I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of the characters. Note sometime in beginning of July I will be moving and since I am laptop less, I will be without a computer for a few weeks to a month depending on how long it takes my stuff to reach me. Thanks for the latest reviews. Excuse my grammar.

Sasori continued to race around the mountain path as he began it is downward decent on the horizon he could see the treetops were fast approaching. He slowly cast a causal glace over his shoulder at Sakura to see if she still followed. She had remained silent since he struck her.

She quickly turned her head away from Sasori's glare, as he begin to decrease in speed until his movements were in parallel with hers.

"Sakura we are going to break on the edge of the forest." Sasori whispered.

Sakura nodded her head briefly as they reached the edge of the mountain trail and entered the forest.

"We will rest here for now." Sasori called out as he skidded to a stop.

Sakura slowly nodded once again as she halted and slowly sat down on remnants of a tree stump.

"Sakura remove your hood." Sasori commanded as he slowly turned to face her.

"What?" Sakura asked slowly.

"Remove your hood." Sasori demanded again.

Sakura suppressed a shudder as she moved her clawed hands up to the edge of her hood and pulled it down.

Sasori looked at Sakura face it was framed with her close cut white hair with short bangs in front. As two long silvery horns spring forth and curled back towards the base of her neck. Her yellow reptilian eyes gave off a cold fierce as if she could see something no one could.

Sasori ignoring her cold stare shot out his hand grabbing Sakura by her face just below the jaw line. Her alabaster skin was cold and virtually flawless accented small flecks of sliver. Sasori gently turned her head to the right as he studied her right cheek the skin was a light shade of purple as a bruise was starting to form.

Sakura flinched as he looked at discoloration. Although she was surprised, that Sasori had such a gentle touch she had not felt it since they were children. As she felt his thumb gently, caress the right side of her face as he drew his sword in one fluid motion. Sakura reflexively closed her eyes, as there was no time to move or dodge.

"Here rub this sap on the area it should reverse the bruising"

Sakura opened her eyes to see Sasori holding a plant on the tip of his sword.

"I'm … I'm sorry I struck you we have been partners since we were little. I may not agree with your methods but of the entire clan you're the only one I trust and I don't want to lose that." Sasori replied as he slowly dropped down two one knee as kneeled down level with Sakura as he started to rest.

Sakura slowly took the plant off the tip of the sword as she slowly rubbed the sap on her cheek. "All is forgiven. As for Tenkai, I never followed him my loyalty rest with you. I said that when we were children and I say it now my life is yours. You are the rightful heir to our clan given time you will surpass Tenkai. My methods rougher than you would prefer but I see the threats you fail to notice and I know how deep Tenkai's treachery goes."

Sasori hesitated as he released his Sakura's face from his grip his eyes quickly cut to the right. As spun around as what seemed to be liquid darkness gathered around his right hand he quickly released it in what could only be considered as a flash of black lightening as seconds later a small black charred winged snake crashed to the ground. "Afina spies on us no longer what is this treachery?"

Xiuying took a deep breath as the smile on her face faded away as she begins to speak "You're not ready for what lies beyond that door. For it is death. If you open that door you will achieve perfect harmony with the elements but the harmony is unnatural and damages the body the strain of forced harmony will turn your body to ash. In your current state, you would last at maximum of one to two minutes while the average would be thirty minutes. You lack basic harmony so time frame is greatly reduced"

"You underestimate me." Sesshomaru asked as anger remained on the edge of his voice.

"Its not that I underestimate you its just that everything you've done you have always done alone in that state you'd working with four or possibly five spirits. Until feel the strain of manifesting one of us, you cannot understand. In flesh, you may be alone but now you have partners to battle with so rules of combat have changed. Not just us you have to learn how Kagura fights as well if you're going to be an effective team." She replied as breathed out slowly as she watched Sesshomaru's facial expression change to a look of sadness as she looked back over her and continued walking.

"I'm so use to fighting alone I didn't include Kagura in my battle calculations." Sesshomaru replied.

Xiuying snickered as she waved a hand casually as doorway appeared "To come back just hold the Tenseiga and concentrate on this place the blade will do the rest. It seems I have given you enough food for thought this day. Talk to her, train with her and learn how she fights."

"I will." Sesshomaru replied as he walked through the doorway as once again he was hit by blinding light as he closed his eyes everything changed as the burning in his lungs returned he felt his head resting on something soft.

Sesshomaru eyes slowly fluttered open as he looked up to see Kagura cradling his head in lap as her tears gently fell on his forehead. Sesshomaru slowly reached up slowly whipping the tears from under Kagura eyes. "Its okay come on lets get out of here."

Kagura leaned down hugging Sesshomaru as best could for the position they were in. "Sesshomaru what happened?" she asked.

Sesshomaru sighed as he told Kagura everything that transpired after he was pulled into the water.

Kagura blinked as she echoed, "The sword of Kusanagi, I heard stories but I never believed it was real. But the sword is the most know artifact what became of the rest of the dragon concerns me more."

"Xiuying made it clear that she has no clue what other artifacts the remains gave rise to. Come on we need to head out of here and get that necklace off." Sesshomaru replied as he slowly rose to a knee. "Hop on." Sesshomaru called as he took Kagura's hand, guided her around to his back as he felt her climb on, and get comfortable. He finally understood why Inu-Yasha carried that human girl everywhere. Her presence was soothing to him. Just as Kagura had become soothing to me. Sesshomaru slowly rose to his feet and started walking back towards the exit. As he headed toward the cavern entrance, he noticed two small twinkles. Sesshomaru stopped as he knelt down he looked at the shining blue crystals. He slowly picked them up.

"Why are we stopping? Are you sure, you are ready to move on. We could rest here for a while longer," Kagura asked.

"I'm fine" Sesshomaru replied as he slipped the crystals in a fold in his kimono. "Kagura may I ask something of you?"

"That depends on if you will answer my question in return? With an honest answer." Kagura replied as she rested her head on Sesshomaru's shoulder.

"By my estimate we have a little less than five weeks to get ready for the battle at the base of Mount Fuji. I was wondering if you would like to train with me as my partner."

Kagura hesitated at this she had agreed to fight with him what was this sudden change and what did he mean by partners?

To Be Continued