"Isn't it obvious that she has the Sankai Stone that you've been searching for?" Inami asked the Lady of the West. She narrowed her eyes and shrugged, "I didn't expect her to have it."
Nobu scoffed a bit, "How on earth did the other half of the Sankai stone get into a mere human?" He asked, "It's inconceivable for just anyone to come to poses it. It should even kill her, it's a demon stone." His eyes narrowed, "Regardless of it's abilities."
"That stone was split in half by Lord InuTaisho when he made Tenseiga and Tetsuaiga the 2 together had the power to destroy the demon and human worlds," The Lady of the West explained, "The Meidou stone was given to me, which led the pathway to the underworld, the Sankai stone on the other hand-"
"Purifies the soul, meaning it has the power to turn a demon human, or it can save a lives like the Tenseiga, only it makes them immortal." Nobu said shaking his head, "But how on earth did she come to get it?"
"When Sesshomaru had first discovered the Meidou Zangetsuha, the moment his heart had picked his mate, InuTaisho had big plans for him." The Lady of the West explained, "Not only did he hide Bakusaiga in Sesshomaru, he also placed the Sankai Stone in him as well, the moment he chose a mate, it would be given to her."
"So you're saying that the human is to be his mate?" Nobu asked.
The Lady of the West nodded, "If the Sankai Stone's sword is found, it will become hers." She narrowed her eyes, "Which is why I can never allow Sesshomaru to mate her, if he had mated with Izumi, her soul which is contained in my stone would be much easy to control."
"The Sankai stone gave the Tenseiga the power to save lives, so can't Sesshomaru revive her?" Nobu asked.
The Lady of the West shook her head, "He has already once risen her from death, only the Sankaiga can actually revive more than once. It's a formidable sword as well, possessing nearly the same power as Bakusaiga does, only purifying it."
Inami smiled, "A simple plan, yet Sesshomaru must have figured it out by now."
"I guess the half-breed's daughter isn't the one that InuTaisho would have hidden it in." Nobu commented, "But her scent resembles the stone itself, I was so sure that it was her."
"Don't worry, the moment the stone is revealed the sword will come into place." The Lady of the West assured him, "Having the Sankaiga will finally make the stone whole once again, I'll be able to destroy both the stone and the sword."
"What is your motive behind this, do you fear that humans would someday wipe out demons?" Nobu asked.
"You never know, I have for seen a world where only humans reside," The Lady of the West mumbled. "I can't ever let that happen."
-0-
"Please, stay for tea." Rin pleaded to Kagome as they were about to leave. Kagome turned to Rin and looked at her sadly, "I wished we could," Kagome turned to a sleeping Nakira on her back, "But we really should get back for Nakira's sake."
Rin frowned, she missed Kagome so much, "Come and visit soon then okay?"
Kagome smiled and embraced Rin, "Of course I will, cheer up okay?"
Rin's eyes began to water up a bit as she nodded, "I will see you soon then."
"Sorry about the mess," Inuyasha said to Rin, "We'll make it up some how."
Rin smiled at him, "It's alright, I'm glad that Nakira is okay."
Rin bid them farewell, they had already taken Toru to some healers towards his recovery. The guards already assembled supplies to get the gate rebuilt, Sesshomaru had ran back inside once he and Inuyasha almost got into a fight until Kagome broke them apart. Shin had come out to help Tadao back inside, he had opened a few wounds trying to avoid the blast. They had been spending a lot of time together lately, though Rin tried not to pay much heed to it. The sun was setting on the Western Castle, and the cool fall wind danced. Rin took a breath in, and exhaled, letting the pure air run through her body. Rin spun on her heel, she decided that she would talk to Sesshomaru about his attitude.
With a new attitude, she marched into the castle and straight to Sesshomaru's room. Without even knocking she marched straight in to find him at his desk reading scrolls. He looked up at her with a blank stare, "What is it?"
"I'm here to talk, since you keep on avoiding me."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, "Sit."
Rin walked over and took a seat across his desk, she crossed her arms and gave him a look. Sesshomaru simply stared back at her,
"What is it that's bothering you Rin?" Sesshomaru asked, "Your childish stare is growing old on me."
"Do you honestly believe, that keeping me holed up in the castle, and avoiding me is keeping me safe?"
"Yes."
"Wrong." She challenged.
He narrowed his eyes, "How so, you dare question my judgment?"
Rin sighed and stood up, and walked over to him. She placed her hand gently on his cheek, "I mean that, avoiding me, is hurting me emotionally. I know that it may be hard to understand, but not being able to talk to you about my troubles, does hurt me Sesshomaru." She said, "I-" But she was cut off when he placed his hand on hers and gripped it tightly, "Do you believe that I intentionally want to torture you?"
"Not being able to talk to you is torture." She murmured looking at her toes, "I feel so lost."
"Why?" He asked his cold eyes beginning to soften up a bit, "What troubles you?"
"Everyone says my heart aches, but I don't feel any sadness, why is Chiame screaming?" She asked, "It's frustrating to me."
Sesshomaru's lips were set in a straight line, "it's a gift from my father," He whispered, "My father had plans for me, predicted things for me long before I even knew it." He tapped her heart, "It's something that lies in you, that no one else in the world has."
Rin titled her head to the side confused, "I don't understand."
"I don't expect you too," Sesshomaru sighed, "Long before I met you, I despised the human race like my mother. I resented them, Father always saw the best in me though. He granted me the Bakusaiga, which was formed in order to protect you. But when I had picked you as a mate, he gave you something I could never give to any demon, nor human." He said picking Rin up bridal style. He cradled her lovingly in his arms, his stress, his thoughts and emotions seemed to rush out. As a small bit of emotion crossed his face, "Keeping you somewhere, I know my mother can't that away from you, will make me happy." He said. A small hint of emotion threatening his usual straight façade'.
"What do I have?" She asked, "That she wants so badly."
"The Sankai Stone."
"What does that mean?" Rin asked.
"It's a sacred stone, that is the other half to my mother's Meidou Stone that she wears. My father had divided it when he came across of it, the Meidou sends a foe to hell, where the Sankai purifies the soul, even able to turn a demon human, or a human immortal. If it fell into the wrong hands, both stones together is unstoppable, it was a power that my father had to separate." Sesshomaru explained, "I didn't get it when I was younger, however, now that my mother now has the power to seal souls into the Meidou, I understand why he did." He narrowed his eyes, Rin touched his cheek lightly, "Don't worry, she won't touch me." She smiled up at him. Sesshomaru nodded back, "Of course she won't, I won't let her." He said placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Promise me," Rin whispered, "Like before, don't mate me until, I know that I can be with you forever."
Sesshomaru nodded, "Of course."
-0-
"Shoot, Cho you forgot to clean up the hall!" Io yelled as she was rubbing her backside, she slipped on the dust.
"No I didn't! That was Taro's job today!" Her sister retorted from the other room, as she was reorganizing the library. It was a sunny day, the autumn breeze sailed through the castle as the servants were occupying themselves. Everyone had something to do, and to keep themselves busy. With Kagami well again, her duties have now been kicked up back to normal. Life at the castle was all but peaceful now, and they all enjoyed it.
"Taro isn't here again today," Aimi, muttered to Kagami, "Do you know where he went?"
Kagami shrugged, "It beats me, he's been acting really weird lately."
"Does he need an intervention?" Takumi asked as she was preparing the dinner, "Cause I'm good at those."
Kagami rolled her eyes, "Oh gosh."
"I'd be afraid," Aimi muttered.
"That's rude!" Takumi spat out.
"M-master Tadao," Cho sputtered, "How are you?"
The servants scrambled to their duty, as Tadao entered the room. He let out a low throaty chuckle as he observed their panic. "I am fine Cho, feeling better every day," He said smiling gently, "Has anyone happen to see Lord Sesshomaru?"
"He was in his study when I last checked," Aimi said, "He had to talk to Lady Rin."
Tadao nodded and smiled, "Thank you, oh, and I just got back so could you get Ah-Un back into the stables?"
"Right away."
Aimi ran off to fetch Ah-Un as the other servants waited until they knew Tadao was out of earshot.
"I wonder where he went." Kagami muttered to herself.
"Best to stay out of their business Kagami," Takumi warned, "Lord Sesshomaru gave us strict orders about never pulling a stunt with Rin ever again."
Cho nodded, "Master Tadao probably had some spying to do or something."
"Spying? Why?" Io asked.
"Well, haven't you all noticed the Lady of the West has been giving them problems?"
They nodded, "I have a feeling that, something bad is going to happen."
-0-
"Daddy, look at me!" Nakira squealed at her father as she ran through the shallow banks of the river. Inuyasha had been intently watching his daughter all day as she played in the river to cool off from the autumn heat. It was humid today, and since Kagome left to go to Jinenji's village with Kaede he had Nakira all to himself today. Kagome had given him a strict warning about keeping Nakira with him at all times, he couldn't argue. She was scarier than any demon around, and Nakira was her life, and his.
"Cool, can you catch a fish?" He ask trying to shield his eyes from the sun.
"Yeah!" Nakira exclaimed, her eyes glowing.
Inuyasha put a lot of thought into the incident; he had felt the strange aura coming from Nakira and Rin after they had left. With Nakira's memory fuzzy, there was no way he could figure out this new evil. He knew that it couldn't have been Naraku, he was long dead, and he would have been able to track down a new evil.
"Inuyasha?" Miroku's voice from behind him, Inuyasha turned to see his old friend walking over to them to join them.
"Taking a break from parenthood?" Inuyasha smirked.
Miroku sighed, "Yeah, I'm beat, plus Sango took them to the slayer's village today so I have the day off."
"Why didn't you go?" Inuyasha asked folding his arms in his hakama, "You ain't planning to go womanize right?"
Miroku chuckled, "No, just in case a job comes up and we're needed."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "Sure."
Nakira ran over, and flung herself in her father's lap. "Hi Uncle Miroku, where's aunty Sango?" Nakira giggled.
"Hi Nakira," Miroku said ruffling her hair, "She's back at her old home."
Inuyasha smiled down at the little girl in his arms, whenever he looked at her, he was reminded of Kikyo. It was no mistake that Kagome was the reincarnation of her, however Nakira resembled Kikyo more than her own mother. Kagome had pointed it out first, however Inuyasha simply disregarded it until a moment ago. The purity of the little girl often bothered him, he had wondered how her scent wasn't human, and it wasn't demon either. She had demon qualities, but human as well. It boggled his mind, it often confused him.
"Daddy, I caught a fish, but it got away." Nakira complained, "Will you get some for dinner?"
"Oh, I don't think you want your father getting it for you, he'll probably eat it before you can even cook it." Miroku mocked.
Inuyasha scowled, "Shut up. Of course I'll get it for her." Though his mind still was elsewhere.
-0-
