Welcome to Chapter 8! Thanks again to everyone who read this fic. I'm still surprised every time I see how many times it's been viewed. Thanks sooooo very much!

It's been a while since I updated, and I'm working on a few more fanfics right now. Check them out when they're up if you'd like

As always, I am not Rumiko Takahashi. I am an unpublished American woman and Inuyasha fan who spends way too much time in her head. The only parts of this fanfic that are mine Rain, Murasaki-sama and her Tsuwamono Miko, and the soon-to-be-fully-introduced Tsuki.

Note: A historic metaphor for drunkenness in Japan was skittering wind-blown leaves. This will show up occasionally, this chapter being the first. Sesshomaru is usually going to be the one referencing it as he is an educated man and thus most likely to know the reference.

K.C. really was my cat. He was like my little brother since we'd grown up together, so I couldn't resist putting in a small tribute to him in this fanfic. Rest in peace Meowsa boy (10/88-2/2/08)

Happy Reading

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Chapter 8: Down the Well and Into His Arms

Dreamscape

The acrid smell of sweat. Bitter salt-laced tears running down her neck. Strangled cries of anger and fear mingled with strained groans. Pain. All she could feel was pain. She fought. She willed her limbs to move, to beat against her attacker.

It was funny. She never knew fear was a tangible thing yet she was fighting it at that moment. She was not about to let this demon finish what he started. She tasted blood, knowing it wasn't her own. She'd bitten the demon and wouldn't let go.

More pain. It didn't matter to her. 'I'd rather be dead…'

She screamed with all that was in her as the walls around her crumbled. A blinding flash with sharper pain…

Rain woke up screaming, hot tears cascading down her warm cheeks. She struggled to breathe, hands clasped her chest to keep her heart from beating its way out. She struggled against the covers and found herself on the floor with a dull thud.

The wall screen slid open, Sesshomaru sliding in with his usual elegance. He scooped her up and set her back on the futon she'd fallen off of.

"You must be more careful, Rain-chan." He whispered. "You don't want to reopen your wounds, now do you?"

Rain swallowed the lump forming her throat from crying. She curled into a little ball, only a whimper escaping from her. She buried her face in the blankets.

Sesshomaru kneeled next to her. "You were screaming. Were you remembering Naraku?"

She nodded, not saying a word. She curled tighter; trying to drown her pain in blankets and tears. 'How does he know…does he know…I bet that nose of his told him everything…I want to die…'

"Do you wish me to stay?"

She answered with a nod once more, peeking at him from the corner of her eye. He was in fresh clothes, but the bloodstains on his hair and tail were still there. His gossamer hair fell around his face, casting moonlit shadows on his form. She smiled in her mind. He was still imposing, but there was not a shred of the threatening Sesshomaru she'd seen so often.

"Please stay, Sesshomaru-sama." Her voice was barely a whisper yet she knew his youkai ears picked it up just fine. " I don't want to be alone. The walls close in and haunt me when I'm alone."

"You do not have to worry about that. I have nowhere to be but right here. That aside, how are you feeling? You've been asleep for three days."

"Three days, eh?" Rain turned over on her stomach, stretching slightly.

Sesshomaru's breath caught. In the moments Rain spent taking in how long she'd been out, his eyes followed the curve of her back all the way down her form, remembering that he had seen her in all her naked glory despite the wounds. He blushed, glad for the low light of the room to mask the pink tinge to his cheeks.

"Sesshomaru-sama? Did you just space out on me?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "I don't know what this 'spacing out' you speak of is."

Rain stuck her tongue out at him slightly. " I was going to answer your question about how I'm doing."

He leaned down, closer to her face. "Do tell."

Rain traced the pattern in the blanket. "I feel just like I did when I was little. Miserable. Alone. Disgusting."

"Why would you feel that way?" 'Especially disgusting of all things…'

She looked away. "It's kinda' normal for a woman whose been…hurt…"

Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment. He knew it was normal for men of his time, youkai and human alike to reject a woman who had been taken against her will. It came as a surprise that women themselves felt like that. It was no wonder those he'd known of had settled so easily in to believing themselves defiled.

"This would bother me more, but it wasn't the first time something like this has happened."

"Someone else has done such a thing to you?" Shock invaded Sesshomaru's face. " How dare they!"

"So you do know what Naraku did to me."

"I'm sorry I didn't arrive in time, Rain-chan. I would have torn him apart for even breathing in your direction."

Rain gave him a small smile. "You got me out. That's what matters. Not like before."

Rain felt new hot tears roll down her cheeks. 'Why am I telling him this? No one believed me before…'

A voice in her head chimed in, one she was always glad for. 'Sesshomaru has no reason not to believe you. You trust him with you life, but not your past?'

'Okay, okay. You're right as always Lord…'

"The person who hurt me before was a family friend who came to live with my dad and step-mom. I only visited them every other weekend. After my dad married my step-mom, I was just there because I had to be, by law. More often then not, they'd go off and do their own thing, leaving me with that man. I told my dad and step-mom about it but they didn't believe me. My mom did, but there was only so much she could do, since she was pretty poor at the time. It didn't stop until I realized I was big enough to fight back."

Sesshomaru did his best to keep his jaw off the ground. 'Such honesty…I'm honored.'

Rain leaned back down onto the futon. "So now you know."

He felt a bubble of anger rise from his gut. "I cannot believe your own family would be so neglectful."

"I don't consider my dad and step-mom my family anymore."

'She not that different from myself…hurt by family…betrayed by the people she thought she could trust…'

"Not to change the subject too abruptly, but dinner should be starting soon. Would you like something brought here, or would you like to join the others?"

Rain yawned a bit. She was desperately hungry, but she also wasn't sure she could make it anywhere on her own steam. 'Darn hypoglycemia…I just wanted to lay here for a while…'

"I think I should go. I haven't eaten in a while. I'd rather not pass out again." She pushed herself into a shaky sitting position, only to fall right back down. " Okay, so I may need a little help."

Sesshomaru smirked. "That's the first time you've actually asked for help. I'm impressed."

He smiled as he scooped her up, blankets and all. " You've had quite the ordeal. I will gladly carry you to the dining hall."

Rain felt the effects of her fast as Sesshomaru padded through the door, only the whisper of cloth hinting at his movement. As he glided through countless corridors, she was glad she hadn't tried to make it through the fortress herself.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, noting a scent she couldn't place on the fabric of his haori. She sighed softly, sinking into semi-startling comfort in the taiyoukai's arms.

"Hey Sesshomaru-sama."

"Hn?"

"Thanks for listening. You're the only person I've told besides my mom."

"I'm honored that you trusted me with your past."

Rain grinned. "Are all youkai such smooth-talkers or is it a Sesshomaru-brand thing?"

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If Rain had felt awkward with chopstick before her long nap, it only was worse. Her hands shook terribly, making it nearly impossible to pick up anything. With a cry of frustration, she stabbed a piece of fish and popped in her mouth. The chopstick hung out of her mouth as she frowned. This earned a laugh from everyone; even a hoarse chuckled from Sesshomaru.

"I do better with sushi." She grumbled. " Its not my fault I come from a place where we stab our food. Pardon my American manners."

Shippou, who had already ripped through his dinner, moved to stab something off of Rain's plate. Faster than anyone had ever seen her move, she pinned his paw to the table. She chastised him gently.

"Unless you plan on sharing your food Shippou-chan, you'd better not do that. Everyone's had a rough day. I don't speak for everyone, but I definitely want my food."

Shippou stared at her, blinking a few times.

Sesshomaru cleared his throat slightly. " When you are finished Rain-chan, I have something for you."

Kouga growled from across the table. "What do you have in mind, elder dog turd? Don't you think she's been through enough today without you making advances like a horny pup?"

Sesshomaru glared daggers at the wolf. "I would never think of such a terrible thing. This Sesshomaru has honor, unlike you, wolf breath. Besides, I didn't see you charging into Naraku's lair to save Rain-chan."

"Can we not talk about me like I'm not right here?" Rain pleaded, tapping her chopstick on the table, clearly annoyed.

"You're the one who let his damn puppet catch her! " Kouga snapped back. "If you hadn't been so punch-drunk on her scent, you would have noticed it!"

"Still in the room." Rain snarled, tapping her chopsticks harder.

"Like a wolf bastard like yourself would have cared that she was hurting! Your advances made her isolate herself from the rest of the camp in the first place! You know nothing!" Sesshomaru moved to stand.

Rain leaped up from her cushion. " SHUT THE HELL UP!"

The air snapped with tangible energy as Rain tossed her chopsticks across the table. Though her legs protested, she willed them to move. She ran blindly, rushing through the unfamiliar hallways. She skidded to the nearest open door, slamming the wall screen behind her.

She plopped down in the middle of the empty room, tracing the scars on the floor. 'Must be a dojo then…'

She sighed deeply, talking to herself. " If I were getting paid for sighs, I could buy Japan. Why the heck did they have to do that? Gah, I don't want anyone fighting over me. ME OF ALL PEOPLE! They need to grow up. Not that my performance wasn't exactly mature either."

"Actually it was exactly what those idiots needed." A voice called from the doorway. It was Kagome, shaking her head at the memory of the dinner mess. "They both feel bad now. Kouga is in a slight bit of pain too. You hit him with your chopsticks."

Rain chuckled. "I can't use them the right way but at least I can use them as weapons."

Kagome smiled as she settled on the floor next to the older girl. " I had a good laugh about it. Kouga used to be all over me not so long ago. I know this is terrible, but I'm kinda' glad he shifted his attention away from me. I just wish the receiver wasn't you."

"It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't make Sesshomaru go nuts." Rain stared at the floor in front of her.

"Well he did save you from rape twice. He's been the one protecting you."

Rain's head dropped further. Tears she'd hoped she wouldn't have welled up. "Only once."

"What? You don't mean…Rain-nee-chan…he…"

"Yeah…"

Kagome wrapped her arm around Rain's shoulders. " Wanna' go back to our time? I know it's not your home, but at least you'd be away from some of this mess."

Rain nodded solemnly. "We should probably do our work too. No doubt we're both pretty behind."

Kagome gave her shoulders one last squeeze and rose. "I'll let everyone know. I'll ask Kilala if she'd take us to the well. It's a bit of a jaunt from here."

The younger woman paused on her way out the door. "We won't let anything like that happen to you again. Even Inuyasha is concerned about you. Don't give up. This life you now share with us is hard, but as long as we're together, it will be ok."

Rain nodded and fixed her eyes on the floor again as Kagome shut the screen. She sat for a while, losing all track of time or coherent thought. She traced the scars on the floor with her fingertips, wondering on and off which ones were from claws and which from blades. The wall screen sliding open broke her form her trance.

"Kagome, did you-" She turned to see Sesshomaru standing almost hesitantly in the doorway. "Sorry, I thought you were Kagome."

"I thought you would." He murmured softly. "She told me you would be going back to your time with her."

She studied his face for a moment. "Does that bother you, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Should it bother me? You're an independent woman. Whether you stay or go is your choice alone." He tilted his head away from her. " Will you be coming back?"

"Of course I will come back!" She stood, approaching him silently. "I annihilated the Yomigae no Tama. There are more pieces out there than what was in me. That jewel was entrusted to me, the last of the Tsuwamono miko. I have to get the missing pieces back."

He nodded silently. 'Is that the only reason she's going to return? What about…me?"

"Of course, I can't shirk my duty to Kagome. She's my sister miko." Her face hardened with determination. " I just know that she and I were supposed to work together on this quest thing."

Sesshomaru caught his jaw mid-fall. "Why do you feel you must protect Kagome? Inuyasha never leaves her."

She sighed heavily. "Protecting the people I care about means more to me than my own life. I've been losing wonderful people all my life. The first funeral I attended was when I was a month old. Life is so fragile, so tenuous. What if something happens and Inuyasha can't get to her? I will not stand by and watch her die. Not when I can do something. I will protect the ones I love, even if it costs me my life."

"It's not your job, Rain-chan." He stepped closer to her, a small smile on his lips. " I know that none of us would not appreciate your offer though. You are to sense those shards. Leave the enemies to those of us with no other roles in the quest but to protect."

Rain's eyes went wide. "You don't have to do that. You've saved my life plenty of times. Aren't we more than even?"

"This Sesshomaru is not doing this to pay off a debt." He shook his head, his smile becoming more a smirk. "You've done more than your share of saving.. You only attacked me because I threaten innocent people, not because I am youkai. You know when to fight and when to cry. Few warriors can boast such a thing. I will go as far as to say you are the first real friend I've ever had my entire life. And I . . . "

Sesshomaru's heart seemed to leap into his throat, a feeling he hadn't thought possible considering he hadn't felt his heart in years. 'Just tell her fool! The worst she can do is say she doesn't feel the same . . .'

" And you what?" Rain tilted her head curiously.

" I had something made for you." His hands flew to his side where another katana was tied around his waist. " This is for the times that even I cannot be present to protect you."

He handed her the katana with a slight nod of his head. Rain did the same as she took it from his hands, hoping it was the right reaction. The scabbard was simple black lacquer with silver toned accents, the hilt wrapped in soft blue material. With shaking hands, she pulled the katana from the scabbard, gasping at its appearance.

The blade was straight rather than curved in the style of sword ninja carried but that wasn't the surprising part. The blade was incredibly pale, almost transparent. She reached out to touch it and gasped once more when her fingers ghosted right through it.

"How…what… ner?" Rain sputtered, poking her finger through the blade a few more times.

" Totosai made it on request just for you. He added you hair and blood so that it responds to you only, though the fang that makes up the majority of it is my own."

" How in the world…"

" How can you put your fingers through it?" Sesshomaru smiled. " Totosai is a master sword smith. I only described your skills and tendency to harm yourself as much as your opponent. He made your sword accordingly. It cannot harm you and only harms those you wish it to. I am most impressed though, that he matched the colors of the sword to the lady."

Rain chuckled slightly, re-sheathing the blade. " Are you sure you didn't describe more than just my skills and bad habits?"

She laughed more readily this time, and leaped up, wrapping him in a hug. " Arigato Sesshomaru-sama."

He returned the embrace tentatively, as if holding on too tightly would make her disappear. " Think nothing of it. I only wish your safe return, both to your time and this. Kagome and Kilala are waiting with your things. I've made a passage for the three of you to pass through the barrier."

She broke the embrace, stepping away slightly. In the darkness of the dojo, Sesshomaru once more reminded himself she was human, a powerful Tsuwamono miko, but still human. It was too easy for him to see her as a female youkai. None of that could stop him from seeing her as the most beautiful creature that ever lived and he loved none but her. Now if only he could tell her that, everything would be perfect.

Rain gazed up at him, her face once again locked in an expression he could not read. Whatever she was meaning by it, he didn't wish for her to stop looking at him. Her scent, her eyes, her presence, everything about her made him feel like skittering leaves in the wind.

A flush rushed up Rain's cheeks as the taiyoukai continued to stare into her eyes, conflicting emotions fluttering through his own. She was getting used to his limited palette of facial expression. The face he made at that moment was information overload. She barely managed to pull herself away from the amber gaze.

She started for the door slowly, wading through the tension that had enveloped them. She was already in the doorway when she turned, eye to eye with Sesshomaru. Not wasting another moment, she kissed him on the cheek and disappeared down the hall with a dramatic wave of his over-sized kimono she still wore.

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Rain didn't remember when she hit the futon on Kagome's floor. She barely remembered meeting Kagome's family. Kagome's mother has fussed over both of them for a while. She thought she might have eaten something before there was no memory at all. Her throat was very dry as she broke out of her deep sleep. She thought it was actually making scratching noises until she spied Kagome frantically attacking her homework.

"Kagome-chan?" She croaked, surprised that her normally low but feminine voice sounded downright male.

Kagome spun her desk chair around so quickly she almost tipped it. "Rain-neechan! You're up! Do you want some water? You sound awful."

Rain nodded " I sound like a man…"

Kagome handed her a large green water bottle. " Mom found it in your luggage and filled it every day since we returned."

Rain sat up cross-legged and took a sip of water. "I'll have to thank her. How long have I been out?"

"About a week."

"WHAT?!" Rain struggled not to throw the bottle across the room in her surprise.

"We couldn't get you to wake up for anything." Kagome chuckled. "Even Buyo over there tried to wake you up in his own way. He slept on your head most of the week."

Rain smiled at the pudgy feline lounging in the sun on Kagome's bed. " Arigato Buyo! "

She stretched lazily. " He reminds me of my cat, K.C. We had to put him down this past February."

Kagome frowned. " Awww poor baby. What happened?"

"He was nineteen. He'd had a very long life and it was just time for him to go." Rain smiled slightly. She stood and picked up the now unconscious Buyo. " So on that sad note, what are you up to?"

Kagome stuck her tongue out. "English homework. I'm so far behind I may as well be in lower grade."

Rain smiled. " Been there before. I can help, seeing as it is my language and all."

Rain pulled up a chair next to the younger girl and sat Buyo in her lap. The two attacked Kagome's homework for hours until she was almost completely caught up with English. It left both of them exhausted, and hungry.

"I'm beginning to hate my own language." Rain rubbed her temples. " I declare a break!"

She dug into her backpack and produced a bag of sour gummy worms. "How do you feel about American candy?"

Kagome grinned wickedly. "I feel really good."

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Kaede, Sango and Miroku sat back in an informal meeting room, watching Inuyasha and Sesshomaru pace back and forth, Rin and Shippou mimicking them. The brothers were too occupied to notice.

"Kagome-chan said they'd be back by now." Sesshomaru murmured.

"Kagome's always late." Inuyasha muttered in reply "Rain's probably been ready to come back but Kagome's puttering around like an old woman."

Kaede cleared her throat, glaring ever so slightly at the hanyou man.

"You're actually on time, Kaede-baachan." Inuyasha groaned. "Think you could teach Kagome about that?"

The brothers halted in perfect unison, sniffing the air. Sesshomaru felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. From the direction of the well, the smell of fear and rotting flesh swept toward him.

"Inuyasha!" He whirled toward the hanyou. "Now!"

Like lightening, the brothers were out the door and down the well.

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Rain paced back and forth, pacing the length of Kagome's room. She was dressed in clean clothes for the first time in who knows how long, in a pair of black jeans tucked into knee-high boots and red tunic. Her katana was slung across her lower back. She fingered the hilt as she paced, sighing deeply.

She poked her head out the door and yelled, " Kagome, honestly, how long does it take for you to bathe? It's almost ten 'o clock!"

Kagome yelled back through the door. " You're as bad as Inuyasha!" Why are you in such a hurry anyway?"

"No particular reason." Rain lied. 'If Kagome could see my dreams, she'd be booking it out to that well and making a head- first dive…it's as if death follows me…'

She wished she had not thought that, when a face forced its way through the window, a disjointed body attached. Its face split into massive rows or teeth, lunging for her.

Sesshomaru let himself free fall down the well, growling angrily at himself. ' I never should have let her leave. Just when she thinks she safe, it couldn't be further from the truth!'

He didn't take a second look at the unusual surroundings. He merely followed Inuyasha toward the shrine house, desperately trying to catch Rain's scent over the barrage of new smells. Not bothering with doors, the brothers leaped through the shattered window.

The room looked like a war zone, books and chairs strewn all over. The only indication that Rain had been there was the drops of blood on the floor, a crimson trail leading the youkai to her.

Inuyasha led a frightened Kagome from where she was trapped in the bathroom. She was wrapped in her robe and pajamas, crying bitterly.

" It's back!" She cried hysterically. " The Mask of Flesh! It had Yomigae shards!"

Kagome took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. " Rain locked me in the bathroom…she led it away…she was bleeding…her shoulder…. really bad."

Sesshomaru found himself placing a reassuring hand on the young woman's shoulder. " We will find her. All we can do is hope she is fine until then."

Inuyasha frowned and squeezed Kagome's shoulders. " She left us a clear trail. It looks almost deliberate."

"She didn't have to protect me!" Kagome sobbed.

Sesshomaru shook his head. " She had to Kagome-chan. Her honor would accept nothing less."

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Rain rushed through unfamiliar streets; holding the shredded flesh of her right shoulder. Though it scared her to death, she let the blood drip on the ground. 'I have to get to a safer place…I can't keep bleeding all over the place through ALL the streets in Tokyo…I can't even draw my sword like this…'

She was easily out pacing the bilious mound of blubber with a noh mask face, but she knew if would only last so long. She'd lost a lot of blood already and it wasn't getting any better the more she ran. She shuddered slightly remembering how the creature would have had her head had she not ducked in time.

'Don't tell me this thing wants my shards…' No sooner had she thought this than the wild aura of more Yomigae shards flared up to meet her. 'Dang it! That's just what I need right now!'

The shards she carried in her wallet burned at the presence of others buried deep in the putrid mound of flesh. She was stumbling now. Her skin was chilled as the blood dried on her skin and down the side of her shirt. Her head started swimming wildly and she sprawled across the pavement. Though she was ahead of the creature, it was gaining on her with ever heave of its disfigured mass.

'Somebody save me!' Sesshomaru…I never should have left him…God…please…please bring someone…'

The creature was so close; she could smell the blood, her blood dripping from its jaws. The copper scent sent a wave of nausea over her. It stopped only a foot from her, extending its long neck so it was nose to nose with her.

"Give me the shards!" it demanded in a garbled wet voice.

"Never!" Rain snarled, backing herself away until she hit the side of a store. " Like I'd give them to the likes of you!"

"Bad girl…" It lunged for her head again.

She ducked, feeling the wall crumble above her. She moved to crawl out from under it as it was busy trying to pull its jaws from the wall. Pain shot up her arm and she fell to the ground again. 'As if it couldn't get any worse…. my wrist is busted…I am gonna' die…'

Grim finality was settling in as she barely dragged herself away. It lunged at her again and she rolled away with the last of her energy. Tears streamed down her cheeks. All she could think was one thing.

"Sesshomaru…" She whispered the sky above her.

As she if she has uttered a magic spell, Sesshomaru came down on the creature with full force from the roof above. Inuyasha followed, Kagome clinging to his back.

"Get the mask! " Kagome cried. "The shards there are keeping it alive!"

She barely got the warning out before the halves of the mask came together, clamping onto Sesshomaru's arm. There wasn't even time for him to react before a ghostly blade shattered the mask, pulling the Yomigae shards with it. Rain stood above the shreds of demon flesh, sword drawn, her face held in an expression that could have melted the most evil creature in seconds. Despite her rock solid stance, her hands shook as she plucked the shards off her blade.

"They just don't know when to quit, do they Sesshomaru-sama?" She smiled softly as her knees buckled beneath her.

Sesshomaru caught her gently. "They don't know what's good for them, messing with a goddess of death."