InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Alliances ❯ Delusions of the Mind ( Chapter 12 )

Happy Easter!!

 

Sorry about the long wait guys, I'm up to my ears in French. (If you count all the papers I've gone through since the start of spring break, you could take that almost literally…)

 

So, it's a long one. Hope you enjoy!

 

Reviews!

 

Kitsama- No problem! Ouch, that had to hurt! Tell your friend good luck for me.

 

P.S. I'm using Mircosoft Word to type this, do you have a different word processor? Might account for the extra spaces…Thanks so much for beta-ing!!!!

 

Kagome9111- Thanks so much for your review!

 

§ You two have no idea how much your constant reviews have kept this story §

alive… thank you.

 

Enjoy!!

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

§ Delusions of the Mind §

 

Far out on the awaking horizon, a welcome orb emerged from its secluded slumber. Casting warming rays about its surroundings, the sun tentatively took its first breath, exhaling towards the grove where our company still slept.

 

The intruding cold from the breeze slipped through the cracks and miniscule holes in the fabric. Sighting its prey, the chill rushed in, viciously attacking the tiny kitsune still lost to the world. Shippo shivered unconsciously, but it battled on, finally forcing him to open his eyes to the awakening world.

 

He blinked. That was weird. A sea of ominous red stretched before his eyes, a cover between him and the reality of the world outside. The shade was oddly familiar too…Shippo took a whiff, instantly recognizing the hanyou's scent.

 

“Yeeep!” squeaked Shippo, remembering where he was, andwhere his dreams had driven him. It was far past time to have escaped the sanctuary of Inuyasha's company. He should have returned to his spot near Kagome hours ago.

 

The enveloping, comforting folds suddenly became a death trap as Shippo frantically tried to scramble away, without waking his oblivious and rather violent security blanket. His little paws pushed away the fire rat fur hysterically, discerning for any trace of liberation from his prison.

 

A tiny sliver of light abruptly appeared before him, and Shippo broke for the opening. The sun, half risen from the horizon, smiled happily back at him as he detangled the few remaining folds of red from his body.

 

God forbid he had woken Inuyasha up in that mess. Shippo didn't know how he'd explain that one to the hanyou. Inuyasha would forever taunt and torture the poor kitsune should he gain knowledge of Shippo's excursions.

 

His feet skittered and slipped beneath him on the rough bark as Shippo darted to the trunk that would take him down to Kagome's side. A small amount of courage slowly managed to gather itself within him as he scampered away, and, before ducking his head out of sight, he gave a quick glance to check to see if the hanyou was still asleep.

 

One golden orb glared back, the other hidden by a twitching eyelid. A tiny flicker of astonishment played across Inuyasha's lips, only to be replaced by an amused smirk.

 

Shippo winced. He knew what was coming…and he made a break for it.

 

Panting heavily, Shippo was about to surge down the face of the tree when he glimpsed the campsite below. His tiny eyes gazed a twin likeness of the Inuyasha belowhim. Reality came crashing back in like a boulder cascading from a cliff side.

 

That's right…Inuyasha's…dead. Am…I dreaming?

 

His terrified eyes whipped back to the crevice where he had seen Inuyasha last. The hanyou was still there, clutching Tetsusagia tightly in its usual position. Inuyasha straightened out his disheveled haori, and Shippo could hear a light chuckle escape from his lips.

 

Relax, kid. I won't bite, not now anyway. Don't wake Kagome up, alright?

 

Shippo could have sworn his jaw hit the ground beneath him. “Inu…yasha?” he croaked. “You're alive?”

 

Inuyasha gave him a cold glance. Don't tell me I have to go through the talking puppet line again.

 

“But…but…” Shippo stared back at the last vestiges of the campfire, rubbing his eyes furiously to guarantee he was seeing things right. Despite all attempts, he still picked up two Inuyashas, the one the ground, and the one in the tree taking to him.

 

What a morning, he thought, as the darkness come up to collect him.

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

Shippo swooned, his little body threateningly to fall dangerously close to the edge of the tree branch. Seeing the inevitable path of the kitsune's descent to the ground, Inuyasha threw Tetsusagia to the side and dove to catch him.

 

The hanyou's fingers slipped right through Shippo.

 

Realizing his current situation too late, Inuyasha could only watch helplessly as the kitsune stumbled downward. His worry turned instantly to relief, however, when Shippo's tiny claws managed to snag bark before all was lost. Jarred by the initial impact with the tree, Shippo regained consciousness just in time to save himself from a long trip to the ground.

 

Inuyasha breathed an inward thank you to whoever was listening, and watched cautiously as Shippo swung himself back face to face with his spirit.

 

You okay?

 

His tiny eyes shot a piercing glare towards him, and even without a corporal form, Inuyasha could still feel the coldness behind it. Arrogant to the thought that Shippo was reluctant to believe him, Inuyasha met the glare with an icier equivalent.

 

A long, bitter silence ensued. The sun doubled its height above the skyline before either of them uttered a word.

 

Poor kid, thought Inuyasha, I don't even understand this myself. He sighed inwardly. I probably shouldn't have even showed my face here.

 

I thought it would have been okay, to see their faces one last time.

 

I would have never imagined…that Shippo could see me.

 

Shippo abruptly folded his arms together in a defiant protest. Inuyasha almost choked to see the rage emanating from his little body as Shippo at last let out the string of thoughts that had bombarded his mind.

 

“Why are you doing this? Why are you copying Inuyasha? What do you want from us?”

 

Bitter questions from the tongue of one so young. Inuyasha sighed hopelessly. His temper was starting to get the better of him, and was eating away rapidly whatever little remained of his patience. He could not explain this phenomenon to Shippo, the one that allowed him to stay in this world, and it was bugging the hell out of him that he wasn't allowed to know the great secret either.

 

You know what, he snapped, I don't have time to stay here and baby-sit you. I don't even know why I'm here, or why you can see me. Hell, I'm supposed to be dead! Inuyasha rose to his feet, unconsciously dusting off his clothes. Irritation consumed him when he silently reminded himself that dust didn't stick to him anymore. Just go down there, and wake up Kagome. Go back to Kaede's. She's the only one, besides those two monks down there, that really knows what's going on.

 

The kid continued to glare at him.

 

Get out of here now, before that bastard Katsume finds you!

 

Shippo's eyes widened immensely. Inuyasha winced, realizing what had just come out of his mouth to the young kitsune. I'm glad Kagome didn't hear that, he thought, or my grave would be my own impression in the dust.

 

A flicker of thought crossed Shippo's face, replacing the murderous glare. Curious, Inuyasha watched as the kitsune reached into his clothes, his hand darting through various pockets and folds. He grasped something tightly, and a shade of fear darted through his eyes. Inuyasha straightened, confused at what might have frightened him.

Without warning, Shippo flicked his small hand out and hurled a small object in Inuyasha's direction.

 

Ingrained reflexes made him reach out and try to snatch it before the item could strike him. Much to Inuyasha's dismay, however, it flew through his outstretched hand and whisked through what would have been his forehead.

 

Dammit, this is getting really annoying…

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

Get out of here now, before that bastard Katsume finds you!

 

Shippo eyed the figure before him in utter disbelief. It talked like Inuyasha, moved like Inuyasha, and…Shippo gingerly tested the air…it even smelled like Inuyasha!

 

A thought occurred to him. While `Inuyasha' watched cautiously, Shippo dug his hand through the collection of faithful odds and ends at his disposal. When he found what he wanted, a shroud of fear escaped his mask of defiance. Should he be wrong, and this truly was Inuyasha, or another enemy come to destroy them…

 

Please let me be wrong. Please let it be Inuyasha. I shall endure my thousand punches forever, if it is only he.

 

Shippo flung the top at Inuyasha's forehead.

 

Inuyasha snorted in surprise, his hand whipping around to catch the top before it could nail Shippo's intended target. Shippo sighed a small breath of relief when the clawed hand reached out to snare it…and sucked it right back in as the toy glided on through both Inuyasha's hand and face.

 

Dammit, the figure said, this is getting really annoying…

 

Inuyasha was a hallucination. It was the only explanation. Why else would the top go through him?

 

Tears stung Shippo's eyes as the kitsune desperately tried to hold them back. It's only my mind, he sadly thought, playing tricks on me.

 

Just like yesterday.

 

Why couldn't it have been him?

 

Hey! `Inuyasha' yelped. What did you do that for! I didn't even doing anything this time!

 

Shippo turned his back and dejectedly slid down the trunk to the base of the tree. Landing hard on his tiny feet, Shippo scampered off past the campfire, past the real Inuyasha. He pounded the earth, racing off to the edge of the trees, away from his memories.

 

Hey! Shippo! Get back here, Inuyasha's voice hollered. Where do you think you're going?

 

He seemed so real…it should have been him. I miss him so much…

 

A tiny thorn pricked his skin. He tried to ignore it, but the little sliver worked itself farther in, demanding his attention. Allowing his exhausted body to sink to the forgiving ground, Shippo subconsciously began to dig it out.

 

Why did you have to die Inuyasha? Why did you have to leave me alone?

 

I swear it was him…his voice…his mind…

 

But it is only my mind.

 

My delusional mind.

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

“Shippo!”

 

The sound, the call of his name, tore him violently out of sleep. Shippo jumped up, nearly tearing his clothes on a wayward bramble. The brush and trees surrounded him, all leering quietly at this new stranger in their territory.

 

Was it all a dream?

 

Shippo panicked. The trees all looked the same. He had no idea where he was.

 

“Shippo!” Kagome's voice reverberated through the foliage. “Where are you?”

 

“Here,” he cried, trying to sense where the sound was coming from. He wasn't about to admit to another he'd lost himself in the woods, for a demon, even a young one, that was downright embarrassing. Cursing his useless ears, Shippo tried vainly to catch a familiar scent. The fragrance of vanilla and mint leaves slipped within his senses, darting in and out of his reach. Shippo smiled. Kagome's scent was almost never hard to find!

 

Shippo bounded into view of the campsite just as Kagome let out another piercing cry. Wincing and covering his ears, he managed to flag her down before his eardrums exploded. Kagome let out a startled shriek at his abrupt appearance, and scooped him up into her comforting arms. “I got him!” she called to the others.

 

Kagome's chocolate eyes softened when she saw the tears and rips from the brambles in his clothes.

 

“Where have you been?” she whispered. “We were so worried about you!”

 

“I…went for a walk,” he said.

 

“Don't scare me like that.” Shippo caught a glimpse of fresh tears staining her cheeks as she plopped him back on the ground. “I thought maybe a demon had found you. Things are awry enough as is.”

 

Shippo was about to say he'd been fine, he had slept with Inuyasha the entire night, but caught his tongue.

 

“Everything's packed,” she continued, her voice quaking a little, “we were just looking for you…you wouldn't mind riding on Miroku's shoulder today, would you? I…”

 

“Shippo, there you are!” exclaimed Miroku, appearing from the trees. Sango and Varon emerged right behind him. “Where'd you run off to?”

 

Shippo opened his mouth to repeat his excuse, but Varon cut him off. “We need to start moving,” he apologized. “We have no idea if Katsume's agents are out looking for us. It's best to move out of the area before they do find us.”

 

“He's right,” agreed Sango. She shifted the Hiraikotsu on her shoulders, now covered with the black demon armor. Her eyes dulled with concern. “Kagome, are you ready? Are you sure…?”

 

“I'm sure,” Kagome mumbled. Her shoulders sagged. “We need to go now…for Inuyasha's sake.”

 

The group readied themselves quickly, soon sullenly began to file out of the clearing.. Before they left, however, Shippo darted away, to take one last look at the tree he'd slept in during the night.

 

The branch was mockingly empty; not that he hadn't expected it to be. It was just…a moment's thought. Something that he have to put out of his mind eventually, that couldn't quite bring himself to do now.

 

He'd really believed Inuyasha was still alive. And in that moment, everything had been perfect. Everything had been back to normal, just like old times. Inuyasha would boasting of his eternal strength (more like luck), they'd have cleaned the camp, and headed out to look for more jewel shards, or signs of Naraku. Miroku would grope Sango once, Kagome deliver a half-hearted sit to a pouting Inuyasha, and maybe even a few threats of returning home.

 

Everything would have been normal.

 

What was normal, now?

 

Shippo turned away from his past, and ran ahead to catch up with his new future.

 

In the brambles behind him, the red-cloaked figure shifted away from his hiding place in the shadows. His face twisted with pain for a brief second, and, before the spasm could end, he slipped gently into the trees beyond.

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

The wonderfully prepared stew, a once welcome treat from cold berries and roots, did now little to ease the bland taste in her mouth. Kagome forced herself to finish the meal, for her body's sake, and glanced the room around her.

 

The plain wooden walls of Kaede's home were a simple contrast to the work the priestess did in real life. Kagome was amazed at how simple it was, just a few rooms dedicated to various and assorted reasons, with a few cushions and blankets to sleep with. How a woman of such stature could own so little was beyond her, but reasons and explanations hovered just above her reach. One had to know Kaede, how mush she had been though, how much she gave to the people and how much to herself before one could realize her true character.

 

Kaede herself was seated near to Kagome, quietly sipping the remainder of her meal. The rest of her companion seemed not to have much of an appetite as well; Miroku had barely touched his, Sango had slipped hers almost unnoticed to an exhausted Kirara, and Shippo was drawing with his crayons. Varon stood aloof from the rest of the crowd, his attention occupied elsewhere through the window. He seemed to be the only one whom had finished the meal in earnest.

 

Kagome glanced again to the kitsune. Shippo seemed very tense, as if something was bothering him. He kept glancing over his shoulder, staring at an object that wasn't there, and shaking his head. His behavior worried her; mainly because this wasn't the only time he had been doing it. There had been several of these occurrences on the way back from the canyons, and his nights had become frequently filled with nightmares.

 

It pained her when he had those nightmares. He'd wake up, screaming Inuyasha's name, crying for him to come back. After a while, he'd eventually settle down, and shift back to sleep. It was a ghostly reminder of Inuyasha's passing, and how little Shippo had been effected most of all.

 

“A serious problem, ye have here.” Kaede set her bowl gently to the floor. Her aging face cast a sympathetic glow in Kagome's direction. Her heart sank lower into her chest.

 

“I know little of this St'aler, I'm afraid. However, from pieces of information I have gathered over my years, I know `tis not a good thing. And for this dreadful fate to happen upon you, Kagome, my senses tell me something else is amiss.”

 

“You think we were set up?” Sango questioned.

 

Varon moved quietly away from the window, and sank down to the floor. “Now that I think on it,” he said, “there is a remarkable pattern to all of this. Lady Kagome, you were captured, and led to believe a story that has ultimately proved to lead to a disastrous end.”

 

Kagome's eyes sank to the floor, remembering that awful night. A hand gently lifted her chin up, and Miroku's calm gaze stared back into her own.

 

“The enemy lured Inuyasha into a trap, Kagome. Do not be mislead into thinking you were responsible. Inuyasha did what he did to save you, nothing else. You were all that mattered to him.”

 

Kagome nodded her head, taking in his words. Still, there must have been some way, something I could have done…to save him. I will not give up on him…

 

“Besides, we still have a chance,” he continued. “Inuyasha is still alive, remember, just separated from his body. If we can find someway to return him safely, he will be around again to haunt your days, prevent you from returning home, and nag you about Sacred Jewel shards.” He gave her a light grin. “Am I not right?”

 

Miroku's dull attempt to humor brought a smile to Kagome's lips. Her friends were all there for her, and, for Inuyasha. They each would willingly die for the other. They would never give up.

 

Stay alive…for us, Inuyasha.

 

§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§

 

As his friends bantered ideas and thoughts back and forth, Inuyasha lazed around quietly in the back corner. He had tried to get Shippo to tell the group some of his ideas, but the kitsune silently ignored him. The only acknowledgment his presence received was an occasional furtive glance over the shoulder.

 

It seemed to him so far only Shippo could sense Inuyasha's presence. And a lot of help that is. The hanyou had followed the group a fair distance away for most of the journey back to Kaede's in case another of his group had this odd ability. Unfortunately, since Kaede herself could not see him, he had resolved that Shippo was a one-time event.

 

Inuyasha grunted abruptly as a slash of white-hot pain sliced across his chest. He grimaced, pulling his arm in to lessen the discomfort. His attacks were increasing, Inuyasha silently noted. He supposed it had something to do with his current situation, but, unfortunately, he knew of no way to counter them. One of Kagome's band-aids probably wouldn't work, him being incorporeal and all.

 

Another spasm attacked, with greater ferocity than the first. Inuyasha bit his tongue in an attempt to keep from crying out. Though it stung fiercely, the assault did no damage, and no blood oozed from the wound. One of the advantages of being a ghost, he dimly remarked.

 

The spasms of pain were beginning to worry him. It seemed each time he felt a little disoriented with this world, following with much of what Katsume had said before he had pulled the stiletto those days ago.

 

As the waves of pain slowly decreased, Inuyasha returned his eyes to the face of his friends. He was surprised to see Shippo glancing at him, a look of worry on his innocent face.

 

He must have seen me…the poor kid. He doesn't know what to think.

 

Shippo, much to Inuyasha's dismay, had fixated himself on the belief that the hanyou was a hallucination, a product of his over reactive mind. The kitsune stood resolutely by that fact, and would not listen to Inuyasha's ramblings for any reason. However, as of late, the hanyou had slowly managed to pry his way in the deeper recesses of Shippo's mind.

 

Hopefully, it was only a matter of time before the kitsune realized he was real.

 

Miroku glanced over at the kitsune, seeing his worried visage. “Shippo,” the monk said, “is there something wrong?”

 

“No,” Shippo answered, his eyes still focused on Inuyasha. “Just thinking.”

 

“Alright, then. What about searching out Sesshomaru? Surely, he would help us, considering `taking over the world' includes his Western Lands. Plus, he's already helping Varon to fight against the St'aler, right?”

 

Inuyasha groaned. This was going nowhere fast. Even though Sesshomaru's sword, the Tensaiga, would resurrect a dead soul, his was still alive. The sword could not possibly hope to steal back whatever the dragon had managed to take from him, and place within the orb.

 

“No, it's no good…” sighed Sango, “the Tensaiga only works-”

 

There! At least Sango has the sense to say so! scoffed Inuyasha, earning a hard reprimand from Shippo. He gave an arrogant snort back, smiling inwardly to himself. The kitsune either was finally starting to believe he was real, or was just humoring him. Right now, Inuyasha was ready to accept either reason.

 

“Hey!” Silence swept through the room as Kagome jumped to her feet. Her eyes twinkled with excitement, something Inuyasha had not seen from her in many days. His heart sang to see her eagerness.

 

“What about the Sacred Jewel shards?” she said. “If there was someway to gather them and complete it, we could make a wish to return Inuyasha! It's foolproof,” she countered to the awkward stares. “Nothing can go wrong!”

 

Just like nothing could go wrong the day that I was to turn human with Kikyo?

 

“But Kagome,” declared Kaede, “ye do not have all of the shards. How could ye hope to collect them, before this Katsume and his master use the St'aler for evil?”

 

“There's got to be a way!”

 

“Kagome,” Miroku sighed, “we don't even know if the demon, Naraku, is the one behind the St'aler yet. Moreover, he has most of the shards. Kaede is right, we cannot assume-”

 

Dammit, people! Stop arguing and listen to her for once! growled Inuyasha, slamming his fist to the floor. Reminded once again of how material objects didn't matter to him anymore as his arm passed underneath the wood, he groaned, shaking his head and settling himself back against the wall. What is the use, he wondered, when they can't even hear me?

 

Out of the corner of his eye, Inuyasha notice Shippo slowly get to his feet. He wandered slowly over to Kagome, who was still defending a losing battle against her theory.

 

“I think…I think Kagome's right,” he announced. The group looked at him in wonder. Shippo met the gazes head on. “We have no other ideas. Sutras, an attack, Tensaiga…they all won't work. The Jewel shards will. We don't know for sure if Naraku is the one behind all this, and since the St'aler would then effect his plans as well, he might help us.”

 

Naraku, help us? My `death' really has made everyone insane.

 

Shippo gave him an `I am just trying to help' glare. “Can't we at least try?”

 

Silence greeted him. The group looked about each other's faces, prying for some sort of sign that disagreed with Shippo's innocent logic.

 

They found none.

 

“Well,” said Varon, “it's worth a try…”

 

What do you mean ` it' is worth a try? Screw trying to get Naraku to help you, and just kill the slimy bastard! Or just steal the Shikon No Tama! Listen to me, dammit! Shippo, don't you give me that look. I know you bloody well know I'm right!!!

 

Shippo, smiling broadly, dashed back to his crayons on the floor. With their minds focused on the task ahead, Kagome and the others quietly began to plan how to procure the shards. His tiny hands scribbled furiously at the parchment, then, placing his tools aside, Shippo folded his paper into a neat design. Kagome had shown him how to do it, calling the masterpiece a `paper airplane', Inuyasha remembered.

 

Dashing back to Kagome's side, the kitsune quietly told her he was going outside to play for a little while. Kagome nodded her head, focused more on her newfound mission. Gathering his little plane, Shippo scampered out the door, but not before making a small motion for Inuyasha to follow him.

 

Intrigued, Inuyasha rose to his feet. He could do nothing here now anyway…Keh, I'll see what he wants. No harm in it.

 

As Inuyasha exited the home, Shippo's little face popped in front of him. “You can thank me later,” he said, tossing the plane into the wind.

 

Inuyasha was about to sputter a `What for' retort, when Shippo cut him off. “I heard you back there. Don't deny it. Besides,” he continued, “I've decided either I'm completely nuts, or you're the real Inuyasha. In which, if you are, then you obviously need my help!”

 

Way to go, genius, he snorted. About time you figured it out. And I don't need your help. You just happen to be convenient, that's all.

 

“Whatever.” Shippo retrieved the plane from the branch of a nearby tree, straightening out the crinkles before throwing it again.

 

Inuyasha watched lazily. At least Shippo was acknowledging him now… Still, relying only on Shippo to converse with was a little awkward…

 

The little kit is already twisting all of my words

 

“Lord Inuyasha!”

 

Inuyasha froze. He could recognize that voice from a mile away. Ancient instincts caused Inuyasha to fling his hands up, protecting his sensitive noise from an eventual and inevitable bite. As his ghostly hand passed through his just as ghostly face he settled into what would appear to be him pinching the bridge of his nose.

 

This is just too much…

 

“Myouga geezer? Where are you?” Shippo called, eying the area intently. The tiny black flea bounded precariously on his clothed shoulder, appearing unexpectedly from the desolate ground.

 

“Shippo! There you are! I'd heard you had returned to the village.” Myouga settled himself on Shippo's shoulder, flinging his pack to the side.

 

Inuyasha saw the flea demon's eyes dart around, looking for something. So old Myouga can't see me either, he mused. Perfect.

 

“ Now,” persisted Myouga, “can you please take me quickly to Lord Inuyasha? I have some vital information that I must tell him immediately. It is absolutely imperative that I speak to him.”

 

Shippo gave a small swallow, his eyes flickering side to side. Inuyasha winced. Considering how had Shippo had taken his `death', he feared what the kitsune would say to his vassal.

 

It's okay Shippo, he started, you don't have to explain it-

 

“Lord Inuyasha?” Myouga's eyes danced about the area, trying to locate the source of the sound. “Is that you?”

 

Inuyasha sputtered in astonishment. Myouga, you can hear me?

 

“Lord Inuyasha, where are you? Come out of hiding, this is serious! We don't have time for games.”

 

“Myouga,” Shippo sighed, “there was a…problem…while you were gone…”

 

§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§§ ;§§§§§§§§§§§§&# 167;§§§§§§§§§§§< /div>