Hello all Caleesci here! Please enjoy the next chapter in Of Slaughter and Salvation, Tangled Webs of Mystery!

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"I am not sure how to explain it miko-sama. He moved so fast, I don't think Mitoki," A quiver of grief passed through the boy at the mention of his murdered brother. "I don't think Mitoki even knew what happened. He was gone; by the time that I looked up he was gone. His eyes were still open, and he looked surprised more than anything, but I don't think he knew that he was dead at that point." Small brown eyes filled with tears again, but he held his sobs back. He harshly wiped at his face, as if trying to erase the memory by erasing the tears. A warm hand reached out and grabbed his. He looked up to find gentle blue eyes staring down at him with warmth that tinged his cheeks a soft pink.

"Yuki-kun, it is alright to feel grief and sadness." It was really such a simple statement, yet Yuki's face suddenly caved and he flung himself into the surprised arms of Kagome. He cried harder than he even remembered crying before. He cried for his village, his parents, for Mitoki, for his younger brother Kyosu who had also survived, and for himself. Kagome gently ran her fingers down the boy's back, trying to offer him any comfort she could give.

"He killed everyone! The villagers, my family, Mitoki!" The hysteria within Yuki was slowly draining as Kagome comforted him, yet the tears still flowed down his dirt ridden cheeks.

"Yuki-kun, he did not kill everyone. You are still alive, and so is Kyosu-kun. Even in dark times when hope seems lost, we must remember that we are still alive. And as long as we are alive, then hope for a better future is not lost." Her soft voice did more than soothe the tired boy. It also reached out to her friends and reminded them why she meant so very much to them. She was filled with hopeful compassion and a true love of life that helped heal the wounds of their hearts.

"He was counting too, you know." Yuki muttered after he calmed. "At least I think he was. He called Mitoki one thousand and then he smiled."

"Did ye get close to the demon young one?" Kaede asked of Yuki. He nodded.

"I was right next to Mitoki when he… he… stabbed him."

"So the demon used a sword. That narrows our selection considerably."

"Just means the bastard is probably a daiyoukai." Inuyasha said to clarify Miroku's statement.

"He didn't use a sword," Yuki muttered nervously. He cast a glance at the hanyou, still unsure of whether or not to fear the white haired man that was obviously not human. "He used his arm, his whole arm; he pierced it through his chest." Yuki's voice wavered slightly, but otherwise held strong. Kagome gasped at the brutality.

"Kagome, it may sound brutal but I have learned that this particular method is common amongst the more honorable youkai. Death is quick, too quick for pain to even set in." Sango said gently, trying to ease the horrified look off her friend's face.

"Honorable? There is nothing honorable about murder." Yuki said wisely, his statement going far beyond his years. Miroku changed the subject.

"Do you remember what the demon looked like? Inuyasha more than the rest of us may be able to narrow down the list. Plus, we cannot rule out Narkau just yet."

"Kind of. He was reddish. I don't think he was actually red, but it's what I remember most. From head to toe he seemed covered in blood. Other than that, everything was white. Except the eyes, the eyes were red, and on his cheeks he had scratches, but they weren't real scratches. They were more like stripes I guess. He was scary, he had a smile on I think, especially when he came after me. But then he grabbed his head and started growling so I ran away. I thought for sure he would catch me, but I just kept running. When I finally turned to look at him, he was gone. Everything about him was scary, his eyes, his claws, his voice."

White, stripes, terrifying beyond comparison? An image seemed to form in their minds. Sesshomaru.

"Inuyasha, doesn't Sesshomaru-dono have stripes on his cheeks?" Sango braved. Inuyasha said nothing for a moment, then lowered his head and clenched his fist.

"Sesshomaru is a cold hearted bastard, I aint going to deny that. But this is beneath him. He wouldn't dirty his hands with a destroying a human village unless they did something to him first. This isn't the bastard's style."

"I would have to agree with Inuyasha. Sesshomaru-dono is an honorable daiyoukai." Kaede added.

"I can't imagine Sesshomaru-dono hurting a child either, human or not. I mean he may not like humans, but look at Rin. He protects her." Kagome gave a slight smile, one that on Inuyasha noticed. Yes, Sesshomaru may not be the kindest of youkai, but he was in his own way a knight in shining armor.

"Besides, I can't picture Sesshomaru dirty, never mind covered in blood. He is too clean for that!" Shippou's childlike view on the subject brought a lightness to it that hadn't been there before. Inuyasha brought his fist down upon Shippou's head, mumbling about stupid runts.

"Hey Inuyasha, no need for such violence. Shippou does have a point." Miroku said while shrugging.

"Hush, Yuki-kun has finally fallen asleep." Kagome whispered softly as she gazed at Yuki. A ruffle of clothing caught her attention and she watched in slight surprise as Inuyasha rose and picked up Yuki. He carried the exhausted boy into the other room where his brother Kyosu was already sleeping. Placing the boy down, Inuyasha felt a feeling of sympathy for the two boys. They have lost everything, and for that he felt bad. Turning away from the children, he made his way back to the room where his friends still sat in silence.

"Why though?" Miroku asked as Inuyasha settled back into his spot. "He held a human form, that much has been confirmed which leads us to believe he is of considerable strength. If that is the case, then why would a demon of such caliber attack a human village of little notice? It did not house a human army, it was not controlled by a warlord, so what threat could they have posed? And why would he let two children live when he murdered everything else? This doesn't even make sense for Naraku. And what is with the counting? Nothing seems logical here." Kagome stared at the ever composed monk in shock. The frustration that lined his voice was not something the monk usually let show through his calm control. Miroku seemed to have noticed his mild breakdown and smiled apologetically at them.

"Hoshi-sama is right. None of this makes sense at all."

"The counting, I can't put my finger on it but something seems familiar about it." Kagome murmured allowed.

"Why don't we go to the village? Maybe the demon might still be there feeding." Shippou stated, not noticing the sickly green looks that came over Kagome.

"For a stupid runt, he has a good idea." Inuyasha acknowledged.

"Then it's settled, we should set out for the village as soon as possible." Miroku said as he stood, stretching out his muscles.

"I am already packed since I just came from home this morning."

"You aint going Kagome." Kagome froze, sending a confused look to Inuyasha.

"What? Why not?" Inuyasha folded his arms over his chest stubbornly and turned away.

"Cause I said so. You will just get in the way of everything and slow us down." Sango shuffled uncomfortably. She agreed with Inuyasha, at least on the point that Kagome shouldn't go. Kagome was their innocent happy friend from a world where such violence was not common. Sango would never forgive herself if her friend lost that innocence to the violence of this era.

"Kagome, maybe Inuyasha is right. Maybe you should stay here with Yuki and Kyosu." Sango could not look her friend in the eyes, knowing she would find that shocked form of betrayal in them.

"See, you're staying. Shippou you stay too."

"I would rather stay with Kagome than go anywhere with you, you big jerk!" Shippou stuck out his tongue before diving behind Kagome when Inuyasha glared menacingly at him. Kagome said nothing as Inuyasha left the hut, followed shortly by Kaede who had been summoned by a villager. Sango gave her an apologetic look before she too left the room. Shippou had bounced out after Inuyasha, no doubt to pester the hanyou.

"Why? Why does he always think I will ruin everything? Am I that useless?" She whispered. Miroku sat next to Kagome and placed his hand upon her shoulder.

"Kagome," Kagome looked up at him, surprised that he was not using the normal honorific that he seemed so intent on using always. "Do not take what they said to heart. It is not that they don't wish for your company, it's just that they wish to protect you from the harsh realities of this era. It is my understanding that things like this do not happen in your era. That is why Inuyasha tried so hard to keep you away from villages. Inuyasha will sometimes change our direction if he smells death, or if we come across destroyed villages he will keep you away long enough for him to remove the bodies of children from your sight. To us Kagome, you are a beacon of innocence and none of us are willing to ruin that for you. Keep that in mind while we are gone." Miroku stood, yet his hand was quickly caught into her smaller ones. He gazed into her brilliant blue eyes, slightly misty with unshed tears. Her lips were turned upward into an enchanting smile that had his heart beating faster.

"Thank you, Miroku." Miroku smiled at her, feeling a twinge of envy. If Kagome looked at him with such love like she did Inuyasha, he truly could be the luckiest man on earth. Not that Sango was not perfect in every way; just Kagome had a special spot in his heart, for she truly was an angel. An angel he would gladly give his life for.

"Take care of them, Kagome." Miroku reached up, and gently wiped the tear that had fallen with the pad of his thumb. She once again graced him with a thankful smile that left his stomach flipping. He left the hut then, feeling a lightness in his step.

Inuyasha sat high within the branches of the goshinboku. The wind wrapped about his hair causing the locks of white to dance. The soft furry ears top his head twitched every so often as he took in the sounds. His heart was heavy, filled with guilt that was slowly crushing him. She had been so loyal to him, so proud to have him as her friend. She had showed him that he was more than just a hanyou, and for that he was forever indebted to him. However one of the greatest things she taught him had also been her downfall, she had taught him how to love, how to truly give someone your heart and realize that your world was wrong without them. Through her example, he was able to learn things about his own heart that had both freed him and enslaved him. He knew now without a doubt that his heart was still Kikyou's. And in the depths of his heart, he could not discern if his feelings for Kagome that went beyond friendship were simply there because of the knowledge that she was Kikyou's reincarnation. He had often heard lovers talk of being together forever, that when they were reincarnated they would find each other so they could always be with each other. In that sense, he felt like Kagome should be with him, and he with her. Perhaps that's what would have happened if Kikyou had stayed dead. But now, even the cold copy of her that roamed the earth tore at him. Kikyou was Kikyou, where as Kagome was the Kikyou of a different time. They may share the same ancestry, but the two women were so completely different it was hard to believe they could be related at all. Inuyasha signed at all the confusion within him. He could not have Kagome, not when he was not a hundred percent sure that he loved her for reasons other than her tie to Kikyou. I mean, he loved her like he loved all his friends. He loved her more than the others, desired her, cherished her, wanted her. But what he did not know is how much of that was because of her, or her tie to Kikyou. No, it was better that he told her what he did. That way she could move on. The thought crossed his mind, Kagome with someone else, and he felt a blinding jealous sear within him. After a moment of tense muscles and grinding teeth, Inuyasha felt a bitter amusement bubble out of him. His pathetic chuckle made him feel dirty, evil. He wouldn't have her, but he also wouldn't allow anyone else to have her either? What kind of sick animal was he? Shaking his head as if to throw the thoughts, Inuyasha vowed then that he would make sure Kagome found happiness, even though he knew it could never be with him.

Bulbous eyes widened impossibly larger, and an indignant sound, similar to that of a squawk fell forth from beaklike mouth.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken cried, throwing himself upon the ground. He ignored his lord's appearance in favor for groveling at his feet.

"This humble servant has searched for you! I feared you would not return to this humble lowly servant who only wishes to please you!"

"Jaken." Sesshomaru said, his voice rising with the slightest hint of irritation. Jaken, sensing the danger, immediately stopped his groveling and immediately stood tall to give his report.

"Sesshomaru-sama, this lowly servant has watched over the bothersome human and endured many hardships as his great and powerful lord requested…"

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin called out, waving from behind a bundle of flowers. She gave him a gap toothed smile and hopped over to him. Jaken sputtered indignantly at his report being cut off by the said bothersome human. His face turning an unusual color of purple, his beak opened to unleash an arsenal of squawks at the child.

"Rin you silly girl! Don't you interrupt me! And don't; you look at the great Sesshomaru-sama with those ugly human eyes! Are you ignoring me? HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME! RIN!" Jaken stomped over to Rin, abruptly turning her around.

"Jaken-sama?" Rin asked curiously.

"What!" He snapped at her.

"Why is Sesshomaru-sama naked?"

"Stupid girl, quit your yapping!" Jaken scolded. Truth was he had no idea where Sesshomaru's clothes had gone. He stood before him in his naked glory wearing nothing but his white pelt.

"Jaken, clothes." Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the green toad, annoyed that he even had to specify his needs. A gulp from the toad let him know his order had been heard. The toad ran quickly to Ah Uh to grab some spare clothes. When he opened his bag, Jaken felt ill. He had not packed spares! The only thing he had packed was something he always did but was never ever used. Jaken suddenly wished he could melt. Gulping with a sense of doom, Jaken brought the clothing to Sesshomaru. Upon seeing the clothes held in his servant's hands, Sesshomaru felt his finger's twitch in a sudden thirst for blood, though this time it was truly his desire for it.

Golden eyes opened quickly, before narrowing in hostility. Black hair, impossibly long, was pulled up into two combs atop her head and left to stream down her body like ribbons of ebony silk. She wore a kimono of exceptional quality that only enhanced the woman's beautiful features. Despite her great beauty, her appearance felt off, as if it were not as it was meant to be.

"Kimi-chan, your glare is no longer threatening to me, though I must admit it wasn't before either." A man said. Unlike the woman, this man was not human. Silvery white hair was tied at the base of his neck and fell in surprisingly pretty curls down his back.

"Must you torment me?" The human woman pouted irritably. The youkai laughed at that, a whimsical laugh that held warmth and affection.

"Why Kimi-chan, you wound me! To think that I would torment you. Being human addled your mind."

"Stop calling me that horrid name!" the woman finally snapped. The man was quiet for a moment.

"You never used to mind the nickname Kimikyo." His voice had lost its friendly banter and instead took a somber and serious path. Kimikyo looked away.

"That was before, before I became this." A movement in front of her drew her attention and golden eyes clashed together.

"Kimikyo, my love transcends your form. I find you and steal you away from the ones that birth you so that I can keep you to myself. Even if you are forced to endure this human body, and countless reincarnations, I will be by your side as I promised I would." Kimikyo smiled a rare smile, reaching a hand to touch his cheek.

"Thank you, I do not know what I would do without you." The youkai man smiled at her and leaned forward to place his lips to her forehead. He pulled back, and smiled.

"I have seen him you know." Kimikyo stiffened. The male went on. "He looks very much like you, well the normal you. I think we were wrong in our first assessment."

"What do you mean by that?" The ice returned to her tone.

"I do not think we failed, Kimi-chan, in fact I think we achieved the impossible." The confusion on her face was deepening.

"I don't think it was something within the rite that went wrong, but more an unexpected variable. We did not take into account the boy himself. True, he was just a child then but we should have known. We should have sensed it. I mean, we should have anticipated a child born from your former mate would be capable of anything."

"I don't understand where you are going with this." Kimikyo said, throwing her hands up as if in defeat.

"The boy, Kimi-chan, he did not fuse with the unnamed as we had thought. He overpowered him, overpowered the unnamed and Inukeyu." Golden eyes widened, and she turned to him them.

"That's not possible, we saw, we felt that power, we were there! The power was godly, unparalleled!" Kimikyo all but shouted.

"That was not the unnamed, Kimi-chan, that was his power, the power of your son, the power of Sesshomaru."

Love,

Caleesci