Kaede's village was nothing all that extraordinary compared to others. But it was the home base, San came to understand. They traveled a full day and arrived by the evening. San looked at the old priestess, one eye missing. She didn't know what to think, but already her mind made her think of Genkai when she looked upon the old woman. The bone eaters well wasn't far from here, and San came to understand that the only reason they were able to cross the barrier it possessed was because of the shikon jewel shards. It explained why there weren't more demons over in Ningenkai. Kagome and the others filled in Kaede on what was going on, and explained that they were indeed in Makai. This of course, didn't come as much of a shock to a woman who lived her life along side demons.

"Have ye recovered more shards?" asked the old woman, as most of them sat around the fire in the middle of her house.

The demons of the party aside from Shippo and Kirara stayed aside the circle. San was on high alert since she learned that it was indeed Kiyohime coming after them. They would have to kill the beast, it was the only way. She wasn't even completely sure on how the seal was broken, but until she was sure they were safe, she wouldn't bother going on that goose chase as well.

"I lost my shards to the demon Toguro," said Kagome, looking at the floor, "But these people gave me theirs. There's more shards in my era, I mean, in Ningenkai."

"I see. And ye really are Genkai?"

"I am. You've heard of me I take it?" said Genkai sipping her tea.

"Tales of a young maiden with abnormal reiki have reached our realm, of course that was 50 years ago, when I was young myself."

Genkai nodded, "That would be about when I entered the Dark Tournament the first time."

"So, Kagome, you can sense where the shards are?" asked Botan.

"Yeah," she replied, looking at the blue haired woman.

"Kurama said something about being able to hear it," said Kuwabara.

"It's similar to a pulse, but now that the shards are purified I can no longer feel it," said Kurama.

"How come I can't feel it?" asked Inuyasha.

"Might be because you're a half breed," answered San. He growled, "Oh shut up. I'm surrounded by half breeds, do you really think I care all that much about your status?"

Inuyasha blinked at her words and then let the matter drop. The crackling of the fire was the only thing heard at this point, the day being late. The goal was to get some information from Kaede, but such was not the case. Kagome just had her whole world ripped apart, but she was focused much more than before. She was also a bit relieved to have others help her out with this task. They seemed to know a lot, and she didn't really like playing defense. After everything they had done, Naraku roamed free once more. She wasn't sure how much more pain and devastation they could take, they had lost so much already.

Kurama took a good look around the room, but his eyes fell again upon the young kistune. He couldn't help but pity the poor kid, but also, he felt as if he should know the child. Of course Shippo avoided his eyes. Kurama knew that he was probably scaring the child. But he just had to figure it out. This nagging feeling that it somehow involved his past. He supposed it would be best to wait until there was a better time to speak with him, sighing internally.

"There's nothing more we can do tonight, best to start fresh in the morning," the fox spoke softly, keeping his eyes on his mate as she left the house without a word.

...

Sesshomaru looked up into the moonlight, hearing a howl in the distance. He was lost in thought, smelling nothing but Moriko's virtruly roses all around him. He was immune to them, as he should be given their history.

"What is my Lord?" asked Rin, looking up at him.

He looked down at her and noticed that she had grown again. She still loyally followed him around, despite that she could go live as a human in the old woman's village. He didn't care, as long as she was safe, and that was why he had to return to them. He shook his head at her in response, continuing to walk through the meadow they were currently in. The moonlight made it easy for him to see where he was going, as he followed the virtruly closer and closer to the priestess' village.

The wind blew and it made him stop in his tracks. He looked up again at the moon, and was sure he could hear her faint whisper of his name. She was absently looking for him, that he was sure of. Fine, he knew he would have to face her. He wanted to, wanted to make sure she was real and not some illusion posed from Naraku or Kiyohime.

He took his left hand, and put it on the junction of where his neck joined with his shoulder on the right side. He closed his eyes and focused on that spot, and it began to glow. It wasn't very bright, but just enough for him to notice. He took his hand off, whispering her name into the blowing wind.

...

There was a spare house that was provided by the village people for Yusuke's party to sleep in. It was much like any other house, four walls, a ceiling and a fire place in the middle. Makai wasn't really all for the advances of human technology, but that suited San just fine. She was used to these kinds of conditions, and noted that the mostly human parts of her pack adjusted quite well. It had also been quite the eventful day.

She was woken up at some point in the night, by what she could swear was a glowing spot in her chest. Her tawny eyes opened up completely, and she turned her ears on to listen. No one else in the hut was awake, and her mate was not so close to her that he would feel her get up. But she knew that once she was too far away he would wake up, he was always aware of her movements, and she had no idea how. She slowly crept up, and exited the house. The moon was high, and oddly bright considering it wasn't even full. She heard the faint whisper of her name as a gentle breeze blew by her.

So he was calling her. He wanted to see her. Frowning slightly, she traveled to where he would be. She didn't even know how she knew which way to go, but she was very sure of her direction. Her mate would wake up anytime, and know that she was gone. He would know that she left to go find Sesshomaru, and he would not be happy about it. But he would understand exactly why she left, and would leave her to deal with it, so long as she wasn't gone too long. It was a tricky situation, and he was never really all that okay when he felt threatened.

San kept on her journey, into the woods near the village. She wasn't in a rush, as she followed Sesshomaru's scent. She could smell two more demons and a human in the same direction. Awfully strange of him to be traveling with a human, but that was probably something they could figure out after they had their much needed talk. She finally came to a clearing, seeing an all too familiar shadow in it. She approaching Sesshomaru, her human heart fluttering at the sight of him. Her mouth went dry, and she tried to control her breathing. Damn this frail human body so easily subject to emotion. One thing was for sure though, despite all the time apart they had spent, she still loved him.

"Sesshomaru," she spoke nearly out of breath.

"Can you really be Moriko? Or are you like that miko, a reincarnation?" he spoke in his emotionless tone, his golden eyes calculating.

San smiled, the wind blowing her sun touched human hair. It soon changed to tawny, as she transformed into her full demon self. Moriko opened her tawny eyes, looking once more upon Sesshomaru. Even if he wanted to kill her, they were once old friends. She was sure she could handle him anyway.

"So it's true. Moriko Chie has returned to this part of Makai," his voice was soft.

"Indeed. Have you come to kill me then?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, frowning slightly. The wind blew again, and she could see that he held two swords. Luckily for her, this whole forest was a weapon if she needed it. She was not going to go down without a fight, there was too much at stake.

"I'm not going to kill you yet. You know that Kiyohime is free."

"Yes, it is the only reason I have come back."

He nodded, turning his back on her and starting to walk away. She followed, catching up and walking beside him. They were silent, not even the sounds of their footsteps could be heard. She noted they were walking towards two demons and one human. She was very curious about that but wasn't going to bring it up just yet.

"I see you fulfilled your father's wishes and combined the swords," she stated.

"He gave me the ability to create my own sword by denying me what I really wanted. I now far surpass him in power, as do you."

"So you can see through my mask. Why am I not surprised?"

"You smell like Naraku."

"We had a small fight, he tried to steal from me. I did not let him."

"Let me see," he stopped to look at her.

"I took care of it," she kept walking.

"Let me see."

"Really, that is unnecessary, Sesshomaru."

"Moriko," he commanded.

She stopped dead in her tracks, like he was pack leader. She submitted like she would if he were her mate. She supposed having a first love could do that to you. She turned to face him as he started to close the gap between them. She lifted her shirt, showing him what remained of Naraku's curse on her abdomen. He put a finger over it, tracing it lightly. She didn't wince, seeing as she felt no pain. It was indeed a very strange curse.

"It's not healing properly."

"Well its a bit of a strange one but I'm sure I can figure it out."

They fell silent again, Sesshomaru not wishing to challenge her. It had been centuries since they last saw each other, and so much had changed. He was happy with her increase in power, proving that she was the very same demon as before. He didn't know why he cared so much about it, but he did. He caught a glimpse of the mark she carried on her left shoulder blade. It made sense, or else she wouldn't be here, alive and well now.

"You're mated," he stated.

"I am, and have been for nearly two millennia," she replied as they continued to walk.

They finally came out of the forest and into a meadow. The moon was setting, and soon the sun would rise. Moriko was happy that her mate hadn't come looking for her, she was hoping that he could trust she was okay to take care of herself. The two old demon friends walked the meadow together, towards the small dragon demon with two heads. A little ways off in the distance was an imp demon carrying a staff, standing beside a young human girl. She wore rags, and was dirty, being a child of the forest. Moriko kept her steady gaze on the girl while she played in the grass. Curious.

"My old friend, it is good to see you again," Moriko spoke warmly at the two headed dragon.

"You know A-un?" the young human girl came towards them.

"Ah, and it seems you have gained a name while I've been gone. It suits you just fine," the wolf smiles, as A-un nuzzles her hands, "Yes, young pup. We crossed paths thousands of years ago. I am glad to see he is doing well."

"Lord Sesshomaru, what sort of demon have you brought here?" asked the imp suspiciously.

"I am Moriko Chie, the Queen of the Wolf Clan in a much farther path of Makai."

"Well whatever you're doing here I think is over. You can leave us alone, Lord Sesshomaru has no need of wolves!"

"Lord Sesshomaru? Really?" Moriko raised a brow at him, "Sesshomaru I think perhaps you have chosen some strange company since I've been gone."

"How dare you say such things about my master! Lord Sesshomaru is three times the demon you are, and-"

"Jaken, enough," Sesshomaru commanded.

"Yes my Lord, forgive me for speaking out of line," the imp groveled. Moriko rolled her eyes.

"Lady Moriko, did you used to travel with Lord Sesshomaru?" asked the girl.

"What is your name, child?"

"It's Rin, m'lady," the girl have bowed.

"I am your equal Rin, there is no need to call me by Lady."

"But aren't you mated to Lord Sesshomaru?"

Moriko laughed, "No, child. We are just old friends."

"That's enough Rin. Take A-un and Jaken and go find something to eat," said Sesshomaru.

"Yes my Lord!" she smiled widely, turning around and heading towards the forest, "Come master Jaken! You don't want to be left behind!" The imp ran after the young human girl, fretting with every step.

Moriko waited until they were long out of earshot, "Interesting group to be traveling with."

"They chose to follow, I do not control that," the dog demon shrugged.

"But you can tell them to go away. That human girl needs to go back to her people and decide for herself whether or not she wants to be human. It is unfair of you to keep her from that choice."

"I do not control her."

"That's a lie and we both know it. She is your only weakness currently so keeping her close until this threat is over with makes sense. But you should make her go back to live with humans so that she can make the choice for herself. And you know you have to do it because she won't listen to anyone else."

"Perhaps."

"How did you even have a human in your party anyway? You despise them. Is this your way of showing me that you've changed?"

"No, and I won't be bothered wasting my breath explaining it to you. We have a common enemy, and we need to figure out what we're going to do about it. The powers we once combined can seal it, but only for so long. We need a new way to kill it."

"And you're thinking that we can create such a way. We've both grown so much, and I have my mate. I'm sure that there is a way to kill Kiyohime, but like Toguro it will be nearly impossible unless we do it the right way. In the meantime those shikon jewel shards are at their disposal. If that bitch gets her hands on a completed jewel you know that we won't have a chance at winning."

Sesshomaru nodded, mulling over her words. It meant that she would be traveling with his half human brother. She would be exposed, out in the open, easy to attack, "You could chose to stay."

Moriko sighed, looking into the horizon where the sun was beginning to rise, "I would have stayed, but all of a sudden you decided I had to go. You were the one who sent me away, and told me that you would kill me if I did not leave. My life has gone down quite the journey, and I no longer feel any allegiance to you. We are old friends who have a common enemy, nothing more."

He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him. She felt her knees go weak, gazing into that intense golden stare. The skin he was touching was burning her flesh, but she could not move.

"You know that there's more between us than a common enemy," he barely whispered, his breath on her face.

"Perhaps. But I am mated, and wolves mate for life," she whispered back, willing herself to break free of his spell.

He let her go, almost in disgust and turned his back to her, "You've told me that once before. I do not need reminding."

Moriko let out a breath she was holding. The sun was rising and she knew that her mate was unhappy about her missing. But her time here was not done. She had to figure out a plan with this demon, seeing as he was the only other one that knew exactly what they were up against. This was probably going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do. And she would have to do it sooner, rather than later. Fate was a cruel bitch.

...

"Where is San?" asked Genkai.

"She left sometime in the night," said Kurama, clearly unhappy.

"And you just let her go?!"

"She needed to face this Sesshomaru. They have much to discuss about Kiyohime, that I can understand."

"So you just let your girlfriend go off to be with her ex boyfriend? Sure that sounds totally normal," said Yusuke dryly.

"It's a bit more complicated than that, Yusuke. From what San told us, this other demon can combine his powers with hers and put a seal on the demon that really only wants their lives. As a strategist it makes sense to speak with him about a plan of attack. And there would be no sense in taking all of us seeing as he isn't the type of demon who joins forces with just anyone. There's less danger among the pack by putting the two targets in one spot far away from us."

"Keh, you sure know a lot about my brother without actually meeting him," grumbled Inuyasha.

Kurama shrugged.

"So where to now?" asked Shippo.

"We've got to find more jewel shards before Naraku and the others do," said Sango.

"I can feel a pulsing coming from the South," said Kurama.

"That's oddly helpful," said Miroku, "If we get close enough, then Kagome should be able to tell us whether or not there's a shard."

Kagome nodded, "Just leave it to me."

"I'll remain here, with Kaede. If Kenji shows up I can fill him in. Besides, I'm too old to be wandering around Makai with my limited spirit power. It's better if I stay here and protect these people. It will also be easier for Koenma to find at least one of us," said Genkai.

"Just don't croak while we're gone grandma," said Yusuke.

"Not a chance, she'll outlive you!" exclaimed Kuwabara.

Kuwabara laughed as Kirara began her trek to the south. Kurama knew that his mate would find them when the time was right, he just wished that he could be there with her while she faced her past demons. He sighed to himself, focusing on the current mission. With Sesshomaru and Moriko in one spot, it was less likely that the rest of them would be attacked, and the fox knew that Moriko would think of it that way. He wasn't worried about her, but he still felt uneasy about her being with a former lover, even if he wanted her dead. But what was he to do anyway? He supposed he would have to see. Fate surely was a cruel mistress.

...

thanks for reading!