The Labarynth

Also could be titled "Miroku's Breakdown".

AN: No one's reviewed me yet. I have no clue if I am doing this right or not. At this point, I kinda feel like I'm writing this for myself. So review review review! Please. Or, I might not find the will to keep it going! After all, if I don't know what's good and bad or who likes it, what's the point?

Chapter Three

Three days. The boys had been gone three whole days. Tonight would be the full moon, as well; and InuYasha was alone in that Labarynth with the very demon who wanted him dead for possessing human DNA. Tonight, he wouldn't be able to fight back very well. Kagome's stomach twisted within her with worry as if it were a wet cloth being wrung out to clean with. She didn't like this; she should never have sent them in. But maybe Sesshoumaru's honor super-seeded his disgust of half-lings. Maybe they'd arrive soon, shards in hand. Maybe Sesshoumaru would pass off some stupid "Fetched your dog" comment, and everything was going to be okay. But it wasn't, was it? Something in her gut told her that InuYasha and Sesshoumaru were never coming back. A lone tear slid down her cheek as she sat, curled up beside the flame that Miroku and Shippo had built. Her eyes were glazed over in thought as she merely dazed at the flames before her, not truly looking at them at all, not really paying attention to anything around her. Sango sat beside her, as she had done for the past hour Kagome had been in this trance. Shippo had fallen asleep behind her.
"She doesn't look good, Miroku..." she spoke, casting a concerned eye to the monk. His own glance had been fixed on the fire; everyone had been worried about Kagome.
"InuYasha's been gone far too long for this to be just a simple maze run. I don't think Kagome is taking this too well. Perhaps we should go after him, and bring them back?"
"Even if we could get past the barrier, Miroku, how do you suggest we do it without alerting Naraku or his demons? Kagura said-"
"I DON'T CARE WHAT KAGURA SAID!" the monk barked, standing up instantly, angered rather suddenly. "IT'S THAT BITCH'S FAULT TO BEGIN WITH!" Sango stared at him in disbelief. Kirara mewled softly, as if reiterating this shock. Miroku sighed deeply, and slunk himself down on the ground once again. "I'm sorry, I'm just not made for this leading-the-group thing. I guess it's too much for me to handle."
"Miroku, I have every belief you'll do fine until ImuYasha gets back. You've gone okay so far."
"Have I?" he challenged, a hurt look on his face. He knew differently. "I walked off from Kirara and Shippo to enjoy...myself...and watch you bathe, when a demon or twenty could have killed them. To top that off, I suggest going after InuYasha, which would probably kill us all, after such a short time because I can't handle being in charge. I'm not making wise decisions, Sango. I'm used to taking orders, not making them. I'm used to suggesting ideas, not making choices for everyone's lives. I could kill us all." The monk stood, and hiked off towards whatever landmark was behind the trees. He wanted to be alone, and Sango knew it. Kirara looked after him, as if wanting to follow, but the glance from Sango told her no.
"What's eating HIM?" interrupted an all-to familiar voice. Sango's eyes snapped up to the form of Kouga, standing on the opposite side of the fire. Just like Sango to him, he could only see the top of Sango's head. "And for that matter, where's the mutt? Isn't he always within smelling range of Kagome? Where IS Kagome?"
"Kouga!" Sango blinked. That guy always had strange timing. "InuYasha? Well, he's off on a shard hunt. Kagome's right here, worried about him. Miroku is upset over this whole thing." she explained. She almost sounded relieved.
"The mutt left her behind?" he questioned, a confused look on his face. Had the mutt really been so irresponsible to leave her with the monk in charge? "That's not like him." Kouga stepped over slowly, rounding the fire. "Kagome looks like she's a mess. What a dumb mutt." Sango blinked, once again. Was he actually toning down his insults? Maybe it was the full moon. Kouga knelt beside Kagome, and pulled her into his arms, as if to comfort her. "Kagome, snap out of it."
"It's not that easy, Kouga. We've tried that, she's been like that for hours."
"Hmph." he replied, still holding her, despite the warning. "I don't get why she's so attached to him, if he leaves her behind on a shard hunt."
"Kouga, it's not like-" Sango started, but a weak little voice interrupted her.
"...He went into Mount Hakurei, because Kagura let him in. There's eight tainted shards." Sango's eyes snapped down to the girl. Had Kouga actually woke her up? Maybe all she needed was a demon she trusted to come.
"He went into Mount Hakurei, alone, near the full moon, for shards that Naraku would never let leave his barrier? What a DUMB MUTT! I can't leave you guys alone for even a day, can I, before that idiot goes off to do some kamikazi glory mission? That's it. I'm sticking around now. That mutt is OUT. I'M the alpha now! If he can't stick around long enough to protect the five of you, I WILL!"
"Kouga!..." was all the stunned Sango could say. It wasn't as if any of them could argue with that.

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Short, sorry. But, what's going to happen now that Kouga has taken InuYasha's place? How will Miroku react to this, and what will the gang think when Kagome tells them she sent Sesshoumaru in after InuYasha? Review, if you want to find out!