Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, only my OC :(

Absolutely not!" said Shiori as she lounged on a tree branch. "You are not leaving that child here with me!"

"Lord Sesshomaru doesn't want to take Rin to Kaijinbou's lair. His lair is surrounded by noxious air. As a human, Rin will by the tainted air." said Jaken.

"Will you please explain to my how that's my problem?" she demanded.

"Look, I'm not thrilled with having the brag tag along with us either! Lord Sesshomaru's the one who insist on bringing her along! Stop making my job much harder!" Jaken fired back.

"You're both out of your minds if you think I'm spending my time babysitting a human child!" She shouted. "And you can tell Lord Sesshomaru I said that!"

Jaken angrily shook his fist, "you come down from there this instant!"

"Take her back to Lord Sesshomaru!" she demanded.

"I've been given strict orders to deliver the girl in your care! Abide by Lord Sesshomaru's orders!" Jaken frantically shouted.

Jaken recoiled back as Shiori jumped down in front of him.

"Let's make one thing clear. I am not Lord Sesshomaru's slave! I am not his servant! And I am not his wench! I am under no obligation to obey any orders from him! Up until now, I've done whatever task he's asked of me simply because it was my choice. But this is where I draw the line!"

"How dare you! He's your lord!" yelled Jaken.

"And I him as a demon lord. But that doesn't mean he owns me." She responded.

Rin, who was watching the entire argument, sat quietly on Ah-Un's back. She felt bad that Shiori was being forced to watch her when she didn't want to. She sulked down behind Ah-Un's scaly heads. She wondered why Shiori hated her so much.

"Since Toutousai won't make him a sword, Lord Sesshomaru needs have Kaijinbou make one for him. Since Kaijinbou was Toutousai's apprentice, he should be capable of forging a sword to rival the tessaiga. This is a very important time for him," Jaken explained. "He has given you responsibility of watching over Rin until we return."

"And why has he sent you? Why didn't he come to me himself?" she demanded.

Rin slid down from Ah-Un's back and gradually approached them, "Lady Shiori, you don't have to watch after me. I can just stay with Ah-Un. I've stayed with him before."

Jaken shook his head, "No! Lord Sesshomaru said for me to bring you to Shiori and that we would come collect you when we're done. Those were his orders! You were there!"

Shiori rolled her eyes. Ever since Rin started travelling with them, Shiori constantly began leaving the group. Sometimes she'd leave for a few hours, sometimes she'd leave for days. They never knew when they'd see her again.

"I see now, this is an attempt to try and control me," Shiori said, "Simply because I haven't been around as much."

Before Jaken could respond, Shiori cut it.

"Fine, I accept the responsibility of caring for Rin during your absence. But when my job is done I have a few choice words for Lord Sesshomaru," she finished.

"Oh, and just might those words be?" Jaken questioned her.

"I will tell him when I see him," she said angrily.

Jaken hopped on Ah-Un's back and took off into the sky

"You 2 have fun now!" he teased.

Shiori chucked a huge stone at Jaken's head, causing him to fall off Ah-Un's back. Ah-Un turned and flew down to fetch him. She looked down at Rin, who was staring at her with curiosity. Shiori said nothing as she stormed off, leaving Rin to run after her.

"Wait for me Lady Shiori!" she called out.

Rin finally managed to catch up with her. She couldn't help but stare at Shiori. She thought she was really pretty. Rin wished she had wavy black hair just like Shiori's. She didn't much care for her own straight brown hair. It was boring compared to Shiori's. And she just loved the way her eyes matched her outfit. She thought it was coolest thing ever.

"It's rude to stare," said Shiori without even looking at Rin.

"Oh, I'm really sorry! I just….." She turned away. "Lady Shiori, why don't you like me?"

Shiori felt a sadness rising inside of Rin. She looked over at the little girl travelling beside her. Why had she asked such a strange question?

"Don't take it personally," she said. "I don't much like anyone."

"But, I heard you use to stay with Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken all the time. And now, you hardly stay with them. Is it because of me?" She asked quietly.

"Just what is she getting at? She can't actually feel bad about my absence from Lord Sesshomaru….can she? She does, I can feel her guilt."

Sesshomaru had been known to hate humans, yet he let Rin travel with him. Deep down inside, Shiori could feel Sesshomaru's emotions gradually changing. She felt her own heart changed back then. In truth, Shiori's heart had been changing for some time. When she thought Sesshomaru was killed by tessaiga, she received a certain….feeling. She didn't know how to recognize her own feelings and emotions and spent years trying to suppress them. But lately, bottling up her emotions became increasingly difficult. What was happening to her? Now whenever she saw Sesshomaru, she got that same feeling again. It was beginning to annoy her to no end.

"It has nothing to do with you, don't concern yourself with such things," she said to Rin.

Shiori figured that if she stayed away from Sesshomaru, she wouldn't have to deal with those feelings. It was bad enough she felt negative human emotions from every direction. She didn't want her heart to change; she wanted it to harden again. But she wasn't having any luck with that. Sooner or later, she would need to face him.

"What have I told you about staring,Rin?" she asked as she caught Rin in the act. "Your mother should have taught you better."

Rin hung her head low, "My mother and father were brutally murdered by bandits."

She Shiori said nothing as they continued walking. She felt Rin's sorrow elevating again.

"My parents are dead too," she finally said.

"Really? Is that why you hate everything? Because you're sad about your parents?" She asked.

Rin was happy to have something in common with Shiori.

"I don't feel sadness, or at least not my own," Shiori responded.

"But they were your parents. Didn't you care about them?" she asked.

"Well of course I did. They were my parents after all. Though I've only met my father a few times." said Shiori. "I have yet to figure out his motives for my birth."

Shiori often wondered why she was born. It wasn't that she hated her existence, she was just curious. Her father took advantage of her dying mother and struck a deal with her. He offered her back her soul, if she bore him a child. But why did her father want a child so badly? Why had he chosen a tennin to mother his child? These were all questions he never answered for her.

"Is it true that you're part angel?" Rin asked excitedly.

"Of course not!" Said Shiori. She was highly insulted she even asked. "Who on Earth told you that?"

"Master Jaken." She answered. "He said that you were half angel, half devil, but all evil."

A vein popped in Shiori's forehead, "did he now?"

Rin gulped when she saw Shiori's harden expression.

"I'm neither part angel, nor part devil. I'm half tennin and half shinigami," she said while staring at the sky. "As for me being evil, well that depends on one's definition of the word."

"Oh!" squealed Rin with joy, "I've heard stories about both those things. Aren't tennin like fairies?"

"No," Shiori strained. "They are not like fairies."

Rin went on and on about fairies anyway. Shiori thought her head was about to explode any moment. This child and her innocence would surely be the death of her. Why on Earth did she have to get stuck with her? Just how long would it take for Sesshomaru's sword to be ready?

….

"Rin!" she firmly said. "Please….be quiet."

"Okay," said Rin and she quickly obeyed.

"What? That's it? She's just going to listen to me…just like that?" Shiori mused.

Shiori and Rin walked in silence for a little while. Shiori was finally able to calm her nerves. Several days passed by, and Lord Sesshomaru had yet to return for Rin. Shiori fought to urge to track him down. Rin was talking Shiori's head off, as usual.

"Lady Shiori?" Rin called.

"Yes," She answered. "So much for being quiet."

"When you said you don't like anyone, did you mean everyone besides Lord Sesshomaru?"

Shiori stopped walking. She really didn't know what to say to her.

"You sure do ask a lot of questions," responded Shiori.

"But you're the only one who ever answers my questions," she said with a smile.

Shiori glared at her and kept walking. If she could, she would've sprinted away from her by now. Rin pleasantly followed after her.

"So?" she asked Shiori.

"So what?"

"Do you like Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin's little face lit up with delight.

"I've already told you Rin, I don't like anyone," She flatly replied.

"Yes you do," she teased. "I can tell by the way you look at him. I'll bet he likes you too."

Shiori glared at Rin, "you remind me so much of my sister."

"Oh, I do? Is that a good thing?" asked Rin.

"No," said Shiori holding her head in aggravation. "I hate my sister."

"I didn't know you had a sister," Rin chimed. "I'll bet she's really pretty like you."

"No," said Shiori softly. "She's much prettier."

"What does she look like?" Rin asked.

"Here, let me show you," Shiori knelt down in front of Rin and placed both her hands on the side of Rin's face. "Close your eyes."

Rin obeyed, and when she did she saw a bright purple light in her mind. Suddenly, a vivid image a beautiful woman with long silver hair was plastered across her mind. It was an image of Emi. Rin stared in awe. Shiori gently pulled her hands away, and the picture disappeared.

"She's so beautiful, Shiori. That was amazing. How did you do that?" she mused.

"I created it image and transferred it to your mind. I could transfer my thoughts to you as well, if I wanted," she stood back up.

"Can you read my mind too?" Rin asked.

Shiori shrugged, "I don't know if I have that kind of power yet."

Shiori stopped and stared dead ahead of her. She felt an evil aura lingering in the air. Someone was there. Rin peered around to find what Shiori was staring at.

"Rin," she said firmly, "stay behind me."

Rin quietly obeyed Shiori and stood behind her. She clung on to Shiori's leg in fear and peeped out from behind Shiori's waist.

"What's happening?" She thought.

Shiori quickly felt the aura go air born. She grabbed Rin and jumped back in time to see an energy beam blast from the sky. Rin closed her eyes as she felt her tiny body was quickly yanked into the air. She thought she was going to be sick. A series of blasts shot rain down on them, and Shiori threw Rin onto her dodged the blasts. No matter where she jumped or ran, she was always attacked by another blast.

"The source of the attacks, it's coming from that location."

Shiori sensed where her attacker was and pulled out her sword. She channeled her power into the blade.

"Hell wrath!" she shouted as she swung.

A huge wave of energy generated from Shiori's sword and obliterated every oncoming blast. Rin stared in amazement as Shiori's blast shot into the sky.

"I'm impressed Shiori," boomed a voice from behind them. "You've grown stronger since we last met."

Shiori tried to hide her shock when she realized who her attacker was—Reika ! Reika was a tennin, how was she generating demonic aura? Her long white hair draped at her feet. In her hands, was a tall silver staff. Shiori glanced at the mysterious staff. Reika had never been known to carry one before. On top of the staff was a red orb, Shiori could have sworn she saw a pinkish light shining from it.

"You seem a bit surprised to see me. Was it not you that sent for me?" Reika added.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever reel your ugly head," Shiori said.

"Now, is that anyway to talk to your queen?" snorted Reika.

"Go hide," Shiori instructed Rin. Rin climbed down from Shiori's back and ran to find shelter.

"A human accomplice? And you don't want her injured? How out of character of you, Shiori" said Reika with a mocking tone.

"You know nothing of my character," Shiori spat.

"I do know that you were never a good tennin. Always getting into trouble and making a ruckus. Never quite able to learn all of our abilities. Always so inquisitive about everything…..especially your own birth. You always did ask all the wrong questions."

"Are you here to fight me, or point out all my shortcomings?" asked Shiori dryly.

An evil smirk played across Reika's pale face, "no dear, I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to kill you."

Shiori ran up to Reika and slashed at her with her blade. Reika recoiled back and avoided her attack.

"You'll never accomplish that by constantly shooting off at the mouth!" Shouted Shiori. She quickly plunged forward.

"Well, you sure do like to get right to the point!" Said Reika as she blocked Shiori's blade with her staff. Reika's staff pulsated and pushed Shiori backwards.

"Lady Shiori!" Rin called as Shiori was thrown back.

Shiori flipped back and land on her feet right before she hit the ground. She swung her sword and sent another wave of energy hurling at Reika. Reika smugged as a demonic barrier rose to shield her.

"What?" exclaimed Shiori. "That barrier also generates demonic aura. How is that possible? Could that staff of hers be responsible?"

"Do you like my barrier? It's one of my latest editions," said Reika cackling.

"Where did you get that staff?" Shiori demanded.

"Oh, now you want to talk?" Reika responded.

She lovingly stroked the orb of her staff, "I acquired this from a…friend of mine. It certainly has come in handy."

"And just how are your loyal subjects taking this? I can't imagine they'd be happy about your alignment with an evil demon," said Shiori innocently. "Was that not one of reasons for my execution?"

"My subjects will understand completely. I am, after all, dealing with a powerful threat! I'm doing this for all of them!" She fired another massive attack on Shiori.

"No, you're doing this because of your own paranoia!" She said while avoiding more oncoming blasts. Shiori transferred her purifying powers into her sword, "Purifying bash!"

The blast surrounded Reika's barrier, but wasn't able to destroy it. Reika laughed at Shiori's failed attempts.

"You can't possibly destroy this barrier with your power," she mocked. "As someone with half tennin blood, you lack the ability. You may thank your foolish father for that."

"Don't talk about my father!" Shiori demanded.

"My you sure are getting worked up over someone who never cared about you. He never even batted an eye at your very birth. He used your mother for her body and you to continue his lineage,"

Reika charged at Shiori and struck her with her staff. She hit Shiori so hard, that her body flew back and knocked several trees in half.

"Lady Shiori!" Rin cried. She ran to Shiori where landed. "Lady Shiori, please be okay!

"Rin, I told you to run and hide. What are you still doing here?" asked Shiori while trying to collect herself.

"I'm not gonna leave you here!" she said defiantly. "I'm not gonna let her kill you!"

"You're just a child. What can you do?"

Shiori quickly grabbed Rin into a tuck and roll to avoid being sliced by Reika's staff. Had she not moved a second sooner, Reika would've taken both their heads off. Shiori was fed up with that mystical staff.

"You really don't want that girl to get hurt, do you?" said Reika aiming her staff at them. "Can't let her have an accident now can we?"

Rin clung to Shiori as Reika shot at them again. Shiori looked down at the young girl clinging to her chest in fear. Rin's fear began to elevate to an entirely new level. Shiori wrapped her arms around Rin and manifested her energy around them.

"Curse Deflect!" She shouted.

Shiori's reflected the blast back and attacked Reika. She never had a chance to put up her barrier.

"No!" she cried as she was caught in her own attack. "I've never seen anyone perform such a powerful curse deflect. Let alone this brat!"

Before Reika could bounce back, Shiori was already coming straight for her. She used the power of her orb again and shot at her.

"Is that all you know how to do now? Do you remember how to do anything besides use that accursed thing?" shouted Shiori. She used another devil's demise attack on Reika who took most of the impact.

Reika was so weakened, that she couldn't generate the energy to put up another barrier. Although she wouldn't admit it, putting up the barrier in the first place took a lot of her energy. Reika was lying about Shiori's purification being unsuccessful. In truth, Shiori's attempts were very damaging to Reika. She felt pain and fear whenever Shiori so much as touched her or her barrier. These were all underlying emotions that Shiori picked up on. Reika flew high into the heavens and Shiori closely pursued her.

"You are nothing but an abomination to the tennin society! Do you hear me? I will kill you Shiori!" She screeched. "You're all nothing! You, that whore of a mother of yours, and your bastard father! And it's time the 3 of you had a family reunion in the pits of hell"

Shiori flew up and caught her by the throat, "Silence!"

Reika grabbed onto Shiori's throat as well. They both shocked each other with purifying blasts but refused to let go. They were now hurling down towards the earth at full speed. Neither of them had enough energy to continue flying. They were both using all their strength to completely destroy the other. Rin watched in suspense as they came closer and closer to hitting the ground.

"Lady Shiori and that lady are going to be crushed!"

"It all ends here, you won't survive this fall. You're running out of energy. I, however, have an endless supply right here," bragged Reika.

"I can see right through your bravado, Reika. Your heart swells with fear, I can feel it," Shiori responded.

Shiori snatched the staff away and Reika widened her eyes in terror. Both women released each other from their grasps. Shiori aimed the staff at Reika as they continued to fall in free fall. Instead of blasting Reika with her own staff, she hit her in the side instead. Reika fell and landed somewhere among the trees, while Shiori braced herself for Impact.

"Lady Shiori!" cried Rin in despair. "No!"

Wow this is my 10th chapter. Thanx to all my readers! Don't be afraid to review :)