Chapter 11: Water's Sudden Return

Hitomi sat in the golden tatami mats for quite some time, slowly calming down. She exhaled deeply, sorting out the bundle of thoughts that bombarded her with each passing second, trying hard to come up with a rational conclusion. Not seeing any progress, Hitomi slowly rose to her feet, still wobbly from his strong touch, she exhaled once more as she walked towards a black lacquer desk where her clothes laid neatly folded over the dark sheeny gloss. Her slender fingers ran across the still dampened fabric, as she gingerly scooped them up. These clothes are the only thing that connects me to the future... Her life as the perfect school girl, the top of the class, the child prodigy; labeled again and again. Wasn't that what she had wanted all her life? To be the best in everyone's eyes? Or rather, to be the best in her father's eyes? She brought the clothes up to a close embrace. Her life now seemed like a crossroads with many pathways; all blurred in an endless fog, not showing their final destination. Her eyes wandered around the ancient room. Where would thisone lead her to?

The door busted open. Hitomi spun around meeting the cheerful face of the all smiling Yumiko.

"Hey hey," Yumiko announced as she ran to her, "Let's go let's go!" she sang cheerfully as she pushed Hitomi from the desk to the door.

"N..now?" Hitomi muttered wide-eyed, "But I need to change."

"Nonsense!" Yumiko shouted in the same sing song voice as she kept on her way, "We need to go go go!"

"But my hair," Hitomi tried again as she passed by a mirror. Her once neat bun was now a mess; all the ornaments now hanged flimsily on the soft brown bundle. "Going back like this will bring more attention as it is," She laughed as she leaned back in Yumiko's persistent hands.

Yumiko slowly stopped as a confused look fell upon her face, then finally gave in, "Fine..." She grabbed Hitomi by the shoulders, "But I'll be the one to do your hair,"

She quickly sat Hitomi in a small stand in front of the mirror, as she began to pull out, piece by piece, the delicate ornaments from the soft locks. With incredible agility, Yumiko undid Hitomi's up do and was now brushing her hair with the same quick pace. Hitomi only stared in awe to see this girl's incredible speed, as she saw her hair transform from an elegant up do to a simple half-up half-down ponytail; a thin long red ribbon gently clutching onto the rich locks. Yumiko smiled without saying a word as she swung side to side, getting a better angle. Hitomi traced her every movement with her blue eyes peeping from the short bangs framing her face.

"Done." Yumiko said smiling as she yanked Hitomi's hand and darted out the door. Almost dragging on the floor, Hitomi gently pulled up her kimono, trying not to trip, as she hastily scooped up the Ittaisei and the small bundle of clothes. Once out on the hallway, Hitomi shuffled along behind Yumiko's lighting pace. They wandered up the corridors, crossing from one building to the next, with Hitomi slowing once in a while admiring the beautiful structures.

"My lord must be impatient already," Yumiko laughed sticking out her tongue, "That guy just doesn't know how to wait." She turned her head back towards Hitomi, who seemed to turn red as she distracted her eyes with the overwhelming colors.

"...Will he accompany us?" Hitomi asked hesitantly as she brought her eyes to hers.

"No." Yumiko smiled as she further implied , "He will take you by himself."

"Oh..." Hitomi said almost in a whisper as her face flushed once more.

They finally made their way across the large golden main entrance, where the giant red doors stood open to the green scenery. Yumiko quickly ran out of the building to a row of people by the side of the doors. Takeshi, Kenji, and Rin stared at Hitomi as Yumiko made her way to the group. The sun made Hitomi's eyes narrow as she slowly slipped out. Sesshomaru, the last person in the row, stood his ground as his golden eyes gazed at her with his emotionless yet studying face. A green imp in a brown kimono was holding a two headed staff next to lord Sesshomaru, as he stared quietly at Hitomi, not impressed at all at what he saw before him.

Takeshi nodded lightly at Hitomi with a gentle smile across his face as Kenji couldn't help but to gawk at her way; the striking resemblance amazed him. Yumiko smiled satisfied from the sidelines as Hitomi kept on her way, embarrassed by the attention. Suddenly Rin blasted out of the straight row and ran to Hitomi's feet.

"Will Hitomi-san come back?" Rin asked with an eager look in her brown eyes.

Startled, Hitomi broke into a sweet smile as she knelt down in front of her. She nodded, "Yes. Just for you."

"And will Hitomi-san play with Rin again?" She asked again, now with a beaming smile.

"Of course." Hitomi nodded.

"And will Hitomi-san drink tea and throw flower petals at Master Jaken?" Rin asked in the same innocent tone as she pointed to the short toad. The Hitomi laughed along with the rest of the group, as the small demon squeaked in protest.

"We will." Hitomi said as she lightly squeezed Rin's shoulder while making her way up. The little girl took out a small green pouch from her kimono sleeve, and from it pulled out a small wooden seashell shaped piece of wood with a string around it.

"Here," she said carefully placing it onto Hitomi's hands, "Next time we'll go to the beach, ok?" She beamed cheerfully as Hitomi observed the necklace. It was made out of a pale wood and carved out the way only a small girl would; slightly out of shape but with the sweet intention behind it. Hitomi clutched it in her hands as she thanked Rin.

She then turned to the rest and bowed respectfully, "I thank all of you also, for everything you've done for me. I am deeply sorry if I may have been a burden."

Takeshi shook his head, "Not at all. But must my lady leave so soon?"

Hitomi stood up, "I'm afraid so. I don't want them to worry back home. Akio and my father. Those men are going to hit the floor as soon as they hear this." Hitomi laughed as she bowed once more and made her way to the exiting Sesshomaru, as he instructed Jaken to keep a close eye on Rin. The little girl energetically waved goodbye to her lord and Hitomi, as the guardians stared at their shrinking silhouettes in silence.

Making sure they were far enough Takeshi sighed sadly, "I never expected that."

Nodding and turning to Yumiko, Kenji asked, "Akio! Did she ever mention she had a husband back home?"

Yumiko folded her arms behind her back as she shook her head, "No," she said quietly, "We never did ask her either. Poor lord. I'm afraid he is too late this time. She is already taken."

"Serves him right," Kenji said turning back to the palace with his hands behind his head, "Thinking he can just take Hitomi like if she were Izumi. How pathetic."

Hitomi traced Sesshomaru's footprints as she walked nervously behind him. She looked down at the small wooden seashell that was making her fisting hand sore. Her pace gradually decreased to a stop as she smiled and gently tied the seashell, by the black leather string, around the water crystal on the Ittaisei. Sesshomaru curiously looked back as he heard Hitomi's steps cease. She gazed into the blue crystal, absent minded, making her eyes wander through the milky swirls inside of it. Her blue sparkling eyes slowly traveled from the handsome navy ball to Sesshomaru's studying eyes. The heat of his stare made her blush as she meekly smiled his way, making him turn back to his original course. An awkward silence filled the gap between the two as they cut through a deep forest. Although the sun was still high in the afternoon sky, the tree's gloomy branches embraced the thinning air above the couple's heads, only granting entrance to an occasional streak of light into the shadowed surroundings. Hitomi quickened her pace, now just a few steps behind Sesshomaru, with the fear of being left behind. He did not seem to mind as Hitomi now walked close to his side, clutching onto the staff and her clothes.

It was times like these when Izumi would chatter away about any particular subject as Sesshomaru listened closely to her every word. She would speak in a gentle soothing voice as he would unwind staring at her relaxing face; being with her seemed like his only haven from the bustle of the decaying land. From time to time she would slip her hand under his, as he would soon follow enclosing his over hers. That invisible string that connected his heart to hers would tremble at the touch of her soft skin to his own. It was all very delicate in their eyes as they walked the deserted forest, hoping to find peace within themselves.

Sesshomaru looked down at Hitomi, her eyes fixated to the center of her view. It pained him to look at this beautiful replica, like seeing a once full treasure chest now empty. Those memories of their secluded intimacy was now only viewed by him alone. No one to share his feelings with. Hitomi said nothing as she grasped onto the staff; his stare was making her nervous again. He looked back onto the dirt path ahead of them.

"Are you happy with him?" Sesshomaru finally asked very simply.

Caught off guard, Hitomi looked up at him confused.

"The man you mentioned." He said once more without looking back at her, still in the same calm tone, "Are you happy with him?"

Hitomi walked silently, not understanding. Who can he mean...? She thought.

Her eyes suddenly shot open, "Akio!" she asked in disbelief. He did not answer, but kept on his way. "No no no," she said almost laughing as she brought her arms up in defense, "It's not like that!" The sudden thought made her blush. She had never considered him more than just a close friend, a brother. "Don't be ridiculous!" she said almost to herself as she shook her head. "Akio is like an brother to me, nothing more." Sesshomaru went on walking, relieved in a way, however non of this ever reached the surface of his face.

They both sank back into silence as they almost reached the well. Twenty more minutes he calculated, as Hitomi walked next to him in a thoughtful trance.

"Kobayashi..." she began, "Akio Kobayashi has always been there for me. Always looking out for me..." She smiled as she stared to the shapes of light on the dirt road. "'Let me see you smile' he would say every time he would see me with a serious look on my face. Then he would crack a joke or do something out of the ordinary - because really that is what he was, out of the ordinary- that would always do the trick. Ever since my brother left he has been there for me. No. Way before that. To me I always had two brothers. The intelligent and shy Kouichi, my brother, and the charming funny Akio," she laughed, "They would always try to "protect" me by driving away the boys who would even come near me, as so did I with the girls who wanted to be around my brothers...Oh I'm sorry. Am I talking too much?" Hitomi asked embarrassed. She had rambled on without even noticing.

Sesshomaru shook his head as he stared down at her. What seemed to be a gentle smile crossed his lips hinting amusement.

Hitomi looked away, afraid that scene would suddenly repeat. Her eyes shifted to distract herself as she stroked a long brown lock of hair with one hand. They did not speak another word the rest of the way.

As they reached the clearing, as small breeze smoothed out the tall grass surrounding the well, making wide waves of the earthy blades. Sesshomaru's pace seemed to slowly decrease as they reached the well, stalling their departure. Hitomi noticed this as she also walked slowly next to him. Her heart began to race inside her chest as her hands formed small fists. What will he do? What if he wants to...kiss? Her head swirled the thoughts around when they reached the old wooden structure. He stopped and looked to his side, down to her. His eyes, with the same dazed look he had on earlier was now staring down at her. Her head skipped a beat as she looked up at him. Time seemed to freeze as she slowly closed her eyes and quietly leaned in.

"Three days," He said sternly breaking her trance. She looked up at him as his eyes turned cold.

She took a small step backward as she quickly bowed her head, ashamed of her initial intention, her face turning bright red.

"If you are not back in three days I will bring you back by force." He said in the same commanding tone.

Hitomi nodded as fast as she could, as she swiftly jumped into the well, not daring to look back. Warm blue and purple beams of light embraced her back into her present time. In one small hop, her feet touched the soil of the Higurashi well, as she looked up at the disappearing lights making way to a dim hole. Hitomi carefully put away the clothes and staff as best as she could, and grabbed a thick green vine hugging the wall. Stupid! She thought clutching the natural rope tightly, I was about to kiss him...How stupid! I must have looked like a fool leaning in like if he had the obligation to kiss me- Ugh! What an IDIOT! She kept on scolding herself over and over as she climbed out of the well. Once she reached the top, her thoughts melted away as her senses took over. The appealing scent of rain passed through her nose as she walked up the short wooden stairs. Hitomi carefully moved the timber door aside, revealing a dark cloudy scenery. Thick gray clouds filled the gaps in the sky as Hitomi inhaled the suffocating yet delicious smell of wet earth. She walked off quickly as to not get caught in the closing in rain and to not disturb the Higurashi family with her sudden arrival.

Hitomi walked into the sidewalks, surprised to see people still walking about. She avoided glances from the curious onlookers as she shuffled along as fast as she could in her heavy kimono. Soon a large drop landed on her head, making her stop. Hitomi's eyes shifted upwards as a couple more fell onto her face and extended hands. As if by command, a massive curtain of rain covered the whole city as thunder rumbled the earth in the distance. Hitomi stood in her place as she was drenched in the rapid cool water, while everyone else on the street ran for cover, bringing their purses and newspapers over their heads. A faint smile ran across her face as she stared into the falling sky. A man in a business suit ran by her, pushing her to the left, determined to not ruin his new suit. Hitomi came to with the sudden shake and walked out of the rain and under a nearby green striped canopy. Her hair and kimono was now completely soaked as she stood dripping under the plastic shelter. The rich smell of roasted coffee made her turn around to a small coffee house behind her. Through the tinted windows Hitomi could barely make out the silhouettes of couples and small groups chatting together, enjoying their smooth brew. The mixture of rain and coffee was unbearably pleasing as she stood peering at the people that ignored her from inside.

Caught up in the moment she did not notice a man standing quietly behind her. Hitomi heaved a heavy sigh as she began to turn back towards the road. Kobayashi's eyes suddenly met hers, as she jumped back startled.

"A..Akio!" she gasped as his brown gentle eyes gazed down at her, half surprised and half saddened. He was wearing an untucked striped shirt with dark slacks; carrying a plain black umbrella over his head.

"Another kimono..." he muttered almost to himself as he glanced at her drenched clothing, the wooden staff, and her blue eyes. They both stood quietly for a moment, him with his unusual emotionless face and her staring back with her heart in her throat.

He slowly turned around, "Let's go," he said simply as he waited for her to get under the umbrella. Hitomi and Akio walked without a word, as groups of school girls and speeding cars sped by them, intrigued with the unusual girl. A few moments later they reached an apartment complex. Akio's apartment, she thought as they walked up the long concrete stairs. Akio opened the door and ushered her in, staring at her every move. It was a small cozy apartment, with a small kitchen and living room facing large windows peering into the rain covered city. A small brown tabby cat walked cheerfully their way as she greeted them with a casual meow. Hitomi smiled as she knelt and stroked the smooth haired cat. Akio made his way around them going straight to a room and, a few moments later, coming back with a bundle of clothes, handing them to Hitomi as she stood up.

"Here," he said looking straight into her eyes as he dropping them into her hands, "Change. We need to talk."

Hitomi nodded quickly and almost ran into the blue tiled bathroom. She changed as quick as she could into a loose white t-shirt and a pair of long cotton pajama pants; both obviously his. She came out of the bathroom, toweling her long hair, and made her way to the gray couch. Soft taping was heard from the window pains as rain now drizzled over them, making way to waves of thunder shattering them in place. Hitomi turned to Akio. He was in the kitchen preparing what seemed to be coffee and boiling water. The suspense was too much for her.

"Kobayashi?" she said; her voice a bit shaky, "How is father doing?"

"Fine," he answered. He said nothing further. Hitomi nodded as Akio unhurriedly made his way to the small living room. He placed a small cup of green tea on the glass coffee table, in front of Hitomi, that separated the two couches facing each other. She thanked him hearing no reply, as Akio walked over the other couch and sat placing his white cup of black coffee on the table. He ignored her for a while as he patted his breast pocket, pulling out a pack of his favorite cigarettes. He bit one and pulled it out as he lit it up with a steel lighter, inhaling deeply the rich relaxing smoke. He stared at the glowing tip setting his thoughts straight.

"He is fine," Akio continued, "Your father is out of town-"

"What?" Hitomi looked up puzzled.

Akio stopped and observed her reaction carefully, "Yes. He told you the day before yesterday, don't you remember?"

Hitomi did not respond. She must have been daydreaming when he told her.

Akio sighed, seeing her not cooperating, "I lied for you. I told him you had a school trip and you forgot to mention it to him." He took a sip of the bitter coffee and placed it back down, "I'd hate doing that again. But hey, I figured, if I help you, you could help me." He looked at her square in the eye as his inhaled another bit of his cigarette, "Tell me. Where have you been these days?"

Hitomi looked down at the steam coming from the hot cup of tea. This is it...please don't hate me... She thought trying to come up with the best honest answer she could think of.

"First unexplained absences, kimonos, then tattoos," Akio said in a heavy serious tone, "Colored contacts, wooden staffs, what next, Hitomi? Will you please tell me what has been going on with you these past days?"

Hitomi exhaled deeply as she nodded slowly, "You see...many things have changed for me these past days. Not only around me, but also inside me..." Hitomi went on explaining as best as she could. In a quick summary, she told him how she stumbled into the strange well/portal to the past, Kagome's involvement, her bizarre transformation, anything she could think about, she told him. She poured her whole heart out into the small living room as he stared into her eyes the whole time not making a sound, not making a move, not showing any expression at all; he simply would bring the cigarette to his lips and inhaled calmly. She told him everything, but one thing. Sesshomaru's recent change. Just the thought of even hinting that made her shiver. How could she explain to him something she could barely grasp herself.

"I need to go back in three days," Hitomi said quickly wrapping up, "I just came to tell you not to worry. That I am fine." Hitomi tried to smile his way but made no change to his straight face.

Akio nodded, not taking his glued eyes off of her, not saying a word for quite some time. The departing rain rumbled away from the windows leaving a few clouds to softly drizzle at the window.

Akio exhaled a cloud of smooth smoke, "You know," he began slowly in a serious tone, "I always knew you were a very creative girl, a very- Oh what do call it," he mused out load looking round as if looking for his answer, "Ah yes. A dreamer. Little Hitomi-chan, always with her head in the clouds-"

"No, Akio, it's true!" Hitomi said leaning in.

Akio crushed his cigarette onto a glass ashtray and stood up, "I always considered you to be a mature girl for your age, at times even more mature than most adults I know," He said looking down at her with a saddened smile, "But I guess you just proved me wrong..." He began walking out of the living room when Hitomi jumped off to him.

"Akio, wait! It's true Akio, please believe me!" Hitomi felt her eyes getting warm with the tears building up from the corner of her eyes.

"When you are ready to tell what happened, you come and tell me, alright?" Akio said somberly as he walked off into a narrow corridor.

"Akio please!" Hitomi brought her hands to her mouth as she saw him walk away from her. "Believe me..." Her heart felt like lead with each step he took, as a stream of tears fell from her eyes onto her hands. She suddenly looked down at her moistened hands and then to the still full tea cup over the table.

"Akio!" She yelled desperately as she quickly grabbed the cup in her hands, "Look!" Akio stopped. He took a few seconds then brought his face back towards her. He nearly jumped back to see streaks of green tea suspended in the air. Behind them was Hitomi, her determined blue eyes gazing at the tea with her hands outstretched. She brought her hands together, as if holding an imaginary ball, as the water droplets all gathered at once into a perfect sphere, and made their way over Hitomi's cupped hands. "Believe me..." Hitomi smiled weakly as one last tear rolled down her cheek and into the suspended tea.

"Hitomi..." Akio mumbled as his mouth fell open and his eyes narrowed amazed and puzzled.

"The power of water..." Hitomi said in a clear voice, "Water does as I tell it to." she extended her fingers, releasing the ball go on its way in front of Akio; it stood elevated a few inches from his chest, "Water heals even the deepest of wounds. I brought my father back. Because of me he lives today. That light you saw under the hospital door, was me."

Akio stumbled slowly her way, then broke into a sprint, finally embracing Hitomi. He held her tightly as she let the ball fall, powerlessly, to the ground, soaking the deep blue carpet. He held her in his arms while trying to say something, but the words would not come out. He slowly pulled back, briefly looking into her eyes, then walking towards the apartment door.

He turned and said in a low voice, "I need to think this over...you should stay here for the following days. I'll be back later." He opened the door and slipped out, but before he closed it he paused, "Don't go anywhere, got that?"

Hitomi nodded as he closed the door behind him. She sighed as she heard his footsteps echo on the staircase. Oh Akio...I hope you'll be alright...she thought as she brought up her hand; the kanji looked beautiful over her skin as she traced it with her finger. It was late. The red digital clock on the wall blinked "22:21" as she made her way around the small apartment cleaning up the place; the soiled carpet and dishes were all taken care of as she piled in her clothes into the washer and hung her kimono to dry. She pulled out an extra pillow and blanket from the narrow closet and positioned herself on the sofa, slowly drifting off to sleep.

"Lord Sesshomaru..." Hitomi heard a faint voice cry, "Lord Sesshomaru..." It was her own. She entered the strange world of dreams.

Izumi painfully opened her eyes. A blur of red and silver was walking off as she carefully sat herself on a tree. Yumiko laid next to her unconscious.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Izumi called again in a weak voice, "Wait..." she stretched out her hand as if to grasp him in the distance. Izumi quickly stumbled to her feet, only to fall to her knees; everything around her was spinning except for her lord at the distance walking off. Izumi grasped tightly onto patches of grass, supporting her torso over the moving land. A shaky laugh filled her throat.

"Why did you bring us back?" She asked as Sesshomaru finally stopped. He said nothing but merely looked back at the weak priestess. "It was the Tenseiga wasn't it, my lord?" seeing no response Izumi went on, "The Tenseiga is a powerful blade. Its sole purpose is to save souls, grant them a second chance...can you tell me why the Tenseiga wished to save us, my lord?" Izumi paused for a breath; her strength was slowly coming back, "I will not die because of my weakness. I won't! I will fight this war and send that demon back to where it came from!"

Sesshomaru's cold face turned back to the forest, "Do as you wish. However, next time we cross paths, I'll make sure you remain dead." he began walking off.

Izumi abruptly stood up, "Don't you understand! The Darkness is terrorizing our lands! Our people! Humans and demons alike are perishing because of his greed!"

"I could care less to what happens to those that cannot protect themselves," He said ice dripping from each word, "It does not concern me."

"It does!" Izumi began walking after him, "Your father's lands are decaying in the hands of a powerful demon and you don't give a damn? How could you? Take responsibility, my lord!" Izumi was now a few steps behind Sesshomaru who now stopped at the mention of his father. The fury in her voice made her heart tremble. "Your father cared about his people, humans and demons alike. He knew what was for the good of-"

"Enough!" Sesshomaru said sternly, his temper wearing thin.

"Is that a warning?" Izumi asked without hesitation and with the same force, "Tell me does it matter to you of the consequences I will face if I keep on insisting with you? Are you warning me to leave you be in order to preserve myself? Tell me, do you care what happens to me?" Izumi was now right in his face as Sesshomaru's annoyance became clear in his face.

In one swift move Sesshomaru picked up Izumi from the neck pinning her to the tree next to him. His nails dug deep into the tough trunk of the tree, precisely going around Izumi's slender neck, he stared coldly at her as she brought her hands up to his, trying to push him away; however, she did not give in to the horrified scream building in her throat, but rather scowled straight into his piercing eyes.

He raised his free claw, glowing an eerie green glow, next to her face, "Would you like me to show you how much I care, priestess?" Sesshomaru asked in a menacing voice.

Izumi slowly closed her eyes, "'Seeing yet never seen. Protected, yet never known to its protector'" she recited calmly, as Sesshomaru inched his claw closer and closer, "My lord, there is where you will find what you long for." Sesshomaru stopped and gazed into her surprisingly calm blue eyes. "The Testusaiga rests in that place, my lord. In The Great Dog Demon's tomb." Sesshomaru slowly let his grip loosen as Izumi watched his interested expression. She looked down, feeling sick for stooping so low. Coaxing him to help us by waving this sword around as a prize? How foolish... Izumi thought then later continued. "The guardians need both swords, along with the other two great powers, in order to destroy The Darkness." She looked up at him, her eyes narrowed with a driven persistence, "Please, my lord, help us with our battle and you shall receive your father's inheritance: The sword of conquest."

"My father's fang..." Sesshomaru mused aloud.

A few months have passed by. The guardians have all awakened and set out to find the legendary powers, however only having clues to each, time and time they failed bringing back nothing in return of their time wasted. Takeshi, Yumiko, and Kenji searched the north, east, and south for the one remaining power, while Sesshomaru, Izumi, and Jaken searched for the whereabouts to The Great Dog Demon's tomb where half of one power rested.

"The three great powers of this world are a mystery even to us, the guardians," Izumi explained one day, " Riddles passed down from our ancestors' ancestors are the only clues we have to figure out what the three great powers are. They are the sort of keys that open up the location where that power is stored. Thousands of years have passed and only two powers have been unlocked. The guardian's elemental power merged together is one. Your father's fangs, lord Sesshomaru, the Tenseiga, The Sword of Healing, and the Testusaiga, The Sword of Conquest, together form one power. The delicate balance between the two swords form an immense alliance, defending this Earth." Izumi paused as she viewed Sesshomaru take it all in, "'Seeing yet never seen. Protected yet never known to its protector.' Are the only clues The Great Demon lord left the oracle before he passed away...so far, it is the closest we have been in finding the fang, my lord."

Sesshomaru nodded as he kept on walking through the meadow, Izumi and Jaken following closely behind.

"M..m'lord!" The small toad squeaked, "I just may have a lead to where the tomb may be." Sesshomaru did not change course, nor did her acknowledge him speaking. "Well," Jaken said trying to look serious in his wobbling moves, "I have heard of a temple not far from here, where it is rumored that some of The Great Dog Demon's ashes were buried. S..should we take a look, m'lord?"

"Basing yourself on a rumor, Jaken?" Sesshomaru asked doubtfully.

The small toad was beginning to answer when Izumi spoke from behind the group, "At this point we don't have much of a choice, my lord. It is worth the try." Jaken turned around and gave her a distasteful look.

"I believe that is MY lord's decision, Priestess!" Jaken bickered waving the two headed staff around.

"Where is this village?" Sesshomaru slowly stopped and asked in an uninterested tone.

"Ah! right..." Jaken thought as he stood his staff on a medium round rock. He examined it then turned to Sesshomaru, "Why, my lord, it is just north from here; about a day from where we are standing."

Sesshomaru and Izumi walked off towards that direction, leaving Jaken scattering back to them. Izumi carelessly looked up to the sky; the sun was high up over their heads. Noon...Izumi thought as she slowly drifted her eyes towards Sesshomaru. She was a few steps behind him, looking at his cream colored skin from an angle. The markings of his cheeks laid smoothly across his face as his silver hair reflected the sun. Izumi blushed unexpectedly. After spending days and nights traveling with him, she had memorized each feature in his body, each curve; however, each time she saw his face, those hypnotizing golden orbs, those elegant markings, they always made her body warm and heart flutter in the silence. From time to time he would catch her deep glances half way, making her quickly turn away. But this time, with Sesshomaru's thoughts dulling his senses, Izumi savored this moment with endless pleasure.

Izumi's legs began to wobble in weakness. After that night, The Darkness has not attempted to control her again. She smiled weakly, however it worried her. He must be saving his energy for the next attack...Izumi shifted her eyes up to Sesshomaru then to the path he was leading, I don't think I will be able handle another. The more he grows, the weaker we get. We need to destroy him before that...Her pace began to get slow as her breathing became shallowed. Jaken passed her indifferently as Sesshomaru kept on his way. A sharp pain in her heart made her whimper pathetically, quickly catching Sesshomaru's attention. He stopped and looked back at her, as she clutched the necklace at her chest.

He stared at her thoughtfully, then almost with a sigh he said simply, "We'll rest here."

Izumi quickly raised her face and body as well as she could as she walked faster than she did before, "I'll be alright," She said boldly hurrying passed by them, "We have no time to waste." Her breathing shorten more than before and her muscles ached with fatigue, "If we," she said out of breath and in a soft voice now, "rest now...we will never reach...the village..." Izumi stopped, her whole body feeling heavy, forcing her kneel down. She grasped large chunks of grass beneath her, frustrated and angry at her fragile state.

"I said we'll rest here," Sesshomaru repeated, "I have no use of a dead priestess."

Izumi said no more as she raised herself up, not daring to look into his eyes, and slowly made her way under a tree, resting herself against the thick trunk. Jaken went along to search for food, leaving Sesshomaru and Izumi alone. Sesshomaru rested on the tree in front of her, watching her now in her defenseless state. She had her head resting on her knees with her arms hugging her support. The air was crisp and slightly cold, making the trees rattle away their yellowed leaves. Autumn was embracing each particle in the air, land, and sea.

"Forgive me," Izumi suddenly said from her knees, "I am deeply sorry for causing this delay..."

"No need," Sesshomaru said. Izumi slowly raised up her head; from her eyes tears were pouring down, making Sesshomaru uncomfortable.

"I've become so weak..." Izumi said with a small smile, not matching her saddened eyes. Her stare bore onto Sesshomaru's own, as he looked back at her, "Now I am nothing more but a bother..." Sesshomaru stood quiet. He did not know what to say. He had never been in a situation like this before. Izumi went on with her smile, "Sometimes I wonder what I would be doing if I had a normal life. Would I have a husband? Any children? A house by the countryside?" Izumi paused for a while, "The wise men from the shrine, told me it would be almost impossible to have any of these "human commodities" if I were to be chosen. As a young child I did not think of this to be an issue, however now, as a woman...I can't help but to wonder, when I see the young housewives taking care of their children and husbands." Izumi shook her head lightly as she wiped the tears with one hand, "In spite of that, I could never trade this role for the role of a housewife. This assignment is too important to me...to be able to protect this land with my own two hands, brings more joy to me than any other man could ever bring into my life..." Izumi looked up at Sesshomaru's serious expression and laughed, "I'm sorry, my lord, am I putting you to sleep?"

Sesshomaru smiled. It was the first time he heard her laugh. It was so pure and innocent, he thought, it could melt ice in anyone's heart. It caught him off guard, the way she was around him; so free and careless. His gentle smile, from that flawless face of his, made Izumi blush but she did not look away this time. She gazed deeply into those golden pools of light with her calm blue irises, wishing to god, the flow of time would stop.

The moonlight flooded the large bedroom when Izumi opened her eyes. Sesshomaru's limp hand was wrapped around her waist, holding her close through the night. She quietly slipped from under his grip, careful not to wake him, and gently placed his arm over the bed, never leaving his calm resting eyes from her delicate gaze. Izumi softly made her way towards the window and looked out. The night was quiet except for the murmur of a small fountain in the courtyard. The whole castle and surrounding forest was flooded in the soft moonlight. Izumi tenderly placed a hand over her stomach and smiled at the view.

Little one...I wish I could see you now. I am impatient to see your smiling face... Izumi's smile disappeared as she grasped the necklace over her chest, I have a feeling that I can't seem to shake off...my darling, I'm afraid we will face the enemy- sooner than expected- I am afraid, little one, very afraid... Sadness overcame her, Please forgive me...I have made so many promises to you that now I...I don't think I'll be able to fulfill them...What a terrible mother I am...making you go through all of this, before you even take your first breath...Please forgive me...There is one thing I can promise you, however...that is that I will do everything in my power to protect you... Izumi began weeping silently, letting the teardrops fall onto the floor. I will never abandon you...never hurt you...never, my little one, never...Promise me one thing, one thing only my darling...Please...Please, keep on living...no matter how difficult it gets please never lose your will to live...and know that...Whatever happens always know that I will always love you, my little one...

A tear rolled down the corner of Hitomi's eye. It left a salty trail as it made its way to her ear, making her react; Hitomi's eyes slowly opened. The ticking sound of the clock blended into the still dark living room. Hitomi sat up in the firm gray couch, as the black felt blanket slipped away from her body. "It was all...a dream..." Hitomi whispered into the night. Her eyes shifted to the other couch where Akio lay sound asleep. Izumi's past...I dreamt about Izumi's past again...Hitomi sat staring at the lights of the buildings outside the window, recollecting pieces of the dreams. Izumi's child...