"No," the woman said. "With you gone Karu will become Akir's heir. Karu will be the one to find the swords of Kuijin. He will be all powerful."

"These swords you speak of…do they look like this?" Akasha asked sarcastically pulling out the swords.

"You-- you-- you found them!" her uncle yelled his face turning red with blood. "But that's impossible! The spell could only be broken by a pure blood! How could this have happened?"

"I believe the prophecy stated that only one who is pure of heart and intentions can go through the barrier."

"Akasha, there are more of them in the forest. They have jewel shards," Kagome said loud enough that all of them could hear.

"Almon! You found her. For once you did something right. Unfortunately, you erred. You would have been welcomed back if you had come to us and told us of your discovery."

They came out of the forest, there were only about ten of them. They all had different color hair and eyes, but it was all colors that could be found in a flame. They were all muscular or lithe, and they all looked at her as if she were an apparition.

"Who are you? Why do you have jewel shards? And what are you doing here?" Akasha asked. She was getting bored with this.

"Princess! I am Cervin. We have been searching for you for many years. The jewel shards we have were taken from demons that got in our way." He waved to the rest of them and they gave Akasha the pieces of the jewel. "You can have them. We feel no need for more power."

Akasha handed the shards to Kagome who put them into the bottle with the rest of them. "You say that you and my father were searching for me. Where is he? I know he is not here."

"You are right princess. He is at our camp on the other side of the forest. He wasn't killed by Almon, but he was badly wounded. He needs your help. Come with us to the camp, your friends can come too, help your father. Please, Princess?"

Akasha turned to InuYasha and the others and asked, "Should we go?"

"He is your father, and it sounds like you are the only one who can help him," Sango said. "You should go."

"Alright." She turned back to the fire demons. "Take us to the camp."

The fire demons cheered. They all turned pulling Almon and his wife behind them. Karu came over to Akasha and took her hand. "Cousin, you're not going to let them hurt me are you?"

"You didn't do anything. Why would I let them hurt you for what your parents have done."

They arrived in the camp. Akasha was led directly to a large tent that was surrounded by high flames. Cervin walked right through into the tent, but Akasha paused for a moment. She could feel the flames. They felt like a warm fuzzy pet. She walked through the fire and into the tent. When she saw her father for the first time he was pale and sickly looking. His eyes opened slowly and locked on her eyes.

"Sakina? No, she is dead now. You are my child?" Akir asked softly.

"Yes, my name is Akasha. I am the protectress of the village on the other side of the forest. I came to help you. He said that you needed me." She touched his forehead and felt his lifeforce draining away. She focused on it and pulled it back into him. This continued for a long time. Cervin brought her food and drink when everyone ate. Three days later Akir was back to normal.

He hugged her and said, "Thank you."

They stayed with them for a few days. Akasha convinced Akir to punish Almon and Pania, his wife, but not Karu because he was just a victim of circumstance. Karu loved Akir like a father, his own only wanted him to take over. Akasha wanted to travel with InuYasha and the others, but she didn't want to leave the village unprotected. She talked Akir into believing that it was his idea to stay and protect the village. That way they would have a place to live and Akasha would be able to come back to them easily. Akasha brought them back to the village and announced that the fire demons would be their protectors now. She would return occasionally to visit. So Akasha joined InuYasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo on their search for the Shikon Jewel and Naraku.

* * *

I decided to put this chapter out early because I want some feedback from all of you readers. The way this is written doesn't really place it into the manga storyline anywhere as long as it is before the defeat of Naraku. So here is the question should I continue the story with the Band of Seven Saga or should I start it at the forth movie? Write your thoughts in a review and whatever gets the most votes will become part of chapter 8 and beyond.