-Sign of Unrest-

"Who… who are you?" The old woman cried, raising her hands in front of her face to protect herself.

"Don't hurt my mother," Jinenji warned. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the ugly giant and cracked his hands in frustration.

"The berries of the 1000- year old plant, where is it?"

Jinenji blinked two large blue crystal-like eyes at the demon that stood before him and his mother. "I don't have any right now," he calmly answered. "Come back tomorrow and maybe—"

Sesshomaru drew his sword at the gentle creature forcefully. "Where can I find them?"

"Wait!" Jinenji's mother hollered out, guarding her large son. "Why do you need them so desperately anyways?"

"That is none of your concern," Sesshomaru snapped. He had already wasted a day and a half finding this place and he wasn't willing to spend any more negotiating with these people.

She studied him up and down, narrowing her sharp eyes at his face and figure. "What could a fearful demon like you want with the berries of the 1000-year old plant? I thought you demons were immune to poison."

Sesshomaru never changed his cold facial expression at her, still pointing the sword at her neck. If I kill her, this beast will attack me and I will have to kill him too… then I will never obtain the antidote… Slowly, he sheathed his sword and watched as both mother and son relaxed.

"Very well then," the woman breathed. "Come inside, you might as well."

-Kohaku's Face-

"The berries grow in the ravine behind the farm, but it is far too dangerous to try to get them right now," Jinenji stated, grinding a handful of strange smelling herbs. "But I suppose a strong demon like you could survive the journey."

"There has been a sudden increase in demons lately," his mother interjected. "Don't know why, but they seem to be heading south."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. These demons were headed towards Rin's Shikon Jewel. He made a mental note to hurry back to her as soon as he could with the berries. Sesshomaru couldn't believe where he was at the moment. Years ago, he wouldn't have stood this filthy half demon's company in this era – he knew something inside him changed.

"Demon, before I tell you what the plant looks like, answer me this," her scratchy voice lowered. "Who is the antidote for?"

Sesshomaru's eyes glistened with annoyance. How dare this human question me? But he knew by keeping his purpose to himself, he was only delaying the already-limited time he had to save Rin.

"It is for a human," Sesshomaru replied, never looking at her.

Jinenji's mother's face started to flush with pink as she remembered the beautiful demon she mated many years ago. For some odd reason, Sesshomaru reminded her of him and despite his rude manners, she grew a liking to the strange dog demon. "A woman, I suppose?" she smiled deviously.

Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched and didn't say anything.

"Of course it's for a woman!" she answered herself. "Do you love her?" she smiled even wider.

"Mother…" Jinenji interrupted her thoughts, embarrassed and scared of Sesshomaru's wrath.

Sesshomaru stood impatiently and pushed the bamboo curtain of the small hut aside. "Demons know no love," he remarked, and stepped outside.

"The plant grows on top of the cliff of the ravine, a few miles behind this farm!" the old woman called out. "Good luck!"

I don't need your luck. Sesshomaru took off into the air in a twirling cloud of mist.

-Attack-

"Out of my way," Sesshomaru hissed, slicing the slithering demons that crossed his path. The medicinal herb farmers were right… there were an abundance of demons that inhabited the ravine, but nothing Sesshomaru couldn't handle with ease.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, the light whip from his fingers cut through numbers of them. As he approached the cliff, he could see it – the 1000-year old flower. It wasn't an impressive sight at all, but he was determined to pry it out of the ground anyways.

A large centipede-like creature popped out of the ground and headed straight for Sesshomaru. What a waste of my time, he thought as he cut through it with his bear claws. He finally reached the flower and pulled on it with his strong, bloodied hands.

"The sun is setting," he growled at the darkening sky. That only gave Sesshomaru one more day to return to Rin and he knew he would only make it if the journey was clear of demons. Without a second thought, he took off towards the south, never letting go of the dark green plant.

-From the Sealed Well to the Feudal Age-

"Where is that demon?" Kaede whispered to herself, patting the cloth against Rin's burning skin. Her condition was at its peak now and the third day was slowly slipping through her old fingers. She looked out towards the horizon – no Sesshomaru.

Time was running out and with every minute that passed, Rin's breath would become more uneven. "Rin, hang in there, the antidote is on its way…"

Suddenly, at the sound ripping flesh and body parts hitting the floor, she peered outside again. Sesshomaru was there, panting and fighting with a hoard of forest demons.

"Sesshomaru!" Kaede called out. "Ye don't have time to fight with them!"

Sesshomaru on the other hand, ignored her. He was tired of having to listen to human orders all day. No, I know I can kill them and then save Rin…

He leapt into the air and slaughtered them in groups, watching as their remains fell from the sky like menacing rain. When the last demon was dead, he quickly turned and ran into Kaede's hut.

She was hunched over Rin's body, her back shaking violently. "It's too late," she wept. "She has stopped breathing."

(a/n): Sesshomaru killed Rin?