Lone Scarlet Lily, Hidden in the World of Snow: Waiting for the Spring.

Chapter 10: Shattered Reflections

A gasping breath tore through the silence, ripping me from my world of darkness.

My back hit the ground, nearly forcing my first breath from my lungs. Confusion set in, as I felt the rough ground beneath me, smelled the foul air, sensed the remnants of the energy that had ensnared me fade from my skin. My countless attempts to create an illusory world inside my sealing remained unfruitful: this was the world Midoriko had locked away from me. I frowned, blearily looking around at the odds shapes of unfamiliar rocks that surrounded me.

My body felt tired, lying heavily against uneven ground that dug uncomfortably into my back. Air filled my lungs in a hasty pace, still reacquainting myself with the innate process that I had lost for an indeterminate amount of time. As my breath slowed, my body realizing that it had returned to normal functions, my brow wrinkled in concern at the slight pain coming from my chest. It encompassed the thin sliver of flesh where the priestess's sword passed through my mortal body and pierced my energy, it was slight… but it was enough to pull my body into a sitting position.

My fingers lifted the red fabric away from the left side of my chest, and I peered at the revealed skin for a moment before blinking in disbelief. With slow movements, I ran my fingertips across my skin: almost as if I thought the thin pale line would disappear if I moved too quickly. My mind blanked as I traced the skin, slowly running over the raised skin in a trance before the word came to mind.

Scar.

That's what this was, embedded in my flesh. Demons didn't get scars: everything healed easily and left no trace of battle behind. My energy had somewhat replenished in my sealing, and so the scar should be disappearing… But it remained there. Clinging to my body obstinately like the sour taste in my mouth and the slight shiver that kissed my neck. I pushed my energy through the area, and when it flowed through the slice of flesh without even pausing my frown evolved into a scowl.

Where the blade had pierced me, it had left the area devoid of energy. In the sense that it didn't even contain the ability to hold onto or regenerate energy. When my body was burned, there were at least still some strands left behind to 'hook' the energy back in place and with a little time the energy would regenerate in the area on its own…

But there were no strands left in that long line of lighter skin.

It stood brazenly as an eerie reminder of Midoriko's betrayal. The pain that hummed consistently through my body made it feel like the blade was still stick in my body, and only when I dug my fingers in lightly to massage the skin did it fade from the back of my mind. As I slowly pulled myself onto my feet, acutely aware of how heavy and sluggish my head felt as my neck held it, I wondered at why I was now marked.

Those that we had fought and sealed away had been sealed away indefinitely: Midoriko's charms were powerful enough to do so, and from the large difference in ability she had compared to other priestesses and priests of this time, it would take many to break them. Would all of those demons be left with these same scars, too? The same mark of the blade that pierced their hide as a constant reminder written out on their skin? Was this just Midoriko's work, or did other humans have the same capability once they learned how to use their energy to seal demons away into conduits?

Pursing my lips as I straightened the top of my kimono, smoothing the fabric over the skin again, I took in my surroundings. The strange-looking rocks I had been lying amongst weren't rocks, and instead the petrified remains of the demon-of-demons. As my blue eyes travelled the length of the dulled mass, slowly turning around to follow it back to its source, the glinting metal of a familiar make caught the corner of my gaze. Wrapping my hand around the black handle, I pulled it out from under the mass that had landed on it. The sword still had Midoriko's sealing spell worked into the metal, but for now it lies dormant: awaiting the energy required to reactivate it. Part of the corpse collapsed, and I realized that it appeared to be affected by a combination of the frailness of decay with the preservation of petrification.

It was a weird sensation, having the ability to manipulate my surroundings again. In my attempts to stop drifting through the darkness aimlessly, I had only managed to create flashes of scenes that had been engrained in my memories. The lone snowflake drifting down towards me slowly, my body righting itself as a white landscape… the sound of arrows sinking into wood as Master Katashi appeared… And then it all disappeared before the snow could reach the floor. The jarring jolt into darkness once again as I lost sense of time and place…

I shook myself out of the memory I was left with and scoured the ground for Katashi's bow.

Unlike the sword, it was lying atop the demon's large mass. As I placed it over my shoulder, pulling my head through the bowstring so that I could carry it easily, I noticed the slight shadow I was casting onto the ground in front of me. The remains were covered with a light shade of pink, and as I turned around, I caught sight of the dragon demon's head as the powerful aura the light emitted also casted light shadows that emphasized the grooves and lines which made up the folds of what used to be demon hide. As I carefully stepped closer, curious as to what was emitting the glow while also avoiding sinking into the frail demon carcass as I walked over its expansive body, I saw something that stopped me mid-step.

As the light cut through the darkness and lit up the head of the demon, the stoned surface of its open jaw revealed the human statuette it held within its jaw. The smooth surface reflected off of the statue, and the shadows that were cast on the body seemed to give it some sort of otherworldly aura as the face of the priestess shared the same soft look the glow had.

…Midoriko was dead.

The emerging hollow feeling at this realization was quickly drowned out by the overwhelming rage that consumed my being in waves. The tension in my muscles as a result stemmed from the searing scar across my heart, and it only grew stronger as I stared at the priestess's corpse. The sour taste on my tongue grew bitter, drawing my mouth into an angry line that refused to give into the curled corners of a frown. My jaw clenched, and like it, I steadily continued my path towards the pink glow.

There was a pink jewel sitting at the base of the petrified figures, perhaps the size of a large pearl, radiating a soft glow that contained such concentrated energy I hesitated to approach it. But, I did so anyway, noticing the sword's sheath lying beside it: the tattered white cloth tied to it revealing that the teeth of the dragon demon had cut it from the priestess's body. As it lay on top of the remains, I figured it happened shortly after… whatever happened here.

Ignoring the glow of the jewel for the moment, I took the time to slip the blade back into its casing. What remained of the cloth was useless, and so I discarded it and with a small sigh decided to hold onto it manually for now.

With that, I cautiously turned my curiosity onto the jewel. It obviously held immense power, and with how concentrated it was, it could probably amplify those who drew in its power into themselves. With this much energy lying within such a small thing, though, it would probably consume those lesser beings who tried to use it. Although, as I hovered over the jewel, gazing into its smooth surface, it strangely felt like someone's energy that I had sensed before… but it was muddled together with something else. Interested, I picked it up gingerly. The moment my skin touched the surface, I knew exactly what she had done.

This jewel contained both the energy of Midoriko and that of the demon-of-demons.

My gaze shot upwards, finding the hole in the human's chest that only confirmed my suspicions. She had tried to purify the demon by drawing its spirit into her own body and expelling them both. But even using her own body as a direct connection between her spirit and the demon-of-demons wasn't enough to complete the purification. The jewel I held in my hand was the incomplete manifestation of her attempt.

And as I worked my way through her foolish actions, the implications behind it only made me angrier.

"You would've known it was impossible for you to purify it. You knew that it would result in such a thing, and yet…" My voice was seething, yet it would do nothing to remove the calmness of her features, "You still created it."

"You've just dropped something into this world that has the potential to start warsover the control of this power. And you dare drop it into this world, expecting me," My anger got the best of me, and the sheathed sword shook in my tightening grip, "To hide it and protect it after what you've just done?"

But she couldn't hear me anymore.

I let out a bark of a laugh, one dripping with fury and bewilderment and the smallest tinge of sorrow that the two covered up, "I can't believe you. How dare you, Midoriko. How dare you."

She created such a thing because I was the only one powerful enough in the Demon Slayer Village to hide such an intense aura with my energy. She thought that I would keep it safe, throwing away our victory because she believed so strongly in that. Right now, I could only conceal its energy enough so that every demon in the nearby area didn't come looking for it. Though if any who craved this jewel's power came too close, they'd be able to sense that I had it. They might not know where I kept it, but they'd know I would have it. Even humans would be able to sense its power without someone with my abilities to hide it.

It seems like nothing changed, after all. She just handed me this task without even considering how it would affect me: how I'd be thrown into countless battles and wars once word of the existence of such a powerful jewel got out. How many challengers would come seeking its power…

How dare she choose this life for me.

I scoffed, shaking my head at the nerve the human I once called 'friend' had. And with furious steps, stormed away from the remains without a second glance: a shaking sword in one hand, a pink jewel pinched precariously in the other.

O

I released my mind from those wretched memories, immediately kneading the pain from the line across my flesh as I carefully picked out the pink sliver from the human flesh. It came freely, with no human blood staining its surface, although the pink shard had a faint purple crack spreading deep within it. The human that had brought it deep into my forest had been consumed by said shard, the temptation of succumbing to its power was far too powerful a pull over feeble human minds. Yet even with the shard's power, he had been easily dispatched by my hand.

It seems I couldn't escape the echoes of misfortune Midoriko had caused me, even though I had delved into the forgotten shrine deep within the forest few travellers passed through – demon and human alike. And yet, her presence still found me.

Weaving my way through the trees, I left the body behind as I rolled the shard around in my hand. I curiously tried to wipe the purple sliver away from the usually pink-coloured surface… But I was unable to. And the inkling of energy that managed to faintly remind me of the demon-of-demons concerned me greatly.

…The fact that the jewel had apparently shattered was a bad enough omen, as like that human, there were many who would search out the power the jewel could provide. Adding in the strange purple colouring, and it became far too ominous to simply throw the shard away and let the world take care of it – as much as I wanted to.

With the jewel in shards, more and more people would find out about the jewel's existence… and it would deteriorate into who could find the most shards: who could find the most power.

I shrugged delicately, slipping the shard into my obi as I disguised it with my energy easily. No one would find the last piece now: that alone was more than those human priestesses who were supposed to protect it could do.

After a few minutes, the shrine I had made my home in for close to fifty years appeared through the trees. It was small and had fallen into a little disrepair after the village of humans who had tended to it had fallen to roaming demons. It happens a long time ago, as the path to it had been retaken by nature. The forest itself was known to not relinquish those that strayed from the path that still had some travelers pass through it to get from one human village to the other. But, this road was on the other end of the woods than the grown over trail, and so not many managed to find their way to my resting place.

The water surrounding the shrine on one side, forming a clear pond that reflected the muted grey skies that hid the sun overhead. The large stone slabs formed a ring around the pond and was the only remaining remnant that prevented the trees from surrounding all sides of the shrine completely in trees. Rain would come soon, I noted, as I brushed past the rough bark of towering trees before the decaying road cleared the trees. Stone lanterns, still in relatively good shape, guided me into the shrine. It wasn't larger, and wasn't made to house people, but I made my own space where I could. Setting Katashi's bow against the wall as I entered, I sorted through the assortment of my belongings that I had pressed up against the corner of the simple shrine.

Finding a small pouch made from soft orange material and had flower patterns sown into the fabric, I fished the shard out from my obi and slipped it into the pouch. Closing the yellow drawstrings, I deftly tied the ends into a bow before tucking the pouch back into my obi. Keeping the mouth of the pouch upright as I pushed it deeper until only the wrinkled fabric of the closed mouth and the beaded ends of the strings were visible. Should I need to, the shard-holding pouch would be easy to pull up from its hiding place.

I would keep the shard on me, for now.

Eventually someone would come bring me the rest of the jewel, and I'd get rid of the shadow hanging over my every move by destroying that infernal thing once and for all. I rubbed the scar, the proximity of the jewel and memories I tried to forget making it more agitated than usual. But, as I sensed a powerful energy approaching my movements soon stilled.

It was coming towards me slowly: leisurely making its way towards my shrine in a straight line. After a moment, I recognized the energy and exited the shrine on the side of the water, taking a seat on the outer pathway of the shrine and waited for his arrival. I knew why he had come, and to be honest, I had expected him to visit much sooner than this… had he finally figured out that the fake tombs scattered across the land didn't hold the sword he was now searching for?

I scoffed. With the amount of pride that man had, the Great Dog Demon had probably searched every one of those stacks of stone before tracking me down. Not only that, but that foolish imp would probably still be bumbling behind the heels of his lord. The last time I had seen them was at that war, fifty years ago. In exchange for a little help dismantling the multitude of spells placed on the sword's sheath to keep me sealed in the sword by the Demon Slayers, I'd help out in the war effort against the panther demons. To be honest, it was a joke. And a pretty bad one at that.

He could've easily taken on the panther demons himself, and not bring weakling demons into the mix that I had to then try and save as the battle waged around me. Tōga, his father, had apparently banded them all together once before to fight the panther demons… which was probably why the great demon even allowed others to fight with him: he wasn't much of a team player. But, even if he arrogantly underestimated others, he was not one to take lightly.

I reinforced the energy concealing the jewel shard's presence.

Before the powerful demon's figure came into view, I called out to him during his approach, "It's not often this forest is visited by those who wish to sniff me out… It's been quite a while," My lips curled into a sly smirk as his golden eyes pierced the distance and met my blue ones, "Lord Sesshy."

The way his eyes narrowed slightly didn't escape my scrutiny, and my smirk grew wider at his annoyance.

Clawed hands pushed away the last branches that stood in his way, and he stepped out from the woods, watching me impassively from across the water's surface. He hadn't changed since our first meeting: he held his pride close to his heart, and the strength of his belief in it permeated the air around him. It didn't help that the Great Demon Markings reinforced this unsaid arrogant claim, with the purple crescent moon barely hidden by his silvery bangs and the two magenta stripes under his eyes and the ones that painted his eyelids. Similar markings also showed on his arms but were hidden from view by the sleeves of his kimono. Long silver strands blew in the light breeze before falling still, the length stopping at about knee-length.

He was a handsome demon, but his endless search for power left little room for such trivial observations to mean much.

His outfit hadn't changed (though I suppose the same could be said for me as well), the spiked metal that covered his left shoulder that attached to his cuirass and the long flowing yellow sash with blue patterning on the bottom of the fabric still covered his mostly white kimono. His white sashinuki* hakama gathered at his ankles, revealing the black ankle-high boots. The Tenseiga still rested on his body, disregarded at his hip. Although, looking closer, the train of soft-looking fur thrown over his shoulder might've gotten a little longer…

"Hmph! Well, it seems that old tree was right, Lord Sesshōmaru!" At the sound at the annoying voice, my smirk quickly soured into a frown as the demon stepped out from behind Sesshōmaru. He wore a simple brown kimono and a small black hat that was tied in place underneath his chin with a white strap, and he looked around at my home slowly, "Wow, this place is a dump! I guess the half-breed found the perfect home, after all!"

"Oh, the little imp hasn't met his end yet?" My eyes turned to the little green-skinned annoyance with a blank look, "How disappointing. You indulge your vassal too much, Lord Sesshy."

The large yellow eyes of the imp narrowed angrily, stepping from his master's side as he squawked incomprehensibly, "You stand in the presence of Lord Sesshōmaru, and you should address him as such! You should feel honoured that we searched and travelled to you… you insufferable woman!"

"Oh? Did you go through all that trouble because little Jaken-imp can't serve his lord properly?" I let out a muffled laugh at the fuming imp, "Well, then. I'm all ears, Jaken-imp. What did you fail to accomplish for Lord Sesshy?"

I emphasized the nickname for both the annoyance of Jaken and the great demon, flashing my eyes back towards him to see the flicker of annoyance in his golden eyes before turning my attention back to the irritation that flooded the small demon's body.

He stomped his foot, swinging the staff he held in his hand down to point it towards me. The top of the staff had the wooden head of an old man on one side, and on the other, the wooden head of a woman with black hair that twirled around the staff before infusing into the wood. It was rather ridiculous to see the little imp swinging around a staff twice his size but pissing off the arrogant weakling was far too entertaining to stop.

"Shut it, snow-woman! Tell us where the real tomb lies! We've searched the many tombs scattered across the land, said to be his resting place, yet the woman of the Human Head Staff screeches instead of the man! This is your doing isn't it? One of your tricks!"

Hmm… So, then I assume the staff the imp held was something created to track Tōga's resting place? Not having to manually check each one would've made it easier to find… but Tōga had enlisted my abilities to ensure that his remains would not be disturbed by just any demon. And, seeing as Sesshōmaru and his imp were approaching me for direction, Tōga's will had been upheld. The Black Pearl I embedded into the eye of the Great Dog General's brat had still been untouched. The staff would then have to be able to find the Black Pearl based on the demonic aura it contained within itself, thanks to the immense power it had to become a gateway to the Border of the Afterlife. It was immensely powerful, and only proved to me that Tōga had made mighty allies in his lifetime… But as the younger dog demon had been sealed to a tree, I doubt either brother had managed to get their hands on the Tessaiga yet.

It was a waste of a sword, and a waste of a final request… But Tōga's foolishness is what led him to his death. His 'love' for a human had him running off to save her when he could've saved himself.

"Oh? So, you finally grew tired of blindly searching and are now seeking some direction, then?" I tilted my head, bringing a finger to my chin as a mischievous grin spread across my face, "Hmm… And you came to me for direction?" I let out a snicker, "Pretty ironic, don't you think?"

"Don't play around, Demon Priestess! My lord knows just as I do that you were one of the last to see the late Great Dog Demon alive, so you must know where the real tomb is hidden!"

"My, my. It seems like you're at your wit's end, imp." I stood up from my seat, walking to the water's edge and glaring icily at the green demon, "But I'm getting rather bored with all of the accusations and demands you fling from your mouth wildly. I'd ask that you make your lord's case quickly, imp, or don't make it at all."

"Oooooh! I knew it! I just knew you'd be like this, you ungrateful half-breed-!"

Well, this wasn't going anywhere anytime soon…

I growled lowly, and the sound stopped the shrill-pitched noise coming from his mouth, "I believe you have just outlived your welcome, imp. You are quite mistaken if you think being in the presence of your lord allows you to constantly squawk as you have been doing. As I have been expecting Lord Sesshy, I am willing to listen to his request. But you, imp, are not so respected nor respectful to warrant the same treatment!"

Jaken was far too quick to throw insults at me than a demon of his feeble power should. Sure, our first meeting went just as well, but the little demon was a master at overstepping himself and irritating me. Naturally, I did the same to him: too bad it grew tiresome so quickly. But, before the imp could respond, Sesshōmaru's smooth voice cut him off.

"Jaken." He glanced down towards his vassal, who eagerly awaited his command.

"Yes, my lord Sesshōmaru?"

"Silence."

"Of course, lord Sesshōmaru." With that, Jaken took a few steps back from the pond with his head bowed. As he came to a stop when he was further away from me from his lord, I let a satisfied grin spread across my face as my ploy to get Jaken to stop talking had worked wonderfully.

"Well, Lord Sesshy, now that the annoyance has been taken care of, what brings you all the way to my humble abode?"

"You know what I came for."

"Aww… It seems like fifty years have not made the heart grow fonder. How unfortunate. But, seeing as it's been two hundred years since your father's death, and you're just now searching for your father's tomb…" I watched his face carefully, "Is it perhaps because you've learned that what you've been looking for lies within?"

The neutral expression he always wore faltered with a frown that only made my grin grow. Poor little Lord Sesshōmaru, not getting the fang that he desired after his father's foolish death. It made sense, the power of the Tessaiga was not to be taken lightly… Even if he doubted the power of the Tenseiga so easily. His misguided search for power made ignoring the Tessaiga's strength impossible.

Unfortunately, Jaken spoke up at my words, eyes lighting up as if he had caught me in a lie, "Aha! So you do know of it!"

"Hmph." I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes, barely keeping the scowl from my face, "I never said I didn't, imp."

A pointed look from Sesshōmaru silenced him once more as he quickly backed away. His golden eyes found my form as I watched in mild amusement as the imp stumbled over himself.

"You know where the tomb is."

It wasn't a question, but I still answered it, "I do."

"Where is it?"

"That would be like leading a grave-robber to the grave they're trying to rob. All the fake tombs you visited before turning to me as your last resort were put in place to prevent your father's wishes from being overlooked."

At his silence, his eyes still burning into me, I shrugged and place my hands on my hips, "You might not be able to get what you want if it goes against his will, you know. Even if you find his true tomb."

"Where is it, snow-woman? I will not ask again."

"Hmm…"

I looked him over, and like before, I couldn't discern much. Based on our last encounter, Sesshōmaru wouldn't end his search until he got what he wanted, even if it went against Tōga's wishes. From what I heard of Sesshōmaru's hatred of humans… Even if I told him about the final resting place of his father he wouldn't be able to retrieve the Tessaiga, let alone wield it. Not with the barrier Tōga had asked me to place on it.

So… I wouldn't technically be leading this graverobbing when I knew he'd be unable to pull Tessaiga from its resting place…

"I'd suggest taking the time to visit your brother, Lord Sesshy." Once again, I enjoyed the annoyance that flashed over his face at the use of the nickname.

With that, he turned and left without another word. No more were needed. The great demon, still far from surpassing his father's legacy, was just as keen as the late demon. Although he held a lot of pride in his power, at least I could be sure he wouldn't foolishly get caught up in human affairs.

"What? Lord Sesshomaru, she hasn't told us anything yet-!"

Jaken hurried after his lord, only to crash into his leg as Sesshōmaru stopped when I called out to him, "Oh, Lord Sesshy?"

"Hm." His voice didn't raise or lower: it was only a sound made to show he had heard me and was listening.

"I'd advise you to be careful. Your father's wishes aren't something you can easily work your way around."

But, even as I spoke the words, I knew they would fall on deaf ears. Sesshōmaru would survive whatever the Tessaiga and its chosen wielder threw at it, though it certainly was a highly lethal weapon in trained hands (a fact that would make Sesshōmaru all the more dangerous if he got his hands on it). Whether his pride would survive its rejection was another matter. A matter I could dangerously poke a little fun at when he returned with whatever request he had next.

"I'll see you guys later, then!" I let out the cheerful farewell with an exaggerated arc of a wave. I had a feeling that they'd be back sooner rather than later…

"Hmph! There's no reason for us to come back here, half-breed!"

With one hand idly resting on the black handle of Kishikaisei*, the blade's sheath hung from the swath of fabric that tied my hakama, I watched the figure of the proud demon saunter back into the shaded woods and out of view. As his powerful energy left my Range, my mind no longer bent around his presence and returned to the shard hidden underneath my obi. Leaving the blade's handle, my fingers once again traced the line across my unsettled heart from above the red fabric that hid the skin from view.

Would those that lusted after the power of a complete jewel be able to find me in my forest?

I shook my head, a low sigh released from my lungs as I turned to head back into the shrine. The wood creaked underfoot as it held my weight, and I gently traced the wooden frame of the shrine's entrance.

Midoriko had taken enough from me with the creation of this jewel.

She wouldn't take the quiet and hidden life I had carved out for myself here, not after all the struggling I had gone through to escape the countless re-sealing she had inspired. Not after the many years I had spent trapped in the sword I triumphantly kept on my body out of spite. Not after… everything.

I didn't have anything left to give.

So, I refused to give any more.

*PLEASE NOTE*

Sashinuki Hakama: a type of hakama that is supposed to show the foot while billowing over the leg and creating a 'ballooning' effect as the cord running through the hem of each leg is tied.

Remember! All half-demons are half-breeds, but not all half-breeds are half-demons!

Kishikaisei: The name that had been given to Midoriko's sword, for reasons that will be revealed later~ It means (google translate certified, as always) 'Resuscitation'.

O

-Disclaimer-

I do not own the InuYasha movies, manga, or anime. The only thing I own are my characters and the fanfic!

O Reviews O

ficklemagics: Well, Nozomi made the decision to trust Midoriko, and believed that Midoriko trusted her in turn. She also still believed they had a fighting chance against the demon, so Midoriko's action caught her by surprise because she thought that they were on the same page. Sadly, this was not the case.

I'm glad you caught onto the parallels! Humans often exaggerate their stories to fit the needs of their society and audience... I wonder how the story of Midoriko and Nozomi will be warped by the Demon Slayers, now that many years have passed...?

Thank you for leaving a review~ I hope you enjoy what comes next in Nozo's adventures!

roronoacami: Hahaha, yeeeeeah sorry about that. I wanted to get a lot of things implemented surrounding Nozo's backstory and powers before our main man Sesshy came in. I'm glad you continued reading about Nozo's adventures even without our favourite demon kicking around and doing his own thing! But, I hope you enjoyed his brief arrival in this chapter, and are looking forward to the next!

RikkiBlake777: Wow! It's not everyday that I hear people almost miss work because of me! (Hopefully you got in on time and had a great day!)

Hello there! You can call it a Partnership, OR Couple, as I left it a little vague for that purpose. In my mind, there is a canon answer, but it's not necessarily important to the plot, sooooo~ I'm glad you liked the playfulness! I had a lot of fun writing the two interacting!

Yeah, good ol' Hotaka, not listening to any of the rules set up...

Ooooh, Kanda is an interesting comparison for Nozo...

Poor Nozo... But it seems that she powered through the death of the priestess through anger. So, I guess that's good? For now, at least.

I knooooow Midoriko was such a badass, but yet we heard practically nothing about her until the very end (which was only a little scene in the anime, and didn't tell us much). Her heroic actions might have gone over badly with Nozo, though.

I'm glad you liked how I described the feeling of being pierced by a sealing spell: it was pretty cool to try and describe it as I thought about what it was like!

I hoped you liked the brief Sesshitime in this chapter: there's more to come in the next!

flowermanga: Haha, I'm glad that you were wondering what was going to happen with Midoriko's death: but I think the biggest impacts it had on Nozo won't be revealed until later...

Hope you continue looking forward to what comes next!

Purple-pygmy-puff16: Yeeeeeah, sorry about the long wait for Sesshy... But I wanted to do this so that important backstory, powers, and characteristics of Nozo would be revealed before it's shown how she interacts with Sesshy and the others. Not to mention, Midoriko was a huge part of her life, and deserved some 'screentime'~

Hopefully you liked the little sprinkle of Sesshy in this chap! There's more to come in the next one!

O

Welp, Sesshy has finally arrived on the scene!

Anywayyyy...

Next time on the LSL, an Inuyasha fanfic...

Sacred Jewel Shards always mean bad things.

SESSHOMARU HAS ARRIVED

What will prompt Nozo to join up with Sesshomaru?

poor Nozo... :(

Nozo participated in the Panther Demon War?!

You'll have to tune in next chapter to maybe find out... :3