Good thus far? I hope you think so. Looking on the stats, I realized that my story is pretty popular. 339 hits last I checked. But only nine reviews. Please guys, I want to know what you think. Is it great? Is it good? Is it bad? Do I need to work on something specific? I need you to help me!

The Tenth: Life Anew

Sayera broke through the last of the branches back to where she had spoke with the demon, still with fire in her eyes. The hair draping down her back was in frenzy because she had lost the ribbon in her tiny battle. Her body caught up with her spinning mind, and she realized that the fire had burned her feet and lower legs. She was in mild pain, but walking made it even more difficult.

When in the clearing, she found the demon just as he was when she left – standing, and glaring at her. She leaned against the nearest tree, a good distance away from him. "I have done what needed to be accomplished," she reported, with the icy tone still present in her voice. "And you will uphold your promise to tell me more about this pendant."

The demon blinked and gazed at the blood-soaked sword at her waist. The smell was the same as the blood that flowed through the woman's veins. It was her father's blood. "Have you no regrets?" The demon asked in his soothing voice. "After all, you have just slain the man who has fathered you the past years of your life."

Sayera looked to the ground and attempted to release the tree from her clawing grasp. "Just because a man 'fathers' you, does not mean that he is your father." She strode towards him, stopping just a few feet away. "Now, please just tell me." Her voice was beginning to lose its calmness. The demon lightly grunted and merely turned his back on her. He began to drift into the shadows.

Sayera jumped to go after him. "Wait!" She called frantically. To her surprise, he stopped but did not turn around. "You said that you would tell me all you know about the Itsutsu-Kon no Tarekazari, remember?" Feeling a ping of courage, she thrust herself in front of him, blocking his path. "Please."

"I have no obligation to a mortal such as you," he snapped back cruelly. "Now, move out of my way." Hesitantly, she did as he ordered. But as he continued walking, Sayera began calling out to him angrily.

"So you come all this way for generations waiting for the one who holds the power of this pendant, and when I show up you turn your back and abandon me with nothing but a puzzle too complex for my understanding?" She screamed at him. "And what am I supposed to do now? Everything's gone! And it all because of this damned necklace!" She quickly glanced down at it hatefully before returning her eyes to the demon.

The cries made the demon angry enough to turn around and yell back. "First of all, you are nothing but a human woman, what could you possibly accomplish? And secondly, you got yourself into this dilemma. Don't expect any help from me getting you out," He snapped. The two remained staring at one another silently killing their opponent with their glares.

Sayera swallowed hard, regaining control over her voice. "You're right," she murmured with clenched fists. "I'm not the just owner of this – this curse." In a rush she grabbed the pendant, and yanked it off her bare neck, throwing it in the dirt before the demon. "Take your precious treasure. It's brought me nothing but pain."

But before she could turn around and walk away, the pendant again began to glow while on the ground. But instead of its usual scarlet color, it began to glow pure white. The ruby in the center had somehow magically transformed into a pearl or some other kind of clear gem. The only thing red to be seen on the entire pendant was a streak of blood across its diameter. Looking down at her right hand, Sayera found a large wound on her palm, causing blood to seep all over her. I didn't even feel it… She began thinking.

Even the demon was surprised at this transformation. Is this a sign that she really is the rightful owner of the Itsutsu-Kon no Tarekazari? In only a few moments, the pendant ceased its glow, and returned to normal. But the streak of blood had completely vanished.

Neither Sayera, nor the demon could find anything to say. Suddenly, Sayera felt the pain in her heart. She began to feel the loss of her village and her family. The tears that she could not cry at the sight of her village inflamed were coming back to her rapidly. So rapidly, that she could not stop them from coming. In a matter of seconds, they were streaming down her face.

Why was this placed upon me? Sayera asked herself. I don't want to be the one who has to power this curse. In reality, I'm frightened of the pendant. Its powers are so evil, but I feel as if I cannot let it go.

"Well," The demon began after a minute of silence. "It seems as though I've misjudged you for a second time." He knelt down and gingerly picked up the necklace.

At this, Sayera looked towards him with misunderstanding, but at the same time, with hope as well. What was he trying to say? Standing up, the demon continued, still gazing at the pendant's markings. "All I know of this jewel is that only a person with a specific demonic aura can command its powers. And it seems as though you had enough hatred for your father to fill the souls within the pendant with a false hope that their demon savior had finally found them."

Sayera still did not understand. "Are you saying that the emotions I hold within me are those of a demon?" He neither broke his gaze from the pendant, nor said a word. "But that's impossible! I'm nothing but a human with mere human powers!" She was partially debating with herself.

"So it seems…" The demon agreed, lifting his eyes to her tear-filled ones, and lightly tossing her the pendant. With a bit of an awkward struggle, she managed to catch it, and rubbed her thumb over the now stone-cold metal. Looking back up at the demon, she found him deep in thought.

She took a few steps towards him. "What does this mean?" She asked with a shaky voice. She still could not gain control over her sobs.

The demon remained silent, with a racing mind. For generations I've secretly searched for this pendant, and it turns out to be useless to me. It does not respond to a being with my superior power, yet it is connected to the soul of this weak mortal woman. He lightly shook his head. "Ridiculous," he whispered with a quick breath before he turned and continued walking.

Sayera, unknown of what else to do, scurried after him. "Wait," she began calmly, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I-I wish to join you," she stammered. "I have no other path to follow. I am all alone in the world now."

He did not stop his stride, but did respond. "Suit yourself. Do what you must." This demon who, just hours ago seemed like some life-threatening hostile being, had magically turned himself into Sayera's savior. His soothing voice was a barrier from all the clutter going on around her. The blades at his side were protection from everything she feared. His eyes were a shelter in which she could live forever.

Quickening her pace, she caught up and they walked side-by-side. "Thank you," she murmured almost silently. "Oh, and by the way, shouldn't I know the name of the man who I am to follow?" She asked, doing well to hide her enthusiasm.

After a few moments, she began to lose hope that he would respond. "Sesshoumaru." He whispered ever-so-faintly. He neither paused nor looked in her direction.

Sayera was satisfied. "Nice to meet you, Sesshoumaru. Call me Sayera."

Okay, this is the chapter which I was very excited to finally finish. After this is where the real adventure begins. I know there's so much adventure going on already! What else could you possibly add? Well for all of you who really thought that at first, you are really awesome people. : Next chapter, "As Fate would Serve," switches over to another scene in a faraway place. Continue reading and reviewing! It's helping. (Oh by the way, now up to 360 hits.)