Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Legacy of the Cursed Mask: Battle Across Time

Chapter 14: Weaving a Story Part 3

"Ugh…I don't believe this…!" Jakotsu whined as he, still in the female form he had adopted, carried a large chest out of Naraku's castle. "All of these treasures for that worthless wench!"

"Quit your complaining already!" Suikotsu snarled as he also worked, carrying various odds and ends out of the cast. "That's all you've done since that – Tsubaki woman showed up!"

"If I had had my way, complaining would be the least that she would have to worry about!" Jakotsu snapped back. "Why is Naraku wasting so much on her, anyway?! Because of Kyokotsu's and Mukotsu's failure?! This should be their punishment, not ours!"

As Bankotsu also labored, loading the various supplies into a wagon, he couldn't help but share in the ire of his fellows. Jakotsu's complaining had gotten old very fast, but at the same time, the shapeshifter's complaints were hardly without merit. The leader of the Band of Seven was equally vexed by the failure of their weakest members, along with the fact that they had been reduced to manual labor for Naraku when they should have already been setting out. Making the earth run red with blood as they sated their lust for battle and death.

"That I wouldn't have a problem with! What I do have a problem with is you whining and making our punishment even worse!" Suikotsu sneered irately.

"So it's punishment you want, huh?!" Jakotsu grimaced as she set down the chest that she carried. "Then I'd be more than happy to -!"

"Will you two stop it already?!" Bankotsu shouted, freezing both of the temperamental warriors where they stood. "Look, Naraku already told us that Tsubaki isn't going to be sticking around, alright?! He's sending her somewhere else to…do something! So the sooner we finish this, the sooner she's gone! And the sooner we can do something worth our time!"

"Well said, Bankotsu," came a voice from behind. One that prompted the three members of the Band of Seven to turn about and look. Just in time to see Naraku approaching with a cold smirk on his face. "I'm pleased to see that preparations are almost complete. And that we'll soon be ready to send Tsubaki on her mission."

"And what mission is that?" Jakotsu pouted in a way that caught Bankotsu's eye. "Why'd you bring her back before the rest of us had a chance to fight?! Kyokotsu and Mukotsu were the ones that failed!"

"Do not assume my recruitment of Tsubaki to be some form of sleight at your expense," Naraku replied with apparent amusement. "It was merely a matter of opportunity. Although your fellows failed, that battle revealed a potential weakness to be exploited. But to do so required someone whose skills are far more…subtle than yours. A situation that calls for the precision of an arrow in flight, not the brute strength of a club or ax." The vile being then issued a deadly chuckle. "Do not worry; you will have plenty of opportunities to see battle. Very, very soon. In fact…Renkotsu. Ginkotsu."

The two members of the Band of Seven Naraku had mentioned paused only to deposit their burdens in the wagon before approaching. "I've been monitoring the situation with the wolf-demon/Demon Slayer alliance. And it turns out that there's a group of wolf-demons that are greatly dissatisfied with the current situation, as well as the lack of available food. And they've decided to exploit the Demon Slayers as a food source."

"Hmph! That'd serve those idiots right!" Renkotsu declared with a scowl. "Anyone should have known that trying to ally with those dumb animals would end in disaster! I'm amazed it took them this long to try something!"

"And what's that have to do with anything?" Bankotsu wondered.

"These rogue wolves planning on attacking within the next day or so. They're doomed to fail, of course; they're mindless brutes that have grossly underestimated their assumed prey." Then Naraku's smile became colder and deadlier. "But what they will do is create an opportunity for Renkotsu and Ginkotsu to raid the Demon Slayer fort."

"And what do you want us to do?" Renkotsu asked with a mistrustful look.

"You're to find the boy Michiru. He's currently recovering from his previous battle there. I want you to take him and bring him to me," Naraku instructed. "I also want you to find…this girl."

With these words, Naraku held up his hand even as a fleshy mass bulged from his palm. A mass that quickly reformed into the image of a small girl with long, dark hair. "Kanna was once in my service, but her usefulness to me is at an end. However, she remains capable of telling InuYasha and his allies many things that I do not want them to know."

His features lighting up with comprehension, Renkotsu smiled. "You want her dead, huh? Any particular way you want it done?"

"Destroy her body on the spot…then bring me her head," Naraku smirked cruelly. "I will then use the power of the Sacred Jewel to bring that part back to life…so I can amuse myself with her screams…"

"Miserable Kururugi…!" hissed a hateful voice from the miasmic fog of nothingness. "Latest in a line of cheats and thieves…!"

"Oh, no…this again?!" Michiru gasped as he once again found himself floating in the expanse that existed between journeys to the past. "Look, I – who are you?! Are you related to -?!"

"We are your death, trickster!" hissed one of the horrible wraiths. "You and every last one of your blood will be extinguished by us!"

"Death to the Kururugi Clan!" screeched another wraith. "Death to them all!"

"Never!" roared another female voice. Right before a familiar figure leaped into view and wrapped her arms around Michiru's waist. "The Kururugi Clan will not fail! Not as long as I live to protect it!"

"Wha-?!" Michiru gasped as he recovered and looked at his rescuer. "K-Kirara?!"

"Yes, Michiru," the catwoman smiled comfortingly as she ran through the air with all of the ease of her fighting form. "You don't have to worry. The Devas of the Jun Clan are powerful, especially here and now. But they won't touch you. I won't let that happen."

"The Devas?!" Michiru cried out in confusion as Kirara came to land on a patch of ground that had emerged from the miasma.

"Yes," Kirara nodded as the horrible fog faded. Revealing an ancient Japanese town, as well as a massive estate. "The rise of the Jun Clan's Devas marked their final descent into madness and cruelty. And the beginning of the war between their clan and yours."

Michiru was about to say that he didn't understand. But before he could speak, an outraged voice cracked the air. Wondering what was going on, the Kururugi boy turned and started towards the large, ancient house. Now aware enough as to what was happening to realize that he was about to be shown something of great importance.

But what am I here to see? Michiru wondered as he carefully moved forward. What's this all have to do with -?!

"You were rejected again?!"

"Gyah!" Michiru jumped in fearful shock as one of the wraiths screeched in his ear.

"Michiru, please. Calm down," Kirara urged him as she placed a kind hand upon his shoulder. "That voice…it wasn't what you think it was." Turning to face his companion, Michiru was about to speak when she placed a finger to his lips. "Just follow me. Watch and listen."

Without hesitation, Kirara started forward with Michiru not far behind. The two of them made their way to the massive manor and carefully entered. And as they proceeded, Michiru became increasingly aware of voices being raised in a heated argument. Voices that were familiar, yet different at the same time.

"That was the third lord that's rejected you this lunar cycle!" cried out a female voice that was not quite the same as the horrible wraiths that had hounded Michiru earlier.

"I know, I know!" muttered a man even as Michiru and Kirara entered the room that was playing host to the argument. There he saw four women that were clearly well-to-do. They were all garbed in fine raiments that were as elegant as their place of residence. And they were watching as the man who was in the center of the room paced and muttered furiously.

A man that Michiru was quick to recognize.

"Heizo…!" Michiru muttered, suddenly angry at the sight that had brought such grief and ruin to his ancestors.

"Don't let your anger get the best of you, Michiru," Kirara pleaded of him as she again placed her hand on his shoulder. "Just watch, listen…and learn."

Still feeling an edge of frustrated anger from his earlier encounter with Heizo, Michiru still did as instructed. And watched as Heizo continued to pace about with ever-increasing ire.

"Madness…absolute madness!" Heizo furiously ranted as he continued to circle the room like a vulture waiting for its target to finally expire. "Messengers have been coming here less and less! All the while Yuuta has the ear of virtually every lord in the land!"

"And every day, it gets worse!" one of the women there growled bitterly. "We've had to take work from bandits and minor lords just to maintain our home! Petty acts of vengeance, forcing serfs to pay their due to their lords -!"

"It's been that way since Yuuta cheated us!" another woman hissed furiously. "Ever since he gained the Beasts' favor, he's been the favorite of all of the lords! They bend over backwards for him, offering him great treasures! While we're left to pick up the scraps!"

"He tricked them…those mindless monsters! Somehow, he tricked them!" Heizo snarled wrathfully. "How - how could they possibly favor him over me?! I've proven that my magic was stronger than his! Proven it over a hundred times! And I even proved it to them! So how -?!"

"How he did it doesn't matter!" snapped the third of the women there. "All that matters is what are we going to do about it?!"

"You act like there's anything we can do!" the fourth woman there muttered venomously. "We've already tried curses, wasting spells – everything we could think of to eliminate him! But his magic is beyond ours now! And then there's his prized whore Midoriko…!"

Sucking in an angered breath as he realized the depths of the Jun Clan's spite, Michiru forced himself to watch as Heizo suddenly paused in his pacing. "Actually…my sisters…" he slowly, dangerously announced. "There is one thing that we can do…"

"What do you mean?" the first of Heizo's sisters asked.

"What I mean is that…Yuuta claimed great power, and that's how he gained his advantage over us," Heizo slowly stated with a calculating glare. "So if we're to tip the scales back in our favor, then we also must harness a great power. One great enough to not only crush him but to take the Beasts' gift from him! To take what's rightfully ours!"

"But how are we supposed to do that?!" demanded another of the sisters.

"There might be…one way…" Heizo growled deep in his throat. "Assuming that they still live…"

"'They'?" Michiru blankly repeated. "Who are…they?"

"You'll see soon enough," Kirara somberly declared even as the world shifted around them both…

We can't get back to Kaede's village soon enough, InuYasha groaned inwardly as the wind whipped his silver mane about. Forcing himself to keep looking ahead…because it was less painful than looking back.

The journey back to Kaede's village on Momo's back had been shrouded in silence pretty much since their departure from Tsuzumi Village. Kikyo had had no reason to speak, and the expression on Kagome's face had made it clear that she had come to realize just how seriously her mistakes had been. As well as the damage she had done.

As for InuYasha himself, while he chafed at the oppressive silence…he honestly didn't know how to fill it. What he could possibly say to ease Kagome's clear unhappiness or anything else. Didn't know what he could say that wouldn't make things worse.

I…I really hate this! Hate that – that I don't know what to do! Or say or…or anything! InuYasha thought irritably. I know how to fight! I know how to protect them, and – and all the rest of it! But – I never…learned how to…comfort someone. Make them…feel better. Then memories of his painful past slowly surfaced. Memories of his life after he had lost his mother. Of everything he had been forced to endure while struggling against a world that condemned his very existence. Never…I don't know how to…!

"Huh?" Kagome squawked weakly, her voice still not fully recovered. "What the -?!"

"What is it, Kagome?" Kikyo wondered even as InuYasha glanced back to see what fresh hell that they had to deal with. Only for his eyes to widen in surprised concern as he took note of Kagome's compass. Which was presently jostling about on the reborn priestess's chest, sputtering out sparks of divine power.

"The compass – it's acting up!" Kagome reported as she stared perplexedly at the ancient relic as it continued to sputter and stutter. "But – it's never done this before!"

"InuYasha…" Kikyo murmured in concern, "…when you told me about this compass earlier, you mentioned that it would sometimes awaken of its own accord. In response to serious dangers."

"That's right, but…it would always just point at whatever it was!" InuYasha tersely admitted. "The way it's acting now…it's like it's broken!"

"Or perhaps because that which allows it to function isn't working as it should," Kikyo murmured in a low, serious voice. "Hand me over to Kagome."

"Huh?!" InuYasha got out as he glanced down at the living doll that was hiding in his kimono. Only to quickly realize what Kikyo meant. "Oh, right! Got it! Kagome!"

As InuYasha took Kikyo in his hand, Kagome frowned before reaching forward. "You think…I'm the reason the compass isn't working right?"

"That compass is a divine artifact that depends upon the spiritual power of the wielder to bring it to life," Kikyo explained as InuYasha handed her off to Kagome. "Your powers, at present, have become unreliable. Therefore, it makes sense that the compass is also faltering."

Kagome made a face at this even as she held up the compass to Kikyo. "Okay, but…be careful! This compass doesn't react well to demons! And your body -!"

"Is no longer the product of demonic magic," Kikyo explained even as she took hold of the compass. "Now to see – ah!"

The instant Kikyo took hold of the compass, the ancient relic ceased sputtering. Instead, the pointer shined with brilliant spiritual light. A light that shot out across the land before stabbing down upon a secluded section of forest.

"Looks like the compass is still working! And that means that there's trouble down below!" InuYasha declared, eager for the distraction that came with a fight. "Alright, let's get down there, and -!"

"Uh, wait! I don't think that's a good idea!" Kagome hurriedly protested. When InuYasha responded with a disbelieving look, the modern miko explained, "Look, the compass only acts like this when there's something really dangerous out there! And – right now, with my…my powers acting like this…and Kikyo…well…"

"I have to agree with Kagome. At least to the extent that neither of us is in any condition for battle," Kikyo reluctantly admitted. "That being said, if there is a threat of some kind down there, then we should at least investigate. Find the source of the danger. We can decide what to do then."

"Alright, Kikyo," InuYasha replied after a moment's thought. "We go down and look. But if Naraku or some other demon like him is down there, then we can't ignore it! If it comes down to it, I'll go and deal with – whatever it is myself! You two take Momo and get clear!"

"But what about you?!" Kagome fretted, punctuating her worried question with a few tiny coughs. "I don't – you shouldn't have to fight – you might get in trouble and -!"

"We don't have time to sit around, doing nothing! We've already found out that If the compass says that this is bad, then I think we say that it's definitely bad!" InuYasha retorted heatedly, all the while appreciating Kagome's concern. Glad that things were perhaps not as bad between them as he had originally feared, the half-demon urged on Momo. "Now get us down there!"

The three-eyed bull made a noise of compliance before starting his descent. As for InuYasha, his every sense was keened, both in the area where the compass was pointing and his surroundings as a whole. Just because the compass was pointing out an immediate threat didn't mean that there couldn't be danger elsewhere.

Like a horde of Naraku's demons, InuYasha thought unhappily. I might not be able to ignore this, but I better watch it! Especially with how vulnerable Kagome and Kikyo are!

And so InuYasha kept his senses keened for any potential threat, his wariness and intensity growing as Momo descended closer to whatever had tripped the compass. His ears pricked at the air, his eyes were narrowed. And his nose…

"I smell Naraku…!"

"Huh?!" Kagome squawked in dismay. "You're sure?!"

"It's really faint, but yeah," InuYasha growled as he drew forth the Tetsusaiga. "Something down there smells like Naraku."

And it wasn't long before that faint, distorted scent of Naraku and all of his incarnations grew stronger. Nor was it long before InuYasha and the others finally sighted the source of it, as well as that which had drawn the compass's beam.

"Ew! Giant spiders…!" Kagome groaned as they looked down at the bone-white monstrosities below. They were each about the size of a bull and sported thick, hairy legs. An ogre's visage loomed where a normal spider's head would be, filled with huge, tusk-like teeth. And marking each of their backs was a blood-red scar in the shape of a spider.

"They must be Naraku's latest incarnations!" Kagome croaked in dismay. "But – he's never sent so many!"

"Wait. Look. Over there," Kikyo announced, pointing off to a grove of trees. "There's a small shrine there. From the look of things, these creatures broke into it. Also –"

"I know. The compass is pointing right at it," InuYasha growled in consummate disgust. "Which means –"

InuYasha was cut off by the appearance of yet another of the giant spiders. But this one was walking strangely, only using its frontmost and backmost legs to move about. The remaining four legs, the shortest of them, were curled up underneath the demon's body. All the while the compass was stabbing at it with its beam.

"That thing must be carrying something! Something Naraku wants!" InuYasha growled as he got up on his feet and drew the Tetsusaiga. "And if he wants it -!"

"Then we don't want him to have it," Kagome acknowledged. "Just – be careful!"

"As soon as I jump, get clear!" InuYasha instructed them even as he carefully set Kikyo down on Momo's head. "Don't give those things any reason to come after you!"

"Of course," Kikyo nodded as she took hold of one of Momo's horns.

Satisfied that the two women were as safe and secure as was possible, InuYasha glared down at the demons below. Thus far, they did not seem to have noticed that they had company.

They're about to, InuYasha scowled as he leaped off of Momo's back. The sound of air rushing past filled her ears as he gathered the power of the Tetsusaiga. "Wind Scar!"

A destructive wave of energy flew forth from the Tetsusaiga, raining down mercilessly upon the spider-demons. To InuYasha's satisfaction, several of them were sliced to pieces and broke apart into nothing. "Heh! Whatever you are, Naraku didn't make you all that strong!" the half-demon declared as he landed upon the ground and pointed at the creatures with his sword. "Are you ready to die?!"

The spider-demons turned towards InuYasha and stared for a moment, hissing and rasping from their ogre faces. But as they looked from one to another, the group as a whole then turned towards the one that had exited the shrine. Right before several turned back towards InuYasha and hissed menacingly. While the spider that had exited the shrine levitated up into the air, along with several others. Still carrying its hidden prize.

"Don't even try it!" InuYasha irritably snarled, leaping up into the air. Intend on striking down the one spider-demon before it could get away. But before he could reach his target, he felt something sticky strike his sword arm and several other somethings snatching at his kimono.

Growling in his throat even as his leap was terminated, InuYasha looked at himself and confirmed what he had already realized. The spiders on the ground had struck him with streams of their webbing. Giving the spider with its hidden prize and its escort enough room to take to the air and get some distance.

"I don't have time to waste on you!" InuYasha snarled as he fell back down towards a multitude of gaping jaws and glistening teeth. Already gathering the wind about the Tetsusaiga, he unleashed the Wind Scar upon the vile monstrosities. Bands of destructive power once again shredded the hideous horrors, but the rest were able to dodge the blast. And were even now responding, shooting out sprays of webbing and streams of a harsh, foul-smelling liquid.

Naraku's poison miasma! InuYasha realized, recognizing the vile odor as he blocked the toxic liquid with his sword. Dammit...gotta end this fight fast! Before someone gets hurt, and – gah!

InuYasha was jolted as something tugged hard at him. Realizing that the spider-demons were yanking on their attached web lines, he growled and quickly slashed at the webs with his claws, freeing up his sword arm. Only to have one of the monsters pounce on his back and bite into his shoulder. Hard.

"Gyaaaahh!" InuYasha howled, falling to the ground as the vile spider-demon drove it's fangs further into his flesh. "Get offa me!" Reaching over his shoulder, the half-demon drove his claws into the hideous creature's face and eyes, eliciting a shriek of pain before he yanked it's head off. Growling at all of the other creatures that were already bearing down upon him, he then drove his claws back into his wound, ignoring the pain as he brought forth a large quantity of blood.

"Blades of Blood!" InuYasha snarled as he whipped his claws at the other spider-demons. The blood that flew off of his claws hardened into sharp blades that shredded more of the disgusting things. But more importantly, it drove them back and sliced through the webs that still clung to the half-demon. "Wind Scar!"

The blast from the Tetsusaiga wiped out the spider-demons in front of InuYasha, but he was soon reminded that there remained several more behind him. As bolts of web and sprays of poison were sent his way, he leaped forward, determined not to give one of the ogre-faced monsters behind him a chance to get in close. Then he turned on his heel and was just in time to confront more of the spider-demons. Some were flying in at him while the rest were taking to the air, intent on supporting their fellows from afar.

All while those other bastards are escaping! InuYasha vehemently realized, his ears tracking the escaping spider-demons. I need to…end this…oh, no…!

InuYasha let his legs shudder and give slightly beneath his weight, the Tetsusaiga seeming to get heavier in his hands. And he immediately realized what had happened. The damned spider that…bit me! Fangs must be…poison! the half-demon growled inwardly. Then he narrowed his eyes at the other vermin. Gotta…end this…NOW!

"Wind Scar!" InuYasha roared, putting everything he had into this swing of the Tetsusaiga. Once again, bands of destructive forced leaped from the heirloom blade, ripping through the spider-demons that were closing in on him.

But to InuYasha's dismay, he realized that the ones that had been keeping their distance were able to rise up above the Wind Scar. And were still ready to fight.

"Dammit…!" InuYasha hissed right as the world seemed to swim around him. Even as the surviving spider-demons shot towards him. "Have to -!"

An arrow laced with spiritual power suddenly shot down from above, lancing one of the spider-demons through the head. The creature didn't even have time to scream before it's body disintegrated into nothing. Its death was soon followed by another spider-demon also being struck by another Sacred Arrow. And then another.

"Huh?!" InuYasha got out, hazily looking up into the air. And was just in time to see Kagome riding Momo towards the spider-demons. Her bow and arrow were held in readiness, and as the half-demon looked on, she loosed another Sacred Arrow at another of Naraku's creatures.

"InuYasha!" Kagome croaked out. "Stop that other spider! I…don't want to risk…hitting what it's carrying!"

Kagome's…got her powers back…? InuYasha dazedly wondered, only to give a shake of his head as he tried to fight off the venom creeping through his system. Dammit, no time! Gotta get those other bastards!

Marshalling all that remained of his fading strength, InuYasha turned and started after the remaining spider-demons. His legs soon burning from what would normally be a mild exertion, the half-demon slowly managed to close the distance between himself and his quarry. "You ain't…getting away…!" he snarled, the winds swirling about the Tetusaiga as a couple of the spiders turned to face him. "Wind -!"

Two of the spiders sent streams of webbing at InuYasha. One he was clumsily able to avoid. But the other struck the Tetsusaiga's blade. Hissing with success, the spider-demon pulled hard on the web line. And despite the half-demon's best efforts, the Fang of Destruction was torn from his grasp and sent flying.

"Dammit!" InuYasha snarled, barely able to avoid falling over in the process. He looked in the direction where the Tetsusaiga had gone, then he looked at the fleeing spiders. And he soon realized that he wouldn't be able to retrieve his sword before they could escape.

Not with what this…poison is doing to me…! InuYasha grimly realized as his left hand found its way to another hilt. Just one chance…!

Growling in frustration, InuYasha tore the Reikikaega from its sheath, the mysterious blade transforming into crystal and crackling with lightning. "Take this! Mirror Wave!"

InuYasha swung the Reikikaega with all of the strength remaining to him, sending its power flying at the remaining spider-demons. The instant its energy connected with the vile creatures, ghostly afterimages appeared to confront the creatures. The spider-demons paused, seemingly confused by the appearance of these apparitions, and that gave their new counterparts the opening to attack.

Spider-demon tore into ghost spider, with the lead one forced to drop its prize as its counterpart ripped into it. Now! While I…still have time! InuYasha thought, his mind fevered and fogged with poison. Gotta…get that…whatever! Naraku might…more demons…!

Barely able to make his legs heed his commands, InuYasha stumbled forward. Watching as the spiders tore each other to shreds, he staggered towards the artifact that Naraku had sent them to retrieve. Only for his eyes to widen when he saw what it was.

"Wha…a statue…?" InuYasha muttered as the last of the spiders fell from the air in pieces. "That's…what this was…?"

Then InuYasha's legs gave out, leaving him unable to do anything but topple forward. His head landing right next to the statue that he had been poisoned over. And as his worldview blurred and he felt the last of his strength ebb away, something about the statue made him reach out for it. Something that reminded him of…

"Father…?"

"There! That was…the last of them!" Kagome rasped out with some difficulty. "You…you okay, Kikyo?"

"I am. Although…this was quite awkward," Kikyo admitted as she sat in the palm of Kagome's hand. "I've never had to work with arrows bigger than myself."

"Yeah. Sorry, but…I couldn't do this…by myself," Kagome grimly admitted as she looked at the fading remains of the spider-demons.

When InuYasha had been swarmed by Naraku's creatures, Kagome had once again been cursing herself for her powerless. Reminded of her early days when she had been completely dependant upon the half-demon to guard her life and horrified by how InuYasha was being overwhelmed and there was nothing she could do, the modern miko wracked her brain and was rewarded with a jolt of inspiration.

"Then I remembered…how you could make the compass…and other stuff work," Kagome went on. "So I figured that…if I held you while shooting an arrow…"

"I could use my spiritual powers to charge them. Yes, of course," Kikyo agreed with a slight nod. "Now tuck me into your clothes and then go check on InuYasha. I don't want to risk exposure, and there's a chance that the spider's bite was poisonous."

Nodding, Kagome hurriedly tucked Kikyo into her cleavage. "C'mon, Momo! Let's go…check on InuYasha!"

The three-eyed bull gave a cooperative bellow before turning according to Kagome's guidance. "InuYasha!" the raven-haired girl called out as she caught sight of the half-demon. "InuYasha, are you alright?! Are you – InuYasha?!"

As Momo flew towards the half-demon, Kagome gasped in realization. InuYasha was lying flat on the ground, and even though she was still a distance away, he didn't appear to be moving. "InuYasha?!" she cried out again, her alarm increasing. "InuYasha, are you – omigosh!"

"Then the spiders' bite is venomous," Kikyo intoned in a hard voice. "Kagome, land immediately!"

"Right! Momo, get us down there!" Kagome ordered, urging the bull with her knees.

Far slower than Kagome was happy with, Momo descended to the earth. "InuYasha!" she cried out as she leaped to the ground. "InuYasha, can you hear me?!"

The half-demon was groaning, making it clear that he was in pain but alive. "Father…?"

Father?! He must really be out of it! Kagome quickly realized. And…what's he doing?!

As Kagome went over to the half-demon, she saw InuYasha reaching for an object. She wasn't close enough to see what it was, what with the grass surrounding it, but she could plainly see InuYasha weakly grabbing it.

Just as she could see it shining brilliantly in response to his touch. Sending energy flowing through the half-demon's body.

"Wha-!? No!" Kagome cried out in alarm, flinging herself at the half-demon. "InuYasha! Let -!"

"Hey! You don't have to be so loud, Kagome!" InuYasha immediately groused as he sat up to give her a scowl.

The look of annoyance from InuYasha, coupled with his sudden resurgence, caused Kagome to freeze in mid-step. "Wait…InuYasha…?" she got out, speaking more softly to avoid further abrasions to her still-tender throat. "Are you…I thought…"

"Whew…I don't know what happened…but damn it sure felt good!" InuYasha declared as he hopped back up to his feet. He then took a deep breath, shrugging and thrusting out his chest before shifting about from one foot to the other.

Watching in confusion as InuYasha seemed to dance about, Kagome slowly asked, "But – what happened? InuYasha…wait, what's that?"

"Huh? Oh, this thing!" InuYasha replied, pausing to look at the object he still held. "It's what those spiders stole from that shrine!"

"A statue?" Kagome frowned as she studied the artifact. "Of…a dog?"

"That is no ordinary statue, Kagome," Kikyo piped up from within the modern miko's shirt. "You saw what just happened. And more importantly…I can sense powerful magic radiating from it."

"Magic…yeah, that would explain it," InuYasha mused as he eyed the object. "That damned spider…got me with some kind of poison. But now –"

"So you were poisoned?! Ugh!" Kagome howled, only to grimace as the effort hurt her throat even more. "Here…let me…look at where it bit you!"

"Huh?! Now, wait a minute!" InuYasha crossly retorted as Kagome went up to him and forcibly grabbed at his kimono. "I'm telling you that I'm feeling fine now! The poison's gone, so -!"

"You let me – be the judge of that!" Kagome shot back. "Now get undressed, and -!"

"InuYasha, Kagome. Stop it. Both of you," Kikyo declared, her voice both soft and formidable at the same time. So much so that the arguing parties barely heard her, "Now then…InuYasha? Show me where the spider bit you."

InuYasha growled in his throat, but a look from Kikyo was more than enough to convince him to comply. "Alright, fine!" he replied, giving Kagome a look as he partially removed his kimono. Just enough to show the area where he had been bitten. "There. See? It's perfectly fine now!"

"Hmm…impressive. There's no sign of that you were ever injured," Kikyo mused. "InuYasha…from what we could tell, it would seem that this statue is responsible for your wound being healed. Would you agree?"

"Huh? Well, yeah. Sure," InuYasha replied as he straightened out his kimono. "I mean…what else could it have been?"

"Yeah! You saw it flash! And then InuYasha was covered in magic!" Kagome chimed in.

"I did, but…I would like to verify a few things," Kikyo explained. "InuYasha, please set the statue down on the ground."

"Uh…well, sure. But why?" InuYasha wondered.

"I want to make sure that healing is permanent. That the poison isn't still in your system and will reassert itself if you're out of contact with the statue," Kikyo stated firmly. "Now please…set it down."

Blinking a few times, InuYasha groaned. "Ugh…didn't even think of that one…" he admitted. "Alright, fine…but it better not come back!"

Muttering irritably, InuYasha bent down and placed the statue on the ground. Then he stood back up and even took a few steps away from the enigmatic artifact.

Several seconds passed in silence, during which Kagome looked from InuYasha to the statue and back again many times. As for the half-demon, he shifted about anxiously from one foot to the other. Then he glanced down at his claws and massaged the shoulder where he had been bitten. "I'm…not feeling anything happening," he finally admitted. "No poison or anything."

"Good. Still, I'd like to be careful, but…this is a good sign," Kikyo stated. "Now, Kagome? Pick up the statue."

"Huh? Well, alright," Kagome replied with a shrug. Kneeling down before the artifact, she then took it in her hands. Only to gasp when it reacted by lighting up brilliantly. "Ahh! What the -?!"

"Kagome?!" InuYasha cried out as waves of magic coursed through the modern miko's form. "Kagome, are you -?!"

"Ohhhhh…!" Kagome breathed in delight as a delicious warmth suffused her very being. "Oh, that feels great! All of my aches and pains from that long trip, and – my throat!"

With a squeal of delight, Kagome clasped her neck. Only for InuYasha to demand, "What?! What's wrong with your throat?!"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" Kagome cried out happily. Feeling no pain when speaking for the first time in what felt like forever. "My throat's been healed! Like magic!"

"Exactly what I was hoping would happen," Kikyo stated firmly. "Clearly, whatever it's origin, this statue has potent healing properties."

"Yeah. That much is obvious," InuYasha muttered. "But – why would Naraku send those – things after something like that? And what were those things, anyway?! They smelt like him, but…they weren't as strong as any of his incarnations!"

"I don't think that they were incarnations. Not with how they disintegrated after their destruction, InuYasha," Kikyo remarked in a thoughtful manner. "Rather…I suspect that they were Shikigami."

"Shikigami?!" Kagome repeated incredulously. "Like Michiru's or Kaname's or Kurogasa's?!"

"No. Their Shikigami are of a much more advanced form of magic," Kikyo immediately countered. "These were more like the Shikigami I could create. Like my Soul Collectors."

"But why would Naraku create Shikigami when he could just send some demons?" InuYasha wondered with a frown.

"Perhaps because…Naraku was unwilling to risk someone claiming this statue for themselves," Kikyo suggested. "Come. Let's get back to the shrine where we first saw them. I'd like a better look at it and the surrounding area. We might find a clue as to the statue's origins."

InuYasha immediately frowned at this. "Alright, but…we better make it fast! If those damned spiders were anything like the Saimyosho, then Naraku already knows that they've failed! And I don't want to give him another chance at that statue!"

"I agree," Kagome noted, clutching the statue closer to her chest.

As Tsubaki observed the preparations that were being made on her behalf, she couldn't help but mixed feelings.

On the one hand, Naraku was clearly sparing no expense in terms of making sure that she would make it to her destination. Many marvelous treasures had been assembled for her, to enable her to make a new home for herself. Even in the worst-case scenario, she saw no reason she wouldn't be able to live comfortably. And with the new power she now felt burning through her veins, she felt certain that she would be able to take revenge upon Kagome and the others.

But I thought that way before. And look at what happened, Tsubaki reminded herself as she was forced to dwell upon the other hand. I might have power now, but Naraku is the one with true power in this situation. I have no doubt that he's prepared to betray me the instant he feels it convenient to do so.

And this was especially irritating to Tsubaki, and not just a little alarming. Naraku viewed her as an ally of convenience at best, a disposable pawn at worst. And even though she had new power, the time in which she had been left to wait for preparations to be completed had given her plenty of time to wonder if Naraku's modifications to her body had included safeguards of some sort. To make it easier for him to deal with her if he felt the need to do so.

This means it's in my best interest to exploit the distance that will soon exist between myself and Naraku. And find some means of making sure that he cannot dispose of me when convenient, Tsubaki thought, recalling the agony of her previous death. Of how a Saimyosho had flown out of her eye, carrying with it the massive fragment of the Shikon Jewel. Some way of -

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Jumping at the sheer outrage in this bellow, Tsubaki then whirled about to see Naraku some distance away. The abhorrent demon was hunched over as if he had been stricken. His eyes were narrowed and his features were contorted with the purest anger. He quaked and jittered like he was on the verge of lashing out at whatever drew his attention first.

Tsubaki didn't want to be that person. And it was clear from their expressions that Jakotsu and Suikotsu were about as eager to make that mistake as the dark priestess herself. Only Bankotsu was bold enough to frown and ask, "What was that about?!"

Naraku swung his furious gaze at the leader of the Band of Seven, and for a moment Tsubaki was certain that Bankotsu had made a fatal mistake. But after several seconds of trembling on outrage, the horrid half-demon reigned himself in. "I had sent several of my newest creations to retrieve one of the Kururugi statues," Naraku tersely explained. "However…InuYasha discovered and destroyed them. And most likely possesses the statue now."

Giving Naraku a cocky smirk, Bankotsu retorted, "If it'd been us you'd sent after that thing, you'd already have it!"

Naraku returned Bankotsu's look with a deathly scowl. "Then prove it. You've made it clear that you and your fellows have been eager for battle. Now you will have your chance," the vile creature hissed as several Saimyosho appeared. "Follow these wasps. They'll lead you to a small village under the leadership of an old priestess. If I know InuYasha, he and his friends will lose no time taking the statue there."

"Ooh, finally!" Jakotsu cooed eagerly even as Suikotsu brandished his claws. "And about the village…can we have fun with the locals?"

"I don't care what you do to the village or its inhabitants. Kill them all as brutally as you wish," Naraku flatly declared. "But I! Want! That! Statue!"

"Heh! I'm fine with that!" Bankotsu declared as the Saimyosho started flying away. "You heard him! Follow those wasps! I've been looking forward to putting this new body of mine to the test!"

"So have I!" Jakotsu smiled as he female body shifted and changed, seeming to quiver with the shapeshifter's excitement even as she and Suikotsu turned to follow their leader.

As the three members of the Band of Seven departed, Tsubaki considered the situation. Clearly, Naraku desires these statues even more than he lets on. They must be more powerful than I had realized, she thought, the wheels turning in her mind. And perhaps by securing some of them…I could find a means of securing my future survival…

With this in mind, Tsubaki studied Naraku and decided that his anger had been spent enough that it wouldn't fall upon her. So she made her way over to his side and asked, "Will this be a problem?"

Not even bothering to look at her, Naraku replied, "My plans for you are unchanged. And even if they failed to defeat InuYasha, the Akumagumo can at least continue the work here."

As if in response to Naraku's words, several large white spiders with oni faces appeared and set to work. Continuing to prepare treasures for Tsubaki's mission. Satisfied with this, the dark priestess carefully considered her next words. Already working on her next scheme. "I…have to admit to being curious," she tentatively spoke. "Why didn't you send those three to retrieve this statue earlier? Or some of your demon hordes?"

"While the Band of Seven are formidable warriors, they're lacking in the subtlety needed for such a task. And more importantly, I had intended for them to confront InuYasha and his allies in a situation of my choosing. Where they would have all of the advantages," Naraku explained, scowling fiercely. "If Bankotsu and his friends fail to kill InuYasha and his friends as their fellows did, then my enemies will doubtlessly learn from the experience. And become even more difficult to deal with."

Tsubaki nodded to this, but she also noticed that Naraku had fallen silent. That he didn't answer the second part of her question.

This likely means that Naraku had depleted whatever forces he commands, Tsubaki concluded. It's the only thing that makes sense. Why else would he go to the trouble of reviving me or the Band of Seven? Then she smiled coldly and cruelly as another idea entered her thoughts. But…this could be a chance for me to both distract him…and gain further power for myself. Playing him and InuYasha's group against each other…leaving me triumphant…

With these possibilities dancing in her thoughts, Tsubaki remarked, "You revived me because…you had a plan. A plan that the Band of Seven were ill-suited for."

"What of it?" Naraku crossly wondered.

"Before my…first encounter with you, I had kept aware of happenings around Kaede's village. Especially when I learned of the Shikon Jewel's return," Tsubaki carefully explained. "As such, I've heard tales of InuYasha's various escapades. Demons he's fought and killed, various foes of his."

"Yes, and I have no doubt that you've encountered some of them after your defeat at his hands," Naraku shot back, a remark that had Tsubaki bristling. "What of it?"

"I was just thinking that…perhaps some of those old foes of his would…appreciate being given a second chance at defeating InuYasha and his little band of misfits as much as I do," Tsubaki explained. "And if granted greater powers – as you have with me and the Band of Seven – such forces would go a long way in helping you…better secure your position. Give you more time to retrieve the statues you seek."

The next few seconds passed in silence, with Naraku doubtlessly considering Tsubaki's words and her own agenda. But eventually, a thoughtful noise escaped his throat. "You…make a compelling case, Tsubaki," he finally admitted. "Do you think you could locate such…ill spirits?"

"Of course," Tsubaki smiled confidently. "After all…dealing with spirits is one of the many powers…of a priestess."

"So any luck yet?" InuYasha crossly wondered. "Find anything that might help explain where this statue came from?"

"Some," Kikyo admitted from within the confines of Kagome's shirt. Speaking softly to avoid undue notice. "Tell him what we found, Kagome. I don't want to risk exposure any more than I already have."

Nodding to this, Kagome went on to explain. "This entire section of the forest is littered with barrier stones and other magical artifacts. Whoever set this all up sure went to a lot of trouble to make sure that no one could even find this statue, let alone get to it." Then she glanced at the broken shrine and added, "It must have taken Naraku forever to track this place done. And for those…things to get in here."

Growling in his throat, InuYasha grumbled, "Either that or those barriers fell apart over time. But – okay, fine. Whoever put that statue really wanted for it to stay hidden, and Naraku really wanted to get it. Did you find anything else?"

"Yes. I – I think I know who hid this statue here in the first place," Kagome explained. "There were a bunch of symbols inside of that shrine, and…here! Let me show you!"

Kagome then started towards the shrine, and with an impatient grunt, InuYasha moved to follow. "Alright, but we need to make this fast!" the half-demon urged as they approached the small structure. "I don't want Naraku to be able to catch you two…out…in…what in the -?!"

"That's what I said," Kagome admitted as she gestured inside of the small shrine.

His earlier protests forgotten, InuYasha just stood there and stared in slack-jawed amazement at the markings of the interior. On each of the walls were a series of glyphs and strange writing that he didn't recognize. But on the back wall, the sides, and on the floor was a symbol he knew very well.

"A pentagram?!" InuYasha got out. "That – that looks exactly -!"

"Like the ones that show up when Michiru and Kaname use their magic! I know!" Kagome nodded urgently. "But there's more to it! Each of these pentagrams is a different color! A red one, a black one, a blue one, and a white one! And each of them is surrounded by symbols of different animals!"

"I can see that!" InuYasha stated as he entered the shrine proper and got a better look. "Huh…this white one on the floor…one of the animals here…looks like a dog!"

"I know! And this statue is of a dog!" Kagome agreed, holding up the statue in question. "But take a look at the blue pentagram! And the markings around it!"

Heeding Kagome's instructions, InuYasha's eyes went wide at what he saw. "Wait…a red lion…a green falcon…a blue fish?! But these are all -!"

"The same Shikigami that Michiru and Kaname have!" Kagome urgently concluded. "InuYasha…I think this shrine and the statue was made by their ancestors! And from how old everything looks, Ki- I mean, I think that this was all built a long time ago! Way before Utsugi and Kakuju were ever born!"

"Sure looks that way!" InuYasha agreed. "But…a dog isn't one of their Shikigami, is it?! I mean, they've never – huh?!"

His ears pricking at a sudden sound, InuYasha sucked in a breath and leaped out of the shrine. "InuYasha?" Kagome asked, clearly alarmed as he drew forth the Tetsusaiga. "InuYasha, what is it?"

"Shh! I hear something!" InuYasha countered as he scanned their surroundings. "Like…wings flapping!"

"Wings?" Kagome wondered. "Like…the Saimyosho?"

"No. More like…bird wings," InuYasha replied. "But whatever it is, I want you to take the statue, get on Momo, and be ready to get out of here! Just in case whatever-it-is isn't friendly!"

Frowning, Kagome then nodded. "Alright, but be careful! You've already been poisoned once today! I don't want to have to find out if this thing can bring back the dead!"

"You won't! Now get moving!" InuYasha urged impatiently as he tracked the sound. And realized that it was getting closer.

Not wasting any further words, Kagome did as she was told. Soon she was perched upon Momo's back, statue in hand and ready to depart. All the while InuYasha stood at the ready, determined to confront whatever was approaching should the need arise.

Finally, something flew into view. Something that InuYasha immediately realized was far too small to be of any real threat. Looks like an ordinary bird, and – hold on! InuYasha then narrowed his eyes and sniffed the air. I'm – not smelling anything other than paper and ink from that bird! And – that thing it's carrying! Is that -?!

The bird-like thing soon came to hover a short distance away from InuYasha, where it dropped the card it carried. A card that was emblazoned with a familiar magic circle which then lit up. Narrowing his eyes in response to the sudden increase in light, InuYasha watched as the card seemed to grow, taking on greater form and definition.

And when the light subsided, InuYasha beheld a familiar face.

"Wait…Kaname?!" InuYasha demanded before taking a sniff. When he smelled no human scent from her, he asked, "Are you…using that doppelganger spell of yours?!"

"That's right! To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it work from so far away!" Kaname hurriedly explained. "Listen, InuYasha! Kagome! A lot's been happening, and – what's that?"

"Huh? Oh, this?" Kagome wondered, holding up the statue. "A bunch of Naraku's demons was trying to steal this thing from that shrine over there! And from what we could tell, it was made by some ancestors of yours!"

"A statue made by – omigosh!" Kaname gasped excitedly. "Here! Let me take a closer look!"

Without another word, Kaname darted towards Kagome and Momo. But before the doppelganger had taken more than a few steps, the statue lit up. "Hey, what the -?!" Kagome cried out as the artifact tore free of her grasp, the light surrounding it growing in intensity. "What's it doing?!"

InuYasha had no idea. He was frozen and confused, without any ideas as to what he should do. And thus he just stood there, watching as a beam of magic flew forth from the statue and struck Kaname's doppelganger squarely in the chest.

"I've found them!" Kaname announced with considerable joy and relief.

"Excellent," Daisuke replied, more relieved and tired than anything else. The burden of responsibility a constant companion and a difficult burden to shoulder at times. "Are they in a position where you can create a doppelganger?"

"They've landed in this…strange section of forest," Kaname reported, her eyes closed in concentration. The two of them were standing on the deck of the Hiryu, surrounded by Demon Slayers in the midst of their labors. "There's…a shrine of some kind in a depression. Like a really small valley. InuYasha – he looks really on edge! Has the Tetsusaiga out!"

"Were they attacked?" Daisuke wondered.

"Uh…doesn't look like it. InuYasha and Kagome both look fine," Kaname reported after a brief time. "Listen, I better cast my doppelganger spell! I'm not used to controlling a scout from so far away! So -!"

"Yes, yes, of course." Daisuke nodded in understanding. "Tell them what we've learned, and be quick about it. There's still much that needs to be done here."

"Right," Kaname replied as she continued to furrow her brow in concentration. "Hey…wait a second. Kagome, she – she's holding a statue! It looks like – a dog!"

"A statue?!" Daisuke repeated, only to suck in a gasp when realization struck. "No…is it possible? Kaname, ask them -?!"

"Wait – what's it doing?!" Kaname demanded, her eyes flying open. "No, don't – gyaaaaahhh!"

Kaname cried out as she raised her arms defensively before her. All the while a brilliant light flowed over her body, forcing Daisuke to shield his own eyes.

Then there was a wooshing sound and a rushing of air. Realizing that something had gone wrong, Daisuke forced himself to look at the scene before him.

And found himself staring at the empty space where Kaname had once been.

The weight of responsibility and more falling more heavily upon his shoulders, Daisuke let out a low gasp. "Oh, no…!"

Kagome couldn't help but shield her eyes from the brilliant radiance that filled the forest. Light so intense that it penetrated her shut eyelids and seemed to fill her ears.

Wait, no! That's – Kaname screaming! Kagome realized. But – something feels different! What's going on?!

After what felt like an eternity, the light finally dimmed enough for Kagome to open and unshield her eyes. And when she did, she once again saw Kaname standing where she had been. Only…

Wait…there are two of her cards on the ground! One has to have been the scout, and the other…her doppelganger?! Kagome quickly realized. But – that means -!

"What the – Kaname?!" InuYasha piped up. As Kagome turned towards him, she saw the half-demon staring in astonishment at the girl that was already looking wildly about in panicked confusion. "I – I can smell you! You're – you're really -?!"

"What the – how'd I get here?!" Kaname demanded as she stamped the ground as if confirming whats he already knew. "What did that statue do to – whoa!"

As if in response to being mentioned, the dog statue that Kagome and the others had found floated towards Kaname. Although it no longer shined as brightly before, a beautiful magical light still radiated from it as it approached the Kururugi girl. "What…in the…?" Kaname asked, sounding almost dazed as she studied the statue. "Are you…talking to me…?"

Talking to her? What's she mean?! Kagome demanded, feeling more and more out of her depths by the second.

As Kagome and InuYasha looked on in silence, the statue closed the gap between itself and Kaname. Her eyes wide with awe, she slowly reached up to the magical artifact with both hands. Eventually, the statue eased itself into her grasp, releasing a brilliant shower of light the instant the two made contact.

Eventually, when the shower of magic subsided, Kaname slowly clutched the statue to her chest. "It's…alright…" she spoke in a low, reassuring tone. "These…these are my friends…they're not going to hurt you…"

"Kaname?" InuYasha asked uncertainly. "Are you…you feeling alright? That thing…what'd it do to you?"

"Uh…huh?!" Kaname started as she looked up from the statue. Blinking a few times, she then gave a quick shake of her head. "Oh, I – InuYasha!" she cried out in surprise. "I – um, well – you see, I…" Then she seemed to sag forward and gave a heavy groan. "I have no idea what's going on here…"

"You're not the only one," Kagome muttered sourly as she got off of Momo, satisfied that there was no immediate threat.

"That's not entirely true, Kagome," Kikyo declared in a serious voice.

"Believe me, Kikyo, I'm just as clueless as everyone else here," InuYasha muttered perplexedly.

"No, InuYasha. What I meant is that Kaname clearly knows a great deal as to what has happened," Kikyo stated firmly, raising herself out of Kagome's cleavage to look Kaname sternly in the face. "I'm sure she's overwhelmed and confused at the moment, but I don't doubt that she knows what's going on."

"But I don't! I mean -!" Kaname blurted out. "I mean – I – this is all so confusing…!"

"For now, perhaps. But I think we can work out what happened easily enough," Kikyo assured the Kururugi girl. "Kaname…you said that the statue was…talking to you. What did you mean by that?"

Grimacing in confusion, Kaname shifted about uncertainly for a time before replying, "Well…this might sound crazy, but…when I saw the statue coming towards me, I... well, not exactly heard, but – I felt something!"

"I see," Kikyo nodded. "And what did you feel?"

Visibly still uncertain, Kaname once again hesitated. "It – it actually reminded me of…when Michiru awakened my Shikigami. It felt like – well, there weren't any words. All I got were…feelings. Ideas. Like it was sending them right to my brain."

Again nodding thoughtfully, Kikyo then asked, "And what ideas and feelings did you sense?"

Groaning in her throat, Kaname slowly answered, "It – wasn't exactly fear. More like – you know something bad might happen, but you're not sure. And…you want…someone to tell you everything is okay. Something like that, anyway?" When everyone present just looked at Kaname in confusion, the Shikigami User sighed heavily. "I know it doesn't make any sense. But that's the best I can come up with."

"Don't worry, Kaname. Because it's more than enough to make sense of what happened," Kikyo assured her.

"It is?" InuYasha wondered, raising an eyebrow at Kikyo.

"It is. But I don't think we should continue to discuss this matter here," Kikyo informed them. "As you said earlier, there's a danger that Naraku will send additional forces after this statue. We need to get it back to the village as quickly as possible. And once that is done…we'll have to prepare for battle. In the event that Naraku attempts to force us to turn the statue over to him."

"Uh, wait! About the statue!" Kaname blurted out. "There's – something really important that I needed to tell you! It's why I sent that scout out to find you in the first place!"

"Then you'll have to tell us on the way back to the village," Kikyo informed Kaname. "We cannot afford to linger here any longer. Also, I suggest that you send a scout back to Tsuzumi Village, let them know what happened. Given that you likely disappeared right in front of everyone, I'm sure that people there are worried about you."

"I – omigosh, you're right!" Kaname blurted out, almost dropping the statue in her alarm. "I didn't even think of – I need to send a scout back right away!"

"And as soon as you're done with that, we're getting out of here," InuYasha declared in a firm tone. "The longer we're out in the open, the more chance there is for something going wrong. And I'm really not in the mood for that!"

Another of the Kururugi Clan's statues...incredible! Haruna thought as she sat within in the confines of the Demon Slayer Fort. Watching InuYasha and his friends through the eyes of her Shikigami spirit Kumori. And it summoned Kaname away from Tsuzumi Village and Daisuke! This…this could be the opportunity that I've been waiting for!

In spite of her presently tenuous situation, it was all Haruna could do not dance in delight. Kumori, continue to follow them! I need to time everything perfectly if I'm to take full advantage of this situation!

With her Shikigami spirit once again in motion, Haruna sighed and quivered in delight even as she made her way to the storage area where she kept the most potent of artifacts the Demon Slayers possessed. Claiming this new statue…hmm, that would be difficult. But I might be able to convince Kaname that it would best for everyone if it were kept here at the fort, she mused, carefully calculating her next move. Even if that doesn't work, at least I'm certain that their friend Shippo hasn't told Kaname or the others about my agenda. Which means that I should be able to secure – huh?!

Haruna froze in mid-step, and it was all she could do to keep from exploding. Once again, Sango's two-tailed companion was perched in front of the storeroom where Dauntless Might and other powerful relics were held. "What are you doing here?!" the Shikigami Master demanded, prompting the two-tail to look her way. "Go on! Get away from here! Go back to Sango or – just go!"

Growling in her throat, Kirara folded her ears back against her head. But as Haruna approached, the two-tail slowly fell back and ultimately retreated from the storeroom.

Ugh…what is with that miserable – no. I can't myself think that way, Haruna sternly reminded herself. Demon or not, it's just a cat. And while she might be well-trained and brave, you can't apply rational human motives to a simple animal. Then she scowled and wondered, Still…what is with her? Why is she so attracted to Dauntless Might?

Haruna considered the matter for a few seconds more before ultimately shrugging and giving up on the matter. I'll talk to Sango later. See if we can work up some kind of solution to keep that blasted cat away from here, the Demon Slayer finally decided even as she made her way into the storeroom. For now…I have other matters to attend to…

Closing the door behind her, Harina made her way through the storeroom. And it wasn't long before she found the object she sought. "Ah, there you are, my priceless treasure…!" she cooed as she once again took Dauntless Might into her hands. "Now…let's begin once again…!"

Moving carefully, Haruna sat down crosslegged and placed Dauntless Might in her lap. Heaving several deep breaths in anticipation, she then sent forth the power of her Shikigami. A magical circle appearing beneath her, the Shikigami Master felt her power interacting with that of Dauntless Might. And once again, fresh strength, fresh power, began to flow through her veins.

"Oh…ahhh…!" Haruna breathed in delight as her muscle throbbed and pulsed. Her body swelling up a bit more beneath her raiments, her flesh adapting into something better suited to house such growing might. "Yes…oh, yesss…!"

Haruna began to pant and chuckle rapturously. Feeling her physical and magical power increasing more with each passing second.

So lost in her rapture was she that Haruna failed to realize that Kirara was once again perched outside of the storeroom. Watching and listening in silent fury…

This is making me so mad…! Michiru couldn't help but think as he rode on Kirara's back. The two-tail once again in the form of a massive cat that was flying through the air

The world had shifted once again, moving forward to another segment of the ancient past. And down below Michiru, Heizo of the Jun Clan was riding a fine horse through the woods. Following the heed of his own Shikigami as he searched for…something.

I don't get it! Michiru wondered, doing his best to bite back his own frustrations. I know that he's evil! And I – I've seen what he's done! So – hating him makes sense! But – just looking at Heizo is making my blood boil! It's like -!

"Michiru?" Kirara asked in a concerned voice. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?!" Michiru started, snapped out of his furious musings. Pausing to blink a few times, he then heaved a deep breath and looked down at his companion. "Sorry, Kirara. I…I was just…thinking about…all of this…"

"That's understandable. But I need you to remain focused," Kirara instructed even as she began her descent. "We're almost there."

"Almost where?" Michiru wondered with a slight frown.

Kirara didn't answer. Instead, she came to land in a section of forest. "We're here. Keep moving and stay close to me," she instructed Michiru even as she started transforming. "There's much for you to learn."

"I'm not sure how much more I can handle learning," Michiru wondered as he landed on his feet. "Everything that I've seen…it's just so much…!"

Turning her humanoid face towards him, Kirara offered Michiru a sympathetic smile. "I understand that. But I'm afraid that there's still much more that you need to know. If you and the others are going to survive the battles across time that you will soon face."

"Battles…across time?" Michiru wondered anxiously.

"Just follow me. Watch, listen…and learn," Kirara urged him before taking his hand in her own. Then she started forward, pulling just hard enough to encourage Michiru to follow quickly.

Still feeling about as lost in his mind as he was in this world of the past, Michiru could do little more than allow himself to be led forward. Every tree he passed casting a menacing shadow, every patch of fog resembling some unfathomable horror.

And yet he focused on them. Because in Michiru's mind, it was easier than thinking about what was to come.

"So…you four did survive…" came a voice from a short distance away. A voice Michiru immediately recognized. "How fortunate for me…"

"Survive?" Michiru repeated blankly even as Kirara led him into a secluded section of the forest.

"You'll see," Kirara assured him in a solemn tone. Her own expression was terse and focused.

As Michiru continued to follow Kirara, other sounds pricked his ears. Sounds of pain and distress, groans of weakness, hisses of hatred, and creaks and groans and movement.

It wasn't long before Michiru saw the source of these noises.

"At first, I didn't dare to hope that it was possible," Heizo muttered as he looked down upon four female demons. Each of them was tattered and small, their bodies ravaged and left as little more than skin and bones. "You vile temptresses…after what you did to the four Heavenly Kings, I'm amazed that the Celestial Beasts would allow you to live. Obviously, it isn't just their judgment that is faulty."

One of the emaciated demonesses mustered enough strength to shoot Heizo a killing glare. "If you have sought us out…merely to gloat, mortal…"

"Gloat? No," Heizo bitterly intoned. "I have nothing to celebrate in the Beasts' victory over you. I'm here for a different reason."

This seemed to intrigue at least one of the demonesses, who arched an eyebrow. "And…what possible reason…would you have…to search us out…?"

"A very simple one. A matter of…revenge," Heizo explained. "You see, my sisters and I…we were observing the battle between the Heavenly Kings and the Celestial Beasts. And we watched as you attempted to infect and possess the Beasts, just as you had the Kings." He paused and gave the demonesses a cruel sniff before adding, "An attempt that failed."

"Watch your words, mortal…!" another of the demonesses hissed menacingly. "Or else -!"

"Or else what? Your bodies have been damaged beyond recovery, and while you each retain a fragment of the Heavenly Kings' power, it's nowhere near enough to allow you to restore yourselves," Heizo effortlessly countered. "However, those fragments of power are the reason that I have sought you out. You see…I know how the Celestial Beasts were able to withstand your powers."

The four crippled demonesses simply lay there, watching and listening as Heizo continued. "Some time ago, the Celestial Beasts each entrusted a fragment of their powers to Yuuta of the Kururugi Clan. These…fragments remained pure, even when you infected the Celestial Beasts. Pure because Yuuta remains pure. Untouched by your power."

"The Beasts…entrusted some of their power…to a human?!" one of the demonesses snarled in hateful disbelief.

"Yes. And it is because of this, because of Yuuta…that you lay here now," Heizo informed them all. "As for me…I am one who has great reason to hate both the Celestial Beasts and Yuuta and his clan. And I am one who is…not without power of my own."

"So…you say that we have…a common enemy," one of the demonesses spat in a crafty tone. "What do you propose?"

"The Heavenly Kings are now sleeping in hidden sanctums. Healing from what you did to them, regaining their strength. The Celestial Beasts also rest, recovering their own power. And as long as they're doing so, they remain…vulnerable. With only Yuuta's power protecting them," Heizo coldly explained. "As for you…your current bodies are destroyed. But that doesn't mean I cannot provide new bodies to host your power."

"Oh, no…!" Michiru gasped, his eyes going wide with horror as he realized where Heizo was going with this. What he had to have planned. "He can't possibly -!"

"With your strength added to my own, it will be a simple matter of crushing Yuuta and his clan," Heizo smirked cruelly. "And with them out of the way, there will be nothing to prevent us from taking the powers of both the Heavenly Kings and the Celestial Beasts. We will each have our revenge upon all of them." Then he focused his gaze upon the four demonesses and added, "That is…if you accept my proposition."

The four demonesses glanced at each other, the wheels plainly turning in their minds. Until at last one of them looked hard at Heizo and smirked. "What is your name, stranger?"

"I am Heizo. Head of the Jun Clan," the cruel Shikigami Master intoned with clear pride.

"Well, then…Heizo of the Jun Clan," the demoness chuckled, "consider your proposal…accepted."

As the demonesses each laughed hideously, Michiru clenched his fists. "That bastard…he really did it!" he growled deep in his throat. "He sacrificed his sisters to those demons! Of all the -!"

"No, Michiru," Kirara intoned in a calm, soothing voice. Her words and tone stilling Michiru and taking him by surprise even as the world shifted around them once more. "While Heizo's sisters were sacrificed…they were willing participants in his scheme. Nor were they sacrificed in the way that you think."

As the world settled down around him, Michiru found himself in a small, dark room. The only sources of lights were four indoor torches, but he could still the various markings and incantations inscribed upon the walls. All four of Heizo's sisters were gathered and appeared to be sleeping on top of a pentagram in each corner of the room. In the center of the chamber were four small cauldrons, each of them filled with some foul concoction that caused Michiru to wrinkle his nose.

And soon, Heizo entered the chamber. Accompanied by the emaciated demonesses, each of whom was grinning in cruel anticipation.

"Hmm…yes…" hissed the leader demoness. "As you promised, Heizo. Your sisters' bodies will serve as fine new hosts."

"Or at least they will once we've remade them in our own images!" another demoness corrected her sister.

"Agreed. But before we proceed…let us inspect Heizo's…preparations," the third demoness suggested. "Just to make certain that he is living up to his end of our pact."

The other demonesses quickly agreed, and thus all four began surveying the various spells, ritualistic implements, and more that had been placed within that room. They checked all four sisters and confirmed that they were unconscious. They went over every detail, moving past Michiru and Kirara as if they weren't even there. Their every movement unsettling for the Kururugi boy, causing him to shudder in disgust.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of the demonesses nodded in satisfaction. "Everything is in place, Heizo," she hissed, flashing the Shikigami Master a fang-filled grin. "You will, of course, be duly rewarded when this is over."

"I'm certain that I will," Heizo agreed. "Now…let us begin."

Each of the four demonesses eagerly clambered into one of the cauldrons, causing some of the liquid to spill over. As for Heizo, he began chanted an awful spell that Michiru didn't understand. All the Kururugi boy could tell was that the words made him feel sick to his stomach, as if they were invoking things that ought not be brought forth. All the while the demonesses cackled with clear eagerness.

Then in a sudden movement, Heizo knocked one of the torches over. "What the -!?" Michiru cried out in alarm as the thin wooden floor immediately caught fire. Burning at an absurdly quick rate, it was reduced to ashes in seemingly seconds, surprisingly doing nothing to harm anything upon it. "What's he -?!"

"Heizo?! What are you -?!" one of the demonesses cried out as the others made various noises of surprise and betrayal.

Right before a second, hidden layer of the floor was revealed beneath the incinerated one. A layer that bore completely different markings and spells that promptly lit up. "These spells – no!" another demoness shrieked in clear terror. "Betrayal!"

"Of course! Did you really think I would be so foolish to trust you?" Heizo demanded of the four demonesses. "You seduced the Heavenly Kings and very nearly left them empty shells! I knew that to trust you would be to invite an even worse fate!" Then he grinned sadistically and added, "But perhaps not as bad as the price you'll now pay for trusting us! Sisters!"

As one, the eyes of each of Heizo's sisters flew open, right before they each rose up to their feet. The demonesses cried out in horror, each of them already struggling to escape the cauldrons. But even as they did so, Heizo and his sisters began chanting a new chant, with the four sisters approaching one of the demonesses. Weaving powerful magics that entrapped the crippled creatures, driving them deeper into the cauldrons.

And as Michiru looked onward, each of the demonesses began to melt away into nothing. Dissolving into the vile soup that they had so eagerly entered of their own will. Until at last their wails and cries and curses faded away into nothing. Leaving only the members of the Jun Clan standing, and the four sisters smiling eagerly.

"You've done your part well, Heizo," one of the sisters declared as she knelt down in front of her cauldron.

"Indeed! They were all so eager, so greedy!" the second sister added as she knelt down as well. "They never even suspected!"

"And now it is our time!" the third sister decreed as she also knelt in front of her cauldron. "Soon we'll be the ones to wield the power we deserve!"

"Yes," the fourth sister added as she mirrored the movements of her siblings. Right before she looked at Michiru and gave him a cold, hateful glare. "And then…we'll rid the world of your bloodline! And take what's ours!"

With that said, each of the sisters plunged her face into the foul broth left behind by the demonesses. And each of them began guzzling it down greedily.

"As you can see, Michiru…Heizo did sacrifice his sisters. Sacrificed their human lives, and that they were willing victims of his and their own greed and envy," Kirara grimly intoned as she observed the foul feast. "This day marked the beginning of the end for their mortal existences. And the rise of the Devas of the Jun Clan…"

Author's Notes: Sorry to be so slow in updating. Life has been kicking me in the nads some more. Still, I hope that you all enjoyed this latest chapter. And please, read and review! And maybe check out my other stories as well?

FiyoriTakeshi, you're not the only one whose noticed a lack of good Cursed Mask fanfics. That and the fact that I fell in love with the pairing of Michiru and Sango is what motivated me to write these fics in the first place. I'm certainly glad that you hold my work in such high esteem. As you can see, I haven't given up on them. I might not have as much time as I would like to work on such writing, but I am doing my best. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to my next one.

Uruz 11, Kirara was in her fighting form, and her intention was to get Dauntless Might away from Haruna. Haruna does have an agenda, but she's not actively malicious. Sadly, her good intentions are currently paving a path to hell, and not just for her. Tsubaki has already realized that she is completely disposable in Naraku's mind, and is making preparations to address that. As for Michiru lending Haruna his schoolbooks, that part was an accident. He expected her to only take his father's spellbook and nothing more. Which was a major blunder on his part. Glad the scene with Miroku's letter came off well, as well as how InuYasha handled things. Shippo did goof in not mention Haruna's agenda. Expect for her to take advantage of that. I'm also glad that you enjoyed the heartwarming moments with Sango, Kirara, and Kanna. Also glad that the scene with humanoid Kirara came off well. I really wanted to have her interacting with the others on a deeper level, among other things. I really did try my best to accurately capture InuYasha's feelings when he thinks that Kikyo had died. Glad that I managed to pull it off. Good to know that you enjoyed learning about Kurogasa. I wanted to explore that connection with Kakuju and her own mistakes in the wake of her husband's death. Also, I'm glad that the revelation of Michiru and Kaname's connection to Midoriko was not only surprising but entertaining. Here's hoping that I can keep it up. I do have plans for Miroku and Akechi down the road. Here's hoping that I can pull them off. Glad you liked the action sequences and the Demon Slayers' new ship. Sorry for the more abridged to your comments, but…well, catching up on stuff isn't easy.

Frosty Wolf, no, there isn't really a clear answer. That's why such debates are important. Expect Naraku to be up to no good.

Greymon Leader Batx flashpoint, Haruna being an uncomfortable character is a deliberate move on my part. I'm doing my best to portray her as a character that genuinely wants to do good, but her obsession distort and corrupt what she's trying to do. Yeah, Michiru made a big mistake, though I'd like to think that it's an understandable one. And indeed, I thought the situation with the books worked well. And indeed, Tsubaki will be attempting to corrupt Kagome. You'll have to wait and see how successful she is.

J4RRE77, I actually researched this aspect. The thing is, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873. And Haruna wouldn't know what that calendar means.

Jetty1, I never bothered setting a specific timeframe for this story. Basically it's between InuYasha acquiring the Red Tetsusaiga and the canonical appearance of the Band of Seven. And consider Yura of the Demon Hair under consideration.

TheEmeraldMage, if by thing, you mean that there's plenty of fanart of a humanoid Kirara, the yes. And I know what you mean about Pyrrha. T_T

IrishKatana, yeah, this isn't going to end well.

Raidentensho, I'm hoping to surprise you with some techniques.

Egg Custard, you have no idea how screwed everyone is.

abusekeller75863548274483, I'm doing my best to provide entertaining stories and more for everyone. Here's hoping I can keep keeping going.