"Miroku, Sango, could you look for Kagome once we're inside the city? And the missing villagers, too."
"And Inuyasha, go find Sesshomaru right away. I'm afraid the Leopard Cat Tribe is plotting something terrible this time."
Han looked earnestly at the three of them as she spoke.
"Right!" Miroku and Sango exchanged a glance and nodded, then told Inuyasha, "Then you and Miss Han should go find Sesshomaru. Leave Miss Kagome to us."
"All right." Inuyasha nodded solemnly.
Sesshomaru stood outside the Castle, looking at the blue-haired, indigo-eyed woman blocking his path. "You summoned me here to meet your chief, did you not?" he asked in a low voice. So far, he had detected no suspiciously powerful presence.
"We aren't ready yet. Isn't meeting me enough?" Fuyuran smiled faintly.
"Leave this to me, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken declared indignantly. This woman was utterly shameless, saying such things to Lord Sesshomaru! "Taste the power of the Human-Head Staff!"
Scarlet flames spurted from the Human-Head Staff, but Fuyuran stood without moving. With a casual gesture, she released a swirl of icy mist that easily sent both the staff and Jaken flying. Just as she prepared to press her attack, Sesshomaru finally intervened.
A mere flick of Tōkijin scattered her attack.
Fuyuran's indigo eyes darkened. A long Ice Spear formed in her right palm, and she struck first, lunging at Sesshomaru! As they exchanged blows, the battle gradually shifted elsewhere. The Leopard Cat Tribe's Castle was a maze of intersecting passages and intricate layouts. Fuyuran feinted, then slipped away when Sesshomaru unleashed Azure Dragon Blast, vanishing without a trace.
So they are stalling after all, Sesshomaru thought.
By the time the moon reached its zenith, both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had finally arrived in the Inner Castle.
Within a transparent, dark-red Barrier, the