I've been busy, but I finally got it done. I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 11

The wind had picked up greatly, and whipped my hair back and forth as I ran as fast as I could. Kagome was lying lifeless in my arms, growing colder every second. There were no clouds in sight except the faintest trace of them in the distance. The wind roared in my ears, but I didn't care. My only thought was to get there, to find answers I desperately needed.

The clouds got closer, and I started going higher and higher. Glistening atop the clouds sat a white palace. Dog demons guarded the gates, and tensed when they noticed me. One guard met me when I landed on the soft white cloud.

"My lord, your mother isn't expecting you, or your… guest. You know she doesn't like humans." He said worriedly.

"Let me pass, I need to see her." I said with as much venom in my voice as I could muster. The guard mumbled his apologies, and scurried away. I quickly followed him, determined to get to my mother.

The palace reminded me of the time I spent here as a child.

"Mother, do I have to do this?" Sesshomaru asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. He was about ten years old, and was wearing his best kimono. It was pure white with royal purple emblazoned in the family emblem.

"Of course, it's very important to your father." His mother said, moving a piece of silver hair out of his face.

"If it's important for father, then why do we have to be here?" Sesshomaru had his arms crossed and a small frown on his little angelic face. His eyes were big and golden, the eyes of a child.

"Come on let's go." Commanded his mother, who turned and started walking down the hallway. Sesshomaru ran to catch up, and walked beside her.

They entered the giant ballroom, where many of the most powerful demons had gathered. His father was in the center talking to a few of them. His mother walked right up next to him and whispered in his ear. He laughed and looked straight at Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, why don't you come here?" His father called out to him. With a grunt Sesshomaru walked over there, as royal as a prince.

"Yes father?" Sesshomaru said stiffly, rotating his head so that he could see his father's face, and not his knees.

"I want you to meet our allies, so you know who you can trust." His father said, a light smile on his face. "This is Norimaru." He pointed to the tall fox demon to his left. "And this is Kourinama." He pointed to a woman with cat ears and tail on his right. "And this is Jevouran." He pointed to the huge guy with hands like bear paws who was next to Norimaru. They all smiled, and every one of them had a hint of betrayal hidden. Sesshomaru couldn't help but think they were all bad luck.

When Sesshomaru became a teenager, they attacked. Norimaru, Kourinama, and Jevouran all charged into the palace and started searching for his father. His father was visiting his human, so Sesshomaru was left to protect them. His mother was already fighting them when he ran in.

Enraged Sesshomaru charged. Jevouran challenged him first. He was in his true form, a giant bear. Sesshomaru easily took him down. His mother was just toying with them, which only made them furious. Norimaru was next, and he was fast. Sesshomaru pulled his sword out, and cut off his head.

Kourinama screeched and attacked him with her claws. She clawed at him quick and hard, and even managed to scrape his face. That was when he saw his blood for the first time. It was also when he changed into his true form for the first time. He was furious at Kourinama, which fueled his inner demon. She tried to run, but Sesshomaru wacked her into a wall. She stared in wide-eyed horror at him.

Sesshomaru's mother intervened, forcing Sesshomaru back into his normal form. She dispatched Kourinama, and went over to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was doubled over in pain from transforming. His mother put a soothing hand on his back. She helped him up and led him to his room, while ordering servants to clean up.

I walked down the hall, holding Kagome. The servants stared wide-eyed at me. I knew what they were thinking, that I was just like my father. I ignored them, focusing on finding my mother. She was in her bed chambers, brushing her long silver hair in front of a giant mirror. When I entered she looked over her shoulder, and her mouth went into a tiny o.

She hastily stood up. "Sesshomaru, this is… unexpected." She walked over to me, and examined Kagome. "Set her down I suppose." A servant came in with a thick cloth, so it wouldn't get on her bed.

"Is this the second time?" Mother asked.

"No, she hasn't been revived by tenseiga before."

"Then she's a priestess."

"What do you mean?"

"Tenseiga can resurrect most things, like normal mortals and weak demons. Strong demons and a few priestesses' however can't be brought back because their souls are too large." She paused, thinking. "Priestesses' souls are connected to their power, if they have immense power, they have large souls. The only line of priestesses I can think of having immense power is of Ame and her daughter."

"Ame?" I asked.

"Ame's the first priestess. Her reincarnations and her daughter's reincarnations have souls too large to be brought back. The only way I can think of is going and retrieving the soul. Of course that is very dangerous."

"How do I get in?" I demanded.

She laughed. "You've been there once. You visited your father's grave to get the tetsusaiga. There's a doorway through that world into the underworld, it's guarded by the Shi gādo or death guards. There are five total, each have a power of one element, earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Spirit is tricky; you never know what form it may take. " I turned to leave. "The black pearl you used to enter the other time won't work."

"Then how?"

"You need to find a phoenix heart. Oh and Sesshomaru, you have a day at most." I kept walking, determined.

It was perched on a high branch. Its fiery wings were tight against its body. Its bright orange eyes were staring right at me. Its head was tilted slightly to the right, as if analyzing me. It let out a high-pitched chirp and started to fly away. I leapt into the hair and reached into its chest. My hand seared from the pain. My fist closed around the delicate organ, and with a quick motion I ripped it out. The small bird flapped twice and then fell down.

I held the tiny heart in my hand, the blood dripped down through my fingers into the forest below. I landed on the ground with a slight thud. I pulled my sword out with my left hand, seeing as my right hand was holding the heart. Setting the heart down I plunged the sword directly into it, splattering blood everywhere. It spiraled upward, and expanded. The blood went from a puddle on the ground to a giant portal. With that I stepped into the portal, right onto a giant skeleton bird that was circling my father's remains.

It dropped a little, but kept on flying. I jumped off of it, and landed on a giant rock jutting out of the mist. I looked around, trying to find a door. What I did find was a pathway leading down into the mist. It was hard to make out, the mist was very thick.

I landed at the top of the pathway, and proceeded downward. Out of the mist came a fist right down in front of me. The rock cracked and a few giant boulders flew up into the air. They crashed down right by me; the wind caused my hair to fly roughly in the wind they created. "I am the first Shi gādo, the essence of earth." Its voice was like the rumble of thunder, deep and booming. "Why do you wish to enter the underworld? Is it something, or someone?"

The Shi gādo stepped out. It was a huge giant made out of rock. The only thing resembling a human was its eyes. They were small and scrutinizing. They were the color of mud, a dirty brown. Its pupils looked dilated, almost covering the dirt brown.

"The reason's my own, so please let me pass."

"To pass you have to answer my question. Why do you wish to enter the underworld?"

"I wish to get Kagome's soul back."

"Higurashi? I'm afraid I can't let you; that's one soul we can't lose. We've watched her for a while, and anticipated your arrival. Kagome stays with us."

Tenseiga started pulsating. 'Tenseiga, do you wish to defeat this Shi gādo?' I pulled out Tenseiga, and pointed it at the rock giant. "Then I will take her back by force!" I leapt into the air, while dodging its giant fist. I sliced downward, hitting its fist as it barely missed me. The rock sizzled and melted where the blade touched it. The Shi gādo roared in fury and took a thundering step towards me, closing both its hands around me.

I gasped in pain as it slowly crushed my body. The tenseiga started pulsating, drawing the demon out within me. My vision was tinted red, and I could feel my face elongating. The transformation was quick and relatively painless. I bit into the Shi gādo's hand, drooling poison onto its rock hand. The hand almost completely melted, and he let me go. I gasped for breath while I changed back into my normal form. I barely had enough time to dodge its huge foot coming down on me.

I leapt into the air and landed on his face. I brought my sword up, and brought it down, quick and hard. It went through the Shi gādo's right eye, melting the iris into a puddle of molten rock and goo. I brought the sword up and leapt off his face, dodging his giant fist trying to grab me.

He stumbled a little, a hand covering its eye. The stuff was dripping down its face, going through the cracks between rocks. It looked disgusting. The Shi gādo took a step back, the wounds healing quickly. "Sesshomaru, you have passed the first test, determination. I will bother you no longer." The Shi gādo melted into the ground, but in his mind I could still hear it's rumbling laugh. Wiping off the poison from my cheeks, I continued going.

The path was steep and winding. The way was clear, but the mist surrounded it like a dense fog. I had been running for about five minutes before I stepped in water. The water traveled up my leg, and held me to that spot.

"So someone made it past Jido? You must be Sesshomaru, here to get Higurashi's soul." A few feet away appeared a tall woman made of water. She was a deep blue, and her hair flowed down to her knees. Her eyes were a clear blue, the only distinguishable part that she was once mortal. All Shi gādo were once mortal. He had heard a story of them, but he couldn't remember them. "Why do you want her soul back? What does she mean to you?"

I was getting frustrated with this. Shattering the ice that held me, I jumped into the air. She put her hands out, as if welcoming me. Ice shot out and covered every part of my body except my head, immobilizing me. "Now calm down speedy, you still have 21 hours left. All I want is a simple answer."

I broke out of the ice, and slashed down her arm which she brought up to shield her face. The water dissipated, but came back. I didn't pause, I went in again and this time cut off her arm. The whole arm splashed down on the ground, and evaporated. She glared at him, her eyes ice. I kept going though, and pretty soon she was my size. She was breathing heavy, and then she simply disappeared. Her voice echoed through the air, even though she wasn't there.

"She must mean a lot, if you're going through all this." Was it all a test, or are they just trying to get into my head?

The path kept winding down, and I could only see a foot in front of me. Wind caressed my arms and face. It was soft at first and then it was furious, whipping my hair everywhere. It started slicing me, splattering my blood everywhere. This must be the Shi gādo of air, I thought. I brought out tenseiga, and heard a scream. It pierced my ears forcing me to cover them so it wasn't so loud.

It started swirling a few feet in front of me, revealing a translucent figure. She was tall with short hair. Her eyes were stormy gray, like a thunder storm. Her voice was light and wispy, like a feather, floating through the wind. "Aqu (Auk-oo) is gone? Impressive, most don't even get past Jido. You know she's not worth it right? It's too late, she belongs in hell."

I moved lightning-fast, but she was faster. I missed her by a foot because she moved. Sure I was fast, but she was ten times faster. I spun around in a tight circle, my blade extended. She jumped back, avoiding the blade. I leapt into the air, while turning and threw my sword directly at the ground. She screamed because it missed her by an inch.

When I landed I had a plan in my head. I put the sword parallel to my shoulder and used dragon strike. The words rolled smoothly off my tongue, almost natural. Blue lightning shot out of the blade. It went off in random directions. Her scream was piercing again, but I held the sword steady so more lightening kept coming. I flicked my wrist and stabbed behind me.

I heard a light oomph. Quickly I pulled the sword out and looked behind me. The Shi gādo of wind was on her knees, clutching the ever-increasing whole in her stomach. She looked at me in the eyes, and disappeared. The slits along my body were already starting to close up, and that didn't annoy me. It was the blood; it was all over my kimono. There was nothing I could do right now, so I tried not to think of it. I could hear a whisper in the wind, "never forget loyalty."

It started to get really hot, but since I was a demon, I could stand it. I kept Tenseiga out, just in case. So far I had gone through three out of the five, so two more. I figured fire was next, since the temperature was increasing. Then I heard a raspy voice. "I see that Frei (Fray) wasn't able to stop you. Well then, let's just see how I do." Fire shot out from under me, but I quickly moved. I didn't want to stay in one place, because fire could come from anywhere.

Finally the Shi gādo appeared. It was a tall skinny man made of fire. He had spiky hair, and he's fingers ended in sharp flames. His eyes burned a bright red, flickering from place to place. He had on a snide smile, arrogance was written on his face. A fireball appeared in his hand; he looked at it then threw it. I dodged it, brushing it off. I wasn't worried about it, just the thought of my Kimono or hair getting singed. I leapt at him, using the sword to shield myself from the flames. The Shi gādo took a step back, his snide smile temporarily disappearing.

He dodged my relentless attacks, making him too busy to do his own. My kimono started smoking but I was too focused to care. It burned my whole right sleeve to the shoulder. Finally I cut its arm. It sizzled, the flames disappearing. He seemed surprised, and leapt back. He stared wide-eyed at the gash in his arm.

I took this as an opportunity, and ran my sword through him. He gasped, and then… smiled. "Good Sesshomaru, now comes the hardest part." He vanished, but the heat lingered. It made me uneasy, so I looked around.

Making sure nothing was going to pop out, I ran down the path. It ended at a giant door. There was a clearing around the door, free of the fog. Standing right in front of the door… was Kagome. She had her back turned towards me, her ink black hair going to the middle of her back. She had on her miko garb, and slung across her back was a long bow and arrows.

I stopped dead in my tracks, she looked… different. "Sesshomaru, you came for me." She said, and turned around. Her brown eyes had no pupil, and were glazed over. She looked sad, like someone had taken her heart and stepped on it. "How stupid of you. You never should have come."

"No." I said gently. "I had to come."

"Go back." She commanded. She took the bow off her back, and grabbed an arrow. I stayed where I was, I wasn't going to move. She aimed directly at my heart. "Last warning." She threatened.

I shook my head; I wasn't going to leave without her. Then I noticed something, she was slightly translucent. Then it hit me, this was the Shi gādo of spirit. It almost got me. I leapt into the air, and came down right behind it in a flash. The Shi gādo whirled around, right into my blade. She looked at me with those soft brown eyes, and smiled. She flickered, and then took her true form.

She looked like she was made of purple tinted glass. Her eyes were a light pink. She pulled the sword out and made a motion with her hand. Jido, Aqu, Frei, the fire Shi gādo, came to stand beside her. The fire one introduced himself as Khorage, and she was Sei. They smiled brightly, which confused me.

"In order to defeat us you had to determination, passion, Loyalty, desire, and love. If you missed even one of these we would have been able to overpower you." Sei said. "You can now enter to rescue your beloved."

"It's sooooo romantic!" Aqu squealed in delight. The rest rolled their eyes. I didn't hesitate; I went up to the door. It opened on its own, I didn't touch it. What I saw inside made me stop dead in my tracks, made me think my eyes were playing tricks on me.

It was my father.