Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha only my oc :(

Shiori and Kagome fired Miroku's staff at Reika's forehead. The sacred staff ripped through the air as it surged with spiritual power. Swirls of purple and pink spiritual energy swirled around the blue aura of the staff. Reika fired a mouth blast to counter the spiritual attack, but it was no use. The staff shot right through the attack and hit her in the forehead. The shards instantly purified and Reika's body began reverting back to her humanoid form. She howled out in pain as her body became purified.

"We did it!" proclaimed Kagome. "We purified her! And we did it without killing her."

"I'm glad that's over," said Shiori walking over to Reika. "This entire ordeal has reminded me why I really hate cats."

Kagome giggled, "Yes, I bet you're more of a dog person."

"You hardly have room to talk," said Shiori over her shoulder. "I can take it from here. Go help the others."

Miroku grabbed his staff and rushed to the castle with Kagome. Shippo ran after them. Shiori had a feeling they would need help. She was sensing a powerful enormity coming from the direction of the fortress.

Reika was lying in a twisted position in the grass. She'd been rendered unconscious due to the attack. As Shiori approached, her eyes flapped open. She stared with contempt.

"You're nothing but trouble….why do you continue to make a fool of me?" she weakly demanded.

"Why can't you accept that I'm not after your life? Come on Reika, you've got to admit that this conversation has become stale," Shiori softly answered.

"I hate you," she spat.

"What's the point of hating someone who's completely indifferent to your existence? I don't care whether you live or die, but it your death won't be because of me. I won't be pulled into this. You're a fool to believe Naraku wanted to help you. He only cares about corrupting the jewel. Look at yourself, you've turned into what you feared I might become."

Reika tired to squirm away, but she didn't have the energy to do so.

"Is it really me you hate? Or is it my father?" Shiori questioned.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she answered.

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Reika. You see, I've noticed the way you always brought him up in a conversation. You bash him, more than my mother. Yet, you've never met my father, correct?"

Reika was now lying motionless. She had nowhere to go.

"And just how were you able to figure out my heritage anyway?" asked Shiori. "Why did you research my birth?"

"I've just always had my suspicions about you," stammered Reika.

"You know something about me, don't you?" Shiori questioned.

….

"Inuyasha!" cried Kagome when she and Miroku finally reached the castle. "Inuyasha!"

"Kagome, Miroku, how nice of you to join us," said Naraku casually.

Naraku was floating over the huge bundle of roots he used to trap Inuyasha and Sango. Kagura was nowhere to be found. Kagome stared at the bundle in horror.

"It's only a matter of time before they succumb to my miasma. Not even Inuyasha will be able to withstand it for long."

"I won't let that happen!" shouted Miroku. "Wind tunnel!"

He unleashed his rosary beads and aimed his wind tunnel at the bundle of roots. Some of the miasma began seeping out through the roots and into the tunnel. Inuyasha and Sango looked up at the departing poison.

"Miroku, you idiot! You're sucking up the miasma!" shouted Inuyasha from inside.

"I don't have any other choice!" He answered.

"So, you intended to save your friends at the expense of your own life?" Naraku darkly teased. "But what's stopping me from killing them once they escape?"

"I don't know what to do. I wish I still had some arrows left." Kagome thought.

She looked around for something to use as a weapon. It was then that she remembered Miroku's staff. It was lying on the ground while Miroku was using his wind tunnel.

"His staff…..I can use it like before."

….

"Stop Miroku! Please, don't do this!" called Sango.

She was viscously jabbing at the walls in an effort to break free. If Miroku absorbed too much of Naraku's miasma, he would surely die. Sango was determined to stop that from happening. Sadly, her efforts were in vain. Nothing she or Inuyasha tried seemed to work.

"Wait, what about this girl?" asked Sango.

"What about her?" Inuyasha responded.

"She's Shiori's sister, a tennin. She might be able to get us out of here,"

"Huh? Well wake her up!" He ordered.

Sango put her hand on Emi's forehead. She could tell that she'd been unconscious for a long time. The girl had bruises all over her face and arms. Sango wondered what Naraku did to her. She lightly shook Emi to try and wake her, but it didn't work.

"I can't," said Sango. "It's like she's under a spell."

Inuyasha went over to check it out. He lifted her body and wildly shook her around.

"Hey, you!" he yelled. "Get up!"

But Emi didn't responded. Inuyasha looked at her closer and caught a strange scent from her…an evil scent.

"She's already been injected with miasma," he said. "That bastard!"

"And the added miasma in the air isn't helping much, for anyone."

Miroku's wind tunnel suddenly stopped and Sango feared for the worse.

"Inuyasha! Sango! Stand back!" called Kagome's voice from outside.

"Kagome? What are you doing?" answered Inuyasha. "Get away from here!"

"Just trust me!" she answered back.

Inuyasha, Sango and Kirara moved back.

"Go!" shouted Kagome.

Suddenly, the walls began glowing with spiritual energy. The miasma became instantly purified and the roots melted away.

"Inuyasha! Sango! Are you okay?" asked Kagome running into Inuyasha's arms.

"We're fine," said Sango.

She looked over to Miroku, who was kneeling on the ground in pain. He's taken in too much of Naraku's new and improved Miasma. The demon's poison was weighing a toll on his body. She quickly rushed to his side.

"You've all been reunited again. Your combined power may have been enough to stop Reika, but it won't be a match against me," said Naraku.

"Bastard!" said Inuyasha leaping towards him,

Naraku knocked him away. He instantly pumped more of his miasma at the group, but Miroku put up a sacred barrier. Inuyasha kept fighting Naraku.

"There's nothing you can do," teased Naraku.

Miroku's barrier slowly diminished due to his previous miasma wounds. Suddenly Emi began to wake up. Sango noticed she was squirming and looked down at her. She stared in awe as Emi slowly opened her eyes.

"She's woken up!" Sango exclaimed.

Kagome and Miroku also looked over to Emi. She weakly sat up and stared at them all.

"Where am I?" she asked innocently. She looked at each one of them. "Oh, I know you are! You're Inuyasha's friends."

"Huh," said a confused Kagome. "She knows us?"

"Umm, not exactly. I know who you are, but I've never actually met you," She said shyly. "My people and I were ordered to spy on you."

"But why?" she asked.

Emi looked over at the fighting Inuyasha and Naraku.

"I didn't understand then, but now I do," she said rising to her feet. "Naraku!"

Naraku turned and looked down at the young tennin. Her lilac eyes burned with anger.

"What? It seems Kagome's spiritual power's cleansed her body," he thought. "Without Reika or the injected miasma, I can't control Emi. I must stop her."

Naraku shot his tentacle roots right for the group.

"No!" yelled Inuyasha as he raced to stop Naraku's purist.

"This is force my imprisonment!" she shouted.

Emi held out her hands in a triangular shape and closed her eyes. When Naraku got close enough, she shot open her eyes and blasted a beam from her hands. The spiritual beam quickly eliminated Naraku's roots and destroyed much of his body.

"You wench," he whispered.

Everyone stared in awe as Naraku fled in a sea of miasma. Emi stared up after him, before looking back at the group.

"He's gone," said Kagome.

"Who in the world are you?" demanded Inuyasha. "And how did you do that?"

"My apologies. I haven't formally introduced myself," said Emi blushing. "My name is Emi, I'm from the sacred lands. I'm Shiori's sister."

"Shiori's sister? But you're so…..nice," Inuyasha marveled.

Emi laughed, "We're not so different. Speaking of which, where's she gone? What happened to Reika?"

"Do you mean the tennin queen?" asked Miroku.

"Yes! Shiori's in grave danger!" said Emi looking around.

…

"You're just like that bastard," said a disheveled Reika. "Just like him. Oh, how I hate him."

Shiori said nothing as she stared down at her dying foe. Reika continued.

"He was supposed to me mine, Mine! Not that wench, Hikari," she spat.

Shiori looked away from Reika. It had been a long time since anyone mentioned her mother by name to her. She had almost forgotten the sound of it. But she continued to listen to Reika speak.

"Long before you were ever thought of, Isao and I were in love. We shared deep passion. But our love was forbidden. The both of us were very aware of this fact," she said attempting to stand. "One day, he came to me and said that our affair must come to an end. I didn't see him after that. Many nights I spent crying over that bastard."

Shiori tried to hide her disgust as Reika continued speaking.

"The day you were born, is when my suspicions began. You were never fit out for the tennin lifestyle. Always making a ruckus of my land, and failing to perform certain tasks. Something about you just didn't seem right. Even as an infant, something about you was a bit off to me.I can remember that day, as if it was yesterday. Shortly after you were born, your foolish mother snuck you out of the sacred lands,"

"What?" Shiori exclaimed.

"Yes, that was something else he didn't tell you," said Reika. "Your first time leaving the sacred lands wasn't 50, but 400 years ago. I followed after you. It was then that I discovered your true form. That wretch, she didn't even sense me. As I was following, I realized you were going to meet Isao in some cave in a volcano."

"A cave…in a volcano?" Shiori wondered. "Could she mean Toutousai's cave?"

She remembered her brief meeting with Toutousai.

"Who are you?" asked Toutousaid.

"Nobody," Shiori flatly responded.

"Nonsense! I know I remember you from somewhere,"

"But how could he have remembered me, I was only an infant,"

"Unfortunately, Isao sensed me and stopped me from entering after you," continued Reika,"We had a brief encounter before I left. I suspect that Isao never told your mother about what I saw. She thought her secret was safe for years but I knew everything. Of course I couldn't just banish an infant, it would tarnish my image. So I waited until you were of age. It wasn't until Chiyao came to me and expressed her concern with her daughters well being."

"Emi's mother?" asked Shiori.

"Yes, it seemed she was unhappy about her daughter hanging around the seed of a shinigami. She was gracious enough to tell me everything she knew about your birth. Though, I didn't need her information, because I already had it," said Reika with a smug.

"She betrayed my mother…how could she do that?" Shiori turned her back from Reika.

"Of course this all could have been avoided if you were never born," said Reika. "You were never meant to be born! If it weren't for you, he would have come back to me. It's not like he cared about your life anyway! I don't even know why he through the trouble of having you! You worthless little brat!"

With her last bit of strength, she summoned her power into her fist and tried to claw Shiori's head. At that moment, Inuyasha and the gang came racing towards them.

"Shiori!" Emi called. "Watch out!"

But Shiori had long sensed Reika approaching. After learning about everything, she could barely contain herself any longer. Shiori closed her eyes and sighed as she prepared to unsheathe her sword.

"Shiori! No!" Emi screamed.

Just as Shiori was about to deliver a final blow, someone else beat her to it. She watched as a surge of energy raged toward Reika's body. Emi screeched as her body dematerialized in the blast. All that was left of her were the 7 tainted shards.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha stated.

Sesshomaru slowly stepped out of the shadows. He casually glanced over Shiori.

"Did he come to save her?" wondered Kagome. "It's not like him to go out of his way for anyone."

Sesshomaru didn't seem to acknowledge that there was anyone else around. Not even Inuyasha. The only person he seemed to notice was Shiori.

"So this is where you've been," he nonchalantly said to her. "Taking care of more family affairs?"

She looked over to Emi, "they're no family mine."

"Shiori," said Emi weakly, "why do you look at me with such cold eyes."

"Did you know about it?" Shiori questioned.

"No about what?"

"About my father and Reika. Did you know about it?" aseked Shiori.

Emi looked to her feet, "I'm sorry, Shiori. I didn't want to tell you. I thought it would upset you. We hoped you would never find out."

"We?" she inquired. "You mean you and your mother?"

"Your mother knew about the affair as well,"

"So you all knew? Is there anything else you're hiding from me, Emi?" she demanded.

Emi didn't know what to say. Although she couldn't sense Shiori's emotions, she could definitely see them in her eyes. Shiori tried to hide her pain to the best of her ability, but it was no use. She could feel the sympathy seeping out from everyone.

"Shiori, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you," said Shiori fighting back her tears.

"Hurt me?" Shiori scoffed. "Don't insult me any further."

Shiori turned to pray over Reika's death. She then began to walk away, but Sesshomaru stopped her.

"There are more of them coming," he said.

She looked up to the sky and sensed more tennin flying towards them. Reika's subjects were coming. She sighed deeply.

"They must be coming to apprehend me for the death of Reika,"

The fleet of tennin landed down in the grass in fro not them. All of them dressed in the traditional tennin robes. Shiori recognized that these tennin were Reika's advisors.

"I am Jirou, second in command to Reika," said one of the men. "Hello Shiori and company."

Shiori didn't respond and continued to stare them down.

"She's, uh, not in the best mood right now," said Emi.

"Emi," he said with relief, "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Please, this whole thing wasn't Shiori's fault. It was Reika. She-"

"We know," he said cutting her off. "We've been watching everything. Reika hadn't been herself lately. We could never bring ourselves to stand up to her, but we knew you could Shiori."

Shiori still continued to stare at them.

"Shiori, thank-you for stopping her. You have our gratitude," said Jirou.

"You may keep your gratitude; I've no use for it. Anyway, I'm not the one who killed her," she said walking away from them.

"Wait, where are you going? Aren't you going to come back with us now that Reika's passed?" he asked.

"No, I have no interest in returning to that terrible place," she called over her shoulder. "It's filled with too many bad memories."

"Please, come back with us my sister," Emi pleased softly.

Shiori stopped, "You are no sister of mine. And to think I even considered rescuing you….."

"Shiori, wait! I'm sorry!" this time Emi didn't try to fight back her tears.

"Inuyasha, take care of these shards," she turned to Sesshomaru. "I have no more business here, we may leave now."

Sesshomaru said nothing as they walked on.

Kagome watched them leave and bent down to pick up the shards.

"I should have told her, I shouldn't have kept such a secret," said Emi sadly.

"There she goes again. Just what's going on with her?" Thought Inuyasha.

"Emi," said Jirou. "We must also go as well."

"But what about Shiori?"

"She doesn't wish to return and we can't force her," he said sadly. "It's a real shame. We would have loved to have her back. We understand her situation a little better now. And with Reika gone, things would have been easier for her. But, she has made her choice."

"Shiori, I won't rest until I make things right between us," She said.

…..

For the longest time, Shiori walked ahead of Sesshomaru. She couldn't bear to be around anyone. Eventually, Shiori slowed down and allowed him to catch up with her. She turned to him.

"Lord Sesshomaru….."She said looking away from him.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Why did you come to my aid?" she asked.

Sesshomaru turned to her. She was now looking directly at him.

"I caught Naraku's scent as well as your own. So I followed it," he said flatly. "I was only curious."

"That still doesn't explain why he stepped in just as I was about to kill Reika. It was as if he was stopping me from doing it to save me from the other tennin's wrath. But Lord Sesshomaru couldn't possibly know about that. I haven't told him anything. Though they seemed okay with everything that happened anyway, what if things hadn't gone as smoothly? What if I really did kill her, and they wanted revenge?"

"What are you staring at?" he asked.

She shook her head, "nothing."

"Looks like he isn't talking…..as expected. Oh well. At least my business with the tennin is over. Reika's dead and my ties with Emi are officially cut."

"Rin has been asking about you," he said.

"She has?" she responded with surprise.

"Yes, it seems she misses you,"

"Did you miss me as well, my lord?" Shiori teased.

"hmph," he scoffed. "A ridiculous question."

"….am I allowed a ridiculous answer? You know what, it doesn't matter. I'm just going to assume that's a yes," she said happily.

Sesshomaru grunted, but Shiori didn't seem to mind. She was just trying to keep her mind off everything that happened. She wanted to forget about everything Emi and Reika told her. She even wanted to forget about her father.

" No matter what anyone says, I've always loved and cared about you….Believe the truth,"

"He expected all of this to happen…..that's why he came to me and told me that. But just what is the truth….Father, you didn't give me much to go on. At least I know what my next move will be; I must pay a visit to Toutousai,"

She unsheathed her sword and glanced over it. She figured that Toutousai must have forged it long ago. Her father just waited to retrieve it for her…..after she was banished from home.

"Wait, did father foresee my banishment from the sacred lands too? He knew all of this would happen and yet,"

"….Believe the truth,"

"I don't know what to believe, Father,"

"Lost in thought?" inquired Sesshomaru. He noticed her staring at her sword for the longest time.

"Something like that," she answered.

"Well you won't have much time to hear your thoughts," he said.

"Why do you say that?"

But as soon as she asked, she received her answer.

"Lady Shiori!" called Rin as she hopped up and down.

Jaken, Rin, and Ah-Un were waiting underneath a giant tree. Jaken turned and looked at Shiori with disgust.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you brought that wretch back with you?" he asked.

"Yes, it's nice to see you as well," she answered sarcastically.

Rin ran over to Shiori and gave her big hug. Shiori, who was slightly startled by the gesture, awkwardly pat her on the back.

"I'm so glad you came back!" said Rin looking up at Shiori. "I missed you so much! We went to your meadow many times, but you weren't there."

"Did you now," she said looking at Sesshomaru. But he was already looking away from her.

"Are you going to travel with us?" asked Rin.

"For now," said Shiori.

Rin seemed satisfied by her answer and happily hummed to herself.

"What? You're coming back with us? I'll have you know that things have gone much smoother since you've left! We don't need you back!" shouted Jaken.

"Translation: Shiori, life without you has been absolutely boring. Please, come back to us, please," Shiori jeered.

"Ugh! That's not what I meant at all!" shrieked Jaken as he wildly waved his arms.

"Jaken, if you keep flapping your arms like that you might accidently take flight!" She laughed.

Jaken continued to rant and rave as Shiori teased him.

"Making fun of Jaken always makes me feel better," she sighed.

"Feel better? Why do you need to feel better? Are you sad?" asked Rin.

"No, I'm just fine," she answered.

But Shiori was lying to herself and everyone around her. It bothered her just how deeply affected she was by what happened. Shiori's emotions were conflicted and out of place. She wasn't sure how to feel. But one thing was certain, she felt betrayed by Emi for the second time.