O'Driscolls…" Sango hissed, "…they're as plentiful as demons…"

"Not a thing happens around here without an O'Driscoll saying so. Understand me?" The O'Driscoll stated.

Arthur started walking towards the duo.

"Consider this a warning," The O'Driscoll hesitantly said as Arthur neared and neared.

"You really shouldn't rile me," Arthur shot as his fingers twitched for his Cattleman Revolver, "Ain't wise."

"You'll be meeting the reaper!" The O'Driscoll declared reaching for his pistol, but Arthur was too quick on the draw. He pulled out his gun and shot the O'Driscoll riling him thrice, then turned to his companion who tried to dive behind a rock for safety and plugged him thrice as well killing them both as they fell backwards dead.

Arthur went to the Irish O'Driscoll with the big mouth and started inspecting his body. He found $5.55 in cash, some revolver cartridges, and some chewing tobacco. He then walked to his quieter friends and looted him as well taking $4.36, more revolver cartridges, and a bottle of bitters. He then rushed back to Sango's back, got on her saddle, and made his way back through the plains.

"There, Sango…" He soothed patting her neck, "…that's my girl…"

The plains of America during the day sure were lovely. It wasn't lush with trees, but it was lush with grasses, bushes, cacti, and wildflowers. As he rode across the dusty trail, he spotted a wrecked wagon lying flat on the ground.

"Whoa," He ordered pulling on Sango's reins as his horse stopped. He got off her saddle again and walked to the wagon. There was a firepit at the base of it. Someone must've used this for a campsite but got attacked. There was a chest under the wagon that probably didn't contain conventional valuables if this camp had been attacked, but one man's trash was another man's treasure. He pulled the chest out and opened it. Inside were some chewing tobacco, a bottle of whiskey, a gold pocketwatch, and some other trinkets.

"Guess the attackers were more interested in killing and sabotaging than stealing," Arthur said, "Well, in any case, it's all mine now."

He got back onto Sango's saddle and rode. He spotted a pronghorn running away, pulled out his bow, gave chase, and shot as the animal fell down dead. A cleaner kill than last time. Arthur rode to the carcass, picked I up, hoisted it to Sango's rear area, tied it down, then continued his ride.

Arthur was in a much greener area now. Like the dusty plains had converted to a green meadow with trees, a river nearby with a pond, and a farm off in the distance.

"Hello?" A woman's voice called out, "Please, I'm trapped."

At an intersection of trails, Arthur saw a young woman pinned under a dead horse's body struggling to get free.

"What happened?" Arthur asked getting off of Sango's back.

"My horse collapsed!" The woman explained, "I-I don't know why…it's my friend's…"

Arthur knelt next to the dead horse's carcass and started to lift up as best he could.

"Oh, yes, yes!" The woman said, "Just lift as hard as you can!"

Arthur lifted the carcass just enough for the woman to squirm out and dust herself off.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" The woman squealed instinctively hugging Arthur.

"S-Sure…" Arthur responded pushing her off.

"You saved me. Oh, that was bad…" The woman spoke.

"Okay, sure…"

"I could've been stuck here and starved…" The woman grimaced, "Or…eaten." She knelt beside the dead animal and stroked its neck, "Oh, you poor dumb animal… What'll I tell Mildred…? Well, thank you."

"You need a ride home, ma'am?" Arthur offered.

"Oh, oh, yes, mister, please!" The woman squealed in gratitude, "Thank you! Do you know Valentine? I live there."

"No problem," Arthur assured her frowning at his latest kill on his horse.

"Would you mind?" The lady asked, "There's not enough space for me on the horse."

Knowing he had to leave a good kill behind to help, he stowed the pronghorn off his horse, set it on the grass, skinned it, and put the pelt on Sango's rear. It would give the lady some padding as she hopped onto the horse's rear as well as they rode back to the neighboring town.

"I don't normally travel this far alone, you know," She started to explain, "I was off inquiring about a possible new line of work. I-I'd borrowed a friend's horse for the trip. See…my husband…well…it's just me and my boy now, and it's hard to find work."
"Hmm, I'm sure it is," Arthur nodded.

"A good opportunity," The woman elucidated, "That's what I'm looking for. Not much work for a woman with a boy to raise. I won't work in no saloon, but I've got sharp eyes and quick hands. I was hoping to get a job working as a seamstress. A wealthy man said he'd pay me for the work."

"Sounds promising," Arthur answer, "Also doesn't sound real."

Sighing, she replied, "Oh, you may be right, I suppose…"

Sango could surely relate to the woman. Women weren't often paid for their work where she came from. Especially with demon populations on the decline and less need for warriors like her to hunt them. Women were year-by-year becoming more and more domesticated.

"He said he'd provide room and board for me and for my child," The lady explained, "H-He wanted to meet me first."

"I'd be careful with offers like that, ma'am," Arthur advised as Sango paled at the implication before scowling with anger. Obviously the person who offered this woman her so-called job and housing was more interested in her than her and her son's welfare and job skills.

"I-I can't afford to dismiss offers like these, even if they do seem…" She answered sadly, "…odd."

"Just be careful, is all I'm saying," Arthur said.

"I may not have another opportunity like this," She answered, "And now I'll have to pay Mildred back for her horse."

"It sure sounds like you're in a hard position…" Arthur sympathetically grumbled.

"You finding me…" The lady began, "…is the only good thing that's happened to me in a long while, sir."

As they spoke, they had crossed the meadow and plains until Valentine's train station was in sight along with its stockyards of livestock.

"We're close now," The lady spoke, "Just a little further."

Arthur rode Sango to Valentine's main street and stopped her just in front of the saloon.

"We're here," She said, "Thank you for all your help. You're a good man."

"Glad I was able to help," Arthur said as she got off Sango, "You take care."

She then slid a silver emblem ring off her finger and handed it to Arthur as payment for his help.

"Appreciate it," Arthur smiled as he put it into his satchel, "You be well."

He tipped his hat and rode back to the meadow where the farm was as Sango felt herself smiling again. Despite what she had just seen regarding Arthur beating up a sickly Thomas Downes and threatening him, Arthur still had a sense of chivalry and politeness to him. He obviously didn't want to see women being taken advantage of. At least those that didn't want to lower themselves by becoming barmaids and was capable of gratitude. It didn't bother Sango so much that he took the ring as payment when he probably could've refused it. After all, she was no stranger to getting paid for a good honest deed or work.

Also…maybe that wasn't really Arthur attacking that Downes fellow. Sango thought to herself with a shimmer of hope. It was that bastard moneylender who insisted Arthur go in there all aggressive and intimidating.

"If you're torn between Arthur's character," Dr. Ericcson stated seeming to read Sango's expression as Sango gasped, "While you were gone, Arthur met with Strauss and protested his actions for a moment stating that Thomas Downes and his family were destitute and Thomas was obviously near death. He showed a bit of regret as he observed that Strauss had taking advantage of a desperate man, and Strauss didn't even deny that he lent to desperate people who obviously couldn't pay back easily."

"Hmm?" Sango said, "Oh….well, um…th-thank you for telling me… I…needed to hear that."

Setting up his horse to make the journey back to Emerald Ranch, Arthur stopped taking time to consider something.

"Hmm…maybe as long as I'm in the neighborhood, I should drop by the place Mary's staying at," He thought to himself. The farm she was staying at was only around the corner. He thought for a moment but shook his head.

"No," He decided as he rode Sango out of Valentine, "I'm not ready to see her again just yet. I will eventually, but not now."

He chose to ride back over the dusty plains and the lush meadow until the farm of Emerald Ranch was in sight. It was a massive farm that had sheep, cattle, horses, and poultry pens. It had a trail shaped like a T passing through it as Arthur rode across it. A grey sheepdog ran beside him for a while barking, but Arthur was too focused on the task at hand. He spotted a huge barn with a big green roof to his right. He turned right and started trotting a bit and looked to the front of the barn where he spotted Hosea talking with obviously the runner of this barn.

"That's an interesting way of putting it, Seamus," Hosea chuckled as Arthur neared them both.

"Oh, no doubt," The other man replied, "I do interesting very well. It's trusting I don't do so well."

Looking up, Hosea then noticed Arthur approaching.

"Arthur," He greeted, "This is Seamus…he's our new partner."

"I ain't no such thing," Seamus protested.

"Prospective new partner," Hosea corrected. "If he likes us."

"Liking ain't the problem," Seamus said as he took a drag from a cigarette, "Trusting is, as I said. Keep your voices down. I don't want my boss hearing."

He huddled them close and explained.

"This is a side line," Seamus said.

"Course," Hosea answered, "Look at us, honest as the day is long."

"Exactly," Seamus answered.

"I'll tell you what," Hosea began, "Let us prove ourselves."

"Prove ourselves?" Arthur chortled, "To this clown? What you talking about?"

"Good day, Hosea," Seamus grumbled clearly insulted as he turned to walk away, "Good luck with your business dealings…"

"Listen," Hosea spoke as Seamus started to walk away, "He's rough, and ready, and quick with his tongue, but I swear you can trust him and trust me."

"I'm an old man," Seamus whispered.

"You're not old, Seamus," Hosea protested.

"I'm old enough, and you know why I ain't dead?"

"You don't trust idiots."

"Exactly."

"We're not idiots, let us prove it to you."

Giving Arthur a look, Seamus nodded and said, "Okay, I'll tell you what."

"Arthur!" Hosea called out to Arthur who had just sat down.

"Old Bob Crawford and his boys just bought a beautiful stolen stagecoach from upstate" Seamus began to explain, "It's in their barn. Now you go get that…and then we can work together."

"Who's Old Bob Crawford?" Hosea asked.

"An acquaintance of mine," Seamus explained.

"So you want us to take out your competition," Hosea deduced.

"Well, he-he's not just an acquaintance," Seamus explained, "But a cousin by marriage. I also want to see if you boys got what it takes. Now you survive that…"

"Where is he?" Hosea asked.

"He's in a farmhouse just northwest of here called Carmody Dell. It's just off the train tracks as you're heading up towards Fort Wallace. There's also some money in that house, but that's your business, not mine, but don't kill nobody," Seeing them pick up on this, Seamus explained, "Folks know we ain't intimate no more, and they'll know it was me."

"But you're fine with us robbing your cousin?" Hosea asked.

"By marriage…" Seamus grumbled, "And yes, I'd love it."

"You heard the man…" Hosea said, "Let's go rob his cousin."

"By marriage," Seamus grumbled again.

Hosea and Arthur got upon the backs of their horses together as Sango smiled a bit more. This was a robbery, but at least no one was going to get killed this time.

"Really?" Arthur asked Hosea.

"Really." Hosea nodded, "Lead the way. He said the place is just northwest of here."

"Me?"

"You're the one who's been out gallivanting around here," Hosea pointed out.

"That's what you call it," Arthur grumbled, "Clearly, you've recovered from your bear encounter."

"Could've played that better, couldn't you?" Hosea asked.

"Thought you wanted me here to show some strong arm?" Arthur reminded him, "That's usually how it goes."

"Yes, but…you know how this works."

"C'mon, Hosea. That feller's a joke."

"And that's why he's perfect. He won't cause us any problems," Hosea explained, "A safe spot to fence wagons and coaches, that's easy money for us."

"I guess you're right," Arthur relented.

"Come on, it's not like he's asking us to rob a bank. If the two of us can't steal a stagecoach from Seamus's old crooked cousin by marriage, we should hang up our hats now."

The two rode across the meadow towards the barn.

"How you feeling about things now?" Arthur asked.

"What things?"

"This place, the gang…been here a few weeks now."

"Good, I think," Hosea said, "Better."

"I figured more folks would have cut and run on us, given everything that happened."

"Like Dutch says, a lone wolf don't last long out on the plains."

"He does like to trot that one out," Arthur chuckled.

"People see that," Hosea stated, "Especially when they get a few years on them. Even someone like Micah."

"There's a could of folks, I wish, had cut and run," Arthur admitted as they approached a barn amongst some trees where the meadow bordered the forest.

"Hey, let's keep it down now, we must be close," Hosea said, "That must be the place up ahead. We should go on foot from here."

They got off their horses at the foot of a small hill.

"Let's see what we're dealing with, come on," Hosea said.

Arthur followed Hosea to a big boulder at the foot of a tree. There, a big house, a barn, and a fenced up small herd of cattle were seen.

"There's the house," Hosea pointed out, "I see the barn in the back, stagecoach has to be in there." Hosea pulled out his binoculars and looked out, "Okay, let's have a good look at the place."

Arthur pulled out his own binoculars and had a look at the farmhouse.

"Anyone around?" He asked.

"Yes," Hosea nodded, "Okay, I reckon we can do it now. I'll head over, distract them by putting on a little show while you sneak into the house, find what you can, then get the stagecoach. Or, wait until nightfall. Sneak in, then I'll get the coach. You can try the house. What do you think?"

Arthur stood for a moment contemplating both scenarios. He sighed, pulled out a cigarette to hand to Hosea, and said, "Let's wait."

"And that's about the gist of it," Kagome explained around Kaede's firepit turning the screen to the laptop she had borrowed from the doctors off, "That's what Michiru's been up to all these years, apparently. Taking his vengeance out on clones of all of us and butchering them like cattle."

"Grotesquely fascinating, Aunt Kagome…" Setsuna spoke as her sister, Towa kept rewinding it repeatedly.

"And you say that this was taken from Michiru's own memories courtesy of a machine known as an Animus?" Towa asked, "I was always pretty tech-savvy when I lived and grew up in the modern world with Uncle Sota and his wife and children, but I've never heard of any such thing as a machine that can hack into memories stored in a person's DNA to show them the memories of their own ancestors before. If anyone would've known anything about this, it would've been me, but I'm drawing blanks. No pun intended. This must have been extremely top-secret."

"That's what the doctors said," Kagome nodded.

"The way Michiru fights…" Moroha purred as Kagome gasped, "Oh wow! He's so…strong and handsome! So vicious and focused…! So very…"

"Moroha!" Kagome scolded her daughter.

"Heh! If he won't take Sango back, maybe I'LL try and see if he's looking for love!"

"He's twice your age, Moroha!" Kagome scolded again, "No daughter of mine is going to date a man old enough to be her own father!"

"Why not?" Moroha snorted, "Dad's old enough to be your great-great-great-grandfather!"

"Ugh!" Kagome growled.

"I have to agree to the sex appeal in Michiru's strength and skills," Setsuna agreed as she turned to someone else in the room, "With power and skills like that, father, he could very well be just as strong as you."

"Hmm." Sesshomaru mumbled in his usual manner.

"In fact," Towa began, "If Sesshomaru's DNA is also in Michiru body as you said, Kagome, he could very well be even stronger than you."

"H-H-Hey!" The voice of Jaken popped up, "Don't say such ridiculous things! No one could ever top Lord Sesshomaru in battle no matter what breakthroughs humans come up-"

"Be quiet Jaken!" Sesshomaru hissed out as Jaken went silent. All then turned to Sesshomaru as he pulled down the left shoulder of his kimono as all gasped at the huge round scar and burn mark that was there, "Remember this?"

All looked at the wound and gasped as Jaken began stuttering nervously.

"Is…Is that…?" Kagome asked.

"A gunshot wound?" Sesshomaru asked, "Yes."

"How…?" Kagome asked.

"When guns were first being used, Jaken and I were flying near a forest where some human was hunting with a rifle," Sesshomaru explained, "Even though we were high above the trees, he still saw me, pointed up, and shot me. I fell hundreds of feet to the ground, and almost bled to death as I struggled to build a small fire to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding."

"Father…" Setsuna gasped.

"Jaken, if humans today could build something that could allow a common huntsman to nearly kill me," Sesshomaru began, "I don't even want to imagine what they could build tomorrow. Besides, I have always known about Michiru's potential to rival me as a warrior."

"You have?" Jaken gasped.

"That's why I traveled with him often," Sesshomaru explained, "I wanted a real rival to my powers, and he seemed to fit the bill." He then furrowed his eyes at Kagome, "Imagine my disappointment when you told me he was banished and the ludicrous reason why."

"L-L-Ludicrous?" Kagome protested, "We really thought he nearly killed Miroku!"

"Hmm. So?" Sesshomaru challenged as Kagome's mouth opened with shock, "My brother's full demon form nearly killed you, but you didn't run away home, did you?"

Kagome let out a gasp at this remembering Inuyasha's scary red eyes, his vicious fangs and claws, the marking on his face as he lunged at her trying to rip her to shreds before he was restrained when he was without the Tetsusaiga. She remembered her fear and part of her not wanting to be around someone that nearly killed her and might again at some point, but then she remembered that she let love and duty overshadow these fears and stayed by his side. Even though Inuyasha almost killed her, she didn't leave or try to send him away.

Slumping her head down, Kagome sighed, "You're right…Inuyasha frightened me and nearly killed me, and I made him my husband," Then something occurred to her as she piped up, "But…that was Inuyasha's demon form! His powers defaulting!"

"What do you know of Shikigami power, Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked, "The powers of the elements are fire, water, wind, light, earth, ice, steel, wood, lightning, and darkness."

"Darkness?" Kagome asked, "Shikigami users have dark powers?"

"Yes, and they can behave quite irrationally when those dark powers awaken," Sesshomaru explained, "I've seen it more often than you'd think, Kagome."

"And we should've assumed that Michiru's dark powers were possibly awakening when that happened, even though he didn't do anything," Kagome deduced.

"Enough of this," Kaede called out sickly, "This doesn't help us get Michiru back here. We still need to find something he cares about here."

"Or we need to find another reason Sango sent Michiru away without a fair trial," Shippo called out from the door as all turned to see Kohaku and Shippo back, "We've been searching for nearly a week, and nothing comes to mind in regards to the former option. We just can't think of anything Michiru would love other than Sango and loves him in return that wasn't involved in the incident that he would give his life for."

"Huh?" Jaken's voice popped up after hearing this, "Something Michiru loves…?"

"Actually," Gyokuto's voice spoke from a door, "I might have found something in regards to the latter option."

"Gyokuto?" Kohaku frowned as he noticed a book in Gyokuto's hands, "Is that…?"

"Loves him in return…?" Jaken spoke to himself.

"I know, I know," Gyokuto sighed, "Normally it's immoral for a daughter to read her own mother's diaries, but desperate times call for desperate measures."

"I-I-I suppose…" Kohaku relented, "What did you find?"

"Wasn't involved in the incident…? Hmm…" Jaken continued thinking to himself, "Would give his life for…wait. Wait a minute, that's it!"

"This little entry mother wrote about a month or so before the incident happened," Gyokuto spoke opening the diary to a particular page, "If we have mom reread this entry, then maybe it could pass as something of a reason she sent him away without a fair trial."

"Uh, guys…?" Jaken popped up, but no one was listening as Kohaku read the entry and nodded.

"This might work, Gyokuto," He nodded, "But it might not be enough. Seems like it might be a bit too obvious. Still, it's worth a shot. If only we had something else."

"Uhh, guys…?" Jaken popped up again, but still no one addressed him except for one person in the room as Jaken looked to that person and gave a knowing look.

"What other choice do we have?" Shippo piped up, "Kohaku and I, again, looked everywhere, and we can't seem to think of anything that fits the criteria of something Michiru loves, something that wasn't involved, something that he'd give his life for and we can't find it anywhere out there…"

"GUYS!" Jaken shouted out as all turned to him in shock as he took a deep breath and said, "Maybe you're not looking in the right place." Looking around, he asked, "You say you need something, or maybe someone, that Michiru cares about very much, and cares about him as well. You need something, or someone, that wasn't there when you all banished Michiru and thus wouldn't have even been involved. You need something, or someone, Michiru would give his life to protect. Possibly something, or someone, that he almost gave his own life to protect in the past might help too, right? Well maybe the answer's not out there, but somewhere near. Maybe the answer's not as far away as you think! Maybe the answer's in this very room and right under your noses!"

"Yeah, that would be great!" Shippo replied, "But who or what would fit such a description?"

"Um…" A small quiet voice spoke from the corner as the whole room went silent as they all turned to see who had spoken and then suddenly all went wide-mouthed gasping in surprise, "….me?"

Arthur lounged napping on the boulder near the farmhouse as the sun set.

"Okay," Hosea spoke nudging him awake, "Let's go."

"Sure," Arthur spoke rising to his feet. They both stood past the boulder and looked.

"You go into the house," Hosea instructed, "I'll go find this wagon."

Shaking the sleep out of his eyes, Arthur walked groggily towards the farmhouse.

"Maybe take a peek through all the windows before you go in," Hosea suggested, "Make sure it's all quiet."

The duo separated as Hosea went right to the barn while Arthur went left. The closer he got, the more he saw that there were lights on in the house. He crept up below a window and took peeks inside. Even though lights were on, people were obviously sleeping. He saw a servant's shed and figured that was the quickest way in. He carefully opened the door and saw a servant sleeping in a metal bed in the room. He very quietly snuck in and opened a medicine cabinet and a chest at the foot of the bed. The medicine cabinet contained a bottle of snake oil, not much, but there was a money clip of about $13 and a platinum band in the chest worth about $7. He walked into the living area through a door in the shed and his eyes spotted another chest. He opened it up taking a pearl necklace worth about $4, and another money clip containing another $13. He then crept into the kitchen taking a carrot and an apple on the countertop before heading to the upstairs master bedroom. There was a wardrobe next to a snoring Bob Crawford. Arthur crept as quietly as he good opening it and taking some bottles of stuff and a gold necklace. He then opened the drawers in the wardrobe finding a platinum pocket watch. He could've taken more, but he didn't want to risk getting caught. He crept back down the stairs, out the front door, and walked to the barn to his left.

Hosea rode up to him with the carriage.

"Get on, dear boy," Hosea ordered as Arthur got on the carriage driver's seat and took the reins. He gave them a flick as they took off out of the farm and down the meadow trail the way they came.

"Nicely done," Hosea said, "We got everything we needed."

"And I'm pretty sure they never even knew I was there," Arthur chuckled. Sango couldn't help but chuckle a bit too. Arthur's stealth was indeed impressive. He was right in front of two people's faces, and they didn't even stir from sleep and notice.

"Best way," Hosea nodded, "Less problems the better now. Just need to get this back to Seamus in one piece, and it's a good night's work. So what were you able to lift from the house?"

"A few bits and pieces, nothing too fancy," Arthur lied.

"Well, we need anything we can get right now."

"This was easier than hunting a thousand-pound grizzly anyway."

Chuckling, Hosea answered, "No doubt. I won't forget that in a hurry."

"I'm looking forward to your retelling of that one around the campfire."

"'It wasn't the first time Mr. Matthews had stared death in the eye, and as usual he did not flinch,'" Hosea mockingly narrated.

"Exactly," Arthur said, "So how long you think we're gonna stick around here for?"

"Not sure," Hosea admitted, "Until we can't, I suppose. Feels like we're starting to get back on our feet, slowly but surely. Just need to keep at it. Dutch has a new money chest stashed in a safe spot away from camp, but it's a long way from being full."

"Stashing money?" Sango frowned, "He hides funds from the rest of the gang? That's not very trusting of Dutch."

"Probably some emergency fund or savings," Dr. Garter replied, "Best only one person knows where such funds are-"

"Sango!" Kagome's voice spoke from the door, "Good news! I think we can bring Michiru back now!"

"Shhh!" Sango spoke, "Not so loud! He can hear us now!"

"Not likely at this moment," Dr. Ingles said, "According to these readings, he's asleep right now." Frowning at someone she didn't recognize, she asked, "Who are you?"

"A very important friend," Kagome smiled, "She's here to help, but Sango. You need to read this entry you wrote a while ago in your diary just before that tragic betrayal happened. It might help you see that there was another reason you…I mean we…sent Michiru away."

"Hmmm?" Sango frowned picking up her old diary from her teenage years and reading the page as her eyes widened by what she read before quivering and tearing up shamefully, "This…I remember this…I didn't even think of it when the incident happened, but…the feelings I wrote in it were still with me…the desire written…this…this was the real reason why I ignored the feelings in my heart that Michiru was innocent and didn't give him that trial. This is why I sent him away so coldly, and I…need to tell him that."

"Already on it," Dr. Ericsson spoke, "I just sent another letter to the program. Michiru through Arthur will find it soon."

"Good," Sango spoke as they turned to the screen as Arthur and Hosea returned to Seamus's large barn.

"I hope it's not stashed in town like we did in Blackwater," Arthur sighed.

"Okay, here we are," Hosea pointed to the barn, "Just pull the coach into the barn here."

Turning the coach's horses, Arthur saw Seamus emerge and open the huge green doors as Arthur carefully trotted the horses and the carriage inside the barn.

"Hello, Seamus," Hosea greeted, "We met your cousins."

"How was it?" Seamus asked.

"Fine," Hosea said, "Nice people."

"Park that thing in here," Seamus whispered, "Quickly."

They went in and got out of the coach.

"Nice work, Hosea," Seamus whispered.

"It was mostly Arthur," Hosea answered, "Like I said, coarse, but competent."

"Here," Seamus said handing Hosea a stack of bills.

"Thank you," Hosea said.

"If you find any other coaches that need selling," Seamus began, "I'll see what I can offer you for them. But discreet, you know?"

"Of course," Hosea nodded, "Goodbye, gentlemen. I'm heading back to camp, I think. You coming, Arthur?"

Arthur thought for a moment then shook his head.

"Nah, that's okay," He said, "I'll find my way back eventually. Besides, I'm getting the urge to check the mail right now. Guess I need to make tracks for Valentine."

"Oh, no need," Hosea said pointing to the trail, "Just beyond the other side of this trail is Emerald Station. They have mail."

"Oh," Arthur said, "Well thank you. I'll ride over right now. Goodnight, Hosea."

"Goodnight, Arthur," Hosea said getting on his horse and riding back to Horseshoe Overlook. Arthur then got on Sango's back and rode the trail up to the train tracks. Eventually, a little past the ranch, he spotted a small shack with a roof and porch. A small ticket station. He rode up to it, hitched Sango to a bush, and walked to the ticket seller.

"Hi," Arthur greeted, "Any mail for an Arthur Morgan?"

"Let's see…" The ticket seller spoke, "Ah, yes. Arrived about a few minutes ago. Here."

"Thank you," Arthur said taking the letter, opening it, and seeing some scribbling inside as the meadow scenery turned back into a void.

"Doc?" Michiru's voice called out.

"Michiru, your friends have an answer for you," Dr. Ingles explained, "They want to tell it to your face."

"Ugh! Fine!" Michiru scowled, "This had better be good!"

He ran to the white doorway as the pod drained and the mechanisms held him up. As soon as the fluid was gone, the glass slid to the floor as Michiru shuttered his eyes and awoke looking about. He saw the doctors, Sango, Kagome, and Shippo, but there was someone else in the room he didn't recognize. A young woman who looked like Kagome, but not quite. He frowned.

"I take it you're Kagome's daughter?" He snorted.

The figure shook her head.

"Who are you then?" Michiru demanded.

Shaking her head sadly and seeing the pain all over Michiru's face, the woman answered, "Hello…big brother."