AN: Sorry for the delay! About pairings: Main focus is Naraku/Aurora, and I haven't decided yet any other pairings. The parts completely in italics are memories, of two different days. Oh, contains fluff...

DISCLAIMER: Bleach, Inuyasha: not mine. Sakura's are. If certain parts seem familiar, they are modified scenes from the series. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

During the next few days Aurora stays by Naraku, leaving his side only if necessary. During the time she allows no one into the room, making sure that he will not be disturbed.

This is changed when a woman in miko garb forces her way into the room. As she enters Aurora gets to her feet, planning to take her out, but is stopped by Naraku's voice. "Aurora, could you get me some water?"

She glances at him, and then at the woman, receiving an odd glare from her, before inclining her head in affirmative and leaves the room.

As she returns a moment later the woman is gone, and he is lying on his futon, staring at the roof. She clears her throat, gaining his attention. "My lord, who was she? Her body was... odd. As if she would not have really been alive."

Naraku reaches to take the glass she is offering to him before speaking. "Her name is Kikyo, and she died half a century ago. I see that someone resurrected her."

Aurora kneels by him. "Resurrected, you say? She must be using souls to allow her body to move. I sensed multiple within her."

He glances at her, confusion written on his face, before he understands. "That's right. You're a Shinigami, thus you can sense the souls. Which reminds me... Have you remembered anything else?"

For a moment she's quiet, trying to decide what to tell him. Soon enough she nods. "Hai, my lord, I have." He glances at her curiously, not missing her pause. She ignores the glance and starts to tell the parts she decided she could tell.

"I met the old Lord of the Western Lands, he who was known as Inu no Taisho." Naraku tilts his head to one side, so she explains. "It appears that time for Shinigami does not go forward the same way it does for humans."

He grins. "I see. So, have you learned anything of your sword or that jewel?"

She hesitates a moment again, before deciding that the truth wouldn't hurt her. "It appears that the jewel acts as a seal. I have received information from a reliable source, letting me know that the members my family appears to be born with spirit energy that is controlled by jewels like mine."

She bows her head as she remembers what Sesshoumaru had told her what would happen if the reiatsu would go out of control. "Without the seal I might lose control over it. If this was to happen, everything around me would be incinerated."

His eyes widen at this, and he reaches out a hand to touch hers, encouraging her to continue, but instead of continuing of the seal, she changes the subject to her sword. "The sword is known as Zanpakto, or Soul Slayer, and it is considered to be the only type of weapon that can harm spirit entities, such as myself."

"You hesitated. Why?" He looks at her face curiously, trying to see her expression. Yet, her face shows none.

"My lord, I have yet to remember my past. I did not wish to burden you with information that might not be accurate. I only deemed the information accurate enough after remembering that it was given by someone who would not have a reason to tell me inaccurate information."

He is about to ask her where she got the information from, but seeing worry flashing in her eyes, he decides against it, and changes the subject. "And those stripes?"

She almost sighs from relief. "They are a sign that the seal is active. They also act as an armour against certain weapons."

The two are silent for a moment, until Naraku speaks, surprising Aurora with his question. "Are you afraid of dying?"

Her eyes widen in surprise as her gaze meets his, noticing that he is waiting for her to reply. She closes her eyes for a moment, thinking about the answer she is going to give to him. Is she afraid? "Iie, my lord. Why did you ask such a question?"

He takes her both hands into his own. "Because, in the future you might have to face powerful enemies. You might die. I just needed to know."

Some days pass, but Naraku is still on his futon, watched over by Aurora. She takes her job to keep him company quite seriously, staying by his bedside. As he's asleep, she stays awake, at times glancing at his sleeping face, but the rest of the night she does as Sesshoumaru suggested.

She holds her sheathed katana on her lap, trying to listen to the voice she knows comes from it. She can tell that there are several separate words in there, but she never gets the words themselves.

Then, finally, Naraku gets to his feet one morning, and is confronted by worried Aurora right away. "My lord, you should not…"

She is stopped by his sigh. "Aurora, don't worry, I feel better. Tonight I will get a new body. When I leave tonight, I want you to stay inside the outer walls. Do you understand me?"

Aurora closes her eyes and sighs. "I understand. I dislike the order, but I will obey."

Naraku smiles a bit, before leaning to press his lips on her forehead. Her reaction is instantaneous. The moment his lips touch her forehead, her eyes fly open and a tint of red spreads across her cheeks.

Evening comes and Naraku has left to get his new body. Aurora gets bored almost immediately and leaves her room to walk in the castle garden. She heads for the stream that flows through the garden, intent to try and listen to her sword once more.

She reaches the stream soon, and sits down by it. She unsheathes her sword and holds it in her lap. Closing her eyes, she tries to listen carefully to understand what the sword is saying to her.

During the first fifteen minutes she only gets the usual humming sound, until suddenly a clear voice tells her to remove the jewel from its place for a moment. Aurora glares at the sword. I thought the jewel was supposed to be a seal. How do you expect me to control my reiatsu if I can not remember how I was taught to do so?

The tone of the sword's response is a bit impudent. You might not remember it, but your body will.

Aurora sighs. The sword does have a point. After a moment of hesitation she decides to trust the sword and her hand removes the jewel with its chain from her forehead.

The moment the jewel leaves, the stripes on her skin flash, before they disappear. She can feel how something inside her tries to get out. Just when she thinks that she can't hold it in any longer, her memories start to return.

Memories of her childhood, her family, her friends, her training, and her life fill her mind.

"Sakura, Kuchiki. Well done, again." The two turn to look at their sensei, bowing slightly at him. Their results in the kido training were once again the best in the Academy.

Their sensei dismisses the class and the two leave to spend their break together, just like they had done for years. As they have reached their favourite place in the Academy grounds, a stream flowing by several sakura trees, they begin to talk of their future plans.

"Byakuya, I have heard that I should attempt to get a position in the Royal Special Task Force. Are you going to join me?" Her golden eyes are directed at him.

At her words his grey gaze meets her golden. "Even Captains in the Task Force work in the field daily. As the heir of the Kuchiki house I am not certain if I have the time for such tasks."

Aurora gives him a 'hn' before replying properly. "I am the heiress of the Sakura house. So, would I not have as many responsibilities?"

Her father's voice fills her mind, as she is kneeling in front of him, next to Byakuya, who is facing his father. Both heads of the houses are carrying sheathed katanas. "Aurora, this was made for you to when waiting for this day, your graduation."

He holds out the katana with golden hilt wrap for her to take. She bows before accepting it. "I will take care of her."

Next the head of the Kuchiki house holds out the katana with white hilt wrap. "This was made for you, Byakuya."

The boy takes it, bowing a bit. "I will take care of her."

Since the both graduates said the same thing, the two older men look at each other, and Gabriel Sakura speaks. "So, you both already know that much of your Soul Slayers? Do you know their avatars or abilities yet?"

Neither of the younger ones missed the sarcasm in his voice. They exchange a glance, before speaking.

Aurora goes first, since it was her father who made the question. "Her name is Moonflower, that is all I know this far."

After her, it's Byakuya's turn. "Her name is Senbonzakura. This is all I know."

The older men exchange a glance, both holding back a sigh. Seriously, the two had spent too much time together.

Aurora shakes her head to return to the present day. She pushes the power back with ease, now remembering everything. Well, most of it. She still has no idea how she got in the Feudal Times, since she remembers it being 21st century…

She returns the jewel to its place, before turning to her Soul Slayer. "I thank you, Moonflower." The sword's avatar, a unicorn, is now standing next to her.

Aurora turns to look at the unicorn as it speaks. "At last. I take it that not all of your memories are back?"

She shakes her head 'no'. The unicorn seems to sigh. "I believe I have tried to warn you about Naraku."

She smiles faintly. "You are not the only one."

Another sigh. "Will you listen to anyone when it comes to him?"

Aurora glances at the unicorn with an annoyed look on her face. "I know now who I am, and I do know that I am stronger than he is. As far as I remember, the taiyoukai known as Inu no Taisho is the only youkai who has been able to penetrate my barrier. Your barrier. Before him, only Chichi-ue has succeeded in it. A hanyou such as Naraku will not be a threat to me."

Suddenly the unicorn seems to smile. "You are in love with him." That wasn't a question, but a statement. "His feelings are merely a lie. He wants to use you."

It's Aurora's turn to sigh. "I do appreciate your concern, however I will be fine. I am aware of what he is doing. He does not frighten me."

With a sigh the unicorn disappears. Aurora sheathes her sword, thinking about one thing. How much to reveal to my- No, he is no longer that. How much can I reveal to Naraku? Everything? No. My name, and Moonflower's. But… what if he asks? My honour will not allow me to lie to him.

Aurora returns inside the castle near midnight. She walks around the castle, pondering over what she remembered. Then suddenly she senses two auras. One of them belongs to Naraku, and the other one is... Her eyes widen as she recognises it. What is the priestess Kikyo doing in here?

She goes to the castle yard, only to meet just landed Naraku with seemingly unconscious miko in his arms. "What is this?"

Naraku ignores her sudden lack of using the title 'my lord'. "She might be useful. Arrange a futon and a room for her.

Aurora merely inclines her head, before rushing back in. Then she waits at the room, for Naraku to come. Soon enough he comes and puts the miko to the futon.

When he's done he looks at Aurora. "I'm going to change clothes. Guard her, and don't let any of her Shinidamachuu to get in." He notices the slightly confused look on her eyes. "Her Soul collectors."

He leaves and Aurora turns her attention to the woman. She seems to be unconscious, but Aurora is certain that she is awake. As the shinigami senses approaching souls she looks at the windows, noticing insect like youkai approaching. They are carrying souls.

These are the Shinidamachuu, then? Aurora raises a temporary barrier on the window, blocking them. Soon enough another barrier rises. This one was lifted by Naraku, who comes to the room, his attention at Aurora.

"Aurora, there a shards nearby. Get them." Aurora only inclines her head, before she leaves the castle.

As Aurora approaches the shards she senses a familiar youki. Inuyasha? Before she has time to wonder his reasons for being there she finds their group, nearly colliding with Inuyasha.

"Aurora!" The hanyou can't really hide his surprise. After all, she travelled faster than her scent.

"Inuyasha. I see that you have shards in your possession." Her eyes are turned at Kagome, who's carrying the shards.

Inuyasha notices the look and lets out a small growl. "Try to take them…"

Aurora waves her hand. "Do not worry about it. I will find other shards."

Inuyasha glances at her, careful hope in his eyes. "Why wouldn't you bring them to us?"

Aurora's response causes his ears to flatten against his head and another growl to escape his throat. "I was asked to bring them to Naraku."

Kagome clears her throat, looking at Aurora. "He took a miko as his prisoner. Is she all right?"

Aurora narrows her eyes a bit at her, noticing something, before she replies to the young miko. "You two look like each other. A lot. As for how she is doing, she is fine. I believe she knows what she is doing."

Now it's the monk's turn. "You promised to join us upon our next meeting."

She nods. "My apologies, but I can not keep that promise yet. At the moment, if I was to join your group, you will be in danger, and so will I."

Kitsune jumps to sit on her shoulder. "Help us save Kikyo from Naraku. What is he going to do to her?"

Aurora lifts the little fox youkai to her arms. "My best guess is, that Naraku is planning to use her to get the shards. However, he also considers Kagome as a threat. I believe that Kikyo allowed herself to be captured. What is she planning, I do not know. I can not assist you in rescuing her, not at the moment."

She then holds the cub towards Kagome, who takes him in her arms. "As soon as the circumstances allow, I will join you."

With this, she turns to leave, but is stopped by a hand on her arm. She turns her head to see who had touched her, only to see Kagome. "What is it, miko?"

Kagome looks at her, with serious look on her face. "You like him, don't you?"

Aurora allows a small smirk to cross her lips. "I do admit that I do care for him. I am also aware that the feelings he seems to have for me are nothing more than an act to keep me with him, to control me. However, most of my memories have returned. I will not allow him to control me. I will make my decisions."

Kagome drops the hand that was touching Aurora's arm to her side. "Your memory is back?"

"Most of it. I still have no recollection of how it was possible that I woke up in the past, but everything else I have remembered. He does not know. Until we meet, sayonara." Before anyone in the hanyou's group can ask her about her waking up 'in the past', she is gone.

Upon arriving to a clearing in the woods Aurora sees a group of youkai harassing a human. In a flash, Aurora is in between the youkai and the woman who has her back against a tree. She can sense that the woman has some shards.

Angered by the interfering woman, the largest youkai growls. "Give the human to us. Then you will both die quickly."

Aurora responds by drawing her katana. She holds it in front of her, blade aligned with the ground. Then she whispers words to control the shikai form of her Soul slayer. "It's time for you to bloom, Moonflower."

At her command, the Zanpakto takes the form of a naginata. The blade is length of a katana blade, and coloured silver, while the pole itself is golden. A pitch black ribbon is tied to the place where the blade connects with the rest of the weapon.

Aurora smirks at the dumbfounded youkai. "Retreat, and I will show you mercy. Attack, and there will be nothing left to show mercy to."

Smallest of the youkai attacks, being immediately purified as the side of the naginata's blade touches it. Then two others attack from sides, only to be purified in an instant. The rest of the youkai retreat a bit, giving Aurora a chance to grab the woman and escape. Without the woman to protect, she would've stayed and defeated the rest, but she couldn't allow her to get hurt.

Soon enough, courtesy of Aurora's shunpo, the two are pretty far. As soon as they have stopped, Aurora turns to look at the other woman. "Are you all right?"

"Thank you!" She is still shaking from the frightening situation she experienced. As soon as she calms down a bit, she takes a small pouch from inside her kimono. Aurora can sense at least five shards. "This is what they were after." She holds the pouch out for Aurora to take. "Please, take these. I don't want them to come after me or my family because of these."

Aurora accepts the pouch. "I will take care of them. Is there some place I could take you to?"

The woman shrugs. "It depends where we are at the moment."

Aurora thinks about this for a moment. "A two days walk east from the clearing."

She smiles. "No wonder those rocks seemed familiar. I was coming this way."

The shinigami nods. "I can escort you to the village."

The other woman merely smiles. "There's no need. Without those things I should be in safe. Arigato gozaimasu and sayonara!"

A few moments later Aurora returns to the castle. After looking for the hanyou for a minute she finds him sitting in a spare room by the window. "I found five shards." He tosses the pouch to Naraku, who accepts it.

If he noticed that she missed 'my lord' again, she doesn't show it. "Any trouble?"

"Only minor. The human woman who had them was chased by youkai. After I rescued her she was willing to give the shards over to me." She notices a broken puppet. "A puppet, yet again? Now that I think of it, where is the miko? I am not able to sense her.

He grimaces. "I sent her and the puppet to retrieve a larger piece of the Jewel. She destroyed the puppet."

She sits down next to him, leaning against his arm. "So, she did know what she was doing." She lets out a sigh.

He turns his head to look at her worriedly, before putting his arm around her and pulling her closer to him. "What's wrong?"

She hesitates for a moment, before deciding to tell the truth. "My memory, it's coming back."

He blinks. This he didn't expect. Though, this might be good for his attempts to keep her. "Really?"

She sighs. "I remember my childhood, my family, and my training. I was born a long time ago in the Soul Society to a family called 'Sakura'. The name of my Zanpakto is Moonflower and she can purify youki with a mere touch. At least it can do this to the weaker ones. This weapon is meant to purify souls that have lost their hearts, rather than physical beings."

Naraku glances at the shards. So many are still missing. His ponderings are interrupted by Aurora who jumps to her feet. "What is it?"

She doesn't even look at him. "Stay where you are. Someone came through your barrier."

Just when Aurora has said the last word, a woman slides the door open. Kikyo. Aurora lowers her hand to the hilt. Kikyo merely looks at her, amused. "Move aside, girl. I have something for Naraku." Before Aurora can react, she has tossed something shiny by her.

Aurora turns around, only to see a chunk of the Shikon in front of Naraku, next to his own piece. That chunk looks familiar. Her eyes widen as she recognises it. Kagome had that one! She whirls around to glare at Kikyo, but is stopped by Naraku's voice. "Aurora, go and train."

She glances at him, surprised, but decides to obey. She leaves the room and ends up to the training grounds after a minute. At this hour it's empty, so she decides to practice her kido.

She realises that her body is semi-physical right now, that's why everyone can see her. So, she decides to take her true form, the soul form, and try to see if she can do some of the stronger spells.

Balls and bursts of energy leave her hands obediently, hitting their targets. And destroying them. She sighs. It seems that she really doesn't need practice in kido. She takes her semi-physical form again, as she sees Kikyo leaving.

For a moment she is tempted to follow the miko, but then she decides to find Naraku. Kikyo gave Naraku the very thing he wants. What is she thinking? According to what she knows, he killed her to get the Jewel.

Aurora finds him in his chambers holding a huge piece of the Shikon Jewel. That piece is bigger than the others, and she realises that this is all his shards combined. It's nearly a complete sphere. "The Jewel…"

He turns his gaze at her. "Kikyo wants to help me to gather this. I just can't understand her motives. But that aside, I have a mission for you."

She looks at him curiously. "You wish for me to follow the miko?"

He smirks. "No, she won't leave the village. I want you to leave the castle tomorrow morning, and to travel fast and far to find the rest of the shards. Don't come back until you have as many shards as you can find."

She frowns at him, and he stands up and takes her face in between his hands. He locks his gaze with hers. "Aurora, the sooner the Shikon is completed, the better." Then his lips connect with her lips.

Forgetting her arguments of not leaving, she responds to the kiss, knowing that she can't let go of him. He's dangerous, but she just can't… This thought is also soon forgotten as the kiss continues.