The group was gathered around a table eating in laughter and conversation. Excited to know that Kioko was finally awake and could start getting better even sooner than they had originally anticipated. They had been worried about her for the past few days, and now that she's better they couldn't wait to see her up and about, well minus one from the group. While eating everyone stopped to look when the door opened, revealing Kioko being held bridal style in Sesshoumaru's arms. Her hands folded in her lap with a slight blush as she was looking up at Sesshoumaru's stoic face before looking into the room at them. Kioko's beautiful long black hair flowed loosely from her head, and her eyes glittered brightly with the light of the room. She smiled warmly at the sight of the group that mostly smiled back at her. Rin stood immediately, beaming with the brightest smile out of everyone as Sesshoumaru walked towards her with Kioko being carried along.
Sango watched the sight with a slight blush at the two of them. Not really able to see before now how beautiful both were in the presence of the other. Sesshoumaru crouched down, his feet holding himself up before gently setting Kioko down in the seat beside Rin. Once his arm was no longer under her legs, Kioko had them bent beside her. He didn't release her shoulders yet, as she was still adjusting to steadying herself. She looked up at him, blush gone and they both looked captivated by the other, staring into each other's eyes. Most of the group stared at them in suspense and surprise at the sight. Despite Sesshoumaru's cold demeanor and expression still sternly in place, he was gentle with her. They were all so focused on the new turn of events that no one noticed Kagome's angry and surprised eyes as her frown deepened at the display directly in front of her.
" T-thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru. " Kioko thanked the demon man gently as she sat with her hands still in her lap, her right side facing Sesshoumaru and her left facing the table. Leaving her back naively to Rin who took that time to strike. Rin immediately glomped Kioko with a hug from behind almost making the young woman lose her steadied composure. Few of the others laughed at the sight because Kioko's surprised expression was priceless. Kioko sat back up when Rin released her only to see Rin kneel between Kioko and the table before she hugged the young woman around the waist while looking her in the eyes with a big grin on her face.
" Kioko! I'm so happy you're alright, I was so worried! " Rin exclaimed happily which made Kioko smile warmly at the girl before putting her left hand on the back of Rin's head, holding it to beneath her chin. The young girl blushed slightly with a sweet smile on her face as she felt the warmth of Kioko's presence around her.
" I'm sorry that I worried you. I hadn't meant to. " Kioko said after closing her eyes as she held the girl to her. Sango melted at the sight. Kioko holding Rin like a mother would, both of them with serene smiles and Sesshoumaru crouched behind Kioko just watching them both, like a protector. Almost like a sweet tiny family of three... and a half if you want to include Jaken trying to hide his smile behind his sleeve at the sight as well. It was that moment Sango decided to look at Kagome from the corner of her right eye, and her eyes widened in shock once she had. Kagome's expression was hard as her eyes were glaring with anger and spite while she watched the new development. Memories of what Miroku had told her began to echo in her mind, almost not believing it even now when she was staring right at what his words had told her.
~ Flashback ~
Miroku and Sango had just left Kioko's room, Miroku's exhaustion almost obvious from him just finishing with helping Kioko purify her body before she could take over herself. Miroku took a couple of steps before losing balance, and Sango rushed to catch him. She placed his left arm over her shoulders to help him find his footing with a blush on her face at the closeness. She could even feel the muscles from his arm slightly flex from his movement behind her neck.
" Miroku, you need to be more careful. Let's get you back to rest. " Sango suggested with a deep look of concern. Miroku smiled graciously at her, almost making her want to blush again.
" Thank you, Sango. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it back to my room on my own. " She nodded before they slowly began to make their way to get him to his shared room with the other males of the group.
" Do you think Kioko will be alright? " Sango asked with a worried expression that Miroku peeked at from the corner of his eye.
" We will have to wait and see. I am not strong enough to cleanse her enough to have done much good, but she had already begun purifying her own body before I even got started. For what it is worth, I was able to help boost her power for that small amount of time. "
" I see. " Sango stopped walking which in turn stopped the monk's movements as well. He looked at her in confusion only to see her expression filled with a worried curiosity. " Miroku, you said earlier that Kagome was the last person to have in the room with Kioko. If Kioko needs to purify quickly and a boost would be a contributor to that then wouldn't Kagome's strength in power have been the best solution rather than pushing yourself like that? " Sango asked once she looked him in the eye, accepting nothing less than a direct answer to her questions at this point. Miroku didn't answer right away. His smile now gone and a serious expression took over his face as they stood there as if having a standoff. For a few minutes, neither of them moved before Miroku answered with a quiet tone.
" No. I believe Kagome would have caused more harm than good. " Sango looked at him confused and thrown off by his words. Kagome cause harm?
" What are you saying? Kioko is Kagome's older sister; Kagome would never hurt anyone. " Miroku's eyes stared at her with a look that told her he was being wary of what he was going to say next.
" I've noticed Kagome doesn't seem sincere about Kioko for a while now. I don't know why, but Kagome watches Kioko with a look of dislike and Kioko herself seems to know of Kagome's true feelings towards her. " Sango looked at Miroku with surprise and further confusion.
" Well, what evidence do you have to prove that's true? If all you've seen are looks, you don't have much to go on to accuse Kagome of being capable of hurting Kioko. It's her own sister. " The flashes of Kohaku having to be controlled to try and hurt her came into Sango's mind as she looked down at their feet. Miroku must have read her mind, and despite his diminishing strength, he took the arm Sango had held over her shoulder to place it around her shoulders instead. Swinging her around to in front of him only to hold her close against him in comfort. Her head against his chest and whole face a bright glowing red. She could feel his weight heavily leaning on her to stay upright.
" I wasn't trying to remind you of your troubles with Kohaku. I was merely saying that had I not been witnessing it for a while now I might not believe it either. Just try to see for yourself, the next time Kioko is in the same room as Kagome, just watch them. It's almost as clear as me holding you right now. " Miroku said while closing his eyes to engrave the moment in his mind before he had to ruin it. It was best to keep Sango at arm's length, knowing he could very well end up dying from his wind tunnel leaving her alone. She nodded as she placed her hands on his chest on either side of her head and closing her eyes. She wanted to enjoy the moment while she could because she knew she had things to do before she could think of settling down. No matter how much she wished to be with him and make a life together with the young monk, they both knew that their common enemy, Naraku, was a major factor that stood in their way. So they stood there in warmth before suddenly she felt him grope her and she slapped him across the face, calling him a pervert. Forgetting he wasn't strong enough to hold himself up, Miroku fell from the force of her slap, causing her to panic and rush over to him to see if he was alright.
~ Flashback Ended ~
Sango watched as Kagome stared at Kioko with that slight glare still in place. Miroku was dead right, but for what reason did Kagome have to dislike Kioko? Kioko seemed to treat Kagome just fine, and though she knows now she hasn't been observant of their group as of late, she was sure Kioko didn't do anything since joining their group.
" Good to see you up and around. " Inuyasha said. Sango looked to see Inuyasha watching Kioko with a gentle expression, soft eyes, and small gentle smile. It was obvious Inuyasha was slightly infatuated with Kioko now that she's observing things objectively. Could that be the reason? No, something told her that wasn't it. Kioko looked over at Inuyasha still holding Rin, her smile turning apologetic. Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru stood and walked to the wall behind Kioko to sit against it, making sure to watch in case she needed immediate help.
" Yes, thank you, Inuyasha. I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble and to slow the group down like this. I hope you're not upset with me. " Kioko said in response to the half demon. Sango almost smiled sweeter at Kioko's nature. How could Kagome be upset with a sister like Kioko? It didn't make sense; she just couldn't understand. Inuyasha grinned at her. Inuyasha's eyes brightened slightly at Kioko looking at him and addressing him as she always had.
" Nah, don't worry about it. We were going to come here anyway. " Kioko smiled kindly at the half-demon which made him slightly blush and look away. Rin pulled from Kioko to turn around and sit at the table in Kioko's lap to eat. Kioko kept an eye on the girl's movements until the child settled in her lap while Jaken took Rin's seat as to secretly be nearby in case either needed assistance. Kioko looked at Miroku and Sango who sat on Inuyasha's left with a thankful and kind expression.
" I heard the both of you helped me the most to recover. Thank you so very much. " Kioko spoke with a gentle voice before she lightly bowed her head to them in thanks before sitting up straight again smiling kindly. Miroku and Sango smiled happily right back at her.
" Of course, Kioko. We wouldn't let anything happen to a beauty such as yourself. " Miroku said brightly causing Sango to elbow him in the ribs, otherwise showing no change in her demeanor as she responded to Kioko next.
" Kioko, you're our friend. Of course, we would help you when you need it. " Kioko's smile melted to a warm one at Sango's words.
" I see. Well still, I'm grateful to you both. " Kioko then looked over at Shippo who sat in Kagome's lap staring back at her curiously. Kioko smiled kindly at the small fox boy. " I bet you kept Rin company while I was ill, right Shippo? " He blushed and looked into his lap with a small embarrassed smile and Kioko was almost tempted to giggle at him. She took that moment to look up into the eyes of her younger sister. Kioko's smile turned polite, and her eyes turned empty when looking at the younger Higurashi. " Kagome. " Everyone else looked at Kagome, and she couldn't change her expression to a false kindness as she usually did in time, now that everyone already seemed to note her displeased expression towards Kioko.
" I didn't think you would get better. It seemed to be serious by the time we got you here. " Kagome stated in a blank tone, and the group looked at the two feeling the room starting to get tense.
" Are you disappointed? " Kioko asked. Miroku and Sango looked at Kioko with surprise. So she did know about what seemed to be Kagome's actual feelings towards her. Inuyasha looked at Kioko in confusion before looking back at Kagome to see her glare grow angrier towards the older sister, and her fists ball in her lap on either side of Shippo. Sesshoumaru stared coldly at the young girl from his spot while looking past Kioko's right shoulder at Kagome. Rin looked at Kagome in slight worry as she scooted closer to Kioko while in her lap, but Kioko remained unmoved which impressed the monk and demon slayer. The room became eerily silent for what seemed like hours when it was for a mere couple of moments. Kioko looked Kagome in the eyes with a blank expression and eyes that shared nothing with the younger of the two, which seemed to make Kagome angrier. Shippo must have sensed it and left her lap to go and sit with Miroku who was staring at the two sisters that were in the midst of focusing solely on the other. " Kagome, I think the time has come for our charade to end. "
" I've no idea what you're talking about, Kioko. " Kagome said in a brushing off motion. Kioko's expression remained unchanged as she guided Rin from her lap and to where Jaken was sitting, her eyes not leaving Kagome's. Sesshoumaru was more alert at Kioko removing Rin from her lap and evidently out of harm's way to whatever was about to happen next.
" We've been holding this off, you and I. I want this play to be over. Show me your hatred, release it without holding back. Kill me even, if you think you can with this weakened state of mine. " Kioko said to provoke the younger priestess in the room. Sesshoumaru glared coldly at Kagome from behind Kioko, daring her to move. This isn't the first time Kioko has willed someone to kill her, him being the first that he knew of, but he wouldn't stand for such an action to take place. Kagome's face then showed her disgust and hatred towards Kioko, throwing the others off guard as they watched in shock and confusion. Kioko's eyes saddened towards Kagome which must have set Kagome off because Kagome suddenly stood up and darted across the table to slap Kioko across the face, hard.
" Who do you think you are?! Don't you dare sit there and act like you're better than me you MURDERER! " Kagome yelled. Kioko didn't even try to touch her burning left cheek that sent her off balance and almost to the floor had she not weakly caught herself. Rin looked scared and shocked with Jaken holding her back from running to the injured young woman. Sesshoumaru stood and jumped forward to grab Kagome as Inuyasha had gone to do the same, but both were stopped by a barrier surrounding both priestesses. Sesshoumaru stood there glaring at Kioko knowing it had to of been her doing. Kagome stood over Kioko before kicking her in the chest to make Kioko fall to the floor roughly; the wind knocked right out of her from both the kick and slamming onto her back on the floor. This was what Kioko wanted. Kioko wanted Kagome to release her hatred that she had inherited from their mother, and by no longer bottling it up, Kagome could have some peace. Kioko looked at Kagome with the same blank expression yet pain, and sadness filled her eyes.
" Kagome, that lie was spoken so much that you had gone and believed it. You were young and tiny, so I don't blame you for altering the truth in your mind. It's why I had protected you back then at the cost of my own care. " Kioko's eyes then hardened slightly as she looked Kagome in the eye. Kagome's expression turned slightly horrified at Kioko's words. " Or is it that you do remember the truth, and wish for me to continue taking the blame anyway? " Kioko then asked. The scar on Kioko's back almost burned at the memory of her confession to their mother. Kagome glared in rage at that point and began to show it.
" SHUT UP! " Kagome then sat on Kioko's stomach making it even harder for the older to breathe but she didn't show it nor did she resist. " I HATE YOU! IT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT NOT MINE. NOT MINE. YOURS! " Kagome yelled with her eyes clenched shut until she felt a warm, comforting hand touch her right cheek and looked to see it was Kioko's. She was hurting her older sister who in turn was still trying to care for her. Kioko's pink eyes were looking at her as if saying it was going to be okay. Why was she always so perfect without trying? Why did Kioko have to be father's favorite? Kagome slapped the hand away harshly enough to send it flinging on to the floor with force, and before Kagome realized it, she had wrapped her hands around Kioko's throat, squeezing as hard as she could. She even tried to lean forward slightly to push her weight into her attack. Ignoring the bangings against the barrier around them and the screams and yells of her friends for her to stop. Sesshoumaru was standing there just watching angrily as he listened to Rin's panicked cries, knowing that this was Kioko's wish if she was stopping them from helping her. All Kagome saw was her beautiful and perfect older sister beneath her, suffering in what she felt was deservingly by her hand. Her black hair fanned around her on the floor with eyes that were finally seeing her and only her in that moment. Her angelic sister that she was jealous of and hated so much.
" Ka... gome. " Kioko said while struggling to breathe, and with her still weakened form and abilities there was no way for her to fight back. She weakly put a hand on one of Kagome's that was currently trying to crush her throat, looking into Kagome's crazed and hateful glare. Kioko's voice gasping as she spoke " I'm so sorry for the past, but even I cannot undo it. You have to live with your guilt and what you've done to move on from it instead of standing still holding on to a lie. Face the truth. You're the one who killed our father those many years ago. Not me. " Everyone froze and looked in shock and confusion from Kioko to Kagome at Kioko's words. Kagome's fury then surged again, and while still choking Kioko, she had begun slamming the older's head repeatedly on the floor hard. Ignoring the blood beginning to appear below Kioko's head.
" WHY DON'T YOU EVER SHUT UP?! NO, IT WAS YOUR FAULT! YOU DID IT! " Kagome screamed in an out of control state. Kioko could hear their mother's same words ring in her ears. Almost feeling the blade slashing at her all over again. Kioko began feeling light-headed but looked at her sister in pity despite the pain now in her head and her throat. Her sister's weight on her stomach was also making Kioko feel nauseous.
" I've allowed you to leech onto that lie long enough. It's time to let it go, Kagome. " Kioko said as her barrier flickered away from her getting too weak to keep it enforced. The second it fell, Sesshoumaru had shoved Kagome off of Kioko forcefully, listening to Kioko's gasps for air and coughing, not caring to notice Inuyasha catch Kagome and hold her back from trying to get to Kioko again. Sesshoumaru looked Kioko over, seeing the bruising beginning to show on her neck, the scent of blood as profound as the sight of it puddling behind her head, and her eyes looking at him for a moment filled with emotions that he couldn't keep up with to read.
" WHY DID YOU EVEN BOTHER JOINING US?! YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED YEARS AGO! " Sesshoumaru saw Kioko wince in pain from the girl's words before she looked over at Kagome to stare her in the eyes with an empty expression and lifeless eyes that almost made a chill run down both Kagome and Inuyasha's spine. That was a nerve Kioko didn't appreciate being plucked. It actually managed to make Kioko slightly angry to hear Kagome say such a thing to her. As if her younger sister hasn't cost Kioko enough.
" I did, right along with our father that I loved so much. I think your biggest regret is not only killing him but that my last words to him were that I loved him and that yours were that you hated him. I joined your group because you asked me to and the others agreed to my company. " ' Not to mention that I didn't want to be so alone anymore. ' " I see that it was a huge mistake to think that perhaps you had grown better than this, seeing how you had been left with our mother's influence after I had left, " Kioko said in a low and angry tone. Kagome glared at the insult to their remaining living parent.
" You're just jealous that she loves me and not you! " Kagome said with the harshest glare she could muster. The Inu-gang couldn't believe what they had been witnessing thus far. This wasn't the Kagome they had known and treasured. Kioko, however, remained unfazed by Kagome's comment.
" I couldn't care less about that. It had always been you she favored, and I never minded it. It was you who couldn't handle that father favored me over you. You wanted both of our parents to yourself. Don't put me at that low level you currently seem to be standing on. You hate me for something you had done to the happy family we use to have. Trying to cast blame on me now that I've told the truth to save you from yourself. I didn't destroy our family, you did, and that is something you WILL live with for the rest of your life. Knowing not only did you take our dear father away but you turned Gramps against our mother, mother against me and cost Souta the chance to ever meet or know our father. That all lays on you and in trying to protect you, I took your blame because you were my baby sister and I loved you. Yet you never once helped me when mother turned on me. You joined her instead. You will no longer make me feel bad for what you have done. I have my own actions to regret instead of worrying about yours anymore. " Kioko felt, even more, light headed and almost didn't catch herself from hitting the floor. Her emotions were running wild inside her after eight years of carrying burdens around with her.
" You have no right to talk to me that way. At least I have family left; you were outcasted years ago. " Kagome said with a low tone. Now that one hurt. It was her family too despite it being damaged; it was hers too. To hear both Kagome and her mother say that it wasn't, hurt her knowing she had given up just about everything for her family's sake. Sesshoumaru stood and took a step towards Kagome glaring with anger until Kioko stopped him. " Please don't touch her. This is alright. " Rin ran over to Kioko crying as Jaken had ran over as well, panicking over what he should do to help.
The whole room looked at Kioko in confusion and shock as Kagome's expression turned the same while still mixed with hatred. Sesshoumaru's expression being the only one cold and glaring angrily at Kioko now from over his shoulder. Sango was being what looked to be held back by Miroku and Shippo holding onto Miroku's leg, obviously terrified. Kioko's eyes were staring at Kagome's coldly as Inuyasha stared at her along with Kagome. " This is how it should have been rather than pretending these feeling of ours weren't there. It's fine. "
" Kioko this is not fine, you're hurt. " Rin exclaimed as she went to touch Kioko's injured neck, but Jaken pulled Rin back telling her not to touch and that things weren't over yet. Kagome glared daggers at the scene. Even now people were drawn to Kioko and caring for her while everyone was staring at her without an ounce of comfort.
" Careful Rin, Kioko might kill you too. I wouldn't go anywhere with her when you're around stairs. " Kioko spat out in spite and the words Kagome spoke caused Kioko's rage to finally surge. Suddenly Kioko was up and across the room, slamming Inuyasha away with her left hand as her right grabbed Kagome's throat. She has had enough. She's given enough. For Kagome to talk to Rin that way and to continue egging Kioko on like this was all it took. No more taking damage as she had for the past eight years. If this is what she'll always get then it was time to play eye for an eye. So with her strength, Kioko had knocked Kagome right off her feet, and while holding her throat, Kioko slammed Kagome to the ground head first. Kagome screamed from the pain as Kioko almost lost her balance with her weakened state during her attack.
Kioko looked to see the ground slightly cracked beneath Kagome from the force. A gash now on the back of Kagome's head as well but instead of choking her little sister with her one hand she merely held the younger in place. Kioko's body was to Kagome's right, holding herself up with her hand on Kagome's throat and the other on the floor as she sat there. Kagome looked back in shock that her sister had actually attacked her and then fear at the look on her older sister's face. Her submissive sister that was on the floor beneath her earlier now sat above her. Kioko's black hair cascading around her and a strand or two in her face with deeply enraged pink eyes staring back at her through the strands and blood beginning to run down her face from the wound on the back of her head. A chill went through Kagome's body when Kioko's dangerously malice voice spoke to her in clear warning. Kagome immediately understood that she had just crossed a line.
" Kagome, I've endured everything you and Mother had done to me over these past eight years even when neither of you were around I was still shouldering the damage you both have done. I even have the scars on my body to prove some of those moments I've tolerated. However, I will not forgive you if you start dragging others into this. Rin is absolutely off limits. Do you understand? " At the tone of Kioko's voice, the others didn't dare to move, even to help Kagome get out of Kioko's grip. None of them have ever actually seen Kioko fight other than with Sesshoumaru when they all first met and even then it wasn't as serious as this. That fight alone was enough to make them wary of going against Kioko who up until now has never been considered hostile. Kagome decided to nod slowly as her voice came out lightly fearful.
" Y-yes Kioko I understand. I'm sorry, Rin. " Kagome said in apology, not once looking away from Kioko's angered eyes, paralyzed. However, at the apology, Kioko's eyes softened at Kagome. She knew Kagome was just angry but it was unacceptable to talk to Rin that way and since she apologized to Rin there was no point in inflicting further harm. Kioko released Kagome slowly before watching her sister sit up with her back now to Kioko. This couldn't continue, there was too much baggage between them for the two to be the sisters they should be. Kioko looked at the floor as she spoke, trying to keep her sadness bottled in. Even trying to prevent her newly unshed tears from falling.
" I think it's best I leave the group. " Everyone looked at Kioko in shock while Kagome just looked at the floor glaring coldly while the two sisters continued to not look at each other. " I thank you for allowing me to join you. I have had so much fun meeting all of you, but as you can see, Kagome and I just can't mend any sort of bond between us. " Kioko tried to stand with much difficulty, causing Inuyasha and Sango to rush over and help her. Once she had stood, Kioko looked at the two of them and smiled sadly in apology. " I'm so sorry that I've brought this trouble and mess to the group. "
Inuyasha and Sango looked at her in sadness of their own as they shook their heads at her, both ready to deny that she had ever been any trouble. Kioko, however, didn't give them time to speak before she gently pulled away from the two and with the utmost difficulty struggled to weakly walk to the door. Everyone else other than Kagome and Sesshoumaru watched after her. Kioko felt it was best to leave tonight, the sooner, the better. What she would do from there, she'd have to come up with on the spot because she hadn't expected things to get that hostile between her and her baby sister. It wasn't until Kioko had left the room, which everyone just stood there staring at the doorway, where they last saw her.
Tears began to fall down Kioko's face, mixing with the blood, while she made her way towards her room. Why couldn't things just get better? She didn't want to be alone again, traveling without a friend in sight for days. Being stuck with only her memories of her past. It was moments like this when she was again rejected by the ones she loved, that she wished her father was still around. Though she knew Gramps loved her and that Souta seemed to grow attached to her as well, she knew she'd never be able to live in that house ever again with them. It broke her heart further at the thought of her father seeing what had become of the family he loved more than anything else in the world. Kioko's right hand gripped at her shirt where her heart beat in her chest as she sobbed, still stumbling slowly down the halls to her room to gather her things. It wasn't long before she had made it and grabbed her pouch that laid beside where she slept. She looked up at where she would usually find Sesshoumaru sitting when she woke in this very room.
What would he do? She was sure without her around he wouldn't stick around with the Inuyasha gang which was probably fine. She hoped Rin wasn't too upset or scared with the earlier incident, recalling poor Shippo's fear as he watched. She pushed the smallest amount of purification into two black cherry blossoms to reveal her bow and quiver of arrows. She put the quiver on before using her bow to stand herself back up as best she could. Her pink eyes that glittered with tears filled with vulnerable emotions that threatened to drown her. She turned and was surprised to see Rin standing there sniffling with tears running down her face as well. Kioko smiled sadly at Rin not daring to take a step towards the child given Kioko wasn't sure if Rin was scared of her now or not. Though that question was answered once Rin darted forward and hugged Kioko's unsteady legs. She placed her right hand on Rin's head in comfort to the girl's obvious affections. They both stood there a moment while the rumbling of an upcoming storm was the only sound before Rin finally spoke.
" Kioko, are you really leaving? " Kioko's eyes immediately filled with fresh tears at the question. How she wished she could answer no.
" Yes, I'm sorry Rin. I wish I could stay and that you didn't have to see what happened earlier. I hope you aren't upset with me or scared of me. " Rin quickly shook her head in a no motion against Kioko's legs before clinging to Kioko tighter which made Kioko smile sadly. " I'm glad. " Was all Kioko could think to say. Rin then looked up at Kioko with fear and panic.
" But Kioko, you're seriously injured. If you go off on your own, you're going to get worse and could die! Why can't you just travel with us? With Lord Sesshoumaru and me, Jaken and Ah-Un. " Rin looked at the young woman, desperate to have Kioko agree. Kioko looked out the open doorway, wishing Sesshoumaru was here himself to offer her such a thing.
" Rin that's something for Lord Sesshoumaru to ask of me. This is his journey too and with me injured I'd only slow him down. It's best I travel alone where I can't cause any more trouble. " With that Kioko bent down to kiss Rin's forehead before using her bow again to help her stand. " Take care of yourself and be good. Take care of Ah-Un and be nicer to Jaken. " Rin looked at Kioko sadly before Kioko walked out of the room leaving Rin inside as it began to rain.