Chapter 8!

I've got a busy weekend planned, so I'm not sure how many updates I will have. I might get inspired and write until 3 in the morning anyways however.

In case any were wondering, half of Kin's powers was inspired from a musician Erutan. Her music has a very celtic vibe, and I tend to listen to it while writing. I suggest you listen to it, she has an amazing talent.

Once again I do not own Inuyasha.


Kin panted as she squared off her shoulders, swinging her biwa in a diagonal arc before adding an upwards jab. Sesshomaru nimbly dodged, stoic as he mirrored her movements. Rin and Jaken watched in quiet fascination as the two fought, though the human girl had a much more concerned expression than the gawking imp.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he tried to close the gap between them but found himself being pushed back as the staff lengthened to keep him just out of striking distance. It made the weapon more difficult to handle, yet Kin only had to adjust her grip more a moment before she came back in full force.

"Why are they fighting, Jaken?" Rin asked, confused by Kin's sudden challenge.

"I'm not sure, child. I never understood women and their strange impulses."

She gave him a quizzical look, unable to yet understand his meaning. She turned when she heard a sudden thud and gasped to see Sesshomaru's blade buried in the dirt a short distance away.

"Ha!" Kin let out a triumphant whoop as she pumped a clenched fist into the air. Her victory was short lived however as Sesshomaru suddenly appeared in front of her. He snatched away her naginata, holding it into the air above his head. Rin laughed as the demoness let out an agonized wail, jumping up and down as she tried to get it back. "Hey! That's cheating!"

"I wasn't aware the fight was over."

"You are such a sore loser." Kin grumbled as she finally managed to steal her weapon back. "It's a tie then. A tie." Sesshomaru's brow furrowed at the statement. As far as he was concerned he would never lose, but made no attempts to correct her as he retrieved his own weapon. He sheathed it, watching as Rin hugged at Kin's legs affectionately. The demoness absently patted at the child's head as the naginata was put back in its biwa.

"Kin, you promised to teach me a song on my ocarina today. You promised."

"Oh, I'm sorry Rin I totally forgot." Kin reached into her satchel and pulled out an ocarina of her own. She followed after the human child as she dashed to A-Un, leaving Sesshomaru alone with Jaken as they carried on their own conversation.

Jaken watched them, head tilting slightly as the child laughed. "That was rather…"

"She's gotten stronger." Sesshomaru suddenly stated, beginning to follow after the two girls.

Jaken momentarily stumbled as he scrambled to follow after his lord. "Excuse me, sire?"

Yet Sesshomaru gave no response as he silently watched Kin as she taught Rin a new song. As the demoness played he could sense her powers flowing from the instrument and into the ground around them. How did he not notice it before….?


Naraku watched as Kin spoke to Kohaku excitedly, her arms waving in exclamation. It was mostly one-sided, yet the human boy did not seem bothered by it. It annoyed him to see the demoness speak to Kohaku instead of him, yet he masked these feelings with a smile as she finally noticed him standing off to the side.

She ruffled at Kohaku's hair before running over to him. Today Kin was wearing a different kimono, one that had been gifted to her by the generous 'Kagewaki'. It was green with golden feathers woven into the fabric and was shorter than her normal clothing. Her slender legs were exposed, showing off pale skin normally hidden from sight. The feathers around her ankles were now clearly visible, piquing his curiosity. She had been reluctant to wear the clothing but after enough prodding she had finally given in.

"No more presents, please. I already feel in debt to you as it is." Kin had been surprised at how easily she had found the castle again. At first she wondered if she would ever be able to find it again, yet as if it knew she was searching for it the castle had appeared. As if by magic.

Naraku smiled, but shook his head. "Can I give you at least one more gift?"

She let out a sigh of defeat, pinching at the ridge of her nose. "As if I really have a choice." She grumbled as he handed her a necklace. Wrapped at the end was a beautiful jewel, though it looked like it had been broken off of a larger gem. She took the shard and immediately sensed something about it. "What is this?"

"It's a jewel shard. I want you to have it for protection." He explained as she allowed him to tie it around her neck. She pulled her hair off to the side as he did so and his fingers gently caressed at the exposed feathers. He felt her shudder at his intimate touch and put on an air of ignorance when she studied him cautiously.

"…I can handle myself." She said slowly, yet did not take off the necklace as she studied the jewel in between her fingers.

"Please keep it, but try to keep it hidden. It's very rare and others might try to steal it." She raised a brow, not sure how exactly she was supposed to hide a necklace but tucked it under her clothes all the same. "Thank you for coming back, by the way. I don't get many visitors and was worried when you suddenly left."

She gave him an apologetic look, "Sorry, I felt guilty leaving so suddenly but I can't stay for long today either. I have my own business to attend to."

"You still haven't found Watatsumi…?" he questioned, surprised when her usual friendly demeanor turned sour. He could sense her rage and anger and was drawn to it. He could almost grasp at the aura with his fingers yet made no moves as she forced herself to smile.

"No, not yet. I will find him though, don't worry." She fumbled around in her satchel for a moment, but seemed to change her mind. "Do you have anything that you like to collect? Hobbies, art, weapons…?" For once Naraku was confused and his brow furrowed in questioning. He couldn't quite tell her he enjoyed spilling blood and manipulating others, and struggled to make something up. "It's just that you keep helping me and giving me gifts, but I don't have anything to give in return…"

The strange woman wanted to give him a present. How amusing… "No, not in particular. I'm happy just having you visit me." At this response Kin visibly flustered, looking away momentarily as she chewed at her lip.

"Next time I will visit I will try to bring something interesting." She decided, turning slightly.

"Can I have another feather?"

She nearly fell over in surprise, face visibly reddening. "One of my feathers…?"

"You left me one before. You have very pretty feathers I don't see why you try to hide them."

She mumbled something under her breath as she knelt down. The plumage at her feet were much longer than on her neck, and she carefully studied them before plucking one of the larger ones. She held it out to him, "Just don't expect these all the time." She warned as he took the offered gift and tucked it behind his ear. …why are the men here so god damn pretty? She mused before turning to leave again. "Goodbye then, I will come by to visit again."

He waved as she lifted off, his friendly smile turning into smug grin as he returned to his chambers. "Yes…if you survive we shall meet again…"


Inuyasha paused when Kagome suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. The rest of the party turned to her questioningly as her expression turned from surprise to confusion. "I suddenly sensed a new jewel shard. It's faint and moving…towards us."

Inuyasha needed no more explanation as the rest of the party changed directions. "Is it Naraku?"

She shook her head as she climbed onto his back. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo scrambled onto Kirara's back, stuffing the last of the rice balls Kagome had made into their mouths as they took to the air. "No, I don't think so. This is a much smaller piece."

"It doesn't matter. So long as we can get another shard." Inuyasha quickened his pace in eagerness.

They all seemed to be in agreement, though the sudden appearance of a new shard was alarming. As far as they knew Naraku had the largest amount, meaning this could be a trap set by the wily demon. They were caught off guard as a small figure emerged suddenly from the treetops followed by a yelp as it struck Kirara from below headfirst. The furry demon let out a surprised roar, snapping her angry jaws at the possible attacker as they fell towards the ground.

"What the-?" Sango and Miroku had barely been able to hang on, and Shippo had used his transformation ability when he had been violently thrown off of Kirara. The monk had a protective grip around the demon slayer, much to her irritation. She elbowed him in the gut as she reached for her boomerang, leaping off of Kirara to follow their assailant.

"They have the jewel shard." Kagome managed to holler as the group prepared for battle. They landed in a circle around the figure who was cursing under their breath in irritation. A demon woman with golden hair slowly stood up, gingerly touching a bump that was forming on top of her head.

"I think I broke my freaking nose." Kin groaned, opening her eyes to see armed attackers all around her. She stared at the one with white hair as though she recognized him. He looked very similar to Sesshomaru, yet did not carry the same elegant air. He was also holding up a ridiculously large sword at her, and was glaring viciously. Not a friendly puppy.

"Give us the jewel shard, and we will let you go, fair lady." It was the monk who spoke first, though there was a lecherous gleam in his eyes as he studied the demoness. This earned him a smack on the back of the head from Sango as well as a slew of insults.

The demoness wasn't amused however, her large almond shaped eyes turning to slits as her hands ghosted over her biwa. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry for running into you. I don't normally have to worry about humans flying in the air." She kept an eye on the half-demon in red, still trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle in her mind.

He growled at her, his sword beginning to swirl with power. "Don't play dumb, we know you have a jewel shard. Now hand it over before this gets physical."

"The only dumb one here is you," she said, her fingers now fully grasping her biwa. "I don't like thieves."

"What are you going to do? Play us a serenade?"

Kin smirked, "Something like that." In an instant she was behind Inuyasha and planted a firm kick onto his back. She'd caught him off guard and sent him flying. She could hear him cursing as she dodged the arrow Kagome had shot, taking note of its spiritual power. She twirled as Sango unleashed her boomerang, spinning with the weapon for a moment before redirecting it at the monk. He managed to dodge with a roll and unleashed a strange vortex from his hand.

She paused, planting her feet firmly onto the ground before exhaling fire. He cursed, closing his hand when the stream of fire overwhelmed his wind tunnel. "You guys are pests…" she grumbled as she struck a fist to Kirara's side, sending the demon soaring with a single strike.

She suddenly leapt into the air to avoid Inuyasha's Wind Scar nimbly. She once again inhaled and the group prepared for her flames, but instead she let out an ear splitting screech. Inuyasha fell to his knees, clutching at his ears in pain as the woman continued to let out the sound. Shippo and Kirara were also incapacitated, and the attack would have continued had Kagome not managed to let loose another arrow. It struck Kin in the chest, causing her to wince as she felt its spiritual potency. She faltered, realizing the girl had been aiming for her necklace. Kin's eyes seemed to almost glow as she plucked the arrow from her body. Her dragon scales had protected her, creating a natural armor as she snapped the offending weapon in her fingers.

Inuyasha stood again and lunged into the air, swinging his sword. In an instant Kin drew out her naginata and clashed with the half demon.

The movement had caught him by surprise as she suddenly jabbed the staff at his gut, striking him low before kicking him with a roundhouse. He was sent flying again, smashing through trees. He was persistent however and came back with gusto. As they fought Inuyasha's moves quickly began to grow sluggish. Kagome gasped as both Shippo and Kirara suddenly collapsed, a far off look in their expressions before they slowly dozed off. She looked up and noticed that this new demon opponent's lips were moving and there was the hint of a song in the air.

The demons were the first to feel the effect of her spell as Kin slowly lulled them to sleep with a lullaby. Sango was next to fall to the ground for she held the least amount of spiritual power among the humans. Miroku tried to call out in warning to Inuyasha, but his words were lost on deaf ears as the red clad fighter continued his attacks.

Kin continued to sing, no longer needing her naginata as Inuyasha could barely lift his blade from fatigue. "Sleep now child…" she slammed her fist into his gut, knocking him unconscious with the blow. She guided him to the ground however before turning to the remaining two. "…I will let you live this time. This one reminds me of someone." She dropped Inuyasha in a snoring heap to the ground.

She took off to the sky again, disappearing just as quickly as she had come. Miroku and Kagome let out a sigh of relief before turning to help their slumbering comrades. They would need to plan next time they confronted this new adversary. Miroku scratched at the back of his neck with a sheepish look, "He's going to be pissed when he wakes up…"


Kin had waited until she was far from the strange group before allowing her wings to spread. She wanted to put a safe distance between them as she clutched at her aching breast. Although the arrow had not pierced her skin the girl's spiritual power had been strong. Probably the strongest she had come across in a human in many years.

She dug into her kimono and pulled out the necklace. She stared at it, trying to figure out its significance. It had only been two days since she had been given it, and already an entire group of people were after her for it. Was it really so precious?

She'd have to return it. She already had enough trouble on her plate as it was. She spotted a familiar figure in the distance, traveling on his mokomoko. She hesitated, wondering if she had subconsciously sought him out. She saw him stop and turn in her direction. She tucked away the necklace again as her wings flapped with renewed energy.

Whatever the reason she was glad to see him. Maybe he could explain the group that had just attacked her.


End of chapter 8! That took longer than I wanted, but I had a hard time trying to figure out how her first encounter with Inuyasha and the gang would work out. Miroku is my second favorite character from the series followed after Sesshomaru.

Please review, and thanks to those who have favorited and followed.