Hurricane

A pain to the head greeted Sesshoumaru when he awoke from his deep sleep. There was a lack of weight in his lap where Rin should have been. As he sat up, his neck seemed to be choked due to a collar around his neck that was chained to a wall. He touched the collar and received a jolt of electricity through his fingertips. At that time, a shadow was casted over him as someone began to speak.

"You are going to find it difficult to escape from this place." She murmured. Sesshoumaru gazed at the silhouette of the speaker. He knew that form so well that, for a moment, shock grasped a hold of his features before his usual uncaring expression hid all signs of it.

"Rin…" He awaited her explanation.

"Yes and no." The girl giggled as she stepped into the light. It was then that Sesshoumaru took note that her eyes were now red, not unlike Kagura's. "I'm simply using her body."

"What do you intend to do with her?" Sesshoumaru inquired.

"Now you should know better than that." She smirked. "Like hell I would tell you. There is no reason to give things away at the moment." Sesshoumaru stared in silence. "You know, I am quite confused with your fascination with this human. A pesky brat such as this should have been killed by now. Why do you protect her? What is she to you?"

"That is none of your concern." Sesshoumaru's answer caused her to frown.

"I can improve her. I can give her a desirable body." As she approached him, her body began to grow. Suddenly, the kimono she wore was straining against the newly developed curves of her body. With each step, her hips swayed in a slow, seductive rhythm. Neither a blush nor a blink came from Sesshoumaru as she straddled him. Her cherry lips parted with a smile as she asked, "Do you like it better this way?"

"And you are…?" Sesshoumaru's lack of response to her seductive technique annoyed her.

"That's so mean." She laughed. "I am Kagura."

"And Shiraha?"

"She is an imposter." Was the reply. "She only carried the heart."

"Not that I care, but she was the one who held the body, heart and soul. Would that not make you the imposter?" Sesshoumaru inquired, causing her to frown.

"I am the true Kagura and I will have everything she wanted!" She hissed. "Especially you." She moved in to kiss him but Sesshoumaru pulled his head back in disgust and pushed her off.

"I suggest you remove yourself from my sight." He murmured with a deep hate set in his eyes. This was one of the few times he did not stop himself from showing his anger.

"Or what? You will kill me?" She laughed. "Just remember whose body this is. I found your weakness!" Sesshoumaru simply stared. "I tire of this game." She rose to her feet and began to leave the room. "Youkai or not, you're still a dog. There is nothing great about that so learn your place. That collar is infused with holy magic. Thanks to this human body, I am immune to it. You, on the other hand, are not. So enjoy your stay, dog." She blew out the lantern and Sesshoumaru was left in the darkness.

She will die…He thought as he touched the collar again receiving another jolt.

Dream Sequence

Shiraha awoke and sat up pressing her hand to her bare chest.

I'm…not dead. Heh. We'll see about this. But it's ironic…because Naraku has a hold over my heart…my life was spared…Her thoughts were interrupted by a small voice.

"Uhm are you okay?" Shiraha turned to see Rin looking at her and Jaken glaring.

"You two…" She muttered as she looked up to see Sesshoumaru behind them, clearly disinterested.

"Sesshoumaru-sama saved you." The little girl remarked.

"Incidentally." The toad youkai added.

"Heh…" Shiraha looked at the dog youkai after a moment of silence. "Even you have some pitiful things about you."

"Damn you!" Jaken screamed. "How about a little word of gratitude!"

"Rin. Jaken." Sesshoumaru rose to his feet. "We're leaving."

"Ah. Y-yes." The toad youkai began to follow. Shiraha could only see the back of Sesshoumaru's head so his reaction to her words was unclear. Not that he'd show his emotions anyway.

"Wait!" Shiraha cried trying to get him to stay if for a little while. "Are you not going to hear what I was going to tell you?"

"I have no interest in hearing your tales." Sesshoumaru replied.

"Even if I told you I found Naraku's heart?" To this, Sesshoumaru turned to look at her.

End Dream Sequence

Shiraha woke up with a start and rested her head in the palm of one hand while the other was placed over where her heart should have been.

Why must I always dream about that bastard! She pondered as she gazed at the sky. Why did he turn against me? And why does it bother me so much?

"Hey, Kagura-girl. Are you crying?" A voice startled Shiraha and she turned to see that Kouga was awake.

"Eh…" She turned away and humphed. "I just yawned so my eyes are watery."

"Was it a bad dream?" Kouga continued.

"None of your business! Honestly." She stood from her resting place and walked pass the sleeping Kagome. "I'm going for a walk." Something felt as if it was tugging at her. Could it be…my heart? Unfortunately, she was unable to find out for a shrieky voice reached her ears.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Where are Youuuuuuuuuu!" Jaken cried as he ran into the middle of the camp, thus awaking the Inu-tachi. He stopped running and looked around in fear. Before he could turn to run, Inuyasha's foot came down on his head.

"What are you doing here?" He growled with his arms crossed over his chest. Muffled shrieks came from Jaken as he thrashed his arms about.

"Will you quit that already?" Shiraha hissed as she picked up the two-headed staff. "He's harmless without this, so let him go." Reluctantly, Inuyasha released Jaken.

"Give that back to me!" Jaken squawked indignantly.

"Where's Sesshoumaru?" Shiraha inquired.

"That is Sesshoumaru-sama to you!"

"Did he finally decide to abandon you?"

"Silence, you impudent mortal!"

"Puh! There is no shame in death. In fact, I'll give you a proper introduction." Shiraha grinned evilly as she waved the staff over Jaken's head.

"Shiraha…" Kagome glared at her cousin reproachfully.

"I was only kidding." Shiraha muttered.

"Forgive me Sesshoumaru-sama! I failed to find you!" Jaken cried.

"So he did leave you." Shiraha blinked.

"He was taken away!" Jaken growled. "That human girl!"

"You mean Rin?" Shiraha quirked a brow.

"She betrayed my Lord!" Jaken's eyes watered up. "It must have been her plan all along, to betray us!"

"This is Rin you are talking about…Rin…she would not do that." Shiraha narrowed her eyes.

"You speak as if you know her." Miroku looked at Shiraha.

"Well...I have only met her once…but…" Shiraha's gaze went to the sky. "Something tells me she wouldn't do that."

"Well she took my Lord away!" Jaken shrieked.

"Then we should find him…" Shiraha announced.

"I thought you hated him." Kagome quirked a brow.

"Eh…It's not that I would forgive a traitor like him!" Shiraha said almost too loudly as she began to blush. "I just want to see if Rin is alright!"

"How would we find him?" Sango asked.

"I think my heart is nearby…" Shiraha placed her hand over her chest. "I can feel its presence."

"Then lead the way." Miroku murmured.

"Right!" Shiraha closed her eyes and stood there for a moment before she started walking.

"Shiraha…" Kagome whispered as she followed her cousin.

This is not for Sesshoumaru, this is for the girl…This is not for Sesshoumaru, this is for the girl…Shiraha thought as she walked. Although…when I see him…I'll give him a good scolding…that will show him! She nodded her head with a matter-of-fact expression. Not that I care about how he feels about betraying me…She shifted her eyes. He just needs to take responsibility for his actions! Shiraha placed her hands on her hips and shouted out. "So take that!"

" Shiraha?" Kagome blinked. Shiraha turned to look at the blank faces behind her.

Note to self…don't think out loud…Shiraha turned to continue walking, a blush glowing on her cheeks.

Sesshoumaru found that thoughts of Kagura and Shiraha crowded his mind now that his idiot toad-youkai's constant groveling did not distract him. Why should it matter that Shiraha called him a traitor? It wasn't as if it was Kagura herself. Who was the real Kagura anyway?

"Kagura…" He murmured the name and glared at the opening across the room. His eyes had adjusted to the dark so he could see all that was around him which consisted of walls and that opening that could be his escape root had that bitch who possessed Rin not put this retched collar on his neck.

"So you do think about me…" The one who claimed to be Kagura said as she opened the door. "I heard you say my name."

"Who are you?" Sesshoumaru inquired.

"I am Kagura."

"Who are you?"

"So you don't believe me…" She narrowed her eyes.

"Kagura died. I will not repeat my question."

"You'll see in due time who the real Kagura is!" She snapped and stormed out.

"…" Sesshoumaru glared at the wall to his right. He had to find a way out of this place.

"I can't smell anything anymore…" Inuyasha halted.

"Me, too" Kouga murmured.

"That means we're close. Remember that youkai…any time she is around your sense of smell is weakened." Shiraha looked ahead. "It might be in that cave just ahead." She pointed to a cave is the distance.

"Are you sure your heart is in there?" Kagome asked.

"I'm positive. Let's go!" Shiraha began to run toward the cavern. Suddenly, Chou appeared in a circle of butterflies.

"You sure are persistent." Chou sighed as she hovered above.

"Return my heart!" Shiraha yelled taking out a fan.

"Sorry. It's out of my hands." Chou smiled.

"Where is it?" Shiraha glowered at the blue youkai.

"Oh…I'll show you…but you can only take one other person with you." Chou stared at the group that came with Shiraha. "I don't want any funny business, you see."

"Fine…" Shiraha looked at Kagome. "Will you come with me?"

"Don't do it Kagome!" Inuyasha growled.

"Sorry if you're jealous but you are useless anyway since you can't smell anything." Shiraha shrugged.

"That's not what I meant!" Inuyasha snarled. "Kagome, it could be a trap."

"I know." Kagome smiled slightly. "But We can't get anywhere if we don't follow the youkai."

"It's Chou." Chou muttered.

"Cabbage?" Shiraha blinked.

"What?" Kagome tilted her head to the side.

"French…Chou means cabbage…or darling…" Shiraha explained. "But then…I think I messed up the pronunciation…Chou in French is said with a SHHH sound."

"You are annoying." Chou snarled.

"Anyway…er…Chou." Shiraha chuckled. "Lead the way."

"What about Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken yelled.

"We'll find him, too." Shiraha smiled. "I owe him a good lecture on loyalties."

"You witch! Sesshoumaru-sama does not need to have you in his presence." Jaken cried.

"Pipe down! Arrrgh!" Shiraha covered her ears. "Lead quickly, Chou. I can't stand squawking toads."

"Why you-" Jaken began before Inuyasha stepped on his head.

"For once I agree with her." He muttered.

"Eh…" Chou stared at the group for a bit before turning to leave. "This way." And off to the temple they went.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.

"We got no choice." Inuyasha grumbled as he sat on the grass.

Once inside the cavern, Chou stopped and turned to Shiraha with a frown. Here, the cave forked into two paths. Shiraha blinked as the youkai stared at her for some time.

"You really think you are the real Kagura…?" Chou asked.

"Whether I am or not, that heart belongs to me. I was born with it." Shiraha replied. "Sure, it gave me a few troubles throughout my childhood, but it's mine. It belongs with this body and I'll be damned if someone claiming to be a dead youkai wants to take it."

"You are aware that you will probably lose everything here, right?" Chou inquired.

"I may, I may not. It depends on who is stronger than who." Shiraha smirked. "I kind of hope that's me."

"Well then…" Chou pointed to two paths ahead and handed Shiraha a torch. "I suggest you take the right path first. You may want to say your final goodbyes." And with that, she disappeared.

"Does that mean…?" Kagome looked at Shiraha.

"Let's hurry." And with that, they took the right path. They walked on and on for what seemed like an hour.

"Shiraha…" Kagome spoke up.

"This certainly takes a while doesn't it?" Shiraha laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry you don't like Inuyasha, but-"

"Who said I didn't like him?" Shiraha stopped and turned to Kagome. "I'm teasing. Actually, I already knew he was the right one for you when I saw the way he looked at you." Kagome smiled. "Plus your diary entries had all of the stories of him saving you in them."

"You read that!" Kagome cried.

"Hey! Your diary was pretty boring until you began the entries that involved the well and your Hanyou friend." Shiraha chuckled. "I guess…I was hoping I could find my place in this world, too. Since the world back home felt so empty…"

"Shiraha…"

"I'm glad I followed you. In spite of all of those times I yelled at you, I was glad you nagged me. It just reminds me that you care." Shiraha smiled as she turned around and continued down the path. "Well we can't get anywhere by chatting. Let's go!" Kagome smiled and followed Shiraha in silence.

I guess there are some things about Shiraha that haven't changed. She thought.

"Kagome! I think we're getting close!" Shiraha cried as she picked up her pace and began to run. She halted the moment the light of the torch brought Sesshoumaru into view. For a moment, they stared at each other until Kagome finally caught up.

"What is it Shiraha?" She inquired as her eyes fell on Sesshoumaru. Shiraha handed her the torch and kneeled in front of the youkai.

"Looks like you got yourself into quite a mess." She reached for the collar and received a shock. "Ouch!" Sucking on her fingers, she looked at Kagome. "I think this collar is anti-youkai. You try." Hesitantly, Kagome kneeled beside Shiraha and touched the collar. She did not receive a shock.

"It's holy." Kagome murmured.

"Humph. This is going to be tough to take off." Shiraha frowned.

"There's a lock in the back." Kagome pointed out.

"Ah hah! I'm a master at lock picking……Too bad I can't touch the collar." Shiraha growled. Kagome pulled out an arrow.

"I doubt a holy arrow will work on a holy collar. And shooting it would be dangerous anyway." Shiraha looked at Kagome.

"I'm not going to shoot him." She held the lock in on hand and struck the keyhole with the tip of the arrow.

"Ah…" Shiraha scratched her head. "I hope you can get that done quick. In the meantime…" She glared at Sesshoumaru. "What do you have to say for your recent behavior concerning the plundering of my heart."

"That is none of my concern." Sesshoumaru replied.

"You're a real bastard you know that?" Shiraha growled only to receive a stare from Sesshoumaru. "Losing my heart wasn't as painful as seeing you turn your back against me."

"You are nothing to me." Sesshoumaru stated. With a CLINK the lock broke and the collar fell off. Shiraha stared at him in disbelief as he rose to his feet and began to pass her.

"Then why did you save me the first time?" She whispered.

"I told you before. I needed to gain information." Sesshoumaru murmured.

"That's bullshit! What information! You didn't even ask questions!" Shiraha cried.

"If you really want to know, you reminded me of someone I knew." Sesshoumaru continued to walk on. "You are nothing like her so you now mean nothing to me."

"Well I hate you, too!" Shiraha screamed. It felt as if the aching in her chest would not stop. Even though there was a heart missing, the pain continued to grow. It was as if the emptiness was expanding. "So go be a pedophile and run off to your Rin."

"Wait…where is Rin?" Kagome blinked.

"…" Sesshoumaru stopped for laughter filled the air.

"Well, well. Looks like you have escaped." The one holding Rin's body chuckled.

"Is that…?" Kagome gasped.

"Nice new look, yes?" The evil Rin said.

"What did you do to her?" Shiraha growled.

"I made her better to satisfy the desires of Sesshoumaru." Was the reply. "It is me he loves."

"He loves Rin?" Shiraha blinked. "I guess he really is a pedophile. In case you don't know what that means. It's an old guy with sexual desires for children."

"You can continue joking, but your soul is what I am after."

"You're not tricking anyone with this charade." Shiraha sighed. "We all know you aren't Kagura so stop this."

"Very well, then. You caught me. I am not Kagura."

"Then why are you trying to steal her heart and soul?" Kagome inquired.

"Why? I want to be Kagura. I want everything she had…" She smiled over at Sesshoumaru. "And everything she wanted."

"Who are you?" Shiraha rose to her feet and glared at her.

"Me? Well, you may call me Sin."

Author's note: Sorry for the long wait. I had writer's block and I simple became too busy. Then I kept getting random reviews over the months and I suddenly came upon some inspiration. Thank you all for supporting me and I hope I can continue to write the way you all enjoy. .

Next Chapter: Maelstrom

Chapter Preview: So the jig is up. The Kagura wanna-be is Sin. But who us Sin and why is she so Kagura obsessed?