(To Shippo)
"Hey, Shippo, let me ask you again." Myoga's voice rings out as a teary-eyed Shippo looks over at him.
"Are you positive that the 3 of them swallowed the antidote?" Myoga asks Shippo, who nods.
"They did. I'm sure of it... It was an Antidote that Ginengi gave me." Shippo answers, looking away and then at the ground.
"It should have worked, but it didn't have any effect." Shippo cries.
"Hmm. Hey, Shippo, do you know where Master Inuyasha went?" Myoga questions Shippo, and he shakes his head.
"Oh, no. I hope he's not doing anything rash!" Myoga cries out.
(To Inuyasha)
"Come on out, you filthy bastards! I'm right here waiting for you, so if you want a fight, come on out. Jakotsu, Renkotsu, and whoever else I haven't killed yet. I am gonna finish off every last one of you. Dammit! I said quit hiding and come out and fight!" Inuyasha growled as he held his sword in his hand; his whole body trembled in anger.
(To Jakotsu)
"So, Renkotsu, is Inuyasha still alive?" Jakotsu asks.
"Yes. Rest assured." Renkotsu answered as he stood in front of boiling lava.
"Oh, I'm so glad. I was thinking about that tasty little morsel, Inuyasha, the whole time I was fighting Koga. To be perfectly honest with you, it was a little distracting." Jakotsu states as he stared into a barrel from a gun, while Renkotsu took a drink from his gourd, then blew more fire into the fire.
"So, you let Koga get away, did you? Shame on you, Jakotsu." Renkotsu jibes as he glances back at Jakotsu.
"Sorry. Couldn't be helped. The guy ran super fast. You should've seen him... Other than Inuyasha, I also couldn't stop thinking about him and that girl's conversation." Jakotsu points out, causing Renkotsu to put on a surprised expression.
"You thinking about a girl?" Renkotsu questions Jakotsu.
"The girl who's always with Kohaku," Jakotsu answers Renkotsu, who puts on an annoyed expression.
"I believe her name is (Y/N)... She had a conversation with Koga?" Renkotsu asks Jakotsu, who nods as he stands.
"More like an argument, they seemed as if they were on the same side before, and she switched... Or something," Jakotsu answers Renkotsu, who glances back at him with an intrigued expression.
"Excellent. This is just right." Renkotsu smirks as he looks up at Ginkotsu, who is above the lava.
"Just wait, Ginkotsu. You're about to be rewarded." Renkotsu adds.
"Grrsh." Ginkotsu sounds as he narrows his eyes at Renkotsu.
"Oh, yes, and I shall see to it that you are much, much stronger." Renkotsu insists as he pulls the lever beside him, causing Jakotsu to yawn.
"This is all so tedious. I wonder what Inuyasha's doing." Jakotsu declares.
(To Inuyasha)
"Damn." Inuyasha cursed as he plunged his fist into the ground, over and over again.
"Why are you cursing yourself, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru's voice rings out, making Inuyasha stop and look up.
"Get lost. I'm in no mood to talk to you." Inuyasha states.
"So, only now you realize how weak you are." Sesshomaru declared as he stood about a yard away.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha demands.
"After all, you are only a Half-Demon. You can barely take care of yourself, and yet you wield the Tessaig, which was forged in order to protect others. Your friends never stood a chance." Sesshomaru informs, causing Inuyasha to growl.
"Then maybe I should kill you, Sesshomaru, and take your Tenseiga. Then I could resurrect Kagome and the other two." Inuyasha insists, making Sesshomaru scoff.
"As if you could ever master my Tenseiga." Sesshomaru points out as Inuyasha glances back with a growl.
"Well, we won't know unless I try!" Inuyasha calls out as he unleashes the Windscar, but once it dissipates theirs no one there.
"He's gone," Inuyasha says as he shuts his eyes.
(To Jaken)
"Hello? He's not here." Jaken says as he looks around.
"Look, here comes Lord Sesshomaru now." Rin grins as she sees Sesshomaru walking towards them.
"Lord Sesshomaru, where have you been?" Jaken asks, causing Sesshomaru to look away from Jaken.
"I found him." Sesshomaru answers.
"Huh?" Jaken and Rin chorus.
"I found him." Sesshomaru repeats.
"Uh... Found who?" Jaken questions.
"That little troublemaker," Sesshomaru responds.
"Little troublemaker? Little troublemaker... Oh, you mean that boy that was with Naraku!" Jaken chirps.
"You mean Kohaku?" Rin asks as Sesshomaru turns away from them.
"Oh, wait! Please wait, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken pleads as Rin stares at Sesshomaru with a worried expression.
(To (Y/N) )
"Can't we take a short break, Kohaku?" I breathe out, making him finally stop in his tracks, looking back at me. "We've been traveling since the crack of dawn..." I think, as a slight sigh escapes Kohaku's lips.
"We were being pursued, up until earlier... A short break is fine." Kohaku says, jumping down as I nod thankfully. "I didn't even realize we were being pursued. I didn't sense any Shards though... So who was following us?" I wonder, lying against a nearby tree.
(To Inuyasha)
"Inuyasha?" Shippo asks as he sees Inuyasha walking over to Kagome.
"Shippo, please don't cry anymore. Men never show their tears, no matter what." Inuyasha answers Shippo, who is sniffling.
"Ok, I'll try." Shippo nods as Inuyasha lifts Kagome's head and pulls her into his arms, while trembling.
"Inuyasha, I can't..." Kagome trails off, causing Inuyasha's eyes to widen.
"I can't breathe." Kagome insists.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha questions as he pulls her slightly out of his embrace, and she groans.
"I'm kind of dizzy," Kagome responds weakly.
"But you were-"
"That's to be expected; some of the blood was blocking the antidote, so it couldn't work properly." Myoga insists as he finishes sucking Miroku's blood and looks up at Inuyasha.
"Wow, I gotta tell you, it's been a long time since I've had so much blood at once." Myoga adds.
"Are you telling me that you-"
"Well, the antidote would have worked either way, I just sped up the process," Myoga informs, while interrupting Inuyasha.
"Well, well. So, you'll bear my child then?" Miroku asks, while talking in his sleep as he was rubbing Myoga's head.
"I wish this one would have died," Myoga remarks as he rolls away, as Shippo rushes over to him.
"Miroku?" Shippo asks Miroku, who opens his eyes.
"Was it just a dream? How disappointing." Miroku responds, causing Shippo to narrow his eyes at Miroku.
"I should've known you were dreaming about women." Shippo jibes as Kirara sounds out.
"Songo, hey, are you okay?" Shippo asks as he looks over to see her eyes open.
"Uh-huh," Songo answers.
"That means that everyone's still alive. I'm so glad." Kagome smiles.
"I gotta hand it to you, Myoga, I guess at times you can be useful every once in a while." Shippo teases.
"Why, you little whippersnapper! How dare you speak to me like that!" Myoga shouts with an angry expression.
(To Kikyo)
She was walking with a lock of hair in her hands as one of her soul collectors died, making Kikyo stop in her tracks and turn to them. Slowly, Kikyo turns to see Mount Hakurei in the distance with a thoughtful expression, but she then turns and walks away.
(To (Y/N) )
"There's a Shard in that village," I state, causing Kohaku to nod.
"One of the Band of Seven members is staying here," Kohaku informs me as he begins heading towards it. "Then how come this Village isn't slaughtered or deserted?" I wonder, beginning to feel a strange presence coming from the village, as we head towards it.
"Are we going to question them?" I ask Kohaku, who shakes his head.
"Only observe," Kohaku answers as a hut comes into view.
"This will do." A man's voice makes me stop in my tracks as I see the Pure light from the Jewel shining brightly. "Why is his light so Pure? Isn't he a mercenary like the others?" I wonder, as I go to walk.
"We can't be noticed." Kohaku points out, making me stop in my tracks with a confused expression, but then a weird feeling envelopes me. Looking over, I see Kikyo walking towards the man with the Sacred Jewel Shard. "What the hell is Kikyo doing here?!" I wonder as Kohaku grabs my hand, dragging me to the nearby trees.
"Oh, my, such a beautiful Priestess." The young girl insists, causing Kikyo to bend down to her with a smile.
"Who is that man?" Kikyo asks the young girl, who has a sleeping infant on her back, and looks back over at the house.
"Oh, that man's name is Doctor Suikotsu." The young girl answers Kikyo, who looks over at him.
"A Doctor?" Kikyo questions.
"Chiyo, do we have a visitor?" The man asks, looking over at them.
"Hello, there. You are known as Suikotsu?" Kikyo questions.
"Yes, and you are..." Suikotsu trails off.
"My name is Kikyo." Kikyo introduces herself as several children rush over to him and laugh."Could Kikyo be thinking the same thing, I am?" I wonder, looking between the man named Suikotsu and Kikyo.
(To Koga)
"Kagome!" Koga calls out as his Whirlwind vanishes, while he stops in front of her.
"Oh, hi, Koga." Kagome greets.
"Are you okay? I came as fast as I could after (Y/N) said you could be dead." Koga insists, causing Shippo to look over at him with a confused expression.
"(Y/N) said that?" Shippo asks in a whisper.
"Koga! Why you..." Inuyasha trails off as Koga looks down to see that he was bent down on Inuyasha's back.
"Oh, hey there. You're still alive, too?" Koga questions.
"I'll kill ya!" Inuyasha bellows as he tries to attack him.
"Hey!" Koga shouts as he jumps up, dodging Inuyasha's claws.
"How dare you!" Inuyasha screams.
"So, Koga, what are you doing here?" Kagome asks as he lands on the ground.
"Well, I was pursuing Naraku when I ran into (Y/N), who was being accompanied by a boy. I realized (Y/N) was acting odd when a strange Warrior wielding a snake-like sword appeared, letting (Y/N) and the boy get away." Koga answers as everyone's eyes widen.
"Kohaku was the boy, but the warrior sounds a lot like..." Songo trails off.
"Jakotsu," Miroku adds, but Koga grabs Kagome's hands.
"This rather odd fellow proceeded to tell me that you were dead," Koga states with a serious expression.
"How thoughtful! You were worried about me." Kagome points out with a fake smile, and Inuyasha gets in between them.
"Let go of her hands right now, Koga, or I'll rip your arms off." Inuyasha snarls.
"You are despicable, Inuyasha. Kagome's hands feel much colder than they usually do, and her beautiful cheeks, which are usually so rosy, are pale like a fish's belly. I can tell you put Kagome's life in terrible danger. I would never let anything like that happen to her!" Koga proclaims.
"You... Why you..." Inuyasha trails off as Koga folds his arms.
"The worst part is (Y/N) probably risked her own life to help all of you." Koga made known, causing them to turn to Koga with a confused expression.
"risked her life?" Kagome asks Koga, who puts on a displeased expression.
"I met (Y/N) for a second time, but she was different. She was acting more like her usual self, but a smell I knew all too well was emanating from her." Koga answers, and Songo narrows her eyes at him.
"What kind of smell?" Songo questions Koga.
"Maisma, she didn't want me to say anything... Her whole arm was a dark purple and reeked of Miasma. It was consuming her from the inside." Koga responds.
"How is that possible? I mean, (Y/N)'s a priestess and should have been able to purify it even if it was in her body." Miroku insists, and Kagome nods.
"She said it was only one of the reasons she's tied herself back to Naraku," Koga explains as Shippo walks up to them with tears in his eyes.
"He's right... (Y/N) gave me the antidote to save you all, but she told me not to tell!" Shippo cries out to Kagome, who rushes over to him as Inuyasha puts on a confused expression.
"It was probably her..." Inuyasha trails off, pulling out a knife.
"Inuyasha, where'd you get that?" Songo asks Inuyasha, who looks over at her.
"Someone threw this at the wires that were wrapped around me during my fight with Renkotsu and Ginkotsu," Inuyasha answers Songo as she grabs the knife.
"This is the same knife... I gave (Y/N)." Songo informs.
"So, whose side is she on?" Miroku questions Shippo, who was being held by Kagome, rubbing his eyes.
"She's trying to help everyone," Shippo responds, and Kagome nods with a smile.
"(Y/N), Thank you." Kagome thanks, looking up at the sky.
(To (Y/N) )
"My ears sting..." I trail off, pulling on one of my ears. "Someone is definitely talking about me." I think, letting out a sigh, while staring at the doctor's hut with Kohaku.
"This guy is different," Kohaku mutters, and I nod.
"You're right, he hasn't burned this place to the ground or slaughtered anyone. Also, his Shard is pure..." I trail off as Kohaku, and I stare at each other. "Could we have resurrected the wrong man?" I wonder, glancing at the hut.
(To Kikyo)
"These children lost their parents to famine and disease, and so ever since, I've taken care of them," Suikotsu informs as he looks over to see all of them sleeping, making him chuckle.
"They're sleeping so soundly." Suikotsu points out as he pulls up the covers for one of the children, as the light of his shard shines.
"What is it?" Suikotsu asks Kikyo, who was staring at him intensely.
"Uh... Nothing." Kikyo answers.
"Help! Doctor Suikotsu!" Shouting rings out, making Suikotsu rush towards the door.
"What happened to him?" Suikotsu questions as he opens the door.
"He fell and badly injured his leg with a sickle." Villager 1 responds, helping the injured Villager, whose leg is badly bleeding.
"It hurts! It hurts so bad!" The injured Villager cries out as blood trickles onto the ground, causing Suikotsu to wince.
"Doctor Suikotsu?" Kikyo's voice rings out as she walks over to the door and looks over at her.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Kikyo asks.
"Um, thank you, Lady Kikyo. I'd appreciate that." Suikotsu answers.
"What's the matter? You look so pale." Kikyo points out, as he looks away.
"It's nothing. I'm just not feeling well." Suikotsu made known.
(To (Y/N) )
"Didn't this guy say he was a doctor? Why is he having a hard time looking at the blood?" I ask, staring over at Suikotsu, who was as white as a ghost.
"Strange," Kohaku answers, and I nod. "How could a man who doesn't like blood be a part of the Band of Seven?" I wonder.
(To Suikotsu)
"What a relief. The wound is not as deep as I'd feared." Suikotsu informs, rubbing a green cream on the injured villager's foot.
"It hurts! I-it hurts." The injured villager stutters as Kikyo and the other villager hold the man up.
"Doctor Suikotsu, you seem tired." Kikyo insists to Suikotsu, whose dripping with sweat as his hands shake.
"Shall I take over?" Kikyo asks Suikotsu, making him stand.
"Thank you. Please do." Suikotsu answers.
(To (Y/N) )
"Quite strange..." I trail off, see Suikotsu feeding the birds with Chiyo."Is this man really part of a group of Mercenaries?" I wonder, seeing Kikyo walk outside the hut and towards Suikotsu.
"Doctor Suikotsu," Kikyo says, making them turn to her.
"The two men just left," Kikyo informs Suikotsu, who looks down from her gaze.
"I'm so embarrassed," Suikotsu states.
"Don't be." Kikyo insists as the child smiles.
"Doctor Suikotsu doesn't like the sight of blood much." Chiyo declares. "There's definitely been some mistake here then." I think as Suikotsu puts his hand to his face.
"And I call myself a Physician. The moment I see blood, my whole body starts to shake uncontrollably." Suikotsu explains, shaking his head.
"Have you been a doctor in this village your whole life?" Kikyo asks, making me narrow my eyes.
"No, I was born in the Eastern Region. For a long time, I traveled village to village looking after the sick and infirm. Finally, I ended up here. It's poor, but because it's deep in the cold North, the war hasn't reached us. It's peaceful." Suikotsu answers as I put my hand to my mouth. "This man doesn't know he was brought back to life?!" I wonder, seeing him look down at his hand, making a terrified expression, and walk away.
"What's the matter? Doctor Suikotsu?" Kikyo questions.
"My hands..." Suikotsu trails off, making it to the well.
"My- my hands," Suikotsu mutters, pouring water into a bucket and shoving his hands into the water.
"Blood. I must wash my hands. I must wash." Suikotsu repeats, making my eyes widen.
"Kohaku, are you sure this guy is one of the Band of Seven?" I ask Kohaku, and he nods.
"He was in one of the tombs for the Band of Seven. You know as well as I do..." Kohaku trails off as we both turn back to see Suikotsu still washing his hands like a madman.
"There's no blood on your hands, Doctor." Kikyo insist and Chiyo looks up at her.
"Doctor Suikotsu gets like that sometimes. When it's bad, he'll keep washing for a whole hour or more." Chiyo informs.
(Time Skip)
"I'm surprised she hasn't noticed us yet..." I trailed off as Kohaku, and I stood in a nearby tree, watching Kikyo standing at the edge of the lake. "Kikyo has very good senses, so I had assumed we would have been caught already." I think, seeing a bunch of light begin floating down into her body.
"Soul Collectors," Kohaku whispers, narrowing his eyes on the lights.
"She survives on the souls of the dead," I whisper back, but then see Kikyo turn, making me tense up. "Perhaps she's more concerned about that man than worrying about us." I think, seeing her walk back towards the Village, a determined expression appeared on Kikyo's face.
"Is it out of pure curiosity, or is it something more?" I wonder, but Kohaku then places a hand on my shoulder.
"It's best if you sleep now, I believe you'll need your energy for tomorrow," Kohaku advises, jumping down, and I let out a sigh.
"Alright..." I trail off, lying against the tree I'm in. "How could a man forget he's revived, but also have such a Pure Shard as well?" I wonder, closing my eyes.
(To Suikotsu)
"Aaahh!" Suikotsu screams, sitting up, but then lets out a sigh.
"It was a dream." Suikotsu breaths, placing his hand against his face.
"What a horrible dream. Was it..." Suikotsu trails off.
"You're awake already, Dr. Suikotsu?" Kikyo's voice rings out, making him put on a confused expression as he opens the door.
"Oh. Good morning to you, Lady Kikyo." Suikotsu greets her with a slight bow.
"Good morning." Kikyo greets back.
"Looks like it's going to be a fine day today, don't you think?" Suikotsu asks, looking up at the bright sky.
(To (Y/N) )
Sunlight began to seep through the leaves of the tree, making me stir slightly.
"5 more minutes..." I trail off, going to turn when I feel my head beginning to feel funny. "What the-"
"I don't think it's good for one to sleep upside down." Kohaku's voice interrupted my thoughts as I opened my eyes to see his almond colored eyes staring back at me. Quickly, I look up to see that I was hanging upside down from the tree I was sleeping in.
"Definitely not my intention." I yawn as I lift, making all the blood rush down from my head and feel lighter. "I don't think I'll ever get used to sleeping in a tree." I think, rubbing my eyes.
"We should get going." Kohaku insists as I look over to see him walking away.
"I'm still sleepy..." I trail off, jumping down from the tree and following him.
(To Kikyo)
"Is Dr. Suikotsu away?" The old man asks Kikyo, who nods.
"Yes, he went to pick herbs," Kikyo answers.
"Oh, I see." The old man mutters.
"If you like, I can help you instead." Kikyo offers.
"Really? Oh, thank you so much." The old man thanks, walking towards her.
(To (Y/N) )
"Dr. Suikotsu, I found some!" A boy's voice rings out, making me turn.
"Wait, isn't that..." I trail off as I see Suikotsu and two of the children with him.
"Picking Herbs, it looks like." Kohaku points out, jumping into the nearest tree, making me follow after him. "He's a little ways from the Village just for Herbs." I think, but then I see something heading towards them.
"Ah, Green Gentian. Good for a weak stomach. We'll pick these, and then we'll go home, ok?" Suikotsu suggests causing the boy to smile.
"Uh-huh." The boy nods.
"Well, well, well, I finally found you," Inuyasha states as I see Kagome standing next to him, making me look to see Songo, Miroku, and Kirara, along with Shippo. "I'm glad they survived, but they shouldn't be here." I think, gritting my teeth.
(To Kikyo)
"Yes, of course I remember. Dr. Suikotsu came to this village of ours shortly after the tomb of the band of Seven broke apart." The old man informs Kikyo, who is wrapping his wrist.
"Did you say the Band of Seven?" Kikyo asks the man, who nods.
"Yes. By a strange coincidence, Dr. Suikotsu had the same name as one of those accused beings. So there was panic amongst the villagers, who believed he was a Specter who had escaped from the tomb." The old man answers.
"Dr. Suikotsu is a member of the Band of Seven?" Kikyo questions the old man, but he quickly turns to her.
"Of course not! Even if the name is the same, they have opposite personalities. I witnessed the execution of those seven heinous warriors with my very own eyes. It was a long time ago, but I remember it clearly. It was 15 years ago, to be precise. 7 Mercenaries who called themselves the Band of Seven escaped here from the Eastern Lands. They committed countless atrocities, leaving death and suffering in their wake, but then they fell into a trap set by the Lord of the region and were executed by the Lord's men. Suikotsu, one of the seven Mercenaries, was a terrifying-looking creature who resembled more a demon than a human- truly evil being. But our Suikotsu is totally different. Why, the man is almost a Saint." The old man explains, but then smiles.
"There you go." Kikyo insists, causing the man to look down at his bandaged wrist.
"Oh. That feels so much better now. The pain's all gone away." The old man states.
"There are plenty of medicinal herbs growing in this region that I was able to use." Kikyo declares.
"Thank you very much, young Lady." The old man thanks Kikyo, who nods with a smile.
"Please give my regards to Dr. Suikotsu... Is there something the matter?" The old man asks as she turns away from him.
"I sense a Jewel Shard," Kikyo answers as she narrows her eyes, while thinking deeply about something.
(To (Y/N) )
"I sense 3 Jewel Shards heading towards the Village..." I trail off as Kohaku looks at me.
"They must be coming for this man," Kohaku informs me, as I look over to see Inuyasha rushing towards Suikotsu.
"I'll make you show your true colors!" Inuyasha shouts. "What the hell is he doing?!" I wonder, gripping the tree I was standing on.
"Run, children!" Suikotsu bellows, pushing the children away from him.
"Inuyasha, wait a second!" Miroku calls out.
"Be careful! Don't hurt the children!" Kagome screams.
"I'm not stupid, you know." Inuyasha insists as he brings his claw down, but Suikotsu barely dodges it and falls down the cliff. "So it's attack first and ask questions later, really?" I wonder, glaring at Inuyasha.
"Dr. Suikotsu!" Chiyo cries out as Inuyasha, who stood next to them, and the boy turn to him.
"Why, you! What are you doing?!" The boy exclaims, kicking Inuyasha.
"Are you alright, Dr. Suikotsu?" Chiyo asks, sliding down the cliff to him with the boy following after her.
"Are you hurt?" The boy questions. "He sincerely wants to protect those children... Maybe he was just the Band of 7Seven's doctor or something." I think, putting my hand to my chin.
"Don't worry about me, you two. Now, hurry and run away from here." Suikotsu instructs.
"No. We're not going anywhere." Chiyo states.
"She's right. We can't just leave you behind." The boy declares as the girl glares up at Inuyasha.
"To those kids, you're like the bad guy attacking a good guy for no reason. I hate to say it, but I think we may have been wrong about him." Miroku points out as Inuyasha glares over at Miroku. "I figured Miroku would notice that something's up as well." I think, looking down at Suikotsu's shard.
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asks.
"He's nothing at all like the other members of the Band of Seven we've encountered so far," Miroku answers.
"Ha! It's a put-on. It's the same trick Renkotsu used." Inuyasha made known as my eyes widened, feeling the 3 Shards much clearer now.
"They're here," I whisper, as Inuyasha readies his claws.
"There's no way I'm going to be fooled a second time. Now show your true self, you maggot!" Inuyasha demands, but then gunfire rings out, causing us all to look over and see a big billow of black smoke rise into the sky. "What's going to happen when this man is reunited with his former group? Will he change or remain the good doctor I've seen till now?" I wonder as Kohaku, and I jump down.