A/N: To all my readers, I am sorry for not updating sooner. I've been working on another story of mine for the passed couple of months. Now after I've written enough chapters and got over my writer's block. I'll now continue Sacred & Tainted: Tale of a Taiyoukai and Priestess on a weekly base. Again, thank you for reading and reviewing!

Book 1 Summer

Chapter 10 Hidden

Traveling throughout his lands, Sesshomaru kept his guard up as he felt a shift in the air. The feeling was unsettling to the demon lord as he narrowed his eyes. A foul scent lingered in the air, a scent of death and graveyard soil with a faint fragrance of cherry blossoms. It made Sesshomaru cringe as he recognized the rotten smell. 'The dead priestess…' Sesshomaru thought as he stepped closer. He then stopped as he picked up another scent, fresh blood…Demon's blood.

Entering into a clearing, Sesshomaru watched as an arrow shot through the air piercing a large boar demon in the head. The boar squealed out in pain as it then collapsed to the ground with a big thud as dust rose over its form. Drifting his eyes to the side, Sesshomaru gazed at the figure in trademark priestess clothing. The lean miko walked up to the dead animal as she plucked a jewel from its forehead. Standing up in a straight posture, the priestess turned and looked at the tall Taiyoukai before her. "Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, what brings you here?" Kikyo said in a low tone.

"You are hunting in my territory, priestess…I advise you to leave." Sesshomaru said coldly as the woman scoffed.

"I'll leave…Unless you want some information on Naraku…" Kikyo said with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"You dare bribe this Sesshomaru?" the Demon lord said with a threatening tone as he grew impatient with the miko.

Kikyo laughed in a low, dark pitch as she covered her mouth in a gossip-like matter. "Forgive me, My Lord…Didn't you know? Naraku lowered his barrier." Kikyo said as she smiled coldly.

Sesshomaru grabbed the hilt of his sword, "You are untrusting, take away the lies from your tongue before I do." Sesshomaru said as he narrowed his eyes.

"I only speak the truth…I am surprised you haven't picked up his scent. He lingers close by…" Kikyo said as she lowered her hand and continued to smile teasingly.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes before releasing his clawed hand away from his Tokijin. 'She is not worth the effort…' Sesshomaru thought as he then turned and walked away.

"Inuyasha might be close by as well…" Kikyo called out as Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks.

"Do you intend to stop me, priestess?" Sesshomaru asked as he heard again, the same malicious laughter ring from her dull mouth.

"I would be willing for you to do as you please, Lord Sesshomaru…" Kikyo said as her laughter died down.

Sesshomaru lightly turned his head looking back, then faced head on as he paced forward into the forest once more.

Sometimes the Demon lord wondered if that priestess was even human. Her aura casted a darker hue more sinister than the vile half demon, Naraku…That alone warned Sesshomaru of the potential danger he'll face at the final battle. Of course, not like it would cause any harm to Sesshomaru. Yet something in the back of his mind tugged at him, a hint of worry perhaps? No…Lord Sesshomaru was fearless. The Demon lord thought as he lifted his head with pride.

'Now to find his scent…' Sesshomaru thought as he gracefully walked along the forest floor.

Preparing a small camp, the wearily travelers settled down for the evening as the sun lazily set behind the scenery of the great mountain Fuji surrounded by evergreens.

"Ah man…What a day." Shippo complained as he sat down on the soft grass gazing up at the pine branches above his head.

"Yes, at least we made some progress along the way?" Kagome said trying to stay optimistic as she unloads her bag.

"Feh…What progress? We haven't found any jewels shards." Inuyasha said as he leaned against the bark of a nearby tree before noticing Miroku starting a small camp fire.

"But we are one step closer in finding Naraku." Sango added in as Inuyasha scoffed out.

"Kagome, do you still have some left over fish?" Shippo asked as Kagome nodded her head.

"It's not much but I know it will make a tasty snack for everyone." Kagome said as she pulled out a baggy of cooked fish from their previous travels along with some sage she found on their way to their new camp.

Rubbing the spices into the fish as she then took out a small metal skillet from her bag and set it on the small fire. Kagome then lay out the three slices of fish onto the pan. The fish started to sizzle from the fish's natural oils baking onto the metal surface. Adding more flavor to their small meal, Kagome poured a small amount of lemon juice she had saved to mix in her water bottle.

"There…That should make it better." Kagome said as the delicious aroma filled the area of cooked seasoned fish.

Kagome then looked through her bag for anything more to add to their meal. Kagome managed to find five energy soy bars with different flavors. Two water bottles and then other inedible items like toothpaste and clothes.

Kagome smiled to herself lightly, 'I guess I'll save the bars for tomorrow. Maybe we'll run into another village along the way.' Kagome thought as she then turned to the fish and flipped it.

After the group finished their fist size portions of the fish, everyone prepared to sleep for the evening. Kagome rolled out her sleeping bag then lay down while Shippo slowly scooted next to her ready for bed. Kagome smiled warmly as she gave the demon child move space to sleep beside her. The young miko then offered the kitsune her blanket as the child snuggled against her with a wide smile.

Inuyasha noticed the scene below as he made his place in the trees. 'Honestly, why must that woman 'baby' him so much…?' Inuyasha thought as he became slightly jealous of the affection Kagome gave to the boy.

'He needs to toughen up soon…I can't keep taking care of all these weaklings.' Inuyasha thought as he then picked up the faint scent of sakura blossoms.

Inuyasha's ears perked up as he turned his head. 'Kikyo…' Inuyasha thought as he then looked down at the group before deciding to find his former lover.

Running her pale slender hand over the thick bark of the trees, Kikyo closed her eyes as she allowed the barrier in front of her to consume her body before leaning forward into the invisible mystical force. Just then she heard someone calling her name. Turning, Kikyo noticed a red figure rushing to her side. Kikyo secretly shielding her hand as she pulled away from the barrier.

"Inuyasha…I am surprised to find you here…" Kikyo said in a sweet tone. Inuyasha looked at the woman endearingly as he stepped closer. As inhaled her scent, he noticed something odd about her. Her appearance looked colder than ice as she turned facing the half demon.

"Did you find him…?" Inuyasha asked as Kikyo lifted her eyebrow delicately. "Whom do you speak of?" Kikyo asked Inuyasha clenched his fists.

"Naraku! Who do you think!?" Inuyasha yelled out becoming impatient and feeling uncomfortable by the woman's dark aura.

Kikyo then gave a half smile before looking further towards the Western lands. "He is there…Into the Western domains…" Kikyo said as Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Is that why you are here? Please, Kikyo come with us. You don't have to fight alone." Inuyasha asked again as the woman turned to the half demon, "No…Now is not the time. I will see you again. Inuyasha." Kikyo said as she dismissed herself, turning and entering into the barrier unseen by the hanyou's eyes.

"Kikyo…" Inuyasha mumbled out as he then turned to the left, facing the Western territory.

"So…Naraku is out there…" Inuyasha thought as he then leaped out into the forest back to camp.

I hope you liked it…I know it rather short…Next chapter will be longer along with Sesshomaru running into the inu gang! Please REVIEW!