A fan fic. By me. Very good. Not immature. Okay?

[Unexpected Turns In Life]

This is a fan fiction by me, originally posted by me on InuyashaJourney. Since I realize the first two episodes are so short, I will merge them together. That means glued together, write that down kids, its on the test. LOL ;D

Special! Episode 1 & Episode 2
Episode 1: Where the Story Takes Off
After Kagome recovered from the acid the stone youkai Inuyasha fought, she went back into her time for some supplies. Inuyasha waited the the others, ever so impatiently to chase their enemy, the evil and calculating Naraku. No matter where he went, no matter what traps he put, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Kilala, and the fox youkai, Shippo would always find him. But maybe not this time, Inuyasha thought as he held his head toward the wind. He wasn't sure if he could find him now.
When Kagome repacked bandages, food, and a bag of potato chips for Inuyasha into her backpack, she felt a bit happy. After all, the smell of her home was nice. But she had to go back soon. Waving bye to her family she jumped back in the portal, the well that led her to all these adventures.
It had been many days, maybe weeks after they defeated the Seven Men Band, and met one of Naraku's newest creations.
As the light engulfed her, she wondered about the adventures waiting for them. To find out what happens, post your thoughts and hope for the next episode!
(Note: My fan fiction takes off where the anime series ended.)

Episode 2: When She Finds Out
"Whew," Kagome said as she climbed out of the well. She was wet with perspiration, and she needed a drink of water. She then yelled Inuyasha's name, and waited for him to come. But instead of Inuyasha, Kilala, Sango's nekomata appeared instead.
"Kirara," (I know its Kirara ppl, I just use Kilala for the people who watched the dubbed version) what's wrong? Where's Inuyasha?"
"Ku," Kilala replied, and transformed. Growling, she bumped Kagome onto her back and flew back to village where Inuyasha and the others waited at.
But when Kilala set her paws into the ground, it wasn't as peaceful as she thought. The entire village reeked of youkai blood, and lumps of dead youkai were thrown everywhere. There were marks of the Kaze no Kizu (WIND SCAR) on the floor, leading Kagome to realize that Inuyasha must have fought the youkai.
"Kagome!!!" Inuyasha's voice rang. Kagome turned around and spotted him running towards her at great speed, with Tessaiga clenched in his hand.
"What happened?"
"I dunno, Miroku and Sango went with some villagers to get some herbs or something, and all of a sudden these bunch of youkai come rushing in."
"And Shippo-chan?"
"Oh, he's hiding somewhere in the bushes."
"Inuyasha! Shippo-chan can't defend himself! How can you just leave him there???"
"No one's gonna find him anyway--"
"OSUWARI!" Kagome shouted, and left him clawing at the floor. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she ran into Kaede's hut and grabbed her bow. Aiming at the incoming youkai, she shot accurately. The burst of violet light illuminated the field. Just then, Miroku and Sango had just come back.
"The village!" The villagers cried.
"Inuyasha," Miroku began, "I think you should clean up the village before we start our journey again."
"What? Me again?" Inuyasha complained.

And yes, I know, its a suckish intro. I was still nervous about posting it. No flames please. And don't worry, I don't use profanity or plan to. ...Why am I worrying about that, all the people I know use profanity. Ah...there I go babbling again.

[Unexpected Turns In Life]

Episode 3: The Lonely Priestess
"Thank you so much, miko-sama! Without your help, our village would've been long gone."
"No problem," the priestess replied. She continued exiting the village, on a white horse they had given her. and was finally out after 5 more thanks from the villagers. Did I do something that great? It's not like I'm a god or anything...still I should appreciate the gifts they gave me., she thought, and turned to the huge cart behind her. They had also given her, as a reward, a large cart of gold, expensive kimonos, lots of food and treats, and a new supply of arrows.
Well, I do need arrows for my bow but... She stopped the carthorse and crept into the cart. A mountain of wooden arrows tipped with eagle or falcon feathers were bunched up. There was probably about 30 arrows in there. The priestess never asked for so many.
Sighing, she got back down from the cart. Urging her horse to go faster, she wished she could find somebody to be her friend. She was so lonely...

Eventually, the priestess had to stop. It had been 5 hours, without stopping for a rest, and her horse was very tired. Drinking all the water it could, as if it was the first time he saw the blue liquid, the horse didn't budge when the priestess got up to scoop out water. After several attempts, the priestess gave up.
"Mika, Mika, Mika," she said her name out loud, as if she were scolding herself, "you pushed ol' Hime too hard. Look at that poor horse; she won't even move." She shook her head and got up. It was pointless trying to move the snowy horse.
Then all of a sudden, she felt a strong aura sweeping into her body. It felt very evil, and she didn't like the feel of it. She looked up to the sky. Dark, gloomy clouds were moving in. She wondered if there was a powerful youkai lurking somewhere in the forest.
Deciding it was dangerous, she whistled to her horse, tied it to the cart and began moving away from the nearby mountain. The youki was getting stronger now.

And Mika was right. For Naraku, was just a few miles away.

[Sango]

Episode 4: Never Run From An Enemy
Kagura was just flying over the mountains, on her white feather, cursing Naraku and his evil deeds. She had always hated him, hated his face, hated his voice, and hated the way he treated her. Like nothing. But I am the wind...and the wind is free... her mind told her. But she would never be free, no, not with her heart in Naraku's grasp.
But as she flew over the mountains, surveying its endless forests, she saw a white horse and a girl. The girl looked like a priestess, and was killing the youkai that was spread out in the terrain. She wondered if it was Kikyo, or possible Kagome, that annoying girl that traveled with that Inuyasha. Whoever it was, it was probably worth a check.
Dipping lower in the sky, like how a bird drops with the wind, she flew in the direction of the girl fighting the mononoke and demons.
The girl's long and silkily black hair was tied in a low ponytail, hanging behind her neck, and the clothes she wore were the common priestess clothes. And she was using a bow, just like Kikyo and Kagome. Kagura shivered at the thought of Kikyo. She was creepy, and she wasn't on good terms with her anyways. Jumping off of her feather, she stuck it behind her bun and hid behind some trees. The priestess was out of breath, Kagura observed, and she was covered in blood. A youkai sneaked behind her and tried to bite her horse. The priestess turned around sharply and struck the youkai, just in time.
She's not an ordinary woman either, she thought, and was about to leave out of boredom, when the priestess called out to her.
"I know you're there. You've been watching me in the sky, haven't you? Are you the ruler of this mountain?" she shouted. Kagura heard a few coughs from her.
Grinning, Kagura showed herself.
"How stupid; I don't rule anything. I am the wind," Kagura replied.
"Wind, huh. You look like a regular human to me."
Kagura gritted her teeth and took out her fan.
"Me a human? Don't be stupid," and cast wind blades at her. Mika, (if you managed to figure out) jumped out of the way and struck an arrow at her. It made a hole through her chest, right where her heart should be. The impact of the holy light was so strong, Kagura might had lost her entire half of her body if it weren't for Kohaku, who jumped out of the trees and cut the arrow in half.
"Kohaku, you were here?"
Kohaku hesitated for a moment, thinking of some way to answer normally. He decided he would stay quiet.
"Who are you?!?" inquired Mika, as she prepared another arrow. Aiming it at Kagura, she waited for a reply. But she simply ignored her. Kagura was thinking about Kohaku. Did Naraku send him here? If he did, I have to go back. Kagura took out her feather and a gust of wind surrounded her. Jumping on, Kohaku and Kagura set to the skies.
"Wait, come back!!!" Mika shouted, but there was nothing she could do. She had no wings, so she could not fly. Sighing, she suddenly smelled something revolting. Then she realized immediately what was smelling. Looking down at her clothes, she noticed it was stained with blood, splattered by the youkai she had just fought.
"Ew." Mika moaned.

[Sango]

Episode 5: Giddy but Fishy
Mika stripped off her dirty clothes and donned on a red kimono. It would have to do before she could find a lake, or a river, or even a village to clean her clothes. Hime, her white horse nibbled on her hair, as Mika slapped the soft saddle to get rid of the dust.
"Hime, stop that," when she fixed the saddle on the horse. The horse neighed in reply. Then Mika noticed the dark and gloomy youki was gone. Was she imagining it? Well, it doesn't matter anymore. I have to get out of this place soon though, Mika said, and rode Hime out of the forests.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, where are we going?" Jaken complained. Behind him was Rin, who was sitting and singing meaningless songs to Ah-Un. Sesshoumaru ignored him and continued to walk forward.
Finally Sesshoumaru spoke. "Jaken, look over Rin."
"Are you going somewhere Sesshoumaru-sama?"
But he had already left. He left mainly because of Naraku's smell. But he also left because of this other smell. It smelled like a girl; like lavender, but overlapped with youkai blood.

Mika was out of the forest in no time. Hime realized the mountains was not a good place to stay and willingly let Mika push her further and further until the mountain was a triangle, the size of leaf in the distance. Then, all of a sudden, the ground shook, and Mika fell off of her horse. Hime stood there terrified, and looked over to Mika. Neighing, she whined and stomped her feet, telling her to get up; fast. But just at the wrong time, Mika had sprained her ankle from the fall.
"Hime girl, come over here," Mika whispered, making the best effort to get her plea to her horse. Hime strolled as slow as she could to Mika, and let Mika use her as a stand to get up. By the time she stood up, Naraku was already in sight.
He must be the source of this horrible jyaki, Mika thought. Naraku turned his attention to her.
"Oh, Mika-sama. What a honor it is to meet you," Naraku spoke, his voice low and dangerously soft at the same time.
"How do you know my name, you wretched youkai?"
"I hear all sorts of things. By the way, my name is Naraku. I hope we become good friends."
"You can't fool me, Naraku. You're a lump of evil. I can feel it from you. What business do you have here?"
"Oh, nothing much." He flashed her a evil look. "I was just waiting for one of my friends. He's coming this way, and I don't think he's in a good mood."
And he was right. In the distance was a tall man walking toward them. As he neared, Mika could see a bushy white tail that was the man's shoulder like an ornament, and that he was wearing clothes that gave her an impression that he held lots of pride. Just then, Naraku spoke this man's name.
"Hello, Sesshoumaru. It's so nice to see you today," he greeted him. Sesshoumaru stopped and stared at him coldly.
He's not human, this Sesshoumaru guy. These two guys must hate each other. I better get out of the way. Mika struggled to stand up. She was being sandwiched by two possibly dangerous and reckless strangers.
I gotta get out of here--
At great speed, Sesshoumaru ran to Naraku, and tried to strike him with his sword, Tokijin, and hit Naraku's always-existing barrier.
"Sesshoumaru, you know it is futile to even try and attack me."
"You don't know unless you try."
Naraku grinned and threw a dark look at Mika. Mika gulped. He's going to target me. He's going to use me as bait. And I don't think Sesshoumaru is going to take it...

[Sango]

Episode 6: Majestic but Cruel Is He? (Special First Person Point of View!!! Featuring Mika!)
I panicked when that Naraku gave that look at me. I could feel my heart pounding in fear. I bet Hime's heart was pounding hard too. I held on tighter on Hime's mane and hoped that I was wrong and that I would not be targeted.
Unluckily, I was not blessed by Lady Luck. The ground below me shook like the aftershock of an earthquake and just when my heart was about to come out of my chest, I heard the floor crack violently behind me. My eyes were enlarged with terror as the tentacle hurtled toward me. I felt the wind breathing its last gust of wind on my face as my death neared closer.
Whoosh! The tentacle dropped like a sack of sand beside me. Was I saved by some fluke? I felt Sesshoumaru's presence. The blood was dripping from his long sword. Did he save me?
"I didn't know you held compassion," Naraku said, snickering after that comment.
"I'm the one you're fighting you know. Don't bring this weak human into this."
Now that hurt me, I thought bitterly.
"You know, Sesshoumaru , I am not weak. I am simply disabled. I can take you two down anytime."
He ignored me. What a rotten guy. Sesshoumaru flicked the blood off his sword, the blood splattering on my face. I felt grossed out. I was coated with enough blood already. Naraku gawked at Sesshoumaru, who darted in front of him, and slashed at his body, cutting him in half. I was so shocked when the top part of Naraku spoke with no emotion, no pain.
"It amuses me to see that you even try. You will never kill me, Sesshoumaru." And with that, he disappeared as if the wind had blown him away. Sesshoumaru put his sword back on his sash and turned into my direction. Walking past me in a few seconds, I convinced myself to at least thank this person. Bracing myself for the possible mean statement, I opened my mouth to thank him.
"Sesshoumaru! Thank you for saving me."
But he was already long gone by the time I got to the word me .
I touched my ankle and moved it around. The sprain had gone away, and I could move. I sighed and patted Hime fondly.
"You are one brave little horse."
"Neigh," she replied. You're welcome , her eyes seemed to say.
I smiled and climbed onto her back. I had just realized I was starving! I wondered where the next village would be...

The next few hours, I washed myself in the river, splashing water over my hair and face like a little child. Every time I dipped my face into the cold liquid, I could feel my fears and problems melt away. Then I heard a rustle in the bushes. I sprang back up, and looked around.
I hope its an animal, not a person. And if it was a person, I hope its not a guy.
A monk fell into the river as if he was pushed in purposely. I heard some shouting that belonged to a young woman.
"Houshi-sama, you pervert!!! When will you ever learn???"
"I know Miroku," a boy's voice commented.
"Ai, ai, ai, Miroku..." another childish voice said. The monk looked and turned in my direction. My face turned beet red. I had no clothes on, and I was very, very, very embarrassed. I think I would have killed this monk named Miroku if I had not held myself back.
"Are you a megami-sama(goddess)?" the monk asked, and sprang up. He moved forward. I had no idea what I was going to do. Then, by instinct, I raised my hand and slapped him as hard as I can. Probably my hardest, because he flew all the way back where he came from.
"P...pervert," I mumbled, and pulled on my clothes immediately. Some privacy...
"I am so sorry!!!" a young girl wearing very familiar clothes apologized. She had medium length hair, and she was wearing some sort of green uniform. She had said her name was Kagome.
"Uh, its okay, Kagome-san. I should have thought twice before I bathed in the river."
"No, it's just this pervert's fault. Sorry to have troubled you Mika-chan," the girl wearing a common kimono said. She was pulling on Miroku's ear, and it must have hurt for his expression was not of one that was calm.
"So, who are you?" the hanyou, (or so I assumed) dog demon asked suspiciously.
"Inuyasha don't be rude--" Kagome began. Inuyasha growled at her. Kagome cleared her throat.
"Osu--"
"Kagome don't you--"
"--wari!"
Inuyasha dropped to the floor. "--dare..." he said, his voice muffled by the grit and rocks on the ground.

What a crazy bunch , I thought. And then I realized deep in my heart, I was happy. I wasn't so lonely anymore.

[Sango]

Episode 7: Strange Enough
After Mika waved goodbye to the "strange" group of people, which included a monk who sealed his left hand named Miroku, the youkai taijiya named Sango, the "priestess" with weird and familiar clothes named Kagome, the fox demon, the nekomata and finally the hanyou dog demon, Inuyasha.

Meanwhile, Kagura was on her way over to Naraku's hideout when she was struck with a question about Kohaku. Taking the risk, she opened her mouth and asked him what was he doing there.
"Nothing much," he replied, a wavering tone in his voice.
Kagura turned back around and let her mind wander with suspicion.
"You remember everything, don't you, Kohaku," Kagura pointed out. She held onto her fan, which was tucked in her kimono, just in case he got violent. But he merely showed shock, and tried to retain his coolness, but Kagura knew. Kohaku remembered everything, and was no longer in the control of Naraku.
"Don't worry," she assured him, "I won't tell Naraku. I hate him anyways."
"So do I," Kohaku whispered, relieved that he wouldn't be given away.
"In the meantime, just pretend I never said that. Naraku would kill you if he knew you remembered."
"No," he said. He turned his head below the feather, and peered out on the open landscape. "He would probably kill Sango-onee," he added.
"That youkai taijiya right?"
Kohaku nodded.
Swaying with the cold wind, Kagura and Kohaku began to discuss certain things about Naraku and Kohaku's past. When they reached Naraku's hideaway, the two stopped talking, and their facial expressions went blank.

Mika stepped over the rocks that were stuck in the river carefully. One can easily get hurt and fall into the cliff here. Clinging to Hime, she looked over to the side. If she focused as hard as she could, she could see the river led to a waterfall, where the waterfall fell into a lake that was probably a many feet long. Shivering at the thought of splashing into cold, wet water at this time of the day, she quickly made her way over to the other side.
It was nighttime now, with the stars watching the events of Mika and her horse. Shaped like little dots, Mika could see why so many people liked the twinkling spots in the black sky. Then she snatched some branches and two twigs, threw the branches into a heap, then rubbed the twigs, creating friction, which created fire. The fire began as a light creeping through the thin woods, and soon enough, it began crackling wildly. Hime sat down close to the fire and Mika, then let her head fall into the ground. Mika set out back to the river and caught some fish for her dinner. Then she trotted the forest for some mushrooms, and some grass for Hime to eat.
When she returned Hime was fast asleep. Trying to make as little as noise possible, Mika stuck the fish onto another twig and let it roast. She lay on her back and gazed at the stars. Eventually, sleep weighed her eyelids down, and she fell too, fast asleep.
'Sahi, where are you?' A little girl rushed across the village searching for that something.
Mika felt her heard pound.
'Sahi! Please...come back!!! Why'd you leave me...'
Mika could hear the whimper of a dog. Her heart was now clear and loud in her mind.
'Mika-chan, don't go over there!!! Mika!!!' a woman's voice called. A large oni rose against the hills and flattened the mountains. With his saliva dripping down, and his horns sticking out like green swords, it was enough to freeze Mika to the floor.
Suddenly the scenery changed. The background in her dream was black, just pitch black. Mika saw her little self holding her knees, crying, crying ever so sadly.
'I hear she lost a dog to the oni up in the mountains. It was just a dog.' Another villager woman whispered back. 'I know, my husband suffered worse injuries that stupid thieving animal!'
Mika felt her heart jump. No, no, no, please wake up, please wake up!!!
"Uh!" Mika gasped, her breathing heavy with fatigue and worry. Mika had never had such a nightmare, especially a nightmare of her past.
I just need a drink of water. A drink of... She got up and realized that she had only slept for a few minutes. The fish were barely golden, and the fire was growing smaller because of the wind. She shook her head, trying to make the horrible images fade away, but they would not leave. They clung to the back of her head like little invisible arms scratching at her conscious, scratching deeper and deeper...

[Sango]

Episode 8: Hakudoshi and The Infant
Hakudoshi was sleeping soundly in a corner with The Infant sucking his thumb. He opened his eyes when he heard the sound of somebody step in the dusty and quiet room. He looked up and saw Kagura.
"Hakudoshi? What are you doing here? Where's Naraku?"
"He had some business to do. By the way, I have something for you to do if you're bored." He got up and grabbed his scythe. "Come with me," he ordered.
Minutes later, Kagura was following Hakudoshi in the air, the wind blowing at great speed on at her face. She was used to it, but the more they stayed in the air, the more she wished for her freedom. After a while, Hakudoshi landed on top of a cliff and watched Kagura jump off her feather.
"Go inside and check it out." He looked at a dark cave that lay ahead of them. A horrible stench was coming out, giving it anyone the shivers.
Kagura frowned in irritation and took a step forward inside. She made a face at the smell. Darn, what is in here? It stinks...
Then suddenly a huge claw swept at Kagura's shoulder, and barely missed her head. Kagura jumped at the sudden welcome of this thing, and held her shoulder. It was bleeding, but soon it regenerated because of her missing heart. The stench became worse and she could make out a outline of red eyes in the blackness.
"It's the Oni, only it isn't your average oni." Hakudoshi piped up, smirking. "It's the perfect candidate. Kill him, Kagura."
"Are you kidding me? That thing is--" Kagura dogded another menacing swipe at her, "--twice my size, I can't kill--"
"Do it Kagura," he demanded. Kagura felt her heart being squeezed. She could feel so much pain in her chest and raised her fan. Shooting wind blades at the oni, she could hear the blood splattering, and the pain going away. Wincing in agony, she turned to Hakudoshi.
"Are you in pain?"
Kagura coughed and breathed heavily. "What do you plan to do with this thing?"
"Use it of course." He turned to the entrance of the cave, which was marked with the bright light from the moon. Kagura dragged the dead monster outside and watched Hakudoshi grabbing the oni's hair or what was the remains of it.
"Let's go, Kagura," and they set off, with Kagura thinking about how much she loathed him.

Mika splashed her face with the cold, refreshing, liquid and let herself stare at the mirrored reflection. The moving but still water showed the moon, her deep brown eyes, her almost-cherry lips, and her black long bangs that fell directly above her eyes. And her hair fell loosely behind her back. She looked at the sky and saw a flash of light. A shooting star? Mika folded her hands and made her wish.

After washing her face at least three more times, she marched back to her makeshift fire. The fire was still alive, and the fish was pleasantly golden brown. She picked up the stick that stuck through the fish and bit into it. It soothed her stomach as she ate more, but burned her lips. Nevertheless, it was food. Hime opened a eye and nibbled Mika's arm.
Where's my share?
Mika turned to her horse, meeting her blue, small eyes. "Oh, Hime, are you hungry?" Mika set down the finished fish and took out a bundle of grass.
"I dried some for you." She laid it on the floor and watched Hime sniff it suspiciously.
"Go on, eat it. It's not poison." Hime snorted and took a cautious bite. After confirming it was not herbs or weeds, she chewed and ate ravenously.
Mika smiled and laid down for another try at sleeping. She turned and tossed on the uncomfortable ground until she finally fell into a fitful dream.
'Go away, we don't need you! I can't see why Omae-san took you in!'
"Please..." she murmured in her sleep.
'You were a good friend Mika. I'm sorry,' the voice said in her nightmare.
"Please don't leave me!" she whispered again.
'Mika-chan! Don't go over there! Come back to me...' The woman in the bright kimono held her hand tightly. 'It's going to be alright. Just hold on...'
Then suddenly the scene changed black, just like her previous nightmare.
'He likes Nagato-chan, I just know it...' she heard her voice say.
Just know it...just know it...

When morning rose, those words were the only thoughts Mika held in her mind. It seemed so old, yet so new.

Kikyo walked through the mountain path slowly and alone. It reminded her of Inuyasha every time she saw the same trees that she pinned him on every time he would stalk her. And the flowers reminded her of the times she spent with Inuyasha alone. Everything on the mountain told her memories of Inuyasha, just Inuyasha.
But I'm just the walking dead. He belongs with Kagome now.
Kagome. She was the reincarnation of her, and she was Inuyasha's lover now.
She's so lucky. Naraku can't separate Inuyasha from her. Not the way he did to us.
Kikyo wished she could go back in time and restart everything. From the time she met him, from the time she realized him stalking her everywhere, from the time when Naraku posed as Inuyasha and struck her shoulder. Kikyo reached for her right shoulder. It was the only wound that made her go on, go on to destroy the man that ruined her dreams of being with Inuyasha forever. She had to prevent Naraku from hurting others now, and Kagome especially.
I don't want her experience the same thing I did...
Her thoughts were disturbed when a large boulder came crashing in her direction.
A landslide? Kikyo raised her bow and struck an arrow that blast the boulder into millions of pieces. She shifted her attention to a haunting presence that stood above a cliff on top of her.
It was some sort of a man, between a youkai and a dead zombie. Its skin was purple and white and was a bit creepy to even look at him. Beside him stood Hakudoshi, who was grinning triumphantly.
"Hakudoshi, what are you doing here?"
"Isn't that obvious? To test Moryomaru on you." He raised his hand and the monster flew down from the cliff. Slamming on the dirt he glanced menacingly at Kikyo. Gritting her teeth, she aimed an arrow at Moryomaru and let go, the string twinging from the impact.
The arrow lit by the sacred light, flew straight to the beast and hit his head. But when the light cleared, Kikyo could see that the arrow was broke in half. She blinked and realized that he was no longer standing there. She spun on her heels and screamed painfully. She flew across the field and fell unconscious.
"Finish her off, Moryomaru," Hakudoshi directed. Moryomaru obeyed silently and sauntered toward Kikyo, his bloodless claw preparing to crush her shining brightly from the moonlight.

In the distance, Inuyasha felt his heart drop. His nose twitched and a familiar scent of clay flowed into his nostrils. Kikyo?

[Sango]

Episode 9: Moryomaru
Inuyasha jumped up from the branch he was sleeping on. The smell of clay and dead dirt flowed into his nostrils, and he knew immediately who it was. And there was also the smell of youkai surrounding the clay as well.
"Kikyo?" he said out loud. Miroku awoke from his sudden cry.
"What's wrong Inuyasha?"
"Kikyo, she's in danger!" and jumped off without Miroku catching his words.
"Inuyasha wait! Where are you going?" But by now Inuyasha was far into the distance toward the mountain the sun was rising from.

Kikyo groaned as she struggled to get up. I can't sleep at a time like this, she urged herself, and pushed herself off the floor. She could hear Moryomaru's hard footsteps pounding the soft ground, each loud pat louder each second. But no matter how hard she forced her clay body, it would not move.
"I hope you die in pain, Kikyo," Hakudoshi commented, watching her feeble struggles to get up.
Moryomaru raised his hand to strike Kikyo, and when he was just a inch from her face, a flash of red and silver tore across his arm, and a minute later, he was staring dumbly at his severed arm. A long sword, almost shaped like a fang was in front of him now. Hakudoshi grimaced at the sight of Inuyasha.
Inuyasha knelt down to Kikyo and pulled her up. He was still holding her arm when she was standing up.
"Kikyo, are you alright?"
"Inuyasha? Is that you? What are you doing here? Where did you come from? Why--"
"You got talkative all of a sudden. Did he hurt you anywhere?"
"No, I'm fine." Inuyasha let go of her arm. "Thank you," she added.
"Well, well, well, I hate to break your romantic reunion, but I think its about time Kikyo and you, Inuyasha, to die," Hakudoshi yelled and jumped down, his barrier taking effect already. He let his long scythe fall to the floor and held it like a pointer at Inuyasha. He charged at him and hacked at his right arm. Inuyasha countered and stabbed at his left leg, only to have it regenerating.
"Kikyo stay back!" Inuyasha shouted, letting his attention drift for a few moments and went back to guarding against Hakudoshi.
I'm not going to just stand here, Kikyo thought. She drew another arrow, aimed at Moryomaru, let her hand guide the arrow back, and in half a second, the arrow flew at Moryomaru. It struck his head successfully, and tore it off. It fell to the floor, dead.
Hakudoshi paused from attacking Inuyasha and turned his head to look at the dead monster. The Oni wasn't enough huh?
"Moryomaru, let's go," and they disappeared.
"Darn them!!!" cursed Inuyasha. He turned on his heel and spotted Kagome, Kilala, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo flying toward them.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku called out and dropped onto the floor. "You were visiting Kikyo-sama at this time of the day?"
"NO! I just met Hakudoshi here and this other monster."
"Really Inuyasha, stop with the lies," Sango said, rolling her eyes.
"I'm not lying! Why would I have my sword out?"
"You could have been arguing with Kikyo-sama and then decided to cut her in half," joked Miroku.
"It's not funny Miroku," Inuyasha snapped and stormed off the other way. Kagome immediately felt her spirits in the downs. She turned to Kikyo, who was staring at the angry Inuyasha and the group.
"Kikyo, were you really fighting against Hakudoshi?"
"Yes, I was originally, but Moryomaru, Hakudoshi's new creation attacked me."
"Moryomaru? Wasn't he the..."
"He's some sort of youkai bunched up from other Oni."
"But we met a human who was destroying youkai named Goryomaru!"
"He could have been using a human body to find out secrets from you," supposed Kikyo, and turned the other way. Kagome felt her heart lifted a bit. There's no way Kikyo would be lying to me... they weren't meeting after all. But no matter what Kagome told herself, she felt suspicion and jealousy toward Kikyo.

[Sango]

Episode 10: Feelings Don't Come So Easily
Naraku...that guy is suspicious. I need to know more about him.
Mika was walking beside Hime, thinking, thinking about Sesshoumaru and Naraku. She was thinking about these things to get her mind off of those horrific nightmares. So far it was working.
"Maybe I could ask someone...who?" Sesshoumaru, she thought. He knew him for a long time I bet. I could ask him.
Her mind set on looking for this mysterious youkai.
"I just have to remember how his youki is like..."
Then like a miracle, she heard his voice in the distance.
"Knock it off, Jaken," Sesshoumaru's voice said.
"I'm so sorry Sesshoumaru-sama--OW! YOU UNGRATEFUL DOG--OW! I'M SO SORRY! SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!"
Mika ran to her left, with Hime dragging the large cart behind her. There he is, Mika thought. Sesshoumaru was hitting his poor servant, and behind him was a little girl sitting on a two headed demon.
"Sesshoumaru!!!" Mika yelled, and jumped over the rose bush. Sesshoumaru turned around. Jaken, the little demon on the floor next to him yelped and took out his two-headed staff. "Who are you? And how do you know Sesshoumaru-sama's name???"
"I'm simply going to ask him a few questions, is that so bad?"
Sesshoumaru walked away from the scene.
"Yes that is bad, you are a human! No human can talk to him!"
"Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin called, "where are you going?"
"She just called his name." Mika pointed out.
"T-That is a different matter! Rin has nothing to do with this!" Jaken cried angrily.
"What do you want, priestess," Sesshoumaru exclaimed, piping up suddenly.
"Can you tell me anything about that Naraku guy? It'll only take a few minutes! You have like millions of years ahead of you," Mika pleaded.
"No," he replied coldly.
"Then at least let me talk to your servant. He knows stuff right?" Mika said, shrugging her shoulders and pointing to Jaken.
"Do what you want."
"Eh? NO! SESSHOUMARU-SAMA! DON'T LEAVE ME WITH THIS HUMAN!"
"Too bad," she said, and grinned. She pulled him away from the floor and laughed evilly. "You are coming with me little demon."
"My name is Jaken."
"Whatever."

"That's it? He's chasing that baboon guy--"
"SPIDER! I'M WASTING MY TIME TELLING YOU OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT HE IS A SPIDER!"
"But he's made up of other youkai right? So, he's chasing Naraku because he kidnapped Rin?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Jaken cried and stood up. "Sesshoumaru-sama is chasing him because he hurt his pride."
"Oh he has pride all right. He's pretty arrogant and evil too," Mika added.
"Will you stop interrupting me???"
"Hmm...its clear I cannot talk to you. I guess I'll have to follow you guys--"
"NO! WE HAVE ENOUGH HUMANS ALREADY!!!"
"Sesshoumaru won't care, I'm sure," Mika replied, waving her hand up and down. "Its good to have allies anyway."
"YOU'RE JUST A WEAK HUMAN!"
"Say that again and you'll be roasted toad! Let me ask myself!" She jumped on his head and ran to Sesshoumaru, who was towering over her. I'm so short, Mika thought bitterly.
"What do you want? Are you leaving yet?" Sesshoumaru suddenly asked, piling questions on her.
"No, I think I'm going to follow you. Is that okay?"
"No," he snapped.
"Is no the only thing you ever say? I'm not going to bother you. I'm just going to be in the way back where you can't see me."
"I can still smell and hear you."
"Pretty please! You won't have to save me or anything!"
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and ignored her. He continued to walk.
"Hey, hey, hey! I wasn't finished speaking! Listen to me!!!" she cried childishly.
"I can hear you, I'm not deaf. Do whatever you want."
"ALRIGHT!" Mika ran back to Hime, who was stomping on Jaken sadly.
"NEIGH!!!" and took another deathly stomp at Jaken's face.
"You dumb horse!" STOMP! "You insolent, ugly, useless--" CRUSH! "OW! I CAN'T MOVE ANYMORE..."
"That's what you get for taunting Hime. That's the way to go girl!" Mika said and led Hime away from the toad demon. "Sesshoumaru-sama..." he wheezed weakly, "help me."

[Sango]

Episode 11: Where Are You When We Need You?
Mika was glad she had her way. She had some friends now, or what you would call friends. They weren't really best buddies yet. Mika looked at the sky. It was already dark and covered with stars. Sesshoumaru went off somewhere. And the toad demon was asleep, including the little girl named Rin. It seemed so quiet, so serene. Mika longed to sleep too, but she was scared of those haunting dreams. The fire crackling in the center was calming too.
Go to sleep, go to sleep, the fires seemed to whisper. Maybe a minute or two wouldn't hurt. She closed her eyes, and sleep overcame her.

Inuyasha finally came back after a while alone. He was still pouting, but he was teasing Shippo.
"Kagome! Inuyasha is being mean to me!"
"Oh," Kagome replied.
Inuyasha grinned triumphantly. "Your osuwari won't save you now! Ha!"
"Osuwari." Kagome said without emotion.
Inuyasha fell onto the floor, his hair lit by the fire. Soon he heard sizzling at the end of his silver hairs. "AHH! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! IT'S BURNING!"
"Ha to you!" Shippo grabbed Inuyasha's fish-on-the-stick and bit into it happily.
"Why you little--"
"KAGOME!"
"Inuyasha, OSUWARI!!!" Kagome shouted. Then a wave of anger burst from Kagome.
"OSUWARI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI!!!" she screamed and marched away from the campsite. Sango and Miroku sat there, wide eyed.
Sango said, "Never anger Kagome-chan."
Miroku replied, "Very true."

This time, Mika's dream was different. She didn't hear anyone taunting her, or see angry villagers hurting her, or throwing rocks as the other dream showed her. This time, it showed a girl. She had short brown hair that was right above her shoulder, and she seemed like an angel, if only her hair were not brown but blond. She was wearing a red kimono, and in the shadows, she could make out a young man, maybe just 18 years old, staring at her.
Are they friends? Mika thought.
The girl in the red kimono was walking beside a river, and suddenly a whole bunch of youkai attacked her. The girl tried to run, but her slim legs were not fast enough on the wet mud. The boy in the shadows seemed to gasp as he watched the girl in danger.
Then the youkai disappeared by a sacred arrow, (Hama no Ya) and the girl seemed relieved. A hand was held out to her, and when she reached to take it, her smile wore off. A face of surprise and fear took the innocence from her, and then she fell into the river. Moments later, Mika could see the blood flowing away from her.
How...how horrible! Why would anyone... Mika said in her mind. Then the view turned from the girl floating in the river and to the killer. It was a girl. She was wearing stained priestess clothes, long black hair tied loosely, and a very satisfied face that was as similar as Mika's.
I...I killed her? No, no, I don't even know her...I--
Without even thinking it, Mika shrieked out loud in the world of reality, and woke the others beside her.
"What is wrong with you??? A second ago you were talking and now you're screaming! You are so irritating!!!" complained Jaken. Rin merely rubbed her eyes.
"I'm sorry...I just..." she began, but knew it was useless. Maybe I need to see a psychiatrist.
By that time, Sesshoumaru had returned, without any look of lack of sleep. He was probably the most energetic one in the group.
"Why did you scream," Sesshoumaru asked Mika, as Rin and Jaken blew out the flames.
"I had a nightmare, that's all."
"I see." Then he turned and began to walk toward a horrible smell of dead youkai that even Rin could smell.
He isn't so cruel after all...he seems to worry about everyone in here. Then she had a crazy thought ramming into her brain. Maybe that Naraku guy has compassion, if he tried.
She shook her head and took a step forward, following Sesshoumaru into the mist ahead of them.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, where are we going? Where are we? Are you going to visit someone?" Jaken asked.
"Shh!" shushed Mika. She made a gesture at her mouth, as if locking her lips, and threw away an imaginary key. Jaken frowned and let his pace slow down till he was at the way end of the group.
Mika returned her attention ahead. She wasn't used to this quietness, at least not this quiet. And it was not just quiet, it was dead silence. Mika could not even hear the sound of her footsteps. The only thing she could hear was her faint breath, which seemed unreal.
There were no trees in their path at all, and the floor was hard and rocky.If I tripped and fell onto this floor, I think I would get infections and scars. She grimaced at that thought.
Ahead of her was the "all-mighty" Sesshoumaru, and more mist. She was getting pretty tired of mist, and would give anything to see something else, even Naraku's twisted face. Then all of a sudden, Sesshoumaru stopped. Realizing he heard or smelled something, Mika held her breath and listened intently for any signs of life.
At first, it was the same silence as a cemetery. But as the minutes rolled by, Mika could hear a distant howl, very much like a wolf, but it was somewhat different from a wolf's voice. It was like the tune from an instrument, like a modern-day tuba, only softer, smoother, and sadder.
More music from other instruments suddenly took action. Now Mika could hear flutes, more of the distant howls, and wolf calls, loud, deep wails, and a tune from a stringed instrument. The mist grew larger and thicker until Mika could not even see her hands.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! Wait for me Sesshoumaru-sama!" yelled Jaken, but all her could feel was the mist. He decided to take a risk and ran forward. He caught someone's leg. He moved his tiny hands up and down.
"Is this you Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"It is certainly not!" piped up Mika and used her instincts to punch at Jaken. But when she raised her arm, she lost interest and was awed by the music again.
Then the music halted. The wails and low howls disappeared from Mika's ears. Instead of music, a woman's voice spoke in her mind, her voice crystal clear.
Welcome wanderers to my dark castle of death!
"Um, whoever you are, that sounds incredibly lame," Mika whispered out loud. The voice gasped in her mind.
How dare you insult me! Fine, welcome to my domain. Better? Mika grinned. She heard a grunt, this time from the outside world, not in her head.
"Who are you?"
"You wish to seek me? Come find me, if curiosity takes control of you." Fake maniacal laughter followed.
"Whoever lives here sure is a nut, right Sesshoumaru?"
No reply came from the silent man.
"I said, whoever lives here sure is a nut. Are you there?"
Still no one replied. It stayed silent and cold like a hospital at night.
"Oh brother. Don't tell me you've abandoned us!!!" she screamed. Jaken clung tightly to Mika's legs and screamed with her.
Then a wispy blue flashed across Mika's eyes. A long tail brushed across her shoulder. She jumped in the air and looked around. The mist was still thick, but the shining flying objects could be seen clearly. Snake-like monsters were swimming in the air, trying to bite and cling to Mika like parasites.
"Uh...I hate snakes..." She bit her lip and held her head to the mist-covered sky. She closed her eyes and shrieked, "WHERE ARE YOU SESSHOUMARU WHEN WE NEED YOU???"

[Sango]

Episode 12: The Mist Settler Yukuro
The floating snakes were green and white, some blue, some purple. They gave off a ghostly aura, and each time they passed Mika, it gave her a shiver. She felt so cold, so dreadfully cold. She wanted something to hold, she wanted to run.
"Sesshoumaru! Where are you?" she yelled, holding her arms, trying to warm up. She fell to her knees. Warm tears rolled down onto her cheeks. She was so cold, she was crying.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." Jaken wheezed and let his hands slip from Mika's pant leg. He tumbled and fell flat on the floor, coughing horribly.
Behind them was Rin, who fell from Ah-Un onto the floor as well.
"Sesshoumaru...please come...Rin's going to..." Mika could feel her breath slowing, slowing until her vision went black. The last thing she heard was her body's pat as she plummeted onto the rocky ground.

But Sesshoumaru would not come back. He could not even hear their cries for his help. His senses were blocked out. He could not see, he could not smell, and his hearing was definitely not helpful. So he continued to walk forward, firm with the thought that he would be able to see and hear after if he moved passed this mist.
The mist was trying to slow him down, and after a while, he realized there was a barrier.
A barrier is it, he thought, without stopping his continuous pace. Then the same voice that spoke in Mika's head boomed across the large area of mist.
"What do you want, dog demon," the voice said.
"I want answers from you, that's want I want."
"Huh! As if the great Yukuro would tell a insolent, foolish, human-bringer anything." Yukuro paused. "Maybe I'll tell you something if you give me something in return..."
"Like what?" Sesshoumaru finally emerged from the mist and spotted ahead of him a enormous manor, its gates shut tightly.
"Those young girls you have with you. I could use their flesh for some pretty nice medicine," Yukuro demanded.
"Then forget it."
"Wait, wait, wait! Fine, just one of them. The older one. You know, the priestess. I'll take her. If you give her to me, I'll tell whatever you want to know. I'll tell your future too, 'kay?"
Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to protest when he heard a shout for help. He turned around sharply and ran back inside the mist.
"Hey wait!!! I'm not finished speaking!" Yukuro yelled.

Mika struggled to get the youkai away from Jaken and Rin. The snakes swirled around Ah-Un, messing with their heads, confusing then with their clever moves. And while they distracted the two-headed beast, they bit and scratched at Mika, who was greatly weakened by the mist, which was actually shoki(miasma for you Inuyasha English Dub Fans). The floating snakes snatched away her bow and arrows, and pulled at Rin's hair.
A crackling sound filled the silent air. Mika used her last ounce of strength to look up and see who it was. She felt someone lift her up into the sky, then heard this person's feet set on the ground that the mist did not cover. When she finally managed to open her eyes, she saw Sesshoumaru's strong hands holding her gently but firmly. He let her drop to the floor. She tried to open her mouth to speak but she was so tired. Rin-chan...Jaken...I hope you guys are all right...
Minutes later, Rin was beside her, breathing soundly and safely. She raised a hand and let it fall against her cheek. Sesshoumaru returned with Jaken and walked in the opposite direction. Yukuro's voice stormed across the field again.
"WAIT! WAIT! What about our deal? Okay, just give me the toad then!"
Sesshoumaru did not stop walking away.
"WAIT!" Yukuro said, only this time, it was younger, and well...more childish. Out of the mist came out of a little girl with silver hair. Her kimono was several sizes bigger than her, and a huge beaded necklace had to be wrapped around her neck five times to stay off the floor.
"What's so bad about giving me little human girls?" whined Yukuro. Mika's eyes became large white plates and even Sesshoumaru was surprised.
"Y-You're a little girl?" Mika asked.
"OF COURSE NOT! This is not my real form. Don't I look innocent and cute--"
"Ahem," Mika interrupted, clearing her throat, "I don't think hurting a little girl is innocent."
"Pfft! If you saw my beauty, the dog demon over there would fall over." Yukuro fluffed her hair.
With confidence in his tone, Sesshoumaru said, "Try me."
"With pleasure," and the mist surrounded her. Puffs of smoke covered her entire body and when the steam cleared, she became a young woman in her twenties. Her lips were now colored by red rouge, and her silver hair flowed down. Her kimono now fit her nicely, and the beads seemed small. She stood towering over Mika and Rin, and was as tall as Sesshoumaru, even though she was female.
"Well?"
"I'm seen better looking women than you," Sesshoumaru retorted and turned his attention from her.
Yukuro looked hurt. "Well excuse me! How rude! So you're saying this human girl is better looking than me huh?" she shouted, pointing rudely at Mika.
"Yes, she's a goddess compared to you," he snapped.
Mika felt her ears turn pink. What a sweet side he has!
"You have no manners to the elderly do you?"
"So you're admitting you're old?"
Yukuro gritted her teeth and grunted. "Hmph! Do whatever you want, but don't ever come on my property ever again!" Yukuro waited for him to reply. But when she turned, Sesshoumaru and the others were already way ahead.
"Hmm...they make a cute couple." she chuckled and began to walk her way back to her manor when the two-headed beast shocked her by charging toward their distant companions.
"Hmm..." Ah-Un groaned and flew after them.

Mika felt herself warming up to Sesshoumaru.
He's not that bad after all. He's so shy, she thought and giggled.
"Thank you Sesshoumaru for saving me! I owe you!" She ran forward and patted his shoulder.
He turned his head to glare at her, but she was so happy, she didn't notice.
"AH! Sesshoumaru-sama, are you angry?" Jaken asked, with fright in his voice. Mika blinked and patted his head.
"You look so cute when you're angry! Now cheer up! We lived through that didn't we?"
Sesshoumaru gave her another irritated look. "Stop touching my arm. You're annoying."
"HA HA! YOU GOT TOLD OFF!" teased Jaken, laughing as if it were his victory.
Mika felt one of her veins crack. Annoying???
"HMPH! ANNOYING HUH? FINE BE THAT WAY, YOU ARROGANT, UNGRATEFUL DOG! ONE DAY, I'M GOING TO SHOOT YOU TO A TREE AND LET YOU ROT!" The intensity of her anger rose and she aimed it all at Jaken. She cracked her knuckles and marched toward Jaken.
"Wait, wait, I didn't say a word--OW! PLEASE, PLEASE SPARE ME!!!"
When Mika was done with her punishment, Jaken no longer looked like himself. There were three bumps on his head, he had a black eye, and a sprained leg.
"Rin, help me..."
"No, sorry Jaken-sama. You deserved that," and brushed pass him.
"You guys, don't be so mean. Don't leave me behind--SMACK OW! OUCH!"
"Be quiet Jaken," Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama."

[Sango]

Episode 13: I Begin To Understand (Special POV featuring Mika!)
My face was wet by the rain by the time I took shelter under the branches of the tree. It had suddenly begun to rain when I embarked on this mountain with Sesshoumaru and his "companions". And there were no dark, gloomy, big clouds hovering above us, so it was not normal for it to be raining. Especially on a mountain that was quite warm, now extremely soaked and muddy from the falling raindrops.
"When is Sesshoumaru-sama coming back???" complained a certain toad. Jaken was always complaining these days, and for the first time of my life, I did wonder where did that selfish Sesshoumaru go.
Sesshoumaru. I had only spent a week with him and I believe he still does not even know my name. Well, I'm going to tell him when he comes back, I thought bitterly. But now was not the time to be regretting the late introduction. I was worried; the rain was pouring harder every minute, and Rin couldn't last.
Rin was the little girl in the colorful kimono that seemed to follow Sesshoumaru like a pet. I was actually surprised he even let her follow him; but I knew even he wouldn't just abandon a little girl who saved his life to the wild.
"He's not coming back anytime soon is he," I commented and sat there some more.
"No, he's not," Jaken replied and grimaced as he struggled to strike a fire. I shook my head. It was common sense that you couldn't start a fire when you have a shower coming down from the sky.
"Forget about a fire, we need to worry about how to find somewhere where the rain can't possibly fall on us. Think Jaken," I said, standing up. I stretched my stiff legs a bit and heard a groan from my stomach. I was fairly hungry, and I would have bet my good ol' horse Hime (who was huddled as small as she could behind us) that the others were starving as well.
"We also need to worry about where to get some food. I'm not going to last any longer than this."
Jaken ignored my comment about food and suggested, "What about that cart that your horse drags around? We can use that as shelter can't we?"
"No way! It's already wet enough. I don't need your dirtiness dirtying it everywhere!"
"You're just about as dirty and muddy as me!" he groaned.
I looked to the sky. It didn't look like clouds to me, but it was gray and depressing all the same.
"You know what, I can't wait anymore. I'm going to find where that Sesshoumaru is! Stay here with Rin and Ah-Un, alright?"
"WAIT A MO! Don't JUST LEAVE ME HERE--" protested Jaken, but I was already running from the rain.

In my hand, I clutched my bow and supply of arrows tightly. Maybe he got engaged in a fight or something. Maybe that's why he won't come back. But my assurance didn't sound convincing. I was still worried.
I started cough and sneeze. The water was so cold, I think my fingers were getting frostbite! I took a quick glance at my hands. They were red and the skin texture was of like a prune, but still pale tan.
I kept on running until I heard thunder. My shaking knees fell to the mountain floor. It crashed somewhere a bit far from my location, but nevertheless, I was scared. When I was small, I remember hiding under my blankets whenever the godly lighting tore across the sky. The fear remained dormant until now.
Then when I was sure the thunder was gone, I got up and took a step forward when something slimy wrapped around my ankles.
"AH!" I mumbled and slipped back onto the damp earth. I could taste and feel the grit in my mouth. GROSS! I thought with dismay and scrambled to get back up on my two feet. But the evil crackle of laughter was all that I needed to cling to the land.
"It makes me laugh to see you so powerless, Mika," Naraku said. I shut my eyes and begged that it was not him. I opened my mouth to reply him.
"You are laughing, you half-breed fool," I snapped.
"It seems so."
Get up Mika! The bad guy is right behind you and you're sleeping on your stomach. He could kill you any moment!!! my mind urged, but my heart was pounding so hard, all I could do was grip to the mud. Biting my lip, I wished that he would ignore me.
"What do you want," I asked, my mouth trembling with fright. I tried not to show it, but I guess he heard anyway.
But by the time I murmured those words, someone whisked me away already.
"What are you doing here," someone said, the words blurred from rain.
"Looking for you," I mumbled and fell into sleep, at the wrong time.
And immediately, I had a horrible nightmare of my past.
I remember...
I remember that day when I went into the hut. I was going to feed Sahi, my little dog. Only what I found there was not what I expected.
I can still hear my frail voice calling his name. I remember calling Sahi and running back outside to tell my teacher about the blood in the hut.
I can still see the scene so clear, as if it were yesterday.
I said to my sensei, 'Omae-sensei, I think someone killed the chickens in the hut.'
And she replied with sorrow in her eyes, 'I'm afraid those weren't the chickens...'
I remember the shocked scream I yelled when I saw my sensei holding Sahi with quavering hands, shaking so much that the blood poured from her hands.
I remember the massacre of the village earlier that day. Just because of my foolishness, my naiveness, that simple mistake.

I could hear Sesshoumaru place me down gently again, and leave me to fight Naraku. I wanted to get up so badly, but my body still refused, the nightmare rerunning many times in my mind.
Even without my sight and the unholy dreams blocking my sight and senses, I knew he was struggling. Naraku had him trapped. There were tentacles surrounding him, and each striking at a different tempo. There was even tentacles in the sky.

Then someone's hands touched my warm face. I could hear that girl named Kagome's voice whisper my name.
"Mika-chan! Are you alright?"
"Does she seem alright? You ask the worse questions at the wrong times!" Inuyasha shouted and took out his sword, the metal scraping the sheath.
"Inuyasha!" I heard her voice strain. I felt her hands snatch something and felt liquid poured into my dry lips.
The rain was still pouring, ice cold but all I cared was Sesshoumaru.
He could die in that condition! I have to get up...
And some blind fury took a hold of me and I snatched my bow. I forced my eyes open, my head aching painfully. I aimed the arrow at Naraku's head and let go. The string shook as the arrow flew. I collapsed and knew I finally got his attention from Sesshoumaru.
The following events happened so fast I could not believe them. At first, I just felt the rain continuously falling on my cheek. Then I felt the tentacles wind around my legs and pull me toward him. A few feet away I saw Sesshoumaru struggling to get away from the tentacles and Inuyasha hacking at the tentacles.
"I won't give up even if you cut me into pieces!" I reached out my red hands and grasped the tentacles. I felt warm light on my hands and began to tear them apart.
"You will suffer for all you've done Naraku!"
Naraku started to chuckle at my frenzied attempt but was shocked when his souls came flying out.
"What's going on???" Sango shouted, her breath heavy as she cut off more of the tentacles. Miroku who was standing beside her was too shocked to say anything.
His souls were all tainted black but when they reached me they turned white and pure.
Then as a final attempt to escape, Naraku raised a free tentacle and struck my ankle and tossed me off the mountain.

[Sango]

Episode 13: I Begin To Understand (Special POV featuring Mika!)
My face was wet by the rain by the time I took shelter under the branches of the tree. It had suddenly begun to rain when I embarked on this mountain with Sesshoumaru and his "companions". And there were no dark, gloomy, big clouds hovering above us, so it was not normal for it to be raining. Especially on a mountain that was quite warm, now extremely soaked and muddy from the falling raindrops.
"When is Sesshoumaru-sama coming back???" complained a certain toad. Jaken was always complaining these days, and for the first time of my life, I did wonder where did that selfish Sesshoumaru go.
Sesshoumaru. I had only spent a week with him and I believe he still does not even know my name. Well, I'm going to tell him when he comes back, I thought bitterly. But now was not the time to be regretting the late introduction. I was worried; the rain was pouring harder every minute, and Rin couldn't last.
Rin was the little girl in the colorful kimono that seemed to follow Sesshoumaru like a pet. I was actually surprised he even let her follow him; but I knew even he wouldn't just abandon a little girl who saved his life to the wild.
"He's not coming back anytime soon is he," I commented and sat there some more.
"No, he's not," Jaken replied and grimaced as he struggled to strike a fire. I shook my head. It was common sense that you couldn't start a fire when you have a shower coming down from the sky.
"Forget about a fire, we need to worry about how to find somewhere where the rain can't possibly fall on us. Think Jaken," I said, standing up. I stretched my stiff legs a bit and heard a groan from my stomach. I was fairly hungry, and I would have bet my good ol' horse Hime (who was huddled as small as she could behind us) that the others were starving as well.
"We also need to worry about where to get some food. I'm not going to last any longer than this."
Jaken ignored my comment about food and suggested, "What about that cart that your horse drags around? We can use that as shelter can't we?"
"No way! It's already wet enough. I don't need your dirtiness dirtying it everywhere!"
"You're just about as dirty and muddy as me!" he groaned.
I looked to the sky. It didn't look like clouds to me, but it was gray and depressing all the same.
"You know what, I can't wait anymore. I'm going to find where that Sesshoumaru is! Stay here with Rin and Ah-Un, alright?"
"WAIT A MO! Don't JUST LEAVE ME HERE--" protested Jaken, but I was already running from the rain.

In my hand, I clutched my bow and supply of arrows tightly. Maybe he got engaged in a fight or something. Maybe that's why he won't come back. But my assurance didn't sound convincing. I was still worried.
I started cough and sneeze. The water was so cold, I think my fingers were getting frostbite! I took a quick glance at my hands. They were red and the skin texture was of like a prune, but still pale tan.
I kept on running until I heard thunder. My shaking knees fell to the mountain floor. It crashed somewhere a bit far from my location, but nevertheless, I was scared. When I was small, I remember hiding under my blankets whenever the godly lighting tore across the sky. The fear remained dormant until now.
Then when I was sure the thunder was gone, I got up and took a step forward when something slimy wrapped around my ankles.
"AH!" I mumbled and slipped back onto the damp earth. I could taste and feel the grit in my mouth. GROSS! I thought with dismay and scrambled to get back up on my two feet. But the evil crackle of laughter was all that I needed to cling to the land.
"It makes me laugh to see you so powerless, Mika," Naraku said. I shut my eyes and begged that it was not him. I opened my mouth to reply him.
"You are laughing, you half-breed fool," I snapped.
"It seems so."
Get up Mika! The bad guy is right behind you and you're sleeping on your stomach. He could kill you any moment!!! my mind urged, but my heart was pounding so hard, all I could do was grip to the mud. Biting my lip, I wished that he would ignore me.
"What do you want," I asked, my mouth trembling with fright. I tried not to show it, but I guess he heard anyway.
But by the time I murmured those words, someone whisked me away already.
"What are you doing here," someone said, the words blurred from rain.
"Looking for you," I mumbled and fell into sleep, at the wrong time.
And immediately, I had a horrible nightmare of my past.
I remember...
I remember that day when I went into the hut. I was going to feed Sahi, my little dog. Only what I found there was not what I expected.
I can still hear my frail voice calling his name. I remember calling Sahi and running back outside to tell my teacher about the blood in the hut.
I can still see the scene so clear, as if it were yesterday.
I said to my sensei, 'Omae-sensei, I think someone killed the chickens in the hut.'
And she replied with sorrow in her eyes, 'I'm afraid those weren't the chickens...'
I remember the shocked scream I yelled when I saw my sensei holding Sahi with quavering hands, shaking so much that the blood poured from her hands.
I remember the massacre of the village earlier that day. Just because of my foolishness, my naiveness, that simple mistake.

I could hear Sesshoumaru place me down gently again, and leave me to fight Naraku. I wanted to get up so badly, but my body still refused, the nightmare rerunning many times in my mind.
Even without my sight and the unholy dreams blocking my sight and senses, I knew he was struggling. Naraku had him trapped. There were tentacles surrounding him, and each striking at a different tempo. There was even tentacles in the sky.

Then someone's hands touched my warm face. I could hear that girl named Kagome's voice whisper my name.
"Mika-chan! Are you alright?"
"Does she seem alright? You ask the worse questions at the wrong times!" Inuyasha shouted and took out his sword, the metal scraping the sheath.
"Inuyasha!" I heard her voice strain. I felt her hands snatch something and felt liquid poured into my dry lips.
The rain was still pouring, ice cold but all I cared was Sesshoumaru.
He could die in that condition! I have to get up...
And some blind fury took a hold of me and I snatched my bow. I forced my eyes open, my head aching painfully. I aimed the arrow at Naraku's head and let go. The string shook as the arrow flew. I collapsed and knew I finally got his attention from Sesshoumaru.
The following events happened so fast I could not believe them. At first, I just felt the rain continuously falling on my cheek. Then I felt the tentacles wind around my legs and pull me toward him. A few feet away I saw Sesshoumaru struggling to get away from the tentacles and Inuyasha hacking at the tentacles.
"I won't give up even if you cut me into pieces!" I reached out my red hands and grasped the tentacles. I felt warm light on my hands and began to tear them apart.
"You will suffer for all you've done Naraku!"
Naraku started to chuckle at my frenzied attempt but was shocked when his souls came flying out.
"What's going on???" Sango shouted, her breath heavy as she cut off more of the tentacles. Miroku who was standing beside her was too shocked to say anything.
His souls were all tainted black but when they reached me they turned white and pure.
Then as a final attempt to escape, Naraku raised a free tentacle and struck my ankle and tossed me off the mountain.

[Sango]

Episode 15: Never Yell At A Daimyo
"Are we there yet? I'm starving!!!" complained Mika.
Sesshoumaru, Rin, Jaken, Ah-Un, and Mika had been traveling away the mountains and rivers for 3 days, and during that time, well, Sesshoumaru hadn't been taking care of Mika. Not that he was obliged to.
"Will you stop your useless moaning and groaning? I can't see why Sesshoumaru-sama even c-" Jaken spluttered then stopped at a certain word. Mika was clinging on the back of Sesshoumaru and was giving him a very mean look. Jaken decided it was time to close his mouth.
"Well at least take a bath or something. You stink," Jaken muttered. He hoped Mika had heard but all she did was yawn and ignore him. Stinking human. One day I hope wild animals tear her apart!
Then suddenly Sesshoumaru stopped. He set Mika down roughly and then left his companions at the foot of a hill.
"Jaken come with me," Sesshoumaru ordered. Jaken gulped and followed him nervously. If he had to come, he was going to be in danger.

"Hey, Rin-chan, do you want to go sightseeing in the nearby village? It'll be safe and fun!"
"But it's scary there..." Rin complained.
"You're scared of humans more than youkai?"
Rin nodded. "They killed everyone that's why."
"I understand. But you have me so no one's going to harm you. Besides, I think a doctor has to look at my foot or I'll never walk again. Can you lend me your hand?"
Rin stood up and pulled her up with all of her strength. Slowly they walked to the village.

"Oh what is that? Does that taste good?" questioned Rin. All around her were government officials, merchant stalls and bundles and bundles of silk that even attracted color loving birds, things she had never seen or had not seen for a very long time. But that was not all; it was also a carnival and that meant food. Fresh fish and vegetables all shapes and sizes were free and cheap today.
Mika and Rin grabbed all of the freebies and sat down at an alley of the town.
"Ah! Dumplings are certainly good! I haven't had such a good meal in a time!"
"I prefer fish better..." Rin moaned.
"Oh, you really hate the city don't you. Okay, let's go then."
"No its okay! Its really fun! We can stay a bit longer."
Mika smiled. "All right, if you insist. Hey, look at that guy! He's giving free rice balls! Want to get some?"
"I have never seen such trash like you here before," a voice said behind them. Feeling insulted, the miko turned sharply.
A man equipped with a goatee and little hair was standing full of pride was fanning himself with a fan. He was donned with very expensive red and gold cloths and many soldiers were guarding him.
Those clothes... a daimyo? Oh dear...
"I-We're not trash. We're just visitors."
"Well, if you're visitors," the daimyo chuckled, strolling toward Mika, "why such a pretty girl like you isn't in my service yet?" He touched her cheek, only to have his hand slapped away by her.
"Travelers. Travelers like us do not belong to any town. Let's go--ow, Rin-chan can you help me?"
The daimyo frowned and furrowed his brows. "I see that you are a miko. May I ask you come to my manor today?"
"Sorry but I have to turn it down. My friends are waiting and they hate to be waited on." She began to turn away and stagger back to the multiplying crowd.
But the daimyo refused to give up. He struck his hand out and snatched her wrist.
"You will come to my manor. If not I will kill that little girl next to you." He tightened his grasp then let go. Gesturing to his soldiers, he marched across the carnival.
"Rotten conceited man. We'll be long gone then right?"
Rin nodded and pulled on her hand. "Can we go now? He kinda scares me."
"Oh that's right! Scary man isn't he! Let's go," she said once more.
They sauntered back to the spot Sesshoumaru left them and waited. And waited. And waited. And yet, there was no sign that Sesshoumaru was coming.
"I'm starting to regret turning him down. I'm kind of hungry. Are you Rin?"
"No, not really," she replied. They sat in silence longer.
"Do you think we could go to his manor without Sesshoumaru worrying? I mean he sure took long this time."
"I don't want to go."
"Its big and everything! We can just take a peek!"
Rin shook her head no. "The men are scary."
Mika shut her mouth. She didn't want to force her. "Do you want to keep waiting?"
This time, she didn't reply.
At this time someone had touched Mika's shoulder and startled her.
"Who is it this time," she snapped and gasped. The daimyo was gripping hard. "Ow!"
"You didn't come," he murmured, menace building in his eyes.
"I never said--uh--I'd come," she managed to mumble.
"Mika-san!" Rin shouted but was held back by suspicious men.
"Take her to the dungeon. And as for you," the daimyo said to Mika, "you'll be coming with me."

The daimyo's men blindfolded Rin and Mika as they smuggled them to his manor (or castle, if that's more easier to imagine) like how criminals in the modern world smuggle drugs. Only it was simple as putting cake in your mouth because the daimyo owned the land so no one suspected him trying to smuggle in two hopeless girls.
They locked Rin up in a dungeon below the manor and Mika was forced to walk grudgingly next to the daimyo. Finally, when they were alone in his room, she stared in his eyes and asked, "What do you want with me?"
The daimyo turned to her with an emotionless face at first, but then suddenly smirked widely. Mika glanced at him anxiously and with horror. "You're not human...are you..."
The daimyo guffawed and clutched her left wrist tightly. "What I want you surely know. Haven't you heard that young girl's flesh brings good things? Especially those that are supernatural..." A long tongue extended from his mouth. Scars and marks showed that it had mutated. The man was human, but he had eaten so many youkai, priests, and priestesses, he was no inhuman. And now he was planning to eat
Mika.
Unless you were crazy, you would refuse to be eaten by this monster. And of course, Mika did exactly that.
"No! Let go of me!" She flung her wrist in the air in many directions, trying to fling him off. But he held tight on, like a bottom stuck to glue.
"Hmm...I like bony parts...the squeals the victims give are so interesting...some go "AHHH" and some go "NO!" oh and some even die immediately," he explained, examining her left ankle, which unfortunately was not all better. It was still sprained, and at this time, at the wrong time, it was the skinniest part of her body. The mutated daimyo began to drool at the thought of another caught prey while Mika groaned and moaned at his saliva touching her skin. She desperately tried to escape yet he was too strong, too strong for a girl to overpower him. Then finally, he charged forward and bit into the fleshiest part of her ankle.

Rin sat in that dark and gloomy dungeon for what seemed to be hours though it was only minutes they had thrown her in. She couldn't get out (obviously) because she was blindfolded for one thing, and her hands and legs were all tied up to a pole. So no matter where she squirmed, the ropes didn't get looser or break. Then after a while she gave up.
I wonder what is that man going to do to Mika-san? If he eats her or something, that would be terrible... But I can't get out of these ropes...
Rin rubbed her bare feet across the rocky floor. Then something cut her big toe. She looked down yet could not see anything and decided that touching that something would be ideal choice. So she let her feet rub the floor once more and the something cut her toe again. She stopped and touched the edges of this something and realized it was a rock. A very sharp rock that could break the ropes, surely.
But now that she had something that would get her out, how was she supposed to bring it up to the back of her hands when another rope was tied to her waist to a pole? The only way to do it would be to pick it up with her feet. But then again, they were tied as well.
This predicament made Rin frustrated, as any young child would be, and soon she gave up trying to pick it up. She couldn't rescue Mika. She couldn't escape. Surely, they would not survive.
Unless someone would save them.
But then again, that someone was far, far away. He was in some mountain looking for his enemy with his servant.
Rin thought again. Who else would save them?
And by racking her brains of who would come save them, she amused herself for the next 15 minutes of boredom.

The priestess didn't know whether to scream or not. When you have a sprained ankle, and a monster with a many sharp teeth that bites into your poorly sprained ankle, you obviously have no other choice but scream right?
But Mika couldn't scream. In fact, she felt no pain. No pain? How can that be, she thought. Wincing by instinct she peered down and saw her ankle being bitten away.
There was blood, and a lot of blood indeed. Maybe she was so scared, she couldn't scream anymore. Maybe because of her fear, maybe her body had reacted to that by numbing everything. But that was not the case.
She looked again, closer this time. Now she could see that in the blood were tiny blue particles. Then suddenly, a wave of tiredness swept over her and she fell unconscious.

[Sango]

Episode 16: Yukuro's Determination
"I hate dogs, I hate them, I absolutely wish I could kill them!!!" the mist settler grumbled. A bunch of wild dogs had just driven off her from her home and a hunting dog had stole her food, which was preserved boar meat. Now she was starving in the middle of nowhere.
"If it weren't for that stupid dog demon, I believe I would still be living happily in my house. BUT he had to come with that stupid girl, with his stupid companions, and insulted me with stupid comments, and gave me the stupid dog smell that attracted those stupid dogs that ruined my house and pooped their stupid poop on my property!!!"
She pounded her angry fists on a nearby tree. "He will pay, oh yes, that stupid dog demon will pay! Acting so stupidly proud! Hmmph! Well someday he'll see. I'll go to his house and ruin it!"
And then Yukuro realized that she didn't even know where his home was, or that he even had one. He's more of a traveling type huh...
"ARGH! This is not going to get me back my home! And my precious herbs..." Yukuro sobbed. Second to her life was the herbs she collected and the experiments she did.
"Uh...I don't have time to yell about things like that... I've got to get some food..." She sat down to rest her legs, dreaming about food. She dreamed of fleshy meat and grimaced at the thought of not being able to find a human village and eat all the rice she could have.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, do you think it is a good idea to leave Rin all alone with that human in that abandoned forest? What if Naraku goes and kidnaps her? Then you would have to run all the way back and go save and have him escape..." Jaken said.
"He won't escape."
"You say that my lord, but he does manage to escape every time--"
"That's because Inuyasha is there."
"Is it really his fault? I mean, maybe you need something more powerful? Maybe a new weapon?"
"My sword is fine."
"Well..."
"Will you be quiet for a minute?"
Jaken nodded and followed him silently. Minutes dragged as they strolled along side the mountain. Jaken couldn't withstand the silence any longer. He longed for some noise. And then he got it.

"That voice... its that annoying toad that was traveling with that stupid dog demon!" Yukuro said and ran off in the direction of Jaken's booming voice. Heh heh, that dumb toad. Now that you gave away your master, I can now--
"AHHHH!" she suddenly screamed and fell down into a hole that was purposely dug out and covered with leaves and branches of dead trees. This was a lesson for Yukuro to look before walking, something that she never thought about in her long and happy life. She touched her sore back and stood up, looking at the sunlight that peeped through the openings made by the trees. Then she sniffed the branches. It reeked of human hands.
"Oh no. Don't tell me I got caught in a human trap??? Me? THE GREAT MIST SETTLER YUKURO???"
"Hey, we caught something!" a villager said.
"Uh oh," Yukuro whispered. She searched frantically around the ditch for any loose vines she could climb up. She whistled and waited for her snake-like creatures to come. Nothing came.
"Darn, they must have gotten killed or eaten by those dogs..."
"What is that thing down there?" a man asked his comrades.
"Doesn't look like food," another replied.
"I'M NOT EDIBLE!!!" Yukuro barked.
"Oh my gosh! It spoke..." a broad man with an axe commented.
"I think its some kind of mushroom," a large woman suggested.
"WHAT???" Yukuro shrieked. She huddled into a corner. "This is ridiculous," she said again.
"Are you sure it isn't a lizard? Can't you see that tail?"
Yukuro could feel the fury inside her. "How insulting..."
"It's a youkai you dummies!" a young voice shouted behind the crowding men and women.
"What?"
"Now they find out," Yukuro said. "Well, I'm not staying any longer." Yukuro knelt down, building the power in her legs and sprang up from her jump. Her snake-like creatures finally arrived and carried her away. As they set her down in another unknown part of another forest she felt the ground below her collapse.
"OH COME ON!!!" her voice boomed.

Rin got to work cutting the ropes on her feet. After a new found bunch of courage she had rubbed the ropes on the sharp rock. At last, the tight ropes that bound her broke free. Now she tried to slide her hands down the pole. It worked. She now twisted herself around the pole to where the rock was and began rubbing the ropes binding her hands. Soon, the ropes on her hands were loose. Now she undid the ropes holding her to her waist and removed the blindfold.
It was dark and gloomy in the dungeon, and for the first time in the cell, she noticed a smell in the air. It was horrid, and was not pleasant. She got up and collected a rock or two. Then she started to hack the lock on the bars of the cell.

When the mist settler finally climbed out of the hole she fell in for the second time, she spotted a nearby town. A grand manor and a small town was all that was needed to tempt Yukuro into it.
As soon as she stepped into sight, the guards pulled out their swords and directed them menacingly at her.
"Stop right there. Who are you?"
"I'm a weary traveler. I'm very hungry. Now let me pass," she explained taking another step forward.
"You're a youkai aren't you? Why do you think we'll let you pass? You'll just put danger to our people."
She chuckled and said, "I don't eat people; what are you talking about? Will you let me pass or not?"
"No," the other guard replied.
"Wrong choice," she spoke, and transformed to her true identity. (Which you have to read to find out!)
Walking in the town triumphantly, she looked around for any food stalls and took out the pouch of money she took from the guards.
Now I can eat whatever I want!

After a while, Yukuro finally had her fill, she saw the grand manor.
"Whoa! It's built beautifully! I love this castle! I want it to be my new home!" she squealed and stroked the structure of the building. "The limestone is perfectly smooth, the statues have a marvelous hue of gold, and the best thing about this is--" She paused to squeal. "--its in PERFECT SYMMETRY!!!" (Can you guess what this comment is from? Comment to tell me.)
"There she is! Get her!" a gruff voice said behind her. Yukuro reverted her attention to her back. Men wearing the same uniform as the guards were all rushing toward her with sharp, pointy, silver spears.
"Oh no," Yukuro said and raced into the manor doors. With the soldiers on her tail, she had to get away fast.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, was that voice of that woman we encountered at that castle?" Jaken asked, the question count reaching 121#.
"Who knows," he replied.
"Are you worried about Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken questioned. (Jaken, its a good idea not to ask again...)
The reply he got was five smacks on his head.

Yukuro ran in circles in the castle with the guards hot on her trail. No matter loop she turned they always seemed to be two inches away from her.
"Will you stop chasing me please?" she pleaded as she ran like a cheetah.
The guards replied the same usual "Stop right there" and did not stop the frenzy.
"Grr! I HATE YOU PEOPLE!" Yukuro shouted and ran into a room and transformed into her real form.
"Argh, that youkai hid cowardly. She's in this room somewhere! Search this place!" the leader ordered, and they began picking up blankets and baskets and leafing through things. But Yukuro was long gone.
She sneaked out of the room the unaware soldiers were inspecting and into a long hallway. She ambled to the other side and slithered through the opening of the door.